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Full text of "History of Washington and Ozaukee counties, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin ... and an abstract of its laws and constitution .."

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HISTORY 


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Washington  /  Ozaukee  Counties, 


WISCONSIN 


CONTAINING 


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. 


ILIi-CTST.R.A.TIEID. 


CHICAGO: 
WESTERN     HISTORICAL     COMPANY. 

MIICCCLXXXt. 


J  _. 


^1  .        . 


i<\H< 


// 


PREFACE 


rj^HE  existing  counties  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee  are  so  associated  in  historic  interest,  as 
-*-  well  as  in  material  growth,  that  no  alternative  was  left  the  writer  but  to  prepare  a  volume 
embracing  both  counties.  Still,  the  method  of  treatment  is  as  distinct  as  possible,  and  each 
county  is  practically  separate  in  all  matters  likely  to  be  referred  to  by  those  who  seek  information 
on  specific  topics.  The  plan  is  self-explanatory  in  the  chapter  headings,  and  need  be  but 
cursorily  alluded  to  here.  "  Old  Washington  "  is  described  in  a  division  of  the  work,  and 
includes  the  remarkable  record  of  the  erection  of  Ozaukee  County — one  of  the  most  noteworthy 
instances  of  legislative  interference  in  the  annals  of  the  State.  The  newly-formed  counties  are 
then  treated  of  distinctly  from  that  period  on. 

The  pioneers  are  given  space  for  reminiscences  which  their  experience  so  richly  entitles 
them  to.  It  has  been  attempted  to  preserve  the  many  incidents  and  personal  transactions  which 
make  up  the  sum  of  general  history,  and  to  incorporate  individual  sketches  in  accordance  with 
their  value. 

The  co-operation  of  influential  citizens  is  hereby  acknowledged,  and  the  innumerable 
kindnesses  rendered  the  compilers  is  thus  publicly  recognized. 

The  Press,  the  Clergy  and  the  Pioneers  are  tendered  the  thanks  of  the  writer  for  their 

valuable  assistance. 

WESTERN  HISTORICAL  COMPANY. 

Chicago,  November,  1881. 


CONTENTS. 


Page.  ! 

Antiquities 19  ! 

Tn.iianTnl.es 21 

Pre-Territorial  Annals 29 

Wisconsin  Territory 41 

State 52 

,ist ration 52 

ninistration  57 

illustration 59  ' 

ministration 62 

ii nist ration 64 

ministration GG 

Administration 67 

•  Secession  Commenced 69  : 

Administration 76  I 

Administration .*. 85 

ics  of  Volunteers 90 

.  Administration 92 

■nth  Administration 93 

.ftli  Administration 94  ' 

;teenth  Administration 97 

irteenth  Administration 99  : 

I     nth  Administration 104  ! 

Kteenth  Administration 109 

jraphy  and  Geology 110  : 

Tbe  Archeean  Age ....112 

Paleozoic  Time — Silurian  Age 115 

Devonian  Age 119 

Glacial   Period 120 

matology 121 

ees,  Shrubs  and  Vines 128 

Fauna 134 

Fish  and  Fish  Culture 134 

Large  Animals — Time  of  their  Disap- 
pearance  138 

Peculiarities  of  the  Bird  Fauna 139 

Educational 140 

Original  School  Code 140 

Agitation  for  Free  Schools 141 

School    System    under    State    Govern- 
ment  141 

School  Fund  Income 142 

State   University 113 

Agricultural  College 144 

Normal  Schools 144 

Teachers'  Institutes 14G 

Graded  Schools 146 


HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 

Page. 
Educational : 

Township  System 146 

Free  High  Schools 147 

School  Offices 147 

State  Teachers'  Certificates 147 

Teachers'  Associations 148 

Libraries 14s 

State  Superintendents 148 

College  Sketches 149 

Female  Colleges 150 

Academies  and  Seminaries 151 

Commercial  Schools 161 

Agriculture 151 

Mineral  Resources 162 

Lead  and  Zinc 1*>2 

Iron 165 

Copper 168 

Gold  and  Silver 168 

Brick  Clays 168 

Cement  Rock 170 

Limestone — Glass  Sand 171 

Peat— Building  Stones 172 

Railroads 173 

Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 173 

Chicago  &  Northwestern 176 

Wisconsin  Central 178 

Western   Union 179 

Weal  Wisconsin 180 

Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western 180 

Green  Bay  &  Minnesota 1*1 

Wisconsin  Valley 1*1 

Shehovgan  &  Fond  du  Lac LSI 

Mineral  Point 182 

Madison  &  Portage 1S2 

North  Wisconsin 183  , 

Prairie  du  Chien  &  McGregor 183 

Chippewa  Falls  &  Western 1*3 

Narrow  Gauge 183 

Conclusion 184  I 

Lumber 1S5 

Banking 191 

Commerce  and  Manufactures 198  j 

Furs 199  I 

Lead  and  Zinc — Iron 200 

Lumber...  201 

Grain  202  i 


Page. 
Commerce  and  Manufactures : 

Dairy   Products 203 

Pork  and  Beef. 2l)3 

Hops 204 

Tobacco— Cranl  erries 205 

Liquors 206 

Miscellaneous 206 

Water  Powers 206 

Manufactures 208 

Conclusion 208 

Tbe  Public  Domain -1" 

Health 230 

Geographical  Position -  " 

Physical  Features 230 

Geology 231 

Drainage 232 

Climatology 232 

Rain  Character 233 

Isotherms 234 

Barometrical 234 

Wind- 236 

Climatological  Changes  from  Settling 

in  the  State 235 

Influence  of  Nationalities 237 

Occupations— Food — Education,  etc 238 

History  of  Disease 238 

Ratio  of  Sickness,  Ft.  Howard  and  Win- 
nebago  239 

Education  of  the  Blind 241 

Institute  of  Deaf  and  Dumb 241 

Industrial  School  for  Boys 242 

State    Prison 242 

State  Hospital  for  the  Insane 242 

Northern  Hospital  for  the  Insane 243 

City  of  Milwaukee 243 

Health  Resorts 244 

Change  of  Diseases 246 

Pulmonary  Diseases 248 

Statistics 249 

Population,  1875,  of  Townships,  Alpha- 
betically  Arranged  by  Counties 24° 

Population  by  CountieB 258 

Nativity  by  Counties 259 

Valuation  of  Property 260 

Acreage  of  Principal  Crops 261,  262 


ABSTRACT  OF    WISCOXSIX    STATE  LAWS. 


Page. 

Actions 283 

Arrest 283 

Attachment 284 

Adoption  of  Children 276 

Assignment  of  Mortgage 274 

Assessment  and  Collection  of  Taxes 207 

Assessmentof  Taxes > 

Bills  of  Exchange  or  Promissory  Notes 272 

Borrowed  Money , 2C7 

Capital  Punishment 278 

Collection  of  Taxes 270 

Commercial  Terms 2St 

Common  Schools 266 

Damages  for  Trespass 279 


Page. 

Elections  and  General  Elections 263 

Bstrays 279 

Exemptions 284 

Fences 280 

Forms  of  Conveyances 273 

Forms  of  Mortgages 274 

Garnishment 284 

Highways  and  Bridges 270 

Hours  of  Labor 273 

Interest 277 

Intoxicating  Liquors 271 

Judgments 284 

Jurisdiction  of  Courts 277 

Jurors 278 


Page. 

Landlord  and  Tenant 281 

Limitation  ol  Actions 285 

Marks  and  Brands 2S1 

Married  Women 283 

Stay  Law 284 

Surveyors  and  Surveys.. 282 

Support  of  Poor 282 

Suggestions  to  Persons  Purchasing  Books 

by  Subscription 285 

Title  of  Real  Property  by  Descent 275 

Weights  and  Measures 278 

Wills 27G 

Wolf  Scalp? 278 


Page. 

Wisconsin  State  Constitution 287 

C.  S.  Constitution 297 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

Page.  I 
Vote  of  Wisconsin  for  Governor  aud  Presi- 
dent  30G-307 


Population  of  the  State.. 


Page. 

308 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page,  i  Page. 

Portrait  of  M.  A.  T.  Farmer 433    Portrait  of  George  F.  Hunt 397 

Portrait  of  L.  F.  Fiisby 361  |  Portrait  of  Geo.  C.  Rossmnn 469 


Page 

Portrait  of  Moses  Weil 325 

View  of  Church  of  St.  Mary'*  Help 451 


Mil 


CONTEXTS. 
HISTORY    OF   WASHINGTON    ASD    OZ.4CKEK    COUNTIES. 


Page 
-Old  Washington  County. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Boundaries *ua 

The  River  System -J1" 

Prehistoric °" 

Indians ... 

White  Men ■>" 

The  Dawn  of  Civilization »» 

The  First  Roads ;>'•> 

Fir»t  White  Settlers «» 

The  County  Begins  for  Itself. ;"» 

First  Poll  List  of  Washington  County 3  6 

TheEa-ly  Records *\° 

Retrospective  Summary *» 

Courts  Fully  Orgauized «« 

From  1846  to  IMS ••-•■■-  iiu 

Supervisors  and  County  Officers,  1846  to 

IOC*  J-' 

lOOO qnn 

The  Town  System «j 

Growth  of  Population •"- 

nationality "I 

The  Poor  Farm ™ 

The  Jail 


ret  School  Beports J28 

itora, 


Tim  County  Seat 331 

CHAPTER  II.— Washington  Coi-ntt 
Introductory. 


362 


Material 35_ 

Mannfactnring  Facilities ™ 

The  People ,.~ 

Settlement  of  Old  Scores *>•» 

County  Buildings 3S* 

Ibiilroads £™ 

The  Do  Bar  Tragedy *» 

The  Great  Defalcation 35° 

The  War  Record x 360 

Drafting :;' J 

The  Draft  in  the  County »6S 

Bostei "■    3C0 

Roster    of    Commissioned    Officers   tor 

w  ishlngton  Counts 309 

Washington  Agricultural  Society 170 

Washington  Conntj  Old  Settlers'  Club...  372 
newspapers 'Tf 

-  i i« £•:■•;■■■■ 

Number   of    School     Insiii.t--,    scholars 

hers  and  Batesof  Wages ;>77 

Value  ,.r  School   Property  and   Yearly 

i  liture ■  3"8 

Oonntv    Government.    Supervisors    and 
'  other  County  Office,*,  1868  to  18(  I7« 

Commissioners  and  other  County  Offi- 

i     i  '     i,,i     0       381 

Supervisors  and  other  County  Officers, 

1870  to  1881 3*- 

The  Court 383 

Countj  Court 

Islaters ™? 

Growth  and  Wealth  385 

owing   the   County    Tavs    for 

Twenty  Vears •  3S;' 

Tahle  showing  Increase  in  Valuation  of 

255 

Hon  Returns  387 

Population 

Census  of  Washington  Connly  in  1880 

by  Towns 

iperism ■ :'sl 

Retrospect 387 

CHAPTER     in     T  un     Histories    oi 

Washington  COUHTT. 

Town  of  West  Bend      

Lakes 

t:,rlv  Settlers.  .  ,'"1 

Personal  :-i lei  Skeh  hi  -  9*1 

First  Town  Meeting 394 

First  School 396 


\\   iSHINOTOS    I 

«  i  t  Bend 

Baxtford    

i  ington 

Barton 

Polk 

Jackson 

Trenton 


Pact 

....  578 

B97 

710 

Tie 

727 


Page. 

First  ThiDgs 395 

The  Village  of  West  Bend 395 

A  Short-lived  City 896 

The  Changes 3<J9 

Incorporated  39 

other  Early  Comers - 3" 

The  War  Period *"" 

The  First  War  I  ompany 401 

Second    Company    Washington    County 

Rifles 4(l2 

The  Women's  WV.ik    403 

West  Bend  Village  in  1881 *<>» 

Schools *M 

Churches <JB 

!,  "Etc." Me 

Bands f>~ 

Indnstjies  and  Trade 401 

Places  of  Resort 4"S 

The  Bar *"9 

Miscellaneous 4'0 

The  Town  in   lss| 410 

Town  of  Hartford 412 

The  First  Town  Meeting 417 

Miscellaneous  Memoranda 418 

Hartford  Village  in  lssl 418 

Churches ■•••  *1!) 

Societies *f 

Fire  Department 421 

Mercantile  mid  Manufacturing 422 

Bui. icon  Hydraulic  Company 423 

Miscellaneous 423 

Town  of  Polk 423 

The  First  Town  Meeting 424 

Mai-field 425 

Schleisingerville  Village 426 

Town  of  Farmington 428 

A  Look  Back  into  Clarence 428 

Clarence  Poll  List  of  April  6/1847 429 

Town  Meetings  in  Farmington 431 

Village  of  Bollonville 431 

Fillmore *31 

Churches 482 

Societies 430 

Town  of  Kowaskum *36 

North  Bend  Meeting 436 

First  Town  Meeting  of  Kewaskuni 437 

Village  of  Kewaskuni 437 

The  Town  in   1881 438 

Town  of  Barton 438 

The  First  Town   Meeting 439 

old  Times  and  Things 439 

Schools  and  Societies Ho 

The  churches **] 

Soii.  lies ■[] 

Miscellaneous 441 

Young  America **2 

Town  of  Trenton 4*:; 

The  First  Town   Meeting 44 

Town  of  Jackson 445 

First  Town  Meeting 448 

War  Reconl "I 

Town  of  Wayne 44 

The  First  Town  Meeting. 448 

Ths  Town  in  1881 

Town  of  Addison 

The  First  Town  Meeting 

Town  of  Erin 

The  Hills  of  Erin »8 

The  Legend  oi  St   Mary's  Hill  »; 

Tow,,  ol  Bid  Bold "J 

Thelii-t   Cown  Meeting 4M 

The  Town  In  1881 

Village  ol  Richfield '■ 

Town  of  'oilliiilitown 464 

.11    \l'l   Lit   IV.-0Z.MKKl    Col   Ml 

General  Introduction *«j 

Population ': 

Stock-Raising 41* 

IliOiniAI'lllt'AI.  BKSTCHJBS. 

Paoi 
Sewukum Z;n 

-■:' 

id ::r 

'own     ™ 

'  ' 


I'aiie. 

The  Ah  rigines 476 

Early  Settlement 176 

The  Old  Settlers'  Cluh 476 

Address  before  the  Old  Settlers' Club 178 

Early  Surveyors 183 

The  Gentlemen  Pioneers 

Lobbyists 486 

Organization lv"* 

The  Coi  my  Buildings lsl' 

Political 489 

Presidential  Elections 489 

Si  Ii     1- *89 

Value  School  Property 490 

Legislators 490 

County  Government  and  Court  Officers..  492 
Supervisors  end  County  Commissi 

tnkee  County,  from  185310  1881  493 

The  War   it. r.l 493 

Roster *9f> 

Boeter    ot    Commissioned    officers   for 
Ozaukee  '  ouuty *98 

TheGreat  Indian  Scire 498 

Railroads 5l  " 

I  lomhes 502 

Societies    502 

Cemeteries "- 

Ozaukee  Con. itv  Agriciiltui.il  Socio.. 

Officers  from  1802  to  1881 

Agricultnial  Resources 

The  Press 


-,u4 


CHAPTER  V  —Town  Histories. 

Port  Washington 

Town  Meeting 

Cholera 509 

Earh 

Crime 610 

The  First  Murder -.'" 

A  Mysterious  Murder "11 

First  Itrew.ry 5|.l 

Manufactories 


513 


Harbor.. 


514 


Ozaukee  County  Bank 5J5 

Public  Schools 61  b 


Churche 


517 


J'* 


Fire  li.partment.. 


520 


1 II* 

;;™.".™™"".!!.'.~~  52i 

_  522 

622 

'.".,...... 522 

Lawyers   *?2 

Town  of  Hequon »«• 

Early  Settlers °" 

Churches 

Schools •'-* 


Literary.. 
Newspapers 
Lighthouse... 
Doctors 

Postmasters.. 


Early  Times 


624 


r-.ii  i  «      i  mi  v.- tOC 

First  Town  Meeting ?f? 


Town  of  Grafton.. 


526 


Catholic  Church ?-» 

Grafton  Village ■;:;" 

Coi i  Ced  irburg •':;' 

Education »»' 

ImproTements *  ;*' 

\  lllageof  Cedarburg °;;* 

Townol  Bauk»lll«  

Viliai;..  ol  Saokt  Ills 
Town  of  Belgium  .... 
Town  ol  1 1-  donia... . 

Poll  List  forlsIT     ... 

Early  Settlers 


538 

539 
539 
540 


Village  ol  Wanbeka ■;*" 

Fredonia  Station "il 

CHAVTEB  vi  -inn  Sitti.fiis'  Drawer. 

Early  SI I  T.acliei 547 

Tribute  to  Edward  II.  Janssen M» 


ii/n  mi  Covntt. 
Port  Washli 
Oedarbnrg  

Frr.loiiia 

Saukvllle 

Ml    |ii..n 

Grafton  

Belgium  


Pagk. 
...787 

....  749 
1 

....  760 
....  764 
....  761 

n 


HISTOBY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

BY     C.     W.    BUTTEKFIELD. 


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  o-f  which  Wisconsin  now  forms  a  part.  At  one  time,  they 
must  have  been  located  in  many  ulterior  regions.  The  earth-works,  tumuli,  or  "  mounds,"  as  they 
are  generally  designated,  are  usually  symmetrically  raised  and  often  inclosed  in  mathematical 
figures,  such  as  the  square,  the  octagon,  and  the  circle,  with  long  lines  of  circumvallation. 
Besides  these  earth-works,  there  are  pits  dug  in  the  solid  rock ;  rubbish  heaps  formed  in  the 
prosecution  of  mining  operations;  and  a  variety  of  implements  and  utensils,  wrought  in  copper 
or  stone,  or  moulded  in  clay.  Whence  came  the  inhabitants  who  left  these  evidences  to  succeed- 
ing generations  ?  In  other  words,  who  were  the  Mound-Builders  ?  Did  they  migrate  from  the 
Old  World,  or  is  their  origin  to  be  sought  for  elsewhere?  And  as  to  their  manners  and  customs 
and  civilization — what  of  these  things?  Was  the  race  finally  swept  from  the  New  World  to  give 
place  to  Red  men,  or  was  it  the  one  from  which  the  latter  descended  ?  These  momentous  ques- 
tions are  left  for  the  ethnologist,  the  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  h;  one  peculiarity  not  observable,  except  in  a  few  instances,  outside  the  State. 
This  characterise  is  a  very  striking  one  The  fact  is  revealed  that  they  are  imitative  in  form — 
resembling  bes  *s,  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  count)-,  quite 
perfect  in  its  resemblance  to  the  form  of  a  man,  was  of  equal  length — a  veritable  colossus; 
prone,  it  is  true,  and  soon  to  disappear,  if  it  has  not  already  been  destroyed,  by  ravages  of  a 
superior  civilization. 

In  portions  of  Wisconsin,  as  well  as  in  a  few  places  outside  the  State,  are  found  earth-works 
of  another  kind,  but  quite  as  remarkable  as  the  "animal  mounds,"  which,  from  their  supposed 
use,  have  been  styled  "garden  beds."  They  are  ridges,  or  beds,  about  six  inches  in  height  and 
four  feet  in  width,  ranged,  with  much  apparent  method,  in  parallel  rows,  sometimes  rectangular 
in  shape,  sometimes  of  various  but  regular  and  symmetrical  curves,  and  occupying  fields  of  from 
ten  to»a  hundred  acres. 

The  Mound-Builders  have  left  many  relics,  besides  their  earthworks,  to  attest  their  presence 
in  Wisconsin  in  ages  past.  Scattered  widely  are  found  stone  and  copper  axes,  spear-heads,  and 
arrow-heads,  also  various  other  implements — evidently  their  handiwork.  As  these  articles  are 
frequently  discovered  many  feet  beneath  the  surface,  it  argues  a  high  antiquity  for  the  artificers. 
Whether  they  had  the  skill  to  mould  their  copper  implements  is  doubtful.  Such  as  plainly  show 
the  work  of  hammering,  indicate  an  art  beyond  that  possessed  by  the  Red  men  who  peopled 
America  upon  its  first  discovery  by  Europeans.  In  a  few  instances,  fragments  of  human  skulls 
have  been  found  so  well  preserved  as  to  enable  a  comparison  to  be  drawn  between  the  crania  of 


THE  INDIAN   TRIBES   OF    WISCONSIN.  21 

this  ancient  race  and  those  of  modern  ones ;  the  results,  however,  of  these  comparisons  throw 
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  copper  mines  of  the  Lake  Superior  region.  Here  are  to  be  found  excavations  in  the 
solkl  rock;  heaps  of  rubble  and  dirt ;  copper  utensils  fashioned  into  knives,  chisels,  and  spear 
and  arrow-heads;  stone  hammers;  wooden  bowls  and  shovels;  props  and  levers  for  raising  and 
supporting  the  mass  copper;  and  ladders  for  ascending  and  descending  the  pits.  These  mines 
were  probably  worked  by  people  not  only  inhabiting  what  is  now  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  but 
territory  farther  to  the  southward.  The  copper  was  here  obtained,  it  is  believed,  which  has  been 
found  in  many  places,  even  as  far  away  as  the  northern  shore  cf  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  wrought 
into  various  implements  and  utensils.  But  there  are  no  traces  in  Wisconsin  of  a  "  copper  age  " 
succeeding  a  "  stone  age,"  discernible  in  any  prehistoric  relics.  They  all  refer  alike  to  one 
age — the  indefinite  past ;  to  one  people — the  Mound-Builders. 

II.— THE  INDIAN  TRIBES  OF   WISCONSIN. 

When,  as  early,  it  is  believed,  as  1634,  civilized  man  first  set  foot  upon -the  territory  now 
included  within  the  boundaries  of  Wisconsin,  he  discovered,  to  his  surprise,  tbit  upon  this  wide 
area  met  and  mingled  clans  of  two  distinct  and  wide-spread  families — thiiAlgonquins  and 
Sioux.  The  tribes  of  the  former,  moving  westward,  checked  the  advance  of  the  latter  in  their 
excursions  eastward.  As  yet  there  had  been  no  representatives  of  the  Huron-Iroquois  seen  west 
of  Lake  Michigan — the  members  of  this  great  family,  at  that  date  dwelling  in  safety  in  the 
extensive  regions  northward  and  southward  of  the  Erie  and  Ontario  lakes.  Already  had  the 
French  secured  a  foot-hold  in  the  extensive  valley  of  the  St.  Lawrence;  and,  naturally  enough, 
the  chain  of  the  Great  Lakes  led  their  explorers  to  the  mouth  of  Green  bay,  and  up  that  water- 
course and  its  principal  tributary,  Fox  river,  to  the  Wisconsin,  an  affluent  of  the  Mississippi. 
On  the  right,  in  ascending  this  bay,  was  seen,  for  the  first  time,  a  nation  of  Indians,  lighter  in 
complexion  than  neighboring  tribes,  and  remarkably  well  formed,  now  well  known  as  the 
Menomonees. 

This  nation  is  of  Algonquin  stock,  but  their  dialect  differed  so  much  from  the  surrounding 
tribes  of  the  same  family,  it  having  strange  guttural  sounds  and  accents,  as  well  as  peculiar  inflec- 
tions of  verbs  and  other  parts  of  speech,  that,  for  a  long  time,  they  were  supposed  to  have  a 
distinct  language.  Their  traditions  point  to  an  emigration  from  the  East  at  some  remote 
period.  When  first  visited  by  the  French  missionaries,  these  Indians  subsisted  largely  upon  wild 
rice,  from  which  they  took  their  name.  The  harvest  time  of  this  grain  was  in  the  month  of 
September.  It  grew  spontaneously  in  little  streams  with  slimy  bottoms,  and  in  marshy  places. 
The  harvesters  went  in  their  canoes  across  these  watery  fields,  shaking  the  ears  right  and  left  as 
they  advanced,  the  grain  falling  easily,  if  ripe,  into  the  bark  receptacle  beneath.  To  clear  it 
from  chaff  and  strip  it  of  a  pellicle  inclosing  it,  they  put  it  to  dry  on  a  wooden  lattice  above  a 
small  fire,  which  was  kept  up  for  several  days.  When  the  rice  was  well  dried,  it  was  placed 
in  a  skin  of  the  form  of  a  bag,  which  was  then  forced  into  a  hole,  made  on  purpose,  in  the 
ground.  They  then  tread  it  out  so  long  and  so  well,  that  the  grain  being  freed  from  the  chaff, 
was  easily  winnowed.  After  this,  it  was  pounded  to  meal,  or  left  unpounded,  and  boiled  in 
water  seasoned  with  grease.  It  thus  became  a  very  palatable  diet.  It  must  not  be  inferred  that 
this  was  the  only  food  of  the  Menomonees;  they  were  adepts  in  fishing,  and  hunted  with  skill 
the  game  which  abounded  in  the  forests. 

For  many  years  after    their   discovery,   the    Menomonees  had    their  homes   and   hunting 


22  HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 

grounds  upon,  or  adjacent  to,  the  Menomonee  river.  Finally,  after  the  lapse  of  a  century  and  a 
quarter,  down  to  1760,  when  the  French  yielded  to  the  English  all  claims  to  the  country,  the 
territory  of  the  Menomonees  had  shifted  somewhat  to  the  westward  and  southward,  and  their 
principal  village  was  found  at  the  head  of  Green  bay,  while  a  smaller  one  was  still  in  existence 
at  the  mouth  of  their  favorite  stream.  So  slight,  however,  had  been  this  change,  that  the  country 
of  no  other  of  the  surrounding  tribes  had  been  encroached  upon  by  the  movement. 

In  1654,  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,  1671, 
and  ending  in  October,  1761 — brings  to  light  but  little  of  interest  so  far  as  the  Menomonees  are 
concerned.  Gradually  they  extended  their  intercourse  with  the  white  fur  traders.  Gradually 
and  with  few  interruptions  (one  in  1728,  and  one  in  1747  of  a  serious  character)  they  were 
drawn  under  the  banner  of  France,  joining  with  that  government  in  its  wars  with  the  Iroquois; 
in  its  contests,  in  17  12,  1729,  1730,  and  1751,  with  the  Foxes;  and.  subsequently,  in  its  conflicts 
with  the  English. 

The  French  post,  at  what  is  now  Green  Hay,  Brown  county.  Wisconsin,  was,  along  with  the 
residue  of  the  western  forts,  surrendered  to  the  British  in  1760,  although  actual  possession  of  the 
former  was  not  taken  until  the  Fall  of  the  next  year.  The  land  on  which  the  fort  stood  was 
claimed  by  the  Menomonees.  Here,  at  that  date,  was  their  upper  and  principal  village,  the 
lower  one  being  at  the  mouth  of  the  Menomonee  river.  These  Indians  soon  became  reconciled 
to  the  English  occupation  of  their  territory,  notwithstanding  the  machinations  of  French  traders 
who  endeavored  to  prejudice  them  against  the  new  comers.  The  Menomonees,  at  this  time, 
were  very  much  reduced,  having,  but  a  short  time  previous,  lost  three  hundred  of  their  warriors 


THE  INDIAN   TRIBES  OF   WISCONSIN.  23 

by  the  small  pox,  and  most  of  their  «chiefs  in  the  late  war  in  which  they  had  been  engaged  by  the 
then  French  commander  there,  against  the  English.  They  were  glad  to  substitute  English  for 
French  traders  ;  as  they  could  purchase  supplies  of  them  at  one  half  the  price  they  had  previously 
paid.  It  was  not  long  before  the  sincerity  of  the  Menomonees  was  put  to  the  test.  Pontiac's 
War  of  1763  broke  out,  and  the  post  of  Mackinaw  was  captured.  The  garrison,  however,  at  Green 
bay  was  not  only  not  attacked  by  the  savages,  but,  escorted  by  the  Menomonees  and  other  tribes, 
crossed  Lake  Michigan  in  safety  to  the  village  of  L'Arbre  Croche  ;  thence  making  their  way  to 
Montreal.  The  Menomonees  continued  their  friendship  to  the  English,  joining  with  them 
against  the  Colonies  during  the  Revolution,  and  fighting  on  the  same  side  during  the  war  of 
'812-15. 

When,  in  July,  1816,  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 — 1817 — 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,  <mns 
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  arid  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  wing  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  country: 


24  HISTORY   OF   "WISCONSIN. 

east  to  Green  bay  and  Lake  Michigan;  south  to  the  Milwaukee  river,  and  west  to  Black  river. 
And  what  is  most  surprising  is  that  the  feeble  tribe  of  1761  had  now,  in  less  than  three  quarters 
of  a  century,  become  a  powerful  nation,  numbering  between  three  and  four  thousand. 

The  Menomonee  territory,  as  late  as  1831,  still  preserved  its  large  proportions.  Its  eastern 
division  was  bounded  by  the  Milwaukee  river,  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  Green  bay,  Fox 
river,  and  Winnebago  lake  ;  its  western  division,  by  the  Wisconsin  and  Chippewa  rivers  on  the 
west ;  Fox  river  on  the  south  ;  Green  bay  on  the  east,  and  the  high  lands  whence  flow  the  streams 
into  Lake  Superior,  on  the  north.  This  year,  however,  it  was  shorn  of  a  valuable  and  large  part 
by  the  tribe  ceding  to  the  United  States  all  the  eastern  division,  estimated  at  two  and  one  half 
million  acres.  The  following  year,  the  Menomonees  aided  the  General  Government  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war. 

That  the  Menomonees  might,  as  much  as  possible,  be  weaned  from  their  wandering  habits, 
their  permanent  home  was  designated  to  be  a  large  tract  lying  north  of  Fox  river  and  east  of 
Wolf  river.  Their  territory  farther  west,  was  reserved  for  their  hunting  grounds  until  such  time 
as  the  General  Government  should  desire  to  purchase  it.  In  1836,  another  portion,  amounting  to 
four  million  acres,  lying  between  Green  bay  on  the  east  and  Wolf  river  on  the  west,  was  dis- 
posed of  to  the  United  States,  besides  a  strip  three  miles  in  width  from  near  the  portage  north, 
<>n  each  side  of  the  Wisconsin  river  and  forty-eight  miles  long  —  still  leaving  them  in  peace- 
able possession  of  a  country  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  long,  and  about  eighty 
broad. 

Finally,  in  184S,  the  Menomonees  sold  all  their  lands  in  Wisconsin  to  the  General  Govern- 
ment, preparatory  to  their  movement  to  a  reservation  beyond  the  Mississippi  cf  six  hundred 
thousand  acres  ;  but  the  latter  tract  was  afterward  re-ceded  to  the  United  States  ;  for,  notwith- 
standing there  were  treaty  stipulations  for  the  removal  of  the  tribe  to  that  tract,  there  were 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  their  speedy  migration,  resulting,  finally,  in  their  being  permitted  to  remain 
in  Wisconsin.  Lands,  to  the  amount  of  twelve  townships,  were  granted  them  for  their  permanent 
homes,  on  the  upper  Wolf  river,  in  what  is  now  Shawano  and  Oconto  counties  —  a  portion,  but 
a  very  small  one,  of  what  was  once  their  extensive  possessions.  To  this  reservation  they  removed 
in  October,  1852.  Thus  are  the  Menomonees,  the  only  one  of  the  original  tribes  of  Wisconsin 
who,  as  a  whole,  have  a  local  habitation  within  its  limits.  This  tribe  refused  to  join  the  Sioux  in 
their  outbreak  in  1861,  and  several  of  their  warriors  served  as  volunteers  in  the  United  States 
army  during  the  late  civil  war. 

It  is  now  over  two  centuries  since  the  civilized  world  began  to  gain  knowledge  of  the  exist- 
ence, in  the  far  West,  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  known  as  the  Winnebagoes — that  is,  men  of  the  sea; 
pointing,  possibly,  to  their  early  migration  from  the  shores  of  the  Mexican  gulf,  or  the  Pacific. 
The  territory  now  included  within  the  limits  of  Wisconsin,  and  so  much  of  the  State  of  Michigan 
as  lies  north  of  Green  bay,  Lake  Michigan,  the  Straits  of  Mackinaw  and  Lake  Huron  were,  in 
early  times,  inhabited  by  several  tribes  of  the  Algonquin  race,  forming  a  barrier  to  the  Dakotas, 
or  Sioux,  who  had  advanced  eastward  to  the  Mississippi.  But  the  Winnebagoes,  although  one  of 
the  tribes  belonging  to  the  family  of  the  latter,  had  passed  the  great  river,  at  some  unknown 
period,  and  settled  upon  the  head  waters  of  Green  bay.  Here,  this  "sea-tribe,"  as  early,  it  is 
believed,  as  1634,  was  visited  by  an  agent  of  France  and  a  treaty  concluded  with  them.  The  tribe 
afterward  called  themselves  Hochungara,  or  Ochunkoraw,  but  were  styled  by  the  Sioux,  Hotanke, 
or  Sturgeon.  Nothing  more  is  heard  of  the  Ouenibigout/,  or  Winnubegouk  (as  the  Winnebagoes 
were  early  called  by  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  and  the  Algonquin  tribes,  meaning  men  from  the 
fetid  or  salt  water,  translated  by  the  French,  Puants)  for  the  next  thirty-five  years,  although 
there  is  no  doubt  that  the  tribe  had  been  visited  meanwhile  by  adventurous  Frenchmen,  when  on 
the  second  of  De<  etnber,  1669,  some  of  that  nation  were  noted  at  a  Sac  (Sauk  or  Saukis)  village 
on  Green  bay,  by  Father  Allouez. 


THE   INDIAN   TRIBES  OF   WISCOXS13T.  25 

As  early  at  least  as  1670,  the  French  were  actively  engaged  among  the  Winnebagoes  trading. 
"  We  found  affairs,"  says  one  of  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  who  arrived  among  them  in  September  of 
that  year,  "  we  found  affairs  there  in  a  pretty  bad  posture,  and  the  minds  of  the  savages  much 
soured  against  the  French,  who  were  there  trading  ;  ill-treating  them  in  deeds  and  words,  pillag- 
ing and  carrying  away  their  merchandise  in  spite  of  them,  and  conducting  themselves  toward 
them  with  insupportable  insolences  and  indignities.  The  cause  of  this  disorder,"  adds  the  mis- 
sionary, "  is  that  they  had  received  some  bad  treatment  from  the  French,  to  whom  they  had  this 
year  come  to  trade,  and  particularly  from  the  soldiers,  from  whom  they  pretended  to  have  received 
many  wrongs  and  injuries."  It  is  thus  made  certain  that  the  arms  of  France  were  carried  into 
the  territory  of  the  Winnebagoes  over  two  hundred  years  ago. 

The  Fox  river  of  Green  bay  was  found  at  that  date  a  difficult  stream  to  navigate.  Two 
Jesuits  who  ascended  the  river  in  1670,  had  "three  or  four  leagues  of  rapids  to  contend  with," 
when  they  had  advanced  "  one  day's  journey  "  from  the  head  of  the  bay,  "  more  difficult  than  those 
which  are  common  in  other  rivers,  in  this,  that  the  flints,  over  which"  they  had  to  walk  with 
naked  feet  to  drag  their  canoes,  were  so  "  sharp  and  so  cutting,  that  one  has  all  the  trouble  in  the 
world  to  hold  one's  self  steady  against  the  great  rushing  of  the  waters."  At  the  falls  they  found 
an  idol  that  the  savages  honored  ;  "  never  failing,  in  passing,  to  make  him  some  sacrifice  of 
tobacco,  or  arrows,  or  paintings,  or  other  things,  to  thank  him  that,  by  his  assistance,  they  had,  in 
ascending,  avoided  the  dangers  of  the  waterfalls  which  are  in  this  stream  ;  or  else,  if  they  had  to 
ascend,  to  pray  him  to  aid  them  in  this  perilous  navigation."  The  devout  missionaries  caused 
the  idol  "  to  be  lifted  up  by  the  strength  of  arm,  and  cast  into  the  depths  of  the  river,  to  appear 
no  more  "  to  the  idolatrous  savages. 

The  mission  of  St.  Francis  Xavier,  founded  in  December,  1669,  by  Allouez,  was  a  roving  one 
among  the  tribes  inhabiting  the  shores  of  Green  bay  and  the  interior  country  watered  by  the  Fox 
river  and  its  tributaries,  for  about  two  years,  when  its  first  mission-house  was  erected  at  what  is 
now  Depere,  Brown  county.  This  chapel  was  soon  after  destroyed  by  fire,  but  was  rebuilt 
in  1676. 

The  Winnebagoes,  by  this  time,  had  not  only  received  considerable  spiritual  instruction  from 
the  Jesuit  fathers,  but  had  obtained  quite  an  insight  into  the  mysteries  of  trading  and  trafficking 
with  white  men ;  for,  following  the  footsteps  of  the  missionaries,  and  sometimes  preceding  them, 
were  the  ubiquitous  French  fur  traders.  It  is  impossible  to  determine  precisely  what  territory 
was  occupied  by  the  Winnebagoes  at  this  early  date,  farther  than  that  they  lived  near  the  head 
of  Green  bay. 

A  direct  trade  with  the  French  upon  the  St.  Lawrence  was  not  carried  on  by  the  Winne- 
bagoes to  any  great  extent  until  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century.  As  early  as  1679, 
an  advance  party  of  La  Salle  had  collected  a  large  store  of  furs  at  the  mouth  of  Green  bay, 
doubtless  in  a  traffic  with  this  tribe  and  others  contiguous  to  them ;  generally,  however,  the 
surrounding  nations  sold  their  peltries  to  the  Ottawas,  who  disposed  of  them,  in  turn,  to  the 
French.  The  commencement  of  the  eighteenth  century  found  the  Winnebagoes  firmly  in 
alliance  with  France,  and  in  peace  with  the  dreaded  Iroquios.  In  17 18,  the  nation  numbered 
six  hundred.  They  were  afterward  found  to  have  moved  up  Fox  river,  locating  upon  Winne- 
bago lake,  which  stream  and  lake  were  their  ancient  seat,  and  from  which  they  had  been  driven 
either  by  fear  or  the  prowess  of  more  powerful  tribes  of  the  West  or  Southwest.  Their  inter- 
course with  the  French  was  gradually  extended  and  generally  peaceful,  though  not  always  so, 
joining  with  them,  as  did  the  Menomonees,  in  their  wars  with  the  Iroquois,  and  subsequently  in 
their  conflicts  with  the  English,  which  finally  ended  in  1760. 

When  the  British,  in  October,  1761,  took  possession  of  the   French    post,  at    the  head   of 


26  HISTORY   OF  WISCONSIN. 

Green  bay,  the  Winnebagoes  were  found  to  number  one  hundred  and  fifty  warriors  only  ;  their 
nearest  village  being  at  the  lower  end  of  Winnebago  lake.  They  had  in  all  not  less  than  three 
towns.  Their  country,  at  this  period,  included  not  only  that  lake,  but  all  the  streams  flowing 
into  it,  especially  Fox  river;  afterward  extended  to  the  Wisconsin  and  Rock  rivers.  They 
readily  changed  their  course  of  trade  —  asking  now  of  the  commandant  at  the  fort  for  English 
traders  to  be  sent  among  them.  In  the  Indian  outbreak  under  Pontiac  in  1763,  they  joined 
with  the  Menomonees  and  other  tribes  to  befriend  the  British  garrison  at  the  head  of  the  bay, 
assisting  in  conducting  them  to  a  place  of  safety.  They  continued  their  friendship  to  the  English 
during  the  Revolution,  by  joining  with  them  against  the  colonies,  and  were  active  in  the  Indian 
war  of  1790-4,  taking  part  in  the  attack  on  Fort  Recovery,  upon  the  Maumee,  in  the  present 
State  of  Ohio,  in  1793.  They  fought  also  on  the  side  of  the  British  in  the  war  of  1812-15, 
aiding,  in  1S14,  to  reduce  Prairie  du  Chien.  They  were  then  estimated  at  4,500.  When,  in 
1816,  the  government  of  the  United  States  sent  troops  to  take  possession  of  the  Green  bay 
country,  by  establishing  a  garrison  there,  some  trouble  was  anticipated  from  these  Indians,  who, 
at  that  date,  had  the  reputation  of  being  a  bold  and  warlike  tribe.  A  deputation  from  the  nation 
came  down  Fox  river  and  remonstrated  with  the  American  commandant  at  what  was  thought 
to  be  an  intrusion.  They  were  desirous  of  knowing  why  a  fort  was  to  be  established  so  near 
them.  The  reply  was  that,  although  the  troops  were  armed  for  war  if  necessary,  their  purpose 
was  peace.  Their  response  was  an  old  one  :  "  If  your  object  is  peace,  you  have  too  many  men  ; 
if  war,  you  have  too  few."  However,  the  display  of  a  number  of  cannon  which  had  not  yet  been 
mounted,  satisfied  the  Winnebagoes  that  the  Americans  were  masters  of  the  situation,  and  the 
deputation  gave  the  garrison  no  farther  trouble.  On  the  3d  of  June,  1816,  at  St.  Louis,  the  tribe 
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  having 
before  that  date  supported  the  Sacs  in  their  hostility.  Finally,  in  the  brief  language  of  the  treaty 
between  this  tribe  (which  had  become  unsettled  and  wasteful)  and  the  United  States,  of  the  first 
of  November,  1837,  "The  Winnebago  Nation  of  Indians "  ceded  to  the  General  Government 
"  all  their  lands  east  of  the  Mississippi."  Not  an  acre  was  reserved.  And  the  Indians  agreed 
that,  within  eight  months  from  that  date,  they  would  move  west  of  "  the  great  river."  This 
arrangement,  however,  was  not  carried  out  fully.  In  1842,  there  were  only  756  at  Turkey  river, 
Iowa,  their  new  home,  with  as  many  in  Wisconsin,  and  smaller  bands  e'  ewhere.  All  had  become 
lawless,  and  roving.  Some  removed  in  1S4S;  while  a  party  to  the  number  of  over  eight  hun- 
dred left  the  State  as  late  as  1873.  The  present  home  of  the  tribe  is  in  Nebraska,  where  they 
have  a  reservation  north  of  and  adjacent  to  the  Omahas,  containing  over  one  hundred  thousand 
acres.     However,   since   their    first   removal   beyond  the   Mississippi,  they   have    several    times, 


THE   INDIAN   TRIBES   OF   WISCONSIN.  27 

changed  their  place  of  abode.     Their  number,  all  told,  is  less  than  twenty-five  hundred. 

When  the  territory,  now  constituting  the  northern  portion  of  Wisconsin,  becai..o  very 
generally  known  to  the  civilized  inhabitants  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States,  it  was 
found  to  be  occupied  by  Indians  called  the  Chippewas.  Their  hunting-grounds  extended  south 
from  Lake  Superior  to  the  heads  of  the  Menomonee,  the  Wisconsin  and  Chippewa  rivers ;  also 
farther  eastward  and  westward.  At  an  early  day  they  were  engaged  in  a  war  with  the  Sioux — 
a  war  indeed,  which  was  long  continued.  The  Chippewas,  however,  persistently  maintained 
their  position  —  still  occupying  the  same  region  when  the  General  Government  extended  its 
jurisdiction  over  the  whole  country  south  of  the  Great  Lakes  and  west  to  the  Mississippi. 

By  treaties  with  the  Chippewas  at  different  periods,  down  to  the  year  1827,  the  General  Gov- 
ernment had  recognized  them  as  the  owners  of  about  one  quarter  of  what  is  now  the  entire 
State.  The  same  policy  was  pursued  toward  this  tribe  as  with  neighboring  ones,  in  the  purchase 
of  their  lands  by  the  United  States.  Gradually  they  parted  with  their  extensive  possessions,  until, 
in  1842,  the  last  acre  within  what  is  now  Wisconsin  was  disposed  of.  It  was  the  intention  of  the 
General  Government  to  remove  the  several  bands  of  the  Chippewas  who  had  thus  ceded  their 
lands  to  a  tract  reserved  for  them  beyond  the  Mississippi;  but  this  determination  was  afterward 
changed  so  as  to  allow  them  to  remain  upon  certain  reservations  within  the  limits  of  their  old- 
time  hunting  grounds.  These  reservations  they  continue  to  occupy.  They  are  located  in  Bay- 
field, Ashland,  Chippewa  and  Lincoln  counties.  The  clans  are  known,  respectively,  as  the  Red 
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 
early  in  1670  he  visited  a  village  of  the  same  Indians  located  upon  the  Fox  river  of  Green  bay, 
at  a  distance  of  four  leagues  from  its  mouth.  Here  a  device  of  these  Indians  for  catching  fish 
arrested  the  attention  of  the  missionary.  "From  one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other,"  he  writes, 
"they  made  a  barricade,  planting  great  stakes,  two  fathoms  from  the  water,  in  such  a  manner 
that  there  is,  as  it  were,  a  bridge  above  for  the  fishes,  who  by  the  aid  of  a  little  bow-net,  easily 
take  sturgeons  and  all  other  kinds  of  fish  which  this  pier  stops,  although  the  water  does  not 
cease  to  flow  between  the  stakes."  When  the  Jesuit  father  first  obtained,  five  years  previous,  a 
knowledge  of  this  tribe,  they  were  represented  as  savage  above  all  others,  great  in  numbers,  and 
without  any  permanent  dwelling  place.  The  Foxes  were  of  two  stocks :  one  calling  themselves 
Outagamies  or  Foxes,  whence  our  English  name;  the  other,  Musquakink,  or  men  of  red  clay, 
the  name  now  used  by  the  tribe.  They  lived  in  early  times  with  their  kindred  the  Sacs  east  of 
Detroit,  and  as  some  say  near  the  St.  Lawrence.  They  were  driven  west,  and  settled  at  Saginaw, 
a  name  derived  from  the  Sacs.  Thence  they  were  forced  by  the  Iroquois  to  Green  bay ;  but 
were  compelled  to  leave  that  place  and  settle  on  Fox  river. 

Allouez,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  April,  1670,  arrived  at  a  village  of  the  Foxes,  situated  on 
Wolf  river,  a  northern  tributary  of  the  Fox.  "The  nation,"  he  declares,  "is  renowned  for 
being  numerous  ;  they  have  more  than  four  hundred  men  bearing  arms ;  the  number  of  women 
and  children  is  greater,  on  account  of  polygamy  which  exists  among  them — each  man  having 
commonly  four  wives,  some  of  them  six,  and  others  as  high  as  ten."  The  missionary  found  that 
the  Foxes  had  retreated  to  those  parts  to  escape  the  persecutions  of  the  Iroquois.  Allouez 
established  among  these  Indians  his  mission  of  St.  Mark,  rejoicing  in  the  fact  that  in  less  than 


28  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,  triey 
had  plundered  several  on  their  way  to  trade  with  the  Sioux,  alleging  that  they  were  carrying  arms 
and  ammunition  to  their  ancient  enemies — frequently  causing  them  to  make  portages  to  the 
southward  in  crossing  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi.  Afterward  they  became  recon- 
ciled to  the  French;  but  the  reconciliation  was  of  short  duration.  In  1712,  Fort  Detroit,  then 
defended  by  only  a  handful  of  men,  was  attacked  by  them  in  conjunction  with  the  Mascou- 
tens  and  Kickapoos.  However,  in  the  end,  by  calling  in  friendly  Indians,  the  garrison  not  only 
protected  themselves  but  were  enabled  to  act  on  the  offensive,  destroying  the  greater  part  of  the 
besieging  force. 

The  nation  continued  their  ill  will  to  the  French.  The  consequence  was  that  their  territory 
in  1 7 16  had  been  invaded  and  they  were  reduced  to  sue  for  peace.  But  their  friendship  was  not 
of  long  continuance.  In  17  18,  the  Foxes  numbered  five  hundred  men  and  "abounded  in  women 
and  children."  They  are  spoken  of  at  that  date  as  being  very  industrious,  raising  large  quantities 
of  Indian  corn.  In  1728,  another  expedition  was  sent  against  them  by  the  French.  Meanwhile 
the  Menomonees  had  also  become  hostile;  so,  too,  the  Sacs,  who  were  now  the  allies  of  the 
Foxes.  The  result  of  the  enterprise  was,  an  attack  upon  and  the  defeat  of  a  number  of 
Menomonees;  the  burning  of  the  wigwams  of  the  YVinnebagos  (after  passing  the  deserted  village 
of  the  Sacs  upon  the  Fox  river),  that  tribe,  also,  at  this  date  being  hostile  ;  and  the  destruction 
of  the  fields  of  the  Foxes.  They  were  again  attacked  in  their  own  country  by  the  French,  in 
1730,  and  defeated.  In  1734,  both  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  came  in  conflict  with  the  same  foe;  but 
this  time  the  French  were  not  as  successful  as  on  previous  expeditions.  In  1736,  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  were  "connected  with  the  government  of  Canada;  "  but  it  is  certain  they  were  far  from 
being  friendly  to  the  French. 

The  conflict  between  France  and  Great  Britain  commencing  in  1754,  found  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  allied  with  the  former  power,  against  the  English,  although  not  long  previous  to  this  time 
they  were  the  bitter  enemies  of  the  French.  At  the  close  of  that  contest  so  disastrous  to  the 
interests  of  France  in  North  America,  these  tribes  readily  gave  in  their  adhesion  to  the  con- 
querors, asking  that  English  traders  might  be  sent  them.  The  two  nations,  then  about  equally 
divided,  numbered,  in  1761,  about  seven  hundred  warriors.  Neither  of  the  tribes  took  part  in 
Pontiac's  war,  but  they  befriended  the  English.  The  Sacs  had  migrated  farther  to  the  west- 
ward ;  but  the  Foxes — at  least  a  portion  of  them — still  remained  upon  the  waters  of  the  river  of 
Green  bay,  which  perpetuates  their  name.  A  few  years  later,  however,  and  the  former  were 
occupants  of  the  upper  Wisconsin ;  also,  to  a  considerable  distance  below  the  portage,  where 
their  chief  town  was  located.  Further  down  the  same  stream  was  the  upper  village  of  the 
Foxes,  while  their  lower  one  was  situated  near  its  mouth  at  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Prairie 
du  Chien.  At  this  date,  1766,  the  northern  portion  of  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  including  all  that 
part  watered  by  the  streams  flowing  north  into  Lake  Superior,  was  the  home  of  the  Chippewas. 
The  country  around  nearly  the  whole  of  Green  bay  was  the  hunting  ground  of  the  Menomonees. 
The  territory  of  Winnebago  lake  and  Fox  river  was  the  seat  of  the  Winnebagoes.  The  region 
of  the  Wisconsin  river  was  the  dwelling  place  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  continued  the  firm  friends  of  the 
English.  At  the  commencement  of  the  nineteenth  century,  only  a  small  part  of  their  territory 
was  included  in  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  and  that  was  in  the  extreme  southwest.  In  1804,  they 
ceded  this  to  the  United  States  ;  so  that  they  no  longer  were  owners  of  any  lands  within  this 
State.     From  that  date,  therefore,  these  allied  tribes  can  not  be  considered  as  belonging  to  the 


PRE-TERRITORIAL  ANNALS   OF   WISCONSIN.  29 

Indian  nations  of  Wisconsin.     A  striking  episode  in  their  subsequent  history  —  the  Black  Hawk 
War — comes  in,  notwithstanding,  as  a  part,  incidentally,  of  the  annals  of  the  State. 

Deserving  a  place  in  a  notice  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  Wisconsin  is  the  nation  known  as  the 
Pottawattamies.  As  early  as  1639,  they  were  the  neighbors  of  the  Winnebagoes  upon  Green 
bay.  They  were  still  upon  its  southern  shore,  in  two  villages,  in  1670;  and  ten  years  subsequent 
to  that  date  they  occupied,  at  least  in  one  village  the  same  region.  At  the  expiration  of  the 
first  quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century,  a  part  only  of  the  nation  were  in  that  vicinity  —  upon  the 
islands  at  the  mouth  of  the  bay.  These  islands  were  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. 
One  peculiarity  of  this  tribe  —  at  least  of  such  as  resided  in  what  is  now  Wisconsin  —  was  their 
intimate  association  with  neighboring  bands.  When,  in  1669,  a  village  of  the  Pottawattarnies, 
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  Pottawattarnies  "  began  to  disappear,  and  soon  were  no  longer  seen  in 
southeastern  Wisconsin  or  in  other  portions  of  the  State. 

Besides  the  five  tribes  —  Menomonees,  Winnebagoes,  Chippewas,  Sacs  and  Foxes,  and 
Pottawattarnies — many  others,  whole  or  in  part,  have,  since  the  territory  now  constituting  the 
State  was  first  visited  by  white  men,  been  occupants  of  its  territory.  Of  these,,  some  are  only 
known  as  having  once  lived  in  what  is  now  Wisconsin  ;  others  —  such  as  the  Hurons,  Illinois, 
Kickapoos,  Mascoutens,  Miamis,  Noquets,  Ottawas  and  Sioux,  are  recognized  as  Indians  once 
dwelling  in  this  region ;  yet  so  transitory  has  been  their  occupation,  or  so  little  is  known  of  their 
history,  that  they  scarcely  can  be  claimed  as  belonging  to  the  State. 

Commencing  in  1822,  and  continuing  at  intervals  through  some  of  the  following  years,  was 
the  migration  to  Wisconsin  from  the  State  of  New  York  of  the  remains  or  portions  of  four  tribes  : 
the  Oneidas,  Stockbridges,  Munsees  and  Brothertowns.  The  Oneidas  finally  located  west  of 
Green  Bay,  where  they  still  reside.  Their  reservation  contains  over  60,000  acres,  and  lies 
wholly  within  the  present  counties  of  Brown  and  Outagamie.  The  Stockbridges  and  Munsees, 
■who  first  located  above  Green  Bay,  on  the  east  side  of  Fox  river,  afterward  moved  to  the  east 
side  of  Winnebago  lake.  They  now  occupy  a  reservation  joining  the  southwest  township  of  the 
Menomenee  reservation,  in  Shawano  county,  and  are  fast  becoming  citizens.  The  Brothertowns 
first  located  on  the  east  side  of  Fox  river,  but  subsequently  moved  to  the  east  side  of  Winnebago 
lake,  where,  in  1839,  they  broke  up  their  tribal  relations  and  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  Nicolet, 
a  Frenchman,  who  had    been  in  Canada  since    161 8,  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  man i to,  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,  the 
"Griffin,"  laden  with  furs,  left  one  of  the  islands  at  the  mouth  of  Green  bay,  on  its  return — 
spreading  her  sails  for  Niagara,  but  never  more  to  be  heard  of. 

Following  in  the  footsteps  of  the  fur  traders  came  the  Jesuit  missionaries  to  Lake  Superior  ; 
one  of  them.  Father  Menard,  as  early  as  1660,  reaching  its  southern  shore  as  far  to  the  westward, 
probably,  as  Kewenaw,  in  the  present  State  of  Michigan.  There  is  no  positive  evidence,  however, 
that  he  or  his  French  companions,  visited  any  portion  of  what  is  now  Wisconsin  ;  although  the  next 
year,  1661,  some  of  his  associates  probably  passed  down  the  Menomonee  river  to  Green  bay. 
Following  Menard  came  Father  Claude  Allouez,  arriving  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1665,  at 
"  Chagowamigong,"  or  "  Chegoimegon,"  now  Chequamegon,  or  Ashland  Bay,  "  at  the  bottom  of 
which,"  wrote  the  missionary,  "  is  situated  the  i;reat  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   ANNALS   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  167 1,  the  very  year  in  which  it  seems 
the  indomitable  LaSalle,  upon  his  first  expedition,  passed  the  mouth  of  Green  bay,  but  did  not 
enter  it.  France  then  took  formal  possession  of  the  whole  of  the  country  of  the  upper  lakes. 
By  this  time,  the  commerce  with  the  western  tribes  had  so  attached  them  to  her  interests  that 
she  determined  to  extend  her  power  to  the  utmost  limits — -vague  and  indeterminate  as  they 
were — of  Canada.  An  agent — Daumont  de  St.  Lusson — was  dispatched  to  the  distant  tribes, 
proposing  a  congress  of  Indian  nations  at  the  Falls  of  Ste.  Mary,  between  Lake  Huron  and  Lake 
Superior.  The  invitation  was  extended  far  and  near.  The  principal  chiefs  of  Wisconsin  tribes, 
gathered  by  Nicolas  Perrot  in  Green  bay,  were  present  at  the  meeting.  Then  and  there,  with 
due  ceremony,  it  was  announced  that  the  great  Northwest  was  placed  under  the  protection  of 
the  French  government.  And  why  not?  She  had  discovered  it  —  had  to  a  certain  extent 
explored  it — had  to  a  limited  extent  established  commerce  with  it — and  her  missionaries  had 
proclaimed  the  faith  to  the  wondering  savages.  But  none  of  her  agents — none  of  the  fur- 
traders — none  of  the  missionaries — had  yet  reached  the  Mississippi,  the  "great  river,"  concerning 
which  so  many  marvels  had  been  heard,  although  it  is  claimed  that,  in  1669,  it  had  been  seen 
by  the  intrepid  La  Salle.  But  the  time  for  its  discovery,  or  properly  re-discovery,  was  at  hand,  if, 
indeed,  it  can  be  called,  with  propriety,  a  re-discovery,  since  its  existence  to  the  westward  was 
already  known  to  every  white  man  particularly  interested  in  matters  appertaining  to  the  North- 
west. Now,  however,  for  the  first  time,  its  upper  half  was  to  be,  to  a  certain  extent,  explored. 
For  the  first  time,  a  white  man  was  to  behold  its  vast  tribute,  above  the  Illinois  river,  rolling 
onward  toward  the  Mexican  gulf.  Who  was  that  man  ?  His  name  was  Louis  Joliet ;  with  him 
was  Father  James  Marquette. 

Born  at  Quebec,  in  1645,  educated  by  the  Jesuits,  and  first  resolving  to  be  a  priest,  then 
turning  fur-trader,  Joliet  had,  finally,  been  sent  with  an  associate  to  explore  the  copper  mines  of 
Lake  Superior.  He  was  a  man  of  close  and  intelligent  observation,  and  possessed  considerable 
mathematical  acquirements.  At  this  time,  1673,  he  was  a  merchant,  courageous,  hardy,  enter- 
prising. He  was  appointed  by  French  authorities  at  Quebec  to  "  discover  "  the  Mississippi.  He 
passed  up  the  lakes  to  Mackinaw,  and  found  at  Point  St.  Ignace,  on  the  north  side  of  the  strait, 
Father  James  Marquette,  who  readily  agreed  to  accompany  him.  Their  outfit  was  very  simple : 
two  birch-bark  canoes  and  a  supply  of  smoked  meat  and  Indian  corn.  They  had  a  company  of 
five  men  with  them,  beginning  their  voyage  on  the  seventeenth  of  May,  1673.  Passing  the  straits, 
they  coasted  the  northern  shores  of  Lake  Michigan,  moved  up  Green  bay  and  Fox  river  to  the 
portage.  They  crossed  to  the  Wisconsin,  down  which  they  paddled  their  frail  canoes,  until,  on 
the  seventeenth  of  June,  they  entered — "  discovered  " — the  Mississippi.  So  the  northern,  the 
eastern  and  the  western  boundary  of  what  is  now  Wisconsin  had  been  reached  at  this  date  ; 
therefore,  it  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  16S0,  from  the  Illinois;  the  return,  also,  the  same  year,  of  Hennepin,  from  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi, whither  he  had  made  his  way  from  the  Illinois,  across  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  by  the 
Wisconsin  and  Fox  rivers  to  Green  bay,  in  company  with  DuLhut,  or  DuLuth,  who,  on  his  way 
down  the  "  great  river  "  from  Lake  Superior,  had  met  the  friar  ;  and  then,  the  voyage,  in  1683,  from 
Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi  river,  by  the  same  route,  of  LeSueur,  and  his  subsequent 
establishment  at  La  Pointe,  in  what  is  now  Ashland  county,  Wisconsin,  followed  several  years 
after  by  a  trip  up  the  Mississippi.  The  act  of  Daumont  de  St.  Lusson,  at  the  Sault  Sainte  Mary, 
in  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  de  bois, 
was  the  military  occupation — if  such  it  can  be  called — of  what  is  now  Wisconsin  by  the  1'' reach. 
The  ninety  years  of  domination  by  France  in  this  region  were  years  of  only  nominal  possession. 
The  record  of  this  occupation  is  made  up  of  facts  concerning  the  Indian  policy  of  the  French 
rulers;  their  contests  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes;  their  treaties,  at  various  times,  with  different 
tribes;  their  interest  in,  and  protection  of,  the  fur  trade,  and  kindred  subjects.  The  Indian 
tribes  were,  at  most,  only  the  allies  of  France.  Posts — mere  stockades  without  cannon,  more  for 
protection  to  fur-traders  than  for  any  other  purpose — were  erected  upon  the  Mississippi  at  two 
points  at  least,  upon  what  is  now  territory  of  Wisconsin.  <  >n  the  west  side  of  Fox  river  of 
Green  bay,  "half  a  league  from  its  mouth,"  was  a  French  post,  as  early  as  1721.  where  resided, 
besides  the  commandant  and  an  uncouth  squad  of  soldiers,  a  Jesuit  missionary;  and  near  by 
were  collected  Indians  of  different  tribes.  Of  course,  the  omnipresent  fur-trader  helped  to 
augment  the  sum-total  of  its  occupants.  This  post  was,  not  long  after,  destroyed,  but  another 
was  established  there.  When,  however,  France  yielded  her  inchoate  rights  in  the  West  to  Great 
Britain — when,  in  1761,  the  latter  took  possession  of  the  count r> — there  was  not  a  French  post 
within  what  is  now  Wisconsin.  The  "fort"  near  the  head  of  Green  bay,  had  been  vacated  for 
years;  it  was  found  "rotten,  the  stockade  ready  to  fall,  and  the  houses  without  cover;" 
emblematic  of  the  decay — the  fast-crumbling  and  perishing  state — of  French  supremacy,  at  that 
date,  in  America.  Wisconsin,  when  England's  control  began,  was  little  better  than  a  howling 
wilderness.  There  was  not  within  the  broad  limits  of  what  is  now  the  Slate,  a  single  bona  fiiic 
settler,  at  the  time  the  French  Government  yielded  up  its  possession  to  the  English;  that  is  to 
say,  there  were  none  according  to  the  present  acceptation  of  the  term  "settler." 

The  military  occupation  of  Wisconsin  by  the  British,  after  the  Seven  Years'  War,  was  a  brief 
one.  La  Bay — as  the  post  at  what  is  now  the  city  of  Fort  Howard.  Brown  county,  was  called — 
was,  on  the  twelfth  of  October,  1 761 ,  taken  possession  of  by  English  troops,  under  Captain 
Belfour,  of  the   Eightieth  regiment.     Two  days  after,  that  officer  departed,  leaving    Lieutenant 


PRE-TERRITORIAL   ANNALS  OF   WISCONSIN.  33 

James  Gorrell,  in  command,  with  one  sergeant,  one  corporal  and  fifteen  privates.  There  also 
remained  at  the  post  a  French  interpreter  and  two  English  traders.  The  name  of  the  fortifica- 
tion  was  changed  to  Fort  Edward  Augustus.  This  post  was  abandoned~i>y~llie  commandant  on 
the  twenty-first  of  June,  1763,  on  account  of  the  breaking  out  of  Pontiac's  War  and  the  capture 
of  the  fort  at  Mackinaw  by  the  savages.  The  cause  of  this  war  was  this  :  The  Indian  tribes 
saw  the  danger  which  the  downfall  of  the  French  interests  in  Canada  was  sure  to  bring  to  them. 
They  banded  together  under  Pontiac  to  avert  their  ruin.  The  struggle  was  short  but  fierce — 
full  of  "  scenes  of  tragic  interest,  with  marvels  of  suffering  and  vicissitude,  of  heroism  and  endur- 
ance ;  "  but  the  white  man  conquered.  The  moving  incidents  in  this  bloody  drama  were  ^enacted 
to  the  eastward  of  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  coming  no  nearer  than  Mackinaw,  which)  as  just 
mentioned,  the  savages  captured;  but  it  resulted  in  the  evacuation  of  its  territory  by  British 
troops,  who  never  after  took  possession  of  it,  though  they  continued  until  1796  a  nominal 
military  rule  over  it,  after  Mackinaw  was  again  occupied  by  them. 

An  early  French  Canadian  trading  station  at  the  head  of  Green  bay  assumed  finally  the 
form  of  a  permanent  settlement  —  the  first  one  in  Wisconsin.  To  claim,  however  that  any 
French  Canadian  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being  the  first  permanent  white  settler  is  assuming 
for  him  more  than  the  facts  seem  to  warrant.  The  title  of  "  The  Father  and  Founder  of  Wis- 
consin "  belongs  to  no  man. 

After  Pontiac's  War,  one  of  the  noted  events  in  this  region  was  the  journey  of  Jonathan 
Carver,  who,  in  1766,  passed  up  Fox  river  to  the  portage,  and  descended  the  Wisconsin  to  the 
Mississippi.  He  noticed  the  tumbling-down  post  at  what  is  now  Green  Bay,  Brown  county. 
He  saw  a  few  families  living  in  the  fort,  and  some  French  settlers,  who  cultivated  the  land 
opposite,  and  appeared  to  live  very  comfortably.  That  was  the  whole  extent  of  improvements 
in  what  is  now  Wisconsin.  The  organization  of  the  Northwest  Fur  Company  ;  the  passage  of 
an  act  by  the  British  Parliament  by  which  the  whole  Northwest  was  included  in  the  Province  of 
Quebec;  the  joining  of  the  Indians  in  this  region  with  the  British,  against  the  Americans,  in  the 
War  of  the  Revolution;  the  exploration  of  the  lead  region  of  the  Upper  Mississippi  by  Julian 
Dubuque;  the  passage  of  the  ordinance  of  1787;  the  first  settlement  of  the  territory  northwest 
of  the  River  Ohio;  and  the  Indian  war  which  followed,  are  all  incidents,  during  British  occu- 
pation, of  more  or  less  interest  for  the  student  of  Wisconsin  history.  He  will  find  that,  by  the 
treaty  of  1783  and  of  1795,  w'tn  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 
soldiers,  and  that  English  domination,  which  should  have  ended  at  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  arbitrarily  continued  until  the  Summer  of  1796,  when  the  western  posts,  none  of  which 
were  upon  territory  circumscribed  by  Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior  and  the  Mississippi  river, 
were  delivered  into  the  keeping  of  the  United  States.  Thus  the  supremacy  of  Great  Britain  over 
the  Northwest  was,  after  an  actual  continuance  of  thirty-five  years,  at  an  end. 

Although  the  General  Government  did  not  get  possession  of  the  region  northwest  of  the  Ohio, 
throughout  its  full  extent,  for  thirteen  years  subsequent  to  its  acquirement  by  the  treaty  of  peace 
of  17S3  with  Great  Britain,  nevertheless,  steps  were  taken,  very  soon,  to  obtain  concessions  from 
such  of  the  colonies  as  had  declared  an  ownership  in  any  portion  of  it.  None  of  the  claimants, 
seemingly,  had  better  rights  than  Virginia,  who,  by  virtue  of  conquests,  largely  her  own,  of  the 
Illinois  settlements  and  posts,  extended  her  jurisdiction  over  that  country,  erecting  into  a  county 


34  HISTORY   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  upe" 
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  thir 
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 

■! -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  Cuicago;  and  so  much  of  the  present  State  of  Wis- 
consin as  is  watered  by  the  streams  ll  wing  into  Lake  Michigan,  which  of  course  included  an 
extensive  portion,  taking  in  many  of  its  eastern  and  interior  counties  as  now  constituted.  This 
vast  county  was  named  Wayne.  So  the  few  settlers  then  at  the  head  of  Green  bay  had  their 
local  habitations,  constructively  at  least,  in  "Wayne  county,  Northwestern  Territory."  It  was 
just  at  that  date  that  Great  Britain  vacated  the  western  posts,  and  the  United  States  took  quiet 
possession  of  them.  But  the  western  portion  of  what  is  now  Wisconsin,  including  all  its  territory 
watered  by  streams  flowing  northward  into  Lake  Superior/and  westward  and  southwestward  into 
the  Mississippi,  was  as  yet  without  any  county  organization  ;  as  the  county  of  St.  Clair,  including 
the  Illinois  country  to  the  southward,  reached  no  farther  north  than  the  mouth  of  Little  Macki- 
naw creek,  where   it  empties  into  the  River  Illinois,  in  what  is  now  the  State  of  Illinois.     The 


PRE-TERRITORIAL   ANNALS  OF   WISCONSIN.  35 

"law  of  Paris,"  which  was  in  force  under  French  domination  in  Canada,  and  which  by  the 
British  Parliament  in  1774,  had  been  continued  in  force  under  English  supremacy,  was  still  "  the 
law  of  the  land  "  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  practically  at  least. 

From  and  after  the  fourth  day  of  July,  1800,  all  that  part  of  the  territory  of  the  United 
States  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river,  which  lay  to  the  westward  of  a  line  beginning  upon  that 
stream  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  Kentucky  river  and  running  thence  to  what  is  now  Fort 
Recovery  in  Mercer  county,  Ohio  ;  thence  north  until  it  intersected  the  territorial  line  between 
the  United  States  and  Canada,  was,  for  the  purposes  of  temporary  government,  constituted  a 
separate  territory  called  Indiana.  It  included  not  only  the  whole  of  the  present  State  of  Illinois 
and  nearly  all  of  what  is  now  Indiana,  but  more  than  half  of  the  State  of  Michigan  as  now 
denned,  also  a  considerable  part  of  the  present  Minnesota,  and  the  whole  of  what  is  now  Wis- 
consin. 

The  seat  of  government  was  established  at  "Saint  Vincennes  on  the  Wabash,''  now  the  city 
of  Vincennes,  Indiana.  To  this  extensive  area  was  added  "from  and  after "  the  admission  of 
Ohio  into  the  Union,  all  the  territory  west  of  that  State,  and  east  of  the  eastern  boundary  line  of 
the  Territory  of  Indiana  as  originally  established  ;  so  that  now  all  "  the  territory  of  the  United 
States,  northwest  of  the  River  Ohio,"  was,  excepting  the  State  of  Ohio,  included  in  Indiana  Ter- 
ritory. On  the  thirtieth  day  of  June,  1805,  so  much  of  Indiana  Territory  as  lay  to  the  north  of 
a  liue  drawn  east  from  the  southerly  bend  or  extreme  of  Lake  Michigan  to  Lake  Erie,  and  east 
of  a  line  drawn  from  the  same  bend  through  the  middle  of  the  first  mentioned  lake  to  its  north- 
ern extremity,  and  thence  due  north  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  United  States,  was,  for  the 
purpose  of  temporary  government,  constituted  a  separate  Territory  called  Michigan.  Of  course 
no  part  of  the  present  State  of  Wisconsin  was  included  therein  ;  but  the  whole  remained  in  the 
Territory  of  Indiana  until  the  second  day  of  March,  1809,  when  all  that  part  of  the  last  men- 
tioned Territory  which  lay  west  of  the  Wabash  river,  and  a  direct  line  drawn  from  that  stream 
and  "  Post  Vincennes,"  due  north  to  the  territorial  line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
was,  by  an  act  approved  on  the  third  of  February  previous,  constituted  a  separate  Territory,  called 
Illinois.  Meanwhile  jurisdiction  had  been  extended  by  the  authorities  of  Indiana  Territory 
over  the  country  lying  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  to  the  extent,  at  least,  of  appointing  a  justice  of 
the  peace  for  each  of  the  settlements  of  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien.  All  of  what  is  now 
Wisconsin  was  transferred  to  the  Territory  of  Illinois,  upon  the  organization  of  the  latter,  except 
a  small  portion  lying  east  of  the  meridian  line  drawn  through  Vincennes,  which  remained  a  part 
of  Indiana  Territory.  This  fraction  included  nearly  the  whole  area  between  Green  bay  and 
Lake  Michigan. 

When,  in  1816,  Indiana  became  a  State,  "the  territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the 
River  Ohio,"  contained,  besides  Ohio  and  Indiana,  the  Territories  of  Illinois  and  Michigan,  only  ; 
so  the  narrow  strip,  formerly  a  part  of  Indiana  Territory,  lying  east  of  a  line  drawn  due  north 
from  Vincennes,  and  west  of  the  western  boundary  line  of  Michigan  Territory,  belonged  to  nei- 
ther, and  was  left  without  any  organization.  However,  upon  the  admission  of  Illinois  into  the 
Union,  in  1S18,  all  "the  territory  of  the  United  States,  northwest  of  the  River  Ohio,"  lying  west 
of  Michigan  Territory  and  north  of  the  States  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  was  attached  to  and  made 
a  part  of  Michigan  Territory,  by  which  act  the  whole  of  the  present  State  of  Wisconsin  came 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  latter.  During  the  existence  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois,  a  kind  of 
jurisdiction  was  had  over  the  two  settlements  in  what  is  now  Wisconsin  —  rather  more  ideal  than 
real,  however. 

In  1834,  Congress  greatly  increased  the  limits  of  the  Territory  of  Michigan,  by  adding  to  it, 
for  judicial  purposes,  a  large  extent  of  country  west  of  the  Mississippi  —  reaching  south  as  far  as 


36  HISTORY   OF   AVISCOXSIX. 

the  present  boundary  line  between  the  present  States  of  Iowa  and  Missouri;  north,  to  the  terri- 
torial line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada  ;  and  west,  to  the  Missouri  and  White  Earth 
rivers.     It  so  continued  down  to  the  fourth  of  July,  1836. 

A  retrospective  glance  at  the  history  of  this  region  for  forty  years  previous  to  the  last  men- 
tioned year,  including  the  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  1S04,  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   citizi  -ing 

through  their  territories  or  trading  with  them.    Comparative  peace  reigned  in  the  inn  ■  tie- 

men  ts  at  the  head  of  Green  bay  and  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  which  was  changed  by  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  of  1S12,  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,  iSu,  virtually  put  the  latter  in 
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.  Xot  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  1 S 15,  when  the  place  was 
evacuated  by  the  British. 

When  it  became  generally  known  to  the  Indian  tribes  in  whit  is  now  Wisconsin,  that  the 
contest   between   the   United   States   and  Great   Britain  was  at  an  end,  they  general!;  ;sed 

themselves  as  ready  and  willing  to  make  treaties  with  the  General  Government — eager,  in  fact, 
to  establish  friendlj  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  wa  .  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  1S1S,  the)'  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 :    Michilim..>  Brown   and   Crawford.     Their  establishment  dales 


PKE-TERRITORIAL   ANNALS   OF   WISCONSIN.  37 

the  twenty-sixth  of,  October,  1818.  The  county  of  Michilimackinac  not  only  included  all  of  the 
present  State  of  Wisconsin  lying  north  of  a  line  drawn  due  west  from  near  the  head  of  the  Little 
Noquet  bay,  but  territory  east  and  west  of  it,  so  as  to  reach  from  Lake  Huron  to  the  Missis- 
sippi river.  Its  county  seat  was  established  "at  the  Borough  of  Michilimackinac."  The  whole 
area  in  Michigan  Territory  south  of  the  county  of  Michilimackinac  and  west  of  Lake  Michigan 
formed  the  two  counties  of  Brown  and  Crawford:  the  former  to  include  the  area  east  of  a  line 
drawn  due  north  and  south  through  the  middle  of  the  portage  between  the  Fox  river  of  Green 
bay  and  the  Wisconsin  ;  the  latter  to  include  the  whole  region  west  of  that  line.  Prairie  du 
Chien  was  designated  as  the  county  seat  of  Crawford;  Green  Bay,  of  Brown  county.  On  the 
22d  of  December,  1826,  a  county  named  Chippewa  was  formed  from  the  northern  portions  of 
Michilimackinac,  including  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Superior  throughout  its  entire  length, 
and  extending  from  the  straits  leading  from  that  lake  into  Lake  Huron,  west  to  the  western 
boundary  line  of  Michigan  Territory,  with  the  count}'  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 ami  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  pea<  .-,  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,  1S23,  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  May,  1S32. 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  David  Irvin.  This  court  continued  until  1S36,  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  1S25,  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- 
c  onsin  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  182S.  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  Territorv  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, 
1789,  the  Pottawattamie  and  Sac  tribes  of  Indians,  among  others,  were  received  into  the  friend- 
ship  of  the  General  Government,  and  a  league  of  peace  and  unity  established  between  the  con- 
tracting parties  On  the  third  of  November,  1804,  a  treaty  at  St.  Louis  stipulated  that  the 
united  Sac  and  Fox  tribes  should  be  received  into  the  friendship  of  the  United  States,  and  also 
be  placed  under  their  protection.  These  tribes  also  agreed  to  consider  themselves  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  General  Government  and  of  no  other  power  whatsoever.  At  this  treaty  lands  were 
ceded  which  were  circumscribed  by  a  boundary  beginning  at  a  point  on  the  Missouri  river 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Gasconade,  and  running  thence  in  a  direct  course  so  as  to  strike  the 
River  Jefferson  at  the  distance  of  thirty  miles  from  its  mouth,  and  down  that  stream  to  the  Missis- 
It  then  ran  up  the  latter  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  and  up  that  stream  to  a 
point  thirty-six  miles  in  a  direct  line  from  its  mouth ;  thence  by  a  straight  course  to  a  point 
where  the  Fox  river  of  the  Illinois  leaves  the  small  lake  then  called  Sakaegan,  and  from  that 
point  down  the  Fox  to  the  Illinois,  and  down  the  latter  to  the  Mississippi.  The  consideration  for 
this  cession  was  the  payment  of  goods  to  the  value  of  two  thousand  two  hundred  and  thirty-four 
dollars  and  fifty  cents,  and  a  yearly  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars — six  hundred  to  be  paid  to 
the  Sac  s  and  foui  hundred  to. the  Foxes — to  be  liquidated  in  goods  valued  at  first  cost.  After- 
ward, Fort  Madison  was  erected  just  above  the  Des  Moines  rapids  in  the  Mississippi,  on  the  ter- 
ritory ceded  at  the  last  mentioned  treaty.  Then  followed  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  and  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes  agreed  to  take  no  part  therein.  However,  a  portion  afterward  joined  the 
English  against  the  Americans  along  with  other  Western  tribes.  At  the  restoration  of  peace  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes  held  treaties  with  the  United  States.     There  was  a  renewal  of  the  treaty  of  1804. 


PEE-TEERITORIAL   ANNALS   OF   WISCONSIN.  39 

Such  in  brief  is  a  general  outline  of  affairs,  so  far  as  those  two  tribes  were  concerned,  down  to  the 
close  of  the  last  war  with  England.  From  this  time,  to  the  year  1830,  several  additional  treaties 
were  made  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  by  the  General  Government :  one  in  1S22,  by  which  they  relin- 
quished their  right  to  have  the  United  States  establish  a  trading  house  or  factory  at  a  convenient 
point  at  which  the  Indians  could  trade  and  save  themselves  from  the  imposition  of  traders,  for 
which  they  were  paid  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  in  merchandise.  Again,  in  1824,  they 
sold  to  the  General  Government  all  their  lands  in  Missouri,  north  of  Missouri  river,  for  which 
they  received  one  thousand  dollars  the  same  year,  and  an  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars  for  ten 
years.  In  1830,  they  ceded  to  the  United  States  a  strip  of  land  twenty  miles  wide  from  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  the  Des  Moines,  on  the  north  side  of  their  territory.  The  time  had  now  come  for  the 
two  tribes  to  leave  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Mississippi  and  retire  across  the  "  great  water." 
Keokuk,  the  Watchful  Fox,  erected  his  wigwam  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  was  followed 
by  a  large  part  of  the  two  tribes.  But  a  band  headed  by  Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah,  or  the 
Black  Sparrow  Hawk,  commonly  called  Black  Hawk,  refused  to  leave  their  village  near  Rock 
Island.  They  contended  that  they  had  not  sold  their  town  to  the  United  States ;  and,  upon 
their  return  early  in  1831,  from  a  hunt  across  the  Mississippi,  finding  their  village  and  fields  in 
possession  of  the  whites,  they  determined  to  repossess  their  homes  at  all  hazards.  This  was 
looked  upon,  or  called,  an  encroachment  by  the  settlers  ;  so  the  governor  of  Illinois  took  the 
responsibility  of  declaring  the  State  invaded,  and  asked  the  United  States  to  drive  the  refractory 
Indians  beyond  the  Mississippi.  The  result  was,  the  Indian  village  was  destroyed  by  Illinois 
volunteers.  This  and  the  threatened  advance  across  the  river  by  the  United  States  commander, 
brought  Black  Hawk  and  his  followers  to  terms.  They  sued  for  peace — agreeing  to  remain 
forever  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi.     But  this  truce  was  of  short  duration. 

Early  in  the  Spring  of  1832,  Black  Hawk  having  assembled  his  forces  on  the  Mississippi,  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  locality  where  Fort  Madison  had  stood,  crossed  that  stream  and  ascended 
Rock  river.  This  was  the  signal  for  war.  The  governor  of  Illinois  made  a  call  for  volunteers; 
and,  in  a  brief  space  of  time,  eighteen  hundred  had  assembled  at  Beardstown,  Cass  county. 
They  marched  for  the  mouth  of  Rock  river,  where  a  council  of  war  was  held  by  their  officers 
and  Brigadier-General  Henry  Atkinson,  of  the  regular  forces.  The  Indians  were  sent  word  by 
General  Atkinson  that  they  must  return  and  recross  the  Mississippi,  or  they  would  be  driven 
back  by  force.  "  If  you  wish  to  fight  us,  come  on,"  was  the  laconic  but  defiant  reply  of  the  Sac 
chief.  When  the  attempt  was  made  to  compel  these  Indians  to  go  back  across  the  "  great  river," 
a  collision  occurred  between  the  Illinois  militia  and  Black  Hawk's  braves,  resulting  in  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  former  with  the  loss  of  eleven  men.  Soon  afterward  the  volunteers  were  dis- 
charged, and  the  first  campaign  of  Black  Hawk's  War  was  at  an  end.     This  was  in  May,  1832. 

In  June  following,  a  new  force  had  been  raised  and  put  under  the  command  of  General 
Atkinson,  who  commenced  his  march  up  Rock  river.  Before  this,  there  had  been  a  general 
"forting"  in  the  lead  region,  including  the  whole  country  in  Southwest  Wisconsin,  notwithstand- 
ing which,  a  number  of  settlers  had  been  killed  by  the  savages,  mostly  in  Illinois.  Squads  of 
volunteers,  in  two  or  three  instances,  had  encountered  the  Indians ;  and  in  one  with  entire  suc- 
cess— upon  the  Pecatonica,  in  what  is  now  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin — every  savage  (and 
there  were  seventeen  of  them)  being  killed.  The  loss  of  the  volunteers  was  three  killed  and 
wounded.  Atkinson's  march  up  Rock  river  was  attended  with  some  skirmishing;  when,  being 
informed  that  Black  Hawk  and  his  force  were  at  Lake  Koshkonong,  in  the  southwest  corner  of 
what  is  now  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  he  immediately  moved  thither  with  a  portion  of  his 
army,  where  the  whole  force  was  ordered  to  concentrate.  But  the  Sac  chief  with  his  people  had 
flown.     Colonels  Henry  Dodge  and  James  D.  Henry,  with  the  forces  under  them,  discovered  the 


40  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

trail  of  the  savages,  leading  in  the  direction  of  the  Wisconsin  river.  It  was  evident  that  the 
Tetreating  force  was  large,  and  that  it  had  but  recently  passed.  The  pursuing  troops  hastened 
their  march.  On  the  twenty-first  of  July,  1S3J,  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 
was  a  complete  victory  for  the  whites.  Black  Hawk  fled,  but  was  soon  after  captured.  This 
ended  the  war. 

The  survey  of  public  lands  by  the  General  Government;  the  locating  and  opening  of  land 
offices  at  Mineral  Point  and  Green  Bay;  the  erection  of  Milwaukee  county  from  a  part  of 
Brown,  to  include  all  the  territory  bounded  on  the  east  and  south  by  the  east  and  south  lines  of 
the  present  State,  on  the  north  by  what  is  now  the  north  boundary  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee 
counties  and  farther  westward  on  the  north  line  of  township  numbered  twelve,  and  on  the  west 
by  the  dividing  line  between  ranges  eight  and  nine;  and  the  changing  of  the  eastern  boundary 
of  Iowa  county  to  correspond  with  the  western  one  of  Milwaukee  county;  —  are  some  of  the 
important  events  following  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war.  There  was  an  immediate  and 
rapid  increase  of  immigration,  not  only  in  the  mining  region  but  in  various  other  parts  of  what 
is  now  Wisconsin,  more  especially  in  that  portion  bordering  on  Lake  Michigan.  The  interior 
w.i^  yet  sparsely  settled.  By  the  act  of  June  28,  1834,  congress  having  attached  to  the  Territory 
ol  Michigan,  for  judicial  purposes,  all  the  country  "west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  north  of 
the  State  of  Missouri,"  comprising  the  whole  of  what  is  now  the  State  of  Iowa,  all  of  the  present 
State  of  Minnesota  west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  more  than  half  of  what  is  now  the  Terri- 
tory of  Dakota,  the  legislative  council  of  Mulligan  Territory  extended  her  laws  over  the  whole 
area,  dividing  it  on  the  6th  ol  September,  1^34.  by  a  line  drawn  due  west  from  the  lower  end  of 
Ro(  k  island  to  the  Missouri  river  into  two  counties:  the  country  south  of  that  line  constituting 
the  count)  o<  Des  Moines;  ninth  of  the  line,  to  be  known  as  the  county  of  Dubuque.  This 
■whole  region  west  of  tin  Mississippi  was  known  as  the  Iowa  district  Immediately  after  the 
treaty  of  183a  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  the  United  States  having  come  into  ownership  of  a  large 
tract  in  this  distru  I  families  crossed  the   Mississippi,  and  settled  on  the  purchase,  but  as 


WISCONSIN   TERRITORY.  41 

the  time  provided  for  the  Indians  to  give  possession  was  the  first  of  June,  1833,  these  settlers 
were  dispossessed  by  order  of  the  General  Government.  So  soon,  however,  as  the  Indians  yielded 
possession,  settlements  began,  but,  from  the  date  just  mentioned  until  September,  1834,  after  the 
district  was  attached,  for  judicial  purposes,  to  Michigan  Territory,  it  was  without  any  municipal 
law  whatever.  The  organization  of  the  counties  of  Dubuque  and  Des  Moines  on  the  sixth  of 
that  month,  secured,  of  course  a  regular  administration  of  justice.  Before  this  time  to  facili- 
tate intercourse  between  the  two  remote  military  posts  of  Fort  Howard  at  Green  Bay,  and  Fort 
Crawford  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  a  military  road  was  commenced  to  connect  the  two  points;  so, 
one  improvement  followed  another.  On  the  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  Tuly,  1836,  with  a 


42  HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 

proper  reservation  of  rights  in  favor  of  the  Indians.  It  provided  for  subsequently  dividing  tne 
Territory  into  one  or  more,  should  congress  deem  it  wise  so  to  do.  It  also  declared  that  the 
executive  power  and  authority  in  and  over  the  Territory  should  be  vested  in  a  governor,  at  the  same 
time  defining  his  powers.  It  provided  for  the  appointment  of  a  secretary,  stating  what  his  duties 
should  be.  The  legislative  power  was  vested  in  the  governor  and  legislative  assembly,  the  latter 
to  consist  of  a  council  and  house  of  representatives,  answering  respectively  to  the  senate  and 
assembly,  as  states  are  usually  organized.  There  was  a  provision  for  taking  the  census  of  the 
several  counties,  and  one  giving  the  governor  power  to  name  the  time,  place,  and  manner  of 
holding  the  first  election,  and  to  declare  the  number  of  members  of  the  council  and  house  of 
representatives  to  which  each  county  should  be  entitled.  He  was  also  to  determine  where  the 
first  legislative  assembly  should  meet,  and  a  wise  provision  was  that  the  latter  should  not  be  in 
session  in  any  one  year  more  than  seventy-five  days. 

One  section  of  the  act  declared  who  should  be  entitled  to  vote  and  hold  office ;  another 
defined  the  extent  of  the  powers  of  the  legislature,  and  a  third  provided  that  all  laws  should  be 
submitted  to  congress  for  their  approval  or  rejection.  There  was  a  section  designating  what 
offices  should  be  elective  and  what  ones  should  be  filled  by  the  governor.  There  were  others 
regulating  the  judiciary  for  the  Territory  and  declaring  what  offices  should  be  appointed  by  the 
United  States,  providing  for  their  taking  the  proper  oaths  of  office  and  regulating  their  salaries. 
One,  perhaps  the  most  important  of  all,  declared  that  the  Territory  should  be  entitled  to  and  enjoy 
all  the  rights,  privileges,  and  advantages  granted  by  the  celebrated  ordinance  of  1787.  There 
was  also  a  provision  for  the  election  of  a  delegate  to  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  United 
States;  and  a  declaration  that  all  suits  and  indictments  pending  in  the  old  courts  should  be  con- 
tinued in  the  new  ones.  Five  thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  for  a  library  for  the  accommo- 
dation  of  the  legislative  assembly  of  the  Territory  and  of  its  supreme  court. 

For  the  new  Territory,  Henry  Dodge  was,  on  the  30th  of  April,  1836,  by  Andrew  Jackson, 
then  President  of  the  United  States,  commissioned  governor.  John  S.  Horner  was  commissioned 
secretary;  Charles  Dunn,  chief  justice;  David  Irvin  and  William  C.  Frazer,  associate  judges; 
W.  W.  Chapman,  attorney,  and  Francis  Gehon,  marshal.  The  machinery  of  a  territorial  gov- 
ernment was  thus  formed,  which  was  set  in  motion  by  these  officers  taking  the  prescribed  oath  of 
office.  The  next  important  step  to  be  taken  was  to  organize  the  Territorial  legislature.  The 
provisions  of  the  organic  act  relative  to  the  enumeration  of  the  population  of  the  Territory  were 
that  previously  to  the  first  election,  the  governor  should  cause  the  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;  Crawford 
county,  850.  The  entire  population,  therefore,  of  Wisconsin  Territory  in  the  summer  of  1S36, 
as  given  by  the  first  census  was,  in  precise  numbers,  twenty-two  thousand  two  hundred  and  four- 
teen, of  which  the  two  counties  west  of  the  Mississippi  furnished  nearly  one  half.  The  apportion- 
ment, after  the  census  had  been  taken,  made  by  the  governor,  gave  to  the  different  counties  thir- 
teen councilmen  and  twenty-six  representatives.  Brown  county  got  two  councilmen  and  three 
representatives  ;  Crawford,  two  representatives,  but  no  councilmen  ;  Milwaukee,  two  councilmen 
and  three  representatives  ;  Iowa,  Dubuque  and  Des  Moines,  each  three  councilmen  ;  but  of  repre- 
sentatives, Iowa  got  six;  Dubuque,  five,  and  Des  Moines,  seven.  The  election  was  held  on  the 
tenth  of  October,  1836,  exciting  considerable  interest,  growing  out,  chiefly,  of  local  considera- 
tions. The  permanent  location  of  the  capital,  the  division  of  counties,  and  the  location  of  county 
seats,  were  the  principal  questions  influencing  the  voters.  There  were  elected  from  the  county 
of  Brown,  Henry  S.  Baird  and  John  P.  Arndt,  members  of  the  council;    Ebenezer  Childs,  Albert 


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,  EbenezerBrigham,  John  B. 
Terry  and  James  R.  Vineyard;  representatives,  William  Boyles,  G.  F.  Smith,  D.  M.  Parkinson, 
Thomas  McKnight,  T.  Shanley  and  J.  P.  Cox  :  from  Dubuque,  councilmen,  John  Foley,  Thomas 
McCraney  and  Thomas  McKnight ;  representatives,  Loring  Wheeler,  Hardin  Nowlin,  Hosea  T. 
Camp,  P.  H.  Engle  and  Patrick  Quigley :  from  Des  Moines,  councilmen,  Jeremiah  Smith,  Jr.. 
Joseph  B.  Teas  and  Arthur  B.  Inghram  ;  representatives,  Isaac  Leffler,  Thomas  Blair,  Warren  L. 
Jenkins,  John  Box,  George  W.  Teas,  Eli  Reynolds  and  David  R.  Chance:  from  Crawford,  repre- 
sentatives, James  H.  Lockwood  and  James  B.  Dallam. 

Belmont,  in  the  present  county  of  LaFayette,  then  in  Iowa  county,  was,  by  the  governor, 
appointed  the  place  for  the  meeting  of  the  legislature  ;  he  also  fixed  the  time — the  twenty-fifth 
of  October.  A  quorum  was  in  attendance  in  both  branches  at  the  time  decided  upon  for  their 
assembling,  and  the  two  houses  were  speedily  organized  by  the  election  of  Peter  Hill  Fngle,  of 
Dubuque,  speaker  of  the  house,  and  Henry  S.  Baird,  of  Brown,  president  of  the  council.  Each 
of  the  separate  divisions  of  the  government — the  executive,  the  judicial,  and  the  legislative- 
was  now  in  working  order,  except  that  it  remained  for  the  legislature  to  divide  the  Territory  into 
judicial  districts,  and  make  an  assignment  of  the  judges  ;  and  for  the  governor  to  appoint  a  Ter- 
ritorial treasurer,  auditor  and  attorney  general.  The  act  of  congress  establishing  the  Terri- 
tory required  that  it  should  be  divided  into  three  judicial  districts.  The  counties  of  Crawford 
and  Iowa  were  constitued  by  the  legislature  the  first  district,  to  which  was  assigned  Chief  Justice 
Dunn.  The  second  district  was  composed  of  the  counties  of  Des  Moines  and  Dubuque  ;  to  it 
was  assigned  Associate  Judge  Irvin.  The  third  district  was  formed  of  the  counties  of  Brown 
and  Milwaukee,  to  which  was  assigned  Associate  Judge  Frazer. 

Governor  Dodge,  in  his  first  message  to  the  Territorial  legislature,  directed  attention  to  the 
necessity  for  defining  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of  the  several  courts,  and  recommended  that 
congress  should  be  memorialized  to  extend  the  right  of  pre-emption  to  actual  settlers  upon  the 
public  lands  and  to  miners  on  mineral  lands;  also,  to  remove  the  obstructions  in  the  rapids 
of  the  Upper  Mississippi,  to  construct  harbors  and  light-houses  on  Lake  Michigan,  to  improve 
the  navigation  of  Fox  river  and  to  survey  the  same  from  its  mouth  to  Fort  Winnebago,  to 
increase  the  amount  of  lands  granted  to  the  Territory  for  school  purposes,  and  to  organize  and 
arm  the  militia  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier  settlements.  The  first  act  passed  by  the  legis- 
lature was  one  privileging  members  from  arrest  in  certain  cases  and  conferring  on  themselves 
power  to  punish  parties  for  contempt.  The  second  one  established  the  three  judicial  districts 
and  assigned  the  judges  thereto.  One  was  passed  to  borrow  money  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  the  session ;  others  protecting  a.l  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  Roint,  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,  1S39,  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,  1S36,  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 
fir-t  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,  1S36. 
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  1S19,  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,  1S36,  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.  45 

the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Green  bay.  The  residue  of  the  country 
south  and  east  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Fox  rivers  was  open  only  to  preemption  by  actual  settlers. 
The  Indian  tribes  still  claimed  a  large  portion  of  the  lands.  On  the  north  and  as  far  west  as 
the  Red  river  of  the  north  were  located  the  Chippewas.  The  southern  limits  of  their  posses- 
sions were  defined  by  a  line  drawn  from  a  point  on  that  stream  in  about  latitude  460  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  430  of 
latitude  on  the  south;  the  Missouri  and  White  Earth  river  on  the  west;  and  the  Territorial  line 
on  the  north,  was  occupied  by  the  Sioux.  In  the  southwest  part  of  the  Territory,  lying  mostly 
south  of  latitude  430 —  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  Winnebagoes  in  the 
country  north  of  the  Fox  river  of  Green  bay  were  located  the  Menomonees,  their  lands 
extending  to  Wolf  river.  Such  was  the  general  outline  of  Indian  occupancy  in  Wisconsin 
Territory  at  its  organization.  A  portion  of  the  country  east  of  Wolf  river  and  north  of  Green 
bay  and  the  Fox  river ;  the  whole  of  the  area  lying  south  of  Green  bay,  Fox  river  and  the 
Wisconsin ;  and  a  strip  of  territory  immediately  west  of  the  Mississippi,  about  fifty  miles  in 
width,  and  extending  from  the  Missouri  State  line  as  far  north  as  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
present  State  of  Iowa,  constituted  the  whole  extent  of  country  over  which  the  Indians  had 
no  claim. 

The  second  session  of  the  first  legislative  assembly  of  the  Territory  began  at  Burlington, 
now  the  county  seat  of  Des  Moines  county,  Iowa,  on  the  6th  of  November,  1837.  The  governor, 
in  his  message,  recommended  a  codification  of  the  laws,  the  organization  of  the  militia,  and  other 
measures  of  interest  to  the  people.  An  act  was  passed  providing  for  taking  another  census,  and 
one  abolishing  imprisonment  for  debt.  By  a  joint  resolution,  congress  was  urged  to  make  an 
appropriation  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  in  money,  and  two  townships  of  land  for  a  "University 
of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin."  The  money  was  not  appropriated,  but  the  land  was  granted  — 
forty-six  thousand  and  eighty  acres.  This  was  the  fundamental  endowment  of  the  present  State 
university,  at  Madison.  A  bill  was  also  passed  to  regulate  the  sale  of  school  lands,  and  to 
prepare  for  organizing,  regulating  and  perfecting  schools.  Another  act,  which  passed  the 
legislature  at  this  session,  proved  an  apple  of  discord  to  the  people  of  the  Territory.  The 
measure  was  intended  to  provide  ways  and  means  whereby  to  connect,  by  canals  and  slack- 
water,  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  with  those  of  the  Mississippi,  by  way  of  Rock  river,  the 
Catfish,  the  four  lakes  and  the  Wisconsin,  by  the  incorporation  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock 
river  canal  company.  This  company  was  given  authority  to  apply  to  congress  for  an  appro- 
priation in  money  or  lands  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  work,  which  was  to  have  its  eastern 
outlet  in  the  Milwaukee  river,  and  to  unite  at  its  western  terminus  with  Rock  river,  near  the 
present  village  of  Jefferson,  in  Jefferson  county.  The  result  was  that  a  grant  of  land  of  odd- 
numbered  sections  in  a  strip  of  territory  five  miles  on  each  side  of  the  line  of  the  proposed  canal 
was  secured,  and  in  July,  1839,  over  forty  thousand  acres  were  sold  at  the  minimum  price  of 
two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre.  However,  owing  mainly  to  the  fact  that  purchasers  were 
compelled  to  pay  double  the  government  price  for  their  lands  —  owing  also  to  the  circumstance 
of  an  antagonism  growing  up  between  the  officers  of  the  canal  company  and  the  Territorial 
officers  intrusted  with  the  disposition  of  the  lands,  and  to  conflicts  between"the  beneficiaries  of 


46  HISTORY   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  1S75  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,  1S3S,  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 
onlv  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,  1838,  the  annual  terms  of  the  supreme  court  —  the  first  one 
after  the  re-organization  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin — was  held  at  Madison.  There  were 
present  Chief  Justice  Dunn  and  Associate  Judge  Frazer.  After  admitting  twe  attorney-  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,  183S,  James  Duane  Doty 
received  the  highest  number  of  votes  for  the  office  of  delegate  to  congress,  and  was  declared  by 
Governor  Dodge  duly  elected,  by  a  certificate  of  election,  issued  on  the  twenty-seventh  day  of 
October  following.      Upon  the  commencement  of  the  third  session  of  the  twenty. fifth  congress 


WISCONSIN   TERRITORY.  47 

on  Monday,  December  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  1817,  a  delegate  must  be  elected  only  for  one  congress,  and 
not  for  parts  of  two  congressional  terms;  that  his  term  as  a  delegate  from  Wisconsin  did  not 
commence  until  the  fourth  of  March,  1837,  and  consequently  would  not  expire  until  the  fourth 
of  March,  1839.  The  subject  was  finally  referred  to  the  committee  of  elections.  This  com- 
mittee, on  the  fourteenth  of  January,  1839,  reported  in  favor  of  Doty's  right  to  his  seat  as  dele- 
gate, submitting  a  resolution  to  that  effect  which  passed  the  house  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-five  to  twenty-five.  Whereupon  Doty  was  qualified  as  delegate  from  Wisconsin  Territory, 
and  took  his  seat  at  the  date  last  mentioned. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  Andrew  G.  Miller  was  appointed  by  Martin  Van  Buren,  then 
president  of  the  United  States,  associate  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  to  succeed  Judge  Frazer, 
who  died  at  Milwaukee,  on  the  18th  of  October.  During  this  year,  Moses  M.  Strong  succeeded 
W.  W.  Chapman  as  United  States  attorney  for  the  Territory. 

On  the  26th  day  of  November,  1838,  the  legislature  of  the  re-organized  Territory  of  Wis- 
consin— being  the  first  session  of  the  second  legislative  assembly — met  at  Madison.  Governor 
Dodge,  in  his  message,  recommended  an  investigation  of  the  banks  then  in  operation,  memorial- 
izing congress  for  a  grant  of  lands  for  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  river  of  Green  bay  and  the 
Wisconsin;  the  revision  of  the  laws;  the  division  of  the  Territory  into  judicial  districts;  the 
justice  of  granting  to  all  miners  who  have  obtained  the  ownership  of  mineral  grounds  under  the 
regulations  of  the  superintendent  of  the  United  States  lead  mines,  either  by  discovery  or  pur- 
chase, the  right  of  pre-emption;  and  the  improvement  of  the  harbors  on  Take  Michigan. 

The  attention  of  this  Legislature  was  directed  to  the  mode  in  which  the  commissioners  of 
public  buildings  had  discharged  their  duties  There  was  an  investigation  of  the  three  banks 
then  in  operation  in  the  Territory — one  at  Green  Bay,  one  at  Mineral  Point,  and  the  other  at 
Milwaukee.  A  plan,  also,  for  the  revision  of  the  laws  of  the  Territory  was  considered.  A  new 
assignment  was  made  for  the  holding  of  district  courts.  Chief  Justice  Dunn  was  assigned  to  the 
first  district,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Iowa,  Grant  and  Crawford  ;  Judge  Irvin  to  the  second, 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Dane,  Jefferson,  Rock,  Walworth  and  Green;  while  Judge  Miller 
was  assigned  to  the  third  district,  composed  of  Milwaukee,  Brown  and  Racine  counties — includ- 
ing therein  the  unorganized  counties  of  Washington  and  Dodge,  which,  for  judicial  purposes, 
were,  when  constituted  by  name  and  boundary,  attached  to  Milwaukee  county,  and  had  so 
remained  since  that  date.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  22d  of  December,  to  meet  again  on 
the  21st  of  the  following  month.  "Although,"  said  the  president  of  the  council,  upon  the  occasion 
of  the  adjournment,  "  but  few  acts  of  a  general  character  have  been  passed,  as  the  discussions  and 
action  of  this  body  have  been  chiefly  confined  to  bills  of  a  local  nature,  and  to  the  passage  of 
memorials  to  the  parent  government  in  behalf  of  the  great  interests  of  the  Territory;  yet  it  is 
believed  that  the  concurrent  resolutions  of  the  two  houses  authorizing  a  revision  of  the  laws,  is  a 
measure  of  infinite  importance  to  the  true  interests  of  the  people,  and  to  the  credit  and  charac- 
ter of  the  Territory." 

Tbe  census  of  the  Territory  having  been  taken  during  the  year  1838,  showed  a  population 
of  18,130,  an  increase  in  two  years  of  6,447. 

The  second  session  of  the  second  legislative  assembly  commenced  on  the  twenty-first  day  of 
January,  1839,  agreeable  to  adjournment.  The  most  important  work  was  the  revision  of  the  laws 
which  had  been  perfected  during  the  recess,  by  the  committee  to  whom  the  work  was  intrusted, 


48  HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN'. 

consisting  of  three  members  from  each  house  :  from  the  council,  M.  L.  Martin,  Marshall  M. 
Strong,  and  James  Collins;  from  the  house  oi  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  1839,  a  valuable  volume  for  all  classes  in  the  territory — and  especially  so  for  the 
courts  and  lawyers — during  the  next  ten  years.  The  sine  die  adjournment  of  this  legislature  took 
place  on  the  nth  of  March,  1S39. 

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  Territorv  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,  1S39.  This  was 
the  third  session  of  the  second  legislative  assembly  of  the  Territory.  The  term  tor  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  Slates, 
it  woidd  be  unnecessary  for  the  Territory  to  make  an  additional  enumeration.  A  short  session 
was  resolved  upon,  and  then  an  adjournment  until  after  the  completion  of  the  census.  One  of 
the  subjects  occupying  largely  the  attention  of  the  members,  was  the  condition  of  the  capitol, 
and  the  conduct  of  the  commissioners  intrusted  with  the  money  appropriated  by  congress  to 
defray  the  cost  of  its  construction.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  thirteenth  of  January, 
1840,  to  meet  again  on  the  third  of  the  ensuing  August.  The  completion  of  the  census  showed 
a  population  for  the  Territory  of  thirty  thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty-four,  against  eighteen 
thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty,  two  years  previous.  Upon  the  re-assembling  of  the  legisla- 
ture— which  is  known  as  the  extra  session  of  the  second  IegiTative  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  t  iking  place  on  the  fourteenth  of 
August,  1840.  At  the  July  term  of  the  supreme  court,  Simeon  Mills  resigned  the  office  of 
clerk,  and  La  Fayetti    I  pointed  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.     M  ssion  wis  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 
electioi  en  two  members  from  Brown  county.     Such  was  the  backwardness  in  regard 

to  the  building  of  the  capitol,  at  this  date,  that  a  large  majority  of  the  members  stood  ready  to 
remove  the  seat  of  government  to  some  other  place.  However,  as  no  particular  point  could  be 
agreed  upon,  it  remained  at  Madison.     The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  nineteenth  of  Fein 


WISCONSIN   TERRITORY.  49 

1S41,  having  continued  a  term  of  seventy-five  days,  the  maximum  time  limited  by  the  organic  act. 
Francis  J.  Dunn,  appointed  by  Martin  Van  Buren,  was  commissioned  in  place  of  William 
B.  Slaughter,  as  secretary  of  the  Territory,  on  the  25th  of  January,  1S41,  but  was  himself  super- 
ceded by  the  appointment  of  A.  P.  Field,  on  the  23d  day  of  April  following.  On  the  15th  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,  1S41. 

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  iS4r,  Thomas  W.  Sutherland  succeeded  Moses  M. 
Strong  as  United  States  attorney.  The  second  session  of  the  third  legislative  assembly  began 
at  Madison,  on  the  sixth  of  December,  1841.  Governor  Doty,  in  his  message  to  that  body, 
boldly  avowed  the  doctrine  that  no  law  of  the  Territory  was  effective,  until  expressly  approved 
by  congress.  "  The  act,"  said  he,  "  establishing  the  government  of  Wisconsin,  in  the  third  sec- 
tion, requires  the  secretary  of  the  Territory  to  transmit  annually,  on  or  before  the  first  Monday 
in  December,  '  two  copies  of  the  laws  to  the  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives,  for  the 
use  of  congress.'  The  sixth  section  provides  that  'all  laws  of  the  governor  and  legislative 
assembly  shall  be  submitted  to,  and,  if  disapproved  by  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  the 
same  shall  be  null  and  of  no  effect.'  "  "These  provisions,"  he  added,  "it  seems  to  me,  require 
the  laws  to  be  actually  submitted  to  congress  before  they  take  effect.  They  change  the  law  by 
which  this  country  was  governed  while  it  was  a  part  of  Michigan.  That  law  provided  that 
the  laws  should  be  reported  to  congress,  and  that  they  should  '  be  in  force  in  the  district  until 
the  organization  of  the  general  assembly  therein,  unless  disapproved  of  by  congress.'  "  The 
governor  concluded  in  these  words :  "  The  opinion  of  my  predecessor,  which  was  expressed  to 
the  first  legislature  assembled  after  the  organization  of  this  government,  in  his  message  delivered 
at  Belmont  on  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  October,  1836,  fully  sustains  this  view  of  the  subject  which 
I  have  presented.  He  said:  'We  have  convened  under  an  act  of  congress  of  the  United  States 
establishing  the  Territorial  government  of  Wisconsin,  for  the  purpose  of  enacting  such  laws  as 
may  be  required  for  the  government  of  the  people  of  this  Territory,  after  their  approval  by  con- 
gress.'" This  construction  of  the  organic  act  resulted  in  a  lengthy  warfare  between  the  gov- 
ernor and  the  legislative  assembly. 

At  this  session,  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  river  canal  again  raised  a  tumult.  "Congress 
had  made  a  valuable  grant  of  land  to  the  Territory  in  trust.  The  Territory  was  the  trustee; 
the  canal  company  the  cestui  que  trust.  The  trust  had  been  accepted,  and  a  large  portion  of 
the  lands  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.  184:;,  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  ;it  Vine- 
yard. The  latter  then  drew  a  pistol  and  shot  Arndt.  He  died  in  a  few  moments.  Vineyard 
immediately  surrendered  himself  to  the  sheriff  of  the  county,  waived  an  examination,  and  was 
committed  to  jail.  After  a  short  confinement,  he  was  brought  before  the  chief  justice  of  the 
Territory,  on  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  and  admitted  to  bail.  He  was  afterward  indicted  for  man- 
slaughter, was  tried  and  acquitted.  Three  days  after  shooting  Arndt,  Vineyard  sent  in  his 
resignation  as  member  of  the  council.  That  body  refused  to  receive  it.  or  to  have  it  read  even  ; 
but  at  once  expelled  him.  The  second  and  last  session  of  the  third  legislative  assembly  came 
to  a  close  on  the  eighteenth  of  February,  1842. 

The  first  session  of  the  fourth  legislative  assembly  commenced  on  the  fifth  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1842.  The  members  had  been  elected  under  a  new  apportionment  based  upon  a  census 
taken  in  the  previous  June,  which  showed  a  total  population  for  the  Territory  of  forty-six  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  seventy-eight — an  increase  of  nearly  ten  thousand  in  two  years.  A  politi- 
cal count  showed  a  decided  democratic  majority  in  each  house.  Governor  Doty's  political 
proclivities  were  with  the  whig  party.  The  contest  between  him  and  the  legislature  now 
assumed  a  serious  character.  He  refused  to  "hold  converse"  with  it,  for  the  reason  that,  in  his 
opinion,  no  appropriation  had  been  made  by  congress  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  session,  and, 
as  a  consequence,  none  could  be  held.  The  legislature  made  a  representation  to  congress,  then 
in  session,  of  the  objections  of  the  governor,  and  adjourned  on  the  tenth  of  December,  to  meet 
again  on  the  thirteenth  of  January,  1843.  It  was  not  until  the  fourth  of  February  following  that 
a  quorum  in  both  houses  had  assembled,  when  the  legislature,  through  a  joint  committee,  waited 
on  the  governor,  and  informed  him  that  they  had  again  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  were 
then  ready  to  proceed  to  business.  Previous  to  this  time,  congress  had  made  an  appropriation 
to  cover  the  expenses  of  the  legislature  now  in  session,  which  it  was  supposed  would  remove  all 
conflict  about  its  legality.  But  the  governor  had,  on  the  thirtieth  day  of  January  previous,  issued 
a  proclamation,  convening  a  special  session  of  the  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,  t  >n 
the  thirtieth  of  October  of  this  year,  George  Floyd  was  commissioned  by  President    Tyler  as 


WISCONSIN   TERRITORY.  H 

secretary  of  the  Territory,  in  place  of  A.  P.  Field. 

The  second  session  of  the  fourth  legislative  assembly  of  the  Territory,  commencing  on  the 
fourth  of  December,  1843,  and  terminating  on  the  thirty-first  of  January,  1S44 — 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- 
/•onstfn — 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,  1845. 

James  K.  Polk  having  been  inaugurated  president  of  the  United  States  on  the  fourth  of 
March,  1845,  Henry  Dodge  was  again  put  into  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  the  Territory,  receiving 
his  appointment  on  the  eighth  of  April,  1845.  Other  changes  were  made  by  the  president  during 
the  same  year,  John  B.  Rockwell  being,  on  the  fourteenth  of  March,  appointed  marshal,  and  W. 
P.  Lynde,  on  the  fourteenth  of  July,  United  States  attorney  for  the  Territory,  Governor  Tall- 
madge, on  the  twenty-second  of  January  of  this  year,  having  commissioned  the  latter  also  as 
attorney  general.  On  the  twenty-second  of  September,  Morgan  L.  Martin  was  elected  delegate 
to  the  twenty-ninth  congress,  as  the  successor  of  Henry  Dodge. 

The  fourth  and  last  session  of  the  fourth  legislative  assembly  was  organized  on  the  fifth  of 
January,  1846.  This  session,  although  a  short  one,  proved  very  important.  Preliminary  steps 
were  taken  for  the  formation  of  a  State  government.  The  first  Tuesday  in  April  next  succeeding 
was  the  day  fixed  upon  for  the  people  to  vote  for  or  against  the  proposition.  When  taken  it 
resulted  in  a  large  majority  voting  in  favor  of  the  measure.  An  act  was  passed  providing  for  taking 
the  census  of  the  Territory,  and  for  the  apportionment  by  the  governor  of  delegates  to  form  a 
State  constitution,  based  upon  the  new  enumeration.  The  delegates  were  to  be  elected  on  the  first 
Monday  in  September,  and  the  convention  was  to  assemble  on  the  first  Monday  in  October,  1846. 
The  constitution  when  formed  was  to  be  submitted  to  the  vote  of  the  people  for  adoption  or 
rejection,  as,  at  the  close  of  the  session,  the  terms  of  members  of  the  council  who  had  been  elected 
for  four  years,  and  of  the  house,  who  had  been  elected  for  two  years,  all  ended.    The  legislature 


52  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN". 

re-organized  the  election  districts,  and  conferred  on  the  governor  the  power  and  duty  of  making 
an  apportionment,  based  on  the  census  to  be  taken,  for  the  next  legislative  assembly,  when,  on 
the  third  of  February,  1846,  both  houses  adjourned  sine  die.  On  the  twenty-second  of  January, 
Governor  Dodge  appointed  A.  Hyatt  Smith  attorney  general  of  the  Territory.  On  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  February,  John  Catlin  was  appointed  Territorial  secretary  by  the  president. 

The  census  taken  in  the  following  June  showed  a  population  for  the  Territory  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-five  thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  Delegates  having  been  elected  to 
form  a  constitution  for  the  proposed  new  State,  met  at  Madison  on  the  fifth  day  of  October. 
After  completing  their  labors,  they  adjourned.  This  event  took  place  on  the  sixteenth  of 
December,  1846.  The  constitution  thus  formed  was  submitted  to  a  popular  vote  on  the  first 
Tuesday  of  April,  1847,  and  rejected.  The  first  session  of  the  fifth  legislative  assembly  com- 
menced on  the  fourth  of  January  of  that  year.  But  little  was  done.  Both  houses  finally 
adjourned  on  the  eleventh  of  February,  1847.  John  H.  Tweedy  was  elected  as  the  successor 
of  Morgan  L.  Martin,  delegate  to  the  thirtieth  congress,  on  the  sixth  of  September  following.  On 
the  twenty-seventh  of  that  month,  Governor  Dodge  issued  a  proclamation  for  a  special  session 
of  the  legislature,  to  commence  on  the  eighteenth  of  the  ensuing  month,  to  take  action  concern- 
ing the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union.  The  two  houses  assembled  on  the  day  named 
in  the  proclamation,  and  a  law  was  passed  for  the  holding  of  another  convention  to  frame  a 
constitution  ;  when,  after  nine  days'  labor,  they  adjourned.  Delegates  to  the  new  convention 
were  elected  on  the  last  Monday  of  November,  and  that  body  met  at  Madison  on  the  fifteenth 
of  December,  1847.  A  census  of  the  Territory  was  taken  this  year,  which  showed  a  population 
of  two  hundred  and  ten  thousand  five  hundred  and  forty-six.  The  result  of  the  labors  of  the 
second  constitutional  convention  was  the  formation  of  a  constitution,  which,  being  submitted 
to  the  people  on  the  second  Monday  of  March,  1848,  was  duly  ratified. 

The  second  and  last  session  of  the  fifth  legislative  assembly  —  the  last  legislative  assembly 
of  Wisconsin  Territory — commenced  on  the  seventh  of  February,  1848,  and  adjourned  sine  die 
on  the  thirteenth  of  March  following.  On  the  twentieth  of  the  same  month,  J.  H.  Tweedy, 
delegate  from  Wisconsin,  introduced  a  bill  in  congress  for  its  admission  into  the  Union.  The 
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 :  Milwaukee, 
Waukesha,  Jefferson,  Racine,  Walworth,  Rock,  Green,  Washington,  Sheboygan,  Manitowoc,  Calu- 
met, Brown,  Winnebago,  Fond  du  Lac,  Marquette,  Sauk,  Portage,  Columbia,  Dodge,  Dane,  Iowa, 
La  Fayette,  Grant,  Richland,  Crawford,  Chippewa,  St.  Croix,  and  La  Pointe. 

V.— WISCONSIN    AS    A    STATE. 

First  Administration.  —  Nelson  Dewey,  Governor — 1848,  1849. 

The  boundaries  prescribed  in  the  act  of  congress,  entitled  "An  Act  to  enable  the  people  of 
Wisconsin  Territory  to  form  a  Constitution  and  State  Government,  and  for  the  admission  of  such 
State  into  the  Union,"  approved  August  6,  1846,  were  accepted  by  the  convention  which  formed 
the  constitution  of  Wisconsin,  and  are  described  in  that  instrument  as  "  beginning  at  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  State  of  Illinois  —  that  is  to  say,  at  a  point  in  the  center  of  Lake  Michigan 


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 
bay  to  the  mouth  of  the  Menomonee  river  ;  thence  up  the  channel  of  the  said  river  to  the  Brule 
river  ;  thence  up  said  last  mentioned  river  to  Lake  Brule ;  thence  along  the  southern  shore  of 
Lake  Brule,  in  a  direct  line  to  the  center  of  the  channel  between  Middle  and  South  ^slands,  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,  Danev  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  51I1  day  of  June,  1848.  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.     On  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,  1S48. 

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,  1S48,  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  1'.  Walker,  both  democrats. 
Their  election  took  place  on  the  8th  of  June,  1848,  Dodge  taking  his  seat  in  the  senate  on  the 
23d  of  June,  and  Walker  on  the  26th  of  June,  1848.  The  latter  drew  the  short  term;  so  that 
his  office  would  expire  on  the  4th  day  of  March,  1849,  at  the  end  of  the  thirtieth  congress: 
Dodge  drew  the  long  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 
Pointe,  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,  1848. 
By  the  same  act,  it  was  provided  that  the  first  term  of  the  supreme  court  should  be  held  in 
Madison  on  the  second  Monday  of  January,  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,  to  represent  the 
first  district;  Orsamus  Cole,  the  second;  and  James  D.  Dotv,  the  third  district.  Durkee 
was  a  free-soiler;  Cole,  a  whig;  Doty,  a  democrat  —  with  somewhat  decided  Doty  proclivities. 
The  act  of  the  legislature,  exempting  a  homestead  from  forced  sale  of  any  debt  or  liability 
contracted  after  January  t,  1849,  approved  the  twenty-ninth  of  July  previous,  and  another  act 
for  a  like  exemption  of  certain  personal  property,  approved  August  10,  1848,  were  laws  the  most 
liberal  in  their  nature  passed  by  any  State  of  the  Union  previous  to  those  dates.  It  was  prophe- 
sied that  they  would  work  wonderful  changes  in  the  business  transactions  of  the  new  State — for 
the  worse ;  but  time  passed,  and  their  utility  were  soon  evident :  it  was  soon  very  generally 
acknowledged  that  proper  exemption  laws  were  highly  beneficial — a  real  "good  to  the  greatest 
number  of  the  citizens  of  a  State. 

So  much  of  Wisconsin  Territory  as  lay  west  of  the  St.  Croix  and  the  State  boundary  north 
of  it,  was,  upon  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union,  left,  for  the  time  being,  without  a 
government— unless  it  was  still  "Wisconsin  Territory."  Henry  Dodge,  upon  being  elected  to  the 
United  States  senate  from  Wisconsin,  vacated,  of  course,  the  office  of  governor  of  this  fraction. 
John   H.  Tweedy,  delegate  in  congress   at  the   time  Wisconsin  became  a  State,  made  a  formal 


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  1S4S — 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  had 
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,  fur  a  full  term  of  six  years,  from  the  4th  of  March,  1849.  The  legislature  at  this 
session  passed  many  acts  of  public  utility;  some  relating  to  the  boundaries  of  counties;  others, 
to  the  laying  out  of  roads;  eighteen,  to  the  organization  of  towns.  The  courts  were  cared  for; 
school  districts  were  organized  ;  special  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  repelled.  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  Isaac  P. 
Walker  to  resign  his  seat  as  United  States  senator,  for  "  presenting  and  voting  for  an  amend- 
ment to  the  general  appropriation  bill,  providing  for  a  government  in  California  and  New  Mexico, 
west  of  the  Rio  Grande,  which  did  not  contain  a  provision  forever  prohibiting  the  introduction 
of  slavery  or  involuntary  servitude  "  in  those  Territories.  The  senator  refused  to  regard  these 
instructions.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  second  of  April,  1849.  after  a  session  of  eighty- 
three  days. 

In  July,  184S,  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,  1*848,  and  were  engaged  in  the  revision  the  greater  part  of  the  time  until  the  close  of 
the  session  of  the  legislature  of  1849.  It  was  found  impossible  for  the  revisers  to  conclude  their 
labors  within  the  time  contemplated  by  the  act  authorizing  their  appointment;  so  a  joint  select 
committee  of  the  two  houses  at  their  second  session  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,  1851. 

On  the  first  day  of  January,  1850,  Nelson  Dewey  took  the  oath  of  office,  and  quietly  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  governor,  for  the  second  term.  The  third  legislature  convened  on  the  ninth. 
Moses  M.  Strong  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  Both  houses  had  democratic  majorities. 
Most  of  the  business  transacted  was  of  a  local  character.  By  an  act  approved  the  fifth  of  Feb- 
ruary, the  "  January  term  "  of  the  supreme  court  was  changed  to  December.  The  legislature 
adjourned  after  a  session  of  only  thirty-four  days.  An  act  was  passed  organizing  a  sixth  judicial 
circuit,  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  in  July,  1850,  consisting  of  the  counties  of  Crawford, 
Chippewa,  Bad  Axe,  St.  Croix  and  La  Pointe,  an  election  for  judge  to  be  holden  on  the  same 
day.      Wiram  Knowlton  was  elected  judge  of  that  circuit. 


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,  ot  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  2 2d,  the  governor 
approved  a  joint  resolution  of  the  legislature,  rescinding  not  only  so  much  of  the  joint  resolu- 
tion of  the  legislative  assembly  of  Wisconsin,  passed  March  31,  1849,  as  censured  Isaac  J. 
Walker,  but  also  the  instructions  in  those  resolutions  relative  to  his  resigning  his  seat  in  the 
senate  of  the  United  States. 

Among  the  important  bills  passed  at  this  session  of  the  legislature  was  one  providing  for 
the  location  and  erection  of  a  State  prison.  Another  one — the  apportionment  bill — was  vetoed 
by  the  governor,  and  having  been  passed  on  the  last  day  of  the  session,  failed  to  become  a  law. 
The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  eighteenth  of  March,  1851,  after  a  session  of  seventy  days. 

On  the  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,  1851,  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,  1852. 

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  Tanuary,  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  elucation  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,  )'..  V.  W'hiton  was  elected  chief  justice  of  the  new  supreme  court  and 
Samuel  Crawford  and  Abram  1).  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;  at 
increase  in  moneyed  circulation,  and  the  downward  tendency  of  the  rates  of  interest:  a  prevail- 
ing confidence  among  business  men   and   in    business  enterprises;  a  continual  accession  to  the 


WISCONSIN"    AS   A   STATE.  61 

population  of  the  State  by  immigration;  the  energetic  prosecution  of  internal  improvements 
•under  the  skillful  management  of  companies;  the  extension  of  permanent  agricultural  improve- 
ments; and  the  rapid  growth  of  the  various  cities  and  villages;  were  among  the  encouraging 
prospects  of  the  year. 

The  sixth  session  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature  commenced  on  the  twelfth,  of  January,  1853. 
On  the  twenty-sixth  of  the  same  month,  William  K.  Wilson,  of  Milwaukee,  preferred  charges 
in  the  assembly  against  Levi  Hubbell,  judge  of  the  second  judicial  circuit  of  the  State,  of 
divers  acts  of  corruption  and  malfeasance  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office.  A  resolu- 
tion followed  appointing  a  committee  to  report  articles  of  impeachment,  directing  the  members 
thereof  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  commis- 
sioner by  the  legislature  at  that  session — to  hold  his  office  until  the  first  day  of  the  ensuing 
January.  The  office  was  then  to  be  filled  by  popular  vote  at  the  general  election  in  November, 
r853 — and  afterwards  biennially — the  term  of  office  to  be  two  years  from  the  first  day  of  Jan- 
uary next  succeeding  the  election  by  the  people.  On  the  28th  of  March,  the  legislature,  in 
joint  convention,  elected  John  Taylor  to  that  office.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  fourth 
day  of  April  until  the  sixth  of  the  following  June,  when  it  again  met,  and  adjourned  sine  die  on 
the  thirteenth  of  July,  both  sessions  aggregating  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  days. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  February  9,  1S53,  the  "Wisconsin  State  Agricultural 
Society,"  which  had  been  organized  in  March,  185 1,  was  incorporated,  its  object  being  to  promote 
and  improve  the  condition  of  agriculture,  horticulture,  and  the  mechanical,  manufacturing  and 
household  arts.  It  was  soon  after  taken  under  the  fostering  care  of  the  State  by  an  appropria- 
tion made  by  the  legislature,  to  be  expended  by  the  society  in  such  manner  as  it  might  deem 
best  calculated  to  promote  the  objects  of  its  incorporation;  State  aid  was  continued  down  to  the 
commencement  of  the  rebellion.  No  help  was  extended  during  the  war  nor  until  1873;  since 
which  time  there  has  been  realized  annually  from  the  State  a  sum  commensurate  with  its  most 
pressing  needs.  The  society  has  printed  seventeen  volumes  of  transactions  and  has  held  annually 
a  State  fair,  except  during  the  civil  war.  Besides  these  fairs,  its  most  important  work  is  the 
holding  annually,  at  the  capital  of  the  State,  a  convention  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture  gen- 
erally. The  meetings  are  largely  participated  in  by  men  representing  'the  educational  and 
industrial  interests  of  Wisconsin. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  March  4,  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  painted  por- 
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,  1S53.  In  the  Fall  of  this  year,  democrats,  whigs  and  free-soilers,  each 
called  a  convention  to  nominate  candidates  for  the  various  State  offices  to  be  supported  by  them 
at  the  ensuing  election  in  November.  The  successful  ticket  was,  for  governor,  William  A.  Bars- 
tow  ;  for  lieutenant  governor,  James  T.  Lewis  ,  for  secretary  of  State,  Alexander  T.  Gray,  for 
State  treasurer,  Edward  H.  Janssen ;  for  attorney  general,  George  B.  Smith  ;  for  superintendent 
of  public  instruction,  Hiram  A.  Wright;  for  State  prison  commissioner,  A.  W.  Starks;  and 
for  bank  comptroller,  William  M.  Dennis.     They  were  all  democrats. 

The  year  1853  was,  to  the  agriculturists  of  the  State,  one  of  prosperity.  Every  branch  of 
industry  prospered.  The  increase  of  commerce  and  manufactures  more  than  realized  the  expec- 
tations of  the  most  sanguine. 

Fourth  Administration. — William  A.  Barstow,  Governor — 1S54-1S55. 

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,  1S54,  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  as«ociate  justices  of  the  supreme  court 
of  Wisconsin,  upon  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus.  The  record  of  the  proceedings  was  thereupon 
taken  to  that  court  in  full  bench  by  a  writ  of  certiorari  to  correct  any  error  that  might  have  been 
committed  before  the  associate  justice.  At  the  June  term,  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 
court,  Booth  set  forth  that  he  was  in  confinement  upon  a  warrant  issued  by  the  district  court  of 
the  United  States  and  that  the  object  of  the  imprisonment  was  to  compel  him  to  answer  an 
indictment  then  pending  against  him  therein.  The  supreme  court  of  the  State  held  that  these 
facts  showed  that  the  district  court  of  the  United  States  had  obtained  jurisdiction  of  the  case 
and  that  it  was  apparent  that  the  indictment  was  for  an  offense  of  which  the  federal  courts  had 
exclusive  jurisdiction.  They  could  not  therefore  interfere;  and  his  application  for  a  discharge 
was  denied. 

Upon  the  indictment.  Booth  was  tried  and  convicted,  fined  and  imprisoned,  for  a  violation 
of  the  fugitive  slave  law.     Again  the  prisoner  applied  to  the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin. — his 


WISCONSIN"  AS  A   STATE.  63 

last  application  bearing  date  January  26,  1855.  He  claimed  discharge  on  the  ground  of  the 
unconstitutionality  of  the  law  under  which  he  had  been  indicted.  The  supreme  court  held  that 
the  indictment  upon  which  he  had  been  tried  and  convicted  contained  three  counts,  the  first  of 
which  was  to  be  considered  as  properly  charging  an  offense  within  the  act  of  congress  of  Septem- 
ber 18,  1850,  known  as  the  "fugitive  slave  law,"  while  the  second  and  third  counts  did  not  set 
forth  or  charge  an  offense  punishable  by  any  statute  of  the  United  States ;  and  as,  upon  these  last- 
mentioned  counts  he  was  found  guilty  and  not  upon  the  first,  he  must  be  discharged. 

The  action  of  the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin  in  a  second  time  discharging  Booth,  was 
afterward  reversed  by  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  ;  and,  its  decision  being  respected 
by  the  State  court,  Booth  was  re-arrested  in  i860,  and  the  sentence  of  the  district  court  of  the 
United  States  executed  in  part  upon  him,  when  he  was  pardoned  by  the  president. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  March  30,  1854,  a  "  State  Lunatic  Asylum  "  was  directed 
to  be  built  at  or  in  the  vicinity  of  Madison,  the  capital  of  the  State,  upon  land  to  be  donated  or 
purchased  for  that  purpose.  By  a  subsequent  act,  the  name  of  the  asylum  was  changed  to  the 
"  Wisconsin  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane.'  This  was  the  third  charitable  institution  established 
by  the  State.  The  hospital  was  opened  for  patients  in  July,  i860,  under  the  direction  of  a 
board  of  trustees  appointed  by  the  governor.  All  insane  persons,  residents  of  Wisconsin,  who, 
under  the  law  providing  for  admission  of  patients  into  the  hospital  for  treatment,  become  resi- 
dents therein,  are  maintained  at  the  expense  of  the  State,  provided  the  county  in  which  such 
patient  resided  before  being  brought  to  the  hospital  pays  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  a 
week  for  his  or  her  support.  Any  patient  can  be  supported  by  relatives,  friends  or  guardians,  if 
the  latter  desire  to  relieve  the  county  and  State  from  the  burden,  and  can  have  special  care  and 
be  provided  with  a  special  attendant,  if  the  expense  of  the  same  be  borne  by  parties  interested. 
The  hospital  is  beautifully  located  on  the  north  shore  of  Lake  Mendota,  in  Dane  county,  about 
four  miles  from  Madison. 

At  the  general  election  in  the  Fall  of  1854,  for  members  from  Wisconsin  to  the  thirty-fourth 
congress,  Daniel  Wells,  Jr.  was  chosen  from  the  first  district  ;  C.  C.  Washburn,  from  the  second, 
and  Charles  Billinghurst  from  the  third  district.  Billinghurst  and  Washburn  were  elected  as 
republicans — that  party  having  been  organized  in  the  Summer  previous.  Wells  was  a  democrat. 
The  year  1854  was  one  of  prosperity  forjWisconsin,  to  all  its  industrial  occupations.  Abund- 
ant crops  and  increased  prices  were  generally  realized  by  the  agriculturist.  It  was  a  year  also  of 
general  health.  It  was  ascertained  that  the  amount  of  exports  during  the  year,  including  lumber 
and  mineral,  exceeded  thirteen  millions  of  dollars. 

The  eighth  regular  session  of  the  State  legislature  commenced  on  the  10th  of  January, 
1855.  C.  C.  Sholes  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  The  senate  was  democratic ;  the 
assembly,  republican.  On  joint  ballot,  the  republicans  had  but  one  majority.  On  the  istof 
February,  Charles  Durkee,  a  republican,  was  elected  United  States  senator  for  a  full  term  of  six 
years  from  the  4th  of  March  next  ensuing,  to  fill  the  place  of  Isaac  P.  Walker  whose  term  would 
expire  on  that  day.  Among  the  bills  passed  of  a  general  nature,  was  one  relative  to  the  rights  of 
married  women,  providing  that  any  married  woman,  whose  husband,  either  from  drunkenness  or 
profligacy,  should  neglect  or  refuse  to  provide  for  her  support,  should  have  the  right,  in  her  own 
name,  to  transact  business,  receive  and  collect  her  own  earnings,  and  apply  the  same  for  her  own 
support,  and  education  of  her  children,  free  from  the  control  and  interference  of  her  husband. 
The  legislature  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  second  of  April,  after  a  session  of  eighty-three  days. 
Orsamus  Cole  having  been  elected  in  this  month  an  associate  justice  of  the  supreme  court  in 
place  of  Judge  Samuel  Crawford,  whose  term  of  office  would  expire  on  the  thirty-first  of  May  of 
that  year,  went  into  office  on  the  first  day  of  June  following,  for  a  term  of  six  years.  His  office 
would  therefore  end  on  the  thirty-first  of  May,  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  iSth  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  1855,  an  act  was  passed  by  that  body,  approved  March  31,  of  this 
year,  for  that  purpose.  The  result  showed  a  population  for  Wisconsin  of  over  five  hundred  and 
fifty-two  thousand.  In  November,  at  the  general  election,  the  democratic  ticket  for  State  offi- 
cers was  declared  elected :  William  A.  Barstow,  for  governor;  Arthur  M.Arthur,  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 

I  lie  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 — 1856-18^7. 

On  the  seventh  day  of  January,  1S56.  William  A.  Barstow  took  and  subscribed  an  oath  of 
office  as  governor  of  Wisconsin,  while  Coles  Bashford,  who  had  determined  to  contest  the  right 
of  Barstow  to  the  governorship,  went,  on  the  same  day,  to  the  supreme  court  room,  in  Madison, 
and  had  the  oath  of  office  administered  to  him  by  Chief  Justice  Whiton.  Bashford  afterward 
called  at  the  executive  office  and  made  a  formal  demand  of  Barstow  that  he  should  vacate  the 
gubernatorial  chair;  but  the  latter  respectfully  declined  the  invitation.  These  were  the  initiatory 
steps  of  "  Bashford  vs.  Barstow,"  for  the  office  of  governor  of  Wisconsin. 

The  fight  now  commenced  in  earnest.  On  the  eleventh,  the  counsel  for  Bashford  called 
upon  the  attorney  general  and  requested  him  to  file  an  information  in  the  nature  of  a  quo 
warranto  against  Barstow.  On  the  fifteenth  that  officer  complied  with  the  request.  Thereupon 
a  summons  was  issued  to  Barstow  to  appear  and  answer.  On  the  twenty-second,  Bashford,  by 
his  attorney,  asked  the  court  that  the  information  filed  by  the  attorney  general  lie  discontinued 
and  that  he  be  allowed  to  file  one,  which  request  was  denied  by  the  court.  While  the  motion 
was  being  argued,  Barstow,  by  his  attorneys,  entered  his  appearance  in  the  case. 

.  On  the  second  of  February,  Barstow  moved  to  quash  all  proceedings  for  the  reason  that  the 
court  had  no  jurisdiction  in  the  matter.  This  motion  was  denied  by  the  court  ;  that  tribunal  at 
the  same  time  deciding  that  the  filing  of  the  motion  was  an  admission  by  Barstow  that  the  alle- 
gations contained  in  the  information  filed  by  the  attorney  general  were  true. 

On  the  twenty-first  of  Febiuary,  the  time  appointed  for  pleading  to  the  information,  Bar- 
stow, by  his  attorneys,  presented  to  the  court  a  stipulation  signed  by  all  the  parties  in  the  case,  to 
the  effect  that  the  board  of  canvassers  had  determined  Barstow  elected  governor;  that  the  secre- 
tary of  State  had  certified  to  his  election  ;  and  that  he  had  taken  the  oath  of  office.  They  submit- 
ted to  the  court  whether  it  had  jurisdiction,  beyond  the  certificates,  of  those  facts  and  the  canvass 
so  made  to  inquire  as  to  the  number  of  votes  actually  given  for  Barstow, — Bashford  offering  to 
prove  that  the  certificates  were  made  and  issued  through  mistake  and  fraud,  and  that  he,  instead 
of  Barstow,  received  the  greatest  number  of  votes.  This  stipulation  the  court  declined  to  enter- 
tain or  to  pass  upon  the  questions  suggested  ;  as  they  were  not  presented  in  legal  form.     Barstow 


WISCONSIN"  AS  A  STATE.  65 

was  thereupon  given  until  the  twenty-fifth  of  February  to  answer  the  information  that  had  been 
filed  against  him  by  the  attorney  general. 

On  the  day  appointed,  Barstow  filed  his  plea  to  the  effect  that,  by  the  laws  of  Wisconsin 
regulating  the  conducting  of  general  election  for  State  officers,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  board  of 
canvassers  to  determine  who  was  elected  to  the  office  of  governor;  and  that  the  board  had  found 
that  he  was  duly  elected  to  that  office.  It  was  a  plea  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  court.  A  demurrer 
was  interposed  to  this  plea,  setting  forth  that  the  matters  therein  contained  were  not  sufficient  in 
law  to  take  the  case  out  of  court;  asking,  also,  for  a  judgment  against  Barstow,  or  that  he  answer 
further  the  information  filed  against  him.  The  demurrer  was  sustained;  and  Barstow  was 
required  to  answer  over  within  four  days;  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  the  counsel  for  Barstow 
withdrew  from  the  case,  on  the  ground,  as  they  alleged,  that  they  had  appeared  at  the  bar  of  the 
court  to  object  to  the  jurisdiction  of  that  tribunal  in  the  matter.,  and  the  court  had  determined 
to  proceed  with  the  case,  holding  and  exercising  full  and  final  jurisdiction  over  it;  and  that  they 
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  18,  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  BarstQw 
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  7'S, 
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 


bb  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,  1S57,  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  we)',  as  to  the  whole  country,  in  a  finan- 
cial point  of  view.  Early  in  the  Fall  a  monetary  panic  swept  over  the  land.  A  number  of 
prominent  operators  in  the  leading  industrial  pursuits  were  obliged  to  succumb.  Agriculturally 
the  year  was  a  fair  one  for  the  State. 

Sixth   Administration. — Alexander  W.  Randall,  Governor — 1858-1859. 

Randall's  administration  began  on  the  fourth  day  of  January,  1858,  when  for  the  first  time 
he  was  inaugurated  governor  of  the  State.  On  the  eleventh  of  January  the  legislature 
commenced  its  eleventh  regular  session,  with  a  republican  majority  in  both  houses.  Frederick 
S.  Lovell  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  The  legislature  adjourned  sine  die  on  the 
seventeenth  of  March,  after  an  unusually  long  session  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  days.  "  That 
a  large  majority  of  the  members  were  men  of  integrity,  and  disposed   for  the  public   weal,  can  not 


WISCONSIN  AS  A   STATE.  67 

be  doubted ;  but  they  were  nearly  all  new  members,  and  without  former  legislative  experience. 
They  set  out  to  accomplish  a  great  good,  by  holding  up  to  public  scorn  and  execration  the  whole- 
sale briberies  and  iniquities  of  the  immediate  past  ;  but  they  lacked  concentration  of  effort  and. 
for  want  of  union  and  preconcerted  action,  they  failed  to  achieve  the  great  triumph  they  sought 
by  providing  a  '  sovereign  remedy  '  for  the  evils  they  exposed." 

At  the  regular  session  of  the  legislature  of  1S56,  an  act  was  passed  for  a  general  revisi-n  of 
the  laws  of  the  State.  Under  this,  and  a  subsequent  act  of  the  adjourned  session  of  that  year, 
three  commissioners — David  Taylor,  Samuel  J.  Todd,  and  F.  S.  Lovell — were  appointed  "to 
collect,  compile  and  digest  the  general  laws  "  of  Wisconsin.  Their  report  was  submitted  to  the 
legislature  of  1858,  and  acted  upon  at  a  late  day  of  the  session.  The  laws  revised,  which  received 
the  sanction  of  the  legislature,  were  published  in  one  volume,  and  constitute  what  is  know  as  the 
Revised  Statutes  of  1858. 

At  the  Fall  election,  John  F.  Potter  from  the  first  district,  and  C.  C.  Washburn  from  the 
second  district,  both  republicans,  were  elected  to  the  thirty-sixth  congress ;  while  C.  H. 
Larrabee,  democrat,  was  elected  to  represent  the  third  district. 

The  twelfth  regular  session  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature  commenced  on  the  twelfth  of 
January,  1859,  with  a  republican  majority  in  both  houses.  William  P.  Lyon  was  elected  speaker 
of  the  assembly.  The  legislature  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  twenty-first  of  March,  1859,  after  a 
session  of  sixty-nine  days.  At  the  regular  spring  election,  Byron  Paine  was  chosen  associate 
justice  of  the  supreme  court,  for  a  full  term  of  six  years,  as  the  successor  of  Associate  Justice 
Smith.  As  it  was  a  question  when  the  term  of  the  latter  ended  —  whether  on  the  31st  day  of 
May,  1859,  or  on  the  first  Monday  in  January,  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  sprino-  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.  PotUr,  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,  1S62,  when, 
on  the  twentieth  of  December  following,  W.  D.  Mclndoe  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  All 
these  congressional  representatives  were  republicans.     Wisconsin,  in   1S60,  was  a  strong  repub- 


o8  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

lican  State.     According  to  the  census  of  this  year,  it  had  a  population  of  over  seven  hundred 
and  seven. y-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  1S60,  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 j  the  laws  shall  be  enforced J " '" 

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  Ma  ch  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,  1S61.  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  (  rosse,  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.  ( )n  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  Mates."  The  fifteenth  or  extra  session  began  on  the  fifteenth  of  May,  as  designated 
in  the  governor's  proclamation.  The  message  of  the  governor  was  devoted  entirely  to  the  war. 
■'  At  the  close  of  the  last  annual  session  of  the  legislature,"  said  he,  "  to  meet  a  sudden  emer- 
gency, an  act  was  passed  authorizing  me  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  president  of  the  United 
States,  '  for  aid  in  maintaining  the  Union  and  the  supremacy  of  the  laws,  or  to  suppress  rebellion 


WISCONSIN  AS  A  STATE.  69 

or  insurrection,  or  to  repel  invasion  within  the  United  States,'  and  I  was 'authorized,  and  it  was 
made  my  duty,  to  take  such  measures  as,  in  my  judgment,  should  provide  in  the  speediest  and 
most  efficient  manner  for  responding  to  such  call :  and  to  this  end  I  was  authorized  to  accept 
the  services  of  volunteers  for  active  service,  to  be  enrolled  in  companies  of  not  less  than 
seventy-five  men  each,  rank  and  file,  and  in  regiments  of  ten  companies  each.  I  was  also 
authorized  to  provide  for  uniforming  and  equipping  such  companies  as  were  not  provided  with 
uniforms  and  equipments."  "  The  first  call  of  the  president  for  immediate  active  service,"  con- 
tinued the  governor,  "  was  for.one  regiment  of  men.  My  proclamation,  issued  immediately  after  the 
passage  of  the  act  of  the  legislature,  was  answered  within  less  than  ten  days,  by  companies  enough, 
each  containing  the  requisite  number  of  men,  to  make  up  at  least  five  regiments  instead  of  o..e. 
I  then  issued  another  proclamation,  announcing  the  offers  that  had  been  made,  and  advising 
that  thereafter  companies  might  be  enrolled  to  stand  as  minute  men,  ready  to  answer  further 
calls,  as  they  might  be  made,  but  without  expense  to  the  State,  except  as  they  were  mustered 
into  service.  In  less  than  one  month  from  the  date  of  my  first  proclamation,  at  least  five  thou- 
sand men,  either  as  individuals  or  enrolled  companies,  have  offered  their  services  for  the  war, 
and  all  appear  anxious  for  active  service  in  the  field."  "  The  time  for  deliberation,"  concludes 
the  governor,  "  must  give  way  to  the  time  for  action.  The  constitution  of  the  United  States 
must  be  sustained  in  all  its  first  intent  and  wholeness.  The  right  of  the  people  of  every  State 
to  go  into  every  other  State  and  engage  in  any  lawful  pursuit,  without  unlawful  interference  or 
molestation;  the  freedom  of  speech  and  of  the  press;  the  right  of  trial  by  jury;  security  from 
unjustifiable  seizure  of  persons  or  papers,  and  all  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,  i86r.  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.  How?,  attorney  general;  W.  H.  Ramsey,  bank  comp- 
troller; J.  L.  Pickard,  superintendent  of  public  instruction;  and  A.  P.  Hodges,  state  prison 
commissioner. 

The  War  of  Secession  —  Last  Year  of  Randall's  Administration. 

When  Wisconsin  was  first  called  upon  to  aid  the  General  Government  in  its  efforts  to 
sustain  itself  against  the  designs  of  the  secession  conspirators,  the  commercial  affairs  of  the 
State  were  embarrassed  to  a  considerable  degree  by  the  depreciation  of  the  currency.  The 
designs  of  the  secessionists  were  so  far  developed  at  the  ending  of  the  year  i860  as  to  show  that 
resistance  to  the  national  authority  had  been  fully  determined  on.  It  is  not  a  matter  of  wonder, 
then,  that  Governor  Randall  in  his  message  to  the  legislature,  early  in  January,  1861,  should 
have  set  forth  the  dangers  which  threatened  the  Union,  or  should  have  denied  the  right  of  a 
State  to  secede  from  it.  "Secession,"  said  he,  "is  revolution;  revolution  is  war  ;  war  against 
the  government  of  the  United  States  is  treason."  "It  is  time,"  he  continued,  "now,  to  know 
whether  we  have  any  government,  and  if  so,  whether  it  has  any  strength.  Is  our  written 
constitution  more  than  a  sheet  of  parchment?  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 
Datriots;  that  men  show  their  love  of  country  by  every  sacrifice,  but  that  of  principle,  and  by 


70  HISTORY   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,  -ior  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 6 tli  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  linn,  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  lie  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 
10  repel  invasion  within  the  United   States,  the   governor  was  authorized  to  provide,  in  the  most 

ent  manner,  for  responding  to  such  call — to  accept  the  services  of  volunteers  tor  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  hinds.  It  will  be  seen, 
therefore,  that  the  exigencies  of  the  times  —  for  Fort  SujQter  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  adjourii, 
sine  die,  on  the  fifteenth  of  Apr.l,  yet,  when  the  moment  arrived,  and  a  message  from  the  governor 
*vas  received,  announcing  that,  owing  to  the  extraordinary  exigencies  which  had  arisen,  an  amend- 
ment of  the  law  of  the  thirteenth  instant  was  necessary,  the  resolution  to  adjourn  was  at  once 
rescinded.  The  two  houses  thereupon  not  only  increased  the  amount  of  bonds  to  be  issued  to 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  but  they  also  passed  a  law  exempting  from  civil  process,  during 
the  time  of  service,  all  persons  enlisting  and  mustering  into  the  United  States  army  from  Wis- 
consin. When,  on  the  seventeenth,  the  legislature  did  adjourn,  the  scene  was  a  remarkable  one. 
Nine  cheers  were  given  for  the  star  spangled  banner  and  three  for  the  Governor's  Guard,  who 
had  just  then  tendered  their  services — the  first  in  the  State — under  the  call  for  a  regiment  of 
men  for  three  months'  duty. 

"  For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this  federal  government,"  are  the  words  of  the  gover- 
nor, in  a  proclamation  issued  on  the  sixteenth  of  April,  "organized  treason  has  manifested  itseif 
within  several  States  of  the  Union,  and  armed  rebels  are  making  war  against  it."  "  '1  he 
treasuries  of  the  country,"  said  he,  "must  no  longer  be  plundered;  the  public  property  must  be 


T2  IIIST01IY    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  Kami. ill  reported  to  the  secretary  of  war  that  the  First  regiment  was  ready- 
to  go  into  rendezvous.  The  place  designated  was  "Camp  Scott,"  at  Milwaukee;  the  day,  the 
twenty-seventh  of  April.  Then  and  there  the  several  companies  assembled — the  regiment  after- 
ward completing  its  organization. 

With  a  wise  foresight,  Governor  Randall  ordered,  as  a  reserve  force  and  in  advance  of  another 
c.ill  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 

rned  to  the  Second  regiment  were  ordered  to  commence  moving  into  "Camp  Randall,"  at 
Madison,  on  the  first  day  of  May.  On  the  seventh,  the  secretary  of  war,  under  call  of  the  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  for  forty-two  thousand  additional  volunteers — this  time  for  three  years, 
or  during  the  war — telegraphed  Governor  Randall  that  no  more  three  months'  volunteers  were 
wanted;   that  such  companies  as  were  recruited  must  re-enlist  for  the  new  term  or  be  disbanded. 

At  the  extra  session  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  which,  as  already  mentioned,  com- 
menced on  the  fifteenth  of  May,  i  ailed  by  Governor  Randall  immediately  upon  his  being  notified 
of  the  second  call  of  the  president  for  troops,  on  the  third  of  May,  the  law  hurriedly  passed  at 
the  close  of  the  regular  session,  and  under  which  the  governor  had  organized  the  First  regi- 
ment, was  found  inadequate  to  meet  the  second  call  for  troops.  "  A  bill  was  introduced,  and  became 
a  law,  authorizing  the  governor  to  raise  six  regiments  of  infantry,  inclusive  of  those  he  had  organ- 
ized or  placed  at  quarters.  When  the  six  regiments  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service, 
he  was  authorized  to  raise  two  additional  regiments,  and  thus  to  keep  two  regiments  continually 
in  reserve  to  meet  any  future  call  of  the  General  Government.  He  was  authorized  to  quarter 
and  subsist  volunteers  at  rendezvous  — to  transport,  clothe,  subsist  and  quarter  them  in  camp  at 
the  expense  of  the  State.  Arms  and  munitions  were  to  be  furnished  by  the  United  States. 
Recruits  were  to  be  mustered  into  State  service,  and  into  United  States  service,  for  three  years. 
Two  assistant  surgeons  to  each  regiment  were  to  be  appointed,  and  paid  by  the  State.  The  regi- 
ments, as  they  came  into  camp,  were  to  be  instructed  in  drill  and  various  camp  duties,  to  secure 
efficiency  in  the  field.  The  troops,  so  called  in,  were  to  be  paid  monthly  by  the  State,  the  same 
pay  and  emoluments  as  the  soldiers  in  the  United  States  army,  from  the  date  of  enlistment.  The 
paymaster  general  was  authorized  to  draw  funds  from  the  State  treasury  for  the  payment  of 
the  State  troops,  and  the  expense  incurred  in  subsisting,  transporting  and  clothing  them.  The 
governor  was  authorized  to  purchase  military  stores,  subsistence,  clothing,  medicine,  field  and 
camp  equipage,  and  the  sum  of  one  million  dollars  was  appropriated  to  enable  the  governor  to 
carry  out  the  law." 

Other  laws  were  passed  relating  to  military  matters.  One  authorized  the  governor  to  pur- 
chase two  thousand  stand  of  arms;  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  to  pay  tor  the 
same.  Another  authorized  counties,  towns,  cities  and  incorporated  villages  to  levy  taxes  for 
the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  support  of  families  of  volunteers  residing  in  their  respective 
limits.  The  one  passed  at  tiie  previous  session,  exempting  volunteers  from  civil  process  vhile  in 
the  service,  d  SO  as  to  include  all  who  might  thereafter  enlist.    ( >ne  granted  five  dollars 

per  month  as  extra  pa)  to  enlisted  volunteers  having  families  dependent  upon  them  for  support, 
payable  to  their  families.      Another    authorized  the    governor   to    employ    such   aids,   clerks   and 


WISCONSIN   AS   A   STATE.  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  1S61,  deserve  a  high 
commendation.  All  that  was  necessary  upon  their  final  adjournment  at  the  close  of  the  extra 
session  to  place  the  State  upon  a  "  war  footing,"  was  the  organization  by  ihe  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.  Wad, worth,  commissary  general ;  Brigadier  General  Simeon  Mills,  paymaster  gen- 
eral; Brigadier  General  E.  B.  Wolcott,  surgeon  general;  Major  E.  L.  Buttrick,  judge  advocate; 
and  Colonel  William  H.  Watson,  military  secretary. 

On  the  seventeenth  of  May,  the  First  regiment,  at  "Camp  Scott,"  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service,  and  the  war  department  informed  that  it  awaited  marching  orders.  The 
regimental  officers  were  not  all  in  accordance  with  the  law  and  mode  adopted  afterwards.  On 
the  seventh  of  the  month  Governor  Randall  had  appointed  Rufus  King  a  brigadier  general,  and 
assigned  the  First,  Second,  Third  and  Fourth  regiments  to  his  command  as  the  Wisconsin 
brigade ;  although  at  that  date  only  the  First  and  Second  had  been  called  into  camp.  This 
brigade  organization  was  not  recognized  by  the  General  Government.  The  secretary  of  war 
telegraphed  the  governor  of  Wisconsin  that  the  quota  of  the  State,  under  the  second  call  of  the 
president,  was  two  regiments — so  that  the  whole  number  under  both  calls  was  only  three  —  one 
(the  First)  for  three  months,  two  (the  Second  and  Third)  for  three  years.  Notwithstanding  this, 
Governor  Randall  proceeded  to  organize  the  Fourth. 

As  a  number  of  the  companies  ordered  into  "  Camp  Randall  "  on  the  first  day  of  May  to 
form  the  Second  regiment  had  only  enlisted  for  three  months,  the  order  of  the  secretary  of  war 
of  the  seventh  of  that  month  making  it  imperative  that  all  such  companies  must  re-enlist  for 
three  years  or  during  the  war,  or  be  disbanded,  the  question  of  extending  their  term  of  enlist- 
ment was  submitted  to  the  companies  of  the  regiment,  when  about  five  hundred  consented  to 
the  change.  The  quota  of  the  regiment  was  afterward  made  up,  and  the  whole  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  under  the  president's  second 
call  for  troops.  This  was  on  the  eleventh  of  June,  1861.  The  Third  regiment  having  had  its 
companies  assigned  early  in  May,  they  were  ordered  in  June  into  "Camp  Hamilton"  at  Fond 
du  Lac,  where  the  regiment  was  organized,  and,  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  June,  mustered  into  the 
United  States'  service  as  a  three  years  regiment.  This  filled  Wisconsin's  quota  under  the  second 
call  of  President  Lincoln.  By  this  time  war  matters  in  the  State  began  to  assume  a  systematic 
course  of  procedure — thanks  to  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  the  wisdom  of  the  legislature,  and 
the  untiring  energy  and  exertions  of  the  governor  and  his  subordinates. 

The  determination  of  the  secretary  of  war  to  accept  from  Wisconsin  only  two  three-years 
regiments  under  the  second  call  for  troops  was  soon  changed,  and  three  more  were  authorized, 
making  it  necessary  to  organize  the  Fourth,  Fifth  and  Sixth.  The  Fourth  was  called  into  "  Camp 
Utley  "  at  Racine  on  the  sixth  of  June,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
on  the  ninth  of  the  follov/ing  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 


74 


HISTORY   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  rapidlv 
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,  wnere  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,  iS6i,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,  1861,  at  "Camp  Holton,"  Mil- 
waukee. The  Eleventh  regiment  was  called  by  companies  into  "  Camp  Randall  "  the  latter  part 
of  September  and  first  of  October,  1861,  and  mustered  in  on  the  eighteenth.  The  Twelfth  was 
called  in  to  the  same  camp  and  mustered  in  by  companies  between  the  twenty-eighth  of  October 
and  the  fifth  of  November,  1861.  The  Thirteenth  rendezvoused  at  "Cam])  Treadway,"  Janes- 
viile,  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  servw-e 
while  Randall  was  governor. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  rebellion  a  great  desire  had  been  manifested  for  the  orpan- 


WISCOXSIN   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  Racineearly  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,  1S61,  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,  1862,  the  day  that  Randall's  official  term  expired;  but  no  more 
men  were  mustered  in,  until  his  successor  came  into  office,  than  those  previously  mentioned. 

The  First  regiment — three  months' — left  "  Camp  Scott,"  Milwaukee,  on  the  ninth  of  June, 
1861,  for  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania — eight  hundred  and  ten  in  number;  John  C.  Starkweather, 
colonel.  The  regiment  returned  to  Milwaukee  on  the  seventeenth  of  August,  1861,  and  was 
mustered  out  on  the  twenty-second. 

The  First  regiment  re-organized  at  "Camp  Scott,"  Milwaukee.  Its  mustering  into  the 
service,  as  previously  mentioned,  was  completed  on  the  nineteenth  of  October.     On  the  twenty- 


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,  for  Washington  city,  on  the  eleventh  of  June,  1S61 — 
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  July,  1861,  with  a  numerical  strength  of  nine  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine.  The  Fourth  regiment  —  Colonel  Halbert  E.  Payne  —  with  a  numerical  strength  of  one 
thousand  and  fifty-three,  departed  on  the  fifteenth  of  July,  1 861,  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, 
for  Washington  city.  On  the  twenty-eighth  of  July,  i86i,the  Sixth  regiment,  numbering  one 
thousand  and  eighty-four,  moved  from  Madison,  having  been  ordered  to  Washington  city.  It 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Lysander  Cu'.':cr.  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,  1S61,  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,  1S61, 
destined  for  Louisville,  Kentucky,  with  a  total  number  of  nine  hundred  and  sixteen  officers  and 
privates.  On  the  twentieth  of  November,  1S61,  the  Eleventh  regiment  "broke  camp"  at 
Madison,  starting  for  St.  Louis,  under  command  of  Charles  L.  Harris,  as  colonel.  Its  whole 
number  of  men  was  nine  hundred  and  sixteen.  The  Twelfth  regiment,  at  "  Camp  Randall," 
Madison  —  Colonel  George  E.  Bryant,  and  the  Thirteenth,  at  "  Camp  Tredway,"  Janesville  — 
Colonel  Maurice  Maloney — were  still  in  camp  at  the  expiration  of  the  administration  of  Governor 
Randall :  these,  with  the  Ninth,  were  all  that  had  not  moved  out  of  the  State  for  active  service, 
of  those  mustered  in  previous  to  January  6,  1861, — making  a  grand  total  of  infantry  sent  from 
Wisconsin,  up  to  that  date,  by  the  governor,  to  answer  calls  of  the  General  Government,  for 
three  years' service  or  during  the  war,  of  nine  thousand  nine  hundred  and  ninety-one  men,  in  ten 
regiments,  averaging  very  nearly  one  thousand  to  each  regiment.  Besides  these  ten  regiments 
of  infantry  for  three  years'  service,  Wisconsin  had  also  sent  into  the  field  the  First  regiment,  for 
three  months'  service,  numbering  eight  hundred  and  ten  men;  Alexander's  company  of  sharp- 
shooters, one  hundred  and  six;  and  Deutsch's  company  of  cavalry,  eighty-four:  in  all,  one 
thousand.  Adding  these  to  the  three  years'  regiments,  and  the  whole  force,  in  round  numbers, 
was  eleven  thousand  men,  furnished  by  the  State  in  1861. 

Eighth  Administration. — Louis  P.Harvey  and  Edward  Salomon, Governors — 1862-1863. 

Louis  P.  Harvey  was  inaugurated  governor  of  Wisconsin  on  the  sixth  of  January,  1862. 
The  fifteenth  regular  session  of  the  legislature  of  the  State  began  on  the  eighth  of  the  same 
month.  In  the  senate,  the  republicans  were  in  the  majority;  but  in  the  assembly  they  had 
only  a  plurality  of  members,  there  being  a  number  of  "  Union  "  men  in  that  branch — enough, 

d,  to  elect,  by  outside  aid,  J.  W.  Beardsley,  who  ran  for  the  assembly,  upon  the  "  Union  " 
ticket,  as  speaker.  Governor  Harvey,  cm  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  providence  to 
pass  through  the  furnace  of  a  great  trial  of  their  virtue,  and  of  the  strength  of  the  Government." 
On  the  seventh  of  April  following,  the  legislature  adjourned  until  the  third  of  June  next  ensuing. 
Before  it  again  assembled,  an  event  occurred,  casting  a  gloom  over  the  whole  State.  The 
occasion  was  the  accidental  drowning  of  Governor  Harvey. 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  Pittsburgh  Landing,  on  the  seventh  of  April,  1862,  the  certainty 
that  some  of  the  Wisconsin   regiments  had  suffered  severely,  induced  the  governor  to  organize 
a  re.i  f  party,  to  aid  the  wounded  and  suffering  soldiers  from  the  State.     On  the  tenth,  Harvey 
and  others  started  on  their  tour  of  benevolence.     Arriving  at  Chicago,  they  found  a  large  num- 
ber of  boxes  had  been  forwarded  there  from  different  points  in  the  State,  containing  supplies  of 
various  kinds.     At  Mound  City,  Paducah,  and  Savannah,  the  governor  and  his  party  adminis- 
tered to  the  wants  of  the  sick  and  wounded  Wisconsin  soldiers.    Having  completed  their  mission 
of  mercy,  they  repaired  to  a  boat  in  the  harbor  of  Savannah,  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  Minne- 
haha, which  was  to  convey  them  to  Cairo,  on  their  homeward  trip.     It  was  late  in  the  evenin"  of 
the  nineteenth  of  April,   1S62,  and  very  dark   when   the  boat   arrived   which  was   to   take  the 
governor  and  his  friends  on  board  ;    and  as  she  rounded  to,  the  bow  touching  the  Dunlcith,  on 
which  was  congregated  the  party  ready  to  depart,  Governor  Harvey,  by  a  misstep,  fell  overboard 
between  the  two  boats,  into  the  Tennessee  river.     The  current  was  strong,  and  the  water  more 
than    thirty  feet   deep.     Every  thing  was   done   that  could  be,  to  save  his  life,  but  all  to  no 
purpose.     His  body  was  subsequently  found  and  brought  to  Madison  for  interment.     Edward 
Salomon,  lieutenant  governor,  by  virtue  of  a  provision  of  the  constitution  of  the  State,  upon  the 
death  of  Harvey,  succeeded  to  the  office  of  governor  of  Wisconsin.     On  the  third  day  of  June, 
the  legislature  re-assembled  in  accordance  with  adjournment  on  the  seventh  of  April  previous, 
Governor  Salomon,  in  his  message  of  that  day,  to  the  senate  and   assembly,  after  announcing 
the  sad  event  of  the  death  of  the  late  governor,  said :    "  The  last  among  the  governors  elected 
by  the  people  of  this  State,  he  is  the  first  who  has  been  removed  by  death  from  our  midst.     The 
circumstances  leading  to  and  surrounding  the  tragic  .  nd  melancholy  end  of  the  honored  and 
lamented  deceased,  are  well  known  to  the  people,  and  are,  with  his  memory,  treasured  up  in 
their  hearts."     He  died,"  added  Salomon,  "  while  in  the  exercise  of  the  highest  duties  of  philan- 
thropy and  humanity,  that  a  noble  impulse  had  imposed  upon  him."     The  legislature,  on  the 
thirteenth  of  June,  by  a  joint  resolution,  declared  that  in  the  death  of  Governor  Harvey,  the 
State  had  "  lost  an  honest,  faithful,  and  efficient  public  officer,  a  high-toned  gentleman,  a  warm  - 
hearted  philanthropist,  and  a  sincere  friend."    Both  houses  adjourned  sine  die,  on  the  seventeuth 
of  June,  1S62. 

Business  of  great  public  importance,  in  the  judgment  of  the  governor,  rendering  a  special 
session  of  the  legislature  necessary,  he  issued,  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  August,  1862,  his  proc- 
lamation to  that  effect,  convening  both  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  necessary  to  rely  upon  a  system  of  drafting  or  conscription,  in  Wisconsin." 
The  governor  then  proceeded  to  recommend  such  measures  as  he  deemed  necessary  to  meet 
the  exigencies  of  the  times.  The  legislature  levied  a  tax  to  aid  volunteering,  and  passed  a  law 
giving  the  right  of  suffrage  to  soldiers  in  the  military  service.  They  also  authorized  the  raising 
of  money  for  payment  of  bounties  to  volunteers.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  twenty- 
sixth  of  September,  1S62,  after  a  session  of  sixteen  days,  and  the  enacting  of  seventeen  laws. 


78  HISTORY   OF  WISCONSIN. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  James  H.  Howe,  attorney  general,  resigned  his  office  to  enter  the 
army.  On  the  14th  of  that  month,  Winfield  Smith  was  appointed  by  the  governor  to  fill  the 
vacancy. 

At  the  general  election  in  the  Fall  of  this  year,  six  congressmen  were  elected  to  the  tliirty- 
eighth  congress:  James  S.  Brown  from  the  first  district;  I.  C.  Sloan,  from  the  second;  Amasa 
Cobb,  from  the  third  ;  Charles  A.  Eldredge,  from  the  fourth  ;  Ezra  Wheeler,  from  the  fifth  ;  and 
W.  D.  Mclndoe,  from  the  sixth  district.  Sloan,  Cobb,  and  Mclndoe,  were  elected  as  republi- 
cans ;  Brown,  Eldridge,  and  Wheeler,  as  democrats. 

The  sixteenth  regular  session  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature,  commenced  on  the  fourteenth  of 
January,  1863.  J.  Allen  Barber  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  The  majority  in  both 
houses  was  republican.  Governor  Salomon  read  his  message  on  the  fifteenth,  to  the  joint 
convention,  referring,  at  length,  to  matters  connected  with  the  war  of  the  rebellion.  A  large 
number  of  bills  were  passed  by  the  legislature  for  the  benefit  of  soldiers  and  their  families.  On 
the  twenty-second,  the  legislature  re-elected  James  R.  Doolittle.  to  the  United  States  senate  for 
six  years,  from  the  fourth  of  March  next  ensuing.  The  legislature  adjourned  sine  die  on  the 
second  of  April  following.  In  the  Spring  of  this  year,  Luther  S.  Dixon  was  re-elected  chief 
justice  of  the  supreme  court,  running  as  an  independent  candidate. 

By  a  provision  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  185S,  as  amended  by  an  act  passed  in  1S62,  and 
'nterpreted  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 — Harvky  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  1861,  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,  186 1,  the  war  department  issued  an  order  discontinuing 
enlistments  for  the  cavalry  service,  and  circulars  were  sent  to  the  different  State  executives  to 
consolidate  all  incomplete  regiments.  Ex-Governor  Barstow,  by  authority  of  General  Fremont, 
which  authority  was  confirmed  by  the  General  Government,  had  commenced  the  organization  of 
a  cavalry  regiment  —  the  Third  Wisconsin  —  when  Governor  Randall  received  information  that 
the  authority  of  Barstow  had  been  revoked.  The  latter,  however,  soon  had  his  authority 
restored.  In  October,  Governor  Randall  was  authorized  by  the  war  department  to  raise  three 
additional  companies  of  artillery  —  Eighth  to  Tenth  inclusive.  These  three  batteries  were  all 
filled  and  went  into  camp  by  the  close  of  1861.  Governor  Randall,  therefore,  besides  sending 
out  of  the  State  eleven  thousand  men,  had  in  process  of  formation,  or  fully  organized,  nine 
regiments  of  infantry,  three  regiments  of  cavalry,  and  ten  companies  of  artillery,  left  behind  in 


WISCONSIN  AS   A  STATE.  79 

various  camps  in  the  State,  to  be  turned  over  to  his  successor. 

The  military  officers  of  Wisconsin  were  the  governor,  Louis  P.  Harvey,  commander-in- 
chief;  Brigadier  General  Augustus  Gaylord,  adjutant  general ;  Brigadier  General  W.  W.  Tred- 
way,  quartermaster  general ;  Colonel  Edwin  R.  Wadsworth,  commissary  general ;  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Simeon  Mills,  paymaster  general;  Brigadier  General  E.  B.  Wolcott,  surgeon  general;  Majc. 
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,  1S62;  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  plr.ce. 

Upon  the  convening  of  the  legislature  of  the  State  in  its  regular  January  session  of  this 
year — 1862,  Governor  Harvey  gave,  in  his  message  to  that  body,  a  full  statement  of  what  had 
been  done  by  Wisconsin  in  matters  appertaining  to  the  war,  under  the  administration  of  his 
predecessor.  He  stated  that  the  State  furnished  to  the  service  of  the  General  Government 
under  the  call  for  volunteers  for  three  months,  one  regiment  —  First  Wisconsin ;  under  the  call 
for  volunteers  for  three  years,  or  the  war,  ten  regiments,  numbering  from  the  First  re-organized 
to  the  Eleventh,  excluding  the  Ninth  or  German  regiment.  He  gave  as  the  whole  number  of 
officers,  musicians  and  privates,  in  these  ten  three-year  regiments,  ten  thousand  one  hundred  and 
seventeen.  He  further  stated  that  there  were  then  organized  'and  awaiting  orders,  the  Ninth,  in 
"  Camp  Sigel,"  Milwaukee,  numbering  nine  hundred  and  forty  men,  under  Colonel  Frederick 
Salomon ;  the  Twelfth,  in  "  Camp  Randall,"  one  thousand  and  thirty-nine  men,  under  Colonel 
George  E.  Bryant ;  the  Thirteenth,  in  "  Camp  Tredway,"  Janesville,  having  nine  hundred  and 
nineteen  men,  commanded  by  Colonel  M.  Maloney ;  and  the  Fourteenth,  at  "  Camp  Wood," 
Fond  du  Lac,  eight  hundred  and  fifty  men,  under  Colonel  D.  E.  Wood. 

The  Fifteenth  or  Scandinavian  regiment,  Colonel  H.  C.  Heg,  seven  hundred  men,  and  the 
Sixteenth,  Colonel  Benjamin  Allen,  nine  hundred  men,  were  at  that  time  at  "Camp  Randall,"  in 
near  readiness  for  marching  orders.  The  Seventeenth  (Irish)  regiment,  Colonel  J.  L.  Doran,  and 
the  Eighteenth,  Colonel  James  S.  Alban,  had  their  full  number  of  companies  in  readiness,  lacking 
one,  and  had  been  notified  to  go  into  camp  —  the  former  at  Madison,  the  latter  at  Milwaukee. 
Seven  companies  of  artillery,  numbering  together  one  thousand  and  fifty  men,  had  remained  for 
a  considerable  time  in  "  Camp  Utley,"  Racine,  impatient  of  the  delays  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment in  calling  them  to  move  forward.  Three  additional  companies  of  artillery  were  about 
going  into  camp,  numbering  three  hundred  and  thirty-four  men.  Besides  these,  the  State  had 
furnished,  as  already  mentioned,  an  independent  company  of  cavalry,  then  in  Missouri,  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. 


80  HISTORY   ()F   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  ompensation.  One 
authorized  the  issuing  of  bonds  for  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  war  purpose. ;  one  author- 
ized a  temporary  loan  from  the  general  fund  to  pay  State  aid  to  volunteers  ;  and  one,  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  joint  committee  to  investigate  the  sale  of  war  bonds ;  while  another  authorized  the 
governor  to  appoint  surgeons  to  batteries,  and  assistant  surgeons  to  cavalry  regiments. 

The  legislature,  it  will  be  remembered,  took  a  recess  from  the  seventh  of  April  to  the  third 
of  June,  1862.  Upon  its  re-assembling,  ....  act  was  passed  providing  >r  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,  iS62, 
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  "f  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 

1  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  to  serve  for  nine  months  unless  sooner  discharged  ; 
that  if  tlie  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  quota,  to  the  States  and  establish  regulations  for  the 
draft.  On  the  eighth  of  that  month,  the  governor  of  the  State  was  ordered  to  immediately  cause 
an  enrollment  of  all  able-bodied  citizens  between  eighteen  and  forty-live  years  of  age,  by  counties. 
Governor  Salon  authorized  to  appoint  proper  officers,  and  the  United  States  promised  to 

pay  ;ill  rea  ionable  expenses.  The  quota  tor  Wis<  onsin,  under  the  call  for  nine  months'  men,  was 
eleven  thousand  nini  hundred  and  four.  The  draft  was  made  by  the  governor  in  obe J ience  to 
the  order  he  had  received  from  Washington  ;  but  such  had  been  the  volunteering  under  the  slim- 


WISCONSIN"   AS   A   STATE.  81 

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  Stale  authorities. 
Subsequent  ones  were  made  under  the  direction  of  the  provost  marshal  general  at  Wash- 
ington. 

The  enlisting,  organization  and  mustering  into  the  United  States  service  during  Randall's 
administration  of  thirteen  regiments  of  infantry — the  First  to  the  Thirteenth  inclusive,  and  the 
marching  of  ten  of  them  out  of  the  State  before  the  close  of  1861,  also,  of  one  company  of  cavalry 
under  Captain  Von  Deutsch  and  one  company  of  sharpshooters  under  Captain  Alexander,  con- 
stituted the  effective  aid  abroad  of  Wisconsin  during  that  year  to  suppress  the  rebellion.  But  for 
the  year  1862,  this  aid,  as  to  number  of  organizations,  was  more  than  doubled,  as  will  now  be 
shown. 

The  Ninth  regiment  left  "  Camp  Sigel,"  Milwaukee,  under  command  of  Colonel  Frederick 
Salomon,  on  the  twenty-second  of  January,  1S62,  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,  1862,  it 
having  been  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  on  the  thirtieth  of  January  previous.  Its 
total  strength  was  nine  hundred  and  seventy  officers  and  men.  It  arrived  at  its  destination  on 
the  tenth  of  March,  and  went  into  quarters  at  "  Benton  Barracks." 

The  Fifteenth  regiment,  mostly  recruited  from  the  Scandinavian  population  of  Wisconsin, 
was  organized  at  "Camp  Randall,"  Madison — Hans  C.  Heg  as  colonel.  Its  muster  into  the 
United  States  service  was  completed  on  the  fourteenth  of  February,  1S62,  it  leaving  the  State  for 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  on  the  second  of  March  following,  with  a  total  strength  of  eight  hundred  and 
one  officers  and  men. 

The  Sixteenth  regiment  was  organized  at  "Camp  Randall,"  and  was  mustered  into  the 
service  on  the  last  day  of  January,  1862,  leaving  the  State,  with  Benjamin  Allen  as  colonel,  for 
St.  Louis  on  the  thirteenth  of  March  ensuing,  having  a  total  strength  of  one  thousand  and 
sixty-six. 

The  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. 


82  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,  1S62,  at  "Camp  Randall,"  the  original 
strength  being  nine  hundred  and  ninety.  On  the  thirtieth  of  August  the  regiment  left  the  Stnte 
for  St.  Louis. 

The  Twenty-first  infantry  was  organized  at  Osh!:  ish,  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,  1S62.  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,  1S62,  the  regiment  leaving  the  State  under  Colonel 
Charles  H.  Larrabee,  for  Kentucky,  on  the  fifth  of  September,  one  thousand  strong. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  September,  1862,  at  "  Camp  Salomon,"  LaCrosse,  the  Twenty-fifth 
regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service — Milton  Montgomery,  colonel.  They  left  the  State  on 
the  nineteenth  with  orders  to  report  to  General  Pope,  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  to  aid  in  suppress- 
ing the  Indian  difficulties  in  that  State.  Their  entire  strength  was  one  thousand  and  eighteen. 
The  regiment,  after  contributing  to  the  preservation  of  tranquillity  among  the  settlers,  and 
deterring  the  Indians  from  hostilities,  returned  to  Wisconsin,  arriving  at  "  Camp  Randall  "  on  the 
eighteenth  of  December,  1862. 

The  Twenty-sixth — almost  wholly  a  German  regiment — was  mustered  into  the  service  at 
"Camp  Sigel,"  Milwaukee,  on  the  seventeenth  of  September,  1062.  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-set 
remaini   g  there  until  the  fifth  of  January,  1S63. 

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  ..1  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, 
.vith  .1  strength  of  nine  hundred  and  six.  On  the  sixteenth  of  November,  one  ,  ompany  of 
the  Thirtieth  was  sent  to  Green  Bay  to  protect  the  draft  commissioner,  remaining  several  week- 
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  rio 


WISCONSIN  AS  A  STATE.  83 

On  the  twenty-second,  six  companies  from  Milwaukee  went  to  West  Bend,  Washington  county, 
one  company  returning  to  "Camp  Randall."  After  the  completion  of  the  draft  in  Washington 
county,  four  companies  returned  to  camp,  while  two  companies  were  engaged  in  gathering  up 
the  drafted  men. 

The  final  and  complete  organization  of  the  Thirty-first  infantry — Colonel  Isaac  E.  Mess- 
more — was  not  concluded  during  the  year  1862. 

The  Thirty-second  regiment,  organized  at  "  Camp  Bragg,"  Oshkosh,  with  James  H.  Howe 
as  colonel,  was  mustered  into  the  service  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  September,  1862  ;  and,  on  the 
thirtieth  of  October,  leaving  the  State,  it  proceeded  by  way  of  Chicago  and  Cairo  to  Memphis, 
Tennessee,  going  into  camp  on  the  third  of  November.  The  original  strength  of  the  Thirty- 
second  was  nine  hundred  and  ninety-three. 

The  Thirty-third  infantry — Colonel  Jonathan  B.  Moore — mustered  in  on  the  eighteenth  of 
October,  1862,  at  "  Camp  Utley,"  Racine,  left  the  State,  eight  hundred  and  ninety-two  strong, 
moving  by  way  of  Chicago  to  Cairo. 

The  Thirty-fourth  regiment,  drafted  men,  original  strength  nine  hundred  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  1862. 

Of  the  twenty-four  infantry  regiments,  numbered  from  the  Twelfth  to  the  Thirty-fourth 
inclusive,  and  including  also  the  Ninth,  three — the  Ninth,  Twelfth,  and  Thirteenth — were  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  in  1861.  The  whole  of  the  residue  were  mustered  in  during 
the  year  1862,  except  the  Twenty-seventh  and  the  Thirty-first.  All  were  sent  out  of  the  State 
during  1862,  except  the  last  two  mentioned  and  the  Twenty-fifth,  Thirtieth,  and  Thirty-fourth. 
The  First  regiment  of  cavalry  —  Colonel  Edward  Daniels — perfected  its  organization  at 
"  Camp  Harvey,"  Kenosha.  Its  muster  into  the  United  States  service  was  completed  on  the 
eighth  of  March,  1862,  the  regiment  leaving  the  State  for  St.  Louis  on  the  seventeenth,  with  a 
strength  of  eleven  hundred  and  twenty-four. 

The  muster  of  the  Second  Wisconsin  cavalry  was  completed  on  the  twelfth  of  March,  1862, 
at  "Camp  Washburn,"  Milwaukee,  the  regiment  leaving  the  State  for  St.  Louis  on  the  twenty- 
fourth,  eleven  hundred  and  twenty-seven  strong.  It  was  under  the  command  of  Cadwallader  C. 
Washburn  as  colonel. 

The  Third  Wisconsin  cavalry — Colonel  William  A.  Barstow — was  mustered  in  at  "  Camp 
Barstow,"  Janesville.  The  muster  was  completed  on  the  31st  of  January,  1862,  the  regiment 
leaving  the  State  on  the  26th  of  March  for  St.  Louis,  with  a  strength  of  eleven  hundred  and 
eighty-six. 

The  original  project  of  forming  a  regiment  of  light  artillery  in  Wisconsin  was  overruled 
by  the  war  department,  and  the  several  batteries  were  sent  from  the  State  as  independent 
organizations. 

The  First  battery — Captain  Jacob  T.  Foster — perfected  its  organization  at  "Camp  Utley," 
where  the  company  was  mustered  in,  it  leaving  the  State  with  a  strength  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty-five,  on  the  23d  of  January,  1S62,  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,  1S61,  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,  1861,  leaving  the  State  for  Louisville,  on  the  23d  of  January, 
1862.  The  Fourth  battery — -Captain  John  F.  Vallee — rendezvoused  at  "Camp  Utley."  Its 
muster  in  was  completed  on  the  rstof  October,  1861,  its  whole  force  being  one  hundred  and  fifty 
one.     The  company  left  the  State  for  Baltimore  on  the  21st  of  January,  1862.     The   Fifth   bat- 


84  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

tery,  commanded  by  Captain  Oscar  F.  Pinney,  was  mustered  in  on  Che  ist  of  October,  1861,  at 
"  Camp  Utley,"  leaving  the  State  for  St.  Louis,  on  the  15th  of  March,  1862,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-five  strong.  The  Sixth  battery — Captain  Henry  Dillon — was  mustered  in  on  the  2d  of 
October,  1861,  at  "  Camp  Utley,"  leaving  the  State  for  St.  Louis,  March  15,  1862,  with  a  numer- 
ical strength  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven.  The  Seventh  battery — Captain  Richard  R.  Grif- 
fiths— was  mustered  in  on  the  4th  of  October,  1861,  at  "  Camp  Utley,"  and  proceeded  on  the  15th 
of  March,  1S62,  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  18th  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  iSth  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  iSth  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  1S62,  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  \V.  II. 
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  Frit/  Anneke.  On  the  17th  of 
February,  1863,  the  Twenty-fifth  regiment  left  "Camp  Randall"  for  Cairo,  Illinois.  The 
Thirtieth  regiment  remained  in  Wisconsin  during  the  whole  of  1863,  performing  various 
duties  —  the  only  one  of  the  whole  thirty-four  that,  at  the  end  of  that  year,  had  not  left  the  State. 
On  the  14th  of  January,  1863,  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  as  before  stated,  convened 
at  Madison.  Governor  Salomon,  in  his  message  to  that  body,  gave  a  summary  of  the  transac- 
tions of  the  war  fund  during  the  calendar  year;  also  of  what  was  done  in  1862,  in  the  recruiting 
of  military  forces,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  calls  of  the  president  were  responded  to.  There 
were  a  number  of  military  laws  passed  at  this  session.  A  multitude  of  special  acts  authorizing 
towns  to  raise  bounties  for  volunteers,  were  also  passed. 

No  additional  regiments  of  infantry  besides  those  already  mentioned  were  organized  in 
1863,  although  recruiting  for  old  regiments  continued.  On  the  3d  of  March,  18O3,  the  congress 
of  the  Jnited   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  J.  B.  Dousman,  examining  surgeon.  Headquarters  of  this  district  was  at 
Milwaukee.  In  the  second  district,  S.  J.  M.  Putnam  was  appointed  provost  marshal ;  L.  B. 
Caswell,  commissioner;  and  Dr.  C.  R.  Head,  examining  surgeon.  Headquarters  of  this 
district  was  at  Janesville.  In  the  third  district,  J.  G.  Clark  was  appointed  provost  marshal;  E. 
E.  Byant,  commissioner ;  and  John  H.  Vivian,  examining  surgeon.  Headquarters  at  Prairie 
du  Chien.  In  the  fourth  district,  E.  L.  Phillips  was  appointed  provost  marshal ;  Charles 
Burchard,  commissioner ;  and  L.  H.  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  Langvvorthy,  of  the  Second  Wisconsin 
infantry,  was  detached  and  placed  on  duty  as  heavy  artillery.  His  company  was  designated  as 
"A,"  First  Regiment  Heavy  Artillery.  This  was  the  only  one  organized  until  the  Summer  of 
1863;  but  its  organization  was  effected  outside  the  State.  Three  companies  were  necessary  to 
add  to  company  "A"  to  complete  the  battalion.  Batteries  "  B,"  "  C"  and  "  D  "  were,  therefore, 
organized  in  Wisconsin,  all  leaving  the  State  in  October  and  November,  1863. 

Ninth  Administration — James  T.  Lewis,  Governor — 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  fill  the  vacancy.  On  the  fif- 
teenth of  November,  Governor  Lewis  appointed  Jason  Downer  an  associate  justice  of  the 
supreme  court,  to  fill  a  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Judge  Byron  Paine,  who  had 
resigned  his  position  to  take  effect  on  that  day,  in  order  to  accept  the  position  of  lieutenant 
colonel  of  one  of  the  regiments  of  Wisconsin,  to  which  he  had  been  commissioned  on  the  tenth 
of  August  previous.  The  November  elections  of  this  year  were  entered  into  with  great  zeal  by 
the  two  parties,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  president  and  vice  president  of  the  United  States  were 
to  be  chosen.  The  republicans  were  victorious.  Electors  of  that  party  cast  their  eight  votes 
for  Lincoln  and  Johnson.  The  members  elected  to  the  thirty -ninth  congress  from  Wisconsin 
at  this  election  were  :  from  the  first  district,  H.  E.  Paine  ;  from  the  second,  I.  C.  Sloan  ;  from 
the  third,  Amasa  Cobb;    from  the  fourth,  C.  A.  Eldredge;    from  the  fifth,  Philetus  Sawyer;    and 


86  HISTORY    OF   WISCONSIN. 

from    the    sixth    district,    \Y.    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,  1S65.  VV.  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 
offii  ial  intelligence,  just  received,  of  the  surrender  of  General  Lee  and  his  army,  the  last  prop 
of  the  rebellion.  Let  us  rejoice,  and  thank  the  Ruler  of  the  Universe  for  victory  and  the  pros- 
pects of  an  honorable  peace.''  In  February  preceding,  both  houses  ratified  the  constitutional 
amendment  abolishing  slavery  in  the  United  States.  At  the  Spring  election,  Jason  Downer  was 
chosen  associate  justice  of  the  supreme  court  for  a  full  term  of  six  years.  The  twentieth  of 
April  was  set  apart  by  the  governor  as  a  day  of  thanksgiving  for  the  overthrow  of  the  rebellion 
and  restoration  of  peace.  At  the  Fall  election  both  parties,  republican  and  democratic,  had 
tickets  in  the  field.  The  republicans  were  victorious,  electing  Lucius  Fairchild,  governor; 
Wyman  Spooner,  lieutenant  governor;  Thomas  S.  Allen,  secretary  of  state;  William  E.  Smith, 
state  treasurer;  Charles  R.  Gill,  attorney  general;  John  G.  McMynn,  superintendent  of 
public  instruction;  J.  M.  Rusk,  bank  comptroller;  and  Henry  Cordier,  state  prison  commis- 
sioner. 

War  of  Secession  —  Lewis'  Administration. 

The  military  officers  for  1864  were  besides  the  governor  (who  was  commander-in-chief) 
Brigadier  General  Augustus  Gaylord,  adjutant  general;  Colonel  S.  Nye  Gibbs,  assistant  adju- 
tant general ;  Brigadier  General  Nathaniel  F.  Lund,  quartermaster  and  commissary  general, 
and  chief  of  ordnance;  Brigadier  General  E.  15.  Wolcott,  surgeon  general;  and  Colonel  Frank 
II.  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;  anothei 
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  State  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  who  had  received 


WISCONSIN    AS   A    STATE.  87 

local  bounties  from  towns  other  than  their  proper  places  of  residence. 

At  the  commencement  of  1864,  there  were  recruiting  in  the  State  the  Thirty-fifth  regiment 
of  infantry  and  the  Thirteenth  battery.  The  latter  was  mustered  in  on  the  29th  of  December, 
1863,  and  left  the  State  for  New  Orleans  on  the  2Sth  of  January,  1864.  In  February,  authority 
was  given  by  the  war  department  to  organize  the  Thirty-sixth  regiment  of  infantry.  On  the 
27th  of  that  month,  the  mustering  n  of  the  Thirty-fifth  was  completed  at  "  Camp  Washburn  " 
— Colonel  Henry  Orff — the  regiment,  one  thousand  and  sixty-six  strong,  leaving  the  State  on  the 
18th  of  April,  1864,  for  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 
James  Bintliff;  the  Thirty -ninth  —  Colonel  Edwin  L.  Buttrick  ;  the  Fortieth  —  Colonel  W. 
Augustus  Ray;  the  Forty-first  —  Lieutenant  Colonel  George  B.  Goodwin;  the  Forty-second — 
Colonel  Ezra  T.  Sprague;  the  Forty-third — Colonel  Amasa  Cobb. 

The  regiments  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  during  the  year  1865  were: 
the  Forty-fourth — Colonel  George  C.  Symes  ;  the  Forty-fifth — Colonel  Henry  F.  Belitz;  Forty- 
sixth — Colonel  Frederick  S.  Lovell ;  Forty-seventh — Colonel  George  C.  Ginty  ;  Forty-eighth — 
Colonel  Uri  B.  Pearsall ;  Forty-ninth — Colonel  Samuel  Fallows;  Fiftieth — Colonel  John  G. 
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-first,  Twenty-second,  Twenty- 
fourth,  Thirtieth,  Forty-third,  Forty-fourth,  Forty-fifth,  Forty-sixth,  and  Forty-seventh.  Added 
to  these  was  the  First  (re-organized).  Thirty-one  regiments  were  ordered  to  the  western  division, 
embracing  the  country  west  and  northwest  of  the  central  division.  These  were :  the  Eighth, 
Ninth,  Eleventh,  Twelfth,  Thirteenth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  Seventeenth,  Eighteenth, 
Twentieth,  Twenty-third,  Twenty-fifth,  Twenty-seventh,  Twenty-eighth,  Twenty-ninth,  Thirty-first, 
Thirty-second,  Thirty-third,  Thirty-fourth,  Thirty-fifth,  Thirty-ninth,  Fortieth,  Forty-first,  Forty- 
second,  Forty-eighth,  Forty-ninth,  Fiftieth,  Fifty-first,  Fifty-second,  and  Fifty-third.  During  the 
war  several  transfers  were  made  from  one  district  to  another.  There  were  taken  from  the  eastern 
division,  the  Third  and  Twenty-sixth,  and  sent  to  the  central  division;  also  the  Fourth,  which 
was  sent  to  the  department  of  the  gulf.  The  Twelfth,  Thirteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth,  Seven- 
teenth, Eighteenth,  Twenty-fifth,  Thirtieth,  Thirty-first  and  Thirty-second  were  transferred  from 
the  western  to  the  central  department. 

The  four  regiments  of  cavelry  were  assigned  to  the  western  division  —  the  First  regiment 
being  afterward  transferred  to  the  central  division.  Of  the  thirteen  batteries  of  light  artillery,  the 
Second,  Fourth,  and  Eleventh,  were  assigned  to  the  eastern  division ;  the  First  and  Third,  to 
the  central  division ;  the  Fifth,  Sixth,  Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Twelfth,  and  Thirteenth, 
to  the  western  division.  During  the  war,  the  First  was  transferred  to  the  western  division  ;  while 
the  Fifth,  Sixth,  Eighth,  Tenth,  and  Twelfth,  were  transferred  to  the  central  division.  Of  the 
twelve  batteries  of  the  First  regiment  of  heavy  artillery  —  "A,"  "E,"  "F,"  "G,"  "H,"  "I," 
"K,"  "L,"  and  "M,"  were  assigned  to  duty  in  the  eastern  division  ;  "B"  and  "C,"  to  the  central 


88  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

division;    and   "I>."   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  of  these  were  killed  or  died  of 
wounds  received  in  battle,  or  fell  victims  to  diseases  contracted  in  the  military  service,  to  say 
nothing  of  those  who  died  after  their  discharge,  and  whose  deaths  do  not  appear  upon  the  mili- 
tary records.  Nearly  twelve  million  dollars  were  expended  by  the  State  authorities,  and  the 
people  of  the  several  counties  and  towns  throughout  the  State,  in  their  efforts  to  sustain  the 
National  ( Government. 

Wisconsin  feels,  as  well  she  may,  proud  of  her  record  made  in  defense  of  national  existence. 
Shoulder  to  shoulder  with  the  other  loyal  States  of  the  Union,  she  stood — always  ranking  among 
the  foremost.      Prom  her   workshops,  her  farms,  her  extensive  pineries,  she  poured   forth  stalwart 


WISCONSIN  AS  A  STATE.  89 

men,  to  fill  up  the  organizations  which  she  sent  to  the  field.  The  blood  of  these  brave  men 
drenched  almost  every  battle-field  from  Pennsylvania  to  the  Rio  Grande,  from  Missouri  to 
Georgia.  To  chronicle  the  deeds  and  exploits  — the  heroic  achievements — the  noble  enthusiasm 
— of  the  various  regiments  and  military  organizations  sent  by  her  to  do  battle  against  the  hydra- 
headed  monster  secession  —  would  be  a  lengthy  but  pleasant  task ;  but  these  stirring  annals 
belong  to  the  history  of  our  whole  country.  Therein  will  be  told  the  story  which,  to  the  latest 
time  in  the  existence  of  this  republic,  will  be  read  with  wonder  and  astonishment.  But  an  out- 
line of  the  action  of  the  State  authorities  and  their  labors,  and  of  the  origin  of  the  various 
military  organizations,  in  Wisconsin,  to  aid  in  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion,  must  needs 
contain  a  reference  to  other  helps  employed — mostly  incidental,  in  many  cases  wholly  charitable, 
but  none  the  less  effective:  the  sanitary  operations  of  the  State  during  the  rebellion. 

Foremost  among  the  sanitary  operations  of  Wisconsin  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion  was 
the  organization  of  the  surgeon  general's  department  —  to  the  end  that  the  troops  sent  to  the 
field  from  the  State  should  have  a  complete  and  adequate  supply  of  medicine  and  instruments  as 
well  as  an  efficient  medical  staff.  In  1861,  Governor  Randall  introduced  the  practice  of  appoint- 
ing agents  to  travel  with  the  regiments  to  the  field,  who  were  to  lake  charge  of  the  sick.  The 
practice  was  not  continued  by  Governor  Harvey.  On  the  17th  of  June,  1862,  an  act  of  the 
legislature  became  a  law  authorizing  the  governor  to  take  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers 
of  Wisconsin,  and  appropriated  twenty  thousand  dollars  for  that  purpose.  Under  this  law 
several  expeditions  were  sent  out  of  the  State  to  look  after  the  unfortunate  sons  who  were 
suffering  from  disease  or  wounds.  Soldiers'  aid  societies  were  formed  throughout  the  State  soon 
after  the  opening  scenes  of  the  rebellion.  When  temporary  sanitary  operations  were  no  longer 
a  necessity  in  Wisconsin,  there  followed  two  military  benevolent  institutions  intended  to  be  of  a 
permanent  character :  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Milwaukee,  and  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home  at 
Madison.  The  latter,  however,  has  been  discontinued.  The  former,  started  as  a  State  institu- 
tion, is  now  wholly  under  the  direction  and  support  of  the  General  Government. 

Whether  in  the  promptitude  of  her  responses  to  the  calls  made  on  her  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, in  the  courage  or  constancy  of  her  soldiery  in  the  field,  or  in  the  wisdom  and  efficiency  with 
which  her  civil  administration  was  conducted  during  the  trying  period  covered  by  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  Wisconsin  proved  herself  the  peer  of  any  loyal  State. 

TABULAR   STATEMENT. 

We  publish  on  the  following  pages  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  at  the  close  of  the  war, 
but  before  all  the  Wisconsin  organizations  had  been  mustered  out.  It  shows  how  many  brave  men 
courageously  forsook  homes,  friends  and  the  comforts  of  peaceful  avocations,  offering  their  lives 
in  defense  of  their  country's  honor.  Twenty-two  out  of  every  hundred  either  died,  were  killed  or 
wounded.  Thirteen  out  of  every  hundred  found  a  soldier's  grave,  while  only  60  per  cent  of  them 
marched  home  at  the  end  of  the  war.  Monuments  may  crumble,  cities  fall  into  decay,  the  tooth 
of  time  leave  its  impress  on  all  the  works  of  man,  but  the  memory  of  the  gallant  deeds  of  the 
army  of  the  Union  in  the  great  war  of  the  rebellion,  in  which  the  sons  of  Wisconsin  bore  so 
conspicuous  a  part,  will  live  in  the  minds  of  men  so  long  as  time  and  civilized  governments  endure. 


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92  HISTORY  OF   WTSCONSES". 

Tenth  Administration. — Lucius  Fairchild,   Governor — 1866-1867. 

The  inauguration  of  the  newly  elected  State  officers  took  place  on  Monday,  January  1, 
1866.  The  legislature,  in  its  nineteenth  regular  session,  convened  on  the  tenth.  H.  D.  Barron 
was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  The  "  Union  "  and  "  Republican  "  members  were  in  a 
majority  in  both  branches  of  the  legislature.  "  Our  first  duty,*' said  Governor  Fairchild  in  his 
message,  "is  to  give  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  all  His  mercies  during  the  year  that  is  past." 
"  The  people  of  no  nation  on  earth,''  he  continued,  "  have  greater  cause  to  be  thankful  than 
have  our  people.  The  enemies  of  the  country  have  been  overthrown  in  battle.  The  war  has 
settled  finally  great  questions  at  issue  between  ourselves."  Among  the  joint  resolutions  passed 
at  this  session  was  one  submitting  the  question  of  a  constitutional  convention  to  frame  a  new 
constitution  for  the  State,  to  the  people.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the  twelfth  of  April, 
having  been  in  session  ninety-three  days.  At  the  general  election  in  November  of  this  year, 
there  were  elected  to  the  Fortieth  congress  :  H.  E.  Paine,  from  the  first  district ;  B.  F.  Hopkins, 
from  the  second;  Amasa  Cobb,  from  the  third;  C.  A.  Eldredge,  from  the  fourth;  Philetus 
Sawyer,  from  the  fifth,  and  C.  C.  Washburn,  from  the  sixth  district.  All  were  republicans 
except  Eldredge,  who  was  elected  as  a  democrat.  The  proposition  for  a  constitutional  conven- 
tion was  voted  upon  by  the  people  at  this  election,  but  was  defeated. 

The  twentieth  session  of  the  legislature  commenced  on  the  ninth  of  January,  1867. 
Angus  Cameron  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  The  legislature  was  strongly '' Repub- 
lican-Union." The  message  of  Governor  Fairchild  was  read  by  him  in  person,  on  the  tenth. 
On  the  twenty-third,  the  two  houses,  in  joint  convention,  elected  Timothy  O.  Howe  United 
States  senator  for  the  term  of  six  years,  commencing  on  the  fourth  of  March  next  ensuing. 
This  legislature  pissed  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  pa- 
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.  Excepi  Craig,  all 
these  officers  were  the  former  incumbents.  The  amendment  to  section  21  of  article  4  of  the 
constitution  of  the  State,  giving  the  members  a  salary  instead  of  a  per  diem  allowance,  was 
adopted  at  this  election.  As  it  now  stands,  each  member  of  the  legislature  receives,  for 
his  services,  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum,  and  ten  cents  for  every  mile  he 
travels  in  goini;  to  and   returning  from  the  place  of  the  meetings  of  the   legislature,  on   the  most 


WISCONSIN"   AS  A   STATE.  93 

usual  route.     In   case  of  any  extra  session  of  the   legislature,  no  additional  compensation  shall 
be  allowed  to  any  member  thereof,  either  directly  or  indirectly. 

Eleventh  Administration. — Lucius  Fairchild,  Governor  (second  term) — 1868-1869. 

The  Eleventh  Administration  in  Wisconsin  commenced  at  noon  on  the  6th  day  of  January, 
186S.  This  was  the  commencement  of  Governor  Fairchild's  second  term.  On  the  eighth  of 
January,  1868,  began  the  twenty-first  regular  session  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin.  A.  M. 
Thomson  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  Of  the  laws  of  a  general  nature  passed  by  this 
legislature,  was  one  abolishing  the  office  of  bank  comptroller,  transferring  his  duties  to  the 
state  treasurer,  and  another  providing  for  the  establishing  of  libraries  in  the  various  townships 
of  the  State.  A  visible  effect  was  produced  by  the  constitutional  amendment  allowing  members 
a  salary,  in  abreviating  this  session,  though  not  materially  diminishing  the  amount  of  bnsiness 
transacted.     A  sine  die  adjournment  took  place  on  the  sixth  of  March. 

At  the  election  in  April,  1868,  Chief  Justice  Dixon  was  chosen  for  the  unexpired  balance  of 
his  own  term,  ending  on  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1870.  At  the  same  election,  Byron  Paine 
was  chosen  associate  justice  for  the  unexpired  balance  of  Associate  Justice  Downer's  term, 
ending  the  1st  day  of  January,  1872. 

At  the  Fall  election  in  this  year,  republican  electors  were  chosen  over  those  upon  the 
democratic  ticket,  for  president  and  vice  president;  and,  as  a  consequence,  Grant  and  Colfax 
received  the  vote  of  AVisconsin.  Of  the  members  elected  at  the  same  time,  to  the  forty-first 
■congress,  all  but  one  were  republicans  —  Eldredge  being  a  democrat.  The  successful  ticket 
was:  H.  E.  Paine,  from  the  first  district;  B.  F.  Hopkins,  from  the  second;  Amasa  Cobb,  from 
the  third  ;  C.  A.  Eldredge,  from  the  fourth;  Philetus  Sawyer,  from  the  fifth,  and  C.  C.  Washburn, 
from  the  sixth  district.  These  were  all  members,  form  their  respective  districts,  in  the  previous 
•congress — the  only  instance  since  Wisconsin  became  a  State  of  a  re-election  of  all  the  incum- 
bents. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  January,  1S69,  began  the  twenty-second  regular  session  of  the  State 
legislature.  A.  M.  Thomson  was  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  A  very  important  duty 
imposed  upon  both  houses  was  the  election  of  a  United  States  senator  in  the  place  of  James  R. 
Doolittle.  The  republicans  having  a  majority  in  the  legislature  on  joint  ballot,  the  excitement 
among  the  members  belonging  to  that  party  rose  to  a  high  pitch.  The  candidates  for  nomina- 
tion were  Matthew  H.  Carpenter  and  C.  C.  Washburn.  The  contest  was,  up  to  that  time, 
unparalleled  in  Wisconsin  for  the  amount  of  personal  interest  manifested.  Both  gentlemen  had 
a  large  lobby  influence  assembled  at  Madison.  Carpenter  was  successful  before  the  republican 
nominating  convention,  on  the  sixth  ballot.  On  the  twenty-seventh  of  January,  the  two  houses 
proceeded  to  ratify  the  nomination  by  electing  him  United  States  senator  for  six  years,  from  the 
fourth  of  March  following.  One  of  the  most  important  transactions  entered  into  by  the  legis- 
lature of  1869  was  the  ratification  of  the  suffrage  amendment  to  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States.  Both  houses  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  eleventh  of  March — a  very  short  session.  At  the 
spring  election,  on  the  6th  of  April,  Luther  S.  Dixon  was  re-elected  without  opposition,  chief 
justice  of  the  supreme  court,  for  a  term  of  six  years,  from  the  first  Monday  in  January  next 
ensuing.  In  the  Fall,  both  democrats  and  republicans  put  a  State  ticket  in  the  field  for  the 
ensuing  election:  the  republicans  were  successful,  electing  Lucius  Fairchild,  governor ;  Thad- 
deus  C.  Pound,  lieutenant  governor;  Llywelyn  Breese,  secretary  of  state ;  Henry  Baetz,  state 
treasurer;  S.  S.  Barlow,  attorney  general;  george  F.  Wheeler,  state  prison  commissioner; 
and  A.  L.  Craig,  superintendent  of  public  instruction.  The  office  of  bank  comptroller  expired 
on  the  3rst  day  of  December,  1869,  the  duties  of  the  office  being  transferred  to  the  state 
treasurer. 


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,  1870,  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  1870,  was  organized  the  "Wisconsin  Academy  of  Sciences,  Arts  and  Letters."  By 
an  act  of  the  legislature  approved  March  16,  of  that  year,  it  was  incorporated,  having  among  its 
specific  objects,  researches  and  investigations  in  the  various  departments  of  the  material,  meta- 
physical, ethical,  ethnological  and  social  sciences;  a  progressive  and  thorough  scientific  survey 
of  the  State,  with  a  view  of  determining  its  mineral,  agricultural  and  other  resources;  the 
advancement  of  the  useful  arts,  through  the  application  of  science,  and  by  the  encouragement 
of  original  invention;  the  encouragement  of  the  fine  arts,  by  means  of  honors  and  prizes 
awarded  to  artists  for  original  works  of  superior  merit;  the  formation  of  scientific,  economical 
and  art  museums;  the  encouragement  of  philological  and  historical  research;  the  collection  and 
preservation  of  historic  records,  and  the  formation  of  a  general  library;  and  the  diffusion  of 
knowledge  by  the  publication  of  original  contributions  to  science,  literature  and  the  arts.  The 
academy  has  already   published   four  volumes  of  transactions,  under  authority  of  the  Stale. 

The  fourth  charitable  institution  established  by  Wisconsin  was  the  "  Northern  Hospital  for 
the  Insane,"  located  at  Oshkosh,  Winnebago  county.  It  was  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  legis- 
lature approved  March  10,  1870.  The  law  governing  the  admission  of  patients  to  this  hospital 
is  the  same  as  to  the  Wisconsin  State  Hospital. 


WISCOXSIX   AS   A   STATE.  95 

On  the  third  day  of  July,  1870,  A.  J.  Craig,  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  died  of 
■consumption,  and  Samuel  Fallows  was,  on  the  6th  of  that  month,  appointed  by  the  governor 
to  fill  the  place  made  vacant  by  his  death.  The  census  taken  this  year  by  the  General  Govern- 
ment, showed  the  population  of  Wisconsin  to  be  over  one  million  sixty-four  thousand.  At  the 
Fall  election  for  members  to  the  forty-second  congress,  Alexander  Mitchell  was  chosen  to 
represent  the  first  district;  G.  W.  Hazelton,  the  second;  J.  A.  Barber,  the  third;  C.  A. 
Eldredge,  the  fourth;  Philetus  Sawyer,  the  fifth ;  and  J.  M.  Rusk,  the  sixth  district.  Mitchell 
and  Eldredge  were  democrats ;  the  residue  were  republicans.  The  amendment  to  section  8,  of 
article  7  of  the  constitution  of  the  State,  abolishing  the  grand  jury  system  was  ratified  by  a 
large  majority.  Under  it,  no  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  criminal  offense  without  due 
process  of  law,  and  no  person,  for  the  same  offense,  shall  be  put  twice  in  jeopardy  of  punishment, 
nor  shall  be  compelled  in  any  criminal  case  to  be  a  witness  against  himself.  All  persons  shall, 
before  conviction,  be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties,  except  for  capital  offenses  when  the  proof  is 
evident  and  the  presumption  great;  and  the  privilege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  not  be 
suspended  unless,  when  in  cases  of  rebellion  or  invasion,  the  public  safety  may  require  it. 

Governor  Fairchild,  in  his  last  annual  message  to  the  legislature,  delivered  to  that  body  at 
its  twenty-fourth  regular  session  beginning  on  the  eleventh  of  January,  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  wns  elected  speaker  of  the  assembly.  A  very  carefully-perfected  measure  of  this 
legislature  was  one  providing  for  the  trial  of  criminal  offenses  on  information,  without  the  inter- 
vention of  a  Grand  Jury.  A  state  commissioner  of  immigration,  to  be  elected  by  the  people,  was 
provided  for.  Both  bodies  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  March.  On  the  thirteenth 
of  January  preceding,  Associate  Justice  Byro.i  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,  1S71,  a  "state  board  of  charities  and  reform"  created  —  to 
consist  of  five  members  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  State,  the  duties  of  the  members 
being  to  investigate  and  supervise  the  whole  system  of  charitable  and  correctional  institutions 
supported  by  the  State  or  receiving  aid  from  the  State  treasury,  and  on  or  before  the  first  day  of 
December  in  each  year  to  report  their  proceedings  to  the  executive  of  the  State.  This  board 
was  thereafter  duly  organized  and  its  members  have  since  reported  annually  to  the  governor 
their  proceedings  and  the  amount  of  their  expenses,  as  required  by  law. 

The  "Wisconsin  State  Horticultural  Society,"  although  previously  organized,  first  under  the 
name  of  the  "  Wisconsin  Fruit  Growers'  Association,"  was  not  incorporated  until  the  24th  of 
March,  1871 — the  object  of  the  society  being  to  improve  the  condition  of  horticulture,  rural 
adornment  and  landscape  gardening.  By  a  law  of  186S,  provision  was  made  for  the  publication 
of  the   society's   transactions  in  connection   with  the  State  agricultural  society  ;  but  by  the  act 


96  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

of  187 1,  this  law  was  repealed  and  an  appropriation  made  for  their  yearly  publication  in  separate 
form;  resulting  in  the  issuing,  up  to  the  present  time,  of  nine  volumes.  The  society  holds 
annual  meetings  at  Madison. 

At  the  November  election  both  republicans  and  democrats  had  a  full  ticket  for  the  suffrages 
of  the  people.  The  republicans  were  successful,  electing  for  governor,  C.  C.  Washburn;  M.  H. 
Pettitt,  for  lieutenant  governor;  Llywelyn  Breese,  for  secretary  of  state  ;  Henry  Baetz,  for  state 
treasurer;  Samuel  Fallows,  for  superintendent  of  public  instruction  ;  S.  S.  Barlow,  for  attorney 
general ;  G.  F.  Wheeler,  for  state  prison  commissioner  ;  and  O.  C.  Johnson,  for  state  commis- 
sioner of  immigration.  At  this  election  an  amendment  to  article  four  of  the  constitution  of  the 
State  was  ratified  and  adopted  by  the  people.  As  it  now  stands,  the  legislature  is  prohibited 
from  enacting  any  special  or  private  laws  in  the  following  cases  :  1st.  For  changing  the  names  of 
persons  or  constituting  one  person  the  heir-at-law  of  another.  2d.  For  laying  out,  opening,  or 
altering  highways,  except  in  cases  of  State  roads  extending  into  more  than  one  county,  and  mili- 
tary roads  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  which  lands  may  be  granted  by  congress.  3d.  For 
authorizing  persons  to  keep  ferries  across  streams,  at  points  wholly  within  this  State.  4th.  For 
authorizing  the  sale  or  mortgage  of  real  or  personal  property  of  minors  or  others  under  disability. 
5th.  For  locating  or  changing  any  county  seat.  6th.  For  assessment  or  collection  of  taxes  or  for 
extending  the  time  for  the  collection  thereof.  7th.  For  granting  corporate  powers  or  privileges, 
except  to  cities.  Sth.  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  187 1  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  -round  in  very  many  places  was  burned  over. 
Persons  sought  refuge — some  in  excavations  in  the  earth,  others  in  wells. 

The  counties  of  Oconto,  Broun,  Kewaunee,  Door,  Manitowoc,  Outagamie  and  Shawano 
were  all  more  or  less  swept  by  this  besom  of  destruction  ;  but  in  Oconto  county,  and  for  some 
distance   into   Menomonee  county,  Michigan,  across  the   Menomonee  river,  on  the  west  shore  of 


WISCONSIN  AS   A  STATE.  97 

the  bay  and  throughout  the  whole  length  and  breadth  of  the  peninsula, — that  is,  the  territory 
lying  between  the  bay  and  Lake  Michigan, — the  fires  were  the  most  devastating.  The  first  week 
in  October  passed  ;  then  came  an  actual  whirlwind  of  fire — ten  or  more  miles  in  width  and  of 
indefinite  length.  The  manner  of  its  progress  was  extraordinary.  It  destroyed  a  vast  amount  of 
property  and  many  lives.  It  has  been  described  as  a  tempestuous  sea  of  flame,  accompanied  by 
a  most  violent  hurricane,  which  multiplied  the  force  of  the  destructive  element.  Forests,  farm 
improvements  and  entire  villages  were  consumed.  Men,  women  and  children  perished — awfully 
perished.  Even  those  who  fled  and  sought  refuge  from  the  fire  in  cleared  fields,  in  swamps, 
lakes  and  rivers,  found,  many  of  them,  no  safety  there,  but  were  burned  to  death  or  died  of  suf- 
focation. 

This  dreadful  and  consuming  fire  was  heralded  by  a  sound  likened  to  that  of  a  railroad 
train  —  to  the  roar  of  a  waterfall  —  to  the  noise  of  a  battle  at  a  distance.  Not  human  beings 
only,  but  horses,  oxen,  cows,  dogs,  swine  —  every  thing  that  had  life  —  ran  to  escape  the  impend- 
ing destruction.  The  smoke  was  suffocating  and  blinding  ;  the  roar  of  the  tempest  deafening ; 
the  atmosphere  scorching.  Children  were  separated  from  their  parents,  and  trampled  upon  by 
crazed  beasts.  Husbands  and  wives  rushed  in  wild  dismay,  they  knew  not  where.  Death  rode 
triumphantly  upon  that  devastating,  fiery  flood.  More  than  one  thousand  men,  women  and 
children  perished.  More  than  three  thousand  were  rendered  destitute — utterly  beggared. 
Mothe'rs  were  left  with  fatherless  children  ;  fathers  with  motherless  children.  Every  where  were 
homeless  orphans.  All  around  lay  suffering,  helpless  humanity,  burned  and  maimed.  Such  was 
the  sickening  spectacle  after  the  impetuous  and  irresistible  wave  of  fire  swept  over  that  portion 
of  the  State.  This  appalling  calamity  happened  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  October.  The  loss  of 
property  has  been  estimated  at  four  million  dollars. 

At  the  tidings  of  this  fearful  visitation,  Governor  Fairchild  hastened  to  the  burnt  district,  to 
assist,  as  much  as  was  in  his  power,  the  distressed  sufferers.  He  issued,  on  the  13th  of  the 
month,  a  stirring  appeal  to  the  citizens  of  Wisconsin,  for  aid.  It  was  promptly  responded  to 
from  all  portions  of  the  State  outside  the  devastated  region.  Liberal  con'ributions  in  money, 
clothing  and  provisions  were  sent  —  some  from  other  States,  and  even  from  foreign  countries. 
Northwestern  Wisconsin  also  suffered  severely,  during  these  months  of  drouth,  from  large  fires. 

A  compilation  of  the  public  statutes  of  Wisconsin  was  prepared  during  the  year  1871,  by 
David  Taylor,  and  published  in  two  volumes,  generally  known  as  the  Revised  Statutes  of  1S7.1. 
It  was  wholly  a  private  undertaking  ;  but  the  legislature  authorized  the  secretary  of  state  to 
purchase  five  hundred  copies  for  the  use  of  the  State,  at  its  regular  session  in  1872. 

Thirteenth  Administration.  —  C.  C.  Washburn,  Governor — 1872-1873. 

The  thirteenth  gubernatorial  administration  in  Wisconsin  commenced  on  Monday,  January 
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 
commencement  of  the  last  decade.     By  this,  the  fourth  congressional  apportionment,  each  district 


98  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

elects  one  member.  The  first  district  consists  of  the  counties  of  Rock,  Racine,  Kenosha,  Wal- 
worth, and  Waukesha;  the  second,  of  Jefferson,  Dane,  Sauk,  and  Columbia;  the  third,  of  Grant, 
Iowa,  LaFayette,  Green,  Richland,  and  Crawford  ;  the  fourth,  of  Milwaukee,  Ozaukee,  and  Wash- 
ington; the  fifth,  of  Dodge,  Fond  du  Lac,  Sheboygan  and  Manitowoc  ;  the  sixth,  of  Green  Lake, 
Waushara,  Waupaca,  Outagamie,  Winnebago,  Calumet,  Brown,  Kewaunee  and  Door  ;  the  sev- 
enth, of  Vernon,  La  Crosse,  Monroe,  Jackson,  Trempealeau,  Buffalo,  Pepin,  Pierce,  St.  Croix,  Eau 
Claire,  and  Clark ;  the  eighth,  of  Oconto,  Shawano,  Portage,  Wood,  Juneau,  Adams,  Marquette, 
Marathon,  Dunn,  Chippewa,  Barron,  Polk,  Burnett,  Bayfield,  Douglas,  and  Ashland.  To  this 
district  have  since  been  added  the  new  counties  of  Lincoln,  Taylor,  Price,  Marinette  and  New. 

After  a  session  of  seventy-seven  days,  the  legislature  finished  its  work,  adjourning  on  the 
twenty-seventh  of  March.  At  the  ensuing  November  election,  the  republican  ticket  for  presi- 
dent and  vice  president  of  the  United  States  was  successful.  The  ten  electors  chosen  cast  their 
votes  in  the  electoral  college  for  Grant  and  Wilson.  In  the  eight  congressional  districts,  six 
republicans  and  two  democrats  were  elected  to  the  forty-third  congress  ;  the  last  mentioned 
from  the  fourth  and  fifth  districts.  C.  G.  Williams  represented  the  first  district ;  G.  W.  Hazel- 
ton  the  second;  J.  Allen  Barber  the  third  ;  Alexander  Mitchell  the  fourth  ;  C.  A.  Eldredge  the 
fifth  ;  Philetus  Sawyer  the  sixth  ;  J.  M.  Rusk  the  seventh  ;  and  A.  G.  McDill  the  eighth  district. 

Throughout  Wisconsin,  as  in  all  portions  of  the  Union  outside  the  State,  a  singular  pesti- 
lence prevailed  among  horses  in  the  months  of  November  and  December,  1S72,  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  i'cw  died, 
yet  the  loss  to  the  State  was  considerable,  especially  in  villages  and  cities,  resulting  from  the  diffi- 
culty to  substitute  other  animals  in  the  place  of  the  horse  during  the  continuance  of  the  disease. 

The  twenty-sixth  regular  session  of  the  State  legislature  commenced  on  the  eighth  day  of 
January,  1873,  with  a  republican  majority  in  both  houses.  Henry  D.  Barron  was  elected 
speaker  of  the  assembly.  On  the  ninth,  Governor  Washburn's  message  —  his  second  annual 
one  —  was  delivered  to  the  two  houses.  It  opened  with  a  brief  reference  to  the  abundant  returns 
from  agricultural  pursuits,  to  the  developments  of  the  industries  of  the  state,  to  the  advance  in 
manufacturing,  to  the  rapid  extension  in  railways,  and  to  the  general  and  satisfactory  progress  in 
education,  throughout  Wisconsin.  He  followed  with  several  recommendations — claiming  that 
"many  vast  and  overshadowing  corporations  in  the  United  States  are  justly  a  source  of  alarm," 
and  that  "the  legislature  can  not  scan  too  closely  every  measure  that  should  come  before  it 
which  proposed  to  give  additional  rights  and  privileges  to  the  railways  of  the  state."  He  also 
recommended  that  the  "  granting  of  passes  to  the  class  of  state  officials  who,  through  their  public 
office,  have  power  to  confer  or  withhold  benefits  to  a  railroad  company,  be  prohibited."  The 
message  was  favorably  commented  upon  by  the  press  of  the  state,  of  all  parties.  "  If  Governor 
Inirn,"  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  II.  l'ettitt,  the  lieutenant  governor,  died  on  the  23d  day  of  March  following  the 
adjournment.  By  this  sudden  and  unexpected  death,  the  State  lost  an  upright  and  conscientious 
public  officer. 


WISCONSIN   AS   A  STATE.  99 

Among  the  important  acts  passed  by  this  legislature  was  one  providing  for  a  geological  sur- 
vey of  the  State,  to  be  begun  in  Ashland  and  Douglas  counties,  and  completed  within  four  years, 
by  a  chief  geologist  and  four  assistants,  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor,  appropriating  for  the 
work  an  annual  payment  of  thirteen  thousand  dollars.  An  act  providing  for  a  geological  surve_\, 
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,  1S56,  at  Hazel 
Green.  By  an  act  approved  March  3,  1S57,  James  Hall,  Ezra  Carr  and  Edward  Daniels  were 
appointed  by  the  legislature  geological  commissioners.  By  an  act  approved  April  2,  r86o,  Hall 
was  made  principal  of  the  commission.  The  survey  was  interrupted  by  a  repeal,  March  21,1862, 
of  previous  laws  promoting  it.  However,  to  complete  the  survey,  the  matter  was  reinstated  by 
the  act  of  this  legislature,  approved  March  29,  the  governor,  under  that  act,  appointing  as  chief 
geologist  Increase  A.  Lapham,  April  10,  1873. 

Another  act  changed  the  management  of  the  state  prison  —  providing  for  the  appointment 
by  the  governor  of  three  directors;  one  for  two  years,  one  for  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 
passing  out  of  the  hands  of  the  republicans,  after  a  supremacy  in  the  State  continuing  unbroken 
since  the  beginning  of  the  seventh  administration,  when  A.  W.  Randall  (governor  for  a  second 
term)  and  the  residue  of  the  State  officers  were  elected  —  all  republicans. 

The  general  success  among  the  cultivators  of  the  soil  throughout  the  state  during  the  year, 
notwithstanding  "the  crisis,"  was  marked  and  satisfactory;  but  the  financial  disturbances  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  Fall  and  the  first  part  of  the  Winter,  resulted  in  a  general  depreciation  of 
prices. 

Fourteenth  Administration.  —  William  R.  Taylor,  Governor — 1S74-75. 

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 
i>  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  the  legislature  in 
joint  convention  and  delivered  his  message.  "  An  era,"  said  he,  "of  apparent  prosperity  without 
parallel  in  the  previous  history  of  the  nation,  has  been  succeeded  by  financial  reverses  affecting 
all  classes  of  industry,  and  largely  modifying  the  standard  of  values."  "Accompanying  these 
financial  disturbances,"  added  the  governor,  "  has  come  an  imperative  demand  from  the  people 
for  a  purer  political  morality,  a  more  equitable  apportionment  of  the  burdens  and  blessings  of 
government,  and  a  more  rigid  economy  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs." 

Among  the  important  acts  passed  by  this  legislature  was  one  generally  known  as  the 
"  Potter  Law,"  from  the  circumstance  of  the  bill  being  introduced  by  Robert  L.  D.  Potter,  sen- 
ator, representing  the  twenty-fifth  senatorial  district  of  the  state.  The  railroad  companies  for 
a  number  of  years  had,  as  before  intimated,  been  complained  of  by  the  people,  who  charged  them 
with  unjust  discriminations  and  exorbitantly  high  rates  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and 
merchandize.  All  the  railroad  charters  were  granted  by  acts  at  different  times  of  the  State  leg- 
islature, under  the  constitution  which  declares  that  "  corporations  may  be  formed  under  general 
laws,  but  shall  not  be  created  by  a  special  act,  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,  1S74,  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  Chic  ago,  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul,  and  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern — served  formal  notice  upon  the  governor  of  Wis- 
consin that  they  would  not  respect  the  provisions  of  the  new  railroad  law.  Under  his  oath  of 
office,  to  support  the  constitution  of  the  State,  it  was  the  duty  of  Governor  Taylor  tc  expedite 
all  such  measures  as  should  be  resolved  upon  by  the  legislature,  and  to  take  care  that  the  laws 
be  faithfully  executed.  No  alternative,  therefore,  was  le<"t  the  chief  executive  but  to  enforce  the 
law  by  all  the  means  placed  in  his  hands  for  that  purpose.  He  promptly  responded  to  the  noti- 
fication of  the  railroad  companies  by  a  proclamation,  dated  May  1,  1S74,  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.  If 
provisions  of  the  law  be  deemed  oppressive,  resistance  to  its  mandates  will  not  abate,"  but  rather 
multiply  the  anticipated  evils."  ''It  is  the  right,"  he  added,  "of  all  to  test  its  validity  through 
the  constituted  channels,  but  with  that  right  is  coupled  the  duty  of  yielding  a  general  obedience 
to  its  requirements  until  it  has  been  pronounced  invalid  by  competent  authority." 

The  railroad  companies  claimed  not  merely  the  unconstitutionality  of  the  law,  but  that  its 
enforcement  would  bankrupt  the  companies  and  suspend  the  operation  of  their  lines.  The 
governor,  in  reply,  pleaded  the  inviolability  of  his  oath  of  office  and  his  pledged  faith  to  the  people. 
The  result  was  an  appeal  to  the  courts,  in  which  the  State,  under  the  direction  of  its  governor, 
was  compelled  to  confront  an  array  of  the  most  formidable  legal  talent  of  the  country.  Upon 
the  result  in  Wisconsin  depended  the  vitality  of  much  similar  legislation  in  neighboring  Slates, 
and  Governor  Taylor  and  his  associate  representatives  of  State  authority  were  thus  compelled 
to  bear  the  brunt  of  a  controversy  of  national  extent  and  consequence.  The  contention  extended 
both  to  State  and  United  States  courts,  the  main  question  involved  being  the  constitutional 
power  of  the  State  over  corporations  of  its  own  creation.  In  all  respects,  the  State  was  fully 
sustained  in  its  position,  and,  ultimately,  judgments  were  rendered  against  the  corporations  in 
all  the  State  and  federal  courts,  including  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  and  estab- 
lishing finally  the  complete  and  absolute  power  of  the  people,  through  the  legislature,  to  modify 
or  altogether  repeal  the  charters  of  corporations. 

Another  act  of  the  session  of  1874  abolished  the  office  of  State  commissioner  of  immigra- 
tion, "on  and  after "  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1876.  The  legislature  adjourned  on  the 
twelfth  of  March,  1874,  after  a  session  of  fifty-eight  days. 

The  office  of  state  prison  commissioner  having,  by  operation  of  law,  become  vacant  on  the 
fifth  day  of  January,  1874,  the  governor,  on  the  twenty-third  of  that  month,  appointed  for  State 
prison  directors,  Joel  Rich,  for  twj  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,  1876,  resigned  his  seat  upon  the  bench  of  the  supreme  court, 
Governor  Taylor  appointing  Edward  G.  Ryan  in  his  place  until  his  successor  should  be  elected 
and  qualified.  At  the  November  election  of  this  year,  the  members  chosen  to  the  forty-fourth 
congress  were  —  Charles  G.  Williams,  from  the  first  district;  Lucian  B.  Caswell,  from  the 
second;  Henry  S.  Magoon,  from  the  third ;  William  Pitt  Lynde,  from  the  fourth;  Samuel  D. 
Burchard,  from  the  fifth;  A.  M.  Kimball,  from  the  sixth;  Jeremiah  M.  Rusk,  from  the  seventh, 
and  George  W.  Cate,  from  the  eighth  district.  Lynde,  Burchard  and  Cate  were  "  reform  ;  "  the 
residue  were  republican. 

At  the  same  election,  an  amendment  to  section  3  of  article  1 1  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  municiD-  corporation,  shall  be  allowed  to  become  indebted  in 
any  manner,  or  for  any  purpose,  to  2"  .aunt,  including  existing  indebtedness  in  the  aggregate, 
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   Or   WISCONSIN. 

annual  tax  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  on  such  debt  as  it  falls  due,  and  also  to  pay  and  discharge 
the  principal  thereof  within  twenty  years  from  the  time  of  contracting  the  same. 

In  1872,  the  first  appropriation  for  fish  culture  in  Wisconsin  was  made  by  the  legislature, 
subject  to  the  direction  of  the  United  States  commissioner  of  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  1S74,  in  Wisconsin,  was  characterized  as  one  of  general  prosperity  among  farmers, 
exi  epting  the  growers  of  wheat.  The  crop  of  that  cereal  was  light,  and,  in  places,  entirely 
destuned  by  the  chinch-lug.  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  wordN,  "  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,'1  continued  the  speaker, '"is  not  the  management  of  railroad  property 
by  themselves,  but  to  prevent  its  mismanagement  by  others."  Concerning  the  charge  that 
Wisconsin  was  warring  upon  railways  within  her  limits,  the  governor  added,  "  She  has  never 
proposed  such  a  war.  She  proposes  none  now.  She  asks  only  honesty,  justice  ami  the  peace  of 
mutual  good  will.  To  all  men  concerned,  her  people  say  in  sincerity  and  in  truth  that  every 
I   in  our  State   shall   be   lawfully  entitled   to  its  just   protection,  whencesoever   the 

er  comes.      In  demanding  justice  for  all,  the  State  will  deny  justice  to  none.      In  forbidding 

lanagement,  the  State  will  impose  no  restraints  upon  .my  management  that  is  h  nest  and 
just.  In  this,  the  moral  and  hereditary  instincts  of  our  people  furnish  a  stronger  bond  of  good 
faith  than  the  judgments  of  courts  or  the  obligations  of  paper  constitutions.  Honest  capital 
mi\  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  the  pool 

The  first  important  business  to  be  transacted  by  this  legislature  was  the  election  of  a  United 
States  senator,  as  the  term  for  which  M.  II  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  pledges. 
The  republicans  met  in  caucus  and  nominated  Carpenter  for  re-election;  but  the  recalcitrant 
members  held  themselves  aloof.  Now,  according  to  usual  precedents,  a  nomination  by  the  domi- 
nant party  was  equivalenc  to  an  election ;  not  so,  however,  in  this  case,  notwithstanding  the  friends 
of  the  nominee  felt  sanguine  of  his  election  in  the  end.  The  result  of  the  first  ballot,  on  the 
twenty-sixth  of  January,  was,  in  the  senate,  thirteen  lor  the  republican  candidate ;  in  the 
assembly,  forty-six  votes,  an  aggregate  of  only  fifty-nine.  He  lacked  four  votes  in  the  assembly 
and  an  equal  number  in  the  senate,  of  having  a  majority  ij  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  G.  Ryan  was 
elected,  without  opposition,  chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court  for  the  unexpired  term  of  Chief 
Justice  Dixon,  ending  the  first  Monday  in  January,  1876,  and  for  a  full  term  of  six  years  from 
the  last  mentioned  date;  so  that  his  present  term  of  office  will  expire  on  the  1st  Monday  in  Jan- 
uary, 1882.  An  act  providing  for  taking  the  census  of  Wisconsin  on  or  before  the  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  not  entitled  to  the  right 
of  suffrage.  The  result  of  this  enumeration  gave  a  total  population  to  Wisconsin  of  one  million 
two  hundred  and  thirty-six  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-nine. 

At  the  November  election,  republican  and  "reform  '  tickets  were  in  the  field  for  State 
officers,  resulting  in  the  success  of  the  latter,  except  as  to  governor.  For  this  office  Harrison 
Ludington  was  chosen  by  a  majority,  according  to  the  State  board  of  canvassers,  over  William 
R.  Taylor,  of  eight  hundred  and  forty-one.  The  rest  of  the  candidates  elected  were :  Charles 
D.  Parker,  lieutenant  governor;  Petei  Doyle,  secretary  of  state,  Ferdinand  Kuehn,  treasurer 
of  state,  A.  Scott  Sloan,  attorney  general;  and  Edward  Searing,  superintendent  of  public 
instruction.  The  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  situ  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  1S76.  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.  I.amb  was  appointed  to  that  office,  on  the  10th  of  March.  1876.  On  the 
2d  day  of  February,  previous,  George  W.  Burchard  was  by  the  governor  appointed  state  prison 
director  for  six  years,  in  place  of  Joel  Rich,  whose  term  of  office  had  expired.  On  the  same  day 
T.  C.    Chamberlin  was  appointed  chief  geologist  of  Wisconsin  in  place  of  O.  W.  Wight.    • 

The  application  of  Miss  Lavinia  Goodell,  for  admission  to  the  bar  of  Wisconsin,  was 
rejected  by  the  supreme  court  of  the  State,  at  its  January  term,  1876.  "We  can  not  but  think," 
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  admi:sion  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,  1S76,  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  1876,  the  whole  amount  of  taxable 
property  in  Wisconsin,  is  set  down  at  $423,596,290  ;  of  which  sum  $337,073,148,  represents  real 
estate  and  $86,523,142  personal  property. 

This  being  the  year  for  the  election  of  president  and  vice  president  of  the  United  States, 
the  two  political  parties  in  Wisconsin — republican  and  democratic — had  tickets  in  the  field. 
At  the  election  on  Tuesday,  November  7,  the  republican  presidential  electors  received  a 
majority  of  the  votes  cast  in  the  State,  securing  Wisconsin  for  Hayes  and  Wheeler.  The  eight 
congressional  districts  elected  the  same  day  their  members  to  the  forty-fifth  congress,  whose 
terms  of  office  would  expire  on  the  4th  of  March,  1879.  Charles  G.  Williams  was  elected  in  the 
first  district;  Lucien  B.  Caswell,  in  the  second;  George  C.  Hazelton,  in  the  third;  William  P. 
Lynde,  in  the  fourth;  Edward  S.  Bragg,  in  the  fifth;  Gabriel  Bouck,  in  the  sixth;  H.  L. 
Humphrey,  in  the  seventh;  and  Thad.  C.  Pound,  in  the  eighth  district.  A  majority  of  the 
delegation  was  republican,  the  representatives  from  the  fourth,  fifth  and  sixth  districts  only,  being 
democrats. 


106  HISTORY   <>r    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  ioreign-born  citizens,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  centennial  year,  and  upon  the  fourth  of  July.  The  interest  of  the  people  of 
the  State  generally,  in  the  Exposition  at  Philadelphia,  was  manifested  in  a  somewhat  remarkable 
manner  from  its  inception  to  its  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  carry 
out  the  provisions  of  the  act.  David  Atwood,  as  commissioner,  and  E.  D.  Holton,  as  alternate, 
were  commissioned  by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  from  Wisconsin.  This  commission 
gradually  made  progress  in  preparing  for  an  international  exposition.  "  The  commission  has 
been  organized,"  said  Governor  Washburn,  in  his  message  to  the  legislature  in  January,  1S73, 
"  and  has  made  considerable  progress  in  its  work.  The  occasion  will  be  one  to  which  t'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  1S74,  "  that  such  a  cele- 
bration of  this  important  event,  should  be  held,  and  it  is  hoped  it  will  be  carried  out  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  a  great  and  enlightened  nation."  By  the  close  of  1874,  a  large  number  of  foreign 
governments  had  signified  their  intention  to  participate  in  the  exhibition. 

The  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  at  its  session  in  1875,  deeming  it  essential  that  the  State, 
with  its  vast  resources  in  agricultural,  mineral,  lumbering,  manufacturing,  and  other  products 
and  industries,  should  be  fully  represented  at  Philadelphia,  passed  an  act  which  was  approved 
March  3,  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-officio  members,  the  United 
States  centennial  commissioner  and  his  alternate.  The  duties  of  the  members  were  to  dis- 
seminate information  regarding  the  Exhibition;  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  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  others  in  the  State; 
to  render  assistance  in  furthering  the  financial  and  other  interests  of  the  exhibition;  to  furnish 
information  to  the  commission  on  subjects  that  might  be  referred  to  the  board ;  to  care  for  the 
interests  of  the  State  and  of  its  citizens  in  matters  relating  to  the  exhibition  ;  to  receive  and 
pronounce  upon  applications  for  space  ;  to  apportion  the  space  placed  at  its  disposal  among  the 
exhibitors  from  the  State  ;  and  to  supervise  such  other  details  relating  to  the  representation  of 
citizens  of  Wisconsin  in  the  Exhibition,  as  might  from  time  to  time  be  delegated  by  the  United 
States  centennial  1  ommission. 

The  board  was  required  to  meet  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  April,  1875,  at  the  capitol,  in 
Madison,  to  organize  and  adopt  such  by-laws  and  regulations  as  might  be  deemed  necessary  for 
the  successful  prosecution  of  the  work  committed  to  their  charge  Governor  Taylor  appointed 
Eli  Stilson,  J.  I.  Case.  J  B.  Parkinson,  T.  C.  Pound,  and  E.  A.  Calkins,  members  of  the  board. 
IK  organization  was  perfected,  at  the  appointed  time,  by  the  election  of  J.  II.  Parkinson  as  pre- 
sident, and  W.  W.  Field,  secretary.     The  ex-officio   members  of  the  board,  were    David  Atwood, 


WISCONSIN    AS    A    STATE.  107 

United  States  commissioner,  and  E.  D.  Holton,  alternate  From  this  time  forward,  the  board 
was  untiring  in  its  efforts  to  secure  a  full  and  proper  representation  of  the  varied  interests  of 
Wisconsin  in  the  centennial  exhibition  of  1876.  E.  A.  Calkins  having  resigned  his  position  as 
member  of  the  board,  Adolph  Meinecke  took  his  place  by  appointment  of  the  governor  July 
24,  1875.  Governor  Ludington,  in  his  message  to  the  legislature  in  January,  1876,  spoke  in 
commendation  of  the  coming  exhibition.  "The  occasion,"  said  he,  "will  afford  an  excellent 
opportunity  to  display  the  resources  and  products  of  the  State,  and  to  attract  hither  capital  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,  1875,  appointing  assistants  in  various  parts  of  the 
State,  when  active  work  was  commenced.  This  organization  was  efficient  in  Wisconsin  in 
arousing  an  interest  in  the  general  purposes  and  objects  of  the  exhibition. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  March  3,  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-officio  member  of  the 
board.  By  this  and  previous  action  of  the  legislature — by  efforts  put  forth  by  the  board  of 
managers — by  individual  enterprise — by  the  untiring  labors  of  the  "Women's  Centennial  Execu- 
tive Committee,"  to  whom,  by  an  act  of  the  legislature,  approved  the  4th  of  March,  1875,  one 
thousand  dollars  were  appropriated — Wisconsin  was  enabled  to  take  a  proud  and  honorable 
position  in  the  Centennial  Exposition — a  gratification  not  only  to  the  thousands  of  her  citizens 
who  visited  Philadelphia  during  its  continuance,  but  to  the  people  generally,  throughout  the 
State. 

In  Wisconsin,  throughout  the  centennial  year,  those  engaged  in  the  various  branches  of 
agriculture  and  other  useful  avocations,  were  reasonably  prosperous.  The  crop  of  wheat  and 
oats  was  a  light  yield,  and  of  poor  quality ;  but  the  corn  crop  was  the  largest  ever  before  raised 
in  the  State,  and  of  superior  quality.  The  dairy  and  hog  product  was  large,  and  commanded 
remunerative  prices.  Fruits  were  unusually  plenty.  Trade  and  business  enterprises,  however, 
generally  remained  depressed. 

By  section  five  of  article  seven  of  the  constitution  of  Wisconsin,  the  counties  of  the  State 
were  apportioned  into  five  judicial  circuits  :  the  county  of  Richland  being  attached  to  Iowa, 
Chippewa  to  Crawford,  and  La  Pointe  to  St.  Croix.  In  1850,  the  fifth  circuit  was  divided,  and  a 
sixth  circuit  formed.  In  1864,  Crawford  and  Richland  were  made  part  of  the  fifth  circuit.  By 
an  act  which  took  effect  in  1S54,  a  seventh  circuit  was  formed.  On  the  first  day  of  January, 
1855,  the  sixth  circuit  was  divided,  and  an  eighth  and  ninth  circuit  formed,  the  county  of 
Columbia  being  made  a  part  of  the  last  mentioned  one.  In  the  same  year  was  also  formed  a 
tenth  circuit;  and,  in  1858,  Winnebago  county  was  attached  to  it;  but,  in  1870,  that  county  was  , 
attached  to  the  third  circuit.  In  1S58,  Kewaunee  county  was  attached  to  the  fourth  circuit. 
An  eleventh  circuit  was  formed  in  1864,  from  which,  in  1865,  Dallas  county  was  detached,  and 
made  part  of  the  eighth.  By  an  act  which  took  effect  on  the  first  day  of  January,  187 1,  the 
twelfth  circuit  was  formed.     In  1876,  a  thirteenth  circuit  was  "  constituted  and  re-organized." 

At  that  time,  the  whole  sixty  counties  of  the  State  stood  apportioned  in  the  thirteen  judicial 
circuits  as  follows:  First  circuit,  Walworth,  Racine,  and  Kenosha;  second  circuit,  Milwaukee, 
and  Waukesha,  third  circuit,  Green  Lake,  Dodge,  Washington,  Ozaukee,  and  Winnebago; 
fourth   circuit,   Sheboygan,  Calumet,  Kewaunee,   Fond   du    Lac,   and   Manitowoc;  fifth   circuit, 


108  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  percentage  of  profit."  "  These  adverse  circum- 
stances," continued  the  governor,  "will  not  be  wholly  a  misfortune  if  we  heed  the  lesson  that 
they  convey.  This  lesson  is  the  necessity  of  strict  economy  in  public  and  private  affairs.  We 
have  been  living  upon  a  false  basis ;  and  the  time  has  now  come  when  we  must  return  to  a  solid 
foundation."  The  legislature  adjourned  sine  <//<■  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  1876  The  most  important  of  these,  as  claimed  by  the  dominant  party  which  passed 
it,  is  one  for  the  maintenance  of  the  purity  of  the  ballot  box,  known  as  the  "  Registry  Law."  On 
the  3d  day  of  April,  at  the  regular  Spring  election,  William  P.  Lyon  was  re-elected,  without 
opposition,  an  associate  justice  of  the  supreme  court  for  six  years  from  the  first  Monday  in 
January,  1878,  his  term  of  office  expiring  on  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1884. 

Under  a  law  of  1876,  to  provide  for  the  revision  of  the  statutes  of  the  State,  the  justices  of 
the  supreme  court  were  authorized  to  appoint  three  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  spei  ial  duties 
on  the  commission.  H.  S.  Orton  was  appointed  to  revise  the  criminal  law  and  proceedings,  and 
J.  II.  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,  1S77  :  republican,  democratic,  and  the 
"greenback"  ticket.  The  republicans  were  successful,  electing  William  E.  Smith,  governor ; 
James  M.  Bingham,  lieutenant  governor;  Hans  B.  Warner,  set  retary  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  associae  justices  of  said 
court,  to  hold  their  offices  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  theii  offices  respectively 
for  the  term  of  ten  years."  The  second  one  amends  section  two  of  article  eight ;  so  t'..at,  heie- 
after,  "  no  money  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  except  in  pursuance  of  an  appropriation  by 
law.  No  appropriation  shall  be  made  for  the  payment  of  any  claim  against  the  State,  except 
claims  of  the  United  States,  and  judgments,  unless  filed  within  six  years  after  the  claim  accrued." 
The  year  1877,  in  Wisconsin,  was  notable  for  excellent  crops.  A  depression  in  monetary 
matters  continued,  it  is  true,  but  not  without  a  reasonable  prospect  of  a  change  for  the  better 
within    the    near   future. 

Sixteenth  Administration. — William  E.  Smith,  Governor — 1878 — 1879. 

At  noon,  on  Monday,  January  7.  1S7S,  began  the  sixteenth  administration  of  Wisconsin,  by 
the  inauguration  of  the  State  officers  elect.  On  the  9th  of  the  same  month,  commenced  the 
thirty-first  regular  session  of  the  Legislature.  A.  R.  Barrows  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  Assembly. 
On  the  day  following,  Governor  Smith  delivered  his  message — a  calm,  business-like  document — to 
the  Legislature.  Both  Houses  adjourned  sine  die  on  the  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,  1SS8  ;  that  of  the  last  men- 
tioned, on  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1886.  In  obedience  to  a  proclamation  of  the  Governor, 
the  Legislature  convened  on  the  4th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1878,  in  extra  session,  to  revise  the  statutes, 
A.  R.  Barrows  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  Assembly.  The  Legislature  adjourned  sine  die  on  the 
7th  of  the  same  month.  In  November  following,  the  members  chosen  to  the  Forty-sixth  Congress 
were  C.  G.  Williams,  in  the  First  District  ;  L.  B.  Caswell,  in  the  Second  ;  George  C.  Hazelton,  in 
the  Third  ;  P.  V.  Deuster,  in  the  Fourth  ;  E.  S.  Bragg,  in  the  Fifth  ;  Gabriel  Bouck,  in  the  Sixth  ; 
H.  L.  Humphrey,  in  the  Seventh;  and  T.  C.  Pound,  in  the  Eighth.  The  thirty-second  regular 
session  of  the  Legislature  commenced  on  the  8th  day  of  January,  1879.  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  comforts 
and  luxuries  of  life  are  easily  to  be  obtained.  Agriculture,  the  chief  source  of  wealth  to  so  many 
nations,  is  here  conducted  with  profit  and  success.  Generally  speaking,  the  farmer  owns  the 
land  he  cultivates.  Here,  the  laboring  man,  if  honest  and  industrious,  is  most  certain  to  secure 
a  competence  for  himself  and  family.  Few  States  have  made  more  ample  provisions  for  the 
unfortunate — the  deaf  and  dumb,  the  blind,  and  the  insane — than  has  Wisconsin.  Nor  has  she 
been  less  interested  in  her  reformatory  and  penal  institutions.  In  her  educational  facilities,  she 
already  rivals  the  most  advanced  of  her  sister  States.  Her  markets  are  easily  reached  by  rail- 
ways and  water-navigation,  so  that  the  products  of  the  country  find  ready  sale.  Her  commerce 
is  extensive  ;  her  manufactures  remunerative;  her  natural  resources  great  and  manifold.  In 
morality  and  religion,  her  standard  is  high.  Her  laws  are  lenient,  but  not  lax,  securing  the 
greatest  good  to  those  who  are  disposed  to  live  up  to  their  requirements.  Wisconsin  has,  in 
fact,  all  the  essential  elements  of  prosperity  and  good  government.  Exalted  and  noble,  there- 
fore, must  be  her  future  career. 


TOPOGRAPHY   AND    GEOLOGY. 


By  T.  C.  CHAMBERLIN,  A.  M.,  State  Geologist. 


The  surface  features  of  Wisconsin  are  simple  and  symmetrical  in  character,  and  present  a  con- 
figuration intermediate  between  the  mountainous,  on  the  one  hand,  and  a  monotonous  level,  on  the 
other.  The  highest  summits  within  the  state  rise  a  little  more  than  1,200  feet  above  its  lowest  sur- 
faces. A  few  exi  eptional  peaks  rise  from  400  to  600  feet  above  their  bases,  but  abrupt  elevations  of 
more  than  200  or  300  feet  are  not  common.  Viewed  as  a  whole,  the  state  ma)  be  regarded  as  o<  - 
cupying  a  swell  of  land  lying  between  three  notable  depressions;  Lake  Mi<  higan  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  valle)  to 
meet  this,  and  their  junction  forms  a  north  and  south  arch  extending  nearly  the  entire  length  ol  tl": 
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 
may  be  looked  upon  as  a  very  low,  rude,  three-sided  pyramid,  with  rounded  angles.  The  apex  is 
near  the  Michigan  line,  between  the  headwaters  of  the  Montreal  and  Brule  rivers.  The 
northern  side  is  short  and  abrupt.  The  southeastward  and  southwestward  sides  are  lony,  and 
decline  gently.  The  base  of  this  pyramid  may  be  considered  as,  in  round  numbers,  600  feet 
above  the  sea,  and  its  extreme  apex  1,800  feet. 

Under  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan  the  surface  of  the  land  passes  below  the  sea  level 
before  the  limits  of  the  state  are  readied.  Under  Lake  Superior  the  land-surface  descends  to 
even  greater  depths,  but  probably  not  within  the  boundaries  of  the  state.  The  regularity  of  the 
southward  slopes  is  interrupted  in  a  very  interesting  way  by  a  remarkable  diagonal  valley 
occupied  by  Green  bay  and  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  This  is  a  great  groove,  traversing 
the  state  obliquely,  and  cutting  down  the  central  elevation  half  its  height.  A  line  passing  across 
the  surface,  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi,  at  any  other  point,  would  arch  upward  from 
about  400  to  1,000  feet,  according  to  the  location,  while  along  the  trough  of  this  valley  it  would 
reach  an  elevation  barely  exceeding  200  feet.  On  the  northwest  side  of  this  trough,  in  general, 
the  surface  rises  somewhat  gradually,  giving  at  most  points  much  amplitude  to  the  valley,  but 
on  the  opposite  side,  the  slope  asi  ends  rapidly  to  a  well  marked  watershed  that  stretches  across 
the  state  parallel  to  the  valley.  At  Lake  Winnebago,  this  diagonal  valley  is  connected  with  a 
scarcely   less   notable   one,   occupied  by    the    Rock    river.      Geologically,    this    (Ireen-bay-Rock- 


TOPOGRAPHY  AND   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  slo  e.  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  cha:acter  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,  S24 
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    Wist:<  INSIN. 

In  harmon)  with  the  historical  character  of  this  atlas,  it  may  be  most  acceptable  to  weave 
our  brief  sketch  of  the  geological  Structure  of  the  state  into  the  form  of  a  narrative  of  its  growth. 

THE    AKCII.KAX    AGE. 

I    IURENTIAN    PERIOD. 

The  physical  history  of  Wisconsin  can  be  traced  back  with  certainty  to  a  state  of  complete 
submergence  beneath  the  waters  of  the  ancient  ocean,  by  which  the  material  of  our  oldest  and 
deepest  strata  were  deposited.  Let  an  extensive  but  shallow  sea,  covering  the  whole  of  the 
present  territory  of  the  state,  be  pictured  to  the  mind,  and    let   it  be  imagined  to  be   depositing 


TOPOGRAPHY  AXD  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  Archaean — 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. 

HURONIAN    PERIOD. 

As  soon  as  the  Laurentian  island  had  been  elevated,  the  waves  of  the  almost  shoreless 
ccean  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,  sandstones 
and  limestones,  whose  combined  thickness  was  several  thousand  feet. 


114  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  whic  h 
its  extent  was  much  enlarged.  The  area  of  the  island  after  receiving  this  increment  was  con- 
siderably greater  than  the  surface  represented  as  Laurentian  and  Huronian  on  the  accompanying 
map,  since  it  was  subsequently  covered  to  a  considerable  extent  by  later  formations.  Penokee 
range,  in  Ashland  county,  is  the  most  conspicuous  development  of  the  Huronian  rocks  in  the 
state.  The  upturned  edge  of  the  formation  forms  a  bold  rampart,  extending  across  the  country 
for  sixty  miles,  making  the  nearest  approach  to  a  mountain  range  to  be  found  within  the  state. 
A  belt  of  magnetic  schist  may  be  traced  nearly  its  entire  length.  In  the  northern  part  of 
Oconto  county  , there  is  also  an  important  development  of  this  formation,  being  an  extension 
of  the  Menomonee  iron-bearing  series.  A  third  area  is  found  in  Barron  county,  which  includes 
deposits  of  pipestone.  In  the  south  central  part  of  the  state  there  are  a  considerable  number 
of  small  areas  and  isolated  outliers  of  quartzite  and  quartz-porphyry,  that,  without  much  doubt, 
belong  to  this  series.  The  most  conspicuous  of  these  are  the  Baraboo  quartzite  ranges,  in 
Sauk  and  Columbia  counties,  and  from  thence  a  chain  of  detached  outliers  extends  northeasterly 
through  several  counties.  The  most  southerly  exposure  of  the  formation  is  near  Lake  Mills,  in 
Jefferson  county. 

THE    COPPER-BEARING    SERIES. 

Previous  to  the  upheaval  of  the  Huronian  strata,  there  occurred  in  the  Lake  Superior  region 
events  of  peculiar  and  striking  interest.  If  we  may  not  speak  with  absolute  assurance,  we  may 
at  least  say  with  reasonable  probability,  that  the  crust  of  the  earth  was  fissured  in  that  re 
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 
«-,i^  not  confined  to  a  single  overflow,  but  eruption  followed  eruption,  sometimes  apparently  in 
quick  succession,  sometimes  evidently  at  long  intervals.  Each  outpouring,  when  solidified, 
formed  a  stratum  of  trap  rock,  and  where  these  followed  each  other  without  any  intervening 
deposit,  a  series  of  trappean  beds  were  formed.  In  some  cases,  however,  an  interval  occurred, 
during  which  the  waves,  acting  upon  the  rock  previously  formed,  produced  a  bed  of  sand,  gravel 
and  clay,  which  afterward  solidified  into  sandstone,  conglomerate  and  shale.  The  history  of 
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 
■  I  tone,  shale  and  conglomerate,  so  that  the  whole  series  is  literally  miles  in  thickness. 
The  eruptive  portions  have  been  spoken  of  as  traps,  for  convenience;  but  they  do  not  now 
possess  the  usual  characteristics  of  igneous  rocks,  and  appear  to  have  undergone  a  chemical 
metamorphism  by  which  the  mineral  ingredients  have  been  changed,  the  leading  ones  now  being 
an  iron  chlorite  and  a  feldspar,  with  which  are  associated,  as  accessory  minerals,  quartz,  epidote, 
prenit'  .  i  all  ite,  laumontite,  analcite,  datolite,  magnetite,  native  copper  and  silver,  and,  more 
rarely,  other  minerals.  The  rock,  .is  a  whole,  is  now  known  as  a  melaphyr.  The  upper  portion 
of  each  bed  is  usually  characterized  by  almond-sized  cells  filled  with  the  minerals  above  men- 
tioned, giving   to   the   rock  an   amygdaloidal    nature.      The   native   copper  was   not   injected    in   a 


TOPOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY.  115 

molten  state,  as  has  very  generally  been  supposed,  but  was  deposited  by  chemical  means  aftei 
the  beds  were  formed  and  after  a  portion  of  the  chemical  change  of  the  minerals  above  mentioned 
had  been  accomplished.  The  same  is  true  of  the  silver.  The  copper  occur,  in  all  the  different 
forms  of  rock  —  the  melaphyrs,  amygdaloids,  sandstones,  shales  and  conglomerates,  but  most 
abundantly  in  the  amygdaloids  and  certain  conglomerates. 

This  series  extends  across  the  northern  portion  of  the  state,  occupying  portions  of  Ashland, 
Bayfield,  Douglas,  Burnett  and  Polk  counties.  When  the  Huronian  rocks  were  elevated,  they 
carried  these  up  with  them,  and  they  partook  of  the  folding  in  some  measure.  The  copper- 
bearing  range  of  Keweenaw  Point,  Michigan,  extends  southwestward  through  Ashland,  Burnett 
and  Polk  counties,  and  throughout  this  whole  extent  the  beds  dip  north-northwesterly  toward 
Lake  Superior,  at  a  high  angle;  but  in  Douglas  and  Bayfield  counties  there  is  a  parallel  range 
in  which  the  beds  incline  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  undoubtedly  form  the  opposite  side  of  a 
trough  formed  by  a  downward  flexure  of  the  strata. 

PALEOZOIC    TIME  — SILURIAN    AGE. 

Potsdam    Sandstone. 

After  the  great  Archaean  upheaval,  there  followed  a  long  period,  concerning  wnich  very  little 
is  known — a '' lost  interval"  in  geological  history.  It  is  only  certain  that  immense  erosion  of 
the  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  beds  with- 
stood this  advance,  and  formed  reefs  and  rocky  islands  off  the  ancient  shore,  about  whose  bases 
the  sjnds  and  sediments  accumulated,  as  they  did  over  the  bottom  of  the  surrounding  ocean. 
The  breakers,  dashing  against  the  rocky  cliffs,  threw  down  masses  of  roclc,  which  imbedded  them- 
selves in  the  sands,  or  were  rolled  and  rounded  on  the  beach,  and  at  length  were  buried,  in 
either  case,  to  tell  their  own  history,  when  they  should  be  again  disclosed  by  the  ceaseless  gnaw- 
ings  of  the  very  elements  that  had  buried  them.  In  addition  to  the  accumulations  of  wash  and 
wear  that  have  previously  been  the  main  agents  of  rock-formations,  abundant  life  now  swarms  in 
the  ocean,  and  the  sands  become  the  great  cemetery  of  its  dead.  Though  the  contribution  of  each 
little  being  was  small,  the  myriad  millions  that  the  waters  brought  forth,  yielded  by  their  remains, 
a  large  contribution  to  the  accumulating  sediments.  Among  plants,  there  were  sea-weeds,  and 
among  animals,  protozoans,  radiates,  mollusks  and  articulates,  all  the  sub-kingdoms  except  the 
vertebrates.  Among  these,  the  most  remarkable,  both  in  nature  and  number,  were  the  trilobites, 
who  have  left  their  casts  in  countless  multitudes  in  certain  localities.  The  result  of  the  action 
of  these  several  agencies  was  the  formation  of  extensive  beds  of  sandstone,  with  interstratified 
layers  of  limestone  and  shale.  These  surrounded  the  Archaean  nucleus  on  all  sides,  and  reposed 
on  its  flanks.  On  the  Lake  Superior  margin,  the  sea  acted  mainly  upon  the  copper  and  iron- 
bearing  series,  which  are  highly  ferruginous,  and  the  result  wa  .  the  red  Lake  Superior  sandstone. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  island,  the  wave-action  was  mainly  upon  quartzites,  porphyries  and 
gianites,  and  resulted  in  light-colored  sandstones.  The  former  is  confined  to  the  immedia  e 
vicinity  of  Lake  Superior;  the  latter  occupies  a  broad,  irregular  belt  bordering  the  Archaean 
area  on  the  south,  and,  being  widest  in  the  central  part  of  the  state,  is  often  likened  to  a  rude 
crescent.  The  form  and  position  of  the  area  will  be  best  apprehended  by  referring  to  the 
accompanying  map.  It  will  be  understood  from  the  foregoing  description,  that  the  strata  of  this 
formation  lie  in  a  nearly  horizontal  position,  and  repose  unconformably  upon  the  worn  surface 
of  the  crystalline  rocks.     The  close  of  this  period  was  not  marked  by  any  great  upheaval;  there 


116  HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 

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 
porti  n  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  ga  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  .1  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 
Bwinging  around  the  nucleus  of  the  state  already  formed,  but  it  has  since  been  eroded  by 
streams  to  its  present  jagged  outline. 

St.   Peter's  Sandstone. 

At  the  close  of  this  limestone-making  period,  there  appears  to  have  been  an  interval  of  which 
we  have  no  record,  and  the  next  chapter  of  the  history  introduces  us  to  another  era  of  sand 
accumulation.  The  work  began  by  the  leveling  up  of  the  inequalities  of  the  surface  of  the  Lower 
Magnesian  limestone,  and  it  ceased  before  that  was  entirely  accomplished  in  all  parts  of  the 
State,  for  a  few  prominences  were  left  projecting  through  the  sand  deposits.  The  material  laid 
down  consisted  of  a  silicious  sand,  of  uniform,  well-rounded — doubtless  well-rolled — grains.  This 
was  evidently  deposited  horizontally  upon  the  uneven  limestone  surface,  and  so  rests  in  a  sense 


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  has  never  become 
firmly  cemented  and  readily  crumbles,  so  that  it  is  used  for  mortar,  the  simple  handling  with  pick 
and  shovel  being  sufficient  to  reduce  it  to  a  sand.  0>ving  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  cf  fragments  of 
shells,  corals,  and  other  organic  remains,  or  the  impressions  they  have  left.  Countless  numbers 
of  the  lower  forms  of  life  flouri^'.eu  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  ot  magnesia.  A  sufficient  amount  of  carbon- 
aceous matter  is  present  in  some  layers  to  cause  them  to  burn  readily.  This  formation  is  quite 
highly  metalliferous  in  certain  portions  of  the  lead  region,  containing  zinc  especially,  and  con- 
siderable lead,  with  less  quantities  of  other  metals.  The  formation  abounds  in  fossils,  many  of 
them  well  preserved,  and,  from  their  great  antiquity,  they  possess  uncommon  interest.  All  the 
animal  sub-kingdoms,  except  vertebrates,  are  represented.  The  surface  area  of  this  rock  borders 
the  St.  Peter's  sandstone,  but,  to  avoid  too  great  complexity  on  the  map,  it  is  not  distinguished  from 
the  next  formation  to  which  it  is  closely  allied.      Its  thickness  reaches  120  feet. 

The  Galena  Limestone. 

With  scarcely  a  change  of  oceanic  conditions,  limestone  deposit  continued,  so  that  we  find 
reposing  upon  the  surface  of  the  Trenton  limestone,  250  feet,  or  less,  of  a  light  gray  or  buff 
colored  highly  magnesian  limestone,  occurring  in  heavy  beds,  and  having  a  sub-crystalline  struc- 
ture. In  the  southern  portion  of  the  state,  it  contains  but  little  shaly  matter,  but  in  the  north- 
eastern part,  it  is  modified  by  the  addition  of  argillaceous  layers  and  leaves,  and  presents  a  bluish 
or  greenish-gray  aspect.  It  receives  its  name  from  the  sulphide  of  lead, — galena,  of  which  it 
contains  large  quantities,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  state.  Zinc  ore  is  also  abundant,  and 
these  minerals  give  to  this  and  the  underlying  formation  great  importance  in  that  region.  Else- 
where, although  these  ores  are  present  in  small  quantities,  they  have  not  developed  economic 
importance.  This  limestone,  though  changing  its  nature,  as  above  stated,  occupies  a  large  area  in 
the  southwestern  part  of  the  state,  and  a  broad  north  and  south  belt  in  east-central  Wisconsin. 
It  will  be  seen  that  our  island  is  growing  apace  by  concentric  additions,  and  that,  as  the  several 
formations  sweep  around  the  central  nucleus  of  Archaean  rocks,  they  swing  off  into  adjoining 
states,  whose  formation  was  somewhat  more  tardv  than  that  of  Wisconsin 


118  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

Cincinnati  Shales. 

A  change  ensued  upon  the  formation  of  the  Galena  limestone,  by  virtue  of  which  there  fol- 
lowed the  deposition  of  large  quantities  of  clay,  accompanied  by  some  calcareous  material,  the 
whole  reaching  at  some  points  a  thickness  of  more  than  200  feet.  The  sediment  has  never 
become  more  than  partially  indurated,  and  a  portion  of  it  is  now  only  a  bed  of  compact  clay. 
Other  portions  hardened  to  shale  or  fimestone  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  bav,  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  espec  ally  abundant.  A  little  intelligent  attention  to  these  might 
have  saved  a  considerable  waste  of  time  and  means  in  an  idle  search  for  coal,  to  which  a  slight 
resemblance  to  some  of  the  shales  of  the  coal  measures  has  led.  This  formation  underlies  the 
mounds  of  the  lead  region,  and  forms  a  narrow  belt  on  the  eastern  margin  of  the  Green-bay-Rock- 
river  valley.     This  was  the  closing  period  of  the  Lower  Silurian  Age. 

Clinton   Iron  Ore. 

On  the  surface  of  the  s  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  the 
remarkable  development  it  attains  at  that  point.  It  is  made  up  of  little  concretions,  which  from 
their  size  and  co'or  are  fancied  to  resemble  flax  seed,  and  hence  the  name  "  seed  ore,"  or  the 
roe  of  fish,  and  hence  oolitic  ore.  "Shot  ore"  is  also  a  common  term.  This  i;  a  soft  ore  occur- 
ring in  regular  horizontal  beds  which  are  q  tarried  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,  sca'cely  less  th  in  eight  hundred  feet,  were  laid  down.  The  process  of  formation 
was  essentially  th  t  air  a<lv  described,  the  accumulation  of  t  ie  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  fo  m  a  very  prominent  element  in  the 
life  of  this  period,  and  with  them  were  associated  great  number,  of  mollusks,  one  of  which 
(Pentamerus  oblongus)  sometimes  occurs  in  beds  not  unlike  certain  bivalves  of  to-day,  and  may 
be  said  to  have  been  the  oyster  of  the  Silurian  seas.  At  certain  points,  those  wonderful  animals, 
the  stone  lilies  {Criiwids),  grew  in  remarkable  abundance,  mounted  on  stems  like  a  plant,  yet 
true  animals.  Those  unique  crustaceans,  the  trilobites,  were  conspicuous  in  numbers  and  variety, 
while  the  gigantic  cephalopods  held  sway  over  the  life  of  the  seas.     In  the  vicinity  of  th:  reefs, 


TOPOGRAPHY  AND  GEOLOGY.  119 

there  seem  to  have  been  extensive  calcareous  sand  flats  and  areas  over  which  fine  calcareous  mud 
settled,  the  former  resulting  in  a  pure  granular  dolomite,  the  latter  in  a  compact  close-textured 
stone.  The  rock  of  the  reefs  is  of  very  irregular  structure.  Of  other  portions  of  the  formation, 
some  are  coarse  heavy  beds,  some  fine,  even-bedded,  close-grained  layers,  and  some,  again,  irregu- 
lar, impure  and  cherty.  All  are  highly  magnesian,  and  some  are  among  the  purest  dolomites 
known.     The  Niagara  limestone  occupies  a  broad  belt  lying  adjacent  to  Lake  Michigan. 

Lower  Helderberg  Limestone. 

On  Mud  creek,  near  Milwaukee,  there  is  found  a  thin-bedded  slaty  limestone,  that  is 
believed  to  represent  this  period.  It  has  neglected,  however,  to  leave  us  an  unequivocal  record 
of  its  history,  as  fossils  are  extremely  rare,  and  its  stratigraphical  relations  and  lithographical 
character  are  capable  of  more  than  one  interpretation.  Near  the  village  of  Waubeka  in 
Ozaukee  county,  there  is  a  similar  formation,  somewhat  more  fossiliferous,  that  seems  to  repre- 
sent the  same  period.  The  area  which  these  occupy  is  very  small  and  they  play  a  most  insignifi- 
cant part  in  the  geology  of  the  state.  They  close  the  record  of  the  Silurian  age  in  Wisconsin. 
During  its  progress  the  land  had  been  gradually  emerging  from  the  ocean  and  increasing  its 
amplitude  by  concentric  belts  of  limestone,  sandstone  and  shale.  There  had  been  no  general 
disturbance,  only  those  slight  oscillations  which  changed  the  nature  of  the  forming  rock  and 
facilitated  deposition.  At  its  close  the  waters  retired  from  the  borders  of  the  state,  and  an 
interval  supervened,  during  which  no  additions  are  known  to  have  been  made  to  its  substructure. 

DEVONIAN    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  seasi  no  trace  of  a  vertebrate  has  been  found.  The  Hamilton  period 
witnessed  the  introduction  of  the  highest  type  of  the  animal  kingdom  into  the  Wisconsin  series. 
But  even  then  only  the  lowest  class  was  represented  —  the  fishes.  The  lower  orders  of  life,  as 
before,  were  present,  but  the  species  were  of  the  less  ancient  Devonian  type.  Precisely  how  far 
the  deposit  originally  extended  is  not  now  known,  as  it  has  undoubtedly  been  much  reduced  by 
the  eroding  agencies  that  have  acted  upon  it.  That  portion  which  remains,  occupies  a  limited 
area  on  the  lake  shore  immediately  north  of  Milwaukee,  extending  inland  half  a  dozen  miles. 
The  cement  rock  proper  is  found  on  the  Milwaukee  river  just  above  the  city.  At  the  close  of 
the  Hamilton  period  the  oceanic  waters  retired,  and,  if  they  ever  subsequently  encroached  upon 
our  territory,  they  have  left  us  no  permanent  record  of  their  intrusion. 

The  history  of  the  formation  of  the  substructure  of  the  state  was,  it  will  be  observed,  in  an 
unusual  degree,  simple  and  progressive.  Starting  with  a  firm  core  of  most  ancient  crystalline 
rocks,  leaf  upon  leaf  of  stony  strata  were  piled  around  it,  adding  belt  after  belt  to  the  margin  of 
lhe  growing  island  until  it  extended  itself  far  beyond  the  limits  of  our  state,  and  coalesced  with 
the  forming  continent.  An  ideal  map  of  the  state  would  show  the  Archaean  nucleus  surrounded 
by  concentric  bands  of  the  later  formations  in  the  order  of  their  deposition.     But  during  all  the 


120  HISTOKY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

vast  lapse  of  time  consumed  in  their  growth,  the  elements  were  gnawing,  carving  and  channeling 
the  surface,  and  the  outcropping  edges  of  the  formations  were  becoming  more  and  more  jagged, 
and  now,  after  the  last  stratum  had  been  added,  and  the  whole  had  been  lifted  from  the  waters 
that  gave  it  birth,  there  ensued  perhaps  a  still  vaster  era,  during  which  the  history  was  simply 
that  of  surface  erosion.  The  face  of  the  state  became  creased  with  the  wrinkles  of  age.  The 
edges  of  her  rocky  wrappings  became  ragged  with  the  wear  of  time.  The  remaining  Devonian 
periods,  the  great  Carboniferous  age,  the  Mesozoic  era,  and  the  earlier  Tertiary  periods  passed, 
leaving  no  other  record  than  that  of  denudation. 

THE   GLACIAL   PERIOD. 

With  the  approach  of  the  great  Ice  Age,  a  new  chapter  was  opened.  An  immense  sheet  of 
ice  moved  slowly,  but  irresistibly,  down  from  the  north,  planing  down  the  prominences,  filling  up 
the  valleys,  polishing  and  grooving  the  strata,  and  heaping  up  its  rubbish  of  sand,  gravel,  clay  and 
bowlders  over  the  face  of  the  country.  It  engraved  the  lines  of  its  progress  on  the  rocks,  and,  by 
reading  these,  we  learn  that  one  prodigious  tongue  of  ice  plowed  along  the  bed  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan, and  a  smaller  one  pushed  through  the  valley  of  Green  bay  and  Rock  river,  while  another 
immense  ice-stream  flowed  southwestward  through  the  trough  of  Lake  Superior  and  onward 
into  Minnesota.  The  diversion  of  the  glacier  through  these  great  channels  seems  to  have  left 
the  southwestern  portion  of  the  state  intact,  and  over  it  we  find  no  drift  accumulations.  With 
the  approach  of  a  warmer  climate,  the  ice-streams  were  melted  backward,  leaving  their  debris 
heaped  promiscuously  over  the  surface,  giving  it  a  new  configuration.  In  the  midst  of  this 
retreat,  a  series  of  halts  and  advances  seem  to  have  taken  place  in  close  succession,  by  which  the 
drift  was  pushed  up  into  ridges  and  hills  along  the  foot  of  the  ice,  after  which  a  more  rapid 
retreat  ensued.  The  effect  of  this  action  was  to  produce  that  remarkable  chain  of  drift  hills  and 
ridges,  known  as  the  Kettle  range,  which  we  have  already  described  as  winding  over  the 
surface  of  the  state  in  a  very  pe<  uliar  manner.  It  is  a  great  historic  rampart,  recording  the 
position  of  the  edge  of  the  glacier  at  a  certain  stage  of  its  retreat,  and  doubtless  at  the  same  time 
noting  a  great  climatic  or  dynamic  change. 

The  melting  of  the  glacier  gave  rise  to  large  quantities  of  water,  and  hence  to  numerous 
torrents,  as  well  as  lakes.  There  occurred  about  this  time  a  depression  of  the  land  to  the  north- 
ward, which  was  perhaps  the  cause,  in  part  or  in  whole,  of  the  retreat  of  the  ice.  This  gave 
origin  to  the  great  lakes.  The  waters  advanced  somewhat  upon  the  land  and  deposited  the  red 
clay  that  borders  Lakes  Michigan  and  Superior  and  occupies  the  Green  bay  valley  as  far  up  as 
the  vicinity  of  Fond  du  Lac.  After  several  oscillations,  the  lakes  settled  down  into  their  present 
positions.  Wherever  the  glacier  plowed  over  the  land,  it  left  an  irregular  sheet  of  commingled 
clay,  sand,  gravel  and  bowlders  spread  unevenly  over  the  surface.  The  depressions  formed  by 
its  irregularities  soon  filled  with  water  and  gave  origin  to  numerous  lakelets.  Probably  not  one 
of  the  thousands  of  Wisconsin  lakes  had  an  existence  before  the  glacial  period.  Wherever  the 
great  lakes  advanced  upon  the  land,  they  leveled  its  surface  and  left  their  record  in  lacustine 
clays  and  sandy  beach  lines. 

With  the  retreat  of  the  glacier,  vegetation  covered  the  surface,  and  by  its  aid  and  the  action 
of  the  elements  our  fertile  drift  soils,  among  the  last  and  best  of  Wisconsin's  formations,  were 
produced.     And  the  work  still  goes  on- 


CLIMATOLOGY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

By  Prof.  H.   H.  OLDENHAGE. 

The  climate  of  a  country,  or  that  peculiar  state  of  the  atmosphere  in  regard  to  heat  and 
moisture  which  prevails  in  any  given  place,  and  which  directly  affects  the  growth  of  plants  and 
animals,  is  determined  by  the  following  causes:  ist.  Distance  from  the  equator.  2d.  Distance 
from  the  sea.  3d.  Height  above  the  sea.  4th.  Prevailing  winds;  and  5th.  Local  influences, 
such  as  soil,  vegetation,  and  proximity  to  lakes  and  mountains. 

Of  these  causes,  the  first,  distance  from  the  equator,  is  by  far  the  most  important.  The 
warmest  climates  are  necessarily  those  of  tropical  regions  where  the  sun's  rays  are  vertical.  But 
in  proceeding  from  the  equator  toward  the  poles,  less  and  less  heat  continues  to  be  received  by 
the  same  extent  of  surface,  because  the  rays  fall  more  and  more  obliquely,  and  the  same  amount 
of  heat-rays  therefore  spread  over  an  increasing  breadth  of  surface ;  while,  however,  with  the 
increase  of  obliquity,  more  and  more  heat  is  absorbed  by  the  atmosphere,  as  the  amount  of  air 
to  be  penetrated  is  greater.  If  the  earth's  surface  were  either  wholly  land  or  water,  and  its 
atmosphere  motionless,  the  gradations  of  climate  would  run  parallel  with  the  latitudes  from  the 
equator  to  the  poles.  But  owing  to  the  irregular  distribution  of  land  and  water,  and  the  prevail- 
ing winds,  such  an  arrangement  is  impossible,  and  the  determination  of  the  real  climate  of  a  given 
region,  and  its  causes,  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  of  science. 

On  the  second  of  these  causes,  distance  from  the  sea,  depends  the  difference  between  oce- 
anic and  continental  climates.  Water  is  more  slowly  heated  and  cooled  than  land  ;  the  climates 
of  the  sea  and  the  adjacent  land  are  therefore  much  more  equable  and  moist  than  those  of  the 
interior. 

A  decrease  of  temperature  is  noticeable  in  ascending  high  mountains.  The  rate  at  which 
the  temperature  falls  with  the  height  above  the  sea  is  a  very  variable  quantity,  and  is  influenced 
by  a  variety  of  causes,  such  as  latitude,  situation,  moisture,  or  dryness,  hour  of  the  day  and  season 
of  the  year.  As  a  rough  approximation,  however,  the  fall  of  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 
th»  relative  distribution  of  atmospheric  pressure  blowing  from  places  where  the  pressure  is  high- 
est, tnvard  places  where  it  is  lowest.  As  climate  practically  depends  on  the  temperature  and 
moisture  of  the  air,  and  as  these  again  depend  on  the  prevailing  winds  which  come  charged  with 
the  temperature  and  moisture  of  the  regions  they  have  traversed,  it  is  evident  that  charts  show- 
ing the  mean  pressure  of  the  atmosphere  give  us  the  key  to  the  climates  of  the  different  regions 
of  the  world.  The  effect  of  prevailing  winds  is  seen  in  the  moist  and  equable  climate  of  West- 
ern Europe,  especially  Great  Britain,  owing  to  the  warm  and  moist  southwest  winds;  and  in  the 
extremes  of  the  eastern  part  of  North  America,  due  to  the  warm  and  moist  winds  prevailing  in 
summer  and  the  Arctic  blasts  of  winter. 


122  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  ;hc  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  climateof  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  comparisoi.  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   WISCOKSIX.  123 

The  extreme  summer  climate  of  the  eastern  United  States  is  owing  to  the  southerly  and 
southwesterly  winds,  which  blow  with  great  regularity  during  this  season,  and,  after  traversing 
great  areas  of  tropical  seas,  bear  the  warmth  and  moisture  of  these  seas  far  inland,  and  give  this 
region  the  peculiar  semi-tropical  character  of  its  summers.  The  average  temperature  of  summer 
varies  between  8o°  for  the  Gulf  states,  and  6o°  for  the  extreme  north.  While  in  the  Gulf  states 
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  sea  are 
deflected  by  the  Rocky  mountains,  sweep  down  unopposed  into  lower  latitudes,  and  produce  all 
the  rigors  of  an  arctic  winter.  The  mean  temperature  for  this  season  varies  between  6o°  for  the 
Gulf  coast  and  150  for  the  extreme  northern  part  of  Wisconsin.  In  the  northern  part  of  the 
valley  the  cold  is  sometimes  so  intense  that  the  thermometer  sinks  to  the  freezing  point  of 
mercury. 

The  extreme  of  heat  and  cold  would  give  a  continental  climate  if  this  extreme  were  not  accom- 
panied by  a  profusion  of  rain.  The  southerly  winds,  laden  with  moisture,  distribute  this  moist- 
ure with  great  regularity  over  the  valley.  The  amount  of  rainfall,  greater  in  summer  than  in 
winter,  varies,  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  Wisconsin,  from  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  experienced 
within  a  few  hours,  these  changes  usually  affecting  areas  of  great  extent.  In  the  old  world,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  mountain  systems,  generally  running  from  east  to  west,  offer  an  impediment, 
especially  to  the  polar  currents,  and  the  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   720  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  hig^  as  90°,  seldom  to  ioo".  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  70°  (an  isotherm  being  a  line  connecting  places  having  the  same  mean  tem- 
perature) enters  this  state  from  the  west,  in  the  northern  part  of  Grant  county,  touches  Madison,  takes 
a  southerly  direction  through  Walworth  county,  passes  through  southern  Michigan,  Cleveland,  and 
Pittsburg,  reaching  the  Atlantic  ocean  a  little  north  of  New  York  city.  From  this  it  is  seen  that 
southern  Wisconsin,  southern  and  centra'  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,  1S75,  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  climrte  largely  of  its  continental  features.  As  already 
stated,  the  average  amount  of  rain-fall  in  Wisconsin  is  about  30  inches  annually.  Of  this  amoum 
about  one-eighth  is  precipitated  in  winter,  three-eighths  in  summer,  and  the  rest  is  equally  dis- 
tributed between  spring  and  autumn  —  in  other  words,  rain  is  abundant  at  the  time  of  the  year 
when  it  is  most  needed.  In  Wisconsin  the  rainfall  is  greatest  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the 
state;  the  least  on  and  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  This  shows  that  the  humidity  of  the 
air  of  a  given  area  can  be  greater,  and  the  rainfall  less,  than  that  of  some  other. 

In  comparison  with  western  Europe,  even  where  the  mean  temperature  is  higher  than  in  the 
Mississippi  valley,  the  most  striking  fact  in  the  climatic  conditions  of  the  United  States  is  the 
great  range  of  plants  of  tropical  or  sub-tropical  origin,  such  as  Indian  corn,  tobacco,  etc.  The 
conditions  on  which  the  character  of  the  vegetation  depends  are  temperature  and  moisture,  and 
the  mechanical  and  chemical  composition  of  the  soil. 

"The  basis  of  this  great  capacity  (the  great  range  of  plants)  is  the  high  curve  of  heat  and 
moisture  for  the  summer,  and  the  fact  that  the  measure  of  heat  and  of  rain  are  almost  or  quite 
tropical  for  a  period  in  duration  from  one  to  five  months,  in  the  range  from  Quebec  to  the  coast 
of  the  Gulf."  Indian  corn  attains  its  full  perfection  between  the  summer  isotherms  72"  and  77°, 
in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  and  Kansas;  but  it  may  be  grown  up  to  the  line  of  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 
southern  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  6op.     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,  the  corn,  etc.,  to  ripen,  while  England,  with  a  higher  mean 
temperature,  is  unable  to  mature  them  successfully.  Ireland,  where  southern  plants  may  remain 
■out-doors,  unfrosted,  the  whole  winter,  can  not  mature  those  fruits  and  grasses  which  ripen  in 
Q  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 
may  be  grown  as  far  north  as  Hudson  bay. 

Autumn,  including  September,  October  and  November,  is  of  short  duration  in  Wisconsin. 
North  of  the  426.  parallel,  or  the  southern  boundary  line  of  the  state,  November  belongs  properly 
to  the  winter  months,  its  mean  temperature  being  about  320.  The  decrease  of  heat  from  August  to 
September  is  generally  from  S°  to  90;  n°  from  September  to  October,  and  14°  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  400  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  14". 

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  tender  trees, 
such  as  the  pear  and  the  peach.  In  the  winter  of  1875  and  1876,  the  mean  temperature  for  De- 
cember, January  and  February,  in  the  upper  lake  region,  was  about  40  above  the  average  mean 
for  many  years.,  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,  1875— '76,  at  Milwaukee,  the  thermometer  fell  only  six  times 
below  zero,  the  lowest  being  120,  while  during  the  preceding  winter  the  mercury  sank  thirty-six 
times  below  zero,  the  lowest  being  230.  In  the  northern  and  northwestern  part  of  the  state  the 
temperature  sometimes  falls  to  the  freezing  point  of  mercury.  During  the  exceptionally  cold 
Winter  of  1872-3,  at  La  Crosse,  the  thermometer  sank  nearly  fifty  times  below  zero;  on  Decem- 
ber 24,  it  indicated  370  below,  and  on  January  18,  430  below  zero,  averaging  about  120  below 
the  usual  mean  for  those  months.  The  moderating  effect  of  Lake  Michigan  can  be  seen 
by  observing  how  the  lines  indicating  the  mean  winter  temperature  curve  northward  as  they 
approach  the  lake.  Milwaukee,  Sheboygan,  Manitowoc,  Two  Rivers,  and  the  Grand  Traverse 
region  of  Michigan,  have  the  same  average  wintei  temperature.  The  same  is  true  regarding 
Galena,  111.,  Beloit,  and  Kewaunee.  A  similar  influence  is  noticed  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  Dr. 
Lapham  concludes  that  this  is  not  wholly  due  to  the  presence  of  Lake  Michigan,  but  that  the 
mountain  range  which  extends  from  a  little  west  of  Lake  Superior  to  the  coast  of  Labrador  (from 
1,100  to  2,240  feet  high)  protects  the  lake  region  in  no  inconsiderable  degree  from  the  excessive 
cold  of  winter. 


126  HISTORY    OF   WISCONSIN. 

According  to  the  same  authority,  the  time  at  which  the  Milwaukee  river  was  closed  wi  h  ice, 
for  a  period  of  nine  years,  varied  between  November  15  and  December  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  1S42-43,  however,  sleighing  commenced  about  the 
middle  of  November,  and  lasted  till  about  the  same  time  in  April — five  months. 

The  average  temperature  for  the  three  months  of  spring,  March,  April  and  May,  from  Wal- 
worth county  to  St.  Paul,  is  about  45°.  In  central  Wisconsin  the  mean  for  March  is  about  27 °, 
which  is  an  increase  of  nearly  7 Q  from  February.  The  lowest  temperature  of  this  month  in 
1876  was  400  above  zero.  April  shows  an  average  increase  of  about  90  over  March.  In  1876 
the  line  of  450  for  this  month  passed  from  LaCrosse  to  Evanston,  111.,  touching  Lake  Erie  at 
Toledo,  showing  that  the  interior  west  of  Lake  Michigan  is  warmer  than  the  lake  region.  The 
change  from  winter  to  spring  is  more  sudden  in  the  interior  than  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lakes. 
"In  the  town  of  Lisbon,  fifteen  miles  from  Lake  Michigan,"  says  Dr.  Lapham, '' early  spring 
flowers  show  themselves  about  ten  days  earlier  than  on  the  lake.  In  spring  vegetation,  in  places 
remote  from  the  lakes,  shoots  up  in  a  very  short  time,  and  flowers  show  their  petals,  while  on  tht 
lake  shore  the  cool  air  retards  them  and  brings  them  more  gradually  into  existence."  The  in- 
crease from  April  to  May  is  about  150.  In  May,  1876,  Pembina  and  Milwaukee  had  nearly  the 
same  mean  temperature,  about  550. 

The  extremes  of  our  climate  and  the  sudden  changes  of  temperature  no  doubt  have  a 
marked  influence,  both  physically  and  mentally,  on  the  American  people.  And  though  a  more 
equable  climate  may  be  more  conducive  to  perfect  health,  the  great  range  of  our  climate  from 
arctic  to  tropical,  and  the  consequent  variety  and  abundance  of  vegetable  products,  combine  to 
make  the  Mississippi  valley  perhaps  one  of  the  most  favorable  areas  in  the  world  for  the  develop- 
ment of  a  strong  and  wealthy  nation. 

During  the  months  of  summer,  in  the  interior  of  the  eastern  United  States,  at  least  three- 
fourths  of  the  rain-fall  is  in  showers  usually  accompanied  by  electrical  discharges  and  limited  to 
small  areas.  But  in  autumn,  winter,  and  spring  nearly  the  whole  precipitation  takes  place  in 
general  storms  extending  over  areas  of  300,  500  and  sometimes  over  1,000  miles  in  diameter,  and 
generally  lasting  two  or  three  days.  An  area  of  low  atmospheric  pressure  causes  the  wind  to  blow 
toward  that  area  from  all  sides,  and  when  the  depression  is  sudden  and  great,  it  is  accompanied 
by  much  rain  or  snow.  On  account  of  the  earth's  rotation,  the  wind  blowing  toward  this  region 
of  low  pressure  is  deflected  to  the  right,  causing  the  air  to  circulate  around  the  center  with  a 
motion  spirally  inward.  In  our  latitude  the  storm  commences  with  east  winds.  When  the  storm 
center,  or  area  of  lowest  barometer,  is  to  the  south  of  us,  the  wind  gradually  veers,  as  the  storm 
passes  from  west  to  east  with  the  upper  current,  round  to  the  northwest  by  the  north  point. 
On  the  south  side  of  the  storm  center,  the  wind  veers  from  southeast  to  southwest,  by  the  south 
point.  The  phenomena  attending  such  a  storm  when  we  are  in  or  near  the  part  of  its  center  are 
usually  as  follows :  After  the  sky  has  become  overcast  with  clouds,  the  wind  from  the  northeast 
generally  begins  to  rise  and  blows  in  the  opposing  direction  to  the  march  of  the  storm.  The 
clouds  which  are  now  moving  over  us,  discharge  rain  or  snow  according  to  circumstances.  The 
barometer  continues  to  fall,  and  the  rain  or  snow  is  brought  obliquely  down  from  the  northern 
quarter  by  the  prevailing  wind.  After  a  while  the  wind  changes  slightly  in  diiection  and  then 
ceases.  The  thermometer  rises  and  the  barometer  has  reached  its  lowest  point.  This  is  the  center 
of  the  storm.     After  the  calm  the  wind  has  changed   its  direction  to  northwest   or  west.      The 


CLIMATOLOGY   OF   "WISCONSIN.  127 

wind  blows  again,  usually  more  violently  than  before,  accompanied  by  rain  or  snow,  which  is  now 
generally  of  short  duration.  The  sky  clears,  and  the  storm  is  suddenly  succeeded  by  a  tempera- 
ture 10  or  20  degrees  below  the  mean.  Most  of  the  rain  and  snow  falls  with  the  east  winds,  or 
before  the  center  passes  a  given  point.  The  path  of  these  storms  is  from  west  to  east,  or  nearly 
so,  and  only  seldom  in  other  directions.  These  autumn,  winter,  and  spring  rains  are  generally 
first  noticed  on  the  western  plains,  but  may  originate  at  any  point  along  their  path,  and  move 
eastward  with  an  average  velocity  of  about  20  miles  an  hour  in  summer  and  30  miles  in  winter, 
but  sometimes  attaining  a  velocity  of  over  50  miles,  doing  great  damage  on  the  lakes.  In  pre- 
dicting these  storms,  the  signal  service  of  the  army  is  of  incalculable  practical  benefit,  as  well 
as  in  collecting  data  for  scientific  conclusions. 

A  subject  of  the  greatest  importance  to  every  inhabitant  of  Wisconsin  is  the  influence  of 
forests  on  climate  and  the  effects  of  disrobing  a  county  of  its  trees.  The  general  influence  of 
forests  in  modifying  the  extremes  of  temperature,  retarding  evaporation  and  the  increased 
humidity  of  the  air,  has  already  been  mentioned.  That  clearing  the  land  of  trees  increases  the 
temperature  of  the  ground  in  summer,  is  so  readily  noticed  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  men- 
tion it;  while  in  winter  the  sensible  cold  is  never  so  extreme  in  woods  as  on  an  open  surface 
exposed  to  the  full  force  of  the  winds.  "  The  lumbermen  in  Canada  and  the  northern  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 
quantity  of  rain  is  even  locally  diminished  or  increased  by  the  destruction  of  the  woods,  though 
both  theoretical  considerations  and  the  balance  of  testimony  strongly  favor  the  opinion  that  more 
rain  falls  in  wooded  than  in  open  countries.  One  important  conclusion,  at  least,  upon  the 
meteorological  influence  of  forests  is  certain  and  undisputed :  the  proposition,  namely,  that, 
within  their  own  limits,  and  near  their  own  borders,  they  maintain  a  more  uniform  degree  of 
humidity  in  the  atmosphere  than  is  observed  in  cleared  grounds.  Scarcely  less  can  it  be 
questioned  that  they  tend  to  promote  the  frequency  of  showers,  and,  if  they  do  not  augment  the 
amount  of  precipitation,  they  probably  equalize  its  distribution  through  the  different  seasons." 

There  is  abundant  and  undoubted  evidence  that  the  amount  of  water  existing  on  the  surface 
in  lakes  and  rivers,  in  many  parts  of  the  world,  is  constantly  diminishing.  In  Germany,  observa- 
tions of  the  Rhine,  Oder,  Danube,  and  the  Elbe,  in  the  latter  case  going  back  for  a  period  of  142 
years,  demonstrate  beyond  doubt,  that  each  of  these  rivers  has  much  decreased  in  volume,  and 
there  is  reason  to  fear  that  they  will  eventually  disappear  from  the  list  of  navigable  rivers. 

"  The  '  Blue-Grass  '  region  of  Kentucky,  once  the  pride  of  the  West,  has  now  districts  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  has  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 
proprietor?  of  must  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  the  forest  has  been  removed  ;  and  many  farmers  who 
selected  land  uqon  which  there  was  a  living  brook  of  clear,  pure  water,  now  find  these  brooks 
dried  up  during  a  considerable  portion  of  the  year.' 

L^tricts  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  thus 
denuded,  carrying  terror  and  devastation  in  their  track."  Parts  of  Asia  Minor,  North  Afri<  a, 
and  other  countries  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean,  now  almost  deserts,  were  once  densely 
populated  and  the  granaries  of  the  world.  And  there  is  good  reason  to  believe  "  that  it  is  the 
destruction  of  the  forests  which  has  produced  this  devastation."  From  such  facts  Wisconsin, 
already  largely  robbed  of  its  forests,  should  take  warning  before  it  is  too  late. 


TREES,    SHRUBS    AND    VINES. 

By    P.    R.    HOW   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  Oak — Q.  Macrocarpa. — This  is  perhaps  the  most  ornamental  of  our  oaks.  Nothing 
can  exceed  the  graceful  beauty  of  these  trees,  when  not  crowded  or  cramped  in  their  growth,  but 
left  free  to  follow  the  laws  of  their  development.  Who  has  not  admired  these  trees  in  our  exten- 
sive burr  oak  openings  ?  The  large  leaves  are  a  dark  green  above  and  a  bright  silvery  white 
beneath,  which  gives  the  tree  a  singularly  line  appearance  when  agitated  by  the  wind.  The  wood 
is  tough,  close-grained,  and  more  durable  than  the  white  oak,  especially  when  exposed  to  frequent 
changes  of  moisture  and  drying;  did  the  tree  grow  to  the  same  size,  it  would  be  preferred  for 
most  uses.     Abundant,  and  richly  worthy  of  cultivation,  both  for  utility  and  ornament. 

Swamp  White  Oak. — Q.  Bicolor. — Is  a  valuable  and  ornamental  tree,  not  quite  so  large  or 
as  common  as  the  burr  oak.  The  wood  is  close-grained,  durable,  splits  freely,  and  is  well  worthy 
of  cultivation  in  wet,  swampy  grounds,  where  it  will  thrive. 

Post  Oak — Q.  Obtusiloba. — Is  a  scraggy,  small  tree,  found  sparingly  in  this  state.  The  tim- 
ber is  i'.iir  Hi',  and  makes  good  fuel.      Not  worthy  of  cultivation. 


TREES,  SHRUBS   AND   VINES.  129 

Swamp  Chestnut  Oak — Q.  Prinus. — This  species  of  chestnut  oak  is  a  large,  graceful  tree, 
wood  rather  open-grained,  yet  valuable  for  most  purposes  to  which  the  oaks  are  applied ;  makes 
the  best  fuel  of  any  of  this  family.  A  rare  tree,  found  at  Janesville  and  Brown's  lake,  near  Bur- 
lington.    Worthy  of  cultivation. 

Red  Oak — 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  durabii.iy  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.  Should 
be  cultivated.     It  grows  on  Sugar  and  Rock  rivers. 

White  Elm — Ulmus  Americana. — This  large  and  graceful  tree  stands  confessedly  at  the 
head  of  the  list  of  ornamental  deciduous  trees.  Its  wide-spreading  branches  and  long,  pendu- 
lous branchlets  form  a  beautiful  and  conspicuous  head.  It  grows  rapidly,  is  free  from  disease 
and  the  destructive  attacks  of  insects,  will  thrive  on  most  soils,  and  for  planting  along  streets,  in 
public  grounds  or  lawns,  is  unsurpassed  by  any  American  tree.  The  wood  is  but  little  used  in 
the  arts;  makes  good  firewood  ;  should  be  planted  along  all  the  roads  and  streets,  near  every 
dwelling,  and  on  all  public  grounds. 


130  HISTORY    OF   WISCONSIN. 

Slippery  Elm — V.  Fulva. —  This  smaller  and  less  ornamental  species  is  also  common.  1  he 
wood,  however,  is  much  more  valuable  than  the  white  elm,  being  durable  and  splitting  readily. 
It  makes  excellent  rails,  and  is  much  used  for  the  framework  of  buildings;  valuable  for  fuel; 
should  be  cultivated. 

Wild  Black  Cherry — Cerasus  Serotina. — This  large  and  beautiful  species  of  cherry  is  one 
of  the  most  valuable  of  American  trees.  The  wood  is  compact,  fine-grained,  and  of  a  brilliant 
reddish  color,  not  liable  to  warp,  or  shrink  and  swell  with  atmospheric  changes ;  extensively  cm- 
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.  Pennsylvaniea. — 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 — Celiis 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  ol  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. 

Crai:  Apple — Pyrus  Coronal ta. — This  common  small  tree  is  attractive  when  covered  with 
its  highly  fragrant  rose-colored  blossoms.  Wood  1  .  fine,  compact  grain,  but  the  tree  is  too 
small  for  the  wood  to  be  of  much  practical  value.      W  ell  worthy  of  a  place  in  extensive  grounds. 

Mountain  Ash — /'.  Americana. — 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 — Fraxi/.us  Acuminata. — Is  a  large,  interesting  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  fur  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  grcei,  to  a  violet  purple  hue,  which  adds  materially  10  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    AND    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 — Juglans  Nigra. — This  giant  of  the  rich  alluvial  bottom  lands  claims 
special  attention  for  its  valuable  timber.  It  is  among  the  most  durable  and  beautiful  of  Ameri- 
can woods  ;  susceptible  of  a  fine  polish ;  not  liable  to  shrink  and  swell  by  heat  and  moisture. 
It  is  extensively  employed  by  the  cabinet-makers  for  every  variety  of  furniture.  Walnut  forks, 
are  frequently  found  which  rival  in  richness  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.  Cinerea. — This  species  of  walnut  is  not  as  valuable  as  the  above,  yet  for  its 
beauty,  and  the  durability  of  its  wood,  it  should  claim  a  small  portion  of  attention.  The  wood 
is  rather  soft  for  most  purposes  to  which  it  otherwise  might  be  applied.  When  grown  near 
streams,  or  on  moist  side-hills,  it  produces  regularly  an  ample  crop  of  excellent  nuts.  It  grows 
rapidly. 

Shell-Bark  Hickory — Carya  Alba. — This,  the  largest  and  finest  of  American  hickories, 
grows  abundantly  throughout  the  state.  Hickory  wood  possesses  probably  the  greatest  strength 
and  tenacity  of  any  of  our  indigenous  trees,  and  is  used  for  a  variety  of  purposes,  but, 
unfortunately,  it  is  liable  to  be  eaten  by  worms,  and  lacks  durability.  For  fuel,  the  shell-bark 
hickory  stands  unrivaled.  The  tree  is  ornamental  and  produces  every  alternate  year  an  ample 
crop  of  the  best  of  nuts. 

Shag-Bark  Hickory — C.  Inclata. — Is  a  magnificent  tree,  the  wood  of  which  is  nearly  as 
valuable  as  the  above.  The  nuts  are  large,  thick-shelled  and  coarse,  not  to  be  compared  to  the 
C.  alba.     A  rare  tree  in  Wisconsin  ;  abundant  further  south. 

Pignut  Hickory — C.  Glabra.— T\\\%  species  possesses  all  the  bad  and  but  few  of  the  good 
qualities  of  the  shell-bark.  The  nuts  are  smaller  and  not  so  good.  The  tree  should  be  pre- 
served and  cultivated  in  common  with  the  shell-bark.     Not  abundant. 

Bitternut — -C.  Amara  — Is  an  abundant  tree,  valuable  for  fuel,  but  lacking  the  strength  and 
elasticity  of  the  preceding  species.     It  is,  however,  quite  as  ornamental  as  any  of  the   hickories. 

Red  Beech — Fagus  Ferruginea. — This  is  a  common  tree,  with  brilliant,  shining  light-green 
leaves,  and  long,  flexible  branches.  It  is  highly  ornamental,  and  should  be  cultivated  for  this 
purpose,  as  well  as  for  its  useful  wood,  which  is  tough,  close-grained  and  compact.  It  is  much 
used  for  plane-stocks,  tool  handles,  etc.,  and  as  an  article  of  fuel  is  nearly  equal  to  maple. 

Water  Beech — Carpinus  Americana. — Is  a  small  tree,  called  hornbeam  by  many.  The 
wood  is  exceedingly  hard  and  compact,  but  the  small  size  of  the  tree  renders  it  almost 
useless. 

Iron  Wood — Ostrya  Virginica. — This  small  tree  is  found  disseminated  throughout  most  of 
our  woodlands.  It  is,  to  a  considerable  degree,  ornamental,  but  of  remarkably  slow  growth.  The 
wood  possesses  valuable  properties,  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- 
lars.    The  wood  is  soft,  spongy,  and  nearly  useless. 


132  HISTORY    iH"    Wisconsin. 

Quaking  Aspen — P.  Tremuloides. — Is  a  well-known,  small  tree.  It  is  rather  ornamental, 
but  scarcely  worth  cultivating. 

Large  Aspen — P.  Giandidentata. — 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  steamboa-ts.  The  timber  is  of  but  little  use  in 
the  arts. 

Sycamore  or  Buttonwoud — Platanus  Oeeide/italis.— 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. 

(  Axoi:  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  grai  ,  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 — Ainelanchier  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. 

W-mrE  Pine — Pinus  Stro'us. —  This  is  the  largest  and  most  valuable  of  our  indigenous  pines. 
The  wood  is  soft,  free  from  resin,  and  works  easily.  It  is  extensively  employed  in  the  mechan- 
ical arts.  It  is  found  in  great  profusion  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  state.  This  species  is 
readily  known  by  the  leaves  being  in  fives.  It  is  highly  ornamental,  but  in  common  with  all 
pines,  will  hardly  bear  transplanting.     Only  small  plants  should  be  moved. 

Norway  ok  Red  Pine — P.  Resinosa,  and  Yellow  Pine — P.  Mitts. — 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  I'ine — P.  Banksuina. — 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  slate. 

Balsam  Fir — Abies  Balsamea — This  beautiful  evergreen  is  multiplied  to  a  great  extent  on 
the  shores  of  Lake  Superior,  where  it  grows  forty  or   fifty  feet   in  height.     The   wood   is  of   but 


TEEES,  SHRUBS   AND   YIXES.  133 

little  value      The  balsam  of  fir,  or  Canadian  balsam,  is  obtained  from  this  tree. 

Double  Spruce—^/.  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  Vitje — Thuja  Occidentals. — 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  Jiese  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  —  Juniper  us  Virginiana. —  Is  a  well  known  tree  that  furnishes  those  celebrated 
fence  posts  that  "  last  forever."  The  wood  is  highly  fragrant,  of  a  rich  r^cl  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  foi. 
ornament.     Especially  worthy  of  cultivation  in  large  grounds. 

Sassafras  —  Sassajras  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 :  corns- 
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  lenlago,  V.prunifolium,  V.nndumy 
V.  deniatum,  V.  pubescens,  V.  acerifolium,  V.  paucijiorum,  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  —  Staphylca  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 — Ampdopsis  quinquefolia. — This  is  a  noble  vine,  climbing  extensively  by 
disc-bearing  tendrils,  so  well  known  as  to  require  no  eulogy.  Especially  beautiful  in  its  fall 
colors. 

Bitter  Sweet  —  Celastrus  scandens.  —  Is  a  stout  twining  vine,  which  would  be  an  ornament  to 
any  grounds.      In  the  fall  and  early  winter  it  is  noticeable  for  its  bright  fruit.     Common. 

Yellow  Honeysuckle  —  Lonicera  flava.  —  Is  a  fine  native  vine,  which  is  found  climbing  over 
tall  shrubs  and  trees.  Ornamental.  There  are  several  other  species  of  honeysuckle;  none,  how- 
ever, worthy  of  special  mention. 

Frost  Grape  —  Vita  cordifolia. — This  tall-growing  vine  has  deliciously  sweet  blossoms, 
which  perfume  the  air  for  a  great  distance  around,  jor  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 
Lniversally  edible  than  those  inhabiting  the  ocean.  Marine  fish  are  said  to  be  more  highly 
fla"ored  than  those  inhabiting  fresh  waters;  an  assertion  I  am  by  no  means  prepared  to  admit. 
A.S  a  rule,  fish  are  better  the  colder  and  purer  the  water  in  which  they  are  found,  and  where  can 
you  find  those  ccnditions  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. 


FAUNA   OF   WISCONSIN.  185 

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  americana)  belonging  to  this  family,  which  is  found  sparingly  in  most  of  our 
rivers  and  lakes.  The  pike  is  an  active  and  most  rapacious  animal,  devouring  fish  of  consider- 
able size.  The  flesh  is  firm  and  of  good  flavor.  It  would  probably  be  economical  to  propagate 
it  to  a  moderate  extent. 

The  six-spined  bass  (Pomoxys  hexacanthus,  Agas.)  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  the  spine- 
rayed  fish  found  in  the  State.  The  flesh  is  fine  flavored,  and  as  the  fish  is  hardy  and  takes  the 
hook  with  avidity,  it  should  be  protected  during  the  spawning  season  and  artificially  propagated. 
I  have  examined  the  stomachs  of  a  large  number  of  these  fish  and  in  every  instance  found  small 
crawfish,  furnishing  an  additional  evidence  in  its  favor.  Prof.  J.  P.  Kirtland,  the  veteran  ichthy- 
ologist of  Ohio,  says  that  this  so-callea  "  grass  bass"  is  the  fish  for  the  million. 

The  white  bass  (Roccus  chrysops)  is  a  species  rather  rare  even  in  the  larger  bodies  of  water, 
but  ought  to  be  introduced  into  every  small  lake  in  the  State,  where  I  am  certain  they  would 
flourish.  It  is  an  excellent  fish,  possessing  many  of  the  good  qualities  and  as  few  of  the  bad  as 
any  that  belong  to  the  family.  There  is  another  branch  of  this  family,  the  sunfish,  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  (Cyprinida)  are  soft  finned  fish  without  maxillary  teeth.  They  include  by 
far  the  greater  number  of  fresh-water  fish.  Some  specimens  are  not  more  than  one  inch,  while 
others  are  nearly  two  feet  in  length.  Our  chubs,  silversides  and  suckers  are  the  principal  mem- 
bers of  this  family.  Dace  are  good  pan-fish,  yet  their  small  size  is  objectionable;  they  are  the 
children's  game  fish.  The  Cyprinida  all  spawn  in  the  spring,  and  might  be  profitably  propa- 
gated as  food  for  the  larger  and  more  valuable  fish. 

There  are  six  or  seven  species  of  suckers  found  in  our  lakes  and  rivers.  The  red  horse, 
found  every  where,  and  at  least  one  species  of  the  buffalo,  inhabiting  the  Mississippi  and  its  trib- 
utaries, are  the  best  of  the  genus  Catastomus.  Suckers  are  bony,  and  apt  to  taste  suspiciously  of 
mud  ;  they  are  only  to  be  tolerated  in  the  absence  of  better.  The  carp  (Cyprenius  carpo)  has  been 
successfully  introduced  into  the  Hudsonriver. 

The  trout  family  (Stdmonidas)  are  soft-finned  fish  wi  n  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  (Sal mo  fontiualis)  is  a 
small  and  beautiful  species  which  is  found  in  nearly  every  stream  in  the  northern  half  of  the 
State.  Wherever  there  is  a  spring  run  or  lake,  the  temperature  of  which  does  not  rise  higher  than 
sixty-five  or  seventy  in  the  summer,  there  trout  can  be  propagated  in  abundance.  The  great 
salmon  trout  (Sal.  amethystus)  of  the  great  lakes  is  a  magnificent  fish  weighing  from  ten  to  sixty 
pounds.  The  Siscowit  salmo  siscoiuit  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  iny 


136  HISTORY    OP    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  crustace  •  •  which 
they  subsist.  The  closely  allied  genus  Argyrosomus  includes  seven  known  species  inhabi  mg  the 
larger  lakes,  and  one,  the  Argyrosomus  sis^o,  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  Pimlodns  are  scavengers  among  fish,  as  vultures  among  birds.  They  are  filthy  in  habit 
and  food.  There  is  one  interesting  trait  of  the  catfish — the  vigilant  and  watchful  motherly 
care  of  the  young  by  the  male.  He  defends  them  with  great  spirit,  and  herds  them  together 
when  they  straggle.  Even  the  mother  is  driven  far  off;  for  he  knows  full  well  that  she  would 
•nol  scruple  to  make  a  full  meal  off  her  little  black  tadpoie-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  bid  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  (Lt-pidosteus)  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,  <  ailed  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,  1877  :  Whitefish  planted  in  Lake 
Michigan,  at  Racine,  1,000,000;  at  Milwaukee,  3,260,000;  between  Manitowoc  and  Two  Rivers 
1,000,000 ;  in  Green  bay,  1,000,000  ;  in  Elkhart  lake,  40,000. 

Salmon  trout  were  turned  out  as  follows  :  Lake  Michigan,  near  Milwaukee,  600,000 ; 
Brown's  lake,  Racine  county,  40,000 ;  Delavan  lake,  Walworth  county,  40,000 ;  Troy  lake,  Wal- 
worth county,  40,000 ;  Pleasant  lake,  Walworth  county,  40,000 ;  Lansdale  lake,  Walworth 
county,  40,000;  Ella  lake,  Milwaukee  county,  16,000;  Cedar  lake,  Washington  county,  40,000; 
Elkhart    lake,    Sheboygan    county,    40,000;    Clear   lake,    Rock    county,    40,000;    Ripley   lake, 


138  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  large  wild  animals  were  then  abundant.  Now,  all  has  changed.  The  ax  and 
plow,  gun  and  dog,  railway  and  telegraph,  have  metamorphosed  the  face  of  nature.  Most  of 
the  large  quadrupeds  have  been  either  exterminated,  or  have  hid  themselves  away  in  the  wilder- 
ness. In  a  short  time,  all  of  these  will  have  disappeared  from  the  state.  The  date  and  order 
in  which  animals  become  extinct  within  the  boundaries  of  the  state,  is  a  subject  of  great  interest. 
There  was  a  time  when  the  antelope,  the  woodland  caribou,  the  buffalo,  and  the  wild  turkey, 
were  abundant,  but  are  now  no  longer  to  be  found. 

The  Antelope,  Anlilocarpa  Americana,  now  confined  to  the  Western  plains,  did,  two  hun- 
dred years  ago,  inhabit  Wisconsin  as  far  east  as  Michigan.  In  October,  1679,  Father  Hennepin, 
with  La  Salle  and  party,  in  four  canoes,  coasted  along  the  Western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  In 
Hennepin's  narrative,  he  says;  "  The  oldest  of  them  "  (the  Indians)  "  came  to  us  the  next  morn- 
ing with  their  calumet  of  peace,  and  brought  some  wild  goals."  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  goat,  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  16th"  (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  goals  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  1045. 
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  savs  lie  saw  but  oik-  single  individual  the  next 
winter.  Elk  were  on  Hay  river  in  1863,  and  I  have  little  doubt  a  few  yet  remain.  Moose  are 
not  numerous,  a  few  yet  remain  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  state.  I  saw  moose  tracks  on 
the  Montreal  river,  near  Lake  Superior,  in  the  summer  of  1845.  A  few  panthers  may  still 
inhabit  the  wilderness  of  Wisconsin.     Benjamin  Bones,  of  Racine,  shot  one  on  the  headwaters  of 


FAUNA    OF   WISCONSIN.  139 

Black  river,  December,  1863.  Badgers  are  now  nearly  gone,  and  in  a  few  years  more,  the  only 
badgers  found  within  the  state,  will  be  two  legged  ones.  Beavers  are  yet  numerous  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  ioo°  Fahrenheit.  The  isothermal  line  comes  further  north  in  summer,  and,  retires  further 
south  in  winter  than  it  does  east  of  the  great  lakes,  which  physical  condition  will  sufficiently 
explain  the  remarkable  peculiarities  of  its  animal  life,  the  overlapping,  as  it  were,  of  two  distinct 
faunas.  More  especially  is  this  true  of  birds,  that  are  enabled  to  change  their  locality  with  the 
greatest  facility.  Within  the  past  thirty  years,  I  have  collected  and  observed  over  three  hundred 
species  of  birds,  nearly  half  of  all  birds  found  in  North  America.  Many  species,  considered 
rare  in  other  sections,  are  found  here  in  the  greatest  abundance.  A  striking  peculiarity  of  the 
ornithological  fauna  of  this  section,  is  that  southern  birds  go  farther  north  in  summer,  while 
northern  species  go  farther  south  in  winter  than  they  do  east  of  the  lakes.  Of  summer  birds 
that  visit  us,  I  will  ennumerate  a  few  of  the  many  that  belong  to  a  more  southern  latitude  in  the 
Atlantic  States.     Nearly  all  nest  with  us,  or,  at  least,  did  some  years  ago. 

Yellow-breasted  chat,  Icteria  virdis  ;  mocking  bird,  Mimus  pollyglottus ;  great  Carolina  wren, 
Thriothorus  ludoviciatms ;  prothonotary  warbler,  Protonotaria  citrea;  summer  red  bird,  Pxrangia 
ces-tiva;  wood  ibis,   Tantalus  loeulator. 

Among  Arctic  birds  that  visit  us  in  winter  are  : 

Snowy  owl,  Nyctea  nivca ;  great  gray  owl,  Syrnium  cinerus;  hawk  owl,  Surnia  ulula;  Arctic 
three-toed  woodpecker,  Picoides  arciicusj  banded  three-toed  woodpecker,  Picoides  hirsulits ;  mag- 
pie, Pica  hudsonica;  Canada  jay,  Perisorius  canadensis ;  evening  grosbeak,  Hesperiphona  vesper- 
Una;  Hudson  titmouse,  Parus  hudsonicus ;  king  eder,  Somateria  spectabilis;  black-throated  diver, 
Colymbus  at  elicits;  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 
madr  within  the  boundaries  of  this  state,  or  indeed,  of  any  other. 


EDUCATIONAL    HISTORY. 

By  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  1S1S,  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  i3i6,  when  it  came  under  the  military  control  of  the  United  States  — 
representatives  of  various  other  religious  denominations,  sought  to  teach  the  Indian  tribes  of 
this  section.  In  1823,  Rev.  Eleazar  Williams,  well  known  for  his  subsequent  claim  to  be  the 
Dauphin  of  France,  and  who  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Episcopal  Missionary  Society,  started  a 
school  of  white  and  half-breed  children  on  the  west  side  of  Fox  river,  opposite  "  Shanty-Town." 
A  Catholic  mission  school  for  Indians  was  organized  by  an  Italian  priest  near  Green  Bay,  in 
1S30.  A  clause  of  the  treaty  with  the  Winnebago  Indians,  in  1832,  bound  th  United  States  to 
maintain  a  school  for  their  children  near  Prairie  du  Chien  for  a  period  of  twenty-seven  years. 

The  Original  School  Cope. 

From  1S18  to  1S36,  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  electc/rs  should  reside  in  a  surveyed  township,  the)  should  elect  a  board  of  three  com- 
missioners, holding  office  three  years,  to  lay  off  districts,  to  apply  the  proceeds  0!'  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 
oi  schools.  It  was  further  provided  that  a  third  board  of  live  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  ami  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  distrii  t-..  I  he  office  of  town  <  ommissioner  was  abolished,  its  duties  with  certain 
others  being  transferred  to  the  inspectors.  The  rate-bill  system  of  taxation,  previously  in 
existence,  was  repealed,  and   1  tax  on  the  whole  county  for  building  school-houses  and  surjport- 


EDUCATIONAL    HISTOEY.  141 

ing  schools  was  provided  for.  One  or  two  years  later  the  office  of  town  commissioners  was 
restored,  and  the  duties  of  the  inspectors  were  assigned  to  the  same.  Other  somewhat  important 
amendments  were  made  at  the  same  time. 

In  1840,  a  memorial  to  congress  from  the  legislature  represented  that  the  people  were 
anxious  to  establish  a  common-school  system,  with  suitable  resources  for  its  support.  From 
lack  of  sufficient  funds  many  of  the  schools  were  poorly  organized.  The  rate-bill  tax  or  private 
subscription  was  often  necessary  to  supplement  the  scanty  results  of  county  taxation.  Until  a 
state  government  should  be  organized,  the  fund  accruing  from  the  sale  of  school  lands  could  not 
be  available.  Congress  had  made  to  Wisconsin,  as  to  other  new  states,  for  educational  purposes, 
a  donation  of  lands.  These  lands  embraced  the  sixteenth  section  in  every  township  in  the  state, 
the  500,000  acres  to  which  the  state  was  entitled  by  the  provisions  of  an  act  of  congress  passed 
i-i  1841,  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,  1845,  Col.  M.  Frank,  of  Kenosha,  a  member  of  the  territorial 
legislature,  introduced  a  bill,  which  became  a  law,  authorizing  the  legal  voters  of  his  own  town 
to  vote  taxes  on  all  the  assessed  property  Jor  the  full  support  of  its  schools.  A  provision  of  the 
act  required  its  submission  to  the  people  of  the  town  before  it  could  take  effect.  It  met  with 
strenuous  opposition,  but  after  many  public  meetings  and  lectures  held  in  the  interests  of  public 
enlightenment,  the  act  was  ratified  by  a  small  majority  in  the  fall  of  1845,  and  thus  the  first  free  school 
in  the  state  was  legally  organized.  Subsequently,  in  the  legislature,  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;  (2)  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,  1862. 

The  School-Fund  Income. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  state  superintendent,  for  the  year  1849,  gives  the  income  of 
the  school  fund  for  that  year  as  $5SS,  or  eight  and  three-tenth  mills  per  child.  Milwaukee 
county  received  the  largest  amount,  $69.63,  and  St.  Croix  county  the  smallest,  twenty-four  cenis. 
The  average  in  the  state  was  furty-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  1S78.  It  will  be  seen  that  since  1855  the  increase  of 
the  fund  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  increase  of  school  population  : 


Year. 

NO.  1   IIII.IIREN 
OK  SCHOOL-AGE. 

INCOME    OF 
51  HOOL  FUND 

RATE   PER 
CHILD. 

Year. 

NO.   CHILDREN 
OK  SCHOOL-AGE. 

IN(  OME    OF 
SCHOOl    FUND 

ra  1 1 
CHILD. 

1849.. 
1850.. 

1855-- 
1860  . 

70,457 

92,105 

186,085 

288,984 

$588  OO 
47,716  00 
125,906  02 
1-  I   149  76 

$0.0083 
.518 
•67 
.64 

1S65-- 
1870.. 

1875-- 
1878.. 

335.582 
4I2,48l 
450.304 
478,692 

151,816   34 
159,271    3S 
1S4624    !>( 
i8s,546  01 

.46 
■40 
•41 
■39 

The   amount    of  productive  school    fund   reported   September  30,    1878,   was  $2,680,703.27. 
The  portion  of  the  fund  not  invested  at  that  date,  was  $58,823.70. 


EDUCATIONAL   HISTORY.  143 

The  State  University. 

In  his  message  to  the  first  territorial  legislature,  in  1836,  Governor  Dodge  recommended 
asking  from  congress  aid  for  the  establishment  of  a  state  educational  institution,  to  be  governed 
by  the  legislature.  This  was  the  first  official  action  looking  to  the  establishment  of  a  state 
university.  The  same  legislature  passed  an  act  to  establish  and  locate  the  Wisconsin  univer- 
sity at  Belmont,  in  the  county  of  Iowa.  At  its  second  session,  the  following  year,  the  legislature 
passed  an  act,  which  was  approved  January  19,  1838,  establishing  "at  or  near  Madison,  the  seat 
of  government,  a  university  for  the  purpose  of  educating  youth,  the  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  1838,  seventy-two  sections,  or  two 
townships,  for  the  support  of  a  "seminary  of  learning  in  the  territory  of  Wisconsin,"  and  this 
was  afterward  confirmed  to  the  state  for  the  use  of  the  university.  No  effectual  provision,  how- 
ever, was  made  for  the  establishment  of  the  university  until  ten  years  later,  when  the  state  was 
organized.  Congress,  as  has  been  said,  had  made  a  donation  of  lands  to  the  territory  for  the 
support  of  such  an  institution,  but  these  lands  could  not  be  made  available  for  that  purpose  until 
the  territory  should  become  a  state.  The  state  constitution,  adopted  in  1S48,  declared  that  pro- 
vision should  be  made  for  the  establishment  of  a  state  university,  and  that  the  proceeds  of  all 
lands  donated  by  the  United  States  to  the  state  for  the  support  of  a  university  should  remain  a 
perpetual  fund,  the  interest  of  which  should  be  appropriated  to  its  support 

The  state  legislature,  at  its  first  session,  passed  an  act,  approved  July  26,  1848,  establishing 
the  University  of  Wisconsin,  defining  its  location,  its  government,  and  its  various  departments, 
and  authorizing  the  regents  to  purchase  a  suitable  site  for  the  buildings,  and  to  proceed  to  the 
erection  of  the  same,  after  having  obtained  from  the  legislature  the  approval  of  plans.  This  act 
repealed  the  previous  act  of  1838.  The  regents  were  soon  after  appointed,  and  their  first  annual 
report  was  presented  to  the  legislature,  January  30,  1849.  This  report  announced  the  selection 
of  a  site,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  legislature,  announced  the  organization  of  a  preparatory 
department,  and  the  election  of  a  chancellor  or  president.  The  university  was  thus  organized, 
with  John  H.  Lathrop,  president  of  the  University  of  Missouri,  as  its  first  chancellor,  and  John 
W.  Sterling  as  principal  of  the  preparatory  department,  which  was  opened  February  5,  1849. 
Chancellor  Lathrop  was  not  formally  inaugurated  until  January  16,  1850. 

Owing  to  the  short-sighted  policy  of  the  state  in  locating  without  due  care,  and  in  apprais- 
ing and  selling  so  low  the  lands  of  the  original  grant,  the  fund  produced  was  entirely  inadequate 
to  the  support  of  the  institution.  Congress,  therefore,  made,  in  1854,  an  additional  grant  of 
seventy-two  sections  of  land  for  its  use.  These,  however,  were  located  and  sold  in  the  same 
inconsiderate  and  unfortunate  manner,  for  so  low  a  price  as  to  be  a  means  of  inducing  immigra- 
tion, indeed,  but  not  of  producing  a  fund  adequate  for  the  support  of  a  successful  state  univer- 
sity. Of  the  Q2, 160  acres  comprised  in  the  two  grants,  there  had  been  sold  prior  to  September 
30,  1866,  74,178  acres  for  the  sum  of  $264,570.13,  or  at  an  average  price  of  but  little  more  than 
$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  1862  the  sum  of  $104,339.43 
was  taken  from  its  fund  (already  too  small)  to  pay  for  these  buildings.  The  resulting  embar- 
rassment made  necessary  the  re-organization  of  1866,  which  added  to  the  slender  resources  of 
the  institution  the  agricultural  college  fund,  arising  from  the  sale  of  lands  donated  to  the  state  by 
the  congressional  act  of  1862. 

•Compare  the  price  obtained  for  the  lands  of  the  University  of  Michigan.  The  first  sale  of  those  lands  averaged 
$22.85  per  acre,  and  brought  in  a  single  year  (1837)  $150,447.90.  Sales  were  made  in  succeeding  years  at  $15,  $17. 
and  $iq  per  acre. 


144  HISTORY   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- 
rersity  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  1S72  also  provided  for  an  annual  state  tax  of  $10,000  to  increase  the  income  of  the  uni- 
versity. Chapter  119  of  the  laws  of  1876  provides  for  an  annual  state  tax  of  one-tenth  of  one 
mill  on  the  taxable  property  of  the  state  for  the  increase  of  the  university  fund  income,  this  tax 
to  be  "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 — 1S77-8 — it  had  in  its  various  depart- 
ments 388  students.  The  law  department,  organized  in  1868,  has  since  been  in  successful  opera- 
ation.     Ladies  are  admitted  into  all  the  departments  and  classes  of  the  university. 

Agricultural  College. 

The  agricultural  college  fund,  granted  to  the  state  by  the  congressional  act  of  1862,  was 
by  a  subsequent  legislative  enactment  (1866)  applied  to  the  support,  not  of  a  separate  agricultural 
college,  but  of  a  department  of  agriculture  in  the  existing  university,  thus  rendering  it  unneces- 
sary for  the  state  to  erect  separate  buildings  elsewhere.  Under  the  provisions  of  chapter  114, 
laws  of  1866,  the  county  of  Dane  issued  to  the  state,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  an  experi- 
mental farm,  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $40,000.  A  farm  of  about  200  acres,  adjoining  the  univer- 
sity grounds,  was  purchased,  and  a  four  years' course  of  study  provided,  designed  to  be  thorough 
and  extensive  in  the  branches  that  relate  to  agriculture,  in  connection  witli  1  is  practical  application 
upon  the  experimental  farm. 

The  productive  agricultural  college  fund  has  increased  from  $8,061.86,  in  i860, 10  (244,263, 18, 
in  187S. 

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  n.aintcnance  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  1S4S,  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  1866,  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,  186S  ;  the  Oshkosh  Normal 
School,  opened  September  19,  1871,  and  the  River  Falls  Normal  School,  opened  September 
2,  1875.  Each  assembly  district  in  the  state  is  entitled  to  eight  representatives  in  the 
normal  schools.  These  are  nominated  by  county  and  city  superintendents.  Tuition  is 
free   to    all    normal    students.      There    are    in    the    normal  schools  two  courses  of  study  —  an 


146  HISTORY   ()F    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  1>  n  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 
$33,290.88  remained  uninvested.  ► 

Teachers'  Institutes. 

In  addition  to  the  work  of  the  normal  schools,  the  board  of  regents  is  authorized  to  expend 
$5,000  annually  to  defray  the  expenses  of  teachers'  institutes.  A  law  of  1871,  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 

G;;aded  Schools. 

Including  those  in  the  cities,  the  graded  schools  of  the  State  number  about  four  hundred. 
The  annual  report  of  the  State  superintendent  for  187S  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  colletze  (lasses  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 
classic.il  department  of  the  university.  The  larger  number  prepared  by  them  still  enter  the 
scientific  department  or  the  sub-freshman  class. 

Tiik  Township  System. 

In  1869  the  legislature  passed  a  law  authorizing  towns  to  adopt  by  vote  the  "  township  sys- 
tem of  school  government."  Under  this  system  each  town  becomes  one  school  district,  and  the 
several  school  districts  already  existing  become  sub-districts.  Each  sub-district  elects  a  clerk, 
and  these  clerks  constitute  a  body  corporate  under  the  name  of  the  "  board  of  school  directors,"  and 
are  invested  with  the  title  and  custody  of  all  school  houses,  school-house  sites,  and  other  prop- 
erty belonging  to  the  sub-districts,  with  power  to  control  them  for  the  best  interests  of  the 
schools  of  the  town.      The  law  provides  for  an  executive  committee  to  execute  the  orders  of  the 


EDUCATIONAL   HISTOEY.  147 

board,  employ  teachers,  etc.,  and  for  a  secretary  to  record  proceedings  of  the  board,  have  imme- 
diate charge  and  supervision  of  the  schools,  and  perform  other  specified  duties.  But  few  towns 
ha\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  sucr 
merits  as  ought  to  secure  its  voluntary  adoption  by  the  people  of  the  state. 

Free  High  Schools. 

In  1875  the  legislature  enacted  that  any  town,  incorporated  village,  or  city,  may  establish 
and  maintain  not  more  than  two  free  high  schools,  and  provided  for  an  annual  appropriation  of 
not  to  exceed  $25,000,  to  refund  one-half  of  the  actual  cost  of  instruction  in  such  schools,  but 
no  school  to  draw  in  any  one  year  more  than  $500.  At  the  session  of  1877  the  benefits  of  the 
act  were  extended  to  such  high  schools  already  established  as  shall  show  by  a  proper  report  that 
they  have  conformed  to  the  requirements  of  the  law.  If  towns  decline  to  establish  such  a 
school,  one  or  more  adjoining  districts  in  the  same  have  the  privilege  of  doing  so.  The  law  has 
met  with  much  favor.  For  the  school  year  ending  August  31,  1876  (the  first  year  in  which  it  was 
in  operation),  twenty  such  schools  reported,  and  to  these  the  sum  of  $7,466.50  was  paid,  being 
an  average  of  $373.32  per  school.  For  the  year  ending  August  31,  1878,  eighty-five  schools 
reported  and  received  a  pro  rata  division  of  the  maximum  appropriation.  The  high  school  law 
was  primarily  designed  to  bring  to  rural  neighborhoods  the  twofold  advantages  of  (1)  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  im7>iediate  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  1  >wn  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 
bv  him. 


148  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

Teachers'   Associations. 

Besides  the  Wisconsin  State  Teachers'  Association,  holding  its  annual  session  in  the  summer 
and  a  semi-annual  or  "  executive  "  session  in  the  winter,  there  are,  in  several  parts  of  the  state. 
county  or  district  associations,  holding  stated  meetings.  The  number  of  such  associations  is 
annually  increasing. 

Libraries. 

The  utility  of  public  libraries  as  a  part  of  the  means  of  popular  enlightenment,  was  early 
recognized  in  this  state.  The  constitution,  as  set  forth  in  1S4S,  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.  Distrii  ts  were  also  empowered 
to  raise  money  for  library  books.  The  operation  of  this  discretionary  and  voluntary  system  was 
not  successful.  In  ten  years  (iS58)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  1S62,  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  Stati  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  OK  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 — 1S58-59. 

Hon.  J.  L.   Pickardf Three  years  and  nine  months — 1860-61-02-63. 

Hon.  J.  G.  McMynn Four  years   and  three  months — 1863-64-65-66-67. 

Hon.  A.  J.  CraigJ Two  years  and  six  months — 1868-69-70. 

Hon.  Samuel  Fallows ..Three  years  and  six  months — I S70-7 1-72-73. 

Hon.  Edward  Searing Four  years — 1874-75-76-77. 

Hon.  W.  C.  Whitford Two  years— 1878-79. 

*  Died,  May  29,  1845.         +  Resigned,  October  1,  1863.         J  Died,  July  3,  1870. 


EDUCATIONAL   HISTORY.  149 

Sketches  of  Colleges  in  Wisconsin.* 

Beloit  College  was  founded  in  1847,  at  Beloit,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Congregational  and 
Presbyterian  churches  of  Wisconsin  and  northern  Illinois.  In  1S48,  Rev.  Joseph  Emerson  and 
Rev.  J.  J.  Bushnell  were  appointed  professors,  and  in  1849,  Rev.  A.  L.  Chapin  was  appointed 
president,  and  has  continued  such  until  the  present  time  The  institution  has  had  a  steady 
growth,  has  maintained  a  high  standard  of  scholarship  and  done  excellent  work,  both  in  its  pre- 
paratory and  college  departments.  Two  hundred  and  thirty-six  young  men  have  graduated. 
Its  lands  and  buildings  are  valued  at  $78,000,  and  its  endowments  and  funds  amount  to  about 
$122,000. 

Lawrence  University,  at  Appleton,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Methodist  church,  was 
organized  as  a  college  in  1850,  having  been  an  "  institute  "  or  academy  for  three  years  previous, 
under  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Sampson.  The  first  president  was  Rev.  Edward  Cook;  the  second,  R. 
Z.  Mason  ;  the  present  one  is  the  Rev.  George  M.  Steele,  I).  D.  It  is  open  to  both  sexes,  and 
has  graduated  130  young  men,  and  68  young  women.  It  still  maintains  a  preparatory  depart- 
ment. It  has  been  an  institution  of  great  benefit  in  a  new  region  of  country,  in  the  northeastern 
part  of  the  state.  Receiving  a  liberal  donation  at  the  outset  from  the  Hon.  Amos  A.  Lawrence, 
of  Boston,  it  has  land  and  buildings  valued  at  $47,000,  at  Appleton,  and  fund:,  and  endowments 
amounting  to  $60,000. 

Milton  College,  an  institution  under  the  care  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptists,  ,.as  opened  as  a 
college  ,in  1867,  having  been  conducted  as  an  academy  since  1844.  Rev.  W.  C.  Whitford,  the 
president,  was  for  many  years  the  principal  of  the  academy  The  institution  has  done  much 
valuable  work,  particularly  in  preparing  teachers  for  our  public  schools.  The  college  has  gradu- 
ated 38  young  men  and  women,  having  previously  graduated  93  academic  students.  It  has  lands, 
buildings  and  endowments  to  the  amount  of  about  $50,000. 

Ripon  College,  which  was  known  till  1864  as  Brockway  College,  was  organized  in  1853,  at 
Ripon,  and  is  supported  by  the  Congregational  church.  Since  its  re-organization,  in  1863,  it  has 
graduated  77  students  (of  both  sexes)  in  the  college  courses,  and  has  always  maintained  a  large 
and  flourishing  preparatory  department.  Under  its  present  efficient  head,  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Mer- 
rell,  A.  M.,it  is  meeting  with  continued  success.     Its  property  amounts  to  about  $125,000. 

Racine  College  was  founded  by  the  Episcopal  Church,  at  Racine,  in  1852,  under  the  Rev. 
Roswell  Park,  D.  D.,  as  its  first  President.  It  was  for  a  long  time  under  the  efficient  administra- 
tion of  Rev.  James  De  Koven,  D.  D.,  now  deceased,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  Stevens 
Parker.  It  maintains  a  large  boys'  school  also,  and  a  preparatory  department.  It  was  designed, 
in  part,  to  train  young  men  for  the  Nashotah  Theological  Seminary.  It  has  property,  including 
five  buildings,  to  the  amount  of  about  S180, 000,  and  has  graduated  ninety-nine  young  men.  Its 
principal  work,  in  which  it  has  had  great  success,  is  that  of  a  boys'  school,  modeled  somewhat 
after  the  English  schools. 

The  Seminary  of  St.  Francis  of  Sales,  an  ecclesiastical  school,  was  established  at  St.  Fran- 
cis Station,  near  Milwaukee,  chiefly  by  the  combined  efforts  of  two  learned  and  zealous  priests, 
the  Rev.  Michael  Heiss,  now  bishop  of  La  Crosse,  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Salzmann.  It  was 
opened  in  January,  1S56,  with  Rev.  M.  Heiss  as  rector,  and  with  25  students.  Rev.  Joseph 
1  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,  of  whom  105  are  theologians,  31  students  of  philosophy, 
and  the  rest  classical  students. 

Pio  Nono  College  is  a  Roman  Catholic  institution,  at  St.  Francis  Station,  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Francis.  It  was  founded  in  i87i,by  Rev.  Joseph  Salzmann, 
*  The  statistics  ;r_  this  division  were  obtained  in  1S77.  and  are  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,  aje  taught  to  speak  by  sounds, 
and  it  is  said  with  the  best  success. 

An  institution  was  organized  in  1865,  at  Prairie  du  Chien.  under  the  name  of  Prairie  du 
Chien  College,  and  under  the  care  of  J.  T.  Lovewell,  as  principal.  In  the  course  of  two  or  three 
years  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  is  now  known  as  St.  John's 
College.     It  has  so  far  performed  principally  preparatory  work. 

Sinsinawa  Mound  College,  a  Roman  Catholic  institution,  was  founded  in  1848,  through  the 
labors  of  Father  Mazzuchelli,  but  after  doing  a  successful  work,  was  closed  in  1863,  and  in  1867 
the  St.  Clara  academy  was  opened  in  the  same  buildings. 

The  Northwestern  University,  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  1841,  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  established  a  mission  in  the  wilds  of  Waukesha 
county,  and,  at  an  early  day,  steps  were  taken  to  establish  in  connection  therewith  an  institution 
of  learning.  This  was  incorporated  in  1847,  by  the  name  of  Nashotah  House.  In  1852  the 
classical  school  was  located  at  Racine,  and  Nashotah  House  became  distinctively  a  theological 
seminary.     It  has  an  endowment  of  one  professorship,  the  faculty  and  students  being  otherwise 

lined  by  voluntary  contributions.  It  has  a  faculty  of  five  protessors,  with  Rev.  A.  1). 
Cole,  D.D.,  as  president,  buildings  pleasantly  situated,  and  has  graduated  1S5  theological  students. 

Female  Collegi 

Two  institutions  have  been  known  under  this  designation.  The  Milwaukee  Female  College 
was  founded  in  1852,  and  ably  conducted  for  several  years,  under  the  principalship  of  Miss  Mary 
Mortimer,  now  deceased.  It  furnished  an  advanced  grade  of  secondary  instruction.  The  Wis- 
consin Female  College,  located  at  Fox  Lake,  was  first  incorporated  in  1855,  and  re-organized  in 
1863.  It  has  never  reached  a  collegiate  course,  is  now  known  as  Fox  Lake  Seminary,  and 
admits  both  sexes.     Rev.  A.  O.  Wright,  A.  M.,  is  the  present  principal. 


AGRICULTURE.  151 


Academies  and    Seminaries. 

The  following  institutions  of  academic  grade,  are  now  in  operation:  Albion  Academy ; 
Benton  Academy  ;  Big  Foot,  Academy;  Elroy  Seminary ;  Fox  Lake  Seminary  ;  two  German  and 
English  academies  in  Milwaukee ;  Janesville  Academy;  Kemper  Hall,  Kenosha ;  Lake  Geneva 
Seminary,  Geneva;  Lakeside  Seminary,  Oconomowoc;  Marshall  Academy,  Marshall;  Merrill 
Institute,  Fond  du  Lac ;  Milwaukee  Academy  ;  Racine  Academy ;  River  Falls  Institute ; 
Rochester  Seminary;  St.  Catherine's  Academy,  Racine;  St.  Clara  Academy;  Sinsinawa 
Mound;  St.  Mary's  Institute,  Milwaukee;  Sharon  Academy;  and  Wayland  Institute,  Beaver 
Dam.  Similar  institutions  formerly  in  operation  but  suspended  or  merged  in  other  institu- 
tions, were  :  Allen's  Grove  Academy  ;  Appleton  Collegiate  Institute  ;  Baraboo  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute; Beloit  Female  Seminary;  Beloit  Seminary;  Brunson  Institute,  Mount  Hope;  Evansville Sem- 
inary ;  Janesville  Academy  (merged  in  the  high  school) ;  Kilbourn  Institute  ;  Lancaster  Institute \ 
Milton  Academy;  Platteville  Academy ;  Southport  Academy  (Kenosha);  Waterloo  Academy  \ 
Waukesha  Seminary ;  Wesleyan  Seminary,  Eau  Claire ;  and  Patch  Grove  Academy.  The 
most  important  of  these  were  the  Milton  and  Platteville  Academies,  the  former  merged  in  Mil- 
ton College,  the  latter  in  the  Platteville  Normal  School.  Of  the  others,  several  were  superseded 
by  the  establishment  of  public  high  schools  in  the  same  localities. 

Commercial    Schools. 

Schools  of  this  character,  aiming  to  furnish  what  is  called  a  business  education,  exist  in  Mil- 
waukee, Janesville,  Madison,  LaCrosse,  Green  Bay,  Oshkosh  and  Fond  du  Lac.  The  oldest  and 
largest  is  in  Milwaukee,  under  the  care  of  Prof.  R.  C.  Spencer,  and  enrolls  from  two  to  three 
hundred  students  annually. 


AGRICULTURE. 

By  W.  W.   DANIELLS,  M.S.,  Prof,  of  Chemistry  and  Agriculture  at  the  University 

of  Wisconsin. 

The  trend  of  the  earliest  industries  of  a  country,  is  the  result  of  the  circumstances  under 
which  those  industries  are  developed.  The  attention  of  pioneers  is  confined  to  supplying  the 
immediate  wants  of  food,  shelter,  and  clothing.  Hence,  the  firs  tsettlers  of  a  country  are  farm- 
ers, miners,  trappers,  or  fishermen,  according  as  they  can  most  readily  secure  the  means  of  pres- 
ent sustenance  for  themselves  and  their  families.  In  the  early  history  of  Wisconsin  this  law  is 
well  exemplified.  The  southern  part  of  the  state,  consisting  of  alternations  of  prairie  and  tim- 
ber, was  first  settled  by  farmers.  As  the  country  has  developed,  wealth  accumulated,  and  means 
of  transportation  have  been  furnished,  farming  has  ceased  to  be  the  sole  interest.  Manufactories 
have  been  built  along  the  rivers,  and  the  mining  industry  of  the  southwestern  part  of  the  state  has 
grown  to  one  of  considerable  importance.  The  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  was  first  mainly  settled 
tied  by  fishermen,  but  the  later  growth  of  agriculture  and  manufactures  has  nearly  overshadowed 
the  fishing  interest;  as  has  the  production  of  lumber,  in  the  north  half  of  the  state,  eclipsed  the 
trapping  and  fur  interests  of  the  first  settlers.  That  the  most  important  industry  of  Wisconsin 
is  farming,  may  be  seen  from  the  following  statistics  of  the  occupation  of  the  people  as  given  by 
the  United  States  census.     Out   of  each   one   hundred   inhabitants,  of  all   occupations,  68  were 


152 


HISTORY    <)[■    WISCOXSIX. 


farmers,  in  1840;  52  in  1850;  54  in  i860;  55  in  1S70.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  agriculture  oi 
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: 


ACRES   IMPROVED   LAND 
IN    FARMS. 

VALI  I     OF    FARMS, 
INI  I  1   DING  IMPROV- 
ED AND  UNIMPROV- 
ED LA 

— f 

VALI']     "I     I  AIM 
IMPLEMENTS 

TOTAL. 

TO  EACH 
INHAB. 

AND 
MACHINERY. 

1850 
IS60 
IS70 

1,045,499 
3.746,167 
5.899,343 

3-4 
4-8 

5.6 

S  28,528,563 

I3i.li7.l64 
300,414,064 

S  1.641,568 

5.758,847 

14.239.364 

Farming,  at  the  present  time,  is  almost  entirely  confined  to  the  south  half  oi*  the  state,  the 
northern  half  being  still  largely  covered  by  forests.  A  notable  exception  to  this  statement  is 
found  in  the  counties  on  the  western  border,  which  are  well  settled  by  farmers  much  farther  north. 
The  surface  of  the  agricultural  portion  of  the  state  is  for  the  most  part  gently  undulating,  afford- 
ing ready  drainage,  without  being  so  abruptly  broken  as  to  render  cultivation  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  soil  so  characteristic  of  the  western  prairies,  and  are  easily 
worked.  The  soil  of  the  "openings  "  land  is  usually  a  sandy  loam,  readily  tilled,  fertile,  but  not 
as  "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  cpiickly  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.  Heme  in  1.H50,  two  years  after  its  admission  to  the  Union,  Wis- 
consin was  the  ninth  state  in  order  in  the  production  of  wheat,  while  in  i860  this  rank  was  raised 
to  third,  Illinois  and  Indiana  only  raising  more.  The  true  rank  of  the  state  is  not  shown  by 
these  figures.  Were  the  number  of  inhabitants  and  the  number  of  acres  of  land  in  actual  culti- 
vation taken  into  account  in  the  comparison,  the  state  would  stand  still  higher  in  rank  than  is 
here  indicated.  There  is  the  same  struggle  for  existence,  and  the  same  desire  for  gain  the  world 
over,  and  hence  the  various  phases  of  development  of  the  same  industry  in  different  civilized 
countries  is  mainly  the  result  of  the  widely  varying  economical  conditions  imposed  upon  that 
industry.  Land  is  thoroughly  cultivated  in  Europe,  not  because  t he  Europeans  have  any 
inherent  love  for  good  cultivation,  but  because  there  land  is  scarce  and  costly,  while  labor  is 
superabundant  and  cheap.      In    America,  on  the  other  hand,  and  especially  in  the  newer  states, 


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  suited  was  carried  to  an  extreme.  Farm- 
ing as  then  practiced  was  a  quick  method  of  land  exhaustion.  It  was  always  taking  out  of  the 
purse,  and  never  putting  in.  No  attention  was  paid  to  sustaining  the  soil's  fertility.  The  only 
aim  was  to  secure  the  largest  crop  for  the  smallest  outlay  of  capital,  without  regard  to  the  future. 
Manures  were  never  used,  and  such  as  unavoidably  accumulated  was  regarded  as  a  great  nuis- 
ance, often  rendering  necessary  the  removal  of  stables  and  outbuildings.  Straw-stacks  were 
invariably  burned  as  the  most  convenient  means  of  disposing  of  them.  Wheat,  the  principal 
product,  brought  a  low  price,  often  not  more  than  fifty  cents  a  bushel,  and  had  to  be  marketed 
by  teams  at  some  point  from  which  it  could  be  carried  by  water,  as  this  was,  at  an  early  dav,  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  tanning  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 

15.657.458 
25,606.344 

25,200,000 

81,253 

88S044 

1,325,294 
1,340,000 

I,98S,979 

7.5>7.3oo 

15,033,988 

15,200,000 

3,414,672                 209,672 
11,059,260                 707,307 
20,l8o,Ol6             1,645,019 
26,6oO,O0O             2.200,000 

79,878 

3S.9S7 

408,897 

275,000 

From  these  statistics  it  will  be  seen  that  the  increase  in  the  production  of  grain  was  very 
rapid  up  to  1870,  while  since  that  time  it  has  been  very  slight.  This  rapid  increase  in  grain 
raising  is  first  attributable  to  the  ease  with  which  this  branch  of  farming  was  carried  on  upon  the 
new  and  very  rich  soils  of  the  state,  while  in  the  older  states  this  branch  of  husbandry  has  been 
growing  more  difficult  and  expensive,  and  also  to  the  fact  that  the  war  in  our  own  country  so 
increased  the  demand  for  grain  from  1861  to  1866  as  to  make  this  course  the  most  immediately 
profitable.  But  with  the  close  of  the  war  came  a  diminished  demand.  Farmers  were  slow  to 
recognize  this  fact,  and  change  the  character  of  their  productions  to  accord  with  the  wants  of 
the  market,  but  rather  continued  to  produce  the  cereals  in  excess  of  the  demand.  The  chinch 
bug  and  an  occasional  poor  season  seriously  injured  the  crops,  leaving  those  who  relied  princi- 
pally upon  the  production  of  grain  little  or  nothing  for  their  support.  Hard  times  resulted  from 
these  poor  crops.  More  wheat  and  corn  was  the  farmer's  usual  remedy  for  hard  times.  So  that 
more  wheat  and  corn  were  planted.  More  crop  failures  with  low  prices  brought  harder  times, 
until  gradually  the  farmers  of  the  state  have  opened  their  eyes  to  the  truth  that  they  can  succeed 
in  other  branches  of  agriculture  than  grain   growing,  and   to  the   necessity  of   catering  to   the 

♦Estimated  in  report  of  commissioner  of  agriculture. 


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,  1870,  amounts  to  $26,374,524,  or  one  third  the  value  of 
all  agricultural  products  and  betterments.  The  average  production  per  acre,  as  estimated  by  the 
commissioner  of  agriculture,  was  14  bushels.  Hence  there  were  1,829,024  acres  of  land  devoted  to 
this  one  crop,  nearly  one  third  of  all  the  improved  land  in  the  state.  Of  the  wheat  crop  of  1869 
24,375,435  bushels  were  spring  wheat,  and  1,230,909  bushels  were  winter  wheat,  which  is  19. S 
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  bu^s, 
and  to  the  decline  in  prices  soon  after  the  war,  owing  to  an  over  production  of  wheat,  may  largely 
be  attributed  the  hard  times  experienced  by  the  grain  growing  farmers  of  Wisconsin  from  1872  to 
1877.  The  continued  raising  of  wheat  upon  the  same  land,  alternated,  if  any  alternation 
occurred,  with  barley,  oats,  or  corn,  has  produced  its  sure  results.  The  lesson  has  cost  the 
farmers  of  the  state  dearly,  but  it  has  not  been  altogether  lost.  A  better  condition  of  affairs  has 
already  begun.  Wheat  is  gradually  losing  its  prestige  as  the  farmers'  sole  dependence,  while 
stock,  dairy,  and  mixed  farming  are  rapidly  increasing.  The  number  of  bushels  of  wheat 
raised  to  each  inhabitant  in  the  state  was  in  1850  fourteen,  in  i860  twenty-three  and  eight  tenths, 
in  1870  twenty-four,  and  in  1875  twenty  and  four  tenths.  These  figures  do  not  indicate  a  dimin- 
ished productiveness  of  the  state,  but  show,  with  the  greatly  increased  production  in  other 
branches  of  husbandry,  that  farmers  are  changing  their  system  to  one  more  diversified  and 
rational.  Straw  stacks  are  no  longer  burned,  and  manure  heaps  are  not  looked  upon  as  altogether 
useless.  Much  more  attention  is  now  paid  to  the  use  of  fertilizers.  Clover  with  plaster  is  looked 
upon  with  constantly  increasing  favor,  and  there  is  a  greater  seeking  for  light  upon  the  more 
difficult  problems  of  a  profitable  agriculture 

Corn  is  raised  to  a  large  extent,  although  Wisconsin  has  never  ranked  as  high  in  corn,  as  in 
wheat  growing.  Sixteen  states  raised  more  corn  in  1870  than  this  state,  and  in  1875,  seventeen 
states  raised  more.  Corn  requires  a  rich,  moist  soil,  with  a  long  extended  season  of  warm  sun- 
shine. While  this  crop  can  be  raised  with  great  ease  in  the  larger  portion  of  the  state,  it  will 
always  succeed  better  farther  south,  both  on  account  of  the  longer  summers  and  the  greater 
amount  of  rainfall.  According  to  the  statistics  of  the  commissioner  of  agriculture,  the  average 
yield  per  acre  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  is  about  30  bushels.  Corn  is  an  important  crop  in  the 
economy  of  the  farmer,  as  from  it  he  obtains  much  food  for  his  stock,  and  it  is  his  principal 
dependence  for  fattening  pork.  On  these  accounts  it  will,  without  doubt,  retain  its  place  in  the 
husbandry  of  the  state,  even  when  stock  and  dairy  farming  are  followed  to  a  much  greater  extent 
than  at  present.  Barley  is  cultivated  largely  throughout  the  state,  but  five  states  produced  more 
in  1870,  than  Wisconsin.  The  great  quantity  of  beer  brewed  here,  furnishes  a  good  home  market 
for  this  grain.  Barley  succeeds  best  in  a  rather  moist  climate,  having  a  long  growing  season. 
The  dry,  short  summers  of  Wisconsin,  are  not  well  adapted  to   its  growth.     Hence  the  average 


156        -  HISTORY  OF   WISCONSIN. 

yield  is  but  a  medium  one,  and  the  quality  of  the  grain  is  only  fair.  According  to  the  returns 
furnished  the  commissioner  of  agriculture,  the  average  yield  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  is  22 
bushels  per  acre. 

Next  to  wheat,  more  bushels  of  oats  are  raised  than  of  any  other  grain.  Wisconsin  was,  in 
i860,  fifth  in  rank  among  the  oat-growing  states;  in  1870,  sixth.  The  rich  soils  of  the  state 
raise  an  abundant  crop  of  oats  with  but  little  labor,  and  hence  their  growth  in  large  quantities  is 
not  necessarily  an  indication  of  good  husbandry.  They  will  bear  poor  cultivation  better  than 
corn  and  are  frequently  grown  upon  land  too  weedy  to  produce  that  grain.  It  is  a  favorite 
"rain  for  feeding,  especially  to  horses.  With  the  best  farmers,  oats  are  looked  upon  with  less 
favor  than  corn,  because  it  is  apt  to  leave  land  well  seeded  with  weeds  which  are  difficult  to 
exterminate.  In  the  production  of  rye,  Wisconsin  ranked  seventh  in  i860,  and  fourth  in  1S70. 
It  is  a  much  surer  crop  in  this  state  than  winter  wheat,  as  it  is  less  easily  winter-killed  when  not 
protected  by  snow,  than  is  that  grain.  Besides,  it  ripens  so  early  as  not  to  be  seriously  injured 
by  drouth  in  summer,  and  succeeds  well  even  upon  the  poorer  soils.  The  average  yield  per  acre 
is  about  16  bushels. 

But  few  hops  were  grown  in  Wisconsin,  up  to  i860,  when  owing  to  an  increased  demand  by 
the  breweries  1  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  1S63  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  186S,  the  "  hop 
fever"  became  an  epidemic,  almost  a  plague.  The  crop  of  Sauk  county  alone  was  estimated  at 
over  4,000,000  pounds,  worth  over  $2,000,000.  The  quality  of  the  crop  was  excellent,  the  yield 
1  irre,  and  the  price  unusually  high.  The  secretary  of  the  State  Agricultural  society  says,  in  his 
•port  for  that  year,  "  Cases  are  numerous  in  which  the  first  crop  has  paid  for  the  land  and  all 
the  improvements."  To  many  farmers  hop  raising  appeared  to  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  1867,  the  price  of  hops  was  from 
40  to  55  cents  per  pound,  while  in  1869  it  was  from  10  to  15  cents,  some  of  poor  quality  selling 
as  low  as  3  cents.  Many  hop  yards  were  plowed  up  during  1S69  and  1S70.  The  area  under 
cultivation  to  this  crop  in  1S75,  was,  according  to  the  "  Report  ol  the  Secretary  of  State,"  10,932 

acres. 

The  production  of  tobacco  has  greatly  increased  since  i860,  when  there  were  raised  in  the 
state  87,340  pounds.  In  1870,  the  product  was  960,813  pounds.  As  is  well  known,  the  quality 
of  tobacco  grown  in  the  northern  states  is  greatly  inferior  for  chewing  and  smoking,  to  that  grown 
in  the  south,  although  varieties  having  a  large,  tough  leaf,  suitable  for  cigar  wrappers,  do  well 
here.  The  variety  principally  grown  is  the  Connecticut  seed  leaf  Tobacco  can  only  he  grown 
successfully  on  rich,  fertile  soils,  and  it  is  very  exhausting  to  the  land.      Of  the  amount  produced 

70,  there  were  raised  in  Rock  county  645,40s  pounds,  and  in  Dane  county,  229,568  pounds; 
the  entire  remaining  portion  of  the  state  raised  hut  85,737  pounds.  According  to  the  report  of 
the  secretary  of  state,  the  whole  number  of  acres  planted  to  tobacco  in  [875,  was  3,296.  Of  this 
amount  Rock  county  planted  1,676  acres,  and  Dane  county,  i,454  acres,  leaving  for  the  remain- 
der of  the  state  but  166  acres.  While  the  crop  has  been  fairly  productive  and  profitable,  these 
statistics  show  that  up  to  the  present  time  tobacco-raising  has  been  a  merely  local  interest. 

The  production  of  flax  is  another  merely  local  industry,  it  being  confined   principally  to  the 


AGRICULTURE.  157 

counties  of  Kenosha,  Grant,  Iowa  and  LaFayette.  Of  flax  fibre,  Kenosha  county  raised  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  scarcely  possible  to  make  the 
raising  of  flax  fibre  profitable.  Flax  seed  is  raised  to  a  small  extent  in  the  other  counties  men- 
tioned. The  present  price  of  oil  makes  this  a  fairly  profitable  crop.  If  farmers  fully  appreciated 
that  in  addition  to  the  oil,  the  oil  cake  is  of  great  value  as  a  food  for  cattle  and  sheep,  and  also 
th.it  the  manure  made  by  the  animals  eating  it,  is  of  three  times  the  value  of  that  made  by  ani- 
mals fed  upon  corn,  doubtless  much  more  flax  seed  would  be  raised  than  is  at  present.  Ameri- 
can oil-cake  finds  a  ready  market  in  England,  at  prices  which  pay  well  for  its  exportation.  If 
English  farmers  can  afford  to  carry  food  for  their  stock  so  far,  American  farmers  may  well  strive 
to  ascertain  if  they  can  afford  to  allow  the  exportation  of  so  valuable  food.  When  greater  atten- 
tion is  paid  in  our  own  country  to  the  quality  of  the  manure  made  by  our  stock,  more  oil-cake 
will  be  fed  at  home,  and  a  much  smaller  proportion  of  that  made  here  will  be  exported. 

The  amount  of  maple  sugar  produced  diminishes  as  the  settlement  of  the  state  increases, 
and  is  now  scarcely  sufficient  in  amount  to  be  an  item  in  the  state's  productions.  The  increase 
in  the  price  of  sugar  from  1S61  to  1S68  caused  many  farmers  to  try  sorghum  raising.  But  the 
present  low  prices  of  this  staple  has  caused  an  abandonment  of  the  enterprise.  Two  attempts 
have  been  made  in  Wisconsin  to  manufacture  beet-root  sugar,  the  first  at  Fond  du  Lac  in  1867 
the  second  at  Black  Hawk,  Sauk  county,  in  1870.  The  Fond  du  Lac  company  removed  their 
works  to  California  in  1S69,  not  having  been  successful  in  their  efforts.  The  Black  Hawk  com- 
pany made,  in  1871,  more  than  134,000  pounds  of  sugar,  but  have  since  abandoned  the  business. 
Both  these  failures  may  be  attributed  to  several  causes,  first  of  which  was  the  want  of  sufficient 
capital  to  build  and  carry  on  a  factory  sufficiently  large  to  enable  the  work  to  be  done  economi- 
cally ;  secondly,  the  difficulty  of  sufficiently  interesting  farmers  in  the  business  to  induce  them 
to  raise  beets  on  so  large  a  scale  as  to  warrant  the  building  of  such  a  factory;  and,  thirdly,  the  high 
price  of  labor  and  the  low  price  of  sugar.  The  quality  of  beets  raised  was  good,  the  polarization 
test  showing  in  many  instances  as  high  as  sixteen  per  cent,  of  sugar.  The  larger  proportion  of 
Iiay  made  in  the  state  is  from  the  natural  meadows,  the  low  lands  or  marshes,  where  wild  grasses 
grow  in  abundance,  and  hay  only  costs  the  cutting  and  curing.  Cultivated  grasses  do  well 
throughout  the  state,  and  "  tame  hay  "  can  be  made  as  easily  here  as  elsewhere  The  limestone 
soils,  where  timber  originally  grew,  are  of  the  uplands,  most  natural  to  grass,  and,  consequently, 
furnish  the  richest  meadows,  and  yield  the  best  pasturage.  Ye  e  only  soils  where  grasses  do 
not  readily  grow,  are  those  which  are  so  sandy  and  dry  as  to  be  nearly  barrens.  Clover  grows 
throughout  the  state  in  the  greatest  luxuriance.  There  is  occasionally  a  season  so  dry  as  to  make 
"  seeding  down  "  a  failure,  and  upon  light  soils  clover,  when  not  covered  with  snow,  is  apt  to  win- 
ter-kill. Yet  it  is  gaining  in  favor  with  farmers,  both  on  account  of  the  valuable  pasturage  and 
hay  it  affords,  and  on  account  of  its  value  as  a  soil  renovator.  In  wheat-growing  regions,  clover 
is  now  recognized  to  be  of  the  greatest  value  in  a  "  rotation,"  on  account  of  its  ameliorating 
influence  upon  the  soil.  Throughout  the  stock  and  dairy  regions,  clover  is  depended  upon  to  a 
large  extent  for  pasturage,  and  to  a  less  extent  for  hay. 

There  has  been  a  growing  interest  in  stock  raising  for  the  past  ten  years,  although  the 
increase  has  not  been  a  rapid  one.  Many  of  the  herds  of  pure-blood  cattle  in  the  state  rank 
high  for  their  great  excellence.  The  improvement  of  horses  has  been  less  rapid  than  that  of  cattle, 
sheep,  and  swine  ;  yet  this  important  branch  of  stock  farming  is  improving  each  year.  The  most 
attention  is  given  to  the  improvement  of  draught  and  farm  horses,  while  roadsters  and  fast  horses 
are  not  altogether  neglected.  There  are  now  owned  in  the  state  a  large  number  of  horses  of  the 
heavier  English  and  French  breeds,  which  are  imparting  to  their  progeny  their  own  characteristics 


158 


HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 


of  excellence,  the  effects  of  which  are  already  visible  in  many  of  the  older  regions  of  the  state. 
Of  the  different  breeds  of  cattle,  the  Short-horns,  the  Ayrshires,  the  Devons,  and  the  Jerseys  are 
well  represented.  The  Short-horns  have  met  with  most  favor  with  the  general  farmer,  the  grades 
of  this  breed  being  large,  and  possessing  in  a  high  degree  the  quiet  habits  and  readiness  to  fat- 
ten, so  characteristic  of  the  full-bloods.  Without  doubt,  the  grade  Short-horns  will  continue  in 
the  high  favor  in  which  they  are  now  held,  as  stock-raising  becomes  a  more  important  branch  of 
the  husbandry  of  the  state.  Of  pure  blood  Short-horns  there  are  many  herds,  some  of  which 
are  of  the  very  highest  excellence.  At  the  public  sales  of  herds  from  this  state,  the  prices 
have  ranked  high  universally,  and  in  a  few  cases  have  reached  the  highest  of  "  fancy  "  prices, 
showing  the  estimate  placed  by  professional  breeders  upon  the  herds  of  Wisconsin.  The  Ayr- 
shires are  increasing  in  numbers,  and  are  held  in  high  esteem  by  many  dairymen.  They  are  not 
yet,  however,  as  generally  disseminated  over  the  state,  as  their  great  merit  as  a  milking  breed 
would  warrant.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  dairy  interest  will  doubtless  increase  their  numbers 
greatly,  at  least  as  grades,  in  the  dairying  region.  Of  pure  bred  Devons  and  Jerseys,  there  are 
fewer  than  of  the  former  breeds.  The  latter  are  principally  kept  in  towns  and  cities  to  furnish 
milk  for  a  single  family.  The  following  table  shows  the  relative  importance  of  stock  raising  in 
the  state  for  the  years  mentioned.  The  figures  are  an  additional  proof  to  those  already  given, 
that  the  grain  industry  has  held  sway  in  Wisconsin  to  the  detriment  of  other  branches  of  farming, 
as  well  as  to  the  state's  greatest  increase  in  wealth. 


YEAR. 

WHOLE    NUM- 
BER OF   NEAT 
CATTLE. 

NO.   TO   EACH 

lOO  ACRES  OF 

IMPROVED 

LAND. 

WHOLE    NUM- 
BER OF  SHEEP. 

NUMBER  TO 
EACH       IOO 
ACRES       OF 
IMPROVED 
LAND. 

POUNDS    OF 
WOOL  PRO- 
DUCED. 

POUNDS 

OF   WOOL 

PER 

HEAD. 

1850 

i860 

1870 

IS75* 

183,433 
52I,86o 
693,294 
922,900 

17 
14 
12 
II 

I24,8g6 

332.954 

1,069,282 

1,162.800 

12 

9 

18 

14 

253,963 
I.OII.933 
4,090,670 
(?) 

2.03 

3.04 

3.82 

(?) 

*  Estimated  in  report  of  commissioner  of  agriculture. 

The  growth  and  present  condition  of  sheep  husbandry,  compare  much  more  favorably  with 
the  general  development  of  the  state  than  does  that  of  cattle  raising.  In  a  large  degree  this 
may  be  accounted  for  by  the  impetus  given  to  wool  raising  during  our  civil  war  by  the  scarcity 
of  cotton,  and  the  necessary  substitution  to  a  great  extent,  of  woolen  for  cotton  goods.  This 
great  demand  for  wool  for  manufacturing  purposes  produced  a  rapid  rise  in  the  price  of  this 
staple,  making  its  production  a  very  profitable  branch  of  farming.  With  the  close  of  the  war 
came  a  lessened  demand,  and  consequently  lower  prices.  Yet  at  no  time  has  the  price  of  wool 
fallen  below  that  at  which  it  could  be  profitably  produced.  This  is  the  more  notably  true  when 
the  value  of  sheep  in  keeping  up  the  fertility  and  productiveness  of  land,  is  taken  into  account. 
The  foregoing  table  shows  the  improvement  in  this  branch  of  husbandry  since  1850 

Although  many  more  sheep  might  profitably  be  kept  in  the  state,  the  above  figures  show  that 
the  wool  interest  is  fairly  developed,  and  the  average  weight  of  fleece  is  an  assurance  of  more 
than  ordinarily  good  stock.  The  fine-wooled  sheep  and  their  grades  predominate,  although 
there  are  in  the  state  some  excellent  stock  of  long-wools — mostly  Cotswold — and  of  South- 
downs. 

( )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  .' 
the  factory  system  of  butter  and  cheese  making,  and  the  downfall  of  the  one  was  scarcely  more- 
rapid  than  has  been  the  upbuilding  of  the  other.  The  following  statistics  of  the  production  of 
butter  and  cheese  illustrate  this  rapid  progress.      It  will   be   remembered  that  for  the  years  1850. 


AGRICULTURE. 


159 


1S60,  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. 

CHEKSE. 

1S5O 

1S60 -. 

1870 

1374 - ---- 

1875- 

1876    .- 

lbs. 

3.633.750 
13,611,328 
22,473.036 

lbs. 

400,283 
1,104.300 
I,59l.7g8 

13,000,000 
15,000,000 
17,000,000 

The  quality  of  Wisconsin  dairy  products  is  excellent,  as  may  be  judged  by  the  fact  that,  at 
the  Centennial  Exhibition,  Wisconsin  cheese  received  twenty  awards,  a  larger  number  than  was 
given  to  any  other  state  except  New  York,  and  for  butter  Wisconsin  received  five  awards.  No 
state  received  more,  and  only  New  York  and  Illinois  received  as  many.  Wisconsin  received  one 
award  for  each  fourteen  cheeses  on  exhibition  No  other  state  received  so  large  a  proportion. 
New  York  received  the  largest  number  of  awards,  viz.,  twenty-one,  but  only  secured  one  award 
for  each  thirty  cheeses  on  exhibition.  The  number  of  cheese  and  butter  factories  is  increasing 
each  year,  and  there  is  being  made  in  the  better  grazing  regions  of  the  state,  as  rapid  a  transition 
from  grain  to  dairy-farming  as  is  consistent  with  a  healthful  growth.  This  interest,  which  is  now 
an  important  one  in  the  state's  industrial  economy,  has  before  it  a  promising  future,  both  in  its 
own  development,  and  in  its  indirect  influence  upon  the  improvement  of  the  agriculture  of  the 
state. 

The  history  of  the  earlier  attempts  in  fruit  raising  in  Wisconsin  would  be  little  more  than  a 
record  of  failures.  The  pioneers  planted  apple,  peach,  plum,  and  cherry  trees,  but  they  gathered 
little  or  no  fruit.  As  was  natural,  they  planted  those  varieties  that  were  known  to  do  well  in  the 
older  states  of  the  same  latitude.  Little  was  known  of  the  climate,  and  there  was  no  apparent 
reason  why  those  varieties  should  not  do  well  here.  The  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  spQt 
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  have  originated  in  Wisconsin.  Apple  trees  are  less  apt  to  be  injured  by 
the  winter  upon  a  site  sloping  to  the  northeast  or  north,  where  they  are  less  directly  exposed  to 
the  rays  of  the  winter's  sun.  High  ground  is  much  better  than  low,  and  a  good,  strong,  not  too 
rich  soil  is  best.  Apples  do  better  upon  soils  where  timber  originally  grew  than  on  the  prairies, 
and  they  are  grown  more  easily  along  the  border  of  Lake  Michigan  than  in  the  interior  of  the 
state.  Pears  are  raised  to  but  a  slight  extent,  as  only  a  few  of  the  hardiest  varieties  will  succeed 
at  all,  and  these  only  in  favorable  situations.  Grapes  are  grown  in  great  abundance,  .*nd  in 
great  perfection,  although  not  of  the  more  tender  varieties.  The  Concord,  on  account  of  its 
hardiness  and  excellent  bearing  qualities,  is  cultivated  most  generally.  Next  to  this  comes  the 
Delaware,  while  many  other  varieties,  both  excellent  and  prolific,  are  raised  with  great  ease.  The 
season  is  seldom  too  short  to  ripen  the  fruit  well,  and  the  only  precaution  necessary  to  protect 
the  vjnes  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  lias  been  regarded  here- 
tofore. 

Of  the  associations  for  advancing  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  state,  the  first  organized 
was  the  "  State  Agricultural  Society."  The  earliest  efforts  to  establish  such  an  organization  were 
made  at  Madison  in  December,  1846,  during  the  session  of  the  first  constitutional  convention  of 
the  territory.  A  constitution  was  adopted,  but  nothing  further  was  done.  In  February,  184^ 
another  meeting  was  held  in  Madison,  at  which  it  was  "  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great 
importance  of  agriculture  in  the  west,  it  is  expedient  to  form  a  state  agricultural  society  in 
Wisconsin."  Another  constitution  was  adopted,  and  officers  were  elected,  but  no  effectual 
organization  resulted  from  this  second  attempt.  The  "Wisconsin  State  Agricultural  Society" — 
the  present  organization — had  its  inception  in  a  meeting  held  at  Madison,  March  8,  1851,  at 
which  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  and  to  nominate  persons 
to  fill  the  various  offices  of  said  society.  At  its  organization,  the  society  was  composed  of  annual 
members,  who  paid  one  dollar  dues  each  year,  and  of  life  members,  who,  upon  the  payment  of 
ten  dollars,  were  exempt  from  the  annual  contribution.       The  annual  membership  was  afterward 


AGRICULTURE  161 

abolished,  and  in  1869  the  fee  constituting  one  a  life  member  was  raised  to  twenty  dollars.  The 
first  annual  fair  of  the  society  was  held  in  Janesville,  in  October,  1851  Fairs  have  been  held 
annually  since,  except  during  the  years  1S61,  1862  and  1863.  In  1851  premiums  were  paid  to 
the  amount  of  only  $140,  while  at  the  present  time  they  amount  to  nearly  $10,000.  In  1851 
there  were  five  life  members.  At  the  present  time  there  are  over  seven  hundred,  representing  all 
the  various  industries  of  the  state.  The  fairs  held  under  the  auspices  of  this  society  have  been 
of  excellent  character,  and  have  been  fruitful  of  good  to  all  the  industries  of  the  state,  but  more 
especially  to  the  farmers.  The  state  has  been  generous  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"  wae  originally  the  "Wisconsin  State 
Fruit  Growers'  Association,"  which  was  organized  in  December,  1853,  at  Whitewater.  Its 
avowed  object  was  "the  collecting,  arranging,  and  disseminatingfacts  interesting  to  those  engaged 
in  the  culture  of  fruits,  and  to  embody  for  their  use  the  results  ol  the  practice  and  experiments 
of  fruit  growers  in  all  parts  of  the  state."  Exhibitions  and  conventions  of  the  association  were 
held  annually  up  to  1S60,  after  which  the  society  was  disorganized,  owing  to  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war  of  the  rebellion  A  volume  of  "  Transactions  "  was  published  by  the  association  in 
1855.  In  1S59  its  transactions  were  published  with  those  of  the  state  agricultural  society.  From 
i860  to  1865  no  state  horticultural  association  was  in  existence.  In  September  of  the  latter 
year  the  "  Wisconsin  Fruit  Growers'  Association  "  was  reorganized  as  the  "Wisconsin  State  Hor- 
ticultural Society."'  The  legislature  had  previously  provided  for  the  publication  of  the  proceedings 
of  suc'i  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 
187 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  whieh  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  theiv 
frequent  meetings,  at  which  discussions  are  held,  views  compared,  and  experiences  related,  much 
valuable  intelligence  is  gained,  thought  is  stimulated,  and  the  profession  of  farming  advanced. 
As  agriculture,  like  all  kindred  professions,  depends  upon  intelligence  to  direct  its  advancement, 
all  means  intended  to  stimulate  thought  among  farmers  will,  if  wisely  directed,  aid  in  advancing 
this  most  complex  of  all  industries.  To  those  above  named,  and  to  other  like  associations, 
is  in  a  large  degree  to  be  attributed  the  present  favorable  condition  of  the  agriculture  of 
the  state. 

Wisconsin  is  yet,  comparatively,  a  new  State.  It  was  mainly  settled  by  men  who  had  little 
moneyed  capital.  Markets  were  distant,  and  means  of  transportation  poor.  The  early  settlers  had 
consequently  tostruggle  for  a  livelihood  in  the  face  of  the  greatest  difficulties.  When  these  opposing 


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-clay,  kaolin,  cement-rock,  limestone  for  burning  into  quick-lime, 
limestone  for  flux,  glass  sand,  peat  and  building  stone. 

LEAD  AND  ZINC. 

These  metals  are  considered  together  because  they  are  found  occurring  together  in  the  same 
region  and  under  exactly  the  same  circumstances,  being  even  obtained  from  the  same  openings. 
Lead  has  for  many  years  been  the  most  important  metallic  production  of  Wisconsin,  and,  together 
with  zinc,  whose  ores  have  been  utilized  only  since  i860,  still  holds  this  prominent  position, 
although  the  production  is  not  so  great  as  formerly.  Small  quantities  of  lead  and  zinc  ores  have 
been  found  in  the  crystalline  (Archaean)  rocks  of  the  northern  part  of  the  state  and  in  the  copper- 
bearing  rocks  of  the  Lake  Superior  country,  but  there  are  no  indications  at  present  that  these 
regions  will  ever  produce  in  quantity.  All  of  the  lead  and  zinc  obtained  in  Wisconsin  corner 
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. 

Whit  European  first  became  acquainted  with  the  deposits  of  lead  in  the  uppei  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  stutes  that  in  r72i 
the  deposits  still  bore  Perrol's  name.  Perrot  himself,  however,  in  the  only  one  of  his  writings 
that  remains,  makes  no  mention  of  the  matter.  The  itinerary  of  Le  Sueur's  voyage  up  the 
Mississippi,  1700-1701,  given  in  La  Harpe's  History  of  Louisiana,  which  was  written  early  in 
the  18th  century,  shows  that  the  former  found  lead  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  not  far  from 


MINERAL    RESOURCES. 


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,  1788  to  1809,  mined  in  the  vicinity  of  the  flourishing  city  which 
now  bears  his  name.  After  his  death  in  1809  nothing  more  was  done  until  1821,  when  the 
attention  of  American  citizens  was  first  drawn  to  the  rich  lead  deposits  of  this  region.  By  1827, 
the  mining  had  become  quite  general  and  has  continued  to  the  'present  time,  the  maximum 
production  having  been  reached,  however,  between  the  years  1845  and  1847. 

The  following  table,   prepared  by  the  late   Moses  Strong,  shows  the  mineral   production  of 
southwestern  Wisconsin  for  the  years  i860  to  1873  in  pounds: 


YEARS. 

GALENA. 

SMITHSONITE. 

YEAR. 

GALENA. 

SMITHSONITE. 

BLENDE. 

i860 
lS6l 

320,000 
266,000 

1,120,000 
3.173.333 

4,igS,200 
7.373.333 

1867 
1868 
1S69 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 

I3S20.784 
13,869,619 
13,426,721 

13.754.159 

l3.4S4.2iO 

11,622.668 

9.9I9.734 

5.l8l,445 
4,302,383 
4.547.97I 
4.429.  585 

16,618,160 
27,021,383 
18,528,906 

841,310 

3,078.435 
6,252,420 
7,414,022 
9,303.625 
16,256,970 
15,074,664 

1862 
1863 
1864 
I865 
1866 

17,037,912 

15,105.577 
13.014,210 
14.337,895 
14,029,192 

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  Rocky  Mountain  regions,  which,  though  worked  especially  for  their  silver,  produce 
incidentally  a  very  large  amount  of  lead.  Nevertheless,  the  mines  of  the  Mississippi  valley  will 
long  continue  to  be  a  very  important  source  of  this  metal.  The  lead  ore  of  the  Wisconsin  lead 
region  is  of  one  kind  only,  the  sulphide  known  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- 
line rocks  (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,  Thlcintss. 

Niagara  dolomitic  limestone 300 —  300  feet. 

Cincinnati  shales _ 60 —  100     " 

1  Galena  dolomitic  limestone 25O7-  275     " 

Lead  Horizon -,  Blue  limestone .. __ 50 —     75     " 

I  Buff  dolomitic  limestone .    15 —     20     " 

Lower  Magnesian  1  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  onlv  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,  Blu<>  ind  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  tne  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  otiiers,  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  either  the  black-jack  or  dry-bone  zinc  ores,  or  both,  the  galena  not  unfrequently 
being  entirely  wanting.  Cleavable  calcite  also  accompanies  the  ores  in  these  openings  in  large 
quantities,  and  the  same  is  true  of  the  sulphide  of  iron,  which  ii  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  papei,  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  1873,  these  two  establishments  have  produced 
23,903,260  pounds  of  metallic  lead,  or  an  average  of  1,991,938  pounds,  the  maximum  being,  in 
1869,  2,532,710  pounds,  the  minimum,  in  1873,  i,5iS,S8S  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  clav.  both  of  which  have  to  come  from  a  distance,  exceeding  even  the  amount  of  ore  used, 
caused  a  very  heavy  expense  for  transportation.  The  ores  are  therefore  now  taken  altogether  to 
LaSalle,  Illinois,  where  they  meet  the  fuel  and  clay,  and  the  industry  at  that  place  has  become 
a  flourishing  one.  The  amount  of  zinc  ore  in  the  Wisconsin  lead  region  is,  beyond  doubt,  very 
great,  and  will  be  a  source  of  wealth  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

Since  the  ores  of  zinc  and  lead  in  this  region  are  confined  to  such  a  small  thickness  of  strata 
greatly  eroded  by  the  atmospheric  waters,  the  entire  thickness  having  frequently  been  removed, 
it  becomes  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  know  how  much  of  the  mining  ground  remains  at 
every  point  throughout  the  district.  The  very  excellent  topographico-geological  maps  of  the 
region,  made  by  Mr.  Moses  Strong,  and  since  published  by  the  State  in  the  Report  of  the 
Geological  Survey,  make  this  knowledge  accessible  to  all. 

IRON. 

Iron  mining  in  Wisconsin  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  although  some  important  deposits  are 
producing  a  considerable  quantity  of  ore.  A  number  of  blast  furnaces  have  sprung  up  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  state,  but  these  smelt  Michigan  ores  almost  entirely.  Much  remains  yet  to 
be  done  in  the  way  of  exploration,  for  the  most  promising  iron  fields  are  in  the  heavily  timbered 
and  unsettled  regions  of  the  north  part  of  the  state,  and  are  as  yet  imperfectly  known.  It 
appears  probable,  however,  that  iron  ores  will,  in  the  near  future,  be  the  most  important  mineral 
production  of  Wisconsin.  The  several  ores  will  be  noted  in  the  order  of  their  present  im- 
portance. 

Red  Hematites. 

The  iron  in  these  ores  exists  as  an  anhydrous  sesquioxide,  which  is,  however,  in  an  earthy 
condition,  and  entirely  without  the  brilliant  metallic  luster  that  characterizes  the  specular  hema- 
tites. Pure  hematite  contains  seventy  per  cent,  of  metallic  iron,  but  the  red  hematites,  as  mined, 
are  always  so  largely  mingled  with  mechanical  impurities  that  they  rarely  contain  more  than  fifty 
per  cent.  The  most  important  red  hematite  mined  in  Wisconsin  is  that  known  as  the  Clinton  iron 
ore,  the  name  coming  from  the  formation  in  which  the  ore  occurs.  This  formation  is  a  member 
of  the  Upper  Silurian  series,  and  is  named  from  a  locality  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  where  it 
was  first  recognized.  Associated  with  its  rocks,  which  are  limestones  and  shales,  is  con- 
stantly found  a  peculiar  red  hematite,  which  is  so  persistent  in  its  characters,  both  physical  and 


16(3  HISTORY   <>K    WISCONSIN. 

and  chemical,  that  one  familiar  with  it  from  any  one  locality  can  hardly  fail  to  recognize  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,  95.784  per  cent;  phosphorus, 
1.675  :  carbon,  0.849;  silicon,  0.108  =  100.286.  The  average  furnace  yield  of  the  ore  is  forty- 
five  per  cent.  By  far  the  larger  part  of  the  ore,  however,  is  sent  away  to  mingle  with  other  ores. 
It  goes  to  Chicago,  Joliet  and  Springfield,  III.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Wyandotte  and  Jackson,  Mich., 
and  Appleton,  Green  Hay  and  Milwaukee,  Wis.  In  1872,  the  Iron  Ridge  mines  yielded  82,371 
tons.  The  Clinton  ore  is  found  at  other  places  farther  north  along  the  outcrop  of  the  base  of 
the  Niagara  formation  in  Wisconsin,  but  no  one  of  these  appears  to  promise  any  great  quantity 
of  good  ore.  Red  hematite  is  found  at  numerous  places  in  Wisconsin,  highly  charging  certain 
layers  of  the  Potsdam  sandstone  series,  the  lowest  one  of  the  horizontal  Wisconsin  formations. 
In  the  eastern  part  of  the  town  of  Westfield,  Sauk  county,  the  iron  ore  excludes  the  sandstone, 
forming  an  excellent  ore.  No  developments  have  been  made  in  this  district,  so  that  the  size  of 
the  deposit  is  not  definitely  known. 

Brown  Hematites. 

These  ores  contain  their  iron  as  the  hydrated,  or  brown,  sesquioxide,  which,  when  pure, 
has  about  sixty  per  cent,  of  the  metal ;  the  ordinary  brown  hematites,  however,  seldom 
contain  over  forty  per  cent.  Bog  iron  ore,  a  porous  brown  hematite  that  forms  by  deposi- 
tion from  the  water  of  bogs,  occurs  somewhat  widely  scattered  underneath  the  large  marshes  of 
Portage,  Wood  and  Juneau  counties.  Very  excellent  bog  ore,  containing  nearly  50  per  cent,  of 
iron,  is  found  near  Necedah,  Juneau  county,  and  near  Grand  Rapids,  Wood  county,  but  the 
amount  obtainable  is  not  definitely  known.  The  Necedah  ore  contains:  silica,  8.52  ;  alumina, 
3.77;  iron  peroxide,  71.40;  manganese  oxide,  0.27;  lime,  0.58;  magnesia,  trace;  phosphoric 
acid,  0.21;  sulphur,  0.02;  organic  matter,  1.62;  water,  13.46=99.85,  metallic  iron,  49.98 — 
according  to  Mr.  E.  T.  Sweet's  analysis.  An  ore  from  section  34,  tup.  23,  range  6  east,  Wood 
county,  yielded,  to  Mr.  Oliver  Matthews,  silica,  4.81  ;  alumina,  1.00;  iron  peroxide,  73.23  ;  lime, 
0.1 1,  magnesia,  0.25;  sulphuric  acid,  0.07  ;  phosphoric  acid,  o.  10 ;  organic  matter,  5.88;  water, 


MINERAL   RESOURCES.  167 

14.24;  =99.69:  metallic  iron,  51.26. 

Brown  hematite,  mingled  with  more  or  less  red  ore,  occurs  also  in  some  quantity  filling  cracks 
and  irregular  cavities  in  certain  portions  of  the  Potsdam  series  in  northwestern  Sauk  county  and 
the  adjoining  portion  of  Richland.  A  small  charcoal  furnace  has  been  in  operation  on  this  ore 
at  Ironton,  Sauk  county,  for  a  number  of  years,  and  recently  another  one  has  been  erected  at 
Cazenovia  in  the  same  district.  * 

Magnetic  Ores  and  Specular  Hematites. 

These  are  taken  together  here,  because  their  geological  occurrence  is  the  same,  the  two  ores 
occurring  not  only  in  the  same  group  of  rocks,  but  even  intimately  mingled  with  one  another. 
These  ores  are  not  now  produced  in  Wisconsin;  but  it  is  quite  probable  that  they  may  before 
many  years  become  its  principal  mineral  production.  In  magnetic  iron  ore,  the  iron  is  in  the 
shape  of  the  mineral  magnetite,  an  oxide  of  iron  containing  72  4  per  cent  of  iron  when  pure,  and 
this  is  the  highest  percentage  of  iron  that  any  ore  can  ever  have.  Specular  hematite  is  the  same 
as  red  hematite,  but  is  crystalline,  has  a  bright,  metallic  luster,  and  a  considerable  hardness.  As 
mined  the  richest  magnetic  and  specular  ores  rarely  run  over  65  per  cent.,  while  in  most  regions 
where  they  are  mined  they  commonly  do  not  reach  50  per  cent.  The  amount  of  rich  ores  of  this 
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  magnetic 
and  specular  iron  oxides,  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  Black  River  Falls,  Jackson  county ;  but  in  none 
of  these  places  is  there  any  promise  of  the  existence  of  valuable  ore. 

In  the  Penokee  and  Menomonee  regions,  the  iron  ores  occur  in  a  series  of  slaty  and 
quartzose  rocks  known  to  geologists  as  the  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 
rock  series  holds  great  beds  of  lean  magnetic  and  specular  ores.  These  contain  large  quantities 
of  quartz,  which,  from  its  great  hardness,  renders  them  very  resistant  to  the  action  of  atmospheric 
erosion.  As  a  result,  these  lean  ores  are  found  forming  high  and  bold  ridges.  Such  ridges  of 
lean  ores  have  deceived  many  explorers,  and  not  a  few  geologists.  In  the  same  rock  series,  for 
the  most  part  occupying  portions  of  a  higher  layer,  are  found,  however,  ores  of  extraordinary 
richness  and  purity,  which,  from  their  comparative  softness,  very  rarely  outcrop.  The  existence 
in  quantity  of  these  very  rich  ores  in  the  Menomonee  region  has  been  definitely  proven.  One 
deposit,  laid  open  during  the  Summer  of  1877,  shows  a  width  of  over  150  feet  of  first  class 
specular  ore ;  and  exceeding  in  size  the  greatest  of  the  famous  deposits  of  Michigan.  In  the 
Penokee  region,  however,  though  the  indications  are  favorable,  the  existence  of  the  richer 
-ores    is    as  yet    an    inference    only.     The    Penokee    range  itself  is  a  wonderful  development  of 


168  HISTOBYOF   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  chalcopy rite,  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 
Rowing  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. 

Colu  am>  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  ('lavs. 

These  constitute  a  very  important  resource  in  Wisconsin.     Extending  inland  for  many  miles 
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 
i  -        rior   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 
\  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 <  itlurs  are  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  whii  h  the  latter  are 


MIXERAL    RESOURCES. 


109 


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.  W. 
Daniells : 


(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

3S-22 

975 

2.84 

1. 16 

16.23 

7-54 
18.50 

75.80 

11.07 

3-53 
0.31  I 

1.S4  [ 
.08  ) 
1.09 

5S.0S 

25.38 

4-44 

8.30 

Potash 

2.16 
0.65 
0-95 
1.85 

1-74 
0.40 

1-54 
2.16 

Iron  peroxide 

Iron  protoxide. .- 

[       4-og 

Moisture 

Totals 

Magnesia.    

99-85 

99-56 

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,  1,700,000;  at  Wat- 
erloo, 1,600,000;  and  in  smaller  quantities  at  Jefferson,  Ft.  Atkinson,  Edgerton,  Whitewater, 
Geneva,  Ozaukee,  Sheboygan  Falls,  Manitowoc,  Kewaunee,  and  other  places.  In  most  cases  the 
cream-colored  bricks  are  made  from  a  bright-red  clay,  although  occasionally  the  clay  is  light- 
colored.     At  Whitewater  and  other  places  tile  and  pottery  are  also  made  from  this  clay. 

Although  these  lacustrine  clays  are  much  the  most  important  in  Wisconsin,  excellent  brick 
clays  are  also  found  in  the  interior  of  the  state.  In  numbers  of  places  along  the  Yahara  valley, 
in  Dane  county,  an  excellent  stratified  clay  occurs.  At  Madison  this  is  burned  to  a  red  brick  ;  at 
Stoughton  and  Oregon  to  a  fine  cream-colored  brick.  At  Platteville,  Lancaster,  and  other  points 
in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  state,  red  bricks  are  made  from  clays  found  in  the  vicinity. 


Kaolin  (Porcelain  -Clay  —  Fire  -  Clay). 

The  word  "kaolin*"  is  applied  by  geologists  to  a  clay-like  material  which  is  used  in  making 
chinaware  in  this  country  and  in  Europe.  The  word  is  of  Chinese  origin,  and  is  applied  by  the 
Chinese  to  the  substance  from  which  the  famous  porcelain  of  China  is  made.  Its  application  to 
the  European  porcelain-c/dr  was  made  under  the  mistaken  idea — one  which  has  prevailed  among 
scientists  until  very  recently — that  the  Chinese  material  is  the  same  as  the  European.  This  we 
now  know  to  be  an  error,  the  Chinese  and  Japanese  wares  being  both  made  altogether  from  a 
solid  rock. 

True  kaolin,  using  the  word  in  its  European  sense,  is  unlike  other  ordinary  clays,  in  being 
the  result  of  the  disintegration  of  felspathic  crystalline  rocks  "in  place,"' that  is  without  being 
removed  from  the  place  of  its  first  formation.  The  base  of  kaolin  is  a  mineral  known  as  kaolinite,  a 
compound  of  silica,  alumina  and  water,  which  results  from  a  change  or  decay  of  the  felspar  of 
felspar-bearing  rocks.  Felspar  contains  silica,  aliimina,  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 


JIISToKY   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. 

LI  VIGATION   PRODUCTS. 

RAW   CLAY. 

LEVIG  ITION  PRODUCTS 

iini    CLAY. 

COARSE 
RESIDUE. 

1  INK  CLAY. 

<  -  -  \K--F. 

RESIDUE. 

78.83 

13-43 
0.74 
0.64 
0.07 
0.37 

4994 

3680 

O.72 

trace 

O.51 

92.86 

'208 

0-74 
O.96 

0.10    ; 

0.28 

Soda  .  .        ... 

Carbonic  Acid 

Water 

Totals 

0.0.7 
OOI 

5-45 

O.08 

II.62 

O.05 

Iron  peroxide 

»-S3 

99.60 

99.67 

99.60 

Potash 

Cement  -  !<•»  k. 


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  lias  become  very  recently  somewhat 
widely  known  as  the  "  Milwaukee  "  <  ement-rock.  This  rock  belongs  to  the  Hamilton  formation, 
and  is  found  near  the  Washington  street  bridge,  at  Brown  Deer,  on  the  lake  shore  at  Whitefish 


MINERAL    RESOURCES. 


171 


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  : 


I. 

2. 

3- 

45-54 
32.46 
17.56    . 

I.41 

3-03 

100.00 

4S.29 

29.19 

17.36 

1.40 

224 

. 

41.34 

34.88 

16.99 

5.00 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia 

1.79 

Totals 

9S.68 

100.00 

Limestone  for  Making  Quick -lime. 

I 

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 
33  of  that  town,  where  some  20,000  bushels  are  produced  annually,  in  two  kilns.  The  lime  from 
this  place  has  a  considerable  local  reputation  under  the  name  of  "Madison  lime."  The  Trenton 
limestone  is  burned  at  a  few  points,  but  yields  an  inferior  lime.  The  Galena  is  not  very  generally 
burned,  but  yields  a  better  lime  than  the  Trenton.  In  the  region  about  Watertown  and  White- 
water, some  40,000  to  50,000  barrels  are  made  annually  from  this  formation. 

The  Niagara,  however,  is  the  great  lime  furnisher  of  the  northwest.  From  its  purity  it  is 
adapted  to  the  making  of  a  most  admirable  lime.  It  is  burned  on  a  large  scale  at  numbers  of 
points  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  among  which  may  be  mentioned,  Pellon's  kilns,  Pewau- 
kee,  where  12,000  barrels  are  made  weekly  and  shipped  to  Chicago,  Grand  Haven,  Des  Moines, 
etc.;  and  Holick  &  Son's  kilns,  Racine,  which  yield  60,000  to  75,000  barrels  annually.  A  total 
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.  TheTe  are  certain  layers,  however,  in  the  Trenton  lime- 
stone, widely  spread  over  the  southern  part  of  the  state,  which  are  non-magnesian,  and  frequently 
sufficiently  free  from  earthy  impurities  to  be  used  as  a  flux.  These  layers  deserve  the  attention 
of  the  iron  masters  of  the  state. 

Glass  Sand. 

Much  of  the  St.  Peter's  sandstone  is  a  purely  siliceous,  loose,  white  sand,  well  adapted  to 
the  making  of  glass.     It  is  now  being  put  to  this  use  at  points  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state. 


17:2  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  •irelimmaiy  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  iine,  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  II  of  the  Reports  of  the  State  Geological  Survey,  including  Professor  T.  C.  Chamberlin's 
Report  on  the  Geology  of  Eastern  Wisconsin,  my  own  Report  on  the  Geology  of  Central  Wisconsin, 
and  Mr.  Strong's  Report  on  the  Geology  of  the  Lead  Region  ;  Mr.  E.  T.  Sweet's  account  of  the 
mineral  exhibit  of  the  state  at  the  Centennial  Exposition. ;  and  of  my  unpublished  reports  on  the 
geology  of  the  counties  bordering  Lake  Superior. 


WISCONSIN    RAILROADS. 

By  Hon.  H.  H.  GILES. 

The  territory  of  Wisconsin  offered  great  advantages  to  emigrants.  Explorers  had  published 
accounts  of  the  wonderful  fertility  of  its  soil,  the  wealth  of  its  broad  prairies  and  forest  openings, 
and  the  beauty  of  its  lakes  and  rivers.  Being  reached  from  the  older  states  by  way  of  the  lakes 
and  easily  accessible  by  a  long  line  of  lake  coast,  the  hardships  incident  to  weeks  of  land  travel 
were  avoided.  Previous  to  1S36  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  i860,  773,693;  in  1S70,  1,051,351;  in  1S75,  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  1838  and  1841,  the  territorial  legislature  of  Wisconsin  chartered  several 
railroad  companies,  but  with  the  exception  of  the  "Milwaukee  &  Waukesha  Railroad  Company,'' 
incorporated  in  1847,  none  of  the  corporations  thus  created  took  any  particular  shape.  The 
commissioners  named  in  its  charter  met  November  23,  1847,  and  elected  a  president,  Dr.  L.  W. 
Weeks,  and  a  secretary,  A.  W.  Randall  (afterward  governor  of  Wisconsin).  On  the  first  Monday 
of  February,  1848,  they  opened  books  of  subscription.     The  charter  of  the  company  provided 


174  HISTORY   OF  Wiscoxsix. 

that  $100,000  should  be  subscribed  and  five  percent,  thereof  paid  in  before  the  company  should 
fullv  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  1848, 
authorizing  the  company  to  build  a  road  to  the  Mississippi  river,  in  Grant  county,  and  in  1850, 
its  name  was  changed  to  the  "  Milwaukee  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Company."  After  the  company 
was  fully  organized,  active  measures  were  taken  to  push  the  enterprise  forward  to  completion. 
The  city  of  Milwaukee  loaned  its  credit,  and  in  185 1  the  pioneer  Wisconsin  railroad  reached 
Waukesha,  twenty  miles  out  from  Milwaukee.  In  the  spring  of  1S52,  Edward  H.  Broadhead,  a 
prominent  engineer,  from  from  the  state  of  New  York,  was  put  in  charge  of  the  work  as  chief 
engineer  and  superintendent.  Under  his  able  and  energetic  administration  the  road  was  pushed 
forward  in  1852  to  Milton,  in  1853  to  Stoughton,  in  1854  to  Madison,  and  in  1856  to  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  at  Prairie  du  Chien.  In  185 1  John  Catlin  of  Madison,  was  elected  president 
in  place  of  Kilbourn. 

The  proposed  length  of  this  article  will  not  admit  of  any  detailed  statement  of  the  trials, 
struggles  and  triumphs  of  the  men  who  projected,  and  finally  carried  across  the  state,  from  the 
lake  to  the  river,  this  first  Wisconsin  railroad.  Mitchell,  Kilbourn,  Holton,  Tweedy,  Catlin, 
Walker,  Broadhead,  Crocker  and  many  others,  deserve  to  be  remembered  by  our  people  as  bene- 
factors of  the  state.  In  1859  and  1S60,  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. 

The  "Southern  Wisconsin  Railway  Company"  was  chartered  in  1S52,  and  authorized  to  build 
a  road  from  Milton  to  the  Mississippi  river.  When  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  road  reached 
Milton  in  1852,  it  was  not  authorized  by  its  charter  to  go  to  Janesville,  but,  under  the  charter  of 
the  Southern  Wisconsin,  a  company  was  organized  that  built  the  eight  miles  to  Janesville  in  1853. 
Under  a  subsequent  amendment  to  the  charter,  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  company  was 
authorized  to  build  from  Milton  to  the  Mississippi  river.  The  Janesville  branch  was  then 
purchased  and  extended  to  Monroe,  a  distance  of  about  thirty-four  miles,  or  forty-two  miles  west 
of  Milton.  Surveys  were  made  and  a  line  located  west  of  Monroe  to  the  river.  The  people  of 
La  Fayette  and  Grant  counties  have  often  been  encouraged  to  expect  a  direct  railroad  communi- 
cation with  the  city  of  Milwaukee.  Other  and  more  important  interests,  at  least  so  considered 
by  the  railroad  company,  have  delayed  the  execution  of  the  original  plan,  and  the  road  through 
the  counties  mentioned  still  remains  unbuilt. 

The  "  LaCrosse  &  Milwaukee  Railroad  Company  "  was  chartered  in  1852,  to  construct  a  road 
from  LaCrosse  to  Milwaukee.  During  the  year  in  which  the  charter  was  obtained,  the  company 
was  organized,  and  the  first  meeting  of  the  commissioners  held  at  LaCrosse.  Among  its  pro- 
jectors were  Byron  Kilbourn  and  Moses  M.  Strong.  Kilbourn  was  elected  its  first  president. 
No  work  was  done  upon  this  line  until  after  its  consolidation  with  the  "  Milwaukee,  Fond  du  Lac 
&  Green  Bay  Railroad  Company"  in  1854.  The  latter  company  was  chartered  in  1853,  to  build  a 
road  from  Milwaukee  via  West  Bend  to  Fond  du  Lac  and  Green  Bay.  It  organized  in  the  spring  of 
1853,  and  at  once  commenced  active  operations  under  the  supervision  of  James  Kneeland,  its 
first  president.  The  city  of  Milwaukee  loaned  its  credit  for  $200,000,  and  gave  city  bonds.  The 
company  secured  depot  grounds  in  Milwaukee,  and  did  considerable  grading  for  the  first  twenty- 
five  miles  out.  Becoming  embarrassed  in  January,  1854,  the  Milwaukee,  Fond  du  Lac  &  Green 
Bay  consolidated  with  the  LaCrosse  &  Milwaukee  company.  Work  was  at  once  resumed  on 
the  partially  graded  line.      In   1855  the  road  was  completed  to  Horicon,  fifty  miles. 


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  1856,  and  was  consolidated 
with  the  LaCrosse  &  Milwaukee  road  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  congress  made  a  grant  of  land  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  to  aid  in  the 
building  of  a  railroad  from  Madison,  or  Columbus,  via  Portage  City,  to  the  St.  Croix  river  or 
lake,  between  townships  25  and  31.  and  from  thence  to  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior,  and  to 
Bayfield.  An  adjourned  session  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature  met  on  September  3  of  that  year, 
to  dispose  of  the  grant.  The  disposal  of  this  grant  had  been  generally  discussed  by  the  press, 
and  the  public  sentiment  of  the  state  seemed  to  tend  toward  its  bestowal  upon  a  new  company. 
There  is  little  doubt  but  that  this  was  also  the  sentiment  of  a  large  majority  of  the  members  of 
both  houses  when  the  session  commenced.  When  a  new  company  was  proposed  a  joint  com- 
mittee of  twenty  from  the  senate  and  assembly  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  bill,  conferring  the 
grant  upon  a  company  to  be  created  by  the  bill  itself.  The  work  of  the  committee  proceeded 
harmoniously  until  the  question  of  who  should  be  corporators  was  to  be  acted  upon,  when  a 
difference  of  opinion  was  found  to  exist,  and  one  that  proved  difficult  to  harmonize.  In  the  mean- 
time the  LaCrosse  and  Watertown  companies  had  consolidated,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  the 
members  of  both  houses  were  "propitiated"  by  "  pecuniary  compliments"  to  induce  them  to 
pass  the  bill,  conferring  the  so  called  St.  Croix  grant  upon  the  LaCrosse  &  Milwaukee  railroad 
company.  The  vote  in  the  assembly  in  the  passage  of  the  bill  was,  ayes  62,  noes  7.  In  the  senate 
it  stood,  ayes  17,  noes  7. 

At  the  session  of  the  legislature  of  1858  a  committee  was  raised  to  investigate  the  matter, 
and  their  report  demonstrated  that  bonds  were  set  apart  for  all  who  voted  for  the  LaCrosse  bill; 
to  members  of  assembly  $5,000  each,  and  members  of  senate  $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  1852.  Between  the 
years  1855  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  &:  Western  Railroad  Com- 
pany." It  owned  a  line  of  road  from  Brookfield  to  Watertown,  and  branches  from  the  latter 
place  to  Columbus  and  Sun  Prairie,  in  all  about  eighty  miles  in  length. 

In  1858  and  1859  the  La  Crosse  &  Milwaukee  and  the  Milwaukee  &  Horicon  companies 
defaulted  in  the  payment  of  the  interest  on  their  bonded  debts.  In  the  same  years  the  bond- 
holders of  the  two  companies  instituted  foreclosure  proceedings  on  the  different  trust  deeds  given  to 
secure  their  bonds.  Other  suits  to  enforce  the  payment  of  their  floating  debts  were  also  com- 
menced. Protracted  litigation  in  both  the  state  and  federal  courts  resulted  in  a  final  settlement 
in  1868,  by  a  decision  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States.     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  1S64  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  oc  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  rest; 
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  ii  all  two 
thousand  two  hundred  and  seven  miles.  Its  lines  extend  to  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  in 
Minnesota,  and  to  Algona  in  Iowa,  and  over  the  Western  Union  to  Savanna  and  Rock  Island 
in  the  State  of  Illinois. 

The  "  Oshkosh  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Company '' was  chartered  in  1866  to  build  a  road 
from  the  city  of  Oshkosh  to  the  Mississippi  river.  Its  construction  to  Ripon  in  1872  was  a 
move  on  the  part  of  citizens  of  Oshkosh  to  connect  their  town  with  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul 
road.     It  is  twenty  miles  in  length  and  leased  to  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  company. 

In  1871  and  1872  the  "Wisconsin  Union  Railroad  Company,"  of  which  John  W.  Cary  was 
president,  built  a  road  from  Milwaukee  to  the  state  line  between  Wisconsin  and  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,  tlie  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  witli  the  "  Rock  River  Valley  Union  Railroad  Com- 
pany," and  the  new  organization  took  the  name  of  the  "Chicago,  St.  Paul  >V  Fond  du  Lac  Rail- 


WISCONSIN   RAILROADS.  17? 

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)  widthv 
and  the  work  was  vigorously  pushed,  reaching  Janesville  in  1855  and  Fond  du  Lac  in  1858.  The 
Rock  River  Valley  Union  railroad  company  had,  however,  built  about  thirty  miles  from  Fond 
du  Lac  south  toward  Minnesota  Junction  before  the  consolidation  took  place.  The  partially 
graded  line  on  a  direct  route  between  Janesville  and  Madison  was  abandoned.  In  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  LTnion  Railroad  Company"  had  built  a  branch  of  the  Galena 
line  from  Belvedere  to  Beloit  previous  to  1854.  In  that  year,  it  leased  the  Beloit  &  Madison 
road,  and  from  1856  operated  it  in  connection  with  the  Milwaukee  &  Mississippi,  reaching  Janes- 
ville by  way  of  Hanover  Junction,  a  station  on  its  Southern  Wisconsin  branch,  eight  miles  west 
of  Janesville.  The  consolidation  of  the  Galena  &  Chicago  Union  and  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul  & 
Fond  du  Lac  companies  was  effected  and  approved  by  legislative  enactment  in  1855,  and  a  new 
organization  called  the  "Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railway  Company  "  took  their  place. 

The  "Green  Bay,  Milwaukee  &  Chicago  Railroad  Company  "  was  chartered  in  185 1  to  build 
a  road  from  Milwaukee  to  the  state  line  of  Illinois  to  connect  with  a  road  from  Chicago,  called 
the  Chicago  &  Milwaukee  railroad.  Both  roads  were  completed  in  1855,  and  run  in  connection 
until  1863,  when  they  were  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  "Chicago  &  Milwaukee  Railroad 
Company."  To  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul,  the  Chicago  & 
Northwestern  secured  it  by  perpetual  lease,  May  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 
county  of  Kenosha  and  crosses  the  state  line  near  the  village  of  Genoa  in  the  county  of  Wal- 
worth, a  distance  of  thirty  miles  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  and  there  connects  with  a  road  in 
Illinois  running  to  Rockford,  and  with  which  it  consolidated.  Kenosha  and  its  citizens  were  the 
principal  subscribers  to  its  capital  stock.  The  company  issued  its  bonds,  secured  by  the  usual 
mortgage  on  its  franchises  and  property.  Failing  to  pay  its  interest,  the  mortgage  was  foreclosed, 
and  the  road  was  sold  to  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  company  in  1863,  and  is  now  operated  by 
it  as  the  Kenosha  division.     The  line  was  constructed  from  Kenosha  to  Genoa  in  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  1872  and  1873  from  Milwaukee  to  Fond  du 
Lac.     The  Chicago  &   Northwestern   company  were  principally  interested  in  its  being  built,  to 


178  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN". 

shorten  its  line  between  Chicago  and  Green  Bay,  and  now  uses  it  as  its  main  through  line  between 
the  two  points. 

The  "  Baraboo  Air-Line  Railroad  Company"  was  incorporated  in  1870,  to  build  a  road  from 
Madison,  Columbus,  or  Waterloo  via  Baraboo,  to  La  Crosse,  or  any  point  on  the  Mississippi 
river.  It  organized  in  the  interest  of  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern,  with  which  company  it  con- 
solidated, and  the  work  of  building  a  connecting  line  between  Madison  and  Winona  Junction 
was  vigorously  pushed  forward.  Lodi  was  reached  in  1S70,  Baraboo  in  1871,  and  Winona  Junc- 
tion in  1874.  The  ridges  between  Elroy  and  Sparta  were  tunneled  at  great  expense  and  with 
much  difficulty.  In  1874  the  company  reported  an  expenditure  for  its  three  tunnels  of 
$476,743.32,  and  for  the  129  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  1867  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
company  bought  of  D.  N.  Barney  &  Co.  their  interest  in  the  Winona  &  St.  Peters  railway,  a  line 
being  built  westerly  from  Winona  in  Minnesota,  and  of  which  one  hundred  and  five  miles  had 
been  built.  It  also  bought  of  the  same  parties  their  interest  in  the  La  Crosse,  Trempealeau  & 
Prescott  railway,  a  line  being  built  from  Winona  Junction,  three  miles  east  of  La  Crosse,  to 
Winona,  Minn.  The  latter  line  was  put  in  operation  in  1870,  and  is  twenty-nine  miles  long. 
With  the  completion  of  its  Madison  branch  to  Winona  junction,  in  1873,  it  had  in  operation  a 
line  from  Chicago,  via  Madison  and  Winona,  to  Lake  Kampeska,  Minn.,  a  distance  of  six  hundred 
and  twenty-three  miles. 

In  the  year  1856  a  valuable  grant  of  land  was  made  by  congress  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin 
to  aid  in  the  construction  of  railroads.  The  Chicago,  St.  Paul  &  Fond  du  Lac  company  claimed 
that  the  grant  was  obtained  through  its  efforts,  and  that  of  right  it  should  have  the  northeastern 
grant,  so-called.  At  the  adjourned  session  of  the  legislature  of  1856,  a  contest  over  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  grant  resulted  in  conferring  it  upon  the  "  Wisconsin  &  Superior  Railroad  Company," 
a  corporation  chartered  for  the  express  purpose  of  giving  it  this  grant.  It  was  generally  believed 
at  the  time  that  the  new  company  was  organized  in  the  interest  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul  & 
Fond  du  Lac  company,  and  at  the  subsequent  session,  in  the  following  year,  it  was  authorized  to 
consolidate  with  the  new  company,  which  it  did  in  the  spring  of  that  year,  and  thus  obtained  the 
grant  of  3,840  acres  per  mile  along  its  entire  line,  from  Fond  du  Lac  northerly  to  the  state  line 
between  Wisconsin  and  Michigan.  It  extended  its  road  to  Oshkosh  in  1S59,  to  Appleton  in 
i86i,and  in  18O2  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  nowbecamea  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  ..V  Northern  Railway  Company"  was  incorporated  in  1S70,  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  1S73,  and  in  that 
vear  leased  Us  line  to  the  "  Wisconsin  Central  Railroad  Company,"  which  is  still  operating  it.     In 


WISCONSIN   RAILROADS".  179 

1S64  congress  made  a  grant  of  land  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  a  rail- 
road from  Berlin,  Dory'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  1S66  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  187 1  the  name  of  the  company  was  changed  to 
the  "  Wisconsin  Central  Railroad  Company."  The  Winnebago  &  Lake  Superior  company  was 
organized' under  Hon.  George  Reed  as  president,  and  at  once  commenced  the  construction  of  its 
line  of  road  between  Menasha  and  Stevens  Point.  In  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,  1875,  and  October,  1876, 
seven  y-one  miles  in  length.  The  gap  of  forty-two  miles  between  Worcester  and  Penoka  iron 
ridge  was  closed  in  June,  1877.  E.  B.  Phillips,  of  Milwaukee,  is  president  and  general  manager. 
This  line  of  road  passes  through  a  section  of  our  state  hitherto  unsettled.  It  has  been  pushed 
through  with  energy,  and  opened  up  for  settlement  an  immense  region  of  heavily  timbered  land, 
and  thus  contributed  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  state. 

The  Western  Union  Railroad. 

The  "  Racine,  Janesville  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Company"  was  chartered  in  1852,10  build 
a  road  from  Racine  to  Beloit,  and  was  organized  the  same  year.  The  city  of  Racine  issued  its 
bonds  for  $300,000  in  payment  for  that  amount  of  stock.  The  towns  of  Racine,  Elkhorn,  Dele- 
van  and  Beloit  gave  $190,000,  and  issued  their  bonds,  and  farmers  along  the  line  made  liberal 
subscriptions  and  secured  the  same  by  mortgages  on  their  farms.  The  road  was  built  to  Burling- 
ton in  1855,  to  Delavan  early  in  1856,  and  to  Beloit,  sixty-eight  miles  from  Racine,  during  the 
same  year.     Failing  to  meet  the  interest  on  its  bonds  and  its  floating  indebtedness,  it  was  sur- 


180  HISTORY   or    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- 
em  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 
Chic.1-0.  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  1S63,  the  "  Tomah  &  Lake 
St.  Croix  Railroad  Company  "  was  incorporated,  with  authority  to  cons'. uct  a  railroad  from  some 
point  in  the  town  of  Tomah  in  Monroe  county,  to  such  point  on  Ljke  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  I).  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  ma  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  Raii  way. 

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,  "hen  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 
banged  to  "  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western  Railway  Company,"  by  which  name  it  is 
still  known. 

In  1866,  the  "  Appleton  iS:  New  London  Railroad  Company"  was  incorporated  to  build  a 
road  from  Appleton  to  New  London,  and  thence  to  Lake  Superior.  A  subsequent  amendment 
to  its  charter  authorized  it  to  extend  its  road  to  Manitowoc.  It  built  most  of  the  line  from 
Appleton  to  that  city,  and  then>  under  legislative  authority,   sold   this  extension   to    the  Milwau- 


WISCONSIN  RAILROADS.  181 

kee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western  railroad  company.  The  last-named  company  extended  it  to  New- 
London,  on  the  Wolf  river,  twenty-one  miles,  in  1S76,  where  it  connects  with  the  Green  Ray  & 
Minnesota  road.  It  now  operates  one  hundred  and  forty-six  miles  of  road,  extending  from  Mil- 
waukee to  New  London,  passing  through  Sheboygan,  Manitowoc  and  Appleton,  which  includes. 
a  branch  line  six  miles  in  length  from  Manitowoc  to  Two  Rivers.  F.  W.  Rhinelander,  of  New- 
York,  is  its  president,  and  H.  G.  H.  Reed,  of  Milwaukee,  superintendent. 

The  Green  Bay  &  Minnesota  Railroad. 

The  line  of  road  operated  by  this  company  extends  from  Fort  Howard  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  opposite  Winona,  Minnesota.  R  is  two  hundred  and  sixteen  miles  in  length,  and  was. 
built  through  a  sparsely  settled  and  heavily  timbered  section  of  the  state.  It  began  under  most 
discouraging  circumstances,  yet  was  pushed  through  by  the  energy  of  a  few  men  at  Green  Bay 
and  along  its  line.  It  was  originally  chartered  in  1866  as  the  "Green  Bay  &  Lake  Pepin  Rail- 
road Company  "  to  build  a  road  from  the  mouth  of  the  Fox  river  near  Green  Bay  to  the  Missis- 
sippi river  opposite  Winona.  But  little  was  done  except  the  making  of  preliminary  surveys  irt 
1870.  During  1870  and  187 1,  forty  miles  were  constructed  and  put  in  operation.  In  1872,  one 
hundred  and  fourteen  miles  were  graded,  the  track  laid,  and  the  river  reached,  sixty-two  miles 
farther,  in  1873.  In  1876,  it  acquired  the  right  to  use  the  "Winona  cut-off "  between  Winona 
and  Onalaska,  and  built  a  line  from  the  latter  point  to  La  Crosse,  seven  mil  ^,  thus  connecting  its 
road  with  the  chief  city  of  Wisconsin  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  city  of  La  Crosse  aided  this, 
extension  by  subscribing  $75,000  and  giving  its  corporation  bonds  for  that  amount.  Henry 
Ketchum,  of  New  London,  is  president  of  the  company,  and  D.  M.  Kelly,  of  Green  Bay,  gen- 
eral manager. 

Wisconsin  Valley   Road. 

The  "  Wisconsin  Valley  Railroad  Company  "  was  incorporated  in  1871  to  build  a  road  front 
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  1S73.. 
and  during  1874  it  was  completed  to  Wausau,  ninety  miles  in  its  whole  length.  Boston  capitalists, 
furnished  the  money,  and  it  is  controlled  in  the  interest  of  the  Dubuque  &  Minnesota  railroad,, 
through  which  the  equipment  was  procured.  The  lumber  regions  of  the  Wisconsin  river  find  an 
outlet  over  it,  and  its  junction  with  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  road  at  Tomah  enables- 
a  connection  with  the  railroads  of  Iowa  and  Minnesota.  It  gives  the  people  of  Marathon  county 
an  outlet  long  needed  for  a  large  lumber  traffic,  and  also  enables  them  to  receive  their  goods  and 
supplies  of  various  kinds  for  the  lumbering  region  tributary  to  Wausau.  James  F.  Joy,  of 
Detroit,  is  president,  and  F.  O.  Wyatt,  superintendent. 

Sheboygan  &  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad. 

The  "  Sheboygan  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Company  "  was  incorporated  in  1S52,  to  build  a 
road  from  Sheboygan  to  the  Mississippi  river.  It  was  completed  from  Sheboygan  to  Plymouth 
in  185S,  to  Glenbeulah  in  1S60,  to  Fond  du  Lac  in  1868,  and  to  Princeton  in  1872.  The  extension 
from  Fond  du  Lac  to  Princeton  was  built  under  authority  of  an  act  passed  in  1871. 

Under  a  foreclosure  in  1S61  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  $25o,ooc.  D.  L.  Wells 
is  president,  and  Geo.  P.  Lee,  superindendent. 

The  Mineral  Point  Railroad. 

The  "  Mineral  Point  Railroad  Company  "  was  chartered  in  1S52,  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  compan\ 

M  idison  &    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  1S57  it  was  authorized  to  build  south  to  the  state 

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 
as  related    to  the  building  of  the  road  from  Madison,  and  from  Columbus  to  Portage  City, 

.'iinulled  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  1. a  Crosse  company  had 
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, 

it  as  related  to  that  portion  of  the  line. 

Pr>  this  time,  in    1864  and    1865,  judgments   had  been   obtained  against  the   Sugar 

River  Valley  company;  and  its  right  of  way,  grading  and  depot  grounds  sold  for  a  small  sum. 
James  Campbell,  who  had  been  a  contractor  with  the  Sugar  River  Valley  company,  with  others, 
becam  irchasers,  and  organized   under  the  act  of  1870,  and,  during  the  year  1S71,  com- 

pleted it  between  Madison  and  Portage  City,  and  in  March,  1871,  leased   it   to  the   Milwaukee  & 
nil  company,  and  it  is  still  operated  by  that  corporation.      In  187 1  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.  183 

Railroad  Company,"  of  Illinois,  and  its  name  changed   to   the  "  Chicago  &   Superior  Railroad 

Company,"  but  still  retains  its  own  organization.      The   Madison   &   Portage  railroad  company 

claims  a  share  in  the  lands  granted  by  acts  of  congress  in  1S56,  and  have  commenced  proceed- 
;ngs  to  assert  its  claim,  which  case  is  still  pending  in  the  federal  courts. 

North  Wisconsin  Railroad. 

The  "North  Wisconsin  Railroad  Company"  was  incorporated  in  1869,  to  build  a  road  from 
Lake  St.  Croix,  or  river,  to  Bavfield  on  Lake  Superior.  The  giant  of  land  by  congress  in  1856,  to 
aid  in  building  a  road  from  Lake  St.  Croix  to  Bayfield  on  Lake  Superior,  under  the  decision  of 
the  federal  court,  was  yet  at  the  disposal  of  the  state.  This  company,  in  187 1,  built  a  short 
section  of  its  line  of  road,  with  the  expectation  of  receiving  the  grant.  In  1873,  the  grant  was 
conferred  upon  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  company,  but  under  the  terms  and  restrictions  con- 
tained in  the  act,  it  declined  to  accept  it.  The  legislature  of  1S74  gave  it  to  the  North  Wiscon- 
sin company,  and  it  has  built  forty  miles  of  its  road,  and  received  the  lands  pertaining  thereto. 
Since  1S76,  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  Hue 
of  Illinois.  This  grade  was  afterward  appropriated  by  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern,  and  over  it 
they  now  operate  their  line  from  Chicago  to  Geneva. 

Prairie  du  Chien  &  McGregor  Railroad. 

This  is  a  line  two  miles  in  length,  connecting  Prairie  du  Chien  in  Wisconsin,  with  McGregor 
in  Iowa.  It  is  owned  and  operated  by  John  Lawler,  of  the  latter-named  place.  It  extends  across- 
both  channels  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  an  intervening  island.  The  railroad  bridge  consists 
of  substantial  piling,  except  a  pontoon  draw  across  each  navigable  channel.  Each  pontoon  is  four 
hundred  feet  long  and  thirty  feet  wide,  provided  with  suitable  machinery  and  operated  by  steam 
power.  Mr.  Lawler  has  secured  a  patent  on  his  invention  of  the  pontoon  draw  for  railroad 
bridges.     His  line  was  put  in  operation  in  April,  1874. 

The  Chippewa  Falls  &   Western  Railroad. 

This  road  was  built  in  1874,  by  a  company  organized  under  the  general  law  of  the  state.  It 
is  eleven  miles  in  length,  and  connects  the  "  Falls  "  with  the  West  Wisconsin  line  at  Eau  Claire. 
It  was  constructed  by  the  energetic  business  men  and  capitalists  of  Chippewa  Falls,  to  afford  an 
outlet  for  the  great  lumber  and  other  interests  of  that  thriving  and  prosperous  city.  The  road 
is  substantially  built,  and  the  track  laid  with  steel  rails. 

Narrow  Gauge  Railroads. 

The  "  Galena  &  Southern  Wisconsin  Railroad  Company  "  was  incorporated  in  1857.  Under 
its  charter,  a  number  of  capitalists  of  the  city  of  Galena,  in   the   state  of  Illinois,  commenced. 


184  HISTORY    OF  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  run-,  through  a  part  of  La  layette  county  to 
Platteville,  in  Grant  count),  and  was  completed  to  the  latter  point  in  1875.  Surveys  are  being 
made  for  an  extension  to  Wingville,  in  Grant  county. 

The  "]  md  Lu  L  ic,  ^.mboy  &  Peoria  Railway  Company  '*  was  organized  under  the  general 
law  of  the  state,  in  1874,  to  build  a  narrow  gauge  road  from  the  city  of  Fond  du  Lac  to  the  south 
line  of  the  state  in  the  county  of  Walworth  or  Rock,  and  it  declared  its  intention  to  consolidate 
with  a  company  in  Illinois  that  had  projected  a  line  of  railroad  from  Peoria,  in  Illinois,  to  the  south 
line  of  the  state  of  Wisconsin.  The  road  is  constructed  and  in  operation  from  Fond  du  Lac  to 
Iron  Ridge,  a  point  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  ..V  St.  Paul  railway,  twenty-nine  miles  from  Fond 
du  Lac. 

The  "  Pine  River  &  Steven's  Point  Railroad  Company  "  was  rganized  by  the  enterprising 
citizens  of  Richland  Center,  and  has  built  a  narrow  gauge  road  from  Lone  Rock,  a  point  on  the 

igo,  Milwaukee  cV  St.  Paul  road,  in  Richland  county,  to  Richland  Center,  sixteen  miles  in 
length.      Its  track  is  laid  with  wooden  rails,  and  it  is  oper.it>  d  SUCi  essfully. 

The  '"  Chicago  &  Tomah  Railroad  Company  "  organized  under  the  general  railroad  law  of 
the  state,  in  1872,  to  construct  a  narrow  gauge  road  from  Chicago,  in  Illinois,  to  the  city  oi 
Tomah,  in  Wisconsin.  Its  president  and  active  manager  is  I).  R.  Williams,  of  Clermont,  Iowa, 
and  its  secretary  is  L.  M.  Culver,  of  Wauzeka.  It  has  graded  about  forty-live  miles,  extending 
from  Wauzeka  up  the  valley  of  the  Kickapoo  river,  in  Crawford  county.  Wisconsin.  It  expects 
to  have  fifty-four  miles  in  operation,  to  Bloomingdale,  in  Vernon  county,  the  present  year  ( 1 S 7 7  ). 
The  rolling  stock  is  guaranteed,  and  the  president  is  negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  the  iron. 
South  of  Wauzeka  the  line  is  located  to  Belmont,  in  Iowa  county.  At  Wauzeka  it  will  connect 
with  the  Chicago.  Milwaukee  &  St.   Paul  line. 

The  publi  -spirited  citizens  of  Ne<  edah,  in  Juneau  county,  have  organized  under  the  general 
law  of  the  state,  and  graded  a  road-bed  from  their  village  to  New  Lisbon,  on  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee &  St.  Paul  company's  line.  The  latter  company  furnish  and  lay  the  iron,  and  will 
operate  the  road.      It  is  thirteen  miles  in  length. 

CONI   1  tJSION. 

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 
1  luently  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 
uiies,  as  in  the  cases  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul,  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern, 
and  others,  has  been  effei  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 action  prohibited  railroads  from  consolidating,  and  have  sought  to  control  and  break  down 
the  power  of  these  1  "rporations  and  to  harmonize  the  interests  of  the  companies  and  the 
public.  The  act  of  1S74,  called  the  "Potter  law,"  was  the  assertion,  by  the  legislative  power  of 
the  stale,  of  its  right  to  control  corporations  created  by  itself,  and  limit  the  rates  at  which  freight 
and  passengers  should  be  carried.  After  a  long  and  expensive  contest,  carried  through  the  slate 
and  federal  courts,  this  right  has  been  established,  being  finally  settled  by  the  decision  of  the 
supreme  court  of  the  United  States, 

Quite  all  the  railroads  <>f  Wisconsin  have  been  built  with  foreign  capital.  The  plan  pursued 
aftei    an  organization  was  effei  ted,  was  to  obtain  stock  subscriptions  from  those  immediately 


LOHBEB  MAJSTira'ACrUEE.  185 

interested  in  the  enterprise,  procure  the  aid  of  counties  and  municipalities,  and  then  allure  the 
farmers,  with  the  prospect  of  joint  ownership  in  railroads,  to  subscribe  for  stock  and  mortgage 
their  farms  to  secure  the  payment  of  their  subscriptions.  Then  the  whole  line  was  bonded  and 
a  mortgage  executed.  The  bonds  and  mortgages  thus  obtained,  were  taken  to  the  money 
centers  of  New  York.  London,  Amsterdam  and  other  places,  and  sold,  or  hypothecated  to 
obta'n  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  b«en  the 
history  of  most  of  the  railroads  of  our  state.  The  total  number  of  farm  mortgages  given  has 
been  3,785,  amounting  to  $4,079,433  ;  town,  county  and  municipal  bonds,  amounting  to 
$6,910,652.  The  total  cost  of  all  the  railroads  in  the  state,  as  given  by  the  railroad  commissioner 
in  his  report  for  1876.  has  been  §98,343,453.67.  This  vast  sum  is,  no  doubt,  greatly  in  excess  of 
what  the  cost  should  have  been,  but  the  roads  have  proved  of  immense  benefit  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  material  resources  of  the  state. 

Other  lines  are  needed  through  sections  not  yet  traversed  by  the  iron  steed,  and  present 
lines  should  be  extended  by  branch  roads.  The  questions  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  Urge 


18li  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  .umbering 
is  concerned,  into  six  separate  and  distinct  districts:  The  Green  bay  shore,  which  includes  the 
Wisconsin  side  of  the  Menomonee,  the  Peshtigo  and  Oconto  rivers,  with  a  number  of  creeks 
which  flow  into  the  bay  between  the  mouths  of  the  Oconto  and  Fox  rivers;  the  Wolf  river 
district;  the  Wisconsin  river,  including  the  Yellow,  as  before  mentioned ;  the  Black  river;  the 
Chippewa  and  Red  Cedar;    and  the  Wisconsin  side  of  the  St.  Croix. 

Beginning  with  the  oldest  of  these,  the  Green  bay  shore,  a  brief  description  of  each  will  be 
attempted.  The  first  saw-mill  built  in  the  state,  of  which  there  is  now  any  knowledge,  was  put  in 
operation  in  1809,  in  Brown  county,  two  or  three  miles  east  from  Depere,  on  a  little  stream  which 
was  known  as  East  river.  It  was  built  by  Jacob  Franks,  but  probably  was  a  very  small  affair. 
Of  its  machinery  or  capacity  for  sawing,  no  history  has  been  recorded,  and  it  is  not  within  the 
memory  of  any  inhabitant  of  to-day.  In  1829,  John  P.  Arndt,  of  Green  Bay,  built  a  water- 
power  mill  on  the  Pensaukee  river  at  a  point  where  the  town  of  Big  Suamico  now  stands.  In 
1834,  a  mill  was  built  on  the  Wisconsin  side  of  the  Menomonee,  and,  two  years  later,  one  at 
Peshtigo.  Lumber  was  first  shipped  to  market  from  this  district  in  1834,  which  must  be  termed 
the  beginning  of  lumbering  operations  on  the  bay  shore.  The  lands  drained  by  the  streams 
which  flow  into  Green  bay  are  located  in  Shawano  and  Oconto  counties,  the  latter  being  the 
largest  in  the  state.  In  1S47,  Willard  Lamb,  of  Green  Bay,  made  tiie  first  s  iwed  pine  shingles  in 
that  district ;  thev  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  shore-,  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."  \  iout  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  cli 
of  the  pine.  There  are  only  two  mills  on  this  stream, both  being  owned  by  one  company.  The 
Oconto  is  one  of  the  most  important  streams  in  the  district.  The  first  saw-mill  was  built 
on  its  banks  about  the  year  1S40,  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  1  ut  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  live  per  cent.  It  is 
estimated  that  from  three  fourths  to  four  fifths  of  the  timber  tributary  to  the  Oconto  has  been 
cut  awav,  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  pine  lumber  at  Oconto  is  from  50,000,000  to  65,000,000  feet.  The  whole  production  of  the 
district,  exclusive  of  the  timber  which  is  put  into  the  Menomonee  from  Wisconsin,  is  about 
140,000,000  feet  annually. 

The  Wolf  river  and  its  tributaries  constitute  the  next  district,  proceeding  westward.  The 
first  saw  logs  cut  on  this  stream  for  commercial  purposes  were  floated  to  the  government  mill  at 
Neenah  in  1835.  In  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  1S76  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  PoifTt  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  rive?  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  i:;  next  to  the  oldest  lumber  district  in  the  state.  The 
first  saw-mill  west  of  Green  Bay  was  built  at  Black  River  Falls  in  1819  by  Col.  John  Shaw, 
The  Winnebago  tribe  of  Indians,  however,  in  whose  territory  he  was,  objected  to  the  innovation 
of  such  a  fine  art,  and    unceremoniously  offered    up   the   mill   upon   the  altar  of  their  outraged 


1  -S  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 

itually   became   its   possessor.      His  son,  Mr.  Dudley  J.  Spaulding,  is   now   a  very  extensive 

itor  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 
skates  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,  h  has  been  claimed,  though  with 
more  extravagance  than  truth,  that  the  Chippewa  pineries  hold  one-half  the  timber  supply  of 
ite.  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  tin 
which  the  Wisconsin  flows.  In  1828  the  first  mill  was  built  in  the  Chippewa  valley,  on  Wilson's 
creek,  near  its  confluence  with  the  Red  Cedar.  Its  site  is  now  occupied  by  the  village  of  Meno- 
monee.  In  1S37  another  was  built  on  what  is  the  present  site  of  the  Union  Lumbering  Company's 
mill  at '  Ihippewa  Falls.  It  was  not  until  near  1S65  that  the  Chippewa  became  very  prominent  as  .1 
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  animal  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  1867  the  mill-owners  upon  the  Mississippi, 
between  Winona  and  Keokuk,  organized  a  corporation  known  as  the  Beef  Slough  Manufactur- 
ing, Log-Driving  and  Transportation  Company.  Its  object  was  to  facilitate  the  handling  of  logs 
cut  upon  the  Chippewa  and  its  tributaries,  designed  for  the  Mississippi  mills.  At  the  confluence 
of  the  two  rivi  1  ts  improvements  were  m  ide,  constituting  the  Beef  Slough  boom,  which  is 

capable  of  assorting  200,000,000  feel  of  logs  per  season.  The  Chippewa  is  the  most  difficult 
a  in  the  northwest  upon  which  to  operate.  In  the  spring  -eason  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 

inageable  torrent.      Logs   have  never  been  floated  in   rafts,  as  upon  other  streams,  but  are 

1  jn  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  an  1   delivering  to  the   respective 

owners.      Previous  to  the  organization  of  the  Eagle  Rapids  Flooding  Dam  and    boom  Company, 

72,  tin-  \wirk  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 
irrent,  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   MAXT'FACTURE.  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 
now  stands  was  covered  with  drift-wood,  saw-logs,  and  other  debris.  Such  occurrences  led  to 
the  invention  of  the  since  famous  sheer  boom,  which  is  a  device  placed  in  the  river  opposite 
the  mill  boom  into  which  it  is  desired  to  turn  the  logs.  The  sheer  boom  is  thrown  diagonally 
across  the  river,  automatically,  the  action  of  the  current  upon  a  number  of  ingeniously  arranged 
"fins"  holding  it  in  position.  By  this  means  the  logs  are  sheered  into  the  receptacle  until  it  is 
filled,  when  the  sheer  boom,  by  closing  up  the  "  fins"  with  a  windlass,  falls  back  and  allows  the 
logs  to  go  on  for  the  next  mill  to  stop  and  capture  its  pocket  full  in  like  manner.  By  this 
method  each  mill  could  obtain  a  stock,  but  a  great  difficulty  was  experienced  from  the  fact  that 
the  supply  was  composed  of  logs  cut  and  owned  by  everybody  operating  on  the  river,  and  the 
process  of  balancing  accounts  according  to  the  "  marks,"  at  the  close  of  the  season,  has  been 
one  prolific  of  trouble  and  legal  entanglements.  The  building  of  improvements  at  Eagle 
Rapids  by  the  company  above  mentioned  remedied  the  difficulty  to  some  extent,  but  the  process 
of  logging  will  always  be  a  difficult  and  hazardous  enterprise  until  adequate  means  for  holding 
and  assorting  the  entire  log  product  are  provided.  Upon  the  Yellow  and  Eau  Claire  rivers,  two 
important  branches  of  the  Chippewa,  such  difficulties  are  avoided  by  suitable  improvements. 
The  entire  lumber  product  of  the  Chippewa,  with  the  exception  of  that  consumed  locally,  is 
floated  in  rafts  to  markets  upon  the  Mississippi,  between  its  mouth  and  St.  Louis.  The  quality 
of  the  timber  is  good,  and  commands  the  best  market  price  in  the  sections  where  it  seeks 
market. 

West  of  the  Chippewa  district  the  streams  and  timber  are  tributary  to  the  St.  Croix,  and  in 
all  statistical  calculations  the  entire  product  of  that  river  is  credited  to  Minnesota,  the  same  as 
that  of  the  Menomonee  is  given  to  Michigan,  when  in  fact  about  one  half  of  each  belongs  to 
Wisconsin.  The  important  branches  of  the  St.  Croix  belonging  in  this  state  are  the  Apple 
Clam,  Yellow,  Namekogan,  Totagatic  and  Eau  Claire.  The  sections  of  country  through  which 
they  flow  contain  large  bodies  of  very  fine  pine  timber.  The  St.  Croix  has  long  been  noted  for 
the  excellence  of  its  dimension  timber.  Of  this  stock  a  portion  is  cut  into  lumber  at  Stillwater, 
and  marketed  by  rail,  and  the  balance  is  sold  in  the  log  to  mills  on  the  Mississippi. 

Such  is  a  brief  and  somewhat  crude  descripti  in  of  the  main  lumbering  districts  of  the  state. 
Aside  from  these,  quite  extensive  operations  are  conducted  upon  various  railway  lines  which 
penetrate  the  forests  which  are  remote  from  log-running  streams.  In  almost  every  county  in 
the  state,  mills  of  greater  or  less  capacity  may  be  found  cutting  up  pine  or  hard-woods  into 
lumber,  shingles,  or  cooperage  stock.  Most  important,  in  a  lumbering  point  of  view,  of  all  the 
railroads,  is  the  Wisconsin  Central.  It  extends  from  Milwaukee  to  Ashland,  on  Lake  Superior, 
a  distance  of  351  miles,  with  a  line  to  Green  Bay,  113  miles,  and  one  from  Stevens  Point  to 
Portage,  71  miles,  making  a  total  length  of  road,  of  449  miles.  It  has  only  been  completed  to 
Ashland  within  the  last  two  years.  From  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  lumber  is  annually  manu- 
factured on  its  line,  above  Stevens  Point.  The  Wisconsin  Valley  railroad  extends  from  Tomah 
to  Wausau,  and  was  built  to  afford  an  outlet,  by  rail,  for  the  lumber  produced  at  the  latter  point. 

The  extent  of  the  timber  supply  in  this  state  has  been  a  matter  of  much  speculation,  and 


190 


HISTOKY    OF    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  1S76,  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  1 871 


Green    Bay  Shore..* 

Wolf  River 

Wisconsin  Central  Railroad 

Green  Bay  &  Minnesota  Railroad 

Wisconsin   River 

Black  River 

Chippewa  River. — 

Mississippi  River  —  using  Wisconsin  logs.. 


Total  . 


SEASON 
CAPACITY. 


2o6,00O.(OO 
258,50  '.oix) 
72,51.0000 
34,500.000 
222,000,000 
101,000.000 
311,000.000 
50g.ooo.oco 


1.714,500.000 


LUMBER 

MANUS  U  I  I  kl  I 

IN  1876. 


138,250,000 

138,645,077 

31,530.000 

17,700,000 

139,700,000 

70.S52.747 

255,866,999 

3S0,o67,0O0 


1,172,611,823 


SHINGLES 
MANUFACTURED 

IN-   IS76. 


123 

132 

IO 

IO6 

37 

79 

206 


400,000 
,192,000 
.700,000 
700,000 
250,000 
,675.000 
25U.000 
,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,  read)-  for  floating  to  the  mills, 
requires  the  labor  of  about  iS,ooo  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  1 
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  exhausi  th<  pine  timber  supply  lias  met  with   much  discussion 

during  the  past  few  years,  and,  so  far  as  the   forests  of  Wisconsin  are   concerned,  deserves  .' 
notice.      The  great  source  of  supply  of  white  pine  timber  in    the   country  is    that   portion  of  the 
northwest  between  tlie  shores  of  bake    Huron  and   the  banks  oi   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  hiore  valuable.  Wisconsin  will  become  the  home  of  manufactories,  which  will 
convert  her  trees  into  finished  articles  of  daily  consumption,  giving  employment  to  thousands  of 
artisans  where  it  now  requires  hundreds,  and  bringing  back  millions  of  revenue  where  is  now 
realized  thousands.  Like  all  other  commodities,  lumber  becomes  more  valuable  as  skilled  labor 
is  employed  in  its  manipulation,  and  the  greater  the  extent  to  which  this  is  carried,  the  greater  is 
the  growth  in  prosperity,  of  the  state  and  its  people. 


BANKING    IN    WISCONSIN. 

by  john  p.  McGregor. 

Wisconsin  was  organized  as  a  territory  in  1836,  and  the  same  year  several  acts  were  passed 
by  the  territorial  legislature,  incorporating  banks  of  issue.  Of  these,  one  at  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  flocd  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  were 
the  legislatures  of  the  territory,  of  banks  and  all  their  works,  that,  in  every  act  of  incorporation 
for  any  purpose,  a  clause  was  inserted  to  the  effect  that  nothing  in  the  act  contained  should  be 


192  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  [839  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  .een  over 
$2,000,000. 

As  the  general  government  required  specie  to  be  paid  for  all  lands  bought  of  it,  the  Wis- 
consin Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  company,  by  redemption  of  its  "  certificates  of  deposit," 
furnished  a  large  part  of  the  coin  needed  for  use  at  the  Milwaukee  land  office,  and  more  or  less 
for  purchases  at  land  offices  in  other  parts  of  the  state,  and  its  issues  were  of  course  much  in 
request  for  this  purpose.  For  many  years  this  institution  furnished  the  main  banking  facilities 
for  the  business  men  of  the  territory  and  young  state,  in  the  way  of  discounts  and  exchanges. 
Its  right  to  carry  on  the  operations  it  was  engaged  in,  under  its  somewhat  dubious  and  incon- 
sistent charter,  was  often  questioned,  and,  in  1852,  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Farwell, 
some  steps  were  taken  to  test  the  matter;  but  as  the  general  banking  law  had  then  been  passed 
by  tin-  legislature,  and  was  about  to  be  submitted  to  the  people,  anil  as  it  was  understood  that  the 
any  ivo  ;hl  organize  as  a  bank  under  the  law,  if  approved,  the  legal  proceedings  were  not 
pressed.  While  this  corporation  played  so  important  a  part  in  the  financial  history  and  commer- 
cial development  of  Wisconsin,  the  writer  is  not  aware  of  any  available  statistics  as  to  the 
amount  of  business  transacted  by  it  before  it  became  merged  in  the  "Wisconsin  Marine  and 
Fire  Insurance  Company's  Bank." 

In  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  b\  Charles  F.  Ilsley.  This  concern  has  always  held  a  prominent  position  among  the 
banking  institutions  of  our  state.  About  this  lime,  at  Mineral  Point,  Washburn  &  Woodman 
(C.  C.  Washburn  and  Cyrus  Woodman)  engaged  mi  private  banking,  as  a  part  of  their  business. 
After  some  years  they  were  succeeded  by  Wm.  T.  Henry,  who  still  continues  the  banking  office. 
Among  the  early  private  bankers  of  the  state  were  Mr.  Kellogg,  of  <  >shkosh  ;  L'lmann  and  Bell,  of 
e;  and  T,  C.  Shove,  of  Manitowoc.  The  latter  still  continues  his  business,  whfio  that  of 
the  other  firms  has  !  een  wound  up  or  merged  in  organized  banks. 

In  1S4S,  Wisconsin  adopted  a  state  constitution.     This  constitution  prohibited  the  legislature 

rporating  banks  and  from  conferring  banking  powers  on  any  corporation;  bui  provided 

the  question  of  "  banks  or  no   banks"  might   be   submitted  to   a   vote   of  the  electors,  ni.i,  if  the 

ion  should  be  in  favor  of  banks,  then  the  legislature  might  (barter  banks  or    migftt    cn.u  t   a 


BACKING   IX   WISCONSIN".  193 

general  banking  law,  but  no  such  special  charter  or  general  banking  law  should  have  any  force 
until  submitted  to  the  electors  at  a  general  election,  and  approved  by  a  majority  of  votes  cast  on 
that  subject.  In  1S51,  the  legislature  submitted  this  question  to  the  people,  and  a  majority  of 
the  votes  were  cast  in  favor  of  "banks."  Accordingly  the  legislature,  in  1S52,  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  notes,  by  deposit  of  state 
and  United  States  stocks  or  bonds  with  the  state  treasurer,  so  that  the  bill  holders  should  sustain 
no  loss  in  case  of  the  failure  of  the  banks.  Provision  was  made  for  a  bank  comptroller,  whose 
main  duty  it  was  to  see  that  countersigned  circulating  notes  were  issued  to  banks  only  in  proper 
amounts  for  the  securities  deposited,  and  upon  compliance  with  the  law,  and  that  the  banks  kept 
these  securities  good. 

The  first  bank  comptroller  was  James  S.  Baker,  who  was  appointed  by  Governor  Farwell. 

The  first  banks  organized  under  the  new  law  were  the  "  State  Bank,"  established  at  Madi- 
son by  Marshall  &  Ilsley,  and  the  "Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company's  Bank," 
established  at  Milwaukee  under  the  old  management  of  that  c  jinpany.  These  banks  both  went 
into  operation  early  in  January,  1853,  and,  later  in  that  year,  the  "  State  Bank  of  Wisconsin  "  (now 
Milwaukee  National  Bank  of  Wisconsin),  and  the  "  Farmers'  and  Millers'  Bank  "  (now  First 
National  Bank  of  Milwaukee),  were  established,  followed  in  January,  1854,  by  the  "Bank  of  Mil- 
waukee "  (now  National  Exchange  Bank  of  Milwaukee).  From  this  time  forward  banks  were 
rapidly  established  at  different  points  through  the  state,  until  in  July,  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  staie  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- 
xalue  the  great  good  that  has  resulted,  at  several  important  crises  from  the  har  .  onious  and  con- 
lervative  action  of  the  bankers  of  our  state.  Partly,  at  least,  upon  their  recommendations  the 
.egislature,  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.     Theie  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  state-  At  this  time  (taking  the  state- 
ment of  July,  i860,)  the  number  of  banks  was  104,  with  aggregate  capital,  $^.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  ivment  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 

it  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  :is  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- 

ind  inquiry  as  to  the  condition  and  resources  of  the  different  banks,  put  forth  a  list  of  those 

ues    were    to  be  considered  current  and  bankable.      Hut  thing-,  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  anj  concert  of 

1,  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   -evenly    b 
whose  circulating  notes  they  pledged  themselves  to  receive, and  pay  out  .i^  1  urrent,  until  Dei 
ber  1.     There  had  been  so  manj  changes  that  this  pledge  was  thought   necessary  to  allay  the 

tensions  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 

nil.   and  their  circulation  so  insufficiently  secured  as  to  make  it  certain  that  it  would   never 

deemed.      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  paj  out  the  poorest.      In  this  stat 
things,  some  of  the  Milwaukee  banks,  without  concert  of  action,  and  acting  under  the  apprehen- 
sion   of  being    loaded    up    with  the  very  w  the  currency,  which,  it  was  feared,  the  country 
banks  and  merchants  were  sorting  out    ami    sending  to   Milwaukee,  revised   the   list   again,    and 


BACKING  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  then-  - 
selves.  The  consequence  was  a  great  disturbance  of  the  public  mind,  and  violent  charges  of 
bad  faith  on  the  part  of  the  banks,  which  culminated  in  the  bank  riots  of  June  24,  186 1.  On 
that  day,  a  crowd  of  several  hundred  disorderly  people,  starting  out  most  probably  only  with  the 
idea  of  making  some  sort  of  demonstration  of  their  dissatisfaction  with  the  action  of  the  banks 
and  bankers  and  with  the  failure  to  keep  faith  with  the  public,  marched  through  the  streets  with 
a  band  of  music,  and  brought  up  at  the  corner  of  Michigan  and  East  Water  streets. 

The  banks  had  just  sufficient  notice  of  these  proceedings  to  enable  them  to  lock  up  their 
money  and  valuables  in  their  vaults,  before  the  storm  broke  upon  them.  The  mob  halted  at  the 
place  above  mentioned,  and  for  a  time  contented  themselves  .with  hooting,  and  showed  no  dispo- 
sition to  proceed  to  violence;  but,  after  a  little  while,  a  stone  was  thrown  through  the  windows 
of  the  Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company's  Bank,  situated  at  one  corner  of  the 
above  streets,  and  volleys  of  stones  soon  followed,  not  only  against  that  bank,  but  also  against 
the  State  Bank  of  Wisconsin,  situated  on  the  opposite  corner.  The  windows  of  both  these 
institutions  and  of  the  offices  in  the  basements  under  them  were  effectually  demolished. 
The  mob  then  made  a  rush  into  these  banks  and  offices,  and  completely  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  our 
state  currency  matters  on  a  sound  and  permanent  basis,  and  that  the  issues  of  all  banks  that 
could  not  be  put  in  shape  to  meet  specie  payment  in  December,  must  be  retired  from  circulation 
and  be  got  out  of  the  way.  A  meeting  of  the  bankers  was  held;  also  of  the  merchants' association 
of  Milwaukee,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  raise  $100,000,  by  these  two  bodies,  to  be  used  in 
assisting  weak  and  crippled  banks  in  securing  or  retiring  their  circulation.  The  bankers 
appointed  a  committee  to  take  the  matter  in  charge. 

It  happened  that  just  at  this  time  Governor  Randall  and  State  Treasurer  Hastings  returned 
from  New  York  City,  where  they  had  been  making  unsuccessful  efforts  to  dispose  of  $800,000  of 
Wisconsin  war  bonds,  which  had  been  issued  to  raise  funds  to  fit  out  Wisconsin  volunteers. 

Our  state  had  never  had  any  bonds  on  the  eastern  market.  For  other  reasons,  our 
credit  was  not  high  in  New  York,  and  it  had  been  found  impossible  to  dispose  of  these  bonds  for 
over  sixty  cents  on  the  dollar.  The  state  officers  conferred  with  the  bankers  to  see  what  could 
be  done  at  home ;  and  it  was  finally  arranged  that  the  bankers'  committee  should  undertake  to 
get  the  state  banks  to  dispose  of  their  southern  and  other  depreciated  state  bonds  on  deposit  to 


196  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

secure  circulation,  for  what  they  would  bring  in  coin,  in  New  York,  and  replace  these  bonds  with 
those  of  our  own  state, .which  were  to  be  taken  by  our  banks  nominally  at  par  —  seventy  percent, 
being  paid  in  cash,  and  the  different  banks  purchasing  bonds,  giving  their  individual  obligation 
for  the  thirty  per  cent,  balance,  to  be  paid  in  semi-annual  installments,  with  an  agreement  that  the 
state  should  deduct  these  installments  from  the  interest  so  long  as  these  bonds  should  remain  on 
deposit  with  the  state.  By  the  terms  of  the  law,  sixty  per  cent,  of  the  proceeds  of  the  bonds  had  to 
be  paid  in  coin.  The  bankers'  committee  went  to  work,  and  with  some  labor  and  difficulty 
induced  most  of  the  banks  to  sell  their  southern  securities  at  the  existing  low  prices  in  New 
York,  and  thus  produce  the  coin  required  to  pay  for  our  state  bonds.  From  the  funds  provided 
by  the  merchants  and  bankers,  they  assisted  many  of  the  weaker  banks  to  make  good  their 
securities  with  the  banking  department  of  the  state.  By  the  19th  of  July,  six  of  the  ten  rejected 
banks  that  had  been  the  occasion  of  the  riot,  were  made  good,  and  restored  to  the  list.  The 
other  four  were  wound  up,  and  their  issues  redeemed  at  par,  and,  before  the  last  of  August,  the 
value  of  the  securities  of  all  the  bank--  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,  1861,  the  number  of  our  banks  was  107,  with  capital,  $4,607,000;  circulation, 
$2o' 7.907  '.  deposits,  $3,265,069. 

By  the  contraction  incident  to  the  preparations  for  redemption  in  specie,  the  amount  of  cur- 
rent Wisconsin  bank  notes  outstanding  December  1,  [86 1,  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  1S63,  and  a  few  banks  were  soon  organized  under 
it  in  different  parts  of  the  country.  The  first  in  Wisconsin  was  formed  by  the  re-organization  of 
the  Farmers'  and  Millers'  Bank,  in  August,  1S63,  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Milwaukee, 
with  Edward  D.  Holton  as  president,  and  H.  H.  Camp,  cashier.  The  growth  of  the  new  system, 
however,  was  not  very  rapid ;  the  state  banks  were  slow  to  avail  themselves  of  the  privileges  of 
the  national  banking  act,  and  the  central  authorities  concluded  to  compel  them  to  come  in  ;  so 
facilities  were  offered  for  their  re-organization  as  national  banks,  and  then  a  tax  of  ten  per  cent, 
was  laid  upon  the  issues  of  the  state  banks.  This  tax  was  imposed  by  act  of  March,  1865,  and 
at  once  caused  a  commotion  in  our  state.  In  July,  1864,  the  number  of  Wisconsin  state  banks 
was  sixty-six,  with  capital  §3,147,000,  circulation  $2,461,728,  deposits  §5,483,205,  and  these 
figures  were  probably  not  very  different  in  the  spring  of  1865.  The  securities  for  the  circulating 
notes  were  in  great  part  the  bonds  of  our  own  state,  which,  while  known  by  our  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,  and  to 
issue  certificates  for  such  deposits  bearing  seven  per  cent,  interest.  By  these  and  like  means 
the  threatened  panic  was  stopped ;  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  Wisconsin  state  currency 
was  nearly  all  withdrawn  from  circulation.  In  July,  1865,  the  number  of  state  banks  was 
twenty-six,  with  capital  $1,087,000,  circulation  $192,323,  deposits  $2,284,210.  Under  the 
pressure  put  on  by  congress,  the  organization  of  national  banks,  and  especially  the  re -organiza- 
tion of  state  banks,  under  the  national  system,  was  proceeding  rapidly,  and  in  a  short  time  nearly 
every  town  in  our  own  state  of  much  size  or  importance  was  provided  with  one  or  more  of  these 
institutions. 

In  the  great  panic  of  1873,  all  the  Wisconsin  banks,  both  state  and  national  (in  common 
with  those  of  the  whole  country),  were  severely  tried;  but  the  failures  were  few  and  unimpor- 
tant; and  Wisconsin  went  through  that  ordeal  with  less  loss  and  disturbance  than  almost  any- 
other  state. 

We  have  seen  that  the  history  of  banking  in  Wisconsin  covers  a  stormy  period,  in  which 
great  disturbances  and  panics  have  occurred  at  intervals  of  a  few  years.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
a  more  peaceful  epoch  will  succeed,  but  permanent  quiet  and  prosperity  can  not  rationally  be 
expected  in  the  present  unsettled  condition  of  our  currency,  nor  until  we  have  gone  through  the 
temporary  stringency  incidental  to  the  resumption  of  specie  payment. 

According  to  the  last  report  of  the  comptroller  of  the  currency,  the  number  of  national 
banks  in  Wisconsin  in  November,  1876,  was  forty,  with  capital  $3,400,000,  deposits  $7,i45>36o, 
circulation  $2,072,869. 

At  this  time  (July,  1877)  the  number  of  state  banks  is  twenty-six,  with  capital  $1,288,231, 
deposits  $6,662,973.  Their  circulation  is,  of  course,  merely  nominal,  though  there  is  no  legal 
obstacle  to  their  issuing  circulating  notes,  except  the  tax  imposed  by  congress. 


COMMERCE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

By   Hon.  H.  H.  GILES. 

The  material  philosophy  of  a  people  has  to  do  with  the  practical  and  useful.  It  sees  in 
iron,  coal,  cotton,  wool,  grain  and  the  trees  of  the  forest,  the  elements  of  personal  comfort  and 
sources  of  material  greatness,  and  is  applied  to  their  development,  production  and  fabrication  for 
purposes  of  exchange,  interchange  and  sale.  The  early  immigrants  to  Wisconsin  territory  found 
a  land  teeming  with  unsurpassed  natural  advantages;  prairies,  timber,  water  and  minerals,  invit- 
ing the  fanner,  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. 

Daring  the  decade  from  1835  to  1845,50  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. 

I  ew  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  ; 
it>  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  tin  111  in  building  an  empire  of  wealth,  where  the  hum  of  variedjndustries  shall  be  heard 
in  the  music  of  the  sickle,  the  loom  and  the  anvil. 

The  growth  of  manufacturing  industries  was  slow  during  the  first  twenty-five  years  of  our 
history.  The  early  settlers  were  poor.  Frequently  the  land  they  tilled  was  pledged  to  obtain 
means  to  pay  for  it.  Capitalists  obtained  from  twenty  to  thirty  per  rent,  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.  A\  hile  investments  in  bonds  and  mortgages  were  so  profitable,  few 
were  read)  to  improve  the  natural  advantages  the  country  presented  for  building  factories  and 
work-shops. 


COMMEKCE   AXD   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  farm 
machinery,  quite  a  proportion  of  that  and  most  of  the  simpler  and  lighter  implements  are  made 
at  home,  while  much  farm  machinery  is  now  manufactured  for  export  to  other  states. 

Fur>. 

The  northwest  was  visited  and  explored  by  French  voyageurs  and  missionaries  from  Canada 
at  an  early  day.  The  object  of  the  former  was  trading  and  gain.  The  Jesuits,  ever  zealous  in 
the  propagation  of  their  religion,  went  forth  into  the  unknown  wilderness  to  convert  the  natives 
to  their  faith.  As  early  as  1624,  they  were  operating  about  Lake  Huron  and  Mackinaw.  Father 
Menard  it  is  related,  was  with  the  Indians  on  Lake  Superior  as  early  as  1661.  The  early 
explorers  were  of  two  classes,  and  were  stimulated  by  two  widely  different  motives — the  voyag- 
eurs, by  the  love  of  gain,  and  the  missionaries,  by  their  zeal  in  the  propagation  of  their  faith. 
Previous  to  1679,  a  considerable  trade  in  furs  had  sprung  up  with  Indian  tribes  in  the  vicinity  of 
Mackinaw  and  the  northern  part  of  "  Ouisconsin."  In  that  year  more  than  two  hundred  canoes, 
laden  with  furs,  passed  Mackinaw,  bound  for  Montreal.  The  whole  commerce  of  this  vast  region 
then  traversed,  was  carried  on  with  birch-bark  canoes.  The  French  used  them  in  traversing 
wilds  —  otherwise  inaccessible  by  reason  of  floods  of  water  at  one  season,  and  ice  and  snow  at 
another  —  also  lakes  and  morasses  which  interrupted  land  journeys,  and  rapids  and  cataracts 
that  cut  off  communication  by  water.  This  little  vessel  enabled  them  to  overcome  all  difficulties. 
Being  buoyant,  it  rode  the  waves,  although  heavily  freighted,  and,  of  light  draft,  it  permitted  the 
traversing  of  small  streams.  Its  weight  was  so  light  that  it  could  be  easily  carried  from  one 
stream  to  another,  and  around  rapids  and  other  obstructions.  With  this  little  vessel,  the  fur 
trade  of  the  northwest  was  carried  on,  as  well  as  the  interior  of  a  vast  continent  explored. 
Under  the  stimulus  of  commercial  enterprise,  the  French  traders  penetrated  the  recesses  ot  the 
immense  forests  whose  streams  were  the  home  of  the  beaver,  the  otter  and  the  mink,  and  in 
whose  depths  were  found  the  martin,  sable,  ermine,  and  other  fur-bearing  animals.  A  vast  trade 
in  furs  sprung  up,  and  was  carried  on  by  different  agents,  under  authority  of  the  French 
government. 

When  the  military  possession  of  the  northwestern  domain  passed  from  the  government  of 
France  to  that  of  Great  Britain  in  1760,  the  relationship  of  the  fur  trade  to  the  government 
changed.  The  government  of  France  had  controlled  the  traffic,  and  made  it  a  means  of  strength- 
ening its  hold  upon  the  country  it  possessed.  The  policy  of  Great  Britain  was,  to  charter 
companies,  and  grant  them  exclusive  privileges.  The  Hudson  bay  company  had  grown  rich  and 
powerful  between  1670  and  1760.  Its  success  had  excited  the  cupidity  of  capitalists,  and  rival 
organizations  were  formed.  The  business  of  the  company  had  been  done  at  their  trading-stations 
—  the  natives  bringing  in  their  furs  for  exchange  and  barter.  Other  companies  sent  their 
voyageurs  into  every  nook  and  corner  to  traffic  with  the  trappers,  and  even  to  catch  the  fur-bear- 
ing animals  themselves.  In  the  progress  of  time,  private  parties  engaged  in  trapping  and  dealing 
in  furs,  and,  under  the  competition  created,  the  business  became  less  profitable.  In  1815, 
congress  passed  an  act  prohibiting  foreigners  from  dealing  in  furs  in  the  United  States,  or  any 
of  its  territories.  This  action  was  obtained  through  the  influence  of  John  Jacob  Astor.  Mr. 
Astor  organized  the  American  fur  company  in  1S09,  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  1S12.  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 


HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 


I.i  ah  and  Zinc. 

In  1S24,  the  lead  ore  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Wisconsin  began  to  attract  attention. 
From  1S26  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  nearl)r  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  1875, 
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  1S63,  there  were  3,735  tons  of  pig  iron  received  at 
Milwaukee;  in  1S65,  4,785  tons;  in  1868,  10,890  tons.  Of  the  latter  amount,  4,648  tons  were 
from  the  iron  mines  at  Mayville.  There  were  shipped  from  Milwaukee,  in  1868,  6,361  tons  of 
pig  iron.  There  were  also  received  2,500  tons  of  ore  from  the  Dodge  county  ore  beds.  During 
1869,  the  ore  beds  at  Iron  Ridge  were  developed  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  two  large  blast 
furnaces  constructed  in  Milwaukee,  at  which  place  there  were  4.695  tons  of  ore  received,  and 
2,059  tons  were  shipj>ed  to  Chicago  and  Wyandotte.  In  1870,  112,060  tons  of  iron  ore  were 
received  at  Milwaukee,  95,000  tons  of  which  were  from  Iron  Ridge,  and  17,060  tons  from  Esca- 
naba  and  Marquette,  in  Michigan.  The  total  product  of  the  mines  at  Iron  Ridge  in  1871  was 
82,284  tons.  The  Milwaukee  iron  company  received  by  lake,  in  the  same  year,  28,094  tons  of 
Marquette  iron  ore  to  mix  with  the  former  in  making  railroad  iron.  In  1872,  there  were  receiveu 
from  Iron  Ridge  85,245  tons  of  ore,  and  5,620  tons  of  pig  iron.  Much  of  the  metal  made  by  the 
Wisconsin   iron   company   in    1872  was  shipped  to  St.  Louis,  to   mix  with   the  iron  made  from 

ouri  ore. 

The  following  table  shows  the  production  of  pig  iron  in  Wisconsin,  for  1872,  1873  and  1874, 
in  tons : 


Fl'KN   . 

1872. 

1873. 

1874. 

Milwaukee   Iron  Company,  Milwaukee 

Minerva  Furnace  Company,   Milwaukee 

Wisconsin  Iron  Company,  Iron    Ridge 

Northwestern   Iron  Company,  Mayville 

21,818 

3.350 
5.033 
4,888 
6,910 
3,420 

C,l»  ,., 
1,780 

29,326 
5.822 
4.155 
4.137 
8,044 
6,141 

7.999 
6,832 
1,528 

33.000 

3.306 
3.000 
6,500 
6,000 
6.500 
7,000 
1.300 

National   Iron  Company,  Depere 

Fox  River   Ir..n  Company,  \V.  Depere 

1           n  Furnace,  Sauk  county 

5*.  797 

73,980  !    66,600 

COMMERCE   AND    MANTTACTURES.  201 

The  Milwaukee  iron  company,  during  the  year  1S72,  entered  into  the  manufacture  of  mer- 
chant iron  —  it  having  been  demonstrated  that  the  raw  material  could  be  reduced  there  cheaper 
than  elsewhere.  The  Minerva  furnace  company  built  also  during  the  same  year  one  of  the 
most  compact  and  complete  iron  furnaces  to  be  found  any  where  in  the  country.  During  the 
year  1873,  the  iron,  with  most  other  material  interests,  became  seriously  prostrated,  so  that  the 
total  receipts  of  ore  in  Milwaukee  in  1874  amounted  to  only  31,993  tons,  against  69,418  in  1873, 
and  85,245  tons  in  1872.  There  were  made  in  Milwaukee  in  1874,  29,680  tons  of  railroad  iron. 
In  1875,  58,868  tons  of  ore  were  received  at  Milwaukee,  showing  a  revival  of  the  trade  in  an 
increase  of  19,786  tons  over  the  previous  year.  The  operation  of  the  works  at  Bay  View  having 
suspended,  the  receipts  of  ore  in  1876,  at  Milwaukee,  were  less  than  during  any  year  since  1869, 
being  only  31,1  T9  tons,  of  which  amount  only  5,488  tons  were  from  Iron  Ridge,  and  the  total 
shipments  were  only  498  tons. 

Lumber. 

The  business  of  lumbering  holds  an  important  rank  in  the  commerce  of  the  state.  For 
many  years  the  ceaseless  hum  of  the  saw  and  the  stroke  of  the  ax  have  been  heard  in  all  our 
great  forests.  The  northern  portion  of  the  state  is  characterized  by  evergreen  trees,  principally 
pine;  the  southern,  by  hard-woods.  There  are  exceptional  localities,  but  this  is  a  correct  state- 
ment of  the  general  distribution.  I  think  that,  geologically  speaking,  the  evergreens  belong  to 
the  primitive  and  sandstone  regions,  and  the  hard  wood  to  the  limestone  and  clay  formations. 
Northern  Wisconsin,  so  called,  embraces  that  portion  of  the  state  north  of  forty-five  degrees, 
and  possesses  nearly  all  the  valuable  pine  forests.  The  most  thoroughly  developed  portion  of 
this  region  is  that  lying  along  the  streams  entering  into  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  sources  ;  still,  there 
are  vast  tracts  covered  with  dense  forests,  not  accessible  from  streams  suitable  for  log-driving 
purposes.  The  building  of  railroads  into  these  forests  will  alone  give  a  market  value  to  a  large 
portion  of  the  pine  timber  there  growing.  It  is  well,  perhaps,  that  this  is  so,  for  at  the  present 
rate  of  consumption,  but  a  few  years  will  elapse  before  these  noble  forests  will  be  totally  destroyed. 
Most  of  the  lumber  manufactured  on  the  rivers  was  formerly  taken  to  a  market  by  being  floated 
down  the  streams  in  rafts.  Now,  the  railroads  are  transporting  large  quantities,  taking  it  directly 
from  the  mills  and  unloading  it  at  interior  points  in  Iowa,  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,  and  some  of  it 
in  eastern  cities.  From  five  to  eight  thousand  men  are  employed  in  the  pineries  in  felling  the 
trees,  sawing  them  into  logs  of  suitable  length,  and  hauling  them  to  the  mills  and  streams  during 
every  winter  in  times  of  fair  prices  and  favorable  seasons.  The  amount  of  lumber  sawed  in 
i860,  as  carefully  estimated,  was  355,055,155  feet.  The  amountof  shingles  made  was  2,272,061, 
and  no  account  was  made  of  the  immense  number  of  logs  floated  out  of  the  state,  for  manufac- 
ture into  lumber  elsewhere.  The  amount  of  logs  cut  in  the  winter  of  1873  and  1874  was 
987,000,000  feet.  In  1876  and  1877  the  Black  river  furnished  188,344,464  feet.  The  Chippewa, 
90,000,000;  the  Red  Cedar,  57,000,000.  There  passed  through  Beef  Slough  129,384,000  feet  of 
logs.  Hon.  A.  H.  Eaton,  for  fourteen  years  receiver  of  the  United  States  land  office  at  Stevens 
Point,  estimated  the  acreage  of  pine  lands  in  his  district  at  2,000,000,  and,  taking  his  own  district 
as  the  basis,  he  estimated  the  whole  state  at  8,000,000  acres.  Reckoning  this  at  5,000  feet  to  the 
acre,  the  aggregate  pine  timber  of  the  state  would  be  40,000,000,000  feet.  The  log  product 
annually  amounts  to  an  immense  sum.  In  1876,  1,172,611,823  feet  were  cut.  This  is  about  the 
average  annual  draft  that  is  made  on   the   pine  lands.     There  seems   to  be  no  remedy  for  the 


202 


HISTORY   <>F    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  ibrests ;  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  lime 
of  its  first  settlement  in  1S36  to  1840,  the  supply  of  bread  stuffs  from  abroad,  upon  which  the 
people  depended,  was  gradually  diminished  by  the  substitution  of  home  products.  In  the  winter 
of  1840  and  1841,  E.  D.  Holton,  of  Milwaukee,  purchased  a  small  cargo  of  wheat  (about  4,000 
bushels),  and  in  the  spring  of  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-- 
1846.. 

1-4:  - 
1848 .. 
1849. . 
1850.. 
1851-- 
1S52.. 
1853-- 
1854-- 
1855-- 
1856.. 

1857-- 
1858.. 

1859-- 

IViu 

1861.. 
1862.. 
1863.. 
1S64.. 
1865.. 
1866.. 
1867- . 
1868.. 
1869.. 
1870.. 
1871.. 
1872.. 

1873  - - 

1874  - 
1875 -- 
1876.. 


FLOUR, 

bbls. 


WHEAT, 

bus. 


CORN, 

bus. 


OATS, 

bus. 


7.55o 

15.756 

34.S40 

92.732 

136,657 

100,017 

51.889 

92,995 

104.055 

145.032 

lSl,568 

ISS.455 

22S  442 

298.668 

282,956 

457.343 

''74474 

7".405 

603.525 

4M.833 
567.576 
720.365 
921,663 
017.598 
22  1.058 

2--5941 
2!  1.427 
232  036 

S.15,200 

217  579 
163.346 
,654,028 


95.510 
213,448 

598,4" 

602,474 

1,136,023 

297.570 

317.285 

564,404 

956,703 

1,809.452 

2,641,746 

2,761,976 

2,581.311 

3.994.213 

4.732,957 

706S.608 

13,300.495 

14,915,680 

12,837,620 

8,992,479 

io,479.777 
11,634.749 

9.59».452 
9,867,029 

M.272,799 
16.127,838 
1  1  19.467 
n.570.565 
24.994.266 
22.255,380 
22.6S1.020 
16,804.394 


2,500 

5,000 

13.828 

2,220 

270 

164,90s 

112,132 

218 

472 

43.958 

41.364 

37.204 

1.485 

9,489 

88,989 

1  t'  1,786 

71.203 

480,408 

266.249 

342.717 
93.806 

103,173 
419.I33 
1.557.953 
197.920 
556.563 
226,895 


4,000 

2,100 

7,892 

363.  S4 1 

131.716 

404,999 

13.833 

5.433 

2.775 

562.067 

299.002 

64,682 

1,200 


BARLEY, 

bus. 


RYE, 

bus. 


79 
831 
811 
326 
1,636 
622 
536 

351 
210 
772 

1.323 
990 
726 

1,160 

1,377 


,094 
,600 

634 

472 

595 
,469 

539 
768 
187 
929 
234 
525 
°35 
450 
560 


15,000 

103,840 

322,261 

291,890 

339.338 

63.379 

10,398 

Soo 

63.178 

53.216 

28,056 

5,220 

44,800 

133.449 

23.479 

29,597 

18,988 

30,822 

95,036 

120,662 

469.325 

576.453 

931.725 

688.455 

464.837 

867,970 

1,235.481 


54,692 
So,365 

113.443 
20,030 


5.378 

it. 577 

9.735 

29,810 

126,301 

84.047 

IS.2IO 

51.444 
255.329 

'.H.443 
78.035 

62,494 

2oS,Sg6 
209,751 
255.928 

98.923 
220,964 


COMMERCE    AXD    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  1870;  50,130,000111  1876;  of  cheese,  1,591,000  pounds  in 
1870,  as  against  17,000,000  in  1876,  which  will  convey  a  fair  idea  of  the  increase  of  dairy  produc- 
tion. The  receipts  of  cheese  in  Chicago  during  1876,  were  23,780,000  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  1870,  3,779,114  pounds ;  in  1875,  6,625,863;  in  1876,8,938,137  pounds;  ot 
cheese,  5,721,279  pounds  in  1875,  and  7,055,573  in  1876.  Cheese  is  not  mentioned  in  the  trade 
and  commerce  reports  of  Milwaukee  until  1S73,  when  it  is  spoken  of  as  a  new  and  rapidly 
increasing  commodity  in  the  productions  of  the  state. 

Pork  and  Beef. 

Improved  breeds,  both  of  swine  and  cattle,  have  been  introduced  into  the  state  during  a 
few  years  past.  The  grade  of  stock  has  been  rapidly  bettered,  and  stock  raisers  generally  are 
striving  with  commendable  zeal  to  rival  each  other  in  raising  the  finest  of  animals  for  use  and 
the  market. 


The  following  table  shows  the  receipts  of  live  hogs  and  beef  cattle  at  Milwaukee  for   thir- 
teen years  : 


YEARS. 

LIVE   HOGS. 

BEEF  CATTLE. 

YEARS. 

LIVE    HOGS. 

BEEF  CATTLE. 

1876 

1875 

1874 

I873 

1872 

187I 

I870 

254,317 
I44.96I 
242,326 
241,099 
138,106 
126,164 
66,138 

36,802 

46.717 
22,748 
17,262 
14,1/2 
9,220 
12,972 

1869 

r868 

1867 

1866 

1865 

1S64 

1863 

52,296 
48.717 
76,758 
3I,88l 
7,546 
42,250 
56,826 

12,521 
13,200 
15,527 
12,955 
14.230 
18,345 
14.655 

204  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

The  following  table  shows  the  movement  of  hog  products  and   beef  from    Milwaukee   since 
1 862  • 


Shipments  by  Kail 

PORK,   HAMS,  MIDDLES  AND    SHOULDERS. 

LARD. 

BEEF. 

and  Lake. 

Barrels. 

Tierces. 

Boxes. 

Bulk,  lbs. 

Barrels. 

Tierces. 

Barrels. 

Tierces. 

Totals  1876 

62,461 

56,773 
53.702 
So.oio 
90,03  s 
88,940 

77,655 
69,805 
73,526 

74.726 

34.013 
67.933 
90.3S7 
56,432 

15.439 
15,292 
17,124 

24.954 
20, 1 1 5 
20,192 

15.819 

9.546 

13,146 

11,614 

7.805 

2,713 

5.927 

15.Sn 

I2,6S5 

42,67s 
28,374 
39,572 
62,211 
39,209 
14,93s 

5.S75 
5,298 

3.239 
4,522 

34.164 
5.000 

11,634 

5,123,818 
2,736,77S 
1,494,112 
1,915,610 
4,557,950 
5,161,941 
4,717,630 
2,325.150 
1,76,3,190 
454.786 
S63,746 

3.30I 

601 

9,!  10 

4,065 
6,276 
3,932 

2,535 
i.iSo 

3.637 
2,523 
3.287 
1,929 

5.677 
10.987 
I3,53S 

•?.1f\ 

3439 
421 

707 

462 

1,500 

1,606 

1375 

18,950             4,734 
18,509             5,015 
24.399             5.365 
27.765              1757 
19,74(1             3.S92 
10,950             4.427 
8,563 

5.055           10,150 
8.S20  1        lS,g84 
6,292  1        11,852 
2.4S7  :        10,427 
7,207  !        36  S66 
10,546  |        42,gS7 

6,761               "!"!.I--1 

1874 

1873 

1872         

1871-.. 

1S70 

925 
2,iSs 
2,221 

1869 

«      186S 

"      1867 

6,804 

4.5S4 
5.528 

"      1866 

"      1865 

1864..  _ 

5.871 
6,377 

-       1S63 

-       1862 

3.217 

—     '   ' 

Hops. 

The  culture  of  hops,  as  an  article  af  commerce,  received  but  little  attention  prior  to  i860. 
In  1865,  2,864  bales  only  were  shipped  from  Milwaukee.  In  addition,  a  large  amount  was  used 
by  the  brewers  throughout  the  state.  In  1866,  the  amount  ex;  oried  was  increased,  and  5,774 
bales  were  shipped  to  eastern  markets.  The  price,  from  forty-five  to  fifty-five  cents  per  pound, 
stimulated  production,  and  the  article  became  one  of  the  staple  products  of  the  counties  of  Sauk, 
Columbia,  Adams  and  Juneau,  besides  being  largely  cultivated  in  parts  of  some  other  counties. 
In  1S67,  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  1868,  not  less  than  60,000  bales  were  grown  in  the  state.  The  crop  everywhere 
was  a  large  one,  and  in  Wisconsin  so  very  large  that  an  over-supply  was  anticipated.  But  few. 
however,  were  prepared  for  the  decline  in  prices,  that  far  exceeded  the  worst  apprehensions  of 
those  interested.  The  first  sales  were  made  at  twenty-five  to  thirty-live  cents  per  pound,  and  the 
prices  were  reluctantly  accepted  by  the  growers.  The  price  continued  to  decline  until  the  article 
was  unsalable  and  unavailable  in  the  market.  Probably  the  average  price  did  not  exceed  ten 
cents  per  pound.  Notwithstanding  the  severe  check  which  hop-growing  received  in  1868,  by  the 
unprofitable  result,  growers  were  not  discouraged,  and  the  crop  of  1869  was  a  large  one.  So 
much  of  the  crop  of  186S  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  growers,  that  it  is  impossible  to  estimate 
that  of  1869.  The  new  crop  sold  fur  from  ten  to  fifteen  cents,  and  the  old  for  from  three  to  five  cents 
per  pound.  Hop-cultivation  received  a  check  from  over-production  in  1868,  from  which  it  did  not 
soon  recover.  A  large  proportion  of  the  yards  were  plowed  under  in  1S70.  The  crop  of  1869 
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  1870  brought  ten  to  twelve  and  a  half  cents.  During 
the  year  187 1,  a  great  advance  in  the  price,  caused  by  the  partial  failure  of  the  crop 
in  some  of  the  eastern  states,  and  the  decrease  in  price  causing  a  decrease  in  production, 
what  was  left  over  of  the  crop  of  1870  more  than  doubled  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   AND    MANUFACTURES. 


205 


qualities.  The  crop  of  1872  was  of  good  quality,  and  the  market  opened  at  forty  to  fifty-five 
cents  as  the  selling  price,  and  fell  fifteen  to  twenty  cents  before  the  close  of  the  year.  A  much 
larger  'quantity  was  raised  than  the  year  previous.  In  1873  and  1874,  the  crop  was  fair  and 
prices  ruled  from  thirty-three  to  forty-five  cents,  with  increased  production.  About  18,000  bales 
were  reported  as  being  shipped  from  the  different  railway  stations  of  the  state.  Prices  were 
extremely  irregular  during  1875,  and,  after  the  new  crop  reached  market,  fell  to  a  point  that 
would  not  pay  the  cost  of  production.  In  1876,  prices  ruled  low  at  the  opening  of  the  year,  and 
advanced  from  five  to  ten  cents  in  January  to  twenty-eight  to  thirty  in  November.  Over  17,000 
bales  were  received  at  Milwaukee,  over  10,000  bales  being  of  the  crop  of  the  previous  year. 
Over  13,000  bales  were  shipped  out  of  the  state. 

Tobacco. 
Tobacco  raising  is  comparatively  a  new  industry  in  Wisconsin,  but  is  rapidly  growing  in 
importance  and  magnitude.  It  sells  readily  for  from  four  to  ten  cents  per  pound,  and  the  plant 
is  easily  raised.  It  is  not  regarded  as  of  superior  quality.  It  first  appears  as  a  commodity  of 
transportation  in  the  railway  reports  for  the  year  187 1,  when  the  Prairie  du  Chien  division 
of  the  St.  Paul   road  moved  eastward   1,373,650   pounds.    During  the  four  years  ending  with 

1876,  there  were  shipped  from  Milwaukee  an  average  of  5,118,530  pounds  annually,  the  :  axi- 
mum  being  in  1874,6,982,175  pounds;  the  minimum  in  1S75,  2,743,854  pounds.  The  crop  of 
1S76  escaped  the  early  frosts,  and  netted  the  producer  from  five  to  seven  cents  per  pound.  The 
greatsr  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  largeone,  and  has  been  secured  in  good  order.  Itis  being  contracted  for  at  from  fourto 
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 
barrels  were  exported,  and,  in  1876,  about  17,000  barrels.  The  price  has  varied  in  different 
years,  and  taken  a  range  from  eight  to  fifteen  dollars  a  barrel. 

Spirituous  and  Malt  Liquors. 

The  production  of  liquors,  both  spirituous  and  malt,  has  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of 
population  and  with  the  other  industries  of  the  state.  There  were  in  Wisconsin,  in  1872,  two 
hundred  and  ninety-two  breweries  and  ten  distilleries.  In  1876,  there  were  two  hundred  and 
ninety-three  of  the  former  and  ten  of  the  latter,  and  most  of  them  were  kept  running  to  their 
full  capacity.  Milwaukee  alone  produced,  in  1876,  321,611  barrels  of  lager  beer  and  43,175 
barrels  of  high  wines.  In  1865,  it  furnished  65,666  barrels  of  beer,  and  in  1S70,  108,845  barrels. 
In  1865,  it  furnished  3,046  barrels  of  high  wines;  in  1870,  22,867  barrels;  and  in  1875,  39,005. 
A  large  quantity  of  the  beer  made  was  shipped  to  eastern  and  southern  cities.  The  beer  made 
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,  1,520,308  barrels  which,  at  the  wholesale  price,  brought  $15,203,170.  The 
total  production  of  beer  by  all  the  two  hundred  and  ninety-three  breweries  of  the  state  for  1S76, 
was  450,508  barrels. 


206  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN'. 

In  1876,  Milwaukee  produced  43,175  barrels  of  high  wines,  or  distilled  spirits,  and  the 
state  of  Wisconsin  51,959  barrels.  In  1870,  the  former  produced  108,845  barrels  of  beer  and 
22,867  barrels  of  distilled  spirits,  and  in  the  same  year  the  state  of  Wisconsin  produced  189,664 
barrels  of  beer  and  36,145  barrels  of  distilled  spirits. 

Miscellaneous. 

Porcelain  clay,  or  kaolin,  is  found  in  numerous  places  in  Wood  and  Marathon  counties.  The 
mineral  is  found  in  but  few  places  in  the  United  States  in  quantities  sufficient  to  justify  the 
investment  of  capital  necessary  to  manufacture  it.  In  the  counties  mentioned,  the  deposits  are 
found  in  extensive  beds,  and  only  capital  and  enterprise  are  needed  to  make  their  development 
profitable.  Clay  of  superior  quality  for  making  brick  and  of  fair  quality  for  pottery,  is 
found  in  numerous  localities.  The  famous  "  Milwaukee  brick,"  remarkable  for  their  beautiful 
cream  color,  is  made  from  a  fine  clay  which  is  abundant  near  Milwaukee,  and  is  found  in  exten- 
sive beds  at  Watertown,  Whitewater,  Edgerton,  Stoughton,  and  several  places  on  the  lake  shore 
north  of  Milwaukee.  At  Whitewater  and  some  other  places  the  clay  is  used  with  success  for  the 
making  of  pottery  ware.  Water-lime,  or  hydraulic  cement,  occurs  in  numerous  places  throughout 
the  state.  An  extensive  bed  covering  between  one  and  two  hundred  acres,  and  of  an  indefinite 
depth,  exists  on  the  banks  of  the  Milwaukee  river,  and  not  over  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  city 
limits  of  Milwaukee.  The  cement  made  from  the  rock  of  this  deposit  is  first-class  in  quality,  and 
between  twenty  and  thirty  thousand  barrels  were  made  and  sold  last  year.  The  capacity  of  the 
works  for  reducing  the  rock  to  cement  has  been  increased  to  500  barrels  per  day.  Stones  suita- 
ble for  building  purposes  are  widely  distributed  throughout  the  state,  and  nearly  every  town  has 
its  available  quarry.  Many  of  these  quarries  furnish  stone  of  fine  quality  for  substantial  and 
permanent  edifices.  The  quarry  at  Prairie  du  Chien  furnished  the  stone  for  the  capital  building 
nt  Madison,  which  equals  in  beauty  that  of  any  state  in  the  Union.  At  Milwaukee,  Waukesha, 
Madison,  La  Crosse,  and  many  other  places  are  found  quarries  of  superior  building  stone. 
Granite  is  found  in  extensive  beds  in  Marathon  and  Wood  counties,  and  dressed  specimens 
exhibited  at  the  "  Centennial  "  last  year,  attracted  attention  for  their  fine  polish.  Marbles  of 
various  kinds  are  likewise  found  in  the  state.  Some  of  them  are  beginning  to  attract  attention 
and  are  likely  to  prove  valuable.  The  report  of  Messrs.  Foster  &  Whitney.  United  States  geol- 
ogists, speaks  of  quarries  on  the  Menomonee  and  Michigamig  rivers  as  affording  beautiful  varie- 
ties and  susceptible  of  a  high  polish.  Richland  county  contains  marble,  but  its  quality  is  gen- 
erally considered  inferior. 

Water  Powers. 

Wisconsin  is  fast  becoming  a  manufacturing  state.  Its  forests  of  pine,  oak,  walnut,  maple, 
ash,  and  other  valuable  woods  used  for  lumber,  are  well-nigh  inexhaustible.  Its  water-power  for 
driving  the  wheels  of  machinery  is  not  equaled  by  that  of  any  state  in  the  northwest.  The  Lower 
Fox  river  between  Lake  Winnebago  and  Green  Bay,  a  distance  of  thirty-five  miles,  furnishes 
some  of  the  best  facilities  for  manufacturing  enterprise  in  the  whole  country.  Lake  Winnebago 
as  a  reservoir  gives  it  a  great  and  special  advantage,  in  freedom  from  liability  to  freshets  and 
droughts.  The  stream  never  varies  but  a  few  feet  from  its  highest  to  its  lowest  stage,  yet  gives 
a  steady  flow.  The  Green  Bay  and  Mississippi  canal  company  has,  during  the  last  twenty-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  'lie  Mississippi. 
The  fall  between  the  lake  and  Depere  is  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  the  water  can  be  utilized 


COMMERCE   AND    MAmJEACTUKES.  207 

in  propelling  machinery  at  Neenah,  Menasha,  Appleton,  Cedar,  Little  Chute,  Kaukauna,  Rapid 
Croche,  Little  Kaukauna  and  Depere.  The  water-power  at  Appleton  in  its  natural  advantages 
is  pronounced  by  Hon.  Hiram  Barney,  of  New  York,  superior  to  those  at  Lowell,  Paterson 
and  Rochester,  combined.  The  water-power  of  the  Fox  has  been  improved  to  a  considerable 
extent,  but  its  full  capacity  has  hardly  been  touched.  Attention  has  been  drawn  to  it,  how- 
ever, and  no  doubt  is  entertained  that  in  a  few  years  the  hum  of  machinery  to  be  propelled 
by  it,  will  be  heard  the  entire  length  of  the  thirty-five  miles.  The  facilities  presented  by  its 
nearness  to  timber,  iron,  and  a  rich  and  productive  agricultural  region,  give  it  an  advantage  over 
any  of  the  eastern  manufacturing  points. 

The  Wisconsin  river  rises  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the  state,  and  has  its  source  in  a 
great  number  of  small  lakes.  The  upper  portion  abounds  in  valuable  water  privileges,  only  a 
few  of  which  are  improved.  There  are  a  large  number  of  saw-mills  running  upon  the  power  of 
this  river.     Other  machinery,  to  a  limited  extent,  is  in  operation. 

The  "  Big  Bull  "  falls,  at  Wausau,  are  improved,  and  a  power  of  twenty-two  feet  fall  is  obtained. 
At  Little  Bull  falls,  below  Wausau,  there  is  a  fall  of  eighteen  feet,  partially  improved.  There  are 
many  other  water-powers  in  Marathon  county,  some  of  which  are  used  in  propelling  flouring- 
mills  and  saw-mills.  At  Grand  Rapids,  there  is  a  descent  of  thirty  feet  to  the  mile,  and  the 
water  can  be  used  many  times.  Each  time,  5,000  horse-power  is  obtained.  At  Kilbourn  City 
a  large  amount  of  power  can  be  obtained  for  manufacturing  purposes. 

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.  Ira 
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,  thdugh 
containing  resources  which,  when  developed,  will  make  it  rich  and  prosperous.  There  are 
numerous  other  streams  of  less  consequence  than  those  named,  but  of  great  importance  to  the 
localities  they  severally  drain,  that  have  had  their  powers  improved,  and  their  waterfalls  are 
singing  the  songs  of  commerce.  On  the  rivers  emptying  into  Lake  Superior,  there  are  numerous 
and  valuable  water-powers.  The  Montreal  river  falls  one  thousand  feet  in  a  distance  of  thirty 
miles. 

Manufactures. 

The  mechanical  and  manufacturing  industries  of  Wisconsin  demonstrate  that  the  people  do 
not  rely  wholly  upon  agricultural  pursuits,  or  lumbering,  for  subsistence,  but  Sim  to  diversify 
their  labors  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  give  encouragement  to  the  skill  and  ingenuity  of  their 
mechanics  and  artisans.  All  our  cities,  and  most  of  our  villages,  support  establishments  that 
furnish  wares  and  implements  in  common  use  among  the  people.  We  gather  from  the  census 
report  for  1870  a  few  facts  that  will  give  us  an  adequate  idea  of  what  was  done  in  a  single  year, 
remembering  that  the  data  furnished  is  six  years  old,  and  that  great  advancement  has  been  made 
since  the  statistics  were  gathered.  In  1870,  there  were  eighty-two  establishments  engaged  in 
making  agricultural  implements,  employing  1,387  hands,  and  turning  out  products  valued  at 
$2,393,400.  There  were  one  hundred  and  eighty-eight  furniture  establishments,  employing  1,844 
men,  and  making  $1,542,300  worth  of  goods.  For  making  carriages  and  wagons  there  were  four 
hundred  and  eighty-five  establishments,  employing  2,184  men,  and  their  product  was  valued  at 
$2,596,534;  for  clothing,  two  hundred  and  sixty-three  establishments,  and  value  of  product 
$2,340,400;  sash,  doors  and  blinds,  eighty-one  shops,  and  value  of  product  $1,852,370;  leather, 
eighty-five  tanneries,  employing  577  men,  and  value  of  products  $2,013,000;  malt  liquors,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-six  breweries,  835  men,  and  their  products  valued  at  $1,790,273. 

At  many  points  the  business  of  manufacturing  is  carried  on  more  or  less  extensively; 
indeed,  there  is  hardly  a  village  in  the  state  where  capital  is  not  invested  in  some  kind 
of  mechanical  industry  or  manufacturing  enterprise,  and  making  satisfactory  returns;  but  for 
details  in  this  respect,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  department  of  local  history. 

The  principal  commodities  only,  which  Wisconsin  contributes  to  trade  and  commerce,  have 
been  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. 

(  '  INCLUDING   Rem  \KKs. 

Statistics  are  usually  dry  reading,  but,  to  one  desiring  to  change  his  location  and  seeking 
information  regarding  a  new  country  and  its  capabilities,  they  become  intensely  interesting  and 
of  great  value.  The  fanner  wishes  to  know  about  the  lands,  their  value  and  the  productiveness 
of  the  soil  ;  the  mechanii   about  the  workshops,  the  price  of  labor,  and  the  demand  for  such  wares 


COMMERCE   AND   MANUFACTURES.  209 

as  he  is  accustomed  to  make ;  the  capitalist,  concerning  all  matters  that  pertain  to  resources, 
advantages,  and  the  opportunities  for  investing  his  money.  Our  own  people  want  all  the  infor- 
mation that  can  be  gained  by  the  collection  of  all  obtainable  facts.  The  sources  of  such  infor- 
mation are  now  various,  and  the  knowledge  they  impart  fragmentary  in  its  character. 

Provision  should  be  made  by  law,  for  the  collection  and  publication  of  reliable  statistics 
relating  to  our  farming,  manufacturing,  mining,  lumbering,  commercial  and  educational  interests. 
Several  of  the  states  of  the  Union  have  established  a  "Bureau  of  Statistics,"  and  no  more  valua- 
ble reports  emanate  from  any  of  their  state  departments  than  those  that  exhibit  a  condensed 
view  of  the  material  results  accomplished  each  year.  Most  of  the  European  states  foster  these 
agencies  with  as  much  solicitude  as  any  department  of  their  government.  Indeed,  they  have 
become  a  social  as  well  as  a  material  necessity,  for  social  science  extends  its  inquiries  to  the 
physical  laws  of  man  as  a  social  being;  to  the  resources  of  the  country;  its  productions;  the 
growth  of  society,  and  to  all  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  nfter,  missions  were  established  at  various 
points  in  the  northwest. 

The  French  government  appreciating  the  importance  of  possessing  dominion  over  this  sec- 
tion, M.  Talon,  intendant  of  Canada,  took  steps  to  carry  out  this  purpose,  and  availed  himself 
of  the  good  feelings  entertained  toward  the  French  by  a  number  of  the  Indian  tribes,  to  establish 
the  authority  of  the  French  crown  over  this  remote  quarter.  A  small  party  of  men  led  by 
Daumont  de  St.  Lusson,  with  Nicolas  Perrot  as  interpreter,  set  out  from  Quebec  on  this  mission, 
in  1670,  and  St.  Lusson  sent  to  the  tribes  occupying  a  circuit  of  a  hundred  leagues,  inviting  the 
nations,  among  them  the  Wisconsin  tribes  inhabiting  the  Green  bay  country,  by  their  chiefs  and 
ambassadors,  to  meet  him  at  the  Sault  Sainte  Marie  the  following  spring. 

In  the  month  of  May,  167  1,  fourteen  tribes,  by  their  representatives,  including  the  Miamis. 
Sacs,  Winnebagoes,  Menomonees,  and  Pottawattamies,  arrived  at  the  place  designated.  On  the 
morning  of  the  fourteenth  of  June,  "St.  Lusson  led  his  followers  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  all  fully 
equipped  and  under  arms.  Here,  too,  in  the  vestments  of  their  priestly  office  were  four  Jesuits  : 
Claude  Dablon,  superior  of  the  mission  on  the  lakes,  Gabriel  Druillettes,  Claude  Allouez,  and 
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^^rth.  proclaimed  in  a  loud 
voice  "  that  he  took  possession  of  all  the  country  occupied  by  the  t^Wes,  and  placed  them  under 
the  king's  protection. 

This  act,  however,  was  not  regarded  as  sufficiently  definite,  and  on  the  eighth  of  May,  1689, 
Perrot,  who  was  then  commanding  for  the  king  at  the  post  of  Nadouesioux,  near  Lake  Pepin  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  commissioned  by  the  Marquis  de  Denonville  to  manage  the 
interest,  of  commerce  west  of  Green  bay  took  possession,  in  the  name  of  the  king,  with 
appropriate  ceremonies,  of  the  countries  we, 1  of  Lake  Michigan  as  far  as  the  river  St.  Peter. 
The  papers  were  signed  by  Perrot  and  others. 

Bj  these  solemn  acts,  the  present  limits  of  Wisconsin  with  much  contiguous  territory,  came 
under  the  dominion  of  the  French  government,  the  possession  of  which  <  ontinued  until  October, 
1761 — a  period  of  ninety  years  from  the  gathering  of  the  chiefs  at  the  Sault   Ste.  Marie  in  1671. 

From  the  commencement  of  French  occupancy  up  to  the  time  when  the  British  took  posses- 
sion, the  district  of  country  embra<  ed  within  the  present  limits  of  this  state  had  but  few  white 
inhabitants  besides  the  roaming  Indian  traders;  and  of  these  few,  the  locations  were  separated  by 
a  distance  of  more  than  two  hundred  miles  in  a  direct  line,  and   nearly  double    that   distance  by 


THE    PUBLIC    DOMAIN.  211 

the  usual  water  courses.  There  was  no  settlement  of  agriculturists;  there  were  no  missionary 
establishments;  no  fortified  posts  at  other  points,  except  at  Depere  and  Green  bay  on  Fox  river, 
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  agricul- 
turists, and  the  occupation  of  the  country  was  strictly  military.  There  were,  indeed,  a  few  grants 
of  lands  made  by  the  French  governors  and  commanders,  previous  to  1750,  to  favored  indi- 
viduals, six  of  which  were  afterward  confirmed  by  the  king  of  France.  There  were  also  others 
which  did  not  require  confirmation,  being  made  by  Cardillac,  commanding  at  Detroit,  under 
special  authority  of  the  king;  of  this  latter  kind,  one  for  a  small  piece  of  thirty  acres  bears  with 
it,  says  a  writer,  "  so  many  conditions,  reservations,  prohibitions  of  sale,  and  a  whole  cavalcade 
of  feudal  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  grantee,  that  in  itself,  it  would  be  a  host  in  opposition  to 
the  agricultural  settlement  of  any  country." 

The  grants  just  referred  to,  relate  to  that  part  of  the  French  possessions  outside  the  limits 
of  the  present  state  of  Wisconsin.  Within  its  limits  there  was  a  grant  of  an  extensive  territory 
including  the  fort  at  the  head  of  Green  bay,  with  the  exclusive  right  to  trade,  and  other  valuable 
privileges,  from  the  Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  in  October,  1759,  to  M.  Rigaud.  It  was  sold  by  the 
latter  to  William  Gould  and  Madame  Vaudreuil,  to  whom  it  was  confirmed  by  the  king  of 
France  in  January,  1760,  at  a  very  critical  period,  when  Quebec  had  been  taken  by  the  British, 
and  Montreal  was  only  wanting  to  complete  the  conquest  of  Canada.  This  grant  was  evidently 
intended  as  a  perquisite  to  entrap  some  unwary  persons  to  give  a  valuable  consideration  for  it, 
as  it  would  be  highly  impolitic  for  the  government  to  make  such  a  grant,  if  they  continued  mas- 
ters of  the  country,  since  it  would  surely  alienate  the  affections  of  the  Indians.  The  whole 
country  had  already  been  virtually  conquered  by  Great  Britain,  and  the  grant  of  course  was  not 
confirmed  by  the  English  government. 

Of  the  war  between  the  French  and  English  governments  in  America,  known  as  the  French 
and  Indian  war,  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak,  except  in  general  terms.  The  English  made  a 
determined  effort  to  obtain  the  possessions  claimed  by  the  French.  The  capture  of  Quebec  in 
1759,  and  the  subsequent  capitulation  of  Montreal  in  1760,  extinguished  the  domination  of 
France  in  the  basin  of  the  St.  Lawrence  ;  and  by  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  Paris,  concluded 
February  10,  1763,  all  the  possessions  in,  and  all  the  claims  of  the  French  nation  to,  the  vast 
country  watered  by  the  OhiSJ^nd  the  Mississippi  were  ceded  to  Great  Britain. 

Among  the  first  acts  of  the  new  masters  of  the  country  was  the  protection  of  the  eminent 
domain  of  the  government,  and  the  restriction  of  all  attempts  on  the  part  of  individuals  to  acquire 
Indian  titles  to  lands.  By  the  King  of  England's  proclamation  of  1763,  no  more  grants  of  land 
within  certain  prescribed  limits  could  be  issued,  and  all  private  persons  were  interdicted  the 
liberty  of  purchasing  lands  from  the  Indians,  or  of  making  settlements  within  those  prescribed 
limits.  The  indulgence  of  such  a  privilege  as  that  of  making  private  purchases  of  the  natives, 
conduced  to  the  most  serious  difficulties,  and  made  way  for  the  practice  of  the  most  reprehensible 
frauds.  The  policy  pursued  by  the  English  government  has  been  adopted  and  acted  upon  by  the 
government  of  the  United  States  in  the  extinguishment  of  the  Indian  title  to  lands  in  every  part 
of  the  country. 

In  face  of  the  proclamation  of  1763,  and  within  three  years  after  its  promulgation,  under 
a  pretended  purchase  from,  or  voluntary  grant  of  the  natives,  a  tract  of  country  nearly  one  hundred 
miles  square,  including  large  portions  of  what  is  now  northern  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  was 
claimed  by  Jonathan  Carver,  and  a  ratification  of  his  title  solicited  from  the  king  and  council. 
This  was  not  conceded  ;  and  the  representatives  of  Carver,  after  the  change  of  government  had 


212  HISTORY    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  onlv  a 
short  period  since  the  maps  of  the  United  States  ceased  to  be  defaced  by  a  delineation  of 
Jhe  "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  \\  it li  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  177S  and  1779,  na(^  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  hit.  42°  2'  to  about  lat. 
450,  extending  to  the  south  sea;  Connecticut  claimed  from  lat.  410  north  to  420  2'.  The  claims  of 
Virginia  were  from  grants  from  King  James,  bearing  date,  respectively,  April  10,  1606,  May  23, 
1609,  and  March  12,  161 1,  and  an  additional  claim  for  the  territory  conquered  by  Clark  in  the 
Illinois  country  ;  but  they  extended  no  farther  north  than  the  southern  end  of  Lake  Michigan. 

It  is  a  popular  impression  that  the  territory  of  the  present  state  of  Wisconsin  was  compre- 
hended in  the  lands  northwest  of  the  river  Ohio,  over  which  Virginia  exercised  jurisdiction,  and, 
consequently,  was  included  in  her  deed  of  cession  of  lands  to  the  United  States.  This  opinion  so 
generally  entertained  by  writers  on  American  history,  is  a  statement  which  does  not  appear  to 
have  any  solid  foundation  in  fact.  Virginia  never  made  any  conquests  or  settlements  in  Wiscon- 
sin, and  at  no  time  prior  to  the  proffer  of  her  claims  to  the  general  government  had  she  ever 
exercised  jurisdiction  over  it.  In  fact,  there  were  no  settlements  in  Wisconsin  except  at  Green 
Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien  before  that  time,  and  these  were  made  by  French  settlers  who  were  in 
no  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 
States,  retaining  possession,  however,  until  1796;  at  which  time  the  western  posts  were  transferred 
to  the  United  States. 


THE  PUBLIC    DOMAIN.  213 

All  the  claiming  states  finally  ceded  their  interests  to  the  general  government,  giving  the 
latter  a  perfect  title,  subject  only  to  the  rights  of  the  Indians.  The  deed  of  cession  from  Virginia 
was  dated  March  i,  17S4.  The  other  states  ceded  their  claims,  some  before  this  date,  others 
subsequent  thereto. 

Virginia  made  a  number  of  stipulations  in  her  deed  of  cession;  among  others,  that  the 
French  and  Canadian  inhabitants  and  the  neighboring  villages  who  had  professed  themselves 
citizens  of  Virginia,  should  have  their  possessions  and  title  confirmed  to  them,  and  be  protected  in 
the  enjoyment  of  their  rights  and  liberties;  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,  1788, 
Virginia  assented  to  the  wish  of  congress,  and  formally  ratified  and  confirmed  the  fifth  article  of 
compact  which  related  to  that  subject,  and  tacitly  gave  her  consent  to  the  whole  ordinance  of  1  7S7. 
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  certaip  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 
onlv  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 
\ipon  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. 

e,  A  treaty  was  held  at  St.  Louis,  November  3,  1804,  between  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  and  the 
United  States.  William  Henry  Harrison  was  acting  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  govern- 
ment. By  the  provisions  of  the  treaty,  the  chiefs  and  head  men  of  the  united  tribes  ceiled  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 
1  was  included  in  this  pun  base.  In  consideration  of  this  cession,  the  general  government 
agreed  to  protect  the  tribes  in  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  their  land,  against  its  own  citizens  and 
all  others  who  should  intrude  on  them.  The  tribes  permitted  a  fort  to  be  built  on  the  upper 
side  of  the  Wisconsin  river,  near  its  mouth,  and  granted  a  tract  of  land  two  miles  square,  adjoin- 
ing the  same.  The  government  agreed  to  give  them  an  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars  per 
annum.  The  validity  of  this  treaty  was  denied  by  one  band  of  the  Sac  Indians,  and  this  cession 
of  land  became,  twenty-eight  years  after,  the  alleged  cause  of  the  Black  Hawk  war. 

2.  Another  treaty  was  held  at  Portage  des  Sioux,  now  a  village  in  St.  Charles  county,  Mis- 
souri, on  the  Mississippi  river,  September  13,  1815,  with  certain  chiefs  of  that  portion  of  the 
Sac  nation  then  residing  in  Missouri,  who,  they  said,  were  compelled  since  the  commencement  of 


THE    PUBLIC    DOMAIN.  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  1S04,  and  promised  to  remain  separate  from  the  Sacs  of  Rock  river, 
and  to  give  them  no  aid  or  assistance,  until  peace  should  be  concluded  between  the  United 
States  and  the  Foxes  of  Rock  river. 

3.  On  the  14th  of  September,  a  treaty  was  made  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Fox  tribe  at  the 
same  place.  They  agreed  that  all  prisoners  in  their  hands  should  be  delivered  up  to  the  govern- 
ment. They  assented  to,  recognized,  re-established  and  confirmed  the  treaty  of  1S04,  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  1804,  and  agreed  to  deliver  up  all  the  property  stolen  or  plundered,  and  in  failure 
to  do  so,  to  forfeit  all  title  to  their  annuities.  To  this  treaty,  Black  Hawk's  name  appears  with 
others.  That  chief  afterward  affirmed  that  though  he  himself  had  "touched  the  quill"  to 
this  treaty,  he  knew  not  what  he  was  signing,  and  that  he  was  therein  deceived  by  the  agent  and 
others,  who  did  not  correctly  explain  the  nature  of  the  grant;  and  in  reference  to  the  treaty  of 
St.  Louis  in  1804,  and  at  Portage  des  Sioux  in  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  Bay,  August  25,  1828,  with  the  Winnebagoes,  Pottawat- 
tamies and  other  tribes.  This  treaty  was  made  to  remove  the  difficulties  which  had  arisen  in 
consequence  of  the  occupation  by  white  men  of  that  portion  of  the  mining  country  in  *he  south- 
western  part  of  Wisconsin   which   had   r.ot   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. 

1 1.  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,  Ottawas  and  Pottawattamies,  by  which  these  nations 
ceded  all  their  lands  which  they  claimed  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Illinois;  and  at  the  latter 
date  with  the  Winnebagoes,  by  which  that  nation  ceded  and  relinquished  all  their  right,  title  and 
claim  to  all  their  lands  south  of  the  Wisconsin  river,  thus  confirming  the  purchase  of  the  lead- 
mine  region.  Certain  grants  were  made  to  individuals,  which  grants  were  not  to  be  leased  or 
sold  by  the  grantees. 

By  this?  important  treaty,  about  eight  millions  of  acres  of  land  were  added  to  the  public 
domain.  The  three  tracts  ceded,  and  forming  one  whole,  extended  from  the  upper  end  of  Rock 
river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Wisconsin,  from  latitude  410  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  impoitant  treaty  was  made  at  Green  Pay,  February  S,  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,  Pox  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  Pox  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. 

15.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  1S32,  for  the  purpose  of  clearing  up  tin- 
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  Pox  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  ihese  grounds,  after  June  1,  1S33, 
or  on  any  part  of  the  country  therein  ceded. 

1.1.  1  )n  the  27th  of  (  >i  tol>rr,  1832,  articles  of  agreement  were  made  and  concluded  at  Green 
Pay  between  the  United  States  and  the  Menomonee  Indians,  by  the  terms  of  which  th.it  nation 
ceded  to  the  New  York  Indians  certain  lands  01;  Fox  river. 

15.  An  important  treaty  was  made  at  Chicago,  September  26,  1S33,  between  the  United 
States  and  the  Chippewas,  Ottawas  anj  Pottawattamies.  Those  nations  ceded  to  the  government 
all  their  lands  along  the  western    shore  of  Lake    Michigan,  and    between   that  lake   and  the   land 

!  to  the  lulled  States  bv  the  Winnebago  nation  at  the   treat}-  at   Fort  Armstrong,  Septeinbei 


THE   PUBLIC    DOMAIN.  217 

15,  1832,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  country  lately  ceded  by  the  Menomonees,  and  on  the 
south  by  the  country  ceded  at  the  treaty  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  July  19,  1829  —  containing  about 
five  millions  of  acres. 

16.  On  the  3d  of  September,  1836,  a  tieaty  was  made  at  Cedar  Point  with  the  Menomonees, 
by  which  lands  lying  west  of  Green  bay,  and  a  strip  on  the  upper  Wisconsin,  were  ceded  to  the 
United  States  — the  quantity  of  land  ceded  being  estimated  at  four  millions  of  acres  in  the  Green 
bay  portion ;  on  the  Wisconsin  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. 

18.  Certain  chiefs  and  braves  of  the  Sioux  nation  of  the  Mississippi,  while  visiting  Washing- 
ton, September  29,  1837,  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  their  lands  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  all 
their  islands  in  said  river. 

19.  The  Winnebago  nation,  by  the  chiefs  and  delegates,  held  a  treaty  with  the  government 
at  Washington,  November  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,  1838,  at  Washington  City,  ceded  to  the  United  States  their  title 
and  interest  in  the  land  set  apart  by  the  treaty  made  with  the  Menomonees,  May  8,  1831,  and  the 
treaty  made  with  the  same  tribe,  October  7,  1832,  reserving  about  62,000  acres. 

21.  Another  treaty  was  made  at  Stockbridge  on  the  3d  of  September,  1S39,  by  which  the 
Stockbridge  and  Munsee  tribes  (New  York  Indians)  ceded  and  relinquished  to  the  United  States 
the  east  half  of  the  tract  of  46,080  acres  which  was  laid  off  for  their  use  on  the  east  side  of  Lake 
Winnebago  by  treaty  of  October  7,  1832 

22.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1842,  a  treaty  was  made  at  La  Pointe,  on  Lake  Superior,  with  the 
Chippewas.  All  their  lands  in  the  northern  and  northwestern  parts  of  Wisconsin  were  ceded  to 
the  United  States. 

23.  The  Menomonee  nation,  on  the  18th  of  October,  1848,  at  Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay,  ceded 
and  relinquished  to  the  United  States  all  their  lands  in  the  state,  wherever  situated — the  gov- 
ernment to  furnish  the  nation  as  a  home,  to  be  held  as  Indian  lands  are  held,  all  the  country  ceded 
to  the  United  States  by  the  Chippewa  nation  August  2,  1847,  the  consideration  being  the  sum  of 
$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,  1854, 
being  a  supplementary  treaty  to  one  made  October  18,  184S.  All  the  lands  ceded  to  that  nation 
under  the  treaty  last  named  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  —  the  Menomonees  to  receive  from 
the  United  States  a  tract  of  country  lying  on  Wolf  river,  being  townships  28,  29  and  3c,  of  ranges 
13,  14,  15,  16. 

25.  A  treaty  was  made  with  the  Chippewas  of  Lake  Superior,  at  La  Pointe,  on  the  30th  of 
September,  1854.  That  nation  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  lands  before  owned  by  them  in 
common  with  the  Chippewas  of  the  Mississippi — lying  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Superior  in  Wis- 


218  HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 

consin  and  Minnesota. 

26.  On  the  5th  of  February,  1S56,  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,  »vas  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  cf 
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, 
1S06,  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,  1S20,  reviving  the  powers  of  the 
commissioners  for  ascertaining  and  deciding  on  claims  in  the  district  of  Detroit,  and  for  settling  the 
claims  to  land  at  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien,  in  the  territory  of  Michigan  ;  the  commis- 
sioners to  have  power  to  examine  and  decide  on  claims  filed  with  the  register  of  the  land  office, 
and  not  before  acted  on,  in  accordance  with  the  laws  respecting  the  same.  The  commissioners 
discharged  the  duties  imposed  on  them,  and  in  their  report  to  congress  in  reference  to  the  claims 
at  Green  Bay,  they  said  that  the  antiquity  of  this  settlement  being,  in  their  view,  sufficiently 
established,  and  that  they  being  also  satisfied  that  the  Indian  title  must  be  considered  to  have 
been  extinguished,  decide  favorably  on  the  claims  presented.  About  seventy-five  titles  were  con- 
firmed, and  patents  for  the  same  were  sent  to  the  proper  parties  by  the  government.  In  relation 
to  the  Prairie  du  Chien  titles,  they  reported  "that  they  had  met  few  difficulties  in  their  investi- 
gations; that,  notwithstanding  the  high  antiquity  which  may  be  claimed  for  the  settlement  of  that 
place,  no  one  perfect  title  founded  on  French  or  British  grant,  legally  authenticated,  had  been 
successfully  made  out;  and  that  but  few  deeds  of  any  sort  have  been  exhibited."  This  they 
attribute  to  the  carelessness  of  the  Canadians  in  respect  to  whatever  concerned  their  land  titles,  and 
accords  with  whatever  is  known  in  this  regard,  of  the  French  population  throughout  the  country. 
They  therefore  came  to  the  conclusion  that  whatever  1  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 
tinned  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  country,  the  people  both  of  Prairie  du  Chien  and  Green  Bay  have  been 
eft,  until  within  a  few  years,  quite  isolated,  almost  without  any  government  but  their  own;  and, 
although  the  present  population  of  these  settlements  are  natives  of  the  countries  which  they 
inhabit,  and,  (  onsequently,  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  219 

submission  to  the  requisitions  of  any  government  which  may  be  set  over  them,  are  their  universal 
characteristics." 

In  reference  to  grants  by  the  French  and  English  governments,  the  commissioners  say,  they 
"  have  not  had  access  to  any  public  archives  by  which  to  ascertain  with  positive  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  city  of  Detroit , 
that  the  French  government  was  not  accustomed  to  hold  formal  treaties  for  such  purposes  with 
the  Indians,  and  when  the  lands  have  been  actually  procured  from  them,  either  by  virtue  of  the 
assumed  right  of  conquest,  or  by  purchase,  evidence  of  such  acquisition  is  rather  to  be  sought  in 
the  traditionary  history  of  the  country,  or  in  the  casual  or  scanty  relations  of  travelers,  than 
among  collections  of  state  papers.  Tradition  does  recognize  the  fact  of  the  extinguishment  of 
the  Indian  title  at  Prairie  du  Chien  by  the  old  French  government,  before  its  surrender  to  the 
English;  and  by  the  same  species  of  testimony,  more  positive  because  more  recent,  it  is  estab- 
lished also,  that,  in  the  year  1781,  Patrick  Sinclair,  lieutenant  governor  of  the  province  of  Upper 
Canada,  while  the  English  government  had  jurisdiction  over  this  country,  made  a  formal  purchase 
from  the  Indians  of  the  lands  comprehending  the  settlement  of  Prairie  du  Chien." 

The  territories  and  states  formed  from  the  section  known  as  the  Northwest  territory, 
were  : 

1  The  Northwest  territory  proper  (1 787-1800)  having  jurisdiction  over  all  the  lands  referred 
to  in  the  ordinance  of  1787.  In  1802,  Ohio  was  organized  as  a  state  with  its  present  boun- 
daries. 

1.   Indiana  terrritory  was  formed  July  4,  1800,  with   the  seat  of  government  at  Vincennes 
That  territory  was  made  to  include  all  of  the  northwest,  except  what  afterward  became  the  state 
of  Ohio. 

3.  Michigan  territory  was  formed  June  30,  1805.  It  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  a  line 
drawn  east  from  the  south  bend  of  Lake  Michigan,  on  the  west  by  the  center  of  Lake  Michigan. 
It  did  not  include  what  is  now  Wisconsin.  The  upper  peninsula  was  annexed  in  r836.  The 
state  of  Michigan  was  formed  January  26,  1837,  with  its  present  boundaries. 

4.  Illinois  territory  was  formed  March  2,  1810.  It  included  all  of  the  Indiana  territory  west 
of  the  Wabash  river  and  Vincennes,  and  a  line  running  due  north  to  the  territorial  line.  All  of 
Wisconsin  was  included  therein,  except  what  lay  east  of  the  line  drawn  north  from  Vincennes. 

5.  Indiana  was  admitted  as  a  state  April  19,  1816,  including  all  the  territory  of  Indiana 
territory,  except  a  narrow  strip  east  of  the  line  of  Vincennes,  and  west  of  Michigan  territory,  her 
western  boundary. 

6.  Illinois  was  admitted  as  a  state  April  n,  1S1S.  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  Moines  and  Dubuque  counties  were  formed. 

8.  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  extreme 
of  Lake  Michigan.     Notwithstanding  this  plain  provision  of  the  ordinance,  which  is  declared  to 


220  HISTORY   OF    WISCONSIN. 

lie  art".  '  .  ■  .t" .  iiirt  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   L 
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  statj 
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 
ponding  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*. 


221 


about  three  rods.  The  townships  north  of  the  base  line,  therefore,  become  narrower  toward  the 
north,  and  if  continued  for  too  great  a  distance,  this  narrowing  would  cause  serious  inconvenience. 
In  the  state  of  Wisconsin  there  are  four  of  these  correction  lines.  The  first  is  sixty  miles 
north  of  the  base  line,  and  accordingly  runs  between  townships  ten  and  eleven.  The  second  is 
between  townships  twenty  and  twenty-one,  and  so  on.  They  are  usually  sixty  miles  apart.  On 
these  parallels,  which  form  new  base  lines,  fresh  measurements  are  made  from  the  principal 
meridian,  and  the  corners  of  new  townships  are  fixed  six  miles  apart  as  on  the  original  base  line. 
This  method  of  procedure  not  only  takes  up  the  error  due  to  convergency  of  meridians,  but 
arrests  that  caused  by  want  of  precision  in  the  surveys  already  made. 

The  northern  or  western  sections  of  townships,  which  contain  more  or  less  than  six  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres,  are  called  fractional  sections,  for  the  reason  that  the  surplusage  or 
deficiency  arising  from  errors  in  surveying,  and  from  other  causes,  is  by  law  added  to  or 
deducted  from  the  western  or  northern  ranges  of  sections  according  as  the  error  may  be  in  run- 
ning the  lines  from  east  to  west,  or  from  north  to  south. 

As  soon  as  the  surveys  were  completed  in  southern  Wisconsin  and  the  Green  Bay  section, 
and  a  knowledge  of  the  superior  qualities  of  the  land  for  agricultural  purposes  were  known  to 
the  people,  the  emigration  became  large.  In  fact  much  land  was  taken  possession  of  by  settlers 
in  advance  of  being  surveyed  and  brought  into  market.  As  soon  as  the  land  offices  at  Green 
Bay,  Mineral  Point,  and  Milwaukee  were  located,  public  announcement  was  made  by  the  govern- 
ment, of  the  time  of  the  sale,  when  the  lands  were  put  up  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  such  as  were 
unsold  were  afterward  subject  to  private  entry.  The  first  sales  were  held  at  Green  Bay  and 
Mineral  Point  in  the  year  1835.  The  sale  at  Milwaukee  was  in  1S39.  From  the  reports  of  the 
general  land  office,  it  appears  that  from  1835  to  1S45  inclusive,  there  were  sold  at  the  three  land 
offices  from  public  sale,  2,958,592-^%  acres,  amounting  to  $3,768,106.51. 

Fort  Howard  military  reservation  was  set  apart  by  order  of  the  president  March  2,  1829, 
and  comprised  all  the  lands  lying  upon  Fox  river  and  Green  bay,  in  township  24  north,  range  20 
east,  4th  principal  meridian,  being  about  four  thousand  acres.  The  lands  were  abandoned  for 
military  purposes,  by  the  war  department,  December  4,  1850.  By  an  act  of  congress  approved 
March  3,  1863,  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  was  authorized  and  directed  to  cause 
the  reservation,  including  the  site  of  the  fort,  containing  three  and  four-hundredths  acres,  situated 
in  the  county  of  Brown,  between  Fox  river  and  Beaver  Dam  run,  and  which  is  not  included  in 
the  confirmations  to  T.  C.  Dousman  and  Daniel  Whitney,  nor  in  the  grant  to  the  state  of  Wis- 
consin, under  resolutions  of  congress  approved  April  25,  1862,  granting  lands  to  Wisconsin  to 
aid  in  the  construction  of  railroads,  to  be  surveyed  and  subdivided  into  lots  not  less  than  one- 
fourth  of  an  acre,  and  not  more  than  forty  acres,  deducting  such  portions  of  the  same  as  the 
public  interest  and  convenience  may  require  ;  and  when  so  surveyed  and  platted,  to  be  sold  sep- 
arately at  auction.  On  the  10th  of  November,  1S64,  under  directions  of  the  commissioner,  the 
lands  were  offered  for  sale  at  auction  at  the  fort.  About  one-half  of  the  lands  were  sold,  and 
purchased  by  actual  settlers,  and  but  few  for  speculation.  The  fort  and  the  lands  contiguous 
were  sold  for  six  thousand  four  hundred  dollars.  The  other  lands  sold  brought  about  the  sum 
of  nineteen  thousand  dollars. 

That  portion  of  the  reservation  unsold  was  to  be  subject  to  private  entry  at  the  appraised 
value,  and  that  portion  lying  between  Duck  creek  and  Beaver  Dam  creek,  was  subject  to  entry 
as  other  public  lands  were  offered. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1868,  a  joint  resolution  of  congress  was  approved,  by  which  the  com- 
missioner of  the  general  land  office  was  authorized  and  directed  to  cause  a  patent  to  be  issued 
to  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern  railroad  company,  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  passed  by  con- 


222  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

gress,  granting  the  same  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  approved  April  25,1862,  and  by  act  of  the 
legislature  approved  June  16,  1862,  granting  the  same  to  that  company  for  eighty  acres  of  land, 
as  was  .surveyed  and  approved  by  said  commissioner  June  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  iS2y,  and  covered  the  front  and  main  portions  of  farm  lots 
numbered  thirty -three  and  thirty-four,  of  the  private  land  claims  at  Prairie  da  Chien,  and  com- 
prised about  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  Fort  Crawford  was  built  on  this  tract  in  1829,  1830 
and  1 831.  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  secret.uv  of  war,  January  10,  1851,  and  were 
originally  set  apart  by  the  president  of  the  United  States.  February  17    1843 

In  the  month  of  April,  1S57,  the  secretary  of  wai  authorized  Hon.  H.  M.  Rice,  of  Minne- 
sota, to  sell  that  part  of  the  reservation  not  improved,  in  tracts  not  exceeding  forty  acres  each; 
and,  i:i  the  month  of  June  of  that  year,  he  sold  at  auction  five  bundled  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  177  ,"„'•',  acres.  A  portion  of  t his. 
reservation  was  subdivided  into  town  lots,  80  by  140  feet,  with  streets  66  feet  and  alleys  20  feet 
wide  November  17,  1864,  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office,  by  order 
of  the  war  department,  offered  for  sale  at  public  auction  at  La  Crosse  the  reservation  at  Fort 
Crawford,  which  had  been  surveyed  and  subdivided  into  town  lots,  eighty  by  one  hundred  and 
forty  feet,  with  streets  sixty-five  feet  and  alleys  twenty  feet  wide,  conforming  to  the  plat  of  the 
village  of  Prairie  du  Chien.  The  lands  unsold  were  subsequently  opened  to  private  entry  and 
disposed  of. 

The  lands  of  the  Fort  Winnebago  reservation  were  set  apart  by  order  of  the  president. 
February  9,  1835,  and  consisted  of  the  following  teriitory:  sections  two,  three,  and  that  part  of 
four  lying  east  of  Fox  river,  and  fractional  section  nine,  all  in  township  twelve,  north  of  range 
nine  east .  also  fractional  section  thirty-three,  in  township  thirteen,  north  of  range  nine  east, 
lying  west  of  Fox  river,  and  the  fraction  of  section  four,  township  twelve  north,  of  range  nine 
east,  lying  west  of  claim  numbered  twenty-one  of  A.  Grignon,  and  adjacent  to  Port  Winnebago, 
reserved  by  order  of  the  president,  July  29,  1S51  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.  IP  Wells,  Wra.  Wier,  N.  H.  Wood.  M.  R.  Keegan,  and  others. 

The  first  land  offices  in  Wisconsin  were  established  under  an  act  of  congress  approved 
June  26,  1834,  creating  additional  land  districts  in  the  states  of  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  in  the 
territory  north  of  the  state  of  Illinois.  The  first  section  provides  "  that  all  that  tract  lying  north 
of  the  state  of  Illinois,  west  of  Pake  Michigan,  south  and  southeast  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Pox 
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  Port 
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  tiie  Indian  title  shall  be 


THE   PUBLIC   DOMAIN.  223 

extinguished,  and  the  Green  Bay  district  may  be  divided  so  as  to  form  two  districts,  when 
the  president  shall  deem  it  proper;"  and  by  section  three  of  said  act,  the  president  was  author- 
ized to  appoint  a  register  and  receiver  for  such  office,  as  soon  as  a  sufficient  number  of  townships 
are  surveyed. 

An  act  of  congress,  approved  June  15,  1836,  divided  the  Green  Bay  land  district,  as  estab- 
lished in  1834,  "  by  a  line  commencing  on  the  western  boundary  of  said  district,  and  running 
thence  east  between  townships  ten  and  eleven  north,  to  the  line  between  ranges  seventeen  and 
eighteen  east,  thence  north  between  said  ranges  of  townships  to  the  line  between  townships 
twelve  and  thirteen  north,  thence  east  between  said  townships  twelve  and  thirteen  to  Lake 
Michigan  ;  and  all  the  country  bounded  north  by  the  division  line  here  described,  south  by  the 
base  line,  east  by  Lake  Michigan,  and  west  by  the  division  line  between  ranges  eight  and  nine 
east,"  to  be  constituted  a  separate  district  and  known  as  the  "  Milwaukee  land  district."  It 
included  the  present  counties  of  Racine,  Kenosha,  Rock,  Jefferson,  Waukesha,  Walworth  and 
Milwaukee,  and  parts  of  Green,  Dane,  Washington,  Ozaukee,  Dodge  and  Columbia. 

An  act  was  approved  March  3,  1S47,  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  ar.d  Jackson ;  also,  the  new  county  of  Price. 

An  act  of  congress,  approved  March  2,  1849,  changed  the  location  of  the  land  office  in  the 
Chippewa  district  from  the  falls  of  St.  Croix  to  Stillwater,  in  the  county  of  St.  Croix,  in  the 
proposed  territory  of  Minnesota;  and,  by  section  two  of  the  act,  an  additional  land  office  and 
district  was  created,  comprising  all  the  lands  in  Wisconsin  not  included  in  the  districts  of  land 
subject  to  sale  at  Green  Bay,  Milwaukee,  or  Mineral  Point,  which  was  to  be  known  as  the  Western 
land  district,  and  the  president  was  authorized  to  designate  the  site  where  the  office  should  be 
Iicated.  Willow  River,  now  Hudson,  was  selected.  The  district  was  usually  known  as  the  St. 
Croix  and  Chippewa  district,  and  included  St.  Croix,  La  Pointe,  and  parts  of  Chippewa  and 
Marathon  counties.  By  an  act  of  congress,  approved  July  30,  1852,  so  much  of  the  public  lands 
in  Wisconsin  as  lay  within  a  boundary  line  commencing  at  the  southwest  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  fourth  principal  meridian,  thence  north  to  the  line  between  townships  fourteen  and  fifteen 
north,  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  township  fifteen   north,  of  range  one  east  of  the 


224  HISTORY  OF    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,  1S55,  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  :  Xorth  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  section^ 
in  which  case  the  pre-emption  law  permitted  two  joint  occupants  to  divide  the  quarter  section 
equally  between  them,  whereupon  each  party  received  a  certificate  from  the  land  office,  author- 
izing him  to  locate  an  additional  eighty  acres,  elsewhere  in  the  same  land  district,  not  interfering 
with  other  settlers  having  the  right  of  preference.  This  was  called  a  floating  right.  This  pro- 
vision of  the  law  was  ingeniously  perverted  from  its  plain  purpose  in  various  ways. 

As  fast  as  these  evasions  came  to  the  notice  of  the  department,  all  certificates  given  to 
occupants  of  the  same  quarter  section  in  excess  of  the  two  first,  or  to  more  than  one  member  of 
the  same  family,  to  employees,  to  any  person  who  had  not  paid  for  eighty  acres  originally 
occupied,  as  well  as  those  which  were  not  located  at  the  time  of  such  payment,  and  the  additional 
tract  paid  for  before  the  public  sale,  were  held  to  be  worthless  or  fraudulent  ;  but  a  large  number 
of  these  certificates  \\m\  been  issued,  and  passed  into  the  hands  of  speculators  and  designing 
men,  and  were  a  source  of  almost  endless  vexation  and  annoyance  to  settlers.     The  law  of  1830 


THE   PUBLIC   DOMAIN.  225 

expired  by  limitation  in  one  year  from  its  passage,  but  was  revived  by  the  law  of  1S34  for  two 
years.  In  the  interim  no  settler  could  obtain  his  land  by  pre-emption.  The  law  of  1834  extended 
only  to  those  who  had  made  cultivation  in  1S33,  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,  1S41,  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  dollr.xs. 

The  act  of  congress,  approved  July  1 1,  1S46,  authorized  the  sale  of  the  reserved  mineral 
lands  in  Illinois,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa,  and  provided  that,  after  six  months'  public  notice,  the  lands 
should  not  be  subject  to  the  rights  of  pre-emption  until  after  the  same  had  been  offered  at  public 
sale,  when  they  should  be  subject  to  private  entry.  The  law  also  provided,  that,  upon  satisfac- 
tory proof  being  made  to  the  register  and  receiver  of  the  proper  land  office,  any  tract  or  tracts 
of  land  containing  a  mine  or  mines  of  lead  ore  actually  discovered  and  being  worked,  would  be 
sold  in  such  legal  subdivisions  as  would  include  lead  mines,  and  no  bid  should  be  received 
therefor  at  less  than  the  sum  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre,  and  if  such  tract  or  tracts 
should  not  be  sold  at  such  public  sale,  at  such  price,  nor  should  be  entered  at  private  sale  within 
twelve  months  thereafter,  the  same  should  be  subject  to  sale  as  other  lands.  This  act  was 
changed  by  an  act  approved  March  3,  1847,  providing  that  any  one  being  in  possession  by 
actual  occupancy  of  a  mine  discovered  prior  to  the  passage  of  this  act,  who  should  pay  the  same 
rents  as  those  who  held  leases  from  the  secretary  of  war,  should  be  entitled  to  purchase  the  lands 
prior  to  the  day  of  sale  at  five  dollars  per  acre.  Mineral  lands  were  to  be  offered  for  sale  in  forty 
acre  pieces,  and  no  bids  were  to  be  received  less  than  five  dollars  per  acre,  and  if  not  sold  they 
were  then  to  be  subject  to  private  entry  at  the  same  price.  In  1847  or  1848  the  reserved  mineral 
lands  were  sold  at  public  sale  at  Mineral  Point  at  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre,  and  they 
were  all  disposed  of  at  that  price. 

Soon  after  the  formation  of  Wisconsin  territory,  an  act  was  passed  by  its  legislature, 
approved  January  5,  1S38,  incorporating  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  river  canal  company,  and  by 
an  act  of  congress  approved  June  iS  of  the  same  year,  a  grant  of  land  was  made  to  aid  in  the 
construction  of  the  canal.  The  grant  consisted  of  the  odd-numbered  sections  on  a  belt  of  ten 
miles  in  width  from  Lake  Michigan  to  Rock  river,  amounting  to  139,190  acres.  Of  ti.ose  lands 
43,447  acres  were  sold  at  public  sale  in  July,  1839,  at  the  minimum  price  of  two  dollars  and  fifty 
cents  per  acre.  Work  was  commenced  on  the  canal  at  Milwaukee,  and  the  Milwaukee  river  for 
a  short  distance  from  its  outlet  was  improved  by  the  construction  of  a  dam  across  the  river, 
which  was  made  available  for  manufacturing  and  other  purposes.  A  canal  was  also  built  about 
a  mile  in  length  and  forty  feet  wide,  leading  from  it  down  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river.      Much 


226  HISTORY    <»F   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  1863,  the  committee  made  a  report  with  a  lengthy  opinion  of  the  attorney-gen- 
eral of  the  state.  The  views  of  that  officer  were,  that  the  company  had  no  valid  claims  for  damages 
against  the  state.  In  this  opinion  the  commissioners  concurred.  On  the  23d-of  March,  1S75, 
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  foi 
this  purpose  and  certified  to  the  state,  was  674,100. 

After  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union,  by  an  act  of  its  legislature,  approved 
August  8,  184S,  a  board  of  public  works  was  created,  through  which  the  work  of  improving  the 
said  rivers,  by  the  application  thereto  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  lands  granted  by  con- 
gress, was  undertaken  by  the  state. 

It  soon  became  apparent  that  the  moneys  realized  from  the  sale  of  lands  were  insufficient  to 
meet  the  obligations  of  the  state  issued  by  its  board  of  public  works  as  they  became  due  ;  and 
in  1853  the  work  was  turned  over  to  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Improvement  company,  a  corpora- 
tion created  under  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin  approved  July  6,  1853.  In  1856,  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  approved  October  3,  1856,  the  lands  granted  by  congress 
then  unsold  were  granted  by  the  state,  through  the  said  company,  to  trustees,  witli  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,  it 
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   DOMAIX.  227 

by  congress  then  unsold,  and  applied  the  proceeds  to  the  purposes  expressed  in  the  deed  of  trust. 
The  proceeds  were  sufficient  to  pay  in  full  the  expenses  of  the  trust,  the  then  outstanding 
state  indebtedness,  and  to  provide  a  fund  sufficient  to  complete  the  work  according  to  the  plan 
specified  in  the  act  approved  October  3,  1856. 

Under  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin  approved  April  13,  1861,  and  the  acts  amend- 
atory thereof,  the  purchasers  at  said  sale,  on  the  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,  1870,  the  secretary  of  war  was  authorized  to 
appoint  a  board  of  arbitrators  to  ascertain  how  much  the  government  should  pay  to  the  suc- 
cessors of  the  Improvement  company,  the  Green  Bay  and  Mississippi  canal  company,  for  the 
transfer  of  all  its  property  and  rights;  and  by  a  subsequent  act,  approved  June  10,  1872,  an 
appropriation  was  made  therefor. 

The  legislation  on  matters  connected  with  the  Fox  and  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,  1S46,  and,  having  framed  a  constitution,  it 
was  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  at  the  election  in  1847,  and  it  was  rejected.  The  second 
convention  met  December  15,  1847,  and,  having  formed  a  constitution,  it  was  adopted  by  the 
people  at  the  election  in  1848.     The  following  are  the  propositions  proposed  by  congress  : 

1.  That  section  sixteen  numbered  in  every  township  of  the  public  lands  of  said  state,  and 
where  such  section  has  been  sold  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  other  lands  equivalent  thereto,  and 
as  contiguous  as  may  be,  shall  be  granted  to  the  said  state  for  the  use  of  schools. 

2.  That  seventy-two  sections,  or  two  entire  townships,  of  land  set  apart  and  reserved  for 
the  use  and  support  of  a  university  by  act  of  congress  approved  June  12,  1838,  are  hereby  granted 
and  conveyed  to  the  state,  to  be  appropriated  solely  to  the  use  and  support  of  such  university  in 
such  manner  as  the  legislature  may  prescribe. 

3.  That  ten  entire  sections  of  land  to  be  selected  and  located  under  the  direction  of  the 
legislature,  in  legal  subdivisions  of  not  less  than  one  quarter  of  a  section  from  any  of  the  unap- 
propriated lands  belonging  to  the  United  States  within  the  state  are  granted  to  the  state  for 
completing  the  public  buildings,  or  for  the  erection  of  others  at  the  seat  of  government,  under 
the  direction  of  the  legislature. 

4.  That  all  salt-springs  within  the  state,  not  exceeding  twelve  in  number,  shall  be  granted  to 
the  state,  to  be  selected  by  the  legislature,  and  when  selected,  to  be  used  or  disposed  of  on  such 
terms,  conditions,  and  regulations  as  the  legislature  shall  direct. 

The  title  to  all  lands  and  other  property  which  accrued  to  the  territory  of  Wisconsin  by 
grant,  gift,  purchase,  forfeiture,  escheat,  or  otherwise,  were,  by  the  provisions  of  the  constitution 
of  the  state,  vested  in  the  state ;  and  the  people  of  the  state,  in  their  right  of  sovereignty,  were 
declared  to  possess  the  ultimate  property  in  and  to  all  lands  within  its  jurisdiction  ;  and  all 
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  HISTOEY   <>f   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  1S49,  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  184.5  and  1846.  On  the  15th  of  December,  1854,  an  act 
of  congress  was  approved,  relinquishing  to  the  state  the  lands  reserved  for  the  salt-springs,  and 
seventy-two  sections  were  granted  in  lieu  thereof,  in  aid  of  the  university  of  the  state  The 
number  of  acres  amounts  to  92,160,  all  of  which  have  been  sold  except  4,407  acres,  which  are 
subject  to  entry.  Under  the  re-organization  and  enlargement  of  the  university,  under  provisions 
of  chapter  114,  of  general  laws  of  1866,  section  thirteen  provides,  among  other  things,  that  the 
income  of  a  fund  to  be  derived  from  the  sales  of  the  two  hundred  and  forty  thousand  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, 1846,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  or 
erecting  public  buildings  at  the  seat  of  government,  known  as  "  Capitol  Lands,"  amounted  to 
ten  entire  sections,  or  six  thousand  four  hundred  acres.  A  grant  of  lands  was  made  to  the  state 
by  act  of  congress,  approved  September  28,  1850,  of  all  the  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,  1S63,  for  the  construction  of  a 
military  road  from  Fort  Wilkins,  Michigan,  to  Fort  Howard,  Wisconsin,  of  every  alternate 
section  of  public  lands,  designated  by  even  numbers  for  three  sections  in  width  on  each  side  of 
said  road,  and  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  legislature.  In  1865  sales  of  land  were  made  to 
the  number  of  85,961.89  acres,  which  realized  the  sum  of  $114,856.54. 

An  act  of  congress  was  approved  June  25,  1864,  granting  lands  to  the  state  to  build  a  military 
road  from  Wausau,  Wisconsin,  to  Ontonagon,  on  Lake  Superior,  of  every  alternate  section  of 
land  designated  as  odd  sections,  for  three  sections  in  width  on  each  side  of  the  road.  The  grant 
was  accepted  by  the  state  by  law,  approved  April  10,  1865. 

An  act  was  also  passed  by  congress,  approved  April  10,  1866,  granting  to  the  state  of  Wis- 
consin a  donation  of  public  lands  to  aid  in  the  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  i874,thesamebody  by  resolution  transferred  to  the  Sturgeon  bayandLake  Michigan  ship  canal 
and  harbor  company  32,342  acres,  and  the  remaining  portion  was  authorized  to  be  sold  for  agri- 
cultural purposes  by  said  company. 

The  first  railroad  grant  in  Wisconsin  was  by  act  of  congress,  approved  June  3,  1856,  by  the 
first  section  of  which  there  was  granted  to  the  state,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  construction 
of  a  railroad  from  Madison  or  Columbus,  by  the  way  of  Portage  City,  to  the  St.  Croix  river  or 
lake,  between  townships  twenty-five  and  thirty-one,  and  from  thence  to  the  west  end  of  Lake 
Superior  and  to  Bayfield  ;  and  from  Fond  du  Lac,  on  Lake  Winnebago,  northerly  to  the  state  line, 
every  alternate  section  of  land  designated  by  odd  numbers,  for  six  sections  in  width  on  each  side 
of  said  roads,  respectively;  the  land  to  be  applied  exclusively  in  the  construction  of  said  roads,, 
and  to  no  other  purpose  whatever,  and  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  legislature,  and  the  same 
shall  remain  public  highways  for  the  use  of  the  government,  free  from  toll  and  other  charges 
upon  the  transportation  of  property  or  troops  of  the  United  States,  with  other  conditions  as  to 
the  disposal  of  said  lands. 

The  grant  was  accepted  by  the  legislature  by  an  act  approved  October  8,  1856,  and  on  the 
nth  of  the  same  month  an  act  was  approved  granting  a  portion  of  the  lands  to  the  La  Crosse  & 
Mississippi  railroad  company,  who  were  to  carry  out  all  the  requirements  of  the  original  grant. 
A  supplementary  act  was  approved  the  same  session,  October  13,  incorporating  the  Wisconsin  & 
Superior  railroad,  which  company  was  required  to  commence  the  construction  of  their  road  on 
or  before  January  1,  1857,  and  to  complete  the  same  to  Oshkosh  before  August  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  1S57,  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  185S,  completed  its  main  line  to  La  Crosse;  the  Watertown  line,  from  Watertown  to 
Columbus,  and  partially  graded  the  line  from  Madison  to  Portage  City.  Neither  it  nor  its  suc- 
cessors ever  received  any  part  of  the  lands  of  the  land  grant. 

In  1856  and  1857,  the  La  Crosse  &  Milwaukee  railroad  graded  most  of  the  line  from  Madi- 
son to  Portage.  After  the  failure  of  the  company,  this  line  was  abandoned,  and  so  remained 
until  1870,  when  a  new  company  was  organized,  under  the  name  of  the  Madison  &  Portage  City 
railroad  company.  In  1873,  an  act  was  passed  chartering  the  Tomah  &  Lake  St.  Croix  railroad 
company,  and  repealing  and  annulling  that  portion  of  the  land  grant  which  bestowed  the  lands 
from  Tomah  to  Lake  St.  Croix  upon  the  La  Crosse  company,  and  bestowing  the  same  upon  the 
company  chartered  by  this  act.     This  road  is  known  as  the  West  Wisconsin  railroad. 

An  act  of  congress  was  approved  May  5,  1S64,  granting  lands  to  aid  in  the  construction  of 
certain  roads  in  the  state.  This  was  a  re-enactment  of  the  law  of  1856,  and  divided  the  grant 
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,  1S66,  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,  1S69,  and  by  act  of  legis- 
lature approved  February  4,  187 1,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  "Wisconsin  Central  Railroad." 


HEALTH    OF   WISCONSIN. 

By  JOSEPH  HOBBINS,  M.D. 

An  article  on  state  health,  necessarily  embracing  the  etiology,  or  causes  of  disease,  involves 
the  discussion  of  the  geographical  position  of  the  state;  its  area,  physical  features;  its  elevations, 
depressions ;  water  supply;  drainage;  its  mean  level  above  the  sea;  its  geology;  climatology; 
the  nationality  of  its  people ;  their  occupations,  habits,  food,  education  ;  and,  indeed,  of  all  the 
physical,  moral  and  mental  influences  which  affect  the  public  health. 

Geographical  Position. 

The  geographical  position  of  Wisconsin,  considered  in  relation  to  health,  conveys  an  imme- 
diate and  favorable  impression,  which  is  at  once  confirme  I  by  a  reference  to  the  statistic.!  ..tlas 
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 
wesl  by  the  Mississippi.  It  lies  between  42°  30'  and  460  55'  N.  latitude,  and  between  S70  and 
92°  50'  W.  long.;  is  285  miles  long  from  north  to  south,  and  255  in  breadth  from  east  to  west. 
giving  it  an  area  of  some  53,924  square  miles,  or  34,511,360  acres.  Its  natural  surface  divisions, 
or  proportions,  are  16  per  cent,  of  prairie,  50  of  timber,  19  of  openings,  15  of  marsh,  mineral 
undefined.  North  of  450  the  surface  is  nearly  covered  with  vast  forests  of  pine.  The  proportion 
of  the  state  cultivated  is  nearly  one-sixth. 

Physical  Features. 

Among  these,  its  lacustrine  character  is  most  conspicuous,  so  much  so  that  it  may  not  inaptly 
be  called  the  state  of  a  thousand  lakes,  its  smaller  ones  being  almost  universal  and  innumerable. 


HEALTH   OF   WISCONSIN.  231 

It  has  an  almost  artificially  perfect  arrangement  of  its  larger  rivers,  both  for  supply  and  drainage, 
is  rolling  in  its  surface,  having  several  dividing  ridges  or  water  sheds,  and  varies  from  600  to  1,600 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  Blue  Mounds  being  1,729  feet  above  sea  level.  Its  pine  and 
thickly  wooded  lands  are  being  rapidly  denuded,  and  to  some  extent  converted  to  agricultural 
purposes;  its  marshes  in  the  north  are  being  reclaimed  for  cranberry  cultivation, and  in  the  more 
thickly  settled  parts  of  the  state  for  hay  purposes.  The  surface  of  the  state  is  beautifully  diver- 
sified with  stream,  waterfall  and  rapids ;  richly  wooded  bluffs  several  hundred  feet  in  height, 
assuming  the  most  romantic  and  pleasing  forms,  and  composed  of  sandstone,  magnesian 
limestone,  granite,  trap,  etc.  The  health  and  summer  resorts  of  Wisconsin  are  illustrative  of  its 
beauty,  and  its  numerous  mineral  springs  have  long  since  formed  an  important  feature  of  its 
character  for  salubrity. 

Geology. 

The  geology  of  Wisconsin  does  not  require  from  us  but  a  very  general  notice,  as  it  is  only 
from  its  relation  to  disease  that  we  have  to  consider  it.  This  relation  is  in  a  measure  apparent 
in  the  fact  that  everywhere  the  topographical  features  are  governed  by  the  strata  below  them. 
The  relationship  will  be  seen  still  further  in  the  chemical  or  sanitary  influence  of  the  geological 
structures.  Through  the  greater  part  of  the  south  half  of  the  state  limestone  is  found,  the  cliff 
prevailing  in  the  mineral  region,  and  the  blue  in  the  other  parts;  while  in  the  north  part  of  the 
state  the  primitive  rocks,  granite,  slate,  and  sandstone  prevail.  South  of  the  Wisconsin  river 
sandstone  in  layers  of  limestone,  forming  the  most  picturesque  bluffs,  abounds.  While  west  of 
Lake  Michigan  extends  up  to  these  rocks  the  limestone  formation,  being  rich  in  timber  or  prairie 
land.  Sandstone  is  found  underneath  the  blue  limestone.  The  general  dip  of  the  stratified 
rocks  of  the  state  is  toward  the  south,  about  S  feet  10  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  are  nearly  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   or  WISCONSIN. 

of  our  dwellings,  without  precautionary  measures,  give  rise  to  rheumatism,  other  grave  diseases, 
and  loss  of  strength.  Besides,  this  character  of  stone  absorbs  readily  all  kinds  of  liquid  and 
gaseous  impurities,  and  though  hardening  in  dry  air,  decays  soon  when  exposed  to  underground 
moisture.  The  material  of  which  our  roads  are  made,  as  well  as  the  kind  of  fuel  we  use  in  our 
homes,  have  the  same  unquestionable  relationship  to  geology  and  disease. 

Drainage. 

The  natural  drainage  of  the  state,  bearing  in  mind  that  the  mean  elevation  of  its  hydro- 
graphical  axis  is  about  1,000  feet  above  the  sea  level,  is  as  excellent  as  it  is  obvious.  (A  line 
Tunning  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  -cit/iii: 
■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  we"st  (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  day-^  i--  11;,  and  on   the    New  England  coast  215  ;  the 


HEALTH  OF    WISCONSIN.  233 

cloudy  days  are  as  127  to  73;  the  rainy  as  65  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  —  700  —  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  750,  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  oomfo  t  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,  1S56,  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  870,  observations  for  nine  years,  is  44.93  ;  and  at  Fort  Crawford,  Prairie  du  Chien, 
Wisconsin,  580  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Atlantic,  latitude  43°  3',  longitude  90°  53',  observa- 
tions for  four  years,  is  45.65,  giving  a  just  idea  of  our  mean  temperature  for  the  state.  Under 
the  head  of  distribution  of  heat  in  winter,  it  is  found  that  the  maximum  winter  range  at  Fort 
Winnebago,  Wisconsin,  for  sixteen  years,  is  9.4. 

Hvetal  or  Rain  Character. 

Wisconsin  is  situated  within  what  is  termed  the  area  of  constant  pi-ecipitation,  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  without  a  break,  winter  being  uniform  and 
severe,  characterized  by  aridity  and  steady  low  temperature.  Another  peculiarity  of  our  climate 
is,  the  number  of  snowy  and  rainy  days  is  increased  disproportionately  to  the  actual  quantity  — 
the  large  bodies  of  water  on  the  boundaries  of  the  state,  contrary  to  the  popular  opinion,  reduc- 
ing the  annual  quantity  of  rain  in  their  immediate  vicinity  instead  of  adding  to  it,  the  heavier 
precipitation  being  carried  further  away.  One  of  the  most  pleasing  features  of  our  climate  is  its 
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 
uf  Evaporat'n 

Humidity, 
per  cent. 

y.                 Temperature  Temperature 
of  Air.        of  Evaporat'n 

Humidity, 
per  cent. 

IOth 

II ...... 

12 

13 

14 

92° 
87 
92 
96 

93 

78° 

75 
77 
81 
78 

51 
55 
4S 
50 
44 

19th 

20... 

21 

29 

3° 

'.4 
97 
96 
St 
84 

8i° 

81 

So 

72 
7i 

55 
48 
47 
63 
50 

The  average  depth  of  snow  for  three  years,  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  was  twenty-five  inches, 
while  at  Oxford  county,  Maine,  the  average  for  twelve  years  was  ninety  inches.  The  isohyetal 
lines  of  the  mean  precipitation  of  rain  and  melted  snow,  for  the  year  1872,  show  that  of  Wiscon- 
sin to  be  thirty-two. 

Isotherms. 

The  mean  temperature  of  spring  is  represented  by  the  isotherm  of  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  count).  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,  Xew  York,  and  Massa- 
chusetts, entering  the  ocean  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  The  summer  mean  isotherm  of  70°  F. 
enters  Wisconsin  from  the  west  but  little  farther  north  than  the  spring  isotherm,  and  passes 
through  the  state  nearly  parallel  with  the  course  of  that  line,  crossing  the  southern  boundary 
near  the  east  line  of  Walworth  county;  passing  through  Chicago  it  goes  in  a  direction  a  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  450  F.  which  enters  the  state  near  Prairie  du  Chien,  passes  across  the 
state  in  a  direction  a  little  south  of  east,  and  enters  Lake  Michigan    a  little  south  of  Milwaukee. 

What  influence  these  isotherms  have  upon  our  belts  of  disease  there  are  no  data  to  show. 
But  from  their  influence  upon  vegetable  life,  one  can  not  but  infer  a  similar  good  influence  on 
the  animal  economy.     This  is  a  question  for  the  future. 

Bari  IMETRK  al. 

Yearly  mean  of  barometer  at  320  F.  as  observed  at  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  altitude 
1,088  feet  above  the  sea: 


1869 28.932  inches. 

1870 28.867      " 

1871 28.986      " 

1872 28.898 


1873 28.892  inches, 

1874 28.867      " 

1875 28.750      " 

1876 28.920      " 


Atmospheric  pressure,  as  indicated  by  the  barometer, is  an  important  element  in  the  causation 
of  disease,  far  more  so  than  is  generally  thought.  The  barometer  indicates  not  only  the  coming 
of  the  storm,  but  that  state  of  the  atmosphere  which  gives  rise  to  health  at  one  time,  and  to 
disease  at  another.  When  the  barometer  is  high,  both  the  body  and  mind  have  a  feeling  of 
elasticity,  of  vigor  and  activity,  and  when  the  barometer  ranges  low,  the  feelings  of  both  are  just 
the  reverse  ;  and  both  of  these  states,  commonly  attributed  to  temperature,  are  mostly  the  result 
of  change    in  the  barometric  pressure.      Many    inflammations,   as   of   the  lungs,   etc.,  commonly 


HEALTH   OF   WISCONSIN.  235 

attributed  to  change  in  the  temperature,  have  their  origin  in  barometrical  vicissitudes. 

Winds. 

Generally  speaking,  the  atmospheric  movement  is  from  the  west.  It  is  of  little  purpose 
what  the  surface  wind  may  be,  as  this  does  not  affect  the  fact  of  the  constancy  of  the  westerly 
winds  in  the  middle  latitudes.  The  showers  and  cumulus  clouds  of  the  summer  always  have  this 
movement.  The  belt  of  westerly  winds  is  the  belt  of  constant  and  equally  distributed  rains,  the 
feature  of  our  winds  upon  which  so  much  of  our  health  and  comfort  depends. 

Olimatological  Changes  from  Settling   the  State. 

There  are  many  theories  afloat  concerning  the  effects  of  reclaiming  the  soil  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  its  forests.  To  us,  a  new  people  and  a  new  state,  the  question  is  one  of  great  moment, 
the  more  so  that  it  is  still  in  our  power  not  only  to  watch  the  effects  of  such  changes,  but  still 
more  so  to  control  them  in  a  measure  for  our  good.  As  to  the  effects  upon  animal  and  vegetable 
life,  it  would  appear  that  so  far  as  relates  to  the  clearing  away  of  forests,  the  whole  change  of 
conditions  is  limited  to  the  surface,  and  dependent  for  the  most  part  on  the  retention  and  slow 
evaporation  in  the  forest,  in  contrast  with  the  rapid  drainage  and  evaporation  in  the  open  space. 
The  springs,  diminishing  in  number  and  volume  in  our  more  settled  parts  of  the  state,  do  not 
indicate  a  lessening  rain-fall.  It  is  a  well  ascertained  fact  that  in  other  places  so  denuded,  which 
have  been  allowed  to  cover  themselves  again  with  forests,  the  springs  reappear,  and  the  streams 
are  as  full  as  before  such  denudation.  With  us,  happily,  while  the  destruction  of  forests  is  going 
on  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  their  second  growth  is  also  going  on,  both  in  the  pineries,  where 
new  varieties  of  hard-wood  take  the  place  of  the  pine,  and  in  the  more  cultivated  parts  of  the 
state,  cultivation  forbidding,  as  it  does,  the  practice  so  much  in  vogue  some  years  ago,  of  running 
fires  through  the  undergrowth.  Thus,  though  the  renewal  of  forests  may  not  be  keeping  pace 
with  their  destruction,  it  would  seem  clear  that  as  time  advances,  the  springs  and  streams  in  the 
more  cultivated  sections  of  the  state  will  fill  and  flow  again,  increasing  in  proportion  as  the  second 
growth  increases  and  expands. 

The  change,  however,  from  denudation,  though  strictly  limited  to  the  surface,  affects  the 
surface  in  other  ways  than  simply  in  the  retention  and  evaporation  of  rain.  When  the  winter 
winds  are  blowing,  the  want  of  the  sheltering  protection  of  belts  of  trees  is  bitterly  felt,  both  by 
man  and  beast.  And  so,  too,  in  the  almost  tropical  heats  of  the  summer  ;  both  languish  and  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  sc? 
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  OP  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- 
t.nive  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  tl>e  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  1S45,  but  are  now  only  observed  from  time  to  time  in  limited  localities,  following  in  the 
autumn  the  summer's  "breaking."  But  it  is  pleasing  to  be  able  to  add  that  through  the  advancing 
prosperity  of  the  state,  the  greater  abundance  of  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life,  and  the 
facilities  for  obtaining  medical  care,  the  diseases  incident  to  "  settling  "  are  much  less  common 
and  much  less  fatal  than  formerly. 

Relations  of  Climatology   to  Sanitary   Status. 

One  of  the  principal  reasons  for  gathering  climatological  observations,  is  to  obtain  sanitary 
information,  which  serves  to  show  us  where  man  may  live  with  the  greatest  safety  to  his  health. 
Every  country,  we  might  perhaps  correctly  say  every  state,  has,  if  not  its  peculiar  diseases,  at 
least  its  peculiar  type  of  diseases.  And  by  nothing  is  either  this  type  or  variety  of  disease  so 
much  influenced  as  by  climate.  Hence  the  great  importance  of  the  study  of  climatology  to 
health  and  disease,  nay,  even  to  the  kind  of  medicine  and  to  the  regulating  of  the  dose  to  be 
given.  It  is,  however,  best  to  caution  the  reader  that  these  meteorological  observations  are  not 
always  made  at  points  where  they  would  most  accurately  show  the  salubrity  of  a  geographical 
district,  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  the  positions  were  chosen  not  for  this  special  purpose,  but 
for  purely  military  purposes.  We  allude  to  the  forts  of  Wisconsin,  from  which  our  statistics  for 
the  most  part  come.  Another  caution  it  is  also  well  to  bear  in  mind  in  looking  over  the  class  of 
diseases  reported  at  these  stations  in  connection  with  their  observations.  The  diseases  are  those 
of  the  military  of  the  period,  a  class  from  which  no  very  favorable  health  reports  could  be 
expected,  considering  their  habits,  exposure,  and  the  influences  incidental  to  frontier  life. 

The  geography  of  disease  and  climate  is  of  special  interest  to  the  public,  and  a  knowledge 
especially  necessary  to  the  state  authorities,  as  it  is  only  by  such  a  knowledge  that  state  legis- 
lation can  possibly  restrain  or  root  out  the  endemic  diseases  of  the  state.  In  connection  with 
the  gathering  of  vital  statistics  must  go  the  collection  of  meteorological  and  topographical 
statistics,  as  without  these  two  latter  the  former  is  comparatively  useless  for  sanitary  purposes. 
More  particularly  does  this  apply  to  the  malarial  diseases  of  the  state. 

Acclimation  is  very  rarely  discussed  or  even  alluded  to  by  our  people  in  relation  to  Wisconsin, 
for  the  reason  that,  come  from  whatever  part  of  Europe  men  may,  or  from  the  eastern  states, 
acclimation  is  acquired  for  the  most  part  unconsciously,  rarely  attended  by  any  malarial  affection, 
unless  by  exposure  in  such  low,  moist  localities,  where  even   the    natives  of   the   state  could  not 


HEALTH   OF   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  he  a  common  ground  of  compromise  and  safety,  and  from  this  geographical 
position  is  not  liable  to  objections  existing  either  north  or  south  of  us. 

Influenck  of  Nationai.itiis. 

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  chat  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  /ype,  distinct  from 
all  other  peoples,  and  that  with  this  type  must  come  not  only  new  diseases  but  modifications  or 
aggravations  of  the  present  diseases,  in  particular,  consumption  and  insanity.  But  so  long 
as  we  are  in  a  formative  state  as  a  nation,  and  that  this  state  seems  likely  to  continue  so  long  as 
the  country  has  lands  to  be  occupied  and  there  are  people  in  Europe  to  occupy  them,  such  spec- 
ulations can  be  but  of  little  value. 


238  history    OF   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    OF    WISCONSIN". 


239 


■of  the  cholera,  in  1847  (which  latter  was  superinduced  by  misery  and  starvation),  and  by  the 
fever,  which  from  time  to  time,  commonly  in  the  winter,  has  been  raging  among  them,  being 
clearly  the  consequence  of  want  of  provisions  and  other  necessaries.  The  report  for  1850  says, 
there  has  been  considerable  sickness  among  the  Winnebagoes  for  several  months  past ;  dysentery 
has  been  the  prevalent  disease,  confined  mostly  to  children.  For  1857  :  the  Winnebagoes  have 
suffered  considerably  from  chronic  diseases,  scrofula  and  consumption.  For  1859:  the  chief 
malady  among  the  Winnebagoes  is  phthisis  pulmonalis  and  its  analogous  diseases,  having  its 
source  in  hereditary  origin.  Some  of  the  malignant  diseases  are  occasionally  met  with  among 
them,  and  intermittent  and  remittent  fevers.  In  1863  :  of  the  Menomonees,  there  is  a  large 
mortality  list  of  the  tribes  under  my  charge.  Measles  and  some  of  the  more  common  eruptive 
diseases  are  the  causes.  But  the  most  common  and  most  fatal  disease  which  affects  the  Indians 
at  this  agency  is  pneumonia,  generally  of  an  acute  character.  There  is  but  little  tubercular 
disease  to  be  found  in  any  of  these  tribes,  Menomonees,  Stockbridges,  Oneidas,  etc.  In  the 
report  for  1865,  one  cannot  but  notice  with  some  regret  the  absence  of  all  allusion,  except  to 
small-pox,  to  the  diseases  of  the  Indians.  Regret,  because  reliable  information  of  such  diseases 
serves  a  variety  of  valuable  purposes,  for  comparison,  confirmation,  etc.,  of  those  of  the  white 
population.  For  these  reasons,  if  for  none  other,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  attention  of  the 
proper  authorities  will  be  called  to  this  feature  of  such  reports. 

The  first  reliable  report  on  the  diseases  of  the  people  (as  distinguished  from  the  Indians)  of 
Wisconsin  to  which  we  have  had  access,  is  Lawson's  Army  Report  of  Registered  Diseases,  for  to 
years,  commencing  1829,  and  ending  1838  (ten  years  before  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the 
Union  as  a  state). 


FORT  HOWARD,  CREEN  BAY. 


This  abstract  exhibits  the  second  quar- 
ters only,  the  mean  strength  being 
1,702. 

All  other  diseases  114,  excepting  vene- 
real diseases,  abcesses,  wounds,  ul- 
cers, injuries,  and  ebriety  cases. 


Intermittent  fever 30 

Remittent        do     11 

Synochal          do     _ 4 

Typhus             do    — ■ 

Diseases   of  respiratory  organs 101 

Diseases  of  digestive  organs 1S4 

Diseases  of  brain  and  nervous  system g 

Dropsies 1 

Rheumatic  affections 61 

Under  the  class  of  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs,  are  comprised  384  catarrh,  6  pneu- 
monia, 60  pleuritis,  and  28  phthisis  pulmonalis;  under  the  class  of  digestive  organs,  376  diar- 
rhoea and  dysentery,  184  colic  and  cholera,  and  10  hepatitis;  under  the  class  of  diseases  of 
the  brain  and  nervous  system,  15  epilepsy,  etc.  The  deaths  from  all  causes,  according  to  the 
post  returns,  are  25,  being  i1^  per  cent,  per  annum.  The  annual  rate  of  intermittent  cases  is  6, 
and  that  of  remittent  is  3,  per  100  of  mean  strength. 

Table  of  Ratio  ok  Sickness  at  Fort  Howard. 


Seasons. 

MEAN    STRENGTH. 

NUMBER 
TREATED. 

RATE  PER  I.OOO  OF 

MEAN  STRENGTH 

TREATED   QUARTERLY. 

10  first  quarters 

1.704 
1,702 
1,526 

1.594 

715 
726 

I.073 
636 

405 

425 

703 

10  fourth 

399 

Annual  rate.-   .. -. 

1.647 

3.I50 

1.913 

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,  i^ 
per  cent. 


FORT   WINNEBAGO. 


Intermittent    fever 21 

Remittent   fever. 10 

Synochal  fever 1 

Typhus  fever — 

Diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs. 141 

Diseases  of  digestive  organs 90 

Diseases  of  brain  and  nervous  system. .     2 
Rheumatic  affections 26 


This   abstract    exhibits    the    fourth   quarters 
only,  the  mean  strength  being  1,571. 

All  other  diseases,  80,  with  the  exceptions  as 
above. 


Under  the  class  of  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs  are  con>prised  448  catarrh,  1 1  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. 

NUMBER 
TREATED. 

RATE  TER  I. OOO  OF 

MEAN  STRENGTH 

TREATED    QUARTERLY. 

1.535 
1.505 
1.527 
1.571 

552 
517 
581 

495 

360 

343 
38O 

315 

10  third         "      

10  fourth      "       

1.534 

2,145 

1.393 

Every  man  on  an  average  is  consequently  reported  sick  once  in  eight  months  and  a  half. 


FORT    CRAWFORD. 


Intermittent  fever 262 

Remittent  fever 61 

Synochal  fever - 

Typhus  fever — 

Diseases  of  respiratory  organs 177 

Diseases  of  digestive  organs 722 

Diseases  of  brain  and  nervous  system 16 

Rheumatic  affections 58 


This   abstract    exhibits   the    third    quarters 
only,  the  mean  strength  being  1,885. 

All  other  diseases,  309,  with  the  same  list  of 
exceptions  as  above. 


Under  the  class  of  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs  are  included  1,048  of  catarrh,  28  pneu- 
monia, 75  pleuritis  and  13  phthisis  pulmonalis;  under  the  head  of  digestive  organs,  933  diarrhoea 
and  dysentery,  and  195  colic  and  cholera;  under  the  head  of  brain  and  nervous  diseases,  7 
epilepsy,  etc.  The  total  of  deaths,  according  to  the  post  returns,  is  94,  the  annual  ratio  being 
2yV  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  hut  one  case,  the  difference 
seeming  to  depend  upon  the  temperature. 


HEALTH   OF    WISCONSIN. 


241 


The  relative  agency  of  the  seasons  in   the  production  of  disease  in  general  is  shown  in  the 
annexed  table  : 

TABLE    EXHIBITING    THE    RATIO    OF    SICKNESS. 


Seasons. 

MEAN  STRENGTH. 

NUMBER 
TREATED. 

RATIO  PER    I.OOO  OF 

MEAN  STRENGTH 

TREATED    QUARTERLY. 

1,660 

1.749 

1.885 
1,878 

9S7 
1,267 
L94S 
I.27O 

^95 

724 

io  third      "        

1.033 
676 

1,793 

5.472 

3.°52 

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  us  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  1S7  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  1875,  was  720.  The  report  for  1866  gives  the 
number  of  pupils  as  156. 

Little  sickness,  a  few  cases  of  sore  throat,  and  slight  bowel  affections  comprise  nearly  all  the 
ailments;  and  the  physician's  report  adds:  "The  sanitary  reports  of  the  institution  from  its 
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  comes  under  the  head  of  congenital,  75  of  the  150  pupils  in  this 
institution  having  this  origin.  Such  a  fearful  proportion  as  this  must  of  necessity  have  its  origin 
in  a  cause  or  causes  proportionately  fearful.  Nor,  fortunately,  is  the  causation  a  mystery,  since 
most  careful  examination  leaves  not  a  shadow  of  doubt  that  consanguineous  marriages  are  the 
sources  of  this  great  evil.  Without  occupying  further  space  by  illustrative  tables  and  arguments, 
•we  would  simply  direct  the  attention  of  our  legislators  and  thoughtful  men  to  the  ia?i>  of  this  dis- 
ease—  which  is,  that  the  number  of  deaf  and  dumb,  imbeciles,  and  idiots  is  in  direct  keeping  with  the 
degree  of  consanguinity.  With  such  a  law  and  exhibit  before  us,  would  not  a  legislative  inquiry 
into  the  subject,  with  the  view  of  adopting  preventive  means,  be  a  wise  step?  The  evil  is  fear- 
ful ;  the  cause  is  plain ;  so,  too,  is  the  remedy." 

Industrial  School  for  Boys. 

This  institution  is  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Fox  river,  at  Waukesha,  and  was  organized 
in  i860.  The  whole  number  of  the  inmates  since  it  was  opened  in  July,  i860,  to  October  10, 
1876,  was  1,291.  The  whole  number  of  inmates  for  1876  was  415.  Of  these,  since  the  period 
of  opening  up  to  date,  October,  1876,25  have  died  :  8,  of  typhoid  fever ;  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,  1876,  there  were  266  inmates. 
But  one  death  from  natural  causes  occurred  during  the  year.  The  health  of  the  prisoners  has 
been  unusually  good,  the  prevalent  affections  attendant  upon  the  seasons,  of  a  mild  and 
manageable  character. 

State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 

This  institution,  located  near  Madison,  was  opened  for  patients  in  July,  i860.  The  total 
number  of  admissions  down  to  the  year  1877,  was  1,227  males,  1,122  females,  total  2,349.  Over 
one  half  of  these  have  been  improved 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,  nni  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  t<>  live  and  maintain  their  position  at  home; 
while  those  who  are  most  unsound  and  unequal  to  life's  contests  are  unable  to  migrate.  In  other 
words,  the  Strongest  will  not  leave,  the  weakest  can  not  leave.  By  this,  the  character  of  the 
migratory  is  defined.  As  affects  transmission,  poverty  is  a  most  fruitful  parent  of  insanity,  so  too  is 
poor  land.     Says  Dr.  Boughton,  superintendent  of  the  Wisconsin  State    Hospital  for  the  Insane: 


HEALTH    OF   WISCONSIN  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.  B.  adds :  We  draw  our  patients  from  those  families  where 
phthisis  pulmonalis,  rheumatism  and  insanity  prevail.  Insanity  and  rheumatism  are  interchange- 
able in  hereditary  cases,  so  too  are  insanity  and  phithisis.  What  may  be  accomplished  by  intel- 
ligent efforts  to  stem  the  increase  of  insanity  in  our  state  ?  Much.  Early  treatment  is  one  means, 
this  is  of  course  curative  in  its  character.  And  its  necessity  and  advantage  are  well  illustrated 
in  table  No.  10  of  the  annual  report  of  Dr.  Boughton,  for  1876,  where  it  is  seen  that  45.33  of 
males,  and  44.59  of  the  females  who  had  been  sent  to  the  State  Hospital  having  been  insane  but 
three  months  before  admission,  were  cured,  the  proportion  of  cures  becoming  less  in  proportion 
to  the  longer  duration  of  insanity  before  admission.  As  a  preventive  means,  the  dissemination 
of  the  kind  of  knowledge  that  shows  indisputably  that  insanity  is  largely  hereditary,  and  conse- 
quently that  intermarriage  with  families  so  tainted  should  on  the  one  hand  be  avoided  by  the 
citizen,  and  on  the  other  hand,  perhaps,  prevented  by  the  state,  (congress  at  the  same  time 
restraining  or  preventing  as  far  as  possible  persons  so  tainted  from  settling  in  this  country.) 
By  the  state,  inasmuch  as  the  great  burthen  of  caring  for  the  insane  falls  upon  the  state.  Still 
other  preventive  means  are  found  in  the  improved  cultivation  of  our  lands  and  in  our  improved 
education  ;  in  fact,  in  whatever  lessens  the  trials  of  the  poor  and  lifts  them  out  of  ignorance  and 
pauperism.  It  is  only  by  culture,  says  Hufeland,  that  man  acquires  perfection,  morally,  mentally 
and  physically.  His  whole  organization  is  so  ordered  that  he  may  either  become  nothing  or 
anything,  hypercuiture  and   the  want  of  cultivation  being  alike  destructive. 

The  Northern  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 

This  hospital  was  opened  at  Oshkosh,  May,  1873.  The  total  number  under  treatment 
September  30,  1876  was  —  males  246,  females  257,  total  503.  No  ailment  of  an  epidemic  charac- 
ter has  affected  the  health  of  the  household,  which  has  been  generally  good.  The  report  of  Dr. 
Kempster  is   full  of  suggestive  matter  for  the  legislator  and  sociologist.  ■ 

City  of  Milwaukee. 

Still  adhering  to  the  plan,  in  writing  the  sanitary  history  of  the  state,  of  gathering  up  all 
the  health  statistics  which  properly  belong  to  us,  we  now  take  up  those  of  Milwaukee,  the  only 
city  in  Wisconsin,  so  far  as  we  know,  that  has  kept  up  a  system  of  statistics  of  its  diseases. 
The  city  is  built  on  each  side  of  the  mouth  of  Milwaukee  river,  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan in  lat.  43Q  3'  45"  N.,  long.  870  57'  W.,  and  is  considered  remarkable  for  its  healthy  climate. 
The  board  of  Jiealth  has  furnished  us  with  its  report  for  1870  and  downward.  The  character  of 
its  mortality  from  June  19,  1869,  to  March  31,  1S70,  is  thus  summarized  :  In  children  under  five 
years  of  age,  758  out  of  1,249  deaths,  consumption,  93;  convulsions,  128;  cholera  infantum, 
59;  diarrhoea,  128;  scarlet  fever,  132;  typhoid  fever,  52  ;  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  41 ;  still- 
born, 79.  This  disproportionate  number  of  still-born  children  is  attributed  in  part  to  a  laxity  of 
morals.  The  deaths  from  consumption  in  Milwaukee  are  ■]%  out  of  every  100,  one  third  less  out 
of  a  like  number  of  deaths  than  in  San  Francisco,  in  which  city,  in  4,000  deaths,  441  died  of  con- 
sumption, being  n  out  of  every  100  deaths  for  the  year  ending  July,  1S69.  The  deaths  for  1870 
numbered  1,655,  tne  population  being  at  the  last  census  report,*  71,636. 


•244  HISTORY    OF   WISCONSIN. 


Table  of  Principal  Causes. 


Consumption 143 

Inflammation  of  lungs 56 

Convulsions 259 

Diarrhoea 131 

Diptheria 74 

Scarlet  fever. 52 

Typhoid  fever 49 

Old  age 2S 

Still-born 123 


The  Milwaukee  population  being  about 
o,  the  death  rate  per  annum  for 
every  1,000  inhabitants  would  be  21, 
after  proper  deductions  of  deaths  from 
other  causes  than  from  disease,  showing 
very  favorably  as  compared  with  other 
cities. 


Glasgow  has  39  to  every  1,000;  Liverpool,  36;  London,  25  ;  New  Orleans,  54;  New  York, 
32  ;  San  Francisco,  24;  Milwaukee,  21.  Among  seventeen  of  the  principal  cities  of  the  Union, 
Milwaukee  ranks  the  ninth  in  rate  of  mortality.  An  impression  has  prevailed  that  Milwaukee  is 
subject  to  a  large  and  disproportionate  amount  of  lung  and  allied  diseases.  Statistics  disprove 
this,  its  deaths  from  consumption  being  only  6  per  cent.,  while  those  of  Chicago  are  7.75  ;  of 
St.  Louis,  9.68;  of  Cincinnati,  11.95;  ar*d  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  st'bject 
within  our  reach. 

1  If.  ai.t  1 1  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  apopuJation  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]4  feet  of  red 
shale  belonging  to  the  same  series,  and  209^  feet  of  crystalline  rocks  belonging  to  the  An  i 
In  the  country  immediately  around  Madison,  the  altitude  is  generally  coi  |    greater,  and 

the  higher  grounds  arc  occupied  by  various  strata,  nearly  horizontal,  of  sandstone  and  limestone. 
The  Potsdam  sandstone  rises  about  30  feet  above  the  level  of  Lake  Mendota,  on  its  northern 
shore,  where  at  McBride's  Point  it  may  be  seen  overlaid  by  the  next  and  hitherto  unrecognized 
layer,  one  of  more  or  less  impure,  dark-colored,  magnesian  limestone,  to  which  the  name  of  Men- 
dota is  assigned,  and  which  furnishes  a  good  building  stone.     The  descent  of  these  strata  is  about 


HEALTH    OF    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  per  cent,  of  calca- 
reous and  dolomitic  matter,  and  then  furnish  a  cream-colored  building  stone  of  considerable 
value.  Most  of  this  stratum  which  has  been  designated  as  the  Madison  sandstone,  is,  however, 
quite  non-calcareous,  being  either  a  ferruginous  brown  stone,  or  a  quite  pure,  white,  nearly  loose 
sand.  In  the  latter  phase  it  is  of  value  for  the  manufacture  of  glass.  In  a  number  of  quarries, 
cuttings  and  exposed  places  around  the  city,  the  Madison  beds  are  seen  to  be  overlaid  by  a  gray- 
ish, magnesian  limestone,  the  lower  magnesian,  varying  very  considerably  in  its  character,  but 
largely  composed  of  a  flinty-textured,  heavy-bedded,  quite  pure  dolomite,  which  is  burnt  into  a 
good  quality  of  lime.  Its  thickness  exceeds  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  was  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  1857  it  suffered 
lightly  from  the  epidemic  dysentery,  which  passed  through  the  state.  In  1865,  it  suffered  from 
a  visitation  of  diptheria,  the  disease  prevailing  generally  over  the  state  at  that  time.  It  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- 
tery. Pneumonia  and  its  allied  affections  are  more  common,  so  is  rheumatism,  and  so  neuralgia. 
Inflammatory  croup,  however,  is  very  rare,  sporadic  diptheria  seeming  to  be  taking  its  place. 
All  the  ordinary  eruptive  fevers  of  children  are  and  always  have  been  of  a  peculiarly  mild 
type. 

Prairie  du  Chien,  situated  immediately  at  the  junction  of  the  Wisconsin  with  the  Mississippi, 
is  built  about  70  feet  above  low  water,  and  642  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  cliffs  on 
both  sides  of  the  river  present  on  their  summits  the  lower  strata  of  the  blue  Silurian  limestone 
of  Cincinnati,  beneath  which  are  found  sandstone  and  magnesian  limestone  down  to  the  water's 
edge.  We  give  this  notice  of  Prairie  du  Chien  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  public  that  it  possesses  one  of  the  most  superb  artesian  wells  in  the  state,  which  is  attracting 
many  persons  by  its  remedial  mineral  properties. 

Green  Bay  sanitarily  may  be  considered  as  sufficiently  indicated  under  the  head  of  Fort 
Howard.  It  is,  however,  proper  to  add  that  from  its  geographical  position  and  beautiful  situa- 
tion at  the  head  of  the  bay,  its  easy  access  both  by  railroad  and  steamboat,  its  pleasant  days  and 
cool  summer  nights,  it  has  naturally  become  quite  a  popular  summer  resort,  particularly  for 
southern  people. 

Racine,  some  25  miles  south  by  east  by  rail  from  Milwaukee  and  62  by  rail  from  Chicago,  is 
built  upon  the  banks  and  some  40  feet  above  the  level  of  the  lake.     Its  soil  is  a  sandy  loam  and 


246  HISTORY  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  every-day  boat  and  drive  views  enough  to  fill 
up  a  month  pleasantly. 

Lake  Geneva,  70  miles  by  rail  from  Chicago,  is  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake,  is  justly 
celebrated  for  its  beauty,  and  its  reputation  as  a   summer  resort  is  growing. 

Green  Lake,  six  miles  west  of  Ripon,  and  89  northwest  from  Milwaukee,  is  some  15  miles 
long  and  three  broad,  surrounded  by  beautiful  groves  and  prairies;  and  is  claimed  to  be  one  of 
the  healthiest  little  places  on  the  continent. 

Devil's  Lake  is  36  miles  by  rail  north  of  Madison.  Of  all  the  romantic  little  spots  in  Wis- 
consin, and  they  are  innumerable,  there  is  none  more  romantic  or  worthy  of  a  summer  visitor's 
admiration  than  this.  It  is,  though  shut  in  from  the  rude  world  by  bluffs  500  feet  high,  a  very 
favorite  resort,  and  should  be  especially  so  for  those  who  seek  quiet,  and  rest,  and  health. 

rta,  246  miles  by  rail  from  Chicago,  is  pleasantly  and  healthily  situated,  and  its  artesian 
mineral  water  strongly  impregnated  with  carbonate  of  iron,  having,  it  is  said,  over  14  grains  in 
solution  to  the  imperial  gallon,  an  unusually  large  proportion,  attracts  its  annual  summer 
crowd. 

Sheboygan,  62  miles  by  rail  north  of  Milwaukee,  from  its  handsome  position  on  a  bluff  over- 
looking the  lake,  and  from  the  beauty  of  its  surroundings  as  well  as  from  the  character  of  its 
mineral  waters,  is  an  attractive  summer  resort. 

Elkhart  Lake,  57  miles  by  rail  north  of  Milwaukee,  is  rapidly  acquiring  a  good  name  from 
those  seeking  health  or  pleasure. 

Chance  ix   I  >i  5EAS]  -. 

In  order  to  ascertain  whether  the  classes  of  diseases  in  the  state  at  the  date  of  Carver's 
travels  are  the  same  which  prevail  to-day,  we  have  1  ompared  his  description  of  them  with  those 
tabulated  in  the  army  medical  reports  of  Forts  Howard,  Crawford  and  Winnebago,  and  . 
with  those  given  in  the  1  .  S.  Census  for  1S70,  and  with  the  medical  statistics  of  the  city  of 
Milwaukee  ["hi  ree  di  tincl  and  prominent  classes  prevailing  from  Carver's  to  the  present 
time,  are,  in  the  order  of  prevalence,  diseases  of  the  respiratory  organs,  consumption,  pneumonia, 
bronchitis,  etc.;  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs,  enteritis,  dysentery)  diarrhoea,  etc.;  and  the 
malarial  fevers.  \t  Fort  Howard  alone  do  the  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  seem  to  have 
outnumbered  those  of  the  respiratory  organs.  So  far  as  it  is  possible  to  gather  from  the  reports 
of  the  commissioners  of  Indian  affairs,  these  features  of  the  relative  prevalence  of  the  three 
classes  of  disease  are  not  disturl 

There  :ire.  however,  some  disturbing  or  qualifying  agencies  operating  and  affecting  the 
amount  or  distribution  of  these  <  lasses  in  different  areas  or  belts.       For    instance,  there  are  two 


HEALTH   (IF   WISCONSIN.  247 

irregular  areas  in  the  state;  the  one  extending  from  the  Mississippi  east  and  north,  and  the  other 
starting  almost  as  low  down  as  Madison,  and  running  up  as  far  as  Green  Bay,  which  are  more 
subject  to  malarial  diseases  than  are  the  other  parts  of  the  state.  While  it  is  found  that  those 
parts  of  the  state  least  subject  to  diseases  of  the  digestive  organs  are,  a  belt  along  the  western 
shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  a  belt  running  from  near  Prairie  du  Chien  north  into  the  pineries. 
Again,  it  is  found  that  the  part  of  the  state  most  subjec'  to  enteric,  cerebro-spinal  and  typhus 
fevers,  is  quite  a  narrow  belt  running  north  from  the  southern  border  line  into  the  center  of  the 
state,  or  about  two-thirds  of  the  distance  toward  the  pineries.  All  along  the  western  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan,  and  stretching  across  the  country  by  way  of  Fond  du  Lac  to  the  Mississippi,  is 
a  belt  much  less  subject  to  these  disorders.  It  is  equally  beyond  question  that  the  western  shore 
of  Lake  Michigan,  and  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  as  well  as  the  western  half  of  the 
southern  boundary  line  of  the  pineries,  are  less  affected  with  consumption  than  the  interior  parts 
of  the  state. 

The  tendency  of  these  diseases  is  certainly  to  amelioration.  The  sanitary  history  of  Wiscon- 
sin does  not  differ  from  that  of  any  other  state  east  of  us,  in  this  striking  particular ;  the  farther 
you  trace  back  the  history  of  disease,  the  worse  its  type  is  found  to  be.  It  follows,  then,  that 
the  improvement  in  public  health  must  progress  with  the  general  improvement  of  the  state,  as 
has  been  the  case  with  the  eastern  states,  and  that  the  consequent  amelioration  of  our  malarial 
diseases  especially  will  tend  to  mitigate  infectious  diseases.  The  ameliorating  influences,  how- 
ever, that  sanitary  science  has  brought  to  bear  upon  disease,  of  which  England  is  so  happy  an 
illustration,  has  scarcely  as  yet  begun  to  be  known  to  us.  But  the  time  has  come  at  last  when 
this  science  is  moving  both  the  hearts  and  minds  of  thinking  and  humane  men  in  the  state,  and 
its  voice  has  been  heard  in  our  legislative  halls,  evoking  a  law  by  which  we  are,  as  a  people,  to  be 
governed,  as  by  any  other  enactment.  The  organization  of  a  state  board  of  health  is  a  new  era 
in  our  humanity.  In  this  board  is  invested  all  legal  power  over  the  state  health.  To  it  is  com- 
mitted all  the  sanitary  responsibility  of  the  state,  and  the  greatest  good  to  the  people  at  large 
must  follow  the  efforts  it  is  making. 

There  are  many  other  points  of  sanitary  interest  to  which  it  is  desirable  to  call  the  attention 
of  those  interested  in  Wisconsin.  It  is  a  popular  truth  that  a  dry  climate,  all  other  things  being 
equal,  is  a  healthy  climate.  Our  hygrometrical  records  show  Wisconsin  to  have  one  of  the  driest 
climates  in  the  United  States.  Choleraic  diseases  rarely  prevail  unless  in  a  comparatively 
stagnant  state  of  the  atmosphere,  where  they  are  most  fatal.  Where  high  winds  prevail  such 
diseases  are  rare.  The  winds  in  Wisconsin,  while  proverbially  high  and  frequent  (carrying  away 
and  dissipating  malarial  emanations),  are  not  destructive  to  life  or  property,  as  is  the  case,  by 
their  violence,  in  some  of  the  adjoining  states.  A  moist,  warm  atmosphere  is  always  provocative 
of  disease.  Such  a  state  of  atmosphere  is  rare  with  us,  and  still  more  rarely  continuous  beyond 
a  day  or  two.  Moist  air  is  the  medium  of  malarial  poisoning,  holding  as  it  does  in  solution 
gases  and  poisonous  exhalations.  Its  character  is  readily  illustrated  by  the  peculiar  smell  of 
some  marsh  lands  on  autumnal  evenings.  Such  a  state  of  moisture  is  seen  only  in  our  lowest 
shut-in  marshes  (where  there  is  but  little  or  no  air-current),  and  then  only  for  a  very  limited 
period,  in  very  hot  weather. 

But  too  much  importance  is  attached  by  the  public  to  a  simply  dry  atmosphere  for  respira- 
tory diseases.  The  same  mistake  is  made  with  regard  to  the  good  effects  in  such  disorders  of 
simply  high  elevations.  Dry  air  in  itself  or  a  high  elevation  in  itself,  or  both  combined,  are 
not  necessarily  favorable  to  health,  or  curative  of  disease.  In  the  light  and  rare  atmosphere  of 
Pike's  Peak,  an  elevation  of  6,000  feet,  the  pulse  is  accelerated,' the  amount  of  sleep  is  dimin- 
ished, and  the  human  machine  is  put  under  a  high-pressure  rate  of  living,  conducive  only  to  its 


■248 


HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 


injury.  The  average  rate  of  the  pulse  in  healthy  visitors  is  from  115  to  120  per  minute  (the 
normal  rate,  in  moderate  elevations,  being  about  75).  And  where  there  is  an)'  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  e 
of  other  diseases  in  Wisconsin.  This  feature,  however,  is  not  confined  to  the  cold  belt  of  our 
temperate  latitudes  —  our  proportion  of  respiratory  diseases,  be  it  noted,  comparing  most  favor- 
ably with  that  of  other  states,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  following  table: 


Climatological  Distribution  of  Pulmonary    1  Ms: 


Deaths 

by 
Phthisis. 


Per  cent, 
of  entire 
.Mortality. 


Deaths  by  all 
diseases  of  Res- 
piratory Organs. 


Massachusetts,  1S50,  U.  S.  Census 

Ohio,  1S49-50,  U.  S.  Census 

Michigan.  1S50.  U.  S.  Census 

Illinois,  1S49-50.  U.  S.  Census 

Wisconsin,  1S49-50,   U.  S.  I 


3,426 

17.65 

2,558 

S.S3 

657 

M-55 

S66 

7-36 

290 

9-99 

t.4I~ 
3.9S8 
L0S4 
1.799 

535 


Per  cent. 
of  entire 
Mortality. 


22.27 

13-77 
24.00 
15.00 


Now,  while  the  mortuary  statistics  of  the  United  States  census  for   1850   are  acknowli 
to  be  imperfect,  they  are.  nevertheless,  undoubtedlj   correct  as  to  i>es   of  mortality.      But 

besid  itistical  evidence  of  the  climatological  causes  of  disease,  there  are  certain  relative 

general,  if  not  special,  truths  which  serve  to  guide   us  in  our  estimate.      Respiratory   diseasi      ol 
all  kinds  increase  in   proportion  as  the  temperature  decreases',  the  humidity  of  the  air  being  the 
same.    Another  equally  certain  element  in  the  production  of  this  class  of  diseases  is  variabli 
of  climate.     Still,  this  feature  of  our  climate  is  only  an  element  in  causation,  and  affi  1 
we   shall   see  in  the  table  below,  very  little  as  compared  with  other  states.     Indeed,  it  is  still 
disputed  whether  there  is  not  more  consumption  in  tropical  1  limates  than  in  temperate  clirn 
This  much  is  admitted,  however,  that  consumption  is  rare   in  the  arctic  r(  Dr.  Terry  says 

the  annual  ratio  of  pulmonary  diseases  is  lower  in  the  northern  than  in    the   southern    1  ol 

the  United  States,  and  Dr.  Drake,  an  equally  eminent  authority,  recommends  those  suffering 
from  or  threatened  with  pulmonary  affections,  to  retreat  to  the  colder  districts  of  the  country, 
citing  among  others  localities  near  Lake  Superior  —  a  recommendation  which  our  experience  of 
nearly  half  a  century  endor 

Proportion  "i    "  umption  in    nn    Different  States. 


res. 

STATES. 

2.553 
866 

895 
647 

ia 

562 

1,288 
290 

664 
429 



Illinois 

When  we  compare  the  gi  neral  death-rate  of  Wisconsin  with  that  of  the  other  states  of  the 
Union,  we  find  that  it  i  ompares  most  favorably  with  that  of  Vermont,  the  healthiest  of  the  New 
Englai  The   l  nited   -  f  1  -50,  i860  and   1870,  gives  Wisconsin  94  deaths 

to  10,000  of  the  population,  while  it  mtont  101  to  every  10,000  of  her  inhabitants.    The 


STATISTICS   OF   WISCONSIN. 


249 


census  of  1870  shows  that  the  death-rate  from  consumption  in  Minnesota,  Iowa,  California  and  Wis- 
consin are  alike.  These  four  states  show  the  lowest  death-rate  among  the  states  from  consumption, 
the  mortality  being  13  to  14  per  cent,  of  the  whole  death-rate. 

Climatologically  considered,  then,  there  is  not  a  more  healthy  state  in  the  Union  than  the 
state  of  Wisconsin.  But  for  health  purposes  something  more  is  requisite  than  climate.  Climate 
and  soil  must  be  equally  good.  Men  should  shun  the  soil,  no  matter  how  rich  it  be,  if  the  climate 
is  inimical  to  health,  and  rather  choose  the  climate  that  is  salubrious,  even  if  the  soil  is  not  so 
rich.  In  Wisconsin,  generally  speaking,  the  soil  and  climate  are  equally  conducive  to  health, 
and  alike  good  for  agricultural  purposes. 


STATISTICS    OF   WISCONSIN. 

1875. 


ADAMS    COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Cities  and 
Villages. 

White. 

Colored 

- 

bo 

V 

Ed 

to 
■< 

200 

77 

244 
164 
261 
117 
204 
240 
163 
444 
74 
126 
121 
199 
189 
501 
127 

198 
71' 
221 
153 
200 
100 
193 
i,*>9 
137 
4113 
62 
118 
99 
131 
182 
433 
115 

2 

4 

398 

Biff  Flats 

465 

469 

Richfield 

White  Creek 

Total 

3,451 

3.045 

0 

4 

6.502 

ASHLAND  COUNTY. 


268 
141 

180 

141 

448 

282 

Total 

409 

321 

730 

Bayfield. 


BAYFIELD  COUNTY. 


538  493       1     .. 


1,032 


BARRON  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

r. 
- 

g 

to 

03 

U 
< 

343 
459 
364 
326 
211 
122 
240 

2S5 
397 
319 
216 

182 

84 

186 

628 

856 

542 

206 

426 

2.068 

1,669 

3,737 

BROWN  COUNTY. 


210 

143 
371 
410 
943 
291 

1,889 
591 

3.966 
581 
784 
687 
519 
499 
765 
616 
384 
838 
434 
774 
477 
982 

1,222 

175 
136 
337 
358 
956 
208 

1,721 
482 

4,017 
542 
705 
579 
467 
408 
633 
529 
335 
792 
372 
696 
452 
941 

1,058 

3 
5 

29 

2 

6 

S 

6 
25 

6 

7 

385 
279 

711 

768 

1.911 

499 

3.610 

1.073 

8.037 

1,123 

1.489 

1,266 

986 

909 

1,398 

1,145 

719 

1,642 

806 

1,470 

929 

1.923 
2.295 

18.376 

16,899 

53 

4S 

35,373 

250 


HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 


BURNETT  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns.  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

2 

M 
b 

S 
-5 

Villages. 

"3 
S 

a! 
3 

a; 

E 

433 
231 

87 

379 

191 

82 

11 

5 
12 

4 

1  1 

827 

434 

195 

751 

652 

3s 

25 

1,456 

BUFFALO  COUNTY. 


296 
34 
307 
138 
376 
869 
292 
277 
413 
339 
275 
315 
402 
841 
717 
899 
552 

500 

254 
293 
279 
137 
336 
321 
282 
227 
3T2 
309 
240 
313 
383 
306 
671 
664 
501 
421 
494 

2 

:: 

550 

637 

586 

275 

712 

Door 

GUmanton 

G/lencoe  

690 
574 
504 
785 
648 

515 

427 

785 

lilT 

1.388 

1.563 

1.053 

HMi 

Fountain  city  village 

994 

7,517 

6,702 

:.' 

a 

14,219 

CALUMET  COUNTY. 


Brothertown  . 

lirlllloa 

Chilton 

CharlesUmn., 
Harrison.,  .  . 

\  i    V,     II 

Rantoul 

Stockbrldge... 
WoodvlUe 

Total.... 


864 

809 

12 

7 



507 

1,061 

1. 

16 

16 

668 

H 

4 

l.oos 

875 

1 

1,016 

949 

837 

768 

910 

li.l 

166 

690 

639 

7,720 

6.9*9 

198 

183 

CLARK  COUNTY. 


1,693 

1.173 

1.367 
1.884 
1.965 
1.590 
8,092 
1,829 


15.085 


106 

57 

r,s 
262 

HI 

161 

:s  1 7 
l|j 
789 
86 
133 
182 
186 

336 
'.II 
11  1 

91 
210 
142 

47 
310 

43 
123 

337 
71 
113 
3117 
133 

786 

37 
13H 
in. 
131 
168 

r,s 
186 

197 
518 

• 
104 
668 

lol 

828 



26  1 

66  I 
260 



252 
239 

1             

York 

306 

::,:iss 

3,294 

7.282 

CHIPPEWA  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  cities  and 

White. 

1    m],h  f.  1 

I 

"3 

9 

0 

5 
= 

at 
HI 

a> 

fa 

en 

HI 
< 

361 

.iss 

65  1 
3.286 

339 
1.360 
1,046 

846 

443 

269 
420 
606 

1,755 
288 

1,074 
638 
252 
368 

630 

6 

3 
4 

908 

1,260 

5,050 
617 

2.434 

1,688 

598 

810 

Total 

8.312 

5,670 

6 

7 

13,995 

COLUMBIA  COUNTY. 


Arlington 

Caledonia 

Columbus  town 

Columbus  city 

Oourtlund 

Dekorra 

Fort  Winnebago 

Fountain  Prairie 

Hampden 

Leeds 

Lewlston 

Lodl 

Lowvllle 

Biarcellon 

Newport 

i  H    .  go   

Pacific 

Portage  city  

Randolph 

Bcotl  

Spring  Vale, 

w  esl  Polni 

ina 

\\  i    i  w.  VII.  of  Randolph 

Total 


512 

497 

•  9 

584 

481 

■li  mi 

912 

991 

663 

647 

662 

618 

876 

351 

71 '.J 

712 

515 

497 

596 

506 

1 

541 

505 

705 

743 

449 

437 

411 

409 

4 

1 

853 

862 

3 

3 

759 

737 

130 

119 

3.16  1 

2.161 

7 

6 

556 

409 

374 

428 

4'-.; 

113 

540 

33 

::i 

14,710 

14,069 

1.-, 

'.) 

CRAWFORD  COUNTY. 


Bridgeport 

Clayton 

Eastman 

Preeman 

Banes 

Marietta  

I' : 

Prairie  'in  Chli 

First  ward 

Second  ward 

Third  ward 

Pourtn  ward,. 
Boon 

SOI a 

I'll, a 

Waozeka 

Total 


1.009 
1,223 

881 
1.903 
1,309 
1,280 

737 
1.461 
1.1113 
1,103 
1.046 
1.448 

886 

858 
1.721 
1.496 

249 

1,186 
788 

770 

B2§ 

1,120 

67 


28,803 


177 

186 

Sal 

re 

755 

C-.H 

798 

766 

268 

49S 

104 

1 

3 

394 

826 

411 

139 

., 

X 

404 

13  1 

184 

209 

12 

5 

4H5 

•II, s 

Till 

687 

773 

697 

68  1 

Ml 

7,276 

Is 

11 

363 
1,616 
1,448 
1,664 

r,71 

'IH3 

730 

763 
964 
828 
898 
968 

1.391 

ro 

1,094 

15.035 


DOUGLAS  COUNTY. 


Superior . 


886  !        846  !  3      6 


741 


STATISTICS   OF    WISCONSIN. 


251 


DOOR  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

6 

a 

V 

oj 

a 

to 

- 

ea 
M 

a, 
u 

CO 

-5 

210 
359 
344 
244 
420 
208 
377 
166 
394 
286 
268 
290 
331 
286 
220 

186 
316 
279 
210 
382 
206 
325 
107 
278 
192 
211 
259 
301 
244 
181 

396 

675 

623 

454 

802 
414 

702 

273 

672 

418 

479 

549 

632 

530 

401 

Total 

4,343 

3.677 

8,020 

DUNN  COUNTY. 


Colfax 

Dunii 

Eau  Galle.... 
Elk  Mound.. 

Grant 

Lucas 

Menomonee 
New  Haven.. 

Pew 

Red  Cedar... 
Rock  Creefc  .. 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Spring  Brook 

Stanton 

Tainter 

Tiffany 

Weston 

Total . . . 


178 

170 

578 

458 

577 

490 

261 

231 

490 

463 

1 

239 

190 

1,959 

1,467 

5 

2 

130 

124 

130 

115 

349 

313 

327 

203 

1 

156 

146 

379 

308 

628 

548 

271 

229 

1 

2 

400 

263 

128 

117 

212 

188 

7,394 

6,021 

7 

5 

348 

1,036 

1,067 

492 

954 

429 

3,433 

254 

245 

662 

531 

302 

687 

1.176 

503 

663 

245 

400 

13.427 


DODGE  COUNTY. 


742 
794 

1,656 
567 
593 
451 
694 
701 
724 
471 
451 
985 

1,143 
591 
907 
156 
833 
832 

1,014 

1,318 
532 

1,006 
668 
956 
149 
559 

1,072 
956 
586 
615 

1,435 
628 

700 
707 

1,795 
524 
519 
403 
636 
701 
632 
381 
508 
911 

1,097 
599 
841 
154 
804 
759 
929 

1,245 
537 
951 
653 
912 
168 
506 

1,026 
806 
558 
618 

1,520 
441 

4 

25 
3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2S 

"3" 

1 

1,442 
1,501 
3,455 
1,091 
1,112 

854 
1,330 
1,402 
1,356 

853 
1.012 
1.896 
2.240 
1.190 
1,748 

310 
1.637 
1,597 
1X3 
2,563 
1.069 
1,958 
1.321 
1,868 

318 
1,065 
2,098 
1,762 
1,145 
1.23.3 
2,955 
1.070 

Hubbard 

Randolph  village,  E.  ward 
Shields 

"Watertown  city,  5  &  6  w'ds 
Waupun  village,  1st  ward,'. 

Total 

24,785 

23,541 

35 

33 

48.394 

BASE  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

"3 

a 

•0 

a 

% 
bo 

a, 

(. 

to 
bo 

■< 

679 
592 
451 
555 
559 
579 
575 
853 
580 
703 
597 
493 
677 
586 
576 
419 
4,858 
813 
726 
866 
540 
655 
530 
470 
569 
592 
553 
522 
728 
585 
515 
283 
547 
546 
562 
813 
629 
518 

582 
543 
446 
474 
631 
558 
546 
740 
549 
727 
571 
413 
575 
587 
575 
361 
5,174 
818 
691 
850 
538 
704 
444 
448 
£87 
559 
504 
495 
664 
622 
457 
806 
479 
491 
555 
808 
558 
484 

1 

1 

1 

4 

41 

3 

Q 

1 

1 
1 

3 
1 

4 
20 

i 

2 
1 

1 

1.261 
1,135 

897 
1,030 
1,090 
1,137 
1,121 
1,593 
1,130 
1.430 
1,168 

906 
1,253 
1,173 
1.051 

788 
10,093 
1,635 
1.417 
1.718 
1,079 
1,359 

974 

919 
1.057 
1,151 
1,057 
1,018 
1.392 
1,207 

589 
1,026 
1,039 
1,118 
1,621 
1,191 
1,003 

26,894 

25,814 

60 

30 

52,798 

FON  DU  LAC  COUNTY. 


1,064 
877 

685 
723 
763 
527 
840 
768 
793 
582 

1,109 

1.156 

1.085 

1,374 

594 

739 

655 

726 

780 

lis 

1,0.-,.-, 

Vis 

I1S-I 
1130 
611 

872 
777 
642 
783 
666 
498 

938 
799 
686 
661 
649 
713 
490 
747 
676 
686 
524 

1,175 

1.248 

1,204 

1.398 

563 

727 

659 

753 

731 

919 

891 

673 

667 

581 

534 

981 
862 
580 
717 
644 
478 

4 

7 
1 

1 

5 
3 
3 
1 

8 
28 
23 

1 

1 

"4" 

"3" 

1 
2 

5 

11 

3 
1 

7 
27 
21 

1 

"4" 

l" 

1 
5 

"l" 

2.006 

1,676 

1,411 

1.346 

1,372 

1,476 

1,029 

1,587 

1,445 

1.479 

1,107 

Fond  ilu  Lao  city— 

2,300 

2.409 

2.295 

2,774 
1,157 

1,481 

Seventh  ward 

1,369 
1.523 
1.513 

1,838 

1,952 
1,421 

1,851 

1,211 

1,200 

Riponcity — 

1,854 

1.647 

1.222 

1.500 

1.311 

Waupun  village,  N.  ward.. 

979 

25,149 

24,604 

'.IS 

80 

5U.241 

252 


HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 


EAU  CLAIRE  COUNTY. 


POPULATION'. 

Towns.  Cities  axd 

White. 

Colored 

■- 

Z 

6 

- 

■- 

a 

to 

< 

549 
461 
419 
4,646 
82  1 
158 
701 

360 

93 
327 
393 

383 

387 

3,777 

178 

553 
463 
243 
78 
290 
327 

18 

■1 

1,056 

Ml 

706 

8.4  40 

400 

1.254 
959 
503 
171 
617 
720 

Total 

8,724 

7,250 

13 

4 

15,991 

GREEN  COUNTY. 


476 
565 
585 
669 
695 
758 
848 

867 
540 
462 
1,525 
550 
030 
639 
446 

520 

437 
585 
554 
750 
654 
751 
350 
438 
KIT 
486 
Hi 

658 

-1  1 5 

"l" 

2 

1 

8 

1 

913 
1.150 
1,188 
1,428 
1,349 
1,510 

71  i  1 

1,110 

York.... ....::::::'::.::::::. 

11,102 

10,900 

22,027 

GRANT  COUNTY. 


11 



1 

865 
971 
•1st 
425 

till 

1,876 

ln9 

298 

884 

inl 

I.,'. 

'-'7 
2 

'.'li 
3 

1,717 

i.2i  it; 

Clifton 

2 

1.770 
1,1  14 

2.121 

1 

1 

i                          

■ 

HlllTllle 

2 

1.. 

1 

1 



I            lie 

Wlngvillo 

20,087 

18,944 

w 

GREEN  LAKE  COUNTY. 


POPfLATION'. 


Towns.  Cities  ami 

White. 

£ 

B 

u 
u 
M 

■4 

r. 
= 

548 

1,586 

707 

729 

630 
737 

1.076 

232 

1,755 
691 

1,015 

336 
223 

1.102 

l    .... 
8      B 

1    .... 

1,399 

895 
1,285 

1.119 

1,058 

2,091 
726 

458 

7.632 

7,642 

9      I'. 

15,274 

lO-vVA  COUNTY. 


Arena 

r>  

ml 

i        n 

Mifflin 

ral  Point 

Mini  r  il  l'oi.u  city 

Moscow 

Pulaski 

Rldfreway 

Walriwick  

Wyoming 


Ms 


Total 12.884      11,71  i 


924 

■ 
705 

715 

..''-I 

712 
.174 
4:j4 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


Albion 

Alma 

ii  Valley. 

in 



hi 

Northfield   ..  . 
Springfield 

Total 


1.428 

1 

699 

613 

546 

1  is 

6,039 

5,294 

1 

1,930 

T57 

1127 
1.497 

2.  173 
lil  I 
720 


21.133 


2,768 
1,  in 
1.028 

1.257 

4  23 

210 

11,339 


JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


Aztalan 

Concord  

Cold  Spring 

iigton 

i 





Koslikouong 

i  nils 

ird    

i 

a 

Sullivan 

r 



age 

Walertown  i>>\\ n 

Watertowii  city,  1  sr.  go,  8d, 
4th,  and  7iii  wards 




4 

8 

375 

» 

1,218 

5 

2 

1 

1 

21 

13 

7:.  2 

798 

2  is 

489 

1 

lis 

1,115 

8,888 

17.702 

17,137 

in 

1.312 
1.522 
!  I 
2  116 
1.273 
1.777 
4,04] 

1.499 

I  576 
1,488 

1,016 

6.569 
31,908 


STATISTICS   OF   WISCONSIN. 


253 


JUNEAU  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Cm es  \xn 

White. 

Colored 

u 

o> 

C 

- 

it 

117 
135 
397 
390 
309 
553 
556 
274 
859 
17S 

.MS 

1,001 
558 

'.'■., 
748 
419 
510 
774 

119 
115 

343 
333 
349 
519 
5 1 0 
■Jill 
22  1 
160 
569 
Sill 

1 

■.'IS 

690 

M77 
46U 
719 

1 

"l" 

1 
1 

236 

250 
740 

Kildare        

Lemon  weir 

558 
1.072 

1,066 

514 

483 

338 

1,118 

1,865 

1,133 

516 

1,438 

796 

970 

1,495 

L\  ndon 

Marion 

N  ecedah 

7,993 

7.301 

3 

3 

15.300 

KENOSHA  COUNTY. 


Brighton 

Bristol 

Kenosha  city.,.. 

Pai  is 

P 

Randall 

Somers 

Salem 

Wheatland 

Total 


561 

505 

5 

553 

« 

•>. 

2.426 

2.533 

7 

7 

539 

!! 

734 

733 

5 

5 

297 

252 

793 

1    ■ 

5 

5 

697 

1 

434 

7,066 

6,803 

19 

19 

1,066 
1.137 
4,959 
1,018 
1,457 

549 
1,450 
1,366 

867 

13,907 


KEWAUNEE  COUNTY. 


Ahnapee  town 

a lui.ij i  mage 

Carlton 

i  lasco  

Franklin 

\\rw  aunee  tow  n  <5  village 

Lincoln 

Montpelier, 

Pierre  

Red  River 


Total., 


687 

633 

532 

506 

roe 

I 

6 

747 

736 

1.337 

1.233 

1  m 

534 

III  , 

780 

718 

685 

'    7,506 

6,899 

1.319 
1,038 
1,412 
1.399 
1,473 
2,570 

1.157 
1  697 

1.403 


14,405 


LA  CROSSE  COUNTY. 


366 

348 

604 

714 
1,271 

667 

485 

375 

Dill 

380 
839 

403 

991 



1,862 

Sill, 

1.708 

Camp  ii  ii 

-> 

1 

1 

Holland 

461 

V  irst  u  .ml 

1.131 

1.205 

:;:: 

23 

2,392 

Second  ward 

735 

640 

6 

-> 

1,373 

Third  ward: 

1,784 

1,916 

5 

H 

3.711 

Fourth  ward 

596 

3 

?, 

1.354 

1'  mil  wind 

1,195 

982 

3 

2,182 

Onalaska  town 

713 

666 

Onalaska  village 

393 

S87 

680 

Shelby 

355 

433 

837 
932 

499 

Total 

12,263 

11,590 

55 

37 

33.945 

LA  FAYETTE  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns.  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

Villages. 

9 

QJ 

% 

- 

s 

- 

M 

< 

583 
660 
886 
373 
1.330 
510 
602 
866 
468 
888 

532 
1,253 
554 
231 
555 
935 

571 
591 
795 
25S 

1,341 
433 
595 
855 
420 
231 
883 
416 

1,287 
527 
2 1  5 
509 
866 

"l" 

1 

2 

1 

1.154 
1,251 

1,681 
539 

2.671 
933 

1.197 

1.721 
SNS 
Ii.  II 

1,805 

i';s 
2,540 
1.081 

i  ii, 
1,064 
1,801 

Miiutirt'llo 

New  Diggings 

1 

Total 

11.3S8 

10,781 

2 

1 

33.169 

LINCOLN  COUNTY. 


523  372 


3IARQUETTE  COUNTY. 


370 
330 
338 

371 
425 

1 

'.  12 
714 
719 
531 

ssl 
70S 

381 

Harris 

459 
356 

Moundville   

319 

179 

398 

\  1 '  A '. 

831 

338 

669 

N<-! I 

277 

530 

Oxford 

274 

368 

5  1 3 

Packwaukee 

669 

Shield 

343 

i". 

650 

Springfield 

163 

146 

309 

UVslli.'ld 

338 

643 

Totnl 

4,490 

4,207 

1 

S.697 

MARATHON  COUNTY. 


Bergen 

tton 



know  Iton 

Ml 

llOU 

nee...    . 

Stettin 

Texas 

Ml 

Wausau  city. 
Weln 

on 


109 
585 

135 
414 

333 

479 
159 
139 
1.560 
110 
16  ; 


Total 5,524 


50 
539 
22.1 

2:<s 

139 
351 
235 

130 

119 
38  i 
1.360 
114 
215 


159 

1.124 

582 

61  I 
364 
765 
467 
545 
909 
278 

2.830 
334 
479 


10,111 


254 


HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 


MANITOWOC  COUNTY. 


population. 

Towns,  Cities  and 

White. 

^ 

- 

1 

- 
Is, 

3 
a 

bo 

bfl 

< 

951 

V.'4 

881 
773 
935 
934 

1,176 
7 '.'8 

8.228 
606 
885 

1,1 

779 
1,057 

594 
1,005 
1,019 

843 

955 
780 

s-3 
791 
887 
875 

l."-4 
692 

3,498 
528 
767 
853 

1.014 
644 

1,016 
549 
953 
932 
857 
313 

1.906 

1 

1,564 
1.822 
1.809 

1,420 

! 
1.234 
1.652 
1.754 
2,074 
1,423 

1,148 

l.'.l.'S 
1.951 
1,715 

19,535 

38,456 

MILWAl'K EE  COUNT Y. 


Milwaukee  city— 

4,427 

5.025 
1,815 

8.897 
2.026 

'.i ;  -i 
1.843 
2, 1 1 0 
1,232 

1.812 

5,101 
6.617 

5  I'll 

8,677 
8,250 
1,988 

1,299 

1,815 
1,199 

1.051 

1.755 

1 

B 

•in 
T 

7 

3 
6 

10 
2 

9.532 
18  191 

Set  entb  v.  ai  ii 

iih  ward 

8.668 
6.641 

ii  ward 

Tweifih  ward 

Thirtec-iitii  ward 

Franklin 

Greenfield 

"g 

1 

1 

2.646 

2,206 
5.246 
8,667 

61.758 

60,979 

'.in 

'.il 



MONROE  COUNTY. 


37:1 
27  1 
198 
408 
70S 
887 

422 

4UI 

482 

-1 

178 

400 
l.s]  1 
1,154 

li.M 

1 1,000 

308 
691 

277 
881 

7  1 

Mil 

1.H77 

:-.'.i  7 

294 

681 

1 

0 

ii 

1 
11 

881 

Clifton 

1  297 

■  hi 

715 

966 

1  in 

886 

LlttlH  Fall- 

742 
618 

156 

B86 

1,1  in 
712 

"., 

3  750 

857 

1  "-, 



9.925 

21,026 

OCONTO  COUNTY'. 


POPULATION. 


Towns.  Cities  and 

White. 

« 

B 

3J 

- 

o 
h 

■a 
to 
» 

i 
< 

Glllett 

196 

551 

1  52 

1,446 

563 

2,871 

1.495 

744 

268 

179 

361 

108 

l.nsn 

453 

2  iis'l 

1,022 

537 

185 

3 
1 

2 

il 

2 

1 

375 

912 

260 

2.587 

1,017 
4,457 

2.520 

1,281 
453 

Stiles 

Total 

7.786 

6.017 

13.812 

OUTAGAMIE  COUNTY'. 


3.307 
489 

MS 
546 
836 
238 
536 
1711 
689 
850 
842 
719 
562 
980 
283 
408 
111 
100 
290 

3.403 
492 
429 
463 

71s 
179 
516 
140 
655 
731 
811 
669 
533 
937 

888 

92 
100 

247 
624 

11 
4 
4 

\! 
1 

9 

3 
1 

7 

6.730 

'17  1 

1,009 

1,052 

1.853 

1.653 

1.3SS 
1.095 



499 

203 

2011 

Total 

13.233 

22 

20 

25,558 

OZAUKEE  COUNTY. 


Cedarburg 

B  ■- 1     

Preuonla 

Grafton 

n    

Port  Washington 
Siitikvill 

Total 


1,876 

910 
1.617 
1,497 
1,081 

1,009 

84  I 
1.522 
1,481 

"  i  9 

"I 

1 

1 

8,516 

8,029 

1 

1 

PIERCE  COUNTY. 


2,644 

3.139 


16.545 


388 

307 

ill.-, 

628 
124 

.-.il 
484 

480 

!',, 

408 
513 

324 

313 

101 
:.l  1 
480 
415 
54  1 
|  |4 

111 
327 
454 

258 

1 

712 

1. 2i  III 

723 

1.17U 
225 

Isabella     

VI  hi.  II   

1  070 



1,024 

in 

24 

9 

899 
1  182 

1,916 

4 

1 

973 

679 

Total 

7.045 

II 

86 

15.101 

STATISTICS   OF   WISCONSIN. 


255 


POLK  COUNTY. 


POPULATION 

Towns.  Cities  and 

White. 

Colored 

o 

6 
3 

6 

s 

g 

~ 

bo 
to 

< 

510 

376 
266 
209 
425 
399 
209 
61 
160 
105 
486 
208 
134 

447 
318 
268 
174 
352 
322 
141 

45 
157 

85 
428 
198 
110 

12 

56 
10 

9 

47 
"9 

957 

H94 

555 

383 

777 

721 

453 

106 

317 

209 

914 

406 

244 

Total 

3.548 

3,045 

78 

65 

6,736 

PORTAGE  COUNTY. 


650 
376 
248 
394 
277 
126 
522 
309 
244 
541 
571 
141 
651 
783 
234 

719 
741 
315 

575 
345 
230 
332 
232 
120 
497 
295 
199 
496 
514 
130 
616 
711 
134 

612 

687 
289 

1 

1,225 

478 

Buena  Vis! a 

726 

Hull 

1,019 

1.085 
271 

1.494 

Stevens  Point  city- 

1.331 

1,438 

Total 

7,842 

7.0" 

1 

14.856 

PEPIN  COUNTY. 


194 
497 
271 
311 
759 
315 
'      593 
120 

181 
478 
233 
274 
644 
288 
535 
117 

2 

585 
1,406 

606 
1,128 

Total 

3.060 

2,750 

2 

5,816 

ROCK  COUNTY. 


445 
377 

2.162 
506 
542 
966 

1,060 
613 
463 

5,040 
611 
434 
598 
662 
945 
483 
639 
609 
522 
580 
592 

1,009 

433 
314 

2,371 
473 
498 
952 
950 
523 
400 

5,015 
576 
387 
533 
515 
930 
471 
603 
546 
497 
558 
537 

1,015 

■> 
39 

o 

'  Q 

T 

34 
4 

1 

1 
1 

2 

1 

83' 
"l" 

O 

26 

1 

1 

878 

4,605 

1.923 

1.136 

1.191 

1.131 

1.079 
1,877 

1.242 
1,155 
1,019 
1,138 
1  13 

Total 

19.758 

19,127 

90 

til 

39.039 

RACINE  COUNTY. 


Towns.  C  (TIES  AND 

Villages. 


POPULATION. 

White. 

Colored 

s 

u 

55 

fc 

£ 

■■=- 

< 

Burlington  . 
Caledonia... 

Dover 

Mt.  Pleasant 

Norway 

Racine  city. 
Raymond.'.., 
Rochester. .. 
Waterford.., 
YorkviUe... 

Total . . 


1,403 

1.424 

1 

1,502 

1.345 

538 

455 

1 

1,237 

1.104 

506 

457 

4 

« 

6.571 

6,590 

62 

51 

824 

710 

436 

408 

1 

789 

725 

810 

755 

14,611! 

18,973 

69 

53 

RICHLAND  COUNTY. 


ST.  CROIX  COUNTY. 


SAUK  COUNTY, 


Barahoo.... 
Bear  Creek 

Helton. 

D^llona 

Excelsior  .. 
Fairfield.... 
Franklin ... 
Freedom. . . 


2,026 

1,931 

11 

8 

406 

402 

416 
311 

413 
281 

567 

485 

1 

382 

342 

483 

449 

560 

497 

2.827 
2.847 

993 
2,341 

963 

13.-74 

L534 

£44 
1.&I4 
1.565 


28.702 


361 
685 
660 
573 
598 
190 
163 
622 
463 

902 
749 
588 
527 
527 
435 

381 

614 
526 
525 
587 
422 
44S 
597 
440 
334 
965 
690 
544 
483 
477 
403 

742 

1.098 

1,185 

5 

1 

10 

3 

911 

1.219 
903 

687 

1.874 

Rich  wood 

1,440 
1,132 
1.010 

1,004 
851 

Willow 

Total 

8,896 

8.436 

16 

S 

17,353 

160 
355 
184 
235 
636 
173 
277 
648 
346 
979 
394 
361 
329 
604 
277 
372 
259 
358 
164 
520 
378 

119 
247 
145 
209 
567 
128 
250 
572 
297 
993 
831 
260 
316 
635 
261 
308 
223 
314 
166 
396 
304 

60S 

831 

447 

"2  :', 

62^' 

1.220 
643 

4 
1 

1 

1,977 
725 

621 

1,140 

538 

680 

482 

672 

1 

330 

916 

683 

Total 

8.009 

6,941 

6 

1 

14.966 

3.976 
308 
J29 
692 

1.053 
7-.M 
932 

1,057 


256 


HISTORY   OF  WISCONSIN". 


SAUK  COUNTY.— Cont'd. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  citi  bs  and 

White. 

Colored 

- 
5 

3 
= 

a> 
S3 

S3 

E 

eg 
to 

Green:: 
Bom  ■   ' 

I  

La  \  ftile 

mack 

■ 
Re  i 

Sumpter 

i  i  ■        

Bt  on... 
Westfleltl 

w -id 

Woodland 

Total 


391 

1 

766 

648 

1.270 

678 

1,811 

604 

1,168 

456 

svf; 

954 

1  ii  i  , 

1.999 

1,114 

1,186 

2 

2,242 

533 

516 

1.049 

392 

381 

773 

551 

.-in] 

1.052 

567 

1.093 

683 

632 

:', 

•J 

1,320 

439 

S78 

645 

575 

1.220 

13,816 

13,088 

11 

11 

26.932 

SHAWANO  COUNTY. 


53 

106 
363 
272 

117 

80 

164 

72 
131 
105 

' 
218 

30 
180 

345 
l'.IS 

124 

411 

89 

60 

93 

862 

197 

■14 
■12 

»a 

•3 
■10 

Belle  Plaine 

708 

170 

291 



■  i                   

282 

lis 



166 
800 



.  - 

ban 

789 

415 

Total 

3.548 

3.048 

■.'ii 

18 

6,635 

Indians, 


SHEBOYGAN  COUNTY. 


1,004 

796 

1,150 
786 
918 

616 

1,146 

,.,H 

710 

681 
1,192 

606 

1,978 

2,287 

1 

2,318 

1 

1,181 

1,098 

1  569 

1,604 

i.ihi; 



i.Sio 

1 

ii .  village  . . 

1,228 

17.368 

16.652 

1 

84,021 

TREMPEALEAU  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns,  Citibs  and 

Will  to. 

■ 

Villages. 

■-" 
s 
E 

d 

■- 

--" 

= 
Z 

C9 

be 

V 

(- 

ha 

bO 

< 

Areadla 

Albion 

Burnstde 

Caledonia 

Dodge 

Etti  fck 

Qale  

Hale 

■  in 

Presti  >n 

i 

ni  r 

Trempt 

Total.... 


1.464 

1.368 

■Jul 

370 

493 

1,040 

293 

212 

510 

291 

576 

i  u 

1,615 

889 

1.745 

557 

463 

1,020 

no 

335 

746 

755 

:t 

I,  164 

316 

3U3 

619 

406 

112 

795 

1 

1,678 

7,844 

7,144 

1 

14,992 

TAYLOR  COUNTY. 

12          2971    711    3  1 

849 

VERNON  COUNTY. 

Bergen 

ana 

Clinton 

Coon 

Forest 

Franklin 



■■'■   'Mill    .  .  . 

Hamburg 

■ 
•rough. 

■   on 

Kickapoo 



Stark 

■ 

Viroqua 

p 

Wheatland.... 
itown... 


176 

1 

1 

731 

640 

156 

151 

58 

151 

434 

650 

584 

554 

661 

2  5  I 

464 

485 

659 

266 

1 

1 

1,046 

1 

1 12 

441 
344 

11.166 

58 

55 

1,81  I 

957 
812 

717 
88G 

1,006 
I  108 
1,194 
1,115 

117 
§99 

21,524 


W  UWOHTII  COUNT!  . 


591 
510 

541 
51  1 
506 

786 

1,001 

149 

181 
616 

7 

1 

1 
7 

i 

9 

"8" 

1,107 

I]  u 

1,099 

1  680 

l'oofi 

926 

1,989 
1,180 

1.011 

SprlllK  J                        

1.270 

1,895 

.1 

13,067 

25 

STATISTICS  OF    WISCONSIN". 


25". 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


population. 

Towns,  Cities  and 
Villages. 

White. 

Colored 

9 

"3 
5 

ft 

6 

B 

eS 

w 

<u 

u 
EC 
Ml 

Addison 

Barton 

Erin 

Farmington 

Germantown 

Hartford 

Jackson 

Kewaskum 

Folk 

Richfield 

Schleisiugerville.. 

Trenton  

Wayne 

West  Bend  town... 
West  Bend  village 

Total 


951 

660 

612 

878 

1.030 

1,403 

1,028 

731 

936 

921 

220 

1,005 

451 

Hi  il 

857 
689 
571 
839 
955 
1.821 
1,014 
703 
820 
819 

lfio 

907 
855 
444 
624 

• 
1 

1.808 

1.350 

1,717 

1.985 

3 

2.727 
2.042 
1,434 
1,756 
1,740 

1,912 

1.710 

893 

1.225 

i  :.2s2 

11.576 

4 

83,862 

WAUKESHA  COUNTY. 


1,128 
792 

617 
746 
761 
1,205 
778 
562 

887 

164 

759 

996 

1,054 

619 

657 

1,031 

1.318 

1.095 
716 
605 

1  ■■■ 

658 

1,143 

736 

820 

419 

710 

1,115 

1,016 

540 

588 

700 

1.449 

2,228 
1.509 

....    i 

1.224 



1,376 
1,421 

2,348 

4 
4 

4 
5 

1,135 

1,450 
1.707 

M askego    

893 

2,121 

2.0S0 
1.159 

1.247 

4 
21 

16 

1,735 

2,807 

Total 

15.140 

14,196 

:,:; 

26 

29.425 

W ALPACA   COUNTY. 


393 
478 
426 
131 
111 
456 
111 
478 
388 
408 
534 
588 
192 
510 
875 
511 
566 
448 
205 
938 
413 
261 
127 

384 
451 
390 
119 
363 
402 
112 
439 
376 
363 
203 
532 
182 
426 
801 
495 
512 
397 
184 
1,036 
369 
237 
388 

1 

2 

4 

223 

Lind 

1,037 
1,120 

Little  Wolf 

1,682 

1,078 

389 

1,976 

498 

815 

10,146 

9,451 

5 

4 

19,646 

WAUSHARA  COUNTY. 


POPULATION. 

Towns.  Cities  and 
Villages. 

White. 

Colored 

^ 

03 
i. 

ol 

- 

■J 

r. 
-_ 

CO 
blj 

60 

< 

537 
692 
137 
256 
122 
223 
443 

309 

300 
331 
459 
473 
193 
180 
3S1 
245 
322 
347 

473 
666 
147 
244 
114 
256 
399 
279 
369 
277 
397 
437 
185 
186 
319 

325 

861 

4 

6 

1,020 

1.358 

284 

500 

236 

842 
588 
569 
608 
856 
910 
378 
366 
703 
471 
647 
708 

Rldifnrd 

Total 

5.953 

5,560 

4 

6 

11,523 

WINNEBAGO  COUNTY. 


393 
459 
691 
389 

1.579 
2711 
697 
573 

2  062 

HlH 

1.622 
6,672 

■79 
588 
596 

1.312 

4110 

396 

438 
609 
331 

1,961 
252 
578 
550 

1.961 
510 

1.690 

8,263 

405 
1,018 
499 
553 
535 
1,230 
417 

3 

3 

789 

897 

1.300 

720 

3.170 

1,275 
1,123 

1 
31 
"3 

4 

3 

4l" 
"3" 

1 

Oshkosh  i  iiy 

17.015 

1.078 

2.577 
877 

Total 

23,106 

21,825 

51 

51 

45,033 

WOOD  COUNTY. 


102 
429 
191 
737 
376 
231 
193 
255 
79 

231 
183 
125 

74 
371 
113 
680 
297 
194 
117 
217 

73 
144 
201 
165 
104 

1 

1 
3 

1 

"l" 

176 
800 
304 
1,418 
677 
425 
810 

152 
303 

349 
229 

Wood 

Total 

3,291 

2,750 

6 

1 

6,048 

258 


IIIM'ORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 


POPULATION  BY  COUNTIES. 

SUMMARY  FROM  STATE  AND  FEDERAL  CENSUS. 


CODNT1ES. 

1840. 

1850. 

1855. 

1860. 

1865. 

1870. 

1875. 

187 

6,868 

6.492 

515 

13 

12 
7.895 

l.V.lj 

789 
24.441 

42.818 

812 
2,704 

84,154 

19,808 

18.688 

18.967 

1,170 

5.698 
256 

6,776 

171 
8,688 

1,1)11 

11.011 

Itl.Ml 

8  098 

5.170 

5.281 

42.089 

20,646 

10,018 
1  1,884 

5  18 

344 

85,168 

11,123 

L2,  136 

8.311 

28,802 

13. 075 

6  1, 

4.919 
1,128 

10,769 
88,611 

10.281 

16.562 

18,  1 1" 

10.0113 

10.640 
26.742 
15.786 

11,089 

6  502 

1.032 

i,  699 
832 

275 

1.713 
615 

2,498 

19,138 

3,631 

838 

282 

1?  965 

385 
1,796 

1,502 
814 

67 

711 

18.427 

15,991 

139 

14.510 

Hi.  INS 

8,566 

14.827 

1,098 
26,869 

60, 2 1 1 

89  086 

22,027 

1  .'i  274 

9.522 
15.817 

24.133 

1  1,339 

'.1  1 

10,784 

12,897 
1.109 

16,064 

18,048 

1.427 
16.265 

1.501 
4,914 

12.'.)7:i 

1  1.405 

11,531 

895 

S 

608 

82,416 

62,  '•  1  8 

B,  Ill  I 

4,672 

1,  kiii 
7.507 

26.7112 

8,1  15 
22.884 
18,186 

Hi.lll 
122 

18 

21,026 

1,720 

517 

5,151 

20,678 

5.584 

254 

624 

102 

133 

84,021 

22,662 
18.897 

11.007 

87.029 
1  1.208 

135 

45  033 

\Y 1    

80.945 

806 

552.109 

775.881 



in  :i  note  to  >ry  ol  [ndlftna  returns  appears  the  following: 

Blppl,  I  ih:il. limits. 


•On  the  1st  of  August,  1800,  Pralrlt*  ilu  Cblen,  on  tin 


STATISTICS  OF   WISCONSIN. 


25? 


NATIVITY    BY    COUNTIES. 

CENSUS  OF  1S/0. 


Native. 

Foreign 

Born. 

COUNTIES. 

a: 

S3 

z 
o 

a 

O 
H 

1.250 

47 

292 

56 

10.4  1H 

4.269 

562 

4.674 

3,586 

6gg 

9. 150 
3.463 

19.640 

18,327 

2,113 

410 

3.22U 

3.375 

14.796 
9,414 
5.0 ;  9 
4,097 
9.178 
1.923 

12,293 
3.011 
4,081 
5.486 
8.602 
6  724 

16.496 
2,746 
2.928 

42  233 
4,038 
3.730 
6.689 
6.836 
1.30S 
2.498 
1.173 
3.421 

10,791 
1.777 
8.318 
6.552 
1.478 

12.557 
3.584 
4,393 
5.040 
5.150 

10.051 
9.906 
4,528 
2.577 

12.070 
1,374 

ri 

|  i 
pq 

n 

S 

o 
a 
so 

| 

03 

0 

9 

u 

4 

C  - 
03  O 

. 

I 
a 
a 
o 
a 

B 

a 
o 

a 

3 

a 

a 
© 

a 

5.351 

174 

246 

288 

14.728 

6.854 

144 

7.661 

4.725 

2.751 

19.652 

9.612 

33.456 

28.708 

2,806 

712 

6,268 

7,394 

31.477 

28,565 

18.532 

9.098 

15,366 

5,764 

21.747 

9.361 

9,066 

4.642 

11,695 

15.935 

16868 

3.139 

5.128 

47.697 

12,512 

4,591 

11,741 

8.728 

3,351 

7.460 

2249 

7,213 

15.949 

13.954 

30.712 

17.308 

1.08N 

19.192 

7.451 

6,339 

13.605 

20.822 

13.868 

18.368 

11.011 

8.702 

25.209 

2,538 

2,649 

148 

132 

175 

11,098 

4,433 

100 

5,658 

2,764 

1,196 

12.233 

5.SII8 

22,738 

20,934 

1.903 

340 

3.177 

3.336 

20.112 

19.390 

10.643 

4.535 

12.562 

2,966 

15.407 

5.359 

5.959 

4.208 

6.779 

11.346 

15,109 

2.333 

3.342 

37.183 

6,722 

2.677 

8.060 

8.21  l 

1.612 

3,618 

931 

4.337 

11.336 

6,547 

15,209 

9.795 

1.133 

14.957 

4,158 

3.700 

7.232 

11.214 

12,504 

13,304 

6.225 

it-m 

1.587 

127 
12 

127 
23 

1,687 

173 

4 

165 

1,437 
226 
511 
397 
684 
565 
290 
133 
437 
767 

1,754 
386 
272 
290 
346 
291 
369 
336 
138 
159 
580 
186 
518 
216 
151 
884 
356 

1.645 
796 
110 
208 
310 
191 
401 
270 
168 
755 
386 
111 
323 
816 
2119 
184 
391 
97 
332 
508 
264 

1,558 
636 

142 
4 
2 
a 

273 

56 

4 

167 

120 

81 

2,046 

186 

1.631 

1,236 

89 

41 

147 

242 

1.291 

2.531 

598 

597 

3,897 

151 

934 

395 

650 

47 

570 

2,281 

223 

49 

252 

1,973 

510 

111 

171 

48 

91 

102 

46 

217 

1,878 

222 

1,382 

765 

27 

303 

1511 

185 
189 
921 
110 

2.0115 
260 
508 

1.531 
42 

225 

18 
7 
4 

1.442 

242 

1 

500 

417 

45 

1.332 
906 

2.955 

2.301 

228 

66 

227 

487 

2.572 

1.281 
942 
412 

1.239 
137 

1.0H7 

1.104 
813 
313 
488 

2,345 

1.133 
103 
537 

4,604 
641 
422 
792 
475 
118 
422 
102 
369 

1,039 
431 

2.870 

946 

24 

943 

1.202 
286 
3  011 

1,729 
882 

1.593 
517 
307 

1.399 
171 

26 
1 
1 

23 

112 

125 

1 

13 

39 

18 

629 
48 

465 

256 

23 

6 

51 

54 

317 

189 
50 
62 
86 
92 

182 
81 

100 
16 

109 

111 
52 
26 

198 

502 
87 
38 
85 
18 
29 
34 
19 
99 

289 
46 

490 

103 

5 

38 

56 

141 
87 

148 
35 

397 
60 
42 

146 
34 

133 

8 

41 

3 

2,733 

1.971 

1 

3.267 

958 

235 
2,774 

640 
6.276 
12,656 

426 
60 

842 

835 
7.372 
3,585 

892 
2,634 
1,447 

250 
8445 

518 
2.082 
1.611 
2.831 

729 
9.335 
2.239 
1,661 
29.019 
1,601 

797 
3.262 
4,422 

300 

449 

172 
1.223 
3.859 

481 
1.142 
3.433 
1.096 
8.497 

294 

776 

661 
1.173 
8.213 
4,335 
1,243 

816 
5.261 

299 

5 

"68 
39 

"51 
34 

4 

30 

35 

160 

187 

27 

4 
17 
34 
125 
83 
39 

8 
21 
29 
41 
11 
39 
22 
52 
17 
93 
19 

1 
288 
38 
23 
61 
92 
27 
16 
27 
39 
82 
25 
78 
65 

4 
119 

6 
22 
30 
81 
134 
37 
39 
11 
53 

3 

537 

3 

98 

1 

451 

556 

551 

3 

439 

79 

1.515 

764 

6.601 

383 

31  1 

93 

1.336 

871 

156 

543 

1,017 

1.647 

944 

384 

379 

29 

97 

2,646 

993 

1.420 

73 

31 

636 

573 

321 

37 

98 

484 

1.052 

483 

795 

1.0S8 

237 

1,428 

93 

146 

234 

940 

2.633 

3,138 

579 

40 

486 

1,225 

220 

762 

106 

4 

i'e'2 

67 

168 

34 

1 

34 

402 

195 

167 

43 

'"» 

7 

547 

4 

343 
12 

309 

3 

11 

2,011 

489 

2,360 
3 

1.524 
40 
72 

11 

"  "i 

n 

703 

124 

6 

8 

"38 

"« 
281 

1 

296 

54 

8 

"26 

9 

"14 

"31 
941 

"82 

35 

1 

67 

46 

216 

97 

16 

2 

44 

39 

193 

118 

1,247 

1 

31 

6 

144 

11 

30 

27 

271 

21 

153 

3 

1 

447 

43 

3 

54 

20 

7 

76 

8 

5 

67 

11 

50 

601 

12 

99 

3 

16 

35 

40 

79 

96 

65 

3 

300 

23 

6 

947 
4 

"92 
29 

"44 

3 

17 

77 

3 

2 

3 

1 

627 

71 

3 

2 

13 

1 

19 

1 

44 

48 

94 

3 

51 

"4 

Sill 
25 
79 

785 
34 

"l'i 

1 
5 

49 
4 
6 

34 
8 

1.6S2 

38 

6 

3 

15 

58 

48 

0 

1 

23 

32 

371 

22 
20 

3 
49 
11 
131 
37 
82 

3 
51 
21 
98 
13 

Chirk 

Dane 

15 
3 

15 

55 
71 
44 
55 
3 
38 

5 

130 

2 

60 

56 

16 

19 

106 

47 

1.294 

3 
52 

9 
23 

8 
71 

9 
39 
28 

2 

Polk 

Trempealeau 

Washington 

557 
369 
723 

Wood 

260 


HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN". 


VALUATION     OF    PROPERTY 


IX   THE  STATE  OF  WISCONSIN. 


assessed  Valuation  of  Taxable  Property  for  the 

year  1876. 


a  ites. 


mg 

Ashland 

Barron 

hi 

Bron  n 

Buffalo 

Burnetl 

Calumet 

Chippewa 

Clark 

Columbia ... . 
Crawford. . . . 
Daiip 

Dodge 

Dooi    

Douglas 

Iitinn 

Eau  Claire... 
Pond  ilu  Lac. 



n  Lake,. 

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jeffei 

.'  nneau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee... 

•M- 

La  l  i 

■  ii  

M;uiit'>\\  ur  . . 
Mai  allien 

Marquette .. . 
Hllwai 
Honroe 

in 

Outagfl 
Ozaukee 



Pleice 



Portage 

Racine 

Richland 



Bt  Croll 



Bbewano 

Sheboygan 

Vim 

■I  til...    , 

ngton., 

tana 

ica 

bara 

Winnebago. .. 
i    .T..... 

Total 


VALUA  i  SB    P]     IPBRTY,    FROM 

375  AND  1S76. 


* 


Co  .  town, 

rili  and 

property. 


< 


6,147 

3.3-10 


6,800 

15.800 

"  ijbo 

29,785 

i 
45.800 

'l7il68 

"raiuo 

•19.330 

25,650 

"iKJm 
600 

12, i 

"i&SOO 
10.750 
81,000 


28,210 

:,  ..-,, 
6,368 

'"id!  ibo 

5,280 
18,950 

28.000 



10,725 

70,200 

a  o 

21,850 
6,880 
1,500 


School,  cor 
lege  and 

property. 


Church  and 
cemetery 
property. 


82  00  l,(iiM 


S     9.900 
4,935 

""li'lon 
1.500 

""s'.i'eo 

115.6115 
11,000 

8,200 
16,988 

191   105 

i.n.s;.-. 

"86.774 

"oolsdo 

'"'•iiYii'rir. 
17,720 

55.930 

li. 

21,248 
27,202 

8.735 

13.300 

l  s .  1 1  r> 
B.247 

10,940 
25,916 

■ 6 


7,211 
4,125 

2,000 

21,080 
29,  195 


125 

1,800 
91.1  12 

II 

2,351 

259  900 
109, 105 

23,840 

l     Di 

173.300 

19,280 

110,648 

71.610 

"MUK  i 
16,825 

I 

38.100 

42,470 

236,000 

87.915 

41,870 

:ii.  no 
22.524 

4,774.828 


'i  1,025 
150 


78 


175,885 
64  095 

110.0110 

84,400 


421,604 

627,155 

95,  150 

2,000 

"eiisbo 

75,000 

51,800 
800 

"1021600 


146,901 

1.371.  lino 
17,685 

22  026 


70, 100 
250,975 

22,500 

'   lMl.lillll 


7.1u7.li37 


U.  S.,  state 
property. 


$       400 


HUH 


10,  121 

Inn 

14,400 

200 


li'M 

16.780 
82,245 

600 

31  300 

10.500 
2,525 

400 
3.595 


682,800 

"3.01)6 
3.-I70 
9.8  IS 

1  1 

900 
1,150 


11,800 

1 n 



3.:!3:> 
1,200 
1.550 

7.710 


S  21,168 

14,898 

181.875 

lisl  520 

170   120 

88.070 

188.680 

,1.    00 

49  516 
264.048 

10.040 

II  1,820 

l 10 

III  ,111 
82,047 

1 17,1  86 

88,440 
11  1.120 

191  77S 




STATISTICS   OF   WISCONSIN". 


261 


ACREAGE    OF    PRINCIPAL    CROPS 
GROWN     IN     1876. 


.  riES. 

NUMBER  OF  ACRES. 

Wheat. 

Corn. 

Oats. 

Barlej 

Kj'e. 

Hops. 

Flax-seed. 

5.146 
5 
4.070V 

16.384 

18,507! 

1,179 

10,442 

2.-157 

ill.  172 

19.054 

89  453 

128  70S 

4.771 

11,456 

26 

639K- 

20 

13,923 

9,213* 
216K 

4.583 

2,734 

1,596 
40.274 
19.173 
84,072 
29,401* 
352 
5 

9.671 
11.765 
1S.20S). 
9S.709 
5S.16S 
15.608 
Iti.'.isi) 

s.ii.  I1 
28,379  ' 
11.84RH 
15,1-    i 

l.i  ..  , 
10,581 
61.54!) 

5,353 
84 
3.477X 

15 

5.732 

12.573M 

637 

9  858 

9,032 

■.'.  108 

84.071 

10.5S4 

67,120 
25,592* 

3.391 

50 

13, 833 

7,183 
2(1.763 
62.054 
34,191 

8,013 
34,433 
1  U89J 
16,845 

I  1,272* 
14.174 
)1  632 

349 

.      1 94 

712 

21,  ma 
5,020 

4,87  1 
10.213* 

12  f  .1 
3, 1 1  a 

2.  147* 
9.473 
4.47  > 
8,3   i 
,8  12 
9  086* 
15.24  1* 

I I  606! 
60  103 
17.5  41 
24.169V 

1  108! 
16  704 
54)4 

23.055 

88  '.'2.-, 
14.104 
18.980 

7  1  is 

s  si; 
13,813 

1,029 

83 

8,488 

660 

5* 

2 

IX 

759M 

282V 

27 

i.n  field  

5.012 
2,751 

58 
4. ills'. 
1,258 
208 
7.694 
3.912 

23,499 

11.463 
696 

5.354 

S7l) 
264 

23 1M 

185 
95 
7  648 
1.588 
7.410 
2,134* 

788 

17* 

9* 

Buffalo 

39 

10}<i 

3 

593V 

18 
317X, 
136 

9 

2V 
45 
153* 
IX 

15 

2.459* 
8 

'5 

.  .12 

29,643 

1,  .mi 

37.064 

81.676 
19,95 
33,568 
1 1,598! 

1.7s. 
17.702 
38, 

4.       . 
262 

1,  ,    s 

9   ill 
11.771 
31.6    1 

2,490 

I5)i 
jOK 

11  187 
9,293 

15.701X 
7.884* 
13,22   ', 
12.384J4 
77. sin 
27.701 
6,485 
45.959 

60*1 
53.656 
42,277 
80,588 
53  691 
34  1  10 

12  573 

49  999 

'1  ;, 

1,560 
1,242 

8  554 
2,839 

1,66'. 
1,170 
2,609* 
1,739  " 
8,773 

445 

1,649 
2,164 

3,045 

1.273 

20 

4,299 

670 

93 

5,063 

1.769 

357 

940* 
4.116H 

613* 
2.S51 

1  HI 

1  284M 
2.22BK 

19.424 

2  022 

2.197'. 

205 

7  519 

2 

2  381 * 

5,512 

8.984* 
6.614 
8,587 
1,060 

636  h 
1.427 
29* 

1,156 

933 

i  5  1 1 

3.296 

3,793)4 

3.455 

'   1.892 

613 

7.611 

3,137 

611 

8.520 

3,177 

1.735 

68 

11 

44 

118* 

28 

179K 
71« 
840 

1.160 

8 

2 

249* 

13 

IX 

H 

Grant 

29 
44 

25,217 
363 

1 

10,145 

100 

6 

3,434 

7 
Ji 

2* 

16.670 

854* 

355 
15,181 

'   inn; 

■1  761 

■    „SI>, 

6,924 

B.9I  4 
4,104 
■   .076 

nl 
160* 

■  .  1  !  .. 

33.816! 

1  904 

8.244 

32 

12.106 

88,499 

15.456 

11.613 

26.31  S 

.  g  ■  1 

18.726)4 

15,  104 

958 

5.333 
116 
10.503 
1,074* 

1.377 
734 
514 

2,43054 
563 
258 
326 

7,665* 

2,212 

1.77H1. 

15.038k' 

173 

6.164* 

l.iiiox 

1  332 

3 

550 

633 

1.875* 

r,  002 

7.659 

4,363 

15.416 

982 

372X 

3 

1 

139 
65 

II. 
■■', 

HM 

15 

25* 

3 

7 

22 

Monroe  

X 

Ozaukee 

11* 

Polk    

0 

3 

58  1  ;. 
31! 

499', 
41* 

4.285M 

4* 
2ii 

2.105.H 

282 

3, US', 

a 

19 

* 

42 
187 
101 

"' 
239 
295 
340 

1111 
11 

13 

14 
11* 

9 

1.169 

113 

5 
3 

3 

3 

9 

3 

2 

Total     

1.445.650K 

i.ii':.-,.sim 

854  B61! 

183.030V 

175.314* 

11.184* 

4.842 

62  mis  -. 

262 


II1STOHV   OF    WIm  O.KSIN. 


ACREAGE    OF    PRINCIPAL    CROPS 
GROWN    IN     i'676. 


COl  NTIES. 

NUMBER  OF  ACUKS 

1  loi  ,1  seed 

Cultivated 
Grass* 

Potatoe 

Knots. 

A.pples. 

'    1.       vnteil 
Cl'  illii'  1  1  It's. 

Timber. 

Bushels 

3.161 
241 

1,84834 
100 

771 
266 
84154 
80 
150 

1 \ 

120K 
1.1117 

6 
75 
55V 

58 

4K 

1,152,000 
24,175 

553 

5 

Illllfillo 

5.769K- 
39 
18,361 

25X 
17K 

87 

219 

4.000 

12,739 
57,468 

552M 

1.718 

Clark 

9.348 

82,826 

I.92S 

53.219 

29.552 

257 

100 

10.032 

41.609 
87,792 

28,833 
18,920 
15,666 

5.311; 

17,407 

B.705 

29.856 

1 1.890 

82.719 

816 

32.256s 

5,453 

3  881 
211,557 
14,217 

li.  170 
11,681 

8.528 

425 
1.918V 
2  198 

- 

3,780) 

20 

100 

989 

78 
1.533)4 
2.460 
1,8  10)4 
16,254 

1  ! 

51,879 

104 

lilS 

so 
89 

36 

1,689 

50 

311 

111.463 
49.869)4 

2  969)4 

2  1-V-. 

Door . . . 

10 

219 

2 
61M 

• 

5,  1  1  1 

Dunn    

8 

2.  Till'.. 

8.038 

1,159 

921 
1,650)4 

510 
2.209 
1,788 
1.080 
1.  181 

7S1 
1,638 

108 
2.251 

667 

926 
8.080)4 
1,520 

836 

51 

1,666V 

61K 

2,935  . 
2.766 

5.980V 

1,-li.T 

1.987)4 

Hill 
2,233 

889 

2.17H 

II 

239 

994 

14,986 
126.118 

22,398 

53  B80 

33.771 

1.- 

16 

5 
46 
41 
94 
52  H 
18V 
10 
99 
26 

1.1137 

45 

566 

1,515 

520 

2,757'. 

107 

5.269 

7S1 

18  896 

', ,   573 

- 
21.11,17 

1  324 

1.174 

2 

30 

I  11117 

HIS 
138 

50 
187* 

99 

71 

13 
100 

689 
46 

1.K56 

1,984* 

406 

257,341 

774s 

151 

1 

4,412 

20 

20.525 

1  1,  i  1  1 

19.483 

22.077 

1.1173 

118 

1,666 

97 

1,266  . 

77 
11 

60V 
16.004 
179 
8,676 
157 
1.054V 
73* 
1.730 
2 
279X 

1.056! 

5 5 

1,959 
205 

1,661 

1 

1,849 

12.97-1 
2,642 
10.1  12)4 
21,515! 
18,924! 
57,182)4 
1  1  298 
25,222V 

4.111 
40,123 

18,1  18 
20,197 

15  09  1 

6  513 

88  629 

1  I  S40 

2  1,483 

SSII  Ills', 

724 

591 

2.0161i 

1,548V 

1,153', 

2.980 
1.176 

MS 

2.723 

1111 

B78X 
1  2  1 1 
2.183X 

11.  i  n 

8.982 
1,695 

iiiii 
121 

•11 
ITS 
128V 

li,'-. 

10» 
122b 

111 
llll'. 

1,1', 
133 

31 

41H 
140 
- 
9,480 

98 

1  i 
85 

182.671 

,.     g  i 

--.  058! 
80,538 
68.057 

121 

Pbll       

2 

580 
H 

313 

840 

ki.-iiuii.i 

2,160)4 

Etoek 

5,416 

80 

1   2  In', 

1  101 

16 
111.738 

T»3  lor 

! 
IV 

12  1  111 
111  mi 
511.221 
50  080 
42,890 
82.965 
86,510 
25.737 

2  7ii 

1.131 

H  nl worth 

137* 

30 

1S5 

1.053 

I'll 

urn 
1;. 1,1,1 

16  080 

1,529 

1,111 

117 

720 

\\ 1              

Total 

18  ,,.'i 

139.891 » 

4.091' 

7',,'.il5'-, 

*    ABSTRACT    OF    LAWS 

WISCONSIN. 


ELECTORS  AND  GENERAL  ELECTIONS. 

Sec.  12.  Every  male  person  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  or  upward,  belonging  to 
either  of  the  following  classes,  who  shall  have  resided  in  the  State  for  one  year  next  preceding 
any  election,  shall  be  deemed  a  qualified  elector  at  such  election  : 

1.  Citizens  of  the  United  States. 

2.  Persons  of  foreign  birth  who  shall  have  declared  their  intention  to  become  citizens  con- 

formably to  the  laws  of  the  United  States  on  the  subject  of  naturalization. 

3.  Persons  of  Indian  blood  who  have  once  been  declared  by   law  of  Congress  to  be  citizens 

of  the  United  States,  any  subsequent  law  of  Congress  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

4.  Civilized        -ins  of  Indian  descent  not  members  of  any  tribe.     Every  person  convicted 

of  briben  shall  be  excluded  from  the  right  of  suffrage  unless  restored  to  civil  rights  ; 
and  no  person  who  shall  have  made  or  become  directly  or  indirectly  interested  in  any 
bet  or  wager  depending  upon  the  result  of  any  election  at  which  he  shall  offer  to  vote, 
shall  be  permitted  to  vote  at  such  election. 

Sec.  13.  No  elector  shall  vote  except  in  the  town,  ward,  village  or  election  district  in  which 
he  actually  resides. 

Sec.  14.    The  general   election   prescribed  in  the  Constitution  shall  be  held  in  the  several 

towns,  wards,  villages  and  election  districts  on  the  Tuesday  next  succeeding  the  first  Monday  in 

November  in  each  year,  at  which  time  there  shall  be  chosen  such  Representatives  in  Congress, 

Electors  of  President  and  Vice  President,  State  officers,  and  county  officers  as  are  by  law  to  be 

.  elected  in  such  year. 

Sec.  15.  All  elections  shall  be  held  in  each  town  at  the  place  where  the  last  town-meeting 
was  held,  or  at  such  other  place  as  shall  have  been  ordered  at  such  last  meeting,  or  as  shall  have 
been  ordered  by  the  Supervisors  when  they  establish  more  than  one  election  poll,  except  that  the 
first  election  after  the  organization  of  a  new  town  shall  be  held  at  the  place  directed  in  the  act 
or  proceeding  by  which  it  was  organized;  and  all  elections  in  villages  constituting  separate  elec- 
tion districts  and  in  the  wards  of  cities,  shall  be  held  at  the  place  to  be  ordered  by  the  Trustees 
of  such  village,  or  the  Common  Council  of  such  city,  at  least  ten  days  before  such  election,  un- 
less a  different  provision  is  made  in  the  act  incorporating  such  village  or  city. 

Sec.  16.  Whenever  it  shall  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. 
Upon  adjourning  any  election  as  hereinbefore  provided,  the  Board  of  Inspectors  shall  cause  proc- 
lamation thereof  to  be  made,  and  shall  station  a  Constable  or  some  other  proper  person  at  the 
place  where  the  adjournment  was  made,  to  notify  all  electors  arriving  at  such  place  of  adjourn- 
ment, and  the  place  to  which  it  was  made. 


264 


HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN 


Sec.  20.     A  registry  of  elector.?  shall  annually  be  made  : 

1.  In  each  ward  or  election  district  of  every  city  which,  at  the  last  previous  census,  had 

a  population  of  three  thousand  or  more. 

2.  In  each  ward  or  election  district  of  every  incorporated  village  in  which,  by  law,  sep- 

arate elections  are  held;  which  village  at  the  hist  preceding  census,  had  a  popula- 
tion of  fifteen  hundred  or  more. 
;!.    In  every  town  containing  a  village  which,  at  said  census,  hail  a   population  of  fifteen 
hundred  or  more,  in  which  village  separate  general  elections  are  not  by  law  required  to 
be  held. 
4.   In  all  towns  any  part  of  which  shall   have  bem   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  [nspectors  of  Election  in  each  of  such   towns,  wards  or  election  dis- 
tricts shall  constitute  the  Board  of  Registry  therefor. 

21.  The  said  Inspectors  shall  have  their  iirst  meeting  on  Tuesday,  four  weeks  pre- 
ceding each  genera]  election,  al  the  place  where  said  election  is  to  be  held;  and  in  election 
districts  at  which  there  were  polled  at  the  previous  general  election  three  hundred  votes  or 
less,  they  shall  sit  for  one  day,  and  in  districts  at  which  there  were  more  than  three  hui 
votes  polled,  they  shall  have  power  to  sit  two  days  if  necessary,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
list.  They  shall  meet  at  !•  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  and  hold  their  meetings  open  until  8 
o'clock  in  the  evening  of  each  day  during  which  they  shall  so  sit.  The  Clerks  appointed  by  law 
to  acl  as  Clerks  ol  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  correct  ions  or  additions  to  said  registry.  They  shall  have  the  Same  powers 
to  presi  i  •■  order  which  [nspectors  of  Election  have  on  election  days,  and  in  towns  vacancies  in 
the  Board  shall  be  filled  in  the  same  manner  that  vacancies  are  filled  at  elections. 

Sec.  22.  The  said  [nspectors  at  their  first  meeting,  and  before  doing  any  business,  shall 
severally  take  and  subscribe  the  oath  of  Inspectors  at  a  general  election,  and  said  I  nspectors  shall 
at  their  firsi  meeting  make  a  registry  of  all  the  electors  of  their  respective  districts,  placing 
thereon  the  full  names,  alphabetically  arranged  according  to  surnames,  in  one  column,  and  in 
another  the  residence  by  number  and  name  of  street  or  other  location,  if  known.  If  any  electoi  - 
residence  is  at  any  hotel  or  public  boaiding-liousc  the  name  of  the  hotel  or  boarding  house  shall 
bo  Mated  in  the  registry.  They  shall  put  thereon  the  names  of  till  persons  residing  in  their  elec- 
tion district  appearing  on  the  poll  list  kept  at  the  last  preceding  general  election,  and  are  author- 
ized to  take  therefor  such  poll-list  from  the  office  where  kept,  omitting  such  as  have  died  or 
removed  from  the  district,  and  adding  the  names  of  all  other  persons  known  to  them  to  be  elect- 
ors in  such  district.  In  case  of  the  formation  of  anew  election  district  since  the  last  preci 
general  election,  the  said  Board  therein  may  make  such  registry  from  the  best  means  al  their 
command,  an d  may,  if  necessary,  procure  therefor  certified  copies  of  the  last  poll-list.    They   shall 

complete  said  registry  as  far  as  practicable  at  their  first  meeting,  and  shall  make  four  copies 
thereof,  and  certify  the  original  and  each  copy  to  be  a  true  list  of  the  electors  in  their  district  bo  far 
as  the  same  are  known  to  them.  <  Ine  of  said  copies  shall  be  immediately  posted  in  a  conspicuous 
place  iii  t ! i ■  ■  in  in  w  Inch  their  meeting  was  held,  and  be  accessible  to  any  elector  for  examina- 
tion or  making  copies  thereof,  and  one  copy  shall  be  retained  by  each  Inspector  for  revision  and 
correction  at  the  second  meeting.  They  shall  within  two  days  after  said  first  meeting  file  the  original 
registry  made  by  them,  and  said  poll  list  in  the  office  of  the  proper  town,  city  or  village  clerk, 
ami  may,  in  their  discretion,  cause  ten  printed  copies  of  said  registry  to  be  made  and  posted  in 
ten  of  the  most  public  places  of  Baid  election  district,  or  may  publish  the  same  in  a  newspaper  at 
an  ex pd i -e  not  exceeding  ci  nt  for  each  name. 

Sec.  23.  The  Inspectors  shall  hold  their  second  meeting  at  the  same  place  designated  for 
holding  elections  on  th  fuesday  two  works  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 


ABSTRACT    OF    LAWS.  265 

preliminary  registry,  the  Board  shall  complete  the  registry  on  the  same  clay  ;  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  and  if  chal- 
lenged, shall  answer  the  questions  and  take  the  oath  hereinafter  provided  ;  secondly,  by  entering 
thereon  the  names  of  every  elector  entitled  to  vote  in  the  district  at  the  next  election  who  shall 
appear  before  the  Board  and  require  it,  and  state  his  place  of  residence,  giving  street  and  num- 
ber, if  numbered,  or  location,  as  hereinbefore  provided,  if  challenged  answer  the  questions,  and 
take  the  oaths  provided  in  case  of  challenge  at  an  election  ;  but  if  any  person  shall  refuse  to 
answer  all  such  questions  or  to  take  such  oath,  his  name  shall  not  be  registered.  Any  person 
who  is  not  twenty-one  years  of  age  before  the  date  when  the  registry  is  required  to  be  corrected,  but 
will  be  if  he  lives  until  the  day  of  election,  shall  have  his  name  put  on  the  registry  if  he  be  other- 
wise qualified  to  he  an  elector.  Any  elector  who  did  not  vote  at  the  previous  general  election 
shall  be  entitled  to  be  registered  either  at  the  preliminary  or  the  final  registration  of  electors  by 
appearing  before  the  Board  of  Registration  of  his  election  district  and  establishing  his  right  to 
be  registered,  or,  instead  of  a  personal  appearance,  he  may  make  his  application  to  be  registered 
to  the  Board  in  writing.  Such  application  shall  state  the  name  and  period  of  continuous  resi- 
dence in  the  election  district  and  place  of  residence  therein,  giving  the  number  and  street  of  the 
applicant,  and,  in  case  the  person  making  the  application  is  of  foreign  birth,  he  shall  state  when 
he  came  to  the  United  States  and  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  the  time  and  place  of  declaring 
his  intention  of  becoming  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  and  that  he  is  entitled  to  vote  at  the 
election.  Upon  receiving  such  application,  the  Board  of  Registration  shall  register  the  name  of 
such  applicant,  if  it  appears  to  the  Board  that  the  applicant  is,  by  his  statement,  entitled  to 
vote.  Such  statement  shall  be  made  under  oath,  and  shall  be  preserved  by  the  Board  and  be 
filed  in  the  office  of  the  village  or  city, clerk,  as  the  case  may  be.  All  city  and  village  clerks 
shall  keep  blanks  for  making  the  application  for  registration,  as  provided  by  this  section.  The 
form  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Secretary  of  State.  Every  person  named  in  this  section  shall  be 
subject  to  the  same  punishment  for  any  false  statement  or  other  offense  in  respect  thereto  as 
is  provided  in  case  of  such  false  statement  or  other  offense  by  an  elector  offering  to  vote  at  an 
election.  After  such  registry  shall  have  been  fully  completed  on  the  days  above  mentioned, 
no  name  shall  be  added  thereto  by  any  person  or  upon  any  pretext.  Within  three  days  after  the 
second  meeting  the  said  Board  shall  cause  four  copies  of  the  registry  to  be  made,  each  of  which 
shall  be  certified  by  them  to  be  a  correct  registry  of  the  electors  of  their  district,  one  of  which 
shall  be  kept  by  each  Inspector  for  use  on  election  day,  and  one  shall  forthwith  be  filed  in  the 
office  of  the  proper  town,  city  or  village  clerk.  All  registries  shall  at  all  times  be  open  to  pub- 
lic inspection  at  the  office  where  deposited  without  charge. 

Sec.  24.  On  election  day  the  Inspectors  shall  designate  two  of  their  number  at  the'opening 
of  the  polls,  who  shall  check  the  names  of  every  elector  voting  in  such  district  whose  name  is  on 
the  registry.  No  vote  shall  be  received  at  any  general  election  in  any  ward  or  election  district 
defined  in  Section  20,  if  the  name  of  the  person  offering  to  vote  be  not  on  said  registry  made  at 
the  second  meeting  as  aforesaid,  except  as  hereinafter  provided  ;  but  in  case  any  one  shall,  after 
the  last  clay  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  he  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  (lection  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  and  residence 
of  the  electors  voting  whose  names  are  not  on  said  completed  registry,  and  attach  said  list  to  the 
registry  and  return  it,  together  with  all  such  affidavits,  to  the  proper  town,  city  or  village  clerk. 
No  compensation  shall  be  paid  or  received  for  taking  or  certifying  any  such  affidavits.  On  the  day 
following  the  election,  one  of  said  poll-lists  and  one  copy  of  the  registry  so  kept  and  checked  shall  be 
attached  together  and  filed  in  the  office  of  the  proper  town,  city  or  village  clerk,  and  the  other  of 
said  poll-lists  and  copy  of  the  registry  so  kept  and  checked  shall  be  returned  to  the  County 
Clerk  with  the  returns  of  the  election.  Such  Inspectors  shall  give  notice  by  advertisement  in  a 
newspaper  printed  in  the  city,  village  or  town  where  such  registration  was  made,  of  the  registry, 
and  shall  include  in  such  notice  all  additions  to  and  omissions  from  the  preliminary  list,  and 
shall  also  state  where  the  election  is  to  be  held.  In  case  there  be  no  newspaper  printed  in  such 
city,  village  or  town,  such  notice  shall  be  given  by  posting  copies  thereof  in  three  or  more  public 
places  in  each  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  tne  same  compensation 
per  folio  as  is  prescribed  for  publishing  other  legal  notices. 

-      COMMON  SCHOOLS. 

Sec.  413.  The  formation  of  any  school  district  shall  be  by  written  order  of  the  Town 
Board,  describing  the  territory  embraced  in  the  same,  to  be  filed  with  the  Town  Clerk  within 
twenty  days  after  the  making  thereof.  The  Supervisors  shall  deliver  to  a  taxable  inhabitant  of 
the  district  their  notice  thereof  in  writing,  describing  its  boundaries,  and  appointing  a  time  and 
place  for  the  first  district  meeting,  and  shall  therein  direct  such  inhabitant  to  notify  every  quali- 
fied voter  of  the  district,  either  personally  or  by  leaving  a  writ  tin  notice  at  his  place  of  resi- 
dence, of  the  time  and  place  of  such  meeting,  at.  least  five  days  before  the  time  appointed 
therefor,  and  said  inhabitant  shall  notify  the  voters  of  such  district  accordingly,  and  indorse 
thereon  a  return  containing  the  names  of  all  persons  thus  notified,  and  said  notice  and  return 
shall  be  recorded  as  a  part  of  the  record  of  the  first  meeting  in  such  district. 

Sec.  414.  In  case  such  notice  shall  not  be  given,  or  the  inhabitants  of  a  district  shall  neg- 
lect or  refuse  to  assemble  and  form  a  district  meeting  when  so  notified,  or  in  case  any  school  dis- 
trict having  been  formed  or  organized  shall  afterward  be  disorganized,  so  that  no  competent 
authority  shall  exist  therein  to  call  a  special  district  meeting,  in  the  manner  hereinafter  pro- 
vided, notice  shall  be  given  by  the  Town  Hoard,  and  served  in  the  manner  prescribed  in  the  pre- 
ceding section.  Whenever  a  district  meeting  shall  be  called  as  prescribed  in  this  ami  the 
preceding  section,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  electors  of  the  district  to  assemble  at  the  time 
and  place  so  directed. 

Sec.  1 15.  Whenever  it  shall  be  necessary  to  form  a  district  from  two  or  more  adjoining 
towns,  tin?  Town  Boards  of  such  towns  shall  meet  together  and  form  such  districts  by  their  writ- 
ten  order,  describing  the  territory  embraced  in  such  district,  signed  by  at  leasl  two  of  the  Super- 
visors of  each  town;  and  shall  lib'  one  Such  onler  with  the  Town  Clerk  of  each  town,  and 
deliver  the  notice  of  formation  to  a  taxable  inhabitant  of  such  district,  and  cause  the  same  to  be 
served  and  returned  in  the  time  and  manner  hereinbefore  prescribed  :  ami  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. 

H6.  Every  school  district  -hall  be  deemed  duly  organized  when  any  two  of  the  offi- 
cers elected  :i<  the  first  legal  meeting  thereof  shall  have  consented  tOBerve  in  the  offices  to  which 
they  have  been  respectively  elected,  by  a  written  acceptance  thereof  filed  with  the  clerk  of  the 
first  meeting,  and  recorded  in  the  minutes  thereof;  and  every  school  district  shall  be  considered 


ABSTRACT    OF    LAWS.  267 

as  duly  organized  after  it  shall  have  exercised  the  franchises  and  privileges  of  a  district  for  the 
term  of  two  years. 

Sec.  425.  The  annual  meeting  of  all  school  districts  in  which  graded  schools  of  two  or 
more  departments  are  taught,  shall  be  held  on  the  second  Monday  of  July,  and  of  all  other 
school  districts  on  the  last  Monday  of  September,  in  each  year.  The  hour  of  such  meeting  shall 
be  seven  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  unless  otherwise  provided  by  a  vote  of  the  district,  duly 
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  such  district. 

Sec.  426.  The  Clerk  shall  give  at  least  six  days'  previous  notice  of  every  annual  district 
meeting,  by  posting  notices  thereof  in  four  or  more  public  places  in  the  district,  one  of  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  sucli  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 
in  eting,  shall  have  power  to  transact  the  same  business  as  at  the  first  and  each  annual  meeting, 
except  the  election  of  officers.-  The  business  to  be  transacted  at  any  special  meeting  shall  be 
particularly  specified  in  the  notices  calling  the  same,  and  said  notices  shall  be  posted  six  full 
days  prior  to  the  meeting.  No  tax  or  loan  or  debt  shall  be  voted  at  a  special  meeting,  unless 
three-fourths  of  the  legal  voters  shall  have  been  notified,  either  personally  or  by  a  written  notice 
left  at  their  places  of  residence,  stating  the  time  and  place  and  objects  of  the  meeting,  and 
specifying  the  amount  proposed  to  be  voted,  at  least  six  days  before  the  time  appointed  therefor. 

Sec.  428.  Every  person  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  in  any  school  district  meeting  who  is 
qualified  to  vote  at  a  general  election  for  State  and  county  officers,  and  who  is  a  resident  of  such 
school  district. 

ASSESSMENT  AND  COLLECTION  OF  DISTRICT  TAXES. 

Sec.  469.  All  school  district  taxes,  unless  otherwise  specially  provided  by  law,  shall  be 
assessed  on  the  same  kinds  of  property  as  taxes  for  town  and  county  purposes;  and  all  personal 
property  which,  on  account  of  its  location  or  the  residence  of  its  owner,  is  taxable  in  the  town, 
shall,  if  such  locality  or  residence  be  in  the  school  district,  be  likewise  taxable  for  school  district 
purposes. 

BORROWING-  MONEY. 

Sec.  474.  Whenever,  upon  any  unusual  exigency,  any  school  district  shall,  before  the  annual 
meeting,  vote  a  special  tax  to  be  collected  with  the  next  levy,  the  district  may,  by  vote,  author- 
ize the  District  Board  to  borrow  for  a  period  not  exceeding  one  year  a  sum  not  exceeding  the 
amount  of  such  tax,  and  by  such  vote  set  apart  such  tax  when  collected  to  repay  such  loan,  and 
thereupon  the  District  Board  may  borrow  such  money  of  any  person  and  on  such  terms  and  exe- 
cute and  deliver  to  the  lender  such  obligation  therefor,  and  such  security  for  the  repayment, 
including  a  mortgage  or  pledge  of  any  real  or  personal  property  of  the  district,  subject  to  the 
directions  contained  in  the  vote  of  the  district  as  may  be  agreed  upon  and  not  prohibited  by 
law. 

Sec.  498.  Every  District  Clerk  who  shall  willfully  neglect  to  make  the  annual  report  for 
his  district  as  required  by   law  shall  be  liable  to  pay  the  whole  amount  of  money  lost  by  such 


HISTORT    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. 

199.  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  each  town  the  amount  which  such  town  or 
any  school  district  therein  shall  lose  by  such  neglect  or  refusal,  with  interest  thereon,  to  be 
recovered  in  either  case  in  an  action  prosecuted  by  the  Town  Treasurer  in  the  name  of  the 
town. 

Sec.  503.  Every  member  of  a  district  board  in  any  school  district  in  this  State  in  which 
a  list  of  text-books  has  been  adopted  according  to  law,  who  shall,  within  three  years  from  the 
date  of  such  adoption,  or  thereafter,  without  the  consent  of  the  State  Superintendent,  order  a 
change  of  text-books  in  such  district,  shall  forfeit  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars. 

Sec.  f>l;}.  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 
privii  pertaining  thereto. 

Sec.  1036.  The  term  "  personal  property,"  as  used  in  this  title,  shall  be  construed  to  mean 
and  include  toll-bridges,  saw-logs,  timber  and  lumber,  either  upon  land  or  afloat,  steamboats, 
ships  and  other  vessels,  whether  at  home  or  abroad;  buildings  upon  leased  lands,  if  such  build- 
ings have  not  been  included  in  the  assessment  of  the  land  on  which  they  are  erected  : 
ferry-boats,  including  the  franchise  for  running  the  same;  all  debts  due  from  solvent  debtors, 
whether  on  account,  note,  contract,  bond,  mortgage  or  other  security,  or  whether  such  debts  are 
due  or  to  become  due  ;  and  all  goods,  wans,  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.  ami  which  shall  lie  actually  occupied  and  improved  by  the  person  so  entering  the  same, 
or  his  heirs,  shall  be  subject  to  taxation,  and  such  improvements  shall  be  assessed  as  personal 
property.  All  taxes  levied  thereon  shall  !»■  collected  out  of  the  personal  property  of  the  occu- 
pant of  such  lands,  and  in  no  other  manner. 

Sec.    L038.     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 

he  sold  by  the  State  shall  he  exempt. 

2.  That  owned  exclusively  by  any  county,  city,  village,  town  or  school  district;  but  lands 

purchased  by  counties  at  tax  sales  shall  he  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  locution  and  con- 
venience of  the  buildings  of  such  association,  and  embracing  the  same  not  exceeding 


ABSTRACT   OF    LAWS.  269 

ten  acres  :  and  tlie  lands  reserved  for  grounds  of  a  chartered  college  or  university, 
not  exceeding  forty  acres;  and  parsonages,  whether  of  local  churches  or  districts,  an  1 
whether  occupied  by  the  pastor  permanently  or  rented  for  his  beneiit.  The  occasional 
leasing  of  such  buildings  for  schools,  public  lectures  or  concerts,  or  the  leasing  of  such 
parsonages,  shall  not  render  them  liable  to  taxation. 

4.  Personal  property  owned  and  used  exclusively  by   the  State  or  any  county  agricultural 

society,  and  the  lands  owned  and  used  by  any  such  society  exclusively  for  fair  grounds. 

5.  Fire  engines  and  other  implements  used  for  extinguishing  fires,  owned  or  used  by  any 

organized  fire  company,  and  the  buildings  and  necessary  grounds  connected  therewith, 
owned  by  such  company,  and  used  exclusively  for  its  proper  purposes. 

6.  The  property  of  Indians  who  are  not  citizens,  except  lands  held  by  them  by  purchase. 

7.  Lands  used  exclusively  as  public  burial-grounds,  and  tombs  and  monuments  to  the  dead 

therein. 

8.  Pensions  receivable  from  the  United  States. 

9.  Stock  in  any  corporation  in  this   State  which  is  required  to  pay  taxes  upon  its   property 

in  the  same  manner  as  individuals. 

10.  So  much  of  the  debts  due  or  to  become  due  to  any  person  as  shall  equal  the  amount  of 
bona-fide  and  unconditional  debts  by  him  owing. 

11.  Wearing  apparel,  family  portraits  ami  libraries,  kitchen  furniture  and  growing  crops. 
1-.    Previsions  and  fuel  provided  by  the  head  of  a  family  to  sustain   its  members  for   six 

months  ;  but  no  person  paying  board  shall  be  deemed  a  member  of  a  family. 

13.  All  the  personal  property  of  all  insurance  companies  that  now  are  or  shall  be  organized 
or  doing  business  in  this  State. 

14.  The  track,  right  of  way,  depot  grounds,  buildings,  machine-shops,  rolling-stock  and 
other  property  necessarily  used  in  operating  any  railroad  in  this  State  belonging  to  any 
railroad  company,  including  pontoon,  pile  and  pontoon  railroads,  and  shall  henceforth 
remain  exempt  from  taxation  for  any  purpose,  except  that  the  same  shall  be  subject  to 
special  assessments  for  local  improvements  in  cities  and  villages  and  all  lands  owned  or 
claimed  by  such  railroad  company  not  adjoining  the  track  of  such  company,  shall  be 
subject  to  all  taxes.  The  provision  of  this  subdivision  shall  not  apply  to  any  railroad 
that  now  is  or  shall  be  operated  by  horse-power,  whether  now  or  hereafter  constructed 
in  any  village  or  city. 

15.  The  property,  except  real  estate,  of  all  companies  which  are  or  shall  be  engaged  in  the 
business  of  telegraphing  in  this  State. 

16.  The  real  estate  of  the  Home  of  the  Friendless  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  not  exceeding 
one  lot  in  amount,  is  exempted,  so  long  as  the  same  shall  continue  to  he  used  as  such  home. 

17.  All  property  of  any  corporation  or  association  formed  under  the  laws  of  this  State  for 
the  encouragement  of  industry  by  agricultural  and  industrial  fairs  and  exhibitions, 
which  shall  be  necessary  for  fair  grounds,  while  used  exclusively  for  such  fairs  and 
exhibitions,  provided  the  quantity  of  land  so  exempt  shall  not  exceed  forty  acres. 

18.  Such  tree-belts  as  are  or  may  be  planted  and  maintained  in  compliance  with  chapter 
sixty -six  of  one  of  these  statutes. 

Sec.  1191.  Real  property,  upon  which  the  county  holds  any  certificates  of  tax  sale,  shall 
continue  liable  to  taxation  and  to  sale  for  unpaid  taxes,  and  the  county  shall  be  the  exclusive 
purchaser  at  the  sale ;  but  when  a  tax  deed  shall  be  issued  to  the  county,  and  it  shall  hold  tax 
certificates  of  sale  unredeemed  on  the  same  property  for  two  successive  years  subsequent  to  the 
date  of  the  sale  on  which  such  deed  shall  issue,  including  certificates  of  sale  made  prior  to  the 
passage  of  these  statutes,  such  property  shall  thereafter  be  exempt  from  taxation  until  the  same 
is  sold  by  the  county.  The  County  Clerk  slutll  annually,  before  the  first  day  of  June,  furnish 
to  the  Assessors  of  each  town  a  list  of  the  lands  in  such  town  exempt  under  this  section.  Noth- 
ing in  this  section  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  apply  to  lands  owned  by  minors,  married  women, 
widowed  women,  idiots  or  insane  persons. 


HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN 


COLLECTION  OF  TAXES. 

Sec.  L089.  The  Town  Treasurer  of  each  town,  on  the  receipt  (if  the  tax-roll  for  the  cur- 
rent year,  shall  forthwith  post  notices  in  three  or  four  public  places  in  such  towns,  that  the  tax- 
roll  for  such  town  is  in  his  hands  for  collection,  and  that  the  taxes  charged  therein  are  subject 
to  payment  at  his  office  at  any  time  prior  to  the  first  day  of  January  in  such  year;  and  after 
the  said  first  day  of  January  he  shall  proceed  to  collect  the  taxes  charged  in  such  roll  and 
remaining  unpaid,  and  for  thai  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.  L090.  On  all  taxes  paid  or  tendered  at  the  office  of  such  Treasurer  prior  to  said  first 
day  of  January,  be  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 
tie  allowed  the  Town  Treasurer  on  settlement  of  town  taxes;  and  county  orders  and  jurors'  cer- 
tificates shall  he  receivable  for  taxes  in  the  county  where  issued,  ami  shall  lie  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.  L097.  [n  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  ami  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.  Tin'  Town  Treasurer  shall  give  public  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  such 
sale,  at  least  six  days  previous  thereto,  bv  advertisement,  containing  a  description  of  the  prop- 
erty to  be  sold,  to  he  posted  up  in  three  public  places  in  the  town  where  the  sale  is  to  he  made. 
The  sale  shall  he  at  public  auction,  in  the  daytime,  and  the  property  sold  shall  he  present; 
such  property  may  he  released  by  the  payment  of  the  taxes  ami  charges  for  which  the  same  is 
to  be  -"Id:  if  the  purchase  money  on  such  sale  shall  not  he  paid  at  such  time  as  the 
Treasurer  may  require,  he  may  again,  in  his  discretion,  expose  such  property  for  sale,  or  sue,  in 
his  name  of  office,  the  purchaser  for  the  purchase-money,  and    recover   the   same   with  costs  and 

10-per-centum  damages. 

Sec.  1099.  If  the  property  so  levied  upon  shall  be  sold  for  more  than  the  amount  of  tax 
and  costs,  the  surplus  shall  he  returned  to  the  owner  thereof;  and  if  it  cannot  lie  sold  for  want 
of  bidders,  the  Treasurer  shall  return  a  statement  of  the  fact,  and  return  the  property  to  the 
pi  rson  from  whose  possession  he  took  the  same;  and  the  tax,  if  unsatisfied,  shall  be  collected  in 
the  same  manner  as  if  no  lew  had  been  made. 


HIGHWAYS  AND  BRIDGES. 
Sec.  1223.     The  Supervisors  of  the  several   towns  shall  have  the  care  and  supervision  of 

the  highways  and  bridges    therein,  and  it  shall  be  their  dot;   : 

I.  To  give  directions  t'"v  repairing  the  highways  and  bridges  within  their  respective  towns. 

and  cause  to  he  removed  all  obstructions  therefrom. 
•_'.  To  cause  such  of  the  roads  used  as  highways  as  have  been  laid  out  hut  not  sufficiently 
described,  and  such  as  have  been   lawfullv  laid  out  and  used  as  such  up  to  the  then 
present   time,  hut  not  fully  ami  sufficiently  recorded,  to  be  ascertained,  described  and 
entei  cord  in  the  Town  < llerk's  office. 


ABSTRACT    OF    LAWS  271 

3.  To  cause  bridges  which  are  or  may  be  erected  over  streams  intersecting  highways  to  be 

kept  in  repair. 

4.  To  divide  their  respective  towns  into  so  many  road  districts  as  they  shall  judge  conven- 

ient, and  specify  every  such  division  in  writing  under  their  hands,  to  be  recorded  in 
the  office  of  the  Town  Clerk  ;  but  no  such  division  shall  be  made  within  ten  days  next 
preceding  the  annual  town  meeting. 

5.  To  assign  to  each  of  the  said  road   districts  such  of  the  inhabitants  liable  to  pay  taxes 

on  highways  as  they  think  proper,  having  regard  to  the  nearness  of  residence  as  much 
as  practicable. 

6.  To  require  the  Overseers  of  Highways  from  time  to  time,  and  as  often  as  they  shall 

deem  necessary,  to  perform  any  of  the  duties  required  of  them  by  law. 

7.  To  assess  the  highway  taxes  in  their  respective  towns  in  each  year,  as  provided  by  law. 

8.  To  lay  out  and  establish  upon  actual  surveys,  as  hereinafter  provided,  such  new  roads  in 

their  respective  towns  as  they  may  deem  necessary  and  proper ;  to  discontinue  such 
roads  as  shall  appear  to  them  to  have  become  unnecessary,  and  to  widen  or  alter  such 
roads  when  they  shall  deem  necessary  for  public  convenience,  and  perform  all  other 
duties  respecting  highways  and  bridges  directed  by  this  chapter. 

INTOXICATING  LIQUORS. 

Sec.  1548.  The  Town  Boards,  Village  Boards  and  Common  Councils  of  the  respective 
towns,  villages  and  cities  may  grant  license  to  such  persons  as  they  may  deem  proper,  to  keep 
groceries,  saloons  or  other  places,  within  their  respective  towns,  villages  or  cities,  for  the  sale  in 
quantities  less  than  one  gallon  of  strong,  spirituous,  malt,  ardent  or" intoxicating  liquors,  to  be 
drank  on  the  premises ;  and  in  like  manner  may  grant  licenses  for  the  sale  in  any  quantity  of 
such  liquors  not  to  be  drank  on  the  premises.  The  sum  to  be  paid  for  such  license  for  the  sale 
of  such  liquor  to  be  drank  on  the  premises  shall  not  be  less  than  twenty-five  nor  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars ;  and  for  the  sale  of  such  liquors  not  to  be  drank  on  the  premises  shall 
be  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than  forty  dollars. 

Sec.  1549.  Every  applicant  for  such  license  shall,  before  delivery  thereof,  file  with  such 
town,  village  or  city  clerk  a  bond  to  the  State  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  with  at 
least  two  sureties,  to  be  approved  by  the  authorities  granting  the  license,  who  shall  each  justify 
in  double  its  amount  over  and  above  their  debts  and  liabilities  and  exemptions,  and  be  freehold- 
ers and  residents  of  the  county,  conditioned  that  the  applicant,  during  the  continuance  of  his 
license  will  keep  and  maintain  an  orderly  and  well-regulated  house ;  that  he  will  permit  no 
gambling  with  cards,  dice  or  any  device  or  implement  for  that  purpose,  within  his  premises  or 
any  out-house,  yard  or  shed  appertaining  thereto ;  that  he  will  not  sell  or  give  away  any  intoxi- 
cating liquor  to  any  minor,  having  good  reason  to  believe  him  to  be  such,  unless  upon  the  writ- 
ten order  of  the  parents  or  guardian  of  such  minor,  or  to  persons  intoxicated  or  bordering  upon 
intoxication,  or  to  habitual  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  obtained  license  therefor,  according  to  the  provisions  of 
this  chapter,  lie  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and.  on  conviction  thereof  shall  be 
punished  bv  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  tins  chapter,  or  any  violation  thereof, 
has  been  committed,  he  shall  examine  the  complainant  on  oath,  and  he  shall  reduce  such  com- 
plaint to  writing  ami  cause  the  same  to  be  subscribed  by  the  person  complaining.  And  if  it 
shall  appear  to  such  Justice  that  there  is  r<a<onable  cause  to  believe  that  such  offense  has  been 
committed,  he  shall  immediately  issue  his  warrant,  reciting  therein  the  substance  of  such 
plaint  and  requiring  the  officer  to  whom  such  warrant  shall  be  directed  forthwith  to  arrest  the 
accused  and  bring  him  before  such  Justice,  to  he  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.  L552.  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  wdio  shall  know  or  be  credi- 
bly informed  thai  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 
proper  Justici  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 
.cute  therefor. 

Sec.  L557.  Any  keeper  of  any  saloon,  shop  or  place  of  any  name  whatsoever  for  the  sale 
of  strong,  spirituous  or  malt  liquors  to  be  drank  on  the  premises  in  any  quantity  less  than  one 
gallon,  who  shall  sell,  vend  or  in  any  way  deal  or  traffic  in  or  for  the  purpose  of  evading  this 
chapter,  give  away  any  spirituous,  ardent  or  malt  liquors  or  drinks  in  any  quantity  whatsoever 

with  a  minor,  having  good  reason  to  believe  him  to  be  such,  or  to  a  person  intoxicated  or 
on  a  state  of  intoxication,  or  to  any  other  prohibited  person  before  mentioned,  shall  he 
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;  ami  any  person  who  shall  so  sell  or  give  away  any  such  liquors  or  drinks  shall  lie 
deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor. 

BILLS  OF  EXCHANGE  AND  PROMISSORY  NOTES. 

P'iTo.  All  notes  in  writing  made  and  signed  by  any  person  or  for  any  corporation, 
ami  all  certificates  of  the  deposit  of  money  issued  by  any  person  or  corporation,  whereby  be  or 
dl  promise  to  pay  to  any  person  or  order,  or  unto  the  bearer,  any  sum  of  money,  as  therein 
mentioned,  shall  be  die  and  payable  as  therein  expressed,  and  shall  have  the  same  effeel  and 
shall  be  negotiable  in  like  manner  as  inland  bills  of  exchange,  according  to  the  custom  of  mer- 
chants. Put  no  order  drawn  upon  or  accepted  by  the  Treasurer  of  any  county,  town,  city,  village 
or  school  district ,  whether  drawn  by  any  officer  thereof  or  any  other  person,  ami  no  obligation  nor 
instrumenl  made  by  such  corporation  or  any  officer  thereof,  unless  expressly  authorized  by  law 


ABSTRACT   OF   LAWS.  273 

to  be  made  negotiable,  shall  be,  or  shall  be  deemed  to  be,  negotiable  according  to  the  customs  of 
merchants,  in  whatever  form  they  may  be  drawn  or  made. 

Sec.  1680.  On  all  bills  of  exchange  payable  at  sight,  or  at  future  day  certain,  within 
this  State,  and  all  negotiable  promissory  notes,  orders  and  drafts  payable  at  a  future  day  cer- 
tain, within  this  State,  in  which  there  is  not  an  express  stipulation  to  the  contrary,  grace  should 
be  allowed  in  like  manner  as  it  is  allowed  by  the  custom  of  merchants  on  foreign  bills  of  exchange 
payable  at  the  expiration  of  a  certain  period  after  date  or  sight.  The  provisions  of  this  section 
shall  not  extend  to  any  bill  of  exchange,  note  or  draft  payable  on  demand. 

Sec.  1684.  All  notes,  drafts,  bills  of  exchange  or  other  negotiable  paper  maturing  on 
Sunday  or  upon  any  legal  holiday  shall  be  due  and  payable  on  the  next  preceding  secular  day. 

HOURS  OF  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.  1729.  In  all  engagements  to  labor  in  any  manufacturing  or  mechanical  business, 
where  there  is  no  express  contract  to  the  contrary,  a  day's  work  shall  consist  of  eight  hours,  and 
all  engagements  or  contracts  for  labor  in  such  cases  shall  be  so  construed ;  but  this  shall  no' 
apply  to  any  contract  for  labor  by  the  week,  month  or  year. 

FORM  OF  CONVEYANCES. 

Sec.  2207.  A  deed  of  quitclaim  and  release  of  the  form  in  common  use  or  of  the  form 
hereinafter  provided,  shall  be  sufficient  to  pass -all  the  estate  which  the  grantor  could  lawfully 
convey  by  deed  of  bargain  and  sale. 

t>EC.  2208.     Conveyances  of  land  may  be  in  substantially  the  following  form: 

WARRANTY    DEED. 

A  B,  grantor  of County,  Wisconsin,  hereby  conveys  and  warrants  to  C  D,  grantee, 

of County,  Wisconsin,  for  the  sum  of dollars,  the  following  tract  of  land  in 

County. 

{Here  describe  the  premises.) 

Witness  the  hand  and  seal  of  said  grantor  this day  of ,  18 — . 

In  the  presence  of] 

>  [seal.] 

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  (he  premises.) 

Witness  the  hand  and  seal  of  said  grantor  this day  of ,  18 — . 

In  presence  of         ] 

V  [SEAL.] 

J  [seal.] 


274  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

Such  deeds,  when  executed  and  acknowledged  as  required  by  law,  shall,  when  of  the  first 

of  the  above  forms,  have  the  effect  of  a  conveyance  in  fee  simple  to  the  grantee,   his   heirs   and 

as  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,  bis  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,  anil  all  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  thereto  belonging. 

MORTGAGES. 

Sec.  2209.     A  mortgage  may  be  substantially  in  the  following  form  : 

A  B,  mortgagor,  of County,  Wisconsin,  hereby  mortgages  to  C  D,  mortgagee,  of 

County.  Wisconsin,  for  the  sum  of dollars,  the  following  tract  of  land   in  


County. 

(Here  describe  the  premises.) 

This  mortgage  is  given  to  secure  the  following  indebtedness  : 

'Here  slate  amount  or  amounts  and  form  of  indebtedness,  whether  on  note,  bond  or  otherwise,  time  or  times  when  due,  rate 

of  interest,  by  and  to  whom  pat/able,  etc.) 

The  mortgagor  agrees  to  pay  all  taxes  and  assessments  on  said  premises,  and  the  sum  of 
dollars  attorney's  fees  in  case  of  foreclosure  thereof. 

Witness  the  hand  and  seal  of  said  mortgagor  this day  of  ,  18 — . 

In  presence  of     | 

I  [SEAL.] 

j  [SEAL.  J 

when  executed  and  acknowledged  according  to  law  shall  have  the  effect  of  a  conveyance  of 
the  land  therein  described,  together  with  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  thereunto 
belonging  in  pledge  to  the  mortgagee,  his  heirs,  assigns  and  legal  representatives  for  the  payment 
of  the  indebtedness  therein  set  forth,  with  covenant  from  the  mortgagor  that  all  taxes  and  assess- 
ments levied  and  assessed  upon  the  land  described  during  the  continuance  of  the  mortgage  shall 
be  paid  previous  to  the  day  appointed  by  law  for  the  sale  of  lands  for  taxes,  as  fully  as  the  forms 
of  mortgage  now  and  heretofore  in  common  use  in  this  State,  and  may  be  foreclosed  in  the  same 
manner  and  with  the  same  effect,  upon  any  default  being  made  m  any  of  the  conditions  thereof 
;ls  to  payment  of  either  principal,  interest  or  taxes. 

ASSIGNMENT  OF  MORTGAGE. 

Sec.  2210.     An  assignment  of  a  mortgage  substantially  in  the  following  form  : 
For  value  received  I,  A  B,  of ,  Wisconsin,  hereby  assign  to  C  D,  of ,  Wis- 
consin, the  within  mortgage  (or  a  certain  mortgage  executed  to by  E  F  and  wife,  of 

County,  Wisconsin,  the day  of  ,  IN — ,  and  recorded  in  the  office  id'  the  Register  of 

Deeds  of  County,  Wisconsin,  in  Vol.  of  mortgages,  on  page ),  together   with 

the and  indebtedness  therein  mentioned. 

Witless  my  hand  and  seal  this  day  of  ,  18 — . 

Tn  presence  of    1 


1 


A  B.  [seal.] 


ABSTRACT   OF   I.AWs  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. 


27<i  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

OF  WILLS. 

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  2:27S.  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. 

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. 

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.  22s").  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  bis  presence,  ami  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 
maimer  provided  in  this  chapter,  for  the  execution  of  a  will ;  excepting,  only,  that  nothing  con- 

l  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  Ins  nun  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  be  granted,  unless  the  child,  if  of  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  or  more, 
shall  consent  thereto  in  writing,  in  the  presence  of  the  court. 

Sec.  4022.  No  such  adoption  shall  be  made,  without  the  written  consent  of  the  living 
parents  of  such  child,  unless  the  court  shall  find  that  one  of  the  parents  has  abandoned  the  child, 
or  gone  to  parts  unknown,  when  such  consent  may  be  given  by  the  parent,  if  any,  having  the 
care  of  the  child.  In  case  where  neither  of  the  parents  is  living,  or  if  living,  have  abandoned 
the  child,  such  consent  may  be  given  by  the  guardian  of  such  child,  if  any  ;  if  such  child  has  no 
guardian,  such  consent  may  be  given  by  any  of  the  next  of  kin  of  such  child,  residing  in  this  State, 
or,  in  the  discretion  of  the  court,  by  some  suitable  person  to  be  appointed  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.  4028.  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  ahigher  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. 


2T8  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  shelled,  and  seventy  pounds  of  Indian  corn  unshelled ;  fifty  pounds  for 
a  bushel  of  rape  seed,  buckwheat,  beets,  carrots  or  onions;  forty-eight  pounds  for  a  bushel  of 
barley ;  forty-five  pounds  for  a  bushel  of  timothy  seed ;  .forty-four  pounds  for  a  bushel  of  pars- 
nips;  forty-two  pounds  for  a  bushel  of  common  flat  turnips ;  thirty-two  pounds  for  a  bushel  of 
nats  :  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 
carry  away  any  mineral,  earth  or  stone,  or  tear  down,  mutilate,  deface  or  injure  any  building, 
signboard,  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  bridg§.  street,  sidewalk,  alley,  court,  passage,  park,  public 
ground,  highway,  turnpike,  plank  or  rail  road,  or  extinguish  or  break  any  lamp  on  any  such 
lamp-post,  or  tear,  deface,  mutilate  or  injure  any  book,  map.  pamphlet,  chart,  picture  or  other 
property  belonging  to  any  public  library,  or  take  and  carry  awajr  the  same  with  intent  to  con- 
vert to  his  own  use,  or  shall  injure  or  destroy  any  personal  property  of  another,  shall  be  pun- 
ished by  imprisonment  in  the  county  jail  not  more  than  six  months,  or  by  fine  not  exceeding 
one  hundred  dollars. 

Any  person  who  shall  willfully,  maliciously  or  wantonly  kill,  maim,  mutilate,  disfigure  or 
injure  any  horse,  mule,  cattle,  sheep  or  other  domestic  animal  of  another,  or  administer  poison 
to  such  animal,  or  expose  any  poison,  with  intent  that  the  same  may  be  taken  or  swallowed  by 
such  animal ;  and  any  person  who  shall  overdrive,  overwork,  overload,  maim,  wound,  torture, 
torment,  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,  lie  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- 
lish. m1  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  heirs,  as  long  as  they  remain  owners,  and  after  parting  with  the  ownership, 
until  a  new  partition  is  made.  A  division  of  a  partition  fence,  or  line  upon  which  a  partition 
fence  between  adjoining  lands  shall  be  built,  may  be  made  by  Fence  Viewers  in  the  following 
cases : 

1.  When  any  owner  of  uninclosed  lands  shall  desire  to  inclose  the  same,  he  may  have  the 
line  between  his  land  and  the  adjoining  land  of  any  other  person  divided,  and  the  portion  upon 
which  the  respective  owners  shall  erect  their  share  of  the  partition  fence  assigned,  whether  such 
adjoining  land  be  inclosed  or  not. 

'1.  When  any  finds  belonging  to  different  persons  in  severalty.  shaJl  have  been  occupied 
in  Common,  or  without  a  partition  fence  between  them,  and  one  of  the  occupants  shall  be  desirous 


i 


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 
law  to  remove  such  tenant  without  further  or  other  notice  to  quit.  If,  after  giving  notice  of  deter- 
mination to  quit,  the  tenant  neglects  or  refuses  to  deliver  up  the  premises,  he  shall  be  liable  to 
double  the  rent  agreed  upon,  to  be  collected  the  same  as  single  rent. 

MARKS  AND  BRANDS. 

Every  Town  Clerk  shall,  on  application  of  any  person  residing  in  his  town,  record  a 
description  of  the  marks  or  brands  with  which  such  person  may  be  desirous  of  marking  his 
horses,  cattle,  sheep  or  hogs ;  but  the  same  description  shall  not  be  recorded  or  used  by  more 
than  one  resident  of  the  same  town.     If  any  person  shall  mark  any  of  his  horses,  cattle,  sheep 


282  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. 

(2.)  To  make  a  record  of  the  plat  and  field  notes  of  each  survey  made  by  him  or  his 
deputies,  in  record  books  kept  therefor,  and  to  so  arrange  or  index  the  same  as  to  be  easy  of 
reference,  and  to  file  and  preserve  in  his  office  the  original  field  notes  and  calculations  thereof. 

(3.)  To  safely  keep  all  books,  records,  plats,  files,  papers  and  property  belonging  to  his 
office ;  afford  opportunity  to  examine  the  same  to  any  person  desiring,  and  deliver  the  same  to 
his  successor  in  office. 

(4.)  To  furnish  a  copy  of  any  record,  plat  or  paper  in  his  office,  to  any  person  on  demand 
and  payment  of  his  legal  fees  therefor. 

(5.)  To  administer  to  every  chainman  and  marker  assisting  in  any  survey,  before  com- 
mencing their  duties  as  such,  an  oath  or  affirmation  faithfully  and  impartially  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  chainman  or  marker,  as  the  case  may  be ;  and  the  surveyor  and  his  deputies  are 
empowered  to  administer  the  same. 

(6.)     To  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  required  by  law. 

The  surveyor  and  his  deputies  may  demand  and  receive  the  following  fees,  except  it  be  other- 
wise agreed  upon  with  the  parties  employing  them,  to  wit : 

For  each  day's  service,  $3. 

For  each  mile  traveled  in  going  from  his  office  to  the  place  of  rendering  service  and  return- 
ing, 10  cents. 

For  plat  and  certificate,  except  town  plats,  50  cents. 

For  recording  a  survey,  50  cents. 

For  each  chainman  and  marker  necessarily  employed,  $1.50  per  day,  unless  they  be  fur- 
nished by  the  person  for  whom  the  survey  is  made. 

For  making  a  copy,  10  cents  a  folio,  and  25  cents  for  his  certificate. 

SUPPORT  OF  THE  POOR. 

Every  town  shall  relieve  and  support  all  poor  and  indigent  persons  lawfully  settled  therein, 
whenever  they  shall  stand  in  need  thereof,  excepting  as  follows: 

The  father,  mother  and  children,  being  of  sufficient  ability,  of  any  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  n  Ik  i 

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  HISTORv'  oF   WISCONSIN. 

4.  Where  the  defendant  was  guilty  of  fraud  in  contracting  the  debt,  or  in  concealing  or 
disposing  of  the  property  for  the  taking,  detaining  or  disposing  of  which  the  action  is  brought. 

An  affidavit  must  be  made  on  the  part  of  the  plaintiff,  stating  the  cause  of  action  and  one 
of  the  above  causes. 

ATTACHMENT 

is  allowed  on  an  affidavit  that  the  defendant  is  indebted  to  plaintiff,  and  stating  the  amount  and 
that  it  is  due  on  contract ;  and, 

1.  That  defendant  has  absconded,  or  is  about  to  abscond,  or  is  concealed  to  the  injury  of 
his  creditors. 

2.  That  defendant  has  assigned,  disposed  or  concealed  his  property  or  is  about  to  do  so 
with  intent  to  defraud  creditors. 

3.  That  the  defendant  has  removed,  or  is  about  to  remove,  his  property  from  the  State 
with  intent  to  defraud  creditors. 

4.  That  the  debt  was  fraudulently  contracted, 

5.  That  he  is  a  non-resident. 

6.  Or  a  foreign  corporation. 

7.  That  he  has  fraudulently  conveyed  or  disposed  of  his  property  with  intent  to  defraud 
creditors. 

The  amount  sued  for  must  exceed  $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;  -.  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  $•)<>  ;  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  wih>1  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  t li a n  fire  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  pou?ids,  English  money. 

@ — Stands  for  at  or  to ;  lb  for  pounds,  and  bbl.  for  barrels ;  ^  for  per,  or  by  the.  Thus  : 
Butter  sells  at  20@30c  ^  ft,  and  Flour  at  $8(«  12  ^  bbl.   %  for  per  cent.,  and  #  for  numbers. 

May  1.  Wheat  sells  at  $1.20@$1.25,  "  seller  June."  Seller  June  means  that  the  person 
who  sells  the  wheat  has  the  privilege  of  delivering  it  at  any  time  during  the  month  of  June. 

Selling  short  is  contracting  to  deliver  a  certain  amount  of  grain  or  stock  at  a  fixed  price, 
within  a  certain  length  of  time,  when  the  seller  has  not  the  stock  on  hand.  It  is  for  the  interest 
of  the  person  selling  short  to  depress  the  market  as  much  as  possible,  in  order  that  he  may  buy 
and  fill  his  contract  at  a  profit.     Hence  the  "shorts  "  are  termed  "bears." 

Buying  long  is  to  contrive  to  purchase  a  certain  amount  of  grain  or  shares  of  stock  at  a 
fixed  price,  deliverable  within  a  stipulated  time,  expecting  to  make  a  profit  by  the  rise  in  prices. 
The  "  longs  "  are  termed  "  bulls,"  as  it  is  for  their  interest  to  "  operate  "  so  as  to  "  toss  "  the 
prices  upward  as  much  as  possible. 

SUGGESTIONS  TO  THOSE  PURCHASING  BOOKS  BY  SUBSCRIPTION. 

The  business  of  publishing  books  by  subscription  having  so  often  been  brought  into  disre- 
pute by  agents  making  representations  and  declarations  not  authorized  by  the  publisher,  in 
order  to  prevent  that  as  much  as  possible,  and  that  there  may  be  more  general  knowledge  of 
the  relation  such  agents  bear  to  their  principal,  and  the  law  governing  such  cases,  the  following 
statement  is  made: 

A  subscription  is  in  the  nature  of  a  contract  of  mutual  promises,  by  which  the  subscriber 
agrees  to  pay  a  certain  sum  for  the  work  described ;  the  consideration  is  concurrent  that  the 
publisher  shall  publish  the  book  named,  and  deliver  the  same,  for  which  the  subscriber  is  to 
pay  the  price  named.  The  nature  and  character  of  the  work  is  described  by  the  prospectus 
and  sample  shown.     These  should  be  carefully  examined  before  subscribing,  as  they  are  the 


286  HISTORY  OF  WISCONSIN. 

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  subscript]  ins  are  known  to  the  trade  as  canvassers.  They  are 
agents  appointed  to  do  a  particular  busines  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  i-eraain  inviolate. 

Sec.  6.  Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed,  nor  cruel  pun- 
ishments inflicted. 

Sec.  7.     In  criminal  prosecutions,  the  rights  of  the  accused  shall  be  protected. 

Sec.  8.  Criminal  offenses  shall  be  prosecuted  on  presentment  of  a  grand  jury.  No  one 
shall  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  for  the  same  offense,  nor  be  compelled  to  be  a  witness  against 
himself.  Every  one  shall  have  the  right  of  giving  bail  except  in  capital  offenses ;  and  the  writ  of 
habeas  corpus  shall  not  be  suspended,  except  in  case  of  rebellion  or  invasion. 

Sec.  9.     Every  person  is  entitled  to  a  certain  remedy  for  all  injuries  or  wrongs. 

Sec.  10.  Treason  consists  in  levying  war  against  the  State,  or  giving  aid  and  comfort  to 
its  enemies.     Two  witnesses  are  necessary  to  convict  a  person  of  the  crime. 

Sec.  11.     The  people  are  to  be  secure  against  unreasonable  searches  and  seizures. 

Sec.  12.  Bills  of  attainder,  ex  post  facto  laws,  or  laws  impairing  obligation  of  contracts, 
shall  never  be  passed. 

Sec.  13.     No  property  shall  be  taken  for  public  use  without  compensation. 

Sec.  14.     All  laws  in  the  State  are  allodial.     Feudal  tenures  are  prohibited. 

Sec.  15.     The  rights  of  property  are  the  same  in  resident  aliens  and  citizens. 

Sec.  16.     No  person  shall  be  imprisoned  for  debt. 

Sec.  17.     Wholesome  exemption  laws  shall  be  passed. 

Sec.  18.  Liberty  of  conscience  and  rights  of  worship  shall  never  be  abridged.  The 
public  money  shall  never  be  applied  to  sectarian  uses. 

Sec.  19.     No  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  for  any  office. 

287 


288  HISTOBY    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(l.)  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  (if  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.  289 

Sec.  6.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  Legislature,  unless  a  resident  of  the  State  one 
year,  and  a  qualified  elector. 

Sec.  7.  Each  House  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  qualifications  of  its  members.  A  majority 
shall  be  necessary  to  form  a  quorum. 

Sec.  8.     Each  House  shall  make  its  own  rules. 

Sec.  9.     Each  House  shall  choose  its  own  officers. 

Sec.  10.     Each  House  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  proceedings. 

Sec.  11.     The  Legislature  shall  meet  at  the  seat  of  government  once  a  year. 

Sec.  12.  No  member  shall  be  eligible  to  any  other  civil  office  in  the  State,  during  the 
term  for  which  he  was  elected. 

Sec.  13.  No  member  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  of  the  United  States,  during  the  term 
for  which  he  was  elected. 

Sec.  14.  Writs  of  election,  to  fill  vacancies  in  either  House,  shall  be  issued  by  the  Gov- 
ernor. 

Sec.  15.  Except  treason,  felony  and  breach  of  the  peace,  members  are  privileged  from 
arrest  in  all  cases ;  nor  subject  to  any  civil  process  during  a  session. 

Sec.  16.     Members  are  not  liable  for  words  spoken  in  debate. 

Sec.  17.  The  style  of  all  laws  shall  be,  "  The  people  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin  rep- 
resented in  Senate  and  Assembly,  do  enact  as  follows:  " 

Sec.  18.     Private  or  local  bills  shall  not  embrace  more  than  one  subject. 

Sec.  19.  Bills  may  originate  in  either  House,  and  a  bill  passed  by  one  House  may  be 
amended  by  the  other. 

Sec.  20.  Yeas  and  nays,  at  the  request  of  one-sixth  of  the  members  present,  shall  be 
entered  on  the  journal. 

Sec.  21.  [Each  member  shall  receive,  as  an  annual  compensation,  three  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  and  ten  cents  for  each  mile  traveled  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment].    As  amended  in  1867. 

Sec.  22.  Boards  of  Supervisors  may  be  vested  with  powers  of  a  local,  legislative  and 
administrative  character,  such  as  shall  be  conferred  by  the  Legislature. 

Sec.  23.  One  system  only,  of  town  and  county  government,  shall  be  established  by  the 
Legislature. 

Sec.  24.     The  Legislature  shall  never  authorize  any  lottery,  or  grant  any  divorce. 

Sec.  25.  Stationery,  for  State  use  and  State  printing,  shall  be  let  by  contract  to  the  low- 
est bidder. 

Sec.  26.  Extra  compensation  to  any  public  officer  shall  not  be  granted  after  service  is 
rendered,  nor  shall  his  compensation  be  increased  or  diminished  during  his  term  of  office. 

Sec.  27.  The  Legislature  shall  direct,  by  law,  in  what  manner  and  in  what  Courts  suits 
against  the  State  may  be  brought. 

Sec.  28.     Public  officers  shall  all  take  an  oath  of  office. 

Sec.  29.  The  Legislature  shall  determine  what  persons  shall  constitute  the  militia,  and 
may  provide  for  organizing  the  same. 

Sec.  30.  Members  of  the  Legislature  shall  vote  viva  voce  in  all  elections  made  by 
them. 

Sec.  31.  [Special  legislation  is  prohibited  (1)  for  changing  the  names  of  persons,  or  con- 
stituting one  person  the  heir-at-law  of  another  ;  (2)  for  laying  out,  opening  or  altering  high- 
ways, except  in  certain  cases;  (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    ?rm. 

Sec.  2.  Governor  and  Lieutenant  Governor  must  be  citizens  of  the  United  Sta;es.  and 
qualified  electors  of  the  State. 

Sec.  3.  Governor  and  Lieutenant  Governor  are  elected  at  the  times  and  place3  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  thtf 
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  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Sec.  4.  Sheriffs,  Coroners,  Registers  of  Deeds  and  District  Attorneys  shall  be  elected 
every  two  years. 

Article  VTI. 
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 
•her  original  and  remedial  writs. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    STATE    OF    WISCONSIN.  293 

Six.  4.  [The  Supremo  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. 

Sec.  8.  The  Circuit  Courts  shall  have  original  jurisdiction  in  all  matters  civil  and  crim- 
inal, not  excepted  in  this  Constitution,  and  not  prohibited  hereafter  by  law,  and  appellate  juris- 
diction from  all  inferior  courts.  They  shall  have  power  to  issue  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  man- 
damus, injunction,  quo  warranto,  certiorari,  and  all  other  writs  necessary  to  carry  their  orders 
and  judgments  into  effect. 

Sec.  9.  Vacancies  in  the  office  of  Supreme  or  Circuit  Judge  shall  be  filled  by  the  Gover- 
nor. Election  for  Judges  shall  not  be  at  any  general  election,  nor  within  thirty  days  before  or 
after  said  election. 

Sec.  10.  Judges  of  the  Supreme  and  Circuit  Courts  shall  receive  a  salary  of  not  loss  than 
one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  shall  hold  no  other  office,  except  a  judicial  one,  during 
the  term  for  which  they  are  respectively  elected.  Each  Judge  shall  be  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  and  have  attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years.  He  shall  also  be  a  qualified  elector  within 
the  jurisdiction  for  which  he  may  be  chosen. 

Sec.  11.  The  Supreme  Court  shall  hold  at  least  one  term  annually.  A  Circuit  Court 
shall  be  held  at  least  twice  in  each  year,  in  each  county  of  this  State  organized  for  judicial  pur- 
poses. 

Sec.  12.  There  shall  be  a  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  chosen  in  each  county,  whose  term 
of  office  shall  be  two  years.     The  Supreme  Court  shall  appoint  its  own  Clerk. 

Sec.  13.  Any  Judge  of  the  Supreme  or  Circuit  Court  may  be  removed  from  office  by  vote 
of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  to  both  Senate  and  Assembly. 

Sec.  14.  A  Judge  of  Probate  shall  be  elected  in  each  county,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for 
two  years. 

Sec.  15.  Justices  of  the  Peace  shall  be  elected  in  the  several  towns,  villages  and  cities  of 
the  State,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  may  direct,  whose  term  of  office  shall  be  two  years. 
Their  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Sec.  16.  Laws  shall  be  passed  for  the  regulation  of  tribunals  of  conciliation.  These  may 
be  established  in  and  for  any  township. 

Sec.  17.  The  style  of  all  writs  and  process  shall  be  "  The  State  of  Wisconsin."  Criminal 
prosecutions  shall  be  carried  on  in  the  name  and  by  authority  of  the  State ;  and  all  indictments 
shall  conclude  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  same. 

Sec.  18.  A  tax  shall  be  imposed  by  the  Legislature  on  all  civil  suits,  which  shall  consti- 
tute a  fund,  to  be  applied  toward  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  Judges. 

Sec.  19.  Testimony  in  equity  causes  shall  be  taken  the  same  as  in  cases  at  law.  The 
office  of  Master  in  Chancery  is  prohibited. 

Sec.  20.  Any  suitor  may  prosecute  or  defend  his  case  in  his  own  proper  person,  or  by 
attorney  or  agent. 

Sec.  21.  Statute  laws  and  such  judicial  decisions  as  are  deemed  expedient,  shall  be  pub- 
lished.    No  general  law  shall  be  in  force  until  published. 

Sec.  22.  The  Legislature  at  its  first  session  shall  provide  for  the  appointment  of  three 
Commissioners  to  revise  the  rules  of  practice  in  the  several  Courts  of  Record  in  the  State. 

Sec.  23.  The  Legislature  may  confer  judicial  powers  on  one  or  more  persons  in  each 
organized  county  of  the  State.  Powers  granted  to  such  Commissioners  shall  not  exceed  that  of 
a  Judge  of  a  Circuit  Court  at  chambers. 


294:  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

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  rested  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. 

2.  The  school  fund  to  support  ami  maintain  common  schools,  academies  and  nor- 
mal schools,  and  to  purchase  apparatus  and  libraries  therefor,  shall  be  created  out  of  (1)  the 
proceeds  of  lands  from  the  United  States;  (2)  out  of  forfeitures  and  escheats;  (3)  out  of 
moneys  paid  as  exemptions  from  military  duty;  (4)  out  of  lines  collected  for  breach  of  penal 
laws;  (5)  out  of  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 11,  I  v  1 1  ;  and  (7  i  out  of  the  five  per  centum  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  to 
which  the  State  .-hall  become  entitled  on  her  admission  into  the  Union  (if  Congress  shall  con- 
sent to  such  appropriation  of  the  two  grants  last  mentioned.) 

Sec.  3.  District  Bchools  shall  be  established  by  law  which  shall  be  free  to  all  children  be- 
tween tli  four  and  twenty   years.     No  sectarian  instruction  shall  be  allowed  therein. 

Sec.  4.  Each  town  and  city  shall  raise  for  common  schools  therein  by  taxation  a  sum  equal 
to  one-half  the  amount  i I  from  the  school  fund  of  the  State. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    STATE    OF    WISCONSIN.  295 

Sec.  5.  Provisions  shall  be  made  by  law  for  the  distribution  of  the  income  of  the  school 
fund  among  the  several  towns  and  cities  for  the  support  of  common  schools  therein  ;  but  no 
appropriation  shall  be  made  when  there  is  a  failure  to  raise  the  proper  tax,  or  when  a  school 
shall  not  have  been  maintained  at  least  three  months  of  the  year. 

Sec.  6.  Provision  shall  be  made  by  law  for  the  establishment  of  a  State  University.  The 
proceeds  of  all  lands  granted  for  the  support  of  a  university  by  the  United  States  shall  consti- 
tute "the  University  fund,"  the  interest  of  which  shall  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  the 
State  University.     No  sectarian  instruction  shall  be  allowed  in  such  university. 

Sec.  7.  The  Secretary  of  State,  Treasurer  and  Attorney  General  shall  constitute  a  Board 
of  Commissioners  to  sell  school  and  university  lands  and  for  the  investments  of  the  proceeds 
thereof. 

Sec.  8.  School  and  university  lands  shall  be  appraised  and  sold  according  to  law.  The 
Commissioners  shall  execute  deeds  to  purchasers,  and  shall  invest  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of 
such  lands  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  shall  provide. 

Article  XI. 

CORPORATIONS. 

Section  1.  Corporations  without  banking  powers  may  be  formed  under  general  laws,  but 
shall  not  be  created  by  special  act,  except  for  municipal  purposes,  and  in  cases  where,  in  the 
judgment  of  the  Legislature,  the  objects  of  the  corporation  cannot  be  attained  under  general  laws. 

Sec.  2.  No  municipal  corporation  shall  take  private  property  for  public  use,  against  the 
consent  of  the  owner,  except  by  jury  trial. 

Sec.  8.  Cities  and  incorporated  villages  shall  be  organized,  and  their  powers  restricted  by 
law  so  as  to  prevent  abuses.  [No  county,  city,  town,  village,  school  district,  or  other  municipal 
corporation,  shall  become  indebted  to  exceed  five  per  centum  on  the  value  of  the  taxable  property 
therein.]     As  amended  in  1874. 

Sec.  4.     Banks  shall  not  be  created  except  as  provided  in  this  article. 

Sec.  5.  The  question  of  "  bunk  "  or  "no  bank  "  may  be  submitted  to  the  voters  of  the 
State;  and  if  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be  in  favor  of  banks,  the  Legislature  shall 
have  power  to  grant  bank  charters,  or  pass  a  general  banking  law. 

Article  XII. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  the  Constitution  may  be  proposed  in  either  house  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  referred  to  the  next  Legislature  and  published  for  three  months  previous.  If  agreed 
to  by  a  majority  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each  house,  then  the  amendment  or  amendments 
shall  submit  them  to  the  vote  of  the  people;  and  if  the  people  shall  approve  and  ratify  such 
amendment  or  amendments,  they  shall  become  a  part  of  the  Constitution. 

Sec.  2.  If  a  convention  to  revise  or  change  the  Constitution  shall  be  deemed  necessary  by 
the  Legislature,  they  shall  recommend  to  the  electors  of  the  State  to  vote  at  the  nexi  general 
election  for  or  against  the  same.  If  the  vote  shall  be  for  the  calling  of  such  convention,  then 
the  Legislature,  at  its  next  session,  shall  provide  for  the  same. 

Article  XIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS    PROVISIONS. 

Section  1.  The  political  year  for  Wisconsin  shall  commence  on  the  first  Monday  in  Jan- 
uary in  each  year.  General  elections  shall  be  holden  on  the  Tuesday  succeeding  the  first  Monday 
in  November. 

Sec.   2.     A  duelist  shall  not  be  qualified  as  an  elector  in  this  State. 

Sec.  3.  United  States  officers  (except  Postmasters),  public  defaulters,  or  persons  convicted 
of  infamous  crimes,  shall  not  be  eligible  to  office  in  this  State. 


296  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

Sec.  4.  A  groat  seal  for  the  State  shall  be  provided,  and  all  official  acts  of  the  Governor 
(except  his  approbation  of  the  laws),  shall  be  authenticated  thereby. 

Skc.  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. 

Si  c.  T.  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. 

Si  c.  9.  Officers  not  provided  for  by  this  Constitution  shall  be  elected  as  the  Legislature 
shall  direct. 

Sec.  10.  The  Legislature  may  declare  the  cases  in  which  any  office  shall  be  deemed 
vacant,  and  also  the  manner  of  filling  the  vacancy,  where  no  provision  is  made  for  that  purpose 
in  this  Constitution. 

Article  XIV. 

.SCHEDULE. 

Section  1.  All  rights  under  the  Territorial  government  are  continued  under  the  State 
government.      Territorial  processes  are  valid  after  the  State  is  admitted  into  the  Union. 

Sec.  2.  Existing  laws  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  not  repugnant  to  this  Constitution 
shall  remain  in  force  until  they  expire  by  limitation  or  are  altered  or  repealed. 

Sec.  3.  All  fines,  penalties  or  forfeitures  accruing  to  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  shall 
inure  to  the  use  of  the  State. 

Sec.  4.  Territorial  recognizances,  bonds  and  public  property  shall  pass  to  and  be  vested 
in  the  State.  Criminal  prosecutions,  offenses  committed  against  the  laws,  and  all  actions  at  law 
and  suits  in  equity  in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  shall  be  contained  in  and  prosecuted  by  the 
State. 

Sec.  5.  Officers  holding  under  authority  of  the  United  States  or  of  the  Territory  of  Wis- 
consin shall  continue  in  office  until  superseded  by  State  authority. 

SEC.  6.  The  first  session  of  the  State  Legislature  shall  commence  on  the  first  Monday  in 
June  next,  and  shall  be  held  at  the  village  of  Madison,  which  shall  be  and  remain  the  seat  of 
government  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 

Sec.  7.  Existing  county  and  town  officers  shall  hold  their  offices  until  the  Legislature  of 
the  State  shall  provide  for  the  holding  of  elections  to  fill  such  offices. 

Sec.  8.  A  copy  of  this  Constitution  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  be  laid  before  Congress  at  its  present  session. 

Sec.  9.  This  Constitution  shall  be  submitted  to  the  vote  of  the  people  for  ratification  or 
rejection  on  the  second  Mondav  in  March  next.  If  ratified,  an  election  shall  be  held  for 
Governor,  Lieutenant  Governor,  Treasurer,  Attorney  General,  members  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture and  members  of  Congress,  on  the  second  Mondav  of  May  next. 

Sec.  10.     [Omitted.     See  Section  1,  Chapter  3,  Acts  of  Extra  Session  of  1878.] 

Sec.  11.  Tin  several  elections  provided  for  in  this  Article  shall  be  conducted  according 
to  the  existing  laws  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 

Sic.    l±     |  Omitted.     See  Section  1,  Chapter  3,  Acts  of  Extra  Session  of  1878.] 

.- 1  C  L3.  The  common  law  in  force  in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  shall  continue  in  force 
in  the  State  until  altered  or  suspended  by  the  Legislature. 

SEC.  I  I.  The  Senators  first  elected  in  the  even-numbered  Senate  districts,  the  Governor, 
Lieutenant  Governor  and  other  State  officers  first  elected  under  this  Constitution,  shall  enter 
upon  their  duties  on  the  Bral  Monday  of  June  next,  and  hold  their  offices  for  one  year  from  the 
first  Monday  of  January  next.     The  Senators  first  elected  in  the  odd-numbered  districts  and  the 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES.  297 

members  of  the  Assembly  first  elected  shall  enter  upon  their  duties  on  the  first  Monday  of  June 
next,  and  continue  in  office  until  the  first  Monday  in  January  next. 

Sec.   15.     The  oath  of  office  may  be  administered  by  any  Judge  or  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
until  the  Legislature  shall  otherwise  direct. 


We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Convention  to  form  a  Constitution  for  the  State  of 
Wisconsin,  to  be  submitted  to  the  people  thereof  for  their  ratification  or  rejection,  do  hereby 
certify  that  the  foregoing  is  the  Constitution  adopted  by  the  Convention. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands,  at  Madison,  the  1st  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, A.  D. 1848. 

Morgan  L.  Martin, 
President  of  the  Convention  and  Delegate  from  Brown  County. 
Thomas  McHt/gh, 

Secretary. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


CONDEISTSED. 


PREAMBLE. 


We,  the  people  of  the  United  States,  in  order  to  form  a  more  perfect  union,  establish  justice, 
insure  domestic  tranquillity,  provide  for  the  common  defense,  ■promote  the  general  zvelfare, 
and  sea/re  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 
fur  each  thirty  thousand,  but  each  State  shall  have  at  least  one  Representative;  and  until  such 
enumeration  shall  be  made.  New  Hampshire  shall  choose  three;  Massachusetts,  eight;  Rhode 
Island,  one;  Connecticut,  five;  New  York,  six;  New  Jersey,  four;  Pennsylvania,  eight;  Del- 
aware, one;  Maryland,  six;  Virginia,  ten;  North  Carolina,  five;  South  Carolina,  five,  and 
Georgia,  three. 

Vacancies  in  the  representation  from  any  State  shall  be  filled  by  elections,  ordered  by  the 
executive  authority  of  the  State. 


298  HISTORY   OF   WISCONSIN. 

The  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  their  Speaker  ami  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 
lass,  at  the  expiration  of  the  sixth  year,  so  that  one-third  may  be  chosen  every  second  year; 
;ind  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  purp  «e, 
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  ia  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 
he  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  d<>  business;  but  a  smaller 
number  may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  and  may  compel  attendance  of  absent  members,  under 
penalties. 

Each  House  may  determine  its  own  rules  of  proceeding,  punish  its  members,  and.  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote,  expel  a  member.  • 

Each  House  shall  keep  a  journal,  which  shall  be  published  at  their  discretion,  and  one-fifth 
of  those  present  may  require  the  yeas  and  nays  to  be  entered  on  the  journal. 

Neither  House  shall  adjourn  for  more  than  three  days  without  the  consent  of  the  other, 
nor  to  any  other  place  than  that  in  which  they  are  sitting. 

Sec.  6.  The  compensation  of  Senators  and  Representatives  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  and 
paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States.  They  shall  be  privileged  from  arrest  during 
attendance  at  the  session  of  their  respective  Houses,  except  for  treason,  felony  and  breach  of 
the  peace,  and  shall  not  be  questioned  in  any  other  place  for  any  speech  or  debate  in  either 
I  [i  use. 

No  Senator  or  Representative  shall,  during  the  time  for  which  he  was  elected,  be  appointed 
to  any  civil  office  under  the  United  States  which  shall  have  been  created  or  the  emoluments 
whereof  shall  have  been  increased  during  such  time;  and  no  person  holding  office  under  the 
-hall  be  a  member  of  either  House  during  his  continuance  in  office. 

SEC.  7.  All  bills  for  raising  revenue  shall  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  but 
may  be  amended  by  the  Senate. 

Every  bill  passed  by  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate  shall,  before  it  becomes 
a.  law,  be  presented  to  the  President  ;  if  he  approve,  he  shall  sign  it  ;  but  if  not,  he  shall  return 


CONSTITUTION   OF    THE   UNITED    STATES.  299 

it,  with  his  objections,  to  that  House  in  which  it  originated,  who  shall  enter  the  objections  on 
their  journal  and  proceed  to  reconsider  it.  If,  after  reconsideration,  two-thirds  shall  agree  to 
pass  the  bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  House,  and,  if  approved  by  two- 
thirds  of  that  House,  it  shall  become  a  law.  But  in  all  such  cases,  the  yeas  and  nays  shall  be 
taken,  and  entered  upon  the  journal  of  each  House,  respectively.  Any  bill  not  returned  by 
the  President  within  ten  days  (Sundays  excepted)  after  it  shall  have  been  presented  to  him,  shall 
be  a  law,  as  if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  Congress,  by  adjournment,  shall  prevent  its  return,  in 
which  case  it  shall  not  be  a  law. 

Every  order,  resolution  or  vote  requiring  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives (except  a  question  of  adjournment),  shall  be  approved  by  the  President  before  tak- 
ing effect ;  or,  being  disapproved  by  him,  shall  be  repassed  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  each  House, 
as  in  the  case  of  a  bill. 

Sec.  8.     Congress  shall  have  power : 

To  lay  and  collect  taxes,  duties,  imposts  and  excises,  to  pay  the  debts  and  provide  for  the 
common  defense  and  general  welfare  of  the  United  States ;  but  all  duties,  imposts  and  excises 
shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  United  States ; 

To  borrow  money  on  the  public  credit; 

To  regulate  commerce  with  foreign  nations,  and  among  the  several  States  and  with  the 
Indian  tribes ; 

To  establish  a  uniform  rule  of  naturalization,  and  uniform  laws  on  the  subject  of  bank- 
ruptcies ; 

To  coin  money,  regulate  the  value  thereof  and  foreign  coin,  and  fix  the  standard  of  weights 
and  measures ; 

To  provide  for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting  the  securities  and  current  coin  of  the  United 
States  ; 

To  establish  post  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  passed. 


300  HISTORY    OF    WISCONSIN. 

No  capitation  or  other  direct  tax  shall  be  laid,  unless  in  proportion  to  the  census  or  enu- 
meration hereinbefore  directed  to  be  made. 

No  tax  or  duty  shall  be  laid  on  articles  exported  from  any  State. 

In  regulating  commerce  or  revenue,  no  preference  sliall  be  given  to  the  ports  of  one  State 
over  tlmse  of  another;  nor  shall  vessels  bound  to  or  from  one  State  be  obliged  to  enter,  clear  or 
pay  duties  in  another. 

No  momy  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 
eqnal  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  tin'  1  .'tli  A  mendment.~\ 

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  sliall  receive  a  compensation  for  his  services,  which  shall  be  neither  increased 
nor  diminished  during  the  period  for  which  he  shall  have  been  electedf  and  within  that  period 
he  shall  not  receive  any  other  emolument  from  the  United  States  or  from  any  of  them. 

Before  entering  upon  office  he  shall  take  the  following  oath  or  affirmation:  "I  do  solemnly 
swear  (or  affirm)  that  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." 

*  Bj  act  of  March  1    17'  v.  d,*ipnatin(r  the  President  of  the  Senate  pro  ttmpart,  or  if  there  be  none 

the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  RepresentauYos,  t  real  <<f  a  vacancy  iu  the  offices  of  both  President 

ait<i  Vii  ••  President 

t  The  President's  salary  was  fixed  February  IS,  1703,  at  $25,000,  and  was  increased  March  3,  1873,  to  $50,000. 


CONSTITUTION"   OF    THE   UNITED    STATES.  301 

Sec.  2.  The  President  shall  be  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  militia  of  the  several  States,  when  in  actual  service  of  the  United 
States;  he  may  require  the  written  opinion  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  several  executive 
departments  upon  subjects  relating  to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices,  and  shall  have  power  to 
grant  reprieves  and  pardons  for  offenses  against  the  United  States,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment. 

He  shall  have  power,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to  make  treaties, 
provided  two-thirds  of  the  Senators  present  concur,  and  shall  nominate  to  the  Senate  ambassa- 
dors, other  public  ministers  and  consuls,  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  all  other  officers  of 
the  United  States  whose  appointment  is  not  otherwise  provided  for ;  but  Congress  may  vest  the 
appointment  of  inferior  officers  in  the  President  alone,  in  the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the  heads  of 
departments. 

The  President  may  fill  all  vacancies  that  may  happen  during  the  recess  of  the  Senate,  by 
granting  commissions  which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  their  next  session. 

He  shall,  from  time  to  time,  give  Congress  information  of  the  state  of  the  Union,  and 
recommend  measures  to  their  consideration  ;  he  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  convene  both 
Houses  or  either  of  them,  and,  in  case  of  disagreement  between  them  as  to  the  time  of  adjourn- 
ment, he  may  adjourn  them  to  such  time  as  he  shall  think  proper ;  he  shall  receive  ambassadors 
and  other  public  ministers  ;  he  shall  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed,  and  shall  com- 
mission all  the  officers  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  4.  The  President,  Vice  President  and  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  States,  shall  be 
removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for  and  conviction  of  treason,  bribery,  or  other  high  crimes 
and  misdemeanors. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  be  vested  in  one  Supreme 
Court,  and  in  such  inferior  courts  as  Congress  may  establish.  The  Judges,  both  of  the  Supreme 
and  inferior  Courts,  shall  hold  their  offices  during  good  behavior,  and  shall  receive  a  compensa- 
tion which  shall  not  be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office. 

Sec.  2.  The  judicial  power  shall  extend  to  all  cases,  in  law  and  equity,  arising  under  this 
Constitution,  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  treaties,  cases  affecting  ambassadors,  other  public 
ministers  and  consuls,  all  cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime  jurisdiction  ;  to  controversies  to  which 
the  United  States  shall  be  a  party ;  controversies  between  two  or  more  States  ;  between  a  State 
and  citizens  of  another  State ;  between  citizens  of  different  States ;  between  citizens  of  the  same 
State  claiming  lands  under  grants  of  different  States,  and  between  a  State  or  the  citizens  thereof 
and  foreign  States,  citizens  or  subjects. 

In  all  cases  affecting  Ministers  and  Consuls,  and  those  in  which  a  State  is  a  party,  the 
Supreme  Court  shall  have  original  jurisdiction.  In  all  other  cases  mentioned,  the  Supreme 
Court  shall  have  appellate  jurisdiction,  both  as  to  law  and  fact,  subject  to  exceptions  and  regu- 
lations made  by  Congress. 

All  crimes,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  shall  be  tried  by  jury,  and  in  the  State  where 
the  crime  was  committed ;  but  Congress  shall  fix  the  place  of  trial  for  crimes  not  committed 
within  any  State. 

Sec.  3.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall  consist  only  in  levying  war  against  them, 
or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort.  No  person  shall  be  convicted  of 
treason  unless  on  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act,  or  on  confession  in  open 
court. 

Congress  shall  have  power  to  declare  the  punishment  of  treason,  but  no  attainder  of  treason 
shall  work  corruption  of  blood  or  forfeiture,  except  during  the  life  of  the  person  attainted. 

Article  IV. 

Section  1.  Each  State  shall  give  full  faith  and  credit  to  the  public  acts,  records  and  judi- 
cial proceedings  of  every  other  State,  and  Congress  may  prescribe  the  manner  in  which  such 
acts,  records  and  proceedings  shall  be  proved,  and  the  effect  thereof. 


302  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  anil  purposes,  as  part  of  this  Constitution  when  ratified  by  the  Legislatures  of  three-fourths 
of  the  several  States,  or  by  conventions  in  three-fourths  thereof,  as  the  one  or  the  other  mode  of 
ratification  may  be  proposed  by  the  Congress;  provided  that  no  amendment  which  may  be  made 
prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight  shall  in  any  manner  affect  the  first  and 
fourth  clauses  in  the  ninth  section  of  the  first  article;  and  that  no  State,  without  its  consent, 
shall  be  deprived  of  its  equal  suffrage  in  the  Senate. 

Al:  I  K'l.F.    VI. 

All  existing  debts  and  engagements  shall  be  valid  against  the  L^nited  States  under  this 
Constitution. 

This  Constitution  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States  made  in  pursuance  thereof,  and  all 
treaties  made  under  the  authority  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of  the  land, 
and  the  Judges  in  every  State  shall  be  bound  thereby ;  anything  in  the  Constitution  or  laws  of 
any  State  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

Senators  and  Representatives,  members  of  the  several  State  Legislatures,  and  all  executive 
and  judicial  officers,  both  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  several  States,  shall  be  bound  by  oath 
or  affirmation,  to  support  this  Constitution;  but  no  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a 
qualification  to  any  office  or  public  trust  under  the  United  States. 

Article  VII. 

The  ratification  of  the  Convention  of  nine  States  shall  be  sufficient  for  the  establishment  of 
this  Constitution  between  the  States  so  ratifying  the  same. 

DONE  in  convention  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  States  present,  the  seventeenth  day 
of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  and  of  the 
independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  the  twelfth. 

Ix  hi  i  \t;ss  u  BEREOI  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 

liKoKCK  WASHINGTON. 
President  and  Deputy  from  Virginia. 
[Other  signatures  omitted.] 


CONSTITUTION   OF    THE    UNITED    STATES.  303 

Amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

Proposed  by  Congress  and  ratified  by  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  States,  pursuant  to 
the  Fifth  Article  of  the  original  Constitution. 

Article  I. 

Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof; 
or  abridging  the  freedom  of  speech  or  of  the  press ;  or  of  the  right  of  the  people  peaceably  to 
assemble  and  to  petition  the  Government  for  a  redress  of  grievances. 

Article  II. 

A  well-regulated  militia  being  necessary  to  the  security  of  a  free  State,  the  right  of  the 
people  to  keep  and  bear  arms  shall  not  be  infringed. 

Article  III. 

No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  be  quartered  in  any  house  without  the  consent  of  the 
owner,  nor  in  time  of  war,  but  in  a  manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 

Article  IV. 

The  right  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons  and  property  against  unreasonable 
searches  and  seizures  shall  not  be  violated,  and  no  warrants  shall  issue  but  upon  probable  cause, 
supported  by  oath  or  affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the  place  to  be  searched  and  the 
persons  or  things  to  be  seized. 

Article  V. 

No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  any  infamous  crime  unless  on  an  indictment  of  a 
grand  jury,  except  in  cases  arising  in  the  land  or  naval  forces,  or  in  the  militia,  when  in  actual 
service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger  ;  nor  shall  any  person  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  of  life 
or  limb  for  the  same  offense  ;  nor  shall  he  be  compelled,  in  any  criminal  case,  to  be  a  witness 
against  himself,  nor  be  deprived  of  life,  liberty  or  property  without  due  process  of  law;  nor 
shall  private  property  be  taken  for  oublic  use  without  just  compensation. 

Article  VI. 

In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right  to  speedy  and  public  trial, 
by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  State  and  district  wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been  committed,  and 
to  be  informed  of  the  nature  and  cause  of  the  accusation  ;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses 
against  him  ;  to  have  compulsory  process  for  obtaining  witnesses  in  his  favor,  and  to  have  the 
assistance  of  counsel  for  his  defense. 

Article  VII. 

In  suits  at  common  law,  when  the  value  in  controversy  shall  exceed  twenty  dollars,  the 
right  of  trial  by  jury  shall  be  preserved,  and  no  fact  tried  by  a  jury  shall  be  otherwise 
re-examined  in  any  court  of  the  United  States  than  according  to  the  rules  of  the  common  law. 

Article  VIII. 

Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed,  nor  cruel  and  unusual  pun- 
ishments inflicted. 


304  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  tc 
rhe  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 
St;ite,  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  ami  transmit 
Bealed  to  the  seat  of  government,  addressed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate  ;  the  President  of  the 
Senate  shall,  in  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  open  all  the  certificates, 
and  the  votes  shall  then  be  counted ;  the  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  for  Presi- 
dent shall  be  President,  if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointed ; 
if  no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from  those  having  the  highest  numbers,  not  exceeding 
three  on  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as  President,  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  imme- 
diately by  ballot  the  President.  But,  in  choosing  the  President,  the  vote  shall  be  taken  by 
States,  each  State  having  one  vote ;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  member  or  mem- 
bers from  two-thirds  of  the  States,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  States  shall  be  necessary  to  a  elm  ice. 
If,  whenever  the  right  of  choice  shall  devolve  upon  them,  the  I  louse  of  Representatives  shall  not 
choose  a  President  before  the  fourth  day  of  March  next  following,  then  the  Vice  President  shall 

-  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  .-hall  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. 

Si  CTION  1.  Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,  except  as  a  punishment  for  crime 
where"f  the  party  shall  have  been  duly  convicted,  shall  exist  within  the  United  States,  or  any 
place  subject  to  their  jurisdiction. 

:).     Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  this  article  by  appropriate  legislation. 

Article  XIV. 

Section  1.  All  persons  born  or  naturalized  in  the  United  States,  or  subject  to  the  juris- 
diction there. if.  are  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  State  wherein  they  reside.  No 
State  shall  make  or  enforce  any  law  which  shall  abridge  the  privileges  or  immunities  of  citizens 
of  the  United  States;  nor  shall  any  State  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty  or  property  without 


CONSTITUTION   OF    THE    UNITED    STATES.  305 

due"  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction  the  equal  protection  of  the 
law. 

Sec.  2.  Representatives  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  States  according  to  population, 
counting  the  whole  number  of  persons  in  each  State,  including  Indians  not  taxed.  But  when 
the  right  to  vote  is  denied  to  any  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  a  State,  being  twenty-one  years  of 
age  and  citizens  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  way  abridged,  except  for  participation  in 
rebellion  or  other  crime,  the  basis  of  representation  therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  proportion 
which  the  number  of  such  male  citizens  shall  bear  to  the  whole  number  of  male  citizens  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  in  such  State. 

Sec.  3.  No  person  shall  hold  any  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 
States,  or  any  claim  for  the  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave  ;  but  all  such  debts,  obligations 
and  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  and  void. 

Sec.  5.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce,  by  appropriate  legislation,  the  provisions 
of  this  article. 

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. 

Sec.  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. 


COUNTIES. 

GOVERNOIi 

PBJ  SI  DENT. 
1876 

Smith. 

M;t  I  lory 

Allis      Maj. 

Hayes. 

Tilden. 

Maj. 

580 

86 
45! 

41 

i  ■'■: 

1075 

336 

450 

685 

449 

2048 

806 

3618 

2888 

•177 

21 

1174 

1208 

3086 

2620 

1828 

*7" 

1461 

Sill' 

1917 

1045 

988 

247 

1409 

1866 
301 

417 
5843, 
1102 
L059 

777 

521 
1528 

916 
1080 
2804 

233 

163 

203 

34 

1740 

810 

24 

1180 

693 

153 

1697 

1008 

3903 

4267 

126 

28 

-1(17 

805 

3414 

1988 

849, 

896 

1175 

3911 

2418 

'Ji  17 

1115 

13(10 

16 

1951 

7 

730 

1096 

764 

2005 

1679 

171 
645 

917 

lit 

R.  347 
1).   77 
EL  25( 
R.    6 
D.  353 
R.  265 
R.  312 
D.  680 
V.       18 
G.  367 
R   451 
D.  202 
D.  290 
D.  1984 
R.  351 
D.    7 
R.  767 
R.  403 
D.  328 
R.  682 
It   974 

981 

109 

644 

86 

2755 

1186 

285 

1012 

1591 

1255 

13 

64  :■ 
8281 
109J 
42 
2081 
2266 
4845 
4723 
2601 
1739 

1507 

2874 

1714 

1610 

561 

264  1 

2424 

71 

2700 

668 

697 

9981 

1818 
1869 
583 
886 
2186 
1019 
1866 
3660 

44; 

189 

257 

74 

R   539 

D    80 

53 
2 

101-3 

7' 

R   387 

R    12 

3617 

n   R<19 

1162  R    24 

28  K   257 

88! 
i8! 
Bit 
118 
146 
61  1 
881 
288 

2146  D  1133 

1774  D   178 

Clark 

660  R   595 

249:i  R  1039 

1604  "   "''> 

6721 
6861 

596 
67 

894 

- 

D   291 

D.  3125 
R   499 

D   25 

1 1 2 

597 

1249 

1087 

580 

R  1139 

R   4fi1 

ii  D   815 

8198  K  1525 

17.;.")  R  866 

215  i> 

1514  I!   225 

1021 
52] 
296 

R.  286 
R.  411 

n   "in 

2848  R   303 

718  B   789 

4134  1>  1260 

468  R   1«2 

1458  R   256 

51 

20 

62 1 

If.'1 

R.   81 

R.  853 
R.  109 
a     14-' 

1  182  R   17S 

1654  D  1098 

2481  1!   163 

2299  R 

17  1  D.  108 

98  D 
746  1-   1 

76  I>.  283 
1228  D 
1019  B     R 

Ii  1208 

1796 
1112 

1)  1 1 28 

u.  -i  i r> 

D  2045 

2080  K.  628 

167 
992 

17 
128 
106 

60 
728 

R.  295 
H.  1228 
D.  1142 
It.  350 
11.  978 

R,  163 

117  1  R   R89 

3608 

;,  is.. 

862 
1794 

2NMI 

D.  1749 

h  1897 

i;   H7 

11.  1162 

Polk 

i;   61 

112 

i 

R.  680 

307 


Gubernatorial  and  Presidential  Votes— 1877-1876— Continued. 


COUNTIES—  Continued. 


Richland  . 

Rock 

St.  Croix.. 
Sauk 


Shawano  ... 
Sheboygan. 
Taylo 


Trempealeau. 

Vernon 

Walworth 

Washington... 

Waukesha 

Waupaca 

Waushara 

Winnebago ... 
Wood 


Appleton 

Beaver  Dam 

Beloit 

Berlin 

Buffalo 

Centralia 

Chilton 

Chippewa  Falls... 

Columbus 

Eau  Claire 

Fond  du  Lac 

Fort  Howard 

Grand  Rapids 

Green  Bay 

Hudson 

Janesville 

Kenosha 

La  Crosse 

Madison 

Manitowoc 

Menasha 

Milwaukee 

Mineral  Point 

Necnah 

New  London 

Oconomowoc 

Oconto 

Oshkosh 

Plymouth 

Portage 

Prairie  du  Chien., 

Prescott 

Racine 

Ripon 

Shawano 

Sheboygan 

Stevens  Point 

Watertown 

Waupaca 

Wausau 


CITIES. 


GOVERNOR. 

PRESIDENT. 

1877. 

187G. 

Smith. 

Mallnry. 

Allis. 

Maj. 

Hayes. 

Tilden. 

Maj. 

1201 

729 

705 

R. 

472 

2038 

1591 

R. 

447 

3375 

1620 

781 

R. 

1755 

5755 

2814 

R. 

2893 

1558 

1489 

93 

R. 

70 

1775 

1736 

R. 

39 

1826 

922 

574 

R. 

'.K)4 

3395 

2201 

R. 

1194 

269 

605 

92 

D. 

336 

582 

873 

D. 

291 

1598 

1737 

750 

D. 

139 

3224 

3633 

D. 

409 

195 

254 

53 

D. 

59 

240 

246 

D. 

6 

2483 

731 

176 

R. 

1  152 

2360 

790 

R. 

1570 

1678 

416 

846 

R. 

1292 

2764 

1117 

R. 

1647 

2904 

1374 

160 

R. 

l.Vin 

4212 

1970!  R. 

2242 

994 

2187 

187 

D. 

1993 

1321 

3047  D. 

1726 

2484 

2388 

276 

R. 

96 

3129 

3335 

D. 

206 

1473 

990 

772 

R. 

483 

2642 

1592 

R. 

1050 

1282 

257 

377 

R. 

1025 

2080 

548 

R. 

1532 

2068 

2238 

1887 

D. 

170 

5092 

4426 

R. 

660 

247 

196 

601 

G 

354 

658 

745 

D. 

87 

231 

522 

201 

D. 

291 

549 

911 

D. 

362 

320 

361 

6 

D. 

41 

357 

465 

D. 

108 

377 

109 

240 

R. 

268 

745 

627 

R. 

118 

219 

197 

36 

R. 

22 

456 

312 

R. 

144 

25 

17 

5 

R. 
G. 

8 
81 

14 

64 

31 
93 

D. 
D. 

17 

16 

97 

29 

31 

128 
294 

33 
143 

D. 
D. 

97 
65 

229 

475 

572 

D. 

97 

210 

123 

3 

R. 

87 

254 

212 

R. 

42 

620 

459 

250 

R. 

161 

1205 

1013 

R. 

189 

862 

884 

520 

D. 

22 

1382 

1542 

D. 

160 

150 

85 

195 

G. 

45 

669 

288 

R. 

81 

50 

42 

110 

G. 

60 

121 

191 

D. 

70 

432 

333 

181 

R. 

99 

696 

647 

R. 

49 

226 

207 

Q 

R. 

19 

250 

224 

R. 

26 

771 

605 

31 

R. 

166 

1036 

848 

R. 

188 

281 

314 

42 

D. 

33 

514 

544 

D. 

30 

712 

671 

351 

R. 

41 

1085 

1549 

D. 

464 

740 

1057 

13 

D. 

317 

834 

1252 

D. 

418 

349 

284 

17 

R. 

61 

660 

512 

R. 

148 

146 

311 

67 

D. 

165 

291 

344 

D. 

53 

4816 

5027 

1050 

D. 

211 

8218 

9625 

D. 

1407 

260 

249 

21 

R. 

11 

348 

324 

R. 

24 

115 

146 

376 

G. 

2:  it  i 

511 

385 

R. 

126 

84 

125 

118 

D. 

41 

206 

208 

D. 

2 

172 

167 

24 

R. 

5 

222 

23S 

D. 

16 

270 

311 

6 

D. 

41 

399 

506 

D. 

107 

724 

954 

375 

D. 

230 

1496 

1910 

D. 

414 

69 

127 

405 

28 

i 

D. 

D. 

58 
160 

245 

366 

532 

D. 

166 

155 

267 

3 

D. 

112 

215 

377 

D. 

162 

87 

61 

10 

R. 

26 

143 

108 

R. 

35 

1052 

921 

82 

R. 

131 

1672 

1 324 

R. 

348 

270 

239 

33 

R. 

31 

397 

333 

R. 

64 

55 

-'. 

13 

D 

18 

87 

83 

R. 

4 

248 

440 

68 

D. 

192 

575 

873 

D. 

298 

252 

270 

145 

D. 

18 

423 

563 

D. 

140 

232 

687 

164 

D. 

445 

372 

1295 

D 

923 

210 

49 

20 

R. 

161 

280 

52 

R. 

228 

76 

170 

300 

G. 

130 

210 

595 

D. 

385 

POPULATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


States  and 

TERR1I 1  - 


Alabama 

Arkansa 
California 

Delaware 

Florida 



Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 



ikj 

tna 

Maine 

Maryland 

i 
'Michigan* 

ota 

Mississippi .. 

n  i 

..a 

Nevada 

v  ■■.  Hampshire. 
New  Jei 

New  York 

North  Carolina. 



Oregon 


50, 

188, 

1 
2, 

58, 
55, 
S3, 
55, 
Bl, 
37, 
41, 
81, 
11, 

.-,',' 

VI, 
65, 

75 
112 

9, 
8, 
47, 
51), 
39, 
95, 
•  Last  Census  of 


Popuj 


22 
198 
981 

-  19  I 
045  1 

500 
346 

;  76 
i- 1 
800 
151 

1 56 

350 

"!■■:. 

1 191 1 
'J  Ml 
Mil 

i 

!04 
96  1 
24  1 
Miel, 


Miles 
B.  R. 
1875.      1872. 


996,992 
560.24? 

i-l  109 

321.01] 

626.915 

457,351.1.651,912 
I,  ;  14,031 


1,350.544 


246  280 
52,540 


,721.29.-1 

123.993 

42.491 

318.300 

,665.260 
90,923 
igan  taken  In  1874 


1,671 

25 
1,013 

•jar 

46G 

5. '.1114 
3.160 

589 

B7 1 
820 

l.i, up, 

1,612 

990 

2,580 

B28 

5H3 

790 

1.265 

1, 170 

1,190 

8,740 

109 


State?  ash 
Terkitories. 


let. 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode  Island.  . . 
s,,ii th  Carolina.., 

Tennessee 

'i     :as 

Vermont 

Virginia 

glnla... 

In 


Total  Slates 

T.-rnP    l 

Arizona  

i 

Dakota 

Disc,  ol  <  iolumbia. 
Idaho 

Montana. 

V'\v  Mexico 

Dtah 

{ton.  

Wyoming 


Total  Territories. 


Area  in 

Miles. 


46, 

1, 

29, 

45, 

10, 

III 

53, 


1870. 


3,521,791 
217.353 
705,606 

1,258  520 

1 12,01 1 
1,054.670 


925,115 


113,253 


113.916 

1114.51111 

1  IT.  m 

60 

143.776 
121.201 

mi  in, 
69.944 
93.107 


965.032 


9.658 

39.864 

14.181 

181,700 

1  1.999 

8H.786 
9.118 


Miles 
R.  K. 
1872. 


5.113 
1.725 


392 


375 


493 


442,730 1,265 


Aggregate  of  U.  S..  2,915,203  38.555,983 60,85/! 

•  Included  in  the  Railroad  Mileage  of  Marylard. 


PRINCIPAL  COUNTRIES  OF  THE  WORLD; 
Population  axd  Area. 


COrjTS/TRIBS. 


Date  of 

Population.      Census. 


Area  In 
Square 
Miles. 


Inhabitant! 
: .,  Square 

Mile. 


Capitals. 


Population. 


China 

British  Empire 

Russia 

l  lifted  States  With  Alaska., 

Prance 

Austria  and  Hungary 

Japan 

Great  Britain  and  1 1 

German  Empire 

Italy , 

Spain 

ltra/.ll 

I)  

Mexico 

ii  ami  Norway 



Ilelgluro 

Bavaria 

Portugal 


Portugal. 

II, ,ll.ui,l 


*ew  Grenada 



Switzerland 





Argentine  Republic, 
Wnileinliurg 

i  k 

tela 

Baden..  



Guatemala 

Ecuador 

Paraguay 



i 

s  in  Salvador 

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HISTORY    OF 

WASHINGTON  #  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

OLD    WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 

Tiik  Kivkr  System— Prehistoric— Indians— White  Men— The  Dawn  of  Civilization— First 
White  Settlers— The  County  Begins  for  Itself— The  Early  Records— Retrospective 
Summary — Courts  Fully  Organized— The  Town  System— Growth  of  Population- 
Nationality— Valuation  and  Tax— The  Poor  Farm— The  Jail— First  School  Reports 
— Legislators — Apportionment  into  Legislative  Districts— Political  Complexion— 
The  County  Seat— The  Transition  State— The  Abduction  of  the  Records— The  Last 
Protest— The  End. 

The  boundaries  of  Washington  County,  as  established  by  act  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  of 
December  7,  1836.  comprised  all  the  territory  now  embraced  in  the  present  counties  of  Ozaukee 
and  Washington.  It  was  bounded  on  the  south  by  Milwaukee  County,  on  the  west  by  Dodge, 
on  the  north  by  Fond  du  Lac,  and  on  the  east  by  Lake  Michigan.  Its  north  and  south  lines 
ran  parallel  due  east  and  west  four  townships  twenty-four  miles  apart.  From  the  west  boundary 
line,  the  length  of  the  south  line  to  the  lake  was  twenty-six  and  one-half  miles.  The  shore  line 
running  north  made  easterly  four  miles,  the  north  boundary  line  of  the  county  being  thirty 
and  one-half  miles  in  length. 

The  area  embraced  was  six  hundred  and  sixty-four  square  miles. 

In  a  state  of  nature,  before  the  touch  of  civilization  had  marred  it,  it  was  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  regions  in  Wisconsin.  The  growth  of  timber  was  heavy,  and  consisted  of  all  the 
hardwooded  and  deciduous  trees  that  grow  in  temperate  latitudes.  They  grew  most  luxuriantly, 
crowding  in  unbroken  volumes  over  the  uplands,  through  the  valleys,  and  to  the  very  summits 
of  the  high  hills  that  lie  in  the  western  part  of  the  region.  The  forests  on  the  high  ground 
were  of  oak,  maple,  birch,  beech,  elm,  hickory,  basswood,  butternut,  with  occasional  clusters  of 
poplar,  ironwood,  ash  and  sumach.  The  immediate  creeks,  streams  and  ponds  were  bordered 
with  alders,  willows  and  creeping  watervines,  while  the  lowlands  and  swamps  were  kept  in  end- 
less shade  by  a  dense  growth  of  tamarack  and  cedar.  The  wild  grape  grew  profusely  ;  and  in 
the  openings  where  fire  or  tornado  had  leveled  or  destroyed  the  forest,  blackberries  and  rasp- 
berries abounded. 

From  the  bluffs  on  the  lake  shore  the  land  ascends  gradually  for  some  twenty  miles  inland, 
when  it  becomes  broken  by  an  abrupt  range  of  drift  hills,  not  in  continuous  line,  but  planted 
single  file  along  the  western  tier  of  townships  the  entire  length  of  the  county  north  and  south ; 


310  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE   CO!  XTIKs. 

between  them  wind  natural  roadways  leading  out  onto  the  western  slope  beyond,  through  which 
were  the  well-beaten  trails  of  the  Indians,  who  found  between  the  hills  and  the  great  lake  the 
finest  hunting  and  trapping  ground  in  the  State. 

The  highest  elevation  in  this  range  is  known  as  St.  Mary's,  or  Hermit  Hill.  It  is  also 
known  as  Lapham's  Peak  by  many,  being  named  in  honor  of  the  late  I.  A.  Lapham.  the  emi- 
nent scientist,  who,  as  a  surveyor,  visited  it  and  ascertained  its  altitude  in  1851.  The  height 
above  the  level  of  Lake  Michigan,  as  reported   by  him,  is   eight  hundred   and   twenty-four  feet. 

The  water-shed  formed  by  this  range  of  hills  divides  the  drainage  of  the  county,  a  part  find- 
ing its  way  by  Rock  River  to  the  Mississippi,  and  a  part  through  Milwaukee  and  Menomonee 
Rivers,  flowing  into  Lake  Michigan.  The  sources  of  Rock  River  and  Cedar  Creek,  the  largest 
tributary  of  Milwaukee  River,  are  within  a  stone's  throw  of  each  other,  Cedar  < 'reek  having  its 
source  in  Cedar  Lake,  and  Rock  River  in  a  spring  but  a  few  rods  from  the  shore  of  the  lake. 
Thus  from  a  common  source  they  start  on  their  diverse  and  devious  wanderings,  finding  at  last 
a  common  home  in  the  great  sea,  the  one  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  other,  four  thousand 
miles  away,  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

THE    RIVER    SYSTEM. 

The  country,  east  of  the  hills,  is  drained  by  the  Milwaukee  River  and  the  numberless 
creeks  that  thread  the  country  and  run  into  it  from  all  directions.  The  river  comes  into  the 
county  from  the  north,  just  east  of  the  line  of  hills,  and  runs  in  a  southerly  direction  some 
eight  or  ten  miles,  through  the  towns  of  Kewaskum  and  Barton  to  West  Bend,  where  it  makes 
a  short  horseshoe  turn  within  a  radius  of  a  mile,  and  wanders  oft'  in  an  east  and  northeasterly 
direction  through  the  town  of  Trenton,  enters  the  northwest  corner  of  Saukvillc.  and  turns  to 
the  northwest  into  Farmington ;  thence  it  makes  a  sharp  turn,  running  due  east  through  the 
southwest  quarter  of  Fredonia.  where  it  turns  to  the  south  and  makes  its  way  through  Sauk- 
ville,  Grafton  and  Mequon,  entering  Lake  Michigan  at  Milwaukee,  ten  miles  south  of  the  county 
line.  The  river  in  its  crooked  and  uncertain  course  runs  through  the  county  nearly  sixty  miles 
in  making  twenty-four  miles  south,  and  visits  nine  different  townships.  It  is  a  rapid  river,  and 
its  many  falls  and  rapids,  which  rendered  it  in  early  times  one  of  the  loveliest  streams  in  the 
West,  now  furnishes  valuable  water-power  at  frequent  points  along  its  course. 

Sauk  Creek  has  its  source  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  county,  and  is  the  main  trunk  of 
numberless  small  streams  in  that  region.  It  runs  through  the  towns  of  Belgium  and  Fredonia, 
and  empties  into  Lake  Michigan  where  now  is  the  village  of  Port  Washington. 

Cedar  Creek  has  its  source  in  Little  Cedar  Lake,  on  the  south  line  of  the  town  of  West 
Bend.  It  runs  a  very  tortuous  course  through  the  towns  of  Polk,  Jackson  and  Cedarburg, 
emptying  into  the  Milwaukee  River  at  Grafton. 

The  Menomonee  River  has  its  source  in  Germantown.  and  empties  into  the  Milwaukee 
River  near  its  mouth. 

The  Rock  River  runs  in  a  northwesterly  course,  from  its  source  in  the  town  of  Polk,  through 
the  towns  of  Addison  and  Wayne. 

The  Rubicon  River,  a  tributary  of  Rock  River,  has  its  source  in  Polk  and  Pike  Lake,  in 
Hartford,  and  runs  through  that  town  its  entire  width  from  east  to  west. 

Tli''  Oconomowoc  River  rises  in  the  town  of  Polk,  and  runs  southeast  through  the  towns  of 
Richfield  and  Erin. 

The  flow  of  water  from  this  region  is  remarkable,  considering  its  small  area,  and  can  only 
lie  accounted  for  by  the  fact   that   the  whole  country  is  honey-combed  with   underground  water- 

68,  which  gush  out  in  never-failing  springs  on  every  hand.  Every  creek  and  stream  has  a 
well  defined  source  in  a  spring  or  a  lake  fed  from  the  same  never-failing  source.  Of  these  lakes 
or  small  ponds  there  are,  within  the  limits  of  the  old  county,  more  than  fifty,  sufficiently  large 
to  be  marked  on  an  ordinary  surveyor's  map.  Several  of  them  are  of  considerable  size.  Cclai 
Lake,  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  is  the  largest,  being  four  miles  in  length  and  a  mile  in 
width. 


HISTOKY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  811 

The  springs  in  the  central  part  of  the  county  seem  to  he  a  part  of  the  system  which  break 
out  in  such  profuse  flow  in  Waukesha  County,  a  few  miles  south,  and  chemical  analysis  shows 
them  to  be  identical.  They  break  out  in  the  same  profusion  as  in  Waukesha,  as  many  as  ten 
springs  being  found  on  one  piece  of  twenty  acres,  in  the  town  of  West  Bend. 

PREHISTORIC. 

Wisconsin  contains  more  marked  indications  of  the  existence  of  a  lost  race  in  North  America 
than  any  other  part  of  the  United  States.  They  consist  of  mounds  of  peculiar  form,  resembling 
beasts,  birds,  men,  etc.,  and  rude  fortifications,  many  of  them  quite  extensive,  and  built  in  such 
form  as  to  show  considerable  proficiency  in  engineering  and  a  knowledge  of  the  art  of  defensive 
warfare  far  in  advance  of  the  modern  aborigines.  The  utensils  found  also  show  that  they  were 
rude  workers  in  metal,  particularly  copper,  from  which  they  made  axes  with  a  socket  for  the  in- 
sertion of  the  helves  ;  chisels,  needles,  arrow-heads,  lances,  fish-spears  and  knives.  The  evidences 
in  the  copper  region  of  prehistoric  mining  are  traced  to  the  same  unknown  people,  now  quite 
generally  designated  as  Mound-Builders. 

Many  traces  of  them,  more  or  less  remote,  are  found  in  the  county.  Mounds,  when  the 
first  white  settlers  came  in,  were  quite  numerous,  and  scarce  an  old  farmer  can  be  found  who  has 
not  leveled  numbers  of  them  in  cultivating  his  fields.  Some  still  remain  about  Mud  Lake, 
in  the  town  of  Erin :  in  Farmington,  on  the  old  Wescott  place  ;  in  West  Bend,  on  Barton 
Smith's  farm,  and  doubtless  in  many  other  parts  of  the  county.  It  is  not,  however,  certain,  or 
hardly  probable,  that  these  remains  belong  to  the  age  of  the  Mound-Builders,  as  they  generally 
show  no  peculiar  imitative  design  in  their  form,  and  contain  skeletons  in  too  perfect  a  state  to 
be  of  remote  antiquity.  They  were  probably  the  burial-places  of  tribes  living  in  comparatively 
modern  times,  and  are  cotemporaneous  with  the  numerous  old  Indian  corn-fields,  many  of  which, 
when  discovered  by  the  early  settlers,  showed  well  defined  rows  and  hills,  though  thickly  over- 
grown with  trees  of  considerable  size. 

There  seems  to  be  no  evidence  that  the  Mound-Builders  ever  made  this  region  their  home  ; 
the  absence  of  the  "  animal  mounds  "  and  fortifications  is  as  good  proof  that  they  did  not  per- 
manently remain  in  this  region  as  their  presence  would  be  that  they  ever  lived  at  all.  These 
peculiar  mounds  were  numerous  about  the  mouth  of  Milwaukee  River,  in  the  county  of  Wau- 
kesha and  along  the  banks  of  Rock  River.     There  they  doubtless  lived  in  great  numbers. 

This,  however,  was  their  favorite  hunting-ground.  Here  are  found,  scattered  throughout 
the  region  west  of  the  hills,  their  arrow-heads  of  flint  and  copper,  their  copper  knives,  axes, 
chisels,  spears,  and  rude  cooking  utensils,  such  as  would  be  used  in  hunting  expeditions.  These 
utensils  are  most  numerous  west  of  Hermit  Hill  and  about  the  shores  of  Cedar,  Pike  and  Silver 
Lakes,  where  they  are  still  found  in  considerable  numbers  every  year,  being  generally  plowed  or  dug 
out  of  freshly-cleared  ground,  during  the  first  years  of  cultivation.  Drift  nuggets  of  copper 
were  formerly  found  in  this  region  of  sufficient  purity  to  be  worked  with  the  hammer,  and  these 
Indians  may  have  found  their  copper  supply  in  abundance  for  their  rude  wants,  without  recourse 
to  the  somewhat  mythical  prehistoric  copper  mines  of  Lake  Superior. 

INDIANS. 

The  Indians  earliest  known  to  occupy  the  territory  were  the  Menomonees,  Pottawatomies, 
Sacs  and  Foxes.  They  formerly  lived  in  the  Northeast,  about  and  above  the  Straits  of  Michili- 
mackinac,  and  gradually  moved  southwesterly  down  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan. 

In  1640,  the  Jesuit,  Paul  le  Jeune,  found  the  Menomonees  on  the  shores  of  Green  Bay,  and 
about  the  mouth  of  the  Menomonee  River,  and  beyond,  "  still  farther  on,  the  Winnebagoes,  a 
sedentary  people,  and  very  numerous."  By  "  still  farther  on,"  Le  Jeune  probably  meant  further 
inland,  near  the  Fox  River,  as  in  their  migrations  they  passed  up  the  Fox  as  far  as  the  portage, 
where  many  of  them  remained  till  a  recent  date,  and  a  few  still  live  in  the  vicinity. 

In  December,  1669,  Allouez  celebrated  mass  at  Green  Bay  and  visited  the  surrounding 
tribes,  which  were,  as  he  states,  the  Pottawatomies,  Menomonees,  Winnebagoes,  Sacs  and  Foxes. 


312  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  first  mention  of  the  residence  of  Indians  within  the  limits  of  Washington  County  was  in 
1679.  at  which  time  La  Salle,  Hennepin  and  companions  were  driven  by  stress  of  weather  on 
the  Wisconsin  shore,  at  or  near  what  is  the  mouth  of  Sauk  Creek,  where  was  a  Pottawatomie 
village.  As  the  tribes  of  Sacs  and  Foxes  were  in  perpetual  alliance  with  the  Pottawatomies, 
their  tribal  relations  lax,  and  as  they  owned  their  lands  in  common,  it  is  concluded  that  at  about 
the  date  above  mentioned  these  three  tribes  had  established  their  lodges  along  the  shore,  and 
were  in  possession  of  the  forests  of  this  county.  They  remained  till  within  the  memory  of  men 
still  living,  gradually  moving  west  and  south  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  the  territory  east  and 
north  of  that  river  being  occupied  by  the  Menomonees. 

The  title  of  the  Menomonees  was  extinguished  in  1831,  and  that  of  the  Pottawatomies  in 
1838.  The  Pottawatomies  were  removed  as  a  tribe  during  that  year,  but  they  returned  in  con- 
siderable numbers,  and  had  small  villages  within  the  limits  of  their  old  possessions  as  late  as 
1845.  There  was  a  considerable  village  near  Silver  Lake  on  the  arrival  of  the  earlier  settlers 
of  West  Bend  during  that  year,  and,  in  1844,  Fred  Hacker,  who  located  on  the  east  shore  of 
Pike  Lake,  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  settled  near  a  considerable  Indian  village  of  Pottawatomies, 
with  whom  he  lived  on  terms  of  close  friendship.  The  chief,  Kewaskum.  made  this  village  his 
home  at  that  time.      Remnants  of  the  tribe  still  live  about  Horicon  Lake  in  Dodge  County. 

WHITE    MEN. 

The  first  visit  of  white  men  to  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  is  believed  to  have  oc- 
curred in  August  and  September,  1673.  On  May  17  of  that  year,  Louis  Joliet,  an  adventurous 
French  trader,  and  Jacques  Marquette,  a  Jesuit  Priest,  with  three  companions,  set  nut  in  two 
canoes,  from  the  Straits  of  Michilimackinac,  on  a  voyage  of  discovery.  They  coasted  along  the 
north  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  entered  Green  Bay,  went  up  the  Fox  River  as  far  as  the  Port- 
age, whence  they  were  conducted  by  Indian  guides  to  the  Wisconsin  River,  down  which  they 
floated  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  entered  the  Mississippi  and  explored  it  as  far  south  as  the  Arkansas 
River.  Ascending  the  Mississippi,  they  returned  by  way  of  the  Illinois  River,  and  coasted 
northward  along  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Green  Bay  Mission,  at  which  they 
arrived  late  in  September.  The  frailty  of  their  canoes  must  have  necessitated  frequent  land- 
ings, and  doubtless  every  night  was  spent  on  shore.  These  men  must  have  spent  at  least  one 
night  somewhere  along  the  shore  of  Washington  County,  and  were,  so  far  as  historical  authority 
warrants  belief,  the  first  white  men  who  ever  landed  on  its  soil.  They  must  have  passed  up  the 
it  about  the  middle  of  September,  1673.  Their  most  probable  landing  would  have  been  at 
the  mouth  of  Sauk  Creek,  it  being  an  easy  day's  sail  from  the  mouth  of  Milwaukee  River,  and 
the  next  harbor  made  by  a  stream  entrance  from  inland.  Where  they  landed,  or  whether  they 
landed  at  all,  is,  however,  mere  conjecture. 

In  October,  1674,  Marquette,  with  Pierre  and  Jacques,  and  ten  canoes  of  Pottawatomies 
and  Illinois  Indians,  coasted  from  the  Portage,  opposite  Sturgeon  Bay,  to  the  mouth  of  Chicago 
They  were  a  month  on  the  way,  and  must  have  spent  much  of  the  time  on  the  shore  to 
account  for  the  length  of  the  voyage.  There  are  legendary  accounts  of  a  visit  of  Marquette  to 
St.  Mary's  Hill,  some  twenty  miles  inland,  erecting  a  cross  on  its  summit,  and  consecrating  the 
spot  as  holv  ground  to  his  Patron  Saint,  Mary.  If  Marquette  ever  visited  the  spot,  it  must 
have  been  on  this  voyage,  or  on  his  return  up  the  coast  with  Joliet  the  year  before,  as  he  died 
on  his  return  voyage,  and  was  buried  on  the  Michigan  shore. 

In  September,  1679,  La  Salle,  with  thirteen  men,  among  whom  was  Father  Hennepin, 
stalled  in  four  canoes,  down  the  west  shore,  on  an  expedition,  the  combined  objects  of  which 
were,  to  proselyte  the  Indians  to  the  Catholic  faith,  and  to  establish  trading  and  military  posts. 
A  succession  of  terrible  storms  raging  during  the  whole  of  September  and  the  earlier  days  of 
October,  they  were  frequently  driven  ashore  or  forced  to  seek  shelter.  At  one  time  they  spent 
five  days  on  shore,  and  on  several  other  occasions  two  or  three  days.  The  journal  of  this  voy- 
age state.-,  that  on  September  -v  they  were  nearly  driven  on  a  poinl  of  rocks  covered  »itl> 
bushes,  and  that  on  the  next  day  they  paddled   thirty  miles  without  food.      In  the  evening  they 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  313 

came  to  a  Pottawatomie  village,  but  did  not  dare  to  land,  as  they  were  fearful  the  Indians  might 
rob  them  of  their  stores,  which  consisted  of  a  good  supply  of  merchandise,  fit  for  trading  pur- 
poses, an  anvil,  arms  and  ammunition,  but  no  provisions,  they  having  been  exhausted  or  spoiled 
during  their  long  and  tempestuous  voyage.  A  few  miles  farther  down  the  coast,  they  were 
driven  ashore,  and  got  relief  from  the  Pottawatomies,  who  furnished  them  with  corn,  for  which 
they  paid  them  from  their  stores.  This  is  the  last  landing  mentioned  particularly  before  reach- 
ing Milwaukee,  and  the  scene  of  the  wreck  was  probably  on  the  Washington  County  shore. 

The  only  mention  of  other  voyages  up  or  down  these  shores  during  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, are  those  of  Henry  de  Tonty,  one  of  La  Salle's  men,  who  returned  to  Green  Bay  in  1680, 
and  that  of  St.  Cosme,  who  explored  the  coast  in  1699,  frequently  landing  with  his  men.  Spe- 
cial mention  is  made  of  visiting  an  Indian  village  at  the  mouth  of  a  small  river,  probably  Sauk 
Creek,  where  they  found  a  cross  that  had  been  planted  by  a  Jesuit  missionary  named  Joseph  J. 
Marest,  who  had  recently  spent  a  winter  at  the  village.  Marest  was  probably  the  first  white 
man  who  ever  lived  in  the  county. 

There  are  no  records  of  any  permanent  stay  of  the  Jesuits  who  established  the  early  missions 
among  the  Indians,  nearer  than  Green  Bay.  That  mission  was  established  as  early  as  1669,  by 
the  Jesuit  Allouez,  and  was  sustained,  without  interruption,  for  nearly  a  century,  till  the  French 
domination  over  the  territory  ceased,  in  1761.  During  this  long  period  the  Indians  had  migrated 
largely  toward  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  but  no  traditions  nor  ruins  lead  to  the  belief  that 
these  priests  followed  them  in  their  wanderings,  or  established  any  missions  outside  the  stock- 
ades of  Green  Bay.  After  French  supremacy  ceased,  the  only  resident  whites  were  a  few  half- 
breeds,  Canadian  families  and  fur-traders,  who  occupied  it  uninterruptedly  as  a  trading-post 
till  Eastern  immigration  set  in,  in  1834  and  1835,  after  the  extinction  of  the  Indian  titles  to 
the  land  had  been  consummated. 

THE    DAWN    OF   CIVILIZATION. 

Two  tribes  of  Indians  had  undisputed  possession  of  the  territory  embraced  in  old  Wash- 
ington County  in  1831.  The  Menomonees  claimed  and  occupied  the  land  north  and  east  of  the 
Milwaukee  River,  and  the  Pottawatomies  that  region  lying  south  and  west  of  the  river.  The 
title  of  the  Menomonees  was  extinguished  by  a  treaty  made  with  the  chiefs  of  that  tribe  at 
Washington  February  8,  1831.  Two  years  later,  September  26,  1833,  the  Pottawatomies  also 
ceded  their  possessions,  by  treaty  at  Chicago,  reserving  the  right  of  possession  and  occupancy 
for  three  years  after  the  ratification  of  the  treaty.  The  treaty  was  ratified  February  21,  1835, 
and  the  time  of  Indian  possession  expired  February  21,  1838.  The  tribes  were  removed  west 
of  the  Mississippi  in  May  of  that  year,  yet  remnants  returned  and  hovered  about  their  old  hunt- 
ing-grounds till  a  late  date,  as  has  been  before  mentioned. 

Up  to  the  time  of  the  treaties  above  mentioned,  white  men  had  no  proprietary  rights  in 
Washington  County  which  Indians  were  bound  to  respect.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  fractional 
townships  along  the  shore,  and  north  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  thus  became  subject  to  pre-emp- 
tion and  settlement  some  seven  years  before  the  Indian  title  was  extinguished  in  the  central  and 
western  parts  of  the  county.     This  accounts  for  the  earlier  settlements  in  that  region. 

THE    FIRST    ROADS. 

The  first  roads  were  surveyed  by  the  Government  soon  after  the  Menomonee  treaty.  The 
military  road  running  east  from  Dekorra.  thence  across  the  State  to  what  is  now  Port  Washing- 
ton, was  known  as  the  "  Dekorra  road."  It  was  opened  by  Gen.  Dodge  in  1832  or  1833.  It 
entered  the  limit  of  the  county  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Addison,  the  road  running  on  the 
section  line  between  Nos.  7  and  18,  and  passed  through  West  Bend,  Trenton  and  Saukville  to 
Port  Washington. 

The  "  Green  Bay  road  "  was  surveyed  in  1832  and  1833,  from  Chicago  to  Green  Bay, 
through  what  is  now  the  lake  shore  tier  of  towns,  and  ran  through  what  are  now  the  towns  of 
Mequon,  Grafton,  Port  Washington  and  Belgium. 


314  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

These  were  the  earliest  and  only  roads  surveyed  in  the  county  before  1835,  and  were 
merely  blazed  through  by  the  engineers  prior  to  that  time.  The  Green  Bay  road  was  not  cut 
out  north  of  Milwaukee  till  1836-37  ;  during  those  years,  it  was  grubbed  out,  two  rods  in  width 
for  a  few  miles,  and  cut  through  to  Port  Washington  in  1839.  No  bridges  were  built  except  of 
the  most  primitive  kind,  of  the  trees  felled  on  the  route.  A  well-trodden  Indian  trail  between 
Milwaukee  and  Green  Bay  was  the  only  passable  road  through  the  country  along  the  lake  shore 
prior  to  1840,  and  up  to  1844,  after  roads  were  quite  common  in  that  region  the  western  and 
central  settlers  came  in  to  their  claims  on  the  well-defined  trails  left  by  the  Indians. 

The  survey  of  the  land  was  made  in  1834-35-36,  running  of  town  lines  in  the  western  parts 
of  the  county  being  completed  during  the  latter  year.  The  head  surveyor  was  named  Brink,  his 
assistant  was  a  Mr.  Follett.  William  Ostrander,  now  living  in  the  town  of  Barton,  was  one  of 
the  engineer  corps,  and  assisted  in  the  completion  of  the  survey  in  1836. 

According  to  the  survey,  the  territory  of  the  old  county  embraced  Towns  9,  10,  11  and  12 
north,  in  Banges  18,  19,  20,  21  and  22  east.  These  townships  are  now  known,  going  from  west 
to  east,  as  follows  :  Towns  9,  Erin,  Bichfield,  Geruaantown,  Mequon  ;  10,  Hartford,  Polk, 
Jackson,  Cedarburg,  Grafton;  11,  Addison,  West  Bend  and  south  half  of  Barton,  Trenton, 
Saukville,  Port  Washington  ;  12,  Wayne,  Kewaskum  and  north  half  of  Barton,  Farmington, 
Fredonia,  Belgium.  In  order  to  make  the  subsequent  history  more  intelligible  to  the  reader,  the 
localities  will  hereafter  be  designated  by  their  town  names,  although  no  towns  were  incorporated 
until  1846  and  subsequent  to  that  date. 

Keeping  in  mind  the  course  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  which  was  the  boundary  line  between 
the  Menomonee  and  Pottawatomie  lands,  and  remembering  that  up  to  1838  the  land  of  the 
Pottawatomies  was  not  open  to  settlement,  the  reader  will  be  able  to  trace  the  early  settlers  as 
they  came  in  to  permanently  possess  the  land. 

first  white  settlers. 

Wooster  Harrison  was  the  first  permanent  settler  in  the  county.  Having  been  a  trader  in 
Michigan,  and,  previous  to  the  time  of  his  settlement,  up  and  down  the  lake  shore  on  trading 
expeditions,  he  was  quite  well-informed  as  to  the  best  sites  along  the  coast.  He  at  first  put 
down  his  stakes  in  Sheboygan,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  river  near  its  mouth,  and  built  a  shanty. 
He  found  the  water-power  already  occupied  by  William  Farnsworth,  Mr.  Follett  and  others. 
and  abandoned  his  claim  in  a  few  months.  At  the  first  land  sale  held  at  Green  Bay  in  the  fall 
of  1835,  he,  with  some  associates,  entered  the  first  land  entered  in  the  county.  The  date  of  the 
entry  was  November  24.  1835.  The  land  entered  covered  the  site  of  the  present  village  of 
Port  Washington.  The  Indians  had,  till  a  few  years  before,  a  village  at  this  point,  and  there 
was  a  small  clearing  at  the  mouth  of  Sauk  Creek,  where  they  had  cultivated  corn.  The  creek, 
now  nearly  dry,  except  during  the  spring  freshets,  was  a  stream  of  considerable  size,  and 
appeared  a  promising  water-power.  In  the  eyes  of  Harrison  and  his  copartners,  it  had  all  the 
natural  advantages  for  a  manufacturing  and  commercial  city,  and  was  the  destined  rival  of  both 
Milwaukee  and  Sheboygan.  They  forthwith  laid  out  the  town  and  named  it  "  Wisconsin  City." 
The  original  plat  was  on  the  north  side  of  Sauk  Creek,  along  the  lake  shore,  on  the  site  of  the 
present  village.  The  streets  were  laid  out  north  and  south,  and  east  and  west  from  the  bluffs  to 
the  lake,  all  except  Lake  street,  which  ran  diagonally  in  a  northeasterly  direction  along  the 
shore. 

The  street  nearest  the  creek,  destined  for  docks  and  wharves  when  the  dredging  was  com- 
pleted, was  named  Canal  street.  The  parallel  streets  in  order,  going  north,  were  Main,  Wash- 
ington and  Jackson,  each  having  a  width  of  sixty-six  feet,  except  Main,  which  was  eighty  feet 
m  width;  Lake  street  intersected  Canal  street  at  its  foot  and  ran  along  the  lake  front ;  City 
-Meet,  starting  at  the  intersection  of  Lake  and  Canal  streets,  ran  due  north  and  south,  intersect- 
ing Mam.  Washington  and  .Jackson  streets;  west  and  parallel  came  in  order.  Franklin.  Wis- 
consin, Milwaukee,  Montgomery  and  Clay  streets,  all  of  the  regulation  width  of  sixty-six  feet, 
except  Wisconsin,  which  was  eighty  feet  in  width.      The  public  square  was  in  the  block  bounded 

• 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  315 

by  Washington  on  the  south,  Wisconsin  on  the  east,  Jackson  on  the  north,  and  Milwaukee  on 
the  west. 

Alleys,  twenty  feet  in  width,  running  north  and  south,  intersected  each  block.  The  lots 
were  60x120  feet  in  size.  The  names  of  the  proprietors  of  this  embryo  city,  as  appears  in  the 
recorded  plat,  were  Solomon  Juneau,  Morgan  L.  Martin,  G.  S.  Hosmer,  Allen  0.  T.  Breed, 
Wooster  Harrison,  Calvin  Harmon,  G.  S.  Hosmer,  Thomas  A.  Holmes  and  William  Payne,  all 
non-residents  except  Gen.  Harrison.  The  land  seems  to  have  been  ceded  by  the  Government 
to  Harrison,  and  sold  to  his  partners,  whom  he  let  into  the  speculation  on  easy  terms. 

Some  sixteen  acres  of  land  were  cleared,  and  several  buildings  erected;  a  tavern,  two  stores, 
and  several  dwelling  houses,  among  them  that  of  the  "father  of  the  city,"  Gen.  Harrison, 
which  is  still  standing.  A  dam  was  also  built  on  the  creek  some  distance  from  the  city,  and  a 
saw-mill  erected.  The  first  transfer  of  property  by  deed,  appearing  on  the  records,  was  a  part 
of  this  tract.  It  bears  date  December  1,  1835,  and  conveys  to  Thomas  A.  Holmes  an  undivided 
half  of  about  eleven  acres,  the  consideration  being  $100.  In  January,  1836,  Holmes  sold 
about  four  acres  of  this  lot  to  Solomon  Juneau  for  $500.  In  February,  1836,  Levi  Mason 
bought  two  and  one-half  acres  of  a  tract  adjoining  the  town  plat  for  $600  per  acre. 

Prices  went  up  quite  rapidly,  but  culminated  in  the  crash  of  1837.  The  highest  point  was 
reached  in  August  of  that  year ;  on  the  3d  of  that  month,  Solomon  Juneau  sold  to  one  Jas- 
per Bostwick  one  "city  lot""  (Lot  12,  Block  19)  for  $300,  equivalent  to  nearly  $1,800  per 
acre. 

The  decadence  of  Wisconsin  City  was  as  sudden  as  its  growth  had  been  rapid.  The  crash 
of  1837  brought  it  to  a  dead  halt,  and  it  was  abandoned  entirely  except  by  Harrison,  who  re- 
mained there,  when  not  in  Milwaukee,  to  look  after  the  ruins  of  what  had  been  the  darling  hope 
of  his  life.  The  present  village  of  Port  Washington,  after  forty-five  years,  is  built  on  the  old 
plat,  and  along  the  streets  then  laid  out,  and,  in  its  beauty,  is  the  counterpart  of  the  Wisconsin 
City  that  poor  Harrison  built  on  paper  and  in  his  fancy  so  many  years  ago.  Not  till  1842  was 
any  attempt  made  to  revive  the  deserted  village. 

Between  the  years  1837  and  1841,  the  southeastern  townships  of  the  county  began  to  show 
signs  of  civilization,  and  many  settlers  came  into  what  are  now  the  towns  of  Mequon,  Grafton 
and  Germantown.  They  came  mostly  from  the  State  of  New  York  and  from  England.  Few- 
Germans  or  Irish  came  in  prior  to  1842. 

THE    COUNTY    BEGINS    FOR    ITSELF. 

As  has  been  previously  stated,  Washington  County  was  set  off  from  Milwaukee  County  at 
the  first  session  of  the  Wisconsin  Territorial  Legislature,  in  1836,  and  the  seat  of  justice  was  to 
be  Washington  City  (Wisconsin  City  having  changed  its  name).  By  that  act  the  territorial 
limits  of  the  county  were  defined,  but  it  was  still  virtually  a  part  of  Milwaukee  County,  being 
attached  to  that  county  for  all  judicial  and  civil  purposes.  It  was,  therefore,  only  established  or 
created  in  1836. 

In  1840,  by  act  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  approved  February  19,  the  county  was  or- 
ganized for  civil  purposes.  The  government  of  the  county  was  vested  in  a  board  of  three  Commis- 
sioners, who  had  within  their  province  the  entire  civil  business  of  the  county — the  laying-out  of 
roads  and  appointment  of  highway  surveyors,  the  establishment  of  school  districts  and  appoint- 
ment of  school  agents,  the  calling  of  elections,  the  valuation  of  property,  the  support  of  paupers, 
granting  of  licenses,  etc.,  etc. 

As  under  the  previous  act  of  1836,  the  seat  of  justice  had  been  established  at  Washington 
City,  which  was  remote  from  the  present  settlements,  and  still  in  a  torpid  state ;  it  was  enacted 
that  "  the  County  Commissioners  may  hold  their  meetings  at  the  house  of  William  T.  Bonni- 
well,  in  said  county,  any  law  of  this  Territory,  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding."  Thus  early 
did  the  question  concerning  the  county  seat  appear  as  a  disturbing  element,  a  question 
which  ultimately  led  to  the  division  of  the  county.  The  county  still  remained  attached  to  Mil- 
waukee for  judicial  purposes. 


316  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  whole  county  was  then  embraced  in  one  election  precinct.  The  first  election,  for  the 
choice  of  officers,  was  held  at  the  house  of  Taylor  Heavilon,  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Me- 
quon.  The  Judges  of  Election  were  Jonathan  M.  Clark,  Levi  Ostrander  and  Taylor  Heavi- 
lon ;  Clerks,  Benjamin  Bettys  and  E.  N.  Danforth.  The  first  county  officers  chosen  were : 
County  Commissioners,  Reuben  Wells,  Levi  Ostrander  and  Barton  Salisbury  ;  Register  of  Deeds, 
Taylor  Heavilon ;  Treasurer,  George  Bonniwell ;  Collector,  V.  R.  Pettis ;  Assessor,  Peter 
Turck  and  William  T.  Burdick  ;   Coroner,  Peter  Turck  :   Constable,  T.  J.  Holmes. 

Below  is  the 

FIRST    POLL-LIST    OF    WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 

Datus  Cowan,  James  Fox,  Nelson  Bounst,  S.  Stevens,  C.  Higgins,  D.  Strickland,  A.  D. 
Weisner,  S.  McEvony.  T.  Weston,  J.  McMelon,  V.  R.  Pettis,  T.  Gardinier.  Reuben  Wells. 
Samuel  Drake,  Jesse  Hubbard,  John  Armstrong,  E.  N.  Danforth,  G.  Bonniwell,  L.  W.  Weth- 
erbee,  W.  T.  Bonniwell,  Charles  Bonniwell,  J.  R.  Eastman,  Peter  Turck,  H.  V.  Bonniwell, 
George  Manly,  B.  Bettys,  William  Worth,  John  Willet,  Levi  Ostrander,  J.  G.  Southwell, 
Barton  Salisbury,  Timothy  Wooden.  T.  Heavilon,  Isham  Day.  Total  number  of  votes  polled. 
thirty-four. 

The  above  list,  if  not  comprising  all  the  voters  in  the  county  at  that  time,  comprised  all 
who  attended  the  first  meeting. 

THE    EARLY    RECORDS. 

November  18,  1840. — The  first  Board  of  County  Commissioners  met  at  the  house  of  Will- 
iam T.  Bonniwell,  in  Mequon  Township.  On  motion  of  Reuben  Wells,  Levi  Ostrander  was 
elected  Chairman,  and  William  T.  Bonniwell,  Clerk  of  the  Board.  At  this  meeting,  all  the 
officers  elect  appeared  and  qualified  by  taking  oath  or  filing  bonds  as  the  law  directs,  and  ad- 
journed without  transacting  any  further  business. 

February  24,  1841. — At  a  special  meeting  held  at  William  T.  Bonniwell's  house,  the  road 
districts  were  laid  out.  There  were  seven  districts  in  the  county,  six  of  which  were  in  Towns 
9  and  10,  Range  21,  now  Mequon,  Grafton  and  Cedarburg.  The  seventh  was  described  as 
embracing  all  the  remainder  of  the  county.  At  that  time,  it  would  appear  there  could  have 
been  no  roads  worthy  of  mention  outside  the  towns  above  named.  The  thoroughfares  leading  to 
'■  Wisconsin  City  "  were  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  be  defined  as  a  road  district. 

The  Road  Supervisors  appointed  were:  First  District,  John  Western;  Second,  John  M. 
Clark;  Third,  William  T.  Bonniwell;  Fourth,  George  Manly;  Fifth,  Anthony  D.  Weisner; 
Sixth,  Samuel  Drake ;  Seventh,  Aaron  Adams. 

Three  new  roads  were  laid  out  at  this  meeting,  designated  as  Roads  No.  1,  No.  2  and  No. 
3,  all  within  the  limits  of  the  townships  of  Mequon  and  Grafton. 

July  7,  1841. — The  Commissioners  laid  tax  for  county  purposes  as  follows: 

For  court  expenses  and  fees  of  officers  performing  duties  required  by  law,  two  mills  on  the 
dollar. 

For  support  of  the  poor,  one-half  mill  on  the  dollar. 

For  laying  out  roads  and  building  bridges,  one  mill  on  the  dollar. 

For  support  of  schools  and  building  sehoolhouses.  one  and  one-half  mills  on  the  dollar. 

Total  valuation,  §1.00,507.   Total  tax,  $782.83.    Washington  City  lots  paid  a  tax  of  $12.11. 

October  11.  1841. — Samuel  Drake  applied  for  license  to  keep  a  tavern;  his  application 
was  postponed  and  never  acted  on. 

October  18,  1841. — John  Western  was  granted  license  to  keep  tavern,  the  first  license 
granted. 

March  1,  1842. — Isaac  T.  Brown  appointed  the  First  District  Surveyor  for  the  county  of 
Washington.  Allowed  relief  to  four  poor  persons  to  the  amount  of  §18,  which  Taylor  Heavilon 
was  to  furnish  in  pro\  isions  from  his  store  :it  the  following  prices  :  Potatoes,  30  cents  per  bushel ; 
pork,  6  cents  per  pound;  Hour.  $2.50  per  hundred  pounds. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  317 

Datus  Cowan  agreed  to  build  a  bridge  across  Cedar  Creek  for  the  sum  of  $260,  to  be  paid 
out  of  the  delinquent  road-tax  of  1841,  the  first  bridge  built  by  the  county. 

April  4,  1842. — Jacob  Snyder  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern  or  public  house  at  his  dwelling 
house,  and  no  other  on  southwest  quarter  of  Section  36,  Town  9,  Range  20.  He  was  the  first 
German  tavern-keeper  in  the  county.  His  house  was  on  the  Fond  du  Lac  road,  in  the  southeast 
section  of  Germantown. 

The  first  school  census  was  taken  in  1841,  and  the  school  money  apportioned  as  follows  : 
District  No.  1,  14  scholars,  $19.19  ;  No.  2,  20  scholars,  $14.53  ;  No.  3,  23  scholars,  $16.72  ; 
No.  4,  32  scholars,  $23.26  ;  No.  5,  52  scholars,  $37.80  ;  No.  6,  16  scholars,  $11.63  ;  No.  1, 
Range  20,  83  scholars,  $113.79  ;  No.  1,  Town  10,  15  scholars,  $20.57.  Total  number  of 
scholars.  255;  total  amount  of  school  money,  $257.49. 

July  4,  1842. — The  total  valuation  of  the  county  was  $210,351,  on  which  a  total  tax  of 
$2,100.23  was  laid. 

October  3,  1842. — Paid  Schiei  Cass  and  Samuel  Place  $3  apiece  for  the  scalps  of  three 
wolves  killed  in  Washington  County.  Allowed  Luther  W.  Wetherbee  $17.17i  for  expense  of 
jury  and  witnesses  sitting  on  the  dead  body  of  Jacob  Kloppenburgh.  This  was  the  first  Coron- 
er's inquest  held  in  the  county. 

December  26,  1842. — Taylor  Heavilon  was  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern  ;  license  fee,  $5. 
Henry  T.  Bonniwell  was  allowed  $3  for  killing  a  wolf.  Charles  Higgins  was  allowed  $3  for 
inspecting  a  schoolmaster.  Joshua  Gifford  was  licensed  to  keep  a  tavern  in  Grafton.  V.  R. 
Pettis,  County  Treasurer,  was  allowed  §1.60  for  loss  on  "  Dutch  silver."  Reuben  Wells  was 
allowed  $75  for  building  a  bridge  across  Cedar  Creek  near  his  house. 

January  4,  1843. — Taylor  Heavilon  revoked  his  tavern  license  and  was  allowed  $3.75  (as 
the  report  reads)  "  for  not  keeping  tavern  only  three  months  after  paying  for  one  year."  Will- 
iam T.  Bonniwell  was  appointed  (the  first)  Poormaster,  and  allowed  $20  in  pork  and  flour  to  be 
distributed  among  the  poor  of  the  county. 

March  3],  1843. — Established  Justice  of  the  Peace  precincts — three  in  number.  Peter 
Turck  presented  bill  for  things  delivered  the  German  who  shot  himself  in  the  leg  ;  also  for  a 
coffin  furnished  for  Thomas  Gilson's  child,  and  for  provisions  furnished  Mr.  Adams,  a  German. 
Allowed  Jesse  Hubbard  $6.80  for  visiting  "  Dutchman  Egry  and  furnishing  him  provisions." 
Allowed  Peter  Turck  for  the  same  Dutchman.  Further  allowances  appear  on  the  record  of  this 
date  to  Datus  Cowan,  $1.50  ;  Dr.  E.  B.  Wolcott,  $100  ;  Edward  Jansen,  $27.  Throughout  the 
records,  Egry  is  designated  as  Dutchman  Egry,  Germans  being  so  rare  at  that  time  as  to  render 
a  special  description  necessary.  The  last  mention  made  of  the  unfortunate  is  as  Christian  Egry, 
Dutchman. 

April  4,  1843. — Three  voting  precincts  were  established  and  Judges  appointed  for  the  com- 
ing May  election  as  follows:  First  Precinct,  at  the  house  of  William  T.  Bonniwell;  Judges, 
James  Bonniwell,  Samuel  McEvony,  Fred  W.  Horn.  Second  Precinct,  at  the  house  of  Joshua 
Gifford  ;  Judges,  Levi  Ostrander,  Joshua  Gifford,  William  Coates.  Third  Precinct,  at  the  house 
of  Reuben  Wells ;  Judges,  Reuben  Wells,  Luther  W.  Wetherbee,  Henry  Holmes.  Rejected 
the  petition  of  Jacob  Snyder  for  a  tavern  license. 

July  5,  1843. — Allowed  William  T.  Bonniwell  to  purchase  two  iron  safes  for  the  Clerk  of 
the  Board  and  the  Register  of  Deeds.     Total  valuation,  $358,952.     Total  tax,  $2,172.74. 

October  21,  1843. — Taylor  Heavilon  resigned  as  Register  of  Deeds,  and  William  T.  Bon- 
niwell was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

January  1, 1844. — Commissioners  met  at  Hamburg  Village  (now  Grafton),  which  had  been 
selected  by  vote  of  the  people  as  the  county  seat.  New  Commissioners  qualified.  Philip  Leub- 
enheimer  licensed  to  keep  tavern  on  the  Fond  du  Lac  road,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  what  is 
now  the  town  of  Richfield.  T.  H.  Thein,  of  Mequon,  and  Jonas  P.  Vaughn  and  John  Mattice, 
of  Germantown,  were  also  granted  license  as  tavern-keepers. 


318 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    .VXD  OZAUKEE   ( OlXTIEs 


January  81,  1844. — Bids  opened  for  building  bridge  over  Milwaukee  River  on  Green  Bav 
road,  at  Sauk  Village.  Contract  awarded  to  Gottlieb  Beers  for  §470.  This  was  the  first  per- 
manent bridge  built  across  that  river  in  the  county.  (?) 

April  1,  1844. — School  census  and  apportionment  of  school  money  was  as  follows: 


Name  of  District. 

Where  Located. 

No.  of  Scholars. 

A  Jioi  xi  of  Money. 

Name  of  Clerk. 

Harrison  District,  No. 
Van  Buren  District,  No 
Van  Buren  District,  No 
Van  Buren  District,  No 
Fulton  District,  No.  1.. 
Franklin   District,  No. 
Darmstadt  District,  No. 
Darmstadt  District,  No. 

Center  District    No.  2.. 

2 
3... 

6... 
1... 

• 

4... 

1... 

Town  9,  Range  21, 
Town  9,  Ranges  21 
Town  9,  Range  21, 
Town  9.  Range  21, 
Town  7,  Range  20, 
Town  9,  Range  20, 
Town  9,  Range  20, 
Town  HI,  Range  21 
Town  10,  Range  21 
Town  10,  Range  21 

Mequon 

22,  Mequon 

Mequon 

Mequon 

Germantown 
Germantown 
Germantown 

,  Grafton 

,  Grafton 

,  Grafton 

2'.' 
74 
45 
80 
140 
68 
66 
48 
8 
27 

SI  9  46 
49  64 
30  21 
20  13 
93  92 
45  62 
44  27 
32   21 
5  87 
18  12 

Stephen  Wood. 
.1.  Woodworth. 
John  Shehan. 
Samuel  McEvony. 
Levi  Ostrander. 
J.  G.  Southwell. 
E.  Semler. 

E.  H.  Jansen. 

F.  Ash  worth. 
P    Walter. 

Total 

535 

$358  95 

All  the  scholars  enumerated  at  this  date  appear  in  the  three  southeastern  towns,  Mequon  having  178,  German- 
town  274,  and  Grafton  83. 

Treasurer's  report  shows,  among  receipts,  $25  received  for  liquor  licenses,  the  first  revenue 
from  that  source. 

July  17,  1844.— Total  valuation,  $359,899;  total  tax  levied,  $B,059.14.  Fred  W.  Horn 
petitioned  for  bridge  across  Milwaukee  River  in  the  Township  of  Mequon,  between  Sections  '23 
and  20.  His  petition  was  granted,  and  the  contract  let  to  Reuben  Wells  for  $600,  to  be  finished 
February  1,  1845.  This  bridge  crossed  the  river  at  the  village  of  Thiensville,  half  a  mile 
below  the  post  office. 

December  19,  1844. — Selected  site  for  county  poor  farm.  It  was  described  as  the  east 
half  of  the  northwest  quarter,  and  the  west  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  11,  in 
Town  10,  Range  20.  It  was  located  in  the  northwestern  corner  of  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Jackson. 

•January  6,  1845. — New  board  met.  Timothy  Hall  applied  for  license  to  keep  a  tavern, 
and,  it  appearing  that  he  was  a  man  of  good  moral  character,  and  was  well  furnished  and  quali- 
fied to  keep  a  public  house,  the  license  was  granted  for  one  year,  he  paying  therefor  the  sum  of 
$5.     This  was  the  first  licensed  tavern  in  the  town  of  Hartford. 

April  In,  [845. — Four  voting  precincts  established  as  follows:  Newland  Precinct — 
Judges,  Charles  Higgens,  Patrick  Smith,  C.  Daniels;  Washington  Precinct — Fudges,  William 
Opitz.  Charles  Bonniwell,  Morgan  Wescott;  Phelps  Precincl — Fudges,  John  M.  Curtis,  Levi 
Ostrander,  Conrad  Strausman  ;   Erin  Precinct — William  Stott.  William  Sullivan.  Patrick  Dailey. 

July  8,  1845. —  Ordered  that  the  Clerk  give  notice  for  a  vote  to  be  taken,  '-for  or  against 
the  township  system  of  government." 

Taxable  property  assessed  as  follows: 

Land,   189,466  acres (891,981  00 

Town  lots 1,871 

Men  handise BOO  00 


Total I 

Amount  of  tan  raised {6,268  ^s 

January   :!.  1846. — Treasurer's  report   shows  a  full  Bettlemenl    with  the  Territory  of  Wis- 
consin,  and  the  county  of  Milwaukee.     Balance  paid  Territory,  $961.07;  Milwaukee  County, 

si:,.;  32. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  319 

January   5,  1846. — Last  meeting  under  the  county   svstern   of  government  by  Board  of 
■Commissioners,  the  vote  having  been  in  favor  of  the  town  system. 

Assets  of  the  county  in  hands  of  County  Treasurer  were  reported  as  follows: 

Certificates  of  land  purchased  by  the  county §656  51 

County  orders 178  58 

Silver 76  00 

Gold 390  14 

Silver  -half  dollars) 320  00 

Mexican  dollars 75  00 

Counterfeit   coins 4  00 

Five-franc  pieces  at  94  cents 116  66 

Thalers  at  6">  cents 13  00 

Territorial  scrip 10  00 

Gold 256  81 

Total  assets $2,096  60 

The  school  census  for  the  year  showed  districts,  number  of  scholars,  and  apportionment  of 


school  money  as  follows : 


Name  of  District.  No.  of  Scholars.      Amount  of  Money. 

West   Bend 22  $16  06 

Shamrock 42  30  66 

Haman 44  32  12 

Halkin 27  19  71 

Smith 10  7  30 

Franklin 56  40  88 

Darmstadt 90  65  70 

Union 69  50  37 

Kerkheim 89  64  97 

Bonniwell 56  40  88 

New  Berlin 38  25  55 

Van  Buren 85  63  75 

Friedstadt 104  75  92 

Harrison 32  23  36 

Aldenburg 27  19  71 

Fulton 78  56  94 

Delmald 37  27  01 

Mentz 30  21   90 

Port  Washington 128  93  44 

Godenburg 48  35  04 

La  Fayette 19  12  87 

Farrell 36  26  28 

Jefferson 39  28  47 

American 34  24  82 

Phelps 13  9  49 

Washington '. 36  26  28 

District  No.  7 36  26  28 

Total 2,157  $965.76 

RETROSPECTIVE    SUMMARY. 

Up  to  the  last  date  from  the  county  records,  January  5,  1846,  a  period  of  little  more  than 
five  years,  the  government  had  been  administered  by  three  County  Commissioners,  under  what 
was  known  as  the  county  system.  During  that  time,  a  large  tide  of  immigration  had  set  in, 
which,  during  the  latter  three  years,  had  covered  the  entire  county,  and  thriving  settlements  had 
sprung  up  in  nearly  every  township.  In  1841,  the  entire  population,  with  a  few  individual 
exceptions,  was  in  three  townships  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county.  As  late  as  1844,  the 
school  census  reported  no  schools  established  outside  their  limits.  The  rapid  settlement  of  the 
western  and  northern  portions  of  the  county  took  place  in  the  years  1844-45-46.  The  number 
of  school  districts  having  increased  during  those  years  from  ten  in  1844  to  twenty-seven  in 


320 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


lS4t>,  and  the  number  of  scholars  from  535  to  2,157.     Nearly  twelve  thousand  persons  must 
have  come  in  during  those  years. 

The  labors  of  the  Commissioners  became  extremely  arduous,  and  it  was  well  nigh  impossi- 
ble for  them  to  attend  to  the  executive  work  which  the  requirements  of  the  new  settlers  brought 
upon  them. 

It  was  impossible  to  lay  out  new  roads  as  rapidly  as  they  were  demanded,  or  to  establish 
schools,  while  anything  like  a  full  or  just  valuation  of  the  property,  or  the  levying  of  a  just  tax. 
was  impracticable.  The  different  settlements  designated  the  points  of  densest  population,  as  the 
Bonniwell  District,  Darmstadt.  Farrell  District,  which  as  they  increased  with  such  rapidity 
threw  things  into  general  confusion.  Accordingly,  it  was  decided  by  vote  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  county  in  the  fall  of  1845,  to  adopt  the  town  system  of  government.  By  this  system,  each 
town  took  the  management  of  local  affairs  under  its  own  supervision,  the  county  business 
proper  being  in  the  hands  of  a  delegate  board,  made  up  of  the  Chairman  of  each  town  and  vil- 
lage Board  of  Supervisors.  The  change  was  made  by  act  of  the  Territorial  Legislature.  Janu- 
ary 20,  1846,  and  the  first  board  met  under  the  new  law  at  Hamburg,  in  the  town  of  Grafton, 
April  15,  1840. 

Following  is  a  list  of  county  officers  up  to  the  time  the  change  was  consummated : 


1841. 


1842. 


Commissioners Levi  Ostrander..  Levi  Ostrander. 

Commissioners Reuben  Wells...  Reuben  Wells.. 

Commissioners B.  Salisbury Charles  Higgens 

Register  of  Deeds. .'Taylor  Heavilon  Taylor  lieavilon 

Treasurer Ceo.    Bonniwell  Geo.    Bonniwell 

Clerk Vf.T.  Bonniwelllw.  T.  Bonniwell 


1843. 


1844. 


1845 


Levi  i  Grander..  Levi  Ostrander..  Philip    Moss 

Jesse  Hubbard..  Reuben  Wells...  Nelson  Burst 

Datus  Cowan....  George  Manly...  Win.  Sullivan... 

I  T.  Heavilon*..  ..  .,,   T        ...       .,  ...   T        ... 
•   n.    ,.   u      .    „    Pa   k  Laugnlin..  1  at  k  Laiighlm.. 
|  ff,  I.  I!,  uuwell  ■  B  h 

Ceo.    Bonniwell  Geo.    Bonniwell  Geo.    Bonniwell 

W.  T.  Bonniwell  Patriok  Toland..  P.  M.  Johnson.. 


1846  lo  April  15. 


G.  C.  Daniels. 
E.  H.  Jansen. 
Joel  K     Wilson 

Fred.  w.    Horn. 

Geo.  Bonniwell. 
l'at'k  Pentoni . 


COURTS    FULLY    ORGANIZED. 

The  county  was  organized  for  judicial  purposes  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  dated  February 
20,  1845,  ;ind  became  a  part  of  the  Third  Judicial  District.  The  first  term  of  the  District 
Court  was  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse  in  the  village  of  Hamburg,  town  of  Grafton,  in  September, 
1845.  Andrew  G.  Miller  was  the  Presiding;  Judge.  The  officers  of  the  court  were  :  United 
States  Marshal,  John  S.  Rockwell.;  United  States  District  Attorney,  William  P.  Lynde  :  Ter- 
ritorial District  Attorney,  Harvey  G.  Turner;  Sheriff,  Patrick  Toland;  I  lerk,  Benjamin  H. 
Moure;  Crier,  Joseph  Gardner:  Assistant  Marshals,  D.  II.  Rockwell  and  J.  P.  Bailey.  The 
lawyers  admitted  to  practice  before  the  court  during  that  session  were  William  P.  Lynde,  Fran- 
cis Randall.  Alexander  W.  Stow,  Harvey  G.  Turner  and  Hopewell  Cox.  The  first  case  tried 
was  that  of  J.  II.  Tliein  vs.  Jesse  Hubbard,  an  appeal  from  a  Justice  Court.  The  only  indict- 
ment found  by  the  Grand  Jury  was  against  Timothy  Hall,  a  leading  and  respected  citizen  of 
Hartford,  for  perjury,  of  which  indictment  a  nolle  pros,  was  entered  tit  the  next  term  of  court, 
held  at  the  same  place,  the  following  March.  Thus  it  will  appear  that,  at  the  beginning  of  18  16, 
the  inhabitants  had  assumed  all  the  functions  of  a  civilized  community,  and  were  for  the  first 
time  working  us  an  independent  political  organization. 


prom  1846  to  1853. 
The  first  Board  "f  Supervisors  under  the  town  system  met  in  Grafton  April  15,  1840.  The 
business  of  the  county  was  conducted  under  that  form  of  government  till  March  7,  1858,  at 
which  time  it  was  divided  into  the  two  present  counties  of  Ozaukee  and  Washington.  During 
that  perioil  the  county  enjoyed  great  material  prosperity,  increased  largely  in  population  and 
wealth,  and  but  for  the  unhappy  dissensions  concerning  the  location  of  the  county  seat,  which 

•  TtylorHuTllon  r«algned Octobei  !1, 18i3,  Willi T.  Bonniwell  i  utthi  year. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


321 


culminated  in  a  division,  was  one  of  the  most  promising  counties  in  the  State.     Its  progress 
during  those  years  is  shown  below,  as  compiled  from  the  records  and  other  sources : 

SUPERVISORS    AND    COUNTY    OFFICERS,    1846    TO    1853. 


TOWNS. 


Erin 

Wright  (Hartford) 


Addison  . 
Wayne.. 


Richfield... 

Polk 

West  Bend. 


1846-47. 


1847-48. 


William  Dwire Patrick  Toland 

Joel  F.  Wilson George  C.  Rossman. 

Chauncey  M    Phelps...  Luther  B.  Phelps 


1848-49. 


Gcrinantown 

Jackson 

Trenton 

Clarence  ( Farmington  i 

Meqnon 

Grafton 

Cedarburg 

Saukville 

Fredonia  

Port  Washington 

Belgium 

Officers — 

i  lhairmen  

Clerks 


Treasurers 

Registers  of  Deeds. 


TOWNS. 


Erin 

Hartford 

Addison 

Wayne  

Richfield 

Polk 

West  Bend  

N'thBend  (Kevvaskum) 
Newark 


1849-50. 


Lorenzo  L.  Sweet Baltus  Mantz 

Densmore  W.  Maxon....Densniore  W.   Maxon.. 
Barton  Salisbury Barton  Salisbury. 


North  Bend  i  Kewaskuru) Harvey  N.  Strong 

Newark 


Bernard  McConville. 
John  G.  Chapman. 
Chauncey  M.  Phelps. 

'A.  S.  McDowell. 
Baltus  Mantz. 
'Silas  Wheeler. 
William  Wightman. 
Harvey  N.   Strong. 


George  Koeler... 
Libbeus  Topliff.. 


.  William  Green  . 
.'James  Fagan.... 


E.  H.  Jansen  . 
B.  H.  Moores  . 


.'George  Manly. 
JE.  H.  Jansen.. 
.jReuben  Wells. 


Solon  Johnson  . 


B.  II.  Moores 

Patrick  Pentany.. 

Levi  Ostrander... 

Fred  W.  Horn  •.... 


Harvey  Moore  . 


.John  M.  Curtis. 
.  James  Fagan. 
.  John  A.  Douglass. 
.  George  Ramsey. 
,  E.  H.  Jansen. 
,  Patrick  Smith. 

William  Paine. 

Isaac  Carman. 

.  Francis  Be;ds, 


Reuben  Wells 

William  H.  Vogenitz... 

j  Levi  Ostrander 

\  Chauncey  M.  Phelps* 
Edward  H.  Jansen 


E.  II.  Jansen. 
William  H.  Voegnitz. 

Isaac  C.  Loomis 

Edward  II.  Jansen. 


1850-51. 


Germantown  

Jackson  

Trenton 

Farmington 

Mequon 

Grafton  

Cedarburg 

Saukville 

Fredonia  

Port    Washington.... 

Belgium 

Officers — 

Chairmen 

Clerks 

Treasurers 

Registers  of  Deeds.. 


James  Kennely  ... 

R.  S.  Kneelaud 

Caleb  Stearnes 

Patrick  Connolly 

Patrick  Clark 

F.  Everly 

William  Wightman 

f Jacob  Van  Vechten  ... 

N.  P.  Reynolds 

John  M.  Curtis 

Charles  Schutte I 

J.  A.  Douglass 

George  Ramsey  ... 

E.  II.  Jansen  

P.  M.  Johnson.... 
William  Vogenitz. 

William  Payne 

JS.  L.  Irwin  

Harvey  Moore 

John  Weyckes 


1851-52. 


•James  Murphey lames  Murphey 

John  Barney Lewis  E.  Peck.. 

Adam  Shanitz Adam  Shanitz... 

A.  S   McDowell Patrick  Connolly 

Patrick  Clark 
D.  W.  Maxon 
Francis  Everly,  Jr 


Patrick  Clark. 

D.  W.  Maxon 

Walter  H.  Demmon. 


Jacob  Van  Vechten lesse  H.  Mevers 


L852  63. 


E.  II.  Jansen  

William  H.  Vogenitz... 

Isaac  C.  Loomis 

K.  II.  Jansen  


Perry  G.  Nickols 

John  0.  Hubendahl 

Charles  Schutte 

Alexander  McCartney.. 

George  Ramsey 

E.  II.  Jansen  

Benjamin   Seabring 

Michael  Gorman  

William  Payne 

Daniel  W.  Miller 

Harvey  Moore 

Patrick  McConville 


D.  W.  Maxon 

William  H.  Vognitz.. 
Isaac  C.  Loomis  

E.  H.  Jansen 


William  P.  Barnes... 

John  C.  Hubendahl. 

Charles  Schutte 

M.  M.  Delano 

George  Ramsey 

A.  Zimmerman 

P.  M.  Johnson 

William  Vogenitz.... 

Samuel  Reynolds 

Daniel  W.  Miller 

George  W.  Foster 

Philip  Gonoa 


I'.  W.  Maxon 

William  H.  Rounsey  . 

Isaac  C.   Loomis 

Baltus  Mantz 


Charles  Lynch. 
Timothy  Hall. 
Caleb  Stearnes. 
Conrad  Sleigher. 
Eli  Bush. 
D.  W.  Maxon. 
B.  S.  Weil. 
B.  L.  Spinkharney. 
William  P.  Barnes. 
II.  Zimmerman. 
William  Rohn 
Lyon  Silverman. 
George  Ramsey. 
John  H.  Milbrat. 
B.  G.  Gill. 
Michael  Gorman. 
Patrick  Hoxer. 
Daniel  W.  Miller. 
La  Fayette  Tows  ey. 
Nicholas  Fyden 


George  Ramsey. 
John  R.   Bohan. 
Conrad  Horneffer. 
Baltus  Mantz. 


* Chauncey  M.  Phelps,  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Levi  Ostrander,  removed  from  ottico  by  the  Supervisors,  for  aliened  malfeas- 
ance, July  2, 1847. 

t  Jacob  Van  Vechten  denied  his  seat,  the  election  having  been  held  outside  the  limits  of  the  town,  in  the  newly  established  town  of 
Newark. 

+  November  17, 1849,  D.  M.  Miller  took  seat  in  place  of  Irwin,  probably  deceased. 


322 


HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


THE  TOWN    SYSTEM. 

By  the  act  changing  the  form  of  government,  the  towns  were  also  incorporated  as  a  part  o' 
the  system.  Below  is  given  the  original  towns  incorporated  by  the  act  of  1846,  with  dates  of 
subsequent  changes  up  to  the  time  the  towns  were  established  as  at  present  existing.  The  origi- 
nal towns  were  eleven  in  number  : 

Erin — The  southwestern  town  in  the  county,  from  Town  0,  Range  18,  unchanged. 

Richfield — East  of  Erin,  Town  9,  Range  10,  unchanged. 

Germantown — Town  9,  Range  20,  unchanged. 

Mequon — Town  9,  Ranges  21  and  22,  unchanged. 

Wright — Name  changed  to  Hartford  in  1847  ;  Town  10,  Range  18,  situated  on  the  west 
line  of  the  county,  north  of  the  town  of  Erin. 

Polk — Town  10,  Range  19,  unchanged. 

•Jackson — Town  10,  Range  20,  unchanged. 

Grafton — Towns  10,  Ranges  21  and  fraction  of  22.  March  2,  1849,  the  town  of  Cedar- 
burg  was  set  off,  comprising  all  of  Town  10,  Range  21,  except  the  eastern  tier  of  sections 
numbered  1,  12,  13,  24,  25  and  36. 

Addison — Two  north  townships  on  the  west  line  of  the  county — Towns  11  and  12,  Range 
18.     March  11,  1848,  the  town  of  Wayne  was  set  oft",  comprising  Town  12,  Range  18. 

West  Bend — Four  townships — Towns  11  and  12,  in  Ranges  19  and  20.  February  11, 
1847,  North  Bend,  Town  12,  Range  19,  and  Clarence,  Town  12,  Range  20,  were  detached  and 
incorporated.  The  name  of  Clarence  was  changed  to  Farmington  in  1848.  March  11,  1848, 
Trenton  was  incorporated  from  Town  11.  Range  20.  In  1848,  the  towns  of  West  Bend  and 
North  Bend  were  still  further  subdivided  by  the  erection  of  a  new  town  called  Newark  (now 
Barton)  from  the  two  northern  tiers  of  sections  in  West  Bend,  except  the  south  half  of  Sections 
11  and  12,  and  from  the  two  southern  tiers  of  sections  in  North  Bend.  The  name  of  North 
Bend  was  changed  to  Kewaskum  in  1849.  What  comprised  West  Bend  in  1846,  now  comprises 
the  five  towns  of  West  Bend,  Barton,  Kewaskum,  Farmington  and  Trenton. 

Port  Washington — Towns  11  and  12,  in  Ranges  21  ami  22.  and  fractional  Town  12,  in 
Range  23.  February  11,  1847,  Fredonia,  Town  12,  Range  21,  was  detached  and  incorporated. 
In  1848,  Belgium,  Town  12,  Ranges  22  and  fractional  23,  and  Sackville  (now  Saukville),  Town 
11,  Range  21,  were  incorporated.  The  original  town  of  Port  Washington  comprised  what  is 
now  embraced  in  the  towns  of  Port  Washington,  Saukville,  Fredonia  and  Belgium. 

GROWTH   of   population: 


Year. 


1840 

L842 
1844 

I860 


As  per  Federal  census 

(School  census,  scholars  268  I  estimated 

Scl i  ■  ii-us,  scholars  586)  estimated 

(Scl 1  oensus,  scholars  2,167    estimated 

As  per  Federal  census 

ited  al  mean  between  Fetferal  census,  I860    19,486),  and  State  cen* 
-  i  f  \\  ashington  and  Ozaukee  Counties,  1856  (81,870) 


Population. 

1  in  rcaae. 

1 276 

982 

2676 

1400 

10786 

B110 

19486 

S7(K| 

L'f.'.illi 


74.31 


The  increase  from  1845  to  1853  was  from  10,785  to  26,915,  the  population  having  doubled 
once  and  a  half  during  those  years,  and  the  increase  being  largely  in  the  western  and  central 
towns  of  the  county. 

Prior  to  1843,  the  settlements  had  been  entirely  in  the  eastern  and  southeastern  towns,  and 
excepting  the  settlement  before  stated,  at  Port  Washington,  in  1835,  which  was  afterward 
abandoned,  the  population  was  confined  to  the  towns  of  Grafton,  Mequon  and  Germantown. 
The  influx  beginning  in  L843,  continued  till  1853,  during  which  time  the  entire  county  was 
settled,  in  many  towns  all  the  desirable  land  being  taken  up.  Relow  is  given  t lie  dates  of  the 
first  land  entered  in  each  town  and  the  year  when  they  became  generally  inhabited. 


i 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  323 

Port  Washington. — Wooster  Harrison  entered  75  acres  on  Section  28,  November  24,  1835. 
James  D.  Doty  entered  184  acres  in  the  same  section,  and,  December  7,  Milo  Jones  entered 
160  acres.  They  were  not  settlers.  In  1836  and  1837,  nearly  all  the  land  in  the  township 
was  taken  up  bv  speculators.  It  did  not  generally  come  into  the  hands  of  actual  settlers  till 
1842-43. 

Grafton. — September  7,  1835,  speculators,  G.  S.  Hubbard,  A.  J.  Cutler,  Daniel  Wells 
and  others,  took  up  large  tracts  along  the  river  in  Sections  6,  7, 18  and  19,  30  and  31.  Nearly 
all  the  land  was  taken  prior  to  1841.     The  town  was  occupied  by  settlers  in  1840-41-42. 

Cedarburg. — Formerly  a  part  of  Grafton,  settled  later  than  the  eastern  part  of  the  old 
town,  mostly  in  184:'>-44-45. 

Mequon. — G.  S.  Hubbard  entered  the  first  land  September  7,  1835,  in  Sections  20,  21, 
2^  and  2!'.  A  few  speculative  entries  were  made  in  1836-37.  Settlers  came  in  ;  a  few  in 
1837.  In  1837-38-39-40.  considerable  settlements  were  made  in  Sections  9,  10,  11  and  12. 
The  town  quite  generally  filled  with  settlers  in  1841-42. 

Saukville. — First  entries  made  by  speculators  in  1836.     Generally  settled  in  1844-45. 

Fredonia. — Settled  in  1846-47-48.  James  D.  Dotv  and  William  Jones,  Sections  21  and 
22,  June  4,  1836. 

Belgium. — Settled  in  1845-46-47.     Speculative  entries  were  made  in  1836. 

Germantown. — The  first  purchase  was  made  May  29,  1839,  by  Benjamin  Church,  160 
acres  on  Section  31.  In  the  fall  of  1839,  others  entered  land.  Jefferson  Kinne,  on  Section 
25  ;  Daniel  Allen,  on  Section  30 :  Joshua  Gilford,  on  Section  32.  The  town  was  principally 
settled  during  the  years  1840-41-42-43. 

Richfield. — First  entry  made  by  Samuel  Spivey,  160  acres  on  Section  28,  May  31,  1841. 
Seven  other  entries  were  made  during  the  fall  of  that  year  on  southern  Sections  28  to  36. 
Lands  generally  taken  up  in  the  town  in  1842-43-44 

Erin. — Michael  Lynch  entered  the  first  land,  November  20,  1841 ;  40  acres  on  Section 
35.  Eleazer  Rowley  took  up  40  acres  on  Section  25,  November  27,  1841.  In  1842-43,  some 
thirty  entries  were  made,  all  Irish.     The  town  was  quite  fully  settled  in  1844-45-46. 

Hartford. — Timothy  Hall  bought  the  first  land,  160  acres  on  Section  12,  August  6,  1842. 
Eleven  entries  were  made  in  1843,  a  few  in  1844.  The  town  was  generally  occupied  in 
1845-46-47. 

Addison. — May  27,  1843,  Simeon  Aaron  Andrews  purchased  the  first  land  from  the  Gov- 
ernment, 40  acres,  in  Section  17.  In  1844-45,  a  few  actual  settlers  came  in.  The  desirable 
lands  in  the  town  were  mostly  taken  up  in  1846-48. 

Wayne. — Alexander  W.  Stow  made  the  first  purchase  of  land  June  8,  1846,  80  acres  on 
Section  31.  Other  purchasers  took  up  land  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  in  the  southern  sec- 
tions 26  to  33.     The  land  passed  into  the  hands  of  actual  settlers  in  1847-49. 

Polk. — -Theophilus  Haylett  bought  the  first  Government  land  February  7,  1843.  160  acres 
in  Sec.  28.  Seven  other  purchases  were  made  that  year.  The  southern  sections  were  well 
taken  up  in  1844-45;  the  northern  part  of  the  township  was  settled  in  1846. 

West  Bend. — The  first  entry  of  land  was  made  by  Martin  Otis  Walker,  on  Section  32,  72 
acres,  in  1839.  In  1845,  considerable  was  entered  by  Jules  Schleisenger.  Bela  Wdcox  also 
bought  that  year.  Settlers  flocked  in  in  1846-47,  taking  nearly  all  the  desirable  land  in  the 
township. 

Barton. — Bela  Wilcox  bought  the  first  80  acres  on  Section  2,  October  30,  1845.  The 
town  was  generally  settled  in  1S46-48. 

Keivaskum. — March  31,  1846,  David  Giffin  and  Myron  Merrill  made  the  first  purchase  of 
land  from  the  Government,  170  acres  in  Section  1.  Settlers  came  in  freely  in  the  fall  and  took 
up  land  in  Sections  8  and  9.     The  town  was  settled  up  generally  in  1847-49. 

Jackson. — Samuel  Showalter  made  the  first  purchase  of  land  August  26,  1843/80  acres  in 
Section  30.  Thirty  other  purchases  were  made  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  in  Sections  25  to  36. 
The  town  was  fully  settled  in  1844-46. 


324  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

Trenton. — Speculators  bought  the  first  land  in  this  town.  The  first  purchase  was  made  by 
Joshua  Hathawav,  Jr.,  November  19,  1835.  Purchases  were  also  made  the  same  year  by  Michael 
Anthony  Guesta,  Solomon  Juneau,  Charleton  Hunt,  M.  C.  Johnson  and  James  Duane  Doty. 
The  town  was  occupied  by  bona  fide  settlers  in  1846-47.  a  few  purchases  having  been  made  in  1845. 

Farmington. —  William  A.  Burt  and  Elisha  Dwells  bought  the  first  land,  80  acres  in  Sec- 
tion 9,  July  29,  1836.  William  Miller  and  James  Duane  Doty  also  bought  several  lots  the 
same  year.     Actual  settlers  came  in  in  1845-47. 

NATIONALITY. 

The  first  settlers  and  purchasers  of  land  in  the  county  were  Americans,  mostly  from  the 
States  of  New  York  and  Ohio.  Some  English  families  came  in  in  1839  (the  Bonniwells  and  others), 
and  during  that  year  a  colony  of  German  Lutherans,  known  as  the  Freidstadt  Colony,  under 
the  leadership  of  Pastor  Krause.  Capt.  Yon  Rober  and  Lieut.  William  Yugenitz.  settled  in  the 
west  part  of  Mequon.  The  influx  of  Germans  did  not  fairly  set  in  till  two  years  later,  when 
they  commenced  to  swarm  into  the  county  in  great  numbers.  By  purchase  from  English  and 
American  settlers,  and  by  occupying  such  Government  lands  as  were  not  already  taken  up,  they 
beeame  the  predominant  race  as  early  as  1850,  and  have  remained  so  ever  since,  it  being  esti- 
mated that  at  the  present  time  (1881)  over  three-fourths  of  the  population  is  German,  of  direct 
German  parentage.  They  settled  throughout  the  eastern  and  central  towns.  The  western  tier 
of  townships  seemed  less  attractive  to  them.  One  town  (Erin )  is  notable  as  preserving  its  nation- 
ality against  all  comers.  In  1842,  the  settlement  of  the  town  was  commenced  by  a  few  Irish 
Catholics,  and  during  the  succeeding  two  years  they  were  followed  by  others  of  like  religion  and 
race,  in  sufficient  numbers  to  occupy  nearly  the  whole  township.  They  and  their  descendants 
have  held  the  territory  ever  since,  and  it  is  to-day  as  purely  Irish  in  its  population,  and  as 
purely  Catholic  in  its  religion,  as  any  town  in  Old  Ireland  itself.  The  town  and  village  of 
Hartford  alone  remained  distinctively  American  till  as  late  as  1870.  That  now  has  a  large 
sprinkling  of  foreign-born  citizens,  although  still  having  a.  predominance  of  Americans. 

The  total  valuation  and  tax  from  1840  to  L852,  inclusive,  was  as  follows: 

Year.                                                                    Total  Valuation.  Total  Tan. 

1840 $156,667 ?7si!  - 

1841  210,851 1,011 

1842 210,351 2,100 

1848 358,952 :!,17:>  li 

1844 859.899 

1845 894,610 6,268  88 

1846 8,861  22 

is  17 580,479 3,275  10 

1848 588,184 18,186  00 

L849 1,089,684 1  1,082  20 

185M 907,575 10,871  67 

1851 896,428 18,269 

185'J 876,895 17,678  86 

The  first  valuation  was  made  by  towns  September,  1846.  The  valuation,  with  number  of 
acres  assessed,  was  as  follows : 

TOWD  \    M  V.illi;iti'.n 

Qrafton 26,205 ¥71,842 

Wright  (Hartford  12,704 L8,l 

ntown 28,860 50 

Vddison  (two  Townships 4,980 7,180 

Richfield 17.4'H 26,186 

Jackson 16,064 26,040 

Port  Washington  (four  Townships) 86,188 55.789 

Mequon 26,242 74,51 

Erin 18,682 18,848 

folk 18,480 20,089 

Weal  Bend    four  Townships) 16, 020 24,589 


Total  20LVJ  ,r, 


SH> 


tj~&6t 


(dec  e ased) 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES  327 

The  valuation  per  acre  in  the  various  towns  in  the  county  in  1848  was,  in  Port  Washington 
and  Grafton,  $2  per  acre  ;  in  Mequon  and  Gerraantown.  $1.45,  and  in  the  remaining  towns 
$1.36.     Average  value,  1.65. 

In  1849,  the  valuation  per  acre  was  as  follows  :  Germantown,  $3.30  ;  Mequon,  $3.22  ;  Ce- 
darburg,  Grafton,  Port  Washington  and  Saukville,  $2.70  ;  Jackson.  Belgium.  Richfield,  Hart- 
ford, West  Bend,  Trenton,  Newark,  Polk  and  Erin,  $2.39  ;  Farmington  and  Fredonia,  $2.18  ; 
Kewaskum,  Addison  and  Wayne,  $1.98.  The  average  valuation  throughout  the  county  was 
$2.45  per  acre.  The  valuation  price  was  not  materially  changed  during  the  succeeding  four 
years. 

THE    POOR    FARM. 

The  site  for  the  Poor  Farm  was  selected  December  19,  1844,  it  being  the  east  half  of  the 
northwest  quarter  and  west  half  of  northeast  quarter  of  Section  11,  in  Town  10  north,  in 
Range  21  east.  It  was  situated  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town  of  Polk,  near  the  center  of 
the  county.  It  contained  160  acres,  to  which  was  subsequently  added  a  fractional  part  of  an 
adjoining  quarter  section,  making  the  farm  contain  a  little  less  than  two  hundred  acres.  The 
purchase  was  made  by  Philip  Moss,  then  residing  in  the  town  of  Mequon. 

In  1850,  the  first  clearing  was  made,  five  acres,  by  Andrew  Burns,  for  $60,  and  a  house 
built  by  Sigmond  Weise  at  a  cost  of  $293.  The  poor  were  supported  on  the  farm  after  the 
spring  of  1850.  The  first  Superintendents  of  the  Poor  were  John  A.  Douglass,  Francis  Everly 
and  L.  L.  Sweet.  M.  Schrefer  was  the  first  Overseer  of  the  farm,  at  a  salary  of  $190  per  year. 
He  was  a  very  competent  man,  but  struck  at  the  end  of  six  months  for  higher  pay,  wanting 
$350.  The  Commissioner  hired  Harvey  N.  Strong,  of  Newark,  in  his  place  for  $200  per  year. 
The  only  other  employe  on  the  place  was  Lemuel  Cox,  hired  at  $10  per  month.  He  did  not 
seem  to  suit  the  board,  as  he  was  soon  discharged,  and  Michael  Koehler  employed  at  $9  per 
month. 

The  average  number  of  paupers  during  the  first  year  was  twenty-two  and  one-half.  The 
total  cost  of  supporting  them  as  reported  by  the  Superintendents  was  $667. 28 — $29.65  each  per 
annum,  or  57  cents  per  week.  The  pauper  list  for  the  next  year  numbered  twenty-one.  The 
cost  of  their  support  was  §36.58  per  annum,  or  70  cents  per  week. 

THE    JAIL. 

The  only  structure  erected  at  the  expense  of  the  county  until  after  the  division,  except  the 
farmhouse  above  mentioned,  was  a  jail  at  Port  Washington.  The  plan  of  the  building  was 
accepted  September  15,  1848,  and  the  building  committee,  Messrs.  Beales  and  Paine,  were 
ordered  to  contract  for  its  completion  in  thirty  days  from  date.  One  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
was  appropriated  to  cover  the  expense,  the  building  to  be  erected  on  leased  land. 

The  specifications  called  for  a  building  20  feet  long,  14  feet  wide  and  9  feet  high,  to  be 
built  of  hewn  timber  8x10  inches,  corners  well  pinned,  with  timbers  running  through  the  build- 
ing sufficient  to  spike  the  floors  and  partitions  to.  The  windows  were  to  be  three  in  number, 
16x20  inches  in  size  and  grated  with  iron  bars.  The  outer  door  wae  to  be  made  from  H-inch 
plank,  double;  the  floors  of  2-inch  oak  plank,  well  spiked  down,  and  the  partition  and  inner 
door  of  2-inch  oak  plank. 

The  building  was  finished  in  January,  1849,  an  additional  appropriation  of  $50  being 
necessary  to  plank  up  the  inside,  and  furnish  with  a  stove  and  bed.  The  total  cost  was  $200. 
An  effort  was  made  in  1852  to  build  a  better  structure.  At  the  November  session  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  a  resolution  was  passed  appropriating  $1,000  fir  a  new  jail,  and  $1,000  for  a 
house  for  the  jailer,  the  jail  to  be  24x30  feet  in  size,  and  to  be  located  at  the  village  of  New- 
burg,  in  the  town  of  Trenton.  The  resolution  was  reconsidered  and  laid  on  the  table.  At  the 
same  meeting  the  lease  of  the  ground  on  which  the  old  jail  stood  was  renewed  for  one  year  at  a 
rental  of  $30,  and  $20  appropriated  for  repairing  the  old  jail.  The  old  building  is  still  in 
existence,  and  should  be  preserved  as  the  only  public  building  ever  built  or  owned  by  old  Wash- 
ington County.    Prior  to  its  erection,  prisoners  were  boarded  and  kept  in  the  jail  at  Milwaukee. 


328 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND    OZAUKEE   COl'NTIKS. 


FIRST    SCHOOL    REPORTS. 

Below  is  given  the  earliest  school  census  on  file  in  each  township  prior  to  1845.  It  appears 
that  up  to  that  time  schools  had  been  established  in  only  three  townships,  to  wit:  Mequon, 
Gerrnantown  and  Grafton.  The  reports  show  the  heads  of  families  living  in  the  districts  re- 
ported at  the  dates  given,  and  the  number  of  children  between  the  ages  of  four  and  sixteen. 
The  earliest  reports  are  as  follows : 


DISTRICT  NO.   1    (MEQUON  |,   MARCH,    1842. 
Parents.  *  No.  of  Children. 

Charles  Bonniwell 4 

William  Bonniwell 2 

James  Bonniwell 1 

Peter  Turck 4 

Thomas  Gilson 3 

Michael    Bellen 4 

Michael  Mattel 2 

Total 20 

Charles  Bonniwell,  Clerk. 

DISTRICT  NO.  3  (MEQUON).   MARCH,  1842. 
Parents.  No.  of  Children. 

William  Worth 2 

John  Willett 1 

John  Armstrong 2 

Robert  Chamhers 4 

Ludwig  Zimmerman 2 

Carl  Witesy 1 

Peter  Tranif 1 

Michael  Smith 2 

Charles  Mailer 4 

Gottlob  Roedel 1 

Friedrich  Gedine 1 

Charles  Galloe 1 

A    M.  Ziele 1 

DISTRICT  NO.  5  (OERMANTOWN  I,   MARCH,    1842. 
I'urcnte.  No.  of  Children. 

Nelson  Burst ] 

Joh n  Schal  zel 3 

Jacob  Schunk 2 

Nicholas  i  nslen 4 

Herman  Ostrander 3 

Jacob  Snyder 2 

Henry  Shuller 1 

John  Begerly 3 

William  Stroub 2 

Francis  Slaver 1 


DISTRICT   BO.  5  I  OERMANTOWN) — CONTINUED 
Parents.  No.  of  Children. 

Ginden  Straver 6 

Christ  F.  Bartlett 1 

John  Gage 2 

Godfrey  Brandewell 1 

Michael  P.  Basemen 3 

Michael  E.  Berlin 2 

Joshua  Gifford 6 

Jernahald  Lenegen 2 

John  C.  Hubendall 1 

Andrew  Chritzer .• 4 

Adam  Snell 1 

William   Ranney 2 

Wendell  Young 4 

Jacob  Bolheim 3 

Levi  Ostrander 2 

John  Miller 1 

Valentine  Swalbak 3 

John  Brown 3 

Michael  Hyme 3 

John  Bautngaunt 1 

Christ  Cross 2 

Martin  Arndt 2 

George  Garbish 5 

Daniel  Allen 1 

Lewis  Scraps 1 


Total., 


.83 


Levi  OSTRANDXR,  Clerk. 

JEFIEK805    DISTRICT,  NO.    1    (GB.A.FTON),    MAROH,    1843. 

Parent*.  No.  of  Children. 

Morritz  Buze 2 

(I.  lit  Mb  Beam 4 

Losieus  Busner 3 

Daniel  Strickland 3 

William  Tupper 1 

Total 13 

Luther  \V.  Wetheriieb,  Clerk. 


LEGISLATORS. 

By  act  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  August  2,  1840,  the  counties  of  Milwaukee  and 
Washington  were  constituted  a  Legislative  District,  and  were  entitled  to  three  members  of  the 
Council  and  five  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Under  this  apportionment,  the 
district  was  generally  represented  by  members  chosen  from  Milwaukee  County,  it  being  the 
most  densely  populated  section.  The  apportionment  remained  unchanged  until  1S42.  Under 
the  new  apportionment  made  that  year,  the  counties  still  remained  together,  but  were  entitled 
to  three  members  of  the  Council  and  six  Representatives.  This  latter  apportionment  remained 
unchanged  until  184U,  at  which  time  Washington  and  Sheboygan  Counties  were  made  into  a 
district  entitled  to  one  member  of  the  Council  and  one  Representative.  No  further  change 
occurred  until  the  State  was  organized. 

The  legislators  from  Washington  County,  during  the  Territorial  period  were  as  follows  : 
Council,  1847-48,  C.  M.  Phelps.     House  of  Representatives,  1845-48,  B.  II.  Moores. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  329 

The  first  Constitutional  Convention  assembled  in  Madison  October  5,  1846,  and  adjourned 
December  16,  1846.  The  delegates  from  Washington  County  were  Bostwick  O'Conner,  Port 
Washington  ;  Edward  H.  Janesen,  Mequon  ;  Patrick  Toland,  Erin ;  Charles  J.  Kern,  Grafton  ; 
Hopewell  Coxe,  Joel  F.  Wilson,  Hartford. 

The  delegates  to  the  second  Constitutional  Convention,  held  at  Madison  from  December 
15,1847,  to  February  1,  1848,  were  Patrick  Pen  tony,  James  Fagan,  Jackson;  Harvey  G. 
Turner,  Grafton. 

APPORTIONMENT    INTO    LEGISLATIVE    DISTRICTS. 

The  first  apportionment  under  the  State  laws  made  a  Senatorial  District  of  Washington 
County,  and  divided  it  into  five  Assemby  Districts,  the  towns  embraced  in  each  district  being 
as  follows: 

First  District — Belgium,  Port  Washington,  Fredonia,  Saukville  and  Farmington. 

Second  District — Grafton,  Jackson  and  Cedarburg  (Cedarburg  being  detached  from. 
Grafton  in  1849). 

Third  District — Mequon  and  Germantown. 

Fourth  District — Polk,  Erin  and  Richfield. 

Fifth  District — Hartford,  Addison,  Wayne,  Trenton,  North  Bend,  West  Bend  and  Newark 
(Newark  being  detached  from  towns  of  North  Bend  and  West  Bend  in  1849). 

In  1852,  a  new  apportionment  was  made,  erecting  the  county  into  two  Senatorial  and  four 
Assembly  Districts. 

The  Senatorial  Districts  numbered  three  and  four  in  the  State  list,  and  were  made  up  as 
follows : 

Third  Senatorial  District — Mequon,  Cedarburg,  Grafton,  Port  Washington,  Fredonia  and 
Belgium. 

Fourth  Senatorial  District — Erin,  Richfield,  Germantown,  Jackson,  Polk,  Hartford,  Ad- 
dison, West  Bend,  Newark,  Trenton,  Farmington,  Kewaskum,  Wayne. 

The  four  Assembly  Districts  were  made  up  as  follows : 

First  District — Belgium,  Fredonia,  Saukville  and  Port  Washington. 

Second  District — Cedarburg,  Grafton  and  Mequon. 

Third  District — Erin,  Richfield,  Polk,  Jackson  and  Germantown. 

Fourth  District — Hartford,  Addison,  Wayne,  Kewaskum,  West  Bend,  Trenton  and  Farm- 
ington. 

The  members  of  the  Legislature  under  these  apportionments,  under  the  State  Government, 
up  to  the  time  of  the  county  was  divided  in  1853,  were  as  follows : 

1848 — Senate,  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg.  Assembly,  Henry  Allen,  Port  Washington  ; 
Benjamin  H.  Moores,  Grafton  ;  Adolph  Zimmerman,  Mequon  ;  Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Polk  ; 
William  Caldwell,  Barton. 

1849 — Senate,  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg.  Assembly,  Solon  Johnson,  Port  Washing- 
ton ;  James  Fagan,  Jackson  ;  Peter  Turck,  Mequon  ;  Patrick  Toland,  Erin  ;  Chauncey  M. 
Phelps,  Addison. 

1850 — Senate,  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg.  Assembly,  Solon  Johnson,  Port  Washington  ; 
Eugene  S.  Turner,  Grafton  ;  Edward  Divin,  Richfield,  Henry  Weil,  West  Bend  ;  Cornelius  S. 
Griffin,  Saukville. 

1851 — Senate,  Harvey  G.  Turner,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  *Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedar- 
burg;  Harvey  Moore,  Port  Washington;  Frederick  Stock,  Mequon;  Francis  Everlv,  West 
Bend ;  John  C.  Toll,  Polk. 

1852 — Senate,  Harvey  G.  Turner,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Simon  D.  Powers,  Port 
Washington ;  Phineas  M.  Johnson,  Grafton ;  Adam  Staats,  Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Polk ; 
Barucb.  S.  Weil,  West  Bend. 

1853 — Senate,  Andrew  M.  Blair,  Port  Washington  ;  Baruch  S.  Weil,  West  Bend.  As- 
sembly, James  W.  Porter,  Port  Washington  ;  Charles  E.  Chamberlain,  Grafton  ;  William  P. 
Barnes,  Barton  ;   Charles  Schutte,  Jackson. 

•Fred.  W.  Horn  elected  Speaker  of  the  Assembly. 


330 


HISTORY   or   WASHINGTON    AM)   OZAIKEE  COUNTIES. 


POLITICAL    COMPLEXION. 


The  population  was,  from  the  first  vote,  strongly  Democratic.  The  first  Presidential  elec- 
tion, after  the  State  Government  was  formed,  was  in  1848.  The  vote  of  Washington  County 
stood  as  follows  : 


Belgium 

Port  Washington. 

Saukrille 

Fredonia 

Farminglon 

Grafton 

Jackson 

Mequou 

German  town 

Pott 

Erin 

Richfield 

Hartford 

Addison 

Wayne 

West  Bend... 

Vorth  Bend 

Trenton 


Totals- 


Van  Bureu. 


Tutul 
Town  Vote-. 


41 
10 
31 


12 

21 
4 


93 
27 


33 

25 
20 

324 


157 

206 

'.'2 

75 

50 

346 

126 

237 

174 

161 

85 

122 

148 

110 

42 

104 

47 

57 

2398 


In  the  towns  of  Erin,  Richfield  and  Wayne,  every  vote  cast  was  Democratic  ;  while  in  the 
town  of  North  Bend,  not  a  Democrat  appears.  Hartford  was  remarkable  at  that  early  day  for  the 
heavy  "Free-Soil  "  vote  cast,  93  to  55  for  all  others.  The  different  localities  were  quite  strong 
in  their  political  bias;  although  in  the  aggregate  the  county  was.  and  has  ever  since  been,  the 
strongest  Democratic  county  in  the  State. 

The  vote  of  November,  1849,  is  given  below,  showing  the  vote  for  Governer  and  that  for 
and  against  the  proposed  amendment  to  the  constitution  allowing  the  right  of  suffrage  to  negroes  : 


TOWNS. 

Dewey. 

(Democrat). 

Collins. 

Whig). 

Chase. 

m  i  sou). 

Free  Scffraok. 

Yes. 

S 

32 

:■■ 

101 

170 

37 

64 

16 

215 

108 

:.7 
78 
17 
30 
'.'7 

l  16 
24 
84 
in 
71 

181 

2 

17 

21 

1 

2 

1 

34 

2 

86 
16 

8 
60 

8 

g 

l 

6 
8 

l 

70 
■> 

6 

1 

4 
2 

1 

4 

52 

7> 

89 

14 
188 

101 

92 

5 

Polk 

14 

4 

1 

1 

North  Bend 

2.'. 

1610 

208 

86 

248 

HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 
The  Presidential  vote  for  1852  was  as  follows  : 


331 


TOWNS. 

Pierce. 

Scott. 

Hall. 

Total  Town 
Vote. 

84 

59 

82 

53 

103 

188 

59 

90 

118 

122 

107 

267 

68 

290 

92 

182 

101 

190 

69 

26 

40 
57 
21 
14 
2 
42 
48 
74 

104 

116 
24 
54 
71 
62 
29 
34 

132 
30 

208 

11 

16 

16 
2 
1 
6 

18 

7 

19 

20 

6 
9 

135 
132 

119 

69 

106 

236 

125 

164 

118 

Richfield 

226 

230 

Polk 

291 

122 

380 

174 

211 

135 

328 

108 

234 

Totals 

2350 

1162 

131 

36-13 

THE    COUNTY    SEAT. 

One  of  the  first  experiences  of  nearly  every  new  county  is  an  earnest  local  contest  for  the 
location  of  the  seat  of  justice  or  county  seat.  If  there  are  two  distinct  centers  of  population, 
or  villages  already  sufficiently  well  established  to  make  a  rallying  point  for  a  fight,  such  contest 
is  inevitable,  except  when  the  population  is  so  centralized  at  one  point  as  to  make  a  contest 
impracticable,  as  in  the  case  of  Milwaukee;  there  is  scarcely  a  county  in  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin that  has  not,  among  its  early  annals,  the  story  of  a  most  earnest  and  bitter  contest  over 
the  "  county  seat  question." 

Washington  County  was  no  exception  to  the  rule,  further  than  it  labored  under  such 
peculiar  complication  as  to  render  the  contest,  not  only  more  protracted  than  in  any  other 
county,  but  incapable  of  being  brought  to  a  termination  except  by  a  division  of  the  county,  and 
that,  too,  contrary  to  any  general  expression  of  the  inhabitants,  favoring  the  division.  It  was 
one  of  the  few  cases  when  the  prevailing  mode  of  deciding  public  questions  by  a  vote  of  the 
people  seemed  to  utterly  fail,  and  as  such,  claims  more  consideration,  and  is  of  more  historical 
importance  than  any  other  similar  contest  that  has  ever  occurred  within  the  borders  of  the 
State.  It  will  be  detailed  so  far  as  is  possible  without  obscuring  the  facts,  from  an  impersonal 
standpoint,  and  treated  as  a  question  seeking  solution  by  the  aggregate  population,  rather  than 
as  the  record  of  personal  efforts,  which  would  involve  the  discussion  of  persons  and  motives, 
thereby  losing  sight  of  the  main  purpose,  which  is  to  give  a  full  and  impartial  record  of  the 
political  events  which  led  to  the  division  of  the  county,  rather  than  to  detail  the  less  important 
facts,  as  to  the  personality  of  the  actors  in  the  drama. 

Washington  County  had  a  nominal  existence  for  a  period  of  seventeen  years,  from  1836  to 
1853.  During  the  first  four  years  to  1840,  it  had  only  geographical  limits,  being  attached  to 
its  parent  county,  Milwaukee,  for  all  civil  and  judicial  purposes.  From  1840  to  1845,  it  did 
its  own  civil  business  through  its  own  Board  of  Commissioners,  and,  in  1845,  the  courts  having 
been  established,  took  upon  itself  the  performance  of  all  the  functions  devolving  on  a  complete 
county  organization.  Prior  to  1845,  the  importance  of  establishing  a  county  seat  had  claimed 
the  attention  of  the  inhabitants  to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  but  from  and  after  the  establishment 
of  the  courts,  it  became  the  absorbing  issue  of  the  county,  overshadowing  all  political  questions, 


332  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

and  increasing  in  interest,  till  the  final  denouement  of  1853 — the  division  of  the  county,  and 
the  establishment  of  two  county  seats  by  the  Legislature  without  the  popular  assent  of  the 
inhabitants,  and,  as  will  be  seen,  against  many  earnest  protests,  both  before  and  after  the  act 
was  passed. 

The  act  of  December  7,  1836,  establishing  the  county  and  defining  its  limits,  also  desig- 
nated "  Wisconsin  City  "  (Port  Washington)  as  the  seat  of  justice.  As  the  city  was  then  in 
the  heyday  of  its  early  prosperity,  and,  as  the  county  did  not  contain  twenty  bona  fide  settlers 
outside  the  city  limits,  and  had  not  assumed  any  of  the  functions  of  a  county  government, 
there  was  no  serious  objection  to  the  location,  and  Port  Washington  enjoyed  the  somewhat 
empty  honor  of  being  the  seat  of  justice  of  Washington  County,  without  any  effort  looking  to  a 
change,  till  after  the  passage  of  the  act  of  organization,  August  13,  1840.  At  that  time,  Port 
Washington  had  fallen  into  a  decline,  and  was  nearly  deserted,  while  some  quite  thrifty  neigh- 
borhoods of  actual  settlers  had  sprung  up  in  the  towns  of  Mequon  and  Grafton.  The  whole 
population  of  the  county  numbered  but  343  souls — men  women  and  children — and  of  these  three- 
fourths  were  in  the  towns  above  mentioned ;  at  Hamburg,  now  Grafton ;  in  the  Bonniwell  set- 
tlement in  the  township  of  Mequon,  on  and  near  Sections  9  and  10 ;  at  Thiensville  in  the  same 
town ;  and  at  Friedstadt  in  the  western  part  of  Mequon,  where  a  German  settlement  of  Luther- 
ans had  been  started.  The  parts  of  the  organizing  act  which  provided  for  the  location  of  the 
seat  of  justice  were  as  follows : 

Sec.  7.  That  for  the  purpose  of  permanently  establishing  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  of  Washington,  at 
the  first  election  to  be  held  in  the  said  county,  as  hereinbefore  provided,  every  white  male  inhabitant,  who,  at  the 
lime  of  the  passage  of  this  act  was  a  resident  of  the  county,  and  is  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  shall  be  entitled 
to  cast  his  vote  for  such  point  or  place  as  he  may  choose  for  the  seat  of  justice. 

SBC.  s.  At  said  election,  the  polls  shall  be  opened,  the  election  conducted,  and  the  votes  returned  to  the  Clerk 
of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  the  county  of  Milwaukee,  in  all  respects  as  prescribed  by  law  regulating 
general  elections. 

Sec.  9.  The  Clerk  aforesaid  shall,  within  ten  days  after  returns  made  to  him,  certify  the  result  to  the  Governor 
of  the  Territory,  and  if,  upon  examination  the  Governor  shall  find  that  any  one  point  voted  for  has  a  majority  over 
other  points  or  places,  he  shall  issue  his  proclamation  of  that  fact,  and  the  place  or  point  so  having  t lie  greatest  num. 
ber  of  votes,  shall,  from  the  date  of  such  proclamation,  be  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  of  Washington. 

To  provide  against  the  possibility  of  inconvenience  by  any  possible  result  from  the  vote 
above  provided  for,  a  supplemental  act  was  passed  at  the  next  session,  approved  February  19, 
1841,  as  follows: 

II"-.    1.     The  County  Commissioners  of  Washington  County  may  hold  their  sessions  at  the  house  of  William 
T.  Bonniwell,  in  said  county,  any  law  of  this  Territory  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

The  first  vote  taken  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Hamburg  (Grafton)  as  the  county  seat,  and  it 
was  so  proclaimed.  The  honors  were,  however,  for  several  yearsas  empty  as  had  been  those  of  Port 
Washington.  The  Commissioners  continued  to  hold  their  meetings  and  transact  the  business  "I 
the  county  at  the  house  of  William  T.  Bonniwell,  until  January  1,  1844,  finding  authority  lot- 
so  doing  in  the  act  of  February  19,  1841,  which  has  been  given  above.  Grave  doubts  had  been 
raised  as  to  the  legality  of  thus  ignoring  the  county  seat,  anil  to  remove  all  doubt  as  to  the 
legality  of  their  proceedings,  the  board  met  at  Hamburg,  for  the  first  time,  as  shown  by  the 
records,  January  3,  1*11,  more  than  three  years  after  it  had  been  declared  the  county  seat. 
This  should  have  been  a  proud  day  for  Hamburg,  as  she  that  day  became  the  seat  of  government 
de  facto  as  well  as  dejurc.  an  honor  not  attained  by  Port  Washington  during  the  years  it  had 
been  the  county  seat.  The  change  having  been  made,  the  counter-question  arose  as  to  whether 
the  previous  acts  did  designate  the  house  of  William  T.  Bonniwell  as  the  legal  place  of  hold- 
ing the  meetings.  The  following  act,  passed  January  20,  1M1.  settled  the  question.  It  was 
entitled,  "  An  act  to  amend  certain  acts  relating  to  the  counties  of  Dodge  and  Washington." 
Ihe  sections  relating  to  the  vexed  question  were  as  follows: 

■<t:i'    2.     Hereafter  it   shall   be  lawful  for  the  County  Commissioners:  of  said  i nties  to  hold   their  Bessiona 

where  they,  or  a  majority  of  them,  may  deem  most  expedient  for  the  general  interest  and  convenience  of  the  citizens 
of  their  respective  counties. 

be  the  duty  of  said  Commissioners,  pre  vinos  to  the  holding  of  any  of  their  sessions,  to  adrenise 

ne  in  three  <>f  the  mosl  public  places,  by  posting  up  written  uotioes  in  sn i ■  I  oountiesat  least  twenty  days  before 
such  sessions,  setting  forth  the  time  and  place  where  the  same  shall  be  holden. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZxVUKEE  COUNTIES.  333 

Sec.  4.  The  official  acts  of  the  County  Commissioners  of  the  county  of  Washington,  at  any  session  holden  at 
the  county  seat  of  said  county,  prior  to  the  first  day  of  March  next,  shall  be  as  good  and  valid  as  though  the  said 
session  had  been  held  at  the  place  now  fixed  by  law. 

The  Commissioners,  thus  set  clear  as  to  their  powers  and  duties,  met  where  they  pleased 
luring  the  year,  sometimes  at  Bonniwell's  house,  but  generally  at  the  county  seat. 

The  county  was  organized  for  judicial  purposes  by  act  of  the  Legislature  February  20. 
1845.  The  seat  of  justice  and  the  powers  of  the  County  Commissioners  were  treated  in  the 
act  as  follows  : 

Sec.  4.  The  County  Commissioners  of  said  county  shall  provide  suitable  rooms  for  holding  the  sessions  of  the 
District  Court  at  such  place  or  places  in  said  county  as  they  may  deem  most  convenient  for  its  inhabitants  ;  provided, 
however,  that  the  first  term  of  said  court  to  be  held  in  said  county  shall  be  held  in  the  schoolhouse  at  the  county  seat 
of  said  county,  and  unless  the  County  Commissioners  shall  deem  it  proper  to  ohange  the  place  of  holding  said  court, 
and  shall  file  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  of  said  county,  at  least  sixty  days  before  a  session  of  said 
court,  their  order  to  that  effect,  naming  the  place  selected  by  them  for  that  purpose,  which  said  place  or  places, 
wherever  said  District  Court  may  be  held,  shall  be  deemed,  for  all  intents  and  purposes,  the  court  house  of  said 
county  for  the  time  being,  then  the  said  terms  of  the  said  court  shall  be  continued  to  be  held  at  the  county  seat  until 
the  County  Commissioners  shall  determine  otherwise  as  herein  provided;  and  provided  farther,  that  the  County  Com- 
missioners of  said  county  are  restricted  from  expending  any  sum  exceeding  $50  per  year  for  the  fitting,  renting  or 
use  of  any  building  to  be  used  as  a  court,  house  aforesaid  ;  and  provided  also,  that  no  public  buildings  of  any  kind, 
except  a  poor  house,  shall  be  constructed  at  the  expense  of  the  county  by  said  Commissioners,  until  they  shall  be 
authorized  so  to  do  by  law. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  county  officers  to  keep  their  offices  at  their  residences  in  any  part  of  the 
county. 

The  District  Court,  in  accordance  with  the  above,  held  its  first  session  in  the  schoolhouse 
in  Hamburg  in  September,  1845,  Judge  Andrew  G.  Miller,  presiding.  The  second  term  was 
held  at  the  same  place  in  March,  1846.  Soon  after,  the  form  of  government  was  changed  to  the 
town  system,  and  the  powers  of  the  Commissioners  to  designate  the  place  of  holding  court 
expired  when  the  office  became  extinct. 

The  act  passed  January  20,  1846,  changing  the  form  of  government,  erecting  towns,  and 
giving  each  town  a  representation  in  the  County  Board,  through  the  Chairman  of  its  Board  of 
Supervisors,  also  made  provision  for  the  temporary  establishment  of  the  county  seat  in  the  fol- 
lowing sections : 

Sec.  18.  That  for  the  purpose  of  temporarily  establishing  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  of  Washington, 
every  white  male  inhabitant  who  at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act  was  a  resident  of  the  county  and  is  of  the 
age  of  "21  years,  shall,  at  the  election  above  provided  for  in  the  third  section  of  this  act  (first  Tuesday  in  April)  be 
entitled  to  cast  his  vote  in  the  town  in  which  he  resides  for  such  place  or  point  as  he  may  choose  for  such  seat  of  jus- 
tice, and  due  returns  shall  be  certified  and  made  of  the  votes  thus  cast  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  of  the  several 
polls  of  election  in  said  county,  within  eight  days  after  such  election,  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  said 
county. 

Sec.  19.  The  County  Board  of  Supervisors  at  the  first  meeting  after  the  first  Tuesday  of  April  next  shall 
examine  the  returns  made  in  compliance  with  this  act,  and  if  any  point  or  place  shall  have  received  a  majority  of 
all  the  votes  cast  for  the  seat  of  justice,  it  shall  be  certified  by  the  Chairman  and  Clerk  of  said  Board  and  filed  in 
the  Clerk's  office,  and  a  copy  of  the  same  shall  be  published  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Sec  "20.  That  if  any  point  voted  for  shall  receive  a  majority  over  all  the  points  and  places,  suoh  point  or  place 
shall  be  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  of  January,  1847;  and  until  the  first 
Monday  of  January,  1852.  And  the  Board  of  Supervisors  shall  make  provisions  either  by  constructing,  hiring  or 
receiving  as  a  donation  to  the  county  suitable  buildings,  or  the  use  of  the  same,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  courts 
and  public  offices  required  by  law  to  be  kept  at  the  county  seat,  and  they  shall  not  expend  for  such  objects  a  sum  to 
exceed  $1,000,  which  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  levy  and  collect  as  other  taxes  are  collected  in  said  county  ;  pro- 
vided, that  if  the  owners  or  inhabitants  of  any  point  or  place  thus  voted  for  and  selected  as  the  seat  of  justice  shall 
tender  to  the  county  suitable  buildings  erected,  or  the  means  to  construct  the  same  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  then  they  may  accept  the  same  in  lieu  of  the  tax  provided  for  in  this  section  ;  and  if  such  tender  be 
made  prior  to  the  election,  and  not  complied  with,  so  that  the  necessary  buildings  can  be  ready  for  use  by  the  first 
Monday  of  January  next,  such  point  or  place  shall  lose  the  benefit  of  this  act,  or  if  no  choice  shall  have  been  made 
by  the  votes  cast  for  that  object,  the  inhabitants  resident  of  said  county  at  the  next  April  election  shall  vote  again  for 
any  ..ther  place  or  point,  and  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  be  applicable  to  any  place  selected  at  a  second  election. 

Sec.  '21.  The  several  courts  and  county  offices  required  by  law  to  be  held  and  kept  at  the  county  seat  of  the 
several  counties  shall  in  a  like  manner  be  held  and  kept  at  the  place  selected  as  the  county  seat  under  the  provisions 
of  this  act  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  of  January  next;  provided,  suitable  rooms  for  their  accommodation  be 
furnished  by  the  proper  authorities  of  said  county,  and  any  officers  refusing  or  neglecting  to  comply  with  this  act 
shall  forfeit  $10  a  day,  to  be  recovered  by  any  person  who  may  choose  to  sue  for  the  same  for  the  use  of  said  county_ 


334  HISTORY   Or   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  first  vote  taken  showed  such  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  foreshadow  the  coming  difficul- 
ties.    The  whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  861.-     The  choice  being  designated  as  follows  : 

For  County  Farm 371 

For  Nor i beast  of  Section  3,  Town  10,  Range  20  (County  Farm) 88 

For  Port  Washington 164 

For  Cedarburg 100 

For  Hamburg   (Graftoni 74 

For  Center  of  the  county 32 

ForGood  Location  near  the  Center 20 

For  West  Bend 12 

Total 861 

By  the  above  vote  no  place  received  a  majority.  Throwing  out  the  County  Farm,  which 
had  no  buildings,  and  the  indefinite  votes  for  the  "  Center."  and  "  Good  Location  near  the  ''en- 
ter," the  contest  was  between  the  four  habitable  places — Port  Washington,  Cedarburg,  Grafton 
and  West  Bend.  Port  Washington  received  a  large  plurality  of  the  votes  cast,  but  not  the 
required  majority. 

The  four  towns  above  named  became  the  chief  competitors  for  the  location  from  that  time, 
Hartford,  the  only  other  considerable  village,  remaining  neutral  with  schemes  of  its  own  for  an 
ultimate  formation  of  a  new  county  from  the  western  tier  of  towns  in  Washington  County  and 
a  slice  from  Dodge  County,  of  which  it  might  become  the  county  seat.  Its  geographical  posi- 
tion precluded  any  hope  of  its  ever  becoming  the  county  seat  of  Washington  against  the  four 
competitors  already  in  the  field.  About  this  time,  the  population  of  the  county  having  suddenly 
and  largely  increased  by  the  influx  of  settlers  into  its  hitherto  unoccupied  portions,  and  its  busi- 
ness having  assumed  greater  importance,  the  inconveniences  and  annoyances  of  the  situation  be- 
came intolerable.  The  whole  county  government  was  a  sort  of  peripatetic  institution,  performing 
its  functions  everywhere,  and  having  a  local  habitation  nowhere.  The  different  county  officers 
had  their  offices  at  their  places  of  residence  in  various  parts  of  the  county  ;  the  courts  were  held 
held  at  such  places  as  the  County  Board  might  designate  from  time  to  time,  and  the  sessions  of 
the  board  were  held  at  no  stated  place.  A  citizen  was  obliged  to  go  to  one  town  to  have  his 
deed  recorded,  to  another  to  pay  his  county  taxes  on  his  land,  to  another  to  bring  business  before 
the  County  Board,  and  to  still  another  for  relief  from  the  courts.  A  few  excerpts  from  the  rec- 
ords of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  years  1846  and  1847.  will  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the 
confusion  that  prevailed. 

"  The  annual  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  September  14,  1846,  in  the  town  of  Polk.  At 
that  session  it  was  ordered,  that  the  next  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  be  held  at  the  public  house 
kept  by  George  Irish,  in  the  town  of  West  Bend.  The  order  was  carried  by  a' majority  of  one 
vote,  six  voting,  yea;  and  five,  nay.  The  board  adjourned  to  meet  at  Port  Washington.  January 
4,  1847. 

"  January  4,  1847,  the  board  met  at  the  house  of  S.  D.  Powers,  in  Port  Washington.  It 
was  moved  that  the  next  (September)  session  of  the  Circuit  Court  be  held  at  the  court  house  of 
the  county  seat.  Mr.  <  ieorge  W.  Foster,  of  Port  Washington,  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  for 
the  place  of  meeting,  Port  Washington.  His  amendment  was  lost,  and  the  original  motion  passed. 
As  there  wits  no  county  seat,  unless  Grafton  might  be  so  considered,  and  as  there  was  no  court 
house,  except  that  provided  at  Irish's  Tavern  in  West  Bend,  it  is  difficult  to  determine  where  the 
solons  of  the  county  intended  to  locate  the  court. 

"  It  was  further  voted  that  the  next  session  of  the  board  be  held  at  the  house  of  Timothy 
Hall,  in  the  town  of  Wright  (now  Hartford)." 

All  these  different  moves  involved  the  trouble  and  expense  of  removing  the  safe  containing 
the  records  from  place  to  place.  P.  Dockery,  the  clerk,  being  allowed  at  one  time  $'2h  "for  extra 
services  in  moving  the  records  from  Port  Washington,  and  going  after  a  man  to  open  the  safe." 
At  another  meeting.  Michael  Dockery  was  allowed  $11.50  "  for  removing  records  from  Cedar- 
burg to  Clerk's  office,  also  for  removing  records  from  Clerk's  office  to  the  house  of  Timothy  Hall, 
in  Hartford,  and  for  removing  the  records  from  the  Clerk's  office  to  Port  Washington." 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  335 

To  give  ample  time  for  the  permanent  location,  and  to  obviate  meantime  the  inconveniences 
of  having  no  county  seat  whatever,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  establishing  the  county  seat  at 
Port  Washington  for  five  years.  The  act  was  passed  January  25,  1847,  and  its  provisions  were 
as  follows  : 

Section  1.  That  for  the  term  of  five  years  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act.  the  seat  of  justice  of  the 
county  of  Washington  shall  be  established  at  the  village  of  Washington,  on  Section  28,  Township  11,  Range  22  east  ; 
and  all  district  courts  to  be  held  in  and  for  said  county,  during  said  time,  shall  be  held  at  the  public  schoolhouse  in 
said  village,  until  some  other  and  more  suitable  place  shall  be  provided  for  that  purpose. 

Sec.  2.  The  several  county  oftVes  required  by  law  to  be  kept  at  the  county  seat,  shall  be  removed  to  and  kept  at 
the  said  county  seat  as  soon  as  suitable  and  convenient  rooms  or  buildings  shall  be  provided  therefor,  without  expense 
or  charge  to  the  county. 

The  location  of  the  county  seat,  even  temporarily,  was  not  generally  satisfactory  to  the 
majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  county.  It  was  remote  from  the  center  of  population,  and 
its  location  was  viewed  by  those  favoring  the  rival  villages  as  an  advantage  gained,  not  only  for 
the  present  but  in  any  future  attempts  to  decide  on  a  permanent  location.  Although — as  evinced 
in  the  vote  taken  on  the  question — they  could  not  agree  as  to  the  location,  they  could  easily 
accord  in  the  opinion  that  Port  Washington  was  not  a  desirable  point.  Much  bad  blood  was 
stirred  up,  and  the  acquiesence  in  the  decision  of  the  act  was  by  no  means  cheerful.  The  meet- 
ings of  the  board  and  the  sessions  of  the  courts  were  held  there,  although  the  board  would  not 
at  first  acknowledge  that  the  rooms  furnished  were  "  suitable  and  convenient,"  according  to  the 
intent  of  Section  2  of  the  act  providing  for  the  removal  of  the  county  offices  to  that  point.  At 
a  special  meeting  of  the  board,  held  at  Port  Washington  September  13,  1847,  Mr.  Harvey 
Moore,  Supervisor  from  that  town,  offered  the  following  resolution. 

Resolved,  That  the  building  and  rooms  provided  by  the  inhabitants  of  Port  Washington,  without  expense  to  the 
county, are  suitable  and  convenient  for  the  several  county  offices  required  by  law  to  be  kept  at  the  county  seat,  agree- 
ably to  Section  2  of  an  act  to  establish  the  seat  of  justice  at  Port  Washington,  approved  January  25,  1847. 

The  resolution  was  laid  over  till  the  following  day,  when  it  came  up  and  was  indefinitelv 
postponed  by  a  vote  of  thirteen  to  one.  Rooms  were,  however,  subsequently  furnished,  sufficiently 
suitable  and  convenient  to  result  in  the  location  of  all  the  county  offices  at  that  place,  where  they 
were  kept  till  the  division  of  the  county 

August  8,  1848,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  people  of  Washington  County  to  take 
a  vote  on  the  permanent  location  of  the  seat  of  justice.      Its  provisions  were  as  follows  : 

Section  1.  Every  white  male  inhabitant  of  the  county  of  Washington  above  twenty-one  years  of  age,  is  hereby 
authorized  to  cast  his  vote  on  the  permanent  location  of  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county,  on  the  fourth  Monday  of 
September  next,  as  hereinafter  specified. 

Sec.  2.  Every  inhabitant,  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  authorized  to  cast  his  vote  in  the  town  where  he  has  resided  for 
at  least  ten  days  preceding  any  election  authorized  for  this  act,  for  such  place  or  point  as  he  may  choose  for  such  seat 
of  justice  ;  said  vote  shall  be  taken  and  returns  thereof  made  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  County  Supervisors  of 
said  county,  and  canvassed  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  for  by  laws  regulating  general  elections. 

Sec.  3.  If  any  one  place  or  point  shall  receive  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  the  Clerk  of  Supervisors,  as 
aforesaid,  shall  send  immediately  a  certified  abstract  of  the  vote  thus  taken  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  to  be  by  him 
laid  before  the  next  Legislature. 

Sec.  4.  If  no  place  or  point  shall  receive  a  majority,  as  aforesaid,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said  Clerk  to  make 
that  fact  known  by  posting  up  three  notices  in  each  town,  containing  an  abstract  of  the  votes  by  him  canvassed,  and 
a  second  vote  shall  be  taken  on  the  first  Tuesday  after  the  first  Monday  of  November  next,  at  the  several  election 
places,  and  the  votes  thus  taken  shall  be  on  the  three  places  or  points  having  received  the  highest  number  of  votes 
at  the  previous  election  ;  and  the  returns  thereof  made  as  hereinbefore   provided. 

Sec  5.  If  no  place  or  point  shall  receive  a  majority  over  the  other  two  places  or  points,  said  fact  shall  be  made 
known  and  proclaimed,  as  before  mentioned,  and  a  third  and  final  vote  shall  be  taken  on  the  first  Monday  of  Jan- 
uary next,  at  the  several  election  places,  and  the  votes  thus  taken  shall  be  on  the  two  places  having  received  the 
highest  number  of  votes  at  the  last  election,  and  the  Clerk  of  the  Board,  after  canvassing  said  vote,  shall  immediately 
send  an  abstract  as  before  mentioned  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  to  be  by  him  laid  before  the  Legislature. 

The  plan  proposed  in  the  above  act  certainly  seemed  feasible,  and  it  was  hoped  and  believed 
that  under  its  provisions  the  long  vexed  question  must  finally  be  settled.  It  was  generally  ap- 
proved by  the  inhabitants,  and,  as  it  pointed  to  a  forced  and  certain  result  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  third  ballot,  created  intense  interest  throughout  the  county  and  drew  out  the  full  voting 
strength.     The  rival  towns  spared  no  effort  to  bring  the  last  voter  to  the  polls. 


336 


III>TORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


The  elections  occurred  at  the  times  appointed,  and,  contrary  to  expectation,  resulted  in   no 
choice,  as  will  appear  in  the  results  as  given  below  : 

FIRST  VOTE,  SEPTEMBER  2o,   1848. 


TOWNS  AND  PLACES  VOTED   FOB. 

TOWNS. 

3 
u 

a 

£ 

•u 
c 

8) 

a 

■ 

9 

is 

a 
o 

to 

c 

s 

o 

A 

u 

ca 
* 

9 

as 

Saukville. 
County  Farm. 

c 

s 

9 
S5 

c 
S 

I 

o 

> 

a 
i 
o 
H 

I 

27:1 

288 

2 

84 

29 

0 

273 

288 

I 

80              1 

81 

11 

95 

1 

20 

64 

187 

146 

11 

15 

1 

47 

52 

35 

81 

6 

1 

106 

11 

13 

12 

211 

8 
07 

166 

Polk 

18 

91 

38 

38 

Richfield 

80 
61 

2 
5 

49 
11 
142 
19 
2b 

1 

84 

1 

7 

9 

12 

56 

85 

o 

5 

81 

58 

28 

Wesl  Bead 

198 

")4 

24 

6 

58 

Totals 

570 

336 

697 

149 

82            180 

11 

11 

2036 

SECOND    VOTE.    NOVEMBER    7,    1848. 


TOWNS  AMI   PLAGES  VOTED  FOB. 

Cednrburg. 

West  B.nd. 

Port  Washington. 

Total  Town 
Votes. 

8 

1 

6 

829 

102 

228 

143 

40 

80 

2 

5 

1 

'.i 

88 

7 

38 

50 

187 

98 

60 

146 

126 

58 

219 

79 

88 

8i 

290 

76 

77 
25 

l 

43 
2 



1 

4 
1 
4. 

ail 
290 

78 
B8 

370 
140 
271 

195 

Polk 

1  77 

98 

RichfieM  

i  in 

i  i  I 
1 26 

58 

228 

B0 

88 

''II 

1117 

640 

2701 

HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

THIRD  VOTE,  JANUARY  1,  1849. 


337 


TOWNS. 

TOWNS  AND  PLACES  VOTED  FOE. 

Cedarburg. 

West  Bend. 

Neither. 

Total  Town 
Votes. 

25 
3 

27 
388 

94 
380 
256 

65 

49 
146 
202 

1 

1 

1 

51 

1 

68 
o 

60 
5 

63 
185 

24 

33 

9 

167 

72 
246 

39 

85 

504 

259 

10 

38 

3 

159 

5 

8 

5-  4 

2'.0 

86 

4-2 

98 

549 

lf>4 

39.. 

Polk 

319 
250 

RichtieM 

IT'.' 

Hart  ford 

211 

167 

72 

West  Bend 

246 

54 

86 

1643 

1111 

986 

3740 

On  the  first  vote  taken,  the  contest  was  narrowed  down  to  Cedarburg,  West  Bend  and  Port 
Washington.  Cedarburg  being  still  a  part  of  Grafton,  the  vote  only  threw  the  old  village  of 
Grafton  out  of  the  fight,  still  leaving  a  chance  to  retain  the  county  seat  within  the  limits  of  the 
town. 

On  the  second  vote,  nearly  the  entire  vote  of  Grafton  and  the  populous  towns  of  Jackson, 
Mequon  and  Germantown,  were  given  for  Cedarburg ;  Port  Washington  failed  to  receive  as 
many  votes  as  at  the  first  trial,  while  nearly  all  the  central  and  western  towns  voted  for  West 
Bend,  giving  her  a  plurality  of  votes,  and  a  promising  prospect  of  success  at  the  final  election, 
as  against  Cedarburg. 

The  contest  thus  narrowed  down,  would,  under  the  intent  and  meaning  of  the  law,  have 
inevitably  resulted  in  the  permanent  selection  of  either  West  Bend  or  Cedarburg,  had  its 
provisions  been  followed.  Port  Washington  and  the  adjoining  towns  were  not  satisfied  to  thus 
let  the  prize  for  which  they  had  fought  so  many  years,  slip  forever  from  their  grasp,  and  devised 
an  ingenious  and  questionable  plan  to  postpone  the  decision  by  rendering  the  coming  election 
invalid,  and  therefore  void. 

The  scheme  as  developed,  appeared  in  the  final  canvass,  which  showed  in  addition  to  2,752 
legal  votes  thrown  for  the  two  contesting  towns  of  Cedarburg  and  West  Bend,  986  votes  cast 
"for  neither  place."  These  votes,  besides  being  in  violation  of  the  provisions  of  the  act  under 
which  the  election  was  held,  showed  indubitable  signs  of  ballot-box  stuffing,  especially  in  the 
town  of  Belgium,  the  northeastern  town  of  the  county,  north  of  Port  Washington.  The  votes 
returned  from  that  town  numbered  504,  as  against  184  at  the  Presidential  election  of  1848,  and 
186  at  the  succeeding  election,  November,  1849.  The  fraud  was  too  apparent  to  be  defended 
even  by  those  who  wished  to  defeat  the  election,  and  is  even  more  apparent  now  than  then,  as, 
after  the  lapse  of  thirty-two  years,  at  the  last  Presidential  election  (1880),  the  town  cast  but 
346  votes.  Charges  were  also  made  of  fraudulent  voting  in  Port  Washington  and  Grafton, 
where  the  number  of  votes  was  suspiciously  large,  and  counter-charges  were  also  made  against 
West  Bend.  Indeed,  scarce  a  town  escaped  imputations,  from  some  quarter,  of  proceeding  with 
the  election  in  an  illegal  manner,  or  making  a  fraudulent  return.  The  result  was  far  from  sat- 
isfactory to  the  majority  of  voters.  Protests  innumerable  were  poured  in  upon  the  Legislature, 
and  the  lobby  was  thronged  all  winter  with  ardent  and  earnest  partisans  from  different  parts  of 


338  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

the  county.  The  vote  resulted  in  nothing  further  than  to  embitter  the  contest  and  still  further 
disintegrate  the  voting  element  of  the  county.  Cedarburg,  as  a  matter  of  course,  claimed  the 
prize  as  fairly  won,  and  West  Bend  protested  against  the  whole  thing  as  an  arrant  fraud.  Port 
Washington  had  succeeded  in  her  object  so  far  as  to  delay  the  settlement  of  the  question,  but  she 
bad  so  embittered  the  other  parts  of  the  county,  as  to  impair  her  strength  in  the  future  stages 
of  the  contest,  both  at  home  and  in  the  Legislature. 

Except  the  local  partisans  who  still  persisted  in  continuing  the  strife,  the  people  of  the 
county  had  become  thoroughly  tired  of  the  contest,  and  sighed  for  a  permanent  rest. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held  at  Port  Washington,  November  20,  1849, 
John  A.  Douglass,  of  Trenton,  presented  the  memorial  below  given  : 

To  THE    lloSuRAIII.E,    THE  SENATE  AND   HOUSE  OF   REPRESENTATIVES   or    WISCONSIN: 

The  undersigned,  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Washington  County,  now  in  session  would  respect- 
fully represent  to  your  Honorable  body  that  after  several  trials,  the  people  of  this  county  have  not  succeeded  in  des- 
ignating a  place  for  the  seat  of  justice.  That  in  consequence  thereof,  no  county  buildings  have  been  erected,  that 
we  have  no  safe  place  in  which  the  records  of  the  county  may  be  kept ;  that  owing  to  the  various  opinions  which  pre- 
vail respecting  the  construction  of  the  several  acts  of  the  Legislature  upon  the  subject,  and  owing  to  the  conflict  of 
sectional  interests,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  people  of  the  county  cannot  agree  in  selecting  the  county  seat,  and 
therefore  deeming  it  important  and  desirable  that  the  seat  of  justice  should  be  permanently  located,  irrespective  of 
any  local  and  sectional  feeling,  we  would  respectfully  request  your  Honorable  body  to  establish  a  permanent  location 
for  the  county  seat,  and  thus  relieve  the  county  from  the  embarrassment  and  inconvenience  of   its  present  situation. 

The  above  memorial  was  signed  by  the  following  members  of  the  board :  John  A.  Doug- 
lass, town  of  Trenton ;  Harvey  Moore.  Port  Washington  ;  William  Vogenitz,  Cedarburg ; 
James  Kennely,  Erin;  George  Ramsey,  Farmington;  R.  S.  Kneeland,  Hartford;  N.  P.  Rey- 
nolds, Newark  ;  J.  Van  Vechten,  Kewaskum  ;  Patrick  Connolly,  Wayne  ;  Francis  Everly,  Polk  ; 
John  Weyckes,  Belgium  ;  Charles  Schutte.  Jackson  ;  John  M.  Curtis,  Germantown ;  Caleb 
Stearnes,  Addison;  S.  L.  Irwin,  Fredonia  ;  E.  H.  Jansen,  Mequon  ;  William  Wightman.  West 
Bend;  William  Payne,  Saukville ;   Patrick   Clark,  Richfield. 

It  was  voted  to  present  the  above  memorial  to  the  Legislature,  the  vote  being  seventeen  in 
favor  and  one  opposed. 

It  was  hoped  and  expected  that  the  Legislature  would,  in  response  to  this  memorial,  im- 
mediately pass  an  act  permanently  locating  the  county  seat,  and  thus  settle  for  all  time  tin- 
vexed  question.  To  the  general  surprise  of  nine-tenths  of  the  voters,  instead  of  so  doing,  the 
following  unexpected  legislation  forced  them  to  again  become  reluctant  and  disgusted  partici- 
pants in  a  renewed  struggle  on  new  ground. 

February  8,  l$.r>(),  an  act  was  approved  dividing  the  county,  by  the  erection  of  :t  new 
county,  under  the  name  and  title  of  Tuskola,  embracing  the  two  southern  tiers  of  towns,  viz  : 
Mequon,  Germantown,  Richfield,  Erin,  Grafton,  Cedarburg,  Jackson.  Polk  and  Hartford. 
Cedarburg  was  made  the  scat  of  justice  for  the  new  county,  and  Port  Washington  was.  by  the 
game  act,  designated  as  the  permanent  county  seat  of  what  remained  of  Washington  County. 

Section  '24  provided  that  a  vote  on  the  division  of  the  county  be  taken  by  the  electors  of 
the  towns  constituting  the  new  county  of  Tuskola.  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  following  April. 
The  votes  were  to  be  "  For  division  "  ami  "  Against  division,"  and  the  result  of  the  ballot  was 
to  decide  as  to  the  division  of  the  county  as  provided  in  the  act,  or  otherwise.  The  result  of 
the  ballot  was  overwhelmingly  against  the  division,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  returns. 

This  act  proved  in  the  premises  even  more  unpopular  than  any  of  its  predecessors.  Mosl 
of  the  towns,  outside  of  Cedarburg  and  Mequon,  voted  under  protest.  That  of  Hartford  was 
embodied  in  the  following  resolutions  passed  at  the  annual  town  meeting  in  April,  1850: 

Itfxntved,  By  tii"  citizens  of  Hartford  assembled  in  town  meeting, 

Thai  we  regard  the  law  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  last  winter,  for  the  permanent  looalion  "i  the 
Be  e  of  Washington  I  !ountj    al    Pori  Washington,  and   the  erection  of  the  county  of  Tuskola  with  the  county  Beat  al 
ii  invasion  of  the  rights  of  the  citizens  of  this  county,  unconstitutional,  and  therefore  void. 

-       That  our  vote  on  the  question  of  division  simply  expresses  our  choice  of  two  evils,  and   that  we  earnestly 

' I  died  to  aubmil  to  cither  of  them. 

That  the  Chairman  of  the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  of  this  town  be,  and  be  is  hereby  instructed  to  oppose  any 
ii  the  oountj   board,  t"  carry  oul  the  provisions  of  said  law.  whether  (he  vote  of  this  part  of  the  county  slml1 
be  fur  in  against   '!"•  division. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES.  339 

That  the  whole  scheme  was  the  result  of  an  alliance  between  the  Cedarburg  and  Port 
Washington  factions  is  made  apparent  by  the  result  of  the  vote  taken  by  the  towns  of  the  pro- 
posed new  county,  April  2,  1850.     It  was  as  follows: 

TOWNS.                                                             Yes.  No.  Total. 

Richfield 3  205  208 

Polk 8  240  248 

Erin 74                   74 

Germantown 13  269  282 

Grafton 6  184  190 

Jackson 3  183  186 

Hartford 19  174  193 

Cedarburg 174  102  276 

Mequon 49  285  334 

Total 275  1,716  1,991 

Majority  against  division,  1,431. 

The  matter,  however,  got  before  the  Supreme  Court,  on  an  application  for  a  writ  of  manda- 
mus compelling  the  County  Board  to  erect  county  buildings  in  accordance  with  a  section  of  the 
act  dividing  the  county  which  read  as  follows  : 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  shall,  on  the  first  Monday  of  May  next,  proceed  to  let  to  the  lowest  bidder  the  con- 
tract for  the  erection  of  a  good  and  commodious  court  house  upon  the  plan  and  style  generally  adopted  by  Ihe  differ- 
ent counties  of  this  State,  a  good  and  sufficient  jail,  and  good  and  commodious  fire-proof  Clerk's  and  Register's 
office,  upon  grounds  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  to  be  located  by  the  Supervisors  of  the  County  of  Washing- 
ton, said  buildings  to  be  erected  and  ordered  during  the  summer  of  1850,  and  finished  by  the  1st  day  of  July,  1851, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expense  and  cost  of  erecting  said  buildings,  the  said  Supervisors  are  directed 
to  levy  an  additional  tax  upon  the  taxable  property  of  said  county  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  taxes  of  said  county 
for  the  year  1850,  equal  to  the  amount  of  the  contract  price  of  said  buildings. 

Although  the  mandamus  sought  was  denied,  accompanying  the  opinion,  Chief  Justice  Alex. 
W.  Stow  gave  an  individual  opinion  that  the  act  ordering  the  buildings  erected  was  constitu- 
tional, and  further,  that  it  permanently  established  the  county  seat  at  Port  Washington.  As 
the  Chief  Justice  said,  "It  was  only  his  personal  opinion,  and  in  no  wise  bound  his  brethren 
of  the  bench;  was,  in  fact,  extra  judicial."  Yet  it  fortified  the  friends  of  Port  Washington  in 
the  belief  that  that  town  was,  and  in  fact  ought  to  be,  the  county  seat,  and  encouraged  them  to 
more  strenuous  efforts  than  ever  before  in  defense  of  what  they  deemed  their  rights.  The  gist 
of  his  opinion  is  given  in  his  own  words  below  : 

Port  Washington  then  was,  at  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  for  the  time  being  the  county  seat ;  and  was,  as 
has  already  been  held  in  the  case  of  La  Fayette  County,  within  the  constitutional  provision — at  least  until  the  expi- 
ration of  the  term  provided  by  the  act  of  1847.  A  curious  inquiry  might  here  arise,  whether  this  legislative  location 
of  five  years  was  not  by  the  constitution  made  permanent,  but  as  I  do  not  deem  it  material,  in  the  view  which  1  take 
of  the  act  of  last  winter,  I  pass  it  by. 

One  of  two  things  is  certain:  either  that  Port  Washington  had  become,  by  the  Constitution  acting  on  the  law 
of  1847,  the  permanent  county  seat;  or,  that  after  the  expiration  of  five  years,  there  would  be  no  legal  county  seat, 
and  thai  in  the  absence  of  any  the  Legislature  would  have  the  power,  as  in  the  case  of  organizing  a  new  county,  to 
locate  one — the  constitutional  restriction  not  applying.  If  the  first  position  is  the  correct  one,  there  is,  of  course,  an 
end  to  the  real  question  involved  in  this  case.  But  assuming  the  other  position,  the  inquiry  is  then  directly  pre- 
sented, lias  the  Legislature,  by  its  act  of  last  session,  made  Port  Washington  the  permanent  county  seat?  In  my 
opinion  it  has.     And  all  concede  this  to  be  so  if  that  act  is  constitutional. 

Following  this  came  an  elaborate  argument  in  support  of  the  constitutionality  of  the   act. 

As  this  opinion  was  not  concurred  in  by  Chief  Justice  Stow's  associates,  it  did  not  carry 
conviction  to  the  minds  of  a  majority  of  the  legislators  of  the  session  of  1852.  The  five  years 
having  expired,  during  which,  under  the  act  of  1847,  the  county  seat  had  been  located  at  Port 
Washington,  they  proceeded  to  locate  anew  by  the  passage,  February  13,  1852,  of  the  following 
act : 

Section.  1.  The  county  seat  of  the  county  of  Washington  is  hereby  located  and  established  at  the  village  of  Graf- 
ton, in  said  county  of  Washington. 

Sec.  2.  The  legal  voters  of  the  county  of  Washington  may  vote  at  the  time  of  the  next  town  meeting  election, 
for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  Washington  County  from  the  village  of  Grafton,  or  from  any  other  place  where 
the  same,  by  the  laws  and  Constitution  of  this  State  shall,  at  the  time  of  such  election,  be  located,  to  the  village  of 
West  Bend,  in  said  county. 


340 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


SsO.  3.  The  vote  shall  be  taken  by  ballot,  either  written  or  printed,  or  partly  written  ami  partly  printed,  and 
shall  be  in  the  following  form  :  The  ballots  for  removal  shall  be,  "  For  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  West  Bend  ;" 
the  ballots  against  removal  shall  be,  "Against  removal  of  the  county  seat,"  and  all  of  said  votes  shall  be  deposited 
in  a  separate  box,  and  canvassed  ami  returned  in  the  same  manner  as  the  votes  of  any  general  election, 

Seo.  4.  If  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  upon  that  subject  shall  be  in  favor  of  removal  to  West 
Bend,  then,  from  and  after  the  time  of  canvassing  such  vote,  the  county  seat  of  said  county  shall  be  removed  and 
permanently  located  at  the  village  of  West  Bend,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  said  county  to  publish  the  result,  of  said  election  in  any  paper  published  in  said  county  of  Washington  within  two 
weeks  after  the  official  canvass  of  said  election. 

Sec.  5.  The  Board  of  Canvassers  shall  reject  all  the  votes  cast  which  do  not  express  the  words,  "  For  the 
removal  of  the  county  seat  to  West.  Bend,"   or  the  words,   "  Against  the  removal  of  the  county  seat." 

Sec.  6.  All  acts  and  parts  of  acts  now  in  force  and  contravening  the  provisions  of  this  act  are  hereby 
repealed. 

Sec.   7.     This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  publication. 

The  provision  first  locating  at  Grafton,  and  supplemented  by  one  providing  for  its  removal 
to  West  Bend  and  no  other  place,  in  case  the  people  should  so  decide  at  the  coming  election, 
was  unsatisfactory  to  the  eastern  and  southeastern  towns,  and  particularly  so  to  the  points  that 
had  hitherto  competed  for  the  location.  By  this  means  Cedarburg  and  Port  Washington,  the 
two  allies  in  the  Tuskola  division  of  1850,  were  both  barred  out,  and  a  vote  forced  upon  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county  equally  as  distasteful  to  them  as  had  been  that  of  two  years  before 
to  the  western  towns.  The  election  came  off,  however,  at  the  time  provided  in  the  act.  with  the 
following  result: 


TOWNS 

For  Removal 
■  if  CountySeat 
toWestliend. 

AgainBt  Removal 
.if  tbe 

County  Sent. 

Total. 

156 

88 

36 
130 
329 

66 

286 

166 

157 

5 

,,, 

2 

112 

79 

167 

127 

I7V< 

24 

41 

57 

310 

287 

220 

160 

28 

377 
768 

175 
.VI 

•U<M\ 

180 

Richfield 

tl 

57 

243 

287 

256 

130 

Polk 

329 

225 

286 

165 

185 

5 

377 

768 

177 

166 

7'.' 

157 

1-27 

4285 

The  above  is  the  vote  as  returned  by  the  County  Board  of  Canvassers,  consisting  at  that 
time  of  William  II.  Ramsey,  Clerk  of  the  Board,  and  Jacob  E.  Young  and  S.  Austin  White, 
Justices  'if  the  Peace.  The  Board  deemed  it  its  duty  to  canvass  the  votes  as  returned,  without 
going  behind  the  returns,  or  taking  cognizance  of  any  irregularities  that  might  be  apparent. 
Indorsed    on  the  return,  however,  was  the  following: 

The  whole  number  of  votes   oasl  "For  re val  of  the  county  seal   i"   West  Bend"  were  one  thousand  seven 

hundred  and  eighty-nine,  and   the  whole  number  of  votes  cast  "against  the   re val  of  the  county  seat  "  was  two 

md  four  hundred  and  ninety-six.     And  at  snob  canvass  a  protest  «;is  submitted  to  the  County  Board  of  t'an- 
,  protesting  against  the   canvass  of  the  voles  ..f  the  townt  of  Belgium  and   Cedarburg,  for  the  reasons  therein 
contained  ;  also  an  affidavit  of  Joseph  Fisohbein      It  it  therefore  determined  that  the  majority  of  votes  oasl  al    said 
eleotion  tre  agaitul  the  remt  val  of  the  mumy  seal.  .1    E,  found, 

Wm.iivm    If.   EUmsey,   Clerk.  Justice  of  the  Teaee. 


HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  341 

The  protest  and  affidavit  alluded  to  in  the  above  were  as  follows  : 

PROTEST. 

To  the  Board  of  County  Canvassers  of  Washington  County,  to  convene  on   Thursday,  the   13th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1S52, 

to  canvass  the  votes  cast  at  the  election  on  the  6th  day  of  April,  1852,  in  relation  to  the  location  of  the  county  seat  of 

said  county,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  approved  February  IS,  1S~>2 : 

The  undersigned,  friends  of  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  West  Bend,  respectfully  protest  against  the 
counting  of  the  votes  returned  from  the  town  of  Belgium,  and  insist  that  the  same,  or  a  large  part  thereof,  ought  to 
be  rejected. 

We  understand  that  it  must  satisfactorily  appear  that  there  is  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  either  "  For  removal 
of  the  county  seat  to  We»t  Bend."  or  "  Against  removal  of  the  county  seat,"  before  the  Board  of  Canvassers  can 
decide  the  result.  We  also  understand  that  the  actual  duty  of  the  board  is  to  ascertain  what  is  the  real  will  of  the 
plura'ity  of  voters,  as  expressed  in  said  election.  We  concede  that  the  returns  from  the  several  towns  are  prima 
facie  evidence  of  the  real  will  of  the  voters,  and  that  it  requires  evidence  to  vary  or  overcome  the  result  that  might 
be  arrived  at  upon  that  basis.  We  conceive  that  a  mere  informality  in  the  election  would  not  necessarily  destroy  a 
poll  or  reject  the  votes  cast  at  it,  but  we  insist  that  when  the  informality,  or  a  great  number  of  informalities,  may  be 
of  such  a  nature  as  to  defeat  the  will  of  the  plurality,  or  to  leave  it  in  doubt  whether  that  will  has  been  fairly  ex- 
pressed, it  is  incumbent  on  the  board  to  reject  the  votes.  We  further  insist,  that,  if  there  has  been  fraudulent  or 
illegal  voting,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  board  to  reject  all  fraudulent  or  illegal  votes.  We  also  insist,  that,  if  there 
have  been  informalities  in  the  conducting  of  the  election,  and  fraudulent  practices  at  the  polls  by  which  the  right 
and  freedom  of  the  elective  franchise  have  been  abused  or  restrained,  the  poll  returned  under  such  circumstances 
should  be  rejected.  We  further  insist  that,  if  there  has  been  illegal  voting  at  a  poll,  or  if  there  have  been  informal- 
ities or  illegal  practices  in  the  conducting  of  said  election,  to  such  an  extent  as  to  create  doubt  or  uncertainty  as  to 
what  is  "  the  real  will  of  the  plurality,"  then  it  is  the  duty  of  the  board  to  omit  announcing  any  final  result  of  said 
election,  and  to  state  the  facts  of  the  case  as  they  may  be. 

We  protest  against  the  vote  of  the  town  of  Belgium  on  this  occasion  : 

1.  Because,  we  are  informed,  and  offer  to  prove,  that  divers  persons  voted  at  that  poll  who  were  not  legal  vo- 
vers  at  the  time  of  voting.. 

2.  Because,  we  are  informed,  and  offer  to  prove,  that  divers  persons  voted  more  than  once  at  said  election. 

3.  Because,  we  are  informed,  and  offer  to  prove,  that  there  are  not  to  exceed  three  hundred  legal  voters  in  said 
town,  whereas  the  poll  returned  shows  that.  703  votes  were  cast  at  said  election. 

4.  Because,  we  are  informed,  and  offer  to  prove,  that  the  population  of  said  town  does  not  exceed  fifteen  hun- 
dred inhabitants,  whereas  at  said  election  763  votes  were  polled. 

5.  Because,  the  said  poll  was  otherwise  informal  and  illegal. 

6.  Because, ,  a  friend  to  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  West  Bend,  who   attended  said   poll  for 

the  purpose  of  challenging  illegal  votes,  was  not  permitted  to   remain  at  said  poll,  but  was  compelled   to   leave  the 
same  without  cause. 

7.  Because  the  votes  returned  do  not  contain  on  them  the  words  required  by  law. 

We  further  protest  against  the  counting  of  the  votes  returned  from  the  town  of  Cedarburg,  for  the  reason  that 
the  Inspectors  of  said  election  were  not  sworn,  as  required  by  law. 

We  also  protest  against  the  counting  of  the  votes  returned  from  the  town  of  Mequon,  for  the  reason  that  we 
are  informed  and  believe  that  divers  illegal  votes  Were  cast  at  said  election. 

Paul  A.  Weil.  L.  F.   Frisby. 

B.  S.  Weil.  Zaoheus  Granger. 

G.  N.  Irish.  PeLEO  Truesdell. 

P.  Connolly. 

AFFIDAVIT    OF    J.    FISCHBEIN. 

Joseph  Fischbein,  on  oath,  says  that  he  is  a  resident  of  Saukville,  in  the  county  of  Washington ;  that  he  has 
been  well  acquainted  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Belgium,  in  said  county;  that  he  has  been  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business  in  said  county  since  1846,  and  has  had  a  good  deal  of  intercourse,  in  the  way  of  trade,  with  the 
inhabitants  of  said  town  ;  that  he  has  also  frequently  been  in  said  town  and  has  attended  three  elections  in  said 
town;  that  from  his  knowledge  he  does  not  believe  that  the  population  of  said  town  exceeds  fifteen  hundred  souls, 
or  that  there  are  in  said  town  to  exceed  four  hundred  legal  voters.  J.   Fischbein. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  April  13,  1852,  before  me. 

L.  F.  Frisby,  Notary  Public. 

That  the  vote  as  returned  from  the  towns  to  the  convassers  was,  in  many  respects,  irregular 
and  not  in  accordance  with  the  law,  and,  in  the  case  of  the  Belgium  vote,  a  flagrant  fraud,  was 
evident  to  all.  A  minute,  now  on  file  in  the  County  Clerk's  office  with  the  returns  of  that  elec- 
tion, notes  the  following  minor  irregularities  : 

"  Erin — No  poll-list  and  not  certified ;  Richfield — Not  signed  by  Inspectors,  ballots  in- 
formal ;  Germantown — No  poll-list,  no  oaths  ;  Mequon — No  oaths  ;  Cedarburg — No  oaths  ; 
Jackson — No  poll-list,  no  oaths,  votes  for  '  removal  to  County  Farm  '   illegal ;  Polk — No  poll- 


•342  HISTORY   <>F    WASHINGTON    AXI>  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

list ;  Bartford — No  poll-list,  no  votes  ;  Farmington — No  poll-list,  no  oaths.  Belgium  sent  in 
legal  returns.  Its  poll-list  appears  complete  and  contains  the  names  of  the  763  men  who  voted, 
and  the  proper  oaths  were  administered  to  the  judges  of  election.  The  names  on  the  poll-list  are 
many  of  them  illegible  and  mostly  German  names.  No  attempt  was  made  to  trace  any  fraud 
through  the  list,  as  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  do  so." 

The  result  of  the  vote  nominally  decided  the  question  in  favor  of  Grafton.  The  feeling  all 
over  the  county  was  one  of  supreme  dissatisfaction.  Port  Washington,  although  she  saw  her 
most  hated  rival.  West  Bend,  defeated,  found  no  comfort  in  a  victory  that  deprived  her  forever 
of  the  prize  she  had  coveted  so  long  and  strove  for  so  persistently.  So,  on  the  convening  of  the 
next  Legislature  (1853)  found  an  immense  lobby  from  all  parts  of  the  county  loaded  with  pro- 
tests, petitions,  affidavits,  remonstrances,  applications  of  relief  to  the  court,  and  every  other  ap- 
pliance known  to  the  American  citizen,  for  renewing  the  fight  at  Madison  in  the  Legislature  and 
before  the  court.  The  contest  had  now  been  going  on  for  thirteen  years,  during  which  time  not 
a  session  had  passed  without  obtruding  itself  in  one  form  or  another.  It  had  come  to  be  looked 
upon  as  a  chronic  legislative  evil,  the  roots,  deep-seated  in  the  local  dissensions  of  Washington 
County,  but  the  branches  overshadowing  and  delaying  and  obstructing  the  legislative  work  of  the 
whole  commonwealth,  year  after  year.  The  Legislature  was  heartily  sick  of  the  imbroglio,  and 
its  members  were  in  no  mood  to  continue  the  quarrel  indefinitely  by  any  further  legislation  in- 
volving a  popular  vote  of  the  people  of  the  county.  It  had  come  to  be  generally  believed  that 
the  people  were  hopelessly  divided  on  the  county  seat  question,  and  that  heroic  means,  outside 
any  local  remedy,  must  be  applied.  A  new  alliance  was  formed  between  a  leading  pari  of  the 
Port  Washington  lobby  and  the  West  Bend  interest  to  divide  the  county  north  and  south,  mak- 
ing West  Bend  and  Port  Washington  the  county  seats  of  the  two  new  counties.  The  scheme 
met  the  ready  support  of  both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  and  was  rushed  through  before  the 
inhabitants  of  the  county  at  home  had  time  to  organize  any  vigorous  opposition.  The  plan  had 
become  fairly  known,  and  protests  had  begun  to  come  in  against  the  division.  It  was  nevertheless 
pushed  through;  not,  however,  without  a  most  vigorous  and  able  opposition  on  the  part  of  Sena- 
tor Blair,  of  Fort  Washington,  who  spoke  against  the  bill  for  a  part  of  three  days,  reviewing  in  a 
masterly  manner  the  whole  history  of  the  contest.  His  efforts  were  totally  unavailing,  and 
the  bill  passed,  only  himself  and  lion.  John  W.  Cary,  of  Racine,  voting  against  it  in  the  Senate. 
In  the  House  two  members  of  the  Assembly  from  the  county  favored  the  division,  viz..  Dr.  James 
\V.  Porter,  of  Port  Washington,  and  William  P.  Barnes,  of  liarton  ;  Charles  E.  Chamberlin,  of 
Grafton,  opposed  it,  and  Charles  Schutte,  of  Meeker,  although  taking  no  active  part,  accord- 
ing to  the  recollection  of  the  old  inhabitants,  voted  against  it.  Senator  Baruch  S.  Weil,  of  Wesl 
Bend,  supported  the  bill.      Below  is  the  act,  as  passed  ami  approved  : 

As  Ait  reu  the  Division  "■    rag  County  op  Washington  and  the  Erection  i    Count?  oi   Ozaukee. 

/'      People  of  the  Slat*  of   VFiecon lied  in  Senatt  and  At tWy,  do  enow 

Section  1.  All  thai  portion  of  the  present  county  of  Washington  lying  within  the  following  boundaries,  to  wit  : 
commencing  at  the  southwest,  corner  of 'rmvn*lii|i '.i  nm-ili.  .if  Flange  *_'l  east  of  the  fourth  prinoipal  meridian,  and 
running  thence  north  on  the  range  line  between  Ranges  20  and  21,  to  the  northwest  c  irner  of  Township  12,  Range 
21  east ;  thence  e:i-t  on  the  township  line  bel  ween  Townships  1 2  and  18  north,  to  thi  eastern  boundary  line  of  this 
State  in  I. :ikc  Miclii'fiiiu  :  thriiii'  i.iiiilierlj  on  said  boundary  line  until  it  intersects  n  line  running  due  easl  between 

.i  9  north  ;  thence  wesl  on  said  line  to  place  of  beginning,  is  bereb)  ff  an  1  erected  into  a  sepa- 

rate  c  tunty  under  the  name  and  title  of  Ozaukee. 

Thai  said  county  of  Ozaukee  i*  hereby  erected,  established  and  organized  with  all  the  rights,  powers 
and  privileges  by  law  granted  to  other  counties  of  this  State,  and  subject  1"  ill  gen  Till  1 iw.-  established  for  county 

nt 

That  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April  next  the  electors  resident  in  sai  i  > my  of  i  '  -hall  meet  in 

their  respective  towns,  st  the  usual  place  of  holding  elections,  and  there  and  then  pr  toeed  to  elect  all  and  every  of 
the  county  officers  provided  bj  Ian  for  oounty  government,  whiofa  said  officers  shall  hold  their  ofliees,  when  duly 
qualified,  until  the  expiration  of  the  regular  term  of  similar  offices  iu  other  counties. 

Sec.  t      That  on  the  first  Tuesday  of   Lpril  next  there  shall  be  elected  by  the  qualified  electors  of  said  county 

ni  Ozaukee  a  County  Judge,  in  a ritfa  the  provisions  of  Chapter  86  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  Wisoonsin, 

who.  when  duly  qualified,  shall    hold   his  office  until  the  expiration  of  the  regular  term  of  similar  officers  in  other 
lies. 

be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  Si                       ifter  the  publication  of  this  act  as  possible,  to 
give  notice  to  the  £  liington  County,  specifying  what  officer*  ire  to  1 lected  at  the  April  town  elections 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  345 

for  Ozaukee  County  ;  and  upon  the  receipt  of  such  notice,  the  Sheriff  shall  cause  to  be  posted,  in  three  or  more  pub- 
lie  places  in  each  organized  town  in  said  county  of  Ozaukee,  a  notice  specifying  the  officers  to  be  elected  for  said 
county,  for  which  service  he  shall  be  paid  by  the  county  of  Ozaukee.  The  election  shall  be  conducted  in  all  respects 
at  the  polls  as  is  provided  by  law  for  general  elections ;  and  the  returns  shall  be  made  to  the  Sheriff  at  Washington 
County,  at  Port  Washington,  within  six  days  after  such  election,  in  the  same  manner  that  returns  are  directed  to  be 
made  to  the  County  Board  of  Canvassers.  On  the  Tuesday  next  following  the  election,  the  said  Sheriff  shall  take  to 
his  assistance  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  residents  in  the  county  of  Ozaukee,  who  shall  be  a  Board  of  Canvassers, 
and  shall  proceed  to  canvass  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  for  county  officers  in  the  same  manner  as  is  provided  for 
by  law  for  other  boards  of  canvassers.  Said  Board  of  Canvassers  shall  immediately  publish  in  some  newspaper  in 
said  county  the  result  of  such  election,  and  give  a  certificate  of  election  to  the  person  elected,  and  shall,  as  soon  as  the 
County  Board  of  Supervisors  shall  be  organized  and  a  Clerk  elected,  file  with  said  Clerk,  to  be  recorded  as  by  law 
directed,  such  statement  of  the  result  of  such  election. 

Sec.  13.  The  present  village  of  Port  Washington  is  hereby  declared  to  be  the  county  seat  of  Ozaukee.  The 
terms  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  said  county  shall  be  held  on  the  second  Monday  in  June  and  the  third  Monday  in  No- 
vember in  each  year. 

Sec.  7.  The  liabilities  or  indebtedness  of  the  present  county  of  Washington  shall  be  paid,  satisfied  and  discharged 
ratably  by  said  county  of  Washington  and  county  of  Ozaukee,  according  to  the  last  assessment  of  Washington  County,  ex- 
cept so  far  as  the  county  of  Washington  shall  have  a  fund,  which  shall  be  used  in  discharge  of  said  indebtedness  ;  and  in 
case  there  is  a  county  fund  on  hand,  or  real  or  personal  property  now  owned  by  said  county  of  Washington,  the  same 
shall  be  divided  between  the  said  counties  at  the  same  rates  as  for  the  discharge  of  indebtedness.  The  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors of  either  county  shall  have  power  to  audit  claims  for  which  both  counties  are  liable. 

Sec.  S.  All  processes,  appeals,  recognizances  and  other  proceedings  commenced,  either  in  the  Circuit  Court 
for  the  county  of  Washington,  or  in  the  County  Court  of  said  county,  prior  to  the  first  Monday  of  May  next,  shall  be 
prosecuted  to  find  judgment  therein,  the  same  manner  and  with  like  effect  as  they  might  have  been  had  this  act  not 
have  been  passed. 

Sec.  9.     The  county  of  Ozaukee  shall  constitute  the  Third  Senate  District. 

Sec.  10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  Supervisors,  elected  at  the  next  April  town  election  within  the 
said  county  of  Ozaukee,  to  meet  at  the  court  room  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  on  the  first  Monday  of  May  next, 
at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  organize  a  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  shall  there  and  then  proceed  to  select,  within  the  limits  of 
Port  Washington,  suitable  lands  for  the  erection  of  a  court  house  and  other  county  buildings;  and  also  shall  procure 
suitable  rooms  for  holding  courts  and  for  county  officers. 

Sec.  11.  The  Supervisors  of  the  county  of  Ozaukee  are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  procure  a  copy 
of  the  records  of  Washington  County,  relating  to  the  titles  of  all  lands  situate  within  the  limits  of  said  county  of 
Ozaukee,  as  they  now  or  may  appear  in  the  Register's,  Circuit  Clerk  or  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors'  offices,  in 
said  county  of  Washington.  The  copies  so  entered  in  the  respective  offices  of  Ozaukee  County  shall  be  of  the  like 
form  and  effect  as  if  originally  entered  of  record  in  said  county. 

Sec.  12.  The  place  known  and  designated  as  the  village  of  West  Bend,  in  Town  11,  Range  19,  in  the  county 
of  Washington,  shall,  and  it  is  hereby  declared  to  be  the  county  seat  of  said  Washington  County  ;  and  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  said  county  shall,  as  soon  as  practicable,  provide  suitable  buildings  for  county  purposes  in  said  village 
of  West  Bend.  And  said  Board  of  Supervisors  are  required  to  meet  at  said  village  of  West  Bend  on  the  third  Tues- 
day of  March,  A.  D.  ISO?,,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  said  buildings  and  selecting  and  procuring  grounds  and  lots 
for  the  location  of  county  buildings. 

Sec.  13.     All  acts  and  parts  of  acts  contravening  this  act  are  hereby  repealed. 

Sec.  14.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  State  to  cause  this  act  to  be  published  forthwith,  and  it  shall 
go  into  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 

Approved  March  7,  185o. 

By  act  of  March  19,  1853,  in  regard  to  officers  holding  over,  and  the  election  of  new  offi- 
cers to  fill  vacancies  caused  by  the  division,  the  provisions  were  as  follows  : 

"  All  officers  elected  for  the  county  of  Washington,  residing  in  the  county  of  Ozaukee,  at 
the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act,  shall  be  and  remain  officers  of  the  county  of  Ozaukee,  and 
all  residing  in  the  county  of  Washington  were  to  retain  their  offices  under  the  new  organization 
The  vacancies  thus  occurring,  in  either  county,  were  to  be  filled  at  a  special  election,  to  be  holden 
on  the  first  Tuesday  of  the  following  May." 

Still  another  supplemental  clause  was  passed,  providing  for  Building  Commissioners  in  each 
county,  and  appointing  such  Commissioners,  and  authorizing  them  to  issue  $8,000  in  county 
bonds  for  building  purposes. 

The  above  acts  resulted  in  the  permanent  settlement  of  the  difficulty,  although  the  inhab- 
itants generally  protested  against  it,  and  did  not  accept  the  situation  for  some  months,  nor  till 
the  question  of  the  constitutionality  of  the  law  had  been  argued  before  and  decided  by  the 
Supreme  Court.  The  arguments  were  made  by  H.  S.  Orton  in  favor  and  Jonathan  E.  Arnold 
and  E.  S.  Turner  against  the  act.  The  decision,  which  virtually  put  the  matter  at  rest  and 
established  the  legality  of  the  act  erecting  the  county  of  Ozaukee  and  new  Washington  County 
as  now  existing,  was  as  follows : 


346  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

On  ilit-  4th  day  of  March,  1863,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  setting  off  certain  territory  from  the  county  of 
Washington  ami  out  of  the  territory  thus  set  otf  organizing  the  county  of  Ozaukee.  This  ao(  *  1  i <  1  not  by  its  terras 
change  or  in  any  way  affect  (lie  organization  of  Washington  County,  but  left  it  in  all  respects  as  it  was  before  the  act 
was  passed,  except  the  establishment  of  the  county  seat  at  the  village  of  West  Bend. 

Other  acts,  made  necessary  by  the  division  of  the  county,  were  subsequently  passed  by  the  Legislature,  but 
they  do  not  bear  directly  on  the  questions  before  us. 

The  respondent  contends  that  the  act  of  the  Legislature  setting  off  the  territory  and  organizing  the  new  county 
was  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  of  the  State,  and  that  consequently  he  is  not  obliged  to  hold  the  terms  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  at  that  place,  as  the  relator  claims. 

The  provisions  of  the  Constitution  to  which  this  act  of  the  Legislature  is  supposed  to  be  repugnant  are  con- 
tained in  Sections  7  and  8  of  Article  XIII. 

Section  7  is  as  follows:  "  No  county  with  an  area  of  (100  square  miles  or  less  shall  be  divided,  or  have  any 
part  stricken  therefrom,  without  submitting  the  question  to  a  vote  of  the  people  of  the  county,  nor  unless  a  majority 
of  all  the  legal  voters  of  the  county  voting  on  the  question  shall  vote  for  the  same." 

This  provision  is  clear  and  explicit,  and  it  is  manifest  that  the  county  could  not  be  divided  by  the  act  of  the 
Legislature  alone,  unless  it  contained  an  area  greater  than  that  fised  in  the  section  of  the  Constitution  above  quoted. 

Upon  looking  at  the  act  of  the  Legislature  fixing  the  boundaries  of  Washington  County  ( 'Rev.  Statutes,  Chap. 
2,  Sec.  28},  we  find  them  as  follows :  "  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Township  9  north,  of  Range  18  easl  f 
the  meridian  aforesaid  :  running  thence  due  east  to  the  eastern  boundary  line  of  this  State  in  Lake  Michigan  :  thence 
northerly  on  said  boundary  line,  until  it  intersects  a  line  running  due  east  between  Townships  12  and  lo  north  ; 
thence  west  on  said  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Township  12  north,  of  Kange  18  east  ;  thence  south  on  said  range 
line  between  17  and  18  east,  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

From  these  boundaries,  it  appears  thai  Washington  County,  as  it  existed  before  the  division,  contained  an  area 
of  more  than  000  square  miles,  if  that  pari  of  Lake  Michigan  lying  within  them  is  considered  in  determining  the 
area  of  the  county;  and  if  it  shall  be  excluded,  the  area  was  less  than  900  square  miles  :  so  that  the  single  question 
is,  whether  this  part  of  Lake  Michigan  is  to  be  included  or  excluded  in  determining  the  area  of  the  county. 

It  was  claimed  on  the  part  of  the  respondent  that  the  clause  of  the  Constitution  in  question  should  be  construed 
so  as  to  deprive  the  Legislature  of  the  power  to  divide  a  county  unless  it  contained  the  required  area  of  territory 
capable  of  being  represented  and  taxed.  This  does  not  appear  very  evident.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  eastern 
boundary  of  tin-  part  of  our  State,  as  defined  by  our  Constitution,  and  by  the  act  of  Congress  admitting  Wisconsin 
into  the  Union,  is  a  line  running  through  the  center  ot  Lake  Michigan.  All  that  portion  of  the  lake  lying  west  of 
that  line,  being  an  integral  part  of  the  State,  must  of  course  be  included  within  the  limits  of  counties,  tor  the  pur- 
pose of  the  due  administration  of  law. 

It  is  difficult  to  perceive  why  this  area  should  be  a  part  of  the  county  for  some  purposes  and  not  for  others. 
Many  counties  contain  within  their  boundaries  bodies  of  water  which  are  entirely  surrounded  by  land  lying  within 
the  same  county.  These  bodies  of  water  have  always  been  considered  integral  part*  of  the  counties  in  which  they 
are  situated  when  the  area  of  the  county  is  to  be  determined.  Indeed,  to  exclude  the  lake-  and  rivers  lying  within 
and  running  through  a  county  in  order  to  ascertain  it-  area,  would,  it  is  believed,  bo  t lie  adoption  of  a  novel  princi- 
ple. We  do  not  see  how  the  fact  that  Lake  Michigan  is  a  large  body  of  water,  and  does  not  lie  wholly  within  the 
limits  of  Washington  County  or  within  the  State,  can  make  any  difference  as  to  the  principle  which  should  govern 
us  in  deciding  this  question.  A  portion  id'  it  is  within  the  boundaries  of  the  county,  and  we  think  that  the  same 
principle  should  be  applied  in  determining  the  area  of  the  county  as  though  that  portion  of  Lake  Michigan  within 
its  boundaries  was  a  small  lake,  entirely  surrounded  by  land  lying  within  the  same  county. 

We  do  not,  therefore,  feel  at  liberty  to  adopt  a  principle  in  determining  the  area  of  this  county  which  would 
exclude  from  our  Constitution  an  integral  portion  of  it. 

Section  8  of  Article  XIII  of  our  Constitution,  relied  upon  by  the  respondent  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  this 
act  of  th?  Legislature  is  void,  is  in  these  words  : 

"  No  county  seat  shall  be  moved  until  the  point  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  he  removed  shall  be  fixed  by  law.  and 

a  majority  of  the  voters  of  the  county,  voting  on  the  question,  shall  have  voted  in  favor  of  its  removal  to  such  point." 

This  provision  of  the  Constitution,  the  respondent  contends,  has  been  violated,  because  tin'  county  seal  lias  been 

removed  from  its  previous  location,  and  established  at  the  village  of  West  Bend.     We  do  not  think  this  position  well 

taken. 

The  Legislature  has  full  power  to  divide  the  counties  of  this  State  as  it  -hall  think  proper,  -object  only  i"  the  re- 
striction contained  in  the  clause  of  the  Constitution,  which  we  have  quoted,  and  Washington  County  having  had  pre- 
vious to  th"  passage  of  the  act  dividing  it,  an  area  greater  than  nine  hundred  square  miles,  there  was  nothing  to  limit 

plied  to  thai  county.  It  could  have  been  divided  in  any  mode  which  the  Legislature  -! 
To  hold  that  the  Legislature  -hall  not  divide  a  county,  in  a  particular  way,  although  it  contains  an  area  greater  than 
that  mentioned  in  the  Constitution,  would  be  imposing  restriction  upon  it,  which  is  not  contained  in  that  instrument. 
In  the  exercise  of  this  power,  the  Legislature  set  off  the  place  at  which  the  county  seat  was  located  to  the  Bounty 
of  Ozaukee,  and  the  county  of  Washington  would  therefore  have  been  left  without  a  county  seat,  unless  the  la 
ture  had  established  one.  This  was  done  by  the  twelfth  section  of  the  act  under  consideration,  which  fixe-  it  n  the 
village  of  W"e-t  Bend. 

We  think  this  was  rather  the  establish  inent  of  a  county  seat  for  a  county  which  had  none,  than  the  removal  of  a 
county  seat  from  one  part  of  the  county  to  another. 

We  are  fully  aware  of  the  consequences  of  this  decision  :    we  know  it  may  be  said  that  if  the  Legislature  should 

now  ante      th tntj    >i  Ozaukee  to  the  county  of  Washington,   the  only  effect   of  the   Legislature  upon  the  subject 

WOnld  be  the   removal    of  i  In unty  -eat    of  the  county  of  Washington,    from  its  previous   location,  to  the  village  of 

W  e-t  Bend,  and  thus  the  provision  c  mtai 1  in  Section  8  of  Article  XI 1 1,  would  be  evaded. 


HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  347 

But  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  same  result  would  be  reached  if  that  part  of  the  original  county  of  Washing- 
ton, which  now  retains  the  name,  had  been  set  off  from  the  remaining  part  of  the  county  and  called  by  another  name  ; 
this  would  clearly  have  given  the  Legislature  power  to  establish  a  county  seat  for  the  county  thus  set  off,  for  it  wonld 
have  had  none  within  its  limits  ;  and  by  passing  an  act  annexing  Washington  County  to  it,  the  only  result  would  be 
the  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  the  original  county  of  Washington  and  the  change  of  its  name,  which,  of  course,  the 
Legislature  could  by  another  act  restore. 

We  do  not  feel  at  liberty  to  expound  the  Constitution  in  such  a  way  as  to  take  from  the  Legislature  the  power  to 
divide  the  counties  of  the  State,  as  they  shall  think  proper,  in  cases  where  the  area  of  the  county  exceeds  the  consti- 
tutional limit,  and  are  therefore  of  the  opinion  that  the  mandamus  must  be  awarded. 

The  last  throes  of  dissolution  and  the  infantile  struggles  of  the  new  counties  prolonged  the 
home  strife  for  a  few  months.  A  short  sketch  of  what  transpired  during  that  period  will  bring 
the  reader  to  happier  days  of  peace — the  happy  outcoming  of  one  of  the  most  remarkable  strug- 
gles of  its  kind  that  ever  transpired  in  this  country. 

THE    TRANSITION    STATE. 

The  news  of  the  passage  of  the  act  dividing  the  county  was  a  genuine  surprise  to  two- 
thirds  of  its  voters,  and,  with  an  alacrity  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  the  spirit  of  captious  op- 
position which  had  kept  the  county  in  a  broil  ever  since  it  had  had  an  existence,  immediately 
developed,  as  usual. 

The  opposition  to  the  change  was,  perhaps,  too  widespread  to  be  termed  captious  ;  it  was 
earnest,  at  any  rate,  and  comprised  a  respectable  portion  of  the  citizens.  The  law  required  the 
removal  of  the  offices  of  the  county  to  West  Bend,  and,  as  all  but  one  of  the  incumbents 
had  his  home,  as  well  as  his  business,  virtually  established  at  Port  Washington,  the  move  was 
not  personally  popular  to  them.  The  officers  at  that  time  were :  Sheriff.  Lion  Silverman,  of 
Trenton  ;  Treasurer,  John  Fitzpatrick,  of  Saukville ;  Clerk  of  the  Board,  John  R.  Bohan,  of 
Hartford ;  Clerk  of  the  Court,  La  Fayette  Towsley,  of  Port  Washington  ;  District  Attorney, 
E.  S.  Turner,  of  Grafton ;  County  Judge,  Hopewell  Coxe,  of  Hartford ;  Register  of  Deeds, 
Adam  Schantz,  of  Addison. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  after  the  passage  of  the  act  dividing  the 
county,  was  held  pursuant  to  a  special  call,  at  the  village  of  Port  Washington  March  14,  1853. 
The  towns  represented  were  as  follows  :  Hartford,  T.  Hall ;  Erin,  Charles  Lynch  ;  Trenton, 
A.  McCartney  ;  Belgium,  N.  Fyder  ;  Fredonia,  D.  M.  Miller  ;  Saukville,  William  Payne ;  Port 
Washington,  L.  Towsley  ;  Grafton,  B.  G.  Gill ;  Mequon,  J.  W.  Milbrath;  Cedarburg,  M.  Gor- 
man ;  Jackson,  William  Rohn. 

The  Chairman  (George  Ramsey,  of  Farmington),  being  absent,  A.  McCartney  was  chosen 
Chairman,  pro  tern. 

A  Committee  on  Resolutions  was  appointed,  consisting  of  B.  G.  Gill,  Timothy  Hall,  D.  M. 
Miller  and  William  Payne,  to  draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting  upon  the 
act  dividing  Washington  County.  The  committee  reported  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
voted  on  separately,  and  adopted : 

Whereas,  An  act  has  passed  the  Legislature  of  this  State  providing  for  a  division  of  this  county,  and  the  or- 
ganization of  a  new  county  called  Ozaukee,  and  whereas,  the  passage  of  said  act  is  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of 
more  than  four-fifths  of  the  citizens  and  tax-payers  that  we  represent,  and  is  believed  by  them  to  be  unjust,  and  un- 
constitutional ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  this  board  treat  said  law  as  unconstitutional  and  of  no  effect,  and  that  we  resist  the  provisions 
of  said  law,  and  hereby  instruct  the  county  officers  of  Washington  County  to  still  continue  to  hold  their  offices  and 
attend  to  the  duties  of  the  same  as  if  no  such  law  had  been  passed  ;  and  that  we  hereby  guarantee  to  indemnify  such 
officers  against  any  damage  or  loss  that  may  accrue  to  them  in  any  manner,  in  consequence  of  acting  in  accordance 
with  those  instructions,  and  in  opposition  to  the  provisions  of  said  act. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  by  the  board  to  employ  James  S.  Brown  and  J.  E.  Arnold  as 
assisting  counsel  to  this  board  and  to  the  officers  of  this  county,  and  that  the  District  Attorney  be  hereby  instructed 
to  commence  proceedings  to  have  the  constitutionality  involved  in  said  act  immediately  delermined  before  the  Supreme 
Court;  and  that  in  case  said  attorneys  cannot  be  retained  or  employed,  that  the  said  committee  be  instructed  to 
employ  other  counsel  in  their  place. 

Resolved,  That  the  Supervisors  of  the  different  towns  in  this  county  be.  each  of  them,  instructed  to  hold  no 
election  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  said  act,  and  that  the  Sheriff  of  this  county  be  instructed  to  serve  no 
notice  of  election,  as  required  by  the  provisions  of  the  same. 


348  HISTOBY   OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

La  Fayette  Towsley  and  William  Payne  were  appointed  a  committee  to  employ  counsel, 
in  concert  with  E.  S.  Turner,  who  was  added  to  the  committee. 

The  members  of  the  Legislature  were  further  instructed,  by  a  resolution,  "  to  immediately 
introduce  a  bill  to  repeal  the  act  dividing  Washington  County,  and  to  urge  its  passage." 

Some  routine  business  was  done  and  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  meet  at  West  Bend  on 
the  following  day  at  1  o*clock  P.  M. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting,  a  quorum  being  present,  Mr.  Timothy  Hall  offered  the  following 
resolution : 

Retolved,  By  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Washington  County,  that  we  deem  it  inexpedient  for  this  Board  to 
provide  offices  at  West  Beud  for  the  county  officers,  or  to  procure  ground  for  the  erection  of  county  buildings,  said 
board   having  leased  offices  for  said  officers  for  three  years  from  the  17th  of  October,  18.J2. 

The  resolution  was  passed,  and  after  instructing  the  Clerk  to  draw  orders  in  favor  of  the 
members  for  two  days'  attendance,  and  for  $1  in  favor  of  Mr.  Bear  for  use  of  room,  the  meeting 
adjourned  tine  die. 

As  is  apparent  from  the  records  the  members  of  the  board  attending  the  meetings  reported 
above,  were  opposed  to  the  law,  and  took  such  measures  as  they  deemed  practicable  to  test  the 
constitutionality  of  the  law,  meantime  assuming  it  to  be  unconstitutional,  before  any  decision 
could  be  rendered,  and  treating  it,  therefore,  as  void.  Had  the  decision  sustained  them,  as  it 
did  not,  the  meeting  would  have  been  legal ;  as  it  proved,  in  the  face  of  the  decision  which  has 
already  been  given,  it  was  revolutionary.  There  was  a  quorum  of  the  old  board  present,  and 
the  proceedings  in  accordance  with  the  forms  provided  for  such  meetings  before  the  late  act  had 
been  passed.  It  assumed  to  be  a  special  meeting  of  the  old  board,  and  such  it  would  have  been 
had  the  court  decided  that  the  old  board  still  existed. 

ANOTHER    MEETING. 

On  the  day  that  the  adjourned  meeting  was  held  at  West  Bend,  another  meeting  of  Super- 
visors convened  in  the  same  village,  professing  to  organize  under  the  provisions  of  the  new  act, 
as  the  Supervisors  of  the  new  Washington  County.  The  thirteen  towns  were  represented,  as  is 
shown  by  the  record  of  votes  taken,  although  the  list  of  names  is  not  on  the  record.  Timothy 
Hall,  of  Hartford,  whoso  attendance  at  the  meeting  at  Port  Washington  on  the  previous  day, 
had  completed  a  quorum  and  enabled  it  to  transact  business,  also  attended  this  meeting,  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  transaction  of  the  business.  He  evidently  endeavored  to  be  faithful  to  his 
constituency,  and  to  have  Hartford  represented  in  whichever  body  might  prove  to  be  legally 
constituted. 

This  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse.  H.  L.  Cramton  acted  as  Assistant  Clerk. 
After  making  preliminary  provisions  for  rooms  for  county  officers,  selecting  the  ground  for  the 
county  buildings,  and  providing  for  clearing  the  ground  selected  from  stumps,  and  fencing  the 
same,  the  following  resolutions  were  passed  : 

Raolvtd,  That  John  It.  Mohan,  the  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Washington  County,  is  hereby  notified 
and    required    to    remove    forthwith,  his  otticc,  books  and  papers  belonging  to  the  same.  In  the  village  ol   Most   Bead, 
■  I;      eat  of  saiii  county,  and  to  serve  the  following  notice  upon  the  county  officers  of  said  county,  by  reading 
te  to  the  said  officers  and   leaving  a  copy  thereof  with  each  of  them,  to  wit  : 
To  Eugene  S.  Turner,  Adam  Schantz,  John  Fitzpatriok,  La  Fayette  Towsley,  I. ion  Silverman  and  Mason  Wood- 
ruff:     STou    are    hereby    required    to    remove   your  offices,  and  all  the  books  and  papers  belonging  to  the  same  to  the 
village   of  West    Bend,  the    county    seat   of  said  county,  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  having  procured  otli 
of  the  county  officers  in  said  village. 

oed,  Thai  the  Sheriff  of  Washington  County  be  and  is  hereby  instructed  to  remove  the  several 
offices  of  Washington  County,  together  with  books  and  papers  belonging  to  the  several  offices,  to  the  village  of  Weel 
Bend,  the  OOunty  seal  of  said  county   immediately. 

On  the  following  day,  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  the  following  was  passed: 

Whereat,  We  have  heard  thai  the  meeting  purporting  to  be  a  meeting  of  the  Supervisors  of  Washington 
County,  held  at  Porl  Washington  on  the  14th  inst.,  did,  by  resolutions,  instruct  or  appoint  the  District  Attorney  to 

have  an   injunction   served  on    Ihe  county   offioers,  if  they  should    attempt  to  move  to  West    Bend,  and,  whereas,  we 
have  also  been  informed  thai  the  intention  is  to  make  the  old  county  of  Washington  holden  and  responsible  for  the 


HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  349 

cost  and  expense  of  suit  so  commenced  by  injunction  or  otherwise,  and  the  county  liable  for  the  expenses  of  said 
meeting,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  E.  S.  Turner,  the  District  Attorney,  be,  and  is  hereby  instructed  to  commence  no  suit  for  or  in 
behalf  of  Washington  County,  or  otherwise  against  any  officer  who  may  offer  or  attempt  to  remove  his  office  to  West 
Bend. 

Resolved,  That  Washington  County  is  not  chargeable  for  any  costs  or  expenses  incurred  by  the  meeting  on  the 
14th  inst.,  and  adjourned  to  West  Bend. 

Resolved,  That  Washington  County  will  pay  no  costs  or  charges  that  may  be  incurred  by  means  of  suits  com- 
menced in  any  way  to  test  the  constitutionality  of  the  law  passed  at  the  present  session  of  the  Legislature,  dividing 
Washington  County  and  erecting  the  county  of  Ozaukee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  of  this  Board  be  and  is  hereby  required  to  draw  no  orders  to  pay  expenses  incurred 
by  the  meeting  held  the  14th  inst.,  above  mentioned. 

THE    ABDUCTION    OF    THE    RECORDS. 

The  new  board  of  Washington  County  saw  the  importance  of  procuring  the  records,  and 
of  the  removal  of  the  offices  to  the  new  county  seat,  in  order  to  establish  the  new  government 
on  firm  ground,  under  the  provisions  of  the  new  act ;  but,  as  will  be  seen,  the  officers,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Register  of  Deeds,  Adam  Schantz,  of  Addison,  chose  to  disregard  the  man- 
dates of  the  new  board,  and,  in  accordance  with  the  instructions,  and  fortified  by  the  guarantees 
of  the  old  board,  made  at  the  Port  Washington  meeting,  refused  to  move.  Schantz,  it  was 
understood,  was  preparing  to  remove  the  books  and  records  of  his  office  to  West  Bend,  and  to 
prevent  him,  an  injunction,  granted  by  Commissioner  S.  A.  White,  was  served  on  him  forbid- 
ding the  removal  until  ordered  by  the  court.  The  West  Bend  people  employed  the  late  Chief 
Justice  Ryan,  of  Milwaukee,  to  draw  up  a  petition  to  the  court  (Judge  Larrabee)  to  dissolve  the 
injunction.  At  that  time,  Judge  Larrabee  was  holding  court  at  Marquette,  one  of  the  most 
distant  points  in  his  extended  circuit.  L.  F.  Frisby  and  Paul  A.  Weil  started  with  the  peti- 
tion for  Marquette.  The  roads  were  well  nigh  impassable,  and  the  expedition  consumed  nearly 
a  week's  time.  They  returned,  however,  with  the  desired  order  from  Judge  Larrabee,  and  on 
their  way  called  at  the  house  of  Schantz  and  showed  him  the  papers  from  the  court,  whereupon 
he  appointed  Daniel  C.  Bustin,  of  Barton,  his  special  Deputy  to  remove  the  records  to  West 
Bend  without  delay.  He  went  the  next  day  with  Paul  A.  Weil,  George  H.  Irish  and  Daniel  Frier 
to  Port  Washington  for  the  records.  Trouble  was  anticipated,  as  Sheriff  Silverman,  under  the 
injunction  he  had  served  on  Schantz,  and  as  is  fair  to  believe,  in  ignorance  of  the  dissolution  so 
recently  obtained  by  Messrs.  Frisby  &  Weil,  was  on  the  alert  to  prevent  any  clandestine  removal. 
After  dark,  the  West  Bend  party  repaired  to  the  room  with  sacks  and  commenced  packing  up 
the  books  for  removal.  Sheriff  Silverman  discovered  the  light  in  the  room,  and,  on  peering 
through  the  key  hole,  discovered  the  West  Bend  raiders  at  their  task.  It  was  but  the  work  of 
an  instant  to  give  the  alarm,  burst  in  the  door  and  collar  the  aggressors.  In  five  minutes  all 
Port  Washington  was  in  an  uproar.  The  bugle  called  the  LTnion  Guards,  and  a  large  party  of 
indignant  private  citizens  to  the  spot.  The  combined  crowd  hustled  the  West  Bend  party  out 
of  the  room  and  into  the  street.  On  the  next  morning,  the  shelves  of  the  Register's  office  were 
bare.  Every  volume  had  disappeared.  The  messengers  returned  indignant  and  somewhat 
crest-fallen  to  report  that  the  records  had  all  been  stolen.  Nothing  further  was  heard  of  the 
whereabouts  of  the  stolen  records  till  some  time  in  June,  soon  after  the  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  affirming  the  constitutionality  of  the  act  of  division,  when  L.  F.  Frisby,  of  West  Bend, 
received  a  letter  from  R.  A.  Bird,  then  editor  of  the  Washington  County  Times,  stating  that  a 
part  of  the  missing  volumes  had  been  found,  and,  that  if  responsible  parties  would  call  at  his 
house,  unobserved,  they  would  be  placed  in  their  possession.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Frisby,  accom- 
panied by  Daniel  Freer,  started  stealthily  out  from  West  Bend  after  dark,  reached  Bird's  house 
a  little  west  of  Sauk  Creek,  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morning,  received  what  volumes  had  been  recov- 
ered, and  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  those  still  missing.  They  entered  West  Bend 
early  in  the  morning  with  the  fruits  of  their  successful  raid,  and  with  banners,  improvised  from 
handkerchiefs  tied  to  poles  they  had  cut  on  the  way,  flying  in  token  of  their  success.  This  vir- 
tually ended  the  trouble,  as  the  remaining  volumes  were  soon  after  fished  out  of  their  place  of 
concealment,  between  the  brick  walls  of  the  Arcade  building  and  the  inside  lathing — all  save 


350  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AXI)  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

one,  Vol.  M,  which  was  not  recovered  till  1878,  when  it  was  discovered  by  J.  N.  Baer,  in 
making  some  alteration  in  his  store  in  the  old  block,  and  delivered  to  the  Register  of  Wash- 
ington County,  uninjured  by  its  seclusion  of  twenty-five  years. 

The  further  local  troubles  arising  from  the  division  were  unimportant,  being  mainly  con- 
fined to  the  settlement  of  old  accounts,  which  did  not  reach  a  final  settlement  without  consider- 
able litigation  and  considerable  delay.  It  was  many  years  before  the  inhabitants  became 
reconciled  to  the  change  forced  upon  them  by  the  Legislature,  and  to  this  day  some  old  inhab- 
itants fire  up  with  the  old-time  indignation,  when  the  subject  is  mentioned.  After  the  decision 
of  the  court,  the  situation  was  accepted,  but  not  without  a  parting  protest,  which,  although  of  no 
avail,  was  placed  upon  the  rocords,  and  is  re-produced  here,  to  show  that  the  participants  in  the 
long  struggle  went  down  pluckily,  unconvinced  and  unsubdued,  although  conquered. 

THE    LAST    PROTEST. 

At  a  special  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Emanual  .Mann,  in  the  town  of  Polk,  August  24, 
1853,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  offered  by  D.  W.  Maxon,  and  adopted  by  a 
vote  of  eight  to  two  : 

Whereas,  The  Supreme  Court  has,  by  its  recent  decision,  declared  the  law  dividing  Washington  County  to  be 
constitutional,  and,  therefore,  of  binding  authority  upon  us  and  our  constituents  so  long  as  the  same  remains  unre- 
pealed ;   therefore, 

Resolved,  That  notwithstanding  said  decision,  we  yet  believe  the  provisions  of  said  law  have  depiived  the  citi- 
2ens  of  this  county  of  certain  defined  constitutional  rights. 

Resolved,  The  said  law  ever  has,  and  still  does,  meet  with  the  unqualified  disapprobation  of  five-sixths  of  the 
voters  and  tax-payers  of  this  county ;  that  they  deem  the  same  tyrannical,  uncalled-for  and  unjust,  and  that  this 
board,  as  ilie  representatives  of  their  feelings  and  interests,  will,  in  the  exercise  of  all  lawful  means,  redouble  our 
energies  to  secure  the  early  and  speedy  repeal  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  Thai  the  supplemental  acts  passed  at  the  late  session  of  the  Legislature,  appointing  Building  Com- 
missioners for  the  two  counties  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee,  take  from  the  people  of  said  counties  the  right  of  deter- 
mining for  themselves  when  they  shall  be  taxed,  and  that  the  act  giving  to  said  I  "inmissioners  the  authority  to  create 
«  debt,  to  be  paid  by  the  counties  at  a  future  day,  is  anti-republican  and  anti-democratic  J  that  it  takes  from  the  Board 
of  Supervisors,  representing  each  town,  a  legitimate  and  legal  right,  which,  under  the  Constitution,  can  be  exercised 
by  no  other  person  or  persons. 

Resolved,  That  the  law  giving  to  said  commissioners  dhe  authority  to  issue  bonds  for  the  sum  of  $8,000,  draw- 
ing 8  per  cent  interest,  payable  in  eight  years,  and  to  receive  said  amount  of  money  into  their  possession,  without 
any  oath  of  office  and  without  giving  bonds  for  the  faithful  expenditure  of  said  funds,  is  an  unheard-of  act  of  legis- 
lation, as  in  all  other  instances  the  lowest  grade  of  receiving  and  disbursing  officers  are  required  to  give  security. 

/,'•  i  lived,  That  we  do  hereby  protest  against  the  issuing  or  negotiating  of  any  bonds  or  other  evidences  of  debt 
for  building  purposes  by  said  commissioners,  to  be  paid  by  said  county,  or  to  proceeding  in  any  manner,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  this  county,  in  the  erection  of  county  buildings  at  West  Bend,  by  said  commissioners,  or  any  other  person 
or  persons;  that,  if  said  bonds  or  evidences  of  debt  are  issued  or  negotiated,  we  will,  from  first  to  last,  oppose  the 
payment  of  the  same,  or  any  portion  thereof,  by  this  county. 

Resolved,  That  the  issue  that  was  male  before  the  Legislature  at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  the  division  law,  to 
wit,  "That  it  was  necessary  in  order  to  settle  the  county  seat  question,"  is  false,  as  this  question  would  have  been  long 
since  settled,  but  for  interference  in  our  local  affairs  by  speculating  politicians  from  abroad  :  that  said  law,  together 
with  two-thirds  of  the  local  legislation  for  this  county,  has  been  procured  by  citizens  of  Milwaukee,  who  are  largely 
interested  in  village  property  at  Port  Washington  and  Weal  Bend. 

'.  Thai  the  articles  that  hive  appeared  from  time  to  time  in  the  Milwaukee  city  papers,  show  but  too 
plainly  to  us  the  total  ignorance  of  the  authors  in  reference  to  our  local  affairs,  or  of  the  feelings  of  the  people ;  that 
those  articles  are  intends  I  to  effect  :  That,  in  answer  to  the  charge  that  ••  Washington  County-seat  affairs  "  have 
occupied  too  much  of  the  time  of  the  State  Legislature,  we  have  merely  to  reply  that  the  published  laws  and  jour 
nal  give  evidence  that  Milwaukee  County  local  subjects  have  occupied  more  than  one-fourth  of  every  session  since 
the  organization  of  the  State. 

Raolved,  That  the  Distriol  Attorney,  elected  at  the  last  general  election,  in  the  county  of  Washington,  be  re- 
quested to  commence  and  conduct  such  suits  or  proceedings,  either  in  law  or  in  equity,  as  will  tend  to  restrain  nud 
prevent  the  erection  of  county  buildings,  for  this  county,  at  West  Bend,  and  that  Timothy  Ball  and  William  Kolin, 
members  of  this  Board,  be  appoint.' I  ■  committee  to  aid  the  District  Attorney,  aforesaid,  in  all  ways  by  them  deeuied 
necessary,  in  order  to  cany  into  effect  this  resolution. 

■  ■•■</,  That  the  Chairman  of  tins   Board  be  instructed  to  cause  these  resolutions  to  be  published  in  the  Mil- 
waukee German  and  English  papers. 

THE   END. 

In  closing  this  account,  the  peculiar  causes  that  prolonged  the  struggle  may  be  briefly 
summed  up.     There   existed  no  central  feeling  of  unanimity  beyond  the  nearest  locality.     The 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


351 


inhabitants  were  largely  foreign,  with  little  political  experience  under  the  laws  of  a  Republic, 
and  a  vague  though  extravagant  sense  of  the  personal  power  they  had  acquired  through  the 
franchise.  Further,  the  number  of  villages  striving  for  the  prize  was  larger  than  usual,  and 
very  nearly  equal  in  the  support  they  could  command,  though  no  one  had  without  outside  allies 
an  over-shadowing  vote.  Hence,  it  was  impossible,  out  of  the  disintegrated  and  conflicting  ele- 
ments, to  agree  on  anything  requiring  a  majority  vote.  It  does  not  seem  to  have  even  entered 
into  party  politics,  as,  through  all  the  phases  of  the  quarrel,  the  county  remained  steadfastly 
Democratic.  Neither  did  nationality  or  religion  have  any  influence,  as  the  Catholic  or  the  Ger- 
man vote,  if  united,  could  at  any  time  have  controlled  the  county.  It  was  strictly  a  sectional 
fight,  incapable  of  ending  itself,  except  through  exhaustion.  Unpopular  as  was  the  division  at 
the  time,  and  bitter  as  was  the  feeling  of  the  various  factions,  it  is  now  generally  conceded  that 
the  act  of  division,  arbitrary  as  it  appealed,  was  the  wisest  possible  solution  of  the  vexed  ques- 
tion that  the  inhabitants  had  so  long  and  unsuccessfully  striven  to  decide  for  themselves.  The 
two  counties  and  the  inhabitants  thereof,  are  to-day  good  neighbors,  and,  the  general  good  will 
evinced,  shows  that  the  long  and  bitter  war  has  left  no  scar,  even,  as  a  reminder  of  those 
troublous  times. 


352  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


CHAPTER    IL 

WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 

Introductory— Early  History— Manufacturing  Facilities—  The  People— Settlement  of 
old  Scores— County  Buildings— Railroads— The  DeBar  Tragedy— The  Great  Defal- 
cation—The Defaulter— The  War  Record— Drafting— Roster  of  Soldiers  and  Offi- 
cers—Washington County  Agricultural  Society— Washington  County  Old  Settlers' 
Club— Newspapers— Schools— County  Government— The  Court— Legislators— Growth 
in  Wealth— Election  Returns— Population— Pauperism— Retrospect. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

The  early  history  of  the  region  embraced  within  the  limits  of  this  county,  has  been  fully 
traced  in  the  chapter  entitled  "Old  Washington  County,"  it  being,  until  March  7,  1853,  com- 
prised within  the  limits  of  the  old  county.  At  that  time,  the  seven  whole  and  fractional  town- 
ships lying  east  of  the  range  line  number  twenty,  and  extending  to  Lake  Michigan,  were  set  off 
and  erected  into  a  new  county,  styled  Ozaukee,  leaving  the  twelve  Congressional  Townships 
lying  west  of  that  range  and  east  of  range  line  eighteen,  to  constitute  the  area  of  the  present 
county  of  Washington.  The  townships  lie  in  three  ranges  east  and  west,  and  in  four  tiers 
(numbers  nine,  ten,  eleven  and  twelve)  north  and  south,  and  have  an  area  of  432  square  miles. 
The  incorporated  towns  within  its  limits  are  thirteen  in  number  and  are  as  follows:  Western 
Range  No.  eighteen — Erin,  Hartford,  Addison,  Wayne;  Middle  range,  nineteen — Richfield, 
Polk,  West  Bend  (fractional  township),  Barton  (fractional  township)  Kewaskum  (fractional 
township);  Eastern  range,  twenty — Germantown,  Jackson,  Trenton,  Farmington.  The  county 
is  abundantly  watered  by  streams  flowing  from  a  large  number  of  small  lakes,  and  an  innumera- 
ble number  of  springs  that  gush  out  from  every  hillside,  and  feed  the  creeks  that  thread  the 
valleys  between.  The  country  is  rolling,  gradually  rising  from  both  the  east  and  west  into  a 
considerable  range  of  drift  hills,  trending  northeast  and  southwest  through  the  middle  of  the 
county,  and  dividing  the  water-ilow — a  part  finding  its  way  through  the  sources  of  Rock  River 
into  the  Mississippi,  and  a  part  through  Milwaukee  River  and  its  tributary  streams  and  creeks, 
into  Lake  Michigan.  The  source  of  Rock  River  is  in  a  living  spring  but  a  few  rods  from  the 
bank  of  Cedar  Lake,  which  is  itself  the  source  of  Cedar  Creek,  the  main  tributary  of  Milwau- 
kee River.  The  whole  country  is  dotted  over  with  small  sheets  of  water  containing  areas  of  a 
square  mile  or  less,  while  several  are  of  considerable  size.  Cedar  Lake,  the  largest  in  the 
county,  lying  across  the  western  part  of  West  Bend,  from  north  to  south,  is  nearly  four  miles 
long,  and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide.  Its  western  shore  is  dotted  with  little  wooded  islands, 
and  its  banks  bordered  with  a  deep  hard  wood  forest.  It  is  a  delightful  resort  for  sportsmen 
and  others  seeking  pleasure,  or  relief  from  the  heat  of  summer  and  the  cares  of  city  life.  Pike 
Lake,  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  is  next  in  size,  and  is  a  favorite  fishing-ground.  There  is 
scarcely  a  town  in  the  county  that  does  not  contain  one  or  more  of  these  miniature  lakes  or  a 
cluster  of  springs  with  a  sufficient  flow  to  thread  the  town  with  a  never-failing  flow  of  pure 
sparkling  water. 

The  soil  is  a  clay  loam,  in  some  places  mixed  with  sand,  and  well  adapted  to  the  growth  of 
all  cereals  raised  in  this  latitude.  The  growth  of  timber  is  of  hard  wood,  chiefly  oak,  elm, 
maple,  birch  and  beach.     Along  the  banks  of  the  creeks,  the  tamarack  abounds. 

BUILDING    MATERIAL. 
The   clay  yields  R  cream-colored  brick.  revKMiibliiiL'  the  far-famed  Milwaukee  brick  in  color, 
though   inferior   in   quality.     The   limestone   is  only  fair  in  its  burning  qualities,  and  does  not 


HISTOKY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  353 

crop  out  in  great  abundance  so  as  to  be  generally  used  for  building  purposes.  A  few  quarries 
have  been  opened  along  the  railroads  in  the  southern  towns,  which  yield  fair  building  stone, 
and  an  excellent  quality  of  lime.  A  great  part  of  the  timber  and  sawed  lumber  now  used  for 
building  purposes  is  obtained  through  railroad  facilities  from  the  north,  and,  in  a  manufactured 
state,  from  Milwaukee. 

MANUFACTURING    FACILITIES. 

The  Milwaukee  River  and  Cedar  Creek  furnish  abundant  and  excellent  water-power  at 
many  points  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county,  which  has  been  partially  utilized  by  the 
building  of  dams  and  the  erection  of  saw-mills  and  flouring-mills.  In  Barton,  West  Bend, 
Newburg  and  at  Hartford,  on  the  Rubicon,  in  early  times,  were  flouring-mills  and  saw-mills  that 
did  a  flourishing  business,  and  formed  the  nucleus  for  the  villages  at  those  points.  The  clear- 
ing up  of  the  timber  has  left  the  saw-mills  little  to  do,  and  the  modern  changes  in  the  modes  of 
manufacturing  flour  for  market,  renders  it  difficult  for  the  country  mills  to  compete  with  the 
modern  and  more  perfect  establishments  at  the  great  milling  centers,  leaving  them  only  the 
meager  return  to  be  drawn  from  the  custom-grinding  of  the  vicinity.  These  points,  therefore, 
have  at  present  an  air  of  departed  greatness  about  them  as  they  wait  for  the  sure  revival  which 
is  to  come  when  the  effete  saw-mill  and  the  unused  grist-mill  shall  be  supplanted  by  the  more 
modern  and  refined  branches  of  industry  which  the  advancing  tide  of  population  has  developed. 
The  possibilities  of  great  manufacturing  centers  are  all  along  the  banks  of  the  Milwaukee  River, 
at  Young  America,  Barton,  West  Bend  and  Newberg.  The  railroads  now  bring  the  raw 
material  cheaply  to  such  points  for  manufacture,  and  return  the  same  to  market.  Formerly, 
saw-mills  and  grist-mills  only  were  profitable  ;  they  have  had  their  day,  and  the  time  seems 
near  at  hand  when  establishments  for  the  manufacture  of  wool,  cotton,  iron,  wood  and  paper 
shall  inspire  with  new  life  these  points  so  admirably  adapted  for  such  work,  and  for  which  nature 
has  already  done  so  much.  Some  branches  of  manufacture  are  already  being  carried  on  success- 
fully, but  not  to  such  an  extent  as  to  characterize  the  county  as  a  manufacturing  region,  only 
sufficient  to  foreshadow  the  future  possibilities. 

THE    PEOPLE. 

Nine-tenths  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  are  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  The 
land  is  now  all  cleared  up  to  the  point  where  woodland  is  preserved  for  future  wants.  Nearly 
every  farm  has  its  piece  of  primitive  forest  still  standing. 

The  population  is  at  least  three-fourths  foreign,  or  of  immediate  foreign  descent,  the  Ger- 
man predominating  largely,  and  the  Irish  coming  next  in  point  of  numbers.  The  prevailing 
religion  is  Catholic,  although  in  nearly  every  town  the  German  Protestant  sects  are  fully  repre- 
sented. In  political  faith,  the  greatest  unanimity  prevails.  The  county  is  the  stronghold  of 
Democracy  in  Wisconsin  now,  as  it  has  ever  been.  The  schools  are  well  supported  throughout 
the  county.  The  general  character  of  the  people  bespeaks  the  quiet  and  unostentatious  life  of 
a  law-abiding  agricultural  community,  where  general  honesty,  good-will,  thrift  and  plenty  pre- 
vail. The  chronicles  of  such  a  people  do  not  abound  in  exciting  events.  Through  all,  they 
"  keep  the  even  tenor  of  their  way."  The  events  that  have  transpired  having  any  bearing  on 
the  growth  of  the  county  in  material  wealth,  or  on  the  intellectual  or  moral  development  of  its 
people,  are  none  the  less  worthy  of  notice. 

SETTLEMENT    OF    OLD    SCORES. 

The  early  days  of  the  county  showed  some  of  the  results  of  the  long  local  contest  that  had 
eventuated  in  the  division.  There  were  many  outstanding  bills  unsettled,  which  had  accrued 
prior  co  the  division,  and  many  others  that  were  contracted  at  the  various  meetings  of  the  dis- 
tracted members  of  the  board,  during  the  spring  of  1853.  For  many  months,  all  efforts  at  a 
settlement  between  the  two  counties  were  unavailing.  Committees  of  Conference  were  appointed 
who  utterly  failed  to  agree,  both  sides  showing  an  uncompromising  spirit.  In  1854,  preliminary 
motions  \w  rr  rrade  to  brimj  the  matters  into  court  for  adjudication,  and  notice  given  to  Ozaukee 


854  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AXD  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

County  of  the  determination.  Both  parties  were  averse  to  the  idea  of  a  long  and  expensive 
litigation,  and  to  avoid  it  a  joint  committee  was  appointed,  three  from  each  county,  to  review  all 
claims  presented  by  either  county,  with  instructions  to  agree  on  a  report  favorable  to  an  ami- 
cable settlement,  if  possible.  In  November,  18.">4,  the  Committee  reported  the  terms  of  settle- 
ment agreed  upon  as  follows  : 

Washington  County  was  to  take  the  county  farm,  with  .stock  and  all  other  property  belong- 
ing thereto  ;  and  should  in  return  therefor  pay  to  Ozaukee  County  $800,  less  $280  for  the  furni- 
ture and  fixtures  of  the  old  county  offices,  which  was  to  become  the  property  of  Ozaukee  County  ; 
and  was  further  to  maintain  the  paupers  of  Ozaukee  County,  then  on  the  farm,  till  January  1, 
1855,  free  of  charge,  and  divide  the  indebtedness  of  the  old  county  on  payment  of  $1,000,  to 
be  paid  by  Ozaukee  to  Washington  County.     The  final  contract  of  settlement  was  as   follows : 

The  undersigned,  J.  C.  Downs,  Harvey  Moore  and  Adolph  Zimmerman,  Committee  appointed  by  a  resolution  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  county  of  Ozaukee,  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  invested  with  full  power  to  meet 
a  Committee  on  the  part  of  Washington  County,  in  said  State,  and  to  make  and  adjust  a  final  settlement  with  said 
County  of  Washington,  and  William  Rolin,  .lames  Holfe  and  Chauncey  Gray,  Committee  appointed  by  a  resolution  of 
the  Hoard  of  Supervisors  of  Washington  County  to  meet  a  Committee  on  the  part  of  Ozaukee  County  for  the  same 
purpose,  and  with  the  same  persons,  have  agreed  upon  and  do  hereby  agree  upon  a  final  settlement  of  all  claims, 
accounts  and  indebtedness  of  every  kind,  nature  and  description,  between  the  said  counties  of  Washington  and 
Ozaukee  to  the  date  hereof,  including  a  division  of  all  property  belonging  to  the  two  counties,  to  wit  :  All  office 
furniture  belonging  to  the  several  county  offices,  including  safes,  shall  be  the  property  of  Ozaukee  County. 

The  piece  or  parcel  of  land  described  as  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  2,  Town  10,  Range  20,  known  as 
County  Farm,  including  all  stock,  furniture  and  farming  utensils  belonging  thereto,  shall  be  the  properly  of  Wash- 
ington County. 

All  county  orders  mentioned  in  a  schedule  hereto  annexed,  and  marked  Schedule  A,  are  to  be  redeemed  by  the 
respective  counties,  as  set  forth  in  said  schedule,  to  wit:  All  orders  contained  in  said  schedule  to  be  redeemed  by 
the  county  of  Ozaukee  shall  he  paid  and  redeemed  by  said  county  of  Ozaukee  on  presentation,  and  all  orders  therein 
mentioned  to  be  redeemed  by  said  county  of  Washington  shall  be  paid  and  redeemed  by  said  county  of  Washington 
on  presentation;  but,  it  is  further  agreed,  that  the  Treasurer  of  either  county  shall  pay  any  order  contained  in  said 
schedule  when  presented  for  redemption,  and  the  amount  of  orders  so  paid  by  the  Treasurer  of  either  county, 
which,  by  the  terms  of  said  schedule  are  to  be  redeemed  by  the  other  county,  shall  be  charged  to  the  county  by 
-uch  orders  shall  be  redeemed  according  to  said  schedule,  and  shall  be  refunded  on  demand. 
All  lax  certificates  belonging  to  said  counties  at  the  date  hereof  are  divided,  and  upon  the  execution  hereof  the 
respective  committee  of  each  county  receives  and  takes  possession  of  the  proportion  of  certificates  allowed  to  their 
respective  county. 

All  claims  existing  against  the  county  of  Washington,  at  the  time  of  the  division  thereof,  may  be  audited  by  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  either  county,  and  the  amounts  so  audited  shall  be  paid  by  the  respective  counties  ratably, 
in  accordance  with  the  division  act. 

All  accounts  between  the  original  county  of  Washington  and  the  several  towns  comprising  said  county  are  to  be 
settled  as  follows,  to  wit:  The  county  of  Ozaukee  shall  settle  all  accounts  with  the  several  towns  within  its  bound- 
aries, and  the  counly  of  Washington  shall  settle  all  accounts  witli  the  several  towns  within  its  boundaries. 

The  sum  of  three  hundred  an  1  ninety-nine  dollars  and  fifty-eight  cent-  J  199.58  .  due  said  original  county  from 
ili.  State  of  Wisconsin,  is  divided  as  follows,  to  wit  :  Washington  County  shall  be  entitled  to  demand  and  receive 
two  hundred  and  thirty-three  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents  1  s-j:  ,7",  i.  and  Ozaukee  County  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty-five  dollars  and  eighty-three  cents  ($105.88), 

In  witness  whereof  the  said  members  of  said  committees  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals  this  seventeenth 
day  of  October,  1855.  (Signed)  J.  C.  Downs,        | 

II\h\i:v   MooRC,    f  CommiUet  o/  Ozauket  County. 

A.     ZlMKBBHAK,       I 

William   Khun,     \ 

James  Rolfs,         v  Committee  of  V/aihihqton  County. 

i  ii auxosy  Gray,    I 

mi  XTY     BUILDINGS, 
The  first  business  transacted  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  County  Board,  after  the  division  of 
tin-  county,  "as  to  choose  a  committee  to  select  suitable  grounds  on  which  to  erect  permanent 
county  buildings.     The  committee,   Messrs.   ]',.   Spinharney,   C.   Stearnea  and   I.     Albright, 
reported  as  follows : 

i  wur  committee  appointed  to  Beleoi  a  site  for  county  buildings,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  examined 
the  grounds  known  as  the   Park,  in  the  village  ol   West  Bend,  and  four  lots  adjoining  8 aid   Park,  for  which  Wi.'liam 

Wigh  man  1 1 ro puses  to  execute  ■   1 1   to  the  oounty  of  Washington,  or  its  proper  representatives,  free  of  charge  or 

expense,  on  condition  that  the  Supervisors  of  said  county  proi I  to  ereot  a  oourl  house  in  the  center  of  said  I'tirk 

-r  as  may  t.e  .  and   cause   llie  same  in    I  ed  with  a  good   and    substantial  board    fence,  with   the    proper 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  355 

gates,  etc.,  and  clear  the  same  from  stumps,  stones,  logs  and  other  rubbish,  and  that  the  deed  for  said  Park  and  lots 
will  be  made  as  soon  as  called  for  by  the  proper  individuals  empowered  by  the  County  Board  to  receive  the  same. 
Your  committee  therefore  recommend  that  the  proposition  of  William  Wightman  be  accepted,  and  that  the  Park  be 
the  site  for  the  court  house,  and  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  Chair,  empowered  to  receive  the  deed 
■of  the  above-mentioned  Park  and  lots. 

The  land  above  selected  had  been  reserved,  years  before,  by  the  original  proprietors  of  the 
village  plat,  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  now  selected,  and  Mr.  Wightman,  in  behalf  of  him- 
self and  others,  procured  the  deed,  which  bears  date  of  record  August  16,  1853,  and  is  signed 
by  William  Wightman  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  Byron  Kilbourn  and  his  wife  Henrietta  M.,  James 
Kneeland  and  his  wife  Anna  Maria,  and  E.  B.  Wolcott  and  his  wife  E.  J.  Wolcott. 

Under  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  the  site  being  thus  provided,  the  Building  Commis- 
sioners of  the  county,  consisting  of  Paul  A.  Weil,  William  Wightman  and  George  Ramsey,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  letting  of  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  a  court  house,  jail  and  jailer's  house. 
Much  discontent  was  evinced  at  the  provisions  of  the  law,  and  the  legality  of  the  bonds  they 
■were  authorized  to  issue  ($8,000)  was  questioned.  The  law  was  repealed  while  the  buildings  were 
in  process  of  erection,  and  finished  under  the  direct  supervision  of  the  County  Board,  through 
a  committee  of  its  members,  but  under  the  contract  made  by  the  Commissioners. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  January  2,  1855,  the  court  house,  jail 
and  jailer's  house  were  accepted  from  Joel  Kneeland,  the  contractor,  as  finished,  and  rooms 
assigned  to  the  different  court  officers  as  follows :  Room  No.  1,  Clerk  of  the  Court ;  No.  2, 
Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors;  No.  3,  Judge  of  Probate  and  District  Attorney;  No.  4, 
Register  of  Deeds  ;  No.  5,  County  Treasurer;  No.  6,  Sheriff.  The  different  offices  as  assigned 
■were  occupied  at  once.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  the  new  court  house 
was  held  July  5,  1855. 

During  the  two  years  prior  to  the  completion  of  the  court  house,  the  courts  and  sessions  of 
the  County  Board  were  held  in  the  village  schoolhouse  at  West  Bend.  The  offices  were,  for  the 
m.st  part,  kept  in  the  building  of  H.  J.  Weil,  who  furnished  rooms  for  four  months  without  rent, 
and,  for  a  year  after,  for  a  rent  of  $100  per  year. 

In  November,  1855,  $1,500  was  appropriated  for  the  erection  of  a  fire-proof  building  for 
county  offices.  It  was  completed  in  May,  1857,  and  has  since  been  occupied  by  the  Clerk  of  the 
Court,  Clerk  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  County  Treasurer  and  Register  of  Deeds,  each 
department  being  in  a  separate  room. 

The  Park,  where  the  county  buildings  are  located,  is  a  beautiful  elevation,  in  the  southwest- 
ern part  of  the  village  of  West  Bend.  The  jailer's  house  is  located  on  the  south  part  of  the 
tract.  It  is  a  two-story  house,  built  of  wood.  The  jail  is  in  the  rear  of  the  house,  surrounded 
with  a  high  timber  stockade  or  fence. 

The  court  house  is  a  substantial  two-story  building,  with  no  pretensions  to  architectural 
beauty,  but  of  ample  size,  and  well  adapted  for  the  uses  for  which  it  was  designed.  It  is  situat- 
ed on  the  summit  of  the  hill,  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  Park,  overlooks  the  village,  and  com- 
mands an  extensive  prospect  of  the  surrounding  country. 

The  offices,  in  a  fire-proof  building,  are  located  within  the  inclosure,  on  the  north  slope  of 
the  hill,  near  the  northern  boundary  of  the  Park. 

The  total  cost  of  the  county  buildings,  not  including  the  grounds,  was  $10,000. 

RAILROADS. 

Two  railroads  pass  through  the  county,  the  southern  terminal  point  of  both  being  Mil- 
waukee. 

The  Milwaukee  $  St.  Paul,  the  northern  branch,  which  was  the  old  Milwaukee  &  La 
Crosse  Railway,  enters  the  county  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Germantown,  and  runs  northwest 
and  west,  through  Richfield,  Polk  and  Hartford.  It  was  finished  through  the  county  in  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1855,  being  completed  to  Schleisingerville  August  23,  and  to  Hartford  Sep- 
tember 7. 


356  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES. 

The  Chicago  .f-  North- Western,  built  in  1872-73,  by  the  North- Western  Union  Railway 
Company,  and  now  used  as  the  direct  trunk  road  of  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway 
between  Chicago  and  Green  Bay,  via  Milwaukee,  also  traverses  the  county  from  north  to  south, 
passing  through  the  towns  of  Germantown,  Jackson,  West  Bend,  Barton  and  Jackson. 

The  two  lines  give  desirable  facilities  for  transportation  and  favorable  markets  for  products 
in  all  parts  of  the  county.  Telegraph  lines  along  both  lines  of  road  also  bring  all  the  modern 
advantages  arising  from  the  rapid  transmission  of  intelligence  through  that  means. 

The  means  resorted  to  at  an  early  day  to  build  the  first  railroads  through  the  State  are  so 
generally  understood  as  to  need  but  a  casual  mention  here.  There  was  no  capital  here  except 
the  farms,  and  to  make  that  available  for  the  enterprise,  mortgages  were  quite  generally  given  by 
the  farmers  along  the  proposed  routes,  for  which  they  received  certificates  of  stock,  and  the  mort- 
gages were  hypothecated  as  security  for  money,  wherewith  to  build  the  ro;uls. 

As  early  as  1856,  the  Milwaukee  &  Lake  Superior  road  was  started,  intended  to  run 
something  nearly  on  an  air  line  from  Milwaukee,  through  Washington  County  to  Fond  du  Lac. 
Many  farmers  mortgaged  their  farms  in  aid  of  the  enterprise,  which,  because  of  bad,  not  to  Bay 
fraudulent,  managment  fell  through  after  having  been  built  a  few  miles  into  the  county,  just  far 
enough  to  make  the  mortgages  good,  as  was  unfortunately  decided  by  the  courts.  Thus  the  farm- 
ers in  their  first  efforts  to  get  a  railroad,  became  loaded  with  a  debt  contracted  under  fraudulent 
pretenses,  got  no  return,  and  were  ultimately  obliged  to  pay  up  or  sacrifice  their  farms. 

The  old  La  Crosse  road  was  also  begun  under  the  same  plan,  and  half  the  farms  in  the 
western  part  of  the  county  were  mortgaged.  The  road  under  the  first  managment  failed,  fell  in- 
to other  hands,  and  the  original  stock  received  by  the  farmers  in  return  tor  the  mortgages  given, 
became  worthless.  Great  trouble,  litigation  and  suffering  grew  out  of  it.  Many  farmers  after 
contesting  the  payment  for  years  found  themselves  totally  ruined  and  forced  to  give  up  their 
farms  altogether.  The  trouble  lasted  for  many  years,  and  rested  like  a  cloud  over  the  prosperity 
of  the  county.  Even  now  some  of  the  mortgages  are  unsatisfied.  The  mad  was,  however,  built, 
and  the  farmers  had  the  advantage  of  it,  leaving  it  a  less  bare-fared  fraud  than  the  case  first 
mentioned. 

The  North-Western  Union  Railway  Company  also  received  aid  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
construction  of  the  road,  but  in  a  manner  that  produced  no  individual  disaster. 

The  towns  of  Kewaskum,  Barton  and  West  Bend  took  stock  in  the  road,  the  two  former 
to  the  amount  of  $15,000  each,  and  West  Bend  $25,000— $55,000  in  all.  The  stock  has,  up 
to  the  present  time,  borne  only  a  nominal  value,  and  has  mostly  been  sold  by  the  towns  :it  from 
three  to  five  per  cent  of  its  original  cost.  The  roads,  however,  have  doubtless  enhanced  the 
value  of  real  estate  far  beyond  the  aggregate  losses  sustained,  notwithstanding  the  apparent  loss 
of  all  the  original  investment  made  by  the  inhabitants,  and  the  prejudice  against  these  invaluable 
highways  of  trade  is  rapidly  dying  out,  leaving  still,  however,  an  innate  jealousy  toward  all  cor- 
porations, of  which,  in  the  light  of  their  dear-bought  experience,  they  have  good  cause  to  be 
wary. 

THE    1>IC    BAB   TRAGEDY. 

One  of  the  most  shocking  tragedies  that  has  ever  been  enacted  in  the  State,  occurred  in 
Washington  County  in  the  summer  of  1855,  comprising  in  its  horrid  details,  murder,  arson,  and 
swift  and  fatal  retribution  to  the  leading  character  at  the  hands  of  a  mob,  who,  in  a  frenzy  of 
indignation,  heaped  on  the  crime  of  murder  the  further  horror  of  a  lawless  and  brutal  execution 
of  the  murderer. 

(icorge  l)e  liar,  bom  somewhere  in  the  United  States  and  a  native  American,  was.  at  the 
time  the  tragedy  occurred,  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Barton,  where  his  parents  had  formerly  re- 
sided, and,  as  is  stated  by  some  old  residents,  were  then  living.  He  had  always  been  deemed  an 
inoffensive  and  harmless  though  rather  shiftless  young  man.  lie  was  of  medium  height,  light 
hair,  and  blue  eyes,  which  were  wandering  whenever  he  was  directly  addressed,  giving  him  the 
air  of  diffidence.  lie  walked  with  a  somewhat  shambling  gait,  and  altogether  had  the  make-up 
of  a  more  than  ordinarily  harmless  young  man.      He  worked  about  by  odd  jobs  among  the  farm- 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  357 

ers  of  the  vicinity,  never  long  in  one  place.  He  had,  during  the  summer,  worked  for  some  weeks 
for  a  farmer  named  John  Muehr,  who  lived  then,  and  still  lives,  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Tren- 
ton, on  the  Newburg  road,  not  far  from  the  old  "  Young  "  saw-mill.  The  family  consisted  of 
Muehr,  his  wife  and  a  boy,  Paul  Winderling,  some  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  left  Muehr's  em- 
ploy some  time  in  July,  and  went  to  work  for  Christian  Young  at  the  mill.  On  the  evening  of 
August  1,  it  being  a  sultry  night,  De  Bar  left  Young's  house,  saying  he  would  sleep  in  the  barn 
where  it  was  cooler.  He,  however,  went  to  the  house  of  Muehr,  as  he  himself  afterward  said,  to 
collect  a  small  amount  still  due  him  for  work.  While  in  the  house,  Muehr  went  into  the  cellar 
for  beer ;  on  his  reaching  the  head  of  the  stairs  in  returning,  he  was  met  by  De  Bar,  who  dealt 
him  a  murderous  blow  with  a  hammer  or  some  other  hard  weapon,  and  fell,  stunned  and  senseless, 
back  into  the  cellar.  De  Bar  then  turned  upon  Mrs.  Muehr,  who  was  making  frantic  outcries 
for  help,  and  attempted  to  dispatch  her  with  a  knife,  stabbing  her,  and  inflicting  horrid  but  not 
fatal  gashes  on  both  sides  of  her  neck.  She  fell  fainting  from  loss  of  blood.  The  outcries  of 
the  woman  had  awakened  the  only  other  member  of  the  family,  the  lad,  who  had  already  gone  to 
bed.  He  came  into  the  room  while  De  Bar  was  dispatching  the  woman,  and  attempted  to  escape. 
He  ran,  pursued  by  De  Bar,  into  a  corn-field  a  few  rods  away,  where  he  was  overtaken  by  De 
Bar,  who,  cutting  his  throat  from  ear  to  ear,  dispatched  him  on  the  spot.  Dragging  the  half- 
decapitated  and  lifeless  body  of  his  victim  to  the  house,  within  which  he  supposed  were  the  dead 
bodies  of  the  Muehrs,  he  set  fire  to  the  house  and  fled.  Muehr  recovered  from  his  blow  and 
succeeded  in  getting  his  wife,  still  alive,  though  horribly  mangled,  from  the  burning  building. 
Her  wounds  were  dressed  by  Dr.  Kleffler,  then  and  still  a  resident  of  West  Bend,  and  she  sur- 
vived the  horrors  of  the  night  for  several  years.  De  Bar,  having  as  he  supposed  covered  up  the 
traces  of  his  threefold  murder,  made  his  way  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  was  discovered  the  following 
day  by  John  Wagner,  of  West  Bend,  arrested  and  lodged  in  the  county  jail  to  await  trial. 

The  news  of  the  butchery,  so  deliberately  perpetrated,  and  that,  too,  without  any  appar- 
ent motive  to  prompt  it,  sent  a  chill  of  horror  throughout  the  county,  which  was  followed  by 
a  deep-seated  and  general  determination  that  the  murderer  should  not  escape  the  Mosaic  penalty 
of  death,  despite  the  recent  abolishment  of  the  death-penalty  in  the  State.  Other  circumstances 
conspired  to  incite  the  people  to  take  the  law  into  their  own  hands ;  but  a  few  months  before, 
MaybeiTy,  after  trial  and  conviction  for  a  no  less  atrocious  murder,  and  after  the  extreme  sen- 
tence of  the  existing  law — imprisonment  for  life — had  been  pronounced  on  him,  had  been  taken 
from  the  jail,  where  he  was  confined,  in  Janesville,  and  deliberately  hung  by  a  mob  of  infuri- 
ated lumbermen,  and  no  attempt  had  been  made  to  bring  the  lynchers  to  punishment.  Thus 
public  opinion  seemed  to  tacitly  justify  the  illegal  execution  and  to  condemn  the  recent  law 
whereby  all  murderers,  however  atrocious  their  crime,  were  shielded  from  the  retributive  pun- 
ishment of  death. 

On  August  7,  Judge  Larrabee  held  a  special  session  for  the  speedy  disposal  of  De  Bar's 
case.  Threats  were  general  and  open  that  De  Bar  should  not  leave  the  county  alive,  and  the 
opinion  expressed  by  many  who  would  shrink  from  any  overt  act,  that  whatever  might  be  the 
outcome,  he  deserved  hanging.  The  Judge,  fearing  the  worst,  had  ordered  two  military  com- 
panies, one  from  Port  Washington  and  one  from  Milwaukee,  to  West  Bend  during  the  trial. 
The  companies  were  both  present.  The  grand  jury  found  the  indictment  for  murder ;  De  Bar 
was  arraigned,  and  having  pleaded  not  guilty,  was  being  taken  back  to  jail  till  the  jury  panel 
could  be  brought  in  by  the  Sheriff".  As  the  Sheriff  and  his  assistant  guards  came  out  upon  the 
court  house  steps,  they  were  met  by  the  infuriated  and  frenzied  mob,  who  overpowered  them, 
seized  the  prisoner  and  commenced  to  wreak  vengeance  on  him.  He  was  first  knocked  down, 
and  rendered  senseless  by  throwing  a  heavy  stump  and  stones  upon  him.  He  was  then  seized 
by  the  feet  and  dragged  down  the  street,  being  kicked  in  the  head  and  pelted  with  stones  as  the 
crowd  moved  on.  At  one  point  it  was  proposed  to  draw  and  quarter  him,  but  better  counsels 
prevailed,  and  with  ropes  tied  to  his  feet,  he  was  dragged  to  a  point  nearly  in  front  of  the  old 
grist-mill,  and  there  hung,  head  downward,  on  a  maple  tree.  There  he  dangled  for  a  short  time, 
when  some  citizens,  who  had  not  participated  in  the  execution,  cut  him  down.     He  was,  at  this 


358  IIISTOKY    OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

time,  as  was  testified  by  Dr.  Hayes  at  the  trial  of  the  lynchers,  "alive,  and  breathing  quite- 
naturally."  Other  witnesses  gave  conflicting  testimony  on  that  point;  at  any  rate,  the  mob 
were  determined  to  leave  no  doubt,  and  seizing  the  rope,  dragged  him  across  the  bridge,  and 
again  hung  him  to  a  tree  near  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river;  this  time  he  was  hung  by  the  neck, 
and  when  cut  down,  an  hour  after,  there  was  no  conflicting  testimony  as  to  the  fact  that  he  was 
dead. 

The  body  was  taken  down  by  William  T.  Barnes  and  others,  and  buried  in  Barton.  The 
military,  being  no  longer  required,  were  dismissed. 

Fifteen  participators  in  the  lynching  affair  were  indicted  and  tried  for  the  murder  of  De 
Bar  in  May,  1856.  They  were  acquitted,  as  the  testimony  did  not  sustain  the  allegation  that 
"he  came  to  his  death  by  hanging,"  there  being  a  reasonable  doubt  as  to  his  being  alive  when 
he  was  hung  the  last  time. 

The  affair  ultimately  cost  the  county  a  large  sum,  as  besides  the  trial  of  De  Bar  and  the 
lynchers,  much  litigation  grew  out  of  claims  made  for  services,  all  of  which  were  at  first  denied. 
Later,  most  of  them  were  paid  or  compromised.  Among  the  many  recorded  were  the  follow- 
ing :  William  T.  Barnes,  for  services  at  the  burial  of  De  Bar,  and  materials  furnished  for 
fitting  the  body  for  burial,  $9;  Robert  Wasson,  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Milwaukee,  claimed  $100 
reward  offered  for  De  Bar's  arrest;  S.  Culber,  for  watching  jail,  and  helping  bury  De  Bar, 
$8.50;  Edwin  Smith,  for  ordering  men  to  watch  for  De  Bar,  and  watching  himself,  $17;  E. 
Bordwell,  for  washing  and  dressing  the  body  of  De  Bar,  including  burial  services.  $27.50; 
S.  Conover,  for  services  getting  military.  $2(> ;  JB.  Goetter,  for  provisions  furnished  military. 
§79.02  ;  Capt.  Liebhaber,  for  services  of  his  company  from  Milwaukee,  to  attend  the  trial  of 
De  Bar,  $2<I2.5<>.  Capt.  Silberman  also  presented  a  bill  for  the  services  of  his  company.  These 
are  only  a  few  of  the  many  appearing  on  the  records. 

It  was,  as  the  reader  can  discern,  a  most  lamentable  affair  from  bejrinninrr  to  end.  The 
completion  of  the  history  involves  the  necessity  of  a  plain  recital  of  the  horror.  Moralizing 
can  be  left  to  the  reader,  without  detracting  from  the  merits  of  this  work. 

The  crime  stands  almost  alone  in  the  criminal  annals  of  the  county,  which  is  and  always 
has  been,  with  this  one  exception,  remarkably  free  from  crime.  The  citizens  of  no  county  in 
the  State  are  more  orderly  or  more  peaceably  disposed. 

Tin:    8REAT    DEFALCATION. 

The  only  serious  malfeasance  in  office  which  lias  occurred  in  the  administration  of  county 
affairs,  has  been  in  the  case  of  Albert  Semler.  who,  after  a  continuous  service  of  nearly  nine 
years  as  County  Treasurer,  was  found  to  be  a  defaulter  for  upward  of  $14,000.  Suspicion  had 
been  aroused  in  the  minds  of  some  at  several  times  during  his  long  tenure  of  office,  and  at  one 
time  a  partial,  but  by  no  means  thorough,  investigation  of  his  accounts  was  made  by  a  special 
committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  who.  in  their  report,  explained  away  some  suspicious 
circumstances  in  accordance,  doubtless,  with  the  light  that  Semler  himself  had  thrown  on  the 
matter.  After  the  defalcation  became  known,  ami  the  glamour  of  Sender's  popularity  no  longer 
deceived,  it  became  the  wonder  of  the  hour  how  a  whole  community  could  have  been  so  long 
blind  to  the  manifold  evidences  of  his  crookedness  that  had  been  constantly  apparent  for  a  long 
time,  except  for  the  total  blindness  of  confidence  in  Semler  which  prevailed. 

The  linal  discovery  occurred  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1 S T * > .  Semler  had  just  returned 
from  attendance  at  the  National  Democratic  Convention,  at  St.  Louis,  to  which  he  was  a  dele- 
gate, anil  found  the  different  School  Commissioners  anxiously  awaiting  his  return,  in  order  to 
receive  their  apportionment  of  the  school  fund,  some  $4,0on,  which  was  in  his  hands,  and 
should  have  Keen  divided  before  he  left  for  St.  Louis.  Sender  pleaded  pressure  of  business,  made 
profuse  apologies,  and  -tailed  lor  Milwaukee  where  he  represented  he  had  the  funds  on  deposit, 
promising  to  return  with  the  required  funds  on  the  next  day.  In  Milwaukee  he  made  most 
strenuous  effort-  to  borrow  the  money  required  to  bridge  over  the  difficulty,  as  he  hail  done  often 
before.     He  failed  to  accomplish  his  purpose,  and  in  an  interview  with  Joseph  Ott,  Henry  Giants 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  359 

and  Matt  Altenhofen,  who  had  gone  to  Milwaukee  to  interview  him,  he  confessed  to  the  defal- 
cation, giving  as  a  reason  that,  in  addition  to  heavy  business  losses  incurred,  he  had  been  gam- 
bling desperately  for  the  past  six  months  in  the  hope  to  regain  his  losses  and  save  the  dreaded 
exposure  and  disgrace.  The  desperate  remedy  he  had  adopted  had  utterly  failed.  He  begged 
a  little  time,  he  had  hopes  of  immediate  help  from  personal  and  family  friends,  to  whom  he  had 
not  yet  made  the  extreme  appeal  to  shield  him  from  ruin  and  his  family  from  disgrace.  The 
gentlemen  immediately  returned  to  West  Bend,  when  County  Clerk  Ott  appeared  before  District 
Attorney  O'Meara,  and  swore  out  a  warrant  for  Sender's  arrest. 

Sheriff  Miller  went  without  delay  to  Milwaukee  to  make  the  arrest.  The  ruined  man  had 
fled  to  parts  unknown  before  Miller's  arrival.  Miller,  with  one  of  his  Deputies,  Peter  Boden, 
after  a  disappearance  of  two  weeks,  traced  him  to  Omaha,  where  they  took  him,  half  insane  and 
with  nerves  completely  shattered,  by  the  awful  experiences  of  his  flight  and  disgrace,  and,  on 
August  6,  1876,  brought  him  back  to  the  scene  of  his  happiest  days,  a  disgraced  and  ruined  man, 
and  lodged  him  in  the  county  jail. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  met  in  special  session  so  soon  as  the  defalcation  was  known.  The 
persons  elected  to  guard  the  empty  treasury  was,  in  all  respects,  the  opposite  of  the  defaulter. 
He  had  been  long  a  resident  of  the  county,  and  had,  by  honesty  and  persistent  industry,  grown 
to  be  the  wealthiest  farmer  in  the  county.  No  better  selection  could  have  been  made  than  Peter 
Weimer,  of  Addison.  His  selection  of  B.  S.  Potter,  of  West  Bend,  as  his  Deputy,  also  gave 
general  satisfaction.  Under  this  new  management  the  people  knew  full  well  that  a  repetition  or 
continuance  of  the  peculation  was  impossible,  and  that  all  that  remained  to  be  done  was  to  ascer- 
tain the  amount  of  the  defalcation,  recover  what  could  be  recovered  from  the  ex-Treasurer  and 
his  bondsmen,  and  tax  the  countv  for  the  balance  of  the  deficit. 

The  board  accordingly  appointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  Philip  Schneider,  James  Carrel 
and  Ludwig  Findorf,  to  examine  the  accounts  of  Sender,  and  report  at  a  subsequent  meeting  the 
extent  of  the  defalcation.  The  report  was  made,  after  a  thorough  examination,  August  18,  and 
arrived  at  the  following  summary  : 

Receipts  of  Semler  since  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year,  November  18,   1875,  in- 
cluding balance  then  reported  on  hand $4.3,144  57 

Disbursed  during  same  time 29,095  95 

Balance  due §14,048  62 

Actual  balance  on  hand 16  57 

Amount  of  defalcations $14,032  05 

The  gentlemen  on  Semler's  official  bond  were :  Henry  Glantz,  Charles  H.  Miller,  John 
Pick,  Jr.,  Peter  Boden,  William  Wightman,  I.  N.  Frisby  and  John  B.  Weber,  of  West 
Bend;  Henry  Fleischer,  Germantown ;  J.  M.  Gans,  Richfield;  Matthias  Fellenz,  George 
Scheif  and  Matt  Altenhofen,  Kewaskum  ;  John  Kreutz,  Hartford  ;  Matthias  Weinart,  Polk  ; 
Nicholaus  Marx,  Wayne;  Franz  Reis,  Jackson;  Matthias- Lab.  r,  Jackson;  Jacob  Bastian,  Bar- 
ton.    The  full  amount  of  the  bond  was  sufficient  to  indemnify  the  county. 

Owing  to  the  belief  that  the  defalcation  had  been  running  through  several  years,  whereas 
the  present  bondsmen  could  not  be  held  liable  for  more  than  had  resulted  from  the  malfeasance 
of  the  term  since  they  became  holden,  it  was  deemed  unwise  to  enter  into  litigation  or  to  prose- 
cute for  a  full  settlement.  A  compromise  was  made,  whereby  the  bondsmen  were  to  be  released 
on  the  payment  of  $4,000  in  addition  to  $1,000  to  be  furnished  by  Semler  or  his  friends, 
amounting  to  $5,000  in  all.  Most  of  the  bondsmen  who  were  able,  and  still  residents  of  the 
county,  promptly  deposited  their  pro  rata  share  under  the  agreement,  as  did  the  friends  of  Sem- 
ler the  $1,000.  Seven  hundred  and  seventeen  dollars  could  not  be  collected  of  the  bondsmen 
under  the  agreement,  those  who  had  paid  declining  to  pay  any  further  assessment  on  account  of 
any  delinquencies  of  their  fellow- bondsmen.  After  a  delay  of  many  months,  the  county  authori- 
ties finally  settled  with  the  bondsmen  November  22,  1877,  receiving  the  sum  of  $4,283.  The 
balance  of  loss  to  the  county  was  thus  reduced  to  $9,749.     The  expense  incurred  in  the  capture 


360  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

of  Seraler,  and  other  incidental  expenses,  amounted  to  some  hundreds  of  dollars,  and  swelled 
the  total  loss  of  the  county  to  about  $10,000. 

After  the  settlement,  Semler,  who  had  been  confined  within  the  jail  limits  for  many  months, 
was  released  by  nolle  prosse  proceedings,  and,  so  far  as  the  county  was  concerned,  the  case  was  at 
an  end.  The  experience  was  bought  at  a  high  price,  but  may  perhaps  prove  to  be  worth,  in  the 
years  to  come,  all  it  has  cost. 

Albert  Semler,  the  defaulter,  came  to  West  Bend  when  a  young  man,  and  first  entered  the 
employ  of  James  Vollmar,  as  a  clerk  in  his  store.  He  was  extremely  affable,  open  and  frank 
in  his  demeanor,  was  personally  attractive,  showed  a  remarkable  aptness  for  business,  and  rapidly 
grew  into  favor,  not  only  with  his  employer  but  with  the  whole  community.  It  was  but  a  short 
time  before  he  became  a  partner  with  Vollmar.  The  firm  soon  enlarged  their  business,  and, 
with  August  Patzer,  built  a  woolen-mill,  which  they  afterward  controlled,  having  bought  out 
Patzer's  interest.  Semler,  in  addition  to  the  extensive  business  he  was  doing  in  connection  with 
his  partners,  became  the  man  of  affairs  of  the  town.  He  had  the  principal  insurance  agency  of 
the  town  ;  he  loaned  money  as  a  fiduciary  agent  for  foreign  companies,  and  became  the  trusted 
fiscal  agent  and  confidential  adviser  of  half  the  credulous  and  confiding  farmers  of  his  part  of 
the  county.  He  became  an  active  politician  on  the  popular  side,  and,  in  1 S ( J 7 ,  was  elected 
Treasurer  of  the  county.  For  the  succeeding  eight  years,  he  held  the  confidence  of  the  people 
without  limit  or  bounds,  and  was  held  in  more  general  esteem  than  any  man  within  its  bound- 
aries. During  those  years  it  appeared  as  though,  in  the  general  estimation  of  the  people,  the 
well-being  if  not  the  existence  of  Washington  County,  as  a  political  organization,  rested  wholly 
on  Semler's  shoulders,  and  that,  should  death  strike  the  shining  mark,  or  other  harm  befall  him, 
the  whole  fabric  of  Washington  County  society  would  go  to  ''eternal  smash."  Worse  than  death 
befell  poor  Semler — dishonor,  disgrace — yet  the  county  survived,  and  goes  on  its  prosperous 
way,  chastened  by  its  experience,  while  he,  alone  among  a  strange  people,  is  bearing  his  weary 
load  of  regret  ami  shame,  regret  for  brilliant  opportunities  lost  never  to  be  regained,  and  shame 
for  the  weakness  that  led  him  through  the  delusive  paths  of  vanity,  extravagance  and  reckless- 
ness, out  into  the  great  highway  of  crime. 

The  lesson  is  plain  now,  and  is  written  in  characters  not  easily  effaced.  His  failure 
aroused  wide-spread  misfortune  outside  the  loss  incurred  by  the  county.  Trust  funds  misappro- 
priated, and  money  borrowed  with  an  apparent  recklessness,  left  scores  of  friends  betrayed  to 
regret  the  confidence  so  unworthily  bestowed. 

He  remained  for  some  years  after  his  release  in  West  Bend,  and  made  feeble  efforts  to  re-es- 
tablish  himself  in  business,  and  to  regain  the  confidence  he  had  suffered  himself,  in  his  weakness, 
to  betray.  It  proved  a  hopeless  task,  and  a  few  years  since  lie  left  for  the  Far  West,  probably  never 
to  return.  The  feeling  toward  him  now  is  by  no  means  as  harsh  as  the  betrayal  would  seem  to 
warrant;  it  is  rather  of  regret  at  his  fall,  and  pity  for  his  consequent  misfortune.  Behind  all 
there  is  still  a  vein  of  tenderness  for  Semler — the  chivalrous,  the  benevolent,  the  infatuating,  the 
shallow,  the  faithless. 

THE    WAR     RECORD. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  war,  in  March,  1861,  do  countv  in  the  State  showed  less  of  the 
martial  spirit  evinced  by  voluntary  military  organizations  in  times  of  peace  than  Washington 
County.  The  population  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  took  little  interest  in  even 
the  sham  military  displays  of  peaceful  times.  There  were  no  military  organizations  worthy  the 
name,  nor  had  there  ever  been  further  than  some  few  ephemeral  companies  organized,  and  gen- 
erally disbanded  within  a  few  months  after  their  organization.  In  early  times,  before  the  divi- 
sion of  the  county,  Port  Washington  bad  boasted  a  military  organization,  and  West  Bend  had, 
it  is  reported,  a  company  of  soldiers.  In  1861,  however,  military  matters  were  Dot  numbered 
among  the  perceptible  elements  of  interest  in  county  affairs.  The  population  was  largely  for- 
eign,and  many  of  the  inhabitants  bad  left  the  Fatherland  to  avoid  conscription  ami  army  service, 
and  came  to  America  to  follow  the  peaceful  vocations  of  life  undisturbed  by  the  Government 
requirements  for  army  service,  which,  in  Europe,  had  been  the  great  family  dread  and  overshad- 


<< — ^ 


HISTOKY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  363 

owing  evil,  from  time  immemorial.  They  were  intensely  Democratic  in  their  political  faith,  and 
opposed  to  the  incoming  party,  with  whose  accession  to  power  the  great  evil  of  civil  war  had 
appeared.  They  lacked,  as  was  inevitable,  that  overweening  love  for  the  country  which  comes 
from  birth  and  ancestral  traditions  handed  down  from  father  to  son  for  many  generations. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  record  of  their  sacrifices  for  the  general  good  during  those 
years  of  general  peril,  show  sterling  qualities  of  patriotic  principle  and  loyalty  to  the  Govern- 
ment, equal  to  those  displayed  by  the  other  counties  of  the  commonwealth.  The  population  of 
the  county  in  1861  was,  in  round  numbers,  24,000,  and  the  number  of  men  between  the  ages 
of  eighteen  and  forty-five,  liable  to  military  duty,  not  far  from  3,000.  From  this  number  the 
county  furnished,  during  the  war,  either  by  personal  service  or  substitutes,  upwards  of  two 
thousand  men. 

It  is  stated  that  at  the  close  of  the  last  draft,  before  the  war  closed,  there  were  towns  in 
the  county  where  nearly  every  able-bodied  man  had  been  drafted,  enlisted  or  furnished  a  substi- 
tute. The  soldiers,  as  furnished,  did  not  as  a  rule  enter  any  regiment  in  companies,  but  were 
assigned  in  squads,  as  they  enlisted,  to  the  various  regiments  being  fitted  at  their  time  of  enlistment. 
In  many  towns  large  sums  of  money  were  raised  and  commutation  paid,  or  substitutes  hired  to 
fill  the  quotas,  this  being  necessary,  in  an  agricultural  region,  to  prevent  the  entire  paralysis  of 
labor  by  the  withdrawal  of  all  the  able-bodied  laborers  from  the  county.  Following  are  the 
reports  of  the  several  towns,  of  money  raised  and  expended  for  war  purposes : 

ERIN. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $4,002  86 

Amount  by  private  subscription 1,350  00 

Total $5,352  86 

Voted  but  uncollected  at  the  close  of  the  war $1,400  00 

HARTFORD. 

Amount  collected  by  tax $17,600  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 17,687  50 

Total $35,287  50 

Voted  to  be  raised  but  uncollected  at  close  of  war 10,200  00 

Paid  to  support  soldiers'  families 300  00 

Paid  commutation 6  300  00 

Total $52,087  50 

Uncollected 10,200  00 

Actually  paid $41,887  50 

ADDISON. 

Total  amount  voted  to  be  raised  by  tax $30,500  00 

Total  amount  collected $19,273  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 6,230  00 

Actually  paid $25,503  00 

WAYNE. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $n  600  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 5  225  00 

Actually  paid $16,825  00 

RICHFIELD. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $4,150  42 

Amount  by  private  subscription 867  70 

Actually  paid $5,018  12 

D 


364  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

POLK. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $2,860  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 418  00 

Actually  paid §3,278  00 

«  K.ST    BEND. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $10,600  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 3,000  00 

Total $13,600  00 

Voted,  but  uncollected  at  close  of  the  war $2,000  00 

BARTON. 

No  money  was  raised.     The  town  chose  to  take  its  chances  from  volunteer  enlistments  and  drafting. 

KEWA9KUM. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $13,000  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 8,205  00 

Actually  paid $21,205  00 

GERMANTOWN. 

Amount  voted  to  be  raided  by  tax $25,600  00 

Raised  on  town  bonds $21,417  00 

Raised  by  private  subscription 9,878  00 

Actually  paid $31,205  00 

TRENTMN. 

Amount  raised  by  tax $3,lJ00  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 5,437  00 

Actually  paid $9,337  00 

JACKS!  >\ 

Amount  voted $8,000  00 

Amount  collected  by  tax $5,592  00 

Amount  by  private  subscription 6,620  00 

Actually  paid $12,212  00 

FARMIXOTON. 

Total  amount  raised  by  private  subscription $1,295  00 

Note. — This  money  was  raised  in  1864,  and  paid  to  seven  men  as  volunteers  in  the  United  States  service 

The  amount  raised  in  the  county  for  war  purposes  was  as  follows : 

Erin $5,351  86 

Hartford 41,887  50 

Addison 19.273  00 

W.ivne 16,825  00 

Richfield 5,018  12 

Polk 3,278  00 

West  Bend 13,600  00 

Burton 

KewiiMkmn 21,206  00 

Oermantown 81,295  00 

Trenton 9,337  00 

Jackson 12,212  00 

Farmington 1,295  00 

Total $180,677  48 

No  money  was  raised  by  the  county  at  large  for  war  purposes. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  365 

DRAFTING. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  contest,  voluntary  enlistments  in  the  county  were  not  as  general 
as  in  other  parts  of  the  State.  The  people  had  no  enthusiasm  for  the  war,  and  the  belief  was 
quite  general  that  under  a  compromise,  or  by  some  other  means,  it  would  be  brought  to  a  speedy 
end,  and,  having  no  appetite  for  the  fray,  they  generally  stayed  at  home  waiting  further  devel- 
opments. 

The  first  draft,  therefore,  found  the  county  largely  behind  in  its  quota.  The  call  was  made 
in  August,  1862,  and  the  quota  of  the  State  was  11,904  men.  By  the  time  the  enrollment  lists 
were  completed,  and  the  draft  about  to  commence,  many  counties  had  nearly  filled  their  quotas, 
as  the  following  requisition  on  each  county  by  Adjutant  General  Gaylord  shows,  the  requisition  on 
each  county  below  named  being  as  follows  :  Brown,  155;  Buffalo,  16;  Dane,  114;  Dodge, 
264;  Door,  63;  Green,  97;  Green  Lake,  74;  Iowa,  223;  Jefferson,  63;  Kenosha,  180;  La 
Fayette,  148;  Manitowoc,  438;.  Marathon,  19;   Marquette,  131 ;  Milwaukee,  727  ;   Outagamie, 

99;    Ozaukee,  529;    Pepin,  74;    Racine,  194;    Rock, ;    Sheboygan,  205;    Vernon,  12; 

Washington,  807  ;    Waukesha,  181 ;    Waushara,  5.     Total,  4,818. 

When  the  above  requisition  was  published,  it  was  no  wonder  that  the  people  were  appalled 
at  the  demands  made  upon  them,  that  suspicions  were  rife  as  to  the  fairness  of  the  apportionment, 
and  that  general  discontent  and  apprehension  prevailed.  They  saw  their  quota  larger  than  that 
of  any  other  county  in  the  State,  in  proportion  to  the  population,  with  the  single  exception  of 
Ozaukee;  larger,  with  a  population  of  24,000,  than  that  of  Milwaukee,  with  four  times  that  num- 
ber. They  were  in  no  temper  to  coolly  sit  down  and  figure  out  the  justice  of  the  unpleasant 
situation,  but  rather  approached  the  draft  with  surly  discontent.  The  fact  that  Milwaukee  had 
so  overawed  the  authorities  by  her  protests  against  her  apportionment  as  to  gain  a  postponement,, 
and  that  Ozaukee  had  broken  out  in  open  resistance,  was  not  calculated  to  soothe  the  people  or 
allay  apprehensions  of  trouble.  The  draft  commenced  at  West  Bend  on  Monday,  November  10. 
1862.     The  result  was  published  in  the  West  Bend  Post,  as  follows: 

THE    DRAFT    IN    THIS    COUNTY. 

On  Monday  morning  last.  Commissioner  E.  H.  Gilson  commenced  drafting  in  the  court  house,  for  the  men  yet 
due  from  Washington  County.  The  draft  for  the  towns  of  West  Bend,  Barton,  Kewaskum,  Farmington  and  .Jackson 
was  completed  the  first  day,  without  any  opposition  whatever.  The  draft  for  the  town  of  Trenton  was  completed  on 
Tuesday,  by  11  o'clock.  The  room  was  pretty  well  crowded,  and  quite  an  uneasiness  wa»  manifested  by  the  men. 
from  Trenton,  during  the  draft,  and,  as  soon  as  the  last  name  was  drawn,  one  of  the  excited  men  stepped  up  on  a 
chair,  and  spoke  to  the  crowd  in  the  German  language,  and  also  asked  the  Commissioner  if  he  was  ready  to  deliver 
up  the  papers.  Sheriff  Weimar,  and  others,  endeavored  to  quell  the  crowd,  which  was  becoming  a  mob,  but  they  did 
not  succeed.  Mr.  Gilson  and  Luretta  J.  Young,  a  little  girl  thirteen  years  old,  who  had  been  drawing  the  names, 
were  advised  to  leave,  which  they  did,  with  all  the  papers,  unnoticed  by  the  Trenton  men.  Gilson  came  down,  and 
stopped  at  the  Mansion  House  a  few  moments,  and  then  started  for  the  post  office.  He  had  not  proceeded  far,  when 
he  noticed  that  his  escape  from  the  court  house  had  been  ascertained,  and  that  they  were  coming  down  the  hill, 
on  the  run,  after  him.  They  caught  him  near  Mr.  Wightnian's  residence,  but  he  jerked  himself  loose,  and  succeeded 
in  getting  near  Frisby  &  Weil's  law  office,  when  he  was  again  caught.  A  man  had  one  arm  around  his  body,  and  in 
the  other  hand  he  held  a  heavy  stone,  while  one  or  two  others  had  hold  of  his  coat.  He  kept,  backing  toward  the 
office,  telling  them  that  he  had  only  been  doing  his  duty,  and,  if  they  wished,  he  would  resign,  and  some  one  else 
might  be  appointed  in  his  stead,  but  that  he  could  not  give  up  the  papers.  Some  person  then  said  that  he  would 
have  them,  or  Gilson's  life.  Mr.  Frisby  came  out  and  spoke  for  a  considerable  length  of  time  to  them.  As  he  was 
a  drafted  man,  they  put  some  confidence  in  what  he  said.  He  advised  them  to  hold  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and, 
while  they  were  consulting  among  themselves  in  relation  to  it,  Mr.  Gilson,  more  scared  than  harmed,  got  into  the 
office,  escaped  from  the  back  door,  went  to  Mr.  Green's  farm,  procured  a  horse,  and  then  started  for  Hartford ;  took 
the  cars  there  and  went  to  Milwaukee,  and  upon  receiving  a  dispatch  from  Madison,  started  ftr  the  latter  place,  to 
consult  with  the  authorities  there. 

At  the  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  speeches  were  made  by  Judge  Shelley,  in  German,  and  by  F.  O.  Thorp,  in 
English,  which  had  the  desired  effect.  A  committee  of  one  from  each  town  was  appointed,  who  drew  up  resolutions 
praying  for  two  months  postponement  of  the  draft,  they  stating  that  they  would  in  that  lime  raise  the  quota.  The 
resolutions,  accompanied  by  a  letter  from  Messrs.  Thorp,  Shelley  and  Vollmar,  have  been  forwarded  to  Madison. 

In  the  evening,  the  crowd,  which  was  composed  mostly  of  men  from  Trenton  and  Polk,  marched  through  our 
street,  in  something  Hke  military  order,  to  the  store  of  H.  Trakat,  an  Abolitionist,  of  whom  they  demanded  some- 
thing to  drink,  but  as  he  did  not  gratify  their  wish,  a  few  stones  were  hurled  through  the  windows,  whereupon  they 
dispersed,  and  since  then  West  Bend  has  been  as  quiet  as  ever. 


366 


HISTORY    OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


This  has  been  a  disgrace  to  our  county  and  the  State.  It  was  bad,  but  we  are  pleased  that  it  passed  off  as 
easy  as  ii  has:  that  our  village  was  not  "cleaned  out,"  as  they  threatened.  We  think  the  draft  will  yet  be  made. 
The  papers  are  in  this  place,  all  safe.  The  Ozaukee  trouble  was  the  starting  point  of  the  muss  here.  Not  more  than 
fifteen  or  twenty  men  were  really  engaged  in  the  affair,  and  we  anticipate  no  further  trouble. 

The  report  as  detailed  gives  an  apparently  truthful  statement  of  the  trouble,  which  was  in 
no  wise  serious,  and  was  countenanced  neither  by  the  press  nor  the  citizens  generally.  The 
flight  of  the  Commissioner,  and  the  ordering  of  troops  here  from  Milwaukee,  as  a  wise  precau- 
tion against  further  trouble,  rather  than  to  quell  the  slight  outbreak,  which  was  quickly  over, 
has  invested  the  affair  with  more  importance  than  its  magnitude  would  otherwise  warrant.  But 
for  the  times  and  circumstances  attending,  it  would  have  not  been  deemed  a  riot  of  sufficient 
importance  to  find  a  place  in  this  history. 

Detachments  from  the  Twenty-eighth  Wisconsin  Regiment  were  sent  to  the  scene  of  the 
disturbance,  and  the  draft  completed.  No  other  open  disorder  occurred  in  the  county  during 
the  subsequent  drafts,  although  they  fell  with  crushing  force  on  some  of  the  agricultural  towns. 

The  following  roster  of  Washington  County  soldiers  who  did  personal  and  gallant  service 
during  the  war,  is  compiled  from  the  State  archives.  The  records  at  Madison  are  imperfect, 
but  no  other  and  better  sources  of  information  exsist.  The  list  is  given  as  one  which  but  ap- 
proximates accuracy,  and  which  represents  part  of  the  actual  enlistments. 


ROSTER. 


TOWN    Of    WEST    BEND. 


Fint  Infantry — Co.  A — Alex  Gregg.  Co.  D — William 
Ed  Gregg.  Company  unknown — Frank  Ross,  Orrin 
Sprague. 

Second  Infantry — Co.  K — W.  Dennison,  William  Lowe, 
William  Aikin,  John  Smith. 

Fifth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Truman  Darling, 
Otis  Darling,  John  Staff,  Henry  Senft,  John  F.  Culver. 

Sixth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Herman  Zipp, 
Conrad  Fenzel,  Alb  Huchthausen,  Nic  Immel. 

Xmth  Infantry — Co.  C — John  Munich,  Carl  Voss,  George 
Schneider,  William  Kurth,  Julius  Trakat.  Co.  F — Peter 
Schrofer.     Co.  K — 1'eter  lmmel,  Lewis  Guttenberg. 

Tenth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Robert  Moore. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — Ebenezer  S.  Bunoe,  Mathias 
Latnpert,  Martin  Lampcrt,  John  Jones,  Oscar  Rusco, 
Solon  Darling,  James  Jackson,  Henry  Stannard,  Welling- 
ton Stannard,  Christ  Smith,  Harrison  (Ireen,  Charles 
Waldo,  John  Cole,  Thomas  Farmer,  Norman  S.  Oilson, 
Emery  Smith.  Ernst  Fitzner,  John  Latnpert. 

Fourteenth  Infantry — Company  unknown — F.  Kirchner. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  E — James  Sullivan.  Isaac 
Verbeck,  Arthur  Holoomb,  Frank  Luscomb,  Henry  Lus- 
oomb.  Austin  Baker. 

Twentieth  Infantry — Co.  I — T.  S.  Lorenz. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Company  unknown — George 
Staff. 

Twenty-tixth  Infantry,  Washington  County  Rifles — F.  J. 
Vockt.  Charles  Franz,  Gottlieb  Mctzner,  Jacob  E.  Mann, 
Jacob  Heip,  Charles  Ottilie,  John  Horn,  John  Reiuell. 
Jacob  Wagner,  Carl  Hasten.  Henry  Baudin,  Peter  Stoffel, 
Charles  Heffimui,  Matliias  Soeger,  Emerson  Smith,  John 
Billing,  George  II.  Emmet,  Daniel Stenerwald,  J.W.  I!us- 
oo,  William  Sohnepf,  Christian  Franz. 

Second  Battery — John  Dcgolyer,  Phil  Seelemann,  Will 
Miller,  Charles  Lembke,  Henry  Kampfcr,  John  llelduser, 
Charles  Doerr,  Isaiah  Culver,  James  Trench.  Company 
unknown — Lyman  Green.     Total,  88 

TOWN    OF     IIAKTFORD. 

Firtt  Infantry — Co  B — W.  II.  Babcock,  Ambrose  IJix- 
ey,  John  Smitt,  John    fvwartx,  William  K.  Harney,  Orin. 


Deming,  Alexander  Wiley,  Barry  O.  Helmcr,  G.  0.  Scott, 
Richard  Alton.  Co.  G — Albert  Cook.  Co.  M — Justice 
Deming,  John  Crowfoot. 

Fourth  Infantry — Co.  I — Andrew  Madison. 

Fifth  Infantry — Co.  F — Joseph  Hesketh. 

Sixth  Infantry — Co.  D — John  Cook,   Francis   McKiney. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  G — William  Gautz,  George  Men- 
gel. 

Tenth  Infantry — Co.  A — William  Chapman.  Co.  E — 
Alexander  Pripell,  John  Waterman,  Carl  l.usensky,  A.  D. 
Worden.  Ludwig  Krieger,  John  Frader,  Simon  Deming, 
Christ  Burdick,  Robert  McKann,  Hamilton  B.  Dutcher, 
Silas  H.  Heimer,  (ieorge  Dewy,  Orin  Howe,  George  M. 
Westh,  William  Leeount,  James  E.   Cook,  Henry  E.  Cook, 

John  Tortz, Henry  White,  Paddock,  August  Bellaw. 

Co.  K — Robert  Kohlesdorf. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co. Ariel  Howe,  U.  S.  Reg. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  E  —  Boardman  Paddock. 
Enoch  I'ailey,  Thomas  darned. 

Twentieth    Infantry— Co.  unknown — -Henry  Latin. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Co.  unknown — Carl  Kilter. 
Harris  Thayer,  Elman  Derrick,  Hewitt  Jackson,  William 
II.  Coon,  Edward  Paddock,  J.  H.    Minuer,  Thomas  Phill- 

pot,  E.  H.  Pratt,  Bdmun  Q He,  William  Hartman, Will- 
iam Henry  Calkins.  James  Alexander,  James  Prilchard, 
Philip  Planz,  Conrad  Roller,  James  Crawfoot,  Herbert 
Gould,  JullUB  P.  Gould,  William  S.  Brown,  Harrison  A. 
Burdick,  Lloyd  V.  Nawscawen,  Wellington  Dewey,  Or- 
ange II.  Chapman,  William  A  .  Wiley,  Thompson  M.  Wiley. 
Luis  Guest,  Clark  J.  Towl,  Etnary  Martin,  Thomas  Ste- 
ven, John  J.  Barney,  Daniel  Ferguson,  Charles  Enoch, 
Oliver  Biss&l,  Edward  longer,  Albert  Anderson,  C.  P. 
Aniiton,  William  Just.  Jacob  Goll. 

Twenty-tixth  Infantry— Co.  unknown — Adolph  Kuleg, 
Henry  Guenther,  Paul  Wagner,  John  Haag. 

First  Cavalry — Co.  M — Perry  Winters.  Ezra  McKiney, 
Henry  E.  Staples,  John  White,  Frank  .1.  Morgan.  Co. 
unknown— John  Little,  George  11.  King,  Cornelius  B. 
Osterhout,  Andrew  Slayer,  Ch  F.  Wheelock. 

Seventh  Battery — Samuel  Pickett.  Orin   Clark. 

Regiment  unknown— Co.  unknown — Anton  I'tich,  A. 
Helmer,  Charles  C  Bumpsey,  Almorc  Fronfelder,  Marta 
Mengcl.— Total,  107. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


367 


TOWN    OF    TRENTON. 

Sixth  Infantry — Co.  I — Fred  H.  Zipp. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  A — Henry  Schroeder.  Co.  I — 
Joseph  Schaub,  John  Schaefer,  Conrad  Birne,  Ferdinand 
Born. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — Byron  Fairbanks,  Thomas 
Prat,  Francis  Granger,  W.  W.  McDonald,  Aaron  Ruplins, 
William  H.  Porter,  Aliens  Jenkins,  James  McHenry, 
Harrison  Green,  Christopher  D.  Smith,  Charles  C.  Smith, 
Daniel  Sulivan.  Peter  Lynch,  Nathaniel  Dutcher,  Will- 
iam Dutcher,  Will  McCarty,  Malcom  Cameron,  Joseph 
Starke,  Hallow  Waller,  David  Waller,  Henry  C.  New- 
comb,  H.  G.  Strong,  Pembroke  Gilson,  John  McLaughlin, 
Edwin  Frisby,  William  J.  Norton. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  K — John  Burdge. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  E — Henry  Starke,  James 
Young,  William  Downey,  Dan  Allen,  Daniel  McGee, 
Thomas  D.  Camfield. 

Nineteenth  Infantry — Co.  G — Andrew  Byrnes. 

Twenty-Sixth  Infantry,  Washington  County  Rifles — 
Jacob  Weinand,  Nicholas  Young,  Michael  Young,  Rich- 
ard Daily,  Cyrus  N.  Schaefer,  Henry  Wilson,  Francis 
Ruho,  John  Mayer,  John  Cary,  Frederick  Skierwald, 
Julius  Julson,  Robert  H.  Templeton,  Henry  Allen,  H.  H. 
Warren,  Hiram  Carlow,  Albert  Story,  Edward  Schoen- 
feld,  George  W.  McCarty. 

Cavalry — John  Klein,  Charles  R.  Taylor,  William 
Marklin. 

Ninth  Battery — Charles  Schaefer,  Lyman  Green,  George 
W.  Schaefer,  Samuel  Sax,  Richard  C.  Rohn. 

Herrbirch' s   Battery — Henry    Merke,  Edward    Henke. 

Artillery — Mathias  Basch.     Total,  69. 


TOWN    OF    FARMINOTON. 

First  Infantry — Co.  I — Albert  Duncan.  Co.  K — Will- 
iam Lange.     Company  unknown — La  Fayette  Putnam. 

fifth  Infantry— Company  unknown— Peter  Rheinsgans. 

Sixth  Infantry — Co.  F — William  Lehman,  Gustave 
Resh,  Carl  Hausler,  Daniel  Hull,  James  Clark. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  F — Nicholas  Metzer. 

Eleventh  Infantry — Company  unknown — Carver  Wes- 
cott. 

Twelfth  Infantry— Co.  D— George  E.  Ross,  Willet  R. 
Wescott,  Erskine  Wescott,  James  Harris,  Nicholas  Har- 
ris, George  Wescott,  John  Holt,  George  Holt,  Hugh 
Cowen,  Eugene  Callaghan,  George  Lusenden,  Peter  Linch, 
Franklin  Smith,  James  R.  Willis,  Charles  Wills,  William 
Hockman,  John  McLement,  Andrew  Bullard,  Ananias 
Wescott  (discharged),  Christoph  Probst,  Samuel  Thomp- 
son, Guy  Myers,  Frank  Clark.  Company  unknown — 
George  Hemel. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  E — Thomas  Callaghan, 
Thomas  Callaghan,  Jr.,  Michael  Clark,  Ebenezer  Wescott, 
Samuel  McLement,  John  Sullivan. 

Twenty-Sixth  Infantry,  Washington  County  Badgers — 
Company  unknown — Frederick  Walters,  Samuel  A.  Var- 
ney,  William  Hamilton,  Jr.,  John  Lussenden,  Harry  H. 
Wescott,  Faner  Wescott,  Louis  Pertheld. 

First  Cavalry — Co.  K — William  Lange,  Fritz  Abel. 

First  Illinois  Cavalry — Co.  A — Theodore  Koch. 

Second  Battery — Fredrick  Fikler,  Fredrick  Hauschen, 
Jacob  Marhus,  Ludwig  Janke,  Fritz  Janke,  John  Ruf, 
Richard  Bratz,  Barton  Wescott,  Michael  Young,  Guido 
Baesler. 

Regiment  unknown — Company  unknown — David  Bullen, 
Patrick  Cahoo,  Charles  Vansdrow,  Thomas  McCormick. 
Total,  65. 


TOWN     OF    ADDISON. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  G — Henry  Moll,  Lorenzo  Watzin- 
ger,  John  Kahn,  Sebastian  Boeswald,  Conrad  Fetter, 
Emanuel  von  Buller,  Leo  Winterhalter,  F.  W.  Ignatz 
Esser,  Joseph  Stiller,  John  Stamp,  August  Zillsdorf,  John 
Shack,  Andrew  Knobel. 

Twenty-Sixth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Philip 
Illian,  Henry  Blenker,  John  Schultz,  John  Guenther, 
Henry  Guenther,  Henry  Miller,  J.  Barrel,  J.  Fetting, 
Jr.,  Jacob  Heins,  F.  Gihlsdorf,  Peter  Dellenbach,  Joseph 
Schuts,  Peter  Kahl,  William  Wehe,  Bern  Daul,  Jac 
Knoble,  F.  Chihlsdorf,  P.  Schnovreuberg,  L.  Weiss,  Leo 
Schuh,  Peter  Ripplinger,  Eugenius  Haak,  John  Ritger, 
L.  Groshanner,  M.  Stumpp.     Total,  38. 

T  OWN   OF    BARTON. 

Second  Infantry — Co.  K — George  Van  Eps,  William 
Goodnough,  William  Potter,  William  Dutcher. 

Third  Infantry — Co.  A — Charles  Lord. 

Fifth  Infantry — Co.  C — Martin  Arno. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  F — Andrew  Smith,  John  Reeling, 
William  Fenstermacher,  Henry  Frohman,  Fritz  Kocher, 
William  Abel,  F.  Abel,  Simon  Geiger. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — Christopher  Eberhard,  Will- 
iam Nungesser,  Henry  Taylor,  Frank  Tobacco,  John  M. 
Price  (Captain),  William  L.  Ball,  George  Bentley,  I.  E. 
Munger,  Truman  0.  Phelps,  James  H.  Randall,  Henry 
Wispel,  Nathaniel  Dutcher,  J.  R.  Wright,  Henry  Stark. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  I — George  Porter,  George  W. 
Porter. 

Twenty-sixth  Infantry — Company  unknown — William 
Simon,  George  Koehler. 

Twenty-seventh  Infantry — Co.  I — Peter  Dricken,  Will- 
iam E.  Stranchen,  Frank  Bidwell,  Peter  Randall,  James 
Taylor,  William  T.  Cole  (Second  Lieutenant),  George 
Engelman,  John  Haber,  George  Schmidt,  Charles  Ostran- 
der. 

Regiment     Unknown — Company     Unknown — Frederick 

;  surname  unknown  ;  enlisted  with  Erastus  Shum- 

way.     Total,  44.  _ 

"  TOWN    OF    JACKSON. 

Fourth  Infantry— Co.  E — John  E.  Lewis. 

Fifth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Fritz  Bettler. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  A — Ferdinand  Jenning,  August 
Jenning. 

Tenth  Infantry — Co.  I — William  Heyes,  August  Kurth. 

Eleventh  Infantry — Co.  I — Ferdinand  Kroening. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  E — John  Osborn,  Michael 
Sullivan,  James  Burns,  Jr.,  Timothy  Toom. 

Nineteenth  Infantry— Co.  I — James  Lewis,  Carl  Miller. 
Co.  K— Thomas  0.  Toole. 

Twentieth  Infantry  —  Company  unknown  —  Franz 
Hener. 

Forty-fifth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Herman 
Ohm,  August  Krause. 

Fifty-fifth  Infantry — Co.  C — Martin  Eggut,  August 
Eggut. 

Ninth  Battery — Richard  Rohr,  Henry  Fullerton. 

Washington  County  Rifles — Halmon  Cassel,  John  Crowly, 
Gottlieb  Schmith,  Frederick  Egenhaust,  Robert  Salter, 
George  Emitt,  William  Salter,  Carl  Haffeman,  Henry 
Shotoce.  Unknown — James  Burns,  Sr.,  Albert  Koeller. 
Total,  32. 

TOWN     OF     FOLK. 

Second  Michigan  Infantry — Company  unknown — Ste- 
phen Hamentem. 


368 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


Fifth  Infantry — Co.  C — John  Conrad. 

Seventh  Infantry— Co.  G — Peter  Giver. 

Ninth  Infantry — Company  unknown — J.  Close,  A.  Ha- 
ferman,  Jacob  Schulteis,  Peter  Happel. 

Tenth  Infantry — Co.  E — August  Belan. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — Jos.  H.  Stacks,  Peter  Far- 
man.     Co.  I — Daniel  D.  Stacks. 

Fifteenth  Infantry — Company  unknown— Henis  Hoth. 

Ttoenty-firit  Infantry — Company  unknown — George 
Krause,  John  Gilman. 

Twenty-second  Infantry — Co.  B — M.  B.  Stacks. 

Twenty-third  Infantry — Company  unknown — George 
Menger. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Emil 
Oberkircher,  Peter  Kurz,  Peter  Jochim,  George  Jochim. 

Twenty-sixth  Infantry — Company  unknown— 'Mathias 
Dambach,  Carl  Fischer,  John  Weifenbach,  Henry  Renker, 
Frederick   Mueller,  Jos.   Steinnetz,  John   Detling. 

Second  Cavalry —  Co.  M — John  Schiltinger. 

Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry — Co.  B — Peter  Gunner. 

Ninth  Battery — John  Milling,  John  C.  Foil,  Marshal 
Fahrington,  Henry  Farman,  Jacob  Wallbrachstein.  Com- 
pany unknown — Nic  Hoth,  Christian  Muller.     Total,  36. 

TOWN    OF    RICHFIELD. 

First  Infantry — Company  unknown — Adam  Roth. 

Fourth  Infantry — Co.  D — Gerhard  Callenbrach. 

Eighth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Francis  Mc- 
Manne. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  B — Isaac  Fritzinger,  Joseph 
Kiehle. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  C — Edward  McManne. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  G — Peter  McManne. 


Twenty-eighth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Gerhard 
Glion,  John  Schaeffler,  George  Benze,  Francis  Benie. 
William  Coats,  Sacra  Fuller,  Anton  Van  Berger,  Carl 
Miller,  Mathias  Muller,  Fredreich  Burghart. 

Second  Cavalry — Company  unknown — Herman  Knoll, 
August  Knoll,  Isaac  Brown,  William  Benze,  Michael 
Benze. 

Third  Cavalry — Co.  E — Jacob  Maurer. 

Second  Battery — Carl  Doerr.  Company  unknown — 
Ferdinand  Shupp.     Total,  35. 

TOWN    OF    WATNE. 

First  Infantry — Co.  C — William  A.  Fedder. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  K — Peter  Walter. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — John  Saenger,  Thomas  Mc- 
Donnel,  John  Schwendner,  Christian  Schwendner,  Henry 
Mueller,  George  Rasskopf. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  C — Patrick  Hechert. 

Twenty-sixth  Infantry,  Washington  County  Rifles — Joa- 
chim Wiedever,  John  Walter,  Peter  Walter,  Jr.,  Peter 
Kuhn.     Total,  13. 


TOWN    OF    GERMANTOWN. 

Ninth  Infantry — Edmund  Weimer,  Jacob  Wasserburger 
(Musicians),  Valentine   Henrich. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Michael 
Porannleiu. 

Thirty-ninth  Infantry — Co.  D — Thomas  Kinnaw. 

Second  Cavalry — Co.  H — Fredrick  Weimer,  Peter 
Hacteel. 

Washington  Cavalry,  D.  C. — Edward  Kinnaw  Total, 
8.     Whole  number,  520. 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


369 


ROSTER    OF    COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS    FOR    WASHINGTON    COUNTY. 

These  names  are  all  that  appear  on  the  records,  but  the  list  is  apparently  incomplete,  as 
two  towns  in  the  county  are  missing.  What  can  be  gathered  to  further  complete  the  list  will 
find  mention  in  the  town  histories : 


Hartford: 

William  K.  Barney.. 

George  E.  Conant 

Robert  Kohlsdorf. 

Roswell  H.  Lee 

Lloyil  V.  Naecawen.. 

Henry  E.  Staples 

George  M.  West 

George  M.  West 

Jesse  D.  Wheelock... 

JeBSe  D.  Wheelock*. 

Justus  K.  Demming. 
West  Bend  : 

Isaah  Culver 

Isaah  Culver 

Thomas  Farmer 

Andrew  J.  Fullerton 

Jacob  E.  Mann 

Jacob  Heip 

John  B.  Jones 

Charles  Lemke 

William  J.  Norton... 

Charles  Ottilie 

Cnarles  Ottilie* , 

Addison  : 

James  Lonergan 

Lambert  Weiss 

Wayne  : 

Evan  R.  Jones 

Jackson : 

George  W.  Jones 

Herman  Rohn 

Victor  E.  Rohn 

Barton : 

John  Martin  Price.. 


William  Nungesser.. 

George  H.  Van  Epps 
Farmington: 

George  T.  Wescott.... 

Charles  Witteg 

Trenton : 

Harlow  M.  Waller.... 


Organization. 


29th  Infantry... 

3d  Infantry, 

loth  Infantry.. 
41st  Infantry.. 
43d  Infantry.... 

1st  Cavalry 

10th  Infantry.. 


41st  Infantry.. 
47th  Infantry.. 
1st  Cavalry 


1st  Artillery... 


12th  Infantry.... 

26th  Infantry 

26th  Infantry 

26th  Infantry.... 

44th  Infantry 

43d  Infantry 

12th  Infantry 

9th  Infantry 

9th  Veterans 


34th  Infantry.. 
26th  Infantry.. 


5th  Infantry..., 

26th  Infantry.. 
45th  Infantry... 
45th  Infantry.. 

12th  Infantry.. 


12th  Infantry..... 
1st  Heavy  Artillery 


12th  Infantry.. 
45th  Infantry.. 


12th  Infantry... 


First 
Commission. 


Date  of 

First 

Commission. 


1st  Lieutenant 
2d  Asst.  Surg.. 
1st  Lieutenant 
l8t  Lieutenant 
2d  Lieutenant. 
2d  Lieutenant. 
2d  Lieutenant. 


Pate  of 
Promotion. 


Sept.  24, 1862.  To  Captain Nov.  10, 1864. 

April  29,  1862  To  1st  Asst.  Surgeon....  June  7,  1862.. 

Sept.  26,  1S61.'to  Captain  Co.  K lAug.  12,  1862. 

June  9. 1864...  ToCapt'n  Co.  B,52d  Inf.jApril  10, 1865 


Major 

Captain 

1st  Lieutenant 


May  20,1864. 
Feb.  11,  1865. 
Jan.  6,  1865.. 


D  2d  Lieut.,  Jr.. 


1st  Lieuteuant 
1st  Lieutenant 
Captain. 


Aug.  10,  1864.  To  1st  Lieutenant- 
April  7,  1864.. 

Sept.  26,  1S61.  To  First  Lieutenant.. 
To  Captain 


June  30.  1S65 


Nov.  7,  1863.. 


Aug.  12,  1862 
Dec.  5,  1862. 


To  1st  Lieut,  (junior).. 
To  lBt  Lieut,  (senior).. 


To  Captain.. 


Oct.  4,  1861... 

June  8,  1864.., 

Sept.  10,  1862. 

1st  LieutenantjSept.  10,1862.1 

2d  Lieutenant.jSept.  13,  1864  iTransferred  to  Co.  C... 

2d  Lieutenant.!  Aug.  10,1864.' 

2d  Lieutenant.  Oct.  14, 1861..,  To  1st  Lieutenant 

1st  Asst.  Surg...  Sept.  26.  1862 

1st  Asst.  Surg. ..March  8,  1865 


1st  Lieutenant  Dec.  24,  1862.. 
1st  Lieutenant.April  6, 1S65.. 


June  19, 1865 
July  25,  1865 


Oct.  19,  1864. 


Nov.  4,  1864. 


May  7, 1862. 


C.  2d  Lieutenant.  Dec.  31,  1864..  To  Captain  Co.  A.. 


Adjutant Jan.  19, 1865.. 

G.  2d  Lieutenant.  Jan.  6,  1864...  To  First  Lieutenant.. 
F.'2d  Lieutenant.  March  7,  1865  . 


D  Captain . 


D  1st  Lieutenant 
A.  2d  Sen.  Lieut. 


D  ;2d  Lieutenant. 
A. '2d  Lieutenant. 


Oct.  7, 1864... 
May  3, 1864.. 

Jan.  6,  1865.. 
July  11,1805. 


To  Major.... 
To  Captain.. 


D  '2d  Lieutenant  .May  7,1862 Resigned  Sept.  17,  1864, 


April  22,  1865 


July  11, 1865 


Nov.  21,  1864 
Jan.  6, 1865 


Close  of  Service- 


Mustered  out  June  22,  1865. 
Discharged  Nov.  22, 1862. 
Resigned  Dec.  2,  1862. 
Mustered  out  July  28,  1865. 
Mustered  out  June  24, 1865. 
usteredout  Feb.,  19,1864. 

Killed  in  battle  Sept.  20,  '63. 
Resigned  June  7,  1864. 
Mustered  out  Sept.  4,  1865. 
Mustered  out  Sept  29,  1865. 


Mustered  out  Sept.  1.  1865. 
Resigned  May  23,  1862. 
Mustered  out  June  13,  1865. 
Resigned  Dec.  8,  1862. 
Resigned  Nov.  19,1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  28, 1865. 
Mustered  out  June  24,1865. 
Dismissed  April  21, 1864. 

Mustered  out  June  30, 1S66. 

Mustered  out  Sept.  8,  1863. 
Mustered  out  June  18, 1865. 

Mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 

Mustered  out  June  13, 1865. 
Mustered  out  July  17, 1865. 
Mustered  out  July  11,  1865. 

Wounded  July  29,  1864;  re- 
turned to  duty  Sept.,  1864; 
died  Dec.  20, 1864. 

Mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 

MuBtered  out  Aug.  18, 1865. 

Mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 
Mustered  out  July  17,  1865, 


*Re-enlisted. 


370  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

WASHINGTON    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

The  preliminary  steps  for  the  organization  of  this  society  were  taken  at  a  meeting  held  for 
that  purpose  at  the  village  of  Hartford  November  1, 1855.  The  officers  elected  were :  President, 
Hopewell  Coxe,  of  Hartford;  Vice  President,  John  Kessel,  of  Richfield;  Treasurer,  William 
Rohn,  of  Jackson  ;  Recording  Secretary,  George  C.  Williams,  of  Hartford ;  Corresponding 
Secretary,  Patrick  Toland,  of  Erin  ;  Committee  of  Arrangements,  Phillip  Dhein,  of  German- 
town,  Thomas  Hayes,  of  Richfield,  and  D.  W.  Maxon,  of  Polk.  It  was  voted  that  the  next 
annual  meeting  be  held  at  the  court  house,  in  the  village  of  West  Bend,  on  the  first  Monday  of 
November,  1856,  and  that  the  President  be  requested  to  prepare  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for 
consideration  and  adoption  at  the  next  meeting. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  held  at  West  Bend,  November  8,  1856,  the  organization  was 
completed  by  the  adoption  of  a  constitution  and  by-laws  presented  by  the  President,  Hopewell 
Coxe,  and  the  election  of  a  full  board  of  officers,  as  therein  provided.  The  name  and  style 
adopted  by  the  society  was,  "The  Washington  County  Agricultural  Society,"  and  its  objects 
as  stated  were :  "  To  promote  and  improve  the  condition  of  agriculture,  horticulture,  and  the 
mechanical,  manufacturing  and  household  arts  within  the  county  of  Washington."  The 
Treasurer's  report  showed  a  balance  on  hand  amounting  to  $110.  received  during  the  year  for 
memberships.  For  some  unknown  reason  the  affairs  of  the  new  society  languished;  no  fair  was 
held  in  1857,  and  the  records  show  no  meeting  held  till  April  18,  1858,  at  which  an  election  of 
a  new  board  of  officers  was  held,  and  a  resolution  passed  requesting  the  Treasurer  to  collect  what 
money  may  be  due  the  society,  and  to  report  to  the  next  meeting,  which  was  adjourned  to  the 
third  Monday  of  May,  1858.  The  adjourned  meeting  was  not  held,  and  the  organization  was 
considered  defunct. 

Re-organized. — A  meeting  was  held  November  9,  1858,  by  citizens  of  Washington  County 
for  the  purpose  of  re-organizing  the  society,  and  putting  it  on  a  practical  working  basis.  F.  0. 
Thorpe,  Silas  Wheeler  and  William  Rohn,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  new  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws  for  the  society.  The  committee  reported,  and  their  report  was  adopted.  The 
new  constitution  did  not  change  the  name  of  the  society,  nor  vary  from  the  old  in  defining  the 
objects  of  the  society.  The  membership  fee  was  established  at  50  cents,  and  the  annual  mem- 
bership dues  thereafter  at  $1.  The  constitution,  however,  had  a  new  provision,  which  at  once 
gave  life  to  the  organization.      It  was  as  follows: 

Article  VI.  The  society  glial!  hold  an  annnal  show  or  fair  of  agricultural  and  horticultural  products  :  of  agri- 
cultural anil  mechanical  implements  ;  of  domestic  manufacturers  and  of  domestic  animals;  at  such  time  and  place  as 
the  Executive  Committee  shall  designate. 

From  the  establishment  of  an  annual  fair  the  society  dates  the  commencement  of  its  actual 
life.  Although  it  had  a  nominal  existence  since  1855,  it  really  dates  its  actual  establishment  for 
practical  results  from  the  meeting  held  at  West  Bend,  December  8,  1858. 

The  first  officers  of  the  re-organized  society  were  as  follows :  President,  Densraore  W. 
Maxon,  of  Polk  ;  Vice  President,  James  Volmar,  of  West  Bend ;  Recording  Secretary,  F.  0. 
Thorpe,  of  West  Bend  ;  Corresponding  Secretary,  W.  II.  McCracken,  of  Barton  ;  Treasurer, 
William  Rohn,  of  Jackson  ;  Executive  Committee  (in  addition  to  the  above,  who  were  also  mem- 
bers), George  Ramsey,  Silas  Wheeler  and  F.  W.  Nolting  ;  General  Committee,  John  Moran, 
West  Bend  ;  Peter  Frazer,  Barton  :  James  Rix,  Polk  ;  Matthias  Altenhofer,  Kewaskum  ;  Lud- 
wig  Joeckel,  Jackson  ;    John  Graham,   Hartford ;    Ulrich  Senn,  Wayne ;    William   A.   Smith, 

Farmington  ;  John  Sell,  Addison  ;   I.  E.  Vandercook.  Trenton ;  James  Kenealy,  Erin  ; 

Klurab.  Germantown  ;   Peter  Schulties,  Richfield. 

The  First  Fair. — The  first  fair  was  held  the  week  following  the  re-organization  of  the 
society,  in  the  court  house  square  at  West  Bend,  December,  1858.  Although  somewhat  insig- 
nificant in  its  display,  and  showing  very  diminutive  prizes  in  comparison  with  the  fairs  now  an- 
nually held  by  the  society,  it  was  a  decided  success  and  firmly  established  it  in  the  interest  of 
the  farmers  of  the  county.     The  whole  amount  paid  for  premiums  was  §81,  and  a  prouder  set  of 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  371 

contestants  never  bore  off  the  prizes  from  the  Olympian  games  than  those  who  won  them  at  this 
first  fair  held  in  Washington  County.  The  amounts  won  by  the  victorious  contestants  are  not 
recorded,  but  their  names  and  the  character  of  their  victories  appear  below  : 

Glass  No.  1. — Fruits  and  vegetables — Apples — David  Jenner,  first  premium  ;  John  Moran, 
second  premium.  Hungarian  grass  seed — Silas  Wheeler,  first  premium.  Corn — Ethan  Maxon, 
first  premium.  Beans  and  potatoes — L.  B.  Root,  first  premium.  Beets  and  carrots — Chauncy 
Gray,  first  premium.  Peas — Ludwig  Joeckel,  first  premium.  Winter  wheat — John  Moran,  first 
premium  ;  Ludwig  Joeckel,  second  premium.     Turnips — Andreas  Werner,  first  premium. 

Class  No.  :3. — Swine — Silas  Wheeler,  best  Lester  boar,  first  premium ;  James  Geer,  best 
Suffolk  sow,  first  premium  ;  Archbacker  &  Bro.,  best  barrow  hog,  first  premium. 

Class  No.  3. — The  arts  and  mechanical  productions — Pictures — Dinah  Harrod,  first  pre- 
mium.    Printing — Josiah  T.  Farrar,  first  premium. 

Class  No.  4- — Domestic  manufactures  and  household  arts — Cheese — James  E.  Geer,  first 
premium  ;  Casper  Van  Loon,  second  premium.  Butter — Mrs.  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  first  premium  ; 
Mrs.  William  Wightman,  second  premium.  Embroidery — Mrs.  P.  A.  Weil,  first  premium  ;  Mrs. 
William  Wightman,  second  premium.  Knitting — Mrs.  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  first  premium.  Beer 
— Mayer  Bros.,  first  premium.  Black-currant  wine — Chauncy  Gray,  first  premium.  White- 
currant  wine — John  Findorf,  first  premium.  Currant  Jelly — Mrs.  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  first  pre- 
mium. 

Clans  No.  5. — Cattle  and  sheep — Durham  cow — John  Moran,  first  premium.  Best  fat  ox 
—Mayer  Bros.,  first  premium.  Native  cows — James  E.  Geer,  first  premium.  Durham  bull- 
calf — John  Moran,  first  premium ;  Silas  Wheeler,  second  premium.  Heifer-calf — James  E. 
Geer,  first  premium ;  Silas  Wheeler,  second  premium.  Merino  buck — James  E.  Geer,  first 
premium  ;  Silas  Wheeler,  second  premium.  Leicester  buck — William  H.  McCracken,  first 
premium.  Merino  ewes — James  Geer,  first  premium.  Native  bucks  and  ewes — James  E. 
Geer,  first  premium. 

Class  No.  6. — Horses — Stallion — Martin  Loose,  first  premium.  Native  stallion — Ludwig 
Joekle,  first  premium.  Black  Hawk  colt — Paul  A.  Weil,  first  premium.  Morgan  colt — Chris- 
topher Eckstein,  first  premium.  Morgan  six-year-old — John  Rix,  first  premium  ;  William  Rohn, 
second  premium.  Breeding  mares — Messenger,  seven  years  old — Ethan  Maxon,  first  premium. 
Morgan,  eight  years  old — William  Rohn,  first  premium.  Black  Hawk,  six  years  old — William 
Hamilton,  first  premium.  Vermont  Morgan — John  Rix,  first  premium.  Native — John  Findorf, 
first  premium.  French — Carl  Wilke,  first  premium.  Two-year-old  mares — French — Christo- 
pher Eckstein,  first  premium.  Morgan — James  Rix,  first  premium.  Morgan-Black  Hawk — 
John  A.  Rix,  first  premium.  Messenger — William  Rohn,  first  premium.  Black  Hawk — D. 
W.  Maxon — first  premium.  Matched  teams — Native — Peter  Lars,  first  premium.  Native,  four 
years  old — L.  B.  Root,  first  premium.  Business,  eight  years  old — J.  A.  Rix,  first  premium. 
Duroc — John  Moran,  first  premium.     Best  pair  of  mules — William  W.  Verbeck,  first  premium. 

The  Treasurer,  at  the  close  of  the  fair,  reported  all  bills  and  premiums  paid,  and  $24.58  left 
in  the  treasury.  Thus  was  fairly  started  the  most  valuable  farmers'  auxiliary,  which  has  grown 
to  be  the  great  nucleus  of  the  agricultural  progress,  development  and  excellence,  which  now  dis- 
tinguishes the  county.  Fairs  have  been  held  annually,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  since 
1858.  There  is  no  record  of  any  for  1860.  In  1861,  October  8,  9,  10,  the  fair  was  held  at 
Cedar  Creek.  In  1862,  it  was  postponed,  owing  to  the  absorbing  excitement  incident  to  the 
war.     Since  that  year  it  has  been  held  in  October,  each  year,  at  West  Bend. 

The  Grounds. — The  first  move  for  the  providing  of  permanent  grounds  was  made  in  the  fall 
of  1856.  A  committee  was  appointed  at  that  time  to  receive  proposals  for  a  proper  tract,  who 
reported,  December  22,  1856,  that  it  had  received  the  following  propositions  : 

From  H.  J.  Weil,  a  lot  on  Section  13,  West  Bend,  at  $100  per  acre ;  from  John  E.  Mann, 
a  lot  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  at  $100  per  acre  ;  from  John  Wagner,  eighty  acres  for  $3,500  ; 
from  John  Findorf,  eighty  acres  for  $4,200 ;  from  J.  L.  and  J.  A.  Rix,  twenty  acres  in  the  town 
of  Polk,  at  $40  per  acre. 


372  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

After  some  discussion  and  modification  of  the  terms,  it  was  decided  to  buy  a  tract  from  Mr. 
John  Findorff.  The  society  did  not,  however,  promptly  fulfill  their  obligations  in  the  premises, 
and  the  trade  fell  through.  The  following  entry  on  the  records,  made  by  Secretary  George  H. 
Kleffler,  gives  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter : 

"  The  society  having  failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions  (to  build  a  track  and  otherwise  im- 
prove the  grounds  before  receiving  a  deed)  made  by  Mr.  Findorff,  and  the  agreement  made  be- 
tween him  and  the  society,  Mr.  Findorff  withdrew  his  offer,  leaving  the  society,  in  regard  to  fair 
grounds,  in  its  former  status.  Several  meetings  were  afterward  held,  and,  in  March,  1867,  the 
society  was  so  fortunate  as  to  buy  twenty  acres  of  land  from  Mr.  II.  J.  Weil,  adjoining  the  vil- 
lage of  West  Bend.  A  more  beautiful  tract  of  land  could  not  have  been  acquired.  The  track  is 
made,  and  two  buildings  up.     It  cost  $1,500." 

The  lot  above  described  was  conveyed  to  the  society  April  6,  1867,  by  Henry  J.  Weil  and 
Catharine  Weil,  his  wife,  the  consideration  being  $1,500.  It  embraces  twenty  acres,  located  on 
the  southwest  half  of  the  southwest-quarter  of  Section  12.  It  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  on 
a  high  level  plat,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  northeast  from  the  court  house,  and  overlooking 
the  village  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  It  has  a  fine  track,  is  inclosed  with  a  close  fence, 
and  is  fitted  up  with  a  stand,  buildings,  booths,  stalls  and  the  other  appointments  of  first-class 
fair  grounds.  Here  the  fairs  of  the  society  have  been  held  annually,  in  October  of  each  year, 
since  its  purchase,  ''Fair  Week,"  constituting  the  grand  gala  season  of  the  farmers  each  year. 

The  first  fair  held  on  the  grounds,  occurred  on  the  1st,  2d  and  3d  of  October,  1857,  and  the 
speeding  of  horses  was  inaugurated,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  leading  feature  of  the  fair.  The 
prizes  at  the  first  races  were  won  as  follows :  Running  match — August  Schmidtt.  $20.  Trot- 
ting match — S.  J.  Wilson,  first  prize,  $40 ;  H.  Taylor,  second  prize,  $25  ;  S.  J.  Wilson,  third 
prize,  $15. 

The  society  is  at  present  in  a  healthy  condition.     Its  present  officers  (for  1880-81)  are: 

George  W.  Jones,  President,  Jackson  ;  S.  S.  Barney,  Secretary,  West  Bend  ;  Ernst  Franck- 
enburg,  Treasurer,  West  Bend.  Vice  Presidents,  James  Kenealy.  Jr.,  Erin  ;  John  Rosen- 
heimer,  Schleisingerville ;  Nic  Marx,  Wayne;  William  Stewart,  Farmington  ;  J.  T.  Van  Vech- 
ten,  Kewaskum  ;  Valentine  Dhein,  Germantown  ;  John  Pick,  village  of  West  Bend  ;  John 
Moran,  Hartford;  John  Sell,  Addison;  Gottfried  Rosenthal,  Barton;  William  Coughlin,  Tren- 
ton; C.  A.  Wilke,  Town  of  West  Bend;  Frank  Salter,  Jackson;  Alfred  Rolfe,  Polk;  John 
Kessel,  Richfield. 

WASHINGTON    COUNTY    OLD    SETTLERS'    CLUB. 

This  club  was  organized  at  the  Washington  House,  West  Bend,  January  16,  1875-  The 
following  constitution  was  reported  and  adopted,  and  the  following  officers  elected:  President, 
William  Wightman  ;  Vice  Presidents,  Richard  Rohn,  J.  T.  Van  Vechten,  Willet  Wescott ; 
Secretary,  :».  S.Barney;  Treasurer,  B.  Goetter ;  Marshal,  Thomas  Farmer;  Executive  Com- 
mittee, Paul  A.  Weil,  Chairman;   W.  Rix,  Alfred  Rolfe,  Charles  Wilke,  Peter  Frazer. 

CONSTITTTIIIN. 

Ahticlk  I.  Any  person  of  gooil,  mora]  character,  who  settled  in  Washington  County  prior  to  the  1st  day  of 
January,  1866,  may  become  a  member  of  the  Old  Settler's  Club  of  Washington  County  by  signing  this  constitution, 
and  paying  a  matriculation  fee  of  $1. 

II.  Tin'  officers  of  this  club  shall  consist  of  a  President,  three  Vice  Presidents,  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Mar. 
shnl,  and  an  Kxecutive  Committee  of  five  members. 

III.  The  ntlici'i  s  shall  perform  sued  duties  as  usually  devolve  on  such  officers  ;  but  all  matters  relating  to  the 
club  shall  be  Under  the  control  and  management  of  the  Kxecutive  Committee. 

l\      The  officers  of  the  dab  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  on  the  22d  day  of  February  in  each  year,  except  when 

that  day  shall  fall  .hi  Sunday,  in  which  case  they  shall  be  elected  on  B  day  within  a  week  of  said  date,  which  day 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Kxecutive  Committee,  by  giving  notice  through  the  papers  of  said  county  at  least  twenty 
days  before  BUCh  meeting. 

V.  The  Kxecutive  Committee  shall  give  notice  through  the  papers  of  the  county  and  otherwise  of  the  time 
selected  for  the  funeral  of  the  deceased  members;  and  all  members,  if  possible,  Bhall  Attend  said  funeral  wearing  the 
club  badge. 

VI.  Whenever  twenty  members  have  signed  this  constitution,  they  may  elect  the  officers  of  the  club,  and 
otherwise  organize  the  same. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  373 

VII.  There  shall  be  an  annual  festival  gathering  of  this  club  on  the  same  day  as  the  annual  meeting  hereinto- 
fore  provided  for,  which  festival  shall  be  under  the  general  supervision  of  the  officers  of  the  club,  and  such  sub- 
committees as  they  may  appoint ;  and  the  members  of  ihe  family  of  the  members  of  the  club  shall  be  allowed  to  attend 
such  gatherings. 

VIII.  This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  regular  annual  meeting  of  the  club,  by  a  two-third  vote  of  the 
members  present  at  such  meeting. 

The  following  amendment  was  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  club,  held  February  22,  1875 : 

The  officers  of  this  club  shall  consist  of  a  President,  one  Vice  President  from  each  town  and  incorporated  village 

in  the  county  which  shall  be  represented  by  a  member  or  members  in  the  club,  a  Secretary,  Treasurer,  Marshal  and 

an  Executive  Committee  of  five  members. 

Annual  meetings  are  held  February  '22  of  each  year.  Below  is  given  the  present  roll  of 
tcembers  as  kept  on  the  record  of  the  club  : 

MEMBERS    OF    WASHINGTON    COUNTY    OLD    SETTLER'S    CLUB. 

NAMES.  DATE   OF   BIETH.  PLACE   OP    NATIVITY.  HATE   OF  8ETTLEMFNT. 

"William  Wightman June  20,  1798 Herkimer  County,  N.  Y October  20,  184b. 

Leander  F.  Frisby June  19,  1825 Mesopotamia,  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio October  1,  1850. 

Samuel  S.  Barney January  81,  1846 Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  Wis January  31,  1846. 

Paul  A.  Weil July  22,  1829 Besaneon,  France June  4,  1846. 

William  McHenry December  25,  1814 Kilkenny  County,  Ireland October  15,  1846. 

J.   Potter,  Jr December  25,  1821 Brookfield,  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y March  1,  1849. 

George  Sussenden April  15,  1812 Thombrane  Parish,  Kent  Co.,  England April  15,  1852. 

Ananias  Wescott January  8,  1832 Nichols,  Tioga  Co.,  N.  Y May  8,  1853. 

John  Shelley February  1,  1817 York,  York  Co.,  Penn January  7,  1854. 

Henry  Glantz February  28,  1833 Mecklenburg,  Schwerin January  10,  1855. 

Louis  Miller August  11,  1823 Hanover November  5,  1845. 

John   E.  Derfus September  20,   1823 Hetzles,  Bavaria December  20,  1843. 

Abraham  L.  Baer February  17,  1845 Strasbourg,  France May  20,  1852. 

M.  Hirsch December  24,  1829 Trimbach,  France June  15,  1847. 

Charles  H.  Miller September  26,  1826 Doebeln,  Saxony September  28,  1841. 

George  W.  Knapp June  27,  1831 Carmel,  Putnam  Co.,  N.  Y May  15,  1846. 

T.  W.  Nolting June  22,  1822 Bremen,  Germany July  11,  1845. 

James  Garbadi February  20,  1827 Bremen,  Germany January  15,  1854. 

Jacob  T.  Van  Vechten May  8,  1823 Catskill,  Green  Co.,  N.  Y August  20,  1846. 

Wareham  V.  Rix March  19,  1843 Canada April  15,  1845. 

John  A.   Rix December  26,  1834 Massachusetts April  15,  1845. 

Marvin  Green October  26,  1808 Carmel,  Putnam  Co.,  N.  Y May  16,  1849. 

Manson  A.  T.  Farmer August  19,  1808 Edinburg,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y May  21,  1845. 

Reuben  S.  Rusco October  18,  1816 Onondaga  County,  N.  Y November  5,  1846. 

Thomas  Farmer October  27,  1838 Tioga  County,  N.  Y May  21,  1845. 

B.  S.  Weil June  29,  1802 Strasbourg,  France November  1,  1845. 

E.  S.  Weil February  4,  1847 Schleisingerville,  Washington  Co.,  Wis February  4,  1847. 

Casper  Kehrl* December  31,  1809 Salzburg,  Austria December — ,  1856. 

Nic  Schwinn November  20,   1825 Heltzweiler,  Prussia October  10,  1848. 

Willet  R.  Wescott February  15,  1830 Tioga  County,  N.  Y October  4,  1845. 

Thomas  McHenry May  17,  1846 Jefferson  County,  N.  Y October  15,  1846. 

Horace   Hauer May  7,1819 Jefferson,  Schoharie  Co.,  N.  Y November   10,   1845. 

N.  A.  Potter March  20,  1814 Pownell,  Vt July  12,  1849. 

John  A.  Robinson April  25,  1815 Greenfield,  Hillsboro  Co.,  N.  H February  22,  1854. 

John  Thielges October  19,  1830 Rhine  Province,  Prussia July  5,  1852. 

William  Rohn October  1,  1804 Leitmeritz,  Austria September  10,  1846. 

J.  W.  Everly February  26,  1824 Dietlingen,  Baden August  15,  1843. 

James  Kenealy,  Jr November  18,  1840 Boston,  Mass August  15,  1843. 

Carl  D.  Wilke May  13,  1811 Lengefeld,  Waldeck,  Germany August  15,  1849. 

William  Schroeder May  10,  1828 Lengefeld,  Waldeck,  Germany November  15,   1847. 

S.  F.  Mayer February  1,  1854 West  Bend,  Wis February  1,  1854. 

Andrew  Pick July  4,  1851 Milwaukee,  Wis July  4,  1851. 

C.  H.  Wilke January  15,  1841 Lengefeld,  Waldeck,  Germany August — ,1849. 

John  Pickf March  9,  1849 Milwaukee,  Wis March  9,  1849. 

John  Reisse August  5,  1818 Hofgeismar,  Germany May  15,  1848. 

Andrea  Schmidt March  6,  1839 Worbis,  Prussia October  15,  1852. 

J.  R.  Kohlsdorf. December  29,  1815 Breslau,  Prussia July  1,  1853. 

Mrs.  P.  O'Meara December  15,  1850 West  Bend,  Wis December   15,   1850. 

*  Casper  Rehrl  died  in  August,  1881. 
t  John  Pick  died  in  August,  1881. 


374  HISTOKY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

NAMES.  DATE   OF   BIRTH.  PLACE   OF   NATIVITY.  DATE    OF   SETTLEMENT. 

Mary  M.   Goetz August  18,  1846 Detroit,  Mich April  15,  1847. 

Nathaniel   Emery December  21,  1827 Williamsburg,  Canada  East June  8,  1847. 

Julia  E.  Semler July  20,  1842 Dresden,  Saxony October  4,  1847.  . 

.Joseph   Mann October  13,  1820 Randnitz,  Austria.... /..August  10,1843    o..f,& 

Valentine  Dhein August  25,  1823 Sechesbach,  Germany August  28,  1842. 

H.  G.  Fischbein November  1,  1847 Saukville,  Wis November  1,  1847. 

Francos  M.  Winkler June  20,  1840 Lima,  Mich... October  20,  1846. 

G.  E.  Weiss March  26,  1820 Murenherg.  Saxony October  1,  1847. 

Robert  Salter* December  23,  1816 Ireland lune  18,  1846. 

Charles  Wright September  12,  1822 Dutchess  County,  N.  V May  20,  1855. 

Ferdinand  Daegling September  24,  1810 Germany September  15.  1846. 

Samuel  Ingalls September  12,  1822 Genesee  County,  N.  V September  15,  1853. 

D.  W.  Maxon September  30,  1820 Oneida  County,  N.  Y May  15,  1843. 

Glenwav    Maxon December  1,  1851 Cedar  Creek,  Wis December  1,  1851. 

M.  S.  Fisohbein October  18,  1849 Saukville,  Wis October  18,  1849. 

William  little July  27,  1860 Ireland September  4,  1847. 

Daniel  l>.  Smith August  17,  1795 Washington  County,  N.  Y September  4.  1847 

James  Carrel May  15,  1822 Addison  County,  Vt May  15,  1851. 

Samuel   Anderson November  22,  1815 Oneida  County,  N.  Y September  20,  1845. 

Asa   Varney June  16,  1816 Addison  County,  N.  Y September  15,  1847. 

Sanford  J.  Wilson December  8,  1833 Hebron,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y November   18.    1S44. 

Richard  C.  Rohn April  22,  1834 Leitmeritz,  Austria September  10,  1846. 

Peter  Schwinn September  19,  1808 Saarlouis,  Prussia July  10,  1845. 

Jacob  Simon April  4,  1819 Saarlouis,   Prussia April  15,  1844. 

William  Siewart August    16,  1816 Perth  County,  Scotland October  15,  1846. 

11.  Sohacht October  1.  1825 Eriegen.  Curhessen September  1,  1850. 

Peter  Bach July  24,  1827 Luxemborg September  14,  1848. 

Peter  Boden July  25,  1829 Lorine,  Prussia July  25,  1843. 

James  Finnigan January  12,  1839 Ireland May  20,  1850. 

L.  A.  Clark April  3,  1824 Oswego  County,  X.  Y January  27.  1846. 

J.  B.    Rusco April  26,  1822 Onondaga  County,  N.  Y April  18,  1843. 

J.  II.  Meyers September  18,  1827 Trumbull  County,  Ohio November   15,    1  >47 

William  Johnson February  27,  1818 Scipin.  Cayuga  Co.,  V  V October  15,  1852 

I.  V  Frisby March  6,  1820 Mesopotamia,  Ohio June  — ,  1860. 

William    Clapham July  23,  1827 Lincolnshire,  England November  1,  1855. 

Fred  O.  Rohn March  5,  1839 Leitmeritz,   Austria September  10.  1846. 

John  S.  Songler April  8,  1821 Madison  County.  N.  V October  18.  1846 

-Leopold  Maim March  18,  1834 Roundnitz.   Boehmen July  3,  lS4f>. 

Frank  Salter lune—,  1816 Scollan,  Ireland lune  6,  1846. 

Gregory  Cole May  — ,  1830 Scollan,  Ireland May  8,  1849. 

Matthew  F.  Ililey lanuary   10,  18411 Washington  County,  Wis January   10,  1846 

Owen  Hams July  — ,  1809 Ireland April  22,  1854. 

Dr.  Otto  Boesewetter February  18,  1840 (iermany November   10,    1855. 

Clara  Arzbacher March  18,  1835 Germany April  1,  1852. 

R.  B.   Salter April  11,  1854 Jackson,  Wis April  11,  1854. 

Fred  Scheiber September  2,  1843 Rhenish  Prussia September  2,  1847 

Peter  Fraser February  12,  1819 Livingston  County.  X.  V September  22,  1846. 

A.  C.  Fuge April  26,  1886 Tastunzen,  Prussia June  20,  1M7 

P.  T.  Brissel November  5,  1822 Hesse-Darmstadt lune  4,  1848. 

A    M.  Thomson May  80,  1822 Pittsburgh,  I'enn \pril  19,  1848 

P.  W.  Harns luly  8,  1849 Monroe  County.  N.  V April  22,  1854 

Fred  II.  Haase June  5,  1831 Mecklenburg  Schwerin,  Germany February  20.  1856. 

John  Clow February  3,  1808 Athens,  Greene  Co.,  X.  Y lune  15,  1848. 

Andrew  Martin lune  1,1880 Germany lune  26,  1853. 

Mrs.  Lovina  Frisby November  29,  1798 Castleton,  Rutland  Co.,  Vt September  20.  1848. 

Mr>.  Joseph  tltt lanuary  19,  1866 West   Bend,  Washington  Co  .  Wis lanuary   19,  1855. 

Mrs.   William   Wightman October  8,  1808 East  Avon,  Livingston  Co.,  X.  Y October  20,  L848 

Mr-    E.  L.  Thomson February  7,  1822 Barre,  Washington  Co.,  Vt April  19,  1848. 

Henry  Alhinger September  19.  1823 Cure  Hessen October  15,  1844. 

Peter   Walter January  28,  1832 Cure  Hessen August  15,  1864. 

Martha  E.  Miller lugust  18,  1888 Lima.  Mich October  20,  1846 

tails  ft.  Weil November  8,  1882 Angelica,  N.  Y October  1,  1861. 

Mary  A.  Frisby Ootober  20,  1848 ftllentown,  l'enn 

Abagail  A.  Johnson Inly  B,  1888 Bradford  County,  I'enn 

L.  E.  IngalN November  10,  1828 Genesee  County,  N.  Y 

John   Borenhcimer lune  25,  1847 Addison,  Washington  Co.,  Wis June  25,  1847 

•  lU.l.rt  Salter  .llrd  In  Ncwbnrg,  In  187C. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  375 

NAMES.  DATE   Or   BIRTH.  PLACE  OF    NATIVITY.  DATE   OF   6BTTLBMBNT. 

B.  Goetter May  24,  1817 Hesse-Darmstadt August  15,  1846. 

Samuel  S.  Geiln March  27,  1839 Niederwiessen,  Hesse-Darmstadt April  15,  1855. 

S.   May March  10,  1816 Heppenheim,  Hesse-Darmstadt.... September  16,  1853. 

William  J.  Le  Count February  29,  1834 Lyons,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y June  — ,  1854. 

Charles  Smith February  6,  1826 Hatfield.  Mass September  1,  1845. 

E.   Franckenberg ..November  1,  1827 Hanover,  Germany March  1,  1856. 

William  I.  Timpleton November  26,  1848 Trenton,  Washington  Co.,  Wis November  26,    1848. 

Dorsey  Smith September  13,  1850 New  Berlin,  Wis January  1,  1852. 

H.  P.  Eames November  29,  1815 Washington,  Mass October  23,  1853. 

Frederick  Roll May  5,  1819 Switzerland November   12,   1844. 

John  Lacraft July  20,  1820 Toronto,  Canada November  21,    1S47. 

M.  L.  Schwinn August  10,  1851 Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Wis August  10,  1851. 

Damian  Hirschboeck February  27,  1831 Bavaria April  1,  1855. 

Herman  Gruhle May  30,  1832 Saxony,   Germany May  1,  1849. 

J.  R.  Taylor March  28,  1813 Cayuga  County,  N.  Y January  25,  1845. 

P.  C.  Schmidt,  Jr May  17,  1853 Cincinnati,  Ohio August  19,  1856. 

John  Moran June  24,  1821 Gahel,  King  Co.,  Ireland September  13,  1850. 

B.  S.  Patten February  3,  1836 Elba,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y September  6,  1856. 

Mrs.  J.  T.  Van  Vechten....  April  14,  1831 Syracuse,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y February  4,  1851. 

Mrs.  H.  P.  Eames January  14,  1818 Peru,  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass October  23,  1853. 

Mrs.  W.   R.  Wescott September  25,  1846 Wauwatosa,  Wis September  15,  1847. 

Daniel  W.  Lynch November  15,  1847 Cedarburg,  Wis November   15,   1847. 

Michael  Bohan June  22,  1832 Tamplemore,   Ireland May  25,  1846. 

Mrs.  M.  Lacraft August  14,  1825 Ashtabula,  Ohio November  19,    1847. 

Mrs.  E.  C.  Knapp August  28,  1843 Jordan,  N.  Y July—,  1849. 

Mrs.  N.  A.  Potter May  27,  1819 Skaneateles.  N.  Y July  — ,  1849. 

Mrs.  A.  J.  Wright June  29,  1827 Onondaga  County,  N.  Y July  7,  1855. 

Mrs.  N.  N.  Emery September  5,  1836 Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y October  14,  1846. 

Mrs.  M.  L.  Rix November  19,  1847 Jackson,  Washington  Co.,  Wis ,  1852. 

Mrs.  Ellen  S.  Barney December  2,  1843 Mount  Morris,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y 

Mrs.  Mary  A.  Fraser March  25,  1823 Avon,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y March  2,  1854. 

Mrs.  M.  B.Potter February  27,  1827 Alexander,  Genesee   Co.,  N.   Y March  1,  1849. 

Mrs.  D.  W.  Maxon February  22,  1828 Catskill,  N.  Y August  27,  1837. 

Mrs.  A.  L.  Wilke July  21,  1843 Saxony,  Germany February  5,  1855. 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Schroeder July  9,  1836 Saxony,  Germany February  5,  1856. 

J.  Ross  Rice June  6,  1842 Medina  County,  Ohio May  4,  1855. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

There  are  at  present  three  weekly  papers  published  in  the  county — the  West  Bend 
Democrat,  the  West  Bend  Times  and  the  Washington  County  Republican. 

The  West  Bend  Democrat  is  the  oldest  paper  in  the  county.  It  was  started  under  the 
name  of  the  Washington  County  Organ,  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  some  time 

during  1854,  by Wentworth,  a  practical  printer.     In  size,  it  was  a  small   affair.     Went- 

worth  ran  it  with  considerable  ability,  but  also  managed,  in  slang  parlance,  to  "  run  it  into  the 
ground."  Its  good  will,  and  a  dilapidated  subscription  list,  with  a  meagerly  furnished  printing 
office,  was  all  that  was  left  of  it  at  the  close  of  1855.  Isaiah  T.  Farrar  and  Mr.  Fonda  bought 
Wentworth  out,  and  on  its  ruins  started  the  Washington  County  Democrat,  issuing  the  first 
number  of  the  first  volume  of  what  is  now  the  West  Bend  Democrat,  January  1,  1856.  So  far 
as  the  proprietorship  and  editorship  of  the  paper  can  be  traced  from  the  imperfect  files  still 
existing,  and  from  the  recollection  of  early  settlers,  it  is  as  follows  :  Farrar  &  Fonda  were  the 
proprietors,  and  Farrar  the  editor,  till  January  14,  1861.  At  that  time  it  appeared  as  the 
West  Bend  Post,  and  was  run  by  Charles  D.  Waldo  and  Ed  P.  Kellogg,  till  March  25,  when 
Jacob  E.  Mann  bought  an  interest  in  the  paper.  Mann  &  Waldo  owned  and  conducted  it  till 
January,  1863,  when  John  E.  Mann  became  the  sole  proprietor,  and  Erastus  W.  Root  was  em- 
ployed as  editor.  February  14,  1864,  Waldo  k  Mann  again  became  proprietors,  and  Jacob 
E.  Mann  assumed  the  editorship.  In  September,  1864,  Mann  sold  out  to  Waldo,  who  ran  it 
alone,  as  editor  and  proprietor,  till  1866.  At  that  time  it  was  purchased  by  Maxon  Hirsch, 
who  remained  its  proprietor  for  a  long  time — nearly  ten  years.  During  his  proprietorship,  Mr. 
Paul  A.  Weil  and  Abram  L.  Baer  were  editors,  and  perhaps  others.     In  1875,  Franckenberg 


376  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON7   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

&  Walters  bought  the  paper,  and  it  appeared  as  the  West  Bend  Democrat,  Mr.  William  Walters 
becoming  the  editor.  The  paper  was  continued  with  varying  success  under  that  management 
till  1878,  when  Frankenburg  retired.  The  publishing  firm  became  at  that  time  Walters  k  Mur- 
tha,  Walters  still  remaining  the  editor. 

In  March,  1880,  a  corporate  company  was  formed  under  the  style  of  the  "  Washington 
County  Publishing  Association."  The  proprietorship  became  vested  in  the  company,  and  so- 
remains  at  present  (1881).  Mr.  Walters  remained  the  nominal  editor  till  November  1~>.  1880. 
when  Mr.  Michael  Bohan,  an  old  citizen  of  the  county,  and  a  gentleman  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  was  called  to  the  editorial  management,  which  he  still  holds.  The  paper  has  ever  been 
and  still  remains  a  stanch  and  sincere  advocate  of  Democratic  doctrines,  and  is,  under  its  present 
management,  ranked  among  the  leading  country  papers  of  its  political  faith  in  the  State.  The 
first  editor  to  establish  the  paper  on  a  lasting  basis  was  Isaiah  T.  Farrar.  He  was  cut  off  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Club,  held  February  22,  1875, 
Dr.  G.  F.  Hunt,  in  response  to  the  toast,  "  The  Press,"  paid  him  the  following  tribute  :  "  The 
first  paper  established  in  the  county  was  in  185-1,  called  the  Washington  County  Organ,  under 
the  editorial  charge  of  Mr.  Wentworth.  The  paper  soon  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Farrar, 
who,  by  his  industry,  wit  and  editorial  ability,  raised  the  paper  from  an  insignificant  sheet  to  be 
one  of  the  leading  papers  in  the  State,  and  an  ornament  and  honor  to  the  county.  He  possessed 
in  an  eminent  degree  those  rare  and  natural  endowments  which  every  man  must  possess  in  order 
to  make  a  paper  readable,  entertaining  and  instructive.  Under  his  management  the  paper  in- 
creased in  circulation,  gained  in  influence,  and  attained  a  wide  celebrity.  The  paper  which  he 
did  so  much  to  put  upon  a  sure  footing,  still  lives,  and  is  in  a  prosperous  condition  ;  but  Farrar, 
the  wit,  poet,  versatile  writer  and  whole-souled  editor,  has  passed  away.  Consumption,  that 
destroyer  of  so  many  literary  lights  of  the  world,  fastened  upon  him  in  early  manhood,  and  soon 
bore  him  away  from  among  us."  This  paper  furnished  its  full  quota  during  the  war.  Three 
editors  and  eight  compositors  enlisted  at  different  times. 

The  West  Bend  Times  is  a  young  and  promising  candidate  for  journalistic  favor.  It  was 
established  June  3,  1880,  by  B.  S.  Potter  and  C.  L.  Powers.  June* 27,  1881,  Mr.  Potter  Bold 
his  interest  to  his  former  partner,  Mr.  Powers,  who  is  now  the  sole  proprietor.  Mr.  C.  L.  Pow- 
ers has  had  the  editorial  management  since  its  establishment,  and  to  his  literary  and  journalistic 
ability  its  rapid  growth  in  favor  is  to  be  entirely  attributed.  Its  present  circulation  places  it  on 
a  paying  basis  not  often  achieved  by  a  new  paper  in  so  short  a  time.  It  is  Democratic  in  its  poli- 
tics, and  has  all  the  brilliant  possibilities  of  success  before  it  that  its  warmest  friends  could  wish. 
Its  history  is  to  be  written  in  the  years  to  come. 

The  Washington  County  Republican,  the  only  Republican  paper  in  the  county,  is  now 
published  in  Hartford.  It  was  first  established  in  West  Bend  under  the  name  of  the  Wesl  Bend 
Republican,  September  13,  1872.  and  was  edited  by  S.  S.  lJarney.  The  proprietorship  became 
vested  in  a  corporate  company  styled  "  The  West  Bend  Publishing  Association."  From  Jan- 
uary 9  to  June  12,  1874.  Dr.  G.  F.  Hunt  was  its  editor.  At  the  latter  date.  Mr.  William 
George  purchased  an  interest  in  the  paper  and  became  its  editor.  July  21,  187(1,  having  be- 
come  the  leading  proprietor,  he  removed  the  office  to  Hartford,  where  he  has  continued  the  pub- 
lication up  to  the  present  time.  At  the  time  of  its  removal,  it  assumed  the  name  it  has  since 
borne,  the  Washington  County  Republican.  It  has  ever  been  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  doc- 
trines and  measures  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  the  favorite  local  paper  in  the  western  part 
of  Washington  and  the  eastern  part  of  Dodge  Counties. 

Several  papers  not  now  in  existence  have  at  times  flourished  and  had  their  day  within  the 
bounds  of  the  county. 

The  Home  League  was  started  in  Hartford  early  in  1861,  by  Hon.  A.  M.  Thompson.  As 
Stated  in  the  prospectus,  it  was  "devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  six  thousand  railroad  farm  mort- 
gagors of  Wisconsin  ;  the  friend  of  labor,  and  the  uncompromising  foe  of  swindling  corpora- 
tions." It  was  conducted  with  signal  ability  and  attained  a  wide  circulation,  not  only  in  the 
county  but  in  all  parts  of  the  State  where  the  evil  of  farm  mortgages  existed.     It  ceased  to  ex- 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 


377 


ist  after  the  questions  which  it  had  discussed  had  been  decided  by  the  courts  and  further  cham- 
pionship of  the  lost  cause  was  useless.  Mr.  A.  M.  Thompson,  who  has  since  gained  so  wide- 
spread and  favorable  reputation  as  an  editorial  writer  on  the  Janesville  Gazette,  Milwaukee 
Sentinel,  Chicago  Tribune  and  Chicago  Journal,  won  his  first  laurels  on  this  modest  little 
paper,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  a  deceived,  swindled  and  helpless  class  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

Several  attempts  have  been  made  to  establish  German  papers  in  the  county,  but  they  have 
not  resulted  in  permanent  success.  A  paper  was  started  in  1858,  by  Gustav  Grahl,  in  West 
Bend— the  Pharnix.     It  lasted  about  one  year. 

Mr.  Hirsch  also  published  a  German  paper  for  a  year  or  two,  in  connection  with  the  West 
Bend  Post,  during  his  proprietorship  of  that  paper.  He  had  some  extraneous  help  from  county 
advertising  and  other  sources,  it  being  the  only  German  paper  in  the  county,  but  with  all  it  did 
not  prove  a  paying  enterprise,  and  was  abandoned  after  a  trial  of  two  years.  John  G.  Lever 
was  at  one  time  connected  with  this  paper  as  an  editor. 

In  August,  1861,  Mr.  F.  Orthwein  started  a  German  paper— the  West  Bend  Democrat. 
He  gave  up  his  paper  in  September  and  joined  the  army. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  county  system  of  school  supervision  was  inaugurated  in  1861.  The  first  County 
School  Supervisor  elected  at  that  time  was  Frederick  Regenfuss,  an  old  teacher,  who  had  been 
intimately  connected  with  the  schools  of  the  county  prior  to  that  time.  He  held  the  position 
uninterruptedly  for  fourteen  years,  and  under  his  administration  brought  the  schools  of  the 
county  to  a  high  grade  of  efficiency.  In  1875,  he  was  succeeded  by  S.  S.  Barney,  under  whose 
successful  direction  the  schools  remained  for  four  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  James  Finnegan, 
the  present  incumbent. 

Teachers  Institutes. — There  has  never  been  a  Normal  School  in  the  county.  The  teachers 
have  for  many  years  received  their  special  training  at  teachers'  institutes,  which  are  held  annu- 
ally during  the  summer  vacation,  and  are  fully  attended  by  the  teachers  and  those  being  educated 
for  that  profession.  They  have  become  a  part  of  the  school  system  of  the  county,  and  annual 
reports  of  their  success  are  embodied  in  the  report  of  the  County  School  Superintendent. 

The  schools  of  the  county  are  conducted  thoroughly  under  the  State  common  school  system, 
under  the  direct  supervision  of  a  County  Superintendent.  The  following  summary  of  the  report 
of  the  County  Superintendent,  Mr.  James  Finnegan,  to  the  State  Superintendent,  made  in 
August,  1880,  gives  full  and  reliable  data  on  the  educational  affairs  of  the  county  : 


NUMBER    OF    SCHOOL 

DISTRICTS,    SCHOLARS,    TEACHERS 

AND    RATE    OF 

WAGES. 

School 
Dists. 

No.  of.Schhlars  Between 

THE   AGES  OF  4  AND  20. 

No.  of  Teachers. 

Av.  Monthly 

Waoeb 
of  Teachers. 

'o 

■si 

a" 

« 
U. 

Private  Schools. 

TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES. 

u 

d 
ft. 

d 

a 

O 

a 

Eh 

3 

o 

3 

d 

| 

"3 
o 

d 

a 

S 

ID 

fa 

a 

O 

dl 

EH 

4 

7 

385 
24a 
254 
355 
431 
515 
368 
279 
352 
365 
448 
3«7 
180 
199 
79 

328 
288 
237 
336 

375 

4.-,;: 

398 
268 
328 
318 
402 
338 
189 
195 
45 

713 
528 
4  1 
(i'.ll 
806 
968 
766 
547 
680 
683 
850 
675 
367 
394 
124 

6 
3 
1 
7 
5 
8 
4 
2 
10 
7 
3 
7 
3 
1 
1 

o 
5 
8 
8 
6 
7 
6 
6 
4 
2 
12 
2 
4 
4 

7 
8 
'. 

I.". 

11 

1.". 

10 
8 

14 
9 

15 
9 
7 
6 
1 

$34  80 
37  50 
30  00 
35  00 
35  00 
40  33 
32  25 
42  50 

35  24 

36  6K 

37  35 
30  12 
35  50 
80  00 
45  00 

$23  33 
26  66 
21  20 
19  00 
25  00 

3 
5 

128 
137 

4 

5       5 

5 

Erin 

6 
6 

1 
6 
2 

1 

4 

6 
9 
li 
8 
5 

10 
4 
4 
5 
3 
1 
1 

1 

1 
2 

45 
49 

1 

20  80       1 

2 

2a  20 
20  57 

20  30 
18  00 

23  50 

24  00 

21  83 

1 

4 

2 

12 

5 

Polk 

2 

Richfield 

7 
8 
5 
6 

1 
3 
1 
2 
1 

44 

27 
56 
20 

1 

Wayne 

3 

West   Bend  

1 

West  Bend  (village) 

29  00 

3 

Schleisineerville  (village) 

1 

1 

County  totals  and  averages 

4787 

4498 

9285 

67 

76 

143 

.$39  15 

$21  02 

4 

23 

613 

98 

378 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


VALUE    OF    SCHOOL    PROPERTY    AND    YEARLY    EXPENDITURE. 


TOWNS    AND    VILLAGES. 

5 

Q 

m 
"3 

■- 

c 
« 
o 

1£ 
o 
C 

S 

o 
= 

B 

6 
4 
2 
4 
4 
3 
■1 
8 
8 
5 
5 
2 
4 
2 

Q 

C      . 
O    CD 
■-    t* 

=  a 
SB 
d  — 
>  - 
B 

,a 
■ 
■ 

CO 

s 

0 

a 
o 

"S 

=3 

S 

£ 

& 
< 

no 

Si 

!»■ 

I 

Totul  Cash  Value 

— 
3 

5  =  r 

--; 
t  8" 

3a 

7 
5 
4 
8 

10 
8 
8 
6 

10 
7 
9 
8 
6 
2 
1 

$6,670 
6,678 
2,300 
O.o:,o 
3,700 

10,450 
4,550 
5,650 
8,250 
6,050 
5,500 
3,100 
2,476 
o,  mm 
400 

$325 
::s(i 
115 
325 
750 

1,150 
520 
(90 
390 
225 
450 
225 
150 

1,000 
150 

$262 
210 
140 
152 

976 

630 
323 
236 
683 
340 
535 
512 
240 

1 .000 
150 

$7,157 

7,208 
2,555 
7,127 
5,425 
12.230 
5,893 
0.270 
9,328 
6,615    ; 
6,485 
8,887 
2,865 
N.OOtl 
700 

$1,554   17 

1,283  09 

1,186  41 

2,226  36 

2.SI2  91 

4,245  55 

1,975  94 

2,04m  64 

2,913  87 

1,9!  6   16 

2,098  76 

1.733  99 

971   82 

l,92i   08 

459  76 

99 

54 

,r7„    ._,._,; 

|6  645 

$6,388 

$91,256 

$29,422  28 

CO0NTY    GOVERNMENT SUPERVISORS    AND    OTHER    COUNTY    OFFICERS,    1853    TO    1862. 


TOWNS. 


Erin 

Hartford 

Wayne 

Kiwaskum 

Newark  ( 1854,  Bai ton 

Weal  Bend 

Polk 

Richfield 

Germantown 

Jackson  

Trenton 

Farmington 

Addison 

rs  — 

Presidents 

Clerks 

Treasurers 

Registers  of  Deeds 


1853-54. 


1854-55. 


Charles  Lynch 

Timothy  Hall 

Conrad  Schleisher 

B.  Spinharney 

W.  P.    Barnes 

B.  S.  Weil 

D.  W.  Maxnn 

Michael  Fahey 

Philip  Zimmerman 

William  Kohn 

S.   II    Vati'ler  look 

0.  D.  Norton 

i  lhauncey  Uray 


Timothy   Hall 

Jesse  II.  Myers.... 
John  Pitzpatrick.. 
\ dam  Schantz 


John   Whales 

tlustav  Streckwald 

Ludnig  Slyer 

D.  C.   Bowen 

M.  L.  Helaney 

Walter  Deruinon.. 

lames    Rolf. 

Thomas  Hayes 

P.  Zimmerman 

Wm.   Kohn 

3.  H.  Vander  < ',,<,k 
I '.  w.  Detmering... 
Chaunoy  Gray 


1855-56. 


Henry  Wier 

Gustav  Streckwald 
k  Connely... 
William  B  >.  den.. 

M.  L.  Delaney 

John  Findorff 

Thomas  Jenner 

Thomas  Hayes 

v.  Sohaetzel 

James  Pagan 

T.  K.  Vander  Cook 

Norman  Terrill 

Michael  Lonergan 


1856-57. 


is:, 7  :.s 


M.  I..  Deleaney. 


Joseph   Blnapp.. 

Adam  Schantz  . 


.  James  Pagan.... 
.  Chaunoy  Gray. 

.  I  ),    K'Ullman.... 

John  Reu  te 


James  Murphy — 

Gustav  Streckwald 
Patrick  Connely... 
William   Borden... 

Paul  \.  Weil 

Charles  l'fening... 

Thomas  Jenner 

John   Kelly 

Fred  Krueger 

Jai Pagan 

T.  E.  Vander  Cook 
George  Ramsej 
Michael   Lonergan 

i  Iustav  Streckwald 
Chaunoy  Gray 

A.   Kauffman 


James  Kenealy. 
Pranois  Fitzgerald. 

Ulrich  Senn. 
\l.  Altenhofen. 
John  Keisse. 
James  Vollmar. 
Thomas  Jenner. 
Leonard   Brugger. 
Fred  Krueger. 
James  Pagan. 
P.  E  Vander  Cook. 
George  Ramsey. 
Adam  Schantz. 

George  Ramsey. 
i  lhaunoy  Gray. 
George  Etegenfuas. 


lohn  lleisse George  [ppel. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


381 


TOWNS. 


Erin 

Hartford 

Wayne 

Kewaskum 

Barton 

West  Bend 

Polk 

Richfield 

Germantown 

Jackson  

Trenton 

Farmington 

Addison 

Officers — 

Presidents 

Clerks 

Treasurers 

Registers  of  Deeds. 


1858-59. 


Thomas  Berry 

Gustav  Streckwald 

George  Kiefer 

Mathias  Altenhofen... 

John  Reisse 

Christopher  Eckstein. 

Paul  A.  Weil 

Michael  Malloy 

Fred  Krueger 

Charles  Milbraith 

Tisdel  E.  Vander  Cook 

E.  A.  Duncan 

Adam  Schantz 


Paul  A.  Weil 

Chauncy  Gray 

George  Regenfuss. 
Peter  Schulteis. ... 


1859-60. 


Bernard  Kelly 

Gustav  Streckwald 

George  Kiefer 

Mathias  Altenhofen 

M.  L.  Delaney 

George  Ippel 

D.  W.  Maxon 

Michael  Malloy 

Val  Schaetzel 

Charles  Milbraith 

Tisdel  E.  Vander  Cook. 

William  Stewart 

Adam  Schantz 


M.  L.  Delaney... 

Daniel  Bohan 

Ludwig  Joeckel. 
Peter  Schulteis.. 


lsr.o  f,!. 


William  Foley 

Timothy  Hall 

George  Kiefer 

Philip  Smith 

John  Reisse 

George  Ippel 

John  Woolfitt 

John  Kessell 

George  Beyer 

Charles  Milbraith.... 
Tisdel  E.  Vander  Cook 

George  Ramsey 

Adam  Schantz 


1861-62. 


George  Ramsey.. 
Daniel  Bohan...., 
Ludwig  Joeckel. 
Iuco   Bertschy.... 


William  Scollard. 
Luzerne  Frost. 
George  Kiefer. 
Philip  Smith. 
John  Reisse. 
George  Ippel. 
John  Metz. 
John  Kessell,  Jr. 
George  Beyer. 
James  Fagan. 
Tisdel  E  Vander  Cook. 
Stephen  Wescott. 
Adam  Schantz. 

Adam  Schantz. 
Michael  Bohan. 
Sebastian  Koenig. 
Iuco  Bertschy. 


The  law  was  changed  throughout  the  State  in  1862,  whereby  the  government  of  the  county 
was  put  into  the  hands  of  a  Board  of  Commissioners,  numbering  one  from  each  Assembly  Dis- 
trict, and  one  from  each  ward  of  each  incorporated  village  and  city  in  the  county.  Under  the 
new  law  the  Commissioners  were  as  follows : 

COMMISSIONERS    AND    OTHER    COUNTY    OFFICERS,   1862    TO    1870. 


1862-63  J 

1863-64... 
1864-65  J 

1865-66... 
1866-67  < 

.J 


1867-68 
1868-69 
1869-70 


Commissioners. 


District. 


Third 

James  Kenealy 

First 

Philip  Schneider 

Third 

First 

Third.... 

Herman  Sternman 

Ferdinand  Bublitz.... 
L.  E.  Peck 

Third 
First 

Ferd  Bublitz 

Third.... 

First 

F.  Bublitz 

Third 

James  Kenealy. 
James  Kenealy. 
James  Kenealy. 
James  Kenealy. 
James  Fagan... 

H.  Sterneman.. 

L.  E.  Peck 


John  G.  Liver.. 


Michael 
Michael 
Michael 
Michael 
Michael 

Michael 

Michael 

Michael 


Bohan 
Bohan 
Bohan 
Bohan 
Bohan 

Bohan 

Bohan. 

Bohan 


Sebastian  Koenig 

Lorenc  Gulh 

Loernc   Guth 

Nic  Theissen 

Nic  Theissen 

Albert  Semler 

Albert  Semler 

Albert  Semler 


Begisters  of  Deeds, 


Charles  H    Miller. 
Charles  H.  Miller. 
John  Dettling. 
John  Dettling. 
Valentine  Dettling 

Valentine  Dettling 

Valentine  Dettling 

Valentine  Dettling 


"Died  in  office;  succeeded  by  Philip  Zimmerman. 


fSeat  contested  by  L.  E.  Peck;  Bion  retired  to  save  expense. 


382 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


The  law  was  again  changed  and  the  old  form  of  government  adopted,  giving  each  town 
and  village  a  representative  in  the  County  Board  through  the  Chairman  of  its  Board  of  Super- 
visors. The  first  meeting  of  the  board  under  the  new  law  was  held  November  15,  1870.  The 
law  has  remained  unchanged  since,  and  the  officers  and  Supervisors  of  the  County  Board  have 
been  as  follows  : 

SUPERVISORS    AND    OTHER    COUNTY    OFFICERS,  1870    TO    1881. 


TOWNS. 


Addison 

Wayne 

Rich6eld 

Polk 

West  Bend 

West  Bend  (vill'ge 

Barton 

Kewaskum 

Germantown 

Trenton 

Farmington 

Erin 

Hartford 

Schleisingerville 

(village) 

.Jackson 

Officers — 

Chairmen 

Clerks 

Treasurers  

Registers  of  Deeds 


1870-71. 


Adam  Schantz.. 
Ulrich  Senn.... 

John  Kessel 

Fred.  Anspach. 
J.  A.  Robinson. 

—  Potter 

M.  L.  Delaney. 
George   Sohleif 

Geo.  Beyer 

Jer.  Riordan.... 
P.  Schneider... 
Wm.  Scollard.... 
L.  E.  Peck 


J.  Toll 

Ferd  Bublitz. 


M.  L.  Delaney.. 

M.  Bohan 

A.  Semler 

Francis  Noll.... 


1871-72. 


Adam  Schantz.. 

Ulrich  Senn 

John  Kessel 

Nicholas  Grau.. 
Lud.  Findorff.. 
John  Shelley... 
M.  L.  Delaney  . 
Philip  Schmidt. 
George  Beyer.. 

J.  Riordan 

P.  Schneider.... 
Thos.  O'Neil.... 
John  Simon 


J.  Rosenheimer 
Ferd  Bublitz... 


Adam  Schantz... 
George  Ott.... 

A.  Semler 

Francis  Noll. 


1872-73. 


1873-74. 


Adam  Schantz...  Adam  Schantz. 

Ulrich  Senn Ulrich  Senn 

John  Kessel Michael  Fahey. 

Nicholas  Grau... Nicholas  Grau.. 

Lud  Findorff L.  Findorff 

John  Shelley lohn  Shelley... 

M.  L.  Delaney. ...M.  L.  Delaney.. 
Philip  Schmidt..  James  Carrell.. 

George  Beyer Fred  Kreuger.. 

D.  Steuerwaldt..  J.  Hiordan 

P.  Schneider P.  Schneider.... 

Thomas  O'Neil..  Wm.  Scollard... 
John  Simon John  Simon 


.1.  Rosenheimer.  H    Sternemann. 
Ferd   Bublitz Herman  Koepke 


George  Beyer....  P.  Schneider- 
George  Ott  Joseph  ( itt.... 

A.   Semler A.  Semler 

Francis  Noll Francis  Noll.. 


1874-T.V 


Adam  Schantz.. 

Ulrich  Senn 

Miohael  Fahey. 
Nicholas  Grau.. 

L.  Findorff 

John  Shelley... 
John  Kapfer.... 
James  Carrell.. 
Fred  Kreuger.. 
Jacob  Harmes.. 
P.  Schneider... 
Wm.  Scollard.. 
John  Schroeder 

H.  Sternemann. 
Herman  Koepke 

Adam  Schantz. 

Joseph  Ott 

A.  Semler 

A.  Schmidt 


1875-76. 


John  Wolf. 
Ulrich  Senn. 
Michael  Fahey. 
Nicholas  Grau. 

I..  Findorff. 
John  Shelley. 
Martin  Gayhart. 
James  Carrell. 
Fred  Kreuger. 
Jacob  Harmes. 
P.  Schneider, 
lames   Murphy. 
John  Schroeder. 

II.  Sternemann. 
H.  Koepke. 

P.  Schneider. 
Joseph  Ott. 
A.  Semler. 
A.  Schmidt. 


TOWNS. 


Addison 

Wayne 

Richfield 

Polk 

West  Bend 

West  Bend  (village)... 

Barton 

Kewaskum 

Germantown 

Trenton 

Farmington 

Erin 

Hartford 

Schleisingerville     (vil 

lage) 

Jackson 

Officers — 

Chairmen 

Clerks  

Treasurers  

Registers  of  Deeds , 


is;.;  77. 


John  Wolf. 

John  L.  Koerber .. 

Michael  Fahey 

Jacob  Brissel 

Ludwig  Findorf... 

John  Shelley 

John  Kapfer 

.lames  Carrell 

Fred  Krueger 

Jacob  Harmes 

Philip  Schneider  .. 

James  Murphy 

John  Schroeder.  . 

n   Sternemann 

Herman  Koepke... 

Philip  Sohneider. 

Joseph  ott 

Peter  Weimer 
Andrew   Schmidt.. 


1877    78. 


John  Wolf. 

John  I..  Koerber. 

John  Kessel 

Jacob  Iirissel 

Louis  Miller. 

Geo.  II.  Kleffler.. 

Fred  Kluver 

James  Carrell 

Fred  Krueger 

.I:n'.. Ii  I  lanncs 

F.  C  Schuler 

James  Murphy.... 
John  Schroeder.. 

John  Rosenheimer 
Herman  Koepke 


James  Carrell 

Joseph  Ott 

I'eter  Weimer 

Andrew  Schmidt . 


1878-79. 


William   Rusch.... 

Ulrich   Senn 

John  Kessel 

Jacob  Brissel 

Louis  Miller 

John  Shelley 

Fred  Kluver 

James  I  'arrell 

Fred  Krueger 

Jeremiah  Riordan 

F.  C.  Schuler 

Jamet  Murphy.... 
F.  Hildebrandl ... 


J.   Rosenheimer.. 
Herman  Koepka. 


James  Carrell 

Joseph  I  lit 

Peter  Weimer 

Andrew  Schmidt  . 


1879-80. 


William   Rusch.... 

Ulrich  Senn 

Andrew  Emus  .... 
Philip  J.  Bissell.. 
Francis  Ganzel.. . 

John  Pick 

J'red    Kluver 

James  Carrell 

Valentine  Dhein. . 

Jacob  Harmes 

I-".  C.  Schuler 

Miohael  Fahey.... 

lohn   Schroeder.. 


J.  Rosenheimer ... 
Herman  Koepke.. 


James  Carrell 

Joseph  Ott 

Fred  Krueger 

Andrew  Sclnni.lt. 


1880-81. 


William  Rusch. 
Ulrich  Senn. 
Andrew  Ennis. 
John  Koch. 
Francis  Ganzel. 
John  Shelley. 
Martin  Gayhart. 
James  Carrell. 
in   Goelzer. 
Jacob  Harmes. 
F.  C.  Schuler. 
John  Murphy. 
John  Schroeder. 

J.  Rosenheimer. 
Herman   Koepke. 

James  Carrell. 
Joseph  Ott. 
Fred  Krueger. 
Hugo  Koenen. 


•  P.  Wplmor  iippoliit'-'l  in  |  i  .        f  scml'-i,  *>  lm  (Icfuultnl. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


383 


THE    COURT. 

Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court,  Third  circuit,  and  officers  of  the  Court  for  Washington 
County,  from  1853  to  1881.  (Terms  of  office  commence  January  1,  succeeding  date  of  elec- 
tion.    Judges'  term,  six  years  ;  officers,  two  years.) 


Date  of 
Election.* 

Judges. 

District  Attorneys. 

Sheriffs. 

Clerks  cf  the  Court. 

1853 

John   Shelly 

B.  Spinharney 

Joseph  Schanlz,  Jr 

Patrick   Toland 

1854 

Frederick  0.  Thorp 

Patrick  Toland. 

1856 

Patrick  Toland. 

1857 

1858.... 

Edmund   Neff 

George  H.  Kleffler. 
George  H.  Kleffler. 
George  H.  Kleffler. 

1860 

Edmund    Neff 

1862 

Paul  A.  Weil 

1864 

Paul  A.  Weil 

1866 

Paul    A.  Weil 

William   H    McCrucken 

1867 

George  H.  Kleffler. ?. 
James  Kenealy,  Jr. 
James  Kenealy,  Jr. 
James  Ketealy,  Jr. 
James  Kenealy,  Jr. 
James  Kenealy,  Jr. 
M    1'    Bix 

1868 

1870 

1872 

David  J.   Pulling 

1874 

Patrick   O'Meara 

1876 

Peter  Boden 

1878 

Patrick   O'Meara 

1880 

M.  P.  Rix 

In  the  winter  of  1881,  a  new  Judicial  Circuit  was  created  by  the  Legislature,  embracing 
the  counties  of  Dodge,  Washington  and  Ozaukee.  It  is  known  as  the  Thirteenth  Circuit.  Hon. 
A.  Scott  Sloan  has  been  elected  Judge  of  the  Circuit,  and  will  enter  on  his  judicial  duties  Jan- 
uary 1,  1882. 

COUNTY    COURT. 

The  probate  business  of  the  county,  from  its  organization  to  the  present  time,  has  been  ably 
and  honestly  conducted,  but  few  changes  having  occurred.  The  County  Judges  have  been  : 
George  C.  Williams,  who  served  till  the  election  of  John  Shelly  in  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he 
resigned,  and  L.  F.  Frisby  was  appointed,  serving  till  Mr.  Shelby's  official  term  commenced, 
January  1,  1858.  Judge  Shelly  will,  on  the  expiration  of  his  present  term,  December  31,  1881. 
have  held  the  office  continuously  for  twenty-four  years.  That  he  has  been  a  just  Judge,  in  th& 
strictest  sense  of  the  term,  is  unquestionably  proven  by  his  long  term  of  service  and  his  many 
re-elections  by  the  people  whose  interests  he  has  so  faithfully  subserved.  He  retires  full  uf  hon- 
ors, and  universally  respected  and  beloved.  His  successor  is  Hon.  H.  W.  Sawyer,  of  Hartford, 
whose  official  term  will  begin  January  1, 1882. 

LEGISLATORS. 

Since  the  division  of  the  county,  new  apportionments  for  representation  in  the  State  Legisla- 
ture have  been  made  every  five  years.  The  changes  in  the  county  representation  have  been  as 
follows  : 

1856 — Senatorial  District  No.  4 — Washington  County  alone.  Assembly  District  No.  1 — 
Erin,  Hartford,  Addison  and  Wayne.  Assembly  District  No.  2 — Richfield,  Polk,  West  Bend, 
Barton  and  Kewaskum.  Assembly  District  No.  3 — Germantown,  Jackson,  Trenton  and  Farm- 
ington. 

1861 — Senatorial  and  Assembly  Districts  unchanged. 

1866 — Senatorial  District  unchanged.  Assembly  District  No.  1 — Wayne,  Addison,  Ke- 
waskum, Barton,  West  Bend,  Farmington  and  Trenton.  Assembly  District  No.  2 — Hartford, 
Polk,  Jackson,  Erin,  Richfield  and  Germantown. 

*  Judges  elected  in  April,  County  Officers  in  November. 

t  Incumbent  of  the  office  at  the  time  the  county  was  organized. 

j  Sloan  whs  appointed  to  fill  vacancy  on  the  resignation  of  Larabee,  who  was  elected  to  Congress  in  the  fall  of  1858. 

2  Kleffler  elected  at  a  special  election  in  May,  McCracken  not  qualifying. 


384  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

1871 — Senatorial  District  made  to  comprise  the  two  counties  of  Ozaukee  and  Washington, 
and  numbered  33.     Assembly  Districts  unchanged. 

1876 — No  change  in  representation. 

1881— No  change. 

The  following  list  embraces  the  names  and  post  office  addresses  of' all  who  have  served  in 
either  branch  of  the  State  Legislature  since  the  organization  of  the  county  : 

1851 — Senate  — Balthus  Mantz,  Meeker.  Assembly — Adam  Schantz,  Addison  ;  Philipp 
Zimmerman,  Germantown. 

1855 — Senate — James  Rolf,  Jackson.  Assembly — Mitchell  L.  Delaney,  Barton  ;  Byron 
Smith,  Erin. 

1856 — Senate — Baruch  S.  Weil,  Schleisingerville.  Assembly — Thomas  Hanes,  Richfield  ; 
John  Sell,  Addison. 

1857 — Senate — Baruch  S.  Weil,  Schleisingerville.  Assembly — Hopewell  Coxe,  Hartford; 
James  Vollmar,  West  Bend ;  James  Fagan,  Cedarburg. 

1858 — Senate — D.  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek.  Assembly — James  Kenealy,  Erin  ;  Paul  A. 
Weil,  Richfield ;   Charles  W.  Detmering,  Newburg. 

1859 — Senate — D.  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek.  Assembly — Gustav  Streckewald,  Hartford  ; 
James  Vollmar,  West  Bend;  Philip  Zimmerman,  Staatsville. 

1860 — Senate — D.  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek.  Assembly — George  Kiefer,  Nenno  ;  Mathias 
Altenhofen,  Kewaskum  ;   T.  E.  Vander  Cook,  Newburg. 

1861 — Senate — D.  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek.  Assembly — Nathan  Tucker,  Hartford  ;  Le- 
ander  F.  Frisby,  West  Bend  ;  Valentine  Schaetzel,  Menomonee  Falls. 

1862 — Senate — Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend  ;  Assembly — Thomas  Barry,  Erin  ;  Michael 
Maloy,  Richfield  ;  Robert  Salter,  Newburg. 

1863 — Senate — Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend.  Assembly — Adam  Schantz,  Addison  ;  Henry 
Hildebrandt,  Station  ;  Martin   Schottler,  Staatsville. 

1864 — Senate — Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend.  Assembly — Nicolaus  Marx,  Wayne  ;  Henry 
Hildebrandt,  Station  ;  Martin  Schottler,  Staatsville. 

1865— Senate— Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend.  Assembly — George  C.  Williams,  Hartford  ; 
Mitchell  Tj.  Delaney,  Barton  ;   Ernst  Franckenberg,  Newburg. 

1866 — Senate — Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend.  Assembly — James  Kenealy,  Erin  ;  Mitchell 
L.  Delaney,  Barton ;  Philip  Schneider,  Barton. 

1867— Senate — Fred  0.  Thorp,  West  Bend.  Assembly — Charles  H.  Miller,  West  Bend  ; 
Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek. 

1868 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — George  H.  Kleffler,  West  Bend  ; 
Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek. 

1869 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — John  Kastler,  Wayne  ;  Densmore 
W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek. 

1870 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — Henry  V.  R.  Wilmot,  Newburg  ; 
Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek. 

1871 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — Baruch  S.  Weil,  Schleisingerville; 
Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek. 

1872 — Senate — Senator  from  Ozaukee.  Assembly — Densmore  W.  Maxon,  Cedar  Creek  ; 
Baruch  S.  Weil,  Schleisingerville. 

1873 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — Hiram  W.  Sawyer,  Hartford  ;  Ba- 
ruch S.  Weil,  Schleisingerville. 

1874 — Senate — Adam  Schantz,  Addison.  Assembly — Hiram  W.  Sawyer,  Hartford  ; 
Jeremiah  Riordan,  West  Bend. 

1875 — Senate — Gilead  J.  Wilmot,  West  Bend.  Assembly — Andrew  Martin,  Reisville  ; 
Philip  Schneider,  Barton. 

1876 — Senate — Gilead  J.  Wilmot,  West  Bend.  Assembly — Andrew  Martin,  Reisville; 
Philip  Schneider,  Barton. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES. 


385 


1877 — Senate — Philip  Schneider,  Barton.  Assembly — Frank  Fitzgerald,  Hartford  ;  Nic- 
olaus  Marx,  Kohlsville. 

1878 — Senate — Philip  Schneider,  Barton.  Assembly — Cornelius  Coughlin,  West  Bend; 
William  Scollard,  Hartford. 

1879 — Senate — Senator  from  Ozaukee.  Assemby — J.  H.  Muckerheide,  Kewaskum  ;  John 
G.  Frank,  Jackson. 

1880 — Senate — Senator  from  Ozaukee.  Assembly — Jacob  C.  Place,  Hartford  ;  Baruch 
S.  Weil,  West  Bend. 

1881 — Senate — George  F.  Hunt,  West  Bend.  Assembly — John  F.  Schwalbach,  German- 
town  ;  Joseph  W.  Holehouse,  Barton. 

GROWTH     IN    WEALTH. 

The  following  table  shows  the  total  number  of  acres  ami  the  valuation  as  reported  by  the 
Boards  of  Equalization,  for  the  years  designated  (1853  to  1868  inclusive): 


YEARS. 

Total  No.  of  Acres. 

Valuation  of  Real 
Estate. 

Village  Property. 

Personal  Property. 

TotAl  Valuation. 

1853 

264028 

$473405 

$21181 

SI  2900 

5507486 

1854 

267831 

499372 

28020 

16585 

543977 

1855 

267660 

556804 

35847 

20113 

612764 

1856 

270557 

697390 

40020 

30699 

768109 

1857 

273307 

1233966 

48699 

34395 

1317060 

1858 

272687 

2974481 

240217 

536100 

3750798 

1859 

272573 

3082259 

221847 

253>-05 

3557911 

1860 

272573 

3094934 

230601 

582743 

3908278 

1861 

273771 

2930972 

199302 

536994 

3667268 

1862 

273771 

2945848 

202671 

462235 

3610754 

1863 

268527 

2858009 

202649 

437323 

3497981 

1864 

268978 

2882417 

202669 

531060 

3616146 

1865 

270423 

2783772 

235169 

523669 

3542610 

1866 

270423 

2783772 

235169 

552903 

3571844 

1867 

271417 

3363468 

261018 

t,7.131 

4299617 

1868 

270358 

3352774 

274040 

675131 

4301945 

Since  1868,  the  records  of  the  Board  of  Equalization  do  not  separate  the  village  property 
from  the  other  real  estate. 


TABLE    SHOWING    THE    COUNTY    TAXES    FOR    TWENTY    YEARS. 


YEAR. 

State  Tax. 

County  Tax. 

School  Tax. 

Total  Amount. 

1861 

$6922  05 
11913  49 

8293  58 
18632  15 
19034  57 

6530  70 
12496  15 
10381  26 
10082  98 
11940  25 
10808  49 
13266  61 
11773  77 
10222  73 
11410  00 
12647  38 
11133  10 
14078  69 
11765  49 
16045  48 

$8000  00 
7000  00 
6000  00 
9316  08 
11000  00 
16600  00 
23000  00 
20300  00 
12750  00 
13350  00 
13912  00 
14450  00 
14800  00 
14000  00 
13650  00 
10000  00 
12075  00 
10380  00 
12010  00 
11805  00 

$3121  28 
3771  28 
4146  79 
4658  04 
5000  00 
6500  00 
7100  00 
7100  00 
7100  00 
7100  00 
7100  00 
5900  00 
5900  00 
6900  00 
6900  00 
6900  00 
6900  00 
6900  00 
■  6800  00 
6800  00 

$18043  33 

1862 

22684  77 

1863 

18440  37 

1864 

32606  27 

1865 

35034  67 

1866 

29630  70 

1867 

42596  15 

1868 

37781  26 

1869 

29932  98 

1870 

32390  25 

1871 

31820  49 

1872 

33616  61 

1873 

32473  77 

1874 

31122  73 

1875 

31960  00 

1876 

1877 

29547  38 
30108  10 

1878 

31358  69 

1879 

30575  49 

1880 

34660  48 

086 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


Below  is  given  the  valuation  of  real  estate  and  personal  property  as  appears  on  the  county 
records,  from  1868  to  1880. 


YEAH. 

Real  Estate. 

Personal    Propertj. 

Total  Valuation. 

1869 

$4304700 

1870 

58961771 

$1 148037 

5109778 

1871 

5545000 

1872 

5546000 

1873 

4408000 

1195000 

5598000 

1874 

5536000 

1875 

5561000 

1876 

4:541000 
4346000 
6697008 

6005000 
6105000 

1239000 
1238000 
1725000 
1350000 
1385000 

5880000 

L877 

5584000 

1878 : 

7422000 

1879 

7355000 

1880 

7490000 

TABLE    SHOWING    INCREASE    IN    VALUATION   OF   TOWNS  FROM    1853    TO    1880. 

1853,  1--". 
TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES.                                                          Total  Valuation.       Total  Valuation. 

Erin $35,266  $475,000 

Hartford 49,836  820,000 

Addison 40,475  615,000 

Wayne 32,232  570,000 

Richfield 40,389  545,000 

Polk 44,054  540,000 

Schleisinaerville    (village) 75,000 

West  Bend 38,707  335,000 

West  Bend  (village) 295,000 

Barton  (Newark! 34,666  395,000 

Kewaskum 23,830  390,000 

(iermautown 46,720  650,000 

Jackson 39,767  650,000 

,  TrentoD 42,977  670,000 

I'armington 38,577  565,000 

Total $507,486  $7,490,000 


The  following  comparison  of  the  Presidential  votes  of  Washington  County  for  1856  and 
1880,  shows  the  change  that  has  occurred  in  the  political  complexion  of  the  vote  during  the  past 
twenty-four  years  : 


1856. 

isso. 

TOWNS  AND  MLLAGE3. 

Democratic. 

Republican. 

Total. 

Democratic. 

KopuUicao. 

I  InenbMk. 

Total. 

218 
266 
284 

1-7 
246 
330 

213 
484 
309 
199 
278 
363 

200 
312 
295 
134 

190 
44 
113 
1S1 
193 
141 

196 
134 
262 

191 

59 

H'js 

83 

192 

82 

167 

35 

68 

74 

95 

172 

158 

172 

72 

1.-,:: 

16 
2 

275 

219 

25 

12 
88 
88 

642 

878 

:126 

Richfield 

337 

Polk 

357 

79 

West  Bend 

149 

ST 

-S\r, 

2 

ITS 

255 

L18 
119 
808 
L68 

l  17 
128 

74 

1 

81 

13 
126 
117 

1ST 
162 
889 
181 
263 
245 

288 

1 

817 

354 

r 

24 

814 

868 

344 

2616 

si;: 

3459 

2841 

1905 

66 

4802 

HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


387 


ELECTION    RETURNS. 

The  Presidential  vote  at  each  election  since  1856  has  been  as  stated  below : 


1856. 
1860. 
1864, 
1868 
1872. 
1876. 
1&S0. 


Democratic  Candidates. 


Buchanan 

Breckenridge 

McClellan 

Seymour 

Greeley 

Tilden 

Hancock 


Number 

of  Votes 

cast. 


2647 
2747 
2923 
3073 
2727 
3047 
2841 


Republican  Candidates. 


Fremont 
Lincoln.. 
Lincoln.. 
Grant — 
Grant.... 
Hayes.... 
Garfield. 


Number 

of  votes 

cast. 


813 

939 

664 

1213 

947 

1321 

1906 


Greenback  Candidate. 


Weaver.. 


Number 

of  votes 

cast 


56 


Total 
number 
of  votes. 


3460 
3686 
3587 
4286 
3674 
4368 
4803 


POPULATION. 

The  enumeration  of  population  has  been  as  follows :  Total  enumeration  by  State  census  of 
1855,  18,897  ;  Federal  census  of  1860,  23,622  ;  State,  1865,  24,019  ;  Federal,  1870,  23,905  ; 
State,  1875,  23,862  ;  Federal,  1880,  23,251. 

CENSUS    OF   WASHINGTON    COUNTY,    IN    1880,    BY   TOWNS. 


Towns.  Population. 

Erin 1,265 

Hartford 2,707 

Addison 1,770 

Wayne 1,594 

Richfield 1,716 

Polk 2,060 

West  Bend 855 

West  Bend  (village) 1,283 


Towns.  Population. 

Barton 1,287 

Kewaskum 1,469 

Germantown 1,943 

Jackson 1,764 

Trenton 1,868 

Farmington 1,670 


Total 23,251 


PAUPERISM. 

The  county  has  never  shown  any  remarkable  poor  list,  but  has,  on  the  contrary,  had  the 
smallest  average  number  of  paupers  of  any  county  of  like  population  in  the  State.  They  are 
supported  and  cared  for  on  the  Poor  Farm,  which  is  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  and  has  been 
owned  and  run  by  the  county  ever  since  the  division  occurred  in  1853.  The  average  number  of 
paupers  supported  on  the  farm,  from  1853  to  1865,  was  twenty,  at  an  annual  expense  for  each 
person  of  $42.83.  Since  1865,  the  number  of  paupers  has  increased  hardly  in  proportion  to  the 
increase  in  population.  The  latest  report  (1880)  gives  the  average  number  for  the  year  at  thirty- 
four,  and  the  annual  cost  for  the  support  of  each  at  $58.10.  The  farm  consists  of  something 
over  160  acres,  and  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  The  main  building  is  of  stone,  was 
built  in  1864,  at  a  cost  of  $1,775,  and  has  room  for  sixty-four  inmates. 


RETROSPECT. 

The  changes  of  the  past  thirty  years  have  been  so  gradual  as  to  be  almost  imperceptible 
from  year  to  year,  yet  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  the  period  show  in  striking  contrast. 

In  1853,  there  were  no  railroads,  and  the  only  means  of  transportation  was  that  of  the  horse 
and  ox  team.  The  mails  were  carried  by  the  stage-driver,  some  of  the  remote  towns  being  served 
but  twice  weekly.  There  was  no  telegraph  line  nearer  than  Milwaukee,  now  two  lines  of  rail- 
road traverse  the  county,  and  there  is  telegraphic  connection  with  every  considerable  village. 

At  the  time  the  county  was  divided  the  population  already  numbered  upward  of  15,000 
souls.  The  land  had  been  nearly  all  occupied,  and  the  work  of  subduing  the  forest  was  already 
begun  in  earnest  by  a  hardy  set  of  pioneers.  They  were  all  poor.  It  is  doubtful  if  the  wealthiest 
man  in  the  county  was  worth  $5,000,  and  there  were  not  above  half  a  dozen  men  who  could 
show  81,000  in  available  property  outside  their  homesteads.  The  whole  taxable  personal  property 
of  the  county  at  that  time  was  but  $12,900.     In  1880,  it  had  increased  to  $1,385,000. 


388 


HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


The. increase  in  population  has  not  been  rapid,  and  for  the  past  twenty  years  the  number 
has  remained  essentially  unchanged,  varying  from  23,000  to  24,000.  In  population  the  county 
has  its  growth  as  a  farming  community,  the  available  land  for  forming  purposes  being  all  occu- 
pied, and  mostly  owned  by  the  occupants.  Nothing  can  materially  further  increase  the  popula- 
tion, except  the  utilizing  of  the  various  water-powers,  and  the  building-up  of  manufacturing  in- 
dustries at  the  many  available  locations  in  the  county.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  future  historian 
to  chronicle  the  inevitable  progress  that  will  ensue. 

There  is  not  a  single  millionaire  in  the  county.  The  wealth  is  more  generally  diffused  than 
in  any  other  county  in  the  State,  and  shows  an  average,  per  capita,  much  in  excess  of  ordinary 
agricultural  communities,  as  well  as  a  wonderfully  rapid  increase  in  wealth.  In  1853,  with  a 
population  of,  say  15,000,  the  total  valuation  of  the  county  was,  in  round  numbers,  §500,000 — 
$33  per  capita.  In  1880,  with  a  population  of  23,200,  the  valuation  was,  in  round  numbers, 
$7,500,000 — $326  per  capita.  The  increase  of  population  during  the  period  has  been  nearly  50 
per  cent ;  the  increase  in  wealth,  900  per  cent.  The  crop  statistics  for  the  harvest  year  of  1880, 
gathered  from  official  sources,  are  given  below  : 


KIND. 


Wheat.... 

Corn 

Oats 

Barley... 

Rye 

Potatoes. 
Apples... 
Butter.... 
Cheese... 


Total  home  valuation. 


Acres. 


47,300 

10,000 
18,100 

7,600 
4,400 
2,000 


Amount. 


694,000  bu. 
463,000  bu. 
551,000  bu. 

203,000  bu. 
70,000  bu. 
17(1.000  bu. 
108,000  bu. 
500,000  lbs. 
100,000  lbs. 


Value. 


650,000 

185,000 

165,000 

150,000 

56.000 

68,000 

80,000 

75,000 

10,000 

$1,430,000 


The  summary  of  the  returns  shows,  outside  the  sale  of  stock,  a  farm  production  of  $1,439,000. 
The  apple-orchards  embrace  2,000  acres,  having  650,000  fruit-bearing  trees.  The  milch  cows 
number  9,000.     The  growing  timber  in  the  county  aggregates  51,000  acres. 

Forty-five  years  ago,  the  old  primeval  forest  covered  the  lands  of  Washington  County.  The 
birds  built  their  nests  unscared  in  its  inpenetrable  shades.  The  bear,  the  deer,  and  the  wolf, 
held  joint  possession  with  the  wild  red  men  of  the  Menoninee.  Innumerable  waterfowl  brooded 
in  the  marches  and  fluttered  on  the  bosom  of  the  shimmering  lakes.  The  partridge  drummed 
upon  every  sunny  hillside,  and  the  industrious  beaver  built  his  dam,  undisturbed  by  conflicting 
title,  and  unvexed  by  suits  for  flowage  from  his  neighbors — the  otter  and  the  mink. 

The  forest  is  gone ;  cottages  dot  the  landscape ;  villages  smile  along  the  streams ;  the  lands 
teem  with  bountiful  crops,  and  the  peaceful  music  of  lowing  herds  and  bleating  flocks  is  heard 
among  the  hills.  These  changes,  so  like  a  dream  now  they  are  passed,  have  come  within  the 
memory  of  men  who  still  live  to  recount  the  story  of  labor  and  toil  in  which  they  bore  their 
sturdy  part,  and  by  which  the  wondrous  change  was  wrought  under  the  fostering  care  of  the 
wisest  Government  on  the  face  of  the  globe. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  389 


CHAPTER    in. 

TOWN  HISTORIES  OF  WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 

West  Bend — Village  of  West  Bend— Hartford— Village  of  Hartford — Polk— Schleisin- 
gerville— farmington— kewaskum— village  of  kewaskum — barton  and  villages — 
Trenton— Jackson — Wayne— Addison— Erin— Germantown— Richfield. 

WEST    BEND. 

West  Bend,  situated  immediately  north  of  the  center  of  Washington  County,  of  which  it  is 
the  county  seat,  was  organized  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  on  the  20th  of  January,  1846. 

The  act  reads  as  follows  :  "  All  of  that  part  of  said  county  (Washington)  comprised  in 
Towns  11  and  12  north,  of  Ranges  19  and  20  east,  is  hereby  set  off  into  a  separate  town  by  the 
name  of  West  Bend,  and  the  first  election  shall  be  held  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Verbeck."  At 
that  time,  and  until  February  11,  1847,  it  comprised  all  the  territory  included  in  the  present 
towns  of  West  Bend,  Barton,  Trenton,  Farmington  and  Kewaskum. 

On  the  11th  day  of  February,  1847.  that  portion  of  West  Bend  comprised  in  Town  12 
north,  of  Range  19,  was  set  off  and  constituted  a  new  town  under  the  name  of  North  Bend,  and, 
at  the  same  session,  that  portion  of  the  town  situated  in  Town  12  north,  of  Range  20  east,  was 
set  off  and  constituted  another  new  town  under  the  name  of  Clarence. 

And,  on  the  11th  of  March,  1848,  the  territory  of  West  Bend  was  again  reduced  by  the 
organization  of  another  new  town  under  the  name  of  Trenton,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  name 
of  the  town  of  Clarence  was  changed  to  Farmington.  Until  August  19,  1848,  all  of  the 
present  town  of  Kewaskum,  and  the  north  half  of  what  is  now  the  town  of  Barton,  was 
embraced  in  the  town  of  North  Bend  ;  but  the  Legislature  of  that  year  passed  an  act  setting  off 
"  two  miles  from  the  south  of  the  town  of  North  Bend,  and  two  miles  from  the  north  side  of 
West  Bend,"  and  constituted  a  new  town  by  the  name  of  Newark. 

This  act  seems  to  have  been  repealed  and  another  passed,  which  reads  as  follows:  "So 
much  of  Washington  County  as  is  embraced  in  two  tiers  of  sections  from  the  north  side  of 
West  Bend,  and  two  tiers  of  sections  from  the  south  side  of  North  Bend,  shall  constitute  a  sep- 
arate town,  and  shall  be  called  by  the  name  of  Newark." 

The  Supervisors,  unable  to  satisfy  themselves  that  the  above  act  had  been  legally  and  offi- 
cially published  to  avoid  difficulty  and  dispute,  "  Ordered  that  sections  from  25  to  36  of  Town- 
ship 12,  and  sections  from  1  to  10,  and  the  north  half  of  Sections  11  and  12  north,  of  Range 
19,  be,  and  the  same  are,  hereby  set  off  and  constituted,  and  shall  be  known  and  recognized, 
from  and  after  this  8th  day  of  May,  1849,  as  the  town  of  Newark ;  the  next  election  to  be  held 
on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April  at  the  house  of  Martin  Foster,  in  the  village  of  Newark." 

And  it  was  also  ordered,  for  the  purpose  of  defining  the  precise  boundary  of  the  present 
town,  "that  the  south  half  of  Sections  11  and  12  of  Range  19  shall  be,  and  are  hereby 
attached  to,  and  made  a  part  of  West  Bend."  The  half-sections  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
town  were  attached  to  West  Bend  to  preserve,  undivided,  the  village  plat,  and  to  avoid  any  pos- 
sible misunderstanding  or  dispute  in  relation  to  the  mill  property. 

By  referring  to  the  various  acts  and  orders  recorded  in  this  work,  the  precise  limits  and 
boundaries  of  the  present  town  of  West  Bend  will  be  understood ;  and  it  will  be  seen  that, 
instead  of  its  being  a  regular  township  six  miles  square,  it  is  a  town  comprising  only  twenty- 
four  whole  and  two  half  sections. 

The  Milwaukee  River,  running  from  north  to  south  through  the  northeastern  sections  of 
the  town,  nwking  a  sharp  horseshoe  bend  at  a  point  spanned  by  the  railroad  bridge,  and  thence 


300  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

through  Section  13  to  the  town  of  Trenton,  is  a  beautiful,  rapid  stream,  affording  a  valuable  and 
reliable  water-power. 

The  town  has  many  natural  advantages.  Its  hills,  valleys,  rich  bottom  and  fertile  uplands, 
patches  of  woodland,  remnants  of  primitive  forests,  numerous  springs,  the  sources  of  lakes  andl 
streams  sufficient  in  number  and  volume  to  afford  an  abundant  supply  of  excellent  water  for  al 
ordinary  purposes,  with  but  few  remaining  morasses  requiring  the  adoption  of  practical  sanitary 
measures,  constitute  exceptional  natural  conditions  of  health  and  prosperity. 

The  land  is  productive  and  peculiarly  adapted  to  cereals,  vegetables  and  fruit,  and, 
although  the  soil  varies,  and  is  in  the  central  and  eastern  portions  of  the  town,  composed  mainly 
of  sand  and  a  light  mold,  in  other  parts  rich  clay  and  marl  abound. 

In  some  portions  of  the  northwestern  sections  hills  and  peculiar  mounds,  with  their  corre- 
sponding depressions,  vulgarly  called  "Potash  Kettles,"  abound,  and  the  soil  is  in  such  locali- 
ties almost  worthless  for  ordinary  agricultural  purposes. 

The  range  of  hills  upon  which  they  are  found,  passing  from  the  north  through  Kewaskum, 
Barton,  the  western  portion  of  West  Bend,  a  part  of  Hartford  and  Erin,  embracing  "  Hermit 
Hill,"  the  highest  point  in  the  county,  constitutes  a  water-shed,  all  springs  and  streams  rising 
upon  the  eastern  slope,  or  east  of  this  range,  finding  their  way  to  the  Milwaukee  River,  while 
those  rising  on  the  west  empty  into  Rock  River,  and  other  streams  flowing  toward  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

For  several  years  after  the  arrival  of  the  first  settlers,  the  history  of  agriculture  in  the  town 
shows  that  when  the  soil  was  first  broken  it  yielded  abundant  harvests ;  that,  in  1847,  the  yield 
of  winter  wheat  from  a  portion  of  Mr.  Farmer's  land,  on  Section  24,  was  forty  bushels  per 
acre,  and  that  Nelson  Rusco,  without  even  re-plowing  a  field  from  which  he  had  taken  a  crop 
of  corn,  had  thirty-five  bushels  per  acre  from  a  portion  of  Section  26.  Reuben  S.  Rusco,  the 
present  owner,  is  now,  thirty-four  years  later,  harvesting  wheat  from  the  same  ground,  and  does 
not  expect  it  to  yield  more  than  fifteen  bushels  per  acre. 

In  recent  years  the  chinch-bug  has  seriously  injured  spring  wheat.  After  its  first  appear- 
ance it  left  for  a  time,  but  soon  returned,  and  is  now  troublesome  in  dry  seasons,  and  in  loca- 
tions where  the  soil  is  sandy  or  of  light  mold. 

LAKES. 

The  more  important  lakes  of  the  county  are  in  the  southern  part  of  West  Bend,  although 
Hartford  has  Pike  Lake,  and  Barton  has  Smith  Lake,  the  former  being  an  important  one. 

Cedar  Lake,  beginning  on  the  north,  in  Section  17,  covering  portions  of  several  sections  as 
far  south  as  Section  5,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  of  Polk,  is  four  miles  in  length  and 
about  one  mile  in  width. 

It  is  supplied  by  many  unseen  springs,  which,  at  its  bottom,  are  its  secret  and  reliable 
sources,  and  help  to  supply  Little  Cedar  Lake  and  Cedar  Creek. 

Little  I  ledar  Lake,  situated  about  one  mile  east  of  its  more  important  sister,  on  Section  33, 
is  little  more  than  one  mile  in  length,  and  about  half  a  mile  in  width,  and  is  supplied  from  the 
larger  lake,  and  probably  from  springs  at  its  bottom.  Cedar  Creek  rises  in  and  is  supplied  from 
Little  Cedar  Lake;   but  the  water  from  both  lakes  find  an  outlet  in  the  creek. 

Silver  Lake,  on  Section  27,  is  a  smaller  but  more  charming  body  of  remarkably  clear 
water,  is  fed  by  springs  at  its  bottom,  and  lias  its  outlet  in  Silver  Creek,  which  runs  north  to 
Eoppe's  mill-pond,  on  Section  14,  thence  east,  and  empties  into  the  Milwaukee  River  on  Sec- 
tioE  11. 

r.  \KI.\     SKTTLERS. 

Thorough  examinations  of  all  records  relating  to  West  Bend,  frequent  conversations  with 
early  settlers  residing  in  this  and  other  towns,  and  a  correspondence  with  such  as  have  removed 
to  other  localities,  conclusively  show  that  M.  A.  T.  Farmer  and  Isaac  Verbeck,  with  their 
families,  were  the  earliest  actual  settlers. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  391 

Amos  Verbeck,  and  Abigail,  his  wife,  parents  of  Isaac  Verbeck,  came  in  soon  after  their 
son  with  the  family.  The  family  was  numerous,  the  roster  being  as  follows  :  Boys — Isaac, 
Nelson,  Amos,  Philip,  Joseph,  William,  Anson,  Charles  and  Sidney.  Girls — Abigail,  Mary 
and  Sarah.     Following  are  sketches  of  several  of  those  who  came  in  at  this  early  period. 

PERSONAL    PIONEER     SKETCHES. 

Joseph  and  William  Verbeck,  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  came  to  Wisconsin  and 
settled,  for  a  time,  near  Menomonee  Falls,  in  Waukesha  County,  in  the  spring  of  1844. 

They  found  settlers  in  that  vicinity,  and  in  the  southern  part  of  Germantown,  and, 
although  the  people  who  had  been  in  that  county  for  several  years  were  still  living  in  shanties, 
they  had  cleared  considerable  land. 

The  Verbeck's  worked  land  on  shares  for  one  Sam  Cole,  completed  the  clearing  of  an 
«ight-acre  lot  for  James  Piatt  Vaughn,  who  kept  a  primitive  tavern  just  over  the  line  in  Ger- 
mantown, and,  in  the  following  winter,  they  cleared  nine  acres  for  themselves. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1845,  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  with  his  wife  and  four  children,  accompa- 
nied by  his  brother-in-law,  Isaac  Verbeck,  his  wife  and  their  five  children,  left  Pennsylvania, 
traveled  by  land  and  lakes,  and,  on  the  20th,  landed  in  Milwaukee,  from  which  point  they 
reached  Menomonee  on  the  21st  and  joined  their  two  brothers.  They  brought  with  them  2,000 
pounds  of  household  goods  securely  packed  in  boxes,  and  when  one  of  these  was  taken  apart 
each  of  the  four  men  had  a  door  for  his  shanty,  taken  from  his  Eastern  home. 

Mr.  Farmer  has  still  in  his  possession  ancient  pieces  of  furniture  which  had  a  place  in  the 
homesteads  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  and  a  portion  of  a  flail — a  swingle — swung  by  his 
father  a  century  ago,  and  a  bell  borne  by  a  favorite  cow  from  Menomonee  to  their  new  home,  is 
still  preserved. 

Isaac,  who  did  not  take  kindly  to  drudgery,  becoming  restless,  started  on  foot  to  visit  the 
western  portion  of  Washington  County.  He  had  heard,  from  travelers  who  now  and  then  tar- 
ried at  Vann's  tavern,  of  lakes  and  beautiful  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  the  shanty  of  Timothy 
Hall,  who  had  settled  in  the  northeastern  portion  of  Hartford,  on  the  old  Fond  du  Lac  road. 
Arriving  there,  he  heard  enchanting  stories  of  Indian  Prairie,  whither  he  went,  spending  a 
night  in  camp  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians. 

The  red  men  who  remained  in  Washington  County  were  peaceable  and  loyal. 

A  German  settler  shot  a  deer  that  was  pursued  by  a  party  of  Indians,  who,  on  finding  him 
in  possession  of  the  carcass,  demanded  it ;  but  the  German  refused  to  relinquish  his  claim, 
whereupon  "  John,"  known  as  "Bad  Indian,"  retreating  in  the  forest  and  leveling  his  weapon 
fired  upon  him,  while  he  in  self-defense  shot  and  killed  his  assailant.  The  other  Indians  coming 
up  removed  the  body,  acknowledging  that  "John,"  being  the  aggressor,  received  his  just 
deserts.  This  circumstance,  occurring  in  the  county,  illustrates  their  honor  and  love  of  justice. 
On  the  following  morning,  while  Isaac  was  viewing  the  prairie  from  the  wigwam,  a  chief  said  : 
"  White  man,  go  on,"  and  we  next  hear  of  his  examining  lands  in  different  localities,  particularly 
those  on  the  section  line  running  north  and  south,  between  Sections  23  and  24. 

Pleased  and  apparently  satisfied,  he  returned  to  Menomonee,  had  a  conference  with  Mr. 
Farmer  and  his  brothers,  in  which  Mary,  Jannett  and  the  older  children  took  an  active  part, 
discussed  the  situation  and  prospects  pro  and  con,  finally  deciding  to  go  at  once  to  the  land  office 
at  Milwaukee  and  pre-empt  portions  on  different  sections.  Three  days  later  they  were  erecting 
shanties,  one  on  Section  24  for  Mr.  Farmer  (which  was  the  first  structure  of  any  description  in 
what  is  now  the  town  of  West  Bend),  and  the  other  for  Isaac  Verbeck  on  the  west  half  of  the 
southwest  quarter  of  Section  13,  on  what  is  now  known  as  "Battle  Creek,"  while  Joseph, 
being  unmarried,  and  having  no  present  use  for  a  house,  simply  chopped  some  wood  and  made  a 
brush  heap  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  24,  now  the  residence  of  Mr.  Kohlsdorf,  to  show 
Walter  Demmon  that  "some  one  had  been  there  while  he  was  gone." 

In  September,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farmer,  their  two  boys  and  Isaac,  spent  four  weeks  in  their 
new  shanty,  improving  the  premises,   and,  in  company  with  Ben  Thompson,  assisted  Barton 


392  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

Salisbury,  of  Mequon,  who  was  preparing  to  build  the  first  shanty  in  what  is  now  the  village  of 
Barton. 

Leaving  their  effects  in  their  shanty,  they  returned  to  Menomonee,  remaining  six  weeks  to 
harvest  their  crops  and  prepare  for  the  coming  winter,  and,  on  November  7,  Isaac  and  family 
removed  to  their  new  home.  On  the  9th,  Mr.  Farmer  with  his  family,  and  Joseph  and  William 
Verbeck  removed  their  goods  and  chattels,  and  became  permanent  settlers. 

Walter  Deramon  visited  what  is  now  West  Bend,  in  August,  1845,  for  the  purpose  of 
selecting  a  desirable  location,  but  omitted  to  secure  any  land  before  visiting  his  home  in  New 
York,  where  he  remained  five  weeks.  Upon  his  return,  in  October,  the  portions  of  the  sec- 
tion upon  which  he  had  partially  decided  to  settle,  had  been  taken,  and  Joseph  H.  Verbeck's 
"  brush  heap  "  marked  the  spot. 

On  the  12th  of  January,  1846,  Mr.  Demmon  became  a  permanent  settler  and  erected  a  su- 
perior log  cabin,  18x24  feet,  on  Section  26,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  held  many  offices  of 
trust  in  the  town,  and  has  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 

Jacob  E.  Young  first  visited  West  Bend  in  January,  1846.  He  says :  "  Traveling  on  foot 
from  the  South,  I  arrived  at  Verbeck's  shanty  in  the  evening  of  a  cold  January  day.  but,  finding 
it  already  occupied,  I  was  informed  that  one  Charles  Buck  had  a  shanty  a  mile  farther  north  at 
which  I  could  stay  overnight.  Following  the  section  line,  I  soon  arrived  at  my  destination. 
In  the  morning  upon  returning  to  Verbeck's  and  finding  him  absent,  '  Jannett,'  who  commanded 
a  nimble  tongue,  described  the  land  near  the  river  and  gave  me  any  quantity  of  advice. 

"  A  young  man  who  was  present,  Edward  Helm,  said  he  would  show  me  some  of  the  pieces 
described.  I  liked  Section  13,  and  after  returning  to  the  shanty  for  lunch,  I  started  for  the 
land  office  at  Milwaukee,  walking  the  whole  distance  that  afternoon.  Next  day,  I  entered  and 
paid  for  a  quarter-section,  and  also  purchased  of  Kilbourn,  Wolcott  &  Co.,  two  lots  in  the  vil- 
lage plat  situated  on  the  east  side  of  Section  14.  I  had  $1,000  in  gold  on  my  person,  but  after 
leaving  the  Receiver's  office,  and  wishing  to  purchase  some  article  at  a  store,  the  money  could  not 
be  found.  I  was  absent-minded  then,  as  I  am  now,  but  remembering  where  I  had  been,  returned 
to  Helfenstein's  office,  who,  upon  seeing  me,  said,  '  D — m  you,  you  ought  to  have  a  guardian 
appointed  to  look  after  you,'  and,  laughing,  handed  me  the  bag  of  money. 

"  I  soon  removed  my  family  and  effects  from  Milwaukee,  and,  boarding  at  Verbeck's  for  a 
time,  I  built  a  shanty  for  present  use,  and  in  the  spring  erected  a  commodious  log  house,  12x24  feet. 
Removing  into  it,  we  thought  to  enjoy  private  life,  but  several  mechanics  desiring  accommoda- 
tions, almost  positively  refusing  to  be  turned  away,  we  yielded  to  their  demands."  Mr.  Young 
was  one  of  the  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  held  the  office  many  years. 

Christian  Young,  with  his  wife,  two  children  and  mother,  came  in  the  fall  of  1846,  and  is, 
like  his  brother,  an  encyclopedia  of  facts  and  incidents  pertaining  to  the  early  history  of  the 
town.  It  is  stated  that  he  was  at  first  homesick  and  seriously  threatened  to  go  back  into  civil- 
ized life,  but  on  being  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  by  Solon  Johnson,  an  office  which  he  held  for 
many  years  thereafter,  he  saw  encouraging  dawns  of  civilization  in  his  new  home,  and  gradually 
assumed  the  air  of  a  contented  citizen. 

George  N.  Irish,  having  lived  in  a  shanty  at  Cedar  Creek,  came  to  West  Bend  in  1846, 
and  built  a  log  house  on  the  block  south  of  William  Wightman's  present  residence.  It  was  a 
commodious  structure  and  in  it  he  kept  his  famous  tavern.  The  mills  were  then  being  built. 
Men  from  Milwaukee,  owning  extensive  tracts  of  land  and  the  water-power,  were  coming  and 
going  ;  their  mechanics  must  be  accommodated,  either  at  the  shanty  of  Verbeck  or  at  the  tavern 
of  Irish.  It  does  not  appear  that  he  gave  his  hotel  a  name  in  1846,  although  it  is  probable  he 
did,  as.  at  a  later  day,  it  was  known  as  the  "  American  House." 

Jehiel  H.  Baker  came  from  Michigan  in  the  summer  of  1846,  and  erected  the  second  frame 
building,  a  short  distance  south  of  Weil's  "sharp  corner"  store.  It  was  occupied  as  store  and 
residence  early  the  following  autumn.      The  front  part  is  now  the  store  of  Jonathan  Potter,  Esq. 

Mr.  Baker  was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  1848,  to  lay  out 
a  "  Territorial  Road  "  from  Waukesha,  in  Waukesha  County,  to  West  Bend. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  393 

B.  (Schleisinger)  Weil  owned  property,  and  erected  what  was  at  the  time  considered  an  ele- 
gant residence  on  Section  31,  west  of  Cedar  Lake,  about  1847,  where  he  lived  for  a  time.  The 
village  of  Schleisingerville  derives  its  name  from  him. 

Moses  Weil  was  born  in  Soultz,  in  the  department  of  the  Lower  Rhine,  France,  in  the 
year  1798.  He  was  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  last  century.  He  lived  in  Paris  during  a 
large  part  of  the  time  in  which  Napoleon  the  First  was  making  Europe  tremble,  and  saw  him, 
on  his  arrival  at  Paris,  after  Waterloo. 

Mr.  Weil  came  to  West  Bend  in  November,  1845,  accompanied  by  his  two  sons.  Paul  A. 
and  Henry  J.  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  near  Cedar  Lake,  and  made  some  improvements 
there  before  coming  to  this  part  of  the  town  in  the  summer  of  1846.  In  the  month  of  August 
of  the  same  year,  he  built  the  store  known  as  the  "  Sharp-corner  Building  " — the  first  frame 
structure  in  the  town.  All  the  lumber  used  in  its  construction  was  brought  from  Milwaukee  by 
his  son  Paul  A.  with  his  ox  teams,  and  the  merchandise  to  fill  it  was  brought  in  the  same  man- 
ner by  the  young  man  partly  from  Port  Washington,  but  principally  from  Milwaukee.  The  Weil 
Store  was  a  prominent  business  center  in  those  early  times,  a  large  business  being  carried  on  for 
several  years.  The  first  frame  dwelling-house  in  the  town  was  also  built  by  Mr.  Weil,  and  he 
early  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  mill,  and  continued  in  the  active  business  manage- 
ment of  it  until  the  year  1856.  He  died  at  Cedar  Lake,  at  the  residence  of  B.  S.  Weil,  on  the 
6th  of  August,  1863.  A  friend  writes  of  him  as  follows :  "  As  a  business  man,  he  was  honest 
and  industrious,  prompt  in  all  his  engagements,  and  deservedly  possessed  the  confidence  of  the 
whole  community.  By  his  enterprise  and  liberality,  he  contributed  much  to  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  this  village  in  its  early  settlement.  A  man  of  temperate,  abstemious  and  scrupu- 
lously regular  habits,  of  plain  and  genial  manners,  he  was  kind-hearted  to  all,  and  charitable  to 
the  poor. 

"  Possessed  of  a  mild  and  friendly  disposition,  courteous  and  honorable  to  all  classes,  he  went 
to  his  final  rest,  regretted  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  sincerely  mourned  by  his  family  and 
friends." 

William  Wightman,  of  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  came  early  in  the  summer  of  1846,  and 
being  pleased  with  the  country,  authorized  James  Kneeland,  of  Milwaukee  (a  half  brother  of 
Mrs.  Wightman),  to  purchase  certain  property  for  him.  Leaving  Michigan  the  following 
autumn  with  his  wife  and  four  daughters,  in  a  comfortable  covered-wagon  drawn  by  horses,  the 
journey  was  rendered  pleasant  by  visits  to  relatives  and  friends  along  the  route.  Arriving  at 
a  shanty  on  Section  24,  they  purchased  a  loaf  of  bread  of  Huldah  Farmer  and  passed  on  to  the 
store  and  residence  of  their  old  acquaintance,  Jehiel  H.  Baker. 

Visions  of  the  old  home  rising  before  Mrs.  Wightman  in  contrast  to  this  new  life  they 
were  to  enter  upon,  caused  her  to  feel  that  she  could  not  leave  the  wagon  ;  but  better  judgment 
prevailing,  she  determined  that  as  this  must  be  her  future  home,  it  should  be  a  happy  one.  This 
was  in  October,  and  before  January  Mr.  Wightman  had  prepared  the  frame  for  his  house,  but 
when  everything  was  ready  heavy  snows  delayed  the  raising,  and  a  shanty  was  erected  instead. 
To  be  once  more  in  their  own  home,  however  rude,  was  happiness  indeed,  although  one  side  of 
the  store  must  be  parlor  while  the  other  was  kitchen.  After  the  erection  of  his  frame  house,  it 
was  opened  and  kept  for  ten  years  as  a  hotel,  and  will  be  remembered  as  the  West  Bend  House. 
Mr.  Wightman  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  town  and  county,  faithfully  serving  his 
constituents  at  all  times  when  they  have  called  him  into  public  life.  He  is  still  living  in  West 
Bend,  carrying  sturdily  the  weight  of  over  eighty  years. 

The  early  settlers  known  to  have  settled  within  the  limits  of  the  town  in  1845-46,  were 
the  Verbecks  with  their  families,  M.  A.  T.  Farmer  and  family,  Moses  Weil  and  family,  William 
Wightman  and  family,  G.  N.  Irish  (the  first  tavern-keeper),  the  Rusco  brothers,  Jehiel  H.  Baker, 
Walter  Demmon,  the  Young  brothers  with  their  families,  Daniel  Freer,  Edward  Helm,  Elder 
Babcock,  Lewis  Bates,  Mrs.  Betsey  Visgar,  James  L.  Bailey,  Mr.  Sinn,  the  blacksmith,  and 
Mr.  Bullins. 

During  the  next  two  years,  the  lands  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town  were  rapidly 


394  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

taken  up  by  actual  settlers,  and  the  clearing-up  of  the  beautiful  farms  that  now  cover  the  whole 
town  was  begun  on  nearly  every  section. 

FIRST    TOWN    MEETING. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  as  has  been  stated,  January  21,  1846, 
which  was  soon  after  the  earliest  settlers  began  to  come  in.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Isaac  Verbeck,  the  only  precinct  designated  in  the  act  of  incorporation  for  the 
town  which  embraced  at  that  time  what  is  now  comprised  in  the  towns  of  West  Bend,  Barton, 
Kewaakum,  Farmington  and  Trenton.  It  was  held  April  7,  1846.  For  several  years  the 
records  were  kept  on  loose  sheets  and  stored  away  in  a  bag.  The  bag  is  lost,  and  the  particu- 
lars of  this  first  town  meeting  are  gathered  from  the  recollections  of  old  settlers  still  living  who 
were  present  at  the  meeting.     Jacob  E.  Young's  account  is  substantially  as  follow-; : 

"We  had  trouble  about  that  first  town  meeting.  We  had  to  organize  from  the  stump,  and 
bow  we  were  to  manage  was  the  question.  We  had  no  officer,  no  authority  to  put  the  machine 
in  motion.  I  had  been  in  the  same  fire  in  1838  at  Two  Rivers.  There  we  elected  a  Board  of 
Inspectors,  Judges  of  Election  and  a  Clerk.  Having  no  officer  to  swear  the  Board  and  Clerk. 
I  suggested  that  one  of  us  swear  the  Clerk,  and  the  Clerk  could  then  swear  the  Inspectors  and 
others.  I  therefore  administered  the  oath  to  Joseph  H.  Verbeck  as  Clerk,  who,  in  turn,  swore 
the  Inspectors,  and  then  we  were  in  running  order.  I  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
there  were  three  others  elected  (whose  names  I  do  not  remember),  and  three  Highway  Commis- 
sioners. They  were  Joseph  H.  Verbeck,  Nelson  Rusco  and  myself.  Verbeck  was  elected 
Clerk  and  Farmer  was  Treasurer.  Barton  Salisbury,  and,  I  think,  Charles  Higgins,  ran  for 
Chairman  of  Board  of  Supervisors,  Salisbury  being  elected.  I  think  Ben  Thompson  and  some 
one  else  ran  for  Supervisors,  and  each  had  the  same  number  of  votes.  It  is  said  that  Verbeck's 
coffee-pot  was  the  ballot-box.  I  think,  however,  an  old  candle-box  was  used  for  that  purpose. 
I  think  there  could  not  have  been  more  than  forty  voters." 

Walter  Demmon  says  :  "  A  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Verbeck,  as 
had  been  ordered  by  the  Legislature,  when  the  town  was  set  off  and  named  in  April,  1846.  The 
four  townships  being  represented  at  this  precinct.  I  knew  we  had  a  difficulty  to  overcome — we 
had  no  one  to  swear  in  the  officers.  Jonathan  Bailey,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  from  Mequon,  was 
here  on  business,  and  I  asked  him  to  administer  the  oath,  which  he  did.  I  ran  for  Chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  against  Barton  Salisbury.  My  opponent  was  elected,  he  having  a 
majority  of  two  votes.  I  think  Jacob  E.  Young  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  Joseph 
Verbeck,  Clerk.  W.  P.  Barnes,  Mr.  Waite  and  myself  were  elected  Assessors.  I  do  not 
remember  names  of  other  officers.  We  were  all  strangers.  I  think  there  were  not  more  than 
thirty  voters." 

These  statements  must  be  accepted  as  the  record  in  the  absence  of  a  better  one,  and, 
although  the  witnesses  differ  on  some  minor  and  immaterial  points,  both  are,  in  the  main,  cor- 
rect. 

Mr.  Young  evidently  refers  to  swearing  Inspectors  of  Election  and  then  Clerk  before  voting 
commenced  ;   Mr.  Demmon  to  administering  the  oath  to  the  officers  elected. 

Of  course,  no  poll  list  of  this  first  meeting  is  now  in  existence,  but  the  list  of  votes  polled 
at  the  ensuing  fall  election,  held  in  November,  1816,  is  on  file  at  the  County  Clerk's  office,  and 
is  as  follows  : 

John  M.  Pickle,  John  A.  Avery,  Barton  Salisbury,  William  II.  Morehouse,  Russell  Ruscp, 
Joseph  II.  Verbeck,  Charles  Iliggcns,  Jared  S.  Blount,  Daniel  Freer,  Jacob  B.  Young,  Reuben 
Rusco,  George  hi-li.  Peter  Buck,  John  S.  Rusco,  John  S.  Vanepes,  Stephen  Irish,  Joshua 
Bradley,  William  W.  Verbeck,  De  Lafayette  Waite,  Peter  Buck,  Nelson  Rusco,  Harvey  Moore, 
Isaac  Verbeck.  Joseph  Mann.  Barman  Mum.  Sylvester  Rowe.  James  Costello,  Patrick  Costello. 
Total  number  of  votes  polled.  27. 

The  above  list  comprised  all  who  voted  at  that  time  within  the  limits  of  the  four  townships 
then  embraced  in  the  town  of   Weal  Bend. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  396 

FIRST     SCHOOL. 

In  the  fall  of  1846,  the  first  school  money  was  drawn.  The  parents  and  number  of  chil- 
dren reported  were  as  follows  :  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  four  children  ;  Isaac  Verbeck,  five  ;  Charles 
Higgens,  one;  Walter  Demmon,  two ;  Lewis  Bates,  two;  Russell  Rusco,  one;  Nelson  Rusco, 
three ;  Moses  Young,  four.  Total,  22.  There  is  no  record  of  any  school  being  kept,  although 
it  is  quite  likely  there  was  one  during  the  previous  summer.  The  earliest  school-teacher  who 
can  be  traced  was  Miss  Cyntha  Sinn,  a  daughter  of  Sinn,  the  blacksmith,  afterward  Mrs. 
Everly.     She  taught  in  1847. 

OTHER    FIRST    MEN,    WOMEN    AND    THINGS. 

The  first  marriage  was  solemnized  in  1846  between  Anson  Verbeck  and  Hannah  McDonald. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Jacob  E.  Young,  who  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  a  child  of  Dr.  Pickett.  It  was  buried  near  Kohlsdorf's  place, 
south  of  the  village,  where  it  was  then  contemplated  locating  the  burying-ground. 

The  first  religious  service  was  held  at  the  house  of  Walter  Demmon  by  Rev.  Bela  Wilcox, 
or  Elder  Babcock.     Authorities  differ. 

The  first  tavern  was  kept  by  George  N.  Irish  in  1846. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  built  by  E.  B.  Wolcott  in  1846,  and  the  first  lumber  sawed  by 
George  N.  Irish. 

The  first  grist-mill  was  built  in  1847  by  E.  B.  Wolcott. 

The  first  millers  were  the  Cotton  brothers. 

The  first  frame  building  was  erected  in  1846 — Weil's  "  Sharp-corner  Store" — built  by  the 
Weils,  father  and  sons,  and  still  standing. 

The  first  lawyer  was  Ira  Spencer,  who  was  also  the  first  Postmaster. 

The  first  physician  was  Dr.  Spencer,  a  brother  to  Ira. 

The  first  large  spinning-wheel  was  brought  in  by  Mrs.  M.  A.  T.  Farmer  in  1845. 

The  first  wheat  was  grown  by  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  who  also  was  the  first  white  settler  who 
owned  a  dog. 

The  first  village  lot  was  sold  to  Jacob  E.  Young. 

The  first  blacksmith  was  Nelson  Verbeck. 

The  first  family  jar  was  at  Battle  Creek,  south  of  the  village,  which  gave  the  locality  its 
name. 

The  first  newspaper  was  the  Washington  County  Organ,  published  by  a  Mr.  Wentworth, 
who  was  the  first  printer  and  editor.     He  set  up  in  1854. 

The  first  span  of  horses  owned  in  the  town  was  a  span  of  grays  bought  in  Indiana  by  Paul 
A.  Weil  and  brought  to  West  Bend  by  him. 

The  first  shanty  was  built  by  M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  and  the  second  by  Isaac  Verbeck. 

The  first  male  school-teacher  was  William  H.  Ramsey.  He  taught  the  village  school  in 
the  winter  of  1847-48.      He  now  lives  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

The  first  white  woman  in  West  Bend  was  Mrs.  Ben  Thompson. 


THE  VILLAGE  OF  WEST  BEND. 

The  village  is  built  along  the  western  bank  and  up  the  slopes  from  the  Milwaukee  River, 
mostly  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  14,  and  extending  on  to  the  adjoining  sections 
11,  on  the  north,  and  13  on  the  east. 

The  river,  running  in  a  southerly  course,  here  makes  a  sharp  bend  to  the  southwest  and 
sweeps  round  to  the  northeast  within  a  radius  of  two  miles,  making  a  semicircle.  The  land 
slopes  up  from  the  river  banks  on  either  side.  The  river  runs  through  the  valley,  having  a  fall 
of  some  fifty  feet  in  a  course  of  four  miles. 


-I''  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

No  more  beautiful  site  for  a  village  can  be  imagined,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that,  with  its 
splendid  water-power,  it  was  early  marked  as  the  destined  central  village  of  the  surrounding 
region.  Almost  as  soon  as  the  first  settlers  came  in,  speculating  prospectors  had  discovered  its 
natural  advantages  and  secured  the  land  on  which  the  village  was  afterward  built. 

E.  N.  Higgins  had,  prior  to  September,  1845.  pre-empted  the  land  covering  the  water- 
power.  During  that  year,  Byron  Kilbourn,  of  Milwaukee,  an  energetic  and  farseeing  man,  since 
known  as  the  prime  mover  in  all  the  early  public  improvements  of  the  State,  made  an  exploring 
trip  through  Washington  County  and  discovered,  as  he  thought,  one  of  the  most  valuable  powers 
in  the  country  at  West  Bend.  He  and  two  other  Milwaukee  men,  James  Kneeland  and  Dr.  E. 
B.  Wolcott,  purchased  eight  eighty-acre  lots  adjoining  Higgins's,  and  took  Higgins  in  as  a  part- 
ner, to  secure  the  water-power,  as  he  had  already  preempted  the  land  about  the  falls.  The  pur- 
chases from  the  Government  and  the  formation  of  the  copartnership  was  consummated  in  the 
fall  of  1845,  and  the  village  plat  made  before  January,  1846.  The  original  owners  were  Byron 
Kilbourn,  James  Kneeland  and  Erastus  B.  Wolcott,  of  Milwaukee,  and  E.  N.  Higgins,  who 
lived  at  West  Bend.  William  Wightman  subsequently  became  interested.  Jasper  Vliet,  then 
of  Milwaukee,  was  the  surveyor  and  platter. 

The  village  having  been  laid  out,  improvements  on  the  water-power  were  begun  forthwith. 
E.  B.  Wolcott  entered  into  a  contract  with  his  co-partners,  whereby  he  was  to  own  the  water- 
power  on  the  building  of  a  dam,  saw-mill  and  grist-mill  at  his  own  expense,  to  be  finished  at  the 
times  specified,  in  1846  and  1848,  and  to  be  afterward  maintained  by  him  in  good  working  con- 
dition. Wolcott  built  the  dam  and  saw-mill  in  1846,  commenced  the  grist-mill  in  1847,  and 
completed  it  in  1848.  The  saw-mill  was  leased  to  George  H.  Irish,  and  he  began  to  saw  lumber 
for  the  building  that  was  now  being  vigorously  pushed  by  the  incoming  settlers.  The  first  lumber 
sawed  went  into  William  Wightman's  house,  which  lie  had  already  commenced  to  build.  The 
grist-mill,  on  its  completion,  was  leased  to  Daniel  Cotton  and  his  brother.  While  these  improve- 
ments were  progressing,  many  settlers  had  come  into  the  place  and  it  now  put  on  all  the  appear- 
ances of  a  thriving  spot,  as  it  certainly  was. 

There  was  a  post  office  kept  by  Ira  Spencer;  Weil  Brothers  and  Ishiel  H.  Baker  were  doing 
a  profitable  business  in  dry  goods  and  groceries  with  the  farmers  of  West  Bend  and  the  surround- 
ing towns;  Verbeck  and  Sinn  were  each  running  a  blacksmith-shop  ;  the  three  taverns  of  Irish, 
Wightman  and  Zimmerman  were  filled  with  travelers  nightly,  and  the  streets  by  day  were 
crowded  with  those  who  came  with  grists  to  mill  and  to  make  their  purchases.  The  trade  and 
traffic  of  the  western  part  of  the  county  centered  here,  and  rapidly  built  up  the  town.  During 
the  years  from  1850  to  1860,  the  town  grew  to  approximate  its  present  size  and  put  on  its  pres- 
ent appearance  sufficiently  to  have  a  family  resemblance  to  the  village  of  to-day.  It  had  during 
that  time,  added  to  its  milling  and  lumber  manufactories,  a  brewery  :  in  1863,  a  woolen  factory 
was  added  ;  it  had  two  more  hotels:  the  main  street  (River)  was  well  built  up.  The  village  had 
become  the  county  seat,  and  the  county  buildings  had  been  erected.  Three  churches  had  also 
been  built.  In  1857,  the  population  was  600,  and,  in  I860,  it  was  not  far  from  eight  hundred. 
It  had  a  newspaper  and  supported  a  high  school.  Thus,  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  it  had 
grown  to  be  one  of  the  most  promising  villages  of  the  State.  For  the  succeeding  ten  years,  the 
village  remained  nearly  stationary.  Since  1870,  the  growth  has  been  gradual,  the  population 
being,  in  1880,  1,283. 

A  SHORT-LIVED  CITY. 

November  25,  1853,  West  Bend  lost  its  identity.  At  a  session  of  the  County  Board  of 
Supervisors  held  on  that  day,  the  town  of  Newark  was  changed  to  Harton,  and  the  town  of 
Farmington  to  Carbon  :  whereupon  the  member  from  West  Bend  moved  to  change  the  name  of 
West  Bend  Village  to  Lamartine  City,  and  it  was  accordingly  done  by  vote  of  the  board.  Dur- 
ing the  evening  the  change  became  known,  and  was,  to  put  it  mild,  not  graciously  accepted  by 
the  citizens.  On  the  following  morning,  a  petition,  generally  signed,  was  presented  to  the 
board,  praying  that  Lamartine  City  be  changed  to  West  Bend.  It  was  accordingly  so  done. 
The  city  had  an  ephemeral  existence  of  eighteen  hours. 


^S  T^LwA-^ 


HISTOKY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  399 

THE  CHANGES. 

Many  changes  have  occurred  during  the  past  twenty  years,  calculated  to  affect  the  business 
interests  of  the  village.  The  old  saw-mill  has  gone  altogether,  the  old  grist-mill,  still  standing, 
seems  to  have  outlived  its  usefulness  and  contents  itself  with  grinding  now  and  then  a  grist  in 
memory  of  its  youth,  when  it  ran  night  and  day. 

The  woolen-mill  was  long  ago  burned,  and  the  water-power  lies  virtually  idle,  waiting  the 
hand  of  enterprise  once  more  to  direct  it  again  to  profitable  and  beneficent  uses. 

INCORPORATED. 

The  village  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  Legislature  in  1868.  The  first  meeting  under  the 
act  of  incorporation  was  held  April  7,  1868,  and  the  following  board  of  village  officers  was 
elected:  Trustees,  John  Shelley,  President,  Simon  Hornstein,  B.  S.  Potter  and  Ernst  Lemke ; 
Assessors,  William  Smith,  Louis  Reisse ;  Clerk,  H.  G.  Treveranus ;  Marshal,  Charles  T. 
Haas  ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  H.  J.  Weil,  F.  H.  Haase ;  Constables,  August  Luckow,  Theodore 
Glantz. 

The  village  tax  for  1868,  the  first  year  of  its  corporate  existence,  amounted  to  $4,754.38, 
of  which  sum  $2,591  was  raised  for  schools.  The  amount  of  village  tax  for  1880  was  $5,013.26, 
of  which  sum  $2,217.91  was  expended  for  the  support  of  schools. 

The  present  board  of  village  officers,  elected  April  6,  1881,  is  as  follows :  Supervisor, 
Henry  Krieger;  President,  John  Reisse;  Trustees,  F.  H.  Haase,  John  Thielges,  George 
Leisgang,  Mathew  Regner ;  Clerk,  Adolph  Arzbacher ;  Treasurer,  Jacob  Herdt ;  Assessor, 
John  Knippel ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  John  Ekstein,  L.  Neuburg ;  Constables,  John  Burkardt, 
Jacob  Heipp  ;   Marshal,  John  Koester. 

In  1873,  the  Chicago  &  North-Western  Railroad  was  completed  through  the  county,  and 
gave  to  West  Bend  railroad  and  telegraphic  communication  with  the  outside  world,  and  a  fresh 
start.  The  depot  grounds  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  which  is  now  spanned  by  two  sub- 
stantial bridges  and  several  lighter  structures  for  foot  passengers. 

Thus  has  been  briefly  outlined  the  material  growth  of  the  village  from  its  beginning,  in 
1845,  to  the  present  time.  The  inhabitants  have  been  characterized  b;  honesty,  thrift  and 
patriotism.  Some  of  the  first  to  settle  in  the  village  still  remain,  but  they  see  few  of  their  old 
companions  of  thirty-five  years  ago.  Of  the  original  owners  of  the  village,  Messrs.  Kilbourn  and 
Wolcott  are  dead  ;  James  Kneeland  is  still  living  in  Milwaukee,  and  William  Wightman 
alone  enjoys  a  peaceful  and  contented  old  age  in  the  beautiful  village  he  helped  to  build. 

OTHER    EARLY    COMERS. 

Of  those  who  came  in  at  a  later  date,  but  sufficiently  early  to  be  termed  old  settlers,  and 
who  have  been  honorably  identified  with  the  growth  and  good  name  of  the  village,  it  is  fitting  to 
mention  such  as  have  been  prominent,  or  are  still  active  in  its  affairs. 

John  Potter,  Jr.,  came  in  in  the  spring  of  1849,  and  after  an  honorable  and  successful 
mercantile  career  of  thirty-two  years,  is  still  engaged  in  business  at  the  old  stand. 

Leander  F.  Frisby,  the  oldest  law  practitioner  in  the  county,  came  in  October,  1853,  and  is 
still  engaged  in  his  profession,  in  company  with  Paul  A.  Weil,  with  whom  he  has  been  asso- 
ciated continuously  since  1858. 

John  E.  Mann,  now  County  Judge  of  Milwaukee  County,  was  one  of  the  early  lawyers  of 
West  Bend,  being  associated  with  L.  F.  Frisby  from  1854  to  1858. 

B.  Goetter,  now  the  oldest  hotel-keeper,  proprietor  of  the  Washington  House,  and  a  wealthy 
and  respected  German  citizen,  came  in  the  spring  of  1849,  started  the  first  brewery,  and  in  1852 
built  and  opened  a  hotel  on  the  site  of  his  present  building.  It  was  burned  and  rebuilt  by  him 
in  1864.     He  is  one  of  the  oldest  German  settlers  now  living  in  the  village. 

Charles  H.  Miller,  now  a  lawyer  in  West  Bend,  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  now  living  in 
the  county.     He  came  into  Mequon  with  his  parents  in   1841,  when  only  fifteen  years  of  age. 


400  HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES. 

He  was,  at  the  time  of  the  division  of  the  county,  living  in  Port  Washington.      He  moved  to 
West  Bend  in  1853. 

John  Shelley,  who  held  the  office  of  County  Judge  for  twenty-four  successive  years,  came  to 
the  village  in  1854,  and  is  still  a  resident. 

John  Wagner  came  in  1848.  He  first  followed  his  trade  as  a  mason, .then  became  a  mer- 
chant, and  finally  retired  to  a  farm.  He  died  of  consumption  July  23,  1870.  He  was  a 
citizen  of  sterling  worth  and  unspotted  character.  His  two  sons  still  live  in  the  village.  Her- 
man J.  Wagner,  born  May  15,  1852,  is  a  blacksmith,  of  the  firm  of  Wagner  &  Knippel.  Adam 
M.  Wagner,  born  September  29,  1858,  is  in  the  employ  of  John  Potter,  Jr. 

George  F.  Hunt.  M.  D.,  came  into  the  county  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Barton  in  I860. 
In  1861  he  removed  to  West  Bend,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  most  skillful  practitioners  in  the  county.  He  has  also  been  active  in  public  affairs,  having 
been  Postmaster  for  eight  years.  He  was  elected  State  Senator  in  1880.  He  has  also  been 
connected  with  the  press,  and  is  an  able  writer  and  lecturer  on  anatomy  and  other  kindred  sub- 
jects. He  was  President  of  the  village  in  1879-80.  and  has  held  other  offices  of  trust  and 
honor. 

George  H.  Kleffier,  one  of  the  earliest  German  residents  of  West  Bend,  settled  in  Barton 
as  a  physician  as  early  as  1851,  came  to  West  Bend  in  1853,  when  the  county  seat  of  the  new 
county  was  established  here,  and  has  since  been  an  honored  resident  of  the  village.  He  has  had 
more  offices  conferred  on  him  by  the  suffrages  of  the  people  than  any  other  citizen  of  the  county. 
He  also  inaugurated  the  practice  of  celebrating  the  Fifth  of  July,  a  practice  peculiar  to  West 
Bend  and  vicinity. 

I.  N.  Frisby  is  one  of  the  oldest  lawyers  in  the  county,  having  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  in  1854,  the  next  year  following  the  organization  of  the  county.  He  is  a  careful  lawyer  of 
ability,  far  above  the  rank  his  own  modesty  would  ascribe. 

THE    WAR    PERIOD. 

West  Bend  was  the  central  rallying  point  for  the  eastern  part  of  Washington  County  dur- 
ing the  war  period,  and  its  history  during  those  years  shows  the  intense  feeling  of  loyalty  and 
patriotism  that  pervaded  the  community.  The  surface  show  of  discontent  that  at  one  time  pre- 
vailed is  insignificant  when  compared  with  the  deep  and  abiding  current  that  swept  through 
the  county  from  the  beginning  to  the  end.  The  record  below  is  creditable  alike  to  West  Bend 
and  the  surrounding  towns  of  Barton,  Kewaskum.  Farmington  and  Trenton,  whose  soldiers 
helped  to  swell  the  ranks  of  the  West  Bend  companies.  The  credit  to  these  adjoining  towns 
equally  is  accorded  to  them  although  it  is  appropriate  and  convenient  to  give  the  history  without 
the  mutilation  that  would  occur  from  an  attempt  to  separate  specifically  the  exact  work  of  the 
various  towns  allied  with  West  Bend  in  her  patriotic  work. 

The  first  call  for  a  war  meeting  is  published  in  the  Post  of  April  22,  1861.  It  reads  as 
follows : 

01  I  l/.KNS,    ti  its    00  I  !  ! 

A  muss  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  West  Bend  ami  vicinity,  irrespective  nf  party,  will  be  held  at  the  court  house 
to-morrow  evening  (Tuesday),  at  '■'•  o'clock  I'.  M ..  to  oonaider  the  state  of  the  country,  and  make  response  to  t h«-  call  of 
the  President  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Government  against  traitors  in  arms,  and  also  to  hoist  our  National  Flag 
upon  the  i  "in  t  Souse 

Parker  .v.  Brother's  Band  will  be  present,  and  the  meeting  will  be  addressed  by  Hon  I..  V.  Frisby,  P.  •••  Thorp 
and  others.      Let  all  who  love  their  country  respond. 

In  pursuance  to  the  foregoing  call,  a  large  and  enthusiastic  Union  mass  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens of  West  Bend,  Barton  ami  vicinity,  without  distinction  of  party,  and  in  defiance  of  a  pelting 
rain-storm,  was  held  tit  the  court  house.  The  Stars  and  Stripes  were  unfurled,  ami  after  three 
cheers  for  the  old  flag,  the  meeting  was  called  to  order,  and  Col.  Daniel  MeHenry  chosen  Presi- 
dent, and  N.  S.  Gilson,  Secretary.  Short  ami  patriotic  speeches  were  made  by  W.  P.  Barnes, 
L.  F.  Frisby,  G.  H.  Klefller.  F.O.  Thorp  and  I.  N.  Frisby. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  401 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  the  Committee  on  Resolutions  and  adopted : 

Whereas,  Our  Government  has  been  attacked  by  rebels  and  traitors,  and  the  Union  thereby  endangered  ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  That  our  sentiments  are,  "  The  Dnion  Forever,"  and,  if  necessary,  our  blood  and  treasure  to  sustain  it. 

G.  H.  Kleffi.br, 
B.  S    PlTTER, 

W.    P.    HoRTON, 

W.  P.  Barnes, 
L.  F.  Frisbt. 

After  three  more  cheers  for  the  Star-Spangled  Banner,  and  three  more  for  the  Union,  the 
meeting  adjourned. 

George  H.  Kleffler,  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  Wisconsin  State  Militia,  was  at 
this  time  in  West  Bend  forming  a  volunteer  company  to  be  called  the  "  Garibaldi  Guards,"  and 
young  men  were  fast  enlisting  both  in  that  company  and  in  others  that  were  being  formed  in 
larger  places.  Among  those  who  went  thus  early,  we  find  the  names  of  Oscar  Rusco,  William 
Lowe,  Isaiah  Culver,  W.  W.  Aiken,  W.  W.  Denison,  William  Dutcher  and  Thomas  Farmer. 

THE    FIRST   WAR    COMPANY. 

The  Union  Guards — A  company  raised  in  West  Bend,  and  containing  in  its  ranks  some  of 
the  best  blood  of  that  and  the  adjoining  towns,  was  organized  in  the  latter  part  of  September, 
1861.  On  September  11,  forty  members  enlisted  and  were  sworn  in  for  the  war,  among  whom 
was  Charles  D.  Waldo,  junior  editor  of  the  Post.  The  officers  were:  John  Martin  Price,  Cap- 
tain ;  Thomas  Farmer,  First  Lieutenant ;  William  G.  Norton,  Second  Lieutenant ;  Harlow 
Waller,  C.  D.  Waldo,  John  B.  Jones,  F.  B.  Wheeler,  William  Nungesser,  Sergeants :  H.  G. 
Newcomb,  0.  A.  Rusco,  James  Harris,  Daniel  J.  Sullivan,  George  T.  Wescott,  G.  R.  Holt, 
Christoph  Eberhardt,  Vinal  Norton,  Corporals ;  W.  R.  Wescott,  Fifer ;  Erskine  Wescott, 
Drummer;  W.  H.  Gordon,  Color  Bearer  ;  J.  H.  Wright,  Wagoner. 

Thursday  morning,  October  31,  the  company  numbering  109  men,  after  being  presented 
with  a  splendid  silken  banner  by  the  ladies,  took  a  solemn  oath  to  support  their  country  under 
all  circumstances,  and  bring  back  the  banner  just  presented  to  them  unsullied,  or  die  in  its  de- 
fense. The  next  morning  they  took  their  departure  for  Madison,  and,  upon  arriving  there,  went 
into  quarters  at  Camp  Randall.  The  company  was  assigned  to  the  Twelfth  Wisconsin  Infantry 
as  Company  D  ;  remained  in  camp  until  January,  1862,  and  was  then  ordered  to  Weston,  Mo. 
On  the  15th  of  February,  they  went  into  camp  at  Leavenworth.  Here  the  regiment  was  assigned 
to  form  part  of  Gen.  Lane's  Southwest  expedition,  the  troops  to  concentrate  at  Fort  Scott.   • 

In  May,  1862,  they  were  re-assigned  to  Gen.  Mitchell's  brigade,  and  ordered  to  Columbus 
and  thence  to  Humboldt,  Tenn.,  in  which  vicinity  the  regiment  remained  doing  duty  in  guarding: 
railroads,  as  scouts,  etc.,  through  the  summer.  In  October,  the  regiment  was  attached  to  the 
Third  Brigade  at  Bolivar,  and  remained  there  until  Gen.  Grant  started  on  his  Vicksburg  cam- 
paign. Through  the  winter  of  1862-63,  the  regiment  was  marching  and  counter-marching — 
guarding  railroads  and  skirmishing,  but  was  in  no  serious  battle.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  the 
Twelfth  took  part  in  the  operations  before  Vicksburg;  remained  in  that  locality  until  the  sur- 
render of  the  city,  and,  in  August,  went  into  camp  at  Natchez.  They  remained  at  this  place 
the  most  of  the  winter  of  1863,  and,  in  January,  1864,  returned  to  Vicksburg,  where  the  regi- 
ment was  re-organized  as  a  veteran  regiment,  520  men  having  enlisted.  In  February,  1864, 
they  formed  a  part  of  Sherman's  Meridian  expedition.  On  this  trip  they  marched  416  miles  in 
thirty-one  days,  the  Twelfth  being  highly  complimented  for  its  gallantry.  On  the  13th  of  March, 
they  left  for  Wisconsin  on  veteran  furlough.  April  30,  went  to  Cairo  on  order  of  Gen.  Sherman 
for  re-assembling  of  veteran  regiment ;  joined  the  "Army  of  the  Tennessee  "  on  the  8th  of  June, 
and  became  identified  with  the  Atlanta  campaign.  At  Kennesaw  Mountain  twenty-five  men  from 
Company  D,  with  the  same  number  from  five  other  companies  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  under 
Capt.  Maxon,  were  detached  to  dislodge  a  large  force  of  rebels  from  a  strong  position  which  they 
held.  Their  success  and  bravery  won  commendation  from  Gen.  McPherson  and  the  Division 
and  Brigade  commanders. 


402  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AM)  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  July,  1864,  the  Twelfth  and  Sixteenth  formed  the  advance  of 
the  charging  column  in  the  attack  on  the  enemy's  works  on  Bald  Hill.  The  Twelfth,  in  fifteen 
minutes,  out  of  less  than  600  men  engaged,  lost  134  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  captured  more 
small  arms  than  it  had  men  engaged.  Four  color  bearers  were  shot,  and  the  two  flag-staffs  were 
shot  off. 

On  the  following  day,  during  the  desperate  effort  of  the  rebels  to  retake  the  captured  works, 
Capt.  Price,  of  Company  D,  was  wounded,  and  in  the  list  of  "  killed  or  died  of  wounds  "  are  the 
names  of  Corporal  Emery  B.  Smith,  Privates  Edwin  E.  Frisby,  William  Hockman,  Mathias 
Lampert,  Wellington  Stannard,  Chris  Smith,  Nicholas  Harris,  David  M.  Waller  and  Moses 
Whalan,  all  of  Company  D.     The  two  latter  died  at  Andersonville. 

From  this  time  until  their  arrival  at  Atlanta  on  the  loth  of  October,  the  deaths  of  Henry 
Goldner  on  August  12,  and  that  of  John  M.  Holt  on  the  11th  of  October,  are  all  that  are  reported 
from  Company  D. 

In  October,  Capt.  John  M.  Price  was  promoted  to  Major,  and  on  the  19th  of  December, 
when  near  Savannah,  his  life  was  very  sadly  and  unfortunately  brought  to  a  close  by  a  mistake 
of  a  Union  soldier.     He  was  shot  as  he  was  walking  near  the  lines  between  the  pickets. 

The  company  with  its  regiment  proceeded  from  Savannah  to  Washington  ;  was  present  at 
the  grand  review  ;  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  and  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  July,  1865. 

SECOND    COMPANY — WASHINGTON    COUNTY    RIFLK-. 

On  Tuesday,  the  12th  of  August,  1862,  a  war  meeting  was  held  in  West  Bend,  which  was 
addressed  by  Hon.  Matt  H.  Carpenter,  Hon.  Arthur  McArthur,  Capt.  Charles  Lehman, 
Moritz  Schoeffler  and  others,  calling  upon  the  citizens  to  respond  to  the  call  of  the  Governor  for 
more  troops.  On  Wednesday,  the  12th,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  court  house  at  7  o'clock  in 
the  evening,  F.  0.  Thorp,  Esq.,  presiding,  and  Paul  A.  Weil  acting  as  Secretary. 

After  addresses  from  Messrs.  L.  F.  Frisby,  Eugene  S.  Turner,  of  Ozaukee  County,  and 
Judge  Mann,  $460  was  subscribed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Washington  County  Rifles,  a  company 
being  raised  at  the  time  by  Jacob  E.  Mann,  Esq.,  editor  of  the  West  Bend  Post.  Twenty-one 
persons  enlisted  at  the  close  of  the  meeting.  The  company  was  organized  with  the  following 
list  of  officers:  Captain,  Jacob  E.  Mann;  First  Lieutenant,  Jacob  Heipp ;  Second  Lieutenant. 
Charles  Ottilie ;  Sergeants,  John  Crowley,  John  Horn,  John  Kemmel,  Phillip  Illian,  Henry 
Blenker  :  Corporals,  John  Schultz,  Jacob  Wagner,  Carl  Karsten,  H.  Guenther,  George  Koehler. 
A.  H.  Cassell,  John  Guenther,  A.  Rusho. 

The  company  was  assigned  to  the  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Infantry  as  Company  G,  and  left 
West  Bend  September  4  for  Camp  Sigel,  Milwaukee.  The  following  greeting  appeared  in  the 
Post  of  September  13, 1862,  showing  that  loyalty  and  patriotism  was  not  confined  to  the  soldiers 
of  the  war : 

"  My  husband,  Jacob  E.  Mann,  and  my  brother,  Charles  D.  Waldo,  editors  of  this  paper, 
having  both  gone  to  the  war  to  fight  the  battles  of  our  country,  I  have  taken  the  editorial  chair 
for  the  time  being,  and  propose  to  run  this  establishment  to  the  best  of  my  ability.  I  hope  our 
kind  readers,  under  such  circumstances,  will  make  all  due  allowance  while  the  paper  is  in  our 
charge.  While  those  who  are  dear  to  us  are  helping  to  put  down  this  accursed  rebellion  with 
the  weapons  of  war  far  away  from  home,  we  here  will  try  ami  wield  the  pen  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. We  will  willingly  give  up  the  editorial  chair  when  the  Union  is  re-established  upon  a  per- 
manent basis,  as  we  are  for  the  Union  as  it  was,  and  the  Constitution  as  it  is. 

"  Cabbie  Mann." 

The  Twenty-sixth  was  ordered  to  report  at  Washington,  an  1  left  the  State  on  the  6th  of 
October,  1862.  It  was  assigned  to  the  army  corps  commanded  by  (Jen.  Sigel.  and  immediately 
put  on  duty.  On  the  2d  of  November  they  marched  to  Gainesville,  remaining  in  that  vicinity 
until  December,  when  operations  for  the  winter  having  closed,  the  regiment  went  into  camp  at 
Stafford  Court  House.  While  here  the  company  lost  by  typhoid  fever  Orderly  Crowley,  the 
second  death  in  the  company,  the  first  being  Conrad  Mack. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  403 

At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  on  the  2d  day  of  May,  1863,  Company  G  lost  its  Captain, 
Charles  Pizzala,  who  had  succeeded  Jacob  E.  Mann,  he  having  been  obliged  to  resign  on 
account  of  sickness.  The  list  of  killed  and  wounded  in  this  battle  shows  that  the  Washington 
County  Rifles  never  "showed  the  white  feather."  Besides  Capt.  Pizzala,  there  were  killed,  or 
died  of  wounds,  Corporal  Henry  Guenther,  Privates  Jacob  Lauerman,  Jacob  Wieman,  George 
W.  Rusco,  Jacob  Dixheimer,  Richard  Daly,  Kilian  Schnepf,  Joseph  Steinmetz,  John  Schmidt, 
John  C.  Vetter  and  Franz  Zieldorf.  Company  G  was  in  the  fight  at  Gettysburg  July  1,  enter- 
ing the  field  with  thirty-two  men,  and  coming  off  with  only  seven  uninjured.  Besides  these, 
there  were  eight  men  on  picket,  giving  a  total  of  fifteen  men  in  the  company  fit  for  duty.  Cor- 
porals George  Keohler,  Fritz  Zieldorf  and  John  Pitger,  and  Privates  Ferdinand  Fritz  and 
Julius  Jenslon  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded. 

The  regiment  was  transferred  to  the  army  in  Tennessee,  and  was  engaged  in  the  brilliant 
action  at  Mission  Ridge.  On  the  29th  of  November,  marched  to  Knoxville,  a  peculiarly  hard 
march,  "  the  weather  being  cold,  the  country  rough,  the  roads  muddy,  l'ations  short,  shoes  worn 
out  and  clothing  scanty." 

On  the  15th  of  May,  the  regiment  having  been  transferred  to  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps 
for  the  Atlanta  campaign,  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Resaca.  Company  G  lost  Privates  P.  Stof- 
fell  and  Albert  Wolf.  In  the  battles  near  Dallas,  Corporal  Robert  H.  Templeton  and  Privates 
Emerson  L.  Smith  and  George  Dillenbach  were  killed.  The  conduct  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Regi- 
ment in  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  is  thus  spoken  of  by  Col.  Wood,  of  the  Third  Brigade, 
in  his  official  report  : 

"  Where  all  behaved  well,  it  may  be  regarded  as  invidious  to  call  attention  to  individuals, 
yet  it  seems  to  me  I  cannot  discharge  my  duty  in  this  report  without  pointing  out  for  especial 
commendation  the  conduct  of  the  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  its  brave 
and  able  commander.  The  position  of  this  regiment  in  the  line  was  such  that  the  brunt  of  the 
enemy's  attack  fell  upon  it.  The  brave,  skillful  and  determined  manner  in  which  it  met  this 
attack,  rolled  back  the  onset,  pressed  forward  in  a  counter  charge  and  drove  back  the  enemy, 
could  not  be  excelled  by  the  troops  in  this  or  any  other  army,  and  is  worthy  of  the  highest 
commendation  and  praise."  Nicholas  Vollmar,  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  G,  was  mortally 
wounded  in  this  battle. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  with  its  regiment,  the  company  moved  forward  with  Gen.  Sher- 
man in  his  march  to  the  sea ;  was  at  Washington  at  the  grand  review ;  arrived  at  Milwaukee  on 
the  17th  of  June,  where  it  was  given  a  grand  reception  and  banquet;  marched  to  Camp  Wash- 
burn, and  was  there  discharged  and  paid  off  on  the  29th  of  June,  1865. 

Carl  Karsten,  who  was  the  Orderly  Sergeant  of  the  company,  and  was  with  it  during  its 
whole  term  of  service,  kindly  furnishes  the  following  information  concerning  the  members  of  the 
company  from  the  town  of  West  Bend : 

Captain — Jacob  E.  Mann,  resigned  December  8,  1862. 

First  Lieutenant — Jacob  Heipp,  resigned  December  4,  1862. 

Sergeants — John  Horn,  discharged  April  10,  1863;  John  Remmel. 

Corporals — Jacob  Wagner,  discharged  February  14,  1863;    Carl  Karsten,  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Wagoner — Joseph  Steinmetz,  killed  at  Chancellorsville. 

1'rivates — Henry  Banten,  discharged  June  8,  1863;  John  Cary,  promoted  to  Corporal;  Jacob  Dixheimer, 
killed;  Richard  Daily,  killed  ;  Christian  Frenz,  wounded;  Charles  Frenz,  wounded  and  discharged ;  John  Rilling, 
discharged  February  11,  1863;  George  W.  Rusco,  killed  ;  Peter  Ruplinger,  wounded  ;  Peter  Stoffel,  killed  ;  Emer- 
son Smith,  taken  prisoner  ;  afterward  killed  ;  John  Schmidt,  killed. 

Mr.  Karsten  was  promoted  to  a  First  Lieutenancy,  and  commanded  his  company  at  the 
battle  of  Burnt  Hickory.  Out  of  twenty-two  men,  all  then  left  fit  for  duty,  they  lost  that  day  : 
killed,  3 ;  wounded,  4  ;  missing,  1.  Other  information  furnished  by  him  of  members  of  the 
company  from  other  towns  will  appear  in  the  several  town  histories. 

THE    WOMEN'S     WORK. 

The  ladies  of  West  Bend  were  not  behind  their  sisters  all  over  the  country  in  their  exer- 
tions and  sacrifices  for  the  benefit  of  the  soldiers.     Fairs  and  festivals  were  held,  aid  societies 


404  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

organized,  hospitals  supplied  with  nurses,  and  every  means  that  woman's  sympathy  could  devise, 
and  skill  and  ingenuity  or  self-sacrifice  carry  out,  was  resorted  to  before  the  weary,  waiting  days 
were  over,  and  in  all  this  work,  the  women  of  this  little  village  bore  their  part. 
March  7,  1863,  the  Post  says: 

The  net  proceeds  of  the  Ladies'  Festival  amounts  to  $80.50.  Soldiers'  families  who  arc  in  need  of  aid  can 
apply  to  the  undersigned  committee: 

Mil*.  Pail  A.  Weil,  Mrs.  .1  LCOB  E.  Mann, 

Mks.  C  U.  Miller,  Mrs.  i'iiarles  Maykr, 

Mii    James  Voli.mar,  Mr.  11.  II.  Price. 

Mrs.  .1.  Potter,  Treasurer. 

On  February  11,  1864,  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized,  and  the  following  officers 
elected:  Mrs.  John  Potter,  Jr.,  President;  Mrs.  Charles  Mayer,  Mrs.  Jacob  E.  Mann,  Vice 
Presidents;  Miss  Ella  McHenry,  Secretary;  Mrs.  Albert  Semler,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  Charles 
Jl.  Miller,  Mrs.  Beckel,  Mrs.  I.  N.  Frisby,  Mrs.  F.  0.  Thorp,  Mrs.  Paul  A.  Weil,  committee  on 
cutting ;  Mrs.  Barney  Potter,  Mrs.  F.  Everly,  Mrs.  L.  F.  Frisby,  Mrs.  Hurlburt,  Miss  D. 
Irish,  committee  on  packing. 

The  society,  through  its  Secretary,  made  its  appeal  to  the  farmers  for  vegetables,  particu- 
larly potatoes,  those  being,  at  the  time,  especially  needed.  It  also  solicited  aid  in  money  and 
clothing  from  the  citizens  of  West  Bend  and  the  adjacent  villages,  and  soon  was  able  to  send  a 
well-filled  box  to  the  "boys  in  blue." 

The  last  meeting  of  the  society  was  held  on  Saturday  June  28,  1865,  nearly  two  years 
after  its  formation.  It  contributed  its  full  share  toward  relieving  the  wants  of  soldiers'  families, 
and  its  later  efforts  were  directed  toward  raising  funds  for  the  Soldiers'  Home,  since  erected  in 
Milwaukee.  At  the  Fair  held  in  Milwaukee  fir  the  benefit  of  this  undertaking,  West  Bend 
was  worthily  represented  by  Mrs.  Miller,  Miss  Ella  McHenry  and  Miss  Hattie  Wightman. 
An  agricultural  wreath  which  Mrs.  Miller  contributed  was  said  to  be  the  most  beautiful  speci- 
men of  the  kind  on  exhibition.  The  total  amount  paid  into  the  Soldiers'  Home  Fair  treasury 
from  Washington  County  was  $339.77.  Of  this,  $85  was  donated  in  cash  by  the  West  Bend 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  the  remainder  received  from  the  sale  of  goods  by  the  West  Bend  and 
Hartford  Societies  at  the  Washington  County  table  in  the  Fair  building. 

WEST    BENI>    VI  I. LACE    IN     lSSl. 

The  village  has  a  population  of  about  one  thousand  three  hundred.  It  is  three-fourths 
German,  the  remaining  quarter  being  largely  American.  Of  the  German  population,  over  half 
are  of  American  birth  or  came  to  the  county  in  early  childhood.  Tt  has  seven  churches,  two 
school  edifices,  a  court  house  and  at  Schlitz  Grove  a  large  assembly  hall  capable  of  seating 
siiii  people;  it  has  five  general  stores,  two  ding  stores,  a  book  store,  two  printing  offices,  two 
weekly  newspapers,  a  bank,  live  hotels,  three  furniture  shops,  one  jeweler's  shop,  several  dealers 
in  clothing,  boots  and  shoes,  hardware,  millinery,  agricultural  implements,  and  other  sp  icial 
branches  of  trade  are  well  represented.  There  are  two  elevators  for  the  shipping  of  grain,  one 
grist-mill,  a  foundry  and  machine-shop,  a  stave  factory,  two  breweries,  a  lumber-yard  and  other 
industries  that  will  be  more  specially  mentioned. 

The  older  buildings,  which  are  of  wood,  are  being  rapidly  displaced  by  brick  structures. 
The  brick  are  of  the  cream  color  peculiar  to  Milwaukee,  and  have  come  into  such  general  use 
for  buildings  as  to  already  give  to  the  village  the  cream-colored  complexion  of  that  city. 

There  are  two  weekly  newspapers  now  published  in  the  village,  the  West  Rend  Dem  >crat 
and  the  West  Bend  Times,  both  of  which  have  more  special  mention  in  the  history  of  the  county 

at    large. 

Tin-  Deuttcher  Beobachter,  published  in  Fond  du  l;ac,  in  the  German  language,  has  a  good 
circulation  in  We-!  Bend  and  other  pans  of  Washington  County,  among  the  German  popula- 
tion. Mr.  Carl  A.  Bruederle  is  the  business  manager  and  local  editor  at  Wesl  Bend,  where 
lie  has  an  office. 


HISTOKY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


405 


SCHOOLS. 

The  schools  of  the  village  rank  equal  to  those  of  any  village  of  its  size  in  the  State. 
They  are  graded  into  five  departments — first  and  second  primary,  first  and  second  intermediate 
and  high  school.  The  high  school  is  under  the  charge  of  a  male  teacher,  the  four  lower  grades 
being  taught  by  females.  The  total  amount  expended  for  school  purposes  for  1880,  was 
$1,927,03.  The  total  amount  raised  for  1881  is  $2,217.91.  By  the  school  census  for  1880, 
the  whole  number  of  scholars  reported  was  394.  The  common-school  attendance  is  but  a  little 
more  than  half  that  number,  as  many  are  being  educated  in  the  flourishing  Catholic  school  in 
the  village.  The  latest  report  will  show  the  condition  of  the  schools  at  the  close  of  the  spring 
terra  of  1881,  it  being  for  the  month  of  May.     It  is  as  follows  : 


„.   .    0  .      ,  First  Second 

High  School.  Intermediate    intermediate. 


Number  of  pupils  registered 27 

Numher  of  cases  of  tardiness 30 

Time  lost  by  tardiness  (hours) 7 

Number  of  pupils  paying  tuition 4 

Average  daily  attendance '  22 

Whole  number  of  days'  attendance 442 

Whole  number  of  days'  absence 77 

Per  cent  of  attendance j  91 

Number  of  visitors '  1 


34 


25 
571 
109 

80 


30 

13 
3 

23 
462 
108 

76 
4 


Second 
Primary. 


Total. 


41 

68 
13 

33 
654 
119 

81 
2 


198 

147 

25 

4 

131 

2,386i 

575J 

81 

7 


CHURCHES. 

There  are  six  churches  in  the  village.  Many  of  the  meoibers  reside  in  the  firming  country 
outside  the  village,  and  in  the  adjacent  towns.  The  Baptist  and  Methodist  membership  is  largely 
made  up  from  the  rural  population.  The  records  are  not  accessible,  and  the  reports  are  neces- 
sarily incomplete. 

Six  churches  are  of  the  following  denominations  :  One  Catholic,  one  Lutheran,  one  German 
Methodist,  one  Baptist,  one  Methodist,  one  Episcopalian.  Such  special  information  as  was  at- 
tainble  is  given  below  : 

The  Catholic  Church. — Catholics  began  to  come  in  in  1847-48,  and  had  services  occasion- 
ally at  private  houses,  performed  by  missionary  priests,  with  an  occasional  service  by  such  min- 
isters as  were  sent  to  them  by  Bishop  Henni,  of  Milwaukee.  In  1849,  there  were  some  twelve 
to  fifteen  families  in  the  towns,  and  the  permanent  establishment  of  the  church  was  effected 
through  the  commencement  of  a  church  edifice.  It  was  quite  modest  in  its  pretensions  as  to 
size  and  expense,  being  but  24x34  feet  in  size,  and  calculated  to  cost  when  finished  $1,000.  It 
was  begun  in  1849,  but  not  finished  till  1853.  It  was  located  on  Lots  11  and  12,  in  Block  11, 
on  the  village  plat.  The  congregation  worshipped  in  this  church  till  1867,  increasing  in 
strength  and  numbers. 

The  new  church  was  begun  in  1866,  and  finished  for  occupancy  in  1867.  It  is  a  large 
brick  structure,  and  when  the  spire  (not  yet  completed)  is  added,  will  be  the  most  conspicuous 
and  ornamental  edifice  in  the  village.  Its  cost  will  be  not  far  from  $14,000.  It  was  conse- 
crated October  20,  1867.  On  that  day  Cecilia  Kirchner  was  christened — the  first  baptism  sol- 
emnized in  the  new  church. 

The  old  church  was  appropriated  to  further  use  as  a  parish  school,  for  which  it  was  occupied 
till  1879,  when  it  was  removed  from  its  site  to  give  place  to  the  fine  brick  school  building,  which 
was  completed  in  1880.  It  is  still  in  existence,  owned  by  John  Knippel,  and  is  used  as  a  store- 
house and  granary. 

The  new  school  building  is  a  two-story  brick  structure,  36x50  feet  in  size,  with  a  side 
addition  for  the  dwelling  of  the  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame  having  charge  of  the  school,  28x30  feet 
in  size. 


406  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  congregation  now  embraces  100  families,  and  the  pupils  of  the  school  number  eighty 
to  one  hundred.  The  officiating  priest,  prior  to  1869,  was  Rev.  John  Rundle;  since  then,  Rev. 
M.  Renchengruber. 

The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Society  was  started  by  a  few  of  the  earliest  German 
settlers  of  West  Bend  and  Trenton.  Among  the  first  members  were  Carl  D.  Wilke,  Carl, 
Fritz  and  Wilhelm  Schroeder,  the  Schroeder  family,  Ludwig  Ottmarand  H.  Treviranus.  Subse- 
quently new-comers  were  added  to  the  society,  among  whom  were  Carl  Karsten,  F.  Kahl.  W. 
Schmidt,  Job  Premlia,  W.  Hildebrand,  Fried  Braumann,  Joachim  Nieman,  John  Althaus,  Hen 
Voss,  Fr.  W.  Mueller,  F.  Resting  and  others.  Rev.  Heis  was  the  first  Pastor,  and  remained  in 
charge  of  the  society  till  1853.  At  that  time  the  society  divided,  and  the  members  from  the 
town  of  Trenton  built  themselves  a  block  church  on  Ottmar's  farm,  where  they  still  continue  to 
worship.  The  West  Bend  portion  of  the  society  continued  to  worship  in  the  schoolhouse  of 
District  No.  2,  till  the  church  was  built  in  1864.  November  16,  1858,  the  church  was  incor 
porated  as  the  "German  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  Johannes'  Society,  of  the  unaltered  Augsburg 
Confession,"  Rev.  II.  Roell,  President;  Wilhelm  Schmidt,  Secretary.  In  1859,  the  society 
joined  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  Wisconsin  and  other  States. 

The  Pastors  have  been  :  Rev.  Heis,  till  1853  ;  Rev.  Oswald,  of  West  Bend,  till  the  fall  of 
1855  ;  Rev.  Koshler,  of  Addison,  till  spring  of  1858  ;  Rev.  H.  Roell,  who  took  up  his  residence  in 
West  Bend,  where  he  remained  till  December,  1863.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  Vorberg, 
who,  on  December  15,  1864,  dedicated  the  new  brick  church,  in  which  the  society  have  ever 
since  worshiped. 

The  charge  of  Rev.  Vorberg  embraced  in  addition  to  the  West  Bend  society,  the  Emanuel's 
Church,  at  Trenton  ;  St.  Johannes',  at  Newberg,  and  a  church  in  Farmington.  He  was  sue 
ceeded  by  Rev.  Earl  Gauzewitz,  in  December,  1865,  who  remained  in  charge  till  March,  1872, 
when  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request.  June  31,  1872,  Rev.  Ernst  Mayerhoff,  the  present 
minister,  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  societies  of  West  Bend,  Newberg  and  Trenton.  He 
was  installed  August  11,  1872. 

A  parochial  school  was  established  in  August,  1872,  and  the  schoolhouse  was  built  in  Sep- 
tember, 1872.  H.  Denninger  is  the  present  teacher,  and  the  scholars  number  about  one 
hundred. 

The  church  bell  was  dedicated  September  1,  1872.  The  present  membership  of  the  West 
Bend  society  is  126,  and  the  three  societies  above  named,  under  the  charge  of  the  present 
pastor,  embraces  572  souls,  admissible  to  the  Holy  Supper  of  our  Lord. 

Episcopal  Church  (St.  James'). — The  church  is  a  mission  church  connected  with  the  Mil- 
waukee Diocese.  The  chapel  .vas  built  in  1870.  The  first  officiating  clergyman  was  Rev. 
Wilkinson.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  R.  Ward,  who  held  occasional  services  till  1880. 
Services  are  now  held  at  irregular  intervals  by  Rev.  Dr.  Ashley,  of  Milwaukee.  The  church  is 
small,  embracing  not  over  a  dozen  families. 

St.  Muttlrias'  Church  (Catholic)  is  outside  the  village,  but  in  the  town  of  West  Bend.  It  is 
on  St-r-t i< >n  1*  It  was  built  of  logs  in  lsl'.l.  The  first  Pastor  was  Rev.  Father  Baeter.  A 
new  church  was  built  on  the  site  in  1867,  in  which  the  first  services  were  held  by  Father  Rehrl, 
who  died  September  3,  1881.  The  first  members  of  the  church  were  Nicholas  Holrith, 
Matthias  Weber,  John  Fox,  Valentine  Gonring,  Nicholas  Miller,  Michael  Deutsch,  John  Boden. 
Nicholas  Paelne,  Nic  Brown,  John  Wilkomm  and Schemenhauer. 

SOCIETIES,   ETC. 

West  Bend  Linhje,  .1.,  F.  ,('•  A.  M.,  No.  1S8. — The  first  preliminary  meeting  was  held  July 
4,  1862,  of  which  Joseph  Fischbein  was  Chairman,  and  Chauncy  Gray,  Secretary.  The  peti- 
tioners for  the  establishment  of  a  lodge  at  West  Bend  were  Fred  O.  Thorpe,  0.  D.  Norton, 
Chauncy  Gray,  David  Bullen,  S.  II.  Bois,  Jason  Swett,  T.  E.  Vandercook,  A.  W.  Coe,  Joseph 
Fischbein.  nnd  George  Elliott.  L.  F.  Frisbv  ami  John  C.  Mann  also  signed  the  petition  after 
the  meeting  hnd  adjourned.     The  following  were  recommended  as  the  first  officers  :      Albert  V 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  407 

Coe,  W.  M. ;  Joseph  Fischbein,  S.  W. ;  Chauncy  Gray,  J.  W.  Dispensation  was  granted 
August  21,  1862,  and  the  lodge  instituted  September  12,  1862,  by  Grand  Lecturer  M.  L. 
Young.  The  charter  bears  date  June  10,  1863,  and  the  first  officers  were :  A.  W.  Coe,  W.  M. ; 
Joseph  Fischbein,  S.  W. ;  Chauncy  Gray,  J.  W. ;  F.  0.  Thorp,  Treasurer ;  G.  Elliott,  Secre- 
tary;   L.  F.  Frisby,  S.  D. ;   D.  Bu'llen,  J.  D. ;  N.  Reynolds,  Tiler. 

Present  officers  (1881)  are:  R.  S.  Rusco,  W.  M. ;  Charles  Silberzahn,  S.  W. ;  Morgan 
M.  Gage,  J.  W. ;  Fred  Wolfrum,  Treasurer;  G.  A.  Kuechenmeister,  Secretary  ;  W.  M.  Johnson, 
S.  D. ; .  J.  D. ;  Jacob  E.  Young,  Tiler. 

West  Bend  Turnverein. — The  first  meeting  for  organization  was  held  in  West  Bend;  May 
27,  1858.  The  meeting  organized  with  Joseph  Hernitz,  President;  Robert  George,  Secretary. 
The  organization  was  perfected  June  6,  1858. 

The  first  officers  were:  First  Speaker,  Adolph  Horstman  ;  First  Turn  wart,  John  Schmidt ; 
Secretary,  H.  Senft ;  Treasurer,  0.  George ;  Steward,  W.  Peters.  It  was  known  as  the  Turn- 
verein of  West  Bend  and  Barton. 

The  present  officers  (1881)  are:  First  Speaker,  Ernst  Franckenberg ;  Second  Speaker, 
John  Eckstein;  First  Secretary,  William  Ehrhardt ;  Second  Secretary,  Arthur  Franckenberg: 
Treasurer,  John  Schlitz ;  Stewart,  Bernhardt  Sturm  ;  First  Turnwart,  Adolph  Harms ;  Second 
Turnwart,  Charles  Keller.  The  present  membership,  active  and  honorary,  numbers  forty-one. 
The  meetings  are  held  in  Schlitz's  Hall. 

Germania  Lodge,  No.  J^6,  D.  0.  Harugari. — Organized  July  17,  1880.  First  officers 
were:  William  Franckenberg,  O.  B. ;  Jacob  Young,  U.  B. ;  Jacob  Heipp,  Secretary;  Joe 
Zettel,  Treasurer ;  John  Eckstein,  J.  W.  :  August  Bastian,  A.  W.  Present  officers  are :  S. 
Keller,  0.  B. ;  Gustav  Trescher,  U.  B. ;  John  Eckstein,  Secretary;  Joe  Zettel,  Treasurer; 
August  Bastian,  J.  W. ;  Ch.  Hoppe,  A.  W. 

*  /      The  I.   0.  of  0.  F.  have  a  lodge,   but  the  records  were  not  accessible  for  an  extended 
sketch. 

BANDS. 

There  are  two  music  bands  in  the  village,  both  well  drilled  and  in  constant  practice  as  out- 
door brass  bands  and  orchestral  for  dances  and  in-door  assemblies. 

Luckow's  Band  is  the  oldest  in  the  county,  and  was  organized  in  1861  by  August  Luc- 
kow,  who  is  still  the  leader.  The  band  is  now  organized  as  follows.  August  Luckow,  Leader, 
E  flat  clarionet  and  first  violin  ;  Oscar  Seller,  E  flat  alto  posthorn  and  second  violin  ;  Ferdi- 
nand Kadiz,  trombone;  Emil  Seliger,  first  E  flat  alto;  Emil  Lummer,  first  B  flat  cornet;  John 
Hirschboeck,  A  clarionet  and  snare  drum  ;  Frank  Brown,  tuber  bass ;  Wenzel  Brown,  drum, 
cymbals  and  double  bass. 

G-eier's  Band. — This  excellent  band  has  been  organized  some  seven  years.  It  is  made  up 
of  Mr.  Oeier,  Sr.,  two  sons,  and  the  best  talent  that  can  be  procured  to  render  it  a  first-class 
band.  The  Geier  family  are  all  thoroughly  educated  musicians,  having  had  long  practice  and 
tuition  under  Christ  Bach,  of  Milwaukee,  and  other  eminent  musicians. 

INDUSTRIES    AND    TRADES. 

The  West  Bend  Brewery,  S.  F.  Mayer  &  Co.,  proprietors,  was  built  in  1848  by  B. 
Goetter,  who  conducted  the  business  about  two  years  and  then  leased  it  to  Christopher 
Eckstein,  and  soon  after  sold  to  Stephen  and  Charles  Mayer,  who  carried  on  the  business, 
enlarging  and  extending  it  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives;  Stephen  Mayer  died  in 
1867.  Under  Charles  Mayer's  management,  the  brewery  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  in  1868, 
and  managed  by  him  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  August,  1871.  In  the  next 
four  years,  the  business  was  conducted  in  the  interest  of  the  heirs,  and,  in  1875,  an  arrange- 
ment was  made  by  which  business  was  re-organized  under  the  present  management  of  S.  F. 
Mayer  &  Co.  At  this  writing,  the  brewery  is  200x40  feet  in  size,  having  a  yearly  capacity  of 
3,500  barrels  of  beer.     A  24-horse-power  engine  is  used,  and  employment  given  to  seven  men  ; 


408  HISTORY   OP   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 

a  new  double  kiln,  30x22  feet,  with  new  growing  floors  and  storing  rooms,  28x52  feet,  have  been 
added. 

The  Eagle  Brewery. — Adam  Kuehlthau,  proprietor,  was  erected  by  Christopher 
Eckstein  about  1856.  The  business  was  conducted  by  him  till  1860,  when  he  sold  to 
Adolph  Arzbacher,  who  ran  it  till  1875,  when  he  leased  it  to  Kuehlthau  &  Jahnsen.  This  firm 
carried  on  the  business  till  1880,  when  the  property  was  bought  by  its  present  proprietor.  The 
building  covers  an  area  of  120x60  feet,  partly  two  and  a  half  stories  high,  and  part  one  story. 
In  1880,  a  new  engine  of  ten  horse-power  was  put  in  operation,  the  boiler  capacity  being 
equal  to  double  that  of  the  engine.  Six  men  are  employed,  and  2,000  barrels  of  beer  are  manu- 
factured per  year. 

The  foundry  business  was  first  started  by  Louis  Lucas  in  1859.  He  had  previously, 
from  1852  to  1859,  been  engaged  in  business  at  West  Bend  as  a  tin-plate  worker  and  copper- 
smith. At  that  time  he  built  the  West  Bend  Foundry,  on  River  street,  near  the  lower  bridge, 
where  he  carried  on  the  business  till  1873,  when  he  sold  to  Jacob  Young,  who  conducted  the 
business  in  company  with  John  Kunz  and  other  partners  till  1878.  At  that  time.  Charles  Sil- 
berzahn  becime  his  partner.  The  present  firm  is  Silberzahn  &  Young.  The  scope  of  business 
has  lieen  enlarged,  and  embraces  all  departments  of  iron,  lathe  and  machine  work  required  in 
the  repair  of  agricultural  machinery. 

The  West  Bend  Starr  Fartory  was  first  started  by  Michael  Ruplinger  June  1,  1878.  Dur- 
ing the  first  year  it  cut  soojIOt)  staves.  The  next  year,  up  to  August  31,  it  had  cut 
1,200,000  staves.  At  this  time  it  was  consumed  by  fire,  entailing  a  loss  to  Mr.  Ruplinger  of 
$5,500.  He  commenced  rebuilding  in  October,  1879,  and  finished  the  new  structure  in  December 
of  that  year.  The  new  factory  was  30x50  feet  in  size,  fitted  with  a  fifteen-horse-power  engine, 
and  gives  employment  to  seven  workmen.  Its  production  for  the  year  ending  January  1,  1881, 
was  1,500  000  staves.      Mr.  Ruplinger  still  remains  the  sole  proprietor. 

The  Bank  of  West  Hind  is  the  only  hanking  institution  in  the  county.  It  was  first 
started  in  the  fall  of  1*07,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000.  Its  principal  stockholders  were  James 
Vollmar,  Christopher  Eckstein,  R.  R.  Price,  C.  H.  Miller,  Albert  Semler,  Charles  Broich,  B. 
Goetter  and  James  Garbade.  Until  1869,  it  was  managed  by  Charles  II.  Miller,  who  was  Cash- 
ier, Christopher  Eckstein  being  the  President.  In  1869.  Maxon  Hirsch  became  the  sole  pro- 
prietor of  the  bank  by  purchase.  He  sold  to  the  present  proprietor,  Ernst  von  Francken- 
berg,  in   1*75. 

West  Bend  Marble  Works  are  owned  and  carried  on  by  P.  W.  Harnea.  He  commenced 
the  business  in  1*75.  It  now  extends  through  the  States  of  Wisconsin.  Michigan  and  Iowa, 
ft  embraces  all  kinds  of  marble  and  other  stone  ornamental  work  for  cemeteries  and  building 
purposes. 

The  Grain  Elevators. — The  first  elevator  was  built  in  1*74  by  Franckenberg  &  Karsten, 
who  shipped  the  first  grain  by  railroad  from  West  Bend.  The  annual  amount  of  their  ship- 
ments is  100,000  to  125,0011  bushels.  The  second  was  built  by  B.  Goetter  the  same  year,  who 
handles  annually  from  150.(10(1  to  200,000  bushels  of  grain. 

Manufactories. — V.  J.  Kohout  established  his  business  in  ls72.  He  manufactures 
annually  200,000  cigars;  Seliger  \  Luckow  established  in  1875.  They  employ  four  hand-. 
and  produce  150,000  cigars  annually. 

The  old  grist  mill  now  owned  by  Mann  Brothers,  of  Milwaukee,  still  does  a  custom  busi- 
ness.    John  Eckstein  is  the  present  lessee. 

The  lumber  business  is  represented  by  Alexander  McDonald,  who  has  an  extensive  lumber 
yard  under  the  direction  of"  Mr.  .1.  Vetch. 

PLACES    "I     ItESORT. 

West  Bend  Sehuetzen  Park  was  established  by  the  West  Bend  Schuetzenverein  in  June, 
1868.  It  is  situated  west  of  the  central  part  of  the  village.  It  embraces  five  acres,  and  is 
-haded  by  a  beautiful  grove.      It  remained  the  property  of  the    "  verein  "   till  October  28,  1876, 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  409 

■when  Mr.  C.  F.  Hoppe,  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Sophia  Richter,  purchased  the  property  and  fitted 
it  up  as  a  summer  garden  in  the  spring  of  1877.  There  is  a  dancing  hall  60x72  feet  in  size  ; 
also  a  bowling  alley,  dining  hall  and  band  stands.  It  is  a  popular  summer  resort,  as  is  shown  by 
the  receipts  for  July  4  and  5,  1881,  which  amounted  to  $900. 

Schlitz  Grove  is  the  popular  resort  of  the  town  and  county,  and  is  a  favorite  point  for 
excursionists  from  Milwaukee,  Fond  du  Lac,  and  other  large  places  along  the  line  of  the  Chi- 
cago &  North- Western  Railway.  It  is  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  Milwaukee  River,  just  where 
the  sharp  bend  occurs,  the  south  boundary  being  on  the  banks  of  the  river.  It  consists  of  a 
magnificent  grove  of  sixty-five  acres  of  forest  trees  of  the  natural  growth.  The  building  covers 
an  area  of  100x200  feet,  and  embraces  under  one  roof  a  large  hall,  58x75  feet,  with  twenty- 
five  feet  stage,  dressing  rooms,  stage  scenery,  turners'  apparatus,  and  all  other  conveniences  for 
popular  assemblies,  dancing,  and  theatrical  representations.  It  has  also  a  dining-room,  billiard- 
room,  bar-room,  and  all  else  required  by  the  guests  of  a  first-class  restaurant.  In  the  grove  are 
band  stands,  tables,  seats,  swings,  turners'  bars,  and  the  best  facilities  for  outdoor  summer 
enjoyment.  The  cost  of  the  building,  furniture  and  fixtures  was  $20,000.  Mr.  Schlitz  offers 
land  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Park  at  moderate  rates  to  sojourners  who  desire  to  erect  sum- 
mer cottages. 

fc  THE    BAR. 

West  Bend  being  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  county,  has  had  a  larger  representation  of  law- 
yers than  any  other  village  in  the  county,  and  mention  of  them  embraces  all  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Washington  County  bar  outside  the  town  of  Hartford.  The  following  sketch  is 
drawn  from  the  memory  of  one  of  the  oldest  members  : 

Ira  Spencer  practiced  in  West  Bend  in  1849.  He  left  in  1850,  before  the  county  was 
divided. 

L.  F.  Frisby  came  in  1850  and  is  still  in  practice,  and  is  the  oldest  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington County  bar. 

B.  O.  Thorp  and  John  Shelley  came  in  1853-54,  and  opened  a  law  office  under  the  name 
of  Thorp  &  Shelley.  Mr.  Shelley  is  still  a  resident,  having  served  as  County  Judge  for  twenty- 
four  years. 

John  E.  Mann  came  in  1853  and  entered  into  partnership  with  L.  F.  Frisby.  The  firm 
continued  till  1859,  at  which  time  Mr.  Mann  was  elected  as  Circuit  Judge.  He  is  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Milwaukee,  where  he  is  serving  his  second  term  as  Judge  of  Milwaukee  County. 

I.  N.  Frisby  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1853,  and  is  still  an  honored  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington County  bar  and  a  resident  of  West  Bend. 

N.  W.  Tuppei\  a  promising  young  lawyer,  came  from  Sheboygan  in  1855.  He  was  asso- 
ciated with  I.  N.  Frisby  till  1859,  when  he  moved  to  Illinois.  He  entered  the  army  during  the 
earlier  years  of  the  rebellion  and  was  killed  in  the  service. 

Ansel  Tupper,  brother  of  the  above,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1859-60.  He  left  the 
State  with  his  brother,  and  was  also  killed  in  the  service. 

Gr.  Neff  came  in  1857  or  1858.     He  remained  a  few  years. 

O.  H.  Miller  came  to  West  Bend  from  Port  Washington  in  1853.  He  was  in  business  sev- 
eral years  as  Cashier  of  the  hank  of  West  Bend.  He  was  subsequently  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
has  since  been  in  legal  practice  in  West  Bend. 

Patrick  O'Meara  came  in  1870-71,  and  for  ten  years  was  associated  with  Mr.  Miller  in 
the  law  business.     He  has  been  District  Attorney  since  1875. 

Paul  A.  Weil  studied  law  and  was  admitted  in  1859-60.  He  has  been  a  law  partner  of 
L.  F.  Frisby  since  that  time. 

Col.  N.  S.  Gilson  entered  the  office  of  L.  F.  Frisby  as  a  law  student  in  April,  1860,  where 
he  remained  till  the  fall  of  1861,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  as  a  private  and  entered  the  service. 
He  served  as  Judge  Advocate,  was  promoted  to  a  First  Adjutancy ;  then  appointed  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  Fifteenth  United  States  Colored  Infantry;  was  breveted  Colonel;  and  finally  left 
the  service  in  1866.     He  finished  his  law  studies  at  the  Albany  Law  School.     He   commenced 


410  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

practice,  after  graduating,  at  Fond  du  Lac.  He  is  now  County  Judge,  and  served  in  the  State 
Legislature  of  1880-81. 

Henry  J.   Weil  and  H.  H.  Blanchard  practiced  from  1867  to  1871. 

George  H.  Kleffler  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1865.     He  is  still  a  resident  of  the  village. 

S.  S.  Barney  studied  with  Frisby  &  Weil,  and  was  admitted  in  1872.  He  became  a  mem- 
ber of  that  firm,  where  he  remained  several  years.  He  is  now  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of 
Barney  &  Kuechenmeister,  West  Bend. 

Frank  Gcil&on,  another  student  in  the  office  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  was  admitted  in  1872. 

Richard  D.  Salter,  now  a  practicing  attorney  at  Colby,  Marathon  Co.,  Wis.,  studied  law 
with  Frisby  &  Weil,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1879. 

Paul  M.  Weil,  now  of  the  law  firm  of  Van  Wyke  &  Weil,  was  also  a  student  with  Frisby 
&  Weil,  and  was  admitted  in  the  spring  of  1879. 

G.  A.  Kuechenmeister  was  admitted  in  the  fall  of  1879,  and  is  now  associated  with  S.  S. 
Barney. 

James  Kenealy  was  admitted  in  1879,  and  now  practices  in  the  town  of  Erin. 

P.  U.  Schmidt,  Jr.,  is  at  present  the  youngest  member  of  the  bar.  He  completed  his 
studies  in  the  office  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  May,  1881. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  village  was  the  scene  of  the  closing  act  in  the  De  Bar  tragedy,  in  August,  1855,  an 
account  of  which  appears  in  the  history  of  Washington  County.  No  other  startling  crime  is 
found  in  the  annals  of  the  village. 

The  most  destructive  fires  have  been  :  The  burning  of  the  Washington  House,  which  oc- 
curred January  1,  1864.  It  was  rebuilt  the  same  year  by  Mr.  Goetter,  and  was  re-opened 
with  a  ball  and  other  festivities  on  the  15th  of  October. 

The  burning  of  the  woolen-mill  occurred  December  10,  1869.  Mr.  Charles  Heberlein  was 
drowned  the  following  day  in  the  mill-race  of  the  factory  just  burned. 

The  most  serious  conflagration  that  ever  visited  the  village  occurred  on  Saturday.  August 
l<i.  1879.  It  was  first  discovered  at  1  o'clock  in  the  morning,  breaking  out  of  both  the  front  ami 
rear  of  Peter  Detuncq's  furniture-shop.  It  had  at  the  time  of  its  discovery  made  such  headway 
that  it  could  not  be  subdued  before  the  block  was  consumed.  The  buildings  burned,  including  those 
in  the  rear  of  the  street  front,  were  eleven  in  number.  Very  little  of  their  contents  was  saved. 
The  principal  losers  were:  Peter  Detuncq's  store  and  stock,  valued  at  §3,000;  G.  S.  Foster, 
building,  $2,000  ;  John  Findorf,  building  and  saloon  fixtures,  $2,000 ;  Nic  Immell,  buildings 
and  stock  of  furniture,  $2,800 ;  John  Jungbluth,  building,  $3,000  ;  .John  Althaus,  building, 
$2,500;  John  Goet/.,  building,  $300;  and  A.  C.  Fuge,  barn  and  contents,  $100.  The  block 
burned,  on  the  west  side  of  River  street,  has  since  been  nearly  rebuilt,  the  last  structure  erected 
on  the  site  being  the  new  brick  store  of  Franckenberg  &  Karsten.  The  origin  of  the  fire  was 
never  satisfactorily  ascertained. 

The  great  freshet  of  1881,  caused  by  the  sudden  melting  of  the  unprecedented  accumula- 
tion of  snow,  was  the  most  devastating  that  has  ever  occurred.  The  river  became  suddenly 
swollen,  and  swept  out  every  dam  on  the  river  between  Young  America  and  Grafton,  as  well  as 
the  upper  bridge  at  West  Bend  and  the  bridge  at  Barton.  It  is  here  recorded  as  the  most 
serious  freshet  since  the  settlement  of  the  country. 

THE  town  in  1881. 
Exclusive  of  the  village,  the  population  of  the  town,  according  to  the  census  of  1880,  was 
855.  The  town  is  dotted  with  farmhouses  and  covered  with  farms  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 
Nearly  every  farm  has  a  reservation  of  growing  timber  upon  it.  The  total  area  of  woodland  in 
the  township  is  2, '.'Oil  acres.  The  principal  agricultural  products  for  1SSO,  were  in  amount  and 
variety  as  follows  :  Wheat,  28,000  bushels;  corn,  22,000  ;  oats,  26,000  ;  barley,  13,000  ;  rye, 
3,600;    potatoes,  7,500;    apples,  10,000;    butter,  21,000  pounds;  cheese,  7,000.     In  grain, 


HISTOKY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  411 

4,600  acres  were  sown.  There  are  135  acres  of  apple-orchards  containing  4,260  trees  in  bear- 
ing. The  farmers  are  enlarging  the  dairy  and  stock  business  from  year  to  year.  In  1880,  452 
milch  cows  were  reported.  Excellent  roads  run  through  every  section,  and  peace  and  plenty 
abound. 

The  town  officers  for  1881,  were:  Supervisors,  Francis  Ganzel,  Chairman,  Joseph  Bauer 
Peter  Holrith ;  Town  Clerk,  Stephen  Lang ;  Treasurer,  Michael  Deutch ;  Assessor,  John 
Witteman. 

The  Lucas  Mineral  Springs  are  located  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  22.  The  cura- 
tive properties  of  these  springs  have  been  known  from  the  earliest  settlement  of  the  town.  The 
springs  have  been  recently  opened  for  the  convenience  of  visitors.  There  are  six  in  all,  within 
an  area  of  thirty  feet.  Four  are  inclosed  in  a  single  coping.  The  other  two  are  separately  in- 
closed. The  volume  of  water  discharged  is  2,000  gallons  per  hour,  and  the  flow  is  unvarying. 
The  pressure  is  sufficient  to  raise  the  water  fifteen  feet  above  the  ground  level.  The  spring  is  lo- 
cated in  the  most  picturesque  portion  of  the  town,  being  three-fourths  of  a  mile  north  from  Silver 
Lake,  and  one  and  one-half  miles  east  from  Cedar  Lake.  The  analysis  made  by  Prof.  Gustav 
Bode,  of  Milwaukee,  shows  the  mineral  constituents  of  the  waters  to  be  identical  with  the  far- 
famed  medicinal  waters  of  Waukesha. 

Jacob's  Well  is  owned  by  Jacob  Engmann.  It  lies  one  mile  west  of  the  court  house  on 
Section  1 5.  It  is  a  mineral  spring — one  of  a  group  numbering  a  dozen  or  more  within  an  area 
of  four  acres.  It  has  been  resorted  to  by  inhabitants  of  the  town,  for  its  curative  qualities,  since 
1849.     The  analysis  made  February  26,  1878,  by  Prof.  Bode,  of  Milwaukee,  shows : 

Chloride  of  sodium 0.1597 

Sulphate  of  soda 0  7618 

Bicarbonate  of  soda 1.3679 

Bicarbonate  of  lime 9.6399 

Bicarbonate  of  magnesia 6.0026 

Bicarbonate  of  iron 0.0245 

Alumina 0.0127 

Silica 0.7372 

The  water  is  entirely  pure  and  free  from  organic  matter.  The  quantity  of  salts  it  contains  as  well  as  the  kind, 
and  the  manner  in  which  they  are  combined,  is  precisely  the  same  as  the  well-known  Waukesha  water,  and  the  same 
favorable  results  may  be  expected  from  its  use  as  a  medical  agent.  Signed,  Gustavus  Bome. 

One  gallon  United  States  measure  contains  the  above.  There  are  two  large  bath-houses 
fitted  up  at  considerable  expense,  and  a  full  knowledge  of  the  various  springs,  varying  in  their 
quality,  will  eventuate  in  making  it  one  of  the  most  popular  invalid  resorts  in  the  State. 

There  is  a  brick-yard  in  the  town,  owned  and  run  by  P.  W.  Schmidt,  on  Section  26.  He 
established  the  business  in  1874.  He  manufactures  building  brick,  well  brick,  tiles  and  scour- 
ing brick — 300.000  per  year. 

Hoppe's  saw-mill,  on  Silver  Creek,  Section  15,  was  built  by  Frederick  Hoppe  in  1850.  It 
was  rebuilt,  in  1867,  by  his  son  Charles,  who  still  owns  and  runs  it.  It  is  now  furnished  with 
modern  circular  saws,  and  has  a  capacity  of  5,000  feet  per  day.  The  flowage  of  his  pond  is  about 
fifty  acres. 

Kohlsdorf s  Mills. — In  1873,  J.  R.  Kohlsdorf  purchased  the  mill  privilege  known  as 
"Young's  Saw-mill;  "  a  year  after  commenced  work,  and  in  the  spring  of  1876,  completed  his 
large  flouring-mill.  A  new  dam  was  built  to  replace  the  one  carried  away  by  the  spring  freshet 
of  1873,  and  also  a  fine  bridge.  The  foundation  of  the  mill — of  stone,  laid  on  piling  covered 
with  planks — cost  about  §2,000.  The  building,  without  the  basement,  is  three  stories  and  a  loft ; 
the  machinery  is  the  best  that  could  be  procured  from  the  establishment  of  E.  P.  Allis  &  Co., 
Milwaukee.  It  has  four  run  of  stones,  and  cost,  with  machinery,  $25,000  It  is  located  one 
mile  east  of  the  village. 

An  attempt  was  made  in  the  spring  of  1880  to  establish  the  culture  of  cranberries  by 
Louis  Lucas,  who,  at  that  time,  prepared  the  ground  and  started  the  first  vines.  He  has  at 
present  two  acres  of  vigorous  vines,  and  the  enterprise  promises  to  add  another  valuable  source 
of  agricultural  income  to  those  already  existing  in  the  town. 


412  HISTORY    OF    WASHINGTON    AND   OZACKEE   COUNTIES. 

Much  of  the  farm  property  of  the  town  is  insured  in  the  West  Bend,  Polk  and  Richfield 
Farmers'  Mutual  Town  Insurance  Company.  It  comprises  the  farm  risks  in  the  towns  of  Rich- 
field, Polk,  Hartford,  Trenton  and  West  Bend.  It  was  organized  January  6,  1880.  The  officers 
were :  John  Kessel,  President ;  Henry  T.  Thoma,  Secretary  ;  John  George  Lofey,  Treasurer, 
and  C.  F.  Leins  and  Charles  Thoma,  who  completed  the  Board  of  Directors.  The  officers  at 
present  (1881),  remain  unchanged.  Amount  of  property  insured  January  1,  1881,  was  $860,- 
133.     Losses  during  the  year  1880,  $79. 


TOWN  OF  HARTFORD. 

The  town  of  Hartford  was  known  and  described  under  the  Government  survey  as  Town  10, 
Range  18  east.  It  is  the  second  town  in  the  western  range  of  townships  in  Washington  County 
going  north,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  town  of  Addison,  east  by  Polk,  south  by  Erin, 
and  west  by  the  town  of  Rubicon  in  Dodge  County.  It  is  well  watered  by  numerous  small 
creeks  and  springs.  The  Rubicon  River,  a  tributary  of  Rock  River,  has  its  source  in  the  town, 
and  runs  through  it  from  east  to  west,  furnishing  a  most  excellent  and  reliable  water-power  at 
the  village.  Pike  Lake,  the  second  largest  sheet  of  water  in  the  county,  lies  a  little  east  of  the 
center  of  the  town,  on  Sections  23,  22,  27  and  26.  Its  area  is  nearly  one  square  mile,  and  is 
heart  shaped,  which  gave  it  its  Indian  name,  "  Nokum,"  signifying  "heart,''  in  the  Indian 
tongue. 

The  town  was  in  a  state  of  nature,  covered  with  a  growth  of  hardwood  timber  on  the  uplands, 
and  impenetrable  thickets  of  cedar  and  tamarack  along  the  margins  of  the  streams  that  wound 
between  the  hills.  It  lies  mostly  west  of  the  range  of  hills,  which  makes  the  water- shed  of  the 
county,  and  the  hills  are  only  of  sufficient  size  to  distinguish  the  country  from  the  rolling  prairie 
that  opens  out  a  few  miles  to  the  west  of  the  town. 

The  first  white  man  who  came  into  the  township  with  the  apparent  intention  of  remaining 
was  Jehial  Case.  The  records  do  not  show  any  entry  of  land  made  by  him.  He  squatted  near 
Section  12,  where  Timothy  Hall  found  him  in  his  shanty  on  his  arrival  in  the  summer  of  1843. 
When  he  came  in  is  unknown.  He  was  a  Canadian.  He  left  his  squatter's  claim  in  the  fall  of 
1843  or  winter  of  1844.  lie  sold  his  improvements,  which  consisted  of  a  small  clearing,  and 
the  first  shanty  ever  built  in  the  town,  to  a  Mr.  Scheitz,  who  came  in  lS44-4f>. 

The  first  actual  settler  who  took  up  Government  land  and  helped  to  build  the  town  was 
Timothy  Hall.  There  is  a  record  of  an  entry  of  lti"  acres  on  Section  12,  made  by  IIa.ll,  August 
2,  1842.  This  may  be  a  clerical  error,  as  he  did  not  come  in  till  the  middle  of  July,  1843,  at 
which  time  he  astonished  Jehial  Case,  the  Canadian  squatter,  by  putting  in  an  appearance  with 
his  wife  and  all  his  worldly  goods.  He  came  in  with  an  ox  team  from  Milwaukee,  settled  on 
Section  12,  where  he  built  him  a  cabin,  the  second  built  in  the  town,  and  began  in  earnest 
the  life  ofa  pioneer.  The  house  was  long  kept  as  a  tavern  by  Mr.  Hall,  it  being  the  favorite 
stopping-place  of  travelers  on  the  old  Fond  du  Lac  road,  known  as  the  Half  Way  House.  For 
six  months  after  Case  left,  Mr.  Hall  and  family  were  the  only  residents  of  the  town. 

He  was  the  first  permanent  settler  in  the  present  county  of  Washington,  outside  the  towns 
of  Germantown  and  Richfield,  with  the  possible  exception  of  Alfred  Orindorf,  who  settled  in  the 
town  of  Addison  about  that  time.  Mr.  Hall,  for  many  years,  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens, 
not  only  of  his  town  but  the  county.  He  built  on  the  site  of  his  first  rude  tavern,  the  best  way- 
Bide  inn  on  the  Fond  du  Lac  road.  He  took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs.  Was  the  first 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  the  first  Postmaster,  and  for  many  years  bis  name  appeared  as  a  member  of 
the  County  Board.  Within  a  few  years  he  removed  to  Spring  Lake,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
was  one  of  the  energetic  men  of  early  times,  and  may  well  be  designated  as  one  of  the  fathers 
of  the  town. 

The  next  year  alter  Halls  advent,  prospectors  were  numerous,  and  at  the  close  of  1844, 
some  thirty  entries  were  made,  although  not   over   fifteen   families   had   made  permanent  settle- 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  413 

ments.     In  1846-47-48,  the  lands  were  generally  taken  up  and  the  work  of  hewing  farms  out 
of  the  forest  was  begun  on  nearly  every  section  of  desirable  land  in  the  township. 

Nic  Simon,  the  first  German  settler,  still  living  in  Hartford,  came  in  on  a  prospecting  expe- 
dition in  September,  1843.  He,  in  company  with  John  Theil,  came  in  from  Prairieville,  now 
Waukesha,  went  round  Pike  Lake,  where  there  was  an  Indian  encampment  of  Pottawatomies, 
and  on  the  trip  discovered  the  water-power  at  the  site  of  the  present  village.  Theil  took  a  claim 
on  the  east  part  of  Section  11.  Simon  returned  to  Prairieville  and  induced  the  Rossman  broth- 
ers, James  and  Charles,  to  come  up  and  see  the  valuable  water-power  he  had  found.  He  piloted 
them  to  the  falls  in  the  summer  of  1844.  They  were  shrewd,  practical  men,  and  immediately 
bought  the  40  acres  about  the  rapids,  built  a  dam  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  and  had  a  saw-mill 
running  early  in  1845.  Charles  Rossman  joined  his  brothers  in  1846,  and  built  the  first  grist- 
mill, on  the  site  of  the  present  mill.  It  had  three  runs  of  stones,  and  did  a  thriving  and  pros- 
perous business  in  the  way  of  toll  grinding  for  a  large  region  roundabout.  The  Rossmans,  with 
their  guide,  who  also  remained  and  settled  on  an  adjoining  ''forty,"  were  the  founders  of  the 
village.  Simon  felled  the  first  tree  and  built  the  first  log  house  in  the  village,  on  what,  years 
after,  came  to  be  known  as  Sumner  street. 

The  same  year  that  the  Rossmans  completed  their  grist-mill,  Hiram  H.  Wheelock  left 
Oconomowoc,  where  he  had  been  engaged  in  lumber  business  and  manufacturing  furniture,  and 
came  in  as  a  permanent  settler.  This  was  in  April,  1816.  He,  at  that  time,  started  the  first 
store.  It  was  of  very  modest  dimensions,  12x18  feet  in  size,  built  of  siding,  on  the  site  of  the 
present  brick  store  of  Wheelock,  Dennison  &  Co.  Wheelock  kept  a  general  supply  store,  suited 
to  the  wants  of  the  incoming  settlers,  and  did  a  flourishing  business,  which  soon  outgrew  the 
capacity  of  the  store.  The  next  year,  1847,  Reuben  S.  Kneeland  became  a  partner  with  Whee- 
lock. The  little  store  was  moved  onto  an  adjoining  lot  and  occupied  by  Isaac  Allen,  as  a  shoe- 
maker's shop,  and  Wheelock  &  Kneeland  built  what  was  at  the  time  the  best  and  largest 
store  in  the  county.  It  was  20x40  feet  in  size.  Here  the  firm  did  a  heavy  and  prosperous 
business  for  nine  years.  Meantime,  Ira  Wheelock  and  Nathan  Parker,  young  clerks,  had  be- 
come members  of  the  firm.  In  connection  with  the  business,  they  started  a  manufactory  of 
pearlash,  near  the  old  saw-mill,  which  proved  an  unexpected  and  welcome  source  of  income  to 
the  settlers,  who  made  from  the  wood  ashes  from  their  immense  clearing  fires,  large  quantities 
of  crude  potash,  known  as  black  salts,  which  was  purchased  by  the  firm  and  refined  for  market. 
Many  of  the  farmers  made  their  first  payments  on  their  lands  from  this  source  of  income.  The 
first  profitable  crop  to  the  pioneers  was  from  the  ashes  of  the  forests  they  subdued.  The  busi- 
ness for  many  years  was  a  very  important  and  profitable  one.  The  annual  products  of  the 
"ashery  "  for  1853,  was  170  tons,  worth  some  $150  per  ton,  which,  as  resources  of  the  town,  might 
be  counted  as  a  net  profit.  The  further  history  of  this  first  and  most  important  mercantile 
establishment  will  appear  in  another  part  of  this  sketch,  and  is  further  traced  in  the  personal 
biographies  of  the  members  of  the  firm,  several  of  whom  are  still  living  in  the  town. 

Thus  the  village,  under  the  enterprise  of  these  early  workers,  grew  and  thrived  apace  with 
the  surrounding  country,  and  was  the  central  point  of  trade  for  many  of  the  adjoining  towns. 
From  1847,  to  the  present  time,  it  has  been  the  most  important  trade  center  within  a  radius  of 
thirty  miles. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  town  who  came  in  prior  to  its  incorporation  in  1846,  were 
Joel  F.  Wilson,  John  Barney,  John  Rumrill,  Christopher  Truax,  Ralph  Freeman,  Isaac  Max- 
field,  Chester  Ewers,  Warren  Sargent,  John  D.  Morey,  Henry  Washburn,  John  G.  Chapman,  E. 
O.  Johnson,  Calvin  S.  Wilson,  Francis  Willmuth  and  C.  Smith. 

The  settlement  was  thickest  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town,  on  and  about  Section  12, 
and  the  center  of  population  was  nearer  there  than  at  the  village  in  1846. 

As  giving  fuller  information  of  the  very  earliest  settlers  of  the  town,  the  following  extract 
from  a  letter  which  appeared  in  the  Washington  County  Republican  of  March  16,  1881,  signed 
by  "A  Settler  of  1845" — Mr.  Bissell — will  be  found  interesting  to  the  reader: 

I  first  saw  the  village  of  Hartford  in  the  spring  of  1845,  coming  in  by  the  south  road.  After  a  walk  of 
twenty-five  miles,  just  at  sundown  we  came  out  into  a  broad  chopping  of  some   two  or   three  acres,  extending  along 


414  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

the  west  »ide  of  the  present  Main  street,  from  the  corner  mentioned,  to  the  river.  .lust  north  of  the  present  brick 
hotel  and  nearly  opposite  Wheeloek,  Denison  &  Co.'s  store,  stood  one  log  house,  occupied  by  E.  ().  Johnson,  who 
gladly  fed  and  piloted  land-lookers,  for  a  consideration.  After  a  few  months,  he  put  on  more  style,  built  a  small 
addition,  got  a  bottle  of  whisky,  painted  "  Noster  House"  on  a  small  board  witli  iron  ore,  nailed  it  to  a  tree  in  front 
of  the  house,  and  thus  commenced  the  hotel  busine^s  in  Hartford,  lie  use  1  to  infirm  those  of  us  not  so  well  edu- 
cated that  he  had  studied  Latin,  and  that  "  noster"  meant  "  o  tr."  At  the  time  just  spoken  of,  the  frame  of  the 
saw-mill  was  up:  not  a  stroke  had  been  done  toward  putting  the  machinery  in  place,  or  on  the  dam.  There  was  a 
small  house  by  the  river,  nearly  opposite  the  parsonage,  where  the  man  who  had  put  up  the  frame  of  the  saw-mill 
had  stayed,  but  no  family  had  occupied  it.  On  the  lot  way  out  in  the  woods,  now  owned  by  J.  C.  Dennison,  Ralph 
Freeman  had  put  up  the  body  of  a  house,  but  no  one  had  yet  lived  in  it. 

In  the  southwest  part  of  the  town  were  the  families  of  Julius  Shepherd,  John  Kumri'l  and  John  Graham,  both 
of  the  latter  families  living  in  one  house,  and  Henry  Winters  and  Thompson  Harper  in  another.  These  families  came 
in  the  fall  of  1841,  by  way  of  Milwaukee  and  Neosho  road,  leaving  that  road  at  or  near  Cherry  Hill. 

Going  east  from  the  mill,  the  first  house  was  John  Brasier's,  on  the  bank  of  the  lake.  He  could  have  been 
there  but  a  short  time,  and  made  or  bought  little  furniture,  for,  in  coming  from  Milwaukee,  and  getting  belated,  I 
stopped  with  them  overnight,  they  taking  down  the  outer  and  only  door  for  a  supper-table.  On  the  east  side  of  the  lake 
was  Fred  Seeker,  an  old  bach,  liviug  in  an  Indian  bark  wigwam,  and  ju^t  south  of  him  were  two  sailors,  also  old  baches, 
but  they  stayed  but  a  short  time.  About  one  mile  further  east  was  the  family  of  John  Mowry,  and  a  little  north 
of  him  his  brother-in-law,  Churchill,  on  the  farm  so  long,  and  perhaps  yet,  owned  by  Christopher  Smith.  North  of 
him  and  well  toward  the  north  side  of  the  town,  were  the  families  of  Deacon  Chapman,  Chris  Truix  and  Cornelius 
Qilson.  1  am  not  sure  whether  Chester  Ewer,  Isaac  Maxfield  and  the  l'ulfords,  were  here  then  or  not  ;  if  not  they 
came  very  soon  afterward.  Nicholas  Simon  had  selected  his  farm  but  had  not  eommenoed  work  on  it.  These  fam- 
ilies embraced  all,  or  nearly  all,  here  at  that  time.  In  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  town,  not  a  settler  had  yet 
located.  Wagons  had  come  in  as  far  as  the  mill,  or  Rossman's  Mili,  as  it  was  called,  but  no  wagon  hail  crossed  the 
river.  I  drove  the  first  wagon  across,  turning  down  the  hill  nearly  where  the  Mill  House  stood  so  long, and  perhaps 
does  yet,  and  cro-sing  about  halfway  down  between  the  grist-mill  and  the  fool  of  the  tail-race.  This  was  not  a  good 
crossing,  and  another  was  opened  just  below  the  saw-mill,  which  was  used  until  the  first  bridge  was  built  !>y  Almon 
ffaahburn,  for  $25.  The  first  road  was  the  old  Milwaukee  and  Fond  du  Lac  road,  which  orossed  the  northeast  coi- 
ner of  the  towD.  The  next  was  the  Territorial  road,  from  Grafton,  Ozaukee  County,  to  Hustis  Rapids,  now  11"- 
tisford,  in  Dodge  County,  both  being  large  and  important  points,  in  future  prospects,  being  the  present  road  through 
the  village  east  and  west. 

Well  remembered  among  the  older  settlers,  now  deceased,  was  Joel  Wilson,  a  biographical 
sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  book. 

Another  highly  respected  yet  unassuming  citizen  was  John  Barney,  who  was  born  August 
31,  1808,  in  Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  and  removed  with  his  parents  while  in  infancy  to  Jeffer- 
son County,  N.  Y.  He  came  to  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  in  1842,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Prairieville  (now  Waukesha)  with  his  family,  then  consisting  of  a  wife  and  one  child.  lie  re- 
moved from  thereto  Hartford  in  October,  1845,  where  he  resided  till  the  time  or  his  death,  which 
occurred  April  16,  1865.  During  his  residence  in  Hartford,  he  won  the  warmest  regard  of  his 
neighbors  and  friends  by  his  genial  and  generous  disposition  and  tin'  unqualified  respect  of  the 
community  by  his  uprightness  and  integrity.  He  was  the  first  Town  Clerk  and  the  set  I 
Chairman  of  the  Town  Board;  he  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  years,  and  held 
other  offices  of  trust  and  honor.  Mr.  Barney  was  twice  married  ;  his  first  wife,  Adeline  (Knox 
Barney,  died  January  17,  1856;  his  second  wife  was  Miss  Mary  Horning.  He  bail  four 
children  by  his  first  marriage — William  R.  Barney,  who  enlisted  as  a  private,  served  through 
two  terms  of  enlistment  and  returned  as  a  Captain,  and  died  in  Madia  in  February,  1875,  of  dis- 
ease contracted  in  the  army  ;  John  .1.  Barney,  who  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twenty-ninth  Wis- 
consin Infantry,  and  was  killed  at  Champion  Hills,  Miss..  May  16,  1*63;  Samuel  S.  Barney, 
now  a  leading  lawyer  in  West  Bend,  and  Cora  Barney,  the  wifeof  C.  L.  Powers,  editor  of  the 
Weal  Bend  Timet. 

One  son  by  his  second  marriage,  Frank  L.  Barney,  still  lives  in  Hartford. 

Among  the  settlers  of  1846  was  the  man  having  the  largest  family,  Michael  Bohan,  a  jolly 
son  of  the  Emerald  Isle,  who  came  in  with  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  He  died  in  1864,  and 
the  family  have  emigrated  Still  further  west  to  Minnesota,  till  except  two. sons,  who  have  been 
leading  citizens  of  Washington  County,  and  tin'  still  within  the  boundaries  of  the  old  county. 
John  the  oldest  Bon,  taught  school  in  Morton  .as  early  a-  1847, and  in  Erin  in  1848 and  1849;  he  was 
afterward  County  Clerk  of  the  old  county  for  many  years,  and  is  now  living  at  Port  Washing- 
ton, the  editor  of  the  Ozaukei  County  Advertiser.  Michael,  a  younger  son,  taught  school  in 
Hartford  as  early  as  IV".:',.  and  has  served  twelve  years  as  Clerk  of  the  County  Board  ;  he  is  the 
present  editor  of  the  West  Bend  Democrat. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  417 

THE    TOWN    INCORPORATED. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  January  21,  1846,  under  the  name  of 
Wayne.  Benton  was  the  name  selected  by  the  inhabitants,  but,  as  there  was  already  a  town  of 
that  name  in  the  State,  Wright,  in  honor  of  Hon.  Silas  Wright,  was  substituted.  The  name 
was  not  popular,  and,  in  February,  1847,  it  was  changed  to  Hartford. 

THE    FIRST    TOWN    MEETING. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  E.  0.  Johnson,  April,  1846.  John  G. 
Chapman  was  the  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  John  Barney,  Clerk.  The  following  town 
officers  were  elected  :         • 

Supervisors,  Joel  F.  Wilson,  Chairman,  John  Rumrill  and  John  D.  Morey  ;  Town  Clerk, 
John  Barney  ;  Town  Treasurer,  Calvin  S.  Wilson  ;  Collector,  Ralph  Freeman  ;  Assessors,  John 
Graham,  Almond  Washburn  ;  Commissioners  of  Highways,  Henry  Washburn,  Chester  Ewer  ; 
School  Commissioners,  E.  0.  Johnson,  N.  J.  Churchill,  J.  D.  Morey ;  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
Timothy  Hall  and  J.  G.  Chapman. 

The  highest  number  of  votes  cast  was  42.  The  vote  cast  for  or  against  a  State  govern- 
ment was  35  in  favor  to  3  opposed.  The  vote  on  establishing  the  county  seat  was  41  for  the 
County  Farm  and  1  for  Port  Washington.  The  compensation  for  services  of  town  officers  was 
fixed  at  $1  per  day.  The  amount  at  first  raised  for  schools  was  one-half  of  1  per  cent  on  the 
valuation,  but,  at  a  later  stage  of  the  proceedings,  the  matter  was  reconsidered  and  the  school 
tax  was  reduced  to  one  quarter  of  1  percent.  No  poll  list  is  extant  of  this  first  meeting.  The 
persons  voting  at  the  first  fall  election,  which  occurred  in  November,  1846,  shows  the  number 
of  voters  who  availed  themselves  of  the  right  of  suffrage  at  that  early  day.  The  list  was  as 
follows : 

0.  P.  Griswold,  S.  Burdick,  D.  Alton,  T.  Maxfield,  H.  J.  Atwood,  E.  Burdick,  E.  0. 
Johnson,  D.  M.  Helmer,  W.  Sargeant,  E.  R.  Nelson,  C.  Favour,  R.  Freeman,  J.  Graham,  J. 
F.  Wilson,  J.  Rumrill,  N.  Simon,  A.  Washburn,  T.  Harper,  N.  J.  Graves,  E.  Root,  H.  H. 
Wheelock,  C.  Kellogg,  II    Washburn,  C.  Ewer,  H.  Nichols,  H.  Winters,  L.  Alten— 27. 

The  above  was  not  a  full  vote,  as  the  names  of  Barney  Hall,  and  many  others  known  to 
have  been  citizens  of  the  town,  do  not  appear. 

The  number  of  votes  polled  at  the  spring  town  meetings  of  several  years  succeeding  the 
town  organization  shows  the  rapidity  with  which  the  town  was  settled;  they  were — 1846,  42 
votes;  1847,  123;  1848,  110;  1849,  198;  1850,  206. 

The  war  record  of  Hartford  was  that  of  every  vigorous  and  loyal  town  in  the  State.  As 
there  was  no  paper  published  in  the  village  during  those  years,  it  is  impossible  to  give  the  de- 
tails of  the  labor  performed  or  the  sacrifices  made.  The  town  raised  for  war  purposes,  during 
the  years  of  the  war,  $41,887.50,  and  kept  her  quota  full.  The  names  of  107  soldiers  from 
the  town  are  enrolled  in  the  books  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  as  having  done  personal 
service  in  the  army.  The  list  is  given  in  the  county  history  under  its  appropriate  head.  The 
town  furnished  many  officers  who  served  with  distinction.  The  officers'  names,  with  time  of  serv- 
ice, dates  of  promotion,  regiment  and  company,  appear  also  in  the  county  history.  There  was 
an  efficient  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  which  appears  as  one  of  the  most  constant  and  reliable  auxil- 
iaries of  the  Milwaukee  society  all  through  the  war,  and  till  the  funds  were  secured  by  the  great 
Soldiers'  Fair  of  1865,  in  which,  with  a  sister  society  from  West  Bend,  it  took  an  honorable  and 
worthy  interest.  The  two  societies  organized  and  conducted  the  Washington  County  depart- 
ment of  the  exhibition,  the  results  of  their  joint  efforts  being  nearly  $400. 

Among  the  sojourners  in  the  town  who  are  no  longer  there,  but  who  were  once  prominent 
citizens,  were :  Dr.  Peck,  deceased  ;  A.  M.  Thompson,  from  18o0  to  1856,  now  on  the  editorial 
staff  of  the  Chicago  Euening  Journal;  Gustav  Streckwald,  now  a  prosperous  merchant  in  Mil- 
waukee ;  Warren  Gee,  enjoying  an  ample  fortune  at  Spring  Lake,  Mich.;  Judge  Hopewell 
Coxe,  deceased,  of  whom  a  biography  is  published  elsewhere  in  this  work. 


418  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

MISCELLANEOUS    MEMORANDA. 

The  first  white  child  born  in  the  town  is  believed  to  have  been  a  daughter  of  a  Mr.  William 
Phillips,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  first  white  boy  was  William,  son  of  John  D.  Graham,  born  April  1,  1845.  He  died 
when  four  years  of  age. 

The  first  child  born  in  Hartford,  now  living,  was  S.  S.  Barney.  Esq.,  now  a  practicing 
attorney  in  West  Bend.     He  was  born  January  31,  1846. 

The  first  deaths  were  those  of  two  children  of  William  Phillips,  who  were  sick  with  scarlet 
fever  when  he  arrived,  died  a  few  days  after,  and  were  buried  in  the  woods  on  the  lot  now  owned 
and  occupied  by  R.  S.  Kneeland. 

The  first  shoemaker  was  Isaac  Allen.  His  shop  was  built  of  tamarack  poles,  and  stood 
back  of  Wheelock's  store.  He  afterward  took  up  better  quarters  in  the  first  store,  which  was 
removed  to  make  room  for  a  larger  one. 

The  first  blacksmith  was  William  Wyley. 

The  first  doctor  had  no  diploma.  His  name  was  Nichols,  concerning  whom,  Mr.  Bissell, 
an  old  settler,  tells  the  story  of  the  first  lawsuit:  He  was  not  a  bad  kind  of  a  man,  had  a  fair 
education,  but  no  diploma.  Popularly,  he  iiad  the  reputation  of  being  a  little  love  cracked,  and 
of  course  was  the  butt  of  jokes  among  those  who  liked  that  kind  of  sport.  An  anecdote  will 
show  the  passion  of  some  of  that  time,  for  fun,  as  well  as  show  the  elasticity  of  the  law,  as 
administered  sometimes  in  a  new  country  :  Ezra  Burdick  hired  a  wagon  of  George  Rossman, 
to  go  into  civilization,  and  Dr.  Nichols  engaged  Burdick  to  bring  in  for  him  four  bushels  of 
potatoes.  Burdick  broke  the  wagon  on  the  trip,  and  Rossman  sued  Dr.  Nichols  for  the  damages 
and  got  judgment.  It  is  but  just  to  Rossman  to  say  that  after  he  and  his  friends  had  had  all 
the  fun  they  could  at  the  Doctor's  expense,  he  did  not  try  to  collect  the  judgment.  Dr.  Nichols 
sold  to  Drs.  Conant  &  Peck,  who  were  the  first  regular  physicians. 

The  first  town  road  was  begun  by  Julius  Shepherd,  lie,  assisted  by  Roswell  Madison  and 
Jefferson  Kenny,  worked  on  it  twenty-one  days  at  §1  per  day. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer.  a  Presbyterian  minister  from  Port 
Washington.  Among  the  other  very  early  preachers  were  Revs.  Griffin  and  Matthews,  Bap- 
tists ;  Father  Miller,  a  Congregationalism  from  the  town  of  Lisbon  ;  Elder  Palmer,  Congrega- 
tionalism from   Merton,  and   S.  W.  Martin,  believed  to  have  been  the  first  Methodist  preacher. 

The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  of  logs  on  the  corner  near  where  Johnson's  drug  store  now 
stands. 

The  first  teacher  was  Richard  Rumrill,  who  taught  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1846-47. 
Miss  Griswold  kept  the  summer  school  of  1847,  and  Gad  Root  taught  the  following  winter. 

The  first  district  school,  outside  the  village,  was  taught  in  District  No.  4  by  Miss  Augusta 
Howe,  afterward  Mrs.  Gould. 

The  first  post  office  was  at  Hull's  Tavern  on  the  Fond  du  Lac  road,  and  was  called  the 
Rubicon  Post  Office.  It  was  established  in  1X47.  Timothy  Hall  was  the  first  Postmaster. 
Prior  to  the  establishment  of  the  office,  the  letters  for  the  town  were  sent  to  the  Prairieville 
(Waukesha)  office,  and  brought  up  as  often  as  anybody  happened  down  that  way.  With  the 
change  came  some  confusion  in  the  minds  of  outside  correspondents,  as  the  following  super- 
scription on  one  of  the  early  letters  bears  witness.  It  read  as  follows:  " Prairie- 
ville, Milwaukee  Co.,  Town  10.  Range  18,  Rubicon  Post  Office." 

HARTFOBD  VILLAGE  IN  1881. 
The  village  contains  not  far  from  1,500  inhabitants,  and  is  still  included  in  the  town  cor- 
poration, never  having  been  incorporated  as  a  village,  although  having  at  present  the  largest 
village  population  in  the  county.  It  is  beautifully  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  Rubicon,  ami 
oo  the  slopes  of  the  adjoining  hills.  The  St.  Paul  Railroad  passes  through  the  village.  It  was 
completed   to  that   point    in    September,  1855.     It  has  now  six  churches,  two  schoolhouses,  a 


HISTORY  OF  AVASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  419 

turn-halle,  four  general  stores,  four  hotels,  one  hardware  store,  one  printing  office,  and  newspa- 
per, the  Washington  County  Republican,  a  circulating  library;  also,  one  photographer,  two 
jewelers,  two  druggists,  five  blacksmiths,  two  bakers,  four  physicians,  a  dentist,  four  lawyers, 
and  three  Justices  of  the  Peace.  All  other  trades,  professions  and  avocations  that  go  to  make 
up  a  first-class  village  are  represented. 

Among  the  manufacturing  and  kindred  industries  are  a  flouring  mill,  a  plow  and  cultivator 
manufactory,  a  stave  factory,  two  saw-mills,  a  tannery,  a  brewery,  a  glove  factory,  an  estab- 
lishment for  the  manufacture  of  bee  hives  and  other  apiarian  supplies,  three  carriage  shops,  a 
cigar  manufactory,  a  large  furniture  shop,  a  coffin  and  furniture  factory  with  store  attached, 
marble  manufactory,  a  sugar  manufactory,  and  a  soda  water  manufactory.  There  are  also  two 
livery  stables,  two  grain  elevators,  and  two  lumber-yards. 

Among  members  of  the  Washington  County  bar,  who  have  lived,  or  now  live,  in  Hartford, 
those  most  widely  known  have  been: 

George  C.  Williams,  who  came  to  Hartford  in  1847  and  1848.  He  served  a  term  as 
County  Judge,  and  was,  for  a  time,  associated  with  Judge  Hopewell  Coxe.  He  subsequently 
removed  to  Wabasha,  where  he  died. 

Hopewell  Coxe,  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  the  old  Washington  County  bar  spent  the 
last  years  of  his  life  in  Hartford. 

H.  W.  Sawyer,  County  Judge  elect  of  Washington  County,  has  been  a  resident  of  Hart- 
ford for  some  ten  or  twelve  years. 

Other  members  of  the  bar,  residents  of  Hartford,  are  noted  in  the  biographical  department 
of  this  work. 

CHURCHES. 

First  Congregational  Church  of  Hartford  was  organized  December  19,  1847,  by  Rev. 
Norman  Miller,  of  Lisbon,  Waukesha  County,  Wis.,  with  the  following-named  ten  mem- 
bers :  Cyrus  Bissell,  Amanda  Bissell,  Lewis  B.  Stowe,  Laura  W.  Stowe,  Fidelia  F.  Musgrove, 
Russell  S.  Kneeland,  Electa  Kneeland,  William  R.  Coates,  George  C.  Williams,  Mary  A.  Wil- 
cox. Of  this  number,  R.  S.  Kneeland  is  the  only  one  now  a  member  of  the  church.  Three 
others  are  still  living.  Since  its  organization,  eighty-four  have  united  by  letter  and  one  hundred 
and  twenty-nine  on  profession  of  their  faith  in  Christ.  The  church  now  numbers  seventy- five 
resident  members.  Rev.  Norman  Miller,  after  organizing  the  church,  remained  as  Pastor  two 
years.  Since  1849,  the  ministers  have  been:  Rev.  Mr.  Wilcox,  six  months,  in  1850  and  1S51  : 
Rev.  Israel  C.  Holmes,  three  years,  1852  to  1855;  Rev.  Anson  Clark,  eleven  years.  1856  to 
1867;  Rev.  G.  W.  Wainwright,  one  year,  1867  to  1868;  Rev.  S.  B.  Demorest,  one  year,  1869 
to  1870;  Rev.  E.  B.  French,  one  year,  1871  to  1872;  Rev.  A.  Scofield,  seven  years,  1873  to 
1880  ;   Rev.  R.  S.  Cross,  from  November,  1830,  to  the  present  time. 

The  First  Congregational  society  was  organized  under  the  statute  in  November,  1853,  and, 
in  the  same  year,  the  church  edifice  was  erected — a  frame  structure  32x50  feet.  In  August, 
1874,  the  church  was  rebuilt.  It  is  now  cased  in  brick,  and  the  internal  arrangement  entirely 
changed.     There  are  ninety-seven  scholars  connected  with  the  Sabbath  school. 

Evangelical  Association  of  (Jerman  Methodists. — The  class  was  organized  in  1856,  with 
Nicholas  Hosig  as  Exhorter,  and  Anton  Fischback,  Class-leader.  The  church  was  built  in  1858. 
Mr.  Fischback  died  in  1863.  This  association  is  part  of  a  large  circuit  comprising  Erin.  Her- 
man (Dodge  Co.),  Neosho  (Dodge).  Clyman  (Dodge)  and  Hobert,  (Dodge).  All  these  towns 
have  a  church  except  Neosho.  There  is  a  parsonage  in  Hartford,  and  twenty-two  fami- 
lies residing  in  Hartford  and  vicinity  are  connected  with  the  society.  The  Sunday  school  aver- 
ages fifty  scholars.  Rev.  Jacob  Schneller  and  Rev.  August  Siewert  have  been  resident  minis- 
ters. 

The  3Iethodist  Episcopalians  have  a  church  in  the  village — Rev.  Mr.  Robinson  present 
Pastor. 

The.  first  church  in  Hartford  was  built  by  the  Universalists,  and  afterward  sold  to  the 
Lutherans. 


420  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

The  Baptists  also  built  a  church,  which  has  since  been  converted  into  a  printing  office. 

Evangelical  Lutheran  Freidans. — Among  the  first  names  connected  with  this  congregation, 
which  was  organized  about  1862,  are  the  following  :  Albert  Hacket,  August  Werner  and  Louis 
Laubenstein.  The  first  Trustees  were  Christian  Haas,  Fred  Lamp,  John  Foss,  Fritz  Abort, 
Fritz  Dering.  The  first  minister  was  Albert  Obitz.  The  church  edifice  was  built  in  18G3,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,500.  Subsequent  improvements  have  been  made  to  the  amount  of  $1,000.  The 
present  minister  is  Rev.  E.  Probst.  The  church  numbers  sixty  members,  with  the  following- 
Darned  Trustees:  Henry  Unglaub,  President ;  Peter  Heipp,  Deacon  ;  Ernst  Mueller,  Treasurer  ; 
Charles  Jeker,  Assistant  Deacon  ;    Fred  Ulrich,  Secretary. 

Catholic  Church. — The  first  movement  toward  erecting  a  Catholic  Church  edifice  in  Hart- 
ford was  made  about  1858  by  the  two  brothers,  Simon  and  Casper  Dorn.  Messrs.  Dorn  offered 
to  give  §400  each  toward  the  project,  provided  the  other  Catholics  in  the  vicinity,  numbering 
about  twentv-two.  would  raise  $1,000.  Thev  failed  to  do  this,  and  the  undertaking  on  that 
basis  was  given  up.  Next,  A.  B.  Thomson  proposed  to  give  an  acre  of  land  on  condition 
that  the  people  should  build  a  church  thereon.  After  the  deed  was  made  to  the  Bishop,  the 
title  to  the  land  was  discovered  to  be  defective  in  consequence  of  a  railroad  mortgage  resting 
upon  it.  This  project  was,  in  turn,  abandoned  after  the  timber  for  the  building  had  been  placed 
on  the  ground.  Finally,  Mr.  Simon  Dorn,  nothing  daunted  by  the  previous  failures,  gave  a  lot 
situated  on  the  Mayville  road,  just  west  of  the  present  church — with  his  brother  made  the  frame 
— had  it  brought  to  the  site,  and  the  church  was  built.  The  old  church  cost  about  $4,000. 
Rev.  Mr.  Theisenrieter  was  the  first  officiating  priest. 

Rev.  Peter  Schwaiger  was  the  first  resident  priest,  in  18(34.  After  three  years  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Stephen  Muench,  who  had  charge  of  the  church  four  and  a  half  years. 
During  his  pastorate  the  new  church  property  was  purchased — two  acres  of  land  and  a  residence. 
Father  J.  A.  Marshall  was  next  in  succession,  remaining  six  months.  In  October,  1872.  the 
church  fell  into  the  charge  of  Rev.  Michael  Wenker,  who  sold  the  old  church  property  in  1875 
to  H.  Weisslider  for  $500. 

St.  Kilians,  the  new  Catholic  Church,  was  built  the  following  year  at  a  cost  of  $10,000. 
There  is  a  school  in  connection  with  the  church  with  about  fifty  scholars.  The  church  numbers 
nearly  seventy  families. 

In  1856,  Rev.  Joseph  Reindl  held  Catholic  services  in  the  house  of  Adam  Dingle,  in  Hart- 
ford, Among  the  earliest  names  belonging  to  the  sect  are  William  Hecke,  Barney  Hecke,  S. 
Bently,  Nicholas  Schwartz,  —  Strawmeir,  Nicholas  Simon,  Patrick  Reilley.  James  Dempsey, 
Thomas  Donovan,  Thomas  and  Cornelius  Foote  and  Patrick  Hayes. 

SOCIETIES. 

Hartford  Lodge,  No.  120,  A.,  F.  $A.  M..  was  instituted  by  dispensation,  July  2  >.  l^.V.t. 
the  following  officers  officiating:  G.  Mi,  L.  M.  Tracy;  W.  M.,' Charles  S.  Hussey;  S.  W.. 
J.  D.  Wheelock  ;  J.  \V.,  Luzern  Frost.  August  15,  1850,  Robert  Freeman  was  initiated,  he 
being  the  first  new  member  or  the  lodge.  A  charter  was  granted  June  12,  1800.  The  first 
offieersof  the  chartered  lodge  were :  Charles  S.  Hussey.  W.  M.;  J.  1).  Wheelock,  S.  W.;  Luzern 
Frost,  J.  W.;  John  II.  Rick,  Treasurer;  Thomas  Skelton,  Secretary;  Benjamin  French,  S.  D.; 
John  Rumrill,  J.  D.;   Thomas  Chapman,  T.      Charter  members  were  :   Charles  S.  Hussey,  J.  D. 

Wl luck.    Luzom    Frost,    Thomas   Skelton,  John    II.   Rice,  Benjamin    French.  John    Rumrill. 

Thomas  Chapman,  Simon  Kahn,  Francis  Wilmot,  Ethan  Maxon.  In  June.  1880,  the  lodge  had 
forty  members.  The  following  are  the  present  officers:  W.  M.,  J.  P.  Gould;  S.  W.,  W.  W. 
Pierce;  J.  W.,  A.  Higley  (since  dimitted) ;  Secretary.  Prank  I'.  Wilmot  ;  S.  1)..  It.  Freeman: 
J.  D.,  R.  D.  Gould:  Stewards.  M.  F.  Williams  and  John  Arthur;  Tiler,  E.  L.  Zimmerman; 
Treasurer,  W.  C.  Curphy.  The  lodge  has  a  hall,  12x20  feet,  with  the  necessary  furniture  and 
fixtures. 

Hartford  Temple  of  WoUor,  No.  84,  was  instituted  December  21,  L876,  by  G.  C.  T.  J.  A. 
Wartrous,  of  Fond  du   Lac.     The  following  were  its  first  officers :   W.  C.  T.,  J.  M.  Le  Count ; 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  421 

W.  V.  T.,  H.  A.  Forbes;  P.  W.  C.  T.,  A.  E.  Chase;  W.  It.,  William  George;  W.  A.  R., 
L.  V.  Nanscawen  ;  W.  F.  R.,  Charles  Smith  ;  W.  C,  J.  H.  Nanscawen  ;  W.  T.,  A.  P.  Dean ; 
W.  U.,  A.  M.  Stacy;  W.  A.  U.,  C.  E.  Wheelock ;  W.  G.,  M.  Leos;  W.  S.,  M.  Trench. 
First  Board  of  Trustees:  E.  F.  Burclick,  H.  T.  Adams,  G.  W.  Root.  The  present  officers  (1881) 
are :  W.  C.  T.,  G.  W.  Root ;  W.  V.  T.,  W.  A.  Babcock  ;  W.  R.,  F.  II.  Uthmeier  ;  W.  A.  R., 
John  Arthur;  W.  F.  R.,  S.  M.  Seeley ;  W.  T.,  Oliver  Taylor;  W.  C,  W.  S.  Cross;  W.  D.  U., 
William  McComb;  W.  U.,  Isaac  Hicks;  W.  G.,  John  Munn  ;  W.  S.,  C.  Keller.  Trustees: 
W.  Jackson,  W.  H.  Babcock,  Oliver  Taylor.     The  lodge  has,  at  present,  nineteen  members. 

Hartford  Lodge,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  No.  127,  was  instituted  July  18,  1867,  by  Charles  C.  Cheney, 
G.  M.,  and  L.  B.  Hills,  G.  S.  The  lodge  received  its  charter  January  16,  1868.  Its  present 
officers  are:  N.  G.,  G.  W.  Root;  V.  G.,  George  Hess;  R.  S.,  Charles  Coxe  ;  P.  S.,  S.  M. 
Seeley;  T.,  A.  Fry;  C,  James  Goodwin;  R.  S.  N.  G.,  C.  Coerper ;  L.  S.,  William  George; 
R.  S.  S.,  A.  W.  French;  L.  S.  S.,  D.  F.  Kniffin ;  Warden,  Julius  Shepherd;  Supporters  of 
V.  G.,  Eli  Mann,  R.  S.,  and  John  Wiley,  L.  S.;  Sitting  P.  G.,  Michael  Alton;  I.  G.,  Edward 
Melcher  ;   0.  G.,  John  Buckreus.     The  lodge  has  forty-four  members. 

Fhcenix  Lodge,  I.  0.  G-.  T..  No  331. — This  lodge,  located  at  Hartford-,  was  instituted 
June  16,  1875.  Its  charter  was  granted  at  the  same  time.  Theodore  D.  Kanouse,  G.  W.  C.  T., 
and  B.  F.  Parker,  G.  W.  S.  Its  first  officers  were :  D.  R.  Amidon,  W.  C.  T.;  Miss  Eva  Knee- 
land,  W.  V.  T.;  Henry  C.  Melcher,  W.  C;  Walter  L.  Amidon,  W.  S.;  Miss  Ida  Seeley, 
W.  A.  S.;  William  J.  Molster,  W.  F.  S.;  Miss  Mary  L.  Freeman,  W.  S.;  George  Snvder,  W.  M.; 
Miss  Mary  Orcutt,  W.  D.  M.;  Miss  Ada  H.  Place.  W.  I.  G.;  E.  B.  Zimmerman,  W.  0.  G.;  Miss 
Clara  Wheelock,  W.  R.  H.  S. ;  Miss  Christina  Hamilton,  W.  L.  H.  S. ;  Chester  W.  Turner, 
P.  W.  C.  T. 

The  Christian  Benevolent  Society  was  organized  May  23,  1865,  with  thirteen  members  and 
the  following  officers :  President,  August  Werner ;  Vice  President,  Tranj  Lott ;  Secretary, 
Albers  Hackia  ;  Second  Secretary.  Stephen  Rody  ;  Treasurer,  Abrain  King.  The  present 
officers  are:  President,  John  Hagen  ;  Vice  President,  Fred  Lamp  ;  Secretary,  William  Schwalb  ; 
Second  Secretary,  II.  Mueller;  Treasurer,  Ernst  Mueller;  Watchman,  Fred  Menzer.  Present 
membership,  nineteen. 

Sons  of  Temperance. — This  society  was  organized  May  15,  1873,  and  disbanded  April  4. 

Sons  of  Hermann,  No.  SO. — Instituted  January  12,  1874,  by  C.  Coerper;  has,  at  present, 
thirty-two  members.  The  first  officers  were:  President,  Henry  Ihrenberg;  Vice  President,  A. 
Kunz ;  Secretary,  H.  Pantcke  ;  Permanent  Secretary,  Stephen  Roedy  ;  Treasurer,  John  Huels. 
The  following  are  the  present  officers:  President,  John  Schroeder  ;  Vice  President,  Charles 
Dix  ;  Secretary,  Fred  Kriesser ;   Permanent  Secretary,  A.  Hahn  ;   Treasurer,  Tobias  Nehrbass. 

Hartford  Turnverein. — This  society  was  organized  August  15,  1873.  It  numbers  thirty- 
five  members,  and  was  instituted  September,  1876,  on  completion  of  its  hall,  the  cost  of  which 
was  about  Si, 400.  The  first  officers  were  :  Philip  Heipp,  Speaker  ;  J.  G.  Liver,  Secretary  ; 
C.  Coerper,  Treasurer;  B.  Brause,  F'rst  Turnwart.  Present  officers:  Herman  Hildebrandt, 
First  Speaker ;  P.  Westenberger,  Secretary  ;   C.  Coerper,  Treasurer  ;   B.  Brause,  Turnwart. 

Hartford  Sehuetzenverein. — This  society  was  organized  May,  1874,  with  the  following 
officers  :  President,  Tobias  Nehrbass  ;  Vice  President,  C.  Coerper ;  Secretary,  Fred  Greisser ; 
Treasurer.  Adam  Fry  ;  Schuetzenmeister,  Stephen  Roedy.  The  society  had  eighty-five  mem- 
bers, with  a  park  ami  buildings  one  mile  west  of  the  village.  The  Schuetzen  House  was  burned 
in  1875,  but  rebuilt  the  next  season.  In  1879,  the  society  disorganized,  and  by  mutual  consent 
converted  their  property  to  the  use  of  the  Turnverein. 

FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

Hartford  has  two  fire  companies — the  Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  and  the  Washington  Fire 
Engine  Company.  The  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  was  organised  January  19,  1863,  Charles 
Coerper,  Foreman.     The  company  numbered  forty-five  in  1865,  built  an  engine  house,  provided 


422  HISTOKY    OF    WASHINGTON    AXD   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

it  with  all  requisite  equipments  for  the  company.  This  arrangement  has  been  maintained  ever 
since  at  the  expense  of  the  company,  the  cost  being  about  $3,000.  C.  Coerper  has  been  Foreman 
of  the  company  since  its  organization,  in  1863,  with  the  exception  of  two  years;  A.  Werner  is 
FirstAssistant ;  Henry  Werner,  Second  Assistant ;  John  Hollenstein,  Secretary  ;  Aug  Kon- 
rad,  Treasurer  ;  Fred  Goetz,  Chief. 

Washington  Fir,'  Engine  Company,  No.  1,  was  organized  October  18,  1878.  The  engine 
was  purchased  in  February,  1879,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500  for  the  whole  outfit,  including  500  feet  of 
two  and  one-half  inch  hose.  The  engine  throws  two  streams — three-fourths  to  one  and  one-fourth 
inches.  It  is  from  the  manufactory  of  Jeffers  &  Tenney,  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  size  No.  2.  The 
first  officers  of  the  company  were:  S.  M.  Seeley,  Foreman;  Martin  Loos,  FirstAssistant; 
Fred  Prien,  Second  Assistant ;  Charles  Coxe,  Secretary  :  H.  P.  Tormy,  Hose  Captain;  Louis 
F.  llolz,  Assistant  Hose  Captain;  Fred  Hildebrandt,  Treasurer.  At  its  organization,  the  com- 
pany had  forty-eight  members.  The  following  are  the  present  officers  ;  S.  M.  Seeley,  Foreman  ; 
R.  Spooler,  First  Assistant ;  Eugene  Courtney,  Second  Assistant ;  Dennis  Clifford,  Secretary  ; 
R.  Freeman,  Treasurer ;   G.  N.  Hess,  Hose  Captain  ;   C.  C.  Amidon,  Assistant. 

An  engine-house  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1880  :  size,  16x31  feet ;  cost,  $500. 

MERCANTILE    AND    MANUFACTURING. 

Ilirihu-il  Plmv  and  Ciilfiratur  Factory,  Howell  $■  Co.,  Proprietors. — This  firm  consists  of 
E.  G.  Itowell,  S.  M.  Seeley,  A.  D.  Rowell  and  J.  Ross  Rice.  The  business  was  started  on  a 
small  scale,  in  1862,  by  L.  F.  Rowell  and  S.  M.  Seeley,  under  the  firm  name  of  Rowell  &  Co., 
which  name  has  been  retained  through  all  the  different  partnerships  that  have  existed  since,  some 
one  of  the  Rowell  family  having  always  been  a  member  of  the  firm.  In  1866,  when  Mr.  Rice 
became  a  partner,  the  annual  products  of  the  factory  were  only  $1,700 ;  the  power  employed 
was  a  two-horse  tread  power.  In  1867,  an  eight-horse  power  engine  was  substituted,  and,  by 
1869,  the  business  had  increased  to  $8,6(10  ;  in  1874,  to  SI  1,200.  In  1877,  a  thirty-horse 
power  engine,  with  a  boiler  capable  of  supplying  a  fifty-horse  power,  was  substituted  for  the  first, 
and.  in  1878,  the  products  were  increased  to  $15,0(111 ;  for  the  year  ending  May.  1881,  the  busi- 
ness amounted  to  $28,000.  The  usual  working  force  is  sixteen  men.  All  styles  of  plows,  cul- 
tivators and  corn  tools  used  in  the  Northwest  are  manufactured.  About  one  thousand  plows  and 
two  thousand  cultivators,  besides  a  large  number  of  other  tools  were  turned  out  the  past  year. 
In  addition  to  this,  a  general  foundry,  machine  and  repairing  business  is  done.  Among  the 
various  kinds  of  cultivators  made  by  the  concern  are  the  "  Horse-Hoe  and  Cultivator,"  double 
and  single  shovel,  and  "  Five-tooth  Cultivator."  So  popular  are  the  corn  tools  of  this  manufact- 
ure thai,  without  [soliciting  any  trade,  the  hocse  is  in  receipt  of  more  orders  than  it  can  fill, 
though  constantly  increasing  the  capacity  of  the  works. 

Wheelock,  Denison  <f  Co.,  dealers  in  general  merchandise.  This  is  the  oldest  house  of 
the  kind  in  Hartford,  and  one  of  the  heaviest  and  most  important  in  the  county.  The  business 
was  started  in  April,  1846,  by  1 1  nam  II.  Wheelock,  in  a  little  store  12.xls  feet.  In  a 
short  time,  Mr,  Wheelock  formed  a  partnership  with  R.  S.  Kneeland  and  Ira  II.  Wheelock, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Wheelock,  Kneeland  <&  Co.  In  1856,  Mr.  Kneeland  with- 
drew from  the  firm,  and,  in  1*57.  J.  ('.  Denison  was  admitted  as  a  partner,  since  which 
tune  the  firm  has  been  Wheelock,  Denison  &  Co.  This  house  has  done  an  annual  business  of 
^70,000  in  merchandise,  besides  buying  and  selling  100,000  bushels  of  grain.  In  March,  1863, 
Dwight  Jackson  \\n^  admitted  as  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  in  1878,  H.  H.  Wheelock 
withdrew,  leaving  the  firm  composed  of  Ira  II.  Wheelock,  John  C.  Denison  and  Dwight  Jack- 
son the  present  members.  They  have  a  corner  brick  store,  30  feet  front  by  86  feet  deep,  with  a 
large  tailoring  establishment  in  the  second  story.  They  carry  a  general  stock  of  dry  goods, 
clothing,  groceries  and  provisions,  boots  and  shoes,  and  hardware  and  farming  tools.  Average 
stock,  $20,000. 

Sinrk  ,y    Liver,  dealers   is  general   merchandise.      The  casual  visitor  is  surprised  at  the 
magnitude  and  completeness  of  this  establishment.     The  store  has  a  frontage  of  fifty-six  feet  and 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  423 

a  depth  of  seventy  feet.  It  is  a  double  store,  with  the  office  in  the  center,  commanding  a  view 
of  the  whole  floor.  On  one  side  is  a  full  stock  of  dry  goods,  hats  and  caps,  boots  and  shoes — 
everything  pertaining  to  that  line  of  business,  while  in  the  rear  is  a  large  supply  of  groceries 
and  provisions.  The  other  side  of  the  store  is  filled  with  stoves,  iron  and  tinware,  shelf  hard- 
ware, etc.  The  firm  makes  a  specialty  of  gravel  roofing  and  tin  job  work.  The  establishment 
reflects  credit  on  the  enterprise  of  its  proprietors  and  is  one  of  which  Hartford  should  feel  proud. 
The  partnership,  composed  of  Adam  Stark  and  John  G.  Liver,  was  formed  May  10, 1880.  The 
store  was  completed  and  occupied  August  1,  1880. 

Hartford  Stave  Factory. — This  business  was  established  in  1864,  by  Wells  &  Co.,  who  car- 
ried it  on  for  ten  years — until  1874.  At  that  time,  H.  Smith,  Martin  Medbury  and  S.  H.  Sea- 
man became  proprietors,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  Smith  &  Co.  Mr.  Smith  has  always  man- 
aged the  business,  his  two  partners  residing  in  Milwaukee.  They  have  sometimes  employed  as 
many  as  forty  men,  but  at  present  have  twelve  employes.  They  use  a  forty-horse  power  engine 
— capacity.  1,000  barrels  per  day. 

RUBICON    HYDRAULIC    COMPANY. 

The  water-power  so  early  developed  by  the  Rossmans  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county. 
It  is  now  under  the  control  of  the  Rubicon  Hydraulic  Company,  organized  and  chartered  in 
1866.  It  is  comprised  of  all  the  mill  owners  on  the  stream.  The  dam  has  been  build  sufficient- 
ly high  and  strong  to  flow  a  considerable  pond  for  immediate  use,  and  Pike  Lake  is  dammed  at 
its  outlet  so  as  to  form  an  immense  and  never-failing  reservoir  for  use  during  the  dry  season, 
when  the  water  is  drawn  from  the  lake  as  required. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  population  of  Hartford  in  1880,  including  the  village,  was  2,707,  according  to  the 
census  of  that  year.  The  official  returns  for  the  same  year  give  the  average  amount  of  crops 
raised  in  the  town  as  follows:  Raised  on  7,499  acres  of  cultivated  land,  71,000  bushels  of 
wheat;  48,000  of  corn  ;  38,000  of  oats  ;  11,000  of  barley ;  3,000  of  rye,  and  11,000  of  potatoes. 
There  were  in  the  town  2,370  acres  of  growing  timber,  198  acres  of  apple  orchard,  6,570  fruit 
bearing  trees  and  682  milch  cows;  46,000  pounds  of  butter  and  18,000  pounds  of  cheese  were 
made. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  present  town  officers: 

Supervisors,  John  Schroeder,  Jr.,  Nic  Geehl,  Sr.,  J.  Dopp ;  Town  Clerk,  A.  Hahn; 
Assessor,    John  Buchreus:   Treasurer.  J.  H.  Simon. 

There  were  two  post  offices  in  the  town  in  1881 — St.  Lawrence,   Section  2,  and  Hartford. 


TOWN  OF  POLK. 

The  town  of  Polk  is  designated  by  the  Government  survey  as  Town  10,  Range  19  east.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  town  of  West  Bend,  east  by  Jackson,  south  by  Richfield,  west 
by  Erin.  The  land  is  broken  by  small  drift  hills  throughout.  The  growth  of  timber  on  the 
highlands  is  of  hardwood — oak,  maple,  hickory  and  beach;  while  the  lowlands  along  the 
Cedar  Creek  have  occasional  patches  of  tamarack  and  cedar.  Cedar  Creek  having  its  source  in 
Cedar  Lake,  West  Bend,  comes  into  the  town  on  Section  3,  and  runs  southeasterly,  through 
Sections  10,  15,  14,  13  and  24.  It  is  a  rapid  stream,  and  affords  abundant  and  frequent  water 
power,  having  no  less  than  five  dams  within  a  distance  of  as  many  miles.  The  stream,  having 
its  source  in  the  spring-fed  lake,  which  is  utilized  as  a  reservoir,  proves  one  of  the  safest 
and  most  reliable  in  the  State,  the  superabundant  waters  of  springs  being  held  secure  in  the 
lake  till  required  in  the  dry  season.  This  power  is  now  under  the  control  of  the  Cedar- 
burg  Hydraulic  Company,  made  up  of  the  various  mill-owners  in  the  towns  along  the  course 


424  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON"    ANT)   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

of  the  stream.  The  land  is  admirably  adapted  to  farming  and  grazing,  and  the  town  rank> 
as  one  of  the  best  among  the  thirteen  of  the  county. 

The  first  man  who  permanently  settled  in  the  town  is  stated  by  Timothy  Hall,  the 
first  permanent  settler  of  Hartford,  to  be  William  Williamson.  Mr.  Hall  came  in  July, 
1843  He  says:  "I  found  at  that  time  William  Williamson  five  miles  from  me  toward  Mil- 
waukee, who  was  the  first  settler  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Polk.  In  November  following, 
came  Dinsmore  W.  Maxon,  who  settled  on  Cedar  Creek,  where  he  still  resides."  Mr.  Hall  is 
essentially  correct.  The  records  from  the  land  office  show  that  James  Williamson  entered  his 
land,  forty  acres,  on  Section  27,  August  7,  1843,  and  the  date  of  the  first  entry  to  Dinsmore 
W.  Maxon  was  December  7,  1844,  forty  acres  on  Section  15,  to  which  he  added  another  forty 
acres  on  the  same  section,  March  27,   1845. 

Mr.  Maxon  was,  at  that  time  of  his  settlement,  a  young  surveyor.  He  had  been  settled 
since  1843  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  and  had  in  his  surveys  become  familial-  with  '  the  whole 
region.  He  selected  his  land  on  Cedar  Creek,  and  its  excellent  water-power  is  now  utilized  by 
him  to  furnish  power  for  the  saw-mill  which  he  still  owns.  At  the  time  of  his  settlement. 
Kewaskum,  one  of  the  last  and  noblest  chiefs  of  the  Pottawatomies,  was  his  nearest  neighbor. 
They  got  on  well  and  remained  firm  friends  till  the  old  chief  died.  Mr.  Maxon  still  has  his 
home  on  the  old  place. 

He  was  one  of  the  first  Supervisors  of  the  town,  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  State 
Senate,  and  is  as  widely  known  as  a  leading  man  of  affairs  as  any  resident  of  the  county,  with 
which  he  has  been  identified  since  its  earliest  days. 

Among  other  early  settlers  were  John  Rix,  who  took  40  acres  on  Section  11,  April  16. 
1854;  Jacob  Everlv,  160  acres  on  Section  12,  September  11.  1815;  Jesse  Wood,  80  acres 
on  Section  19,  April  24,  1845;  John  Detling,  160  acres  on  Section  25,  June  3,  1S44,  and  80 
acres  on  Section  26,  July  11,  1844.  Martin  Newcomb,  Asa  Smith,  Silas  Wheeler,  Jacob  Dyre. 
David  Freer,  James  Rolf,  Horace  Haner,  Philip  Zepp  and  Barnet  Clow  also  came  in  before  the 
town  was  incorporated. 

A  large  part  of  the  available  and  valuable  land  in  the  town  had  been  entered  by  non-resi- 
dents prior  to  1846,  but  the  actual  settlers  were  sparse  till  1847.  During  that  and  the  two  suc- 
ceeding  years,  the  lands  went  generally  into  the  hands  of  actual  settlers,  and  the  town  may  be 
said  to  have  been  fairly  settled  in  1848-49-50. 

The  largest  purchaser  of  Government  land  who  settled  in  the  town  was  B.  Schleisinger  Weil. 
In  December,  1845,  he  purchased  in  the  name  of  Jules  Schleisinger,  his  son.  and  Eliza  Adelaide 
Weil,  his  wife,  large  tracts  of  land  in  Section  5,  477  acres;  Section  6,  408  acres;  Section  7. 
378  acres;  Section  8,  160  acres,  and  in  Section  18,  527  acres.  These  immense  purchases 
made  him  the  proprietor  of  the  best  portion  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  town.  On  Section 
18,  he  platted  the  present  village  of  Schleisingerville,  built  a  large  store  and  dwelling,  still 
standing  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Franklin  streets,  and  started  a  thriving  center  of  trade,  of 
which  further  accounts  will  be  given  in  the  sketch  of  the  village. 

The  town  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Polk,  by  act  of  the  Legislature.  January  21. 

NIK   FIBST   Town    MEETING. 

I'he  first  town  meeting  was  held  April  7,  1846.  No  record  of  the  meeting  was  preserved. 
The  proceedings  are  gathered  from  the  minutes  of  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
which  occurred  May  5,  1846.  From  them  it  appears  that  the  first  Supervisors  were  D.  W.  Max- 
on, Jr.,  Chairman.  Silas  Wheeler  and  John  Detling.  The  Treasurer,  Jacob  Everly.  presented 
his  bond  which  was  approved.  John  Rix  was  appointed  Town  Clerk,  in  place  of  Charles  B. 
Covender,  Town  Clerk  elect,  who  had  removed  from  the  town.  Andrew  Dunn  was  appointed 
School  Commissioner,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  Covender's  removal.  John  Rix  was  al- 
lowed S].  ,D  for  nut  of  house  and  lights  furnished  the  town  meeting.  This  establishes  the  place 
of  meeting  at  John  Rix's  house.     Nelson  Darling  was  also  appointed  a  School  Commissioner. 

The  tavern  licenses  granted  by  the   Supervisors    in    1846    were   to   the  following   persons: 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  425 

Jacob  Bervind,  who  lived  on  Section  26;  Peter  Brenner,  Section  25;  Julius  Schleisinger,  on 
Cedar  Lake;  Nicholas  Guth,  Section  28;  Emanuel  Mann,  Section  35. 

The  first  list  of  voters  preserved  is  that  of  the  November  election  of  1846.  At  that  meet- 
ing the  following  persons  voted:  Andrew  W.  Smith,  Barnet  Clow,  David  Jenner,  Mathiaa  Fink, 
Jacob  Everly. Francis  Everly,  Frederick  Everly,  David  Freer,  Balthazer  Loganheimer,  Emanuel 
Mann,  John  H.  Wright,  Patrick  McConville,  Martin  Newcomb,  William  Cook,  James  Rolfe, 
Horace  Haner,  Asa  Smith,  Silas  Wheeler,  John  Detling,  John  Rix,  D.  W.  Maxon.     Total,  21. 

The  changes  for  the  past  thirty  years  have  been  uneventful  and  mark  only  the  improve- 
ment and  advancement  which  have  come  to  the  honest  and  thriftv  people  who  have  subdued  the 
forest  and  made  it  the  happy  abode  of  peace  and  plenty. 

One  event  only  turned  the  energy  and  thought  of  the  people  outside  the  borders  of  the  quiet 
town.  The  war  period  witnessed  there  the  uprising  in  defense  of  the  nation,  common  alike  to 
all  the  agricultural  communities  of  the  State.  The  town  raised  for  war  purposes  $3,278.  The 
rolls  of  the  State  at  Madison  contain  the  names  of  thirty -six  soldiers  from  Polk  who  did  per- 
sonal service  in  the  Union  army.  They  appear  in  the  war  history  of  the  county  at  large  else- 
where in  this  work. 

The  present  town  shows  every  evidence  of  the  highest  state  of  prosperity  that  can  bless  a 
peaceful  and  civilized  people. 

The  town  is  divided  into  ten  whole  and  joint  school  districts,  has  ten  sehoolhouses,  costing 
$8,600  and  employs  fourteen  teachers.  The  scholars  number  680.  The  amount  of  money  paid 
for  schools  in  1880  was  $2,913. 

Along  the  course  of  Cedar  Creek  are  several  water-powers  partially  improved.  D.  W. 
Maxon  has  a  saw-mill  on  Section  15,  at  which  point  is  Cedar  Creek  Post  Office,  sometimes  desig- 
nated as  Maxonville.  A  mile  further  down  is  the  saw-mill  and  grist-mill  owned  by  John  Rix 
&  Co.  Further  down  is  another  dam  on  which  August  Patzer  built  a  woolen  factory  in  1866. 
He  and  his  son  ran  it  for  some  years,  when  he  became  embarrassed  and  sold  out  to  Hilgen  & 
Wittenberg,  of  Cedarburg,  who,  in  connection  with  Mr.  Towle,  and  subsequently  alone,  carried 
on  the  business  till  1880,  when  the  machinery  was  taken  out  and  removed  to  Grafton.  The 
buildings  only  remain,  and  the  power  is  idle.  Still  further  down,  in  Section  13.  is  another  grist- 
mill, built  in  1853,  by  Andrew  Reiter,  now  owned  by  Henry  Pfennig.  Three-fourths  of  a  mile 
down  is  still  another  grist-mill,  built  early  in  the  fifties  by  a  Mr.  Nauth.  It  was  burned  in  the 
spring  of  1862,  and  rebuilt  by  Ehlers  &  Egbert.  It  has  two  runs  of  stones  for  flour,  and  a  feed 
mill,  and  is  now  owned  by  Fred  Rothenmeir. 

MAYFIELD. 

Between  the  two  last-named  grist-mills  stands  the  quaint  and  sleepy-looking  little  hamlet  of 
Mayfield.  This  village  has  now  a  post  office,  a  store,  a  blacksmith's  shop,  a  hotel  and  a  grist-mill. 
The  store  is  kept  by  George  F.  Fleischman,  one  of  the  platters  of  the  village,  who  does  a 
fair  local  business  with  the  farmers  of  the  vicinity.  The  following  early  history  of  the  village 
is  substantially  as  given  by  him.  George  F.  Fleischman  came  to  the  site  of  the  village,  on  the 
southwest  quarter  of  Section  13,  in  1851.  It  was  then  owned  by  Andrew  Reiderer,  who  had  a 
saw-mill  on  the  creek  near  by.  In  the  spring  of  1852,  he,  with  the  assistance  of  Fleischman, 
platted  the  village,  laid  out  and  named  the  streets,  and  named  the  village  Mayfield,  in  remem- 
brance of  his  native  town  in  Switzerland — Maienfelden,  which  signifies  Mayfield  in  the  Swiss 
tongue.  It  had  a  struggle  to  perpetuate  its  name.  Joseph  Katz  came  in  and  opened  a  store  in 
company  with  Jacob  Pfeil,  and  many  of  the  townsmen  persisted  in  calling  the  place  Katzbach 
(Katz's  Creek),  much  to  the  grief  of  the  gentle-minded  Swiss  founder  of  the  village.  The  post 
office  is  named  Mayfield,  but  many  of  the  farmers  go  to  Katzbach  to  trade  to  this  day.  The 
store  of  Katz  &  Pfeil,  with  the  mill,  a  shoemaker  named  John  Metz,  and  a  blacksmith  whose 
name  is  not  remembered,  made  the  nucleus  for  quite  a  thriving  hamlet  for  some  years.  The 
store  is   now    occupied  hv  John  Koch  as  a  tavern.       The  first  post  office  was  established  in 


426  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    .VXD  OZ.U'KEK   COl'NTIES 

L859.  Tlie  first  Postmaster  was  John  Toedly.  The  mail  was  brought  from  Cedar  Creek  weekly. 
It  now  arrives  daily  from  Riceville  station,  the  nearest  point  of  railroad  connection,  one  mile 
east,  in  the  town  of  Jackson.  Since  the  completion  of  the  North- Western  Railroad  through  Jack- 
son, the  trade  has  gone  largely  to  Riceville  and  the  little  village  has  fallen  into  the  sear  and 
yellow  leaf.  Washington  street.  River  street  and  Main  street  are  by  no  means  crowded,  and 
only  bring  up  suggestions  of  departed  greatness. 


SCULEISINGERVILLE    VILLAGE. 

In  an  early  part  of  this  sketch  mention  was  made  of  the  founding  of  the  village  of  Schleis- 
ingerville  by  B.  Schleisinger  Weil,  in  1845—46.  Through  the  energy  of  Mr.  Weil,  the  village 
soon  became  the  center  of  trade  for  a  large  number  of  adjoining  towns.  Weil  himself  kept  a 
full  assortment  of  goods  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  country  trade,  and  established  a  market  for 
everything  offered  for  sale.  Other  branches  of  trade  and  manufacture  were  started.  There 
were  shoemakers,  blacksmiths,  a  wagon-maker,  a  hotel,  a  tannery.  The  tannery  was  built  by 
George  Ippel  and  Thomas  Jenner.  who  did  a  fair  business  and  established  a  good  local  hide  mar- 
ket. It  has  not  been  run  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  The  old  buildings  and  unused  vats  are 
still  standing.  Later,  Weil  built  a  distillery,  which  was  run  by  him  and  his  associates  in  busi- 
ness till  he  left  the  place  about  1869.  Since  then  it  has  been  put  by  its  present  owners  to 
other  uses.  Through  the  exertions  and  iniiuence  of  Mr.  Weil,  the  route  of  the  old  La  Crosse 
Railroad,  now  a  section  of  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul,  was  located  so  as  to  pass  through  his 
village,  and  the  occasion  of  its  completion  to  that  place  was  celebrated  with  great  rejoicings 
August  23,  1855.  A  large  party  of  excursionists  came  out  from  Milwaukee  :  among  those 
present  were:  Stoddard  Judd,  President  of  the  road;  Judge  Larabee;  James  B.  Cross,  Mayor  of 
Milwaukee:  Maurice  Schoeffler  anil  Harrison  Ludington.  The  party,  on  the  approach  of  the 
train,  was  saluted  by  salvos  of  artillery,  and  most  royally  entertained  during  the  day  by  Mr. 
Weil,  who  fed  ami  feasted  the  whole  party  in  the  upper  rooms  of  the  hotel.  Such  a  season  of 
eating,  drinking  and  toasting  has  seldom  been  indulged  in  at  the  expense  of  one  individual.  The 
party  tarried  over  late  and  were  left  by  the  return  train,  only  to  renew  the  blow-out  till  late  in 
the  evening,  when  another  engine  arrived  and.  doubtless  to  the  relief  of  Mr.  Weil,  transported 
his  overflowing  and  boisterous  guests  to  Milwaukee.  Mr.  Weil  remained  in  the  village  he  had 
built  till  185SM50,  at  which  time  he  removed  t<>  Cedar  Lake,  then  to  West  Bend.  He  now  re 
-nil  -  in  Milwaukee. 

Soon  after  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  Schleisingerville,  another  man  of  rare  business 
tact  and  energy  came  to  the  village  and  commenced  business — Lehman  Kosenheimer.  He 
came  from  Addison,  where  he  had  been  living  for  several  years,  in  lS.">fi,  opened  a  store  and,  in 
connection  with  it,  carried  on  a  large  trade  in  cattle,  grain  and  oilier  farm  products.  He  rapidly 
enlarged  the  business  of  the  already  thriving  village.  The  trade  of  nearly  all  the  adjoining  and 
neighboring  tow  as  centered  at  his  store.  He  had  six  sons,  five  of  whom  became  merchants  under 
his  tuition  and  are  still  doing  business  in  the  county — lolin.  Max  ai'.d  Joseph,  at  Schleisinger- 
ville. and  Moritz  and  Adolph  at  Kewaskiiin.  and  Norway,  Michigan.  The  business  has  all 
grown  out.  of  the  house  established  by  Lehman  Kosenheimer,  at  Schleisingerville  so  many  years 
ago,  is  carried  on  at  the  different  points  jointly  by  the  live  brothers 

Roseiiheimer  built  a  larger  store,  to  accommodate  his  constantly  increasing  business,  on  the 
site  still  occupied  by  his  sous.  It  was  two  stories  in  height  and  38x50  feet  in  size.  It  was 
doubled  in  size  in  lsii7.  The  business  continued  with  uninterrupted  success  till  the  death  of 
Mr.  Kosenheimer.  which  occurred  September  21,  1878.  A  more  complete  biographical  sketch 
of  him  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  business  still  continues  under  the  charge  of  Kosenheimer 's  suns,  and  has  increased 
from  year  to  year.  In  addition  to  the  large  store,  they  have  a  grain  elevator,  through  which 
they  ghip  250,000  bushels  of  grain  annually,  and  large  warehouses  for  the  storage  of  agricult- 


HISTOEY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  427 

ural  implements  and  goods.  They  have  also  a  large  stone  stable,  45x110  feet,  for  the  con- 
venience of  their  country  customers  who  come  from  long  distances  to  find  a  market  at  their 
place. 

The  trade  of  the  village  has  by  no  means  been  confined  to  the  house  of  Rosenheimer. 
John  Pick,  Sr.,  formerly  did  a  large  mercantile  and  grain  business.  He  died  in  1874.  His 
two  sons  continued  the  business  two  years  after  their  father's  death,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
time  they  removed  to  West  Bend. 

At  present  there  are  two  general  stores  in  the  village — one  kept  by  the  Rosenheimer 
Bros.,  the  other  by  J.  G.  Keidel  &  Co.  Both  firms  have  elevators,  and  their  aggregate  ship- 
ments of  grain  for  1880  amounted  to  300,000  bushels.  There  are  besides,  two  taverns,  two 
schoolhouses,  and  three  churches.  The  ordinary  vocations  of  a  well-appointed  country  village, 
such  as  shoemaking,  blaeksmithing,  carriage-making,  etc.,  are  all  fully  represented. 

The  Catholic  Church  was  built  in  1862.     It  has  a  school  connected  with  it. 

The  first  Lutheran  Church  was  built  about  the  year  1863.  Is  was  burned  and  rebuilt  in 
1866.     The  society  is  now  made  up  of  Lutherans  and  Evangelical  Methodists. 

The  Lutherans  built  another  church  alone  in  1872. 

Formerly,  a  fine  steam  flouring  mill  was  built  at  Schleisingerville,  and  run  by  Kahn 
Brothers.  It  was  burned  May  1,  1861.  Its  destruction  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  place,  as  well 
as  the  proprietors.     It  cost  $45,000,  on  which  there  was  the  slight  insurance  of  $8,000. 

The  village  was  incorporated  in  1869.  The  first  village  meeting  was  held  April  6,  1869. 
The  first  officers  elected  were  :  Moderator,  John  Klingler ;  Inspectors  of  Election,  Herman 
Perlewitz.  John  Brosius;   Clerks,  Jacob  Oehrling  and  R.  Toll. 

The  first  town  board  was  as  follows  :  President.  Jokn  Pick;  Trustees,  L.  Rosenheimer, 
John  Theil,  I.  G.  Meyer,  John  Ehbit ;  Clerk,  Jacob  Oehrling;  Treasurer,  William  H.  Hasketh  ; 
Assessor,  John  Brosius  ;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  John  C.  Toll  :  Marshal,  Nic  Theisen.  At  this 
meeting  there  was  raised,  for  contingent  expenses,  $40  ;  schools,  $50  ;  poor  fund,  $10.  The 
present  year,  1881,  there  was  raised  $350  for  schools,  and  $250  for  other  village  expenses. 

The  present  village  officers  are:  Trustees,  John  Rosenheimer  (President),  G.  Menger, 
Jac  Mergenthaler,  Chris  Rosche,  Ed  Herman  ;  Assessor,  Jac  Schantz  ;  Treasurer,  Augus 
Zilsdorf ;  Clerk,  Jac  Schantz  (elected  to  serve  of  the  unexpired  term  of  Clerk  elect,  C.  Pfeifer, 
removed  from  the  village) ;  Marshal,  Nic  Theisen. 

The  secret  and  charitable  societies  are  represented  by  the  Turners  and  Odd  Fellows. 

The  Schleisingerville  Turnverein  was  organized  October  5.  1877.  Its  first  officers  were: 
First  Speaker,  Charles  Pfeifer  ;  Second  Speaker,  David  Rosenheimer  ;  First  Turnwart,  Fred. 
Roeber  ;  Second  Turnwart,  Adam  Grohs  ;  Secretary,  Adam  Stark  ;  Treasurer,  John  Rosen- 
heimer ;   First  Steward,  Charles  Roth  ;   Second  Steward,  Nic  Miller  ;   Cashier,  John  Leins. 

The  present  officers  are:  First  Speaker,  Joseph  Rosenheimer;  Second  Speaker,  Jacob 
Schantz;  First  Turnwart,  Myer  Rosenheimer;  Treasurer,  John  Rosenheimer;  Secretary,  Will- 
iam Cruse ;   First  Steward,  Jacob  Springer  ;   Cashier,  Peter  Wild. 

The  society  is  in  good  financial  condition.  It  rents  the  Odd  Fellows  hall,  and  holds  its 
meetings  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  each  month.     The  present  membership  numbers  twenty. 

TIw  Good  Samaritan  Lodge,  No.  1J/.S,  1.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  in  1868.  It  owns  a 
commodious  hall,  built  in  1877. 

The  town  of  Polk  contained  in  1880,  according  to  the  census  of  that  year,  2,060  inhab- 
itants. 

It  raised,  from  7,882  acres  of  cultivated  land,  45,000  bushels  of  wheat,  31,000  of  corn, 
46,000  of  oats,  18,000  of  barley,  7,500  of  rye  and  16,000  of  potatoes.  It  had  3,911  acres  of 
growing  timber,  238  acres  of  apple  orchards  with  7,240  trees  bearing  fruit,  and  781  milch 
cows;  35,000  pounds  of  butter  were  made. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  town  officers  for  1881  :  Supervisors,  John  Koch  (Chairman), 
John  Lau,  John  Keller;  Town  Clerk,  C.  F.  Leins;  Assessor,  Lorenz  Girth,  Jr.;  Treasurer, 
Peter  Weber. 


428  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

There  were  four  post  offices  in  the  town  in  1881 — Ackerville,  on  Section  28  ;  Cedar 
Creek,  on  Section  10  ;   Mayfield,  on  Section  13,  and  Schleisingerville. 

TOWN  OF  FARMIN.GTON. 

This  town  originally  formed  a  part  of  the  large  territory  included  in  the  present  towns  of 
West  Bend,  Barton,  Trenton,  Kewaskum  and  Farmington.  then  known  as  the  town  of  West 
Bend.  On  the  11th  day  of  February,  1847,  that  portion  of  the  town  situated  in  Town  12 
north,  of  Range  20  east,  was,  by  act  of  Legislature,  set  off  and  constituted  a  new  town  under 
the  name  of  Clarence  (in  honor  of  Clarence,  son  of  Jonathan  Danforth),  and  a  year  later,  on 
the  11th  of  March.  1848,  this  name  was  changed  to  Farmington. 

Farmington,  situated  in  the  northern  tier  of  towns  in  the  county,  has  for  its  boundaries  the 
town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Comity,  on  the  north;  Fredonia  on  the  east,  Trenton  on  the  south, 
and  Kewaskum  and  Barton  on  the  west.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  farming  towns  in  the  county 
its  fertile  fields,  abundant  harvests,  and  substantial  stone  farmhouses  ami  barns,  bearing  conclu- 
sive evidence  to  the  thrift  and  industry  of  the  tillers  of  the  soil.  With  the  numerous  manu- 
factories immediately  connected  with  the  dairy  interests  of  the  town,  and  the  various  industries 
that  are  rapidly  springing  up  and  flourishing,  a  prosperous  future  seems  assured.  The  surface 
of  the  country  is  gently  undulating — just  enough  timber  being  left  to  supply  the  needs  of  the 
inhabitants  and  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  scenery.  It  is  watered  by  the  northern  branch  of  the 
Milwaukee  River,  and  a  few  small  tributaries,  by  Schwin  Lake  in  the  south.  Lake  12  in  the 
north,  and  a  smaller  lake  or  pond  on  the  property  of  C.  W.  Detmering. 

It  contains  two  villages,  Boltonville  and  Fillmore,  Boltonville  being  situated  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  town,  and  Fillmore  in  the  eastern,  near  the  center  from  north  to  south. 

The  earliest  settlers  in  the  town  who  entered  land,  were  Amasa  P.  Curtis,  who  entered 
eighty  acres  on  Section  31,  October  14,  1845  ;  Elijah  Westover,  160  acres  on  the  same  section, 
the  same  day,  and  William  Smith,  who  entered  160  acres  on  Section  30,  November  22,  1845. 
These  three  are  all  the  entries  that  are  recorded  for  the  year  1845.  Valuable  land  had  been 
secured  by  speculators  at  a  much  earlier  date  than  this,  and  some  of  the  actual  settlers  may 
have  procured  their  land  from  them.  Jonathan  F.  and  Sylvester  Danforth  took  up  their  land 
in  May.  L846;  Morgan  Wescott  in  June,  1846;  the  Manleys  in  AuguBt,  L846;  Peter  Schwin, 
September.  IMil;  Charles  P.  Prichard,  November,  1846.  Besides  these,  there  must  be  men- 
tinned  among  the  "  Fathers  of  the  town  " — those  who  lived  and  reared  their  families  in  Farming- 
ton,  and  by  their  enterprise  and  industry  gave  it  an  impetus  in  the  right  direction — William 
Stewart,  the  Riley  brothers,  Matthew,  William,  Thomas  and  Edward.  Thomas  Bailey.  J.  La 
Craft,  Samuel  Wescott.  Harlow  Bolton,  Asa  Ramsey,  C.  W.  Detmering  and  Jacob  Myers.  To 
these  men  and  their  descendants,  the  town  is  indebted  for  a  large  share  of  its  business  prosperity. 

A    Look    BACK    iM'n   CLARENCE. 

About  two  months  after  the  new  town  was  christened,  April  6,  1847,  the  citizens  held  their 
first  town  meeting  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Bailey.  The  following  officers  were  elected  : 
Supervisors,  George  Manley,  Chairman,  Jeremiah  Ferguson,  James  Harris;  Assessors,  Stephen 
Wescott.  Franklin  Farrar,  Jacob  Meyers;  Town  Clerk.  Benjamin  F.  Buck ;  8chool  Commis- 
sioners, James  B.  Williams,  James  Harris,  Patrick  Laughlin :  Highway  Commissioners,  A.  P. 
Curtis.  William  Ranger,  John  McClean;  Collector.  Morgan  Wescott;  Justices  of  Peace. 
Thomas  Amy,  O.  D.  Norton,  Conrad  Haggy;  Constables.  George  l'orter,  George  Ramsey.  John 
La  Craft;  Fence  Viewers.  Phil  Cobbler.  Sidney  Smith.  John  Sacket;  Treasurer.  Samuel  Wes- 
cott;   Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures.  John  Scott. 

Fifteen  dollars  were  voted  for  the  support  of  common  schools. 

The  I'll. .wing  town  committee  of  five  were  elected :  Jonathan  F.  Danforth,  Benjamin  F. 
Buck.  0.  D.  Norton,  S.   II.  Smith.  John   Sackett. 

The  Town  Clerk  qualified  by  being  sworn  by  Ira  Spencer,  Notary  Public. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  429 

CLARENCE    POLL    LIST    OF    APRIL    6,  1847. 

Victor  Charroun,  George  W.  Green,  John  Sackett,  George  Manley,  Jacob  Meyers,  John 
Scott,  William  Ranger,  0.  D.  Norton,  George  Porter,  Jeremiah  Ferguson,  Morgan  Wescott, 
Benjamin  F.  Buck,  James  B.  Williams,  James  Harris,  Patrick  Laughlin,  Nathaniel  Pardridge, 
George  Ramsey,  Jonathan  F.  Danforth,  Thomas  Amy,  Joseph  Lampert,  Conrad  Haggy,  John 
La  Craft,  Phillip  Cobbler,  Samuel  Wescott,  John  McClean,  Thomas  Bailey,  Franklin  Farrar, 
Sylvester  Danforth,  Francis  Guilford,  William  Riley,  Sidney  B.  Smith.     Total,  31. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  held  at  the  Town  Clerk's  office  April  20,  1847, 
the  first  bill  was  allowed,  after  a  resolution  to  purchase  books  and  stationery  had  been  adopted. 
The  bill  amounted  to  $15.37,  and  was  to  be  paid  by  the  October  next  following  the  meeting, 
and,  in  case  of  default,  interest  at  12  per  cent  was  to  be  allowed,  instead  of  8. 

The  town  was  divided  into  ten  road  districts;  No.  1  is  described  as  follows:  "Road 
District  No.  1  shall  include  the  whole  of  Section  1,  east  half  of  Section  2,  east  half  of  Section 
11,  northeast  quarter  Section  14,  north  half  of  Section  13,  and  the  whole  of  Section  12  in 
conclusion." 

An   Overseer   of  Highwaj's   in    Districts   Nos.  1   and   8   was  appointed  :  Cornelius. 

The  first  highway  was  laid  out  as  follows :  "  A  road  three  rods  wide,  to  run  from  the  north- 
west corner  of  Sections  21  and  26,  Town  12,  Range  20,  thence  south  on  the  section  line 
between  Sections  26  and  27,  34  and  35  on  the  town  line."     Recorded  July  3,  1847. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  held  a  meeting  August  21,  1847,  and  it  was 

Resolved,  That  $300  be  raised  to  defray  town  expenses. 

October  2,  1847,  a  special  meeting  of  electors  was  held. 

Resolved,  to  pay  $2.85  for  expense  of  house  that  year;  also,  that  §200  should  be  raised  fur  the  purpose  of  build- 
ing a  bridge  across  the  Milwaukee  River. 

November  2,  1847,  another  special  meeting  was  held  to  undo  the  work  of  the  former 
special ;   the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  as  a  town  recently  settled,  and  very  recently  organized,  and  suffering  all  the  inconveniences 
consequent  to  a  new  town  and  a  new  country,  and,  whereas,  most  of  the  taxable  inhabitants  have  little  or  no  means 
beyond  what  is  actually  necessary  lor  their  support,  the  present  year,  we,  therefore,  by  this  resolve,  make  null  and 
void  any  previous  vote  for  raising  a  tax  for  building  in  this  town  the  present  year,  and  hereby  form  this  resolution; 
that  no  tax  shall  be  laid  in  the  town  this  present  year  for  any  such  purpose ;  also,  resolved,  that  the  sum  of  $300 
should  be  raised  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  town  the  present  year. 

Thirty-three  votes  were  cast. 

During  the  year  that  the  town  retained  the  name  of  Clarence,  the  people  were  not  idle ; 
although  most  of  them  had  "  little  or  no  means,  beyond  what  was  actually  necessary  to  their 
support,"  their  first  school  was  started  and  kept  open  summer  and  winter.  The  schoolhouse  was 
of  logs,  situated  near  the  east  quarter-post  of  Section  19.  It  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1847.  Mrs. 
Asa  Varney  taught  the  first  winter,  Miss  Ann  Smith  the  next  summer,  succeeded  the  following 
winter  by  W.  R.  Wescott,  then  a  youth  of  eighteen  years,  who  continued  to  "  teach  the  young 
idea"  in  Farmington  for  nine  successive  winters.  The  school  was  known  in  the  old  days  as 
the  '"Washington  Union  School,"  now  as  the  "Ramsey  District  No.  9."  Old  settlers  "disa- 
gree, some  claiming  that  the  first  school  was  taught  by  one  of  the  Danforth  family. 

Sylvester  Danforth  threw  open  the  door  of  his  log  house  for  religious  services  in  the  fall 
of  1847.  This  first  service  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Halstead,  Methodist.  This  denomi- 
nation also  organized  a  church  at  about  this  time — the  first  church  in  the  town. 

Of  the  very  early  settlers,  there  are  now  living  William  Stewart,  Patrick  Laughlin,  Thomas 
Riley,  William  Riley,  Edward  Riley,  Willet  R.  Wescott,  Philip  McKee,  J.  Kenney,  Philip 
Schneider,  D.  D.  Smith,  Asa  Varney,  Peter  Schwin  and  Harlow  Ballou. 

The  Catholics  built  the  first  church  edifice  in  the  town — St.  Peter's — on  Section  34. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  built  by  Delos  Wescott,  on  Stony  Creek,  near  the  center  of  Section 
8.     It  is  now  destroyed. 


430  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

Dr.  Sylvester  Danforth  was  the  earliest  physician  of  Farmington,  he  being  in  the  county 
early  in  1846. 

Ann  Riley,  daughter  of  Matthew  R.  Riley,  born  September  13, 1845,  is  said  to  be  the  first 
white  child  born  in  the  town. 

The  first  couple  married  in  this  town  were  Joseph  Horten  and  Miss  Ann  Smith,  daughter 
of  D.  D.  Smith,  in  the  winter  of  1848-40.  At  the  same  house,  on  the  same  evening,  Robert 
McKelvey  was  married  to  Ann  Recton.     A.  D.  Norton,  Justice,  officiated  in  both  cases. 

The  first  post  office  was  kept  by  Jonathan  Danforth  at  his  house,  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Section  17.     It  was  established  in  1848,  and  called  "  Clarence  Post  Office." 

Mr.  Riley  built  the  first  frame  house  in  town,  and  Jonathan  Danforth  the  first  block  house ; 
D.  D.  Smith  the  first  brick  house  and  first  frame  barn. 

Among  the  old  pioneers  who  came  to  Clarence  in  1847  was  a  Mr.  Bloom,  an  American. 
His  sole  "  stock  in  trade "  was  his  hands,  his  son,  an  ax,  and  an  auger.  He  didn't  bury  his 
talents  in  any  napkin — everything  he  owned  was  put  to  account.  With  his  ax  he  felled  the 
trees  from  ten  acres  in  a  year,  and  in  return  received  forty  acres  of  standing  timber.  His  son 
cleared  ten  acres  for  a  pair  of  oxen.  The  next  year  they  cleared  thirty  acres  of  their  own,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1848,  had  about  300  bushels  of  wheat.     They  sold  out  the  following  year  for  §1,100. 

When  the  toil  and  danger  attending  the  settlement  of  a  new  country  is  over,  and  the  peo- 
ple are  easily  and  safely  gathering  in  the  harvest  of  plenty  which  succeeds,  they  can  hardly 
realize  that  an  unbroken  forest  means  anything  more  than  a  delightful  resort  for  a  day's  picnic, 
with  all  the  modern  accessories  of  luxury  and  convenience,  and  are  very  apt  to  regard  a-  some- 
what mythical  the  stories  that  the  '"old  folks"  tell  of  early  times  and  struggles.  The  following 
relation  somewhat  illustrates  what  a  Wisconsin  forest  really  was  when  the  first  sturdy  pioneers 
dared  to  make  it  their  home. 

In  the  spring  of  1847.  there  lived  a  German  with  his  family — a  wife  and  infant  child — in 
the  northern  part  of  the  town  of  Fredonia,  on  Section  3.  The  little  clearing  had  been  made  by 
their  own  hands,  ami  their  united  labor  was  all  they  had  to  depend  upon  to  make  for  themselves 
a  comfortable  home  in  the  wilderness.  One  morning  the  father  and  mother  went  into  the  forest 
to  chop  logs,  leaving  the  baby  asleep  at  home.  After  working  awhile,  the  sound  of  the  hell 
worn  by  one  of  the  oxen  attracted  their  attention,  and  the  husband  proposed  thai  his  wife 
should  go  and  bring  them,  that  they  might  be  in  readiness  for  hauling  the  lugs.  She  accordingly 
set  out,  guided  by  the  sound  of  the  bell.  The  father  worked  on  and  on.  The  sturdy  blows  of 
his  ax  resounded  through  the  forest  until  the  time  for  his  wife  to  return  came  and  passed,  and  no 
wife  appeared.  When  he  went  to  his  cabin  she  was  not  there,  only  the  sobbing  baby.  The 
nearest  neighbor  was  a  long  way  off,  and  lie  had  no  idea  in  which  direction  to  search  for  his  wife. 
When  the  mother  started  for  the  cattle  she  followed  the  faint  sound  of  the  bell  for  some  distance, 
and  then  becoming  bewildered,  wandered  farther  and  farther  from  her  path,  until  night  over- 
took her  helplessly  groping  about,  lost  in  the  forest.  That  night  was  a  long  on< — alone,  hardly 
knowing  which  seemed  the  louder,  the  cries  of  the  wild  beasts  close  to  her  ear,  or  the  imagined 
cries  of  the  little  one  so  far  from  her  arms.  The  next  morning  she  came  to  the  clearing  of  a 
young  man  named  Mansfield,  on  Section  7,  in  the  town  of  Fredonia.  She  could  speak  but  a 
few  words  of  English,  and  he  could  understand  no  German.  With  some  difficulty  she  made 
him  understand  the  name  of  her  nearest  neighbor,  and  also  thai  her  home  was  by  a  lake.  Mr. 
Mansfield  concluded  the  best  thing  to  be  done  under  the  circumstances  was  to  guide  her  to  the 
nearest  lake  he  knew,  which  was  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Scott,  on  the  north,  and  probably  the 
location  of  her  home.  Taking  food,  they  set  out  on  their  search  and  reached  the  lake — wearily 
examined  its  entire  circumference,  but  found  no  sign  of  the  clearing,  nor  even  of  any  Living 
being.  Returning,  they  met  a  settler  wlu>  mentioned  Schwin's  Lake,  in  the  southern  part  of 
Farmington,  and  Mr.  Mansfield  turned  Ids  Steps  in  that  direction  witli  poor  Fraulem  humbly 
following.  Night  came  upon  them  still  in  the  forest.  With  daylight,  they  again  plodded  on, 
and  another  weary  day,  and  still  another  night  passed,  with  no  clew  to  the  longod-for  home. 
On    the    third   morning,   tin-  foot  sore,   ivcarj    and  almo3t   famished    pair  arrived   at   Schwin's 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  431 

Lake,  and  were  again  disappointed.  It  was  not  the  place.  They  turned  again  northward,  and, 
after  traveling  several  miles,  came  to  the  clearing  of  Mr.  Beger,  who  could  understand  the  poor 
woman's  story,  and  who  fortunately  knew  the  neighbor  (Dan  Miller)  whose  name  was  the  clew 
to  her  home.  Before  they  reached  that  home,  however,  they  heard  the  woods  resounding  with 
the  shouts  of  men  who,  with  her  husband,  were  in  search  of  the  wanderer.  The  baby,  like  a 
brave  little  pioneer,  as  it  was,  lived  and  throve,  and  was  ready  to  greet  the  poor,  tired  mother 
with  a  smile  on  her  return. 

TOWN    MEETINGS    IN    FARMINGTON. 

Farmington  received  its  new  name  on  the  11th  of  March,  1848,  and  its  first  town  meeting 
was  held  April  5,  at  the  house  of  Stephen  Wescott.  The  first  town  officers  were :  Supervisors, 
George  Ramsey  (Chairman).  Franklin  Farrar.  Fred  Stipp  ;  Clerk,  J.  F.  Danforth. 

July  18,  1S48,  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  of  Highways  of  the  town  of  Farmington 
was  held,  but  the  first  regular  annual  town  meeting  was  held  April  3,  1849,  at  which  time 
ninety-two  votes  were  cast.  The  following  were  the  officers  elected :  Supervisors,  George 
Ramsey  (Chairman),  Harlow  Bolton,  Franklin  Farrar;  Clerk,  Patrick  Laughlin  ;  Superintend- 
ent of  Schools,  John  La  Craft ;  Treasurer,  John  La  Craft :  Assessor,  S.  Danforth  ;  Justices, 
James  B.  Williams,  Stephen  Wescott.  John  La  Craft  and  Charles  W.  Detmering. 

There  is  no  mention  of  a  town  meeting  being  held  at  any  place,  save  the  house  of  Stephen 
Wescott,  until  the  spring  meeting  of  1850,  which  was  at  the  schoolhouse,  District  No.  10. 

About  chis  time  the  town  commenced  to  grow  rapidly  ;  farms  were  cleared  and  school- 
houses  built. 

VILLAGE   OF   BOLTONVILLE. 

In  the  year  1854,  the  village  of  Boltonville,  so  named  in  honor  of  Harlow  Bolton,  was 
started.  This  village  is  situated  on  Stony  Creek,  Sections  3,  9  and  10,  town  of  Farmington, 
and  is  about  eight  miles  from  Random  Lake  Railroad  Station  (Wisconsin  Central),  and  the  same 
distance  from  Barton,  on  the  Chicago  k  North-Western  Railroad. 

The  foundation  of  the  village  was  laid  by  Horace  Smith,  when  he  built  his  store  on 
Section  9.  The  water-power  was  soon  improved  and  utilized  by  the  erection  of  a  saw-mill  by 
E.  A.  Duncan  on  a  small  stream  tributary  to  Stony  Creek.  This  mill  has  since  been  improved 
by  Duncan,  Wendel  &  Co.,  and  is  still  in  operation.  At  a  little  later  date  a  grist-mill  was 
built  on  Stony  Creek,  the  germ  of  the  present  mill  owned  by  Bolton  &  Schuler.  The  mill  has 
passed  through  various  business  changes,  but  some  member  of  the  Bolton  family  has  always  been 
a  partner  since  the  firm  first  founded  the  business  as  Bolton,  Willis  k  Varney  (Harlow 
Bolton,  W.  H.  Willis  and  Asa  Varney).  The  firm  was  in  turn,  Bolton  &  Smith,  1860;  Bolton  k 
Marcellus,  1866,  when  the  mill  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  ;  and  Bolton  k  Schuler,  from  1868  to 
the  present  time.  The  mill  has  three  run  of  stone,  the  most  improved  machinery  and  a  capacity 
of  twentv-five  barrels  per  day.  The  Bolton. Store  was  built  in  1858,  and  now  carries  a  stock  of 
about  $6,000. 

The  village  has  also  two  hotels,  two  wagon-shops,  two  blacksmith-shops,  two  shoe-shops, 
one  harness-shop,  a  hardware  store,  a  store  for  general  merchandise,  a  barber-shop,  a  cheese 
factory,  post  office,  one  church  and  a  graded  school. 

The  first  dwelling-house  in  Boltonville  was  built  by  William  H.  Willis. 

FILLMORE. 

This  village  contains  two  churches,  two  stores,  a  hotel,  two  blacksmith-shops,  a  wagon- 
shop,  a  town  hall,  a  graded  school,  several  societies  and  two  cheese  factories. 

The  largest  establishment  is  that  of  Braatz  k  Co.,  dealers  in  general  merchandise  and  pro- 
prietors of  a  cheese  factory,  hotel,  saloon  and  bowling-alley. 

The  manufacture  of  cheese  in  Farmington  is  becoming  one  of  the  most  important  and  lucra- 
tive industries  of  the  town,  and  Braatz  k  Co.  are   carrying  on  the  business  on  a  large  scale. 


432  rilSTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  factory  was  established  in  1877,  and  they  manufacture  about  forty  thousand  pounds  of 
cheese  annually.  The  firm  is  composed  of  Henry  Braatz  and  Frank  E.  Blecha.  The  store  is 
doing-a  thriving  business,  and  is  deservedly  popular.  The  Fillmore  Post  Office  and  also  the 
Town  Clerk's  office  are  kept  in  their  establishment. 

There  are  now  in  the  town  of  Farmington  six  or  more  cheese  factories.  The  first  was  es- 
tablished in  1871,  by  Daniel  Trenam,  on  Section  17.     It  is  still  in  operation. 

Second,  was  the  establishment  of  Braatz  &  Co.,  in  1877. 

Third,  by  Herman  Gruhle,  on  Section  23;  capacity,  60,000  pounds. 

Fourth,  by  Bolton  k  Schuler,  in  the  village  of  Boltonville,  in  the  spring  of  1881  ;  capacity. 
60,000  pounds. 

Fifth,  by  Woog  &  Co.,  same  spring,  on  Section  1 ;  capacity,  40,000  pounds. 

Sixth,  by  William  M.  Horner,  May,  1881,  on  Section  35  ;  capacity,  45,000  pounds. 

The  factory  of  Bolton  &  Schuler  is  22x36  feet,  two  stories  high,  and  the  firm  intend  to 
nearly  double  the  capacity  of  the  building.     They  now  manufacture  60.000  pounds  per  year. 

There  are  two  brick-yards  and  one  brewery  in  the  town. 

There  are,  at  present,  three  post  offices  in  the  town  of  Farmington — Boltonville  Post  Office, 
George  Bolton.  Postmaster;  Fillmore  Post  Office,  Frank  E.  Blecha,  Postmaster;  St.  Michael 
Post  Office,  established  in  1877,  at  the  store  of  Mathias  Herriges,  on  the  southwest  corner  of 
Section  7,   M.  Herriges,  Postmaster. 

The  town  has  twelve  school  districts,  or  parts  of  districts,  with  eight  schoolhouses.  costing 
in  the  aggregate  $7,000.  There  are  691  scholars  and  15  teachers  ;  $2,225  was  expended  in 
1880  for  school  purposes. 

CHURCHES. 

German  Methodist  Church  was  organized  in  1859.  Its  first  meetings  were  held  in  the 
Fillmore  Schoolhouse,  Rev.  Jacob  Schaefer  being  the  first  minister.  George  Leigel.  Gottleib 
Hendel,  C.  Feckler,  Gottleib  Gerhardt,  Michael  Loebe,  William  Donath  and  Michael  Broide- 
kamp  were  the  first  members.  A  church  structure  was  erected  in  1863.  About  nine  families 
are  now  connected  with  the  society.     The  present  Pastor  is  Rev.  William  Myer. 

St.  Peter's  Catholic  Church,  on  Section  34,  is  a  nice  stone  church,  built  in  1861  at  a  cost 
of  $1,600.  The  society  was  organized  in  1846  with  a  membership  of  forty-two.  This  was  the 
first  Catholic  organization  in  town.  Father  Mayer  and  Father  Obermitter  were  resident  priests. 
There  are  now  thirty-four  families  connected  with  the  church.  Father  Peter  Stupfel  being  the 
priest  at  the  present  time. 

St.  John's  [Catholic),  Section  9.  This  church  was  built  in  1860.  It  is  of  brick,  31x49 
feet  in  size,  and  cost  $2,000.  The  Building  Committee  was  Thomas  Riley,  Thomas  Goodman 
and  Thomas  Calleghan.  The  society  was  organized  in  1859  by  Rev.  Patrick  Bradley.  The 
present  priest  is  Rev.  Charles  Grobscmidt,  who  has  thirty -seven  families  under  his  pastoral  care. 
The  followiuir  are  the  early  members  and  founders  of  St.  John's  Church:  Thomas  Kilev, 
Mathew  itiley.  Edward  Riley,  Patrick  Riley,  Peter  Clark.  Patrick  Laughlin,  Michael  Mahon, 
James  Kenny,  Thomas  Dowling,  Philip  McKee,  Conrad  Heggy,  Jeremiah  Maloney,  Cornelius 
Enright,  Daniel  Enright.  John  Mulvany,  Daniel  Murphy,  .John  Murphy,  Thomas  Mallon,  James 
Strong,  Joseph  Lambiecht,  Michael  Kanaley,  Robert  Rice,  II.  A.  Long. 

»SV.  Martin's  (Herman  Lutln-ran)  h'i<an</eli<:nl  Association  of  North  America.  The  society 
was  organized  in  1860.  The  church  edifice  was  erected  two  years  later.  It  is  of  stone,  a  neat 
Structure,  containing  a  good  organ.      There  are  ninety-five  members   connected  with  the  church. 

Rev. Vorberg  was  the  first  Pastor,  and  Rev.  .Julius  Frank  is  tin   present.     The  officers  are: 

Trustees,  Carl  Bhroeder,  William  Busch;  Treasurer,  Carl  Koenig;  Clerk.  Carl  Wittig;  Organ- 
ist, Miss  Emma  Klessig.  The  Sunday  school  has  l1'1'  scholars,  and  the  following  officers  :  Su- 
perintendent, Carl  Wittig;  Assistant  Superintendent.  .Julius  Koenig;  Secretary.  Adolph  Gold- 
ammcr  ;    Bible  teacher,  Traugott   Knoll;    Organist,  Fmnia  Klessig. 

The  Frr<'-  Will  Baptist  OJiurch  at  Boltonville.  The  society  was  organized  and  the  church 
edifice  erected  in  1871.     The  church  building  is  of  brick.  34x50   feet  in  dimension.     There  are 


o/(/,c/t,  aJ,  <ZJan-i'UWL' 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  435 

twenty  regular  church  members,  but  people  from  outside  the  denomination  contributed  toward 
the  erection  of  the  church.     Rev.  Mr.  Webster  is  the  present  Pastor. 

Union  Sabbath  School  (at  Boltonville)  was  organized  June,  1881,  with  Mrs.  J.  Burgess,  Su- 
perintendent.    The  school  has  an  average  attendance  of  seventy-five. 

SOCIETIES. 

Sons  of  Hermann  was  established  May  8,  1877.  It  is  designated  as  Fillmore  Lodge,  No  33. 
The  first  officers  were :  President,  F.  Beger ;  Secretary,  Carl  Wittig ;  Vice  President,  H.  Witt ; 
Treasurer,  H.  Gruhle.  The  first  members  were  Herman  Gruhle,  Jacob  Staatz,  Henry  Wade- 
witz,  Herman  Friebel,  Herman  Butter,  Max  Gruhle,  Henry  Ricke.  The  present  membership 
(1881)  numbers  thirty-four.  The  present  officers  are :  President,  Carl  Wittig  ;  Vice  President, 
John  Klein  ;  Secretary,  John  Klessig  ;  Treasurer,  Michael  Groschel.  Meetings  are  held  in  the 
Turn  halle  every  Tuesday  evening. 

Farmington  Humanitcets  Verein  was  organized  November  8,  1857,  by  Mr.  A.  W.  Demuth, 
of  Milwaukee,  for  social,  literary  and  benevolent  purposes.  Mr.  Demuth  was  the  first  President 
of  the  society  ;  Fred  Huebner  was  Secretary,  and  William  Klcetsch,  Treasurer.  The  society 
has  a  library  of  between  300  and  400  German  books,  and  one  of  the  rules  of  the  society  forbids 
books  in  any  other  language  being  added  to  it.  It  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  Legislature 
March  20,  1865. 

I.  O.  O.  F.,  Kishkaupee  Lodge,  No.  96. — This  lodge  was  organized  at  Barton  in  1859,  and 
removed  to  Boltonville  in  1870,  the  latter  being  the  more  convenient  locality  for  the  majority  of 
the  members.  The  first  officers  of  the  lodge  are  given  in  the  sketch  of  Barton.  The  first  officers 
elected  after  the  removal  to  Boltonville  were :  N.  G.,  James  Washburn  ;  V.  G.,  Edward  GifTord; 
R.  S.,  W.  R.  Wescott;  P.  S.,  F.  C.  Schuler;  Treasurer,  George  Bolton.  The  membership 
numbered  twenty-seven.      The  meetings  were  held  in  II.  Bolton's  Hall. 

The  Bible  Society  was  organized  in  1851,  with  William  Stewart  as  President,  and  Willet 
Wescott,  Secretary.     It  has  held  no  meetings  since  1877. 

Farmington  Cemetery  Association  was  organized  about  1854. 

The  Farmington  Turn-verein  was  organized  May  13,  1862.  It  was  in  operation  a  short 
time,  and  suspended  until  July  9,  18(36.  Its  first  officers  were:  First  T.  W.,  II.  F.  Beger; 
Second  T.  W..  Ernst  Ilarz  ;  Speaker,  Nicholas  Young  ;  Second  Speaker,  Adam  Pritschet ; 
First  Secretary,  Fred  Walther ;  Second  Secretary,  Carl  Morgenroth  ;  Janitor,  Jonathan 
Moehrl;  Treasurer,  Fred  Huebner.  The  society  re-organized  July  29,  1866,  seven  of  the  old 
members  being  present.  Their  names  as  as  fodows  :  Nicholas  Young.  II.  F.  Beger,  Adam  Prit- 
schet, Gustav  Chugeld,  Fred  Tippman,  Otto  Walter,  Fred  Weinreich.  Twelve  new  members 
were  admitted,  and  new  officers  chosen.  The  hall  was  built  in  1867.  Size,  40x60  feet.  In 
1877,  an  addition  of  40x32  feet  was  made.  The  present  membership  numbers  twenty-six,  with 
the  following  officers:  First  Speaker,  Carl  Wittig;  First  T.  W.,  William  Hentle  ;  First  Secre- 
tary, H.  F.  Beger  ;  Second  Secretary,  Max  Gruhb1  ;  Treasurer,  John  Klessig  ;  II.  W.,  F. 
Weinreich;  Librarian,  E.  Rudolph;  Z.  W.,  Henry  Ricke.  The  hall  and  appurtenances  are 
valued  at  $3,500. 

The  population  of  the  town,  according  to  the  census  of  1880  was  1,670.  The  official  re- 
turns for  the  past  two  years  are  not  on  file  at  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk.  During  that  time, 
the  manufacture  of  cheese  has  become  a  leading  branch  of  industry  and  income  in  the  town. 
The  farm  products  vary  but  little  from  those  last  reported  in  1878,  which  were  as  follows: 
Wheat,  55,000  bushels  ;  corn,  39,000  ;  oats,  51,000  ;  barley,  20,000  ;  rye,  87,000  ;  potatoes, 
15.000;  butter,  54,000  pounds;  cheese,  10,000.  The  latter  for  the  year  1881  will  reach 
250,000  pounds. 

The  town  officers,  for  1881,  were;   Supervisors,  F.  C.    Schuler,  Chairman,   Charles  Board, 
John  Geidel ;   Town  Clerk,  Carl  Wittig;   Treasurer,  Paulus  Ileul ;   Assessor,  Ernst  Goldammer. 
The  post  offices  in  the  town,  in  1881,  were  Boltonville,  Fillmore  and  St.  Michael's. 


436  HISTORY    OF    WASHINGTON    AND   OZACKEE   COUNTIES. 


TOWN   OF   KEWASKUM. 

The  town  of  Kewaskum  is  in  the  northern  tier  of  towns  in  the  county,  and  lies  between 
Wayne  on  the  west  and  Farmington  on  the  east.  The  four  northern  tiers  of  sections  in  Town 
12,  Range  19,  constitute  the  present  limits  of  the  town.  In  January.  1846,  it  became,  by  act 
of  the  Legislature,  a  part  of  the  town  of  West  Bend,  which  then  embraced  four  townships.  In 
1847,  Town  12  was  set  off  and  became  a  separate  corporation  under  the  name  of  North  Bend. 
A.  still  further  subdivision  was  made  in  1849,  by  which  the  town  was  reduced  to  its  present 
limits  and  named  Kewaskum,  in  memory  of  the  old  Indian  chief  of  that  name,  who  had  recently 
died. 

The  town  is  watered  by  the  Milwaukee  River  and  a  few  tributary  streams.  The  river  runs 
in  a  general  southerly  direction  through  the  town,  dividing  the  village  into  two  unequal  purs. 
the  eastern  being  the  larger.  The  general  characteristics  of  the  soil,  aspect  of  the  country,  etc., 
are  similar  to  the  southern  sister  towns,  except  that  Kewaskum  has  a  dearth  of  lakes.  Other- 
wise the  same  beautiful  farms,  gently  sloping  hills  and  occasional  hamlets  are  to  be  met  with. 

NORTH   BEND  MEETINGS. 

The  first  annual  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  William  P.  Barnes,  April  6,  1847. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  minutes  : 

"  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  held  at  the  house  of  William  P.  Barnes,  in  the  town  of  North 
Bend,  Washington  Co.,  T.  W.,  April  6,  1847,  the  friends  who  were  there  organized  by  calling 
Harry  N.  Strong  to  the  chair,  and  appointing  Joshua  Bradley.  Clerk.  The  meeting  being  called 
to  order,  the  following  motions  were  made  and  carried  in  the  affirmative : 

"  First.  That  the  next  annual  town  meeting  is  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Ferdinand  Dag- 
ling,  on  Section  Number  21. 

"  Second.  That  town  officers  receive  for  their  services  $1  per  day  where  the  price  is  not 
fixed  by  law. 

••  Third.  That  the  town  raise  one-eighth  of  one  per  cent  for  the  benefit  of  schools  in  the 
town. 

'"Fourth.  That  we,  or  the  town,  raise  one-eighth  of  one  per  cent  to  be  applied  to  roads  in 
the  town. 

"  Fifth.  That  Samuel  Ladd  serve  as  Overseer  of  Highways  in  the  town  of  North  Bend 
till  others  are  appointed. 

"  Sixth.      That  we  raise  $75  to  pay  officers  and  to  bear  the  neeo-~ary  expenses  of  the  town. 

'•  Seventh.  That  the  Supervisors  accept  no  account  unless  it  is  itemized,  dated  and 
sworn  to. 

"April  9.  1847.  John  S.  Van  Eps,  Town  Clerk." 

The  following  is  the  poll  list  of  town  meeting  in  North  Bend,  April  6,  1847  :  Charles  Big- 
gins, Joseph  II.  Austin.  William  P.  Piarnrs.  Samuel  Ladd.  James  Frazer,  Samuel  Albright,  il- 
Bradley,  C.  Hanni,  J.  Douglas,  J.  K.  Avery,  N.  Harris.  M.  Tulen,  .1.  Van  Vechten,  T.  Thill, 
M.  Rodenkirch,  J.  Albright,  J.  R.  Wright,  H.  N.  Strong,  Joshua  M.   Bradley,  F.  Daglin,  L. 

Spear.    I".    Bennington,  B.  C.  Thompson,   J.  S.  Van  Eps,  William  Douglass,  Thomas  Bliss — 
Total  26. 

The  firs!  election  held  in  North  Bend  for  the  election  of  Territorial  and  county  officers,  t < > 
wit:  one  Delegate  to  Congress,  one  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  one  Register, 
Clerk  and  Surveyor — was  held  September  6,  L847,  at  the  house  of  William  1'.  Barnes;  Inspect- 
ors, Harvey  N.  Strong.  Jacob  T.  Van  Vechten  and  Samuel  Ladd;  Clerk,  John  S.  Van  Eps. 
November  2!',  1X47,  another  election  was  held  at  the  same  place  to  elect  Delegates  to  the  State 
Conventional  Madison  to  form  a  State  Constitution.  Those  receiving  the  most  votes  were 
William  II.  Lord,  Patrick  Pentong,  Lewis  E.  Pick. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  437 

FIRST  TOWN   MEETING  OF    KEWASKUM. 

The  first  election  of  the  town  of  Kewaskum  was  held  at  the  house  of  Nathan  Wheeler,  near 
the  village,  April  2,  1850  ;  Inspectors  of  Election  were  J.  T.  Van  Vechten,  F.  Dagling  and 
T.  P.  Bliss;  Clerk,  Ansel  Moody.  The  officers  elected  were:  Supervisors,  J.  T.  Van  Vechten, 
Chairman,  B.  Spinharney,  H.  Iloderkirch ;  Town  Clerk,  Ansel  Moody  ;  Treasurer,  D.  C. 
Bowen  ;  Superintendent  of  Schools,  Ansel  Moody;  Assessors,  M.  Rodenkirch,  D.  C.  Bowen; 
Justices,  D.  C.  Bowen,  P.  Rottermand  ;  Constables,  J.  P.  Harris,  H.  Backhaus,  L.  Clark  ; 
Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures,  J.  Williams. 

This  election  proved  illegal,  as  it  was  held  outside  the  limits  of  the  new  town  of  Kewaskum, 
and  Chairman  Van  Vechten  was  denied  his  seat  in  the  County  Board.  The  blunder  was  reme- 
died by  a  special  election  held  within  the  town  limits. 

William  P.  Barnes  and  wife  were  the  first  settlers  in  North  Bend,  Mr.  B.  living  on  Section 
35  as  early  as  1844. 

The  first  post  office  was  at  Section  9,  Fond  du  Lac  road,  Nathaniel  Wheeler,  Postmaster. 
The  office  was  established  at  Kewaskum  Village,  in  1847,  with  James  Thompson  as  first  Post- 
master. 

The  first  school  was  established  in  1851 ;  L.  Clark,  Superintendent ;  Calista  Colvin,  teacher. 

VILLAGE  OF  KEWASKUM. 

In  1852,  J.  H.  Myer  built  the  first  log  house  on  the  bank  of  Milwaukee  River,  in  the  then 
prospective  village  of  Kewaskum.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  built  a  saw-mill,  and  com- 
menced a  grist-mill  in  1854,  which  he  finished  in  1856. 

The  first  frame  house  in  the  village  and  in  the  town  was  built  by  Henry  P.  Eames.  It 
was  near  the  river,  on  the  south  side  of  what  is  now  Main  street,  opposite  West  Water.  It  was 
what  was  called  a  "  story  and  a  half  house."  The  nearest  settler  was  William  Pickel,  a  half 
mile  away. 

The  first  store,  built  by  William  Spicer,  was  a  frame  building,  now  called  "  the  old 
store." 

In  1852,  F.  W.  Buchte!  started  the  first  blacksmith-shop. 

In  the  spring  of  1854,  the  first  religious  society  was  organized — the  Dutch  Reformed 
— Rev.   M.  Davenport,  Pastor.      There  were  four  attendants  at  the  first  meeting. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  built  by  the  Catholics. 

The  first  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1855,  with  Mrs.  Eames  as  Superintendent  The- 
school  was  very  successful,  and  under  various  Superintendents  was  maintained  until  1879. 

The  village  haa  grown  to  be  the  thriving  trade  center  of  the  surrounding  country.  The- 
Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway  passes  through  the  town  and  village.  The  village  popula- 
tion at  present  (1881)  exceeds  five  hundred.  In  has  six  hotels — the  Eagle,  the  American 
House,  S.  Witzig's  Hotel,  Central  Hotel  and  the  Madison  House.  It  has  three  general  stores. 
The  largest  is  owned  and  run  by  the  Rosenheimer  Brothers,  Moritz  and  Adolph,  under  the 
family  firm  name  of  L.  Rosenheimer  &  Sons.  They  have  an  elevator  and  do  a  large  grain  shipping 
business  in  connection  with  their  merchandising.  Their  annual  grain  shipments  aggregated 
125,000  bushels.  The  other  two  stores  are  run  by  Henry  Backhaus  and  Charles  Lobeisky. 
Both  do  a  thriving  business. 

Remmell  Bros.  &  Co.  have  just  completed  the  most  complete  establishment  for  the  manufact- 
ure and  repair  of  all  kinds  of  wood  and  iron  work,  between  Fond  du  Lac  and  Milwaukee. 

It  embraces  a  machine-shop,  with  engine  lathe,  a  planing-mill,  a  wagon-shop  and  a  black- 
smith's shop.  Here  carriages  and  agricultural  machinery  are  manufactured  and  repaired  in  the 
best  style  of  mechanical  art.  The  Remmell  Brothers  are  practical  workmen  of  rare  merit,  and 
possessed  of  inventive  talents  of  a  high  order. 

There  are  also  four  grain  elevators,  all  doing  a  grain-shipping  business  during  the* 
season. 


438  HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  flouring-mill,  built  by  Mr  Myer  in  1852,  was  enlarged  and  partially  rebuilt  in  1878. 
It  is  now  run  by  Guth  &  Backhaus. 

The  lumber-yard  is  run  by  N.  Guth  &  Son. 

There  are  two  schools,  a  public  school,  and  a  parish  school  connected  with  the  Catholic 
Church. 

The  are  three  churches — the  Catholic,  built  in  1862;  the  Lutheran,  built  in  1868;  the 
MethoTlist.  built  in  1866. 

The  village  has  also  a  hardware  store,  a  stove  and  tinware  establishment,  and  shoemakers, 
blacksmiths,  painters  and  other  artisans,  which  go  to  make  up  the  population  of  a  thriving  and 
growing  village. 

The  charitable  and  secret  societies  are  represented  as  follows: 

Kewaskum  Tumverein,  organized  June  2,  1878.  First  officers  were:  First  Speaker, 
Charles  Flicheman  ;  Second  Speaker,  Peter  Heip ;  First  Turnwart,  Frank  Brown ;  Second 
Turnwart,  Adolph  Ilosenheimer ;  Secretary,  Fred  Stork  ;  Assistant  Secretary,  Nic  Marks ; 
Treasurer,  Nic  Guth:  Steward,  Henry  Backhaus;  Trustees,  John  Stroegel,  Pat  McLaughlin, 
Mattice  Louis. 

The  present  officers  are:  First  Speaker,  Fred  Stork;  Second  Speaker,  Valentine  Dreher; 
First  Turnwart,  Lewis  Guth  ;  Secretary,  Nic  Marks ;  Assistant  Secretary,  Lawrence  Guth  : 
Treasurer,  Charles  Kiehn ;  Steward,  William  Fdlbert ;  Trustees,  Joseph  Reramel.  Pat  Mc 
Laughlin,  N.  Guth,  Sr.  Present  membership  is  twenty-eight.  Meetings  are  held  the  second 
Tuesday  of  each  month. 

Kewaskum  Lodge,  No.  101.  I.  0.  0.  F .  was  instituted  February  4,  I860.  It  was  first 
started  in  the  English  language,  then  changed  to  a  German  lodge.  After  a  few  years  it  ceased 
active  work,  and  lay  dormant  for  several  years.  February  2,  1876,  it  was  resuscitated,  and  has 
existed  as  an  American  lodge,  so  far  as  its  work  is  carried  on  in  the  English  language,  though 
its  membership  is  largely  made  up  of  Germans.  The  present  officers  are  :  II.  J.  Ebenreiter, 
N.  G.;  L.  A.  Clark,  V.  G.;  C.  P.  Mooers,  R.  S.;  Charles  Mdler,  P.  S.:  N.  Guth,  Treasurer. 
The  present  membership  numbers  twenty.     Meetings  are  held  weekly,  on  Saturday  evenings. 

THE    TOWN    IN    1881. 

The  town  is  entirely  settled,  with  a  population  of  thrifty  farmers. 

It  has  six  whole  ami  joint  school  districts,  six  schoolhouses,  worth  $0,000.  The  scholars 
number  .547  ;  eight  teachers  are  employed.  The  amount  of  money  expended  for  school  purposes 
in   18SII  was  $2,013. 

The  population  of  Kewaskum  in  1880,  according  to  the  census  of  that  year,  was  1,469. 

The  average  amount  of  crops  raised  from  5,010  acres  of  cultivated  land,  in  1880,  was: 
Wheat,  30,000  bushels  ;  corn,  16,000;  oats,  32,000;  barley.  16,000;  rye,  24,000;  potatoes, 
10,000.  The  number  of  acres  of  growing  timber  was  3,295;  of  apple  orchard  94,  with  2,860 
bearing  trees.     The  town  had  4'.*7  cows,  and  made  21,000  pounds  of  butter. 

The  present  town  officers  (1S81  |  are:  Supervisors,  James  Carrel  (Chairman),  Fred  Back- 
haus Theo.  Schoofs  ;  Town  Clerk,  William  Koch;  Treasurer,  Chas.  Backhaus;  Assessor,  Peter 
Fellenz. 

TOWN  OF  BARTON. 

Newark,  the  original  name  of  this  town,  was  changed  to  Barton  by  order  of  the  County 
Board  of  Supervisors  on  the  25th  day  of  November,  1853. 

The  town  of  Newark  was  formed  in  1818  by  taking  two  tiers  of  sections  from  the  north  side 
of  West  Bend,  and  two  from  the  south  side  of  North  Bend,  and  organizing  them  into  a  town 
containing  twenty-two  whole  and  two  half  sections. 

The  village  of  Barton  was  originally  called  Salisbury's  Mills,  the  old  saw-mill  and  grist- 
mill built  by  Barton  Salisbury  forming  its  nucleus. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  439 

Barton  Salisbury,  on  one  of  his  surveying  expeditions  in  the  autumn  of  1845,  first  discov- 
ered the  fine  water-power  and  other  natural  advantages  of  the  site,  and  decided  to  locate  there. 
He  immediately  put  up  his  log  shanty,  assisted  by  Ben  Thompson,  the  Verbeck  brothers,  and 
M.  A.  T.  Farmer,  who  came  up  from  the  southern  part  of  the  township  (West  Bend),  and  found 
him  "  on  the  ground  with  ox-team  and  two  men,  cutting  and  hauling  logs  to  erect  the  first 
shanty."  It  was  near  the  present  dam,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  During  the  fall  and 
winter  of  1845-46,  other  settlers  arrived  and  located,  among  whom  were  Charles  and  Foster 
Buck,  James  Frazer,  John  Douglas,  Martin  Foster,  Rev.  Bela  Wilcox,  W.  P.  Barnes,  and  the 
Danforth  family,  Mrs.  Danforth  being  the  first  white  woman  that  lived  in  Salisbury.  These 
settlers  were  soon  followed  by  other  members  of  the  Frazer  family.  Peter,  who  came  with  his 
mother  and  sisters  in  1846,  established  a  mercantile  business  in  1847,  which  he  still  carries  on. 
The  buzz  of  the  saw-mill  built  by  Mr.  Salisbury  was  heard  before  the  spring  of  1846  ;  the  large 
grist-mill  erected  by  the  same  energetic  laborer  for  Edward  and  William  Caldwell,  was  finished 
in  1847,  and  the  embryo  village  seemed  to  be  fairly  started.  Early  in  1846,  a  store,  which 
served  the  double  purpose  of  store  and  dwelling,  was  started  by  William  and  Edward  Caldwell 
on  the  ground  where  the  Catholic  Church  now  stands.  Mr.  Caldwell  had  to  draw  his  supplies 
for  the  store  from  Milwaukee,  and,  on  his  way  home  from  that  place  with  his  "fall  goods,"  he 
found  Moses  Wiel  building  the  first  store  at  West  Bend.  Mr.  Caldwell's  store  by  this  time  was 
having  a  "rush  of  business." 

THE    FIRST    TOWN    MEETING. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  called  at  the  house  of  Martin  Foster,  in  the  village  of  Newark- 
October  16,  1848.  John  K.  Avery  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  Samuel  H.  Alcot,  Clerk- 
Those  present  then  adjourned  to  the  schoolhouse,  where  the  meeting  was  held. 

(The  school  house  was  the  log  shanty  built  by  Barton  Salisbury,  and  converted  to  its 
present  uses  when  he  built  his  frame  house  in  1846.  A  coffee-pot  was  used  at  this  meeting  for 
a  ballot-box). 

The  whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  thirty-seven.  The  officers  elected  were :  Supervisors, 
Noah  Reynolds,  John  R.  Avery,  Peter  Frazer  ;  Town  Clerk,  Harlow  L.  Cramton  ;  Treasurer, 
Abel  Walker ;  Commissioners  of  Highways,  Jacob  Albright,  John  H.  Pickle,  James  H.  St. 
John  ;  Justices  of  Peace,  Samuel  H.  Alcot,  Samuel  Ladd ;  Commissioners  of  Schools.  Alonzo 
Curtis,  Harlow  Cramton,  George  W.  McCarty  :  Constables,  G.  W.  McCarty  and  Sylvester 
Rowe;  Sealers  of  Weights  and  Measures,  Charles  E.  Eliot  and  Daniel  Bastin ;  Fence 
Viewers,  Samuel  H.  Alcot,  Henry  Totten  and  Noah  P.  Reynolds. 

OLD    TIMES    AND    THINGS. 

The  first  school  in  the  village  was  taught  by  Rev.  Bela  Wilcox,  in  the  schoolhouse  where 
the  above-mentioned  meeting  was  held.  Mr.  Wilcox  was  an  educated  man,  and  when  he  visited 
the  first  School  Commissioner  for  a  certificate,  Mr.  Young  simply  said,  "  Elder  Wilcox,  have  the 
kindness  to  draw  up  the  certificate ;  we  will  sign  it." 

The  first  post  office,  in  1847  (then  Salisbury  Mills  Post  Office),  was  also  kept  by  Rev. 
Bela  Wilcox.  The  mail  was  brought  on  foot  from  the  Meeker  Post  Office,  at  or  near  Cedar 
Creek,  by  William  Ellis,  in  a  mail  bag  made  of  W.  P.  Barnes'  vest  pocket ;  hence  called  "  vest- 
pocket  mail."  In  1852,  through  the  persevering  energy  of  John  R.  Taylor,  a  post  office  was 
established  at  Barton  (then  Newark),  and  Mr.  Taylor  appointed  Postmaster. 

The  first  sermon  preached  was  by  Rev.  Mr.  Traine  in  the  schoolhouse. 

The  first  Presbyterian  meeting  was  at  the  house  of  Peter  Frazer,  when  a  society  was  organ- 
ized by  Rev.  Mr.  Elliot,  of  Milwaukee.  Among  those  present  at  this  meeting  were  Peter 
Frazer  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Wightman,  three  old  settlers  who  are  still  living.  Mr. 
Elliot  was  Pastor  of  the  church  for  a  number  of  years,  sometimes  preaching  in  the  saw-mill. 
The  society  built  a  church  edifice  in  1853. 

The  first  tavern  in  Barton  was  kept  by  Martin  Foster  in  a  small,  wooden  building  near 
Father  Rehrl's  place. 


440  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  first  Assessors  were  Walter  Demmon  and  Mr.  Barnes,  and  the  whole  amount  of  prop- 
erty in  what  is  now  Trenton,  West  Bend,  Barton,  Farmington  and  Kewaskum  at  that  time  was 
valued  at  $3,700. 

The  first  mass  was  said  in  Barton  by  Father  Rehrl  December  25,  1857.  The  corner-stone 
of  the  Catholic  Church  was  laid  on  Wednesday,  September  30,  1857.  The  ceremonies  were  con- 
ducted by  John  Martin  Henni,  Bishop  of  the  State,  assisted  by  the  Revs.  Barstow,  Bradlev  and 
Rehrl.  In  a  cavity  cut  in  the  corner-stone  were  deposited  several  coins  bearing  the  date  of 
1857,  also  the  name  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  Governor  of  the  State,  ami  the  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  of  the  town  of  Barton.  The  church  was  finished  the  following  year  (1858). 
It  is  a  handsome  brick  edifice;  the  auditorium,  36  by  56  feet,  addition  for  altar,  vestry,  etc.,  19 
by  20  feet.  It  was  furnished  with  bells  in  May,  18G0.  There  are  at  present  connected  with 
the  Barton  congregation  one  hundred  and  thirty  families.  The  school  connected  with  the 
church  has  one  hundred  scholars.  The  convent,  founded  by  Father  Rehrl,  was  established  as 
the  Order  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Agnes.  From  the  small  beginning  at  the  little  village  of  Bar- 
ton the  orler  has  increased,  been  acknowledged  by  the  Pope,  and  is  now  known  throughout  the 
world,  this  being  the  mother  house,  although  the  house  at  Fond  du  Lac  is  now  the  head  of  the 
order.     Full  particulars  of  the  life  and  labors  of  Father  Rehrl  are  given  in  his  biography. 

The  population  of  Barton  in  1855,  ten  years  after  its  settlement,  was  1,095,  of  whom  445 
were  of  foreign  birth.  It  was  connected  with  the  railroad  before  1857'  by  daily  mail  and  stage 
route;  contained  an  American  and  German  hotel,  three  large  stores  and  numerous  workshops. 
A  commodious  Presbyterian  Church  was  built  in  1853.  The  new  bridge  across  the  Milwaukee 
River  was  completed  in  1857. 

In  the  old  days,  before  Washington  and  Ozaukee  Counties  dissolved  partnership,  the  old 
settlers  used  to  find  the  "Old  Schoolhouse  "  at  Barton  a  magnet  that  attracted  the  lovers  of  fun 
from  all  over  old  Washington  County.  One  evening,  a  meeting  was  held  there  by  some  of  the 
jovial  spirits  of  the  county,  and  a  sort  of  sovereigns'  Legislature  was  formed.  Hank  Totten  was 
elected  Governor  and  Reuben  Rusco  Secretary  of  State.  "Governor"  Totten  issued  his  pro- 
clamation, duly  attested  by  "Secretary  "  Rusco,  calling  a  meeting  of  the  Legislature,  the  towns 
in  the  county  to  have  a  representative  on  the  basis  that  the  counties  of  the  State  had  in  the 
legal  body.  "  Governor"  Totten,  on  the  assembling  of  his  hosts,  discovered  that  his  "  Secretary  " 
was  absent.  Young  Rosebrook,  who  had  been  elected  door-keeper,  was  armed  with  a  summons 
from  I  lis  Excellency  to  proceed  at  once  to  bring  in  the  recalcitrant  illicer.  lie  found  him  and 
another  individual  playing  "seven-up"  in  the  woods,  using  a  big  stump  for  a  table,  lie 
handed  t lie  summons  to  Rusco,  who  immediately  obeyed  the  majesty  of  the  law.  The  delibera- 
tions of  the  pioneer  legislature  were  decidedly  rich.  No  subject,  neither  State  or  National,  was 
too  large  or  too  small  to  be  made  the  butt  of  fun,  and  when  Mr.  Bl  lir,  who  claimed  lie  repre- 
sented "  The  district  east  of  Ozaukee  " — Lake  Michigan — got  up  and  eloquently  appealed  for 
equal  rights  for  the  fishes  in  all  cases,  the  members  adjourned  to  give  them  a  chance,  and  claimed 
their  advocate  ought  to  be  soaked  in  cider  in  honor  of  his  constituents. 

SCHOOLS    AND    SOCIETIES. 

The  schools  of  Barton  have  not  beei glected.      From  the  time  that  Elder  Wilcox  made 

out  his  own  certificate,  with  the  full  approval  of  the  Commissioner,  good  teachers  have  found 
sufficient  encouragement  to  establish  select  schools  in  the  village.  On  August  2,  1858,  a  high 
school  was  opened.  W.  ().  Wendall,  Principal,  with  a  normal  class,  ••for  the  instruction  of  those 
who  design  to  teach,  whether  members  of  the  school  or  not.  (Mass  thoroughly  drilled  both  in 
the  practice  and  theory  of  teaching."  This  instruction  involved  the  whole  principle  of  the 
modern  normal  school. 

On  August  I.  ls»;i,  :i  select  school  was  start.- 1  by  Misses  F.  M.  and  II.  A.  Wighlmaii, 
daughters    of   William     Wightman,    of    West    Bend.        These    young    la  lies    were    accomplished 

teachers,  having  fitted  themselves  expressly  for  that  vocation.     Miss  Frances  had  I n  a  teacher 

at  the  Female  Seminary  in  Knoxville,  Tenti.,  during  the  preceding  year. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  441 

In  August,  1862,  a  select  school  was  opened  in  Barton  by  William  H.  Barnes,  a  young 
Appleton  student.  Since  these  early  days,  the  village  schools  have  been  cared  for  as  in  other 
places  of  its  size.  The  principal  schoolhouse  is  of  brick.  There  are  175  scholars  in  the  district, 
a  large  proportion  of  whom  attend  the  Catholic  school. 

THE    CHURCHES. 

The  village  of  Barton  now  contains  two  churches — the  Presbyterian  and  Catholic. 

The  Presbyterian,  before  mentioned  as  having  been  built  in  1853,  had  for  its  Pastor,  when 
dedicated,  Rev.  Mr.  French,  who  remained  six  years  in  that  capacity.  His  successors  have 
been  Rev.  Messrs.  Lord,  Tanner,  Smith,  Boyd,  Hysen  and  J.  D.  Gehring.  At  present  the 
church  is  without  a  pastor. 

The  Baptists  and  Methodists  of  Barton  have  generally  connected  themselves  with  the 
West  Bend  churches. 

The  Catholic  Church  has  been  previously  noticed. 

SOCIETIES. 

Nonpariel  Lodge,  No.  100,  I.  0.  G.  T. — This  lodge  was  organized  November  2,  1858,  with 
thirteen  members.  The  first  officers  were:  William  T.  Gray,  W.  C.  T.;  Miss  Emily  Nichols, 
W.  V.  T.;  S.  S.  Fuller,  W.  S.;  Miss  Myra  B.  Degolyer,  W.  T.;  A.  Ives,  W.  F.  S.;  L.  B.  Root, 
W.  M.;  Mrs.  Mary  Pitcher,  W.  I.  G.;  H.  G.  Hurlbert,  W.  0.  G.;  Miss  M.  J.  Fuller,  W.  R.  II.  S.; 
Miss  Lizzie  Brown,  W.  L.  H.  S.;  B.  S.  Potter,  P.  W.  C.  T. 

The  present  hall  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1875,  costing  nearly  $1,000.  The  present  mem- 
bership is  sixteen.  The  lodge  has  never  suspended  its  meetings  since  its  organization  ;  has 
initiated  nearly  one  thousand  five  hundred  members,  many  of  whom  are  scattered  over  the 
Western  States,  and  are  earnest  workers  for  prohibition  and  the  order  of  Good  Templars.  At 
St.  Edwards,  Neb.,  eighty  of  the  chartered  members  of  the  lodge  were  formerly  members  of  the 
"Nonpariel."  Some  of  its  officers  have  been  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  all  are  to-day 
good,  industrious  citizens. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  present  officers:  Wisly  Manaser,  W.  C.  T.;  Mrs.  Maggie 
Taylor,  W.  V.  T.;  C.  F.  Taylor,  W.  R.  S.;  N.  E.  Woodford,  W.  F.  S.;  J.  R.  Taylor,  W.  T.; 
Mrs.  Erailv  Tagler,  W.  C;  W.  S.  Davis,  P.  W.  C.  T.;  C.  Kauffung,  W.  M.  C;  H.  H.  Taylor, 
W.  I.  G.;  Charles  Taylor,  Jr.,  W.  0.  G.;  II.  H.  Taylor.  L.  D. 

Kishcaupee  Lodge,  No.  96,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  was  first  instituted  in  Barton,  in  the  year  1869. 
After  running  several  years  it  divided,  and,  about  1872,  the  lodge  was  removed  to  Boltonville. 
Some  of  the  members  retained  their  fellowship  in  the  Boltonville  lodge. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  new  iron  bridge,  already  contracted  for,  to  cross  the  Milwaukee  River  at  this  place,  is 
to  be  built  in  one  span  of  115  feet.  It  is  to  be  of  iron,  with  stone  abutment.  The  cost  will  be 
$5,150,  and,  when  finished,  it  will  be  the  best  bridge  on  the  river  north  of  Milwaukee. 

Barton,  during  the  war,  sent  to  the  front  some  excellent  soldiers.  Among  them,  deserving 
of  special  mention,  was  Capt.  J.  Martin  Price,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  service.  The  roll  at 
Madison  shows  the  names  of  forty-four  soldiers  from  the  town  who  did  personal  and  gallant  serv- 
ice. The  names  appear  in  the  war  history  of  the  county  at  large.  Of  the  seven  soldiers  who 
joined  the  Washington  County  Rifles,  Company  G,  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  Carl 
Karsten,  himself  an  honored  member,  gives  the  following  report :  Corporal  George  Koehler. 
wounded  while  bearing  colors  at  Gettysburg  ;  Private  William  Simon,  discharged  January  5. 
1863;  Private  John  Saaler,  discharged  March.  1863;  Private  Killian  Schnepf,  killed  in  battle; 
Private  Peter  Schnomenberg.  died  ;  Private  Fred  Walker,  no  report,  probably  returned  ;  Private 
William  Wehl,  no  report,  probably  returned. 

The  Barton  Mills,  owned  by  It.  R.  Price,  were  burned  in  1865,  and  rebuilt  by  the  same  gentle- 
man who  ran  them  until  1877,  when  the  property  passed,  by  Sheriff's  sale,  into  the  possession 


442  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

of  Abbot  Lawran,  and  was  again  sold,  in  October,  1878,  to  the  present  proprietors,  Huntington 
&  Koch. 

Since  Bela  Wilcox,  the  Postmasters  of  Barton  have  been  John  R.  Taylor,  John  Reis9e, 
Maxon  Ilirsch,  Sebastian  Koenig,  John  Reisse  and  Peter  Frazer,  who  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Grant  in  1868,  and  has  held  the  office  twelve  years,  being  the  present  incumbent. 

The  railroad  was  finished  to  the  place  in  1872.  There  are  at  present  three  taverns,  several 
stores,  a  grist-mill  and  various  other  industries  in  the  village,  but,  since  the  advent  of  the  rail- 
road, local  trade  has  fallen  off,  and  the  only  flourishing  business  apparent  is  the  flouring  mill. 
When  the  water-power  is  more  fully  utilized,  busy  times  will  come  again. 

YOUNG.  AMERICA. 

This  little  village,  situated  in  the  town  of  Barton  about  a  mile  north  of  the  village,  on  the 
Milwaukee  River,  received  its  first  business  impetus  from  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  Messrs. 
Cook  &  Elliott. 

A  dam  and  saw-mill  were  built  at  the  place,  in  1851,  by  Morris  Wait — the  mill  fitted  with 
all  (then)  modern  appliances — run  three  hours,  and  burned  to  the  ground. 

In  1856,  Messrs.  Cook  &  Elliott  erected  a  large  flouring-mill  on  the  same  site.  On  Sep- 
tember 19,  1856,  this  mill,  lacking  yet  a  few  days  of  completion,  was  also  entirely  destroyed  by 
fire.  It  was  a  deplorable  loss.  Twelve  mechanics  lost  their  tool  chests  with  contents,  worth 
about  $2,000,  their  only  means  of  support.  The  tot;il  loss  was  §8,000  :  insurance,  §4,000. 
Cook  &  Elliott  immediately  commenced  rebuilding,  and,  on  August  10,  1857,  had  a  new  mill 
finished.  This  was  of  brick,  three  stories  high,  two  run  of  stone,  and  capable  of  turning  out  150 
barrels  of  extra  superfine  flour  per  day.  There  was  also  a  brick  cooper-shop  connected  with 
the  mill,  in  running  order  at  the  same  date,  and  a  bridge  across  the  river  in  process  of  erection. 
The  mill  was  purchased  some  time  during  1857,  by  David  and  A.  W.  Coe,  who  ran  it  success- 
fully for  a  number  or  years.  "Young  America  Flour  "  commanded  a  high  price  in  Milwaukee, 
all.  except  what  was  used  for  home  consumption,  being  sold  in  that  market.  Just  before  the 
win-.  Messrs.  Coe  sold  the  mill  to  W.  P.  Horton,  who,  after  running  it  a  short  time,  sold  again  to 
Fred  Hart,  of  .Milwaukee,  It  was  next  sold  at  Sheriff's  sale,  and  bid  in  by  Mr.  Trumpft, 
Cashier  of  Second  Ward  Hank.  Milwaukee.  It  was  sold  by  the  bank  to  Peter  Eoffman,  and  on 
his  death,  the  establishment  being  insolvent,  was  again  sold  at  Sheriff's  sale,  and  bid  in  by  the 
Germantown  Fire  Insurance  Company,  Bold  to  Phillip  Kraetsch,  and  finally  leased  by  him  to 
Paul  Sladkey,  an  energetic  young  miller,  who  is  at  the  present  time  running  it  successfully. 
During  the  time  that  the  Messrs.  Coe  were  running  the  Young  America  Mill,  they  had  also  a 
store  in  successful  operation.  They  were  young  and  energetic  ;  their  store  was  well  filial  with 
desirable  goods,  and  the  village  saw  its  palmiest  days  during  their  residence  there.  The  store 
started  by  Messrs.  Coe  lias  been  owned  for  the  last  eleven  years  by  Martin  Gayhart.  and  is  still 
kept  by  him.      Mr.  Gayhart  is  also  Postmaster. 

The  Young  America  Hotel  is  kept  by  P.  C.  Schmidt. 

The  latest  official  returns  give  the  agricultural   products  of  the  town   as  follows:    Wheat, 

86,1 bushels;    corn,   31,000;    oats,   17,000;    barley,  7,600;  rye,  3,000 ;  potatoes,  7,800  ; 

butter.  25,(1(10  pounds;  cheese,  15,000  pounds. 

The  annual  acreage  of  grain  fields  amount  to  5,300  acres.  The  apple  orchards  comprise 
105  acres  and  3,050  fruit  bearing  trees.  There  are  2,436  acres  of  growing  timber  in  the  town. 
The  number  of  milch  cows  is  upward  of  seven  bundled. 

The  presenl  town  officers  (1881)  are:  Supervisors,  Martin  Gayhart,  Chairman,  Joseph 
Berend,  Nicholaus  Weber;  Town  Clerk,  Michael  Kiseumann ;  Assessor,  Joseph  Ilolehouse; 
Treasurer,  Henry  Saueressig. 

The  population  by  the  latest  Federal  census  (1S80)  is  1,287. 

There  were  two  post  olliees  in  the  town  in  l^Sl — Barton  and  Yoim<_r  America. 


HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  443 


TOWN   OF  TRENTON. 

The  town  of  Trenton  is  designated  on  the  Government  survey  as  Town  11,  Range  20  east. 
It  is  six  miles  square,  and  is  bounded  as  follows  :  North,  by  Farmington  ;  east,  by  »Saukville, 
in  Ozaukee  County  ;  south,  by  Jackson  ;  west,  by  West  Bend  and  Barton.  The  surface  of  land 
is  broken  into  small  hills  throughout.  It  was  originally  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  hard- 
wood timber.  The  Milwaukee  River  runs  through  it  in  a  tortuous  course,  from  west  to  east. 
It  enters  the  town  on  the  section  line  between  Sections  7  and  18,  and  winds  through  Sections 
18,  17,  16,  15,  11  and  12.  At  Newburg,  on  Section  12,  it  furnishes  an  excellent  water-power. 
The  lands  were  early  spied  by  speculators,  and,  as  early  as  1836,  considerable  tracts  were  en- 
tered by  them  along  the  river,  and  especially  near  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Newburg, 
on  Section  12.  These  early  entries  were  made  by  Michael  Antony  Guista,  Solomon  Juneau, 
Charles  Hunt,  M.  C.  Johnson.  James  Duane  Doty,  Joseph  R.  Ward  and  others,  none  of  whom 
ever  settled  in  the  town  or  attempted  any  improvements. 

The  actual  settlers  began  to  come  in  in  1845,  and  in  1846  the  tide  of  immigration  had  fairly 
set  in.  The  list  of  those  who  took  up  land,  many  of  whom  settled  during  those  two  years,  is 
given  below.  Those  who  entered  land  in  1845  are  designated,  all  others  whose  names  appear 
made  their  entries  in  1846.  The  list  is  as  follows:  Section  1,  Ebenezer  H.  Keene,  Sylvester 
R.  Lathrope,  Adam  Fraie,  Jacob  Fraie ;  Section  2,  Levi  Grant,  Matthias  Schmidt,  Peter  Mul- 
ligan, James  Christie  and  Hiram  Marsh  ;  Section  3,  Nicholas  Henson,  Peter  Schwin,  Peter 
Wilger ;  Section  5,  James  Stevens  and  Edward  P.  Foster  ;  Section  6,  Jonathan  Moore,  Charles 
G.  Newcome,  Amasa  T.  Curtice,  Salmon  Grover,  Bindiah  Benber,  Andrew  Clark,  Edmund  B. 
Diekerman  ;  Section  7,  Edwin  Yeamans,  Samuel  N.  and  Amos  Verbeck,  Charles  Ciudius  :  Sec- 
tion 8,  Pat  O'Connel,  William  Harrington,  John  Harrington,  William  Ellis;  Section  9,  Thomas 
Smith,  Patrick  Smith;  Section  11,  Joseph  Taylor,  James  Christie;  Section  13,  Ludwig 
Steirwalt,  Daniel  Steirwalt ;  Section  14,  William  Lewis,  John  Simon;  Section  19,  Amos  Ver- 
beck, Philip  Verbeck,  Joseph  Verbeck;  Section  20,  George  Kluber,  James  Kantwell ;  Section 
21,  John  T.  Jenner,  J.  M.  Smith,  Peter  McDonal,  John  MeDonal,  Samuel  Engle.  William 
McHenry,  Ensign  Sprague  ;  Section  22.  John  Smith.  Samuel  Mann,  Frederick  Schlomilch  ; 
Section  23,  William  Lewis,  Eli  L.  Hurd,  John  Simon,  Jeremiah  H.  Douglass;  Section  24,  Lud- 
wig Steirwalt,  Alex  McCartney  ;  Section  26,  Jeremiah  Canty,  Pat  Cary  ;  Section  27,  Peter 
Nusz  (in  1845),  Latzer  Weise,Pat  Cary,  Richard  Dailey,  James  Hughes;  Section  28,  Michael 
Jenner,  Herman  Mann,  Maurice  Mogenschein,  Stephen  Long,  Turner  Bailey ;  Section  29, 
Roderick  McKenzie,  William  McKenzie,  James  Michaels;  Section  30,  Ferdinand  Nolting 
(1845),  Jacob  Hill,  Thomas  Keenan,  John  Reed,  Stephen  Irish.  Lazarus  Sanford,  James 
Christie,  Francis  Maurice  ;  Section  31,  Patrick  Keown,  Michael  Bower.  Edwin  R.  Nelson, 
Thomas  Jessup,  Moses  Young  (all  in  1845),  Lazarus  Sanford,  Richard  T.  Young  ;  Section  32, 
Patrick  Keown,  Emanuel  Mann,  Christopher  Long  (all  in  1845),  Theron  Bullock,  Phil  Wagner, 
Herman  Mann  ;  Section  33,  Thomas  McCormack,  Andrew  Byrns,  Edward  Divin,  Adaniah  L. 
Halster,  John  C.  Petzold,  Stephen  Long,  Edward  Boderie,  George  C.  Butler  ;  Section  34,  Fred 
Firstenberger  (1845),  Edward  Divin,  Thomas  Cheasty,  William  Armstrong,  David  Templeton, 
Theron  Bullock;  Section  35,  James  Johnson,  Alex.  Johnson,  William  Armstrong,  David 
Templeton  ;   Section  36,  Owen  Fay,  Charles  Conaty. 

In  1847-48,  the  remaining  available  farming  lands  of  the  town  were  generally  taken  up. 
The  only  village  in  the  town,  Newberg,  on  Section  12,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township, 
was  started  by  Barton  Salisbury,  in  the  winter  of  1847-48,  when,  having  decided  to  locate  at 
that  point  and  develope  the  water-power,  he  hired  a  man  named  Watson,  to  build  him  a  log 
house  at  that  point.  The  house  was  afterward  occupied  by  Mr.  Frisby  and  family  in  1849.  He 
was  the  father  of  I.  N.  and  L.  F.  Frisby,  both  now  practicing  attorneys  at  West  Bend.  Mr. 
Salisbury  came  in  himself  in  1848,  built  the  first  dam  at  that  point,  erected  a  saw-mill  and 
grist-mill,  started   an   ashery  for    the    manufacture    of  pearlash   from    the    crude    potash  fur- 


444  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

nished  by  the  pioneers  from  the  ashes  made  in  clearing  their  lands,  and  fairly  started  a  thriving 
village.  Two  nephews  of  Salisbury  came  in  with  him — Sillwell  and  Salisbury.  They  showed 
the  enterprise  of  their  uncle,  and  erected  several  of  the  early  buildings.  They  built  the  first 
hotel  building,  now  the  "Webster  House."  At  the  raising  of  this  building,  Barton  Salisbury, 
the  most  energetic  and  enterprising  man  that  had  appeared  in  the  county,  accidentally  lost  his 
life.  His  death  was  an  irreparable  loss  to  the  infant  village.  He  had,  after  several  moves,  de- 
cided upon  it  has  his  future  home,  and  had  he  lived  would  have  made  it  the  leading  village  in  the 
fast  settling  county.  He  was  cut  off  in  the  prime  of  his  early  manhood,  being  only  thirty-six 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  village  has  for  many  years  remained  nearly  station- 
ary, being  only  the  center  of  a  limited  local  trade.  Its  nearest  railroad  connection  is  at  West 
Bend,  six  miles  distant.     The  old  mill  still  stands  and  does  a  fair  custom  business. 

THE    FIRST   TOWN    MEETING. 

The  town  was  incorporated  March  11,  1848,  and  on  April  4,  1848,  the  first  town  meeting 
was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Smith. 

The  first  town  officers  were:  Supervisors,  John  A.  Douglass,  Chairman,  Rueben  Salisbury, 
Turner  Bailey;  Town  Clerk,  Frederick  Balch  ;  Treasurer.  Eli  L.  Hard;  Assessors,  Amos 
Verbeck,  Theron  Bullock,  George  W.  Alay  ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Frederick  Leson,  James  H. 
Watson;  Highway  Purveyors,  David  Templeton,  Moses  Young,  Sr.,  Partrick  Keoun  :  School 
Commissioners,  Lazarn  Sanford,  Amhust  D.  Tenant,  Comfert  B.  Waller  ;  Collector.  Henry  A. 
Douglass;  Constables,  Fred  Batch,  Henry  A.  Douglass.  Horace  Bradley;  Fence  Viewers, 
John  Smith.  A.  J.  Ilolstead,  James  II.  Watson;  Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures,  John  A. 
Douglass.  James  II.  Watson  was  Moderator  and  John  A.  Douglass  Clerk  of  the  meeting.  At 
this  meeting  appropriations  were  made  as  follows  :  For  highways,  $50  ;  for  support  of  the 
poor,  $25  ;  for  town  expenses,  82(Ml ;  for  schools,  "the  full  limit  the  law  allows."  The  salary 
of  the  Town  Clerk  was  fixed  at  $25  per  year,  and  it  was  voted  to  raise  a  special  highway  tax  of 
five  days'  work  or  $5  in  money  on  every  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  two  days  work  for  a  poll 
tax. 

The  poll  list  of  this  town  meeting  was  not  preserved.  At  the  first  general  election  held  in 
the  town,  in  November,  1848,  the  list  of  voters  was  as  follows  : 

■  I.  I).  MoDoland,  William  M.  Cheny,  Michael  -Tenner,  Henry  Dunham.  Edward  Dutton, 
Peter  McDonald,  Comfort  B.  Waller,  Patrick  Cowan,  Thomas  Casey,  David  Templeton,  Thomas 
McConner,  A.  G.  Ilolstead,  F.  A.  Boot,  Jefferson  Newcotnb,  David  Xewcomb.  James  Emery, 
Jacob  Loon,  Christopher  Filchove,  Godfrey  Loon,  Jonas  Scene.  David  Shaver.  William  C. 
Starkin,  John  Stowan,  Richard  Daily.  James  Johnson,  Anthony  Hartford,  Amherst  D.  Tenant, 
•  lames  Watson,  Lemuel  Shafer,  Jacob  Goldsmith.  Samuel  lioldsmith.  Cregory  Lame,  David 
Dudley,  John  Smith,  F.  W.  Knotting,  Henry  A.  Douglass.  Andrew  Byrnes,  Tinner  Baily, 
La/.arus  Sanford,  Peter  Ness,  Alexander  MeCarty.  Roswcll  Babcock,  Moses  Xoung,  John  II. 
Douglass,  Amo,  Verbeehan,  William  Butler.  Edward  Butler,  Jeremiah  (.'.infield.  Samuel  Dow- 
land,  Hi  chard  Collins,  Edward  Buckley,  Philip  Verbeck.  Asa  Stephens,  Eli  Hurd.  Joseph 
Weisse  :   total  number  of  votes  polled,  5s- 

During  the  war,  Trenton  did  her  patriotic  part.  In  addition  to  raising  SO, 337  for  war  pur- 
poses, a  roll  of  sixty-nine  soldiers  appears  in  the  archives  of  the  State,  who  did  personal  service. 
The  town  furnished  eighteen  for  one  company — the  Washington  County  Rifles,  Company  0, 
Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  Of  these,  Carl  Karstcn.  long  the  Orderly  of  the 
company,  furnishes  the  following  creditable  record: 

Sergeant  3  ley,  died  January  5,  I 

\ n i li • . ii ■■  l:  liarged  May  *-'s,  1 86  ■ 

Privates  —  Bdw«rd  Abbot,  discharged  Ootober  I.  1862 ;  Martin  Abbot,  wounded;  Fred  Diskler,  wounded  and 
missing;  George  Emnes,  wounded  ;  Andrew  Fullerton,  wounded  and  afterward  promoted  i"  Captain  :  Fred  Steirwald  ; 

Daniel  Steirwald ;  Ja -  Sbattui  >  l  March  12,  1868;   Robert  Templeton,  killed;    Jacob  Weimer,  killed; 

Peter  Walker,  wounded  ;  Joachim  w  ie  lerman,  wounded  ;  John  Walker,  promoted  t"  Corporal  ;  Michael  Foung  'lis- 
eharged  May  16,  1868;   Mr  Foung,  killed  ;   Franj  Zellsdorf,  killed. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  445 

The  town  is  now  covered  with  finely  cultivated  farms,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the  best  in  the 
county.  Stock-raising  and  dairying  is  becoming  a  leading  business  in  addition  to  the  raising  of 
cereals  which  is  still  the  leading  pursuit.  The  population  is  now  seven-eighths  German  by  birth 
or  immediate  descent.  There  are  two  German  churches  in  the  town — one  Catholic,  and  one  Lu- 
theran 

The  schools  are  in  excellent  condition.  There  are  eight  joint  districts  and  four  whole  dis- 
tricts in  the  town,  taught  by  three  male,  and  twelve  female  teachers.  The  amount  of  money  ex- 
pended for  schools,  in  1880,  was  $2,093. 

The  industries,  other  than  agricultural,  are  centerel  mostly  at  Newburg,  where  there  is  a 
grist-mill,  saw-mill,  two  stores,  two  hotels,  and  a  cheese  factory.  Other  mechanical  pursuits  are 
represented  at  that  point — blacksmithing,  shoe-making,  carriage-making,  painting,  etc.  Further 
mention  of  them  will  be  found  in  the  biographical  sketches  of  citizens  now  actively  engaged  in 
business. 

There  is  a  cheese  factory  on  the  western  border  of  the  town,  situated  on  Section  30.  It  was 
built  in  1878,  by  F.  W.  Schroeder,  who  still  owns  it.  Its  capacity  is  60,000  pounds  of  cheese 
per  season.  The  milk  is  furnished  alike  by  the  farmers  of  Trenton  and  West  Bend.  The  pro- 
prietor is  a  resident  of  West  Bend,  and  his  factory,  though  located  in  Trenton,  is  known  as  the 
West  Bend  Cheese  Factory. 

The  population  of  the  town,  as  enumerated  by  the  census  of  1880,  was  1,868. 

The  average  crops,  as  gathered  from  the  latest  official  returns,  are  :  Wheat,  58,000  bushels; 
corn,  39,000 ;  oats,  49,000  ;  barley,  14,000 ;  rye,  14,000  ;  potatoes,  16,000.  The  dairy  prod- 
ucts were:  Butter,  45,000  pounds;  cheese,  4,000.  Number  of  acres  under  cultivation  for  the 
above  crops,  was  7,686.  There  are  4,552  acres  of  growing  timber  in  the  town,  and  166  acres 
of  orchard,  with  6,458  bearing  trees.     The  milch  cows  number  917. 

The  town  officers  for  1881,  were:  Supervisors,  Peter  Lochen,  Chairman  ;  Ignatz  Prusch- 
inger.  Chris  Hemmi  ;  Town  Clerk,  Henry  Seivers  ;  Assessor,  John  Buyon  ;  Treasurer,  Theo- 
dore Ritterbusch  :  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Nick  Schwin  ;  Constables,  Martin  Fichter,  Frank 
Kreuter. 

There  were  two  post  officers  in  the  town  in  18S1 — Myra  (Section  15)  and  Newburg. 
Henry  Seives  is  the  present  Postmaster  at  Newburg. 


TOWN  OF  JACKSON. 

The  town  of  Jackson,  designated  by  the  Governmental  survey  as  Town  10,  Range  20  east, 
■was  incorporated  under  its  present  name  by  act  of  Legislature  January  21,  1846.  It  is  one  of 
the  inner  towns  of  the  county,  contains  thirty-six  square  miles,  and  is  bounded  as  follows : 
North,  by  the  town  of  Trenton  ;  east  by  Cedarburg ;  south  by  Germantown,  and  west  by  Polk. 
It  is  watered  by  Cedar  Creek  and  the  numerous  small  streams  running  into  it.  The  creek 
enters  the  town  on  Section  19,  winds  in  an  easterly  direction  across  it,  and  leaves  on  Section  12. 

The  surface  is  less  broken  than  in  the  surrounding  towns,  and  through  the  middle  tiers  of 
sections  along  the  course  of  Cedar  Creek  is  nearly  level.  The  Chicago  &  North-Western  Rail- 
way passes  through  the  town  on  the  western  tier  of  sections,  the  station  being  at  Riceville,  near 
the  boundary  line  between  Sections  18  and  19. 

The  earliest  entries  of  land  were  made  in  1843:  John  McDonald  and  Peter  Devereau 
entering  eighty  acres  each,  and  John  Kinney  forty  acres,  in  May  of  that  year.  In  the  following 
fall  there  were  thirty-one  entries,  and  before  the  winter  of  1845 — a  year  before  the  town  was 
incorporated — the  number  had  increased  to  149.  These  entries  show  that  even  at  that  early 
day  the  value  of  the  land  and  its  availability  for  business  purposes  was  recognized  by  those  who 
were  looking  forward  to  the  day  when  iron  rails  should  glisten  along  the  faintly  denned  Indian 
trail,  and  the  scanty  hoard  of  grain  ground  between  two  stones  should  be  superseded  by  the  yel- 
low harvest  fields  and  the  busily  toiling  mill.     As  the  number  of  entries  on  record  outnumber 


446  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

the  names  on  the  poll  list  of  1864  three  to  one,  it  is  safe  to  infer  that  much  of  the  land  thus 
taken  was  held  for  "  the  good  time  coming." 

On  April  7,  1846,  three  months  after  the  town  was  incorporated,  the  first  town  meeting  was 
held.  That  it  was  considered  a  very  important  occasion,  and  created  much  local  excitement, 
may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that  there  were  forty-three  votes  cast — apparently  the  entire  strength 
of  the  town — to  the  comparatively  small  number  of  twenty-one  at  the  succeeding  November 
election.  It  was  at  the  time  of  the  famous  contest  for  the  location  of  the  county  seat,  and 
Jackson  had  "aspirations  of  its  own,"  as  laudable  as  those  of  its  older  and  more  pretentious 
neighbors.  The  county  farm  and  buildings  appertaining  to  it  was  already  located  within  the 
borders  of  the  town,  and  would  it  not  be  well  for  the  county,  and  well  for  Jackson  to  add  what 
more  was  necessary,  and  make  it  the  location  of  the  county  seat  also?  This  question  the 
voters  of  the  town  of  Jackson  decided  in  the  affirmative  so  far  as  their  own  votes  could  decide  it, 
as  the  records  of  the  meeting  show. 

FIRST   TOWN    MEETING. 

"  April  7,  1846.  Met  at  the  house  of  L.  Topliff.  A.  Fuller  was  chosen  Chairman.  Jacob 
Ingraham,  Assistant  Chairman,  and  L.  Topliff,  Clerk." 

"  Voted  to  elect  officers  by  the  uplifted  hand." 

"  Vote  taken  on  the  location  of  the  county  seat.  Unanimous  (forty-three  votes)  for  the 
county  farm  on  Section  2." 

"Voted  to  pay  town  officers  $1  per  day." 

"  Voted  (hat  the  following  tax  shall  be  raised:  For  support  of  common  schools,  $25  :  for 
roads  and  bridges,  $30." 

"  The  following  officers  were  elected :  Supervisors,  L.  Topliff.  Chairman,  Thomas  Brophy, 
James  Fagan  ;  Town  Clerk,  Jacob  Ingraham ;  Highway  Commissioners,  John  Houghman, 
Davis  Johnson.  Thomas  Fagan ;  Assessors,  Davis  Jenner,  Thomas  Fagan ;  Justices  of  the 
Peace,  Asa  Fuller,  William  Vogenitz;  Town  Treasurer,  L.  Topliff;  Constable  and  Collect  or. 
W.  McKensie;  Constable  on  south  side  of  Cedar  Creek,  Thomas  Fagan;  School  Commis- 
sioners, William  Vogenitz,  Thomas  Brophy.  Asa  Fuller:  Fence  Viewers,  .Matthias  Burns. 
Joseph  Fullerton;  Pathmasters,  Asa  Fuller,'  mirth  part  of  the  town;  Matthias  Hums,  south 
side  of  Cedar  Creek  ;  Jacob  Ingraham,  east  part  of  the  town  ;  Mr.  Schowalter  and  John  Cray- 
son  at  large." 

•■  Adjourned  to  the  center  of  the  town  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April  next." 

"A  special  meeting  was  held  .May  30,  1846,  at  the  Town  Clerk's  office,  and  Matthew 
Byrnes  was  elected  Highway  Commissioner  in  place  of  John  Hoffman,  who  proved  not  to  lie  a 
legal  voter." 

"There  were  present  :u  this  meeting  Jacob  Ingraham.  Thomas  Brophy,  Asa  Fuller,  Will 
iam  Vogenitz,  John  Tomay,  Florence  Sullivan.  William  McCensey,  Matthew  Byrnes,  David 
•li  nner  and  Phillip  Buck." 

"By  full  vote  of  the  above,  the  salary  of  the  Town  Clerk  was  fixed  at  $20  per  year,  and 
$75  was  raised  for  town  purposes  and  S_'.">  for  schools." 

Dhomas  Fagan,  who  was  one  of  the  first  Highway  Commissioners,  one  of  the  first  Asses- 
sors, and  the  first  Constable  of  the  town  on  the  south  side  of  Cedar  Creek  is  still  living  on  Sec- 
tion 25. 

The  following  is  the  poll-list  of  November,  1846:  Joseph  Fullerton,  John  Tomay,  Matthew 
Byrnes.  Patrick  Byrnes,  .lames  Hallow,  Christopher  Mallon,  Patrick  Mallon,  Samuel  Scho- 
walter, John  Osborn,  William  Vogenitz,  Thomas  Fagan,  Thomas  Brophy,  Sylvester  Harper, 
Libbeua  Topliff,  Ethan  Mazon,  Asa  Fuller.  Andrew  Sigley.  Gotthell  Zeimer,  Franz  Basseman, 
Frederich  Heidke,  Frederich  Bublitz,  John  Hoffman,  Jr.,  John  Hoffman,  Sr.,  Peter  Hoffman. 
Total.  21. 

The  oldest  living  settlers  in  Jackson,  after  Thomas  Fagan  above  mentioned,  are:  John 
Hussey,  now  living  on  Section  24;   Dennis  O'Connel,  on  Section  12:  James  Clearken,  on  Sec- 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  447 

tion  12  ;  William  Dowly,  on  Section  24 ;  Ludwig  Nicholas,  on  Section  24  ;  August  Schneider, 
on  Section  24  ;   Charles  Ehlke,  on  Section  23,  and  Charles  Lehram,  on  Section  25. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jackson  are  German  Lutherans — there  being  five 
churches  of  that  denomination,  to  one  Methodist  and  one  Catholic.  The  oldest  church  in  the 
town  built  about  thirty  years  ago  on  Section  34,  is  Lutheran,  also  those  on  Sections  33,  2,  31 
and  18.     The  Methodist  Church  is  on  Section  3,  and  the  Catholic  (St.  Mary's)  on  Section  2. 

There  are  three  American  families  in  the  town,  and  twenty  Irish  ;  the  remainder  are  Ger- 
man or  of  German  descent.  The  town  being  almost  exclusively  agricultural,  there  is  no  promi- 
nent village  which  forms  a  center  of  trade,  but  at  different  points  there  are  two  small  hamlets 
«ach  attracting  the  local  trade  immediately  around  it. 

On  Section  24,  is  Jackson  Post  Office,  John  G.  Frank,  Postmaster;  also  a  store,  kept  by  the 
same  gentleman. 

Kirchhayn  Post  Office,  on  Section  35,  is  the  center  of  a  little  cluster  of  buildings,  compris- 
ing a  store,  a  wagon-shop,  shoemaker's  shop,  blacksmith's  shop  and  the  dwellings  of  the  villagers. 
L.  M.  Koehn  is  the  proprietor  of  the  store,  and  the  Postmaster. 

Riceville,  the  larger  and  more  important  of  the  hamlets,  bids  fair  to  become  at  no  very  dis- 
tant day  a  central  point  for  the  trade  of  the  town.  In  1848,  Franz  Reis,  then  a  young  man 
of  twenty-seven,  and  only  a  year  from  his  native  Germany,  pre-empted  a  homestead  in  Jackson 
at  the  point  now  called  Riceville.  With  no  capital  save  his  own  energy  and  resolution,  he  grad- 
ually added  one  broad  field  to  another  until  he  possessed  400  acres  of  the  best  land  in  the  coun- 
try, all  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation.  When  the  air-line  railroad  was  projected,  Mr.  Reis 
with  his  usual  sagacity  perceiving  the  immense  benefit  that  would  accrue  to  his  property,  and 
the  neighborhood,  if  the  station  could  be  located  where  it  now  stands,  made  a  present  to  the  cor- 
poration of  the  ground.  When  the  road  was  opened,  desiring  still  farther  to  promote  his  own 
and  the  interests  of  his  children,  he  built  an  elevator  and  started  a  store — the  germinal  points  of 
the  prosperous  little  village  of  to-day.  The  elevator  and  railroad-store  are  now  run  by  Frank 
Reis.  Another  elevator  is  built  near  the  first  and  owned  by  John  G.  Frank,  who  is  also  pro- 
prietor of  the  new  store.  There  are  two  blacksmith-shops,  one  carpenter's  shop,  a  hardware  store, 
"wagon-shop  and  a  number  of  neat  stone  dwellings.  William  II.  Froehlich  is  Postmaster,  the 
office  being  kept  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Frank. 

The  toTvn  of  Jackson  is  apportioned  into  ten  school  districts.  There  are  eight  schoolhouses, 
costing,  in  the  aggregate,  $5,100.  Ten  teachers  are  employed,  and  the  scholars  number  766. 
The  money  expended  for  schools,  in  1880,  according  to  the  official  report,  amounted  to  $1,975. 

WAR    RECORD. 

The  record  of  the  town  during  the  war  is  a  creditable  one.  There  was  raised  for  war  pur- 
poses by  tax,  $5,503 ;  by  private  subscription,  $6,620 ;  and  to  aid  the  families  of  soldiers, 
$1,000.     Total,  $13,213. 

The  rolls  at  Madison  contain  the  names  of  thirty-two  soldiers  from  Jackson,  who  did  per- 
sonal service,  and  whose  names  appear  in  the  war  history  of  the  country  at  large.  Carl  Karsten, 
of  West  Bend,  gives  the  following  report  of  the  fate  of  ten  soldiers  from  Jackson,  who  served 
with  him  in  the  "Washington  County  Rifles,"  Company  G,  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteer 
Infantry : 

Corporal  Alfred  Cassel,  died  March  25,  1863. 

Privates — Henry  Allen,  taken  prisoner ;  Fred  Eickharst,  wounded  ;  Charles  Hafeman,  wounded  ;  Peter  Kuhl, 
missing;  Jacoh  Laneman,  missing;  William  Hughes,  wounded  ;  George  W.  Jones,  promoted  to  Adjutant;  Julius  Jewl- 
son,  missing  ;   Mathias  Zulger,  killed. 

Among  the  officers  from  Jackson,  who  served  during  the  war,  were :  Second  Lieutenant 
Herman  Rohn  of  the  Forty-fifth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Victor 
E.  Rohn  of  the  same  regiment. 

The  average  crops  of  the  town,  as  gathered  from  the  latest  official  returns,  are  as  follows  : 
Wheat,  73,000  bushels  ;  corn,   24,000  ;  oats,  53,000  ;  barley,  25,000  ;  rye,  9,400  ;  potatoes, 


44-  HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

18,000.     This  crop  was  raised  on  7.530  acres.     There  are  0,916  acres  of  growing  timber;  1,064 
milch  cows,  and  there  were  made,  in  1880,  58,000  pounds  of  butter. 

The  town  officers,  for  1881,  were:  Supervisors,  Herman  Koepke,  Chairman,  John  Jaeger, 
Albert  Woldt ;  Town  Clerk,  John  G.  Frank  ;  Treasurer,  Jacob  Klump  ;  Assessor,  Frederick 
Schmall ;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  John  G.  Frank  ;  Constables,  Peter  Gumm,  Patrick  Fagan.  The 
population,  in  1880,  according  to  the  census  of  that  year,  was.  1,764. 

TOWN  OF  WAYNE. 

The  township  is,  in  the  Government  survey,  described  as  Town  12,  Range  18.  It  is  the 
northwestern  town  in  Washington  County.  The  natural  growth  was  of  hard  wood.  The  land 
is  a  rich  clay  loam,  with  occasional  tracts  of  sandy  soil,  and  is  excellent  for  the  production 
of  all  grain  crops  that  can  be  matured  in  this  latitude.  The  Rock  River,  which  has  its  source 
near  the  foot  of  Cedar  Lake  in  Polk,  runs  through  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town  in  a 
northwesterly  direction.  It  enters  on  Section  32,  runs  through  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section 
31,  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  30,  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  29,  the  west  half  of 
Section  20,  and  passing  diagonally  though  Section  18  from  the  southeast  to  the  northeast  corner, 
enters  the  adjoining  town  on  the  west.  All  the  creeks  and  streams  in  the  town  flow  into  this 
river,  the  town  lying  west  of  the  range  of  hills  that  derides  waterflow  east  and  west.  The  sur- 
face is  undulating  with  many  sharp  drift  elevations  at  different  points  in  the  town. 

The  earliest  settlements  were  made  in  1846.  The  first  Government  entry  was  made  June 
8,  1846,  eighty  acres  on  Section  31,  by  Alexander  W.  Stow.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  several 
settlers  made  entries  on  Sections  26,  27.  28,  31  and  33.  One  of  the  first  was  Patrick  Connolly, 
who  settled  on  Section  33.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs 
of  the  town.  He  is  still  living  on  the  farm  he  has  hewn  out  of  the  woods,  on  the  spot  he  select- 
ed thirty-five  years  ago.  Matthias  Thorna,  and  two  intelligent  Scotchmen,  A.  S.  McDowell 
and  William  Kirkland,  came  in  the  same  year.  The  year  1847,  brought  several  new-comers, 
among  whom  was  Conrad  Schlecher.  He  entered  his  land,  three  forties,  on  Section  28.  Feb- 
ruary 1.  1*47.  he  brought  his  wife  and  two  children,  Louisa  and  George,  to  the  spot  he  had 
chosen  for  his  new  home.  Here  he  left  them  with  his  wife's  brother  to  commence  the  farm  while 
he  returned  for  a  season  to  Milwaukee  to  work  at  his  trade  of  cabinet-making.  During  these 
early  months  Mrs.  Schlecher,  besides  caring  for  her  family,  assisted  in  clearing  the  ground  and 
getting  in  the  first  crops.  On  one  occasion  during  these  days  of  hardship  she  walked  nine  miles 
to  an  adjoining  town,  bought  a  small  sack  of  flour  which  she  carried  home  on  her  head,  except 
at  one  point  when  a  stream  was  swollen  too  deep  to  ford,  this  she  crossed  on  a  fallen  tree,  on 
her  hands  and  knees  pushing  her  precious  load  carefully  over  before  her.  Through  such  hard- 
ships did  the  pioneers  come  to  the  comforts  which  now  surround  them.  Four  children  have 
been  horn  to  them  since  their  settlement  in  the  town — Jacob,  horn  January  24.  1850,  is  believed 
to  be  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  town,  still  living.  The  three  other  children  were:  Mary, 
now  Mrs.  Roecker:  Elizabeth,  now  Mis.  Guenther;  aid  Catharine,  now  Mrs.  Guenther.  Mr. 
Schlecher  is  one  of  the  few  early  settlers  still  living  in  the  town.  lie  has  held  the  office  of 
Town  Clerk  continuously  since   1N70. 

The  town  was  fairly  settled  in  1848-49—50.  January  21.  1846,  it  was  made  a  part  of  the 
town  of  Addison  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  and  so  remained  for  two  years.  March  11.  1848,  it 
was  set  off  and  incorporated  under  the  present  town  name  of  Wayne. 

Tin:    FIRST    rows    MEETING. 
The  first  town  meeting,  although  a  momentous   affair,    was,    so  far  as  the   records  show,  at- 
tended bj  eleven  men.     It  was  held  at  the  house  of  Patrick   Connolly,  April    1.  ls|s.     There 
Were  hardly  citizens  enough  for  the  offices,  as  the  following  record  shows; 

"Voted,  Thai  A.  S.  McDowell  should  he  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  Highway 
Surveyor  and  Justice  of  the  Pea 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  44i> 

"  Voted,  That  Hugh  O'Donnell  should  be  Supervisor  and  Collector." 

"  Voted,  That  Patrick  Connelly  should  be  Supervisor,  Highway  Commissioner  and  Town 
Clerk." 

"Voted,  That  Theodore  Hoyt  should  be  Assessor  for  the  year." 

"  Voted,  That  Patrick  O'Neil  should  be  Overseer  of  Highways,  also  Martin  Reynolds, 
John  Cooper  and  Matthias  Thorna." 

"Voted,  That  William  Kirkland  should  be  Tieasurer  and  Constable." 

"  Voted,  That  John  Cooper,  David  Gillespie  and  Martin  Reynolds  should  be  School  Com- 
missioners." 

It  was  further  voted  that  the  pay  of  town  officers  should  be  fixed  at  $1  per  day  ;  that  $10 
should  be  raised  for  the  poor,  and  $75  should  be  raised  for  contingent  town  expenses.  The 
last  appropriation  was  not  made  without  an  earnest  opposition  on  the  part  of  those  who  reduce 
the  extravagant  outlay.  It  passed  after  earnest  and  long  discussion  by  a  vote  of  six  to  five. 
The  names  of  the  six  who  voted  to  thus  plunge  the  infant  corporation  into  the  vortex  of  extrava- 
gance were :  A.  S.  McDowell,  William  Kirkland,  John  Cooper,  Martin  Reynolds,  Conrad  Simon 
and  Patrick  Connolly.  The  Clerk  failed  to  record  the  names  of  the  plucky  but  vanquished  five 
who  failed  to  save  the  town  from  the  impending  financial  pressure. 

The  town  was  divided  into  eight  highway  districts. 

At  the  time  of  this  meeting  and  for  three  years  after  the  settlers  were  mostly  American  and 
Irish.  In  1850.  Germans  began  to  come  in  and  purchase  land  of  the  earlier  settlers,  and  have 
now  completely  re-occupied  the  town,  seven-eighths  of  the  population  being  of  German  birth. 

The  history  of  the  town,  like  that  of  all  agricultural  communities,  has  been  uneventful,  and 
the  transformation  of  the  wilderness  into  fruitful  farms  has  been  so  gradual  as  to  leave  no  start- 
ling events  to  record.  It  is  the  history  of  the  toil  of  the  suffering  and  silent  heroes  that  ever 
live  and  die,  unwritten  and  unsung.  It  is  the  story  of  every  true  life  that  moves  noiselessly  on 
to  the  great  ocean  of  eternity,  filling  its  appointed  channel,  but  never  overflowing  its  banks.  It 
is  a  history  that  can  only  be  summarized.  Between  what  is  and  was  lies  labor  performed,  pri- 
vations endured,  and  the  present  stands  as  the  history  of  the  past. 

With  the  exception  of  the  war  period,  nothing  has  ever  occurred  within  the  town  to 
stir  it  to  extraordinary  effort  or  activity.  During  those  years  it  bore  its  part  sturdily  in  the 
great  struggle.  The  town  raised,  during  the  war,  $16,825  for  war  purposes.  The  State  records 
have  enrolled  the  names  of  thirteen  soldiers  from  the  town  who  did  personal  services.  The  list 
appears  in  the  war  history  of  the  county  at  large. 

Carl  Karsten,  of  West  Bend,  for  a  long  time  Orderly  Sergeant  of  the  Washington  County 
Rifles,  Company  G,  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  gives  the  following  record  of  six 
Wayne  soldiers  who  bore  their  noble  part  in  the  battles  and  campaigns  of  their  regiment: 

Privates,  Jacob  Knobee,  wounded  and  discharged :  Peter  Kuhn,  killed  in  battle ;  John 
Keller,  discharged  March  3,  1863;  Gottlieb  Metzner,  wounded;  John  Maier,  wounded;  Louis 
Perthold.  discharged  April  27,  1863. 

Evan  R.  Jones,  for  many  years  United  Stated  Consul  at  New  Castle,  was  a  resident  of 
Wayne  at  the  breaking-out  of  the  war,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Fifth  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
fought  with  distinguished  bravery  till  the  war  was  over,  winning  promotion  to  a  Captaincy  dur- 
ing his  military  career. 

THE    TOWN    IX    1881. 

It  is  entirely  covered  by  well  tilled  and  productive  farms.  There  is  no  railroad  passing 
through  the  town,  the  nearest  point  of  connection  being  at  Kewaskum.  There  are  two  post 
offices  at  different  points,  where  are  small  hamlets  that  serve  as  local  points  for  trade. 

At  Kohlsville  Post  Office,  Section  27,  is  a  good  general  country  store  kept  by  Jacob  Hamm, 
who  is  the  Postmaster,  two  blacksmith-shops,  two  shoemaker's  shops,  one  wagon-shop,  one 
saloon,  and  a  saw-mill  built  on  a  small  stream,  and  owned  bj  Philip  Guenther,  Jr. 

At  Wayne  Center,  on  Section  15,  is  the  post  office;  a  large  country  store  kept  by  Wendel  Petri, 
the  Postmaster;  two  blacksmith- shops,  two  wagon-shops,  two  shoe-shops  and  a  saloon.     There  is  also 


450  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

a  neat  church,  built  by  the  German  Protestants  in  1879.  A  cheese  factory  is  in  process  of  erection 
by  Mr.  Petri  and  his  son.  Mr.  Petri  has  also  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  town  on  an  adjoin- 
ing section,   his  residence  and  farm  buildings  forming  a  part  of  the  hamlet  above  described. 

The  town,  unlike  those  adjoining,  shows  great  diversity  of  religious  opinion,  those  of  neariv 
every  German  sect  being  represented.  There  are  nine  churches,  as  follows:  German  Protestant, 
Wayne  Center;  Lutheran,  on  Section  2;  Baptist,  Section  3;  Methodist,  Section  6;  Protestant. 
Section  10;  Catholic  (St.  Bridget's),  Section  12;  Methodist,  Section  25;  Lutheran,  Section 
23;  Protestant,  Section  35.  The  last  named  is  the  oldest  church  in  the  town;  it  was  started 
as  early  as  1852. 

There  are  ten  whole  and  joint  school  districts  in  the  town,  and  eight  schoolhouses,  worth 
§3,300.  The  number  of  scholars  is  075.  and  the  number  of  teachers  nine.  The  amount  of 
money  expended  for  common  schools  in  1880  was  §1.733. 

The  population,  as  enumerated  in  the  Federal  census  of  1880,  is  1,594. 

The  farm  products  officially  reported  for  1 880  were  as  follows :  Wheat,  66,000  bushels; 
corn,  52  000;  oats,  43,000 ;  barley,  18,000;  rye,  2,000;  potatoes,  15,000;  apples,  11,000; 
butter,  70,000  pounds  ;  8,405  acres  were  under  cultivation  for  the  above  stated  yield.  There 
are  in  the  town  3,540  acres  of  growing  timber,  and  156  acres  of  apple  orchard,  with  5,000  fruit- 
bearing  trees. 

The  town  officers  for  1881  were:  Supervisors,  Jacob  Lay  (Chairman).  Philip  Guenther, 
Sr.,  Peter  Ruffing;  Town  Clerk,  Conrad  Schleischer ;  Treasurer,  Julius  Kantz  ;  Assessor, 
Nicolaus  Marx. 

TOWN    OF   ADDISON. 

The  town  of  Addison  was  incorporated  by  act  of  Legislature  January  21,  1816.  At  the 
date  of  its  incorporation  it  included  all  the  territory  comprised  in  Towns  11  and  12,  Range  18. 
By  subsequent  act  of  Legislature,  March  Jl,  1848,  the  territory  included  in  Town  12.  Range 
18,  was  set  ofT  and  incorporated  as  a  distinct  and  separate  town,  leaving  Town  11,  Range  18,  to 
constitute  the  present  town  of  Addison. 

The  general  characteristics  of  the  surface  of  the  country  are  similar  to  those  of  the  adjacent 
towns.  The  growth  of  timber  is  dense,  including  nearly  every  hardwood  variety  on  the  higher 
ground,  while  tamarack  flourishes  in  the  swamps  and  marshes.  The  farms  are  excellent,  the  cul- 
tivation  of  the  land  being  the  principal  occupation  of  the  people.  The  town  is  almost  exclusively 
German,  there  being  but  one  family  outside  that  nationality  within  its  limits.  Rock  River  runs 
in  a  northwesterly  direction  through  the  town,  and  with  its  tributary,  Limestone  Greek,  furnishes 
water-power  and  drainage.  Addison  is  traversed  by  two  old  highways — the  Dekora  road,  from 
east  to  west,  and  the  Fond  du  Lac,  from  southeast  to  northwest.  The  roads  cross  each  other  at 
Addison  Center.  These  are  both  old  Territorial  roads,  laid  out  prior  to  the  settlement  of  the 
town. 

Timothy  Hall,  the  old  Hartford  pioneer,  states,  that  when  he  settled  in  that  town  in  July, 
L843,  lie  ••found  Alfred  Orendorfthe  only  settler  in  the  town  of  Addison,  on  the  Fond  du  Lac 
road  on  Limestone  Creek.'  The  same  season,  (Trial  S.  Wordsworth  settled  twp  miles  beyond 
Mr.  Orendorf,  and  Mr.  Hall  assisted  him  in  raising  his  log  house.  During  that  year  (1843), 
entries  of  land  were  made  by  Simeon  Aaron  Andrus,  Harmon  Ostrander  and  Jacob  and  Francis 
Stuesser.     In  1841-45,  the  entries  were  numerous. 

THE    FIRST  Town    MEETING. 

In  1846,  the  town  being  incorporated,  the  citizens  held  the  first  town  meeting.  The  meet- 
ing was  hel  I  ; nt  the  house  of  Caleb  Spaulding.  April  7,  lsl'i:  Chairman,  John  Magoon ;  Clerk, 
Cliauncy  M.  Phelps,  it  was  "voted  that  §50  be  raised  for  contingent  expenses,  99  for  poor 
fund;   that  town  officers  shall  be  paid  §1  per  day.  and  that  hogs  shall  not  be  free  commoner-.' 

The  first  town  officers  of  Addison  were:  Supervisors,  Chauncy  M.  Phelps  (Chairman), 
John  Magoon,  Jacob  Getz ;   Town  Clerk,  Ira  \V.  Ilaton  ;   Assessor,  John  Magoon;  Treasurer, 


St  Marys  HopE  op  Health. 

Erin Tp.  W/vSrn :-!6ton    Co.  Wis. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES  453 

Luther  B.  Phelps ;  Constable  and  Collector,  Caleb  Spaulding  ;  Highway  Commissioners,  John 
Magoon,  Luther  B.  Phelps,  Jacob  Getz ;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Ariel  G.  Wadsworth  ;  School 
Commissioners,  Chauncy  M.  Phelps,  Hugh  Flanigan,  Ira  W.  Heaton ;  Constable.  Stephen  Gray; 
Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures,  Luther  B.  Phelps. 

The  town  was  divided  into  two  road  districts.  The  first  road,  laid  out  by  the  town,  was 
"from  near  the  dwelling-house  of  J.  W.  Dickerson.  running  in  a  northwesterly  direction  to  the 
west  boundary  of  the  town,  according  to  survey  made  by  Commissioners." 

The  poll  list  of  Addison  for  November,  1846  (including  also  the  present  town  of  Wayne), 
is  given  below:  P.  W.  Dodge,  Daniel  Bliss,  Matthias  Sones,  John  Ginter,  William  Singsing, 
Andrew  Hauks,  Philip  Sorge,  Michael  Fleets,  Christopher  Stark,  Lewis  Grosen,  Martin  Sorras, 
John  Getz,  Martin  Wolf,  Arial  S.  Wadsworth,  Philip  Marinash,  Henry  Wolf,  Matthias  Smith, 
Jacob  Getz,  Caleb  Spaulding,  Stephen  Gray,  Lehman  Rosenheimer,  John  Derfoos,  Nicholas 
Gill,  John  E.  Derfoos,  John  Craps,  John  Bake,  Theodore  Crayraer,  Benedict  Ceaclepower, 
George  Derfoos,  William  Sokbare,  Frederick  Cole,  Andrew  Elhorn,  Henry  Blink,  Joseph  Craps, 
Equilin  Craps,  Q.  D.  Whitman,  Hugh  Flanigan,  Luther  B.  Phelps,  Ira  W.  Heaton,  Chauncy 
M.  Phelps,  John  Magoon,  John  Armstrong,  Joseph   Swap.     Total,  44. 

Among  those  who  settled  in  Addison  in  1844  was  Lehman  Rosenheimer,  with  his  young 
wife.  He  bought  a  farm,  and  carried  on  a  large  business  as  stock  dealer  and  butcher,  the  latter 
having  been  his  trade  in  the  old  country,  whence  he  had  just  returned  after  a  short  visit.  He 
remained  in  Addison  until  1856,  in  the  meantime  acquiring  a  large  property,  and  at  the  date 
mentioned,  removed  to  Schleisingerville,  and  engaged  in  trade  till  the  time  of  his  death. 

John  Schlegenhaft,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Addison,  and  the  oldest  Catholic  layman 
still  living  in  the  town,  came  in  1850  and  located  on  Section  4,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
gives  the  following  information  in  regard  to  the  early  Catholic  Church: 

The  first  mass  was  said  in  1851-52,  by  Father  Bieter,  in  the  old  church  of  St.  Peter  and 
St.  Paul,  on  Section  6.  It  was  a  log  building,  with  very  primitive  surroundings,  but  previous 
to  the  time  it  was  built  the  people  of  that  religious  faith  had  been  obliged  to  go  to  the  neighbor- 
ing village  of  Hartford  to  worship  at  St.  Laurence  Church,  of  which  Father  Bieter  was  the  offi- 
ciating priest.  After  the  Addison  Church  was  organized,  he  divided  his  time  between  the  two. 
The  church  was  rebuilt  in  1862-63.  There  are  now  connected  with  it  some  seventy  families. 
There  is  also  a  school  connected  with  the  church,  with  sixty  or  seventy  scholars.  The  school 
building  is  a  new  one  of  brick. 

St.  Anthony's  Church,  also  Catholic,  is  on  Section  3.  Like  its  neighbor,  it  was  first  built 
of  logs  in  1856,  and  as  the  congregation  grew  larger  and  richer,  the  old  church  was  replaced 
with  a  better.  The  new  church  was  built  in  1873.  It  is  of  stone,  80x40  feet  in  size,  with  a 
pipe  organ  and  commodious  interior  arrangements.  Rev.  John  Decker  is  the  officiating  priest. 
The  church  was  dedicated  in  1873.  There  are  forty  families  connected  with  it,  and  forty-five 
•scholars  attend  the  church  school. 

The  town  is  apportioned  into  eleven  whole  and  joint  districts.  There  are  seven  school- 
houses,  valued  at  $6,900.  The  total  number  of  scholars  is  713.  Eleven  teachers  are  employed 
in  the  common  schools.     The  amount  of  money  expended  in  schools  in  18s0  was  1,554. 

Although  at  the  breaking-out  of  the  war  Addison  was  mostly  peopled  by  Germans,  having 
none  of  the  traditionary  patriotism  that  springs  from  a  long  line  of  American  ancestry,  they 
nevertheless  showed  the  more  sterling  virtue  of  loyalty  to  duty,  and  determination  to  defend  to 
the  utmost  the  country  of  their  adoption.  The  town  raised  during  the  war  $25,503  for  war 
purposes.  The  rolls  at  Madison  give  the  names  of  thirty-eight  soldiers  from  the  town  who  did 
personal  service.  The  list  appears  in  the  history  of  the  county.  Carl  Karsten,  of  West 
Bend,  furnishes  the  following  creditable  report  of  the  Addison  soldiers  who  served  with  him  in 
the  Washington  County  Rifles,  Company.  G,  Twenty-sixth  Wisconsin  Volunteers : 

Sergeant — Henry  Blenker,  wounded  and  discharged. 

Corporals — John  Schultz,  promoted  to  Sergeant,  wounded;  Henry  Guenther,  killed  at  Chaneellorville  ;  John 
H.  Guenther,  wounded. 


454  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

Privates — Peter  Dellenback,  wounded;  George  Dellenback,  wounden  at  Gettysburg,  afterward  killed:  Bern- 
hart  Daul,  wounded  and  missing:  John  Fitting,  wounded  :  Ferd  Fritz,  killed;  Louis  Grossharnm,  Jacob  Heintz, 
wounded;  Eugene  Hook,  wounded:  Samuel  Johnson,  died;  Conrad  Mack,  died:  Henry  Miller  wounded:  John 
Ritger,  killed  :  Cyrus  \V  Shafer,  wounded:  Charles  Schuh.  promoted  to  Corporal :  Joseph  Schuh.  Fred  Silsdorf, 
killed:  Robert  Salter,  died  ;  Albert  Story,  taken  prisoner;  George  Schuh,  wounded;  Matthias  Strupp,  wounded; 
William  Seri.  wounded  ;    Andrew  Stubanes,  wounded;   Henry  Trensel,  promoted  to  Corporal ;    Peter  Ulweling. 

The  nearest  railroad  connections  with  the  town  are  with  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Rail- 
way at  West  Bend  and  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway  at  Hartford.  The  grain  and  other 
farm  products  find  a  market  at  these  two  points. 

There  are  two  saw-mills  in  the  town.  The  steam  mill  at  Addison  Post  Office,  on  Section 
17.  was  built  in  1870  by  Mr.  Keidel.  It  is  now  owned  and  run  by  Kuhaupt  Bros.  The  only 
other  saw-mill  in  the  town  is  an  old  mill  located  on  a  small  stream  on  Section  20.  It  was  the 
first  mill  built  in  the  town,  and  is  now  owned  by  P.  Strupp. 

There  are  several  stores.  J.  C.  Kuhlman,  Postmaster,  at  Aurora,  Section  3,  has  a  store  ; 
also  a  cheese  factory  built  the  present  year  (1881),  the  first  in  the  town.  Its  annual  production 
will  be  30,000  pounds. 

At  Nenno  Post  Office,  on  Section  0,  is  the  church  of  SS.  Petor  and  Paul,  and  the 
largest  store  in  Addison,  kept  by  M.  N.  Gehl. 

Between  Addison  and  Nenno,  on  Section  7,  Charles  Keidel  keeps  a  store. 

The  population  of  the  town  in  1880,  according  to  the  census  of  tli        ear,  was  1,770. 

The  average  crops  of  the  town,  as  reported  in  the  official  returns  of  1880  are:  Wheat, 
67,000  bushels  ;  corn,  51,000  ;  oats,  51,000  ;  barley.  20,000  ;  rye,  -'-,000  ;  potatoes,  15,000  ; 
apples,  15,000.  This  amount  was  raised  from  10,04*3  acres  of  land.  The  town  had  904  milch 
cows,  and  made  45,000  pounds  of  butter.  There  were  4,950  acres  of  growing  timber,  210 
acres  of  apple  orchard,  and  7.5VJ0  trees  bearing  fruit. 

The  present  town  officers  (1881)  are:  Supervisors.  William  Rusch,  Chairman,  Leverin 
Esser,  Valentine  Illian  ;  Town  Clerk,  August  Schalfer ;  Treasurer,  John  Folger;  Assessor, 
Gottlieb  Nefzer. 

There  were  three  post  offices  in  the  town  in  1881 — Aurora,  Section  12 ;  Addison,  Section 
17,  and  Nenno.  Section  7. 

TOWN   OF   ERIN. 

Erin  is  the  southeastern  town  in  Washington  County.  It  is  described  in  the  Government 
survey  as  Town  9,  in  Range  18  cast.  It  is  the  most  picturesque  region  in  the  county.  There 
are  several  small  lakes  in  the  town  :  Mud  Lake,  on  Section  6,  and  Lowe's  Lake,  on  Section  23, 
being  the  largest.  The  land  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  is  broken  into  undulations,  which 
in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  town,  become  almost  mountainous,  attaining  to  the  highest  altitude 
in  the  long  range  of  hills  stretching  in  a  northeasterly  direction  across  the  county,  toward  the 
Green  Bay  Peninsula.  Southeast  of  the  cluster  of  miniature  mountains,  the  highest  peak  of 
which  is  the  celebrated  "  Holy  Hill,"  St.  Mary's,  lies  a  beautiful  plat  of  country  so  nearly  level 
as  to  be  known  as  Toland's  Prairie. 

The  early  settlers  of  this  town  were  Irish  Catholics.  The  first  to  enter  land  was  Michael 
Lynch,  who  entered  the  northwest  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  35,  November  27, 
1841.  During  the  succeeding  two  years,  entries  were  made  on  nearly  every  available  section  in 
the  township,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  list  of  Government  purchases  : 

Namr.  Section.  Acrfs.  Date  >>w  Entiit. 

Thomas  Manning 9  160  May  81,  L848. 

Jeremiah  Stotl 9  s"  Ootober  81,  i^i 

John  MoQuillen 10  mi  .Inner,.  1848. 

John  <ira.lv 13  in  July  16,  1  B  I  I 

Pal   Ryan 13  mi  July  28,  L848 

Thomas  Carroll U  B0  May  19,  1848 

James  Liah it  80  May  27,  I 

John  Qninn I  ">  80  June  6,  1848. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


455 


Name.  Section. 

John  Lee 15 

Pat  Daley 15 

John  Makle 15 

Daniel  ( 'ourtnay 17 

Richard  Burnett 17 

Jeremiah  Conner 17 

John  Fitzgerald 17 

James  Kavanagh  and  Timothy  McNamara 17 

Dennis  McEvoy 10 

William  Mountain 20 

Michael  O'Connel 20 

Andrew  Ryan 20 

Pat  Sexton 20 

Pat  Welch 20 

Martin  Guilford 20 

Dennis  McEvoy 20 

Jeremiah  Donohue 21 

William  Mjuntain,  Jr 21 

James  Murphy 21 

Bernard  McCarville 22 

James  Lynch i 22 

John  Mullen 22 

lichael  Healy 22 

Edmund  Russell 22 

Michael  O'Healy 22 

Timothy  Ahem 24 

Michael  and  Tim  Flynn 24 

John  Jacob  Lowe 25 

Eleazer  Rowley 25 

James  Gartland 26 

Thomas  Burke 26 

Henry  Kuntz 26 

John  Kenny 27 

John  Baston 27 

Michael  Bennet 27 

Jeremiah  Hickey 27 

William  Courtney 28 

Thomas  Fitzgerald..: 28 

Jeremiah   Donahue 28 

Patrick  Toland 29 

Andrew  McCormick 29 

James  C.  Hayburn 29 

Pat  Toland 30 

William  Stott 32 

Felix  Boyle 32 

Charles  Haswell 32 

Charles  Lynch 32 

Tim  Schiel 32 

Pat  Toland 32 

John  Lj  nch 33 

James  Kenealy 33 

William  Curtain 33 

John  Sullivan 33 

William  McGrath 34 

Michael  Gallagher 34 

James  Brennan 34 

Michael  McLaughlin 34 

William  Foley 34 

Michael  Lynch 35 

Michael   Lynch 36 

John  Wheelan 35 

Peter  Wheelan 35 

Daniel  Roberts 36 

J.  J.  Lowe 36 

John  Shields 36 

Martin  and  Ed  Shehan 36 

Peter  Schneider 36 

Joseph  Roberts 36 


Acres. 

Date  of  Entrt. 

80 

June  5,  1843. 

40 

June  5,  184J. 

40 

June  5,  1843. 

80 

November  12, 1 842. 

80 

May  22,  1843. 

80 

July  3,  1843. 

80 

July  3,  1843. 

80 

November  9,  1843. 

40 

May  30,  1843. 

80 

November  5,  1842. 

80 

November  5,  1842. 

40 

November  7,  1842. 

40 

November  7,  1842. 

80 

November  10,  1842. 

80 

April  15,  1843. 

40 

May  30,  1843. 

80 

November  5,  1842. 

80 

November  5,  1842. 

160 

November  7,  1842. 

120 

November  14,  1842:. 

80 

November  14,  1842;. 

80 

March  22,  1843. 

40 

January  28,  1843.. 

40 

Augi\     11,  1843. 

40 

October  27,  1843. 

40 

May  It;,  1*42. 

80 

Novembe-  "~   1842. 

560 

Septembei  19,  1842^ 

40 

November  27,  1841. 

80 

November  7,  1842. 

40 

June  9.  1843. 

40 

July  12,  1843. 

160 

September  30,  1842. 

12(1 

November  14,  1842. 

80 

May  22,  1843. 

40 

May  22,  1843. 

200 

November  3,  1842. 

120 

November  3,  1842.. 

40 

December  7, 1842. 

40 

October  1,  1842.     " 

160 

October  24,  1842. 

160 

October  24,  1842. 

120 

October  1,  1842. 

80 

October  8,  1842. 

80 

May  19,  1843. 

80 

May  22,  1843. 

80 

August  30, 1843. 

160 

October  9,  1843. 

80 

October  18,  1843. 

80 

October  7,  1842. 

40 

December  27,  1842. 

80 

June  26, 1843. 

40 

June  30,  1843. 

80 

September  24,  1842. 

80 

September  24,  1842. 

40 

September  30,  1842. 

200 

September  30,  1842. 

40 

December  9,  1843. 

40 

November  20,  1841. 

40 

December  30,  1842. 

120 

September  27,  1842. 

80 

September  27,  1842. 

80 

September  3,  1842. 

160 

September  19,  1842.. 

80 

October  3,  1842. 

80 

June  5,  1843. 

80 

July  10,  1843. 

80 

September  13,  1843. 

456  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  above  list  comprises  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  town.  They  were  followed  in  1844-45 
by  a  sufficient  number  of  like  nationality  and  religion  to  take  up  all  the  good  farming  land  in  the 
township,  indeed  the  town  may  be  said  to  have  been  fairly  settled  a  year  before  Nic  Simon  piloted 
the  Rossmans  to  the  site  of  Hartford  village  and  cut  the  first  tree.  Since  the  pioneers  first  pos- 
sessed the  land,  even  to  the  present  day,  the  nationality  and  religion  has  remained  essentially 
unchanged,  and  many  of  the  descendants  of  these  early  pioneers  .still  possess  the  well-tilled  farms 
their  fathers  bought  heavily  covered  with  forest  so  many  years  ago. 

The  town  was  incorporated,  and  took  the  very  fitting  name  of  Erin,  January  16,  1846.  It 
was  named  at  the  suggestion  of  John  Whelan. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Patrick  Toland,  April  6,  1846.  The 
Chairman  was  William  Dwire.  and  Thomas  Carroll,  still  living,  was  Clerk. 

The  officers  elected  were  : 

Supervisors,  William  Dwire,  Chairman,  Thomas  Carroll.  John  Lynch  ;  Town  Clerk,  Thomas 
Fitzgerald;  Town  Treasurer,  John  Kenney;  Assessors,  Michael  Healey,  William  Foley; 
Justices  of  the  Peace,  Thomas  Carroll,  William  Paulding ;  School  Commissioners,  Thomas 
Bourke,  Timothy  McNamara,  James  Lynch  ;   Collector,  William  Sullivan. 

There  were  seventy-four  votes  cast  at  the  first  town  meeting.  The  names  upon  the  poll 
list  were : 

Patrick  Toland,  John  Mullins,  William  Dwight,  James  Fitzpatrick,  William  McGrath,  Ed 
Shehan,  James  Guitland,  James  Fitzgerald,  Thomas  Carroll,  William  Mountin,  James  Murphy. 
Martin  Davy,  Dennis  Banks,  Terrence  O'Conner,  Jeremiah  Donahue,  William  Sullivan,  Pat 
Daly,  William  Rawley,  Edward  Pepper,  Pat  Walsh,  John  Fitzgerald,  Maurice  Veale.  Bartholo- 
mew Shea,  William  Paulding,  Martin  Shehan,  Christopher  Hayburn,  Richard  Burnett,  James 
Shehan,  James  Lynch,  Thomas  Hearney,  William  Courtney,  Baity  Eseck,  John  Whelan,  Wil- 
liam Scott,  James  Cavanach,  Jeremiah  Hickey,  Thomas  Bourke,  John  Sullivan,  Timothy  Mc- 
Namara, Michael  Bennett,  William  Foley,  John  Kenney,  William  Mountin,  Thomas  Manning, 
Michael  Healy,  Andrew  O'Brien,  Pat  Hayes,  Michael  Gallagher,  Maurice  Kenealy,  Felix  Call, 
Charles  Lynch,  Owen  Fitzpatrick,  Michael  Flynn,  John  Lynch,  Bernard  McConville,  John 
Mickle,  Dan  Courtney,  John  Buckley,  Jeremiah  Conner,  John  Barclay.  William  Monoghan, 
Pat  Daly,  John  Stanton.  Mark  Jones,  Edward  Russell,  Zedock  Beaney,  Timothy  Garvcy,  John 
Reiley,  Bernard  Lynch,  Pat  Ryan,  John  Garvey,  Daniel  O'Connell,  William  O'Neil,  James 
Kenealy. 

The  first  mass  was  said  by  Father  Rundig,  in  Barney  Con  well's  house.  He  came  in  from 
Prairieville  (Waukesha)  on  foot.  Soon  after,  the  citizens  helped  to  build  a  log  church  at  Mon- 
cbes,  where  for  some  years  the  people  of  Erin  worshipped.  They  have  now  two  Catholic  churches 
in  the  town,  one  a  wooden  church,  built  in  1857,  on  Section  9.  near  Thompson  Post  Office;  the 
other,  a  new  brick  edifice  on  the  summit  of  St.  Mary's  Hill,  completed  in  1881,  of  which  further 
mention  will  be  made.  The  population  is  nine-tenths  Catholic.  The  only  Protestants  in  the 
town  me  Evangelical  Germans.  They  have  a  small  church  on  Section  1.  The  society  forms 
part  of  the  Hartford  circuit  of  that  denomination. 

In  politics,  Erin  was  long  known  as  the  banner  town  of  the  Democracy  in  Washington 
I  ounty.  Prior  to  1859,  there  was  not  a  single  vote  cast  for  any  but  a  Democrat,  when  it  can 
be  claimed  as  a  party  test.  For  twelve  years,  Erin  was  a  unit  for  the  Democracy.  In  I860, 
the  solid  phalanx  «.-i<  broken  for  the  first  time;  182  votes  being  cast  for  Douglas,  and  one  for 
Lincoln.  In  1863,  the  Republican  ticket  received  two  votes;  in  1868,  the  Republican  vote  had 
increased  to  ten  ;  in  1880.  the  vote  stood  200  Democrat,  59  Republican  and  19  Greenback. 
The  town  has  no  village  within  its  limits;  no  mill,  no  railroad.  It  is  entirely  agricultural,  and 
boasts  most  excellent  farms  in  all  but  the  hilly  region. 

THE   HILLS    OK    KKIX. 

The  range  of  hills  runs  through  the  town  in  a  northeasterly  direction.  It  is  not  contin- 
uous but  broken  and  disjointed,  the  different  elevations  showing  separate  outlines  standing  like  a 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  457 

row  of  sugar  loaves  ranged  along  the  line  of  view.  From  whichever  direction  the  hills  are 
approached,  one  tall  conical  shape  towers  high  above  its  fellows,  and  challenges  the  attention  no 
less  by  its  lofty  height  than  by  the  beauty  and  symmetry  of  its  outline.  It  is  heavily  wooded  to 
the  very  top,  on  which  stands  a  church  looking  as  if  hung  in  the  sky.  It  is  the  church  of  St. 
Mary's  Help,  and  has  risen  up  from  the  deep  forest  and  towers  above  the  lofty  hill,  a  mirage 
out  of  the  mist  of  tradition  and  legend,  warmed  by  the  fervid  heat  of  piety  and  faith. 

THE    LEGEND    OF    ST.    MART'S    HILL. 

Many  years  ago  a  farmer  whose  home  was  among  the  hills,  was  returning  from  the  neigh- 
boring village  of  Hartford,  late  at  night.  The  full  moon  had  just  risen,  and  as  he  approached 
St.  Mary's  Hill  from  the  west,  it  stood  in  inky  blackness  between  him  and  the  silver  eastern 
sky.  The  outline  was  as  sharply  defined  as  a  silhouette,  and  on  the  very  summit  he  saw  the 
form  of  a  cross  and  a  kneeling  figure.  He  watched  the  apparition  for  an  hour,  when  the  figure 
slowly  arose  and  disappeared  in  the  black  woods  of  the  hillside.  Not  many  mornings  after  he 
again  saw  the  strange  figure  on  the  top  of  the  hill  engaged  in  his  devotions.  The  advent  of  the 
anchorite  soon  became  generally  known  in  the  neighborhood,  and  his  home  was  discovered  in  a 
cave  which  he  had  dug  in  a  gorge  on  the  east  side  of  the  hill.  No  one  disturbed  him.  His 
only  occupation  seemed  to  be  his  pilgrimages  to  the  hill-top  to  engage  in  prayer.  He  gradually 
grew  familiar  with  the  inhabitants,  sufficiently  to  answer  their  friendly  salutations,  and  occasion- 
ally engaged  in  religious  converse  with  them.  One  farmer  became  his  confidant,  and  to  him 
he  related  the  following  history  :  His  name  was  Francois  Soubrio.  He  was  born  some  twenty 
miles  from  Strasburg,  and,  being  of  high  birth,  was  educated  for  the  priesthood.  He  became 
enamored  of  a  lady  near  the  monastery  where  he  was  pursuing  his  course  of  study,  and  finding 
his  passion  reciprocated,  renounced  his  priestly  vows  and  became  openly  betrothed.  Disgraced 
in  the  eyes  of  his  family  and  under  the  ban  of  the  church,  he  postponed  his  marriage,  and  bid- 
ding farewell  for  a  season  to  his  affianced,  he  left,  till,  to  use  an  Americanism,  the  matter  might 
"blow  over."  At  the  end  of  a  year,  he  returned  to  find  his  love  "  fickle  as  well  as  fair,"  and, 
in  a  frenzy  of  passion,  slew  her.  He  fled  to  America,  landed  at  Quebec,  and  became  a  recluse 
in  one  of  the  monasteries  of  the  quaint  old  city.  Here  he  remained  many  years,  tortured  with 
continued  remorse  for  his  recreancy  to  his  religious  vows  and  the  greater  sin  that  lay  even  heavier 
on  Ins  heart.  His  only  surcease  from  his  troubles  was  in  prayer,  penance,  and  delving  among 
some  old  French  manuscripts  that  he  had  found  in  some  musty  corner  of  his  retreat.  Among 
them  was  a  written  manuscript  purporting  to  be  a  diary  kept  by  Jacques  Marquette  during  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1673,  in  which  was  a  detailed  account  of  his  memorable  voyage  with  Louis 
Joliet  to  the  Mississippi  River,  via  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  Rivers,  returning  up  the  Illinois  River 
and  the  western  coast  of  Lake  Michigan  to  Green  Bay,  from  whence  they  started.  His  atten- 
tion was  particularly  drawn  to  an  account  of  an  expedition  from  a  creek,  where  he  had  landed 
on  his  return  voyage,  a  hard  day's  march  west,  to  a  steep  and  lofty  cone-shaped  hill  which  he 
climbed  to  the  summit  and  thereon  erected  a  rude  stone  altar,  raised  a  cross,  dedicated  the  spot 
as  holy  ground  forever,  in  the  name  of  his  tutelary  saint,  Mary,  and  returning  left  it  towering 
in  its  solitude. 

Francois  felt  that  his  mission,  whereby  to  work  out  his  full  atonement,  was  declared  to  him. 
He  fell  on  his  knees,  and  vowed  to  re-discover  the  holy  hill  and  re-erect  the  long-ago  moldered 
cross  upon  its  summit.  From  this  description  of  the  coast,  and  a  rough  map  made  by  Joliet, 
which  was  with  the  manuscript,  he  had  little  difficulty  in  locating  the  spot.  He  went  to  Chi- 
cago, where  he  was  arrested  in  his  journey  by  a  serious  illness,  which  left  him  a  confirmed  par- 
alytic with  only  the  partial  use  of  his  lower  limbs.  In  this  crippled  condition  he  at  last  reached 
the  end  of  his  pilgrimage,  and  late  one  evening  crawled  through  the  thick  wood  on  his  knees  to 
the  summit  of  the  hill,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  the  night  in  prayer  to  the  holy  Saint 
Mary.  With  the  dawn  he  rose  from  his  knees  in  all  the  vigor  of  his  early  manhood,  his  palsy 
gone  and  health  fully  restored. 

On  the  spot  where  his  miraculous  cure  was  wrought,  he  built  a  rude  chapel,  and  each  day 


458  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

and  night,  and  often  twice  and  thrice,  he  went  up  to  pay  his  devotions,  so  often  that  the  path  he 
trod  became  definitely  marked.  Along  the  path  he  erected  crosses  at  regular  intervals,  before 
which  he  knelt  as  he  ascended  and  descended,  doing  extreme  penance  often  by  making  the  pil- 
grimage on  his  bare  knees.  The  people  had  heard  so  much  of  his  story  as  related  to  his  mirac- 
ulous cure,  and  soon  sought  relief  from  their  bodily  ailments  through  prayer  at  the  hermit's 
shrine. 

To  return  to  Francois,  the  hermit.  He  remained  in  the  vicinity,  living  in  a  rude  hut 
built  out  from  the  mouth  of  the  cave  he  first  inhabited,  for  seven  years,  when  he  disappeared  as 
mysteriously  as  he  came.  Whether  he  is  dead  or  alive  is  not  known.  There  is  a  rumor  that  he 
was  seen  in  Chicago  after  his  disappearance  and  it  is  told  that  his  apparition  is  sometimes  seen 
in  the  dusk  of  evening,  kneeling  at  some  of  the  various  crosses  along  his  old  path,  or  gliding  in 
and  out  of  the  rude  chapel  where  the  sacred  relics  of  his  early  shrine  are  still  preserved. 

On  the  top  of  the  hill,  on  the  site  of  the  first  rude  chapel  erected  by  Francois,  a  fine  brick 
church  has  just  been  completed  (1881)  :  it  is  called  the  Church  of  St.  Mary's  Help.  It  is 
42x90  feet  in  size,  with  a  spire  eighty  feet  in  height.  The  top  of  the  hill  is  824  feet  above  the 
level  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  some  three  hundred  feet  above  the  summits  of  neighboring  hills. 
The  church  is  thus  the  prominent  object  in  the  landscape  from  every  view  within  a  radius  often 
miles.  It  is  approached  by  a  winding  road  from  the  northeast  side  of  the  hill.  Along  the  road 
at  every  turn,  is  erected  a  cross — fourteen  in  all — before  which  pilgrims  can  be  seen  at  all  hours 
of  every  day,  prostrate  in  prayer. 

On  the  left,  at  the  beginning  of  the  ascent,  is  the  gorge  where  Francois  lived  and  the 
remains  of  his  hut  are  still  to  be  seen.  A  parsonage  for  the  officiating  priest  will  soon  be 
built  on  the  site  of  the  hermit's  cave. 

Half  way  up  the  hill,  in  a  rude  building  not  over  twelve  feet  square,  is  the  hermit's  altar, 
the  cross  ami  the  rude  images  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and  the  child  Jesus,  with  which  he  instituted 
bis  early  shrine  and  before  which,  it  is  firmly  believed  by  a  cloud  of  willing  witnesses,  that  mirac- 
ulous cures  have  been  and  are  still  being  wrought.  Inside  the  structure  are  crutches,  bandages, 
trusses,  canes  and  other  insignia  of  suffering  and  distress,  left  there  by  the  rejoicing  recipients 
of  St.  Mary's  favor.  A  brass  kettle,  formerly  used  by  Francois  for  culinary  purposes,  hangs  on 
the  wall  and  serves  as  the  font.  The  chapel  is  daily  thronged  by  worshippers  many  of  whom 
come  from  long  distances. 

The  hillsides  are  still  covered  with  the  primeval  forest,  and  an  air  of  grandeur  and  solem- 
nity pervades  the  region  that  makes  each  comer  feel  that  "  the  place  whereon  he  stands  is  holy 
ground." 

The  population  has  changed  but  little  in  number  for  the  past  twenty  years.  A  few  Ger- 
man and  Norwegian  families  have  come  into  the  northeastern  and  southwestern  portions  of  the 
town,  yet,  with  this  change,  it  still  remains  more  generally  Irish  than  any  other  town  in  the 
State. 

The  principal  agricultural  products  of  1880,  were  as  follows:  Wheat.  43,000  bushels; 
corn,  24,000;  oats,  35,000;  barley,  6,000;  rye,  2,000;  potatoes,  10,000;  apples,  2,000;  bat- 
tel-. 21,001)  pounds  :  3,8r!5  acres  were  sown  to  grain  ;  there  were  72  acres  of  apple  orchards,  and 
1,118  bearing  trees.  There  are  6,342  acres  of  growing  timber  in  the  town.  The  number  of 
milch  cows  reported  was  432. 

The  town  officers  for  1881  were  :  Supervisors,  Mike  Foley,  Chairman,  John  Sullivan,  John 
Pick;  Town  Clerk.  Edward  O'Neil  ;   Assessor,  Richard  Veeal ;   Treasurer,  Edward  Shehan. 

Tin-  population  of  the  town,  according  to  the  census  of  1880,  was  1,265,  of  which  seven- 
eiglitlis  arc  Irish  or  of  Irish  descent. 

There  were,  in  1881,  two  post  offices  in  the  town:  Thompson,  Section  9,  and  Toland's  Prai- 
rie, Section  1'.'. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  459 


TOWN  OF  RICHFIELD. 

The  town  of  Richfield  was  designated  in  the  Governmental  survey  as  Town  9,  Range  19 
east.  It  is  one  of  the  southern  tier  of  towns  in  the  county,  and  is  situated  between  the  towns. of 
Erin,  bordering  it  on  the  west,  and  Gerraantown  on  the  east.  In  the  northern  and  eastern  part 
it  is  level.  In  the  southwestern  sections  the  surface  of  the  land  is  somewhat  broken  by  sharp 
drift  hills  of  gravel.  The  growth  of  timber  is  of  the  hard  wood  varieties,  with  here  and  there 
in  the  valleys,  along  the  creeks,  patches  of  tamarack.  The  soil  is  a  rich  clay  loam,  yielding 
abundant  crops  of  every  cereal  grown  in  this  latitude.  The  town  is  well  watered  by  small 
creeks  and  streams,  the  two  largest  of  which  are  Bark  River,  which  has  its  source  in  Section  23, 
runs  through  Bark  Lake,  on  Sections  26  and  35,  and  Oconomowoc  River,  which  enters  the 
town  on  Section  4,  runs  southeasterly,  and  leaves  the  township  on  Section  30.  The  principal 
bodies  of  water  are  Bark  Lake,  on  Section  26  ;  Lelliecrap  Lake,  on  Section  25  ;  Lake  Five,  on 
Section  32,  and  Fries'  Lake,  on  Section   17. 

The  first  purchase  of  Governmental  land  was  made  by  one  Samuel  Spivey,  who  entered 
160  acres  on  Section  36,  May,  31,  1841.  It  does  not  appear  that  he  ever  settled  in  the  town,  as 
his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  early  records,  nor  is  he  remembered  by  the  early  settlers  now 
living.  Jacob  Snyder  made  the  second  purchase,  forty  acres,  on  Section  35,  July  6,  1841,  and 
was  the  first  settler  in  the  town.  No  other  entries  were  made  during  that  year.  In  the  fall  ot 
1842,  some  fifty  entries  were  made,  mostly  by  actual  settlers,  and  the  settlement  of  the  town 
fairly  begun.  The  year  1843  witnessed  a  large  immigration,  and  nearly  half  the  desirable  land 
in  the  town  was  occupied,  mostly  by  Germans.  The  town  was  quite  generally  settled  in  1844 
and  1845. 

Below  is  given  a  list  of  all  purchases  of  Government  land  prior  to  1841.  with  dates  of  pur- 
chase, number  of  acres,  and  location.  Some  of  the  purchases  are  known  to  have  been  made  by 
non-resident  speculators,  but  the  list  is  none  the  less  interesting,  as  it  also  contains  the  names  of 
all  the  early  settlers  who  came  in  and  took  up  Government  land  prior  to  1844.  The  list  is  as 
follows : 

Name.  Section.  Acres.  Date  ok  Entby. 

Johann  Stuesser 1  80  September  14,  1842. 

Francis  Jos  St uesser 1  80  September  14.  184*2. 

Justus  Schneider 1  160  September 'ill,  184".;. 

Johann  Gottlieb  Ahnert 1  103  December  '.I,  1842. 

Nicolaus  Adam  Pilger 1  104  August  1,  1843. 

Jacob  Regenfus  and  George  Regenfus 1  160  November  13,  1843. 

Francis  Jos.  Stuesser 2  240  September  14,  1842. 

John  Kessel,  Sr 2  160  October  10,  1842. 

Andreas  Heeld 2  101  November  21,  1842. 

Johann  Gottlieb  Ahnert 2  101  December  9,  1842. 

John  Nauth 2  80  August  4,  1843. 

John  Kessel 3  80  October  1,  1842. 

Johann  Mauer 3  40  September  10,  1849. 

James  McMonegee 8  80  May  30,  1843 

Edward  Burke 8  80  August  17,  1843. 

Diether  Jung 9  40  August  16,  1843. 

Edward  Burke 9  40  August  17,  1843. 

John   Bauer 9  40  November  1,  1843. 

John  Kessel 10  160  October  1,  1842. 

John  Mower 10  80  June  13.  1843. 

William  Held 10  120  July  7,  1843. 

John  George  Thoma 10  40  August  3,  1843. 

Frederick  Ebeling 10  120  August  16,  1843. 

William  Ostrander 11  160  June  20,  1 842. 

John  Eimermann 11  240  October  1,  1842. 

Michael  Bauer 11  40  November  16,1842. 

Martin  Franck 11  40  June  14,  1843. 

Henry  Ebling 11  160  September  14,  1843. 

Jacob  Schlitz 12  80  November  13,  1843. 


460 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


Name.                                                                                           Section.  Acres. 

Ebenezer  Jones 12  160 

Christ, >i>li  Funk 12  40 

Philip   Laubenheimer 11'  120 

John  Kessel 12  80 

Gabriel  Eudlicb 12  80 

llenrv  Hochstein  ami  Fricdrich  Jacob  Wun 12  4n 

Friedrioh  H.irih 12  40 

Johann  Haurich 13  40 

Thonms  Hayes 18  80 

•l.ilui  McGrath  and  Patrick  Homgou 13  4o 

John  McGrath  and  Patrick  Houigon 13  80 

Phillip,)  Koch 18  40 

Henry  Phillipp  Kberhard 13  4u 

Phillipp  Schneider 13  40 

Michael  Fogarty 13  40 

Christian  Kissinger 13  160 

Martiu  Franck 14  40 

George  Jacob  Wambold 14  80 

George  Schael'er 14  40 

Jacob  Stuesser 14  360 

John  Joseph  Tilz 14  80 

Auton  Keil 14  4(1 

John  Dixheiuier 1  •",  80 

Peter  Mueller 15  80 

John  Joseph  Tilz 1">  80 

Jacob  Werner 15  80 

An Kiel l"i  80 

Jacob  Schroder 1  ■">  40 

Nichohius  1. midgutl) 15  80 

Michael  Griebeln 1".  to 

Theodore  Frederick 1">  4u 

Peter  Rrosius l"i  4(1 

Mathew  Chapman IT  120 

John  Mocklar  tin, 1   I  nomas  Mocklar 17  40 

Henry  Lowe 19  Jin 

Henry  Lowe 20  320 

Joseph   Hourly 20  80 

Jacob  Reichard  20  80 

Hugh  Flanagan 21  40 

Tli lore  Frederick 22  40 

William  Coates 24  so 

Lorenzo  Dow  Fuller 24  40 

Zaohariah  R,  Fuller 24  40 

Betsey  Perry  Fuller 24  80 

Charles   McCartv 24  80 

James  Ball 26  80 

Richard  Wroatb 26  B0 

Nioholaue  Cuetele 26  80 

James  Mr',., vein  and  Patrick    McOovern 26  120 

Patrick  Clark 26  I" 

Mioheel  Riley 27  80 

Patrick  Oark 27  10 

Miohael  MoGarrathy 27  80 

Vliohael  Redmond... 27  80 

:    Dugan 27  40 

Patrick  Boyle 29  80 

Clements 29  160 

Martin  Clotry 29  B0 

Francis  MoKenna 29  80 

Thomas  King 29  40 

Johann  Lowe 80  160 

Johann  Lowe 10  291 

Patrick  Flynn 80  80 

Prances  McKenne 80  BO 

Biohard  (irilliu ::l  120 

Johann   Lowe :',1  108 

John  Cosgrove 31  80 

Michael  Fitzimons 1  120 


Date  ox  Entuy. 
June  10,  1843. 
September  14.  1842. 
October  1,  1842. 
October  10,  1842. 
June  29,  184  I. 
July  28,  1K42. 
October  23,  1843. 
September  15,  1842. 
November  8,  1842. 
November    14.  1842. 
November  14,  1842. 
July  81,  1843. 
August  1.  L848. 
August  9.  1843. 
October  20.  1843. 
November  1 ,  1843. 
June  14,  1843. 
August  1.  1843. 
lugusl  9,  1843. 
Oct  iber  9,  184C 
October  9,  I1-)::. 
October  28,   1848. 
July  8,  1843. 
September  B,  1843. 
Member  '.',  1843. 
Member  '.'.  1843. 
October  18,  1843. 
October  18,  1848. 
October  2«.  1843. 
October  28,  1843. 
October  28,  1848. 
October  31.  1843. 
May  22.  1843. 
August  22,  1843. 
September  19,  1842. 

September  19,   1842 
October  17.  1842. 
November  16,  18  12. 
September  1  '■,  1848. 
-  -  i     .■   28.  1848 
lugusl  80,  1842. 

\pril  7.    IH 
May  29,  1848. 
October  2,  1848. 
October  26,  1848. 
September  28,  1843. 

September  28,    1848. 

Noi ber  2,  L840. 

October  17.  1842. 
Ootober  '-'■.  1848, 
September  19,  1842. 

September  1H,  1842 

September  27.   Is  12. 
October  81,  1842. 
I  let,, ber  20,   1842 
September  22,  1842. 

September  29,  1842. 
November  1 1.  1842. 

February  16,  1848 
October'l::,  184 

September   19,    1842, 

September  19,  1842. 
September  22,  1842 

March  6,  1848. 
July  6,  1842. 

September  19,  1842. 
September  22,  1842. 
September  22,  1842. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  461 

Name.                                                                                                Sfction.  Acres.                   Date  of  Entry. 

Patrick  Shannon 31  80  September  22,  1842. 

Peter  Schneider 31  65  July  10,  1843. 

Francis  Maldoon 31  40  August  23,  1843. 

John  Donnelley 32  80  August  17,  1842. 

John  Mulharan 32  80  September  17,  1842. 

Bernard  Mulharan  32  80  September  17,  1842. 

Isaac  Webb 33  40  July  11,  1842. 

John  Donneley 33  80  August  17,  1842. 

Austin  Odell 33  40  September  lft,  1842. 

William  Odell 33  40  September  22,  1842. 

Michael  Redmond 33  80  November  26,  1842. 

John  Donneley 33"  40  June  10,  1843. 

Michael  Denny 33  -0  October  18,1813. 

James  Curry 33  40  October  18,  1843 

Stephen  Moriarty 33  40  October  26,  1843. 

Nicola  us  Nowland 34  80  September  17.  1842. 

William   Dunn 34  80  September  19,  1842. 

Michael  Shiel 34  40  May  29,  1843. 

Patrick  Clark 34  12(1  October  23,  1843. 

Jacob  Snjder 35  40  July  6,  1841 

John  Campbell 3ft  80  September  22,  1842. 

Lawrence   McGeough 35  40  January  14,  1843. 

John  Donneley  and  Peter  Smitt 35  40  November  13,  1843. 

Samuel  Spivey 36  160  May  31,  1841. 

James  McCusker 36  80  September  3,  1842. 

Samuel  Edge 36  80  October  16,  1843. 

Of  the  above  list,  the  following  are  still  residents  of  the  town:  Diether  Jung,  John  Bauer, 
John  Kessel,  John  Eimermann,  Frederick  Ebeling,  Thomas  Hayes,  Patrick  Horregan,  Patrick 
McGooem.  Martin  daffy,  Johann  Lowe,  Patrick  Flynn,  Matthew  Chapman,  Michael  Fitzimons, 
and  possibly  others.  Some  who  moved  away  are  known  to  be  yet  living,  but  excepting  those 
named  above,  nearly  all  have  done  with  life's  labors,  and  passed  into  the  land  of  the  hereafter. 

THE    FIRST    TOWN    MEETING. 

The  town  was  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Richfield,  January  21,  1846.  There  is  no 
complete  record  of  the  first  town  meeting.  The  record  concerning  it  is  contained  in  a  series  of 
resolutions  certified  by  the  Town  Clerk,  which  read  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  By  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Richfield,  in  annual  town  meeting,  held  at  the  house  of  Zachariah 
Fuller,  April  7,  1846 :  (First  I,  that  it  is  our  duty  and  it  shall  be  our  aim  to  practice  strict  economy  in  the  govern- 
ment and  management  of  our  town  affairs,  and  that  our  motto  is,  "  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number,"  and 
in  order  to  carry  out  these  principles,  therefore, 

Resolved  (Second),  That  the  pay  and  fees  of  the  officers  of  the  town  shall  be  as  follows,  to  wit :  Supervisors, 
Commissioners  of  Highways,  Commissioners  of  Common  Schools  and  Assessors  shall  receive  each  $1  a  day,  and  no 
more,  for  every  day  necessarily  employed  on  the  business  of  the  town,  and  that  the  Town  Clerk  shall  receive  the  like 
sum  of  Jil  per  day  when  the  business  is  such  that  it  can  be  calculated  by  the  day  ;  in  all  other  cases  he  shall  receive 
for  all  necessary  writing  on  town  business,  six  cents  per  folio,  and  the  committee  of  investigation  shall  order  that 
the  resolution  be  altered  in  such  manner  as  to  convey  the  same  meaning  in  a  less  number  of  wurds ;  they  shall  make 
such  revocation  in  the  charges  as  they  shall  deem  tit.  The  Collector  shall  receive  for  his  services  5  per  cent,  on  all 
money  by  him  paid  into  the  Town  Treasurer.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  for  his  services  2  per  cent  for  all  money 
received  by  him,  and  1  per  cent  for  all  money  by  him  paid  out. 

Resolved  (Third  I,  That  in  all  surveys  of  roads,  that,  pay  shall  not  be  allowed  to  more  than  four  persons,  to  wit : 
a  Surveyor,  two  Chainmen  and  a  Marker. 

Resolved  (Fourth),  That  we  will  raise  §80  to  pay  the  expense  of  the  town  for  the  ensuing  year. 

In  addition  to  the  above  $80,  $70  more  was  voted  for  at  special  town  meeting,  held  at  the  house  of  Philip  Laub- 
enheimer.  at  1  o'clock,  the  6th  day  of  May,  1846. 

Attest:  Michael  Fogarty,  Town  Clerk. 

The  first  town  officers,  elected  at  this  meeting,  although  not  recorded  by  the  Clerk,  are 
ascertained  from  the  records  of  the  earlier  sessions  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Michael  Fogarty.  The  board  were  all  present,  and  consisted 
of  Balthus  Mantz,  Chairman,  William  Coates  and  Isaac  Romig.  The  following  business  was 
transacted  :     The  bills  allowed  were  : 

Bill  of  Baltus  Mantz,  $12.38,  for  services  as  Supervisor,  Assessor,  Commissioner  of  High- 
ways and  Commissioner  of  Schools. 

* 


462  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

Isaac  Itomig,  §6  as  Commissioner  of  Highways. 

Joseph  Harzacker,  $2.63  as  School  Commissioner  and  sundry  services. 

Patrick  Harrigan,  §3.7 o  as  Commissioner  of  Highways. 

Michael  Fogarty,  $8.67  as  Town  Clerk. 

Gustavus  Bogk,  $9  for  overturning  his  wagon  on  the  Fond  du  Lac  road,  and  breaking  a 
stove  and  other  articles. 

The  catastrophe  of  Bogk,  dimly  brought  from  the  shadows  of  the  past  in  the  above  item, 
gives  room  for  the  imagination  to  picture  the  trials  of  the  hapless  Gustavus.  He  was,  doubtless, 
a  new-comer,  having  his  worldly  effects  all  stowed  in  the  wagon  which  he  had  the  misfortune  to 
upset.  When  he  met  with  the  mishap,  whether  the  sky  grew  blue  with  the  oaths  he  swore,  or 
trembled  at  his  bellowings  of  despair ;  whether  he  threatened  the  town  with  the  rigor  of  the  law. 
for  the  villainous  state  of  the  highway,  or  humbly  put  in  the  supplication  of  a  poor  unfortunate 
for  relief,  can  never  be  known.  The  historian  can  only  record  that  Gustavus  Bogk  was  the 
first  man  who  upset  his  wagon  in  the  town  of  Richfield,  and  got  pay  from  the  authorities  for 
breaking  his  stove. 

The  records  of  a  subsequent  meeting  show  that  the  first  Town  Treasurer  was  Zachariah 
Fuller,  and  Everet  Wartz  was  the  first  Collector.  Joseph  Harlacker  also  served  as  School 
Commissioner,  and  Lorenzo  D.  Fuller  as  Assessor. 

The  oldest  church  in  the  town  is  St.  Hubert  Church  (Catholic).  The  first  church  was 
built  of  logs,  on  Section  22,  in  1845-46.  The  first  priests  to  say  mass  were  Fathers  Meyer. 
Martin  Kundig.  and  Obermueler.  In  July,  1863,  the  old  church  was  replaced  by  the  present 
substantial  stone  structure.  Rev.  Ferdinand  Raess  is  the  present  officiating  priest.  The  con- 
gregation now  numbers  (1881)  seventy-five  families. 

The  St.  Augustine  Church,  also  Catholic,  was  started  at  an  early  period,  under  the  care  of 
the  priests  above-named.  It  was  built  of  logs  on  Section  18.  The  old  church  went  into  disuse 
many  years  ago,  and  a  stone  church  was  built  on  the  adjoining  Section,  No.  7. 

The  oldest  preserved  poll-list  of  the  town  is  that  of  the  general  election  held  in  November, 
1847.  It  is  given  as  showing  the  names  and  number  of  naturalized  citizens  residing  in  the 
town  at  that  time.      It  is  as  follows  : 

Michael  Fogarty,  Everet  Wartz,  Isaac  Romig,  Jacob  Wambolas,  Phillip  Laubcnheimer, 
John  Fluke.  Patrick  Horrigan,  John  Kuper,  Peter  Brown.  Joseph  Fuss,  Christopher  Braden, 
John  Moore.  Theodore  Rademacher,  Bertram  Schwartz,  John  Dies,  William  Huber,  Jacob 
Witteraberg,  Peter  Limbough,  Peter  Weimer,  Peter  Criel,  Leonard  Gates,  John  Kessel,  Theo- 
dore Frederick,  Martin  Falen,  John  Basil,  Theodore  Busch,  Jacob  Kurtz,  Jacob  Werner,  Hubert 
Thomas,  Michael  Bauer,  Herman  T.  Schultheis,  Nicholas  Merckel,  George  Fries,  John  T.  Tilz, 
William  Bigler,  Frederick  Merckel,  Amest  Hailsburg,  Jacob  Schroeder,  Joseph  Weber,  John 
Derheimer.  Mathias  Fuss,  Anton  Konrad,  Baltus  Mantz,  Thomas  Hayes,  Jacob  Stuesser,  John 
Greive,  William  Weller,  John  Stuesser,  John  Boehner,  Conrad  Cornelius.  Anthony  Dourgh, 
John  Thomas,  John  T.  Fronock,  Frederick  Ebling,  Peter  Stoltzer,  Francis  T.  Stuesser,  William 
Coats,  Christian  Suller,  John  Filaon,  Peter  Miller,  John  G.  Loffey,  Henry  Otto,  Nicholas 
Weimar,  Peter  Funk,  Nicholas  Smith,  George  Wittmeier,  Thomas  Martin,  Casemer  Wittmeier, 
John  Martin,  Jacob  Eberhardt,  Peter  T.  Schultheis,  Arthur  Donahue,  Thomas  Martin,  Joseph 
Waldor,  Peter  Share,  John  Kessel,  Jacob  Kurtz,  Michael  Fahey,  John  Kissinger,  William 
Rummens,  Martin  Claffey.  John  Mulheron.  John  Ammerman,  Andrew  Griesemer,  D.  Sohel, 
Henry  (Doling,  Leonard  Brucker,  Adam  Brucker,  Jacob  Baunlgaertner.     Total  votes  polled,  90. 

During  the  war,  Richfield  raised  for  war  purposes,  the  sum  of  $5,018.12.  The  records  of 
the  State  have  enrolled  the  names  of  thirty-five  soldiers  from  the  town,  who  did  personal  service 
in  the  army.      Their  names  appear  in  the  war  history  of  the  county  at  large. 

mi:  town   in  1881. 
The  town  is  entirely  covered  with  farms  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.     The  population 
is  three-fourths  German,  the  remaining  part  being  mostly  Irish.      The  Northern  Division  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  463 

Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway  passes  through  the  town,  the  station  being  on  Section 
12,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town. 

There  are  eight  churches  situated  and  named  as  follows  :  German  Methodist,  Section  2  ; 
St.  Mary's  (Catholic).  Section  3  ;  German  Presbyterian,  Section  5  ;  German  Evangelical,  Sec- 
tion 11;  St.  Augustine  (Catholic),  Section  7;  St.  Hubert  (Catholic),  Section  22;  German 
Methodist,  Section  2(3 ;   Colombia  Church  (Catholic),  Section  33. 

The  town  is  divided  into  eleven  whole  and  joint  school  districts.  It  has  seven  school- 
houses,  costing  $6,300.  The  number  of  scholars  is  683,  and  the  number  of  teachers  is  nine. 
The  amount  of  money  expended  for  school  purposes  in  1880  was  $1,996.  The  industries  of 
the  town  are  largely  agricultural.     The  trade  of  the  town  centers  at  the 

VILLAGE  OF  RICHFIELD. 

This  hamlet  is  clustered  about  the  railroad  station,  and  does,  in  addition  to  the  local  trade' 
a  considerable  business  in  the  shipping  of  grain. 

The  first  settler  and  first  owner  of  the  site  of  the  village  (on  Section  12)  was  Philip  Lau- 
benheimer.  He  was  a  native  of  Hesse  Darmstadt,  where  he  was  born  March  23,  1803.  He 
came  to  Wisconsin  in  1842,  and  settled  immediately  on  the  present  site  of  the  village.  His 
family,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  seven  children,  with  himself,  spent  the  first  two  weeks  encamped 
under  a  tree  near  where  he  afterward  built  his  house.  His  wife  and  one  child  died  in  a  few 
weeks  after  his  arrival,  and  were  the  first  whites  buried  in  the  town.  The  remaining  children — 
Elizabeth,  Clara,  Gertrude,  Philip,  Fred  and  Peter  are  believed  to  be  still  living,  though  not 
residents  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Laubenheimer  built  on  his  claim  through  which  the  old  Fond  du  Lac  road  passed,  a 
block-house,  which  served  as  a  dwelling,  a  tavern,  and  where  he  kept  a  very  primitive  stock  of 
goods,  consisting  of  pins,  coffee  and  sugar.  He  added  to  his  house  from  time  to  time,  and  it 
became  the  grand  place  of  rendezvous  for  all  the  German  immigrants  who  came  into  seek  lands. 
The  old  Laubenheimer  tavern  is  still  standing,  and  is  of  historic  interest  as  it  was  the  first  Ger- 
man tavern,  saloon  and  store  within  the  present  limits  of  Washington  County.  When  the  rail- 
road was  laid  out  in  1855,  he  gave  the  company  the  depot  grounds,  and  thus  secured  its  present 
location,  and  held  the  center  of  trade  at  his  place.  He  subsequently  built  a  large  stone  brick 
store  on  the  south  side  of  the  track  in  1868,  and  carried  on  a  large  mercantile  business.  In 
1875,  he  built  an  adjoining  building  of  like  size,  50x40  feet.  The  whole  structure,  still  stand- 
ing and  occupied  by  his  sons,  Henry  and  William,  as  hotel,  saloon  and  store,  has  a  frontage  on 
the  railroad  of  eighty  feet,  and  a  depth  of  fifty  feet. 

Mr.  Laubenheimer,  in  connection  with  his  largely  increased  business,  continued  to  run  his 
old  tavern  till  1874.  He  died  in  1878.  He  married  for  his  second  wife  Mrs.  Annie  M.  Arnet, 
of  Germantown.  The  children  by  his  second  marriage  were  two  sons — Henry  and  William,  still 
living  and  in  business  in  Richfield,  and  three  daughters — Eva,  Margaret  and  Barbara. 

He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Solomon  Juneau,  who  paid  him  frequent  visits,  and  held  over 
him  a  sort  of  protectorate,  which  shielded  him  from  the  thievish  incursions  of  the  Indians,  who 
were  numerous  during  the  early  years  of  his  settlement. 

In  1857,  Emanuel  Mann,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  of  Polk,  started  a  store, 
which  added  largely  to  the  prosperity,  not  only  of  the  village,  but  the  whole  town.  He  drew 
the  trade  of  a  large  region  to  his  store,  and  for  many  years,  in  connection  with  his  sons,  did  as 
large  a  mercantile  business  as  was  done  in  the  county.  The  house  sunk  under  the  vicissitudes 
of  the  grain  trade  in  1871.  The  village  has  hardly  yet  recovered  from  the  paralysis  occasioned 
by  this  failure.  The  finest  residence  in  the  place,  now  the  residence  of  Mr.  H.  J.  Lowe,  was 
built  by  Mr.  Henry  Mann,  and  stands  as  a  monument  of  his  taste  and  refinement. 

There  are  now  in  the  village  two  stores,  kept  by  William  Laubenheimer  and  Henry 
Pfeiffer;  a  depot  for  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements,  kept  by  H.  J.  Lowe,  who  is  also  a 
large  shipper  of  grain  ;  two  steam  saw-mills,  run  by  Mr.  Reidenbach  and  Davis  Bros.     There 


464  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

are  two  shipping  elevators,  owned  by  Laubenheimer  and  Pfeiffer,  through  which  are  shipped 
annually  75,000  bushels  of  grain.  A  cheese  factory  is  just  started.  There  is  one  hotel — the 
"  Northwestern  " — kept  by  Henry  Laubenheimer  ;  also  shoemakers,  blacksmiths,  butchers, 
harness-makers  and  all  other  artizans  usually  found  in  a  country  village. 

There  is  but  one  mill  outside  the  village  of  Richfield  in  the  town.  It  is  a  saw-mill  and 
grist-mill,  is  run  by  water-power,  and  is  built  on  Section  9. 

According  to  the  last  official  returns  (1880),  the  average  amount  of  crops  raised  on  7,320 
acres  of  cultivated  land  was  as  follows :  52,000  bushels  of  wheat,  49,000  of  rye,  46,000  of 
oats,  14,000  of  barley,  6,000  of  rye  and  18,000  of  potatoes.  There  were  in  the  town  752  milch 
cows,  and  there  was  made  27,000  pounds  of  butter  and  2.000  pounds  of  cheese.  There  were 
216  acres  of  apple  orchard,  with  7,035  trees  bearing  fruit. 

The  population,  as  given  in  the  census  of  1880,  numbered  1,716. 

Below  is  given  the  present  town  officers :  Supervisors,  Andrew  Ennis,  Chairman,  Henry 
Wiedemeyer,  John  Thielman  ;  Town  Clerk,  Peter  Schaenzer ;  Assessor,  Ignatius  Zins;  Treas- 
urer. Lorenz  Heck. 

There  were  two  post  offices  in  the  town  in  1881 — Lake  Five,  Section  33,  and  Richfield. 
The  present  Postmaster  at  Richfield  is  William  Laubenheimer. 

The  growth  of  the  town  has  been  gradual,  and  it  has,  under  the  steady  and  continuous 
labors  of  an  industrious  people,  developed  into  one  of  the  finest  and  wealthiest  fanning  towns 
of  the  State.  The  history  of  such  communities  gives  no  startling  occurrences  for  historical 
record  ;  it  is  all  within  the  personal  experiences  and  folk-lore  of  the  inhabitants;  and  can  be 
only  faithfully  portrayed  in  the  biographical  sketches  of  the  men  and  women  who  have  been 
identified  with  its  material  growth.  To  the  accompanying  biographies  the  reader  is  referred  if 
he  would  know  of  the  living  forces  that  have  made  from  the  wrooded  wilds  of  forty  years  ago, 
the  homes  of  the  thrifty  population  that  now  inhabit  the  town. 

TOWN  OF  GERMANTOWN. 

The  town  of  Gerraantown  is  the  oldest  settled  town  in  Washington  County.  It  was  desig- 
nated by  the  Government  survey  as  Town  9,  Range  20,  and  is  the  southeast  town  in  the  county. 
The  surface  is  nearly  level.  The  land  was,  in  a  state  of  nature,  heavily  wooded  with  elm. 
birch,  beach,  innple  and  oak.  Being  near  Milwaukee,  where  most  of  the  early  German  immi- 
grants first  stopped,  it  early  attracted  tin-  attention  of  such  of  them  as  sought  farming  lands  for 
their  American  homes.  Already  a  large  colony  of  Germans  had  settled  in  the  western  part  of 
the  adjoining  town  (Mequon),  and  the  proximity  of  countrymen,  already  settled  in  the  new  coun- 
try, rendered  the  location  doubly  desirable.  So  it  happened  that  from  1840,  when  the  German 
immigration  first  set  in,  there  was  a  constant  flow  of  German  settlers  to  the  township,  till  they 
had  occupied  all  the  Government  lands,  and  purchased  nearly  all  owned  by  the  English  and 
American  settlers  who  had  come  in  a  few  years  prior  to  their  advent.  The  first  purchases  of 
land  from  the  Government  were  made  in  1839,  and  at  the  close  of  1844  there  was  scarce  an 
available  acre  unoccupied  in  the  town.      It  was  fairly  settled  two  years  before  it  was  incorporated. 

Many  of  the  settlers  brought  sufficient  means  with  them  to  start  their  pioneer  life  under 
what  was  considered  comfortable  circumstances.  Milwaukee,  then  grown  to  be  a  considerable 
village,  was  convenient  for  supplies,  and  altogether  the  early  settlers  of  this  town  found  ease 
and  comfort  compared  with  those  who  pushed  farther  on,  across  the  unbridged  streams  and  up 
among  the  hills  of  the  northern  towns  of  the  county. 

Tins  being  the  oldest  town  of  the  present  county,  the  first  settler  is  entitled  to  the  double 
distinction  of  being  also  the  first  settler  of  the  county.  Levi  Ostrander  and  Anthony  D.  Wis- 
ner  each  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Section  85,  March  1 1.  1889.  These  were  the  first  two  pur- 
chases made.  Levi  Ostrander  settled  on  his  land,  and  was  for  a  many  years  a  leading  man  of 
affairs,  both  in  the  town  and  in  old  Washington  County,  and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  distinction 
of  beinj;  the  first  settler.      Whether  his  purchase  antedated  Mr.  Wisner's  is  questioned  from  the 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


465 


fact  that  Mr.  Wisner's  name  appears  first  on  the  land  book  of  entry.  During  the  same  year 
there  were  sixteen  other  entries  made,  mostly  in  the  southern  tier  of  sections.  The  only  man 
now  living  in  the  town  who  came  in  prior  to  1840  is  John  Coghlan,  who  took  up  eighty  acres 
on  Section  33,  August  8,  1839.  He  is  now  the  oldest  living  settler  in  the  town.  The  other 
early  settlers  now  living  in  the  town,  who  came  in  prior  to  1844,  are  John  Jung,  1840  ;  Jacob 
Schunk,  John  Brown,  Philip  Zimmerman,  Peter  Goettelmann,  Michael  Ballheim,  Jacob  Holl, 
William  Strauss,  Jacob  Schlafer,  1841 ;  Frederick  Groth,  William  Hofemeister,  John  Selflow, 
John  H.  Scheffler,  Henry  Frenwith,  John  Diefenthaler,  Balzar  Kripinberger,  1843 ;  John  Gil- 
bert, 1840 ;  Robert  Frenwith,  John  C.  Tate,  1843 ;  Joseph  H.  Meege,  1841. 

Below  is  a  list  of  all  entries  made  in  the  town  prior  to  1844,  with  number  of  acres,  section 
and  date  of  purchase. 


Name.                                                                                       Section.  Acres. 

Edward  Murphy 1  159 

Samuel  Prudermann  and  John  Ringel 1  80 

Gottlieb  Garabisch 1  81 

George  Garabish,  Jr 1  80  • 

Franz  Baesemann 1  40 

Martin  Hels 2  40 

John  Kressen 2  84 

Joachim  Groth 2  40 

John  David  Eggert 3  87 

Frederick  Wasmuth 4  80 

John  Adam  Pilger 5  80 

Christopher  Braun 5  80 

Johann  Guenther  Kauffmann 5  40 

Peter  Jacob  Dix 5  120 

Peter  Hock 6  80 

Jacob  Hock 6  40 

John  Endlich 6  80 

John  Braun 6  36 

John   Henry  Pilger 6  45 

Michael  Matter 7  80 

George  Petry 7  240 

Peter  Walther 7  229 

Johann  Mathes 7  80 

Johann  Knetzger 8  80 

Peter  Jacob  Dix 8  400 

Phillipp  Dhein,  Sr 8  160 

Phillipp  Dhein,  Sr 9  80 

Peter  Sinz 9  80 

Phillipp  Dhein.  Jr 9  80 

Peter  Rheingaus 9  40 

Phillipp  Peter  Barwig 9  80 

Justus  Schmit 9  80 

Nicolaus  Altmayer 9  80 

Peter  Rheingans 9  40 

Jacob  Klumb 10  80 

Johann  Fuchs 10  160 

Joachim  Gatsch 11  80 

Joachim  Gatsch 11  40 

Theodore  Schmit 11  80 

Ghristoph  -ichrack 11  40 

Christoph   Paulus 11  40 

Martin  Hels 11  40 

Friedrich  Groth 11  80 

William  llafemeister 11  40 

Christian  Groth 12  40 

George  Garbisch 12  40 

Frederick  Baesemann 12  40 

Christian  Groth 12  40 

Franz  Baesemann 12  40 

John  Suelflow 12  40 

Samuel  Douke 13  40 

Gottfried  Brendenmehl 13  80 


Date  of  Entry. 

August  23,  1843. 
September  18,  1843. 
September  27,  1843. 
September  27,  1843. 
November  25,  1843. 
July  10,  1843. 
October  19,  1843. 
November  25,  1843. 
October  26,  1843. 
June  14,  1843. 
February  27,  1843. 
February  27,  1843. 
November  21,  1843. 
November  28,  1843. 
November  14,  1842. 
May  22,  1843. 
June  5,  1843. 
July  28,  1843. 
September  4,  1843. 
November  5,  1841. 
September  9,  1842. 
September  9,  1842. 
September  17,  1842. 
August  3,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
September  27,  1842. 
November  14,  1842. 
June  6,  1843. 
July  27,  1843. 
August  18,  1843. 
July  13, 1843. 
July  13,  1843. 
October  25,  1842. 
October  29,  1842. 
July  10,  1843. 
July  10,  1843. 
July  10,  1843. 
July  10,  1843. 
September  29,  1843. 
October  30,  1843. 
October  25,  1841. 
October  9,  1841. 
October  5,  1841. 
May  28,  1842. 
October  13,  1843. 
October  13,  1843. 
August  16,  1841. 
August  3, 1841. 


466 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


Name.                                                                                              Section.  Acres. 

Martin  Arn.lt 13  80 

Martin  Arndt 13  1G0 

William  Krueger 13  40 

John  Gatus 13  120 

John  Buth 13  80 

John  Baumgartner 13  40 

Martin  Arndt. 14  80 

Martin  Arndt... 14  80 

George  Emerich 14  40 

Charles  Fesch 14  40 

John  C.oetzer 14  40 

William  Krueger 14  120 

Joachim  Gatsch 14  40 

William  Miller 14  40 

Gottlieb  Suelflow 14  40 

Frederick  Groth 14  120 

George  Emerich 15  40 

Peter  Leith 16  40 

Christian  Leith 15  40 

Jacob   Kottman 16  40 

Michael  Saebal 15  40 

Peter  Grueneisen,  Jr 15  40 

Phillipp  Mahloch 15  40 

George  Koehler 15  40 

William  Krueger 16  80 

Phillipp  Mahloch 16  40 

Jnhann  Knetzger 1"  3i!(i 

Johann  (ieorge  Merkel IT  80 

John  Mehl 1"  80 

William  Wasmuth 17  80 

Jacob  Schisusbeimer 17  40 

George  Rcgenfus Is  38 

Christian  William  Schmitz Is  40 

William  Wasmuth 18  40 

Andrew  Wetterau 18  40 

George  Volland 18  38 

Ernst  Ruppel 18  40 

Ernst   llildebrandt 18  40 

Andreas  Engelhard 18  38 

JohnSchmitl 18  80 

Peter  Metz  and  Peter  Keichert 18  38 

Eberhardt  Holzmann 18  80 

Johann  Becker 18  40 

Michael  Krebs 19  W 

Field   Aahworth 19  40 

Hit-hard  Katcliffe 19  89 

Zacliariali   Fuller 19  78 

John  Henry  Soheffler 1!'  80 

John   Merkel 19  80 

John  Mehl 19  40 

George  Regenftia 19  40 

I  beobald  Leininger 20  80 

Louis  Krebs,  .Ir 20  80 

Henry  Klaugus 20  80 

Thomas  Connell 20  80 

Thomas  Meal  cay 20  160 

Johann  Knetzger '-'(>  80 

JohaDn  Knetzger 20  80 

.l..l,n  Mollina  21  80 

Robert  Frenwilh  and    Henry  Frenwilh 21  80 

Johann  Diefenthaler 21  40 

Peter  Meloher  Schneider 21  80 

Henry  Liben 21  40 

Adam  Eifler 21  40 

Mathiae  Leip 22  I11 

Qeorgi                  '-"-  40 

John  Boden  and  Nicolaus  Mohn 22  10 

JacobScbta  er -2  80 


Date  of  Entry. 
September  18,  1841. 
September  2,  1841. 
September  2,  1841. 
September  2,  1841. 
September  2,  1841. 
September  2,  1841. 
September  18,  1841. 
October  11,  1841. 
April  21,  1842. 
August  :'.,  1842. 
September  12,  1842. 
October  21,  1842. 
October  29,  1842, 
December  8.  1842. 
May  30,  1848. 
September  15.  1843. 
April  2,  1842. 
August  22,  1842. 
May  19,  1843. 
May  27,  1843. 
June  I'..  1843. 
June  12.  1843, 
June  12,  1843. 
June  24,  1843. 
July  10,  1843. 
October!!,  184  I 
August  2,  1842. 
August  2.  1842. 
August  2,  18  12. 
\ugusl  'J,  1842. 
September  12.  1842. 
December  19,  1843. 
December  9,  1843. 
Vugust  2,  1842. 
September  Hi,  1842. 
September  16,  1842. 
September  16,  1842. 
September  12,  1842. 
Ootober  8,  I84v>. 
July  Id.  184:;. 
August  15,  184::. 
November  '.•,  1843. 
November  Hi.  1843, 
October  4,  1841. 
September  7,  1842. 
November  1-.1842. 
May  29,  1848. 
July  7,  184::. 
August  V.  1848, 
September  18.  1843. 

December  B,  1848. 

October   1.    is  11 

October  4.  1841. 

May    1  1.    1842. 
June  24,    1842. 

September  9,  1842. 

September  12.  1842 
November  4.   1843. 
August  2.  1842. 
May  25,  1848. 

September  5,  18  b: 

Sepl ber  '•'.  1848 

September  9,  18  18 
September  9,  1848. 
October  12.  1848. 
October  9,  1848. 
August  11.  1848. 
September  1.  1841 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


467 


Name.  Section. 

Valentine  Schwalbach 22 

Adam  Bookman 22 

Peter  Lauerman 22 

Christoph  Cramer 22 

Nicolaus  Peier 22 

Valentine  Staats 22 

Dieter  Schreier 22 

Casper  Kissinger  and  1  (    22 

Balser  Kripinberger.  / \    23 

Jacob  Schlafer 23 

Andrew  Stahl  Havar 23 

William  Straub 23 

William  Bartlett 23 

Adam  Bookman 23 

John  Peter  Adams  and  John  Peter  Klein 23 

John  Goelzer 23 

Adam  Peter 23 

Peter  Gruneisen 23 

Ludwig  Boder 24 

Andrew  Stahl  Haver 24 

Frederick  Bartett 24 

John  Krueger 24 

Fredrick  Luck 24 

Michael  BelliD 24 

Carl  Stettin 24 

Friedrick  Gust 24 

Joachim  Fried  Luck 24 

Fried  rich  Trapp 24 

John  Krueger 24 

Peter   Hess 24 

Jefferson  Kinue 25 

Jefferson  Kinne 25 

Michael  Hoyer 25 

Michael  Hoyer 25 

John  Beckerle 25 

Carl   Will 25 

Andrew  Bartman 25 

Wendell  Jung 25 

William  Straub 25 

Pat  rick  M  urrey 26 

John  Gilbert 26 

John  Gilbert 26 

Nicolaus  Kastler 26 

John  Jung 26 

Jacob  Schenck 26 

John  Mattis 26 

John  Brown 26 

Johann  Gunther  Stroebe 26 

Phillipp  Zimmermann 26 

Peter  Goettelmann 26 

Thomas  Goggin 27 

John  Pyburn 27 

Michael  ISallheim 27 

John  (  laus  Hubenthal 27 

Jacob  Holl 27 

Daniel  Keiper 27 

Magnus  Keiper 27 

John  Claus  Hubenthal 27 

William  Piper 28 

Robert  Frenwith  and  Henry  Frenwith 28 

Johannes  Merkel 28 

FJisha  Sampson 29 

Conrad  Strassman 29 

Edward  Pease 29 

Joshua  Gifford 29 

Johannes  Merkel 29 

Daniel  Allen 30 

Elisha  Sampson 30 


Acres. 

Date  of  Entry. 

40 

October  14,  1841. 

40 

May  13,  1842. 

40 

June  29,  1842. 

40 

July  27,  1842. 

40 

October  1.  1842. 

40 

May  27,  1843. 

40 

July  20,  1843. 

80 

August  4,  1843. 

40 

August.  4,  1843. 

40 

September  1,  1841. 

120 

October  1,  1843. 

40 

October  1,  1843. 

40 

November  16,  1843. 

40 

May  13,  1842. 

40 

August  8,  1842 

40 

September  12,  1842. 

40 

October  1,  1842. 

40 

June  12,  1843. 

80 

October  1,  1841. 

40 

October  1,  1841. 

40 

May  14,  1840. 

80 

July  2,  1840. 

80 

July  2,  1840. 

40 

July  2,  1840. 

40 

January  29,  1841. 

January  2!l,  1841. 

40 

May  27,  1841. 

40 

May  27,  1841. 

40 

August.  2,  1841. 

40 

July  19,  1843. 

80 

July  16,  1839. 

80 

July  16,  1839. 

80 

May  27.  1840. 

80 

July  3,  1840. 

80 

October  30,  1840. 

40 

May  27,  1840. 

40 

June  5,  1841. 

40 

August.  20,  1841. 

40 

October  1,  1841. 

40 

August  8,  1843. 

40 

November  4,  1840. 

80 

November  4,  1840. 

80 

November  2,  1840. 

40 

December  9,  1840. 

80 

June  2,  1841. 

40 

June  11,  1841. 

80 

June  21,  1841. 

40 

August  9,  1841. 

40 

October  27,  1841. 

80 

November  1,  1841. 

80 

September  13,  1839. 

40 

September  13,  1839. 

80 

June  2,  1841. 

80 

October  20,  1841. 

160 

October  30,  1841. 

40 

May  13,  1842. 

40 

May  13,  1842. 

40 

September  12,  1842. 

40 

May  13,  1842. 

120 

May  25,  1843. 

40 

August  2,  1843. 

40 

June  7,  1841. 

40 

October  9,  1841. 

40 

May  2,  1842. 

80 

July  2,  1842. 

40 

August  2,  1843. 

80 

November  18,  1839. 

40 

June  7,  1841. 

468  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 

Name.                                                                                              Section.  Acres.                Date  mi  Kntuv. 

Moses  Fieldhouse 30  79  October  21,  1841. 

Conrad  Strassman 30  40  October'.!,  1841. 

Robert  Stoddard 30  40  Novembers,  1841. 

Thomas  Young 30  80  January  6,  L84S. 

Thomas  Young 30  40  February  6,  1848. 

Thomas  Blakey 30  40  June  14,  1843. 

Richard  Eadcliffe 30  40  June  17.  1848. 

Daniel  Wart 31  120  January  16,  1840. 

John  Milton  Curtis 31  80  October  8,  1S41. 

Joshua  Glifford 31  77  February  6,  1848. 

Sims  Kdgerton 31  80  March  24,  1848. 

John  Campbell  Tate 31  77  October  16,  1843. 

Benjamin  Church 32  160  May29,  1889. 

Joshua  Glifford 32  160  November  18,  1839. 

Giles  Anthony  Wait 32  100  November  2".  1839. 

Martin  Wail 32  160  May  20,  1841. 

Benjamin  Church 33  80  May  31,  L889. 

Wiliiam  Connell 33  inn  August  8,  1839. 

JohnCoughlio 33  80  August  8,  1*"> 

Jonas   Piatt  Yaughan 33  160  May  9,  1842 

Freeman  L.Smith 34  160  March  11.  1839. 

James  Warren  Barrett 34  160  June  3,  1839. 

William  Wilcox  Burdick 34  160  June  27.  1889. 

John  OlausHubenthal 34  160  June  2,  1841. 

Anthony  1).  Wisuer 36  80  March  11,  1889. 

Levi  Ostrander 85  80  March  11,  1889 

Leander  Lot  Griedly 35  80  March  29,  183'J. 

Leander  Lot  Griedly 86  80  March  2'.i,  is:;n. 

Nelson  Burst 35  40  October  3,  1889. 

John  Schoetzel 35  12n  October  29,  1840. 

Christian  Staue 35  80  May  20,  1841. 

Joseph  Henry  Meege 86  80  June  2,  1841. 

Samuel  Spivey 86  160  March  11.  1889. 

James  Warren  Barrett 86  160  June  8,  1889. 

Jacob  Laisy 36  80  October  19,  1840. 

Jacob  Laisy 36  10  October  19,  1840. 

Abraham  Laisy 86  40  October  111,  1840. 

Abraham  Laisy 86  80  October  19,  1840. 

Alexander  Mitchell 86  80  April  19,  1841. 

The  above  list,  in  addition  to  all  the  actual  settlers  who  bought  land  from  the  Government, 
also  includes  what  speculative  purchases  were  made.  Among  the  latter,  appears  that  of  Alex- 
ander Mitchell,  then  a  promising  young  Scotch  banker  in  Milwaukee,  who  was,  perhaps,  look- 
ing forward  to  the  time  when,  having  accumulated  a  competency,  he  might  go  on  to  his  '*  eighty  " 
in  Germantown  and  become  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  town.  His  youthful  hopes  were 
not  realized,  although  his  wealth  now  comprises  more  than  twice  the  valuation  of  the  entire 
county. 

The  town  was  incorporated  January  21,  1846,  by  acl  ofthe  Legislature. 

The  First  town  meeting  was  held  April  7, 1846.  The  Clerk  of  the  meeting  was  I.  T.  Brown, 
the  first  Surveyor  of  old  Washington  County,  lie  was  a  ripe  scholar  and  a  polished  gentle- 
man. Little  was  known  of  his  early  history.  A  deep-set  trouble  always  seemed  to  weigh  him 
down  with  melancholy.  He  lived  for  many  years  in  the  county  and  at  last,  an  old  man,  poor, 
broken  in  mind,  he  took  voluntary  refuge  in  the  poor  house  of  the  county,  though  offered  an 
asylum  and  a  home  by  D.  W.  Maxon  and  other  old  friends,  and  there  closed  his  strange  life. 
The  record  of  this  meeting  was  written  by  Mr.  Brown  in  a  plain  angular  hand  peculiar  to  edu- 
cated men  of  the  old  school,  and  reads  as  follows  : 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Legislature   incorporating  the  town  of  Ccmiantuwii.  the  oitixenS 

assemble!   in  town  meeting  al  the  hou f  John  Mattes,  April  7.  1  s  16 :    Levi  (  Istrander  was  chosen  unanimously  as 

Moderator,  and  I.T.  Brown  as  Clerk.     The  iting  then  adjourned  one  hour  in  order  to  obtain  the  ballot  boxes 

belonging  to  the  town,  which  being  obtained,  the  polls  were  opened  by  proclamation,  and  nine  votes  received  as  per 

poll  li-t   numbered   from  one  i"  nine  inclusive      The  meeting  then  t'»>k  a  recess  of  fifteen  minutes  to  debate  "it  the 
proper  rani  to  be  paid  to  town  officers  for  services  not  otherwise  provided  by  law,  and  the  sums  necessary  to  be 


Wm% 


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HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  471 

raised  for  the  current  year  fur  the  support  of  trie  poor,  for  the  support  of  roads  and  bridges,  and  for  the  support  of 
schools;  also,  for  the  appoiutment  of  Road  Supervisors  in  the  eight  road  districts,  numbered  one  to  eight  inclusive, 
the  result  of  which  was  as  follows:  All  town  officers  whose  salaries  shall  not  otherwise  be  pruvided  for  by  law 
shall  be  entitled  for  their  services,  $1  per  day.  For  the  support  of  the  poor,  S150;  for  roads  and  bridges,  $100,  and 
for  the  support  of  schools,  $40i>  was  voted  to  be  raised.  The  vote  for  Road  Supervisors  stands  as  follows:  John 
Beggarly,  for  Road  District  No.  1  :  Levi  Ostrander,  for  No  2 ;  John  M.  Curtiss,  for  No.  3  ;  John  Young,  for  No.  4; 
Jacob  Slaver,  for  No.  5;  Jacob  Regenfus-i,  for  No.  b'  :  John  Baseman,  for  No.  7;  Jacob  Brienogal,  for  No.  8.  the 
meeting  then  took  a  vote  where  the  next  annual  town  meeting  should  be  held,  which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  John 
Mattes'  house  on  Section  30.  The  voting  |  by  ballot )  for  town  officers,  for  or  against  State  Government,  for  the  tem- 
porary location  of  the  county  seat,  and  for  or  against  raising  a  tax  of  $1,000  to  be  expended  ou  county  buildings, 
then  [irogressed  until  li  o'clock  1'.  M.,  when  by  proclamation  of  the  Moderator  the  polls  were  closed,  and,  on  can- 
vassing the  votes,  the  following  was  found  to  be  the  result  of  the  election  : 

The  whole  number  of  votes  polled  were  123,  of  which  there  were  in  favor  of  "State  Government"  118;  against 
State  Government,  9.  For  temporary  location  of  the  county  seat,  the  county  farm  on  Section  2,  Town  10,  Range 
20,  received  116;  the  Center  received  1  vote,  and  Range  20  received  1  vote.  For  raising  by  tax  $1,000  for 
county  buildings   there   were  99  votes,  and  none  against  it. 

The  vote  for  town  officers  was  as  follows  :  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors — George  Koehler,  31  votes; 
William  Green,  14;  Jonas  P.  Vaughn,  3,  and  John  C.  Hubenthal,  1.  For  Supervisors — Nelson  Burst,  30  votes; 
Samuel  W.  Cole,  34;  William  Wasmuth,  19;  Michael  Hyre,  10;  Peter  Leith,  3;  Henry  \V.  Thomas,  1.  For  Town 
Clerk — Levi  Ostrander,  34  votes;  Henry  W.  Thomas,  14.  For  Treasurer — George  Koehler,  33  votes;  John  C. 
Hubendhal,  12  ;  Henry  \V.  Brink,  2.  For  Collector — George  Brill,  30  votes;  John  C.  Hubenthal,  7,  and  Henry  \V.  Brink, 
9.  For  Commissioners  of  Highways — John  Mattes,  49  votes  ;  Adam  Bookman,  46  ;  John  M.  Curtiss,  46  ;  John  McGrath, 
3  ;  Henry  W.  Thomas,  3.  For  School  Commissioners — Levi  Ostrander,  49  votes  ;  Michael  Hyre,  37  ;  George  Gelser,  9 ; 
Conrad  Strassman,  9.  For  Constables — George  Brill,  44  votes  ;  John  M.  Curtiss,  4;  Henry  \V.  Brink,  6.  For  Sealer 
of  Weights  and  Measures — George  Koehler,  46  votes.  For  Justice  of  the  Peace — Levi  Ostrander,  37  votes;  Samuel 
W.  Coie,  45;  George  Koehler,  38  ;  William  Green,  12  ;  Jonas  P.  Vaughn,  4.  For  Assessors — John  McGrath,  46  votes  ; 
John  Goe  lzen,  34  :  Abram  Laisey,  33. 

I  certify  that  the  within  account  of  the  town  meeting  and  election,  held  in  the  town  of  Genuantown,  as  afore- 
said, is  correct  and  true,  Levi  Ostrander,  Moderator. 

(Attest.)         1.  T.   Brown,    Clerk. 

The  first  poll-list  preserved  of  the  voters  of  the  town,  is  that  of  the  general  election  held  in 
November,  1846.  It  does  not  contain  the  names  of  over  half  those  then  settled  in  the  town,  as 
they  were  slow  in  taking  out  naturalization  papers.  A  good  number  had,  however,  be- 
come American  citizens  even  at  that  early  day.  The  list  contained  the  following  names : 
Charles  Tesch,  Nicolas  Kastler,  John  Boden,  John  Gilbert,  Dieta  Thuier,  Roma  Grislan,  John 
Baseman,  John  C.  Hubendahl,  John  Wood,  George  Brill,  Adam  Bookman,  William  Weller, 
John  Beggarlee,  Nicholas  Peter,  John  Lynch,  Adam  Staats,  Philip  Marloch,  Barnard  Barlonda, 
Christopher  Adler,  Adam  Eifler,  Jacob  Wolf,  William  Wasmuth,  Jacob  Samhart,  William  Straub, 
Galtus  Kniffelbergen,  Antony  Hoben,  John  Gelser,  Charles  Haffring,  Jacob  Rodsmond,  Jacob 
Snider,  John  Gelser,  Sr.,  Michael  Bookman,  Philip  Snider,  Conrad  Strassman,  Philip  Pah, 
Valentine  Staats,  George  Emerich,  Frederick  Knauth,  John  Knauth,  John  Tields,  Peter  Maths, 
John  Maths,  John  Hufendifer,  George  Woolf,  Levi  Ostrander.  George  Koehler,  Jacob  Stanitz, 
II.  W.  Beink,  Marvin  Ostrander,  P.  M.  Sneider,  J.  P.  Vaughn,  Valentine  Scheatzel,  Patrick 
Toland.  Jacob  Scheatzel,  Christopher  Hayburn,  Francis  Waldermbe,  Michael  Hoye,  Francis  B. 
Metz,  Philip  Dhine,  Nelson  Burst,  Alfred  B.  Ostrander,  William  Miller,  Philip  Pfeil,  John  M. 
Curtis — Total,  64. 

Germantown,  during  the  war,  kept  her  quota  full  by  bounties,  only  eight  soldiers  being  on 
the  State  records  as  having  done  personal  service.  Their  names  appear  in  the  war  history  of 
the  county  at  large.  The  amount  of  money  raised  for  war  purposes,  was  $ 31,295,  which  was 
expended  in  procuring  volunteers  and  substitutes,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  times  required. 

Few  towns  have  had  so  peaceful  and  uneventful  a  life  as  Germantown.  It  has  silently 
kept  the  even  tenor  of  its  way,  unvexed  by  the  tumult  of  the  outside  world.  The  history  is  in 
the  lives  of  those  who  have  lived  and  still  live  within  its  borders.  It  nas  grown  from  a  thickly- 
matted  forest  to  show  all  over  its  extent  broad  acres  of  field  and  orchard,  garden  and  pasture; 
is  tire  richest  and  most  productive  farming  town  in  the  county,  and  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  State. 

It  has  no  considerable  villages  within  its  borders.  Two  railroads,  the  Milwaukee  <&  St. 
Paul,  and  the  Chicago  k  North  Western  pass  through  the  town,  giving  it  the  full  advantages  of 
the  markets  of  the  neighboring  city  of  Milwaukee,  of  which  it  may  be  called  a  farming  suburb. 
The  only  considerable  industry,  outside  of  agricultural  pursuits,  is  that  of  lime-burning,  which 


472  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

is  extensively  carried  on  at  Rockville,  on  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway,  by  Fred  Dix, 
and  at  South  Germantown,  by  Frank  Schlaefer,  and  the  Germantown  Lime  Company.  The 
lime  is  of  excellent  quality,  and  finds  a  market  at  Milwaukee,  Chicago  and  other  points  along 
the  lines  of  railroad. 

There  is  one  brewery  in  the  town  on  Section  22.  It  was  owned  and  run  by  John  Staats 
for  twenty-eight  years.  He  died  in  November,  1880,  since  which  time  the  business  has  been 
continued  by  Ph.  G.  Duerrwaechter,  administrator  of  the  estate. 

A  small  local  trade  centers  at  each  of  the  post  offices. 

At  Meeker  Post  Office,  on  Section  19,  the  Postmaster,  Mattice  Becker,  has  a  store. 

At  Rockfield  Post  Office,  on  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway,  Section  9,  in  addition 
to  the  lime-works  of  Fred  Dix,  is  a  store  kept  by  Jacob  Kraetsch. 

At  South  Germantown  Post  Office,  in  addition  to  a  heavy  lime  business  before  mentioned. 
Ph.  G.  Duerrwaechter  has  his  depot  for  the  sale  of  agricultural  implements,  lumber,  sash,  doors 
and  other  building  material,  in  connection  with  which  he  does  a  large  business  as  a  building 
contractor  throughout  the  county.  There  is  also  a  store  at  this  point  kept  by  Messrs.  Goelzer 
&  Schwalbach. 

The  only  cheese  factory  in  the  town  was  started  in  May,  1881,  and  is  owned  and  carried 
on  by  Schneider  &  Eimmerman. 

The  central  offices  of  the  Germantown  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  one  of  the  most 
reliable  in  the  State,  are  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  17.  The  executive  officers  are 
President.  Andrew  Martin  ;   Secretary,  Martin  Schottler. 

The  only  lodge  in  the  town  is  Sons  of  Herman,  Franklin  Lodge,  No.  39.  It  was  organized 
April  19,  1879.  Its  first  officers  were  President,  Jacob  Braun  :  Vice  President.  Jacob  Straub  : 
Secretary,  Ph.  G.  Duerrwaechter ;  Treasurer,  Adam  Diefenthaeler.  The  present  officers  are 
President.  Herman  Berger :  Vice  President,  Adam  Diefenthaeler;  Secretary,  Ph.  G.  Duerr- 
waechter :  Treasurer,  William  J.  Goelzer. 

There  are  three  churches  in  the  town,  one  on  Section  8,  Lutheran ;  one  on  Section  20, 
St.  Boniface's  Catholic,  and  one  on  Section  35,  Lutheran. 

The  school  districts,  whole  and  joint,  are  ten  in  number.  There  are  ten  schoolhouses, 
rosting  S4.500.  The  scholars  number  NUfj,  taught  by  eleven  teachers.  The  amount  expended 
for  school  purposes  in  1880,  was  $2,812. 

The  population  of  Germantown,  according  to  the  census  of  1880,  is  1,943. 

The  latest  official  reports  state  the  average  crop  to  be  as  follows  :  Wheat,  70,000  bushels  ; 
corn,  37,000;  oats,  64,000;  barley,  26,000;  rye.  76,000;  potatoes,  20,000.  This  amount  was 
raised  on  8,852  acres  of  cultivated  land.  The  town  had  5,414  acres  of  growing  timber,  323 
acres  of  apple  orchard,  8,981  fruit-bearing  trees,  1,209  milch  cows,  and  produced  14,000  pounds 
of  butter. 

The  following  are  the  present  town  officers:  Supervisors,  Jacob  H.  Goelzer,  Chairman, 
William  Hayes,  Mortimer  Ilubenthal ;  Town  Clerk,  Ph.  G.  Duerrwaechter;  Assessor,  Philip 
Schneider ;  Treasurer.  William  Staats. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  473 


CHAPTEE  IV. 

OZAUKEE    COUNTY. 

Introduction— Population— Stock-Raising— Town  Fairs— The  Aborigines— Early  Settle- 
ment—Early Settlers— Old  Settlers'  Club— Address,  etc.— How  They  Lived  in  Those 
Days— Early  Surveyors— The  Gentlemen  Pioneers— Verdant  Lobbyists— Organiza- 
tion—Schools— County  Buildings— Legislators— Political — County  Government  and 
Court  Officers— War  Record— The  Great  Indian  Scare— Railroads— Church  Societies 
and  Cemeteries— Ozaukee  County  Agricultural  Society— Agricultural  Resources — 
The  Press. 

GENERAL    INTRODUCTION. 

Ozaukee  County  is  proportionately  small  in  comparison  to  some  of  the  vast  blocks  which  go  to 
make  up  the  area  of  the  great  State  of  Wisconsin.  It  embraces  seven  towns  in  all,  viz.:  Mequon, 
Ccdarburg,  Grafton,  Port  Washington,  Saukville,  Freilonia  and  Belgium.  These  contain  an  area 
of  216  square  miles,  of  which  the  estimated  value  of  real  estate  and  personal  property  for  the 
year  1880  amounted  to  $6,016,078. 

The  general  surface  is  gently  undulating,  mostly  of  a  tillable  nature,  well  watered,  with 
fine  groves  of  timber  interspersed.  But  few  marshes  remain,  and  speedy  measures  are  being 
taken  to  drain  and  clear  them  fov  the  plow.  When  once  put  in  a  state  of  cultivation,  they  be- 
come the  most  valuable  lands.  The  country  between  the  lake  shore  and  the  Milwaukee  River 
has  a  red-clay  soil  of  great  depth  and  durability,  and  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growth  of 
wheat,  while  west  of  the  river  and  in  the  valleys,  is  found  a  dark-clay  loam,  having  in  places  a 
considerable  mixture  of  sand. 

Wheat  is  the  staple,  although  corn,  oats,  barley  and  rye  are  cultivated  with  success,  as  are 
the  various  vegetables  and  grasses  common  to  the  State.  The  county  is  drained  by  a  number 
of  clear,  lasting  streams,  well  distributed,  the  principal  being  the  Milwaukee  River  and  Cedar 
Creek.  These  streams  afford  excellent  water-power,  the  larger  portion  of  which  has  been  im- 
proved. A  few  small  lakes  are  in  the  towns  of  Saukville  and  Fredonia;  surrounding  these  are 
the  only  extensive  marshes  in  the  county.  Springs  abound  in  the  vicinities  of  Cedarburg  and 
Port  Washington,  several  of  which  have  been  utilized  for  summer  purposes,  and  are  very  liber- 
ally patronized  by  visitors  from  St.  Louis,  Chicago  and  Milwaukee.  Good  wells  are  generally 
easily  obtained  throughout  the  county.  The  timber,  though  not  so  heavy  as  that  farther  inland, 
has  afforded  considerable  revenue,  owing  to  its  close  proximity  to  the  lake,  which  offers  ready 
and  cheap  means  of  transportation.  A  large  portion  of  the  land  has  been  cleared,  yet  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  timber  remains  to  supply  the  home  demands  for  years  to  come. 

Building  material  is  plenty,  a  good  quality  of  cream-colored  brick  being  manufactured  from 
the  clay  subsoil.  Sand  is  abundant  and  easy  of  access.  Ledges  of  Niagara  limestone  project  to> 
and  above  the  surface  at  various  points  throughout  the  county.  The  most  prominent  are  those 
on  the  lake  shore  six  miles  north  of  Port  Washington.  Here  they  attain  a  height  of  eighty 
feet.  Quarries  have  been  opened  in  several  places,  the  largest  being  Noessen's,  north  of  Sauk- 
ville, and  Druecker's,  near  Port  Washington,  from  which  are  taken  a  fair  quality  of  building 
stone  and  material  for  the  manufacture  of  quicklime.  A  good  quality  of  sandstone  is  also  found 
at  points  along  the  Milwaukee  River. 

population. 

The  census  for  1880,  showed  the  population  of  Ozaukee  County  to  be  16,455,  a  gain  over 
that  of  1870  of  nearly  two  thousand,  an  increase  which  is  remarkable  when  the  small  area  of  the 
county  is  taken  into  consideration,  and  the  fact  that  a  large  exodus  has  been  going  on  from  this 


474  BISTORT   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

section  to  the  far  West  during  the  past  ten  years.  Of  the  present  population,  the  Germans  and 
Luxembourgers  comprise  seven-eighths,  the  remaining  eight  being  mostly  Americans,  a  few 
Norwegians,  with  here  and  there  a  representative  from  the  Emerald  Isle. 

These  different  classes  work  harmoniously  together,  and,  by  thrift,  firmness  of  character, 
energy  and  perseverance,  have  succeeded  in  dotting  the  county  with  cozy  dwellings,  while  the 
countrv,  in  general,  presents  to  the  eye  one  continuous  chain  of  fields  and  gardens,  teeming  with 
bountiful  harvests — rich  rewards  justly  merited  by  the  industrious  husbandmen. 

Although  agriculture  affords  the  chief  source  of  wealth,  the  people  are  not  wholly  dependent 
on  the  productions  of  the  soil  for  their  subsistence.  There  are  many  thriving  manufactories; 
twelve  flouring-mills,  ten  foundries  and  machine-shops,  two  extensive  woolen-mills  and  several 
furniture  and  chair  factories,  planing-mills  and  breweries.  In  addition  to  these,  large  milk  and 
cheese  dairies  are  successfully  operated,  which  add  materially  to  the  revenue  of  the  county. 
The  quality  comparing  favorably  with  that  of  Eastern  production,  a  ready  market  awaits  it.  Of 
late  years,  the  farmers  have  devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  bees,  the  soil  along 
the  lake  shore  being  naturally  adapted  to  the  white  clover,  from  which  bees  extract  the  clearest 
honey.  Fruit  trees  have  not  been  neglected,  almost  every  farm  house  or  village  residence  being 
surrounded  with  orchards  of  greater  or  less  magnitude.  Strawberries  are  cultivated  extensively, 
while  the  higher  grounds  are  fast  being  netted  over  with  wires,  upon  which  the  grape  vine  may 
find  support.  The  county  enjoys  excellent  facilities  for  transportation,  both  by  land  and  water, 
A  good  harbor  has  just  been  completed  at  Port  Washington  by  the  Government,  at  a  cost  of 
$200,000.  Lake  vessels  and  steamers  touch  at  this  port  regularly.  Two  lines  of  railway 
traverse  the  entire  length  of  the  county  ;  the  Wisconsin  Central,  passing  up  the  valley  of  the 
Milwaukee  River,  and  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western,  running  nearer  the  lake  shore. 
The  former  was  completed  through  this  county  in  1871 ;   the  latter,  in  1873. 

STOCK-RAISING. 

As  early  as  1858,  the  attention  of  the  settlers  was  given  largely  to  stock-raising,  and  to 
Ozaukee  County  must  be  accredited  the  origin  of  that  excellent  custom  of  having  a  market-day 
or  fair  in  every  town  in  the  county  once  a  month,  which  has  since  been  adopted  in  many  parts 
of  the  States,  particularly  where  the  population  is  largely  foreign.  These  fairs,  the  first  being 
held  in  the  village  of  Saukville  over  twenty-five  years  ago,  under  the  direction  of  B.  O.  Zastrow, 
who  instituted  them,  have  become  very  popular  with  the  farmers  and  stock  buyers,  as  they 
afford  an  excellent  opportunity  for  the  purchase  and  sale  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  besides 
the  products  of  the  farm,  at  a  less  cost  of  time  to  the  farmer,  than  were  he  compelled  to  seek  a 
market  through  the  ordinary  channels  of  trade. 

While  great  business  advantages  are  derived  from  these  fairs,  another  pleasing  feature  about 
them  is  found  in  bringing  the  people  together  socially,  creating  thereby  a  healthy  sentiment  of 
I  fellowship. 

H.  O.  Zastrow,  Kussow,  the  originator  of  these  fairs,  was  a  descendant  of  the  German 
nobility.  On  account  of  his  liberal  views  during  the  revolution  of  1848,  be  was  compelled  to 
leave  bis  native  country  and  tlee  to  London,  where  he  remained  during  the  year  1849,  when 
he  emigrated  to  this  country,  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  four  sons  and  four  daughters, 
following  one  year  later.  Zastrow's  property  was  confiscated  by  the  government,  leaving  him 
entirely  dependent  on  his  own  exertions  for  maintenance.  Highly  educated,  and  of  a  proud 
tempi] anient,  it  required  many  years  of  bitter  experience  lief, re  he  could  adapt  himself  to  the 
practical  and  self-reliant  ways  of  a  free  and  independent  people,  lie  had  liberal  ideas,  but  only 
in  theory.  Zastrow  first  settled  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg.  lie  was  the  first  to  introduce 
the  idea  of  establishing  the  kindergarten  schools.  He  held  for  several  years  the  office  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace  in  that  town,  ami  was  a  candidate  for  County  Judge,  for  which  office  he  was  de- 
feated. He  was  afterward  elected  to  the  State  Legislature.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Port  Washington,  and  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which 
office  he  held  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  July  14.  1X72. 


HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  475 

He  was  a  man  highly  esteemed  for  his  uprightness  of  character  and  just  dealings  with  his 
fellow  men.  On  the  subject  of  religion  he  was  liberal  to  the  extreme,  discountenancing  all 
forms  or  rituals.  Pie  held  with  others  of  the  great  German  freethinkers,  that  man  should  not 
be  hampered  by  creeds,  but  base  his  opinions  on  the  universal  law  of  nature. 

THE    ABORIGINES. 

The  early  settlers  had  found  the  Indians  stationed  at  various  points  along  the  streams  and 
lake  shore.  The  tribes  inhabiting  this  section  prior  to,  and  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  by 
the  whites,  were  the  Menomonees,  Pottawatomies,  Sacs,  Chippewas  and  Foxes.  The  pioneers 
experienced  little  trouble  from  their  dusky  neighbors,  the  Indians  desiring  rather  to  add  to  their 
comfort  than  to  annoy  them  by  hostilities.  This  friendly  and  peaceable  spirit  manifested  by  the 
red  men  was  due  in  a  great  measure  to  the  excellent  management  of  Solomon  Juneau,  who  had 
then  charge  of  the  various  tribes  as  Indian  Agent  of  the  Government.  Juneau  was  a  man  much 
beloved  by  the  early  settlers  of  Ozaukee  County,  and  never  since  the  treaty  of  William  Fenn 
has  any  man  been  held  in  higher  veneration,  or  weilded  more  powerful  influence  over  the 
aborigines  than  did  Solomon  Juneau  over  the  tribes  of  Wisconsin.  With  them  his  word  was 
law  ;  he  was  the  agent  of  the  Great  Father  at  Washington,  and  by  his  just  dealings  with  the 
Indians,  had  won  for  himself  a  place  in  the  savage  heart.  The  Indians  remained  in  the  county 
for  several  years  after  they  had  ceded  their  lands  and  the  whites  begun  to  make  improvements. 
The  last  to  linger  was  an  old  chief  named  Wauheka,  who  had  made  a  small  clearing  near  the 
Milwaukee  River,  where  he  lived  with  remnants  of  the  various  tribes.  The  antiquities  and 
peculiar  characteristics  of  the  aborigines  who  inhabited  this  section  are  more  fully  described  in 
this  volume  in  the  chapter  entitled  "Old  Washington  County." 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

Ozaukee  derives  its  name  from  the  Indian  word  meaning  vellow  earth  or  clav,  the  soil  being 
mostly  of  that  color.  The  territory  of  Ozaukee  County  originally  belonged  to  the  Menom- 
onee  tribe  of  Indians,  who  lived  along  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  for  some  time  prior 
to  its  settlement  by  the  whites.  The  pioneers  of  Ozaukee  County  were  men  capable  of  heroic 
sacrifice,  and  possessed  of  the  same  free  spirit  that  filled  the  breasts  of  the  pilgrim  fathers.  They 
came  here  when  the  land  was  destitute  of  railroads,  not  even  a  wagon  thoroughfare  could  be 
found — nothing  but  an  Indian  trail  to  guide  them  through  the  dense  forests.  There  was  no 
market  for  their  produce,  travel  was  difficult,  sickness  prevalent  aDd  money  scarce.  With  all 
these  obstacles  to  overcome,  these  men  proceeded  to  possess  themselves  of  and  to  beautify  the 
broad  acres  by  the  hand  of  toil,  till  the  lands  that  once  lay  dormant,  bear  on  their  bosoms  grand 
and  silent  witnesses  of  their  indomitable  will  and  patient  toil.  It  is  because  the  pioneers  were 
workers,  and  represent  the  genius  of  the  West,  that  sketches  of  their  lives  are  of  historical 
interest. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

Prominent  among  the  early  settlers  of  1836-37  was  John  Weston,  the  first  Postmaster  in 
the  countv,  located  near  where  the  village  of  Thiensville  now  stands  ;  Timothy  Wooden,  the 
first  settler  of  Grafton  ;  William  Worth,  the  first  man  to  donate  land  for  public  school  purposes; 
Daniel  Strickland,  the  pioneer  School  Commissioner  ;  Joseph  Gardinier,  who  had  the  contract 
for  cutting  the  Green  Bay  road  ;  Peter  Turck,  the  first  to  preach  the  doctrine  of  immersion  ; 
Isaac  Bigelow,  whose  wife,  Jane,  gave  birth  to  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  county  ;  Ephraim 
Woodworth,  who  commenced  to  keep  bachelor's  hall  in  1837,  in  a  little  log  shanty,  and  has 
since  erected  a  small  frame  building,  where  he  still  lives  a  happy  bachelor,  upon  the  quarter- 
section  he  then  located ;  Asa  Jackson,  the  first  white  settler  in  the  town  of  Saukville  ;  Thomas 
Day,  an  exemplary  Englishman,  who  introduced  Sunday ;  and  James  W.  Woodworth,  who 
wrote  a  book  entitled  "My  Path,  and  the  Way  the  Lord  Led  Me,"  and  was  the  first  white  man 
married  in  the  county.  He  and  his  brother  Ephraim  are  the  two  oldest  settlers  now  living  in 
the  county.     The  earliest  German  settlers  arrived  in  1839.     Adolph  Zimmerman  and  his  brother- 


470  HISTOKY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

inlaw,  William  F.  Opitz.  came  in  the  month  of  August  of  that  year,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Mequon.  William  Voegnitz,  with  a  company  of  Lutherans,  came  in  October  31,  1839.  The 
Bonniwells,  an  aged  mother  with  six  sons  and  one  daughter,  came  into  the  county  in  1839. 
Several  of  the  sons  had  families,  and  the  first  schoolhouse  was  erected  in  their  settlement  within 
one  year  after  their  arrival.  E.  H.  Jansen,  Andrew  Geidel  and  John  Hansen  made  a  clearing 
the  same  year.  During  the  fall  of  1839,  the  Freistadt  Colony,  under  the  leadership  of  Pastor 
Krause,  aided  by  Capt.  Von  Rober,  came  and  took  up  nearly  all  the  west  part  of  Mequon  Town- 
ship, and  s i  established  a  Lutheran  Evangelical  Church,  the  first  religious  organization  in  the 

county.  Frederick  V.  Horn  settled  in  Mequon  in  1841.  He  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  built  the  first  store.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  county  history  to  the  present  time. 
Prominent  among  those  who  came  a  few  years  later  were  Col.  William  Teal,  Harvey  J.  Turner, 
George  W.  Daniels,  C.  E.  Chamberlain,  I.  T.  Brown,  Frederick  Hilgen,  William  Schroeder, 
G.  W.  Foster,  Hiram  King,  Orman  Coe,  0.  A.  Watrous,  Hiram  Johnson,  William  Payne  and 
others,  of  whom  sketches  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  old  Washington  County,  in  connection 
with  a  full  description  of  the  settlement  made  at  Pert  Washington  in  1835,  under  the  name  of 
Wisconsin  City.  The  old  settlers  annually  meet  to  renew  friendships  and  recount  the  trials  and 
triumphs  of  pioneer  life  in  Wisconsin. 

THE    OLD   SETTLERS'    CLUB. 

The  Old  Settlers'  Club  was  organized  in  1873,  with  the  following  officers  :  President, 
William  F.  Opitz;  Vice  Presidents,  A.  M.  Allmy  and  Patrick  Halpin  ;  Secretary,  Charles  E. 
Chamberlain;  Treasurer,  J.  W.  Ingersoll ;  Marshal,  Col.  C.  Hornefter ;  Executive  Committee, 
Theodore  Klieforth,  William  Voegnitz  and  John  Bowe.  Several  interesting  addresses  have  been 
delivered  before  the  club  by  G.  W.  Foster,  C.  Coss,  Eugene  Turner  and  others.  Following  are 
the  addresses  of  Eugene  Turner,  William  F.  Opitz,  and  a  letter  from  James  W.  Woodworth.  in 
which  he  outlines  the  early  struggles  and  hardships  from  1837  to  1840: 

AN    IDDRSSS    DELIVERED    liv    WILLtAM    P,  OPITZ,   PRESIDENT    OF   THl'OLO    si:ri  I.KUs'   el. nil,  SKIT.  '28,  1874. 

Fellow  Old  Settlers:  We  are  assembled  bere  to-day  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  adopted  at  the  meeting 
which  has  called  die  ''Old  Settlers'  Club  of  Ozaukee  County"  into  existence.  I  wish  thai  t he  dmies  of  Temporary 
President  of  this  club  had  fallen  upon  t he  shoulders  of  some  one  else  more  capable  of  doing  justice  to  the  station  and 

ti.  the  occasion.      I  am  not  an  offhand  speaker,  and  hiving  lately  1"<i  tin-  u f  my  right    hand,  I  was  compelled   to 

dictate  these  tew  words  t ie  of  my  sous  who  has  put  in  writing  some  of  my  early  recollections  of  the  settlement  of 

old  Washington  County,  part  of  which  is  new  Ozaukee  County.     Trusting  that  these  gatherings  of  the  old  pioneers, 

re  yet  alive,  iiniy  prove  a  source  of  enjoyment  to  us  all,  and  thai  our  club  may  become  as  numerous  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  and  meet  as  often  as  ii  conveniently  can,  I  will  at  once  try  to  describe  whom,  and  what  I  found 
upon  my  first  arrival  iii  the  town  "I  Mequon,  of  old  Washington  County, 

Ii  may  not  I II  "I    I  lie  way  lo  mention  here,  thai  in  giving  my  personal  experiences,  I  am   relating  a  portion 

ol  lie'  early  history  of  the  first  Herman  Settlement  in  Wisconsin. 

In  i he  early  spring  of  the  year  1889,  I  concluded  lo  leave  Germany  and  settle  here  in  the  United  States.  Our 
party  consisted  of  myself  and  wife,  my  father  and  mother,  and  my  brother-in-law,  Adolf  Zimmerman,  and  his  wife, 
my  sister.  We  arrived  in  Milwaukee  in  the  summer  of  1889,  and  found  hut  few  of  our  countrymen,  noi  to 
exceed  l  alt  a  dozen  families,  in  the  then  village  of  Milwaukee.  We  were  advised  by  one  or  two  of  them  to  settle  in 
Washington    lonnty,  and  proeeded  at  .oiee   to  pro -peel    'lie  count  vy,  which  resulted   in  our  set  I  lenient  in  the  town  of 

Mequon.      In    the    same   month    of  OUT   arrival,    we   started   from    Milwaukee  foi r   future    home,  having    entered 

live  eighty-acre  pieces  at  the  land  office,  of  which  I  took  one  quarter-seotion,  Adolf  another  quarter,  and  my  father 
the  remaining  eighty  acres ;  the  whole  land  lay  together  near  the  Green  Bay  road,  and  east  of  the  present  stare 
-.I  l.iiui-  w  g 

As  I  Let',. re   -t  iied,  we  were  the   tir-i  Germans   tlii'    eame   into  Washington    t'nunty,  which  was  then   inhabited 

chiefly  by  wandering  tribes  oi   Indians,  mid  a  lew  white  American  settlers  ;  the  old  Densbrey  plant 'he  town  line 

was  owned  by  a  Mr.  Smith  :  the  next  settler  north,  on  the  lireen  Hiiv  road,  was  Taylor  lleavilou,  on  the  present  William 
Jaeger  place  |  the  next  was  John  Willet,  of  whom  1  bought  an  additional  fractional  quarter-seotion  mi  the  Milwaukee 

River,  lying  im liatelyeasl  of  the  quarter  section  purchased  by  me  from  Government.    Willel  moved  half  a  mile  fan  her 

north,  and  William  Worth,  who  ye oupies  ii Id  place,  lived  between  myself  and  John  Willet;  old  George  Man- 
ley  lived  on  n  claim  a  little  west  hi  T,  lleavilim,  and  the  ipiarler-seclion  afterward  bought  by  Henry  Thien  was 
l  by  one  John   Weston,  who  lived  al   ihe  spring  brook   near  where   Mr  Carby's  house  now  stands,  and  who 

'  thai  time  Postmaster  of  Mequon  Stiver,  northwest  from  our  settlement,  and  lived  with  Peter  Torek  and  some 

■  it  the  I imi ni wells.     These,  l  believe  were  all  the  seniors  of  the  town  of  Mequon   in  the  early  part  of  the  year  is  19, 

while  in  the  whole  county  of  Washington,  but   very  few  other  settlers  oould  be  found  :  they  were,  as  near  as  I  cm 

i    Reuben  Wells  and  Charlej   Sig  ;ini  al  the  falls  of  t ledar  '  reek,  .las.  Gardinier  and  one  other  settler  mar 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  477 

what  is  now  called  Hamilton;  Chase  and  old  Jackson  lived  on  the  Milwaukee  River  at  Saukville,  where  the  mail- 
carrier  put  up  for  dinner  on  his  way  to  and  from  Cheboygan  Falls. 

Timothy  Woodin  and  a  few  other  bachelors  were  clearing  land  and  working  for  some  of  the  settlers.  The  set- 
tlement at  Port  Washington  had  been  abandoned  a  year  or  so  before  our  arrival.  It  is  said  that  the  settlers  in  that 
village  came  near  starving  on  account  of  a  failure  of  the  suckers  to  come  up  Sauk  Creek  at  the  usual  time,  whereupon 
these  enterprising  speculators  left  the  place  in  utter  disgust,  and  did  not  return  until  1843-44.  I  believe  that  the 
only  settler  west  of  Range  21  in  the  old  county  of  Washington  was  Capt.  Levi  Ostrander,  who  resided  near  Menom- 
onee  Falls  in  Germantown. 

To  relate  to  you  here  all  our  mistakes  and  disappointments,  our  joys  anl  sorrows  of  a  first  settlement,  would 
lead  too  far  and  would  occupy  too  much  time  at  present.  1  hope  that  I  shall  hereafter  have  occasion  to  relate  to  you 
many  incidents  that  will  amuse  you.  Better,  far  better  in  many  respects,  would  our  family  have  fared  if  we  had 
settled  nearer  Milwaukee,  where  we  could  have  the  choice  of  the  very  best  laud  for  only  $2.50  per  acre.  This  was 
the  so  called  "canal  land,"  but  rather  than  give  that  price,  we  were  advised  to  travel  ten  miles  through  a  wilderness 
without  any  roads,  to  the  "cheap  lands"  of  SI. 25  per  acre.  This  shows  what  estimate  the  old  German  sealers  of 
the  village  of  Milwaukee  had  of  the  future  growth  of  their  place.  We  had  ample  means  to  purchase  a  whole  section 
of  the  canal  lands  near  the  present  limits  of  the  city  and  enough  money  left  for  the  fir-t  improvement. 

A  great  help  to  us  all  in  this  "wooden"  country  proved  my  brother-in-law,  Adolf,  who  was  a  universal 
genius  with  all  kinds  of  tools  with  which  to  construct,  not  only  the  temporary  log  houses,  but  also  tables,  bedsteads, 
benches,  chairs,  and  all  other  fixtures  in  and  about  the  house  and  sheds. 

Immigration,  especially  among  the  Germans,  came  now  rapidly  into  the  county  since  we  had  made  the  begin- 
ning. In  the  same  year,  the  Altenburg  settlement  west  of  us,  under  the  leadership  of  Andrew  Geidel,  was  made. 
Ed  Jalpen,  H.  Haypen  and  John  Thomson,  jolly  old  bachelors,  purchased  and  settled  opposite  William  Worth's,  on 
the  Milwaukee  River,  but  by  far  the  greatest  number  arriving  in  any  one  body  in  that  year  were  the  congregation 
of  Old  Lutherans,  under  the  leadership  of  their  Pastor  (Krause),  assisted  by  Capt.  Von  Rober  and  his  lieutenant, 
William  Voegnitz,  who  took  up  nearly  the  whole  of  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Mequon 

This  hasty  and  imperfect  sketch  will  close  the  history  of  the  settlements  in  the  year  1839,  and  I  do  not  propose 
for  the  present  to  go  farther  back  and  to  trespass  on  your  time. 

We  all  have  now  arrived  at  the  age  when  we  may  safely  say  that  we  no  longer  look  with  an  ardent  hope  into 
the  future.  This  is  the  exclusive  enjoyment  of  youth.  When  we  were  young  we  looked  to  the  future,  but  now  our 
lives  are  all  made  up  in  the  recollections  of  the  past,  and  in  this  is  the  very  charm  at  our  gatherings,  to  relate  to  each 
other  and  to  the  listening  young  generation,  our  enjoyments  as  well  as  our  hardships  and  adventures  in  first  settling 
this  part  of  the  country.  May  you  all  live  long  to  enjoy  future  meetings  of  this  club  and  this  mutual  story-telling. 
Too  many  old  settlers  have  left  us  already  for,  it  is  hoped,  a  better  world,  where  no  chopping  and  clearing  away  of 
trees,  or  getting  stuck  in  the  mud  with  ox-teams  ought  to  be  our  lot,  for  we  had  plenty  of  it  here  below. 

HOW    THEY    LIVED    IN    THOSE    DAYS LETTER    FROM    JAMES    W.     WOODWORTH. 

My  father  and  I  landed  from  a  steamboat  at  the  little  village  of  Milwaukee  on  the  16th  day  of  June,  1837, 
and  on  the  following  day  struck  into  the  dense  forest  on  an  Indian  trail  in  a  northerly  direction  in  search  of  Isaac 
Bigelow  and  Daniel  Strickland,  who  had  moved  in  the  winter  before,  and  had  made,  each  of  them,  a  claim  of  land. 
We  followed  the  trail  some  fourteen  or  fifteen  miles,  calling  at  two  shanties  on  our  way,  the  only  ones  that,  we  saw  for 
the  whole  distance.  These  were  occupied  by  Americans,  the  first  by  three  sturdy  looking  men,  viz.,  Taylor  Haver- 
lin,  Hanspiker  and  John  Western.  John  Western  told  us  all  he  knew,  appealing  to  Hauspiker  if  he  was  correct 
about  the  distance  to  Bigelow's.  The  next  shanty  was  on  the  left  of  the  trail,  between  Mequon  and  Thiensville,  occu- 
pied by  an  easy,  good  sort  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  Isham  Day,  who  had  a  wife  and  family.  Mrs.  Day  being  a  niece 
of  our  friend  Bigelow,  we  got  good  instructions  at  this  place,  and  two  miles  north  of  this,  on  the  right  ot  the  trail, 
we  were  to  find  a  tree  blazed,  and  writing  showing  the  course  and  distance  from  there  to  Isaac  Bigelow's.  We  found 
the  tree  providentially,  with  just  eoough  daylight  left  to  read  the  writing,  which  was:  "One  and  one-third  mile  to 
I.  Bigelow's,  east  by  the  river."  This  was  a  hlind  trail,  but  we  felt  it  out  with  our  feet,  and  made  our  way  through 
before  it  wa9  entirely  dark.  My  brother  did  not  fare  so  well,  as  he  had  to  lay  out  in  the  woods  the  night  before, 
crawling  out  on  a  tree  which  leaned  over  Cedar  Creek  to  escape  the  wolves,  and  the  next  day,  hearing  a  dog  bark,  he 
found  Daniel  Strickland's,  but  before  they  were  up,  and  calling  out  was  answered  by  D.  Strickland,  "Who's 
there'"'  "A  friend."  was  the  response.  The  old  soldier  and  sailor  then  got  up  and  opened  the  door,  and  knew 
him,  and  welcomed  him  in.  These  two  families,  viz.,  Daniel  Strickland's  and  Isaac  Bigelow's,  were  the  first  settlers 
by  the  river  along  here,  Isaac  Bigelow  on  Section  12,  Town  9,  and  Daniel  Strickland  on  Section  36,  Town  10.  These, 
with  ourselves  and  some  others  who  deserve  a  record  here  endured  hardships.  Strickland,  to  begin  with,  was 
burned  out  the  first  winter  and  all  his  effects  consumed.  He  got  some  assistance  in  his  trouble  from  others  who  were 
more  fortunate,  yet  it  was  hard  scratching,  but  they  lived  through  it  all  by  God's  help.  Grubbing  away  among  the 
stumps  and  raising  a  little  corn,  they  burned  a  hole  in  the  end  of  a  stump  for. a  mortar,  got  a  stone  from  the  lake 
shore,  pounded  up  their  corn  into  a  sort  of  meal,  and  made  cakes  and  pudding,  and  thus  got  along  for  a  while  until 
better  times.  On  the  19th  day  of  June,  1837,  my  brother  and  I  each  took  up  a  claim  of  land,  and,  on  the  21st  of 
June,  we  went  down  on  the  Milwaukee  River  in  a  scow-boat  to  get  some  provisions  and  our  chest  ;  returned  on  tne 
23d  of  same  month.  Our  father  stayed  with  ns  until  the  18th  of  July,  and  then  started  on  his  way  to  Nova  Scotia. 
As  for  myself,  I  made  a  small  opening  by  the  river,  and  got  in  a  half  bushel  of  winter  wheat.  1  shantied  alone 
through  i lie  winter,  and  in  the  spring  obtained  an  helpmeet  for  me — a  friend  in  need  and  a  friend  indeed — a  good 
and  wise  councilor — a  favor  from  the  Lord.  We  were  married  on  the  1st  day  of  March,  1838,  and,  I  think,  ours  was 
the  first  marriage  solemnized  in  this  county.  Francis  Drake's,  1  think,  was  the  next.  He  married  a  young  lad*  wlm 
came,  I  think,  with  Mr.  Graves'  family  and  lived  at  Port  Washington.     The  first  male  child  horn  in  the  town  of  Me- 


478 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON    AND   O/ATKEE  COUNTIES. 


quon,  I  think,  was  Gideon  Bigelow  ;  the  second.  I  think,  was  Watson  P.  Woodworth.  The  first  female  child  whs 
Abigail  Strickland,  Town  10.     Isaac  Fellows  had  a  son  born,  pretty  near  the  first  in  the  town  of  Mequon. 

In  the  summer  of  1838,  my  good  wife  and  I  reaped  our  first  crop  of  wheat  with  case-knives,  and  in  the  fall  I 
borrowed  an  us  and  light  wagon  of  my  friend  Bigelow,  and  set  out  for  Kilbuurntown,  in  Milwaukee,  where  they  had 
already  started  a  mill.  I  arrived  there  near  night,  and  was  sent  on  to  look  for  "  Hart's  Mill,"  on  the  Menominee, 
about  six  miles  from  the  first,  but  did  not  get  there  until  the  next  morning.  1  found  lodgings  on  the  way  in  a 
deserted  ]o<r  cabin,  with  the  ox  laying  in  the  center  and  myself  curled  up  in  a  corner.  This,  1  think,  was  in  Novem- 
ber, and  there  was  a  little  snow  on  the  ground.  I  reached  the  mill  pretty  early  in  the  morning.  Mr.  Hart  told  me 
they  would  grind  my  wheat,  but  could  not  bolt  it.  and  took  the  job  on  those  conditions,  for  I  felt  glad  to  get  it 
ground  even  in  that  way.  I  got  back,  I  think,  some  time  during  the  night  of  that  day.  This  was  probably  the  first 
grist  of  wheat  taken  to  mill  from  this  town.  The  next  year  my  brother  and  I  bought  a  pair  "f  oxen  in  partnership 
and  1  had  another  job  of  going  to  mill,  taking  some  grain  for  my  neighbor  Strickland,  as  well  as  for  myself.  Follow- 
ing the  section  line  two  miles  west  of  my  house.  I  made  my  way  again  to  Hart  s  Mill,  and  from  there  to  Waukesha, 
where  I  got  my  grist  ground,  and  got  home,  I  think,  on  the  third  day. 

In  the  year  1838,  I'eter  Turck  had  got  up  hie  saw-mill,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1889,  he  brought  me  a  load  of 
lumber  for  the  roof  of  my  log  house,  and  aftorward  some  flooring — this  in  payment  for  work.  We  had  as  yet  no  road 
cut  out,  hut  wound  our  way  through  the  woods — on  the  line  where  Mr.  Strickland  and  I  and  Stephen  Loonier  had 
hacked  out  a  few  saplings,  and  chopped  out  some  logs,  so  that  a  team  could  get  along.  1  think  this  was  the  same 
year  that  John  Western,  and  Timothy  Wooden,  anil  Mr.  Graves,  took  the  job  of  chopping  out  the  Green  Bay  road, 
felling  the  heavy  trees,  and  rolling  them  out  with  stout  ox  teams  along  this  section  of  the  country  as  far  as  Port 
Washington. 

Reuben  Wells  was  the  next  after  I'eter  Turck  to  get  a  saw-mill  running  in  this  country,  anil  he  has  the  honor 
of  grinding  the  first  grain  in  this  county,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge.  Mr.  Thien  built  the  first  regular  tlouring- 
mill  in  this  town  ;   Messrs.  Ililegen  &  Scroder  the  first  in  Town  10.  Cedarburg.  , 

The  firBl  election  ever  held  in  this  county  was  in  the  tall  of  1*37.  in  Port  Washington,  either  at  the  house  ol 
Mr.  Harrison  or  Mr.  Graves.  I  think.  I  attended  this  meeting,  and  was  there  elected  one  of  tin-  Judges.  Mr. 
Graves  was  another  A  few  Justices  were  elected  at  this  meeting,  and  their  names  sent  in  to  Gov.  Doty  for  bis  sanc- 
tion and  appointment.  I  got  my  commission  from  the  Governor  soon  after,  but  not  being  yet  naturalized  1  did  not 
act,  though  soiiic  did  act  who  were  in  the  same  condition,  and,  by  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  their  actions  were 
legalized.  I  also  received  a  note  from  Mr.  Blossom,  of  Milwaukee,  saying  that  I  was  authorized  to  act  in  t lie  capacity 
of  Judge  of  Elections  until  another  was  appointed  in  my  place,  but  I  did  not  use  this  authority  either. 

Quite  a  few  Americans  and  Irish  began  to  settle  in  1838-30,  but  part  of  them  became  sick  of  so  much  toil  and 
hardship,  and  having  no  money  left,  embraced  the  first  opportunity,  when  the  Germans  ciinic  in  1840,  to  sell  nit 
choice  farms  with  the  improvements  they  had  made  on  them,  for  a  mere  trifle,  and  either  left  the  country  entirely. 
or  took  new  farms  in  some  other  part  of  the  State.  Others,  with  more  grit  and  endurance,  stuck  to  it  as  it  began  to 
look  brighter  in  1841-42;  but  those  coining  in  after  this  lime  found  provisions  raised  by  the  hard  toil  of  the  first 
settlers,  which  could  then  be  bought  for  almost  nothing,  as  these  old  pioneers  were  greatly  in  need  of  money.  In  the 
year  1845,  I  hauled  nice  Bpring  wheat  to  Milwaukee,  and  sold  it  there  for  4n  cents  per  bushel,  and  yet  those  moving 
in  to  the  conntry  at  that  time,  think  they  breasted  all  difficulty,  but  it  was  not  so.  tor  they  found  plenty  of  pro- 
visions, and  tolerably  f I  roads  into  the  town,  and  it  was  not  often  that  their  wagons  would  get  stuck  in  a  mud  hole, 

and  the  team  flounce  and  Btruggle  lor  a  half  hour  or  so  before  they  could  he  got  out,  and  sometimes  get  broken  down 
ten  or  twelve  miles  from    home  compelled  to  leave  all  until  the  next  day,  ami    then    procure   help  and   return  for  the 
broken  wagon  and  its  load.      This  was  just  my  fix  once.     John  Western  lent  me  his  oxen  to  put  with   mine,  and  with 
both  pain  we  brought  home  the  broken  curt  and  my  grist  of  Hour      The  cart  1  had  already  borrowed  of  him  t 
mill  with,  and  as  he  said   two   bushels  of  onions  would   satisfy  him    for  getting  it  mended.  I  gave   ihem   to  him  with 

many  thanks  for  hi"  kindness.     Mr.  Western  was  a  rough  man,  but  had  many  g 1  qualities.     He  ha-  long  ago  gone 

and  of  alt  il Id    pioneers  who  settled  iii  this  county  in  1*37,  I  know  of  none  still   living  in  the  oounty,  except    my 

brother    Epbraim  W I  worth,  and  myself  ;    and  how  soon  it  will  be  said  of  us.  "  They  are  gone,"  God  only  knoweth, 

Stephen  Loomer.  who  was  here  in  183b.  is  gone:  but  his  widow  still  lives,  also  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  I  have 
the  same  number  still  living,  viz..  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  there  are.  this  side  of  the  grave,  of  eleven  chil- 
dren whom  God  graciously  gave  us  and  the  mother  of  nine  of  t  hese  is  gone  :  but  in\  faith  tells  me  1  shall  meet  them 
in  a  brighter  world,  where  we  shall  see  no  more  sorrow,  and  endure  no  more  pain,  bin  our  happiness  will  be  un- 
mijed  with  the  evils  thai  beset  lie  lute. 

In  this  faith  of  the  world's  Redeemer.  I  live.      In  this  faith  I  hope  to  die 

Please,  gentleman,  make  n  note  of  this,  and  much   oblige  an  old  settler  ot  the  county  of  Ozaukee.  Wis. 

Fours  very  truly,  and  respectfully,  James  w     Woodwobth, 


liDiytESS    I'.KI'UKK    TIIK    OLD    SETTI.KKS     rill:. 

The  following  address   was  delivered  before  the  Old  Settlers'  Club  by  Hon.  Iv  S.  Turner, 
in  Port  Washington,  September  14,  1880: 

PlOKl  i  it- .       \-  the  I  iidiau  race  which  preceded  u>  l.ec  une  educated  from  one  generation  to  another  to  a  degree 
that  would  satisfy  their  vain  ambitions,  small  necessities  and  great  Belflshness,  and  minister  to  then-  brutality  :  that 

would  increase  their  ounning  and  endurance  in  the  ohase  and  in   the   conflict,  and   as   they   became   further  along  in 
their  generations   educated  to  the  necessities  of  maintaining  tribal  relations  and  anions  for  mutual  protection  and 

for  perpetuity,  so  the  while  ~ur jor  of  the  Indian  race  upon    this   fair  bind,  studded  with  cities,  and  villages,  and 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  479 

farms,  evinces  the  greatest  advances  in  invention,  in  civilized  and  enlightened  progress,  for  any  age  that  has  pre- 
ceded it:  they  have  been  reared  and  educated  by  progenitors  of  the  most  varied  thoughts  and  convictions,  of  the 
most  varied  1  inguages,  methods  and  social  relations,  so  when  planting  themselves  on  this  new  soil  they  exhibited  to 
the  world  and  to  each  other  such  determination  urging  them  upward  and  forward,  that  they  have  been  able  to  suc- 
ceed in  confronting  every  necessity  with  will,  energy  and  success.  It  is  fitting,  indeed,  that  that  spirit  which 
prompted  them  to  leave  easier  and  less  toilsome  lives,  among  settled  youthful  friendships,  and  embark  in  the  uncer- 
tain hazards  of  the  pioneer,  should  be  as  it  is,  surmounted  and  crowned  by  the  love  of  liberty,  freedom  and  pro- 
gress for  themselves  and  their  children,  for  they  have  readily  assimilated  to  the  more  correct  thoughts  and  methods 
of  each  other,  and  come  to  the  strongest  bulwarks  of  the  State  and  Government. 

And  although  this  is  a  home  picture,  our  sympathies  and  our  knowledge  will  not  allow  us  to  view  it  as  too 
highly  colored  or  overwrought. 

Far  more  of  that  generation  have  left  us  than  remain.  Those  who  remain  are,  with  rapidity,  as  time  passes, 
dropping  out  by  the  way.  Time  is  inexorable,  and  it  brings  tne  present  generation  well  along  to  middle  life,  and 
but  a  short  space  of  time  will  be  passed  before  we  lew  survivers  in  old  age  shall  see  them  commence  the  hesitating 
downward  line  of  march. 

We  are  too  apt,  without  reflection,  to  credit  a  generation  with  the  full  accomplishment  in  any  item  of  improve- 
ment, or  any  general  progress  to  which  it  has  advanced.  This  is  all  wroni:.  Could  the  Indian  or  African  invent, 
utilize  and  use  the  steam  power,  the  telegraph,  telephone,  electric  light,  harvester  or  sewing-machine?  Never! 
Could  he  create  and  use  the  bow  and  arrow,  the  trap  or  the  hatchet?  Yes.  And  why  the  difference?  Because  his 
education  had  only  been  brought  to  that  point ;  his  surroundings  comprehended  nothing  further;  it  satisfied  his 
necessities  from  yeir  to  year.  And  as  nothing  more  ennobling,  more  Godlike,  more  happifying  pushed  aside  the 
cloudy  atmosphere  surrounding  the  mind,  letting  in  the  clear  light  of  advancement,  he  was  content  with  satisfying, 
and  the  means  to  satisfy  his  rude  necessities. 

»e  may  well  pause  and  look  around  us  in  every  direction.  Yes,  away  out  upon  those  inland  seas,  anil  see  our 
land  and  our  water  courses  covered  literally,  and  alive  with  the  accumulations  of  industry,  and  materialized,  prud- 
ent and  wise  thought,  devoted  to  the  mind  cravings,  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  man  and  womankind.  And 
when  we  do  so,  we  are  led  emphatically  to  apostrophize:  "Verily,  peace  hath  her  victories  not  less  renowned  than 
war." 

But  what  has  wrought  these  rapid  changes  in  the  panorama?     Who  has  produced  these  wonderful  results? 

They  flow  from  the  hands  of  the  preceding  and  present  generations.  But  did  they  produce  them?  No!  Let 
us  give  the  credit  to  whom  it  belongs;  let  us  divide  this  matter  of  propitious  and  favorable  results  upon  the  people 
of  the  present  day,  with  all  the  accumulated  blessings,  among  those  who  have  done  the  work  ;  those  who  have 
earned  their  title  to  the  property,  and  hand  them  over  to  the  faithful  keeping  of  those  who  can  now  use  them,  that 
they  may  ke-'p  them  bright  and  improve  upon  them,  and  make  themselves  and  others  happy  in  their  use.  Let  it  be 
enjoined  upon  them  that  they  shall  not  let  them  rust;  that  they  shall  not  lorget  the  cunning  which  produced  ihem. 
Let  us  be  just  and  admit  that  our  ancestors  knew  something  as  well  as  ourselves.  Let  us  understand  that  but  for 
the  knowledge  derived  from  them,  as  the  result  of  their  prolonged  thought,  privations  and  struggles,  we  would  now 
be  compelled  to  pass  through  what  they  did,  and  very  doubtful  if  as  favorably,  certainly  not  more  so,  if  environed 
with  their  surroundings. 

We  will  not  then  be  silent  when  the  virtues  and  merits  of  ancestry  are,  if  not  directly  condemned,  at  least 
overlooked. 

Kilty-five  years  ago  the  father  of  the  speaker  occupied  twenty-five  days  continuous  travel  by  public  conveyance 
in  going  from  Oswego  to  Washington,  besides  several  weeks  at  the  latter  place  in  procuring  a  patent  for  an  invention 
for  his  father. 

How  few  indeed  would  be  the  improvements  for  the  advantage  of  the  people  of  to-day.  if  such  tasks,  trials  and 
expense  sti.od  in  the  doorway  to  them  ?  No  production  of  utility,  and  considered  indispensable  to  us,  no  matter  how 
simple,  apparently,  but  has  been  brought  forth  through  darkness,  clouds,  obstructions,  delays,  heartaches,  failures, 
and  in  more  cases  than  we  are  apt  to  imagine,  the  martyrdom  of  hosts  of  devoted,  honest,  meritorious  men  and  their 
families.  Yes,  even  to  their  death,  the  numbers  are  great,  who  have  worked  to  conquer;  to  break  the  crust  that 
enwrapped  the  jewels  they  sought ;  to  open  the  door  that  would  let  in  the  light;  that  light  which  we  now  have  and 
enjoy  as  freely  as  the  air.  we  breathe,  and  with  as  little  consideration  that  it  required  prolonged  and  painful  human 
struggles  to  produce  the  first  faint  glimpses  of  the  same.  For,  be  it  known,  that  tLere  are  none  so  wise  as  those  who 
are  wise  in  their  own  conceit.  Of  such,  the  great  mass  of  mankind  has  ever  been,  and  ever  will  be  composed.  They 
ever  have,  and  ever  will,  laugh  at  innovations  or  anything  aggressive  upon  established  methods,  and  hinder  and 
obstruct  them  until  rays  of  light  flash  across  the  vision,  forcing  them  to  yield  a  tardy  compliance  with  flinty  and 
unyielding  truths. 

And.  when  we  uprear  just,  speaking  and  lasting  monuments  as  grand  mementoes,  and  applaud  ancestral  effort, 
we  desire  to  make  no  distinction  in  themes  or  subjects,  for  all  subjects,  theological,  ethical,  philosophical,  mechanical, 
agricultural,  political  or  legal,  have  yielded  their  crudeness  to  their  well-directed  labor,  until  they  begin  to  assume 
the  resemblance  typically  of  "  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver." 

If,  then,  we  are  disabused  of  our  conceit,  and  realize  that  we  are  not  the  wonderful  builders  of  this  age  of  won- 
ders solely  ;  that  what  we  have  was  not  born  in  or  with  us,  but  rather  to  a  greater  degree  than  pleasantly  accords 
with  our  natures:  understand,  that  we  have  received  what  we  have  and  are,  mostly  by  inheritance,  and  that  ii  iH 
appropriated  by  the  people  of  t  >-day  without  thanks  or  compensation  therefor ;  then  it  follows,  as  a  logical  conclusion, 
that  the  debt  of  the  living  present  is  not  with  them,  hut  to  those  who  now  only  live  by  acts  and  deeds  finished  and 
past,  but  who  have  pioneered  the  various  fields  and  subjects,  and  prepared  the  same  for  our  improvements  and 
enjoyment,  occupation  and  use.  The  present  and  succeeding  generations  will  ever  have  an  undischarged  obligation 
to  those  which  preceded.     Slightly  different  are  we  now  than  we  would  endeavor  to  lead  people  to  suppose.     Instead 


480  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

of  being  creditors,  we  are  of  the  debtor  class,  and  scheduled  as  such.  Most  people  that  arc  in  debt  want  in  get  out  ; 
it  is  the  burl  hen  of  their  anxiety  day  and  night ;  they  want  to  get  out  and  be  placed  on  the  list  of  creditors  :  it_lroubles 
them  worse  than  a  broken  leg;   a  complicated  and  uncertain  law-suit,  or  a  nightmare. 

They  need  not  be  over-anxious  :  they  will  get  out  if  they  will  only  take  things  cool  and  easy,  and  not  shoot  or 
cut  themselves  out.  They  get  out  really  much  taster  than  they  want  to  ;  they'll  have  a  great  many  good  intentions, 
and  much  unfinished  work,  which  they  think  can't  be  carried  out  or  completed  by  others;  but  they  must  leave  it 
when  they  have  got  out  of  the  list  of  debtors;  they  are  at  once  transferred  to  the  list  of  creditors  :  their  debts  are  all 
discharged  ;  they  have  finished  their  work,  and  they  and  their  work  have  created  its  debt  upon  the  living.  We  all 
hope  that  the  credit  to  us  shall  be  of  no  meiger  proportions  ;  but  that  the  page  shall  be  emblazoned  all  across  the  top 
of  it,  "  The  world  hat  been  better,  for  your  having  lived  in  it." 

Such  are  the  pioneer  characters,  whom  we  regard  with  veneration,  and  delight  in  bringing  back  to  memory  ; 
an  1  such  are  the  characters  we  hope  to  possess  while  here,  and  to  leave  as  the  heritage  to  those  who  live,  or  who 
may  come  after  us. 

It  is  such  that  we  have  assembled  to-day  to  remember  and  venerate;  to  speak  of  by  incidents,  as  if  they  still 
moved  among  us  to  call  up  before  us  their  features,  their  words,  their  daily  life,  and  to  ask  ourselves  to  answer 
truthfully,  are  we  as  good  as  they  were?  We,  to-day,  cast  a  parting  Bigh  and  tear  in  memory  of  those  whom  we  well 
knew,  and  often  met  in  public  and  social  life,  but  who  have  been  more  recently  called  from  our  society.  It  seems 
to  day  that  they  are  with  us;  so  fresh  is  our  remembrance  of  them  among  us  that  (hey  yet  add  to  our  temporal  and 
spiritual  enjoyment  :  that  they  yet  prompt  us  to  come  forward  at  frequent  periods,  and  pour  out  our  voluntary  tributes 
of  love  and  esteem  for  ourselves  and  for  those  who  had  preceded  them,  with  character  and  example  worthy  of  their 
and  our  encomiums,  and  to  be  held  up  as  examples  to  us. 

And.  am  1  right  then,  when  I  assert  that  the  good  ones  of  the  past  yet  live  with  us.  and  with  those  who  are 
rising  to  take  our  places?  That  in,  and  with  us.  and  with  ours,  their  history  repeats  itself;  that  with  the  future 
active,  living,  struggling  people,  their  history  will  be  repeated  through  us  with  the  additions  we  have  tntde?  And 
what  shall  these  additions  be?  If  that  man  is  a  benefactor  of  his  fellow,  who  causes  one  extra  blade  of  grass  to  grow, 
so  is  the  man  or  woman,  who,  in  making  ud  her  addition  of  items  of  personal  history,  adds  one  temporary  or  perma- 
nent item  to  the  genera]  weal,  that  lifts  one  ounce  from  the  enchained,  the  oppressed,  the  weak,  the  needy,  or  sup- 
plants one  particle  of  misery  with  hope  and  cheerfulness. 

Let  it  be  understood,  however,  that  we  are  not.  and  do  not  intend  to  be  of  any  narrow,  carping  class,  win, 
are  always  seeing  the  superlative  blessings  of  an  existence  in  some  other  place,  and  thai  superlative  meanness, 
jealousies,  recklessness,  selfishness  and  misery  have  only  an  abiding  place  righl  above  Ul  :  hnl  that  right  here  with 
our  present  associations  and  surroundings,  if  not  the  most  matured  and  advanced  in  the  progressive  elements,  we 
v.i  have  a  community  and  locality  blessed  with  all  the  material  needed  by  the  perfect  builder.  Thai  ii  lias  been 
and  yet  is  our  heritage;  that  it  is,  if  good  or  bad,  what  we  have  made  it,  that  it  will  be  what  we  shall  impress  upon 
it,  and  thai  with  all  the  materials  at  hand,  it  is  with  us  to  say  if  it  shall  or  shall  not  be  abreast  of,  if  nol  in  advance 
of  others. 

Although  our  thoughts  have  been  directed  largely  to  the  commendation  of  those  who  have  finished  their  earthly 
work,  yet  we  are  not  of  that  class  who  believe  that  with  them  all  that  is  good  in  mind  or  habit,  past,  present  and  io 
come,  has  departed.  We  fully  believe  that  year  by  year  mankind  grow-  wiser  and  better.  Mankind  has  appeared 
to  lapse  in  different  periods  into  less  refinement  and  intelligence,  but  the  germ  once  produced  still  lives.  Since  pre- 
historic times  the  race  has  advanced  us  atfectcd  by  different  processes  and  reasons,  and  by  localities  favorable  or 
unfavorable,  in  intelligence  and  dominion.  It  must  be  conceded  thai  in  wisdom  and  humanity  we  are  far  in  advance 
of  those  :il  the  dawning  of  the  I 'hrislian  era,  and  the  s-une  in  the  matter  of  tolerating  opinions.  That  the  general- 
ship of  Titus,  Alexander.  Hannibal,  and  even  of  Napoleon,  would  not  answer  for  the  present  improved  methods  :,n  I 
conditions  of  carrying  0D  war.  although  elements  of  greatness  and  mastery  then,  would  Contribute  largely  to  great- 
ness and  mastery  now.  And  it  would  be  impossible  al  this  day  to  stir  with  seal  and  devotion  any  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  inabitants  of  Western  Europe  to  a  crusade  for  the  Holy  Sepulcher. 

Ilei s  and   heroines,  patriots,  martyrs,  pools,  authors,  inventors,  philosophers,  benefactors,  are  to  the  modern 

mind  the  canonized  saints  of  formerdays  and  former  histories,  and  are  sought  for  and  mourned  for  to-day.  Others 
ot  our  day  have  been  and  will  be  equal  in  all  the  saintly  attributes,  and  stand  forth  the  her  IBS  and  heroines  of  the 
histories  of  their  times.  They  will  stand  immortal  upon  just  as  high  i  pedestal,  and  be  entitled  to  just  as  high 
seats  as  important  service. 

I  spe  ik  this  for  the  satisfaction  of  ourselves  and  in  justification  of  posterity,  to  tear  away  the  veil  which  mysti- 
fies or  excludes  the  present,  and  to  open  wide  the  doors  which  shall  lighten  up  into  a  bright  reality  die  vision  ot' 
the  past.  The  hi-iory  of  our  day  will  be  just  as  important  to  mankind,  andjusl  as  import  mi  to  posterity  ami  gen- 
erations yel  unborn,  a-  any  which  has  preceded  it. 

It  is  not  proper  for  me  on  this  occasion  to  present  the  history  of  ourselves,  it  might  be  even  more  partial  than 
just.  I  be  prominent  incidents  and  occurrences  will  be  undoubtedly  gathered  up  and  discussed  with  more  or  leee 
fairness  in  the  future.  It  is  for  us  then  to  so  order  and  elevate  our  lives,  our  thoughts,  and  efforts,  either 
a-   in  lividuals,  families,  organizations,  social,  religions,  moral  or  poetical,  thai  we   may  vie  with    any  of  our   pioneer 

anoestors,  along  back  through  the  ages   md  generations  passed  away,  and  be,-  pi  illy  entitled  with  them  to  praise 

and  commendation,  and  1 nrobed  with  saintly  attributes  by  the  general  ion-  v < •  t  lo  come. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


481 


birth 


Following  are  the  names  recjrded  in  the  old  settlers'  roster,   with  time  of  settlement  and 


Year  of 

Settlement. 


NAMES. 

Leopold  Egliart 1849 

Conrad  Horneffer* 1  SS4<> 

William  Vogenitz 1839 

Theodore  Kliefoth 1854 

C.  E.  Chamberlin 1843 

Johnson    W.  Ingersoll* 1847 

Fred  W.  Horn 1841 

Alex.  M.  Ailing 1852 

William  F.  Opitz 1839 

Dr.  Theodore  Harting 1847 

Hugo   Boclo 1846 

J.  A.  Schtelz* 1849 

Ed    H.  Janssen* 1840 

Anthony  Ahlhauser 184") 

Andreas  Bodendorfer 1847 

Adolph  Heidkamp* 1854 

William  A.  Pors 1849 

John  Gengler 1846 

Joseph   Malherbe 1854 

John  C.  Schroeltng 1853 

OharlesC.  Meyer 1843 

J.  Briggs  Ingersoll* 1847 

Adolph  Zimmerman 1839 

John  C.  Corrigan 1853 

Shepherd  E.  Moore 1844 

Patrick  Halpin 1843 

Rufus  Godfrey 1847 

Ernst  Hilgen 1847 

August  Meyer 1847 

Eugene  S.  Turner 1846 

Ulrieh  Landolt 1848 

George  C   Daniels* 1844 

Peter  Spehn 1845 

George  W.  Foster 1845 

Hervey  L  Coe 1844 

John  Neuens 18i2 

John  Delles 1846 

John  J.  Race 1846 

John  R.  Bohan 1846 

William  Boxhorn* 1846 

Anthony  Bell 1847 

Hugh  McElroy 1842 


Tear  of 
Birth. 

1824 
1  s  l ;, 
1820 
1813 
1818 
1818 
1815 
1807 
1816 
1820 
1827 
1828 
1815 
1827 
1828 
1821 
1S27 
1846 
1846 
1816 
1827 
1816 
1814 
1824 
1827 
1813 
1820 
l*:;i 
1840 
1824 
1822 
1800 
1815 
1817 
1836 
1831 
1817 
1840 
1824 
1819 
1824 
1812 


Year  of  Year  of 

NAMES.                                                          Settlement.  Birth. 

Nicholas  Wat  ry 184-  1812 

Nicholas  Langers 1846  18H 

Norman  S.  Turner 1852  1829 

Nicholas  Straus 1847 

Fred  C.  Race 1846  18;, li 

Orman  Coe* 1846  1799 

John  Mueller 1846  1829 

Michael  G.  Ruppert 1849  1848 

Charles  F.  Corley 1850  1836 

Edward  O'Neile ls:,4  1826 

Lyman  Morgan 1847  1S14 

Boltward  Patch 1847  1819 

Nicholas  Blinier 1851  1815 

William  H.  Landelt 1848  1844 

Joseph  Albrecht 1855  1831 

Fred  Stenerwald* 1846  1838 

La  Fayette  Towsley 1847  1824 

Niels  Jacobson 1854  1820 

William  Carbys 1855  1826 

Charles  Ferge 1855  1826 

Theobold   Rulby 1854  1830 

Ed  R.  Blake 1848  1814 

James  W.  Vail 1848  1826 

August  Hodan 1845  1842 

Julius  W.  Sizer 1846  1823 

Charles  Beger* 1846  1822 

John   B.  Petter 1854  1825 

Gottlieb  Haas 1846  1825 

H.  W.    Uiemenschneider 1848  1832 

Wilson  F.  Stewart 1816 

Giles  B.  Possen 1833 

John  Simon 1842  1819 

Andrew  Kreutzer 1840  1836 

Mrs.  John  M.  Bostwick 1848  1*42 

Henry  B.  Schwin 1845  1844 

Mrs.  O.  P.  Melin 1S47  1888 

William  Beger 1846  1820 

August  Koeuig 1854  1828 

John  P.  Weyker 1845  1886 

Bartholomew  Harrington 1843  1829 

Henry  Peterman 1863  1833 


Of  Col.  William  Teall,  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  founders  of  Port  Washington  Village, 
and  a  stanch  friend  of  the  county  as  long  as  he  lived,  a  biographer  gave  the  following  sketch  at 
the  time  of  his  death. 

"  The  late  Col.  William  Teall,  who  died  so  suddenly  at  his  residence  in  Port  Washington, 
on  Friday,  February  7,  1873,  was  a  man  possessed  of  many  of  those  peculiar  characteristics, 
which,  among  the  mass,  individualize  one  from  the  others  of  their  species.  When  such  leave 
their  place  in  society,  a  gap  is  created  not  readily  filled.  His  father,  Joseph  Teall,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  entering  the  army  from  Connecticut  at  fourteen  years  of  age  and  serving 
faithfully  for  seven  years,  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  the  first  man  of  the  colonial  troops 
that  set  foot  in  New  York  City  when  it  was  evacuated  by  the  British.  Col.  Teall  was  the  fourth 
son,  born  at  Fairfield,  Herkimer  County,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  paternal  homestead, 
May  11,  1797.  A  portion  of  that  homestead  was  soon  after  donated  to  the  Fairfield  Medical 
College,  the  first  institution  of  the  kind  west  of  Poultney,  Vt.,  and  which  has  helped  give  to 
the  world  such  names  as  Willoughby,  Boardman,  Brainard,  Delamater,  and  a  host  of  other  shin- 
ing lights  in  the  medical  profession.     These  incidents  are  mentioned  to  show  the  early  associa- 

*  Names  marked  thus  are  deceased. 


482  HISTORY  OP    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES. 

tion.  patriotic  training  and  discipline  through  which  the  subject  of  this  article  passed,  and  which 
had  so  marked  an  effect  upon  his  life.  At  seventeen  years  of  age  he  taught  a  school  at  Erie, 
Penn.,  a  place  then  of  less  than  one  thousand  inhabitants.  There  he  remained  over  a  year, 
ami  returning  to  Fairfield  pursued  his  studies  and  labored  upon  the  farm  for  a  time,  but  a  grow- 
ing impatience  for  a  more  extended  field  of  enterprise  found  him,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  with 
extensive  contracts  for  surveying  into  farms  a  large  portion  of  unsettled  country  in  the  northern 
part  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  soon  married  Rhoda,  daughter  of  Capt.  Robert 
Conant,  of  the  Federal  army  of  1812,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued until  he  was  thirty-six  years  of  age,  most  of  that  time  occupying  responsible  official  posi- 
tions with  such  men  as  Silas  Wright,  Preston  King,  Judge  Fine,  R.  H.  Gillett,  and  others. 
Mrs.  Harvey  G.  Turner,  a  daughter  of  Col.  Teall,  and  the  wife  of  the  pioneer  lawyer  of  Wash- 
ington and  Ozaukee  Counties,  Harvey  G.  Turner,  now  living  in  Manitowoc  City,  has  still  in 
her  possession  a  letter  received  by  her  father  from  Mr.  R.  II.  Gillett,  while  that  gentleman  was 
Solicitor  of  the  United  States  Treasury,  in  which  he  says  to  Col.  Teall : 

■  Command  me  ;  I  am  at  your  service  in  this  ami  all  other  enterprises  which  you  would  be  likely  to  suggest.  I 
cannot  forget  but  for  your  penetration  and  friendship  again-t  the  other  two  examining  School  Trustees  in  our  pioneer 
St.    Lawrence  life,   that    1   should   not   have  got   a  certificate  to   teach    a  country   district    school;    that  instead  of 

occupying  the  position  of  Member  of  Congress,  Solicitor  of  the  Treasury,  etc.,  I  might   yet  have  had   mj  :ix  i iv 

shoulder,  as  then,  seeking  a  contract  to  cut  cord  w 1 ." 

"  In  1833,  he  became  the  pioneer  merchant  and  forwarder  of  Michigan  City,  which,  it  was 
thought,  would  become  the  most  important  point  on  Lake  Michigan.  The  first  store  and  (In- 
first  warehouse  at  that  place  was  built  by  him,  and  mainly  through  his  efforts  was  secured  the 
first  appropriation  for  a  harbor  there.  Tn  1838,  when  Daniel  Webster  made  his  northern  tour. 
preliminary  to  becoming  the  Presidential  candidate  of  the  Whig  party.  Col.  Teall  induced  him 
to  extend  his  trip  to  Michigan  City,  where  he  met  the  principal  men  of  Northern  Indiana  and 
Illinois,  and  upon  which  occasion  the  Colonel  made  the  reception  speech.  While  in  Michigan 
City,  he  started,  and  for  many  years  ran  the  pioneer  stage  line  from  Detroit  to  Chicago,  of  Teall, 
Sprague  &  Co.,  yet  well  remembered  by  the  few  early  settlers  of  Milwaukee  and  Chicago.  Also. 
during  that  time,  in  connection  with  such  men  as  Beaubien,  Hubbard.  Kin/ie,  Doty  and  others, 
he  became  largely  interested  in  real  estate  transactions  in  Michigan  City,  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  Port  Washington,  and,  in  consequence  of  an  investment  in  1835,  by  Gov.  Doty,  himself  and 

others,  they  for  many  years  clait 1.  and  endeavored  to  enforce  an   adverse  title  in  the  whole  of 

the  Walker's  Point  property,  which  had  been  subsequently  declared  by  Government  in  the  late 
Col.  George  II.  Walker. 

"  Col.  Teall  was  alike  one  of  the  pioneers  in  steamboating  upon  Lake  Michigan,  bavin-,  in 
L838,  advanced  the  money  and  become  part  owner  and  purchaser  of  the  steamboat  Detroit, 
which  thereupon  became  the  first  steamer  hailing  from  Milwaukee  and  Michigan  City,  and  was 
commanded  by  Capt.  John  Crawford,  still  living  in  the  town  of  Wauwatosa  In  1843,  Col. 
Teall,  after  meeting  with  some  reverses  financially,  removed  to  Port  Washington  with  his  family, 
being  the  first  settler  to  re-occupy  any  of  the  houses  that  had  been  erected  by  the  founders  of 
Wisconsin  City  in  1835.  A  few  settlers  had  gathered  in  the  south  part  of  the  county,  such  as 
Col.  P>.  II.  Movers,  I'.  M.  Johnson,  Timothy  Woodin,  William  V.  Opitz,  A 1 1  ■  >  1  ] >  1 1  Zimmerman, 
William  T.  Bonniwell  and  Fred  W.  Horn,  with  whom  friendly  communications  were  established, 
roads  laid  nut  and  neighborhoods  united,  resulting  in  1S47,  in  the  removal  of  the  county  seat 
from  Grafton  to  Port  Washington,  principally  through  his  efforts.  It  was  the  pleasure  of  his 
latter  days  to  Baj  that  he  believed  his  work  to  be  about  finished,  to  refer  with  pride  to  the  advance 
in  Ozaukee  County,  from  the  period  when  he  landed  off'  the  small  vessel  from  Milwaukee  upon 
the  beach  of  Port  Washington  ;  and  he  would  rehearse,  with  great  satisfaction  the  incidents  con- 
nected with  the  location  of  the  county  seat,  the  building  of  the  court  house  and  other  county 
buildings,  and  their  improvement,  and  then  the  railroads,  in  all  which  enterprises  his  brain  and 
work  were  plainly  visible.  And,  as  if  to  finish  a  career  with  the  same  general  characteristics 
that  he  had   manifested   through   life,  within  a   half  hour  of  his   death — and  of  course  without 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  483 

any  premonition  thereof — he  contributed  liberally,  as  a  voluntary  donation,  to  encourage  manu- 
facturing at  this  point. 

"  Col.  Teall  was  a  man  of  extensive  reading  and  information,  and  possessed  of  a  remarkably 
retentive  memory.  He  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  Government  measures  during  the  war,  and  an 
unfaltering  advocate  of  Republicanism  under  all  circumstances.  Col.  Teall  left  a  wife  and 
three  daughters — Mrs.  Harvey  G.  Turner,  Mrs  Watrous  and  Mrs.  Goit,  and  a  son,  with  their 
descendants,  and  it  may  also  be  truly  said,  a  large  circle  of  friends,  who  had  learned  to  appre- 
ciate the  untiring  efforts  he  had  put  forth  for  the  good  of  the  community  and  the  advancement 
of  the  county,  in  all  those  branches  which  tend  to  the  elevation  of  mankind." 

EARLY    SURVEYORS. 

J.  T.  Brown  came  to  the  county  at  an  early  day  from  Baltimore,  Md.  But  little  is  known 
of  his  early  history.     He  died  a  few  years  since  in  indigent  circumstances. 

T.  W.  Maxon  came  to  the  county  in  1843;  located  first  at  Mequon,  and  finally  settled  in 
the  town  of  Polk,  where  he  now  resides,  having  long  since  retired  from  the  business. 

F.  E.  Toennisson  located  at  Mequon  in  1843-44,  and  continued  in  active  service  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  until  age  and  the  infirmities  consequent  to  exposure,  forced  him  to  retire  from  busi- 
ness. He  was  County  Surveyor  from  1851  to  1854.  He  has  been  engaged  in  teaching  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  now  resides  at  Mequon. 

In  1845-47,  G.  W.  and  Jacob  T.  Foster.  Col.  Teall  and  L.  Towsley,  located  at  Port  Wash- 
ington. All  were  actively  engaged  in  the  business  for  three  or  four  years.  Col.  Teall  and  G. 
W.  Foster  retired  from  business.     J.  T.  Foster  soon  after  left  the  county. 

E.  F.  Hertzlerg  located  at  Cedarburg  in  1845,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  business  for 
a  number  of  years,  when  he  retired,  and  with  Fratny  founded  the  Volksfreund  of  Milwaukee. 

H.  L.  Coe  is  still  in  the  business.     He  was  County  Surveyor  in  1862,  1875  and  1876. 

M.  Andier  was  County  Surveyor  from  1855  to  1859. 

P.  Malherbe  in  1859  and  1860. 

J.  M.  Smith  in  1861. 

L.  Towsley,  the  present  incumbent,  has  held  the  office  (with  the  exception  of  one  term) 
since  1863. 

Among  the  work  performed  by  the  early  Surveyors  we  find,  that  in  1848,  J.  T.  Brown 
surveyed  the  village  of  Cedarburg. 

In  1847,  E.  F.  Hersberg  surveyed  the  village  of  Grafton,  northwest  addition  to  the  village 
of  Port  Washington. 

Edward  H.  Jansen  located  first  at  Mequon,  and  afterward  at  Cedarburg.  He  was  more  or 
less  engaged  in  surveying  until  his  death. 

THE  GENTLEMEN  PIONEERS. 

In  the  year  1849,  a  half  dozen  of  young  foreigners,  composed  of  Austrians  and  Germans 
just  fresh  from  academic  achievements,  took  passage  on  one  of  the  Germania  sailing  vessels  for 
America.  As  is  generally  the  case  with  passengers  on  board  one  of  the  great  Atlantic  vessels, 
they  formed  in  groups  as  their  likes  and  dislikes  might  dictate.  The  social  knots  being  amicably 
arranged,  an  interchanging  of  cards  followed,  when  it  was  discovered  that  the  sextet  was  com- 
posed of  the  following-named  gentlemen  :  William  A.  Pors,  Adolph  Jacobson,  Herman  Schlue- 
ter,  Hans  Balatka,  Frederick  Bude  and  Leopold  Eghart.  From  mere  social  intercourse  there 
soon  sprang  up  a  warm  attachment  for  each  other  which  ripened  into  friendship.  After  relating 
past  experiences  and  schoolboy  adventures,  the  conversation  turned  on  the  new  country  for 
which  they  were  bound,  of  how  fortunes  were  made  in  a  day,  farms  were  to  be  had  for  a  mere 
trifle,  etc.  Accordingly,  grand  projects  were  planned  and  discussed,  broad  acres  were  cleared, 
elegant  mansions  erected.  The  ease  and  luxury  that  were  to  follow  the  possession  of  these  fine 
estates  were  all  glowing  pictures  for  the  imagination.  It  was  soon  agreed  upon  that  the  little 
party  should,  after  vowing  eternal  friendship,  immediately  on  their  arrival  in  New  York  proceed 


484  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

to  what  was  then  called  "  the  far  West,"  either  to  Illinois  or  Wisconsin,  and  at  once  adopt  the 
pioneer  life  by  purchasing  and  entering  land.  The  plan  was  carried  out,  the  compact  kept.  The 
East  and  large  cities  were  given  a  hasty  go-by,  and  it  was  not  until  they  reached  Milwaukee  that 
the  little  band  of  would-be  pioneers  stopped  to  look  about  them.  Of  course,  they  expected  to  go 
through  one  or  two  years  of  privation,  but  that  was  so  small  a  sacrifice,  when  compared  with 
the  grand  estates  that  were  soon  to  follow.  They  would  become  farmers  on  a  broad  scale.  They 
felt  that  upon  their  shoulders  rested  the  responsibility  of  revolutionizing  the  entire  West  in  the 
matter  of  farming.  With  them  to  think  was  to  act.  There  enthusiasm  knew  no  bounds.  After 
making  inquiry  as  to  different  localities,  the  place  fixed  upon  was  the  town  of  Farraington, 
Washington  County.  Here  they  purchased  360  acres  of  land  from '  Charles  W.  Detuering 
divided  it  off  into  equal  sections,  and  the  work  of  subduing  the  forests  was  commenced. 

Hans  Balatka  had  broken  the  bonds  of  bachelorhood  by  linking  his  fortunes  with  a  brave 
little  German  lady,  who  relieved  the  monotony  by  cheerfully  administering  to  their  wants  and 
preparing  their  meals.  A  rude  dwelling  house  was  erected  out  of  logs  and  rough  slabs,  with  a 
private  apartment  set  off  for  Balatka  and  his  wife.  The  amateur  carpenters  had  failed  in  joining 
their  timbers  to  make  a  perfect  job,  and  the  result  was  that  they  were  considerably  vexed  during 
rainy  weather,  especially  Balatka,  who  was  compelled  on  more  than  one  occasion  to  sit  up  in  bed 
and  hold  an  umbrella  over  himself  and  wife.  These  hardships  soon  put  a  damper  on  their  great 
desire  to  become  the  owners  of  vast  estates  and  their  enthusiasm  began  to  wane.  At  the  end  of 
two  months  their  landed  possessions  were  abandoned  by  all  except  Adolph  Jacobson,  who  braved 
it  out,  and  is  now  a  well-to-do  farmer.  Frederick  Bude  returned  to  the  old  country,  where, 
after  meeting  with  reverses  of  fortune,  he  committed  suicide.  Herman  Schlueter  moved  to  Chi- 
cago, where  lie  amassed  considerable  property,  which  was  swept  away  by  the  great  firt  of  1871. 
William  A.  Pors  adopted  the  profession  of  law,  and  soon  afterward  became  an  active  worker  in 
the  political  affairs  of  Ozaukee  County.  He  has  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  the  village  of 
Port  Washington,  built  on  an  elevation  of  some  eighty  feet,  commanding  an  excellent  view  of 
the  lake  and  surrounding  country.  He  at  present  holds  the  office  of  District  Attorney.  Leo- 
pold Eghart  also  become  identified  with  the  county  history,  and  now  holds  the  office  of  County 
Judge.  He  also  lives  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington.  Hans  Balatka  located  in  Milwaukee, 
where  he  turned  his  attention  to  music.  A  few  years  later  he  moved  to  St.  Louis,  and  from 
there  to  Chicago,  where  he  has  made  for  himself  a  national  reputation  as  a  leader  of  music. 
The  following  sketch  of  his  life  is  taken  from  the  Chicago  Tribune,  published  during  the  great 
Musical  Sangerfest  of  1881,  of  which  Balatka  was  the  Director.  No  mention  is  therein  made 
of  his  agricultural  experience  in  Washington  County. 

HANK  BALATKA. 
Hans  Balatka,  the  Director  of  the  festival,  was  born  March  5,  1826,  at  llolfnungsihal.  near  Olmtitz,  in  Moravia 
Mis  parents  pave  him  instruction  upon  the  piano  and  violin  and  in  singing.  In  his  twelfth  yesr  lie  wenl  to  the 
Gymnasium,  or  tower  college  of  Olniutz,  where  his  tine  alto  voiee  and  rciiinkiUe  foully  of  reading  music  at  sight 
seemed  for  him  the  p' i- it i< -n  of  alto  singer  in  the  cathedral.  About  tins  time  he  commenced  the  study  of  harmony 
and  composition  with  Kitter  von  Dietrich,  and  in  his  sixteenth  year  added  the  violincello  to  his  other  instruments. 
In  his  eighteenth  year,  having  already  entered  the  university,  he  was  unanimously  elected  Conductor  of  the  Aoa- 
1         -I  Mu-ieal  Society,  which  position   in-  held  for  two  years,  giving  eaoh  Beason  a  regular  serif-  of  concerts  with 

marked  success.  To  Complete  his  studies  ho  removed  to  the  university  of  Vienna.  He  continued  his  studios  ill 
harmony  with  Sechter.  in  eomposilion  with   Proch,  and  in  voice-eullure  with  the  celebrated  tlentilu 

The  eventful  year  of  1848,  which  revolutionized  the  nationality,  revolutionized  individuals  also.     At  the  time 
of  the  outbreak  of  the  memorable  revolution.  Mr.  Balatka  chose  the   United   States   tor  his  future  home.     He  sailed 

ft Hamburg  April  24,  1849,   and   reached   New  York   on  the  2d  of  the  following  June.     Being  undecided  as  to 

his  permanent  local he  followed  the  advice  of  musical  and  literary  friend-  in  that  city,  and  made  the  Great  West 

his  home.      At  that  early  day  Chioago  presented  a  very  uninviting    field    in    music:    hut    Milwaukee  possessed,  in  her 

large  German  population,  elements  of  the  highest  culture  ami  excellent  musical  ability,  facts  which  led  him  to  locate 
in  that  city.  Me  at  once-  took  a  prominent  place  in  musio,  and  soon  organized  the  Musioal  Booiety,  which  is,  even 
at  this  day.  one  of  'he   most   flourishing  musical   organizations  in   America.     Me  also   formed  an  excellent  Quartet 

<  'lull,  ami  produced,  during  his  -lay  in  Milwaukee,  many  of  the  hcsl  works  of  arl  in  ehanihcr  musio,  -y  mphoiiies, 
overtures,  oratorios,  opera-  and  cantatas. 

In  I860,  Mozart's  master-work,  "  The  Requiem,"  was  announced  for  performance  in  Chicago,  and  intrusted  to  Mr. 

ISalatka's  care.      The  performance  was  so  successful  that    the    leading    mu-ical  people  of  Chicago  united  in    the  effort 

io  induce  him  to  settle  permanently  in  the  oily.    The  effort  was  successful, 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  485 

Mr.  Balatka  conducted  the  Requiem  September  11,  1800,  and  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month  had  charge  of 
the  musical  exercises  at  the  dedication  of  Bryan  Hall,  in  which,  for  the  first  time  in  Chicago,  he  held  the  baton. 
His  orchestral  lahors  were  inaugurated  with  a  Mozart  Symphony,  the  Robespierre  Overture,  and  the  Grand  Finale  of 
Weber's  "  Euryanthe."  On  tho  9th  of  October  the  Philharmonic  Society,  which  had  led  a  sickly  existence  of  ten 
years,  was  thoroughly  recognized,  and  the  conductorsbip  was  given  to  Mr.  Balatka.  For  four  or  five  years  the  con- 
certs were  the  fashionable  rage,  and  were  remarkably  successful.  Then  their  popularity  began  to  wane,  and,  in 
1868,  the  society  dissolved.  In  addition  to  the  miscellaneous  music,  Mr.  Balatka's  orchestra  introduced  for  the  first 
time  to  the  concert-goers  of  Chicago  the  following  symphonies:  The  First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh  and  Eighth  of  Beethoven  ;  the  Third  of  Mozart  ;  the  Fifth  and  Seventh  of  Gade ;  the  B  Flat  of  Schumann  : 
the  Scotch  and  Italian  of  Mendelssohn,  and  the  Triumphal  of  Ulrich.  During  these  eight  years  other  labors  occu- 
pied'Mr.  Balatka's  attention.  In  1861,  he  conducted  numerous  Philharmonic  matinees  In  1862.  he  brought  out 
the  opera  of  "  Semiramide"  and  the  oratorio  of  "  Elijah."  In  1863,  the  Musical  Union  produced  '■  The  Creation" 
and  "  Elijah,"  under  his  auspices  ;  while  at  the  same  time  lie  made  a  signal  success  of  the  chamber  concerts  of  the 
same  society.  In  1864,  he  played  the  'cello  in  all  of  Mrs.  Kloss'  admirable  chamber  concerts,  conducted  three  per- 
formances of  the  "Czar  and  Carpenter"  for  the  Musical  Pinion,  as  well  as  their  third  production  of  "Elijah."  In 
1865.  he  brought  out  Mendelssohn's  "  Ninty-fifth  Psalm"  and  Rossini's  "  Stabat  Mater,"  and  conducted  at  a 
series  of  concerts  given  by  Mrs  Emma  Gillingham  Bostwick.  In  1866  he  took  the  leadership  of  the  Germania  \lanner- 
chor,  and  gave  summer-night  festivals.  In  1867,  his  time  was  occupied  almost  exclusively  with  the  concerts  of  the 
Philharmonic  Society  and  the  Mannerchor.  In  1868,  he  conducted  the  great  orchestra  of  the  Sangerfest,  and  gave 
Chicago  such  music  as  it  never  had  heard  before;  and,  in  the  same  year,  commenced  his  symphony  concerts,  which 
were  devoted  exclusively  to  the  production  of  music  new  to  (ihicago.  In  1869  he  continued  his  symphony  concerts, 
and  organized  ihe  Chicago  Oratorio  Society,  which  brought  out  "The  Creation,"  assisted  by  Mme.  Parepa  Rosa  and 
Mes«rs.  Nordblom  and  Rudolphsen.  After  the  great  fire  he  removed  to  St  Louis,  where  he  conducted  the  Arion  des 
Westen,  and  thence  to  Milwaukee,  returning  to  Chicago,  where  he  has  since  resided,  as  the  leader  of  the  Germania 
Mannerchor. 

LOBBYISTS. 

During  the  great  strife  that  existed  between  the  different  factions  as  to  the  division  of  the 
county,  considerable  wire-pulling  was  done  on  both  sides.  Representatives  were  sent  to  Madi- 
son to  work  among  the  Legislators  to  influence  their  votes  lor  or  against  the  pending  bill  for 
dividing  the  county.  Among  those  who  were  there  to  look  after  the  interests  of  those  opposed 
to  the  division  were  L.  Towsley,  of  Port  Washington,  then  Clerk  of  the  Court,  and  John  R. 
Bohan,  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  These  gentlemen  undertook  to  do  some  tall  lobby- 
ing, but,  according  to  their  own  version  of  the  matter,  were  not  very  successful.  "  We  had 
made  up  our  minds,"  says  Towsley,  "  to  do  the  thing  in  grand  style.  Accordingly,  Bohan  and 
myself  rented  a  room  and  ordered  a  grand  supper  with  the  best  of  wines  and  cigars.  Senators 
and  Representatives  from  every  county  in  the  State  flocked  to  our  feast,  toasted  our  wine,  smoked 
our  cigars,  cracked  jokes,  talked  politics,  and  to  use  a  common  expression,  enjoyed  themselves 
hugely  at  our  expense.  Now  was  the  time  we  thought  to  cap  the  climax  and  secure  an  over- 
whelming defeat  of  the  bill. 

"  Bohan,  acting  upon  the  cue,  broached  the  subject  cautiously  at  first,  gradually  warming 
up  as  he  came  to  the  point. 

" '  I  am  sorry,  gentlemen,'  said  a  Senator,  answering  for  the  rest,  when  Bohan  had  finished 
his  speech  ;   'but  we  are  already  pledged  to  Senator  Weil,  from  West  Bend,  to  vote  for  the  bill.' 

"  This  was  a  thunderbolt ;  here  we  were  out  over  $100  ;  these  fellows  had  feasted  at  our 
expense,  and  we  had  not  secured  a  single  vote." 

Mr.  Bohan  afterward  became  a  member  of  the  Legislature,  and  has  been  identified  more  or 
less  with  the  history  of  Ozaukee  County  ever  since,  as  has  Mr.  Towsley.  It  is  safe  to  state, 
however,  that  neither  of  them  ever  afterward  engaged  in  a  lobbying  scheme. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  organization  of  Ozaukee  County  was  effected  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  March 
7,  1853,  the  territory  prior  to  that  time  forming  a  portion  of  Washington  County.  At  the  time 
the  division  was  consummated,  the  county  seat  of  the  original  Washington  County  was  located 
at  Port  Washington,  it  having  been  removed  from  the  village  of  Grafton  to  that  place  several  years 
previous.  Strenuous  efforts  had  been  made  by  the  West  Bend  people  to  have  the  county  seat 
transferred  to  that  place.  The  jealousy  existing  between  the  factions  representing  the  different 
towns,  each  claiming  their  respective  locality  to  be  the  most  favored  and  desirable  spot  on  which 


Hi'.  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

to  erect  a  temple  wherein  justice  could  be  properly  meted  out,  was  one  of  the  principal  causes 
leading  to  the  division  of  the  county.  Considerable  chicanery  was  resorted  to,  and  occurrences 
of  a  kind  calculated  to  cause  ill  feeling  were  frequent.  It  is  evident  that  at  the  time  the  division 
took  place,  a  majority  of  the  people  were  bitterly  opposed  to  it,  as  the  county  officers  refused  to 
give  up  the  records  until  the  question  had  been  settled  by  the  Supreme  Court.  In  this  act  they 
were  sustained  b}'  the  people.  Happily  for  all,  the  old  grievances  which  then  existed,  and  of 
which  a  full  account  is  given  in  the  history  of  old  Washington  County,  have  passed  away.  The 
following  resolutions  and  manifesto  will  show  the  feeling  of  the  people  at  the  time  the  county 
was  created : 
To   iiik  Electors  of  Washington  Cointy  : 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  this  county,  held  at  the  village  of  Port  Washington  on  the 
14th  day  of  March,  1853,  the  following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Whkreas,  An  act  has  passed  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  providing  for  a  division  of  this  county,  and  the 
organizing  of  a  new  county  called  Ozaukee;  and,  whereas,  the  passage  of  said  act  is  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of 
more  than  four-fifths  of  the  citizens  and  tax-payers  that  we  represent,  and  is  believed  by  them  to  be  unjust  and 
unconstitutional ;   therefore, 

Reao  ved,  That  this  board  treat  said  law  as  unconstitutional  and  of  no  effect  ;  and,  that  we  resist  the  provisions 
of  said  law.  and  hereby  instruct  the  county  officers  of  Washington  County  to  still  continue  to  hold  their  office-  and 
attend  to  the  duties  of  the  same,  as  if  no  such  law  had  been  passed;  and,  that  we  hereby  guarantee  to  indemnify 
such  officer  or  officers  against  any  damage  or  loss  that  may  accrue  to  them  in  any  manner  in  consequence  of  acting  in 
accordance  with  these  instructions,  and  in  opposition  to  the  provisions  of  said  act. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  by  this  board  to  employ  James  S.  Brown  and  .1.  E.  Arnold  as 
assisting  counsel  to  this  board  and  to  the  officers  of  this  county ;  and,  that  the  District  Attorney  be  hereby  instructed 
to  commence  proceedings  to  have  the  Constitutional  questions  involved  in  said  act  immediately  determined  before  the 
Supreme  <  'otirt ;  and,  that  in  case  said  attorneys  cannot  be  retained  or  employed,  that  the  said  committee  be  instructed 
to  employ  other  counsel  in  their  place. 

Resolved,  That  the  Supervisors  of  the  different  towns  in  this  county  be  each  of  them  instructed  to  hold  no 
election  for  county  officers  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  said  act  ;  and,  that  the  Sheriff  of  this  county  be 
instructed  to  serve  no  notices  of  elections  as  required  by  the  provisions  of  the  same. 

William  Payne  and  La  Fayette  Towsley  were  appointed  a  committee  to  obtain  counsel ;  and,  on  motion  of  Mr, 
Payne,  Eugene  S.  Turner,  District  Attorney,  was  added  to  the  committee. 

The  undersigned  committee,  appointed  in  pursuance  of  the  foregoing  resolutions,  report  that  they  have  per 
formed  the  duty  assigned  to  them  by  engaging  the  services  of  Messrs  Brown  and  Arnold  as  assisting  counsel  ;  that 
their  advice  is,  that  there  are  new  and  serious  questions  involved  in  the  passage  of  said  law  ;  that  there  are  provisions 
in  it  contrary  to  the  spirit  and  intention  of  the  Constitution  of  this  State.  They  believe  further,  that  the  course  :i- 
advised  and  pursued  by  the  Board  of  County  Supervisors  at  their  last  recent  special  meeting,  to  be  justifiable  and 
correct;  and,  by  pursuing  the  course  directed  in  the  above  resolutions,  the  question  can  be  speedily  tested  and 
determined  before  the  Supreme  Court. 

This  committee  would  state  that  certain  persons  at  and  in  the  vicinity  of  West  Bend,  allege,  with  apparent 
OOnfidenoe,  that  a  large  majority  of  the  people  of  Washington  County  are  favorable  to  division  :  and,  at  the  same  lime, 
are  unwilling  to  allow  the  people  to  express  themselves  at  the  billot  boj  by  'i  direct  vote  upon  the  Bubjeol  :  therefore, 
for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  without  donbl  the  true  state  of  feeling  upon  that  question,  and  whether  the  course 
taken  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  as  set  forth  in  the  above  resolutions,  is  approved  by  the   lax-payers  and  V   lers  of 

this  county,  we  would  ret mend,  that  at  each  poll  throughout  this  county,  there  be  kept,  by  the  different  Chairmen, 

or  i  in  case  they  will  not  ,  by  Bome  other  Buitable  person,  a  separate  ballot  box.  anl  that  all  persons  voting  for  town 
officers  be  respectfully  requested  to  place  therein  a  ballot,  with  the  words  written  or  printed,  or  partly  written  and 
partly  printed  thereon,  "  lor  division,"  or  "  iiL'ainst  division  ;"  that  the  ballots  BO  taken,  be  counted  after  the  closing 
of  the  polls,  and  a  return,  sw  on  to  by  the  person  taking  the  ballots  as  aforesaid  lie  immediately  made  to  John  R 
Bohan,  Esq  ,  clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  this  county,  Baid  return  to  be  by  mail  or  otherwise,  within  eight 

days.      As  soon  as  the  said  return-  are  in  the  pos-essi it   said  Clerk,  thai  he  oause  the  -  ime  to  I"'  published  for  the 

informal  em  of  the  people  of  this  county,  and  of  the  Legislature  that  passed  the   "division  law." 

Wo  would  further  recommend  that  the  people  of  the  different  town-  eleel  such  men  for  Chairmen  to  represent 
the  several  towns  in  the  County  Board,  as  will  not  only  pledge  themselves  to  oppose  division  in  every  form,  but  will 
he  stea  tfasl  as  againsl  corruption,  bargaining  for  oflice,  or  other  infiuencss  that  may  be  brought  against  them  ;  and. 
that  Baid  Chairmen  be  instructed  as  to  the  course  they  shall  take  upon  the  subject  of  county  division. 

We  would  recommend  that  a  convention,  composed  of  five  delegates  from  each  town  in  said  county,  be  held  at 

the  house  of  V.  Lanbenheimer.  in  the  town  of  Richfield,  on  the  I6tb  day  of  April,  1858,  at  10  A.  \L,  for  the  purpose 

of  giving  expre  the  feelings  of  the  county  upon  the  subject  of  division. 

Respectfully  submitted.  „. 

r  *  William 

I. 

I'.i 

The  first  officers  of  Ozaukee  County  were:  County  Judge,  II.  G.  Turner;  Register  of 
Deeds,  H.  G.   Schulties  ;   Clerk  of  the  Board   of  Supervisors,  John  R.    Bohan  ;   Clerk  of  the 


William  Paths,  ~\ 

l.\    I'^i  iii    ToWBHT,  V  Committee. 

Li  '.ink  S     ft  uNKit,        J 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


489 


Circuit  Court,  L.  Towsley  ;  Treasurer,  J.  Fitzpatrick  ;  Sheriff,  B.  F.  Pidge.  The  Supervisors 
were:  John  Thompson,  Mequon;  William  Schroeder,  Cedarburg;  Harvey  G.  Turner,  Grafton  ; 
Patrick  Hayes,  Saukville  ;  Milo  M.  Whedon,  Port  Washington;  Daniel  M.  Miller,  Fredonia ; 
Nicholas  Laugers,  Belgium. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  held  its  first  meeting  in  the  village  of  Saukville,  at  the  house  of 
William  Payne,  and  passed  resolutions  similar  to  those  quoted  above,  condemning  the  division 
of  the  old  county.  The  troubles  concerning  the  records  are  fully  detailed  in  the  history  of  the 
county-seat  question  in  the  first  chapter  of  this  work.  The  settlement  of  the  financial  affairs  of 
the  old  county  caused  much  ill-feeling  between  the  two  new  counties,  but  was  finally  amicably 
concluded  in  the  fall  of  1853,  through  a  joint  committee  from  the  two  counties,  when  the  new 
county  may  be  said  to  have  fairly  struck  out  untrammelled  for  itself.  At  that  time  the  valua- 
tion of  the  whole  county  was  $395,681.4'-'. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  valuation  at  different  stages  of  its  progress  up  to  the 
present  time,  as  per  reports  of  the  County  Board  of  Equalization  : 


DATE. 


Mequon 

Cedarburg 

Grafton 

Saukville 

Port  Washington 

Fredonia 

Belgium 

Totals 


1853. 


$68826  15 
49684  80 
56237  20 
45688  50 
92432  50 
41017  00 
41775  27 


$395681  42 


1860. 


$559332  23 
357842  50 
•265391  75 
286981  50 
420649  50 
291259  00 
361082  00 

.$2542538  48 


1870. 


$884775  00 
675734  00 
332003  00 
444968  00 
569533  00 
159102  00 
554360  00 

$3920475  00 


INSO. 


S1277992  00 
876568  00 
458491  (III 
6398*2  no 
701582  00 
643245  00 
822800  00 

$5420563  00 


THE    COUNTY    BUILDINGS. 

The  court  house  was  built  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  the  county  seat,  in  1854.  It 
is  a  substantial  building  of  brick,  three  stories  in  height.  The  first  floor  is  fitted  up  for  a 
jail  and  living  apartments  for  the  jailor ;  the  second  floor  is  designed  for  office  purposes  ;  the 
third  floor  is  the  court  room.     The  cost  of  the  building  was  $12,000. 

In  1867,  a  fire  proof  building,  adjacent  to  the  main  building,  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$6,000.  Since  its  erection,  it  has  been  occupied  by  the  Register  of  Deeds,  County  Clerk,  Clerk 
of  the  Court,  and  County  Treasurer. 

J  POLITICAL. 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  election  returns,  the  politics  of  Ozaukee  County  have  been  from  the 
beginning  entirely  one-sided,  the  Democrats  holding  a  majority  sufficient  to  control  all  the 
county  offices,  and  to  secure  their  Representatives  in  the  Legislature,  the  Republicans,  in  many 
instances,  failing  to  make  nominations,  so  hopelessly  were  they  in  the  minority. 

PRESIDENTIAL    ELECTIONS,    1856  to  1880. 


YEARS. 


Democratic   Candidates 


1856 James  Buchanan... 

1860 S  ephen  A.  Douglas 

1864 G.'0.  B.  McClellan  . 

1868 Horatio  Seymour.... 

1872 Horace  Greeley.. 

1876 8.  J.  Tilden 

188H W.  S.  Hancock... 


No.  of 
Votes. 


2032 
1823 
2056 
2059 
1594 
2480 
2063 


Republican  Candidates 

John  C.  Fremont... 
Abraham  Lincoln.. 
Abraham   Lincoln.. 

U.  S.  Grant . 

U.  S.  Grant 

R.  B.  Hayes 

James  A.  Garfield.. 


No.  of 
Votes. 


360 
627 
242 
512 
578 
583 
806 


Scattering. 


Breckinridge.. 


Cooper.. 
Weaver., 


No.  of 
Votes. 


1 


101 
13 

77 


2392 
2458 
2299 
2571 
2273 
3076 
2946 


SCHOOLS. 

Under  the  county  system  of  supervision  which  was  inaugurated  in  1862,  the  schools  have 
attained  a  high  grade  of  excellence.     The  Superintendents  under  whom  the  excellent  work  has 


4!'0 


HISTORY   (>F    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 


been  carried  on  were  as  follows:  From  1861  to  1864,  Fred  W.  Horn  ;  1864  to  1874.  P.  K. 
Gannon;  1874  to  1878.  E.  II.  Jansen*  ;  1878  to  1880,  Adolph  Heidkamp ;  1880  (now  in 
office),  William  F.  Scott. 

The  summary  of  the  Superintendent's  report  for  1880,  given  below,  presents  full  statistical 
data  as  to  the  present  state  of  the  schools  of  Ozaukee  County : 


School 
Districts. 

No.  or  Scholars  between 

THE  AQES  OF  4  AM>  20. 

No.  or  Teachers. 

AVKRAGE 

Wages  Of 

Monthly 
Teachers 

Private  Schools. 

TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES. 

0 

is 

r? 

e 

"3 
E 

e 

"3 

a 

o 
N 

3 

"3 

a 

a 

o 

s 

"3 

E 

s 

*3 
1 

a 
b. 

u 

S 
SB 

—  s 

C    3 

3  — 

*3 

a,  c 

=  O 

p  1 

8 

• 

8 
B 

3 

442 
486 
421 
337 
624 
f»28 
435 

462 
511 
422 

327 
603 
.",58 
415 

903 
997 
843 
1164 
1227 
1081 
850 

8 
8 
8 
5 
10 
6 
4 

i 

5 
3 
1 
4 

7 
6 

9  $:;s  :,; 
18     43  00 

11      35  : 

i;     ;;s  70 
14       12  00 

529  00 
28  00 
22  00 
16  6H 
■J  7  50 
28  00 
21  50 

6 

"3 
2 

in 

131 

145 
94 

370 

Grafton 

12       1 

6     ... 
6        2 

a 

Port  Washington 

13 
10 

53  00 
36  00 

Sauk  vi  lie 

3 

51 

10 

Totals  anil  averages  for  count  r  

;-j.,s 

3298 

t -..Mi.-, 

49 

27 

76    J  ■•   00 

$24  66 

11 

VALUE    OF    SCHOOL    PROPERTY    AND    YEARLY    EXPENDITURE. 


TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES. 

u 

2    i 

M 

0    — 

Built    of   Brick 
or  Stone. 

('ash    Valui'     of 
Buildings. 

Oath   Value    of 
Sites. 

Cash    Value    of 
Apparatus. 

Total  Cash  Value. 

K  (^  u 

u  = 

—  a  3  . 

^  —  t  m 

8 
'J 

10 
6 

12 
8 
8 

6 

4 

7 
:: 
7 
6 
4 

541  on 
7878 
5500 
3000 

10260 
5000 
::   in 

$100 

1800 
508 

500 

7 '.'5 

•J  5i  Kl 

410 

$410(1 
9875 
6288 
8650 

L1945 
7960 
4524 

$2398  29 

700 
230 
160 
900 

150 
411 

4104   22 

2442  26 

1681   10 

4024  47 

5864  64 

2491   78 

60 

37 

J88825 

(6  08 

$2844 

$48277 

S22406  71 

LEGISLATORS. 

The  representation  of  Ozaukee  County,  since  its  organization,  under  the  different  appoint- 
ments, has  been  as  follows  : 

1854  to  1861 — One  Senator  and  two  Assemblymen. 

1861  to  1871 — One  Senator  and  one  Assemblyman. 

1871  to  1876 — The  two  counties  of  Ozaukee  and  Washington  were  united  in  one  Senato- 
rial District,  and  Ozaukee  County  given  two  Assemblymen. 

1876  to  1881 — Senatorial  representation  unchanged;   one  Assembly  District. 

Under  the  above  apportionment,  th«'  legislators  were  as  below  stated: 

1854 — Senate,  Andrew  M.  Blair,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  fFrederick  W.  Horn. 
Cedarburg;  MiloM.  Whedon,  Port  Washington. 

1855— -Senate,  Bolivar  G.  Gill,  Grafton.  Assembly,  William  II.  Ramsey,  Port  Washing- 
ton :  Henry  Blazer,  Mequon  Kiver. 

1856 — Senate,  Bolivar  G.  Gill,  Grafton.  Assembly,  Charles  Beger,  Port  Washington  : 
William  Vogenitz,  Cedarburg. 

•  K    II    Jensen  <ll"l  in  oflloa  .  hi*  unexpired  t.-rm  «raa  supplii-tl  hy  S   A.  Ilnuj.  r 
t  Knil  W   Hon.,  Bpeakei  ol  the  Bonn  In  1-  I  >n  1  181 


HISTOBY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES.  491 

1857 — Senate,  H.  J.  Schulteis,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Samuel  A.  White,  Port 
Washington  ;    Frederick  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg. 

1858 — Senate,  H.  J.  Scliulteis,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  B.  0.  Zastrow  Kussow, 
Cedarburg;   Alexander  M.  Ailing,  Saukville. 

1859 — Senate,  Lion  Silverman,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  John  R.  Bohan,  Port  Wash- 
ington ;   Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg. 

1860 — Senate,  Fred.  Hilgen,  Cedarburg.  Assembly,  Anthony  Ahlhauser,  Saukville  ; 
Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg. 

1861 — Senate,  Hugh  Cunning,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  William  H.  Ramsey,  Port 
Washington  ;   William  F.  Opitz,  Mequon. 

1862 — Senate,  Hugh  Cunning,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  John  A.  Schletz,  Port 
Washington. 

1863 — Senate,  John  R.  Bohan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Robert  Power,  Port  Wash- 
ington. 

1864 — Senate,  John  R.  Bohan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  W.  T.  Bonniwell,  Jr.,  Cedar- 
burg. 

1865 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  W.  T.  Bonniwell,  Jr.,  Ce- 
darburg. 

1866 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Junius  McCarthy,  Port 
Washington. 

1867 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedar- 
burg. 

1868 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedar- 
burg. 

1869 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,   Port  Washington.      Assembly,  Job  Haskell,  Saukville. 

1870 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Adolph  Zimmerman,  Me- 
quon. 

1871 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  Charles  G.  Meyer,  Fre- 
donia. 

1872 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  John  R.  Bohan,  Port  Wash- 
ington ;  Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg. 

1873 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  Charles  E.  Chamberlin,  Port 
Washington  ;   Adolph  Zimmerman,  Mequon. 

1874 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  Edward  R.  Blake,  Port  Wash- 
ington ;  Adolph  Zimmerman,  Mequon. 

1875 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  Gustav  Goetze,  Port  Washington  ; 
*Fred.  W.  Horn,  Cedarburg. 

1876 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  Gustav  Goetze,  Port  Washington  ; 
William  Carbys,  Mequon. 

1877 — Senate   (From  Washington  County).      Assembly,  Gustav  Goetze,  Port  Washington. 

1878 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  William  H.  Fitzgerald,  Cedar- 
burg. 

1879 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  William  H.  Fitzgerald, 
Cedarburg. 

1880 — Senate,  Lyman  Morgan,  Port  Washington.  Assembly,  William  H.  Fitzgerald, 
Cedarburg. 

1881 — Senate  (From  Washington  County).  Assembly,  Charles  G.  Meyer,  Port  Wash- 
ington. 

*  Fred.  W.  Hum,  Speaker  of  the  House  in  1854  and  in  1875. 


492 


HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


COUNTY    GOVERNMENT     AND    COURT     OFFICERS. 

The  following  is  the  roster  of  Ozaukee  County  officers  from  1853  to  1881  : 


County   Judges. 


1858 Harvey  G.  Turnor.. 

L854 Harvey  G.  Turner.. 

[855  Harvey  G.  Turner.. 

1856 Harvey  (i.  Turner... 

1857 Harvey  G.  Turner.. 

1858 I.e.  Downs 


1859.. 

I860 

1861.. 

1862.. 

1863.. 

1864 

I860.. 

1866.. 

1867.. 

1868.. 

1869.. 

1870.. 

1871.. 

1872.. 

1878.. 

1874.. 

1875.. 

1876.. 

1877.. 

1878.. 

1879.. 

1880.. 

1881.. 


J.  C.  Downs 

J.  C.  Downs 

:J  C.  Downs 

S,    \.  White 

S.   A.    White 

J.  W.    Lutfring 

.1.  W.   Lutfring 

(i.    Goetz 

.1.  W.   Lutfring 

.1.  W.   Lutfring 

.1.  \V.   Lutfring 

Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 
Adolph  Heidkamp.  . 
Adolph  Heidkamp... 

Leopold   Eghari 

Leopold    Eghart 

Leopold   Eghart 

Leopold   Eghart 


Clerks  ot    Court 


Sherirft. 


L.   Towsley B.  I'.  Pidge 

L.   Towsley B.  K.  I'idge 

L.  Towsley I.  W.  Lutfring 

Adolph  Heidkamp...  J.  W.  Lutfring 

Adolph  Heidkamp...  Charles  Beger 

i'    E.  Chamberlin Charles  Beger 

C.  12.  Chamberlin Conrad    hornetfer. 

Leopold    Eghart Conrad     Horneffer. 

Leopold    Eghart I     Bossier 

.1.  McCarthy J.   Bossier 

I.  McCarthy William   F.  Opitz... 

J.  McCarthy William    F.  Opitz... 

John  R.  Bohan.. Mike   Dries 

John    It.   liohan Mike  Dries 

John  R.  Bohau I'eter  Spehn 

.lotin    R.  Bohau I'eter  Spehn.. 

John    R.  Bohan M.  Dreis. 

HugoBoclo M.  Dreis. 

Hugo  Boclo P.    Bucholtz.. 

Hugo  Boclo P.    Bucholtz.. 

Hugo  Boclo 

C   E.  Chamberlin.. 
C.  E.  Chamberlin., 


County   Clerks. 


M    (I.  Ruppei  t. 

\1    (I.  Ruppert. 

Frank    Delles.., 

E.  Chamberlin Frank    Delles.., 


C 

C.  E.  Chamberlin.. 

VI.  G.  Ruppert 

M.  G.  Ruppert 

M.  G.  Ruppert 

M.  <i.  Ruppert 


Joseph   Malherlie.. 
Joseph  Malherlie.. 

Frank    Delles 

Frank    Delles 

John  P.  Weyker... 


John  R.  Bohan 

John  R.  Bohan 

John  R.  Bohan 

John  R.  Bohan 

John  R.  Bohan 

John  R.  Bohan 

i '.  G.    Meyer , 

C.  G.   Meyer , 

1>.    Harrington 

Harrington 

Harrington , 

Harrington 

Harriugton 

Harrington 

Harrington 

Harrington 

I'eter  Jones 

Peter  Jones 

James   Albrecht 

Jamea   Albrecht 

John  C  Schroeling 
John  C.  Schroeling.. 
John  C.  Schroeling. 
John  I '.  Schroeling.. 
John  t'.  Schroeling.. 
John  C.  Schroeling.. 
lohn  C.  Schroeling.. 
lohn  C.  Schroeling.. 
John  C.  Schroeling.. 


Registers  of  Deeds. 


11.  J.  Schulties. 

H.  J.  Schulties. 
II.  J.  Schulties. 
II.  J.  Schulties. 
P.  Spehn. 
P.  Spehn. 
I'.  Spehn. 
1".  Spehn. 
P.  Spehn. 
A.  Ahlhauser. 
A.  Ahlhauser. 
A.  Ahlhauser. 
John  C.  Schroeling. 
John  C,  Schroeling. 
John  C.  Schroeling. 
John  C.    Schroeling. 
John  C.    Schroeling. 
G.  Goetz. 
G.  Goetz. 
G.  Goetz, 
G.  Goetz. 
John  Mueller. 
John  Mueller. 
John  Mueller, 
lohn  Mueller. 
lohn  Gengler. 
Inhn  Gengler. 
Walter  Zastrow. 
i\  alter  Znstrow. 


DATE. 

Treasurers. 

Surveyors. 

District   Attorneys. 

Coroners. 

County  Superintendent* 

1853 

186  I 

1855 

.1.  Fitzpatriok 

.1.  I'itzpatrick 

Adolph    Zimmerman 
Adolph    Zimmerman 

Eugene  Turner 

W    A.    I'ors 

Nicholas  Kenna 

1857 

l  B58 

W.  A.    Pors  

1859 

W.  A.   Pors 

John  P.  Watry 

F.  Zimmerman 

I  'Ionics  Kopart 

w.   Dreis 

I860 

P     Malherlie     . 

1861 

I.   Schmidt 

G.  W.    Foster 

L.   Towsley 

L.   Towsley 

W.  A.    Pors 

W.  A.    I'ors 

W.  A.   Pors 

l  B62 

F.  W.  Horn. 

l  868 

Dlrich  Landolt 

F.  W.  Horn. 

i  56  i 

F.  W.  Horn. 

186G 

P.  K.  Gannon. 

1866 

P.  K.  Gannon. 

1867 

William  II.  Landolt.. 

William  II.  Landolt.. 

Williiim  II.  Landolt.. 
William  II.  Landolt.. 
William  II.  Landolt.. 
William  II.  Landolt.. 

Charlea  <  i.  Meyer 

Charles  li.  Meyer 

Charles  G.  Meyer.... 

i  lharles  <i.  Meyer 

Charles  G.  Meyer 

rjharlee  G    Meyer 

Charles  G.  Meyer 

Charles  G.  Meyer.... 
William    Ahlhauser.. 

W.    Dreis 

W.  A     I'ors 

I--711 

IS7I 

II.  i i    Turner 

M.  Adam 

IST'J... 

\l.    \,|am 

1ST,; 

Nicholas  Watry,  Sr.. 

Nicholas  Walry,   Sr.. 

P.  K   Gannon. 

1874 

1876  . 

L.    Towsley 

Harvey    L.  Coe 

W.  A.    Pors 

Edward  II.  Jansen. 

1876 

1877 

W    \     Pors 

187H 

l  B79  .. 

James    Hedding 

Adolph   Heidkamp. 
William  F.  Scott. 

1880 

1881 

William  F.  Scott. 

HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


493 


♦SUPERVISORS    AND    COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS    FOR    OZAUKEE    COUNTY,    FROM    1853    TO    1881. 


DATE 


1853., 

1854.. 
1855.. 
1856., 
1857.. 
1858.. 
1859., 
I860., 
1861., 


Mequon. 


Cedarburg. 


J.  Thompson..- 
A.  Zimmerman 
A.  Zimmerman 
A.  Zimmerman 
Henry  Blaser  . 
John  Milbret... 
W.  Zimmerman 
W.Zimmerman 
A.  Zimmerman 


Wm.  Schroeder..  H.  G.  Turner. 
Wm.  Vogenitz.. ..J.  C.  Downs.. 
C.  E.  Chamberlin  J.  C.  Downs... 
Wm.  Vogenitz...  J.  C.  Downs... 
Patrick  llalpin..  J.  C.  Downs... 
Wm.  Vogenitz...  H.  G.  Turner 
Edwd.  Maloney.  John  Ahlers., 
Edwd.  Maloney.  John  Ahlers.. 
Patrick  llalpin. .'John  Ahlers., 


Port  Washington. 


Patrick  Hayes.. 

S.  Mcintosh 

Joseph  Mann... 
Henry  Hedges. 
B.  Harrington. 
P..  Harrington. 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 


M.  M.  Wheedon 
Harvey  Moore... 
Harvey  Moore... 
W.  H.  Ramsey... 

L.  Silverman 

Moses  Kilgore... 
W.  H.  Ramsey... 
W.  H.  Ramsey... 
S.  E.  Moore 


Belgium. 


D.  M.  Miller N.  Langers. 

I).  M.  Miller I.   W.    Lutfring. 

D.  M.  Miller Nicholas  Watry. 

Henry  Gesner...  Nicholas  Watry. 

A.-Ludwig Nicholas  Watry. 

J.  F.  Waddeurtz.  Nicholas  Watry. 
Jacob  N.  Sutton.  N.  Langers. 
Jacob  N.  Sutton.  N.  Langers. 
Jacob  N.Sutton. IN.  Laneers. 


DATE. 

District  No.  1. 

District  No.  -1. 

District  No.  3. 

1862 

.1.  ('    Downs. 

1863 

Robert  Powers. 

1864 

J    A.  Schlitz 

Peter  Joins. 

1865 

Peter  Jones   ■ 

1866 

Adolph  Zimmerman 

Peter  Jones. 

1867 

Peter  Jones. 

1868 

Peter  Jones. 

1869 

Nicholas  Watry. 

Mequon. 


Cedarburg. 


Port  Washington. 


Belgium. 


1870.. 
1871.. 
1872.. 
1873.. 
1874., 
1875., 
1876., 
1877.. 
1878.. 
1879.. 
1880.. 
1881.. 


A.  Zimmerman  Wm.  Vogenitz....  Peter  Spehn.. 

A.  Zimmerman  E.  Jones Peter  Spehn.. 

A.  Zimmerman  E.  H.  Jansen W.  F.  Opitz... 

A.  Zimmerman  E.  II.  J insen Peter  Spehn... 

A   Zimmerman  P-itrick  Halpin..  Peter  Spehn... 
A.  Zimmerman  Patrick  Halpin..  Peter  Spehn.. 

W.  F.  Jahn Wm.  Fitzgerald.  Peter  Spehn.. 

W.  F.  Jahn Wm.  Fitzgerald  C.  Mintzlaff... 

W.  F.  Jahn H.  Schellcnherg  Peter  Spehn.. 

W.  F.  Jahn H.  Schellenberg  Chas.  8chlegel 

W.  F.  Jahn Thomas  Halpin!.  C.  F.  Mintzlaff 

W.  F.  Jahn Thomas  Halpin..  C  F.  Mintzlaff 


Neels  Jacobson 
Neels  Jacobson 
Neels  Jacobson 
Neels  Jacobson 
Neels  Jacobson 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser... 
A.  Ahlhauser  .. 
A.  Ahlhauser... 


II.  ti.  Turner... 
John  R.  Bohan. 

T.  Neusen 

T.   Neusen 

T.    Neusen 

T.   Neusen 

N.  S.  Turner.... 

T.  Neusen 

M.  Audier 

M.  Audier 

M.  Audier 

M.  Audier 


.las.  Bedding N.  Strauss. 

.las.  Hedding.... N.  Strauss. 

J.  J.  Race V  Strauss. 

J»J.  Race |N.  Strauss. 

.1.  .1.  Race JN.  Strauss. 

.1.  .1.   Uace N.  Strauss. 

J.  J.  Race John  Grotz. 

I.  J.  Race John  Grotz. 

.1.  J.    Race John  B.Wiltgen. 

J.  J.  Race Louis  Pierron. 

J.  .1.   Race Louis  Pierron. 

.1.  J.   Race Louis  Pierron 


THE    WAR    RECORD. 

For  a  period  of  seven  years,  from  1854  to  1861,  the  people  of  Ozaukee  County,  all  past 
grievances  being  at  an  end,  set  about  in  earnest  to  advance  their  interests.  Improvements  of 
all  kinds  were  begun  and  carried  to  completion,  lands  were  drained  and  cleared,  villages,  with 
churches,  sehoolhouses  and  town  halls  were  scattered  here  and  there  throughout  the  county,  tell- 
ing plainly  that  industry  was  abroad  in  the  land.  Streams  were  utilized,  and  along  their  banks 
could  be  heard  the  buzz  of  the  saw  and  planing  mill.  Founderies  were  put  in  operation,  while 
those  grand  blocks  of  limestone  rock,  which  had  for  ages  been  silently  forming,  were  at  last 
aroused  from  their  solid  beds  and  fashioned  into  shapes  pleasing  to  the  eye  of  man.  The  popu- 
lation was  yearly  increased  by  immigration  from  foreign  lands  and  the  Eastern  States. 

Affairs  remained  in  this  tranquil  and  prosperous  state,  nothing  transpiring  to  mar  the  good 
feeling,  until  the  spirits  of  the  people  were  ruffled  by  the  warlike  sounds  of  1861.  This,  indeed, 
was  a  surprise,  especially  to  the  foreign-born  citizens,  many  of  whom  had  left  their  native  lands 
to  escape  the  demands  for  military  service  so  common  in  European  countries.  To  have  similar 
vexations  thrust  upon  them  in  a  land  where  they  had   thought  to  find   only  peace  and  good-will, 

*  In  1862,  the  county  was  divided  into  districts,  and  the  officers  were  called  Commissioners,  and  elected  by  the  county.  This  system 
continued  until  1S7U,  wh'-u  it  was  again  changed  to  the  town  system,  and  the  officers  took  the  name  of  Supervisors. 


494  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

was  indeeil  a  new  phase  of  American  life,  which,  as  yet,  had  been  kept  in  the  background  as  far 
aa  they  were  concerned.  Had  the  blow  been  struck  by  some  foreign  power,  then  could  they 
have  more  readily  understood  it,  and  most  willingly  would  they  have  taken  up  arms  in  defense 
of  their  adopted  country,  as  they  would  now,  were  the  country  to  be  threatened  by  some  outside 
power.  But  here  was  a  war  purely  American — South,  North — what  did  it  mean?  Which 
then  was  right?  These  were  puzzling  questions  for  the  Luxemburgers  ami  Germans  to  solve. 
Their  information  relative  to  our  political  questions  was  limited,  ami  what  little  they  did  obtain 
came  to  them  from  unreliable  sources.  But  few  of  them  could  read  English  at  that  time,  and 
the  German  papers  most  generally  read  by  them  contained  articles  of  such  a  rebellious  character 
that,  had  they  been  published  in  the  English  language,  would  have  been  silenced  by  the  author- 
ites.  As  it  was,  they  shielded  themselves  behind  a  foreign  language  as  champions  of  slavery, 
suggesting  to  their  readers  that  a  resistance  to  the  draft  was  by  no  means  a  crime.  To  this 
source  may  be  attributed  one  of  the  principal  causes  leading  to  the  feeling  of  opposition  enter- 
tained by  the  Germans  and  Luxemburgers,  and  which  finally  culminated  in  an  outbreak  known 
as  the  "Draft  Riot,"  which  took  place  in  Port  Washington  November  10,1862.  As  near  as 
can  be  ascertained,  the  open  opposition  to  the  draft  was  brought  about  more  from  the  manner  in 
which  it  was  conducted  than  any  desire  on  the  part  of  the  foreigners  to  oppose  the  will  of  the 
Government.  When  it  became  known  that  a  draft  was  to  be  made  in  the  county  to  fill  the 
quota  of  Wisconsin  troops  under  the  calls  then  pending,  a  meeting  of  the  prominent  citizens  of 
Port  Washington  and  adjoining  towns  was  held,  at  which  the  foreigners  were  largely  represented. 
This  meeting  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  some  satisfactory  man  to  conduct  the  draft. 
A.  M,  Blair  was  thought  to  be  the  man  best  fitted  for  the  office  of  Draft  Commissioner,  and  Dr. 
II.  W.  Stillman  that  of  Examining  Surgeon.  A  petition  was  circulated  and  largely  signed, 
regardless  of  politics  or  nationality,  requesting  the  Governor  to  appoint  these  two  men  to  the 
offices  above  mentioned.  The  petition  was  sent  to  Gov.  Salomon,  but  he  appointed  William 
A.  Pors.  Commissioner,  while  Dr.  S.  Ilartwig,  of  Cedarburg,  a  particular  friend  of  Pors',  was 
appointed   Examining  Surgeon. 

These  two  gentlemefl  set  about  their  work  of  examining  men  preparatory  to  the  draft,  the 
place  designated  being  the  county  court  house. 

Considerable  dissatisfaction  was  engendered  by  the  manner  in  which  the  examinations  were 
made,  many  claiming  that  position  and  wealth  had  great  weight  in  procuring  exemptions.  This 
feeling  jjrew  stronger  as  the  work  progressed  until  the  lists  were  completed  and  the  day  ap- 
pointed for  the  draft  was  at  hand.  Then  public  sentiment  burst  forth  in  violent  opposition. 
assuming  the  shape  of  a  lawless  mob.  On  the  morning  of  November  10,  1862,  Mr.  Pors,  with 
his  corps  of  assistants,  repaired  to  the  court  house,  and  was  about  to  begin  the  draft,  when  he 
was  seized  by  the  crowd,  which  had  congregated  to  the  number  of  nearly  a  thousand,  variously 
armed,  and  inflamed  by  whisky.  The  rolls  were  destroyed,  and  Pors  was  dragged  to  the  door 
.iml  thrown  down  the  court  house  steps,  sustaining  considerable  injury.  It  was  not  until  he  had 
been  pelted  severely  wiih  roeks  that  he  made  his  escape  by  running  to  the  post  office,  which  was 
then  in  the  Arcade  Building,  and  concealing  himself  in  the  cellar.  The  rioters  followed  to  the 
door,  and  failing  to  _r:nn  entrance,  proceeded  to  his  resilience,  a  handsome,  well-furnished  dwell- 
ing, and  destroyed  furniture,  pictures,  ami  everything  else  moveable,  completely  demolishing  the 
interior  By  this  time  the  mob  had  become  furious,  and  seemed  bent  on  the  destruction  of  both 
life  and  property.  Dividing  into  squads,  one  division  proceeded  to  the  store  of  John  Droecker, 
and  compelled  him  to  paint  them  a  banner  with  the  words,  ■•  No  Draft."  With  this  motto 
Boating  to  the  breeze,  they  continued  their  wanton  course,  destroying  property  as  they  went. 
The  residences  of  II.  II.  Hunt,   II.  W.  Stillman,  A.   M.  Blair,  J.  C.  Loomis  and  one  or  two 

Others  met  with  a  faw  .-imilar  to  that  of  Pors.  The  anti  draft  (action,  being  composed  princi- 
pally of  Catholics,  had  got  the  order  of  Masons  mixed  up  in  the  affair,  and  a  general  onslaught 
was  proposed  on  any  and  all  persons  known  to  be  connected  with  that  order.  At  this  juncture  the 
mob  had  become  divided  on  the  question  of  destroying  property,  the  better  and  more  intelligent 
port  ion  being   opposed  to  any  such  lawlessness,  while  the  rougher  and  more  ignorant  were  still 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  495 

bent  on  anything  that  would  satisfy  their  imagined  grievances.  This  latter  faction,  having 
made  the  rounds  of  the  saloons,  and,  become  crazed  by  drink,  rushed  up  and  down  the  streets 
yelling,  "No  draft!  No  draft!  Burn  the  public  buildings."  etc.  On  one  of  their  raids  they 
met  L.  Towsley,  a  lawyer  of  Port  Washington.  They  pelted  him  with  stones,  beat  him  severely 
about  the  head  with  clubs,  and  doubtless  would  have  killed  him  had  it  not  been  for  the  expostu- 
lations of  Alexander  Zastrow,  proprietor  of  the  American  House,  who  prevailed  upon  one  or 
two  of  the  leaders  to  interfere  in  Mr.  Towsley 's  behalf.  He  was  taken  into  the  hotel,  where  his 
wounds  were  attended  to,  and  thence  by  a  circuitous  route  to  his  home.  John  R.  Bohan,  editor 
of  the  Ozaukee  County  Advertiser,  while  on  the  way  to  his  office  was  collared  by  that  portion 
of  the  mob  opposed  to  the  destruction  of  property,  and  compelled  to  print  u  motto  in  large  let- 
ters, -'No  draft;  no  destruction  of  property."  This  compulsory  piece  of  job  printing  came 
near  eosting  the  pioneer  editor  of  Ozaukee  County  two  months'  imprisonment  at  Madison;  but 
as  Mr.  Bohan  expresses  it,  "  When  a  man's  life'is  at  stake  he  is  willing  to  take  chances  on  the 
law."  The  rioters  now  had  possession  of  a  four- pound  cannon,  which  had  been  used  in  former 
years  for  firing  Fourth  of  July  salutes.  This  they  loaded  with  the  only  ball  that  could  be 
found,  dragged  it  to  the  wharf"  mounted  it  on  a  pier,  and  bid  defiance  to  Uncle  Sam  or  any 
force  he  might  send  to  arrest  them.  During  these  proceedings,  William  A.  Pors  had  left  his 
hiding  place,  procured  a  carriage  and  escaped  by  the  lake  shore  to  Milwaukee.  Information 
was  telegraphed  to  Gov.  Salomon,  who  immediately  ordered  Col.  Lewis,  of  the  Twenty-eighth 
Regiment,  then  in  camp  at  Milwaukee,  to  send  a  detachment  of  troops  to  quell  the  riot.  Eight 
companies,  under  the  command  of  Provost  Marshal  Mclndoe,  were  dispatched  by  steamer, 
which,  by  midnight  of  Tuesday  reached  U!ao,  lour  miles  below  Port  Washington.  There  a 
portion  of  the  troops  were  landed  and  marched  to  the  rear  of  the  latter  village,  while  the 
remainder  were  landed  at  the  pier  where  the  riot  existed,  thus  surrounding  the  scene  of  disturb- 
ance, and,  at  the  same  time,  preventing  the  escape  of  the  rioters.  The  mob  was  soon  dispersed, 
and  offered  no  further  resistance.  Immediately  on  his  arrival,  the  Marshal  established  his  head- 
quarters at  the  court  house,  and  opened  a  Provost  Court  for  the  examination  of  prisoners. 
About  one  hundred  and  twenty  arrests  were  made.  Prisoners  were  at  first  taken  to  Camp  Wash- 
burn, in  Milwaukee,  and  were  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Camp  Randall,  at  Madison.  They 
were  then  turned  over  to  Gen.  Pope,  and  after  a  confinement  of  several  months  were  informally 
released  by  the  General  Government.  Gov.  Salomon  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  citizens  of 
Ozaukee  County,  warning  them  of  the  danger  and  folly  of  further  resistance,  after  which  there 
was  no  further  disturbance.  In  the  different  towns  throughout  the  county,  clubs  were  organized 
to  raise  subscriptions  for  furnishing  a  local  bounty,  and  thus  the  county  kept  full  its  quota  of 
men  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Had  it  not  been  for  egregious  blunders  made  by  a  few  unscru- 
pulous leaders,  the  riot  of  1862  would  not  have  taken  place. 

There  is  a  bright  side,  however,  which  furnishes  a  more  pleasing  topic.  Notwithstanding 
these  serious  disturbances,  the  war  record  of  Ozaukee  County  will  compare  favorably  with  that 
of  larger  counties.  The  first  regular  military  organization  was  that  of  Company  K,  of  the  Six- 
teenth Wisconsin  Volunteers,  Capt.  G.  C.  Williams,  in  the  fall  of  1861.  The  regiment  was  at 
once  sent  to  the  front,  where  it  was  mustered  into  active  service,  honorably  bearing  its  colors 
through  many  a  hard-fought  battle.  Company  H,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  Volunteers, 
was  organized  by  Capt.  Julius  Goldsmidt.  Besides  these  two  companies,  enlistments  were  made 
from  different  parts  of  the  county  under  recruiting  officers  from  the  larger  cities.  Maj.  John 
C.  Schroeling,  of  Port  Washington,  took  with  him  to  Milwaukee  for  enlistment  quite  a  number 
of  the  members  of  the  Turner  Society  of  that  village.  Several  of  these  men  were  killed,  and 
one  or  two  severely  wounded,  among  whom  was  William  Landott,  now  a  partner  in  the  Ozaukee 
County  Bank.  Among  the  first  to  enlist  was  M.  G.  Ruphert,  then  only  fifteen  years  old.  The 
Surgeon  was  about  to  refuse  him  on  account  of  age  and  height,  when  he  made  some  pert  remark 
which  caught  the  attention  of  the  Colonel,  who  commanded  the  officer  to  take  him  along  as  he 
had  the  right  sort  of  stuff  in  him  to  make  a  good  soldier,  and  as  for  his  height,  why,  he  had 
"plenty  of  time  to  grow."     Edward  R.  Blake,  living  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  was 


496 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


then  hut  eighteen  years  old.  His  father  remonstrated  and  tried  in  every  manner  possible  to  per- 
suade him  to  remain  at  home,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  As  a  last  resort,  he  offered  him  $10,000, 
thinking  that  would  tempt  him,  but  the  patriotic  youth  replied,  "  Father,  you  cannot  buy  me  to 
desert  my  country  :  all  the  wealth  of  the  county  would  not  induce  me  to  remain  at  home."  A 
few  davs  afterward  he  was  mustered  into  service,  and  served  during  the  whole  of  the  war. 
Other  instances  of  a  similar  character,  might  be  cited  of  youths,  who,  on  being  opposed  by  their 
parents,  absconded  from  home,  made  their  way  to  the  larger  towns  and  cities,  where  they  could 
enlist  without  opposition. 

EOSTEE. 

The  following  is  the  official  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  enlistment  made  from 
Ozaukee  County.     The  list  is  given  by  towns,  and  is  as  complete  as  the  records  will  permit  of: 

Mathias    Becker, 


[OWN    iif    BELGIUM. 

First  Infantry — Co.  Ci — Peter  Sohannen,  Michael 
Kchniitt.     Co.  H — Ludwig  Grimm. 

Second  Infantry — Co.  J — Fncub  H.  Bernunli. 

Seventh  Infantry — Co.  F — Nicholas  Grosche,  Paul  Marx 
Fugene  Antoine. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  C — Michael  Ham.  Peter  Lewen. 
Co.  I — Joseph  Welter.  Paul  Hemmen,  John  Marx,  Got- 
fried  Grimm.  Co.  J — Henry  Tibour  Co.  K — Nickolas 
Kleman.  Dominique  Barnich. 

Eighteenth   I  fantry     Co.  G — John  Marso. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Co.  H — loseph  Weisskopf. 

Twenty-tilth  Infantry — Company  unknown — John  0 rati', 
Mathias  Jack. 

Thirty-seventh  Infantr — Company  unknown — William 
Schuler. 

Forty-third  Infantry — •  'ompatiy  unknown — Jacob  Deck- 
er. 

One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Infantry — Co.  I! — Dominik 
Moer  (Illinois),  Mathias  Kesseler,  Nicholas  Sohumacker, 
Nicholas  Ellenbecker.     Co.  G — Anion  Oberrl 

One  Hun, Ire  t  ,,,id  Seventeenth  Infantry  Company  un- 
known— Nicholas  Straus    I  linoisj 

Second  Cavalry  Co.  G— Bernhard  Ackerman,  Nicholas 
Carrels,  l.orenz  Ubernt,  John  Glaerener,  Dominique  Weil- 

:  lid 

Third  Cavalry — Co.   K       Micliai'l    llotimall     luwni. 
Second  Battery — IVler  Michael. 

First    Battalion    Illinois    SharpthoOtert—  Nicholas     Ham. 

Unknown — John  Jurris,  Nicholas  Lewen,  Franz  Dreis, 
Total,     - 

rOWN    "I    OEDAB] 

Firtt  fnfantru — ■ — '"o.  L — Thomas  Pool. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  I  —  William  Riebling  Henry  Myer, 
William  flrmh,  Jacob  Thielen,  John  Smith,  Gustave  Hen- 
ning. 

nt-enth  Infantry— Co.   K — Thomas   Thute.   Andrew 
Thute.  Patrick  Caslello,  James  Byrne. 

Tweniy-tixth  Infamry — Co.  A — Jacob  Weiland,  Michael 
Moldenbauer,  August  Bielefeld,  William  Nero,  Herman 
Scbuhman    Henry  Roth. 

Ftrtt  Cavalry —    ompany  unknown — Pat    Diegan. 

Fir.-i  Battery — William  Hamlin. 

.S'.r.  ,, ./  Battery — lames  Burlon,  Peter  I'.urrey.  John 
Fleisslresser. 

t'nkn  ni.     John  Lewie      Total,  28, 

Tow  s    ,,l     l  BBDOHl  \. 

/   ,      Infantry     C pan;  unknown — Horatio  D.  Hill. 

Infantry — '  otnpany  unknown-  Jacob  Rhemganz, 
Pelei    Rhemganz,    William    Orinnell,    Peter   J,    Powlis, 


Nicholas    Winand,     Peter    Poulouge. 
Michael  Smith,  Michael  Smith.  Jr. 

S  nth  Infantry — Co.  Iv — Gustave  T.  C.  Hyde,  James 
Wilson,  .lac  h  Sohmidt,  Edward  M.  0'  Neil,  James 
Reeves.  Edward  1).  Bradford,  Charles  W.  Bratt,  Peter 
Beekens,  Benjamin  Walker.  Joseph  Joder,  Richard 
Kershaw.  George  Heding,  0  Volentino,  Charles  Gat- 
field. 

S  venteenth  Infan'ry — Company  unknown — Barney  O'- 
Flanigan. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry  -C  i  opany  unkuown — Nicholas 
Kaiumes.  William    Kamme.s. 

Seventy-eighth  Indiana  Infantry — Jerome  Tuttle. 

Fust  Cavalry — Alonzo  Littlefield,  M  Littlelield.  Will- 
iam Daggett.  Joseph  Wa-hbush. 

Second  Carui'ry  tie  irge  BeiAr,  John  B.  Shehan,  Peter 
Hoi  Bn 

Second  Battery — William  Turk.  William  Jack,  Puilip 
Harless,  Nicholas  Beiser,  Gustave  Klegle,  Joseph  Gud- 
una    John  P.  IVnstermacher. 

United  Statei  /,'•  rulart — Joseph  Money. 

Unknown — William  II.  Hyde,  William  Portzein,  Jo  o 
P.  Letder,  Frederick  Sour.  Emil  Umbright,  Richard 
Sueriman,  John  Peters,  Charles  Koeler,  William  Turek. 
Total.     2. 

TOWN    "I     it n  IFTON. 

Firtt  Infantry — Co.  B — George  Starkweather. 

First    Minnesota    Infantry — Company    unknown — John 

Manning,  Walter   Zastrow    Kussow,  Clemens   Shreiner. 

id  Infantry     Company  unknown — laspar  Daniels. 

Third  Infantry — Company  unknown— Nahan  Daniels. 

Ninth  lii/iiuin.  -Co,  1  —  Fred  Kapke,  John  ffitger, 
Ferd  Larramie,  clous  Dickman,  Peter  Oswald,  William 
Baden,  Peter  Stephen  Captain  .  Ferd  Mayor.  Peter  Jo- 
seph Mane-.  Jacob  Kohler,  Henry  Rappolt 

Ninth  lUtnois  /n/anrry— Company  unknown — Foseph 
Baden,  J.  P.  Mubnes, 

Eleventh  Wittoun  Infantry — John  Joseph  Doctor,  and 
Joseph   Boilen. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  K—  James  Whitehair,  Robert 
Coleman,  Jacob  Kandel,  John  Derickson  (Sergeant),  l(. 
P.  Deriokson  (Lieutenant),  I'homas  Manning,  James  Wil- 
son, John  Murphy,  John  Coady,  Niels  Lisgon,  Lorenzo 
Osgood,  Charles  Gstfield,  William  Cooper,  George  Cooper. 
Wallis  Davis,  Ephraim  Cooper,  Stewart  Daniels,  William 
Chirk,  Carl  Ayero,  Inthony  Collins,  William  Towsley, 
Stowell  Towsley,  Christ  Branson,  Luther  B.  White,  Fred 

Charles  kerner.  William  Coleman,  Dewey  King  Jerome 
Case,  Hiram  Franklin  and  l.ars  Nelson. 

Nineteenth  Infantry — Co.  D— Baron  S.  Daniels. 

Twenty-fuHrlh  Infantry — Co.  C — James  Harvey.  Jo- 
seph Cramer.  Nick  Oswald. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


497 


Tn-enti/sixih  Infantry — Co.  E — Gustave  Kasten  (Illi- 
nois Infantry). 

Thirty-sixth  Infantry — Company  unknown — Dors  Wit- 
ger     (Illinois). 

Sixty-ninth  Illinois  Infantry — Co.  B — John  Meatier. 
Benjamin  Mehder. 

Fimt  Cavalry — Aaron  B.  Willett,  Martin  Coleman, 
Julius  Mentai,  Charles  W.  Perry. 

Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry — Co    M — Bruce  Wait. 

Fir.-t  Battery — Henry  Laback. 

Unded  Slates  Regulars — John  F.  Wolf. 

United  States  Xavy — John  Power. 

Unknown — John  B.  Miller,  Nick  Kill,  Stephen  Feavel, 
James  Harvey,  Joseph  Kramer.     Tota>,  71. 


TOWN     OF     MEQDON. 

Fir  t  Infantry — Co.  C! — William  Herzog. 

Sixth  Infantry — Co.  F — William  Gotterman.  Julius 
Vetter. 

Eighth  Infantry — Co.  D — Edward   Neumeister. 
Ninth  Infantry — Co.  I — George  Fischer,  John  Fritsche, 
Henry  Haverko*t,  Moritz  Mann,  William  Riggsling,  Her- 
man Koeber. 

Twe'fth  Infantry — Co.  D — Gustavus  Neuber,  Jacob 
Strassburger      Co.  F — Michael  Moouy.  John  Shehan. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  K — Charles  Townsend.Theodor 
Nicolai. 

Seventeenth  Infantry — Co.  D — Anton  Seiberlich. 

Ninet-enlh  Infantry — Co.  F — Julius  Seiberlich.  Co.  K — 
Jacob  Britz. 

Twentieth  Infantry — Assistant  Surgeon  Immanuel  Munk, 
Servant  to  Assistant  Surgeon,  Herman  Munk. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Co.  H — -Joseph  Wals,  Gottfried 
Wandt.  Joseph  Seiberlich,  Datus  Worth,  Diedr.  Lubben, 
Theodore  Worhehusen — Baumbach's  Company. 

Twenty-sixth  Infantry — Co.  A — William  Matzold,  Wil- 
liam Hansburg,  Herman  Opitz,  Michael  Schepperle, 
Richard  Blett.  Julius  Sernish.  Company  unknown — 
William  Baatz,  Bruno  Bernon,  Alwin  Knolle,  Henry 
Lyilolf,  Joach  S'igermann.  Hans  Heidel,  Carl  Beckman, 
John  Lau,  Julius  Neumeister,  Fred  Nero,  Anton  Neu- 
meister. 

Thirty-ninth  Infantry — Co.  D — William  Siegmund, 
Posiel.  Carl  Schurmann. 

Fnrty-n'nnd  Infantry — Co.  A — .John  Wedeward. 

F"  tyturth  Infantry — Ferd  Weitze,  Surgeon. 

Forty-fifth  Infantry — Co.  I—  Friedrick  Selle. 

F'Tty-sixth.  Infantry — Co.  I — Henry  Backeberg. 

Second  drain/ — Co.  I — Evander  Bowniwell,  Patrick 
Degan,  Valentine  Plumb,  Seth  Putnam,  Peter  Wood- 
worth,  Heinreich  Schmidt,  Fredrick  Dittman. 

Second  Battery — Joseph  Holdenried,  Andreas  Moeller. 
Company  unknown — Conrad  Bar,  Bernhard  Grass,  Christ 
Hackenberg,  William  Hackenberg,  Henry  Huppert,  Al- 
bert Nicolas.     Total.  65. 


TOWN   OK  PORT  WASHINGTON. 

Second  Infantry — Co.  K — Gustave  A.  Stark. 
Fifth  Infantry— Co.    C — Fred    Bartel,    James    Hoban, 
Lewis  F.  Miller.  John  Michel,  Gustave  Schutz. 


Ninth  Infantry — Co.  H — Nicholas  Metzer,  Bernard 
Schulter. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  A — Felix  McCarthy,  John  Mc- 
Carthy. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  K — Gregory  Jarnish,  Nicholas 
Calling,  Andrew  G.  Caween,  John  Hennisy,  Thomas  Hol- 
land, Joseph  Johan,  Richard  C.  Kann,  Dennis  Mangin, 
Cornelius  Murphy,  William  Pierce,  Daniel  A.  Porter, 
William  Richards,  Henry  C.  Ramsey,  Thaxter  W.  Shaw, 
Ogden  Tomlinson,  Nathaniel  Teed,  Z.  Turmbell,  David 
F.  Vail,  George  C.  Williams,  Thomas  E.  Wildman,  Thomas 
Wildman,  Patrick  Walsh,  Lewis  C.  De  Condres,  W.  Gee, 
Milo  M.  Wheden,  Samuel  Wildman. 

Nineteenth  Infantry — Co.  G — Jonas  Tennisson. 

Twenty-fourth  Infantry — Co.C — William  Haak.  Co.  H — 
Charles  Bisch,  Henry  Bischler,  William  Bold,  E  R.  Blake, 
Carl  Busch,  Frank  Ellenbecker,  Gustave  Goldsmith, 
Franklin  Hoyt,  William  Koehler,  John  Klopp,  Charles 
Klein,  Nicholas  Kieftr,  Leopold  Meyer,  Nathan  Neusla- 
dle,  Nicholas  Oswald,  Charles  Power,  Erastus  Parr, 
Alanson  Power,  Leonard  Rappeld,  John  Schehan,  A.  P. 
Stone,  Mathias  Schuquendt,  John  C.  Laws,  John  State, 
Daniel  O'Sulivan,  Oliver  Labisch,  Peter  Schhem,  A. 
Turner,  Joseph  Weiskopf,  John  B.  Warling,  John  P. 
Wagner,  Joseph  Wols,  William  Becker,  Moritz  Winkler. 
Company  unknown — Michail   Dailey.  Francis  Feusseder. 

Fint  Cavalry — Daniel  D.  Kellogg,  David  James,  Charles 
Bates,  George  Bates,  Albert  S.  Downs,  James  De  Condres, 
Richard  L.  Gove  (Adjutant),  Herman  J.  Schutler,  David 
James,  Edward  0.  Morgan,  George  Pagget,  Joseph  Gar- 
diner alias  Meehan. 

Third  Cavalry — John  C.   Schroeling. 

Second  Battery — John  Boos,  Peter  Boss,  Nicolas  Bold, 
Charles  Beger,  Peter  Burg,  Nicholas  Jacqueenette. 

Eleventh  Battery — William   Mills. 

United  States  Army — Fred   Large,  Abraham   Nelson. 

Regiment  Unknown — James  Kerny.     Total,  95. 

TOWN    OF    SAFKVILLE. 

Ninth  Infantry — Co.  I — Fredrick  Hafe,  Henry  Traut<ch, 
Fredrick  Melke.  Mathew  Britz.  Lewis  Heinemann, 
Charles  Gross,  August  Betkle,  Michael  Smith,  Claude 
Augustin  and  George  Bernhard. 

Eleventh  Infantry — Co.  I — Charles  Fred  Fetter. 

Twelfth  Infantry — Co.  D — Charles  Willis.  Company 
unknown — D.  F.  Hollows. 

Fourteenth  Infantry — Co.  C — Andrew  Zinke. 

Fifteenth  Infantry — Co.  G — Herman  Merklein. 

Sixteenth  Infantry — Co.  K — Jobn  Goggin,  William  Gog- 
gin,  John  Gough,  William  Paulett.  Edward  Fally,  James 
0.  Hare,  John  McGinley,  Robert  Ingersoll,  David  Reiner. 
Patrick  Walsh,  Samuel  Orked,  Anthony  Collins,  Andrew 
J.  Cowen,  Silvester  Hughes,  Lyman  Chapman,  Wesley 
Chapman,  Patrick  Kehoe,  Charles  Thomas,  Fred  Thomas, 
Patrick  Carlly. 

Thirty-ninth  Infantri, — Co.  K — Sylvester  Reiner. 

Second  Cavalry — Co.  K — John  Hartwig. 

First  Battery — Henry  Lubenstein. 

Second  Battery — Christian  Mueller,  Ralph  Powell, 
William  A.  Grinnell,   Barton  Westcott. 

Unknown — Alois  Sabish,  John  Thomas.     Total,  43. 

Total  for  the  county,  387. 


■A'.is 


IIISTOHV  OF   WASHINGTON   -VXD  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


This  doea  not  include  the  men  who  were  drafted,  or  those  who  enlisted  under  recruiting 
officers  in  the  cities  of  Milwaukee  and  Chicago.  As  has  been  before  stated,  many  of  the  young 
men.  on  being  opposed  by  their  parents,  would  leave  the  county  and  go  to  other  towns,  where 
they  could  enlist  without  opposition  ;  if  these  were  credited  to  Ozaukee  County,  the  list  would 
be  increased  at  least  fifty. 


ROSTER    OF    COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS    FOR    OZAUKEE    COUNTY. 


Organization. 


g,  First 

=    Commission. 

S 


Port  Washington  : 

Robert  t   Martin 25th  Infantry.. 

Louis  F.  Muller 5th  Infantry... 

Newton  a  Oleson '■_'Mh  Infantry.. 

Daniel  K.  Vnll  loth  Infantry.. 

Charles  B  Wareham35th  Infantry.. 
Qeorge  0  Williams...  16th  Infantry.. 
Julius  i;  Wilmot :ilth  Infantry.. 

Charles  Beger 

Edward  R.  lilake  .... 

Jasper  S   Daniels 

John  Qoggin 

John  L.  Derlokeon... 
Meqi  ON 

Emannel  Munk 

Iiavi.l  O'Oonnell 

<  '( .1    MtHfKU  . 

Walter  Z.  KUBSOW.... 

Bsxoinsi : 

Frank  II.  .1  Obladen 
Qbatton  : 

It.  I'.  DerickBon 

Fkkpom  ,  : 

Peter  II.  Gntern 


2.1  Light  Artillery 

24th  Intantry 

I*t  Infantry 

15th  Infantry 

35th  Infantry 


20th  Infantry.. 
35th  Infantry.. 


52d  Infantry... 
34th  Infantry., 
loth  Infantry 
2d  Infantry 


Date  of 

Firsl 

Commission. 


Date  of 
Promotion. 


i'.  J. I  Lieutenant. 

C.  1st  Lieutenant 

<',  2d  Lieutenant.  Aug.  19,  1804 

K  J.I  Lieutenant 

II   2d    Lieutenant 


CloBe  of  S.TVir... 


Mustered 

Balled  in 

March  17. '00  | 

\..r.l    In    v.c      ,  -""SI  u 


Captain 
Captain 

2,1  Lieutenant 

II  1st  Lieutenant 
I  ,  Is!  Lieutenant 
l»  2d  Lieutenant, 

E   2d  Lieutenant. 


April  in,  1866 

March  17,  '63 

'  .To  First  Lieutenant. 
To  Captain \pnl  1",   1 1 

Oct.  IB,  1861 Resigned 

Feb.  J.  1866...  To  Flrsl  Lieutenant AprlU0,1866.  Mustered 

Oct.  17,  1801 Besig I 

Dec.  in,  1862 Mustered 

/To  First  Lieutenant.  Dec.  12, 1861 


out  March  15,  '00. 
battle  May  10, '64. 
out  March  15,  '60. 
N,,v.  1,  1862. 
out  March  15,  'on. 
Hoi  -I,  1862. 
.hi  Sept,  -.  1863 


l»t   \-i   Mir...  .Inly  7,  1862 Resigned  .Ian.  16,  1863 

2,1  Lieutenant.  April  In,  lsou Mustered  out  March  16,  '66, 


[Oct.  30,  1861.. 

June  J.  lso.V. 
Ocl  19,  1864..  . 
Feb  17.  1866.  . 
April  I",  1866 


t  To  Captain.. 


i  «    : ;.  Ism, 


Captain April  15,  1865  . 


II 
E. 
C. 
K 
Hl2d  Lieutenant.  Jan.  20,  1862. 


Mustered 
Mustered 
Mustered 
Mustered 


ullt  .Inn..  1...  1865. 

out  June 26, 1865, 
.  ■  nt  March  15, '66. 
>,ut  March  !■",,  '66. 


1st  Lieutenant  lire    In,  1802 

Ut  Lieutenant  Oct.  17,  1861..  To  Captain Dec.  2,  1862... 


Mustered  out  July  28,  186 
Hush  red  oul  Sepl  B,  1863 
Besigned  tfo\    I.  1862 

Resigned  May  7,  1862. 


THE    GREAT    INDIAN    SCARE. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  September.  1862,  the  people  of  Ozaukee  Countv 
were  thrown  into  a  stair  of  utter  confusion  by  what  is  known  as  the  li  Great  Indian  Scare." 
Without  any  foundation  whatever,  a  report  was  circulated  that  the  Indians,  nobody  knew  from 
whai  quarter,  were  coining  in  large  numbers,  and  that  they  were  killing  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, anil  laying  waste  everything  before  them.  This  story,  coming  as  it  did  close  on  to  the 
great  Minnesota  massacres,  and  the  people,  being  already  worked  up  to  a  feverish  state  of  excite- 
ment by  the  effects  of  the  war,  soon  gained  credence,  and  had  the  country  been  netted  over  with 
telegraph  wires,  it  could  not  have  spread  faster  or  have  created  a  greater  panic.  The  general 
condition  of  the  people  was  just  ripe  for  a  stampede,  and  a  stampede  it  was.  The  ruse,  if  such 
it  was.  could  not  have  been  sprung  at  a  better  time. 

•  •pinions  differ  as  to  how  the  scare  originated.  In  fact,  no  one  seems  to  know.  It  ranks 
as  one  of  those  mysteries,  as  Dundreary  expresses  it,  "  That  no  fellow  can  find  <>>it."  There 
are  t henries,  of  course.  It  is  thought  by  some  that  it  was  the  work  of  secret  agents  employed 
by  the  South,  the  plan  aimed  at  being  to  throw  the  Northwest  into  such  a  confused  State  as  to 
necessitate  the  withdrawal  of  the  military  from  Milwaukee  and  Chicago,  when  the  liberation  of  the 
prisoners  then  held  in  those  two  cities  would  he  an  easy  matter.  This,  of  course,  is  only  a  conjec- 
ture, like  hundreds  of  othersof  a  similar  character.  That  it  was  a  scare  nobody  is  disposed  to  deny, 
and  the  many  incidents  connected  with  it,  will  be  rememhercd  fur  years  to  come,  ami  are  worthy 
to  be  recorded  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  Ozaukee  County.  Farmers  were  so  completely  taken 
in  by  the  rumor,  that  in  their  fright  they  tied  leaving  everything  behind  them.  One  family  of 
Germans,  while  driving  at  full  speed  for  Port  Washington,  lost  one  of  their  children  on  the  way, 
and  did  not  become  aware  .,1    the  fact  until  they  had  arrived  in  the  village. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  499 

One  peculiar  feature  of  the  panic  was  that  no  one  knew  from  which  direction  the  Indians 
were  coming.  It  was  a  common  occurrence  for  teams  to  meet,  each  flying  in  an  opposite  direc- 
tion, and  both  claiming  that  the  Indians  were  behind  them.  G.  W.  Foster,  of  Port  Wash- 
ington, relates  as  follows:  -'The  scare  did  not  reach  our  village  until  about  9  o'clock  at 
night.  I  had  retired  early,  as  I  was  not  feeling  very  well.  About  9:30  I  was  aroused  by  a 
thundering  rap  on  the  front  door.  I  hastened  to  open  it,  when  S.  A.  White,  one  of  our  most 
prominent  citizens,  rushed  in,  exclaiming.  '  for  God  sake,  Foster,  come  down  town,  the  Indians 
are  coming,  and  will  massacre  us  all !'  '  Indians  !  why,  White,  are  you  in  your  senses  ?'  I  was 
inclined  at  first  to  believe  him  joking,  for  he  was  a  man  of  great  bravery,  and  one  not  easily 
frightened,  but  I  was  soon  convinced  of  his  earnestness  when  he  again  spoke.  '  Come,  come, 
Foster,  this  is  no  time  for  parlying.  I  say  the  Indians  are  coming.  God  knows,  they  may  be 
in  the  town  now.  The  farmers  are  in  from  all  quarters.'  '  I  will  go  down  with  you,  White,'  I 
said,  '  but  where  the  Indians  would  come  from  I  can't  imagine.'  I  then  procured  my  gun  and 
accompanied  him  to  the  main  street,  where  I  found  the  greatest  excitement  prevailed.  Men 
armed  with  pitchforks,  clubs  and  axes,  were  rushing  to  and  fro;  no  one  could  tell  you  anything 
except  '  prepare  for  your  lives,  the  Indians  !  the  Indians  !'  Every  now  and  then  a  farm  wagon 
would  come  flying  into  the  village,  the  horses  reeking  with  sweat,  and  the  occupants  shaking  as 
though  the  very  earth  was  about  to  open  at  their  feet  and  swallow  them  up.  Some  of  the  teams 
did  not  even  stop,  but  went  pell-mell  through  the  town  yelling  '  Indians  !  fly  for  your  lives,  the 
Indians  are  coming  !'  Of  course,  all  sorts  of  stories  were  circulated,  one  being  that  the  Indi- 
ans had  used  too  much  fire-water,  and  were  dropping  drunk  along  the  way.  Upon  this  hint, 
the  saloon-keepers  rolled  out  kegs  of  whisky  on  to  the  pavement,  so  that  the  redskins  would  find 
them  the  first  thing,  and  then  could  be  easily  dispatched.  The  Sheriff,  Jacob  Bossier,  sent  his  wife 
to  Milwaukee  to  tell  the  news,  an  errand  which  the  plucky  little  woman  performed  in  good  style." 
Wilson  F.  Stewart  says :  "  I  was  then  living  on  my  farm,  a  mile  from  the  village.  I  had 
come  into  town  in  the  evening,  as  was  my  usual  habit.  About  9  o'clock  I  left  the  office  prepar- 
tory  to  going  home,  when  I  saw  a  great  crowd  gathering.  I  thought  nothing  of  it,  as  excite- 
ments were  of  daily  occurrence  in  those  times,  and  turned  toward  home.  I  had  not  proceeded 
far,  however,  when  I  was  stopped  by  a  half  dozen  men  armed  with  pitchforks  and  clubs.  I 
asked  them  what  they  wanted.  '  What  do  we  want?'  they  exclaimed,  'We  want  you  to  help 
fight  the  Indians.'  'Indians!  why  you  must  be  crazy  ;  let  me  pass.'  '  No,  you  cannot  go  home, 
you  must  stay  and  help  protect  the  women  and  children.'  By  this  time  the  streets  were  full  of 
people  rushing  frantically  about,  and  exclaiming,  '  0.  what  shall  we  do?'  They  will  murder 
us  all,  let  us  fly.  The  Indians  !  the  Indians  !'  I  told  them  there  was  no  occasion  for  alarm, 
but  if  they  would  allow  me,  I  would  go  home,  get  my  gun  and  come  back  and  watch  with  them 
during  the  night,  a  proposition  which  they  readily  assented  to.  Of  course  I  need  not  tell  you, 
we  did  not  see  any  Indians." 

Ulrich  Landolt,  who  came  into  the  county  in  1848,  being  one  of  the  oldest  German 
settlers,  relates  how  a  neighbor  of  his  undertook  to  conceal  his  money.  He  procured  a  cigar- 
box,  placed  the  money  in  it,  fastened  down  the  tid,  and,  taking  the  box,  went  out  into  a  secluded 
place  in  the  garden  and  dug  a  hole,  in  the  meantime  setting  the  box  on  the  ground.  The  scare 
having  passed  over,  he  thought  he  might  as  well  unearth  his  treasure,  when,  to  his  utter  astonish- 
ment, he  discovered  that  he  had  very  carefully  covered  over  the  hole,  and  left  the  box  with  all 
the  money  setting  on  the  ground  close  by.  A  family  of  Norwegians  concluded  that  their  safest 
plan  was  to  go  to  Milwaukee.  Accordingly  they  got  together  their  moveable  traps,  hustled 
the  children  into  the  wagon  and  started  on  their  journey.  When  they  were,  as  they  thought, 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  city,  they  halted  and  encamped  for  the  night.  The  morning  came. 
They  began  to  look  about  them,  and  what  was  their  amazement  when  they  discovered  that  they 
were  but  a  half  mile  from  their  own  house  Hundreds  of  such  cases  might  he  cited.  These 
are  narrated  to  show  how  utterly  helpless  many  of  the  people  were  under  the  excitement. 

Charles  E.  Chamberlain,  Secretary  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Club,  says:  "I  was  then  liv- 
ing on   my  farm    near   Cedarburg.     About   a  mile   north  of  my  place   a   number  of  men  were 


500  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

engaged  in  running  one  of  the  large  separating  threshing-machines.  Using  a  borrowed  phrase, 
'Everything  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell.'  The  hum  of  the  machine,  the  crack  of  the  whip, 
the  commanding  tones  of  the  men,  all  seemed  to  point  to  the  fact  that  they  were  masters  of  the 
situation.  All  of  a  sudden  there  was  a  great  commotion  among  the  men.  The  machine  ceased 
its  whir,  and  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  the  horses  were  released  from  the  power,  hitched 
to  the  wagon,  turned  into  the  road,  when  they  came  tearing  toward  my  house,  the  men  yelling 
amid  the  greatest  excitement,  'Indians  !  escape  for  your  lives,  the  Indians  are  coming.'  I  tried 
to  stop  them,  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Down  the  road  they  went,  pell-mell,  and  as  far  as  I  could  dis- 
tinguish them  in  the  cloud  of  dust,  they  were  swinging  their  hats  and  coats,  yelling  '  Indians  ! 
fly  for  your  lives,  the  Indians  are  coming.'  Edward  Jansen,  then  County  Superintendent  of 
Schools,  came  running  to  my  house.  '  What  do  you  think  of  this  Indian  story.  Chamberlain  '.'' 
'  I  don't  believe  there  is  anything  in  it,'  I  said;  '  Where  would  they  come  from?'  '  That  is 
what  I  was  thinking,'  he  replied;  'but  my  wife  is  terribly  frightened,  so  I  have  concluded  to 
send  my  family  to  Milwaukee.' 

"  By  this  time  Mrs.  Chamberlain  had  joined  us.  I  told  her  that  Mr.  Jansen's  family  were 
going  to  Milwaukee,  and  asked  her  if  she  desired  to  go  with  them.  Her  reply  was,  'If  you  arc 
not  frightened  I  shan't  be  ;  besides,  I  don't  intend  that  this  good  dinner  I  have  been  preparing 
shall  go  to  waste.' 

''  We  were  expecting  company,  and  the  dinner  was  something  more  than  ordinary.  Jansen 
caught  a  sniff  of  the  tempting  viands  and  concluded  to  remain  with  us;  his  family,  however, 
went  on  to  Milwaukee." 

John  B.  Bohan,  Editor  of  the  Ozaukee  County  Advertiser,  relates  as  follows :  "  I  had 
been  to  Milwaukee;  that  was  before  we  had  any  railroads  in  the  county,  and  we  were  compellel 
to  stage  it.  We  were  on  our  way  back  to  Port  Washington,  and  had  got  so  far  as  Mequon  Vill- 
age, on  the  Green  Bay  road,  where  we  found  the  people  all  in  the  greatest  excitement.  Wagons 
were  being  loaded  with  goods  preparatory  to  leaving  for  the  South.  We  concluded  that  we 
would  continue  our  journey  to  Port  Washington,  and  ordered  the  driver  to  pull  out,  when  John 
McKeon,  a  resident  of  Mequon,  rushed  excitedly  into  the  mad  and  caught  the  horses  by  the 
head,  exclaiming,  'No.  you  don't  have  this  place;  you  must  remain  here  and  help  protect  our 
families.'  I  told  him  that  I  had  a  family  of  my  own  to  look  after.  When  he  saw  the  absurdity 
of  tin'  tiling,  he  allowed  us  to  proceed  on  our  journey.  All  along  the  way  we  met  fanners  with 
their  Families  driving  at  full  speed  for  Milwaukee." 

The  news  having  spread  to  the  large  cities,  a  company  of  soldiers  was  sent  out  from  Mil- 
waukee to  head  off  the  Indians.  They  proceeded  as  far  north  as  the  village  of  Cedarburg,  and. 
seeing  no  dusky  warriors,  they  halted  tor  refreshments.  Provisions  being  scarce,  a  foraging 
expedition  was  made  among  the  farm  house3,  which  by  this  time  were  entirely  deserted.  Hours 
had  been  left  wide  open,  ami  the  hogs  and  chickens,  taking  ail  vantage  of  the  occasion,  were 
holding  high  carnival  on  the  floors.  The  people  had  taken  nothing  witti  them.  The  soldier- 
found  any  quantity  of  bread  and  meat,  from  which  they  made  a  hearty  meal.  They  remained 
in  Cedarburg  until  evening,  when  they  turned  ;ynl  marched  hack  to  Milwaukee.  These  aie  but 
a  few  of  the  many  incidents  connected  with  the  "  Great  Indian  Scare,"  which  was  not  confined 
alone  to  Ozaukee  County,  but  extended  westward  throughout  the  State  to  the  Mississippi 
River. 

RAILROADS. 

Tin-  people  of  Ozaukee  County  first  became  interested  in  the  building  of  railroads  in  1856, 
the  first  project  in  this  line  being  that  of  the  "Milwaukee  iV  Lake  Superior  Railroad."  The 
plan  adopted  for  the  raising  of  funds  was  that  the  farmers  were  to  mortgage  their  farms  in  return 
for  stock,  these  mortgages  to  be  used  by  the  company  as  security  upon  which  to  raise  money. 
This  scheme  met  with  considerable  favor  from  the  people  of  the  county  :  subscriptions,  or  rather 
mortgages  were  freely  made,  and  the  work  of  grading  the  road  began,  the  starting  point  being 
Milwaukee.  The  track  was  laid  as  far  as  Medium,  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles,  an  engine  was 
ordered  from  Cincinnati,  and  a  great  public  demonstration  held  at  the  arrival  on  the  iron  steed, 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  501 

■which  was  christened  "Mequon."  This  jubilant  spirit  was  not  destined  to  be  of  long  duration. 
TJie  President  of  the  road,  anticipating  a  crash,  and  apparently  believing  in  the  more  prudent 
than  honorable  maxim,  "Save  himself  who  can,"  absconded  with  about  $30,000  of  the  com- 
pany's funds,  which  act  of  rascality  soon  brought  matters  to  a  climax.  The  company  was  dis- 
solved and  the  mortgages  distributed  among  the  directors  and  a  few  of  the  favored  office-holders, 
many  of  them  being  paid  at  25  cents  on  the  dollar,  while  others  fell  into  the  hands  of  specula- 
tors, and  being  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court,  were  there  decided  legal,  leaving  the  unfortunate 
farmers  who  had  been  inveigled  into  giving  them,  to  pay  them  in  full  with  interest,  the  transac- 
action  costing  many  of  them  the  entire  loss  of  their  farms.  This  swindle  discouraged  the  people 
of  Ozaukee  from  embarking  in  railroad  enterprises  for  several  years. 

In  February,  1870,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  Legislature  to  a  company  styled  the 
"Milwaukee  &  Northern  Railroad  Company,"  but  previous  to  the  granting  of  the  charter  a 
strife  had  arisen  between  the  towns  of  the  eastern  and  western  divisions  of  Ozaukee  Countv  as 
to  the  location  of  the  road.  Port  Washington,  anxious  to  secure  the  road,  made  liberal  offers 
in  land  privileges,  and  was  willing  to  pledge  $20,000  additional  in  subscriptions  secured  by 
bonds.  The  railroad  company,  however,  favored  the  western  route,  offering  to  touch  at  Sauk- 
ville,  a  point  three  miles  west  of  Port  Washington.  This  proposition  did  not  satisfy  the  people 
of  Port  Washington,  they  desiring  to  have  a  railroad  of  their  own  or  none  at  all,  and  being 
strengthened  in  their  persistency  by  the  coast  towns  north,  who  would  be  left  in  the  cold  by  the 
proposed  western  route. 

The  Milwaukee  &  Northern  Railroad  Company  being  the  stronger  party,  the  lake-shore 
towns,  including  Port  Washington,  began  to  despair  of  having  a  railroad,  when,  to  their  great 
joy,  a  new  avenue  to  the  consummation  of  their  wishes  was  opened  by  the  appearance  on  the 
scene  of  a  contractor  or  speculator  from  New  York,  James  Easton,  who  made  the  following 
proposition  to  the  Port  Washington  leaders  :  "  Gentlemen,  secure  a  charter  and  I  will  build 
you  a  railroad."  Encouraged  by  this  assurance,  John  R.  Bohan,  G.  W.  Foster,  James  W.  Vail 
and  others  from  Port  Washington,  assisted  by  a  strong  corps  of  railroad  enthusiasts  furnished 
by  their  northern  allies,  made  all  possible  haste  to  prepare  their  claim  for  a  charter.  The  Mil- 
waukee &  Northern  Railroad  Company  of  course  opposed  the  movement,  but  finding  opposition 
useless,  decided  upon  a  compromise.  It  was  agreed  at  a  union  meeting  of  the  opposing  parties, 
that  the  rival  claimants  should  both  present  their  petitions  to  the  Legislature,  the  Northern  hav- 
ing precedence  in  point  of  time,  but  that  neither  faction  should  oppose  the  other's  claim.  With 
this  understanding,  the  Directors  of  the  Milwaukee  &  Northern  were  allowed  to  procure  their 
charter  without  opposition,  when  everything  being  arranged  to  their  entire  satisfaction,  they 
smiled  serenely  on  their  lake-shore  rivals,  and  returned  to  Milwaukee  to  commence  work  on 
their  road. 

When  the  time  arrived  for  the  Port  Washington  petitioners  to  present  their  claim  for  the 
lake-shore  railroad,  they  found,  contrary  to  their  expectations,  a  strong  party  of  lobbyists  at 
Madison  to  oppose  the  bill,  on  the  ground  that  the  county  of  Ozaukee  was  not  of  sufficient 
width  to  warrant  building  two  lines  of  railway  running  parallel  with  each  other.  A  warm  fight 
ensued,  and  the  bill  was  defeated  by  one  vote.  Nothing  daunted,  the  lake-shore  party  finally 
succeeded  in  getting  the  bill  reconsidered,  when  it  was  carried  and  a  charter  granted. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  Port  Washington,  Sheboygan,  Manitowoc  and  other  lake- 
shore  towns  over  the  result.  Easton  commenced  the  work  at  once,  money  was  subscribed  by 
the  towns  along  the  proposed  route,  and  about  fourteen  miles  of  the  road  was  graded,  when  the 
lack  of  funds  delayed  operations  for  a  time,  but  responsible  parties  taking  the  matter  in  hand, 
work  was  recommenced  and  the  road  rapidly  pushed  to  completion.  The  road  was  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  "Milwaukee,  Manitowoc  &  Green  Bay  Railroad  Company,"  March  10,  1870. 

Ozaukee  County  has  two  competing  lines  of  railway  running  parallel  with  each  other,  at 
an  average  distance  of  five  miles,  through  the  entire  county,  north  and  south. 


502  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AXD  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

CHURCHES. 

Evangelical  Lutheran,  Mequon — Organized  January  26,  1852.  August  Maas,  Frederick 
Falkner  and  August  Wussow,  first  Trustees. 

Fr,  i  ( 'ongr> ■gatimi,  Cedarburg — Organized  February  15, 1853.  The  founders  were  August 
Runge,  Conrad  Ilorneffer,  Theodore  Hartwig,  Frederick  Borner  and  Phillip  Michel. 

Der  Deutsekem  Evangelical  Luiheri&ch  m  Friedenskirchiem,  Port  Washington — Incorpo- 
rated January  8,  1854. 

St.  Paul  Lutheran,  Grafton — Organized  April  20,  1856. 

Norwegian  Evangelical,  Port  Washington — Organized  June  24,  1856. 

St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran,  Saukville — Organized  March  18,  1861. 

Evangelical  Lutheran,  Cedarburg — Organized  May  25,  1863. 

Emanuel,  Cedarburg — Organized  December  25,  1863. 

Evangelical  Lutheran,  Cedarburg — Organized  September  15,  1853.  Frederick  Groth, 
William  Vogenitz,  John  Kressin,  Henry  Stager  and  William  Groth,  Trustees. 

Free  Congregation,  Mequon — Organized  February  22,  1853.  Trustees,  John  Thompson, 
Oscar  Steinel  and  G.  E.  Hahmann. 

Presbyterian  Church,  Grafton — Was  organized  by  Elder  Isaac  F.  Buck  and  Benjamin 
H.  Mooers,  February  8,  1847.  The  Trustees  for  that  year  were  James  T.  Gifford,  Richard  P. 
Derickson,  Erastus  D.  Lord,  N.  M.  Graham  and  Dr.  Peter  Moore. 

E  ICIETEBS. 

German  Free  School,  Cedarburg — The  organization  of  this  society  took  place  at  the  house 
of  Col.  C.  Ilorneffer,  in  the  village  of  Cedarburg,  April  18,  1854. 

CEMETERIES. 

St.  Mary's,  Port  Washington. — This  association  was  incorporated  January  25,  1  ">f>4,  at 
the  house  of  David  Faar.  The  Trustees  then  elected  were  Nicholas  Kenna,  David  Saar,  Thomas 
Powers,  Joseph  Long,  Francis  Leiter  and  R.  N.  Byrnes. 

Port  Washington  Cemetrrg  Association — Incorporated  March  15,  1855.  The  meeting 
was  held  at  the  office  of  A.  M.  Blair.  There  were  present  James  W.  Vail,  Julius  Tomlinson, 
Abram  Bates,  Isaac  C.  Loomis,  J.  B.  Foster,  I.  M.  Ingersoll,  Abram  Decker,  Bamum  Blake. 
W.  B.  Lenard  and  L.  Towsley. 

Kutharina  Association,  Saukville — Incorporated  March  21,  1855.  The  meeting  was  held 
at  the  house  of  Johannes  Laubenstein,  in  the  town  of  Saukville,  when  the  following  Trustees 
were  elected:  John  Raess,  Jacob  Laubenstein,  II.  Boehner.  (ieorgeP.  Schueler,  John  Mueller 
and  Nicholas  Schardt. 

St.  Joseph's  Association,  Grafton — Incorporated  February  1^.  1S.~>.">. 

Cedarburg  Cemetery  Association— Was  incorporated  April  6,  1S">7,  at  a  meeting  held  at 
the  house  of  C.  Ilorneffer,  in  the  village  of  Cedarburg;  Frederick  Ililgen  in  the  chair;  F.  W. 
Horn,  Secretary. 

Fredonia  Southwestern  Cemetery  Association  —  Was  incorporated  August  3u,  lv~>4. 
Trustees  elected,  Alanson  Arnold,  Henry  Orcutt,  John  Thomas,  Edward  D.  Bradford,  13.  Patch, 
B.  P.  McEvoy  and  William  R.  Davis. 

Wahrka  Cemetery  Association — Incorporated  Jane  28,  L862. 

Those  churches  and  societies  not  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  list,  a  full  account  will  be  given 
in  the  town  histories. 

OZAUKEE   COUNT!    AGRICULTURAL   society. 

This  society  was  organizrd  at  a  mass  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Ozaukee  County,  held  in  the 
village  of  Cedarburg,  January  31,  1859. 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


503 


The  following  is  taken  from  the  constitution  and  by-laws  then  adopted: 

"  The  name  of  this  society  shall  be  the  Ozaukee  County  Agricultural  Society.  Its  object 
shall  be  to  promote  and  improve  the  agriculture,  horticulture,  mechanic  and  household  arts  in 
this  county,  and  to  serve  as  a  medium  of  spreading  information  in  regard  to  agriculture  and  its 
kindred  pursuits.  The  officers  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  President,  two  Vice  Presidents, 
Recording  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  an  Executive  Committee." 

The  first  officers  were :  President,  William  Vogenitz  ;  Vice  President,  Theodore  Hartwig  ; 
Secretary,  Hugo  Boclo ;  Executive  Committee,  Frederick  Hilgen,  Joseph  Trottman,  Fred 
Schatz,  B.  O.  Zastrow  Kussow,  E.  Stallman.  The  first  annual  fair  was  held  in  the  village  of 
Cedarburg  October  11,  1859. 

The  following  sums  were  received  by  the  society  :  Sale  of  entrance  tickets,  $41.45  ;  cash 
from  members  of  the  society,  $172  ;  total,  $218.45.  The  following  expenditures  were  made: 
Cash  premiums  paid  out,  $i00  ;  for  two  hundred  diplomas,  $30 ;  for  printing  handbills,  $5.50  ; 
expense  fitting  of  fairground,  $44.70  ;  balance  on  hand  October  14,  1859,  $33.19. 


OFFICERS    FROM    1862    TO    1881. 


TEARS. 

Presidents. 

Vice    Presidents. 

Secretaries. 

Treasurers 

18C2 

F. 
A. 
Pi 
Pa 
Pi 
A. 
A. 
A. 
A. 
A. 
A. 
A. 
A. 

A 

W   Horn 

Wi'i'iara  Bonniwell... 
William  Bonniwell... 

William  Vogenilz 

William  Vogenitz 

William  Vogeniiz 

F.  W.  Horn 

William  Vogenitz 

William  Vogenitz 

William  Vogenitz 

William  Vogenilz 

Charles  Wilke 

B.  O.  Zastrow. 

1863 

M.  Ailing 

P.  Halpin   J.  C    Downs 

B.  O.  Zastrow. 

1864 

trick    Ruddy 

trick  Ruddy 

trick  Ruddy 

M.  Allino- 

James  Boyd.  Adolph  Zimmerman. 

Patrick  Halpin,  William  Carbys... 
Frederic  Hilgen,  Sheppard  Moore.. 

B.  0.  Zastrow. 

1865 

B.  O.  Zastrow. 

1866 

W.  T.  Bonniwell. 

1867... 

B.  O.  Zastrow. 

1868 

M.  Alline 

B.  0.  Zastrow. 

1869 

M.  Ailing 

B.  0.  Zastrow. 

1870 

M   Ailing..., 

B.  0.  Zastrow. 

1871 

M.  Allino- 

B.  0.  Zastrow. 

1872 

M.  Ailing.... 

Dr.  Th,  Fricke. 

1873 

M.  Ailing  

M.  Ailing 

M.  Allino- 

Dr.  Th.  Fricke. 

1874 

P    Ruddy    W    F.  Opitz 

William  Vogeni  z. 

1875 

William  v'ogenilz. 

1876.... 

M.  Ailing..., 

W    K  Opitz   .1    Hilgen    .          

Charles  Wilke 

William  Vogenitz 

1877 

A 
A. 
A 
A. 

A 

M.  Allino-.... 

W.  F   Opitz,   -I    Hil'i-en 

William  Vogenitz. 

1878 

M.  Ailing... 

1879.... 

M.  Ailing 

M.  Ailing 

J    C    Corri»an    W     F    Opitz  

1880 

W.  F.  Opitz.  Patrick  Halpin 

P.  L.  Kahler,   M.  Dempsey 

L.  C.  Larson 

Aug  Koenig. 
W.  F.  Opitz. 

1881 

M.  Ailing 

AGRICULTURAL    RESOURCES. 

The  latest  official  reports  show  the  annual  production  of  grain,  roots,  potatoes  and  apples 
as  in  the  following  table  : 


NUMBER    OF    BUSHELS. 

TOWNS. 

Wheat. 

Corn. 

Oats. 

Barley. 

Bye. 

Potatoes. 

Root  Crops. 

Apples. 

40295 
57203 
33816 

4360 
8786 

41660 

4.V,S7 

21120 
13SIXI 
19492 

7765 
25456 
14997 

7317 

8 
5571 
6090 
4254 
11 1 10 
553 
7000 

7155 
171'57 
1(1995 
14535 
26440 
11128 
14439 

4958 
2750 
1310 

2400 

49 

1467 

1715ft               41748 

1015 

4M',7H               5447 
80434             1 6350 

39932 

88287 
31390 
84922 

633 

2S53 

Port   Washington 

35077 
41331 

7  sr.o 
23490 

392 
1552 

Totals 

334832 

S3  448 

323571'. 

109947 

34616 

101949 

11418 

7961 

504  HISTORY    OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

The  annual  acreage  of  hay  field  in  the  county  is  reported  a9  12,000  acres.  The  growing 
timber  aggregates  23,000  acres,  and  there  are  1,227  acres  of  apple  orchard.  The  aggregate 
value  of  the  crops,  exclusive  of  hay,  is  $650,000  per  annum. 

THE    PRESS. 

The  pioneer  editors  of  Ozaukee  County  were  Flavius  J.  Mills,  John  A.  Brown,  R.  A. 
Bird,  James  W.  Vail,  John  R.  Bolian,  R.  L.  Gore  and  Adolph  Heidkamp. 

The  first  paper  published  in  the  county  was  the  Washington  County  Democrat,  established 
in  the  village  of  Port  Washington  by  Flavius  J.  Mills,  during  the  summer  of  1847.  About 
two  years  later,  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  James  W.  Vail,  who  merged  it  in  the  Blade, 
founded  in  1849  by  R.  A.  Bird.  In  1853,  the  Blade  changed  its  name  to  the  Ozaukee  County 
Times,  and  about  a  year  later  was  discontinued. 

The  Washington  County  Eagle  was  established  in  the  village  of  Grafton  by  John  A. 
Brown.  It  made  its  debut  August  14,  1847,  folio  size,  16x22.  Unfortunately,  the  editors  of 
early  times  failed  to  keep  files  of  their  papers.  It  is  impossible  to  give  a  fair  description  of  how 
they  appeared,  or  any  synopsis  of  the  news  they  published.  The  Ozaukee  County  Advertiser 
was  started  at  Grafton  in  the  spring  of  1853,  by  several  county  officials  opposed  to  the  division 
of  the  county.  Charles  E.  Chamberlin  did  the  mechanical  work,  besides  writing  many  of  the 
leading  editorials.  The  third  number  of  the  paper  contained  the  following  poetical  account  of 
a  local  shooting  affair: 

HAVE    WE    A    P0ETK.SS    AMONG    US? 

We  received  the  following  lines,  with  a  very  polite  request  to  publish  them  in  our  paper.  If  our  paper  hail 
been  in  full  blast,  we  should  have  declined  giving  Sub  Rosa  publicity  without  the  fair  writer's  name.  But  we  will 
adopt  her  motto,  and  crawl  under  the  hush;  for  as  the  rapid  advauce  of  cholera  has  had  a  tendency  to  draw  down 
the  faces  of  our  old  settlers  as  long  as  your  arm,  and  silence  the  mirthfulness  of  their  rising  sons,  we  think  these 
verses  will  cause  a  reaction,  and  act  as  an  astringent,  to  allow  them  to  resume  their  wonted  shape,  and  lay  a  founda- 
tion for  an  extra  coat  of  flesh. 

To  the  writer  we  would  say,  that  she  possesses  excellent  qualities  for  writing  poetry.  And  if  she  will  only 
exercise  them  in  a  different  way,  we  should  be  glad  to  receive  her  communications,  and  enroll  her  name  on  our  list 
of  correspondents. 

For  the  Advertiser. 

TO    PATRICK    o'RIORDON,  WHO   SHOT   JACOB    I.    LDR1ANOB. 

"Oh,  Patrick,  Patrick,  monster  foul ! 
How  could  you  round  poor  Jacob  prowl, 
And  shoot  him  in  the  thigh  kerswot, 
With  that  accursed  load  of  shot? 

'•  I've  seen  thee  oft  in  times  gone  by — 
I've  seen  thee  low.  and  seen  thee  high  .' 
lint    never  thought  thee  such  a  hrutr, 
That  you  poor  Jacob's  leg  would  shoot. 

"  Look  on  your  victim,  as  he  bled, 
When  you  in  anger  from  him  sped  ! 
Upon  the  Oold  earth  there  he  lay. 
While  you  refused  with  him  to  stay. 

"  In  angry  mood  you  sought  your  home, 
Nor  dared  about  the  town  to  roam  ; 
You  flipped  your  hand  in  gory  red. 
And  from  poor  Jacob  then  you  tied 

•■  You  swore  he  should  have  died  before — 
He'd  lived  too  long  in  days  of  yore  ; 

Then  vowed  you  knew  not  of  tl t. 

While  all  the  time  you  knew  the  faot. 

"  He  lives  !   may  Doctor  Moor  he  praised  : 

lie  ft hie  ejirv  bed  he  raised! 

A  skillful  surgeon,  ever  near. 

His  life  has  saved,  to  him  most  dear. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 

'•  'Tis  true,  he  limps  upon  a  crutch — 
If  you'd  been  shot  you'd  do  as  much  : 
But  Justice  soon  will  overtake, 
And  thee  of  all  thy  capers  break. 

"  For  E.  S.  T.  is  on  your  track, 
And  he  in  time  will  bring  you  back 
To  virtue's  path,  and  let  you  know 
You  ne'er  more  from  it  must  go. 

"Then  think,  O,  Patrick,  what  you've  done! 
You've  brought  reproof  on  your  mother's  son; 
She  ne'er  did  dream  or  think  that  you 
This  bloody  act  would  ever  do. 

"  If  from  this  deed  you  e'er  get  free. 
t),  never,  never  may  it  be, 
That  you  commit  the  same  agaiu, 
And  give  a  fellow-being  pain."  Sub  Rosa. 

"  Sub  Rosa  "  was  afterward  discovered  to  be  the  nom  de  plume  of  one  of  Port  Washing- 
ton's most  prominent  citizens;  at  present  Secretary  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Club. 

The  Advertiser  was  removed  to  Port  Washington  and  became  the  property  of  John  R. 
Bohan,  its  present  editor.  The  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Bohan's  connection  with  the  paper  is 
taken  from  an  article  published  by  himself  May  31,  1881,  in  which  he  alludes  to  the  downfall 
of  the  Ozaukee  County  Enterprise,  which  had  been  published  for  about  one  year  in  the  village 
of  Cedarburg,  by  Frederick  Meyer : 

The  Cedarburg  ni  County   Enterprise  breathed  its  last  gasp  last  week.     It  is  an  old  saying  that  it  is 

honorable  to  speak  well  of  the  dead,  so  we  forbear  any  scurrilous  remarks,  although  the  readers  of  the  Advertiser, 
and  also  of  the  Enterprise,  must  in  justice  say  that  our  patience  was  sorely  tried,  but  let  bygones  be  bygones,  and  let 
us  here  add  a  word  of  warning  to  others  who  may  be  foolish  enough  to  embark  their  little  means  in  any  such  enter- 
prise that  it  is  a  dead  duck  sure,  and  let  us  also  add  to  the  honor  and  credit  of  Cedarburg,  and  to  her  enterprising  and 
high-spirited  citizens  and  business  men,  that  the  paper  during  its  existence  received  a  most  generous  material  sup- 
port, and  that  the  editor,  Mr.  Fred  Meyer  put  his  whole  energy  into  it,  and  if  he  could  not  make  it  pay  it  would  De 
insanity  in  any  other  person  to  attempt  it.  Our  own  connection  with  journalism  dates  back  to  1854,  when  Mr. 
Adolph  Heidkamp  started  an  English  newspaper  at  this  place,  called  the  Ozaukee  County  Democrat,  and  induced  us 
by  every  means  in  his  powaA  and  succeeded  in  inducing  us  to  become  its  editor,  in  consideration  of  which  service  we 
were  to  receive  one-half  theprofit  of  the  office.  We  were  County  Clerk  al  the  time,  and  gave  it  what  Cuunty  printing 
we  controlled,  which  was  double  what  the  entire  patronage  is  at  present,  and  at  the  end  of  half  a  year,  when  we 
come  to  hgure  up  profits,  Mr.  Heidkamp  informed  us  upon  honor  that  he  did  not  realize  one  cent  profit  for  that  half 
year  Of  course,  we  then  informed  him  that  he  should  look  up  another  editor,  which  he  declined  to  do.  The 
i  'vertiser,  run  by  1!.  L.  Gove,  Esq.,  brother-in-law  of  Hon.  E.  S.  Turner,  being  the  established  organ,  was  too 
stanch  to  be  budged.  Mr.  (Jove  expressed  a  willingness  to  sell  his  interest  in  the  Advertiser,  he  being  a  young  un- 
raarried  man,  and  his  parents  and  family  being  wealthy  and  respectable  residents  of  the  beautiful  village  of  Wau- 
besha.  He  desired  to  return  there  and  go  into  other  business.  \Ve,  then,  in  company  with  Mi.  Heidkamp  and  Mr. 
W.  A.  Pors,  purchased  from  Mr.  Gove,  and  called  the  new  paper  the  Advertiser  and  Democrat.  Mr.  Pors  was  a  silent 
partner,  ami  Bohan  V  Heidkamp  was  the  title  of  the  firm.  In  1859,  we  purchased  the  entire  interest,  struck  off  the 
title  of  Democrat,  and  restored  the  original  name,  and  have  clung  to  it  ever  since.  Of  course,  it  is  much  improved 
in  its  present  state,  being  nearly  double  the  size  that  it  was  then,  but  there  was  no  patent  insides  or  outsides  in 
those  days:  no  such  thing  as  co-operation  was  then  thought  of.  There  were  four  or  five  newspapers  since  then 
started  in  opposition  to  the  Advertiser,  one  of  which  was  half  English  and  half  German,  called  the  Eagle  on  one  side 
ami  Der  Adler  on  the  other,  published  and  edited  by  Mr.  Jacob  Werle,  but  they  all  died  a  natural  death.  Sic  transit 
gloria  mundi. 

Mr.  Bohan,  besides  editing  his  paper,  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  having  been  elected 
to  some  of  the  highest  offices  in  the  county,  and  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature.  He  has 
always  been  a  stanch  Democrat,  adhering  closely  to  the  Jacksonian  principles,  and  headed  his 
paper  with  the  hero  of  New  Orleans'  sterling  motto,  "The  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved." 
Mr.  Bohan  has  always  shown  himself  ready  and  willing  to  support  all  enterprises  that  might 
lead  to  the  advancement  of  the  county,  or  prove  beneficial  to  ifs  people.  He  stood  up  nobly  for 
the  railroad  bill,  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western  Railroad  when 
it  was  so  bitterly  opposed  by  the  friends  of  the  Milwaukee  &  Northern,  now  Wisconsin  Central 
Railroad.  To  the  efforts  of  himself  and  George  W.  Foster  may  be  attributed  the  success  of  the 
Port  Washington  harbor  project.     Mr.  Bohan,  though  now  well  up  in  years,  lacks  none  of  his 


506 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON     Wl»  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


original  force,  and  edits  his  paper  with  as  much  vigor  as  ever.  The  forcible  style  which  marked 
its  earlv  career  is  still  maintained,  and  to  this  may  he  attributed  the  fact  that  Mr.  Bohan  has 
been  able  to  outlive  all  his  early  cotemporaries.  The  Port  Washington  Republican  was  started 
in  1859,  bv  G.  W.  Foster,  who  continued  its  publication  eighteen  months,  when  the  enterprise 
was  abandoned.  The  papers  published  at  present  in  the  county  are  all  located  in  the  village  of 
Port  Washington — the  Advertiser,  edited  by  John  It.  Bohan  ;  the  Weekly  Star,  edited  by 
Hon.  E.  B.  Balens,  whose  editorial  and  political  caree"  is  fully  detailed  in  his  biographical 
sketch,  and  the  German  paper,  Port  Washington  Zeitung,  which  was  established  January  1,  1855, 
by  Adolph  Heidkamp,  who  continued  its  publication  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  27,  1881.  The  paper  is  now  published  by  his  sons.  The  following  sketches  of  Judge 
Heidkamp  are  taken  from  the  Ozaukee  County  Advertiser  and  the  Milwaukee  Sentinel: 

tht  A  dvt  rtisi  r. 
After  an  illness  of  about  ten  Jays.  .lodge  A.  Heidkamp  die  J  on  Mi  unlay  morning  about  4  o'clock,  of  n  Bpeciec  ol 
-v.     lie  was  never  consiJereJ  a  robust  man,  and  his  death  was  not  altogether  unexpected. 

Adolph  Heidkamp  was  horn  in  the  city  of  Cologne,  Germany,  on  the  19th  Jay  of  August,  1821.  He  was  edu- 
cated for  the  profession  of  a  teacher  in  a  Prussian  normal  Bchool,  graduated,  and  was  appointed  by  the  Government 
to  take  oharge  of  various  schools  under  the  Prussian  Bystem,  as  then  in  force,  and  whenever  he  was  ordered  he  had 
to  serve  with  military  precision.  After  serving  in  his  native  country  as  teacher  for  a  number  of  years,  he  directed 
his  at  tent  ion  to  war  J  the  e/reat  republic  of  the  Western  hemisphere,  and  arrived  in  the  city  of  New  York  May  S,  1  B52, 
Remained  in  New  York  until  1854  when  he  came  to  Port  Washington. 

Fro  «  i he  Uilwaukei  Sentinel. 

AN   OLD    RESIDENT   GONE — DEATB     IT    POM    WASHINGTON    OF   JUDGE    ADOLPH    HEIDKAMP. 

Port  Washington,  June  '-'7.  1881, 
Judge  Adolph  Heidkamp,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Port  Washington  Zeiliimj.  died  at  his  residence  this  morning. 
The  deceased  was  a  native  of  Cologne,  Germany,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  about  thirty  years  ago,  serving  as  teacher 
and  organist  in  New  York  City,  and  following  the  late  Rev.  father  F.  X.  Sailler  to  Porl  Washington.  He  taught 
awhile  at  this  place  and  then  founded  the  Porl  Washington  Zeitung,  continuing  as  editor  and  publisher  to  the 
time  of  In- death.  He  raised  a  highly  respected  family  ot  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  wife  died  about  ten 
years  ago,  since  which  time  he  has  remained  unmarried.  He  early  took  an  interest  in  political  affairs,  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  many  minor  offices,  held  the  position  of  Clerk  of  the  Court  one  term.  County  Superintendent  two  terms, 
County  Judge  two  titans.  There  have  been  very  few  county  or  State  Democratic  conventions  in  which  he  has  not 
i,  ,,ne    i  prominent  part.    The  deceased  was  about  sixty  years   of  age 

He  was  the  most  popular  politician  in  t )/ aukee  County,      lie  had  a  wonderful  faculty  of  making  friends  ;    was  gen- 
erous and  sympathizing  to  a  fault  ;   would  share  the  last  dollar  with  a  friend  and  even  wfln  an  enemy,  which  system 
of  generosity  involved   him   sometimes  in   financial  difficulties,      lie  was  a   most    agreeable  traveling  companion 
no  one  could  ever  be  troubled  with  the  blues  while  in  his  company.     We  know  this  from  long  experience. 

The  funeral  t  <ok  place  on  Tuesday  at  9  o'clock,  from  St.  Mary's  Church.  After  solemn  high  mass  by  Rev,  Fat  ner 
Welmcs,  the  C  mc  n  I  n  Society,  the  Fire  Department,  old  Settlers'  Club.  St,  Francis  Xavier  Mutual  Aid  Society — he 
being  a  member  of  each — turned  OUl  in  force  and  for 1  B  very  imp. .sing  procession. 

Among  those  from  abroad  we  noticed  Hon.  I'.  V.  Deustcr.  M  c  ;  Hon.  A.  Zimmerman,  of  Mequon  :  John  Simon, 
Esq.,  ol  Craft. m  :  William  F.  Opitz.  Esq.,  of  Grafton ;  v  Albright,  Hon.  \.  Ahlhauser  and  ex-Judge  Lutfing,  of 
Saukvillc,  Capt.  Spekoe,  and  many  prominent  men  and  old  settlers. 

Resolutions  adopted  by  the  Old  Settlers'  Club  : 

Wiikkkas,  Providence  has  called  away  by  death  our  ..1.1  friend,  \dolpli  Heidkamp,  from  this  tiresome  life  to  eternal 
rest,  therefore  be  it 

That  we  deplore  his  death;   in   him  we  lose  a  g 1   member  of  our  society,  a  noble-hearted    friend — 

one  who  was  always  willing  to  relieve  those  iii  distress  —  ami  his  family  a  kind  and  loving  parent. 

Ruolved,  That  to  the  family  of  the  deceased,  in  this  their  hour  of  grief,  we  tender  ..ur  heartfelt  sympathy. 

A.  M.  AlLING,  President. 
C.    E,    I'll  \miuiii.in.  Secretary. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  507 


CHAPTER  Y. 

TOWN    HISTORIES    OF    OZAUKEE    COUNTY. 

Port  Washington— Town  of  Mequon — Town  of  Grafton— Grafton  Village— Cedarburg — 
Village  of  Cedarbtjtrg— Town  of  Saukville— Village  of  Saukville— Town  of  Bel, 
gium— Town  of  Feedonia— Village  of  Waubeka— Feedonia  Station. 

PORT  WASHINGTON. 

The  natural  beauties  of  Port  Washington,  the  county  seat  of  Ozaukee  County,  are  unsur- 
passed by  any  of  the  lake-shore  towns.  The  village  is  built  in  a  recess  formed  by  Nature,  im 
the  shape  of  the  letter  U. 

Two  bluffs,  three-quarters  of  a  mile  apart  from  north  to  south,  and  with  an  elevation  of  a 
hundred  feet  at  the  lake,  recede  westward  a  distance  of  half  a  mile,  where  they  are  joined  by  % 
bluff,  running  north  and  south,  forming  walls  on  three  sides,  from  the  base  of  which  the  land 
takes  a  gradual  slope  to  the  lake,  thus  shaping  a  natural  basin.  Through  the  west  bluff  is  an 
aperture,  by  which  Sauk  Creek  finds  its  way  to  Lake  Michigan.  Back  of  this  hill  are  a  number 
of  smaller  elevations,  extending  along  the  banks  of  Sauk  Creek ;  resting  on  these  knolls  are 
handsome  residences,  many  of  them  having  terraces  fringed  with  shade  trees  and  flower-beds. 

To  the  west  of  Sauk  Creek  is  a  large  opening  or  ravine,  which  extends  back  to  the  forest 
beyond.  A  small  tributary  of  the  creek  winds  through  the  ravine,  and  is  fed  by  a  number  of 
springs  along  its  banks.  The  rivulet  cuts  its  way  through  two  embankments,  a  short  distance 
from  Sauk  Creek;  by  walling  the  channel  of  the  stream  level  with  the  banks,  an  artificial  lake 
could  be  formed,  which  would  extend  back  to  a  beautiful  forest  about  a  mile  beyond. 

This  lake  would  have  an  average  width  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  while  its  widest  point  would 
be  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile.  When  this  plan  is  carried  to  completion,  with  a  good  summer 
hotel  erected  near  the  grove,  on  the  shore  of  the  artificial  lake,  a  more  inviting  place  for  tourists 
cannot  be  found  in  the  State. 

The  numerous  mounds  which  exist  in  and  around  the  vicinity  of  the  village,  lead  many  to- 
suppose  that  this  quiet  retreat  was  resorted  to  by  the  Indians  as  a  favorite  burying-ground. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  the  Jesuits  of  the  seventeenth  century  made  this  one  of  their  stopping 
points,  while  endeavoring  to  teach  the  noble  red  men  of  the  forest  to  comprehend  the  infinite 
greatness  of  their  God. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  white  settlers  were  a  company  of  land  speculators  and  traders  led  by  Wooster 
Harrison,  familiarly  known  as  Gen.  Harrison.  This  company  landed  at  Port  Washington, 
September  7,  1835,  and  during  the  fall  laid  out  the  town  at  the  mouth  of  Sauk  Creek.  The 
first  name  given  was  that  of  Wisconsin  City  ;  but  there  being  another  place  of  the  same  name 
in  the  State,  it  was  changed  to  Washington  City.  The  first  post  office  was  established  as 
Washington,  receiving  its  present  name  of  Port  Washington  from  George  C.  Daniels,  in  1844. 
The  founders  of  Wisconsin  City  carried  on  a  brisk  trade  for  a  period  of  two  years.  Extortionate 
prices  were  asked  and  paid  for  all  kinds  of  produce.  Lands  quadrupled  in  value  in  a  fortnight; 
money  was  plenty  ;   speculators  wild. 

Everybody  seemed  to  swim  in  a  sea  of  excitement;  intoxicated  with  success,  they  rushed 
blindly  into  a  whirlpool  of  inflation,  only  to  be  swallowed  up  by  the  great  financial  crash  caused 
by  the  panic  of  1837.  The  high  prices  which  had  been  paid  could  not  be  sustained,  and  the 
little  colony  of  fortune-hunters  were  compelled  to  succumb  to  the  stern  reality  of  a  contracted 
currency.     They  were  buried  in  the  general  ruin. 


508 


HIM'oiiY   OF    WASHINGTON     \M>  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


The  actors  who  had  taken  part  in  this  speculative  drama  soon  abandoned  the  scene,  leaving 
Waubeka,  an  old  Indian  chief  and  his  tribe,  in  lull  possession  of  the  little  harbor,  where,  in  their 
dreams  of  prosperity,  they  had  pictured  a  flourishing  city. 

A  year  later.  Aurora  Adams  and  Asa  Case  came  to  brood  over  the  wreck  of  the  once  proud 
Wisconsin  City.      '  -  of  their  predecessors  remained,   with  the  exception  of  one  or  two 

houses,  which  had  been  left  standing,  and  a  fresh  mound  of  earth  with  two  plain  boards,  which 
marked  the  lasl  resting-place  of  Gen.  Harrison's  wife.  Hers  was  the  first  death  ;  she  died 
October  10.  1835. 

Aurora  Adam-  took  possession  of  one  of  the  deserted  houses  and  opened  a  hotel  for  the 
accomodation  of  travelers  on  their  way  to  Sheboygan.  Port  Washington  being  the  half-way 
point  on  the  trail  then  used  between  thai  city  and  Milwaukee. 

\-i  Cas  ■  built  him  a  little  store-house  near  the  lake.  He  was  an  oddity  in  his  way,  but 
managed  to  do  o  fair  trade  in  supplying  the  men  who  traversed  the  trail  with  tobacco  and  pro- 
visions. His  first  invoice  consisted  of  one  barrel  sugar,  one  sack  coffee,  one  gross  matches,  one 
jug  molasses,  ten  pounds  tobacco,  one  keg  nails,  two  boxes  crackers,  one  hoop  cheese.  When  the 
settlements  of  1843  began,  he  seemed  to  realize  that  his  best  days  were  over.  Subsequently. 
he  sold  his  store  and  started  on  foot  for  Sheboygan,  when  he  was  discovered  by  a  peddler 
about  ten  miles  north  of  Port  Washington,  lying  on  the  road  with  a  severe  gash  in  his  throat. 
The  old  man  was  brought  back  to  the  village,  when  he  stated  that  he  had  been  waylaid  by  two 
men  who  had  robbed  him  of  all  his  money.  His  wound  was  dressed,  but  neither  by  persuasion 
or  force  could  he  be  induced  to  eat.     He  died  from  sheer  starvation. 

The  first  dwelling  house  built  in  the  village  was  erected  by  Gen.  Harrison  in  1835.  It  is 
still  standing  apparently  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  It  is  a  little  Story-and  a-half  frame 
building,  gable  end,  the  sills  resting  on  the  ground.  A  partition  divides  thcfirst  floor  into  two 
apartments,  and  also  the  upper  or  half  story.  It  was  at  this  house  that  the  first  votes  of  the 
town  were  polled.  This  old  and  time-worn  structure  has  become  one  of  the  sacred  relics  of  the 
past,  commanding  a  prominent  place  in  the  history  of  the  town  of  Port  Washington,  not  only  on 
account  of  the  relation  itbears  to  the  first  white  settler  of  the  village,  but  because1  if  once  served  as 

slter  to  one  of  America's  greatest  statesmen.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  mention  the  fact  that 
the  great  and  martyred  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  'during  his  days  of  roughing  it.  once 
walked  from  Milwaukee  to  Sheboygan,  and  stopped  a  night  in  this  old  house.  After  the  defeat 
of  the  Merrimac  by  the  Monitor.  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  company  with  some  of  his  Cabinet  officers, 
I  Fortress  Monroe  to  get  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  foit.  While  viewing  the  works, 
desiring  some  information,  he  approached  an  officer,  who  proved  to  be  Capt.  Beger,  from 
Port  Washington.  "Well,  my  man,"  said  Lincoln,  "where  are  you  from':"  "Port  Washing- 
ton." replied  the  Captain.  "Port  Washington — let  me  see:  that  is  in  Wisconsin,  about  twenty- 
live  miles  north  of  Milwaukee,  is  it  not?"  The  Captain  answered  that  it  was.  "1  stopped 
night  once,"  said  the  President;   "just   name  over  some  of  the  men  who  lived  there 

in  the  early  days.''     The  Captain  proceeded  to  nai »ver  quite  a  number,  finally  mentioning 

that  of  Harrison.  "Harrison,  that  is  the  man!"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  "1  remember  him  well." 
He  then  walked  off  to  join  his  escort,  leaving  Capt.  Beger  very  much  elated  to  think  that  his 
town  had  been  honored  by  the  presence  of  so  great  a  man. 

In  1843,  Wooster  Harrison  returned  in  < tpany  with    Orman   Coe,  Ira  C.  Loomis,  Solon 

Johnson,  <).  A.  Watrous.  Col.  Teal]  and  others,  and  began  to  make  permanent   improvements. 

As  there  was  no  pier  built  at  that  time,  they  were  compelled  to  Wade  unite  a  distance  before 
they  could  effect  a  landing,  and  when  on  Bhore  rough  crafts  were  built  on  which  to  convey  the 
women  and  children.     Houses  were  speedily  erected,  and  the  establishing  of  a  town  began  in 

earnest.  A  pier  was  built  OUl  to  a  point  in  the  lake  where  boats  could  land  their  passengers, 
and  cargoes,  after  which  the  vessels  touched  regularly. 

During  the  three  years  which  followed,  there  was  quite  an  influx   into  the  town  of  people 

from  the  Eastern  States.  Aurora  Adams  was  Superseded  in  the  hotel  business  bya  man  named 
Thomas,  and  had  taken  up  quarters  in  one  of  the  old  houses  which  had  been  left  standing  from 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND   OZAUKEE  COUNT  1 1> 


509 


1835.  It  had  been  built  by  one  of  Col.  Teall's  agents,  and  wishing  to  take  possession  of  his 
property,  the  Colonel  notified  Adams  to  vacate,  which  he  refused  to  do.  Teall  then  procured  a 
writ  of  restitution,  and  in  company  with  the  Constable,  proceeded  to  the  house.  On  being  re- 
fused admittance,  the  officer  attempted  to  force  an  entrance,  when  the  report  of  a  rifle  and  the 
whiz  of  a  bullet  compelled  them  to  beat  a  hasty  retreat.  The  shot  was  supposed  to  have  been 
fired  by  Adams's  wife.  She  was  immediately  arrested  and  taken  to  Milwaukee,  where  she  was 
tried  for  the  offense,  but  acquitted  for  lack  of  evidence. 

0.  A.  Watrous  was  appointed  the  first  Postmaster  of  the  village.  Hansen  &  Reymert  kept 
the  first  store  after  the  1843  settlement.  James  D.  Reymert  is  now  the  recognized  Scandina- 
vian lawyer  of  New  York  City.  The  early  settlers  experienced  numerous  hardships  in  getting 
provisions  and  lumber.  The  nearest  grist-mill  was  that  of  Deisner's,  near  Waukesha,  a  distance 
of  thirty-eight  miles. 

TOWN    MEETING. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse,  in  the  month  of  April,  1846,  when  the 
following  town  officers  were  elected:  Board  of  Supervisors,  Solon  Johnson,  William  Teall  and 
John  McLean  ;  Commissioner  of  Highways,  Allen  C.  Daniels  ;  Assessors,  Wooster  Harrison, 
Alva  Cunningham  and  William  Hudson ;  Collector,  Isaac  N.  Loomis  ;  School  Commissioners, 
Sylvester  P.  Watson,  Abram  Bates  and  Jerome  B.  Young;  Constables.  Sylvester  P.  Watson 
and  L.  D.  Cunningham;  Justices  of  the  Peace.  George  C.  Daniels  and  George  W.  Foster; 
Sealer  of  Weights,  Orlando  N.  Watrous  ;   Town  Clerk,  F.  W.  Merritt. 

The  town  of  Port  Washington  was  incorporated  January  21,  184G,  and  comprised  towns 
11  and  12,  Ranges   21    and  22,  comprising  the  present  towns  of  Fredonia,  Saukville  and  Bel- 


gium. 

The  poll-list  for 

1*4(>  of  the  town 

of  Port  Washington  was 

as  follows  : 

Abram  Bates, 

Nicholas  Watrey, 

Solon  Johnson, 

Clark  Bourtow, 

Abram  Ingersoll, 

s.  Tallakson, 

Harvey  Moore, 

Lemuel  Hyde, 

H  oo  ter  1  larrison, 

I.   i'uigl, 

Henry  Schmidt, 

Jacob  Pors, 

William  Teale, 

Benjamin  Safford, 

Francis  '  tpladen, 

Lewis  Jones, 

A.  Cunningham, 

II  ilgen  Allendoi  f, 

Theodore  Stemper, 

Loring  I>.  Cunningham, 

John  Barrett,  Jr., 

John  Bounow, 

William  Mix, 

Isaac  C.  Loomis, 

K.  IV  Freeman, 

Charles  Bourtow, 

William  S.  Coe, 

Allen  C.  Daniels, 

< i.  A    Watrous, 

Joseph  Allendorf, 

Nicholas  Poncely, 

John  McLean, 

Barney  S.  Kelly, 

John  Schole, 

John  Ditz, 

W.  P.  Thomas, 

A   •'.  Klinglen, 

M.  Persow, 

Pierre  Holtigen, 

S.  !'.  Watson, 

Jonathan  Loomis, 

John  Suell, 

P.  Bievier, 

.1 .  B.  Young, 

Jacob  Anderson, 

Martin  Mix. 

John  Virlaml, 

F.  W.  Merrill, 

.Toh n  Chion, 

John  1'.  Watrey. 

George  <  1.  Daniels, 

Washington  Leonard. 

<  lmiles  Lunderborg, 

Peter  Wolf, 

Stephen  Mix. 

Harry  V\  illiams, 

John  Thomas, 

A.  E.  Boesswaler, 

X.  Eliding, 

John  Longly, 

Andrew  Wetterst  i 

I.  N.  Loomis, 

K.  ( iriswold, 

B.  F.  Pidge, 

William  Kice, 

Joseph  Poucely, 

David  Acker, 

George  W.  Foster, 

Chimin  t'oe, 

.lean  Weycher, 

E.  Sloutenborg, 

J.  1'.  De  I'oiitres. 

Hugh  Owen, 

Thomas  Micheal, 

Theodore  Corraan, 

The  foregoing  is  the  pull-list  kept  by  me  ai  the  town  election,  held  at  Port  Washington,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
April,  1846.  Geobge  W.   Foster, 

I  certify  thai  the  above  is  a  true  copy.  Clerk  of  said  Election. 

F.    W.  Mkrimi  i  . 

Ten, l  01,    k. 


CHOLERA. 

This  terrible  and  malignant  disease  made  its  first  appearance  in  Port  Washington  during 
the  summer  of  1849,  when,  in  the  space  of  two  weeks,  it  ravaged  almost  every  home  in  the 
village.  In  many  cases  whole  families  were  prostrated  by  its  direful  influence.  The  exact 
number  of  deaths  caused  by  the  disease  during  its  reign  of  that  year  is  nof  given.  Some  of 
those  who  passed  through  the  trying  ordeal  claim  that  the  mortality  would  range  somewhere  in 
the  fifties.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  it  again  made  its  appearance  in  the  village,  this  time  with 
more  fatal  results,  the  number  of  deaths  in  ten   days  being  sixty-five.     There  was  scarcely  a 


510 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


family  in  the  town  but  was  deprived  of  a  member.  Its  victims  were  selected  from  all  ages,  from 
the  babe  in  the  cradle  to  the  aged  sire.  The  old  settlers  who  still  remain  say  that  they  sincerely 
hope  that  it  may  never  be  their  lot  to  witness  another  such  sight  as  that  caused  by  the  dreadful 
devastation  made  by  the  cholera  of  1849  and  1854. 

EARLY    STEAMBOAT    DAYS. 

The  early  steamboat  days  of  Port  Washington,  and  their  happy  reminiscences,  are  recalled 
with  much  pleasure  by  the  old  settlers  when  relating  their  past  experiences.  Before  the  rail- 
roads came  to  displace  the  majestic  palaces  of  the  lake,  steamboat  captains  were  happy.  Vessels 
touched  regularly  at  the  pier  two  and  three  times  a  day  to  land  and  take  on  passengers.  Things 
wore  a  lively  aspect  along  the  shore,  friends  greeting  friends,  a  general  bustle  and  commotion 
among  the  steamboatmen  in  loading  and  unloading  merchandise,  while  rising  above  the  tumult 
and  noise  could  be  heard  the  stentorian  voice  of  the  captain  giving  command.  The  whistles 
sound,  the  bells  chime  in,  the  wheels  splash,  and  the  boat  recedes  majestically  into  the  blue 
waters  amid  a  general  shout  from  those  left  on  shore.  These  pleasures,  however,  were  not 
to  be  enjoyed  without  risk  and  the  danger  of  accidents.  Disasters  were  of  frequent  occurrence, 
the  most  fatal  of  which  was  the  burning  of  the  Niagara,  a  passenger  steamer  of  the  Collingwood 
line,  which  took  place  in  the  latter  part  of  the  mouth  of  August,  L856.  The  Niagara  caught 
lire  about  4  o'clock  p.  m.,  when  she  was  within  four  miles  of  Port  Washington  pier,  on  her 
southward  course.  She  had  on  board  at  the  time  some  two  hundred  passengers,  Capt.  Miller  at 
the  helm.  She  was  first  discovered  by  L.  Towsley,  who  was  then  in  charge  of  the  pier. 
Her  time  being  over-due  for  landing,  Mr.  Towsley  leveled  li is  held  glass  in  the  direction  from 
which  she  was  expected  to  arrive,  when  he  realized  at  once  her  terrible  plight.  The  steamer 
Traveler  and  propeller  Illinois,  then  within  a  short  distance  of  Port  Washington,  had  also  seen 
the  fire,  and  were  making  all  possible  speed  to  reach  the  ill-fated  vessel.  Of  the  two  hundred 
lives  on  board,  only  about  one-halt'  were  saved.  Amou,'  those  who  were  lost  was  John  B.  Macy, 
the  member  of  Congress  from  this  Congressional  District.  Following  this  frightful  disaster. 
came  that  of  the  wreck  of  the  Toledo,  a  large  propeller  of  the  Western  Transportation  I  o 
pany,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  When  within  twenty  rods  of  the  pier  at  Port  Washington  she  threw 
out  her  anchor.  The  sea  was  the  highest  ever  known  at  this  point.  The  chain  of  the  Toledo 
became  entangled,  and  all  efforts  to  disengage  it  proved  fruitless,  leaving  her  to  the  mercy  of  the 
waves  which  lashed  against  her  sides  with  such  terrific  force  ih  it  it  was  hut  the  work  of  a  few 
minutes  for  them  to  tear  her  asunder.  She  had  about  eighty  lives  onboard,  including  the  crew. 
anil  of  this  number  only  two  were  saved.  There,  in  sight  of  the  shore,  men.  women  and  chil- 
dren struggled  only  to  he  washed  out  of  sight  by  the  furious  waves.  One  man  was  thrown  b" 
the  force  of  the  waters  on  to  the  pier,  and  was  rescued  by  the  people  on  the  shore.  Strenuous 
efforts  were  made  to  reach  the  unfortunate  passengers  from  land,  but  all  to  no  avail.  To  launch 
a  boat  in  that  boisterous  sea  would  have  been  certain  death. 


CRIME. 

Murders  are  of  rare  occurrence  m  a  community  where  the  pursuits  of  the  people  are  largely 

agricultural.  The  men  who  seek  to  sub  due  forests,  build  homes  and  cultivate  the  land,  lind 
little  time  for  contention  or  brawls  ;  much  less  to  steep  their  hands  jn  the  blood  of  their  fell  >W- 
mau.  With  them  union  means  strength.  They  are  hound  by  common  interests  to  stand  by  ami 
protect  each  other.  They  become  linked  together  by  the  chain  of  sympathy,  so  that  what  In- 
comes the  burden  of  one,  becomes  the  burden  of  all.  It  is  to  this  willingness  to  assist  each 
other  in  tin'  struggles  that  ensue  among  early  settlers,  in  their  strife  against  the  stubborn  oppo- 
sition met  with  in  subduing  the  wilds  of  Nature,  that  the  grand  principles  of  right  and  justice. 
so  early  engendered  by  the  pioneer-,  may  he  attributed.  Crime,  of  whatever  degree,  when  iiis- 
COVered,  is  soon  rooted  out.  and  the  culprit,  he  he  high  or  low,  speedily  brought  to    justice. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  511 

THE    FIRST    MURDER. 

The  man  to  first  cause  an  entry  on  the  criminal  docket  of  Port  Washington,  was  Maurice 
O'Connell,  charged  with  the  murder  of  a  fellow-sailor,  Michael  Doyle.  Up  to  the  time  of  the 
murder,  these  two  men  had  been  the  best  of  friends.  They  were  employed  on  a  flat-boat  which 
was  anchored  a  short  distance  from  the  pier.  For  several  days  previous  to  the  fatal  occurrence 
they  had  been  indulging  in  a  spree,  which  led  to  an  altercation  between  them,  while  they 
were  making  their  debauched  rounds  of  the  village.  They  were  separated,  when  they  returned 
to  the  boat,  where  the  quarrel  was  renewed  and  brought  to  a  sudden  ending  by  O'Connell  seiz- 
ing a  large  knife  and  stabbing  Doyle  in  the  neck,  killing  him  almost  instantly.  This  occurred 
on  the  "20th  of  October,  1853.  O'Connell  was  immediately  arrested  and  conducted  to  the  county 
j;ul.  where  he  was  held  to  await  the  action  of  the  grand  jury.  An  indictment  was  found  against 
him  for  murder  in  the  first  degree.  He  was  tried  at  the  November  term  of  court,  under  Judge 
Larrabee,  Eugene  S.  Turner  appearing  for  the  State.  The  jury,  after  being  out  several  hours, 
failed  to  agree,  and  O'Connell  was  subsequently  remanded  to  jail.  He  was  tried  at  the  next 
term  of  court,  the  jury  this  time  finding  him  guilty  of  murder  in  the  first  degree.  He  was  sen- 
tenced to  imprisonment  for  life  in  the  State  Penitentiary,  that  being  the  extreme  penalty  for 
murder,  under  the  laws  of  Wisconsin.  He  remained  in  confinement  until  July,  1863,  when  he 
was  pardoned  out  by  Gov.  Salomon. 

A    MYSTERIOUS    MURDER. 

The  best  of  axioms  will  at  times  fail  of  verification,  and  the  old  saying  "  murder  will  out,' 
does  not  seem  to  prove  an  exception  to  the  common  rule.  Although  this  old  adage  has  been 
thwarted  time  and  again,  by  the  agents  of  crime,  it  loses  none  of  its  importance,  and  still  holds 
a  high  place  in  the  category  of  aphorisms.  That  it  fails  in  many  instances  is  due,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  the  indifference  shown  towards  the  victim  in  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  re- 
sided. 

Such  seemed  to  be  the  spirit  manifested  over  the  untimely  death  of  Jacob  Leno,  an  old 
German,  who  was  murdered  in  the  most  barbarous  manner,  in  Port  Washington,  sometime  dur- 
ing the  spring  of  1853.  Although  the  old  man  had  lived  in  the  village  nearly  three  years  prior 
to  his  tragical  death,  but  few  people  seemed  to  know  him,  further  than  that  he  was  of  a  very 
quiet  and  easy-going  nature.  As  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  Leno  was  a  widower,  and  alone  in 
the  world.  He  had  emigrated  to  this  country  in  company  with  a  family  by  the  name  of  Dose, 
who  settled  in  Port  Washington  sometime  during  the  year  1850.  John  Dose,  the  head  of  the 
family,  was  a  fellow-countryman  of  Leno,  and  lived  next-door  neighbor  to  him  at  the  time  the 
murder  was  committed.  He,  however,  on  being  questioned,  refused  to  divulge  anything,  either 
in  regard  to  Leno's  early  history,  or  his  brief  career  in  Port  Washington.  It  is  thought  by 
some  that  were  he  disposed,  he  might  dispel  the  mystery  which  still  envelopes  the  old  man's 
death.  As  before  stated,  the  old  man  Leno  was  alone  in  the  world,  and  had  rented  a  little 
house  in  close  proximity  to  the  Doses,  where  he  kept  bachelor's  hall.  He  was  naturally  of  a 
quiet  disposition,  and  made  few  acquaintances.  He  was  inclined  to  be  miserly,  which  led  to  the 
supposition  that  he  had  large  sums  of  money  horded  away.  The  rumor  soon  circulated,  and, 
magnified  by  repetition,  from  hundreds  it  increased  to  thousands.  Gossip  had  paved  the 
way  to  his  destruction.  The  unsolicited  reputation  he  had  gained  cost  him  his  life.  How  or 
by  whom  the  deed  was  done,  no  one  has  yet  discovered.  Leno  had  been  seen  by  quite  a  number 
of  men  the  day  before  the  fatal  night,  at  some  of  his  old  familiar  haunts.  He  was  seen  to  de- 
part for  home,  but  no  one  seems  to  recollect  whose  company  he  was  in  last.  He  was  sup- 
posed to  have  been  murdered  about  midnight,  but  his  body  was  not  discovered  until  about  3 
o'clock  the  next  day.  The  old  man  had  been  missed  from  his  accustomed  places  of  resort  by 
those  who  were  wont  to  notice  his  peculiar  traits. 

Wooster  Harrison  then  kept  a  jewelry  and  repair  shop  on  Pier  street,  which  served  as  a 
favorite  rendezvous  for  the  gentlemen  of  leisure  in  those  days,  to  crack  their  jokes  and  discuss 


512  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 

the  general  topics.  On  this  particular  day.  in  looking  over  the  little  assembly.  Harrison  dis- 
covered that  Leno  was  among  the  missing.  As  tue  old  man  had  never  been  known  to  absent 
himself  from  these  gatherings  without  some  good  cause,  conjectures  arose  as  to  what  had  become 
of  him.  when  snme  one  suggested  that  perhaps  he  might  be  sick,  and  living  as  he  did  alone,  it 
would  be  well  to  look  after  the  old  man.  Wooster  Harrison  volunteered  to  serve  in  this  mission. 
On  his  way  he  met  L.  Towsley,  whom  he  prevailed  upon  to  accompany  him.  and,  being 
joined  by  one  or  two  others,  they  proceeded  to  the  bachelor  quarters.  On  arriving  at  the  house. 
Gen.  Harrison  knocked  several  times  on  the  door,  but  receiving  no  answer,  went  to  a  window 
at  the  side  of  the  house,  and  called  to  the  old  man  with  the  same  result.  He  then  beckoned  to 
the  others  to  come  to  his  assistance.  The  window  was  raised  and  two  of  the  men  crawled  into 
the  house,  but  had  not  proceeded  far  when  a  most  horrible  sight  met  their  eves.  There  lying 
on  the  floor  was  the  object  of  their  search,  with  his  Lead  half  severed  from  his  body.  The  old 
man  had  been  dragged  from  his  bed  and  his  throat  cut,  after  which  the  murderer  had  forced 
his  victim's  head  into  a  wooden  pail,  presenting  a  scene  which  for  fiendish  cruelty,  is  unsur- 
1  iti  the  history  of  crime.  \  Coroner's  inquest  was  held,  which  lasted  for  two  days,  but  as 
no  clue  to  the  criminal  could  be  found,  the  jury  were  compelled  to  abandon  their  fruitless  task. 
Suspicions  were  rife,  but  suspicion  does  not  convict.  It  is  supposed  that  Leno  had  in  his  p  is 
session  from  $300  to  $400,  which  sum  his  murderer  secured. 

When  the  excitement  nf  the  Leno  murder  had  subsided,  and  the  authorities  had  given  up 
all  hopes  of  discovering  the  culprit,  there  appeared  in  Port  Washington,  a  woman,  Frances 
Schaffner  by  name,  who  made  complaint  against  one  Henry  Wist,  a  resident  of  the  village,  to 
the  effect  that  he  (Wist)  had  several  years  previous  made  an  assault  on  her  in  the  night,  armed 
with  a  rifle,  with  intent  to  rob  her  of  certain  valuables  and  money  which  she  had  in  her  posses- 
sion.      She  stated    that  she  was  then  living  in  a    room  furnished  l.v  herself   in  the  Arcade   Build- 

during  which  time.  Wist  was  a  frequent  visitor.  When  he  discovered  that  she  had  money 
in  her  possession,  he  endeavored  to  persuade  her  to  make  him  a  loan,  which  she  refused  to  do, 
as  she  had  serious  doubts  of  his  honesty.  West  finding  that  all  attempts  in  the  persuasive 
line  would  be  useless,  began  to  threaten  her.  but  the  plucky  little  woman  refused  to  be  fright- 
ened, when  Wist  withdrew  from  the  scene  in  disgust.  She  saw  nothing  more  of  him  until  the 
night  of  the  assault,  when  the  would-be  robber  was  again  foiled  in  his  attempt  to  get  possession 
of  her  money.  Mrs,  Schaffner.  however,  faded  to  expuse  his  villainy  through  fear  of  being 
murdered  by  him  if  she  did.  Rather  than  be  subjected  to  further  annoyance  and  persecution, 
she  concluded  to  leave  the  village,  and  subsequently  moved  to  Milwaukee.  This  took  place 
about  three  years  before  the  murder  of  old  man  Leno.  West  had  always  been  locked  upon  bv 
the  people  of  Port  Washington  as  a  suspicious  character,  and  while  the  Coroner's  jury  wore 
sifting  the  case,  many  pointed  in  West  as  tin-  murderer,  but  no  proofs  could  be  found  against 
him.  Eugene  Turner  was  Prosecuting  Attorney  at  tin-  time,  and  on  being  informed  of  Wist's 
attempt  to  rob  Mrs.  Schaffner.  immediately  opened  correspondence  with  her  in  Milwaukee. 
Mrs.  Schaffner  was  brought  before  tin'  Justice  and  sworn,  when  a  warrant  was  issued  for  Wist's 
arrest.  The  Grand  -liny  found  a  true  bill  of  indictment  against  him,  and  lie  was  held  for  trial 
at  the  next  term  of  court.  Mrs.  Schaffner  was  retained  as  a  .witness,  and  took  up  her  abode  in 
the  house  of  Lyon  Silverman,  who  was  then  Sheriff  of  the  county.  The  case  was  called.  Judge 
Larrabee  on  the  bench.  Eugene  Turner  appearing  for  the  State,  and  W.  A.  Pors  as  counsel  for 

the  defendant.  Witnesses  were  called  by  the  State  to  testify  as  to  the  defendant's  mysterious 
action-  and  ugliness  "I  character,  Mrs.  Schaffner  being  reserved  until  the  last.  On  the  night 
of  the  fire)  days'  trial.  Mis.  Schatfuer  left  her  rOODD  about  '.'  o'clock  in  the  evening  to  go  f<> 
the  post  office.  The  night  was  extremely  dark,  the  sky  being  obscured  by  dense  clouds.  She 
emerged    into  the    street  and  darkness    to  complete    her  errand,  and  had   i  I    about  half   a 

lil  ick  when  she  was  Stuned  by  a  <r\rvr  blow,  dealt  by  snme  me-  from  behind,  who  followed  the 
blow  with  a  wicked  thrust  from  a  large  knife,  and  then  threw  her  "If  the  sidewalk  into  the 
Street,  '.'.here  Bhe'was'found  bv  her  friends  m  an  insensible  condition.  She  was  unable  to  ap- 
pear in    court  the  next    day.  and  the  trial    was  postponed    to  await   her    recovery.       In  three  duy< 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  513 

from  the  time  of  her  fright,  the  womnn  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  make  her  appearance  in 
court.  On  her  testimony,  the  jury  found  Wist  guilty,  and  he  was  sentenced  by  Judge  Larrabee 
to  the  penitentiary  for  the  term  ol  six  years.  Many  think  that  the  whole  affair  was  a  put-up 
job,  and  that  Wist  was  innocent  of  the  charge.  But  a  great  crime  had  been  committed.  No 
one  as  yet  had  been  punished  for  the  brutal  murder  of  Jacob  Leno.  Wist  was  suspected  of  being 
implicated  in  the  terrible  deed.  Suspicion  cost  him  six  years'  confinement  and  hard  labor. 
After  serving  his  time,  he  moved  to  the  State  of  Michigan,  where  he  shortly  afterward  died. 
On  his  death-bed  he  was  questioned  as  to  the  Leno  murder,  when  he  denied  having  any  con- 
nection or  knowledge  of  who  murdered  the  old  man. 

FIRST    BREWERY. 

Prominent  among  the  early  characters  of  Port  Washington,  and  a  man  much  sought  after 
by  the  old  veterans  because  of  the  enticing  nature  of  his  business,  was  an  old  Englishman  by 
the  name  of  Arnet,  who  had  built  a  little  cabin,  and  started  on  a  small  scale  the  manfacture  of 
malt  liquors.  Arno's  brewery  consisted  of  some  half  dozen  posts  driven  into  the  ground,  on 
these  rested  several  cross-beams  to  which  clamp-hooks  were  fastened,  upon  which  were  suspended 
two  large  iron  kettles,  in  which  he  brewed  his  hops  and  other  ingredients  necessary  to  the  manu- 
facture of  the  foaming  beverage.  The  old  man  carried  on  quite  a  profitable  business,  and  was 
very  liberally  patronized  by  the  old  settlers  from  all  parts  of  the  county,  as  his  was  the  only  es- 
tablishment of  the  kind  then  known  outside  of  Milwaukee.  Those  who  remember  the  circum- 
stances, state  that  the  quality  of  bee'-  made  by  Arnet  was  far  superior  to  anything  manufactured 
to-day.     The  pioneer  brewer  sold  his  beer  for  3  cents  a  pint,  and  did  a  thriving  business. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Tlie  manufacturing  interests  of  Port  Washington  were  developed  as  early  as  1847.  During 
that  year  Harvey  Moore  and  his  brother,  S.  A.  Moore,  erected  a  saw-mill  on  the  west  bank  of 
Sauk  Creek.  Excellent  power  was  obtained  by  damming  the  stream,  from  which  a  race  was 
transferred  to  the  mill.  The  enterprise  proved  a  profitable  one,  their  business  increasing  every 
year  until  the  great  flood  of  I860  came  and  swept  mill,  improvements,  and  everything  before  it, 
after  which  the  enterprise  was  abandoned.  In  1848,  George  and  Julius  Tomlinson  erected  the 
first  grist-mill,  which  was  run  for  a  number  of  years  by  water-power  obtained  from  Sauk  Creek. 
The  mil!  is  now  owned  by  R.  Stelling,  who  has  made  several  improvements.  Steam-power  was 
attached  in  1858.  The  building  is  a  substantial  stone  structure,  and  has  a  capacity  for  12,000 
barrels  of  flour  per  annum,  besides  the  home  and  custom  work. 

In  1856,  Lyman  Morgan  &  Co.,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  smut  and  separating  ma- 
chines for  elevators  and  breweries.  They  are  constantly  adding  to  their  business,  and  employ 
regularly  from  eight  to  ten  men.  The  buildings  and  machinery  were  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$15,000. 

The  early  settlers  soon  discovered  that  a  superior  quality  of  clay  could  be  obtained  from 
the  bluffs  on  the  lake  shore  for  the  manufacture  of  brick,  the  clay  being  of  the  same  nature  as 
that  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Milwaukee.  Woodruff  &  Richards  were  the  first  to  embark  in  this 
enterprise,  and  started  what  was  known  as  the  North  Brick-Yard  in  1*46.  William  Richards, 
the  junior  member  of  the  firm,  continued  in  the  business  until  the  breaking-out  of  the  war.  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  Wisconsin  volunteers.  On  the  close  of  the  war,  he  removed  to  the  famous 
Yazoo  County  of  Mississippi,  where  he  now  ranks  as  one  among  the  wealthiest  planters  in  that 
section.  The  North  Brick-Yard  is  under  the  management  of  Nicholas  Wiltzius,  who  is  do- 
ing a  profitable  business.  The  clay  in  the  vicinity  of  Port  Washington  is  easy  of  access,  while 
an  excellent  quality  of  sand  used  for  the  manufacture  of  brick  lies  in  abundance  in  close  prox- 
imity to  the  clay.  With  the  enlarged  facilities  afforded  by  the  harbor  for  shipping,  the  brick 
manufacturing  interests  of  Port  Washington  bid  fair  to  rank  second  to  none  in  the  State. 

This  enterprise  was  first  started  under  the  management  of  Theodore  Gilson  and  John  Maas 
in  1850.     At  the  end  of  two  years.  Maas  withdrew  from  the  partnership,  when  C.  Critzner  took 


514 


lll-l'iiKV   OF   WASHINGTON    AX1»  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES 


his  place.  Critzner  was  afterward  succeeded,  first  by  Nicholas  Martin  in  1804,  and  then  by 
John  Tossault  in  1*0(1.  Tossault  remained  in  the  firm  until  1868,  when  .Mr.  Gilson  liought  out 
his  interest,  and  started  the  business  anew  under  the  firm  name  of  Gilson  &  Sons.  The  esti- 
mated cost  of  building  and  machinery  is  $15,000. 

There  an-  three  good  lumber-yards  in  the  village,  the  principal  one  being  that  of  0.  A. 
Bjorkquist  &  Co.  Tins  firm  handle's  from  3,000,000  to  4,000,000  feet  of  lumber  annually,  and 
employ  on  an  average  about  thirty  men.  E.  R.  Blake  and  it.  C.  Kann  are  also  engaged  in  the 
lumber  trade,  and  handle  each  about  ■2,000,000  feet  every  year.  There  is  a  large  planing-mill 
in  the  town  owned  by  X.  G.  Ellenbecker,  which  does  a  good  business,  and  affords  employment 
to  quite  a   number  of  men  and  boys. 

Paul  Wolf  built  the  first  tannery,  in  1854.  He  was  succeeded  by  Charles  A.  Mueller,  the 
present  proprietor,  in  1872.  In  1880,  Mr.  Mueller  erected  a  new  stone  building  at  a  cost  of 
$12,000.  Be  has  in  his  employ  fifteen  men,  and  consumes  annually  600  cords  of  bark,  and 
d'.es  a  business  of  §50,0011  per  annum. 

E.  Schumacher,  an  enterprising  Mdwaukeean,  visited  Port  Washington    in   1872.  to  look 
up  a  site  upon  which  to  erect  a  foundry.     The  village  people,  anxious  to  encourage  him  in  the  under 
taking,  offered  to  subscribe  $16,000  in  money  and  lots  free,  provided  Schumacher  would  agree  to 
employ  one  hundred  and  forty  men,  and  run  the  works  for  ten  years  before  claiming  a  permanent 

title  to  the  properly,  a  proposition  which  lie    readily  assented    to,  and    immediately  proc led  to 

execute  his  plans.  The  buildings  were  completed  the  following  year,  at  a  cost  of  $20,000,  and 
the  business  was  started  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  Schumacher  &  Sons,  and  styled  the  "  Novelty 
Iron  Works."  The  Schumachers,  however,  did  not  fulfill  their  part  of  the  contract,  as  to  the 
number  of  men  to  be  employed,  claiming  that  the  business  would  not  warrant  a  force  of  over 
one  hundred  men.  The  people  of  Port  Washington  not  wishing  to  hamper  them  in  any  way. 
tsed  them  from  their  contract,  and.  at  the  end  of  three  years,  gave  them  a  clear  title  to  the 
buildings.  In  the  spring  of  1881,  the  Schumachers  became  embarrassed  financially,  when  they 
turned  over  the  works  to  James  W.  Vail,  the  banker,  of  Port  Washington,  who  is  now  running 
them  on  a  large  scale.  The  establishment  still  bears  the  name  of  the  "  Novelty  Iron  Works.' 
and  is  one  of  the  finest  of  the  kind  in  the  West. 

Holding  a  prominent  place  among  the  interests  of  the  village  are  the  two  marble  yards,  one 
bearing  the  name  of  Michael  Tibor,  and  the  other  that  of  .Jacob  Schumacher.  The  cemeteries 
dotted  over  with  delicately  carved  stones  and  monuments,  bear  evidence  of  Messrs.  Tibor  and 
Schumacher's  skill  and  genius. 

The  brewing  interests  are  taken  care  of  by  Mrs.  Wittman  and  Messrs.  Dix  and  Kemp 
and  the  Porl  Washington  Malt  Company.  The  last  named  company  have  erected  a  new  malt- 
house  near  the  depot,  100x120  feet,  two  stories  high.  The  building  is  built  of  brick  manufac- 
tured in  the  village,  and  was  completed  October  1,  1881,  at  a  cost  of  $16,000.  E.  R.  Blake. 
in  connection  with  his  store  and  lumber  business,  has  two  good  warehouses  near  the  harbor  for 
storing  gram  and  produce.  The  village  contains  some  fifty  business  houses,  the  majority  of 
which  are  substantial  buildings,  of  brick  and  stone. 

"he  first  hardware  business  of  the  town  still  thrives  under  the  management  of  August 
Meyer.      In  addition  to   these  the   town   contains   two   flourishing   cheese  factories,  two  wagon- 

shops,  three  blacksmith-shops  and  a  mer-shop  for  the  manufacture  of  shakes  for  sugar  hog-heads. 

Fish  are  caught  in  great  quantities,  fine  specimens  of  trout,  whitefish  and  perch  are  shipped 
toother  markets,  the  revenue  amounting  to  from  §15,000  to  §20,000  annually. 


II  Milan:. 

I'he  work  of  improving  this  harbor  began  in  1870,  the  first  appropriation  having  been 
made  by  the  Government  in  that  year.  The  total  amount  of  appropriations  made  by  the  Gov- 
ernment were  §1*1,527.17.  In  addition  to  these  the  town  voted  §15,000,  making  the  total  ex- 
penditures $196,527.17. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  515 

The  piers  extend  to  a  depth  of  14  feet  of  water,  and  dredging  to  13  feet  depth  in  the 
basins.  The  piers  extend  into  the  lake  from  the  shore  a  distance  of  800  feet,  and  are  200  feet 
apart,  while  a  channel  180  wide  has  been  dredged  1,500  feet  back  from  the  shore  east  and 
west,  and  the  same  distance  north  and  south.  This  is  15  feet  deep  inside  the  bar,  which  has  12 
feet  of  water.  The  harbor  is  one  of  the  finest  on  the  lake  shore  north  of  Milwaukee.  The 
following  report  for  shipments  made  during  the  year  of  1879,  from  Port  Washington,  was 
obtained  from  the  Merchants  and  Manufacturers'  Association  : 

EXPORTS    DURING    THE    YEAR    ENDING    DECEMBER    31,    1879. 

Beer,  barrels 1  520 

Brick,   number 326,000 

Butler,  tons 

Castings,  tons 8-10 

Cheese,  pounds 178  000 

Cattle,  number 535 

Eggs,  barrels 950 

Fish,  packages 2,150 

Flour,  barrels r S.262 

General  merchandise,  ions 10ll 

Hit.   tons 391 ' 

Hides,  number 110 

Leather,  sides 8,2 r>_ 

Lime,  barrels 140,1  mi  I 

Malt,  bushels 52,000 

Oats,  bushels 5,5U0 

Plows,  number 250 

Pork  barrels,  number 4,325 

Smut  machines,  number 107 

Wheat,  bushels 83,480 

Stone,  cords lino 

Wood,  cords 510 

Wool,  pounds 13,160 

IMPORTS    DURING    ITU:    itili    ENDING    DECEMBER    31,    1879. 

Barley,  bushels 8,800 

Coal,  tons 864 

Coke,   tons 210 

Corn,  bushels 3,71' ■ 

General  merchandise,  tons 430 

Land  plaster,  tons 355 

Lath,  number 1,000,000 

Lumber,  feet,  b.  m 5,200, 

Pig  iron 870 

Reapers,  number 16 

Seeders,  number 16 

Shingles,  number 6,000,000 

Tan  bark,  cords 378 

OZAUKEE    COUNTY    BANK. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  Ozaukee  County  and  the  permanent  location  of  the 
county  seat  at  Port  Washington,  James  W.  Vail  started  an  individual  exchange,  which  he 
carried  on  successfully  until  the  spring  of  1856.  He  was  then  joined  by  S.  A.  White  and  Ly- 
man Doud,  when  a  partnership  was  formed  and  a  general  banking  business  established  under  its 
present  name,  Ozaukee  County  Bank.  This  partnership  continued  until  the  fall  of  1857,  when 
both  White  and  Doud  became  alarmed  at  the  stringency  of  the  money  market  and  withdrew 
their  interests.  A  number  of  heavy  failures  ensued,  of  which  that  of  the  Ohio  Trust  Company, 
of  New  York,  proved  the  most  serious.  Mr.  Vail  continued  the  business  alone  until  1873,  with 
the  exception  of  a  brief  period,  when  William  H.  Ramsey  was  admitted  as  a  partner.  In  1873, 
William  H.  Landolt  joined  Mr.  Vail  as  a  partner  in  the  bank,  the  business  being  transacted 
under  the  firm  name  of  James  W.  Vail  &  Co. 


516  KISTOR?    OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

With  the  pioneers  of  the  West  the  prairie-breaker  and  schoolhouse  are  one  and  inseparable. 
Side  >>v  side  with  their  humble  dwellings,  the  early  founders  of  Port  Washington  Village  erected 
their  first  schoolhouse.  Permanent  settlements  were  not  begun  until  the  year  1844.  .  George 
W.  Foster,  a  native  of  New  York,  taught  the  first  school,  in  1845. 

■■  Oh  ye  who  teach  the  ingenious  youth  of  nations, 
Holland,  France,  England,  Germany  or  Spain, 
I  pray  ye  flog  them  upon  all  occasions; 

It  mends  their  morals — never  mind  the  pain." 

Schoolmasters,  as  they  were  called  in  those  days,  generally  considered  it  a  high  bounder) 
duty  .-mil  moral  privilege,  especially  bestowed  by  the  rights  with  which  they  wen-  invested,  to 
carry  out  Byron's  injunction  by  assiduously  applying  the  birch.  Young  Foster,  however,  at  the 
risk  of  gaining  for  himself  the  everlasting  displeasure  of  his  older  and  more  experienced  broth- 
ers in  the  profession,  concluded  to  brave  the  blunt  of  public  opinion  ami  introduce  the  more 
modern  idea  of  moral  suasion,  a  plan  which  lie  carried  to  success.  Mr.  Foster  soon  after  took 
up  the  study  of  law,  a  profession  for  which  he  was  peculiarly  fitted,  as  his  success  as  a  lawyer 
has  demonstrated,  lie  was  succeeded  in  the  public  school  by  L.  Towsley,  who  taught  for 
a  number  of  years,  when  lie  also  sought  to  measure  his  eloquence  before  the  bar  of  justice.  In 
the  year  1846,  there  were  twro  school  districts  in  the  town  of  Port  Washington.  The  number 
of  children  enrolled,  135. 

The  first  School  Commissioners  were  Abram  Decker,  [ra  M.  Loomis  and  W.  S.  Coe.  Fla- 
vins J.  Mills  first  held  the  office  of  Town  Superintendent  of  Schools,  in  1849.  During  the 
same  year.  School  District  No.  ;'>  was  added.  District  No.  4  was  added  in  1850,  and  No. 
■  >  in  L852.  The  following  is  the  enrollment  of  scholars  for  the  several  districts  for  the  year 
1852 : 

Districl  No.  1 '!'•''• 

District  No.  '2 7"> 

District  No.  -\ I 

District  No.  4 '••'-' 

District  No.  .", 13 

Total 535 

District  No.  6  was  formed  in  1854,  No.  7  in  is.")."),  and  No.  8  m  I860.  Number  of  schol- 
ars enrolled  for  I860  : 

District  No.  1 185 

District  No.  2 121 

Districl  No.  8 98 

District  No.  4 108 

Districl  N  i      7"> 

District  No.  6 28 

Districl  No.  7 91 

Districl  No.  fi to 

Total 

Che  scholars  enrolled,  in  hi],",,  for  the  eight  districts,  were  I. NTs;  for  1870,  1,162;  for 
1875,  1,249,  and  for  L880,  1,081.  That  the  report  for  1880,  shows  a  less  number  of  scholars 
enrolled  than  that  of  L875,  is  due  to  the  fact  that  a  large  number  of  children  were  withdrawn 
from  the  public  schools  by  their  parents,  and  sent  to  the  Catholic  school,  which  is  allowed  $800 
per  year  from  the  public  funds.     Of  this,  the  Advertiser  b&jb,  in  regard  to  the  District  Clerk's 

II.   B.  Schwins)  report:      "There   is    one    beautiful    feature    in    the    report,  which    litis   agitated 

this  whole  country  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  time  and  again,  it  cannot  he  discovered  by 

the  naked  eye  in  the  report,  hill  it  is  there  nevertheless,  and  is  a  happy  3olution  of  the  whole 
Vexed  question,  which  Still  remains  unsettled  in  till  other  places  in  the  I  lined  Slates  hut  Port 
Washington.      No  other  town  as  vet.  has  ever  been  known  to  consent  to  the  paying  out  of  public 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  517 

school  moneys  for  the  support  of  a  Catholic  school.  The  whole  affair  is  contrary  to  law  ;  but  as 
it  seems  to  be  a  sort  of  family  agreement  all  around,  no  one  feels  disposed  to  make  objections." 
For  a  period  of  some  twenty  years,  very  irregular  reports  were  given  of  the  schools  in  District 
No.  1,  so  that  it  is  found  impossible  to  give  anything  like  a  full  history  of  the  progress  made, 
the  exact  number  of  scholars  attending,  or  the  amount  of  money  expended  for  school  purposes. 
H.  B.  Schwins,  the  present  District  Clerk,  makes  the  following  report  for  1881  of  the  village 
school :  '•  There  are  two  departments  in  this  school,  German  and  English.  Mr.  S.  A.  Hooper 
has  entire  charge.  His  assistants  are  (English  branches),  Miss  Ella  Harrington,  Mary  O'Maea 
and  Katie  Hendell ;  German,  Miss  Caroline  Evers  and  Mary  Minten.  Mr.  Hooper,  the  Prin- 
cipal, reports  the  school  in  a  flourishing  condition  in  all  its  departments.  The  highest  number 
of  scholars  in  attendance  for  the  year  1881  was  432  ;  amount  of  money  collected  for  the  same 
year — county,  $242.78  ;  district,  $2,500  ;  for  grass  sold  on  school  lot,  $1.25;  tuition  money 
from  outside  scholars,  $115.58  ;  money  appropriated  from  State  taxes,  $219.53  ;  total,  $3,079.44." 
The  village  schoolhouse  is  a  handsome,  brick  structure,  and  is  surrounded  by  beautiful 
grounds,  which  form  one  of  the  principal  attractions  of  the  town. 

CHURCHES. 

Catholic  Church. — The  first  services  of  the  Catholic  Church  of  Port  Washington  were  held 
at  the  house  of  John  Gengler,  in  1847,  the  church  then  numbering  only  three  families.  In 
1849,  it  had  increased  to  twelve  families,  when  a  little  frame  church  was  erected  on  light-house 
bluff,  on  two  lots  which  were  given  to  the  church  by  Hiram  Johnson,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers 
in  the  county.  The  church  was  first  visited  by  Father  Fabian,  Rev.  Glenbauer  and  Rev.  Brady. 
The  first  resident  priest  was  Father  F.  X.  Sailer,  who  came  to  Port  Washington  on  the  9th  of 
October,  1853.  The  church  had  then  increased  to  twenty-five  families.  Father  Sailer,  soon 
alter  his  arrival,  established  a  Catholic  school,  and  called  Adolph  Heidcamp,  then  a  teacher  in 
New  York,  to  take  charge  of  the  school.  Heidcamp  remained  as  teacher  until  1856,  when  he 
resigned  to  take  charge  of  a  public  office  to  which  he  had  been  elected.  The  priest  then  called 
Sisters  from  the  Notre  Dame,  of  Milwaukee,  to  conduct  the  school.  Father  Sailer  remained  as 
leader  of  the  church  until  1857,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Weikmann,  who  remained  but 
a  short  time,  when  Rev.  F.  Tusseder  took  his  place,  and  began  to  make  preparations  for  the 
building  of  a  new  church.  On  the  1st  of  July,  1860,  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  church 
edifice  was  laid,  the  building  being  completed  the  same  year  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  It  is  a  hand- 
some, stone  structure,  40x80  feet.  Rev.  Tusseder  remained  in  charge  until  the  6th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1862,  when  he  resigned  to  go  as  Chaplain  to  the  Twenty-fourth  Wisconsin  Regiment,  when 
Father  Sailer  returned  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  from  1862  until  1867,  during  which  time 
he  laid  out  the  plan  of  a  new  schoolhouse,  which  was  completed  by  his  successor,  Rev.  A.  Durst, 
who  took  charge  October  13,  1867.  Rev.  Durst  remained  until  the  17th  of  May,  1870,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Henry  Willraes,  the  present  Father,  who  is  now  raising  money  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  church  edifice,  which  will  be  built  on  the  improved  plan,  and  will  have  a  sit- 
ing capacity  of  1,200.  The  church  now  numbers  250  families,  or  about  1,100  communicants. 
The  new  building,  when  completed,  will  be  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State.  The  school,  now 
under  direction  of  the  church,  is  conducted  by  three  Sisters  of  the  order  of  Notre  Dame  of  Mil- 
waukee. Both  the  German  and  English  languages  are  taught.  There  is,  at  present,  an  average 
attendance  of  220  scholars.  The  schoolhouse  is  a  two-story,  brick  building,  33x60  feet.  The 
Sisters  are  allowed  $800  per  year  from  the  public-school  fund.  This  seems  to  have  been  brought 
about  by  a  mutual  understanding  on  both  sides. 

Methodist  Episcopal. — This  denomination  was  the  first  to  hold  religious  services  in  the 
town  of  Port  Washington.  The  congregation  met  as  early  as  1843  at  private  houses  for  wor- 
ship. A  few  years  later,  they  occupied  the  public  schoolhouse.  The  first  Pastor,  Rev.  Lewis, 
like  all  pioneer  ministers,  had  quite  a  number  of  churches  under  his  charge  scattered  through- 
out different  portions  of  the  county.  To  visit  these  he  was  subjected  to  severe  hardships,  often- 
times being  obliged  to   ride   on   horseback   for   a   distance  of  twenty  miles  through  the  dense 


518 


HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


forests  which  existed  in  those  days,  facing  all  kinds  of  weather  in  order  that  he  might  make 
good  his  appointments.  His  successors  have  been  Y.  L.  Le  Due,  R.  C.  Parsons,  J.  Miller, 
William  P.  Stowe,  G.  C.  Haddoch,  C.  W.  Brooks,  A.  R.  Bishop,  R.  W.  Beach,  L.  S.  Maul- 
Bhrop,  C.  D.  Cook,  D.  Brown,  E.  L.  Eaton,  S.  A.  Wanless,  R.  J.  Judd,  George  Parsons,  J. 
H.  Brooks,  W.  F.  Dale,  and  the  present  Pastor,  G.  S.  Newcomb.  The  first  meeting-house  was 
erected  in  1851  and  rebuilt  in  1877.  The  building,  as  it  now  stands,  is  a  cosy  brick  structure, 
40x6ii  feet  with  one  auditorium-room  for  public  services,  and  a  basement  used  for  Sabbath 
school  purposes.  It  is  the  only  English-speaking  church  now  in  organization  in  the  village;  it 
has  at  present  forty  members,  but  also  derives  a  large  support  and  attendance  from  members  of 
other  denominations,  who  are  too  few  in  numbers  to  support  a  church  of  their  own. 

Presbyterian. — This  denomination  held  its  first  services  in  the  public  schoolhouse  as  early 
as  1845,  under  the  directions  of  Rev.  Thomas  Frazer,  Jr.  The  church  was  regularly  organized 
in  the  fall  of  184G.  Some  eight  years  later,  a  frame  building  was  erected  as  a  place  of  worship 
on  a  lot  deeded  by  Barnura  Blake,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Port  Washington.  The  congrega- 
tion continued  to  bold  services  until  sometime  in  1864,  at  which  time  many  of  the  influential 
members  moved  from  the  village,  when  the  organization  was  dissolved.  Rev.  James  Merrill 
was  the  last  Pastor  to  preside.  The  meeting-house  is  still  standing,  but  in  a  dilapidated 
condition. 

Protestant  Episcopal. — This  religious  body  started  under  rather  unfavorable  auspices.  A 
number  of  ladies  headed  by  Mrs.  0.  A.  Watrous.  interested  themselves  in  obtaining  subscrip- 
tions toward  building  a  church  edifice;  when  they  had  succeeded  in  raising  several  Hundred 
dollars,  they  turned  the  fruits  of  their  labor  over  to  the  proprietor  of  a  brick-yard,  who  failed 
to  furnish  them  the  bricks  contracted  for  and  they  were  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  their  money. 
Services  were  held  in  the  upper  story  of  the  Exchange  Block,  now  used  for  hotel  purposes  and 
designated  as  the  Union  House.  Rev.  S.  K.  Miller  was  the  first  Pastor.  The  church  was 
regularly  organized  October  29,  1849,  by  the  following  vestrymen:  0.  A.  Watrous,  Bostwick 
O'Connor,  Mason  Woodruff,  Gideon  M.  Waugh  and  S.  II.  Alcox.  This  organization  continued 
only  for  a  few  years. 

Bci/i/ist. — Services  were  held  by  this  denomination  in  the  old  Arcade  Building,  but  they 
were  of  so  short  duration,  that  no  special  records  were  kept  of  the  meetings.  Rev.  Mulhern 
came  first  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  church;  he  remained  but  a  short  time,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Delaney.     The  church  was  organized  sometime  during  the  year  1848. 

GerninH  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church. — This  church  was  organized  pursuant  to  a  call  of 
the  Trustees  January  17.  1853,  Rev.  J.  Johnson  first  officiating  Pastor.  The  success  of  the 
church  is  largely  attributable  to  the  energies  of  Jacob  Eckle,  one  of  the  oldest  Trustees,  w  bo  was 
instrumental  in  raising  funds  to  erect  the  church  buildings.  The  Rev.  Johnson's  successors 
were  Rev.  Stark,  William  Darman.  Samuel  Hauservitz,  Rev.  Bart,  Rev.  Klynard  and  Rev.  A. 
Frank,  the  present  Pastor.  The  first  services  of  the  church  were  held  in  the  public  school- 
house  until  the  completion  of  the  church  edifice,  which  was  finished  in  ls5ii.  and  consecrated 
by  the  Rev.  John  Kandiss.  The  bell,  one  of  the  largest  in  the  village,  was  presented  to  the 
church  by  lady  members,  who  raised  the  money  by  subscription.  The  church  now  numbers 
over  linO  members. 

German  Methodist  Church. — The  members  of  this  church,  like  many  others,  were  obliged 
to  fall  back  on  the  schoolhouse  as  a  place  of  worship  until  they  had  become  sufficiently  strong 
to  build  a  house  of  their  own.  The  first  services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Schwake  dur- 
ing the  spring  of  1852.  In  1862,  they  repaired  to  their  new  church  edifice,  since  which  time 
the  church  has  been  presided  over  by  the  following  ministers:  Rev.  II.  Holster,  Rev.  Schuk, 
Rev.  Hallacher.  and  the  present  Pastor,  the  Rev.  .1.  Hcinhaus. 


SortlTIKS. 


Port   Washington  Gesang  Verein. — This  association  has  now  nearly  one  hundred  members, 
of  which  one-half  are  singers.      Its  origin  was  due  to  the  exertions  of  Maj.  John  C.  Sehroeling. 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  519 

under  whose  directions  it  was  organized  December  3,  185!:'.  The  first  officers  were  elected  as 
follows:  President,  Conrad  Horneffer ;  Vice  President,  Phil.  G.  Ktihn ;  Director,  John  C. 
Schroeling  ;  Secretary,  Leopold  Eghart ;  Treasurer,  Theopold  Rubly.  The  society  was  incor- 
porated by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  April  11,  1861,  with  the  following  members:  Leopold 
Eghart,  Charles  Beger,  John  C.  Schroeling,  Louis  F.  Mueller,  Robert  Tetzold,  Conrad  Horn- 
effer, Jacob  Moritz,  Ulrich  Landolt.  Robert  Jaenicke,  Jean  Adam,  Edward  Nuendorff,  Franz 
Zimmerman,  Hermann  Vanderbosch,  William  Landolt,  Paul  Wolff,  Theopold  Rubly,  G.  P. 
Kuhn,  G.  Mockly,  Jacob  Werle,  Gottfried  Bentel,  William  Schroeder,  Frederick  Schmidt,  Peter 
Kuhn,  Frederick  Mueller.  Henry  C.  Horneffer,  George  Tetzold,  Charles  G.  Meyer,  John  Neuens, 
T.  Tetzold,  E.  Franckenberg,  J.  Goldsmith,  John  R.  Bohan,  Louis  Toeser,  Robert  F.  Martinni, 
Carl  Menzc.  Jr..  Carl  Rabe.  Carl  Mueller.  J.  Wersching,  Peter  Wolff,  F.  Wiffman,  J.  B. 
Scheible,  William  A.  Pors,  Edward  Panzer,  Gustav  Goetze,  Phillip  Runkle,  John  Simon,  Nich- 
olas Johann,  Thomas  Hoyt,  John  Diedrich,  Carl  Menze,  Sr.,  Charles  Besch,  D.  Kemp,  J.  W. 
Vail  and  David  Vail.  Since  the  incorporation  took  place,  great  enterprise  has  been  manifested, 
each  individual  member  proving  himself  a  practical  worker  toward  advancing  the  interests  of 
the  society.  During  the  winter  season,  farmers  have  been  known  to  come  through  all  kinds  of 
weather  eight  and  ten  miles  to  attend  the  regular  meetings  of  the  Gesang  Verein.  This  earnest 
solicitation  on  the  part  of  members  has  been  maintained  throughout,  and  to  this  vigorous  and 
enterprising  spirit  may  be  attributed  the  grand  success  of  the  organization.  The  society  has 
given  quite  a  number  of  concerts,  mostly  for  charitable  purposes.  In  1872,  a  new  hall,  50x88 
feet,  was  built  by  the  association  at  a  cost  of  $4,000  ;  the  foundation  is  so  arranged  that  a  brick 
wall  can  be  raised  to  enclose  the  present  frame  structure  :  this  can  be  done  at  an  additional  cost 
of  $3,000.  The  auditorium  is  handsomely  furnished  throughout,  and  has  a  seating  capacity  of 
800.  The  stage  is  neatly  fitted  up,  with  all  the  necessary  accommodations,  such  as  scenery, 
dressing-rooms  and  stage  properties  in  general. 

Turn  Verein. — The  Turner  Society  was  organized  by  Maj.  John  C.  Schroeling  May  14, 
1860,  with  the  following  members  :  G.  P.  Kuhn,  Robert  Tetzold,  Robert  Jaenicke,  Charles  Tet- 
zold, Louis  Mueller,  Charles  Beger,  Peter  Kuhn,  Robert  Martinni,  Henry  Schutz,  Frederick 
Bartels,  Frederick  Biel,  L.  Schmidt,  John  Michel,  John  C.  Schroeling  W.  H.  Landolt  and 
John  Adam.  The  first  officers  were — President,  John  C.  Schroeling  ;  Vice  President.  J.  P. 
Kuhn ;  First  Master,  Robert  Jaenicke ;  Second  Master,  Charles  Tetzold :  Secretarv,  Louis 
Mueller;  Treasurer,  Charles  Beger.  On  May  15,  1861,  Maj.  Schroeling,  who  had  then  a  rep- 
utation as  a  skillful  swordsman,  received  a  call  from  the  Turner  Society  of  Milwaukee  to  give 
an  exhibition  drill.  Maj.  Schroeling  accepted  the  invitation,  when  he  afterwards  was  made  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  C  of  the  Fifth  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  joined  by  the 
following  members  of  his  own  society  from  Port  Washington  :  W.  H.  Landolt,  Louis  Mueller, 
Frederick  Bartels,  Henry  Schutz  and  John  Michel. 

Ozaukee  Lodge,  No.  17,  A.,  F.  <f-  A.  M. — Was  organized  December  6,  1847,  and  charter 
granted  by  Grand  Lodge  of  Wisconsin,  January  15,  1848.  The  charter  members  were  Isaac 
C.  Loomis,  Bostwick  O'Connor,  Mason  Woodruff.  William  Payne,  Orlando  Foster,  Joseph 
Fishbein  and  S.  A.  White.  First  officers:  Isaac  C.  Loomis,  W.  M.;  Bostwick  O'Connor,  S. 
W.;  Joseph  Fishbein,  J.  W.;  William  Payne,  Treas.;  John  A.  Brown,  Sec;  Orlando  Foster,  S. 
D.;  S.  A.  White,  J.  D.  Present  officers:  W.  A.  Pors,  W.  M.;  John  J.  Race,  S.  W.;  E.  R. 
Blake,  J.  W.;   Ulrich  Landolt,  Sec;  J.  B.  Peffer,  Treas. 

J.  O.  O.  F. — This  order  preceded  the  Masons  in  their  organization  about  one  year,  and 
continued  their  regular  meetings  until  the  year  1854,  when  the  building  in  which  they  held  their 
lodge  was  destroyed  by  fire,  after  which  disaster  the  organization  was  dissolved. 

Sons  of  Hermann — Held  their  first  meeting  December  13,  1875.  The  society  has  in- 
creased in  numbers  yearly,  and  is  well  supported  by  the  Germans  in  the  village  and  town.  The 
officers  are  R.  Stelling,  Pres.;  Gustav  Gauer,  Vice  Pres.;  N.  Young,  Sec 


520  HISTORY  OF    WASHINGTON    AM)  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

The  first  move  toward  the  organization  of  a  regular  system  of  defense  against  fires  was 
originated  by  August  Meyer,  who  proposed  the  forming  of  a  hook  and  ladder  company,  which 
plan  «as  carried  into  effect  in  1864,  and  was  styled  the  Port  Washington  Fire  Company.  Mr. 
Meyer  was  unanimously  elected  Chief,  which  position  he  still  retains.  In  1870,  an  engine 
and  hose  company  were  added.  Fire  plugs  or  cisterns  are  conveniently  located  throughout  the 
village,  and  although  the  company  is  purely  volunteer,  a  corps  of  some  fifty  men  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  respond  to  any  alarm  which  may  be  given.  The  men  are  thoroughly 
equipped  with  the  regular  fireman's  paraphanalia,  caps,  rubber  coats  and  boots.  Their  parade 
uniforms  consist  of  plain  red  shirts  with  white  belts  and  caps.  The  promptness  adhered  to  by 
the  members  of  the  company  reflects  great  credit  on  the  management,  while  the  people  of  Port 
Washington  may  rest  scenic  as  to  the  efficiency  of  the  department  as  a  protection  against  fire. 
They  may  also  feci  proud  of  an  organization  in  which  so  much  enterprise  and  thorough  disci- 
pline is  manifested.  The  oldest  inhabitant  of  the  village  fails  to  call  to  mind  the  date  of  the 
first  blaze.  Some  say  that  a  small  frame  dwelling  house  was  burned  as  early  as  1846.  The 
first  fire  of  any  importance,  however,  was  that  of  Heighan,  Kern  &  Boss's  flouring-mill,  a  four- 
Btory  frame  building  which  was  entirely  consumed  by  the  flames.  The  mill  was  run  by  steam- 
power  and  was  full  of  grain  and  flour  at  the  time,  all  of  which  was  destroyed.  The  loss  occa- 
sioned by  this  fire  is  placed  at  $20,000.  During  the  same  year,  1851,  the  Powers  House,  a  frame 
hotel,  was  burned;  estimated  loss,  §5,000.  In  1852  came  the  destruction  of  the  Wisconsin 
House,  and  in  1854  M.  M.  Whedon's  store.  Since  that  time  no  very  serious  damage  has  been 
done  by  the  llames. 

Till-;  BAND. 
For  a  number  of  years  past  Port  Washington  has  hail  several  parts  of  bands,  but  not  until 
1879  could  the  village  lay  claim  to  a  thoroughly  organized  hand.  The  great  drawback  in  the 
past  seemed  to  he  the  want  of  a  good  Leader.  This  deficiency  was  met  and  the  difficulties  over- 
come in  tin.'  person  of  Martin  Zimmerman,  who.  in  the  summer  of  1*7U.  undertook  the  arduous 
task  of  organizing  a  brass  and  string  hand.  Mr.  Zimmerman  had  many  obstacles  to  contend 
with,  the  greatest  being  the  lack  of  experienced  players.  Nothing  daunted  he  set  to  work. 
made  his  selections  from  the  raw  material,  after  which  he  kepi  them  in  constant  practice,  so  that 
now  Port  Washington  lias  a  hand  that  will  compare  favorably  with  those  of  larger  towns.  The 
members  are :  Brass — Martin  Zimmerman,  leader, first  Eflat:  M.  Frey,  second  K  flat  :  X.  GiUon, 
piccolo;  Louis  fiddler,  first  alto;  Mat  Manner,  second  alto;  W.  Shulenberg,  first  tenor  ;  1!.  Not- 
ting,  second  tenor;  John  Gilson,  trombone;  George  Zimmerman,  bass ;  Gilbert  Germ  in  son, 
drum,  A.  Ho--,  bass  drum.  String — Martin  Zimmerman,  first  violin:  Theodore  Qerle, 
second  violin  ;  Mat  Frey,  flute  :  W.  Shulenberg,  B  cornet  :  N.  Gilson,  trombone,  and  John  Gil- 
son,  bass  violin. 

LITERARY. 
Thomas  Mooney,  an  educated  Irishman,  "ho  came  to  this  country  in  1846,  wrote  a  his- 
tory of  Ireland  and  also  contributed  articles  to  the  Boston  Pilot,  which  were  the  means  of  in- 
ducing many  of  his  countrymen  to  emigrate  to  this  country,  most  of  them  locating  in  Ozaukee 
and  Washington  Counties.  Mr.  Mooney  was  also  a  poet,  and  wrote  -everal  poems  on  America 
which  were  remarkable  for  their  originality  and  strong   patriotism. 

••  Literary  Hems,"  handsomely  set  in  artistically-designed  covers,  and  carefully  preserved 
as  mementoes  to  the  essayists  of  Port  Washington,  found  a  place  in  the  regard  of  the  young 
people. 

The  first  of  these  to  greet  its  neighbors  and  friends  was  a  spicy  little  journal  called  the 
Literary  Chip  Basket  which  made  its  appearance  February  17.  1858,  under  the  following 
motto  .  ..  \  „;.,.  Ili:m  gcoroetfa  noil 

Be  'i  ever  so  humble  ; 

For  lie  knnwciii  ooi  the  secret  la 

That  may  bind  ii  id  gri 


£2<^ 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  521 

Henry  L.  Coe  and  Nettie  E.  Wilmot,  editors.  The  Chip  Basket  soon  became  popular  and 
had  for  its  contributors  some  of  the  best  talent  in  the  village.  The  editors  were  changed  quite 
frequently.  Volume  II  appeared  with  the  names  of  J.  W.  Vail  and  Nettie  Wilmot.  Miss 
Mary  Vail,  daughter  of  James  W.  Vail,  has  preserved  several  numbers  of  the  paper,  in  deli- 
cately-worked covers.  The  Chip  Basket  created  quite  a  stir  among  Dame  Society's  subjects 
and  awakened  literary  propensities  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  but  a  short  time  until  there 
were  a  number  of  cotemporaries  in  the  field.  First  came  the  Society  Journal,  edited  by  Haney 
L.  Coe  and  Inez  Turner;  motto:  "Where  there's  a  will  there's  a  way."  The  What  Not  soon 
followed,  edited  by  Nettie  E.  Coe,  James  W.  Vail  and  William  A.  Pors ;  preface :  "  0,  eyes 
sublime,  that  have  tears  and  laughter  for  all  times."  The  contributors  to  the  What  Not  were: 
Ladies— Mrs.  H.  L.  Coe.  Mrs.  W.  H.  Wright,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Chamberlin,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Turner,  Mrs. 
J.  M.  Bostwick,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Pors,  Mrs.  P.  M.  Butler.  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Scott,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Tows- 
lev,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Bolds,  Miss  Lulu  M.  Whedon,  Miss  Mary  B.  Vail,  Miss  Inez  Turner.  Gen- 
tlemen— H.  L.  Coe,  W.  H.  Wright,  R.  C.  Kann,  C.  E.  Chamberlin,  L.  H.  Clark,  E.  Pors,  0. 
P.  Melin,  G.  W.  Foster,  Rev.  R.  C.  Parsons,  William  A.  Pors,  George  Parsons,  James  P. 
Whedon. 

The  Whimsical  Mirror. — "  Reflecting  the  whims  of  women  and  the  follies  of  men."  "  You 
shall  not  budge  until  I  have  set  you  up  a  glass  wherein  you  may  see  the  inmost  part  of  you." 
This  journal  was  kept  before  the  society  for  a  short  time  when  it  was  succeeded  by  the  Allspice, 
edited  by  Harvey  L.  Coe  and  Mrs.  E.  S.   Turner,  under  the  following  motto : 

"  Of  all  those  arts  in  which  the  wise  excel, 
Nature's  chief  masterpiece  is  writing  well." 

The  contributors  to  the  Allspice  were  :  Ladies — Mrs.  I.  G.  Daniels,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Bolds,  Mrs 
lone  Wright,  Mrs.  Nettie  E.  Coe,  Miss  Lottie  Moore,  Miss  Inez  Turner.  Gentlemen — Rev. 
Brooks,  George  W.  Foster. 

The  Star  was  among  the  first  to  appear,  but  was  of  so  short  a  duration  that  sample  copies 
were  not  preserved.  These  literary  journals  have  been  the  means  of  adding  materially  to  social 
enjoyments,  besides  creating  a  desire  for  knowledge  and  advancing  the  people  both  morally  and 
intellectually,  some  of  the  productions  are  worthy  of  publication,  and  would  no  doubt  command 
a  place  in  the  periodicals  of  the  day. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington  was  the  Washington 
County  Democrat,  established  by  Flavius  J.  Mills  in  the  summer  of  1847.  At  that  time,  the 
Democratic  party  was  divided  as  to  county  politics.  Mills  took  sides  with  the  predominant  fac- 
tion in  order  to  control  the  county  printing.  The  opposition  then  set  on  foot  a  project  for  the 
establishing  of  a  new  paper,  which  was  carried  into  effect  in  the  month  of  June,  1849,  when  the 
Washington  County  Blade  made  its  appearance  under  the  management  of  Rhenodyne  A.  Bird, 
who  had  been  induced  to  come  from  Madison  and  embark  in  the  enterprise.  James  W. 
Vail  was  soon  afterward  admitted  as  a  partner,  the  Blade  being  published  under  the  names  of 
Bird  &.  Vail.  The  paper  gained  prestige  rapidly,  and  in  less  than  one  year  succeeded  in  making 
a  clean  sweep  of  its  cotemporary,  and  the  Democrat  was  subsequently  emerged  into  the  Blade. 

When  the  question  of  dividing  the  county  came  before  the  people,  Bird  was  inclined  to  favor 
the  division,  while  Vail  vigorously  opposed  it,  taking  the  ground  that  the  people,  as  a  majority, 
were  against  it,  and  would  not  sustain  them  in  such  a  course.  Failing  to  convince  Bird  by  his 
manner  of  reasoning,  Vail  sold  out  his  interest.  Bird  then  continued  to  publish  the  paper  alone, 
but,  as  Vail  had  predicted,  met  with  such  a  serious  loss  of  patronage,  on  account  of  his  advo- 
cating a  division  of  the  county,  that,  at  the  end  of  one  year,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  the 
enterprise.  Bird  then  moved  his  type  to  Horicon,  Dodge  Co.,  where  he  published  a  paper  in 
support  of  C.  H.  Larrabee,  at  that  time  prominent  in  State  politics.  The  Port  Washington 
Zeitung  (German),  was  established  January  1,  1855,  by  A.  Heidkamp,  and  has  since  been  con- 
tinuously published.     A  full  sketch  of  its  founder,  who  died  during  the  month  of  July,  1881, 

M 


522  HISTOKT   OF    WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

can  be  found  in  the  county  history  of  this  book.  The  Advertiser,  edited  by  John  R.  Bohan,  was 
removed  to  Port  Washington  from  Grafton  in  1859,  and  has  ever  since  maintained  its  place  as 
the  official  paper  of  Ozaukee  County.  During  the  same  year,  G.  W.  Foster  started  the  Port 
Washington  Republican,  but  as  the  political  food  of  Ozaukee  County  was  not  of  the  kind  on 
which  a  Republican  paper  was  wont  to  thrive,  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months  Mr.  Foster  was 
obliged  to  abandon  the  enterprise.  The  Weekly  Star,  edited  by  Hon.  E.  B.  Bolens,  first  made 
its  appearance  in  Port  Washington  November  1,  1879.  The  paper  is  ably  edited  and  is  fast 
gaining  in  patronage  and  the  support  it  justly  deserves.  Mr.  Bolens  also  runs  a  job  office  in 
connection  with  his  paper.  His  office  is  equipped  with  new  type,  and  the  work  turned  out  com- 
pares favorably  with  that  of  larger  cities. 

LIGHT-HOUSE. 

The  light-house  was  established  at  Port  Washington  in  1849.  The  building  is  situated  on 
"North  Bluff,"  on  a  lot  which  was  donated  to  the  Government  by  Solon  Johnson.  The  build- 
ing and  natural  elevation,  have  together,  an  altitude  of  200  feet.  The  first  keeper  was  C:ipt. 
Worth,  father-in-law  of  A.  M.  Blair.  In  politics,  the  Captain  was  a  stanch  Whig.  After 
Worth,  came  Capt.  Tutliill,  bearing  all  the  characteristics  of  Dickens's  Captain  Cuttle,  with  the 
exceptions  of  a  lame  arm  and  pot-hook.  Tuthill's  successors  were  Bernard  Simmer,  who  died 
in  office ;  F.  L.  Hoyt,  P.  Kehoe,  and  Capt.  Lewis  who  held  it  until  the  time  of  his  death.  The 
house  is  now  in  charge  of  his  widow.  The  salary  was  first  set  at  $351  per  year.  The  present 
salary  is  $540.  The  light-house  is  built  of  brick.  The  basement  story  is  set  off  into  apart- 
ments for  the  family  of  the  keeper. 

DOCTORS. 

The  pioneer  doctor  of  Port  Washington  was  Dr.  P.  H.  Clark,  who  came  to  the  village  in 
1847.  He  kept  the  first  drug  store  on  Franklin  street,  where  Maj.  John  C.  Schroeling  now 
lives.  The  pioneer  dentist  was  Dr.  Powers,  afterward  proprietor  of  the  Powers  House,  which 
was  destroyed  by  fire  shortly  after  the  county  was  organized.  Dr.  Clark's  successors  were 
Drs.  Osgood,  Stillman  and  Fisher.     The  present  doctors  are  Messrs.  Scholl  and  Smith. 

POSTMASTERS. 

The  first  post  office  in  the  village  was  established  sometime  during  the  year  1843.  0.  A- 
Watrous  was  the  first  Postmaster.  The  office  was  kept  in  a  frame  building  which  stood  on  the 
ground  where  the  court  house  now  stands.  Watrous  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Powers.  Walter 
Lyon,  S.  A.  White,  Lyon  Silverman,  R.  L.  Gove  and  Norman  S.  Turner.  When  the  name 
of  the  office  was  changed  from  Ozaukee  to  that  of  Port  Washington,  Harvey  L.  Coe,  the 
present  incumbent,  was  appointed  to  the  place. 

LAWYERS. 

The  early  lawyers  were  Henry  Allen,  G.  M.  Watigh.  G.  W.  Foster,  Hopewell  Cox,  Le- 
land  Stanford  and  L.  Towsley.  The  pioneer  Judges  were  Andrew  Miller  and  Charles  II.  Lar- 
rabee.  The  present  lawyers  are  W.  A.  l'ors,  James  Iledding,  Eugene  S.  Turner,  D.  M.  Jack- 
son, G.  W.  Foster,  L.  Towsley  and  Harvey  L.  Coe. 


TOWN  OF   MEQUON. 

This  large  and  populous  town  forms  the  whole  of  the  southern  boundary  of  Ozaukee 
County,  and  comprises  all  of  Town  9  in  Itange  21,  and  a  fractional  township  in  Range  --. 

EARLY    BBTTLBE8. 

The  first  white  settlers  of  Mequon  were  Isaac  Bigelow  and  Daniel  Strickland,  who  emi- 
grated with  their  families  from  the  British  possessions  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon  in 
1836.      The  territory  at   that    time    was  one   dense  wilderness,  the   only  thoroughfares,  if  such 


HISTOKY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  523 

thev/  could  be  called,  'were  the  Indian  trails,  leading  in  different  directions  through  the  vast 
country  which  lies  north  and  west  of  the  village.  The  pioneers  followed  one  of  these  trails 
north  until  they  came  to  Mequonsippi  or  Pigeon  Creek,  where  they  proceeded  to  erect  for 
themselves  rude  shanties  out  of  such  material  as  could  be  found  until  they  could  replace  them 
with  more  substantial  log  structures.  In  1837,  James  W.  Woodworth  and  his  brother  Ephraim 
came  and  took  up  claims  near  by.  In  1838,  William  Worth,  Taylor  Haverlin,  John  Weston, 
Peter  Turck,  Reuben  Wells,  Isham  Day,  Joseph  Loonier  and  several  Irish  families  made  settle- 
ments in  the  town.  During  the  month  of  August,  1830,  William  F.  Opitz,  in  company  with  his 
father,  mother,  sister  and  brother-in-law,  Adolph  Zimmerman,  came  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
known  as  Mequon  proper,  one-half  mile  south  of  where  the  village  of  Theinville  is  now  situated. 
They  were  the  first  German  settlers.  A  month  later,  they  were  followed  by  five  German  fam- 
ilies, consisting  of  Andrew  Geidel,  Michael  Mueller,  Andrew  Lanzendorf,  W.  Schumann  and 
Gottfried  Baer.  During  the  same  year,  the  Bonniwells,  William,  George,  James,  Charles, 
Henry  and  Alfred  came  from  England  and  settled  that  portion  of  Mequon  now  known  as  the 
Bonniwell  District.  Next  after  the  Bonniwells  came  the  Friestadt  Colony,  numbering  about  sixty 
families.  These  people  sheltered  themselves  at  first  in  tents.  Timothy  Wooden,  the  first  set- 
tler in  the  town  of  Grafton,  and  a  neighbor  of  his,  helped  the  Germans  to  erect  their  log  houses. 
A  year  later,  the  colonists  erected  a  log  meeting-house,  the  first  structure  of  the  kind  built  in> 
old  ''.  ashington  County.  In  the  month  of  May,  1840,  Edward  II.  Janssen,  Henry  Heisen  and 
John  Thompson  located  in  Mequon,  and  at  once  set  about  clearing  the  lands  and  interesting 
themselves  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  community.  Edward  H.  Janssen  was  the  first  Ger- 
man school  teacher  in  the  town.  He  was  a  man  of  great  enterprise,  and  soon  '  came  an  active 
worker  in  the  politics  of  the  county.  Besides  holding  important  offices  in  the  town,  he  was- 
made  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  was  elected  for  two  terms  to  the  office  of  Reg- 
ister of  Deeds,  and,  in  1851,  was  elected  to  the  important  office  of  State  Treasurer.  In  1854r 
he  in  company  with  his  brother  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Gaitsch  built  the  Hamilton  Grist-Mill, 
a  large  stone  structure  located  on  Cedar  Creek,  a  mile  south  of  the  village.  He  was  afterward 
elected  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  which  office  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  during  the  year  1877. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  to  hold  services  in  the  town.  The  first  religious  gathering 
took  place  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Bigelow  in  the  spring  of  1838,  when  a  number  of  the  old  set- 
tlers met  for  the  purpose  of  forming  themselves  into  a  class.  Rev.  Frink,  an  Indian  missionary, 
preached  the  first  sermon  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Loomers,  sometime  during  the  same  year. 
Peter  Turck,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  zealous  pupil  of  the  Baptist  faith,  endeavored  to 
press  upon  the  minds  of  the  early  settlers  the  importance  of  immersion  ;  but,  according  to  the 
statement  of  James  W.  Woodworth,  did  not  meet  with  much  success  in  making  converts.  Turck 
was  a  man  of  considerable  enterprise  during  his  early  life,  and  sought  to  measure  his  genius 
with  men  of  almost  every  profession.  Besides  preaching  the  gospel,  be  undertook  to  rival  the 
students  of  Blackstone,  at  the  same  time  endeavoring  to  perform  the  important  functions  of  a 
physician.  He  held  for  quite  a  number  of  years  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  was 
elected  by  the  county  to  the  State  Legislature.  He  erected  the  first  saw-mill  in  the  town  of 
Mequon,  in  1838.  With  age  came  the  derangement  of  his  mind,  and  he  finally  died  in  an 
insane  asylum. 

The  German  Lutherans  and  Catholics  are  the  only  two  sects  now  holding  services  in  the 
town  of  Mequon.  The  Catholics  have  now  only  one  meeting-house  in  the  town,  located  in  Sec- 
tion l'4,  Range  '22.  In  early  times  they  had  a  log  meeting-house  on  the  town  line  of  Cedar- 
burg  and  Mequon,  but  of  late  years  this  place  has  been  abandoned,  the  congregation  now  mak- 
ing the  village  of  Cedarburg  their  place  of  worship.  The  German  Lutherans  have  erected 
meeting-houses  at  convenient  points  throughout  the  town,  the  most  important  being  at  the 
Friestadt  settlement. 


524  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  held  in  the  town  of  Mequon  was  taught  by  Miss  Helen  Upham  in  a  log 
house  owned  by  James  W.  Woodworth.  The  school  was  opened  during  the  fall  of  1839.  The 
first  schoolhouse,  a  log  structure,  was  erected  by  the  Bonniwells  in  1840.  Miss  Eliza  Bonni- 
well.  William  Worth  and  Edward  H.  Jansen  were  the  pioneer  teachers  of  Mequon.  The  school 
reports  made  for  the  town  of  Mequon  for  the  year  1844  were  as  follows :  Bonniwell  District, 
No.  1 — Male  children  under  the  age  of  sixteen,  37  ;  female  under  same  age,  19 ;  total,  56. 
Public  money,  $49.50  ;  by  tax,  §1!>~.U2  :  total,  $68.82.  Harrison  School  District,  No.  2,  had 
32  scholars.     No  further  report. 

Van  Buren  District,  No.  3 85  scholars. 

Washington  District.   No.  6 36  scholars. 

Friestadt  District.  No.  V 104  scholars. 

Attenberg  District,  No.  8 27  scholars. 

New  Berlin  District,  No    9 35  scholars. 

The  whole  number  of  scholars  enrolled  for  the  year  1844  were  375.  Daniel  Strickland 
and  Levi  Ostrander  were  the  first  School  Commissioners  ;  their  jurisdiction  extended  at  that  time 
throughout  the  whole  county.  In  1849,  Mequon  adopted  the  Town  Superintendent  system. 
Frederick  Stock  was  appointed  first  Superintendent. 

EARLY    TIMES. 

In  1839,  John  Weston  and  Timothy  Wooden  took  a  contract  for  cutting  out  the  Green  Bay 
road.  Previous  to  that  time,  Weston  had  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which 
he  sold  to  John  Willett.  He  then  bought  a  quarter  section,  the  site  on  which  the  village  of 
Theinville  is  situated  ;  this  he  afterward  sold  to  Henry  Thein.  Weston  was  the  first  Postmaster, 
and  kept  the  office  in  a  little  log  house  located  on  the  old  Milwaukee  and  Green  Bay  road,  about 
sixteen  miles  north  of  Milwaukee.  The  mail  was  delivered  twice  a  week  by  a  carrier  on  horse- 
back. Weston  remained  in  Mequon  for  several  years,  when  he  emigrated  Westward.  It  is 
thought  by  some  that  he  is  still  living,  but  in  what  part  is  not  known.  The  first  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  the  town  was  Frederick  W.  Horn,  who  came  into  Mequon  in  1841.  He  has  figured 
more  prominently  in  politics  than  any  other  resident  of  the  county,  and  is  still  a  leading  citizen, 
residing  at  present  in  the  village  of  Cedarburg.  John  Henry  Thein.  the  founder  of  Theinville, 
first  located  in  Mequon  in  the  year  1842,  where  he  erected  the  first  grist-mill  in  the  town,  and 
proceeded  to  lay  out  the  village.  A  year  later,  he  built  a  storehouse  and  saw-mill.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  flouring  business  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  July  6,  1863.  The 
grist-mill,  a  lame  stone  structure,  is  now  in  charge  of  Frederick  Memmler,  of  Cedarburg.  An 
excellent  water-power  is  obtained  at  this  point  from  the  Milwaukee  River.  Besides  the  mill, 
the  village  contains  two  stores,  two  wagon  and  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  tailor  and  two  shoe- 
shops,  three  saloons,  one  hotel  and  a  post  office.  The  latter  is  now  in  charge  of  William 
Carbvs.  A  large  cheese-factory  was  erected  near  the  village,  in  1880,  by  Louis  C.  Wagner. 
The  dwelling-houses  of  Theinville  number  about  fifty,  all  handsomely  set  in  fine  yards,  bordered 
with  shade  trees.  There  is  also  a  public  park,  where  the  people  meet  at  various  times  to  quaff 
the  favorite  beverage,  and  spend  an  hour  or  two  socially.  The  village  is  very  cozily  situated  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  and  on  the  line  of  the  Wisconsin  Central  Railroad, 
sixteen  miles  north  of  Milwaukee  City.  One-half  mile  south  of  Theinville,  on  the  old  Green  Hay 
road,  is  the  home  of  Adolph  Zimmerman,  the  oldest  German  settler  now  living  in  the  town  of 
Meqnon.  His  house  is  surrounded  by  a  dozen  or  more  cottages,  ("lining  a  little  hamlet,  which 
is  known  as  Mequon  proper.  It  was  here  that  W.  F.  Opitz.  brother-in-law  to  Mr.  Zimmerman, 
built  the  first  hotel  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers.  The  building  is  still  standing,  but 
since  the  railroad  displaced  the  old  stage  line,  the  hotel  has  been  abandoned.  The  Friestadt 
settlement  is  the  only  other  place  in  the  town  of  Mequon  which  can  be  called  a  hamlet.  It 
contains  two  churches,  one  store  and  post  office,  kept  by  Charles  Schneider,  two  blacksmith  and 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  525 

wagon  shops,  with  about  two  dozen  dwelling-houses.  The  land  is  now  mostly  all  under  an 
excellent  state  of  cultivation,  the  county  at  large  presenting  the  appearance  of  one  vast  chain 
of  gardens,  with  good,  substantial  frame  and  stone  dwelling-houses,  and,  as  is  characteristic  with 
the  Germans,  most  of  them  have  elegant  yards  decorated  with  neatly  arranged  walks  and  flower- 
beds, while  the  ever  famous  cottonwood  commands  a  prominent  place  in  front  of  the  houses. 
The  farmers  have  adopted  the  Eastern  custom  of  building  large  barns  for  the  storing  of  grain 
and  other  purposes. 

The  town  was  incorporated   by  act  of  the  Legislature  January  21,  1846.     Prior  to  that 
.time,  there  had  been  a  yoting  precinct  in  the  township,  but  no  town  organization   distinct  from 
the  comprehensive   organization  of  the  "Town  of  Washington,"  which  embraced  all  the  town- 
ships  in   old   Washington    County,  with   voting  precincts  here  and  there,  as  new   settlements 
sprung  up.     Below  is  a  copy  of  the  records  of  the 

FIRST  TOWN  MEETING. 

"  At  a  town  meeting  held  pursuant  to  law  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  at  the  house  of  Henry 
Thein,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  A.  D.  1846,  it  being  the  7th  day  of  said  month,  the 
meeting  was  called  to  order  at  10:30  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  it  was  on  motion  resolved  that  a  Mod- 
erator and  Clerk  be  chosen  by  the  electors  now  present,  by  acclamation.  Patrick  Dockery  was 
chosen  Moderator,  and  Edward  H.  Jansen,  Clerk.  The  officers  chosen  appeared  and  took  the 
oath  of  office  before  F.  W.  Horn,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  is  prefixed  to  the  poll-list.  On 
motion  of  F.  W.  Horn,  resolved,  that  the  wages  of  the  town  officers  not  settled  by  law  be  §1 
per  day.  On  motion,  resolved,  that  the  Boards  of  Town  Supervisors  are  hereby  authorized  to 
prescribe  the  necessary  amount  of  taxes  to  be  raised  in  this  town  for  the  different  purposes  not 
voted  upon  by  this  meeting.  Proclamation  of  the  opening  of  the  polls  was  now  made.  Resolved, 
that  this  meeting  do  now  vote  by  ballot  for  the  different  officers.  On  motion,  resolved,  that  one- 
half  of  1  per  cent  shall  be  raised  for  the  support  of  common  schools. 

"The  whole  number  of  votes  polled  at  the  election  was  140.  For  State  Government,  128  ; 
against  State  Government,  9.  For  town  officers,  71.  For  county  seat  at  Hamburg,  35  votes; 
Port  Washington,  65  ;  Cedarburg,  22  ;  Middle,  13  ;  West  Bend,  2  ;  Centre,  2  ;  County  Lot,  1. 
The  officers  elected  were :  Supervisors,  Edward  H.  Jansen,  Patrick  Dockey,  J.  M.  Clarke  ; 
Commissioners  of  Highways,  Charles  Kauffung,  Samuel  C.  McEvony  ;  School  Commissioners, 
Edward  H.  Jansen,  J.  P.  Bailey,  Adolph  Zimmerman  ;  Assessors,  Stephen  Wescott,  Andrew 
Geidell,  Henry  Keomer;  Fence  Viewer,  Philip  Herbold  ;  Constable,  Jacob  M.  Sutton;  Town 
Clerk,  James  Cleare ;   Collector.  W.  F.  Opitz;  Justice  of  the  Peace,  F.  W.  Horn.'' 

Number  of  votes  polled  at  second  election,  April  6,  1847,  were  cast  as  follows :  For 
license,  110  ;  against,  4.  For  equal  suffrage  to  colored  folks,  4  ;  against,  219.  For  Constitu- 
tion, 275  ;  against,  13.  For  town  officers,  126.  The  officers  elected  for  1847  were  as  follows: 
Supervisors,  Edward  H.  Jansen,  William  F.  Opitz;  Town  Clerk,  James  Cleare;  Treasurer, 
Frederick  Milbrath ;  Road  Commissioners,  Charles  Milbrath.  Michael  Heuter ;  Collector. 
Adolph  Zimmerman ;  School  Commissioners,  Edward  H.  Jansen,  Gottleib  Roedell,  Michael 
Geidell ;   Fence  Viewers,  Edward  H.  Jansen,  James  Tupham,  Michael  Miller. 

Town  officers  for  1848 — Supervisors,  Edward  H.  Jansen,  Ephraim  Woodworth,  James 
Cleare;  Treasurer,  John  Bublitz :  Collector,  John  W.  Milbrath ;  Road  Commissioners,  Martin 
Tandy,  Stephen  Loomer,  Simon  McGrath  ;  School  Commissioners,  John  Schaus,  M.  Miller, 
Joseph  B.  Loomer ;  Assessors,  John  Bone,  John  Federspiel,  Ludwig  Zimmerman  ;  Fence 
Viewers,  Edward  Simlen,  F.  Falkner ;  Pound  Keeper,  William  F.  Opitz ;  Town  Clerk,  James 
Cleare. 


52  li 


HISTORY   Of   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES. 


TOWN   OF  GRAFTON. 

Old  Grafton  was  formed  January  26,  1846.  It  then  comprised  the  whole  of  Town  LO,  in 
Ranges  21  and  22.  In  L849,  the  town  of  Cedarburg,  until  then  a  part  of  Grafton,  became  a 
separate  and  independent  organization.  The  first  town  election  was  held  at  the  house  of  Ben- 
jamin II.  Moore,  April  7,  1846,  when  the  following  vote  was  polled:  For  State  Government, 
63  vntes;  against  State  Government,  32  votes;  to  retain  the  county  seat  at  Grafton  Village,  39 
votes;  for  a  removal  to  Cedarburg,  78  votes;  for  northwest  quarter  of  Section  2,  Town  10, 
Range  20,  9  votes;  for  Port  Washington,  11  votes;  for  northeast  quarter,  Section  3,  Town  10, 
Range  20,  1  vote;  against  tax  on  county  buildings,  129  votes;  fir  tax  on  buildings,  8  votes. 
The  first  officers  elected  were:  Supervisors,  Benjamin  H.  Moore,  William  Schroeder  and  Will- 
iam Rice;  Town  Clerk,  Harvey  G.  Turner;  Treasurer.  P.  Smith  ;  Collector,  Michael  Gorman  ; 
Assessors,  Egbert  G.  Shute,  James  S.  Colton  and  John  F.  Greenlnurer;  Commissioners  of 
Highways,  Hopewell  Cox,  Joseph  Carley  and  Harvey  G.  Turner;  Constables,  Luther  Wetter- 
ben,  Patrick  Mathers  and  George  Fisher;  Fence  Viewers,  Hugh  McElroy,  Timothy  Ketchum 
and  Thomas  Murphy;  Sealer  of  Weights,  Reuben  Wells:  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Timothy 
Wooden.  It  was  voted  to  hold  the  next  regular  meeting  at  the  village  of  Cedarburg.  Almost 
the  first  business  transacted  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  was  to  apportion  certain  of  the  town 
moneys  for  the  support  of  a  number  of  charitable  applicants  recommended  to  the  board  as  being 
worthy  of  public  aid.  The  first -visiting  physician  was  Dr.  Peter  Moore.  It  was  decided  by 
the  hoard  that  he  should  receive  pay  as  follows:  For  all  patients  visited  under  the  distance  of 
two  miles,  50  cents  per  visit,  and  extra  pay  for  medicines ;  for  all  visits  made,  the  distance 
being  over  two  miles,  §1,  and  extra  pay  for  medicines.  Professional  men  in  those  days  were 
obliged  to  content  themselves  with  moderate  fees.  Ministers  considered  themselves  lucky  if 
they  were  once  a  month  made  the  happy  recipients  of  a  §10  piece.  School  teachers  received 
§10  and  S12  per  month  and  boarded  themselves,  while  lawyers  would  walk  ten,  twenty  and 
sometimes  as  far  as  thirty  miles  to  try  a  case  before  some  pioneer  Justice,  for  a  fee  of  $2,  and 
should  this  amount,  through  some  fortunate  circumstance,  be  increased  to  Si  the  student  of 
Blackstone  hailed  the  acquisition  as  an  omen  that  Dame  Fortune  was  about  to  adopt  him  as  one 
of  her  favored  sons.  As  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  a  man  by  the  name  of  John  Drake  was 
the  first  to  settle  in  the  town  of  Grafton,  as  the  early  settlers  of  Mequon,  who  came  into  that 
section  as  early  as  183'.*,  found  Drake  living  in  a  little  log  and  bark  shanty,  ami  it  was  thought 
that  In-  had  located  there  two  years  previous  to  that  time.  Timothy  Wooden  followed  close  on 
the  heels  of  Drake,  and  some  believe  that  he  might  honestly  claim  to  be  the  first  settler.  In 
tart.  -Tim,"  as  he  was  familiarly  known  by  the  old  settlers,  was  quite  a  character  in  himself. 
He  used  to  say.  when  asked  where  he  came  from,  that  he  did'nt  come  at  all,  but  grew  up  with 
tin'  country,  and  from  his  originality  of  character,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  used  to  thrive 
without  work  (for  Tim  never  denied  being  lazy),  many  were  led  to  believe  that  he  really  was  a 
favorite  child  of  the  forest.  Yet  with  all  his  eccentricities,  and  antipathy  to  anything  which 
required  physical  or  mental  exertion,  Tim  Wooden  succeeded  in  acquiring  considerable  prop- 
erty from  which  his  widow,  who  now  lives  in  Chicago,  derives  a  revenue  sufficient  to  maintain 
Iter  in  the  best  of  circumstances.  This  peculiar  trait  in  Tim's  character  is  fully  illustrated  in  the 
following  story,  told  by  one  of  his  early  biographers  :  "  It  is  related  that  a  party  of  Menotnonee 
Indians,  who  probably  understood  his  character,  once  enticed  him  out  to  Milwaukee  Falls,  now 
Grafton  Village,  and  then  led  him  to  believe  that  they  wanted  his  scalp.     They  fastened  him  to  a 

tree,  and  piling  W 1  around  him,  with   all  the  semblance  of  true   ferocity  made   preparations 

to  buru  him.  When  these  were  completed,  the  chief  whispered  in  Tim's  ear  that  the  whites 
had  on  a  former  occasion  shown  mercy  to  him,  and  in  return,  he  would  cut  his  bonds  and 
let  him  return  to  Milwaukee,  provided  he  never  informed  wdio  did  it.  "  Walk  twenty  miles!" 
ejaculated  the  heroic  Tim,  whom  fire  could  not  intimidate;  "  If  you'll  lend  me  one  of  your 
horses,  I'll  agree  to  it !  " 


HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  527 

Many  stories,  similar  to  the  one  above  related,  are  told  by  the  old  settlers  in  regard  to  Tim's 
peculiarities,  but  with  all  due  deference  to  himself  and  friends,  it  is  but  just  to  say  that  most  of 
them  are  without  foundation,  and  are  told  only  for  effect.  The  following,  concerning  his  death. 
is  vouched  for  as  a  fact :  A  common  saying  among  the  old  settlers,  when  questioned  about  any 
particular  job  in  which  they  might  be  engaged  was  to  answer,  "  Well,  I  ain't  doin'  anything 
else."  Wooden  was  taken  down  with  the  cholera.  When  in  the  last  stages  of  the  disease,  one 
of  his  friends  approached  him  and  said — 

"  Tim,  I  believe  you  are  dying ;  "  to  which  Tim  replied- — 

"I  ain't  doin'  anything  else."     In  a  few  hours  after,  he  was  dead. 

The  first  event  of  importance  which  took  place  in  the  town  of  Grafton,  was  the  building  of 
the  dam  across  the  Milwaukee  River,  and  the  raising  of  Dilble's  sawmill,  in  the  fall  of  1841. 
Among  the  old  settlers,  who  participated  in  the  memorable  work,  were  Fred  W.  Horn,  now 
of  Cedarburg,  T.  A.  Holmes,  Timothy  Wooden,  William  Worth,  Reuben  Wells,  Peter  Turck, 
Ephraim  Woodworth,  Timothy  Ketchum,  Hugh  McElroy,  and  a  large  number  from  the  German 
settlements  in  Mequon.  There  were  no  dwelling-houses  in  those  days,  the  only  accommodation 
in  the  way  of  shelter  being  an  old  shanty,  half  log  and  half  bark,  which  had  been  erected  on  the 
bank  of  the  river  a  few  years  previous.  In  addition  to  this,  the  Indians  had  built  quite  a  num- 
ber of  wigwams  under  which  the  men  found  shelter  for  the  night.  Notwithstanding  the  poor 
accommodations,  they  had  come  fully  prepared  to  have  a  good  time  after  the  raising  was  over. 
A  fiddler,  as  they  were  called  in  those  days,  who  had  been  engaged  for  the  occasion,  called  the 
crowd  together,  and  the  forests  were  made  to  ring  with  music,  and  the  gladsome  shouts  of  the 
merry  pioneer  dancers.  "  Never,"  says  Mr.  Horn,  "  have  I  enjoyed  a  dance  as  I  did  the  one 
at  the  old  saw-mill  raising." 

The  first  school  teacher  in  Grafton  was  Miss  Emoline  Teall,  daughter  of  Col.  William 
Teall,  and  now  the  wife  of  Harvey  G.  Turner,  one  of  the  first  lawyers  of  the  town,  but  now  a 
resident  of  Manitowoc. 

Miss  Teall  taught  in  the  Hamburg  District,  where  the  village  now  stands.  When  Phineas 
M.  Johnson,  Jacob  Adreana  and  William  T.  Bonniwell  built  the  stone  block  formerly  occupied  as 
a  court  house,  they  i-e-christened  it,  and  gave  it  the  name  of  Grafton.  The  following  year 
Charles  E.  Chamberlin  taught  %  school  in  the  adjoining  district.  Says  Mr.  Chamberlin  :  "  I 
received  $11  per  month  and  boarded  myself,  out  of  which  sum  I  saved  money,  but  it  cost  very 
little  to  live  in  those  times.  A  suit  of  jean  answered  for  Sunday  as  well  as  for  week  days.  Game 
of  all  kinds  was  plenty,  fish  were  caught  in  abundance,  fuel  cost  only  the  labor  of  preparing  it, 
wheat  was  50  cents  a  bushel,  potatoes  but  10  cents,  sugar  and  coffee  could  be  bought  from  6 
to  10  cents  per  pound,  while  the  very  best  of  whisky  was  sold  for  15  cents  a  gallon.  Those 
were  the  days  in  which  we  enjoyed  pure  independence.  The  freedom  of  the  forest  is  sublime, 
and  possesses  a  grandeur  unequaled  by  any  of  the  magnificent  displays  of  refined  and  cultured 
society."  J.  A.  Brown  started  the  first  newspaper  in  the  town,  under  the  heading  of  the  Wash- 
ington Count//  Eagle.  The  Advertiser,  now  of  Port  Washington,  was  also  started  in  the  village 
of  Grafton,  by  a  number  of  influential  men,  who  were  opposed  to  a  division  of  the  county.  C. 
E.  Chamberlin  did  the  first  mechanical  work,  while  the  press  work  was  done  in  Milwaukee. 
Benjamin  F.  Moore  kept  the  first  store,  and  opened  his  house  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
traveling  public.  Benjamin  Sebring  was  the  next  to  engage  in  the  hotel  business,  and  held  the 
field  until  1848,  when  John  Simon  came  in  and  opened  the  Wisconsin  House.  Coe  &  Moore 
were  also  engaged  in  the  same  business,  and  accommodated  travelers  in  a  little  frame  building, 
which  was  called  the  Grafton  House.  At  that  time  a  stage-line  was  running  between  Sheboy- 
gan and  Milwaukee.  Davis  &  Moore  were  the  first  to  embark  in  this  enterprise,  and  engaged  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Stephens  as  driver,  who  wielded  the  lines  for  a  short  time,  when  Datus 
Cowen  took  charge  of  the  reins,  and  became  the  recognized  pioneer  stage-driver  of  the  old  Green 
Bay  and  Milwaukee  route.  The  establishment  of  this  line  by  Messrs.  Davis  &  Moore,  was 
looked  upon  as  a  great  undertaking,  and  was  greeted  with  considerable  enthusiasm  by  tne  old 
settlers,  as  it  opened  to  them  the  conveniences  of  a  mail,  and  afforded  what  was  considered  in 


528  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

those  days  excellent  facilities  for  travel.  A  large  grist-mill  was  erected  in  1846  by  P.  M. 
Johnson,  T.  A.  Holmes  and  others,  and  was  run  by  water-power  obtained  from  the  river.  The 
fall  at  this  point  is  sixteen  feet,  and  the  power  the  best  on  the  Milwaukee  River.  The  dam  has 
been  washed  out  twice  since  1841.  The  first  and  most  destructive  flood  was  in  the  spring  of 
1865,  the  second  in  1881.  It  has  been  thoroughly  repaired,  and  affords  excellent  power  by 
which  the  grist-mill,  and  a  large  woolen  factory,  a  hundred  yards  below,  are  run.  The  flouring- 
mill  is  now  owned  by  H.  C.  Smith  &  Co.,  and  has  a  capacity  of  100  barrels  of  flour  per  day. 
Their  principal  brand  is  the  "White  Lily."  In  1846,  Lamberson  &  Gill  built  a  dam  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  old  saw-mill  site,  from  which  they  obtained  a  fall  of  twenty  feet. 
A  building  was  erected  with  a  view  to  starting  a  paper-mill,  but  it  was  afterwards  converted  into 
a  furniture  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  chairs  and  bedsteads.  It  changed  hands  several  limes 
until  I860,  when  it  became  the  property  of  William  Reynolds.  From  1864  to  1872.  it  was 
under  the  management  of  R.  L.  Parsmore  and  B.  A.  Williams,  when  Mr.  Reynolds  once  more 
assumed  control,  and  kept  it  in  operation  until  1873,  since  which  time  it  has  been  standing  idle. 
In  1881,  the  dam  was  swept  away  by  the  spring  flood.  John  Steinmetz  built  a  brewery  in  1846, 
which  is  still  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

The  village  of  Grafton  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county.  Buildings  were  erected 
and  a  town  plat  laid  out  as  early  as  1843.  It  is  very  pleasantly  situated  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  at  a  point  twenty-six  miles  north  of  Milwaukee.  The  early 
white  settlers  were  attracted  by  the  water-power,  which  they  saw  could  be  readily  utilized  from 
the  falls,  while  it  was  resorted  to  by  the  Indians  as  a  favorite  seat  of  council.  Quite  a  large 
Indian  village,  of  several  hundred  wigwams,  was  supposed  to  have  been  built  here,  as  the  first 
white  traders  found  many  of  them  still  standing,  but  mostly  in  a  decayed  state.  A  few  of  the 
aborigines  still  lingered  in  the  vicinity,  descendants  of  the  Menoraonees  and  Sacs.  They  were 
always  quiet  and  peaceaUe.  and  friendly  toward  the  whites  in  many  ways,  bartering  with  them 
all  kinds  of  game  for  provisions  and  fire-arms.  Deer  were  plenty  in  those  days,  and  the  Indians 
had  a  way  of  hunting  them  by  night.  They  knew  about  what  places  the  animals  would  con- 
gregate,  and  would  prepare  a  light  to  attract  them,  and  then  concealing  themselves,  awaited 
their  opportunity.  Soon  the  report  of  half  a  dozen  rifles  would  resound  through  the  forest, 
and,  as  an  old  Bettler  puts  it:  "We  always  felt  sure  that  Waubeka  and  his  dusky  followers 
were  securing  us  venison  for  the  coining  day." 

The  lime  interests  of  Grafton  form  one  of  the  principal  revenues.  Timothy  Higgins  ranks 
as  the  oldest  lime-burner  in  this  section,  he  having  built  a  kiln  as  early  as  1846.  The  largest 
one  now  in  operation  is  that  controlled  by  J.  W.  Ormsby  and  0.  W.  Robinson,  of  Milwaukee. 
This  kiln  was  started  in  1874,  under  the  name  of  the  Ormsby  Lime  Company,  and  Charles 
Stewart,  of  Grafton,  made  foreman  ;  he  employs  regularly  twelve  to  fifteen  men,  and  turns  out 
1l'~>  barrels  of  lime  per  day.  The  village  of  Grafton  at  present  contains  one  large  woolen-mill, 
one  grist-mill,  a  chair  and  furniture  factory,  one  brewery,  one  cheese  factory,  some  twenty-five 
business  houses,  two  wagon  and  blacksmith  shops,  and  three  churches — one  Catholic,  one  (-Jerman 
Lutheran  and  one  Presbyterian. 

CATHOLIC    CHURCH. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  church  edifice  bears  the  date  October  17,  1847.  The  congre- 
gation was  first  visited  by  Father  Sailer.  His  successors  were,  first.  Father  Wickmann,  Father 
Fabian.  Father  Store,  Father  Schranenbach  and  Father  Strickner  as  Visiting  Priests.  Resi- 
dent Priests  wen-  Father  Mors.  Father  Zingshein,  Father  Gstash,  Father  Zimmer,  Father  Mar- 
shal, Father  Woet'ell,  Father  Karfbage  and  Father  Andrew  Ambauen,  the  present  incumbent. 
The  church  has  seventy-five  families.  The  present  Trustees  are  George  Bach,  Peter  Spehn  and 
Jacob  Bielein.  Father  Ambauen  for  several  years  past  has  worked  assiduously  toward  estab- 
lishing B  school.  Sufficient  funds  have  now  been  subscribed  by  the  members  to  complete  the 
project.  The  Bchool  will  be  under  the  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  St.  Xavier's  Society.  A  small 
Congregation,  numbering  about  twenty-five  families,  residing  in  the  adjoining  district  in  Town 
10,  is  also  under  the  charge  of  Father  Ambauen.  who  visits  them  regularly  on  Sunday. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  529 

The  German  Lutherans  and  Methodists  have  also  flourishing  churches  in  the  village. 

The  town  of  Grafton  is  second  in  importance  in  the  yield  of  agricultural  products,  and  is 
one  of  the  oldest  farming  communities  in  the  county.  The  land  is  mostly  in  an  excellent  state  of 
cultivation,  and,  when  properly  tilled,  yields  bountiful  harvests  of  wheat,  oats,  corn  and  barley, 
fine  crops  of  potatoes,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  the  grasses  common  to  the  country. 

The  enumeration  of  scholars  at  dates  named  has  been  as  follows :  1847,  whole  number, 
210;  1852,  382;  1860,  774;  1862,  815;  1867,  780;  1872,  796;  1877,  772;  18"80,  664. 

The  Supervisors  and  Town  Clerks  since  the  organization  of  the  town  have  been  as  follows : 

1846 — Supervisors,  Benjamin  H.  Moore,  Chairman,  William  Schroeder,  William  Rice; 
Clerk,  Harvey  G.  Turner. 

1847 — Supervisors,  Reuben  Wells,  Chairman,  Benjamin  Sebring,  Patrick  Smith  ;  Clerk, 
Charles  E.  Chamberlin. 

1848 — Supervisors,  Benjamin  Sebring,  Chairman,  William  Rice,  Patrick  Smith  :  Clerk, 
William  Halpin. 

1849 — Supervisors,  P.  M.  Johnson,  Chairman,  L.  L.  Sweet,  James  McNamara :  Clerk, 
Washington  Moore. 

1850 — Supervisors,  Benjamin  Sebring,  Chairman,  Henry  Clousing,  James  Ruddy ; 
Clerk,  Patrick  Riordan. 

1851 — Supervisors,  P.  M.  Johnson,  Chairman,  Henry  Clousing,  John  Lawler ;  Clerk, 
J.  T.  Adriance. 

1852 — Supervisors,  B.  G.  Gill,  Chairman,  John  Lawler,  George  Fleischmann  ;  Clerk,  P. 
Moore. 

1853 — Supervisors,  H.  G.  Turner,  Chairman,  Andrew  Schletz,  Hiram  Frisby ;  Clerk, 
Aaron  B.  Gates. 

1854 — Supervisors,  J.  C.  Downs,  Chairman,  John  Cottingham,  F.  A.  Schletz  ;  Clerk,  P. 
Moore. 

1855 — Supervisors,  J.  C.  Downs,  Chairman,  Moritz  Butzer,  P.   Spehn ;   Clerk,  P.  Moore. 

1856 — Supervisors,  J.  C.  Downs,  Chairman,  R.  Smith,  P.  Spehn ;   Clerk,  P.  Moore. 

1857 — Supervisors,  J.  C.  Downs,  Chairman,  Peter  Spehn,  A.  Viesselmann ;  Clerk,  John 
Ahlers. 

1858 — Supervisors,  H.  G.  Turner,  Chairman,  Nolan  Godfrey,  Gottfried  Noltze ;  Clerk, 
John  Ahlers. 

1859 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  Nolan  Godfrey,  John  C.  Schoer ;  Clerk, 
George  Miller. 

1860 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  John  C.  Schoer,  John  Lawler ;  Clerk, 
Anton  Steiner. 

1861 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  Peter  Laabs,  William  Brumbach ;  Clerk, 
Peter  Spehn. 

1862 — Supervisors,  William  F.  Tibbets,  Chairman,  J.  A.  Janssen,  G.  Noltze;  Clerk,  A. 
Steiner. 

1863 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  William  Ulrich,  J.  A.  Janssen ;  Clerk,  M. 
Demrath. 

1864 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  Fred.  Burhop,  Charles  Zeige ;  Clerk,  M. 
Demrath. 

1865 — Supervisors,  John  Ahlers,  Chairman,  Peter  Laabs,  Charles  Zeige ;  Clerk,  J.  L. 
Semmann. 

1866 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  H.  Schnege,  William  Coulson ;  Clerk,  J.  L. 
Semmann. 

1867 — Supervisors,  William  Ulrich,  Chairman,  Ed.  Ritterbusch,  William  Bohne  ;  Clerk, 
J.  Ahlers. 

1868— Supervisors,  William  F.  Opitz,  Chairman,  William  Pomplitz,  D.  Burhop;  Clerk, 
J.  Ahlers. 


530  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AXI>  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

1869 — Supervisors,  William  F.  Opitz,  Chairman,  D.  Burhop,  D.  Bruns;  Clerk,  J.  Ahlers. 

1870 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Fred  Burhop,  Fred  Musbach  ;   Clerk,  John  Aiders. 

1871 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  Henry  Schumaker,  Joseph  Von  den  Bergen  ; 
Clerk,  John  Ahlers. 

1872 — Supervisors,  William  F.  Opitz,  Chairman,  Henry  Schumaker,  Joseph  Von  den 
Bergen  ;  Clerk,  John  Ahlers. 

1873 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  Henry  Schwengel,  John  B.  Schneidisch : 
Clerk,  John  Ahlers. 

1874— Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  Henry  Schwengel,  Joseph  Von  den  Bergen; 
Clerk,  John  Ahlers. 

1875 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn.  Chairman,  Henry  Schwengel,  Joseph  Von  den  Bergen  ; 
Clerk,  John  Ahlers. 

1876 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  Charles  Schlegel,  F.  Musbach ;  Clerk, 
John  Ahlers. 

1877 — Supervisors,  Charles  Mintzlaff,  Chairman,  Charles  Schlegel,  Gustav  Noltze ;  Clerk, 
John  Ahlers, 

1878 — Supervisors,  Peter  Spehn,  Chairman,  A.  Kreutzer.  H.  Mintzlafi':  Clerk,  T.  W. 
Mahegan. 

1879 — Supervisors,  Charles  Schlegel,  Chairman,  Andrew  Kreutzer,  Joseph  Muncs  :  Clerk, 
T.  W.  Mahegan. 

1880 — Supervisors,  Charles  Mintzlaff,  Chairman,  Gustav  Noltze,  Aug.  Klug ;  Clerk, 
T.  W.  Mahegan. 

1881 — Supervisors,  Charles  Mintzlaff,  Gustav  Noltze,  Aug.  Klug  ;  Clerk,  G.  C.  Fleisch- 
mann. 

GKAFTON    VILLAGE. 

The  village  of  old  Grafton,  once  the  county  seat  of  old  Washington  County,  is  situated  on 
Section  24,  in  the  western  part  of  the  present  town,  on  the  Milwaukee  River.  It  has  the  marks 
of  age  upon  it.  The  stone  and  other  buildings  are  mostly  clustered  about  the  square.  Some 
of  them,  still  standing,  were  among  the  earliest  built.  The  old  stone  block,  built  for  county 
purposes  when  Grafton  had  county  seat  aspirations,  is  still  standing.  The  excellent  water- 
power  was  early  utilized.  Between  1842  and  1844  a  dam  was  built  and  a  saw-mill  started. 
also  a  flouring-mill.  I.  Edwards,  William  Bonniwell  and  P.  M.  Johnson  owned  the  flouring- 
mill,  and  it  is  stated  by  old  settlers  that  they  built  the  first  dam.  John  Simon,  still  living  in 
the  village,  gives  the  following  account  of  it,  in  1848,  when  he  fust  arrived  :  "  When  1  came, 
the  stone  block  was  already  built,  and  so  was  the  dam  ;  then  there  were  two  saw-mills,  and  a 
grist-mill  with  three  runs  of  stones.  It  was  a  part  of  the  same  mill  that  is  running  now. 
Three  old-fashioned  limekilns  were  burning  near  where  the  kilns  are  now.  At  that  time  we  got 
mails  by  stage,  daily,  by  line  running  between  Milwaukee  and  Port  Washington,  on  the  Green 
Baj  road.  Datus  Cowan  drove  the  stage.  There  was  also  business  done  at  Milwaukee  Falls, 
a  mile  down  the  river.  Lamson  and  J.  B.  Gill  had  a  turning-shop,  and  made  bedsteads ; 
and  on  the  other  side  was  a  chair-factory,  run  by  George  Miller.  For  many  years  Grafton 
lay  in  a  state  of  rest,  showing  little  life  or  enterprise.  It  has  lately  awakened  from  its  Rip 
\  an  Winkle  slumber,  and  started  into  new  life  with  all  the  vigor  of  youth." 

'I'll-  principal  manufacturing  industries  of  the  place  are: 

The  woolen  mill,  built  in  1880.  It  is  built  of  stone,  contains  two  sets  of  woolen  machinery 
and  one  of  worsted.  It  manufactures  woolen  and  worsted  yarns  of  the  best  quality.  Its 
worsted  machinery  is  imported  and  of  the  most  modern  kind.  This  is  the  only  worsted  mill  in 
the  West.  It  is  owned  and  run  by  the  Cedarburg  Woolen  Company.  Derdrech  Wittenberg  is 
the  President  and  business  manager.     It  employs,  when   in    full  operation,  one  hundred  hands. 

The  flouring-mill,  situated  a  few  rods  north  on  the  same  dam,  is  now  run  successfully  by 
II.  Schmith  &  Co.  It  has  five  runs  of  stones,  all  the  modern  improvements,  and  a  capacity  for 
the  manufacture  of  one  hundred  barrels  of  flour  per  day.     The  products  find  a  constant  sale  to 


HISTORY   OF    WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  531 

the  bakers  of  Milwaukee,  the  brand,  "  White  Lily,"   being  a  favorite  with  the  trade.     The  mill 
creates  a  constant  and  reliable  market  for  wheat. 

The  water-power  is  one  of  the  best  on  the  Milwaukee  River.     The  fall,  at  the  dam,  is  six- 
teen feet,  and  at  the  woolen-mill,  a  few  rods  below,  20  feet. 


TOWN  OF  CEDARBURG. 

The  town  of  Cedarburg  was  set  off  from  Grafton  and  organized  in  1849.  Among  those 
"who  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  were  C.  E.  Chamberlin,  John  McGill,  John  Roth, 
John  Dunne,  John  Smith,  Frederick  Hilgen,  William  Schroeder,  C.  Rentleman,  Charles  Deb- 
berpool,  J.  Arndt,  Reuben  Wells,  Michael  Gorman,  John  Seidell,  James  Gafferney,  Dr.  H. 
Boclo,  Dr.  S.  Hartwig,  Edward  Nolan,  L.  L.  Sweet  and  James  Ruddy.  The  Board  of  Super- 
visors, composed  of  the  following  gentlemen,  William  Vognitz,  Henreich  Krohn  and  Edward 
Nolan,  met  at  the  house  of  George  Fisher,  in  the  village  of  Cedarburg,  April  23,  1849,  where 
they  proceeded  to  lay  out  the  different  road  districts  of  the  town.  The  oldest  settlement 
was  that  known  in  early  days  as  the  New  Dublin  District.  It  derived  its  name  from  the  fact 
that  the  majority  of  the  settlers  had  emigrated  from  Ireland. 

As  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  Joseph  Gardinier.  better  known  among  the  old  settlers  as 
'•  Miserly  Joe,"  was  the  first  white  man  to  make  an  onslaught  and  break  the  solid  phalanx  of 
the  forests  in  this  section.  Joe  was  employed  by  the  agents  who  had  charge  of  the  survey  and 
construction  of  the  old  Milwaukee  and  Green  Bay  road,  and  made  his  headquarters  in  a  little 
log  shanty  near  Cedar  Creek,  where  the  Hamilton  Mills  now  stand.  Samuel  Place,  L.  Fox, 
Valentine  Hand,  I.  S.  Brown  and  Daniel  Strickland  were  the  first  to  make  improvements  in 
the  district.  Valentine  Hand  built  a  hotel,  which  served  as  an  excellent  rendezvous  for  the  old 
pioneers  in  which  to  crack  their  jokes  and  sample  the  bourbon  of  "Mine  Host."  It  was  at  one 
of  these  meetings  that  a  resolution  to  change  the  name  of  the  district  was  offered.  The  proposi- 
tion met  with  considerable  opposition,  but  was  finally  passed,  and,  in  1847,  New  Dublin  Dis- 
trict was  re-christened,  and  has  ever  since  been  known  as  the  Hamilton  District.  Of  I.  S. 
Brown,  an  old  settler  relates  the  following :  "Brown  had  evidently  met  with  reverses  in  the 
East  in  money  matters,  which  was  the  principal  cause  of  his  seeking  the  seclusion  which  the 
wilds  of  Wisconsin  afforded.  He  was  highly  educated,  a  perfect  gentleman,  courteous  in  his 
manners  and  charitable  in  disposition.  These  excellent  traits  of  character  won  for  him  the 
esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  But  some  hidden  secret  of  his  past  life  seemed  to  weigh  upon 
his  mind.  Melancholy  had  taken  full  possession  of  his  being,  creating  a  desire  for  solitude. 
The  old  settlers  soon  came  to  understand  and  respect  his  feelings,  leaving  him  to  seek,  as  was 
his  delight,  the  hidden  retreats  of  the  forest  undisturbed,  and  to  seek  intercourse  with  his 
fellowmen  only  at  such  times  as  his  own  inclinations  might  prompt  him."  Of  his  home,  the 
following  lines  of  Spenser  form  an  excellent  description  : 

"  A  little  lowly  hermitage  it  was, 
Down  in  a  dale,  hard  by  a  forest's  side; 
Far  from  resort  of  people  that  did  pass 
In  travel  to  and  fro." 

EDUCATION. 

The  development  of  the  public-school  system,  and  the  establishment  of  school  districts  com- 
manded the  attention  of  the  early  settlers  from  the  first,  and  the  rapid  advancement  made  in 
this  important  branch  reflects  much  credit  on  the  pioneers.  The  first  School  Commissioners  in 
the  town  were  Daniel  Strickland,  H.  V.  Bonniwell  and  Levi  Ostrander. 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  streams  of  Ozaukee  County  afford  excellent  facilities  for  water-power.  The  early 
settlers  in  this  section  were  not  slow  to  discover  these  natural  advantages,  and,  as  some  old  writer 


532  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

has  put  it,  "  necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention,"  so  these  men,  cast  into  the  wilderness,  out 
of  the  reach  of  civilization,  and  destitute  of  a  market  or  the  means  of  manufacturing  bread- 
stuffs,  were  entirely  dependent  on  their  own  exertions  to  supply  the  deficiency.  Log  shanties 
were  built  which  served  them  as  a  shelter,  where  they  cracked  the  kernels  of  the  grain  by  hand, 
until  saw-mills  to  make  their  lumber  and  grist-mills  to  grind  their  flour  could  be  erected.  Reu- 
ben Wells  was  the  first  to  come  to  their  relief,  by  erecting  a  combined  saw  and  grist  mill  on 
Cedar  Creek,  near  where  the  village  now  stands,  "in  1844,  Frederick  Hilgen,  the  father  and 
founder  of  Cedarburg,  in  company  with  William  Schroeder,  another  worthy  pioneer,  came  out 
from  Milwaukee  to  Hamilton  on  the  Green  Bay  road,  from  which  point  they  cut  a  new  road  to 
the  site  upon  which  the  village  of  Cedarburg  now  stands.  They  found  the  four  Kroth  brothers, 
Carl  Dapperpool,  Patrick  Smith,  Hugo  Pool  and  Thomas  Brokaw  living  in  the  vicinity,  whore 
they  had  made  for  themselves  a  few  small  clearings  and  erected  a  number  of  rude  huts.  They 
purchased  thirty-five  acres  of  land,  at  $35  per  acre,  from  the  Kroth  Brothers,  and  immetiately 
set  about  hewing  timber  with  which  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  grist-mill,  which  they  completed 
the  same  year — a  half  log  and  half  frame  structure.  The  following  year  they  built  two  or  three 
dwelling-houses,  and  a  building  for  store  purposes,  the  first  in  the  village  of  Cedarburg.  In 
1847,  they  added  a  saw-mill,  and  mad^  improvements  on  the  dam  which  had  been  affected  by 
high  water.  In  1855,  the  frame  mill  was  taken  down  and  a  large  stone  one,  six  stories  high, 
erected  in  its  place.  In  1865,  Mr.  Hilgen  sold  his  interest  to  Joseph  Trottman,  the  present 
partner  of  Mr.  Schroeder.  The  latter,  though  now  silvered  with  age,  still  retains  his  posi- 
tion in  the  mill,  which  has  now  a  capacity  of  120  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  cost  of  the 
building  was  §22,000.  Mr.  Schroeder  was  the  first  store-keeper,  and  was  also  appointed  the 
first  Postmaster  of  the  village. 

The  Columbia  Mill,  located  three-quarters  of  a  mile  east  of  the  village,  on  Cedar  Creek, 
was  built  in  1846  by  Dr.  Luming  &  Bros.  Objections  were  made  by  some  of  the  early  settlers 
who  lived  in  close  proximity  to  the  mill,  to  the  dam,  which  caused  the  water  to  overflow  their 
land.  This  dam  was  subsequently  torn  down,  and  a  new  one  built  further  east  on  the  creek, 
when  everything  proved  satisfactory.  The  mill  property  was  purchased  by  Gustav  Pfiel  in 
1851,  at  sheriff's  sale.  Pfiel  made  several  improvements,  and  run  the  mill  for  a  period  of  two 
years,  when  he  sold  it  to  Joseph  Trottman.  who  held  possession  until  1864,  when  lie  sold  out  to 
E.  Hilgen,  E.  Stallman  and  Charles  Barthel.  The  latter  was  succeeded  by  William  Rahn,  in 
1865.  One  year  later,  E.  Stallman  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Hilgen  and  Rahn.  The  mill 
again  changed  hands  in  1875,  Mr.  F.  Hoehm  this  time  being  the  purchaser,  lloehm  met  with 
poor  success,  and  the  property  was  foreclosed.  It  was  then  rented  for  a  period  of  three  years  to 
Bodendoefer  &  Zaun.  At  the  expiration  of  the  lease,  September  1,  1880,  the  mill  was  sold  at 
Sheriff's  sale,  to  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance  Company  of  Milwaukee.  On  June  1,  1881, 
the  company  sold  to  Mr.  Zaun,  who  rebuilt  the  dam,  which  hail  been  washed  away  by  the  spring 
flood  n[  the  same  year.  The  mill  is  now  in  good  running  order,  has  four  sets  of  stone,  and  a 
capacity  of  eighty  barrels  of  flour  per  day,  besides  custom  work.  The  fall  at  this  point  is  thir- 
teen feet.  Hilgen  &  Meyer  opened  a  store  at  the  mills  in  1874.  This  undertaking  proved 
unprofitable,  as  their  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire  two'years  later,  after  which  disaster  the 
enterprise  was  abandoned.     There  are  two  other  grist-mills  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg. 

The  Excelsior  Mill  is  a  large  stone  structure,  built  in  1875,  by  II.  Wahausen  &  Co.,  at  a 
cost  of  $21,000.  The  property  is  now  owned  by  Henry  Colway.  The  power  at  this  point  is 
the  finest  on  Cedar  Creek.  The  fall  obtained  is  twenty-five  feet.  The  mill  is  located  in  Sec- 
tion 26. 

The  Hamilton  Grist-Mill  was  built  by  Edward  II.  Janssen  in  1854.  It  is  now  the  property 
of  Andrew  Bodendorfer. 

Ranking  high  among  the  manufacturing  interests  of  the  village  of  Cedarburg,  is  the  Hilgen 
Manufacturing  Company,  established  in  1872,  by  Frederick  Hilgren  &  Son,  at  a  cost  of  $25,000. 
In  18711,  the  business  was  purchased  by  the  following-named  gentlemen  :  Diedrich  Wittenberg, 
J.  W.  Johann,  J.  II.  Wittenberg,  from  the  F.  Hilgen  estate.     J.  II.  Winner  is  President.     The 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  533 

company  manufactures  doors,  sash,  moldings,  blinds,  glazed  sash  and  Straub's  Wash  Machines. 
They  also  handle  lumber  in  large  quantities,  and  employ  regularly  seventy-five  men.  The  mill 
is  run  by  a  forty-horse-power  engine,  and  does  a  business  of  $125,000  annually.  The  company- 
have  warerooms  at  458  to  466  Third  street,  Milwaukee. 

The  Cedarburg  Woolen-Mill,  run  by  water-power  obtained  from  Cedar  Creek,  was  built  in 
1865,  at  a  cost  of  $30,000,  by  Hilgen  &  Wittenberg.  The  business  was  carried  on  under  this 
name  until  1872,  when  the  mill  was  incorporated  as  the  Cedarburg  Mill,  D.  Wittenburg,  Presi- 
dent;  H.  Wittenburg,  Treasurer;  J.  W.  Johann,  Secretary.  The  principal  productions  of  the 
mill  are  yarns,  blankets  and  flannels.  The  company  employ  on  an  average  about  forty-five 
hands,  and  does  a  business  of  $100,000  per  annum.  The  mill  contains  twelve  broad  and  three 
narrow  looms,  three  knitting-machines  for  scarfs  and  jackets,  and  three  for  other  purposes.  The 
work  is  divided  into  apartments  as  follows  :  Basement,  finishing,  washing  and  dyeing ;  first 
floor  contains  four  sets  of  carding  machines;  second  floor,  weaving  and  spinning;  the  upper 
floor  is  used  for  twisting,  reeling  and  storing  goods.  This  company  built  a  branch  mill  in  the 
village  of  Grafton,  in  1880,  at  a  cost  of  $40,000.  This  mill  manufactures  worsted  yarns,  and 
is  the  only  one  of  the  kind  west  of  Philadelphia.  The  machinery  was  imported  from  England. 
The  mill  is  in  charge  of  Joseph  Isles,  formerly  of  Philadelphia.  He  has  in  his  employ  sixty 
hands,  and  does  a  business  of  $125,000  annually. 

The  pioneer  blacksmith  of  Cedarburg  Village  was  Joseph  Carley,  who  made  a  clearing  in 
1844  and  built  himself  a  shop  and  dwelling  house.  He  obtained  heat  from  charcoal  burned  by 
himself.  The  first  doctor  was  Theodore  Hartwig,  who  came  into  the  village  in  1846,  and,  in 
company  with  Hugo  Boclo,  opened  the  first  drug  store.  Mr.  Boclo  still  flourishes  under  the 
pharmacy  sign.  The  brewing  interests  of  the  village  were  started  in  1848,  by  Engels  k 
Schaeffer. 

Frederick  Hilgen,  the  founder  of  Cedarburg  Village,  came  to  this  country  in  1844,  and 
located  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee.  During  the  same  year,  he,  in  company  with  William  Schroe- 
der,  started  on  a  prospecting  tour  through  what  was  then  the  wilds  of  old  Washington  County. 
They  followed  the  Green  Bay  road  north  until  they  came  to  what  is  now  called  Hamilton,  when 
they  proceeded  to  cut  a  road  from  that  point  through  the  timber  to  the  site  where  the  village  of 
Cedarburg  now  stands — a  distance  of  one  mile.  Being  favorably  impressed  with  the  facilities 
afforded  by  the  creek  at  this  place  for  water-power,  they  at  once  began  preparations  for  building 
a  grist-mill.  This  enterprise  was  completed  the  following  year,  when  both  Mr.  Hilgen  and  Mr. 
Schroeder  decided  to  make  this  their  permanent  abode,  and  immediately  set  about  clearing  the 
land  upon  which  to  erect  homes  for  themselves  and  families.  From  that  time,  Mr.  Hilgen  em- 
ployed every  means  within  his  power  to  build  up  and  advance  the  interests  of  Cedarburg. 
Naturally  enterprising,  he  seemed  to  possess  the  faculty  of  inspiring  others  with  the  same  lofti- 
ness of  spirit.  Let  any  new  project  be  started  worthy  of  support,  Mr.  Hilgen  would  be  among 
the  first  to  aid  in  its  completion.  In  1864,  Mr.  Hilgen,  in  company  with  D.  Wittenberg  and 
Joseph  Trottman,  commenced  the  erection  of  the  Cedarburg  Woolen-Mill.  The  following  year, 
he  exchanged  his  interest  in  the  grist-mill  with  Mr.  Trottmann  for  his  share  in  the  woolen-mill, 
when  the  factory  was  run  under  the  firm  name  of  Hilgen  &  Wittenberg.  In  1872,  Mr.  Hilgen 
engaged  with  his  son  in  the  lumber  business,  when  he  built  the  large  planing-mill  now  known 
as  the  Hilgen  Manufacturing  Company.  The  Hilgen  Spring  Park,  a  favorite  summer  resort,  was 
laid  out  by  him  in  1852.  The  park  comprises  seventy-four  acres,  thirty  acres  of  which  is  forest. 
The  grove  is  one  of  the  finest  in  this  part  of  the  State.  There  ars  two  good  hotel  buildings,  a 
band  stand,  spring  and  bath-house,  besides  several  fountains  in  connection  with  artistically-de- 
designed  flower-beds  and  fine  gravel-walks,  which  intersect  at  various  points  throughout  the 
parks.  The  grounds  and  hotels  are  now  the  property  of  the  Hilgen  heirs,  and  are  at  present 
in  charge  of  John  F.  Hilgen,  who  is  keeping  them  in  repair  until  a  sale  of  the  estate  can  be 
consummated.  The  spring  has  become  quite  popular,  and  is  visited  every  summer  by  people 
from  St.  Louis,  Chicago  and  New  Orleans.  Air.  Hilgen  was  also  interested  in  the  Bank  of 
Cedarburg,  which  was  organized  March  20,  1868,  under  his  supervision.     These  are  among  the 


534 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


principal  enterprises  in  which  he  was  the  prime  mover,  and  which  now  stand  as  grand  witnesses 
of  his  energetic  and  useful  career,  which  was  brought  to  a  close  by  the  never-failing  agent,  March 
27,  1879.  Mr.  Ililgen's  death  was  deeply  deplored  by  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  and 
when  the  imposing  obsequies  giving  back  his  remains  to  mother  earth  had  ended,  scarcely  a 
heart  in  all  the  town  of  Cedarburg  but  mourned  the  loss  of  "Father  Ililgen,"  a  name  given  to 
him  by  the  old  settlers.  Mr.  Hilgen  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still 
living. 

This  bank  was  organized  March  20,  1868,  by  the  following-named  stockholders :  Fred- 
erick Ililgen,  William  Schroeder,  Henry  Wehausen,  Frederick  Schatz,  Juenjen  Schroder,  Jo- 
seph Trottmann  and  Adolph  Zimmerman.  The  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  §25,000,  anil  divided 
into  250  shares  of  $100  each.  These  shares  were  held  as  follows  :  Frederick  Hilgen,  William 
Schroeder  and  Juenjen  Schroeder,  fifty  shares  each  ;  Henry  Wehausen,  Frederick  Schatz.  Joseph 
Trottmann  and  Adolph  Zimmerman,  twenty-five  shares  each.  This  institution  did  not  prove  a 
success  financially,  and  was  discontinued  at  the  end  of  three  years. 

VILLAGE  OF  CEDARBURG. 

The  village  of  Cedarburg  was  founded  by  Frederick  Hilgen  and  William  Schroeder  in  the 
year  1845.  The  village  possesses  natural  advantages  rarely  surpassed  by  a  town  of  its  size. 
Cedar  Creek,  besides  furnishing  excellent  water-power,  has  in  connection  with  its  small  tributaries, 
chiseled  out  ravines,  along  which  arc  a  dozen  or  more  elevations  of  greater  or  less  mag:  itude, 
forming  grand  foundations  which  have  been  utilized  for  resident  sites.  The  business  portion  of 
the  village  rests  on  a  level  tract  of  land,  ,'  .•  storehouses  and  public  buildings  being  mostly  of 
stone  and  brick.  Considerable  enterprise  has  been  manifested  by  the  people  of  Cedarburg  in 
both  their  private  and  public  buildings.  In  the  way  of  manufactures,  the  village  ranks  among 
the  first  of  its  size  in  the  State,  the  capital  invested  in  the  various  manufacturing  enterprises 
being  estimated  at  $250,000.  The  village  has  a  population  of  1,000,  and  is  afforded  an  nutlet 
for  its  manufactured  and  farming  products  by  the  Wisconsin  Central  Railroad,  which  touches  the 
eastern  portion  of  the  town,  near  to  the  Hilgen  Spring  Park,  a  favorite  summer  resort,  one  of 
the  many  enterprises  established  by  "  Father  Ililgen."  as  he  was  familiarly  termed  l>y  the  old 
settlers.  The  village  has  good  public  schools,  several  parochial  schools,  four  church  edifices,  three 
Lutheran  and  one  Catholic,  the  latter  being  one  of  the  finest  buildings  of  the  kind  in  the  county. 
It  is  located  on  an  elevation  at  the  head  of  Main  street,  and  forms  one  of  the  principal  attractions 
of  the  village.  It  is  a  magnificent  stone  structure,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  S-W.iltiO.  The 
Lutheran  Church  edifices  are  neat,  unpretentious  buildings,  one  of  wood,  and  two  of  stone. 

The  Fire  Company  was  organized  March,  1867,  with  thirty-one  members.  The  officers 
were:  Fred  Schatz,  Chief;  William  Bettburg,  First  Assistant;  I'hil  Koth,  Second  Assistant; 
Charles  Wilke,  Secretary  ;  P.  Wehausen,  Treasurer  ;  John  Weber,  Hose  Captain  ;  F.  Berg- 
mann.  Assistant  Hose  Captain  ;  A.  Graef,  Captain  Hook  and  Ladder  Company:  John  Roth, 
Assiatanl  ;  George  Strihle,  Janitor.  The  house  now  owned  by  Hugh  McElroy,  and  used  as  a 
dwelling,  was  built  for  the  company,  and  for  an  engine-house.  This  company  had  a  hand-engine, 
with  about  500  feet  of  leather  hose;  cosl  $800.  Soon  after  its  organization  it  was  merged  in 
the  Turner  Society,  and  remained  so  until  April  27.  L875,  at  which  time  it  again  became  a 
separate  organization,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  built  their  present  engine-house,  a  frame 
building  18x88,  on  a  lot  for  which  they  obtained  a  perpetual  lease  from  School  District  No.  2. 
The  Company  has  discarded  the  old  leather  hose,  ami  now  lias  "nil  feet  of  rubber  hose.  Inl>s", 
a  hook  and  ladder  department  was  added  at  a  cost  of  $250.      The    present  officers   are   B.   Lang- 

heinrech,  Chief ;   Henry  Roth,  First  Assistant ;   A.  Boemer,  Second  Assistant ;  G.  Burthmann, 

Hose  Captain;  C.  lioxhorn,  Assistant  1  lose  Captain  ;  1'.  I\  Dietrich,  Hook  and  Ladder  Captain; 
G.  II.  Wirth,  Assistant;  John  Brass,  Treasurer:  II.  Wehansen,  Jr.,  Secretary;  II.  C.  Nero, 
<;.  II.  Bilgen,  Robert  Pfleger,  Treasurer.     The  company  holds  a  meeting  on  the  first  Friday  of 

each  month,  and  practice  the  day  following.  They  have  not  been  called  out  to  a  fire  for  about 
two  year-. 


HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  535 

The  Turn  Verein  was  organized  August,  1853,  as  the  Cedar  and  Hamilton  Society,  with 
forty-five  members.  In  1867,  the  Hamilton  members  withdrew  and  formed  a  separate  society, 
since  which  time  the  Cedarburg  members  have  taken  the  name  of  Cedarburg  Turn  Verein.  They 
built  their  present  hall  in  1868.  It  is  located  on  Sheboygan  street,  and  is  a  fine  stone  building 
costing  over  $5,000.  The  society  hold  their  meetings  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month. 
Present  officers  are  Charles  Vogel,  First  Speaker  ;  Joseph  Trottmann,  Second  Speaker ;  G. 
H.  Hilgen,  Secretary ;  A.  R.  Bomer,  Treasurer  ;  P.  P.  Dietrich,  Assistant  Treasurer ;  H. 
Wehausen,  Jr.,  First  Turn  Master  ;  G.  A.  Bomer,  Second  Turn  Master ;  Theo  Krause,  Jan- 
itor ;  John  Weber,  G.  Wurthmann,  H.  Wehausen,  Jr.,  Trustees. 

Astrea  Lodge,  No.  104,  A.,  F.  and  A.  M.  was  removed  from  Port  Washington  to  Cedar- 
burg in  1863,  being  organized  in  the  former  place  on  the  2-tth  of  March,  1858.  Its  first  officers 
were:  William  A.  Pors,  W.  M.;  C.  Beyor,  S.  W.;  B.  Schommer,  J.  W.;  S.  A.  White,  Treas- 
urer ;  Ulrich  Landolt,  Secretary;  L.  Eghart,  S.  D.;  C.  W.  Bials,  J.  D.;  E.  J.  Dodge,  Tiler. 
On  March  4,  1863,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Charles  Wilke,  H.  Boels  and  Dr.  Theo.  Hartwig, 
was  appointed  to  find  a  new  location  for  the  lodge,  on  account  of  the  disturbance  caused  by  the 
draft  riot,  and  Cedarburg  was  decided  upon.  The  present  officers  are  Edward  Langheinrich, 
W.  M.;  Henry  Hentsche,  S.  W.;  William  Lehmann,  J.  W.;  Andrew  Bodendoerfer,  Treasurer; 
Charles  Wilke,  Secretary  ;  Gustave  Banze,  S.  D. ;  John  W.  Johann,  J.  D.;  Ehrg.  Zschommber. 
Tiler. 

The  I.  O.  0.  F.  of  Cedarburg  was  organized  in  Newburg.  a,  charter  granted  July  13,  1862, 
and  the  lodge  removed  to  Cedarburg,  December  20,  1873.  Fust  officers  were:  E.  H.  Gilson, 
N.  G.;  G.  E.  Vandercook,  Vice  N.  G.;  J.  B.  Kendall,  R.  Secretary;  E.  Frankenberg,  P. 
Secretary;  J.  F.  Collins,  Treasurer.  The  present  officers  are  William  Rettberg,  N.  G.;  John 
Mueller,  Vice  G.;  Charles  Wilke,  R.  Secretary;  Charles  Law,  P.  Secretary ;  George  Anschatz, 
Treasurer. 

The  post  office  was  first  kept  by  William  Schroeder,  then  by  Hugo  Boclo,  who  held  the 
office  for  about  fifteen  years.  Louis  Burgstaal  was  the  next  incumbent,  succeeded  by  John  W. 
Johan,  who  is  now  Postmaster. 

The  Hamilton  Mill  is  owned  by  Andrew  Bodendoerfer,  who  bought  the  place  in  1860.  The 
village  has  one  flour-mill,  a  marble-yard,  one  wagon-shop  and  a  blacksmith-shop. 

There  are  three  hotels — the  Cedarburg  House,  Washington  House  and   Hartford  House. 

The  Cedarburg  House  is  a  stone  building  built  in  1861,  by  Andrew  Kruther,  who  has  since 
that  time  made  various  improvements  and  additions  to  the  property.  It  is  now  valued  at  $1,000. 
Mr.  Kruther  still  remains  proprietor  of  the  house. 

TOWN  OF  SAUKVILLE. 

The  town  of  Saukville  was  set  off,  and  made  an  independent  organization  April  4,  1848. 
Prior  to  that  time,  it  formed  a  part  of  old  Port  Washington.  It  now  comprises  Town  11  in 
Range  21.  Settlements  were  made  as  early  as  1845,  and  improvements  began  in  1846.  The 
first  traces  of  civilization  on  the  present  site  of  the  village  appeared  in  the  latter  year.  The  In- 
dians had  made  several  attempts  at  clearings  at  various  points  along  the  Milwaukee  River,  where 
they  had  in  a  small  way  cultivated  the  maize.  They  lingered  in  and  around  the  vicinity  of 
Saukville  for  a  number  of  years.  After  the  whites  began  to  take  up  lands  they  finally  withdrew 
from  the  scene,  leaving  the  pioneers  in  full  possession  of  their  hunting-grounds. 

During  their  sojourn  they  furnished  the  settlers  with  fish  and  the  game  common  to  the  forests, 
but  as  inroads  were  made  into  the  dense  timber,  they  gradually  receded,  migrating  to  the  north 
and  west  until  the  last  had  disappeared.  Among  the  first  to  settle  in  this  section  were  George 
C.  Daniels,  Lott  Blanchard.  Joseph  Fischbein,  William  Foster,  E.  Wadsworth,  William  Payne, 
Lemuel  Sezer,  Stephen  Mcintosh,  Jonathan  Tibbetts  and  Joseph  Fowler.  In  1848,  William 
Payne  and  Jabez  H.  Foster  built  a  dam  across  the  Milwaukee  River,  three-quarters  of  a  mile 
north  of  the  village,  where  they  obtained  a  fall  of  fifteen  feet.     The  first  building  erected  was  a 


536  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE    COUNTIES. 

saw-mill.  A  year  later,  they  built  a  frame  grist-mill.  Payne  &  Foster  had  entered  some 
1,200  acres  of  land  which  was  designated  "  The  Mill  Property."  They  continued  to  do  a  profit- 
able business  until  18-51,  when  their  grist-mill  was  destroyed  by  fire,  after  which  disaster  a  dis- 
pute arose  between  them  as  to  the  sharing  of  the  property.  A  lawsuit  ensued  which  resulted  in 
the  court  deciding  that  the  property  should  be  divided  into  equal  shares,  each  one  taking  half. 
Payne  then  sold  out  his  interest  including  water-power  to  William  H.  Kittridge  for  $17,500. 
The  site  upon  which  these  buildings  were  erected  was  given  the  name  Mechanicsville,  but  sub- 
sequently became  a  part  of  the  village  of  Saukville.  In  1849,  a  turning-shop  was  added  to  the 
saw-mill,  where  the  manufacture  of  bedsteads  and  chairs  was  carried  on  until  1858,  at  which  time 
the  business  was  abandoned.  Alexander  M.  Allen,  Joseph  Fowler  and  John  Barnum,  were  the 
last  to  engage  in  the  enterprise.  W.  H.  Kittridge  had  conveyed  the  property  to  his  mother, 
Cinderella  Kittridge,  who  sold  it  to  Maxon  Hirsch  and  Charles  II.  Miller  in  1863.  A  year  later, 
they  sold  to  Adam  Nauth,  who  rebuilt  the  saw-mill  and  dam.  Nauth  retained  possession  until 
December  31,  1870,  when  he  sold  out  to  Thien  &  Guettler,  who  rebuilt  the  grist-mill,  a  four-story 
stone  building.  They  also  repaired  the  dam,  and  made  other  necessary  improvements.  The 
business  had  but  fairly  got  under  headway  when  the  grist-mill  was  again  destroyed  by  fire.  The 
property  was  sold  in  1879  to  August  Koenig.  by  a  foreclosure  of  mortgage  During  the  same 
year  Koenig  was  joined  by  Charles  Schlegel,  when  they  rebuilt  the  mill.  They  now  run  five 
set  of  stones,  and  have  a  capacity  of  100  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  Relics  of  the  old  saw-mill 
are  still  standing.  The  dam  was  considerably  damaged  by  the  spring  flood  of  1881,  when  the 
Milwaukee  River  rose  to  the  highest  point  ever  known,  overflowing  the  country  for  several  miles 
on  each  side  of  its  banks.  The  village  of  Saukville  was  inundated  two  to  four  feet,  and  a  great 
many  families  were  forced  to  abandon  their  houses  and  find  shelter  with  their  neighbors  who 
were  more  fortunately  located  on  the  higher  grounds.  In  1860,  Ernst  Schmidt  built  a  dam  and 
erected  a  saw-mill  in  the  town  of  Saukville,  four  miles  north  of  the  village  in  Section  3,  Range 
21,  on  the  Milwaukee  River,  where  he  continued  to  do  a  profitable  business  until  the  year  1875, 
when  V.  Voelker  became  a  partner  and  added  a  frame  grist-mill  to  the  saw-mill.  The  flouring- 
mill  is  now  run  by  Voelker  &  Jonas.  The  saw-mill  was  swept  away  by  the  flood  of  1881,  as 
was  also  the  dam.  The  later  was  immediately  rebuilt.  This  place  is  designated  "  Voelker's 
Mills."     George  Kendall  kept  a  store  and  saloon  at  the  mills  for  quite  a  number  of  years. 

The  organization  and  first  election  of  the  town  of  Saukville  took  place  April  4,  1848,  at 
the  house  of  Lott  Blanchard,  when  the  following  town  officers  were  elected:  Lemuel  S.  Sizer, 
Moderator;  Elisha  Wadsworth  ami  Charles  O.  Senderburg,  Judges  of  Election;  William  Fos- 
ter and  Joseph  Fischbein,  Clerks  of  Election.  There  were  43  votes  cast,  with  the  following  re- 
sult: For  Town  Supervisors  and  Commissioners  of  Highways.  William  Payne,  Lemuel  S. 
Sizer  :iml  .lames  Hurley:  School  Commissioners, Lott  Blanchard.  Jonathan  Tibbetts  and  Joseph 
Fowler;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  William  Payne  and  Joseph  Fischbein;  Constables,  William  For- 
sythe  and  Daniel  S.  Sizer;  Collector,  William  Forsythe;  Assessors,  Stephen  Mcintosh,  .Mi- 
chael Harrington  and  Anton  Boesewetter ;  Town  Clerk  and  Treasurer,  Joseph  Fischbein. 

VILLAGE    OF    SAUKVILLE. 

This  picturesque  little  hamlet  is  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Milwaukee  River,  twenty- 
eighl  miles  north  of  t lie  State  metropolis,  and  is  touched  by  the  Milwaukee  &  Wisconsin  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  two  express  trains  passing  each  way  daily.  The  business  portion  of  the  town  is 
laid  out  in  the  shape  of  a  triangle,  and  contains  four  stores,  three  hotels,  two  wagon  and  black- 
smith shops,  and  a  number  of  dwelling-houses.  There  are  two  churches,  a  Catholic  ami  a  Ger- 
man Lutheran,  and  two  schoolhouses,  one  public  and  one  private.  The  first  house  in  the  village 
was  built  by  George  C.  Daniels,  in  1846.  In  1848,  a  foot  bridge  was  built  across  the  river  at 
this  point  at  a  cost  of  $500,  the  county  furnishing  one  half  of  this  sura.  In  1873,  the  town 
voted  to  build  a  new  bridge.  The  contract  was  given  to  William  Rettlerg,  of  Cedarburg,  for 
(3,735.  The  bridge  is  a  substantial  wood  structure,  and  is  well  protected  by  breakwaters.  The 
first  storekeeper  was  Joseph  Fischbein,  who  was  also  made  the  first  Postmaster,  in  1847.     In 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  537 

1848,  William  Payne  erected  a  building  for  a  hotel,  of  which  William  Richards  took  posses- 
sion, christening  it  the  "  Pulaski  Hotel."  This  pioneer  inn  is  still  standing  in  a  well-preserved 
state,  but  is  now  used  as  a~~pfivate  residence.  The  Eagle  Hotel,  the  principal  one  now  in  the 
village,  was  opened  to  the  public  by  Anthony  Ahlhauser,  in  1861.  Mr.  Ahlhauser  came  to 
Saukville  in  1856,  and  started  a  mercantile  business,  which  he  afterward  exchanged  for  that  of 
"  mine  host." 

There  are  eight  public  schoolhouses  in  the  town  of  Saukville,  four  stone  and  four 
frame  structures.  These  buildings  are  in  grounds  of  three-quarters  of  an  acre  each,  and  are 
furnished  throughout  with  all  modern  school  apparatus.  The  first  officers  elected  were,  in  1848, 
for  School  District  No.  1,  Director,  Stephen  Mcintosh  ;  Clerk,  Henry  Hedges  ;  Treasurer,  John 
Fitzpatrick.  A  little  frame  schoolhouse  was  built  the  same  year,  and  Miss  E.  Tucker  was  em- 
ployed by  Mr.  Mcintosh  to  take  charge  of  the  school,  it  being  the  first  taught  in  the  town  of 
Saukville.  The  highest  number  of  children  enrolled  during  this  term  was  twenty-one.  Mr.  S. 
Whitchurch  succeeded  Miss  Tucker  as  teacher,  taking  charge  of  the  school  the  following  year. 
The  school  tax  for  1848  was  $76.71.  The  cash  value  of  school  property  in  the  town  for  the 
same  year  was  $475.55.  Number  of  children  attending  private  schools,  132  ;  whole  number  of 
children  in  town,  1,095.  Cash  value  of  school  property,  public  and  private,  in  1881,  $9,728.75. 
Total  receipts  for  school  purposes  for  the  year  ending  August  31, 1880,  for  District  No.  1,  $3,- 
273.58  ;    expenditures,  $2,491.73  ;    amount  on  hand,  $781.85. 

The  town  officers  for  1881  were :  Supervisors,  Anthony  Ahlhauser,  William  Brombach, 
Edward  Lutzen ;  Clerk,  Charles  Stopper ;  Assessor,  M.  Louterbach ;  Treasurer,  Peter  Haan  ; 
Poundmaster,  B.  Johnson  ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Charles  Schlegel,  A.  Ahlhauser,  J.  W.  Lul- 
pring ;   Constables,  B.  Johnson,  Claude  Augustine,  Joachim  Horn. 

"  Slave  to  no  sect,  who  takes  no  private  road, 
But  looks  through  nature  up  to  nature's    God." 

Such  was  the  religion  of  the  pioneers  of  Saukville  ;  they  knew  no  creeds,  but  were  gov- 
erned by  the  grand  universal  law  of  nature.  They  were  linked  together  by  one  common  inter- 
est, and  sought  to  establish  the  principles  of  morality  on  a  broad  foundation.  The  forests  served 
them  as  a  place  of  worship  during  the  summer  months,  and  in  the  winter  they  would  repair  to 
the  public  schoolhouse  to  offer  up  their  humble  devotions.  As  the  country  began  to  fill  with 
people  from  foreign  lands,  sectarian  lines  were  drawn  and  organizations  formed  under  the  pre- 
scribed rules  and  formulas  of  their  respective  dogmas. 

The  Methodists  were  the  .first  to  organize,  and  held  their  services  in  the  public  schoolhouse 
for  a  period  of  twelve  years,  when  the  church  was  disbanded.  There  are  five  church  edifices  in 
the  town,  of  which  the  two  principal  are  in  the  village.  The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church,  in  the  village  of  Saukville,  was  organized  June  16,  1876.  This  congregation  is  visited 
by  Rev.  Frank,  of  Port  Washington. 

Catholic  Church. — This  denomination  held  its  first  services  at  the  house  of  John  Fitzpatrick, 
Father  Bradley  officiating.  The  church  was  regularly  organized  February  20,  1856.  Alois 
Stopper,  John  Seng  and  Paul  Suennen,  Trustees.  The  business  was  transacted  at  the  house  of 
Alois  Stopper.  A  little  stone  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1858.  There  were  present,  at  the 
laying  of  the  corner-stone,  Bishop  Martin  Henni,  of  Milwaukee ;  Father  X.  Sailer  and  Father 
Dougherty.  The  church  has  been  presided  over  by  the  following  priests :  First,  after  Father 
Bradley,  Father  X.  Sailer,  from  1858  to  1860 ;  from  1860  to  1865,  the  priests  to  visit  the 
church  were  J.  B.  Wickmann,  Father  Fusseder,  Father  Fabian,  Father  Stohr  and  Father  George 
Strickner.  The  resident  priests  were  Father  J.  Voissem,  Joseph  M.  Albers  and  the  present 
Father,  John  Friedel.  In  1875,  a  new  church  edifice,  55x125  feet,  was  erected.  The  building 
is  a  handsome  stone  structure,  and  is  the  largest  in  the  county.  The  half-acre  lot,  on  which  it 
stands,  was  donated  to  the  church  by  Alois  Stopper.  The  center  altar,  an  elegant  piece  of 
architecture,  was  donated  by  the  members  of  the  church.  The  two  side  altars  were  a  gift  from 
Father  J.   M.  Alhers.     The  young  men  of  St.  Joseph's  Society  presented  the  church  with  a 


538  HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

pulpit.  The  windows  are  of  stained  glass,  and  were  contributed  by  individual  members.  The 
names  of  the  donators  are  engraved  upon  the  panes.  A  parsonage  and  schoolhouse  were  erected 
in  186a.  The  school  is  in  charge  of  three  "Msters  from  Notre  Dame,  of  Milwaukee,  and  has  an 
average  attendance  of  100  scholars.  Seven  acres  of  land  were  purchased  by  the  church,  upon 
which  to  erect  these  buildings.  The  church  and  school  buildings,  including  the  land,  cost 
§21,000.     The  church,  in  1850,  numbered  ten  families;  at  the  present,  120  families. 


BELGIUM. 

The  town  of  Belgium  forms  the  northeast  boundary  of  Ozaukee  County,  and  comprises  all 
of  Township  12,  Range  22,  and  a  fractional  Township  12,  Range  23. 

It  was  set  off  from  the  original  town  of  Port  Washington,  and  incorporated  in  1848.  Among 
those  who  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  were  John  Weyker,  Nicholas  Sosley,  Anthony 
Bartol,  S.  Wilgen,  Nicholas  Watry,  Nicholas  Reading,  Peter  Buwer,  Theodore  Pierson,  John 
P.  Watry.  Bernard  Schomer,  Nicholas  Langers  and  Nicholas  Watry.  The  first  regular  meeting 
was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Weyker,  July  11,  1848.  John  Weyker  was  appointed  Moderator. 
and  Samuel  Reynolds,  Clerk  of  the  Election.  The  first  school  meeting  was  also  held  at  the 
house  of  John  Weyker,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected :  District  No.  1 — Trustees, 
Dominique  Wolf,  Nicholas  Reading  and  Anthony  Bartol ;  Collector,  John  Weyker.  District 
No.  2  was  formed  in  184!>. 

The  population  of  Belgium  is  composed  principally  of  Germans  and  Luxemburgers,  who 
adhere  to  the  customs  of  their  native  countries.  Their  principal  occupation  is  farming,  the  prod- 
ucts of  the  soil  making  up  the  bulk  of  their  resources.  Next  in  importance  to  agriculture,  is  the 
manufacture  of  cheese.  There  are  five  large  milk  and  cheese  dairies  in  the  town,  which  are 
pushed  with  considerable  enterprise,  adding  materially  to  the  revenue,  besides  creating  a  profit- 
able market  for  the  farmers  to  dispose  of  their  surplus  milk,  which  otherwise  would  be  of  little 
value  to  them.  While  there  are  no  villages  in  the  town,  stores  are  stationed  at  central  points 
where  the  farmers  are  accommodated  with  a  market  for  their  produce.  There  are  two  post 
offices  conveniently  located;  one  taking  the  name  of  Holy  Cross,  and  the  other  that  of  Belgium 
Station,  established  on  the  line  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  &  Western  Railroad.  The  farmers 
of  Belgium  are  noted  for  their  industry,  and  have,  in  a  remarkably  short  time,  changed  what 
was  once  a  dense  forest,  into  well-cultivated  farms,  each  one  possessing  a  good  dwelling-house 
and  barn.  There  are  two  Catholic  Churches  in  the  town,  this  being  the  only  denomination 
represented.  The  meeting-houses  are  substantial  stone  structures,  and  are  designated  by  the 
names  of  Holy  Cross  and  Lake  Church,  the  latter  being  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town 
near  the  lake,  and  presided  over  by  Rev.  George  Leetner.  The  Holy  Cross  congregation  num- 
bered, in  1846,  twelve  families.  They  held  services  at  first  at  private  houses;  Rev.  Anthony 
Meyer  was  the  first  visiting  priest.  In  1848,  a  log  meeting-house  was  erected  as  a  place  of 
worship.  This  rude  structure  was  replaced  by  the  present  edifice,  a  handsome  stone  building, 
elected  in  18l>.">,  under  the  supervision  of  Rev.  Fusseder,  and  dedicated  by  Bishop  Ilenni,  of 
Milwaukee.  In  1881,  the  congregation  added  a  two-story  stone  building,  at  a  cost  of  SI, nun. 
for  school  purposes.  The  school  is  in  charge  of  three  Sisters  of  the  order  of  St.  Dominique. 
Both  the  German  and  English  languages  are  taught  in  the  school,  the  average  attendance  being 
about  eighty.  The  church  has  also  erected,  at  various  points  along  the  public  highways,  shrines 
or  places  of  prayer.  These  buildings  are  painted  white,  and  are  handsomely  decorated  throughout 
with  artistically  designed  crosses  and  holy  emblems  of  the  church.  The  public  schools  of  Bel- 
gium have  not  been  neglected.  The  town  is  divided  into  eight  districts,  each  of  which  contains 
either  a  frame  or  stone  schoolhouse,  surrounded  with  grounds  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate 
the  children,  with  ample  room  for  their  out-door  sports. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  539 


TOWN  OF  FREDONIA. 

The  town  of  Fredonia  was  set  off  from  Port  Washington,  and  incorported  in  the  month  of 
April,  1847.  It  comprises  all  of  Township  12  in  Range  21.  The  first  town  meeting  was  held 
in  the  spring  of  1847,  at  the  house  of  Hiram  King.  The  officers  of  election  were  chosen, 
Hiram  King  being  made  Moderator,  and  Henry  Orentt,  Clerk  of  the  Election.  The  following 
sums  were  then  voted  for  the  purposes  herein  mentioned:  For  incidental  expenses,  $25;  for 
support  of  the  poor,  $80  ;  for  construction  of  bridges,  $80.  It  was  voted  further  that  the  town 
officers  be  compensated  at  the  rate  of  $1  per  day.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  fences  in  the 
town  should  be  five  feet  high,  and  that  there  should  be  no  cracks  in  the  fences  within  two  feet 
of  the  ground  to  exceed  four  inches  in  width.  The  following  town  officers  were  then  elected: 
Supervisors,  Isaac  Carmen,  William  Kelly  and  William  H.  Bunce;  Town  Clerk,  R.  H.  Man- 
ney ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Lemuel  Hyde  and  Edward  Bunce ;  Collector,  Jacob  M.  Sutton ; 
School  Commissioners,  John  H.  Hovey,  J.  T.  Irwin  and  Sylvester  Whiting ;  Assessors,  Thomas 
Irwin,  Joseph  Mooney  and  John  Wonderly ;  Highway  Commissioners,  Daniel  M.  Miller,  Will- 
iam Bunce  and  Homer  Johnson;  Constables,  Alanson  Arnold  and  Hugh  Kelly;  Sealer  of 
Weights  and  Measures,  William  Bell ;  Fence  Viewers,  William  R.  Davis,  Lemuel  Hyde  and 
Albert  Read ;  Treasurer,  William  R.  Davis.  The  following  poll-list  taken  from  the  first  elec- 
tion held  in  1847  will  show  who  the  early  settlers  and  founders  of  Fredonia  were : 

POLL-LIST    FOR    1847. 

William  Bunce,  Edward  Shubert,  George  Kollor,  Joseph  Lichart,  Joseph  Rix,  Frantz 
Bear,  Thomas  Ruland,  Julius  Schubert,  George  Briedgert,  Peter  Nerberst,  Adam  Wachter,  John 
Kollor,  Martin  Kollor,  George  Feirreisew,  William  Beger,  Charles  Beger,  Christ.  Beger,  Charles 
Rudolph,  Andrew  Liebel,  George  Beck,  August  Ohrling,  Charles  Miller,  William  Kelly,  Jacob 
M.  Sutton,  William  Heinberg,  Edward  S.  Bunce,  Thomas  McCowen,  Joseph  McCowen,  George 
W.  Virgil,  Jeremiah  Lott,  Isaac  Carmen,  Clark  Boughton.  Hamilton  Bunce,  William  Hudson, 
C.  S.  Griffin,  Hiram  King,  E.  Tollett,  Henry  Orcutt,  John  Wonderly.  Michael  Bratt,  Thomas 
Kelly,  Joseph  Smith,  King  Case,  Oren  Case,  Michael  Casler,  Joseph  Mooney,  B.  Patch.  Hiram 
Hills,  Lemuel  Hyde,  Hugh  Kelly,  Arlanson  Arnold,  R.  H.  Mannty,  W.  R.  Davis,  Thomas 
Johnson,  I.  L.  Irwin,  J.  K.  Hovey,  Daniel  W.  Miller,  Albert  Read,  Samuel  Shaff,  Joseph 
Shaff  and  B.  S.  Cassell.     Total,  sixty-one. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  white  man  that  settled  in  the  town  of  Fredonia  was  Hiram  King,  who  took  up 
quarters  in  1844,  in  a  wigwam  located  on  the  Indian  trail  which  followed  close  to  the  Milwaukee 
River,  and  now  forms  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Waubeka.  King  was  well  advanced  in 
years,  having  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He,  in  company  with  his  wife,  fitted  up 
a  sort  of  hotel  for  the  accommodation  of  travelers  who  might  chance  to  pass  that  way.  The 
old  man  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the  town,  and  was  elected  to  several  import- 
ant offices.  He  remained  in  the  town  for  a  number  of  years,  when  he  sold  out  his  property  and 
emigrated  to  the  western  part  of  the  State,  where  he  is  still  living  in  the  ninety-second  year  of 
his  age.  The  first  post  office  in  Fredonia  was  kept  by  William  Bell,  on  the  line  of  the  old 
Fond  du  Lac  road.  The  office  was  established  in  1848.  Previous  to  that  time,  the  nearest 
post  office  was  the  one  in  the  village  of  Saukville,  kept  by  George  Tischbein.  In  1846,  Clark 
Boughton  and  Lemuel  Hyde  were  appointed  to  superintend  and  construct  the  Sheboygan  road, 
from  the  Saukville  bridge,  north  to  the  Sheboygan  line.  The  road  was  surveyed  by  Col.  William 
Teall,  of  Port  Washington. 

The  first  school  district  of  Fredonia  was  formed  as  early  as  1846,  by  the  School  Commis- 
sioners of  Port  Washington.  The  district  was  called  Number  3,  and  comprised  all  that  part  of 
Town  12,  Range  21,  lying  east  and  north  of  the  Milwaukee  River.     School  district  Number  4, 


.540  HISTORY   OF  WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

was  formed  March  7,  1847.  The  pioneer  teachers  were:  Mrs.  Emily  Bunce,  Miss  Harriet 
Cochran,  Mrs.  Julia  Orentt,  Charles  M.  Kreysig  and  Joseph  Carroll.  The  report  of  the  School 
Commissioners  for  the  year  1847,  was  as  follows  : 

Total  number  of  scholars   enrolled 54 

Number  of  districts 4 

Number  of  schoolhouses 1 

Number  of  teachers 2 

Amount  of  money  raised  for  school  purposes $64  76 

School  report  for  the  year  1880  : 

Number  of  scholars  enrolled 496 

Number  of  whole  districts 8 

Number  of  fractional  districts 2 

Number  of  teachers   employed 11 

Number  of  schoolhouses 10 

Cash  value  of  school  property  in  the  town $0,230  00 

Amount  of  money  raised  for  school  purposes 3)899  99 

Total  expenditures 2,442  26 

Balance  on  hand  August  81,  1880 957  73 

The  pioneers  of  Fredonia  were  m°n  of  high  moral  character,  and  strict  observers  of  the 
Sabbath.  Representatives  of  the  various  sects  met  in  common  fellowship,  as  no  one  denomina- 
tion was  strong  enough  to  work  independently  of  the  others.  As  was  common  in  those  days, 
services  were  held  at  private  houses,  until  the  public  schoolhouse  could  be  utilized  for  church 
purposes.  The  Catholics  were  the  first  to  erect  a  church  building,  a  log  structure,  built  in  1849, 
in  the  Kollor  District,  on  Section  19.  The  building  was  replaced  several  years  afterward  by  a 
handsome  stone  edifice.  The  church  numbers  about  sixty  families,  and  is  at  present  in  charge 
of  Rev.  A.  H.  Reininger. 

The  Catholics  have  also  quite  a  large  congregation  in  the  village  of  Wabeka,  numbering 
about  sixty-five  families.  A  stone  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $3,700.  The 
building  was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Henni,  of  Milwaukee,  and  Rev.  Louis  Mueller,  from  the  Holy 
Cross  Church,  in  the  town  of  Belgium. 

The  Methodists  and  German  Lutherans  are  the  only  other  two  denominations  now  represented 
in  the  town.  Both  congregations  have  handsome  frame  church  edifices  in  the  village  of  Wabeka. 
The  churches  are  visited  bv  ministers  residing  in  the  village  of  Port  Washington. 

VILLAGE  OF  "WAUBEKA. 

This  romantic  little  village,  resting  on  the  knolls  divided  by  the  Milwaukee  River,  wa 
named  after  an  old  Indian  chief  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  for  quite  a  number  of  years  after  the 
whites  began  to  settle  the  country.  Waubeka  had  made  several  clearings,  at  various  points  along 
the  Milwaukee  River,  where  his  tribe  cultivated  corn  patches,  their  principal  occupation,  how- 
ever, being  that  of  hunting  and  fishing.  The  Indians  were  very  fond  of  goodnatosh  (whisky), 
and  would  give  the  settlers  almost  any  quantity  of  game  and  fish  for  a  demijohn  full  of  the 
tempting  liquor.  The  village  of  Waubeka  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  in  town  lots  by  George  W. 
Foster,  now  a  prominent  lawyer  of  Port  Washington.  Mr.  Foster,  in  company  with  H.  J. 
Turner,  built  the  first  dam  across  the  Milwaukee  River  at  this  point.  They  soon  discovered 
that  excellent  water-power  could  be  obtained,  and  at  once  commenced  the  erection  of  a  saw  and 
grist  mill.  These  buildings  were  erected  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Milwaukee  River.  The 
grist-mill  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  years  after  its  completion.  The  saw-mill  is  still 
standing,  but  in  a  dilapidated  state.  Part  of  the  old  relic  was  swept  away  by  the  spring  flood  of 
1881.  The  present  grist-mill,  a  large  frame  structure,  was  built  by  J.  B.  Schauble.  The  mill 
has  a  capacity  of  eighty  barrels  of  flour  per  day. 

In  1871,  Burnett  Zindell  erected  a  plow  and  machine  foundry  in  the  village,  at  a  cost  of 
$12,000.  The  foundry  has  changed  hands  several  times;  the  building  is  now  standing  idle. 
Korman  &  Lapharn  were  the  last  to  engage  in  the  enterprise.  In  connection  with  this,  the  vill- 
age contains   two   pump  factories,  one  cheese-box   factory,  one  cheese  factory,  owned  by  J.  H. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON    AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  541 

Klessig,  one  large  tannery,  run  by  M.  S.  Neuens,  three  blacksmith-shops,  two  wagon  and  car- 
riage shops,  five  stores,  three  hotels  and  three  churches.  The  bridge  which  spans  the  river  at 
this  place,  was  built  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  $6,000.  The  post  office  was  established  in  the  village 
of  Waubeka  in  1851,  under  the  name  of  Fredonia.  The  first  Postmaster  was  John  J.  Race. 
The  office  is  now  in  charge  of  B.  S.  Cassell,  who  has  held  it  for  the  last  twenty  years.  Mr. 
Cassell  kept  the  first  store  in  the  village. 

FREDONIA  STATION. 

This  thriving  little  place  is  situated  on  the  line  of  the  Wisconsin  Central  Railroad.  It 
contains  two  large  warehouses,  one  store,  and  one  hotel  bearing  the  double  name  of  "  Fredonia 
and  Filmore  House."  The  building  was  erected  in  1871,  by  Peter  Martin.  It  is  now  owned  by 
John  P.  Coltax.  The  post  office  was  established  at  this  place  in  the  spring  of  1880.  C.  C. 
Learing  was  the  first  Postmaster.  The  office  is  now  in  charge  of  John  P.  Coltax.  A  large 
steam  saw  and  turning  mill  was  erected  in  1874,  by  John  J.  Race  and  C.  F.  Cooley.  The  mill 
is  run  by  a  fifty-horse-power  engine,  and  turns  out  work  to  the  amount  ot  $25,000  per  annum. 
The  population  of  Fredonia,  for  the  year  1880,  was  1,839.  Of  this  number  five  sixths  are 
Germans,  the  remaining  sixth  being  composed  principally  of  Americans  and  Irish.  Farming  is 
the  principal  occupation,  and  from  this  source  the  revenue  of  the  town  is  obtained. 

The  town  officers  for  1881  were  elected  as  follows  :  Town  Clerk,  C.  H.  Witt ;  Supervisors, 
J.  J.  Race,  N.  Rheingans  and  Peter  Jung ;  Treasurer,  H.  Groteluschen ;  Assessor,  F.  E. 
Oehme ;  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Charles  F.  Cooley,  Francis  Smith,  N.  E.  Becker  and  Fred  Be- 
mer ;  Constables,  John  Fuetzen,  B.  R.  Burrell  and  August  Thompson  ;  Sealer  of  Weights, 
Charles  Zetter. 

The  only  crime  ever  committed  in  the  town  of  Fredonia  was  perpetrated  by  an  inhuman 
wretch,  bordering  on  the  brute  creation,  by  the  name  of  John  Conrad,  Sr.  Conrad  had  an 
idiot  son  whom  he  would,  on  the  least  provocation,  beat  unmercifully,  and  it  was  through  this 
manner  of  treatment  that  the  boy  was  brought  to  the  deplorable  state  of  an  idiot.  His  misera- 
ble existence  was  terminated  May  17,  1880,  by  his  brutal  father  throwing  him  down  a  pair  of 
stairs.  Conrad  then  fled  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  arrested  May  19,  1880.  He 
was  brought  back  and  lodged  in  the  Ozaukee  County  Jail,  at  Port  Washington,  to  await  his  trial. 
At  the  June  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  he  was  arraigned  for  murder,  and  pleaded  not  guilty.  His 
bail  was  fixed  at  $10,000,  which  sum  he  failed  to  obtain.  At  the  January  term  of  Court,  1881, 
Conrad's  counsel,  Eugene  Turner,  asked  for  a  change  of  venue  to  Sheboygan  County,  sta  ing 
that  his  client  had  made  an  affidavit  to  the  effect  that  he  believed  Judge  D.  J.  Pulling  to  be  prej- 
udiced against  him.  The  prisoner  was  subsequently  sent  to  Sheboygan  County,  where  he  was 
tried,  and  found  guilty  of  manslaughter  in  the  second  degree.  He  was  sentenced  by  Judge 
Gilson  to  four  years  in  the  State  Prison. 


.r>-J-'  BISTORT   OF   WASHINGTON   AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


CHAPTER    VI. 
OLD  SETTLERS'  DRAWER. 

General  Harbison — Solon  Johnson — Leland  Stanford— Letter  from  Timothy  Hall— Jesse 
Hubbard— Barton  Salisbury— Earl's  school  Teachers— Jansen's  Ordeal— Fourth  of 
July,  1843— Early  Piety— German-English— Tribute  of  Edward  II.  Janssen. 

In  this  chapter  are  given  such  personal  sketches  and  reminiscences  of  the  early  settlers  and 
founders  of  Wisconsin  City,  as  can  be  gathered  from  the  few  survivors  who  were  their  contem- 
poraries. 

Wooster  Harrison,  or  Gen.  Harrison,  as  he  was  familiarly  termed  by  the  old  settlers, 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  a  full-blooded  Yankee.  What  he  lacked  in  education  was  sup- 
plied by  a  wonderful  gift  of  natural  wit.  His  reputation  for  story-telling  extended  throughout 
the  whole  of  Eastern  Wisconsin.  Although  never  holding  office  or  establishing  any  fixed  princi- 
ples in  life,  he  was  a  man  much  sought  after  by  the  early  settlers  when  any  great  gathering  was 
to  be  held,  to  create  mirth  for  the  crowd.  He  was  always  of  a  restless  turn  of  mind,  engaging 
in  all  sorts  of  wild  speculations,  mostly  of  a  kind  that  proved  detrimental  and  unprofitable  to 
himself.  The  old  man  often  deplored  his  own  weaknesses,  but  these  fits  of  melancholy  were 
never  of  long  duration,  and  at  the  first  opportunity  afforded  he  was  again  mingling  with  his  fel- 
lows, amusing  them  with  some  fanny  episode  in  his  own  career.  He  was  a  clockmaker  by  trade, 
and  spent  most  of  his  time  in  repairing  watches  and  clocks,  traveling  from  house  to  house.  Once 
having  esconced  himself  under  the  roof  of  some  worthy  pioneer,  he  scarcely  ever  departed  with- 
out a  fair  share  of  patronage,  the  charges  always  being  to  the  credit  of  the  General,  his  host 
vowing  that  the  entertainment  he  had  enjoyed  was  more  than  an  equivalent  for  the  provender 
the  General  may  have  dispatched.  Somewhat  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind,  he  ventured  on  a 
patent  winch  cost  him  his  little  fortune.  lie  remained  in  this  stranded  condition  until  the 
breaking-out  of  the  war,  when  he  departed  for  the  State  of  Michigan.  Stopping  at  Detroit,  he 
enlisted  with  the  Michigan  volunteers.  One  night  while  off  duty,  he  strolled  down  to  the 
wharf,  walked  out  on  one  of  the  river  piers,  and  the  night  being  dark,  he  lost  his  footing,  and 
was  precipitated  into  the  merciless  waters  of  the  Detroit.  Death  tipped  the  glass,  spilling  the 
few  remaining  sands,  thus  ending  the  career  of  the  first  white  trader  and  settler  of  Port  Wash- 
ington, a  man  of  whom  it  could  be  justly  said,   "  His  worst  enemy  was  himself." 

SOLON  JOHNSON  was  the  first  man  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  of  Wisconsin,  from 
Port  Washington.  In  his  physical  make-up  Johnson  was  slim  ia  body,  lank  in  limbs  and  con- 
siderably over  the  average  height,  being  six  feet  five  inches  tall ;  in  character  somewhat  eccen- 
tric ;  in  disposition  kind  and  magnanimous;  while,  underlying  these  traits  was  a  vein  of  quiet 
mirth  which  every  now  and  then  would  break  forth  in  the  drollest  manner.  Shortly  after  he 
had  been  elected  as  a  Representative,  lie  paid  a  \isit  to  Milwaukee  and  purchased  a  new  suit,  in 
which  to  make  his  debut  in  the  Legislature  at  Madison.  Usually  he  was  somewhat  slovenly  in 
his  dross,  and  to  see  him  rigged  out  in  a  new  suit  of  broadcloth  and  a  plug  hat,  would  have 
created  no  small  sensation  among  his  chums  in  Port  Washington.  Solon  surmised  this,  and 
concluded  that  the  new  suit  should  not  be  donned  until  the  time  of  departure  for  the  State 
Capital  had  arrived.  Accordingly,  he  had  the  wearing  apparel  neatly  done  up  and  judiciously 
stored  away  to  await  the  grand  event.  But,  as  ill  luck  would  have  it,  the  secret  leaked  out. 
When  the  fact  became  known  around  town  a  caucus  was  held,  Wooster  Harrison  presiding.  A 
scheme  was  concocted,  plans  submitted  and  resolutions  passed,  by  which  it  was  unanimously 
agncd  that  Solon  be  compelled  to  "wet"  the  new  suit,  as  the  expression  went,  which  meant  a 
treat  all  around  for  the  boys.     Accordingly  Wooster  Harrison  was  appointed  as  a  committee  of 


HISTORY   OF   WASHINGTON   AND   OZAUKEE   COUNTIES.  543 

one  to  wait  upon  the  newly-elected  Representative.  The  ruse  worked  to  perfection.  Harri- 
son found  Solon  in  his  room.  "  Good  morning,  your  honor."  "  Good  morning,"  replied  John- 
son. "  I  have  called,"  began  Harrison,  in  a  very  impressive  tone  of  voice,  "  to  pay,  to  pay — 
well,  you  know,  Solon  ;  pardon  me  for  addressing  you  by  your  given  name ;  but,  believe  me, 
my  motives  are  prompted  by  the  purest  friendship."  "  I  can  assure  you,"  said  Solon,  "  no 
apology  is  necessary."  "My  object  in  calling,"  continued  Harrison,  "was  to  compliment  you 
on  your  success  in  attaining  to  the  very  high  and  honorable  position  of  representing  our  new 
State  in  the  maiden  Legislature.  The  responsibilities  are  great,  as  the  laws  formed  at  this  ses- 
sion will  serve  as  precedents  for  all  coming  generations,  and  we  feel  confident  as  to  your  ability 
to  represent  judiciously  the  interests  of  Washington  County."  "  You  dome  a  great  honor,"  replied 
Solon,  very  much  affected  by  his  friend's  sincerity.  "  I  know  not  how  to  express  my  gratitude  to- 
ward my  friends  for  this  manifestation  of  their  sympathy  and  good  wishes,  and  I  shall  try  and  prove 
myself  worthy  of  the  great  confidence  they  have  imposed  in  me."  "  And  now,"  continued  Harri- 
son, "  that  my  humble  mission  is  at  an  end,  I  have  one  request  to  make.  I  know  you  will  think  me 
foolish,  but  then  you  will  pardon  the  whim.  What  I  wish,  my  friend,  is  to  see  you  dressed  out  in 
your  new  toggs.  I  have  heard  that  they  are  worthy  of  the  high  office  you  are  to  represent,  and  have 
a  great  anxiety  to  see  how  you  look  in  them."  "  Well,  I  have  a  new  suit,"  remarked  Solon, 
somewhat  flattered ;  "  and,  although  it  is  not  so  grand  as  you  may  have  imagined,  I  will  comply 
with  your  request."  At  this,  he  proceeded  to  invest  himself  in  the  new  "  toggs,"  as  Harrison 
expressed  it,  his  visitor  expressing  himself  in  the  most  complimentary  manner,  as  each  particular 
piece  of  wearing  apparel  was  fitted  to  its  place.  When  everything  was  properly  adjusted,  the 
toilet  completed  and  Harrison  in  apparent  ecstacy  over  the  excellent  appearance  of  his  friend, 
a  loud  knock  was  heard  at  the  door ;  a  sudden  commotion  in  the  hall  below,  and  a  loud  voice 
was  heard  to  exclaim  in  the  most  excited  manner,  "  Where  is  Mr.  Johnson  ?  I  must  see  him 
at  once."  By  this  time,  Solon  had  opened  the  door,  when  in  rushed  the  messenger,  almost  out 
breath,  and  as  pale  as  a  ghost.  He  succeeded  in  gasping  out,  "  Are  you  Solon  Johnson  ?"  "  I 
am ;  what  can  I  do  for  you  ?"  "  A  friend  of  yours  has  been  seriously  hurt,  and  desires  to  see 
you  at  the  hotel  at  once."  "  Who  is  it?"  "  I  don't  know;  I  couldn't  catch  his  name  ;  they 
told  me  to  come  to  you  with  all  possible  speed."  "  You  had  better  go  at  once,"  suggested 
Harrison,  in  an  innocent  way.  Solon  did  not  wait  for  the  second  bidding.  Taking  up  his  hat, 
he  accompanied  the  two  men  to  the  hotel.  On  their  arrival  there,  they  found  a  large  crowd 
gathered.  Solon  demanded  to  know  where  his  friend  was,  and  how  seriously  he  had  been  hurt. 
His  only  answer  was  a  loud  laugh,  and  three  hearty  cheers  from  the  crowd.  A  suspicion  began 
to  run  through  his  brain  that  he  had  been  deceived.  "  Harrison,  you  old  rogue,  this  is  another 
of  your  diabolical  tricks."  Another  hearty  laugh  from  the  crowd  assured  him  that  he  was 
correct.  "  Well,  boys,  you  have  earned  your  treat."  "  Landlord,  they  all  drink  at  my 
expense."  After  which,  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  for  the  Representative  of  Washington 
County.  Solon  had  been  compelled  to  show  his  new  suit.  It  is  said  of  him,  that  shortly  after 
his  arrival  in  Madison,  he  gave  a  grand  dinner,  on  which  occasion  considerable  wine  was  drank, 
and  numerous  toasts  given.  Solon,  wishing  to  do  the  agreeable,  had  courted  Bacchus  with  too 
much  zeal  for  his  own  good.  He  had  at  the  time  an  important  bill  before  the  Legislature,  which 
he  intended  to  speak  on  the  same  day.  No  sooner  had  he  entered  the  legislative  hall,  than  he 
began  to  address  the  Assembly.  Being  out  of  order,  the  Speaker  reminded  him  that  he  was 
violating  the  rules.  "  Order,  or  no  order,"  exclaimed  Solon,  "  I  wish  you  to  understand,  Mr. 
Speaker,  that  I  am  here  to  represent  the  interests  of  the  great  county  of  Washington  ;  and,  if 
my  bill  is  not  passed,  I  will  tear  this  house  down  over  your  heads."  Some  of  his  friends 
succeeded  in  quieting  him,  and  he  was  conveyed  to  his  room,  where  he  had  time  to  reflect  over 
the  situation.  With  all  due  respect  to  him,  it  is  just  to  say  that  his  bill  was  afterward  passed. 
as  were  many  others  which  he  offered  and  pushed  to  their  final  passage  with  great  vigor  and  fair 
ability.  He  remained  in  Port  Washington  until  sometime  in  1856,  where  he  left  for  California. 
He  is  now  living  in  Montana.  The  old  settlers  often  recall  with  pleasure  their  relations  with 
the  pioneer  legislator  of  Washington  County. 


544  HISTORY  OF   WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

Lelaxd  Stanford  came  to  Port  Washington  sometime  during  the  year  1848,  and  remained 
in  the  village  until  1852,  when  he  left  for  California.  His  experience  as  a  lawyer  in  old  Wash- 
ington County  wa3  fraught  with  disappointment  and  but  little  success.  His  first  aspirations  were 
nipped  in  the  bud  by  an  overwhelming  defeat  he  met  with  as  a  candidate  for  District  Attorney, 
his  opponent,  Eugene  Turner,  carrying  the  polls  by  a  large  majority.  This  disastrous  failure 
completely  discouraged  him,  he  never  afterward  having  the  courage  to  venture  into  Washington 
County  politics.  One  of  the  moving  causes  which  led  him  to  leave  the  county  is  detailed  by  an 
old  settler,  as  follows : 

'•Nicholas  Langers  had  been  arrested  for  assault  and  battery,  and  was  arraigned  before 
Judge  Hopewell  Coxe.  In  this  case  Leland  Stanford  was  retained  by  the  prosecution,  and 
George  W.  Foster  for  the  defendant.  When  the  court  convened,  it  was  noticed  that  the  Judge 
was  in  a  somewhat  distracted  mood.  The  case,  however,  was  called,  and  after  the  witnesses  had 
been  examined  pro  and  con,  and  the  defendant,  Mr.  Foster,  closed  for  the  defense,  Leland  Stan- 
ford undertook  to  show,  in  a  very  earnest  and  well-rounded  speech  of  a  half  hour's  length,  why 
the  man  should  be  punished,  and  closed  his  argument  with  an  appeal  to  the  Judge  to  give  him 
the  full  extent  of  the  law.  Judge  Coxe,  squaring  himself  as  though  to  deliver  a  grand  charge, 
dismissed  the  case  as  follows  : 

"  '  Mr.  Stanford,  that's  a  good  speech,  but  I  see  no  plausible  reason  why  Mr.  Langers 
should  be  punished.  You  have  given  me  no  proof,  Mr.  Stanford,  of  an  assault  having  been 
committed.  The  case  is  dismissed  and  the  prisoner  discharged.  The  Court  now  stands  ad- 
journed.' Stanford  threw  down  his  law  books  in  utter  disgust,  with  an  expression  emphasized 
by  a  Texas  adjective,  to  the  effect  that  he  would  never,  so  long  as  he  lived,  try  another  case  in 
Washington  County." 

He  kept  good  his  word,  and  shortly  afterward  left  for  California,  with  what  result  is  known 
to  every  reader  throughout  the  United  States,  ami  it  might  also  be  added,  throughout  the  civil- 
ized world.  He  was  elected  to  the  highest  office  in  the  great  State  of  California,  drove  the 
golden  spike  on  the  completion  of  the  Central  Pacific  Railroad,  and  his  wealth  is  counted  by 
the  millions.  Old  settlers  of  Ozaukee  County  claim  that  his  defeat  for  the  District  Attorney- 
ship of  old  Washington  County  and  the  summary  manner  in  which  the  court  dismissed  his  as- 
sault   and  battery  case,  were  the  principal   causes  to  which  may  be  attributed  his  great  success. 

Ml  II  B     I  H"M    TIMOTHY     HALL. 

.  Spring  Lake.  Micb.,  June  21,  1881. 

I  can  pve  yon  no  foots  concerning  (lie  settlement  of  the  eastern  pari  of  Washington  County,  '"it  can  give  you 
sonic  incidents  concerning  the  western  towns 

I,  with  my  wiii',  came  from  Vermont  to  Milwaukee,  bought  an  ox-team,  and,  with  my  earthly  goods,  drove  to 
what  is  now  the  township  of  Hartford,  and  settled  on  Section  12,  front  the  14th  t"  the  ITtli  of  July,  is):;,  near  which 
'  round  a  Canadian  squatter  namcil  .Ichial  Case,  who  only  stayed  a  few  months  ami  moved  to  the  Foi  River  country 
in  the  north,  which  left  me  t/n  only  x<til<r  in  Hartford  for  <>  months,  where  I  continued  to  resole  until  within  a  few 
years  past.  Alfred  I  trendorf  I  found  then  the  only  settlor  in  Addison,  on  the  old  Fond  'lu  Lac  road.  <  >n  Limestone 
Creek,  the  same  season,  (Trie!  P.  Wordsworth  settled  two  miles  beyond  him.  1  found  also  William  Williamson  five 
miles  from  inc.  toward  Milwaukee,  who  was  the  first  settler  in  the  town  of  Polk.  In  November  following,  came  Dins- 
more  W.  Maxon,  ami  settlcl  on  Cedar  Creek,  where  he  now  resides. 

1  frequently  went  long  distances  to  log  rauini/s;   one,  I    rememher.  was  to  I  .  S.  Wordsworth's,  inward  Fond  du 

■    "ii  iiiili-s,  on  foot,  where  I  stayed  overnight  to  finish  work  the  next  day.      Also  went  to    Hartford  \  'illagi 

ii  lines  and  blazed  trees,  to  help  raise  two  houses,      Hartford  Village  was  located  hy  .lames  A.  Rossman,  in  1844. 

The  late  Dr.  E.  B  Wolcotl  was  the  leading  spirit  in  locating  the  water-power  and  site  of  West  Hend.  He  ami 
his  party  Stopped  on  their  way  there  at  in  y  house  over  night,  thence  through  the  woods  by  blazed  trees  and  compass. 
U  the  lime  I  came  in,  tlerinantown  and  Richfield  were  the  only  towns  in  what  is  now  Washington  County  that  had 
any  inhabitants,  and  those  were  quite  scattering. 

The  night  before  arriving  j>,  Hartford  Township,  my  wife  and  self  stayed  in  the  woods.  Sleeping  was  out  of 
the  question,  in  a  sultry  July  night,  witli  a  pack  of  wolves  howling  around  our  wagon,  but  a  short  distance  off,  all 
night  making  merry  music  for  our  blood,  and  what  notes  they  failed  I"  put  in  the  mosquitoes  made  up  in  lotto.      We 

were  perched  on  the  top  of  our  load  of  g Is  by  :>  bright    t'in\  which    was  all  that  kept  the  wolves  at  bay.      We  were 

lost,  as  the  trail  was  90  dim  we  failed  to  follow  it.  Such  are  "  times  that  try  men's  souls,  even  if  one  chances  to 
have  ii  StOUl   one. 

Some  of  the  incident*  I  have  mentioned  may  not  be  what  you  want,  hut,  as  I  felt  the  spirit  moving  me,  I  put 
them  in.     They  are  mutter-  of  history,  which  all  pioneers  have  in  plenty. 

Respectfully  y.mrs,  Timothy  Hall. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  545 

Jesse  Hubbard,  now  residing  in  Milwaukee,  was  an  early  settler  in  Mequon.  The  fol- 
lowing reminiscences  were  gathered  from  an  interview.  He  came  in  June,  1840,  and  took  up 
240  acres  in  Section  10,  in  what  was  known  as  the  Bonniwell  neighborhood.  The  Bonniwells, 
an  English  family  of  brothers,  had  come  in  the  year  before  and  settled  on  Sections  9  and  10. 
Peter  Turck  was  also  there.  He  took  up  160  acres  in  Section  9  before  the  Bonniwells  came. 
(The  date  of  Turck's  entry  is  November  16,  1838).  A  little  stream  called  Pigeon  Creek,  ran 
through  the  section,  emptying  into  Cedar  Creek,  some  three  miles  to  the  southeast.  Peter 
Turck  built  the  first  saw-mill  on  this  creek.  Barton  Salisbury  came  in  in  1840,  and  built 
another  mill  half  a  mile  down  the  stream.  He  called  his  place  Good  Hope.  The  name  was 
characteristic  of  the  man.  Reuben  Wells  was  another  early  mill-builder  ;  it  is  a  question  as  to 
whether  he  built  before  Turck  or  not.  His  saw-mill  was  on  Eden  Creek.  He  put  in  a  run  of 
mill-stones,  and  his  own  was  either  the  first  or  second  grist-mill  in  the  county.  Soon  after, 
Thein  came  in  and  put  up  a  grist-mill  at  Thienville.  The  villages  at  that  early  day  were  not 
very  large.  Saukville,  where  the  mail-carrier  stopped  for  dinner  on  his  way  to  Sheboygan, 
consisted  of  one  log  house.  The  village  of  Mequon  had  one  log  house  and  two  frame  buildings. 
Good  Hope  consisted  of  Salisbury's  saw-mill  and  a  log  house.  Theinville,  before  the  mill  was 
built,  consisted  of  the  log  house  of  John  Weston,  who  had  located  on  the  site,  and  kept  the  post 
office. 

They  did  not  lack  for  preachers,  although  religious  services  were  not  held  at  stated  times. 
Peter  Turck,  E.  S.  Bunse,  James  Wood  worth,  who  lived  on  the  river  and  kept  school,  Reuben 
Wells,  and  several  others  were  local  preachers  and  exhorters.  The  preachers  quarreled  more 
than  the  other  neighbors. 

The  German  Lutherans  had  meetings  at  their  settlement  in  another  part  of  Mequon,  in 
1840.  The  Methodists  held  their  first  meeting  in  1842  or  1843,  at  the  house  of  Datus  Cowan, 
who  kept  a  tavern  on  the  Green  Bay  road.  Elder  Whitcomb,  a  circuit  preacher  from  Prairie- 
ville,  now  Waukesha,  preached  on  the  occasion.  Datus  Cowan  was  rather  an  odd  genius.  He 
was  one  of  the  early  stage-drivers  or  mail-carriers,  kept  a  tavern,  was  good  natured,  but  not 
naturally  pious.  He  got  religion  on  this  occasion,  and  was  quite  zealous  in  the  cause  for  some 
months.  He  afterward  blackslid  somewhat.  Other  early  settlers,  say  in  1841  to  1844,  who 
were  quite  active  and  respected  citizens,  were  Fred  W.  Horn,  William  Opitz,  William  Worth, 
Adolph  Zimmerman  and  Taylor  Havilon. 

Barton  Salisbury  was,  without  doubt,  the  most  energetic  laborer  among  the  pioneers  of 
Washington  County.  He  seemed  to  be  possessed  with  an  uncontrollable  and  constant  energy, 
which  only  found  expression  in  the  planning  and  carrying  out  of  undertakings  involving  hard 
labor,  and  great  power  of  endurance.  He  established  the  sites  of  two  villages  during  the  few 
vrars  he  lived  in  the  country,  and  but  for  his  early  death,  would  doubtless  have  been  the  leading 
spirit  in  every  undertaking,  looking  to  its  material  advancement.  His  death  was  an  irrepara- 
ble loss  to  the  community.  The  material  for  the  following  sketch  was  obtained  during  an  inter- 
view with  Mrs.  Barton  Salisbury,  who  is  still  a  resident  of  the  county.. 

At  the  age  of  nineteen,  Barton  Salisbury  removed  from  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  to  War- 
rensville,  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio,  and  at  that  place  was  married  on  the  26th  of  August,  1834, 
to  Miss  Armina  Litch.  With  his  only  property,  a  horse  and  buggy,  he  started  for  the  wilder- 
ness of  Wisconsin  in  1839,  and  located  in  Town  9,  on  the  Bonniwell  settlement,  in  what  is  now 
the  town  of  Mequon.  By  selling  his  horse  and  buggy,  he  was  enabled  to  procure  land  and 
build  a  small  saw-mill  on  Pigeon  Creek,  half  a  mile  east  of  that  owned  by  Peter  Turck.  He 
boarded  with  Mr.  Turck  a  portion  of  the  time  while  building  his  mill,  and  also  after  the  arrival 
of  his  wife,  until  he  could  build  a  log  shanty  of  his  own. 

In  this  log  shanty,  after  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  he  held  his  primitive  court, 
and  was  sometimes  obliged  to  subpcena  his  wife  to  testify  to  words  unwarily  uttered  by  parties 
after  entering  his  house,  she  being  the  only  available  witness. 

After  two  years,  Mr.  Salisbury  exchanged  his  mill  property  for  a  valuable  farm  of  160 
acres,  with  frame  house  and  barn,  situated  on  the  old  Green  Bay  road,  and  owned  at  that  time 


546  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

by  Mr.  Lyon.  The  exchange  was  a  profitable  one  for  Mr.  Salisbury,  the  house  being  suffi- 
ciently large  to  serve  as  a  pioneer  tavern.  This  farm  he  owned  until  he  decided  to  locate  in 
Barton. 

In  addition  to  milling,  farming  and  "  dispensing  justice,"  he  was,  during  those  busy  years, 
both  surveyor  and  carpenter.  His  knowledge  of  surveying,  although  '"picked  up,"  was  so 
intelligently  and  carefully  picked  up,  that  he  was  able,  after  procuring  his  instruments,  to  make 
it  profitable  to  himself  and  useful  to  his  neighbors.  His  knowledge  of  carpentry  resulted  in 
the  erection  of  a  frame  house  before  he  left  the  Turck  neighborhood. 

About  three  years  after  Mr.  Salisbury  purchased  the  Lyon  farm,  he  went  on  a  surveying 
expedition  up  the  Milwaukee  River,  as  far  north  as  the  present  site  of  the  village  of  Barton,  and 
with  his  usual  sagacity,  decided  that  the  fine  water-power  and  other  natural  advantages  of  the 
place  rendered  it  a  desirable  point  at  which  to  locate,  and  purchase  property. 

Mrs.  Salisbury,  with  several  years'  experience  of  the  hardships  and  discomfort  of  pioneer 
life,  dreaded  to  move  again  into  the  wilderness.  It  was  accordingly  decided  that  she  with  her 
children  should  return  to  her  old  home  in  Ohio  until  her  husband  should  be  able  to  make  a  new 
one  for  her  in  his  chosen  location,  he  meantime  encouraging  her  by  the  assurance  that,  if  she 
staid  a  few  months,  he  would  "  have  lots  of  settlers  on  the  new  place  "  when  she  returned. 

In  the  autumn  of  1845,  Mr.  Salisbury  built  the  first  log  house  in  Barton.  It  was  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river  nearly  opposite  the  present  mill. 

In  accordance  with  his  assurance  to  his  wife,  his  first  step  after  he  entered  his  land,  was  to 
induce  other  settlers  to  move  to  the  place,  and  during  the  winter  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
Mr.  Foster,  the  Buck  brothers  and  many  others  located  around  him.  Mrs.  Salisbury  returned  the 
following  June  with  her  children,  Mrs.  Dr.  Hunt,  her  daughter,  being  at  that  time  four  or  five 
years  of  age. 

Through  Mr.  Salisbury's  representations,  William  Caldwell  and  his  brother  Edward 
were  induced  to  invest  money  to  build  a  mill.  Mr.  Salisbury  taking  the  contract  for  its  con- 
struction, and  putting  the  work  under  the  superintendence  of  his  brother,  a  niill-wright.  whom 
he  brought  from  Ohio  for  the  purpose. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1840,  a  frame  house  was  built  for  Mrs.  Salisbury  on  the 
south  side,  near  the  present  site  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  the  family  moved  into  it  in  December. 

The  first  saw-mill  at  Barton  was  built  by  Mr.  Salisbury,  and  afterward,  when  he  had  de- 
cided to  build  Newburg.  sold  to  Mr.  Caldwell.  It  was  one  of  his  strongly  marked  traits  "  never 
to  let  go  of  one  rope  until  he  had  hold  of  another." 

In  the  winter  of  1 s 4 7 — 4 s ,  Mr  Salisbury  induced  a  man  named  Watson  to  build  a  log 
house  at  the  point  he  had  selected  as  the  site  of  the  prospective  village,  in  order  that  he  might 
have,  at  least,  a  "local  habitation  "  on  his  prospecting  tours. 

This  place  was  afterward  purchased  by  Mr.  Frisby,  father  of  I.  N.  and  L.  F.  Frisby. 
of  West  Bend,  and  occupied  by  himself  and  wife,  when  they  were  early  Newburg  pioneers. 

On  removing  to  Neiyburg,  Mr.  Salisbury  purchased  of  Government  160  acres  of  land,  and 
erected  a  saw-mill  and  grist-mill,  an  ashery  for  the  manufacture  of  "black  salts,"  a  residence 
for  himself  and  several  other  buildings. 

In  the  fall  of  1841',  he  was  erecting  a  large  building  for  a  hotel  (the  building  now  known 
as  the  Webster  House).  The  contract  for  the  work  was  let  to  two  young  men — relatives  of  his, 
but  at  the  time  of  "  raising,"  the  townspeople  feared  that  "young  Still  well  and  Salisbury"' 
wire  too  inexperienced  for  the  task,  and  requested  Mr.  Salisbury  to  oversee  them.  He  put  his 
hand  to  the  work,  with  his  usual  energy  and  coolness,  but  a  rotten  timber  did  its  fatal  work, 
ami  lie  was  precipitated  from  the  top  of  the  building  to  the  cellar,  striking  timbers  as  he  fell, 
and  reaching  the  ground  bleeding  and  unconscious.  In  this  state  he  remained  from  4  o'clock, 
the  time  of  the  accident,  until  1 1  o'clock  of  the  same  night,  the  Nth  of  October,  1849,  when 
he  breathed  his  last. 

Mr.  Salisbury  was  a  young  man  at  the  time  of  his  death — only  thirty-six  years  of  age. 
"  He  was  of  medium  stature,  light  complexion,  blue  eyes  and  quite  dark."      He  was  quiet  and 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES.  547 

thoughtful,  perhaps  somewhat  reserved ;  an  honorable,  just  and  charitable  citizen ;  a  man  who 
always  knew  how  to  keep  his  own  spirit  under  control,  and  therefore  one  who  could  control 
others:  a  man  of  great  executive  ability,  and  of  superabounding  energy. 

We  can  easily  see  the  young  man  with  his  fair  Saxon  complexion  and  blue  eye,  eagerly 
hewing  his  way  through  the  old  Wisconsin  forests,  and  as  the  log  shanty  gave  way  to  more 
pretentious  evidences  of  civilization,  pressing  forward  in  his  restless  energy  still  "sighing  for 
more  towns  to  conquer." 

EARLY    SCHOOL    TEACHERS. 

Miss  Helen  Upham  taught  the  first  private  school  in  the  fall  of  1839,  in  a  log  house  owned 
by  James  W.  Woodworth.  in  the  town  of  Mequon. 

So  far  as  is  known,  William  Wirth  was  the  first  American  school  teacher  who  taught  a 
public  school  in  Washington  County.  He  taught  in  District  No.  1,  near  Thienville  in  1840. 
He  had  seventeen  scholars.  He  taught  three  months  for  $12  per  month,  boarding  himself. 
He  gave  one  acre  of  land  on  which  the  log  schoolhouse  was  erected.  He  came  into  the  county 
in  1838,  and  is  still  living  (1881)  in  the  town  of  Grafton. 

Charles  Chamberlin  taught  in  the  town  of  Grafton  in  1842. 

G.  W.  Foster,  of  Port  Washington,  was  also  'an  early  teacher,  and,  it  has  been  stated  in  a 
historical  sketch  of  the  county,  was  the  first  "Yankee  schoolmaster."  The  date  of  his  first 
school  in  the  county  is  not  accessible. 

E.  H.  Janssen  was  the  first  teacher ;  he  taught  a  Grammar  school  in  1839. 

The  following  account  of  an  early  examination  of  Janssen,  by  one  of  the  School  Commis- 
sioners, is  given  by  an  old  settler : 

The  first  School  Commissioners  were  Daniel  Strickland,  Harry  V.  Bonniwell  and  Levi  Ostrander.  Strickland, 
soon  after  his  appointment,  assumed  the  responsibility  of  examining  -Mr.  Janssen,  who  had  applied  for  one  of  the 
schools.  Thinking  to  be  rigid  with  the  pedagogue,  Strickland  approached  him  with  an  air  of  self  importance 
and  put  the  following  arithmetical  problem:  '•  Now,  sir,  suppose  that  I  were  to  sell  you  one  hundred  bushels  of 
wheat  at  75  cents  a  bushel,  how  much  money  would  you  have  to  pay  me?"  "$75,"  promptly  answered  Janssen. 
"Good  enough,  you  are  a  smart  fellow  to  answer  a  question  like  that  so  readily."  Strickland  then  scratched  his 
head,  and  as  he  could  think  of  no  more  difficult  problems  in  mathematics,  concluded  to  try  some  other  branch,  and, 
accordingly,  switched  off  on  to  geography.  A  happy  thought  struck  him  ;  he  had,  during  his  younger  days  expe- 
rienced considerable  of  ocean  life,  and,  while  on  oue  of  his  extended  voyages,  had  been  wrecked  on  the  island  ot 
Madagascar.  Here  then  was  where  he  would  corner  Janssen.  With  all  the  assurance  imaginable,  he  approached 
the  anxious  candidate,  for  something  in  his  looks  warned  the  aspirant  that  some  great  question  was  about  to  be  pro- 
pounded. "  Well,  sir,"  said  Strickland,  "perhaps  you  can  tell  me  where  the  Island  of  Madagascar  is  located  . 
This  was  a  puzzler,  and  might  have  sealed  Janssen's  doom,  but  for  the  kindly  assistance  of  a  friend  who  stood  near, 
who  had  heard  Strickland  relate  his  adventure  on  this  island.  He  whispered  the  location  to  Janssen,  who  at  once 
replied,  "  Off  the  coast  of  Africa."  That  was  enough  :  Strickland  grasped  him  by  the  hand  and  exclaimed,  "J0" 
are  the  smartest  man  I  ever  met,  you  can  have  the  school  right  off !  "  This  was,  the  relator  claims,  the  first  school 
examination  in  the  county. 

The  day  was  celebrated  by  the  Germans  who  had  settled  in  Mequon  and  vicinity.  They 
had  seen  the  thing  done  once  or  twice,  and  concluded  to  attempt  a  hilarious  demonstration  of 
love  of  their  new  country  in  true  American  style.  Sufficient  money  was  raised  to  get  a  keg  of 
Owen's  best  ale  or  beer  from  Milwaukee,  and  to  hire  a  fiddler,  who  lived  across  the  river.  The 
celebration  came  off  at  Opitz's  Tavern.  The  services  were  entirely  in  the  German  tongue,  and 
consisted  in  the  reading  of  the  Declaration  and  patriotic  speeches.  The  dancing  commenced  in 
Opitz's  big  room,  early  in  the  day,  and  was  kept  up  until  the  musician  was  exhausted.  Among 
those  present  on  that  occasion  were  Fred  W.  Horn,  of  Cedarburg ;  C.  Miller,  of  West  Bend,  and 
Adolph  Zimmerman. 

The  Methodists  are  said  to  have  held  the  first  Protestant  religious  services  in  the  county,  at 
the  house  of  Isaac  Bigelow,  in  Mequon,  in  1837-38,  at  which  time  a  class  was  formed.  It  is  by 
no  means  certain  that  this  was  the  first  service,  as  Peter  Turck,  an  ardent  preacher  of  the  Bap- 
tist faith,  was  already  .living  on  Pigeon  Creek,  and  doubtless  preached  as  soon  as  he  could  get 
together  any  hearers.  There  is  no  mention  or  tradition  of  his  preaching  till  a  year  later.  In 
1838,  Rev.  Frink,  a  Methodist  Indian  missionary,  preached  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Loomer. 


548  HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 

TRIBUTE   TO    EDWARD    H.    JANSSEN. 

Edward  H.  Janssen  was  the  only  officer  ever  elected  from  old  Washington  County  to  a 
State  office.  He  served  as  State  Treasurer,  and,  while  at  Madison,  "  fell  among  thieves."  Hon. 
Charles  E.  Chamberlain,  of  Port  Washington,  pays  the  following  just  tribute  to  his  friend  : 

"  With  regard  to  Edward  H.  Janssen,  I  may  say  that  I  knew  him  by  reputation  as  a  citi- 
zen of  Mequon,  and  Register  of  Deeds  of  Washington  County  for  several  years  prior  to  1853, 
but  had  merely  a  speaking  acquaintance  with  him.  He  always  had  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  his  neighbors  in  Mequon,  and  held  some  local  office  of  trust  as  long  as  he  resided  there.  He 
was  elected  Register  of  Deeds  of  the  county  and  Treasurer  of  the  State  while  a  citizen  of  that 
town.  In  1852  or  1853,  I  think,  he  with  his  brother,  Theodore  Janssen,  and  a  young  man  by 
the  name  of  William  Gaitzsch  bought  the  saw-mill  and  water-power  at  Hamilton,  and  built  the 
Concordia  Mill  (so  named,  as  I  understood,  at  the  time,  on  account  of  the  feeling  of  concord 
and  good  will  between  the  partners),  and  also  built  a  residence  at  the  same  place  which  they 
occupied.  Within  two  years  after  the  partnership  was  formed,  Theodore  Janssen  and  William 
Gaitzsch  died.  During  the  erection  of  the  mill,  Edward  was  filling  his  second  term  as  State 
Treasurer.  By  virtue  of  his  office  as  State  Treasurer,  he  was,  ex-officio,  one  of  the  Board  of 
School  Land  Commissioners  of  the  State.  During  his  term  the  school  lands  of  the  State  (Sec- 
tion 10  in  each  township)  had  to  be  personally  examined  and  appraized  by  the  State  School  Com- 
missioners, which  took  Edward  away  from  Madison  several  months  in  a  year.  During  his  absence 
his  business  affairs  were  in  the  hands  of  a  Deputy,  not  of  his  own  choice,  but  one  he  was  com- 
pelled to  take  as  a  condition  upon  which  his  land  would  be  appraized.  The  Deputy  was  employed 
on  a  salary  of  $800.  but  before  his  term  expired  I  have  heard  he  dealt  in  railroad  bonds,  had  a 
fine  mansion,  and  drove  a  first-class  carriage.  Edward's  term  closed  with  a  deficit  in  his  accounts 
of  over  $30,000.  He  had  been  made  the  victim,  through  his  deputy,  of  Barstow  and  the  forty 
thieves.  I  never,  for  a  moment,  believed  Edward  was  criminally  culpable  in  the  matter.  He 
was  a  man  of  humane,  kindly  impulses,  and,  in  all  my  relations  with  him,  I  ever  found 
him  honorable  and  just,  even  to  generosity.  I  believe  him  to  have  been  incapable  of 
participating  in  or  sanctioning  fraud  of  any  kind.  Stepping  from  the  arena  of  rural  life,  unprac- 
ticed  in  the  political  knavery  of  the  age,  into  the  theater  of  Madison  politics,  he  was  imposed 
upon  and  robbed  by  those  who  professed  the  most  ardent  friendship  for  him.  Legally,  he  was 
undoubtedly  responsible  for  the  deficit ;  morally,  I  believe  him  innocent  in  the  matter.  The 
event  beclouded  his  life  for  a  number  of  years.  He  deeply  felt  the  odium  which  these  "wolves 
in  sheep's  clothing  "  had  fastened  to  his  name.  The  Republican  papers,  from  partisan  motives, 
frequently  alluded  to  the  affair  as  an  evidence  of  Democratic  corruption,  but  not  one  of  those 
writers,  I  think,  ever  believed  Edward  himself  to  have  been  a  participant,  or  had  any  knowl- 
edge of  the  great  wrong  that  was  being  committed  against  himself  and  the  State.  At  last,  after 
a  number  of  years  had  passed,  the  silver  lining  'neath  the  cloud  appeared,  and  he  was  chosen 
Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Ozaukee  County,  served  one  term,  was  re-elected,  and  died  March 
30,  1877,  before  completing  his  second  term.  No  man  is  faultless,  but  the  virtues  and  good 
qualities  in  the  character  of  Edward  Janssen  greatly  overbalanced  his  faults." 

Conrad  Horneffer,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Cedarburg,  was  born  at  liothonberg-Kur- 
hessen.  Germany,  Vugust  II.  L815;  learned  the  saddler's  trade,  and.  in  I83r>,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York  City  in  the  month  of  June.  He  soon  went  to  Newark, 
New  Jersey,  where  lie  followed  his  trade  with  good  success  for  a  few  years,  then  removed  to  Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania,  where,  in  1839,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Ilaldy.  In  1843,  came  to  Mil- 
waukee, and  made  the  first  leather  trunk  ever  made  in  that  city.  In  isjti.  he  settled  at  Cedar- 
burg, built  the  Washington  House,  and  commenced  hotel  business,  which  he  followed  with  few 
exceptions  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  also  kept  the  first  harness-shop  in  Cedarburg, 
but,  as  his  health  faded,  he  was  obliged  to  drop  his  trade  and  abandon  the  business. 

He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic  party.  He  served  one  term  as  Treasurer  of 
old  Washington  County,  as  Sheriff  of  Ozaukee  County  one  term,  and.  in  1S05.  was  a  candidate 
on  the  State  ticket  for  the  office  of  State  Prison  Commissioner. 


HISTORY  OF  WASHINGTON  AND  OZAUKEE  COUNTIES. 


549 


He  was  commissioned  as  Colonel  of  the  Wisconsin  Militia,  by  Gov.  Dodge.  Of  his  twelve 
sons  and  daughters,  nine  are  now  living.  Anna,  now  Mrs.  Judge  Leopold  Egart,  of  Port 
Washington  ;  Henry  and  Frederick  are  book-keepers  fh  Milwaukee  ;  Mena,  now  Mrs.  Charles 
Wilke,  of  Cedarburg ;  Caroline,  now  Mrs.  C.  W.  Lehmann,  of  Cedarburg;  Willie,  a  traveling 
salesman,  of  Milwaukee ;  Mary,  died  in  1881 ;  Louis  is  a  clerk  in  Milwaukee  ;  Conrad  is  en- 
gaged in  boots  and  shoes  in  Milwaukee,  and   Emma  lives  with  her  sister  at  Port  Washington. 

Mr.  Horneffer  belonged  to  several  societies ;  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Cedarburg 
Turnverein,  also  the  Cedarburg  Rifle  Company,  of  which  he  was  First  Lieutenant;  was  always 
known  as  an  honest,  upright  citizen,  and  a  friend  to  everybody.  His  death  took  place  August 
4,  1878.  The  funeral  services  were  conducted  by  the  Masonic  Lodge,  and  the  funeral 
was  attended  by  the  Old  Settlers'  Club,  the  Cedarburg  Fire  Company,  and  many  friends. 

Mrs.  Horneffer  died  in  May,  1877. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


Co Company  or  county    I    W.  V.  I Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry 

W.  V.  A Wisconsin  Volunteer  Artillery        P.  0 Post  Office 

W.  V.  C Wisconsin  Volunteer  Cavalry    |    st street 


WEST    BEND. 


SAMUE.L  S.  BARNEY,  of  the  law  firm  of  Barney  &  Kuechenmeister,  son  of  John  and 
Adeline  A.  (Knox)  Barney,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  Jan.  31,  1846,  and 
is  said  to  be  the  oldest  living  white  person  born  in  that  town.  His  parents  were  New  England  people,  who 
came  to  Wisconsin  in  1842,  and  located  at  Prairieville,  now  Waukesha.  October,  1845,  they  moved  to 
Town  10,  Bange  18,  now  Hartford.  S.  S.  was  educated  at  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  111.  On  com- 
pleting his  course,  in  the  fall  of  1867,  he  engaged  as  Principal  of  the  High  School  of  Hartford,  which 
position  he  held  five  years.  In  the  summer  of  1871,  he  moved  to  West  Bend,  and  commenced  the  study 
of  law  in  the  office  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  of  West  Bend.  During  the  first  year  of  his  law  studies,  they  were 
pursued  during  vacations  at  Hartford,  and  at  leisure  hours  while  teaching.  Was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
March,  1873,  and  to  the  Supreme  Court  in  May,  1874,  at  which  time  he  became  a  partner  of  the  law  firm 
of  Frisby,  Weil  &  Barney,  which  connection  was  continued  until  October,  1879,  when  he  withdrew,  and 
formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  I.  N.  Frisby,  under  the  firm  name  of  Frisby  &  Barney  ;  this  partnership  was 
dissolved  in  the  fall  of  1S80,  by  mutual  consent  ;  on  December  1  of  this  year,  the  existing  partnership  of 
Barney  &  Kuechenmeister  was  formed.  Mr.  Barney  was  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Washington  Co. 
four  years,  commencing  Jan.  1,  1876.  Was  married,  May  18,  1876,  at  West  Bend,  to  Miss  Ellen  S. 
McHenry,  daughter  of  Col.  D.  and  Sarah  (  Hurlbut)  McHenry  ;  Mrs.  Barney  was  born  in  New  York  ; 
two  children  were  born  to  them — John  and  Sarah  C. 

4>EOR(iE  Li.  BASTIAN,  general  blacksmithing,  wagon  and  carriage-making  ;  shop  estab- 
lished in  1871  ;  employs  three  men.  Mr.  Bastian  was  born  in  that  part  of  the  town  of  West  Bend  now 
Barton,  Wis.,  Jan,  26,  1849;  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Bastian  ;  the  father  was  from  Stromberg  and 
the  mother  from  Wintersheim,  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1844.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
learned  his  trade  in  young  America,  beginning  in  1864  and  serving  three  years ;  worked  in  the  wagon-shop 
one  year;  then  came  to  West  Bend  Village  and  worked  a  few  months  ;  next  went  to  Savannah,  111.,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade  two  years  ;  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  where  he 
remained  a  few  months;  then,  in  1871,  he  returned  to  West  Bend  and  opened  his  present  shop.  He  was 
married  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Jan.  9,  1872,  to  Miss  Anna  Winkler,  daughter  of  Phillip  VViukler  ;  Mrs. 
Bastian  was  born  on  Long  Island  Sound,  N.  Y.;  they  have  one  child  (by  adoption)  Hanna  Mayer  Bastian, 
adopted  in  1 873. 

JACOB  BASTIAN,  Jr.,  farmer  and  agent  for  the  sale  of  farm  machinery,  Sec.  16  ;  P.  0. 
West  Bend  ;  son  of  John  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (  Braun  )  Bastian  ;  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Nov.  1 9,  1844  ; 
came  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  in  1845,  and  direct  to  the  town  of  West  Bend,  where  they  made  their 
home  on  Sec.  14.  Mr.  Bastian  has  served  six  terms  as  Constable,  and  is  serving  in  that  capacity  at  this 
writing.  He  was  married  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  Feb.  26,  1867,  to  Miss  Margaret  Arnet,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Catharine  (Arnet)  Arnet.  Mrs.  Bastian  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany;  they  have  three 
children — -Henry,  Jacob  and  George.  In  1868,  he  located  on  his  present  farm,  Sec.  16,  where  he  owns 
60  acres,  20  of  which  are  in  the  town  of  Barton. 


552  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

JOSEPH  BAUER,  farmer,  Sec.  23;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  settled  in  the  county  in  1855;  has 
214  acres  of  land.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Bauer;  was  born  in  Rhine,  Bavaria,  Germany, 
May  1,  1843,  and  came  to  the  United  States,  and  directly  to  Wisconsin,  in  1855,  making  his  home  in  the 
town  of  West  Bend.  He  was  married,  Jan.  18,  1870,  at  the  village  of  West  Bend,  to  Miss  Gertrude 
Wagner,  a  daughter  of  Phillip  and  Ann  M.  Wagner ;  have  eight  children,  seven  sons  and  one  daughter — 
John,  Stephen.  Henry,  Phillip,  Frank,  Peter,  George  and  Katie,  the  two  last  being  twins.  Mr.  Bauer  has 
served  as  a  member  of  Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  town  of  West  Bend  two  years. 

DR.  OTTO  BOESE  WETTER,  veterinary  surgeon,  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  Feb. 
IS,  1S40.  Began  his  education  in  his  native  land  ;  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  father,  and  directly 
to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  1854;  spending  one  year  in  that  city,  he  then  came  to  the  town  of  West  Bend  in 
1855,  where  his  father  purchased  400  acres  of  land  ;  remaining  only  one  year  in  West  Bend,  he  then  went 
to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  studied  for  the  profession  of  veterinary  surgeon.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  at 
the  first  call  for  volunteers  for  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  1'th  111.  V.  I.  After  one  month's  service, 
he  was  detailed  to  the  Western  Department  as  1st  Assistant  Veterinary  Surgeon  under  Dr.  Volintin  ;  was 
discharged  in  1862  for  disability.  He  returned  to  Illinois,  and  was  married  in  Ogle  Co.  June  19,  1862, 
to  Miss  Sophia  Kunkwitz,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Dorothea  Runkwitz.  Mrs.  B.  was  born  in  St.  Clair  Co., 
111.;  they  have  had  eight  children,  of  whom  four  only  are  living — Oscar  (deceased),  Johanna,  Richard 
(deceased;,  Emma,  Albina  (deceased),  Thekla  (deceased),  Edward  and  Hattie.  The  Doctor  practiced  his 
profession  in  St.  Clair  Co.,  111.,  until  186S,  when  he  moved  to  West  Beud  and  established  a  hospital,  which 
is  the  only  one  in  the  county  ;  since  locating  here,  he  has  by  successful  treatment  of  the  cases  intrusted  to 
him,  acquired  a  reputation  that  has  extended  his  practice  far  beyond  the  limits  of  his  own  county.  The 
Doctor  has  served  as  Coroner  of  Washington  Co.  eight  years.  The  Doctor's  father  was  a  physician  and 
surgeon,  and  practiced  twenty-eight  years  in  Germany  previous  to  coming  to  America  in  1854.  He  prac- 
ticed one  year  in  Milwaukee,  one  at  West  Bend,  and  then  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  a  short  time  ago,  he 
met  with  an  accident  that  disabled  him  for  active  service  ;  at  that  time,  he  had  been  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  fifty  years,  and  was  considered  a  skillful  and  successful  physician. 

PETER  ItODEX.  Sheriff  of  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  proprietor  of  Germania  Hall,  Billiard  and 
Sample  Rooms;  was  born  in  Prussia  July  25,  1820;  son  of  .John  and  Margaret  (Sehmal)  Boden  ;  came 
to  the  United  States,  and  directly  to  Wisconsin,  in  1843,  with  his  parents;  located  in  Germantown.  Wash- 
ington Co.;  three  years  later,  came  to  West  Bend  and  engased  in  tanning.  Was  married  in  the  town  of 
Barton,  Nov.  12,  1853,  to  Miss  Margaret  Deutsch,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Stein)  Deulseh  ; 
tiny  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  only  two  are  living — George  P.  is  Under  Sheriff  of  Washington  Co., 
residence,  West  Beud;  John  died  when  7  years  of  age;  Susan  died  when  5  years  old;  Mathias  P.  is  a 
clerk  in  B.  Goetter's  store,  West  Bend;  Peter  died  when  3  years  of  age.  Mr.  Boden  was  Supervisor  of 
Barton  two  years:  moved  to  West  Bend  and  served  as  Village  Trustee  four  years;  was  Under  Sheriff  dur- 
ing 1874  and  1S75 — Under  Sheriff  to  Louis  Miller;  was  elected  Sheriff  in  1SSO  for  the  vears  1SS1  and 
1882. 

PETER  BODEX,  farmer,  Sec.  18;  P.O.  Aurora;  has  lsn  acres  of  land;  was  born  in  Prussia 
Sept.  2,  1833  ;  son  of  Joseph  and  Lena  Boden  ;  came  to  America  in  1853,  and  direct  to  Washington  Co., 
Wis.,  and  settled  on  his  present  farm.  Mr.  Boden  was  married  at  West  Bend  April  211,  1857,  to  Chriwa 
Bever.  Mrs.  Boden  is  a  native  of  Germany;  they  have  eight  children — Joseph,  John,  Lena,  Susanna, 
Peter,  Catharine.  Margaret  and  Anna. 

.MICHAEL  KOI!  VV  Sr.  (deceased),  was  born  at  College  Bill,  parish  of  Teniplotnore, 
County  of  Tipperary,  Ireland,  in  1788.  Was  married,  in  1820,  to  Annastasia  Russell,  of  the  parish  of 
Templi  tmikey,  in  the  same  county.  Mr.  Bohan  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  an  earnest  Liberal  and 
"Repealer"  in  politics,  being  a  warm  supporter  of  Daniel  O'Connell.  In  1846,  he  immigrated  to  the 
United  States,  being  the  first  farmer  of  family  known  to  have  undertaken  the  enterprise  in  that  locality 
He  reached  Wisconsin  in  May,  1846,  and  located  in  Washington  Co..  Town  111,  Range  18,  afterward 
called  Hartford,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  the  date  of  his  death,  which  occurred  April  3,  1864.  He 
left  a  family  of  five  sons  and  four  daughters — the  eldest.  Ann,  is  now  Mrs.  Francis  Russell,  of  Minnesota  ; 
next,  John,  resides  at  Ozaukee,  Wis.  ;  Daniel  is  a  resident  of  Minn,  sota  ;  Michael  died  in  his  childhood; 
Bridget,  now  Mrs.  I'.  Unssell,  of  Minnesota;  Catharine,  now  Mr-.  M.  StapletOD,  of  Trenton,  Dodge  Co., 
Wis.;  Michael,  of  West  Bend,  Wis.;  Thomas,  of  MankatO,  Minn.;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  P.  Filand  of  Min- 
nesota, and  Edward,  also  of  Minnesota.      The  thcr,  Mrs.  Bohan.  died   Feb.  S,  1873, at  Mankato,  Minn. 

Mr.  Bohan,  though  never  active  in  political  matters  in  his  adopted  home,  was  still  a  very  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  community  in  his  neighborhood,  being  always  in  the  front  in  educational  matters  ;  was  an  hon- 
ored and  respected  citizen,  whose  memory  is  cherished  by  a  large  circle  of  relatives  and  friends. 


WEST   BEXD.  553 

MICHAEL  itOil  A  \.  editor  of  the  West  Bend  Democrat,  was  born  in  College  Hill,  parish 
of  Templemore.  County  of  Tipperary,  Ireland,  June  22,  1832;  son  of  Michael  and  Annastasia  (Russell) 
Bohan  ;  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  May,  1S46,  located  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  received  an  academic  education  at  Notre  Dame,  Ind.;  was  en- 
gaged in  teaching  from  1851  to  1859;  during  1859-60,  served  as  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  County  Board  of 
Supervisors,  Washington  Co.;  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  County  Board  for  the  term  of  1801-62,  and  re- 
elected each  successive  term  until  1871,  and  during  his  term  of  office  made  his  home  at  West  Bend  ;  he 
then  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Fond  du  Lac  weekly  Journal  and  Star  job  office.  During  the  Greeley 
campaign  he  ran  a  daily  called  the  Daily  Journal ;  continued  his  connection  with  this  office  until  the  fall 
of  1873,  when  he  accepted  the  position  of  Financial  Clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  Peter 
Doyle,  and  held  that  position  four  years  ;  was  then  elected  Engrossing  Clerk  of  the  Assembly.  After  the 
close  of  the  session  of  1878,  he  accepted  the  agency  for  a  school-book  publishing  company  ;  during  the 
year  1879,  he  was  traveling  in  the  mining  regions  of  Colorado,  in  the  interest  of  a  collection  agency  ;  on 
his  return  from  the  West,  he  acted  as  shipping-clerk  for  a  Chicago  lumber  firm  until  Nov.  12,  1880.  when 
he  accepted  his  present  position  as  editor  of  the  West  Bend  Democrat,  Mr.  Bohan  was  married,  at  Mil- 
waukee, Sept.  2,  1872.  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Claire  Baker,  of  West  Bend,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha 
(  Boddington)  Baker.  Mrs.  Bohan  was  born  in  Birmingham,  England,  in  1849,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  her  parents  in  1854.     They  have  three  children — Arthur  M.,  Edmund  R.  and  Martha  B. 

HEXRY  ISOHX,  Sr.,  farmer,  residence  Sec.  25;  P.  0.  West  Bend  ;  son  of  Henry  and  Cath- 
arine Bohn  ;  was  born  in  the  Rhine  country,  Bavaria,  Oct.  20,  1809.  Was  married,  Jan.  13,  1831,  to 
Miss  Catharine  Mueller,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Mueller ;  they  have  had  seven  children  of  whom 
five  are  living — -Eliza,  now  Mrs.  M.  Gayhart,  of  Appleton,Wis.;  Catharine,  now  Mrs.  John  Wittemann,  of 
the  town  of  West  Bend  ;  Anna  Mary,  now  Mrs.  F.  Loreuz,  also  of  West  Bend  ;  Henry,  Jr.,  married  to 
Izora  E.  Wright,  daughter  of  George  W.  Wright,  Jan.  30,  1S72,  and  resides  in  the  town  of  West  Bend. 
Mr.  Bohn,  Sr.,  came  to  America  with  his  family  in  1854,  and  located  in  the  town  of  West  Bend. 
Henry  Bohn,  Jr.,  and  wife  have  three  children — Henry,  Frank  J.  and  Charles  G.  In  the  spring  of  1881, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  the  town  of  West  Bend. 

CHARLES  A.  BRLEDERLE,  editor  and  manager  of  the  Deutscher  Beobachter,  a 
weekly  Democratic  German  paper,  published  every  Friday,  at  West  Bend,  by  William  F.  Weber.  This 
paper  was  established  in  October,  1880,  and  has  a  circulation  of  500  copies.  Mr.  Bruederle  was  born  in 
Landau,  Bavaria.  Germany,  Feb.  14,  1854  ;  came  to  America  in  1865,  with  his  mother  and  family,  and 
direct  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.;  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Fond  du  Lac  Ztituny,  pub- 
lished by  Theo  Friedlander ;  in  187S,  he  published  a  Greenback  paper  at  Fond  du  Lac,  called  the  Freie 
Volks  1'resse;  established  a  branch  office  at  YVatertown,  with  a  paper  called  the  Watertown  Volks  Stimme. 
and  another  at  New  Holstein,  called  the  New  Holstein  Wochenb/att ;  the  business  at  Fond  du  Lac  was 
continued  two  years;  the  others,  being  campaign  papers,  were  short  lived;  in  October,  1880,  he  enlaced 
in  his  present  enterprise. 

JOI3  X  ItrKt'KHARDT,  proprietor  of  livery  and  sale  stable  ;  business  established  in  1874  ; 
capital  invested,  -82,500.  Mr.  B.  was  born  in  the  village  of  West  Bend  July  12,  1849;  son  of  John  and 
Katharine  (Schenkal)  Burckardt;  received  a  common-school  education,  and  spent  his  early  years  in  his 
father's  hotel,  the  Farmer's  Home,  at  West  Bend,  which  they  kept  for  twenty-five  years.  In  1870,  they 
traded  the  hotel  property  with  Dr.  Ottli  for  other  property.  In  1868,  Mr.  John  B.  started  a  soda-water 
factory  ;  this  was  the  first  of  the  kiud  in  the  place  ;  continued  this  business  till  1874,  when  he  sold  out 
and  engaged  in  his  present  business.  Mr.  Burckardt  was  married,  in  September,  1878,  to  Augus  a  Horn, 
daughter  of  Frederick  Horn,  of  Jackson,  Washington  Co.,  where  Mrs.  B.  was  born  ;  they  have  two  chil- 
dren— Laura  and  John.     Mr.  B.  has  served  as  Constable  three  terms. 

I>R.  J.  WARREN  CAMERON,  physician  and  dental  surgeon;  son  of  Richard  and  Jane 
I  Toungs)  Cameron  ;  was  born  in  Chautauqua  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  6,  1846.  In  the  summer  of  that  year,  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Walworth  Co.,  Wis.;  when  3  years  of  age,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Sun 
Prairie,  Dane  Co.,  where  he  received  a  common-school  education.  In  1876,  he  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  at  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago  (a  homoeopathic  institute)  ;  took  a  two-years' 
course  of  lectures  and  received  his  diploma  in  1878.  He  then  established  himself  in  practice  at  Waukon, 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  until  Sept.  3,  1879,  when  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  practicing  both  in  medicine  and  dentistry.  He  was  married,  May  23,  1881,  at  West 
Bend,  to  Miss  Emma  M.  Lange,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Amelia  Lange.  Mrs.  Cameron  was  born  in  St. 
Louis,  Mo. 

o 


554 


BIOC.KAPHICAL    SKETCHES  : 


WALTER  DEMMOX,  tanner,  Sec.  2(> ;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  date  of  settlement  November, 
1846;  has  213  acres  .  was  Imrn  in  Jefferson  Co..  N.  Y.,  Feb.  28,  1812:  when  3  years  of  aue,  he  went 
with  his  parents  to  Onondaga  Co.,  remaining  there  two  years,  the  family  then  moved  to  Wayne  Co.  He 
was  married  in  the  town  of  Wolcott  of  that  county,  Feb.  1,  1838,  to  Miss  Hilyann  Cox,  daughter  of  Lewis 
and  Effie  Cox.  Mrs.  Deinmon  was  born  in  Rockland  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mr.  D.  and  family  came  to  Wisconsin 
in  February,  184ti.  and,  in  November  of  that  year,  located  on  the  site  of  his  present  farm.  Thirty  five 
years  of  patient  labor  has  made  a  well-cultivated  farm  and  comfortable  home.  He  has  served  eleven  years 
as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  Chairman  of  the  town  six  or  seven  years;  was  elected  the  first  Town  Assessor  of 
West  Bend,  and  re-elected  the  following  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  have  been  blessed  with  ten  children,  of 
whom  nine  are  living — Elias  H.,  married  to  Jennie  Luscomb,  residing  at  Omro;  Joseph  W.,  married  to 
Maryette  Rose,  also  living  at  Omro;  Lucy  A.;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Potter,  of  the  town  of  West 
Bend;  Clarissa;  Daniel,  married  to  Sarah  Churchill  and  living  at  Kau  Claire  ;  Millard,  married  to  Ella 
Potter,  also  of  West  Bend  ;  Horace,  married  to  Annie  Clapham,  of  the  same  town  ;  Maliuda  at  home,  nil 
George  F.,  deceased. 

FRAXZ  DEETSCH,  undertaker,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  furniture;  business  estab- 
lished in  lsiis.  Mr.  Deutsch  was  born  in  Prussia  Aug.  24,  1826;  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret 
'Stein)  Deutsch;  learned  his  trade  in  his  native  country;  came  to  America  in  1846,  and  direct  to  the 
town  of  West  Bend,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  engaged  in  fanning.  In  1868, he  started  the  business  in 
which  he  is  now  engaged,  while  lie  has  still  kept  his  farm  of  til)  acres.  He  was  married  in  West  Bend  in 
1854  to  Elizabeth  Licht,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Eva  Licht  ;  twelve  children  were  burn  to  them,  of 
whom  only  six  are  living — Mattie.  John,  Frederick,  Barbara.  Jacob  and  Anna.  Mrs.  Deutsch  died  March 
in.  1875;  Dec.  6,  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Deutsch  was  married  to  Mrs.  Johanna  Lorentz,  widow  of  Eman- 
uel Lorentz  ;  three  children  were  b  irn  of  this  martiage — George,  Mary  and  Frank.  Mr.  Deutsch  has 
served  fourteen  \ears  as  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  West  Beud.  and  twelve  years  as  Deputy  Sheriff. 

.lOilN  A.  ECKSTEIX,  lessee  of  the  West  Bend  Mills  ;  son  of  Christopher  and  Kunigunda 
Eckstein;  was  born  in  Milwaukee  Feb.  20,  1850,  and  May  1,  1851,  came  to  West  Bend  with  his  parents. 
He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  took  a  regular  course  in  the  Commercial  College  of  Bryant, 
Stratton  &  Spencer,  of  Milwaukee.  On  his  return  from  Milwaukee  in  18(55,  he  engaged  with  Mann  & 
Eckstein,  millers  at  West  Bend  .  was  in  the  employ  of  that  firm  till  its  dissolution,  and  subsequently  with 
his  father  as  partner  in  the  mill  till  1875  ;  he  then  rented  the  mill  and  has  run  it  to  this  spring,  when  the 
dam  was  carried  away  in  the  L'reat  flood  ;  at  this  writing  the  dam  is  being  rebuilt,  and  he  will  soon  have 
the  mill  in  operation  again.  Mr.  Eckstein  was  married  Feb.  21.  1ST!',  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  to  Anna  Roll- 
out, d, in-liter  of  Viet  Kohoiit,  Sr.;  they  have  one  child  —  Phillipine  M.  Mr.  E.  was  elected  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  the  spring  ,,1'   [881    for  two-years'   term. 

(jtEORttE    II.    ENGELHARD,  boot  and  shoemaker.  West    Bend,  Wis.;    son  of  George  M. 

Engelhard;  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  Dec.  31,  1819;  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  of  three  years 

at  his  trade  in  his  native  country  ;  then  worked  as  a  journeyman  in  various  places  till  I  S  to.  when  he  came 
to  the  United  States.  Remained  in  New  York  City  a  few  months,  then  went  to  New  Jersey,  was  there  a 
nl  then  returned  to  New  York.  He  next  engaged  as  colporteur  for  the  American  Tract  Society 
with  headquarters  at  the  city  of  Rochester,  N.  ST.;  continued  this  connection  four  years;  he  then  returned 
to  New  York,  and  went  from  there  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  three  years.  In  ISfili,  he 
came  to  West  Bend,  Wis.,  and  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  where  he  has  continued  to  this  writing 
1881  i.  Mr  E.  was  married.  Jan.  7.  1849,  iii  the  city  of  New  York,  to  Miss  Sophia  L' Homme,  daugh- 
ter of   Louis   L'Homme.       Mrs.    Engelhard  was  born  in   France;  they  have  eight  children,  of  whom  all  but 

the  youngest  have  been  school  teachers — Sophia  M.  is  now  .Mrs.  L.  E.  Adams,  of  Chicago,  111.;  Catharine 

II..  now  Mrs.  Martin  Blackmunn,  of  Trenton.  Washington  Co.;  M.  Georgine;  George  1'.  is  of  the  firm  of 

Chandler  &  Engelhard,  publishers,  Chicago,  III.     Be  was  recently  married  to  Miss  Carrie  E.  Soroggin,and 

at  Chicago;  Sarah,  now  Mrs.   Riohard   B.  Salter,  attorney  at  law,  of  Colby,  Wis..   Pennine,  Hor- 

tense  and  Samuel   L.  at   home. 

JACOB  ENttMAWN,  farmer  and  proprietor  of  Mineral  Spring,  Sec.  15;   P.O.  Wesf  Bend; 
i-  the  -on  of  Balthasar  and  Margarette  Engmann ;  was  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt,  I  lermany,  May  21.1 825 
learned  the  brewer's  trade,  and  came  to  the  United   States  in  1848;   made  his  home  one  year  in  Williams- 
burg,  N.  Y  .  where  he  worked  ;it  his  trad.-.     In  1849, he  came  to  West  Bend  and  engaged  with  Mr.  Goet- 

ter  in  the  brewery  ;  OOntinued  at  this  work  five  years,  when  he  went  on  to  a  farm  in  the  towu  of  Barton 
Alter  two  years'  residence  on  the  farm  at  Barton,  he  returned  to  West  Bend,  and  spent  one  year  in  Mr. 
I  ioelter's  employ  ;  be  then  went  to  the  village  of  I'igville,  ( lerinaiitown  ;  here  he  kept  hotel  and  farmed  three 
years.      His   next  venture  was  in  the   brewery  and  saloon   busine-s   at   Waukesha,  where  he  continued   till 


WEST   BEND.  555 

1871,  when  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  bought  his  present  farm.  Finding  the  brook  formed  by  the  nu- 
merous springs  on  his  place  suitable  for  the  culture  of  "  trout,"  he  has  improved  the  stream  and  stocked  it 
with  that  fish.  His  noted  mineral  springs  are  situated  one  mile  due  west  from  the  West  Bend  Court 
House.  Full  descriptions  and  analysis  of  the  springs  are  given  in  the  history  of  the  town  of  West  Bend, 
as  well  as  an  account  of  his  trout-raising  enterprise.  He  was  married  at  West  Bend  May  19,  1851,  to 
Elizabeth  Immel,  daughter  of  Peter  Immel,  who  was  born  in  Bavaria;  they  have  two  adopted  children — 
Applonia  and  Emma,  the  elder  of  whom  is  now  Mrs.  William  Miller,  of  W7est  Bend. 

M.  A.  T.  FARMER,  son  of  Thomas  and  Rosanna  (Thompson)  Farmer,  was  bom  in  Edin- 
burg,  Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  19,  1808  ;  while  quite  young,  went  with  his  parents  to  Susquehanna  Co., 
Penn.;  finding  this  a  barren  and  sterile  land,  with  certain  starvation  staring  them  in  the  face  if  they  re- 
mained, they  again  moved,  this  time  to  a  place  in  Bradford  Co.  in  the  same  State  ;  at  this  time,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  about  13  years  of  age.  May  27,  1832,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Verbeck, 
daughter  of  Amos  and  Abigail  (Wardwell)  Verbeck,  at  Windham,  Bradford  Co.,  Penn.;  Mrs.  Farmer 
was  born  in  Bradford,  Penn.,  March  22.  1813.  Iu  1845,  they  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  spent 
the  first  summer  at  Menomonee,  on  a  claim  of  Mrs.  Farmer's  brothers,  and  where  they  raised  a  very 
abundant  crop  of  coarse  grain  ;  early  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  Mr.  Farmer  pre-empted  the  southwest  quar- 
ter of  Sec.  24,  Town  11  north,  Bange  20  east,  now  partially  included  in  the  Ullage  of  West  Bend;  a 
shanty  was  built,  and  part  of  the  household  gpods  brought  up  and  stored  for  a  few  weeks  ;  Nov.  9,  1845r 
the  family  moved  to  their  new  quarters,  and,  though  surrounded  by  Indians,  they  found  their  goods  undis- 
turbed ;  at  this  time,  the  only  other  settler  in  the  town  was  Mrs.  Farmer's  brother  Isaac,  who  with  his 
family  had  a  log  shanty,  roofed  with  troughs,  situated  on  what  is  known  as  Battle  Creek  ;  Mr.  Farmer's 
shanty  was  constructed  in  the  same  manner,  the  only  difference  being  that  he  had  no  window  or  door  for 
some  weeks  after  his  occupation  of  the  premises  ;  here  Mrs.  Farmer  passed  many  a  night  alone  with  her 
young  children,  with  only  a  blanket  hung  across  the  opening  for  a  door  as  a  protection  from  intrusion 
either  from  Indians  or  wild  animals,  both  of  which  were  quite  numerous  in  the  woods  about  them;  Mrs. 
Farmer's  brothers,  Joseph  aDd  William  Verbeck,  settled  near  them  at  the  same  time;  from  that  on,  the 
little  settlement  grew  quite  rapidly,  as  described  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Mr.  Farmer  served  one  term  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  several  times  held  some  of  the  minor  town  offices.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  were  blessed 
with  four  children — two  sons  and  two  daughters;  the  eldest  (Abigail)  was  married  to  Mr.  Frank  Everly 
(deceased),  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  William  Johnson,  of  West  Bend;  Huldah  C.  was  the  wife  of  Mr. 
David  Comfort;  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  27  years;  Samuel  D.  died  when  13  years  of  age  -r 
Thomas,  now  married  and  a  resident  of  Wrest  Bend,  while  he  is  engaged  as  telegraph  operator  for  the  C.r 
M.  &.  St.  P.  B.  R.  in  Illinois. 

.IAJIFS  FIXXEijiAX,  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  son  of  Patrick 
and  Catharine  (Duffy)  Finnegan  ;  was  born  in  the  North  of  Ireland  Jan.  12,  1840;  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents  in  May.  1841  :  the  family  made  their  home  in  Northern  New  York  for  a  short 
time  ard  then  temoved  to  Vermont,  where  they  remained  for  about  three  years,  moving  again  to  Northern 
New  York;  in  1S50,  they  came  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Barton.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  educated  at  the  State  University  at  Madison  ;  in  1866,  he  took  a  course  at  the 
Worthington  Commercial  College,  of  Madison;  after  completing  his  studies,  he  was  engaged  several  years 
in  teaching  and  farming;  also  devoted  seme  time  to  the  study  of  law ;  moved  to  Kewaskum  in  1^<7<*; 
while,  a  resident  of  that  place,  served  one  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  was  elected  County  Suptrinlend- 
ent  of  Schools  in  the  fall  of  1879  ;  holds  his  office  in  the  court  house  :  since  the  spring  of  1870,  has 
made  his  residence  at  West  Bend. 

J.  FI\K  &.  CO.,  general  painters  and  decorators;  business  established  in  1871;  employ  six 
men  ;  Frederick,  the  elder  of  the  two  brothers  composing  this  firm,  is  the  son  of  Mathew  and  Elizabeth 
(Smith)  Fink,  was  born  at  West  Bend,  Wis.,  Dec.  i7.  1850  ;  received  a  common  school  education  ;  set  ved 
a  regular  apprenticeship  at  the  tinner's  trade:  spent  two  years  clerking  for  G.  J.  Wilmot;  afterward 
clerked  for  Potter  &  Miller,  and,  in  1872,  he  engaged  with  his  brother  in  the  painting  business.  Mr. 
Fink  was  married  at  West  Bend  Dec.  11,  1875,  to  Catharine  Lauermann,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Philo- 
pena  (Hassingeri  Lauermann.  Mis.  Fink  was  born  in  (iermantown.  Wis.  ;  they  have  had  two  children  one 
of  whom  only  is  living — Martha  F. ;  the  other,  Lizzie,  died  in  infancy;  Jacob  Fink  was  born  at  West  Bend 
May  22,  1854  ;  received  a  common  school  education;  when  only  12  years  ol  age,  he  began  to  practice 
painting;  served  three  years  with  Mr.  William  Johnson;  then  went  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  served  two 
years  at  carriage  painting,  working  afterward  one  year  as  journeyman  ;  he  next  went  to  Fond  du  Lac, 
where  he  practiced  the  various  branches  of  his  business,  working  several  years  at  house,  sign  and  fresco 
painting;  also  worked  some  time  in  the  La  Belle  Wragon  Works,  and  at  ear  painting  in  the  shops  of  the 


55U  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway  ;  returning  to  West  Bend  in  1871,  he  established  himself  in  his  present 
business,  and,  in  1ST-,  took  his  brother  Frederick  as  partner.  Mr.  Fink  was  married  June  8,  1876,  at 
West  Bend,  to  Miss  Dora  M.  Wendelborn,  daughter  of  Henry  Wendelborn.  Mrs.  Fink  was  born  near 
Milwaukee.  Wis.  ;  two  children  were  born  to  them  ;  the  eldest,  Cora,  died  in  infancy;  the  younger,  Min- 
nie, is  now  :.'  years  old. 

.1IATHKW  FINK  (deceased),  father  of  the  Fink  brothers;  was  born  in  the  city  of  Wir- 
tenberg,  Germany,  in  1821;  came  to  America  in  1840;  resided  in  Ohio  six  years,  and  came  to  West 
Bend,  Wis.  in  1 S47.  He  was  married  in  ( iermantown,  Wis.,  Feb.  4,  18411.  tu  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith. 
Mrs.  Fink  was  born  in  Oppenheim.  Germany.  Mr.  Fink  was  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  followed  that  business; 
his  death  occurred  Aug.  4,  1854.  Mrs.  F.  was  married  again  April  10,  1859,  to  Charles  Gruenwald,  of 
West  Bend.  i» 

WILLIAM  FBANCKEXBRRG,  of  the  firm  of  Franckenberg  &  Karsten,  general 
merchants;  dealers  in  general  merchandise  and  all  kinds  of  farm  produce;  average  stock,  from  $10,000  to 
$15,000;  business  established  Aug.  18,  1873;  also  general  life  and  fire  insurance  agents,  and  agents  for 
the  Red  Star,  American  and  National  lines  of  steamships.  The  firm  is  now  building  a  fine  brick  block 
30x80  feet,  two  stories  high,  with  an  addition  10x30;  estimated  cost,  $7,000,  without  lot,  which  they  will 
occupy  when  completed.  William  von  Franckenberg  LudwiiisdorfT  was  born  in  Mohringen,  Hanover, 
now  Prussia,  April  27,  1847;  son  of  Frederick  William  and  Emma  (von  Alton  i  von  Franckenberg  Lud- 
wigsdorff;  on  completing  his  studies,  he  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  in  the  mercantile  business  :  in 
L864,  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  directly  to  Washington  County,  Wis.,  where  he  engaged  as 
clerk  with  his  brother  Einil  in  a  general  country  store  at  Farmington;  on  his  brother's  removing  to  West 
Rend  one  year  later,  he  accompanied  him  and  continued  in  his  employ  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1868;  on  his  brother  Ernst  coming  into  possession  of  the  West  Bend  store,  he  entered  his 
employ  and  continued  with  him  until  Aug.  18,  1873,  when,  in  company  with  Mr.  Charles  W.  K  listen,  he 
purchased  his  brother's  stock  and  organized  the  firm  of  Franckenberg  &  Karsten  ;  in  1874.  they  com- 
pleted the  first  elevator  in  the  village,  and  purchased  the  first  load  of  wheat  on  the  track  of  a  fanner 
named  Peter  Walter,  from  the  town  of  Trenton ;  they  handle  about  100, lino  bnshela  of  grain  annually. 
Mr  F.  was  married  June  'I'.',.  1^70.  at  West  Bend,  to  Miss  Louisa  Luekow,  daughter  of  August  Lnckow. 
Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Germany;  they  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living — Amaoda, 
Jennie  and  Alfred;  Oscar  and  Ottile  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Franckenberg  served  as  Village  Trust..- in 
1878  ;  the  father.  Frederick  William,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  when  80  years  of  age;  and  died  at 
West  Bend  in  hi-  88th  year.     For  business  convenience  Mr.  F.  writes  his  name  William   Franckenberg. 

EKXST  FRANCKENBERG,  proprietor  of  the  Bank  oi  West    Bend.     This  bank  was 

ished  in  the  fall  of  1867,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000.  Its  principal  stockholders  were  James  Volinar, 
Christopher  Eckstein,  R.  R.  Price,  C.  II.  Miller,  Albert  Semlcr,  Charles  Broich,  15.  Goetter,  dames  Gar- 
bade  and  E.  Franckenberg.  Until  1869,  it  was  managed  by  its  Cashier,  Mr.  ('.  II.  Miller,  Christopher 
Eckstein  being  ita    President.      In   I860.  Maxon  II irsch  became   its  owner  by  purchase;  in  1875,  he  sold 

to  its  present  owner.      Was   born   in    Bovenden,  Hanover,  Germany,  Nov.  1,  1.^27  ;  served  an  apprenti 

-hip  of  five  ;.'  i-  al  the  mercantile  business;  then  six  yean  as  clerk.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  he  oame  to 
America  with  a  brother  and  sister,  and  direct  to  Milwaukee.  Wis.;  there  be  was  employed  as  clerk  two 
years  in  the  hardware  store  of  Arnold  ,v.  Suelflohn  ;  during  this  time,  he.  in  company  with  his  brother  Emil, 
established  a  general  country  store  at  Thiensville,  Ozaukee  Co.,  whiofa  was  continued  about  a  year  and  a  half, 
when  they  changed  their  location  to  Horn's  Corners,  in  the  same  county.  .Mr.  Franckenberg  was  instrumental 
in  procuring  the  establishment  of  the  Horn's  Corners  Post  Office,  of  which  he  was  appointed  Postmaster, 
which  position  he  held  while  a  resident  of  the  place,  ((wine  t,,  [|le  return  of  the  owner  of  the  building 
iii  which  they  were  doing  business,  by  the  terms  of  the  lease,  they  were  obliged  to  change  the  location  of 
business,  after  only  one  and  a  half  years'  residence.  He  then  moved  to  Newburg,  Washington  Co.;  here 
he  established  a  general  store;  while  in  business  al  this  point.  Mr.  E.  Franokenberg  was  appointed  Post- 

i  of  Newburg,  in  place  of  Mr.  Frisby,  deceased  ;  several  years  after,  he  was  succeeded  by  Miss  Anna 
E.  Salisbury,  who  held  the  office  till  her  marriage  with  Dr.  Hunt,  when  Mr.  F.  was  re-appointed,  and  held 
the  office  during  the  remainder  of  bis  stay  at   this  place;   while  at  Newburg,  he  was  also  interested  in  a 

branch  store  at  Waubeka.  atel  another  at  Fillmore,  Washington  Co.;  at  lie  same  time  he  was  half-owner 
of  the  Newberg  mill  property,  and  of  the  store  opposite.  In  company  with  Mr.  Charles  Keller,  he  built 
a  large  brick  store  in  1862.  lie  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  for  the  year  1865  ;  he  also  was 
appointed  a  Notary  Public,  and  held  said  office  all  the  time  while  in  Newburg,  and  also  elected  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace  for  one  term.  Before  coming  to  Newburg.  he  was  married  at  Horn's  Corners,  July  15,  1857, 
to  Mi.,-  Mary  Dangers,  daughter  of  Louis  and   Christine    Dangers,      Five  children  were  born  to  them,  of 


WEST    BEND.  •>•" 

whom  only  one  is  living — Arthur  F..  now  a  clerk  in  his  father's  bank.  Mrs.  Franckenberg  died  July  27, 
1868.  About  tl  is  time,  on  the  death  of  his  brother  Emil,  who  was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  West 
Bend,  Mr.  F.  came  to  this  place,  and  purchased  the  stock  left  by  his  brother,  and  continued  the  business 
four  years  at  the  old  stand  now  occupied  by  B.  Goetter  as  a  store.  He  retained  his  interest  in  the  New- 
burg  business  until  a  year  after  he  left  the  place,  when  he  closed  it  out.  He  was  married  Jan.  6,  1869, 
to  Emma  Reisse,  daughter  of  John  Reisse,  of  West  Bend ;  Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Washington  Co.  Mr. 
F.  continued  business  at  West  Bend  till  the  fall  of  1873,  when  he  sold  out  to  Franckenberg  &  Karsteu, 
and  moved  to  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  where  he  invested  $15,000  in  the  dry  goods  business,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Cathcart  &  Co.  This  business:  proving  unsatisfactory,  he  sold  out  after  one  year's  experience,  and  returned 
to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  in  1875,  he  bought  out  the  banking  interest  of  Mr.  M.  Hirseh  iu  the  Bank 
of  West  Bend,  also  the  West  Bend  Democrat  office  ;  a  year  later  he  sold  a  half  interest  in  the  Democrat 
to  William  M.  Walters,  and  his  remaining  interest  Nov.  1,  1879,  to  John  Merthe.  Mr.  F.  has  lately 
bought  a  farm  of  105  acres  lying  in  the  village  limits  of  West  Bend  ;  also  four  lots  near  the  county  build- 
ings, on  which  he  is  about  to  build  a  fine  residence  ;  the  plans  are  let  on  an  estimate  of  8-5. 50(1.  Mr.  F. 
has  continued  the  banking  business  at  West  Bend  to  this  writing.  In  bis  native  country  Mr.  Francken- 
berg's  proper  name  was  Ernst  vnn  Franckenberg  Ludwigsdorf.  Since  coming  to  America,  Mr.  F.  has 
shortened  his  name  to  plain  E.  Franckenberg,  for  business  convenience. 

I.  N.  FRISBY',  attorney  at  law,  West  Bend  ;  son  of  Lucius  and  Lovina  I  Gary)  Frisby  ;  was 
horn  in  Mesopotamia,  Trumbull  Co.,  Oh»,  March  6,  1820  ;  spent  his  early  life  ou  a  farm  ;  commenced 
his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  subsequently  graduated  at  the  Academy  at  Farmington,  and 
commenced  the  study  of  law.  Mr.  Frisby  was  married  at  Nelson,  Ohio,  Aug.  13,  1846,  to  Sylvia  Bar- 
ber; two  children  were  born  of  this  maniage — Avis,  who  was  the  wife  of  Edward  Avery,  died  Dec.  16, 
is  Hi;  the  younger,  Frederica,  is  residing  with  her  father;  Mrs.  Frisby  died  May  9,  L869.  June  0, 
L850,  he  came  to  Washington  Co.,  and  engaged  in  teaching  at  Newburg ;  in  1853,  he  moved  to  West 
Bend  and  opened  a  law  office  with  Mr.  Nathan  W.  Tupper  ;  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  that  year,  and  to 
practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  Wisconsin  Sept.  10,  1S67,  and  to  the  United  States  Circuit  Court  of 
the  Eastern  District  of  Wisconsin  March  1,  1875;  the  connection  with  Mr.  Tupper  was  continued  till 
Jan.  1,  1856;  Jan.  1,  1862,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  F.  O.  Thorp,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thorp  &  Frisby,  which  was  continued  until  January,  1870,  since  which  time  Mr.  Frisby  practiced  his 
profession  alone  until  Nov.  6,  1879,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  S.  S.  Barney,  which  was  con- 
tinued until  December,  1880,  sioce  which  date  Mr.  Frisby  has  been  alone  in  business.  Iu  1863,  he  held 
the  office  of  District  Attorney  by  appointment.  Mr.  Frisby  was  married,  Feb.  14.  1S71,  at  Farmington, 
Wis  .  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Thompson  ;  Mrs.  F.  was  born  in  Allentown,  Penn.,  Oct.  20,  1S48;  one  sou — Al- 
len T. — was  born  of  this  marriage,  Dec.  27.  1872;  Mrs.  Frisby's  death  occurred  Sept.  24.  1878.  .Mr. 
F.  was  appointed  Court  Commissioner  in  1868,  and  has  held  that  office  about  twelve  years  ;  he  is  serving 
in  that  capacity  at  the  present  writing.  June  8.  1880,  Mr.  Frisby  was  married  in  Greenfield,  Milwaukee 
Co.,  to  Miss  Mary  Alice  Case,  daughter  of  Bigelow  and  Elvira  II.  Case;  Mrs.  Frisby  was  Im.iu  in  Wau- 
watosa.  Wis. 

HOX.  LE.4XDER  F.  FRISBY,  of  the  firm  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  attorneys  at  law  ;  son  of 
Lucius  and  Lovina  (Gary)  Frisby,  was  born  at  Mesopotamia,  Trumbull  Co..  Ohio,  June  19,  1825;  the 
parents  were  from  Castleton,  Vt.,  and  had  settled  in  Ohio  in  1817  ;  the  family  were  tanners  of  limited 
means;  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  obliged  to  work  on  the  farm  summers,  trusting  to  the  winter  school 
for  a  foundation  for  an  education  ;  when  17  years  of  age,  he  left  the  farm  to  learn  the  wagon-making 
trade,  pursuing  his  studies  as  best  he  could  at  odd  times  ;  subsequently,  he  became  a  student  of  the  Farm- 
ington  Academy,  in  his  native  county  ;  by  working  at  his  trade  Saturdays  and  vacations,  he  was  enabled 
to  save  money  enough  to  pay  his  way  until  the  completion  of  his  academic  course;  in  September,  1S46, 
he  emigrated  to  Wisconsin  and  undertook  to  get  work  at  his  trade  in  the  village  of  Fond  du  Lac ;  here 
he  was  a  victim  to  chills  and  fever,  so  common  in  parts  of  Wisconsin  at  that  early  day  ;  on  recovering  his 
health,  he  engaged  in  a  cooper-shop,  earning  enough  to  discharge  his  obligations  ;  learning  that  there  was 
a  chance  for  a  situation  at  Beaver  Dam,  be  started  for  that  village  in  March,  1847  ;  his  funds — 50  cents 
in  all— were  spent  for  supper  and  lodging  at  a  country  hotel ;  the  following  morning,  without  breakfast 
and  afoot,  bo  continued  his  journey  to  Beaver  Dam,  a  distance  of  ten  miles  ;  at  this  place  he  obtained  em- 
ployment till  July,  when  he  went  to  Janesville,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  the  following  October, 
when  be  accepted  the  position  of  school-teacher  at  Spring  Prairie,  Walworth  Co.,  continuing  at  this  place 
until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  he  went  to  Burlington,  Racine  Co.,  and  opened  an  academic  school  ;  about 
this  time  be  began  the  study  of  law  during  his  vacations  in  the  office  of  Blair  &  Lord,  at  Port  Washing- 
ton ;  he  continued  his  school  and  law  studies  till  ( •etober,  1850,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  took  up 


558  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

his  residence  at  West  Bend  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  ;  the  following  winter  he  was  ad- 
mitted  to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court.  In  politics,  Mr.  Frisby  was  a  Free-Soiler,  and  in  his  first  appear- 
ance as  a  candidate  he  was  defeated  in  1S.">2,  having  been  nominated  for  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Washington 
Co.;  on  the  division  of  the  county,  lie  was  elected  the  first  District  Attorney  of  the  new  county  of  Washing- 
ton, which  office  he  held  two  years;  in  1853,  he  was  elected  Superintendent  of  Schools  for  the  town  of 
Wesl  Bend;  in  the  spring  of  1854,  he  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Judge  Mann,  the  present  County 
Judge  of  Milwaukee  Co.,  which  was  continued  until  the  spring  of  1859,  when  Judge  Mann  was  elected. 
Circuit  Judge.  On  the  assembling  of  the  tirsi  Republican  State  Convention  at  Madison,  July  13,  1854. 
Mr.  Frisby  was  chosen  one  of  the  Secretaries;  in  1856,  he  was  appointed  County  Judge  of  Washington 
Co.  to  fill  a  vacancy,  which  position  he  held  one  year:  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  in  the  fall 
-if  1  si;u  ;  lie  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Convention  at  Chicago,  in  1SG0,  that  nomi- 
nated Abraham  Line. .In  for  the  Presidency,  and  was  chosen  one  of  its  Secretaries.  Iu  I860,  he  formed 
u  law  partnership  with  Mr.  Paul  A.  Weil,  which  has  continued  twenty-one  years:  he  ran  against  Hon. 
Charles  A.  Eldridge  for  Congress  in  1868,  being  the  only  Republican  candidate  in  the  State  who  ran 
ahead  of  Gran)  on  the  ticket  ;  in  1872,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  at  Phil- 
adelphia ;  and,  in  1873,  was  the  Republican  candidate  for  Attorney  General,  and.  though  defeated  like  the 
other  nominees  of  the  party,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  leading  the  ticket  throughout  the  State,  while  in 
his  own  county  he  received  a  majority  of  627,  when  the  balance  of  the  Democratic  ticket,  except  the  At- 
torney  General,  received  a  majority  of  1,871  ;  such  a  home  endorsement  at  once  established  Mr.  Frisby's 
popularity,  and  placed  biiu  among  the  leading  men  of  his  party  in  the  State;  during  the  years  1873-74, 
he  served  as  President  of  the  Universalist  State  Convention.  About  1874,  Mr.  S.S.  Barney  was  admin  d 
as  a  partner  in  the  law  firm  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  and  the  firm  name  changed  to  Frisby,  Weil  &  Barney; 
this  connection  continued  about  four  years,  when  Mr.  Barney  retired  and  the  former  firm  name  was  re- 
sumed. Daring  tie- yens  from  1876  to  1879,  he  was  President  of  the  Washington  County  Agricultural 
Society,  and  by  judicious  management  worked  the  affairs  of  the  society  into  a  healthy  condition;  in  1878, 
lie  was  the  Republican  candidate  for  member  of  Congress  in  the  Fourth  District,  and  was  defeated  by 
only  135  majority  in  a  district  that  had  two  years  before  given  a  Democratic  majority  of  a  ^i\v  votes  less 
than  6,000  ;  the  result  attracted  attention  throughout  the  country,  and  re-asserted  the  popularity  of  Mr. 
ring  the  people.  At  the  National  Republican  Convention  of  1SSO.  he  was  the  first  to  suggest 
line  of  James  A.  Garfield  as  a  candidate  to  the  Wisconsin  delegates.  Mr.  Frisby  is  the  republican 
candidate  for  Attorney  General  at  the  coming  State  election  of  1881.     Mr.   Frisby  was  married  at   Bur- 

liugton,  Racine  Co.,  Wis.,  Dee.  17,  1854,  to  Miss  Frances  E.  Hooker,  daughter  of  William  and  .lane 
I  Winnie     Booker;    three  daughters  and  two  sons  were  horn  to  them;    Alice  F.  and  Almah  .).  were   -radii 

I  the  class  of  1878  of  the  State  University;  Marion  C.  will  be  of  the  class  of  lv-^-;  of  the  son.;. 
L.  Frank  and  Ralph  Eugene,  the  elder  (Frank)  is  a  student  of  the  State  University,  having  commenced 
his  course  in  the  fall  of  1  880  .  the  younger  son  is  yet  at  home.  In  conclusion,  it  may  be  Baid  that  it  is  in 
the  history  of  the  lives  of  such  men  as  Judge  Frisby  that  young  men  of  limited  means  and  opportunities 
may  find  hope  and  encouragement.  In  spite  of  the  disadvantages  of  his  youth  and  early  manhood,  he  has 
won  a  lucrative  practice  as  a  lawyer,  political  distinction  among  the  men  of  the  State,  and  has,  what  is 

be8l  of  all,  the    esteem    and    confidence    "f  his  fellow-citizens. 

A.  C.  FF4wE,  dealer   in    heavy,  shelf  and    wagon  hardware,  iron,  steel,  nails,  Stoves  and  tinware. 

also  dealer  in  threshing  machines,  reapers,  Beeders,  carpenters',  blacksmiths'  and  coopers'  tools,  oils, 

etc.     Business  established  dan.  1,  1874;  average  stock  front  $5,000  to  {6,000.     Mr.  Fuge  was  born  in 

Prussia  April  25,  1837;  Bon  of  Zacharias  and  Christiana   (Nordham)  Fuge;  ca to  the  United  States 

in  1847,  and  directly  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  making  his  home  in  the  town  of  .Jackson  with  his 
parents;  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Wesl  Bend  and  engaged  in  his  present 
business.  He  was  married  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  of  this  county.  Sept,  .".,  1873,  t>  Mrs.  Ida  Bruns, 
daughter  of  Charles  Mierke.     Mrs,  Fuge  was  born  in  Prussia,  mar  Berlin  ;  by  her  first  marriage,  she  had 

oi hild,  named  Adelia;  two  children  were  bom  of  the  second  marriage,  named  Clara  and  August 

FRANCIS  ©ANSEL,  farmer,  Sec.  15;  P.O.  West  Bend;  is  the  son  of  Ambrose  and  Han- 
nah  Gansel,  and  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  Nov,  10,  1821  ;  he  learned  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  in 
that  country,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1849,  locating  in  Fulton  Co.,  N.  Y..  where  he 
remained  three  years,  and  then  removed  to  West  Bend,  Wis.,  and  engaged  in  the  furniture  business, 
which  he  followed  three  years;  he  then  bought  bis  presont farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was 
married,  Nov.  5,  1850,  al  Johnstown,  to  Augusta  Beindner,  who  was  horn  in  Germany  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1  ^  17.  Tiny  have  five  ohildreu,  the  elder.  Ambrose,  married  to  Anna  Sohacht,  and  now  living 
in  Sheboygau  County      Adolph,  married  to  Lizzie  Durr,  residing  in  the  village  of  West  Bend,  and  Francis. 


west  BEND.  559 

Benha  and  Eddie.     Mr.  Gansel  has  served  eighteen  years  as  Assessor  of  the  town  of  West  Bend,  and  as 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1879,  1880  and  18S1. 

HENRY  CJLiANTZ,  proprietor  of  City  Hall  and  Sample  Rooms  ;  business  established  in  1865. 
This  is  a  favorite  resort  for  dancing  parties.  It  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  river  bank,  with  a  fine  park 
in  the  rear,  connected  with  the  hall  by  a  foot  bridge.  Mr.  Glantz  was  born  in  Mccklenburg-Schwerin, 
Germany,  Feb.  28,  1833  ;  son  of  Jacob  and  Sophia  (Bremer)  Glantz;  came  to  America  the  latter  part  of 
May,  1855,  and  direct  to  West  Bend,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.  Having  to  depend  on  his  labor  for  a  start, 
he  took  the  job  of  digging  a  canal  from  Cedar  Lake  to  Silver  Lake  for  a  saw-mill  firm.  He  next  rented 
a  farm  in  Illinois,  near  Beloit,  where  he  remained  two  years  ;  then  commenced  as  wood  sawyer  for  hotel  and 
worked  up  to  second  clerk  ;  was  there  five  years  ;  he  then  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  speut  two  years  ; 
then  ran  on  the  Mississippi  River  as  steward  of  the  packet  steamer.  Hannibal  City,  two  years,  running 
from  St.  Louis  to  Keokuk,  Iowa  ;  next  went  South  as  Sutler  during  the  first  years  of  the  war ;  returned 
to  West  Bend,  Wis.,  in  1863,  and  engaged  in  teaming  one  year;  next  rented  the  old  ''Sharp  Corner 
Saloon."  which  be  ran  till  1866,  when  he  bought  his  present  hotel  and  hall.  Mr.  Glantz  has  served  four 
years  as  Village  Trustee.  He  was  married,  Aug.  2.  1864,  in  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Mian,  daughter  of 
William  and  Magdelena  (  Kuhlman )  Mian.  Mrs.  Glantz  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany. 
Five  children  were  born  to  them — Henry,  Louisa,  Albert,  Ada  and  William. 

B.  CpcOETTER,  proprietor  of  the  Washington  House,  West  Bend;  son  of  Conrad  and  Helena 
(Kissinger)  Goetter ;  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  May  24,  1817;  learned  the  cooper's  and 
brewer's  trade  in  his  native  land,  and,  in  1846,  came  to  the  United  States,  spent  a  short  time  in  New 
York  City,  and  then  came  to  Milwaukee  in  1846  ;  he  remained  there  until  1848,  working  at  his  trade  in 
the  brewery  of  Levi  Blossom;  he  then  returned  to  Germany  and  was  married  Aug.  5,  1848,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Mayer,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Maria  Mayer,  of  Mommenheim.  In  March,  1849,  he 
returned  to  America,  and  on  the  20th  of  that  month  arrived  in  West  Bend,  then  a  village  of  a  dozen 
families,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside  to  this  date  ;  he  built  a  brewery  and  carried  on  the  brewing 
business  two  years.  The  old  brewery  has  been  enlarged  and  altered  to  suit  its  increased  business,  and  is 
now  the  property  of  Stephen  Mayer  &  Co.  On  leaving  the  brewery,  Mr.  Goetter  engaged  in  mercantile 
and  hotel  business  in  1S52.  The  hotel  was  a  wooden  structure  and  called  the  Washington  House.  This 
was  the  second  hotel  in  the  village.  He  had  a  partner  in  the  store,  Mr.  James  Vollmer ;  he  continued 
in  this  business  until  1854.  On  the  memorable  cold  New  Year's  Day,  of  1864,  during  the  daytime  his 
hotel  caught  fire  and  was  entirely  destroyed,  causing  him  a  loss  of  about  $5,000.  Early  the  same  year 
he  erected  his  present  substantial  and  commodious  hotel,  called  after  the  old  house,  "  The  Washington 
House."  This  is  a  brick  structure,  68Ax58  feet,  three  stories  high,  with  capacity  to  entertain  100  guests. 
Mr.  ituetter  has  been  keeping  hotel  now  twenty-nine  years  on  the  same  site,  and  is  widely  and  favorably 
known  as  a  landlord,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citizens  as  a  man  who=e  word  is  as  good  as  his 
bond.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goetter  were  blessed  with  a  family  of  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  girls ;  the 
eldest.  Maria,  is  now  Mrs.  John  Pick,  a  merchant  of  West  Bend;  Charles,  married  to  Maria  Becker  and 
is  residing  at  Granville  ;  Elizabeth,  Catharine.  John,  Frank,  Lena.  One  child  was  lost  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Goetter  has  a  farm  of  240  acres  situated  near  the  village  of  West  Bend.  Mrs.  Goetter's  father,  Michael 
Mayer,  was  born  in  Laerzweiler.  France,  and  served  six  years  as  a  soldier  under  Napoleon  I.  He  came  to 
West  Bend  in  1849.  and  died  Sept.  9,  1875,  in  his  89th  year. 

B.  (jOETTER,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  farm  produce  and  farming  tools,  John  Pick  and 
John  Goetter,  managers;  business  established  in  1873;  average  stock,  812,000;  also  proprietor  of  B. 
Goetter's  Elevator,  which  was  erected  in  1874;  from  150,000  to  200,000  bushels  of  grain  handled 
annually. 

JOHN  PICK,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Leins)  Pick;  was  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  March  9, 
1849;  was  educated  at  the  German  and  Euglish  Academy  of  Milwaukee  and  took  a  regular  commercial 
course;  served  awhile  as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  and  notion  store;  moved  to  Schleisiugerville  in  1855,  and 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  father  and  brother  under  the  firm  name  of  John 
Pick  &  Sons,  continued  this  connection  till  the  dissolution  of  the  firm  in  1875  ;  he  then  engaged  with 
Mr.  Goetter  in  the  business  in  which  he  is  now  engaged.  He  was  married  at  West  Bend  Aug.  3,  1872. 
to  Miss  Mary  Goetter,  daughter  of  Mr.  B.  Goetter  ;  five  children  were  born  to  them — Mary  E.,  Katie  A., 
Theka.  John  and  Edwin.  Mr.  Pick's  father,  John  Pick,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Westphalia,  Germany  ;  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  Leins,  of  Wittenberg;  was  a  pattern-maker  by  trade  ;  came  to  the  United  States  in 
May.  1848;  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Milwaukee  &  La  Crosse  Railway,  and  helped  build  the  first  loco- 
motive built  in  Wisconsin  ;  in  1854,  he  moved  to  Schleisingerville,  where  he  carried  on  the  mercantile 
business  till  his  death,  which  occurred  June  18,  1874. 


560  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

VALENTINE  GOXRI\<J,  farmer,  Sec.  18;  P.  0.  Aurora;  was  born  in  Luxemburg- 
Germany.  Feb.  13,  1820.  Was  married,  January,  1S44.  to  Angelina  Packer,  daughter  of  George  1'aeker  : 
one  child  was  bom  to  them  in  Germany,  which  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Gonring  and  wife  came  to  America 
in  1846,  and  lived  two  years  in  New  Jersey,  where  another  daughter  was  born;  now  wife  of  Gerhard 
Peters,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend  ;  in  August,  1849,  they  moved  to  the  town  of  West  Bend  ; 
lived  on  Section  18  till  1852,  when  he  moved  to  Cedar  Lake,  same  town,  and  made  his  home  till  1876 
when  be  moved  to  his  present  residence  ;  he  has  one  son,  born  in  Wisconsin. 

NICHOLAS  GONRING,  son  of  Valentine  Gonring.  was  born  in  the  town  of  West  Bend, 
Washington  County,  Wis.,  Nov.  19,  1850.  Was  married,  June  4,  1872,  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  in 
the  church  of  St.  Mathias,  to  Caroline  Willkomm,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Willkomm  ;  they  have 
had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Angelina.  Valentine,  John  anil  Mary;  the  second  died  in 
childhood.  Mr.  Gonring  met  with  a  terrible  accident  while  chopping,  in  December,  1873,  which  nearly 
cost  him  his  life,  a  description  of  which  is  given  among  the  incidents  of  interest  in  the  town  history  of 
West   Bend. 

MARVIN  GREEN,  farmer,  Section  23  ;  P.  0.  West  Bend:  has  120  acres,  he  is  thason  of 
Enoch  and  Elizabeth  (Golden)  Green;  was  born  in  Carmel,  Putnam  Co.,  X.  Y..  Oct.  9,  1809;  he 
0C  >'  'I  in  the  town  of  West  Bend  in  1849,  where  he  resided  thirteen  years;  he  then  moved  to  the  town 
of  Trenton  and  made  that  hi*  home  till  1S(>7.  when  he  returned  to  West  Bend  and  settled  on  his  present 
farm.  He  married  Miss  Lava  Croft,  daughter  of  Lewis  Croft;  they  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom 
five  are  living — Emma  C.  (wife  of  Edgar  Brown,  and  a  resident  of  Pierce  Co.,  Wis.  I,  Allen  i  married  to 
Miss  Clarinda  Young,  and  living  in  Pierce  Co.),  Hannah  (now  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  W.  David,  of  Fores)  City 
Iowa).  Betsy  Ann  wife  of  Mr.  James  Clements,  of  Dodgeville,  Grant  Co.,  Wis.),  Lyman  (was  a  member 
of  the  9th  Wisconsin  Battery  of  Light  Artillery.  a::d  died  on  the  plains  during  the  late  war.  and  was 
buried  at  Denver,  Colo.),  Harrison  (was  also  a  victim  of  the  late  war:  he  served  as  a  member  ol  Co.  D, 
12th  W.  V.  1.  ;   died  while  in  the  service,  and  was  buried  at  St.  Louis.  Mo.). 

JOHN  GITSCIIEXRITTER,  farmer,  Sec.  23;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  settled  in  the  county 
in  1847  ;  has  199  acres  nf  land  :   was  born  in  the  Upper  Rhine  country.    France  (now  a  part  of  Prussia), 

in  1823,  June  13;  is  the  - I'  John  and    Frances  Gutschenritter ;  was  brought  up  a  fanner:  served 

three  years  in  the  French  Army  during  the  reign  of  Louis  1'hillip;  emigrated  to  America  in  1*1-7  with 
his  parents;  came  .linct  to  Hartford,  Wis.,  and  entered  Government  land.     Was  married  at  Hartford,  in 

1851,  to  Catharine  Lacier  ;    eight  children  were  born  to  them,  five  boys  and  three  girls.      Joseph  I  married 

Matilda  Huntz,  and  lives  iM  the  town  of  Addison  i.  Peter,  John.  George,  Barney,  Margaret  now  Mrs  E. 
Strawmeir,  nf  Hartford),  Madiline  and  Catharine  Mrs.  Gutschenritter  died  March  Hi.  1878.  Mr.  G. 
had  4oii  acres  of  hind  lying  partly  in  Dodge  Co.,  200  acres  of  which  he  had  cleared  and  improved  with 
his  own  hands.  May  21,  1879,  he  married  Mrs.  Catharine  Wright,  widow  of  George  W.  Wright  :  after 
this  marriage  he  divided  his  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Hartford  between  his  sons,  and  moved  to  West  l'>>  ad, 
where  he  has  since  resided. 

FREDERICK  II.  HAASE.  proprietor  of  Eagle  Billiard  Hall  ami  Saloon;  son  ol  Henry 
and  Sophia  (Both)  Haase;  was  bom  in  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Germany,  Jan.  •">.  1831;  learned  i he 
brick  maker's  trade,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  reaching  West  Bend.  Wis.,  in  February  of  that 

be  established  bis  home  here,  although  he  spent  some  years  in  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  working  at 
bis  trade;  was  foreman  of  the  brick  yards  of  Charles  Lelnke.  ill  the  town  of  West  Bend  and  Richfield  . 
followed  thai  business  > ■  i ■  _r 1 1 1  years,  then  becoming  unfitted  for  such  laborious  work,  as  the  result  of  a  severe 
attack  of  typhoid  i'r\f\\  be  opened  a  saloon  and  billiard  hall  in  1864  in  West  Bend:  in  1878,  he  built  the 

substantial  brick  structure  which  he  now  occupies;  si/..-.  50x32  feet,  two  Stories.  Mr.  Haase  was  mar- 
ried. July  8,  1859,  at  West  Bend,  to  Mary  Ann  Schmidt,  daughter  of  Henrj  and  Sophia  Schmidt.  Mrs. 
Haase  iva..  born  in  Mecklenburg-Schwerin  :  six  children  wire  born  to  them — Augusta,  Paulina,  Gustave, 
Arthur.  Agnes  and  Frederick  Moltke.  Mr.  Haas  has  been  honored  with  several  positions  of  public  trust ; 
was  Under-Sheriff  two  years  under  William  Sturm;  was  President  of  the  village  of  West  Bend  duriug 
the  year-  1-77  78,  and  is  one  of  the  present  Board  of  Trustees;  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Pet fourteen  years,  and  is  serving  in  that  capacity  at  this  writing, 

PATRICK    W.  HARXS.  proprietor  'of  West     Bend    Marble  Works,  established   May,   1875; 

son  of  Owen  and    Mar]    Campbell    llarns.  was   bom   in  Wheatland,  Monroe  Co..  X.  V.,  duly  3,  1849; 
am.  to  Wisconsin  in  1854,  with  his  parents ;  settled  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.;  -pent 

the  early  years  of  bis  life  on  his  I'alhor's  farm.  In  the  fall  ol'  1870,  he  went  to  Waterloo.  Iowa,  where 
he  learned  the  marble  business,  served  three  years;  then  went  to  Milwaukee  and  worked  at  bis  trade  a 
few  months;    then    to   Sheboygan,  where   be  worked    till    May.   187").  when    he   came    to  West     Bend,  and 


WEST  BEND.  561 

established  his  present  business.  Mr.  Hams  has  worked  up  a  very  promising  business,  which  extends  into 
the  adjoining  counties  and  into  Michigan.  He  was  married  at  West  Bend  Dec.  22,  1880,  to  Miss  Lizzie 
W.  Miller,  daughter  of  Hon.  C.  H.  Miller;   Mrs.  Hams  was  born  in  Milwaukee. 

HARMS  A  PETERS,  dealers  in  dry  goods,  groceries,  crockery,  ready-made  clothing,  hats, 
caps,  etc.;  also  deal  largely  in  all  kinds  of  country  produce  :  business  established  in  1878  ;  average  stock, 
$5,000.  This  firm-  is  now  building  a  branch  house  at  Merrill,  above  Wausau,  which  they  expect  to  open  in 
July  next. 

Adolph  Harms,  son  of  J.  C.  Harms,  was  born  near  Hamburg,  Germany,  Feb.  5,  1854;  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1874,  and  located  at  Lancaster,  Penn.,  and  there  clerked  in  a 
wholesale  notion  store  three  years  ;  came  to  West  Bend,  Wis.,  in  1878,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business. 

William  Peters,  son  of  Henry  and  Minnie  (Schuttise)  Peters,  was  born  in  West  Bend,  Wis., 
March  15,  1S5S  ;  received  a  common-school  education,  and  commenced  clerking  with  Mr.  B.  S.  Potter,  in 
1873;  continued  with  him  five  years,  when  he  formed  the  connection  with  Mr.  Harms  as  above  stated. 
Mr.  Peter's  people  were  natives  of  Germany,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1848  ;  remained  in  New 
York  City  eightyears,  and  came  to  West  Bend  in  1857. 

WILLIAM  HANDKE,  farmer,  Sec.  12;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  has  120  acres;  son  of  John 
Handke  ;  was  born  in  Prussia  Jan.  17,  1827  ;  came  to  America  in  1843,  and  located  near  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
in  Niagara  Co.;  remained  there  nine  years  ;  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Trenton, 
Washington  Co.,  where  he  remained  till  I860,  when  he  came  to  his  present  farm  in  the  town  of  Barton. 
He  was  married  in  New  York  Sept.  26,  1853,  to  Christiana  Miller  ;  Mrs.  Handke  was  born  in  Germany  ; 
they  have  had  seven  children — John.  Frances,  William,  Surah,  Charles,  Frederick  and  Katie.  Mr  Handke 
has  recently  built  a  very  substantial  and  tasty  brick  house  on  his  farm. 

HE\RY  C.  HAVER  &  CO.,' merchant  tailors;  business  established  in  1875;  average  stock, 
83,600.  Mr.  H.  C.  Hauer  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  Feb.  9,  1851  ;  learned  his  trade  in  his  native 
land,  serving  four  years.  In  1869,  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  located  at  Mauston,  Juneau  Co., 
Wis.;  there  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  1872.  He  then  spent  a  year  in  traveling  in  various  parts  of  the 
country  ;  Oct.  26,  1873,  he  reached  West  Bend,  and  engaged  with  John  Pick  &  Sons,  merchants  ;  was  in 
their  employ  until  May,  1875,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Jacob  Lampert,  under  the  firm  name 
of  C.  H.  Hauer  &  Co.,  merchant  tailors,  and  at  this  writing  they  have  built  up  a  satisfactory  trade.  Mr. 
Hauer  was  married  at  West  Bend  Aug.  30,  1877,  to  Miss  Margaret  Lampert,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Mary  fAdenk)  Lampert;  Mrs.  Hauer  was  born  in  Switzerland;  two  children  were  born  to  them — Leon- 
hard  and  Mary. 

JACOB  HEIPP,  clerk  at  B.  Goetter's  general  store.  Mr.  H.  is  the  son  of  Frank  and  Mar- 
garet (Fuchsl  Heipp  ;  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  in  Prussia,  Germany;  came  to  the  United  States  with  his 
parents  in  1854.  and  directly  to  Milwaukee.  Wis.;  remained  only  a  short  time  in  that  city,  and  then  moved 
to  Jackson,  Washington  Co.;  received  a  common-school  education,  and  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  store  of 
Vollmar  &  Semler,  at  West  Bend  ;  continued  with  them  about  three  and  one-half  years,  when  he  enlisted 
August,  1861,  in  Co.  G,  26th  W.  V.  I.;  received  a  1st  Lieutenant's  commission.  Early  in  1862,  he 
resigned  on  account  of  disability  ;  on  returning  from  the  army,  he  took  a  regular  course  at  the  Lincoln  Com- 
mercial College.  Milwaukee,  and  received  his  diploma.  He  then  engaged  with  Vollmar  &  Semler,  of 
West  Bend,  again,  as  clerk  and  book-keeper;  continued  in  their  employ  one  and  a  half  years;  then,  in 
June,  1864,  he  went  to  California  for  his  health,  and  remained  two  years.  On  his  return  in  August,  1866, 
he  engaged  with  Mann  Bros.,  of  Milwaukee,  as  clerk,  and  continued  in  their  employ  four  years ;  he 
then  started  a  general  store  at  West  Bend  ;  shortly  afterward,  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  J.  Hotter 
and  Thomas  McHenry,  and  the  business  was  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of  Potter,  Heipp  &  McHeury, 
about  a  year  and  a  half,  when  he  retired  from  the  business  and  engaged  as  clerk  with  John  Pick  &  Sons, 
which  connection  was  continued  four  years;  in  1877,  he  opened  a  sample-room  at  West  Bend,  and  has 
continued  the  business  till  September  13,  1SS1,  when  he  accepted  his  present  position.  Mr.  Heipp  was  mar- 
ried, March  16,  1869,  at  West  Bend,  to  Miss  Louisa  Weis,  daughter  of  Mathias  Weis  ;  Mrs.  Heipp  was 
born  at  West  Beud  ;  they  have  two  sons  and  two  daughters — -Albert,  Alvina,  Isabella  and  Frederick.  Mr. 
H.  served  as  Clerk  of  the  village  of  West  Bend  in  1877. 

CHARLES  E.  HOPPE,  farmer,  proprietor  of  saw-mili,  and  part  owner  of  the  West  Bend 
Scheutzen  Park  ;  residence,  Sec.  15  :  P.  O.  West  Bend  ;  has  128  acres  of  land.  He  is  the  son  of  Frederick 
ami  Mary  Hoppe  ;  born  in  Mecklenburg.  Germany,  Dec.  19, 1835  ;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  184S, 
and  located  on  his  present  homestead.  His  father,  Frederick  Hoppe.  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Washington 
Co.,  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  Sept.  21,  1805  ;  his  wife,  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
Mrs.  Mary  Graap  ;  previous  to  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Hoppe,  they  reached  West  Bend  July  3, 184S,  and  set- 


562  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

tied  on  willd  and,  and  two  years  later,  Mr.  Hoppe  built  a  saw-mill  on  Silver  Creek  near  his  house, on  t'.ie  north- 
west quarter  of  See.  15  ;  there  were  then  two  children  living — the  eldest,  now  the  widow  of  Charles  Kichter; 
resides  at  West  Bend,  and  the  second.  Charles  F.  Mr.  Hoppe.  Sr.,died  Nov.  16,  1865.  In  1S67,  Charles 
F.  rebuilt  the  saw-mill  which  was  first  built  by  his  father,  and  the  mill  has  at  present  a  capacity  of  5,000 
fee)  of  hardwood  lumber  per  day,  and  in  it  one  of  the  largest  of  circular  saws  is  used.  A  description  of 
Schoutzen  Park  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  West  Bend.  Mr.  Hoppe  was  married  June  13,  1873,  at 
West  Bend,  to  Miss  Lizzie  Gudex,  daughter  of  John  and  Mena  Gudex,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bar- 
ton. Washington  Co.;  they  have  had  four  children — Mena,  Albert  (who  died  in  infancy),  Willie  and  Charles. 

<iiFiOK<»K  F.  HUNT,  M.  D.,  son  of  Harvey  and  Mary  (  Brown)  Hunt;  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Nichols,  Tioga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  24.  1831.  He  received  an  academic  course  of  education  at  the 
Oswego  Academy  ;  became  a  medical  student  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  New  Fork  City. 
from  which  he  received  his  diploma  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  in  1856.  Soon  after  the  completion  of  his 
Studies,  he  immigrated  West,  and  first  settled  in  Cambria,  Columbia  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  remaining  there  some  three  and  one-half  years.  In  1860,  he  removed  to  Wash- 
ington Co.,  first  billing  in  Barton  for  a  few  months.  He  came  to  West  Bend  in  October,  1861,  where 
he  has  continued  to  reside  to  the  present  time.  For  twenty-one  years,  almost  his  entire  life  of  business 
activity  has  been  spent  in  West  Bend.  During  that  time,  he  has  shown  rare  diligence  and  faithfulness  to 
the  duties  of  his  profession,  ami  lias  attained  to  a  high  rank  as  a  skillful  and  conscientious  physician 
throughout  the  county.  He  has  taken  a  warm  interest  and  an  active  part  in  the  political  and  public  affairs 
of  the  town  and  county,  and  has  conferred  upon  him  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  many  offices  of  trust  and 
honor.  He  was  President  of  the  Rock  River  Medical  Society  one  year,  served  as  Pension  Surgeon  in 
1864-65;  was  Postmaster  at  West  Bend  from  1  Sljit  to  1877  ;  Served  as  President  of  the  Village  Board  in 
18711  SO,  and  was  elected  Slate  Senator  in  1880  lor  the  Twenty-third  Senatorial  District,  comprising  the 
counties  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee,  Mr.  Hunt  was  married  at  Newberg  Oct.  :io.  1865.  to  Miss  Annie 
E.  Salisbury,  daughter  of  Barton  and  Armina  (Litch  |  Salisbury.  Mis.  Hunt  is  a  native  of  ( )ld  Washington 
Co.  She  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  where  her  father,  the  most  vigorous  and  enterprising  of  all  the 
early  settlers,  settled  at  an  early  day.     They  have  one  son — Frederick. 

i:i    IMH.riS    JEKLIN,  farmer.   Sec.  '-'7  ;    P.  O.  West     Bend  ;   has  210  acres  of  land  ;    son  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Fridli )  Jeklin  ;  was  born  in  Switzerland  Dee.  24,  1832  :  came  to  America  with  bis  lather 
in  1847.  and  located  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  Washington  Co.;   was  married,  Nov.  2.  1855,  in  Wot  Bend 
to  Anna   Besch,  daughter  of   Peter  and  Anna  Besch  :  they  have  live  children — Anna,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Sehla 
mer,  of  Jackson  ;    Margaret,  now  Mrs.  John  Jekel,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend;  Peter,  John,  Catharine. 

Mr.  Jeklin  has  made  bis  hom i  his  present  farm  since  1854.      Mr.  Jeklin's  fuller.  John  Jekliu,  deceased, 

was  tie-  son  of  Rudolph  Jeklin,  and  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  1801.       He  was  married  in  his  native 
country  to  Margaret   Fridli;   three  sons  were  born  to  them  in  Switzerland  —  Rudolph,  Christian  and  Louie 
The  mother  died  in  is  47.  and  shortly  afterward  Mr.  Jeklin  ami  hi-  son-  came  to  Wise  msin  and  located  m 
the  town  of  West   B  ind  on  Sec.  22.       Mr.  Jekliu  lived  to  see  a  well  cultivated  firm  grow  out  of  the  wildor- 

n<~-  by  the  united  efforts  of  himself  and  sons;  his  death  occurred  in  1875. 

itl', V.IAMIX  JKKFilj,  deceased;  was  bom  in  Prussia  Jan.  10,  1810;  came  to  America  in 
1847,  and  directly  to  the  town  of  West   Bend,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  where  In;  looated  on  Sec.  28,  on 

wild  land.  lie  wa-  married,  in  1852,  to  Miss  Lena  Arnet . ;  six  children  were  born  to  them  —  Anna,  now 
Mr-.  Peter  Helgel,  of  West  Bend  ;  John,  married  to  Margiret  Jeklin.  and  residing  in  the  town  of  We-t 
Bend;  Margaret,  wife  of  Adam  Baer,  town  of  West  Bend;  Lizzie.  Caroline  and  Catharine.  Mr.  Jekel 
was  one  of  the  earliest  German   pioneers  of  tin'  town  .    Ins  death   occurred  in  March.  1880. 

\\  ll.l.l  Vtl  JOHNSON.  Deputy  Postmaster,  and  agent  of  the  American  Express  Co.;  son 
of  David  I',  and  Eliza  i  Clinton  i  Johnson  ;  was  born  in  Scipio,  Cayuga  Co..  N.  Y.,  Feb.  27,  1817;  learned 

the  carper-weaver's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  few  ye  irs  ;  next  learned  til ■•  painting  business  and  opened 
a  -hop  which  be  ran  some   year-.       He  wa-    married  in  the    town   of  Cambria,    Niagara  Co  .  in   1835,  when 

tee  quite  18  years  of  age,  to  Mi--  Nancy  E.  Wicker;  one  child  wa-  born  to  them  —  William  3., deceased. 
Mrs  Johnson  died  in  1848.     Mr.  Johnson  was  mirried  again  in  1849,  to  Miss  Mary  E  Clioe ;  two  sons 

and  one  daughter  Were  fun  of  this   marriage  —  Frank    M.,  who  is  now  expro-s   agenl   at  New  Cassel.  Wis  ; 

James  lv.  and  Kinmi.  now  residing  in  Michigan  Mr.  J.  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1852,  and  settled  at  Ke- 
Waskum;  while  here  I   ■  picked  up  a  knowledge  of  chair- iii -iking  from  his  brother,  and  manufactured  the  tir-t 

chairs  in  tlewaskum ;  continued  at  this  business  some  time  in  com tioo  with  farming,  paying  in  chairs 

lot  clearing  and  improving  bis  land.  He  served  three  terms  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  while  in  this 
pi  i'e  be  lost  bi-  wife,  who  ded  May  6,  L856;  after  a  residenoe  of  -even  or  eight  years  at  Cewasknm,  be 
moved  to  Newburg    where  he  was   married  to  Ellen   Scott;   three  children  were   born  to  them — George  S., 


WEST   BEND.  563 

now  of  Milwaukee  ;  Nettie  and  Frederick,  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Johoson  died  while  here.  Mr.  J.  served 
one  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  resided  at  Newbury  two  years  ;  then  came  to  West  Bend  in  the 
fall  of  1862  and  engaged  as  proprietor  of  the  American  House,  which  he  kept  one  year.  He  then  re- 
sumed his  old  trade  of  painter,  which  he  followed  till  the  completion  of  the  C.  &  N.-W.  R.  R.  to  this  place 
in  1872,  when  he  was  appointed  agent  of  the  American  Express  Co.,  and  about  the  same  time  he  received 
the  appointment  of  Deputy  Postmaster  of  West  Bend  under  Postmaster  Hunt;  the  latter  office  he  held  four 
years;  continuing  as  express  agent,  he  was  re-appointed  Deputy  Postmaster  Jan.  1,  1880,  which  position 
he  hulds  at  this  writing.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  at  West  Bend,  Feb.  3,  1871,  to  Mrs.  Abigail  Everly. 
widow  of  Frank  Everly,  and  daughter  of  M.  A.  T.  and  Mary  Farmer,  who  were  the  very  earliest  pioneers 
of  West  Bend.      Mr.  Johnson  has  served  two  terms  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  while  a  resident  of  this  place. 

JACOB  JUXlw,  of  the  firm  of  Silberzahn  &  Jung,  was  born  in  Prussia,  near  Coblentz,  April 
t),  1848;  son  of  Christopher  and  Christine  (Rauseh )  Jung.  Jacob  learned  the  machinist's  and  rudder's 
trade  in  his  native  country;  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  October,  1867  ;  came  directly  to  Fond  du 
Lac,  Wis.,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  with  Hiner  &  White  two  years;  he  then  moved  to  Milwaukee, 
and  remained  working  at  his  trade  until  December,  1873,  when  he  moved  to  West  Bend  and  bought  an 
interest  in  the  West  Bend  Foundry  and  Machine  Shop,  with  Mr.  John  Kunz  ;  this  connection  lasted  one 
year,  when  Mr.  K.  sold  to  Mr.  Heubner,  who  was  Mr.  Jung's  partner  two  years,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr. 
J.,  who  then  carried  on  the  business  alone  until  he  formed  the  existing  partnership  with  Mr.  Silberzahn. 
Mr.  Jung  was  married,  at  Germantown,  Wis.,  Oct.  0,  1872,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Plump,  daughter  of  Nicho- 
las and  Margaret  Rhine  Ganz  Plump.  Five  children  were  born  to  them — William.  Julia.  Jacob.  Henry 
and  John. 

CHARLES  W.  KARSTEN,  of  the  firm  of  Franctenburg  &  Karsten  ;  son  of  Charles  and 
Louisa  i  Kahlj  Karsten;  was  born  in  Bruel  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Germany,  Dec.  21,  1S43  ;  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1856,  with  his  parents,  and  direct  to  West  Bend,  Wis.;  spent  three  years  in  school 
and  fanning,  then  learned  the  mason's  trade  which  he  worked  at  three  years,  when  he  enlisted  Aug.  13, 
1862,  in  Co.  G,  26th  W.  V.  I.;  was  promoted  until  he  received  a  First  Lieutenant's  commission,  and 
served  until  Feb.  7,  1865.  On  his  return  from  the  army,  he  attended  Liucoln's  Commercial  College  at 
Milwaukee  one  term,  then  resumed  work  at  his  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1873,  when  he  entered  into 
the  existing  partnership  with  Mr.  William  Franckenberg.  Mr.  Karsten  was  married,  Oct.  23,  1867,  at 
West  Bend,  to  Miss  Wilhelmina  Treichel.  daughter  of  Carl  and  Henriette  (Kurth )  Treicliel.  Mrs.  Karsten 
was  born  in  Frieglaff,  Pomerania,  Germany.  They  have  three  children — Anna  M.,  Adolph  C.  and  Martha 
F.      Mr.  Karsten  has  been  Treasurer  of  the  West  Bend  Schools  for  three  years. 

OR.  SEBASTIAN  KELLER,  son  of  Conrad  and  Anna  Mary  Keller;  was  boru  in  Bavaria, 
Germany,  Jan.  22, 1830  ;  studied  for  his  profession  in  the  Julius  Medical  University  and  Hospital,  at  Wirz- 
burg ;  completed  his  course  and  received  his  diploma  in  1854  ;  practiced  one  year  in  his  native  country,  and, 
in  1855,  came  to  the  United  States,  and  directly  to  Barton,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  arriving  in  October  of 
that  year;  there  he  established  himself  in  practice,  and  continued  in  that  place  until  1862,  when  he  re- 
moved to  West  Bend,  his  present  residence,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession.  The  Doctor 
was  married,  at  Barton,  April  27,  1865,  to  Mrs.  Mary  Lauer,  widow  of  Wtnzel  Lauer  and  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Wingender  Wilhelmine  ( Johannette)  Seibel.  Mrs.  Keller  was  born  at  Nassau,  Germany.  Mrs. 
Keller  has  one  son  by  her  former  marriage  — Florian  Lauer — who  was  married  to  Lizzie  Kreiger,  and  now 
a  resident  of  Nebraska.  Five  children  were  born  of  the  present  marriage — Emma,  now  Mrs.  Otto  F. 
Wilke,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska  ;  Richard,  who  died  when  5  years  of  age  ;  Robert,  Walter  and  Selma. 
Dr.  Keller  has  held  the  position  of  physician  to  the  county  poor  for  ten  years. 

HON.  IwEORWE  H.  KLEFELER,  attorney  at  law  and  Court  Commissioner;  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Rothenburg,  of  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  June  22,  1826  ;  was  educated  at  the  University  of 
Marburg,  Hesse-Cassel ;  after  a  three-years  course  he  received  a  diploma  as  surgeon.  In  the  summer  of 
18  16.  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York  ;  remained  only  a  short  time  in  that  city,  wheu  he 
moved  to  Newburg  :  from  the  latter  place  he  enlisted  in  the  regular  army,  in  the  8th  Regular  Infantry,  and 
served  in  the  Mexican  war  under  Gen.  Worth  ;  toward  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  assigned  to  hospital 
duty  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Jefferson 
Barracks.  Mo.,  August,  1848.  He  then  went  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr. 
Luening  iu  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  ;  continued  this  connection  about  a  year ;  he  then  spent 
some  time  traveling,  and,  in  1851 .  located  at  Barton,  Washington  Co.,  where  he  practiced  medicine  two 
years;  in  1852.  he  served  as  Town  Clerk  of  Barton;  December,  1853.  when,  having  been  appointed 
Deputy  County  Treasurer,  he  moved  to  West  Bend  ;  served  in  that  capacity  till  1855,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed Deputy  Register  of  Deeds,  which  position  he  held  two  years  ;  in  May,  1857,  he  was  elected  Clerk 


564  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

of  the  Circuit  Court ;  was  re-elected  and  held  that  office  continuously  until  1865  ;  daring  this  time  he  was 
also  serving  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  having  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  law  daring  his  leisure  from 
official  duties,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1805;  was  re-elected  Clerk  of  the  Court  in  18(57. 
and  served  two  years;  in  1868.  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Legislature  from  the  Northern  District  of 
Washington  Co.;  at  the  general  election  of  1868,  he  was  elected  District  Attorney,  and  re-elected,  serving 
in  all  six  vears  in  that  position  :  he  has  since  held  the  office  of  C  mrt  Commissioner,  and  that  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace;  in  1870,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  village  of  West  Bend;  was  Supervisor  in  1S77, 
and  served  six  years  as  School  Clerk.  The  Doctor  was  married,  at  the  village  of  Barton,  Feb.  15.  1852, 
to  Miss  Louisa  Seitner,  daughter  of  Hans  and  Maria  Seitner.  Mrs.  Kleffler  was  born  at  Pwegallen, 
Prussia.  They  have  had  sis  children,  of  whom  four  are  living — Camilla,  now  Mrs.  Theodore  Thielges,  of 
West  Bend;  Catinka,  now  Mrs.  Edward  Lucas,  of  Milwaukee;  Jefferson  C.,  night  telegraph  operator  of 
W.  C.  R.  R.;  Lotte  A.;  one  died  in  infancy;   Charles  M.  died  when  18  years  of  age. 

JOSEPH  KNIPPEL,,  merchant  tailor;  business  established,  in  1866,  by  his  father.  The 
Bubject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cleveland.  Ohio,  Nov.:;.  L848;  son  of  Nicholas  and  Catharine  Knippel. 
In  1  350,  the  family  moved  to  the  town  of  Wayne,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  whore  they  settled  on  a  farm. 
In  Hill,  moved  to  Milwaukee  and  remained  one  year;  in  1865.  they  came  to  West  Bend,  where  father 
and  son  engaged  with  Volmar  &  Sender  on  tailor  work,  and  continued  in  their  employ  two  years ;  in 
1SIJ7.  they  opened  a  shop  :is  merchant  tailors,  under  the  firm  name  of  Nicholas  Knippel  &  Son.  and  con- 
tinued  the  business  till  May,  1881,  when  Mr.  X.  Knippel  retired,  since  which  lime  Mr.  Joseph  Knippel 
has  carried  on  the  business  alone.  Mr.  K.  was  married,  at  West  Bend,  April  2(1,  1^7  1.  to  Mis-  Catharine 
Emboss,  daughter  of  Peter  Eridress  ;  they  have  four  children — Clotilda,  Edward.  John  and  Joseph- 

Iil'diO  IiOE^fEX,  Register  of  Deeds  of  Washington  County  ;  son  of  Carl  and  Julia  Koeneti 
wa<  born  in  Aix  La  Chapelle.  Prussia.  Dec.  31,  1830;  received  an  academic  education,  graduating  at  the 
Academy  of  Eohenheim  ;  in  1854,  he  emigrated  to  the  [Tnited  States,  and  located  in  Milwaukee,  where 
he  remained  one  year.  Was  married  in  that  city.  Oct.  '.'.',  1855,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schneider,  daughter  of 
Joseph  ami  Margaretha  >  Doll  i  Schneider  ;  immediately  after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Addi- 
son, Washington  Co..  and  engaged  in  farming;  he  was  elected  Assessor  of  Ins  town,  ami  re-elected  fifteen 
nun-;  he  also  served  several  years  as  Constable  and  Deputy  Sheriff;  he  held  tin-  office  of  Sheriff  three 
different  times,  while  in  the  intervals  he  was  acting  as  Assessor  and  Notary  Public  ;  iii  the  tall  of  1880, 
he  was  elected  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  years  1SS1-S2;  since  his  last  election  he  has  made  his  home  in 
West  Bend  as  he  did  when  serving  as  Sheriff.  Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs  Koenen,  five  ol 
whom  died  in  infancy  ;  those  living  are  Charles,  Mary.  Anna  icw  Mrs  William  Bruhy,  of  Milwaukee 
•  lose)  h,  Anna  ( '.  and  Emil. 

J.  It.  KOII  I.SIMMir.  miller;  proprietor  of  J.  It.  Kohlsdorfs  mills,  situated  on  the  Mil- 
waukee River,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Sec.  Li.  town  of  West  Bend  ;  these  mills  were  began  in  1874, 
and  completed  in  1875;  size.  16x52  feci,  three  and  a  half  stories  high;  has  three  runs  of  stone  and  a 
grinding  capacity  of  sixty  barrels  of  flour  per  day  ;  does  a  general  custom  and  milling  business  :  the  dam  has 
been  entirely  destroyed  by  the  recent  flood  of  tin  spring  of  issi  ;  a  temporary  dam  has  been  built,  and  (he 
mill  put  in  operation  ;  a  new  substantial  dam  is  being  erected  in  place  of  the  one  destroyed  .  the  power  is 
ale  i  in  la  nt.  tie-  head  being  seven  feet,  and  the  right  of  flowage  covering  160  aores.  Mr.  Kohlsdorf  is  a  native 
of  Breslau,  Prussia;  born  Dec.  27.  1815 ;  learned  the  trade  of  practical  millwright  and  engineer  and  miller  in 
his  native  country.     Was  married,  in  the  Bpring  of  1848,  to  Miss  Bertha   Fliegel,  daughter  of  John  and 

Anna  Fliegel.  Mr.-.  Kohlsdorf  is  a  native  of  Prussia;  in  1853,  -Mr.  Kohlsdorf  and  family  came  to 
America,    and    direct    to    Washington    Co.,   .-pent    a  short    time    in    Hartford    working   at    his   trade,    then 

went  to  Minnesota  and  followed  the  business  of  millwright  two  years    he  ift ut I   to   Hartford  ill  1  <.">7 

and  worked  at  In-  trade  nil  the  Bummer  of  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E.  lihh  W.  V.  I.;  entering  the 

army  a-  a  first  Lieutenant,  he  Was  promoted  to  the  Captaincy  of  the  same  company;  served  till  1863, 
when  lie  resigned  to  go  to  Europe  to  settle  up  some  business  that  required  his  personal  attention  ;  taking 
his  family  with  him.  he  spent  six  years  in  Europe,  hut  retained  the  citizenship  of  his  adopted  country;  in 
L869,  lie  returned  with  his  family  lo  the  Ignited  States  and  made  his  home  in  Milwaukee.  Wis.;  in  lv7n 
he  moved  to  We-t  Bend  ami  bought  the  farm  owned  and  occupied  by  Judge  Mann,  now  of  Milwaukee, 
where  he  ha-  continued  to  reside  to  this  writing  ;  in  1  S72,  he  purchased  the  mill  privilege  and  old  saw-mill 
!0.  13,  and,  in  1874,  he  began  the  erection  of  'lie  Kohlsdorf  Mill-,  as  given  at  the  head  of  this 
sketch.      Mr.  and  Mr.-.   Kohlsdorf  have  four  children  —  Robert  <  married  to  Sophia  (jesslcr.  and  residing  at 

Milwaukee),  Han-  (married  to  Anna  Arzbacher,  ami  a  resident  of  the  town  of  West  Bend),  Man  I.  at 
home  i  and  Frank,  who  is  agent  of  the  Silver  Springs  Station,  Chicago  &  North  Western   Railway. 


WEST   BEND.  565 

VEIT  KOHOUT,  Jr.,  gunsmith  and  locksmith,  son  of  Veit  and  Dorothea  Kohout;  was  born 
in  Bohemia  June  15,  1S50  ;  came  to  the  United  States,  and  directly  to  Fond  du  Lac,  in  186G  ;  having  par- 
tially learned  the  gunsmith  trade  before  leaving  his  native  land,  he  resumed  the  business  in  this  country  ; 
April  15,  1867,  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  engaged  with  Mr.  Charles  Heberlein,  gunsmith,  with  whom  he 
worked  sis  months  ;  he  then  went  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  one  year ;  he  then  returned 
to  West  Bend  and  resumed  work  with  Mr.  Heberlein  ;  continued  in  his  employ  to  the  time  of  his  acci- 
dental death  bv  drowning  in  the  mill-race;  he  then  remained  in  Mrs.  Heberlein's  employ  about  a  year  and 
a  half  (1871),  when  he  bought  out  the  shop,  and  has  been  in  busiuess  at  the  same  stand  ever  since.  He 
■was  married  at  West  Bend,  May  6,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  Stehula,  daughter  of  Frank  Stehula.  Mrs.  Ko- 
hout was  born  in  Bohemia;  they  have  four  children — Edward,  Mary,  Anna  and  one  daughter  unnamed. 

J.  V.  KOHOUT,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  Havana  and  domestic  cigars;  bu^ness  estab- 
lished in  1872.  Two  of  the  best  brands  made  are  "  Regal  Crown"  and  "Laureate,"  while  two  of  the 
common  brands  are  "All  Right"  and  "  A  1."  About  200,000  cigars  are  manufactured  annually.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Bohemia  on  June  15,  1827  ;  was  a  farmer;  came  to  America  in  1871, 
and  directly  to  West  Bend,  Wis.  The  following  year  he  started  in  his  present  business.  He  was  married 
in  Bohemia  previous  to  coming  to  this  country,  Sept.  24,  1847,  to  Dorothea  Valejeck.  They  had  four- 
teen children,  of  whom  only  six  are  living — Veit,  Annie  (now  Mrs.  John  Eckstein,  of  West  Bend),  Joseph, 
Mary,  Barbara  and  Wenzel. 

'HENRY  KRIEGER,  saddler  and  harness-maker;  business  established  in  1874;  average 
stock,  81,000.  Mr.  Krieger  was  born  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  Nov.  6,  1853,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Elizabeth  (  Wheinheiner)  Krieger.  When  he  was  2  years  old,  the  family  moved  to  the  town  of  Polk, 
Washington  Co.,  where  they  lived  four  years,  then  went  to  Walworth  Co.;  remained  three  years,  and  then 
returned  to  Washington  Co.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  when  13  years  old,  began  learning  the  harness- 
maker's  trade  ;  served  two  and  a  half  years  at  Hartford;  then  worked  as  a  journeyman  nine  years,  in 
Wisconsin,  New  York  and  Canada.  Iu  1874  he  started  his  shop  in  West  Bend,  starting  in  a  small  way; 
he  has  increased  his  business,  till  at  this  date  he  has  one  of  the  best  stocks  in  the  county.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  Milwaukee,  Jan.  19,  1876,  to  Miss  Mary  Roggenbauer,  daughter  of  Silas  Roggenbauer.  Mrs.  K. 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Herman,  Dodge  Co.,  Wis.  They  have  one  child,  Florence.  Mr.  Krieger  was 
elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of  West  Bend  for  the  year  1881. 

ADAM  KUEHLTHAU,  proprietor  Eagle  Brewery.  The  original  building  was  built  by 
i  Chris  Eckstein  about  1856,  and  subsequently  sold  to  Adolph  Arzbacher,  who  conducted  the  business 
until  1873,  when  he  leased  it  to  Kuehlthau  &  Johnson  for  five  years;  during  this  time  the  brewery  was 
enlarged  and  improved.  Jan.  18,  1879,  the  establishment  was  sold  at  Sheriff's  sale,  and  bought  by  Charles 
Fleischmann,  and  sold  the  same  day  by  him  to  its  present  owner,  Adam  Kuehlthau.  The  brewery,  at 
this  writing,  is  120  feet  in  length  by  60  feet  in  width,  two  and  a  half  stories  high  in  part,  and  another 
portion  one-story.  In  1880,  a  new  ten-horse-power  engine  was  put  in,  with  boiler  capacity  for  one  of 
twenty-horse-power.  The  number  of  men  employed  average  six.  About  2,000  barrels  of  beer  are  man- 
ufactured annually.  Mr.  Kuehlthau  was  born  in  Erie,  Penn.,  May  17,  1840;  son  of  Frederick  Kuehl- 
thau; when  6  years  of  age  he  came  to  Germantown,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  learned  the  brewer's 
trade  ;  next  worked  seven  or  eight  years  in  Milwaukee  at  the  same  business.  From  Milwaukee  he  weut 
to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  one  season ;  from  there  he  went  to  Ohio,  and  engaged  as  a  brakemau 
on  a  railroad  ;  shortly  after  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  three  years.  Was  married 
in  that  city,  Oct.  3,  1865,  to  Alvina  Ninemann  ;  one  son  was  born  to  them  in  Cincinnati,  John  R.  In 
1867,  Mr.  Kuehlthau  returned  to  Milwaukee  with  his  family,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  three  years ; 
one  daughter  was  born  to  them  during  this  time,  which  they  named  Emma,  now  deceased.  In  1870,  Mr. 
K.  moved  to  West  Bend,  and  engaged  with  Mr.  Arzbacher  in  the  Eagle  Brewery,  working  as  an  employe 
till  1873,  when  he  leased  the  brewery,  and  in  1875  purchased  it,  as  previously  stated.  Since  coming  to 
West  Bend  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kuehlthau  have  had  five  children  born  to  them — George,  Bertha,  Adam.  Rosa 
and  Louis. 

G.  A.  KUECHENMEISTER,  of  the  law  firm  of  Barney  &  Kuechenmeister,  of  West 
Bend;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  March  11,  1850;  son  of  Ferdinand 
and  Rosini  (Stoltze)  Kuechenmeister.  His  parents  were  from  Saxony,  Germany,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  the  spring  of  1849,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  of  this  county.  G.  A.  began  his 
education  in  the  district  school,  and  in  1866  went  to  Berea,  Ohio,  where  he  took  a  two  years'  course  in 
the  Baldwin  University.  In  1868,  he  went  to  St.  Charles,  Mo.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  two 
years ;  from  there  he  went  to  Decatur,  111,  and  was  appointed  general  agent  for  the  "  Decatur  Sick  Relief 
Association,"    and  spent  two  years  traveling  in  the  interest  of  that  society,  during  which  time  he  visited 


560 


J5IOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH  ES: 


the  principal  States  of  the  Union.  He  returned  to  Washington  Co.  in  1872,  and  engaged  in  teaching 
music.  In  ISTtJ.  he  began  the  .study  ofc  law  under  the  supervision  of  the  firm  of  Frisby.  Weil  &  Barney, 
pursuing  his  law  studies  while  conducting  his  music  business;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  fall  of  1879; 
December,  1880,  he  formed  the  present  law  partnership  with  Mr.  S.  S.  Barney.  Mr.  K.  was  married 
July  17,  1873,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss  Matilda  Brinker,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Amelia 
Brinker.  Mrs.  Kuechenmeister  was  born  in  Paris,  France.  They  have  three  children — Clara  L.,  Florence 
A.  and  Martha  M. 

STEPHEN  C.  LANG,  farmer  and  Town  Clerk,  Sec.  23;  P.  0.  West  Bend  ;  has  120  acres; 
son  of  Christopher  and  Catharine  (Schield)  Lang;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  Washington  Co., 
Wis.,  Manh  24,  1853.  Was  married  at  West  Bend,  Oct.  18,  1876,  to  Miss  Katie  Bonn,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Bohn.  Mrs.  Lang  was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  with  her  parents  tti  America  in 
1854.  In  1876.  Mr.  Lang  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  took  possession  of  it.  He  was  elected  Town 
Clerk  in  the  spring  of  1880,  and  re-elected  in  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lang  have  two  children,  a  daughter 
and  son — Louisa  G.  and  Edwin  C. 

4wEOR<*E  LEIStwAWii.  proprietor  of  meat  mark. 4  ;  business  established  in  1863.  Mr.  L. 
is  the  son  of  Adam  and  Margaret  (Fischer)  Leisgang  ;  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  Nov.  14,  is:;  I  ; 
came  to  America  in  1840,  and  direct  to  Milwaukee  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  spent  five  years  on  a  farm;  in 
I  351  he  went  to  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  practical  engineer,  remained  three  years, 
and  then  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  1854,  worked  as  engineer  two  years  in  Milwaukee  Co.,  then  engaged  as 
fireman  on  the  M.  &  La  ('.  1!.  1!.,  served  three  months,  when  he  was  set  up  as  engineer;  continued  on  this 
line  only  a  few  months,  when  he  came  to  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  and  engaged  as  engineer  in  a  grist- 
mill  where  he  remained  three  years  ;  he  then  went  to  La  Crosse,  there  worked  two  years  as  engineer  and 
machinist  in  the  threshing-machine  works ;  he  then  returned  to  Washington  Co.,  and  lived  at  Barton 
about  a  year,  when  he  moved  to  West  Bend  and  engaged  in  the  meat  market  business  in  1863,  and  has 
Continued  it  to  this  writing.  Mr.  L.  was  married  at  Hartford,  Wis.,  Dee.  4.  18(i2,  to  Miss  Anna  Krieger. 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Anna  (Leeks)  Krieger.  Mrs.  L.  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  Eleven  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  of  whom  nine  are  living — Anna,  Emma.  Rosa,  Louisa,  Hermina.  Laura.  Katie, 
George  and  Frederick  ;  two  were  lost  in  infancy.  Mr.  Leisgang  has  been  a  member  of  the  Village  Hoard 
of  Trustees  five  years,  for  West   Bend. 

ii  I  '.OIS(»  E    LEIIIiE.    merchant,    dealer   in    general   merchandise;    son    of  Ernst    and    Anna 

Leders)    Lemke;    was  born  at   West    Bend,  Wis.,  Jan.  :i,  l>tlO;  received  a  common. school  education; 

spent  three  years  as  clerk  for  Henry  Schoellkopf,  of  Chicago.     May  1.  \~~~i'1.  when  only  19  years  of  age, 

he  started  in  business  for  himself  at  West  Bend,  Wis.,  as  a  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  on  a  strictly 

cash  plan;   though  warned   by  older  heads  that    he  could  not  BUC( I   in  trade  without  giving  some  credit, 

he  lias  adhered  closely  to  bis  plan,  and  is  well  satisfied  with  his  Success;  he  carries  an  average  stock  ol 
$4,000.  Mr.  Lemke's  parents  came  to  Wisconsin  from  Germany  in  1  s52,  spent  one  year  in  .New  Fork, 
and  then  came  to  West  Bend  in  1853  ;  they  bave  accumulated  a  large  property. 

HEXRY  EE.MKE.  proprietor  of  billiard  and  sample  rooms;  son  of  Knot  and  Anna  (Led 
Lemke;  was  born  in  the  city  of  Wittenburg,  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  Sept.  II,  1st:',;  came  with  bis 
parents  to  the  United  States  in  1850  ;  Bpi  nt  one  year  in  New  York  City,  then  came  to  West  Bend,  Wis.; 
learned  the  mason's  trade,  and,  in  1863,  wenl  to  California;  spent  two  years  in  Sacramento  and  San 
Francisco  and  vicinity,  working  at  bis  trade;  he  then  returned  to  West  Bend  ami  formed  a  partnership 
with  bis  father  in  the  mason  business ;  among  the  many  buildings  i  re<  ted  1>\  thi  m  is  the  Catholic  Church 
at  this  place.  He  was  married.  Oct.  3,  1868,  to  Miss  Wilbelmine  Mathias, daughter  of  Rudolph  Mathias. 
They  have  sis  children  Phillipine,  Bertha  (deceased),  Clara,  Oscar,  Rudolph  and  Alma.  In  the  spring 
of  1871,  Mr.  Lemke  was  engaged  in  the  building  of  the  Northern  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  at  Oshkosh. 
In  November,  1  871 .  right  alter  the  great  Chicago  fire,  be  went  to  that  city,  spent  four  years  in  helping  to 

rebuild  it  ;    he  then    went  to  Milwaukee    ami  Worked    tit  his  trade    until   1878,  when    he    returned    to  West 

Bend.  In  September  of  that  year,  he  met  with  an  accident  while  at  work,  by  which  he  broke  hi,- leg, 
which  caused  a  permanent  disability,  unfitting  him  for  active  duty.     In  the  spring  of  1880,  he  opened  the 

billiard  and  Bample  r is  which  he  is  now  keeping.     Mr.  I,,  ha-  Berved   one  term  as  Village  Treasurer 

of  W.-t  Bend. 

MH  IS  lil'CAS.  farmer  and  cranberry  grower;  residence,  Sic.  22  ;  was  born  in  tin-  south  of 
France  Dec.  I  I.  L820  ;  learned  the  trade  of  coppersmith  ami  machinist.  Was  married,  Aug.  26,  1846, 
in  his  native  province-,  to  \li--  Eulalie  Biohea;  three  children  were  born  tn  them  in  Franc* — the  eldest, 
Mary,  lived  to  he  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  young  lady ;  Bhe died  in  America  in  1*7H;  the  second, 

Edward,  died    in  infancy;    the  third.   Henry,  is  now  a    resident  of    Apphton,  Wis.      Mr.   Lucas  and    family 


WEST   BEND.  567 

moved  the  United  States  in  1852,  coming  directly  to  West  Bend,  Wis.;  here  he  opened  a  tin  and  cop- 
persmith shop,  which  business  he  followed  till  1859,  when  he  built  the  West  Bend  Foundry  and  Machine- 
shop ;  about  1868,  he  purchaspd  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  but  continued  in  the  foundry  business 
until  1873,  when  he  sold  to  Mr.  Jacob  Jung ;  after  coming  to  West  Bend,  two  children  were  born — the  eldest, 
Edward,  named  after  his  deceased  brother,  is  a  resident  of  Milwaukee,  the  youngest,  Louis,  is  dead.  Mr. 
L.  lost  his  wife  in  1873  ;  it  was  after  the  death  of  his  wife  that  he  sold  the  foundry,  and  for  some  years 
did  not  follow  any  established  business  ;  in  April,  1880,  he  began  the  improvement  of  the  marsh  on  his 
farm,  on  Sec.  22,  with  a  view  to  the  cultivation  of  cranberries  ;  having  about  40  acres  available  and  clear 
of  timber,  which  he  can  flood  at  will  by  damming  Silver  Creek  ;  he  has  nearly  two  acres  planted,  and  three 
more  ready  to  receive  the  vines;  judging  from  the  thrifty  appearance  of  the  vines  now  planted,  and  the 
thorough  manner  in  which  the  ground  is  being  improved,  he  is  likely  to  make  the  enterprise  a  success. 
In  18(31,  Mr.  Lucas  was  commissioned,  by  Gov.  Solomon,  as  a  Captain  of  militia,  and  has  held  the  com- 
mission to  this  writing;  he  served  two  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  West  Bend,  and  one  year  as  Vil- 
lage Clerk  ;  since  September,  1880,  he  has  made  his  home  on  his  farm  ;  he  has  a  large  and  valuable  min- 
eral spring  on  his  place,  of  which  an  account  is  given  in  the  history  of  the  town. 

D.  W.  LiYBfCH,  physician  and  surgeon  ;  son  of  John  and  Catharine  Lynch  ;  was  born  in  Cedar- 
burg,  Washington  Co.,  Nov.  15,  1848.  After  attending  the  common  school,  he  spent  two  years  as  a 
student  of  the  State  University  at  Madison  ;  then  took  a  regular  course  at  the  Medical  College  of  Chicago, 
receiving  his  diploma  in  1875,  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Richfield,  Wis.  Con- 
tinued in  practice  there  till  April  1,  1880,  when  he  went  to  Europe  ;  traveled  in  Germany,  France,  England 
and  Ireland,  returning  in  September  of  that  year.  He  came  to  West  Bend,  and  established  himself  in  his 
profession.  In  the  short  space  of  sis  months,  he  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  lucrative  practice,  which 
is  the  best  guarantee  of  his  skill  and  success  as  a  physician.  The  Doctor  was  married  at  Philadelphia 
Aug.  23,  1876,  during  the  Centennial  Exposition,  to  Miss  Rosalie  Meyer,  daughter  of  Herman  and  Racdel 
(Doyle)  Meyer.  Mrs.  Lynch  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  They  have  three  children — John  F.,  Daniel 
W.  and  a  daughter  unnamed. 

THOMAS  McHESfRY,  druggist ;  does  a  general  drug  and  book  business  ;  house  established 
in  West  Bend  in  1874.  Mr.  McH.  is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Canfield)  McHenry  ;  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Clayton,  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  17,  1845  ;  came  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  Octobi  r, 
1846.  The  family  located  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  Washington  Co. ;  he  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  19  years  of  age,  when  he  left  home  to  attend  the  Eastman's 
National  Business  College  at  Chicago,  111. ;  then  attended  the  State  Normal  School,  at  Whitewater,  where 
he  was  a  student  two  years.  While  pursuing  his  studies,  he  gave  special  attention  to  the  studies  of 
chemistry,  botany  and  physiology,  with  a  view  of  fitting  himself  for  the  business  in  which  he  is  now  en- 
gaged. After  completing  his  studies,  he  taught  school  several  terms,  and,  in  1874,  went  to  Milwaukee 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  Schorse ;  continued  with  the  Doctor  as  clerk  and  student  until  his 
course  was  completed,  when  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  established  his  present  business.  Mr.  McHenry 
was  married  at  West  Bend,  April  26,  1879,  to  Miss  Emma  Arzbacher,  daughter  of  Dr.  G.  Arabacher. 
Mrs.  McHenry  was  born  at  West  Bend.     They  have  one  child,  a  daughter  named  Avis. 

.IOH\  MAY,  farmer,  Sec.  16  ;  P.  0.  West  Bend  ;  has  180  acres  of  land  ;  settled  in  the  county 
in  1S54;  was  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Griss)  May;  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  March 
14,  1817;  came  to  America,  with  his  father,  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Portage  Co.,  Ohio,  where  he  con- 
tinued his  residence  till  1854,  when,  with  his  family,  he  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  located  on 
wild  land  on  the  site  of  his  present  farm.  His  nearest  neighbor  on  the  south  was  seven  miles  distant,  and 
the  nearest  to  the  northeast  was  one  and  a  quarter  miles  away.  Mr.  May  was  married,  Jan.  22,  1847,  to 
Barbara  Bausch,  daughter  of  Max  and  Catherine  (Rideruian)  Bausch,  who  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany. 
They  have  nine  children — Magdalena,  ivife  of  Lawrence  Eli,  of  Trenton ;  Barbara,  now  Mrs.  Louis 
Spahnheimer,  of  the  town  of  Polk  ;  John,  married  to  Mary  Spahnheimer,  and  resides  in  Door  Co.,  Wis.  ; 
Katie,  now  Mrs.  William  Lombart,  of  Chicago;   Adam,  Annie,  Sophia,  Louisa  and   Mary,  still  at  home. 

STEPHEX  MAYER,  deceased;  was  born  in  Rhineland,  Germany,  March  15,  1818;  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1845;  spent  one  year  in  New  Orleans,  and  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  located 
at  Germantown,  Washington  Co.,  on  wild  land.  Was  married,  June  27,  1847,  at  Germantown,  to  Miss 
Mary  Kastler,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Eva  (Casper)  Kastler.  Mrs.  Mayer  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  the  United  States,  with  her  parents,  in  1840.  On  reaching  Chicago,  her  family  remained  a  few 
weeks  in  that  place;  Mr.  Kastler  hearing  of  the  proposed  Milwaukee  Canal,  he  supplied  himself  with  a 
large  outfit  of  tools  and  necessaries  for  contract  work,  and  moved  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  September,  1840. 
Here  he  was  disappointed  at  finding  the   canal  project  only  a  speculating  scheme,  and  after  remaining  a 


06S  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

year,  and  sustaining  a  heavy  1  iss  on  his  investment,  he  moved  to  Germantown,  Washington  Co.,  in  the 
spring  of  1841,  and  located  on  Government  laud;  chopped  out  a  road  to  his  claim,  and  erected  a  log 
house.  Mr  Kastler  improved  his  laud,  and  made  a  comfortable  home,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1867.  After  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mayer  made  their  home  on  the 
farm  in  Germantown,  about  six  years,  during  which  time  three  children  were  born  to  them.  The  eldest, 
Mary,  died  at  the  age  of  17  ;  second,  Charles  M.,  born  in  1850,  May  24,  now  a  resident  of  West  Bend, 
was  married  June  3,  1875,.  to  Frankie  Reisse,  daughter  of  John  Reisse  ;  the  third,  Katie,  is  now  Mrs. 
John  Schlitz,  of  West  Bend.  In  1852,  Mr.  Mayer  moved  to  West  Bend,  and,  iu  company  with  his 
brother,  Charles  F.,  he  bought  of  Mr.  B.  Goetter  the  West  Bend  Brewery,  which  they  rebuilt  and  en- 
larged ;  they  also  bought  200  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Mayer  continued  in  the  brewing  business,  at  West 
Bend,  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Aug.  27,  1865,  After  coming  to  West  Bend,  eight 
children  were  born  to  them — John  and  Alexander  died  in  infancy;  Helena  and  Adolph  were  twins;  He- 
lena died  in  infancy,  and  Adolph  when  9  years  of  age;  Susan  and  Louis  twins);  Louis  died  when  13 
years  of  age;  Albert,  aged  19,  now  a  clerk  at  B.  Goetter's,  and  Augusta,  aged  17.  at  home.  Mrs.  Mayer 
and  her  son  Charles  built  the  tine  brick  residence  where  they  live,  in  1876. 

JS.  F.  MAYER  &  CO..  proprietors  West  Bend  Brewery.  The  original  West  Bend  Brewery 
was  built  by  Mr.  B.  Goetter  in  1849,  on  a  small  scale,  size  of  building  bein_'  24x36,  two  and  one-half 
story  frame ;  this  was  the  second  brewery  in  the  county;  Mr.  Goetter  carried  on  the  business  only  two 
years,  when  he  rented  the  brewery  to  Chris  Eckstein:  soon  afterward,  Mr.  Stephen  Mayer  bought  the 
brewery  and  took  Mr.  Eckstein  as  a  partner  ;  they  carried  on  the  business  till  1854,  when  Mr.  C.  F. 
Mayer  bought  a  half  interest  in  the  property  and  the  firm  of  Mayer  Brothers  was  formed  ;  they  rebuilt 
the  brewery  in  18li8,  very  greatly  increasing  its  size  and  capacity;  the  business  was  conducted  by  them 
during  the  remainder  of  th eil  lives  ;  Mr.  Stephen  Mayer's  death  occurred  Aug.  27,  IStiS,  and  Mr.  C.  F. 
Mayer's  Aug.  'JO,  1871  ;  the  business  was  conducted  by  the  heirs  until  1875,  when  the  present  company 
was  organized ;  at  this  writing,  the  size  of  the  brewery  is  200s  10  feec,  two  and  a  half  stories  high,  built  of 
brick  ;  the  machinery  is  run  by  a  24  horse-power  engine,  and  seven  men  are  employed  ;  the  establishment 
lias  a  capacity  of  3,500  barrels  annually;  like  all  other  brewers,  this  company  has  a  chronic  habit  of  en- 
larging and  improving;  at  this  writing,  a  new  double  kiln,  30x32  feet,  is  being  erected,  new  growing- 
floors  and  storerooms,  52x28,  are  being  constructed  ;  the  capital  already  invested  in  the  business  amounts 
to  $40,000. 

Chari,ks  F.  Mayer  (deceased)  was  born  in  Rhineland,  Prussi  t,  Feb.  28,  1826  ;  came  to  the  United 
States  in  184(5;  made  his  home  with  his  brother  Stephen,  at  Germantown,  Washington  Co..  Wis.;  was 
married  to  Susannah  Kastleral  West  Bend.  April  l!:>.  1853;  three  children  were  born  to  them — -Stephen 
P.,  Emma  i  now  Mrs.  Andrew  Pick)  and  John,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Mayer  moved  bis  family  to 
West  Bend  in  January,  1854,  and,  in  company  with  bis  brother,  purchased  the  West  Bend  Brewery  of 
Mr.  B.  Goetter;  Mr.  Mayer  continued  in  the  brewing  business  with  bis  brother  Stephen  till  his  death, 
which  occurred  Aug.  20,  1^71  :  Mr.  Mayer  was  an  active,  enterprising  business  man,  and  with  the  assist- 
ance of  his  brother,  bail  built  up  an  extensive  and  prosperous  business.      Ili<  son, 

Stephen  F  Mater,  the  senior  member  of  the  linn  of  S.  K.  Mayer  &  Co..  was  born  at  West  Beod, 
Wis.,  Feb.  1,  1854;  is  a  graduate  of  the  Notre  Dame  University,  [nd.,  having  completed  a  regular  course 
in  ',  872;  be  then  returned  to  Weal  Bend  and  engaged  in  the  Wesl  Beod  Brewery,  in  which  be  was  in- 
terested as  one  of  tbi-  heirs  ;  in  I  375,  the  existing  partnership  was  formed,  as  given  above.  He  was  mar- 
ried May  22,  1-^77.  at  West  Bend,  to  [sadore  Pick,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Lines)  Tick;  Mrs. 
Mayer  was  born  in  Schleisingerville. 

"  IIOX.  CHARLES  II.  JIILLKR,  attorney  at  law.  son   of  Charles   G.  and   Amelia    Miller, 
was  born  iii  Dobeln,  in  the  Kingdom   of  Saxony,  Germany,  Sepl    2i>.  I -Jo.  came  i  i   with  bis 

parents  in  1841,  arriving  iu  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  Sept.  26  of  that  year,  and  proceeded  to  Mequon,  Wash- 
ington Co  .  ii  '«  Ozaukee;  there  he  spent  five  years  on  his  father's  farm,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that 
tine  was  appointed  Deputy  II  igister  'if  Deeds  by  Fred  Horn;  in  H17.  be  bum  the  study  of  law  in  the 

office  of  Pieroe  &  Stanford,  at  Port  Washington,  during  his  leisure  fn tfficial  duties;  he  continued  in 

the  Register's  office  fi\  irs    and  in   1853  was  appointed    Deputy  Clerk  of  the  Court,  and  served  in  that 

Capacity  during  three  terms  of  cnurt ;  in  1 857,  he  moved  to  West  B  •nd.  an  1  the  following  year  was  ap- 
pointed Clerk  in  the  oih  .••■  ,,f  the  I!  ink  Comptroller,  at  Ma  lis  in,  which  position  he  held  two  years ;  on  re- 
turning to  West  Bend  in  April.  I860,  be  was  admitted  to  the  bar  iu  Judge  Mann's  court,  ami  entered 
upon  the  praoti  ■  •  of  his  profession  ;  was  elect  id  R  igister  of  Heeds,  and  held  thai  offioe  during  the  years 
1863  64;  in  1867,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  from  the  Northern  District  of  Washington  Co.  June 

6,  1871,  he    formed  a  law    partnership  with  Mr.   1'.  O'Meara.  Under   the    firm    name  of  O'Mcara  &  Miller, 


WEST   BEND.  569 

■which  continued  till  June  6,  1881,  when  it  was  dissolved  by  mutual  consent.  Mr.  Miller  was  married 
July  5,  1852,  to  Miss  Martha  E.  Wightman.  daughter  of  William  W.  and  Elizabeth  Wightinan  ; 
Mrs.  Miller  was  born  in  Michigan  ;  two  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  them  ;  the  eldest  (Charles 
E.)  is  a  resident  of  California,  and  is  the  present  Recorder  of  Contra  Costa  Co.;  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Rosa  Lawless  ;  the  second  (Augusta)  is  the  wife  of  Joseph  Ott,  the  present  Clerk  of  Washington  Co., 
Wis.;  the  next  daughter  (Lizzie)  is  the  wife  of  P.  W.  Hams,  marble  dealer,  of  West  Bend  ;  the  next 
(William  W.)  is  in  employ  of  the  Engleman  Transportation  Co.;  the  youngest  (Hattie)  is  at  home  ;  one 
daughter  (  Maud")  died  when  3  years  of  age. 

WILLIAM  MUELLER,  undertaker,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  furniture;  business 
established  in  September,  1878;  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  May  10,  1838  ;  son  of  Frederick  and 
Mary  C.  (Fischer)  Mueller;  came  to  the  United  States  in  September,  1859,  being  one  year  in  advance  of 
his  parents ;  he  remained  nine  mouths  in  New  York  City,  then  came  direct  to  West  Bend,  Wis.,  and  set- 
tled on  a  farm.  In  1867,  he  commenced  with  Mr.  W.  Whaler  in  the  photograph  business,  and,  in  1868, 
opened  a  gallery  for  himself,  which  he  conducted  until  1878,  when  he  sold  out  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  Mr.  W.  Wachtel,  in  the  furniture  business  ;  one  year  later  he  bought  Mr.  W.  out  and  has  since 
carried  on  the  business  alone.  In  May,  1864,  Mr.  Mueller  went  to  Germany,  and  was  married,  in  Ba- 
varia, Aug.  22  of  that  year,  to  Miss  Jacobina  Hofmann,  daughter  of  Frank  Hofmann.  In  the  spring  of 
1865,  Mr.  Mueller  returned  with  his  wife  to  West  Bend;  they  have  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three 
daughters — Mary,  Otto.  Wilhelmine,  Adolph,  Katharine,  August,  William  and  Edward.  Mr.  Mueller 
served  as  Village  Treasurer  of  West  Bend  in  1878. 

LAMBERT  NELBLRIw,  watchmaker  and  jeweler,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace;  business 
was  established  in  West  Bend  in  1873,  June  3.  Mr.  Neuburg  was  born  in  Prussia,  June  23,  1849  ;  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  in  1853  ;  spent  one  year  in  New  York  City,  then  came  to  Milwaukee,  Wis., 
in  1854,  and,  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  settled  in  the  town  of  Richfield,  Washington  Co.;  next  spent  some 
time  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  and  grocery  store  in  Milwaukee,  and,  about  1866,  went  to  Chippewa  Falls 
and  served  as  clerk  in  a  general  store  about  a  year ;  he  then  engaged  as  an  apprentice  with  a  Swiss  watch- 
maker and  jeweler  at  the  same  place  ;  served  a  year  and  then  went  to  Menomonee,  Dunn  Co.,  and  engaged 
in  business  tor  himself;  continued  in  business  at  that  place  about  two  years,  then  went  to  Schleisinger- 
ville  and  opened  a  jewelry  store  ;  spent  three  years  in  that  village,  and  then  went  to  West  Bend  ( 1 873) 
and  established  himself  in  the  same  business.  In  1878,  he  went  to  Germany,  and  thence  to  France; 
attended  the  World's  Exposition  at  Paris.  Mr.  N.  was  married,  Feb.  7,  1871,  at  Schleisingerville,  Wis., 
to  Miss  Mary  Le  Febvre,  daughter  of  Philip  and  Maggie  ( Weyer)  Le  Febvre;  five  children,  two  suns  and 
three  daughters,  were  born  to  them — Lambert,  Isabella,  William,  Rosalia  and  Camille.  Mr.  Newbu'gwas 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  West  Bend,  in  1875,  and  re-elected  in  1877-81.  He  is  the  son  of  Charles 
J.  and  Hubertine  ( Grier)  Newburg,  of  Prussia.  The  father  was  a  cabinet-maker  by  trade.  In  coming 
from  Germany  to  America  in  1848,  the  passage  was  a  long  and  severe  one,  lasting  1(13  days.  The  mother 
never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  it,  and  died  shortly  after  their  arrival  in  New  York  City.  The  father 
moved  to  Richfield,  where  he  died  in  the  fall  of  1860. 

JOIIV  XICOLAUS,  proprietor  of  Farmers'  Exchange  Saloon  ;  business  established  in  Janu- 
ary, 1871  ;  is  the  son  of  Ludwig  and  Henriette  Nicolaus  ;  was  born  in  Pomerania,  Germany,  Sept.  25, 
1837.  In  1852,  he  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Jacksou,  Washington 
Co.,  where,  on  arriving  at  manhood,  he  engaged  in  farming  and  lumbering.  In  1871,  he  removed  to 
West  Bend,  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  the  Wisconsin  House,  which  he  kept  till  the  summer  of 
1881,  when  he  built  the  substantial  brick  building  which  he  now  occupies,  the  cost  of  which  was  $4,000. 
He  was  married  iu  the  fall  of  1866,  in  the  town  of  Jackson,  to  Miss  Augusta  Krause,  daughter  of  William 
Krause.  Mrs.  Nicolaus  was  born  in  Pomerania.  They  have  five  children — William,  Olga,  Hugo,  John 
and  Julia. 

PATRICK  O'MEARA,  Jr.,  attorney  at  law,  District  Attorney  ;  son  of  Patrick  and  Bridget 
O'Meara ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Emmet,  Dodge  Co.,  Wis.,  Feb.  27,  1845.  Mr.  O'Meara's  parents  were 
natives  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1835,  and  to  Wisconsin  in  1844,  and  settled  in  Dodge 
Co.  Mr.  O'Meara  passed  his  early  life  on  his  father's  farm.  He  laid  the  foundation  of  his  education  at 
the  common  schools ;  then  attended  the  Northwestern  University  at  Watertown,  Wis.  He  then  took  a 
regular  course  in  the  Law  Department  of  the  State  University,  where  he  graduated  in  1870,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  iu  the  Circuit  and  Supreme  Courts  at  Madison,  June  28,  1870.  In  June,  1871,  he 
came  to  West  Bend,  and  shortly  afterward  formed  the  partnership  with  Mr.  C.  H.  Miller,  which  existed 
until  June,  1881.  He  now  practices  alone.  In  1874,  he  was  elected  District  Attorney  for  Washington 
Co.,  and  re-elected  three  successive  terms.     The  present  term  expires  January  1,  1883.     Mr.  O'Meara 


570  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

was  married,  May  '27,  1874,  at  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Louisa  Reck,  daughter  of  Hubert  and  Margaret  Reck, 
who  were  pioneers  of  West  Bend  of  1846.  Mrs,  O'Meara  was  born  in  this  village.  Four  sons  were  born 
to  them — Daniel,  John  A.,  Thomas  F.  and  Edward  C. 

JOSEPH  OTT,  Clerk  of  Washington  Co..  Wis.;  proprietor  of  livery  stable,  and  dealer  in 
farm  machinery  ;  son  of  George  and  Katharine  (Rech)  Ott ;  was  born  in  Wayne  Co.,  Ohio,  March  10, 
1847.  When  six  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Detroit,  Mich.,  where  he  resided  two  years. 
From  Detroit  he  went  to  Chicago,  and  remained  about  the  same  length  of  time,  and  then  came  to  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.,  in  1857  ;  resided  in  Milwaukee  four  years,  when  he  came  to  Washington  Co.  in  1861,  and 
located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  village  of  Cedar  Creek.  He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  came 
j.i  Wesl  Bend  in  the  winter  of  1870,  as  Deputy  County  Clerk  to  his  father,  who  had  been  elected  in  1870. 
In  the  fall  of  1872,  he  was  elected  County  Clerk,  and  re-elected  in  1874-76,  1878-80.  His  present  term 
expires  dan.  1,  1883.  Mr.  Ott  was  married,  Sept.  23,  1875,  at  West  Bend,  to  F.  Augusta  Miller,  daugh- 
ter of  the  Hon.  C.  H.  Miller.  Mrs.  Ott  was  born  in  the  village  of  West  Bend.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren—Martha M.,  George  E.  and  Elizabeth.  In  1876,  Mr.  Ott  engaged  in  the  livery  business,  and  the 
sale  of  farm  machinery. 

ANOREW  PI€K,  Postmaster  of  West  Bend;  son  of  John  and  Maria  Pick  :  was  born  in 
Milwaukee,  Wis.,  July  4,  1851  ;  when  3  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Schleisingerville, 
Washington  Co.;  was  educated  at  Milwaukee  in  the  German  and  English  Academy  ;  in  1873.  was  made 
a  partner  with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Schlesingcrville.  under  the  firm  name 
of  John  Pick  &  Sons;  continued  that  connection  until  1875,  when  he  engaged  as  book-keeper  in  the 
Wesl  Bend  Brewery.  Mr.  Pick  was  married  April  29,  1875,  to  Miss  Emma  Mayer,  daughter  of  Charles 
F.  Mayer;  three  children  were  born  to  them — Meta,  Emma  and  Andrew.  Mr.  l'iek  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  West  Bend  December,  1879,  and  took  possession  of  the  office  Jan.  1.  l*si. 

B.  *$.  POTTER,  commercial  traveler ;  son  of  Jonathan  and  Julia  (Stillwell)  1'ntter;  was  born  in 
Elba,  Genesee  Co.,  N".  Y..  Feb.  3,  1836;  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1856,  and  located  at  West  Bend,  where  he 
clerked  with  his  brother,  J.  Potter,  Jr.,  until  the  fall  of  1860,  when  he  started  in  business  For  himself  as  a 
dealer  in  general  merchandise.  In  1861,  he  formed  apartnership  with  his  brother  John,  and  continued  that 
connection  until  1867,  when  he  dissolved  partnership  with  his  brother  and  Formed  another  with  Mr.  C, 
II.  Miller,  under  the  firm  name  of  Potter  &  Miller;  in  1872,  he  bought  out  Mr.  Miller,  and  con- 
tinued the  business  alone  until  1.S77,  when  he  sold  out  to  Harms  &  Peters,  and  commenced  traveling 
for  the  firm  of  Ball  &  Goodrich,  wholesale  grocers,  of  Milwaukee.  June  1,  1880,  in  company  with  Mr. 
C.  L.  Bowers  he  started  the  West  Bend  Times,  a  weekly  Democratic  paper,  which  is  just  entering  upon 
its  second  year.  Mr.  Better  sold  out  to  Mr.  Bowers,  June.  1881.  Mr.  Potter  was  married  at  West 
Bend,  to  Celia  Root;  one  child  was  born  to  them  who  died  in  childhood.  Mrs  Potter  died  in  1S66.  lie 
was  married  again  in  May.  isi>7,  at  West  Bend,  to  Minnie  Burgess. 

J.  POTTER,  .Jr.,  merchant;  son  of  Jonathan  and  Julia  (Stillwelli  Potter;  was  born  in 
Madison  Co..  N.  Y.,  Dec.  25.  1*21  ;  while  quite  young,  moved  with  bis  parents  to  Genesee  Co.,  where 
he  received  a  common  Bchool  education,  and  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  general  store  in  the  village  of  Alexan- 
der ;  after  serving  nine  rears  in  that  capacity,  he  moved  to  Milwaukee,  Wis.  i  in  1848) ;  he  remained  in 
that  city  until  March  1,  1849,  when  be  moved  to  Wesl  Bend,  a  id  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  as 
a  dealer  in  general  merchandise  and  produce,  and  has  c  tntinued  the  business  al  the  same  stand  till  this  writ- 
ing, covering  a    period  of  thirty  two  years;  bis  is  the  oldest   established   house  in  the  village.     By  fair 

dealiog  and  strict  attention  to  business.  Mr.   Bolter   lias  weatbereil    the    many  commercial  storms  that    have 

wrecked  so  many  men  in  trade  during  this  extended  period,  and  to-day  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  well- 
earned  prosperity.  Mr.  Better  served  as  Postmaster  under  Taylor's  administration,  and  again  under  Lin- 
coln's first  administration,  continuing  in  office  till    Mr.    Johnson    became    President,  when  he  resigned  I    be 

was  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  West    Bend  one  year :  Justice  of  the    Peace   one  term,  and    Village 

Supervisor  one    year        He    was    married,    March    I,    1SI*.    at    Alexander,   \.   V..  to    Mi-s    Matilda    Butler, 

daughter  of  Dr.  A.  I!.  I!.  Butler;  Mrs.  P.  was  born  in  Alexander;  two  children  were  born  to  them  - 
('baric-  B  ' led  to  olive  Buettis,  and  now  acting  as  book-keeper  in  the  store  of  F.J.  Dixon,  Milwau- 
kee |  Julia  K  .  residi  -  at  home. 

NELSON  A.  POTTER,  farmer,  residence  Sec.  25;  P.  <>.  West  Bend;  has  80  acres  0f 
land;  was  born  in  Rhode  Island.  When  2  years  of  age.  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  ST., 
where,  on  arriving  at  a  suitable  age,  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married,  Jan.  I.  1838,  at  Skan 
eateles,  to  Miss  M,  Almena  He  Walter,  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Martha  De  Walter.  In  1849,  Mr. 
Better  and  family  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  arriving  in  July  of  that  year  in  the  town  of  Trenton, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  till  1866,  when  he  moved  to  the  town  of  West    Bend,  and  established 


WEST  BEND.  571 

himself  on  his  present  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potter  have  had  a  family  of  ten  children,  of  whom  only  four 
are  living.  The  eldest  child,  Helen,  died  when  8  years  of  age  ;  Martha,  at  the  age  of  25  years,  and  George 
in  infancy ;  Esther  is  now  Mrs.  George  Knapp,  and  living  in  the  town  of  Polk  ;  Charles  H.  married  Mary 
Demmon,  and  lives  in  the  town  of  West  Bend;  Augustus  married  Mary  Bullock,  and  lives  in  Illinois; 
one  child  died  unnamed  ;  Ella  is  now  Mrs.  Millard  Demmon,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend  ;  Jennie  died  when 
3  years  of  age,  and  J.  J.  in  infancy. 

C.  -L.  POWERS,  proprietor  and  publisher  of  the  West  Bend  Times.  Mr.  Powers  was 
born  in  Walworth  Co.,  Wis.,  May  22,  1847.  He  received  a  common-school  education;  enlisted  March 
28,  1864,  in  Co.  G,  37th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  the  winter  of  1865-66,  he 
began  as  teacher  in  a  country  school  on  a  third  grade  certificate;  next  taught  a  graded  school  at  Merton 
one  term,  and  next  at  Mukwanago,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  village  school  three  years.  On  quitting 
the  latter  place,  he  attended  the  State  teacher's  examination  at  Madison,  and  received  a  State  teacher's 
certificate.  His  success  was  a  well-merited  reward  for  years  of  hard  study  and  close  application  while 
performing  faithfully  his  duties  as  a  teacher.  In  1872,  he  went  to  Grand  Rapids,  Wis.,  where  he  read 
law  in  the  office  of  his  uncle,  Judge  L.  P.  Powers,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1875.  He  was 
elected  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Wood  Co.  for  the  years  1874-75  ;  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  one- 
year;  also  Court  Commissioner  and  Notary  Public.  In  the  spring  of  1876,  he  went  to  Kansas,  where  he- 
only  remained  till  the  following  fall,  when  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  was  engaged  as  Principal  of  the 
High  School  at  Two  Rivers,  in  September,  1877,  which  he  organized  under  the  high  school  law.  He  taught 
this  school  two  years,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1S79,  went  to  Hartford,  and  was  employed  as  Principal  of  the 
South  Side  School  there  one  year;  then  came  to  West  Bend,  and  engaged  in  his  present  enterprise.  Mr. 
Powers  was  married,  at  Hartford,  Sept.  28,  1871,  to  Miss  Cora  M.  Barney,  daughter  of  John  and  Adeline 
(Knox)  Barney.  Mrs.  Powers  was  born  in  Hartford,  Wis.  Two  children  wire  born  to  them — Laura, 
aged  9  years,  and  Clyde  R.  3  years 

1IATHIAS  REGNER,  iarmer  and  agent  for  the  sale  of  all  kinds  of  sewing  machines  and  Bel- 
den  organs;  son  of  Jacob  and  Clara  (Faust)  Regner;  was  born  in  Spussheim,  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Ger- 
many, Nov.  S,  1839;  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  July,  1855;  settled  in  the  town  of 
Polk,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  spent  eighteen  years  on  a  farm  ;  served  in  the  late  war  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Co.  E,  6th  W.  V.  I. ;  was  enrolled  Oct.  12,  1864.  At  the  battle  of  Hatcher's  Run,  before  Peters- 
burg, Va.,  Jan.  6,  1865,  he  received  a  gun-shot  wound  that  resulted  in  the  loss  of  his  left  leg.  Owing  to 
carelessness  on  the  part  of  the  surgeon  performing  the  operation,  he  was  obliged  to  submit  to  a  second 
operation,  which  nearly  cost  him  his  life.  On  his  recovery  and  return  from  the  war,  he  engaged  in  the 
sewing  machine  business.  In  1874,  he  moved  to  West  Bend,  and  continued  in  the  sewing  machine  busi- 
ness, and  began  dealing  in  organs.  He  is  also  interested  in  farming,  having  40  acres  near  the  village. 
Mr.  Regner  has  made  some  very  substantial  improvements  in  West  Bend,  having  built  the  liegner  Block, 
in  which  the  West  Bend  Bank  is  located,  in  1878.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  erection  of  another  block 
of  two  brick  buildings  adjoining  the  former  one.  One  of  these  buildings  will  be  31x46  feet,  and  the  other 
23x60  feet,  both  two  stories  high,  and  are  to  be  used  for  stores,  saloon  and  offices.  Mr.  Regner  was  mar- 
ried, in  the  town  of  Polk,  September,  1864,  just  previous  to  going  into  the  army,  to  Miss  Barbara  Delling, 
daughter  of  John  and  Johanna  Delling.  They  have  eight  children — Clara,  Barbara,  Theresa,  Lizzie 
Jacob,  (who  died  in  infancy),  Joseph,  Frank  and  Kittie.  Mr.  R.  was  elected  one  of  the  board  of  Village- 
Trustees  of  West  Bend  in  1878.  and  again  in  1881. 

JOHN  REISSE,  President  of  the  village  of  West  Bend;  son  of  Conrad  and  Charlotte 
(Kehler)  Reisse  ;  was  born  in  Hessen  Aug.  5.  1818;  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  as  an  architect  in 
his  native  country;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1844;  spent  two  and  a  half  years  in  New  York  City, 
and  then  came  to  Washington  County,  Wis.,' in  1S47  ;  located  iu  the  town  of  West  Bend,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  three  years,  then  moved  to  the  village  of  Barton  and  opened  a  saloon  and  tailor-shop  :  in 
1850,  he  commenced  as  a  dealer  in  general  merchandise;  he  then  built  a  large  brick  store,  70x30  feet, 
which  he  stocked  as  a  general  country  store ;  at  this  time  he  had  the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind  in 
the  county  ;  at  the  same  time  he  was  proprietor  of  a  photograph  gallery  ;  was  elected  Register  of  Deeds 
for  the  years  1857-58  ;  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Barton  by  President  Buchanan,  and  held  the  office 
nine  years;  served  sixteen  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Barton  ;  was  engaged  seven  years  in  the  manu- 
facture of  brick,  employing  on  an  average  eighteen  men  ;  the  greater  part  of  the  brick  used  in  the  build- 
ings of  West  Bend  were  manufactured  by  him;  in  1861,  his  dwelling  house  was  destroyed  by  fire,  by 
which  he  sustained  a  loss  of  $1,500.  Mr.  Reisse  was  married  in  New  York  City,  in  July,  1844,  to  Miss 
Hanna  Brandau,  daughter  of  Henry  Brandau;  born  in  Rotenburg  Kuifurstenthum  Hessen:  seven  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them — Louis  (now  Mrs.  George  Dhode,  of  Illinois),  Emma   (now  Mrs.   Ernst  Franck- 


572  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

euberg),  Charlotte.  Frankie  (now  Mrs.  Charles  M.  Mayer,  of  West  Bend),  Jennie,  Annie  (now  Mrs. 
August  Eggers.  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.),  and  Augusta.  Mrs.  Reisse  died  July  20,  18G0;  in  October,  1875, 
Mr  Reisse  came  to  the  village  of  West  Bend  and  opened  a  general  country  store  ;  was  appointed  Post- 
master by  Mr.  Hayes,  and  served  two  years  ;  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  served  four  years,  and 
Berved  two  years  as  Village  Clerk  ;  he  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  until  August  28,  1880,  when 
he  closed  out  and  opened  a  saloon  ;  in  the' spring  of  1880,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  village  of  West 
Bend.  Mr.  R.  was  married  in  November,  1860,  to  Louisa  Dingier,  daughter  of  Louis  Dingier  ;  Mrs. 
Reisse  was  born  in  Strasbourg,  France  ;  three  children  were  born  to  them — Louis  J.,  Corrinne  and  Alma. 

LOUIS  REISSE,  painter  and  paper-hamrer,  West  Bend,  Wis.  ;  son  of  Conrad  and  Charlotte 
Reisse;  was  born  near  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  Sept.  8,  1822;  he  learned  his  trade  in  the  old  country, 
where  his  ancestors  had  followed  the  same  business  for  several  generations;  he  came  to  America  in  1845; 
spent  one  year  in  New  York  City,  then  came  to  Wisconsin  and  located  on  Section  5,  town  of  Barton, 
Washington  Co.  ;  he  continued  on  that  place  four  years,  then  went  to  Missouri,  and  from  there  to  Texas. 
Was  married  in  Texas  July  2,  1853,  to  Anna  E.  Eggert,  daughter  of  Jacob  Eggert.  Mrs.  Reisse  was 
born  in  Germany;  they  have  three  children — Pauline  (new  Mrs.  Fred  Brill,  of  Morrison,  Brown  Co., 
Wis  j,  John  L.  (who  has  learned  the  same  trade  as  his  father,  and  is  in  business  with  him),  and  George 
William  (a  resident  of  West  Bend).  Mr.  Reisse  has  made  his  home  in  the  village  of  West  Bend  since 
1854,  was  the  first  Village  Treasurer,  and  held  the  office  two  years;  has  also  held  the  office  of  Village 
Trustee  two  years. 

AUGUST  F.  RICHTER,  saddler  and  harness-maker;  business  established  in  the  rail  of 
1879;  average  stock,  $1,000.  Mr.  Riehter  was  born  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  Wis.,  April  5,  1857; 
son  of  C.  F.  and  Sophia  (Hoppe)  Riehter  ;  his  people  were  from  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Germany,  and 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  1848,  and  located  in  Washington  Co.,  Wis.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  a  common-school  education  ;  served  three  years'  apprenticeship  at  the  trade  of  saddler  and  har- 
ness-maker, worked  five  years  as  a  journeyman,  and  then  established  his  present  business.  Be  was  mar- 
ried. May  17,  1881,  in  the  town  of  Barton,  to  Miss  Charlotte  Gudex,  daughter  of  John  and  Wilhelmiue 
i  Maniple)  Gudex.     Mrs.  Riehter  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barton. 

\V.  I*.  RIX.  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Washington  Co.;  son  of  John  and  Mary  Rix  ;  was  born  in 
Canada  March  19,  1*4  I  ;  during  the  summer  of  that  year  he  came  with  his  parents  to  the  town  of  Polk, 
Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  here  he  spent  his  early  years  on  his  lather's  farm;  he  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  and  at  Ripon  College;  while  a  student  at  the  latter  place,  he  eulisted,  May.  1S04,  in  Co.  B,  41st 
W.  V.  I.,  lor  the  !  00-day  service,  and  served  the  term  for  which  he  enlisted.  Mr.  Rix  made  his  home  in 
Washington  Co.,  following  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  was  married,  July  15,  1S72,  in  the  town  of 
Jackson,  t « >  Miss  Mary  L.  Stauffer,  daughter  of  Lewis  A.  and  Johanna  Stauffer;  they  have  had  five  chil- 
dren, of  whom  four  are  living — Brunei  ta  W.,  Paul  A.,  Lewis  A.  (deceased),  Carl  B.  and  Mary  L.  In 
1S7S,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Court;  served  two  years  and  was  re-elected  in  1SS0,  his  present  term 
extending  to  Jan.  1,  1883.  Mr.  Rix's  brother,  B.  C.  Rix,  was  the  first  white  male  child  born  in  Wash 
inntnii  Co.  north  of  Cedar  Creek. 

MRS.  B.  C.  ROBINSON,  widow  of  John  Robinson,  Sec.  26;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  has  140 
acres  of  land;  Mrs.  Robinson  is  the  daughter  of  Silas  and  Mary  Hutchinson;  was  born  in  Ithaca,  N. 
\  ]  came  to  Milwaukee  with  her  parents  in  1846,  and  was  married  in  thai  village  in  Augusi  the  following 
>  h  1847  to  Mr.  John  Robinson,  who  was  a  native  of  Greenfield,  X.  EL,  born  April  25,  1S15  ;  he  was 
brought  up  a  farmer;  came  I"  Illinois  al  an  early  day  and  resided  there  until  1843,  when  he  went  to  Mil- 
waukee. After  their  marriage  thej  look  up  their  residence  to  thai  ■■its  until  1855,  when  they  moved  to 
the  town  of  We>i  lleiid.  Washington  Co.  Mr.  Robinson  had  been  oneof  the  pioneer  explorers  of  this 
section,  having  traveled  on  fool  from  Port  Washington,  in  1844,  and,  by  the  aid  of  Indian  guides, selected 
the  tr.iet  of  land  where  he  subsequently  made  his  home;  this  he  purchased  from  the  Government  at  the 
lir.M  land  Bales  of  this  region.  Be  was  Chairman  id'  the  town  of  West  Bend  one  year.  His  death  occurred 
Dec.  9,  L879  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robinson  bad  a  family  of  five  children,  three  girls  and  two  sons;  the  eldest. 
Caroline,  died  when  i .',  years  of  age,  Lillian  when  9,  and  Florence  al  ti ;  the  two  latter  died  of  diphtheria, 

within    a   few   days  of  each    other;    the   SOUS,  William    V.   and    Charles    lv.  are   working   the   farm    at    this 

writing. 

REUBEN  S.  Rl SCO,  farmer,  Sec.  26 ;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  baa  the  south  half  of  the  south- 

Baal    quarter     80  acres    ;   settled  in  the  county  Nov.   1.  1846;    is  the  son  of   Reuben  and  Sarah  (Lawton) 

Rusco;  was  born  iii  Onondaga  Co.,  V  Y..  between  Baldwinsville  and  Syracuse,  Oct.  18,  181(5;  when  lti 

of  age,  went  with  his  lather  to   reside   in  Wayne  Co.,  continuing  there  till   1837;   he  then  went   to 

Chicago  ;   he  spcut  one  year  traveling  through  Illinois,  then  returned  to  his  home  in  the  East  and  remained 


WEST  BEND.  573 

there  till  November,  1846,  when  he  emigrated  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Salisbury,  now  Barton  ;  having 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  he  engaged  as  contractor  and  builder  ;  he  also  bought  out  Noah  P.  Reynolds, 
who  was  engaged  in  manufacturing  fanning-mills  and  coffins,  and  continued  that  business  for  many  years  ; 
he  was  interested  in  the  mercantile  business  with  Henry  Totten  five  years.  He  served  eight  years  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  while  in  Barton,  and  Town  Clerk  one  year  ;  in  1858,  he  moved  to  his  present  farm  ;  has 
been  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  this  town.  He  was  married,  Aug.  4,  1850,  to  Miss  Sarah  Saunders, 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  Saunders;  nine  children  have  been  born  to  them — James  W.,  married  to 
Miss  Helen  Huntington,  residing  in  Iowa  ;  Sarah  T.  died  when  5  years  of  age,  of  diphtheria,  probably 
the  first  case  of  the  kind   in  the  countv  ;    Ida,  Reuben  0.,  Henry  S.,  Edna,  Elida,  Herbert  B.,  George  B. 

MICHAEL  KMPU  \<.  I,I*.  proprietor  of  the  West  Bend  Stave  Factory;  business  estab- 
lished in  1878  ;  the  first  factory  in  West  Bend  was  built  east  of  the  railroad  and  just  south  of  Schlitz 
Park  ;  manufacturing  was  commenced  June  1,  1S78  ;  about  eight  hundred  thousand  staves  were  cut  that 
year;  up  to  Aug.  31  of  the  next  year,  with  a  force  of  sis  hands,  1,200,000  had  been  cut,  when  the  fac- 
tory was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  a  large  amount  of  stock  ;  loss  about  $5,500,  on  which  there  was 
an  insurance  of  S3. 000  ;  in  October,  1879,  Mr.  Ruplinger  began  rebuilding  the  factory  on  a  new  site  near 
the  river,  and  the  1st  of  December  of  that  year  he  began  manufacturing  again  ;  the  factory  is  50x30  feet; 
a  tifteen-horse-power  engine  is  used,  while  employment  is  given  to  seven  men  :  from  Dec.  1.  1ST'.',  to  Jan. 
1,  1881,  1,500,000  staves  have  been  cut;  since  the  factory  started  up,  March  8  last,  630,000  staves  have 
been  made ;  the  material  used  is  three-fourths  hard  wood  and  one-fourth  basswood  ;  previous  to  coming 
to  West  Bend,  Mr.  R.  had  been  engaged  in  the  same  business  at  Little  and  Big  Cedar  Lakes,  in  1869- 
70.  Mr.  R.  was  born  in  the  town  of  Pope,  July  22,  1850  ;  son  of  Nicholas  and  Magdalena  Ruplinger  ; 
attended  school  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  19  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  in  the  stave  business  at 
Cedar  Lake,  and  continued  in  business  there  till  starting  in  West  Bend.  He  was  married,  in  Milwaukee, 
Oct.  28,  1872,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Ritger,  daughter  of  Philip  Ritger;  they  have  four  children  living — 
Philip  M.,  Anna  C.,  Peter  L.  and  John  E.;  the  eldest  child  was  lost  in  inlancy. 

JOHN  SCHLITZ,  proprietor  of  Sehlitz's  Grove  and  Summer  Resort ;  business  established  in 
1879;  first  opening  party  held  June  20  ;  this  grove  is  conveniently  situated  near  the  depot  ;  covers  an 
area  of  sixty-five  acres  of  fine  forest  'iniber,  with  smooth  surface;  the  buildings  are  commodious,  being 
200x10(1  feet  in  extent,  with  main  building  two  stories  high  ;  the  hall  is  75x5s  feet,  with  twenty-five-foot 
stage  and  three  changes  of  scenery,  necessary  dressing-rooms,  etc.;  as  a  dancing-hall,  the  floor  accommo- 
dates 100  couples ;  the  establishment  contains  three  first-class  bowling  alleys  1  25  feet  deep,  and  a  tasty  bar 
'  and  billiard-room  ;  the  grounds  are  well  supplied  with  seats,  refreshment  stands,  band-stands,  and  gymnas- 
tic apparatus  for  the  accommodation  of  Turners;  the  buildings  ana*  fixtures  of  this  very  elegant  place 
cost  §20,000,  exclusive  of  ground.  Mr.  Schlitz  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Sept.  15,  1845; 
is  thr  son  of  Charles  and  Dorothea  (Deutz  I  Schlitz;  he  came  to  America  and  direct  to  Milwaukee  in 
1868,  remaining  in  that  city  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  erected  the  fine 
buildings  that  embellish  his  park.  He  was  married  at  West  Bend,  Aug.  13,  1874,  to  Mis<  Katie  Mayer, 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Kastler)  Mayer.  Mrs.  Schlitz  was  born  in  Germantown,  Washington 
Co.,  Wis.;  they  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  named  Emma. 

I\  \V.  SCHMIOT,  West  Bend;  manufacturer  of  all  kinds  of  brick,  building  brick,  well 
brick,  tiles  and  scouring  or  bath  brick  ;  business  established  in  1874  ;  yards  located  on  Sec.  26,  one 
and  a  half  miles  south  of  West  Bend;  about  eight  men  are  employed,  and  300,000  bricks  manu- 
laitured  annually.  Mr.  Schmidt  was  born  in  Prussia  June  29,  1847;  son  of  John  and  Fredericka 
Schmidt;  came  to  America  in  1853,  and  direct  to  West  Bend,  Washington  Co.;  was  engaged  with  his 
father  in  the  brick  business  in  this  county  till  1868,  when,  in  company  with  his  father,  he  went  to  Ozaukee 
and  was  engaged  in  the  brick  business  there  till  1870.  He  then  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Port  Wash- 
ington. In  1872,  went  to  Europe;  on  his  return  he  was  engaged  as  clerk  again  for  a  short  time.  Then 
went  to  Lake  Superior,  and  on  his  return  he  engaged  in  painting  till  1874,  when  he  entered  upon  his  pres- 
ent business.  He  was  married  in  the  town  of  Polk,  May  2,  1875,  to  Tenea  Zaun,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Tenea  Zaun  ;  they  have  two  children,  daughters — Clara  F.  and  Hattie  T. 

JOSEPH  SCHMIDT,  proprietor  Farmers'  House;  business  established  in  1S76 ;  Mr. 
Schmidt  was  born  in  Bohemia  Aug.  13,  1853;  is  the  son  of  Wenzel  an  I  Catharine  (Vonaba)  Schmidt; 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1856  ;  made  his  home  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Trenton, 
Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  attended  school  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  1873,  when  he  went  to 
Clark  Co.  and  served  three  years  at  the  brewer's  trade  ;  in  1876,  he  lame  to  West  Bend  and  engaged  in 
his  present  business.  Was  married,  Oct.  3,  1876,  at  Newburg,  to  Miss  Annie  Blecha  ;  one  child  was  born 
to  them,  Wenzel  J.;   Mrs.  Schmidt  died  Dec.  5,  1877;   Mr.  S.  was  married   again   Jan.  2S,  1879,  at  Mil- 


574  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

waukee,  to  Miss  Katrina  Kracji,  daughter  of  Anton  and  Mary  Kxaeji.  Mrs.  Seliuiidt  was  born  in  Tren" 
ton,  Washington  Co.;  they  have  lia<l  one  child — Anna  Mary — who  < lied  in  infancy. 

I\  CHARLES  SCHMIDT,  Jr.,  attorney  at  law;  son  of  Charles  and  Caroline  (Hagner) 
Schmidt;  was  born  May  17.  1853,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  came  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  in  August, 
1856,  and  located  at  Barton,  Washington  Co.  He  recived  a  common-school  education  ;  learned  the  Wagon- 
maker's  trade  in  his  father's  shops,  and  when   1  .">  years  of  age  Started  OUt  to  see  the  World  with  a  cash  cap- 

ital  of  $20 ;  he  traveled  through  nearly  all  the  States  of  the  Union  except  the  Pacific  States ;  visited  Can- 
ada, the  Territories  and  Mexico,  working  at  his  trade  as  his  necessities  required.  After  seven  years  spent 
in  this  manner,  he  returned  to  his  old  home,  having  gratified  his  love  of  adventure  and  travel.  In  addition 
to  his  former  trade,  he  now  learned  that  of  painter,  which  he  worked  at  some  years.  Jan.  6, 1879,  he  en- 
ten  I  the  law  office  of  Frisby  &  Weil  at  West  Bend,  ami  c  immenced  the  study  of  law.  May  26,  L881, 
lie  w.is  admitted  to  the  bar;  but  has  not  vet  established  an  office. 

PETER  SCHNEIDER,  farmer,  See.  28;  P.  0.  Wesl  15  aid;  has  80  acres  of  land;  he  is 
he  sou  of  Martin  and  Mary  Schneider;  was  born  in  Beam,  Germany,  dan.  13,  lsl7  ;  emigrated  to  the 
I'niied  States  in  1845,  and  made  his  home  in  Pennsylvania;  was  married  Oct.  L0,  L847,  in  Montgomery 
Co.,  Penn  .  to  Victoria  Obrecht,  daughter  of  Casper  and  Theresa  Obrecht,  who  was  also  born  in  Germany, 
[n  HIT,  Mr.  Schneider  and  family  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Addison, 
they  continued  to  reside  till  April.  I86(i,  when  they  moved  to  the  town  of  West  Bend.  See.  28, 
where  they  now  reside.  The  children  Were  are  all  born  in  the  town  of  Addison  ;  they  Were  eight  in  num- 
ber, of  whom  live  are  living — Joseph,  married  to  Mary  F.  Spahnheimer,  resides  in  Door  Co..  Wis.;  Mary, 
now  Mrs.  Mathias  Geiger,  of  the  town  of  West,  Bend;  Zetzelia,  n  >w  the  wife  of  Fred  Fischer,  of  Hart- 
ford. Wis.;  Charles,  married  to  M  iry  Schneider,  and- living  in  Minnesota  ;  John;  Paulina,  who  died  when 
7  years  of  age;  Anna,  and  Lena,  who  died  in  infancy.  Two  of  the  -  ins,  John  and  Joseph,  are  teachers. 
Mr.  S.  has  served  two  years  as  Supervisor  of  West  Bend. 

FREDERICK  W.  $C1IR4>E!>ER;  P.O.  Wesl  Bend;  farmer, dairyman,  stock-grower; 
ilso  principal  owner  and  manager  of  the  Wesl  Bend  Cheese  Factory;  was  born  in  the  dominion  of  Wal- 

Bavaria,  Germany,  March  7,   1818;    son  of  Henry  and  Catharine  (Schuze)  Schroeder ;  came  to 

America  in   1847,  and  direct   to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.;    located  on  See.  2").  town  of  West   Bend,  in   March. 

i  3 1  -: ;  after  seouring  a  home,  he  went  back  t  >  Germany  after  his  broth  its  and  sister  the  same  year ;  re- 
turning to  Wesl  Bend  with  them  in  1849.     Be  was  married  at  Milwaukee,  Nov.  21,  1852,  to  Mis-  Cbar- 

i  i-  of  George  F.  and  Charlotte  .  <  tpporinann  )  Wilkc.      Mrs.  Sehr ha' was  born  in  Ger- 

many; two  children  were  bom  to  them — Charles  A.  and  Jennette.  In  1878,  Mr.  Sehroedcr,  associated 
with  other  parties,  built  the  West  Beld  Cheese  Factory,  Bituated  on  Sec.  30,  Trout  on.  on  the  town  line  be- 

i  Trenton  ami  West  Bend.  The  factory  has  a  capacity  of  tSO  pounds  of  cheese  daily.  Mr.  Schroe- 
der has  a  controlling  interest  in  the  concern, 

SEEHxER  «.V  iil'i'KOW,  manufacturers  of  and  dealers  in  domestic  cigars;  business  es- 
tablished in  1875;  employ  Four  men,  and  manufacture  100,000  cigars  annually,  Among  their  best  brands 
a  mtioned  the  "  Royal  Eavana,"  Hold    Bird.  Clear  Havana  and  "  C.  0.  D." 

OsCAB  SbLIGER,  of  the  firm  of  S.  &   L.,   is  also  piano  teacher;   s >f  Henry  and  Wilhelmini  Seliger, 

wa -  born  in  Saxon- Weimar.  Germany,  Jan.  _<b  1  Sol  ;  came  to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents,  in  1853. 

The   family  located  in  Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  Mr.  S.  was  educated  in  the  o i i  schools, 

and  in  1869  he  .\ith  II.  Gottsleben,  of  Wesl  Bend,  to  learn  the  trade  of  cigar-maker;  he  con- 
tinued his meetiou  with   Mr.  Gottsleben  nil  1875,  when,  in  company  with  Mr.   liiiekow.  he  commenced 

in  hi-  pre.-, -nt  business.       Mr.  Seliger  was  married.  Nov.   4.   L875,  to    Miss    Augusta    Luckow.  daughter   of 

August  Luckow.     M's.  Seliger  was  born  in  Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Wis. 

A.uar/8T  Luokow  of  the  firm  of  Seliger  A  Luckow,  cigar  manufacturers,  son  of  Frederick 
and    Mary  Luckow,   wa-   born   in    Mecklenburg-Sohwerin,   Germany,    Feb.   27.  1822;  came  to  America 

'ii   Hf'..    ori'  ing  in   Milwaukee  in  -Inly  of  that  year:    resided  in  that  city  until  the  following    \pril.  when 

he   moved   to  Sheboygan   Co.  where  he  spent  three  years  on  a  farm;  he  then  moved  to  West  Bend,  in 

'  357     was  engaged  in  teaching  music  and  in  the  performance  of  official  duties;  was  Constable  from  1858 

to  1876;  was  Deputj  Sheriff  many  years;  was  elected    Assessor  in  1869,  and  held  that  office  six  terms  in 

-ion  ;   he  is  leader   of    Luckow's    Band.      Mr.  Luckow  was   married   previous  to  coming  to  America, 

June,  Hi:'   to  Miss  Ottilia  Roenl k,  daughter  of  Fred  Boenbeok ;  thej  have  had  four  children — Louisa, 

now  Mrs.  William  Franckenberg,  of  West  Berd;  Augusta,  now  Mrs.  Oscar  Seliger,  also  of  West  Bond; 
0      ia   deceased    and  Robert. 

JUDGE  JOHN  SIIEELEY,  County  Judge  of  Washington  Co.,  s f  John  and  Mary 

Shelley,  was  born  in  Manchester  Township,  York  Co.,  Penn.,  Feb.  1.  1817;  was  a  student,  several  years, 


WEST  BEND.  575 

■of  the  Pennsylvania  College,  at  Gettysburg ;  studied  law  at  York,  Penn.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1840.  He  was  married  in  August,  1846,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Md.,  to  Miss  Henrietta  Donaldson; 
one  child  was  born  to  them,  which  was  named  Mary.  Mrs.  Shelley  died  of  cholera  iu  August,  1849. 
Mr.  Shelley  ccntinued  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  York,  till  1853,  when  he  emigrated  to  Wisconsin, 
making  his  home,  one  year,  at  Milwaukee  ;  January,  1854,  he  came  to  West  Bend,  and  formed  a  law  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Fred  0.  Thorp ;  was  elected  County  Judge  in  the  spring  of  1857,  for  the  term  commencing 
Jan.  1,  1858,  and  was  re-elected  each  successive  term  till  the  spring  of  1881  ;  is  the  present  incumbent, 
his  present  term  extending  until  Jan.  1,  1882.  On  completion  of  this  term,  the  Judge  will  have  held  the 
office  twenty-four  consecutive  years;  almost  a  quarter  of  a  ceutury  he  has  been  called  to  administer  the 
duties  of  that  important  office  by  the  voice  of  the  people.  Such  a  record  speaks  for  itself  as  to  the  esti- 
mation in  which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow- citizens.  Shortly  after  coming  to  West  Bend,  he  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Helen  George,  May,  I860,  whose  death  occurred  Jan.  27,  1868.  The  partnership  with  Mr.  Thorp 
was  continued  until  Jan.  1,  1862;  on  the  incorporation  of  the  village  of  West  Bend,  in  1868,  the  Judge 
was  elected  its  first  President,  and  re-elected  the  following  year;  he  also  served  in  the  County  Board  of 
Washington  Co.  four  years,  as  Supervisor  for  the  village;  May  25,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen 
Barnett,  daughter  of  Stewart  Barnett ;   Mrs.  Shelley  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin. 

CHARLES  SILBERZAHN,  was  born  May  3,  1828,  in  Baden,  Germany  ;  son  of  Jacob 
and  Catharine  (  Sigmundj  Silberzahn  ;  was  a  political  refugee  in  Switzerland,  in  1849-50,  where  he  spent 
one  year;  was  enabled  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  early  in  1850  ;  on  his  arrival  in  this  country,  he 
nude  his  home  in  St.  Louis,  where  he  worked  at  the  machinist's  trade,  which  he  had  learned  in  his  native 
country ;  continued  in  that  city  about  three  years,  and  then  moved  to  Memphis,  Tenn  ;  here  he  worked  at 
his  trade  four  years,  then  went  to  Chicago,  and  worked  in  the  railroad  shops  four  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Memphis.  During  the  early  years  of  the  war,  he  was  under  the  Confederate  Government;  his 
sympathies  were  with  the  Union  side  from  the  i-tart,  and  the  second  day  after  the  capture  of  Memphis  by 
the  Federal  forces,  he  enlisted  iu  the  United  States  Navy,  as  engineer;  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  received  an  honorable  discharge.  He  then  proceeded  to  Iowa,  stopped  awhile  at  Dubuque;  then  went 
to  Lansing,  same  State,  and  engaged  in  business  with  other  parties  under  the  firm  name  of  Beid,  Silber- 
zahn &  Co.,  machinists  and  foundrymen  ;  this  connection  was  continued  four  years  ;  he  then  spent  one 
winter  in  La  Crosse  ;  went  from  there  to  Milwaukee,  and  engaged  with  E.  P.  Allis,  as  foreman  of  the  Bay 
State  Iron  Works,  during  the  construction  of  the  City  Iron  Works  machinery  ;  remained  in  those  works 
three  years,  and  then  went  to  Sheboygan ;  there  he  engaged  in  the  machine  and  foundry  business  with 
Mr.  Kohler,  under  the  firm  name  of  Kohler  &  Silberzahn.  He  continued  this  business  five  years,  then 
«arue  to  West  Bend,  and  bought  an  interest  in  the  West  Bend  Foundry  and  Machine  Shops,  February, 
1S79;  the  firm  was  established  under  the  title  of  Silberzahn  &  Jung.  Mr.  S.  was  married  at  St,  Louis, 
Feb.  17,  1853,  to  Miss  Mary  L.  E.  Nieffenacker,  daughter  of  Uirich  N.  Nieffenacker.  Mrs.  S.  lost  her 
parents  in  St.  Louis  during  the  cholera  scourge  of  1849.  Mr  and  Mrs.  S.  have  had  nine  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living,  three  sons  and  one  daughter — Cnarles  A.,  Louis  F.,  John  D  and  Louisa.  Charles 
A.  is  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Kuster. 

JOHN  THIEL(JES,  son  of  George  and  Susannah  Thielges,  was  born  on  the  Rhine,  Prussia, 
Oct.  19.  1830;  learned  the  miller's  trade  in  his  native  country,  and,  in  1851,  came  to  the  United  States. 
On  his  arrival  in  this  country,  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  working  principally  in  Niagara  Co.,  N. 
Y. ;  helped  build  the  suspension  bridge  over  the  Niagara  River.  He  was  married,  at  Niagara  Falls,  Oct. 
8,  1854,  to  Miss  Rosina  Rumpf,  daughter  of  George  C.  and  Katharine  (Windt)  Rumpf.  Mrs.  Thielges 
was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Aug.  31,  1833.  In  1854,  Mr.  T.  and  family  moved  to  West 
Bend,  Wis.,  where  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  blacksmith  six  months.  He  then  rented  a  shop  and  started 
in  business  for  himself.  Two  years  later,  he  built  a  shop  and  continued  the  business  until  Feb.  17,  1864, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  2d  Wisconsin  Light  Artillery,  as  blacksmith,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
On  his  return  from  the  army,  he  resumed  the  blacksmith  business,  which  he  continued  until  Aug.  15, 1873, 
when  he  sold  out  and  opened  a  saloon,  and  has  continued  the  business  to  this  date.  Mr.  Thielges  has 
Served  as  Side  Supervisor  of  the  Town  of  West  Bend  three  years,  and  six  years  as  Under  Sheriff;  was 
also  Chief  of  the  Fire  Department  between  four  and  five  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  have  four  children — Theo- 
dore, the  eldest,  was  married  to  Camilla  Kleffler,  and  is  a  painter  by  trade;  resides  at  West  Bend  ;  the 
second,  Charles,  is  a  molder  by  trade  and  works  at  Milwaukee;  John  is  a  marble-cutter,  also  of  Milwau- 
kee; the  youngest,  Mary,  lives  at  home. 

THEODORE  THIELGES,  painter  and  decorator,  also  dealer  in  paints  and  oils;  is  agent 
for  Fish  Bros.  &  Co.'s  buggies  and  carriages,  and  Parsons  &  Goodfellow's  Oshkosh  buggies  ;  business  estab- 
lished in  1872.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  West  Bend,  Wis.,  June  23,  1856  ;  son  of  John  and 


576  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Rosa  |  Rumpf )  Thielges  ;  learned  his  trade  in  his  native  town,  setving  four  years.  Then,  in  1872,  started  in 
business  fur  himself;  continued  it  two  years  ;  then  engaged  as  clerk  f>r  Fuge  &  Wilmot,  and  afterward  for  A. 
C.  Fuge.  Was  appointed  Deputy  Postmaster  under  Dr.  G.  F.  Hunt;  served  two  years.  Next  worked  a-  a 
journeyman  painter  in  Milwaukee  one  year;  then  returned  to  West  Bend,  and  opened  in  the  painting  business 
a«ain.  September,  1878,  he  opened  the  second  shop,  having  his  residence  in  the  same  building.  In  Au- 
gust, 1880,  this  shop  and  residence  was  burned,  by  which  he  sustained  a  loss  of  $1, 200.  Since  the  fire, 
he. has  run  the  old  shop;  only  employs  from  five  to  seven  men.  He  was  married,  Oct.  1,  1878,  at  West 
Bend,  to  Miss  Camille  Kleffler,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  George  H.  Kleffler.  Two  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  the  eldest,  Theodore  H.,  died  in  infancy  ;  the  youngest  is  unnamed 

MATHIAS  THIXXES,  lessee  of  Germania  Billiard  Hall  and  Sample  Room  ;  also  proprietor 
of  saloon  in  the  town  of  Erin,  which  he  rents.  Mr.  Thinnes  was  born  in  Milwaukee  Sept.  7.  1850;  son 
of  John  and  Mary  (Weber)  Thinnes,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  iu  1843.  The  father  was  a 
wagon-ruaker  bv  trade;   he  opened  a  shop  at  Milwaukee,  and  was  doing  a  good  business  when  he  was  taken 

from  his  family  by  death.     He  died  in  1851.     Mrs.  Thinnes,  - i  after  the  loss  of  her  husband,  moved  to 

West  I!, •nd  in  1851.  She  was  married,  in  1853,  to  Mr.  John  Willkomin,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend.  Mr. 
Mathias  Thinnes  spent  his  early  years  on  his  stepfather's  farm  and  in  attending  school.  He  was  married. 
May  11,  1875,  to  Miss  Margarette  Deutsch,  daughter  of  Michael  Deutsch,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend. 
They  have  three  children — John,  Mary  and  Emma  M.  Mr.  T.  met  with  a  very  serious  accident  Oct.  24, 
187:!,  by  accidentally  shooting'  himself  through  the  right  thigh  with  a  shot-gun.  The  whole  charge  passed 
through  the  leg, causing  permanent  dis iblity.  He  started  a  saloon  at  West  Bend  in  1875,  which  he  kept 
one  year  :  he  then  sold  out  and  went  to  the  town  of  Erin,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business  July  1, 
1876.  In  the  latter  part  of  December,  1881),  he  leased  his  place  in  Erin  and  returned  to  West  Bend, 
where  he  leased  the  Germania  Billiard  Hall  and  Sample  Room  of  Mr.  Peter  Boden  for  two  years  from  Jan. 
1.  1881. 

JAC'Olt  VETSCH,  manager  of  Alex  McDonald's  lumber-yard.  This  business  was  estab- 
lished in  February.  1877.  A  full  assortment  of  rough  and  dressed  lumber,  shingles,  sash,  doors  and  blinds 
always  on  band  ;  annual  sales,  113,000.  Mr.  Vetsch  was  burn  in  Switzerland  Aug.  21,  1841 ;  came  to  the 
United  States  in  May.  1854,  and  located  in  Fond  du  Lac  Co.,  Wis.  For  thirteen  years  he  was  engaged  in 
farming;  he  then  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was  married,  Oct.  12.  I8711,  in  Davenport,  [owa,  to 
Miss  Matilda  Kuhn,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Fredericke  Baker)  Kuhn.  Mrs.  Vetsch  was  born  in  Vlo- 
tho.  Germany.  They  have  five  children — Gottfried  J.,  John  W.,  Meta  II.,  Anna  II.  and  Arthur  J.  Iu 
1857,  Mr.  Vetsch  moved  to  West  Rend  to  take  charge  of  the  lumber  business  of  Mr.  McDonald,  which 
business  he  has  continued  to  this  dati 

PACE  A.  WEIL,  of  the  firm  of  Frisby  &  Weil,  attorneys  at  law,  West  Rend.  Wis.     The  firm 

of  Frisby  &   Weil  has  been  established  since  1860,  and  is  at  this  date  the   second   oldest    law  firm    in   Wis 

,  (,n-iii .  with  an  important  and  extended  practice  it  ranks  among  the  leading  law  firms  of  the  State.  The 
senior  partner,  L.  F.  Frisby,  is  the  Republican  candidate  for  Attorney  General  on  the  State  ticket  ol 
1881.  Mi  Weil  is  the  Bon  of  Moses  and  Celestine  Weil;  was  burn  in  Besancon,  France.  July  22,  1829; 
was  a  student  of  the  College  of  St.  Louis,  at  Paris,  and  remained  in  Prance  two  years,  after  In-  parents 
had  emigrated  to  America,  in  order  to  perfect  his  studies.  He  followed  them  in  1844,  and  during  the 
next  two  years  was  a  resident  of  the  cities  of  New  York.  New  Orleans  and  Cincinnati.  In  1846,  he 
; mpanied  his  parents  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  located  at  what  is  now  West   Rend,  then  only  a 

pioneer  hamlet.  For  the  next  twelve  years,  he  was  interested  with  his  lather  in  mercantile  and  other 
business,       In  1858,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Frisby  &  Mann,  at  West  Rend,  as  a  student  ;    was  admitted 

to  the  bar  the  following  year  1859  1,  and  on  the  election  of  Judge  Mann  to  the  judgeship  of  the  Third 
Circuit  in  1859,  Mr.  Weil  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  Frisby.  which  connection  has  existed  to  this  date  1  v-l 
without  interruption.  Prior  to  his  admission  to  the  bar.  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  of  L857  58.  He 
1  rved  two  terms  as  Chairman  ol  the  town  of  Polk,  and  one  or  two  term-  1-  Chairman  of  the  County 
Board  ami  lias  served  six  years  as  Clerk  of  his  Bchool  district.  Mr.  Weil  was  married  at  Rochester,  N  V.. 
Sept.  22.  1852,  to  Miss  Eliza  MoHenry,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  MoHenry.     Mrs.  Weil  is  a  native 

of  Angelica,  Alleghany  Co.,  N.  Y.     Their  family  ( sists  of  one  daughter  and  five  sons.     The  daughter, 

Belle  R..  is  wife  of  Lieut.  Charles  A.   Adam.-.  0.  S,  N.,  of  the  man-of-war  Palus,  recently lut.j  at 

Shanghai.  China.      The   eldest    son   is   practicing   law  at    Milwaukee,   and    is  a  member  of  the    law  linn    of 

Van  Wyek  \  Weil.     George  E.  is  an  employe  0f  the  Chicago  &  North  Western  Railway,  and  recently 

station    agent    at   Barton  ;    Harry    A.  is  in  the  real   estate  business   in  Milwaukee;    Daniel  M.  and  John    M. 

ro  youngT  ones,  are  attending  school.     Mr.  Weil  and  family  have  been  prominently  identified  with 


WEST  BEND.  577 

the  growth  and  development  of  Washington  Co.  His  father,  Moses  Weil,  was  one  of  the  live  men  of 
pioneer  times,  of  whom  an  appropriate  sketch  and  portrait  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

WILLIAM  W.  WHwHTMAN,  son  of  Israel  and  Demarias  (Pendleton)  Wightman,  was  born 
in  Herkimer  County,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1798.  The  parents  were  New  England  people,  who  had  settled  in 
New  York  in  1796.  Mr.  Wightman's  great-grandfather,  the  Rev.  V.  Wightman,  was  the  first  Baptist 
minister  of  Connecticut.  When  7  years  of  age,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ver- 
mont;  spent  ten  years  in  that  State,  and  theu  moved  to  New  Hampshire;  subsequently  returned  to  Ver- 
mont, and  from  there  moved  to  Holland  Purchase,  Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1815;  was  married,  in  the 
town  of  Leroy,  Genesee  County,  March  0, 1830,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hanna,  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Cath- 
arine (Pierson)  Hanna;  six  children  were  born  to  them— Catharine  S.,  married  to  Mr.  Henry  J.  Weil, 
deceased,  now  the  wife  of  Herman  Williams,  residents  of  Webster,  Mich.;  Martha  E.,  now  the  wife  of  the 
Hon.  Charles  H.  Miller,  of  West  Bend.  Wis.;  James  A.,  died  when  8  years  of  age;  Francis  A.,  died  in 
infancy;  Frances  M.,  now  the  wife  of  Gen.  F.  C.  Winkler,  of  Milwaukee;  Harriet  A.  was  the  wife  of 
Robert  R.  Price,  of  Barton.  AVis.;  her  death  occurred  in  January,  1873.  Mr.  Wightmau  was  a  pioneer 
of  the  State  of  Michigan  ;  in  1S25,  he  assisted  in  clearing  the  tract  of  land  where  the  State  University 
now  stands,  at  Ann  Arbor;  in  1831.  he  moved  his  family  to  Michigan  and  located  on  wild  land  in  Wash- 
tenaw County,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  September,  1846,  when,  being  desirous  of  incr  asing  his 
pioneer  experience,  he  moved  to  Washington  County,  Wis.,  and  located  on  the  present  site  of  West  Bend  ; 
he,  in  company  with  several  Milwaukee  gentlemen,  had  the  land  surveyed  and  platted  ;  he  erected  the  third 
frame  building  in  the  place,  which  he  opened  as  a  public  house,  naming  it  the  "  West  Bend  House,"  and 
which  he  kept  as  such  nine  years;  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  West  Bend  under  President  Buchanan, 
and  served  four  years;  was  re-appointed  by  President.  Johnson,  and  held  two  years.  On  March  6,  1880, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wightman  celebrated  their  golden  wedding,  or  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  wedding,  at  Mil- 
waukee, on  which  occasion,  among  the  many  valuable  presents  received.  Air.  Wightman  was  presented  with 
a  heavy,  gold-headed  cane,  of  superior  workmanship,  and  bearing  a  suitable  inscription.  A  peculiar  fact 
connected  with  the  history  of  the  family  is  that  there  are  uow  living  five  generations  of  them  ;  Mr.  Wight- 
man's  daughter,  Mrs.  Miller,  who  is  a  grandmother,  has  a  grandmother  living. 

JOHN  C.  WILBRAXDT,  barber  and  hair-dresser;  business  established  in  1869.  Mr. 
Wilbrandt  was  born  in  Mecklenburg-Sehwerin,  Germany,  Dee.  26.  1.842;  came  to  America  in  July,  1867, 
and  direct  to  Milwaukee.  Wis.;  learned  his  trade  in  that  city  in  1S68,  and.  the  following  fall,  came  to  '.Vest 
Bend,  and  opened  his  present  shop  in  October,  and  has  continued  the  business  to  this  date.  He  was  mar- 
ried. Sept.  16,  1873,  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Heipp,  daughter  of  Henry  Heipp  ;  Mrs. 
Wilbrandt  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany  ;  they  have  one  child — Adolphus  William.  Mr!  Wilbrandt  is  the 
son  of  Christian  and  Maria  Wilbrandt,  of  Germany  ;   the  father  died  in  his  native  country. 

CHRISTIAN  WOLF,  proprietor  Wolf's  Ho'el.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  son  of 
Damian  and  Anna  Maria  I  Kiappels)  Wolf:  was  born  in  Prussia  July  2,  1840  ;  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1855  ;  settled  in  Germantown,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  fourteen  years  ; 
he  then  went  t  i  Schleisingerville  and  engaged  in  the  insurance  and  sewing-machine  business;  continued  there 
until  November,  1879,  when  he  came  to  West  Bend  and  purchased  the  hotel  called  the  Farmers'  Home  ; 
repaired  it,  and  changed  the  name  to  Wolf's  Hotel  ;  the  main  building  is  32s  lii  feet,  three  stories  high, 
with  an  addition  24x42,  two  stories  high  ;  can  accommodate  forty  guests.  The  house  was  built  in  1869. 
Mr.  Wolf  was  married,  at  Milwaukee.  Feb.  22,  1880,  to  Mrs.  Gertrude  Fohn,  widow  of  John  Fohn  and 
daughter  of  B.  Kreidlecamp.  Mrs.  Wolf  was  born  in  Westphalia;  she  had  two  children  by  her  former 
marriage — Gertrude  and  Mathias  :   one  child  was  born  by  her  present  marriage,  which  died  in  infancy. 

GEORdrE  W.  WRHwHT,  deceased  ;  was  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio,  of  American  parentage, 
in  1818  ;  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1848  and  located  in  the  town  of  West  Bend  ;  was  married,  Sept.  6,  1851, 
at  Kewaskum,  to  Miss  Catharine  Miller,  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Catharine  Miller.  Mrs.  Wright  was  a 
native  of  Germany  ;  tour  children  were  born  to  them,  three  girls  and  a  boy — Frances,  now  Mrs.  James 
Miller,  living  in  California:  Isora  E.,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Bohn,  Jr.,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend;  Iseua, 
now  Mrs.  John  Christnachfc,  of  Addison  :  the  son,  George  N.,  resides  at  home.  Mr.  Wright  died  Sept.  6, 
1876,  from  injuries  received  in  falling  from  his  wagon  three  years  previously.  Mr.  Wright  was  an  active, 
energetic  business  man  before  he  met  with  the  accident  that  caused  his  death  ;  in  all  respects,  he  was  a 
man  well  adapted  to  fill  the  part  of  a  pioneer  and  help  to  develop  a  new  country  ;  he  is  remembered  by  his 
friends  and  neighbors  with  the  kindest  regard:  his  widow,  Mrs.  Catharine  Wright,  was  married,  May  21, 
1879.  to  Mr.  John  Gutsehenritter,  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead. 


•~7-  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 


TOWN     OF     HARTFORD. 


H.  T.  ADAMS,  stock-dealer;  bu-  "n  >  established  in  L862;  handles  from  $25,000  to  $30,000 
worth  .it'  stook  per  m  inth.  Mr.  Adams  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Co  is  Co.,  X.  II.,  March  31,  L835;  is  the 
son  of  Harvey  and  Nancy  Adams  ;  li  •  learned  the  blacksmith's  tr.ide  in  his  native  State,  and  followed 
that  busio  as  several  years  ;  came  to  Wisconsin  in  lSGO,  and  located  in  Bartford,  and  opened  a  blacksmith's 
Bhop  ;  continued  the  business  only  one  year,  when  he  quit  it  to  engage  iu  the  stock  business ;  has  followed 
this  business  successfully  since  that  time.  He  was  married  in  Vermont,  in  Guildhall,  Essex  (V.  Sept. 
20,  1857,  to  Miss  Estelle  L.  Rodgers,  daughter  of  Muses   Rodgers;    Mrs.  Adams  was  born  in  Vermont 

C.  4w.  AJIIDOX,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  gloves  and  mittens,  and  tanner  of  deer  skins 
and  furs.  II  irtford  .  business  established  in  the  fall  of  1879  ;  manufactures  about  300  dozens  of  pairs  of 
gloves  and  mittens  annually  ;  has  tanned  since  commencing  about  5,000  skins.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Hartford  April  22,  L850  ;  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Augustine  i  Butler)  Amidon  ;  learned  the 
cabinet-maker's  trade  in  Clark  Co.,  Wis.  Was  married  at  Monterey,  Dodge  Co.,  April  15,  1873,  to  Miss 
Eliza  Cook,  daughter  of  Henry  Cook ;  Mrs.  Amnion  was  born  in  Mayville,  Wis.  The  winter  following 
his  marriage,  he  started  in  the  pump  business  with  Frank  Fox,  at  Plymouth,  and  shortly  afterward  they 
took  iu  Mr.  Dockstader  as  partner,  the  firm  being  Dockstader,  Fox  &  Co.  In  about  two  years  he  sold 
out,  and  went  into  the  same  business  with  Mr.  Miller  in  the  same  town;  continued  that  business  two 
years  ;  m  xt  went  to  Beloit  in  February,  1879,  and  engaged  to  run  a  tannery,  for  the  tanning  of  deer  Bkins 
and  furs;  eight  months  later  he  returned  to  Hartford  and  opened  in  his  present  business.  In  the  winter 
1880  -81,  he  opened  a  glove  and  mitten  store  at  Milwaukee,  which  he  ran  that  winter. 

WILLARD  R.  AMIDON,  jeweler  and  watchmaker,  Hartford;  business  established  August. 
1876  average  value  of  stock  and  fixtures,  $2,000.  Mr.  Amidon  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Hartford;  is 
the  son  of  Elisha  and  Augustine  I  Butler)  Amidon.  and  was  born  April  18,  1856;  in  1874,  he  learned 
the  watchmaker's  trade,  and  in  August,  1  S7(j,  opened  his  present  store. 

E.  M.  AXDFRSOX,  farmer,  Sec.  9;  P.  <>.  Bartford;  has  61  acres  of  land;  is  ihe  son  of 
Samuel  and  Betsey  Anderson;  be  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartford.  Washington  Co.,  Oct.  21,  1849; 
spent  bis  early  year-  on  bis  father's  Farm,  and  in  1ST.!  began  teaching  school;  has  taught  nine  years,  three 
of  which  were  devoted  to  the  graded  school  of  Bartford  Village.  Be  was  married,  Dec.  27,  1876,  in 
Chicago,  to  Rosine  Bertie,  daughter  of  IV  S.  and  Matilda  Bertie  ;  Mrs.  Anderson  was  born  in  Dodge  Co.; 
tbev  have  two  children — Bertie  S.  and  Guj 

"  SAMUEL  ANDEBSON,  farmer,  See.  5  ;  P.  O.  Hartford;  has  80  acres  ;  was  born  in  Rome, 
Oneida  Co.,  N.  V..  November,  1H7;  son  of  Jacob  1'.  and  Catharine  Anderson.  He  was  married  in 
1  ~:;-  to  Mi-s  Betsey  Hoard  ;  six  children  were  born  to  them';  the  eldest,  Eugene  M.,  married  Rosine  Ber- 
tie, and  lives  in  the  town  of  Bartford  :  Mary  died  when  5  years  of  age  ,  Ubert  was  a  member  of  Capt. 
Bissel's  < lompany,  29th  \V.  Y.  I  and  served  in  the  late  war ;  bis  death  occurred  in  hospital  at  Vicksburg, 
in  1862.  Hamuli  is  now  Mrs.  Charles  Amidon,  of  Clark  Co.,  Wis.;  Ellen  is  the  wile  of  Alden  Moffatt, 
also  of  Clark  Co.;  Alvira  is  Mrs.  Andrew  Jones  ;  Theresa  is  the  wife  of  .lames  Maliory.  of  Trempealeau 
Co.      Mr.  Anderson  has  b  en  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  of  Bartford  six  terms. 

DR.  M.   li.   BARNEY,  dental  surgeon,  Hartford  ;  is  the  son  of  Leverett  and  Emeline  ( Wing 
Barney;   was  born  in  Geauga  Co.,  Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1842 ;  came  to   Dodge  Co..  Wis  .  in  1865;  Studied  den- 
tistry  with   Dr.   R.  ('.   Newton,  of  Sheboygan  Falls,  in  whose  office  he  spent   two   years.       In   lSi',8,  he  came 

to  1 1  art  lord,  and  established  himself      Be  was  ma  tried  in  Hartford,  Dec.  22,  1867,  to  Miss  Paul  in  i  i  • 
daughter  of  Lewis  and  Susan  (Streeter)  Green;   Mrs.  Barney  was  born  in    Portage  Co.,  Ohio;  they  have 
four  children     Monl  I..  Gad  W.,  Frederick  A.  and  Clara  A. 

JOHN  BUCKBEUS,  carpenter  and  joiner,  and  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Bartford,  residence 
in  the  village;  was  born  in  Bavaria.  Germany,  Feb.  29,  1828  ;  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  Buck- 
reus,  lie  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with  bis  father  in  his  native  country,  also  learned  the  glazier's 
trade.  In  1849,  he  came  to  America,  arriving  in  New  York  City  September  f>  ;  he  proceeded  to  Hones- 
dale,  Penn..  where  he  opened  a  cabinet-shop,  and  continued   that  business  four  years,  when  he  was  burned 

oul  .    he  then  came  to  Milwaukee  in  November,   lSf>:;.  and  from  there  to   Hartford,   Washington  Co.;  de 

his  h<  ine  on  See.  125  about  a  year  and  a  half,  and  then  moved  to  the  village  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided and  carried  On  the  business  of  carpenter  and  builder;  he  was  elected  and  served  one  year  as  Treas- 
urer of  the  town  of    Bartford;    he  was  next  elected    Assessor  in   1879,  and  re-elected  in   1880-81  ;    is   now 


HARTFORD.  579 

serving  his  third  term.  He  was  married,  Nov.  1,  1849,  in  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  Eva  Geiger,  daughter 
of  John  Geiger.  They  have  six  children — Agnes,  Mary  and  Lizzie  (twins  i,  Margaret,  John  and  Rosa. 
Margaret  is  now  Mrs.  Peter  Schwartz,  of  Hartford. 

H.  K.  BFTTERFIELD,  attorney  at  law,  Hartford;  is  the  son  of  W.  H.  and  Caroline 
(White)  Butterfield  ;  was  bun  in  Horicon  Aug.  27,  1857;  received  his  education  at  the  high  school  of 
Horicon.  and  at  the  .State  University  at  Madison  ;  went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  spent  two  years  as  a  law 
student  in  the  office  of  his  uncle.  Judire  James  0.  Pierce,  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Shelby  Co.;  having 
passed  a  regular  examination  before  Judges  W.  11.  McDowell  and  J.  E.  11.  Ray,  of  the  Chancellor  and 
Criminal  Courts,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  spring  of  1879  :  he  then  returned  to  Wisconsin  and 
practiced  law  with  District  Attorney  James  B.  Hays,  of  Horicon;  was  with  him  two  years,  and  then  in 
June,  1881,  he  came  to  Hartford  and  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  that  place. 
When  only  23  years  of  age,  he  was  a  candidate  for  District  Attorney  of  Dodge  Co.  on  the  Republican 
ticket  ;    he  made  a  good  run,  and  but  for  his  party  being  in  a  hopeless  minority  would  have  been  elected. 

MICHAEL  BOHAN,  Sr.     (See  West  Bend  biographies.) 

SCHMIDT  &  CLIFFORD,  proprietors  of  Hartford  Marble  Works;  business  established 
Jan.  5,  1880  ;  employ  four  men  and  turn  out  about  $5,000  worth  of  stock  annually. 

John  Schmidt,  of  the  above  firm,  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  Nov.  9,  1826  ;  is  a  son  of  Nicholas 
and  Margaret  Schmidt;  came  to  America  in  1847,  and  made  his  home  in  Milwaukee  three  years;  then 
came  to  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.,  and  engaged  in  farming;  about  1864,  he  engaged  as  agent 
for  the  » J-ermantown  Mutual  Insurance  Company  ;  was  also  a  dealer  in  fruit  trees  and  general  nursery  stock . 
In  1 87-,  he  moved  to  Hartford;  in  addition  to  his  other  business,  he  was  employed  as  agent  for  the 
Milwaukee  &  Oconomowoc  Marble  Works.  Jan.  5,  1880,  he  formed  his  present  connection  with  Mr. 
Clifford.  Mr.  Schmidt  was  married,  Nov.  19,  1849,  at  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Louisa  Bauer  ;  they  have  four 
children — Adam,  Eli,  Christian  and  John. 

CHRIS  COERPER,  blacksmith,  wagon  and  carriage  maker,  Hartford ;  manufactures  about 
twenty  wagons  and  buggies  annually;  deals  iu  wood  and  coal,  and  is  proprietor  of  a  stone-quarry  situated 
in  the  village,  which  he  has  operated  two  years  ;  established  his  business  in  Hartford  in  1861.  Mr. 
Coerper  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  Jan.  S,  1832;  son  of  Conrad  and  Christine  (Waechter)  Coer- 
per.  Learned  the  blacksmith  trade  in  his  native  country;  came  to  the  United  States  iu  1851,  and  lo- 
cated in  Milwaukee;  in  1855,  he  opened  a  shop  for  himself  in  the  blacksmithing,  wagon  and  carriage 
business,  which  he  carried  on  until  18tJl,  when  he  came  to  Hartford  and  established  his  present  business. 
He  was  married  in  Milwaukee,  Nov.  17,  1855,  to  Miss  Magdalena  Gross;  they  have  had  eight  children 
— John  G.  married  to  Miss  Addie  Johns,  and  residing  iu  Hartford  ;  Lena,  now  Mrs.  John  ti  Liver,  of 
Hartford;  Henry  J.,  Edward,  George,  William,  Christopher  (deceased),  Arthur.  Mr.  Coerper  was  one 
of  the  leading  citizens  in  the  organization  of  the  first  tire  department,  and  was  elected  Foreman  of  the 
Hook  and  Ladder  Company,  which  position  he  has  held  to  this  date,  with  the  exception  of  two  vears. 

THOMAS  COONEY,  farmer.  Sec.  29;  P.  O.  Hartford;  has  40  acres  of  land;  is  a  native 
of  Kildare,  Ireland  ;  was  born  near  Dublin,  Sept.  8,  1833;  he  is  "the  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  Cooney. 
In  1854,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  spending  six  months  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  then 
came-to  Wisconsin  and  located  in  the  town  of  Hartford  with  his  parents.  In  March,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
United  States  Navy  ,  served  three  years  and  four  months  ;  during  a  large  portion  of  the  time,  he  was 
stationed  at  the  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard.  He  was  married  in  Hartford,  Oct.  15,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  Grady, 
daughter  of  Michael  Grady.     They  have  six  children— Mary,  Eliza,  Richard,  James,  William  and  Anna. 

HOX.  HOPEWELL  COXE  (deceased);  was  born  in  Northumberland,  Northumberland 
Co.,  Penn..  June  28,  1812;  son  of  Samuel  Coxe  ;  he  received  a  common-school  education,  and  in  1832 
commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Judge  Ellis  Lewis,  of  Williamsport,  Penn.,  a  mau  of  prominence  in  the 
legal  profession  of  that  place.  Mr.  Coxe  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1838,  and  in  1839  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Williamsport  iu 'company  with  Robert  Fleming;  in  1842,  he  removed  to  the 
State  of  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  some  three  years;  in  the  spring  of  1845,  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  first 
stopping  a  short  time  in  Milwaukee,  and  then  proceeding  to  Cedarburg,  Washington  Co.,  in  1846  ;  in  the 
fall  of  that  year,  he  was  elected  County  or  Probate  Judge  of  Washington  Co.;  was  re-elected,  and  held  the 
office  eight  years ;  he  is  said  to  have  tried  the  first  law  suit  in  Cedarburg,  holding  his  court  in  the  school- 
house ;  he  was  elected  as  one  of  the  Representatives  of  Washington  Co.  (which  then  included  what  is  now 
Ozaukee),  in  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1846,  and  served  on  the  Committee  on  Suffrage  and  Elect- 
ive Franchise  ;  possessed  of  more  than  average  abilities,  he  proved  an  influential  member  of  that  body, 
and  was  highly  respected  by  his  associates  ;  after  the  State  government  was  established,  Mr.  Coxe  served 
in   the  Assembly  ;  during   the  session  of  1857.  he  represented  the  southern   district  of  Washington  Co.; 


580  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

in  1852,  ho  removed  from  Cedarburg  to  Hartford,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  adjacent  to  the  village,  and 
devoted  considerable  attention  to  fruit  growing;  he  opened  an  office  in  the  village,  and  practiced  his  pro- 
fession until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  June  16,  1864.  Mr.  Cose  was  married  in  Milwaukee, 
June  9.  1847,  to  Miss  Amelia  Ludwig,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Wilhelmina  (Gluer)  Ludwig.  They  had 
three  children — the  eldest,  Charles  H.  was  married,  Nov.  18,  1874,  to  Miss  Laura  Peck,  and  resides  in 
Hartford  ;  the  second,  Josephene,  is  the  wife  of  Judge  H.  W.  Sawyer;  the  youngest  son,  H.  D..  is  living 
at  limine.      Mrs.  Coxe  makes  her  home  in  the  village  of  Hartford. 

I.  S.  CROW  FOOT,  proprietor  of  apiary,  and  manufacturer  of  apiarian  supplies;  dealer  in  bees 
and  queens,  Hartford ;  commenced  in  the  bee  business  in  1856;  was  the  first  to  introduce  the  Italian 
bees  into  this  part  of  the  country  ;  has  had  as  many  as  9u0  swarms  at  a  time;  in  the  past  year  h»t  500 
swarms,  the  season  having  been  generally  disastrous  to  bees;  he  is  now  restocking  rapidly.  In  188(1,  he 
built  a  steam  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  bee-hives  and  apiarian  supplies.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk, 
England,  in  1*:;  1.  and,  in  the  fall  of  the  following  year,  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  ;  made 
their  home  in  <  Iswego  Co.,  X.  Y.,  till  1845,  then  moved  to  the  town  of  Rubicon,  Dodge  Co  .  Wis.,  where 
Mr.  C.  continued  to  reside  till  1861,  when  he  moved  to  Hart'brd ;  lived  in  this  place  fur  years;  then  re- 
turned to  Rubicon.  He  was  married,  April  30,  1868,  at  Hartford,  to  Miss  Mary  Bowen,  daughter  of 
George  Bowen.  Mrs.  Crowfoot  was  born  in  Erie.  X.  V.  They  have  an  adopted  child,  a  daughter,  named 
Stella.  Mr.  Crowfoot  returned  to  Hartford  in  the  spring  of  1880,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
apiarian  supplies. 

JOH X  C.  DEXISOX,  of  the  firm  of  Wheelock,  Denison  &  Co..  Hartford;  is  the  son  of  Dan- 
iel and  Susan  Cunningham)  Denison,  and  was  bom  Aug.  7.  1832,  in  Hampton.  Windham  Co.,  Conn.; 
spent  hi-  early  years  on  a  farm;  when  16  years  of  age,  he  began  teaching  school  ;  he  newt  took  a  business 
course  in  the  Leicester  Academy.  In  the  fall  of  1854,  he  went  to  Beardstown,  111.,  where  he  spent  the 
winter  in  teaching  school  ;  spent  the  following  summer  in  Bloomingdale,  and,  in  the  fall  of  IS.")."),  came 
to  Hartford  and  engaged  as  hook-keeper  with  the  firm  of  Wheelock,  Kneeland  &  Co.;  in  1857,  he  was 

taken  into  the  firm  as  a  partner,  and  the   firm    name  changed  to  Wl luck.  Denison   &  Co.      Mr.  Denison 

was  married,  at  Neosho,  Dodge  Co.,  i.ug,  10,  1859,  to  Miss  Eliza  Goodenough,  daughter  of  Aaron  and 
Cynthia  (  Durbon)  Goodenough.  Mrs.  Denison  was  born  in  Darien,  Genesee  ^'<  .  X.  V..  Aug.  10,  1840. 
They  have  had  three  children — Aliee  was  born  June  6,  1864.  and  died  Oct.  16,  1867  ;  Carrie  was  born 
April  8,   1870  :   Johnnie.  Aug.  6,  1878. 

CHARLES  DltEIIEIt.  cigar  manufacturer,  Hartford;  he  is  the  son  of  Dennis  and  Cath- 
arine Wintle  Dreher;  was  born  in  Milwaukee  March  il.  L859;  when  B  years  of  age,  came  to  Washing- 
ton Co.,  village  of  Fillmore,  and.  when  14  years  old,  began  learning  the  trade  of  cigar-maker  with  his 
brothers  and  continued  in  their  employ  till  June.  1880,  when  he  came  to  Hartford  and  commenced  in  his 
present  business.  He  was  married,  Oct.  12,  1880,  at  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.,  to  Miss  Marinana  Hubing, 
daughter  of   Lnton  and  Christiana  Hubing.     Mrs.  Dreher  was  born  in  Ozaukee  Co. 

THOMAS  EWIBTG,  farmer  and  proprietor  of  saw-mill,  Sec.  21 ;  P.O.  Hartford:  settled  in 
the  county  in  the  spring  of  1VI7;  he  is  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  Fenstamaker)  Ewing;  was 
born  in  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio  (now  Mahoning  Co.),  April  22,  1827;  in  the  spring  of  1847.  he  came  to 
Vt  isconsin  in  company  with  Mr.  William  Shannon  now  a  resident  of  Ohio),  and  made  his  home  in  Town 
Hi  north,  Range  IS  east  i  now  Hartford  i.  For  about  ten  years  after  coming  to  this  place,  he  worked  at  hi- 
trade;  then,  in  company  with  Mr.  O.  C.  Bissell,  he  purchased  the  saw-mill  situated  on  the  Rubicon  3 
21,  ol  doel  F  Wilson.  E.  R.  Nelson  and  George  C.  Rossman;  the  new  proprietors  rebuilt  and  improved 
the  mill  in  1858,  and.  in  1862,  Mr.  Ewing  bought  out  Mr.  Bissell  and  has  since  continue. I  the  bus 
alone.  The  mill  is  what  is  known  as  circular  saw-mill,  is  run  by  water-power,  and.  when  in  good  repair, 
cut-  6,000  feet  of  hardwood  lumber  running  ten  hours;  he  next  bought  a  farm,  situated  on  Sees.  21  and 
1- ;  has  at  this  writing  135  acres.  He  was  married,  at  Milwaukee,  in  the  fall  of  1868,  to  Miss  Eunice 
Towle,  daughter  of  Simon  Towle;  they  have  one  son — A.  O.  Ewing.  Mr.  Ewing's  nephew,  Mr.  Charles 
I      Boley,  has   been   brought  up  by  him,  having   been   an   inmate  of  the   family  about    fifteen   years.      Mr. 

is  oi P  the  genial,  whole-souled  pioneers  of  the  West,  the  representative  of  a  type  that   is  now 

only  occasionally  met  with  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

Ill  l!i;i(  K  A.  FOItllKS.  .1  ust ice  of  t lie  Peace,  United  States  Pension  Agent  and  attor- 
ney at  law.  Hartford;  is  the  sun  of  John  and  Lydia  (  Sheridan  i  Forbes  ;  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co  \ 
5T.,  Aug.  24,  1838;  his  father  died  while  he  was  an  infant;  when  s  yean  old,  May.  lsio,  he  came  to 
W'i-eoiisin  with  hi-  mother  and  brothers  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Scott.  Sheboygan  Co.  ;  after  receiving 
the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  common  schools  at  home,  he  went  to  Madison  and  took  a  four  years 
scientific  course  at  the  State    University,   from   1S56  to    1*60,    inclusive;   he    went   south  in  the  sprite:  of 


HARTFORD.  581 

1860,  and  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  Missouri,  Arkansas  and  Mississippi;  when  the  war  broke  out,  he  was 
given  the  choice  of  being  hung  or  joining  the  confederate  army  ;  of  the  two  evils,  he  chose  the  latter,  as 
it  afforded  better  chances  of  escape;  while  in  this  service,  he  participated  in  the  engagements  of  Boone- 
ville,  Wilson's  Creek  and  Carthage;  during  the  latter  battle,  he  made  his  escape  to  the  North,  riding  his 
horse  through  to  his  home  in  Sheboygan  Co.  ;  he  then  assisted  in  raising  Co.  I,  1st  W.  V.  I.,  in  which  he 
enlisted  in  September,  1861  ;  he  was  mustered  in  on  the  re-organization  of  that  regiment  after  the  expira- 
tion of  its  three  months'  service  ;  he  held  the  rank  of  Second  Sergeant  of  his  company  ;  at  the  battle  of 
Perry ville,  Oct.  S,  1S62,  he  received  a  gunshot  wound,  which  shattered  his  left  leg,  near  the  ankle;  he 
received  an  honorable  discharge  the  following  March,  and  returned  to  his  home ;  he  soon  after  was 
appointed  United  States  Claim  Agent,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  for  several  years;  in  the  fall  of  1863,  he 
was  elected  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Sheboygan  Co.,  and  served  one  term  of  two  years  ;  was 
Town  Clerk  of  Lyndon  seven  years,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  from  1865  to  1871;  served  as  Chairman  of 
the  town  of  Lyndon  in  1871  ;  on  the  completion  of  the  Milwaukee  &  Northern  Railroad  into  Sheboygan 
Co.,  he  was  appointed  station  ageut  at  Waldo  Station,  which  position  he  held  one  and  a  half  years  ;  hav- 
ing devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  study  of  law,  he  pursued  his  studies  in  the  law  office  of  Judge 
William  Williams,  of  Sheboygan  Palls,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Sheboygan  Co.  in  November,  1874  ; 
was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Sheboygan  Co.  till  1875,  when  he  moved  to  Hartford;  he 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  spring  of  1881,  for  the  town  of  Hartford.  He  was  married,  Dec. 
27,  1864,  in  the  town  of  Ashippun,  Dodge  Co.,  to  Miss  Mariette  Sanford,  daughter  of  George  and  Eliza 
(Kollock)  Sanford.  Mrs.  Forbes  was  born  in  Pewaukee;  they  have  four  children — Frank  S.,  Ira  L., 
Herbert  A.  and  May. 

ADA. II  FREY'  &  CO..  dealers  in  general  merchandise,  grain  and  farm  produce,  Hartford ; 
business  established  in  1S71  ;  average  stock,  $14,000;  have  an  elevator  capacity  of  5.000  bushels  of 
grain;  handle  annually  about  100,000  bushels  of  grain;  this  firm  has  a  large  and  Well-stocked  store. 

Adam  Fret,  the  senior  partner  of  the  above  firm,  is  a  native  of  Rhine,  Bavaria;  is  the  son  of 
Adam  and  Catharine  (Goettmann%)  Frey,  and  was  born  Feb.  4,  1842  ;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1857, 
and  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  on  a  farm  on  Section  11  ;  he  carried  on  the 
farm  three  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  village  of  Hartford,  and,  in  company  with  Mr.  Frederick  Goetz, 
engaged  in  his  present  business  (1871).  He  was  married,  at  Waupun,  Sept.  4,  1870,  to  Miss  Christine 
Spannagel,  daughter  of  August  Spannagel.  Mrs.  Frey  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  of  which  her 
father  was  an  early  settler ;  they  have  five  children — Amelia,  John  A.,  Martha  C.,  Henriette  and 
William  L. 

MICHAEL  GEEHL,  Sr.,  farmer,  Sec.  4  ;  P.  O.  St.  Lawrence ;  has  146  acres  of  land.  Mr. 
Geehle  was  born  in  Luxemburg,  Germany  May  22,  1839  ;  is  the  son  of  Mathias  and  Margaret  Geehl ;  he 
came  to  America  in  1846,  with  his  father,  and  located  on  the  land  where  he  now  lives.  He  was  married, 
Nov.  11,  1861,  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  to  Miss  Theressa  Nertzinger,  daughter  of  Peter  Nertzinger  ;  she  is 
also  a  native  of  Luxemburg.  They  have  seven  children  living — Mathias,  Peter,  Nicholas,  John,  Jacob, 
Mary  and  Anna;  they  have  lost  two — Catharine  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Geehl  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  of  the  town  of  Hartford  three  terms,  and  is  now  serving  the  fourth  term.  His 
father,  aged  70   years,  resides  with   him  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  comfortable  old  age. 

LEONARD  OEHL,  merchant  and  hotel-keeper,  St.  Lawrence;  commenced  business  in  the 
hotel  and  saloon  in  May,  1S79,  and  in  November,  1880,  started  a  general  store ;  he  is  the  son  of  Nicholas 
and  Susan  Gehl ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hartford  Dec.  12,  1847  ;  he  was  brought  up  on  a  farm.  Was 
married,  Oct.  4,  1870,  in  Hartford,  to  Miss  Anna  Krebs,  daughter  of  John  Krebs;  they  have  had 
six  children  ;  the  eldest,  Nicholas,  died  in  infaucy  ;  Phillip,  Mary,  Jacob,  Mathias  and  Adam  ;  his  father, 
Nicholas  Gehl,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Hartford,  having  settled  in  this  town  in  1845  ;  he  is  a  native  of 
Luxemburg. 

WILLIAM  4jrEOROE,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Washington  County  Republican;  was 
born  in  Rutunev,  N.  H.,  June  22,  1840;  when  a  mere  child,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Lowell,  Mass, 
where  he  resided  till  1857,  receiving  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  city  ;  came  to  Waukesha  in 
1857,  where  he  received  his  first  tuition  in  the  printer's  art  in  the  Democrat  office  ;  was  there  six  months  ; 
next  engaged  in  the  Waukesha  Freeman  office,  where  he  remained  till  1861  ;  then  removed  to  Milwaukee 
and  engaged  in  the  office  of  the  Milwaukee  Sentinel ;  after  serving  four  months,  he  enlisted  in  the  5th 
W.  V.  I.,  Co.  B  ;  served  with  honor  during  the  following  three  years,  participating  in  all  the  engage- 
ments in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged  ;  took  part  in  the  Peninsular  campaign  under  McClellan  ;  at  the 
battle  of  the  Wilderness,  under  Grant,   May,   1864,  he  was  wounded  on  the  second  day's  fight,  and  was 


582  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

permanently  disabled  ;  received  an  honorable  discharge,  and  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  entered  the  office 
of  the  Evening  Wisconsin  as  a  compositor,  where  he  remained  till  1874  ;  came  to  West  Bend  in  that  year 
and  bought  into  the  West  Bend  Republican,  ultimately  becoming  its  largest  shareholder;  in  July.  1876, 
he  moved  the  office  to  Hartford  and  changed  its  name  to  the  Washington  County  Republican,  ami  has 
continued  its  publication  to  this  date  ;  this  is  the  only  Republican  paper  of  the  county,  and  lias  won  the 
confidence  of  the  party.  He  was  married,  Jan.  1,  1867,  to  Mary  M.  Barnes,  of  Brookfield,  Wis.  ;  they 
have  two  living  children — Bertie,  aa:ed  9,  and  Rollin,  aged  7. 

I  ItOJHItH  JK  GOETZ,  of  the  firm  of  Adam  Prey  &  Co.,  Hartford;  son  of  Charles  and 
Julia  |  Huebner  Goetz  :  was  born  in  Saxe  Coburg  Feb.  2.  1841;  came  to  America  in  May,  lS'iti: 
stopped  in  Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  one  and  a  half  years;  then  came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time,  and  then  came  to  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.;  lived  a  few  years  on  a  farm  in  this  town:  then 
bought  a  farm  near  Pike  Lake:  was  back  and  forth  between  New  York  and  Wisconsin  several  years ;  was 
engaged  some  time  in  New  York  in  the  manufacture  of  sand  paper;  in  May.  1869,  he  moved  to  Hartford 
Village,  and  in  company  with  his  brother,  John  P.,  he  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  two  years.  March  8, 
1871.  he  was  married  at  Hartford  to  Miss  Henrietta  lirauso,  daughter  of  Fred  Brause :  they  have  live 
children — Agnes,  Frederick,  Adolph,  Ida  and  George.  Mr.  Goetz  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr. 
Frey  in  his  present  business  in  1871.      He  is  the  present  Chief  of  the  Fire  Department. 

JOIIX  I'.  <»OFTZ.  proprietor  of  the  Wisconsin  House.  Hartford,  which  he  has  kept  thirteen 
years:  is  a  native  of  Saxe-Coburg.  Germany,  and  the  bod  of  Charles  and  Juliana  (Huebner)  Goetz;  was 
born  Dec.  17,  1S35,  and  came  to  America  in  1853  :  made  his  home  in  Brooklyn,  N.  V.,  till  1861,  when 
in-  to  tin  town  of  Hartford  and  settled  mi  a  (arm:  continued  there  till  June,  1369,  when  he  en- 
gaged in  bis  present  business.  lie  was  married,  -Ian.  21,  1867,  at  Hartford,  t.>  Miss  Agnes  Liver,  daughter 
of  Casper  and  Anna  Liver:  Mrs.  Goetz  was  born  in  Switzerland;  they  have  five  children— Charles 
W.,  Frederick,  Casper  H..  John  A.  and  A.  Arthur;  the  daughter  is  the  youngest,  and  i>  called  Hedwig 
June. 

JULIUS  l\  <«OUUD,  farmer.  See.  17;  1".  ().  Hartford  ;  has  68  acres  of  land  :  settled  in  the 
county  in  1861  ;  was  born  in  Cayuga  Co.,  -V  V.,  April  1'.),  1835;  is  the  sun  of  Cyrus  and  Hannah 
(Browni  Gould:  cane' to  Wisconsin  with  his  father  in  1845;  settled  in  Waukesha  Co.,  where  they  re- 
mained till  1848,  when  they  moved  to  the  town  of  Rubicon.  Dodge  Co.  The  subject  of  this  -ketch  was 
married  at  Hartford,  Sept.  1.  1861,  to  Mrs.  Lydia  M.  Rossman,  daughter  of  John  and  Sally  Mowry,  and 
widow  of  George  C.  Rossman;  she  was  born  in  Cayuga  Co.,  X.  Y  ;  three  children  were  born  of  her  first 
marriagl  —  Electa,  Georgie,  and  one  lost;  six  children  have  been  born  of  the  present  marriage,  of  whom 
three  are  living — Julia.  <"  lied  when  L'  years  of  age  ,  Fred   (died  when  8  years   .,1.1  .  Mary.  Inez 

.who  died  whet,  1  years  of  age  .  John.     Mr.  Could  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1862,  in  Co.  [,29th  W.  V    I. 
was  appointed  Orderly  Sergeant  of  his  company;  at  tie-  battle  of  Champion  Hills.  May  16,  1863,  be  re- 
ceived a  gunshot  wound, causing  permanent  disability:  he  was  detailed  on  recruiting  service,  and  reci 
an  honorable  discharge,  Oct.  19,  1864  ;   on  returning  from  the  army,  be  resumed  work  on  his  farm,  where 
he  has  continued  to  reside  to  this  da 

JOIIX  <bKI'XI>.  fame  r.  s.  c.  30;  P.O.  Hartford  ;  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Ann  Grund,  and  was 
born  in  Mecklenburg-Schwerin,  Germany,  .lime  8,  1825;  he  came  to  America  in  1855,  and  t « .  Wisconsin. 
making  a  temporary  home  in  Milwaukee.    Be  was  married  in  this  city  in  October,  1855,  to  Miss  Mary  Raetz, 

daughter  of  Joseph  Raetz.     In  January,  1856,  he  moved  to  'lie  villi f  Hartford;  here  he  learned  the 

ma-. .n's  trade,  ami   worked  at  it  several  years.     If    enlisted  in  1863  in  the  34th    W.  V.  I.,  and  served 

months;  re-enlisted  in  April,  1865,  in  ('...  B,  52d  W.  V.  1.,  and  served  six   months.     In  1866,  be 

im.ved  to  a  farm  on  See.  30,  where  be  resided  till   1874,  when  he  i  to  bis   present   home.       Mr.  and 

Mrs.  Grund  have  had  three  children — John,  Josephine    who  died  when  18  yeai  .ml  Mary,     lie 

ha-  130  acres 

ADOIMMI    IIAIIX.    dealer    in     pumps,   and   steam    and    gas    pipe    fitter,    Hartford:    business 

ished  in  1879;  is  also  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Habn  &  Rollath,  artesian  and  stock  well  drillers: 
business  established  March,  lv-l  ;  Mr  Halm  is  a  native  of  Nassau,  Germany;  is  the  son  ,,f  John  and 
Katharine  Ruf  11.1m  ;  was  bom  June  16,  1848;  in  March,  1868,  be  came  '■•  America  and  located  in 
the  village  of  Haiti. .id;  he  had  learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trad.-  before  leaving  the  old  country;  on 

ing  this  place  he  engaged  in  thai  work,  but  in  less  than  a  year  be  met  with  an  accident  by 
which  I..   1.,-t  all  the  upper  portion  of  his  hit  hand,  saving  the  thumb;  he  tl ingaged  in  clerking  in  a 

and  followed  that  about  two  and  a  hall  year.-;  he  was  next  engagedinthe  lumber  business  live 
li,  tl.., i  ,, pencil  a  variety  .-tore,  which  be  k.|,t  three  years,  during  which  time  he  had  established 

tin'  pump  hii-iie  --  ;    -iie-e  closing  out  the  -tor...  be  ha-   deVOti  d    hi-  attention  to  the  latter  business    and  to 


HARTFORD.  583 

well-drilling;  during  the  year  1877,  he  spent  several  months  in  Europe.  Has  been  Town  Clerk  of  Hart- 
ford three  years. 

DAVID  M.  HARTER,  farmer,  Sec.  IS;  P.  0.  Hartford;  the  son  of  Lawrence  and  Maria 
Harter,  and  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  April  11,  1842;  he  came  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents 
when  not  quite  2  years  of  age ;  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  and  enlisted  Feb.  22, 
1864,  in  Co.  C,  29th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married  at  Hartford,  Feb. 
28,  1807.  to  Miss  Amanda  Nelson,  daughter  of  George  Nelson,  and  a  native  of  Wisconsin  ;  they  have 
three  children — George  L.,  Edwin  J.  and  Adveian.  Since  1864,  Mr.  Harter  has  made  his  home  on 
Sec.   18. 

LAWRENCE  HARTER,  farmer,  Sec.  18;  P.  0.  Hartford;  has  l^O  acres  of  land  in 
Washington  Co.,  and  200  in  Waupaca;  Mr.  Harter  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  24,  1817  ;  is 
the  son  of  Lawrence  and  Maria  Harter.  He  was  married,  July  3,  1837,  to  Miss  Maria  Bartlett,  daughter 
of  John  Bartlett ;  they  have  two  sons — David  M.,  married  to  Miss  Amanda  Nelson,  and  residing  in  the 
town  of  Hartford;  Charles  H.,  married  to  Louisa  Orcutt,  and  residing  in  Waupaca  Co.  Mr.  Harter  and 
family  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1843;  spent  four  years  in  Milwaukee,  and  then  moved  to  the  town  of  Her- 
man. Dodge  Co.,  where  they  resided  till  1865.  when  they  moved  to  Hartford. 

PATRICK  HAYES,  farmer,  Sec.  28;  P.  O.  Hartford;  is  the  son  of  Redmond  and  Bridget 
Hayes.  He  was  born  in  Galway  Co.,  Ireland,  April  13,  1S12.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1837,  and 
located  in  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.  The  following  year,  he  returned  to  Ireland,  and,  in  1840,  came  to  the 
United  States  again  ;  spent  several  months  in  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  then  went  to  Georgia,  where  he 
remained  till  the  following  April,  when  he  returned  to  New  York.  He  next  went  to  Massachusetts, 
Berkshire  Co.,  where  he  spent  nearly  seven  years,  returning  then  to  New  York.  He  was  in  the  employ 
of  Prum,  Ray  &  Co.,  iron  manufacturers,  having  charge  of  the  coal  department  in  several  places.  In 
1849,  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  on  Sec.  32,  town  of  Hartford,  where  he  resided  till  August,  1874, 
when  he  moved  to  his  present  farm,  still  retaining  the  old  one.  He  was  married,  April  23,  1848,  in 
Columbia  Co.,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Winnefred  Bohan,  daughter  of  Joseph  Bohan.  She  is  a  native  of  Ireland, 
Seven  children  were  born  to  them — the  eldest,  Patrick,  died  when  13  years  of  age,  Adelia,  Gilbert  (died 
when  nearly  S  years  of  age),  Dennis,  William,  James  aud  Eliza.     He  has  200  acres  of  land. 

PETER  HEIPP,  harness-maker  and  saddler,  Hartford.  This  business  was  established  by 
Mr.  Fred  Hildebrandt  (deceased),  in  1S65,  who  carried  it  on  alone  till  February,  1879,  when  he  took  Mr. 
Peter  Heipp  as  a  partner.  Mr.  Hildebrandt  died  April  18,  1881,  since  which  time  the  business  has  been 
carried  on  by  Mr.  Heipp  for  himself  and  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Hildebrandt.  Average  stock  carried,  $1,200. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Prussia  ;  is  the  son  of  Franz  and  Margaret  (Fuchs)  Heipp,  and 
was  born  March  10,  1850;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1854,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Jack- 
son, Washington  Co.;  learned  his  trade  at  West  Bend  with  Charles  Hildebrandt;  went  from  there  to 
Green  Bay,  and  worked  a  short  time  ;  came  to  Hartford  in  July,  1S70,  and  worked  with  Mr.  Luce  ;  also 
worked  awhile  in  Escanaba,  Mich.,  and  several  other  places,  till  February,  1879,  when  he  entered  into 
partnership  with  Mr.  Hildebrandt  in  his  present  business.  He  was  married,  Dec.  6,  1877,  at  Fillmore, 
Washington  Co.,  to  Lucy  Dreher,  daughter  of  Deunis  Dreher.  Mrs.  Heipp  was  born  in  Bavaria..  They 
have  one  son — Phillip.  In  May,  1881,  Mr.  Heipp.  in  company  with  Mr.  Unglub,  took  the  agency  of  the 
following  insurance  companies:  The  Concordia,  of  Milwaukee;  German,  of  Freeport,  111.,  and  Herman 
Mutual,  of  Dodge  Co.,  Wis. 

•lOHN  T.  HELD,  farmer,  See.  3(3;  P.  O.  Schleisingerville ;  was  born  in  Prussia  July  29, 
1841  ;  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Matilda  Held;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1845,  and  settled  in 
the  town  of  Brighton,  Kenosha  Co. ;  lived  there  eleven  years,  and  then  m  jved  to  Black  River  Falls,  and 
from  there  to  the  town  of  Hartford  in  1865.  He  was  married,  Feb.  26,  1866,  in  the  town  of  Hartford, 
to  Miss  Mary  Heppe,  daughter  of  Frank  Heppe.  She  was  born  in  Prussia.  They  have  had  six  children 
— the  eldest,  Frank,  was  drowned  when  8  years  of  age;-  the  five  others  are  living — Lizzie,  Henry,  Mary, 
Joseph  and  Frank.      Mr.  Held  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  since  1865.     He  has  160  acres  of  land. 

HERMAN  HILDEKRAXDT.  station  agent  and  telegraph  operator,  Hartford  Station.  C, 
M.  &  St.  Paul  R.  R.;  has  heW  the  appointment  since  April,  1875  ;  was  born  in  Prussia  May  20,  1848  . 
son  of  Peter  and  Johanna  Hildebrandt;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  when  2  years  of  age.  The 
family  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.;  after  a  residence  there  of  ten  years,  they  moved  to 
Jackson  Co.,  Kan.;  five  years  were  spent  on  a  farm  in  that  State;  then  Mr.  H.  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and 
made  his  home  at  Hartford  ;  here  he  learned  harness-making  with  a  brother,  working  at  the  business  three 
years.  In  1868,  he  began  learning  telegraphing,  and,  in  1869,  went  to  Iron  Ridge,  where  he  was  employed 
as  operator  six  months  at  the  depot;  from  there  he  went  to  Woodland  aud  was  in  the  employ  of  the  C,  M. 


584  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

&  St.  P.  R.  R.,  at  that  place  about  five  years.  April,  1875,  he  was  assigned  to  his  present  position  at 
Hartford.  He  was  married  at  Woodland  in  the  fall  of  1869,  to  Miss  Henriette  Schultz,  daughter  of  Chris 
iSchultz.  Mrs.  Hildebrandt  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hubbard.  Dodge  Co.;  they  have  three  children — Ida, 
Henry  and  Edwin. 

JOHX  HOLLEXSTEIX,  baker  and  confectioner,  Hartford;  business  established  in  the 
spring  of  1872;  is  a  native  of  Switzerland;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  C.  Hollenstein,  and  was  born 
Nov.  3,  1840  ;  learned  his  trade  in  his  native  country,  and  was  married  in  May,  1861,  to  Mary  Rapin, 
Mrs.  Hollenstein  died  in  1S62,  leaving  one  daughter,  Lena.  Mr.  Hollenstein  was  married  again,  in  1863, 
to  Miss  Louisa  Doman;  two  children  were  born  of  this  marriage — Louisa  and  John.  In  the  fall  of  1871, 
they  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  coming  directly  to  Hartford.  Mr.  Hollenstein  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business  soon  after  and  has  continued  it  to  this  writing. 

L(M   IS    F.    IKH./.  tinsmith,  Hartford;  son  of  Leopold  and  Frederiea  Holz  ;   was  born  Sept. 

30,  1854,  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee  ;  his  parents  were  from  Northern  Prussia,  and  came  to  America  in 
1852,  making  their  home  in  Milwaukee,  where  they  continue  1  to  reside  till  1878,  when  they  moved  to 
Cottonwood  Falls,  Kan.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  learned  the  tinner's  trade  in  Milwaukee,  beginning 
when  14  years  of  age  with  Mr.  William  Frankfurth,  continuing  with  him  three  years.  He  then 
went  to  work  with  Messrs  Peterman  &  Stredy,  of  the  same  city  ;  remained  in  the  employ  of  this  firm  two 
years,  and  then,  in  1873,  came  to  Hartford  and  engaged  in  the  tin-shop  of  J.  M.  Le  Count  A;  Co.;  worked 
for  these  parties  two  years  ;  then  established  himself  in  the  tin  and  hardware  business  in  Hartford  ;  two 
months  later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  J.  G.  Liver,  in  the  same  line  ;  continued  this  connection  three 
and  a  half  years.  During  the  latter  part  of  this  term  they  built  the  substantial  brick  block  now  occupied 
by  Stark  &  Liver.  March  8,  1881,  he  sold  out  to  Stark  &  Liver,  and  went  West  ;  spent  several  months 
traveling  through  Kausas.  Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  On  his  return  to  Hartford  about  the  1st  of  June, 
he  commenced  work  in  the  tin-shop  of  Stark  &  Liver.  He  was  married,  at  Milwaukee,  Jan.  21,  1877,  to 
Mis-  Hannah  Koepka,  daughter  of  Fred  Koepka.  Mrs.  Holz  was  born  in  Milwaukee;  they  have  two 
children — Malley  and  Lei  F. 

JOHX    II  I' ELS,  retired  merchant  and  brewer,  Hartford  ;   was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  Ma\ 

31,  1825;  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Margarette  (Faeh)  Huels;  came  to  the  United  States  in  July,  L847, 
and  direct  to  the  town  of  Herman,  Dodge  Co.  He  was  married  in  this  town  in  1847,  to  Miss  Barbara 
Oerhl,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Oerhl.  Mrs.  Huels  was  born  in  Germany.  Mr.  Huels  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  the  town  of  Herman  twenty-four  years.  During  this  time,  he  built  a  brewery  1850  i,  and  a  store 
in  I*5s,  ai  a  point  called  Huelsburg;  continued  the  brewing  business  "11  1865  when  he  sold  out,  and  tar- 
ried on  the  store  and  farm  till  1*71  when  he  sold  that  property  and  came  to  Hartford;  here  he  bought 
the  Hartford  Brewery  and  ran  it  two  years;  then  traded  the  brewery  for  what  is  known  as  the  Gaspar 
property,  and  a  year  later  retired  from  business.  Purine;  the  war,  he  was  enrolling  officer  for  the  town 
of  Herman;   was  Chairman  of  that  town  one  year,  and  Treasurer  two  years. 

A.  J.  Ill'  EIjS,  dealer  in  groceries  and  provisions.  Hartford  :  business  established  in  June,  1881 ; 
a  large  refrigerating  room  is  connected  with  the  store  for  the  handling  of  butter  and  perishable  produce  ; 
Mr.  Huels  is  the  son  oi  Samuel  and  Margarette  Huels,  and  was  born  in  Huelsburg,  Dodge  Co     Sept.  5, 

1856;  his  parents  eame  to  America  from  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Herman.  Dodge 
Co.,  al  an  early  day.  The  village  of  Huelsburg  was  named  alter  hi-  father  and  uncle.  Mr.  Huels  was 
married  in  his  native  town,  June  22.  1880,  to  Miss  Carrie  Mueller,  daughter  of  Mai  bias  Mueller.  Mr.  H. 
lived  on  his  farm  about  a  year  after  his  marriage,  ami  then  came  to  Hartford  and  engaged  in  bis  present 
business. 

I>\\  H.ll  I  J.4.CKSOX,  of  the  firm  of  Wheelook,  Denison  &  Co.,  merchants,  Hartford;  is 
the  son  of. I.  ('.  and  Lucj  I  Denison  i  Jackson  ;  was  born  in  Hampton.  Windham  Co..  Conn.,  Nov.  4,  1S.'!7. 
Ai  the  expiration  of  bis  school  days,  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  mercantile  bouse  in  his  native  town,  and  con- 
tinued that  occupation  till  April,  1>.">7.  when  he  oame  to  Wisconsin,  and  engag  1  as  clerk  with  the  linn  of 
Wheelock  &  Denison,  merchants;  continued  with  this  firm  as  clerk  till  March,  1863,  when  he  was  admit- 
ted as  a  partner,  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to  Wheelook,  Denison  \  Co.  The  house  is  more  lolly 
described  in  the  business  history  of  the  town.  On  the  breaking-out  of  the  late  war.  Mr.  Jackson  was 
among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  three-months'  in  n.  lie  enlisted  in  April.  1861,  in  Co  B.  1st 
W  V  I  served  live  months  and  received  his  discharge;  his  business  interests  requiring  his  attention,  he 
was  obliged  to  forego  bis  intention  of  re-enlistiog  till  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  received  a  commission 
as  1st  Lieutenant  of  Co  B  5 2d  W.  V.  [.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  lie  was  married  in  Buf- 
falo, N.  ST.,  Jan.  26,  1875,  to  Mi--  Helen  M.  Rogers  daughter  of  Moses  and  Adeline  (Bailey)  Rogers, 
Mi-   Jackson  was  bom  in  Guildhall,  Vt. 


HARTFORD.  585 

JAMES  O.  KENDALL.,  of  the  firm  of  J.  0.  Kendall  &  Co.,  millers,  Hartford,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Ashby,  Middlesex  Co.,  Mass.,  Jan.  4,  1821.  Is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Haynes)  Ken- 
dall. On  reaching  manhood  (1842),  Mr.  Kendall  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  tubs  and  pails 
in  his  native  town.  He  was  married,  Sept.  21,  1843,  to  Miss  Phebe  H.  Denny,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Phebe  (Henshaw)  Denny.  Mrs.  Kendall  was  born  in  Leicester,  Mass.  Mr.  Kendall  continued  his  busi- 
ness at  Ashby  till  the  fall  of  1856,  when  he  came  to  Hartlord.  Here  he  spent  a  few  years  working  as  a 
millwright,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1800,  he  bought  an  interest  in  the  Hartford  mill  property,  includiug  the 
water-power,  flouring-mill  and  saw-mill,  the  firm  name  being  J.  0.  Kendall  &  Co.  Iu  1873,  the  com- 
pany built  the  extensive  brick  flouring-mill  known  as  the  Hartford  Mills,  and  which  are  described  elsewhere 
under  the  head  of  manufactories;  the  firm  handles  about  130,000  bushels  of  grain  annually.  Mis.  Ken- 
dall died  July  22,  1877.  She  was  the  mother  of  four  children — Flora  H.,  was  the  wife  of  William  H. 
Babcock,  and  died  Oct.  10, 1876  ;  Henriette,  now  Mrs.  John  Arthur,  of  Hartford  ;  Edward  H.,  married 
to  Miss  Kate  Arthur,  also  residents  of  Hartford  ;  Abbott  D.,  died  iu  childhood.  Mr.  Kendall  was  mar- 
ried, in  the  town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Co.,  Oct.  22,  1878,  to  Mrs.  Maggie  J.  Sprague.  daughter  of  Jacob 
Herman,  of  Scott. 

RISSEL  S.  K1VBELAND,  conveyancer  and  agent  for  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance 
Company;  also  agent  for  Washington,  Waukesha  and  Dodge  Cos.,  for  the  Monumental  Bronze  Company, 
of  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  the  Detroit  Bronze  Company,  Hartford.  Was  born  in  Berkshire  Co.,  Mass., 
March  10,  1810;  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Philomela  (Robinson)  Kneelaud.  At  the  age  of  3  years,  he 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Connecticut,  where  they  spent  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  Shalerville,  Ohio. 
In  1835,  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  spent  six  months  as  teacher  at  Jacksonville,  and  a  year  as  merchant's 
clerk  at  Pekin.  From  there  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  engaged  as  steamboat  clerk  on  the  Upper 
Mississippi  and  Illinois  Rivers.  After  five  years  of  steamboating,  he  established  himself  at  St.  Louis  as 
clerk  in  a  flouring-mill.  While  steamboating  he  had  visited  Wisconsin,  and  was  married,  Sept.  25,  1838, 
at  Prairieville,  now  Waukesha,  to  Miss  Electa  Rossman,  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Irene  Rossmau.  Mrs. 
Kueeland  was  born  in  West  Haven,  Vt.  In  the  fall  of  1846,  Mr.  Kueeland,  on  closing  his  engagement  with 
the  milling  company,  came  to  Waukesha,  where  he  engaged  with  his  brother,  F.  C,  in  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness. This  connection  lasted  only  six  mouths,  when  he  came  to  Hartford,  April,  1847,  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  Hiram  H.  Wheeloek  in  the  general  mercantile  business,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Wheelock  &  Kneeland.  Suon  after  the  organization  of  the  firm,  Mr.  Ira  H.  Wheeloek  and  Mr.  Nathan 
Parker  were  admitted,  and  the  firm  name  changed  to  Wheelock,  Kneeland  &  Co.  About  1854,  they  pur- 
chased a  half  interest  in  the  water-power  and  saw-mill  and  the  old  grist-mill,  on  the  construction  of  the  La 
Crosse  &  Milwaukee  Railway.  Mr.  Kneeland  was  elected  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  company,  and,  in 
1855,  was  appointed  wood  agent.  In  1856,  he  withdrew  from  the  firm  of  Wheelock,  Kneeland  &  Co.,  and 
e  mtiuued  to  ac:  as  agent  for  trie  railroad  company  till  1857,  when  he  was  called  upon  to  settle  the  estates 
of  C.  W.  Rossman;  and,  in  1850,  settled  the  estate  of  George  C.  Rossman.  Mrs.  Kueeland  died  Nov.  28, 
1848,  leaving  two  children.  The  eldest,  Clara  Irene,  is  now  Mrs.  A.  D.  Parker,  of  Fond  du  Lac;  the 
youngest,  Cliarles  R.,  was  married  to  Kedia  Sayles,  and  resides  at  Lamberton,  Redwood  Co.,  Minn.  Mr. 
Kneeland  was  married,  Nov.  23,  1S49,  to  Miss  Olive  K.  Harrington  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Esther  Har- 
rington. Mrs.  K.  was  boru  in  Winason,  Vt.  Four  children  were  born  to  them--Eva  E.  ;  Russel  S., 
married  to  Jenuie  L  Sackett,  and  is  station  agent  at  St.  Peter,  Minn. ;  Edna  O.,  now  residing  iu  B  >ston  ; 
and  Fred  H.,  living  at  Fond  du  Lac.  Mr.  Kneeland  was  Chairman  of  Hartford  in  1849 ;  was  also  Town 
Treasurer  and  Town  Clerk  several  terms ;  was  actively  engaged  several  years  in  the  collection  and  settle- 
ment of  soldier  claims;  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  ten  years;  was  enrolling  officer  in  1864;  and, 
in  1870,  was  appointed  Deputy  United  States  Marshal  to  take  the  census  iu  the  towns  of  Hartford,  Eric 
and  Polk.  Has  also  done  considerable  conveyancing  and  collecting,  and  attended  to  the  settlement  of  es- 
tates while  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Wheelock,  Kueeland  &  Co.  From  1850  to  1855,  was  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  N.  Parker  &  Co.,  and  engaged  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  peariash. 

DR.  AXDREtV  K.UTU,  physician  and  surgeon,  Hartford;  son  of  John  and  Theresa  Kuth; 
was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  Nov.  30,  1843.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Eclectic  Medical  School  of  Bern, 
Switzerland.  Came  to  America  in  1870,  and  direct  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of 
his  profession.  He  was  married,  in  that  city,  Oct.  8,  1878,  to  Miss  Anna  Sehuh.  They  have  one  child — 
Joseph  A.  R.     The  D  ictor  came  to  Hartford  and  established  himself  in  pra  -tiee  iu  May,  1881. 

IjUDWICJ  LiAUBEXSTEISi',  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Hartford  ;  business  established 
in  the  spring  of  1867.  Mr.  Laubenstien  has  a  large  and  well  stocked  store  in  his  line.  He  is  the  sou  of  George 
and  Margarette  Laubenstien;  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  Feb.  24,  1831.  Came  to  America  iu  1853, 
and  direct  to   Milwaukee.      Making  a  short  stay  in  that  city,  he  proceeded  to  Hartford  on  a  prospecting 


586  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

tour;  remaining  a  short  time,  he  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  remained  nine  months,  and  then  returned  to 
Hartford.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  store  of  Wheelock,  Kneeland  &  Co.  i  .July  10,  1S54  i,  and  continued  in 
the  employ  of  that  house  about  thirteen  years  under  its  different  changes.  In  the  spring  of  1867,  he  com- 
menced for  himself  as  a  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  and  lias  continued  the  business  to  this  date.  He 
was  married,  at  Hartford.  I>ee.  0.  1850.  to  Miss  Catharine  Endlich,  daughter  of  John  H.  Endlich.  Mrs. 
L.  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany.  They  have  had  six  children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living — Louisa 
L.  (deceased  i,  Amelia  (deceased),  Julia,  Adolph,  Catharine,  and  Louise  (deceased.) 

PHILIP  LAUX,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Court  Commissioner,  Hartford  ;  is  a  native  of  Hesse- 
Darmstadt,  Germany  ;  is  the  son  of  Balthassar  and  Maria  i  Neithinger)  Laun  ;  was  born  Feb.  2,  1815  ; 
was  married,  in  his  native  country,  in  1850,  to  Miss  Maria  Ruf,  and,  in  1851,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States.  The  four  years  succeeding  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  spent  in  the  city  of  New  York  ;  he  theu 
came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  remained  omfy  a  short  time,  and  came  to  Hartford  in  1S55.  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  He  was  the  first  to  open  a  barber-shop  in  the  village  of  Hartford,  and  continued 
the  business  eighteen  years.  In  185S  and  1859,  he  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff:  for  several  years,  he  acted 
as  Interpreter  in  the  Circuit  and  County  Courts;  about  1870,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
has  held  the  office  continuously  since  to  this  writing;  he  was  appointed  Court  Commissioner,  and  is  now 
serving  his  third  term  in  that  office.  Mr.  Laun  lias  onl)'  one  child,  a  son,  named  Henry,  who  is  married 
and  resides  in  Missouri.  On  the  organization  of  the  Hartford  Honk  ami  Ladder  Company,  Mr.  Laun  was 
one  of  the  charter  members. 

WILLIAM  J.  LE  COl]\T,  Postmaster,  and  dealer  in  farm  machinery.  Hartford;  Beetled  in 
the  county  in  1855  ;  he  is  the  son  of  John  H.  and  Esther  'Smith)  Lo  Coun.,  and  was  born  in  Greene 
Co.,  N,  Y  .  May  29,  1833  ;  when  4  years  old,  moved  with  his  family  to  Wayne  Co.,  Mich.;  lived  there 
nine  years,  and  then  moved  to  Bristol.  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio  :  after  three  years  spent  in  that  county,  they 
removed  to  Crawford  Co..  and  from  there  to  Wisconsin  in  November,  L849,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
LeRoy.  Dodge  Co.;  in  1853,  he  went  to  Fond  du  Lac.  where  he  learned  the  tinner's  trade;  in  1855,  lie 
came  to  Hartford  and  worked  one  year  as  journeyman  tinsmith  ;  he  then  opened  a  hardware  store,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother,  C.  Le  Count;  in  the  lall  of  1801,  leaving  his  brother  in  charge  of  the  business,  be 
enlisted  in  Co.  E,  10th  W.  V.  I.  (Army  of  the  Cumberland);  served  ten  months,  and  was  discharged  lor 
disability  .  on  bis  return  from  the  army,  he  resumed  his  position  in  the  store:  on  April  12.  1865,  he  re- 
enlisted   in   Co.    B,   52d   W.  V.  I.;   was  made  Orderly  Serjeant.  1  served  till  the  close  of  the  war;   was 

mustered  out  in  August,  1865,  at   Leavenworth.  Kan.      He  was  married,  at  Fond  du  Lac.    Feb.  — .  1866, 
to  Miss  Nellie  Fowler,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fowler.     Mrs.  Le  Count  was  born  in  Pennsylvania;  they  have 
five  children — Wallace,  Sarah.  Frederick,  Georgie.  and  I  ne  daughter  unnamed.      Mr.    Le   Count  sen 
Deputy  Dnited  States  Marshal  from  1871  to  1877;  he  was  then  appointed  Postmaster. 

.1.  .11.  LFi  COIIXT,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  real  estate  and  loan  agent.  Hartford  ;  18  a  native  of 
Lyons,  Wayne  Co.,  X-  ST.,  and  the  son  of  John  II.  and  Bather  Smith  i  Le  Count — or  Le  Compt e  as  the 
name  »a-  Bpelled  by  the  grandfather,  who  was  one  of  the  Huguenot  refugees  from  Frame  who  settled  in 
Dutchess  Co..  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  of  1770.     Mr.    Le   Count's   father,   John    11. 

was  a  Boldiet  in  the  war  of   1KIU       J.   M.  was   born    Sept,     1.     1835  ;    when  2  years  of  age,  went  with    his 

parents  to  Wayne  Co.,  Mich.,  where  they  lived  nine  years ;  they  then  moved  to   Bristol.  Trumbull  Co.. 
Ohio,  where  they  lived  three  years :  they  next  moved  to  Crawford  Co.,  Ohio,  where  thej  continued  to  re- 
side  till  November,    1849,  when  they  came  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  the  town  of  LeRoy,   H"i 
Young  Le  Count  spent  his  early  years  on  a  farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools  ami  at  the 
academj   at    Pond  du   Lac;    in   L855,  be  came  to   Hartford  and    learned  the  tinner's  trade,  and.  in   ls.">7.  1>. 
gan    bu~inc>s   iii    the  hardware  line,  with  his  brother,  W.  J.,  in  Hartford  ;   closed  up  in  1859,  and  wi 
Horicon,  where  he  -pent  one  summer;  he  next  went  to  Sohleisingerville  and  carried  on  the  hardware  bus- 
iness two  years;  then  returned  to  Hartford  and  engaged  with  bis  brother  as  tinner.     In  September,  1861, 

be  ueni  tn  EEuStisford  and  opened  a  hardware  store,  which  he  carried  on  successfully  nine  years;  lie  then 
returned    t,,    Hartford   and   bought  out  his  brothers,  who  were  in  the  same  line;    lie  built  a  brick  block,  in 

which  be  carried  on  the  hardware  business  till  1878,  when  he  sold  mil  ;  be  was  Justice  "f  the  Peace  and 
Superintendent  of  Schools  of  the  town  of  Polk  in  1859  ;  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  in  1 1  art  ford  twelve 

years,    was  Census  Enu rator  of   Hartford  in   L880,  and  holds  a  Commission    as    Hinted    States    Marshal, 

and  also  that  of  Notary  Public.     He  \\.i>  married,  -Ian    I.  1858,  at  Hartford,  to   Miss  S  phia   Pritchard, 

daughter  of  C.   P    Pritchard,  who  was  born  in  Cook   Co  .  III.:    they  have  four  children — Louis  L..  married 

io  Alice  Dean,  residing  in  Hartford;   Ettie,  now  Mrs.  Louis  Genzmer,  of  Hartford  ;   Belle  and  Prank  M. 

Mr    Le  Count  has  achieved  quite  a  reputation  as  a  poet  ;  among  bis si  popular  productions,  which  have 

quite  extensively  copied  by  the  \\ .  stern  press,  may  be  mentioned  "  Decoration  Hay.  '  "  God  s   v. 


HARTFORD.  587 

"Butte  des  Morts,''  "The  Suicide,"  "  Farewell  to  the  Wine  Cup,"  "  There  is  Joy  in  Our  House,''  and 
"  The  Hermit  of  Holy  Hill." 

JOHN  €r.  EIVER,  of  the  firm  of  Stark  &  Liver,  merchants;  was  born  in  Switzerland  May 
25,  1854  ;  son  of  Anton  and  Clara  (Wauzan)  Liver.  When  not  <|uite  14  years  of  age,  he  started  out 
alone  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  New  World  ;  arriving  in  the  United  States  in  1868,  he  came  directly  to 
Washington  Co.,  and  made  his  home  for  a  few  years  on  a  farm  with  an  uncle,  near  Schleisingerville,  where 
he  attended  school ;  at  the  end  of  three  years,  he  came  to  Hartford  and  engaged  as  clerk  with  Adam  Frey 
&  Co.;  was  in  their  employ  about  six  years;  then,  in  1877.  he  started  in  the  hardware  business  at  Hart- 
ford for  himself,  and  continued  that  till  May,  1880,  when  he  formed  the  existing  partnership  with  Mr. 
Adam  Stark.  Mr.  Liver  was  married,  at  Hartford,  Jan.  26,  1881,  to  Miss  Lena  Coerper;  daughter  of 
Mr.  Chris  Coerper. 

MARTI1V  IjOOS,  Jr.,  harness-maker,  Hartford  ;  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany, 
Aug.  27,  1835  :  is  the  son  of  Martin  and  Phoebe  (Becker")  Loos;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1847, 
and  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.;  about  1S53,  he  went  to  Joliet,  111.,  where  he  learned  the 
harness-maker's  trade  ;  spending  four  years  in  that  State,  he  returned  to  Hartford,  Wisconsin  and  worked 
with  his  brother,  and  afterward  bought  him  out  (I860),  and  has  continued  the  business  to  this  date.  He 
was  married,  in  January,  1860,  at  Hartford,  to  Miss  Julia  Laubenstein,  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret 
Laubenstein  ;  they  have  four  children — Louisa  L..  George  L.,  Amelia  and  Julia.  Mrs.  Loos  died  in  Au- 
gust, 1869.  Mr.  Loos  has  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of  Washington  Co.  sixteen  years,  and  Treasurer  of 
the  town  of  Hartford  several  terms.  In  April,  1870.  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Seltenheim  ;  they 
hav'e  two  children — Josephine  and  Arthur.  Mr.  Loos  is  the  owner  of  several  tracts  of  land,  on  which  he 
is  engaged  in  farming. 

Martin  Loos,  Sr.  (deceased),  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt  (then  a  province  of  France)  Dec.  27, 
1790;  served  seven  years  as  a  soldier  under  Napoleon  the  First,  during  which  time  he  participated  in 
some  of  the  most  brilliant  military  achievements  recorded  in  history.  He  was  married  in  his  native  coun- 
try to  Miss  Phebe  Becker  ;  there  ware  five  sons  and  three  daughters  born  to  them,  all  of  whom  are  living 
but  the  eldest.  In  1847,  Mr.  Loos  and  family  came  to  America,  and  located  on  Government  land  in  the 
town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.  Here,  in  the  wilds  of  a  new  country,  he  and  his  sons  built  a  house  of 
logs,  which  they  cut  and  carried  on  their  backs  to  the  building  site.  Mr.  Loos  continued  to  reside  on  his 
farm  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Dec.  11,  1855. 

C.  H.  MELCHER,  farmer,  Sec.  29  ;  P.  0.  Hartford  ;  has  48  acres  of  land  ;  he  was  born  in 
Hanover  Jan.  27,  1823  ;  is  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Julia  Melcber.  In  1845,  he  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  and  made  his  home  in  Greene  Co.,  N.  Y.,  near  Prattsville  ;  remained  at  this  place  some  seven 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Ulster  Co.,  where  he  lived  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  town  of  Rubicon, 
Dodge  Co..  1853;  here  he  had  a  farm  of  120  acres,  on  which  he  resided  till  1874,  when  he  moved  to 
his  present  home  in  Hartford  ;  while  residing  in  Rubicon,  he  served  several  years  as  clerk  of  the  school 
district  in  which  he  lived.  Mr.  Melcber  was  married  in  his  native  country  in  1844,  to  Miss  Maria 
Von  Sundern,  by  whom  he  had  one  child — Clara,  who  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  Melcher  died  in  1846. 
Mr.  Melcher  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1847  to  Miss  Sophia  Homing,  daughter  of  Louis  and  Anna 
(Bauer)  Horning;  she  is  a  native  of  Baden,  Germany;  they  have  had  eight  children;  the  eldest,  Mary 
Ann,  was  the  wife  of  Giles  Wilcox,  and  died  at  the  age  of  28  years  ;  Henry  C.  is  married  to  Kittie  Par- 
sons, and  lives  at  Oeonomowoc  ;  Augustus  8.  married  Mary  Misner,  and  lives  iu  Oregon  ;  Walter  S.  mar- 
ried Kittie  Root,  and  resides  iu  the  town  of  Hartford;  Emma  lives  at  home;  Charles  died  at  the  age  of 
15   years;  John   died  in   infancy;   Cora,  aged  11  years,  is  at  home. 

JOIIX  MORAN,  retired  farmer ;  P.  0.  Hartford  ;  has  resided  in  the  county  since  1850  ;  he  is 
the  son  of  George  and  Mary  Moran  ;  was  born  in  Ireland  June  24,  1821  ;  came  to  America  with  his  parents 
in  1831  ;  they  made  their  home  iu  Upper  Canada  till  1837,  when  they  moved  to  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.;  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  New  York  till  1850,  when  they  moved]  to  Wisconsin,  reaching  Milwaukee  Sept.  13; 
moving  directly  to  Washington  Co.,  they  located  on  a  tract  of  120  acres,  lying  iu  the  east  part  of  Sec.  23, 
town  of  West  Bend.  Mr.  Moran's  father  died  April  14,  1865.  The  following  year,  1866,  Mr.  Moras 
sold  the  farm,  and  Oct.  10  of  that  year  came  to  Hartford,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  had  one 
brother  and  one  sister;  the  sister,  whose  name  was  Ellen,  died  in  Canada  at  the  age  of  six  years ;  his 
brother,  named  William,  is  a  resident  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Mr.  M.  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  Hartford  two  terms.     He  is  now  employed  in  the  transfer  of  the  mails  at  Hartford. 

SA1IIEL  A.  MO  WRY,  farmer,  Sec.  23  ;  P.  O.  Hartford  ;  has  120  acres;  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  Aug.  1,  1856  ;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sally  (Churchill)  Mowry.  He 
received   a  common-school   education,  and  in    the  winter  of  1875  went  to  Mitchell   Co..  Iowa,  where  he 


588  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

remained  two  years  ;  he  then  returned  to  Hartford,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  short  time  spent  in  the 
pineries,  he  has  resided  here  to  this  date.  He  was  married  in  the  town  of  Ruhieon,  Dodge  Co.,  Nov.  9, 
1  879,  to  Miss  Dora  Ruedi.  daughter  of  Stephen  Ruedi ;  they  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  named  Madge. 
Mr.  Mowry's  family  was  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  the  town  of  Washington,  they  having  settled 
on  See.  24,  as  early  as  Nov.  2,  1842.  They  were  from  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  his  father  was  a  miller  as  well 
as  farmer,  and  helped  put  in  the  machinery  in  the  Rossman  Mill  at  Hartford,  and  was  the  first  miller  in 
the  town.  He  had  a  family  of  nine  children;  the  eldest,  Betsey,  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Phillips,  and 
died  in  1858;  nest  was  Lydi;i,  the  wife  of  J.  Gould;  her  death  occurred  in  1871);  Harrison  is  a  resident 
of  Clark  Co.;  Azuba  is  bow  Mrs.  John  Hamilton,  of  Hartford  ;  John  was  a  soldier  of  the  late  war,  and 
died  from  disease  while  in  the  service;  he  was  a  member  of  the  100-day  regiment,  and  was  also  a  member 
of  Co.  K,  35th  W.  V.  I.  Zeeta  is  now  Mrs.  Albert  Welch,  and  is  a  resident  of  Clark  Co.;  Dora  was 
Mrs.  Nelson  Haner,  and  died  in  August,  1877  ;  Samuel  A.,  a  farmer  of  Hartford  ;  and  Helen,  now  Mrs. 
Truman  Seeley.  of  Osaiie,  Iowa. 

JOHN  H.  \A\SCAWEJf,  Hartford,  son  of  Caleb  and  Grace  (Hawkins)  Nanscawen;  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Plymouth,  Devonshire,  Eng.,  April  17,  1812;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in 
L819,  landing  at  Newport.  R.  [.,  July  4;  remained  in  that  city  only  a  few  weeks,  then  went  to  the  town 
of  Killingly,  Windham  Co.,  Conn.  Mr.  N.  remained  with  his  parents  till  1838,  when  he  went  to  Provi- 
dence and  engaged  as  merchant's  clerk  ;  was  married  in  that  city,  Dec.  24,  1838,  to  Miss  Lydia  Carpenter, 
daughter  of  John  R.  Carpenter.  In  the  fall  of  1841.  Mr.  Nanscawen  and  family  came  to  Wisconsin  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Pewaukee,  Waukesha  Co.,  where  they  continued  to  reside  till  1846, 
when  they  moved  to  the  town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co. ;  here  Mr.  N.  was  engaged  in  farming  three 
years ;  he  then  moved  to  the  village  and  entered  the  service  of  Wheelock,  Kneeland  &  Co.,  merchants, 
as  clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  acted  for  eight  consecutive  years.  He.  then,  in  company  with  a  Mr.  Truax, 
engaged  in  the  meat  business ;  continued  this  business  two  years,  and  then  (1859)  opened  a  drug  store. 
which  In'  continued  till  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  eldest  son.  Lloyd.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Xan-eawen  had  four  children;  the  eldest  Lloyd  V..  was  born  in  Pewaukee  May  27,  184:;;  he  enlisted 
Sept.  27.  1862,  in  Company  I.  29th  W.  V.  I.;  was  promoted  to  a  Second  Lieutenancy  of  Company  B, 
43d  W.  V.  I.,  Aug.   10,  1864,  and  to  a  First  Lieutenancy   same   company    and    regiment;    was    with    his 

c pany    and    regiment    in    all    engagements   participated    in    by  them  till  the  close  of  the  war.      He  was 

Postmaster  of  Hartford  from  1865  to  1868.  Was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Van  Loan  at  Hartford,  and  went 
i  California  about  1877,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Visalia,  Tulare  Co.  The  second 
son,  William,  was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Mcintosh,  and  is  station  agent  at  Waseca,  Minn.  The  daughter, 
Adilia.  is  now  Mrs.  Frank  Rieker.  of  Milwaukee.  The  youngest  son,  Reginald,  married  Miss  Myrtie  Le 
Count.  Sept.  17,  1878,  daughter  of  Mr.  Caleb  Le  Count.  Mr.  R,  Nanscawen  is  a  member  of  the  drug 
firm  of  Nanscawen  Brothers.  Hartford,  which  business  he  entered  in  1877.  Mr.  John  II  Nanscawen  has 
held  the  office  of  town  Clerk  of  Hartford  several  terms.  He  has  been  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  polities  is  an  earnest    Republican. 

TOIUAS  X FJI KB. ASS,  furniture  dealer  and  manufacturer,  Hartford.  The  furniture  busi- 
ness was  begun  in  1866,  and  the  factory  in  1868;  commenced  manufacturing  coffins  in  the  spring  of 
1*75.  The  business  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Nehrbass  alone  till  March,  1881,  when  he  took  in  Fred 
rlreisser  as  partner.  A  12-horse-power  engine  is  use, I.  and  six  men  employed;  about  §8,0110  worth  of 
stock  is  manufactured   annually.     Mr.  Nehrbass   is   the  son  of  Christian  and  Elizabeth  Nehrbass;  was 

born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt.  Germany,  May  14.  1*41  ;  came  to  America  in  1855,  made  his  home  in  the 
town  of  Seotl,  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  he  lived  one  year;  then  moved  to  West  Bend,  where  he  learned  the 
Cabinet-maker's  trade,  working  three  years;  he  then  spent  several  years  in  traveling  and  working  in  vari- 
ous cities  as  a  journeyman.  He  was  married  Nov.!!,  186,'!,  at  Hartford,  to  Miss  Sabina  Sehroeder. 
daughter  of  John  and  Sophia  Sehrocder.  Mr-.  Nehrbass  was  born  in  Hesse- Darmstadt,  Germany. 
They  have  three  children — Tobias.  Herman  and  Eva. 

'  IIOX.  J.  C.  PIjAC'K,  dealer  in  live  stock,  Hartford:  was  born  in  Fulton  Co.,  X.  V..  Jan.  1, 

l>    the  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  I  Lovelace)  Place;   when  19  year-  of  age,  he  moved  to  Waukesha 

County,  and.  iii   Ma\.  1*17,  went  to  Green   Bay  ami  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber.     He  soon 

after  met  with  an  accident  by  Coming  in  contact  with  a  saw  in  motion,  by  which  he  lost  his  left  hand. 
He  then  returned  to  lii~  old  home  in  the  Baal  and  attended  the  Kingsbury  Academy  at  Johnstown.  He 
returned  to  Wankeshn  in  I  -50,  and  to  Hanford  in  1S63,  lure  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  gloves 
and  dealing  iti  live  stock.  In  I  s7'.(,  he  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  lor  the  First  District  of 
Washington  County,  and  served  one  term.  He  has  also  held  various  town  offices.  He  was  married  in 
iber,  1848,  in    Fulton  Co.,  N,  V.,  to  Miss  B.  B.  Kstna.     Seven   children  were  born  to  them,  six  of 


HARTFORD.  .  589 

whom  are  living;  the  eldest,  Emma,  is  now  Mrs.  H.  Baringer,  of  Dodge  County;  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
S.  M.  Wiley,  of  Dunn  County  ;  Kate  is  Mrs.  S.  C.  Hosterman,  of  Hartford  ;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
Frank  Hart,  of  Wausau  ;   Ida  and  Ettie ;   Hattie  died  when  6  years  of  age. 

FRITZ  PRIEN,  blacksmith,  Hartford;  was  born  in  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  Jan.  27,  1829; 
learned  his  trade  in  bis  native  country,  working  at  it  six  years.  He  was  married,  April  28,  1841,  to  Anna 
Pierstorf,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Mary  Pierstorf,  who  was  born  in  Mecklenburg.  He  came  to  America 
immediately  after  his  marriage  in  1841,  and  made  his  home  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  nearly  two  years  ;  then 
moved  to  Milwaukee;  remained  only  a  short  time  and  then  went  to  Middletou,  Dane  Co.,  where  he  bought 
some  land  ;  spent  the  nest  four  years  on  a  farm  ;  then  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  was  foreman  for  Jacob 
and  John  Eaglehoff,  blacksmiths;  continued  with  this  firm  three  years;  May  6,  1857,  he  moved  to  Hart- 
ford and  opened  a  blacksmith-shop,  where,  by  steady  industry  and  economy,  and  the  assistance  of  his 
wife,  he  soon  accumulated  a  snug  fortune,  when  his  shop  was  burned  with  the  contents,  causing  a  loss  of 
$5,00(1,  on  which  there  was  no  insurance  ;  a  new  shop  was  built,  a  new  start  made  with  a  prospect  of  good 
fortune.  Mr.  Prieu  has  lost  seventeen  children  out  of  nineteen.  The  children  were  named  as  follows: 
Eliza  M.,  William,  Frederick,  George.  Emma,  Andrew,  Augusta,  Henry,  Rudolph,  Helena,  Ferdinand 
and  Julius;  seven  died  unnamed  ;  of  those  named,  only  Frederick  and  Julius  are  living.  May  12,  1873, 
Mrs.  Prien  received  a  stroke  of  paralysis  from  which  she  has  never  fully  recovered.  Mr.  Prien  has  served 
two  terms  as  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Hartford. 

J.  ROSSJIAX  RICE,  of  the  firm  of  Rowell  >V  Co.,  manufacturers  of  plows  and  cultivators, 
Hartford;  is  the  son  of  John  H.  and  Susan  (Rossmau)  Rice;  was  born  in  Sharon,  Ohio,  June  IS,  ]S42; 
when  15  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Hartford  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  brother  John  A., 
he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio  ;  iu  I860,  he  went  to  California  and 
where  he  remained  four  years,  during  which  time  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  firm  of  Briggs  &  Haskell, 
fruitgrowers,  proprietors  of  the  largest  orchards  in  the  world;  during  the  last  two  years  of  his  connection 
with  these  parties  he  was  superintendent  of  the  orchards;  he  returned  to  Hartford  in  1865,  and,  shortly 
afterward,  bought  an  interest  in  the  plow  and  cultivator  works  of  Rowell  &  Co.  (lSG6),and  has  continued 
that  connection  to  this  writing  ;  at  the  time  of  his  buying  into  the  establishment,  the  business  was  con- 
ducted on  a  small  scale;  the  machinery  was  run  by  a  two-horse  tread-power,  the  annual  products  amount 
ing  tn  only  §4,700  ;  the  factory  is  now  run  by  a  30-horsu-power  engine,  and  the  yearly  business  has  been 
worked  up  to  §28,(10(1  ;  a  full  description  of  the  works  is  given  under  the  head  of  "  Industries  of  Hart- 
ford." Mr.  Rice  was  married,  April  22.  1869,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Watson,_  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
Watson,  of  Ohio,  then  residing  at  Hartford,  Wis.  Two  sons  were  born  to  them — Ralph  aud  Roy.  Mr. 
Rice  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  enterprising  men  of  Hartford. 

DR.  S.  J.  RAXDAEE,  homoeopathic  physician,  Hartford;  sun  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (  Hall) 
Randall ;  was  born  in  the  city  of  Fond  du  Lac  ;  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  that  plice  ;  iu 
1873,  took  a  course  of  lectures  in  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  in  the  Pulte  .Medical 
College,  of  Ohio,  from  which  be  graduated  in  March,  1874,  and  received  bis  diploma.  In  1S76,  he  came 
to  Hartford  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession;  he  has  appliances  forgiving  elect rjc.  sulphur. 
medicated  and  Turkish  baths,  at  his  bathing  parlors.  He  was  married,  at  Fond  du  Lac.  Oct.  1,  1873,  to 
Miss  Cornelia  Brown,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Brown. 

JOHN  A.  REIK,  cheese  manufacturer,  Sec.  8 ;  P.  O.  Hartford;  manufactures  about  fifty 
thousand  pounds  of  standard  American  cheese  annually  ;  this  business  was  established  in  1874,  by  Mun- 
son  Wilson  ;  was  afterward  operated  by  bis  brother,  S.  J.  Wilson,  and  Hiram  Worden,  and  purchased  by 
ttie  present  proprietor  iu  1878,  and  has  been  conducted  by  him  since.  Mr.  Reik  is  the  son  of  Michael  and 
Catharine  Reik,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Herman,  Dodge  Co.;  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and,  in 
L878,  learned  his  present  business.  His  father,  Michael  Reik,  deceased,  was  born  in  Wittenburg,  Ger- 
many, April  (!,  1824;  came  to  America  in  1848  and  settled  in  Dodge  Co.,  town  of  Herman.  He  was 
married,  Sept.  16,  1851,  in  Greenfield,  Milwaukee  Co.,  to  Miss  Catharine  Steiner,  daughter  of  John 
Steiner.  Mrs.  Reik  was  born  in  Wittenburg,  Germany  ;  they  had  seven  children  ;  the  eldest,  Christine, 
is  now  Mrs.  John  Schauer,  of  Iowa;  David,  John  A.,  Michael,  Jacob,  Mary  and  Simon.  Mr.  Beik  con- 
tinued his  residence  in  Herman  until  he  removed  to  Hartford.     His  death  occurred  May  11,  1878. 

E.  M.  ROCwERS,  31.  D.,  Hartford;  son  of  Daniel  and  Huldali  (Farmer)  Rogers;  he  was 
born  in  Windham,  Bradford  Co.,  Penn.,  Jan.  14,  1831  ;  when  lie  was  3  years  of  age  the  family  moved 
across  the  State  line  into  the  town  of  Owego,  N.  Y.,  where  he  spent  his  early  years  on  a  farm,  receiving 
bis  education  in  the  district  school  and  the  academy  of  Owego ;  he  devoted  some  time  to  teaching,  and,  in 
1853.  commenced  reading  with  Dr.  Phelps,  of  Owego;  continued  his  studies  at  this  place  two  years,  and, 
in  1855  and  1850,  be  took  a  course  at  the  Michigan   State  University  it  Ann  Arbor.     In  1856,  he  came 


590  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

to  Washington  Co.,  and  located  at  Boltonville  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine ;  he  remained  in  Bolton- 
ville  one  year,  then  went  to  Cascade,  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  lie  continued  to  practice  till  1860.  when  he 
went  to  New  York  City  and  took  a  regular  course  of  lectures  at  the  Medical  College  of  the  University  of 
New  Fork,  and  received  his  diploma.  He  then  returned  to  Cascade  and  resumed  practice.  He  was  mar- 
riril.  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Nov.  13,  1861,  to  Miss  Harriet  L.  Hazleton,  daughter 
of  Squire  and  Catharine  Hazleton.  Mrs.  Rogers  was  born  in  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.  February,  1862,  the 
1 1  ictor  received  a  commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  to  the  1-th  W.  V.  I.  ;  after  six  months'  service,  was 
promoted  to  Surgeon  of  the  same  regiment,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war  ;  during  his  service  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  three  operating  surgeons  of  the  Fourth  Division  of  the  Seventeenth  Army  Corps  of 
the  Armv  of  Tennessee,  to  whom  all  capital  operations  were  intrusted.  During  his  entire  service  he  was 
never  sick  or  disqualified  for  duty  a  single  day.  On  his  return  from  the  army,  in  1365,  lie  established  him- 
self at  Hartford,  where  he  has  continued  in  practice  of  his  profession  to  this  date.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stal- 
wart Republican;  he  was  a  Delegate  to  the  Republican  National  Convention  that  nominated  James  A. 
Garfield,  and  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  Wisconsin  Delegates  to  favor  that  nomination.  His  family  consists 
of  the  wile  and  two  children — Frederick,  aged  19  years, and  Lena,  ased  11  years. 

GAD  \V.  ROOT,  farmer.  See.  20;  P.  0.  Hartford ;  has  60  acres  of  land  ;  settled  in  the 
c  mnty  in  1846  :  is  the  son  of  Alonzo  and  Susan  (Streator)  Root,  and  was  born  in  Portage  Co.,  Ohio, 
Aug.  1.  1*27.  The  parents  were  natives  of  New  England,  who  had  migrated  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day. 
Remaining  in  his  native  county  till  1846.  he  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and.  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  engaged 
as  teacher  for  the  school  district,  consisting  of  the  whole  of  Town  111  north.  Binge  18  east,  now  Hartford  ; 
he  hid  about  twenty-six  pupils,  and  boarded  around,  some  of  his  boarding-places  being  three  miles  distant 
from  the  schoolhouse,  which  was  situated  on  the  present  site  of  Dean  s  Block  ;  the  building  was  constructed 
of  logs;  this  was  the  second  term  of  school  taught  in  the  town.  Mr.  Hoot's  predecessor  beiuu  Richard 
Rumril,  who  taught  the  first  school  in  the  township.  Mr.  Root  remained  in  this  neighborhood  about  a 
year,  then  spent  some  years  in  various  counties  of  the  State.  He  returned  to  Ohio  and  was  married  in 
Portage  Oo  .  S  spt.  5,  I  355,  to  Miss  Clara  G  ie,  daughter  of  Peter  (lee.  Mrs.  Root  was  born  in  Palmyra, 
Portage  Co  .  Ohio.  After  his  marriage,  he  came  with  his  wife  to  the  town  of  Rubicon,  Dodge  Co.,  mak- 
ing their  home  near  the  town  line  between  Rubicon  and  Hartford;  continued  to  reside  on  that  farru  from 
1856  to  I860,  when  they  sold  oul  and  went  to  Waukesha,  where  they  lived  two  years,  then  returned  and 
bought  back  the  old  place  in  Rubicon  ;  made  that  their  home  till  1866.  when  they  sold  out  and  moved  to 
1 1  at  t  ford  and  established  themselves  on  their  present  farm.  They  have  three  children,  two  daughters  and 
a  son;  the  eldest,  Clara,  is  now  Mrs.  Walter  Melcher,  of  the  town  of  Hartford;  Harriet  and  Worthy  are 
at  home.  Mr.  Root  has  served  several  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  has  Berved  five  years  in  succes- 
sion as  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Hartford. 

A.  I>.  ROM  MM,,  of  the  firm  of  Rowell  &  Co.,  Hartford,  is  the  son  of  Ira  and  Maria  Rowell ; 
was  born.  Jan.  6,  1  839  ;  came  to  Wisconsin,  with  his  parents,  before  he  was  a  year  old  ;  the  family  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Waukesha  Co.;  young  Howell  grew  up  to  manh 1  on  the  farm.  and.  in  1*67,  came  to  Hart- 
ford, and  bought  an    interest  in    the    plow  and  cultivator  works  of  Howell  &  Co.,  since  which   time  he  has 

made  bis  borne  in   Hartford,  and  continued    his  i nection  with    this    business        He  was  married.  Feb.  28, 

1876    in  Waukesha  Co.,  to  Miss    llattie  Thompson,  daughter  of  Smith   Thompson.     They  have  one  son, 
Guy. 

I'L  ii.  KOW  I' 1. 1,,  of  the  firm  of  Rowell  &  Co.,  Hartford.  i>  the  son  of  Ira  and  Maria  Howell; 
was  born  in  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  22,  lSlil  ;  moved  to  Waukesha,  with  his  parents,  in  1839  J  when 
21  years  of  age,  he  went  to  Indiana,  and  remained  two  vears;  then  returned  to  Waukesha  Co.,  and  eu- 
gaged  in  business  with  bis  lather.  In  1862,  he  moved  to  Hartford,  ami  iii  1861  bought  into  the  plow 
manufacturing  business  of  Howell  &  Co.,  and  lias  continued  this  connection  to  this  date.  He  was  married 
in  the  'own  of   Hartford.  June  12.   1858,  to  Miss  Jam/   Rice,  daughter  of  John   H.  and  Susan  Hicc       Mrs 

Howell  was  born  in  Ohio.     They  ha\ tie  child,  a  daughter,  named  Frankie,  aged  15  years. 

MOV  II.  W  .  SAW  YEtt,  attorney  al  law  and  County  Judge  elect,  Hartford;  is  the  son  of 
Hiram  and  Barbara  A  Wilson*)  Sawyer;  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Grafton  Co.,  N.  IL,  June  11,  1^1.'!.  his 
parents  being  als tives  of  New    Hampshire.     In   1846,  when   only  3  years  of  age,  he  came,  with  his 

its  to  Wisconsin.  The  family  located  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Burnett,  Dodge  Co.,  which  the  father 
had  entered  or  purchased  of  the  Government  the  year  previous  (1845).     II.  W.  received  his  education  in 

tl mmon  schools,  and  al  the  Beaver  Dam  University;  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 

Lewis  <V  Fribert,  of  Juneau,  and  subsequently  pursued  his  studies  in  the  office  of  E.  P.  Smith,  of  Beaver 

Dam;    be  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Circuit   Court  of   Dodge  Co.  in    January.   ISoT,  and  SI after  to 

the  Supreme  Court  of  Wisconsin.      In    November,  1867,  he    established    himself  in  practice   at    Hartford 


HARTFORD.  591 

He  was  married  at  Hartford,  Sept.  28,  1870,  to  Miss  Josephine  B.  Coxe,  daughter  of  Judge  Hopewell 
and  Amelia  Coxe.  Mrs.  Sawyer  was  born  in  Hartford  ;  they  have  four  children — Elmo  W.,  H.  Arthur, 
Elsie  A.  and  Hattie.  The  Judge  has  680  acres  of  land  lying  partly  in  Michigan  and  partly  in  Wiscon- 
sin. He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  in  1873  and  1874,  and  was  elected  Judge  of 
the  County  Court  of  Washington  Co.  in  the  spring  of  1881,  for  the  term  beginning  Jan.  1,  1882. 

JOSEPH  SCHWARTZ,  farmer.  Sec.  19;  P.O.  Hartford;  has  a  farm  of  224  acres  ;  is  a 
native  of  Prussia,  the  son  of  Peter  and  Anna  Schwartz,  and  was  born  Nov.  9,  1838.  He  came  to 
America,  with  his  parents,  in  1S54,  and  directly  to  Wisconsin  ;  located  on  Sec.  16,  town  of  Hartford;  he 
enlisted  at  the  first  call  for  troops,  in  the  late  war,  April,  1861,  Co.  C,  1st  W.  V.  I.;  served  the  term  of 
his  enlistment;  then  returned  home  and  resumed  farming  till  1864,  August,  when  he  re-enlisted  for  one 
year,  Co.  G,  45th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married,  June  25,  1873,  at  St. 
Lawrence,  to  Miss  Anna  Sell,  daughter  of  John  Sell.  Mrs.  Schwartz  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison  ; 
they  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  four  are  living — John,  Peter,  Barbara  (died  when  14  years  of  age). 
Mary  and  Joseph.     Mr.  Schwartz  moved  to  his  present  farm  in  1877. 

S.  M.  SEEIjEY,  of  the  firm  of  Rowell  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  plows  and  cultivators,  Hart- 
ford, is  the  son  of  Smith  and  Mehitable  (White)  Seeley  ;  he  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  18, 
1831  ;  came  to  Hartford  in  the  fall  of  1857;  worked  at  carpenter  and  machine  work  till  1862,  when  he 
engaged  with  Mr.  L.  F.  Rowell  in  the  manufacture  of  plows,  under  the  firm  name  of  Rowell  &  Co.,  con- 
tinuing this  business  till  the  spring  of  1864;  he  sold  out  to  J.  C.  Place  and  E.  G.  Rowell;  in  1864,  he 
built  a  foundry  in  company  with  Thomas  Ewing  ;  continued  this  connection  only  a  year  and  a  half,  when 
he  sold  out,  and  bought  a  quarter  interest  in  the  plow  works,  since  which  time  he  has  continued  a  member 
of  the'firm  of  Rowell  &  Co.  Mr.  Seeley  was  married  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  July  8,  1852,  to  Miss  Olive  J. 
Ward,  daughter  of  Spencer  B.  and  Mary  Ward.  Mrs.  Seeley  was  born  in  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.  ;  they  have 
three  children — Ida  A.,  now  Mrs.  W.  L.  Amidon,  of  Hartford  ;  Edward  A.  and  William  J.  Mr.  Seeley 
is  an  active  member  of  the  temperance  organization  of  Hartford,  and  is  foreman  of  the  fire  engine  com- 
pany. 

XICHOLAS  SIMON,  retired  farmer,  Hartford;  son  of  John  and  Christina  Simon,  was 
born  in  Lorraine,  France,  now  Prussia,  Nov.  5,  1814;  came  to  America  in  1840;  made  his 
home  in  the  town  of  Collins,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  three  years;  in  1843,  came  to  Washington  Co.,  and  located 
on  Sec.  14,  Town  10,  Range  18,  now  Hartford,  which  he  pre-empted,  and  held  till  1844,  when  he 
sold  it  and  moved  to  Sec.  21,  where  he  purchased  40  acres  of  the  Government ;  in  1846,  he  can(e  to  the 
village  of  Hartford  and  opened  a  saloon  ;  in  1848,  he  sold  the  farm  to  his  father,  and  continued  the  saloon 
business  till  1851,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  a  farm  of  91  acres  on  Sec.  16,  of  this  town  ;  in  1870,  he 
sold  out  and  moved  to  the  village,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Simon  was  married,  at  Milwaukee,  Nov. 
2S,  1S44,  to  Miss  Mary  Rehberg,  daughter  of  John  Rehberg.  Mrs.  Simon  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany.  They  have  had  eight  children  ;  the  eldest,  Jacob,  was  born  Aug.  5,  1846,  being  the  first  Ger- 
man boy  born  iu  the  town.  He  married  Josephine  Rohmer,  and  is  a  resident  of  Hartford  ;  the  second, 
Adeline,  is  now  Mrs.  John  Wagner,  of  New  London  ;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Jacob  Lex,  of  Hartford  ;  Jose- 
phine, now  Mrs.  Fred  Freiberger,  of  New  London  ;  John;  Laura  was  the  wife  of  Edward  Ruhmer;  her 
death  occurred  at  the  age  of  21  years;  Anna  died  when  4  years  of  age;  the  youngest,  Katie,  is  at  home. 
Mr.  Simon  has  served  as  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Hartford  one  year,  and  as  Supervisor  two  years  ;  he  is 
now  the  oldest  resident  pioneer  of  Hartford  ;  he  and  James  Rossman  brought  the  first  team  across  the 
Rubicon,  in  Hartford,  and  Mr.  Simon  chopped  the  first  tree  on  the  village  site. 

JACOB  H.  SIMON,  saloon  ;  is  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Mary  (Rehburg)  Simon  ;  was  born 
in  Hartford  Aug.  5,  1S46  ;  learned  the  wagon  maker's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  1863,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  C,  17th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  under  Gen.  Sherman  ;  was  with  his  company  and  regiment 
in  all  engagements  participated  in  by  them  till  the  close  of  the  war ;  on  his  return  from  the  army,  he  went 
to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  Erie  Co.  about  three  years.  He  was  married  in 
that  county,  Aug.  5,  1871,  to  Miss  Josephine  Rohmer,  daughter  of  Joseph  Rohmer.  He  then  returned 
to  Hartford  and  engaged  in  the  wagon  and  carriage  making  business;  continued  in  this  line  until  the  fall 
of  1873,  when  he  lost  his  right  arm  near  the  wrist,  by  a  premature  discharge  of  a  cannon  while  firing  a 
salute  in  honor  of  the  success  of  the  Democratic  State  ticket,  at  the  election  of  that  fall ;  being  incapaci- 
tated for  mechanical  work,  he  then  engaged  in  the  sale  of  sewing  machines  with  Mat  Regoer,  of  West 
Bend,  which  business  he  contiuued  about  two  years;  he  next  engaged  in  traveling  as  a  dealer  in  Yankee 
Notions;  in  the  fall  of  1878,  he  entered  upon  his  present  business;  he  was  elected  Town  Treasurer  of 
Hartford,  and  was  re-elected  four  successive  terms  ;  is  the  present  incumbent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  have 
■a  family  of  four  children — Anna,  Edward.  Melonea  and  Josephine. 


592  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  SIMON,  former,  Sec.  21 ;  P.O.  Hartford;  has  99  acres  of  land  ;  he  is  a  native  of 
Loraine,  I  lermany  ;  he  is  the  son  of  John  and  Christine  Simon,  and  was  born  Jan.  1,  1826  ;  he  emigrated 
to  America  in  1840  ;  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Collins,  Erie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  about 
eight  years  ;  in  February,  1848,  he  moved  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  in  the  wilds  of  the  town  of  Hartford. 
near  the  village  of  Hartford;  he  was  engaged  in  farmiiiL'  :  has  served  as  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Hart- 
ford sis  years,  four  of  which  were  in  succession.  He  was  married  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  Sept.  14, 
185'.  to  Mi~  Elizabeth  Weber,  daughter  of  Jacob  Weber.  Mrs.  Simon  was  born  in  Lorraine,  Germany. 
They  have  had  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — the  oldest,  John  ;  Peter  is  married  to  Gertrude 
Scheidinger,  is  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  lives  in  Dakota;  Catharine  died  in  childhood:  Frank  ;  Nicho- 
las ;  Stephen  died  in  childhood;  Jacob,  Mathias  and  Joseph. 

HARYFiY  SMITH,  of  the  firm  of  H.  Smith  &  Co.,  stave  manufacturers.  Hartford;  was  born 
in  Oswego  Co.,  N.  IT.,  Sept.  27,  1816;  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  in  his  native  State,  and  in  1840  went 
to  Chicago,  remaining  there  until  the  following  spring;  he  went  to  Racine  and  opened  a  cooper-shop, 
which  he  carried  on  for  ten  years.  He  was  married  at  Racine,  March  9,  1843,  to  Miss  Hannah  F.  Carl  v. 
daughter  of  James  .1 .  Carley.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York.  In  1851,  Mr.  Smith 
moved  to  Portage  City  and  engaged  in  the  coopering  business;  in  1864,  he  came  to  Hartford  to  construct 
and  take  charge  of  a  stave-factory  for  Wells  ,y  Co.;  was  employed  in  this  business  til]  1X74.  when  he,  in 
company  with  Martin  Medberry  and  S.  H.  Seaman,  of  Milwaukee,  became  a  proprietor  of  the  factory  under 
the  firm  name  of  II.  Smith  &  Co.;  the  business  has  been  conducted  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Smith 
to  this  date.  Mrs.  Smith  died  He.  19,  1  863,  leaving  two  childreu — Emma,  now  Mrs.  E.  L.  Zimmerman. 
of  Hartford,  and  Sarah,  now  Mrs.  J.   M.  Lawson,  of  Portage. 

CHAKLKS  SMITH,  Assistant  1'ostniaster,  Hartford;  son  of  Charles  and  Louisa  Smith*  was 
horn  in  Hatfield.  Mass.,  Feb.  14  1826;  remained  in  his  native  town  till  lii  years  of  age,  then  moved  with 
his  parents  to  the  western  part  of  the  State  ,,f  X,.w  York  ;  lived  there  one  and  a  half  years,  and  then  came 
to  Wisconsin  in  June,  1843;  located  in  Wawatosa.  Milwaukee  Co.;  was  married  in  New  Berlin,  Jan.  12, 
1848.  to  Miss  Irene  A.  Ewer,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Freelove  Ewer.  Mrs.  Smith  was  horn  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  came  to  Wisconsin  with  her  parents  in  ISMS.  Mr.  Smith  moved  to  the  town  of  Hart 
ford  Washington  Co.,  in  1851;  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  the  insurance  business ;  he  served  as 
Supervisor  of  Hartford  one  year,  Treasurer  one  term,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  terms;  since  1879, 
has  been  Assistant  Postmaster  of  Hartford  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  blessed  with  eight  children,  of 
whom  onjly  three  arc  living — Charles   H.  was  born  Oct.  18,  1848,  and   married  June   11,  1873,  to  Amy 

A.  Ellis,  of  Granville,  he    lost  his   wife,  and  was    married    again    dan    26,   1881,  to    Miss    Lizzie  Meacher; 

Dorsey  was  horn  Sept.  13,  1850;  George  D.  was  born  Aug.  22,  1853,  and  died  Aug.  26,  1854;  infant 
son  horn  and  lost  November,  1855;  Ellen  Irene,  horn  April  27.  1858,  died  Aug,  is.  I860;  Elmer,  born 
May  25,  1861,  and  died  Oct.  29,  1864;  infant  son  horn  and  lost  Aug.  1.  1865;  Fannie  Estea  was  born 
April  22.  1869. 

EMIli  SPIEGELBERG,  druggist,  Hartford;  business  established  in  1875  by  Mr.  0.  II. 
Pehland,  who  was  accidentally  poisoned  Oct.  16,  1876;  in  November,  Mr.  Spiegelberg  bought  the  stock, 
and  has  since  carried  on  the  business.  Mr.  S.  was  horn  in  Wateitown  Sept.  7.  1858;  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Fredericke  Spiegelberg ;  his  parents  came  to  Wisconsin  from  German}  in  1850;  he  was  eduoab 

v  schools  of  Watertown  ;  learned  the  drop  business  with  Mr.  Fehland  in  Hustisford,  and  came  with 
him  to  Hartford  in   April.  1875  ;    continued  with  him  as  clerk  till  shortly  before  his  death,  and  afterward 

bought  the  -l"ek.  He  was  married  in  Milwaukee.  April  19,  1880,  to  Mary  Labuwi,  daughter  of  Jacob 
GoetZ,  and  the  widow  of  frank  Labuwi  ;  she  was  the  mother  of  one  son,  by  her  first  marriage,  named 
''hath-        One  child   has  been  horn  of  the  second  marriage  -Martha. 

\liK\A\l)Klt  .1.  ST  ACE  Y,  proprietor  livery  and  boarding  stable,  Hartford;  was  bom  in 

Co     \    Y.  Sept.  li.  1  S: 1 1  ;   is  the  s f  .1  ohn  and  Susan  (  Burk  )  Stacey  ;    the  father  was  a  native  , ,f 

England,  and  the  mother  of  Vermont;  in  the  fall  of  1856,  Mr.  S.  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  located  in 
Rubicon,  Dodge  Co  tree  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  two  years,  then  came  to 'Hartford  and  spent  one 
year  in  the  same  business;  next  went  to  Fond  dn  Lac.  where  be  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  two 

years,    he  then  returned  to   l>od<_ro  (',,.,  where  he  had  a  farm  of  40  acres;    he  added  to  it  until  he  had  225 

acres,  s|>  .ore-  of  which  he  owns  at  this  writing  ;  jM  1879.  he  returned  to  Hartford  and  opened  his  livery 
and  l rding  stables.     He  was  married  in  April,  1853,  in    Esses  Co.,  N.  Y..  to  Lydia  A.  Hathaway, 

dauuht.  r  of  William  Hathaway  ;    I  hey  have  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  I  i  vine — the  oldest,  Frank- 
lin, is  married  to  Hattie  Waterman,  and  resides  in  Elkhorn  ;  Emily  is  now  Mrs   Eollian;  Horn;  Edp  li 
married  to  Melissa  Amidon,  and  lives  in   Dodge  Co.;  Myra  is  now  Mrs.  George   Cellar,  of  Dakota; 
Jo8< ,  hiiie.  Adelbert  and  Nellie  E.  are  the  living;  two  died  in  childhood 


HARTFORD.  593 

ADAM  STARK,  of  the  firm  of  Stark  &  Liver,  merchants,  Hartford;  was  born  in  Hesse- 
Darmstadt,  Germany,  Feb.  9.  1852;  son  of  John  and  Gertrude  (Grehl)  Stark.  He  came  to  America  in 
1864  with  his  parents,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Richfield,  Washington  Co.  Shortly  after  his  arrival,  he 
went  to  Milwaukee,  and  entered  the  service  of  Phillip  Riehl  as  clerk  in  his  store ;  he  remained  with  Mr. 
Riehl  about  three  years,  and  then  went  to  Schleisingerville,  and  engaged  as  clerk  with  Mr.  L.  Rosenhei- 
mer.  Feb.  21,  1874,  he  was  married,  at  that  place,  to  Miss  Barbara  Rosenheimer,  daughter  of  L.  and 
Barbara  ( Herbst )  Rosenheimer.  Mrs.  Stark  was  born  in  Schleisingerville,  Wis.  They  have  four  chil- 
dren— Clara,  Alma,  Lena  and  one  daughter  unnamed.  Mr.  Stark  continued  with  Mr.  Rosenheimer  till 
the  fall  of  1879,  when  he  came  to  Hartford  May  10,  1880,  and  formed  the  existing  partnership  with  Mr. 
Liver. 

H.  B.  TAYLOR,  proprietor  of  livery  and  boarding  stables,  Hartford  ;  is  the  son  of  Erastus  and 
Polly  (Webster)  Taylor,  and  was  born  in  Trumbull  Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  22,  1S28.  The  parents  were  Massa- 
chusetts people,  who  moved  to  Ohio  in  18 IS.  Mr.  Taylor  learned  the  painter's  trade,  and,  when  22  years 
of  age,  went  to  Bluffton,  Wells  Cj.,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  wagon-making  business.  He  was  mar- 
ried, at  Jackson,  Ohio,  Sept.  19,  1850,  to  Miss  Sarah  Ormsby,  'daughter  of  Alexander  and  Nancy  Ormsby. 
They  have  one  child — Adah  N.  In  1856,  Mr.  Taylor  moved  to  Horicon,  where  he  worked  two  years  as  a 
journeyman  in  a  carriage-shop.  In  1858.  he  came  to  Hartford  and  engaged  in  the  carriage  business.  In 
1865,  he  started  a  livery  stable,  and,  in  1867,  closed  out  his  carriage  business  and  devoted  his  attention  to 
the  livery  business.  In  1878,  he  moved  his  livery  to  Hartland,  Waukesha  Co.,  but,  not  finding  the  busi- 
ness a  success  after  one  year's  experience,  he  returned  to  Hartford  and  re-opened  his  stables. 

THOMAS  TRAVERS,  farmer,  Sec.  20;  P.  0.  Hartford;  has  100  acres  lying  partly  in 
three  sections  ;  residence,  village ;  settled  in  the  county  in  1847  ;  he  is  the  son  of  Bryan  and  Bridget  (  Mc- 
Dermot)  Travers ;  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  born  Feb.  1,  1817.  He  came  to  America  in  1845,  and 
located  in  Erie  Co.,  X.  Y.,  where  he  spent  two  years  ;  and,  in  1847,  he  came  to  Washington  Co.  and  set- 
tled on  Sec  22.  He  was  married,  in  the  town  of  Erin,  Jan.  26,  1856,  to  Miss  Eliza  Cooney,  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Mary  Cooney.  Mrs.  Traverse  was  born  in  Ireland.  Eight  children  were  born  to  them — 
Hattie,  now  Mrs.  Andrew  O.  Bryain.  of  Milwaukee  ;  Frank,  Sarah,  Louisa,  Robert,  Annie  and  Nellie  ; 
one  died  in  childhood.  Mr.  Travers  moved  to  his  present  location  in  1852.  He  was  Supervisor  of  Hart- 
ford in  1858  and  1859. 

GEORGE  UEBELE,  deceased;  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  January,  1829.  He 
came  to  America  in  1853.  ami  made  bis  home  in  New  Jersey.  He  was  married,  in  Philadelphia,  to  Mi>s 
Wilhelmine  Koehnlein ;  four  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  two  are  living — -Mary  and  George, 
Wilhelmine  and  one  unnamed  were  twins  and  died  in  childhood.  Mrs.  Uebele  died  in  1857.  Mr.  Uebele 
was  married,  in  1858,  at  West  Bend,  to  Rosina  Koebler,  who  was  born  in  Germany.  They  had  seven 
children,  of  whom  only  one  is  living.  Their  names  in  order  were  John,  Fred,  Sarah.  Emma,  Jacob,  Will- 
iam and  Rosa.  Fred,  the  only  surviving  one,  was  born  in  West  Bend  April  6,  1861,  and  now  lives  with 
his  mother  and  carries  on  the  farm  of  12(1  acres.  In  1856,  Mr.  Uebele  had  moved  to  West  Bend  (town), 
where  he  lived  eleven  years,  and  then  moved  to  Sec.  19,  town  of  Hartford,  where  he  died  Jan.  22,  1872. 
F.  H.  UTHMEIER,  printer;  foreman  of  the  office  of  the  Washington  County  Republican: 
Hartford.  Is  the  son  of  Herman  and  Minnie  Uthmeier;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Washington 
Co.,  May  10,  1860.  Learned  his  trade  in  the  office  of  the  West  Bend  Republican,  under  William  George. 
On  the  removal  of  the  office  to  Hartford,  he  ca,me  with  Mr.  George  to  this  place,  where  the  paper  was 
issued  under  the  name  of  the  Washington  County  Republican.  He  was  given  the  foremanship  of  the 
office  in  1877,  and  has  held  that  position  since.  Mr.  Uthmeier's  father,  Herman  Uthmeier,  was  a  native 
of  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1854,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Washington  Co 
Having  learned  the  miller'^  trade  in  the  old  country,  he  engaged  in  that  capacity  in  the  Barton  Mills,  and, 
subsequently,  in  the  mills  at  Young  America.  He  enlisted  in  1863,  in  Co.  I,  45th  W.  V.  I.,  and  lost  his 
life  in  the  service,  in  the  fall  of  1864,  while  on  duty.  He  left  a  wife  and  five  children — three  sons  and 
two  daughters.     The  family  are  at  this   writing  residents  of  West  Bend. 

M.  E.  WILLIAMS,  foreman  of  the  tailoring  department  at  Wheelock,  Denison  &  Co.'s.  Has 
been  with  this  firm  fourteen  Tears.  Mr.  Williams  was  born  in  the  town  of  Gaines,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y., 
June  13,  1820  :  learned  the  tailor's  trade  in  Ridgeway.  in  his  native  county ;  came  to  West  Bend  in  1858, 
and  engaged  in  tailoring  and  farming;  continued  this  business  till  1867,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Hartford,  and  engaged  with  Wheelock,  Denison  &  Co.,  as  cutter  and  foreman  in  their  tailoring  depart- 
ment;  has  been  in  the  employ  of  this  firm  fourteen  years.  He  was  married,  in  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Aug. 
12,  1852,  to  Miss  Fannie  E.  Parker,  daughter  of  Peter  Parker.     They  have  had  four  children  ;  the  eldest, 


594  BIOGRAPmCAL    SKETCHES: 

a  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  I >r.  A.  M.  Benson,  < p t*  Rio;  the  second,  Ida,  died  in  childhood  ;  two  others  died 
in  infancy  unnamed. 

FK.4XK  P.  WILMOT,  fire  insurance  agent,  proprietor  of  circulating  library,  and  dealer  in 
books,  Hartford;  settled  in  the  County  in  IS  J.")  ;  is  the  son  of  Francis  and  Catharine  (  Hammer  >  Wilmot; 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  Oct.  1(5,  1833.  When  7  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Wisconsin,  and,  after  spending  a  few  months  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  moved  to  Town  lit,  Range  18,  now 
Hartford,  then  a  part  of  Milwaukee  County.  He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  began  travel- 
ing through  Wisconsin  in  the  nursery  business.  Next  engaged  in  the  fire  insurance,  and,  about  1876, 
engaged  in  the  book  agency  business,  which  he  has  continued  till  this  writing,  having  established  a  circu- 
lating library  in  connection  with  the  latter  business.  He  was  married,  Nov.  20,  1869,  in  the  town  of 
Plymouth,  Sheboygan  Co.,  to  Miss  E.  L.  Wright,  daughter  of  E.  F.  Wright  They  have  two  children — 
Wilmot  W.  and  Frank  Beatrice.  In  1870,  he  moved  to  the  villas''  of  Hartford,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. His  parents  are  still  living  on  the  old  farm.  His  father,  now  aged  85,  was  born  in  France,  and 
served  many  years  as  a  soldier  under  Napoli I.  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 

HOW.  JOEL  F.  WILSOX  (deceased)  was  the  son  of  Erastus  and  Theodora  (Noble:  Wil- 
son, of  Hebron,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.;  he  was  born  at  Rupert,  Bennington  Co..  Yt.,  Feb.  IS,  1801  ;  he 
received  a  common-school  education,  and  learned  the  trade  uf  a  carpenter  and  millwright,  which  he  fol- 
lowed  for  many  years.  He  married  Miss  Electa  Munson,  daughter  of  ('apt.  John  Munson.  a  Revolutionary 
soldier,  at  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  April  8.  1824.  He  came  to  the  then  Territory  of  Wisconsin  with  bis  lamily  of 
three  sons  and -one  daughter  one  married  daughter  remaining  behind),  and  settled  in  Prairieville  (now 
Waukesha  i.  in  1844  ;  in  the  spring  of  lsf."i,  In-  removed  to  Hartford,  at  that  time  an  unbroken  wilder- 
ness  from  Reck  River  to  Lake  Michigan,  over  a  road  that  few  teams  had  before  passed,  the  last  six  miles 
being  made  by  following  the  route  designated  by  blazed  trees;  at  that  time,  there  were  not  a  dozen  fami- 
lies in  the  town,  and  but  one  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  Hartford.  He  was  engaged  by  James  and 
Cl  arles  Rossman  to  build  a  saw-mill,  which  be  completed  in  the  fall  ot  1st")  ;  the  same  fall,  he  purchased 
the  mill-site  east  of  Hartford,  then  known  as  the  Mallory  lot,  and  forming  a  partnership  with  B.  R.  Nel- 
Bon,  :i  first-class  millwright,  built  a  saw-mill  at  that  place.  He  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  first  Con- 
Stitutional  Convention,  ami  served  in  that  body  on  the  committee  on  the  act  of  Congress  tor  the  admission 
of  tbe  State;  though  not  acting  any  distinguished  part  in  the  deliberations,  be  was  regarded  as  a  useful 
working  member  of  that  body;  be  also  Berved  as  Chairman  of  tbe  County  Board,  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  held  many  other  offices  of  honor  and  trust;  he  continued  a  resident  ot  Hartford  till  tbe  time 
of  bis  death,  which  occurred  Nov.  i".t.  1  Still.      During   the  earlier  years  of  his  life  in  Hartford,  he  made 

II' extremely  useful  to  tbe  incoming  settlers,  who  availed  themselves  ot'  bis  skill  and  experience  in  se- 
lecting their  lauds,  laying  out  their  roads  and  building  their  dwellings;  as  a  magistrate,  he  was  above  all 
low  trickery,  was  just  and  conciliatory,  seeking  to  allay  all  ill  feeling  among  bis  neighbors,  ami  to  avoid  all 
litigation  between  them;  in  bis  intercourse  with  bis  fellow-men  he  was  courteous,  kind  and  gentlemanly. 
and  ever  ready  to  give  the  right  band  of  fellowship  even  to  an  enemy  ;  in  private  life  he  was  a  good  com- 
panion, and  ever  ready  to  give  or  receive  a  joke  with  a  frank,  hearty  laugh  ;  as  a  citizen  he  was  generous 
and  free-hearted  to  a  fault  ;  as  an  accumulator  of  wealth  he  was  not  a  BUCCeSS;  be  was  too  generous  to  lay 
oil  what  he  could  so  easily  earn.  Freely  expending  for  the  comfort  of  his  family  and  friends  ;  it  was  a  noble 
fault,  and,  as  all  will  admit,  one  that  lay  in  tbe  light  direction;   be  died  respected  by  ail,  and  beloved   and 

regretted  by  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  ami  surviving  relative.-.     His  surviving  family  still  lives  near 

Hartford  ;  tbe  youngest  son  died  soon  after  bis  arrival  in  the  State  ;  S.  .1.  and  .1.  M,  Wilson,  the  two  sur- 
viving  sons,  Were  the  first  white  boys  in  the  village  of  Hartford,  where  ibcy  .-till  reside  with  their  families, 
J.  M.  Wilson  is  a  popular  conductor  on  the  C,  M  \  St.  1'.  R.  R.,  and  is  well  known  throughout  the 
State;  he  bus  been  in  tie  ompby  of  the  company  and  its  predecessor-  for  twenty  eight  year-  without  in- 
terruption; the  company  and  tbe  traveling  public  appreciate  his  services;  tbe  widowed  mother  is  still 
living  with  Conductor  Wilson,  bale  ahd  hearty  at  tbe  age  of  82  years,  reaping  her  desired  reward  after  a 

long  life  of  toil    atel  -elf  -aei  ilice.  in  a  pleasant    boiic.  surrounded  by  loving    kindred    and  all  the  luxuries 

required  to  render  her  declining  years  pleasant  and  happy. 

KAXPOKI)  J.  \\  II, SON.  farmer.  -to.L  grower  aid  dealer,  Hartford;  is  tbe  son  of  the  Hon. 
Joel  F.  and  Electa  (Munson)  Wilson,  and  was  born  in  Hebron,  N,  Y..  Pee.  8, 1833;  became  to  Wisconsin 
with  his  parents  in    1844;  lived  in  Prairieville  (now    Waukesha    one  year,  and  then,  early  in   1845,  the 

family  moved  to  Town  111.  Range  18  now  Hartford),  and  located  on  wdd  land  on  See.  21,  adjacent  to  tbe 
site  of  the  village  of  Hartford  .  at  tbe  time  of  tbe  arrival  id'  tbe  lamiU  at  tbi-  place,  be  and  bis  brother 
were  (he  only  white  boys  in  tbe  town.      Mr.   Wilson  was  married,  April   In.   lS5t>,  at   Mayville.   Hodge   Co., 

to  Miss   Helen  Cole,  daughter  of  Dorastns  Cole ;  they  have  three  children — Adolph,  Nellie  and  Lottie. 


HARTFORD.  595 

Mr.  W.  was  engaged  iu  the  manufacture  of  lumber  about  fifteen  years  at  Hartford,  since  which  time  he 
has  been  occupied  in  farming,  stock  growing  and  stock-dealing,  making  a  specialty  of  horses;  for  the  past 
two  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  purchasing  wood  for  the  C.  &  N.-W.  R'y  Co. 

MIJXSOX  WlliSOX,  passenger  conductor  of  the  Northern  Division  of  the  Chicago,  Milwau- 
kee &  St.  Paul  Railway  ;  has  resided  in  the  county  since  1845  ;  Mr.  Wilson  is  tbe  son  of  the  Hon.  Joel 
F.  Wilson  ;  his  mother,  Mrs.  Electa  Wilson,  is  a  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Munson,  of  the  Revolutionary 
"war;  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Hebron,  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  19,  1837;  in  1844, 
he  came  with  his  parents  to  Prairieville  (now  Waukesha),  where  they  resided  one  year,  and,  in  the  spring 
of  1845,  came  to  Town  10  north,  Range  18  east  (now  Hartford),  and  settled  on  Sec.  21,  on  which  the 
village  of  Hartford  is  now  situated;  in  January,  1857,  he  engaged  as  brakeman  on  the  line  of  the  La  C.  & 
M.  R  ;  served  one  year  in  that  capacity,  and  was  promoted  to  baggage  master  ;  one  year  later,  he  was  ap- 
pointed conductor  of  freight  ;  ran  freight  about  four  years,  and,  in  1803,  was  made  conductor  of  passen- 
ger traiu,  and  has  continued  to  run  iu  that  capacity  to  this  date  ;  he  has  been  very  fortunate  in  his  rail- 
road experience,  having  met  with  no  serious  accident;  he  has  now  been  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in 
the  company's  service,  under  its  different  managements.  He  was  married,  Jan.  10.  1803,  in  the  town  of 
Hartford,  to  Miss  Mary  Hall,  daughter  of  Charles  Hall  ;  they  have  six  children — Electa  M.,  Fannie  C, 
Docia  M  ,  Munson,  Charles  S.  and  Charlotte  M.  Mr.  Wilson  resides  on  his  farm,  which  lies  just  east  of 
the  village  of  Hartford,  where  he  has  made  his  home  for  the  past  thirty-six  years. 

HERMAN  WEISSLEDER,  coppersmith  and  proprietor  of  the  Hartford  Soda  Water 
Factory,  Hartford  ;  business  established  in  March,  1870;  manufactures  all  varieties  of  soda  water;  turns 
out  950  boxes  per  month.  He  does  all  sorts  of  copper  and  zinc  work  ;  fitting  and  repairing  of  breweries 
and  cheese-factories  a  specialty.  He  is  a  native  of  Saxony,  Germany  ;  he  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Dor- 
othea Weisleder,  and  was  born  Nov.  8,  1841  ;  he  learned  the  coppersmith  trade  in  his  native  country,  then 
came  to  America  in  1808  ;  spent  one  year  in  Chicago,  then  went  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  about  eight  years.  He  was  married,  in  Milwaukee.  Jan.  20,  1872,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schmidt, 
daughter  of  George  Schmidt ;  they  have  three  children — Mary,  Louisa  and  George.  He  came  to  Hart- 
ford in  i  lie  spring  of  1870,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business. 

REV.  MICHAEL  WEXKER,  Resident  Priest  of  St.  Kilian's  Catholic  Church,  Hartford; 
is  the  son  of  Sebastian  aud  Mary  (  Keifl'er )  Wenker.  and  was  born  in  Strasbourg,  Alsace,  Germany,  Sept. 
29,  1839  ;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1843,  and  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Clyman,  Dodge 
Co.;  he  was  educated  at  the  following  institutions  of  learning  :  Notre  Dame  University,  Indiana,  where 
he  spent  two  years,  and  at  St.  Francis'  Seminary,  Milwaukee,  where  he  attended  six  years;  from  there 
•went  to  Montreal,  Canada,  and  spent  two  years  at  the  Grand  Seminary  ;  then  returned  to  St.  Francis' 
Seminary,  and  one  year  later,  Nov.  5,  1S05,  he  was  regularly  ordained.  He  was  assigned  immediately  to 
the  town  of  Addison,  Washington  Co.;  there  he  built  the  SS.  Peter  and  Paul's  Church,  and  was  in  charge 
of  that  congregation  three  years  and  eight  months;  next  went  to  Newberg,  and  served  in  the  Trinity 
Church  in  that  place  for  eight  months  ;  from  there  he  went  to  St.  Francis'  Seminary,  aud  served  as  Profes- 
sor of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Geography  and  Mathematics,  two  years  ;  he  was  then  assigned  to  Victor 
Church,  at  Monroe,  Green  Co.,  where  he  served  one  year  and  two  months;  from  there  he  came  to  Hart- 
ford, in  1872,  and  entered  upon  his  present  charge  ;  about  1875,  he  sold  the  old  church  property,  and,  in 
1870.  the  fine  brick  structure  (St.  Kilian's  Church)  was  built  under  his  supervision  ;  he  has  now  been  in 
charge  of  St.  Kilian's  Church  about  nine  years. 

IRA  H.  WHEELOC'K.  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Wheelock,  Denison  &Co.,  merchants, 
Hartford  ;  was  born  in  Royalton,  Vermont,  Sept.  17,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Haskell  and  Lydia  (Dunham  | 
Wheelock.  When  19  years  old  he  went  to  Illinois,  remaining  at  Grand  Detour;  the  following  year,  1840,  he 
came  to  Wisconsin  and  located  iu  the  town  of  Wauwatosa,  Milwaukee  Co.  Was  married  at  Racine,  in  184 1 , 
to  Miss  Fatima  Swift,  daughter  of  Jackson  Swift;  two  children  were  born  of  this  marriage — Edward  and 
Emma  ;  both  died  when  about  0  years  of  age.  Mr.  Wheelock  remained  in  Wauwatosa  only  one  year,  then 
moved  to  Pewaukee,  Waukesha  Co.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  till  1847,  when  he  moved  to  Hart- 
ford and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  brother,  Hiram  H.;  continued  this  business  three 
years,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  Kneeland.  Mrs.  Wheelock  died  in  1849.  Mr.  Wheelock  was  engaged  in 
farming  till  1854,  when  he  bought  into  the  store  again,  and,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  years,  has 
maintained  his  connection  with  the  house.  About  this  time,  he  and  his  brother,  H.  H.,  bought  the  Hart- 
ford Mill  property.  Mr.  Wheelock  was  married,  at  Racine,  January,  1850,  to  Miss  Emeline  Jackson, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Jackson.  Mrs.  Wheelock  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York  ;  four  children  were 
born  of  this  marriage — Emma,  now  Mrs.  Horace  Rowell,  residing  at  Lake  Five.  Waukesha  Co.  ;   Marion, 


596  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

dow  Mrs.  II.  E.  Adams,  of  Oshkosh ;  Harry  E,  a  conductor  on  the  line  of  theC.M.  &St.  P.  Ilv  .  and  Helen, 
at  home.  From  1850  to  1S5S,  Mr.  Wheelock  was  interested  in  a  branch  store  at  Mayville,  which  was 
owned  by  the  Wheelock  brothers,  and  conducted  by  J.  D.  Wheelock.  About  HliO,  Mr.  I.  H.  Wheelock 
took  a  trip  to  the  Lake  Superior  country,  taking  with  him  a  small  stock  of  supplies  and  a  few  head  of 
cattle,  as  an  experiment.  This  venture  proving  successful,  led  to  an  extensive  business,  which  wis  con- 
tinued till  1871*.  under  the  firm  name  of  Wheelock  ,v.  Winters;  some  years  the  freight  bills  amounted  to 
820,000.  Mr.  Wheelock  has  always,  since  his  residence  in  Wisconsin,  been  interested  in  farming,  having 
from  100  to  300  acres  of  land. 

HIRAM  H.  WHEELOCK,  of  the  firm  of  J.  O.  Kendall  &  Co,  millers,  Hartford,  is  a 
native  of  the  State  of  New  York  ;  the  son  of  Haskell  and  Lydia  Dunham  i  Wheelock.  and  was  born  at 
Sackett's  Harbor  Dec.  10.  1817.  When  he  was  about  a  year  old.  his  parents  moved  to  Royalton,  Vi.. 
and  shortly  afterward  to  Newburg;  in  1840.  when  23  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  went  to  the  town  of  Pewaukee.  Waukesha  Co.,  where  he  established  a  factory  for  the  manu- 
facture of  hay  rakes  and  all  sorts  of  wooden  handles.  He  was  married  at  this  place.  Feb.  21,  18111.  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Denny,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucinda  ^Henshaw)  Denny;  Mrs.  Wheelock  was  a  native 
of  Massachusetts  ;  her  people  were  descended  from  the  original  Puritans,  and  had  been  prominently  iden- 
tified with  the  history  of  the  old  Bay  State.  Mr.  Wheelock  continued  tie-  manufacturing  business  three 
this  was  the  first  known  factory  of'the  kind  in  the  territory.  On  the  expiration  of  the  three 
ye.us.  be  moved  to  Oconomowoc,  where  he  was  interested  in  milling  and  the  manufacture  of  furniture  ;  spent 
three  years  in  this  place  ;  then,  closing  up  his  business,  he  moved  to  Washington  Co,  April,  1846,  and 
located  at  what  is  now  the  village  of  Hartford,  then  a  little  hamlet  consisting  of  three  log-houses  and  a 
saw-mill  :  here  he  built  a  little  store  of  siding,  size  12x18,  and  opened  a  supply  -tore,  dealing  in  flour, 
pork  and  general  supplies ;  April  27.  1847,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  R.  S.  Kneeland,  in  the 
_.  neul  merchandise  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Wheelock  &  Kneeland  ;  they  soon  built  a  more  com- 
modious building  on  the  site  of  the  old  store,  which  was  moved  off;  the  new  building  was  20x40  feet, 
and  two  stories  high.  Shortly  after,  Mr.  Ira  H.  Wheelock  and  Mr.  Nathan  Parker  bought  an  interest  in 
the  business,  and  the  firm  name  was  .changed  to  Wheelock.  Kneeland  &  Co.  On  the  clearing-up  of  the 
new  timbered  country,  the  article  of  ishes  was  found  to  be  of  considerable  importance,  the  settlers  making 
what  was  known  as  black  salt-,  by  boiling  the  lye  down  in  large  kettles.  The  firm  ol  Wheelock,  Kneeland 
&  Co.,  in  order  to  develop  this  interest,  built  an  ashery;  about   1850,  they  perfected  their  arrangements 

for  the  manufacture  of  •■  pearl  ash."  and  organized   the  business  under  the  firm  name  of   \.   Parker  &  Co 

they  continue. 1  the  manufacture  of  pearl-ash  till  1855,  making  and  exporting  to  Boston  at  the  rate  of  1 T < ► 

year.  The  development  of  this  business  created  a  market  for  an  otherwise  worthless  article,  and 
made  it  possible  for  the  settlers  many  of  whom  were  in  needy  circumstanci  -  .  to  clear  up  their  lands,  aid 
make  the  -ale  of  the  ashes  help  to  support  their  families:  on  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  Hartford,  a 
market  was  opened  for  the  timber,  and  the  pearl-ash  business  was  -ii-pended.  In  IS.">4,  the  linn  of 
Wheelock,   Kneeland  &  Co.  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Hartford  water-power,  including  the  saw-mill  and 

grist-mill.  In  1856,  Mr.  Kneeland  withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  the  bnsiness  was  conducted  under  the 
name  id'  II.  H.  &  1.  II.  Wheelock  till  1847,  when  Mr.  John  C.  Denison  was  admitted,  ami  the  name 
changed  to  Wheelock.  Denison  &  Co.;  about  1850,  Mr.  II.  II.  Wheelock  \  Bros,  had  established  a  branch 

store  at  Mayville.   Dodge  Co,  under   the    nan f   Wheelock    Pros.,  and    under   the  managomi  m   of  J.  D. 

Wheelock,  which  business  was  continued  till  1858;  in  March.  1863,  Mr.  I>wi_'ht  Jackson  was  admit 
member  of  the  firm  ;   in  the  fall  of  I860,  .Mr.  J.  <  ).  Kendall   bought    an  interest  in  the  mill  property,  and 
a  separate  firm  organized  under  tic  name  of  J.  0.   Kendall  .V   Co.     At   tin-  writing,  the  firm  consists  of 

.1,  0.   Kendall  and   II.  II.   Wheelock.  who  have  a    tine    brick   flouring-mill  of  six    tuns  of  -tone,  which  was 

erected  in  1863.     About  1869,  a  trade  with  Lake  Superior  was  established  in  the  line  of  stock,  i its, 

provisions  aiel  BupplieS,  and  gradually  developed  till  the  annual  freights  in  tin-  business  alone  amounted  to 

$20,000.     Mr.  Joseph  Winter  was  interested  in  this  enterprise,  which  was   separate  from  the -tore,  and 

w.i-  carried  on  under  the  name  of  Wheelock  A  Winter  ;    this  business  was  eon  tinned  till    1879.     Wheelock. 
Denison  &  Co,  in  addition    to    their   other  business,  were  also   extensive  dealers  in  grain  of  till  kind-  :   at 
the  store  the  business  had  increased  to  a  yearly  sale  of  (70,000  :   in  1878,   Mr.   II.  II.  Wheelock  withdrew 
from  the  firm   of  Wheelock.  Denison  \    Co.,  and  ha-  since   devoted  his  attention  to  his  milling  int. 
Mr.   Wheelock   has  lived  to  -ee  the  little   hamlet  of  three  or  four  log  houses  that   be  found  in  April,   1846, 

grow  to  a  flourishing  village  of  1 ,7 < »i>  | pie,  and  the  surrounding  country,  which  was  an  unbroken  wilder- 

of  timber,  develop    into   ;i    land    of  rich  farms    unsurpassed    in    the   Slate.       A    man    of  rare    business 
ability,  with  energy  and    courage  t"    execute  bis  plans,  he  has   I n    a    powerful    factor    in  the  growth  and 

development  of   Hartford  ami  adjacent  town-. 


TOWN    OF    FARMINGTON.  597 

DR.  CHARLES  B.  WING,  Hartford;  born  in  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  12,  1836; 
is  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Huldah  (Gaskill)  Wing,  of  the  "Society  of  Friends;"  when  he  was 
less  than  2  years  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Caze  novia,  Madison  Co.,  where  they  remained  till 
he  was  8  years  of  age,  when  they  moved  to  Albion,  Orleans  Co.;  in  1865,  the  family  came 
to  Jefferson  Co.,  Wis.,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Sullivan  ;  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year, 
they  moved  to  Golden  Lake,  same  county,  where  his  father  had  purchased  a  farm.  Having  com- 
pleted his  school  studies,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  under  the  supervision  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Hopkins, 
of  Oeononiowoc ;  he  afterward  went  to  Chicago,  and  took  a  regular  course  at  the  Chicago  Medical  College; 
was  a  member  of  the  Class  1869-70  ;  received  his  diploma  in  March,  1870  ;  he  then  returned  to  Oeono- 
mowoc, and  shortly  afterward  went  to  Neosho,  Dodge  Co.,  where  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  was  married  at  Oeonomowoc,  in  November,  1871,  to  Miss  Hannah  R.  Wood,  daughter  of 
Beder  Wood;  four  children  were  born  to  them — Jennie,  Katie  (who  died  in  infancy"),  Elmore  C.  and 
Hannah  L..  whose  death  in  infancy  resulted  from  an  accident ;  Mrs.  Wing  died  in  April,  1880.  The  Doctor 
was  married  to  Mrs.  Henriette  L.  Messer,  at  Hartford,  Dec.  13,  1880;  Mrs.  Messer  was  the  widow  of 
Andrew  Messer,  and  was  the  mother  of  three  children — Adolph,  George  and  Andrew. 


TOWN    OF    FARMINCTON. 

PETER  A  LRI  \U  KB.  farmer,  Sec.  35  ;  P.  0.  Fillmore  ;  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Margaret 
Albinger  ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  Washington  Co.,  Jan.  22,  1854;  spent  his  early  years  on  a 
farm,  and  was  married,  Oct.  24,  1878,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss  Mary  Benedix,  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Victoria  Benedix.  Mrs.  Albinger  was  born  in  the  town  of  Trenton.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren— Henry,  Frank  and  Agnes.  Since  his  marriage,  Mr.  Albinger  has  resided  in  the  town  of  Farm- 
ington. 

CHARLES  T.  RAILE  Y,  farmer,  Sec.  30 ;  P.  O.  Barton  ;  has  80  acres  of  land ;  Mr. 
Bailey  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Deborah  (Gillett)  Bailey ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Farmington  Nov.  3, 
1848;  he  was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  and  was  married  in  the  town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Co..  April  20, 
1876,  to  Eleanor  A.  Fletcher,  daughter  of  Robert  F.  and  Elizabeth  (  Burns)  Fletcher.  Mrs.  Bailey  was 
born  in  the  town.of  Greenbush,  Sheboygan  Co.  They  have  three  children — -Myron  L.,  Mary  E.  and 
Olive  A. 

THOMAS  BAILEY  (deceased),  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Grace  Bailey;  he  was  born  in 
Devonshire,  England,  February,  1810.  Was  married  to  Maria  Bier;  five  children  were  born  to  them  ; 
the  eldest,  William,  died  when  5  years  of  age;  the  second,  Mary  Ann,  is  now  Mrs.  Van  Patten,  of  Illi- 
nois ;  John,  living  in  Nebraska ;  Maria  is  now  Mrs.  Nathan  Bailey,  of  Nebraska ;  the  youngest,  Eliza,  is 
now  Mrs.  Joseph  H.  Smith,  of  Farmington.  Mr.  Bailey  emigrated  to  America  in  1839,  and  located  in 
Onondaga  Co..  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Bailey  died  in  her  new  home  within  a  year  after  her  arrival  (September, 
1839).  Mr.  Bailey  was  next  married  in  Madison  Co.,  town  of  Fenner,  in  1840,  to  Deborah  Gillett, 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Abigail  Gillett.  Mr.  B.  continued  his  residence  in  Onondaga  Co.  till  the  fall  of 
1846.  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Clarence,  now  Farmington,  and  took  up  Government  land  on  Sec. 
30  ;  was  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  the  town.  The  first  annual  town  meeting  was  held  in  his  house, 
April  6,  1847;  previous  to  leaving  New  York,  the  Baileys  had  two  children — William  H.,  married  to 
Frances  A.  Hedding,  and  living  in  the  town  of  Scott ;  Ellen  J.,  now  Mrs.  Isaac  Alcott,  also  of  Scott;  the 
youngest  child,  Charles  T.  was  born  after  coming  to  Washington  Co.  Mr.  Bailey  and  wife  continued  their 
residence  in  this  county  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives;  Mr.  Bailey's  death  occurred  May  4,  1867  ; 
Mrs.   Bailey's  April  15,  1875. 

FBAXK  E.  BLECHA,  Postmaster,  and  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Braatz  &  Co.,  gen- 
eral merchants,  cheese  manufacturers  and  hotel  proprietors  ;  was  born  in  Bohemia  Sept.  13,  1841  ;  came 
to  America  in  1S58,  and  spent  his  first  year  in  llliuois  and  Missouri;  he  then  came  to  Trenton;  in  1864 
he  went  to  Chicago,  and  enlisted,  October  4,  of  that  year,  in  Co.  I,  15th  III.  V.  I.,  as  musician,  and  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married  in  Trenton,  Oct.  18,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  Huebing,  daughter  of 
Anton  Huebing.  Mrs.  Blecha  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean  ;  they  have  had  six  children — John  A.; 
Clara,  died  when  6  years  of  age  ;  Frank  N.,  Anna  M.,  George,  Cecelia  and  Arthur.  About  1867,  Mr. 
Blecha  removed  to  Fillmore,  town  of  Farmington,  and  the  following  year  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr. 
Henry  Braatz,  in  his  present  business;  Aug.  3,  1870,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  the  Fillmore  office, 
which  position  he  has  held  to  this  date  ;  in  politics,  Mr.  Blecha  is  a  radical  Republican. 


59S  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

<«  F;4Ht(i  I'  BOLTOX,  merchant  miller,  cheese  manufacturer  and  Postmaster,  Boltonville;  son 
of  Harlow  and  Phebe  Varnej  I  Bolton;  was  born  in  Cuyahoga  Co.,  Ohio,  Feb.  9,  1837  ;  came  to  Wis- 
consin, with  his  parents,  in  1847,  who  made  their  home  on  Sec.  20,  town  of  Clarence  (now  Farniington  . 
on  wild  land,  where  they  lived  till  1854,  when  they  moved  to  Sec.  9;  here  he  was  employed  about  his 
father's  farm  and  mill  till  21  years  of  age;  he  then  engaged  in  chopping  one  year,  taking  the  money  re- 
ceived for  his  work  and  investing  it  in  the  mercantile  business,  with  his  father,  in  the  store  which  they 
are  still  operating.  He  was  married,  in  1862,  at  Saukville,  to  Miss  A.  Daggett.  Mrs.  Bolton  only  lived 
two  years  after  her  marriage;  her  death  occurred  in  the  summer  of  1864.  Mr.  Bolton  was  married  in  the 
town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Co.,  to  Miss  Roxana  Ilazeltou  ;  two  children  were  born  to  them — Walter  and 
Hattie.  In  1868,  Mr.  Bolton  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Fred  C.  Schuler,  and  purchased  tin;  Bolton 
Flouring  Mills,  which  they  are  operating  at  this  writing.  In  1881,  they  erected  a  cheese  factory  near  their 
mill,  and  are  making  cheese  at  the  rate  of  01), 000  pounds  per  season.  Mr.  Bolton  was  appointed  I'  8t- 
master  Oct.  0.  1862,  and  has  held  the  office  to  this  writing,  1881. 

HARLOW  BOLTON,  merchant,  Boltonville;  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Khoda  Bolton; 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Sherburne,  Chenango  Co.,  N.  Y.,  July  2,  1813;  when  20  years  of  age,  he  re- 
moved to  Cuyahoga  Co.,  Ohio ;  was  married  in  that  county,  Dec.  IT,  1835,  to  Miss  Phoabe  Varney,  daugh- 
ter of  Asa  and  Margery  |  Briggs)  Varney.  Mrs.  Bolton  was  born  in  Vermont.  Mr.  Bolton  remained  in 
Ohio  till  the  fall  of  1847,  when  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  on  Sec.  20,  Town  12,  Range  20 — - 
now  Farmington — and  engaged  in  farming;  in  1854,  he  removed  to  Sec.  9,  and  engaged  with  Mr.  Will- 
iam Willis  and  Asa  Varney  in  the  construction  of  the  Reliance  Flouring  Mills,  situated  on  Stony  Creek  ; 
this  was  the  nucleus  about  which  the  village  of  Boltonville  has  developed,  deriving  its  name  from  Mr.  Har- 
low Bolton,  who  has  always  been  the  largest  property-owner  and  motive  business  power  of  the  place.  In 
1856,  Mr.  Bolton  established  a  store  near  the  mill,  starting  on  a  small  scale  ;  the  business  has  increased 
till  the  store  now  holds  a  stock  of  general  merchandise — $5,000;  extensive  preparati  ins  have  been  made 
for  the  storing  and  preserving  of  butter  and  eggs,  till  that  branch  of  the  business  has  grown  to  important 
proportions.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bolton  had  two  children  born  to  them— George,  now  a  resident  of  Boltonville, 
and  Mary  Jane,  who  died  at  the  age  of  31  years.  Mr.  Bolton  served  as  one  of  the  Supervisors  of  Farming 
ton  in  an  early  day. 

HEXRY  BBAATZ,  of  the  firm  of  Braatz  &  Co.,  Fillmore;  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Wil- 
helmine  Braatz  ;  was  born  in  Pomerania.  Prussia,  Nov.  8,  1838  ;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in 
ls50  ;  made  his  home  in  Wisconsin,  Sec.  25,  town  of  Farmington  ;  in  1866,  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the 
store  of  Fraockenherg  &  Dangers,  at  Fillmore;  in  1867,  he  bought  out  Mr.  Franckenberg  and  engaged  in 
the  business  with  Mr.  Dangers,  under  the  firm  namje  of  Dangers  &  Braatz  ;  one  year  later,  Mr.  Dangers 
sold  out  to  Mr.  Frank  E.  Blecha,  and  the  firm  of  Braatz  &  Co.  was  established;  they  also  became  propri- 
etors of  the  hotel  and  saloon,  which  they  are  keeping  at  this  writitiL' ;  in  1877,  they  i  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  cheese,  as  described  in  the  history  of  the  town.  July  20,  1868,  Mr.  Braatz  was  appointed 
Postmaster  of  the  Fillmore  office,  and  held  till  1870.  He  was  married,  at  Newburg.  Sept.  28,  1871,  to 
Miss  Matilda  Dangers,  daughter  of  Louis  Dangers.  Mrs.  Braatz  was  horn  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg  ; 
they  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  only  two  are  living;  Ottelia  died  when  :;  years  old;  Lucy,  when  1 
year  old  :  Anna,  when  9  months  old  :  those  living  are  Ida,  aged  3  years,  and  Ella,  aged  I. 

MM  II  A  ML  BBAATZ.  farmer,  Sec.  26  ;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  is  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Anna 
S.  Braatz;  was  horn  in  Prussia  March  23,  1800;  he  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade ;  was  married,  in 
April,  183*,  to  Miss  Wilhelmine  Becker,  daughter  of  Christian  F.  Becker;  -even  children  were  born  to 
them  Louis,  married  to  Anna  Bound  ami  living  in  Michigan;  Henry,  married  to  Matilda  Dangers, 
now  a  merchant  of  Fillmore;   Richard,  married  to  Laura  Scholz  and  living  in  Clark  Co.;  he  was  a  m 

her  of  the    2d    Light    Artillery  I  Wisconsin),  and  served  three  years  in  the  late  war.    Augusta,  died  at  the 

;  16  year.-;  William  ( '..  married  to  Bertha  Kratzsch,  resides  at  Fillmore;  Anton  1'.,  married  to  Au- 
gusta Klessig,  resides  on  the  old  homestead  .  Emil  F.,  single,  resides  at  St.  Cloud.  Wis.  Mr.  Braatz  and 
family  came  to  America  in  1851,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  on  Sec    25,  and  later  ved  to 

Jo.  Mr.  Braatz.  though  81  years  of  age,  is  hale  and  hearty,  and  goes  about  his  work  like  a  man 
only  iusl  past  hi-  prime. 

Will. I  \  11  ,('.    BRATZ.   Fillmore;    agent  for  the  fire  insurance  c panies    Mechanics 

Mutual  and  Concordia,  of  Milwaukee  ;  also,  agent  lor  farm  machinery  ;  the  latter  business  was  established 
in  1871,  and  the  former  in  1874.  Mr.  Brat/,  i-  the  son  of  Michael  and  Wilhelmine  Bratz,  and  was  born 
in  Prussia  July  7.  1848;  came  to  America  and  directly  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  in  \<~>\.  and  |  1 
his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm  on  Sec.  25,  Farmington.  In  1871,  he  began  business  in  the  sale  of 
farm  machinery,  in  compan]  with  William   Dcttmer,  which  connection  was   continued   four  years,    since 


TOWN    OF    FARMINGTON.  59& 

which  time  he  has  carried  on  the  business  alone.  In  1874,  he  commenced  in  the  fire  insurance  business 
with  his  brother,  Emil  F..  and  continued  that  connection  till  Aug.  15,  1881,  when  Mr.  E.  F.  Bratz  re- 
tired from  the  business;  Mr.  W.  C.  is  now  conducting  it  alone.  Mr.  Bratz  was  married,  Oct.  23,  1SS0, 
at  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Bertha  Kratzsch,  daughter  of  Julius  Kratzsch.  Mrs.  Braatz  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Trenton,  Washington  Co.  Mr.  Bratz  sold  the  first  self-binding  reaper  ever  sold  in  the  town  of  Farm- 
ington  ;  the  machine  was  bought  by  Mr.  Max  Gruhle  of  Sec.  22. 

ANTON  F.  BRATZ,  farmer  and  thresher,  Sec.  26;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  has  160  acres  of  land. 
Mr.  Bratz  is  a  native  of  Pomerania.  Germany;  was  born  Sept.  21,  1849;  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Wil- 
helmine  Bratz  ;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1S51,  and  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Farming- 
ton,  where  he  iirew  to  manhood  on  his  fathers  farm.  He  was  married,  Nov.  18,  1S79,  to  Miss  Augusta 
Klessig,  daughter  of  Ernst  and  Liberia  Klessig.  Mrs.  Bratz  was  born  in  Farmington.  They  have  one 
child,  a  sou.  named  Huso  F.  In  1830,  Mr.  Bratz  bought  a  half  interest  in  a  J.  I.  Case  threshing  ma- 
chine, and  is  now  threshing  his  second  season. 

JOHN  BRUSCHKE,  employe  of  the  Farmington  Brewery  ;  is  the  sou  of  Andrew  and  Kate 
Bruschke,  and  was  born  in  Milwaukee  Sept.  4,  1855  ;  in  1868,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Farmington 
and  located  on  Sec.  13,  where  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  till  1874.  when  he  engaged  in  the  Detmering 
Match  Factory,  and  continued  his  connection  with  this  concern  while  it  was  in  operation.  The  same  year, 
he  engaged  in  the  Farmington  Brewery,  which  position  he  has  held  to  this  date. 

JOSEPH  BURGESS,  farmer,  Sec.  20 ;  P.  0.  Boltonville  ;  was  born  in  the  Province  of 
Quebec,  Canada,  in  1835  ;  in  1840,  he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  subsequently  to  Wisconsin.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  the  town  of  Farmington,  at  the  home  of  his  wife,  April  7.  1871!.  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Thompson, 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Martha  Thompson  ;  Mrs.  Burgess  was  bora  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  her  ances- 
tors being  of  Scotih  origin;  she  has  passed  the  greater  pirt  of  her  life  in  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  where 
she  devoted  several  years  to  teaching,  and  while  following  that  occupation,  was  very  justly  classed  among 
the  leading  teachers  of  the  county  ;  since  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burgess  have  made  their  home  at 
the  wife's  old  homestead  in  Farmington. 

MRS.  MARY  CAMPBELL,  Farmington;  widow  of  Michael  Campbell,  and  daughter  of 
Patrick  and  Mary  Chute ;  was  born  in  the  County  of  Louth,  Ireland  ;  came  to  America  with  a  brother  in 
1850  ;  made  her  home  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was  married  May  25,  1854,  to  Richard  Carroll,  and 
came  at  once  to  Washington  Co.;  they  made  their  home  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg,  where  they  continued 
to  reside  until  the  time  of  Mr.  Carroll's  death,  which  occurred  July  17,  1S64;  Mrs.  Carroll  remained  at 
Cedarburg  until  Feb.  12,  1866,  when  she  was  married  to  Michael  Campbell,  and  moved  to  Farmington 
with  her  husband.  Mr.  Campbell  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  time  of  his  death,  July  9,  1875. 
Mrs.  Campbell  rents  her  farm,  which  consists  of  130  acres,  reserving  her  residence. 

JAMES  CLARK,  farmer,  Sec.  16 ;  P.  O.  Boltonville  ;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Catharine  (MeCann  ) 
Clark  ;  was  born  in  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1S39  ;  came  to  Milwaukee  with  his  parents  in  1848,  and 
to  Farmington  in  1853  ;  he  enlisted  in  April,  1861 ,  in  the  three-months  service,  but  was  mustered  into  serv- 
ice in  the  6th  W.  V.  I.,  Co.  D,  and  re-enlisted  for  three  years ;  he  received  a  gun-shot  wound  at  the 
second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  which  confined  him  to  the  hospital  for  some  time;  on  his  recovery,  he  re-joined 
his  regiment,  and  served  the  balance  of  the  three  years;  he  then  re-enli^ted  as  a  veteran,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  Orderly  Serjeant  of  his  company  ;  at  the  battle  of  Weldon  Railroad,  in  the  rear  of  Petersburg, 
he  received  a  second  severe  wound,  recovering  from  this,  he  continued  in  active  service  until  after  Lee's 
surrender,  and  was  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war,  having  served  with  distinction  and  honor  through- 
out the  entire  war.  He  was  married,  Sept.  15,  1872,  at  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Johanna  Canty,  daughter  of 
Timothy  and  Margaret  Canty.  Mrs.  (Mark  was  born  at  Cabotsville,  Mass.  They  have  five  children, 
three  girls  and  two  boys — Catharine,  Margaret,  Frank,  James  and  Mary.  Mr.  Clark  has  served  one 
term  as  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  of  Farmington.     He  has  80  acrgs  of  laud. 

MRS.  OLIVE  M.  COWAN,  Boltonville;  widow  of  Hugh  Cowan,  and  daughter  of  Luther 
and  Polly  M.  (Olmstead)  Jackson;  resides  on  Sec.  4;  has  40  acres  of  land,  and  is  widely  and  favorably 
known  as  a  professional  nurse;  she  was  born  in  Connecticut  Sept.  1,  1813  ;  removed  to  Onondaga  Co. 
when  13  years  of  aire,  and  from  there  to  Milwaukee  in  1846,  and  thence  to  Farmington  in  1853.  She 
was  married  Feb.  23,  1858,  to  Mr.  Hugh  Cowan,  son  of  Hugh  and  Elizabeth  (Adair)  Cowan.  Mr.  C. 
was  a  native  ot  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  in  an  early  day.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  1 2th 
W.  V.  I.,  Oct.  19,  1861  ;  he  took  part  in  all  engagements  participated  in  by  his  regiment,  until  stricken 
by  disease.  Mrs.  Cowan  hastened  to  his  assistance,  and  brought  him  homeward  as  far  as  Racine,  where 
he  died  Nov.  28,  1863,  leaving  a  wife  and  two  children — the  eldest,  Emma,  is  now   Mrs.  Alvin  Duncan, 


600  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

of  Boltonville  ;   the  youngest.  Hugh   A.,  is  a  resident  of  the  State  of  New  York.      Mrs.  Cowan  has  since 
resided  on  her  farm  near  the  village  of  Boltonville. 

WILLIAM  CRASS,  farmer  and  musician  ;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Farm- 
ington  Aug.  21,  1852  ;  is  the  bod  of  Henry  and  Catharine  Crass;  spent  his  early  years  on  his  father's 
farm;  received  a  common  school  education.  Was  married,  in  1874.  May  9,  in  this  town,  to  Miss  Mary 
Doubraurr,  daughter  of  Joseph  Daubraurr.  Mrs.  Crass  was  born  in  Bohemia.  They  have  three  children 
— Annie,  Clara  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Crass  made  his  home  on  Sec.  23,  in  1875,  where  he  has  32  acres  of 
land  ;  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Fillmore  Brass  Brand  Bince  its  organization  in  1872.  and  has  been  its 
leader  Bince  1879.  His  father,  Henry  Crass,  is  a  resident  of  this  town;  is  a  native  of  Nausau,  Germany, 
and  came  to  this  country  in  1S41I,  and  located  in  Farmington,  where  he  has  resided  to  this  date.  He  is  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  and  resides  on  his  tract  of  1">  acres  in  the  village  of  Fillmore. 

CHARLES  W.  DETMERING,  farmer  and  veterinary  surg i,  Sec.  27  ;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  has 

218  acres;  settled  in  the  county  in  1843.  He  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  May  23,  181G;  is  the  son  of 
George  William  and  Henriette  Detmering;  came  to  America  in  1843,  and  made  his  home. in  Cedarburg, 
Washington  Co.  i  now  Ozaukee  Co.)  He  was  engaged  in  farming  there  till  18411,  when  he  came  to  Farm- 
ington  and  located  on  Sec.  27.  Remained  in  this  place  only  one  and  a  half  years;  then  went  to  Newburg, 
town  of  Trenton,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  ;  was  in  trade  only  two  and  a  half  years,  when  he 
sold  out,  and  bought  his  present  farm  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Sec.  27.  Here  he  built  a  substantial 
brick  house  on  a  wooded  elevation  overlooking  a  beautiful  little  lake,  wh  ise  waves  wash  the  shore  within  a 
few  steps  of  the  house.  He  was  married,  in  Milwaukee,  Sept.  lii,  lSMi,  to  Miss  Sophia  Breymann, 
daughter  of  Frederick  and  Magdalena  .  Mueller)  Breymann.  Ten  children  were  bum  to  them — Henriette 
is  now  Mrs.  Edward  Prior,  of  Baltimore,  Md.;  William  is  a  commercial  traveler;  Gustavus  married  Ella 
Taylor,  and  is  a  merchant  of  Oregon  ;  Antonia,  Albert,  August,  Emma,  Bertha,  Auna  and  Ottelia.  In 
1873,  Mr.  Detmering's  son  William,  established  a  match  factory  on  his  father's  place,  in  which  he  in 
considerable  capital.  The  enterprise  did  not  prove  a  success  and  was  abandoned  after  running  a  -hurt 
time.  Charles  W.  Detmering  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  of  1858,  from  Wash- 
ington <'"..  and  has  served  eighteen  rears  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  town  of  Farmington. 

ADOLPH  GOLDAMMER,  school-teacher,  Fillmore;  son  of  Charles  G.  and  Sophia  Gold 
ammcr ;   was  born  in  the  town  of  Farmington  Dec.  10,  1856  ;  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and,  when   18  years  of  age,  began  teaching  in  the  district   schools  of  his  native  town;   has   taught  three 
terms. 

CHARLES  «.  GOLDAMMER,  farmer,  Sec.  14:  P.O.  Fillmore;  haslOO  acres  of  land; 
was  bom  in  Saxony.  Germany,  Au<_r.  8,  1800;  son  of  Gottleib  and  Hannah  11.  Goldammer.  Was  mar- 
ried, in  1830,  to  Bosina  Schl  igel.  Their  children  wen'  Traugott,  Ernst,  Wilhelmine,  Charlotte,  Au- 
gusta and  Julius.  Mrs.  Goldammer  died  in  1S12.  Mr.  (I.  was  married,  in  1848,  to  Sophia  Bormann, 
and  came  at  one  to  America  ;  located  in  Wisconsin  on  Sec.  1  1.  town  of  Farmington.  Seven  children 
were  born  to  them — Emily,  Wilhelmine,  Amelia.  Laura,  Charles,  Louis  an  1  Adolph.  Mr.  Goldammer 
Was  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Farmington  in  IS.*>2.  The  old  gentleman  has  past  his  8lst  yev,  and  is  liv- 
ing in  quiet  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his  many  years  of  labor. 

GOTTFRIED  GEIDEL,  fanner,  See.  22;  P.O.Fillmore;  has  80  acres  of  land ;  Bettled  in 

the  count]  in  1844,  Aug.  II  ;  he  is  the  son  of  Michael  and  Gustine  Geidel,  and  was  born  in  Saxony  Nov. 

6,  1828.     He  came  to  America  in  August,  Is!  1.  with  his  parents,  and  settled   in  the   town  of  Mequon, 

Washington  Co.  Qaow  Ozaukee,  i     In  the  spring  of  1846,  he  came  to  the  town  of  Farmington  and  located 

in  I  lovernment  land,  Sec.  22.     He  was  married,  in  this  town,  in  the  fall  of  1  -  r.i.  to  M  i-s  i  latharine  I  trass  ; 

two  daughters  w bora  of  this  marriagt — Augusta,  now   Mrs.   L.   Binemann,  of  Chicago ;    Amelia   now 

Mis,  Backbaus,  of  the  town  ofKewaskum.  Mrs.  Geidel  died  in  February.  1856.  Mr.  Geidel  was  mar- 
ried in  the  fall  of  tic  same  \eai,  in  Farmington  to  Sophia  Oehler,  daughter  of, Jacob  Oehler.  Four  sons 
and  one  daughter  were  bom  to  them  —  Alvin,  Louis,  Julius,  Albert  and  Emma.  Mr.  Geidel  has  served 
one  term  as  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Farmington.  About  three  German  families  and  one  Yankee  by  the 
name  of  I  leorge  Manlej  were  about  all  the  white  inhabitants  that  the  town  con]  I  I  .oast  at  the  time. 

HKKHAX  GRIJIILE,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  and  proprietor  of  cheese  factory,  bill- 
iard room,  -nl mil  bowling  alley,  Fillmore;  situated  at   the  northeast   corner  of  See.  23;  business  was 

established  in  the  fall  of  1  B63  ;  has  140  acres  of  land  on  Sec.  22  ;  he  was  bom  in  Saxony,  <  i  irmany,  May 
30,  1830;  is  the  son  of  Gottfried  and  J.  Bosine  Gruhle ;  came  to  America  with  his  brother  Gottlieb  in 
l  849,  and  direct  to  Farmington.  1 1  is  brother  si  ttled  <m  Sec.  22,  and  heir  Mr.  Gruhle  made  his  home  till 
1852,  when  he  went  to  California  via  the  Nicaragua  route,  being  one  of  the  first  to  cross  after  the  opening 
of  the  line.     lie  remained  in  California  till  1855,  engaged   principal!}   i ining.     lie  then  returned  to 


TOWN  OF  FARMINGTON.  701 

Farmington  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1863,  he  rented  out  his  farm  and  bought  2  acres  of  land  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Sec.  23,  and  erected  a  building  in  which  he  opened  a  store  and  saloon.  He  has  since 
enlarged  and  improved  it,  having  added  a  bowling  alley  ;  and,  in  1878,  a  cheese  factory  was  established  in 
the  rear,  in  which  he  manufactured  60,000  pounds  of  cheese  annually.  In  1881,  the  average  price  has 
been  9 %  cents  per  pound.  His  store  is  one  of  the  best  stocked  in  the  town,  his  merchandise  stock  amount- 
ing to  about  17,000.  About  1860,  he  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Farmington,  and,  in  1879, 
he  was  elected  one  of  the  three  County  Commissioners  of  Poor  for  the  three  years'  term.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  Farmington,  July  27,  1855,  to  Miss  Augusta  Petzold,  daughter  of  Leverecht  Petzold.  Mrs.  Gruhle 
was  born  in  Saxony.  Germany.  They  have  three  sons  and  two  daughters — Agnes  A.,  now  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Klessig,  of  Fredonia;  Selma  C,  Edwin  H.,  Robert  A.  and   Ernst   H. 

GOTTLEIB  GRUHLE,  retired  farmer,  Sec.  22  ;  P.  O.  Farmington  ;  settled  in  the  county 
in  1849  ;  Mr.  Gruhle  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  May  22,  1823  ;  is  the  son  of  Gottleib  and  Christine 
Gruhle.  Was  married  in  October,  1848,  to  Mary  Ann  Lorentz.  Came  to  America  in  1849,  and  settled 
on  Sec.  22,  town  of  Farmington  ;  Mrs.  Gruhle  died  soon  after  their  arrival  in  this  country  (in  the  summer 
of  1849);  Mr.  Gruhle  was  married  in  October,  1850,  to  Miss  Bertha  Petzold  ;  three  children  were  born 
to  them — Alma,  now  Mrs.  A.  Dettmer,  of  Sheboygan  Co.;  Max,  who  is  married  and  lives  on  the  old 
homestead;  and  Celestine.  who  died  when  13  years  of  age;  Mrs.  Gruhle  died  May  16,  1862.  Mr.  Gruhle 
made  one  trip  to  Germany  in  1856,  and  another  in  1874.  He  was  married,  Oct.  23,  1S62,  to  Mrs.  Wil- 
helmine  Petzold  ;  one  child  was  born  of  this  marriage,  named  Alvina  ;  Mrs.  Pitzold  had  one  daughter  by 
a  previous  marriage — Anna,  now  Mrs.  Krause,  of  Port  Washington.  Mr.  Gruhle  has  improved  his  farm, 
which  was  naturally  a  very  fine  one,  till  it  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  county. 

MAX  GRUHLE,  farmer,  Sec.  22  ;  P.  O.  Fillmore  ;  has  140  acres  of  land  ;  is  the  son  of  Gott- 
lieb and  Bertha  (Petzold)  Gruhle;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Farmington  Aug.  23,  1853;  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  at  the  German  and  English  Academy  of  Mil- 
waukee;  went  to  Germany  with  his  father  in  1873,  and,  after  spending  one  year  in  the  old  country,  re- 
turned to  Wisconsin;  in  1879,  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  spent  one  year.  He  was  married,  March  10, 
1879,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss  Huldah  Hartz,  daughter  of  Alfred  Hartz ;  they  have  one  child, 
a  daughter,  Cecelia. 

ALFRED  HARTZ,  farmer,  Sec.  22  ;  P.  O.  Fillmore  ;  has  160  acres  of  land  ;  he  is  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Magdalena  Hartz;  he  was  born  in  Saxe- Weimar,  Germany,  March  1,  1834;  emigrated  to 
America  in  1852,  coming  direct  to  Washington  Co.;  he  made  his  home  on  Sec.  22,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  was  married,  in  February,  1860,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss  Theresa  Walter,  daughter  of  An- 
drew Walter  ;  Mrs.  Hartz  was  born  in  the  same  part  of  Germany  as  her  husband ;  they  have  three  chil- 
dren— -Huldah,  now  Mrs.  Max  Gruhle,  of  Farmington,  Reinhold  and  Hugo. 

G.  AD  HAENTZ,  dealer  in  hardware,  Boltonville;  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  Oct.  18,  1843  ; 
he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  making  his  home  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  where  he  learned  the  tinsmith 
trade;  continued  his  residence  in  that  city  nine  years,  then  came  to  Milwaukee  in  1861;  spent  a  few 
month?  in  that  city  and  then  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  three  years  ;  next  went 
to  0_:den,  Mich.,  where  he  remained  only  a  short  time,  and  then  came  to  Boltonville  and  started  in  his 
present  business  in  1870.  He  was  married  at  Boltonville,  Sept.  26,  1870,  to  Miss  Anna  Giersdorf,  daugh- 
ter of  Franz  L.  and  Maria  (Biirckuer)  Giersdorf;  Mrs.  Haentz  was  born  in  Schleising,  Germany,  April 
25,  1843  ;  they  have  two  children — Helena,  aged  9,  and  Emanuel,  aged  7  years. 

MATHIAS  II E  IS  RIG  ES,  Postmaster,  merchant  and  hotel-keeper,  St.  Michael's  P.  O.,  Sec.  7  ; 
son  of  Hubbard  and  Anna  M.  Herriges ;  was  born  in  Rhenish  Prussia,  Dee.  31.  1835;  came  to  America 
with  his  parents  in  September,  1846,  and  directly  to  Washington  Co.,  arriving  iu  Town  12,  Range  10  (now 
Kewaskum ),  about  October  of  that  year,  and  located  on  Government  land  ;  in  1853,  he  went  to  Milwaukee, 
where  he  learned  the  cabinet-maker's  trade;  was  in  that  city  about  a  year;  then  returned  to  Kewaskum  and 
worked  at  carpenter  work  till  1860,  when  he  went  to  Illinois  ;  spent  one  summer  near  Bloomington,  and 
then  went  to  Louisiana,  where  he  worked  at  bridge-building  till  the  breaking-out  of  the  war,  when  he  made 
his  way  North.  He  was  married,  May  27,  1862,  at  St.  Michael's  Church,  town  of  Kewaskum,  to  Miss 
Anna  Maria  Schneider,  daughter  of  Peter  Schneider;  Mrs.  Herriges  was  born  in  Prussia;  they  have  ten 
children — J.  Nicholas,  Gertrude,  Phillip  and  Hubbard  (twins),  Joseph,  Mathias,  Anna  Maria,  Michael  and 
John.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Herriges  lived  on  a  farm  two  years,  on  Sec.  34,  town  of  Farmingto  i  ;  he 
then  sold  out  ani  moved  to  another  part  of  the  same  town,  where  he  lived  five  years;  he  then  moved  to 
the  town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  he  farmed  and  worked  at  his  trade  five  years  ;  in  the  fall  of  1874, 
he  moved  to  Farmington  and  built  the  store  and  hotel   which  he  now  occupies;   in  1876,  he  opened  the 

k  K 


702  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

atore  and  hotel.     In  June,  1877,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  St.  Michael's  Church  P.  0.     He  has  a 
farm  of  160  acres  in  Sheboygan  Co. 

I>K.  JACOB  IlOSCH,  physician  and  farmer.  Sec.  1  ;  P.  ().  Fillmore;  son  of  Dr.  Peter  and 
.Mar'  Hosch,  and  was  born  in  Luxemburg  July  15,  1 S 1 2  ;  was  educated  in  his  native  country  ;  studied 
medicine  with  his  father,  and  practiced  his  profession  in  his  native  country  till  1848.  when  he  was  married 
to  Catharine  Huffman,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States;  he  proceeded  at  once  to  Washington  Co..  and 
made  his  home  on  wild  land  in  the  town  of  Clarence  (now  Fariuingtou  >,  Sec.  1,  where  he  has  resided  to 
this  date;  he  was  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  this  county  ;  when  he  established  his  home  in  Farming- 
ton  (or  Clarence),  his  nearest  neighbor  was  three  miles  distant,  and  it  was  no  unusual  thing  for  him  to 
walk  fourteen  miles  to  Port  Washington  to  get  some  tobacco.  His  family  consists  of  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren ;  the  eldest  (  Peter)  is  married  and  living  in  Oregon  ;  the  youngest  (Theresa)  is  now  Mrs.  John  Mert- 
zig,  of  Dorchester,  Wis.     The  Doctor  has  served  two  terms  as  Supervisor  of  Farmington. 

<  II  1R  3.  IS  HOERHi},  farmer,  Sec.  14;  P.O.Fillmore.  Is  the  son  of  Gottfried  and 
Rosine  Hoerig ;  was  born  in  Saxony  March  29,  1839.  Came  to  America  in  1850,  and  directly  to 
Farmington  ;  settled  on  Section  13,  with  his  mother  and  stepfather,  Fred  Mueller.  He  was  married  in 
the  town  of  Polk,  Oct.  8,  1860,  to  Miss  Catharine  Otto,  daughter  of  Martin  and  Sophia  Otto.  Mrs.  lini- 
ng was  born  in  Prussia.  They  have  had  nine  children— Matilda.  Ida,  Liherta,  two  twins  died  in  child- 
hood unnamed,  next  was  Edmund,  Laura.  Emma.  The  youngest,  Bertha,  died  when  three  years  ol 
Mr.  Hoerig   moved   on    to  his  present  farm  in  1869.      He  has  140  acres  of  land. 

WILLIAM  M.  HORNER,  proprietor  of  cheese  factory,  Sec.  35;  P.  O.  Farmington.  Is 
the  sun  of  Thomas  C.  and  Martha  J.  Horner;  was  born  in  the  city  of  Sheboygan  May  19,  1850  :  was 
educated  in  the  city  schools  of  that  place.  On  completing  his  schooling,  he  learned  the  business  of  an 
architectural  draughtsman  ;  followed  that  business  five  or  six  years  or  until  his  health  failed;  he  then 
engaged  in  the  cheese  business,  in  Manitowoc  County,  at  Clark's  Mills.  Carried  on  this  business  only 
one  year,  when  he  was  burnt  out,  1  ising  about  $1,100.  He  was  next  engaged  in  the  same  business  for 
other  parties  in  the  town  of  Wilson,  Sheboygan  County,  till  L 878,  when  he  moved  to  Oostburg,  and 
started  a  factory  for  himself,  and  continued  that  business  till  the  close  the  of  season  of  1880.  In  the 
spring  of  1881,  he  started  his  present  factory  in  the  town  of  Farmington.  He  is  now  manufacturing  at 
the  rate  15, (It'll)  pounds  per  year.  The  factory  is  more  fully  described  in  the  town  history  of  Farmington, 
Mr.  Horner  was  married  at  .Manitowoc,  May  26,  1874,  to  Miss  Lois  Walker,  daughter  of  the  late  Bon. 
Charles  H.  Walker,  of  that  city.  Mrs.  Horner  was  bom  in  Itavenna,  Ohio.  They  have  two  children. 
Julia  S.  and  Mattie  J.  Mr.  Horner's  father  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Wisoonsin,  he  having 
settled  in  Sheboygan  when  his  was  the  sixth  family  in  that  place.  He  was  the  tirst  lighthouse  keepei  a< 
Sheboygan:  edited  and  published  the  firsl  paper  in  the  city  (a  Whig  paper).  Ho  was  married,  in  Mil- 
waukee, to  Miss  Martha  J.  Brown,  of  thai  city.  Mr.  Horner  died  in  1854,  leaving  a  wife  and  four 
children.  The  eldest,  Elizabeth,  is  now  the  wife  of  Hon.  Ed.  Decker,  of  Kewaunee.  Robert  was  a 
soldier  and  died  in  1862.  Charles  was  :1  member  of  Co.  H,  1st  W.  V.  I.,  and  died  in  1S66,  from  disease 
contracted  in  the.  army.  The  youngest  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The  mother  is  now  Mrs.  M.  J. 
Cole,  of  Shcboyjan. 

J.  PETER  KLEIN,  farmer,  Sec.  20;   P.O.  Barton;  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and    Elizabeth 

Klein.  He  was  burn  in  Prussia,  Germany,  April  29,  1834;  came  to  the  United  States  with  bis  parents 
in  October,  1852,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.  He  was  married  in  that  town  June 
9,186(1.  tu  Miss  Elizabeth  Weokmiller.  They  have  bad  fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 
Tic  eldest,  J  oh  it  J.,  is  die  teacher  of  the  Fillmore  School :  he  was  educated  in  the  West  Bend  and  Mil- 
waukee schools.  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (twins)  died  in  infancy  :  Christopher.  George  !'..  Frank,  Henry  P, 
died  in  infancy,  C.  Catharine,  Caroline,  Fred,  William  and  one  died  unnamed  were  twins,  Mary  md 
Washington.  Mr.  Klein  was  elected  Assessor  of  Kewaskum  three  terms.  The  last  time  he  wa-  00 
to  resign,  as  he  was  moving  to  Farmington.     He  furnished  a  substitute  in  the  late  war.     lie  ha-  BO 

uf  land. 

ERNST  KLBSSIG  (deceased),  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  Nov.  3,  1827.  WastheBon  ; 
Levered)  I  Klessig;  was  engaged  in  the  old  country  in  the  mercantile  line.     In  1848,  he  came  to  America, 

and  made  his  home  in   Washington  Co.,  town  of   Farmington,  Sec.  24.       He    bought     10    acr.  s  of  land  ami 

built  a  store',  hotel  and  dance  hall  in  1855.     A  grand  opening  party  was  given,  which  is  still  remembered 

as  one  of  the  events  of  the  time.       He  then  began  in  the  mercantile  business.       In   1  S57,  he  was  appointed 

Postmaster  of  the  Fillmore  Post  office,  which  he  kepi  several  years.     In   I860,  he  built  the  Farmington 
Brewery,  near  the  northwest  corner  of  See.  24,  and  carried  on  the  brewing  business  till  the  time  of  hie 

I   alb.  which  occurred   March    IT,   I  Sll-l.       Mr.   Klessig  was    married  in    the    town   of  Farmington,  June  9 

y 


TOWN    OF    FARMINGTON.  703 

1850,  to  Miss  Liberta  Poetsch.  daughter  of  Gottleib  and  Fredericka  (Vogtlander)  Poetsch.  Six  cbildren 
were  born  to  them — Louis,  the  eldest,  died  in  infancy  ;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Witt,  of  Waubakee  ; 
Augusta,  the  wife  of  Anton  F.  Bratz,  of  Farmington;  H.  John,  who  is  now  conducting  the  Farmington 
Brewery ;  the  two  youngest,  Emma  and  Ida,  reside  with  the  mother  at  the  old  homestead,  at  this 
writing. 

MRS.  LIBERTA  KLESSIG,  was  married  July  20,  1S65,  to  Mr.  Ernst  Jacbnig,  a  gentle- 
man of  German  birth,  who  had  been  a  resident  of  this  country  many  years.  He  went  from  Wisconsin  to 
California  in  1852,  and  remained  till  1862,  when  he  returned  to  Washington  County  on  a  visit ;  remained  a 
short  time  and  then  went  back  to  California,  returning  again  in  1865,  when  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Kles- 
sig.  Four  children  were  born  to  them — Alma,  Edwin,  Bertha  (who  died  when  one  and  a  half  years  of 
age),  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Jaehnig  carried  on  the  brewing  business  till  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  April  25,  1875. 

THEODORE  KOCH,  farmer,  Sec.  34;  P.  0.  Fillmore  :  has  120  acres  of  land.  Is  the  son 
of  Christian  and  Johanna  Koch  ;  was  born  in  Prussia  March  31,  1840;  came  to  America  in  1856,  and 
directly  to  Washington  County.  Went  South  several  years  before  the  opening  of  the  late  war,  and  learned 
the  mason's  trade,  at  which  he  worked  till  he  was  forced  North  at  the  breaking-out  of  the  war  in  the 
spring  of  1861.  He  came  to  Chicago,  and  enlisted  July  1,  1861,  in  the  1st  I.  V.  I.  Before  reaching 
the  regiment  he  was  transferred  to  the  16th  I.  V.  C,  and  before  reaching  that  regiment  be  was  detailed 
for  duty  on  Gen.  Sherman's  escort.  Was  with  Gen.  Sherman,  acting  part  of  the  time  as  Orderly  during 
the  hard  Sghting  of  the  next  three  years.  Participated  in  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  Chickasaw 
Bajou,  Arkansas  Post,  Jackson,  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  other  engagements;  was  discharged  Sept. 
2,  1864,  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  his  enlistment.  On  his  return  to  Wisconsin  he  was  married,  in 
October,  1865,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss  Mary  Schmidt,  daughter  of  Mathias  Schmidt.  Mrs. 
Koch  was  born  in  Prussia.  They  have  three  children — Johanna,  Theodore  and  Henry.  Since  1867,  Mr. 
Koch  has  made  his  home  at  his  present  farm. 

JULIUS  KOENIC3>  wagon-maker,  Fillmore,  where  be  established  himself  in  business 
in  October,  1869.  He  is  a  native  of  Saxe-Altenburg,  Germany;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  Koenig, 
and  was  born  July  19,  1840.  He  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade  in  the  old  country,  and  came  to 
America  in  1866,  making  his  home  in  Milwaukee  for  about  one  and  a  half  years.  He  then  removed  to 
Fillmore,  and,  in  October,  1S69,  opened  his  present  shop.  He  was  married  at  this  place,  Oct.  1,  1869,  to 
Catharine  Just,  daughter  of  Adam  Just.  Mrs.  Koenig  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt.  They  have  had 
six  children,  Emil  (deceased),  John  H.,  William,  Augusta,  Adolph  and  Bertha.  Mr.  Koenig  was  elected 
Clerk  of  School  District  No.  5,  in  1880. 

ANDREAS  KRAETSCH,  farmer,  Sec.  14;  P.  O.  Fillmore;  has  82  acres;  is  the  son  of 
Henry  and  Elizabeth  Kraetsch  ;  he  was  born  in  Rhineland,  Prussia,  Oct.  29,  1833 ;  came  to  America 
with  his  parents  in  the  spring  of  1846  ;  the  family  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.  Mr. 
Kraetsch  was  engaged  in  farming  about  niue  years  in  that  town,  and  then  came  to  Farmington  and  made 
his  home  on  Sec.  14.  He  was  married,  Dec.  9,  1858,  in  Farmington,  to  Miss  Emma  Gerhardt,  daughter 
of  Frederick  W.  Gerhardt;  seven  children  were  born  to  them — Tuska,  the  eldest,  died  when  17  years  of 
age  ;  the  younger  ones  are  Linda,  Arthur,  Edmund,  Richard,  Henry  and  Emma.  Mrs.  Kraetsch  died 
Oct.  1,  1873.  Mr.  Kraetch  was  married,  March  23,  1875,  to  Mrs.  Natalia  Marpes  ;  they  have  bad  three 
children — Ida,  Robert  (who  died  in  infancy),  and  one  daughter  unnamed.  Mr.  Kraetsch  was  a  member 
of  Co.  G,  7th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war  ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run, 
Wilderness,  and  was  present  at  Lee's  surrender.     He  served  as  Town  Treasurer  of  Farmington,  in   1872. 

JOHN  La  CRAFT,  farmer,  Sec.  17;  P.  O.  Boltonville;  settled  in  the  county  in  November, 
1846  ;  has  120  acres  of  land.  Mr.  La  Craft  was  born  in  Youngstown,  near  Toronto,  Canada,  Aug.  15, 
1820  ;  when  9  years  of  age,  he  went  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  about  eight  years  ;  he  then 
moved  to  Ashtabula  Co.,  Ohio;  previously,  in  1835,  he  began  sailing  from  Buffalo  to  Chicago  before  the 
mast ;  wintered  in  Chicago  in  1837  ;  before  he  was  19  years  of  age,  he  was  mate  of  a  vessel  ;  some  years 
later  he  became  master  of  a  vessel,  and  sailed  in  all  twenty-two  seasons.  He  was  married,  in  Ashtabula 
Co.,  Ohio,  Aug.  7,  1845,  to  Mary  Klice,  daughter  of  David  Klice,  of  Maryland.  In  May,  1846,  they 
moved  to  Racine,  and,  in  November  of  that  year,  removed  to  Washington  Co.,  Town  12,  Ran<;e  20,  now 
Farmington,  where  they  located  on  Government  land,  on  Sec.  17  ;  here  Mr.  La  Craft  spent  his  winters, 
while  his  summers  were  given  to  sailing  on  the  lakes  ;  this  was  continued  some  ten  or  twelve  years,  when 
he  retired  Irom  sailing  and  has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  fanning  ;  in  1853,  he  moved  to  his  present 
location.  He  was  elected  the  first  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  this  town,  in  1848;  was  also  Treasurer 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  latter  office  he  has  held  several  terms  ;  he  has  also  served  three  terms  as 


T04  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Chairman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  La  Craft  have  six  children — the  eldest,  Henry,  married  Charlotte  Haviland,  and 
resides  in  the  town  of  Scott,  Sheboygan  Co.;  the  second,  Carrie,  is  now  Mrs.  Merton  Yeainans,  of  Dakota  ; 
the  others  are  John.  Clarence,  Clara  and  Orin. 

I\  M.  LEINBERWER,  farmer,  Sec.  24;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  is  the  son  of  P.  Leinberger;  was 
born  in  Erie  Co..  N.  Y..  Nov.  5,  1850;  came  to  Wisconsin  with  his  parents  in  the  spring  of  1855,  and 
passed  his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Washington  Co.  Some  time  ago,  he 
went  to  Nebraska,  where  he  has  160  acres  of  land.  He  returned  to  Washington  Co.,  and  was  married  at 
Fillmore,  June  7.  1881,  to  Miss  Huldah,  only  daughter  of  Mr.  George  Seigel. 

CAPT.  ROBERT  A.  LONtt,  retired  lake  captain,  Sec.  16;  P.  O.  Boltonville  ;  has  120 
acres  of  land  ;  he  is  the  sou  of  Capt.  John  Long,  and  was  born  in  Island  Magee,  on  the  coast  of  Ireland, 
near  Belfast,  Aug.  12,  1S2H  ;  when  between  13  and  14  years  of  age,  he  was  apprenticed  a  sailor  on  a 
packet  ship  of  the  Londou  and  Belfast  line,  where  he  served  about  four  years;  he  nest  sailed  in  the  coast- 
ing trade  two  years.  He  was  married,  in  Ireland,  when  only  18  years  of  age,  to  Miss  Abbey  Flack,  who 
died  within  a  year  after  her  marriage,  leaving  him  an  infant  daughter;  the  child  was  named  after  her 
mother  (Abbey),  and  is  now  Mrs.  P.  II.  Donovan, of  Hingham,  Sheboygan  Co.  In  1843,  Mr.  Long  shipped 
to  America  ;  May  -.  1  S44,  while  sailing  on  the  lake  in  the  schooner  Aurora  Borealis,  under  his  father.  Capt. 
John  Long,  the  vessel  was  capsized  and  his  father  was  drowned.  Young  Long  soon  after  became  mate  of 
a  vessel,  and,  in  1849, was  made  master  of  the  schooner  Speed,  of  Milwaukee.  He  was  married,  Nov.  24, 
L 847.  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Manning,  daughter  of  Michael  Manning,  an  officer  of  the 
British  Navy.  In  1S52,  at  the  solicitation  of  his  wife,  he  bought  a  tract  of  wild  land  in  the  town  of  Farm- 
ington,  Washington  Co.,  and  removed  his  family  to  that  place,  where  they  have  made  their  home  to  this 
date.  The  Captain  continued  sailing  on  the  lakes,  making  summers,  and  spending  the  winters  on  the  (arm 
with  his  family  till  lsf.7.  when  he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  the  lakes  on  account  of  failing  health  ;  some 
time  previous,  he  had  met  with  an  accident  on  board  his  vessel,  by  which  one  of  his  thighs  was  broken  ; 
the  fracture  never  properly  healed,  aud  partial  paralysis  of  the  extremities  ensued  ;  the  Captain  has  been 
an  invalid  about  fourteen  years.  They  have  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters  ;  the  eldest  son, 
Robert  A.,  is  a  captain  on  the  lakes  ;  William  married  Mary  Kenney,  and  is  a  merchant  of  Calumet  Co.; 
Agnes  A  is  the  wife  of  James  Strong,  of  Calumet  Co.;  Anna  is  the  widow  of  Thomas  Callahan  and  is 
living  with  her  parents  ;   Oswald  M.  and  Theresa  G.  are  at  home.     The  youngest  son  carries  on  the  farm. 

<»EOR4wE  LESSEXOEN,  farmer,  residence  Sec.  10  (Farmington)  ;  has  160  acres  of  laud ; 
P.  O.  Boltonville.  Mr.  Lussenden  is  the  son  of  Thomas  ami  Mary  Lussenden,  and  was  born  in  the  county 
of  Kent,  England,  April  15,  1819.  In  1846,  he  came  to  America,  and  made  his  home  in  Cuyahoga  Co., 
Ohio.  He  was  married  at  Parma,  in  1849,  to  Miss  Eliza  Stilson  ;  they  had  one  daughter,  now  Mrs.  George 
C.  Lussenden,  of  Farmington.  Mrs.  Lussenden  died  in  March,  1850.  In  the  fall  of  1851,  Mr.  L.  was 
married  the  second  time  to  Miss  Ada  MarcelluB,  daughter  of  John  Marcellus.  Mrs.  Lussenden  was  bom 
in  Ohio.  In  1851,  Mr.  L.  came  to  Wisconsin  and  located  on  his  present  farm  in  the  town  of  Farmington; 
three  children  were  born  of  the  second  marriage  ;  the  eldest,  (Seorge  W.,  married  Mary  A.  Callaghan,  and 
resides  in  Farmington;  the  second,  Phoebe,  is  the  wife  of  F.  Stalling,  of  Manitowoc  Co.;  the  youngest, 
John  T..  lives  at  home.     Mr.  Lussenden  has  served  one  term  as  Supervisor  of  Farmington. 

THOMAS  MALLOX,  farmer.  Sec.  16;  P.O.Fillmore;  was  born  in  King's  County,  Ireland, 
in  1829;  son  of  Michael  and  Bridget  I  Bolen)  Mallon.  Mr.  Mallon  came  to  America  in  1851  ;  made 
his  home  in  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.;  resided  there  till  1856,  then  came  to  Farmington.  He  was  married  in 
this  town  in  April.  1856,  to  Miss  Catharine  Ryan,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Patrick  Bradley,  of  St.  .John's  con- 
gregation  ;  eight  children  Were  horn  to  them — Michael.  Lawrence.  Patrick,  Mary.  Thomas,  Agnes,  Han- 
nah and  James.  Mr.  Mallon  has  served  two  terms  as  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Farmington.  He  has 
60  acres  of  land. 

JACOB  PLAUH,  farmer  and  mason,  Sec.  11 ;  P.O.Fillmore;  was  bom  in  Hesse-Darmstadt 
Feb.  9,  1834.  Da  the  -<n  of  Jacob  and  Maria  Plaum.  Be  served  a  regular  apprenticeship  to  the 
mason's  trade,  and  came  to  America  in  1850.  arriving  .June  12.  He  came  at  once  to  Farmington,  and 
was  married  at  Fillmore,  July,  1859,  to  Maria  Petzer,  daughter  of  Charles  Petier;  Mrs.  P.  was  horn  in 
Hesse-Darmstadt    Aug,  10,  1833.     Fir  the  next  three  years  alter  his  marriage,  he  made  his  home  on 

Sec,   II.      Hi'  then  moved  to  his   present    hm >n   Sec.    11.      Tle\   have  had  twelve  children — Hermann, 

Anna,    one    boy    died    unnamed,    Louis,  Charles,  another   son    was    lost    iii    childhood,   Kdwin,  Otto,   Bertha 

i  in  childhood),  Adolph,  ..  icob  (died  when  one  year  old  I;  Alma  is  the   youngest 

EBWARB  RILEY,  farmer,  Sec.  9 ;  P.  O.  Boltonville,  Bas  165  acres  of  land.  Is  the  so,, 
of  Patrick  and  Ann  Riley;  was  horn  in  Jefferson  Co..  N  Y.,  Nov.  li,  |>:;u.  He  lost  his  father  while 
quite  young,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1846,  he  in  company  with  his  mother,  brothers  and  sisters  came  to  the 


TOWN    OF   FARMINGTON.  "05 

Territory  of  Wisconsin,  and  took  up  Government  laud  in  Town  12  north,  Range  20  east,  now  Farming- 
ton.  Here,  with  the  Indians  for  neighbors,  they  built  a  rude  log  hut  which  they  roofed  with  troughs, 
and  partly  floored  with  split  slabs  called  "  puncheons."  When  it  rained  they  were  obliged  to  confine 
themselves  to  the  puncheons,  as  the  unfloored  portion  of  the  hut  would  be  flooded.  Their  only  roads 
were  such  as  they  cut  for  themselves,  marking  the  course  by  blazed  trees.  Their  nearest  white  neighbors 
were  several  miles  distant,  there  being  only  three  or  four  families  besides  their  own  in  the  township. 
Thirty-five  years  of  patient  labor !  The  ceaseless  chopping,  the  grim  logging  and  fencing,  followed  later, 
by  the  pulling  of  stumps — the  building  of  large  frame  barns  and  substantial  houses  in  the  place  of  old 
log  ones — all  this  has  been  Mr.  Riley's  experience  in  common  with  his  neighbors  of  the  early  days.  The 
results  of  such  labors  is  apparent  in  the  large,  smooth  fields,  commodious  buildings,  fine  churches  and 
schooihouses  of  the  town.  Mr.  Riley  was  married,  Oct.  2S,  1855,  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Miss 
Bridget  Nolan,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (  Brennan )  Nolan.  Mrs.  Riley  was  born  in  Ireland, 
and  came  to  America  in  1849.  They  have  bad  eight  children — the  eldest,  Elizabeth,  died  when  three 
years  of  age ;  Patrick  H.  died  in  infancy ;  Mary  A.,  Alice,  George  A.,  Abigail,  Anna  J.  and  Edward  are 
living  at  home.  Mr.  Riley  has  served  one  year  as  Town  Clerk  of  Farmington,  and  is  serving  his  third 
term  as  Supervisor. 

THOMAS  RILEY,  farmer,  Sec.  9;  P.  0.  Boltonville ;  has  115  acres  of  land;  is  the  son  of 
Patrick  and  Ann  Riley;  was  born  in  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  14.  1821.  Came  to  Wisconsin,  and  to 
Town  12  north,  Range  20  east,  now  Farmington,  in  the  sprinsx  of  1846;  made  his  home  on  his  pres- 
ent farm,  which  he  took  up  as  Government  land,  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  He  was  married.  Jan.  21, 
1857.  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  to  Mi~s  Mary  Goodman,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Bridget  Goodman. 
They  have  had  eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living,  six  daughters  and  two  sons — Mary  E.  died 
when  5  years  of  age;  Anna  J.  died  when  3  years  of  age;  next  came  Julia  Ann,  Mary  A.,  Thomas  E.. 
James  M.,  next  a  son  who  died  in  infancy,  then  Maggie  J.,  Esther  T.,  Rosalia  C.  and  Martha  J.  Mr. 
Riley  has  served  three  terms  as  Supervisor  of  Farmington,  and  several  terms  as  Treasurer  of  School  Dis- 
trict No.  8,  being  the  present  incumbent.  Mr.  Riley  built  the  first  frame  house  in  the  town,  the  lumber 
for  which  was  sawed  at  Salisbury's  Mills,  now  Barton.  His  family  was  one  of  the  first  half  dozen  to  set- 
tle in  this  town. 

PETER  SCHWIN,  Sec.  34;  P.  0.  Newburg;  farmer,  and  agent  for  the  Germantown  Mutual 
Insurance  Company.  He  has  been  an  agent  of  the  company  since  1864;  resides  on  Sec.  34  ;  has  180 
acres  of  land  ;  settled  in  Washington  Co.  in  1845  ;  in  Farmington  in  October.  1846.  He  was  born  in 
Prussia  Sept.  9,  1808  ;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Barbara  Schwin.  He  followed  farming  in  early  life,  and 
was  married,  Nov.  28,  1837,  to  Miss  Susanna  Baasch.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  them,  seven  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Peter,  the  eldest,  was  married  to  Margaret  Lochen,  and  resides  in  Trenton  ;  John,  mar- 
ried to  Maryann  Schulte,  also  residents  of  Trenton;  Henry,  married  to  Miss  Bruener,  lives  at  Port,  Wash- 
ington ;  Susanna,  now  Mrs.  Peter  Lochen,  of  Trenton  ;  Nicholas  D.,  married  to  Christine  Sehoemer,  resides 
at.  Kaukauna  ;  Mathias  L.,  Mary,  Michael.  Margaret  (now  Mrs.  Jacob  Laufer,  of  Trenton),  Helen  and 
Francis.  Mr.  Schwin  came  with  his  family  to  America  in  1845,  and  directly  to  Washington  Co.  He 
located  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  now  Ozaukee  Co.,  where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  came  to  the 
town  of  Farmington  in  October,  1846.  He  selected  his  home  on  Sec.  34,  near  the  little  lake  which  now 
bears  his  name.  Here  he  purchased  400  acres  of  land,  of  which  he  only  retains  ISO  at  present,  having 
parted  with  the  balance  to  his  children.  In  1864,  he  was  appointed  agent  for  the  Germantown  Mutual 
Insurance  Company,  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  devoted  his  attention  entirely  to  the  insurance  business. 
He  has  served  as  Assessor  of  Farmington  five  years,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  four 
terms. 

FREDERICK  CSCHULER,  of  the  firm  of  Bolton  &  Sehuler,  proprietors  of  flouring- 
mills  and  cheese-factory;  is  the  son  of  Phillip  and  Maria  Sehuler;  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  March 
8,  1844;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1853;  made  his  home  in  Sheboygan  Falls  about  seven 
years;  then  went  to  Plymouth,  and  served  three  years  at  the  miller's  trade  with  William  Schwartz.  In 
1863,  he  came  to  Boltonville,  and  engaged  as  miller  in  the  Reliance  Mills  ;  two  years  later,  he  went  to 
Young  America,  and  ran  the  Young  America  Mills  of  that  place  three  years;  he  then  returned  to  Bolton- 
ville, and  resumed  work  in  the  Reliance  Mills.  The  following  year,  he  bought  a  one-third  interest  in 
those  mills,  and  has  continued  in  the  business  to  this  date.  In  the  spring  of  1881,  he  joined  Mr.  George 
Bolton  as  an  equal  partner  in  establishing  a  cheese  factory  near  their  mills,  which  is  more  fully  described 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  In  1876.  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace;  was  re-elected,  aod  has  held  to 
this  writing.  The  same  year,  he  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Farmington,  and  has  been  reelected 
each   year  since.      He   was    married,   in   the   town   of  Scott,   Sheboygan    Co.,   in    1S64,   to    Miss   Mary 


700  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Bolton,  daughter  of  Hiram  Bolton.  Mrs.  Schuler  was  born  in  Ohio.  One  son  was  born  of  this  mar- 
riage— Fred  M.  Mrs.  Schuler  died  Dec  7.  L866.  Mr.  Schuler  was  married.  July  4,  1869,  to  hi^  pres- 
ent wife,  Annie  Trenam.  daughter  of  Daniel  Treuam.  Mrs.  Schuler  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
They  have  three  children — Effie,  Marvin  and  Otto. 

4. 1.OKI.  1'.  SEIGBL.,  farmer,  Sec.  24  ;  P.  O.  Fillmore;  has  80  acres  of  land.  He  is  the  son 
of  George  and  Man  Seigel,  ami  was  burn  in  Saxony,  Ccrmany.  Dee.  .SO.  1823;  came  to  America  in  1855, 
and  directly  to  Farmington,  and  located  on  his  present  farm.  Be  was  married,  previous  to  coming  to  this 
country,  in  1847,  to  Gustine  Donath.  Two  children  were  born  to  them — a  son  named  Robert,  who  died 
in  childhood,  and  Huldah,  now  Mrs.  P.  M.  Leinberger,  of  Farmington.     Mr.  Seigel  was  a  member  of  Co. 

1.  loth  \V.  Y.  I.      He  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1864,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

I'll  IE, Ml*  M  II  Ml  IH.lt.  farmer.  See.  18;  P.  <>.  St.  Michael's;  has  1 20  acres  of  land 
settled  in  the  county  in  September,  1846.  He  is  the  son  of  Mat  J.  and  Catharine  Schneider;  wa8 
born  in  Rhenish  Prussia.  Nov.  30,  1826  ;  came  to  America  in  company  with  his  stepfather,  John  Theusch, 
in  1846,  arriving  in  New  Fork  about  Sept.  1  ;  came  directly  to  Milwaukee.  After  spending  a  few  weeks 
i-  that  village,  they  came  t<i  Washington  Co.,  Town  12.  Range  20,  now  Farmington,  where  they  located 
mi  Government  land.  See.  IS.  In  1849,  Mr.  Schneider  went  to  Chicago  with  the  expectation  of  getting 
employment.  On  the  breaking-out  of  the  cholera  at  that  place,  he  returned  to  Wisconsin.  In  1851,  he 
went  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  till  the  following  year.  He  then  returned  to  Wisconsin.  He  was 
married,  at  St.  Michael's  Church.  Kewaskum,  in  September.  18">3.  to  Miss  Helen  Keller,  daughter  of 
J.  Keller.  Mrs.  Schneider  only  lived  eleven  months  after  her  marriage.  In  November,  1S55,  Mr.  S. 
was  married  to  Miss  Susan  Thull,  daughter  of  Theodore  Thull.  Mrs.  Schneider  died  in  1S59,  leaving 
four  children — Catharine,  Margaret,  Joseph  and  Nicholas.  Mr.  S.  married  Miss  Christine  Meyring, 
daughter  of  Henry  Meyring,  at  St.  Michael's  Church,  town  of  Kewaskum.  July  23,  1864.  Seven  chil- 
dren were  born  of  this  marriage — Henry.  John,  Gertrude,  Frank,  Phillip,  Mary  and  Mathias.  Mr, 
Schneider  was  elected  Assessor  tin-  the  town  of  Farmington  for  the  years  1856,  1859,  1860,  1861  and  1862. 
In  1864,  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk.  During  the  County  Commissioner  system,  he  was  elected  one  of 
the  Commissioners,  and  served  two  years.  In  1866,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly  for  the 
Third  District  of  Washington  Co.,  and  re-elected  in  1874-75.  He  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of 
Farmington  in  1867,  and  re-elected  each  year  to  1877.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  Wash- 
ington Co.,  and  served  in  that  body  during  the  sessions  of  1876  77. 

I-'.  11 1 1..  S l\ S.  14a  l-i !t.  farmer  and  musician;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Wilhel" 
mine  Seliger,  and  was  born  iii  Saxe-Weimar  May  3,  1849;  he  came  to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents- 
in  185:1.  and  made  his  horn.'  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Sec.  11;  made  farming  his  business;  studied 
music,  and  is  a  member  of  Luckow's  Brass  Band,  of  West    Bend.      He  was   married  in  Farmington,  Nov. 

2.  1871,  to  Catharine  Crass,  daughter  of  (ruttfried  and  Henriette  Crass;  they  have  had  four  children  — 
Linda,  Franklin,  Frm-t  and  Edwin  ;  of  these  only  two  are  living  i  Franklin  and  Edwin).  Mrs.  Seliger's 
rather  continued  his  residence  on  the  farm  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1873.  The 
mother  survives. 

THOMAS  ttHTTil    deceased  .  was  bom  in  New  Hampshire,  and  was  married  in  1817.  in 
nit.  to  Mrs.  Margery  Yarney.  widow  of  Asa  Yarney  ;   Mrs.  Yarney  was  the  mother  of  two  children, 
one  daughter.  Phebe,  now    Mrs.  Harlow  Bolton,  of  Boltonvillc.     The   son,  Asa,  was   married  to    Miss  Mi- 
randa   Norl and    resides    in    Farmington;   six    children  were    born    to    Mr.  and    Mrs.  Smith  ;    the  eldest, 

Hoi  ,  is    a    resident  of   Iowa.    William    married    Miss   Susan    Norton,  a  sister  of  Mrs.    Miranda  Yarney, 

and  liven  in  Michigan:  Martha,  now  Mrs.  Garrett  Marccllus.  of  Iowa;  Jeremiah  married  Mrs.  Christina 
Datiforth,  and  lives  in  Boltonvillc;  Permelia  was  married  in  Farmington,.  June  17,  1849.  to  Orson  11. 
McClaflin  ;   is  now  residing  with  her  son.  Thomas,  at  Milwaukee. 

DANIEL  D.  SMITH,  retired  farmer,  residence,  See.  19;  PO.  Farmington  .  is  probably  the  old- 
est pioneer  now  resident  in  this  town,  being  86  years  of  age,  as  well  as  one  of  the  oldest  Bettlers.  He  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Hartford.  Washington  Co..  N.  Y..  Aug.  17.  L795  .  he  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  lie  was  married  in  October.  1817,  to  Miss  Rachel 
Hicks,  eleven  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  six  are  living.  In  1830,  Mr.  Smith's  family  moved 
to  Onondaga  Co.,  and  from  there,  Sept.  i,  H17.  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  locating  Government  land  on 

19,  town  of  Clarence    now  Farmington  1,  where  they  have  resided  to  this  date.     Mr.  Smith  built  the 

first  brick  house  in  the  town,  and  is  said  to  have  built  the  tirst  frame  liarn  ;  alBO established  the  tirst  cooperage, 
am!  supplied  the  early  settlers  with  barrels.  The  old  gentleman  is  hale  and  hearty,  and  delights  in  telling 
interesting  stories  of  early  days. 


TOWN   OF    FARMINGTON.  707 

JOSEPH  H.  SMITH,  farmer,  Sec.  19;  P.  0.  Farmington  ;  is  the  son  of  Daniel  D.  and  Rachel, 
Smith;  he  was  born  in  Cicero,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  5,  1836;  lived  in  his  native  county  till  12 
years  of  age;  then  removed  to  Wisconsin,  with  his  parents,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Clarence,  Sec.  19, 
Washington  Co.,  in  September,  1847.  He  was  married  in  Barton,  Jan.  1,  1859,  to  Miss  Eliza  Bailey, 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Maria  Bailey.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  Devonshire,  England,  and  came  to 
America  when  1  year  old  ;   they  have  one  adopted  child,  Bertha.      He  has  155  acres  of  land. 

WILLIAM  STEWART,  farmer.  See.  30  ;  P.  0.  Barton;  settled  in  the  county  October, 
1846  ;  has  362  acres  of  land;  Mr.  Stewart  was  born  iu  Perth  Co.,  Scotland,  Aug.  15,  1815  ;  is  the  son 
of  James  and  Margaret  (Rogers)  Stewart.  Was  married  in  February,  1837,  to  Miss  Jane  Pringle, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Ford)  Pringle.  Mrs.  Stewart  was  born  in  Scotland;  three  children 
were  born  to  them  in  the  old  country;  the  eldest,  Elizabeth,  died  in  childhood;  the  second,  Mary,  is 
now  Mrs.  Hugh  Calderwood,  of  Iowa ;  the  third,  James,  died  in  America  at  the  age  of  17  years.  Mr. 
Stewart  and  family  came  to  the  United  States  in  1844;  made  their  home  in  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  about 
two  years  ;  then,  in  the  fall  of  1846,  they  came  to  Wisconsin  Territory  and  located  on  Government  land,  on 
Sec.  29,  Town  12  north,  Range  20  east,  now  Farmington,  Washington  Co.;  a  daughter  was  born  to  them 
Dec.  28.  1846.  who  was  named  Jane  ;  the  young  lady  grew  to  womanhood,  and  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Ma- 
tlnas  Stoaks,  and,  at  this  writing,  is  a  resident  of  Iowa;  Mr.  Stewart  and  wife  were  blessed  with  four  more 
children — Elizabeth,  Annie,  Martha  and  William;  the  two  latter  are  now  residing  in  Iowa.  Mr.  Stewart 
moved  to  his  present  farm  in  1866  ;  he  held  the  office  of  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Farmington  in  an 
early  day,  and  was  elected  Chairman.  He  was  the  first  President  of  the  Bible  Society,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1S51. 

ALEXANDER  THOMPSON,  farmer,  resides  on  Sec.  20;  P.  O.  Boltonville ;  has  120 
acres  of  land  in  company  with  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Joseph  Burgess.  Mr.  Thompson  was  born  in  the 
Province  of  Ulster,  Ireland,  Feb.  17.  1800.  He  was  married  in  his  native  country,  in  November,  1837,  to 
Miss  Martha  Thompson,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Mitchell)  Thompson,  also  a  native  of  Ulster. 
Five  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  three  only  lived  to  maturity ;  Elizabeth,  who  for  many  years 
has  beeu  a  popular  teacher  of  Washington  County,  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  Joseph  Burgess  and  resides  at 
the  old  homestead,  being  the  only  surviving  child  of  the  family.  The  son,  John,  died  at  the  age  of  27, 
and  the  other  daughter,  Mary  A.,  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  I.  N.  Frisby,  a  well-known  attorney  of  West 
Bend.  Her  death  occurred  Sept.  24,  1878.  Mr.  Thompson  came  to  America  in  1844;  made  his  home 
in  the  city  of  New  iTork  for  three  years;  then  removed  to  Alleutown,  Penn.,  where  he  remained  till  1855, 
when  he  came  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.,  Sec.  20  ;  here,  by 
patient  labor,  he  has  developed  a  finely-cultivated  farm  out  of  the  wilderness  of  woods  that  greeted  him 
over  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  and  now,  having  reached  his  81st  birthday,  he  and  his  good  wife  are 
happily  passing  their  declining  years,  cheered  by  the  kindly  care  of  their  only  surviving  child. 

DANIEL  TRENAM,  farmer,  Sec.  18;  P.  O.  Boltonville;  has  160  acres  of  land;  settled  in 
the  county  in  1855.  Is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Thompson)  Trenam ;  was  born  in  Yorkshire, 
England,  Oct.  19,  1814  ;  came  to  America  in  1833  ;  made  his  home  in  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked 
at  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  was  married  in  that  county  in  1845  to  Miss  Lydia  Christy,  daughter  of 
James  Christy.  Mrs.  Trenam  was  born  in  New  Brunswick.  With  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in 
Jefferson  County,  Mr.  Trenam  remained  in  Oneida  County  till  1855,  when  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and 
located  in  the  town  of  Farmington.  Washington  Co.,  where  he  still  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Trenam  have 
three  children — Daniel,  married  to  Mary  Stanley,  residing  at  the  homestead ;  Ann,  now  Mrs.  Fred 
Schuler,  of  Boltonville.  and  James,  married  to  Miss  Laviry  Yeamans  and  resides  in  Dakota.  Mr.  Trenam 
established  the  first  cheese-factory  in  the  town  of  Farmington  (1871).  which  is  still  in  successful  opera- 
tion ;  has  manufactured  about  40,000  pounds  of  cheese  annually.  He  has  kept  a  record  of  the  reading 
of  the  thermometer  three  times  a  day,  and  the  direction  of  the  wind  and  a  description  of  the  weather  for 
each  day  for  several  years. 

SAMUEL  A.  VARNE Y,  farmer  and  school-teacher,  Sec.  34  ;  P.  O.  Barton  ;  was  born  in  Cuy- 
ahoga Co.,  Ohio,  Nov.  19,  1843;  is  the  son  of  Asa  and  Miranda  (Norton)  Varney.  He  came  to  Wis- 
consin with  his  parents  in  1847,  and  passed  his  boyhood  in  the  wild  woods  of  the  town  of  Farmiugton  ; 
when  about  19,  September,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  12th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of 
the  war ;  when  23  years  of  age,  he  began  teaching  school  and  has  taught  thirteen  terms,  two  of  which 
were  of  the  graded  school  of  Fillmore.  He  was  married,  Oct.  29,  1S69,  in  this  town,  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Albright,  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Maria  Albright.  Mrs.  Varney  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  came  to 
this  town  with  her  parents  at  an  early  day.  They  have  two  children,  a  son.  A.  Olin,  and  a  daughter,  E. 
Avis.     They  have  SO  acres  of  land. 


708  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

#  ASA  VARXEY,  farmer,  Sec.  20;    P.  0.  Boltonville  ;  is  the  son  of  Asa  and  Margery  Varney  ; 

was  born  in  Addison  Co..  Vt..  June  5,  1816;  when  17  years  of  age,  moved  to  Cuyahoga  Co.,  Ohio, 
whore  he  was  married,  March  30.  1842,  to  Miss  Miranda  Norton,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Susan  Norton, 
who  was  born  in  Cuyahoga  Co.,  Ohio.  In  November,  1847,  Mr.  Varney  and  family  moved  to  the  town 
of  Clarence  (now  Farmington  .  Washington  Co.,  and  located  on  Sec.  20,  where  they  are  still  residins. 
They  have  160  acres  of  land.  Four  sons  were  born  to  them — -Samuel  A.  was  a  member  of  Company  D, 
12th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  three  years  in  the  late  war.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Albright  and 
resides  in  Farruington  ;  James  O.  married  Miss  Miranda  J.  Holt  and  lives  in  Iowa ;  Harlow  1!.  is  in 
Montana  Territory,  and  Charles  M.  at  home.  Mr.  Varney  was  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bolton,  Varney 
&  Willis,  who  built  the  Reliance  Mills  at  Boltonville  in  1854.  Mr.  Varney  is  a  carpenter  and  millwright, 
and  has  been  both  farmer  and  builder. 

ANDREW  WALTER,  deceased;  was  born  in  Saxe- Weimar,  Germany,  Sept.  0,  1808. 
Was  married,  in  1830,  to  Miss  Johanna  Bitter,  daughter  of  Godfried  Ritter ;  two  daughters  and  four  sons 
were  born  to  them — Albert.  Louisa,  Theresa,  Otto,  Theodore,  and  Julius  (deceased).  Mr.  Walter  came 
to  America  with  his  family  in  September,  1854.  and  located  in  the  town  of  Farmington,  Sec.  35,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming  till  the  time  of  his  death,  whieh  occurred  Aus.  6,  1879.  Mrs.  Walter  died 
Feb.  17,  1881. 

THEODORE  H.  WALTER,  former.  Sec.  35;  P.  O.  Newburg;  has  80  acres  of  land  • 
son  of  Andrew  and  Johanna  Walter ;  was  born  in  Saxe- Weimar,  Germany,  Oct.  24,  1847;  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  in  1854,  and  made  his  home  on  Sec.  35,  town  of  Farmington  ;  he  is  engaged  in 
farming.  Nov.  28,  1876,  he  was  married,  at  Newburg,  to  Miss  Emma  Kelck.  daughter  of  Christian  and 
Caroline  Kelck  ;  they  have  three  children — Agnes,  Gustave  and  Elsa.  Mr.  Walter  enlisted,  in  April. 
1865,  in  Co.  II.  51st  W  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  the  present  Clerk  of  School 
District  No.  4,  of  this  town. 

WILLET  R.  WESCOTT,  farmer  and  dairyman;  P.  0.  Boltonville;  has  10(1  acres;  set- 
tled in  the  county  in  1S46  ;  is  the  sun  of  Samuel  and  Bethiah  (Cuddeback  |  Wescott ;  was  born  in  Tioga 
Co.,    X.    Y.,   Feb.   15,  1830;  in  1846,  came  with  his  parents  to  Washington  County  and  settled  in  Town 

12,    Range   2n — now    Farmington — making   his  li nn  Sit   7;  two  years  later,  began  teaching  scl I. 

being  the  second  to  acl  in  that  capacity  in  the  town;  he  taught  nine  winters  in  succession.  Was  married 
in  this  town  (Farmington),  April  27,  1854,  to  Miss  Thamar  Stanley,  daughter  of  Marshall  Stanley,  of 
Ohio  :  they  had  two  children  ;  one  died  in  infancy,  unnamed;  and  the  other,  Olin,  died  when  6  years  of 
age.  Mrs.  Wescott  died  Oct.  1,  1866.  Mr.  Wescott  was  married  again.  Aug.  27.  1. 867,  in  Farming- 
ton,  to  Miss  Kate  I!"--,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (McCormack)  Ross.  Mrs.  Wescott  was  born  in 
Wauwatosa,  Milwaukee  Co.,  Sept.  25,  1846  ;  they  have  seven  children — Cora  B.,  Lou  E.,  Earl  R  ,  Will 
>..  Bruce  P.,  EIi/.al»'th  M.  and  Mary  Josephine.  Has  served  a*  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Farmington  three 
terms,  and  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  terms  ;  was  once  elected  Chairman,  but  did  not  qualify.  Mr.  Wescott'a 
father.  Samuel  Wescott.  was  a  pioneer  of  lSHi  of  this  town  ;  now  a  resident  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Wescott  en- 
listed, in  September,  1861.  iu  Co.  D,  12th  W.  V.  L,  and  served  till  May.  1864  ;  being  a  musician,  he  was 
transferred  to  a  band,  and  served  as  a  musician;  was  with  hi-  regiment  in  all  the  engagements  in  which 
they  participated. 

JI'DSON  WILLIAMS,  farmer,  Sec.  29;  P.O.  Barton.  Mr.  Williams  is  a  native  of  Van  Buren, 

Onondaga  Co.,  N.  ST.;  is  the  son  of  James  B.  and  Naomi  iTafC  Williams,  and  was  bom  June  7,  \"'-V.'i. 
When  13  years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Cedarburg,  Washington  Co.  (now  Ozaukee  Co.  .  ar- 
riving  there   in    April.   IS  1 1 > ;  the  following  October,  they  removed  to  Sec  29,  town  of  Clarence  (now 

Farmington   .  where  the  Subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood  and   has  since  made-   hi-    home.       He  was 

married,  in  this  town,  April  2,  L865,  to  Miss  Martha  Tl pson,  daughter  of  Robert  Thompson.     Mrs. 

William-  was  born  in  Mauch  chunk.  Penn.,  and  came  to  Farmington  with  her  people  in  1859.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams — George,  Irving  (who  died  when  2'  years  old),  Henry,  Alice, 
Phoebe  and  Annie.     Mr.  Williams  has  L60  acres  of  land. 

JAMES  K.  WILLIAMS)  deceased ;  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co..  X.  Y.  He  was  married, 
in  that  enmity,  to  Mi>s  Xaoini  Tal't.  He  moved  West  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  in  1846:  -pent  a  lew 
months  at  Cedarburg,  then  came  to  the  town  of  Clarence  (now  Farmington),  where  he  entered  Govern- 
ment land  on  See.  HI.  receiving  his  patent  in  1848,  Feb.  10.  He  WSfl  one  of  the  earliest  Superintendents 
of  Schools  of  thi-  town  .    he  was  al.-o  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  held  some  twelve  years  ; 

he  was  a  large-hearted,  genial  man — one  of  a  type  frequently  found  on  the  frontiers  of  a  new  country. 

He   devoted   him-' If  to    the    improvement    of  his   land,  and   lived  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  hi-   labors.      His 


TOWN    OF    FARMINGTON.  709 

death  occurred  Jan.  7,  1874.     His  widow  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son   Judson,   the  best 
room  in  the  new  house  being  devoted  to  her  use. 

CARL  WITTIG,  Town  Clerk,  carpenter  and  joiner,  Fillmore;  settled  in  the  county  in 
1850  ;  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  March  29,  1838  ;  is  the  son  of  Adam  Wittig ;  came  to  America  in 
1850  and  directly  to  the  town  of  Fartnington  ;  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Milwaukee;  was  there  two 
years,  and  was  married  in  that  city,  Nov.  15,  1859,  to  Miss  Augusta  Kanter,  a  daughter  of  George  Kanter  ; 
Mrs.  Wittig  was  born  in  Prussia ;  they  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter — Charles,  Ernst  and  Emma.  He 
enlisted  in  October,  1864.  in  Co.  A,  45th  W.  V.  I.,  and  was  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  and  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  received  his  discharge  in  July,  1865.  He  was  elected  Town  Clerk  of  Farm- 
ington  in  1870  and  re-elected  till  1875,  when  he  resigned  and  moved  to  St.  Louis;  on  his  return  after  six 
months,  he  was  appointed  to  his  firmer  position  and  re-elected  iu  the  spring  of  1876,  and  has  been  re 
elected  each  year  to  this  writiug  (1881 ) ;  he  was  candidate  for  Sheriff  of  Washington  Co.  on  the  Republican 
ticket  in  1880  ;  he  made  a  good  run,  but  was  defeated  with  the  rest  of  his  ticket,  being  unable  to  over- 
come the  strong  Democratic  majority  against  him. 

PETER   WOOGr,  dealer  in  general  merchandise  and  proprietor  of  cheese  factory,  Boltonville 
store  established  in  the  fall  of  1S77  ;   the  cheese  factory  aod  a  branch  store  were  established  on  the  north 
east   corner  of  Sec.  12,  of  this  town,  in  the  spring  of  1881 ;  combined  stock  of  the  two  stores,  $4,000 
about  sixty  thousand  pounds  of  cheese  will  be  manufactured  the  present  season  (1881).     Mr.  Woog  was 
born  in  Prussia  Dec.  5,  1838;  is  the  son  of  Henry  and   Annette   Woog;  he  came  to  America  in   1854 
stopped  in  Milwaukee  about  four  years,  where  he  learned  the  cooper's  trade  ;  then  came  to  Boltonville  and 
engaged  in  the  coopering  business;  continued  this  business  about  five  years;  he  then  engaged  as  dealer  in 
farm   produce,  and  continued  in  that  line  till  1877,  when  he  opened  a  store  as  dealer  in  general  merchan- 
dise, which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time ;  he  carries  a  full  line  of  goods  usually  found  in  a  country 
store;  in   the  spring  of  1881,  he  established  a  cheese  factory  and   branch  store  on  Sec.  12,  as  described 
above.     He  was  married  at  Boltonville,  July  4,  1S59.  to  Miss  Kate  Kratsch,  daughter  of  Henry  Kratsch  ; 
Mrs.  Woog  was  born  in  Germany ;  they  have   six  children — Bertha,  Peter,  Clara,  Edward,  Annette  and 
Amanda. 

NICHOLAS  YOUNG,  farmer,  Sec.  23;  P.  O.  Fillmore;  was  born  in  Alsace,  France,  April 
2,  1834  ;  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  Jung  (now  spelled  Young  by  their  descendants) ;  Mr.  Young 
came  to  America  in  1853  and  directly  to  the  town  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.;  came  with  his  parents, 
and  located  on  Sec.  26.  He  enlisted  in  the  fall  of  1864,  in  Co.  B,  45th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  On  his  return  from  the  army,  he  was  married  at  Port  Washington,  Oct.  19.  1865,  to 
Miss  Augusta  Goldammer,  daughter  of  Charles  Goldammer.  Mrs.  Young  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
came  to  America  when  9  years  of  age ;  they  have  four  children—  Charles,  William,  Alfred  and  Lydia.  Mr. 
Young  spent  some  time  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade,  but  has  been  engaged  in  farming  the  most  of  his 
time.  He  was  elected  and  served  one  year  as  Town  Clerk  of  the  town  of  Farmington.  Has  made  his 
home  at  his  present  place  of  residence  since  1878. 

WILLIAM  YOUNG,  farmer,  Sec.  33  ;  P.  O.  Barton  ;  settled  in  the  county  in  the  spring  of 
1^74;  has  200  acres  of  land;  was  born  in  Scotland  Aug.  26,  1818;  is  the  son  of  James  and  Grace 
Young.  Was  married  in  Fifeshire,  May  9,  1842,  to  Miss  Mary  Graham,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
'  Rutherford)  Graham  :  Mrs.  Young  was  born  in  Fifeshire,  Scotland  ;  soon  after  their  marriage,  they  came 
to  America  ( in  1842  I  and  located  in  Canada,  where  they  remained  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  State 
of  New  York  ;  lived  in  that  State  three  years,  then,  iu  the  spring  of  1847,  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled 
on  Sec.  33.  town  of  Clarence  (now  Farmington),  where  they  have  continued  to  reside.  They  have  five 
children — Mary  i  now  Mrs.  Chris  Albright,  of  Washington  Co.,  Kan.  i,  James  (  married  to  Fannie  Rock- 
afellow,  also  residing  in  Kansas).  Grace  (now  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Ripley,  of  Oakfield,  Wis.),  Alvin  A.  (mar- 
ried to  Mary  Friedeman,  living  in  Kansas).  Comfort  W.  (married  to  Matilda  Board,  and  residing  in 
Farmington). 


710  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 


TOWN    OF    BARTON. 

JOHN  JACOB  BASTIAX,  Sr.,  Barton;  son  of  Sebastian  and  Christine  Bastian;  was 
born  in  Rhine  Province,  Prussia,  Feb.  26,  1817  ;  learned  the  tanner's  trade.  Was  married,  Feb.  3.  1844, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Braun,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Christine  Rraun.  In  1 844,  they  came  to  America  ; 
made  their  home  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  till  August,  lS4ti,  when  they  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  and  settled 
on  wild  land,  on  See.  14,  town  of  West  Bend,  now  a  part  of  the  village  of  West  Bend.  Mr.  Bastian  and 
family  were  the  first  Germans  to  locate  within  the  present  limits  of  the  village  of  West  Bend  ;  after 
chic  year's  residence  at  this  place,  they  moved  to  the  town  of  Barton,  Sec.  8,  where  they  still  live. 
Six  children  were  born  to  them — John  Jacob,  the  eldest,  was  bom  in  Cleveland.  Ohio;  married  Margaret 
Arnet.  and  is  now  a  resident  of  the  town  of  West  Bend.  Emma  was  the  wife  of  Mathias  Baes,  and  died 
March  26,  1878,  leaving  three  children.  George  L.  married  Mary  Winkler,  and  is  a  blacksmith  of  Weal 
Bend  ;  Henry  C.  married  Catharine  Glass,  and  is  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Barton,  has  five  children; 
Herman,  married  to  Mary  Faff,  has  one  child,  resides  at  West  Bend  ;  II.  Augustus  married  Magdalene 
Holeinass  and  is  a  wagon-maker  of  West  Bend.  Mr.  Bastian  had  purchased  200  acres  of  land  on  Sec.  8, 
but  has  deeded  all  to  his  children  except  8J  acres,  which  he  reserve-  for  a  homestead.  lie  has  served  six 
years  as  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Barton,  being  the  first  German  to  hold  that  office  ;  has  also  served  as 
Assessor  one  year. 

WILLIAM  S.  OAVIS,  of  the  firm  of  Woodford  &  Davis,  proprietors  of  steam  saw  and 
planing  mill,  Young  America,  town  of  Barton  ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Verona,  Oneida  Co.  N.  V.,  June 
23,  1831  ;  son  of  William  and  Sally  i  Quimby)  Davis.  Mr.  D.  came  to  Washington  Co.  in  May.  1850, 
and  made  his  home  in  Waubeka,  now  Ozaukee  Co.;  in  1851,  he  came  to  Young  America  and  engaged  in 
the  saw-mill  business.  He  was  married,  in  Barton,  Feb.  27,  1858.  to  Miss  Emily  J.  Bidwell.  daughter  of 
Luther  and  Lydia  Bidwell.  Mrs.  Davis  is  :l  native  of  the  State  of  New  York.  Two  children  were  born 
to  them — Charles  W.  (deceased)  and  Cora  Emily.  Mrs.  Davis  died  July  11.  1869.  Mr.  Davis  formed 
the  existing  partnership  with  Mr.  Woodford  in  1864.  lie  was  married,  at  Fond  du  Lac.  Dec.  24.  1871. 
to  Miss  Amelia  B.  Wicker,  who  died  fifteen  months  after  her  marriage  I  May  HI,  1873).  Mr.  Davis  was 
married  again,  April  27,  1875,  at  Sparta,  to  Mrs.  Frances  M.  Brooks,  widow  of  Frank  Brooks,  and  daughter 
of  Kbenezer  and  Julia  U.  Avery.  Mrs.  Davis  was  born  in  Chicago  They  have  one  child,  a  daughter — 
Hannah   M. 

MICIIAKIj  KISKXMANX,  proprietor  of  the  Milwaukee  House,  Barton  ;  the  business  was 
established  in  1857  by  his  lather,  Frank  Eisenmann.  Mr.  E.  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany;  was  born 
Nov.  30,  L838,  and.  in  1852,  came  to  America  with  his  parents  i  Frank  and  Theresa  Eisenmann  i ;  made 
his  home  in  Milwaukee,  and  with  his  lather  engaged  with  Bradley  &  Metcalf,  hoot  and  shoe  manufactur- 
ers, and  continued  in  their  employ  three  yeais  ;    then  moved  to  Barton,  in  1855,  and  worked  with  his  father 

at  shoemaking  till  1868,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  of  hotel-keeping.  He  was  married,  Nov 
25,  I8(il.at  Barton,  to  Miss  Anna  (JrsohlitZ,  daughter  of  Peter  Ursehlitz  Mrs.  Eisenmann  is  a  native 
of  Bohemia.  They  have  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  ten  are  living — Gertrude,  Mary,  Theresa  (de- 
ceased  .  Joseph,  Frank  deceased),  Frank,  Susie.  Anna,  John,  Matilda.  Rosa,  Phillip  and  Catharine.  Mr. 
Eisenmann  was  Town  Treasurer  of  Barton  in  the  years  1873-74-75.  Justice  of  the  Peace  two  years,  and 
Town  Clerk  for  the  years  1878  79-80-81. 

I'FjTKB  FRASKR,  merchant  and  1'i.simaster,  Barton;  business  established  in  1847  J  average 
amount  of  stock  carried.  £:;.oin>  Mr.  Fraser  was  born  in  the  town  of  York,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb. 
12,  1819;  son  of  William  and  .lennette  ,  Davidson)  Fraser;  his  people  were  from  the  highlands  of  Scot- 
land, and  immigrated  to  America  in  1807.  He  received  a  common-school  education,  and,  in  IS  Hi,  came 
to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Town  11  north,  Range  ll>  east,  on  the  site  of  the  village  of  Barton;  here  he 
I"  "  1  a  .'cneral  country  store.  A  dam  and  mills  were  built  about  the  same  time  by  Mr.  Barton  Salis- 
bury at  this  point,  other  settlers  followed  rapidly,  and  the  little  ham  lei  was  christened  Salisbury.  Tin- 
name  was  subsequently  changed  to  Barton.  Mr.  F.  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  three  yean,  and 
tie  ii  moved  to  a  farm  in  the  same  town,  whioh  he  carried  on  till  1802  ;  he  then  houuht  a  piece  of  land  in 
Barton,  and  shortly  afterward  established  himself  in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  has  continued  to 
this  date.  In  the  fall  of  1863,  he  went  Easl  to  his  old  home,  and  was  married  al  \\oi  Livingston  Co., 
N  Y  .  Feb.  9,  1854,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Bidwell.  They  have  had  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  living — 
\  tola  0.  and  Edwin  P.,   .lames  died  when  5  years  of  age.      Mr.  Fraser  litis  served  one  term  each  as  Chair- 


TOWN    OF    BARTON.  711 

in  in,  Side  Supervisor  and  Town  Clerk,  of  Barton,      His  brother  James  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Barton,  coming  here  in  1845  ;  his  death  occurred  six  years  later  ( 1851). 

MARTIN  ISA  YH  ART,  Postmaster  and  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Young  America; 
business  established  in  the  spring  of  1869  ;  stock  about  $8,000  ;  has  a  branch  store  in  the  shoe  business 
at  Barton.  Mr.  Gayhart  was  born  in  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  23,  1840  ;  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
(Mayer)  Gayhart;  he  came  to  the  town  of  Barton  in  1855,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married 
there,  Jan.  21,  1862,  to  Miss  Gertrude  Stoffels,  daughter  of  Henry  Stoffels;  ten  children  were  born  to 
them — Elizabeth,  John  H.,  Henrietta,  Henry  A.,  William  M.,  Anna,  Mary,  Helena,  Louis  and  Martin. 
Mr.  Gayhart  was  appointed  Deputy  Postmaster  of  Young  America  under  Mr.  F.  A.  Noll,  and  served  four 
years;  May  22,  1876,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster,  and  has  held  the  office  to  this  date.  He  has  served 
;is  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Barton  three  years,  and  is  now  serving  the  fourth  term. 

DAMIAX  HIRSCHROECK,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  Barton;  busi- 
ness established  April,  1855.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  is  the  son  of 
Sebastian  and  Elizabeth  (Myer)  Hirschboeck  ;  was  born  Sept.  27,  1831  ;  learned  his  trade  in  his  native 
country,  and  came  to  America  in  1853,  making  his  home  in  Milwaukee;  he  worked  at  his  trade  with 
Bradley  &  Metcilf  till  April  1,  1855  ;  he  then  moved  to  the  village  of  Barton  and  started  in  his  present 
business.  Mr.  Hirschboeck  was  married,  at  Milwaukee,  Ju'y  1,  1853,  to  Miss  Barbara  Braun,  daughter 
of  Bartholomew  and  Francisco  (Ohlinger)  Braun  ;  Mrs.  H.  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany;  they  have 
had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eleven  are  living;  the  two  first  were  twins  and  died  in  infancy  ;  those  liv- 
ing are  Joseph,  who  is  agent  of  the  American  Express  Co.  at  Barton  ;  was  appointed  Sept.  12,  1877  ; 
Barbara,  George,  Sebastian,  John,  Elizabeth,  Peter  and  Paul  (twins),  Frank  A.,  Stephen  and  Zaezelia  F. 
Mr.  Hirschboeck  has  served  his  school  district  in  the  capacity  of  Treasurer  six  years. 

JOSEPH  W.  HOLEHOUSE,  farmer  and  nurseryman,  Sec.  2  ;  P.  0.  Barton  ;  has  70  acres; 
settled  in  the  county  in  1846;  was  born  in  Staley  Bridge,  Lancashire,  England,  July  5,  1836  ;  came  to 
America  with  his  parents  when  9  years  of  age;  lived  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  till  1846,  when  the  family  moved 
to  Wisconsin  and  located  on  Government  land,  Sec.  2,  town  of  Barton  ;  the  next  five  or  six  years  were 
passed  by  young  Holehouse  in  the  occupations  and  amusements  usual  to  a  young  lad  living  in  the  wilder- 
ness i«n  the  frontier  of  civilization  ;  when  17  years  of  age,  being  possessed  of  a  love  of  adventure,  he  went 
to  Milwaukee  and  shipped  as  a  sailor  on  the  lakes  ;  when  23  years  of  age,  he  was  master  of  the  propeller 
"  Illinois  ;  "  he  also  fitted  out  the  square-rigged  vessel  called  the  Badger  State,  which  was  the  first  vessel 
of  her  kind  to  hail  from  Milwaukee.  When  the  war  broke  out,  he  engaged  in  the  United  States  transport 
service;  was  two  years  first,  mate  of  the  transport  Powhattan,  and,  during  the  war,  he  made,  in  all,  twenty- 
four  trips  across  the  Atlantic  in  the  service  of  the  Government.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  quit  the 
sea,  and  was  engaged  as  agent  of  the  Nordiwestern  Life  Insurance  Co.;  was  subsequently  given  a  special 
agency,  aud  traveled  for  the  company  five  years ;  he  was  also  special  agent  for  the  Washington  Life  In- 
surance Co.  about  four  years  ;  during  his  travels  in  the  interest  of  this  company,  he  visited  the  Lake  Su- 
perior iron  and  copper  regions  and  the  Northwest  generally.  He  was  married,  at  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  to 
Miss  Millie  Larkin,  daughter  of  William  Larkin,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania;  they  have  seven  children 
— Mary  A.,  Agnes  G.,  Joseph  W.,  John  E.,  Frank  J.,  Catharine  and  Robert.  Mr.  Holehouse  has  served 
as  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Barton  nine  years,  and  the  last  seven  have  been  in  succession  ;  in  the  fall  of 
1880,  he  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin   Legislature,  to  represent  the  Second  District  of  Washington  Co. 

A.  HUlVTTlVtiTOBJ,  of  the  firm  of  Huntington  &  Koch,  millers,  Barton  ;  is  a  native  of  the 
town  of  Jordan,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.;  son  of  George  C.  and  Abigail  (Gallant)  Huntington  ;  was  born 
Aug.  30,  1841  ;  learned  the  miller's  trade  in  his  native  town,  and  followed  that  business  till  June,  1862, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  111th  N.  Y.  V.;  was  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant  of  his  company,  and  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war;  was  wounded.  May  5,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  by  a  gunshot  wound 
in  his  right  leg.  On  his  return  from  the  army  in  1865,  he  went  to  Kaukauna,  Wis.,  and  engaged  in  mill- 
ing. He  was  married  in  this  place,  Feb.  9,  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  Fish,  daughter  of  Jonas  L.  Fish  ;  Mrs 
Huntington  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.;  they  have  one  daughter.  Abbie.  Mr.  H.  remained  at 
Kaukauna  two  years  and  then  moved  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  was  engaged  as  head  miller  in  the  Kilbourn 
Mills,  from  1867  to  1877  ;  he  was  next  employed  in  the  Empire  Mills,  of  Milwaukee,  one  year,  when  he 
came  to  Barton  and  formed  the  partnership  now  existing. 

JOIIX  KOCH,  of  the  firm  of  Huntington  &  Koch,  millers,  Barton  ;  son  of  George  and  Mary 
(Hickman)  Koch  ;  was  born  in  Hesse-Cassel,  Germany,  Jan.  15,  1836  ;  learned  the  miller's  trade  in  his 
native  country  ;  came  to  America  in  1853  ;  located  at  Milwaukee,  where  he  engaged  as  miller  in  the  Kil- 
bourn Mill  in  1854,  and  continued  an  employe  of  that  mill  twenty-four  years.  He  was  married,  at  Mil- 
waukee, in  September,  1856,  to  Miss  Augusta  Friend,  daughter  of  Florian  Friend;  Mrs.  Koch  was  born 


712  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

in  Germany  :  they  were  blessed  with  twelve  children,  of  whom  only  five  are  living — Andrew.  Edward, 
George,  Clara  and  Amanda;  one  son — Paul — died  when  21  years  of  age,  and  the  others  died  in  infancy, 
of  diphtheria  ;  the  son  Andrew  is  a  lithographer  in  the  employ  of  Seifert  &  SehoefFel,  of  Milwaukee  ; 
Edward  is  au  architect,  employed  with  Koch  &  Co.,  of  Milwaukee ;  George  is  assistant  book-keeper  in  the 
hardware  establishment  of  Frankford  &  Co.,  Milwaukee ;   the  daughters  are  at  home. 

HUXTIX«TOX  &  KOCH,  proprietors  Barton  Mills.  These  mills  were  built  by  R.  R- 
Price,  who  carried  on  the  business  till  1877,  when  the  property  was  sold  at  Sheriff's  sale,  to  Abbott  Law- 
rence, and  Bold  1  > v  him,  Oct.  1,  1878,  to  the  present  owners;  the  mill  is  65x44  feet,  two  and  one-half 
stories  high  ;  has  rive  run  of  stones;  is  possessed  of  the  most  improved  machinery  for  making  the  new 
process  of  flour,  and  has  a  capacity  of  100  barrels  per  day  ;  the  old  dam  was  entirely  destroyed  by  the 
freshet  of  the  spring  of  1881,  and  is  being  rebuilt  in  a  very  substantial  manner,  at  a  probable  cost  of 
83.000. 

HFiXRY  JANSEN,  blacksmith,  wagon  and  carriage  maker,  Barton  ;  business  established  in 
ISSil  ;  Mr.  Jansen  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barton  Aug.  2,  1856  ;  is  the  son  of  William  and  Theodora 
Jansen  ;  Mr.  Jansen  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  1872  ;  in  October,  1870,  he  opened  a  simp  in  the 
village  of  Newburg,  Washington  Co.,  and  continued  business  there  till  March,  1880,  when  he  came  to 
Barton  and  established  his  present  business.  He  was  married  at  Farmersville,  Dodge  Co.,  May  17.  1879, 
to  Mis-  Helen  Remmelmeyre.     They  have  one   child — Sopbronia. 

CHARLES  KAUFFUNG,  proprietor  of  Barton  Brick-Yard;  business  was  established  by 
Frank  Leitheiser  in  1875,  and  purchased  by  the  present  proprietor  in  December,  1S79;  nine  men  are 
employed,  and  500,000  brick  manufactured  annually;  at  present,  the  local  demand  consumes  the  supply. 
Mr  Kauffung  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  and  a  son  of  Charles  and  Charlotte  (Berker)  Kauffung;  was  born 
Dee.  26,  1835;  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1837;  spent  two  years  in  Milwaukee,  and  then 
moved  to  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  Washington  Co.,  now  Ozaukee;  remained  on  that  place  thirteen 
years,  and  then  moved  to  Hamilton,  near  <  'edarburg  ;  when  18  year-  .!'  n-e.  went  to  Milwaukee  and  Bpi  nt 
two  years  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery  store ;  then  went  to  St   Louis.  Mo.,  and  lived  there  three  years  ;   in  1860, 

hi'  to  Barton  and  encaged  in  the  saloon  business.  In  October,  1  — ■  t >  t .  lie  enlisted  in  Co.  G.  1st  Wis. 
Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war;  he  resumed  charge  of  his  saloon  which  he  had 
retained  and  left  in  the  charge  of  his  family  during  his  absence;  he  continued  this  business  until  1875, 
when  he  sold  out  and  bought  a  farm  of  52  acres  in  the  town  of  Barton,  which  he  still  manages;  in  De- 
cember, 1879,  he  purchased  the  brick-yard  business  of  Mr.  Leitheiser,  and  has  continued  it  to  this  writ- 
ing. II'1  was  married.  March  2.  1858,  in  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Sophia  Nolden,  daughter  of  Matliais  Nol- 
den  :  -In-  was  born  in  Prussia.  They  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom  Com  are  living  ;  Matilda,  the 
oldest.  .-iii,l  two  others  died  in  infancy  ;  those  living  are  Emil,  Charlotte.  Charles.  Alfred.  Matilda  second  I, 
Olivia  and  Amanda. 

HK\R¥  J.  KIRCHER,  dealer  in  general  merchandise;  also  does  custom  tailoring  ami  gen- 
eral clothing  trade,  Barton ;  business  was  established  in  1867;  average  amount  of  stock,  $5,500.  Mr. 
Kircher  is  a  native  of  Saxony,  Germany;  is  the  -on  of  Conrad  and  Mary  Ann  Kircher;  was  born  Oct.  3(1, 
I  -.;:;  .  served  three  years  in  bis  native  country  learning  the  tailor's  trade  ;  then  traveled  three  years  work 
ing  at  his  trade;  came  to  America  in  1857,  -topped  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  a  lew  months,  then  came  to  Barton 
in  the  sprite;  of  1858  ;  clerked  three  and  a  half  years  tor  Mr.  John  Reisse  ;  then  went  to  Rochester,  N.  \  ., 
where  he  remained  tw d  a  half  years;  when  he  returned  to  Wisconsin  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  Mil- 
waukee one  year  ;  he  then  returned  to  Barton  and  established  his  present  business.  He  was  married. 
Nov.  [9,  1862,  at  Barton,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Dehauo,  daughter  of  Joseph  Debano.  Mrs.  Kircher  was 
born  in  the  State  of  New  York.  They  have  had  eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living — the  eldest 
two.  Il.nn  J.  and  John  are  dead;   Henry  J.,  the  second  of  name.   Elizabeth,   Agnes,   Bertram.  Albert, 

Maltiiia.  Joseph  and   Barbara  are  living  ;    Andrew,  next  younger  than   Matilda,  is  the  third  one  lost. 

DUNCAN  MCQUEEN,  farmer.  See.  25  ;  P.  ( ).  Barton  ;  ha-  I  2n  acres  .  Settled  in  the  county 
i  let.  22,  1846  .  be  was  born  in  the  town  of  Grant,  Inverness-shire,  Scotland,  July  t.  1805;  Son  of  Ihinie' 
and  Elizabeth  Grant  McQueen.  He  was  married,  May  5,  1835.  in  his  native  town,  to  Ann  Stuart. 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann  i  Rose!  Stuart,  wdio  was  born  in  Inverness-shire.  Three  days  alter  their 
marriage  they  started  for  America,  landing  in  Xew  York  July  4;  they  proceeded  to  Livingston  Co.,  town 
of  Caledonia,  where  they  lived  seven  years,  then  moved  to  Monroe  Co.;  in  the  fall  of  18  HI.  be  moved  to 
Barton  and  located  on  9eC.  25.  where  he  now  resides.  They  have  had  four  children,  three  daughters  and 
a  -on  -Eliza  was  born  in  New  York,  now  Mrs.  Nathaniel  Emery,  of  Trenton;  Daniel,  married  to  Louisa 
Carrel,  residing  in  the  town  of  Barton;   Amanda,  now   Mrs.    Buddenhagen,  of  Kewaskum  ;  Janet,  now 


TOWN    OF    BARTON.  713 

^Mrs.  Robert  Banks,  uf  Beaver  Dam.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  McQueen  are  living  comfortably  in  their  old  age  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  many  years  of  labor. 

EDWARD  MLELLER,  dealer  in  hardware,  stoves  and  tinware.  Barton  ;  business  estab- 
lished in  August,  1880.  Mr.  Mueller  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mishicott,  Manitowoc  Co.,  Jan.  26,  I860; 
is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Minnie  ( Haberlein)  Mueller ;  learned  the  tinner's  trade  in  the  town  of  Mishicott, 
serving  two  years  ;  he  then  worked  a  year  in  Kewaunee  at  his  trade  ;  then  went  to  Kohlsville  where  he 
clerked  in  a  general  store  six  months;  in  1878,  he  went  to  West  Bend  and  engaged  as  tinner  with  A. 
C.  Fuge  ;  continued  in  his  employ  till  August,  1880,  when  he  came  to  Barton  and  established  his  present 
business.  He  was  married,  Sept.  11,  1880,  in  West  Bend,  to  Miss  Frances  Hartman,  daughter  of  George 
Hartman. 

ISRAEL  E.  MONGER,  farmer,  Sec.  1  ;  P.  0.  Barton;  has  65  acres  of  land,  lying  partly 
in  Barton  and  Trenton  ;  settled  in  the  county  in  1859.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Bethany,  Genesee 
Co.,  June  16,  1S19;  son  of  Rufus  and  Lydia  (Everest)  Munger.  The  father  was  born  in  Connecticut,  of 
Highland  Scotch  descent;  the  mother  was  born  in  Vermont,  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Munger  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  county.  In  18-41,  he  came  to  Wisconsin  by  the  way  of  the  lakes  on 
the  old  steamer  Great  Western  :  reached  Milwaukee  in  May  of  that  year.  He  located  on  wild  land  in  the 
town  of  Greenfield,  Milwaukee  Co.,  where  he  made  his  home  for  five  years.  From  1844  to  1846,  he 
spent  most  of  his  time  in  the  pine  woods  of  Northern  Michigan,  lumbering.  He  was  married  in  Greenfield 
in  1848  to  Hanna  Rich.  One  son  was  born  to  them  (Luman),  now  residing  in  Nebraska.  Mrs.  Munger 
died  May  15,  1850.  In  October  of  that  year,  Mr.  Munger  was  married  in  the  town  of  Granville  to  Lydia 
Ann  Green.  One  son  was  born  of  this  marriage,  called  Franklin,  and  now  a  resident  of  New  Mexico. 
Mrs.  Lydia  Munger  died  in  1853.  Mr.  Munger  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Anderson,  daughter  of  James 
Stewart,  in  1854,  in  the  town  of  Farmington.  Mrs.  Munger  was  born  in  the  town  of  Stanley,  near  the 
city  of  Perth,  Scotland.  She  had  one  son  by  her  former  marriage,  named  William  Anderson,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  have  had  five  children  born  to  them,  of  whom  three  are  living — 
James,  Mary  and  Wesley.  Ella  died  when  5  years  of  age;  John  when  7.  James  and  Mary  are  teachers. 
In  185!),  Mr.  M.  came  to  Washington  Co.,  and  located  on  Sec.  1,  town  of  Barton.  In  September,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  12th  W.  V.  I. ;  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  1863,  in  the  same  company  and  regiment, 
and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  wounded  by  a  spent  ball  at  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek 
July  22,  1864  ;  was  with  his  company  and  regiment  in  all  battles  and  engagements  participated  in  by  them. 

ALVAH  M.  OSTRANDER,  farmer,  Sec.  36;  P.O.  Barton;  has  SO  acres  of  land;  settled 
in  the  county  in  1854.  He  is  the  son  of  Robert  L.  and  Jane  (McCarty)  Ostrander;  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Hudson,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  10,  1834.  When  17  years  of  age,  he  came  West ;  spent  about 
three  years  in  traveling  through  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Missouri,  Illinois  and  Wisconsin.  He  finally 
settled  down  in  the  town  of  Barton  in  1854.  He  was  married,  July  5,  1859,  in  the  town  of  Farmington, 
to  Miss  Phebe  Albright,  daughter  of  Solomon  Albright.  Mrs.  Ostrander  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  Two 
children  were  born  to  them — Fidelia  and  William.  Mr.  Ostrander  entered  the  service  of  the  Government 
in  August,  1864,  as  a  mechanic,  subject  to  military  duty  ;  was  regularly  drilled,  and  participated  in  the 
defense  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  against  the  confederate  General  Hood.  Mrs.  Ostrander  died  March  18,  1874. 
Mr.  O.  was  married  in  the  town  of  West  Bend,  April  16,  1875,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Knapp,  daughter  of 
Peter  aud  Catherine  Knapp.  She  was  born  in  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Ostrander  located  on  his  present 
farm  in  1872.  aud  built  his  brick  house  in  1S77. 

ROBERT  L.  OSTRANDER,  deceased;  was  born  Jan.  1,  1802,  in  Phelps  Co,  N.  Y. ;  was 
married  Feb.  8,  1825  to  Miss  Jane  McCarty,  who  was  born  in  Phelps  Co.  Feb.  2,  1805.  Six  children 
were  born  to  them.  The  eldest,  Angeline,  was  born  in  Huron,  Wayne  Co,  Jan.  27,  1827  ;  was  the  wife 
of  William  Moorehouse,  and  died  in  the  town  of  Barton  in  April,  1880.  William  was  born  July  3,  1830, 
in  Phelps  Co. ;  is  now  a  farmer  of  Barton  ;  James  W.  was  born  in  Huron,  Wayne  Co.,  Feb.  11,  1832  ; 
married  Jane  Noble,  and  resides  in  Nebraska;  Alvah  M.  was  born  in  HuroD,  Wayne  Co.,  Aug.  10,  1835  ; 
is  now  a  farmer  of  Barton.  Sej  sketch.  Sarah  C.  was  born  in  Wayne  Co,  N.  Y,  Aug.  25,  1839,  and 
died  Jan.  31,  1870;  Charles  E.  was  born  in  Wayne  Co,  March  20,  1843;  married  Roby  Burst,  and 
resides  in  Nebraska.      Mr.  Ostrander  and  family  moved  to  Barton  in  1855. 

WILLIAM  J.  OSTRANDER,  farmer,  Sec.  35;  P.  O.  Young  America ;  has  40  acres; 
came  to  Green  Bay  in  1833,  and  to  Washington  County  in  1844;  is  the  son  of  William  and  Phebe 
Ostrander;  was  born  in  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y,  April  11,  1816.  In  1833,  when  only  17  years  of  age.  he 
came  to  Wisconsin,  landing  at  Green  Bay.  He  attached  himself  to  a  Government  surveying  party,  under 
the  management  of  Mr.  John  Brink.  They  proceeded  to  the  south  line  of  the  State,  in  what  is  now  Rock 
Co.,  and  ran  the  township  lines,  working  well  into  the  northern  part  of  the  State.      He  was  afterward 


714  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

engaged  in  the  subdivision  of  townships  into  sections ;  was  employed  on  this  work  about  two  years ;  then 
spent  about  one  year  in  surveying  in  Northern  Michigan.  In  1836,  he  made  his  headquarters  in  Mil- 
waukee. In  the  fall  of  that  year,  lie  built  a  saw-mill  at  the  outlet  to  Geneva  Lake.  In  1839-40,  be  was 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  Milwaukee.  In  1841.  be  went  to  Menomonee  Falls.  Waukesha  Co., 
and  helped  build  a  saw-mill  there.  Was  married,  Aug.  30,  1848,  to  Miss  Mary  O'Brien.  Four  children 
were  born  to  them — Melvin  married  to  Eliza  Trucsdel,  living  in  Young  America;  Sarah  Ann.  now  Mrs. 
Franklin  Eberhardt,  of  Barton;  Phebe,  now  Mrs.  Orlando  McCarty,  of  Young  America,  and  Mary  J., 
now  Mrs.  William  Yates,  of  [owa.  In  1844.  Mr.  Ostrander  moved  to  Germantown,  Washington  Co.,  and 
entered  a  tract  of  Government  land  ;  was  appointed  Assessor  of  Washington  Co.  at  large  in  1845,  when 
that  county  was  a  precinct  of  Milwaukee  County.  He  remained  in  Germantown  only  a  year,  when  In- 
returned  to  Menomonee  Falls,  and  continued  his  residence  there  till  18l>4.  He  then  moved  to  the  town 
of  Barton.  Mrs.  Ostrander  died  in  June,  1874.  Mr.  Ostrander  was  married,  March  27,  1878,  at 
Mennmonee  Falls,  to  Miss  Annis  Snyder.     She  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

REV.  CASPAR  REHRL,  Priest  of  St.  Mathias'  Catholic  Church,  of  the  town  of  West 
Bend;  residence,  Barton.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  son  of  Phillip  and  Walburga  Rehrl  ;  was 
born  in  Austria  l>ec.  31,  1809;  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Saltsburg,  and  ordained  in  1834;  he 
came  to  America  in  1844,  reaching  New  Orleans  Dec.  8;  remained  there  till  April  2(>,  1845,  when  he 
started  North,  by  boat,  on  the  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois  Rivers,  to  Peru,  111.  ;  from  there  he  came  by 
stage  to  Chicago,  and  from  Chicago  to  Milwaukee  by  boat ;  he  then  came  to  Washington  Co.  afoot  through 
what  was  then  a  trackless  forest;  lost  his  way.  and  lay  in  the  woods  two  nights,  and  the  third  day  reached 
the  point  now  known  as  West  Bend.  Here  he  found. one  shanty,  occupied  by  [saao  Verbeck,  where  he 
obtained  the  privilege  of  lying  on  the  ground  before  a  fire.  The  Verbeck  shanty  and  a  couple  of  wigwams 
were  all  there  was  of  West  Bend  at  that  time  (summer  of  1845  >  ;  from  this  place  he  pushed  on  to  Fond 
du  Lac,  then  a  trading-post  on  Lake  Winnebago ;  here  he  held  mass  in  the  house  of  a  Frenchman;  he 
next  spent  several  years  in  traveling  and  performing  the  duties  of  his  holy  calling,  through  the  counties 
of  Fond  du  Lac,  Brown,  Sheboygan,  Calumet  and  Dodge.  In  1  852,  he  returned  to  Europe,  and  spent 
three  years;  returning  to  America  in  1855,  he  came  to  Washington  Co.;  at  one  time  he  had  charge  oj 
twelve  congregations  in  that  and  adjoining  counties.  In  1858,  he  made  his  home  in  the  village  of  Barton, 
and  erected  the  church  and  convent  of  the  order  of  the  Sisters  of  St,  Agnes;  the  convent  is  built  ad- 
joining and  including  the  old  house  of  Barton  Salisbury,  the  first  house  built  in  the  village.  A  fuller 
description  of  the  order  and  of  the  convent  is  given  in  the  history  of  the  town  of  Barton.  Father  Rehrl 
is  the  pioneer  and  missionary  priest  of  this  section  of  the  State;  although  in  bis  72d  year,  the  reverend 
father  is  an  active  minister  of  Ins  church,  his  present  charge  being  the  church  of  St.  Mathias,  of  the  town 
of  West  Bend. 

AMMSr.U  SCHMIDT,  fanner.  Sec.  12;  P.  0.  Barton;  was  born  in  Prussia  March!; 
1839;  son  of  [gnatz  and  Elizabeth  Schmidt  ;  came  to  America  in  August,  1*52,  and  direct  to  Washing- 
ton Co. ;  settled  on  Sec.  ;;1 ,  town  of  Barton  ;  in  September,  L861 ,  he  enlisted  in  <  !o.  < !.  9th  W.  V.  [.,  and 
served  three  years;  was  promoted  to  Acting  Sergeant  of  his  company;  he  received  a  gunshot  wound, 
Sept  30,  1862,  at  the  battle  of  Newtonia,  Mo.,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Confederates;  was  recapt- 
ured by  the  Federal  forces  within  a  few  days,  and  placed  in  hospital,  where  he  was  confined  several 
months ;  he  then  rejoined  his  company,  and  served  the  term  of  his  enlistment  ;  he  immediately  re-enlisted, 
and  Berved  under  Gen.  W.  S.  Hancock  till  February,  L866,  when  he  received  his  discharge.  On  his 
return  from  war.  be  bought  his  present  farm  on  Sec  12.  Be  was  married  at  Barton  in  June,  1866,  to 
Mi->  Walpurga  Biersack,  daughter  of  Joseph  Biersack,  Mrs.  Schmidt  was  born  in  Bavaria-,  they  have 
Four  children  Mary  A.,  John  A.,  August  <i.  and  Sophia.  Mr.  Schmidt  was  Assessor  of  the  town  of 
Barton  in  1868;  was  Deputy  Register  of  Deeds  from  1870  to  ls71,  was  then  elected  Register;  was  re- 
elected each  term  till  1**1. 

I*.  C.  SCHMIDT.  Sr.,  wagon-maker,  proprietor  ol  Farmers'  Home,  at  Young  America, 
town  of  Barton;  hotel  business  was  established  in  1874.  Mr.  Schmidt  was  horn  in  Prussia,  Germany, 
(•ct.  24,  1824  :  when  15  years  old,  learned  the  cooper's  trade,  which  he  followed  till  23  years  of  age;  he 
then  learned  the  wagon  and  carriage  makers  trade,  and  worked  at  that  business  till  1851,  when  he  came 

to  the  United  States;  mad  his  home  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  worked  at  Ins  trade  five  and  a  half  years. 
In    I  356    lie  caiue  in  I  In-    town  of    Barton,  and  located  on  a  farm,  and    also  opened  a  WBgOU-flhop  at    Young 

America,  which  he  has  -it carried  on;  he  also  attends  to  the  working  of  his  farm  of  25  acres,  ami  the 

ement  of  the  hotel.  Mi  Schmidt  was  married.  Feb.  17,  1850,  in  his  native  land,  to  Miss  Caroline 
Hagener,  daughter  of  Henrj  Hagener ;  they  have  had  seven  children,  all  of  whom  are  living;  the  el  dot. 
Caroline,  was  bom  in  Germany;  'he  Becond,  I'.  Charles,  dr.,  was  bom  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  now  an  attor- 


TOWN    OF    BARTON.  715 

ney  at  West  Bend,  Wig.;  Henriette,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Stork,  of  Kewaskum  ;  Amelia,  Pbillippini,  Frederick 
and  Henry.  Mr.  Schmidt  has  been  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Barton  six  years;  Assessor,  one  year;  Town 
Clerk,  five  years ;  Superintendent  of  the  Poor  five  years,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  twenty  years. 

PAUL  SLATKEY,  lessee  of  the  Young  America  Mills ;  these  mills  have  three  run  of 
stones,  with  a  grinding  capacity  of  sixty  barrels  per  day  ;  a  history  of  the  mills  is  given  elsewhere.  Mr. 
Slatkey  leased  them  March  10,  18S1,  for  three  years.  He  is  a  practical  miller,  having  learned  his  trade 
in  Milwaukee.  He  is  a  native  of  Bohemia;  son  of  Paul  and  Mary  (Sloup)  Slatkey;  was  born  Feb.  10, 
1850  ;  came  to  America  in  May,  1867  ;  made  his  home  in  Manitowoc,  where  he  remained  two  years  ; 
then  went  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  learned  the  miller's  trade,  serving  three  years  ;  he  then  went  to  Pa- 
cine  and  worked  at  milling  one  year,  as  a  member  of  a  stock  company  ;  then  returned  to  Milwaukee, 
where  he  worked  till  the  spring  of  1881.  Was  married  in  1876,  at  Milwaukee,  to  Miss  Mary  Bukov- 
skey,  daughter  of  Frank  Bukovskey.  Mrs.  Slatkey  was  born  in  Bohemia  ;  they  have  two  children — 
Paul  and  Einily. 

CHARLES  F.  TAYLOR,  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker,  Barton;  son  of  John  R.  and 
Charlotte  (Fairchild)  Taylor;  is  a  native  of  Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y.;  was  born  Sept.  30,  1837;  came  to  Wis- 
consin with  his  parents  in  1S45  ;  made  his  home  in  Walworth  Co.  till  May,  1847,  when  he  came  to  Salis- 
bury, now  Barton  ;  here  he  learned  his  trade  in  bis  father's  shop  while  only  a  boy  ;  of  late  years,  has  had 
the  general  charge  of  the  business.  He  enlisted  in  the  spring  of  1864,  in  Co.  A,  38th  W.  V.  I.,  and 
served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married.  July  4,  1864,  in  Troy,  Walworth  Co.,  to  Miss  Emily 
Corwin,  daughter  of  Phineas  and  Mary  Corwin.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.;  they 
have  had  five  children — Charles  H.,  Phineas  F.  (deceased),  Charlotte  F.,  Frances  P.  and  Frederick  (lost 
in  infancy).  In  1866,  Mr.  Taylor  moved  to  Manistee  Co.,  Mich.,  where  he  lived  till  1872;  he  then  re- 
turned to  Barton,  and  resumed  work  in  the  old  shop,  still  retaining  the  ownership  of  his  farm  in  Michi- 
gan, of  100  acres.     For  the  past  nine  years  has  carried  on  the  blacksmithing  and  wagon-making  business. 

HENRY  H.  TAYLOR,  farmer,  Sec.  1 ;  P.  O.  Barton;  has  33  acres  of  land;  son  of  John 
R.  and  Charlotte  F.  (  Fairchild)  Taylor;  was  born  in  Sec.eca  Co.,  N.  Y.,Nov.  2,  1S40  ;  came  to  Wisconsin 
with  his  parents  in  1845  ;  lived  in  Walworth  Co.  till  May  1,  1847,  when  the  family  moved  to  Barton,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  and  located  at  Salisbury,  now  Barton;  here  he  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  in  his  father's 
shop.  In  the  (all  of  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  12th  W.  V.  I.,  for  three  years;  re-enlisted  in  Septem- 
ber, 1863,  as  veteran,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Taylor  was  married  Jan.  2S,  1870,  in 
Ozaukee,  to  Miss  Catharine  M.  Eberhart,  daughter  of  Mrs.  C.  Eberhart.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  born  at  New- 
burg,  Washington  Co.;  five  children  were  born  to  them — J.  Harry,  C.  Estella,  J.  Robert,  J.  Frederick 
and  Addie  G-. 

,IOII\  R.  TAYLOR,  blacksmith,  wagon-maker  and  dealer  in  farm  machinery,  Barton  ;  busi- 
ness established  in  1847,  aud  has  since  been  ruu  continuously  by  himself  and  sons;  he  was  born  in  Aurelius, 
Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  March  28,  1813;  is  the  son  of  Joel  and  Polly  (Root)  Taylor.  He  is  of  old  Revo- 
lutionary stock,  his  paternal  grandfather  having  been  a  soldier  of  that  war,  aud  a  participant  in  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill.  Mr.  T.  learned  the  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker's  trade  in  Seneca  Co.  Was  married 
in  1834,  Jan.  1,  at  Seneca  Falls,  to  Miss  C.  F.  Fairchild;  six  children  were  born  to  them.  Leonard 
(deceased),  Charles  F.  (now  of  Barton),  Henry  H.  (also  of  Barton),  Polly  J.  (who  died  in  childhood), 
Almina  J.  I  now  Mrs.  B.  K.  Smith,  of  Nebraska),  and  John  A.  In  1845,  Mr.  Taylor  moved  his  family  to 
Walworth  Co.,  village  of  Troy,  where  they  spent  two  years,  and  then  came  to  Salisbury,  now  Barton, 
arriving  in  this  town  May  1  ;  he  was  accompanied  by  his  brother,  Charles  L.,  now  suffering  from  the  loss 
of  his  eyesight,  and  a  resident  of  Waupaca  Co.;  they  at  once  erected  a  slab  shanty,  10x20  feet,  in  which 
they  kept  boarders  for  four  years  ;  they  also  built  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop,  and  commenced  business 
in  that  line.  Sept.  9,  1855,  Mrs.  Taylor,  after  a  lingering  illness,  passed  away.  Mr.  T.  was  appointed 
Postmaster  in  1852,  and  served  four  years.  He  was  married,  Dec.  25,  1855,  in  the  village  of  Barton,  to 
Miss  Rebecca  J.  West,  daughter  of  Stephen  West.  Mrs.  Taylor  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Among  the  apple  trees  of  Mr.  Taylor's  orchard,  is  a  golden  russet  tree,  measuring  over  four  and  one-half 
feet  in  circumference  six  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  probably  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State. 

H.  P.  TOR5IEY,  teacher.  Barton  ;  is  the  son  of  Dennis  and  Rose  (Lynch)  Tormey ;  was  born 
in  Keesville,  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  6,  1841  ;  was  educated  in  the  University  of  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.;  com- 
menced teaching  in  1859,  and  continued  that  occupation  winters  till  1862,  when  he  enlisted,  July  17,  in 
the  Kith  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  Co.  C;  served  till  March  17,  1863,  when,  on  account  of  disability,  he  received  his 
discharge;  on  returning  from  the  army  (as  soon  as  his  health  permitted),  he  resumed  teaching  in  his  na- 
tive State  and  eontinued  it  till  1867,  when  he  came  to  Wisconsin  and  established   himself  at  Iron  Ridge, 


716  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Dodge  Co.;  was  engaged  in  leaching  in  that  county  till  1870,  when  he  went  to  Hartford,  Washington  Co., 
and  taught  the  Hartford  School  three  years.  He  next  went  to  Appleton,  where  he  taught  in  the  city 
schools  two  years  ;  he  then  returned  to  Hartford  and  taught  the  village  school  three  years,  and,  in  1879, 
came  to  Barton  and  engaged  as  teacher.  He  was  married,  at  West  Plattsbnrg,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  1,  1873,  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Powers,  daughter  of  David  and  Joanna  Powers.     Mrs.  Turmey  was  born  at  Saranao,  X.  Y. 

JAMES  WASHBURN,  Barton  ;  is  a  native  of  Manlius,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.;  was  born  in 
1820  ;  spent  his  early  life  on  his  father's  farm;  when  13  years  of  age  lost  his  lather,  and  was  then  lef  in 
care  of  a   brother,    on   a   farm,  till   of  age;   followed   farming   and   trucking   till    1S54,  when  became    to 

Wisconsin  and  settled  at  Barton  ;  he  then  commenced  in  tin pering  business,  which  he  has  continued 

to  this  time,  furnishing  the  larger  part  of  the  cooperage  for  the  Barton  and  Young  America  mills.  Was 
married,  in  Washington  Co.,  June  4,  1S48.  to  Miss  Cordelia  Smith,  daughter  of  Daniel  D.  Smith,  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Farmiugton,  of  this  county. 

N.  E.  WOODFORD,  of  the  firm  of  Woodford  &  D  ivis,  proprietors  of  steam  saw  and  plan- 
ing mill,  Young  America;  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  22,  1833;  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  in  his  native  county  ;  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1856;  located  at  Portage  City,  where  he  built  a  saw- 
mill and  remained  eight  months;  then  came  to  Young  America  and  built  a  shop  and  engaged  in  business 
as  carpenter  and  joiner.  In  1861,  he  went  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Luther  Bidwell,  and  built  the  steam 
saw-mill,  which  was  carried  on  by  them  till  1864,  when  he  formed  the  present  partnership.  He  enlisted 
that  year  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  married,  Jan  2.  l^iiti.  at  Barton,  to  Miss  Helen 
Bidwell,  daughter  of  Luther  and  Lvdia  Bidwell  ;  they  have  two  children — Lola  and  Frank. 


TOWN  OF  POLK. 


JOSEPH  i:OII\,  farmer,  Sec.  1;  P.  O.  Cedar  Creek;  has  142  acres  of  land;  was  born  in 
Bavaria,  Germany,  May  IB,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Catharine  Wine  i  Hohn  ;  he  came  to 
America  in  1853;  stopped  a  few  months  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  then  came  to  the  town  of  Polk  and  settled  on 
Sec.  10,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  1867,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  on  Sec.  1.  He  was 
married  in  Germany  in  May,  1845,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bernhardt;  they  have  twelve  children,  four  of 
whom  were  born  in  Germany,  the  others  in  the  United  Slates  .  the  eldest  —  Eliza  (is  the  wife  of  Mr.  H. 
V.  Hicks,  of  Iowa).  Catharine  (is  the  wife  of  Stephen  Lang,  of  the  town  of  West  Bend),  Henry.  Joseph, 
Mary  (the  wife  of  Valentine  Engelhardt.  of  St.  Lawrence.  Washington  ('".  .  Frank,  Gertrude,  John, 
Peter,  Louisa  and  Benjamin. 

PHILLIP  J.  BRISSEL,  farmer,  Sec.  10;  P.  0.  Cedar  Creek;  has  95  aoresof  land;  set- 
tied  in  the  county  in  L848;  was  born  in  the  Rhenish  Province  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Nov.  5,  1822;  lie  is 
the  son  of  Phillip  and  Eva  Brissel.  and  WHS  brought  up  a  farmer  in  his  native  country;  in  L848,  on  the 
eve  of  the  breaking-OUt  of  the  revolution,  he  left  (iennany  and  emigrated  to  the  United  Stales;  came 
directly  to  the  town  of  Polk  ;  he  was  employed  for  several  years  in  various  occupations,  and,  ill 
1  -•"> '.*.  lie  purchased  and  occupied  his  present  farm  on  See.  1(1.  lie  was  married  in  the  town  of  Polk 
Dec.  25.  1852,  to  Miss  Catharine  Benz.  daughter  of  Henry  Benz;  -lie  was  bom  in  the  same  province  as 
her  husband;  they  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  four  are  living — Henry,  Louisa  (died  when  I  years 
of  age  George,  Mary  and  John.  Mr.  Brissel  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Polk,  in  1870.  and 
was  re-elected  in  1*70-77-78  and  lsso,  having  served  five  term.-. 

S.  II.  RRI'WER,  farmer,  See.  11  ;  P.  O.  Cedar  Creek  ;  has  56  acres;  is  a  native  of  Bucks 
Co.,  Penn. ;  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Brunner,  and  was  horn  Nov.  4.  1S17;  when  quite  young 
he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  where  they  resided  Bome  time  ;  next  lived  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  afterward  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and  resided  in  Philadelphia.  Be  was  mar- 
ried in  Easton,  Penn.,  in  1855,  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Qeider;  they  have  Biz  children — William  W..  Andrew 
.1  .  tana  M.,  Alvina  and  Emma;  Lehman  II.  died  in  childhood,  Mr.  Brunner  and  family  moved  to 
New  York,  and  from  there  came  t"  Madison,  Wis.,  in  1856;  remained  there  only  a  short  time,  and  then 
moved  to  the  town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co.;  located  on  See.  1  ;  after  a  residence  of  -even  years  on 
that  farm,  he  moved  i"  another  in  the  same  town,  and  from  there  to  his  pn  sent  place  of  residence  in 
1863.  Mr.  Brunner  htis  served  one  term  as  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Polk;  the  children  were  all  horn 
in  Wisconsin. 


TOWN   OF    POLK.  717 

JOHN  RFCH,  proprietor  of  hotel,  Cedar  Creek  ;  has  80  acres  of  land  lying  a  half  mile  south  of  the 
village ;  he  is  a  native  of  Rhine  Province,  Prussia  ;  is  the  son  of  Adam  and  Katie  Buch,  and  was  born 
Sept.  12,  1836;  he  emigrated  to  America  in  1857,  and  came  directly  to  the  town  of  Polk,  where  he  set- 
tled on  40  acres  of  land  in  Sec.  10;  he  followed  farming  till  18(53,  when  he  went  to  Chicago  and  spent 
four  years  clerking  in  a  grocery  store ;  he  then  returned  to  the  town  of  Polk,  sold  his  -40  acres,  and  pur- 
chased the  80  acres  which  he  now  owns  on  Sec.  2.  He  was  married  in  Schleisingerville,  in  1858,  to  Miss 
Lizzie  Kelser,  who  was  a  native  of  Germany  ;  they  had  two  children — Katie  and  John.  Mrs.  Buch  died 
«arly  in  1868.  Mr.  Buch  married  Miss  Kone  Frees,  daughter  of  John  Frees,  July  4,  1868  ;  she  is  a 
native  of  Germany;  they  have  five  children — -Joseph,  Peter.  Charles.  Jacob  and  Rosa.  In  1875,  Mr. 
Buch  moved  to  Cedar  Creek  and  purchased  the  Cedar  Creek  House,  still  retaining  his  farm  ;  he  served  as 
Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Polk  in  1876  ;  has  served  one  term  as  Treasurer  of  School  District  No.  1,  and 
is  now  on  the  second. 

(jrEORdrE  F.  FLEISCHMAN,  merchant,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Mayfield  ;  busi- 
ness established  in  1866;  Mr.  Fleischman  is  a  native  of  the  Grand  Dukedom  of  Hesse-Darmstadt;  he  is 
the  son  of  Frederick  and  Margaret  Fleischman,  and  was  bor,n  near  IVVayance  May  7,  1819  ;  he  was  edu- 
cated at  the  common  schools  of  his  native  province,  and  at  the  Teachers'  Seminary  of  Bensheiui ;  he 
adopted  the  avocation  of  teacher ;  but,  on  the  breaking-out  of  the  revolution  of  1848  and  1849,  he 
became  an  active  participant,  and,  with  many  others  of  his  comrades,  was  obliged  to  seek  refuge  in  the 
republic  of  Switzerland;  on  the  27th  of  November,  1849,  he  left  Switzerland  for  America;  arriving  in 
New  York  City  he  remained  there  till  March,  1850,  when  he  removed  to  Maine,  where  he  resided  one 
year,  and  then  came  West,  arriving  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.,  iu  1851  ;  was  engaged  in 
teaching  school  till  1863,  when  he  returned  to  Germany  and  remained  till  the  following  year  ;  he  then 
returned  to  Wisconsin  and  resumed  the  occupation  of  teacher,  which  he  continued  till  May,  1866,  when 
he  established  his  present  business ;  he  was  elected  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  the  town  of  Polk,  and 
served  three  years  ;  was  elected  Town  Clerk,  which  office  he  held  four  or  five  years.  He  was  married  in 
Milwaukee  May  1,  1860,  to  Miss  Catharine  Dannenfelser,  daughter  of  Heury  Dannenfelser  ;  she  was 
born  in  Germany;  their  family  consists  of  two  daughters — Eliza  and  Freida ;  they  have  lost  one  son  — 
George — who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Fleischman  is  a  man  of  superior  culture,  and  one  whose  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  history  and  politics  of  the  old  world  makes  him  an  entertaiuing  and  instructive  companion  ; 
he  has  been  solicited  several  times  to  serve  as  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  but  has  always  declined. 

HORACE  MAKER,  farmer,  Sec.  11  ;  P.  O.  Cedar  Creek  ;  has  80  acres  of  land  ;  he  was  born 
in  Scohairie  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  7,  1819  ;  he  is  the  sou  of  Jonas  and  Eunice  (Morse)  Haner;  was  brought 
up  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  continued  to  reside  in  the  State  of  New  York  till  1845,  when  he  moved  to 
Wisconsin  ;  he  spent  one  year  in  Milwaukee,  and  during  that  year  (in  November,  1845),  he  visited  the 
town  of  Polk,  selected  the  site  of  his  present  home  and  purchased  it  of  the  United  States  Government  on 
the  15th  of  that  month;  the  following  August  I  1846),  he  moved  to  his  land,  and  has  continued  his  resi- 
dence there  to  this  writing.  Mr.  Haner  was  married,  in  Palmyra,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y.,  June  9,  1839,  to 
Miss  Nancy  J.  Gould;  they  hive  seven  children  living — Melissa,  now  Mrs.  William  A.  Van  Loan,  of 
Minnesota;  Harriet,  now  the  wife  of  J.  S.  Norton,  of  Missouri;  tieorge,  married  Miss  Lydia  Short,  and 
resides  at  Neilsville,  Wis.;  Nelson,  married  to  Miss  B.  C.  Williams,  and  residing  on  the  old  homestead  ; 
Hamilton,  resides  at  Cedar  Creek  aud  runs  the  Maxon  Saw-Mill ;  Frances  is  the  wife  of  A.  J.  Taylor,  of 
Barton;  Lorinda  is  the  wife  of  L.  C.  Morgau,  of  Hartford.  Mr.  Haner  has  served  one  term  as  Treasurer 
of  the  town  of  Polk.  His  son  George  was  a  member  of  the  10th  Wis.  Battery;  served  three  years  and 
participated  in  sixty-two  different  engagements  in  the  late  war. 

NELSON  HANER,  son  of  Horace  and  Nancy  J.  Haner,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Wis., 
Aug.  17,  1847.  He  was  married,  Aug.  14,  1872,  in  the  town  of  Hartford,  to  Miss  M.  L.  Mowry,  daugh- 
ter of  S.  M.  Mowry;  one  child  was  born  to  them — Guy  M.;  Mrs.  Haner  died  Aug.  6,  1878;  Mr.  Haner 
was  married  again,  Feb.  16,  1881,  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  to  Miss  C.  B.  Williams,  daughter  of  Dexter  G. 
Williams  ;   Mrs.  H.  is  a  native  of  Cattaraugus  Co.,  N.  Y. 

LUDWIG  JOECKEL,  agent  for  the  Milwaukee  Mechanics'  Mutual  Insurance  Co..  May- 
field  ;  P.  O.  Riceville.  Mr.  Joeckel  was  born  in  Mainz,  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  June  20,  1806;  is 
the  son  of  Henrich  and  Ottelia  Joeckel  ;  came  to  America  in  1843,  and  directly  to  Wisconsin,  town  of 
Jackson,  and  engaged  in  farming  ;  he  subsequently  (iu  1867)  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and,  in 
1877,  moved  to  Mayfield.  He  has  served  as  Treasurer  of  Washington  Co.  two  years.  Mr.  Joeckel  was 
married,  in  his  native  country,  in  1832,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Scholwalter,  daughter  of  Jacob  Scholwalter  : 
they  have  four  children — Mary  is  the  widow  of  Charles  Kron,  and   lives  in  Milwaukee  ;   Elizabeth  is  the 

s 


718  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

wife  of  John  Spuhler,  of  Milwaukee  ;   Christian    married  Miss  Eliza  Feije,  and  resides  in  Jackson,  where 
he  has  a  farm  of  80  acres  ;  the  father  also  has  80  acres. 

FREDERICK  KLETTI,  blacksmith,  Schleisingerville ;  makes  wagons  and  buggies,  and 
does  a  genera]  blacksmithing  business;  he  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Washington  Co..  Dec.  17, 
1855  ;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Lena  Kletti;  he  learned  his  trade  with  John  Theile,  of  Schleisingerville, 
commencing  in  October,  1874  ;  served  two  and  a  half  years;  he  then  started  in  business  for  himself  in 
his  present  shop;  he  employs  two  men.  He  was  married,  in  Schleisingerville.  Oct.  28,  1870,  to  Miss 
Helena  Dellenbach,  daughter  of  Henry  Dellenbach;  she  is  a  native  of  West  Bend  ;  they  have  one  son — 
Frederick;  Mr.  Kletti's  people  came  from  Baden,  Germany,  to  America,  in  1853,  and  located  in  the  town 
of  Barton. 

JOH\  KOCH,  Postmaster  and  proprietor  of  Union  House,  Mayfield ;  business  established  in 
1867;  was  born  in  the  province  of  Oberhessen,  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Sept.  8,  1841  ;  he  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Catharine  Koch;  came  to  America  in  May,  1857,  and  located  at  Niagara  Falls.  X.  Y. 
In  the  spring  of  1861,  he  enlisted,  at  the  first  call  of  the  Government  for  troops  in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  11. 
21st  N.  Y.  V.  I.,  fur  two  years,  and  was  subs  ■-  (U.-utly  transferred  to  the  United  States  service;  he  partici- 
pated in  the  following  battles:  The  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  in  the  spring  of  1862;  Culpeper  Court 
House;  Rappahannock  Station ;  Gainesville;  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  ;  battle  near  Centerville ;  South 
Mountain  ;  ami  the  battle  of  Antietam  ;  in  the  latter  engagement  he  lost  his  left  arm  by  a  gunshot  wound. 
Sept.  17,  1862;  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  for  disability,  and,  in  October  of  that  year,  returned 
to  Butl'd".  X    Y.;  here  he  spent  the  winter  of  1862-63,  in  recruiting  for  the  15th  NT.  Y.  H.  A.;  on  the 

ization  of  this  regiment,  he  was  assigned  to  the  Quartermaster's  department,  and  served  till  the  close 
of  the  war;  he  was  with  Gen.  Grant  in  his  campaign  in  Virginia,  and  was  present  at  Lee's  surrender.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Buffalo,  and  from  there  came  to  Mayfield,  in  November.  iSiitl;  in  the 
spring  of  1867,  he  established  his  present  business.  He  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Polk  iu 
1870,  and  served  one  term;  in  1873,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster;  was  next  elected  Chairman  of  the 
Town  Board  in  ISSil,  and  re-elected  in  18SI,  being  the  present  incumbent.  He  was  married,  at  Mayfield, 
Dec.  10.  ISO'.),  to  Miss  Catharine  Becker,  daughter  of  Peter  Becker;  she  was  born  in  Germantown,  Wis.; 
they  have  five  children — Georsre,  Louis,  John,  Julia  and  Rosa. 

REV.  FREDERICK  R.  LEICH,  Pastor  of  the  German  Reformed  Church.  Polk;  was 
born  in  Woelferlingen,  Duchy  of  Nassau.  Germany,  Oct.  5,  1839  ;  be  came  to  America  in  the  fall  of  L868, 
and  entered  the  Theological  Seminar}7  in  Franklin,  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  lie  continued  his  studies  for  the 
ministry  till  187H,  when  in  that  year  he  came  to  take  charge  of  this  parish  with  a  congregation  of  thirty 
families ;  during  his  administration,  the  ohuroh  was  built,  and,  with  the  parson  ige,  oost  $5,100,  which  was 
appropriated  by  the  congregation  of  their  own  resources,  and  is  exempt  from  any  debt;  the  present  num- 
ber of  communicants  consists  of  fifty-six  families.  Rev.  Leich  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha  Bossard  in 
I  ~7i!  .  Mrs.  Leich  is  a  daughter  of  Dr.  J,  J.  Bossard,  of  the  Franklin  Seminary;  they  have  three  children 
— two  sons  ami  one  daughter;  the  eldest  (William)  is  10,  the  daughter  Bertha)  8,  and  the  youngeel 
(Oscar,  is  6  years  of  age.  He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  congregation,  which  he  acknowledges  with 
many  thanks. 

CHARLES  F.  EEIXS,  school  teacher  and  Town  Clerk,  Mayfield  ;  was  horn  in  the  town  of 
Polk,  Washington  Co.,  June  !!.  1  -s.i2.  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Genofeva  Leins;  his  parents  Came  to 
America  in  1850,  from  Wurtemberg,  and  directly  to  this  town.  Mr.  Leins  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native   town,  in  the  city  schools  of  Milwaukee,  and   the  Northern  Indiana   Normal  School; 

iinmenced  teaching  in  1872,  in  the  town  of  Addison;  he  has  taught  in  the  various  district  schools 
thirty-seven  months  in  all;  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk  of  Polk  in  1870,  and  re-elected  in  1880—81  ;  he 
helped  to  organize  the  West  Bend,  Polk  and  Richfield  Fanner-'  Insurance  Company,  and  is  one  of  the 
Dire ctors  .   he  was  appointed  Deputy  County  Surveyor  May  20.  1881. 

HON.    DENSKORE    W.    JIAXOX,  Cedar  Creek;  was  bom  iu  the  town  of  Verona, 
Oneida  Co..  N.  V.,  Sept.  30,  L820;  he  i-  tie-  son  of  Ethan  and   Betsy  i  Andrews)  Afaxon;  was  din 
at  tie-  <  Ineida  I '  inference  Seminary  ;  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  ;  resides  at  I  ledar  Creek  where  he  has  a  farm 
of  1  111  acres.      In    1843,  he  Came   to  Wisconsin    Territory,  arriving   in    Milwaukee  early  in    May;    he   re- 
mai I  thereuntil  October  I.  when  he  came  to  Washington  Co.  and  engaged  in  surveying  and  locating 

lands  ;   he  was  appointed  Deputy  County  Surveyor  of  Washington  Co.  in  1st:;,  and  made  his  home  in  the 
town  of  Mequon  ;  about  1845,  he  located  a  quarter  of  See.  15,  Town  In,  Range  10,  now  Polk;  he  made 

the  survey  for  the  first   highway  through  this  town.       Early  in  the  spring  "f  1  8  16,  he  built  a  shanty  on  his 

land,     April  2  of  that  year  be  was  married  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  to  Mi-s  Elizabeth  Turek,  daughter 
Ol    Peter  Turok.      Mrs.  Maxuii  was  born   in  the  CatskilU,  of  New  York,  and   came  to  Wisconsin   with  her 


TOWX    OF    POLK.  719 

parents  in  1837  ;  the  family  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  Washington  Co.,  now  Ozaukee  ;  immediately 
after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Maxon  and  bride  proceeded  to  their  new  home  in  the  shanty  above  mentioned  ; 
here  in  the  wilderness,  with  Indians  and  wild  animals  for  neighbors,  they  began  life  in  earnest.  Mr. 
Maxon  made  his  knowledge  of  surveying  and  of  landmarks  available  to  the  incoming  settlers  in  assisting, 
them  in  the  location  of  their  homes  ;  his  superior  ability  and  energy  was  soon  recognized  by  his  neigh- 
bors, and  he  was  called  to  the  position  of  leader  among  them  ;  he  was  chosen  the  first  Chairman  en  the 
organization  of  the  town  in  1846,  and  it  was  at  his  suggestion  that  the  town  was  called  by  the  name  of 
Polk;  he  was  re-elected  and  served  as  Chairman  until  1859  ;  was  also  elected  Justice  of  the  Peaee,  and 
held  that  ofiice  many  years  ;  was  elected  to  the  first  State  Legislature,  and  participated  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  government  of  Wisconsin  in  1848;  he  was  re-elected  in  1852  ;  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate  for  the  term  1859,  re-elected  for  1860-61  ;  was  elected  again  to  the  Legislature  of  1867-68-69-70 
-71-72  ;  in  1865,  he  was  a  candidate  for  Lieutenant  Governor  on  the  Democratic  ticket  against  Wynian 
Spooner  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  was  defeated  with  the  rest  of  the  ticket;  in  May,  1868,  he  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Visitors  to  attend  the  annual  examination  of  the  United  States  Mili- 
tary Academy  at  West  Point ;  he  was  the  leading  spirit  in  securing  the  passage  of  the  act  providing  for 
the  establishment  of  the  Northern  Hospital  for  the  Insane  ;  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners in  charge  of  construction,  and  was  appointed  one  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  position  he* 
held  ten  years;  he  was  appointed  Commissioner  of  the  La  Crosse  &  Milwaukee  Bailroad  grant  of  1856; 
at  this  writing,  1881,  he  has  just  disposed  of  the  last  of  the  lands,  and  closed  up  the  business  •.  he  was 
appointed  Commissioner  for  the  Sturgeon  Bay  Canal  Land  Grant,  and  has  that  now  under  his  manage- 
ment ;  he  built  the  first  sawmill  in  the  town  of  Polk,  which  was  located  on  Cedar  Creek  ;  the  mill  has 
been  re-built  and  improved,  and  is  still  owned  and  operated  by  him.  The  many  positions  of  trust  and. 
honor  to  which  Mr.  Maxon  has  been  called,  and  the  varied  and  arduous  duties  which  he  has  been  called 
upon  to  perform,  speak  more  eloquently  in  praise  of  the  character  of  the  man  than  anything  that  can  be 
said  in  an  article  like  this.  Mr.  Maxon's  family  consists  of  wife,  two  daughters,  and  four  sons  ;  the  eldest 
son  Mason  M.,  graduated  at  West  Point  in  t868,  received  a  2d  Lieutenant's  commission  in  the  10th  U. 
S.  Cavalry,  is  now  Regimental  Quartermaster  of  the  regiment,  and  stationed  at  Ft.  Concho,  Texas;  the 
second  son,  Glenway,  is  a  graduate  of  the  State  University  at  Madison,  was  admitted  to  the  ban  and  is 
practicing  law  in  Milwaukee  ;  the  younger  members,  Dow,  Ada,  Effra  and  William  are  at  home. 

GEORGE  MEXGER,  Schleisingerville ;  proprietor  of  the  Hotel,  Farmers' Heimath,  which 
business  was  undertaken  by  him  in  1876  ;  he  is  also  proprietor  of  the  Schleisingerville  Brick  Yard,  and 
manufactures  from  600,000  to  700,000  annually  ;  he  is  the  son  of  John  George  and  Elizabeth  Menger, 
and  was  born  in  Germany  July  16,  1846,  and  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  in  1847.  He  was 
married  in  Milwaukee  on  Dee.  24,  1874,  to  Mi?s  Elizabeth  Kletti,  daughter  of  John  Kletti  ;  she  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  Washington  Co.;  they  have  had  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  living — 
Lena  M.  and  Otto ;  George  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Menger  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Village  Trustees, 
which  position  he  has  held  about  eight  years. 

JOHX  GEORGE  MEXGER.  farmer,  residence,  village  of  Schleisingerville  ;  was  born  in 
Hertzug,  town  Koburg,  Germany,  Nov.  24,  1816  ;  is  the  son  of  George  M.  and  Eva  (Schmidt)  Menger; 
he  came  to  America  in  184",  and  located  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co..  on  Sec.  19,  where  he  still 
has  a  farm  of  160  acres;  in  1869,  he  began  the  manufacture  of  brick,  which  he  carried  on  extensively  ;. 
in  May,  1866,  he  started  in  the  hotel,  saloon  and  meat-market  business;  the  hotel  he  named  the  "  Farm- 
ers' Heimath,"  and  is  now  kept  by  his  son  George.  Mr.  Menger  was  married  previous  to  leaving  the  old 
country  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Erlig,  daughter  of  Andreas  Erlig.  They  had  six  children — the  eldest,  Mary, 
died  in  infancy;  the  second  is  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Traugott  Baehring,  of  this  village;  George  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Kletti,  and  lives  in  the  village  ;  John,  Caroline  (died  when  1}  years  old;;  the  youngest  is 
Henry.  Mr.  Menger  has  served  two  years  as  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Polk;  several  terms  as  Village 
Trustee,  and  seven  years  as  President  of  the  village. 

JOSEPH  MERTEX,  saloon,  Schleisingerville;  is  a  native  of  Prussia;  is  the  sod  of  Phillip 

and  Elizabeth  Merten  ;  was  born  March  27.  1842  ;  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in 
May,  1854  ;  came  directly  to  Wisconsin  and  located  on  Sec.  16,  town  of  Polk  ;  when  16  years  of  age,  he 
began  an  apprenticeship  to  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  the  village  "f  May  field  ;  served  three  years;  he  then 
worked  in  Milwaukee  as  a  journeyman  shoemaker  about  eight  or  nine  years;  he  then  proceeded  to  Cedar 
Creek.  Washington  Co.,  and  opened  a  shoe-shop,  which  he  carried  on  for  four  years  ;  he  next  spent  three 
years  in  Kewaskum  in  the  same  business,  and  in  1877  came  to  Schleisingerville  and  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business.      He  was  married  in  Milwaukee,  July  9,  1867,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Engelharth,  daughter  of 


720  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Andrew  Engelharth.  They  had  four  children — Lizzie,  Rosa,  Anna  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Morten's  elder 
brother  John,  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  Sec.  16,  where  he  has  40  acres  of  land. 

BARXETT  C  RIX.,  farmer,  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  L.  Rix  &  Bros.,  proprietors  of 
the  Cedar  Creek  Mills  i  flouring)  ;  residence,  Sec.  14  ;  he  was  born  in  the  town  of  Polk  April  14,  1845, 
and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  child  born  in  this  town,  north  of  Cedar  Creek  ;  he  was  brought  up 
on  the  farm  and  received  a  common-school  education.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  he  went  to  Fillmore  Co.,  Minn, 
ami  was  engaged  in  farming  till  the  winter  of  1869,  when  he  returned  to  the  town  of  Polk  and  bought  an 
interest  in  the  Cedar  Creek  Mills  ;  he  continued  his  connection  with  the  mill  about  two  years,  when  he 
traded  his  interest  to  his  brothers  for  theirs  in  80  acres  of  the  homestead  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1873,  he 
went  to  California,  where  he  remained  six  months  and  returned  to  Wisconsin  ;  again,  in  1875,  he  went  to 
Minnesota,  and  to  Texas  in  the  fill  of  1876  ;  the  following  year  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  town  of  Polk  ; 
in  1878,  he  bought  into  the  mill  again,  in  company  with  his  brothers  J.  L.  and  W.  P.,  aud  the  business 
has  since  been  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  L.  Rix  &  Bros.  Mr.  Rix  was  married,  in  the  town 
of  Jackson,  March  31,  1879,  to  Miss  Eliza  M.  Harding,  daughter  of  William  Harding.  They  have  one 
child,  a  son  named  Harvey  Lee. 

JOHN  REX.  (deceased)  ;  was  born  in  Canada  in  1S10.  Was  married,  in  that  country  in  1829, 
to  Miss  Mary  Paul,  who  was  born  in  Canada.  In  the  fall  oF  1844,  Mr.  Rix  and  family  moved  to  South- 
port,  Wis.,  now  Kenosha;  the  same  fall  he  came  to  Washington  Co.,  and  selected  the  northwest  quarter 
of  Sec.  14,  Town  10,  Range  19  (now  Polk),  160  acres,  which  he  purchased  of  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment ;  the  following  spring  he  moved  his  family  to  his  land.  There  were  thirteen  children  in  the  family  ; 
of  these  six  sons  and  three  daughters  are  living — James  B.:  Sarah,  now  Mrs.  C.  B.  Sheldon,  of  Ocono- 
mowoc ;  Esther,  now  Mrs.  David  Robertson,  of  Minnesota;  John  A.,  of  Texas  ;  J.  L,  ex  Sheriff  of 
Dodge  Co..  Wis.;  Porter,  of  Minnesota;  Wareham  P.,  present  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Washington  Co.; 
Barnett  C.,  Burnetta,  now  Mrs.  O.  H.  Hathaway.  Mrs.  Rix  died  in  the  fall  of  1856.  Mr.  Rix  was  mar- 
ried, the  following  year,  1857.  in  the  town  of  Polk,  to  Miss  Martha  Farmington.  Three  daughters  were 
born  of  the  second  marriage — Mary,  Cora  and  Beatrice,  now  living  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  Rix  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  town  of  Polk  and  held  the  office  several  years.  He  was  engaged  in  farming 
till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  Sept.  19,  1809. 

J.  L.  IJ1X  &  BROS.,  proprietors  of  Cedar  Creek  Mill;  this  mill  is  situated  on  Cedar  Creek, 
on  the  northwest  quarter  of  See.  14,  Town  of  Polk  ;  it  was  built  in  1858,  by  J.  A.  and  J.  L.  Rix  ;  size, 
10x60  feet,  three  stories  and  basement  ;  is  run  by  water-power  furnished  by  Cedar  Creek,  which  gives  :l 
twenty-five-foot  head;  it  is  furnished  with  two  runs  of  stone  and  necessary  apparatus  for  first-class  custom- 
work,  and  has  a  capacity  of  thirty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  present  firm  was  organized  in  1*78,  and 
consists  of  J.  L,  W.  P.  and  B.  C.  Rix. 

VII  Kill)  ROLFE,  farmer,  Sec.  1  ;  P.  O.  Cedar  Creek;  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H., 
Jan.  18,  1826  ;  is  the  son  of  Stephen  ami  Mary  A.  (Reed  i  Rolfe  :  he  graduated  in  the  English  branches 
at  the  Phillips  Academy,  Andover,  Mass;  when  22  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  resided 
about  eight  years,  working  as  a  carpenter  and  painter  ;  he  then  moved  to  Janesville  and  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business;  continued  in  that  business  about  five  years,  and  then  came  to  the  town  of  Polk  and  en- 
gaged  in  farming,  and  has  continued  to  reside  here  to  this  date.  He  was  married,  in  Milwaukee,  in  March 
1  B68,  to  Miss  Mary  Jennings,  daughter  of  Thomas  Jennings;  she  was  born  in  Ohio  ;  three  children  were 
bum  to  them  ;  the  eldest — Alfred  H.,  died  when  nearly  3  years  of  age;  the  younger  ones  are  Charles, 
Alphaand  William  \Y.     Mrs.  Knife  died  Aug.  11.  L875. 

JAMES     KOI. IT,,    son    of  Stephen  and   Mary  A       1! I)    Rolfe;    was  born  in   Hillsboro, 

Mass  ,  iii  1-21  ;  hi'  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1846,  ami  located  in  Milwaukee,  where  he  resided  seven  years  ; 
he  then  came  to  the  town  of  Polk  aud  located  on  See.  1.  where  he  had  400  aires  n\'  land.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  the  town  of  Polk,  in  1849  t"  Miss  Matilda  Meade,  four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  daugh- 
ters and  mi  •  BOn.  Alida  is  now  the  wife  of  Albert  Morris,  of  Minnesota  ;  Lucy,  Viola  and  James.  Mrs. 
Rolfe  died  in  L859.  Mr.  Knife  was  elected  State  Senator  and  served  one  term  ;  has  also  held  several  town 
offices. 

4'll  ICIHTOril  El{  KOSCIIE.  City  Foundry,  Sohleiaingerville  ;  established  this  business  in 
1867;  it  is  the  first  and  only  foundry  in  the  village.  Mr.  Roschc  was  born  in  Prussia  June  2,  1S22;  is 
the  son  "f  Christopher  Rosche;  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1842,  and  made  his  home  in  Mil- 
waukee ;  being  a  molder  by  trade,  he  engaged  in  Foundry  work  as  a  journeyman,  about  five  years  ;  he  then 
bought  out  the  City  Foundry,  which  hi'  conducted   till   1867,  when   he   moved   to   Schleisingerville  ;   pur- 

cha-ing  a  vacant  shop.  In verted  it  into  a  foundry,  which   he  has  carried  on  successfully  to  this  date. 

Hi-  was  married,  iu   Milwaukee,  in    1844,  to   Miss   Mary   Kint,  a  native  of  Germany;   they  have  had  ten 


TOWN    OF    POLK.  721 

children,  six  of  whom  are  living;  the  eldest,  Fritz,  is  a  molder  by  trade,  and  works  with  his  father  ;  Mary 
died  in  childhood  ;  one  son  died  unnamed  ;  Augusta  is  the  wHfe  of  Caspar  Damm,  of  the  town  of  Polk  ; 
Charles  died  in  the  United  States  service,  having  served  four  years  in  the  regular  army  ;  he  was  a  member 
of  Co.  G,  Cth  U.  S.  I.;  his  death  occurred  in  1873.  The  next  younger  children  are  Katie,  Rosa,  John 
and  William.  Mr.  Itosche  has  been  a  member  of  the  Village  Board  of  Schleisingerville  for  about  nine 
years. 

FRITZ  ItO.M'll  E,  Schleisingerville,  molder,  is  the  son  of  Christopher  and  Mary  Rosche  ;  he 
was  born  July  4,  1845,  in  Milwaukee;  learned  the  molder's  trade  in  his  father's  foundry,  at  Milwaukee; 
he  enlisted,  Dec.  28,  1863,  in  the  10th  U.  S.  Infantry,  Co.  A  ;  was  in  eight  general  engagements  in  the 
late  war;  was  made  a  Corporal,  and  assigned  to  the  Western  Minnesota  Division,  and  served  till  1868;  on 
receiving  his  discharge,  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  and  located  at  Schleisingerville.  and  engaged  in  his 
father's  foundry,  at  this  place.  He  was  married,  Nov.  19,  1873,  in  the  city  of  Waupaca,  to  Miss  Amelia 
Gross,  daughter  of  Phillip  Gross  ;  they  have  four  children — Charlotte,  Edwin,  Arthur  and  Louis. 

JOHN  ROSENHEIMER,  Schleisingerville;  general  business  manager  of  the  estate  of  L. 
Rosenheimer,  Postmaster  and  President  of  the  village  ;  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Addison,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  June  25,  1S47  ;  he  is  the  son  of  Lehman  and  Barbara  Rosenheimer; 
when  1 1  years  of  age,  he  moved,  with  his  parents,  to  the  village  of  Schleisingerville ;  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  a  thorough  business  training  in  the  house  of  his  father,  L.  Rosenheimer,  who  was  a 
dealer  in  general  merchandise,  grain  and  farm  produce,  besides  dealing  largely  in  farm  machinery  ;  in  ad- 
dition to  his  other  business,  Mr.  Rosenheimer,  Sr.,  owned  and  conducted  the  Schleisingerville  Brewery  ; 
brought  up  in  the  active  pursuits  of  so  extensive  and  varied  busine.-s  interests,  young  Rosenheimer  ac- 
quired the  thorough  business  knowledge  that  so  rally  justified  his  father  in  the  hour  of  his  death  in  con- 
signing the  estate  to  his  care  and  management.  Previous  to  his  father's  death,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  admitted  to  an  equal  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  farm  machinery  business;  Sept.  21,  1S78,  his 
father  died,  since  which  time  he  has  held  the  position  he  now  occupies,  that  of  general  manager  of  the 
entire  business;  he  is  ably  assisted  by  three  brothers,  Max,  Joseph  and  Myer,  while  two  other  brothers 
Moritz  and  Adolph,  have  charge  of  a  branch  store  and  elevator  at  Kewaskum,  of  this  county.  Mr. 
Rosenheimer  was  married  in  the  village  of  Acherville,  of  this  town,  to  Miss  Mary  McNeil,  daughter 
of  John  McNeil;  she  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York.  They  have  four  children — Lehman,  Barbara, 
Mary  and  John.  Mr.  R.  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  of  the  town  of  Polk  in  1S70  ; 
was  te-elected  eight  times.  In  187S,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  village,  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by 
the  death  of  his  father;  has  been  re-elected  each  term  since,  being  the  present  incumbent ;  he  has  served 
as  Clerk  of  the  School  District  six  years;  in  1363,  he  was  commissioned  Notary  Public,  and  has  served  to 
this  date;  in  1877,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  the  Schleisingerville  office. 

LEHMAN  ROSENHEIMER,  deceased ;  born  at  Dormetz,  in  Bavaria,  June  12, 1 821 ,  where 
he  received  his  early  education,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  butcher.  While  yet  a  young  man,  he  determined 
to  go  to  America:  in  1840.  he  landed  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  two  years;  iu  1842,  he  first  came 
to  Wisconsin,  stopping  in  Milwaukee  ;  he  remained  there  two  years,  during  which  time  he  kept  a  sort  of 
tavern,  for  the  German  immigrants  who  were  beginning  to  arrive,  near  the  old  pier.  In  1843,  he  revisited 
his  native  land,  but  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  1844,  married  Miss  Barbary  Heibst,  of  Milwaukee,  and 
moved,  with  his  young  wife,  into  the  then  unorganized  town  of  Addison,  where  he  bought  a  piece  of  land 
and  commenced  farming,  dealing  in  cattle  and  butchering;  he  remained  in  Addison  till  1850" ;  at  that  time 
he  sold  his  farm,  and  removed  to  Schleisingerville;  there  he  commenced  trade,  at  first  on  a  very  moderate 
scale,  connecting  with  his  merchandising  a  general  trade  in  cattle,  grain,  hides,  butter,  eggs  and  all  other 
possible  products  of  the  farm.  With  a  produce  market  thus  established  for  everything  they  had  to  sell, 
the  farmers  soon  made  Rosenheimer's  store  the  center  for  all  their  trade,  and  his  business  assumed  rapidly 
such  magnitude  as  to  entirely  outgrow  his  modest  store.  In  1860,  he  built  the  two-story  building  now 
occupied  by  his  sons,  38x50  feet  in  size,  to  which,  in  1867,  he  added  as  much  more,  making  it  38x100 
feet.  Here,  assisted  by  his  sons,  he  carried  on,  with  uninterrupted  success,  one  of  the  most  extensive 
country  trades  ever  done  in  the  State,  successfully,  by  a  single  individual.  He  died  in  Schleisingerville, 
Sept.  21,  1878,  having  during  his  busy  life,  accumulated  an  estate  of  $150,000,  and,  what  he  valued  more, 
kept  his  integrity  untarnished  and  his  conscience  clear.  Mr.  Rosenheimer  had  in  his  character  combined 
all  the  gifts  desirable  in  the  successful  merchant ;  his  integrity  was  unquestioned  ;  his  judgment  as  to  men, 
values  and  markets  almost  unerring;  his  energy  tireless,  with  that  large  conception  and  grasp  which  made 
him  capable  of  managing  great  affairs  with  that  apparent  ease  which  is  ever  the  mark  of  genius  in  every 
walk  of  life.  Mr.  Rosenheimer  had  six  sons — John,  Max,  Joseph,  Moritz,  Adolph  and  Myer  ;  Myer, 
the  youngest,  is  now  a  medical  student  at  the  Michigan  State  University,  Ann  Arbor  ;  the  five  others,  all 


722  BIOGRAPHICAL    .SKETCHES: 

merchants,  bred  under  the  masterly  training  of  their  father  to  the  mercantile  business,  are  jointly  carrying 
on  and  enlarging  the  immense  business  their  father  established.  They  now  do  the  leading  business  at 
three  points.  Schl  isingerville,  at  the  old  stand;  Kewaskum,  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  in  Norway,  Mich. 

MAX  ROSENHEIMER,  Schleisingerville,  manager  of  the  grain  buying  and  shipping  de- 
partment of  the  house  of  L.  Rosenheimer ;  is  the  son  of  L.  and  Barbara  Rosenhcimer  ;  was  born  in  the 
town  ill' Addison.  Washington  Co.,  Wis..  Nov.  21,  18o2:  he  came  to  Schleisingerville  with  his  parents  in 
1  858  ;  received  liis  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  the  English  and  German  academy  of  Milwau- 
kee. He  was  married  Oct.  1.  1875,  at  the  village  of  Schleisingerville,  to  Miss  Susan  Klingler,  daughter 
■of  John  Klingler ;  she  was  born  in  Milwaukee  ;  they  have  had  four  children — -Adolph,  Emma.  Adila,  Lydia 
Rertha;  the  latter  died  when  about  two  years  of  age.  Mr.  R.  has  served  as  Treasurer  of  his  school  dis- 
trict one  term  of  three  years,  and  is  now  serving  the  second  term. 

FREDERICK  ROTHEXMEIER,  proprietor  of  Franklin  Mills,  situated  on  Sec.  24  ;  P. 
O  Riceville  ;  this  mill  was  built  in  1S6G,  by  Elders  &  Eggert,  who  operated  it  till  IS74,  when  Mr.  Heil- 
inatin  bought  in  and  the  firm  was  iSggert  &  Heilmann  till  1877  ;  then  Mr.  Fred  Rothenmeier  bought  oul 
Mr.  Eggert,  and  the  firm  was  Heilmann  &  Rothenmeier  till  1879,  when  Mr.  Rothenmeier  purchased  his 
partner's  interest,  and  has  continued  the  business  alone.  The  mill  is  a  large  brick  structure  with  stone 
basement;  is  situated  on  a  small  creek  which  gives  a  fall  of  fifteen  feet,  and  furnishes  a  sufficient  supply  of 
water  to  operate  the  mill ;  the  mill  is  furnished  with  three  run  of  stones,  and  one  pearl-barley  stone  ;  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  barrels  of  Hour  are  manufactured  daily.  Mr.  Rothenmeier  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt 
Nov.  11,  1821  ;  is  the  son  of  Frederick  and  Helena  Rothenmeier;  he  came  to  America  in  ls.")7  ;  after  a 
residence  of  one  year  in  New  York,  he  then  moved  to  La  Salle  Co.,  III.,  where  he  remained  till  1862  ;  he 
then  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  made  his  home  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Kewaskum,  Washington  Co.;  from 
there,  he  moved  to  Iowa  in  1871.  and  engaged  in  farming  two  years.  In  1876,  he  returned  to  Washing- 
ton Co.,  Wis.,  and  the  following  year  commenced  in  his  present  business.  He  was  married  at  Kewaskum, 
May,  ID,  1863,  to  Miss  Barbara  Schleif,  daughter  of  George  Schleif;  six  children  were  born  to  them — 
Katie.  Frederick,  Lena.  Louis,  Mary  and  Nicolaus. 

JACOB  SCHANTZ, saloon,  Schleisingerville;  was  born  in  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Auu'.  15.1841  ; 
i-  the  sun  of  Joseph  and  Anna  M.  Schantz  ;  his  people  came  to  the  United  States  from  Germany  in  182ti. 
and  settled  in  the  State  of  New  Fork.  In  1  84li,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Wisconsin  and  located  on 
Sec.  14.  town  of  Hartford,  Washington  Co.  He  was  married  in  Schleisingerville  Nov.  27,  1871,  to  Bliss 
Susan  Schwartz  ;  six  children  were  born  to  them — Katie,  Mary,  Rosa.  Alvina,  Henry  and  Joseph  ;  the  latter 
lied  in  infancy.  In  1872,  Mr.  Sehant/.  moved  to  St.  Lawrence  of  the  same  township  in  which  he  resided, 
where  he  kept  a  general  store  four  years;  he  then  moved  to  the  village  of  Schleisingerville,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  his  present  business.  He  has  served  as  Assessor  of  the  town  of  Polk  two  years.  Mrs.  Schantz 
died  March  22.  1880.  Mr  Schantz  was  married  the  following  Nov.  17.  in  the  village  of  Schleisingerville, 
to  Miss  Josephine  Jochum,  daughter  of  Peter  Jochum.  Mrs.  Schantz  was  born  in  the  town  of  Polk. 
Mr.  Sehant/.  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Town  Clerk,  to  fill  vacancies,  Aug.  L5,  1881. 

J.   MATH  I  AS  STEINEBACH,  farmer,  Sec.  2,  Polk  ;  has  40  acres,  valued  at  $2,000  ;  is 
the  60ii  of  John  William  Steinebach,  and  was   born  in  the  town  of  Polk  July  18,  1848,  and  is  still  a  resi 
dent  of  the  farm  on  which  he  was   born.      He  was  married,  June  19,  1870,  in  that  town,  to  Miss   Frances 

daughter  of  .lame-   Bail;    .-he  is  also  a  native  of  that  place;    they  have  one  child — Ada  C.     Mr. 

Steinebach'a  ] pie  came  to  America  from  Germany  in  1846,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Folk  ; 

they  had  two  sons  in  the  late  war.  Peter  was  a  member  of  Co.  A,  1st  U.  S.  C.,  and  served  through  the 
war  ,  Frederick  was  B  member  of  Co.  I».  15th  W.  V.  1..  and  served  three  years.  The  father  died  in  1872; 
the  mother  is  -till  living. 

STORl'K  A  01  Alt  Tl<».  proprietors  of  the  Schleisingerville  Brewery;  the  parlies  constituting 
.this  firm  are  both  young  men  and  practical  brewers,  who  came  here  from  Milwaukee  in  September,  1877, 
and   purchased   the  old   brewery  of  L  Rosenheimer,  at  a  cost  of  about    $5,000  ;     they   immediately  built 

aud  commodious  buildings  of  brick,  with  necessary  machine^',  at  an  additional  expense  of  (7,000, 
inoieadktg  the  capacity  of  the  establishment  from  500  to  2,000  barrels  of  beer  per  annum.  The  latter  figures 
will  Ue  about  what  the  brewery  will  produce  for  the  year  1881.  A  new  brick  dwelling  has  been  built  near 
the  brewerv.  while  a  large  brick  addition  to  the  main  building  of  the  brewery  is  iu  process  of  erection. 

II  I'  MM  TIHMIA.  Seoretary  ol  tbe  West  Bend,  Folk  &  Richfield  Insurance  Co.,  Sec.  35  ;  P. 
( ).  Richtield  ;  i-  the  BOD  of  Anselm  and  Julia  Thotna,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Polk  July  15,  1851. 
Hi-  primary  education  was  received  iu  the  common  and  high  schools  of  West  Bend,  to  which  village  bis 
pareuta  had  removed  when  he  was  only  I  years  old.  He  completed  his  -Indies  at  the  Milwaukee  Normal 
School  ,   at  the  age  of  2<l  years,  he  adopted  the  avocation  of  teacher,  and  has  taught  in  the  district  scl Is 


TOWN    OF    JACKSON.  723 

for  the  past  ten  years.  In  1879,  he  began  agitating  the  idea  of  the  organization  of  a  Mutual  Farmers' 
Insurance  Co.,  and  it  was  largely  owing  to  his  efforts  that  the  company  of  which  he  is  Secretary  was  formed 
Jan.  6,  1880.  He  was  married  at  the  village  of  West  Bend,  Oct.  7,  1879,  to  Miss  Catharine  Folz,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Folz  ;  they  have  had  one  child — Donath  H.,  who  died  in  infancy.  Since  his  marriage  Mr. 
Thoma  has  made  his  home  on  Sec.  35,  town  of  Polk ;  his  parents  came  to  America  from  Germany  in  1846, 
and  located  in  that  place. 

WEST  BEND,  POLK  &  RICHFIELD  MUTUAL  INSURANCE  CO., 
was  organized  Jan.  6,  1880,  under  the  late  law  providing  for  the  organization  of  town  insurance  companies 
Sec.  1927  to  1941  inclusive  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  1878,  and  is  managed  under  its  provisions.  It 
does  business  only  in  the  towns  of  West  Bend,  Polk,  Richfield,  Trenton  and  Hartford  ;  each  member  binds 
himself,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  pay  his  pro  rata  share  of  any  losses  that  may  occur  to  the  parties  insured 
in  said  company  subject  to  the  mles  and  regulations  of  the  company.  Officers  are  John  Kessel,  President; 
Henry  Thoma,  Secretary;  Board  of  Directors  consists  of  John  Kessel,  Henry  Thoma,  George  Lofty, 
Charles  F.  Leins  and  Christopher  Thoma.  Principal  office  is  at  the  residence  of  the  Secretary,  Sec.  35. 
Polk  ;  P.  0.  Richfield.  The  first  year  of  its  existence  the  company  issued  466  policies,  and  for  the  eight 
months  of  the  present  year  558,  which  are  all  in  force  but  four  ;  the  amount  insured  is  about  $1,000,000. 

EDWARD  VUNK,  Cedar  Creek  ;  was  born  in  Otsego  Co.,  near  Cooperstowu,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  6, 
1829  ;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Vunk  ;  was  brought  up  a  farmer  ;  he  left  the  East  and  came  to 
Milwaukee  in  1853,  and  engaged  in  the  fruit  business  ;  he  returned  to  New  York  and  spent  one  winter, 
and,  in  1860,  came  to  Mayville,  Dodge  Co.  He  enlisted  in  August,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  12th  W.  V.  I.;  served 
in  the  17th  Army  Corps  under  Gen.  McPherson.  He  was  wounded  while  on  picket  duty  at  Colliersville, 
Teun.,  Jan.  28,  1863,  receiving  a  gunshot  wound  in  the  right  leg,  which  caused  permanent  disability,  for 
which  he  received  an  honorable  discharge.  On  his  return  from  the  army,  he  located  at  Cedarburg,  where 
he  has  continued  to  live  till  this  date,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in  Hartford  Village,  from 
1869  to  1S72  inclusive.  He  was  married  in  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1851,  to  Miss  Rachel  M.  Hotton  ;  they 
have  had  ten  children,  of  whom  five  only  are  living — Harriet,  now  the  wife  of  Harrison  Smith,  of  Price 
Co.;  Edward,  Homer,  Alice  and  Winnie ;  those  lost  were  Caroline,  aged  7  years ;  Homer,  aged  5  years  ; 
Edward,  1;  Llewellyn,  3,  and  Winnie,  3.  Mr.  Vunk  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1872,  and  re- 
elected each  term  since,  up  to  this  writing  (1881).  He  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Cedar  Creek,  and 
held  the  office  five  years. 


TOWN   OF  JACKSON. 

HON.  JAMES  FAGAN,  deceased;  was  born  in  Ireland,  county  of  Westmeath,  July  4, 
1806.  He  followed  farming  in  the  old  country.  In  1837,  he  came  to  America,  and  settled  in  Orange 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  as  night  watchman  in  a  large  woolen  factory.  In  1844,  he  came  to 
Wisconsin,  and  bought  280  acres  of  land  from  the  Government,  on  Sec.  26,  town  of  Jackson,  Washing- 
ton Co.  He  took  an  active  part  in  politics  and  home  improvement.  He  was  one  of  the  framers  of  the 
State  Constitution,  and  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1848,  and  again  in  1850.  For  years  he  was  Chair- 
man of  his  town.  He  was  honest  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings,  and  was  loved  and  honored  by  all  who 
knew  him.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Democrat.  He  was  also  a  faithful  Catholic.  He  died  of  cancer  in  the 
face  Feb.  11,  1868.  He  was  married,  in  1842,  to  Miss  Anna  Monahan.  They  had  five  children,  all 
boys;  they  are  James,  Jr.,  who  is  now  at  home,  and  was  born  in  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1843;  Thomas, 
now  Father  Fagan,  of  Bay  View;  Patrick,  now  at  home,  and,  with  James,  has  charge  of  the  farm  ;  he 
was  born  in  Jackson  in  1846;  Robert,  who  graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class  from  Columbia  College, 
also  at  the  head  of  the  law  class  from  the  same  institution  ;  he  died  in  Oregon  March  18,  1879  ;  Garrett, 
now  farming  in  Minnesota,  and  John,  who  died  when  quite  small.  The  family  have  made  a  good  record. 
They  have  140  acres  improved,  a  large  stone  house,  with  comfortable  outbuildings.  They  are  all  well 
educated,  and  still  striving  for  knowledge. 

THOMAS  FAGAN,  brother  of  the  Hon.  J.  Fagan,  is  a  farmer,  Sec.  25  ;  P.  O.  Jackson  ; 
was  born  in  Ireland  in  1814.  Came  to  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1839,  and  was  coachman  and  gardener 
there.  Came  to  Jackson,  and  got  80  acres  of  land  from  the  Government,  on  Sec.  25  ;  has  70  acres  im- 
proved. He  has  been  Town  Clerk  thirteen  years,  also  Superintendent  of  Schools.  Is  a  Democrat,  and  a 
Catholic. 


724  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

HON.  JOHN  (w.  I'RAXK,  merchant.  Jackson ;  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1831.  In  1839, 
lie  came  with  his  parents  to  America.  His  father  having  died  while  crossing  the  ocean,  the  family 
stopped  in  Buffalo.  N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  seven  years;  during  this  time,  Mr.  Frank  attended 
school.  In  1S46,  he  came  with  his  mother  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  on  a  firm  in  Germantown,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  when  he  went  to  Cedarburg,  and  engaged  as  clerk  for  William  Vogentz  in  a  store, 
where  he  remained  until  1S62,  when  he  moved  to  his  present  place,  and  bought  40  acres  of  land.  In 
1863,  he  built  a  small  store  and  stocked  it  with  general  merchandise.  In  1878,  he  built  a  fine  store  and 
dwelling-house;  his  store  is  22x00,  two  stories  high.  He  has  been  Town  Clerk  of  his  town  since  1864 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace  since  1867.  In  1878,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  receiving  1,138 
votes,  against  861  for  his  opponent.  He  is  a  Democrat,  with  independent  proclivities.  The  Jackson 
Post  Office  was  established  at  his  store  in  1875,  and  he  became  its  first  Postmaster,  but  resigned  in  1878, 
in  favor  of  August  Krause.  In  1856.  he  married  Miss  Wilhelmine  Krause;  they  have  ten  children — 
Clara,  now  Mrs.  Froehlich.  of  Riceville ;  Paulina,  now  dressmaking  in  Milwaukee;  Theodore,  Gusta, 
Lizzie.  Minnie,  John,  Charles,  Susie  and  George.  In  1880,  he  started  a  branch  store  and  built  a  grain 
■  •levator  at  Riceville.     He  has  325'  acres  of  land,  130  of  which  are  improved. 

WILLIAM  H.  FROEHLICH,  merchant,  Riceville;  was  born  in  Jackson  in  1857.  His 
father  was  a  shoemaker,  and  was  born  in  Saxony.  Came  to  Washington  Co.  in  1853.  Our  subject  at- 
tended common  schools,  and  then  clerked  three  years  for  Theo.  Grosskopf,  of  Cedarburg.  He  then 
attended  the  Spencer  Business  College,  of  Milwaukee,  of  which  institution  he  is  a  graduate.  He  then 
was  book-keeper  three  years  for  T.  A.  Chapman  &  Co.,  of  Milwaukee.  He  then  came  to  Riceville,  and 
took  charge  of  J.  G.  Frank's  store  in  1880.  In  1879,  he  married  Miss  Clara  Frank.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Riceville  in  summer  of  1881.      Is  a  Lutheran. 

CHRISTOPH  HERMAN,  farmer.  Sec  17  :  P.O.  Riceville;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1827. 
In  1846,  he  came  to  Jackson,  and  settled  with  his  parents  on  the  present  place.  They  first  b;  ught  10 
from  the  Government.  He  now  has  110  acres,  with  about  5o  acres  of  improvements.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  6th  W.  V.  I.,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Hatcher's  Run,  Petersburg  and  Appomattox.  He 
has  been  Town  Clerk.  Supervisor  and  Treasurer.  He  was  married,  in  1852,  to  Anna  E.  Faber.  They 
have  twelve  children — Anna,  now  Mrs.  Koepke ;  Nicholis;  Frank  ;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  H.  Pautz ;  Elizabeth 
Katie.  Mergret,  Caroline,  Andrew,  Bertie,  Jacob  and  Christoph,  Jr.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of 
the  Reform  Church. 

FREDERICK  HORN,  fanner.  See.  5;  P.  0.  West  Bend;  was  bom  in  Saxony  June  5, 
1825.  He  was  early  apprenticed  to  a  broadcloth  weaver,  and  served  three  years'  apprenticeship.  He 
afterward  followed  his  trade  a  number  of  years.     In  1845,  he  came  to  Quebec,  Canada.     In  the  summer 

of  184ti.  he  came  to  the  town  of  Jackson,  and  worked  out  by  the  month,  receiving  in  summer  $10  a 
month,  and  in  the  winter  (8  a  month.  He  finally  bought  HI  acres  in  Sec.  '.I.  and  commenced  to  improve 
it  :  sold  it.  and  made  enough,  so  that  be  bought  90  acres  in  Trenton.  He  now  has  2!t7  acres  of  fine  land, 
245  acres  of  which  are  improved.  He  has  a  tine  stone  house,  26x40  feet,  with  wing  22x22  feet  upright, 
three  stories  high.     He  was  for  Beveral  years  Superintendent  of  the  County  Poor   Farm.     In  1850,  he 

married    Miss    Louisa   Webber,  who  was   horn    in    Newfoundland   in   1827.      They  have   seven   children,  all 
at  or  near  home.      lie  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church.      For  sixteen  years, 
he  has  been  troubled  with  rheumatism,  and  the  last  six  years  he  has  been  an  invalid. 

DAVID  ,1  EXX  E  IS.  deceased  ;  was  a  farmer  on  Sec.  7.  His  family's  post  office  is  Riceville. 
He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1  >2.'..  His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm.  In  1843,  he  married  Miss 
Catherina  Hoffman,  and  in  IS  14  they  came  to  America.  They  stopped  in  Xew  York  one  year,  and  then 
me  to  their  present  place.  He  got  from  Government  120  acres  of  land,  which  he  increased  to  1 T * »  acres, 
till  of  which  was  covered  with  heavy  timber.  He  had  nothing  but  his  hands  to  begin  with  :  but,  by  hard 
work  and  frugality,  he  cleared  about    hill  acres  of  his   land,  and    erected   good,  substantial    buildings,  a  tine 

brick  house,  and  numerous  barns.  Although  he  never  learned  a  trade,  he  built  hi.s  own  buildings.  He 
was  Lssessor  of  his  town  the  first  year  he  lived  here.  He  was  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  German 
Reform  Church.  There  have  been  nine  children  in  the  family — Daniel,  Jacob  (now  dead),  Elisabeth 
l  now  Mrs.  Rev.  John  Wernley,  of  Illinois  I,  John  |  dead  I,  George,  John  I  dead  ),  Thomas,  Christiana  and  Anna 
'dead  i.  David  is  the  oldest  of  the  children,  and  1  as  charge  of  the  faun.  He  was  born  in  J  tick. son  in  1848. 
Iii  1872,  he  married  Miss  Christens  Schmidt,  They  have  had  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 
Tle\  are  Bertha,  Louisa.  Hiiiiiiu  and  Lena.  David  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Germau  Reform 
Church. 

< .  I  <  ►  IC<«  I',  .IEXXER.  tinner  and  hardware  merchant,  Riceville;  was  burn  in  the  town  of 
Jackson  July  27.  1^57.      The  earlv   part    of  his  life   was  spent   on   a   farm.      When  111   years  of  age.   he 


TOWN    OF    JACKSON.  725 

went  to  West  Bend,  and  commenced  his  trade,  and  then  went  to  Milwaukee  and  completed  it.     He  worked 
in  Green  Bay  a  short  time,  and  then  came  to  his  present  place  and  established  himself  in  business. 

GEORGE  W.  JONES,  farmer  and  bee  man,  Sec.  3  ;  P.  0.  West  Bend  ;  is  the  only  child 
of  William  Jones,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia  Co.,  Penn.,  in  1807.  In  1841,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Gates,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1801.  In  1846,  he  came  to  Milwaukee  and  made  a  tour  through 
the  southern  part  of  the  State  in  search  of  a  location,  but  not  liking  it  he  came  to  his  present  place  and 
secured  a  quarter-section  of  land.  He  has  now  IIS  acres  of  fine  land,  85  acres  of  which  are  improved. 
The  location  of  their  dwellings  is  fine  and  the  buildings  are  good.  George  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  in 
1S43,  and  was  but  3  years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  Wisconsin.  He  received  a  coinmom  school  edu- 
cation and  then  attended  the  schools  at  West  Bend  and  the  commercial  school  at  Milwaukee,  and  was 
intending  to  enter  the  State  University  when  the  war  came.  In  August,  1S62,  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
26th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg ;  was  transferred  to  Sherman's  army  ;  served  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  ''march  to  the  sea,"  then  north  to  Goldsboro,  thence  to  Washington  and  participated  in  the 
grand  review.  He  went  out  as  a  private  and  came  back  as  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  of  the  regiment. 
He  is  now  serving  his  second  year  as  President  of  the  Washington  County  Agricultural  Society.  In 
1870,  he  married  Miss  Buth  Jones,  who  was  born  iu  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1842  ;  they  have  one  child,  a 
lit  le  girl.  The  senior  Jones  was  an  original  Abolitionist,  then  a  Republican,  is  now  a  Greenbacker ; 
George  was  a  Republican,  is  now  a  Greenbacker,  and  is  Chairman  of  the  Washington  County  Greenback 
Committee.     He  is  also  Captain  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  of  Washington  County. 

JACOB  KEUMB,  proprietor  of  Jackson  House,  and  carpenter;  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1838. 
He  came  with  his  parents  to  Washington  County  in  1847,  and  settled  on  Sec.  17  ;  his  father  bought  40 
acres  of  land  from  the  Government;  they  now  have  120  acres  70  of  which  are  improved.  Jacob  has 
worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  for  twenty-two  years.  He  is  a  "  boss  "  mechanic,  sometimes  having  charge 
of  thirty  men  at  once ;  some  of  the  largest  buildings  in  the  county  have  been  built  by  him.  He  built 
Slitz's  Hall  at  West  Bend,  the  schoolhouse  at  West  Bend,  and  the  Lutheran  Church  at  that  place;  is 
now  building  a  residence  for  Franckenburg.  He  has  been  Supervisor  and  is  now  Town  Treasurer.  He 
started  the  first  lumber-yard  at  Riceville.  He  was  married  in  1862  to  Catherine  M.  Gumui.  They  have 
had  nine  children — J<>hm:y,  Lena,  Peter,  Jacob  (deceased  l,  Minnie,  Rosa,  Willie,  Mary  and  Anna.  Is 
a  Democrat. 

HERMAN  KOEPKE,  farmer.  Sec.  16;  P.  O.  Riceville;  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1S36. 
He  came  to  Jackson  with  his  parents  and  settled  on  Sec.  28,  in  1846.  They  purchased  40  acres  of  land 
and  remained  on  it  till  1851,  when  they  moved  to  their  present  place.  Herman  worked  in  the  pineries  in 
Oconto  County  about  nine  years.  Every  cent  of  his  wages  was  sent  home  and  his  father  laid  them  out 
on  the  farm.  He  now  has  164  acres,  80  acres  of  which  are  improved.  His  father  (Frederick  Koepke) 
was  born  in  1S07,  and  his  mother  in  1811.  He  is  now  serving  the  tenth  consecutive  term  as  Chairman 
of  his  town.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Star  of  David  Church  ; 
was  a  Republican  at  time  of  war.  He  was  married  in  1865  to  Louisa  Nicklaus,  who  was  born  in  Prussia 
in  1841.     They  have  five  children — Henry,  Herman,  Jr.,  John,  Ida  and  Louisa. 

HON.  ANDREW  MARTIN,  retired  farmer;  P.  O.  Riceville;  was  born  in  Germany  June 
1,  1830.  In  1853,  he  came  to  Jackson  and  settled  on  Sec.  19.  He  bought  40  acres  of  land  at  first.  In 
1856,  he  married  Fredericke  Brugger,  who  was  born  in  1836  and  died  March  10,  1879.  After  his  wife 
died,  he  sold  nut  and  moved  to  his  present  place  on  the  town  line  of  Polk.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the 
Peace  eighteen  years,  Notary  Public  twenty-two  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1875  and 
and  1876.  He  is  now  President  of  the  "  Germantown  Fire  Insurance  Company."  Has  been  one  of 
the  Directors  of  the  company  for  several  years.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  German  Reform 
Church.  He  has  had  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are  Mary,  Caroline,  Anna. 
Bertha  and  Fredericke.     Those  dead  are  Lewis,  Eleazer,  Lewis,  Emma  and  Minnie. 

CHRIS  REIS,  merchant,  Riceville ;  is  the  second  son  of  Frank  Reis,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many Sept.  28,  1821.  He  came  to  Washington  County  and  settled  on  Sec.  20  in  1847.  He  bought  40 
acres  of  land  at  first.  The  farm  now  contains  360  acres,  200  of  which  are  improved.  He  was  the  first 
to  start  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Riceville.  In  1873,  he  built  a  large  store  and  saloon,  and  has  since 
done  a  flourishing  business  ;  he  also  built  a  grain  elevator  there  ;  the  village  having  been  built  on  his  farm, 
gave  him  superior  advantages;  he  died  in  1878.  Chris,  our  subject,  was  born  in  Jackson  in  1852;  when 
he  became  old  enough  to  work  on  the  farm,  he  was  put  to  work  there;  when  the  store  was  built  he 
entered  it  and  now  has  charge  of  it.  The  post  office  of  Riceville  was  established  in  1874,  and  he  was 
appointed  Postmaster.     He  was  married  in  1873  to  Katie   Pfeil ;   they  have  four  children — Ella,  Laura, 


726  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

[da  and  Olka;  he  is  a  "Democrat.     His  father's  family  consisted  of  Peter,  now  dead.  Chris,  Mary.  Anna, 
Elizabeth,  now  dead,  and  Frank,  who  has  charge  of  the  farm. 

P.  O.  ROIIX.  farmer,  Sec.  8;  P.  0.  Riceville;  is  the  youngest  son  of  the  Hon.  William  Rohn, 
who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1804,  and  who  came  with  his  family  to  Washington  County  in  1846.  He 
got  120  acres  of  land  and  has  90  acres  improved,  with  excellent  buildings  upon  them.  In  Germany  he 
worked  on  a  farm  and  in  a  brick  and  coal  yard,  also  ran  a  soap-factory.  In  1824,  he  married,  his  wife 
dying  in  .March,  1879.,  He  has  been  County  Treasurer  two  terms,  and  was  the  man  who  started  the  agri- 
cultural society  in  this  county  and  its  first  President.  Our  subject.  F.  O.,  was  born  in  Germany  in  1839. 
He  has  always  lived  with  his  parents  and  has  charge  of  the  homestead.  He  was  married  in  18(59  to  Miss 
Jennie  Wilke.  They  have  four  children  Oscar,  Adolph.  Alnia  and  Alviu.  He  had  three  brothers  in 
the  army;  Herman  was  First  Lieutenant  in  the  45th  W.  V.  [,  ;  Victor,  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  45th 
W.  V.  I.,  and  Richard  was  Quartermaster  in  the  9th  Wisconsin  Battery. 

JIRS.  J  AXE  SALTER,  farm  is  in  Sec.  1  ;  P.  0.  Horn's  Corner;  born  in  Ireland  in  1  B23  ; 
widow  of  the  late  Robert  Salter,  who  was  born  in  1815,  in  Cork.  Ireland  ;  came  here  in  1845,  and  took  up 
land  where  the  home  now  is,  and  later  bought  200  acres  adjoining.  Mr.  Salter  was  a  prominent  man  in 
his  town,  being  Supervisor,  and  holding  various  offices  in  it.  In  1802.  he  served  a  term  in  the  Wisconsin 
Legislature  with  credit  and  honor  to  himself.  He  was  fortunate  in  all  his  business  enterprises,  and  did 
much  in  introducing  fine  horses  in  this  section  of  the  country  at  an  early  day.  He  married  Mary  Cammier 
about  1834.  They  have  had  four  children — Michael.  William,  Robert  and  Frank.  Frank  married  Jane 
Sweetmaii  in  1843.  The  children  are  Mary,  Richard,  Jane,  John.  Henry,  Lizzie,  Sara,  Agnes,  George 
and  Robert.  Mr.  Salter  died  Aug.  1,  1876,  after  a  painful  illness  of  lour  months.  His  son,  Henry,  has  a 
farm  one  mile  north  of  Sec.  34;  was  born  in  1853;  bought  his  present  farm  in  1877;  raises  grain  mostly. 
Be  lived  in  Chicago  after  the  fire  for  a  time.  He  married  Caroline  Horn  in  1877.  She  was  born  in 
Jackson.  They  have  three  children — Alfred,  Agnes  and  Milton.  Frank  Salter  is  doing  a  fine  business 
in  Chicago. 

PETER  SAIERMAXX,  farmer,  Sec.  3;  P.  O.  West  Bend;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1  313 
lie  learned  the  harness-maker's  trade  there,  and  followed  it  till  after  he  came  to  America  in  1837.      He 
first  stopped  at  Cleveland;  then  came  to  Germantown  in  184?.  where  he  bought  from  Government  4t>  acres 
of  land  on  Sec.   23.      He  remained   there  till  1855,  when  he  moved   to  his  present  place.      Efe  has  196 
acres,  130  of  which  arc  improved.      He  has  a  fine  stone  house.  32x2  1  led.  with  wing  20x24  feet.     In  1841 
he  married  Phillipine  Hassinger,  who  was  born   in   Germany  in  1815.      He   has  been  Town  Clerk,  Treas 
urer  and  Assessor  of  Germantown.      He  is  a  Democrat,  and  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  Church.     They  have 
five  children — Mary  (married),  Jacob  (was  a  member  of  the  2lith  VV.  V.  I.,  and  died  in  the  army),  Peter, 
John  at  home;    Katie,  now  Mrs.  Fink,  of  West  Bend,  and  William. 

PETER  ZEHvLER,  farmer,  Sec.  7;  P.  O.  Riceville:  is  a  son  of  Andrew  Zeigler.  who  was 
born  on  the  River  Rhine,  near  Frankfort,  in  Germany,  in  1800.  He  was  a  shepherd  in  the  old  country  as 
were  all  his  father's  family.  In  1836,  he  came  to  America,  and  settled  in  New  York.  He  spent  four 
years  on  a  farm  there,  and  worked  four  years  on  a  canal.  In  1846,  he  came  to  Washington  Co.,  and 
settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  three  youngest  sons.  He  first  got  120  acres  of  land  from  the 
imient.  The  farm  now  contains  286  acres  of  fine  land,  125  of  which  are  improved.  The  buildings 
upon  it  are  fine,  and  cover  an  extensive  area.  He  was  married,  in  1837.  to  Mi.-s  Mary  Rcidcr,  who  died 
April  10.  1S70.  She  left  twelve  children — George,  John,  William,  Jacob,  Henry,  Andrew.  Jr..  Peter, 
Fred,  Philip,  Margret,  Catherine  and  Kliza.  In  1877,  he  again  married,  this  time  to  Johanna  Schultz. 
Jn  1*77,  he  gave  his  splendid  farm  to  Peter.  Fred  and  Philip.  In  1879,  he  built  for  himself  a  tine  brick 
house  on  the  farm,  a  part  of  which  he  hail  reserved  for  himself  till  his  death.  Peter  is  the  only  one  mar- 
ried of  the  three  sons.  Fred  and  Philip  live  with  him.  Peter  was  born  in  Jackson  in  1854,  and  married 
Jan.  25.  H-ii  i,,  Klizaheth  Becker.  Tiny  have  one  child — Katie.  They  arc  all  Democrats,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Reform  Church. 


TOWN    OF    TRENTON.  727 


TOWN    OF    TRENTON. 

HENRY  A II  MO  KM,  farmer,  Sec.  30;  P.  0.  West  Bend.  Has  132  acres  of  land  lying 
partly  in  West  Bond  and  partly  in  Trenton.  Was  born  in  Oldenburg,  Germany,  Sept.  8,  1818  ;  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1852.  and  direct  to  Wisconsin  ;  settled  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  Washington  Co. 
He  was  married  Feb.  26,  1853,  at  Cedarburg,  to  Miss  Dorette  Windier,  daughter  of  Frederick  Windier  ; 
Mrs.  Aiders  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany  ;  they  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom  only  three  are  living 
—  Frederick  H.,  married  to  Miss  Sophia  Williams,  and  residing  in  Minnesota  ;  Henry  C.  and  John  B. 
Mr.  Ahlera  has  one  of  the  best  cultivated  farms  in  his  section  of  the  county. 

WILLIAM  ALBRECHT  &  CO.,  Newburg;  are  engaged  in  milling;  the  firm  is  William 
Albrecht,  Poggenburg  and  Schoenleber ;  the  mill  was  built  in  1847  by  Salsbury,  and  was  one  of  the  first  in 
the  country  ;  this  firm  do  an  immense  business,  running  day  and  night ;  they  have  the  latest  inventions  in 
mill  machinery,  and  give  satisfaction  in  their  work. 

JOHN  DftBAXO,  farmer,  Sec.  7  ;  P.  0.  West  Bend;  born  in  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1845; 
the  family  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1854,  and  bought  their  present  farm  of  86  acres,  then  all  wooded.  He 
was  married,  in  1S75,  to  Margaret  Buffer,  who  was  born  in  Wisconsin  ;  there  are  three  children — Eliza- 
beth, Louisa  and  Joseph. 

DR.  JOHN  W.  HEXDRICKM,  physician  and  surgeon,  Newburg;  born  in  Cullenborg, 
Holland,  in  1848  ;  graduated  in  the  languages  and  sciences  ;  took  his  degree  as  M.  D.  in  Utrecht,  Hol- 
land, after  a  five  years'  course,  in  1869;  went  to  the  East  Indies  for  a  time;  then  was  Surgeon  in  the 
army  in  Holland  ;  his  father  was  a  doctor  of  high  standing  in  that  country  ;  Dr.  H.  speaks  seven  lan- 
guages ;  he  is  a  scientific  and  skillful  physician;  has  a  fine  practice,  due  to  that  skill.  He  was  married  to 
Anna  Maria  Say,  of  Montreal,  in  1871  ;  two  children  were  born — Adrian  and  Agnes;  Mrs.  H.  died  in 
1880  ;  married  a  second  wife — Emma  Neunnebel,  in  1881. 

C.  31.  KRAE3IER.  school  teacher;  P.  0.  West  Bend;  born  in  Milwaukee  Co.,  in  1857  ;  his 
father  died  soon  after,  and  his  mother  married,  and  came  to  Trenton  and  took  their  present  farm  ;  Mr.  K. 
was  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  five  terms  at  the  Normal  School  ;  began  teaching  in  1877,  and  has  taught  ever 
since,  and  with  the  best  of  success  ;  he  graduated  in  Spenccrian  penmanship  at  Valparaiso,  Ind. 

GEORGE  W.  3IcCARTY,  farmer,  Sec.  6  ;  P.  0.  Barton  ;  has  45  acres  of  land  ;  son  of 
James  and  Sarah  McCarty;  was  born  in  Medina  Co.,  Ohio,  June  17,  1841  ;  came  to  Wisconsin,  with  his 
parents,  in  1852  ;  located  in  the  town  of  Trenton,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside  to  this  time.  He  was 
married,  Oct.  20,  1862,  at  Port  Washington,  to  Miss  Julia  Wilson,  daughter  of  Lemuel  Wilson  ;  Mrs. 
McCarty  was  born  near  Syracuse,  N.  Y. ;  they  had  one  child  named  Melville,  who  died  when  6  years  of 
age  ;  in  August,  1862,  Mr.  McCarty  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  27th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war. 
Mrs.  McCarty  died  Nov.  26, 1864,  during  her  husband's  absence  in  the  army.  Mr.  McCarty  was  married. 
March  15,  1866,  at  Newberg,  to  Miss  Caroline  Young,  daughter  of  Mr.  A.  C.  Young;  she  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York  ;  they  have  four  children — Ida  A.,  Austin  A.,  Ambrose  C.  and  Alva  0.  Mr. 
McCarty  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Trenton  two  years ;  has  made  his  home  on  his  present  farm 
since  1870. 

3IELCHIOR  Xftl  XI  ftllftft.  merchant,  Newburg;  was  born  in  1842,  in  Saxony,  Ger- 
many ;  his  parents  came  to  Saukville  in  1848  ;  Mr.  N.  came  to  Newburg  in  1868,  and  opened  his  present 
business;   is  Treasurer  of  the  German   Reading  Society,  established  in  1871,  which  is  a  flourishing  affair. 

HENRY  SEIVERS,  merchant,  Newburg;  born  in  1856  in  Trenton;  his  father  was  an  early 
settler  here  ;  Mr.  H.  Seivers  spent  two  years  at  West  Bend,  clerking  for  Franckenburg,  now  a  banker  there  ; 
has  an  interest  in  his  father's  store,  and  has  run  it  fourteen  years.  He  married  Ida  Neunnebel,  in  1880, 
in  Newburg;  they  have  one  child  ;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Herman  ;  he  has  been  Town  Clerk  two 
years  successively  ;  Notary  Public,  three  years. 


7-*  BIOGBAPHICAL    SKETCEL&S: 


TOWN    OF    KEWASKUM. 

MATHIAS  ALTENHOFEX  (  Kewaskum  Village) ;  son  of  John  and  Anna  Altenhofen ;  was 
born  Aug.  31,  1831  :  came  to  America  in  June,  1847,  with  his  parents, and  located  in  the  town  of  North  Bend, 
Washington  Co..  Sec.  2  (now  Kewaskum) ;  shortly  afterward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  went  to  the  village  of 
Salisbury1  now  Barton  i.  and  engaged  as  an  employe  in  the  saw-mill  of  Barton  Salisbury;  continued  this  employ- 
ment only  one  year,  and  then  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Russel  Holmes  of  the  same  place; 
after  two  year>'  service  with  Mr.  Holmes,  he  engaged  as  clerk  with  Moses  Weil,  and  continued  that  con- 
nection till  1855,  when  he  came  to  Meyer's  Mill,  now  Kewaskum  Village,  and,  in  oompany  with  Mason 
Hired),  opened  a  general  store;  carried  on  that  business  about  eighteen  months,  and  then  sold  out  to  Mr. 
Iliisch  ;  six  months  later,  Mr.  Altenhofen,  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry  Backhause,  and,  buying  Mr. 
Hirsch  out,  they  continued  the  business  till  1857,  when  Mr.  A.  sold  out  his  interest  in  that  establishment 
and  began  business  in  the  same  line  alone.  He  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  town  of  Kewaskum  in  1857, 
and  held  that  office,  and  that  of  Town  Clerk  alternately  with  James  Carrell  for  twelve  years  .  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  in  1860.  from  the  Northern  District  of  Washington  Co.;  was  appointed 
Deputy  United  States  Marshal  in  1860,  to  take  the  census  in  the  mirth  half  of  Washington  Co.  Mr.  A. 
was  married  in  the  town  of  Kewaskum  to  Miss  Theresa  Weis.  daughter  of  Anton  Weis.  Mrs.  Altenhofen 
was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany;  four  children  were  born  to  them — Anton,  married  to  Louisa  Schneider, 
and  residing  in  Kewaskum  ;  Charles,  married  to  ILmna  Boegel,  and  also  a  resident  of  Kewaskum  ;  Nicho- 
las, of  Colorado,  and  Sophia.  Mrs.  Altenhofen  died  June  6,  1866.  Mr.  A.  was  married  in  Kewaskum 
Village,  Sept.  15,  1867,  to  Miss  Barbara  Uelmer,  daughter  of  John  Ueluier.  Mrs.  Altenhofen  was  born 
in  Prussia:  they  have  five  children— Albert  N.,  Rosa,  .John.  Susanna  and  Jacob.  On  the  completion  of 
the  railroad  through  the  village.  Mr.  Altenhofen  built  the  first  elevator,  and  began  buying  wheat  for  several 
years,  he  bought  on  an  average  800,000  bushels  of  grain  annually,  while  he  was  selling  through  his 
about  840,0011  worth  of  goods  yearly.  After  operating  a  few  years  very  successfully  in  wheat  and  amass- 
ing a  very  comfortable  fortune,  like  many  others  who  have  trodden  the  same  paths,  he  got  caught  at  last, 
and  saw  his  many  thousands  swept  away  in  a  few  weeks.  Dec.  7,  187s,  he  settled  with  his  creditors,  turn- 
in.:  over  everything  he  had  left.  Two  years  previously,  he  had  rented  the  1  uilding  which  he  now  occupies, 
and  established  his  son  in  the  liquor  business.  On  his  closing  up  in  the  mercantile  business,  he  took  his 
son's  place  in  the  saloon,  where  he  is  doing  a  good  business. 

.TAJIKS  CAKKKK,  farmer.  Sec.  9;  P.  O.  Kewaskum;  was  bom  at  Waltham.  Addison  Co., 
Vt..  in  1822,  where  he  resided  till  1843;  he  was  educated  at  Castleman  Academy.  Rutland  Co.;  came  to 
Washington  Co.  in  the  sprini; of  1  8  Is.  and  settled  on  his  present  farm,  which  he  purchased  of  11  S. 
Crass,  then  a  resident    of  Milwaukee.     His  wife   was  formerly   Louisa   Sherbonnow,  born  in  Vermont,  of 

French  descent  ;  they  have  four  children — Louisa,  now  Mrs.  Daniel  McQueen  ;  Adella  and  Estella  twins  . 
oid  Emma.  Mr.  Carrel  is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  Kewaskum;  In  has  held  several  town  offices; 
he  was  Town  Clerk  for  several  years;  he  is  the  present  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board,  a  position  he  hi- 
hcld  sii 1*7:; ;  has  also  been  Chairman  of  the  County  Board  of  Washington  Co.  for  the  last  four  years. 

DAVID  C'ASKY,  farmer.  See.  19;  P.  0.  Kewaskum;  BOD  of  Daniel  Casey,  who  was  horn  in 
County  Cork.  Ireland,  iu  1808;  came  to  this  country  in  1835,  settled  in  Boston,  Mass..  and  removed  to 
Milwaukee  in  L849  :  he  was  engaged  in  railroad  construction  for  many  years:  he  purchased  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Kewaskum  in  1840.  where  he  settled  in  1852;  he  died  duly  8,  1881.  David  was  horn  in  Bi  - 
ton  in  1836;  he  now  owns  the  homestead  farm.  Has  been  Deputy  Sheriff  for  several  yean.  lie  is  un- 
married :    hi>  parent-  have  had  live  children — three  living      David.  Johanna  and   Ellen. 

IIKXItY  I'.  E ABIES,  farmer ;  son  of  Philip  and  Beulah  ^Messenger)  Barnes;  was  horn  in 
Berkshire  Co.,  Mass.,  Nov.  29,  1815.  Was  married,  Jan.  1,  1845.  at  Peru,  Berkshire  Co., to  Miss  Elmira 
Thompson,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Abigail  Thompson.  Mrs.  Eatnes  was  horn  in  Berkshire  Co.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1853,  Mr.  Eames  and  family  moved  to  Washington  Co.,  Wis.,  and  located  near  Myers'  Mill,  town 
of   .North     Bend,  now  Kewaskum.      Mr.  .) .   II.   Myers,  B  single    man,  had    built  a  log  house  near   the   river 

bank    which    was   tl nly  habitation   of  what   is   now   the    thriving  village   of  Kewaskum.      Mr.  Karnes 

rented  thi-  house  of  Mr.  Myers  and  occupied  it  till  the  following  spring,  when,  having  erected  a  com- 
modious frame  house  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  he  moved  into  it,  and  has  continued  to  make  it  his 
home.  This  was  the  first  frame  dwelling  in  the  town,  and,  having  undergone  some  repairs  and  improve- 
ments, is  -till    one  of  the  beet.      The  house  is  situated   on    the   BOUth   side  of  Main  street,  directly  opposite 


TOWN    OF    KEWASKUM.  729 

"West  Water  street.  Mr.  J.  H.  Myers  and  H.  P.  Earues  made  the  first  plat  of  the  village  of  Kewaskum. 
Mrs.  Eames  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  first  Sunday  school  in  the  village,  which  was  accomplished 
in  1855,  Mrs.  Eames  being  the  first  Superintendent.  They  have  one  son — Charles,  living  at  home.  They 
lave  a  farm  of  40  acres,  situated  adjacent  to  the  village. 

XICOEAUS  GUTH,  Jr.,  proprietor  of  American  House,  and  lumber  dealer,  Kewaskum  ; 
son  of  Nicolaus  Guth,  Sr.,  who  was  born  at  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  and  immigrated  to  this  country 
in  1846,  and  setled  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.;  he  came  to  the  town  of  Kewaskum  in  1856, 
and  settled  in  the  village  in  1865,  and  engaged  in  milling,  which  business  he  still  follows.  Nicolaus  Guth, 
Jr.,  is  the  successor  of  his  father  in  the  hotel  business  and  in  the  lumber  trade.  He  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Kewaskum  in  1856.  He  was  married  to  Lena  Fleischman  ;  they  have  two  children — Clara  and 
Fredda. 

A.  G.  KOCH,  merchant,  Kewaskum  ;  son  of  Christian  Koch,  and  a  brother  of  William  Koch, 
of  this  village  ;  was  born  in  the  village  of  Kewaskum  in  1859.  Previous  to  engaging  in  business,  he  was 
employed  as  clerk  for  several  years  ;  he  was  with  J.  C.  Kuhlmann  for  two  and  a  half  years,  also  for  David 
Stolper,  of  the  town  of  Scott ;  he  afterward  started  a  store  in  the  latter  town  for  his  brother  Charles ;  he 
engaged  in  business  in  Kewaskum  in  September,  1881  ;  he  keeps  a  general  stock  of  merchandise. 

WILLIAM  KOCH,  proprietor  of  Washington  House,  Kewaskum  ;  is  the  present  Town  Clerk 
of  the  town  of  Kewaskum,  a  position  he  has  held  since  1877  ;  he  is  also  a  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Mr. 
Koch,  with  Mr.  Krahn,  has  built  a  cheese  factory  in  the  village  the  present  year.  Mr.  Koch  was  the  son 
of  Christian  Koch,  who  immigrated  to  this  country  from  Brunswick,  GermaDy,  in  1847,  and  settled  in 
Washington  Co.,  purchasing  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Kewaskum  ;  this  farm  is  now  owned  by  William.  Mr. 
Christian  Koch  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Washington  Co.  He  cast  his  first  vote  in  this  country  at  an 
election  held  in  Septembei,  1848,  for  the  purpose  of  locating  the  county  seat  of  Washington  Co.  He 
died  in  April,  1865.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Koch  had  seven  children;  the  oldest  and  youngest  are  not 
living.  William  Koch  was  born  in  Germany  September,  1846.  He  was  married  to  Emma  Jones,  from 
Germany  ;  they  have  three  children. 

CHARLES  MILL!',  I  J.  druggist,  Kewaskum;  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1840  ;  he 
came  to  this  country  in  1867  ;  he  was  engaged  in  his  present  business  in  Germany;  his  first  location  in 
this  country  was  in  the  town  of  Barton  ;  he  went  to  Milwaukee  in  1870  and  engaged  in  the  drug  bus- 
iness;  came  to  Kewaskum  in  1874.  His  wife  was  Katie  Reck,  a  daughter  of  Hobart  Reck,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Union  army,  and  lost  his  life  in  the  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  have  three  children — Louise, 
Meda  and  Edward.     Mr.  Miller  has  the  only  drug  store  in  Kewaskum. 

CHARLES  MOOERS,  station  agent  at  Kewaskum;  was  born  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  in 
1856.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1872  ;  he  learned  telegiaphing  at  Chicago,  where  he  was  messenger  boy 
for  some  time;  came  here  as  operator  in  January,  1873;  he  was  station  agent  at  Jackson  for  a  few 
months,  going  there  October,  1880  ;  he  has  been  at  Jackson  and  Kewaskum  since  he  came  to  Wisconsin 
in  1S73. 

HORITZ  ROSENHEIMER  AND  ADOLPH  ROSENHEIMER,  Kewas- 
kum  ;  sons  of  L.  Rosenheimer,  and  managers  of  the  branch  store  of  L.  Rosenheimer  &  Son,  at  Kewaskum 
(See  sketch  of  L.  Rosenheimer).  Moritz  was  born  in  the  town  of  Addison,  Washington  Co.,  in  1850; 
married  Lena,  daughter  of  Peter  Weimer.  Adolph  was  born  at  Schleisingerville  in  1S61.  This  branch 
house  was  established  in  1874.  Besides  doing  a  general  mercantile  business,  these  gentlemen  are  exten- 
sively engaged  in  buying  grain,  produce,  etc. 

JOHN  SCHWENDENER,  M.  D.,  Kewaskum;  is  the  son  of  Michael  Schwendener,  who 
emigrated  to  this  country  from  Switzerland,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  Washington  Co.,  in  1847, 
but  removed  to  the  town  of  Kewaskum  about  1863,  where  he  still  lives.  The  Doctor  was  born  in  Swit- 
zerland in  1847  ;  he  was  educated  at  Fond  du  Lac,  and  at  Warrenton,  Mo.  He  began  the  study  of 
medicine  in  1873,  with  Dr.  Senn,  of  Milwaukee,  and  graduated  at  the  Chicago  Medical  College  in  1878  ; 
he  married  Lena  Schuppert,  daughter  of  John  Schuppert,  of  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.,  a  clergy- 
man of  the  Baptist  Church.  Dr.  Schwendener  has  quite  an  extensive  practice  ;  he  is  the  only  physician 
of  Kewaskum.     He  has  four  children. 

FREDERICK  STORK,  proprietor  of  hardware  store  and  tin-shop,  Kewaskum;  son  of 
John  Stork,  an  early  settler  of  Washington  County.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Barton,  Washington 
Co.,  Oct.  8,  1854.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a  tinner  at  Holton,  Jackson  Co.,  Kan.,  where  he  lived  about 
three  years;  he  returned  to  Washington  County  in  1874,  and  established  his  present  business  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  makes  a  specialty,  in  his  trade,  of  stoves ;  he  also  manufactures  cheese  vats,  and  does  con- 
siderable roofing.     His  wife  was  Miss  Etta  Smith  ;  they  have  two  children. 


730  BIOGRAPHICAL     SKETCHES: 


TOWN  OF  ERIN. 


MICHAEL  FOLEY,  former,  Sec.  30;  P.  O.  Toland  Prairie;  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Marcelle  Foley;  he  was  born  on  Section  34  of  the  town  of  Erin.  Washington  Co.,  Feb.  25,  1845.  He 
spent  his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm  ;  when  23  years  of  age,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Town 
Board  of  Supervisors  and  served  one  term.  He  was  elected  Town  Clerk;  was  re-elected  aud  held  thai 
office  five  terms.  In  1879,  he  was  elected  Chairman,  and  re-elected  in  1881,  being  the  present  incumbent. 
He  was  married  at  Hartford,  Nov.  24,  1873,  to  Miss  Annie  Maloy.  daughter  of  James  Maloy.  They 
have  three  children,  one  son  and  two  daughters — Michael,  Minnie  B.  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Foley  has  a 
well-cultivated  farm  of  140  acres. 

TIMOTHY  GARVEY,  farmer,  Sec.  8;  P.  0.  Thompson.  He  has  a  well-improved  farm  of 
140  acres.  120  of  which  is  without  a  stump.  He  had  a  tract  of  520  acres  in  extent  till  very  recently. 
He  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Erin,  coming  in  1843.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of  Kerry  about 
lsnf,  .  is  the  son  of  James  and  Ellen  (Mahoney)  Garvey.  He  came  to  America  in  1837  and  located  in 
Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y..  and  took  out  bis  naturalization  papers  in  1840.  In  1843.  he  quitted  the  East  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Erin  on  the  site  of  his  present  home.  He  was  married  in  this  town.  February, 
184S,  to  Miss  Bridget  Sweeney,  daughter  of  John  Sweeney.  Mrs.  Garvey  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Sligo,  Ireland,  and  came  to  Erin,  Wis.,  with  her  parents  in  1846.  They,  Mr.  Garvey  and  wife,  are  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  nine  arc  living — lames  died  when  12  years  of  age;  Bridget  IS  the 
wife  of  Patrick  Simmers,  of  Erin;  Margaret  is  the  wife  of  John  Murphy,  of  Erin;  Mary  Ann  died 
when  21  years  of  age;  John  married  Miss  Julia  Walsh  and  lives  in  Erin;  Patrick;  Hannah  is  now  Mrs. 
William  Shinners,  of  Erin;  Ellen,  Catherine.  Eliza.  TiniotliN  ;  Owen  M.  died  when  -  years  of  age. 
JAMES  (iOKRY,  Jr.,  farmer;  P.  O.  Men. lies';  is  a  native  of  the  town  of  Erin;  is  the 
son  of  James  and  Ann  Gorry,  and  was  born  March  25,1847;  he  received  a  common  school  education, 
aud  was  brought  up  a  farmer  ;  he  has  100  acres  of  land,  situated  en  See.  13  ;  he  was  elected  and  served 
three  terms  us  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Erin. 

Ja.mks  Giihi'.v,  Su..  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  America,  and  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Erin,  at 
a  very  early  day;  there  are  seven  daughters  and  one  sen  living  of  the  family;  five  of  the  daughters  an 
married — Catharine,  to  George  Hartman,  of  Genesee ;  Mary,  to  Patrick  Diamond,  oi  Sister  Bay.  Ellen. 
to  Patrick  Riley,  of  Milwaukee;  Jane,  to  William  Dunkel,  of  New  York  City;  Maggie  resides  in  Chicago, 
Sarah  and  James  at  heme. 

BERNARD  KELLY,  farmer,  Sec.  34;  P.  O.  Monches,  Waukesha  Co.;  has  160  acres  of 
land;  is  a  native  of  Ireland  :  Was  horn  in  the  county  of  Wcstmoath.  in  1  ~  1  .">  ;  he  is  the  son  of  William 
and  Mary  Kelly  ;  in  1837,  he  came  to  America;  from  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  this  country  till  1844, 
he  spent  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  Michigan  ;  he  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  located  in  the  town 
of  Lake,  Milwaukee'  Co.,  about  where  the  Seminary  of  St.  Francis  is  located  ;  he  continued  to  reside  at 
that  place  till  March,  1849,  when  he  removed  to  the  site  of  his  present  home,  on  Sec.  34,  Town  of  Erin. 
He  was  married  at  Rochester,  N.  Y..  July  4,  1843.  to  Miss  Ann  Scollan,  daughter  ol  Sylvester  Scollan; 
she  was  a  native  of  Ireland  ;  two  children  were  born  to  them—  Mary  .1  and  William  ;  Mis.  Kellej  died 
Sept.  5,  1854.  Mr.  Kelley  was  married  again  on  the  27th  of  May,  1857,  in  Waukesha  Co.,  to  Sarah 
Ann  MeConiicll.  daughter  of  Patrick  McConnell ;  nine  children  were  born  of  this  marriage ,  of  whom 
eight  are  living  -Sarah.  Daniel,  Catharine,  .lames,  Margaret  (died  when  6  years  of  Bgi  Ellen,  Joseph, 
Bridget  and  Emma;  Mr.  Kelly  lost  his  Becond  wife,  who  died  Aug  19,  1880;  in  1856,  Mr.  K.  was 
d  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  id'  Supervisors,  and  in  1859  and  I  si;.",  was  elected  Chairman. 
JAHI'IS  KEXEALY.  Sr.  d<  ceaa  d  was  born  in  Cloyne,  county  of  Cork.  Inland,  in  1S13  ; 
came  to  America  in  1835,  and  located  in  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  resided  till  1842,  when  he  moved  to  the 
town  of  Meiton.  Waukesha  Co.,  Wis.;  in  1844,  he  moved  to  the  town  of  Erin,  and  located  on  Govern- 
ment land,  on  See.  21  ;  he  was  tin-  first  Town  Clerk  of  Erin,  and  held  the  office  several  years  ;  was  • 
Chairman,  and  served  on  the  County  Board  before  the  division  of  the  county ;  while  the  county  govern- 
ment was  organized  under  the  Commissioner  plan,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  County  Board;  while  Chair- 
man of  the  Town  Board,  be  helped  lav  out  the  first  pnblic  highway  in  the  town  oi  Erin;  he  represented 
the  South  Assembly  District  of  Washington  Co.  in  the  Wisconsin  Legislature  during  the  sessions  oi  1858 
and  1866.  He  was  married,  in  Bo-ton.  Mass..  in  ls:;s.  t,,  Miss  Mary  Fljnn  .  Mrs.  Kenealy  was  hem  in 
Ireland;  there  were  eight  children  in  the  family,  of  whom  five  ate  living;  .lames,  John,  William,   Mary 


TOWN    OF    ERIN.  731 

(dow   Mrs.  Walter  Cavin,  of  Minnesota),  and  Annie,  the  wife  of  James  Lynch,  of  Erin.     Mr.   Kenealy 
died  Jan.  17,  1830. 

JAMFi^i  KENEALY,  Jr.,  farmer  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  resides  on  Sec.  8  ;  P.  0.  Thomp- 
son ;  has  80  acres  of  land  ;  he  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Nov.  28,  1840  ;  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Flynn  ) 
Kenealy  ;  in  1842  he  came,  with  his  parents,  to  Wisconsin,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Merton,  Wauke- 
sha Co.;  removed  thence  to  Erin,  in  1S44,  and  located  on  Sec.  21  ;  he  received  a  common  school  ed- 
ucation ;  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Washington  Co.;  was  re-elected  and  served  five  successive 
terms  ;  he  was  elected  Town  Clerk  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  1880,  and  re-elected  in  1881.  He  was 
married  at  Monches,  May  6,  1866,  to  Miss  Bridget  O'Conner,  daughter  of  John  and  Joanna  (Bain) 
O'Conner  ;  she  was  born  in  Portland,  Conn.;  they  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living,  three 
sons  and  three  daughters — Mary  J.,  Joanna,  Bridget  (who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years),  John  J.,  James, 
William  and  Bridget. 

WILLIAM  KENEALY,  farmer,  Sec.  33  ;  P.  O.  Monches,  Waukesha  Co.;  has  120  acres 
in  company  with  his  brother.  Mr.  Kenealy  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greenfield,  Milwaukee  Co.,  June  15, 
1846  ;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  Keuealy ;  in  1849  (having  lost  his  father),  he  came  with  his  mother 
to  the  town  of  Erin,  and  settled  on  the  site  of  his  present  home.  He  was  married  at  Monches,  June  14, 
1869,  to  Miss  Mary  Lenox,  daughter  of  Andrew  Lenox.  Mrs.  Kenealy  was  born  in  the  town  of  Erin. 
They  have  six  children — -Mary,  John,  James,  Thomas,  William  A.  and  Johanna  C. 

'  WILLIAM  MOLXTIX,  farmer,  residence  Sec.  21  ;  has  600  acres  of  land  ;  is  a  native  of 
county  of  Cork,  Ireland  ;  son  of  William  and  Margaret  Mountin  ;  came  to  America  in  1847,  and  to  Erin 
in  1842,  in  company  with  a  cousin  and  namesake,  who  was  always  called  big  Bill  Mountin,  to  distinguish 
him  from  his  cousin,  who  was  much  smaller.  The  larger  William  is  now  a  resident  of  Minnesota  ;  the 
two  Mountins,  by  industry  and  frugality,  have  acquired  a  large  property. 

JOHN  MURPHY,  farmer,  Sec.  16;  P.  O.  Thompson;  has  100  acres  of  land;  is  a  native  of 
the  town  of  Erin  ;  is  the  son  of  James  and  Ellen  Murphy,  and  was  born  July  26,  1846  ;  his  parents  emi- 
grated from  Ireland  to  xlmeriea  in  1836,  and  to  Town  9,  Range  18,  now  Erin,  in  1S42.  Mr.  Murphy 
was  married  at  the  village  of  Hartford,  Nov.  25,  1874,  to  Miss  Margaret  Garvey,  daughter  of  Timothy 
and  Bridget  Garvey.  Mrs.  Murphy  was  born  in  the  town  of  Erin.  Mr.  Murphy  sold  his  farm,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1874  he  engaged  in  trade  in  company  with  Mr.  William  Foley,  at  Ramdon  Lake  Station  on 
the  W.  C.  R.  R.;  he  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  till  May,  1878,  when  he  sold  out.  returned  to 
Erin  and  re-purchased  his  old  farm,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside.  They  have  had  five  children — 
John  J.,  Minnie  J.,  Timothy  E.  (died  in  infancy),  Ann  E.,  George  H.  Mr.  Murphy  was  elected  Chair- 
man of  the  town  of  Erin  for  the  term  of  1880. 

PATRICK  SHINNERS,  Postmaster,  and  proprietor  of  hotel,  saloon  and  dealer  in  general 
merchandise,  Thompson  ;  busiuess  located  at  the  center  of  Sec.  9  ;  has  a  farm  of  140  acres,  situated  in 
the  town  of  Hartford.  He  was  born  in  Montgomery  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  22,  1842  ;  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Mary  Shinners  :  when  quite  young,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Delafield,  Waukesha  Co.,  where  they 
remained  about  four  year,  and  then  removed  to  Hartford  on  Sec.  34  ;  young  Shinners  continued  on  his 
father's  firm  till  20  years  of  age,  when  he  started  out  for  himsdf;  he  spent  two  years  steamboatiug  ;  some 
years  in  the  pine  woods  and  in  traveling;  he  next  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  remained  three  years  en- 
gaged in  various  employments ;  he  then  returned  to  Hartford;  in  1872,  he  bought  a  small  building  at 
the  site  of  his  present  business  ;  he  soon  after  built  the  hotel  and  store  ;  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  the 
Thompson  office  soon  after  locating  here.  He  was  married  at  Hartford,  Sept.  5,  1871,  to  Miss  Bridget 
Garvey,  daughter  of  Timothy  Garvey  ;  they  have  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  living — Mary  Ann  (died 
when  2i  years  old),  Timothy,  John,  James,  Theresa  (died  in  childhood),  Anna  J.  Mr.  Shinners  has 
been  Town  Treasurer  of  Erin  two  terms. 

PATRICK  SCOLLARD,  farmer,  Sec.  5;  P.  O.  Hartford;  was  born  in  County  Kerry, 
Ireland,  in  1S0S.  He  was  married,  Feb  4,  1836,  to  Elizabeth  Murphy.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to 
them,  of  whom  eight  lived  to  be  men  and  women.  William,  the  eldest,  married  Sarah  Kilmartin,  and  is  a 
farmer  of  Erin  ,  James  ;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Marble,  of  Nebraska  ;  Julia  is  now  Mrs.  B.  Crowley  ; 
Garrett  married  Mary  Ryan,  and  lives  in  Cheyenne,  Colo.  ;  John  married  Margaret  Donnelly,  and  resides 
in  Custer  City ;  Mary  lives  in  Souix  City  with  her  brother  James.  Mr.  Scollard  and  family  came  to 
America  in  1840;  lived  three  years  in  the  town  of  Caledonia,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y. ;  then  came  to  Dela- 
field, Waukesha  Co.,  Wis.,  where  he  resided  till  1846.  when  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Erin,  Washington 
Co. ;  settled  on  Sec.  5,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside  till  this  date.  He  has  40  acres  of  land.  Mr. 
Scollard  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1848,  and  served  two  years;  served  as  Supervisor  five  years, 
and  Chairman  one  term. 


732  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM  SCOLLARD,  farmer,  Sec.  5;  P.  0.  Hartford;  has  320  acres  of  land;  Bettled 
in  the  county  in  1846.  He  was  born  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  Feb.  4,  1837;  is  the  son  of  Patrick  and 
Elizabeth  Murphy  Scollard.  He  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1840;  lived  in  the  town  of  Cale- 
donia, Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.,  about  three  years.  The  family  then  moved  to  Delafield,  Waukesha  Co., 
Wis.,  where  they  resided  till  1846,  when  they  removed  to  the  town  of  Erin,  and  located  on  the  site  of 
their  present  home.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common-school  education,  and  for  several  winters 
engaged  in  teaching  school.  In  1859,  he  was  elected  Superintendent  of  Schools  for  the  town  of  Erin. 
He  was  elected  Chairman  in  1861,  and  re-elected  in  1862,  1870—71  and  1874.  He  was  elected  to  the 
Wisconsin  Legislature  of  1^7^  from  the  South  District  of  Washington  Co.  He  has  served  as  Clerk  of 
his  School  District  for  sixteen  years.  He  was  married,  at  Monches,  Waukesha  Co.,  Feb.  3.  1861,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Kilmartin,  daughter  of  Michael  Kilmartin.  Mrs.  Scollard  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
They  have  had  nine  children — James,  John  i  died  in  infancy),  Patrick.  Michael.  William.  Julia,  Margaret 
Joseph  and  Elizabeth. 

PATRICK  TOLAXD,  deceased:  was  burn  in  the  county  of  Tyrone.  Ireland;  came  to 
America  about  1830  ;  resided  in  Pennsylvania  several  year.-,  where  he  was  married.  He  moved  to  Mequon, 
Washington  Co.  (now  Ozaukee),  at  an  early  day,  being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  section  ;  about  1844, 
he  moved  to  the  town  of  Erin,  and  settled  on  Government  land.  He  was  elected  to  the  Second  Legisla 
ture  ( 1849).  He  was  an  active,  enterprising  man.  with  good,  executive  ability.  For  a  long  time,  he  was 
one  of  the  Commissioners  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  River  Improvement. 
His  death  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1858. 

JOHN  WHELAK,  farmer,  Sec.  35;  P.  O.  Monches;  has  120  acres  of  land;  settled  in  the 
town  on  his  present  farm  in  August.  1*42.  He  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Arran.  in  Galway  Bay,  Ireland, 
iu  1814.  He  came  to  America  in  1S32,  and  located  in  the  city  of  Boston.  Mass.,  where  he  learned  the 
trade  of  a  stereotype  caster.  He  followed  this  business  about  nine  and  a  half  years.  He  was  married 
July  3,  1842.  and  then  removed  to  Wisconsin.  On  arriving  in  this  State,  he  made  his  home  in  the  then 
wilderness  of  Town  9,  Range  18,  since  called  Erin.  At  the  meeting  of  a  half  dozen  of  the  settlers,  for  the 
purpose  of  naming  the  town,  at  which  the  Rev.  Father  Condig  presided,  Mr.  Whelan  proposed  the  name 
of  Erin  for  the  town,  which  suggestion  was  adopted.  At  this  meeting,  Mr.  Whelan  remembers  that  Mr. 
James  Kenealy,  the  two  William  Mountins  and  a  Mr.  McCormick  were  present.  Mr.  Whelan  was  elected 
the  first  Superintendent  of  Schools  for  the  new  town,  and  also  served  one  term  as  Chairman.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Whelan  were  blessed  with  ten  children.  The  eldest.  Mary  J.,  was  bom  April  1.  1843,  being  the 
first  white  child  born  in  the  town.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  John  Sullivan,  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.  The 
second  was  Peter,  now  proprietor  of  the  Monches  House,  at  Munches;  Ann  is  the  widow  of  T.  Flynn. 
residing  at  Monches;  Margaret  is  now  Mrs.  John  Sullivan,  of  Erin;  John  and  Robert  died  in  infancy; 
Joseph  is  a  citizen  of  New  Mexico  ;  Luke,  Ellen  M.  and  Kate. 


TOWN    OF    RICHFIELD. 

HE\KY  BAI'lHilARTX  l*jlt,  proprietor  of  saloon,  and  junior  partner  of  the  firm  of  Schuster 
&  Banmgartner,  manufacturers  of  cheese,  Richfieid  ;  the  latter  business  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1881 ; 

itj  of  factory,  60,000  pounds  of  cheese  annually.  Mr.  B.  was  bom  in  Baden,  Germany,  July  11,  1  *  I"  . 
is  the  son  of  Victor  and  Mary  Baumgartner;  he  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1846,  and  located 
in  German  town,  Wis.;  lived  there  till  1856,  when  he  cam' to  tic  town  of  Richfield,  Washington  Co., 
and  settled  on  a  farm  ;  Jan.  12,  1876,  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Richfield  and  engaged  in  the  saloon 
business;  in  the  fall  of  1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Leonard  Schuster,  in  the  cheese  business.  He 
was  married,  in  Germaotown,  Jan.  7,  1863,  to  Miss  Catharine  Uereokel,  daughter  of  George  Mereckel; 
Mrs.  Banmgartner  was  born  in  German  to  wo,  Wis.;  they  have  five  children  —Leonard,  Annie.  Lena.  Mar- 
garet and  Henry;  they  have  losl  three  sons  and  daughter — John,  aged  3  iths;  Charles,  3  years ; 

Jacob.  -  \ear-;    Mary  Ann.  died  in  childhood. 

IIICHAISL  FAI1KY.  fitrmer.Seo.  27;  P.  O.  Richfield;  has  240  aores;  was  born  near  West- 
ford,  County  Mayo,  Ireland.  Oct.  1.  1813;  is  the  son  of  William  Fahej  .  he  same  to  America  in  1811  ; 
landed  in  Quebec.  Canada,  where  he  remained  till  1844,  when  he  moved  to  Town  9,  Range  19  |  now  Rich- 
field) ;  he  purchased  his  land  of  the  Government.  He  was  married,  iu  Ireland,  previous  to  coming  to 
America,  in  1841,  to  Miss  Mary  Stanton,  daughter  of  Patrick  Stanton  ;  two  children  were  born  to  them 


TOWN    OF    RICHFIELD.  733 

before  coming  to  Wisconsin — William  and  Mary  E.;  those  born  in  Washington  Co.  were  John,  Ann,  Pat- 
rick (died  in  childhood),  Bridget,  Maria  (died  when  20  years  of  age),  Michael,  Patrick  S.  and  Kate.  Mr. 
Fahey  was  elected  Chairman  of  Richfield  in  1854,  and  re-elected  for  four  successive  terms  ;  since  1865,  he 
has  been  agent-at-large  for  the  Germantown  Mutual  Insurance  Co. ;  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
about  fifteen  years  and  Notary  seven  years. 

JOHN  KESSEL,  farmer,  and  President  of  the  West  Bend,  Polk  &  Richfield  Farmers'  Mu- 
tual Insurance  Company,  Sec.  12  ;  P.  0.  Richfield  ;  has  75V  acres  of  land  ;  settled  in  the  county  in  Octo- 
ber, 1842;  Mr.  Kessel  was  born  in  Schwabsburg.  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  Aug.  25,  1822;  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Margarette  Kessel :  he  came  to  America  in  1842,  arriving  in  Town  9,  Range  19  (now  Rich- 
field), Oct.  7  ;  a  few  days  previous,  he  purchased  the  east  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Sec.  12  of  the 
Government,  on  which  he  has  made  his  home  nearly  forty  years.  Mr.  Kessel  was  married,  in  Richfield, 
in  August,  1849,  to  Miss  Margarette  Zimmerman,  daughter  of  Jacob  Zimmerman  ;  Mrs.  K.  was  born  Jan. 
21,  1824,  in  Sitzen.  Hesse-Darmstadt,  and  came  to  America  in  1848.  Mr.  Kessel  has  served  as  Chairman 
of  the  town  of  Richfield  during  the  years  I860,  1861,  1862,  1863,  1870,  1871,  1872,  1876  and  1877  ; 
he  took  out  his  naturalization  papers  in  1848,  and  was  appointed  the  first  Road  Commissioner  of  Richfield 
the  same  year. 

JACOB  KLIPPEL,  cooper,  Richfield  ;  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  May  16, 
1817  ;  is  the  son  of  Phillip  and  Mary  Klippel;  learned  the  cooper's  trade  in  his  native  country  and  came 
to  America  in  1844  ;  stopped  one  year  in  Boston  and  then  came  to  Milwaukee  in  1845  ;  in  1846,  he  came 
to  the  town  of  Richfield  and  made  a  claim  ;  remaiued  only  a  short  time,  when  he  sold  out  and  wejit  to  Il- 
linois ;  in  1858,  he  returned  to  Richfield  and  engaged  in  the  cooperage  business,  which  he  has  continued 
to  this  time.  He  was  married,  in  Illinois,  in  1849,  to  Miss  Catharine  Melius,  daughter  of  Henry  Melius. 
Mrs.  Klippel  was  born  in  Germany ;  they  had  ten  children,  of  whom  six  are  living — George,  married  Eva 
Laubenheimer,  and  a  resident  of  Richfield  ;  Sarah,  now  the  wife  of  Charles  Reidenbach,  also  of  Richfield  ; 
Mary  ;  John,  married  to  Ida  Uelsenberger,  of  Milwaukee,  and  Frederick  ;  those  lost  were  Barbara,  aged 
6  years  ;  Jacob,  aged  4  ;  Charles,  aged  2  ;  and  Annie,  died  in  childhoad.  Mr.  Klippel  has  served  as  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  four  terms,  and  Notary  Public  since  1870. 

PHILLIP  LAUBENHEIMER  (deceased);  was  born  in  Dexheimer,  Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany,  March  23.  18(13  ;  was  the  son  of  Phillip  and  Barbara  Laubenheimer.  He  was  married,  in  1824, 
to  Miss  Gertrude  Sparver.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them — Clara,  now  Mrs.  Jacob  Breivogel,  of 
Richfield ;  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Anton  Widebach,  of  Manitowoc  Co. ;  Phillip ;  Peter  lives  in  Illinois  ; 
Frederick  lives  in  California ;  one  daughter,  name  not  given,  who  died  in  childhood,  and  Gertrude,  now 
Mrs.  Herman  Schape,  of  Milwaukee.  Mr.  Laubenheimer  and  family  emigrated  to  America  in  1842,  and 
directly  to  Town  !>.  Range  19,  now  Richfield.  Mr.  L.  selected  the  site  for  his  home  on  See.  12,  now  the 
site  of  the  village  of  Richfield.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  pioneers,  and  his  old  block-house  was 
always  a  popular  stopping-place  for  travelers  and  laud-hunters.  Mr.  Laubenheimer  lost  his  wife  the  winter 
following  his  settlement  in  the  town.-  He  was  married  again,  December  31,  1845,  in  the  town  of  Richfield, 
to  Mrs.  Anna  Margaret  Reisse,  widow  of  Mr.  John  Reisse,  and  the  daughter  of  George  Arnet.  She  was  a 
native  of  Beerbach,  Germany,  and  was  the  mother  of  one  child — Catharine,  now  Mrs.  Herman  Fritche,  of 
Grand  Rapids,  Wis.  Eight  children  were  born  of  this  marriage — Henry,  married  to  Lissette  Dorn,  and 
residing  at  Richfield  ;  William,  a  merchant  of  Richfield  ;  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  P.  Hartman,  of  Black  Creek, 
Wis. ;  Eva,  the  wife  of  George  Klippel,  of  Richfield  ;  Charles  died  when  2  years  and  6  months  old  ; 
John  died  when  18  years  old;  Barbara,  now  Mrs.  Julius  Specht,  of  Appleton,  Wis.  Mr.  Laubenheimer 
built  the  store  now  occupied  by  his  son  William,  in  an  early  day,  which  he  leased  for  several  years.  He 
subsequently  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  company  with  Mr.  Richard  Seifert,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Laubenheimer  &  Seifert,  commencing  business  about  1870.  Mr.  Laubenheimer  bought  out  his 
partner's  interest,  and  afterward  conducted  the  business  alone.  He  also  built  the  elevator  on  the  comple- 
tion of  the  Li  Cr.isse  &  Milwaukee  Railroad  to  this  place  about  1855,  which  he  leased  several  years.  The 
elevator  is  now  used  by  William  Laubenheimer,  who  is  extensively  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  grain. 
Mr.  L.  had  a  finely  cultivated  farm  of  140  acres.  In  addition  to  his  store  and  elevator,  he  built  a  fine 
brick  building,  which  is  used  by  the  family  as  an  hotel,  called  the  Railroad  House,  and  which  includes  a 
capacious  dance  hall  and  saloon.  Mr.  Laubenheimer  was  an  active  farmer,  and  a  careful  business  man, 
who  commanded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances.  His  death  occurred  Oct. 
7,  1878.  His  son,  Henry,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richfield  Aug.  7,  1846.  He  was  brought  up  a  farmer, 
and  devotes  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  farm.  He  was  married,  in  Richfield.  Nov.  27, 
1873,  to  Miss  Dora  Eimermann,  daughter  of  John  Eimermann.  She  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richfield. 
Three  children  were  born  to  them — Ledia,  Madia  D.  (died  in  childhood),  and  Clara.     Mrs.  Laubenheimer 

T 


734  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

died  Jan.  1,  L878.  Mr.  L.  was  married  again,  this  time  at  Port  Washington,  to  Miss  Lissette  Dorn  • 
William  Laubenhcimer,  the  youncer  son,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Richfield  Jan.  7,  1S4S.  He  is  a  genera] 
merchant,  and  dealer  in  grain  and  produce  at  Richfield  Village,  Wis. 

IIEXRY  J.  LOWE,  dialer  in  farming  implements  and  hardware,  Richfield;  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Richfield  Aug.  16  1853.  He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  up  to  1S77.  when  he  moved 
to  the  village  of  Richfield  the  same  year,  and  engaged  in  bis  present  business.  Mr.  Lowe  left  Wisconsin 
(in-  California  Sept.  7.  1874,  where  he  remained  until  January,  1875,  when  be  returned  to  his  native  town 
and  married  Miss  Emma  Schwandenbach  Marth  4,  1875,  with  whom  he  is  blessed  at  present  with  a  son 
and  a  daughter,  the  former,  Percival  Arthur,  5,  and  the  latter,  Leona  Theresa,  2  years  of  age.  He  has  a 
beautiful  borne,  where  happiness  seems  to  dwell. 

CHARLES  REIDEXBACH,  carpenter;  dealer  in  furniture,  and  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
('.  Reideubach  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  saw-mill,  Richfield  Village.  Mr.  R.  was  born  in  Hesse- llomberg, 
Germany,  Sept.  14,  1S42 ;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Reidenbach.  He  came  to  America,  and 
direct  to  Richfield,  Wis,  in  1848;  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  ;  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  the  town 
of  Richfield,  and  moved  to  the  village  in  1 8(19.  In  1873,  he  opened  a  shop  in  the  furniture  business. 
which  he  has  carried  on  to  this  date.  In  the  summer  of  1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  George 
Klippel  in  the  saw. mill  business.  They  expe  i  to  have  the  mill  fitted  up  and  ,;irted  by  Nov.  15  of  this 
.ii  Mr.  Reidenbach  was  married  in  Richfield,  Oct.  23,  1869,  to  Miss  Sarah  Klippel,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Klippel.  Mrs.  R.  was  born  in  Illinois.  They  bad  two  children — Louisa  and  Charles;  the  latter  died  in 
ebildll 1. 

CORNEEUS  ST IT ESS ER,  farmer,  Sec.  1;  P.  0.  Richfield ;  hao200acres;  settled  in  the 
town  in  September,  1842  ;  his  filler's  family  was  the  first  white  family  to  settle  within  the  limits  of  Town 
9,  Range  l!l  i  now  Richfield);  he  is  the  son  of  Francis  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Stuesser,  and  was  born  in 
the  city  of  Rheinbach,  Germany,  Aug.  18,  1827;  came  to  America,  with  bis  parents,  in  1842,  reaching 
their  destination  in  Wisconsin  in  September  of  that  year;  they  settled  on  Sec.  2.  Town  9,  Range  19  (now 
Richfield);  subsequently  moved  to  See.  1.  Mr.  Stuesser  was  married,  June  8,  1851,  in  this  town,  to  Miss 
Mary  Landgraf,  daughter  of  Henry  Landgraf;  Mrs.  Stuesser  was  burn  in  Germany;  they  have  six  chil- 
dren— Theresa,  now  Mrs.  George  Schwalbach,  of  the  town  of  Mcrton,  Waukesha  Co.;  Elizabeth  is  the  wife 
of  Peter  Wolf,  of  Germantown  ;  Joseph,  John,  Mary  and  Christian. 

Ii.  HENRY  ZAUN,  farmer;  P.  0.  Richfield,  residence,  Sec.  12;  has  180  acres  of  land  in 
this  town  i  ;  be  was  born  in  Hesse- Darmstadt,  Germany,  March  Ii.  ls.'!2;  is  the  son  of  Phillip  A.  Zaun  ; 
he  came  to  America  in   L849,  remained  in  the  State  of  New  Fork  till  the  following  year,  when  be  removed 

in  the  town  of  Richfield.  Washington  Co.,  Wis.;  on  the  arrival  of  his  lather,  iii  1851,  they  selected  their 
land,  since  which  time  Mr.  Zaun  has  continued  his  residence  in  the  town.  lie  was  married  in  Richfield, 
March  15,  1859,  to  Miss  Pauline  Beyer,  daughter  of  John  W.  Beyer;  Mrs.  Zaun  was  born  in  Saxony, 
Germaoj  ;  tbej  have  six  children — Louis  L.,  Henry  II.,  Emil  B.,  Edwin,  Bertha  and  Emma;  Mr.  Zaun 
has  served  twelve  years  as  School  District  Treasurer.  By  industry  and  judicious  investments,  he  has  ac- 
cumulated a  large  property, 


TOWN    OF    ADDISON. 

KITlf  AI'T  BROS.,  proprietors  steam  saw-mill,  See.  17  ;  P.  0.  Addison  ;  they  do  custom-work 
giving  the  highest  satisfaction,  pleasing  all ;  credit,  first  class;  saw  over  2,000,000  feet  of  lumber  a  year, 

of  oak  and  baaswood  ;  it  is  the  only  steam  mill  in  all  the  country.  William  Kuhapt  was  bom  in  1846,  in 
Kurhessen,  Prussia  ;  in  1858,  be  came  alone  tn  Schloisimrerville ;  came  here  in  1879 ;  began  his  pri 
business.  He  married  Sophia  [se  in  1870;  they  have  limr  children — George.  Will.  Martha  and  Anna. 
Henry  Kuhapt  was  burn  in  1849,  in  Kurhessen,  Prussia;  came  to  Sehleisiie.'erville.  with  bis  mother  and 
sister;  lie  worked  at  his  trade,  masonry,  with  his  brother;  in  1879,  they  came  to  Addison,  and  bought 
their  present  mill ;  are  members  of  the  Odd  fellows;  their  great-grandfather  was  a  Hessian  soldier  of  the 
English,  in  mil  Revolution.  Mr.  II.  K.  married  Margaret  Bender,  in  1874  .  they  have  two  children — 
Lizzie  ami  Louis. 

JOHN    C   KUIIEM A\,  merchant,  Aurora;  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt  in  1847  ;  his   parents 
Came  to   Milwaukee  in   1852  ;    lived    there  eight  years,  then    came    here  ;    are  Btill  living  :    Mr.  K.  left  here, 

in  1863,  for   Kewaskum  ;  was   there   two   years  iii  the  store  ol'  II.  Bachausan ;  in  1865,  he  went  to  Mil- 
waukee;  clerked    one    year;    in    1  B67,  to   St.    Louis  one   year;    then  to   Milwaukee;    was  in  Kuhlsville  one 


TOWN   OF    GERMANTOWN.  735 

and  a  half  years  ;  opened  business  there  ;  from  1870  to  1875,  was  Postmaster  and  Notary  Public;  tame 
to  Aurora  in  1875,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  business  on  a  large  scale  ;  Mr.  K.'s  judgment  and  word  can 
be  relied  on  ;  Mr.  K.  is  a  public-spirited  and  enterprising  man,  and  is  of  political  prominence;  was  a  del- 
egate to  the  Republican  State  Convention  from  Washington  Co.,  in  1873.  He  married  Eva  Illian,  in 
1872,  who  was  born  in  Germany ;  they  have  six  children — Robert,  George,  Ida,  Edward,  Albert  and 
Anna. 

HENRY   STEINMITZ,  farmer,  Sec.  32  ;  P.  0.  St.  Lawrence  ;  born  in  Luxemburg,  in  1820 
came  here  in  1845,  and  took  up  his   present  farm  ;  has  been  District  Treasurer  and  Trustee  of  St.  Law- 
rence Church.     He  was   married  to  Maria  Seekairen,  in   1848,  in  Milwaukee  ;  she  was  born  in  Hanover; 
they  have   nine   childrer. — Henry,  Michael,   Angeline,    Maria,    Margarhetta,  Katie,   Anna,  Theodore  and 
Lizzie. 


TOWN    OF    CERMANTOWN. 

PHILLIP  B » 1 1 1 .  E  V  ;  P.  0.  Rockfield  ;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Germantown  May  12,  1834, 
being  the  first  white  male  born  in  this  town.  His  parents  immigrated  to  America  in  1842  and  settled  in 
Sec.  8,  in  Germantown,  being  some  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town.  Mr.  Dhein  has  lived  on  the  old 
hi  n.Lstead  all  his  life.  He  is  the  present  Treasurer  of  the  Germantown  Insurance  Company,  a  substantial 
institution  in  the  county,  with  a  capital  of  $250,(100.  Mr.  Dhein  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Schowalter,  Oct. 
15,  1872  ;  he  has  three  children  ;  the  oldest  son,  Philip,  is  7,  his  daughter  Ida  5,  and  John  3  years  of  age. 
His  father  died  in  18G5,  at  the  age  of  51,  and  his  mother,  who  still  lives,  is  60  years  of  age,  and  enjoys 
excellent  health. 

PHILLIP  G.  Dl'ERWAECHTER,  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  in  1847.  He 
came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1857.  His  lather  settled  on  Sec.  25,  Germantown.  Afterward  he  removed 
to  Schleswig,  Manitowoc  Co.,  where  he  remained  until  1862,  when  he  set  out  for  himself,  engaging  in  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  business,  and  traveled  several  years,  until  his  return  to  his  old  home  in  Germantown,  in 
1871,  when  he  commenced  the  lumber  business,  and,  in  1880,  he  added  the  manufacture  of  agricultural 
implements  ;  he  is  a  very  successful  business  man.  He  has  been  eleeted  Town  Clerk  four  years,  which 
position  he  still  holds.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Diefenthaler  in  1873  ;  he  has  two  sons;  the  eldest,  John 
Adam,  6,  and   Arthur  2  years  of  age.     His  father  died  July  16,  1874,  at  the  advanced  age  of  81  years. 

NICOLA  I'S  KLI'jfIB,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  this  town  ;  was  born  near  Coblentz.  Ger- 
many in  1820.  He  came  to  America  in  the  month  of  July,  1843,  and  located  on  40  acres  of  land  on  Sec.  9, 
Germantown,  the  same  year  :  he  is  one  of  the  successful  fanners,  owning  at  present  160  acres  of  the  finest 
land  in  the  town,  and  everything  around  him  shows,  through  his  industry,  comfort  and  thrift;  he  has  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  one  of  his  hands  by  a  thrashing  machine,  in  1871.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Rheingans  in  1847,  with  whom  he  has  nine  children — Elizabeth,  aged  31  ;  William,  29  ;  Heinrich, 
27;  Juliana,  25  ;  Margaret ta,  23;  Friedrich,  20  ;  Christina,  18  ;  Philip,  15,  John,  12  ;  five  of  themare 
married.  Mr.  Klumb  held  the  position  of  Treasurer  of  the  Germantown  Mutual  Insurance  Company  for 
several  vears. 

REV.  CASPAR  RUEGG,  Rockfield  ;  was  born  April  9,  1837,  in  the  Canton  of  Zurich, 
Switzerland  ;  has  studied  for  the  ministry  at  St.  Chrisbona,  near  Rale,  Switzerland,  for  the  Evangelical 
Church  ;  after  completing  his  studies,  he  was  assigned  to  the  palish  at  Rex,  Canton  Yaud,  Switzerland, 
where  he  remained  two  years,  when,  in  I860,  he  eame  to  Madison,  Wis.,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  con- 
gregation of  St.  Paul's  Church  (Evangelical),  and,  in  1868,  betook  charge  of  Christ  Church  (German 
Evangelical)  in  the  town  of  Germantown,  where  he  has  been  ever  since.  His  congregation  consists  of 
about  seventy  families.  He  married  Miss  Amalia  Zimmerman,  formerly  of  the  Canton  of  Clams,  Swit- 
zerland, in  1867  ;  she  received  a  thorough  course  of  all  the  English  branches  at  the  Minneapolis  High 
School,  and  became  a  teacher,  which  she  followed  until  her  marriage.  Mr.  Ruegg  has  five  children; 
the  oldest.  Amelia,  asied  13;  Nelly,  10  ;  Lilly,  7  ;  Samuel,  8.  and  Albert,  6. 

VALENTINE  SCH  AETZEL,  fanner,  Sec.  35  ;  P.  O.  Menomonee  Falls  ;  was  born  in  the 
Duchy  of  Hesse,  Germany,  Feb.  14.  1814.  He  immigrated  to  America  in  June,  1841  ;  bis  destination 
was  the  State  of  Wisconsin  ;  he  arrived  at  Milwaukee  the  fame  summer,  and  east  his  vote  at  the  first 
county  election  of  Milwaukee  Co.,  held  in  1841.  There  were  only  four  stores  and  three  saloons  in  the 
place  at  that  time,  and  many  Indians  were  encamped  around.  At  first  he  settled  on  Sec.  25,  where  he 
r  emaincd  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  his  ]  resent  heme,  where  he  has  since  lived.     He  was  Chairman  of  the 


736  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

town  in  1855  and  also  in  1S5S  ;  he  was  School  Commissioner  for  several  years,  and  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  180 1,  and  at  present  is  one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Gerniantown  Mutual  Insurance  Company.  He 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Gemnenden,  in  1843,  in  Milwaukee;  they  have  eight  children  living;  the  oldest 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  aged  36 ;  John,  34 ;  Mary,  32  ;  Johanna,  30  ;  Adam,  29  ;  Jacob,  26  ;  Philip,  24  ; 
Henry,  21.     Mr.  Schaetzel  was  the  fourth  settler  in  Germantown. 

MARTIN  SCHOTTLER,  was  born  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  in  March,  1833  ;  he 
came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1846,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Germantown.  Mr.  Schottler  was 
twice  elected  to  the  Legislature,  his  first  term  being  in  1863  and  the  second  in  1864  ;  he  has  held  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  twenty  years,  and  that  of  Town  Clerk  fourteen  years  ;  at  present  Mr.  Schottler 
is  Secretary  of  the  Firemen's  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  of  Germantown,  and  is  much  esteemed  by  his 
fellow-citizens.  He  married  Miss  Anne  Bartol,  in  1864;  his  matrimonial  life  is  blessed  with  nine  chil- 
dren, the  eldest  being  Mary,  aged  15  ;  Katy  13  ;  Louisa,  12  ;  Anna,  10  ;  Sophie,  9 ;  Martin,  7  ;  Mina,  5 ; 
Ida,  3,  and  Willie,  2.  His  father  is  73  years  of  age  and  enjoys  excellent  health  ;  he  lives  in  the  town  of 
Richfield. 


TOWN  OF  WAYNE. 

JACOR  LAY,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  Sec.  11  ;  P.  0.  Wayne.  Mr.  Lay  is  a  successful  farmer 
and  stock-raiser.  He  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  in  1830 ;  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents 
in  L846.  The  family  lived  in  Ozaukee  County  one  year  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  Jacob  now  live- 
in  the  following  year.  The  father  of  Mr.  Lay  now  lives  in  Kansas.  Mr.  Lay's  wife  is  a  native  of  Switzer, 
land.  They  have  ten  children,  three  boys  and  seven  girls.  Mr.  Lay  has  been  Supervisor  of  the  towns 
and  is  the  present  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board. 

WENDEL  PETRI,  merchant,  farmer  and  Postmaster,  Sec.  10;  P.  O.  Wayne.  Mr.  Petri  is 
one  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  town  of  Wayne.  He  was  born  at  Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany,  in  1835  ;  he  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents,  Wendel  and  Mary  M.  Petri,  in  1848. 
His  father  settled  in  the  town  of  Polk;  he  settled  in  Wayne  in  1862;  he  had  seven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living  and  all  are  residents  of  Wisconsin.  Wendel  settled  where  he  now  liyes  in  1856,  and 
engaged  in  boot  and  shoe  making.  He  established  his  mercantile  business  in  1859.  He  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  business  since  that  time,  and  also  attending  to  his  large  farming  interests.  He  has,  by  indus- 
try and  economy,  acquired  a  competence.  He  was  the  first  Postmaster  of  Wayne;  was  appointed  in 
1864  ;  he  has  held  that  position  since  that  time,  except  two  years.  He  has  been  Treasurer  of  the  town 
■  it'  Wayne  for  the  last  thirteen  years.  Mr.  Petri's  wife  is  also  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  teu 
children,  six  sous  and  four  daughters. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


ABBREVIATIONS. 

Co Company  or  county    I    W.  V.  I Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry 

W.  V.  A Wisconsin  Volunteer  Artillery        P.  0 Post  Office 

W.  V.  C Wisconsin  Volunteer  Cavalry    |    St street 


PORT  WASHINGTON. 

WILLIAM  AHLil  Al  SIK1S.  County  Treasurer,  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Mequon,  Ozaukee  Co.,  March  13,  1855  ;  received  a  good  common-school  education  at  Saukvijle,  his 
father  being  Postmaster  of  that  place ;  he  acted  as  clerk  in  the  post  office  for  a  period  of  about  six  years, 
commencing  in  1867.  From  1876  to  1880,  he  acted  as  Deputy  Town  Clerk,  during  which  time,  in  the 
fall  of  1880,  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer,  which  office  he  now  holds.  When  he  was  about  10  years 
of  age,  he  had  the  misfortune  to  injure  his  right  knee-joint,  from  which,  however,  he  nearly  recovered, 
but  in  January,  1879,  he  again  fell,  and  so  strained  the  joint  as  to  compel  him  to  use  crutches  up  to  the 
present  time. 

J.  N.  BAER,  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1831  ;  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1853,  landing  at  Baltimore,  where  he  resided  one  year.  He  then  went  to  New  York  City,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  as  cabinet-maker  about  three  years,  then  continued  the  same  at  Boston,  Mass.,  eight- 
een months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  remained  six  months;  he  then  went 
to  Cairo,  111.,  where  he  was  employed  as  carpenter  in  the  navy  yards  about  five  years  ;  then  spent  one 
year  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  from  which  place,  in  1866,  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  living  at  Milwaukee  twu 
years,  after  which  he  came  to  Port  Washington,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  furniture  business,  in 
connection  with  which  he  has  carried  on  a  saloon  since  November,  1879.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Has  been 
Town  Treasurer  two  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Was  married,  in  1859,  to 
Barbara  Sehoeck;   they  have  six  children  —  Bernard,  Maggie,  Lame,  Jacob,  John  and  Leo. 

HON.  JOHN  K.  ROHAN,  editor  and  publisher  Port  Washington  Advertiser,  was  born  at  Col- 
lege Hill,  near  Templemore,  County  of  Tipperary,  Ireland,  Dec.  7,  1824;  was  educated  at  the  public  and 
grammar  schools,  graduating  at  Mamel  Semiuary  in  1842,  after  which  he  studied  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  and  also  learned  engineering.  In  1846,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  first  settled 
with  his  parents  at  Hartford,  Washington  Co.,  where  he  helped  to  clear  the  land  and  taught  school.  In 
1852,  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Washington  Co.,  and  the  new  county  of  Ozaukee 
beiDg  organized  therefrom,  he  remained  Clerk  of  the  latter  until  1858;  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly 
in  1859,  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1862,  served  as  Clerk  of  the  Court  from  January,  1865,  to  January, 
1869,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1871,  was  again  elected  to  the  Assembly.  Has  also  held  various  local  offices. 
In  1858,  he  purchased  a  one-third  interest  io  the  Port  Washington  Advertiser,  and  the  year  following 
purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  published  the  paper  alone  until  1865,  when  he  took  in  F.  J.  Mills  as 
a  partner,  and  continued  the  paper  under  the  firm  name  of  Bohan  &  Mills,  until  1869,  since  which  time 
Mr.  Bohan  has  been  sole  proprietor.  He  was  married  in  1852,  to  Miss  Mary  Sullivan,  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont;  they  have  seven  children  living — Michael,  Eunice,  Matie,  John,  George  Stanley,  Frank  and 
Maude. 

K.  B.  ROLENS,  editor  and  publisher,  Port  Washington;  is  among  the  oldest  editors  in  Wis- 
consin, having  been  engaged  in  printing  and  publishing  since  1840.  He  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
1830;  received  a  collegiate  education,  and  early  turned  his  attention  to  his  present  profession.      His  first 


733  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

newspaper  venture  was  at  Toledo,  Tama  Co.,  Iowa,  where,  in  1856,  he  assisted  in  getting  out  the  Toledo 
Tribune,  the  first  paper  in  the  county:  He  did  the  principal  part  of  the  editorial  work,  half  of  the  type- 
setting, and  all  the  press  work.  He  sold  out  iu  1858,  and,  in  1860,  vent  to  Washington,  Iowa,  and 
established  the  Washington  Democrat,  which  he  continued  uotil  18G6,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
Janesville,  and  established  the  Janesville  Democrat.  He  continued  its  publication  until  L869,  when  he 
removed  to  Juneau,  and  established  the  Dodge  County  Democrat,  which  he  edited  and  published  until 
October.  i^T  J.  when  he  leased  the  office  fir  two  years  and  went  to  Madison  to  enter  upon  the  duties  as 
Mtate  Printer,  which  office  he  tilled  for  the  years  187.")  and  1ST'!.  In  April.  1873,  he  established  a 
iu  inthly  paper  in  the  interest  of  the  Granger  movement,  called  the  !>  taver  Dam  Sun,  which  he  moved 
with  him  to  Madison,  and  continued  it  fur  some  time  under  the  name  of  the  Wisconsin  Granger,  as  a 
weekly:  then  changed  the  name  again  to  Statesman.,  dropping  its  grange  feature,  but  discontinued  its 
publication  a  few  m  mths  thereafter.  In  1877.  he  began  the  publication  of  the  Wisconsin  Farm  Journal, 
a  strictly  agricultural  and  literary  paper,  but  soon  discontinued  it  for  want  of  proper  support.  In  Janu- 
ary, 187:',  he  went  to  Fund  du  Lie,  and  engaged  in  the  publication  of  the  People's  Champion,  but  soon 
severed  his  connection  with  it,  and  removed  to  Milwaukee,  and  for  a  few  months  edited  the  Daily  News 
and  th  •  Daily  Dispatch,  after  which  he  came  to  Port  Washington  and  revived  the  ll'W.7//  Star,  which 
he  now  e  tits  and  publishes.  Of  the  papers  with  which  he  hits  been  connected  as  proprietor,  the  following 
are  yet  published  by  his  successors:  Toledo  Tribune,  changed  to  Chronical;  Washington  Democrat} 
Janesville  Democrat,  now  Times;  Dodge  County  Democrat,  now  Juneau  Telephone;  People's  Champion, 
now  Standard,  published  at  Oshkosh;  Weekly  Star,  Port  Washington.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
Mayor  of  Baton,  the  county  seat  of  his  native  county:  Postmaster  in  Iowa,  ami  State  Printer  in  Wiscon- 
sin.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and   bar   been   quite  active,  participating  as  a  campaign  speaker  in  the 

lential  elections  of  1852,  1856,  1  Still.  ISO!  and  1863.  In  the  campaign  of  I860,  he  spike  nearly 
every  day  for  two  m  inths*,  and  mostly  at  OUt-door  meetings,  by  which  he  contracted  a  throat  and  lung 
isc  which  still  troubles  him  very  much.  In  1868,  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for  State  Senator 
in  Rook  County  against  Eon.  Charles  ti.  Williams,  now  a  member  of  Congress,  which  gentleman  he 
challenged  to  a  public  discussion.  He  made  over  thirty  speeches  in  Rock  County  tint  fall,  and  in;reased 
the  I'  smocratic  vote  from  600  to  over  1,100,  which  has  been  maintained  since.  The  effect  of  this  sever, 
work  has  been  such  that  he  has  been  compelled  to  almost  wholly  abstain  from  public  speaking,  and  con- 
sequently ha?  taken  a  less  active  poit  in  politics  Mr.  Bolens  has  been  twice  married.  Maroh  10,  1853, 
in  Elizabeth  M'  Trewsdale,  a  native  of  Ohio,  she  died  at  Toledo,  Iowa,  May  11,  1859.  In  L861,  to 
oarali  M.  Brown,  then  of  Iowa  City>  but  formerly  of  Pennsylvania.  They  have  three  children  living 
— Albert  1).,  Harry  W.  and  Josephine. 

II  OX.  <'.  K.  CIIAJIISFiRLiIX.  Port  Washington,  is  among  the  pioneers  of  Ozaukee  Co.  He 
was  born  in  Catskill,  Greene  Co.,  X.  V.,  March  9,1818;  received  a  common-school  education ;  learned  the 
printer's  trade,  and,  in  1839,  went  to  Chenango  Co.,  where  he  continued  work  at  his  trade,  and,  from  18-11 
to  1843,  was  one  of  the  publishers  of  the  Oxford  /{ejiii/i/ican.  a  Democratic  paper;  he  then  came  to  Wis- 
consin, and  first  settled  in  Milwaukee;  at  that  time,  the  city  was  in  great  need  of  a  school  in  the  Second 
Ward,  and,  as  they  had  no  schoolhouse,  Mr.  Chamberlin  fitted  up  an  old  bowling  alley,  and  taught  a  pri- 
vate school  in  it  for  a  term  of  three  months.     He  lien  acted  as  foreman  in  the  printing  office  of  the  Amer- 

Freem  in  :  the  following  year,  as  he  had  previously  entered  a  piece  of  land  in  what  is  now  Mequon, 
Ozaukee  Co.,  he  moved  onto  it.  and  followed   farming   in   that  vicinity  until    1S.">7,  during  which   time  he 

i  one  term  as  County  Treasurer  and  one  term  in  the  Assembly;  he  was  then  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  by  Judge  Larabee,  in  the  place  of  Heidkemp,  removed,  and,  in  the  fall  of  said  year,  was 
elected  to  the  same  office,  which  he  held  one  term.  He  then  taught  school  most  of  the  time  uutil  1872, 
meantime  taking  up  dentistry,  which  profession  he  -till  follows.  In  the  fall  of  1871',  he  was  elected  to 
the  Assembly,  and  Berved  one  term  ;  he  then  had  charge  of  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Court,  as  Deputy, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  did  most  of  the  writing  in  the  office  of  the  Register  of  Deeds ;  in  the  fall  of  1  376, 
was  i  leeted  Clerk  of  the  Court  and  served  one  term,  after  which  he  retired  from  public  life.  He  was  mar- 
ried t.«  Eliza  Hill,  a  native  of  Oxford.  X.  Y..  on  the  26th  day  of  January,  1814,  and  now  has  six  chil- 
dren Charles  A  .  Ella  D.,  now  Mrs.  Alex  Wood,  of  Spring  Lake,  Mich.;  Mary  Iv.  now  Mrs.  William 
Guy,  of  Wausau.  Henry  L.,  Benjamin  !•'.  and  Nellie. 

II.  L.  C/OK,  Postmaster  of   Port   Washington;    was  born  at  Le   Roy,  Genesee  Co,N.  Y.,  in 
\t  the  age  of  8  years,  cam  i  with  his  parents  to  Port  Washington  .  was  educate']  at  the  Lawrence 
University  at  A.ppleton,  and  Carroll  College,  Waukesha;  then  followed  Farming  and  surveying  until  1865  ; 
he  then  entered  the  law  school  at  Albany,  X.  V..  where  he  graduated  iu  1866.     Returning  to  Port  Wash- 
ington, be  formed  ■  law  partnership  with  Ge  irge  W.  Foster,  with  whom  he  continued  until  1879,  during 


PORT    WASHINGTON.  739 

which  time,  in  1871,  they  took  in  James  Hedding  as  a  partner,  making  the  law  firm  Foster,  Coe  &  Hed 
ding,  and  continued  until  1874,  when  Mr.  Hedding  withdrew,  and  G.  C.  Foster  was  taken  in,  making  the 
firm  Fosters  &  Coe;  in  1878,  Mr.  Coe  withdrew  from  the  firm  and  practiced  alone  until  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  when,  on  account  of  poor  health,  he  gave  up  law  practice.  In  the  fall  of  1879,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Postmaster.  In  1869,  Mr.  Coe,  G.  W.  Foster  and  G.  A.  Rowe,  purchased  real  estate  in  Kewanee 
Co.,  containing  water-power,  mill  privilege,  etc.,  which  they  improved  by  building  a  saw-mill,  also  a  pier  in 
the  lake,  and  started  a  town,  which  they  named  Foscoro.  Mr.  Coe  was  married,  in  1862,  to  Miss  Nettie 
E.Wilmet.  a  native  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y. ;  they  have  three  children — Clara,  Florence  R.  and  Mary 
Mabel. 

FRWK  DELLES,  liveryman,  Port  Washington;  is  the  son  of  John  Delles,  one  of  the  old- 
est settlers  of  Oziukee  Co.,  having  settled  in  the  town  of  Belgium  in  1846;  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Fredonia  May  24,  1849,  and  lived  with  his  parents  until  1869  ;  he  then  spent  two  years  at  Sturgeon  Bay, 
engaged  in  lumbering;  returning  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  his  father,  who  was  engaged  in 
hotel  and  livery  ;  in  1876,  he  purchased  his  father's  livery.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Served  as  Under  Sheriff 
during  the  years  1873  and  1874,  as  Sheriff  in  1875-76,  and  again  in  1879  and  1880,  since  which  time  he 
is  again  Under  Sheriff.  He  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Mary  Kessler,  of  Port  Washington;  they  have  two 
children  living — Maggie  and  Frank. 

PHILIP  ECKEL,  merchant;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1824;  immigrated  with  his  parents  to 
the  United  States  in  1832  ;  was  shipwrecked  off  the  coast  of  Charleston,  S.  C-,  but,  in  a  few  days,  sailed 
for  Philadelphia,  where  the  family  resided  until  1837;  then  removed  to  Hancock,  Md.  ;  in  1839.  returned 
to  Pennsylvania  and  settled  at  McConnellsburg,  where  he  learned  the  mason's  trade.  In  1849,  he  was 
married  to  Mary  Kern.  In  tlie  fall  of  1854,  he  came  to  Port  Washington  ;  continued  his  trade  and  also 
taught  school ;  since  1S60,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  The  children  living  are  William, 
John  L.,  Henry  K.,  Ida,  Susan  and  Rollo. 

JUDGE  LEOPOLD  EGHART,  Port  Washington;  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Wisconsin  ; 
is  a  native  of  Austria,  born  in  1824;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1849,  and  settled  in  Washington 
Co.,  purchased  land  and  commenced  farming,  but  as  he  was  a  single  man,  he  did  not  admire  the  business, 
so  in  about  three  months  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Newburg,  which  he  continued  about  one 
year;  in  the  fall  of  1850,  he  came  to  Port  Washington  and  engaged  in  the  store  of  Joseph  Goldsmith  as 
clerk  and  bookkeeper,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1859  with  the  exception  of  about  eighteen  months  in 
the  years  of  1854-55,  when  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Newburg.  In  1859,  he  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  Court,  which  office  he  held  one  term,  when  he  again  returned  to  the  employ  of  Goldsmith  ; 
in  1867,  he  went  to  Cedarburg,  and  in  partnership  with  Fred  Horneffer,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness uuder  the  firm  name  of  Horneffer  &  Co.,  and  continued  the  same  until  1875,  at  which  time  they  dis- 
solved partnership,  and  Mr.  Eghart  was  employed  as  Deputy  Postmaster,  also  acting  as  agent  for  insurance 
companies,  sewing  machines,  etc.;  in  the  fill  of  1877,  he  was  elected  County  Judge,  which  office  he  now 
holds,  and  was  re-elected  in  the  spring  of  1881  without  opposition.  In  1850,  he  was  married  to  Anna 
HornefTer,  a  native  of  Lancaster,  Penn.;  they  have  six  children  living — Ida,  Adele,  Emaly,  Matie,  Albert 
and  Elsa. 

GEORGE  WARREN  FOSTER,  Port  Washington;  is  the  son  of  Jacob  Foster,  who 
was  of  English  and  Scotch  descent,  and  who  was  born  in  Connecticut.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  13,  1817,  and,  when  5  years  of  age,  removed  with  his  parents  to 
the  town  of  Mentz,  Cayuga  Co.;  at  the  age  of  15,  he  engaged  in  teaching  (being  then  in  appearance  a 
young  man  of  18  or  19  years)  ;  in  his  17th  year,  he  again  taught  school,  and  his  18th  year  was  spent  by 
studying  at  home  and  reciting  in  the  academy  at  Auburn,  which  was  about  five  miles  distant.  In  1837, 
he  entered  the  law  office  of  Seward  &  Beardsley,  afterward  Porter  &  Beardsley,  where  he  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1841,  during  which  time  he  served  as  Clerk  of  the  Courts  of  civil  and  criminal  jurisdic- 
tion ;  he  then  studied,  with  Judge  Hulbert  as  preceptor,  about  one  year,  acting  meantime  as  Deputy  Clerk 
of  the  United  States  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  New  York,  under  Judge  Conkling.  In  the  fall 
of  1842,  he  entered  the  Yale  Law  School  and  remained  one  year,  which  was  not  a  sufficient  time  to  per- 
mit him  to  graduate,  although  he  finished  all  the  studies  in  the  course.  Before  entering  Yale  College,  he 
had  saved  about  $1,000,  and  therefore  expected  to  be  able  to  procure  a  fine  library,  but,  having  loaned  the 
money  without  good  security,  he  lost  it.  After  being  admitted  to  the  bar,  on  his  return  from  college  he 
practiced  law  at  Port  Byron  two  years,  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and,  arriving  at  Milwaukee  Sept.  21. 
1845,  opened  a  law  office.  But  law  was  not  a  prafitable  pursuit  there  at  that  time.  In  December  of  that 
year,  he  went  to  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  he  selected  a  piece  of  land  and  engaged  to  work  in  a  lumbering 
camp  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  lumber  to  make  necessary  improvements  upon  it;  he  soon  returned  to 


"40  BIOGRAPHICAL   .SKETCHES: 

Milwaukee  to  see  that  his  library  was  well  cared  for  ;  on  his  way  back  to  the  lumbering  camp,  he  stopped 
at  Hamburg  ( now  Grafton),  and,  as  he  was  a  jolly  fellow,  he  sang  a  song  to  assist  in  passing  the  time  pleas- 
antly, and  being  a  good  singer,  of  course  interested  all  who  heard  him,  and  one  of  the  crowd,  Mr.  Coe 
(afterward  hie  father-in-law),  introduced  himself  to  Mr.  Foster  and  requested  him  to  apply  for  the  Port 
Washington  school,  as  they  were  in  need  of  a  teacher  at  that  place,  to  which  Mr.  Foster  replied  that  he  was 
already  engaged  in  a  lumbering  camp,  and  therefore  could  not  afford  to  waste  time  on  uncertainties;  but 
Mr.  Coe  was  so  well  pleased  with  him  that  he  spoke  to  the  School  Board,  and,  in  a  few  days,  wrote  Mr. 
Foster  at  the  camp  that  he  could  have  the  school,  and  as  VIr.  Foster  preferred  teaching  school  to  lumber- 
in-  tint  having  done  manual  labor  in  several  years),  he  at  once  came  to  Port  Washington  and  ac- 
cepted the  school  for  a  term  of  three  months  at  $9  per  month  and  board  ;  and  so  it  can  be  seen  that  the 
song  he  sang  at  Hamburg  no  doubt  changed  his  future  career.  In  the  fall  of  1846,  he  commenced  >nr- 
veying ;  also  did  conveyancing  and  what  other  law  business  came  before  him,  and  continued  the  same  until 
the  summer  of  1847,  when  he  was  taken  with  inflammation  of  the  eyes,  and  was  unable  to  do  business 
until  the  following  December;  he  then  resumed  surveying,  etc..  and  followed  the  same  until  1849,  by 
which  time  he  had  established  quite  a  law  practice,  and  therefore  gave  his  entire  time  to  his  profession.  In 
the  spring  of  lS50,he  purchased  land  on  the  Milwaukee  River,  built  a  sawmill,  started  the  present  village 
of  Waubeka,  and  the  following  winter  returned  to  Port  Washington  ;  in  May,  1879.  he  removed  to  Apple- 
ton,  when  his  nervous  system  became  so  broken  down  as  to  compel  him  to  drop  his  profession  ;  he  therefore 
returned  to  Port  Washington  in  October,  1880.  and  as  he  has  nearly  recovered,  he  expects  to  resume  law 
practice  again  soon.  He  is  a  Republican  ;  he  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  was  appointed  District 
Attorney  in  1862.  He  was  married,  Oct.  18,  1848,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Coe,  a  native  of  New  Y'ork,  born  at 
Leroy,  Genesee  Co..  N.  Y..  Oct.  23, 1830  ;  they  have  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — George 
('..  now  a  practicing  lawver,  of  Florence;  William  M..  a  photographer,  employed  in'Milwaukee;  Charles 
L.,  Annie  S.  and  Freddie  A.,  living  at  home. 

,14 HI  X  CwII.iSOX.  inventor  and  molder.  Port  Washington ;  his  father  is  a  native  of  Luxemburg; 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  and  lived  at  Milwaukee  until  1850,  at  which  time  he  settled  at 
Port  Washington,  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  liorn  in  Milwaukee  June  11.  1850,  and  as  the  family 
soon  moved  into  Ozaukee  Co.,  he  has  spent  his  life  at  Port  Washington.  At  the  age  of  10  year-,  he  en 
tered  his  father's  foundry  and  learned  the  molder's  trade,  which  he  still  Follows,  and,  since  1880,  has 
a  partner  with  his  father  and  brother.  In  1879,  he  invented  a  Stove-drum,  which  now  has  a  good  sale  in 
several  States,  and,  subsequently,  he  invented  a  haine  fastener,  which  was  patented  May  In.  1881.  He 
was  married  in  Ausust,  1873,  to  Lizzie  Rappold,  an  adopted  daughter  of  Hon.  Eugene  S.  Turner;  they 
have  five  children  —  Mary,  Emma.  Annie,  Johnnie  and  Maggie. 

JAMES  O'CrORMAN,  retired  farmer,  Sec.  18;  P.  0.  Port  Washington  ;  a  native  of  Ireland. 
born  in  County  Kilkenny  in  1815;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1844,  lauding  at  Boston  July  lti; 
was  a  resident  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  until  1848,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Porl  Washington.  He 
purchased  his  present  farm  of  80  acres,  but  soon  went  to  Racine  and  worked  a-  a  common  laborer  until 
1850,  by  which  time  he  hail  saved  money  enough  to  permit  him  to  commence  farming,  when  he  returned 
to  Ozaukee  Co.;  in  1877,  he  let  his  sons  work  the  place,  and,  in  187'.',  sold  them  the  same  Mr.  ()'<ior- 
man  was  married  in  1848,  to  Bridget  Doyle;  they  have  three  children — lolm,  (iarrct  and  Mary.  Re- 
ligion, Toman  Catholic. 

JAJIES  BEDDING,  attorney,  Port  Washington;  was  horn  in  Clintou  Co..  N.  V..  July  29, 
1829,  After  reoeiving  his  education,  he  learned  the  millwright  trade,  and,  in  L854,  came  to  Wisconsin, 
tir-t  settling  in  Washington  Co.  In  1861,  in  partnership  with  John  1!.  Kendall,  he  built  the  furniture 
manufactory  at  Waubeca,  and  operated  the  same  under  the  linn  name  of  Kendall  &  Hedding  about  ten 
years,  during  which  time,  in  1X04,  he  enlisted  in  Co,  <i.  1st  W.  II.  A.,  ami  served  until  the  close  of  the 
war  In  1871,  he  came  to  Porl  Washington,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  a  general  law  and  collection 
business,  and  is  at  present  serving  his  second  term  as  District  Attorney.  Was  married  in  1850,  to  Miss 
Catherine  Ackers,  a  native  of  Clinton  Co.,  N.  V.;  they  have  five  children — Rosamond,  James,  Adalbert, 
Fred  and  Lillie, 

.IOIIX  KAISFIt.  boots  anil  shoes;  horn  in  Luxemburg  in  1X14;  received  a  common-school 
education  ,    learned  the  Bhoemaker's  trade,  and,  in   1870,  emigrated  to  thi'  United  States,  and  worked  at  his 

trade  at  Chicago,  111 .  and  Menasha,  Wis.,  about  one  year ;  then  came  to  Porl  Washington  and  served  in 
the  employ  of  Andrew  Hein  one  year;  then  in  partnership  with  Jos.  Winger,  engaged  in  boot  and  shoe 
business,  which  they  continued  under  the  firm  name  of  Winger  \  Kaiser  for  four  years,  when  he  sold  to 
his  partner,  opened  a  new  store  and  has  since  been  doing  business  alone.  He  was  married  in  1  ^~o.  to 
Catherine  Dellefl ;   thev  have  three  children — John.  Frank  and  Katie. 


PORT   WASHINGTON.  741 

R.  C.  KANN,  lumberman.  Port  Washington  ;  was  born  at  Cologne,  Germany,  May  4,  1841  ; 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1844,  and  lived  at  Milwaukee  until  1859,  during  which 
time,  in  1854.  his  parents  died  of  cholera,  leaving  him  to  take  care  of  himself.  In  1859,  he  came  to  Port 
Washington,  and,  in  1861,  enlisted  in  Co.  K,  16th  W.  V.  I.,  jnd  served  one  year,  when  he  was  discharged 
on  account  of  physical  disabilities.  He  then  attended  a  commercial  college  at  Chicago,  where  he  graduated, 
and,  subsequently,  returned  to  Port  Washington,  and  again  clerked  in  a  store  until  1870,  at  which  date  he 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  and  continued  the  same  until  1874,  when  he  began  dealing  in  lumber.  He 
does  a  business  of  about  $15,000  annually.  In  1868,  he  was  married  to  Ella  A.  Lytle,  a  native  of  Wash- 
ington Co.,  N.  Y.;  they  have  two  children — Lottie  A.  and  Richard  C,  Jr.     Politics,  Republican. 

N.  KEMP,  firm  of  Kemp  &  Co.,  Port  Washington  ;  is  a  native  of  Luxemburg,  Germany  ;  born 
Dec.  20,  1827  ;  received  a  common-school  education  ;  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  and,  in  1846,  emi- 
grated to  America,  and  first  settled  in  Kenosha  Co.,  where  he  worked  one  year  on  a  farm  at  $8  per  month, 
then  chopped  wood  at  25  cents  per  cord;  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1849,  helped  operate  the  first  eight- 
horse  power  threshing-machine  in  Dane  Co.  In  March,  1850,  he  went  across  the  plains  to  California, 
where  he  remained  about  eighteen  months,  and  then  returned  to  Kenosha  Co.  Sept.  22,  was  married  to 
Miss  Susan  Kass,  a  native  of  Luxemberg,  Germany,  and  soon  afterward  removed  to  Jackson  Co.,  Iowa  ; 
purchased  land  and  followed  farming  until  1856,  when  he  again  returned  to  Kenosha,  and  purchased  a  farm. 
In  1858,  in  partnership  with  John  Deiedarich,  he  engaged  in  a  general  mercantile  business,  which  they 
carried  on  at  Kenosha  until  1860;  they  then  removed  to  Port  Washington,  and  continued  the  same  until 
1866,  at  which  time  Mr.  D.  sold  his  interest  to  Nicholas  Poull,  and  the  business  was  continued  under  the 
firm  name  of  Kemp  &  Poull  until  1870  ;  the  firm  then  built  a  malt  house,  and  ran  the  same  until  1873, 
at  which  time  Mr.  Kemp  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  continued  the  business  alone  until  fall,  when 
he  took  in  William  H.  Ramsey  as  a  partner.  He  is  married,  and  has  seven  children — -Elizabeth,  Barbara, 
Kate,  Mary,  John,  Melchur  and  Michael.  Mr.  Kemp  and  family  are  members  of  the  Roman  Catholio 
Church. 

JOHN  K  FvSSIjEK.  firm  of  Notting  &  Kessler;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1838  ;  came  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents  in  1844,  and  settled  in  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  lived  on  a  farm  with  his  parents 
in  the  town  of  Cedarburg.  In  February,  1S65,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  62d  111.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  The  year  1864,  he  spent  railroading  in  Arkansas.  In  1874.  in  partnership  with  Ber- 
nath  dotting,  commenced  the  hardware  business  in  which  they  are  now  engaged.  Mr.  Kessler  was  mar- 
ried in  1871  to  Mary  Schait.  Bernath  Notting  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1845  ;  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1855  ;  settled  at  Port  Washington  ;  followed  painting  three  years,  since  which  time  he  has  worked  at 
the  tinner's  trade.     Was  married  in  1870,  to  Fsrona  Cimmer;   have  two  children — Lizzie  and  Mary. 

ITLRICH  LANDOLT,  Port  Washington  ;  is  a  native  of  Switzerland  ;  born  in  1822  ;  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1846,  and  lived  in  New  York  City  until  May,  1848,  when  he  came  to  Wis- 
consin and  settled  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.,  which  town  at  that  time  embraced  nearly  all  of 
Ozaukee  and  Sheboygan  Cos.;  here  he  served  as  the  first  School  Trustee,  and  followed  farming  until  1853, 
passing  through  all  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life;  he  then  removed  to  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  and 
clerked  in  a  store;  also  acted  as  forwarding  clerk  on  the  lake  until  1858;  then  served  as  Deputy  County 
Treasurer  until  1862,  when  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer,  which  office  he  held  two  terms.  In  1866, 
he  engaged  in  flour  and  feed  business,  and  continued  the  same  until  1875,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
in  the  insurance  business.  Is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  lodge 
he  has  been  Secretary  from  1856  to  1862,  and  since  1875. 

WILLIA1I  H.  LANDOLT,  banker,  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  Heidelburg,  Ger- 
many, in  1S44;  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  in  1846  ;  lived  in  New  York  City  about 
two  years,  then  came  with  his  parents  to  Wisconsin,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  he 
received  a  good  common-school  education,  and  in  April,  1861,  enlisted  in  Co.  C,  5th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  taking  part  in  a  great  many  battles,  as  he  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
the  entire  time  ;  he  received  no  wound  to  amount  to  anything  until  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek,  April  6, 
1865  ;  here  he  received  a  gunshot  wound  just  above  the  knee  which  necessitated  amputation  of  his  left 
leg  near  the  hip;  after  the  war  he  returned  to  Port  Washington,  but  soon  entered  the  commercial  college 
of  Milwaukee,  where  he  graduated  in  1866,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  was  elected  County  Treas- 
urer of  Ozaukee  Co.,  which  office  he  held  until  1872,  since  which  time  he  has  been  the  partner  of  James 
W.  Vail  in  the  Ozaukee  County  Bank,  doing  a  general  banking  business  under  the  firm  name  of  James 
W.  Vail  &  Co.  In  1872,  Mr.  Landolt  was  married' to  Miss  Elizabeth  Kandihas,  who  died  in  September, 
1879,  leaving  two  children — Eddie,  oorn  Sept.  23,  1873,  and  Louise,  Aug.  9,  1875. 


742  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

S.  C.  FARSOX,  toucher  and  fanner.  Sec.  19;  P.  0.  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  Norway 
in  183i>;  was  educated  in  Norwegian  and  English  languages;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1844, 
and  first  settled  in  Chicago;  in  1859,  he  attended  Etathaway's  Academy,  after  which  he  taught  school 
winters  and  sailed  summers  until  1872,  durifg  which  time  in  1866,  he  removed  to  Port  Washington;  in 
1872,  he  went  to  Michigan  and  followed  book-keeping;  also  served  as  Town  Superintendent  of  Schools 
until  the  fall  of  1875;  be  then  returned  to  Fort  Washington,  and  has  since  lived  on  his  present  farm  of 
60  acres  which  he  purchased  in  L873;  be  still  teaches  school  during  the  winter  season.  He  was  married 
in  December,  1862,  to  Anna  Olson;  she  died  in  January,  lSlili.  leaving  one  child — Christian  O.  In 
April,  1871,  be  married  his  present  wife,  K.  Maria  Olson,  a  sister  of  Ids  first  wife;  their  children  are 
Isaac  Anton,  Jens  Thomas.  Martin.  Rachael  Mariah,  Gunhild  Elizabeth,  Carl  August  and  Anna  Johanna 
Politics,  Republican.  Has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  at  present  Secretary  of  the  Ozaukee  County 
Agricultural  Society,  which  was  established  in  1859.  Mr.  Larson  took  the  census  of  Port  Washington 
in  Hsu. 

NICHOLAS  MARTIN,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1817;  learned  the  molder's  trade. 
In  1847,  was  married  to  Mary  Hansen,  after  which,  in  1850,  he  came  to  the  United  Slates,  and  settled  in 
Ozaukee  Co  .  be  followed  farming  a  part  of  the  year  1850,  since  which  time  he  has 'worked  at  his  trade; 
in  1853,  he  pun  based  an  interest  in  a  foundry,  and  did  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Grilson  &  Martin  : 
in  1865,  1c  gold  lii>  interest  and  opened  his  present  foundry  which  he  ran  alone  two  years,  since  which 
time  the  firm  has  been  Martin  &  Wester.  In  18ti0.  his  wife  died,  leaving  two  children  -Nicholas  and 
Mary,  and  in  May,  1862,  he  married  his  present  wife,  Margaret  Wester.  Mr.  Martin  is  a  Democrat,  has 
held  local  office,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

JAMFS  MeCARTHV  is  a  native  of  Newfoundland;  born  in   1825;  received  a  common- 

education   and   followed   sailing   until    1849,  during   which   time,  in    1848,  he   was  married  to  Miss 

Mary  Ann  George,  of  Newfoundland;  he  then  came  to  Port  Washington,  purchased  80  acres  of  land  in 

Section    16  and   lived  on   the  same  until  1868,  since  which  time,  has  1 n  living  in  the  village  of  Port 

Washington.  Mr.  McCarthy  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  Assessor,  Clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  from  1862  to  1S66,  member  of  Assembly,  and  is  at  present  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Town 
Clerk  and  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  which  is  good  prooi  that  be  is  highly  esteemed  by  the 
citizens  of  bis  town. 

Al'Ul'ST  MFYFR,  firm  of  Meyer  &  Ackerman,  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  Baden. 
Germany,  in  1840,  and  when  5  years  of  age  was  adopt  id  into  tie'  family  of  bis  ancle,  Dominick  Meyer. 

with  whom  1 migrated  to  the  United  States  in  ISfti;  after  living  in  Milwauki ne  year,  be  settled  in 

the  town  of  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.,  where  he  remained  until  1854,  then  came  to  Fort  Washington,  and  in 
1S55,  commenced  work  at  the  tinner's  trade,  in  1858,  he  went  to  Milwaukee  where  be  followed  bis  trade 
until  I860,  then  returned  to  Port  Washington  and  served  in  the  employ  of  John  Desmond;  in  1864,  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  his  employer's  business  and  conducted  the  same  one  year  under  the  firm  name  of 

John  Desmond  &  Co  .  then  sold  his  interest  to  O.  P.  Melin,  and  served  in  the  employ  of  the  new  firm 
until  1867,  at  which  time  he  opened  a  new  hardware  business,  and  in  1809  took  in  Martin  Ackerman  as 
a  partner,  and  has  since  continued  the  business  under  the  linn  name  of  Meyer  &  Ackerman  ;  they  now 
carry  a  stock  of  (8,000  to  810,000,  which  is  the  largest  in  the  county.  Mr.  Meyer  is  a  Democrat  ;  was 
Register  of  Deeds  one  term,  and  i-  Chief  of  the  Fort  Washington  Fire  Department.  lie  was  married  in 
L865,  to  Mary  S.  Aekifman.  They  have  seven  children — Anton.  Leopold  J.,  Martin.  Mary  Anna.  Louisa, 
Oei  *ge  and   Frank   A. 

HOX.  CHARFFS  <».  ME  YE  B,  capitalist,  Port  Washington  .  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  and 
most  prominent  men  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  was  born  in  Saxony  Feb.  3,  ls27.  and.  with  his  parents,  came  to  the 

I  ii i  ed  State-  in  L843,  landing  at  Milwaukee;  with  his  brother,  he  started  on  foot  for  Mequon,  Ozaukee 
Co  .  where  they  at  once  commenced  clearing  land,  which  business  they  followed  in  Ozaukee  and  Sheboygan 
i  until  1850;  during  that  time,  they  cleared  1,400  .ere-,  for  which  they  received  $3.50  per  acre  and 
dinner,  or  s4  and  board  themselves;  when  they  burned  tin-  brush,  they  received  50  cents  extra  ;  but  all 

the  work  was  d in  one  year's   time.       In  1850,  be  was    married  to  Mens    Beger,  and    followed    farming 

in  the  town  of  Fredonia,  where  he  had  previously  purchased  land  ;  in  1859,  on  account  of  his  wife's  | ■ 

health,  lie  leased  his  farm,  moved  into  Fort  Washington,  and  served  as  County  Clerk  one  term;  then  kept 
I ks  f,,r  B.    Blake  until  September,  I  SOU;    he  then  removed  to  Madison,  where  he  kept  the  books  for  W. 

II  II  on-.  \ .  in  the  Bank  Comptroller's  office.       In   1864,  bis  wife  did.  leaving  three  children  — C.   B.,  now 

a  merchant  at  Waubeka;   F.rn>t  and  Herman  (the  latter  not  living).     In  .lime.  1865,  Mr.  Meyer  went  to 

Germany,  where  he  was   married  to  Mena    Helmert  ;    returned  to  Wisconsin    in    November,  ami    served  M 

Deputy    Itegister  of  D Is   of   Dam- C,,.  one  year;  he  then  removed  to   Watertown,  and,  in  partnership 


PORT  WASHINGTON.  743 

"with  Charles  Wesjemann,  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business,  which  was  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of 
Meyer  &  Wegeman,  about  eighteen  months;  then  removed  the  same  to  Waubeka,  Ozaukee  Co.,  where 
they  continued  until  1874,  at  which  date  they  sold  to  Meyer  &  Witt  ;  in  the  fall  of  1872,  Mr.  Meyer 
was  elected  County  Treasurer,  which  office  beheld  for  four  consecutive  terms,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
living  a  private  life  ;  he  also  served  in  the  Assembly  two  terms.  The  children  are  Richard,  Herman, 
Ernst  and  Martha. 

CHARLES  A.  MUELLER,  proprietor  of  Port  Washington  Tannery;  was  born  in  Germany 
in  1842;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1854;  lived  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  one  year,  then  came  to  Wis- 
consin, and  first  settled  at  Two  Rivers,  where  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  and,  in  1861,  came  to  Port 
Washington;  continued  his  trade  until  18(33,  when  he  commenced  business  at  Sheboygan  Falls,  and  con- 
tinued the  same  at  that  place  until  1872,  since  which  time  he  has  been  in  business  in  Port  Washington  ; 
in  1880,  he  built  his  present  tannery,  which  has  all  the  latest  improvements  for  making  rough  leather,  and 
now  tans  about  20.000  sides,  uses  800  cords  of  bark,  employs  ten  men,  and  does  a  business  of  $50. Olio 
annually.  Mr.  Mueller  was  married,  in  I860,  to  Barbara  Wolf;  they  have  five  children — Louise,  Char- 
ley, Harry,  Louis  and  Ida. 

JOHN  NEUENS  was  born  in  Luxemburg  in  1831  ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852  ; 
was  a  resident  of  Ohio  about  eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  settled  in  Port  Washington  and 
for  about  four  years  was  in  the  employ  of  B.  Blake,  as  foreman,  building  roads,  etc.,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  in  the  saloon  business  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  when  he  was  at  Waubeka,  engaged  in  a  flour- 
ing-miil.  He  is  a  Democrat ;  since  1868,  has  been  Town  Treasurer,  and  is  at  present  Coroner,  which  office 
he  has  held  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  married,  in  1854,  to  Margaret  Seil ;  their  children  are  Louise, 
Minnie,  Freddie,  Sisilie  and  Otto. 

E.  H.  J.  OIJL  A  I>E\.  teacher,  Port  Washington  ;  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  born  in  1824  ;  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1842,  landing  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  the  month  of  August  ;  he  at 
once  proceeded  up  the  Hudson  River  to  Fort  Plain  ;  there  he  spent  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  removed 
to  Utica,  and,  as  he  was  educated  in  the  English  as  well  as  the  German  language,  he  taught  school  one 
year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  stopped  with  his  old  friend  and  school- 
mate, Hubert  Kurt,  about  two  months  ;  then  came  with  his  father  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  located  land  in  the 
town  of  Belgium  ;  here  he  helped  his  father  clear  several  acres,  but  he  concluded  to  go  to  Milwaukee  and 
engage  in  some  business  which  would  furnish  ready  cash  ;  arriving  in  the  city,  he  made  arrangements  to 
work  for  H.  H.  Harriss  at  the  rate  of  $6  per  month  and  board,  with  the  privilege  of  attending  school  one- 
half  of  each  day,  and,  as  he  gave  good  satisfaction,  he  remained  in  Mr.  Harris'  employ  until  1850,  during 
which  time  he  acted  as  book-keeper,  and  had  his  salary  raised  to  $75  per  month  ;  in  1850,  he  returned  to 
Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  taught  school  in  that  town  until  1854,  since  which  time  he  has  been  teaching 
in  the  school  at  Cornellsville,  with  the  exception  of  four  years,  which  time  he  spent  as  teacher  in  the  Port 
Washington  Schools,  and  one  year  which  he  spent  in  the  United  States  service,  he  being  drafted,  in  1862, 
into  Co.  C,  34th  W.  V.  I.,  and  mustered  out  as  Lieutenant  in  1863.  Mr.  Obladen  was  married,  in  1850, 
to  Margaret  Poff,  of  Columbus,  Wis.;  they  have  six  children — Hubert  A.  (a  printer  in  Milwaukee),  Hel- 
len,  Margaret,  Lizzie,  Frank  and  John. 

JOHN  OLI  \ii  ER.  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Port  Washington,  was  born  Luxemburg, 
County  Echternach,  village  Beaufort,  Europe,  in  1838;  when  three  years  of  age,  his  father  died,  and.  as 
his  mother  was  poor,  he,  when  10  years  of  age,  went  to  work  lor  farmers,  which  he  continued  until  23 
years  of  age;  the  year  1863,  he  spent  in  Paris,  and  in  1864  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  at  once 
settled  at  Port  Washington,  where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  one  year;  then  went  north  and 
worked  in  the  mines  of  Lake  Superior  until  Sept.  29,  1865,  when  he  returned  to  Port  Washington  and 
attended  the  public  schools  three  months,  after  which  he  worked  in  the  store  of  Joseph  Goldsmith.  In 
January,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Theresa  Pelt,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Catharine  (Schumacher)  Pelt, 
and  spent  the  following  year  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Pelt;  on  May  1,  1870,  he  removed  to  Manitowoc, 
where  he  engaged  in  business  until  December,  1872,  when  he  returned  to  Port  Washington,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  general  mercantile  business,  dealing  extensively  in  farm  produce,  wheat,  etc.,  etc.  The 
children  living  are  John,  Peter,  Mary,  John,  Katie,  Mary,  Theresa  and  Maggie. 

WILLIAM  A.  PORS,  attorney  at  law,  Port  Washington  ;  a  native  of  Hamburg,  born  Nov. 
17,  1827  ;  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1849,  and  settled  in  Washington  Co.,  where  he  followed 
farming  one  year  ;  served  as  clerk  in  the  Register  of  Deeds'  office  one  year  ;  he  then  went  to  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  commenced  the  study  of  law  with  Stephen  Crosby,  of  Francistown,  with  whom  he  remained 
about  one  year,  then  went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  and  continued  his  study,  with  Judge  Crosby  as  preceptor, 
until  December,  1853,  at  which  time,  on   motion  of  B.  F.  Butler,  he  was  admitted  to   the  bar,  and  soon 


T44  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

after  returned  to  Port  Washington,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  law  practice.     He  was  Draft  Commis-" 
sioner  during  1862,  and  has  been  District  Attorney  several  terms.     He  was  married,  in  1  S5!».  to  Miss  Ida 
Heineniann.  a  native  of  Hanover.     They  have  one  child — Emil  C,  now  a  practicing  lawyer  at  Oshkosh. 

N.  POIIjLj,  merchant.  Port  Washington;  was  burn  in  Luxemburg,  Germany,  April  18,  1832; 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and,  in  1848,  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  settling  at  Chicago,  where 
he  followed  his  trade  until  1858,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Port  Washington  ;  he  was  engaged  in  the 
saloon  business  eight  years ;  he  was  then  engaged  in  mercantile  business  with  N.  Kemp  until  1870,  at 
which  time  the  firm  built  the  malt-house  and  did  a  malting  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Kem  &  Poull, 
until  1873,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Kemp,  since  which  time  he  has  been  doing  a  general  mercan- 
tile business.  He  was  married,  in  1853,  to  Miss  Barbara  Adam,  a  native  of  Luxemburg;  they  have  six 
children — Nicholas.  George,  Mary,  Rosa,  Julia  and  Louise.  The  members  of  the  family  belong  to  the 
Catholic  Church. 

M.  (jr.  Rl'PPERT.  Port  Washington  ;  a  uativeof  Luxemburg,  Germany  ;  he  was  born  in  1848, 
and,  the  following  year  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States,  who  came  direct  to  Wisconsin 
and  settled  twelve  miles  north  of  Port  Washington  ;  here  he  grew  up  and  attended  school  ;  in  I860,  he 
went  to  Kenosha  Cm.  where  he  followed  farming  one  year;  he  then  returned  to  Port  Washington  and  fol- 
lowed steamboating  fas  waiter  boyO  for  one  season.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C.  34th  W.  V. 
I.,  and  served  one  year,  and.  March  111.  1864,  he  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  Co.  A,  38th  W.  V.  I.,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war;  he  was  one  of  the  first  men  who  entered  Fort  Mahone  at  the  time  of 
its  aptnre.  Returning  to  Port  Washington,  he  was  appointed  as  Deputy  Sheriff',  which  position  he  filled 
until  the  spring  of  1866,  at  which  time  he  resigned,  went  to  Menominee,  Mich,  and  served  as  porter  in  a 
boarding-house  about  four  months.  Again  returning  to  Port  Washington,  he  clerked  in  a  store  one  year. 
then  went  to  Chicago  and  followed  auctioneering;  in  1869,  he  was  called  to  Port  Washington  to  act  as 
Under  Sheriff,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  the  fall  of  1872,  when  he  was  elected  Sheriff  and  served 
one  term;  he  then  served  as  I'nder  Sheriff'  until  the  fall  of  1S76,  after  which  he  followed  auctioneering 
and  collecting  about  one  year  ;  in  the  fall  of  1877,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Court,  in  which  office  lie 
is  now  serving  his  second  term  ;  dining  the  years  1S71  and  1872.  Mr.  Ruppert  also  served  as  Town  Clerk, 
and,  in  1n72.  collected  the  first  money  for  the  Port  Washington  harhor.  In  the  summer  of  1880,  he  took 
an  extensive  trip  among  the  Rocky  Mountains  for  the  purpose  of  improving  his  health.  On  the  9th  day 
of  December,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Flamming,  a  native  of  Luxemburg,  Germany,  born 
June  1.").  1848;  they  have  three  children — Louise,  Maggie  and  Rosa 

MA  J.  JOHN  €.  SCHROELIWw,  County  Clerk;  is  a  native  of  Germany;  was  born  in 
1816,  and.  in  1830,  entered  the  military  school  ;  was  in  the  war  of  1848,  serving  as  Lieutenant  ami  after- 
ward promoted  Captain.  In  1853,  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  ami  settled  at  Cedarhurg.  <  )zaukee 
Co.,  where  he  \va  il  in  the  grocery  business,  etc.,  until  1859,  during  which  time,  in  1854,  he  organ- 

ized the  Singer  Society,  the  Cedarburg  Rifle  Company  (of  which  he  was  Captain),  and  the  Turner  So- 
ciety; lie  then  came  to  I'ort  Washington,  engaged  in  hotel  business,  and,  in  December,  1859,  organized 
the  Singer  Society,  of  which  he  was  leader,  and,  the  following  year  he  organized  the  Turner  Society. 
May  1  f.  1861,  lie  was  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Co.  C,  5th  W.  V.  I.,  ami.  in  December  of  the 
same  year,  was  promoted  Major  of  the  3d  W.  V.  C.,  and  served  until  March,  1865.  Returning  home. 
In'  was  appointed  Deputy  Ke-ister  of  Deeds,  and,  in  the  tall  of  the  same  year,  elected  Register  of  Deeds, 
which  office  held  two  terms.  He  was  proprietor  of  the  Union  House  from  1868  to  1S7.Y  In  1872,  he 
was  elected  County  Clerk,  which  office  he  has  since  held.  He  was  married,  in  1843,  to  Margaret  Mord- 
horst.  They  have  had  nine  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — Minnie,  now  Mrs.  John  Druecker,  of 
( Ihicago. 

IIHXRY  It.  SC'IIWIN.  Port  Washington;  wasl.omin  Prussia  March  1,  I844,and,in  1845, 
was  brought  by  lii-  parents  to  Ozaukee  Co.;  at  the  end  of  one  year,  the  family  moved  into  Washington 
Co..  where  he  was  educated  in  both  English  and  German  languages,  ami  helped  upon  the  farm  until  1863; 
lie  then  attended  tic  State  University,  Madison,  three  terms,  after  which  he  followed  teaching  school  until. 

1874,    it   which  time  he  removed    to    Port   Washington,  and    has   since   been    keeping  the  Union    BoUSi     in 

partnership  with  John  Sievers.  He  was  married,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Barbara  Brenner,  a  native  of  New 
York  State,  born  in  1849;  they  have  five  children — Mary,  Katie,  Lena,  Rosa  and  Amelia.  Mr.  Schwin 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  Was  Town  Clerk  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Washington  Co.,  which  offices 
be  resigned  on  removing  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  is  at  present  serving  his  fourth  term  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
..f   I'ort  Washington. 

JACOB  SCIIUMAC'HFR,  proprietor  of  Port  Washington  Ma.-I.le  and  Granite  Works;  is  a 
son  of  l>.  Schumacher,  a  native  of  Luxemburg,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  and  settled 


PORT    WASHINGTON.  745 

at  Port  Washington.  Here  Jacob  was  born  in  1857,  and  received  a  common-school  education  in  both 
English  and  German.  At  the  age  of  18,  he  commeuced  work  at  his  trade  as  marble  worker,  which  he 
completed  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1878.  Since  that  time,  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  at  Port  Wash- 
ington.    He  has  fouj  brothers  living — Frank,  Nicholas,  Toner  and  John,  all  of  whom  are  older  than  he. 

LA  FAYrETTE  TOWSLBV,  lawyer;  was  born  at  Williamstown,  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y., 
July  8,  1824  ;  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  district  school  until  16  years  of  age.  He  then  clerked 
for  a  small  trader  a  short  time,  and  subsequently  attended  the  Mexico  Academy  ;  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Munger  &  Stewart,  at  Camden,  N.  Y. ;  taught  school  for  three  winters,  receiving  one  of  the  first  certificates, 
and  that  a  perpetual  one,  issued  under  the  County  School  Superintendent's  system  of  New  York.  After 
engaging  in  one  or  two  enterprises,  and  meeting  with  but  poor  success,  about  Aug.  1,  1847,  he  came  to 
Port  Washington.  He  taught  the  village  school  the  following  winter,  and  the  year  after  was  admitted  to 
practice  as  an  attorney  at  law  ;  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Court  the  same  year,  and  held  the  office  three 
terms;  has  been  District  Attorney  Clerk,  Chairman,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Court  Commissioner,  and  is  at 
present  County  Surveyor,  which  office  he  has  held  with  one  exception  for  twenty  (20)  years.  He  has 
been  a  Democrat  for  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen  years ;  but  takes  little  interest  in  local  politics.  He  was 
married,  Sept.  1,  1851,  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Calkins  at  Richland,  N.  Y.  The  children  are  Alice  J.,  Fred- 
rick A.,  Charles  D.,  Henry  A.  and  Robert  B.  Charles  is  a  cadet  at  West  Point;  Fredrick  A.  is  married, 
and  resides  at  Kaukauna.  Mr.  T.  owns  the  suburban  residence  on  the  hill  just  west  of  the  depot,  where 
he  has  resided  for  the  last  twenty-nine  years. 

HON.  EUGENE  S.  TURNER,  was  born  at  East  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  June  14,  1824.  His 
lather  was  Hon.  Joseph  Turner,  who  was  married  to  Mary  Griswold,  at  Sangerfield,  Oneida  Co.,  N.  Y., 
in  1816.  He  served  honorably  in  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain  and  received  in  later  years  his  bounty  and 
pension  for  the  same.  The  lather  died  at  Menasha,  in  1 874,  after  nearly  sixty  years  of  public  service.  The 
mother  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  85  with  her  oldest  son,  Dr.  Joseph  H.  Turner,  at  Berlin, 
Wis.  The  11th  of  May,  1840,  the  parents,  with  their  family  of  one  daughter  and  four  sons,  Eugene 
being  the  third  in  years,  arrived  at  Milwaukee  Bay  and  landed;  within  three  weeks  from  that  time,  they 
had  located  upon  320  acres  of  Government  land,  three  miles  west  of  Prairieville  (now  Waukesha),  where 
they  built  a  log  house  and  lived  for  two  years,  until  a  frame  house  could  be  provided.  There  were  at 
that  time  but  three  settlers'  houses  on  the  trail  between  their  cabin  and  Aztalan  on  Rock  River,  west,  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles.  For  nearly  four  years,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  toiled  early  and  late  on  that 
new  farm  in  a  manner  such  as  none  but  pioneers  can  endure  or  understand,  with  a  thousand  youthful 
annoyances,  hindrances,  hopes  and  pleasures  interspersed.  He  had  been  thus  far  educated  at  private 
schools  and  at  the  Oswego  Academy,  but  during  all  of  this  period  of  toil,  and  afterward,  he  laid  under 
contribution  every  available  resource  to  prepare  himself  for  the  legal  profession.  After  nearly  two  years 
in  the  office  of  Hon.  Alexander  W.  Randall,  afterward  Governor  and  Postmaster  General,  he  spent  nearly 
a  year  in  Milwaukee  as  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  United  States  District  Court  under  Cyrus  Hawley,  Esq., 
and  in  the  law  office  of  Messrs.  Tweedy  &  Crocker,  Mr.  Tweedy  then  being  the  delegate  from  Wisconsin 
Territory  in  Congress  until  June,  1846,  when  he,  with  Hon.  A.  R.  R.  Butler,  of  Milwaukee,  passed  a 
creditable  examination  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  city.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  he  located 
at  Grafton,  Washington  Co.  In  the  succeeding  winter,  Session  of  1846-47,  he  was  at  Madison,  Assistant 
Secretary  of  the  Territorial  Executive  Council  under  the  then  celebrated  Thomas  McHugh.  With  his 
pay  for  this  service,  he  bought  the  commencement  of  a  law  library.  In  1848,  be  was  a  candidate  for 
District  Attorney  of  Washington  County,  but  was  defeated  a  few  votes  by  Samuel  H.  Alcox.  In  1849, 
after  a  severe  and  very  spirited  contest,  on  account  of  his  youthful  appearance,  he  was  elected  to  the  Leg- 
islative Assembly,  where  he  served  the  succeeding  winter  with  credit,  and  some  notoriety  in  the  contest  on 
the  county  seat  question,  and  as  Chairman  of  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  House.  He  gave  marked 
evidence  of  a  very  successful  future  political  career.  In  1850,  he  was  Democratic  nominee  and  elected 
District  Attorney  for  Washington  County,  over  Leland  Stanford  by  a  majority  of  more  than  600  ;  Stan- 
ford was  then  practicing  law  at  Port  Washington.  Soon  after  his  defeat,  he  moved  to  California,  and 
subsequently  became  the  wealthiest  individual  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  He  has  been  Governor  of  California  ; 
was  one  of  the  projectors  and  the  first  President  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  and  drove  the  golden 
spike  which  bound  with  an  iron  band  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  He  is  now  the  President  of  that  cor- 
poration. The  salary  of  District  Attorney  at  that  time  was  fixed  at  $300  per  year,  but  so  efficiently  had 
they  been  performed,  and  so  regardless  of  personal  considerations,  that  the  County  Board  voted  Mr. 
Turner  a  bonus  of  8100.  In  1852,  Mr.  Turner  was  again  the  regular  Democratic  nominee  for  District 
Attorney,  and  for  his  outspoken  zeal  in  behalf  of  friends  and  of  local  measures,  his  canvass  was  so  close 
that  he  was  regarded  as  defeated,  until  the  official  count  two  weeks  after  election. 


740  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Iu  1853,  Washington  Co.  was  divided,  and  Mr.  Turner  was  by  no  means  idle  in  opposing  what  was  to 
him  known  aa  a  flagrant  violation  of  the  popular  will;  he  continued  actively  opposed  to  the  operation  of 
the  law  for  a  division  until  he  had  fully  tested  the  constitutionality  of  the  act  of  the  .Supreme  Court  at  the 
June  term,  1853,  in  a  mandamus  on  Circuit  Judge  Larrabee  (See  1st  Wisconsin  Reports,  p.  200,  reported 
as  Powers  vs.  Larrabee  |,  it  was  really  E.  S.  Turner  vs.  Larrabee  ;  but  afterward  two  separate  motions  for 
a  mandamus  were  combined,  and  as  such  presented  to  the  Court  ;  this  question  having  been  settled  by  the 
highest  authority  in  the  Commonwealth,  Mr.  Turner  advised  and  acted  a  full  acquiescence  without  chang- 
ing his  own  view  of  its  merits,  or  of  the  legal  or  constitutional  questions  involved.  The  different  localities 
competing  for  the  permanent  location  of  the  county  seat  had  caused  divisions  among  the  voters,  and  really 
controlled  and  influenced  them  in  the  elections  for  ten  years,  and  led  to  the  division  act,  in  all  of  which 
Contest,  from  1845,  Mr.  Turner  had  borne  a  prominent  part. 

After  the  division  of  the  county  became  a  fixed  fact,  there  was  one  more  question  to  settle,  and  that 
was  the  constitutional  question  as  to  the  location  of  the  county  seat  of  the  county  of  Ozaukee,  under  the 
division  act,  Mr.  Turner  claiming  that  it  should  be  at  Grafton.  This  question  was  fully  tested  in  the  Su- 
preme Court  at  the  December  term.  1853  (See  Wis.  Sup.  Court  Reports,  Vol.  II,  page  .VI'-'.  Att'y  Gen. 
ex-rel.  E.  S.  Turner  vs.  John  Fitzpatrick  |,  in  which  Mr.  Turner  made  an  able  argument  sustaining  his 
view  of  Sec.  8  of  Article  L3  of  the  State  Constitution.  In  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1 S54,  he  made  a 
trip  to  Europe  on  business  and  pleasure  combined,  and  traveled  extensively  in  Great  Britain  and  on  the 
Continent.  In  the  fall  of  that  year,  he  was  again  elected  District  Attorney,  and  served  another  term  of 
two  years.  In  1856,  having  lost  confidence  in  the  administration  of  State  affairs,  and  viewing  with  die 
the  uncertainty  of  political  recognition  for  merit,  he  in  a  great  measure  withdrew  from  political  activity 
and  devoted  himself  to  his  profession  and  business  therewith  connected  ;   but  was  always  found  ]  unccd 

and  certain  on  all  the  important  measures  of  the  day.  At  the  breaking-out  of  the  rebellion,  and  ail  through 
the  war,  he  was  for  its  suppression  by  furnish i  _  men  and  means  without  limit  or  carping  criticism,  and 
ever  after  the  war  closed  it  has  been  his  frequent  boast,  "  that  during  those  troublesome  times,  his  voice 
was  never  known  to  give  forth  any  uncertain  sound,  and  that  he  had  never  been  known  to  draw  a  disloyal 
breath."  In  1862,  he  was  anion.;  those  drafted  from  Ozaukee  Co.  After  three  weeks  remaining  in  Camp 
Washburn,  near  Milwaukee,  he  had  a  recurrence  of  rheumatism,  of  which  he  had  been  for  weeks  at  a  time 
in  his  pioneer  Hie  a  sufferer,  and  became  satisfied  that  he  could  not  endure  army  life,  and  so  procured  a 
substitute;  that  same  year,  in  September,  be  had  helped  at  Janesville  to  organise  what  was  then  dis- 
tinguished as  the  War  Democracy;  it  afterward  became  entirely  merged  in  and  made  a  permanent  Buceess 
of  the  Republican  Party  of  the  State,  and  ever  since  such  a  union,  he  has  been  known  and  recognized 
throughout  the  State,  as  a  thorough,  active,  and  certain  Republican  in  the  stronghold  of  Democracy,  ever 
ready  to  aid  his  party  organization  with  time  and  means  and  argument  :  leu  never  asking  or  accepting  any 
political  patronage  therefor.  In  1863,  he  moved  to  Port  Washington,  retaining  a  large  share  of  the  real 
that  lie  had  accumulated  in  and  neur  Grafton  ;  be  has  remained  at  Port  Washington  Bince  that  time 

in  the  constant  attention  upon  bis  professional  business,  except  two  year-  atel  a  half  that  he  spent  with  his 
family  in  Chicago  and  Waukesha,  and  a  place  that  be  had  built  up  and  largely  invested  in  on  the  east  shore 
of  Lake  Michigan  called  Turner's  Port.  As  a  lawyer  and  advocate,  he  has  made  more  than  an  average 
success.  The  preserved  records  of  the  courts  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee  and  adjoining  counties,  and  the 
volumes  of  his  own  printed  arguments  and  the  files  of  his  written  arguments  and  briefs  attest  his  perseverance 

and  ability,  and  furnish  an  encomium    greater  than  any  written  biography.      There  arc  many  of  a  lawyer's 

ablest  and  most  effective  and  creditable  efforts  that  never  make  any  distinctive  mark  in  any  history,  and  in  a 
brief  peril. il  are  even  lost  to  a  casual  remembrance.  In  addition  to  his  professional  engagements,  be  assisted 
gratuitously  on  the  editorial  pages  of  almost  every  one  of  the  lift  ecu  papeis  that  have  been  published  in  Wash- 
ington and  Ozaukee  Cos.,  and  has  been  a  regular  correspondent  for  some  of  the  larger  city  dailies,  besides 
having  had  the  principal  ag<  ncy  in  establishing  three  of  them  within  the  pn  si  til  limits  of  <  Izauka  Ci  He 
has  been  frequently  Bought  alter  for  lectures,  addresses  and  paper.-,  on  a  great  variety  of  subjects  and  ocoa- 
rarely  failing  to  respond  with  laborious  and  well-considered  effort.  Although  certain  and  emphatic  in 
i,  or  with  the  pen,  it  can  be  said  of  him.  as  of  but  few,  that  he  has  very  seldom  if  ever  place  d  up  n  pa- 
per, or  in ] print .  any  of  his  Utterances  in  a  manner  that  might  cause  him  future  I  iino_\ancc.      Mr.  Turn,  r  was 

married,  in  1850,  to  Frances  II  K  .  eldest  daughti  r  ol  Elijah  Gove, of  Waukesha,  by  whom  he  has  had  four 
children,  only  two  of  whom  survive.  They  are  foih  daughters,  and  arc  Milled  in  life.  He  has  ever  been 
temperate  and  a  promoti  r  of  religious  and  moral  efforts,  careful  m  t  to  carry  Buch  sentiments  t..  the  exti  nt  of 
narrowness  or  bigotry,  and  although  uniting  with  other  denominations  cheerfully  and  cordially  in  their 
services,  ha-  always  be<  m  iii  si  otiment  and  view-  of  church  disci]. line  a  Baptist.  In  fact,  in  all  ol  his  life's 
work,  whether  at  the  bar  or  otherwise  a  measure,  a  principle  with  him,  has  uniformly  taken  the  lead  to  tbe 


PORT    WASHINGTON.  747 

exclusion  of  personal  considerations  of  himself  or  others,  at  the  same  time,  he  was  facetious  without  being 
offensive  in  character.  Below  the  medium  height  in  stature,  but  while  fearless,  was  winning  and  persua- 
sive in  business  or  personal  intercourse.  Verily,  the  world  will  be  better  for  his  having  lived.  But  for 
his  care  in  the  preservation  of  files  of  papers,  and  law  documents,  and  his  memory  to  explain  events,  a  lib- 
eral share  of  the  general  and  of  the  special  histories  within  these  pages  would  have  been  wanting  and  lost 
to  the  future  reader. 

JAMES  W.  VAIE  stands  conspicuous  among  the  prominent  men  of  Washington  and  Ozaukee 
Counties,  both  on  account  of  his  character  and  success  in  life.  His  forefathers  were  among  the  Quakers, 
who  landed  on  the  shores  of  America  some  two  hundred  years  ago.  His  parents  were  natives  of  the  Slate 
of  New  York,  and  he  was  born  in  Onondaga  Co.  in  1826.  IT  is  early  years  were  spent  attending  common 
schools  and  neighboring  academies;  and,  at  the  age  of  17,  he  turned  his  attention  to  printing,  which  trade 
he  learned  and  followed,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  which  he  spent  at  the  State  Normal  School  at, 
Albany  until  1848,  when  he  came  to  Port  Washington.  During  the  first  year,  be  did  not  engage  in  any 
particular  business;  and  in  July,  1849,  returned  to  New  York,  where  he  remained  until  fall.  Again 
coming  West,  he  worked  a  short  time  at  Sheboygan;  then  went  to  Madison,  and  was  employed  in  the 
printing  office  of  Beriah  Brown  until  the  following  spring,  at  which  time  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
Washington  County  Blade,  published  at  Port  Washington,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  the 
spring  of  1853,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner,  It.  A.  Bird.  At  this  date,  Washington  Co. 
was  divided ;  the  new  county  of  Ozaukee  formed,  and  Mr.  Vail  appointed  Deputy  County  Treasurer 
under  John  Fitzpatrick,  who  left  him  in  special  charge  of  the  office.  While  serving  in  this  capacity, 
he  was  also  Deputy  County  Clerk,  and  in  those  years  laid  the  foundation  for  his  future  career.  It 
was  then  that  he  commenced  loaning  money,  furnishing  exehang  •>  merchants,  etc.;  and,  in  1856, 
in  partnership  with  S.  A.  White  and  Lyman  Dowd,  established  a  bank  ;  but  when  the  panic  of  \*~u 
came  on,  his  partners  withdrew,  and  so  Mr.  Vail  continued  the  business  alone,  meeting  with  marked 
success;  in  ls73,  he  associated  William  II .  Landolt  with  him  an  a  partner,  with  whom  he  has  since 
continued  doing  a  general  banking  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  James  II.  Vail  &  Co.  Mr.  Vail 
has  been  intrusted  with  several  important  financial  transactions,  the  most  prominent  of  which  are  admin- 
istrator of  the  large  estate  of  Judge  S.  A.  White  (his  former  partner),  of  Whitewater;  executor  of  the 
estate  of  George  C.  Daniels,  and  guardian  of  some  of  the  minor  heirs  of  Henry  Thien.  On  the  -1th  day 
of  April,  1881,  E.  Schumacher  &  Sons,  proprietors  of  the  Western  Malleable  and  Gray  Iron  Works 
Foundry,  made  an  assignment;  and,  as  Mr.  Vail  had  claims  to  the  amount  of  several  thousand  dollars  on 
the  same,  he  associated  H.  VV.  Lyman  with  him  as  a  partner,  reopened  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
H.  W.  Lyman  &  Co.,  and,  as  soon  as  matters  can  be  got  into  proper  shape,  expect  to  employ  125  men 
Mr.  Vail  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party.  lie  was  married,  in  1859,  to  Miss  Celestia  M. 
Beals,  then  of  Port  Washington,  but  formerly  of  Michigan,  and  they  now  have  three  children — Mary  B., 
Frank  W.  and  James  D. 

PETER  WATRY,  farmer,  Sec.  19;  P.  0.  Port  Washington;  was  born  at  sea  during  the 
voyage  of  his  parents  to  this  country,  June  19,  1847,  and  spent  his  younger  years  on  a  farm  in  the  town 
of  Belgium.  In  1867,  he  was  married  to  Catherine  Young,  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  80  acres, 
and  has  since  been  working  the  same.  The  children  are  John,  Domnie,  Peter,  Anna,  Nicholas,  Elizabeth, 
Leo  Frank.  Is  a  Democrat,  and  is  at  present  Assessor,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1877.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

THEO.  J.  WERLE,  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  I  Mampel)  Werle.  He  was  born  at  Port 
Washington,  Nov.  9,  1862  :  received  a  common-school  education  in  both  English  and  German  languages, 
also  studied  music,  and,  in  February,  1881,  entered  the  post  office  as  <  lerk  and  now  has  entire  charge 
most  of  the  time.     Mr.  Werle  is  a  bright  young  man  of  good  habits  and  one  who  has  many  friends. 

JOIIX  P.  WEYKER,  Sheriff.  Port  Washington;  was  born  in  Belgium  Dec.  10,  1836; 
brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  in  1848;  lived  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.,  until 
1865  ;  then  came  to  Port  Washington:  served  as  Under  Sheriff  one  term;  then  as  Constable  two  years, 
and  as  Jailer  six  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  Peshtigo,  where  he  followed  lumbering  and 
railroading.  In  1871,  he  was  burned  out  by  the  great  prairie  fire.  He  then  returned  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  and 
leaving  his  family  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  returned  to  Peshtigo  and  followed  lumbering  until  June.  1  372 
he  then  began  farming  and  railroading  in  Ozaukee  Co.  until  December,  the  following  year,  when  be  was 
employed  in  the  lumber  yards  of  Port  Washington,  and  worked  in  a  store  ;  since  October,  1874,  he  has 
been  engaged  in  saloon  business.  He  was  Under  Sheriff  during  the  years  1877  and  1878,  and,  in  the  fall 
of  1880,  was  elected  Sheriff.      He  was  married  in  1858,  to  Anna  Lecher,  a  native  of  Holland  ;  they  have 


748  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

had  twelve  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  living— Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Hubert  Knepprath,  of  Milwau- 
kee ;   Nicolas,  Susan  and  Peter. 

JIICTIAEE  WEYKKR,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Port  Washington  ;  is  a  native  of 
Luxemburg,  Germany;  born  in  December,  1836;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1847,  and  lived  with 
his  parents  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.  until  I860,  at  which  time  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Wester  ;  then  purchased  land,  and  followed  farming  about  two  years;  then  lived  near  Lake  Superior  one 
year  when  he  returned  to  Belgium  and  continued  farming  In  1868,  he  again  removed  to  the  Lake  Su- 
perior country,  and  remained  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1872,  he  came  to  Port  Washington, 
and  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  J.  P.  Weyker,  did  a  general  mercantile  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  Weyker  Bros.  In  1 S79,  he  purchased  his  brother's  interest,  and  has  since  conducted  the  business  alone. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics ;  has  been  Treasurer  of  the  town  of  Belgium,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  The  children  living  are  John,  Nicholas,  Melchur,  Mary,  John  P.,  Rosa,  Lizzie,  Michael 
and  Margaret. 

REV.  FR.  HEXRY  WILJIES,  Port  Washington  ;  was  born  in  Luxemburg,  Germany, 
Dec.  25,  184+ ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1857;  came  direct  to  Wisconsin,  first  settling  in 
Dodge  Co.  In  I860,  he  entered  St.  Francis  Seminary,  near  Milwaukee,  and  December,  1868.  was 
ordained  as  priest,  and  was  first  stationed  at  Sun  Prairie,  where  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  came 
to  Port  Washington,  and  has  since  been  Pastor  of  St.  Mary's  Church. 

Bf.  VOl'N{w,  Port  Washington;  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  leading  druggists  of  Ozaukee  Co.; 
is  a  native  of  Belgium,  born  in  1834  ;  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1851,  and  came 
direct  to  Port  Washington;  he  helped  his  parents  on  the  farm  four  years,  then  clerked  in  the  store  of 
Young  &  Kaehler  two  years,  after  which  he  had  charge  of  the  branch  business  of  B.  Blake,  at  Blake- 
ville,  until  the  spring  of  1864;  he  then  returned  to  Port  Washington,  and  carried  on  a  drug  business  in 
partnership  with  M.  Audier  for  about  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  his  interest  to  his 
partner,  and  soon  after  embarked  in  the  drug  business  alone.  He  was  married  in  November,  1  860,  to 
Mis*  Theresa  Wunderle,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  April  21.  1839;  they  have  nine  children  living — Lizzie 
T..  Rosa  I..  Clara  II..  Edward  N.,  George  A.,  Anna  R.,  Frances   \..  Emma  A.  M.  ami  Amelia. 

A.  ZASTR(nV,  proprietor  of  the  American  House,  Port  Washington;  is  a  native  of  Pome- 
rania,  Prussia,  born  December,  1835,  came  to  the  United  Stairs  in  the  spring  of  1  S j2.  and  lived  near 
Milwaukee  one  year;  then  came  to  Ozaukee  Co.  aud  followed  fanning  at  Grafton  three  years;  then  went 
to  Sheboygan  Co.  and  continued  farming;  also  kept  hotel  about  four  years,  after  which  he  returned  to 
<  taankee  Co.;  in  the  spring  of  1862,  he  rented  the  Americau  House,  which  he  ran  two  years;  then  sold 
goods  in  the  northern  part  of  Michigan  one  season,  after  which  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at 
Port  Washington  ;  in  1871,  his  store  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  he  went  to  California,  where  he  remained 
eighteen  months;  returning  to  Port.  Washington,  he  engaged  in  photographing,  which  he  continued  until 
1879,  since  which  time  he  has  kept  the  American  House.  He  was  married  in  1856,  to  Miss  Agnes 
Schroeling. 

WALTER  ZA  ST  ROW,  Register  of  Deeds,  Port  Washington;  a  native  of  Pomerania, 
Prussia;  born  in  1837;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  sprin-  of  1852,  and  first  settled  in  Mil- 
waukee  Co.,  where  he  followed  farming  until  the  fall  of  1853,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Ozaukee  Co  . 
purchased  land  in  Grafton,  and  commenced  farming;  in  the  fall  of  I860,  he  went  to  New  Ultn.  Minn., 
and  April  29,  1861,  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  1st  Minn.  V.  I.,  and  served  three  years;  he  then  returned  to 
Ozaukee  Co.,  organized  a  company,  of  which  he  was  commissioned  Captain,  and  was  assigned  to  the  ">2d 
W.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Returning  to  his  home  at  Grafton,  he  followed  farming 
until  1868,  at  which  time  he  sold  his  farm,  moved  into  the  village  of  Port  Washington,  and  acted  BS 
clerk  in  the  Register  of  Deeds  office  about  one  year;  be  then  took  a  trip  to  California,  where  he  remained 
about  two  and  one-half  years,  when  he  returned  to  Port  Washington  ;  engaged  in  hotel  business,  also 
cigar  manufacturing,  until  1876.  In  1879,  he  was  elected  Register  of  Deeds,  which  office  he  now  holds 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Hermann 


TOWN    OF    CEDARBURG.  749 


TOWN    OF    CEDARBURC. 


HUGO  BOCLO,  druggist,  Cedar-burg ;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1827;  learned  the 
drug  business,  and  in  1846  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  landing  in  Milwaukee  in  April,  where  he 
clerked  in  a  store  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  English  language,  until  August,  when  he  came  with  Dr. 
Theo.  Hartwig  to  Cedarburg;  the  May  following,  he  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  entered  into  partnership 
Dr.  Zuening,  with  whom  he  carried  on  a  drug  business;  in  September,  1848,  he  returned  to  Germany 
and  remained  until  April,  1849,  when  he  came  to  Cedarburg.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  26th  W.  V.  I., 
and  served  in  the  Medical  Department  one  year.  He  then  returned  to  Cedarburg,  and,  in  partnership 
with  William  Vogenitz,  carried  on  an  insurance  business,  etc.,  until  1870,  during  which  time  he  served  as 
Town  Clerk.  In  the  fall  of  1869,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  served  two  terms;  in 
1873,  here-opened  his  drug  business.  He  was  Postmaster  for  about  twelve  years.  He  was  married,  in  1850, 
to  Emily  Luther;  they  have  had  four  children,  of  whom  Charlotte  is  the  only  one  living. 

A.  M.  BOEHME,  book-keeper  for  Hilgen  Manufacturing  Co.,  Cedarburg  ;  one  of  the  oldest 
settlers  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  iu  1831  ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1851, 
and  settled  in  Cedarburg  ;  rented  a  saw-mill,  which  he  ran  about  seven  years  ;  then  served  as  Town  Clerk  ; 
■was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  two  years,  and  followed  various  employments  until  1878,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  book-keeper  for  the  Hilgen  Manufacturing  Co.  He  was  married,  in  1852,  to  Caroline 
Seifert ;  they  have  three  children — William,  Augusta  and  Ida. 

AUGUST  BOHRTZ,  blacksmith,  Cedarburg;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1842;  learned 
his  trade,  and,  iu  1867,  was  married  to  Johanna  Margwardt,  and  in  a  few  weeks  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  ;  first  settled  at  Milwaukee,  where  he  followed  his  trade  until  1875,  owning  a  shop  during  the  last 
five  years ;  he  then  came  to  Cedarburg,  purchased  his  present  shop — a  stone  building,  30x40  feet — and 
has  since  ran  two  forges.     The  children  are  Robert,  Emma  and  Willie. 

JOHN  F.  BRUMS,  merchant,  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  Ozaukee  Co., 
Nov.  8,  1847;  received  a  common-school  education  in  England  and  Germany;  at  the  age  of  16  he  went 
to  Manitowoc  Co.  and  clerked  in  the  store  of  John  Bruss  two  years,  then  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
business,  and  continued  under  the  firm  name  of  John  Bruss  &  Co.,  two  years  ;  in  1868,  he  spent  one 
term  at  the  "  Spencerian  College"  of  Milwaukee;  then  came  to  Cedarburg,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  a  general  mercantile  business,  in  connection  with  which,  in  1880,  he  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  hardware  business  of  H.  G.  Groth,  which  is  now  being  carried  on  uuder  the  firm  name  of  H.  G.  Groth 
&  Co.  Mr.  Bruss  was  married,  in  1870,  to  Miss  Mary  Groth,  of  Cedarburg.  They  had  four  children — 
John,  Lenord,  Emma  and  Theodore.     Politics,  Republican  ;   religion,  Lutheran. 

C.  F.  BURG WARDT,  teacher  in  the  Lutheran  Schools;  was  born  in  Niagara  Co.,  N.  Y.; 
he  was  educated  at  the  German  College  of  Addison,  III.,  and  at  the  age  of  21  went  to  New  York  City  and 
served  as  clerk  in  a  lumber  office  eight  months  ;  then  as  teacher  in  Western  Canada  six  months,  when  he 
returned  home,  and  two  months  later  came  to  Wisconsin,  arriving  at  Cedarburg  July  1,  1878,  and  has 
since  been  teaching  the  German  Lutheran  Schools.  He  was  married  in  November,  1879,  to  Alma  Co- 
walsky,  then  of  Cedarburg,  but  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  one  child — Berthold,  born  in  Septem- 
ber, 1880. 

WILLIAM  H.  FITZGERALD,  Cedarburg;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Ellen  (O'Keffe) 
Fitzgerald,  natives  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  about  1830,  and  settled  in  Ozaukee 
Co.,  where  he  was  born  May  15,  1849  ;  received  a  common-school  education.  Oct.  27,  1877,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Theresa  Dunn  ;  they  have  three  children — Edward  H.,  George  F.  and  Arthur  R.  In 
1875,  his  father  deeded  him  his  farm  of  105  acres,  which  he  worked  until  1881,  when  he  rented  the  same 
to  his  brother.  Mr.  F.  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  Town  Treasurer,  and  is  at  present  Justice  of  the 
Peace ;  has  been  a  member  of  the  Assembly  three  terms,  the  last  time  he  came  out  as  an  independent 
candidate  only  five  days  before  election,  but  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  eighty-one. 

P.  K.  GANNON,  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1826,  received  a  thorough  classical  course  in 
Latin  and  Greek,  being  educated  for  the  ministry  (which,  however,  he  did  not  choose  to  follow),  at  May- 
nooth  College,  where  he  graduated  in  July,  1851,  and  immediately  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  landing 
in  the  city  of  New  York  in  August.  The  first  two  years  he  spent  rusticating  among  the  Alleghany  Mount- 
ains of  Pennsylvania,  then  spent  one  year  in  Southern  Indiana,  and  the  year  following  in  the  office  of  the 
Illinois   Central    Railroad,   at   Chicago.     In   1855,  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  and,  after  spending  one  year  at 

u 


750  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Waukesha,  settkd  at  Cedarburg,  and  was  Principal  of  the  schools  until  1864,  during  which  time  he  also 
served  as  Town  Superintendent  of  Schools.  In  186-1,  he  was  elected  County  Superintendent,  and  served 
two  terms;  in  the  fall  of  1809,  he  was  a  candidate  for  State  Superintendent,  against  Alexander  Craig  :  he 
then  took  charge  of  the  schools  of  Cedarburg,  until  August,  1875.  Mr.  Gannon  is  at  present  special 
ageut  for  the  Northwestern  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  with  whom  he  has  been  since  1876.  He 
was  married,  in  1S60,  to  Miss  Mary  Griffin,  then  of  Milwaukee  Co.,  but  formerly  of  Boston  ;  the  children 
are  Henry,  now  railroading  in  Chicago;  Martha  M.,  teacher  in  the  Primary  Department  of  the  Cedar- 
burg Graded  School;  John  (deceased);  Gerald,  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Boerner  Bros;  Eugene.  Mary, 
Walter,  Thomas  and  Melvin,  living  at  home. 

CHARLES  GOTTSCHALK,  liveryman,  Cedarburg;  a  native  of  Germany  ;  born  Sept.  J.;. 
1844  ;  when  4  years  of  age,  was  brought,  by  his  parents,  to  the  United  States,  and  lived  with  them  oil  a  I  arm  in 
the  town  of  Mequon,  until  10  years  old;  then  commenced  working  for  other  parties,  which  he  continued 
until  1862,  at  which  time  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  26th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war:  re- 
turning tip  Wisconsin,  he  spent  a  few  months  at  Milwaukee;  then  came  to  Cedarburg;  in  the  spring  of 
1866,  in  partnership  with  Frederick  Erntz,  built  a  limekiln  and  burnt  lime  one  season,  when  they  dis- 
solved partnership,  and  Mr.  G.  followed  teaming,  hauling  flour  to  Milwaukee  for  two  and  a  half  years  ; 
then  spent  one  summer  on  a  farm,  after  which  he  followed  teaming  at  Cedarburg,  until  1  S7 1 .  when  he 
commenced  the  livery  business,  and  now  has  the  largest  livery  in  Ozaukee  Co.,  keeping  twenty  horses  and 
many  fine  carriages,  sleighs,  etc.  He  was  married,  Oct.  18,  1869,  to  Mina  Beckman;  they  have  four 
children  living — Charles,  Adline,  Hulda  and  Matie  ;  politics.  Democratic;  has  been  Deputy  Sheriff.  Con- 
stable, etc. 

THOMAS  HALPIN,  farmer,  Sec.  16;  P.  0.  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  Albany.  X.  Y  .  in 
1S42  ;  the  same  year  his  parents  returned  to  Ireland,  but  in  a  few  months  again  came  to  the  Fnil 
and  settled  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg,  where  they  now  live;  Thomas  attend)  1  school  at  Cedarburg.  and 
the  State  University  ;  in  1S7U.  his  father  gave  him  his  present  form  of  55  acres,  which  he  has  since  culti- 
vated, teaching  school  during  winter.  In  1S73,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anastasia  J.  Latherty,  of  Milwau- 
kee Co.;  they  have  four  children — Mary  F..  Anastasia,  Thomas  C.  and  William  C.  Mr.  Halpin  is  a 
Liberal  in  politics,  and  is,  at  present,  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  ;  his  father.  P.  Halpin,  is  one  of  the 
Mdest  settlers  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  was  born  in  Ireland  July  1,  1813.  In  1839,  he  was  married  to  Julia 
Martha,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  lived  at  Albany.  X.  Y.,  until  1842;  in  June,  1S43,  came  to 
Wisconsin,  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  has  since  cultivated  the  Bame.  Mr.  Halpin  i-  a  Liberal  in 
politics;  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  seven  years,  and  Town  Commissioner  of  Schools  one 
term,  besides  holding  other  local  offices  ;  the  children  living  are  Thomas,  Catherine.  Rose,  now  Mr-.  Edward 
O'Brien,  of  Franklin  Co.,  Iowa,  and   Mary  Ann. 

I>l{.  Til.  HAKTWIG.  Cedarburg;  the  pioneer  physician  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  was  bom  in  Frank- 
enburg.  Kur-Hessia,  Germany,  June  7,  1820  ;  at  the  age  of  19,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
medicine  ;  entered  the  schools  of  Marburg,  where  he  graduated  in  1845  ;  he  then  spent  one  year  with  his 
lather  i  who  was  also  a  physician  .  and,  in  1846,  immigrated  to  the  United  Stairs,  landing  at  .Ww  Fork 
Aug.  10;  in  a  few  days,  in  company  with  three  friends  whose  acquaintance  he  formed  while  crossing  the 

Atlantic,  h ncluded  to  go  West  on  a  hunting  expedition,  and  accordingly  started  for  Wisconsin,  via  the 

great  laki  s.  While  crossing  the  lake.-  they  made  the  acquaintance  of  William  Luening,  who  was  then  build- 
ing the  Columbia  Mills,  near  Cedarburg.  He  requested  them  to  make  him  a  visit.  So,  after  landing  at  Mil- 
waukee, they  prepared  their  l:uiis.  ammunition  and  tenl  equipments,  and  started  up  the  Milwaukee  River 
to  Cedat  Creek,  thence  up  the  latter  to  Cedarburg.  Here  they  met  Conrad  Horneffer,  a  countryman  of 
Hartwig's,  who  requested  him  to  remain  and  practice  medicine.  The  Doctor  did  not  consider  it  a  very 
good  point  for  bis  profession,  but  concluded  he  would  stay  until  spring;  but,  as  the  winter  passed,  he  be- 
came somewhat  settled,  and,  as  the  | pie  did  no-  wish  to  spare  him,  he  continued  his  practice  ;  in  1847, 

built  the  house  now  owned  by  John  Buch.  In  1850,  he  was  married  to  Caroline  Hodann,  daughter  ol 
Albert  and  Mary  i  Behling    Bodann,  then  of  Cedarburg  but  now  of  Mequon,  "  In  1860,  be  was  induced 

by  the  people  of   West    Bend  tO  Come  to  that   place,  atel.  a-  t'.ey  ..tiered    him  a  -alary,  lie  consented  to  go  ; 

but,  after  practicing  at  that  place  eighteen  months,  ,,ne  wintry  day  seventeen  Bleigbs,  loaded  with  people  of 
Cedarburg,  called  upon  him  atel  requested  bin.  to  return,  and,  as  this  could  be  considered  as  a  unanimous 

call,  he  COnId  hardly  refuse.       He  then-lore  returned  to  Cedarburg.  purchased  property,  built    the  residence 

which  he  -nil  occupies,  and  has  tince  i tinned  his  practice  here.     Be  was   Examining    Physician  during 

the  draft  of    L862.       Dr.   Efartwig  took  OUt   his  naturalization  papers  on  the  day  of  his  arrival  ill  <  Vdarhurg 

in  L846.  Ha-  been  an  active  worker  for  the  Democratic  party;  voted  for  the  first  constitution  of  Wis- 
consin, but  has  never  held  a  public  office,  as  he  considered  his  profession  of  far  more  importance.  Thechil. 


TOWN    OF    CEDARBURG.  751 

dren  are  Theodore,  who  is  engineer  in  Sherman's  Mill,  at  Eau  Claire  ;  iVIbert  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Carstens  &  Hartwig,  brewers,  Eau  Claire ;  Max ;  Ida,  now  Mrs.  Charles  B.  Carstens,  of  Eau  Claire,  and 
Agathe. 

HENRY  HENTSCHEE,  firm  of  Hentsehel  &  Jochem,  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  Fischheim, 
Saxony,  April  29,  1839  ;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1860,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon  on  the 
2d  day  of  May  ;  followed  tailoring  until  August,  after  which  he  clerked  in  the  store  of  Louis  Wagner  nine 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  mercantile  business  of  Botentarfer  &  Co. 
at  Hamilton;  two  years  thereafter  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest ;  continued  the  business  alone  six 
years,  then  took  in  his  present  partner,  changed  the  firm  name  to  Hentsehel  &  Jochem,  and,  in  1877,  re- 
moved the  business  to  Cedarburg.  He  is  a  Democrat,  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  O.  D.  H.  S.  and 
the  Cedarburg  Fire  Company.  He-  was  married,  in  1869,  to  E.  Zimmerman,  of  Mequon  ;  they  have  three 
children — Anna,  Louisa  and  Otto. 

J.  F.  II  !  3,<^  !'\.  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  this  place  in  1846  ;  was  educated  in  both  English 
and  German  languages,  having  finished  his  school  days  at  Lincoln  College,  of  Milwaukee.  He  kept  the 
books  for  the  Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills  until  1872,  when  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  and  subsequently, 
in  partnership  with  his  father,  built  a  planing-mill  and  ran  the  same  under  the  firm  name  of  F.  Hilgen  & 
Son,  until  1879,  when  it  was  sold,  and  is  now  known  as  the  Hilgen  Manufacturing  Co.,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  keeping  the  "  Hilgen  Spring  Park,"  of  which  he  took  charge  in  1878.  He  was  married,  in 
1871,  to  Kate  Dietrich,  of  Cedarburg. 

HON.  F.  W.  HORN,  lawyer,  Cedarburg.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  ranks  with  the  prominent 
mevi  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin ;  he  was  born  in  the  village  of  Linum,  near  Berlin,  Prussia,  Aug.  21,  1815; 
received  a  collegiate  education  at  the  College  Gray  Friars,  Berlin  ;  he  left  Prussia  for  the  United 
States  in  1836  ;  resided  in  the  State  of  New  York  until  1837  ;  went  in  the  fall  of  that  year  to  Michigan ; 
th  n  traveled  through  Illinois  and  Iowa,  returning  to  Michigan  in  the  winter  of  1839  ;  in  1840,  he  came 
to  Milwaukee  ;  in  1841,  settled  at  Mequon  ;  and,  in  1847,  removed  to  his  present  place  of  residence.  Mr. 
Horn  has  been  in  public  life  nearly  t'rj  entire  time  since  he  came  to  Wisconsin  ;  he  was  Postmaster  dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Mequon;  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Doty,  in  1842,  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  old  Wash- 
ington Co.,  then  the  only  magistrate  in  the  county  ;  he  served  as  Register  of  Deeds  in  1846-47  ;  was 
elected  Independent  candidate  to  the  first  State  Senate  in  1848,  and  re-elected  in  1849-50  ;  was  elected  to 
the  Assembly  in  1851,  1854,  1857,  1859,  1860, 1867,  1868  and!  872;  was  elected  Speaker  of  that  body  in 
1851  and  1854  ;  was  State  Commissioner  of  Emigration,  having  his  office  at  New  York  ;  in  1854-55,  was 
delegate  to  the  Democratic  Convention  ;  at  Charleston  and  Baltimore  in  1860,  serving  as  Vice  President; 
and  to  the  Democratic  Convention  of  New  York  in  1868.  Mr.  Horn  has  been  twice  married — in  1845,  to 
Adelheid  Schoellncr;  she  died  in  1849,  leaving  one  child — Agnes — now  Mrs.  Wm.  Rettberg,  of  Cedarburg ; 
in  1850,  he  was  married  to  Minna  Schaper;  the  children  are  Bertha,  now  Mrs.  G.  B.  Zaun,  of  Milwaukee  ; 
Frederick,  station  agent  at  Pewaukee ;  William,  station  agent  at  Cedarburg;  Minna,  Alexander  and 
Hannah. 

F.  JAl'CKE,  proprietor  of  Washington  House,  Cedarburg;  a  native  of  Germany;  born  Sept. 
22,  1827  ;  learned  the  miller's  trade,  and,  in  1854,  emigrated  to  the  United  States;  lived  in  Ohio  until 
1856,  then  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  various  places  in  the  State  until  1859,  at  which 
time  he  was  married  to  Mary  Leifer,  then  of  Manitowoc,  but  formerly  of  Germany.  He  then  settled  in 
Walworth  Co..  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  milling  business  until  1863,  when  he  went  to  Burlington, 
Racine  Co.,  and  continued  the  same  business.  In  1871,  he  built  the  Western  Union  Hotel  of  that  place, 
and  ran  the  same  until  June,  1876,  when  he  sold  out;  came  to  Cedarburg,  and  purchased  the  Washington 
House.     He  is  a  Republican  and  a  Mason. 

E.  E.  .MM 'II  EH,  of  the  firm  of  Hentsehel  &  Jochem.  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  Mequon  in 
1853.  His  parents,  Adam  and  Gertrude  Jochem,  were  natives  of  Germany,  who  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon  in  1840,  and  therefore  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Ozaukee  Co.  They  followed  farming;  reared  a  family  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  seven,  four  boys  and 
three  girls,  are  now  living.  Mr.  Jochem  served  as  County  Treasurer  one  term,  and  held  many  local  offices. 
He  died  in  1871.  His  wife  died  in  1873.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common-school  education  ; 
and,  at  the  age  of  16,  went  to  Waupun,  whore  he  learned  the  carriage  trade,  and  followed  the  same  at  that 
place  about  five  years;  then  spent  one  year  at  Ripon  and  Oshkosh,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned 
to  Ozaukee  Co.;  purchased  an  interest  in  the  business  of  Henry  Hentsehel,  of  Hamilton,  and,  in  1S77, 
removed  the  business  to  Cedarburg,  and  has  since  been  doing  a  general  mercantile  business.  He  is  agent 
for  the  American  Express  Company,  and  Deputy  Postmaster.  He  was  married,  in  1878.  to  Mary  Boden- 
dorfer.     They  have  one  child  living — Albert  L. 


752  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

,|.  \V.  JOHAX\,  of  the  firm  of  Hilgen  Manufacturing  Company,  and  Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills  ; 
is  one  of  the  leading  business  men  as  well  as  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ozaukee  Co.  He  was  born  in 
Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1837  ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1846,  and  lived  with  them 
on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  Ozaukee  Co.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  34th  W.  V.  I.;  afterward 
transferred  to  the  35th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  as 
Captain.  He  then  returned  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  was  engaged  in  a  dry  goods  business  at  Port  Washington. 
In  1869,  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Cedarburg,  purchasing  an  interest  in  the  Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills, 
of  which  he  has  since  been  Secretary,  keeping  the  books  until  1880,  when  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
Hilgen  Manufacturing  Company,  of  which  he  is  also  Secretary.  In  politics,  Republican  ;  and  is  at  present 
Postmaster,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1869.  He  was  married,  Aug.  2,  1866,  to  Miss  Eliza  Hilgen, 
daughter  of  F.  Hilgen.     They  have  three  children — Albert,  Emil  and  Nellie. 

CH  ARISES  l/AlT,  Principal  of  the  Cedarburg  Graded  School ;  is  the  oldest  teacher  in  Ozaukee 
Co.  He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1836;  received  a  collegiate  education;  and,  in  1854,  with  his  parents, 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Cedar  Lake,  Washington  Co.  His  health  did 
not  permit  him  to  teach  the  first  season  ;  but  in  the  winter  of  1855-56,  he  taught  in  the  district  in  which 
he  resided  a  term  of  four  months.  In  the  fall  of  1S57,  he  was  called  to  teach  school  in  District  No.  14, 
town  of  Mequon,  Ozaukee  Co.,  which  situation  he  held  for  six  years,  spending  the  summer  vacations 
working  on  farms  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Jocheui,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Gertrude  Jochem.  In  1866,  he  removed  to  Thiensville,  and  taught  the 
school  at  that  place  until  August,  1875,  since  which  time  he  has  hud  charge  of  the  Cedarburg  Graded 
School.  While  at  Thiensville,  he  was  a  candidate  for  County  Superintendent  against  J.  C.  Whitfurd.  He 
is  a  Republican,  but  takes  little  interest  in  politics.  Has  been  a  delegate  to  State  Conventions,  etc.  Is  a 
member  of  the  0.  D.  H.  S.,  I.  0.  O.  F.,  Turnverein  and  Cedarburg  Fire  Company.  The  children  are 
William,  Charles,  Martha,  Mary  and  Otto. 

C  W.  L/EMJIANSf,  firm  of  Lehmann  Bros.,  hardware  merchants,  Cedarburg  ;  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, born  in  1840;  emigrated,  with  his  parents,  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  and,  after  living  in  Milwaukee 
about  three  mouths,  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  Ozaukee  Co.,  where  he  attended  school  and  helped  his 
parents  until  1S57,  when  he  went  to  Chicago,  learned  the  tinner's  trade,  and,  in  I860,  returned  to  Ozau- 
kee Co.;  followed  farming  until  1862.  when  he  was  drafted  into  the  United  States  service,  and  served  in 
Co.  C,  34th  W.  V.  I.,  nine  months ;  he  then  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  at  Evansville,  Wis.,  and 
afterward  started  the  hardware  business  for  Nels  Sawyer;  in  1867,  he  came  to  Cedarburg,  started  a  hard- 
ware store,  and  the  following  year  took  in  his  brother,  Julius  Lehmann,  since  which  time  the  firm  has 
been  Lehmann  Bros.;  in  1874,  they  erected  their  presentstore,  which  is  a  stone  building,  50x50,  and  three 
stories  in  height;  also,  an  addition,  28x20,  one-story  high  ;  the  first  flour  of  the  entire  building  is  used  as 
a  store  and  workshop,  the  second  floor  as  a  dwelling,  and  the  third  is  a  hall  occupied  as  a  lodge-room  by 
the  O.  D.  H.  S. ;  cost  of  building,  $6,000 ;  they  now  carry  a  stock  oi'  about  $5,500.  Mr.  Lehmann  was 
married  in  1870  to  Miss  Caroline  Horneffer,  daughter  of  Conrad  Hornefi'er;  they  have  two  children — 
Paul  W.  and  Martha  M.;  is  a  Liberal  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  V.  &  A.  M.,  and  the  O.  D.  H.  S. 

<«l'STITS  I'OIMHjL,  photographer,  and  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Cedarburg;  a  native  of 
Prussia,  born  Sept.  12,  1841  ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  alone  in  L853,  and  first  settled  at  Michigan 
t  'it y ,  1  nd.;  learned  the  machinist  trade,  and  spent  the  year  1857  on  a  farm  near  San  Pierre  ;  the  following  year 
he  attended  school  at  Valparaiso;  in  1859,  he  returned  to  Prussia,  where  he  remained  until  1861,  during 
which  time  he  served  one  year  in  the  Prussian  Army,  aud.  in  1861,  was  married  to  Ida  Kimps  ;  returning 
to  the  United  States,  he  enlisted  in  the  4th  Ind.  V.  C,  and  served  as  First  Lieutenant  a  short  time,  when 
he  resigned  his  commission  and  again  resumed  work  at  his  trade  at  Michigan  City.  Jan.  1,  1S63,  his 
wife  died,  and  soon  after  he  removed  to  Chicago  ;  in  the  fall  of  1866,  he  came  to  Cedarburg,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  photographing  ;  had  a  branch  gallery  at  Port  Washington  about  four  years ;  also 
ran  a  view  wagon  two  years.  In  1866,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Catharine  Adler,  widow  of  Herman  Ad- 
ler,  and,  as  she  was  engaged  in  general  mercantile  business  at  the  time  of  marriage,  Mr.  Podoll  has  con- 
tinued the  same  in  OOnnectii  n  with  his  other  business.     Is  an  active  worker  for  the  Democratic  party. 

JOIIX  ItOTII.  Cedarburg;  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1836,  and, at  the  age  of  7  years,  came  with  his  par- 
ents to  Wisconsin,  and.  alter  living  one  year  in  Milwaukee,  lie  settled  in  Cedarburg  ;  here  he  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  and  soon  commenced  contracting  and  building,  which  he  continued  with  few  exceptions  until 
18S1 .  In  lSl'ili,  he  served  in  the  United  States  service.  During  the  pioneer  days,  he  spent  considerable 
time  hunting,  trapping,  etc.,  and  therefore  has  killed  many  wolves,  deer,  etc.;  in  those  days,  he  frequently 
traveled  sixty  miles  per  day  after  deer  ;  in  1879,  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  remained  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1881,  at  which  time  he  purchased  his  present  business.      He  was  married,  in  1856,  to  Lanie  Steel  ; 


TOWN    OF    CEDARBURG.  753 

they  have  two  children — Louisa  and  John.  His  father,  John  Roth,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  who  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1832,  and  built  the  first  frame  building  in  Cedarburg  ;  his  mother  was  a 
native  of  Switzerland. 

F.  ii.  SCHUETTE,  Town  Clerk,  Cedarburg  ;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  Schuette. 
natives  of  Germany,  who  settled  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg  in  1850,  and  reared  a  family  of  eight  children 
— four  boys  and  four  girls ;  they  are  still  engaged  in  farming.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Cedarburg  in  1855  ;  was  educated  in  the  Cedarburg  Graded  School  and  Spencerian  College  of  Milwaukee  ; 
at  the  age  of  17,  he  learned  cigar-making,  and  in  1874  opened  a  cigar  manufactory,  which  he  ran  until 
1881.  He  was  married,  in  1876,  to  Miss  Eliza  Keuther;  they  have  one  child — Frederick  J.  H. — born 
in  1877.  Mr.  Schuette  is  a  Republican,  and  is  at  present  Town  Clerk,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1877. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.  and  the  0.  D.  H.  S. 

WILLIAM  VOGENITZ.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Cedarburg;  a  pioneer  of  Ozaukee  Co.; 
was  born  near  Magdeburg,  Province  of  Saxony,  Prussia,  in  the  year  1820  ;  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
in  1839,  and  first  settled  on  Sec.  18,  town  of  Mequon,  but  in  the  spring  of  1840  went  to  Milwaukee; 
worked  as  a  common  laborer  until  fall,  then  clerked  two  years  for  George  F.  Austin,  being  the  first  Ger- 
man clerk  employed  in  Milwaukee;  after  leaving  Mr.  Austin,  he  clerked  for  other  parties  until  the  fall  of 
1844,  at  which  time  Mr.  Austin,  wishing  to  retire  from  business,  intrusted  him  with  the  stock  of  goods  to- 
dispose  of;  he  removed  to  Watertown  ;  while  disposing  of  Mr.  Austin's  goods,  he  kept  filling  up  with  his 
own,  and  so  continued  business  at  that  place  until  the  fall  of  1846  ;  then  removed  to  Jackson,  Washing- 
ton Co.;  purchased  40  acres  of  land,  which,  in  connection  with  keeping  a  small  grocery,  also  doing  con- 
veyancing, he  cultivated  until  1848,  when  he  settled  at  Cedarburg;  here  he  opened  a  store,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  until  1866,  since  which  time  he  has  attended  to  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  which  he  has  held  for  over  twenty-five  years.  Mr.  Vogenitz  served  in  the  Assembly  of  1S56; 
was  County  Clerk  of  old  Washington  Co.;  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Board,  and  is  Secretary  of  the 
Cedarburg  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  which  position  he  has  held  since  the  organization  of  the  com- 
pany in  1873.  He  has  been  twice  married — in  1842,  to  Christianua  Schueler,  an  adopted  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Charlotte  Miller,  of  Milwaukee;  she  died  in  1856,  leaving  five  children,  of  whom  Mary  (now  Mrs. 
Herman  Klug,  of  Milwaukee),  is  the  only  one  living;  in  1857,  Mr.  Vogenitz  was  married  to  Aurelia 
Helhv.'g  ;   they  have  had  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living — Johanna,  Frank  and  John. 

JOHN  WEBER,  proprietor  of  the  Cedarburg  Brewery;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1S30  ; 
learned  the  mason  trade,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1854  ;  continued  his  trade  in  Ohio  one 
year,  then  came  to  Cedarburg ;  in  I860,  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Fricke,  he  purchased  the  Cedarburg 
Brewery,  and  ran  the  same  under  the  firm  name  of  D.  T.  Fricke  &  Co.  until  1864,  when  he  purchased 
his  partner's  interest,  enlarged  the  brewery,  added  new  machinery,  so  that  the  work  is  now  done  by 
steam  power,  and  so  increased  the  business  that  he  now  employs  five  men,  and  manufactures  1,500  barrels 
of  beer  annually.  Was  married,  in  1857,  to  Sopha  Henning ;  they  have  nine  children — William,  Ber- 
tha. August,  Anna,  John,  Henry.  Ida,  Sopha  and  Olka.  Is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0. 
F.  and  the  0.  D.  H.  S. 

COXRAD  WIESLER,  Cedarburg;  a  native  of  Germany;  born  in  1828;  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1851,  landing  in  the  city  of  New  York  April  20;  followed  lumbering  and  farming  in 
Oswego  I'o.  until  1855,  then  removed  to  Michigan  and  continued  lumbering  at  Manistee  one  year,  and  at 
Escanaba  five  or  six  years  ;  he  next  went  to  Plainville,  111.,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1864,  after 
which  he  went  to  Chicago  and  engaged  in  the  express  business  six  years;  in  1876,  he  came  to  Cedarburg, 
and  has  since  been  engaged  in  saloon  aud  farming.  He  is  a  Republican.  He  was  married,  Sept.  22. 
L864,  to  Dora  Hachfeld,  then  of  Chicago,  but  formerly  of  Germany;  they  have  six  children  living — 
William  H.  C,  Dora  A.  R.,  Louis  J.,  Frederick,  Lena  and  Hattie. 

CHARLES  WILKE,  Cedarburg;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1836;  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1854,  and  first  settled  in  Milwaukee,  where  he  clerked  a  short  time  in  a  dry  goods  house, 
then  learned  the  saddler's  trade;  subsequently  worked  in  Chicago,  and,  in  November,  1857,  came  to 
Cedarburg  ;  in  1858,  he  opened  a  harness  and  saddlery  shop,  and  has  since  been  engaged  iu  the  same  ;  in 
1  si;:',,  he  returned  to  Germany  to  visit  his  parents  and  remained  five  months;  in  March,  1865,  he  was 
commissioned  Recruiting  Officer,  raised  a  number  of  men,  was  commissioned  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Co.  E, 
52d  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  was  married  to  Mena  Hor- 
neffer  ;  they  have  six  children.  Mr.  Wilke  is  a  Democrat ;  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  I.  0. 
0.  F.,  the  0.  D.  H.  S.,  the  A.  0.  U.  W.,  and  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Turner  Society  since  its 
organization,  taking  part  in  the  first  drama  presented  by  the  society  at  Cedarburg  ;  was  also  the  first  Sec- 
retary of  the  Cedarburg  Fire  Co. 


754  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

J.  I*.  WIKTII,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Cedarburg ;  is  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany; 
born  in  1S15  ;  he  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  and.  in  1845,  emigrated  to  the  Cubed  States,  and  after 
working  one  year  in  the  city  of  New  York,  came  to  Wisconsin,  and,  in  August,  1846,  settled  at  Cedar- 
burg;  the  first  year  he  Berved  in  the  employ  of  Fred  Sleifer,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Margaret  Mueller,  and  eommeneod  business  alone;  in  1850,  becoming  tired  of  living  in  a  log  hut,  he 
built  the  frame   house    which   he  still  occupies  as  a  residence  ;  he  subsequently  purchased  land,  and,  in 

1S65,  commenced  dealing  in  ready-made  1 ts  and  shoes;  in  1870,  he  associated  his  sou  Charles  as  a 

partner,  built  a  fine  stone  building  which  they  occupied  as  a  store  ;  in  1878,  Mr.  Wirth  retired  and  let  his 
son  Gustave  take  his  interest,  since  which  time  the  firm  has  been  Wirth  Bros.  Charles,  the  elder  of  the 
firm,  was  born  in  Cedarburg  in  1849;  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  and,  in  1871,  was  married  to  Mary 
GoetZ,  of  Milwaukee;  they  have  two  children—  Fredrick  and  Emma.  Gustave,  the  younger  of  the  firm. 
was  born  in  Cedarburg  in  1S.50;  learned  cigar-making,  and  was  for  a  shorttime  engaged  in  the  manufact- 
ure of  the  same. 

I>.  WITTEXBEIMw,  President  of  the  Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills,  is  a  native  of  Germany;  born 
at  Hanover  in  1834;  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  with  his  parents,  in  1844,  and  settled  at  Cedarburg. 
and  is,  therefore,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  place;  here  he  helped  his  parents  on  the  farm,  until 
1855,  after  which  he  spent  ten  years  at  teaming;  in  1865,  in  partnership  with  F.  Hilgen.  he  built  the 
Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills;  in  1872,  it  was  made  an  incorporated  stock  company,  of  which  be  has  since 
been  President;  he  is  a  Republican.  lie  was  married  in  1858  to  Margaret  Hilgen;  the  children  living 
are  Johanna,  Ida.  Fred,  Dedrieh,  Lame,  Maggie,  George  and  Aggie 

K.  ii.  \VIIRTJIMA\N,  painter,  Cedarburg :  is  a  native  of  Oldenburg,  Germany,  bora  in  1846 ; 
at  10  years  of  age,  be  was  left  an  orphan,  and  at  11  he  emigrated,  with  his  brother,  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon,  (  Izaukee  Co.:  here  be  commenced  painting  :  in  1863,  he  went  to  Chicago, 
and  remained  three  years  ;  then  returned  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  settled  at  Cedarburg,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinued his  trade,  and  met  with  good  success;  he  now  owns  16  acres  of  "land  just  outside  of  the  village,  on 
which  he  has  built  a  fine  brick  house,  and  made  other  improvements  according.  Mr.  Wurthuiann  was 
married  in  lSTO.  to  Hellen  Eloebken  ;   they  have  two  children  —Otto  and  Adele. 


TOWN    OF    MEQUON. 

1IKNKY  HAAS,  Merjuon;  was  born  in  Oneida  Co..  X.  Y,  in  1849.;  in  1S55.  the  family 
came  to  Ozaukee  Co.  and  settled  in  Mequon.  At  the  age  of  13,  he  commenced  wnrk  ;,t  the  shoemaker's 
tra  le  with  his  father,  and  followed  the  same  until  April,  1 S 7 7 .  at  which  time  he  was  married  to  Wilheiiiine 
Eliemschneider ;  purchased  bis  present  property,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  saloon  business.  His 
wife  died  March  20,  1881,  leaving  one  child,  Ella,  born  Aug.  'JO,  187s. 

Al'(j}  IIODAW.  proprietor  of  "  Mequon  Bouse;"  was  born  in  Germany  in  1842,  but  when 
'.',  -.  >ars  of  age,  was  brought  by  bis  parents  to  what  is  now  Cedarburg,  Ozaukee  Co.;  here  he  lived  with  bis 
parents  on  a  farm  until  1864,  at  which  time  he  was  married  to  Mary  Wcidinann,  then  of  Cedarburg.  but 
a  native  of  licrmauy  ;  he  then  removed  to  Thienville,  where  he  was  engaged  as  millwright  ami  carpen- 
ter until  the  fall  of  L870,  at  which  time  his  wife  died,  leaving  live  children  --Mary,  Line.  Jennie,  Aghaht 
and  bla.  In  1s7l',  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Paulina  i  Vetteri  1 1<  ntsi  In  1.  who  was  owner  of  the  Mequon 
House,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  hotel  business.  His  wife  bad  three  children  by 
her  lir.-t  marriage — Selina,  Anna  and  Robert  ;  and  now  has  four  children — Emma.  Albert, Otto  and  Theo- 
dore. Mr.  Hodann  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  Town  Treasurer.  His  parents,  Albert  and  Mary 
(Beliti'_'i  Hodann,  are  still  living,  and  are  residents  of  Me.|iion. 

WILLIAJN   P.  JAIIX.  farmer,  See.  15;   P.  o.  Mequon  River;  one  of  the  early  settlers 1 

prominent   farmers  of  Ozaukee  Co.;  was  born  in  Saxony  in  1832;  in  1844,  the  family  emigrated  to  the 

I   nind  States,  and    settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives;    here  he    helped  to  till    the    soil,  and    in    1 --55 

his  lather  d led  him  on  acres  of  land,  but  be  now  owns  1 15  acres.     In  1856,  be  was  married  to  Miss 

Amelia  Seyfert ;  she  died  in  1857.  In  1S5S,  he  married  Laura  Begcr ;  they  have  five  children  —  Mina. 
William,  Gustave,  Charles  ami  Clara.  Mr.  .1  all ii  is  a  Liberal  in  polities,  has  been  Town  Superintendent 
of  Schools  three  years;  Town  Clerk  inn.-  years,  and  is  at  present  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office  be 
lias  held  since   1  B62  ;    Chairman  of  the  Town  Board,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1  s75.  and  Notary  Public. 


TOWN   OF    MEQUON.  755 

ADAM  JOCHEJI,  saloon,  Sec.  2S  ;  P.O.  Mequon  River;  was  born  in  Mequon  in  1845; 
received  a  common-school  education,  and  helped  to  till  the  soil  until  the  death  of  his  mother  in  1873,  his 
father  having  died  two  years  previous  ;  he  then  purchased  the  estate,  which  consisted  of  76  acres  in  Sec. 
28  ;  but  in  June,  1874,  he  sold  the  same,  and  in  August  purchased  his  present  property,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  the  saloon  business.  He  was  married,  in  1874,  to  Miss  Mena  Strassburger,  of  Mequon  ; 
they  have  three  children — William,  Adam  and  Jacob.      Politics,  Democrat. 

S.  S.  LEONARD,  speculator  ;  was  born  in  Granville,  Milwaukee  Co.,  in  1846  ;  his  paren's, 
Jeremiah  and  Rosan  (MeConville)  Leonard,  are  natives  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
about  fifty  years  ago,  and  settled  in  Milwaukee  Co.  in  1S40.  Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  received  but  a  meager  education  ;  at  an  early  age,  he  turned  his  attention  to  speculating, 
which  was  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  his  father,  who  always  warned  him  against  wild  investments ;  to  this 
advice  Sylvester  would  reply  that  he  was  determined  to  have  a  "  gold  chain  on  a  wooden  leg."  At  the 
age  of  18,  he  commenced  dealing  in  horses;  in  1872,  he  purchased  a  farm,  which  compelled  him  to  go  in 
di  lit  several  thousand  dollars,  but,  to  the  surprise  of  his  immediate  friends,  he  soon  paid  for  the  same  ;  in 
1875,  he  purchased  a  Norman  stallion,  of  M.  W.  Dunham,  of  Wayne,  HI.,  at  a  cost  of  $600  ;  in  1877, 
he  purchased  another  horse  of  the  same  gentleman,  st  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  he  now  owns  two  others, 
valued  at  $700  each  ;  his  horses  took  the  first  premium  at  the  Wisconsin  State  Fair,  held  at  Fond  du  Lac, 
in  1881,  and  be.  therefore,  owns  the  best  in  the  State;  he  now  deals  in  horses,  i.  e.,  he  buys  and  sells, 
but  does  but  very  little  trading;  also  speculates  in  wood,  timber,  etc.;  Mr.  Leonard  is  a  man  who  always 
does  as  he  agrees,  but  is  very  careful  what  he  agrees  to  do;  he  has,  therefore,  won  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  his  neighbors,  and  thus  far  has  been  a  success  in  life.  He  was  married  in  October,  1873,  to 
Anna  Reilly,  of  Granville.  Milwaukee  Co.;  they  have  three  children — Agnes,  Cecelia  and  Maxk. 

HlT<jrH  JIcELROY,  Cedarburg;  one  of  the  pioneers;  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  the 
County  Tyrone  in  1812  ;  in  1827,  his  mother  died,  and  in  1829,  bis  father,  with  the  family  of  six  children 
(of  which  Hugh  was  the  only  boy),  emigrated  to  America,  and  first  settled  in  the  Province  of  New  Bruns- 
wick.  Here,  in  1835,  Hugh  was  married  to  Mary  Galagher ;  came  to  the  United  States,  and  lived  near 
Boston,  where  he  served  as  a  laborer  about  seven  years;  he  then  concluded  to  try  the  Western  country, 
and  accordingly  came  to  the  wilds  of  Wisconsin,  settling  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg,  in  1842;  at  that  time 
there  were  only  two  or  three  buildings  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  village  of  Cedarburg  ;  Mr.  McElroy 
at  once  entered  160  acres  of  land  on  Sec.  33,  and  soon  afterward  entered  80  acres  more  on  Sec.  28  ;  he 
resided  on  the  former  until  1871,  during  which  time  he  was  very  successful  as  a  farmer,  and,  therefore, 
accumulated  a  goodly  share  of  this  world's  goods;  he  then  rented  his  farm  and  moved  into  the  village. 
Mr.  M.  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  served  as  Supervisor  of  Cedarburg  before  Wisconsin  became  a  State  ; 
he  is  a  gemleman  who  is  plain  and  pleasing  in  his  manners  and  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  The 
children  living  are  Catherine,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  Savage,  of  Cedarburg  ;  Charles,  now  a  resident  of  Nor- 
wav.  Mich. ;  Joseph,  who  is  married  and  living  in  Washington  Territory  ;  and  Mary,  living  at  home. 

JOHN  W.  MILBRATH,  farmer,  Sec.  36;  P.  O.  Mequon  River;  one  of  Ozaukee's  early 
pioneers;  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  born  in  1825;  in  1839,  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and, 
after  living  two  years  in  Ohio,  settled  in  Mequon  ;  in  1843,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  went  to  Milwaukee 
and  served  as  clerk  in  a  mercantile  business  for,  about  two  years,  when  he  returned  home  and  again  helped 
till  the  soil.  In  1847,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mena  Wussow,  a  native  of  Prussia.  In  1859,  he  pur- 
cnased  his  father's  farm  of  72J  acres,  which  he  has  since  well  improved.  Mr.  M.  is  a  Democrat ;  has 
been  Town  Treasurer,  Town  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  is  at  present  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  office 
he  has  held,  with  two  exceptions,  since  1855.  He  has  eight  children — Louise,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Voeks,  of 
Fredonia,  Ozaukee  Co.;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Ferdinand  Knepel,  of  Granville,  Milwaukee  Co.;  Frederick  W., 
of  Milwaukee;  David,  of  Milwaukee;  Hannah;  Wilhelmina ;  Martha,  now  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Ehlers,  of 
Granville  ;  John  and   Henry,  of  Milwaukee. 

JOHN  REYNOLDS,  farmer,  Sec.  10  ;  P.  O.  Mequon  River  ;  is  a  native  of  Quebec,  Canada, 
born  in  1830  ;  his  father  died  in  1837,  and  his  mother  died  in  1862 ;  John  worked  on  a  farm  until  April. 
1865,  when  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Nelson,  and,  on  May  10,  he  started  for  the  United  States,  and 
soon  purchased  his  present  farm  of  80  acres,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Mr.  Reynolds  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  a  citizen  who  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-men.  The  children  are  Margaret  Jane,  Eliza- 
beth Bertha  and  Nelson. 

H.  SCHELLEXBERlw,  merchant,  P.  O.  Horn's  Corners;  was  born  in  Saxe-Altenburg 
in  1842  ;  his  mother  died,  but  his  father  again  married,  and,  in  1855,  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United 
States;  upon  arriving  at  New  York,  his  father  left  the  family  and  came  to  Saukville,  and  three  years 
later  the  family  followed  ;  a  short  time  afterward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  went  to  Newburg,  Washing- 


756  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

ton  Co.,  and  served  as  an  apprentice  to  the  blacksmith  trade  for  about  sixteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  his  employer  left  for  New  Orleans,  and  therefore  threw  him  out  of  employment ;  but  he  immediately 
went  in  search  of  a  job,  and,  after  looking  for  some  time,  found  employment  in  the  copper  regions  of  Lake 
Superior,  where  he  remained  three  years,  when  he  returned  home  and  purchased  40  acres  of  land  in  Tren- 
ton, on  which  his  father  afterward  resided  ;  the  following  spring,  he  went  to  Ruck  Island,  111.,  and  worked 
in  a  brick-yard,  at  the  rate  of  SI  5  per  month,  but  as  the  wages  did  not  suit  him,  he  abandoned  the  job 
and  returned  to  the  copper  regions  ;  followed  mining  for  nearly  three  years,  then  returned  home  and  took 
charge  of  the  farm,  to  which  he  added  80  acres.  He  was  married,  in  18ti6,  to  Lena  Stenerwald,  who  died 
in  December,  1872,  leaving  two  children — Frank  and  Anna — the  latter  since  deceased.  He  then  sold  his 
farm,  removed  to  Horn's  Corners,  purchased  his  present  property — which  he  has  rebuilt — and  has  since 
been  doing  a  general  mercantile  business,  in  1875,  he  succeeded  in  having  a  post  office  established,  and 
has  since  been  Postmaster.  He  is  a  Democrat ;  has  been  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  two  years,  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace  six  years.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  in  March,  187'!,  to  Louise  Maas,  ol 
Cedarburg;  they  have  three  children — Albert,  Olga  aud  George.  Mr.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F. 
and  the  American  Legion  of  Honor. 

C.  G.  SCHNEIDER,  merchant,  Freistadt;  is  a  native  of  Prussia;  born  in  1830.  In  1841, 
the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  ;  lived  near  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  until  the  following  spring,  when 
they  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Mequon.  In  1846,  Charles  went  to  Milwaukee,  where  he 
remained  until  1852;  then  spent  seven  years  in  California,  when  he  returned  to  Mequon,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  general  mercantile  business.  He  was  commissioned  Postmaster  in  1859,  and  still  holds 
the  office.  In  1850,  Mr.  Schneider  was  married  to  H ermine  Kohlman.  They  have  five  children — 
Edward  C,  Ella,  !  aura.  Martha  and  Edmund  Bause.  the  latter  an  adopted  boo. 

CHARLES  C.  SEYFERT,  merchant,  Mequon;  is  a  native  of  Saxony,  born  in  1843,  and 
in  1851  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Mequon.  In  1860,  Charles  went  to 
Illinois  and  spent  the  summer,  but  returned  to  Ozaukee  in  the  fall,  aud  attended  school  at  Grafton  ;  this 
he  continued  for  several  years.  In  1867,  he  went  to  Manistee.  Mich.,  where  he  served  as  Clerk  until  1869, 
then  as  book-keeper  until  1877,  at  which  time  he  returned  to  Mequon.  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
general  mercantile  business.  In  1871,  he  was  married  to  Doratha  Barkhausen,  of  Mequon.  They  have 
three  children — Charles  E.,  Emma  and  Mary.     Mr.  Seyfert  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

LOI'IS  C.  WAGNER,  Mequon  ;  is  a  native  of  Saxony,  born  in  1835.  His  father,  Charles 
Wagner,  was  born  in  Saxony  in  1705;  served  in  the  German  Army,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Leipsic, 
although  he  was  nol  acting  as  a  soldier  at  that  time.  He  ('migrated  with  his  family  to  the  United  States 
in  1840,  and  settled  in  Mequon,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  cigars  for  twenty-six  years. 
He  is  still  living,  and  is  at  present  the  oldest  person  in  Ozaukee  Co.  Louis  C.  engaged  as  Clerk  for 
Gaitch  &  Pinger  in  1850,  and  remained  with  said  firm  two  years.  lie  then  went  to  St.  Louis;  but,  in 
about  eighteen  months,  returned  to  Mequon  ;  purchased  the  property  of  Gaitch  A:  Finger,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  saloon  and  general  mercantile  business.  In  the  spring  of  ISSl.he  built  the  Mequon 
Cheese  Factory,  and  has  since  manufactured  about  four  hundred  pounds  of  cheese  daily.  lie  is  a  Deuio- 
erat  ;  has  been  Town  Clerk  seven  years;  Chairman  of  the  Town  Hoard  two  years  and  Notary  Public  for 
twenty-five  years.  He  was  also  Director  of  the  Germantow'ti  Fanners'  Fire  [nsurance  Company  for 
years;   Pn  sidi  nt  for  two  years,  and  kept  the  agency  for  said  company  in   Milwaukee  for  five  years,     lie 

was  married,  in  1  Sf>5,  to  Miss  Sophia  KofV.  then  of  Milwaukee,  but  a  native  of  Cleveland.  Ohio.  They 
have  eleven  children — -Emma,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Goetz,  of  Chicago;  Flora.  Clara,  Edwin,  Nellie,  Louis. 
Lvdia.  Alfred.  I'aulena,  Julia  and  Martha. 

A.  /!AITN.  farmer,  Sec,  21  ;   P.  0.  Mequon  River;  was  born  in  Mequon  in  1845.     His  parents. 

•  I  icob   and    Chri-t. na     Staus)  Zaun,  were    natives   of  Germany,  who   emigrated    to   the  United    States,  and 

settled  on  Sec,  21,  Mequon,  in  1840.     There  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared.     In  1865,  his  lather 

died,  and,  the  year  following,  Andrew  married  •  laroline  Miller,  of  Mi  quon,  and  settled  oi e  of  his  father's 

farms  ,,f  80  .teres  in  Sec.  29,  where  he  lived  six  years.     He  then  purchased  his  present  property,  which  is 

the  original  estate  of  his  father,  and  contains  1  10  acres.  Mr.  Zaun  is  a  Democrat,  but  takes  little  interest 
in  politics,  more  than  to  perforin  his  right  as  a  citizen.  His  children  now  living  are  Christena,  Anna. 
Lizzie,   Hellena.   Henry  and   Max. 

ADOIil'll  Zl  li  II  ERJI A  X  V.  Mequon  ;  is  one  of  the  early  pioneers,  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  men  ol  Ozaukee  Co  ;   he  is  a  native  of  Saxony,  horn  in  181  1.     In  1839,  he  immigrated  to  the 

United  States,  and  landed  at   Milwauk n  the   1st  day  of  August.      Two  days  later,  he  was  married  to  Miss 

F.  Opitz  who  emigrated  from  Sazony  on  the  same  vessel  in  which  Mr.  Zimmerman  came;  one  week  later 
tie  \  settled  on  Sec.  22,  town  of  Mequon,  where  he  purchased   160  acre-  of  land;  he  resided  on  the  aami 


TOWN    OF    FREDONIA.  757 

until  1855,  at  which  time  he  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Mequon  proper,  purchased  the  Edward  Janssen 
property,  and  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Notary  Public,  Postmaster  and  County  Treasurer,  holding 
all  the  offices  at  the  same  time.  In  1857.  in  partnership  with  William  F.  Opitz,  he  erected  the  Mequon 
Brewery,  and  ran  the  same  under  the  firm  name  of  Opitz  &  Zimmermann  until  1859,  at  which  time  he 
purchased  his  partner's  interest  and  continued  the  manufacture  of  lager  beer  until  1876,  at  which  time  he 
leased  the  property  to  his  son  Francis  and  August  Gerlach.  Mr.  Zimmermann  has  often  been  called  to  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  honor,  having  been  Chairman  of  the  town  nineteen  years,  Chairman  of  the  County  Board 
eleven  years,  member  of  Assembly  four  terms,  serving  in  1848,  1870, 1873  and  1874  ;  he  is  still  an  active 
worker  in  the  Democratic  ranks  ;  has  been  a  delegate  to  the  State  Convention  almost  every  session,  and 
was  a  Delegate  to  the  Cincinnati  convention,  which  nominated  Gen.  Hancock  for  the  Presidency.  He  is  a 
man  of  more  than  ordinary  intellect,  an  honest  and  upright  citizen,  who  is  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow 
men.  The  children  are  Laura,  now  Mrs.  Charley  Hausburg,  of  Elgin,  111.;  Emma,  now  Mrs.  August 
Gerlach,  of  Mequon  ;  Francis,  a  partner  in  the  Mequon  Brewery  ;  Emily,  nee  Mrs.  Henry  Hentschal,  of 
Cedarburg ;  Anna,  living  at  home,  and  Minnie,  now  Mrs.  Christopher  Klumb,  of  Saukville. 

FRANCIS  ZIMMERMAN,  firm  of  Zimmerman  &  Gerlach,  Mequon  Brewery  ;  was  born 
in  Mequon  in  1847;  received  a  common-school  education  in  both  German  and  English  languages,  and  helped 
his  father  in  the  brewery  until  1876,  during  which  time  (in  1872)  he  was  married  to  Anna  Harpst. 
In  1876,  in  partnership  with  August  Gerlach,  he  rented  the  brewery,  and  has  since  ran  the  same,  man- 
ufacturing about  twelve  huudred  barrels  of  beer  per  annum.  The  children  are  Louis,  Adolph  and 
William. 


TOWN   OF  FREDONIA. 

CHRISTIAN  REGER  (deceased);  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  March  3,  1797  ;  was 
the  son  of  John  G.  Beger;  was  a  farmer  and  distiller  in  the  old  country.  He  was  married  in  1S19,  to 
Miss  Johanna  C.  Quidsch  ;  nine  children  were  born  to  them,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy  ;  those  who 
lived  to  grow  up  were  William,  Charles,  Theresa,  who  was  the  wife  of  Charles  Rodolph.  of  Fredonia,  and 
died  in  1865,  leaving  a  husband  and  seven  sons;  Wilhelmine,  was  the  wife  of  Charles  G.  Meyer,  and 
died  in  1864;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Julius  Meyer,  of  Fredonia;  Clara,  now  Mrs.  William  F.  Young,  of  Me- 
quon, Ozaukee  Co.;  the  youngest,  Herman,  is  a  farmer  of  Fredonia.  Mr.  Beger  and  family  emigrated  to 
America  in  1846,  and  came  directly  to  Fredonia,  Washington  Co.,  now  Ozaukee,  arriving  in  the  county 
in  September.  They  were  obliged  to  chop  out  a  road  from  Waubeca  to  their  land  on  Sec.  19.  Here 
they  spent  several  weeks  in  an  Indian  hut  while  they  were  erecting  a  log  house  on  the  land  which  they 
bought  from  the  Government.  Mr.  Beger  lived  to  see  a  well-improved  farm  grow  out  of  the  wilderness 
which  he  found  on  his  arrival.  His  death  occurred  in  1860.  The  wife  lived  to  the  age  of  82,  when  she 
died  (1877). 

HERMAN  REGER,  farmer;  residence,  Sec.  19;  P.  0.  Fillmore;  is  the  youngest  son  of 
Christian  and  Johanna  C.  Beger;  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  May  9,  1841.  Came  to  America  and 
to  the  town  of  Fredonia  with  his  parents  in  1846.  Spent  his  early  years  on  the  farm.  Was  married, 
June  10,  1864,  in  Farmington,  to  Miss  Mary  Young,  daughter  of  Jacob  Young;  Mrs.  Beger  was  born 
in  Alsace,  France.  Oct.  14,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  45th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  as  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Beger  has  served  as  Supervisor  on  the  Board  for  the 
town  of  Fredonia  four  successive  years,  and  has  served  twelve  years  as  School  District  Clerk.  Mr.  and 
Mrs  Beger  were  blessed  with  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters  ;  the  eldest,  Willett,  died  in  in- 
fancy ;  Hermine,  Clara,  Richard,  Ottelia,  Martha  and  Alvier.  Mr.  Beger  has  160  acres  of  land,  lying 
partly  in  Farmington  and  partly  in  Fredonia. 

NICOEAS  CHJRAND,  blacksmith,  Fredonia;  a  native  of  Luxemburg,  Germany,  born  in 
1831  ;  learned  his  trade,  and,  in  1852,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  after  stopping  two  years  in 
Ohio,  came  to  Waubeca,  but  a  few  weeks  subsequently  removed  to  Newburg,  and,  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
returned  to  Ohio,  but  only  remained  a  short  time  when  he  again  came  to  Waubeca  and  purchased  prop- 
erty. Followed  his  trade  until  1859,  when  he  built  the  Eagle  Hotel,  and  ran  the  same  one  year.  He 
then  rented  the  property,  and  again  followed  his  trade ;  subsequently  he  ran  the  hotel  one  year,  at  the 
end  of  which  time  he  sold  to  his  brother  Jacob,  since  which  time  he  has  continued  his  trade.  He  is  a 
Democrat.     Held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  sixteen  years.     Has  also  held  other  local  offices,  and. 


758  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

is  at  present  Notary  Public.  He  was  married  in  1855,  to  Miss  SusaDna  Smith.  The  children  are  Mary, 
now  Mrs.  Herman  Korman  ;  Anna.  Peter.  Elizabeth,  Katie  and  Bernard. 

CHARLES  F.  COOLEY,  firm  of  Cooley  &  Race,  Fredonia  Station;  was  born  in  Tomp. 
kins  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  April,  1836.  When  one  year  old,  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Michigan,  where 
he   lived   until    1850,  when    hia   father,  on  account  of   poor   health,  concluded  to  go  farther  West,  and 

iiiuly  came  to  Port  Washington.  Here  Charles  clerked  in  the  store  of  W.  A.  Lawrence  until 
July,  1854,  at  which  time  his  employer  died.  Mr.  Cooley  then  came  to  Fredonia,  and  lived  with  his 
parents.  In  December,  1854,  his  father  died,  and  as  Charles  was  the  oldest  of  the  children,  it  became 
his  lot  to  take  care  of  the  family.  In  1856,  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Waubeca,  and  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business,  keeping  the  only  store  in  the  place  one  year;  he  then  sold  out.  and  again  followed 
farming.  In  1860,  in  partnership  with  H.  C.  Thayer,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  continued 
two  years.  He  then  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  soon  after  associated  John  Race  as  a  partner : 
continued  business  under  firm  name  of  Cooley  &  Race  until  the  spring  of  1863,  at  which  time  they  sold 
the  store  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  grist-mill.  In  1864,  Mr.  Cooley  sold  his  interest  in  that,  and 
purchased  the  saw-mill ;  associated  as  partner  his  brother  Franklin,  but  as  Franklin  entered  the  United 
States  service,  and  sunn  died,  Mr.  Cooley  again  took  John  Rare  as  partner,  the  mill  manufacturing  sleigh 
and  wagon  stock  and  lumber.  In  1876,  they  removed  their  business  to  Fredonia  Station,  where  they 
have  since  continued,  and  now  do  a  business  of  about  810,000.  In  April,  1879,  the  mill  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  but  was  at  once  rebuilt  by  Cooley  &  Race.  Mr.  Cooley  is  a  Republican.  Is  at  present  Justice 
of  tin'  Peace,  and  a  member  of  the  A..  F.  &  A.  M.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1861,  to  Miss  Helen 
English,  of  Tompkins  Co.,  X.  Y.;  she  died  in  June,  1874,  leaving  three  children — Charles,  George  and 
Robert.  In  July,  1875,  Mr.  Cooley  married  Miss  Mary  Hoyt ;  she  was  born  in  Canada,  reared  in  Wis- 
consin, but  at  the  time  of  marriage  was  living  in  Nebraska.     They  have  had  one  child — Percy,  deceased. 

W.  XS*.  COOLEY,  mauufaeturer,  Fredonia;  was  born  in  Michigan  in  1841.  and  when  8 
years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to  Waubeca  ;  his  father  died  the  following  year;  in-1864,  Mr.  Cooley 
enlisted  in  Co.  C.  41st  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  four  mouths,  then  re  enlisted  in  Co.  I,  16th  W.  V.  I.,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war;  he  then  returned  to  Waubeca,  taught  school  two  terms,  then  ran  a  saw- 
mill, and,  in  1872,  commenced  his  present  business,  which  has  steadily  increased,  so  that  he  now  manu- 
factures 20,000  cheese  boxes  and  about  10,000  butter  tubs  annually.  He  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Mis> 
Carli.-l  •  Patch  :   they  have  four  children — William.  Herbert,  Lester  and  Byron. 

JOHN  FIXTZEX,  Fredonia;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1849;  learned  the  shoe- 
maker's trade,  and.  in  1868,  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  at  once  settled  at  Waubeca;  here  he 
continued  his  trade  until  1875,  at  which  time  he  built  his  present  building,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
a  saloon  :  also  does  auctioneering,  insuring,  and  is  at  present  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  was  married,  in  1870,  to 
Christena  Hansen  ;   they  have  tour  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  li  inir — -Mary  and  Edward. 

IIEXKT  UROTELUESCHEN,  Fredonia;  bom  in  Germany  in  1842;  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1858;  came  direct  to  Ozaukee  Co.;  worked  with  his  brother  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Sauk- 
ville  two  years,  then  on  a  farm  in  West  Bend  eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to 
Saukville,  learned  his  trade,  and  two  years  subsequently  went  to  Cedarburg,  where  he  remained  about 
eighteen  months,  then  at  Milwaukee  two  years,  a  short  time  at  Chicago,  and  a  short  time  in  Iowa;  in 
1867,  he  came  to  Waubeca;  in  1871,  he  built  his  present  shop,  and  now  employs  two  men,  and  is  meet- 
ing with  good  suceess.  He  was  married,  in  1868,  to  Willhelmini  Beger ;  the  children  are  Louis,  Her- 
man, George  and  Augusta.  Politics,  lVmorrat.  Is  at  present  Town  Treasurer.  A  member  of  the 
i  Society  and  Turnverein. 

JOIIV  It.  KI',\I>  VLL.  manufacturer,  Fredonia;  is  a  native  of  the  county  of  Dorsy. 
England;  born  in  181  :i ;  he  learned  the  trade  of  an  architect,  and  at  the  age  of  21 .  emigrated  to  America  . 

stopped  in  Nova  Scotia  a  short  time,  then  removed  to  Newfoundland,  and.  in  the  spring  of  1*  10.  came  to  the 
I  nited  States  lived  three  months  in  Boston,  then  started  for  California;  but  when  he  got  to  Wisconsin  he 
DOnoluded  to  take  a  look  at  the  country,  and  as  he  Was  ijuite  well  pleased,  lie  stopped  at  Xewburg,  Wash- 
ington Co..  about  one  year,  then  followed  farming  in  the  town  of  Trenton  about  live  years,  after  which  he 
n  tinned  to  the  village  of  Xewburg  ;  woikcd  at  building,  etc..  until  the  spring  of  1863,  at  w'nieh  time  he 
came  to  Waubeca,  purchased  a  water-power,  and  in  partnenhip  with  James  Bedding,  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  furniture;  he  subsequently  purchased  his  partner'.-  interest,  and  has  since  continued  alone.  In 
1846,  lie  wa-  married  to  Amelia  Xicoll,  of  Newfoundland  ;  she  died  in  1  B57,  leaving  four  children,  two  of 
whom  are  now  living — Dianna  and  [sabelle;  in  1860,  he  was  married  to  Mary  10.  Gear;  they  have  three 
children — George  S.,  Frank  A.  and  John  M.     Polities,  Democrat.     Is  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.  and 

'be    I.    ().    0      I' 


TOWN    OF    FREDONIA.  759 

JULIUS  H.  KLiESSIG,  Fredonia;  one  of  the  prominent  young  merchants  of  Ozaukee 
Co.  ;  is  a  native  of  Saxony;  born  in  1852  ;  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  in  1860  ; 
lived  at  Fillmore,  Washington  Co.,  until  the  following  spring,  at  which  time  they  settled  at  Waubeka ;  at 
the  age  of  17.  be  entered  the  store  of  Charles  G.  Meyer,  where  he  clerked  until  the  spring  of  1873  ;  he 
then  speut  the  summer  at  Escanaba,  Mich.,  and  in  the  fall,  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Oswald, 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Random  Lake,  Sheboygan  Co. ;  he  continued  about  eighteen  months,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  to  his  brother,  purchased  his  present  store,  and  has  since  been  doing  a  gen- 
eral mercantile  business.  In  the  spring  of  1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eva  Rheingans  ;  she  died  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year,  leaving  one  child — Ida;  in  1878,  he  married  Agnes  Gruhle;  they  have  one  child — 
Bruno. 

K.  91 AERC  KLEIN,  proprietor  of  Eagle  House,  Fredonia;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1853  ;  but, 
while  yet  an  infant,  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States  ;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  the 
town  of  Saukville  ;  at  the  age  of  19,  he  went  to  Plymouth,  Sheboygan  Co.,  where  he  followed  milling  two 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  to  Waubeka,  purchased  the  Eagle  Hotel,  and  has  since  been  its 
proprietor.  He  was  married,  in  1877,  to  Minnie  Wermuth,  of  Waubeca;  they  have  two  children — 
Clara  and  Oscar. 

CHARLES  E.  MEYER,  firm  of  Meyer  &  Witt,  Fredonia;  was  born  in  the  town  of  which 
he  is  now  a  resident,  in  1851;  at  the  age  of  9  years,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Port  Washington,  and 
subsequently  to  Madison  ;  in  1865,  he  attended  school  at  Milwaukee  ;  in  1867,  he  removed  with  his  father 
to  Watertown,  and  clerked  for  him  at  that  place  until  1868,  when  they  came  to  Waubeka;  here  he  had 
charge  of  the  store  a  good  share  of  the  time  (as  his  father  was  County  Treasurer  one  term  and  Assembly- 
man one  term).  In  1874,  in  partnership  with  Henry  Witt,  he  purchased  the  store,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  general  mercantile  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Meyer  &  Witt.  He  was  married,  in  1876, 
to  Miss  Annie  Miller,  of  Waubeka  ;  they  have  four  children — Mary,  Henry,  Edward  and  Cecelia.  Mr. 
Meyer  is  a  Democrat ;  has  been  Town  Treasurer,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Turnverein. 

JOHN  J.  RACE,  firm  of  Cooley  &  Race,  Fredonia  Station  ;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in 
1840;  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1846.  His  lather,  George  Race,  purchased 
land  in  the  town  of  Saukville,  Ozaukee  Co.,  and  here  John  lived  until  13  years  of  age ;  he  followed  clerk- 
ing in  various  localities  until  1858,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Fredonia,  and,  after  clerking  for  Charles  F. 
Cooley  for  some  time,  purchased  an  interest  in  the  store;  in  1863,  they  sold  their  store  and  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  grist-mill;  in  1865,  Mr.  Race  sold  his  interest  in  the  grist-mill,  and,  the  following  year, 
again  associated  with  Mr.  Cooley  (who  had  previously  purchased  the  saw-mill),  and  was  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  sleigh  and  wagon  stock  and  lumber,  at  Waubeka,  until  February,  1876,  at  which  time  they 
removed  their  business  to  Fredonia  Station,  where  they  have  since  continued.  Mr.  Race  is  a  Democrat. 
Has  been  Chairman  of  the  County  Board  ;  is  at  present  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board,  which  office  he  has 
held  for  twelve  terms,  and  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  was  married,  in  1862,  to  Miss  Char- 
lotte J.  Cooley;  they  have  one  child — Warren  G.  Mr.  Race  enlisted  in  the  United  States  service  in 
1864,  but  was  rejected  ;  he  was  afterward  drafted,  but  again  rejected  on  account  of  large  veins  on  one  of 
his  limbs. 

F.  J.  C.  RElVIER,  Fredonia  ;  is  a  native  of  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  born  in  1846  ;  came  to  the 
United  States  in.  1857,  and  lived  with  his  parents  in  the  town  of  Grafton,  Ozaukee  Co.  In  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  Co.  G,  9th  W.  V.  I.,  and  served  three  years,  after  which  he  followed  farming  at  Champaign  City, 
111.,  one  year;  then  worked  at  the  cooper's  trade  at  Milwaukee,  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Ripon,  Wis.,  Chicago 
and  Lockport,  111.  In  June,  1875,  he  came  to  Waubeka,  and  has  continued  his  trade  to  the  present  time. 
He  was  married,  in  1S67,  to  Doratha  Helm,  a  native  of  Germany.  Mr.  Reiner  is  a  Republican  ;  is  at 
present  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  a  member  of  the  I.  0.  0.  F. 

JOHN  R.  SCHAURLE,  proprietor  of  the  Fredonia  Mills;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in 
1830  ;  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852  ;  was  engaged  in  confectionery,  etc.,  at  Boston,  until  1855, 
at  winch  time  he  came  to  Ozaukee  Co.;  worked  in  the  Port  Washington  Mills  until  1861  ;  he  then  came 
to  Waubeka,  rented  mill  property  one  year  ;  then  purchased  his  present  mill  property  for  $5,000,  which  he 
refitted  and  enlarged  in  1873,  at  an  expense  of  about  $16,000,  and  now  has  five  runs  of  stone  and  seven 
sets  of  rollers,  and  manufactures  at  present  about  eighty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  Mr.  S.  is  a  Liberal  in 
politics.  He  was  married,  in  1858,  to  Miss  Mary  Bold  ;  they  have  ten  children  living — Theresa,  now 
Mrs.  J.  P.  Palausch,  of  Green  Lake  Co.;  Lizzie,  William,  Mary,  Katie,  John,  Albert,  Philip,  Robert  and 
Oscar. 

DR.  J.  H.  VOJE,  Fredonia;  was  born  in  Germany  in  1853;  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine in  his  16th  year;  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in   1872,  and   graduated  at  the  Chicago  Medical 


760  BIOGRAPHICAX   sketches: 

College,  March  21,  1876;  he  then  practiced  medicine  at  Kewaskum,  Washington  Co.,  until  the  spring  of 
1878,  when  he  went  to  Europe;  visited  Germany,  also  attended  the  Paris  Exhibition,  and,  in  the  fall, 
returned  to  Wisconsin.  After  practicing  medicine  at  Holstein,  Calumet  Co.,  about  six  months,  came  to 
Waubcka.  where  he  now  has  a  very  large  practice.  Dr.  Voje  was  married,  in  1879,  to  Miss  Hanna  Ulrich, 
daughter  of  Dr.  W.  Ulrich,  of  Waukesha  ;  they  have  one  child — Hartha,  born  July  14,  1880. 

FRANK  J.  WKBKK,  Principal  of  Waubeka  Schools;  is  the  son  of  James  Weber,  who  was 
a  native  of  Austria,  and  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1840;  lived  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio; 
came  to  Wisconsin  in  1843 ;  served  in  the  Mexican  war,  and,  in  1855,  settled  in  Ozaukee  Co. ;  here  he  first 
kept  a  store  at  Grafton,  and  subsequently  a  saloon  at  Ulao ;  his  death  occurred  in  18(58,  leaving  a  wife 
(since  deceased  and  four  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest;  he  was  born  in  Mil- 
waukee Aug.  7.  1849;  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  where  he  attended  school,  and,  at  the 
age  of  13.  commenced  sailing  on  the  lakes,  which  he  followed  most  of  the  time  during  the  season  of  navi- 
gation until  1878,  during  which  time  he  spent  his  winters  in  school  until  18G9,  attending  Woodward  High 
School,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  two  winters.  He  was  married,  in  1S77,  to  Augusta  Streich,  of  Watertown, 
Wis.,  since  which  lime  he  has  followed  teaching,  which  profession  he  commenced  in  1869  ;  he  also  attends 
to  some  law  business,  as  he  is  about  to  be  admitted.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  for  which  party  he 
is  an  active  worker;  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.     The  children  are  Orlando  F.  and  Emma. 

C.  II.  WITT,  of  the  firm  of  Meyer  it  Witt,  is  a  native  of  Hanover,  Germany,  born  in  1847  ; 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1867  ;  came  direct  to  Wisconsin,  and  first  stopped  at  Grafton,  Ozaukee 
Co.,  lour  months;  subsequently  he  went  to  Farmington,  where  he  clerked  in  the  store  of  H.  Gruhlc  nine 
months;  be  then  went  to  Port  Washington  atid  clerked  in  the  Cuion  House  eight  months,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Farmington  and  again  clerked  for  H.  Gruhle  three  years,  after  which  lie  was  store-keeper  of  the 
Newhall  House,  Milwaukee,  about  eighteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  to  Waubeca,  and. 
in  partnership  with  C.  E.  Meyer,  purchased  their  present  store,  and  have  since  been  doing  a  general  mer- 
cantile business.  He  was  married,  in  1874,  to  Miss  Mary  Klessig,  of  Farmington,  Washington  Co.:  they 
have  two  children — Bertha  and  Ernst  A.  Mr.  Witt  is  a  Democrat  ;  is  at  present  Town  Clerk  ;  a  member 
of  the  0.  D.  H.  S.,  the  Turnverein  and  Singer  Society. 


TOWN    OF    SAUKVILLE. 

AXTIIOXY  All  LII  Al \SER,  Saukville;  is  an  old  settler  of  Ozaukee  ;  a  native  of  Germany* 
horn  Nov.  8,  1  827  ;  came  with  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1845,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town 
ol  Mequon.  Here,  in  1851,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Groctelueschen.  In  l>.">r..  he  removed  to  Sankville, 
and,  in  partnership  with  his  brother  William,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  under  the  firm  name 
ot  Ahlhauser  Bros.,  for  four  years,  when  they  suspended  business.  In  1862,  he  purchased  the  Eagle  Hotel, 
and  has  since  been  proprietor  of  the  same.  Mr.  A.  is  a  gentleman  who  has  many  winning  ways,  and  there- 
fore has  many  friends.      He  is  a  Democrat  in  polities;   has  been  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  twelve  terms  : 

i  of    Deeds  two  terms  ;   member  of  Assembly  one  term.      Is  at  present  Justit I' the  Peace,  which 

office  he  has  held  during  the  past  ten  years.  The  children  are  John,  a  harness  -maker,  of  Sankville, 
Henry,  a  blaoksmith,  of  Turner  Station,  Ore.;  William,  present  County  Treasurer,  and  Louis,  living  at 
hi  ime. 

JOSEPH    A  liltlCKCHT,   Postmaster;    one  of  Saukville's  early  settlers  and  prominent  men  . 

is  a  native  oi  Germany,  born  in  1831.  He  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1851,  and.  after  living 
three  years  in  New  Vork  City,  came  to  Milwaukee,  and.  in  1855,  settled  at  Sankville;  here  he  worked  in 
the  turning  department  of  a  saw-mill  about  three  years,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  hotel 
business.  If'  has  been  Count}  Clerk.  Town  Clerk,  Chairman  of  County  Board,  etc.,  and  is  at  present 
I  'list  master,  which  office  he  has  held  since  1s7l'.     He  was  married,  in  1856,  to  Magdalene  Mondbe ;  they 

?  wo  children — fosepb  ami  George. 

('II KINTOIMI  Kit  Kl.l  MB.  station  and  express  agent,  Sankville ;  was  born  in  Mequon, 
Ozaukee  Co.,  Deo.  30,  \<l'J.  received  a  common-school  education  and  lived  with  his  parents  on  a  farm 
until  1868;  be  then  tunic, 1  bis  attention  to  railroading,  learning  the  business  at  Granville  ami  soon  took 
charge  of  the  Btation  at  Thienville.  Here,  in  1876.  he  was  married  to  Miss  Minnie  Zimmermann,  daughter 
of  Adolph  and  Fredrickc  (Ipitz  Zimmermann.  In  1879,  be  removed  to  Cedarburg,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  since  which  time  he  ha-  had  charge  of  the  station  at  Sankville.  The  children  are  Ada  A.  M., 
and  Alfred  A.  .1.      Politics,  liberal. 


TOWN    OF   GRAFTON.  761 

AUGUST  KOI'.XIIii.  proprietor  of  Saukville  Mills;  was  born  in  Saxony  in  1827.  Was 
married  at  the  age  of  25  to  Christena  Schumann.  Emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1854  and  settled  at 
Saukville ;  here  he  served  as  a  common  laborer  for  two  years,  when  he  was  stricken  with  the  rheumatism, 
and,  therefore,  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  which  he  still  follows.  In  1879,  he  held  a  mortgage 
against  the  Saukville  Mills,  and,  as  they  were  destroyed,  he  was  compelled  to  foreclose  the  same  and  take 
the  property;  he  then  rebuilt  the  mill  at  a  cost  of  about  118,000;  put  in  five  run  of  stone,  one  set  of 
single  and  one  set  of  double  rollers,  and  the  mill  now  has  a  capacity  of  seventy-five  barrels  daily.  He 
has  five  children — Minnie,  now  Mrs.  Julius  Brandtmuhl ;  Oscar,  Delia,  Otto  and  Max.  Oscar  Koenig 
was  born  at  Saukville  in  1857  ;  received  a  common-school  education  in  both  English  and  German,  also  a 
commercial  education  at  the  Spencerian  College,  of  Milwaukee;  clerked  in  his  father's  store  until  1881, 
since  which  time  he  has  had  charge  of  the  flouring-mills.  He  was  married  in  1880  to  Mary  Kuhefuss,  of 
Cedarburg. 

CHARLES  STOPPER,  Town  Clerk,  Saukville;  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  January, 
1843  ;  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  and  lived  with  them  at  Schenectady  one 
year,  then  at  Utica,  N.  Y.,  until  1855,  at  which  time  the  family  came  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  at  Sauk- 
ville;  here  Charles  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  of  his  father,  and,  in  1861,  returned  to  Utica.  Two 
years  later,  he  went  to  Chicago.  In  1865,  he  returned  home  and  has  since  followed  his  trade.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  is  at  present  Town  Clerk.  He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1866  to  Miss  Margaret  Kessler ; 
they  have  nine  children — Alvis,  Mene,  Christena,  Josephine,  Peter,  Charles,  Lawrence,  Frank  and  Joseph. 

LOUIS  C.  WAMROLD,  Saukville;  a  native  of  Germany,  born  May  10,  1830.  At  the 
request  of  his  father,  he  learned  the  stone-cutter's  trade,  but  as  he  preferred  blacksmithing,  he,  at  the  age 
of  19,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  learned  that  trade  at  Williamsville,  N.  Y. ;  he  then  went  to 
Niagara  Falls  and  worked  on  the  Suspension  Bridge  until  1855,  during  which  time,  in  1855,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Mueller.  In  1856,  he  came  to  Saukville  and  has  since  followed  his  trade,  meeting  with 
marked  success.     He  has  four  children — Laura,  Mary,  Amelia  and  Edward.     Religion,  Lutheran. 


TOWN    OF    CRAFTON. 

JOHN  FITZGERALD,  Grafton;  was  born  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  in  1843,  and 
when  2  years  of  age,  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Cedarburg,  Ozaukee  Co.;  he  attended  the  schools  of  that 
vicinity,  also  the  State  University;  in  the  fall  of  1866,  he  took  charge  of  the  school  of  Saukville,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  same  three  years;  in  1S69,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Grafton  with  C.  L.  Dick- 
erman ;  eighteen  months  later,  he  went  to  Chicago, 'and  served  in  a  real  estate  office  eight  months,  then 
returned  to  Grafton,  and  in  partnership  with  F.  L.  Harms,  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  continued 
eighteen  months;  the  year  following,  he  was  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  C.  A.  Metzek  &  Co.,  Milwaukee, 
since  which  time  he  has  continued  teaching,  and  is  at  present  Principal  of  the  Grafton  Schools.  Mr. 
Fitzgerald  was  married,  in  1872,  to  Miss  Frances  O'Ragan,  of  Grafton. 

G.  C.  FLEISCHMANN,  teacher,  Grafton ;  was  born  in  that  place  in  1852  ;  received  a 
Normal  school  education,  and  has  made  teaching  his  profession  ;  has  been  Principal  of  the  Grafton  Schools 
two  years,  and  is  at  present  teaching  the  school  at  Saukville.  He  is  a  Liberal  in  politics,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent Town  Clerk.  He  was  married,  on  July  1,  1876,  to  Miss  Kate  Stein,  then  of  Trenton,  Washington 
Co.,  but  formerly  of  Fredonia,  Ozaukee  Co.     They  have  two  children — Mary  and  Lillie. 

E.  L.  HARMS,  Grafton  ;  one  of  the  leading  merchants ;  was  born  in  Brunswick,  Germany,  in 
1S48,  and  when  about  1  year  old,  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States;  they  came  direct  to 
Wisconsin,  and  in  the  spring  of  1850,  settled  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg.  Here  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  attended  school,  and  helped  on  the  farm  until  16  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  to  New- 
burg,  Washington  Co.,  clerked  in  a  store  one  year,  then  came  to  Grafton;  in  1867,  he  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  clerked  a  short  time ;  subsequently  served  in  a  railroad  office  a  short  time,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1868,  entered  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College,  where  he  remained  eight  months,  when  on  account 
of  poor  health  he  was  obliged  to  return  home ;  recovering  his  health,  he  went  to  West  Bend  and  clerked 
in  the  store  of  Ernst  Frankenburg  (his  former  employer  at  Newburg),  and  eight  months  later  returned  to 
Grafton  and  clerked  in  the  store  of  C.  L.  Dickerman  until  April,  1871  ;  he  then  acted  as  traveling  sales- 
man one  year,  when  he  was  married  to  Caroline  Frick,  of  Grafton  ;  in  1874,  in  partnership  with  John 
Fitzgerald,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  carried  on  the  same  under   the  firm  name  of  Harms  & 


762  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

Fitzgerald  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  has  since  continued 
the  business  alone.  Mr.  Harms  has  been  Postmaster  since  1870 ;  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  but 
did  not  qualify.     The  children  are  Agnes,  William,  Olga,  Alexander  and  an  infant. 

JOHN  LAl'SEN,  of  the  firm  of  H.  Schmidt  &  Co.,  Grafton;  is  a  native  of  Prussia,  born  in 
1842;  learned  the  miller's  trade,  and  in  1864  emigrated  to  the  United  States;  came  direct  to  Wisconsin, 
and  first  stopped  in  Calumet  Co.,  then  in  Sheboygan,  and  subsequently  in  Milwaukee;  in  the  fall  of  1865 
eame  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  acted  as  head-miller  in  the  mills  at  Hamilton  until  1873;  then  came  to  Grafton, 
and  in  partnership  with  H.  S.  Smith  purchased  an  interest  in  the  flouring-mills,  and  ran  the  same  under 
the  firm  name  of  C.  Schlegel  &  Co.  until  1879,  when  H.  Heuer  purchased  Mr.  Schlegel's  interest,  since 
which  time  the  firm  name  has  been  H.  Schmidt  &  Co.  Mr.  Lausen  was  married,  in  1868,  to  Miss  Kate 
Schmidt,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  have  four  children — Ottieli,  Andrew,  Dora  and  Louise.  Mr.  L.  is  a 
Liberal  in  politics;  a  member  of  the  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  I.  O.  0,   I". 

WILLIAM  F.  OPITZ,  farmer,  Sec.  1  ;  P.  0.  Saukville;  one  of  the  early  pioneers;  is  a 
native  of  Saxony,  born  in  1816.  In  1838.  he  was  married  to  Wilhelmini  Graff,  and  in  the  following  year 
emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Mequon  on  the  6th  day  of  August,  I  - 39. 
Here  he  purchased  160  acres  of  Government  land,  and  146  acres  of  land  partially  improved.  In  1857, 
in  partnership  with  Adolph  Zimmermann,  he  built  the  Mequon  Brewery,  and  was  connected  with  the 
same  until  1859.  In  1866,  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  290  acres,  aud  has  since  resided  on  the 
same.  Mr.  Opitz  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and,  besides  holding  the  various  town  offices,  has  been  County 
Sheriff  and  member  of  Assembly.  His  children  are  Herman,  Richard,  Frank.  ETenryette  I  now  Mrs. 
Nicolaus  Stine,  of  Sauk  Co.  I,  .Matilda  (now  Mrs.  Ernst  Aldan,  of  Mequon  I,  and  Thckla. 

WILLIAM  ROHItKEN,  Jr.,  Grafton;  was  born  in  Cedarburg,  Ozaukee  Co.,  in  1858. 
His  parents.  William  and  Catherine  Roebkcn,  are  natives  of  Germany;  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
about  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  are  still  living  on  a  farm  in  the  town  of  Cedarburg.  William,  dr.,  the 
oldest  of  fire  children,  received  a  common-school  education  in  both  English  and  German;  and,  in  1874, 
entered  the  Cedarburg  Woolen  Mills,  where  he  acted  as  shipping  clerk,  etc.  While  serving  in  this 
capacity,  he  BO  gained  the  confidence  and  este  ■  i n  of  his  employers,  that  in  February,  1881,  he  was  given 
charge  of  the  worsted  department  of  the  mills  at  Grafton. 

II.  SCHMIDT,  of  the  firm  of  H.  Schmidt  &  Co.,  proprietors  of  Grafton  Flouring  Mills;  was 
born  in  Germany  Nov.  24,  1840.  When  he  was  9  years  of  age.  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  anu*settled  at  Hamilton,  Ozaukee  Co.  Here  he  lived  with  his  parents  on  a  farm  until  1862,  at 
which  time  he  was  drafted  in  the  34th  W.  V.  I.;  but,  after  four  months'  service,  was  discharged  on 
account  of  sickness.  lie  then  returned  home,  and,  after  recovering  his  health,  went  to  Chicago,  where  he 
remained  four  years ;  then  followed  sailing  one  year,  when  he  again  returned  home;  and,  in  1868,  was 
married  to  Margaret  Asche,  of  Cedarburg.  He  then  removed  to  Grafton,  and  followed  teaming  for  the 
flouring  mills  one  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  purchased  his  father's  farm  of  78  seres,  and  worked 
the  same,  after  which,  in  partnership  with  Charles  Schlegel  and  John  Lausen,  he  purchased  the  Grafton 
Mill.  He  has  had  the  mi-fort uoe  to  receive  many  injuries,  the  most  important  of  which  is  the  loss  of  his 
left  arm,  in  ls7t',,  ],\  being  caught  in  the  machinery.  His  children  are  Ida,  I  lulda,  Emma,  Henry,  Regena 
and  Arthur. 

JOHN  SIMON,  Grafton;  one  of  Ozaukee's  early  settlers,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  March  17, 
1819  ;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1842,  arriving  at  Milwaukee  July  7  ,  here  he  followed  his  trade  as  tailor 

until  1849  ;  he  then  m to  Grafton,  purchased  property,  and  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  until  I  865, 

at  which  time  he  went  to  Port  Washington  and  purchased  the  tannery,  which  he  ran  two  and  a  half  years, 
when  he  returned  to  Grafton  and  purchased  the  Grafton  House,  which  he  still  owns ;  March  l,  1881,  he 
rented  the  same  to  his  son,  John  B.  Mr.  Simon  is  a  Democrat;  has  been  County  Treasurer,  Qnder 
Sheriff  and  Town  Treasurer.  He  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Anna  Schram  ;  they  have  four  children  living 
— Frank,  a  tanner  in  Milwaukee;  Anna  leu  Mrs.  Andrew  Staah,  of  Grafton  ;  .John  B.,  now  of  the 
Grafton  Bouse;  and  N.  J.,  a  Bchool  teacher  in  Chicago. 

JOHN   It.  SIMON,  proprietor  of  the  Grafton  House,  was  horn  in  Grafton  dune  8,  1855;  re- 
ceived a  common-school  education,  learned  the  saddler's  trade, and  spent  one  year  in  a  tannery  in  Milwau- 
lu  November,  1878,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary   Barth;  they  have  one  child  living — Johnnie. 
.<,,-.  Simon  rented  the  Grafton  Bouse  of  his  father,  March  1.  1881. 

JOSH  1*11  SI'HIIX,  Grafton;  was  horn  in  Milwaukee  May  16,  1846;  the  year  following,  the 
family  removed  to  Washington  Co.,  and.  in  1852,  to  Grafton;  hen'  Joseph  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation, and.  in  L864,  enlisted  in  Co.  II.  16th  W.  V.  [.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.     In   1869, 
i.t  to  Minnesota  and   remained  one  year.     In   I B7 1 ,  he  was  married  to  Catharine   Hepschen.     In 


TOWN    OF    BELGIUM.  Too 

1876,  he  engaged  in  the  saloon  business  ;  in  May,  1878,  ho  removed  to  his  present  location.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  ;  has  been  Town  Treasurer  and  Deputy  Sheriff;  in  the  foil  of  1880,  he  was  a  candi- 
date for  County  Sheriff,  but  was  defeated  by  thirty-one  votes.  The  children  are  Angeline,  Joseph,  John 
and  Mary. 


TOWN    OF    BELCIUM. 

REV.  FR  WILLIAM  JOSEPH  FRA1VTZ,  was  born  in  Luxemburg  in  March,  1849  ; 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  mother  and  two  brothers,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Belgium' 
Ozaukee  Co.;  in  1863,  he  entered  the  St.  Francis  Seminary  of  Milwaukee,  where  he  was  ordained  as 
priest  June  24,  1878,  and  for  about  four  months  took  charge  of  the  Holy  Cross  Church  (during  the  absence 
of  the  regular  priest),  and  at  the  same  time  attended  the  Mission  at  Waubeca;  he  was  stationed  at 
Waubeca  for  one  year,  and  April  1,  188(1,  returned  to  the  Holy  Cross,  which  church  has  178  families. 

PETER  JONES,  Town  Clerk;  was  born  in  Belgium,  Europe  in  1832;  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1852,  and  after  stopping  at  Port  Washington  six  months,  went  to  Peshtigo,  whore  he 
followed  lumbering  until  185S;  he  then  returned  to  Ozaukee  Co.,  taught  school  in  the  town  of  Fredonia 
one  year,  and  then  purchased  84  acres  of  land  in  the  town  of  Belgium,  80  acres  of  which  are  in  Sec.  20, 
while  4  acres  are  located  at  Holy  Cross.  Mr.  Jones  has  since  lived  upon  the  latter.  He  has  taught 
school  in  District  No.  5  since  1860.  Is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  at  present  Town  Clerk,  which  office 
he  has  held  since  1860.  Mr.  Jones  was  married,  in  185S,  to  Margaret  Schumacher;  they  have  six  chil- 
dren— Nicolas,  Peter,  Mary,  Michael,  Margaret  and  Anna.     Religio'i.  rtoman  Catholic. 


TOO    LATE    FOR    INSERTION    IN    PROPER   PLACE. 

ADOLPH  ARZRACHER,  Village  Clerk  of  West  Bend;  is  the  son  of  Christopher  and 
Caroline  Arzbacher  ;  was  born  in  Rhine  Province,  Prussia,  Nov.  19,  1831  ;  studied  the  mercantile  business, 
and,  in  1848,  1849  and  1850,  he  traveled  in  France  and  Belgium  as  mercantile  agent.  In  June',  1851,  he 
came  to  America,  and  direct  to  Wisconsin  ;  made  his  home  in  the  town  of  Polk,  Washington  Co.,  and  engaged 
in  forming.  In  1856,  he  came  to  West  Bend,  and  bought  the  grist  and  saw-mill  property  in  company 
with  his  brother  Gustave ;  continued  in  this  business  till  1860,  when  he  bought  the  Eagle  Brewery  of  Mr. 
Eckstein.  He  operated  the  brewery  till  1875,  when  he  leased  it  to  Kuelthau  &  Johnson,  and  sold  it  in. 
1880  to  Mr.  Fleischmann.  Mr.  Arzbacher  has  served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  from  1874  to  1881 ;  was  elected 
Village  Clerk  in  1877,  and  re-elected  four  times.  He  was  married,  Sept.  22,  1856,  in  Prussia,  to  Charlotte 
Grosholz,  daughter  of  John  Grosholz.  Mrs.  Arzbacher  was  born  in  the  same  province  as  her  husband. 
They  have  six  children — Otto  A.,  Johanna  (died  when  4  years  of  age),  Olga,  Willie  (died  in  infancy), 
Frederick  and  Emma.     Otto  married  Sarah  Horn,  and  is  telegraph  operator  at  Crystal  Lake  Station. 

OWEN  IIARXS,  farmer,  Sec.  35,  Farmington;  has  80  acres  of  land  in  this  town  and  SO 
in  Trenton  ;  P.  O.  Newburg.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  County  Louth,  Ireland,  in  July, 
1809;  is  the  son  of  Patrick  and  Rose  Hams.  In  1839,  he  came  to  America;  resided  in  Livingston, 
Monroe  and  Genesee  Counties,  N.  Y  ,  till  1843,  when  he  returned  to  Ireland,  and  was  married  there,  Jan. 
14,  1844,  to  Miss  Mary  Campbell.  In  1S45,  he  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  made  his  home  in 
New  York  till  1854.  when  he  removed  to  Farmingtori,  and  located  on  his  present  farm.  There  were 
seven  children  in  the  family — Rose,  now  the  wife  of  Edward  Foley,  of  Farmington  ;  John  married  (^atherine 
Burk,  and  lives  in  Trenton;  Mary  is  now  Mrs.  Patrick  Osborn,  of  Minnesota;  P.  W.  married  Elizabeth 
Miller,  and  is  in  the  marble  business  at  West  Bend  ;  Mathew  is  in  the  Territories  ;  Catherine  and  Owen 
are  at  home. 


PASSENGERS    BOUND    FOR 

CALIFORNIA,    COLORADO,    NEBRASKA, 

ID^A-KTOT-A-,  MIITITESOTA, 

"wiscoasrsiisr,  i&oetta.is'jl, 

J^ISTTD    THE    TEEBITOEIBS, 

Should,   if  they  would  consult  their  interest,  buy  their  tickets  via  the 

Chicago  &  North  -Western  Railway 

This  is  the    XjE.A.:DIiTC3-    ^,^.IIJ_Vvr^.-2_   of  the 

WEST  jLNJD    NORTHWEST. 

This  imp<  riant  system  of  Eiiilwav  Lines  \a  11  the  World,  owning  and  "p.Tating, 

under  one  management, 

2,390    IVEILES    OF    ROAD. 

Its  Lines  run  ftom  Chicago  in  nydirecl sth.it  it  En  necessary  to  d<  .,,      p,  sum    ,-whichwiIl  Kiv*' ,l  °,r- 

rect  idea  to  the  passenger  of  the  part  of  country  each  Lin<   tiu\   i  Thi       L   i      I  erin  i  nim .  ■■     ... 


Chicago,  Council  Bluffs  &  California  Line. 
Chicago,  Sioux  City  &  Yankton  Line. 
Chicago,  Clinton,  Dubuque  &  La  Crosse  Line. 
Chicago,  Freeport  &  Dubuque  Line. 


Chicago,  La  Crosse  &  Winona  Line. 
Chicago,  Minnesota  &  Dakota  Line. 
Chicago,  St,  Paul  &  Minneapolis  Line. 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  Lake  Superior  Line 


Chicago,  Green  Bay  &  Marquette  Line. 

These  [dm  'CHICAGO  &  NORTH-WESTEBN"  to  reach  all  prin  in  thi   WEST,  NOBTHWEST,  and,  thxon 

connections,  the  FA  It  WE 

f  facility  for  Quick,  £  >  Transit  to  the  traveler  wh  is  his  route. 

Itste  no  road  in  the  West,  and  offers  inducemi  that  are  not  and  cam  Iby  any  of  its  competitors, 

Its  management  adopts  every  improve  the  modern    Re  rmined  thai  the  CHICAGO  A  NOBTH- 

WESTKKN   RAILWAY  shal   remain  the  LEADING  Railway  of  the  GREAT  WEST. 


should  ask  for  and  he  certain  thei    Pi  i  Coupon  which  reads,  over  the 

"CHICAGO  &  NORTH-WESTERN   RY." 

AU  Ticket  Agents  will  be  glad  to  sell  them  via  this  Line. 

REMEMBER!— PULLMAN    HOTEL  CARS  A,!:i  tSSSSfSrJc^SM 

St  xoit  ill  -  M  i:s  11  :it.\  l:.l  I  I.WAY.  is   iiimm ili.-r  rn.ui  form  ..t  Hot 

CHROUG  I  :  ttlssouriB  CI      ...  OH   EATING  CABS  of  any  sort 


NO  TRANSFER  at  ST.  PAUL  via  the  CHICAGO  &  NORTH-WESTERN  RY. 

Paawngen  procuring  Ockete  to  points  beyond  BT.  PAl  L  should  use  GBEAT  CABE  to  see  thai  (hej  read  over  the 
Onieagyo  &,  North-Western  Railway, 

—  nit  THE  — 

01ii<-!ij«-o.  St.  Paul  &>  »Jtinneapolis  Lin<-. 

Andnotovera  route  having  it  SIMILAR  NAME,  as  Uii*  i« 

8©*THE  ONLY  ROUTE  YOU  CAN  TAKE  TO  AVOID  A  CHANGE  OF  DEPOT  AT  ST.  PAUL.-** 

NEW  TOBK  "'■  I  i  I    ay.  I       COUNCIL    Bl 


BOSTON  OKI  I-  i 
MIl.VA  A  I   M   E  i   I  :   , 

I      i'  .      I 

M1NNEAI  OI.IS  TICK  El       :  .  n  i,  ,.iu  t   n   .    ..  and  St. 

HICAGO  TlfiKE  I  "I  EE  I  • 
II.... 
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