\
ROCK COUNTY
WISCONSIN
A New History of its Cities, Villages, Towns, Citizens
and Varied Interests, from the Earliest
Times, Up To Date
HISTORIAN AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
WILLIAM FISKE BROWN, M. A., D. D.
BELOIT, WISCOiNSIN
ASSOCIATE EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS
Hon. A. A. Jackson, Judge C. L. Fifield, Doctor S. B, Buckmaster,
Supt. H. C. Buell, Prest. J. G. Rexford, Hon. H. L. Skavlem
and Horace McElroy, Esq., of Janesville, and Prof.
R. C. Chapin, Hon. F. F. Livermore, J.
B. Dow, Esq., and E. C. Helm,
M. D., of Beloit
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. II
ILLUSTRATED
PUBLISHED BY
C. F. COOPER & CO.
CHICAGO
1908
2r>G538B
T^u.^
LIST OF PORTRAITS
Alden, Levi 750
Bell, Dr. Samuel 978
Bennett, John R 536
Bostwick, J. M 834
Carr, Solomon C 664
Clausen, Rev. Claus A '. . 616
Daland, William C 632
Fifield, Charles L 696
Finch, Loren 552
Green, Paul M 702
Goodrich, Ezra 938
Goodrich, Joseph 936
Jenson, Andrew 648
Jones, Samuel S 958
Kimball, Fenner 568
King, Angle J 718
King, John D 734
Matheson, Alexander E 766
McGowan, Emmett D 782
Pease, J. J. R 584
Platts, Lewis A '680
Pramer, Jesse C 1.028
Richardson, Hamilton '. 818
Schmit, Dr. Anthony 1 850
Scofield, George 866
Skavlem, Halvor L 882
Smith, Stanley B 898
AVaterman, A. P 1,008
Whitehead, John M 798
Whiton, E. V Frontispiece
Whittet, Lawrence C 904
Wixom, Elijah 924
XXVI.
HISTOKY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN.
By
Charles L. Fifield.
The history of Janesville is comprised within the limits of
a man's life, covering but little more than the allotted three
score years and ten. In fact, some of the earliest settlers here,
who came after they had grown to manhood, have just passed
away during the present year.
From one house in 1835 Janesville has grown to a city of 16,-
000 inhabitants. Situated in nearly the center of Rock county,
fourteen miles north of the "Wisconsin-Illinois state line, ninety-
one miles northwest of Chicago, and seventy miles southeast of
Mihvaukee, it now covers four sections of the town of Janesville
(25, 26, 35 and 36), two in the town of Rock (1 and 2), one-half
section in La Prairie (W. l^ of 6), and two half sections in the
town of Harmony (W. % of 30 and 31). This makes a rectangular
plat tw^o and a half miles wide and three miles long, or 4,800
acres, all of which is fairly w^ell covered by homes, except the
half sections at the south, which portion is rapidly becoming the
center for new factories. The southern section of the city will
probably grow with increased rapidity now, as the Northwestern
Railway Company has just commenced (July, 1907) work on a
$3,000,000 system of yards, roundhouse and shops, just adjoining
the southern limits of the city.
The contour of the land is ideal for the location of a city.
From the north flows the beautiful Rock river, entering the city
limits a half mile west of the center and flowing almost directly
south for a mile, when it bends to the east and crosses section 36,
through the heart of the city, diagonally from the northwest to
the southeast corner of that section ; then it bends sharply to
the west and runs nearly due west through the north part of
sections 1 and 2 in Rock, to the western limits. On both sides
521
522 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
of the river as it passes southerly through the city, there is a
narrow level bank and then the ground rises to a height of 100
feet or more. On the east side this rise is quicker than on the
west, and the buff extends southerly to where the river turns
west. Here a large creek, called Spring brook, flows into the
river from the east, and the land is low, not much above the
river's level. On the west side the bluffs rise directly from the
water's edge at the north end of the city, gradually sloping
down so that, in the center of the city the rise is of easy gradua-
tion, while going farther south in the bend of the river, it be-
comes a level plain but fifteen or twenty feet above the river.
From the top of the bluffs on both sides, the ground runs back
as a level prairie, furnishing unlimited room for growth.
There are two dams across the river within the city limits,
the upper being slightly above the center of the city, and the
lower being about two miles below it as the river runs, so that the
back water keeps the river at a good level all through the city.
All the streets are bordered with large shade trees, making the
city a bower of green, and giving it its name — "Bower City."
The store buildings are mainly on two streets, Main street, run-
ning next and parallel to the river, on the east side, being the
location of the first stores built and improving ever since, and
Milwaukee street, crossing the river and Main street at right
angles, at the point where Janes built his cabin and started the
city. Store buildings also are found for a short distance on
numerous streets leading off from these two, and particularly on
Kiver street, occupying the relative place of ]\Iain street, but
on the west side of the river.
The city is divided into five Avards at present, the first on
the west side of the river and north part of the city, running
down to Milwaukee street ; the second in the same relative por-
tion on the east side of the river ; the third taking the remainder
of the east side of the river, and the fourth and fifth, the lower
portion of the west side. The two steam railroad lines cut through
the city diagonally from the center of the northern part to the
southwest corner, crossing the river twice and having their depots
at the northwest corner of the business section, two blocks north
of Milwaukee street. The Chicago & Northwestern railway main
line from Chicago to St. Paul runs through Janesville, going
north of the west bank of the river. The same road also branches,
JANESVILLE, AVISCOXSUST 533
crossing the river to the north for Oshkosh and P''ond du Lac. It
also has a line to the south, on the north bank of the river, run-
ning to Beloit and Rockford. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul railway has a parallel line to Rockford, running around to
Chicago, and a new line running southeast more direct to Chi-
cago. They also have a line west to Monroe and Mineral Point,
and another crossing the river north, dividing at the north of
the county for Milwaukee and Madison. A third system is pre-
paring to enter Janesville, running as an outside belt line around
Chicago, from Gary, Ind., to Milwaukee, and being already built
as far as Rockford. An interurban car line furnishes frequent
and easy access to Beloit, Rockford, Freeport, and by way of
Elgin, through service to Chicago. A franchise for another line
to Stoughton and Madison has been granted, and the line doubt-
less will be built soon.
The city presents a very substantial appearance, nearly all
the business blocks and public buildings being constructed of
stone or brick, as also are many of the dwellings. The dwelling
houses are mostly of a plain and unpretentious but comfortable
and home-like character, and are generally owned by the occu-
pants.
From the busy city of today to the unsettled wilds of seventy-
five years ago is a far cry, but we must wipe out our knowledge
of the present, and try to bring ourselves back to the early days
in order to understand the growth of the city and its gradual
evolution from the wilderness. ]\Iany other portions of the state
were settled before this. As there were no railroads, the first
settlements naturally clung to the waterways. Green Bay was
an old town, and the lead settlement around Prairie du Chien
had been in existence for a long time before the Rock River val-
ley attracted the pioneer. This valley was the happy hunting
ground of the Indians. They held Lake Koshkonong in high
esteem as a hunting and fishing ground, and they also had corn-
fields on its banks. So, too, they had cornfields at the bend of
the river in the southern part of Janesville. "When the Black
Hawk war broke out, the Indians kept to the Rock River valley.
After the war had been in progress for some time, the Indians
massacred the majority of a number of settlers near Ottawa, 111.,
and carried away two young girls, Sylvia and Rachel Hall, into
captivity. These girls were taken around with the Indian band
524 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
during their sorties for some time, and finally were brought with
them to the present site of Janesville. Black Hawk and the
major portion of his forces were camped just outside the eastern
limit in what has since been known as Black Hawk grove, being
on a farm known as the Moore farm, later the Rooney farm, and
now owned by George G. Sutherland. Black Hawk remained
there in camp about two weeks, and during that time the Hall
girls were ransomed for the sum of $2,000, paid in horses, etc.
This was in June, 1832, and the tent poles, ashes and brands of
the Indian camp fires were visible for a number of years after
the settlement of Janesville. Mr. Volney Atwood, who came in
1837, told me that they were very plain to be seen for some time
after he came here. While Black Hawk was in camp here, the army
under General Atkinson was coming up the Rock river valley
in pursuit. When they reached the mouth of the Pecatonica
river in Illinois, the Indians broke camp and moved up to the
foot of Lake Koshkonong, and later to Black Hawk island at the
head of the lake. General Atkinson and his army entered Rock
county on June 30, 1832, and encamped just above where Beloit
now is. The next day they came on across the prairie, striking
the river at the bend south of Janesville, and proceeding from
here to Lake Koshkonong. They missed Black Hawk, however,
and no battle took place until General Dodge overtook the Indian
army at the Wisconsin river some weeks later. The defeat of the
Indians practically ended the Black Hawk war, and the volun-
teer army was soon disbanded and dispersed. Wherever the
soldiers went, however, they were singing the praises of the upper
Rock river valley, and Rock county, with its rivers and springs,
its beautiful oak openings, and its wide prairies, covered with a
luxuriant growth of grasses and many colored flowers. These
reports soon started settlers towards Rock county, and the his-
tory of Janesville begins.
The history of a city, necessarily is the history of the men
and Avomen who have made it, their business successes and fail-
ures — a history of its educational and religious development, of
the factories and mills within it, and many other things that
may trench to some degree upon some of the special articles in
this book.
For most of this information one must of necessity rely on
the printed records of the past. In many instances these dis-
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 525
agree, and the things herein stated may possibly conflict with
statements in other articles herein. I desire to say that while
I have carefully read as many accounts as I could obtain, regard-
ing the facts herein set forth, and have cheeked as far as possible
to avoid misstatement, yet I would not presume to say that every
date and circumstance is correct, but simply that it is as near
right as I can find out. I wish to acknowledge especial indebted-
ness to the "History of Rock County, etc.," published by Orrin
Guernsey and Joshua F. Willard in 1856; the "History of Janes-
ville," by Alex T. Gray, in the "Janesville Directory" for 1859;
the "History of Rock County," published in 1879, the "Fire-
men's Souvenir" of 1902, and the bound files of the Janesville
newspapers.
The most logical arrangement seems to be to take the years,
and note the changes by them, even though this makes a some-
what unconnected narrative, so that will be the method followed.
1833.
The United States began the surveys of this part of Rock
county in the summer of 1833. The portion of the town of Janes-
ville west of the river was first surveyed. The town lines were
run by surveyors, Mullet and Brink in the third quarter of 1833,
and the sections and subdivisions were surveyed later in the same
year by George W. Harrison. These lands were opened for entry
and sale at the land office, which was situated at Green Bay, in
1835, before any actual settlers arrived here, so that when they
did come, they settled on the east side of the river, which was
not surveyed until 1836.
1835.
All lands on the west of the river in range 12 were put on
the market in the summer of 1835, and were entered by Thomas
A. Holmes, G. R. Page, H. Pennoyer, Morgan L. Martin and others
who had never been here.
On July 14, 1835, John Inman of Lucerne county, Pennsyl-
vania, and William Holmes, of Ohio, started from Milwaukee to
prospect and find a location. They had heard there of the
beauties of the Rock river valley, and so directed their steps in
this direction. On July 16, they arrived at what is now Fort
Atkinson, and following down around Lake Koshkonong, they
526 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
encamped the next night, the 17th, about where Fulton now is,
in Rock county. During the night their ponies escaped and
wandered on down the river. The next morning, July 18, 1835,
they took their stuff on their backs and tramped on down the
river, reaching the location of Janesville that afternoon. They
must have forded the river somewhere, for they encamped that
night on the bluff at the southern edge of the river on the east
side of the river, from where they could see the remains of Black
Hawk's camp. This must have been near where George Han-
thorn's residence now is on Sharon street. The next morning
they went over to where the Indian camp had been, and called it
Black Hawk's Grove, which name it has ever since retained.
Not having found their ponies, they kept on walking down the
river as far as where Turtle creek enters Rock river in Beloit.
They saw no one; no settler had yet claimed any part of this
virgin land for his own. Even the old squaw man Thiebault had
not yet then located where he afterwards did in Beloit. Deter-
mining to retrace their steps, they found their ponies and re-
turned to their Janesville camp. No place they had seen had
so appealed to them as this, and the combination of forest and
prairie, with the spring creeks and the river, the untouched for-
est trees in the oak openings, and the countless wild floAvers of
every shade and hue on the prairie, must indeed have been an
alluring sight. Their minds were made up to look no farther,
but that this point should be their future home ; so they started
back for Milwaukee to get their families on July 20, 1835. They
were delayed in returning until November 15, but on that day
John Inman, George Follner, William Holmes, Jr., and Joshua
Holmes left Milwaukee to reside permanently at this place ; they
arrived opposite the big rock at Monterey, where the Indian
ford was, on November 18, 1835, and proceeded to build a cabin
at that place. This log cabin was the first house built within
the limits of the city of Janesville, and stood about where the
new Janesville & Southeastern railway passes before it crosses
Eastern avenue, about thirty rods east of the Monterey bridge.
On December 18 of the same year, Samuel St. John, his wife
and three children came from Vermont and joined the above
named party, making nine people who lived all winter in this
cabin.
In the fall of 1835, Thomas Holmes, of Milwaukee, who had
tlANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 527
entered land on the west side of the river, laid out the village
of Rockport, which now constitutes a portion of the city of Janes-
ville. Thomas Holmes was the oldest son of Judge William
Holmes, and never was a resident of Janesville, though he came
here for a while in 1836 and located south of the river where
the Bailey farm now is; he only staid a short time, when he
started to cross the plains of the Indians, with whom he was very
friendly, and a number of whose languages he spoke.
1836.
In the month of January in the little log cabin spoken of
above, the first child born in Janesville arrived in the family of
Samuel St. John; this child was named Seth B. St. John; he
moved from Janesville to Columbia county, Wisconsin, and later
farther west. He was still living recently.
In the month of January also the party in this cabin was aug-
mented by the arrival of Dr. James Heath and wife. They,
shortly afterwards, started a city which they named East Wis-
consin City, being about a mile and a half down the river from
Janesville ; this place did not grow, so they eventually moved to
California.
In January also, Henry F. Janes visited the location of Janes-
ville, and also went on to First lake, Whitewater and Sugar
creek, coming from Racine with his cousin, John Janes. Janes,
with others, had started twice before, but owing to the loss of
their supplies and other reasons, they had turned back without
seeing Rock river, though at one time they had reached within
five or six miles of it. Janes made his claim to land on the east
side of the river, and carved his name on a tree standing where
the Myers house now stands, on February 15, 1836. He staked
and marked off his claim and then hired two men to build him a
cabin eighteen feet square on it. He started back for Racine,
and as he says later, followed the section line on foot and alone,
sixty-three miles without seeing a solitary individual, or a mark
of civilization other than the surveyors' marks in surveying the
line. He did not return with his family until May.
March 30, Judge William Holmes and family moved from
Michigan City to Janesville, coming by way of Chicago. His
family at that time consisted of his wife, Rachel, his sons, Thomas,
528 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
George, John, William and Joshua, and daughters, Catherine
(later Mrs. Volney Atwood) and Lucinda. As stated above, "Wil-
liam and Joshua had arrived before their father came. John
Holmes' wife came with him, and also Joshua Clark. Judge
Holmes and family lived for six mouths in a cabin near the
Miltimore quarry, and then they erected the first frame building
within Janesville's limits, built of lumber cut with whipsaw, by
Robert and Daniel Stone, who had shortly before arrived here,
and who staid in Janesville for a short time before taking up their
land, which they afterwards did, near Indian Ford, ten miles
north of Janesville. This house of Judge Holmes was erected
about thirty-five rods south of the present Fourth Ward park.
Judge Holmes had gone to Green Bay a couple of months after
his arrival here, and on June 3, had entered five 80-acre tracts
on the west side of the river, within the present city limits, and
one 80-acre just west, which had been previously unentered.
On May 19, 1836, H. F. Janes arrived with his family, and
was also accompanied by Levi Harness, Richard Miller,
Beasely and Isaac Smith, the two latter returning shortly to Ra-
cine. Janes' cabin had been built, but, as he says, was minus a
floor, and with a hole sawed out for a door. In June, 1836, the
first death in the little settlement occurred, Mrs. Samuel St. John
dying, and being buried on the high land just off the road lead-
ing to Beloit.
In August, 1836, John P. Dixon and wife arrived from Ver-
mont and entered a claim south of the bend of the river, on which
he stayed but a short time, and made a new claim east of the
river, being the land which is now Dickson & Bailey's addition
to Janesville. In this month also the second death occurred, that
of George Holmes, and the second birth, ]\Iary Catherine Holmes,
daughter of John and Hannah Holmes. There was no other death
until 1840.
In September, 1836, Hiram Brown and family arrived at the
cabin opposite the big rock. In October, W. H. H. Bailey and
wife came from Vermont and claimed land with Dickson. Bailey
and his family lived for some time on the farm just at the bend
of the river, later called the Burr Robbins farm ; they had a
daughter born there in 1837.
In October also, Levi St. John and family located on what was
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 529
later known as the Cobb or Paul farm, in the southeast corner of
the present city limits. His brother Samuel's wife had died in
June, so Levi and his family occupied his house.
The first election was held at the house of Samuel St. John
on October 10, 1836. At that time the Indians were quite numer-
ous around Janes, Mr. St. John reciting that as many as a dozen
at one time have ridden up to his house armed with tomahawks,
knives and guns.
All the provisions had to be hauled from Milwaukee or Chi-
cago, which cost $3 per hundred weight, and made flour $21 a
barrel and pork $40 a barrel ; and butter cost from 3 to 6 shil-
lings a pound. The settlers had the hardest time, however, in
procuring seed, Levi St. John reporting that he rode for four
days in Illinois and only succeeded in obtaining three bushels
of buckwheat for seed. Oats cost $2 a bushel.
In this year the county was detached from Milwaukee county
and made a part of Racine county; it was not organized as a
separate county until the spring of 1839, though the county seat
was established at the legislative session of 1836 and 1837.
During this year of 1836 a number of settlers started the new
Wisconsin City; this was on the west bank of the river below
Janesville, and was at the foot of the rapids below the big rock,
w^hich they thought would retard the growth of Janesville; at
that time they expected the future travel to come by water, and
thought the rapids would be mostly insurmountable. This was
not so, for in June a steamboat arrived coming from the Missis-
sippi river; it passed up over the rapids and stopped some time
at Janesville, finally returning to the Mississippi. This steamer
did not go any further than this place, but two Mississippi boats
that came up later, proceeded as far as Jefferson. A stage line
was started by John Inman & Co. after the inauguration of East
"Wisconsin City, and made regular trips between that place and
Racine.
Other settlers that came in 1836 were Anson W. Pope, who
located on the river about four miles above Janesville; Virgil
Pope, who lived with him; Daniel Smiley, who entered a claim
on the east side of the river north of Janesville, and later called
the Culver farm; Marcus Fenton and three brothers; Jason,
Aaron and Alfred Walker, who shortly afterward entered claims
north of old Milton; David Hume, who entered a claim at the
530 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
end of the Pour Mile or Hume's bridge, north of Janesville;
George W. Ogden and Stephen B. Butts, who settled at Milton.
1837.
Early in 1837 or perhaps late in 1836, Henry F. JaneS com-
menced running a ferry across the river about where the Mil-
waukee street bridge is now, in connection with his tavern where
the Lappin or Hayes block is situated. He also, in the spring
of 1837, made out a plat of the land that he had homesteaded,
although the land had not been put in the market and was not
until 1839, when it was reentered by the county commissioners,
as will be stated hereafter. He sold lots from his plat to a num-
ber of persons.
In April, 1837, through the agency of General W. B. Sheldon,
a postoffiee was established at Janesville, and Mr. Janes was
appointed postmaster; the first mail, carried by Joseph Payne,
arrived on April 22, 1837, starting from Mineral Point on the
way to Eacine, and Dr. B. B. Carey, postmaster of Bacine, in-
ducted Janes into office. A cigar box fastened on the end of the
bar served to hold all the mail for quite a period of time.
Besides the ferry run by Janes, Judge Holmes was operating
a ferry at the Big Eock, Monterey.
William Spaulding and Joseph Spaulding both came in the
spring of 1837, with their families, and entered adjoining farms
on the Milton road four miles northeast of Janesville, of which
one is still held in the family, and the other has passed out of
it but recently.
E. V. Whiton, later chief justice of the state, came here in. the
spring of 1837, and settled on a claim about five miles up the river
on what was later known as the Cy Davis farm. From some
cause or other, AVhiton, at that time, was almost a misanthrope,
and lived the life of a recluse on his little clearing; he did not
move into the city until 1839 or 1840.
Charles Stevens and family arrived in the spring of 1837,
rented the tavern of Janes and commenced keeping a hotel there.
Janes put up a shanty on Main street, where the McKey or Par-
ker Pen building now is.
Volney Atwood, who died at Janesville, December 29, 1906,
arrived here in July, 1837 ; he had started from Vermont and
gone to Missouri, but not liking that country, came back up the
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 531
Mississippi river to Hennepin, and thence by stage to Chicago.
Learning that a Vermont friend was expected at Racine, he took
a boat for that place; not finding his friend, and there being a
surveying party just starting out from Racine to lay a territorial
road to the Mississippi, he retermined to go west with them.
They continued laying out the road to within a mile and a half
of Janesville, and then for some reason decided to quit work
there and returned to Racine. Mr. Atwood came on to Janes-
ville, thinking to find company from here on to the Mississippi,
but as he found no one going on, nor any conveyance procurable,
determined to remain here. He made his claim on section 15 of
the town of Harmony. At that time there were only between
400 and 500 people in Rock county. In Janesville there was the
first log house in Monterey, the Holmes house in Rockport, the
tavern at the corner of Milwaukee and Main streets, the St. John
house at the southern limits, the log house of General Sheldon at
the head of Main street where the railway now crosses it, and
one other log house on the river. Dr. Stoughton, who had just
arrived, was building a log house on Main street where the Wil-
liam Lawrence house was afterwards built.
There was no store kept here at that time, but Dr. Heath had
a small stock of goods for sale at East "Wisconsin City.
Quite a number of other settlers came in 1837, among them
being Seymour Stoughton, Harvey Storey, George H. Williston,
E. J. Hassard, George R. Ramsey and Daniel A. Richardson and
family.
Not all of these persons settled in what is now the city of
Janesville, but they took up claims in Rock county, and were
nearly all in Janesville on rainy days and Sundays, congregated
at Stevens' hotel, so that they were accounted residents.
Richardson had a claim just east of Mt. Zion near the Menzies
farm; Ramsey, a claim near the Brace place up the river. Has-
sard had a claim near Milton ; Williston was just east of the
Spaulding claims. Harvey Storey had a little shelter built in
the northwest corner of the courthouse park, and was sharpening
plows and doing rough blacksmith work.
The first religious service was held here in July or the first
of August, 1837, by an itinerant Methodist minister, who came
in on horseback, and held service in the open air under a large
oak tree.
532 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
1838.
In 1838 a number of additional settlers arrived, among them
Theodore Kendall and wife. Mrs. Kendall has just died (Decem-
ber, 1907), having been a resident of Janesville for nearly seventy
years.
In the fall of 1838 Charles Stevens erected a new hotel on the
site of the present Myers house, called the Janesville Stage house.
Under his able management this tavern was long known as the
best public house west of Lake Michigan. On going into the new
hotel, he sold the old Janes hotel to J. P. Dickson.
In the winter of 1838 and 1839 Hiram Brown taught a few
children in a k)g schoolhouse in the southeast part of the city,
being the first school in Janesville.
1839.
February 13, 1839, a territorial act was passed organizing
Rock county and separating it from Racine county, to which it
had formerly been attached, and also reestablishing the county
seat at Janesville. An election was held, in which Lucius G.
Fisher was elected sheriff; W. H. H. Bailey, register of deeds;
W. S. Murray, William Spaulding and E. J. Hassard county
commissioners. There had been an informal election for justices
of the peace before this, in which Daniel Smiley and Hiram
Brown had been elected, and they had been serving for some time.
In the proceedings to locate the county seat, the little settle-
ment had to be given "a local habitation and a name," and Gen-
erals Dodge and Sheldon and Knapp suggested the name of
"Janesville," owing to the county seat being located upon the
fractional quarter section which Mr. Janes had entered, and be-
cause of his tireless efforts in procuring the location of the county
seat at this place, when it was opposed by all the other settle-
ments in the county.
The first act establishing the county seat (act 12, laws 1837-8,
approved December 27, 1837) did not mention the name of
"Janesville," but simply provided "that the seat of justice in
Rock county should be on part of the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 36, town 3, range 12," being the tract claimed by Janes.
The name had been mentioned in the laws a year previous, how-
ever. In act 33, laws of 1836, approved December 8, 1836, a com-
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 533
mission was appointed to lay out a territorial road from Lake
Michigan to Rock river "to terminate at or near Janesville on
said river." Mr, Janes, in a letter from California published in
"History of Rock County," 1879, gives another account of the
naming of Janesville, as follovt^s: "I had first given it the name
of "Black Hawk," it having been one of the old warrior's camp-
ing grounds, and sent up a petition to the postoffice department
for a postofiice of that name, and recommended myself as post-
master. Amos Kendall, at that time postmaster general, refused
to establish an office by that name, as there was one already bear-
ing that name in what is now Iowa, but then a part of Wisconsin
territory, and gave the names 'Janesville' to the postoffice."
The first session of the Rock county district court was held
in Janesville in 1839, using as a courthouse one of the rooms in
the Janesville Stage house, and as a jury room a small frame
building adjacent thereto. Judge Irving presided, and Dr. Guy
Stoughton was appointed clerk of the court.
In February, 1839, range 13, comprising the towns of Milton,
Harmony, La Prairie and Turtle, was brought into the market,
and in September of the same year, the fractional part of range
12 east of the river was also put into the market. This made all
the location of Janesville subject to purchase.
In 1839 the first store in Janesville was started by Thomas
Lappin, and a Mr. Ward, of Milwaukee, in a frame building
erected by Volney Atwood, where the Jenkins store now is on
South Main street; it was used as a carpenter shop when first
erected for a short time, and then rented to Lappin & Ward.
After being in business a short time, Lappin & Ward had some
difficulty, and the store went out of business for about six months.
Mr. Lappin then bought the corner where the Hayes block now
is, and built a wooden store building, occupying it as a general
store. When he started his store here, Mr. Lappin walked to
Chicago to purchase his stock of goods ; in those days the results
had to be accomplished regardless of the hardships encountered.
In August, 1839, Mr. Janes removed from Janesville west-
ward, as there were getting to be too many settlers here, and he
found that the county could take his preemption, Janes was a
typical frontiersman, and his name is perpetuated in Janesville,
Minn., and JanesviUe, Iowa, as well as in Wisconsin, and perhaps
in places farther west. On December 17, 1866, he wrote a letter
534 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
to the "Gazette" from Camp Curtis, Cal., which was published in
the "Gazette" of January 31, 1867, in which he gives his expe-
rience in settling Janesville, and ends up in the following words :
"In the fall of 1849, the Pacific coast put an end to my further
progress towards the setting sun, and as I never varied much
from north to south, my wanderings are at an end. I managed
to keep ahead of all railroads and telegraphs, and now, in my
sixty-third year, I have never yet seen a railroad or a telegraph."
1840.
Under a law of congress, a county could secure a preemption
to any quarter section of land upon which a county seat should
be located; so that when the land was put on the market, the
board of county commissioners, consisting of W. B. Sheldon, J.
J. R. Pease, James Bemis, S. P. Stoughton, Guy Stoughton, Charles
Stevens, Volney Atwood and Theodore Kendall entered the quar-
ter section which had been platted by Mr. Janes. Mr. Janes was
ignorant of this law until he found himself simply a tenant, as
was each of the others to whom he had sold; but friction was
avoided by the commissioners deeding back to the claimants for
a nominal consideration, the portions which they were occupy-
ing.
In May, 1840, the county commissioners made a new plat, sup-
posedly, but which in fact had very few changes from Mr. Janes'
plat. This plat became "the original plat of the village of Janes-
ville."
As showing the importance at that time of river communica-
tion, two public landings upon the east side of the river were
laid out, but their intended use has not materialized in the years
following.
In 1840, the cemetery was located in the block where the
Third Ward school now is, and burials were made there until
1851 or 1852.
The first public school was opened during the summer of 1840
in a log building near north Main street near General Sheldon's
residence, which was taught by Miss Cornelia Sheldon, his daugh-
ter.
1841.
In the month of February, 1841, the county commissioners
took measures looking towards the erection of a courthouse. The
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 535
contract was let to D. A. Richardson, but not much work was
done upon it during that year.
The postoffice had changed hands upon the removal of Janes,
D. F. Kimball holding the place for a short time afterwards, and
J. L. Kimball being appointed upon his resignation. The last
appointee held for a number of years, not being removed until
January, 1849.
In the latter part of 1841, a select school was opened by Har-
rison Stebbins.
1842.
In January, 1842, the courthouse was raised and roofed, but
was not completed for occupancy until December of this year.
This courthouse was back of the present courthouse, and near
South First street or St. Lawrence avenue. It was nearly oppo-
site the Morris Smith residence.
A log jail was also built on Main street opposite the Lewis
Knitting Company's building; it remained here but a few years,
however, when another jail was built in the courthouse park.
In 1842 the first bridge over Rock river was built by Charles
Stevens, Thomas Lappin and W. H. H. Bailey. It was a private
enterprise with them, and was operated as a toll bridge for near-
ly ten years. It was erected where the Milwaukee street bridge
now is, at a cost of $2,000.
In December, 1842, A. Hyatt Smith located in Janesville,
coming overland from Chicago with team and farm wagon con-
taining his family, servant and baggage. There was consider-
able snow on the ground, and they had much trouble in getting
through the drifts, but finally arrived safely by the help of Mr,
Sears, a resident who was returning from Chicago after purchas-
ing some goods. From the time of his arrival, Mr. Smith took a
prominent part in the business enterprises of Janesville.
1843.
In the spring of 1843 the first permanent Methodist church
was organized by Rev. Boyd Phillips; it had nine members, and
Mr. John Winn was appointed leader.
In this year a census taken showed the population to be 333
persons.
In 1843 the territorial legislature authorized by a charter
granted to A. Hyatt Smith, Charles Stevens, W. H. H. Bailey and
536 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Lewis E. Stone, the building of a dam across Rock river at a
point where the upper dam now is. Nothing was done under this
charter until the latter part of 1844.
In 1843 the first lumber yard was established at Janesville
by Elbridge G. Fifield, near the west end of where now the Court
street bridge is situated. Mr. Fifield had moved to Wisconsin
from Vermont in June, 1837, and had preempted a claim about
three miles above Jefferson; he worked winters in getting out
logs and in a lumber mill at Bark river, and in the spring rafted
the lumber down the river, going as far south as Dixon, 111.
Prior to the establishment of this lumber yard, the lumber was
bought from these rafts when they floated through Janesville, as
the parties desired the lumber. From the time of the establish-
ment of this yard in 1843, a lumber yard has been operated in
Janesville by the same Fifield family until the present time ; the
three brothers of E. G. Fifield, Thomas B., Leavitt and David,
were associated together at various times, and now the yard has
been owned for some years by the son of Elbridge. Other lum-
ber yards were established soon after by Uriah Schutt, A. P.
Lovejoy and others.
1844.
The first brick block for business purposes was erected by
Daniel A. Richardson ; this was three stories high and known as
the Commercial block, and was a portion of the block where J.
M. Bostwick & Sons store now is on Main street. There was a
house and little store building occupied by Ward & Lappin,
moved away to make room for the brick block. This small store
building was moved farther south on Main street just below
where J. L. Bear's residence is and incorporated into a house,
which is still standing.
July 4, 1844, a steamboat from the Mississippi river arrived at
Janesville, and taking on the major portion of the inhabitants,
made an excursion to Jeft'erson. This was a regular Mississippi
boat, 130 feet long, and holding a large number of people. They
got by the bridge at Milwaukee street, but when they reached
Ft. Atkinson, there was a bridge across the river which they
could not get under, and they desired the proprietors to remove
part of it so that they could get by ; the proprietors refused and
there was nearly a riot, but the passengers greatly outnumbered
JANES YILLE, WISCONSIN 537
the whole population of Ft. Atkinson, and, as there was such a
determination to go by, the proprietors finally acceded and took
out a bent, allowing the boat to pass. The excursion party stay*^l
all night at Jefferson and returned the next day. In returning,
some weeks running excursions, but in the fall the captain
started back for the Mississippi river, and thus ended navigation
from the Mississippi up the Rock.
In the fall of this year, a dam was built across the river
about three miles up by Gilbert Dolsen, known as Dolsen's dam.
Hanehett Brothers were interested in this project, and a sawmill
was built there, but only operated a very short time. Smith,
Bailey & Stone had contracted with a Mr. Phillips to build the
upper dam in Janesville, but while he was getting out material
and preparing to build he was taken suddenly sick and died.
The building of this dam would destroy the Dolsen dam, so they
entered into a new contract with Hanehett Brothers, who were
interested in the Dolsen dam, to build a Janesville dam. It was
not finished by them until 1845.
A hotel called the Rock County House was opened by Volney
Atwood at the corner of Main and Court streets, where the Ma-
sonic Block now is. It was kept by him only for a short time,
and he was succeeded by a Mr. Blood, and then later by Sol Hud-
son, who ran the hotel as the American House there until it was
burned in 1868.
September 18, 1844, Trinity Episcopal church was organized
by Rev. Thomas Ruger, with six members. October 13, 1844,
the First Baptist church of Janesville was organized by Rev. Jere-
miah Murphy with thirteen members.
1845.
February 11 the First Congregational church of Janesville
was organized by Rev. C. H. Buckley, assisted by Rev. Stephen
Peet, with sixteen members.
During the year 1844 a little one-story brick schoolhouse was
erected by the village on Division street near East Milwaukee
street. This was the first building erected by the public. This
brick building was used as a school building and then did duty
as a stable until recent years. Orrin Guernsey was the first teach-
er in charge of this school. In the fall another schoolhouse was
built on Eastern avenue under contract by J. P. Wheeler; it was
538 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
painted red and was kno^vn thereafter as the "little red school-
house."
Brick-making had begun in a number of places within the city,
and in 1845 considerable brick were being made here. In the
early part of this year the dam was considered finished by Han-
chett Brothers, but it did not prove satisfactory, and Hanchett's
interest was bought by A. Hyatt Smith, who arranged for the
completion of the dam under charge of Ira Miltimore. Mr. Milti-
more was also employed as the architect to plan and superintend
the building of a mill, which was known as the "big mill." This
mill was located just north of Milwaukee street on the river and
raceway and was erected by James McClurg for A. Hyatt Smith
and others, at a cost of $45,000. Changes in ownership during
the erection left the mill on completion owned by the firm of
Smith, Walker & Doe.
A sawmill was erected during this year near the head of the
raceway by Charles Stevens. The first store on the west side of
the river was erected in 1844 by D. F. Kimball; it was a small
brick building on Milwaukee street.
The first newspaper in the county was started August 14,
1845, by Levi Alden, of New Hampshire, and E. A. Stoddard; it
was a weekly, called "The Janesville Gazette," and is still carried
on under that name. The subscribers at the beginning numbered
about 300. Mr. Stoddard continued with the paper until De-
cember, 1845, when he sold his interest to William F. Tompkins,
and a short time afterwards Mr. Tompkins sold to Levi Alden,
who continued alone until September, 1848, when Mr. Charles
Holt purchased a half interest and became joint editor. Alden
& Holt published it until March, 1855, at which time Mr. Holt
became sole publisher and continued as such until August, 1859,
when Hiram Bowen and Daniel Wilcox purchased an interest.
Later proprietors of the "Gazette" included Mr. R. L. Colvin,
the baker, and now the paper has been for a number of years
under the ownership and control of Mr. Howard Bliss.
The population of Janesville had been rapidly growing, and
in October, 1845, a census showed it to be 817.
1846.
In March, 1846, a tri-weekly line of stages owned by Frink
& Walker commenced running between Janesville and Milwaukee.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 539
About January 1, 1846, the Janesville Academy was opened
by Rev. Thomas J. Ruger. This was a stone building 35x55 feet,
situated on High street near Milwaukee street, where the central
or Lincoln school is now located. A. Hyatt Smith was the first
president of the board of trustees. This school was purchased
by the city in 1855 and continued for many years to be used with
the free school system of the city.
In August, 1846, a second newspaper, called the "Rock County
Democrat," was established by General G. W. Crabb, and con-
tinued under his management until 1848. In 1849 it had passed
into the hands of Charles S. Jordan, who issued a few numbers
and then suspended publication until March 1, 1849, when its
publication was resumed under the title of "Rock County
Badger." In 1850, under different editors, the name was again
changed to "Badger State," and in 1851 it was merged with a
new paper called the "Democratic Standard." Under this name
it continued until 1858, when it gave way to the "Janesville Daily
and Weekly Times."
In December, 1846, the constitutional convention met at Madi-
son. A. Hyatt Smith was a member of this convention from
Janesville and took a very prominent part in its deliberations.
They adopted the state constitution on December 16, 1846, and
this was rejected at the April election of 1847, and another con-
vention assembled.
The bridge was built across the river at Monterey, Ira Milti-
more being the contractor.
1847.
On January 26, 1847, the "big mill" building, which was
mentioned under "1845," was first put into operation. This was
a great event for many miles around. Grain had been brought
from distant points in the state to be ground, some of it coming
from as far north as the Wisconsin river. A large share of the
people of Janesville assembled to witness the first working of
the machinery, and the owners and builders were greatly con-
gratulated on the admirable way in which everything worked.
This mill was 50x80 feet, four stories high and an attic, with six
runs of stone.
About October 1, 1847, a stone foundation to the Farmers'
540 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Mills was commenced by A. R. Jones. These mills were not com-
pleted until 1849.
In 1847 a three-story brick block next to the Rock County
House — then called the American Hotel — on Main street was
erected by Morris C. Smith and his partner. It was later occu-
pied by William Conrad as a store building.
In December a census showed the population to be 1,458,
nearly doubling the last census.
On November 6, 1847, a mass meeting was held at the Stage
House to consider a project for a railroad to Chicago. E. V.
"Whiton presided. Mr. "Whiton was also elected to represent
Janesville at the second constitutional convention, which as-
sembled in December, 1847. A constitution was adopted on De-
cember 16 ; this constitution was ratified at the election in April,
1848, and Wisconsin admitted as a state accordingly.
In this year the first secret society was organized at Janes-
ville, being the Wisconsin Lodge No. 14 of the Odd Fellows, which
was chartered February 11, 1847, This lodge is still in existence
here.
The first Catholic church was also built in 1847, being a small
brick building at the corner of Homes and Cherry streets, erected
by St. Patrick's Society, and this building afterwards was en-
larged and grew into the present church.
1848.
Early in this year Charles Stevens began building a large
hotel, to be called the Stevens House, at the corner of Milwaukee
and Franklin streets, where the Hyatt House was afterwards situ-
ated. The new hotel was to be something grander than had ever
been erected in Janesville. On June 1, 1848, the "Gazette" pub-
lished an article concerning it, in which it was stated that it would
require more than an acre of plaster. It was finally finished and
opened on October 12 by Landlords Churchill and Sibley, and
was run as a hotel until it was burned in 1853.
In the spring of this year James Sutherland, who had arrived
here in the fall of 1847, opened the first book store in Janesville.
This store was continuously thereafter kept by Mr. Sutherland
and his sons, and is still in existence, having been carried on by
the sons alone after their father's death in 1905. This book store
is the oldest store of the kind in Wisconsin. Mr. Sutherland took
JAXESVILLE, WISCOXSI>^ 541
an active part in municipal affairs after his arrival in Janesville,
being twice mayor, and also state senator, member of the school
board, etc. In the state senate he was the founder of the normal
school system of the state, being the author of the bill under
which those schools were authorized and run.
The first lodge of Masons was chartered January 15, 1848,
being the Western Star Lodge No. 14, F. and A. M. This lodge
is still in existence in Janesville.
On May 7, 1848, the first large fire occurred — the William
Hodson brewery on North Main street, where the New Doty Man-
ufacturing Company now is, was destroyed by fire, as was also
Mr. Hodson 's residence at the corner of North Bluff and Pease
court. The loss was estimated at $10,000.
On May 8, just prior to the admission of the state into the
Union, occurred the first state election. Edward V. "Whiton was
elected as judge of the First judicial district of the state, which
comprised Racine, Walworth, Rock and Green counties. As we
have heretofore mentioned, Mr. Whiton came to Janesville in
1837, but lived quietly a few miles out of town ; he was then about
thirty-two years of age, having been born in Massachusetts in
1805. He was an accomplished lawyer in Massachusetts before
he moved to Wisconsin, but seemed to desire not to take any part
in public affairs on his removal here ; the people, however, learn-
ing of his ability, in 1838 against his will elected him to the first
territorial legislature as one of the two members from Rock and
Walworth counties, which constituted then one district. He was
reelected in 1840 and 1842, thus being a member of the territorial
legislature up to the time of the admission of the state. He was
the principal compiler of the statutes for 1839, and as a member
of the judiciary committee of the second constitutional convention
was most largely instrumental in framing the adopted constitu-
tion. In 1852, when the supreme court was made a separate court,
Mr. Whiton was elected chief justice, and continued in that posi-
tion to his death, although he never removed from the city of
Janesville and always kept his residence here. It was at his
Janesville residence that he died April 12, 1889.
In this year of 1848 there was considerable building; the
Farmers' Mills was built just south of Milwaukee street near the
river, by Eli Jones, at a cost of $20,000. It was later sold to
Jackman & Smith and was run as a mill for many years. When
543 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Captain Pliny Norcross bought this mill, about 1880, it was re-
moved to the foot of Dodge street, where it has since been oper-
ated by E. P. Doty. The Excelsior Mills, located where the
Blodgett Mills now are, were also built during this year by Ham-
ilton Richardson. The lower dam was completed by Ira Milti-
more about October, 1848, and stood until 1852, when it was par-
tially swept away and rebuilt. Mr. Miltimore also commenced
building the large home on the hill south of Monterey bridge
which is now occupied by his son, and moved into it on Christmas
day of 1848.
In June, 1848, the present Trinity church building was fin-
ished and dedicated. September 7, 1848, the Milwaukee and
Galena Telegraph Company was organized, A. Hyatt Smith, of
Janesville, being president, and R. W. Wright, of Waukesha, vice-
president. The building of the line was rushed, and on Decem-
ber 15, 1848, the line reached Janesville and was commenced to
be operated, so that Janesville came into telegraphic communi-
cation with the outside world over this line to Milwaukee and
from there to Chicago, and so on.
1849.
In January of this year a large public meeting was held at
Janesville to promote the project of a railroad coming into Janes-
ville. The Madison & Beloit Railway Company had been incor-
porated at the first session of the legislature in 1848. On August
17 surveys were commenced in Rock county for the Rock River
Valley railroad, under charge of Colonel Hugh Lee and A. T.
Grey. Surveys between here and Beloit were finished in six
weeks.
In March, 1848, a census showed the population of Janesville
to be 1,812. There were 318 families, 113 of whom lived on the
east side of the river and 205 on the west side. And it was shown
that 116 houses on the west side of the river had been erected in
the last eighteen months.
In this year, 1849, Thomas Lappin built the present store
occupied by Putnam on Main street, forty-two feet front and
100 feet deep for one store and sixty feet deep for the other.
These were occupied in 1849 by Whellock & Sutherland.
The Congregational Church Society in this year also com-
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 543
menced building its first house of worship, but it was not fin-
ished and dedicated until October, 1850. This was built on the
site of the present Congregational church, but was torn down
in 1865 to make way for a more pretentious building.
The county jail was built during this year on the courthouse
square, being near the southern side of the park and about in
front of the present residence of Hiram Merrill.
The building of a large woolen mill upon the lower water-
power was commenced by Frank Whittaker during 1849 ; it was
not completed and the operating started until 1850.
Monterey bridge was also being built during this year by Mr.
Miltimore, and was completed in 1850.
August 30 a public meeting was held to secure the location of
the state asylum for the blind at Janesville, and it was soon after
established here. Though at first by private parties, the first
term of school was held in one of Ira Miltimore 's buildings on
Center avenue near the Monterey bridge. Later, in 1850, the
school was transferred to the residence of Mrs. H. Hunter on
Jackson street. In 1852, Captain Miltimore having donated ten
acres where the site now is, a building was erected thereon, and
in the fall the school commenced operation there. At about this
time the state took charge of it.
One of those who took a most active interest in the establish-
ment of this school, and who was instrumental in having it lo-
cated at Janesville, was Josiah F. Willard, father of Frances Wil-
lard, the famous temperance advocate. Mr. Willard had come
here from Ohio with his family, including Frances, then seven
years old, in 1846, and settled on a farm a little ways south of
where the school for the blind is now located, where he lived until
November, 1858. He was trustee of the blind asylum from 1852
until 1858. He was one of the members of the first legislature in
1848 and was president of the Kock County Fair Association and
of the State Agricultural Society. He was the earliest historian
of Rock county, having compiled the "History of Rock County"
which was published by the Rock County Agricultural Associa-
tion and Mechanics' Institute, in connection with Orrin Guernsey.
In October, 1849, the postoffice department established a daily
mail service between Milwaukee and Janesville. The mails were
then all carried by stage, and there were nine mail routes cross-
544 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
ing Janesville, so that the arrival and departure of the stages
furnished daily excitement and added to the lively appearance
of the town.
1850.
In February, 1850, the large Excelsior Mills built by Richard-
son in 1848 on the raceway were destroyed by fire. There was
also a break at the eastern end of the upper dam, but this was
shortly afterward repaired.
In June, 1850, the count of the population was 3,100, showing
that it had increased about 1,300 in a little over a year.
In 1850 the first regular pastor of the Catholic church took
charge, being the Rev. Patrick Keenan; prior to this time the
services had been held by outside priests.
In December of this year the Masonic chapter was chartered,
being Janesville Chapter No. 5, chartered December 9, 1850.
1851.
January 8, 1851, the Oak Hill Cemetery Association was or-
ganized and procured land where the Oak Hill Cemetery now
is. Previous to this time, as stated before, the block now occu-
pied by the Jefferson school was used as a cemetery; but from
this time on no more bodies were interred there, and in 1855 and
1856 those that had been buried there were taken up and re-
buried in Oak Hill and Mt. Olivet cemeteries.
On June 1, 1851, the raceway bank above where the Blodgett
Mills now are, broke, and the water, being suddenly released,
swept across the river and flooded the opposite side, causing con-
siderable damage.
On July 10 the first ground was broken for the building of a
railway between Fond du Lac and Chicago, by what is now the
Chicago & North-Western Railway Company; it was then called
the Rock River Valley Railway Company, and A. Hyatt Smith, of
the city of Janesville, was president. He officiated as president
at the breaking of ground at Fond du Lac on this date; about
the same time work was started on the road at Chicago, and build-
ing rapidly progressed at both ends.
During this year some of the largest buildings were erected.
Ensign H. Bennett and J. F. Clapp erected a three-story building
on Main street, being now a part of J. M. Bostwick & Sons' store.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 545
The Ogden House, a five-story building on the northerly side of
Milwaukee street between Main and Bluff, was built by J. M,
May; it was used for commercial purposes for a couple of years,
but was turned into a hotel after the Stevens House burned in
1853. In 1859 the postoffice was located in this building.
S. D. Smith, J. T. Norton and ^\"illiam M. Tallman built the
Tallman block on Milwaukee street at the west end of Milwaukee
Street bridge in 1851.
The Baptist Society built a church during this year at the cor-
ner of Cherry and Pleasant streets, which was occupied by them
until 1867, when they built a new church on Jackson street and
sold the old church ; this building still stands, having been for
many years used as a laboratory by William M. Tallman, and
later as a tobacco warehouse.
On October 12, 1851, the first state fair was held in Janesville,
and the Rock County Agricultural Society also held its fair
in connection with it. This fair was held on the prairie east of
the courthouse park, being where the George McKey and C, S.
Jackman residences are now located. This fair was attended by
at least 5,000 people, and the net receipts, given as $254, were
divided equally betw^een the state and county associations.
1852.
In 1852 the Southern Wisconsin Railway Company, afterwards
the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railway Company, and merging in
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, was or-
ganized at the Stevens House in Janesville. It was formed to
build a railway from Janesville to the Mississippi river, but never
reached the western terminus. It was finished to Monroe in 1858.
In this year, 1852, the Mt. Olivet Catholic cemetery was opened
on four acres of land east of Oak Hill Cemetery and was dedi-
cated by Rev. Father McFaul, of St. Patrick's church.
1853.
The year 1853 was a famous year for Janesville, because then
it was incorporated as a city by chapter 93 of the Private and
Local Laws of 1853, which was approved by Governor Farwell
on March 19, 1853. As incorporated Janesville was bounded and
included the same quantity of land that it now covers, namely,
four sections of the town of Janesville, two of the town of Rock,
546 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
and three half-sections, one in La Prairie and two in the town of
Harmony. It was divided into four wards, two on each side of
the river; the First, Second and Third wards being substantially
as they now are, and the Fourth including what are now the
Fourth and Fifth wards.
The first election was fixed for the first Tuesday of April. A.
Hyatt Smith was elected the first mayor of Janesville at that
election.
Mr. Smith was probably the foremost citizen of Janesville at
that time. He was born in New York city in February, 1814, and
began studying law when fourteen years old. At the age of
twenty-one he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in New
York city for six years. Because of impaired health he was ad-
vised to leave the seacoast, and as he had previously visited Wis-
consin on business, he determined to move here, coming in 1837,
as we have stated before. From the time of his getting here he
took a most prominent part in the activities of Janesville, start-
ing the upper water-power almost at once on his arrival. He was
elected to the first constitutional convention in 1847 and was the
same year appointed attorney general of the territory, and held
that office until the state was admitted into the Union. At that
time there was no railroad between Janesville and Madison, and
he used to drive up to Madison to attend to his duties as attorney
general, sometimes driving up in the morning and returning in
the afternoon. He owned most of the land on the west side^of
the river in Janesville, and much property in Chicago, and was
estimated to be worth at one time over a million dollars.
In 1847 he organized a company to build a plank road from
Milwaukee to Janesville, giving it most of his time and a num-
ber of thousand dollars in money during the ensuing six years.
There was considerable antagonism to the project, and finally it
was given up and the franchise allowed to be disposed of to
Wall street brokers at a large loss to Mr, Smith and his co-
workers. The burning of the Hyatt House, spoken of hereafter,
and the Chicago fire in 1871, finished the financial destruction of
Mr. Smith, though he kept his spirits and continued in the prac-
tice of law at Janesville until almost the time of his death, which
occurred October 17, 1892.
The first board of aldermen elected with Mr. Smith to govern
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 547
the new city were : B. T. Pixley, E. L. Roberts and W. P. Bur-
rows, of the First ward ; John J. R. Pease, Timothy Jackman and
George Barnes, of the Second ward; E. A. Howland, B. B. Eld-
redge and Charles Conrad, of the Third ward ; George H. Willis-
ton, George W. Taylor and John Carlin, of the Fourth ward.
James H. Ogilvie was elected city clerk, Charles S. Jordan city
attorney, J. W. Hodson city treasurer and W. T. Hopkins city
marshal.
On election night, the first Tuesday of April, the Stevens
House was destroyed by fire during one of the most violent gales
of wind ever experienced ; it was a wonder that more of the city
was not burned, as there was no fire department except a volun-
teer bucket brigade. The burning of the Stevens House prompted
the common council to take action in securing a better fire de-
partment and apparatus, though this was not accomplished for
some time thereafter.
The building of the Milwaukee & Mississippi railway during
the previous year had progressed so far that it was ready to op-
erate early in January, 1853. On January 5, 1853, the city cele-
brated its completion with public meetings and speeches. The
first locomotive did not arrive until January 10, 1853, when it
pulled into Janesville and stopped at the depot on the bluff east
of the present gas works, in charge of Engineer John C. Fox.
Mr. Fox has been w^ith the railway company ever since that time,
being now master mechanic of this division of the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul Railway Company, the successor of the Mil-
waukee & Mississippi Railway Company.
The third newspaper was started on January 6, 1853, being
the ''Free Press," Rev. Joseph Baker, editor. This paper was
Republican in polities and was issued until 1857, when it was
bought by the "Gazette" and merged with that paper.
The McKey Brothers, merchants, built during this year the
four-story building on the east side of Main street, twenty-two
feet wide and 100 feet deep.
The population according to the first city census was 4,800.
In the summer of 1853 the plan of Mayor Smith for a railway
line from Janesville to the Mississippi, leaving the western
terminus open, led to the coming of two delegations to Janesville,
one from Galena and the other from Dubuque, advocating differ-
648 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
ent routes. The teamster who drove the wagon that brought
the first party registered at the old American Hotel as "U. S.
Grant and Team, Galena." That hotel, called the American
House, stood at the northwest corner of Court street and Main.
The venerable city clerk, Mr. James Burgess, subsequently said
about this fact: "Whether the driver of the Galena team and
the late President Grant are identical, I have no means of know-
ing. After the meeting adjourned the two delegations invited
me to a dinner which lasted well along toward daybreak ; rumor
says that one of the party, when the time came for the Galena
delegation to leave for home, was heard to propose to another
that they should send for Ulysses. 'Let him sleep,' was the re-
ply; 'it's better for him and us too.' "
1854.
The burning of the Stevens House in 1853 started an agitation
for adequate fire protection ; the talk, however, did not material-
ize in procuring any engines until 1855, but before the engines
were received two fire companies were organized, being the Rock
River No. 1 and Water W^itch No. 2.
During this year, 1854, the upper or Milwaukee Street bridge
was completed, taking the place of the old toll bridge. It was
built by John F. Rayne, Ora L.,Phelps and William Hume, with
three tiers of stone and timber arches.
Thomas AVollescroft built a store building at the east end of
the bridge, being the building now used as a saloon. Afterwards
for a number of years the lower portion of the building was
used as a postoffice and the upper part as a meeting hall for the
Young Men's Christian Association.
On July 4, 1854, the first daily paper in Janesville was issued
by the Janesville "Gazette," Levi Alden and Charles Holt, pro-
prietors. Owing to insufficient patronage it was determined later
in the year to suspend publication of the daily, and the paper was
not issued as a daily from October 7, 1854, to March, 1857,
In 1854 Alex T. Gray, a Janesville man, was inaugurated as
secretary of state. He had been chief clerk of the assembly since
1850, and held the office of secretary of state until 1856. Then
he came back to Janesville and practiced law here for several
years. J. B. Doe was mayor during this year, but most of the old
council were reelected.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 549
1855.
In April, 1855, the present system of graded public schools
was adopted by the city, though they were not thoroughly graded
until 1856. The old academy was used as the central high school,
and there were eight other graded schools provided for. At the
same time there were three private select schools and the school
for the blind, so that the city was well provided with educational
facilities.
On June 25, 1855, the two hand fire engines previously ordered
by the city arrived, and in the evening the first regular parade
of the fire department took place. They paraded in full uniform,
consisting of leather helmets, red shirts and black pants with red-
top boots, so that they made an imposing appearance. Two days
afterwards, on June 27, a fire occurred, it being the Third Ward
schoolhouse, which was located in what is now known as Forest
Park addition near Logan avenue. Notwithstanding the use of
the new engines the building was destroyed.
On July 4 the Milwaukee fire company No. 3 visited Janes-
ville as the guest of the Janesville department and participated
in the Fourth of July celebration.
Gilbert Dolson, later sherifi', was the first engineer of the fire
department, Joseph H. Buff first assistant and Winfield S. Chase
second assistant.
As an auxiliary to the fire department Sack Company No. 1
was organized in March, 1855. This was composed of twenty
business men of the city, who gave their services voluntarily to
do general police duty during fires. This company has been in
existence ever since its organization in 1855 to the present time,
though the name was changed to the Janesville Fire Police in
1889. The most prominent business men of the city have been
connected with this organization, and it has come to be the pride
of the department.
Now they have a patrol wagon which is built so as to act as
a chemical engine. In addition they always carry a number of
portable fire extinguishers, and many of the fires have been
checked by the prompt use of these extinguishers that would have
grown into disastrous conflagrations had it been necessary to
wait for the use of water by the regular department. For many
years they also responded to ambulance calls, having purchased
550 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
an ambulance equipment to be used in connection with the wagon.
On July 5, 1855, the body of Andrew Alger, a citizen of Jef-
ferson county, was found in Spaulding's woods, four miles east
of Janesville ; he had been murdered there on June 16 by David
F. Mayberry. Mr. Alger had sold a considerable quantity of
timber and had the money with him at Beloit. Mayberry, who
had served several terms in the Illinois penitentiary for high
crimes, planned to rob him, and succeeded in getting permission
from him to ride north with him from Beloit. He rode in the
wagon to Janesville, and here they halted for a short time, and
Mayberry purchased a hatchet. Proceeding on their way to Jef-
ferson, they reached the Spaulding woods, when Mayberry struck
his victim with the hatchet, killing him, and after robbing him
concealed his body in the underbrush. After the finding of the
body Mayberry was very soon arrested near Rockford, 111., and
brought to Janesville for trial. The circuit court was in session,
Judge Doolittle presiding, and he was put to immediate trial.
On July 12 in the morning he was convicted and sentenced by
Judge Doolittle to life imprisonment. A large number of Alger's
friends and neighbors from Jefferson county, and also lumbermen
from the north, whom the money was to pay, were in attendance
on the trial, and while Mayberry was being taken from the court-
house to the jail they seized him from the officers and dragged
him from in front of the jail, then situated in the courthouse
park, through the park to a tree nearly opposite where Hiram
Merrill's residence now is situated, where Bluff street crosses the
park; a rope was thrown about his neck and over a limb of a
tree, and the mob swung him into eternity. After they were sure
that he was dead the mob quietly dispersed, and the authorities
cut the body down and conveyed it to the courthouse. The tree
was shortly after cut down and pieces of it taken as souvenirs.
The citizens of Janesville were in favor of allowing the legal
sentence to be carried out, but the cold-blooded way in which the
crime was committed, its deliberation and planning, did away
with any sympathy or pity that might have been had for the per-
petrator, and the citizens would not try to defend Mayberry from
the mob violence or assist the officers in protecting him, though
they regretted the forcible substitution of mob rule for the au-
thority of the law. No attempt seems to have been made to pun-
ish the lynchers.
JAXESVILLE, WISCONSIN 551
In October, 1855, two banks were started in the city of Janes-
ville, which have endured to the present time. There seems to
be some question as to which one began business first. The Cen-
tral Bank of Wisconsin, now the First National Bank, began
business on October 19, 1855, and has continued in practically
the same location ever since. Its first president was 0. AV. Nor-
ton and the cashier William A. Lawrence ; it was organized as a
national bank in September, 1863. The Rock County Bank was
organized as a state bank October 16, 1855; Timothy Jackman
as president, Andrew Palmer vice-president and J. B. Crosby
cashier. In January, 1865, it was organized as a national bank,
and since that time has been known as the Rock County National
Bank. Prior to the formation of these banks the Badger State
Bank had been engaged in a general banking business. It was
incorporated in 1853 by H. C. McCrea, W. J. Bell and E. C. Dim-
ock, who had been doing a private banking business since 1850
under the name of McCrea, Bell & Co. McCrea and Bell were
Milwaukee men who started banks in different W^isconsin cities.
After the institution of the First National and Rock County
banks the business of the Badger State Bank fell off and it went
out of business in 1857. The Janesville City Bank, operated by
H. B. Bunster and J. P. Hoyt, and the Producers' Bank, by Gov-
ernor Barstow, did a small business in 1857 and 1858, but soon
closed.
On June 10, 1855, the second Blue Lodge of Masons was or-
ganized, being Janesville Lodge No. 55, F. and A. M. During
this year there were some of the most pretentious business blocks
erected. Thomas Lappin built the Lappin block, a four-story
building at the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, at a cost
of $36,000. This was owmed by him until the time of his death,
but a few years ago was sold by his estate to Dennis and Michael
Hayes, who rebuilt it into a modern office building, and it is now
known as the Hayes block.
A four-story brick block 22x100 feet was built by William
Hutson north of McKey's on the east side of Main street. Peter
Mj'ers also started building a four-story block next north of the
Hutson building and south of the present Myers House, 90x100
feet; this was not finished until 1858. Sandford Williams built
a portion of the five-story building still standing on East Mil-
waukee street east of the Ogden House ; of the balance of this
552 HISTOHY OF EOCK COUXTY
block two stories had been built by Nelson Hurlburt in 1849, and
during the year 1855 the balance was raised three stories by J.
M. Riker, making the whole building five stories in height. A
four-story store building just west of the Ogden House on Mil-
waukee street was also built by D. J. Farwell.
The Presbyterian Church Society erected a building for their
worship on the west side of Jackson street; this was a wooden
building between Wall and Bluff streets and was used by them
until the erection of their new church in 1891, when it was sold
for $2,100 and is now the property of the city, being used for
patrol service, etc. The society had been organized on May 5,
1855, through the labors of Rev. M. W. Staples, who became their
pastor, and in that position he continued until 1858.
The erection of these buildings, with those that had been pre-
viously built gave the city quite a metropolitan air. The city's
population had increased so that the state census of 1855 showed
a population of 7,018.
Edward L. Dimock was the mayor during this year.
1856.
During this year two new bridges were erected by the city,
the Monterey bridge being rebuilt by them, and a new bridge
built across the river between Court and Pleasant streets. This
latter was erected under the superintendence of William McLean
and was called the lower bridge as distinguished from the upper
bridge.
The Janesville Gas Company, chartered by the legislature
during 1856, completed its plant and commenced the manufacture
of gas.
In September the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway
Company, now the Chicago & North-Western, completed its track
as far as Janesville, and on September 15 the first passenger
train arrived. The depot at that time was at the east end of
the present bridge across the river near the Miltimore quarries.
During the next year the road was completed to Oshkosh, as
the building of it had been started from both ends. It was ex-
tended to Green Bay in 1862. The bridges across the river must
have been built during 1856 or 1857. Both the North-Western
and the St. Paul companies joined in the building of the upper
railway bridge.
-^^-
'.<^
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIX 553
The fire department was enlarged during this year by the or-
ganization of a hook and ladder company, with AV. B. Britton as
foreman; they did not procure their equipment, however, until
the next year.
July 10, 1856, the second Odd Fellows lodge of Janesville was
chartered, being Janesville City Lodge No. 90 ; and on September
11, 1856, the Masonic commandery of Knights Templar was char-
tered.
1857.
In 1857 two additional wards were added to the four pre-
viously formed — the Fifth, on the west side of the river, and the
Sixth, out of the Second and Third, on the east side. Aldermen
of these wards were elected, but at the next session of the legisla-
ture the new wards were abolished and the city remained divided
into four wards until 1871, when the Fifth ward was again estab-
lished and still remains.
In March, 1857, Charles Holt purchased the Janesville ''Free
Press," united it with the Janesville "Gazette," and began pub-
lishing a daily paper again. It was published as a morning paper
and called "The Daily Morning Gazette," being a seven-column
paper. From that time until the present there has always been
a daily "Gazette," though it was changed to an evening paper
many years ago.
The second state fair was held at Janesville from September
28 to October 2, 1857. This was held on the grounds which had
been made into a fair grounds at the lower end of Main street
in what is now the Spring Brook addition to the city. This fair
was very largely attended, the gross receipts amounting to
$8,804.60.
A bridge was built by the city across the river from the foot
of Jackson street to the west end of the fair grounds. This
bridge remained in existence for some years and then was de-
stroyed, and there was no bridge across the river at that point
until about fifteen years ago, when the present Jackson Street
bridge was erected.
In 1857 the building of a new high school was commenced.
This was erected in the square on the hill in the Third ward
where the cemetery had been abandoned. It was built during
1858 and completed in 1859.
554 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
The Hyatt House, the most pretentious hotel building ever
erected in Janesville, was also completed during 1857, being
opened for business May 7, 1857. It occupied the site of the old
Stevens House, burned in 1853, at the northwest corner of Mil-
waukee and Franklin streets. It was built of brick, five stories
in height, at a cost of $140,000. The building was erected by A.
Hyatt Smith, and most of the cost was borne by him, although a
number of citizens subscribed a bonus to aid in the building.
Everything about the structure was substantial and imposing, the
dining hall being so large that from 400 to 500 guests could be
seated at once at its tables. It was carried on as a hotel and
famous as such all over the state until it was burned in 1867.
In 1857 ex-Governor "William A. Barstow, over whose incum-
bency of the governor's chair there had been such a contest, re-
moved to Janesville and opened a new bank called the Producers'
Bank in connection with A. T. Gray and E. M. Hunter in the
Hyatt House block. This bank continued in existence only a
short time, as it did not prove a success, and Governor Barstow
then went into the milling business in Janesville, which business
he followed until he entered the army in 1861. While living here
he occupied the large frame house on the west bank of the river
just south of where the Croak brewery is now situated. This
house remained a permanent landmark there for many years
after his departure, being known as the Governor Barstow house.
When the Chicago & North-Western Eailroad Company built
the Evansville cut-off this house had to be removed, and it was
moved to Mineral Point avenue and converted into a building
which was used as the city hospital for a number of years.
A. Hyatt Smith was again elected mayor for 1857 and Amos
P. Prichard, who had been city clerk, was elected as judge of
the county or probate court. Judge Prichard was reelected every
term subsequently until his death in 1886, nearly thirty years.
1858.
In May, 1858, the Young Men's Christian Association of Janes-
ville was organized, Josiah T. Wright, who is still actively en-
gaged in Sunday-school and Y. M. C. A. work, being one of its
organizers and first officers. Chief Justice Cassoday, then prac-
ticing law here, was also one of the early officers. On July 27,
1858, David Noggle, of Janesville, was appointed as circuit judge
JAXESVILLE, WISCONSIN 555
of the First circuit, succeeding J, M. Keep. Judge Noggle held
this office until 1865. During this year the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul railway finished its line to Monroe. The high school
was being built during all this year, and the first class of the
Janesville high school graduated during this year, there being
only three members of the class.
Among other buildings erected then was the present First
National Bank building, built by the Central Bank of Wisconsin.
In 1858 the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company,
now at Milwaukee, one of the best known of the large life insur-
ance companies, began business at Janesville. It was incorpo-
rated by chapter 129 of Laws of Wisconsin for 1857. The incor-
porators were mainly from Janesville, though some were from
Beloit and also some from outside the county. Among the Janes-
ville incorporators were Thomas Lappin, M. C. Smith, David
Noggle, Edw^ard McKey, Solomon Hutson, James H. Knowlton,
John P. Dickson, Joseph A. Sleeper, Edward L. Dimock, B, F. Pix-
ley, J. F. Willard, John Mitchell, Luke Stoughton, James Bintiff,
Peter Myers and Lucian S. Fisher. Matthew H. Carpenter, late
United States senator from Wisconsin, but then practicing law
at Beloit, was also an incorporator. Janesville was designated
as the location of the corporation, but the law was amended a
few years later substituting Milwaukee for Janesville and also
adding "Northwestern" to the original corporate name, which
was Mutual Life Insurance Company of the State of Wisconsin.
The offices were soon moved to Milwaukee. The formation of the
company was largely due to the efforts of General J. C. Johnston,
who owned a farm of 3,000 acres a few miles out of Janesville
on the Milwaukee and Madison territorial road. General John-
ston had been connected in a high capacity with one of the old
line insurance companies of New York before coming West, and
he saw the opportunity open to a western company. The pre-
liminary work of organization was nearly all done under his direc-
tion. Hon. J. J. R. Pease was also very active in the early life
of the company.
1859.
April 12, 1859, Chief Justice E. V. Whiton of the supreme
court died and was buried from his home in Janesville.
On May 22 the Rock county courthouse was totally destroyed
556 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
by fire, leaving the county without an adequate home for its
courts and records, and no other courthouse was built until 1869.
In May, 1859, the High School building (now the Jefferson
school) was finished and the high school classes were trans-
ferred from the old academy to the new building. This was
considered the ne plus ultra of school buildings at the time, and
it still remains a sightly landmark; standing on the highest ele-
vation of the city, with its three stories and large cupola, it is
the first object seen when driving into Janesville from any direc-
tion. It was built of wood, brick and cut stone and cost about
$40,000. Levi Cass was principal at the time of the completion of
this building. The first formal graduation exercises took place
in 1859, there being six members in the class ; one of them was W.
D. Parker, who became principal of the city schools a number of
years thereafter and later was president of the normal school at
Black River Falls.
October 1, 1859, has long been considered a red letter day in
the history of Janesville, as Abraham Lincoln visited us on that
Saturday and made a political speech in Young America Hall.
He was brought here from Beloit by Hon. A. A. Jackson, after-
ward our mayor, and entertained while here by "W. M. Tallman.
The churches of the city were increased during this year by
the organization of Christ Episcopal church by the Rev. Thomas
J. Ruger. They erected no church building, however, holding
their services in Lappin's Hall until 1861.
This year ended the first twenty-five years since the settle-
ment of Janesville, and a short resume may serve to bring its
condition at that time more forcibly to mind.
The population of the city was over 7,000; Main street and
East and West Milwaukee streets were well built up with sub-
stantial buildings. Peter Myers was building the present Myers
House to take the place of the old Janesville Stage House, and the
traveling public was more than provided for by the immense
Hyatt House, the old American House at the corner of Court and
Main streets, the Ogden House, and other smaller hotels. The
city was even then busily engaged in manufacturing. On the
upper water-power was the Ford Flouring Mill, by A. Hyatt
Smith and 0. B, Ford, with three runs of stone ; then coming to-
wards Milwaukee street, the Excelsior Mill, built by Hamilton
Richardson, with two runs of stone; Allen Coppinger's mill, just
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 557
being built, with two runs of stone ; and the Novelty Mill, by H.
AY. Spencer, with two runs of stone ; the Bower City Mills, built
during 1859 by McChesney, with two runs of stone, and the big
mill standing at the west end of the Milwaukee Street bridge,
with six runs of stone.
The Farmer's mill then run by Jackman and Alden was at the
east end of the west side water power with three runs of stone.
On the east side of the river near the end of the dam was
Norris' saw mill, capable of cutting 4,000,000 feet of lumber
yearly. Also, down near the present Doty Manufacturing Com-
pany was a plow factory and foundry, built by A. W. Parker
and operated by D. C. Ward & Co., and in the same building was
James Mills, manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds; where
Thoroughgood & Co. now are was the woolen factory just then
being built by F. A. Wheeler.
On the Monterey water power were located Heller & Hen-
derson's flouring mill, built in 1856, with two runs of stone;
Andre & Crosby 's mill with three runs of stone, and a large flour-
ing mill just being built by Ira Miltimore with four runs of stone.
The flouring mills on both the upper and lower powers were
capable of manufacturing about 200,000 barrels of flour per an-
num.
On the Monterey power were also Whitaker's woolen mill,
which was later for many years operated by the McLeans, and
a mill operated by Miltimore for sawing and polishing stone.
On North Franklin street was the steam operated plant of the
Western Novelty Works, built by Joseph H. Budd, and on South
Kiver and Center streets was the* nucleus of what is now the
Janesville Machine Company, a large manufacturing establish-
ment built by William Hume and operated by a number of dif-
ferent manufacturers; among them were R. Williams, making
sash, doors and blinds; Mansfield company, manufacturing flour
barrels, and Harris, Guild, Angell & Tyler, operating a foundry
and machine shop.
Even then there were a number of beautiful and costly resi-
dences. On the east side of the river Timothy Jackman had
built the large brick dwelling house east of the court house park,
now owned by George McKey, Morris C. Smith 's residence south
of the park on the east side of Division street had been erected.
558 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
J. J. R. Pease had occupied for a number of years the large house
on the knoll at the corner of Prospect avenue and Cornelia street,
and the A. C. Bates brick residence at the top of the hill on
Milwaukee street had been finished some little time. On North
Bluff street was the residence of A. Hyatt Smith, now the Ger-
man Lutheran church, and above it in Hickory glen was the
large Isaac "Woodle house.
On South Main street Charles H. Conrad had completed his
large residence; the Bailey and other places were occupied by
their builders.
On the west side of the river Andrew Palmer's residence at
the corner of Academy and Pleasant streets had been completed,
and the William Tallman house at the north end of Jackson
street had been built.
Less pretentious residences were to be found in all parts of
the city.
The city then had railway connections with Milwaukee, Chi-
cago, Monroe and Oshkosh. A number of stage lines were still
running, and a daily newspaper gave the citizens the local and
the outside news.
With the milling faculties which Janesville enjoyed as shown
above, it drew custom from a very large section of the country.
As will be remembered on the opening of the big mill, farmers
brought their grist from as far north as Portage, and while this
tributary country decreased as railroads and stage lines in-
creased, nevertheless, people for many miles around still con-
tinued to bring their grain to Janesville and buy their provisions
here. The stores of Janesville had been noted for their facilities
ever since they started. I have been told by those acquainted
with the facts that persons teaming from this section north to the
pineries would drive right through Madison to Janesville in order
to buy their supplies here rather than in Madison ; also, that in the
early days, before the railroad was built to Monroe, farmers and
other residents of Green county would come to buy their lumber
here from as far west as Monroe. This supremacy of the Janesville
stores has continued down to the present time. As to the dry
goods and furniture stores of Janesville, they are yet known to
have the largest stocks of any outside of Milwaukee, and they
draw trade from all the surrounding cities and villages.
JANESYILLE, WISCONSIN 559
1860-1864.
The jfive years from 1860 to 1864, inclusive, were with Janes-
ville, as with all the rest of the country, principally filled with
the visible results of the war. There were many volunteers re-
cruited from Janesville, and valiant service was done by Janes-
ville men during the war. There were two camps at Janesville,
Camp Cameron, where the cavalry were located, being situated
on the old fair grounds at Spring brook, and Camp Treadway
for the infantry at the fair grounds on Milwaukee avenue.
The first company recruited here left Janesville for Camp
Randall at Madison on May 6, 1861. This was Company D,
Second Eegiment Wisconsin Volunteers, George B. Ely, captain.
On June 20 they passed through Janesville from Madison on their
way to Washington and stopped here long enough to partake of
a dinner which the ladies of the city had provided; tables were
set in a groA'e occupying the site of Schaller & McKey's lumber
yard on Center avenue. On June 22 of the same year (1861)
Company E, of the Fifth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, H.
M. Wheeler, captain, being the Janesville Light Guard, left Janes-
ville for Camp Randall. They were mustered into the United
States service on July 13, 1861, and mustered out July 16, 1865.
On August 12, 1861, a company recruited largely from the
Janesville fire department left Janesville for Madison; they be-
came Company G of the Eighth Regiment of Wisconsin Volun-
teers, W. B. Britton, captain. Captain Britton at the time of the
enlistment was chief engineer of the fire department.
William H. Sargent, who became orderly sergeant, was secre-
tary of the department. The Grand Army Post formed in Janes-
ville after the war, was named for Mr. Sargent.
Captain Britton during the war became colonel of the regi-
ment, which was famed in history as the Eagle Regiment, bearing
Old Abe, the famous Wisconsin eagle.
The Thirteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers was re-
cruited from Rock county and Walworth county, six companies
of the regiment being recruited from Rock county; they ren-
dezvoused at Camp Treadway on Milwaukee avenue in August,
1861, and stayed until January, 1862, although they were mus-
tered into the United States service in October, 1861.
The company commanders from Janesville were Captain Ed-
560 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
ward Euger of Company A, Captain E. E. Woodman of Company
B, Captain F. F. Stevens of Company F, Captain Pliny Norcross
of Company K. Captain Norcross was attending the university
at Madison when the war broke out and was the first student to
enlist from that institution.
In December, 1861, Company E, of the Third Wisconsin Cav-
alry, went into camp at Spring brook and stayed there until
March 26, 1862. Ira Dustin, Jr., was captain of this company,
which was recruited in and near Janesville, as was also Company
M, of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, with Nathaniel Parker,
captain.
Ex-Governor William A. Barstow was the colonel of the Third
Wisconsin Cavalry, which left camp here for the southwest,
March, 1862.
On August 20, 1862, Lieutenant E. 6. Harlow, with about
sixty men recruited for the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, left
Janesville and was present at the battle of luka Mississippi,
September 19, 1862. On September 29, 1862, Company E, of the
Third Eegiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, Ira Miltimore of Janes-
ville, captain, left Janesville for Racine, where they were mus-
tered into the service October 18.
Janesville was also connected with the war through Louis
P. Harvey, the war governor of Wisconsin ; while he did not live
in Janesville yet he was a Rock county man, was present in
Janesville a great deal of the time, and had many close friends
and acquaintances here; he was born in Connecticut in 1820,
and moved to Rock county in 1847. He was engaged in the mill-
ing business at Shopiere for a number of years, and was elected
to the state senate from Rock county for four years, beginning
with 1853.
In 1859 he was elected secretary of state, and in 1861, gover-
nor; after his inauguration in January, 1862, he took a great
interest in the Wisconsin soldiers and went personally to see to
their wants after the disastrous battle of Pittsburg Landing.
While upon that trip, distributing the supplies which he had
gathered for the Wisconsin troops, he was accidentally drowned
in the Tennessee river, April 19, 1862.
Prior to the beginning of the war Janesville had listened to
a political speech from Stephen A. Douglas, Democratic candi-
JAXESVILLE, WISCONSIN 561
date for president, who visited the city October 12, 1860, and
spoke to a large crowd in front of the Hyatt house.
On November 12, 1863, the first draft took place, in Lappin's
hall, for recruits for the United States army. Janesville's quota
under the call for 500,000 men was 125 persons.
In 1864 on May 17 the last regiment left Janesville for Madi-
son. This was Company A, Fortieth Regiment Wisconsin Volun-
teers, S. D. Lockwood, captain. Of those mentioned as officers
of various companies above. Captain Edward Ruger, F. F.
Stevens, Pliny Norcross, Colonel Britton, Adjutant "William
Ruger and Lieutenant Harlow have resided in Janesville since
the war, and are all living here yet. Drs. Henry Palmer and J.
B. W^hiting also saw much service as army surgeons. Colonel W.
P. Lyon, of the Thirteenth Regiment, was elected circuit judge
of this circuit directly upon his return from the war, and con-
tinued to hold that office until the election of Judge Conger in
1871, when he was elevated to the supreme court of the state.
Besides these, Janesville has been represented in the regular
army by Generals Thomas H. Ruger and George M. Randall, and
is still represented by Captain Thomas Richardson, son of Hon.
Hamilton Richardson.
In 1860 Peter Myers began the erection of the present Myers
hotel building, on the site of the old Janesville Stage house at the
southeast corner of Main and East Milwaukee streets. It was
opened for business in November, 1861, and Mr. Myers began
running it personally at that time. Mr. Myers had been a resi-
dent of Janesville since 1845, and had accumulated quite a for-
tune in the manufacture of lard, and in packing pork and other
meats. In many ways he was considered very eccentric, but he
devoted his means and services for many years to the develop-
ment of Janesville, building stores on Main street south of the
Myers house. In 1870 he built the opera house at a cost of over
$30,000, and in 1881 built the Armory building, on the site of
the old Hyatt house. Besides this he built a number of stores
on North Main street, and the Galbraith barns, and other build-
ings on Milwaukee street.
During 1864 the present St. Patrick's church was completed,
it having been building for some time; the convent and school
buildings to the east of the church were finished soon afterwards.
563 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1861 the present Christ church was finished and dedicated
on October 31 of that year.
During the war time General Phil. Sheridan spent several
weeks at Janesville, purchasing horses for the cavalry. Later
General William T. Sherman visited Janesville, and made a public
address.
1865-1869.
During these five years Janesville seemed to suffer an epi-
demic of fires, large tracts of the old buildings and many of the
better ones being destroyed. In November, 1865, the Eoethinger
brewery, at the foot of South Main street, was destroyed, and on
December 12 the greater portion of the block on North Main
street from Milwaukee to North First street was destroyed. The
hand fire engines were of no avail and brands from the burning
block on Main street were carried a considerable distance, de-
stroying several remote residences and bams.
On January 12, 1867, occurred the Hyatt house fire. The only
fire in which a life has ever been lost in Janesville. That fire
started in the kitchen in the northwest corner of the hotel, and
as the department was unable to check it, destroyed the whole
building with a loss of $140,000. Some of the occupants were
fortunate enough to get their belongings out of the hotel, among
them being A. A. Jackson, who had his offices on the first floor,
and who succeeded in getting out his entire library and legal
papers. Miss Maggie Burns, an employee of the hotel, was
caught by the flames on the fifth floor and burned to death.
No hotel was ever built on this ground again, and the most
of it remained vacant until the large three-story block was built
there by Peter Myers in 1881.
The old stone barn belonging to the Hyatt house was not
burned in the fire, but remains to the present time, and is now
occupied as a storage warehouse.
Three days afterwards, on January 15, 1867, Morse & Han-
son's furniture factory and the McChesney flour mills, situated
on the raceway, were totally destroyed by fire at a loss of about
$20,000; and in July of the same year Allen & Schuyler's flax
mill at Monroe was destroyed.
In 1868, on January 20, the American house, at the corner of
Court and Main streets, was burned, and on September 27, 1868,
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 563
all of the frame stores on Milwaukee street from the raceway
to the river were destroyed by fire.
On October 1, 1868, Adam Wilson's shop at the corner of
South River and Dodge streets, w^as burned, and on November
23 the Fredondall block on South Main and Court streets was
also burned; in both of these cases there was an estimated loss
of $12,000.
After the burning of the Hyatt house there was a great agi-
tation for the purchasing of steam fire engines, and in August,
1868, two steam fire engines were brought to the city for ex-
amination and testing. The city finally determining to purchase
both of them, one was installed at the fire station on the west
side of the river and the other on the east side. Their first ser-
vice was at the fire, September 27, of the buildings on West Mil-
waukee street.
In 1869 two murders occurred, which created a great deal
of excitement in Janesville ; the first was that of the wife of Dr.
William P. Duvalle; she was supposed to have been poisoned by
her husband at the boarding house where the Grand hotel is now
situated, where they were boarding. Dr. Duvalle was arrested
and tried and convicted twice, the first conviction being set aside
and a new trial granted by the court. On September 10, 1870, on
the second conviction, he was sentenced to Waupun for life.
The other murder was that of Humphrey Roberts, of the
town of Harmony; he was shot by a man named Stowe while
drunk. Stowe was also sent to Waupun and died there.
In September, 1865, the fourth state fair was held in Janes-
ville, and General W. T. Sherman, ex-Governor A. W. Randall,
Senators James R, Doolittle and T. 0. Howe and ex-Governor J.
T. Lewis were present as speakers; they proved great drawing
cards, and the gross receipts amounted to over $11,000.
A state fair had been held here in 1864, when the receipts
amounted to $7,700 ; and the state fair was also held in Janesville
in 1866, when the receipts amounted to $15,000. This was the
last time the state fair was held here until 1877.
In September, 1869, the "Rock County Recorder" issued its
first number, Garrett Veeder and Sylvester St. John being the
proprietors.
In 1865-6 the Congregational Church Society built a new
564 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
church building on Jackson street, at a cost of $57,000, including
the organ.
St. Paul's German Lutheran church bought 'Hope chapel at
the corner of East Milwaukee and Wisconsin streets, which they
used as a church until 1883, when the building was sold to
Michael Dawson, and by him moved to Eiver street and made
into what is now the Eiverside hotel.
In 1867 the Baptist Church Society erected the brick church
on South Jackson street, which they occupied as a place of wor-
ship until it was burned, January 13, 1884, and the present
church built the same year.
1870-1874.
During these five years there was a notable addition to the
public building of the city in the completion of the present court-
house, which was finished, ready for occupancy, in 1870. The
courthouse is a handsome and commanding structure and has
served the purpose of the county well to the present time, though
the business and population of the county have doubled since its
erection; it cost about $75,000. During the same year (1870)
2he handsome brick church building on the site of the old Ameri-
can house was erected by the Court Street Methodist church;
it was dedicated August 18, 1870. The lower floor was built for
store purposes, the auditorium being on the second floor; this
was used as a place of worship until 1906, when the two Metho-
dist churches united and erected a new church building on the
west side of the river.
On June 29, 1871, the big mill at the west end of Milwaukee
street bridge was totally destroyed by fire at a loss of $45,000.
There was not so much need for mills at that time as in the
earlier days, and no attempt was made to rebuild, so that noth-
ing was done with this site until the erection of the building for
the United States postoffice.
On April 12, 1874, the main building of the Wisconsin State
School for the Blind was totally destroyed by fire; the fire de-
partment from Janesville tried to check the flames, but owing to
the distance from the water, they were unable to do much of
anything in that regard.
In 1874 a manufacturing enterprise was launched in Janes-
ville, which gave employment to many persons for a number of
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 565
years. This was the Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company,
incorporated August 4, 1874, with a capital of $125,000, which
was later increased to $500,000. Mr. Frank Whittaker suggested
the feasibility of building a cotton factory here and aided great-
ly in its construction. 0. B. Ford was president, J. J. R. Pease
vice-president, F. S. Eldred treasurer and William A. Lawrence
secretary of the company. On the completion of the main build-
ing its use was donated to the Janesville Sack Company for a
charity ball, which was held February 9, 1875. The "Gazette,"
in its account of the party, says that at least 4,000 persons at-
tended. On the third floor ninety-six sets, or 768 persons were
dancing at one time. The exercises were held on the first floor
and speeches were made by Dr. Palmer, Pliny Norcross, Judge
Bennett and others. This company bought a large amount of
both the upper and lower water powers, and erected during 1874
two large buildings, fitted with necessary machinery, at a cost
of about $200,000, the main manufacturing establishment, be-
tween North Franklin and River streets, 221x54 feet, three stories
high, and another building spanning the raceway just east of it.
Later on in 1883, they erected a large factory building and power
plant southwest of the woolen mills in Monterey on the lower
water power at a cost of $250,000. To run the mills they pro-
cured two expert cotton men from North Adams, Mass. ; one,
A. J. Ray, became secretary of the firm, and the other, Chester
Bailey, who had been the superintendent of the Arnold mills of
North Adams, Mass., for fourteen years previous, became super-
intendent of the mills. During many years they did a large busi-
ness. In 1878 they made over 5,000,000 yards of sheeting, valued
at over $300,000, with a pay roll of $70,000. Nearly the same
amount was made in 1880 and 1883. They then employed nearly
400 hands. After the erection of the lower factory their output
was further increased. Excessive freight rates on cotton for
such a distance as it had to be brought and the high price paid
to operatives forced the mills into financial troubles, and in 1886
a new corporation, called the Janesville Cotton Mills, was formed
to take over the business, with a capital of $150,000. They ran
the mills for some years longer, but the business still proving a
losing venture they wound up the affairs of the corporation, and
the plant was finally sold a few years since to the Janesville
Electric Company.
566 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1871 and 1872, Morris C. Smith built the fine brick block ,
at the northeast corner of Main and Milwaukee streets to take
the place of the old frame building which had been burned there ;
the upper story of this block was used as a meeting place by the
Masonic society for many years, and until they bought their own
building in 1906. Brick buildings were also erected on Milwau-
kee street between River street and the river to take the place
of the old frame buildings destroyed by fire.
In 1870 Peter Myers built the opera house at the corner of
East Milwaukee and Blufi" streets ; this opera house was a vast
improvement over the halls which had theretofore been used for
theatrical entertainments. Lappin's hall, located in the Lappin
Block, continued to be used, however, for a number of years after
this time.
In 1872 George C. McLean bought an interest in the Payne &
Hastings Woolen Mills, which they bought in 1868 of F. Whitta-
ker, who built in 1849, on the lower water power in Monterey,
and under his management, as the New McLean Manufacturing
Company, the mills did a large business for many years. The
mills were totally destroyed by fire in August, 1881, but were at
once rebuilt. After Mr. McLean's retirement about 1890 they
were sold to Jonathan Ellis of Fort Dover, Canada, and are still
a large factor in Janesville's industries under the name of the
Rock River Woolen Mills.
In 1874 Colonel Burr Robbins bought the old Doty farm and
what was formerly the old fair grounds at the bend of the river
in the southeastern part of the city, and made the same into
winter quarters for his Great American and German Allied
Shows. His circus wintered here until he left the show business
in the later 80 's. During the winters it w^as a busy place, pre-
paring for the coming season, and a great source of entertain-
ment to many who took delight in seeing the animals in their
winter quarters. The circus always gave its first performance
of the season at Janesville, and when it went out of existence it
left a void in the lives of the Janesville youngsters.
1875-1879.
May 1, 1875, the Congregational church was totally destroyed
by fire; the fire caught in the pastor's study and burned very
slowly, so that it was thought for many hours that it could be
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 567
extinguished ; there was a heavy snowstorm during the day
and Prof. Bischoff, the famous blind organist, who was organist
of the church at that time, wished to take out the magnificent
pipe organ, but as the fire was deemed to be under control, he
was dissuaded from removing the organ, and when it was seen
that the church must go there was no time for that removal.
A new church, the present building, was erected on the same
site, commencing shortly after the fire.
In October, 1875 a third bank was established at Janesville,
being the Merchants & Mechanics' Savings bank, organized under
the state laws with a capital of $50,000. This was the first sav-
ings bank in Janesville, and it has grown steadily since its estab-
lishment until now its deposits amount to over a million and a
half dollars, being the largest of any of the city banks. For
a number of years this bank was located in the Lappin block,
and then was removed to the Jeffris block, at the west end of
the Milwaukee street bridge, where it has since remained. Dur-
ing the past year the building has been remodeled for it and
beautifully finished in white marble and mahogany, so that it
is now one of the handsomest bank buildings in the state.
On November 18, 1877, the "Williams house, formerly the Bor-
den house, at the corner of West Milwaukee and High streets,
was burned. No building replaced it until 1879, when David
Jeffris built the present Grand hotel on the same site.
On March 11, 1878, a new daily newspaper was launched by
Garrett Veeder and W. H. Leonard, who had been publishing a
weekly since 1869; it was named the "Janesville Daily Re-
corder," and is still published, Peter J. Mouat being the present
owner and editor. This paper is the only Democratic daily in
Rock county.
The year 1879 is noted for a carnival of crime. On May 13
of that year George Mack was found murdered at his farm home
in the town of Turtle. His wife and one George Dickerson were
arrested. Dickerson was found guilty and testified against Mrs.
Mack, who was tried in the Rock county circuit court, being de-
fended by Ogden H, Fethers and John Winans. Mrs. Mack was
convicted, but the supreme court reversed the conviction and
granted a new trial, and after a change of venue to Jefferson
county the case dragged along until she was finally allowed to
568 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
go on her own recognizance. Dickerson was sentenced to life
imprisonment, but was pardoned by the governor in 1891.
In September, 1879, the little son of Alex White was brutally
murdered by George Baumgartner in the town of Porter. On
October 6 a large mob of neighbors and others from that section
of the county rode into the city and made demand upon Sheriff
Comstock for the surrender of Baumgartner. The coming of the
mob had become known, however, and Baumgartner had been
taken out of the city; he was taken first to Elkhorn and then
by a roundabout way to Monroe, where Judge Conger was hold-
ing court; there he was brought into court in the dead of night,
and after pleading guilty was sentenced to AVaupun for life.
In October occurred another murder at the town of Milton;
Edward Fogarty being killed by Henry Christianson.
In 1879 David Jeffris built the present Grand hotel on the site
of the old Williams house, and it was opened for business on
January 1, 1880. Mr. Jeffris for many years ran a lumber yard
just south of the Grand Hotel building, and erected many prom-
inent buildings in Janesville. It is said that he built over 400
buildings in the city.
The Grand hotel has been operated by J. F. Sweeney from
nearly the beginning, and is now known as one of the best hotels
in southern Wisconsin.
In 1877 John Thoroughgood and F. Stevens commenced the
manufacture of cigar boxes and cigar box lumber in Janesville,
buying out a small business which had been established by Fred
Morse in 1874. In 1883 the late Fenner Kimball acquired a half
interest in the business, and it w^as run by him and Mr. Thor-
oughgood jointly for a number of years. Since Mr. Thorough-
good's death, a couple of years ago, it has been operated by the
Thoroughgood estate, George F. Kimball and Henry A. Gagan.
For a number of years they occupied a large building owned by
the Lappin estate at the foot of Pease court, and then erected
for themselves in 1889 at a cost of $20,000, the large four-story
brick building at the foot of Prospect avenue.
Another cigar box factory was established by Henry A. Doty
a short time afterwards, and was in business for a number of
years just north of the Thoroughgood factory.
In 1875 the making of shoes was begun in Janesville by the
Janesville Shoe Manufacturing Company, who occupied a build-
'iKk mRr
^£j?m/^ a/C-i/rjz
JANESVILLE, WISC02s^SlN 569
ing at the corner of South Main and Sonth Second streets, erected
on the ground where the ice skating rink had been burned in
1872. In 1878 the business passed to the Wisconsin Shoe Com-
pany, incorporated February, 1878, with a capital of $20,000.
This concern continued operating for a number of years, making
about $200,000 worth of goods a year. They were burned out in
January, 1888, and before they ceased a number of other like
manufacturers had commenced business, the next being the
Janesville Boot Company, organized by J. A. Cunningham and
others in 1882. Later, Alexander Richardson and F. M. Marz-
luff operated a large factory on So-uth River street for some
years, when F. M. Marzluff withdrew and started a separate
factory on the raceway. This factory was destroyed by fire in
February, 1902, entailing a loss of about $55,000 ; but the factory
has been continued by Mr. Marzluff, and is now located in two
stories of the old main building of the Janesville Cotton Manu-
facturing Company.
The factory of Alexander Richardson was removed to Me-
nominee, Wis., but later Mr. Richardson withdrew from it and
established a new factory at Janesville, which now occupies the
building across the raceway formerly owned by the cotton com-
pany.
1880-1884.
September 8, ex-President U. S. Grant visited Janesville and
held a reception in the Myers house, shaking hands with an im-
mense crowd of people who were presented to him.
During the above period of five years began a new industry
in Janesville, which is now one of the principal industries of the
city; this was the purchase and handling of leaf tobacco. To-
bacco had been raised in Rock county for many years previous,
first being raised by Mr. Pomeroy near Edgerton in the 50 's.
It was also raised in Janesville, as it is stated in the 1856 direc-
tory that "Mr. St. John has raised five tons of tobacco from six
acres, worth 10 cents per pound, amounting to $1,000."
Tobacco raising had become quite universal prior to 1880,
3,476 acres having been raised in Rock county in 1879, but it was
mostly sold to Chicago dealers. Rowe & Stevens, who had a
warehouse on the corner of Wall and Madison streets, were
heavy buyers of the 1881 crop at Janesville, and the firm of
570 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Baines, Heddles & Co. was organized about the same time. F.
M. Hibbard, J. G. DeLong and Conrad Bros, were early buyers.
The ''Gazette," giving a review for 1880, says that 5,100 cases
were handled here during the year, and in 1881 says there were
from 8,000 to 10,000 cases put up in Janesville.
The industry of Janesville has grown steadily from that time
until now there are thirty leaf tobacco warehouses in Janesville,
and more leaf is packed here than in any other city of the United
States excepting Lancaster, Pa.
In buying the 1906 crop the Janesville dealers invested over
two millions of dollars, and assorting and handling of this crop
gave employment to over 950 men and women for several months.
The Janesville dealers buy heavily in other sections of Wiscon-
sin where tobacco is raised, notably Dane and Viroqua counties.
"Within the last few years the stemming of the lower grades of
leaf for export purposes has become quite an industry in Janes-
ville, and a mammoth brick warehouse costing about $30,000
was erected during the past year by M. F. Green & Co. on Acad-
emy street just north of their old warehouse in order to handle
this one branch of the industry.
The amount of money invested in the tobacco crop is shown
by the loss in a fire which has just occurred (January 18, 1908),
where the Julius Marquissee warehouse, situated at the foot of
South Franklin street, was totally destroyed with the packing
therein, entailing a loss of over $200,000, in the packing alone.
In 1880 electric light was first introduced into Janesville by
the Janesville Electric Light Company, which was incorporated
March 18, 1880, by Dr. Henry Palmer, W. T. Vankirk and others
This plant was afterwards bought by Captain Pliny Norcross,
who extended it from time to time. During Captain Norcross'
ownership of the plant the main buildings were situated at the
end of the upper raceway, on the river between Milwaukee and
Dodge streets. The waterpower at Fulton and also that at In-
dian Ford was bought by Captain Norcross and run in connec-
tion with the Janesville plant for the lighting of the city streets
and the furnishing of motive power, etc.
In 1904 Captain Norcross sold out to a company composed of
M. G. Jeffris, Levi Carle, T. 0. Howe, Stanley B. Smith and
George G. Sutherland, who commenced rebuilding and extending
the plant. They bought the waterpower and buildings owned
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 571
by the old Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company, the Ford
Milling Company and others, which thus gave them the control
of the greater portion of the waterpower in the city, both the
upper and lower powers. On the site of the old Ford mill at the
west end of the upper dam they built a modern power plant at a
cost of about $70,000, and also rebuilt the plant on the lower
waterpower at a cost of a number of thousands of dollars. The
capital stock of the company was increased to $100,000. Before
Captain Norcross sold his interest the electric company had com-
menced in a small way the furnishing of heat by a forced cir-
culation of water heated by steam. This business has been con-
tinued by the present company, and quite a number of business
blocks near Milwaukee street bridge are heated in this way,
among them being the entire Jackman building.
In 1880 Chester Bailey, formerly superintendent of the cotton
manufacturing company, established the Badger State Warp
Mills near the west end of the upper dam; later he began the
manufacture of cotton batting, and this business was bought
out in about 1890 by T. 0. Howe and Fred Howe, operating as
Howe Bros. This business has grown steadily from that time,
and now, under the name of Rock River Cotton Company, under
which name it was incorporated in 1902, occupies nearly the
whole block between Franklin, River, Wall and West Bluff
streets, the company having bought all of the land in the block
except the north building, owned by L. B. Carle & Son. Large
brick factory buildings have been erected on this block from time
to time, and now the plant represents an expenditure of over
$300,000. The Howe brothers, besides operating this plant, are
extensively interested in the Janesville Machine Company, the
First National Bank and other of the city's industries.
On October 5, 1881, the Janesville Machine Company was in-
corporated by James Harris, J. B. Crosby and others, with a
capital of $100,000, to take over the business of the Harris Manu-
facturing Company; this was done on the first day of January,
1882, and the Harris Manufacturing Company then ceased to
do business as a corporation. The Harris Manufacturing Com-
pany was incorporated in 1869 by James Harris, E. G. Fifield
and Horace Dewey, and continued the business started by Har-
ris, Guild & Angell, as mentioned in the review of 1859. Prior
to the formation of the Harris Manufacturing Company, the in-
573 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
terests of Messrs. Guild and Angell had been bought by James
Harris, and later Leavitt and E. G. Fifield became interested
with Mr. Harris, which organization, as Harris, Fifield & Co.,
was carried up to the organization of the corporation.
The business of manufacturing agricultural implements had
grown steadily, so that in the review of the city's industries in
the "Gazette" of December 1, 1880, it was stated that their
capital was now $150,000, and the surplus $91,000 ; that they had
manufactured during the year of 1880 $235,000 worth of goods.
Since the organization of the Janesville Machine Company the
growth has continued steadily and the concern is now the city's
largest manufacturing industry. Under J. A. Craig, the general
manager, the past years have seen an exceptional increase in
the plant. New buildings have been erected until now they
occupy nearly three city blocks, extending south from Pleasant
street on both sides of River street. Their capital has been in-
creased until it is now $500,000 ; they employ on an average from
250 to 300 men, and their buildings and plant have a valuation
of $500,000, with a payroll of $5,000 to $6,000 semi-monthly.
Their annual output is about $500,000 to $600,000.
The plows manufactured by the Janesville Machine Company
have taken the grand sweepstakes prize at the annual competi-
tion in Illinois for many years, and their Little Champion mowers
and reapers and disk harrows are favorably known wherever
agricultural implements are used. The Little Champion mowers
were invented chiefly by James Harris, who was connected with
the concern which bore his name for so many years. Mr. Harris
withdrew from active connection with the firm a number of years
ago; prior to 1880 he had invented a safety oil lamp, and asso-
ciated himself with D. P. Smith for its manufacture. In 1880
the firm of Harris & Smith was reported as manufacturing about
$30,000 worth of these lamps annually, and they were shipped all
over the world, a large trade being in Europe. About 1885 the
firm of Harris & Smith drifted into the manufacture of barbed
wire. Mr. Smith withdrew from the company after a few years,
and the business has been carried on since then by James Harris
and his son, A. J. Harris. It has grown to be a very large
manufacturing industry, and the making of wire nails and woven
wire fencing has been added to the manufacture of barbed wire,
as the use of the latter has fallen off in favor of the more humane
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 573
smooth woven wire fencing. The business was incorporated by
the Harrises in 1903 as the Janesville Barbed Wire Company,
with a capital stock of $150,000.
In March, 1880, the first telephone exchange was opened in
Janesville by the Janesville Telephone Company with sixteen
subscribers ; the number of subscribers had grown to fifty-eight
by January 1, 1881. This exchange became a part of the Bell
telephone system, and the Wisconsin Telephone Company was
granted a franchise by the city in 1892, and increased its equip-
ment, having a large number of subscribers.
In 1898 a movement was started for an independent telephone
exchange, and the Rock County Telephone Company was given a
franchise. This company took away most of the subscribers of
the old Wisconsin Telephone Company, but owing to a reduction
in the prices both companies have increased their patronage to a
marvelous degree ; now both companies are running exchanges in
the city with a large number of subscribers, the Rock County
Company having about 1,500 and the Bell Company about 900.
In 1880 the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company built
a line from Janesville to Afton in Rock county, so that better
connections were given for Madison and the northwest; and the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company built a line
from Janesville to Beloit, which gave another outlet to Chicago
and to Racine and points in western Illinois.
The citizens subscribed $6,000 or $7,000 bonus for the build-
ing of the Northwestern line and about $10,000 for the building
of the St. Paul line. The two roads ran parallel along the west
bank of the river as far as Afton, the St. Paul line continuing
across the river a little further down.
Beginning with the year 1880 and extending on for a con-
siderable number of years, Janesville became the head of the
draft horse importing industry. Thomas Bowles brought the
first Norman horse to Janesville in 1865, and in 1873 began deal-
ing in imported horses, though not making importations himself
until about 1883, when the firm became Bowles & Hadden. Later
the firm was changed to Hadden, Scott & Mouat. They did a
very large business in importing French horses.
Alexander Galbraith and his brothers, under the name of
Galbraith Bros., began importing Clydesdale horses from Scot-
land in 1880; their importations of Clydesdales and Hackneys
574 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
increased until they were probably the largest importers in the
United States.
Other extensive importers with headquarters at Janesville
between 1880 and 1895 were Eeid Bros., Hunter Bros, and Hop-
kins & Son. The horses imported were sold all over the United
States and Canada, and Janesville became the mecca for horse
buyers.
A drop in prices in 1893 caused all of the firms to cease busi-
ness. Alexander Galbraith, however, commenced importing
again about 1896, as prices began going up, and since that time
to the present, in company with his son, all importations have
steadily increased. The McLay Bros, are also heavy dealers in
Clydes.
Mr. Galbraith is considered an authority on horses, and his
services as judge are in constant requirement at all of the large
exhibitions in the United States. He is at present president
of the American Clydesdale Association, and prior to becoming
president was its secretary for many years.
Janesville did not give its whole attention to draft horses,
however, for it was celebrated for many years as a center for
raising extremely fast trotting stock. Messrs. Henry D. Mc-
Kinney, H. S. Woodruff, B. B. Eldredge, John Griffiths and
others were large owners and breeders of trotting horses. The
annual June race meet, held by the Janesville Driving Park
Association for years prior to the passage of the anti-pool selling
law, drew many thousands of people to Janesville to witness the
races.
In 1884 South Eiver street began to be used for mercantile
business through the building of a three-story mercantile block
by Captain Pliny Norcross. Captain Norcross also built during
that year the Phoebus block on West Milwaukee street; this
block was built on the site of the old Farmer's mill, the mill
being removed to the foot of Dodge street, where it has since
been run by E. P. Doty.
In 1881 a municipal court for the county of Eock was estab-
lished at Janesville, taking the place of the police justices with
a considerable increase of jurisdiction. L. F. Patten was elected
as the first municipal judge and began holding court the last
Monday of June, 1881. H. A. Patterson was elected municipal
judge in 1887, M. M. Phelps in 1893 and Charles L. Fifield in
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 575
1899 and 1905. The criminal business of the city had been taken
care of by the police justice from 1856 to 1881 ; among the jus-
tices were Sanford A. Hutson, William Smith, M. S. Prichard and
T. S. Nolan, holding the office when it was abolished.
In February, 1881, Janesville was cut off from the outside
world by a snow blockade which lasted over three days ; the
streets of the city were so filled with snow that all travel was
abandoned, and the country roads were impassable for more
than a week.
1885-1889.
In 1885 a company formed by Pliny Norcross, F. C. Cook and
others purchased land and erected a large roller skating rink
building, 88 feet by 150 feet, on South River street. Roller
skating had begun to be popular and rinks had been opened in
the Norcross block and in the Young American hall on Main
street during 1884, and after the opening of the new rink the
sport continued for a number of years. Polo was played on
skates and Janesville had a team famous over the northwest,
games being played in many other cities where they were vic-
torious. After the decline of roller skating the rink building
was used as a carriage manufactory by J. W. Richardson, and
as a place for holding the Janesville Mid-Winter Fair until the
last four or five years, when roller skating has again become the
fad, and the rink is now thronged nightly during the winter
season; it being now under the management of James Connors.
In October, 1885, a franchise was granted the Janesville
Street Railway Company to construct a horse railway through
the Janesville streets, and a line was built and put into operation
during 1886. The snow during the winters proved such an obsta-
cle to the running of the cars, that the superintendent, Mr.
Charles Atwood, substituted covered sleighs, and thus took care
of the traffic while the line was blockaded. The line was run as
a horse railroad until 1892, when it was rebuilt with electricity
as the motive power, at a cost of over $100,000. In 1893 the
road was sold to George W. Blabon, of Philadelphia, and has
since been run under his ownership.
In 1885 work was commenced on a line of railway from Janes-
ville to Evansville, about sixteen miles; this was completed dur-
ing 1886 by the Janesville & Evansville Railway Company, formed
576 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
to complete it, and was by them deeded to the Chicago & North-
western in May, 1887. To aid in the building of this road the
city of Janesville as a municipality paid the sum of $40,000, and
it was proved to be a wise investment. This was the first time
that the city had ever given aid to such an enterprise, they
having escaped the craze of bonding themselves for the aid of
railways when they first began to be built in the 50 's; a craze
which caused many Wisconsin cities to become involved in finan-
cial difficulties and litigation for many years.
The original Chicago & Northwestern line from Chicago to
Oshkosh at the time of building, and for a number of years
afterwards, was considered the main line of the Nrothwestern
system, but as time had gone on and the northwest had grown,
the line running through Madison by way of Beloit and Afton
had become the main line to St. Paul and the northwest. The
building of this Janesville-Evansville line, called the "Evans-
ville Cut-off," shortened the distance from Chicago to St. Paul
by many miles and made the line running through Janesville the
highway for the greater part of the traffic. Prior to the build-
ing of the "Evansville Cut-off" the running time to Chicago
was about four hours, whereas, now with many more trains, the
average time is about two and one-half hours, and a number of
trains have a schedule of two hours. The train service has in-
creased so that from two trains a day in the 50 's there are now
upwards of eighty trains in and out of Janesville during each
twenty-four hours.
About 1887, Edward F. Carpenter, under deed from Thomas
Lappin, the owner of the river bank on the southeast side of Mil-
waukee street bridge, commenced the erection of a building built
on piles driven into the bed of the river, and abutting on the
south side of the bridge. A building had already been erected
in the middle of the river, on the south side of Milwaukee street
bridge by Peter Myers in the early days of the city. Just when
the building now in Rock river abutting on Milwaukee street
prior to 1852, for chapter 426, laws of "Wisconsin for 1852, ap-
proved April 17, 1852, grants Peter Myers the right to maintain
the building now in Rock river abuting on Milwaukee street
bridge provided it does not interfere with the floatage in the
river and so long as it shall be used as a meat market. Mr.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 577
Myers then occupied it as a meat market, and one was kept
there by R. J. Rooney and others until comparatively recent time.
This Myers building was build on stone abutments, there being
a rise in the river bottom in the nature of an island, at this point.
After the building of the Carpenter building the waterpower
owners procured a law to be passed by the legislature making
building over the river a nuisance, and when Mr. Carpenter
started to erect another building running from his first block to
that built by Peter Myers, over what was then a vacant space
about eighty-seven feet in width, proceedings were commenced
in court under the act mentioned above. The case went to the
supreme court in 1890 and the court held the act of the legisla-
ture unconstitutional and dissolved a temporary injunction
which had been granted. The building was thereupon completed
by Mr. Carpenter and Mr. George G. Sutherland. Later build-
ings were erected on the south side of the bridge from the Myers
building to the westerly bank of the river, and by M. G. and W.
S. Jeffris on the north side of the bridge west of the center of
the river. At the present time the only place where one would
know that he was crossing a river in going over the Milwaukee
street bridge is on the east half of the north side, where no build-
ings have yet been erected. Buildings have also been erected on
the north side of the Court street bridge by W. B. Conrad.
On May 10, 1887, the city granted a franchise to Turner,
Clark & Rawson, of Boston, to construct and operate a system
of waterworks in the city. A board of water commissioners had
prior thereto been established by the laws of 1883 for the build-
ing of a waterworks system by the city. The board had adopted
plans and purchased land and commenced the digging of arte-
sian wells for the supply of water.
On January 20, 1887, the well at the waterworks station com-
menced flowing, being at that time drilled to a depth of 1,060
feet, with an eight-inch bore. That well gave about 500 gallons
per minute, and was turned over to Turner, Clark & Lawson
under their contract. Other wells have been drilled since as
more water was needed to supply the city.
Turner, Clark & Lawson completed the plant and it was
tested and the services accepted by the common council on June
2, 1888.
578 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In the 90 's the plant was purchased by a number of Janes-
ville men, and there was considerable agitation and litigation re-
garding the purchase of the plant by the city under an option
given by the original purchasers. The purchase was voted down,
however, and the plant is still run by a private corporation, the
chief owners being C. S. Jackman, of Janesville, and W. G.
Maxey, of Oshkosh.
In 1887 the service of the fire department was made much
more efficient by the construction of a fire alarm telegraph by
the Gamwell company; the contract being entered into by the
city in November and the alarm system completed, tested and
accepted in December, 1887. Henry Klein was appointed city
electrician and he devised many improvements in the system,
one of his inventions being a machine which enables the number
of any box to be pulled from the fire station when the alarm is
turned in by telephone. The service of Mr. Klein was so satis-
factory that the council, on the death of John C. Spencer, chief
of the fire department, elected him to fill the vacancy.
The burning of the Myers opera house on February 20, 1889,
was the first large conflagration since the building of the water-
works, and although the opera house was totally destroyed, caus-
ing a loss of over $40,000, the abundant supply of water saved
the Myers hotel and the other buildings in the neighborhood,
which would probably have been otherwise consumed.
Mr. Myers had died the year previous to the destruction of
the opera house, but it w^as rebuilt during the next year by his
sons, and opened again to the public on January 12, 1891.
In 1889 the erection of flat buildings for residence purposes
was inaugurated by Hiram Merrill, who built the Waverly block
on North Main street at a cost of $20,000. There proved to be
such a demand for these buildings that many have been built
since that time, among them being the Cullen flats, six apart-
ments on South Main street, the A. C. Kent flats on South Main
street and on Court street ; also his flats on North Bluff street,
the Schmidley flats, six apartments on North High street, the
Burdick flats on South Franklin street, the Eaton flats, con-
structed out of the A. C. Bates residence on Milton avenue ; the
Jeffris flats on Dodge street, the Bowles flats on East Milwaukee
street, and a number of others in different sections of the city.
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 579
1890-1894.
During the years from 1890 to 1894 Janesville took on the
fad of expansion by the opening of new additions and forcing
building, which from being overdone caused somewhat of a set-
back for a while, yet probably was of permanent benefit to the
city. George L. and Sarah H. Carriugton, the name under which
they did business, were husband and wife who removed here
from the East and commenced the platting of new additions in
1889; they began with Riverview Park addition, located on the
hill east of South ]\Iain street; they also platted Out o' Sight,
Glenetta, Carrington, AVheeler & Whitehead's and Carrington's
addition. Streets were built, sidewalks laid, grading was done,
and much money expended in all of these additions. Lots were
sold on easy terms, and the building of homes encouraged. A
building and loan association was organized by the Carringtons
to further this plan. The hard times of 1893 and later, caused
the Carringtons to fail in carrying out and maturing their plans,
and they were finally compelled to close their operations in Janes-
ville. Most of their additions, however, have continued to grow,
showing that there was need for such a scheme.
Some of the Janesville men had bought a large tract of land
lying east and south of the old high school in the Third ward
in 1887, and had platted it under the name of Forest Park addi-
tion ; they had not tried to push this addition with the activity
shown by the Carringtons, however, but it had grown slowly,
though the last three or four years has shown a notable increase
in the number and class of buildings erected there. Previous to
the opening of Forest Park there had practically been no new
additions to Janesville since the early years of the city, when
most of the land was platted and put on the market for residence
purposes. The largest addition on the west side of the river
covering the business area and much of the residence portion
was platted by A. Hyatt Smith and others as Smith, Bailey &
Stone's addition, within a year or two after the original plat of
the village was made. It is stated that this firm bought land
previous to platting at the ridiculously low price of $12 per acre.
Shortly after the advent of the Carringtons came another
boomer named John W. Hamilton. Under some bonus from the
citizens of Janesville he purported to bring large factories here
580 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
from Springfield, Ohio. Large buildings were erected in differ-
ent portions of the city for the Champion Shelf Manufacturing
Company, The Family Friend Publishing Company and others,
all of which have faded into nothingness since the bubble burst,
Hamilton's promises and the kind of fulfillment of them caused
the people of Janesville to fill out the middle letter of his name,
and he is still remembered as "John Windy Hamilton."
During this period, however, there was an industry established
in Janesville, which has probably made its name known in more
sections of the country than any other industry has, that
is, the Parker Pen Company, which was incorporated by George
S. Parker and others in 1891. Mr. W. F. Palmer became asso-
ciated with Mr. Parker in the company after a few years, and
owing to the efforts of these two gentlemen the concern has made
enormous progress. For a few years they occupied small quar-
ters in the opera house block, but in 1898 the business had grown
so that they purchased the four-story double building owned by
the McKeys on South Main street, and since that time have occu-
pied the three upper stories in the manufacture of fountain pens,
inks and like allied articles.
This factory is now the largest fountain pen factory in the
world, making about $250,000 worth of pens annually; one other
firm manufacturing more pens, but in various factories by con-
tract and not under one management.
The Parker Pen Company has always been an exceedingly
large advertiser, and it is owing to this fact that Janesville has
sometimes been known as the home of the "Lucky Curve." Dur-
ing the last year the Parker Pen Company has purchased a num-
ber of acres of land near the fair ground on the eastern limits
of the city and purposes building model factory buildings there-
on with landscape gardening made a feature of the plant, some-
what as has been done by the National Cash Eegister Company
at Dayton, Ohio. The success of the Parker Pen Company has
naturally caused other manufacturers of fountain pens to locate
in Janesville, the next largest being the Williamson Pen Com-
pany, who have a factory in the Corn Exchange block ; and be-
sides this there are the Century Pen Company, H. B. Smith Pen
Company, the Burdick Pen Company and the Scritchfield Pen
Company.
June 12, 1891, the corner stone of a new edifice for the First
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 581
Presbyterian church was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, at
the southwest corner of North Jackson and Wall streets ; Febru-
ary 18, 1892, occurred the dedication of this building free of
debt, the cost of the lot, $2,500, and the church building, about
$17,500, having been provided for before the dedication day.
The new pipe organ, costing $2,500, had previously been inau-
gurated with a concert, held in the new building, February 2,
1892.
In 1892 the citizens were very much wrought up over the
murder of Mrs. Daniel Stone of the town of Fulton, she being
found dead in the cistern of her residence. Her husband, Daniel
Stone, was one of the first settlers of the county and had been
blind for many years. This murder occurred in August, 1892,
a grand jury was called by the circuit judge to investigate the
matter, and they indicted Mathew R. Ashton, a nephew of the
Stones, on December 4. His trial took place before the circuit
court of Janesville, he being defended by Hon. E. M. Hyzer.
Ashton was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in
February, 1894, but during the pendency of appeal proceedings,
died of smallpox in the Dane county jail.
Another murder where there was an attempt at lynching
occurred in April, 1893, when Mathew Bitson murdered his wife
and Mrs. Arthur Hearn in the town of La Prairie, south of Janes-
ville. Bitson was captured at Clinton Junction, and a mob as-
sembled- to lynch him, but Sheriff Bear and a posse from Janes-
ville kept the prisoner safe until the arrival of a company of
militia from Madison. In December of 1893 Bitson pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to Waupun for life.
In 1893 proceedings were begun for the removal of the county
poor farm, which had always been located at Johnstown, to a
point near Janesville. Johnstown was so far from railroad ser-
vice that it was thought best to remove the poor farm where it
would be accessible to the railways, and the county finally de-
cided upon the purchase of the Barker farm, a little north of the
city near the crossing of the Northwestern and St. Paul railroad
tracks. This farm was purchased in February, 1893, and the
buildings were erected during that year at a cost of over $100,-
000; the county insane and poor inmates were removed to the
new quarters on March 30, 1894.
582 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
1895-1899.
The year 1895 saw the completion of two public buildings in
Janesville ; one being the Y. M. C. A. home, which was finished in
August, 1895. This building was erected at the northwest cor-
ner of West Milwaukee and High streets at a cost of over $30,-
000, Since its completion the furnishing of rooms has necessi-
tated the erection of a two-story addition to the west of the
original edifice. Besides the offices, reading rooms, baths, etc.,
the building contains a large and well fitted gymnasium, where
classes are held daily under the leadership of a physical director.
On the second floor is a large auditorium, where lectures and
other meetings are held.
The other public building erected in 1895 was the new high
school. The old High School building of the Third ward had
been overcrowded for a number of years, and the conditions had
become such that a new structure was imperative. The school
board was authorized at the April election, 1894, to build a new
building, and a bond issue was provided to the amount of $55,-
000. A site was selected on South High street, being the second
block south from Milwaukee street, plans were prepared by W.
A. Holbrook, of Milwaukee, and Clark & Stuart, of Janesville,
were the successful bidders. The contract being let in Septem-
ber, 1894, the building was completed for occupancy by the be-
ginning of the fall term of 1895. This building cost over $56,000 ;
it is built of Menominee red pressed brick with trimmings of
red Portage sandstone, and is 174 feet in length by 84 feet in
width, with three stories and a basement. The appointments and
plans of the school and its buildings were due in a large measure
to the energy of the superintendent of schools, Mr. D. D. Mayne,
although many insisted that he was visionary in providing such
a large building. Time, however, has proved him correct in his
judgment, and the structure is even now taxed to its capacity.
Mr. Mayne was also responsible for the introduction of manual
training into the school curriculum, an innovation which has re-
sulted in a large increase in the attendance, especially of young
men.
Prior to 1890 there were many years when no boy ever grad-
uated at the high school, and the graduating classes were ex-
ceedingly small compared with the whole number enrolled. The
JANESVILLE, \YISCOXSIN 583
class of 1890 numbered nine, all girls. The attendance in the
high school, before the erection of the new building, averaged
about 200 pupils. Now the enrollment of the high school room
averages over 400, and the number of those graduated has in-
creased accordingly, so that in 1899, the first class which had
spent the entire four years in the new building, numbered sev-
enty-four, and of these twenty-nine were boys.
The school attendance in the graded schools as well as the
high school had greatly increased, and it has become neces-
sary to build a number of new grade buildings. The Grant school
on Pleasant street, drawing from the First and Fifth wards, was
the first of these extra schools constructed, and since then the
Jackson school, south of the river in Spring Brook has been
added, and the Garfield school, located on South Jackson street.
Additions have been made to the First and Second ward build-
ings and a new addition was made to the old High School build-
ing during 1907, at a cost of $20,000.
Kindergartens have been established in four of the school
buildings during the past five years, so as to take care of the
children between the ages of four and six years, and these schools
have been crowded to their capacity ever since their establish-
ment.
The schools have been named during the past few years and
are not now kno\A'n, as they used to be, as First and Second Ward
buildings, etc. They are now called the high school, the Wash-
ington (First ward), Adams (Second ward), Jefferson (Third
ward), Webster (Fourth ward), Douglas (Fifth ward), Lincoln
(old Central or Academy building). Grant (Pleasant street),
Jackson (Spring Brook) and Garfield (Jackson street). The
cost of running the schools of the city is now about $60,000 an-
nually.
Prof. Mayne was also responsible for the organization of the
Twilight Club of Janes ville. This club was formed by thirty
business men in October, 1896 ; the club has so grown that its
membership a number of years ago was limited to 160, with a
large waiting list. This organization, composed wholly of busi-
ness and professional men, meets monthly from October to April,
and after a dinner served at six o'clock discusses topics of gen-
eral interest. For a number of years the meetings were held in
the Myers hotel, but owing to the growth of the club, the meet-
584 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
ings have, for the past five years, been held at the Y. M. C. A.
building, the dinner being served by that organization. The
success of this club has led to the organization of similar clubs
in many portions of the state. The plans of organization have
been submitted by the officers of the Twilight Club to similar
organizations at Madison, Beloit, Racine, Appleton and many
other places.
As an organization they have entered heartily into anything
tending to the city's good, mention of which will be named
hereafter.
The year 1895 saw the beginning of golf in Janesville. The
credit of introducing the game belongs to Alexander Galbraith,
who bought a set of clubs over from Scotland in 1893 ; he tried
during that year and the next to get people interested in the
game, but was not successful until the fall of 1894, when he suc-
ceeded in persuading C. C. McLean, William Proudfoot and a
few others with Scotch blood in their veins to go out on his farm
east of the city and "try the clubs." They became enthusiastic,
and in the spring of 1895 grounds were leased from H. S. Wood-
ruff at the western edge of the city limits. The club's growth
was steady and it was incorporated October 27, 1896, under the
name of the Sinnisippi Golf Club, "Sinnisippi" being the old
Indian name for Rock river. In 1898 the grounds, consisting
of ninety-three acres, were bought from the AVoodruff estate by
another corporation formed for that purpose, called the Janes-
ville Country Club. A commodious club house was erected, and
since that time the grounds have been improved until they are
now spoken of by experts as the best nine-hole course in the
northwest. The state tournaments were first inaugurated at the
Janesville Club, and have been held here ever since.
Golf is not the only sport enjoyed by the citizens of Janes-
ville, however, as the use of the river has grown within the past
few years to a large extent. Steamboats have navigated above
the upper dam for many years ; the first steamboat was built in
1854 by Hammond & Thorne ; after that had disappeared about
1860, a steamer eighty-five feet long called the "Star of the
West ' ' was constructed by William Foster ; she made a few trips
and a quarrel ensued between her owner and the Milwaukee &
Mississippi Railway Company over the question of the construc-
tion of a draw bridge ; as the cheapest way out of it the railway
« tv
JANESVILLE, WISCOXSIX 585
company bought a controlling interest in the boat and it myste-
riously^lisappeared. Fifteen years later, in 1875, William Brooks
ascertained that the hull had been loaded with stones and sunk
to the bottom of the river, across from what is now known as the
island ; Mr. Brooks secured the title and raised the hull ; he re-
built the decks, christening her "The Lotus," and she carried
parties up and down the river for a number of years, having a
capacity of about 500 persons.
Then came the ''Bower City Bell," the "Lottie Lee," the
"Billy Burr," and now we have the "Columbia" and one or two
smaller boats run by steam.
A. C. Kent brought the first gasoline launch to Janesville
about 1888; this was what is known as a naphtha launch. His
boat was followed by another naphtha launch, the "Lorna,"
which is still on the river and owned by George McKey. John
C. Harlow soon afterwards bought the first gasoline launch,
operating by the explosive force of the gasoline. Since then the
number of boats has increased rapidly, until at the present time
there are over sixty gasoline launches plying on the river above
the upper dam. These boats have a free run for fifteen miles up
the river, and during the last two years a launch railway has
been put in around the dam at Indian Ford, so that with a little
effort a launch owner can take a party from Janesville clear to
Fort Atkinson through Lake Koshkongong.
A shooting club is also well kept up at Janesville ; tourna-
ments at live birds or clay pigeons being held at short intervals.
In the olden days, in the late 70 's Janesville was famed for its
baseball team, called the Janesville Mutuals. Many of the
famous players in the country received their first training in
that club, among them being Ward, the famous shortstop and
captain of the New York League Club.
In 1895 the fourth bank was opened in the city of Janesville,
being called the Bowser City bank. It secured offices at the cor-
ner of Main and Milwaukee streets, and has enjoyed an increas-
ing business ever since its organization.
In 1899 Janesville was furnished with its first modern office
building; the Hayes brothers, Dennis and Michael, in the early
part of that year bought the Lappin block at the southwest cor-
ner of Main and Milwaukee streets, and tearing out the whole
interior, rebuilt it into offices, furnishing it with elevator ser-
586 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
vice, heat, janitor service and other essentials for a modern office
building. The Hayes brothers were large railroad contractors
for many years, building a great portion of the railroad between
Janesville and Evansville, and they had also large contracts on
the Chicago drainage canal. They showed their faith in Janes-
ville by investing their money at home, they having bought the
Armory block on "West Milwaukee street from the Myers estate
in 1893, and then later followed it by the investment of about
$100,000 in the office building spoken of above.
The successes of this office building led to the remodeling of
another block during the next year, when the Jackman estate
built over the Jackman block at the east end of Milwaukee
street bridge, across from the Hayes block. This building had
been erected by Timothy Jackman about 1860, and was four
stories high ; in rebuilding it another story was added to provide
better quarters for Valentine's School of Telegraphy, which had
occupied the fourth story in this block for a number of years.
The fitting up of these two magnificent office buildings had
caused most of the professional men to change their offices, so
that the two blocks contained a large share of doctors and law-
yers of the city.
1900-1904.
These four years saw a fast improvement in the appearance
of Janesville to the casual visitor. In 1900 the city began to im-
prove its streets with more of a definite plan than theretofore.
The city had bought a small stone crusher and steam roller in
1895, and the work that was done with the small amount of
crushed stone finally determined them to proceed upon a larger
basis. A stone quarry was rented for a series of years, a large
stone crushing plant erected in 1899, and the systematic laying
of macadam streets began in 1900. Since that time a number
of miles of macadam has been laid, the expense being borne by
the owners of land abutting the improvements. In connection
with the macadam, cement gutters and curbs were laid, and the
further laying of plank sidewalks was prohibited. During the
past few years nearly all walks have been built of Portland
cement, and the appearance of the city has been greatly bene-
fited. Brick paving and brick crosswalks have also been adopted.
"West Milwaukee street was first paved with brick, taking the
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 587
place of a block pavement which had proved utterly worthless
for the heavy teaming done upon it. The first pavement on this
street was the patented Nicholson pavement, which lasted for
many years, but the blocks substituted when that wore out
proved to be a delusion and a snare. The brick pavement of this
street giving good satisfaction, it was followed by the paving
of Main street, Kiver street and East Milwaukee street.
On January 23, 1900, the new county jail was completed and
accepted by the county; the new building is built in the same
block to the north of the old jail and presents a much better
appearance, being constructed of red brick and according to
modern designs. The county appropriated $25,000 for its con-
struction, and it was built with the appropriation.
In 1901 the county added to the city's appearance by the erec-
tion of a soldier's monument in the court house park, raising
for this purpose the sum of $10,000. This monument of gray
granite surmounted by the carved figure of soldier, stands in the
park in front of the court house, in the middle of where Bluff
street would be were it continued through the park.
Three magnificent public buildings were next erected, being
the public library, a city hall and a postoffice.
The public library dates back to 1865, when a company of
the business men of the city formed the Young Men's Associa-
tion, to furnish entertainment and education. They commenced
the acquisition of a library, which was circulated among the
members at a small cost per year. This library grew slowly
until it had accumulated about 2,500 volumes. The library was
located in the Lappin building, called the postoffice building, at
the east end of Milwaukee street bridge. Mrs. L. S. Best was
the librarian for a number of years prior to 1882; in that year
the Women's Clubs of Janesville started out to make it a free
library, and succeeded in raising money enough, partially
through the agency of Colonel Burr Robins, who donated the
receipts of his circus at Janesville, to buy the library; it was
moved to the Bennett block on West Milwaukee street and
opened as a free library in February, 1883. In January, 1884,
the city adopted it as a city library and undertook its support.
Mrs. Best continued as librarian. After the city took over the
library it grew steadily in use and value. The quarters in the
588 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Bennett block becoming too small it was removed to the Phoebus
block, where it remained until the new building was furnished.
March 9, 1901, a letter was received stating that Mr. Andrew
Carnegie would give to the city $30,000 for the erection of a
library, providing the city would furnish the site, etc. The
library board finally selected a site on Main street just opposite
the courthouse park. This place was occupied by two resi-
dences, which had been erected by the late James Van Etta, and
which were then owned by Dr. E. F. Woods. The price, $20,000,
for the land being so high, it was thought by some that it was un-
wise to locate the library there, but the idea seemed to have
passed away in view of the improvement which it has wrought.
The buildings on the site selected for the library were sold
by the city and moved to other portions of the city, the larger
building being moved south on Main street by Dr. Dudley, and
the other is now the residence of J. M. Bostwick, Jr.
The sale of his home caused Dr. Woods to find new quarters,
and he bought the old All Soul's church, which was owned by
the Unitarian society and located at the corner of Court and Bluff
streets. This society had determined not to continue a separate
organization any longer, and so sold the building to Dr. Woods,
who remodeled it into a residence for himself and into flats.
On the land purchased for a library, the library board erected
a building about 100 by 60 feet in size, two stories and basement ;
it is built of gray pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings.
After the reception of Mr. Carnegie's gift, the death of F. S.
Eldred, long a leading merchant in Janesville, revealed the fact
that he had willed to the city the sum of $10,000 to be used for a
library building; this sum was used in connection with the $30,-
000 given by Mr. Carnegie and especially devoted to the con-
struction of a children's room with an art room in the second
story, in the north part of the building as a memorial to Mr.
Eldred 's daughter, Ada Eldred Sayre.
Upon the removal to the new building, the system of open
shelves was adopted, and all of the 16,000 or more volumes which
now compose the library, are open to its patrons, the children's
books being kept separate in the children's room. Miss Gertrude
Skavlem is now librarian, and Miss Rose Hathorn, children's
librarian.
Stanley B. Smith, for many years a member of the library
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 589
board, at his death, two years ago, left the sum of $500 for pic-
tures for the library; two beautiful paintings were purchased in
Europe by the board during the past year and are now hung on
the walls of the library.
The second story of the building is used in giving entertain-
ments, principally by the Apollo Club, the largest musical or-
ganization of Janesville.
The gift of the library was indirectly responsible for the erec-
tion of the city hall, which Janesville had long needed but never
quite made up its mind to build. As is always the case in a city
divided by a river, the way Janesville is located, there is some
rivalry between the sides of the river, and the building of the
library upon the east side of the river led the council to com-
mence the erection of a city hall at the same time, when, under
ordinary events it might have been delayed some years. Land
was purchased at the corner of Jackson and Wall streets and
the building, commenced in 1901, was completed in the fall of
1902. This building is constructed of Berea sandstone with tile
roof, and is about 71 by 98 feet, two stories, basement and attic.
It contains all of the city offices, also the municipal court on the
first floor, and a public assembly hall and council chamber on the
second floor ; the police department and the city lockup, with
some other offices, are in the basement. This building and the
site cost the city about $80,000.
During the building of the city hall, some question was raised
as to whether the element of graft might not be creeping into
the city; this talk resulted in the formation of a Municipal
League, which put a citizens ticket in the field, and resulted in
the election of A. 0. Wilson as mayor. Some legal proceedings
were also started, but were afterwards dropped.
The third building, the postoffice, was really started by the
government before either of the above, but it was the last
finished. The site was bought by the government at the corner
of Franklin and Dodge streets a couple of years prior to the erec-
tion of the building. The building, however, was begun during
the time of the erection of the library and the city hall, and was
finished in 1903. This building is all of gray pressed brick with
stone trimmings, two stories high and costing about $75,000, and
will furnish sufficient accommodations for the postoffice even
though the city grows as expected.
590 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Prior to its removal to the new building the postoffice had
been located for nearly thirty years on Milwaukee street at the
west end of Milwaukee street bridge. This building was erected
for the use of the postoffice by Captain "William Macloon and
others after the burning of the Big Mill, and the postoffice re-
moved from the east end of the bridge to the west end about
1875. At this time free delivery was not in vogue, all had to go
to the postoffice for their mail, and a more central location could
not have been found.
In December, 1886 ,Janesville was given free delivery and the
use of boxes and general delivery decreased accordingly. The
introduction of rural free delivery about 1900 caused a consider-
able increase of the work of the Janesville office, a large number
of routes starting from this point.
In 1901 a new railway outlet was furnished to Janesville.
Prior to that time the Chicago & St. Paul passengers for Chi-
cago were obliged to go through Beloit and change at Davis
Junction. To cut down their distance from Chicago the St. Paul
road built a line. from Janesville to Schlessingerville, 111., con-
necting with their main Chicago & Milwaukee line. This road
was built by a separate corporation organized for that purpose
and called the Janesville & Southeastern Railway Company, and
was completed and running in June, 1901. The building of this
road made the distance by the St. Paul road to Chicago about
the same as the Northwestern, namely, ninety-one miles, and
added a number of fine trains to the Janesville service. In
connection with the building of this road the St. Paul company
also built new freight yards at the western limits of the city
and rebuilt and enlarged its roundhouse.
About the same time of the building of this steam road the
building of an interurban line from Janesville to Rockford was
begun by the Rockford, Beloit & Janesville Company, incorpo-
rated in 1900 with a capital of $1,000,000. This road was com-
pleted so as to be running in 1902, and the travel over it has
more than justified the expectations of its builders. Cars run
regularly every hour from 6 in the morning until 11 at night, and
in the summer the service is often doubled so as to give half-
hour service. The road has changed hands twice during its
existence and is now owned by the Rockford & Interurban Com-
pany. During the summer of 1907 the building of a line out of
JANESVILLE, WISCOXSIN 591
Elgin completed the entire line between Janesville and Chicago,
and express cars are now making the through trip from here to
Chicago. Freeport and Aurora are also reached by transferring
at Rockford. Ordinances granting franchises to two different
concerns to build from Janesville to Madison have been granted,
and there seems to be a certainty that a line will be built be-
tween these two places during the next year.
In 1902 a magnificent new church building was erected by
St. Mary's Catholic church congregation at the corner of Wis-
consin and North First streets. This church is built of red
pressed brick and has an extremely lofty spire which supplants
the old high school dome as the highest point in Janesville. The
old frame church, which had been erected in 1876 and in use
from that time, was moved back in the same block for use in
connection with the church for meetings, etc.
In 1898 the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company built
a new depot to take the place of the old wooden structure which
had been used by the company for many years on Academy
street. The depots of both roads, as we have mentioned, when
they arrived in Janesville Avere on opposite sides of the river,
but remained there only a short time ; removed to Pleasant street
and Center avenue, they remained there for a few years and
then moved to Academy street about 1872. These depots were
opposite each other, with the tracks between. For the building
of the new depot the city council vacated a portion of AVall
street, giving the North-Western company room for its long
platforms and handsome building of brick with stone trimmings
of tile roof.
The St. Paul company, not to be outdone, in 1902 commenced
building the new station on the east side of Academy street, ex-
tending as far as Jackson street; the common council partially
vacated High street, so that there is left a driveway between
the baggage room of the St. Paul company and the main depot
for passengers on High street. These two depots are a vast addi-
tion to that section of the city and are fully in keeping with the
depots in cities of like size.
October 25, 1904, Janesville lost an old and greatly valued
official by the death of Marshal John W. Hogan. Mr. Hogan
had been city marshal and chief of police since 1880 with the ex-
ception of a few years when he was sheriff of the county. He
592 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
kept the best of order in the city with a small force and was
himself a terror to evildoers, by whom he was known all over
the country as "the big man." For a number of years prior to
his death Mr. Hogan was afflicted with that dread disease, can-
cer, but in spite of his sufferings attended to his duties and kept
up a cheerful spirit to the last.
In 1904 an enterprise was started in Janesville that meant
much to the whole county of Rock as well as to the citizens of
Janesville. This was the erection of a beet sugar factory by
Captain James Davidson, of Bay City, Mich. ; this was incorpo-
rated as the Rock County Sugar Company in March, 1904, with
a capital of $800,000. A site was purchased out of the old Paul
farm adjoining the eastern limits of the city on the Emerald
Grove road. Immense brick buildings were erected and the
machinery installed therein during 1904 at a cost of nearly a
million dollars. The farmers throughout the county began the
raising of beets, and contracts were also made for the raising
of beets in other counties, the beets being shipped in here by
rail. The St. Paul and North-^Yestern railway companies both
constructed spur tracks to the factory, and it has been in suc-
cessful operation since November, 1904. Each season's run, or,
as it is commonly called by the company, "campaign," lasts
from three to four months, depending upon the number of tons
of beets handled. During this period the factory runs day and
night and employs from 400 to 500 men constantly during that
time. The rest of the year they have a smaller number of men
at work getting the factory in condition for the next campaign
and seeing to the growing of beets. The quantity of beets handled
necessarily varies from year to year, but so far will probably
average about 60.000 tons per year, for Avhieh the farmers re-
ceive in the neighborhood of $300,000, payment being made at
so much per ton, the price varying as to the time of delivery and
the amount of sugar in the beets as tested when they arrive.
Captain Davidson's son-in-law, Mr. M. R. Osburn, is the man-
ager of the local factory, and took up his residence in Janesville
at the time of coming to the factory. Mr. Osburn says the rais-
ing of beets is increasing, their contracts for 1908 and 1909 being
larger than for the years previous.
Another enterprise which has helped the farmers of Rock
county is the Peter Hohenadle, Jr., Pickling and Packing Com-
JAXESVILLE, WISCONSIN 593
pany. This company erected a factory here about 1900. building
in the Spring Brook addition on the sidetracks of the Chicago &
Nortli-Western Railway Company. They have made a specialty
of canning corn and making sauerkraut, the sweet corn and
cabbages being generally raised in Rock county. This company
has also devoted considerable attention to making cucumber
pickles, and the cucumbers have been mostly raised outside of
Rock county and shipped in. Mr. Hohenadle is the major owner
of other canning factories, one of them being located at Cass-
ville, Wis. He contemplates adding to the factory here during
1908 a department for the canning of peas, and has already
contracted for the erection of a large addition for that purpose.
The Hohenadle factory is not the first canning and pickling
factory that Janesville has had. The Janesville Pickling and
Packing AYorks were operated here for some ten years after
their establishment in 187-4. This company devoted itself prin-
cipally to the manufacture of pickles and vinegar, and finally
ceased business because the farmers would not continue raising
the cucumbers.
The large amount of cash paid to the farmers each fall for
the tobacco, beets, corn and cabbage in addition to their other
Rock county crops places the Rock county farmers in an ex-
ceedingly enviable condition and makes hard times of very little
etfect in this county.
In 1904 work was started on the sewerage system for Janes-
ville, and during that year about $40,000 worth of work was
completed. A detailed system for the whole city was adopted
and the city divided into sewerage districts, and the work
planned so that it could be carried forward in sections as would
most benefit the city. Wherever a sewer is laid the owner of
the adjacent property pays a certain portion of the cost and
the rest is made a general tax upon the sewer district wherein
it is laid. AVork on the sewers has been continued during suc-
ceeding years and will so continue for a number of years to
come.
Another industry which has grown to a large extent during
the years since 1900 in Janesville is the baking industry. Messrs.
Bennison & Lane purchased ground, a part of the old Doe home-
stead at the corner of High and Wall streets, in 1902, and erected
a large brick bakery building thereon. They make very large
594 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
daily shipments of bread and other bakery goods in all directions
from Janesville within a radius of sixty to seventy miles. The
Colvin Baking Company has been engaged in the baking busi-
ness in Janesville for many years. This company does a large
outside as well as local business, but has worked up the shipping
of bread more since 1900.
1905-1906-1907.
In 1905 an association of Janesville business men was formed,
called the Janesville Advancement Association, for the purpose
of attracting new industries to the city, and in 1907 an associa-
tion inaugurated by the Twilight Club was formed, called the
Janesville Park and Pleasure Drive Association. This latter
association has planned and is about to carry into effect the
improvement of the parks and drives about the city and the
establishment of new parks and pleasure grounds. It intends
doing this by means of subscriptions from the business men of
the city, and large subscriptions have already been pledged for
that purpose. Dr. Corydon G. Dwight is the president of this
association.
Another benefaction fostered by the Twilight Club was that
of the Sisters of Mercy Hospital. A private hospital kno^^Ti as the
Palmer Memorial Hospital was in successful operation under
the auspices of the physicians of the city for a number of years,
having been opened about the time of the death of Dr. Henry
Palmer by his son, Dr. William H. Palmer, and others associated
with him. They occupied a house originally built by D. P.
Smith as a residence on Washington street near the bank of
Rock river. The need for a public hospital where charity cases
might be treated was so great that a committee of the Twilight
Club raised a fund towards the purchase of the Palmer Hospital,
and the Catholic Sisters of Mercy bought the property from the
Palmer association with the aid of the fund thus raised and
began its operation as a public hospital on April 1, 1907.
A Chautauqua association was formed by a number of Janes-
ville people in 1905 and for the last three summers has held a
two weeks' entertainment upon grounds on the river just north
of the city limits. This association has not erected any perma-
nent buildings as yet, but has held the entertainments and exer-
cises in large tents.
JANESVILLE, ^YISCOXSIN 595
Another entertainment that has brought outside fame and
many people to Janesville is the Fourth of July attraction, or
what is called the None Such Brothers' Circus, This is a bur-
lesque circus parade arranged by some of the business men and
has been given three different times on the Fourth of July, the
last being in 1907. The parade with its many features generally
covers the length of a mile or more, and its fame extends
throughout southern Wisconsin.
On March 4, 1906, the Cargill Memorial Methodist church
was dedicated. This church was erected at the corner of Frank-
lin and Pleasant streets, in the same block with the Baptist
church, at a cost of $55,000, It was erected by the two churches,
the Court Street Methodist and the First Methodist, which had
united about 1904.
The Court Street Methodist congregation sold its building
to the Masonic fraternity, and the First Methodist church build-
ing was sold to St, Peter's English Lutheran Society, which had
no church building theretofore.
Another church has been built since 1907 on Milton avenue
near the crossing of Prospect avenue, by the United Brethren
in Christ,
In 1907 J, M, Bostwick built a large new factory building at
the east end of the Court Street bridge for the Bassett & Eehlin
Harness and Saddlery Company, This firm had occupied the
first and second floors of the Armory block on West Milwaukee
street for many years, but their business increased to such an
extent that Mr. Bostwick erected a building for them at the
comer of Court and Park streets in 1902. A third story had to
be added to this to accommodate the growing business in 1905,
and now the new building in 1907. Both of these buildings
stand where the old landmark known as the Charles Wilcox
livery stable was burned in 1894.
Another concern that has been obliged to increase its manu-
facturing room is the Janesville Clothing Company, manufac-
turers of overalls and like goods. They formerly occupied the
first floor of the Parker Pen building on South Main street, but
their quarters becoming too cramped, they purchased the former
Woodruff buckle factory on North Franklin street in 1905 and
remodeled it at a cost of $12,500.
Another Janesville industry which has sprung into being
596 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
within the last few years is that of the bottling of table water
by the Hiawatha Springs Company. This water is procured
from what is known as the Pope or Burr springs about two miles
north of Janesville. This water has long been known as of ex-
ceptional quality, but was not brought into prominence until the
time of the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, when its proprietor,
Mr. Burr, entered the water in competition with other table and
medical M^aters of the country, in which competition it took first
prize. The Hiawatha Springs Company, organized by Thomas
S. Nolan, of Janesville, comprising a number of Minneapolis
business men, bought out the Burr holdings and has been extend-
ing the sale of the waters greatly during the last few years.
This company shipped twenty-seven full carloads during the
last six months of 1906 and has adopted plans for an immense
bottling establishment and sanitarium to be erected at the
springs as soon as it can procure adequate transportation fa-
cilities there.
During 1906 the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company
purchased about 300 acres of land adjoining the city limits on
the south for yard purposes at a cost of over $100 per acre.
During 1907 they built on this tract some twenty miles of sidings
and a thirty-six-stall roundhouse at a cost of about $500,000.
These new yards are intended for transfer business outside of
Chicago from the Northwest and will bring many new residents
to Janesville. This has necessitated the building of a new
bridge across the river to accommodate a double track from
the city to the southern yards. It is believed that within a
short time the railway company will erect large shops at these
yards, and if this is done it will more than ever tend to the bene-
fit of Janesville. As it is, at the close of 1907 Janesville seems
in an exceedingly fair way to continue to prosper in the future
as she has in the past. Her valuation has increased until in
1907 it was fixed by the board of review at .$9,815,000, which
of course is considerably below the actual value. The city now
has about 100 factories, large and small, employing upwards of
3,000 persons, and more in times of special activity.
With these industries and the richest of agricultural sur-
roundings, it is evident that no backward step need be expected,
but rather a continued progress.
Janesville Fords, Ferries and Bridges. The first ford across
JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN 597
Rock river used by the Indians and early settlers was from the
big bend southwest across to the east side opposite the "big
rock." In the spring of 1836 Judge Holmes built a ferryboat
of timbers and planks which he sawed with a whipsaw. After
the scow was completed the Holmes boys and their father, the
judge, carried on that ferry about midway between the big bend
and the big rock for several months. In the fall of the same
year Henry F. Jones and Aaron Walker constructed a larger
ferryboat and, having obtained a charter from the territorial
legislature, conducted their ferry at the location now occupied
by the Milwaukee Street bridge in connection with a one-story
log tavern, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Lap-
pin block. They were succeeded in the business by J. P. Dick-
son until 1842, when Charles Stevens and others purchased it
and began the construction of a toll bridge. When that was
completed they ceased running the ferry, and as settlers were
increasing the toll bridge became quite a profitable enterprise.
A few citizens, however, who resented the so-called monopoly,
raised funds and began to build an opposition free bridge about
sixty rods south of the Stevens toll bridge. They were legally
enjoined by the circuit court, but allowed by the supreme court
of the state. During the long litigation Issac Blood, wishing to
cross the toll bridge, and being determined not to pay toll, bat-
tered down the toll gates with a big club. The gates were re-
paired, but as the law now allowed the lower bridge, it was soon
completed, and then the owners of the upper bridge voluntarily
took the toll gates from their hinges and Janesville had two
free bridges. The bridge at Monterey was built by the city in
1856. All three bridges have been several times rebuilt, and the
upper two are now substantial structures.
Janesville Cemeteries.
About one and a half miles northeast from the center of
Janesville are the two city cemeteries — Oak Hill and St. Pat-
rick's. The Oak Hill Cemetery Association was organized Janu-
ary 8, 1851, under an act of the Wisconsin legislature passed in
1850. The management of the association is in the hands of
nine trustees, and the lot owners are the stockholders. The
grounds are exempt from taxation and are maintained by an in-
come derived from the sale of lots, the purchasers of which ac-
598 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
quire title, which insures continuous o"wnership in their families.
All lots must be used expressly for burial purposes. The asso-
ciation reserves the right to determine the manner of fencing
or inclosing said lots and the manner of burial of the dead; it
can also levy a tax for ordinary expenses and can make such
other regulations concerning the property as shall to the mem-
bers seem fit and proper.
The first purchase of twenty acres of ground has been in-
creased until now the association has a vested interest in fifty-
six acres, beautifully situated and of late finely improved. In
earlier days the square bounded by Second, Third, Wisconsin
and East streets was used for cemetery purposes, but the bodies
buried there were removed to Oak Hill when the first high school
building was erected on part of that square.
St. Patrick's, consecrated to the use of the Roman Catholic
church, occupies fourteen acres just east of Oak Hill and has
been much improved and beautified.
XXVII.
EARLY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS.
Some of the early history of the manufacturing industries of
Janesville, prior to 1880, as remembered by a former resident:
The beginning of the manufacturing interests of this beautiful
city is the common history of all western towns. It began with
a saw mill, which in conjunction with the grist mill, are always
the pioneers in furnishing first aid to supplying the necessities
of the first crop of town builders.
It seems like an idle dream when glancing over the busy fac-
tories, which line the river in the little Giant City, that in the
memory of men still living, all of this hum and bustle originated
in the spring of 1845 when Charles Stephens, one of the earliest
settlers in Rock river valley, and who was for many years con-
nected with the greater part of Janesville 's leading industries,
built a saw mill on the race near the dam. There was a great de-
mand for lumber in those days, and as the larger part of the old
Janesville was built of lumber from this mill, it was taxed to its
full capacity of three million feet a year, most of the time run-
ning night and day.
About this time A. K. Morris & Co. built a saw mill at Mon-
terey and, shortly after, moved this machinery to the upper
water power and established two mills, one of them being run by
steam, but neither of them was in operation long.
J. M. Morton and 0. B. Ford bought the Stephens mill, and
operated it until 1856, when they rebuilt it, and installed new
machinery, and converted the plant into a flouring mill. They
had seven runs of stone and ground from 700 to 900 bushels of
wheat per day; they kept increasing the capacity until in the
late seventies, they were producing 1,200 barrels of flour per
week, shipping their products to the principal cities of the East,
and also filling large orders in the southern states.
Many of the older inhabitants remember the old Big Mill, for
many years the big institution of the Rock river valley, which
599
23G538B
600 , HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
was in successful operation from 1846 till 1872, when it was
totally destroyed by fire. It was then built for Ira Miltimore Dy
A. Hyatt Smith. James McClurg, Martin 0. Walker and Shubael
W. Smith, who contracted with Mr. Miltimore to construct the
mill at the south end of the race. It Avas first operated with six
runs of stone, to which additions were made later. From the
time of its construction until the time of the fire there were
many changes of ownership, among which may be recalled Frank
Pixley, Timothy Jackman, J. B. Doe, Governor Barstow, Joseph
H. Wood, J. C. Jenkins and L. E. Stone, who were either owners
or lessees of the property.
The destruction of this old landmark seems to the older resi-
dents of Janesville and vicinity, much like the passing away of an
old and cherished friend.
In 1876 another flouring mill was built upon the site of the
burned mill, by 0. B. Ford & Sons ; it was of smaller dimensions,
was fitted up with the latest improvements in machinery and had
a capacity of 150 barrels of flour per day.
The Hodson mill was built for a starch factory by Ogilbie &
DeRoe, but was not a financial success and, after two years of
disappointments, Hamilton Richardson purchased the property
in 1849 and changed it into a flouring mill. William Truesdell,
a lawyer, was associated with Mr. Richardson. During their first
year, a break in the upper dam occurred, at the time of the great
flood, and nearly washed the entire establishment away. But
in the spring of 1852 it was rebuilt and enlarged ; in the fall of
the same year it was again nearly destroyed by flood. Not dis-
couraged, they repaired and placed it in good condition for the
next crop, but on account of short yields of grain and financial
depressions, they were forced to suspend and the property was
sold to E. H. Bennett, who disposed of it to eastern parties.
In 1864 Barnes & Hodson came into possession of the mills
and operated them for many years. The next mill to be con-
structed was the "Farmers' Mill," which was built on the south
side of Milwaukee street in 1848 by Andrew B. Johns ; in the
same year it was sold to F. H. Jackman, who ran it until 1857,
when C. A. Alden bought one-half interest, and later Mr. Jack-
man sold out to John Clark; during the wheat raising days of
southern Wisconsin this property went through many changes
in ownership, and was considered one of the best mills of its day.
EAELY JAXESVILLE MANUFACTUEEES 601
The Stone mill -was built in Monterey in 1852, by N. P. Crosby,
and was leased to different parties until 1877. It was then pur-
chased by Notbohm Bros., who were practical millers, and did a
large business for years.
Another one of the pioneer mills was the Bower City mill.
For years it was one of the leading flouring mills in the valley.
In 1869 it Avas destroyed by fire, but in a short time was rebuilt,
and thereafter conducted chiefly as a feed mill.
During the early forties the country was fast filling up with
settlers, who were anxious to bring the fertile soil of southern
Wisconsin into cultivation, and immense quantities of agricul-
tural implements were in demand, so that factories of this class
were badly needed. The first enterprise of this kind to be
started in Janes ville was by Thomas Shaw and John M. May in
1845, on the ground where Heimstreet's drug store now stands
on Main street. In 1849, the firm built two stone buildings on
North First street between Bluff and Main, where they carried
on a large and profitable business. Shortly after the venture of
Shaw^ and May was started A. AY. Parker and 01 e Evenson com-
menced the manufacture of plows in the shops vacated by Shaw
& May; in 1853 they sold this site, and after several changes
finally purchased their original property, removed the wooden
buildings, and erected the brick buildings occupied by Mr. Heim-
street on N. Main so many years. He has recently moved to S.
Main street.
There were numerous small factories in operation, whose out-
put was used by the neighboring farmers, but there was no united
effort on the part of men of much means until 1859. During this
year James Harris, Zebediah Guild, D. E. Angell and Leonard
Tyler built shops for the manufacture of farm implements on
the west side, near the lower bridge ; they did quite a flourishing
business, and enlarged the plant at different times until 1868,
when the business was transferred to Harris, Fifield & Co. In
1869 it was incorporated by J. Harris, E. G. Fifield, Leavett
Fifield and Horace Dewey as the incorporators. The first board
of directors consisted of the above named gentlemen and S. E.
Cobb ; the original capital stock was $60,000, and as the business
grew the capital increased until, in the seventies, the capital was
$150,000, they were employing 125 hands and the annual sales
amounted to $250,000. The firm was known as the Harris Manu-
603 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
facturing Company, and their products were known and exten-
sively used by the farmers of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, In-
diana and Minnesota. At that time their plant covered two
squares of ground, and the Leader reaper and mower, which they
manufactured, was having great sales all over the west. The
board of directors consisted of J. B. Crosby, S. C. Cobb, L. L.
Robinson, C. S. Crosby and A. P. Lovejoy; the officers were A. P.
Lovejoy, president; J. B, Crosby, general manager; L. L. Eobin-
son, treasurer; Isaac Farnsworth, secretary, and C. S. Cobb,
superintendent. At this date (1908) Mr. Harris is still in the har-
ness, and is one of Janesville's active manufacturers, being con-
nected with the leading enterprises of the city.
One of the manufacturing institutions, which has withstood
the ravages of time and survived through many changes of owner-
ship, is the Doty Manufacturing Company, the commencement of
which was in 1853, when Pixley, Kimball & Olsen built the gen-
eral machine shop on the site formerly occupied by Hodson's
brewery, and commenced the manufacture of agricultural imple-
ments. They were succeeded in a short time by Phelps, Dodge
& Co., of New York. In 1865 Hamilton and R. J. Richardson
bought the plant and, after making many changes and additions
to the buildings and reorganizing the business, formed a stock
company, which included the Metropolitan Washington Machine
Company, of New York, the estate of E. P. Doty, Z. Guild and the
Messrs. Richardson, the latter gentlemen holding a majority of
the stock. They engaged almost exclusively in the manufacture
of the Doty Washington machines; their business increased
rapidly until 1874 ; their output was over 8,000 of these machines,
which were sold over a territory embracing almost the entire
United States. Soon after this date, the demand commenced to
decrease on account of the immense number of washing machine
factories that were started all over the country, and the firm
turned their attention to the manufacture of punching and sheav-
ing machines, grain drills and wind mills.
The first carriage and wagon factory was owned and operated
by John King, in 1848. It was located on the southeast corner
of Milwaukee and Bluff streets, and the first buggy ever built
in Janesville was constructed by M. S. Ryckman, in this shop.
In 1845 Mr. King, built a shop on the opposite corner, which
he operated until 1851, when he built the Janesville City hotel,
EAELY JANESVILLE MANUFACTURERS 603
which he conducted until his death in 1852, He had in the mean-
time sold his manufacturing plant to Robert Hodge. In 1860
Herman Buchholz joined Mr. Hodge as a partner ; they enlarged
the business by rebuilding and employing more men, and in a
few years were doing a business of over $25,000 per year. About
1853 C. Sexton built a factory on the west side of the river and
commenced the manufacture of plows and cultivators, and was
joined later by his son, H. B. Sexton; they were quite successful
and built up a large trade.
In IS'ig the manufacture of woolen goods was commenced in
Janesville by Mr. Frank Whitaker ; he erected a four-story brick
building at Monterey. It was a three-set mill with a capacity of
12,000 yards a month. In 1856 Mr. Whitaker sold the factory
to Mrs. A. Hyatt Smith, but repurchased it in 1860, and in 1868
again sold the property; the purchasers this time were William
Payne, William Cannon, W. S. Hastings and George C. McLean
Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The Wheeler Manufacturing Company was the name of the
woolen factory, which was built in 1859 by F. A. Wheeler. After
his death it was operated by his son, C. F. Wheeler, under the
firm name of Lawrence and Atwood. It had a capacity of 1,000
yards per day. For years this mill was a favorite with people
who used spinning wheels, for here was where they came to get
their roll carding done.
The date of the first brick making was in 1843, and brick
was burned by Mr. C. C. Phelps. In 1846 J. M. Alden com-
menced the making of brick, his first yard being north of the
city, and from there to the island, and later he located on Bluff
street, and was in the business for many years.
Furniture was first made in Janesville in a small way by M.
W. Frask in 1846, on Main street opposite the public square, and
in 1847 Alvin Miner operated a small factory on Milwaukee street.
In 1852 J. F. Morse bought out Mr. Miner and a few years later
took S. A. Martin into partnership, and in 1860 they moved the
factory to the race. In 1863 Mangus Hanson bought Mr. Mar-
tin's interests and the firm became Morse, Hanson & Co.; they
had quite an extensive trade and made large shipments to the
Northwest. In 1864 W. B. Britton, Fenner Kimball and W. H.
Ashcraft established a furniture factory on the race, the com-
004 mSTOEY OF BOCK COUNTY
pany being known as the Janesville Furniture factory, and it was
a prosperous institution for years.
Among tiie earliest manufacturers of finished lumber were
Hume, Booth & Co., also Doty and Burnham, and James Spencer,
who were located along the race, and they furnished the new
town with sash, doors and other articles of that kind for years.
In 1866 the Phoenix Planing mill was built by Nettleton & Jacks.
It became the property of Harvey & Anderson, and from them
passed to Shopbell & Morris. They were quite prominent in
their line and shipped large quantities of goods.
In the early days the manufacture of harness was quite profit-
able, and there were quite a large number of people engaged in
the business. Among the early settlers who were in this line
may be mentioned H. S. Woodruff, Chase & Joslyn, A. Shearer,
William Weight, H. H. Header and J. M. Eiker, who were exten-
sively engaged in the business, and in 1846 sold out to Bates &
Jenkins.
The first brewery to be operated in Janesville was by William
Hodson in 1848; the building was destroyed by fire, but was re-
built by Mr. Hodson and sold to Henry B. Brunster, and later to
Pixley, Kimball & Co. In 1853 John Buob built a brewery up
the river north of the railroad and the next year following sold
one-half of his interest to Anson Rogers. Marsh & Wagoner
erected the Black Hawk brewery, near the south end of Main
street, in 1856, and after a few years sold out to John Roethinger,
who enlarged the plant and called it the Janesville Steam Brew-
ery; it was then burned in 1872 and Mr. Roethinger built the
Cold Spring Brewery on the same site and, after operating it
for a few years, leased it to Rose & Bender.
John G. Todd established an ale brewery in 1869 at the east
end of the upper bridge and did a large business in this line for
many years.
In 1852 the Janesville Iron Works were established on River
street by Joseph H. Budd, who manufactured all kinds of ma-
chinery and farm implements and employed from seventy-five to
100 men.
Jerry Bates was the pioneer broom manufacturer of Janes-
ville, commencing in 1855; he built up a large trade before the
war and, after returning from the army, resumed business and
continued for many years.
EARLY JANESVILLE MAXUFACTUREES 605
In 1874 the Janesville Pickling and Packing Works were es-
tablished ; the directors were E. G. Fifield, J. D. Rexf'ord, Henry-
Palmer and F. S. Eldred. They did an annual business at one
time of 12,000 bushels of pickles, 4,000 barrels of kraut, besides
a large quantity of vinegar.
The Janesville Cotton Manufacturing Company was estab-
lished in 1874 and was a local enterprise. The gentlemen in-
terested in that organization were 0. B. Ford, president ; John
J. R. Pease, vice-president; F. S. Eldred, treasurer; William A.
Lawrence, secretary ; directors were 0. B. Ford, John J. R. Pease,
W. A. Lawrence, F. S. Eldred, Henry Palmer, Jacob Fisher,
Peter Meyers. A. J. Ray and L. B. Carle. A stock company was
organized with a capital of $120,000, which was increased to
$206,000 ; in a short time a building of brick was constructed on
the race 221 feet long by 54 feet wide and three stories high, with
a two-story building, 35x54, for picker room, and a one-story
boiler room. The factory was enlarged in 1877, and the force in-
creased to 250 hands ; the factory had 400 looms and manufac-
tured in 1878 5,350,900 yards of sheeting, which was valued at
$310,000, their pay roll amounting to $70,000. At that time it
was the only factory of that kind in the AVest. It was a bold
business venture, that required courage and ability of a high
order. There is one enterprise, started in 1862, which is still in
existence, and that is the feed mill of Henry A. Doty, a remark-
ably long run under one firm name. The largest firms are con-
stantly changing their titles and new names and new faces are
being added so frequently that we soon lose track of the old ones.
The gas works of Janesville were first built in 1856 by a stock
company, which included the leading citizens of the town. The
works were located on Bluff street, and Mr. J. Woodward was
the contractor. The company did not get on smoothly at first
and encountered financial difficulties, and the property passed
into the hands of Milwaukee parties. Hiram Merrill was the
superintendent and a large stockholder..
XXVIII.
THE MANUFACTUEING INTERESTS OF JANESVILLE.
By
Alexander Matheson.
Janesville is prominent as a manufacturing and distributing
center, and the causes are obvious. It is on the natural high-
ways of commerce and travel from Chicago and the East and
South to Minneapolis, St. Paul and the great West and North-
west.
For years it has been an important railroad center. The
Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company and the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company both have many lines
and branches upon which Janesville is an important point, or
from which lines radiate in many directions.
Our county seat is situated in the midst of a rich and pro-
ductive country and upon Rock river, a stream far-famed for
the beauty and picturesqueness of its scenery and one which
furnishes abundant water power. In this we account in a large
measure for the prominence of Janesville as a manufacturing
city. In all the history of Rock county in the records of our
courts, and as far back as runneth the memory of the oldest in-
habitant, the river and water power upon it have formed im-
portant elements in the commercial life of the city. There are
now two dams, called the upper and lower, furnishing abundant
and cheap power for those who are willing to utilize it. In an
earlier day there was still another dam about two miles further
up the river. As one proceeds up the river from Janesville to
Indian Ford, and still beyond, he finds other evidences of the
utilization of the abundant power of Rock river.
Janesville is favored in the diversity of her manufacturing
institutions. Those who own and manage them are among her
own citizens. The interests of its manufacturers are something
more than financial. The managers of its industries are intimate-
606
JANESVILLE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 607
ly associated with all that pertains to the social and civic wel-
fare of the city.
In this diversity there are elements of strength. There is no
great corporation or manufacturing institution such as by its
size and the number of its employes sometimes casts a shadow
over a city. So long as such an institution is prosperous, the
city prospers with it, but when the institution is no longer pros-
perous or removal is theatened, a blighting depression settles
upon the city. The citizens of Janesville appreciate the value of
all its manufacturing institutions, large and small, and desire
to encourage them in every possible way, but it is a satisfaction
to feel that upon no one or two does the prosperity of the city
almost wholly depend. While other cities have been troubled
with strikes and serious difficulties between capital and labor,
such problems have not yet presented themselves in a serious
manner to Janesville citizens for solution.
It is unsatisfactory, especially in a history intended to have
permanent form, to give statistics of the output of the different
manufacturing plants of a city, for such figures vary greatly as
between periods of depression and prosperity, and even from
year to year. The manufacturing plants in Janesville are nu-
merous, and the number of those of considerable importance as
producers and institutions which add to the prosperity of the
city may be conservatively stated at forty. There are still other
institutions which manufacture in a small way for local trade.
It may be said without fear of contradiction that the Janes-
ville Machine Company is the largest and most important manu-
facturing institution. From conservative figures collected, it
appears that the output of this institution is the largest. It em-
ploys the greatest number of men, and contributes more than
any other to the manufacturing prosperity of the city. The stock
of this institution is held mostly by citizens of Janesville. It is
also the oldest manufacturing institution in the city. It started
in a modest way decades ago, and grew out of a small manufac-
turing partnership. One of the partners was James Harris, who
later was instrumental in the organization of the Janesville Ma-
chine Company. He is still one of the directors of the company.
He is also engaged actively in the manufacturing business, being
the principal owner and active business head of the Janesville
608 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
Barb Wire Company, manufacturers of wire fencing and nails.
The five largest institutions in Janesville are the following :
The Janesville Machine Company, Rock River Cotton Com-
pany, Janesville Barb AYire Company, Rock County Sugar Com-
pany and Blodgett Milling Company. In naming these five in-
stitutions, no attempt is made to name in the order of their manu-
factured products, save that the Janesville Machine Company
stands first. After the five above named, the next ten may be
named as follows :
Bassett & Echlin Company, the Choate-Hollister Company,
Hough Shade Company, Peter Hohenadel, Jr., Company, Janes-
ville Clothing Company, Lewis Knitting Company, New Doty
Manufacturing Company, Parker Pen Company, Rock River
Woolen Mills and Thoroughgood & Co. Here again let it be
noted that there is no attempt to name them in the order of their
productive capacity.
It is of interest to note, in connection with the history of the
manufacturing institutions of Janesville, that Mr. James Rich-
ardson, who is now engaged in manufacturing in connection with
the Globe Works Company, came to Janesville in 1846. He be-
gan to manufacture in 1851, and from that time until the present,
a period of fifty-six years, has been connected with the business
of manufacturing and has carefully watched the growth of the
manufacturing interests of the city.
Janesville is well located for manufacturing industries. Citi-
zens are ever on the alert to interest new enterprises. Associa-
tions of business men organized for the advancement of the city
have done much to promote these ends. Janesville has been
favored with a steady, substantial growth which will continue
with the passing years. While the commercial prosperity of the
country has increased in the past as if by magic, bringing into
the realm of fact what formerly belonged to fairy tales and
fiction, men with large vision assert that our increasing popula-
tion and the continued development of the mighty resources of
forest, farm, water power and mine will bring multiplied results
in the future. In this growth and progress, because of her ad-
vantageous position, her transportation facilities already estab-
lished and to be established, her water power, her thriving in-
dustries and her progressive people, Janesville will richly share.
JANESVILLE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS G09
Let it be the hope and effort of all that this commercial growth
shall not dominate the richer and deeper things of life, but that
our material growth may be directed by those influences and
forces which count for the moral enrichment of the people.
Janesville, Wis., October 22, 1907.
List compiled by Geo. Sutherland, Esq.
Product. Capital.
1. Croak Brewing Co
2. A. W. Allison (weather strij^s)
3. Janesville Clothing Co $128,000 $ 40,000
4. Hiawatha Springs Co. (mineral water) . . . 30,000 100,000
5. Janesville Batting Co 25,000 25,000
6. Janesville Shirt & Overall Co 40,000 25,000
7. Marzluff Shoe Co 41,000 55,000
8. Western Shoe Co 50,000 30,000
9. Blodgett Milling Co. (rye and buckwheat). 300,000 50,000
10. Colvin Baking Co 15,000 15,000
11. Bennison & Lane (bakery) 20,000
12. Burton & Blaisdale (windmills and tanks). 10,000
13. Kalamazoo Knitting Co. (socks)
14. Badger State Machine Co. (punches and
sjiears) 25,000
15. Rock River Cotton Co. (bats, mattresses
and twine) 500,000 250,000
16. Randall & Athon (metal novelties and
tools)
17. Bennett Marble Works 5,000
18. William Hemming Sons Brewery 10,000
19. Fredericks, Wetmore Co. (barber supplies) 5,000
20. Burdick & Murray Co. (harnesses)
21. The Harlow Canopy Co. (boat canopies
and canopy fittings)
22. Magee Bros, (tobacco cases) 4,000
23. Fifield Bros. Lumber Co. (tobacco cases) . . 4,000
24. Janesville Lumber Co. (tobacco cases) .... 2,000
25. Janesville Cornice Co. (sash and door
frames) 10,000
26. Nott Bros, (paper boxes) 10,000
27. H. L. McNamara (cornices) 5,000
610 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
28. Dryer Marble Works
29. Janesville Machine Co $750,000 $250,000
30. Janesville Barb Wire Co 400,000 150,000
31. E. 0. Burdiek Fountain Pen Co
32. Hildebrandt & Co. (furs)
33. Gray's Pop & Soda Water Co 10,000
34. Levi G. McCuUoch (brooms) 1,000
35. Henry Shoemaker (brooms) 1,000
36. Wisconsin Carriage Co 30,000
37. Hough Shade Corp. (porch shades and
hammocks) 125,000 200,000
38. Peter Hohenaedel, Jr., Co. (canning) 200,000 75,000
39. Choate-Hollister Furn. Co. (tables) 100,000 50,000
40. Bicknell Mfg. & Sup. Co. (iron tools) 20,000
41. Eock River Woolen Mills 100,000 75,000
42. Williamson Pen Co. (fountain pens) 25,000 10,000
43. M. Buob Brewing Co 30,000
44. Janesville Granite, Brick & Stone Co 35,000
45. Janesville Eed Brick Co
46. Eock County Concrete Stone Co. (building
blocks) 5,000
47. Janesville Cement Post Co. (fence posts) . 18,000
48. Eock County Sugar Co. (beet sugar) 610,000 800,000
49. Victor Concrete Mfg. Co. (building blocks)
50. Shurtleff & Co. (ice cream and butter) 40,000
51. Lewis Knitting Co 75,000 30,000
52. Doty 's Flour & Feed MUl 10,000
53. Bassett & Echlin Co. (harnesses and sad-
dlery) 175,000 50,000
54. H. B. Smith Fountain Pen Co
55. Silica Stone & Brick Co. (sand brick)
56. E. B. Heimstreet (fish food)
57. J. Sutherland & Sons (picture framing and
moldings)
58. Skelly & Wilbur (picture framing)
59. Schaller & McKey Lumber Co. (tobacco
cases)
60. Knickerbocker Ice Co. (gravel roofing and
ballast)
61. E. A. Truesdall (metal cornices)
JANESVILLE MANUFACTUEING INTEEESTS 611
62. Janesville Music Co. (picture framing) . . .
63. 0. P. Brunson (artificial limbs)
64. W. E. Clinton & Co. (book binding and
blank books)
65. Eobert W. Clark (barrels and kegs)
66. Carl W. Diehls (picture frames and win-
dow shades)
67. Independent Printing Co. (stamps and
stencils)
68. Janesville Floor Eug Co
69. Thoroughgood & Co. (cigar box lumber
and cigar boxes) $100,000 $50,000
70. New Doty Mfg. Co. (punches and shears) . 100,000 75,000
71. Eock Eiver Hay Tool Co. (hay carriers) . . 15,000
72. Janesville Carriage Works 30,000 150,000
73. New Gas Light Co. (gas and tar roofing) . 50,000
74. Eock Eiver Machine Co. (punches and
shears) 45,000 15,000
75. Parker Pen Co. (fountain pens) 202,000 100,000
76. Janesville Electric Co. (electric appli-
ances) 100,000
77. Janesville Cash & Package Carrier Co.
(overhead carriers) 25,000
78. J. P. Cullen Co. (sash, doors and blinds) . .
79. Gund's Brewing Co 10,000
80. Milwaukee Elevator Co, (grain)
81. Janesville Pure Milk Co. (sterilized milk).
82. Globe Works Co. (elevator tanks and wind-
mills)
83. Hanson Furniture Co ; . . 70,000 30,000
84. Janesville Plating Works
85. Cigar Factories
86. J. D. Owen & Son (lightning rods)
87. N. Pappas (candies)
88. Janesville Candy Kitchen
89. Janesville Cement Shingle Co
90. F. A. Ambrose (metal boilers)
XXIX.
THE LAST QUARTER-CENTURY OF BELOIT'S MANUFAC-
TURING INTERESTS.
By
J. B. Dow.
Beloit has long been noted as a manufacturing center and a
most important one, but in the year 1886 she was whistling to
keep her courage up. Her principal factories, the work of a
generation, had failed, and her importance and prestige as a
manufacturing center had been painfully minimized. There was
little available capital here at that time and seemingly but little
tangible inducement for outsiders to come in and bring more.
Beginnings had been made upon the ruins calamity had entailed,
but they were small and, Lazarus-like, were bound head and foot
with grave clothes. Beloit young men, discouraged and following
Greeley's advice, were leaving and going West to "grow up with
the country." There was no employment for idle hands. Beloit
was in a bad way. Her extremity was great, but this extremity,
in the divine economy, was God's opportunity. A few men were
large enough to grasp the situation and pave the way for a re-
vival which should be lasting in its effects. They did this and
almost a generation now have been witnesses of that resurrection.
A Business Men's Association %vas formed. Twenty men were
called together, and twenty men came together ; but only eleven
stayed — eleven righteous men — one more than was asked for to
save Sodom. And Beloit was saved.
In the organization Mr. J. B. Dow was made secretary of the
association, and for the next twelve months put in some of the
most strenuous work of his life. He enlisted men in the service
until the eleven founders before the close of the first year grew
to nearly one hundred. He proposed to issue a folder extolling
the advantages Beloit offered to people to come in, was author-
ized to do this, and prepared a document which was enthusias-
612
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 613
tically received by the association and thousands of copies or-
dered printed. This edition exhausted, the common council of
the city, which had been in a Rip Van Winkle sleep, opened its
eyes to the advantages of the situation and ordered thousands
more at the expense of the city. The folder was unique, startling,
effective. It renamed the city "Beautiful Beloit." The renam-
ing was approved and passed into history. The title page of the
folder, which the late Professor J. J. Blaisdell, of Beloit College,
characterized as a "stroke of genius," read thus and challenged
at once the attention of the reader:
Beautiful Beloit.
A Healthful and Picturesque Location,
A Thriving Manufacturing City.
THE HUM OF HER VARIED INDUSTRIES
Makes Music and Money.
Superb Water Power,
Excellent Railroad Facilities and
Favorable Distributing Advantages.
AN INVITING FIELD
For Laborer and Capitalist.
MODERN IMPROVEMENTS AND METROPOLITAN
ADVANTAGES.
Schools, Churches and College
CONTRIBUTE TO THE
Intellectual, Social and Moral Welfare.
READER, LISTEN!
If you want a Home, an Occupation, Prosperity,
Happiness, a Long Life and a Fruitful Life,
COME TO BELOIT!
Among the founders of this association, which did so much
to resurrect Beloit and set the wheels of prosperity in an indus-
trial sense again in motion, and which is eminently deserving of
conspicuous mention on this historic leaf of Beloit 's manufac-
tories, are the following, some living, some dead: Mr. E. J. Ad-
ams, who was the first president of the association ; J. B. Dow, its
secretary; Professor E. G. Smith, Attorney B. M. Malone, David
S. Foster, Fred Messer, C. C. Keeler, L. H. Parker, John Foster,
William H. Wheeler, C. D. Winslow, W. M. Brittan, E. F. Hansen,
614 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
C. B. Salmon, President E. D. Eaton of Beloit College, A, N. Bort,
C. F. Ran, Dr. Samuel Bell, E. S. Greene, Cham Ingersoll, F. F.
Livermore, C. W. Merriman, C. F. Hardy, C. A. Smith.
The Berlin Machine Works. As a result of this organized ef-
fort upon the part of determined business men, new industries
were brought in, some at considerable cost; but in nearly every
case expectations were far more than realized. The Berlin Ma-
chine Works was induced to remove its wood-working plant to
Beloit by the gift of a plant costing our citizens $9,000, and from
the start its growth has been phenomenal, until at the present
time it is accredited as the largest plant manufacturing wood-
working machinery in the United States, if not in the world.
Every kind of wood-working machinery is made in this plant.
Factories all over the world engaged in the manufacture of wood
into various forms are equipped with Berlin machinery. Furni-
ture factories at Grand Rapids, wagon factories at South Bend,
implement factories in our own city and in Moline and Chicago,
car shops at Pullman, woodenware factories in Michigan and In-
diana, planing mills in Japan and the Philippines, and factories
of like character, all pay tribute to Beloit through the coffers of
the Berlin Machine Works. In recent years citizens at a cost of
$7,500 secured the vacation of part of Third street, on which the
company, according to its promise, expended about $70,000 in
new buildings.
The Berlin Machine Works is capitalized for $2,500,000, and
the officers are P. B. Yates, president, and L. D. Forbes, secretary
and treasurer. They maintain branch offices in Chicago, New
York, Boston, San Francisco, Spokane, Seattle, New Orleans and
Macon, Ga., and have representatives in many other sections of
the United States as well as agencies in all principal foreign
cities. The plant is absolutely modern, all of the present build-
ings having been erected in recent years, and in every detail they
are equipped with the best labor-saving machinery and equip-
ment that the ingenuity of man has devised.
Railroad tracks run into every building and electric traveling
cranes provide easy facilities for handling the work in the shops
and for loading it upon the cars. The first open-end cars for load-
ing machinery were made for this company, and the company
itself owns a large number of cars. The plant and yards occupy
fifteen acres of. ground and the buildings have 552,500 square
BELOIT'S MANUFACTUEING INTERESTS 615
feet of floor space. Part of this has been added within the past
year. A new pattern storage house has just been built, three
stories high and covering a ground area of 150x72 feet. An-
other new building has just been finished measuring 200x40 feet.
The development of the great empire of the Dominion of Canada
has not passed unnoticed by the company. Their machines have
been in constant demand on the other side of the border, and for
some years the trade has been so important as to warrant a care-
ful study of the special circumstances which regulate this com-
merce. As a result the company has built a large branch factory
at Hamilton, Ont., where machinery will be manufactured espe-
cially for the Canadian and export trade. This will not in any
way affect the prosperity of the main factory, as the business is
steadily growing and constant additions are necessary to keep
pace with the demand for Berlin machinery. The Berlin Machine
Works employs over 800 men and the output of its factory is over
$2,000,000.
The Fairbanks-Morse Manufacturing Company. As another
result of the effort of the aforesaid Business Men's Association the
Williams Engine Works was secured and a plant built beside
the then growing Eclipse Wind Engine and Clutch Pulley Works,
all of which were later sold out and consolidated in what is now
known as the Fairbanks-Morse Manufacturing Company, which
alike of its kind, in the multiplicity of its practical products with
its large and ingenious sales department, has no equal in this or
any country.
The plant occupies fifty acres and has more than a quarter of
this under roof, providing over 500,000 square feet of floor space.
This plant was established in Beloit in 1894 by Fairbanks, Morse
& Co., by the consolidation of the Eclipse Windmill Company
and the Williams Engine and Clutch Pulley Works, the former of
which had been in operation in Beloit since 1872. From small
beginnings in the early part of the last century as Vermont scale
manufacturers the Fairbanks-Morse Company has grown into a
powerful concern in the manufacture and selling of its products.
The company foresaw the coming of the tremendous development
in the manufacture and use of gasoline for power and installed
in Beloit what has quickly grown to be the greatest gas and gaso-
line engine manufacturing plant in the world. They make gas
engines in 200 sizes and styles, from 2-horsepower engines to the
616 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY '
giant 200-horsepower vertical. They also make engines to be
operated by gas, gasoline, kerosene or crude oil and have been
the leaders in the development of the marvelous producer gas
engine, proclaimed by the experts of the United States govern-
ment to be the power of the future.
This concern manufactures about 10,000 engines every year,
an average of a complete engine every twenty minutes of the
working day. Among its other manufactures are steam pumps
from all sizes up to the largest triple expansion pumps for city
water pumping stations, making over 4,000 yearly. Steam hoists
and artesian well engines are also a part of their product. The
quantity of wooden and steel windmills or wind engines which
this company manufactures and sends out is simply enormous.
They make steel mills for every conceivable purpose, and with
them wooden railway tanks and tank fixtures. The foundries
operated by the company pour an average of 11-i tons of iron
every day.
The company is constantly adding to its plant more buildings
and machinery and employs about 2,000 men.
Recently a superb office building covering a ground area of
40x170 feet has been constructed, complete in all its appoint-
ments. The plant is equipped with the most modern labor-saving
devices, electric traveling cranes being installed wherever pos-
sible to carry the work from one machine to another and to load
the finished product upon railroad cars, which run into every
part of the shops over its private tracks. Its fire protection
through seven miles of its own water mains and its sprinkler
system is very complete.
The officers of the company at the present time are : C. H.
Morse, Jr., president; W. E. Miller, vice-president, and George B,
Ingersoll, secretary and treasurer. The general manager of the
Beloit plant is Mr. J. A. Vail, a man formerly with the AUis-
Chalraers Company, a most competent man and one of wide ex-
perience. The general superintendent is Mr. W. T. Clark. Be-
sides its Chicago offices the company has offices and warehouses
outside of Chicago in all the leading cities in the United States,
in Canada, and in London, England, and also conducts numerous
other manufacturing plants in this country.
Beloit Iron Works. One of the most reliable and substantial
of Beloit 's industries, the Beloit Iron "Works, dates its birth in
KEY. CLAU.S L. CLAUSES.
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 617
1885. Four men — Fred Messer, Alonzo Aldrich, Noble J. Ross
and William II. Grinnell — with a combined cash capital of $9,100,
made a start in the manufacture of paper mill machinery. They
bought the old frame shops, machinery, patterns, etc., of the de-
funct Merrill & Houston Iron Works, and the first year, with
this small capital, through their individual efforts and with fif-
teen men in their employ, catalogued an output of $20,000. Fred
Messer was president, an accredited genius along those lines in
which they were engaged; Aldrich secretary, Ross superintend-
ent and Grinnell treasurer. From the start the concern proved
to be a pronounced success. Within about ten years its home
trade this side the water was enlarged until it reached Japan and
China. It shipped the first American paper mill to Japan, two
to China, and in 1904 sent off a solid train of twenty-five cars
loaded with a paper mill to be erected on the Thames near Lon-
don. The concern now employs 200 men, has an invested capital
of $136,500 and has an annual output of $420,000. It has during
the years erected fine substantial modern factories, equipped
with the most modern machinery and mechanical devices known
to the craft for its use, and, with the Berlin Machine Works and
the Fairbanks plant, has helped to make Beloit, as Milwaukee
beer did Milwaukee, famous the world over. Messrs. Aldrich and
Ross are now the active managers at the head of the concern, and
it is said to make its stockholders supremely happy by paying
monthly dividends the largest of any company in the city and
possibly in the state.
J. Thompson & Sons Manufacturing Company. The history of
this concern is a part of the history of Beloit and of Rock county
and well deserves prominent mention upon this page. Its be-
ginning dates back nearly half a century and was among the
early inspirations which helped to make Beloit. Mr. John Thomp-
son, the father and founder, who is still an active survivor among
early settlers, started business as a blacksmith alone in 1860 in a
small brick shop where the present implement factory is located.
From that small beginning he soon took up the jnaking of sleighs,
wagons, and later in a small way plows and farm implements.
After ten years, in 1870, he took in as a partner Colonel 0. C.
Johnson, and later his brother, J. A. Johnson, of Madison, and
the firm began to make plows and other farm implements in a
wholesale way, shipping them to various points in the West.
618 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1873 they put in a steam engine and boiler and at that time
were employing only about twenty men, the wages ranging from
$1.25 to $1.75 per day.
In July, 1876, the factory was entirely destroyed by fire en-
tailing a loss of about $60,000, with practically no insurance.
The following day work was begun clearing up the ruins, and
with temporary quarters business was shortly resumed. The fol-
lowing year, in 1877, a new brick shop was built, and year by year
enlargements were made. In 1880 John Thompson bought out
his partners and took in his sons under the firm name of J.
Thompson & Sons. The business expanded very rapidly under
this new management and in 1886 was incorporated with a cap-
ital stock of $120,000. In a few years the capital stock had in-
creased to $200,000, the company then employing 150 men.
In 1897 the company began the manufacture of the Lewis
gas and gasoline engine, and this became a prominent part of
the business. Thousands of these have been sent to all parts of
the United States and have given excellent satisfaction.
Mr. John Thompson in 1903 retired from business and the
capital stock of the company was then increased to $300,000. A
modern plant was erected in South Beloit and the gas engine
was built on a large scale. Fire and flood in 1904, March 20,
however, nearly destroyed the new plant, entailing a heavy loss ;
following this soon after, the same year, the old implement fac-
tory in Beloit was almost destroyed by fire, another heavy loss.
But the company rebuilt and equipped its South Beloit shop
with the best and most modern tools and equipment, including
a fine 15-ton electric crane for handling heavy work. The com-
pany added then to its line of work the gas producer engine and
has turned out some very fine machines of this type. It built
single engines up to 250 horsepower and twin tandem engines
up to 500 horsepower rated capacity.
The Beloit plant was also rebuilt and continued the manu-
facture of agricultural implements.
The officers of the company are : 0. T. Thompson, president
and treasurer; E. A. Thompson, vice-president, and A. S. Thomp-
son, secretary.
The Thompson Plow "Works, familiarly known all over the
United States, is deserving of a great deal of credit for the labor
it has furnished to citizens of Beloit, for what it has added to
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 619
Beloit's material wealth and for the reputation it has given to
Beloit as a reliable manufacturing center.
Charles H. Besly & Co. As manufacturers of taps, dies and
disc grinders, along with other lines, this concern ranks among
the leading factories of Beloit. They began in a very small way
about twenty years ago in the making of taps and dies, later add-
ing the disc grinder which was invented by F. N. Gardner. The
company was organized under the firm name of C. H. Besly &
Co. and commenced business with an investment of about $10,-
000, under the management of F, N. Gardner. It employed at
the outset only about half a dozen men. It has a capital now
invested of $115,000, employs upwards of eighty men and has
an annual output of about $100,000, sending its products, which
have been largely increased in variety and kind, all over the
world. Three years ago a large new fireproof building was
erected on the water-power and a new water-power plant in-
stalled. The method of making the kinds of tools above enu-
merated has been greatly changed under the management of
the Besly shops, which have contributed largely to its success.
Mr. Charles H. Besly, the leading man of the concern, is a resi-
dent of Chicago, the active management now in Beloit being in
the hands of Charles Munson and John Miller, Jr.
The Gardner Machine Company. Mr. F. N. Gardner, presi-
dent and general manager of the Gardner Machine Company, is
accredited as the man who was the inspiration of the mechanical
part of the Besly company and a large factor in bringing about
the success that concern has achieved. "While he worked during
the years there he thought and planned and invented not only
his disc grinder, which has so important a place now in large
manufactoriea, but other labor-saving devices and improved
tools and machinery which are most useful and largely used.
About three years ago Mr. Gardner resigned his position with
the Besly people and organized the Gardner Machine Company,
he being its president and general manager; N. J. Ross, of the
Beloit Iron Works, vice-president; W. H. Grinnel, treasurer, and
C. T. Mitchel, secretary. The business has a good start, manu-
facturing principally all of the inventions of Mr. Gardner, which
now have a large demand at home and a"broad.
Gesley Manufacturing Company. The history of Rock county
would be incomplete without mention being made of the Gesley
620 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
brothers, whose inventions of farm machinery have found such
large place in the markets of the "West. Among them are the
Gesley sulky plow, the New Improved three-wheeled sulky plow,
Gesley cultivator, the Gesley lever harrow. They were estab-
lished in Beloit as manufacturers nearly fifty years ago and for
many years did a successful manufacturing business. The man-
ufacturing end has largely been eliminated during recent years,
but they are still at the old stand, dealing in other manufac-
tured products and doing a very successful business. The officers
of the company are Torris Gesley and C. 0. Millett, both enter-
prising business men contributing not a little to the industrial
interests of our city.
R. J. Dowd Knife Works. The K. J. Dowd Knife Works is
another old established and vigorous concern, which was founded
by E. J. Dowd over thirty years ago. Mr. E. J. Dowd began in
a small way in 1877, employing but few men, manufacturing
machine knives at that time of a limited number of kinds, his
first year's output being but about $8,000. From the start this
business has grown in volume and importance until its annual
output is now considerably over .$100,000 and its product is sold
outside of this country in Mexico, Europe and Australia. Its
invested capital is about $100,000. There are two sons, G. A,
Dowd and Eobert I. Dowd, active managers with the father, who
is still hearty and vigorous and whose counsel is yet an impor-
tant asset in the running of the business.
They have twice suffered fire loss, but have never indicated
a loss of confidence in themselves or their business and each
time have rebuilt in better shape than before. The Dowd Knife
Works is a vital part of Beloit 's manufacturing interests.
John Foster Company. Someone once published the fact
that ' ' if there was a foot in America that hadn 't worn the Foster
shoes, it wasn't because Foster couldn't fit that foot." This
factory was planted in Beloit for the manufacture of high-grade
shoes in 1870 under the firm name of Libby, Foster & Co. Its
output the first year was about $100,000 and its product then
sold largely in the western states. Later the firm changed to
Libby, Foster & Chapman, then to John Foster & Co. Shoe Fac-
tory, and within recent years incorporated as the John Foster
Company. It employs approximately 200 people, the active man-
agement being John Foster, "W. D. Hall and Frank Kunz, all
BELOIT'S MANUFACTUEING INTEEESTS 631
practical business men. Mr. W. D. Hall is the artist, inventor,
mechanic and producer of the multiplicity of high-grade styles
of shoes which the trade demands, a demand which is met in a
most satisfactory manner, as is attested by this and other facts.
The Foster factory made the shoes for Frances Folsom, the bride
of President Cleveland ; for the second wife of ex-President Ben-
jamin Harrison and for Mrs. McKinley at the inauguration of the
late President McKinley. This company has been the originator
of nearly all the styles in fine up-to-date shoes. They make them
for every occasion, of all leathers, canvas and silk, and of every
conceivable cut and shape which a lady could desire. Every
shoe is practically custom made, their entire product being made
on orders from large retailers in all sections of the country, both
here, in England, Australia and on the European continent.
Warner Instrument Company. This is among the youngest
factories in Beloit, but has had the most phenomenal success of
any ever planted here. It began in some experimental lines by
the Warner brothers on their own invention, and did but little
for the first six months or a year. In July, 1904, it put upon
the market its well known automobile indicator, the Auto-Meter.
Its sales from the first rapidly increased until now this company
is the largest manufacturer of speed indicators in the world and
is recognized as the standard speed indicator on the market.
This fact is shown in all national and local automobile events, as
there are then seen more Warner Auto-Meters than all other
speed indicators combined. Last year in the Glidden tour, which
is the greatest automobile event ever seen in this country, over
70 per cent of the cars were equipped with Warner instruments.
Theirs is the only magnetic instrument built in the United States
and so stands in a class by itself.
Until very recently, little was done to put this product on
the market in foreign countries for the reason that it was
almost impossible to supply the demand here, but now the
company has contracted with the Electric and Ordnance Acces-
sories Company, Limited, Birmingham, England, who are a
branch of Vickers' Sons & Maxim, to manufacture the Warner
Auto-Meter in England on a royalty basis. The company is now
in its new shops in South Beloit, large up to date in construction
and equipped with every possible appliance in the way of first
class machinery for the manufacture of its goods. The company
622 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
now manufactures with the Auto-Meter the Cut-Meter and
Anemometers, the latter of which are being extensively used and
approved by the United States government. The company em-
ploys about 150 men, has an investment of about a quarter of a
million and its prospects for still further growth and larger out-
put are not equaled by any concern in the country. The com-
pany has offices in the principal large cities in this country as well
as abroad. The officers are James Barclay, president ; A. P. War-
ner, vice-president and general manager ; C. H. Warner, secretary
and treasurer.
Lipman Manufacturing Company. The above is another con-
cern of more recent birth in Beloit, a producer of devices for the
operation of automobiles, and is doing a very successful business.
Mr. Carl Lipman is an inventor of marked ability, as is shown
by the various devices he has brought out and put upon the
market. He is a Beloit man, born and raised in the city and early
turned his attention toward the line of business which now en-
gages his attention. Among his inventions are automobile oilers,
electric speed indicators and a rotary pump, the latter of which
has met with greater demand than any other like pump on the
market. The Lipman Manufacturing Company was organized
upwards of two years ago, taking on the individual business of
Mr. Lipman, occupying a fine plant on the water power and mak-
ing seemingly a pronounced success of the business. Together
with the manufacture of the articles above noted, the company
manufactures a high power automobile and motor-boat engine,
making them all the way from ten to eighty horse power, and
the manufacture of this engine is an important part of the busi-
ness at the present time. This enterprise is accounted as an im-
portant one here in Beloit and swells the list of those industries
which give to the city its substantial reputation. Carl E. Lip-
man is president of the company, and L. Holden Parker secretary
and treasurer.
H. Rosenblatt & Sons. This company has been established in
Beloit over thirty years. The father, H. Rosenblatt, began the
business in a small way with John C. Ran, during the '70s, finally
assumed the business himself and, as his sons grew to manhood,
took them into partnership with him. It first began to manu-
facture but one line of goods, men's overalls and jackets, but
gradually the line was increased until their catalogue shows a
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 633
large variety of garments manufactured. Mr. H. Rosenblatt, the
father and founder, dying several years ago, his two sons, Moses
Rosenblatt and Louis Rosenblatt, succeeded to the business. They
own their own plant, two fine brick structures at the head of
Fourth street, and employ approximately 200 people. The out-
put of this factory is about 2,500 garments of various kinds per
day. The goods are sold all over the United States, and their line
is recognized as standard wherever known.
The Rosenblatt Gowing Company. This company is an out-
growth of the H. Rosenblatt & Sons factory and was organized
a year ago by Isaac Rosenblatt, F. S. Gowing and H. C. Holcomb.
The management is by Mr. Isaac Rosenblatt and at the outset
they employed only about twenty-five men. They are all prac-
tical men, make a line of goods in part the same as the parent
factory, and knowing well how to make the goods, how to buy
the material, how to manage help and how to sell the goods, this
concern is accounted as a success from the start and will no doubt
prove an important element among our manufactories.
Racine Feet Knitting Company. This is one of Beloit's in-
dustries of which the city is justly proud. It is under the man-
agement of Mr. J. W. Amend and one of the best managed, pro-
ductive and prosperous of our manufacturing institutions. The
plant was established only about four years ago, when a fine
brick factory building was built just across the line in South
Beloit and equipped with the most modern machinery for the
purposes of its line of work. The company manufactures hosiery
and underwear, turning out upwards of 500 dozens pairs of hos-
iery per day and this output constantly increasing. The help em-
ployed are mostly girls, who receive good pay for their labor.
The best material upon the market is used in the productions of
its goods, their workmanship and finish cannot be surpassed and
the reputation of the firm has been established and its patronage
constantly increased by reason of the quality of the goods turned
out. This plant is just across the street from the new plant of
the Warner Instrument Company, and the enterprise of both
these concerns is a matter of pride to the citizens of Beloit.
Beloit Box Board Company. The Beloit Box Board Company,
as a corporation, is the successor of the S. E. Barrett Manufac-
turing Company, which was the successor of the Beloit Straw
Board Company, the successor of Barrett & Kimball, the succes-
624 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
sors of "Wright & Newcomb, a long line of paper manufacturers
on the west side of the river, extending back for nearly half a
century. The present owners of the property have an elegant
plant and 3,933 inches of the water power, which is reinforced
by steam, the latter being necessary for the manufacture of the
paper. The product this mill turns out is box boards, made of
old papers and straw, and the daily output of the finished prod-
uct is twenty tons. They employ upwards of thirty-five men.
Capitalization, $80,000. The product is all sold in this country.
The officers of the company are: President, Henry Weis; vice-
president, A. D. W. Weis; secretary and treasurer, Howard S.
Smith, and superintendent and general manager, J. A. Fisher.
This is one of Beloit's permanent, substantial institutions.
M. C. Pierce Specialty Company. The M. C. Pierce Specialty
Company succeeds Goddard & Allen in the manufacture and sale
of the Belvidere Carpet Stretcher and Tacker and household spe-
cialties. The manager of this concern is Miss M. C. Pierce, a
young women of marked business ability and who is making a
success of the business.
M. C. Pierce Plating Company. The M. C. Pierce Plating
Company is a part of the specialty company, only that others
skilled in the plating business are connected with it. The com-
pany does a general plating of gold, silver, nickel, brass and the
polishing of all kinds of metals. It has been in operation be-
tween one and two years and is largely patronized by the iron
workers of the city.
C. Mattison Machine Works. C. Mattison began the manu-
facture of wood turning machinery at 644 Third street in 1897,
with $1,500 capital and one man employed. In 1901 the business
was moved to Fifth street and Portland avenue, and in 1903 was
incorporated, C, Mattison, president and treasurer, and A. M.
Mattison, vice-president and secretary. The authorized capital
is $25,000, and the company has from twenty to twenty-five em-
ployees, occupying two white brick buildings, 40 by 100 and
40 by 80 feet, respectively. The annual output is valued at about
$90,000. The original inventor and patentee of the machines
made by this company is Mr. C. Mattison, and his machines are
sold not only in the United States, but also in foreign countries.
N. B. Gaston's Sons Company. The one manufacturing in-
stitution of Beloit, which has lasted through nearly the whole
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTEEESTS 625
life of this community, continuously maintained at the same place
and in connection with the same family for nearly sixty-four
years, is the Gaston Scale Factory,
It was founded by Nathan B. Gaston, who while a young man
had worked in a scale factory at Rochester, N. Y., and who came
with his father-in-law, A. J. Battin, to Beloit in September, 1844.
Promptly after arrival he began upon the west side of Rock
river the work of making scales, employing but three men and
doing all his work by hand. When Hanchett & Lawrence finished
the dam on Rock river, late in the fall of 1844, Mr. Gaston bought
some of the preferred stock and also the first registered number
of inches of water power sold. He also erected a stone building,
the first manufacturing establishment on that side of the river,
and connected with the pond above the dam by means of a ditch
of his own, made along the line of the present race, to the site
of his shop.
Mr. A. J. Battin furnished capital at first, but the business
was conducted under the name of N. B. Gaston, and later as the
firm of Gaston & Edgar until about 1850. Then Mr. Edgar with-
drew to go to the Pike's peak gold fields, and N. B. Gaston
worked this iron field alone until 1875, when the firm became
N. B. Gaston & Son. In the year 1898 that son, his oldest, Augus-
tine J. Gaston, sold out his interest and a new partnership, in-
cluding two younger sons, Thomas Edgar and Theodore Irving,
was formed under the designation of N. B. Gaston & Sons. July
16, 1900, the senior member, then ninety years old, died, and the
next year, July 20, 1901, the business was incorporated as the
N. B. Gaston's Sons Company; president, Ann E. Gaston; vice-
president and treasurer, T. E. Gaston; secretary, T. I. Gaston.
March 28, 1907, Ann E, Gaston's interest was transferred in
equal parts to these two sons and the business remained and still
continues under the same firm name. The present officers are
T. E. Gaston, president; E. E. Gaston, vice-president; T. I. Gas-
ton, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock is $30,000, from
fifty to sixty men are employed and the annual output is valued
at about $60,000.
Nathan Brockway Gaston was born at Auburn, N. Y., March
17, 1810. As a youth in the city of Rochester, N. Y., he learned
the trade of a gunsmith, but while yet a young man, went to
work in a scale factory there and mastered that trade also. When
626 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
twenty-five years of age, on Sunday, February 8, 1835, he mar-
ried Amelia C. Tillinghurst, who died October 9, 1842, leaving a
daughter, Maria (afterwards Mrs. Thorne). August 31, 1843,
Mr. Gaston married Miss Ann Eliza Battin, daughter of Augus-
tine J. Battin, formerly of New York city ; came at once with his
family and father-in-law by boat from Buffalo to Southport, now
Kenosha, and thence with their own teams and wagons to Beloit,
Wis., arriving September 13, 1844. Here Mr. Battin bought a
small brick house and lot at the northeast corner of State and
Broad streets, and for a year or two the Gastons and Battins
lived together there.
Immediately on arrival, Mr. Gaston began his business of
scale making upon Race street on the west side of Eock river,
doing all his work at first by hand. In the late fall of 1844, soon
after the first dam across the river was made, he built at the
same spot a stone building, the first manufacturing structure on
that side of Rock river, and was the first user of the new water
power. The account of that scale manufactory, continued by the
same family yet, is given in the chapter on Beloit manufactures.
In 1847, Chester Clark, who came in that year, built on the
west side of the river, for Mr. Battin and Mr. Gaston, that peb-
ble-stoned walled house, which, somewhat modified and enlarged,
is still the Gaston home, standing a short distance south of St.
Lawrence avenue, and west of the Northwestern railroad track.
Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were charter members of the St. Paul
Episcopal church of Beloit, whose first church building, Mr.
Humphrey's school house, stood on the south side of Public
avenue (now No. 534). He was also for many years one of the
vestrymen of that church, and always a regular supporter. He
died at his residence in Beloit, July 16, 1900. Mrs. Gaston still
occupies the old home in hale old age, with her oldest daughter.
One other daughter has died and the youngest is married and
living at La Crosse, Wis. Of the three sons, Augustine, Edgar
and Irving, the two latter represent the present firm called the
N. B. Gaston's Sons Company.
Other Lesser Institutions Catalogued.
The foregoing represents the larger of Beloit 's manufactur-
ing interests, the bulk of the capital invested and the aggregation
especially of skilled labor employed. There is a multiplicity.
BELOIT'S MANUFACTUEING INTERESTS 627
however, of smaller manufacturing concerns, which give variety
to the line of products here created and sent out over this and
other countries and which, to a greater or less extent, hold out
inducements for people to come to Beloit, find employment and
make homes.
Among these last mentioned and which are relatively as im-
portant as many others, we name Slater & Marsden, who manu-
facture shellers, grinders, cement block machines, wood turning
and wood working machines.
Ferguson Bros., wagon and carriage manufacturers.
C. 0. Warner, band and scroll sawing, banisters, mouldings,
etc.
F. S. Kent Construction Company, boiler manufacturers.
E. A. Lufkin, bottling works.
Beloit Brewery.
L. E. Cunningham, contractor and builder, sash, doors, blinds
and other building specialties.
Sturtevandt & Wright, butter factory and creamery.
A. L. Dearhammer, contractor and manufacturer.
Compressed Air Cleaning Company.
Beloit Carriage Works, Kinsley.
A. L. Hunger, wagons and buggies.
Askin & Green, cement contractors.
Hascall Cigar Company.
Sylvester Florey, cigar factory.
C. M. Oliver, cigar factory.
Kendall & Billington, cigar factory.
Beloit Steam Dye Works.
Beloit Concrete Stone Company.
Inman Concrete Building Block & Machine Company.
Beloit Water, Gas and Electric Company.
City Mills, flour and feed.
Star Mills.
Beloit Brass Works.
Beloit Foundry Company.
Beloit Furnace Works.
Beloit Glove and Mitten Company.
Halls Glove Company.
Kent Construction Company.
McLean & Son, interior woodwork.
G28 HISTOEY OF KOCK COUNTY
"William Sclmltz & Son, machine shop.
Griffith Manufacturing Company, moulding machines.
G. F. Beedle, motor cars.
Beloit Plating AYorks.
Line City Roofing Company.
C. S. Gregory, tanks, roofing, plumbing and plumbers' sup-
plies.
Newton & Zimmerman, slate roofing, tanks and metal workers.
Beloit Upholstering Company.
Milan Northrop, upholsterer.
George M. Allen, section car, gasoline engines.
Rockford & Interurban Power House. The manufacture of
electricity or generating the same through twentieth century
methods is an industry in importance second to none in the con-
duct of local transportation and turning the wheels of factories.
The Iterurban power house was built in Beloit four years ago,
primarily for the furnishing of power to run the cars on the in-
terurban line from Rockford through Beloit to Janesville. Its
capacity, however, that of 2,500 horse power, was intended to
take in, in time, other enterprises, and this it has now done. It
furnishes power, in addition to the Rockford Interurban line,
for the line from Rockford to Belvidere, and also for the Beloit
Traction Company, and from this it lends a helping hand to the
Beloit Water, Gas and Electric Company when there is any giv-
ing out or weakening of its generating equipment, thereby guar-
anteeing the city of Beloit at any time and all times against a
calamity of darkness.
The power house is equipped with duplicates of the Allis
Chamber Bros, compound condenser Engines, and with every
other modern appliance necessary to make this an up-to-date
"lightning producer," successfully meeting every demand it as-
sumes to supply.
Beloit Traction Company. The Beloit Traction Company was
incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin with a
capital stock of $50,000, and its first meeting was held April 30,
1906, at which said time its officers and directors were elected
and all of the capital stock subscribed.
Later than this on May 1, 1906, an application was made for
franchise in the city of Beloit to construct, equip, maintain and
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 629
operate a street railway along and across certain streets and
avenues in the city of Beloit.
On July 16, in the same year, a franchise was granted and
soon thereafter the company began its work of construction, and
on August 1, 1907, the road was equipped and completed, cover-
ing about six miles of track, consisting of one loop on each side
of the river, and began operations.
As a little matter of history, in the inception of the work,
quite an impressive ceremony was held, when a gold and a silver
spike was driven, fastening down the first rail, the golden spike
being driven by Joel B. Dow, president of the company, and the
silvered one by his honor. Mayor L. E, Cunningham.
The road has given excellent satisfaction, as the best of ser-
vice has been afforded and it receives a liberal patronage from
the public.
The officers of the company are Joel B. Dow, president;
Charles A. Gault, vice-president; 0. S. Baylies, Chicago, secre-
tary, and W. F. Woodruff, of Rockford, 111., treasurer; T. M.
Ellis, of Rockford. 111., general manager.
Beloit Water, Gas and Electric Company. The Beloit Water,
Gas and Electric Company was organized in February, 1906, by
the purchase of the water works from C. B. Salmon, the gas
works from Hendley Bros, and the electric works from Milwau-
kee parties.
The present company owns and operates these three utilities
in Beloit and has reconstructed and added large extensions to
all the properties.
The investment of the company is reported by them in 1908
as amounting to $1,000,000. They employ about seventy-five peo-
ple.
C. B. Salmon, president and treasurer.
E. G. Cowdery, vice-president and manager.
Charles H. Deppe, secretary.
B. F. Lyons, assistant general manager.
They have recently (June 30, 1908) surrendered their local
franchises and are now being operated under the regulation of
the Wisconsin state law governing public utilities.
History of Three Franchises Surrendered June 30, 1908.
Electric. In the light of history, possessing an electric light
franchise in Beloit has been to own a thing of great trouble. Ex-
630 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
cepting for the present management, for which the "Free Press"
is not prepared to speak — but it is supposed they also have their
worries — the story of the electric lighting business in this city
has been that of financial loss and brain-wrecking effort.
The first franchise for an electrical lighting plant was granted
to W. A. Knapp on January 6, 1887. This franchise carried the
right to set poles and lay wires about the city, but was not an
exclusive privilege. It carried no city expense and no rates or
conditions of service were given in the ordinance. Before this
was granted, a year or possibly more before, Fred Messer, E. J:
Adams and others had installed a dynamo in the Beloit Iron
Works and supplied some of the stores with electric arc lights.
The enterprise attracted attention and made Beloit feel proud,
but was not practical, but after that the incandescent light came
into general use.
W. A. Knapp set about to build his plant and the following
summer made a contract with the city to furnish a few arc lights.
The power plant was in the old Besley building, where there was
good water power. On June 4, 1891, the common council granted
a franchise to C. W. Wiley and A. P. AYarner, who established a
business under the name of the Wiley-Warner Electric Light
Company. The plant was in the old Gray planing mill, where
they had both water and steam power. With competition and
the numerous trials that attend the establishment of an electric
business — even in this day — the experience of the companies was
anything but profitable and pleasant, although the Wiley- Warner
company continued for six years, when it sold to the successors
of the Knapp company, a Mr. Westbrook, of Chicago.
The power station was then taken to the stone building on
Short street, near the Northwestern passenger station and north
of the City Mills. After a life and death struggle for existence,
the business went into the hands of a receiver and in 1892 E. F.
Hansen was appointed receiver and for a year and a half he
carried on the business and got order from chaos and the busi-
ness was then bought of the creditors by Guy L. Cole, who spent
thousands of dollars trying to build up the business. He bought
the old paper mill property on the east side for a power plant.
Mr. Hansen, speaking of his receivership, said that it was
during those months that his gray hair sprouted. "It was
awful," he said, "and I notice that gray hair has followed the
BELOIT'S MANUFACTURING INTERESTS 631
management since. The business was one series of worries, ex-
pense and renewal of appliances and the service was inferior at
best." "
Mr. Cole later sold to Messrs. Cowdery and Smith, of Milwau-
kee, men of large investment in lighting plants. Their interests
then went into the merger in 1906.
The franchise under which the merger has been operating
was that original one granted to W. A. Knapp and his assigns.
The present company has spent a fortune in new machinery and
extensions and is giving as nearly a perfect service as it is
possible to provide with present-day electrical machinery.
Gas. The pioneers in the gas lighting business had their trials
along with the balance of the utility pioneers in the smaller
towns. Few of the original enterprises paid anything to speak
of, if there were any dividends at all, and this was the experience
of the Beloit Gas Light & Coke Company. It was founded by a
number of Philadelphia men and established on a charter granted
them by an act of the state legislature February 13, 1855. The
plant was not constructed till 1859, however, and was then put
in by a company capitalized at $42,000.
The charter limited the charges to $4 per thousand cubic feet.
The original stockholders included L. G. Fisher, William T. Good-
hue, Hazen Cheney, S. W. Peck, S. J. Sherman, A. L. Field and
John Hackett. The first president was S. J. Sherman and the
secretary A. L. Field.
John Hackett subsecjuently became president and Joseph
Hendley, Sr., superintendent, and both remained in these posi-
tions until their death. All of the original stockholders and
officers are now dead.
Later the business passed into the control of the Hendley
fKmily and was managed for many years by Messrs. J. L. and T.
C. Hendley, who sold out in 1906, to the merger company, which
was reorganized in July, 1906, under the present company.
The early day historians speak of the enterprise as a dis-
couragement for all connected with it. There were few patrons
and no incentive for enlargement, and the gas was expensive to
produce on so small an output, and had it not been for such a de-
termined and capable business man as Joseph Hendley, Sr., it is
doubtful if the enterprise would have been carried on after the
first few years of experiment.
632 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Mr. Hendley inspired all with confidence in the enterprise,
and made friends for the company by his patient, consistent,
conservative and wise administration of its affairs. He urged
patrons to be economical of gas and showed them how to get
the best results from it and finally developed a fine business
from an almost forlorn hope.
Water. Prior to 1885 city fire protection in Beloit consisted
of two hand fire engines, which were operated by two volunteer
fire companies, who always did splendid work wherever they
could get water from the river. Numerous and disastrous fires
often occurred, however, outside of that supply, especially from
1880 to 1885, the last two destructive fires being the Baptist and
Catholic churches, both of which slowly and tantalizingly burned
to the ground without water before a helpless crowd. Along in
this period Beloit was dead. Numerous failures had occurred,
manufacturing was stagnant, growth impossible, and, on account
of the fire risk, new companies would not locate at Beloit. The
citizens and common council took up the matter and succeeded,
in 1882, in getting some Philadelphia people to accept a franchise
under the name of Beloit Water Company and to build a water
system. This company, after spending some $20,000, failed and
stopped work. During the next three years the city publicly
advertised for a water works system and offered unusual induce-
ments to any one who would take up the project.
In 1885, Messrs. C. H. Morse, W. H. Wheeler, J. B. Peet, C. H.
Parker, E. C. Allen and C. B. Salmon agreed to build a water
works system, and the present franchise was granted under the
name of M. M. Moore, who assigned to the Beloit Water Works
Company, and the works were completed, tested and accepted
by the city in November, 1885.
From that time forward the city began to show new signs
of life and steadily grew from 5,000 people to its present size of
15,000 people. Early in June, 1906, the Salmon brothers, who
were the sole owners, sold the water works to individuals, who
also purchased the gas and electric plants, and put all three
utilities into a new company, under the name of the Beloit Water,
Gas and Electric Company, which, on account of the default of
one of the promoters, was reorganized in 1906 under the present
management.
The record of the Beloit water works in service is unequaled
(%,.aca^ M/^^ i^'^
"C
BELOIT'S MAXUFACTUEING INTEEESTS 633
by any water company, private or public, in Wisconsin. Beloit's
fire losses to the per cent of premium for fire insurance collected,
since 1885, is less than that of any other city of its size in the
northwest. If all the fire premiums paid by citizens since 1885
had been paid into the city treasury and the city had paid all of
the fire losses during the same period, there would now be a
surplus of over $400,000 on hand.
XXX.
THE PRESS OF BELOIT.
journalism in Beloit dates back to September 4, 1846, when
Messrs. Cooley and Civer established the "Beloit Messenger," a
paper independent in politics; this was published but a short
time when it suspended for lack of interest and no file of it is
known to tho editor.
The existence of many other papers has been clearly estab-
lished, but only faint traces of their existence have been found.
Files are undiseoverable, and the only means or proofs of their
existence are the memories of some of their old time patrons.
The Beloit "Journal," supposed to be the next paper pub-
lished, made its first appearance on June 29, 1848, issued by
Stokes and Briggs. This paper was a weekly, published in the
interest of the Whig party and was edited by J. R. Briggs. With
various changes of name and proprietors, this paper has been
continuously published up to the present time, and still lives
and flourishes as the Beloit "Free Press." In the fall of 1848.
it passed under the control of J. R. Briggs, Jr., who was sole
proprietor until September, 1849, when a partnership was formed
with C. G. Foster, of Troy, New York. In May, 1854, Foster
purchased the interest of his partner and continued the publi-
cation of a Republican paper until August, 1855, when he sold
out to A. Paine, J. J. Bushnell and Lucius G. Fisher, under the
name of A. Paine & Company. The paper was published by
them but a few weeks when it was again sold to H. L. Devereux.
In January; 1856, Devereux formed a partnership with B. E.
Hale, who had charge of the editorial department. On May 27,
1856, the paper made its appearance under the name of B. E.
Hale — no explanation for the change being made in any of its
columns. February 19, 1857, B. E. Hale & Company were an-
nounced as the publishers.
In 1857 a weekly Democratic paper was started by De Lorma
Brooks, and was called "The Herald"; shortly after that an-
634
THE PRESS OF BELOIT 635
other Republican j^aper called "the Beloit Times," made its
appearance and was published by N. 0. Perkins, the two pub-
lishers effecting an arrangement whereby the Democratic "Her-
ald" was printed on one side of the sheet, and the Republican
"Times" on the other. D. P. Hinckling was associated but a short
time with Mr. Brooks in the conduct of the "Herald." Mr.
Perkins ultimately purchased Mr. Brooks' interest and becom-
ing sole proprietor of the "Herald," changed the name of the
paper to the "Beloit Courier," and on January 1, 1860, having
associated with himself Barret H. Smith, the firm changed to
Perkins & Smith, with A. P. "Waterman and Wright and New-
comb as silent partners.
Under the management of B. E. Hale & Company, the "Jour-
nal" was continued until April 21, 1859, when it was purchased
by William E. Hale and Horatio Pratt, with H. Pratt as editor.
In 1860 Mr. Hale retired and the paper passed into the control
of H. Pratt & Company — the firm consisting of Horatio Pratt
and James A. White.
The field, however, being too small for the support of two
Republican papers, negotiations were started and arrangements
ultimately made, under which the two were consolidated and
named the "Journal and Courier," managed by Perkins &
Smith, N. 0. Perkins editor. A bound file of the Beloit "Jour-
nal and Courier," complete, from April 5, 1860, to March 27,
1862, has been preserved by Mrs. N. 0. Perkins and loaned to
the editor of this history. It is expected that this volume will
be added to the meagre, scanty and imperfect files of Beloit
papers now preserved in the Beloit college library. On October
31, 1861, the paper was reduced from eight to seven columns.
On November 7, 1861, the "Journal and Courier" was transferred
to Barret H. and Lathrop E. Smith. On the 22nd of January,
1863, Lathrop E. Smith retired and the paper was carried on by
Barret H. Smith. April 21, 1864, Barret H. Smith severed his
connection with the paper, and was succeeded by Mr. A. Paine,
who announced that the paper would not be tied to any political
party. June 9 the compound name was dropped and the paper
reappeared as "The Beloit Journal."
Chalmers Ingersoll started the "Beloit Free Press" in Febru-
ary, 1866, and soon absorbed the "Beloit Journal" by purchase.
In the summer of 1869 Ingersoll sold his interest to M. Frank
636 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
& Co., and the old name of the paper — "The Journal" — was re-
vived. During the next winter the paper passed to the control
of T. 0. Thompson, and J. B. Dow, the latter disposing of his
interest, in the fall of 1870, to E. D. Coe. The "Free Press" was
resurrected September 21, 1870, by Chalmers Ingersoll and N. O.
Perkins. After about three months, Chalmers Ingersoll became
sole proprietor, but Perkins continued as editor. During the
spring of 1871 the "Free Press" again absorbed the "Journal,"
Mr. Thompson retiring and Mr. Coe acquiring a half interest in
the "Free Press." The following fall Mr. Ingersoll bought out
u\Ir. Coe and became sole owner. Mr. N. 0. Perkins continued
his editorial connection until the winter of 1872 and '73, when
he changed to a position on the staff of the "Milwaukee Senti-
nel."
May, 1873, Henry E. Hobart, after publishing a quarterly, call-
ed the "Beloit Crescent" for a year or so previous, became associ-
ate editor of the "Free Press" with Mr. Ingersoll; in March fol-
lowing bought a half interest in the business and, until March,
1877, conducted the paper under the firm name of Ingersoll &
Hobart. In the latter year Mr. Hobart became the sole pro-
prietor. In 1875 Messrs. Ingersoll & Hobart had enlarged the
size of the "Free Press" to a nine column folio.
July 1, 1878, Charles S. Guernsey and David J. Welch be-
gan publishing an evening paper, called the "Daily Herald,"
with Albert Ayer as manager of the advertising department.
August 7, 1878, the "Free Press" office first issued a daily
paper, called the "Phonograph," which was published and edited
by J. "W. Cary, G. E. Farrer, Ingalls & Hobart, In continuation
of this, on the first of February, 1879, Henry F. Hobart started
the "Daily Free Press," a four-column folio, with Albert F.
Ayer as local reporter, merging in it also, later, the "Daily
Herald," of which in 1880 Otis H, Brand was editor and pro-
prietor.
In 1882 Mr. Cham Ingersoll again became the owner, editor
and publisher of the "Free Press," Mr. Ayer continuing as city
editor.
In the year 1903 Mr. M. C. Hanna, a Milwaukee newspaper
man, was admitted to partnership. In 1907, June 1, Inger-
soll and Hanna sold the paper to the Free Press Publishing
Company, M. C. Hanna, President and Editor; A. F. Ayer, Vice
THE PRESS OF BELOIT 637
President ; D. H. Foster, Secretary ; J. S. Hubbard, Treasurer.
With the new firm arrangement the capacity of the business of
the office was doubled and the circulation has been largely in-
creased. From the beginning this paper has been and still is
strongly Republican.
Another paper, of which no file has been preserved, was the
semi-weekly "Register," started by Mr. Ehrman and Mr. Le-
land in the spring of 1870. It was soon numbered among the
"lights that failed."
The "Graphic," an eight-page Democratic weekly, made its
appearance, January 13, 1877, with F. E. Fillmore and W. D.
Matthews as the editors and proprietors. Early in 1878 Mr.
Matthews withdrew from the paper and Mr. Fillmore continued
it until his death in December of that year. He was succeeded
in the proprietorship by 0. H. Brand and a Mr. C. B. Case, who
in August, 1879, sold his interest to Brand.
In the summer of 1879 Mr. Julius A. Truesdell became as-
sociated in the editorial work with Mr. Hobart, on the "Free
Press. ' ' Soon after Mr. Truesdell founded a weekly paper, called
"The Outlook." In May, 1883, Mr. F. F. Livermore became edi-
tor and proprietor of the "Outlook" and served as its editor
about three years. In or near 1886 a stock company was formed
to publish a successor to the "Outlook," a paper called the "Daily
Citizen," with Rev. Forest A. Marsh, pastor of the Baptist
church, as its editor. This was continued about two years, when
the plant was sold to a Mr. Wallace Brown. After conducting
the paper about one year he sold it to the firm of Metzger &
Reprogle. The latter soon after sold his interest to Metzger, who
then continued the paper under the name of the "Daily News."
January 1, 1897, D. B. Worthington, leaving a position on the
staff of the Chicago "Times-Herald," came to Beloit and took ac-
tive business and editorial management of the Beloit "Daily
News," then an afternoon newspaper. The "Daily News" for sev-
eral years had been conducted as a Democratic paper and the pre-
ponderance of Republicans in Beloit had made the paper's suc-
cess nnpossible. It had drifted into the hands of two young
men, who changed its name to the "Morning News," but the
paper survived that name only a few months. Just as it had
determined to go out of existence Mr. Worthington took hold
of the paper and restored its original name, made it an after-
638 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
noon instead of a morning newspaper and at first, Independent
in politics. A printer was associated with him in the venture,
but after two years Mr. Worthington secured for a partner Wal-
ter S. Goodland, now owner of the "Racine Times," who, ten
months later, sold his interest to Mr. Worthington. The latter 's
progressive, energetic policy resulted in the "Daily News" be-
coming a largely circulated, influential and prosperous paper,
Republican since the year 1900. He modernized the plant and
engaged extensively in high-grade color and half-tone printing
and owned the business alone until July 1, 1906; then T. C.
Hendley, a successful business man of Beloit, bought a half in-
terest and a stock company was formed under the name of the
"Daily News" Publishing Company. In 1907, this company
erected a building of its own on Fourth street, Beloit, costing
over $30,000, and added the latest types of presses and linotype
machines, making the plant as a whole one of the most com-
plete in AVisconsin. The circulation of the "Daily News" has
now, 1908, reached about 3,500. It is Republican in politics and
represents the so-called "progressive" wing of that party in the
state.
The Beloit College "Monthly" was established in 1853, and
first edited by J. A. Brewster, Alexander Kerr and H. L. Marsh.
The "Monthly" was published by a Publication Society, until
the winter of 1872, when that society was merged into the
Archaean Union. On September 18, 1875, the "Monthly
merged Avith the "Round Table," a journal founded by W. H.
Carr, Booth M, Malone and J. A. Truesdell, all members of the
class of 1877. The "Round Table" and "College Monthly" (as
the publication was from that time called in order to preserve
the name and prestige of the older journal), was published semi-
monthly under the new management. The next year the class
of 1877 arranged wnth the Archaean Society to assume the pub-
lication of the "Round Table," and the year following the man-
agement reverted to the society; the college magazine was
edited by their board of editors, and has been called ever since,
the "Round Table." It is published weekly during the college
year by the Archaean Union, as the organ of the students, alumni
and friends of Beloit College.
XXXI.
SMALLER CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS.
The histories of Janesville and Beloit have been separately
given. The smaller cities of Rock county are Clinton, Edgerton
and Evansville.
Clinton is the southeast township of the county and is known
as town 1, range 14, east, and is one of the very choicest gems
of the magnificent Badger state.
April 9, 1837, Deacon Chauncey Tuttle, Dr. Dennis Mills, Mil-
ton S. Warner and William S. Murray commenced a settlement
on the west side of Jefferson Prairie, within the present limits of
the town of Clinton. The first structure consisted of four crotches
set in the ground with poles thrown across and a brush heap for
a roof, sided up on three sides with Indian blankets. By a log
heap fire in front was cooked the first meal in Clinton. The floor
was made of a wagon box carefully taken to pieces and laid upon
the ground, and this served every purpose of a house for eight
days and nights. April 10 was spent in an examination of the
prairie and adjoining timber lands. A few sections were marked
and taken possession of in the name of the ''Jefferson Prairie
Company." The next business was to cut and haul logs, from
which a house 12x16 was soon constructed without the use of a
single foot of sawed lumber, which building afterwards served
as a shelter for many of Clinton's first settlers.
Charles Tuttle was soon dispatched to Rockford, the nearest
point where grain could be obtained. The horses were exchanged
for oxen and a breaking plow, and about one hundred acres were
were broken and crops of corn, potatoes, oats, buckwheat, turnips,
etc., were sown.
Ezekiel Brownell and Adaline Pratt were the first couple mar-
ried in the township, Joseph S. Pierce, justice of the peace, officiat-
ing. The nearest provision market at this time was Chicago,
where flour was from $10 to $12 per barrel and pork from $7 to
$10 per hundred. The journey was made in from two to three
weeks, according to the condition of the "sloughs."
639
640 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
Mrs. S. S. Downer, in the year 1838, gave birth to a daughter,
afterwards named Lucy, who was the first white child born here.
Mrs. Milton S. Warner was the mother of the second native born
child; also a daughter, named Charlotte, afterward the wife of
the late William B. Guild.
The first school taught in Clinton was by Miss Eliza Baker,
in the year 1843, at Willis' Corners, with an attendance of twenty
scholars.
Ole K. Knudson, or Natesta, father of Henry Natesta, was the
first of our many thrifty and early Norwegian settlers.
The town was organized in 1842 and was then nine miles
square, taking in what is now a part of Bradford and Turtle.
The first town meeting was held at the home of Charles Tuttle,
April 5, 1842. The early settlers deserve great credit for the
interest they took in school matters, and their example has ever
been followed by our people. At their first school meeting was
levied the initial public tax, and was for school purposes, to the
amount of $100.
Clinton has ever since then maintained a good school and has
been the institution from which very many have gone forth to
successfully battle with the ups and downs of life. At the present
time there is a large new school building, presided over by seven
able teachers, while in the outlying districts there are several so-
called district schools.
The Congregational Church, of Clinton, was organized March
30, 1858, with a membership of thirty-five. The ministers who
have served as pastors are: Rev. W. H. Bernard, Rev. P. F.
Warner, Rev. James Brewer, D. M. Breckenridge, Rev. G. F. Bron-
son. Rev. S. D. Peet, W. J. Clarke, F. N. Dexter and Rev. W. H.
Moore. The main church edifice was erected in 1860 at a cost of
some $2,000, besides the site and much labor given by Thomas
Tuttle. In 1867 the parsonage was built at a cost of some $1,800.
In 1871 the addition was built for a vestry, costing some $1,900.
The bell was purchased in 1876 for $300.
The Baptist Church. In August, 1838, Deacon Stephen Bar-
rett with his family moved here from Ohio, and John Lewis and
his family arrived here from the state of Pennsylvania, October
30, 1838. Deacon Abel F. Lewis, a licentiate, came to visit his
brother, John, and while here for a few days in November held
the first Baptist meeting in the place. In the spring of 1839
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 641
Brother Lewis again returned and services were held during the
summer. The first Sabbath in January Elder F. Topping held a
meeting at the home of Deacon S. Barrett, after which, for some
time, he preached here every other week. A goodly number of
additions to the church was the result. May, 1840, the meeting
was held at the home of Brother John Lewis, with Elder P. W.
Lake as moderator and Elder Topping as clerk. In the years
1849 and 1850 the old Baptist church was built at Clinton Corners,
but was moved here in 1857. This building was used by them
until the year 1867, when the present structure was erected, which
is a building 38x64, with a vestry in the rear which is 20x33, at
a cost of some $6,500. October 24, 1840, Elder F. Topping was
invited to preach half the time. July 3, 1843, Rev. Mr. Winchell
was secured for each alternate week. November 11, 1843, Rev.
Moses Pickett was called to preach every other week. September
7, 1844, he was re-engaged and remained two years. November
28, 1846, Elder Charles Button was engaged, remaining until 1849.
In 1850 M. W. Webster and M. B. True were the pastors. Rev.
Purrett was the pastor in 1856, S. Jones in 1857, E. B. Hatch from
1858 to 1865, C. M. Newell from 1865 to 1867, T. S. Mize from
1867 until his death in 1871, after which Rev. Taylor supplied the
pulpit for four months and AV. "W. Moore six months. Rev. H.
W. Stearns was the pastor from 1872 to 1878, Rev. C. C. Marston
from 1878 to 1881, Rev. H. A. Smith from 1882 to 1886, Rev. H.
Happen from 1886 to 1891, Rev. W. B. Stubbert from 1891 to
1896, and Rev. T. J. Parsons, ? ? ? ?
The Methodist Church. This church w^as organized at Sum-
merville in the fall of 1844. The members at the organization
were J. 0. Case and wife, Bennett Wooster and wife, and Peter
Losee. Elder Flanders was the preacher in charge ; Elder Stock-
ing was the presiding elder. In 1845 Harson Northrop and wife,
and H. Newell and wife settled here and united with them. The
present church edifice was erected in 1857, Rev. H. B. Crandall
being the preacher in charge. Rev. Thomas Eddy preached the
dedication sermon. Their present fine new parsonage was erected
in 1896 at a cost of some $3,000, under the efforts and great assist-
ance of the pastor, Rev. W. P. Leek.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church. On the first Mon-
day in 1880 Rev. F. Buhring came and preached the first German
Lutheran sermon in Clinton, in the home of F. Mix, near the
642 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
depot. After having preached for a time at different private
houses the attendants of the services had become so numerous that
they were forced to build a church. A lot on the hill was bought
and a little church 24x40 was erected and, on July 16, 1882,
dedicated. The congregation was organized by Rev. F. Buhring
in 1883 with sixteen members. Everything went smoothly until
1886. In 1886 Rev. F. Buhring received a call from Minnesota
and accepted. For a short time the congregation was without a
minister. A call was sent to Rev. Emil Base, who accepted, and
July 25, 1886, he was duly installed by Rev. J, Sehlerf, of Janes-
ville. The church building became too small, and in 1887 it was
rebuilt. In 1891 Rev. Base was called away to Mayville, "Wis.,
and Rev. H. Rohrs, from Hilbert, AYis., became his successor.
The Holy Catholic Church, of Clinton, was established under
the supervision of the diocese of Milwaukee in the fall of 1844.
Very Rev. Martin Kundig, from Milwaukee, attended for two
years; Rev. Peter John Fonder, of Burlington, two years; since
which time the fathers from Janesville, Geneva, and most of the
time from Beloit, have looked after the spiritual affairs to a con-
siderable extent in the southeastern part of the town, where they
have a neat church building. At times they have had nearly
three hundred communicants ; but of late years, the families hav-
ing become scattered, services have been held there but irregu-
larly.
The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in the Town of Clin-
ton. According to the history of Rev. 0. J. Hatlestad the congre-
gation was organized by the Rev. 0. Andrewson, and the time of
organization is given in a historic sketch left by Rev. Andrew-
son, as the summer of 1849, at the house of Even Larsen. The
records of the first meeting have unfortunately been lost. For
about six years the congregation was without a permanent pastor,
but was served partly by Rev. 0. Andrewson and partly by Rev.
O. J. Hatlestad. In 1851, at a meeting held at Cedarville, 111,,
September 18-24, it participated by regularly elected delegates
in the formation of "The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North-
ern Illinois." In the month of August, 1855, a meeting was held
in the log meeting house, near the residence of A. K. Natestad,
for the purpose of calling a permanent pastor. This meeting re-
sulted in a unanimous vote to extend a call to the Rev. 0. Andrew-
son, which he accepted and became the settled pastor of the
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 643
church in the spring of 1856. According to resolutions passed at
a meeting held April 7, 1858, a church building was erected during
the summer of this year, costing about $1,700. In 1860 the con-
gregation participated in the formation of the Scandinavian
Augustana Synod, which was organized at the old frame church
at Bergen Postoffice, Wis., at a meeting held there June 5-12.
This meeting consisted of six Norwegian and sixteen Swedish
pastors and fourteen congregational delegates. The congrega-
tion remained in connection with this synod until 1870, when the
Norwegians separated from the Swedes and formed the Nor-
wegian Augustana Synod at a meeting also held at the old church
at Bergen Postoffice, October 5-12. This connection was continued
until the synod in 1890 was merged in the United Norwegian
Lutheran Church of America. On the 22d of March, 1892, the
Antimissourian congregation and the Conference congregation,
agreeably to earlier resolutions, formally joined the Evangelical
Lutheran congregation in the town of Clinton, Rock county, Wis.,
and since that time the church has been one of the strongest in
the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Secret Societies.
This has ever been a great place for secret and benevolent
organizations, all the old and many of the new orders having re-
ceived a hearty welcome.
Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 135, A. F. & A. M., was organized
under a dispensation dated May 24, 1862, and its charter bears the
date of June 11, 1862. The place of meeting was then at Shopiere.
The lodge was removed to Clinton in 1867, since which time it has
thrived and now has a large membership, a fine hall, etc.
The I. 0. 0. F. order was first organized at Johnstown Center,
July 21, 1851, and ran until 1867, when, on account of so many
of its members having gone to the war, its charter was surren-
dered. In March, 1868, it was removed to this place and re-
organized, meeting the first time at W. H. Cornwell's.
The Clinton Grange, P. of H., No. 38, was organized in Novem-
ber, 1872, Milton S. Warner being the first worthy master, with
eleven charter members. C. M. Treat was worthy master from
1872 to 1875, when E. J. Carpenter was elected to that office. For
some years it was a strong order and had for its members a great
number of our best citizens ; but was finally given up.
644 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
The Patrons of Industry was another farmers' organization
which once had a strong hold, but which also went peacefully to
sleep and is now in sweet repose.
The Knights of Honor, a fraternal insurance organization, was
chartered October 4, 1877, with eighteen members, which grew to
about ninety, and it still has an organization here.
The Knights of the Globe, another fraternal insurance society,
has been running for some months and has a good membership.
Adelphia Camp, 374, M. W. A., was organized July 21, 1887,
with thirteen charter members.
Home Forum, No. 504, is a like organization, which has a large
membership and also includes upon its roll many of our leading
citizens, the ladies included.
The Clinton Postoffice was established August 12, 1843, with
Stephen Perley as postmaster. On July 12, 1844, Griswold
Weaver succeeded him. August 16, 1849, John F. Gillman was
appointed to the position and on the 5th of September, in the same
year, Alonzo Richardson took the office. April 28, 1856, Thomas
Hunter was commissioned. March 6, 1857, the name was changed
to Ogden and Thomas Hunter was again commissioned. On
August 3, 1861, William H. Snyder was appointed, and on Jan-
uary 16, 1864, the name was changed back to Clinton, and Mr.
Snyder recommissioned. W. I. Hartshorn was appointed Febru-
ary 28, 1865, and Henry S. Wooster March 15, 1868. He it was
who separated the office from other places of business and con-
ducted its affairs, with the assistance of the late Hon. D. G.
Cheever and ye editor until April, 1877, when James Irish was
appointed. H. N. Cronkrite's commission was dated in April,
1886, and from April, 1890, to May, 1894, R. W. Cheever was post-
master. From then until April 1, of this year, J. E. B. Budlong
has held the position, he being succeeded by William A. Mayhew.
There was also an office started at Summerville upon the same
date as this one, with William Stewart as postmaster. He was
succeeded by R. P. Willard, January 11, 1850. This office was
discontinued and blended with the Clinton office on March 6,
1857.
The office "Bergen" was started on the state line, four miles
south of the village, in the summer of 1895, with C. K. Johnson
as the postmaster. At present Henry S. Anderson holds that
position.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 645
The first Norwegian settlement of Wisconsin, and the fourth
in the United States, was started in the southern portion of our
town by Ole Knudson Natesta, July 1, 1838, being the first Scan-
dinavian to come to the state, and this was also the beginning of
the settlement of Jefferson Prairie, now one of the most pleasant
and fertile gardens on earth. He was born in Vaegli, Norway,
December 24, 1807, and died here May 28, 1886. When he first
settled here there were but eight American settlers in the town-
ship. In the spring of 1839 his brother, Ansten, accompanied by
Thore Holgerson, Kittle, Christopher Newhouse, Erik Skavlem
and others, came, bought land and settled near Ole, where chil-
dren of theirs are, for the most part, still residing. In 1839 and
1844 quite a number of natives of Voss also came and settled here,
of whom K. B. Duxstad, who is still living, was one. Ansten K.
was born August 26, 1813, and died April 8, 1889.
The Newspapers of Clinton date back to April 6, 1861, upon
which date volume 1, No. 1 of the "Clinton Enterprise" was
issued by Hamilton and Turner. Next we find that in 1868 N. D.
Wright, of Delavan, with Henry Coleman, as local editor, was
running a paper by the same name. October 14, 1871, B. F. Latta
and T. J. Allen started the "Clinton Gazette"; but none of these
long survived. November 12, 1874, Chet. M. Whitman and Curt.
M. Treat brought out the first number of the "Clinton Independ-
ent." In July, 1875, Curt, became sole proprietor and ran it
until November 15, 1878, when it was purchased by P. H. and H. S.
Swift ; after a few months Rev. C. C. Marston became its editor
and shortly afterward he was followed by Dr. Bowers. In 1882
W. C. Brown was the proprietor, but during that summer sold to
D. G. and R. W. Cheever and Dr. Covert. R. W. Cheever soon
afterward acquired the sole management and is its present pub-
lisher and proprietor.
"The Rock County Banner" was started by Mrs. L. S. Wilcox
in 1887 as an organ of the W. C. T. U., ever since which time she
has largely shaped its course, although its ownership and politics
have met with numerous changes.
"The American Antiquarian," a magazine founded by Rev.
S. D. Peet, of Chicago, was published here for several years.
Village of Clinton. Upon August 19, 1881, a notice was pre-
pared and posted to the effect that a petition was to be presented
to the circuit court asking that the village be incorporated. This
646 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
was signed by H. S. Wooster, F. A. Ames, P. D. Dickerman, C. P.
Drake and F. P. Wallis. The petition included, via of description.
Commencing at the southeast corner of section 8 and running
north % mile, thence west i/4 mile, thence north ^/^ mile, thence
west y^ mile, then south % mile, thence east % mile, to place of
starting, continuing 320 acres and being in section 8, township 1
north, range 14, east. Population at that time being 931. Said
petition being signed by F. A. Ames, P. D. Dickerman, C. P.
Drake, Whitfield and Kennedy, 0. L. Woodward, T. Babeock, E.
S. Smith, F. P. Wallis and E. W. Jerman. Upon December 13,
1881, Judge H. S. Conger ordered an election to be held upon the
question and appointed J. W. Jones, John Hammond and William.
Edwards as inspectors of said election. This election was held at
Union Hall, on the 21st day of January, A. D. 1882. The whole
number of votes cast was 186, of which number 119 were yes and
67 no. The first election for village officers was held February
25, 1882.
Manufactures. Although Clinton has alwaj^s been a stri(jtly
farming community, and as such has no superior on earth, yet it
has had some factories w^hich have helped to give it notoriety
abroad.
The Wallis Carriage Company, which was started here by F. P.
Wallis, in the spring of 1869, was one of these. Large buildings
were erected and for a number of years the business thrived. At
times as many as thirty-four hands were employed, turning out a
complete carriage daily, and no better class of work could be
found than was produced by them; but new and improved ma-
chinery, less honest work and sharper competition by other con-
cerns, made it necessary for them to have more capital, and, in
1885, a stock company was formed and the factory was removed
to La Crosse.
The Clinton Steam Flouring Mill was erected in the summer
of 1875 at a cost of some $25,000. There was then much experi-
menting and numerous changing of costly machinery; but they
finally succeeded in building up a reputation for a first class
product. About fifteen hands were given employment and some
$50,000 was invested in the business ; but this was not sufficient to
compete with the greater concerns which were located nearer the
wheat fields, and they were crowded out and the mill was after-
ward sold to parties who moved it to Freeport.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 647
Cooper Shop. Barrels were manufactured by the carload.
They also made vast numbers of cheese boxes and gave employ-
ment to some fifteen or twenty hands; but, in 1879, fire destroyed
the plant ; after which it was never rebuilt.
The Clinton Truck Factory is an institution which for a great
many years was managed by Hiram Cobb, now deceased. Some
years ago J. W. Hartshorn took hold of it and in 1887 a large
stone building was erected, new machinery put in, so as to make
of it a very neat, complete factory, from which are being con-
stantly turned out large numbers of fine new trucks, besides
which they do much of tlie repair work for the American Express
Company.
Banking. The first bank was started here by Captain J. F.
Cleghorn, and he was succeeded by 0. C. Gates. In 1882 The
Citizen's Bank of Clinton was incorporated and their fine bank
building was erected by C. P. Drake, P. D. Dickerman, William
Edwards, A. Woodard, Sr., R. M. Benson, George Wilcox, A. G.
Ransom, L. Downs, K. B. Duxstad, 0. R. Tillerson, J. C, Church,
George Covert, Artemus Smith and James MeNee, fully half of
whom have since passed away. It was managed by the three
first named until 1887, when A. Woodard purchased a controlling
interest and has since»then been its president. The present officers
are: A. Woodard, president; K. B. Duxstad, vice president; A.
Woodard, Jr., cashier, and H. A. Moehlenpah, assistant cashier.
Public School Buildings. In the early forties the first school
building was erected on the corner near where Mr. Robinson's
house now stands. After a few years this was not large enough
to accommodate all the scholars, and another one was built upon
the same lot. Early in the sixties the sight was changed and a
larger building was erected, and in after years was enlarged, but
served its purpose well for some thirty years. The cost of this
structure was some $3,500. In 1893 the present fine building was
erected at a cost of some $13,000, and is one of which any town
of our size might well feel proud.
The First Town Meeting was held at the home of Charles
Tuttle on April 5, 1842. The number of votes cast was fifty-nine.
William Stewart was elected chairman ; Heman ]\Iurray and
Jared II. Randall, side supervisors ; Henry Tuttle, clerk ; G.
Weaver, treasurer; L. R. Gilbert, assessor; R. P. Willard, col-
lector. Heman Murray was elected chairman the following year,
648 HISTORY OF EOCK COUN^TY
1843. In 1844 James Chamberlain, 98 votes east; 1854, Heman
Murray, 141 ballots ; 1846, William Stewart, 101 votes ; 1847, S. 0.
Slosson, 136 votes. In 1848, 112 votes were cast ; in 1860, 235 ; in
1867, 263; in 1870, 337; in 1874, 341, and in 1876, 376. At the
general election, held that fall, 464 votes were cast. That year
H. Pierce was chairman; J. F. Cleghorn, clerk; A. C. Voorhees,
treasurer; S. Conley, assessor.
Edgerton. This thriving little city of nearly three thousand
people is situated on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road, seventy-one miles west of Milwaukee and twenty-six
miles east of Madison. In 1853, Lucius M. Page and H. S. Swift
laid out the village north of the railroad and Adin J. and E. A,
Burdick on the south side.
The first frame house was built in 1853, by Ferdinand Davis,
who used it as a store and residence ; in 1853 two brick stores
were erected, and in 1857 H. S. Swift erected the ''Swift Block."
In the winter of 1853-54, Nelson Coon erected the first hotel
building and conducted it as the Exchange hotel. He sold this
in 1854 and built the United States Hotel. From this time for-
ward the village continued to grow and the number of buildings
increased in size and grandeur, until now there are many large
and well stocked stores, a modern hotel and large modern and
up-to-date residences, quite different from those of pioneer days.
Edgerton has a free public library, four churches, seven
church societies, five lodges, two banks, and modern schools, in-
cluding the graded departments of a high school whose grad-
uates are accepted at the Wisconsin University.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated in 1863,
and for a number of years, services were held in the school
house. In 1867 a brick building was purchased, 22x40, with a
seating capacity of 200, fitted up for church purposes, and since
then the society has been in a flourishing condition.
St. John's German Lutheran Church was organized in 1872,
with a membership of seventeen. This society has had a steady
growth, built a new church and is prosperous.
The other churches are the First Congregational and the
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.
The Church Societies are, Father Mathew's T. A. and B. So-
ciety, Ladies, Aid of the Norwegian Lutheran church, Ladies' Aid
of the M. E. Church, St. Rose Ladies' Society of St. Joseph's
ANDREW JKXSOX.
SMALLER CITIES AXD TOWNS Gi'J
Catholic Church, Young Ladies' Society of the Norwegian Luth-
eran Church, Young Ladies' Society of the German Lutheran
Church and the Young People's Society of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church,
Fraternal Societies. Fulton Lodge No. 69 F. and A. M. ; Ed-
gerton chapter No. 63; 0. E. S. Edgerton Lodge No. 135, I. 0.
0. F. ; H. S. Swift Post No. 137, G. A R. ; Modern Woodmen of
America, Edgerton Camp No. 440.
The First National Bank was incorporated Nov. 23, 1903, with
a capital of $25,000. George W. Doty, president; W, McChes-
ney, vice-president ; Wirt Wright, cashier.
The Tobacco Exchange Bank is the oldest bank in Edger-
ton, and was incorporated in 1897, with a capital of $50,000.
Andrew Jensen, president; W. S. Heddles, vice-president, and
(until his death in 1907), W. S. Brown was cashier. Very large
amounts of money, considering the size of the place, pass through
this bank every year because of the immense trade in cigar leaf
tobacco, which centers here.
Edgerton has an excellent local newspaper and also one of far
more than local reputation, the "Tobacco Reporter," edited and
published by F. W. Coon. This goes all over the United States
and across the ocean and is a recognized authority on the to-
bacco market.
It will doubtless surprise many nonresidents of Edgerton,
to learn of the extent to which the raising, purchasing and ex-
porting of tobacco is carried on in this place. Its fame as a
tobacco-raising locality has long since reached to states and
cities in the east, whose inhabitants, especially those engaged
in the business of manufacturing tobacco, were not slow to turn
their knowledge to good account, by the establishment of agencies
at this village, now city.
The "weed," which from time immemorial, has proved a
source of comfort and joy to the sons of men, was first grown
in Edgerton by Messrs. E. Hall and Robert Johnson, in 1853 ; but,
unaccustomed as they were to the growth of the plant, they
failed to save the crop and the mystery of growing and saving
tobacco successfully was left unsolved until a few years later,
when it was again essayed, this time with success, by Mr. Ralph
Pomeroy, who was an old Ohio grower.
Up to 1858, crops were planted and saved, but they were very
650 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
light, owing to the nou-existence of a market. That year gave
the budding industry a, bad "set back," the principal agent in
the work being the heavy frosts, which nipped the young plants
in the bud and turned the hearts of the owners thereof to gall
and wormwood.
The idea of growing tobacco having received a shock, no more
crops worthy of the name were put down until 1860, when some
five hundred cases (400 pounds to the case), were garnered,
which brought, in the ^Milwaukee and Chicago markets, from
four cents to six cents per pound. Tliis was encouraging and
soon the tobacco buyer Avas as much an institution in Edgerton
as the cotton buyer was in the southern states. From that time
to 1866, the amount of tobacco garnered gradually increased,
until it reached the then large amount of 2,000 cases.
The fame of the market at this place had reached by this
time to the cities of New York, Cincinnati, Hartford, and to other
places, and representatives of the leading houses were sent out to
learn its magnitude and the prospects of the longevity of the
interest, with the view of establishing agencies. Apparently they
were satisfied, for Messrs. Shohn & Ritzenstein of Ncav York, im-
mediately commissioned Mr. "William Pomeroy to purchase for
them. Very soon after that, Mr. W. P. Bently received instruc-
tions from Messrs. Joseph Meyer & Sons of New York, to act
for them, and he was followed by Mr. C. H. Wheeler, who had
authority from Messrs. Becker Bros., of Baltimore, Md., and
Rothschilds, Schrader & Eliel, of Chicago, to purchase all the to-
bacco they could get. Following him came Mr. W. W. Child,
who bought for Messrs. Wintermeyer & McCowan, of Hartford,
Conn.; and after him Mr. Thomas Hutson, was directed by
Schroder & Bond, of New York, to represent them in the leafy
field. The firm which he represented built the first tobacco house
in the village, in 1869, with a storing capacity of 2,500 cases.
Since this time other firms have erected large storehouses,
until now there are in Edgerton in the neighborhood of forty-
nine commodious brick buildings used for the storing and pack-
ing of this commodity.
The presence in 1870 of such a large number of agents, all
buyers for first-class houses, instigated the farmers of Edgerton
to put forth greater efforts in the tobacco-growing line than they
had ever before .attained, and, as a result, in the next year they
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWXS 651
gathered and sold 30,000 cases or an aggregate of 12,000,000
pounds, for which they received six cents per pound, or the enor-
mous sum of $720,000. Prices had been higher; for instance, in
1869 they had reached twelve and one-half cents per pound ; but
then there was only a small crop, not more than 20,000 cases.
But in the following year from fifteen to twenty cents per pound
was paid for a crop of 3,500 cases; in that year, as in 1869, the
crop was small, and that of Connecticut, the largest tobacco rais-
ing state, very poor. Another cause which militated very much
against the reception by the growers of high prices in 1871, was
the large quantity and poor quality raised. They outgeneraled
themselves, but since then, have had no special cause for com-
plaint.
The tobacco grown in the neighborhood is what is known to
the trade as cigar leaf, and in that class dealers and growers
now say that Wisconsin takes first rank as a tobacco growing
state.
Edgerton now (1908), is claimed to be the largest leaf to-
bacco market in the world. (See also the paper on "Rock
County and Tobacco," on page
PIONEERS OF EDGERTON.
By
Mrs. Charles R. Bentley.
As our country has been growing away from its early history
"The Dames" and "The Daughters" have been interesting them-
selves in preserving places of historic value and in keeping in the
memory many heroic deeds of our pioneer countrymen. The
women's clubs are doing much work along the same line, and
this evening we are assembled, in this same spirit, to take an
inventory of our possessions, past and present, in our home city
of Edgerton. It is fitting, then, that we pay tribute to the men
and women who braved the hardships and difficulties of a new
country in laying the foundation of our prosperous little city, I
take pleasure in bringing to mind, so far as I can, the pioneer
families of Edgerton and something of their manner of living in
pioneer days,
I find the first to settle within what is now our city limits was
William Bliven, wife and child, Thej^ came from Allegany
652 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
county, New York, in 1842, took up government land and built a
log house, in which they lived, in the extreme northeast corner of
our city. Mr. and ]\Irs. Bliven were Seventh Day Baptists. They
raised a large family amid hardships and privations, we may
believe. For water to drink they took a barrel on a stone-boat
drawn by oxen and went to Aden Burdick's (now known as the
Thomas Atwood farm). Water for washing and other purposes
they drew from Mud Lake, also with an ox team. Rather a slow
method of drawing water, even with a most speedy ox team, as
compared to turning a spicket.
In 1843 Mr. Arnold Collins came from New York with his wife
and five children. They took up government land and built the
first frame house — whose history you know. A son, Milo Collins,
is now a resident of our city. This family were also Seventh Day
Baptists. We believe it took seven days of religion to keep faith
and heart strong. Bread with pumpkin butter was not sufficient.
A man from the Emerald Isle, named Thomas Quigley, owned a
farm purchased from the government in 1843. It comprised the
land on which the railroad depot now stands.
In 1848 John Fassett came from Pennsylvania with his wife
and two sons, Sherman and Porter; Mr. Fassett 's brother, Schuy-
ler, accompanied them. By the way, this gentleman was the third
postmaster, and I am told that in those early days he found it
quite a task to keep his silk hat smooth, nor could he take a trolley
or limited express to Milwaukee to purchase a new one.
John Fassett was a practical man; he took up 160 acres of
government land, including that ground now sacred to many of
us because it is the resting place of our loved ones.
In 1842 Mr. Aden Burdick came from New York state and
bought a large tract of government land on which he made his
home with his wife and grown children. In 1851 his youngest son,
Austin, left the home farm and came with his bride and made a
home in a log house on the site that J. B. Tointon's house is now
on. This log cabin home was warmed in winter from logs burning
in an open fireplace in front of which the meals were cooked until
1852, the advent of a new method of cooking, when Austin Bur-
dick purchased an iron cook stove in Beloit.
For meat they caught fish in the streams or killed game, and
Christmas, 1851, Mr. Burdick killed three deer on the slope of the
hill behind the house Lew Towne lives in. He killed one by the
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 653
Catholic church later. We are proud to speak of Mr. and Mrs.
Burdick as the representative pioneer family, having lived longer
in close touch with the life and activities of Edgerton than any
couple the writer has knowledge of. The influence of pioneer life
was felt in their home. The cordial greeting, the true hospitality
shown to acquaintances as well as to friends, and I feel certain
that many strangers were made welcome to a "dish of tea." To
such pioneers much credit is due for all that has been best in the
social and business life of our city. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Burdick have
ever discouraged all that w-as low and degrading, while they
assisted and supported that which had a tendency to uplift and
ennoble character. Mrs. Burdick was one of our Monday Club's
charter members. To Mr. Burdick I am indebted for informa-
tion regarding pioneer life. I wall tell you a little story he told
me in regard to a little girl who came to his well for water when
he lived where Mr. AVilliam Clarke does. They drew water with
a pail hooked on to the end of a pole. As the girl lowered her
pail Mr. Burdick was frightened to see her disappear head fore-
most into the well. He called to some one passing to assist him in
getting her out, but what %vas his astonishment when he looked
into the well to see the girl, her pail full of sand, climbing out by
placing her hands in the crevices in the sides. She got her pail of
w^ater and, without a word, walked away with it to her home, a
block and a half distant. Such was the pluck of a fifteen-year-old
pioneer maiden.
In 1853 Daniel Coon, the first carpenter, came. His wife and
daughters were prominent members of the village society. At
this time, Robert Attlesey, then living in England, received a
letter from his father, who was living here, telling him of the
good prospects in this new country. Mr. Attlesey decided to try
his fortune here, and came as all did in those days, by sailing
vessel. He was eleven weeks and three days on the ocean, and
sixty-four out of twelve hundred passengers died on the voyage.
Roslyn Robinson came in 1853 also, with his wife and three
sons. Grant is a resident now.
Ferdinand Davis, who sold the first stock of goods, came at
this time. He had a wife and two sons, Percy and Evan, who
were sent to Milton College to complete their education begun in
the village schools. Mr. Davis and wife were from New Jersey.
In 1853 they went to California, where he died, leaving consider-
654 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
able wealth in silver mines. They were Seventh Day Baptist
people, as were our mayor's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Doty,
who came west in 1849. Mr. Doty owned a sawmill at Newville.
While living there in 1852 Mr. George Doty was born. They
moved to Edgerton in 1853. Mr. George and "Will Doty and a
sister in Janesville are all that are left of a large family.
Mr. William C. Banks came here in 1853, bought grain, and
returned in 1855 for Mrs. Banks. They built the house which she
has lived in ever since that time. Certainly she is one of a few
who have lived here for forty-eight consecutive years.
Mr. William Hall, who was the first postmaster as well as the
first photographer, came to Fulton Depot, now Edgerton, in 1853.
He built the building now owned and occupied by Mrs. Edwards.
William Hall had the postoffice in the front, a little store in the
back rooms, and the family lived in the rooms over. There Frank
Hall was born, with the distinction of being the first child born in
the village. Many came the winter of 1853-54, among them James
Hill, a carpenter, whose wife and three daughters were prominent
in society in later years.
James Corduer, a contractor and builder, 0. D. Peck, the first
depot agent, who lived with his -wife and son in the rooms over
the depot. Mr. John Ash came from Palmyra with Mr. Peck and
bought grain in partnership with him. I have been told that Mr.
Ash was the first baggage master, and I have also been told that
Mr. Welch was. Both these came when the railroad did. Mr.
and Mrs. Ash were English people, the parents of two of our
business men of that name.
Mr. and Mrs. James Finney came here from Janesville and
bought of Mr. Nelson Coon the hostelry on the south side of the
track and called it the Exchange Hotel. There many a weary
traveler was warmed and fed during the lifetime of Mr. and Mrs.
Finney. A daughter resides here, Mrs. Walter Crandell, also five
grandchildren. Mrs. Mortimer Carrier of the Culture Club is one
of these. Mr. and Mrs. Finney were English people, as were Mr.
and Mrs. Hutson, who moved to Edgerton from Indian Ford in
1854 and built the red brick part of the building we have known
so long as the U. S. House. Mr. Hutson did not expect to keep a
hotel, but the pressing need of accommodations in that line was
the reason of his entering that business, which he followed until
his death. Mr. and Mrs. Hutson 's family were grown young
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWXS 655
people when they came to Edgerton. The Railroad House, as
their hotel was called, was built the same year that Gilbert Ran-
dolph built the American House. He was from New Jersey, an
uncle of our citizen Z. II. Bowen. Gilbert Randolph came in
February, 1854, built the American House in the following sum-
mer and fall, sold it to Samuel Coon, who was the first occupant,
and returned to his native state, New Jersey.
Mr. H. S. Swift, of Wait's River, Vt., came to Edgerton in
the spring of 1854 with his wife and children. They had lived in
New York city just previous to the move to Wisconsin. Mr. and
Mrs. Swift thought it was not a good place to bring up a family
of boys, so they came to this new country. In all, they had four-
teen children; seven are living today. Nine of Mr. Swift's chil-
dren attended Albion Academy. Henry graduated from that
school, then went to Albany, N. Y., where he took a course in law.
On his return home in June he was asked to give an oration on
the Fourth of July, which he did. In a few weeks he went south
as first lieutenant to engage in the Civil War. In his very first
engagement, while acting as captain (his captain being absent),
he was shot through the heart, dying in about twenty minutes.
His remains were laid in Fassett's cemetery and a monument
erected to his memory. Our Grand Army post is named for him.
This family were bright, witty, genial, musical, good-hearted and
enterprising.
In the spring of 1854 the village blacksmith. Stiles Hakes, of
Fulton, moved to Fulton Depot. His wife, a fine cultured woman,
was a daughter of Deacon West. There w^ere two sons. David,
the elder, had a fine tenor voice, composed music, and gave
instructions in voice culture. Oscar, the younger, was in later
years a prominent attorney on the Pacific coast, where he became
circuit judge.
Mr. Hakes kept the first general store here, and for his clerk
hired the pioneer German, Christian Guishart by name. This
store has often been referred to by the pioneers. An old lady
told me she paid Mr. Hakes fifty cents a yard for unbleached
sheeting a yard wide, and as much for calico. But often this was
thought good enough for a Sunday gown. As to style, they were
so plain that they were never out of style. An old lady whom I
called upon in the morning arose from her chair so that I could
see the cut of her gown, and said: "This is the way they were
656 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
made then, in 1855, and I have made mine that way ever since."
She told me of the first lamp bought; it was at Mr. Croft's store.
He said, "Take one of these new lights home and try it." She
did so, but, fearing to put the glass chimney on the blaze, she did
not think the new light much of an improvement over the candle.
But that was long after our pioneers had used a rag in a saucer of
grease for a light, after which came the candle and little fluid
lamp in which they burned eamphine. When kerosene came into
market it sold for a dollar and twenty cents per gallon. This
year Dr. Slocum, the first resident physician, came with his wife.
He was a good doctor, but returned to the East after a few years'
residence here. Previous to his coming the people had called Dr.
Head from Albion, of Dr. Landers, of Fulton, when in need of a
physician.
There were many whom I have not time to so much as men-
tion, but there was a young boy who attended the village schools,
clerked in his father's store, and conducted himself in such a
manner that the people were proud of him, and prouder now that
he is a man. I refer to Albert Robinson, the son of Mrs. Alva
Child. When a young man he studied civil engineering, went
west with a surveying party for the Santa Fe railroad, was elected
third vice-president, then second and first, finally general man-
ager of the road, which position he resigned a few years ago to
take the presidency of the Mexican Central railroad, which
position he holds today.
I am indebted to Mr. C. H. Dickinson for an account of his
interesting journey from Lowville, N. Y., to Wisconsin. Time
does not permit me to give you but a sketch.
Mr. Dickinson had a perilous ride by stage from his home
town to Rome, where he took the ears and arrived in Janesville
on the 16th of November, 1854, coming by rail to Afton, the ter-
minus, and finished his journey by stage. Not being satisfied with
Janesville, he started for Watertown, and arrived at Forrest
House Station, now Wauwatosa, which was as far as he could go
by rail. He had engaged his seat in the stage for nest day when
he found an old friend and roommate, Mr. Series, who was going
to Fulton Depot. Mr. Dickinson decided to join his friend.
They arrived here at eleven o'clock a. m., took dinner at the
Finney House, and decided to go to Red Wing, Minn. But Mr.
Swift, in need of workmen to finish his house, prevailed upon
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWXS 657
them to remain and work for him, which they did that winter;
formed a partnership in the spring, known as Dickinson & Series,
wliich continued for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Series returned
to the P'ast. Mr. Dickinson married here and has lived just out
of the city limits for many years.
Mr. James Culton, by birth a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, was
a briekmaker in Janesville prior to 1851 ; he sold out his brick
business and went to California, where he made some money in
mining, and returned to his family in Janesville. He decided that
the bed of clay was better in Edgerton than in Janesville, and
bought land of Dr. Head, in all eighty acres, and started a brick-
yard on the south side of the tracks. A frame house was built
for the family to live in the first summer. This was underdrawn
with white cotton cloth, as was customary in California. The
brick house was built for the family to move into in the fall of
1855. It covers the same ground space as the block occupied by
Babcock & Birkermeyer's department store. Mr. Culton 's family
when he moved to Edgerton consisted of his wife, his son William
and daughter Nellie, also a woman named Bella Benton, who was
maid of all work in the family for twenty-seven years. Mr.
Culton had eight children, five of whom are living. Of these,
John and Charles Culton and Mrs. Charles Bentley are residents
of this city. A brother of Mrs. Culton 's lived with them when they
moved from Janesville, and he was in partnership with Mr. Culton
for a time. I refer to Mr. James Croft, who in 1858 bought of
Julius Burdick the house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh
Mclnnes. I am told the Croft and Culton houses were known for
their hospitality. Mr. Croft never thought of the trouble when
planning a party or doing something for the church, Mr. Mat-
thew Croft, Mrs. Mclnnes' father, was not a pioneer. He came
with his wife and two children in 1859 and lived in the house
with Mr. James Croft. His daughter, Mrs. Mclnnes, has lived
there ever since.
Many laborers came in 1855; Patrick Mooney and wife, John
Leary and wife, William Condon, and others. These men told me
they worked in Mr. Culton 's brickyard in summer and cut and
hauled wood for him in the winter, living in little houses on his
land, where the pottery buildings and brickyard are now. They
reminded me of a pleasant incident in their lives, for they, in
common with thirty or more laborers on the brickyard, were
658 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
served with a warm lunch at nine a. m. and three p. m. This con-
sisted of hot buttered soda biscuit and coffee, which they ate
under the shade of a tree in the days before Mr. Culton used
steam power.
Those who came after 1855 cannot be called pioneers, but as
there were many people prominent in the activities of the village,
I will mention some of them.
Mr. Charles Mailett came to Edgerton when a boy, in 1856,
from New York state, with his father, mother and a sister. His
father first engaged in the lumber business ; the sister married
George Williams, and died, leaving two daughters, ]\Irs. Harry
Son and Nellie Williams. Charles Mailett has been for many
years one of Edgerton 's staunch business men. His wife is the
honored president of the Monday Club.
In 1856 B. B, Sherman, wife and children, came to Edgerton.
Not finding a house for rent he bought the American House of
Sam Coon, and kept a public house for a short time ; but it was
not the business he wanted and he consequently sold to Lorenzo
Dearborn, and built the brick house on Albion street. Mr. and
Mrs. Sherman were Vermont people, but came from New York
state to Edgerton. They were the parents of Mrs. William H.
Pomeroy, and our sister club member, Mrs. James Pyre.
Ephreium Palmer and wife came in 1856 also, and, like most of
the pioneers, were from New York state. They were the parents
of Mrs. George Lusk, Mrs. Raselas Bardeen and Dr. Henry
Palmer, deceased, who was a most noted physician and surgeon
in southern Wisconsin. The Janesville Hospital is named for him.
Ephreium Palmer's daughter, Mrs. Bardeen, was the mother of
Chief Justice Bardeen, whose death two years ago the whole state
mourned. Judge Bardeen spent his youth on the farm where
Mrs. Jacobus now lives. Though not in the village the family
were a part of Edgerton society.
Dr. Lord was the first physician to remain here long. He
grew to manhood in the state of Maine, but lived in Iowa, where
he married previous to coming to Edgerton, in 1858. Most of
you know what a large practice he had in the village and country
— how he served his country in the Civil War, was sent to the
legislature, and died, leaving a son well equipped to fill his
father's place. He, too, laid down his life, as had his mother.
There are three sons living and five daughters are residents of
SMALLER CITIES AXD TOWNS 659
our city. Mrs. Charles Tallard, of the Twentieth Century Club,
is one.
The first to nurse the sick as a means of earning a living was
an English woman named Mrs. Reese. There was no drug store
until 1860, when Dr. Burdick built one on the site Phoenix Hall
now occupies. It appears that with the scarcity of medicine,
doctors and nurses, our pioneers were not only healthy, but peace-
able, for there was not much doing in the law business until
September, 1858, when our honored citizen, J. P. Towne, arrived.
He was a young unmarried man, who met and married his wife
here. Mrs. Towne was Miss Rosa Ford, a niece of "Elder Ford,"
as he was known, the first resident Baptist minister. Miss Ford
and her aunt were the first milliners, had their store in the front
corner of the building which has long been the home of Mrs.
Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards bought the property she now
occupies in 1859, of Elder James Rogers, a Seventh Day Baptist
minister.
Mr. E. H. Smith opened the first jewelry store in the building
west of Mr. Edwards in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were from
Massachusetts. Mr. Smith was in the Civil War, and returned
to Edgerton and his trade. For a number of years he has been
in the legal business — much of the time a police justice.
I might tell you, if I had time, how the first tin shop was on
wheels, Mr. Benjamin Hustler mending and selling from his
wagon; the first meat market, the same owned by Mr. Shintz;
how Mj. Harris Sylvia Gates and Mrs. Edwards tailored for the
gentlemen, and Mrs. Stephen Coon hung out a sign "Dress and
Mantua Maker," to attract the eye of the ladies.
I want to tell you before closing that our pioneers well under-
stood the philosophy of all work and no play, and society had a
place in their wholesome, industrious lives; that pleasures were
often helpful, as, for instance, when they went into the country
to a husking bee, apple-paring bee or to a friend's to a quilting
party. Small dancing parties they had at the houses. If at Roslyn
Robinson's the cook stove was moved out that they might dance
in the kitchen. When they met at 0. D. Peck's, Mrs. Peck not
quite willing to have a dance in her house, allowed them to dance
in the waiting room of the depot. For music they had two violins,
played by Charlie Robinson and Sherman Fassett. Then there
was the oft repeated surprise parties, the weekly house social for
660 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
the church, the spelling school and singing school, and there were
many good voices among them. Above all, they are to be envied
for the generous, informal, hospitable way in which they enter-
tained,
I cannot close without paying tribute to the pioneer mother,
who, in those rigorous days did the housework, mended the
clothes ; even wove the cloth oftentimes. She cared for the chil-
dren, nursed or assisted her neighbor in sickness, economized and
saved, giving of her splendid courage to her husband and those
about her. Some one has said "The Pilgrim mother meant quite
as much to America as the Pilgrim father." Who would question
this? These pioneer women meant no less. May we not believe
that Edgerton is a better place to live in and that the women of
Edgerton today are better women because of what the pioneer
mother was?
Evansville, which was a village until 1890, is now a thriving
city of 2,000 inhabitants with churches, schools and important
banking and manufacturing interests. It is located on the Chi-
cago & Northwestern railroad, about fifteen miles northwest of
Janesville. It was a temperance village and is a no-license city.
This city was first settled about June, 1839, by Hiram Griffith,
Boyd Phelps, Stephen Jones, Erastus Quivey and John Griffith,
who came from LaPorte, Ind., and made their first camp near
the large spring, on what is now known as the Coleman farm.
In the spring of 1840 came Jacob West and John T. Baker, fol-
lowed by Ira Jones, Edward Marsh, John Sale, and others
rapidly followed.
The first residence was built of logs, about eight rods south
of the building so long occupied as a shop by John Winston;
the second on the rise just north of where the Magee stone block
now stands; the third on the East side about where Mrs. Bar-
num Wilson's residence is.
The Central House was built by Henry Spencer in 1855, and
the store, occupied by W. J, Clark, the same season by John
Winston and sons Nelson and Reuben; it soon after passed into
the hands of Nelson Winston and I. M. Bennett.
When the time came for naming our little village, Spencer,
Spencerville ; Evans, Evansville, and other names were sug-
gested, but the name now used was finally chosen.
Dr. J. M. ^vans, Sr.. one of the early settlers of Rock
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 661
county, was born in Rutland county, Vt., February 12, 1819. At
the age of twenty he came west to La Porte, Ind., and there
learned the carpenter trade. In 1843 he began the study of
medicine and graduated three years later from the LaPorte
Medical College. In 1853 he was elected to the legislature of
Wisconsin and was again elected to the general asembly in 1873.
He served throughout the war with the 13th Wis. Inf. He was
one of the earliest physicians of Rock county, and it is in his
honor and in commemoration of his many services to the com-
munity that Evansville received its name.
Up to 1848 the principal center of business for the whole
country between Janesville and Madison was the village of
Union, three miles north of the present site of Evansville. In
that year, however, William Winston built and occupied the first
store in the place, which had then neither name nor postoffice.
Now all branches of business are represented and the stores
would do credit to a much larger place. The largest are the
Evansville Mercantile Association, founded about 1873, and the
Economy Department store. There is an excellent paper, "The
Enterprise" (including the "Tribune").
There are three hotels, the Central, the Commercial and the
Evansville House, east of the railroad. There are three banks.
The Bank of Evansville, incorporated in 1870 with a capital
stock of $25,000, has also a savings department and a large list
of depositors. President L. T. Pullen died in January, 1908. The
vice-president is A. C. Gray. The Farmers' and Merchants' State
Bank reports the capital stock paid in, $25,000. The Grange
bank, organized in 1897, was incorporated in 1902 with a capi-
tal of $10,000.
The principal manufacturing interest in Evansville is closely
associated with the name of Baker. A. S. Baker, the founder
of the Baker Manufacturing Company, was born in the year
1842, within one and one-half miles of Evansville; after receiv-
ing his education he learned the trade of blacksmithing, which
occupation he followed until 1861. After the breaking out of
the war he enlisted in the 2nd Wis. Inf., and served three years
in the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Gettysburg he
was hit by a minie ball, which he carried in his body nearly
twenty-six years, when it finally worked itself to the surface and
was extracted by Mr. Baker with his fingers. He returned to
662 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Evansville in 1864 and bought out the blacksmithing establish-
ment of Edmund Bemis, and continued this business for five
years. In 1869 he began the manufacture of carriages and ve-
hicles, buying out the establishment of the Bedford Buggy Co.
In 1873, with Levi Shaw, he began the manufacture of rotary
engines, wind mills and pumps, and established the business of
which the present large industry is the outgrowth.
That successful "Profit Sharing" company is described in a
separate paper (see page ...), but the following facts should
be added. Besides the profit sharing companies there mentioned,
ten other manufacturing firms in the United States are now fol-
lowing that method of working. Under the profit sharing prac-
tice the capital of the Baker Manufacturing company has in-
creased to nearly half a million dollars. The successive balance
sheets of the past nine years also show that the per cent of in-
crease, which the profit sharing feature has added to the regular
earnings of labor and capital annually, has been for each of these
years respectively 60 per cent, 82, 74, 98, 69, 25, 81, 120, and last
year just 100 per cent. The amount kept in the sinking fund,
now $36,261, provides for any unfavorable contingencies.
Mr. Baker has served acceptably for several years in our state
legislature, but has recently declined re-election. He is an active
leader in the Congregational church. March 23, 1865, he married
Miss Margaret Sayers. Of their three children the son, John,
is a prominent member of the company and one of the originat-
ors of that profit sharing feature.
Churches. The earliest was the Methodist Episcopal, organ-
ized in 1840, and erecting its first building in 1847. In 1846
Eev. Stephen Peet of Beloit organized here a church, called
then Union church. In 1855 this was re-organized as a Con-
gregational church, which at first met in the old Baptist church
building. Later a brick church was built and made their church
home until in recent years it has been built over into a beautiful
and commodious modern church edifice. The present member-
ship of the church is 150. The First Baptist : July 1, 1854, mem-
bers of this demomination, of Magnolia and Union, formed a
corporate body with headquarters at Evansville, where they met
and elected trustees. In the same year they built a frame church
and a few years later added a parsonage. They have now in
place of the qjd building a modern edifice of brick and stone.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 663
There is also a Free Baptist church with regular organization
and services. Another society is that of the Free Methodists.
Evansville Seminary, founded in 1855 by the M. E. church, was
transferred to the Free Baptists, and then, in 1879, came under
the care of the Free Methodists, who still conduct it. Besides a
Roman Catholic organization should be noted also St. John's
Episcopal church. On May 13, 1869, the first meeting was held
and trustees were elected. A building committee was appointed,
and December 21, 1869, they reported the completion of a
church edifice, erected on a lot purchased from Mrs. S. Brown.
That society has now become one of the leading churches.
Sschools. The first schoolhouse was built of logs and stood
a little north of the site of the new bank building. Among the
first school teachers were Amy Jones, Lucretia Chapel Lawson,
Maria Quivey, D. M. Rowley, Ebenezer Harvey and Levi Leonard.
Among the first postmasters were Curtis Bent, N. A. W. Howe,
Jacob West and Dr. J. M. Evans ; for four years James R. West
carried the mail by horseback three times each w^eek to Union.
In 1869 an eight-room building was erected, which furnished
ample accommodation for twenty years. The high school build-
ing was erected about fifteen years ago, at a cost of nearly
$11,000. The school, as now conducted, has some 375 pupils in
the several grades, occupying the old building, and 120 in the
high school department. In the basement of the newer build-
ing is the kindergarten department with two teachers, and there
are seventeen teachers in all, five being in the high school; there
is a scholars' reference library of some five hundred volumes,
besides those in the public library This school is on the
accredited list to all the leading colleges, and our state uni-
versity, and Principal Frank J. Lowth reports it as being in
excellent condition. The first class was graduated from the high
school in 1873, and one of its three members is now at the head
of the University of Wisconsin, President Van Hise.
Fraternal Orders. Among the fraternal organizations in
Evansville may be mentioned : Union Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M ;
Evansville Chapter No. 35, R. A. M. ; Columbia Chapter, 0. E, S. ;
Leota Lodge No. 116, L 0. 0. F. ; Union Rebekah Lodge 59 ; L. T.
Sutphen Post No. 41, G. A. R. ; W. R. C. of Evansville No. 28 ;
Major J. M. Evans Garrison No. 32, Knights of the Globe; Vir-
ginia Dare Garrison No. 8 ; Eminent Ladies, Knights of the
664 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Globe ; Knights of Pythias, Evansville Lodge No. 36 ; Evansville
Camp No. 351, M. W. A. ; Glen Camp No. 710, Eoyal Neighbors.
Library. The Eager Free Public Library was a gift to the
city from Almeron Eager, a pioneer and honored citizen, who
died in October, 1902. By wHl he left $10,000 for a library, the
city furnishing the site and expense of maintenance. The new
building, which cost $13,000, was dedicated June 9, 1908, and
the extra $3,000 of cost was paid by his heirs. The building
itself is an architectural gem, and the interior main library room
contains a bronze statue of Mr. Eager, a little larger than life
size, and a plaster bust of Professor Searing, a graduate of Milton
college, who in an early day had a select school in the village
of Union, and later became state superintendent of schools. The
library has already (1908) about four thousand volumes.
The Baker Manufacturing and Profit Sharing Company of
Evansville, Wis.
AYhile the industrial world of America and England is yet
troubled with conflicts between capital and labor it should not be
forgotten that there are certain happy spots where such opposing
conditions have been changed to a condition of permanent peace
and harmony. The secret of this change has been the adoption
of the principle of profit-sharing.
In the year 1889 Albert Dolge, of Dolgeville, N. Y., published
in the Chicago "Morning News" his conviction that manufac-
turers would eventually make all their employees partners in the
business. In his own establishment for making piano felts and
felt shoes he worked this idea into practical form and gave his
workmen not only a share in the profits, but also a pension fund,
which provided for their old age. At the present time (1908)
this principle appears in the share-holding system of the National
Biscuit Company; the United States Steel Corporation adopted
it in the year 1900, and the American Eadiator Company, about
1906. April 4, 1908, the New Jersey School Furniture Company
divided among its seventy-four employes $8,400 profits, having
begun this profit-sharing with them five years ago.
A notable example of this new principle and practice is found
here in Eoek county in the Baker Manufacturing Company, of
Evansville. This company was organized in April, 1873, as the
firm of A. S. Baker & Co., to manufacture wind mills and iron
SOLO .M ox C. CAUR.
SMALLER CITIES AXD TOWNS 665
pumps. In 1876 the total amount of cash invested was $12,000.
January 1, 1879, the net assets were found to be over $20,000
and in February, 1879, the business was incorporated as the
Baker Manufacturing Company, the capital of $20,000, consisting
of 200 shares of $100 each. March 15. 1883, the capital was
increased to $100,000, M. V. Pratt buying $10,000 worth of the
new stock at par and being made vice president. At the annual
meeting, held January 12, 1891, there was declared a dividend
of 1 per cent on the capital of the company, the first dividend
ever declared, because previously the profits had all been applied
to the extension of the business. January 16, 1892, it was voted
to offer thirty shares of the stock to the employes as an invest-
ment. On January 31, 1898, a special dividend of 10 per cent
was made in addition to the regular 6 per cent dividend on 1,000
shares, which had been paid each year since 1892; also a divi-
dend of 6 per cent on the $7,750 invested in the electric plant,
which supplied city light. This part was afterwards purchased
by the city.
The subject of profit-sharing having been considered for sev-
eral years, at the annual meeting held January 31, 1899, a
committee, consisting of Allen S. Baker, John S. Baker, his son,
and C. J. Smith, was appointed to report a plan to an adjourned
meeting of the shareholders, which was held February 7, 1899.
At that meeting the plan reported was approved by a vote of
653 to 321 (finally adopted February 24, 1899), and it was
unanimously decided to pay each man, who had been in the com-
pany's employ during the past year, 10 per cent, in cash, of the
wages earned by each for that year, including salaried men.
On February 24, 1899, at a special meeting of the share-
holders it was voted to increase the capital stock to $300,000 — of
which $200,000 (2,000 shares of $100 each) was to be called
''preferred," fully paid up stock, and $100,000 (1,000 shares)
was to be known as "common" and issued in profit sharing, to
capital and labor in proportion to the earnings of each — the
earnings of capital to be 5 per cent on the preferred stock and
the earnings of labor being the amount earned by each employee
in day wages or salaries during each year. At the beginning of
each year an inventory was to be taken showing all assets and
liabilities, and the net amount that the assets exceeded the lia-
bilities was to be the net gain or profit of the preceding year's
666 HISTOEY OF KOCK COUXTY
business — 10 per cent of which to be set aside as a sinking fund,
and the balance to be divided in profit sharing — 15 per cent
to be paid in cash and 85 per cent in the common stock of the
company, no one to participate in profit sharing before being
in the company's employ two years. This plan of profit sharing
was unanimously adopted. This increase of capital gave to each
shareholder two shares of preferred stock for every one pre-
viously owned.
On January 30, 1900, there was divided among the preferred
shareholders $5,712.56 of surplus that remained in assets after
fully paying up the $200,000 in preferred stock, and there was
sold at auction the share purchased of M. V. Pratt (now doubled).
A. Eager being the highest bidder, purchased this stock for $24:0.
After dividing this surplus there was found to be in net earn-
ings for the previous year $22,477.18 — 10 per cent of which was
paid into the sinking fund, $3,032.58 was paid in cash and $17,-
196.89 in common stock — in profit-sharing. This increased the
earnings of capital and labor 60.3169 per cent for the year
1899. The total assets of the company on January 1, 1901, was
$257,043.66 and the total liabilities $219,757.75, making a net
gain of $37,285.91 during the year 1900 — 10 per cent, of which
was paid into the sinking fund ; $4,915.41 was paid in cash and
$27,853.93 in common stock in profit-sharing, leaving surplus
balance of $787.98. This division of profits increased the earn-
ings of the preferred stock and labor 82.7 per cent for the year
1900.
The plan as amended January 26, 1904, arranged the
division of profits between the preferred stock and labor in pro-
portion to the earnings of each, as follows:
First. The earnings of the preferred stock shall be a dividend
of 5 per cent per annum, which shall be paid quarterly in advance.
Second. The earnings of hour and piece labor shall be the
product of the total number of hours employed during any year
by the price fijsed for such labor per hour. This is not to exclude
piece work, but persons working by the piece shall be credited in
profit sharing only with the amounts they would have earned in
the same time at a fixed price per hour.
Third. The earnings of salaried labor shall be the total
amount paid in salaries during any year.
The fixing of all wages and salaries, and the hiring and dis-
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 66ri
charging of employees shall be done by the general manager,
superintendent or by such other officer as the company may
designate.
AU hour and piece work wages shall be paid weekly, and
all salaries at the close of each month.
To determine the net profit, an inventory shall be taken
January 1 of each year of all assets, including sinking fund, but
no accrued interest; and of all liabilities, including preferred
stock, common stock, amounts credited toward the purchase of
common stock and sinking fund. The net profit or loss shall
be the difference between the assets and liabilities.
The net profit of each year shall be used as follows :
First. To pay a dividend, not to exceed 5 per cent on the
common stock and on amounts credited toward the purchase of
common stock.
Second. Ten per cent of the amount remaining shall be paid
into a sinking fund which will be invested in bonds and other
securities easily converted into cash. The said sinking fund shall
become a part of the business only in case at a net loss and shall
not be used to enlarge the business. Interest accruing thereon
shall be considered as part of the regular income of the com-
pany and not added to the sinking fund.
Third. The remainder of the net profit shall be divided
between all the persons regularly employed in the manufacturing
business and the preferred stock in proportion to the recognized
earnings of each. Fifteen per cent of this division shall be paid
in cash and 85 per cent in the common stock of the company.
Should there be a net loss in any year's business there shall
be no dividend on the common stock or on amounts accredited
toward the same, no profit sharing and an amount equal to the
loss shall be drawn from the sinking fund to restore it. In case
the sinking fund is not sufficient to pay the loss there shall be
no profit sharing until the loss in excess of the sinking fund is
fully restored.
Any person who shall have been in the regular employ of
the company for 4,500 hours during 100 consecutive weeks shall
thereupon begin in participation in profit sharing, provided
he does not quit the employ of the company, or is not discharged
prior to January 1 of any year.
When there shall be an amount due to any person entitled
668 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY)
to profit sharing, less than $100, it shall be entered to his credit
on the stub of the stock book, but the certificate attached thereto
shall not be made out or issued until amounts have been entered
to fully pay up a share. But after credits have been entered to
the amount of $75 or more, the balance may be paid in cash and
the share issued fully paid up. Should any person wish to dis-
pose of credits less than $75, the same must be referred to the
directors for their action.
The later annual reports of the company have been regularly
published and need not be given here. They show continued
prosperity, harmonious relations between employers and em-
ployed and the mutual satisfaction of all concerned in the results.
VILLAGES.
The villages of Rock county are Afton, Avalon, Avon Center,
Cooksville, Emerald Grove, Footville, Fulton, Hanover, Indian
Ford, Johnstown, Johnstown Center. Koshkonong, Lima Center,
Magnolia, West Magnolia, Milton, Milton Junction, Orfordyille,
Rock Prairie, Shopiere, Spring Valley Corners, Stebbinsville
and Union.
Afton is a small village in the town of Rock, six miles south-
west of Janesville, at a junction of the Northwestern railroad
with the Milwaukee and St. Paul. It was first laid out in 1855
by Mr. Joseph Church. It has a water power and a grist mill,
built in 1872, a store, a creamery, with several shops, a school
and a neat Baptist church, built in 1861 at a cost of $2,000.
That church society was organized in 1856 with these twelve
members: Deacon Moses L. Burdick, Elizabeth Burdick, Josiah
and Mary Antisdell, Clark Antisdell and wife, Simon Antisdell,
William Blanchard and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Washburn and
Miss Nancy Church. The schoolhouse was built just north of the
village and school kept there as early as 1849. In late years the
old building has been replaced by a neat modern structure,
placed somewhat nearer the village center.
Avalon is a settlement in the town of Bradford, and a station
on the new short line of the Chicago. Milwaukee and St. Paul
railroad, about ten miles southeast of Janesville. It has a new,
two-story schoolhouse and a store, and is surrounded by a fine
farming community.
Avon Center, a village on Sugar river, is located on section
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 669
20, of the township of Avon. It is sixteen miles west of Beloit
and six miles southeast of Broadhead, from which latter place its
mail is brought.
Cooksville, a village of about 135 persons, is located on section
6, in the town of Porter, ten miles west of Edgerton and about
seven northeast of Evansville. It was laid out in 1842 by John
Cook, who purchased the west half of Section 6, and platted a
few acres, which he called by the above name. In this same
year he erected a sawmill on the "Bad Fish creek," and in 1844
sold out to John Shepard, who built a grist mill. It was com-
pleted in 1847, and prior to its completion a room in it was used
as a meeting house by the Free Baptist Society.
The first store was opened by John D. Chambers in 1845 ; the
first postoffice was established in 1849 ; and one of the first doctors
was a Swede named Smedt. The church has always been repre-
sented here, the Methodists establishing a circuit in 1847, and
about the year 1860 the Congregationalists established a church.
Emerald Grove is located in section 6, Bradford township,
seven miles east of Janesville. In the early days is contained a
postoffice, one tavern, a Congregational church, one blacksmith
shop, one store, a schoolhouse and fifteen dwellings. It has not
changed much in the past sixty years, and has now a population
of about 130. Its mails are received by free delivery from
Janesville.
Footville, in Plymouth township, is on section 5. It is a sta-
tion on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, about sixteen
miles north of Beloit, and was for a time the terminus of that
line. It was first located in June, 1845, by Mr. E. A. Foot, from
whom it derived its name. He was followed in the fall of that
year by Mr. E. F. Richards, and with two other persons, they
continued the inhabitants of this village until 1854, when the
Galena & Chicago Union, as the Chicago & Northwestern was
then called, became an established fact. Emigrants from the
eastern states and from other places began to arrive, and build-
ings were at once started and completed. "When the first train
of cars ran into the depot at "Bachelors Grove," as the town
was then called, on January 1, 1855, it met with a rousing recep-
tion from the inhabitants. Stores were opened as early as 1853,
and business was on the boom. "While this village has not in-
creased in population in the past fifty years, the business houses
670 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
and business methods have improved. They still have their
churches, and their schools, which are conducted on broader
and more modern lines than they were in "Ye olden time."
Fulton. Among the hills of the town of Fulton, on the banks
of Catfish creek, stands this little village of 168 souls. Edgerton,
which is located on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway,
is the nearest railroad point, about five miles away.
In 1846 Emanuel Corker came from Whitewater and erected
a frame house, and while living there, before immigration had
fairly started, commenced the erection of a grist mill. Not
long thereafter he was joined in his solitude by James Merwin,
Edward Hyland, Nelson Coon, David L. Mills and Silas Hanks.
About this time Henry M. Dickinson arrived, and a short time
after, opened the first store. And Nelson Coon erected a hotel,
which was conducted by Phillip Davault as the "Fulton house."
A Congregational church was organized in 1851, and services
have since been continued.
The first creamery in Rock county was established here in
1877, and made that year 38,000 pounds of butter.
The grist mill, which was built by Mr. Corker, passed into
the hands of "White Brothers, and was successfully conducted by
them for many years and, as the writer understands, is still in'
existence.
Hanover. In 1844, Mr. Joseph Hohensheldt, who had settled
here, located this village, which was not plotted till April 16,
1856, by John L. V. Thomas, and wife as proprietors. The post-
office was established this year, with Mr. William Ranny as post-
master. In 1857 the Milwaukee & Mississippi railroad, now the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, was built to this vil-
lage, and later was followed by the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad, which forms a junction with the St. Paul, called Han-
over Junction. Hanover is a thriving village on the Monroe
division of the St. Paul railroad, nine miles from Janesville, and
has stores, churches and schools.
Indian Ford. (By Mrs. D. E. Hopkins, December, 1907.) The
fording or crossing of Rock river by the Indians in early days
accounts for the name of this hamlet, while the name proper is
"Fulton Center," it being the center of Fulton township; in
early days, when politicians wrote the ticket, public meetings
were held at Fulton Center.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 671
The first wooden bridge across the river at this place was
built by private subscription in 1846. The bridge now spanning
Eock river at this place is a fine bent iron bridge, built in 1896.
at a cost of nearly $10,000, the county paying a certain per cent
of the cost. The dam was built in 1843; Dr. Guy Stoughton
securing a charter, built a dam and erected a sawmill on the
east bank of the river. Later he purchased a large new frame
building, owned by Henry Whitaker and AVilliam T. Hall, who
were engaged in the mercantile business at that time. The
new frame building, combined with the little sawmill, made the
first grist mill and was successfully run for years by Silas Hurd,
who owned a large tract of land east of the village. His son,
John C. Hurd, now lives on the old homestead east of the town.
On this east side mill site now stands a repair shop built by
John Call and owned by AYilliam Price.
The first hotel, a small red frame building, was built by
Serenius Elliott some time in the '40s. Later the building was
made a grand hotel by the erection of a large brick and stone
upright, containing the finest dance hall in the country. Among
its many landlords have been : Phillip Default, Fred True, Simon
Hurd, Mr. George Kellog, Charles Finney, the last being the
landlord for many years. Mr. Robert Johnson lived there as
postmaster and storekeeper until the building was finally aban-
doned, and it is now an old-time ruin. The site is now owned by
William Cox.
The first school was opened in 1842. The sehoolhouse for
many years was used for church and Sunday school entertain-
ments, funerals and all public meetings. In its stead now stands
a fine school building on the Milton road. The building is larger
and finer, but the school is smaller, because the population has
changed so much.
Among the early professional men were Dr. Howe, Dr.Land-
ers. Dr. Stoughton. On the west bank a large stone house was
built in 1852 by David Tidball. As soon as finished, the upper
story was rented by Nelson Finney. Mr. Tidball and family
occupied the lower story, and the basement was used for a shop.
On this foundation stands a frame store built by David McChes-
ney, and the store was run by his sons. Later George Lackner
bought the store and it was conducted by him for over sixteen
673 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
years. After his death, it passed into the hands of two brothers,
W. H. Cox and N. W. Cox. W. Cox now conducts the store.
About the year 1855 Erastus and Theodore Hopkins bought
the water right on the west side of the river and erected a saw-
mill. A third brother, Elijah Hopkins, coming from the east to
help build and run the sawmill after its completion. In 1862
the tobacco industry being favorable, they began the sawing of
tobacco lath, or lath for the purpose of stringing tobacco. This
mill was successfully managed by these brothers until 1864,
when it was burned to the ground. On this same location a flour-
ing mill was built in 1868 by David H. McChesney. The mill was
run by D. H. McChesny and sons for years. It is now an
electric light plant, which was put in by Captain Pliny Norcross,
from Janesville. The dynamo was first run by Mr. P. Berg,
whose home was in Fulton village. In 1880 the Good Templars'
hall was built on the west side. A lodge was organized in 1879,
holding meetings in the mill for the first year. In 1895 a co-
operative cheese factory, was built just east of Good Templars'
hall. It was run one year as a cheese factory, this was bought
out and became a butter factory, owned and run by Mr. Garlock,
later by Mr. Bullock, and at the present time (1908) by William
Hill.
Edwin Eodgers came here as a blacksmith in 1850. Eogers
& Hopkins were wagonmakers ; later a Mr. Bushoir worked with
Mr. Eodgers, doing the woodwork. Mr. Eodgers now lives at
Fort Atkinson, leaving this place in the spring of 1907, to reside
with his sister, one of the last living pioneers of this village.
W. T. Hall, of Beloit, and Levi Hiltz, of Indian Ford, are other
pioneers still alive. The names of Kimball, Crumb, Hutson, Sey-
mour, Hyett and Sherman Stone were familiar to all earlyday
people, but they have gone, one by one, the way of all the world.
This place has never had a church building; the town hall has
served for that purpose.
Johnstown. This is a small village, located in section 23, in
the township of Johnstown. It was established about the year
1839, when Messrs. Carter, Fletcher, Cammell and Hill, settled on
the location and built the first house. It now has a population of
138.
Johnstown Center. In 1837 Norman Smith made a claim at
the present site on land owned by Henry P. Johnson, and located
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 673
the village. It has now a population of 175 persons, with store,
church, blacksmith shop, etc.
Koshkonong. This is a small station on the Green Bay
division of the Chicago & Northwestern railway, near the north-
ern line of Rock county, in the town of Milton. It is five miles
north of Milton Junction and about two miles east of the lake,
from which it is named.
Lima Center, or as it was once called, ** Child's Station," is
situated on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, seven
miles east of Milton Junction. It was first located in 1853 by
Mr. N. A. Childs, who erected a house upon ground now occupied
by the village. He was also the postmaster, and with Mr. L. H.
Childs, built and occupied the first store. It is a village now of
230 persons, and has schools and churches.
Magnolia, in the township of Magnolia, is three miles west
from the railroad. It was located in 1843 by Joshua Dunbar,
Andree Cotter, Joseph Prentice, and a man named Jenkins, who
settled on the quarter sections of sections 14, 15, 22, 23, which
all four center in the town. They now have a population of over
200 persons, churches of diif erent denominations, and good schools
with a large attendance. The place had at one time a spring-
bed factory, which was established in 1877 by Osborn Howard,
and a sulky plow factory. The rest of the business consists of
blacksmith shop, hotel and stores, with a daily mail service from
Evansville.
Magnolia Station, formerly called Cainville, is a hamlet of
about sixty persons, on the Northwestern railroad, three miles
east of Magnolia. It owes its old name to Mr. S. J. Cain, who
was instrumental in securing a postoffice here in 1861. The
place now consists of a store, a schoolhouse, depot, warehouse
and a few dwellings.
Milton is one of the older villages in Rock county, and was
founded by Joseph Goodrich, who, in 1838, built the first house
of the village, which is still standing. He conceived the idea of
founding a village then, though the land still belonged to the
government, and he had only a squatter's claim. He proposed
to plot and dedicate a large public square and sell building lots
around it, giving lots to mechanics who would build shops thereon.
He solicited the co-operation of his neighbors, N. G. Storrs and
Peter McEwen, in the enterprise and in giving a portion of the
674 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
land for the square ; but they considered the scheme as wild
and visionary.
Mr. Goodrich thereupon purchased Mr. McEwen's claim to
the southeast quarter of section 27, for which he paid $60 in
goods from his pioneer store. On this quarter section he and
James Pierce (his hired man) laid out the public square of Milton.
The following spring, of 1840, Joseph Goodrich purchased the
land from the government, and on this quarter section the main
part of the village is situated. The original deeds for the lots
were all given by Mr. Goodrich, as is attested by the records of
Rock county. Mr. Goodrich also dedicated lands for school,
church and cemetery purposes. The Peter McEwan farm, on
section 34, adjoined the public square on the south, and on this
land, some village and church lots are now located.
The first postoffice was established in 1839. Mr. Joseph Good-
rich being the first postmaster, as well as the first store-keeper,
from whom most of the goods used by the inhabitants were pur-
chased. In the same year Mr. Goodrich opened the first tavern,
under the name of Milton House, which was always a temperance
house.
Milton is a thriving village with a population of about 1000^
persons, located eight miles northeast of Janesville, on the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. It has one bank, four
churches, fifteen societies, numerous stores, schools and the
famous Milton College, which is described in a separate paper
in the chapter on colleges.
Bank of Milton. This institution was incorporated in 1884,
with a capital of $15,000. B. H. AVells is now president. Dr.
A. S. Maxon, vice president, and P. M. Green, cashier. It does
a general banking business.
Congregational Church. A meeting was held at the log house
of Ansel Dickinson, August 16, 1838, and with Rev. William M.
Adams as moderator the above church was organized with nine
members. Up to 1842 services were held in private houses, and
it was called the Congregational Church of Du Lac; but in the
fall of that year a house of worship was constructed on the north-
east quarter of section 35, town of Milton, and it became known
as the First Congregational church of Rock county. The first
minister was Rev. David Smith, October, 1839 to 1841. The
building was moved to the site of the present church in the
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 675
■winter of 1845-46. It was replaced by a brick building, dedicated
in 1857 ; the present church edifice was dedicated June 4, 1893.
The church is now known as the First Congregational Church of
Milton. June 3, 1850, this half-acre lot was deeded to the church
society by Peter McEwan, who gave the village its name.
Methodist Church. In 1846 this church was organized with
nine members, by Rev. Matthew Bennett; services were held in
private homes for some years. In 1854 a meeting was held, and
it was decided to build a house of worship, which was finished
that year, at the cost of $1,500, Peter McEwan giving the site.
The church has had a large membership, which at times has
fallen off, only again to regain its lost strength. In 1884 the
church edifice was rebuilt in its present form, and in 1890 the
present parsonage was built.
Seventh Day Baptists. This church, which has a large repre-
sentation in Milton village and the town of Milton, held its first
meeting foi the purpose of organizing a society at the home of
Joseph Goodrich — in March, 1839. Articles of faith and a consti-
tution were later adopted and the church was organized Novem-
ber 12, 1840. There were then sixty members, who worshiped in
the private houses of Joseph Goodrich and Henry Crandall, and
still later in the academy, until 1852, when a church was erected
at a cost of $3,000 upon lots donated by Joseph Goodrich. This
has since been replaced by the large and beautiful modern struc-
ture which now adorns the public square. Rev. E. M. Dunn
served this church twenty years, and Rev, L. A. Platts, D. D.,
began his honorable pastorate July 1, 1896.
This society has made a wonderful growth since its first
organization, and many bright and brainy men have presided
over the congregation in the past seventy years. The church has
been a liberal supporter of Milton College.
Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. John's, was founded Febru-
ary 10, 1888, by Rev. H. Ohde, the Lutheran minister of White-
water, Wis. The present church edifice was dedicated in October,
1903.
Societies. Athletic Association, Milton College, Christian
Association, Milton College; Citizens' Association, A. D. Hamilton
Post No. 60, G. A. R. ; A. D. Hamilton Corps No. 4 ; Iduna Lyceum,
Milton College ; Du Lac Lodge No. 322, I. 0. 0. F. ; Star Juvenile
Temple, I. 0. G. T. ; Wideawake Lodge No. 3, I. 0. G. T. ; I. 0.
676 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Lodge No 103, D. of R. ; Milton Fire Protection Association;
Orophilian Lyceum, Milton College; Philomathian Society, JMil-
ton College ; What-So-Ever Circle, Kings ' Daughters ; W. C. T. U.
The first marriage ceremony performed in Rock county is said
to have been that which united James Murray and Margaret
McEwan, of this place, the officiating officer being Rev. David
Smith, pastor of the Congregational Church of Du Lac, as it was
then called.
Milton Junction. When, in 1858, the Chicago & Northwestern
railroad was built through the section of Rock county, where
Milton Junction now stands, crossing the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul railroad, forming a junction, the first attempt was
made to organize there a village, an effort which was later car-
ried to completion. It was in this year, 1858, that the first house
was built by Peter McAdams; it was called the "Bee Hive"
and stood where the Foster house now stands. In 1861 William
J. Morgan erected an eating house and hotel combined. He
sold an interest to his brother Thomas, in 1862, and together
they kept it till December 24, 1872, when it was destroyed by fire.
In the year following, 1873, they erected the building which is
now conducted as a hotel, and called the Morgan House.
The Morgans purchased, in 1862, from Silas H. Crandall
thirty-four acres of land, which w^as surveyed and platted into
village lots. There being then a fairly large representation in
the village, the government was petitioned for a postoffice, which
was granted, and the office established during this year. The
village now contains about 800 happy and prosperous people,
with good general stores, and banking facilities. The public
schools are good, and are attended by a large number of
students.
The Seventh Day Baptist Church was organized November
15, 1875, with about eighty members ; in 1877, the society built a
house of worship at a cost of $4,000 including the land. The
building had a seating capacity of 400, and a membership of
250, which has gradually grown. W. G. Hamilton, S. G. Burdick,
C S. Vincent, G. S. Larkin, James Pierce and H. B. Crandall
were the first trustees.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1867, with a
membership of twenty-five, and at the same time they erected a
church building at a cost of $3,600, capable of seating 250 persons.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 677
The first trustees were Joel Wood, Michael Miso, S. C. Carr,
R. J. Greenman, I. P. Morgan, Abraham Bullis, I. P. Bullis, S. A.
Kennedy, and G. T. Mackey. For many years the church was
supplied by the minister from the church at Milton.
The Seventh Day Baptist Church Society was incorporated
on November 6, 1869, and is still in existence.
Societies. Early in 1860 the Anti-Horsethief Association was
organized with the following charter members : Joseph Good-
rich, John Alexander, William Jones, M. W. Crumb, Milo Smith,
A. W. Smith, L. T. Rogers, P. J. Macomber, John McCubbin,
Perry Sweet, John Livingston, Daniel Brundige, Phillip Mar-
guart, R. Killam, Nicholas Mahoney, Albert Holmes and Alva
Jones. President, William Janes; John Alexander, vice presi-
dent ; L. T. Rogers, secretary ; Joseph Goodrich, treasurer. There
being 140 members, March 13, 1862,. the society reorganized to
conform to an act of the legislature approved April 11, 1861.
P. of 0. Du Lac Grange No. 72 was organized March 7, 1873,
with some twenty-seven members.
I. 0. 0. F., Milton Lodge No. 65, was organized January 19,
1871.
Sons of Temperance, Welcome Division No. 102, was organ-
ized March 22, 1875.
Ladies' Golden Star, I. of T., was organized June 5, 1878.
In 1861 Mr. J. P. Bullis started a carriage factory in a
blacksmith shop, and turned out in the course of a year ninety
carriages.
In 1869 J. C. Rogers erected a planing mill, which he con-
ducted till 1874, when he sold out to I. D. Tetsworth & Co., who
invested $20,000 in improvements, intending to run it as a feed
mill, but continued it as a planning mill and sash and door
factory.
Orfordville. This is a thriving village, located on the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, twelve miles west of Janesville.
It was first settled in 1850 by Isaac Wright, who located on a
farm south of the railroad. The village was laid out by Mr. J. T.
Dodge in 1855, and was incorporated from the town of Spring
Valley in 1900, and is now called Orford.
The first store was opened by Mr, Edwin Harrington, about
1855. Since then the town has grown, and in the place of one
678 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
store, there are several general stores, postoffice, restaurants, a
local telephone company, hotel buildings, one bank, and several
tobacco warehouses, besides schools and fraternal societies; and
two churches, Methodist and Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.
Rock Prairie. This is a small settlement in the town of
Harmony, about five miles east of Janesville. It is surrounded
by some of the richest farm land in the county.
Spring Valley Corners is a small settlement about four miles
northwest from Orfordville.
Stebbinsville. This settlement is located on the Catfish river,
in the town of Porter, near the north line of the county, and
about four miles northwest of the village of Fulton. It is almost
wholly a farming community.
Shopiere is a village of about 210 people, located in the town
of Turtle, one and one-quarter miles from Tiffany, a station
on the Chicago, & Northwestern railroad, and has a daily mail.
About 1840 a Mr. Hopkins laid out the village, and it was
christened Waterloo in consequence of a battle, which is de-
scribed in the history of Turtle. The first settler was Caleb E.
Culver, who came in 1839. The first house was built by Mr.
Culver, a log affair. Mr. Jared Eandall built the first frame
house in 1841, v/hich was followed in 1842 by a stone dwelling,
built by Mr. Culver. There are two churches, Methodist and
Congregational. That Congregational church which was organ-
ized in 1844 by Eev. Stephen Peet is still continued, and has forty-
seven member (1907). This village was the home of our Wis-
consin war governor, L. P. Harvey, who, with others, built a grist
mill here in 1849. It was after the buildmg of the mill that Mr.
Harvey gave the place its present name of Shopiere. The Shop-
iere cemetery was laid out in January, 1862, containing then
three and one-half acres. Soon after, Mr. Giles Fonda died, and
was the first person buried there. The first schoolhouse was
built in 1856. In 1879 a strong Temperance Society was formed,
called "The Eed and Blue." During the last thirty years, 1879
to 1908, Shopiere has lost about 200 inhabitants, but makes up
in quality what it lacks in quantity.
Union. This is a small country village in the town of Union,
four miles north of Evansville. In early days it was a place of
much more importance.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 679
TOWNS.
Eoek county is divided into twenty townships, named as
follows: Avon, Beloit, Bradford, Center, Clinton, Fulton, Har-
mony, Janesville, Johnstown, La Prairie, Lima, Magnolia, Milton,
Newark, Plymouth, Porter, Rock, Spring Valley, Turtle and
Union.
Avon, the southwest corner town of the county, comprises
within its limits the original surveyed township 1, north of
range 10 east, containing thirty-six sections of land, being thirty-
six square miles of territory. The south line of the town is the
boundary line between the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, the
base line, as it is termed, of the government surveys in this
section. The west line of the town is a part of the county line
between the counties. Green and Rock. North of Avon town-
ship is Spring Valley, east of it the town of Newark. Avon is
well watered, the Sugar river running clear across the town.
There are vast meadows of wild grass extending parallel with
the river. The other streams are, Taylor's creek and North
creek.
In the early days there was a large amount of timber, com-
prising oak openings, and a great deal of Burr oak, and there
is considerable timber yet in the town. The land is generally
very fertile, and the town is settled up with a superior class
of people. Among the early settlers, of whom we have record,
were : Joseph Kinny, Jr., Joseph Huntley, William Crippen, H.
Beates, W. F. Thompson, William Grimes, Joseph Watson, Cle-
ophus Holverson, Lars Simonson, Ingred Ingerbretson, Gunder
Holver, Gens Knudson, Peter Holverson and Andrew Armudson.
Many of the pioneers of this town were from Norway, and in a
beautiful valley in the northeast part of Avon, which they
called Luther Valley, they built a church in 1847, and a few
years later, laid out a village, calling it Bornitz. The Rev.
Claud Lars Clauson was the first pastor of the church, of which
a separate history is given elsewhere in this work.
All of that portion lying southwest of Sugar river was sur-
veyed by the general government during the year 1833 ; and the
balance in 1834. By an act of the territorial legislature, approved
February 11, 1847, Avon was set apart as a township and
named, and a ''town meeting" directed to be held on the first
G80 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Tuesday in April, 1848, at the house of William Crippen. The
principal village is Avon Center, with a population of 100 people,
that of the whole town being 740. The Avon ditch should be
noted as a successful effort to reclaim 3,200 acres of wet land.
Undertaken several years ago, and favorably reported on in
December, 1906, by the commissioners, Knute Stordock, John
Hyland and Leroy Stokes, the ditch is now, October 15, 1908,
completed. It is six miles long, starting in section 30, six rods
north of the state line, and traversing sections 31, 29, 32, 28, 33,
34 and 35 to the bank of Sugar river, in section 36. It has already
proved a success, and it is said to change the value of the land
reclaimed from $5 to about $100 per acre. The ditch is from
four to six feet deep, from twenty to thirty feet wide, and has
cost $18,000. It required the removal of 130,211 cubic yards of
earth.
Beloit Township. Established by an act of the legislature of
the territory of Wisconsin, February 17, 1842. At its organiza-
tion the town embraced an area equal to about four townships,
and included the territory of the present town of Newark, Beloit
and Turtle; to be exact, it composed within its limits, township
1, north of ranges, 10, 11, 12 and 13 east, except the two eastern
tiers of sections in township 1, north of range 13 east, and also
excepting north section in the third tier of the same township.
But to balance this loss, sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 31, 32 and
33, of township 2, north of range 13 east, were added to it, giving
it an irregular shape. Later it was reduced to its present terri-
tory, consisting of township 1, north of range 12 east, and con-
tains thirty-six sections of land; in a square block of thirty-six
square miles. It is the center one of the five townships forming
the southern tier of the county, and borders on the Illinois state
line. Rock river runs through it from the north, crossmg sec-
tions 1, 2, 11, 14, 23, 26, and 35, and adds a great charm to the
landscape. In its course through the county it opens up a pano-
rama of wooded slopes bordered with fringes of green and inter-
mingled with the homes of a proud and happy people — proud of
their homes and their county, and happy in the consciousness of
living amid such scenes of beauty and substantial prosperity.
Its population is 765.
The first settlement in this township was made in 1835 and
was in what is now the corporate limits of Beloit City ; from that
1{EV. LEWIS A. PLATTS.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 681
time on the settlement of the county was rapid, so that the farm-
ing land was nearly all taken up by 1838. So fast did the popu-
lation increase that they were soon face to face with the
proposition of an over-production of farm staples, "of which the
virgin soil yielded such immense crops," with no near by market
for the surplus products. This condition caused much incon-
venience to the pioneers, for while there was plenty to eat of the
coarser products, the many needed articles in daily use, which
must be purchased or bartered for, and the money necessary to
pay the various obligations which arise in daily life, were wholly
lacking. But happily, this condition did not last long, for with
the advent of the railroads came the many factories which line
the river and have added their busy hum to the bustle and activ-
ity of this prosperous community; the demand for the produce
increased, the market facilities broadened, and from that time
on the township has continued to prosper.
Bradford Township is situated in the southeastern part of the
county on its eastern boundary line, and was organized by act of
legislature approved February 2, 1846.
Previous to this date the south half of the present township
was included with Clinton and the north half in the township of
Janesville. As it is now it includes township 2, north of range
14 east.
The first settlement was made by Erastus Dean in 1836.
Some of the other early settlers were : Andrew McCullagh, Will-
iam C. Chase, James Winnegar, Joseph Maxon, William B.
Aldrich, C. Dykeman, William Wyman, L. S. Blockman and Alva
Blockman. There were many other pioneer settlers in Bradford,
but at this late day we have not been able to obtain their names.
At the present time the farms of this township are all under a
good cultivation and the improvements are modern and up-to-
date. A very small portion of the southwest corner of section 36
is traversed by the old Western Union (now the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul Railroad), but it has no railway station. This
township has two small villages — Emerald Grove, with about 130
inhabitants, with mail from Janesville, and Fairfield, with about
fifty souls and mail from Darien. Its population, according to
the state census of 1905, was 931.
Center. The town of Center is situated in the northwestern
portion of the county and was organized by act of legislature.
682 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
approved February 17, 1842. It included at first the present
town of Center and portions of Plymouth, Spring Valley, Mag-
nolia and Janesville west of Rock river. By an act approved
February 2, 1846, the town of Magnolia was set oE from it. Sub-
sequently other changes were made by the formation of new
towns, and its present limits are included in the territory known
as township 3, north of range 11 east. The first settlement in
the town was made by Andrew Stevens in October, 1843, at the
grove, called Black Oak Grove. At that time he had no neigh-
bors within ten miles west or five miles north. The following
persons settled in this town soon after: David Davis, Philander
Davis, William "Webb, "William Warren and Elijah Wood. The
first election was held at the house of James V. Knowlton. The
town at that time embraced some three and a half townships,
about nine miles wide from north to south, and extending from
Rock river on the east to Green county line on the west, nearly
eighteen miles.
The land of this town is rich and productive and under high
cultivation. The building improvements are generally of an
excellent character. The first church was organized in 1846 by
the Methodists. The next church organization was by the Bap-
tists, and in 1854 a Congregational society built a small chapel on
section 34.
"My first visit to this town," says a pioneer, "was in the
spring of 1843. At this early day political excitement ran high.
In the spring of 1844 the whole territory within the town was
thoroughly canvassed and every voter brought to the ground
except one (thirty-two in all). It being known how every man
had voted, there was found to be a tie vote for every office in
town. The last voter was then sent for, Anthony Partridge, who
came and voted, selecting names from the two tickets. Every
man for whom he voted was elected.
This township, has two lines of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad passing through it, and possesses also the village of
Center, with a population of 37 ; that of the town, according to
the state census of 1905, is 1,031.
Clinton. The town of Clinton was organized by act of the
territorial legislature, approved February 17, 1842, and com-
prised then the territory of the present town, the south half of
Bradford and portions of Turtle and La Prairie. By an act
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 683
approved March 23, 1843, five sections in the present town of
Turtle were annexed and made part of it. These boundaries were
subsequently changed and at present it comprises the whole of
township 1, north of range 14 east, being the southeastern town-
ship in the county.
The first settlements were made in the month of April, 1837,
on the west side of Jefferson Prairie. The first explorers were :
Dr. Dennis Mills, Milton S. Warner, Charles Tuttle and William
S. Murray. The land had not then been in the market. Selec-
tions of land were made and taken possession of in the name of
Jefferson Prairie Company. Soon after Stephen E. Downer and
Daniel Tasker and their wives visited the location and selected
claims on the southeast side of the prairie. In July, Oscar H.
Pratt and Franklin Mitchell, from Joliet, 111., made claims. The
settlers who came soon after were: Stacy L. Pratt, three sisters
and father, A. L, and Reuben P. Willard, Humphrey and Ezekiel
Brownell, Martin Moore and Henry W^heeler and their families.
Settlements were also made in October by H. L. Warner, Henry
Tuttle, Albert Tuttle, Griswold Weaver, Mrs. Milton S. Warner,
Mrs. D. Mills and Miss Harriet W^arner, who joined the settle-
ment on the west side of the prairie.
The first town meeting was held on the 5th day of April, 1842,
at the house of Charles Tuttle.
The farms of this town are well improved with good resi-
dences and outbuildings. It has two railroads, good schools and
churches, and the village of Clinton, containing 892 persons, with
a population in the whole town of 1,010. ,
Fulton. In the month of June, 1836, Robert and Daniel Stone
started from the state of Michigan to come to the territory of
Wisconsin. Continuing their course westward until they reached
the valley of the Rock river, they saw at a glance that the
stream, with its abundant water power, and the clean, smooth
prairies, with their rich soil, possessed advantages which needed
only the stalwart arms and resolute hearts of hardy men to
develop into excellent homes. They followed an Indian trail up
the river until they came to the mouth of the Yahara (Catfish),
where they made their claim and became the first settlers of the
town of Pulton. In 1837 they plowed the first furrow, broke
seven acres of land and planted it with beans and corn. The
seed corn cost them $5 a bushel. In the spring of 1838 they built
684 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
the first log house and were now ready to offer their hospitalities
to all who came. Eobert and Daniel Stone came from Parish-
ville, St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
In 1837 George E. Eamsay came from the state of Vermont to
Chicago, remained there for a time and worked upon the harbor ;
he then went to Milwaukee, from there to Eock river, and made
a claim in the town of Fulton. William B. Foster came in 1837
and located upon the river in the south part of the town. His
place became a prominent landmark in consequence of a ferry,
which he established and ran for a while, known as Foster's
ferry. Elijah True and family came in 1838, bought a part of
Foster's claim and settled upon it. Lyman Morse, George E.
Cowan, Silas Hurd, Anson Goodrich and William Squires settled
in 1838. Morse located upon the river at a point afterward
known as Morse's Landing and More's Prairie. Hurd and Cowan
settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Hurd.
Afterward they divided their property, and Cowan settled upon
More's Prairie, where he became closely identified with the
organization and political interests of the town, and was its first
chairman of the board of supervisors. Goodrich located near the
foot of Lake Koshkonong, where he established and ran a ferry,
known as Goodrich's ferry, A bridge now occupies the site.
William M. Squires settled in the eastern part of the town, where
he was a friend to everybody, especially to old settlers. In 1841
Messrs. Gould and Young built the dam across the Yahara (Cat-
fish) and began to build a sawmill. He died and the property
was bought by Peck & Tripp, of Whitwater, who completed the
mill. Emanuel Canker bought out the interest of Tripp. The
firm of Canker & Peck commenced preparations to build a grist
mill, which they completed in 1846. The mill, after passing
through various hands, became the property of White Brothers.
George E. Cowan and Mary Ward were married in 1840 at
the house of Silas Hurd, that being the first marriage in town.
In 1840 death claimed its first victim in the person of Mrs. Proc-
tor, who died in the house of Cloudin Stoughton and was buried
on his farm. The first child was born in 1839. The first school
was taught in a part of the house of William B. Foster in the
winter of 1841 by Dr. Eollin Head.
During the winter of 1843 the settlers met at the house of
Lyman Morse, drew up and signed a petition asking the legis-
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 685
lature to organize their town, to be called Franklin. There being
another town by that name, they changed it to Fulton and passed
the act of organization March 21, 1843. The first Tuesday in
April, 1843, the voters of the town (some twenty in number) met
at the house of William B. Foster and held their meeting, elect-
ing George B. Cowan, chairman; Elijah True and Cloudin
Stoughton, supervisors; R. T. Powell, town clerk; Lyman Morse,
treasurer; William White, assessor; R. T. Powell, George R.
Ramsay and Mr. Holman, school commissioners, and David Kelly
and Thomas Vaughn, justices of peace.
Dr. Guy Stoughton, owning land on the river at the foot of
Lake Koshkongong, believing that the fall was sufficient to make
a good water power, contracted with Mr. Hanchett, of Beloit, in
the spring of 1845 to build a dam. The dam was completed dur-
ing that year and a sawmill built, which was run for several
years and then converted into a grist mill. The first bridge
across the river was at Indian Ford ; it was built in 1845 by pri-
vate subscription, Stephen Allen, builder. In 1848 the Mil-
waukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad was built through the town.
The brothers Pomeroy from the state of Ohio settled in the
town and first commenced the culture of tobacco, with which
they were familiar. The soil being adapted to its growth, tobacco
growing spread until it has become one of the most important
interests. (Fulton raises more tobacco and sugar beets than any
other town in Rock county, except Porter; in 1907, 911 acres of
tobacco and 135 of beets; in 1908, 781 acres tobacco and 174 of
beets.)
Among the leading farmers of the town were : Robert Stone,
Silas Hurd, Orrin Pomeroy, L. H. Page, Orson Cox, James S.
Hopkins and James Van Etta, each cultivating several hundred
acres of land.
In order not to impoverish their lands the farmers have gone
largely into stock raising, and the bulk of their coarse grain is
fed out upon their farms. Beeves, horses, sheep and the products
of the dairy are all heavy items in the marketable proceeds of
the farm, and upon them a vast amount of money is realized.
But tobacco is the crop for which Fulton is most distinguished.
Portions of the counties of Rock, Dane, Jefferson, Walworth and
Green comprise pretty much all of the stock-raising territory.
It can be readily seen that tobacco in this portion of the state is,
686 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
and is to be a leading product. It is found to mix admirably
with stock raising. Tobacco requires a rich soil and is considered
an exhaustive crop, but the stock raising makes up for the heavy-
draft upon the soil, and the farms, instead of losing in fertility,
are more than holding their own and have never been more
productive than now.
This town, having a population of 1,224, has within its cor-
porate limits three communities, the city of Edgerton being the
largest, with a population of 2,416, has immense tobacco work-
houses, and is said to be one of the greatest leaf tobacco markets
in the world. Indian Ford is next with a population of 212, and
Fulton with 168 people. The Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
traverses this township.
Harmony. This town was first settled by Mr. Daniel Richard-
son in 1837, he building a shanty on section 17, but soon after, in
company with Charles and Alexander Hart, located permanently
in section 24. They were soon followed by Arvah Cole, Jeremiah
Warner and Ansel Dickinson, who settled in the same neighbor-
hood. In the same year AVilliam and Joseph Spaulding also
began a settlement in section 17. They were followed a year or
two later by Phineas Arms and John N. Dean, who located in
that neighborhood. In 1840 Mr. John Turner became a resident,
and tells some funny stories about the pioneer settlement. One
of them is to the effect that Mrs. Dean, being on one occasion
very sick, her husband, one of the early settlers, called upon a
resident and asked him to go and bleed her. Mr. Turner, being
surprised at finding a surgeon in the person of his neighbor,
asked him how he was going to do it, and was informed, "With
a penknife." Mr. Turner placed his services and regular lancets
at Mr. Dean's disposal, who, it is needless to say, accepted them
in preference to the penknife.
In the early settlement of the town the residents were much
troubled with gophers, and upon one occasion a bargain was
made between Mr. Warner and Mr. Dean that the former should
abate the nuisance on the latter 's farm at one cent per head.
With bucket and water Warner succeeded in taking up to noon
on the first day about 220 gophers, upon seeing which Mr. Dean
broke the contract on the ground that Warner was making too
much money.
It was in those early days and in that neighborhood that
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 687
Judge Knowlton first conceived the idea of studying law, and it
happened in this way: Being a good axman and a generally
handy man, he was engaged to do a certain amount of carpenter-
ing, taking the lumber from the stump. A neighbor nearby, hav-
ing purchased some calves, turned them loose to forage for them-
selves. Mr. Knowlton on going for his coat at night to the bush
whereon he hung it, found that the calves had ruined it. He
went to the owner and demanded a monetary reparation of the
damage, which was refused, so he hurried off in search of Black-
stone. Professing to have discovered a legal authority, he re-
turned to the owner of the stock and, with more threats than
logic, frightened the unfortunate man into paying a good round
sum for his lost property. The study of law became a favorite
one with Mr. Knowlton after that.
In those primitive days neighbors living miles apart signaled
each other by the discharge of firearms and by lights hung aloft
on dark nights.
In this town is a very fine elevation known as Mount Zion.
It was called so by the clergymen who were journeying from
Chicago to some other point in the northwest. Upon reaching
the top, being delighted with the magnificent view, one ex-
claimed, "This is Mount Zion!" From this natural observatory
the eye takes in at one view at least 140,000 acres of the finest
agricultural land in the state.
During the immigration period from 1842 to 1850 the popula-
tion increased to over 1,850. About 1845 the first teachers' asso-
ciation was formed, E. "W. Stevens, president, and T. C. Dowell,
vice-president.
The town was organized by an act of the legislature, ap-
proved by Governor Dodge, March 11, 1848, and composed the
north half of township No. 2 and all of the township No. 3 north,
range 13 east, in the county of Rock. The first town meeting
was held April 4, 1848, at the school house near Mount Zion, upon
which occasion John C. Jenkins and Justice P. Wheeler were
elected supervisors, and Cyrus I. Mitchell town clerk. At a sub-
sequent date the north half of township No. 2 was detached and
became a part of La Prairie. Preceding the organization of
March 11, 1848, township No. 3 had been a part of Janesville.
The population of Harmony, as shown by the state census of
1855, taken by James M. Deans, was 805. The next decade
688 HISTOEY OP EOCK COUNTY
showed the population to be 1,104, That of 1875, as taken by
Addison More, 1,136, and the state census of 1905 gives it as
1,138. The population was made up mostly from New England
and the Middle States, with the exception of a few first-class
foreigners, principally Scotch, English and Germans.
This township is occupied by a thrifty and progressive people
who have modern and up-to-date homes and well-improved
farms, many of them raising blood stock, horses and cattle, which
compare well with the best in the state. There is one small vil-
lage. Rock Prairie, with a population of thirty-three people, and
located in the township are good schools and houses of worship.
Janesville. February 17, 1842, township 3 and the north half
of township 2, north of range 13 and 14 east, and all that part
of townships 3 and 4, north of range 12 east, lying east of Eoek
river, were organized into a separate town by the name of Janes-
ville. On the 21st of jMarch, 1843, that part of the town of Janes-
ville comprised in township 3, north of range 14 east, was de-
tached and organized into a separate town. On the same day
township 4, north of range 12 east, was also organized into a
town by itself. The organization of these two towns, of course,
greatly reduced the size of the to-\vn of Janesville. But on the
10th of April of the last mentioned year all that part of township
3, north of range 12 east, was annexed to it, so that afterward it
then contained the two originally surveyed township 3, north of
range 12 and 13 east. Afterward in 1850 the east half (which
was township 3, north of range 13 east) was organized into a
separate town, and thus the town of Janesville was made to
include territory six miles square — to^vnship 3, north of range 12
east. This is still its size after deducting therefrom so much of
the city of Janesville as lies therein.
The town of Janesville is the most central in Rock county;
has two railroads, the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul, besides the Janesville, Beloit & Rockford
Electric Interurban. The farming lands are superior prairie,
slightly rolling, well wooded and well watered. Rock river flows
through it from north to south. The first bridge built across the
stream was constructed by A. P. Pope and others in the northern
part of the town on the Milwaukee and IMadison territorial road,
which was the most important thoroughfare in the county until
the completion of the first railroad in Janesville.
SM.\LLER CITIES AND TOWNS 689
The farmers in the town are progressive and up-to-date.
Their lands are well improved, their dwellings for the most part
modern, and they are successfully engaged in general farming
and dairying; tobacco and the sugar beet are prominent crops.
In 1907 Janesville raised 592 acres of tobacco and 147 of beets.
In 1908, as estimated in May, there were 403 acres of tobacco
and 175 acres of beets.
Johnstown. The township of Johnstown was organized by an
act of the legislature approved March 21, 1843. The town was
bounded on the north by the town of Lima, east by Walworth
county, south by the town of Bradford and west by the town of
Harmony.
The first settlement was made in 1837. The first family was
that of Norman Smith, who made a claim on the present site of
Johnstown Center. The second family was that of Caleb B. Hill;
among the other early settlers were Elisha Newhall and his sons,
Wright and Elbridge G. Newhall, Noah Newell, John A. Fletcher,
Daniel Phelps, A. Pickett and William Virgin. The first frame
house was built by Daniel McKillip as early as 1856; this town
originally numbered many enterprising farmers, which number
has been augmented by scores of others like them who have built
up and improved the township with modern buildings and well
improved farms.
The village of Johnstown Center has a population of 172,
while the village of Johnstown has a population of 138, with
mail from Janesville. The population of the whole town (in
1905) was 918.
The Town of La Prairie is located in the southeast quarter of
the county. It received its name from the fact that the whole
town is almost an entirely open and unbroken prairie. The name
is from the French, signifying ''The Meadow or the Pasture."
It was organized by act of legislature approved March 26, 1849,
by which act those parts of the towns of Harmony and Turtle,
which were then comprised in township 2, north of range 13 east,
were set off and organized as a separate town. The west half of
section 6 was subsequently set off to the city of Janesville. The
first town meeting was held at the house of Justus P. Wheeler
on the 3d day of April, 1849 ; whole number of votes cast at this
meeting was fifty-six. The town officers selected were : Justus
P. Wheeler, Henry Cheesbro and James Chamberlain, super-
690 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
visors; Guy Wheeler, town clerk; Charles G. Cheney, treasurer;
Levi St. John, assessor.
The town is traversed by the Chicago & Northwestern Eail-
way, which enters its borders at Shopiere Station, on the south
line of section 35, passing out on the west line of the town on
section 7. This is a rich agricultural town ; the farms are under
a high state of cultivation with good improvements.
This town, says a writer, is a rolling prairie of deep soil with
an underlay of sand and gravel in the western and northwestern
parts. There is plenty of lime rock in the bluffs of the central
and eastern parts of the town. The only surface water that can
be boasted of is Turtle Creek, which rises in Walworth county,
watering and fertilizing the town of Bradford from side to side,
entering La Prairie on the east line of section 36 and passing out
on the south line of 35 into the town of Turtle nearly from corner
to comer, and falls into Rock river (as before mentioned) just
below the state line of Beloit. This stream rose during one of
the nights of June, 1851, ten or twelve feet above its usual level,
carrying off mill-dams, bridges, fences, sheep, hogs and other
property to a large amount. The water was highest about day-
light, reaching as high as Clark W. Lawrence's doorstep, leaving
a tree in the upper casement of the schoolhouse windows.
The towTiship has two railroads, the Chicago & Northwestern
and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. The mail before the
railroads came into this township over the old mail route from
Chicago and Racine,
Samuel St. John and family were among the first who made a
permanent settlement on Rock river within the limits of the
county. He wintered with the first seven or eight who built the
log shanty on the east side of the river at the rapids. His was
the first claim made in La Prairie. He and his brother, Levi,
claimed and afterwards purchased at the land sales in Mil-
waukee the whole of section 6. He built a good log house on the
west half of the section, which as late as 1856 was standing
within the city limits of Janesville. William Mertrom about the
same time made a claim on section 5 and built a log house, which
Nehemiah St. John purchased and occupied for several years.
Nathan Allyne in 1835 or 1836 made a claim on section 35, broke
several acres, put in and raised crops without fence, except dogs.
Lucius Burnham made a claim on section 36 in the spring of
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 691
1837 and made his first improvement in 1838; he built the first
frame barn in La Prairie. Clark W- Lawrence came into this
county with his father and family in 1836, made a claim in sec-
tion 36 and built the first frame house. Mr. Waterman, James
Chamberlain and L. B. AUyne located on section 35 in 1837 or
1838.
The town being all prairie with only a small quantity of tim-
ber in the northwest and southwest corners of it, other towns in
the county filled up more rapidly with settlers, while La Prairie
remained stationary, Justus P. Wheeler made his purchase in
the fall of 1840 ; Eliakim Thatcher in 1843. A man by the name
of Hocum made a claim on section 3 and afterwards sold to Mr.
Covil. Charles C. Cheney, Henry Cheesbro, William Loyd, Adel-
mon Sherman and Ephraim Leach, Jr., made their purchases in
the years 1844 and 1845 ; Almerin Sherman, Peter Shuf elt, James
I. Hoyt, William G. Easterly and Mr. Ford in 1846. This town
has undergone wonderful changes in the past sixty years, as it is
today a rich, highly cultivated section with modern country resi-
dences, and the citizens as a whole are prosperous and well-to-do.
The state census of 1905 gives its population as 874. In 1907 this
town raised 263 acres of tobacco and 123 of beets. In 1908 there
were 188 acres of tobacco and 108 of beets.
Lima. As early as the summer of 1836 Col. James M. Burgess
visited what is now the town of Lima and made a claim on sec-
tion 17, but as he never improved it, it is to be presumed that
the claim lapsed. He was foUoAved in June, 1837, by Solomon
L. Harrington and Thomas Vanhorn, who located and built a
sawmill on the west branch of Whitewater Creek, in the east part
of the town. In the same year came Mr. Joseph NichoUs, who
made a claim and built a cabin in section No. 1. He combined
the elements of strength and good nature with that of woodcraft
in a great degree; one one occasion after a bee hunt, in which
science he excelled, he drew 200 pounds of honey on a hand sled
to Milwaukee, returning with a barrel of flour and some other
commodities.
In the winter of 1837-38 the next arrival was Curtis Utter,
who made a claim on section 36, where he resided until his death
a few j'-ears since. In 1838 George B. Hall arrived and located
on section 19, and was followed next year by Azel Kenney and
Prosper Cravath, Jr., who located on section 13, where a house
692 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
had been built for Kenney on the site occupied in 1878 by the
residence of Miles C. Cravath, Prosper Cravath building on land
adjoining. With Mr. Kenney came a young man named Newton
Baker. In 1840 the town received a large accession to its popu-
lation by the arrival of a colony from Cortland, N. Y. The colony
consisted for the most part of Deacon Prosper Cravath and his
large family, with Levi and Giles Kinney, Deacon Zerah Hull,
James Hull, Ara Hardy and their families, all of whom located
in what were known as the Cravath and Hall neighborhood.
Up to February 24, 1845, when it received a separate or-
ganization, the town of Lima formed a portion of the town of
Milton, and after being so created it received the name of Lima
at the request of Mr. Paul Crandall and a few others, being
called after some eastern township. On April 1, 1845, the first
town election was held in the school house in District No. 9. At
that election Prosper Cravath was made chairman of supervisors.
The other supervisors were John Child and Abram Allen. Paul
Crandall was elected town clerk ; William P. Stillman, treasurer ;
John H. Twining, collector; N. Kemble and Azel Kenney,
assessors; Bryce Hall, Abram Allen, Nelson Salisbury, commis-
sioners of highways; Ebenezer Eider, Paul Crandall, Azel Ken-
ney, commissioners of common schools; Prosper Craveth, sealer
of weights and measures ; John H. Twining, Giles Kinney, con-
stables; John Child and Horace G. Hamilton, justices of the
peace.
The advent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Eailroad,
then known as the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Eoad, in 1852,
while it did a great deal of good in opening up the country, also
did a great deal of harm ; for in order to secure it a great many
farmers were led to mortgage their farms in the belief that as
soon as the road was completed the company would pay the prin-
cipal and interest, but they had to pay both themselves.
The residents of the town are now comparatively well off,
and they have of late been paying considerable attention to the
raising of stock and dairying.
Magnolia. The town of Magnolia is situated in the northwest
part of the county, adjoining Green. It was organized by an act
of the legislature, approved February 2, 1846. By this act it
was made to include township 3 north, range 10 east, its present
limits.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 693
The first settlement was made in 1840 by J. N, Palmer, Joseph
Prentice, .Andrew Cotter, W. Adams, W. Foekler, Abram Fox,
Jonathan Cook, Edmund Basy, Ambrose Moore, George McKen-
zie, Widow Hines and her son, William H. Hines, and Sanford
P. Hammond.
The Chicago & North-Western Railway, formerly the Beloit
& Madison Railroad, enters the town on the eastern borders on
section 24, runs northerly, passing into the town of Union from
section 2. A reliable record gives the following, among others,
of the principal farmers in Magnolia at an early day: N. B.
Howard, James A. Robson, William Huyke, Ezra Miller, Charles
Dunbar, Hiram Barr and James F. Jones.
The late day residents have made great improvements in the
township, which is now under a high state of cultivation; the
soil is productive and in a good state of cultivation, and the
homes are modern and up-to-date. The population in 1905 was
899.
Milton. The town of Milton includes within its limits town-
ship 4 north, range 13 east. Prairie du Lac is mostly in this
town and is one of the richest and most beautiful in the country.
There are several small lakes on this prairie, hence its name
(Lake Prairie). Otter creek, running through the north part;
Lake Koshkonong, extending into the northwestern portion, and
a small section of Rock river just as it leaves the lake, furnish,
together with springs, small streams and marshes, a good supply
of water. The northern part of the town is mostly openings and
quite rolling, the southern part prairie and openings. The town
was organized February 17, 1842, and included at that date the
whole of the present town of Lima. The first board of officers
were: Supervisors, N. G. Storrs (chairman), P. A. Cravath and
G. W. Ogden ; town clerk, 0. W. Norton. A writer in 1856 says :
"The inhabitants are noted for their industry, peaceableness and
temperate habits, there not being a place in the town where
ardent spirits are sold."
The following facts concerning Milton are from a pen of a
pioneer citizen of that town, written in 1856 :
"Milton is located in the northern tier of townships in Rock
county, being eight miles north of the city of Janesville ; it began
to attract the attention of settlers in the year 1836, at which time
its first settler located within its borders. It contains about 23,000
694 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
acres of territory, but, owing to a number of small lakes scat-
tered here and there, and a portion of Koshkongong Lake, occu-
pying a part of sections 5, 6 and 7, about 1,000 acres are rendered
useless, and besides this there are fully 1,000 acres of low or
marsh lands, which are of no avail for purposes of tilling. Deer
Lake (Clear Lake) is situated on section 20, and is (1856) a
beautiful sheet of water of nearly circular form, averaging about
half a mile in diameter. Its bed and shore are composed of
gravel and white sand, and being clear and deep with dry, bluffy
shore, it is indeed beautiful as well as of utility to the farming
community ; other small lakes, furnishing water for farming pur-
poses, are situated on sections 25 and 26.
"The only stream of water of which this town can boast is a
small one called 'Otter Creek.' It rises in the township to the
east of this and, running through Milton in a northwesterly
direction, empties into Koshkongong Lake. In consequence of
the levelness of the country through which it flows and generally
having low banks, no very valuable water power is obtained. Yet
Daniel F. Smith, who, by the way, was the first settler to bring
his wife to this town, constructed a dam with a ditch or race, by
which means a tolerable water power was obtained, whereupon
he built a sawmill, which was of great service and convenience
to the first settlers of this part of the country, but from scarcity
of water and suitable timber, and also from opposition by other
mills of later origin and of greater pretensions, this had been
neglected and is now (1856) silent; yet many remember the 'old
mill' with pleasure, even if it is supplanted by fast growing
young America.
"Along the southern boundary of this town lies a small
prairie called Du Lac Prairie. It is about five miles in length
and ranging from one-half to one and a half miles in width. Near
the center of this prairie and near the village of Milton is a table-
land of nearly circular form and a mile in diameter, rising about
seventy-five or eighty feet. The top of this tableland is level and,
like the rest of the prairie, has a rich black loamy soil, fertile
and productive. The timber is in part like the most of the
southern portion of the state, burr, black and white oak, with an
occasional basswood, poplar or soft maple in and about the low-
lands. Koshkonong Lake, together with some of the smaller
ones, produces an abundance of wild rice, which, although
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 695
formerly used as an article of food by the Indians, now only fur-
nishes food for the great number of wild geese and ducks which
frequent these lakes.
"The first settlers came in 1836, among whom were D. F.
Smith, Stephen Butz, Aaron T. Walker, Alfred Walker, Peter
McEwan, George W. Ogden, Isaac T. Smith and E. Hazzard.
Although some of them came in 1837-38, they are, nevertheless,
the first settlers-pioneers of this township. At that time the now
city of Janesville was only occupied by two cabins — one by
Samuel St. John and the other by F. H. James. Their place of
market was Chicago, as even Milwaukee was of humble preten-
tions ; and only those who have tried its realities can appreciate
the pleasure of packing provisions, even in scanty supplies, from
the frontier settlements for a hundred miles back into the wilder-
ness country, there to gladden the hearts of friends who had
frequently felt conscious of other demands of human nature than
beautiful country and a clear sky; and before the country itself
could support human life trees had to be felled, cabins reared,
and the soil had to be broken and prepared and crops sown, and
even the laborer had to wait the harvest. Many were the days of
toil and anxiety, attended with deprivations of every kind, that
the first settlers endured, and they were only rendered tolerable
by smiling Hope, as she whispered of comfortable homes and
plenty in the future; and, indeed, at this day those hopes have
all been realized.
"The person who can claim the honor of having done the first
breaking (plowing) in this town is Stephen D. Butz, and he,
with his sister, constituted the first family in the town. This
plowing was done in 1836 on section 28. Peter McEwan made
the first rail fence, but to the Walkers can be ascribed the honor
of inclosing the first field and raising the first crop of wheat and
potatoes — the wheat was from two bushels' sowing. The first
potatoes were brought by A, T. Walker from an old miner on
Sugar river and packed home on horseback. While on his way
home he was offered $5.00 for his bushel by Mr. Janes, of Janes-
ville, but money was no object in comparison to the much coveted
potatoes.
"In the year 1838 Orrin Sprague established a blacksmith
shop on Prairie du Lac. He being a person of ingenuity and
mechanical skill, was just such a man as the times needed; lie
G96 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
could mend a plow or make one, or do any other work in his line
which was required by the farmers. He made many plows, and
made them so faultlessly that he acquired the reputation of
being the only man in this section who could make a breaking
plow that would 'run to a charm.' About that year (1839) quite
a number of families came into the town from Allegany county,
New York, and among them Joseph Goodrich, H. B. Crandall,
James Pierce and Ebenezer Phelps.
"This township was not organized until the year of 1842, when,
with many other towns, it organized under an act of our terri-
torial legislature, February 17. At that time Milton and Lima
were both united under the name of Milton, and Lima was not
organized as a separate township until 1845.
"A postoffice was established in this town in 1839, and Joseph
Goodrich was the first postmaster,
"As early as 1838 the settlers, without regard to sectarianism,
united and supported religious meetings. They gave to their
minister such of their substance as they could spare, and their
subscriptions for the support of ministerial labors were duly paid
in labor, produce (wheat, corn and oats then being legal tender)
and cash — the last of which articles so scanty that when it
touched the palm of the hand of the official it felt truly spiritual.
With the increase of population and wealth the town has become
blessed with the salutary influences of three organized churches,
each having a separate edifice for its devotions, the Seventh Day
Baptist Church, the Congregational and the Methodist.
"At this time (1856) the town numbers between 1,300 and
1,400 inhabitants, of which between 300 and 400 reside in the
so-called village of Milton. We are now benefited by the Mil-
waukee & Mississippi Eailroad and also the Janesville branch
alias Southern Wisconsin Eailroad. (The railroads in the town
as at present named are the Prairie Du Chien division of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Monroe branch of the
same road; they have also the Chicago & North-Western Eail-
way.) The benefits of a speedy market and ready communica-
tion with the east and south are apparent. Property has increased
rapidly in value; money is more plenty, and consequently busi-
ness is brisk and every branch of industry is on the progressive
plan. (In 1905 the population was 1,849, besides 810 in Milton
village, incorporated in 1904.)
CHARLES L. FIFIELD.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 097
"This town has ever been noted for its health, and its morals
have not been overlooked. Its first settlers, having a tincture
of the blood of our Pilgrim Fathers coursing through their veins,
have studiously and piously endeavored to keep those hotbeds of
sin and iniquity, grog shops, out of this town."
A list of the prominent and largest farmers of Milton, com-
piled at an early day, contained the names, among others, of
Joseph Goodrich, Peter McEwan, James Stockman, James Craig,
Isaac T. Smith, N. Maxon, J. E. Culver, John Alexander, Stephen
D. Butts, H. B. Crandall, John Livingston, M. T. Walker, Ezra
Hazzard, Levi H. Bond, D. T. Hudson, Jeremiah Dennitt, G. T.
Mackey, Joel Wood, Alfred Walker and J. Bunnell.
The following incidents are furnished by a resident :
On the 8th day of September, 1836, Aaron and Alfred Walker,
the first white settlers in the town of Milton, pitched their camp
on the south side of a little lake called Walker's Lake, which is
now nearly dried up, on the northwest quarter of section 36.
They erected a little log cabin near the lake and lived in it dur-
ing the winter of 1836-37. This was the first cabin built in the
town and was afterwards used as the residence of the first pastor
in Milton, Rev. Daniel Smith, of the Congregational Church.
Mrs. Smith died in this shanty in the fall of 1839 and was the
second person buried in Milton Cemetery. No gravestone ever
marked the spot and the identity of her grave, with others, is
lost. Diadama, wife of Hezekiah Waterman, died October 12,
1839 (leaving an infant child, H. H. Waterman), and was the
first person interred in the cemetery.
The second shanty built was by Mr. Lane, on the southwest
quarter of section 26, but he did not occupy it; he also talked of
building a mill on the outlet of Storr's Lake, then a living
stream, about the center of the northwest quarter of section 25.
He sold his claim to N. G. Storrs and afterward built a mill, one
of the first and known as the Harrington Mill, on a little spring
run on the southeast quarter of section 24 in the town of Lima,
where the early pioneers got oak lumber for clapboards, floor-
ings, well curbing, etc. It was a much needed and well patron-
ized institution.
D. F., or "Dan" Smith, as he was called, erected the first mill
and was a man of mark among the early settlers of Milton. He
was a little rough, but full of daring, pluck and energy; could
G98 HISTORY OF ROCK COUN^TY
eat a "'wolf meal" of frozen pork and beans, wade or swim
through floating ice and swollen streams, camp out anywhere or
in any weather, and furnish more labor for both men and teams
from Milton to the northern pinery than any other pioneer; he
had a whole soul and a generous heart. As an incident illus-
trating the man: A Methodist minister in an early day was sent
by "Uncle Joe" to "Dan" to solicit something to keep the min-
ister's soul and body together. The man went to Smith and
found "Dan" butchering hogs. He introduced himself, told his
calling and the condition of his larder. "Dan" looked at him a
moment, then taking down a dressed hog and placing it in the
minister's vehicle, told him to take it and go and preach like the
devil. The astonished Dominie expressed great gratitude and
went away, wondering how many really better men he had in his
church.
The first white woman that settled in the township was Mrs.
Eliza Smith, who came in May, 1837. Mrs. Hannah Bowers came
with her brother, Charles, in October, 1837, to keep house for
another brother, S. D. Butts, in a large, commodius ( ?) log house
that it had taken the neighbors three days to build. The board
roof was put on the day of her arrival, but there were no floors,
doors or windows. It stood near Mr. Butts residence on the
northeast quarter of section 28. On March 18, 1838, the first
regular religious meeting was conducted in this house by Revs.
Halstead and Pillsbury, two young Methodist ministers ; the next
meeting was held there April 15, 1838. These meetings were con-
tinued once every four weeks by these brethren.
The third white woman settler was Mrs. Sarah Storrs, wife
of N. G. Storrs. They came in December, 1837, staying the first
night at the cabin of Farnum Chickering, a bachelor, on the east
end of the prairie. Chickering gave them his bed and slept on
the floor. Mr. Storrs settled on the south half of section 26, occu-
pying the shanty put up by Mr. Lane.
The first white boy born in the town of ^lilton was Daniel
Smith, son of D. F. and Eliza Smith. He was born February 24,
1839, at Otter Creek. He with a younger sister died in February,
1844, with fever, and they w^ere buried in the cemetery at Otter
Creek.
The second white boy born in Milton was Leffingwell Culver,
sou of Jonathan ,E. Culver, born in August, 1839.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 699
The first white girl born in Milton was Mary Butts, daughter
of S. D. and Rebecca Butts, born September 3, 1839. She died
February 22, 1876, and is buried in the Milton Junction
Cemetery.
The first marriage at Milton was that of James Murray to
Margaret McEwan, January 1, 1840. Mr, Murray was a painter,
lived in Milwaukee and is now deceased.
William Douglas married Caroline L. "Walker, November 27,
1840. Theirs was the second marriage.
The first death in Milton was that of Jane Bowers, aged
fourteen years, daughter of Andrew and Hannah Bowers. She
died September 14, 1838, of quick consumption ; her funeral was
held September 15, 1838, at the house of S. D. Butts; a sermon
was preached by Rev. Mr. Adams, of Beloit, and quite a large
congregation attended. She was buried on the bluff between
Milton and Milton Junction, near the spot now covered with
evergreen trees — the most central, eligible, beautiful and appro-
priate spot for a cemetery in the town of Milton. She was sub-
sequently removed and buried in the cemetery at Milton Junc-
tion by the side of her younger brother. The second death in
Milton was a son of Mrs. Storrs, buried in the grove on the west
side of Storrs Lake. Nothing now marks his grave.
The first meeting conducted by Seventh Day Baptists was
held on the first Sabbath succeeding the 4th of March, 1839, at
the house of Joseph Goodrich. But two families of this denomi-
nation were here, Henry B. Crandall's and Joseph Goodrich's,
They established regular weekly meetings, holding them alter-
nately at the houses of Goodrich and Crandall. In 1840 the Sev-
enth Day Baptist Church of Milton was organized with about
forty members.
Elder Stillman Coon was their first pastor, visiting them in
the fall of 1840, and returning and settling among them about
the first of July, 1841. Joseph Goodrich proposed the purchase
of forty acres of land to be given him by the church for his first
year's salary, with such donations of provisions, etc., as they
could make him. This was accepted, and the land made him a
good home, subsequently becoming valuable, being located at
Milton Junction, where Elder Coon lived and died, a useful and
universally respected man.
The first town meeting of Milton was held in 1842 at Walker's.
700 ■ HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1838 Joseph Goodrich purchased a claim on sections 26
and 27 and erected a house 16x20, the first frame building in the
town of Milton, and dug a well, the first one in Milton. (History
of Eock County, 1879.)
Milton farmers are evidently changing from the cultivation
of tobacco to that of beets and other crops. In 1907 they had
132 acres of tobacco and 55 of sugar beets. In 1908 there were
but 44 acres of tobacco reported and there were 60 acres of beets.
Newark. The town of Newark is in the southwestern part of
the county, its south boundary line separating it from the state
of Illinois. It was organized by an act of the legislature, ap-
proved February 2, 1846, and included the present town of Avon,
adjoining it on the west. The first town meeting was held at the
house of I. D. Marvin, April 1, 1846, when the first officers were
elected.
In the year 1842 Mrs. Gunale, a Norwegian widow lady, made
the first location in the town and erected the first log cabin. The
following year she was followed by several of her countrymen.
In the year 1844 purchases and improvements were made by
Nathaniel Strong, J. B. Smyth, John Stephens, Peter McVain, A.
G. Felt, P. P. Chase and others.
A Lutheran Church was organized in 1844, a Congregational
Church in 1845 and a Baptist Church in 1849.
In the matter of raising tobacco Newark has changed from
279 acres in 1907 to 232 acres in 1908. The population, which
was 1,039 in 1890, is given by the state census of 1905 as 924,
Plymouth. The town of Plymouth is situated on the south-
west quarter of the county, bounded on the north by Center, east
by Eock, south by Newark and west by Spring Valley. It was
organized March 8, 1848, and was made to include all of the
township 2, north of range 11 east, of the Government survey.
Early times in Plymouth are well described in the following
from the pen of one of its pioneers, written in 1856: "The town
of Plymouth was first settled in the spring of 1841. David Doug-
lass, Stephen C. Douglass and Samuel Colby arrived with their
families from Michigan on the 31st of May and pitched their tent
near the center of section 2, on the bank of a branch of Bass
creek. They made use of their tent and covered wagons, of
which they had three, for habitations until they were able to
build a log house for the elder Douglass, which was but partially
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 701
roofed when they removed into it with all their effects. It was
destitute of doors, windows and chinking. On my arrival on the
8th day of July following I found them as above stated and,
though the population of the house was rather dense, room was
made and we were domiciled with them.
"Our nearest neighbors east were Jasper P. Sears, on Rock
river, and Judge Holmes and family, who lived on the farm now
(1856) owned by David Noggle. To the west were John Crall,
Abraham Fox, John D. Holmes, Alanson Clawson, Wendel Fock-
ler, George W. Adams and father, with their families, at some
nine miles distance. I believe it was eleven miles south to a set-
tler, and north seven miles to Lemuel Warren's. Over this area
of country embracing some six or eight townships of land, the
beasts of the forest — the wildcat and wolf — held undisputed
sway. I speak of them because the saucy rascals more than once
took my fat pigs from my door and were unwilling to give them
up even when hotly pursued.
"The first civil office in the town of Old Center (now called
Plymouth) was filled by the writer. He held his appointment
from the governor and council in the winter of 1841-42. The
next winter was extremely severe. The first snow fell on the
night of the 8th of November and continued until the 7th of
April, a period of five months, with uninterrupted good sleigh-
ing. Much of the time was severely cold with strong winds and
drifting snow, which continued to increase until jt had attained
the depth of nearly two feet on a level with banks of four feet
along the road tracks across the prairies. Freeport lay some
forty miles southwest of us, at which place we used to get our
corn and oats to feed, plant and sow. • In the snowstorm it was
rather a hazardous route to travel.
' ' On one cold and frosty morning I started for Freeport after
a load of corn. On reaching the summit of the ridge of prairie
above Bachelor's Grove that divides the waters of Bass creek
and Sugar river, near what was then called the 'Lone Tree,' I
discovered a team and sleigh, loaded with men, driving in a
direction to cross my track some distance ahead. We soon met.
They anxiously inquired for the nearest house. I directed them
to the house of John Crall, a distance of some two miles. They
had started from Monroe for Janesville two days before, had
missed their way and had wandered over the trackless prairie
702 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
for two days and nights without food for man or beast, and had
(as they said to me at that time) concluded, should they not find
some other relief, to kill one of their horses and roast the flesh
or eat it raw. In such a dilemma were four gentlemen. If I
mistake not three were brothers by the name of Hart, half
brothers of Daniel A. Richardson, who was then trading in
Janesville. In the fall of 1841, while looking for a piece of land
that I might be supplied with firewood and fencing timber, I
aceidently ran upon a dilapidated set of bogus coinage tools in a
small grove near the head of the south branch of Bass creek,
southwest of my farm some three miles. I gave the grove in
which the tools were found the name of Bogus, by which cog-
nomen it is known to this day.
"In the spring of 1842 the system of town government was
first adopted. That portion of township 3, north of range 12 east,
lying west of Rock river; township 2, north, and the half of
township 3, north, in range 11 east, and township 2, north, and
the half of township 3, north, in range 10 east, were embraced
in one town by the name of Center. Two families in township 3,
in range 12 east, on the west side of Rock river ; five in township
2, north of range 11 east, and six in township 2, north, in range
10, were all the inhabitants in this large town. Had all the
electors gone to the first town meeting we could have polled but
a trifle more than half the number of votes that there were ofiices
to be conferred.
"The first town meeting was held in the house of James H.
Knowlton, where Judge Holmes first settled, just above
Monterey. But nine votes were cast at that election. The name
of those elected to serve as town officers were, respectively, as
follows: Supervisors, William Holmes (chairman), David Doug-
lass, John Crall; town clerk, Samuel F. Chipman; treasurer,
David Douglass; assessor, William Holmes, Jr.; commissioners
of common schools, John B. Knowlton, Abram Fox, David P.
Douglass; commissioners of highways, Walter Inman, Joshua
Holmes, Alanson Clawson; fence viewers, Washington Adams,
Stephen C. Douglass and William Holmes, Jr. ; sealer of weights
and measures, John D. Holmes; overseers of roads. District No.
1, Joshua Holmes; District No. 2, Samuel F. Chipman; District
No. 3, Wendall Fockler.
"During the session of the legislature for 1846-47 township 2,
PAUL :m. gkeex.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 703
north of range 10 east, was set off and organized into a town by
the name of Spring Valley; also the south half of township 3,
north of the same range, taken from Center, and the north half
of township 3, taken from Union, were set off into a town called
Magnolia. There were some ten or a dozen electors assembled at
each place.
"In the same year of the legislature, I believe, that portion
of township 3, north of range 12 east, belonging to Center, was
set off to Janesville, which left the former twelve miles in extent
north, and south by six miles east and west, the north half of
township 3 in range 11 having been attached to Center in the
division forming the town of Porter. In the session of 1847-48
the inhabitants of township 2, range 11, petitioned to be set off as
a separate town, under the name of Plymouth, and their prayer
was granted March 8, 1848. It will be seen, therefore, that the
pioneers of Plymouth are the first settlers of Center. The first
town meeting of Plymouth was held on the 28th day of August.
1848. The names of the officers elected were as follows: Super-
visors, Caleb Inman (chairman), George Ayres, Samuel Smiley;
town clerk, Kiron W. Bemis; treasurer, Daniel Bemis; justices,
Caleb Coryell, James Whitehead, Samuel F. Chipman ; assessors,
Harrison C. Inman, Henry Waterhouse, David Douglass; col-
lector, Luke Coryell; commissioners of highways, Charles F.
Cook, Ole Gulekson and Jacob Fisher; commissioners of common
schools, Kiron W. Bemis, Archibald Smiley and David Douglass ;
constables, Alfonso C. Stewart, Luke Coryell and Elisha C. Tay-
lor ; overseers of highways, David Douglass, District No. 1 ;
Joseph Hohenshelt, District No. 2; Neals Auckson, District No.
3; sealer of weights and measures, John Pence. The town at
that meeting polled seventy-one votes.
"Two railroads, the Monroe division of the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul and the Madison division of the Chicago &
Northwestern, pass through the town, crossing each other at a
point at Bass Creek, at Hanover Junction, where there is an
excellent water power."
The population in 1905 was 1,352. In 1907 Plymouth had 536
acres of tobacco, but in 1908, 393 acres. In 1907 twenty-two acres
of sugar beets; in 1908, fifteen.
Porter. This town lies in the northwestern part of the county,
its northern boundary separating it from the county of Dane. By
704 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
an act of the legislature, approved February 2, 1846, it was in-
corporated by the name of Oak. At the next annual session,
February 2, 1847, an act was approved changing its boundaries
and name. It was made to include township 4, north of range 11
east, its present limits. It received its name in honor of one of
the principal land proprietors in the town, Dr. John Porter. The
first settlers were Joshua "Webb, "William Webb, John Rhinehart,
John Winston, Joseph Osborn, Robinson Bent, Charles Stokes,
Solomon Griggs, John R. Boyce, John Cook and Daniel Cook.
Porter is an excellent agricultural town, and the improvements
are of a superior character. Some of the residences are very fine.
It is the banner town of Rock county in the raising of tobacco,
having 946 acres in 1907 and 914 in this year (1908).
The large and well-equipped barns and outbuildings, with
the soil in a high state of cultivation, make this one of the richest
townships of the county. Within the limits of this towTi are two
settlements, Cooksville and Stebbinsville, each containing stores
and blacksmith shops, which are liberally patronized by the farm-
ers adjacent. Its population was 1,417 in the year 1900, and in
1905 was 1,224.
Rock. By an act of the territorial legislature, approved
March 8, 3839, all of "the country included within the boundary
of Rock county" was ''set off" into a separate town by the name
of Rock. Its boundaries, therefore, were co-extensive with the
present limits of the county; but no town organization followed
this "setting off." Almost three years elapsed before it was
organized. It was then reduced almost to its present propor-
tions; for by the act of legislature, approved February 17, 1842,
township 2, north of range 12 east, excepting fractional sections
1 and 2, lying north and west of Rock river, was organized into
a separate town by the name of Rock. It was also declared that
the first election should be held in the house of Jasper Sears. As
the city of Janesville afterward absorbed the whole of sections 1
and 2 in township 2, north of range 12 east, the town included, as
now, the whole of the township just named, except these sections.
In fact, therefore, the town of Rock, after the passage of the act
providing for its organization, never contained quite thirty-six
sections of land, or six miles square.
The first towm election was held April 5, 1842, when the fol-
lowing ticket was chosen: Supervisors. George W. Brittain
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWXS 705
(chairmaD), James Heath and J. P. Sears; town clerk, Ira Wash-
burn ; assessor, Rufus "Washburn ; treasurer, Richard S. Inman ;
collector, J. Wesley Inman ; commissioners of highways, Clark
Classon, Prosper A. Pierce and William Youngs; commissioners
of common schools, Ira F. Washburn, George W. Brittain and
Jolm Inman; sealer of weights and measures, Richard S. Inman.
Among the early settlers were: John Inman, the Holmes
family and others in 1835, and that of Dr. James Heath in 1836.
In the month of September of the last mentioned year Hiram
Brown and family arrived. In the Spring of 1837 Dr. Heath
built a house sixteen feet square on section 2 at "East Wisconsin
City," where he opened a store and tavern, which was the first
in the town. Here the "customer" was served and the "travel-
ers" and "boarders" were lodged, while the family found ample
room besides. The travelers were laid upon tiers of shelves up
the side of the house like dry goods, while "commoners" took
the floor. Business increasing, the doctor thinking his house too
small for the accommodation of his store and tavern, entered into
partnership with Mr. Sexton and removed his goods into another
house, which had been erected about eighty rods from the tavern.
There more room was afforded for the replenished stock of the
new firm. During this year John Inman & Co. started the first
stage. It made its regular trips from Racine to "East Wisconsin
City" during the summer, Dr. Heath keeping the Stage House.
Any person curious in such matters, says a writer in 1856, can
now be shown that identical tavern, the auger holes into which
the pine were put to sustain the travelers' shelves, and also the
remains of Heath & Sexton's store, by going to a point about
half a mile west from the institute for the blind. The landlord
will not be there to meet him, nor will he see, probably, the
stages from Racine unloading their passengers, nor the impatient
customers inquiring for dry goods and groceries ; but he will
see the house, empty though it may be, and the oak trees
which stand as faithful sentinels over the ruins of "Eastern
Wisconsin City." From this time, continues the writer, settle-
ments increased until the entire town was in the hands of an
industrious and intelligent population. In November, 1836, Rich-
ard Inman arrived with his family and entered land in section 27.
Mr. Clauson settled on the Young 's farm in 1837. The farm upon
which the village of Afton is situated was settled in 1837 by
yoe msTOEY of eock county
Hiram Brown. In the year 1838, the first settlements were made
on the west side of the river by Riifus and Ira "Washburn and
J. P. Sears. The same year the farm of Major Inman was set-
tled by Mr. Fox. G. W. Brittain also settled in the town in
1838. Brestol made the first claim upon D. W. Inman 's farm
in 1838. In 1841 Israel Inman, John Daugherty and Mr. Burt
arrived. In the year 1840, Ezekiel Clapp and Prosper A. Pierce,
from the state of Vermont, settled on section 2. A large part
of their purchase is now within the limits of the city of Janes-
ville. About this time, Elijah Nourse settled near that first log
cabin.
In 1842 Mr. Van Antwerp arrived. In 1841, J. F. Willard pur-
chased Mr. Warren's claim in section 10. The Antisdells, Com-
stocks and Newtons came about the year 1843.-44. In 1850, a col-
ony from Rensselaer county. New York, settled in the northwest-
ern part of the town. Among them were Z, P. Burdick, and his
brother, M. L. Burdick; A. P. Hayner, Israel Smith, and subse-
quently Mr. J. P. J. Hayner. These arrivals added not a little
to the agricultural reputation of the town, as they pursued east-
ern modes of farming, which contrasted very favorably with the
loose Wisconsin method. The first breaking done in Rock, or
in the county, was on the northwest quarter of section 11, upon
the farm of J. F. Willard, by John Inman, in the spring of 1836.
It was cropped with buckwheat and produced a fair yield. He
was compelled to go to Rockford to get his plow sharpened, tak-
ing two days to make the trip. The first house erected on the
west side of the river was by Ira Washburn, in 1838. The first
wedding in the town of Rock took place at the house of Richard
Inman, March 30, 1840, the parties being George W. Brittain
and Miss Sylvia Inman.
At one time this town could boast of four cities and villages
on paper, Wisconsin city, Koshkonong City, Rock Port, Monterey
and Afton. Rockport was laid out by Thomas Holmes in Decem-
ber, 1835. and was the first surveyed village (or city) in the
county. Wisconsin city was surveyed by Inman, Breese and
Sheperd in 1836 ; City of Koshkonong, in the summer of the same
year, by Kinzie, Hunter and Booby; Monterey, by Ira Miltimore,
in 1850. By an act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved
March 9, 1853, the city of Janesville was incorporated and, by its
charter, sections 1 and 2 of the town of Rock were brought
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 707
within its limits. Consequently, Monterey and Rockport are
now a part of the territory belonging to the city of Janesville.
The town of Rock is traversed by the Milwaukee & St. Paul rail-
way, and also by the Northwestern, on which, in the southern
part of the town is the station and village of Afton. In 1905
Rock was credited with 930 inhabitants. The town raised, in
1907, some 432 acres of tobacco and 93 of sugar beets. In 1908
were reported 397 acres of tobacco and 79 acres of beets.
Spring Valley. The town of Spring Valley lies in the south-
west portion of the county, its western boundaries separating it
from Green. It was organized by an act of the legislature,
approved February 2, 1846. Its territory includes township 2
north, of range No. 10 east. The first town meeting was held at
the house of Nicholas E. Phelps.
John Crall was the first settler. Among those who soon
after made claims, were James Kirkpatriek, Erastus C. Smith,
Robert Taylor, Roderick M. Smith; James Bradshaw, Almerin
Sprague, Amos Remington, Allen Hurlbert, S. G. Mills and
Solomon Rose.
The Monroe branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
railroad passes through the central part, entering on the east at
Orfordville, and passing out on section 19, across the western
boundary of the county.
This town is made up of thrifty and progressive people, who
have tilled the soil and brought it to the high state of cultiva-
tion, so that it produces abundant crops. The residences, barns
and outbildings, are, as a rule, modern in construction.
In 1907 Spring Valley stood third among the towns of this
county in the raising of tobacco, having 627 acres. In 1908 it
stands fourth in order of amount with 433 acres. The population
of the town has decreased from 1446 in the year 1900 to 1,000,
according to the state census of 1905.
History of the Town of Turtle.
By
Miss Mary S. Porter.
Turtle Township. Turtle Creek flows southwest through it,
draining Delevan lake. There are limestone and clay. At Sho-
piere, in the northeast part, is a water power of nine feet head.
708 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
The four-story stone grist mill there was built in 1850 by the
late Governor L. P. Harvey and J. H. Randall. Two churches
are : Congregational, its building dedicated February, 1855, al-
though built some time before. First minister, S. H. Thompson.
The Methodist church was built in 1857; the first Methodist
minister was Mr. Crandall, and during that first winter there
was a great revival of religion. In 1872 the church was remodeled
and enlarged. The schoolhouse was built in 1857. The only
postoffice (at Shopiere) was established in 1850, with Andrew
Cromwell as postmaster. In early days Shopiere was called
Waterloo. About the year 1837 a Pennsylvania Dutch family
named "Meeks" claimed the land where Shopiere is, and built
a shanty. The father and mother, five sons and five daughters
averaged 200 pounds each, and were called "Borderers." About
the same time, a company from Connecticut claimed on the north
side of the Turtle opposite Shopiere. This colony was composed
of entirely different people. In the latter part of the summer
of 1837, when both parties began cutting hay on the bottom
at the north side of the stream, the Yankees were likely to get
all of it, and leave nothing for the one cow that Meeks owned.
The Meeks family loaded guns, and from their cabin ordered
the Yankees to leave. The latter kept on raking and carting
hay. Then the mother and her five daughters (protected by
the guns of Mr. Meeks and his five sons), dashed through the
creek armed with pitchforks and fish spears. The massive Mrs.
Meeks charged on the captain of the Yankees. As she advanced
he stepped backward until inadvertently he backed off the bank
of the stream into deep water. The rest of the company, seeing
their captain fall, hastily retreated, leaving to the enemy one
fork, three rakes, a pail of Johnnie cake and cold potatoes, and
a jug of whisky. That field of battle was henceforth known as
"Waterloo" until 1850, when Governor Harvey changed the
name to Shopiere, French for "limestone." The location abounds
in that, and it is said that the bottom of Turtle creek in some
places is a limestone ledge.
In the early days there was also a sawmill, and just above
the site of the present mill once stood a distillery. A little later
and farther down the stream, at Turtleville, was Distillery Num-
ber 2, now gone to decay, which sometimes made even the fish
SMALLEE CITIES AND TOWNS 709
drunk with its refuse product. Near it was a grist mill, which
is flourishing yet.
The oldest traveled road is the Milwaukee road of territorial
days. It was so named because it was a stage and wagon road
to Milwaukee, the farmers' market town.
The W. U. R. R. passing through in a northeast and south-
west direction was completed through the town in 1856.
The Chicago & Northwestern railroad, passing northwesterly,
was finished here a little later in the same year. When the
rebellion broke out and soldiers were called for Turtle filled her
quota complete, the 172 required. Of these three were deserters,
nineteen died, forty-seven were dischargd and ninety-five saw
actual service on the field.
The town of Turtle was organized February 2, 1846. Among
the first settlers were D. B. Egery, D. Bennett, R. Dole, Chauncey
Tuttle, John Lewis, A. Lewis, S. G. Colley and John Hopkins.
Of the first town meeting held at Shopiere, April 7, 1846,
James Chamberlin was chairman, and Horace Rice, clerk. The
succeeding chairmen were : R. Dole, 1847 ; F. A. Humphrey, 1848 ;
P. J. Erkenbrack, 1849 ; P. M. Hinman, 1850 ; L. P. Harvey, 1851 ;
B. F. Murray, 1854; Alex Bruce, 1855-56; A. I. Bennett, 1857;
F. A. Humphrey, 1858; Alex. Bruce, 1859; A. I. Bennett, 1860;
H. P. Murray, 1861-62 ; F. A. Humphrey, 1863 ; John Hammond,
1864; H. J. Murray, 1865; Chauncey Ross, 1866-70; Thomas
Holmes, 1870-74; J. H. Cooper, 1874; Chauncey Ross, 1875;
Thomas Holmes, 1876; S. H. Slaymaker 1877-79.
The town meetings were held in some schoolhouse, or some-
times on the shady side of a barn until a vote was taken, as on
April 2, 1878, when $1,000 was appropriated to build a town hall.
At the town meeting of June 13, 1878, the present site was
chosen ; the corner-stone was laid in August ; the hall, modeled
and built by S. D. Ross and superintended by the chairman, S.
H. Slaymaker, was completed November 2, 1878. Mr. S. then
raised the National flag above the hall, and that evening the first
meeting held within its walls was a debate on hard coin versus
fiat paper money.
In the Beloit "Journal" of April 17, 1879, is a list of the
pioneer "Old Settlers' Association" of the town of Turtle and
vicinity. The earliest were : Thomas Crosby, of New Hampshire,
Turtle, came in 1837; G. H. Crosby, of same place, came in
710 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
same year ; Charles Tuttle, New York, Clinton, April, 1837 ; R. P.
Crane, New Hampshire, Beloit, March, 1837; D. D. Egery, Ver-
mont, Turtle, July, 1837 ; Erastus Giles, Vermont, Turtle, October,
1836 ; Henry Tuttle, New York, Clinton, October, 1837 ; William
Jack, Lower Canada, Beloit, October, 1837; S. K. Blodgett, Ohio,
Beloit, June, 1838; J. A. Chamberlin, Connecticut, La Prairie,
March, 1838; S. G. Colley, New Hampshire, Beloit, June,
1838; Swingle, Pennsylvania, Turtle, September,
1838; Merritt Bostwick, New York, Beloit, July, 1839; Russell
Harvey, Connecticut, Turtle, April, 1839; B. F. Murray, New
York, Turtle, May, 1839; H. J. Murray, same place, June, 1839;
S. A. Murray, same place, June, 1840; Benjamin Brown, Massa-
chusetts, Beloit, 1840 ; S. Murray, Turtle, June, 1841 ; Mrs. A. E.
Coe, New York, Turtle, March, 1840 ; G. M. Murray, same place,
June, 1841; C. P. Murray, born in Turtle, August, 1841; C. J.
Dole, New Hampshire, Turtle, October, 1844; J. B. Gordon, New
Hampshire, Turtle, June, 1845 ; Edward Giles, Vermont, Turtle,
June, 1842; A. Henderson, New York. Beloit, September, 1842;
Henry F. Hobart, born at Beloit, July, 1843; William Hopkins,
born at Shopiere, 1843; G. Johnson, New York, Whitewater,
May, 1843; B. B. Olds, Vermont, Clinton, October, 1843; W.
Pickett, New York, Turtle, September, 1843 ; Benjamin Wooster,
New York, Clinton, June, 1844 ; J. M. Everett, New York, Turtle,
May, 1844; Joel Miner, Ohio, Turtle, October, 1845; Otis Man-
chester, New York, Beloit, July, 1845; S. S. Northrop, New
York, Clinton, October, 1845; Mrs. Northrop, same place, 1849;
Benjamin Park, Ohio, Turtle, July, 1847 ; AVilliam H. Stark, Ver-
mont, Turtle, May, 1846; C. M. Treat, Ohio, Turtle, July, 1847;
William S Yost, New York, Beloit, August, 1847. (The popu-
lation of Turtle in 1905 was 1,027.— Ed.)
Union. This most northwestern town in Rock county is six-
teen miles northwest from Janesville. By an act of the legislature
it was incorporated February 17, 1842, and at that time included
what is now Union, Porter and the north half, each, of Center and
Magnolia. Its limits are now composed of what is knowTi as
township 4, north of range 10 east.
The town is composed largely of rolling prairie, and is well
watered by Allen 's creek and tributaries. The Chicago & North-
western railroad passes through the township. The city of Evans-
ville is located in this town, is a thriving place with its stores.
SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS 711
banks, factories, etc., and affords a good market to the farmer.
This is a thickly populated town, with well improved farms,
upon which are raised good crops of all varieties; tobacco being
especially prominent among them. In 1907 "the weed" occupied
295 acres; in 1908 there were 278 acres of tobacco. The new
crop, sugar beets, was raised the amount of twenty-seven acres in
1907, and sixteen acres in 1908, in Union. For the whole of Rock
county, from returns made by the county assessors, the tobacco
crop of 1907 occupied 7,818 acres; and in 1908, tobacco was
grown on 6,118 acres. The area given to sugar beets was, in 1907,
some 1141 acres; in 1908 that was increased to 1,222 acres.
Rural Free Delivery. Rural free delivery now pervades all
the towns of the county, and our farmers have their mail deliv-
ered at their doors. According to some recent decisions this
may include the delivery of small packages as well. Another
recent measure and effort, which is already benefiting the towns
of our county is the "good roads" commission, and the new law
and arrangement for that improvement. The appropriation of
each town that endeavors to build better roads is supplemented
by an equal amount from the county and all the work is being
done under the advice and direction of County Highway Com-
missioner H. L. Skavlem, of Janesville. Already thirteen towns
are building permanent roads under this commission, the leaders
in the movement being Clinton, Turtle and Beloit. During this
year some fifteen miles of model road have been built (1908) and
more advance along the line of this good road movement is
planned for the next season. Under the new road law these
roads when placed in good condition are to be kept so at the
expense of the county.
XXXTI. ' '
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION.
The territory of Wisconsin was divided into three judicial dis-
tricts when its territorial government was formed, and pro-
vision was made in the same act for one of the three justices
of the Supreme court to hold each year, two terms of the Dis-
trict court in each organized county in the district. The justices
of the Supreme court at that time were Mr. William C. Frazer,
Charles Dunn and David Irwin. Prior to the year 1836 Rock
county formed a part of what was then Milwaukee county, which,
with Brown county, was constituted the Third district by an act
of the territorial legislature approved November 15 of that year.
Justice William C. Frazer was assigned to this district. Three
years later, in 1839, Rock county, together with Dane, Wal-
worth and Green counties were constituted the Second district by
statute enactment, and so continued until the State Constitution
was adopted — Justice Irwin being assigned to preside over it.
Pursuant to an enactment of the territorial legislature, passed
in the winter of 1839, the first term of the District court in Rock
county convened at Janesville on April 15, following, with
Judge Irwin on the bench. Among the first items of business
■vC^as the issuing of a venire by the newly appointed clerk, Mr.
Guy Stoughton, and the summoning of the first grand jury of the
county, comprising Messrs. Joseph Bullard, who was made fore-
man ; Farnum, Chickering, N. G. Storrs, Ansel Dickenson, Thomas
Stoughton, James Goodrich, D. A. Richardson, Charles Butts,
Phineus Ames, Levi St. John, William Virgin, Jason Walker,
Luke Stoughton, David McKillup, John Putnam, J. D. Warner.
Francis A. Tyler, John A. Fletcher, R. Blakesley, Jesse Corlis
and Elisha Newhall. After being duly sworn and charged, the
jury retired to the room assigned them, whence they soon re-
turned and reported to the court that they found no business to
be transacted and were duly discharged. At this same session
Mr. Daniel F. I^mball was admitted to the Rock county bar and
712
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 713
appointed pro tempore district attorney. Although no jury cases
were ready for trial, the formality of impaneling and discharg-
ing a petit jury was gone through with. The first judgment
rendered was in an appeal ease — Milton S. Warner vs. Charles
Johnson — which was entered by default, the appellant failing to
appear. With the transaction of various items of routine busi-
ness necessary to the full organization of the court, the first term
of court adjourned on April 17. At that time there was no
court house, and when, on the 21st of October, 1839, the second
term of the District court convened, it met in an unfinished hall
in what was known as the Janesville Stage House, and continued
to meet there until the completion of the first court house, in
December, 1841. There were quite a number of cases on the civil
docket at the opening of the second term, but some of these were
settled, in others, judgments were entered by default, and those
not so disposed of were continued to the next term, so that
although a petit jury was impaneled, it had nothing to do. On
the criminal docket was a case of the United States vs. Thomas
Sidwell, in which the defendant was under indictment, charged
with selling spirituous liquors in quantities of more than one quart,
and who, under a plea of guilty, was fined $10 and costs of suit.
Sidwell also pleaded guilty under a second indictment charging
him with selling spirituous liquors to an Indian, in violation to
the statute ; but this ease was certified to the Supreme court of
the territory to determine whether or not such an offense could
be prosecuted under an indictment. Ten other cases of a similar
character were presented and continued to the following term
of court, the defendants giving bonds to appear and answer to
the indictments. The first jury trial in Rock county entitled
"E. B. Woodbury vs. Caleb Blodgett, Daniel Blodgett and C. D.
Blodgett," occurred at the third term of the court, which con-
vened April 20, 1840, and resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff,
his damages being assessed at $242 and costs of suit. The men
serving on this jury were Ezekiel Brownell, George W. Law-
rence, Horace Rice, Willard Brownell, Charles Tuttle, William
Squire, Abraham Fox, Clarke W. Lawrence, John Holmes, M. S.
Warner and Asa Comstock. During the three days of this term
of court, which adjourned on April 23, numerous cases were
disposed of and considerable business transacted. The District
court then established and operated, continued to hold regular
714 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
sessions in Rock county until the adoption of the State Consti-
tution in 1848, Judge Irwin presiding on the bench. But after
the admission of the state into the union and the adoption of
the constitution, Circuit courts were established. Rock county
with "Walworth, Green and Racine counties, constituting the
First judicial district, of which Mr. Edward V. Whiton was
elected the first judge. During the time of the District courts,
many able lawyers appeared as practitioners, among them being
John Catlin, who served as deputy district attorney in 1840;
Abraham C. Bailey, Edward V. Whiton and Daniel F. Kimball,
of Janesville ; Hazen Cheeney and David Noggle, of Beloit ;
Messrs. H. Crocker and N. H. Wells, of Milwaukee; Moses M.
Strong, of Mineral Point, and others.
The first term of the Circuit court of Rock county convened
in the court house on Monday, September 18, 1848, Judge
Whiton presiding, Mr. John M. Keep, of Beloit, being district
attorney, and Mr. John Nichols having been elected clerk. Mr.
Levi St. John served as foreman of the first grand jury under
the new regime, and associated with him in that body were some
of the leading men of that day, who are still remembered by the
older citizens of the county. The records show that the first case
tried on the civil docket of the Circuit court was an action of
trespass, entitled "Benjamin Cheeney vs. Daniel Blodgett and
Herman Hill," in which the jury on September 20, 1848, returned
a verdict for $58.27 in favor of the plaintiff. At this same term
of court the grand jury returned an indictment, entitled "The
State of Wisconsin vs. Samuel M. Drake," in which the defendant
was charged with adultery, and for which he was tried and
acquitted. It was while Judge Whiton was on the bench that the
first case of homicide was tried in Rock county. In an alterca-
tion between Samuel Godfrey and John S. Godfrey, a relative,
growing out of an alleged trespass by the animals of John S.
upon the premises of Samuel, the former was instantly killed by
the blow of a club in the hands of the latter. Mr. Hiram Taylor,
who was then district attorney, assisted by Mr. A. Hyatt Smith,
prosecuted the case; the defendant was ably represented by
Messrs. David Noggle and J. A. Sleeper, of Janesville, and Mr.
Prosper Cravath, of Whitewater; and after a hard fought battle
on both sides, the prisoner maintaining that he acted in self-
COURTS AXD LEGAL PEOFESSION 715
defense, the jury returned a verdict of acquittal which met with
general favor.
With the rapid development of the county, the influx of
population and the growth of commercial activities, the business
of the court grew to large proportions, and it was with difficulty
that the court dockets were kept cleared. In the spring of 1853
Judge Whiton, who had been elected chief justice of the Supreme
court of Wisconsin, resigned as circuit judge and went upon the
duties of his new office, and the vacancy thus made on the circuit
bench was filled by the appointment of Mr. Wyman Spooner, of
Walworth county, to serve until a successor was elected. This
occurred in September, 1853, when Mr. James R. Doolittle, of
Racine, a lawyer of distinguished ability, and a man of the high-
est character, was elected judge of the First judicial district. A
special term of court for Rock county was convened under Judge
Doolittle on February 7, 1854, and he continued in that office,
winning the esteem of all by his courtly and dignified demeanor,
his fairness and thorough knowledge of the law, until March,
1856, when he resigned. During the interval until an election
could be held, Mr. Charles M. Baker, of Geneva, served by
appointment, and in April, 1854, Mr. John M. Keep, a native of
New York, who settled at Beloit in 1844, and who is remem-
bered as a lawyer and judge of ability and a man of genial good
nature and humor, was elected. Failing health obliged Judge
Keep to resign his office in the spring of 1859, and he was suc-
ceeded by Mr. David Noggle, who was elected in April of that
year, and served with distinction until 1864. During the next
eight years and until his election to the Supreme bench, in
1872, Mr. William Penn Lyon, of Racine, presided over the First
Judicial district. By an act of the legislature of March
16, 1870, which took effect on April 1, following, Jefferson county,
which had formed a part of the Ninth circuit with Rock and
Green counties of the First circuit, were constituted the Twelfth
Judicial circuit, and on the first Tuesday of April, that year, Mr.
Harmon S. Conger, of Janesville, was elected judge to enter
upon the duties of his office January 1, 1871. Judge Conger con-
tinued in the office with marked ability until his death, on
October 22, 1882. At the spring election, held in April of that
year, John R. Bennett, of Janesville, was elected to succeed Judge
Conger. Upon Judge Conger's death Mr. Bennett was appointed
716 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
circuit judge for the unexpired term. Judge Bennett entered
upon the term for which he had been elected on January 1, 1883,
and remained in office until his death on June 9, 1899. Benjamin
F. Dunwiddie, of Janesville, served for the unexpired term of
Judge Bennett, and for the six years' term commencing on Janu-
ary 1, 1901, and was succeeded by George Grimm, of Jefferson,
who is now circuit judge.
County Court
Dr. Horace "White was the first judge of probate in Rock
county, his election occurring in 1839, and court being held pur-
suant to notice over his signature dated November 1, 1839, at
Beloit, on the 1st day of December, and at Janesville on the first
Monday of June. The first will filed for record and probate was
that of Charles Johnston, of Rock county. The instrument was
witnessed by Horace Hobart, John R. Burroughs and Charles
M. Messer, and named Mr. John P. Chapin, of Chicago, as
executor. Next followed the estate of Edward Brandon, of
which Richard Inman was appointed administrator February 27,
1840. During the same year, in August, Mr. John Hackett was
appointed administrator of the estate of Caleb Blodgett, which
was the third to come befort the court. Following Dr. Horace
White, judge of probabe, were Israel C. Cheeney, 1841-43 ; A. C,
Bailey, 1843-45 ; W. F. Thompkins, 1845-46 ; C. S. Jordan, 1846-
47 ; David I. Daniels, 1847-49.
The first county judge, James Armstrong, who was elected
September 3, 1849, was succeeded September 5, 1853, by Moses S.
Pritchard, who, in turn was succeeded by A. P. Pritchard. Judge
A. P. Pritchard was first elected April 7, 1857, and by successive
re-elections filled the office of county judge of Rock county for
over twenty-nine years, until his death on September 15, 1886.
Upon Judge Pritchard 's death, John W. Sale, of Janesville,
was appointed county judge for the unexpired term, and has held
the office continuously ever since.
Court House
As already stated, the first courts were held in a rude hall
in a Janesville stage house. That was in 1839. The first court
house, which was finished in December, 1841, was, with its sur-
roundings, primitive and crude. A frame structure, two stories
COURTS AN'D LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 71^
in height, it was situated on the summit of a hill difficult of
access, but served well its purposes until its destruction by fire in
1859. Fortunately, wise forethought had prompted those in
charge of the valuable documents and court records to insure
their safety by keeping them elsewhere, so that little of perman-
ent value was lost. The summit of the hill on which this build-
ing stood, was afterward cut down and became the site of the
present county building, the erection of which was begun in the
fall of 1869, and finished the following summer. The building
was constructed under the supervision of Mr. J. Townsend Wing,
architect, of Milwaukee, and is surrounded by a beautiful park
four squares in extent, and bounded by Court street. East street,
South First street and Main street. The square or block on which
the building stands, is under charge of the county while the other
three blocks are cared for by the city of Janesville. The build-
ing, the walls of which are constructed of stone and brick, the
first story being of cut stone, is 107x77 feet in dimensions and
four stories in height, with an imposing tower. On the first
floor besides the engine and tool rooms are rooms for the register
of deeds, and the county superintendent of public instruction.
The second floor is occupied by the offices of the county treasurer,
county clerk, county judge, clerk of the court and the chambers
of the circuit judge, four of which are provided with large fire-
proof vaults. The court rooms, large and airy, with high ceilings
and ornately decorated, with sheriff's office, jury and cloak rooms
and judges' chambers, occupy the third floor. The original cost
of the building, furnishings, equipment, grading grounds, etc.,
was almost $125,000. As a necessary adjunct of the courts, there
was early need for a jail, and this was first supplied by the use of
a rude log hut, which was situated on Main street. This a little
later, was abandoned, for a structure which stood on the north
side of the public square and which served for the county jail
until 1855. During that and the following year, a stone build-
ing was erected for the jail proper, with a brick dwelling for
the sheriff's residence, the two being connected by a wooden
part used for a wash-room, kitchen, etc. Like the court house,
the present jail is equipped with modern improvements and both
are models of convenience and utility that reflect credit upon the
intelligence and civic pride of the citizens of Rock county and the
city of Janesville.
718 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
Bench and Bar
The personnel of the bench and bar of Rock county is of a
high character, and her courts have, from the beginning, been
characterized by the courtly dignity and decorum of the judges
who have presided over them, and the professional esprit de
corps of those practicing at the bar.
David Irwin, one of the early Supreme court justices of Wis-
consin, and the first judge to hold court in what is now Rock
county, was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1794, and
was of blended Scotch and Irish parentage. His father was a
Presbyterian minister and a teacher of the ancient languages of
much local reputation. David Irwin was educated for a lawyer,
and started in life in the Shenandoah valley in Virginia, in
which, in after life he located many marvelous incidents and
anecdotes that it was his delight to relate. As he did not meet
with wondrous success as a lawyer in the valley, he applied to
his old schoolmate, William C. Rivers, who was at that time in
high favor with President Jackson to get him an office, and Mr.
Rivers suggested the propriety of giving him a judgeship. The
term of office of Judge Doty, as judge of the additional dis-
trict for Michigan territory having expired in 1832, that position
was tendered him and accepted. Upon the organization of the
territory of Wisconsin, he was appointed associate justice of
the Supreme court by President Jackson.
Being a bachelor, his residence was not necessarily confined
to any particular locality. He always preferred southern society,
and as soon as the term of his last office was ended, he went to
St. Louis, where he remained some length of time, and subse-
quently went to Texas, where, with the economical accumula-
tions of the principal and interest of his salary as judge, he made
large investments in wild cotton land, which made him a man
of wealth.
Edward Vernon Whiton was the son of General Joseph
Whiton, of ]\Iassachusetts, a soldier of the Revolution and also
of the war of 1812. He was born at South Lee, Berkshire county,
Mass., June 2, 1805, and spent the first thirty years of life in his
native town. There, during young manhood, occurred to him an
experience, which tinged his life with at least temporary melan-
choly and may have been one cause of his deciding to go west.
At the age of thirty he moved to this region of Wisconsin, just
AXGIE J. KINO.
COUKTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 719
before it became a separate territory, and lived by himself in
a little cabin that he built in the northern part of what is now
the city of Janesville. The family tradition is that he was an
eager hunter and fisherman and liked to be alone with his books.
J. E. Arnold, then president of the bar association of Wisconsin,
at their meeting, held April 14, 1859, said that in early days,
when obliged to visit the western part of this territory, going by
way of Janesville, which then contained one cabin, he usually
spent the night at the house of Judge Holmes at Rockport, so
called, just below Janesville. There he learned that a bachelor
named Whiton, then living a secluded and almost hermit life in
a cabin on the prairie, w^as the strong man in the interests of
Janesville. The whole truth of the matter included much more
than that. From the very first Mr. Whiton was identified with
almost every prominent event in the history and progress of "Wis-
consin, both as a territory and also as a state. He was called
into the councils, which led to the first organization of this Wis-
consin region as a territory in 1836, and was elected a member of
the house of representatives for the first session of the legislative
assembly at Madison. At the next session he was elected speaker
of the house. He took an active part in the work of enacting
the first territorial code, to succeed the statutes of Michigan and
the laws which had been passed at Belmont and Burlington. The
revised statutes were published under his supervision and took
effect July 4, 1839.
Judge Whiton filled both political and judicial stations suc-
cessively with such ability and integrity that the people exalted
him from place to place until he received from them the highest
honor in their power, the position of chief justice of the state of
Wisconsin. And amid all the conflicts of parties the purity
of his character was never sullied by reproach or even by sus-
picion. Judge Arnold adds this personal testimony: "During the
long session of 1840 and 1841 I was a member of the council
and roommate of Whiton, and saw then the clearness of his intel-
lect, his kindness of heart and the simplicity of his character. I
saw also that peculiar element of his life, which was not mis-
anthropy, but a tinge of melancholy and disappointment." This,
as we have before suggested, was plainly retrospective and dated
back to the earlier and unmarked period of his life.
In 1847 Edward V. Whiton was a member of the constitu-
720 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
tional convention, which framed the constitution of this state. At
the origin of state government in 1849 he was elected a circuit
judge and under the system which then prevailed became a
judge of the Supreme court. When the Separate Supreme court
was established, in 1853, he was elected chief justice and re-
elected in 1857. This high office he continued to hold until
obliged to leave it by the attack of illness, from which he died
at his home in Janesville, about noon, April 12, 1859. (Wis. Re-
ports, Vol. VIII, page xi.)
In the year 1847 Mr. Whiton married Miss Amoret T. Dimock.
Their son, also named Edward V. Whiton, lived until the year
1900, leaving his son of the same name, now a prosperous busi-
ness man of Janesville, Wis., the home of three generations of
honorable life, under the one name.
Judge Whiton was pre-eminent as a legislator. His varied
information, strict integrity, eminent conservatism and finely
balanced mind all united to make him a ready debater and a
high minded patriotic legislator. We have placed his portrait
opposite the title page of this volume because, among the citi-
zens of Rock county, he proved himself manifestly worthy to
represent the high character of the courts of our state.
Wjrman Spooner, who preceded Judge Doolittle on the circuit
bench, was born at Hardwick, Worcester county, Mass., July 2,
1795. His father was a farmer and he lived at home, attending
school winters until he was fourteen years of age. He then went
to Vermont and became an apprentice in a printing office. When
about twenty-one, he commenced the publication of a weekly
newspaper, which he continued about twelve years. He then
began the study of law, and was admitted to its practice in 1833.
From his long continuance in, and his associations with Vermont,
he claimed, without repudiating the paternity of his native state,
to be a Green Mountain boy. In 1842 he removed to Wisconsin,
and in 1843 settled in Elkhorn, Walworth county, where he ever
after resided. In 1846 he was elected judge of probate, which
office he held until the probate was merged into the county court.
In 1853 he was appointed circuit judge, which position he
held until the election of Judge Doolittle. He was elected to the
assembly in 1850, 1851, 1857 and 1861. In 1857 he was elected
speaker of the assembly. He was elected state senator for the
term comprising 1862-63. In the last session he was chosen
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 731
president of the senate, and became lieutenant governor when
Mr. Solomon succeeded to the executive chair. In 1863, 1865
and 1867 he was elected lieutenant governor, and by virtue of the
office, presided over the senate six consecutive years. He was
a member of the first board of trustees for the deaf and blind
at Delaware. Judge Spooner was a man of constant diligence
and energy. He died at Elkhorn at an advanced age.
James R. Doolittle, another one of the early judges of Rock
county, was born in Hampton, N. Y., January 3, 1815, was a
graduate of Geneva college. New York, afterwards studied law,
was admitted to the bar of the Supreme court of New York in
1837, entered upon its practice in that state, and was for several
years district attorney of the county of Wyoming. In 1851 he
came to Wisconsin and settled at Racine in the practice of his
profession, was elected judge of the First Judicial circuit in 1853,
which office he resigned in 1856. In 1857 he was elected United
States senator for a full term, in which body he served on the
committee on foreign affairs, commerce, military affairs and was
chairman of the committee on Indian affairs. He was a member
of the peace congress of 1861, was re-elected to the senate in
1863, his term ending in 1869. During the summer recess of 1865,
as a member of a special committee of the senate, he visited the
Indian tribes west of the Mississippi. He was a delegate to the
national union convention held at Philadelphia in 1856, was its
president, and took an active part in its proceedings. At the
close of his career in the senate of the United States, Judge
Doolittle assumed the practice of the law in Chicago, where he
continued for many years. During the war Judge Doolittle did
much in sustaining the government by acts and addresses, and
during the remainder of his life, was an active and prominent
member of the Democratic party, and in 1871 was its candidate
for governor of Wisconsin.
Charles M. Baker was born in New York city, October 18,
1804. His father soon after removed to Addison county, Ver-
mont, where the subject of this sketch attended a neighboring
school until he became twelve years of age. He was a hard
student, and in 1822 entered Middleburg college, but was com-
pelled to relinquish his studies before the close of the first term
on account of failing health, caused by too severe application.
After several months ' rest, his health being in a measure restored,
722 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
in the fall of 1823, he accepted the position of assistant teacher
in a young ladies' school in Philadelphia, where he remained
two years. In 1826, he commenced the study of law in the
office of S. G. Huntington, at Troy, N. Y., where he remained
three years, and was then admitted to the bar. Forming a
partnership with Henry W., a brother of Marshall M. Strong,
of Racine, in the spring of 1830, he removed to Seneca Falls,
N. Y., where he engaged in the practice of his profession until
1834, when his health being again affected by too close applica-
tion, he relinquished his practice and returned to Vermont, with
little hope of surviving. A change to mercantile business improv-
ing his health, he moved west in 1838 and located at Geneva
Lake, "Walworth county, "Wis. In 1839 he was appointed district
attorney of the county, and was a member of the territorial
council for the counties of "Walworth and Rock for four years,
commencing in 1842, and was a delegate to the first constitutional
convention in 1846.
He was appointed by the governor in 1848 one of the three
commissioners to revise and codify the statutes of "Wisconsin,
and in March, 1849, was elected by the legislature to superin-
tend the printing of the volume in Albany, New York. On the
resignation of Judge J. R. Doolittle, in 1856, he was appointed to
the bench of the circuit court, but declined to become a candi-
date for re-election upon the expiration of the term. During the
Civil "War he was judge advocate under Provost Marshal I. N.
Bean, in the First district in "Wisconsin. Judge Baker died at
Geneva, W^is., in January, 1873.
John M. Keep, the subject of this brief sketch, who was the
second son of General Martin Keep, was born at Homer, Cortland
county, in the state of New York, on the 26th of January, 1813.
His parents were both from New England and among the first
settlers of Cortland county.
After obtaining the rudiments of education at the district
school, he at an early age entered the Cortland Academy, at
Homer, where he pursued the usual routine of academic studies,
and prepared himself for college. He entered Hamilton College
in 1832 and graduated in 1836. The same year he commenced
his legal studies with Augustus Donnelly, a distinguished coun-
selor- at-law, at Homer, N. Y., and completed them with Horatio
Seymour, Esq., at Buffalo. He was duly admitted to the bar and
COURTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION" 723
commenced practice at "Westfield, N. Y., and in the year 1845 he
removed to Beloit, in the state of Wisconsin, then a mere settle-
ment, where he continued to reside until his death. Here he
engaged not only in a large law practice, but also took a very
active part in all the enterprises that promised to promote the
growth of the place and enhance the welfare of society. In the
purchase and sale of lands, in the erection of buildings, in the
promotion of institutions of learning and the construction of rail-
roads he took an important part, and in many of these enterprises
was the animating spirit.
In the spring of 1856 he was elected, without opposition, judge
of the First judicial circuit of the state of Wisconsin, but at the
end of two and a half years he was compelled to resign this
laborious office on account of the loss of health and the pressure
of his private business. It soon became evident that consumption
had fastened itself upon him, and from this time the wasting of
his bodily powers went on gradually, although he retained to the
last moment of his life the full vigor of his mind.
Upon the death of Judge Keep, meetings of the bar were held
at Beloit, Janesville, and also of the First judicial circuit, and
appropriate resolutions passed and eulogies pronounced upon the
life and services of the deceased.
He was married in 1839 to Cornelia A. Reynolds, daughter of
John A. Reynolds, of Westfield, N. Y., a lady of rare culture and
Christian virtues.
In the family circle, the place of all others to test the value
of genuine worth, Mr. Keep was tender and affectionate, very
anxious for the welfare of his children and particularly solicitous
about their education. He left four children, two sons and two
daughters.
He died on the 2d of March, 1861, aged forty-eight years, and
although but in middle life few men have left such a record of
private worth and public usefulness.
David Noggle, also one of the early and prominent judges of
Rock county, was born in Franklin, Franklin county, Penn.,
October 19, 1809. He had no opportunities for education beyond
what was furnished by the common schools, and his time spent
even in these rudimentary institutions was very limited; not-
withstanding this, by almost unaided efforts and tireless perse-
verance, he overcame the difficulties of his surroundings suffi-
724 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
ciently to fit himself as a teacher. His general occupation prior
to 1838 was farming, but by diligent use of his time, he fitted
himself for the bar, to which he was admitted by the Supreme
court of Hlinois, and at once took a high and commanding posi-
tion in the profession. He married Miss Anna M. Lewis, of
Milan, Ohio, October 15, 1834. In 1839 he located at Beloit in
the practice of his profession. In 1846 he was elected a member
of the first constitutional convention from the county of Rock,
and was elected by that body chairman of the committee on
corporations, other than banking and municipal, and became
prominent as one of the leading men of the convention.
In 1854 he was elected member of the assembly from the city
of Janesville, to which place he had removed in 1850, and was
re-elected to the same position in 1857. He was subsequently
elected judge of the First judicial district to fill the unexpired
term of Judge Keep, and was re-elected to the same position
for the succeeding term. In 1860 he was appointed chief justice
for the territory of Idaho, and having served for five years, was
compelled to resign on account of failing health and the growing
infirmities of age, which incapacitated him for further active life.
He died at Janesville in 1879.
William Penn Lyon, formerly justice and then chief justice
of the Supreme court, the son of Isaac and Eunice (Coffin) Lyon,
was born in Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y., on the 28th day
of October, 1822. His parents were members of the religious
society of Friends (Quakers) ; he was also brought up in that
faith.
William attended the ordinary country schools until eleven
years of age, when he was placed as clerk in a small store kept
by his father in his native town. Subsequently he attended select
schools at different times, amounting in all to about one year.
These were the only advantages of instruction ever enjoyed by
hira, but with these and reasonable use of his leisure hours, he
acquired a fair English education. At the early age of fifteen he
taught a district school, but did not take kindly to this employ-
ment, so he engaged as clerk in a grocery store in the city of
Albany, where he remained until eighteen years of age. While
there, he spent most of his time outside of business hours in
attending the courts and the legislature, when in session, his
tastes leading him strongly in those directions.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 735
In 1841 he, then in his nineteenth year, emigrated with his
father and family to Wisconsin, and settled in what is now the
town of Lyons, Walworth county, where he resided until 1850.
With the exception of two terms of school teaching, he worked on
a farm until the spring of 1844, when he entered the office of the
late Judge George Gale, then a practicing lawyer at Elkhorn,
as a student ; but before this, he had read Blackstone 's com-
mentaries as well as those of Kent quite thoroughly. He re-
mained a few months with his preceptor when he returned home
to work through harvest. He was soon after attacked with acute
inflammation of the eyes, and was, in consequence, unable to read
or teach for nearly a year. That year he worked on a mill, then
being built in Lyons, at $12 a month, earning $100. In the fall
of 1845 he entered the law office of the late Judge Charles M.
Baker, at Geneva, as a student, and remained there until the
spring of 1846, when he was admitted to the bar by the District
court of AValworth county.
Having been chosen one of the justices of the peace of the
town of Hudson (now Lyons), he at once opened an office there
and commenced the practice of the law, but in a very small way.
It gradually became lucrative, however, and in the year 1847, he
married Adelia C, daughter of the late Dr. E. E. Duncombe, of
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.
In 1850 Mr. Lyon formed a partnership with the late C. P.
Barnes, of Burlington, Racine county, where he remained until
the spring of 1855, when he changed his residence to the city of
Racine, where he continued in active practice of the law until
the breaking out of the war in 1861. He was district attorney of
Racine county from 1855 to 1858 inclusive. He was chosen a
member of the lower house of the legislature in 1859 and was
made speaker; he was re-elected a member of the assembly the
following year, and was again chosen speaker without a contest
having been made in the caucus of Republican members for nomi-
nation (Mr. Lyon belonging to that political party). He retired
from his second term in the legislature at the age of thirty-eight,
with the promise of an honorable and useful public career.
When the attack upon Fort Sumter aroused the North to
arms, Mr. Lyon did not let his religious scruples interfere with
his duties to his country. One hundred brave and determined
citizens enlisted under him and he was commissioned captain of
726 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Company K, of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, to rank from the
7th of August, 1861. The regiment to which Mr. Lyon and his
company were attached was organized on the 4th of September,
1861, with Eobert C. Murphy, of St. Croix Falls, as its colonel.
After other important service, his regiment went into summer
quarters at Camp "Clear Creek,'' nine miles south of Corinth.
On the 5th of August, while in the hospital of luka. Miss., the
captain was promoted to the colonelcy of the Thirteenth Wis-
consin regiment. He subsequently returned home for a brief
period, and after being mustered in as commander of the regi-
ment just named, joined it in October, 1862, at Ft. Henry. On
the 7th of July, 1864, the Thirteenth regiment, now a part of the
Third Brigade, of the Third Division of the Fourth Army Corps,
left the Mississippi river for Texas, going afterward to camp at
Green Lake on the 16th of July. Here on the 11th of September,
1865, Colonel Lyon was mustered out of the service. He was
subsequently brevetted a brigadier general of the United States
volunteers to date from the 26th day of October of that year.
Before Colonel Lyon was mustered out of the service he was
chosen judge of the First judicial district, comprising the counties
of Eaeine, Kenosha, Eock and Green. He entered upon the
duties of that position on the 1st of December, 1865, and served
for five years with a degree of ability that won unqualified com-
mendation from all. In 1870 Judge Lyon was a Eepublican can-
didate for congress from the Fourth district, but was defeated at
the polls by Alexander Mitchell. The death of Byron Paine, one
of the associate justices of the Supreme court of Wisconsin, on
the 13th of January, 1871, caused a vacancy on that bench which
was filled by Governor Fairchild by the appointment of Judge
Lyon to the place on the 20th of the same month. In the follow-
ing April he was elected by the people for the unexpired term
and for the full term succeeding. In 1877 and in 1884, he was re-
elected for full terms; the last time for ten years. In January,
1894, he retired from the bench, having by reason of his seniority
of service, served the last two years as chief justice. In addition
to his onerous duties as one of the associate justices of the Su-
preme court, he took upon himself the labor of lecturing before
the law class of the University of Wisconsin. His lectures begin-
ning in 1871, were continued to the end of the university year.
COURTS AND LEGAL PKOFESSION 727
in 1873. On commencement day, in 1872, the university conferred
upon him the honorary degree of LL. D.
Soon after his voluntary retirement from judicial service
Judge Lyon went to California and made an extended visit with
his children. Soon after returning to Wisconsin he was appointed
by Governor Upham, in 1896, a member of the state board of
control of charitable, penal and correctional institutions. In 1897
he was reappointed by Governor Scofield. To the discharge of
the very important duties of this position Judge Lyon brought,
undiminished in degree, the same excellent judgment and pains-
taking care which characterized him as a legislator, soldier and
judge.
Harmon S. Conger. A committee of the Rock County Bar
Association, consisting of John R. Bennett, S. J. Todd and B. B,
Eldredge, reported resolutions commemorative of Judge Conger,
in which it was said "that on his death the bar of Rock county
had lost one of the ablest, most industrious and honorable of its
members; the state of Wisconsin, one of its most useful and
eminent citizens ; and the people of the Twelfth judicial circuit,
a judge who, in his entire judicial career of over [nearly] twelve
years, has been so just, so full of equity, so noble, notable and
incorrupt in his high office 'that envy itself could not accuse or
malice vitiate.' " That association also appointed a committee,
consisting of I. C. Sloan, S. J. Todd and B. B. Eldredge, to pre-
pare and report a memorial address. January 2, 1883, that com-
mittee reported such address to the circuit court for Rock county,
Judge John R. Bennett presiding. The address said: "Judge
Conger was born April 9, 1816, in the town of Freeport, Cortland
county, N. Y. His father was a farmer. The early years of his
life, until he approached manhood, were, so far as we can learn,
uneventful, but were so similar, in the course of life which he
pursued and in the training which he received, to that of so many
hundreds of young men who have accjuired distinction in public
life and in the profession of the law in this country, that it is
well worth the attention of thoughtful minds to inquire whether
it was not the best training that a young man could receive, to fit
him for a life of usefulness and honor. Until he reached the age
of seventeen years he worked upon his father's farm in the sum-
mer, and attended the common school of the neighborhood, in
which only the elementary branches of an education were taught.
728 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
in the winter. At the age of seventeen he entered upon a course
of study at the Cortland village academy, which he pursued until
he was nineteen years of age, when he commenced the study of
law in the office of Horatio Ballard, a prominent lawyer practic-
ing at Cortland. In 1840, feeling a deep interest in the exciting
presidential contest between General Harrison and Martin Van
Buren, then engrossing the attention of the people of this coun-
try, he purchased the Cortland "County Whig," a weekly news-
paper, which he continued to edit for the five following years,
conducting it with energy and ability in advocating the meas-
ures and principles of the whig party, but at the same time con-
tinuing the study of the law, as he was fully determined to make
the practice of that profession the main business of his life.
"Judge Conger, having passed an excellent examination, was
admitted to the bar in 1844, and commenced the practice of his
profession at Cortland. He possessed the respect and confidence
of the people among whom he resided in so high a degree that
he had already been called upon to discharge responsible public
duties. He had been elected treasurer of Cortland county several
years before, and he had been successively re-elected until, in 1845,
he declined further service in that office. He was, however,
destined to remain a private citizen but for a short period of
time. In 1846 he was put in nomination by the Whig party of the
district in which he resided as a candidate for representative in
congress, and was elected to that office. During his first term he
discharged his duties as a member of congress with such fidelity
and ability that, in 1848, he was again nominated and re-elected.
All his impulses were in favor of freedom and of the best
interests of the people in enacting national laws, and his best
judgment coincided with his impulses. When the bill for the
organization of a government in the territory of Oregon was
before congress, he strongly advocated the exclusion of slavery
therefrom. And when the famous compromise measures were
being agitated on the floor of the house of representatives he
denied the right of congress to make any compacts or agreements
by which the cause of human slavery was to be extended into new
territory. He was a zealous advocate of cheap postage both on
letters and newspapers. His probity and sterling integrity of
character were proof against every temptation to betray the
interests of the people, or to pander to political corruption. No
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 729
"!'? „ ^i
cleaner or purer congressional record than his has ever been
made.
"At the close of his second congressional term, in 1851, he
retired from political life and devoted himself assiduously to
the practice of his profession at Cortland, until 1855, when he
removed to Janesville, Rock county, where he continued the
practice of law until he was elected judge of this judicial circuit
in 1870, to which office he was re-elected without opposition in
1876, and he may be said almost literally to have died in the
discharge of his judicial duties. Although he had been in failing
health for a year or two, he was not disabled from performing the
duties of his office, and was stricken down with his fatal sick-
ness while holding the September term of the Jefferson county
circuit court, and came home only to die. He never again left
his house, and scarcely his bed, until he died on the 22d day of
Ocotber, 1882.
"Such is the brief and meager outline of a highly useful and
honorable life. When we look into his character for the purpose
of discovering those qualities which so commanded the respect
and confidence of his fellowmen, and carried him onward in his
successful career, we find they were of the most substantial and
solid kind. He was a man of strong will and firm purpose. There
was no frivolity or vacillation in his character. He pressed for-
ward to the accomplishment of all objects which he thought
worthy and within the sphere of his duty with an unfaltering de-
termination. No obstacles deterred, no difficulties discouraged
him. He was a hard student and pursued the study and practice
of his profession with laborious and unremitting industry. As
the result, his mind was stored with the solid and accurate learn-
ing of his profession. Whilst in its processes his mind moved
somewhat slowly, but with the methodical and untiring industry
which it was the habit of his life to bring to the investigation of
legal questions and legal principles, it moved surely to the
accomplishment of the highest objects of the true lawyer's labors
and ambition — the accurate knownedge and elucidation of those
principles which have raised the law into a science and have made
it a safeguard and protection to the highest human interests, life,
liberty and property. He was a quiet, unassuming man. There
were no elements of noisy self-assertion or of arrogant as-
sumption of knowledge which he did not possess, in his char-
730 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
acter. He derived no aid from the showy and fascinating gifts
of popular oratory. He had little imagination and his manner
and style in public speaking were without ornament, and would
have been considered dry and uninteresting but for the learning
and weight of argument which characterized his forensic efforts.
He moved steadily onward with a firm purpose and persistent
determination, gaining and keeping the respect and confidence of
all who were brought within the sphere of his action. During the
period of nearly twelve years in which he occupied the bench
as presiding .judge of this judicial circuit, he held the scales
of justice with a firm and impartial hand. No member of our
profession, no person within the limits of the district can say,
and we do not believe that there are any who think, that his
judicial action during that long period was ever swayed by any
unworthy or improper motive."
John R. Bennett. It is a well attested maxim that the great-
ness of a state lies not in its machinery of government, not even
in its institutions, but in the sterling qualities of its individual
citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort and their
devotion to the public good. Among those who are justly entitled
to be enrolled among the makers of the great commonwealth of
Wisconsin is Judge John E. Bennett, whose fifty years' resi-
dence in the state has left its impress upon the commonwealth
and nation. Although born in New York and surrounded by that
charming and picturesque region, he saw the great possibilities
of the "West, and as a consequence left his home within six months
after he was admitted to the bar, on May 8, 1848, with only
sufficient money to take him to his place of destination — Janes-
ville. Wis.
From the beginning he occupied a place among the leaders of
the Eock county bar, and was afterward a peer of the brightest
and ablest in the profession. He possessed no rich inheritance or
influential friends, but he was filled with high hopes and laudable
ambitions to succeed. His life was one of ceaseless toil and labor,
and his success was commensurate with his labors.
Judge Bennett's ancestors were Puritans, who, in 1668, made
their appearance in Connecticut, and from that day to this the
family history is illustrated with bright examples in all walks
of life. His father, Daniel Bennett, who was born at Stonington,
Conn., February 16, 1793, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 731
partieipated in the battle of Lundy's Lane which was one of the
severest ever fought on this continent. He was a patriotic,
gallant soldier. He was wounded at the battle of Lake Erie and
lost the sight of his right eye. His mother, Deborah Leeds Ben-
nett, nee Spicer, was a grand-daughter of Gideon Leeds, of Leeds,
England, and was born at Groton, Conn., April 15, 1792.
The father and mother of Judge Bennett lived in the rural
community of Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., where, on the
first day of November, 1820, the subject of this sketch was born.
Western New York was then almost an unbroken wilderness,
there being but few settlers between his birthplace and Buffalo.
His early years were spent in assisting his father in clearing the
land and in other work on the farm. He attended the country
school and attained proficiency in the common branches.
In the fall of 1839 he became a student in the Black River
literary and religious institute, of Watertown, N. Y., where he
fitted himself for the profession of teaching, in which he engaged
at intervals until April, 1844, in connection with his attendance
at the institute. At the date named he entered upon a course
of law studies under the preceptorship of W. "W. Wager, of
Brownville, Jefferson county, N. Y., which continued for a period
of six months. In April, 1845, Mr. Bennett commenced reading
law in the office of Dyre N. Burnham, of Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.,
and pursued his studies with that gentleman until May 8, 1848,
when he was admitted to practice in the courts of that state, at
Oswego, N. Y.
Soon after his admission to the bar he came west and settled
at Janesville, Wis., arriving October 13, 1848, and from that time
until elected to the bench, in April, 1882, he zealously pursued his
profession, and his efforts were rewarded with success.
He was re-elected in April, 1888. In 1862 he was elected
district attorney for Rock county, and served until 1867, dis-
tinguishing his administration of that office by the energy and
ability with which he conducted the legal business of the county.
Without being a candidate, he was nominated by the Republican
state convention, 1875, for the office of attorney general of the
state, but he was defeated with the balance of the ticket.
Judge Bennett was a stanch Republican and a faithful ad-
herent to the principles governing the party since its organiza-
tion. In 1860 he was a delegate to the national convention which
732 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
nominated Abraham Lincoln, and looked back upon those stirring
times with considerable interest. In April, 1894, he was a candi-
date for re-election as judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit and
was re-elected, by a majority of over 2,000, to the bench which
he had graced with so much ability, honesty and industry for
nearly twelve years. As a lawyer Judge Bennett practiced in
all courts of the state and federal courts and displayed ability
which placed his name with such men as Carpenter, "Whiton,
Knowlton, Noggle and Jordan, His business in the Supreme
court of the state became so extensive that, it is said, no volume
of the Wisconsin reports was issued while he was in practice
that did not connect his name with some important cases.
On November 28, 1844, Judge Bennett was united in mar-
riage, at Hounsfield, Jefferson county, N. Y., to Miss Elsie L.
Holloway, daughter of Charles Holloway, Esq. She departed this
life May 28, 1893, universally beloved and mourned. Her sweet
and gentle influence left an impress upon the life of her hus-
band which time could not efface. A tribute to her memory,
offered by the members of the Rock County Bar Association, was
most appropriate.
Judge Bennett had during his entire life consistently refused
political preferment, though the entire community desired to
bestow upon him such honors as were within its gifts. When he
was requested to become a candidate for congress, he declined
in favor of his partner, I. C. Sloan, who was elected. This
illustrated forcibly the modesty and unselfish nature of the man.
He was, for more than a decade, one of the hardest-working
judges in the country, and the general sentiment of the bar
toward him was that of unqualified respect as an upright, con-
scientious and painstaking judge. In his charges to juries he was
guided solely by the facts in evidence and the law applicable to
them. His decisions were stated in perspicuous and simple lan-
guage, without any ornament of style, and in such a manner as
not to be misunderstood. They were always terse and concise,
and embodied the exact words necessary to express clearly and
unmistakably his meaning.
His transaction of public business received the highest praise,
and he won the distinction of being not only a most learned and
accomplished jurist but a most worthy citizen. Judge Bennett
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 733
was an ornament to the bench and bar of "Wisconsin and the
United States.
It has often been truthfully said that the fame of all great
lawyers and advocates is written in water. The most learned
and astute lawyers of the last generation are hardly heard of
beyond the immediate neighborhood in which they lived. But
the goal toward which Judge Bennett hastened during his many
years of toil and labor was with "those who by patriotism and
wise counsel had given the world a direction toward good, and
they might have their names inscribed upon the bright page of
history and be enduring."
In closing this sketch we cannot do better than to quote the
words of a famous judge in commemorating the virtues and
achievements of a brother judge and a co-laborer, which ex-
presses most clearly the lofty ideas Judge Bennett always pur-
sued and the example he wished to set:
'"May our successors," he said, "look back upon our times
not without some kind regret and some tender recollection. May
they cherish our memories with that gentle reverence which
belongs to those who have labored earnestly for the advance-
ment of the law. May they catch a holy enthusiasm from the
review of our attainment, however limited it may be, which shall
inspire them with the loftiest possession of human learning. And
thus may they be able to advance our jurisprudence to that de-
gree of perfection which shall make it a blessing and a protection
through our own country and excite the admiration of mankind. ' '
Judge Bennett's death occurred January 9, 1899.
Benjamin F. Dunwiddie was born on a farm in the town of
Decatur, Green county, Wis., July 15, 1848. He received his early
education in the country district schools and subsequently took a
course at the University of Wisconsin, graduating from the
classical department in 1874 and from the law department in
1875.
He entered into practice at Janesville as member of the firm of
Norcross & Dunwiddie upon his graduation and remained in
active practice until the death of John R. Bennett, judge of the
Twelfth judicial district, on June 9, 1899, when he was appointed
to fill the vacancy. In 1901 he was elected for a full term and
was succeeded by George Grimm, of Jefferson, in January, 1907.
734 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
At the expiration of his term as judge he engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession and is now associated with Mr. William G,
Wheeler under the firm name of Dunwiddie & Wheeler.
George Grimm, circuit judge, born September 11, 1859, in the
town of Jefferson, Jefferson county. Wis. Received his education
at public and parochial schools, Jefferson Liberal Institute and
Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis. Entered the law
school at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1877, and was graduated in 1879.
Was elected member of the assembly in 1886. Practiced law at
Jefferson, Wis., from 1884 until 1896, when he was appointed
county judge for Jefferson county. Was thereafter three times
elected to the same position without opposition. In 1906 was
elected circuit judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit, comprising
Rock, Jefferson and Green counties.
Amos P. Prichard was born in Bradford, Orange county, Vt.,
May 26, 1827, the son of George W. and Elizabeth Pearson
Prichard.
After graduating from the University of Vermont and the
Cambridge Law School, of Harvard, he continued his studies with
John Gregory Smith, of St, Albans, Vt., until 1850, when he came
to Janesville, Wis. He was promptly admitted to practice in the
courts of this state and formed a partnership with his brother,
Moses S. Prichard, and Judge David Noggle, under the firm name
of Noggle, Prichard & Prichard, which later became Noggle,
Prichard & Berry. Elected city clerk, he held that office several
years and in 1857 was elected county judge, his term beginning
January 1, 1858. His administration was so satisfactory that
with each succeeding election he was re-elected for a continuous
service of twenty-eight years until his death, September 15, 1886.
Judge Prichard was married September 15, 1854, to Miss
Augusta Dearborn, daughter of Lyman Dearborn, of Concord,
N. H. Their four children were Charlotte, Lyman D., Abbie and
Helen M.
Judge Prichard was a Republican in politics, an attendant
with his family at All Souls' church and a man of genial, kindly
nature. He had an affable manner, was upright and honorable in
a marked degree, and enjoyed the confidence and good opinion of
all with whom he had to do.
Matthew H. Carpenter. (Given before the Wisconsin State
JOHX D. KIXG.
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 735
Bar Association in 1906 by the late Chief Justice James B. Casso-
day.) "The purpose of my address is to give a sketch of Matthew
Hale Carpenter as a lawyer, and not as a politician or statesman.
In fact, his best friends never claimed that he possessed the apti-
tude of finesse essential to become a successful politician. He
himself once said: 'Politics is one of the strangest subjects that
ever perplexed the human mind. When politics comes in, reason
and justice go out.' Mr. Carpenter's childhood was limited by
the environments of Moretown, Vt., a little village with small
opportunities for learning. Two traits of character developed in
him early, an aversion to manual labor, and a strong avidity for
books. His mother's early training gave him a religious cast of
mind, and this accounts for his frequent references to the scrip-
tures in his arguments and public speeches.
"At fourteen he went to live with Paul Dillingham, who after-
ward became governor of Vermont. Here he studied law for
four years, and was then admitted to "West Point, where he
stayed two years, resigning to again take up law. Admitted to
the bar in 1847 he started a few days later for Boston, where his
letters of introduction gained him a place in the private office
of Rufus Choate. The first morning he was at work, Mr. Choate,
to test his ability, handed him a letter asking a legal opinion, and
told the youth to answer it. After diligent study of the question
involved, he submitted an answer written in clear, concise form.
Mr. Choate read it and said: 'Well, Judge, I guess I can sign R.
Choate to that opinion and forward it with a bill for $100.' Ever
after that Mr. Choate referred to the youth as 'Judge.' "
Strong Letter by Rufus Choate
"On motion of Mr. Choate Mr. Carpenter was admitted to the
Massachusetts bar in 1848, soon after starting for Wisconsin. As
the youth had no means, Mr. Choate gave him an order on Uittle,
Brown & Co., for $1,000 worth of law books, marking the list him-
self, and also providing him with money to defray expenses and
giving him a letter of introduction, which read: 'I take great
pleasure in stating that M. H. Carpenter, Esq., is well known to
me : that his character is excellent, his talents of a high order,
his legal attainments great for his time of life, and that his love
of labor and his fondness for his profession insure his success
736 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
wheresoever he may establish himself. I part with him with
regret. To the profession and the public I recommend him as
worthy of the utmost confidence, honor and patronage.
" 'Rufus Choate.'
"In May, 1848, Mr. Carpenter reached Beloit. After a few
months' practice his eyes became inflamed and, local physicians
giving him improper treatment, he was compelled to go to New
York, where he remained in an infirmary sixteen months, Mr.
Choate providing him with funds during that time. Then Mr.
Carpenter went to his old home in Vermont and visited Mr.
Dillingham, under promise not to read or write for another six
months. After an absence of eighteen months he returned to
Beloit, although he did not regain the full use of his eyes until
he was twenty-six years old. Carpenter met the situation with
a courage that could not be daunted and a manly enthusiasm
which commanded respect and attracted business. His office
was soon crowded with all the business he could handle with the
aid of clerks. Upon being beaten in two cases by Chief Justice
Whiton, sitting at the circuit, he took them both to the old
Supreme court on writs of error, and both were reversed at the
June term of 1852. Such early double victories gave him prestige
with the people, the bar, and the courts. During the first five
years he had fourteen cases in the Supreme court, winning eleven
of them.
Marries Miss Dillingham
"Being established in business, he went east to claim his bride,
Caroline, the daughter of Governor Dillingham, and on returning
to Wisconsin was retained in a case which made him famous
throughout the United States, the fight for the governorship be-
tween Barstow and Bashford. Carpenter at the time was only
thirty-one, and was associated in the case with Jonathan E.
Arnold and Harlow S. Orton, being pitted against Timothy O.
Howe, James H. Knowlton, Edward G. Ryan and A. W. Randall.
That Mr. Carpenter, years younger than any of the attorneys on
either side of this important contest, was chosen to make the
opening and principal argument in behalf of the governor was
an honor that might have been coveted by the entire bar.
"As Carpenter's field of labor widened his cases extended
into the federal and United States Supreme Court, and he argued
COUETS AND LEGAL PKOFESSION 737.
two cases before that tribunal as early as 1863. On his first
appearance before that august court Justice Greer inquired of
Justice Miller, 'Who is that young Mr. Carpenter? I want to
know him, for I have heard nothing to equal his effort today since
Mr. Webster was before us.' Chief Justice Chase said: 'We
regard that boy as one of the ablest jurists in the country. I am
not the only justice on this bench who delights in his eloquence
and his reasoning.' Before he was elected to the United States
senate, at the age of forty-four, he had. argued twenty-two cases
before the Supreme Court, among them several government cases
of national importance, being engaged to represent the govern-
ment by Secretary of War Stanton.
Stands by Lincoln
"While Mr. Carpenter was intense and persistent in his pro-
fessional labors, he had time to express himself as a citizen on
most public questions. Although a Democrat, he supported the
Emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln at a mass meet-
ing held in Chicago in these words :
" 'We need not discuss the propriety or necessity of the
President's proclamation. Upon that subject there were differ-
ences of opinion in the cabinet, and there are probably differences
of opinion in this meeting. But wise or unwise, necessary or
unnecessary, it has gone forth, and the only question now is, shall
the government be sustained? Our national existence hangs on
the results of military operations, and the necessities of success
require subordinations to one guiding mind, and any policy, even
the worst, is preferable to no policy. Our captain sees a port,
and directs us to make for it. It may not be the best that could
be selected, but we must unite in our efforts to get to it. I 
