\
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 do
not believe the proclamation unwise. The President is charged
with the duty of bringing the war to a successful end, and if it
be necessary to desolate the South, then let the South be
desolated.'
"March 4, 1869, he took his seat in the United States senate.
His fame had gone before him and he needed no introduction to
that body. He was immediately placed upon three of the most
important committees, having for his associates Thurman, Conk-
ling, Sumner, Bayard, Trumbull and Edmunds. During his first
term he argued thirty-one cases before the Supreme Court, and
r,o
38 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUIv'TY
during the next six years he carried thirty-six eases there, mak-
ing a total of ninety-seven cases taken before that court in seven-
teen years' practice. On the death of Mr. Carpenter at the age of
fifty-six, committees of both houses of congress accompanied the
remains to Milwaukee, and Roscoe Conkling delivered the ad-
dress. Mr. Carpenter had faults, as well as other mortals, but no
one has ever intimated that he was wanting in professional
integrity or honor.
Tribute of Justice Field
"On his death Mr. Justice Field wrote: 'He was one of the
most remarkable men that ever appeared before the Supreme
Court of the United States.' Jeremiah S. Black, his opponent in
the McCall and other famous cases, said of him: 'He never acted
upon motives of lucre or malice. He would use no falsehood to
gain his case. He was the least mercenary of all lawyers. To
what height his professional career might have reached had he
lived can only be a speculative question. ' As it was he distanced
those who started long before him, and became the peer of the
greatest among them.' "
Ithamah C. Sloan was born in Morrisville, Madison county,
N. Y., May 9, 1822, and received a common school and academic
education, after which he entered upon the study of law with
Timothy Jenkins, a distinguished lawyer at Oneida, N. Y. ; was
admitted to the bar as an attorney at Ithaca in 1848 at the second
term of the Supreme court of that district after the adoption of
the code of procedure in New York, by which the forms of action
and practice as established by the common law were abolished
and the code of procedure, the same that now prevails in Wis-
consin, was established. From the time of his admission until
1854 he practiced law at Oneida, during which year he came to
Wisconsin and located at Janesville in the prictice of his pro-
fession. In 1858 he was elected district attorney of Rock county
and was again elected to the same office in 1860. Two years later
he was elected by the Republican party member of congress and
re-elected in 1864. During his service in the house of repre-
sentatives he was a member of the committee on public lands, on
claims and on expenses of the War Department committee, that
were of the first importance at that period of the war of the
Rebellion. The career of Mr. Sloan while in congress was alike
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 739
honorable and useful, and he came out of public life at Washing-
ton with an absolutely clean record. His further continuing in
congress was precluded by the then iron-clad rule of his district
that a representative should serve only two terms. Returning to
his law practice at Janesville, it was continued there with eminent
success until 1875, when he removed to Madison and became
assistant attorney general for a time under his brother, A. Scott
Sloan, who was attorney general. While acting in this capacity
and afterward he was engaged in prosecuting the Granger law
in behalf of the state against the railroads violating it in Wiscon-
sin and which resulted in a complete triumph for the state. For
many years Mr. Sloan was in active practice of law at Madison
and was accounted one of the most eminent lawyers of the state.
For profundity in matters of law his reputation was high and
well founded. He was a close student, and the merits of the
causes he undertook were fully sifted to the bottom. As an
advocate few men had the like happy faculty of presenting the
points of his cases in an equally terse, concise, clear and forcible
manner, while his style was courteous, dignified and convincing.
In private life no citizen was more upright, courteous and
public spirited. For several years he was one of the faculty of
the law department of the State University.
Patterson. At his home in Janesville, September 26, 1901, in
the midst of family and friends, died Henry A. Patterson.
He was born in the town of Lindley, Steuben county, N. Y,,
June 8, 1829. His mother was of New England and his father of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. After a common school education in his
native town and a course at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary of
Lima, N. Y., he studied at the Ballston Law School in Saratoga
county, New York, and was admitted to the New York bar in
1854.
In 1855 he came to Janesville and at first became a member
of the law firm of Noggle, Williams & Patterson. The senior
members were Hon. David Noggle, later circuit judge, and Charles
G. Williams, who afterwards represented his district in congress
for ten years.
Mr. Patterson served as justice of the peace of the city of
Janesville for five years and as member and clerk of the school
board several years. He was district attorney for Rock county
740 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
four years and proA'ed himself an able criminal lawyer and a
successful prosecutor.
In 1873 he was elected to our state legislature, serving one
term. In 1875 President Grant appointed him postmaster of
Janesville, and being reappointed by President Hayes, he held
that position eight years with general approval.
Eesuming the practice of law until 1887, he was then elected
judge of the Eock County Municipal court and filled that office
with dignity, ability and impartiality for six years. After that
term the condition of his health obliged him to retire from all
active business.
Mr. Patterson was married at Painted Post, N. Y., March 10,
1850, to Harriet C. Patterson. Their married life of more than
fifty years was spent mainly in Janesville. Besides his wife he
left two children — Charles H. Patterson and Mrs. A. T, Kemmett.
He has also left in the minds and hearts of all who knew him the
memory of a courteous, high-minded gentleman, a genial and
lovable man.
Samuel J. Todd, lawyer, 1821-1902. His ancestors were Scotch-
Irish ; his parents, Daniel and Mary Taggart Todd ; his birth was
at Preble, Courtland county, N. Y., January 19, 1821. With an
education, liberal for those times, his natural bent of mind made
him a lawj^er and also a student to the end of his long life.
Esquire Todd came to Beloit in 1850 and from the beginning
took front rank in his profession here. From February, 1850, he
was a partner in the law office of John M. Keep until the latter
became judge of the old First judicial district about 1857 or 1858.
In 1853 Mr. Todd married Miss Mary Hazard, of Joy, Essex
county, N. Y., and of their five children the only son and the
youngest daughter, Elizabeth, with the wife, survived him; but
the son, Eobert, died a year or two since.
For thirty years Mr. Todd was the leading lawyer of Beloit —
shrewd, careful, conservative, trusted, honest. The poor and the
unfortunate received the same careful consideration that he gave
to those of larger means and place. He would often charge less
for his services than the client himself was willing to pay. He
had much to do with the legal formulation of all the important
industrial progress and prosperity of Beloit.
About the year 1857 he was appointed by the governor as one
of the three revisers of the statutes of Wisconsin, the work being
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 741
published in 1858, the year in which he was elected mayor of
Beloit. At various times he served also as city attorney and as a
member of the school board. On the Republican ticket he was
elected a member of the Wisconsin senate, 1867 to 1869.
As a law counselor Mr. Todd was a friend and mediator
between opposing litigants, an advocate of peaceful adjustment
where that was possible. On religious topics he was reserved and
ahnost wholly silent, yet always reverent toward the faith of his
ancestors. He was thoroughly conscientious, something of a
stoic, somewhat of a philosopher, determined to make the best of
things. His habits of life were very regular. Every week day
morning saw him at his office, attended and aided in his work by
his youngest daughter, up to the last week of life. After a
previous experience of paralysis, which caught him when in
Janesville on business, a final stroke took him at his residence on
Broad street, Beloit, January 9, 1902, and his useful life of almost
eighty-one years quickly and quietly ended.
John J. R. Pease, of Janesville, Wis., was born in Enfield,
Conn., June 25, 1817, and was of New England Puritan stock. His
father, Judge Lorrain T. Pease, was a lineal descendant of Robert
Pease, of England, who settled in Salem, Mass., in 1634. His
mother, Sarah Marshall, was a lineal descendant of Thomas
Marshall, of England, who became a resident of Boston, Mass., in
1634, and was for many years a deacon of the first organized
church society of that town and also a descendant of Capt.
Samuel Marshall, a son of said Thomas, who led the Connecticut
colonists in the bloody but victorious assault upon the fort of the
Narragansett Indians on the 19th day of December, 1675, in
which engagement he and a large number of other brave men
"died in the bed of honor," as recorded in the annals of New
England. The grandfather of Mr. Pease on both the paternal
and the maternal sides served in the Revolutionary army and
shared in many of its trials and battles. The residence of Mr.
Pease in Wisconsin dated back to 1840, in time to be numbered
in the United States census of that year among its small body of
settlers. For over three years he resided in Green Bay, spending
his time as a law student and as clerk in the United States Land
Office, while he also engaged in the survey of government lands.
In the winter of 1843-44 he reported for the "Argus" newspaper
of Madison the proceedings of the lower house of the territorial
742 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
legislature of Wisconsin. About the first of February, 1844, Mr.
Pease settled in Janesville and for a few months was a student in
the law office of Hon. E. V. Whiton, then the leading lawyer in
the territory. During the summer of 1844, much against his will,
the law books were laid aside and for two years his time was
given to surveying, there being a great rush of new settlers into
Janesville and the surrounding country who wanted work done
in that line, and Mr. Pease was the only person available and
experienced in such work or who would undertake it. In 1846,
at the beginning of the Mexican war, he was tendered a clerkship
by an early friend in the navy office at "Washington, which offer
he accepted, and remained in that position until the close of the
war. He then returned to Janesville and was soon after admitted
to the bar. He continued to practice law until the year before his
death.
On the 14th of July, 1851, Mr. Pease was united in marriage
with Miss Cornelia Ruger, a daughter of Rev, Thomas J. Ruger,
deceased, late of Janesville, Wis., and sister of Maj. Gen. Thomas
H. Ruger, distinguished in the war of the Rebellion. From the
early days of his settlement Mr. Pease was identified with the
moral, educational, social and business interests of Rock county.
Religiously he was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal
church and was warden of Christ church, Janesville, for more
than a quarter of a century. In politics he was a Jeffersonian
Democrat and believed that eternal justice rules through the
whole people. He was elected by the people to various town, city
and county offices. In whatever public position he was placed
he endeavored to serve the interests of the people, having not the
fear or favor of any party or person in view. Of the public
schools Mr. Pease was always a friend and supporter. In 1844,
when he became a resident of Janesville, there was an angry con-
test going on about the erection of a public school house. He
favored the project. The friends of schools prevailed and the
house was built. No other public school house was constructed
in Janesville until during the years 1856 and 1857, when Mr.
Pease was mayor of the city. In that year two large school
buildings were erected and a contract entered into for the build-
ing of the first high school. The site was a grant from Rock
county to the city, conditioned, for the location of the high school
thereon, and the common council accepted the grant and made
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 743
the location. The responsibility of accepting the grant and decid-
ing upon the site was -with the common council. In 18-44 Mr.
Pease was one of many citizens to contribute funds toward the
establishment of the Janesville Academy and was also one of the
trustees of the corporation. It was a school of high character,
was for many years successfully maintained in the building
erected for that purpose and was an honor to the town. It had
a wide reputation and was under the charge at different periods
of time of such men as Rev. T. J. Ruger, Hon. Levi Alden and
others.
The first railway to enter Janesville was constructed by the
corporation now known as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
Company and was built from Milton to Janesville, occupying the
line of the Southern Wisconsin Railway Company, and was
opened about January 1, 1853. As an inducement for obtaining
the road a few of the citizens of Janesville raised a bonus in cash,
which was paid to the company constructing the road. Mr.
Pease was active in promoting the project and contributed more
than a reasonable share of the bonus required. The city of Janes-
ville the same year issued and delivered to the Southern Wiscon-
sin Railway Company $50,000 of 8 per cent bonds, running
twenty years, to further aid in the extension of the road west
from Janesville to a point on the Mississippi river. Not long
after this the two companies were consolidated into one. At that
time ex-Governor Dewey was president of the Southern Wiscon-
sin Company, Mr. Pease its secretary, and Messrs. Pease, Dewey,
Ernest, Knowlton and Sewart the directors. All claims against
the Wisconsin company were paid, as agreed, by the newly con-
solidated company. Mr. Pease for his services as secretary and
director of the Southern Wisconsin Railway Company was
enabled to recover the city bonds, before mentioned, with the
interest coupons attached, amounting to $130,000, which he im-
mediately transferred to the city of Janesville, and by the com-
mon council they were accepted, cancelled and destroyed. Thus
so great a debt of the city was extinguished without any cost
whatever. Mr. Pease was interested in the establishment of the
Rock County National Bank of Janesville, which was at first
organized as a state bank in 1855. He drew up its articles of asso-
ciation and obtained among the citizens a subscription for the
amount of capital stock required to found the bank on a secure
744 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
and working basis. At its organization he was elected vice-
president of the company, serving in that capacity for ten years,
and was also a member of the board of directors. In the month
of October, 1855, he became a director in the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac Eailroad Company, and for twelve years was an
active working member of that board, filling the position after
the above mentioned road had become a part of the property of
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He was also a
director of the Land Grant Railroad Company, known as the Wis-
consin & Superior Company, until its consolidation with the
North-Western Company. During the years of 1853 and 1854
the city of Janesville delivered to the Rock River Valley Union
Railroad Company $87,000 in bonds bearing 8 per cent interest,
running twenty years, the company agreeing to pay the interest
and principal of the same. The company became bankrupt after
having disposed of the bonds and the interest was not paid. The
validity of this issue of bonds was much questioned, but men of
responsibility considered them good and believed that eventually
the courts would hold the bonds to have been lawfully issued.
In the work of arranging this difficulty the hand of Mr. Pease
was also seen. As the agent of the city he was authorized and
empowered to effect a compromise with the holders of these
bonds and obtain a return of the same on the best possible terms
for the city. Seventy-six of the bonds, with interest coupons
attached, were secured by him and transferred to the city, and
afterwards by the common council cancelled and destroyed. The
amount of the city debt extinguished thereby was nearly $200,-
000, at a cost of less than 5 per cent of that sum.
In the manufacturing interests of the community Mr. Pease
was always an active promoter. For a quarter of a century he
was trustee of the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, of Janesville,
and for several years served as its president. He was for thirty-
three years one of the trustees of the Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Company and was for twelve years one of the examin-
ing committee of that organization. Mr. Pease was valued in his
profession as an able and upright lawyer, of judicial mind, an
authority on knotty points of the law. He became attorney of
the Chicago & North-Western Railroad at an early date and held
that position for many years. In 1850 Mr. Pease formed a law
partnership with Mr. B. B. Eldredge, and in 1857 Mr. Thomas H.
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION . 745
Ruger, later major general of the United States army, became
a member of the firm. Mr. Ruger entered the army in 1861, and
the vacancy thus left in the firm was filled by Mr. William Ruger,
a younger brother of the general, who entered the firm in 1865.
Mr. Pease continued in the practice of the law until 1895, when
failing health obliged him to retire. He died March 22, 1896, in
the seventy-ninth year of his age.
Barnabas B. Eldredge traced his descent from Edward Eld-
redge, who was born on the 9th of September, 1737, in Wales, and
came to America in his youth and settled on Cape Cod, Massa-
chusetts. On the 19th day of December, 1762, at Dartmouth,
Mass., he married Miss Adna Hammond, whose mother was
paternally descended from William Penn. She was born at Dart-
mouth in 1735 and died in 1825. Her husband died in 1821.
Barnabas Eldredge, a son of Edward and Adna Eldredge, was
born at New Bedford, Mass., on the 25th day of September, 1768.
At Poughkeepsie, N. Y., whither he went soon after the Revolu-
tionary war, he married Miss Dacia Wadsworth, a daughter of
Josiah Wadsworth, formerly of Hartford, Conn. Immediately
after their marriage they set out for the interior of New York
state and located in the town of Sharon, about two miles west of
Sharon Springs, where in the wilderness he eventually erected a
log building and established a supply store, and by his energy
and tact founded an extended mercantile business. He also
erected and operated mills for the manufacture of flour and lum-
ber and for other purposes.
In 1821 he was a member of the legislature of New York. He
died at Sharon, N. Y., on the 5th day of September, 1842, and his
wife died at the same place on the 30th day of May, 1831.
David Eldredge, their son and father of the subject of this
sketch, was born in Sharon, N. Y., on the 3d day of September,
1797, and was married to Miss Sally Swift on the 9th day of
October, 1816. She was born on the 14th day of November, 1798,
at Cherry Valley, N. Y., and was a daughter of Thomas Swift,
formerly of Rhode Island. She died at Sharon Springs on the
2d day of October, 1865. David Eldredge was the founder of
Sharon Springs and was during his life a farmer, and also recon-
structed several of the mills that had been erected by his father
and supplied and controlled the same for many years thereafter.
He died at Sharon Springs on October 8, 1865.
746 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
Barnabas B. Eldredge was born at Sharon Springs, Schoharie
county, N. Y., on the 2d day of February, 1824. In June, 1838, he
entered upon a preparatory course of study at the Clinton Lib-
eral Institute, Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y. He was placed under
the personal supervision of the eminent linguist, the Rev.
Timothy Clowes, LL.D., and of Prof. George R. Perkins, the well-
known mathematician, scientist and educator, and was graduated
from Hamilton College, New York, in the class of 1845.
In August of the same year he entered upon a course of study
of law at the Cambridge Law School, under the direction of
Simon Greenleaf, LL.D., author of "Greenleaf on Evidence" and
other legal works and treaties, and of Judge William Kent, son
of Chancellor Kent. He closed his term at the law school in
1847.
He continued his law studies with Samuel Stevens, of Albany,
N. Y., and was admitted to practice in the courts of such state
at a term of its Supreme court held at Salem, Washington county,
in May, 1848, Judges Cady, Hand and Millard presiding, and dur-
ing the same year began the practice of law at Sharon Springs,
where he continued the same until the 1st of November, 1850,
when, at the earnest solicitation of his father, who had for the
first time visited the West during that year, and, like Horace
Greeley, had confidence in the future of that section, he started
for Janesville, Wis., where he arrived on the 9th day of Novem-
ber, 1850.
Upon his arrival at Janesville, Mr. Eldredge formed a law
partnership with John J. R. Pease and Isaac Woodle, under the
firm name of Woodle, Eldredge & Pease, which continued until
June 6, 1851, when Mr. Woodle retired, the firm remaining Eld-
redge & Pease until January, 1866. In October, 1867, Thomas H.
Ruger, who subsequently became a major general of the United
States army, second in rank, and retired in April, 1897, joined
the firm of Eldredge & Pease, which was continued as Eldredge,
Pease & Ruger until the commencement of the war of the Rebel-
lion, when Mr. Ruger retired to enter the service of the United
States as lieutenant colonel of the Third Wisconsin Regiment of
volunteers when the old firm name of Eldredge & Pease was
resumed.
In 1853 Mr. Eldredge was appointed local attorney for the
Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company and served in that
COUETS AND LEGAL PKOFESSION 747
capacity until 1860. In 1855 he became attorney for the Chicago,
St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Company, now the Chicago &
North-Western, serving as such until 1866, when he resigned to
return to Sharon Springs on account of business matters requir-
ing his personal attention. Having arranged his aifairs in the
East, on the 1st of July, 1868, he returned to Janesville, where
he resided until his death.
He did not at once resume the practice of the law, but con-
tinued legal investigations in the office of Pease & Ruger until
after the death of his wife, whose delicate condition of health
required the devotion of much of his time to her care, till the sad
event. Soon thereafter he opened a law office in the same rooms
he had formerly occupied and resumed the practice.
From January 1, 1878, until January, 1881, he was associated
with Ogden H. Fethers. He then continued alone in the prac-
tice until January 1, 1898, when he formed a partnership with
Arthur M. Fisher.
During the term of his attorneyship of the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac Railroad, Mr. Eldredge personally assisted in shap-
ing the necessary agreements and the legislative enactments
under and by means of which its several extensions and consoli-
dations were effected, and as attorney for these railroad com-
panies he participated in the disposition of many important
actions wherein the companies were interested in the courts of
last resort.
Mr. Eldredge 's successes were confined to the field of his pro-
fession, but as a man of business affairs he displayed the same
capacity which crowned his professional efforts with success. He
became a stockholder and director of the Rock County National
Bank shortly after its organization and was president of this
institution from November 19, 1881, to January 17, 1887, from
which time he served as its vice-president till after the construc-
tion of the works in 1881 ; he was a stockholder and director of
the Janesville woolen mills of Janesville and president of that
corporation.
As a citizen Mr. Eldredge was an active worker in the
development of many of the movements that have resulted bene-
ficially. He was the first to advise the sinking of an artesian well
at the fair grounds at Janesville as a test for agricultural pur-
poses and which by his efforts was carried through successfully
748 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
except so far as raising water to the necessary height on the ele-
vated prairies. Subsequently he took a deep interest in the ques-
tion of procuring a good and sufficient water supply for the city
of Janesville and strongly advocated the artesian well system for
that purpose in opposition to all plans to utilize river or creek
water, and was ably supported by John J. R. Pease and Judge
Milton M. Phelps. A well was sunk near the west bank of Rock
river to the depth of 1,087 feet above the level of the water sur-
face in the river, discharging at the rate of 800,000 gallons every
twenty-four hours — was voted a grand success.
In early life ]\Ir. Eldredge was a Democrat and cast his first
vote for Silas Wright for governor of New York. He was recog-
nized as a local leader of his party and as a delegate to the con-
vention held at Utica, N. Y., which nominated Martin Van Buren
for the presidency. He gave him his hearty support. He was
also a delegate to the barnburners' convention held at Rome, N.
Y., with the object of consolidating the barnburners and hunkers,
but which failed in its purpose. Upon the organization of the
Republican party Mr. Eldredge discontinued to fraternize with
the Democrats and was recognized as an active Republican.
He was appointed by Gov. C. C. Washburn one of the com-
missioners, authorized by chapter 243 of the laws of Wisconsin
of 1873, to hear, try and determine the claim for damages by
Morgan L. Martin under a contract entered into by him with the
state and bearing date of May 14, 1861. After hearing the claim
Mr. Eldredge made a minority finding and reported adversely to
such claim and filed the same with the secretary of state.
February 2, 1848, at Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y., he was
married to Louisa Maria Hutchens, whose many excellencies of
character and education challenged the esteem and love of all
within the sphere of her refined and womanly influence. She was
a daughter of AVilliam and Louisa Hutchens, formerly of Con-
necticut and who were early settlers at Clinton.
Two children were born to them — William Mellen, the elder,
was born at Clinton, November, 1848; he married in 1875 Miss
Sarah C. Pease, a daughter of J. J. R. and Caroline M. R. Pease,
of Janesville. Charles Chamberlin, the younger, was born in
Janesville, July 10, 1856, and died in infancy. The mother, after
years of suffering, which she bore with Christian resignation, died
on the 29th day of March, 1877.
COURTS AXD LEGAL PROFESSION 749
Mr. Eldredge was again married on June 17, 1878, at Janes-
ville, AVis., to Miss Mary A. Hunter, daughter of Rev. James
Hunter, of Quebec, Canada, formerly of Galashiels, Scotland, a
minister of the Congregational church. He died of cholera at the
age of ninety-two years, only two days after delivering what
proved to be his last sermon,
Mr. Eldredge was in communion with the Episcopal church
and a member of the Christ church, Janesville. He became a
Master Mason in 1853 ; a member of Janesville Lodge, No. 55, and
of Janesville Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, of which he
was one of the organizers.
Charles G. Williams, of Janesville, was born in Royalton,
Niagara county, N. Y., October 18, 1829, of New England par-
entage, his father, Deodat Williams, being a native of Hartford,
Conn., and his mother, Mary Wright, of Shoreham, Vt. After the
marriage of the father of Mr. Williams he engaged for a time in
the mercantile business at Shoreham, Vt., from whence he re-
moved to Niagara county. New York, where he took up land on
the Holland purchase, and during the remainder of his life was
engaged in farming.
Charles G. was the youngest of a family of ten children. His
early educational opportunities were such only as a district school
afforded, and these were much interrupted by poor health. When
quite young he developed a fondness as well as an aptness for
public speaking. He was instrumental in organizing debating
schools in his neighborhood and took great interest and pleasure
in attending and taking part in the discussions at these schools,
and in later life often remarked that among his truest and most
esteemed friends were the farmers he met at these schools. When
Mr. Williams was about fifteen years old he conceived the idea
of reading law and very soon thereafter his determination to
become a lawyer became fixed and unalterable. He encountered
sore disappointments and at times what seemed to his friends
insurmountable obstacles, but he never wavered in his purpose.
At first his father did not encourage his ambitions, but observing
how resolutely he held to his purpose, he entered into sympathy
with his wishes and determined to give his son a thorough edu-
cation preparatory to his entering upon the study of the law,
when suddenly death came to the father, and at the age of six-
teen Charles was left not only without the counsel and sympathy
750 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
of a father, but thrown upon his own resources for the future.
He soon engaged in teaching school, however, and worked at day
labor during vacations, by which means and with some aid from
his two brothers, E. W. and M. B. "Williams, he succeeded in com-
pleting a thorough academic course at the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary, of Lima, N. Y. He commenced the study of the law in
the office of Judge L. F. and George Brewer, of Lockport, N. Y.,
teaching a part of the time in the high school of that place. In
1852 he removed to Eochester, where he completed his law
studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He entered into
practice of the law in Eochester with the intention of remaining
there, but after practicing there one year he received a very lib-
eral offer from the late Judge David Noggle, of Janesville, to
come to that place and take charge of his legal business, as the
judge at that time contemplated retiring from practice. Mr. "Wil-
liams accepted this offer and, upon the elevation of Judge Noggle
to the bench, soon found himself conducting a fine legal practice
in Janesville. ]\Ir. Williams was married soon after his admis-
sion to the bar in Eochester, and Mrs. "Williams died about two
months after their arrival in Janesville. She was Miss Harriet
Gregg, daughter of Benjamin Gregg, of Eochester. Mr. "Williams
afterward married Miss Mary A., eldest daughter of Judge Nog-
gle, by whom he had two children — Kittie A. and Ward D. He
was a thorough Eepublican in politics and his power as a cam-
paign speaker very soon became known and appreciated by the
people of his adopted state, and he was therefore ranked among
the first as an eloquent speaker. Notwithstanding the arduous
labor performed by him in this direction, he had a large, success-
ful and constantly increasing legal business in both civil and
criminal cases in Eock and adjoining counties, and was always
able to maintain his position in the front rank of his profession.
He possessed great power as a lawyer and pleader and always
entered upon the trial of his cases with careful, painstaking and
studious preparation.
In 1868 Mr. W^illiams was a Eepublican presidential elector,
and the same year was elected to the state senate and re-elected
in 1870, and was made president pro tempore and chairman of
the judiciary committee of that body. During his term in the
state senate he took and held a front rank among its leaders. He
was nominated by acclamation and elected to the forty-third con-
*«?
LKVI ALDEX.
COURTS AXD LEGAL PEOFESSION 751
gress in 1872, and was renominated four times afterward almost
without opposition and elected by majorities ranging from four
to six thousand. No member of congress ever enjoyed in a higher
degree the respect, confidence and affection of his constituency.
He finally gave up his law practice and devoted his entire time to
his congressional duties.
He took part in the discussion of nearly every important ques-
tion that came before the house during his term of service, among
which may be mentioned interstate commerce, centennial exposi-
tion, civil rights, force bill, specie payments, Chinese immigra-
tion, electoral count, election laws, army and other appropria-
tions.
Mr. "Williams was emphatically a man of the people, always
regardless of personal consequences, decisive and firm of charac-
ter, and the world was indeed better for his having lived.
Edward M. Hyzer, of Janesville, Wis., was born there on
December 10, 1854. His literary education was acquired at the
Janesville High School and Classical Academy, of the same place.
He obtained his legal acquirements in the law office of Messrs.
Cassody & Carpenter, of Janesville, and was admitted to the bar
of Rock County Circuit court, January 14, 1879, and to the bar
of the Supreme court February 3, 1880. In April, 1880, he was
elected to the office of city attorney of Janesville and re-elected
to the same office in April, 1881. Mr. Hyzer is now a resident of
Milwaukee and is attorney for the Chicago & North-Western
Railway Company.
Moses S. Prichard, Janesville, was born at Bradford, Orange
county, Vt., April 8, 1822, and was a son of George W. and Eliza-
beth Prichard. He was educated at the University of Vermont,
studied law at Oxford, N. H., with Leonard Wilcox, who served
as judge of the Supreme court and United States senator, and
was admitted as an attorney at Chelsea, Orange county, Vt., in
1844. AVhen he came to Wisconsin it was in company with A.
Hyatt Smith, David Noggle, Amos P. Prichard, John M. Berry
(afterward judge of the Supreme court of Minnesota), John D.
Parker, James H. Knowlton and A. A. Jackson, a notable array
of gentlemen, all of whom reached distinction. Judge Prichard
filled the offices of justice of the peace, county judge and police
justice of the city of Janesville for many years.
A. Hyatt Smith was born in New York city, February 5, 1814,
7o2 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
the son of Maurice and May Reynolds Smith, who were natives
of Westchester county, New York. The ancestors of Mr. Smith
were among the first settlers of Long Island. The father dying
while his son was yet young, he entered in his early life the law
office of his guardian, James Smith, and devoted himself to the
study of law for eleven years. At the same time he pursued his
literary studies in the private academy of Boreland and Forest,
then the first classical school in New York city, and completed
his education at Mount Pleasant Seminary, which was under the
management of Rev. Samuel J. Prince. Having completed his
law studies, Mr. Smith was admitted to practice in the city courts
of New York in the summer of 1835 and to the Supreme court of
the state in 1836 under rules of very strict requirement, now
largely abolished. He immediately entered upon a large and
lucrative practice in partnership with his former preceptors, one
of whom, James Smith, retiring from the firm on account of fail-
ing health. "Working unremittingly for six years so impaired his
health that his physicians advised a change of climate, and
accordingly he arrived at Janesville on November 22, 1842. Here
Mr. Smith at once invested in real estate and in companies to
improve the excellent water power at that place, which laid the
basis of future prosperity of this fine inland city.
In the summer of 1846 Mr. Smith, a Democrat, was elected in
a Whig district to the first constitutional convention, and in 1847
he was appointed by Gov. William Dodge, attorney general of the
territory, and held the office until the state was admitted into the
Union. In 1848 he was appointed United States attorney by
President James K. Polk and held the office until Gen. Z. Taylor
became President. He was the first mayor of the new city of
Janesville in 1853 and again in 1857. For many years he was a
regent of the State University. Mr. Smith was widely known as
closely identified with plank road and railroad projects of early
days in the state, in which he sank a fortune and made innumera-
ble enemies, but lived to see his early railroad plans mainly
brought to fruition by other men at a later date. Subsequently
he built the Hyatt house, a large hotel at Janesville, which was
eventually burned in January, 1866, as was his mill in 1871. He
then moved his business to Chicago, opened a law office with a
valuable library, only to have it meet destruction in the great
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 753
conflagration in that city of 1871, together with all his valuable
papers, for which his safe was no protection.
Mr. Smith was made a Mason at Janesville in 1847 ; served as
master of the lodge ; assisted in organizing a chapter of Royal
Arch jMasons at Janesville, and elected to the order of Knights
Templar, but not installed. He also aided in organizing a Temple
of Honor at Janesville, and was always an Episcopalian in
religion and a Democrat in politics. He married Miss Ann Mar-
garet Cooper Kelley in New York on April i, 1838, and raised five
children to adult age. Mr. Smith passed a long life of activity,
enterprise and indomitable energy, a man of clean moral char-
acter, and in his declining years was hale, hearty and cheerful.
George Geer Sutherland was born at Fitchburg, in Dane
county, Wis., on March 21, 1851, and is one of a family of six
children born to Chester and Sarah Ann (Rood) Sutherland. His
grandfather, Joshua Sutherland, was a native of Dutchess county,
New York, and served in the War of 1812. Our subject's father
was a native of New York, his mother of Vermont. His father
was a carpenter and joiner and cabinetmaker by trade. Remov-
ing to the West when a young man, he settled in Milwaukee,
where he was engaged in building and contracting for several
years, and later bought and settled on a half section of land in
the town of Fitchburg, four miles from Madison, and afterwards
acquired other large property interests. His decease occurred in
1889 at the age of seventy-four years. He was a man of influence
in his community and filled numerous local offices, serving as
township treasurer, supervisor and county superintendent of
schools. He was a man of deep religious convictions and with his
wife was connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. Our
subject's mother, whose home was in Madison, like his father,
was of Scotch descent. She was born in Vermont and was a
daughter of Orlin Rood, who removed with his family to Illinois
at an early day. He was employed in the construction of the
Illinois and Michigan canal, and besides large real estate inter-
ests in Chicago, owned large tracts of pine land and several saw-
mills in Wisconsin. Our subject received his early education in
the common schools and in 1872 was graduated from the ancient
classical department of the University of Wisconsin. Two years
later he received his degree from the law department, after which
he spent a year and a half as a student and clerk in the law office
fUM HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
of Mr. J. D. Gurnes, of Madison, Mr. Sutherland began the prac-
tice of his profession at Janesville in 1876 and has been widely
known as one of the leading lawyers of the city. Aside from his
profession Mr. Sutherland is associated with commercial indus-
tries, being interested in the Janesville Electric Company and
president of the Bower City Bank, Janesville Realty Company,
the Caloric Company and Rock River Machine Company, and also
holds large real estate interests. He is prominent in Masonic
circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Western
Starr Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M. ; Janesville Chapter, No. 5;
Janesville Commandery, No. 2, and the Milwaukee Consistory. He
is a Democrat in political sentiment and in his religious beliefs is
affiliated with the Presbyterian denomination.
On June 30, 1880, Mr. Sutherland married Miss Agnes Sayre,
daughter of David F. and Sarah E. (Ely) Sayre. They have
three children — Sarah, Clarence and Frank — and have a beauti-
ful home, a model of domestic comfort and elegance, at No. 256
Park place.
Malcolm George Jeffris, one of the leaders of the Wisconsin
bar, is especially prominent as a trial lawyer of rare ability. He
is a native of Rock county, Wisconsin, and was born August 18,
1862. His father, David Jeffris, traces his American ancestry to
the early settlers of Virginia, who emigrated to the Old Dominion
about 1700 and subsequently became active participants in the
Revolutionary war. Thomas Jeffris, his great-grandfather, was a
sergeant under Washington. Mr. Jeffris' mother — Grace Mouat
before marriage — was born in the Orkney islands, and is there-
fore of the purest Scotch.
Although as a boy not physically strong, Malcolm was remarka-
bly bright, enterprising and determined. He made good progress
in his studies despite many interruptions, but finally determined
to leave school when only fourteen years of age and establish
himself in business. With borrowed money he bought a stock of
groceries valued at about $4,000, and bravely faced the world as
a merchant. For two years he continued the business, carrying
along his studies with it, and was prepared to enter Beloit Col-
lege when his health gave way through over-exertion. Selling his
business, and after a brief period of rest, he commenced the study
of law, being at this time only seventeen years of age.
Mr. Jeffris celebrated his twenty-first birthday by his admis-
COUETS AXD LEGAL PEOFESSION 755
sion to the bar and immediately formed a partnership with
Ogden H. Fethers. They were employed throughout the North-
west and the firm conceded to be one of the strongest in the
state.
The wide range of his activities is indicated by the facts that
he has served as grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of
Wisconsin (1889) ; was president of the national fraternal con-
gress at Washington in 1892, and during the same year was chair-
man of the Republican state convention. He has advocated the
principles of his party in every campaign with eloquence and
practical results. Mr. Jeffris also has large agricultural interests
in Rock county, is identified with the water works of Stevens
Point and Menomonie, and also with the mills of Janesville. At
all times and in all places he is public spirited and generous.
When we add to these various pursuits the pleasures and
responsibilities of domestic life we have the picture of a busy,
able, broad minded and successful American gentleman and law-
yer. Mr. Jeffris was married January 22, 1885, to Miss Nancy
Roys, of Janesville.
William Ruger. Mr. Ruger's paternal ancestors were residents
of the Empire state. His grandfather, Francis Ruger, settled in
the Mohawk valley and was one of its enterprising and influential
pioneers. His father, the Rev. Thomas J. Ruger, was a clergyman
of the Protestant Episcopal church and officiated as such, and
taught as professor of mathematics in academic institutions in
New York until the year 1844, when he removed to the territory
of Wisconsin and settled in Janesville, where he resided the
remainder of his life. He took charge of the mission of his church
there established and became rector of the same when organized
as a parish, and continued his charge as rector until the year
1855. In 1846 he established an academic school in Janesville
and conducted it successfully for a considerable time. The sons
and daughters of many of the prominent pioneers of the territory
attended this school.
In his earlier life he undertook with his brother, William
Ruger, the preparation of a series of mathematical books, but this
work was interrupted by the death of this brother, so that only
the arithmetic known as ''Ruger's Arithmetic" was completed
and published.
This brother William was a lawyer of note and served as a
£56 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
member of the court of errors of New York in the years 1841
and 1842.
Another brother, John Ruger, was a prominent lawyer in
practice for many years in the state of New York, his last resi-
dence being in Syracuse. His son, William C. Ruger, became
chief justice of New York in 1890, served as such until his death,
and acquired high rank as a lawyer and jurist.
Mr. Ruger 's mother's maiden name was Maria Hutchins — a
member of the Hutchins family of Connecticut and related to the
Jewell and Bradley families of that state. Members of her family
have occupied judicial and other important public positions.
The subject of this sketch was admitted to the bar in 1859.
Upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he cooperated
with his brother Edward in raising a company of volunteers at
Janesville, first known as the Ruger guards, and afterwards as
Company A of the Thirteenth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers.
Upon its organization he became second lieutenant, and upon the
formation of the regiment was commissioned first lieutenant and
adjutant. After serving something more than a year with his
regiment he was, by President Lincoln, commissioned as an
assistant adjutant general of United States Volunteers, with the
rank of captain. At the battle of New Hope Church in Georgia
he was seriously wounded and soon after received a brevet com-
mission as major for gallant and meritorious service in that bat-
tle and the prior battle at Resaca, Ga. He was mustered out in
November, 1865, and immediately resumed the practice of law in
Janesville, and has ever since devoted himself to it exclusively.
He has had special experience in those branches of the law
involved in the litigations of railway companies and other cor-
porations, and the law of real estate and waters.
Frederick C. Burpee, ex-city attorney of Janesville, to which
office he was elected in April, 1898. Prior to that time he was
elected a member of the board of education.
Mr. Burpee's parents are Austin E. and Eliza (Chapin)
Burpee. His father, for many years a prominent lumber mer-
chant of Janesville, came to that city from the Empire state in
1854. Here the latter lived and prospered until his death, Sep-
temper 18, 1891.
The son and subject of this sketch was born in Janesville, on
the 14th of October, 1865. He was educated in the public and
COUKTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 757
high schools of his native place, as well as at a private academy.
In 1886 Mr. Burpee commenced his legal studies in the office
of AVinans & Hyzer, Janesville, and was admitted to the bar
by the state board of examiners, then sitting at Milwaukee, oto
the 29th of August, 1888. He began the practice of his profession
in his native city. From the first he secured his share of the
legal business, and that he conducted it with ability is evident
from his election to the office of city attorney. He had, in fact,
early realized that the secret of modern success consists of in-
dustry and thorough business methods applied to professional
work. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Janesville
Lodge No. 22, and a member of the order of Elks, Lodge No. 254.
In politics he was a Democrat.
Mr. Burpee was married on January 5, 1898, to Jennie L.
Rowe, daughter of Oscar D. Rowe.
Rhoda Lavinia Goodell was admitted to be a member of the
bar of Rock county in the spring of 1874 — probably the first
woman lawyer in Wisconsin. She was born in Utica, N. Y., in
May, 1839 ; graduated from the Ladies ' Seminary at Brooklyn
Heights, N. Y. ; assisted her father in editing a journal devoted
to the advocacy of anti-slavery principles and other reforms;
taught successfully for three years and for four years was an
editorial writer on "Harper's Bazar." In 1871 she came to Wis-
consin, settling at Janesville. Soon afterward she became a
student in the law office of Jackson & Norcross, and was admitted
as stated. On December 14, 1875, I. C. Sloan moved the admis-
sion of Miss Goodell to the bar of the Supreme court and made
an elaborate argument in favor of the motion, which argument
was prepared by the lady in whose favor it was, and which is
substantially preserved in the report of the case — 39 Wis., 232.
The motion was denied by the court on the ground that the leg-
islature had not authorized the admission of females to the bar.
The opinion, written by Ryan, Chief Justice, questions the power
of the legislature to provide for the admission of women to the
bar of the Supreme court. In 1877 the legislature enacted a law
declaring that no person should be denied a license to practice as
an attorney in any court of the state on account of sex. Miss
Goodell was admitted to the bar of the Supreme court without
question in June, 1879, after the death of Chief Justice Ryan, as
have several other women since that time. She practiced her
768 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
profession at Janesville and in it won the respect and confidence
of the community. She died March 31, 1880, at Milwaukee.
Ogden Hoffman Fethers, son of Daniel and Laura (Adams)
Fethers, was born at Sharon Springs, N. Y., September 20, 1845.
His father was of Dutch ancestry and his mother was a member
of the historic Adams family of Quincy, Mass. His early educa-
tion was obtained in the district school at Sharon Springs, sup-
plemented by a course of study at the Fort Edward Collegiate
Institute at Fort Edward, N. Y., from which he was graduated
in 1863. He read law with James E. Dewey, of Cherry Valley,
N. Y., and was admitted as attorney in 1867 and as counselor in
1877. He practiced his profession in Canton, N. Y., and since
1877 in Janesville, Wis. Before locating in Janesville he spent
several years as an educator, being for part of the time professor
of English literature in Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.
In 1877 he formed a partnership with B. B. Eldredge, of Janes-
ville, which continued for several years. For fifteen years he was
associated with Malcolm G. Jeffris, the firm being Fethers, Jefi'ris,
Fifield & Mouat. He was married July 15, 1868, to Frances Ella
Conkey, of Canton, N. Y.
John Winans was one of the leading members of the Wiscon-
sin bar and among the well-rounded and most forceful characters
of the state. He was a native of New Jersey, being born in
Vernon, Sussex county, on the 27th of September, 1831. The
family is of Dutch descent, its members being among the pioneers
of New Jersey. Mr. Winans' father, AVilliam R., and his uncle,
Ross — the latter a prominent citizen of Baltimore — were men of
enterprise and rare executive ability, and for many years were
identified with the construction and operation of the railroad
between St. Petersburg and Moscow.
The boy and young man received his education — common as
well as professional — in his native state, studying law at various
oifices in Newton and Trenton. At the latter place he enjoyed
the tutelage of Martin Ryerson, afterward distinguished as a
judge of the Circuit and State Supreme courts. In 1855 Mr.
Winans was admitted to practice in all the courts of New Jersey,
but two years thereafter (in the spring of 3857) removed to
Janesville, Wis., and commenced that long and substantial career
which placed him in the van of his profession as an advocate in
cases civil or criminal. Eloquent and brilliant, at the same time
COUKTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 759
he never allowed his feelings or passions to cloud his judgment.
Although there were few members of the bar who could so sway
a jury, his artillery was trained with legal accuracy and rested
solidly upon the evidence and the facts, and there was no mem-
ber of the profession in southern Wisconsin who took part in
more cases of importance and carried them to a successful con-
clusion than Mr. Winans. Of the noted suits with which he was
identified may be mentioned the murder cases of Mrs. Mack and
Ashton, and the Edgerton "Bible" and Jackman will cases.
When Mr. Winans first located in Janesville he became a
member of the firm of Winans & Dixon, and subsequently formed
the partnerships of Winans & McElroy, Winans & Fethers,
Winans, Fethers & Jeffris, Winans & Hyzer and Winans &
Russell.
Mr. Winans was a Democrat of even more than state reputa-
tion, although he was not considered a strong partisan. His
political record dates back more than thirty years, when as a
young man of thirty-three he attended the national Democratic
convention which in 1864 assembled at Chicago. In 1868 he was
defeated as a candidate for congress from the second district.
This, however, was anticipated, as the district had always been
decisively Republican. Mr. Winans represented Janesville in the
assembly in 1874, 1882, 1887 and 1891 ; was elected to congress
from the first district in the fall of 1882, overcoming, by his
ability and popularity, the usual Republican majority of about
5,000, and at different times served his fellow-citizens in such
positions of local trust as those of alderman, city attorney and
mayor. Under his administration as mayor most of the city
improvements were established, such as water works, fire alarm
system, gates at street crossings, street cars, lighting of the
streets by electricity, etc., etc.
In 1887 Mr. Winans received the Democratic votes of mem-
bers of the legislature for United States senator in opposition to
Philetus Sawyer, and upon the assembling of the national conven-
tion of Democratic clubs, held in Baltimore on July 4, 1888, was
made chairman of that body. He was upon several occasions
chosen as an elector on the national ticket or a delegate to the
national conventions.
From all of the foregoing it will be correctly inferred that
Mr. Winans was a leader of men. It may be added that he was
760 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
such by inherent strength of character, and that the offices which
he held came to him as a free gift from the people. After a
lingering illness he died at his home in Janesville on January 17,
1907.
Isaac Woodle was born at "Washington, "Washington county,
Pa., November 9, 1819, and lived there until he attained his
majority; was graduated from W^ashington College in 1840, and
soon afterward became a resident of Janesville, "Wis., where he
studied law and was admitted to the bar. Mr. "Woodle gave
much time to the building of railroads and was not extensively
known as a lawyer. In 1861 he was active in raising a cavalry
regiment for service in the Civil War, and became quartermaster
with the rank of major. His service in the army brought on an
illness which caused his death April 3, 1862.
"He was a noble, generous, able and unselfish man, and while
his talents made no great lasting impression on the annals of his
time, his place in the hearts of his surviving peers is second to
none."
Sanford A. Hudson. The subject of this sketch was born at
Oxford, "Worcester county, Mass., May 16, 1817, the son of Amos
Hudson and Mary nee Fisk. The genealogy of his father's fam-
ily has not been carefully preserved, but it is claimed that he was
descended from the same ancestry as the great navigator and
explorer, Hendrick Hudson, while on the mother's side he was
descended from Richard Haven, who immigrated from England
and settled in Lynn, Mass., about the year 1644. His maternal
grandfather. Dr. Daniel Fisk, was one of the leading physicians
of his county and a man of considerable prominence. From a
published genealogy of the descendants of the above named
Richard Haven, and embracing some eight or nine degrees of con-
sanguinity and upward of thirty thousand persons, the descent
of our subject from this common ancestor is thus traced: "San-
ford A. Hudson, son of Mary Fisk, daughter of Daniel Fisk, son
of Isaac Fisk, son of Hannah Haven, daughter of Richard Haven,
son of Moses Haven, son of (the original) Richard Haven." He
began the study of law, entering the law office of Dyer N. Burn-
ham, Esq., at Sackett's Harbor. He was admitted to the bar in
1848, after being examined with a class of sixteen, half of whom
were rejected. It was with much hesitancy and embarrassment
that he entered upon the practice of his profession, for although
COUKTS AXD LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 761
his attainments in the science of jurisprudence were not inferior
to the average of incipient attorneys, yet he felt keenly his lack
of education, and regarded it as little less than presumption and
folly on his part to attempt to compete with learned and cunning
members of the profession. He formed a partnership with John
R. Bennett, Esq., who had been a fellow-student with him in the
office of Mr. Burnham, and who had been admitted to the bar a
few months previously, and to whom he cheerfully acknowledges
a debt of gratitude for valuable assistance willingly rendered in
his studies.
In the autumn of the same year (1848) they resolved to
remove to the West. They had never heard of Janesville before
leaving New York, but during the journey they heard it highly
spoken of as a promising village in the interior of Wisconsin. The
place fully met their expectations, and here they settled.
From an earlj'^ period of his life Mr. Hudson took a lively
interest in political matters. As early as 1844, when Henry Clay
was the Whig candidate for President, he engaged actively in his
support in New York state, and on several occasions, in company
with Hon. Orsumus Cole, of the Supreme court of Wisconsin,
addressed large public meetings. In 1845, when the legislature
of New York submitted to a vote of the people the question of
licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors, he took an earnest and
active part on the negative side of the question and with very
considerable effect.
In 1853 the town of Janesville obtained a city charter, and
our subject was elected the first attorney of the new corporation.
In the preceding year he had been nominated by the Whig party
for the position of prosecuting attorney for the county of Rock,
but was not elected.
In 1856 the city obtained an amendment to its charter estab-
lishing a city court having jurisdiction over all criminal and city
prosecutions ; over this Mr. Hudson was elected to preside. In
1858 he was elected mayor of Janesville, and held that office two
years. In 1863 he was again elected presiding magistrate of the
City court, and held the office seven years consecutively and two
years at a subsequent period, in all nine years.
On the 13th of October, ]847, he was married to Miss Sarah
D., daughter of John M. Canfield, Esq., of Sackett's Harbor, N.
Y. They had five children. The eldest son, Theodore C, gradu-
762 HISTORY OF ROCK COUIs^TY
atecl at Racine College in the class of 1873 ; Frances S., Harriet J.,
Sanford H. and Sarah C.
George Record Peck was born near Cameron, Steuben county,
N. Y., in 1843, and at the age of six years was brought West by
his parents on their removal to "Wisconsin, where he spent his
childhood amid the hardships of farm life in a Western clearing.
At the age of sixteen, with only a common-school education, he
left the work of the farm to become a district school teacher, that
he might add to the scant income of his father and free the farm
from debt. At the age of nineteen, feeling his duty to his coun-
try paramount to everything else, he enlisted in the First Heavy
Artillery of Wisconsin, was transferred to the Thirty-first AVis-
consin Infantry, and marched with Sherman's army to the sea.
After three years' service he was mustered out, at the age of
twenty-two, having by his fidelity and gallantry been promoted
to the rank of captain.
On being mustered out of the service Captain Peek im-
mediately returned to Wisconsin. He spent six years in Janes-
ville as law student. Circuit court clerk and practicing lawyer,
and then sought a wider field in the new state of Kansas, pur-
suing his profession with signal success in Independence from
1871 to 1874. In the latter year he was appointed by President
Grant to the office of United States attorney for the district of
Kansas, and removed to Topeka, where for nineteen years he won
ever increasing distinction as a lawyer and influential citizen and
a man of letters. Within a month after his appointment he was
directed by the attorney general of the United States to bring a
suit involving a title to 960,000 acres of land. The ability with
which he brought this and other cases to a successful issue soon
made him one of the leading lawyers of the state. In 1879 the
greater rewards of private practice led him to resign the office of
district attorney. In 1881 the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail-
road Company elected him its general solicitor, and from that
time until September, 1895, that large and constantly growing
system of railroads was created and developed under his counsel
and direction.
During his residence in Chicago his political experience and
learning and his fine literary art have become familiar to the
public through his occasional addresses. The most notable of
these have been his address on Gen. George H. Thomas before the
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 763
Loyal Legion of the United States, at Indianapolis; his response
on Abraham Lincoln at the Marquette Club banquet, in Chicago ;
his address on the Puritans before the Ethical Society of Mil-
waukee; his address on the ""Worth of a Sentiment" delivered
before the Washington and Jefferson societies of the University
of Virginia; his address on "The Ethical Basis of American
Patriotism" before the graduating class of Union College, New
York ; his oration at the unveiling of the statue of Gen. John A.
Logan in Chicago, and his address on "George Washington"
before the students of the University of Chicago.
As a lawyer Mr. Peck ranks with the greatest this country has
produced, and few of these can show such a list of pl?ofessional
triumphs. When the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
Company secured control of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail-
road, in 1891, one of the stockholders of the latter company
sought to enjoin the sale on the ground that the two roads were
parallel and competing. The case was bitterly contested in the
circuit and supreme courts of the United States. Mr. Peck's
successful management of this litigation, in which the formation
of the Atchison system was involved, gave him his place among
the first railroad lawyers of the time. In this he was ably assisted
by E. D. Kenna, a young man who has achieved distinction at
the bar and won high honors in the profession.
When, in December, 1893, the Atchison system went into the
hands of receivers, and the problem of its reorganization was
pressing upon the holders of its almost worthless securities, the
direction of the legal proceedings devolved upon Mr. Peck.
Within two years the mortgages had been foreclosed, the prop-
erty sold and a working plan of reorganization effected, and the
great railroad system preserved unbroken. Such a feat of effi-
cient and rapid reorganization of so large a railroad property is
unparalleled in railroad history. In September, 1895, Mr. Peck
resigned as general solicitor of the Atchison system, to become
general counsel of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
Company, and Hon. Henry C. Caldwell, United States circuit
judge, in accepting his resignation, asked that he still give to the
Atchison reorganization committee the benefit of his counsel until
the reorganization should be completed. He also characterized
his connection with the receivership matters in terms of highest
praise.
:64 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
William Morrison Tallman was born in Lee, Oneida county,
N. Y., June 13, 1808, the son of David and Eunice Tallman, both
of whom were natives of "Woodbury, Litchfield county. Conn.
The family immigrated from Litchfield county to Oneida county
in 1806, and resided there until 1816, when they removed to
Brookl;>Ti, Kings county, N. Y.
In 1821 Mr. Tillman began the study of law in the office of
the late Hon. F. A. Talmadge, in Vesey street. New York, then
on the site of the Astor House. After studying law one year, he
determined upon a more complete preliminary education, and in
1822 began to prepare for college at the academy in Norwalk,
Conn. He remained here four years, and then, in September,
1826, entered the freshman class of Yale college, where he con-
tinued four years more, going through the entire collegiate
course, and graduating with his class in September, 1830. Im-
mediately after graduation he entered the law school connected
with Yale, and was there two years, completing the full course of
legal studies. He was admitted to the bar in New Haven in
the fall of 1832.
He at once returned to the city of New York and commenced
anew there the study of law, and the practice then peculiar to the
courts of that state, in the office of Hon. James Talmadge and
W. H. Bulkley, in Wall street. He was admitted to the bar of
New York state in Albany in October, 1833. Immediately there-
after he entered upon the practice of law in his native county, at
Rome, N. Y., and continued so engaged until 1850, when he re-
moved with his family to Janesville, Rock county. Wis. He
resumed practice at Janesville, and continued it until 1854, when
he relinquished the profession entirely — having been in the prac-
tice twenty-one years.
In 1831 he married, at New Haven, Emeline, second daughter
of Norman and Ruth Dexter, of Hartford county, Connecticut, by
whom he has had two sons and one daughter, named respectively,
William Henry, Edgar Dexter, and Cornelia Augusta.
John B. Cassoday was born in Herkimer county. New York,
July 7, 1830. About three years later his father died, and he and
his mother moved with her parents to Tioga county, Pennsyl-
vania. He began his life as the poorest of poor boys, but the
same industry, good judgment and well directed ambition which
made him one of the foremost lawyers of Wisconsin, carried him
COURTS AXD LET>AL PEOFESSIOX 765
successfully through his early struggles. Besides occasionally
attending the district school for a few months, working for his
board, he attended one term at the village school at Tioga, and
one term at the AVellsborough academy, before he was seventeen.
For the next four years he was engaged in various kinds of
manual labor, occasionally teaching in the winters. He after-
ward spent two terms at the academy of Knoxville, Penn., and
two years at Alfred (New York) academy, from which he was
graduated. He then attended the University of Michigan one
year, taking the select course, which was supplemented by a
term at the Albany Law School, and reading in a law office at
Wellsborough. Desiring to find a wider field, he went west in
1857 and settled at Janesville, Wis., where he entered the law
office of H. S. Conger, afterward judge of the Twelfth judicial
circuit, and pursued his law studies there until 1858, when he
became a member of the firm of Bennett, Cassoday & Gibbs,
which continued for seven years, and he was soon recognized
as the peer of his brethren at the bar.
From 1866 to 1868 he was alone in his practice. At the latter
date, the firm of Cassoday & Merrill was formed ; it continued for
five years, when Mr, Merrill retired from practice. That firm
was succeeded by the firm of Cassoday & Carpenter, which con-
tinued until our subject was appointed to the Supreme bench,
November 11, 1880.
Mr. Cassoday was one of the brightest and most successful
lawyers in the state. From the outset of his career, he showed a
clear, analytical mind, well-balanced, cool and cautious. While
in practice he was devoted to his profession, thorough in the prepa-
ration of his cases, and skilled and judicious in their management.
His practice was general, and during his twenty-three years at
the bar, he was constantly crowded with business and retained
in a large number of important cases.
Judge Cassoday 's first vote for a presidential candidate was
for Franklin Pierce, in 1852, but was a Republican from the
organization of that party. In 1864 he was a delegate to the
Baltimore convention which nominated Lincoln, and was placed
upon the committee on credentials. He was the only member
of the Wisconsin delegation who voted for Andrew Jackson as
a candidate for vice president. In the same year he was elected
to the Wisconsin assembly, and during the session served with
766 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
credit on the judiciary and railroad committees. The thirteenth
amendment to the Constitution of the United States was rati-
fied by this legislature at this session, and Mr. Cassoday took an
active part in the debate upon its passage. In 1876 he was again
called upon to represent his district in the same body, and was
then chosen its speaker without opposition in his own party.
He made up the committees with strict reference to their experi-
ence and capacity, and announced their appointment on the sec-
ond day of the session. By so doing, and by his tact and ability
in the chair, the bvisiness was completed in fifty-eight days, being
one of the shortest sessions in the history of the state. In 1880
he was a delegate at large to the national Republican convention
at Chicago, and was chairman of the Wisconsin delegation. He
presented to the convention the name of Elihu B. Washburne as
a candidate for president in a speech that was worthy the man
and the occasion. On the morning of the second day of the
balloting for a candidate for president, sixteen members of the
"Wisconsin delegation, including Mr. Cassoday, resolved to cast
their votes for James A. Garfield, and it was left to Judge Casso-
day to determine the opportune time for casting such vote; he
acted accordingly, and the result was that General Garfield was
nominated on the second ballot thereafter.
While at the bar, Mr. Cassoday kept up a lively interest in all
public questions and took an active part upon the stump in every
important political campaign from 1856 to 1880 inclusive. He
was frequently a delegate to state conventions, and presided over
the one in 1879. He declined to be a candidate for numerous
offices, including circuit judge in 1870, and attorney general in
1875. He was never a politician in any sense.
October 19, 1880, that eminent jurist, Chief Justice Ryan, died,
thereby creating a vacancy upon the Supreme bench. Mr. Casso-
day was at that time stumping the state for Garfield and the
Republican party. October 23, 1880, the Rock county bar held,
a meeting and unanimously resolved to urge the governor to
appoint Mr. Cassoday to the office made vacant by the death of
Chief Justice Ryan, and sent their communication to the gov-
ernor. However, on November 11, 1880, Mr. Justice Cole, who
had been a member of the court for more than twenty-five years,
was appointed by the governor to the office of chief justice. He
at once accepted the same, and thereupon Mr. Cassoday was
ALEXANDER E. rvrATHESON".
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 767
appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice
Cole. In April, 1881, he was unanimously elected to the office and
re-elected in 1889. In June, 1881, the Beloit College conferred
upon him the degree of LL. D. Judge Cassoday for many years
lectured to the senior classes in the College of Law of the Uni-
versity of, Wisconsin upon wills and constitutional law. His
lectures on wills were published in 1893 in a book entitled "Casso-
day on Wills," and the same is now used as a text-book by law
students in many schools.
In February, 1898, Mr. Cassoday was elected president of the
State Bar Association, of which he was a member for years.
He was married on February 21, 1860, to Mary P. Spaulding,
of Janesville. Their children were four daughters and one son.
Mr. and Mrs. Cassoday were affiliated with the Congregational
church.
The high position to which Mr. Cassoday attained was due
entirely to his own exertions, and through his ability, steadfast-
ness of purpose and integrity, he reached the goal of his ambi-
tions, a membership of the highest tribunal of his state, and pos-
sessed the highest measure of respect of the bar and of the peo-
ple. His career affords a forcible illustration of the power of
patience, perseverance and conscientious work in overcoming
early difficulties and obstructions of no ordinary kind. It is but
just and merited praise to say that as a lawyer Mr. Cassoday
ranked among the ablest of the great West; as a legislator, he
was the peer of any of his colleagues ; as a judge, he was ever
honest, painstaking, laborious, courteous, learned and strong;
as a citizen, he was honorable, prompt and true to every engage-
ment; as a husband and father, a model worthy of all imitation.
His characteristics were a modesty of demeanor, an entire absence
of all parade and ostentation and a simple dignity, bom of innate
purity and self-respect. He had an educated conscience, a large
heart and tender regard for young men struggling for a higher
life. His was a rounded and complete character. His death
occurred December 30, 1907.
William Freeman Tompkins, the son of William Tompkins and
(Freeman) Tompkins, was born April 4, 1812, at Scipio,
N. Y. He came to Janesville prior to January, 1845, and dur-
ing the years 1845 and 1846 was probate judge for Rock county.
He was a wealthy farmer in his early life iu Janesville. Judge
7G8 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
Tompkins was an nncompromising Whig for many years, and
after the disruption of that party he became a Democrat. He
was a temperance man of extreme views, and while farming, re-
fused to sell his barley to the brewers, and was known as "The
Father of Temperance ' ' in Eock county. He was elected Novem-
ber 5, 1850, as member of the assembly of the "Wisconsin state
legislature. From December 13, 1845, to September 19, 1846,
he was co-partner with Levi Alden in the publication of the
Janesville Gazette. Mr. Tompkins, having lost his property, left
Janesville some time during the war of 1861-65, "and went to
Pike's Peak, engaging at length in the cattle trade. He finally
settled at Abilene, Kan., where he died August 17, 1871. He
was married, February 25, 1834, at Fleming, N. Y., to Caroline
Leach, the daughter of Winslow and Esther (Southworth) Leach.
She was born September 29, 1816, at Aurelius, N. Y., and died
August 25, 1898, at Washington, D. C. They had four children :
Horace Tompkins, born April 4, 1837, at Scipio, N. Y. ; died May
10, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. He served as first lieutenant, Com-
pany F, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and was confined for
many months in Libby prison. Celestia Tompkins, born July 31,
1839, at Fleming, N. Y. ; died September 25, 1898, at Washington,
D. C. She was twice married; first. May 28, 1856, at Janesville,
Wis., to William H. Mobley. He died August 6, 1863, and she
was married on December 25, 1866, to John Jackson, of Lockport,
N. Y. Carrie Tompkins was born at Janesville, July 17, 1851,
and died there September 23, 1853. William F. Tompkins, Jr.,
was born February 21, 1854, at Janesville, Wis., and died at
Vallejo, Cal., in 1908. He married, April 15, 1880, Minnie How-
ard, at Kanoplis, Kan., and had a daughter, Martha Caroline,
born October 18, 1881.
Judge Tompkins was a nephew of Daniel Tompkins, an early
goA^ernor of the state of New York.
John Wesley Sale is, to all intents, a Eock county product,
having been a resident of the county since he was three months
old. He was born on a farm in LaPorte county, Indiana, but his
parents removed to Eock county and settled on a farm just west
of the now city of Evansville, when he was but three months
old. His father, John F. Sale, died when the subject of this
sketch was but four years of age, leaving his young widow with
four children, the oldest of the children being under eleven years.
COURTS AXD LEGAL PKOFESSIOX 769
Mr. Sale obtained his education at the district school and the
Evansville Seminary. A|ter completing his course at the semi-
nary he taught school for five years, and then commenced the
study of the law in the office of Conger & Hawes at Janesville.
After spending one year in office study and work he went to
Michigan University and spent two years, graduating from the
law department of that institution. While at the university, in
addition to his law studies, he took some special studies, and
while there was, for a time, in the office of the late Hon. Thomas
M. Cooley. After his graduation he settled at Janesville, form-
ing a partnership with the late Hon. C. G. Williams, which con-
tinued until Mr. Williams was elected and went to congress.
He was married to Mary M. DeBaun March 15, 1870. When Mr.
Williams went to congress he former a partnership with the late
Hon. John R. Bennett, which continued until Mr. Bennett was
elected circuit judge and went on the bench. He then formed
a partnership with Charles E. Pierce, which continued for about
two years when, upon the death of the late Hon. Amos P. Prich-
ard in September, 1886, he was appointed, by the late Governor
Rusk, county judge of Rock county to fill the unexpired term of
Judge Prichard. He has remained on the county bench since
his appointment, having been, without opposition, elected each
four years. He is now entering upon his twenty-third year on
the bench.
While Mr. Sale was at the bar he served three years as city
attorney of the city of Janesville and ten years as district attor-
ney of Rock county. In 1884 he was chosen as one of the con-
gressional district delegates to the Republican national conven-
tion at Chicago, which nominated James G. Blaine as its candi-
date for president.
In August, 1886, he was, without solicitation on his part,
unanimously nominated by the Republican senatorial convention
as their candidate for the state senate, which nomination he
accepted, but withdrew as a candidate upon his appointment as
county judge.
John Meek Whitehead, senior member of the Janesville law
firm of Whitehead and Matheson, is generally recognized as
being one of the most prominent lawyers of Wisconsin. His
paternal grandfather, Daniel, came from England to the United
States about the year 1812, settled in Ohio and died, leaving two
770 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
sons and a daughter. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Paisley,
of Greensboro, N. C, moved to Illinois about 1820, located on
a farm in Montgomery county and died there in 1858, leaving
his widow and five children.
Mr. Whitehead's father, Jacob, and his mother, Elizabeth Ann
Paisley, lived on a farm near Hillsboro, 111., and were the parents
of six sons and four daughters.
The father, born in 1815, left New Jersey in 1824, living at
Hamilton, Dayton, Piqua and other points in Ohio, until Decem-
ber, 1837, when he came to Alton, 111., and thence, after one year,
to Montgomery county, near Hillsboro, where he obtained his
wife. Jacob AVhitehead was a member of the Presbyterian
church, a colonel in the state militia about the time of the
Mexican War, and originally a Democrat. But he voted for
Lincoln in 1860, and thereafter was always a Republican. He
was both a blacksmith and a farmer, and lived on a farm in
that neighborhood until his death, April 24, 1900. He was sur-
vived by his wife and six of their ten children. These were :
John M., Rev. Jacob P., Elizabeth (matron for thirteen years
of the State Hospital at Mendota, Wis.), Joel B., Mary (Mrs.
Arthur W. Cole, of Hyde Park, 111.), and Miss Mattie Whitehead,
of Hillsboro, 111. (now Mrs. Harris), who, with her husband, Pro-
fessor William S. Harris, is teaching in the Normal School at
Manilla, Philippine Islands.
John M. Whitehead, born on his father's farm July 29, 1852,
received a good education at Hillsboro in a local select school
and an academy, and at Wabash College one year ; then at Willis-
ton Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., he completed preparation for
entering Yale, and graduated with honor from that university
in 1877. He had the exceptional record of not having missed a
recitation or a chapel meeting for five years.
After graduating he taught school one year at Ravenswood,
111., then in the law office of Leaming & Thompson, of Chicago,
he thoroughly mastered the elementary principles of law, being
admitted to the bar in 1880, and spending five years with that
firm as clerk and general assistant. In 1883 he came to Janesville
and after several years of individual practice, formed the law
partnership, first above mentioned.
July 12, 1881, John M. Whitehead married Miss Lavine
Fletcher Barrows, daughter of James L. and Hannah (Cottle)
COURTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 771
Barrows. Their two children are Philip Barrows (now of Yale
Divinity School), and Miss Dorothy May. Mrs. Whitehead died
March 15, 1888, leaving in the Janesville Congregational church,
of which she was an active member, lasting and fragrant memories
of her sweet and noble womanhood. Mr. Whitehead, also a
member of that church, is president of their board of trustees and
has been clerk of the church for some twenty-three years.
By the repeated calls of his fellow citizens rather than his own
inclination, ]\Ir. Whitehead has been made a prominent factor in
the politics of the state. For several years he has rendered con-
spicuous and honorable service in the senate of Wisconsin, and
has recently (1908) been re-elected for his fourth consecutive
term. Among the stalwart Republicans of the state, so-called, he
is a recognized leader.
Bernard Morey Palmer, the son of William F. and Helen A.
Palmer, was born at Algoma, Kewaunee county, Wis., October 2,
1878. His place of residence from birth to 1885 was at Algoma ;
from 1885 to 1888, he lived at Whitewater, Wis. ; from 1888 to
1893, at Neenah, Wis., and since 1893, at Janesville, Wis. He
attended the Janesville public schools and the University of
Wisconsin. His law course at the university was followed by one
year's study in the office of A. A. Jackson, of Janesville. Sep-
tember 26, 1902, he was admitted to practice in the Circuit
court of Rock county, and December 29, 1903, in the District
court of the United States for the western district of Wisconsin.
He is practicing in Janesville under the firm name of Dougherty
& Palmer. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias., A. F. & A. M.,
I. 0. O. F. He is a Republican, and has acted as secretary of the
Rock county Republican committee, but has never held public
office. He was married June 21, 1905, to Caribel Butterfield.
Arthur M. Fisher, a member of the bar of Rock county, was
born in the town of Center, in Rock county, on the 29th day of
October, 1874. He is a son of Abel L. Fisher and Mary Cleland
Fisher, both of whom are still living. He was reared on his
father's farm in the town of Center, where he lived until April,
1892. Since that time he has been a resident of the city of
Janesville.
Mr. Fisher was educated in the common schools of Rock
county, and at Beloit Academy and College. He studied law in
the office of William Ruger from 1895 to June 1897. Since his
772 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
admission to the bar, in June of 1897, he has practiced before the
Circuit court for Rock county, the Wisconsin Supreme court, and
the United States District and Circuit courts for the district of
"Wisconsin. From June, 1897, to January. 1898, he practiced
alone. From January, 1898, to March, 1902, he was associated
with B. B. Eldredge, under the firm name of Eldredge & Fisher,
and from April, 1902, to February, 1904, with 0. A. Oestreich,
under the firm name of Fisher & Oestreich. Since the last date
he has practiced alone. He has a rapidly increasing law prac-
tice, and, by his industry, integrity and ability, is making a sure
place for himself at the bar, and as a citizen of Janesville.
Mr. Fisher was married August 26, 1903, to Mary Hadden,
of the city of Janesville. A son, Cleland P., and a daiighter, Ruth
Elizabeth, are the issue of this marriage. In April, 1906, he was
elected school commissioner of the city of Janesville. He is a
member of the Congregational church. He is identified with
some of the business interests that are endeavoring to develop
the latent resources of Janesville.
The paternal ancestors of Mr. Fisher came from the north
of England. His maternal ancestors emigrated from the county
of Lanark, in Scotland, to the north of Ireland, and thence to
this country. He has many of the characteristics of his sturdy
ancestors. Untiring industry, thoroughness, a fine sense of honor,
rugged integrity, and a keen and unselfish interest in public
affairs are his leading characteristics.
Horace McElroy, son of George W. and Adelaide (Atkinson)
McElroy, was born at Lancaster, Pa., October 2, 1849. He at-
tended the common schools of Meadville, Pa., until he was four-
teen years old, and then entered the United States navy, and
served for the next seven years on board the sailing sloops of war
"Macedonian," "Savannah" and "Dale," cruising the while
along the Atlantic coast. In 1866 he sailed to France and Eng-
land, and in 1867, on board the "Savannah," he cruised the
Azores and Maderia. In 1868 he joined with the flagship "Pow-
hatan," of the South Pacific station, and served on the staff of
Admiral Turner until the following year, when the vessel was
ordered to the Atlantic coast, making the midwinter passage
of the strait of Magellan, touching at numerous ports on the east
side of South America, reaching New York in September, 1869.
Young McElroy then sailed for the West Indies, but returned to
COUETS AND LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 773
Philadelphia in December of the same year. At this time he
received the rank of ensign, and two weeks later joined the
"Colorado" in the cruise to China, after which he resigned and
came thence to Janesville.
Filled with ambition to become his own master and lead away
from the sailor's life, he decided to commence the study of law,
and accordingly entered the office of Messrs. Conger & Sloan.
He was an apt pupil and soon found himself fully equipped for
the practice of his chosen profession, and in the spring of 1871 he
was admitted to the bar and immediately opened his oiBce. He
has since served seven years as city attorney for Janesville, and
now ranks with the leading lawyers of the town.
Claude J. Hendricks is a promising young lawyer of Janes-
ville, where he has been practicing during the greater part of
the last decade. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1898,
and continued to practice here until June 1, 1900. He then
engaged in business with the West Publishing Company, of St.
Paul, Minn., acting as associate editor. He remained in this posi-
tion about four years until January 1, 1904, when he again opened
his law office in Janesville, where he still remains.
Mr. Hendricks was born February 18, 1875, in the town of
Porter, this county, where he obtained his primary education
in the district schools; he afterward attended the Evansville
Seminary for a time, supplementing that with a course in the
University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is the son of John W.
and Ellen (Montgomery) Hendricks.
John Bryson Cleland, now residing in Portland, Ore., is a
native of Center township. Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was
born on July 15, 1848. His parents were James and Isabella
(Bryson) Cleland. His father's parents, Samuel and Jane
(Martin) Cleland, were born and married in County Down, Ire-
land, and came to the United States about 1816. His mother's
parents, John and Martha (Jack) Bryson, were also born and
married in County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States
about 1827.
Mr. Cleland, our subject, made Eock county his place of
residence until 1871, when he moved to Osage, Mitchell county,
la., and lived there until 1888. From there he moved to Fargo,
Cass county, N. Dak., remained for about two years, and then
went to Portland, Multnomah county. Ore., where he has resided
774 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
since 1890. His education began in the district school of Center
township, later he attended the public and private schools of
Janesville; the Carroll College at Waukesha, and at the Uni-
versity of Michigan. In 1869 he began the study of law in the
office of Cassoday & Merrill, and later, in 1870, he studied with
Pease & Euger, in the meantime attending the university where
he obtained the degree of LL. B. in March, 1871. He was admit-
ted to practice in the Detroit Supreme court of Michigan ; in the
Janesville Circuit court ; in the Osage, la.. District and Circuit
courts of Iowa; later at Des Moines United States Circuit and
District court for district of Iowa; in 1888 in the Fargo, Dakota
courts of the territory; afterwards practiced in the Supreme
court of North Dakota and courts of Minnesota, and also in
Salem, Ore., in the State Supreme court, and in the courts of
Washington and at Portland in the United States court and
District court of district of Oregon. Mr. Cleland has, indeed,
covered a large field in the practice of his profession, and espe-
cially in Iowa, North Dakota and Oregon he has conducted much
important litigation, both civil and criminal; as a special United
States commissioner in 1897 he conveyed the franchises and prop-
erty of the Oregon Short Line Eailroad Company. In Osage,
Iowa, he served first as jutsice of the peace and member of the
school board; was for eight years district attorney. Twelfth
judicial district of Iowa, was circuit judge of the same district,
also district judge ; resigned in 1898 to fill an appointed position
as circuit judge of the Fourth judicial district of Oregon, to
which he was elected the same year to a six-year term, and re-
elected in June, 1904.
Mr. Cleland served in Iowa militia as adjutant of the Sixth
Eegiment Iowa National Guards, and the societies of which he is
a member are as follows: Osage, la.. Odd Fellows Noble Grand,
Osage, la. ; senior warden and master of Osage Lodge No. 102,
Eastern Star; worthy patron, Bethany Chapter; high priest Osage
Eoyal Arch Chapter No. 36 ; eminent commander for seven years,
senior grand warden of the Grand Commandery, K. T. of Iowa;
member of council Eoyal and Select Masters, and also Order of
High Priesthood in Iowa and Oregon; Portland, Ore., senior
warden, Portland Lodge No. 55; grand orator, junior grand
warden, senior grand warden, deputy grand master and grand
master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Oregon; chairman of
COUETS AXD LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 775
committee that prepared by-laws of the Grand Lodge ; trustee of
the educational fund several years, and for many years member
of committee on Masonic law and jurisprudence ; grand lecturer
of the Grand Koyal Arch Chapter of Oregon ; eminent commander
of Oregon Commandery No. 1, Portland; also grand commander
of the Grand Commandery, K. T., of Oregon. In A. and A.
Scottish Rite, southern jurisdiction, served as junior and senior
warden Oregon Lodge of Perfection No. 1, Portland, Ore. Has
received all the degrees of the rite, including the thirty-third. He
is a member of the IMultnomah Bar Association, and State Bar
Association ; served one term as president of the State Bar Asso-
ciation of Oregon, and on the formation of the Pacific Coast
Bar Association, was elected its vice president. In politics, he
is a member of the Republican party, and has kept up member-
ship in many political clubs and has often served on the stump
in various campaigns in Iowa and Oregon ; he was chairman of
the county central committee, Mitchell county, Iowa ; president
of the McKinley and Hobart League, Portland, Ore., and took
an active part in the campaign of 1896, which was closely con-
tested in Oregon. Although not a member of any church, he
was elected to and served as a member of the board of trustees of
the First Congregational church, Portland, and as president of
the board.
On February 13, 1874, Mr. Cleland and Miss Ellen Josephine,
daughter of the Hon. Jonathan and Elizabeth Cory, of Footville,
Rock county, were married at the home of the bride in Center
township, and after their removal to Iowa, their family of four
children were born to them — Laura, Bessie, Earl and Mattie.
Mr. Cleland is also a lecturer in the law department of the
University of Oregon.
Charles D. Rosa is a native of Rock county and was born on
a farm in section 9 of the town of Center, on the 15th day of Sep-
tember, A. D. 1870. His father was one of the early pioneers of
Rock county, having settled in the town of Center in May, 1841.
Young Rosa attended the district school near his home during
boyhood and at the age of fourteen took upon himself the run-
ning of the home farm. He was thus engaged until in his
twentieth year, when he was thrown from a horse and injured in
such a manner that the doctor advised his giving up the arduous
labor of the farm. He then entered Evansville Seminary and
776 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
after two years at that institution came to Beloit and entered
Beloit College Academy. Upon finishing at the academy he
entered Beloit College and graduated as Salutatorian in the
class of 1898. After graduation he served as principal of schools
at the city of Edgerton for three years, when he resigned his posi-
tion and moved to Madison to take up the study of law. On the
17th day of August, 1899, he was married to Grace Lillian Cham-
berlin, a classmate in Beloit College. He graduated from the law
department of the University of Wisconsin in 1903, having com-
pleted the course in two years, and immediately took up the
practice of law in the city of Beloit. In April, 1906, he was elected
judge of the Municipal court of the city of Beloit and entered
upon his duties May 7, 1906.
Thomas S. Nolan, of the firm of Nolan, Adams & Reeder, was
born at Janesville, Wis., October 11, 1856. His father, Simon
Nolan, of Ireland, emigrated to America while a young man.
came to Janesville in 1854 and died there in 1858. He had mar-
ried Margaret Cross, of Queen's county, Ireland, and their chil-
dren were Thomas S. and Catherine M. (now Mrs. Walter E.
Fernald, superintendent in 1900 of the School for Feeble Minded
at Boston, Mass.). JMrs. Nolan survived her husband; after sev-
eral years married Mr. Thomas Poey, and their daughter, Mary,
became Mrs. George E. Lynch, of Milwaukee, Wis.
Thomas S. Nolan supplemented the usual attendance at pub-
lic school with a course of instruction at Ridgetown (Ontario)
Academy and began studying law in the office of Attorney
Edward Bates, of York, Neb., after having been previously
employed as assistant clerk and then as clerk in the office^ of the
Nebraska State Penitentiary.
Completing his course of professional reading at Janesville,
Mr. Nolan was admitted to practice in 1879. In 1881 he helped
incorporate the Recorder Printing Company and for two years
was editor of the "Recorder," which was then a Republican
paper.
During the year 1880-1881 he held the office of police justice
and has served several terms on the board of fire and police
commissioners.
Mr. Nolan is a member of the Western Star Lodge, No. 14, A.
F. & A. M., and of the Janesville Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.. and
COURTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSIOX 777
also belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 22, K. of P., in which he has
held the office of chancellor commander for two terms.
Thomas S. Nolan was married February 22, 1883, to Miss
Jessie M. Murdock, daughter of Edwin D. and Adelia (Hoyt)
Murdock, and there has been born to them one daughter. Vera E.
Nolan.
During this year (1908) Mr. Nolan was the stalwart Repub-
lican candidate for congress in this congressional district, but
was defeated by the long established incumbent of that position,
Hon. Henry A. Cooper.
Ang'ie Josephine King, attorney and counselor at law, Janes-
ville, Wis., is the daughter of John King and Margaret (McKay)
King, both born in Glasgow, Scotland. John King was a carriage
builder and a first-class mechanic. He was the son of a Methodist
minister, James King, and both father and son were accomplished
singers. The mother of Miss King was a superior woman of
Highland Scotch birth, coming on the maternal side from the
"Argyle-Campbell" family. Miss King was born on January 23,
1845, in a log house on a farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, near
the present town of "Warren. When only ninety days old she was
brought by her parents to Janesville, Wis., where she has resided
to the present time. She attended the public schools of Janes-
ville and in 1867 graduated from the "Ladies' Seminary" in that
city. She entered the Chicago Law School in 1871, when the great
fire occurred, and she returned to Janesville. Her law studies
were pursued at home, where she read aloud to her blind sister,
Mary Agnes King, and they discussed together each chapter as
they read and made snyopses in their own language. She was
admitted to practice in the Circuit court for Rock county, Jan-
uary 10, 1879, having passed a rigid examination and being the
third lady to be admitted to the bar in the state. Lavinia Goodell
and Kataherine Kane preceded her in admission. February 17,
1880, Miss King formed a partnership with Lavinia Goodell, who
removed in 1881 to Madison, Wis. Miss King has remained con-
tinuously in the same office block, 26 West Milwaukee street, since
she first began practice. She is essentially a peacemaker and has
settled scores of difficulties out of court during her thirty years
of practice. She won the case of The State of Wis. vs. James
Brown in the Circuit court, succeeded in having the case of State
of Wis. vs. Thomas Inglis reversed in the Supreme Court, and
778 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
won the case of The Goodyear Rubber Co. vs. A. P. Burrus over
the attorney general of the state and four of the leading lawyers
of Chicago.
Miss King is a member of the First Congregational Church, of
Janesville. She is a Republican, and in the year 1868 she was
elected by popular vote as postmaster of Janesville, but was not
appointed. She has never married. She is a woman of bright
intellect and strong integrity, ever ready to stand by the right
and help those in distress.
Malcolm 0. Mouat, who ranks among the progressive and suc-
cessful younger members of the Janesville bar, was born on a
farm in the town of Harmony, Rock county, Wis., June 1, 1872, to
James and Mary (Story) Mouat. His father, a Scotchman, was
born on one of the Shetland islands in 1829 and came to Wis-
consin with his parents in 1846. His mother was a native of
Chautauqua county, New York. Malcolm spent his boyhood on
his father's farm and until he was fifteen years old attended the
district schools and helped Avith the farm work. He then studied
one year at the Janesville High School and in the fall of 1888
entered the Beloit College Academy. After finishing his prepara-
tory studies he entered Beloit College and was there graduated
with the class of 1894. After leaving college young Mouat became
a student in the law office of Messrs. Fethers, Jeffris & Fifield at
Janesville, and in April, 1896, passed his examination and was
admitted to practice in the various state and federal courts. Im-
mediately upon his admission to the bar he became associated as
a partner with the firm Avith which he studied, the firm name
becoming Fethers, Jeffris, Fifield & Mouat. Afterward the name
was changed to Fethers, Jeffris & Mouat by the retirement of
Judge Fifield, and in 1908 became Jeffris, Mouat, Smith & Avery
by the retirement of Mr. Fethers and the admission of Messrs.
Smith and Avery.
Among the more important cases with which Mr. Mouat has
been connected are Oakley vs. Davidson, 103 Wis., 98; Rodman
vs. Rodman, 112 Wis., 378; Davey vs. Janesville, 111 Wis., 628;
McLenegan vs. Yeiser, 115 Wis., 304; Bostwick vs. Mutual Life
Ins. Co., 116 Wis., 392; 122 Wis., 323; Kronshage vs. Varrell, 120
Wis., 161; Parker vs. Fairbanks-Morse Mfg. Co., 130 Wis., 525.
Mr. Mouat has never held or desired public office, preferring to
devote himself to the study and practice of his profession, with
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 779
which he is heartily in love and in which he is eminently suc-
cessful. Mr. Mouat is a man of genial, social nature and pleasing
personality, and has a large circle of staunch friends who admire
him for his admirable qualities of mind and heart. He is a mem-
ber of the Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity, of the Elks, of Janes-
Aalle Country Club, Sinnissippi Golf Club, and of the local lodge
and Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, Knights of Pythias.
In politics Mr. Mouat is a Republican, and though not affiliated
with, he attends the Presbyterian church.
On April 20, 1898, Mr. Mouat married Miss Eloise, daughter
of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Palmer, of Janesville, and they have two
children, namely, Elizabeth and Malcolm Palmer.
William Smith, who has been a practicing attorney at Janes-
ville, Wis., for forty-three years, was born on May 1, 1841, at
Dover, in the province of Ontario, then known as upper Canada.
He is of English-Irish lineage. William Smith, his father, and
Elizabeth, nee Stewart, his mother, were both natives of New
York state. His paternal grandparents, natives of Massachusetts,
were of English ancestry, and his maternal grandparents were
born in the North of Ireland. Since his early infancy, in Sep-
tember, 1841, Mr. Smith has lived in Rock county, Wisconsin, and
since April, 1864, he has made his home in Janesville. He received
a common school education during his boyhood, and later at-
tended Milton College, Rock county, and the University of Michi-
gan, in the law department of which he pursued a course of law
studies. He also studied law in the office and under the direction
of Mr. Charles G. Williams, of Janesville, and in February, 1865,
was admitted to the Rock county bar. He was later admitted to
the State Supreme court and to the Federal, District and Circuit
courts. Mr. Smith began his practice alone in 1865, then became
associated with Mr. M. M. Phelps under the firm name of Smith
& Phelps. His next partnership was with Mr. Charles E. Pierce,
the firm name being Smith & Pierce, and at the present time,
1908, he is a member of the well known law firm of Jeffris, Mouat,
Smith & Avery, with offices over the Merchants' & Mechanics'
Savings Bank, Janesville. Mr. Smith has never sought or cared
for political honors, finding in the study and practice of his pro-
fession ample scope for the gratification of his ambitions, and is
known and recognized as a wise and conservative counselor and
able and convincing advocate. He has, however, served as justice
780 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
of the peace and police magistrate and city attorney of Janes-
ville. He is a man of quiet demeanor, domestic in his tastes,
upright in all his dealings and faithful in all his relations and
obligations. In politics he is a Democrat, and in his religious
belief a Unitarian.
On April 9, 1868, Mr. Smith married Miss Louise M. Steele,
of Janesville. Their only child, Evelyn Louise, born July 15,
1872, died July 15, 1882.
Alexander Everet Matheson, who was born at Eagle, Wis., on
July 11, 1868, is a son of John and Mary (Bentley) Matheson. He
comes of Scotch ancestry on his father's side, his paternal grand-
parents immigrating to the United States from the Highlands of
Scotland. His maternal ancestors were of sturdy New England
stock. He has always lived in Wisconsin, and besides the place
of his birth has resided in the towns of Vernon, Mahews, East
Troy and Elkhorn, and is now one of the substantial and well
known citizens of Janesville. After finishing his preliminary
studies young Matheson pursued a course of studies at Beloit Col-
lege and received from that institution the degrees of Bachelor
of Philosophy and Master of Arts. He afterwards studied law
in the law department of the University of Wisconsin and was
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894. Mr.
Matheson was admitted to the Wisconsin bar immediately after
his graduation from the law school, and is a regular practitioner
in all the various state courts and in the Circuit and District Fed-
eral courts. On July 1, 1894, he became junior member of the
law firm of Fethers, Jeffris, Fifield & Matheson at Janesville. This
relationship continued eleven months, when he withdrew, and
with Messrs. Whitehead and Smith formed the firm of Whitehead,
Matheson & Smith. In 1896 Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm
and the practice has since that time been carried on under the
firm name of Whitehead & Matheson.
Mr. Matheson is recognized as one of the able lawyers of
Janesville, both as a counselor and advocate and by his straight-
forward, upright, manly demeanor commands the respect and
confidence of the courts and his professional brethren, as well as
a large and constantly growing clientage. While he is not a
politician in any sense, he takes a commendable interest in local
civic affairs, and from April, 1903, till April, 1905, served as a
member of the Janesville city council. In political sentiment he
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 781
is a Republican. Mr. Matheson has a pleasing personality and
readily makes friends. He is progressive in his ideas, in hearty
sympathy with all that pertains to the well being of his fellows,
and withal a high-minded Christian gentleman. In his religious
affiliations he is connected with the Congregational church, of
Janesville, and is one of the board of trustees of that body.
On September 26, 1894, Mr. Matheson married Miss Georgia
L. Hubbard, of Elkhorn, "Wis. Of their two children, Marion
Barbara was born August 23, 1896, and John Hubbard on May
2, 1908.
Charles L. Fifield, a leading member of the Wisconsin bar and
one of the progressive and influential citizens of Janesville, was
born in that city on October 10, 1865. Both his father and mother,
Thomas B. and Eliza (Waterman) Fifield, were natives of Ver-
mont, their remote ancestors coming from England and Wales
and settling in New England prior to the year 1630.
Charles L. received his preliminary education in the public
schools of Janesville and later pursued a course of studies in the
law department of the University of W^isconsin, where he was
graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1888. He was also a law
student in the offices of Judge Sale and Messrs. Smith and Pierce,
of Janesville. As junior member of the firm of Fethers, Jeffris &
Fifield he practiced his profession at Janesville from 1888 till
1898, when he was appointed by the governor on recommendation
of the entire Bar Association to fill the vacancy on the municipal
bench for Rock county, caused by the death of Judge Phelps. At
the expiration of his term in 1899 Judge Fifield was without oppo-
sition elected to the same office for a term of six years and
re-elected in 1905. Judge Fifield is widely known as a man of
judicial temperament, a lawyer of ability and a man of spotless
character. Besides being a member of the Rock County and State
Bar associations, he is actively identified with the State Historical
Society, and as a member of the Janesville Public Library Board
was largely instrumental in securing the $30,000 donated by Mr.
Andrew Carnegie for the new library building, and served as a
member of the building committee that had in charge its construc-
tion. Judge Fifield is deeply interested in all that pertains to the
uplifting of his city and community, and is not only a lover of
books, but also well versed in current and classic literature. He.
has given special attention to first editions of American authors
782 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
and has in his large private library a well assorted collection of
choice works.
A man of genial nature and pleasing personality, he is withal
public spirited and unselfish, and popular with all classes of his
fellow citizens. He was one of the organizers of the Siennissippi
Golf Club, the Janesville Country Club and the Twilight Club. In
politics Judge Fifield is a Eepublican. On August 28, 1889, he
married j\Iiss Anna S. Doty, a daughter of the late E. Philo Doty,
of Janesville.
Judge and Mrs. Fifield have an interesting family of four
children, namely, Eloise, born in 1890; Alta, born in 1895;
Frances, born in 1897, and Esther, born in 1903.
Mrs. Fifield is a woman of domestic tastes, universally beloved.
Judge and Mrs. Fifield have a beautiful home at the corner of
Jackson and South Second street, Janesville, over which she pre-
sides with charming grace, and whose hospitalities are enjoyed by
their large circle of friends.
John DeWitt Rexford was born in Sherburne, N. Y., July 5,
1820. He was the son of Benjamin Eexford and a descendant in
the fifth generation of Arthur Eexford, who was married in New
Haven, Conn., in 1702, and died there in 1728.
After an academical course- and two years of collegiate study
in Hamilton College (terminated by his poor health), he read law
in the office of his brother, B. F. Eexford, in Norwich, N. Y.
He was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of the
state of New York at Utica, July 18, 1845, and to the Court of
Chancery at Saratoga the following day. He was member of a
law firm made up of his brother, himself and Warren Newton in
Norwich until 1852, when he retired therefrom.
In May, 1853, he moved to Janesville and practiced his pro-
fession here for several years.
September 1, 1856, he accepted the office of cashier of the
Central Bank of "Wisconsin, which he had helped to establish in
]855. After six years' service he resigned this office on account
of protracted illness.
In January, 1865, he was elected president of the First Na-
tional Bank of Janesville (the successor of the Central Bank of
Wisconsin), which office he held until January, 1891, when he
declined a re-election.
n
COURTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 783
lie was also president of the Janesville IMachine Company
from its organization in 1881 until December, 1894.
Mr. Rexford was a member of the Eepublican party, but
never sought any political office.
He was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian church
of Janesville and served as an elder in that church from its
organization in 1855 until 1879, when he declined a proffered
re-election.
John DeWitt Rexford was married to Cynthia Maria Bab-
cock, of Sherburne, N. Y., May 20, 1846. The children born of
this union were John Grandin, Benjamin Babcock, Seneca Butts
and Mary. The two first named are still living and reside in
Janesville. Mr. Rexford died at his home in Janesville, March
13, 1895.
Emmett D. McGowan, lawyer. Mr. McGowan's grandfather,
John; grandmother, Mary McDonald, and his father, James S.,
who was born at Newton Butler, County Fermanagh, Ireland,
emigrated to America in 1841 and settled in Rochester, N. Y,,
where Mr. John McGowan engaged in farming. After several
years James S., having completed his education and learned the
carpenter's trade, moved to Allen's Grove, near the west line
of Walworth county, AVisconsin, then came to Beloit in 1850,
working on the paper mills being built there, and in the year
1859 removed to Janesville, "Wis.
Mr. McGowan's mother, Louisa M. Bennett, was born in Jef-
ferson county. New York. Her parents, Daniel and Deborah
Leeds (Spicer) Bennett, lived at Stonington, Conn., where both
of them were reared and educated. Her grandfather was one of
the guards placed over Major Andre and present at his execu-
tion, while her father, Daniel Bennett, was a volunteer in the
War of 1812. Her brother was the well known and distinguished
judge of the Twelfth judicial circuit of Wisconsin, John R. Ben-
nett. She was married to James S. McGowan at Janesville, Jan-
uary 18, 1854. She died at Janesville, February 20, 1905, and
was buried in that city.
Emmett D. McGowan was born in Janesville, Wis., July 15,
1859, and has one sister, Mary L. (Mrs. Charles F, Niles), now of
Menomonie, Wis.
Beginning with only the opportunities which are common to
all, Emmett supplemented the ordinary public school studies and
784 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
some terms in the select school of Mrs. Clara A. Hunt with a
course of home reading that was substantially the equivalent of
one of the classical courses at the State University. From his
fifteenth year he was a member of the household of his uncle,
John R. Bennett, until 1887. He also obtained his legal educa-
tion mainly by his own efforts, reading law, beginning in 1879 in
the office of John R. Bennett and J. AV. Sale, and being admitted
to the bar December 26, 1882.
In June, 1883, Mr. McGowan formed a law partnership with
Edwin F. Carpenter under the firm name of Carpenter &
McGowan. In 1886, being on the Republican ticket, he was in
November elected clerk of the Circuit court of Rock county,
which dissolved that partnership at the beginning of his term of
public service January 1, 1887. His fidelity in office was re-
warded with successive elections for four terms, extending to the
year 1895. In January of that year he resumed the practice of
law, in which occupation his ability and industry have gained
for him a very large clientage.
Mr. McGowan has taken much interest in politics and is a
staunch Republican. He is a member of the First Congregational
church and also a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 22, Knights of
Pythias, of which society he is a past chancellor.
Mr. McGowan was made a Mason in Western Star Lodge, No.
14, at Janesville in 1888. He was initiated an entered apprentice
February 21, passed to the degree of felloAV craft March 20, and
raised to the degree of master Mason June 5. He received the
capitular degrees in Janesville Chapter, No. 5, in 1890, that of
mark master May 1, and the degrees of past master, most excels
lent master and Royal Arch Mason October 2. The order of
Knighthood was conferred upon him in Janesville Commandery,
No. 2, in 1894 ; that of Red Cross May 8, and Temple and Malta
May 10.
Mr. McGowan was married June 30, 1887, to Miss Abbie L.
Hill (daughter of Joseph H. and Mary Hill, of Beloit), and they
were blessed with two children, Louise H. and Joseph B., who
are both living. Mrs. McGowan, who was a member of Christ
Episcopal church, Janesville, died after five years of invalidism.
January 11, 1899, Mr. McGowan married Katherine Shopbell,
eldest daughter of Ellis and Martha A. (Parker) Shopbell. She
is a member of the First Congregational church of Janesville,
COURTS AND LEGAL PEOFESSION 785
and their beautiful home at 708 jMilton avenue is a place of social
welcome and cheerfulness.
Note 1 — Mr. McGowan's maternal grandfather and grand-
mother, who both died here in Janesville, were Seventh Day Bap-
tists and are both buried at Milton, Wis.
The grandmother, whose maiden name was Deborali Leeds
Spicer, was descended from an ancient ancestry, which has been
traced back to three brothers (Spicer) of an honorable family in
Normandy, who came over to England with William the Con-
queror as gentlemen volunteers. An account of the family was
written in the year 1594, and the manuscript is still preserved.
That family record, continued to 1714, showed that during the
preceding 441 years there had been twelve mayors of the city of
Exeter of that name. (Spicer.)
Note 2 — At the time of the Milwaukee riots in 1886 Emmett
D. McGowan was a member of the National Guard and a staff
officer, having been appointed by Governor Rusk, November 12.
1885, as inspector of rifle practice of the First Regiment, with
rank of captain. He was at the front in that disturbance.
Lewis E. Gettle, of Edgerton, Wis., the son of Lewis and
Mary Gettle, was born at Brickerville, Lancaster county, Pa.,
January 28, 1863. His father's ancestors were Prussian and Ger-
man, the name being originally spelled Goettel. The mother was
of mixed Irish, German and French ancestry. Mr. Gettle lived
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, until nine years of age, then
at Lena, 111., for one year; Green county, Wisconsin, five years;
Carthage, 111., for four years ; Evansville, Wis., one year ; Juda,
Wis., two years; Edgerton, Wis., three years; Evansville, Wis.,
five years; Madison, Wis., four years, and Edgerton since 1898.
He pursued his law studies in the law school of the Wisconsin
State University and was admitted to practice in the Circuit
court of Dane county, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme court
and the United States Circuit and District courts December 22.
1896. He has practiced since 1898 at Edgerton, and was special
counsel for the Dairy and Food Commission of Wisconsin during
the years 1903-06, prosecuting many cases. He was city attorney
of Edgerton in 1899, supervisor of second ward of Edgerton from
1899 to 1906; library clerk, state superintendent's office, from
1894 to 1898 ; president of library board of Edgerton for three
786 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
years, and member of the school board of Edgerton since 1903.
He belongs to the order of Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias. He has always been a Republican and has made politi-
cal speeches for every presidential campaign since ex-President
Cleveland's first election. He is an attendant of the Congrega-
tional church. He was married October 19, 1898, to Gertrude M.
Brown, and they have three children — Eollin B., Theodore LeAvis
and Burton Wallace Gettle.
Edward Ryan, A. B., LL.B., a member of the Rock coimty
bar, was born in Janesville, "Wis., April 3, 1852, and is of Irish
descent. His father was a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and
although his mother, Eliza O'Donnell, was born in Burlington.
Vt., her parents also came from Tipperary, where his paternal
grandfather, Edward, was a farmer.
Edward (the father of Edward H.) came to America, worked
industriously for seventeen years in the city of New York, then
took his savings to Wisconsin and secured eighty acres of land
in the town of Plymouth, Rock county. By careful management
he steadily increased his holdings until at his death in 1883, when
seventy-four years old, he was the owner of 800 acres.
Edward H. Ryan was the eldest of seven children, the others
being Ellen (Mrs. Daniel Ryan, of Janesville), James, John,
Joseph and Thomas, the latter occupying the old homestead in
Plymouth. John lives in ]\Iontana, and William A., after serving
through the Spanish war with the Nineteenth United States
Infantry in Porto Rico, was mustered out at Camp Meade, Penn-
sylvania.
After a course of study at ]\lilton College and four years (1870
to 1874) in the University of Wisconsin, and one summer of study
with Hon. John Winans, of Janesville, young Ryan attended the
law department of his alma mater and graduated as LL.B. in
1876. June 18 of that year he was admitted to the bar and
remained in Madison as an assistant to Judge J. H. Carpenter
until March, 1877. Going then to Shreeveport, La., he was ad-
mitted to practice in that state, but after six months returned to
Rock county. During the next fourteen years he was engaged in
railroad construction and later as a farmer. Returning in 1899
to Janesville, he formed a law partnership with J. L. ^Mahoney.
Mr. Ryan is a Catholic, a member of the M. W. A., a lifelong
Democrat and a man of happy temperament. In 1886 he married
COURTS AND LEGAL PROFESSION 787
Susie C. Ingersoll, of Vernon county, Wisconsin, and they have
two children — Edward A. and Genevieve I. Ryan.
John C. Rood, attorney at law, Beloit, Wis., was born in Beloit,
Wis., in the year 1860 and brought up in that city. He read law
in the office of Horace V. Dearborn and was admitted to practice
in 1882. He has practiced in Beloit ever since excepting the
years 1889 and 1890, when he was in government service in New
Mexico, and has the habit of winning the cases he undertakes.
He was the acceptable city attorney for Beloit during fifteen con-
secutive years, ending in 1907, when he declined re-election.
Joel B. Dow was born at South Walden, Caledonia county, Vt.,
and as an infant with a twin sister, Josephine, was brought by
his parents to their new home in Sharon, Walworth county. Wis.,
in 1844.
He came to Beloit and entered the freshman class of Beloit
College in 1865 and graduated with the class in 1869. In 1870, in
association with Thomas 0. Thompson, a classmate in college, he
edited and published the Beloit "Journal" and afterward for two
years Avas editor of the Pine Bluff, Ark., "Republican."
Returning to Beloit, he entered the law office of the late Hon.
S. J. Todd, reading law under his supervision, and was admitted
to the bar January 17, 1874. Later he was admitted to the
Supreme court of Wisconsin and the United States District court.
He was married to Mary F. Sherwood, only child of Mr. and
Mrs, J. A. Sherwood, at Beloit, AVis., October 1, 1872, and has
constantly resided in Beloit and practiced his profession since
1874,
During his upwards of thirty years ' residence in Beloit he has
been a leading spirit in all public enterprises looking towards
the growth and betterment of the city, and it is conceded that in
many ways much of the Beloit of today is due to his untiring
work.
Mr. Dow's latest effort was the bringing in to the city of the
Beloit Traction Company, a much needed public utility, of which
company he is now the president.
The following is a complete list of the resident practicing
attorneys of Rock county :
Carpenter, E. F. Dunwiddie, B. F.
Carpenter, H. F. Wheeler, William G.
788
HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Dunwiddie, Stanley G.
Jeffris, M. G.
Moiiat, M. 0.
Smith, William
Avery, L. A.
Fisher, John L,
Oestreich, O. A.
Hemmingway, C. H.
Lange, C. H.
Jackson, A. A.
Jackson, W. A.
McElroy, Horace
Hen dries, C. J.
Nolan, Thomas S.
Adams, H. W.
Reeder, C. W.
Ruger, William
Riiger, William, Jr.
Whitehead, John M.
Matheson, A. E.
Blanchard, H. H.
Burpee, F. C.
Cunningham, J. J.
Cunningham, John
Dougherty, William H.
Earle, Jesse
Fisher, A. M.
Fifield, Charles L.
Grant, Francis C.
King, Angie J,
Lane, Wilson
Maxfield, H. L.
McGowan, E. D.
Newhouse, W. 0.
Peterson, E. H.
Pierce, C. E.
Richardson, M. P.
Ryan, E. H.
Sutherland, George G.
Tallman, S. D.
Tallman, George K.
Adams, H. W.
Reeder, C. W.
Woolsey, T. D.
Arnold, W. H.
Buckley, Cornelius
Clark, John B.
Dow, J. B.
Ingersoll, George B.
Rosa, C. D.
Rood, John C.
Wickhem, J. G.
Gettle, L. E.
Ladd, E. M.
Towne, J. P.
Towne, L. H.
Sloan, H. S.
Richmond, T. C.
Richmond, R. M.
Janes, Fred L.
Cleveland, A. A.
Helmbolt, George
Clarke, Ray W.
XXXIII.
SOME INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS OF ROCK
COUNTY.
The Appleby Twine Binder. In 1849 two young men, Charles
H. Parker and Gustavus Stone, started at Beloit a small manu-
factory of agricultural tools, hoes, etc. They were made by hand
at the anvil with Parker on one side of it and Stone assisting on
the other. This work grew up to the manufacture of mowers and
reapers of light draft. Wire had been used in machines for bind-
ing grain, but had proved unsatisfactory because broken bits of
it, getting into the straw and grain, killed stock and damaged the
flouring mills. This aroused the inventive genius of a Beloit
workman, John F. Appleby, who in 1871 produced a working
twine binder for harvesting machines. This was made and intro-
duced by Parker and Stone at Beloit in 1878, and in 1879 the
Deering Company, of Chicago, placed it on their Marsh Har-
vester. It is now used on harvesters all over the world, and
about 200,000 of the Appleby binders are sold every year. With
the above Beloit invention and manufactory began the wider
reputation of Beloit as a manufacturing city.
MerrUl's Building Paper. In 1851, with T. L. Wright, Mr. S.
T. Merrill started the first paper mill of this Rock river valley
at Rockton, 111. Later he built a paper mill in Beloit, on the West
Side, and in 1858 started the East Side paper mill. In 1867 they
began manufacturing straw board. Thick separate sheets of
this stiff paper had previously been used for outside sheathing on
the walls of houses. Mr. Merrill, then president of the Beloit
Paper Company, formed the idea of making that building paper
in a continuous roll, water proof and just the width of two joist
spaces, thirty-two inches, so that it could be applied in one piece
from top to bottom, be nailed securely on the joists and so make
a tight covering under the outer siding. This practical invention
he patented and the first roll of such paper now so universally
used was made at Beloit.
789
790 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Paper bags had been invented and made in the East, but Mr.
Merrill, obtaining a couple of the machines, set them up in Beloit
with some slight improvements, introduced the first paper bags
made and used in the West, and started here in Beloit that busi-
ness which a Beloit boy, Lucius G. Fisher, of Chicago, has since
developed into the $27,000,000 paper bag and box combine, of
which he is president.
The Houston Wheel. In an early day George A. Houston
invented and patented a turbine wheel, which was made by the
Merrill & Houston Iron Works, and proved to be of permanent
value.
0. B. Olmstead when a young man, on a farm just south of
Beloit, invented an evaporator for making molasses from sorghum
cane. During the Civil war when sugar was scarce he and his
father made much sorghum molasses for the farmers in this
neighborhood. After coming to Jive in Beloit he invented and
manufactured a practical stove-pipe shelf. Later Mr. Olmstead
made and patented the much more valuable invention of a drive
well point, and two machines which were used in making it, one
for punching holes in pipe and another for perforating brass.
The Felt & Tarrant Adding Machine. Dorr Felt, son of a once
prominent farmer of this vicinity, E. K. .Felt, left the farm and
came to work in the Eclipse wind engine shops when the plant
was located in the lower part of the city. He was naturally
ingenious and some years later invented an adding machine,
which is now found in all progressive counting houses. The Felt
patent covers all adding machines that are equipped with a
movable paper carriage for listing several columns of figures side
by side, and a decision of Judge Kohlsaat, of the United States
court of Chicago, in 1905 sustained that patent against infringe-
ment by the Universal adding machine.
Cyrus Fox, a farmer just south of Beloit for many years and
later a resident of the city, obtained November 1, 1892, a patent
for a new improvement in the riding attachments of plows, har-
rows, etc. He also invented a corn sheller for unhusked corn
that would strip off the husks, shell the corn and crush the cobs
suitably for feed ; a can for submerging milk in cold water, while
at the same time allowing the natural heat to pass off; the plant-
ing of corn through a pointed tube, thrust into the ground; a
INVENTORS AND INVENTIONS 791
planting and seed covering attachment to a plow, and a special
friction gear.
The Cotton Picker. John F. Appleby, inventor of the
twine binder, studied the problem of cotton harvesting from
1899 to 1905, and September 5, 1905, received a patent on his
"Dixie cotton picker." This is a wheeled machine, drawn by
two horses, which carries 340 revolving picking fingers, from
which the cotton is stripped and packed in a large basket carried
on the machine. It is a practical picker for all cotton plants not
over four feet high and requires only one man, who rides the
machine and drives the team.
Auto-meter. The Warner Brothers at their model factory in
South Beloit make the Warner Auto-meter, an attachment for
measuring the speed of automobiles and electric and even steam
cars. This is their own invention ; has been tested and found
superior to every other measuring device of the kind; has been
duly patented and bids fair to gain world-wide use.
T. Gesley, factory 616 to 620 Third street, Beloit, has invented
and manufactures a sulky plow, an improved three-wheel cul-
tivator and the Gesley lever harrow.
Carl Lipman's inventions, Beloit, are an automobile oiler, a
new rotary pump and an electric speed indicator.
The Holcomb engine. C. A. Holcomb, an old resident of
Beloit, in 1907 invented a new automatic engine and dynamo for
lighting a railroad train and locomotive headlight. Equipments
previously used for that purpose weighed about two and three-
quarter tons each, while this weighs but one.
The Dann gate. F. H. Dann, of Footville, Rock county, in-
vented and patented a farm gate under the above name. In 1906
Mr. F. W. Morgan, proprietor of the famous Morgan stock farm,
endorsed it as having solved the problem of a good gate.
The self-regulating power windmill, invented by Rev. L. H.
Wheeler and developed at Beloit by his sons and others, resulting
in the great Eclipse wind engine works, is described in the chap-
ter on manufactures.
The Woodruff buckle. For the tongueless buckle on harnesses,
overshoes, etc., we are indebted to Mr. H. Sherman Woodruff, of
Janesville.
The Miller car coupler and buffer. Soon after railroad con-
nection had been made between Janesville and Green Bay there
792 HISTOEY OF KOCK COUNTY
was an excursion to the latter city, which resulted in a bad rail-
road collision and the serious injury of several of the excursion-
ists. As a result of his own experience on that occasion a Janes-
ville man, a Mr. Miller, was led to invent and patent the Miller
automatic car coupler and buffer. It was a device to prevent the
telescoping of cars and reduce the force of concussion between
them and to lessen the danger of brakemen, and its use has
already extended throughout almost the whole railroad world.
The Parker pen. This celebrated fountain pen with the
"lucky curve" feed was invented by Mr. George S. Parker, of
Janesville. The Parker Pen Company, organized in 1891 and
making less than 500 pens the first year, has now reached a yearly
output of several hundred thousand, which are sent throughout
the United States and all civilized countries. It is a profit shar-
ing company and pays a semiannual dividend to all its employees
(of clear record) who have been in continuous service for two
years or more.
Mr. S. D. Locke, of Janesville, invented a wire binder for
harvesters.
C. B. Withington, of Janesville, in the later seventies invented
a wire knot for binding grain with a harvester. In some way the
McCormick Reaper Company, of Chicago, prevented his commer-
cial use of the invention, and soon after the Appleby twine binder
superseded all wire binders.
In this record we have given only a few of the more important
inventions of Rock county men. A fuller investigation than we
have been able to make would doubtless extend the record with
yet more honor to our county.
XXXIV.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Henry Partridge Strong, M. D., was a lineal descendant of
Elder John Strong, of the First Church of Northampton, Mass. ;
ordained there in 1630.
Henry was born at Brownington, Orleans county, Vermont,
February 8, 1832, son of Elijah Gridley and Sarah Ashley (Part-
ridge) Strong. After studying at the Academy in his native
town, under Rev. A. L. TAvilight, he clerked in a drug store in
Montpelier. Vt., and studied medicine under Drs. Loomis and
C. M. Rublee. From Castleton jMedical college, Vermont, he
graduated with honors in 1853. His parents having already, in
1851, removed to Beloit, Wis., the young doctor followed them,
and in that year, 1853, began the practice of medicine and sur-
gery at Beloit. He became the leading physician here in his time,
was an outspoken opponent of all quackery and sham in any
forms and always maintained a high standard of professional
honor and practice.
In 1861 he enlisted in the army and was appointed surgeon
of the Eleventh Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. In
April, 1863, he was made surgeon in chief of the Fourteenth
Division of the Thirteenth Army Corps. After the surrender of
Vicksburg, his health being impaired, he reluctantly resigned
his commission in August, 1863, and returned to his practice in
Beloit, Wis. For several years he was secretary of the State
Board of Health of Wisconsin, and of the Wisconsin State Med-
ical Society, of which he was elected president in June, 1870.
He was a member of the American Medical Association and of
the Committee on Public Hygiene, censor of the Wisconsin Med-
ical Society and correspondent of the Boston Medical and Sur-
gical Journal and of the Buffalo Medical Journal.
In politics he was a staunch "Protective tariff" Republican,
and in 1872 was made chairman of the Republican committee of
793
794 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
this congressional district. He was elected mayor of Beloit five
times— 1864, 1865, 1866, 1868, 1869. In 1870 he was appointed
postmaster of Beloit and held that office until his death. He was
one of the incorporators of the Beloit Savings Bank, he served
the city as alderman and city clerk; he was a member of the
First Congregational church of Beloit, and belonged to the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows lodge. He was also a member
of the G. A. R., and as a Mason was connected with the Morning
Star Lodge No. 10, Beloit Chapter No. 9, and Beloit Commandery
No. 6.
On September 8, 1857, he married Sarah Maria, daughter of
Rev. Dexter Clary, of Beloit. Their children were Caroline
Stowe, Dexter Clary, Miranda Williams, Harry Clary, William
Partridge, Russell James Clary, Dexter and Robert Gridley.
(Russell J. C. Strong, M. D., of Beloit, is the only survivor.)
For many years prior to his death. Dr. Strong owned and
directed an extensive stock farm of horses of Kentucky thorough-
bred trotting blood. Dr. Strong was a man of positive character,
sometimes brusque in manner, but always kindhearted and ready
to help those in need. On June 20, 1883, he died, mourned by
the whole city, and was buried here. On account of his interest
in our public schools as a director for many years, that one near
the city park is named for him, the Strong school. Dr. Clinton
Helm, of Rockford, 111., wrote of him February 25, 1908: "He
was an independent thinker of great natural ability and mental
force. He had much to draw his mind away from the close study
required to master the present science of medicine and surger}'.
yet stood high in both."
James Woodward Strong. Born in Brownington Vt., Septem-
ber 29, 1833, came with his parents to Beloit, Wis., in 1851. As
a little child, he was so frail that his mother hardly expected to
raise him ; when fourteen years old he worked in a printing office
for his board and a $7 overcoat as pay for one year's labor. By
his next two years' service in a Burlington book store, he earned,
besides his board, $125, and during that time, began studying
Latin. Later he was helped by an academy teacher, Nathaniel
G. Clark, who became a secretary of the American board. When
seventeen years old, James, tall and slender, taught a mountain
district school of notoriously rough boys and succeeded only by
the force of his superior character. After the family moved to
BIOGRAPHICAL 795
Beloit, and opened the old Beloit house as a temperance hotel,
James attended the preparatory department of the newly started
Beloit college.
January 12, 1852, he taught in the new brick building, Union
school No. 1, in the city park, associated with Miss Emeline
Fisher and Mrs. Carey; in the fall of 1853 he taught a district
school in Newark until he w^as taken sick, and during the win-
ter and in the spring of 1854 taught on the west side in the stone
building, now No. 631 Bluff street, where B. C. Rogers was a
later teacher. During that time he learned telegraphy, and in
1853 had charge of the Beloit ofiEice. In the summer of 1853,
having narrowly escaped drowning in Rock river just below the
dam, he took a journey for his health to central Minnesota, the
yet unrevealed scene of his future life work. Entering the fresh-
man class of the Beloit college in 1854, James W. Strong, not-
withstanding many absences caused by sickness and outside
work, graduated in 1858 at the head of his class. While at col-
lege, James was home chore boy, prep, tutor, college monitor,
telegraph operator, town clerk (as such taking the town and vil-
lage census in 1855), member of two quartettes, church chorister,
secretary of the Choral Union, of the Library and State Teachers '
Association, and in 1856 was our first city superintendent of
schools.
While conducting the railroad telegraph office at Beloit, he
introduced to that work his younger brother, William B., after-
wards the famous railroad general.
A term of service as telegrapher at the Madison office in 1858,
and at the same time as legislative reporter for Milwaukee papers,
was followed by another health trip to Minnesota with his class-
mate, John H. Rogers. The next three years were spent as a
theological student at Union seminary, New York. His eyes
having given out, a classmate, Eugene H. Avery, read the lecture
notes to him for two years. September 3, 1861, Mr. Strong mar-
ried, at Beloit, Wis., Mary Davenport (daughter of Elder Aaron
Davenport, of the First Presbyterian church) ; her eyes and de-
votion enabled him to graduate honorably from the seminary in
1862 (and have been important factors in all his successful life
since).
Mr. Strong's superior voice had brought him a regular income
in connection with various New York citv churches, and he also
796 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
earned his way by teaching in families and private schools.
After being ordained as a Congregational minister in 1862, he
preached two years at Brodhead, Wis., and then in January,
1865, was called to the Congregational church at Faribault,
Minn. In October, 1870, he was elected first president of the
unnamed college begun at Northfield, Minn., five years before.
On arriving there, one prominent citizen welcomed him with
the remark: "We are glad to have respectable people come here
to live, but the college has gone into the ground and it can never
be resurrected."
President Strong, in December, 1870, secured from a Mr.
Carleton, of Charlestown, Mass., and a ]\Iiss Willis, $1,500 and a
new piano for the school. Going thence to see a Mr. Stone, at
Hartford, Conn., he took a carriage ride with him, and they
were run over by an express train, Mr. Stone being killed out-
right. Mr. Strong was reported dead yet, by force of a good
constitution, recovered, only to feel the effects of his severe in-
juries for the rest of his life. That miraculous escape, however,
led Mr. Carleton to conclude that the Lord had some great work
for this young man to do, and that he, Carleton, should not lose
the chance to share in it. He, therefore, sent the school $50,000
in cash, and it was named after him, "Carleton College."
In 1878 Mr. Strong visited Europe, traveling with the poet,
Robert Browning, and saw Europe again in 1892.
The work of Mr. James W. Strong, during the thirty-three
years of his presidency of Carleton college, is widely known.
Within twenty-five years, he secured for that institution not only
$700,000, but also a host of friends. His last great effort was to
meet the offer of $50,000 by Dr. D. K. Pearson, of Chicago, con-
ditioned on the securing of $100,000 more before January 1, 1901.
Working to the utmost limit of his strength and to the last day
of grace, President Strong met the condition, secured for the col-
lege $150,000 of additional endowment and then asked release.
December 4, 1902, the trustees voted him a well-deserved an-
nuity as president emeritus, and released him with the poet's kind
wish, "Late may you return to heaven."
Rev. Dr. Strong was president of the Congregational Home
Missionary Society of Minnesota from its beginning in 1872 until
his resignation in 1895, and has been a corporate member since
1871 of the American Board of Foreign Missions. He has also
BIOGEAPHICAL 797
been a member of almost every National Council of his church
since 1865, and is, perhaps, the only person now living, who was
an active member of that mother of all subsequent Congrega-
tional councils, the Boston council of 1865, which adopted at
Plymouth the famous "Burial Hill Confession of Faith."
Dr. and Mrs. Strong now spend the winters with his younger
brother William in California, but Dr. James also meets frequent
engagements for preaching and lecturing. Of their three sons,
the elder, "William B. is head of the Milwaukee Drug Company
(Wisconsin) ; the younger, Edward, is a successful tenor singer
and teacher of voice culture in New York city, and Arthur is a
gardener in Los Angeles, Cal.
Charles A. Gault was born April 3, 1847, in Manchester, Boone
county, Illinois. Plis father, John Gault, came to Beloit from
New Hampshire in 1844 and made brick on what is now known
as the Slaymaker farm, about two miles east of the city. He
married Harriet Ball, March 18, 1846, went to California in 1852,
and died there in 1857.
Harriet Ball, the mother of C. A. Gault, was born in Hamp-
shire, Long Parish, England, May 21, 1826. Her parents, Thomas
and Miriam Ball, brought her to America in 1836, sailing from
Portsmouth, England, April 6 and reaching Quebec, Canada,
after a voyage of seven weeks and three days. Miss Ball came
to Beloit in 1841 and lived at first in the family of A. B. Howe,
South Mill street. She attended the school taught by Leonard
Humphrey, 534 Public avenue, and took a prominent part in his
first school exhibition, given March 16, 1843. Besides her son,
Charles, she had a son, George B., born in 1849 ; died October,
1861. She enjoys a hale old age at her residence in this city with
her son.
Charles A. Gault was educated at the district school, mainly,
and occupied with farm life, being especially interested in
horses. As a skilled player on the flute Mr. Gault was connected
with early Beloit orchestras, played often in church choirs and
still keeps his ability in that direction. Of late years he has
been and still remains the trusted agent of General William B.
Strong and manager of the general's large property interests in
Beloit. Genial Charley Gault being one of the most popular men
of our city and a good temperance man and Republican, his elec-
tion to some public office was inevitable, and so he was chosen
798 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
the mayor of Beloit and filled that office most acceptably for the
term, 1904-1906. Mr. Gault is a prominent helper at Gridley
chapel and is guilty of generosity in many other ways not so
public. The only fault to be found with him is that he is not
numerous enough.
John E. Houston. No history of Rock county would be com-
plete without a mention of Mr. John E. Houston, who is one of
the oldest 'residents of the city of Beloit.
He is descended from Rev. John Houston, who was born in
Londonderry, N. H., in 1723, graduated from Princeton college,
New Jersey, in 1753, ordained to the ministry September 28,
1757, and pastor of the church at Bedford, N. H., from 1756 to
1778. This John married Anna Peebles and they had three sons
and two daughters. Although the father was a loyalist his oldest
son, Samuel, served in the Revolutionary war.
There was a John Houston, an elder in the church at Bed-
ford in 1803. Among the names of subscribers to build a meet-
ing house in Bedford, April 19, 1831, is that of John P. Houston,
apparently his son, who was captain of the Bedford grenadiers in
1832. In 1829 he had built a bridge and made that his business.
In 1837 this Captain John P. Houston came to Beloit and was
followed the next year by his wife and their infant son, then
one year old, the John E. Houston of this sketch. The father,
John P, Houston, framed the Goodhue flouring mill, built on the
race just west of the Caleb Blodgett saw mill. That grist mill
was afterwards bought and carried on by John's brother George
as the Houston mill. That was ''the old red mill" and stood
directly across the street south from the old Russell residence,
now 317 South Bridge street. J. P. Houston also helped frame
our first wagon bridge, a trestle structure placed where the cen-
tral bridge now stands ; he framed the first bridge over Turtle
creek and also the railroad bridge (Northwestern) over Rock
river, completed December 22, 1854, and in both cases was pub-
licly commended for the thoroughness of his work.
After completing his studies at the Beloit academy John E.
Houston successfully taught a district school, east of Beloit,
for several winters. Engaging first in the business of bridge
building, he later was occupied with his brother in .the milling
business. Finally in 1873 he established himself in the furniture
and undertakinsr business in Beloit, which was continued until
^xBt**-.,
JOHX M. AVHITEHEAI).
BIOGRAPHICAL 799.
1898, when he closed out the furniture department and has since
confined himself to his specialty as the city's oldest undertaker.
Since the year 1881 he has been an elder in the First Presby-
terian church of Beloit, continuously reelected and still in active
service.
On January 2, 1861, John E. Houston married Miss Mary F.
Burr, an estimable young lady of Concord, Ohio, who is still at
his side as a faithful life companion. Of their two children
(daughters), one, Mrs. Hill, has supplied him with three charm-
ing gradchildren.
Like other successful business men Mr. Houston has a hobby.
In his case it is a large farm, three miles east of Beloit, where a
comfortable country home offers a change from his city resi-
dence. There he keeps fine stock in which he takes pride and
this farm hobby not only gives him enjoyment, but also keeps
him young and active.
Clinton Babbitt, who for fifty-four years was an influential
citizen of Beloit, Wis., was a native of Westmoreland, N. H. He
was born November 16, 1831, to Nathan G. and Eunice (Brew-
ster) Babbitt, the former a lawyer by profession and an asso-
ciate judge with the eminent jurist and legal authority, Joel
Parker. Our subject's paternal grandfather was a physician
and served as such in the Revolutionary War. His mother was a
direct descendant of the noted Elder Brewster.
Our subject acquired his education in his native state, at-
tending school at Keene, and on attaining his majority in 1852,
removed to Beloit, where he made his home during his life time.
From the first, he took an interest in all that related to the
development and welfare of his adopted home, and with an
abiding faith in its future, loyally and enthusiastically supported
every movement tending to its betterment and growth. For a
score of years Mr. Babbitt traveled on the road in the interest
of business houses, but during thirty years lived on what became
widely known as "Hemdoka Stock Farm," which he owned until
about a year prior to his decease.
Mr. Babbitt was, throughout his life, a consistent Jeffersonian
Democrat, and it was on the Democratic ticket that he was
elected a member of the first common council of Beloit on its
incorporation as a city. This first public honor came as a sur-
prise to him and his friends, who had little if any hope of elect-
800 HISTORY OF ROCK COUXTY
ing their ticket. He next came prominently before the public
as the Democratic nominee for congress in 1880, when General
Hancock was the presidential nominee, but failed of an election.
Ten years later, in 1890, he was again nominated for congress,
and although his district was overwhelmingly Republican, such
was the effectiveness of his personal canvass of the district as
"The Farmer's Candidate," that he was elected by a handsome
majority. During his congressional term, he met Mr. William
comradeship that drew them into most intimate fellowship and
comradship that drew them into most intimate fellowship, and
that the lapse of years never lessened. In congress he did good
service and it was he who, when the matter of an appropriation
for the World's Columbia Exposition was under discussion, sug-
gested the compromise appropriation of $2,500,000, which was
finally made. During President Cleveland's administration Mr.
Babbitt served as postmaster at Beloit, with great credit to him-
self and eminent satisfaction to the city and community. As
secretary of the State Agricultural Society, an office which he
filled from 1885 till 1890, he rendered to the state most valuable
service, having in charge the state fairs that were held in various
parts of the commonwealth and with his headquarters at the
state capital.
Mr. Babbitt was a man of pleasing personality, refined in his
tastes, sympathetic, generous and open-hearted, and readily won
and retained friends. His hospitalities were distributed with a
lavish hand and he counted among his friends men high in the
councils and affairs of the state and nation ; and all who came
within the range of his influence were attracted to him by the
charm of his friendliness and the manliness of his character. He
was domestic in his tastes and loved his home and family and
here found his highest enjoyment.
(Allow me to add this anecdote : Mr. Babbitt and my father,
though differing in politics, were always very good friends. While
occupying one of our stores, many years ago, with a dry goods
business, which for some reason did not succeed, Mr. Babbitt
called one evening at our old home and said to my father: "I've
got to fail. I have been advised to put away a small sum, pay what
debts are owed in and around Beloit, then take the benefit of the
bankruptcy act and let my eastern creditors go impaid. But
somehow I don't like that plan. AYhat would you advise?" Said
BIOGRArHLCAL 801
father: "My advice would not be worth anything if you don't
take it." Mr. B. replied, "I have so much confidence in your
judgment that whatever you suggest I am inclined to do." Then
father said, "Write to your eastern creditors telling them the
situation, that ,on account of unavoidable business depression
you cannot meet your obligations, but will turn in all your prop-
erty and deal fairly by all your creditors, as far as your means
will reach." "If I should do that," said Mr. Babbitt, "I would
have nothing left." "Yes, you will," was the reply. "What
would I have?" "Your credit." "Well," continued Mr. Bab-
bitt, "that is the honest way. I like that, and will do it." Not
many days after he reported results. "I wrote to my eastern
creditors exactly as we agreed and here is their reply: 'You are
just the sort of man we don't want to have fail. Never mind
our account. If you need new goods send to us and settle when
times are better.' " Mr. Babbitt took them at their word and in
due course worked his business out all right. — W. F. B.)
On June 10, 1857, he married Miss Sarah S. Johnson, of
Salem, Mass., who, with five of the ten children born to them,
survives. The surviving children are : Alice H., who is married
to F. E. Lurton, and lives at Fergus Falls, Minn. ; Arthur and
Ralph, of Livingston, Mont., and Bertha and Edith, who live at
home with their mother in Beloit.
The sudden death of Mr. Babbitt on the afternoon of March
11, 1907, came as a great surprise to his many friends in and
about Beloit, and his demise was universally mourned as a pub-
lic loss. His loss to the city, while keenly felt, is more poignant
to his immediate family who, however, fine consolation in the
thought that he left to them the rich heritage of an unsullied and
honored name.
Julius M. Farnsworth, an active and prosperous man of
affairs of Beloit, Wis., was born at Rockton, 111., April 20, 1856,
and is a son of James P. and Amelia (Clough) Farnsworth, na-
tives of the states of Maine and New York, respectively. They
were married in Michigan and thence in 1855 went to Rockton,
111., and settled on a farm. In 1869 they moved to Newark town-
ship. Rock county, Wis., but in 1872 retired from farming and
took up their residence in Beloit, where the mother died in 1891
and the father in 1898. Our subject's grandfather, John, was
born at Keene, New Hampshire, married Sally Patten, at Surrey,
802 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Me., in 1809, moved from Maine (where James P., our subject's
father, was born in 1810) to Eaton, province of Quebec, in 1812,
thence to Michigan in 1834. They moved to Illinois, in the early
fifties, and afterwards lived for a time in Wisconsin. He died
at OconomoAvoc, Wis., and she at Rockton, 111., and their bodies
are interred in the cemetery at St. Charles, 111.
Julius M., acquired his primary education in the district
schools of the neighborhood where he lived, and engaged in
farming, until he was twenty-three years old; then after being
employed in various occupations for six years, he removed to
Chicago in 1885, where he spent seven years selling provisions,
and in 1893 purchased a drug store, which he conducted for sev-
eral years. Finding this suited to his tastes, and with a view to
more thoroughly qualify himself for the work, Mr. Farnsworth
took up a course of study at the Northwestern University School
of Pharmacy, where he was graduated in February, 1896, and
after being registered by examination before the Boards of Phar-
macy in both Illinois and Wisconsin, in 1898 went to Beloit and
purchased a site at No. 126 East Grand avenue, erected a
two-story brick building, and opened a drug store, where he has
since continued the practice of pharmacy with eminent success.
Mr. Farnsworth is also active in matters outside of his pro-
fession, having been president of the ]\Ierchants & Bankers' Mu-
tual Fire Insurance Company since its organization in 1901.
During the year 1904 he served as president of the Wisconsin
State Pharmaceutical Association, and at the present time —
1908 — is president of the Rock County Druggist's Association.
He is identified with the Knights of the Globe and the Order of
Columbian Knights, and has been a member of the supreme lodge
of the last named. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious
faith a Presbyterian, and for several years has served as clerk
of the board of trustees, and as an elder and the clerk of session
in the First Presbyterian church of Beloit, Wis. In the erection
of their new and costly edifice, he has also been a prominent
member of the building committee.
In 1879 Mr. Farnsworth married Miss Hortense Foster, of
Beloit, who died in 1890, leaving one child, Elon, now seventeen
years old. In 1892 he married Miss Eunice Babbitt, who died
in 1901. In 1902 he married Mrs. Bessie Holden, a lady dis-
tinguished for her domestic virtues and activities in church
BIOGEAPHICAL 803
affairs, especially in the primary department of the Sunday
school. They have one child, named Norma.
It is of historic interest to add a brief mention of our sub-
ject's older brother. General Elon J. Farnsworth, the youngest
general of the Civil War.
From a farm a few miles southwest of Beloit, in the year
1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois cavalry as assistant quar-
termaster, was soon elected a captain, and early in 1863 was
made acting lieutenant colonel and chief quartermaster of the
Fourth Army Corps under General Pleasanton. In May, 1863,
he became an aide on that general's staff, and June 29, 1863,
on the eve of the battle of Gettysburg, when one month less than
twenty-six years old, he was commissioned brigadier general in
Kilpatrick's division. On that famous field, July 3, 1863, after
Pickett's charge had been repulsed, Farnsworth 's brigade occu-
pied a wooded hill to the left of Round Top immediately in front
of the First Texas Regiment of infantry, which was posted be-
hind a rail fence that had been made impassable for cavalry.
Twice the Texans and their impregnable fence had been charged
by the gallant First West Virginia Regiment, but in vain. Then
General Kilpatrick ordered Farnsworth with his remnant
brigade, about 200 troopers, to charge; that meant death for
all of them, and Farnsworth, doubting whether he had heard the
order aright, replied, "General, my men are too good to kill for
nothing." Kilpatrick hotly retorted, "If you are afraid, I will
lead them myself." The young general replied, "Take that
back; I ask no other man to lead my men." Kilpatrick nobly
apologized and the two had a short talk. Then General Farns-
worth, at the head of his 200 troopers, charged through the Con-
federate skirmish line and into the very jaws of death, as brave-
ly as did England's ever famous 600. After penetrating the
enemy's line and getting nearly out again with ten men left, he
leaped his horse over a stone wall, and while charging the Fif-
teenth Alabama with sabre raised, fell from the saddle pierced
with five mortal wounds.
To his uncle. General John F. Farnsworth, a few days after
the battle, General Pleasanton wrote: "The gallant Farnsworth
fell heroically leading a charge of his brigade against the rebel
infantry. Gifted in a high degree and remarkable for his dar-
804 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
ing and coolness, in his death was closed a career that, had it
continued, must have won the highest honors of his profession."
Early in that spring, young Farnsworth visited in Beloit, and
the writer well remembers the black hair, broad brow and flash-
ing eyes, my ideal of a young soldier. — Ed.
Alvin B. Carpenter, long one of the leading promoters of Be-
loit, Wis., was born in Stratford, Orange county, Vermont, July
17, 1812, son of Willard and Polly (Bacon) Carpenter. His
first venture in business life was driving a peddling wagon and
selling goods on commission for his uncles, Willard and John
Carpenter, of Troy, N. Y. This was in 1831. In six years he had
made and saved $10,500, In 1835 he went to Evansville, Ind.,
and opened up a general store ; six months later, took his brother
in partnership and increased the capital to $40,000. In 1841
they sold out the business and engaged in milling and wholesale
produce, selling through their house in New Orleans, of which
Mr. Carpenter was the manager. Later he sold out this line and
returned to Evansville, and in company with Oliver Ladd en-
gaged in the wholesale dry goods jobbing, in which they were
successful. His first appearance in Beloit business circles was in
1845, when he engaged in general merchandising on a large scale
for three years, removing in 1849 to Cambridge, Dane county,
where he again engaged in milling, owning the town site and
several mills; sold out here in 1851 and bought a town site in
Avon township and 3,000 acres of land and opened a large store
and constructed a water power plant, but in 1852 sold out here
and returned to Beloit to establish his permanent home. Start-
ing with a general store, he continued in this for one year, then
sold out to Keys & White, and in 1854 engaged in banking for
three years, when he again sold and returned to Evansville,
Ind., and was interested in many different enterprises until 1866,
when he again entered into the mercantile trade in Beloit, open-
ing three different stores under the firm name of Carpenter &
Greene. In February, 1869, they were burned out and Mr. Car-
penter retired from the firm, Mr. Greene continuing in the trade.
In July, 1870, in company with Cyrus Libby, E. H. Chapman
and John Foster, they commenced the manufacture of boots and
shoes, the first factory of its kind in Beloit. Three years later
he sold out to Mr. Chapman and engaged in handling real estate
and building.
BIOGIJAPIIICAL 805
He was married on July 5, 1839, to j\Iiss Almira L. Duteher,
of Troy, N. Y. They celebrated their golden wedding on July
5, 1889, at their Beloit home, and it was one of the most notable
gatherings ever held in Beloit, from the large number of friends
and people of prominence from all parts of the country who were
in attendance. The occasion was out of the usual order, also, on
account of all of their children being present. They included
James M. Carpenter, Mrs. Ilattie M. Searing, Mrs. Anna B. Law-
rence, Mrs. C. B. Salmon, Mrs. Mary A. Green and Mrs. F. D.
Caldwell. Mr. Carpenter enjoyed a hale old age and the full
possession of his faculties up to the very end of a long and active
life. He died at his residence in Beloit, Wis., in his ninety-first
year, March 19, 1903. Mrs. Carpenter had already passed away
February 9, 1891.
William H. Grinnell, who resides at 407 Bluff street, Beloit,
Wis., was born in Sherman, Chautauqua county, New York, Octo-
ber 31, 1841. His father, George W., and his mother, Jane A.
(Weed) Grinnell, were both natives of New York state and came
to Wisconsin, settling first at Johnstown, in Rock county in 1854,
where they remained two years and then removed to La Prairie
township, where the mother died in 1865 at the age of forty-
three years and was buried at Beloit. In 1873 the father re-
moved to Harlan, Iowa, where he remained for a short time and
then went to Manning, Iowa, where he remained until 1892, then
returned to Wisconsin and died the year following at the age
of seventy-six years. His remains were interred at Beloit.
William H. was educated in the public schools, and when the
Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fifth Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry, and served fifteen months in the ser-
vice of the government, being mustered out at the close of the
war, in 1865. He then learned the trade of a machinist in a
shop at Madison, Wis., after which he formed a partnership
with William Butterfield and carried on the Madison Foundry
and Machine shop for two years, when the partnership was dis-
solved and Mr. Grinnell came to Beloit. In 1869 he entered the
employ of 0. F. Merrill & Co., where he remained for one year
and then for a short time was associated with the Parker &
Stone Company. After severing his connection with the last
named company, he went to Chicago and entered the employ of
the D. M. Ford Manufacturing Company, and after one year he
806 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
went to New Hampshire, where he remained until 1875, then re-
turned to Rock county and became associated with the Harris
Manufacturing Company at Janesville ; after spending two years
with the above named firm, he returned to Beloit and the em-
ploy of Parker & Stone Company. At the end of one year he
became associated with the Merrill & Houston Iron Works, where
he remained until the failure of his company in 1884. One year
later he and others formed a company and bought up what was
left of the Merrill & Houston Company's assets, and organized
the Beloit Iron Works, of which company he was treasurer for
five years. Since 1890 Mr. Grinnell has been vice-president of
the company which is still known as the Beloit Iron Works ; also
a stockholder and director in the Beloit Telephone Company.
Mr. Grinnell is a member of the Elks lodge and one of Beloit 's
substantial and highly respected citizens.
In 1872, at Chicago, 111., Mr. Grinnell was married to ]\Iiss
Myra C. Clark, who died at Beloit, Wis., September 17, 1903. In
1905 Mr. Grinnell was again married to Mrs. E. C. Ewing, nee
Peck, who is a native of Beloit and a member of one of the first
families of the city.
John Foster, head of the John Foster Company, of Beloit,
Wis., manufacturer of the celebrated Foster shoes, was born
and passed his early life on a farm in Burlington township, Kane
county, Illinois, and is a son of Samuel and Malinda (Peters)
Foster, the former a native of Halifax, Yorkshire, England, and
the latter of Darien, N. Y. The parents came West in 1842 and
in 1843 settled on a tract of land in Kane county, Illinois, which
the father purchased from the United States government and
where the family home was for many years. In 1864 the father
retired from active work and later he moved to Beloit, Wis.,
where he died in 1884 and where his wife died in 1874.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received a
good English education, attending the district schools and Elgin
Academy and one year at private school. Mr. Foster first en-
gaged in the manufacture of shoes in 1867 at St. Charles, 111., as
a member of the firm of Libby & Foster, which moved its busi-
ness to Beloit, Wis., in 1870. The business, at first conducted on
a moderate scale, was located in the building which is now known
as the Grand Hotel block, but changed its location from time to
time to suit the demands of its development and growth. The
BIOGI^VPHICAL 807
policy of the company has always been to excel in everything
pertaining to its finished products. To this end its factory and
plant are equipped with the most approved machinery and ap-
pliances ; only material of the highest grade enters into the prod-
ucts manufactured, and only skilled workmen of the highest
type and character are employed. As a result of this wise and
far-sighted policy the John Foster Company has attained a wide
and well-merited reputation both as the originator of novel and
practical ideas in designs and styles of ladies' fine shoes, its ex-
clusive specialty, and also as the producer of the very best prod-
ucts in its line, comprising high shoes, oxfords, low cuts, pumps,
slipper — in short, everything pertaining to ladies' fine footwear,
in every variety of leather, canvas, silk, etc. Mr. Foster has
made his business his life study and the success that has come
to him is a gratifying and just reward for his conscientious and
painstaking work. As a man Mr. Foster is modest, quiet and un-
assuming, seldom talking of himself or his achievements, satis-
fied to let his work, to which he devotes his energies and talents,
speak for itself. He is a man who loves his home and delights
in social enjoyments. He is a member of the Order of Elks, a
Republican in politics, and in religious faith a Christian Sci-
entist.
On September 3, 1873, Mr. Foster married Miss Marcia E.
Dearborn, of Beloit, Wis., a daughter of Rice and Luscena (Che-
ney) Dearborn, the former a native of Saco, Maine, and the
latter of Lunenburg, Vt. They settled in Beloit in 1838 and were
married there, and there spent their lives — the father's death
occurring in 1866 and that of the mother in 1901. Six children
were born to them, of whom the eldest son, Horace Dearborn,
was a prominent lawyer in Beloit, where he died in 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster have three adopted children, and their
beautiful home at 638 Broad street, over which Mrs. Foster pre-
sides with true womanly grace, is a center of social and domestic
refinement and happiness.
David Smith Foster, who was one of the pioneer merchants
of Beloit, and a man who was noted for his ability and integrity,
was born on May 26, 1826, at North Andover, Mass. He was the
son of Moses and Sarah (Baldwin) Foster. Moses was a direct
descendant of Abraham Foster, a native of England, who emi-
grated to the United States in 1638 and settled in Ipswich, Mass.
808 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Ephraim Foster, a son of Abraham Foster, was born October 9,
1659 ; moved to Andover, Mass., September 21, 1746.
The subject of our sketch received his early education in the
common schools of his native town, and after absorbing the
knowledge to be gained there attended the Franklin Academy
and finished his studies at Phillips Academy, at Andover, gradu-
ating in the class of 1843. After completing his education he
followed his natural bent for a business life by commencing as
a clerk in the wholesale dry goods house of Langley & Abbott,
of Boston, and continued with them until 1848, when he entered
the employ of Eben D. Jordan, now the great firm of Jordan,
Marsh & Co. In 1856 he concluded to branch out in the business
world for himself, and being attracted by the possibilities in the
thrifty and growing town of Beloit, he removed to this place and
commenced his business career. He entered into the dry goods
business and closed it out the following year during the panic.
He afterwards engaged in merchandising in the grocery and
woodenware line and was very successful, continuing this until
1869, when he sold out to M. E. B. Lewis.
Mr. Foster was a man who had the best interests of his town
at heart and was always striving for the betterment of his fel-
low men by private and public improvements of all kinds that
would tend to make Beloit the beautiful and prosperous city
that it now is. His fellow citizens appreciated his many public-
spirited acts in this regard and honored him in many ways, con-
sequently he was three times called to serve as mayor of the city
of Beloit. In politics he was always a staunch Republican. Mr.
Foster stood very high in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second
degree Mason, Knight Templar, past commander of Knights
Templar, also past grand generalissimo of the state of Wisconsin.
In religious faith he was a Unitarian.
On March 7, 1854, Mr. Foster was united in marriage with
Miss Agnes F. Byers, of Andover, Mass. They were the parents
of five sons — John, Alfred, Joseph Byers, Frank Smith and David
Humphrey.
Mr. Foster's death occurred on January 31, 1903. He was
honored and respected by all.
David Humphrey Foster, one of the busy editors of the Beloit
"Free Press," was born August 19, 1873, in Beloit, Wis. He is
the son of David Smith and Agnes F., Foster. He received his
BIOGRAPHICAL 809
education in the high school and Beloit Academy. Mr. Foster's
first business venture was in selling books, and while he has not
striven very hard to attain the altitude of an oflfice-holder, he
has been placed in the position of city clerk, which office he filled
with credit to himself and the municipality during the years 1902
to 1906. He is part owner and business manager of the Beloit
"Free Press." In political faith he is a Republican, and his re-
ligious affiliations are with the Episcopal church.
Mr. Foster was married August 21, 1895, to Miss Fanchou
Schutt, of Milwaukee, Wis.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster have one child, David Smith Foster.
Edward J. Fillingham is a native of Montreal, Canada, where
he was born December 25, 1831. His parents, Isaac Fillingham
and Mary (Hall) Fillingham, were natives of England, but in
1830 they went to Montreal, where they resided until 1832, when
they returned to England. After spending twenty-four years
in their native place they decided to come to America, and in
1854 landed in Buffalo, N. Y. They remained there but one year,
then came to Beloit, Wis., where Mr. Fillingham engaged in
newspaper work, and made this place their home the remainder
of their lives.
Edward received his education in the schools of England and
when nineteen years and six months of ago he came to the United
States and first found employment with the Middlebury (Ohio)
Comb Factory. He remained here from 1851 to 1855 and then
came to Beloit and was employed in the lumber yards of this
place, where he remained one year, and then commenced farming,
in which he engaged until 1887, when he sold the farm and went
to Minnesota, settling in Lyon county. He lived there eleven
years, then returned to Beloit in 1898, and has since been in re-
tirement from active business cares.
Mr. Fillingham has taken somewhat of an interest in political
affairs, and while in Minnesota filled the office of town treasurer
for four years and chairman of the board of supervisors for three
years, to the satisfaction of his constituents and with credit to
himself.
In 1857 Mr. Fillingham was married to Miss Francis Hall,
who was also a native of England. Mrs. Fillingham died at Be-
loit in 1883 at the age of forty-eight years. In 1885 he was again
married to Miss Sarah Nichols, a native of Canada, and who died
810 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
in Minnesota, and Mr. Fillingham married his present wife, Mary
Hall, in 1888, a native also of Canada.
Cjrriis D. Fox was born August 28, 1821, in a rude log cabin a
few miles southeast of Cleveland, Ohio. His great grandfather,
related to the Quaker John Fox, had served in the French and
Indian War, and his grandfather, Israel, also a Quaker, served
as a non-combatant of the commissary department in the Eevo-
lutionary War. His father, Samuel Fox, born in Glastonbury,
Conn., May 3, 1791, had in the year 1816 located at Mentor, now
Lake county, Ohio, and married as his second wife Hannah Dan-
iels, two years younger than himself, the daughter of a wealthy
farmer. Their ten children were Aaron, Samuel, Cyrus, Abner,
Amos, Sydney, Abigail, Delana and Laura. Cyrus' father served
as teacher of the log cabin school for two or three of the winter
months and as a farmer and neighborhood blacksmith the rest
of the year. Their rough log house, chinked with clay mortar,
was covered with elm bark held in place by long poles. There
was a large stick chimney plastered with clay and the one door
swung out so as to save room. That first schoolhouse, which
accommodated half a township, was of the same material and
style of building. When Cyrus was three years old he was car-
ried to it on his father's shoulders through deep snow, heavy
forest and tangled thicket, and most of the way by a cow-path.
Other difficulties besides distance hindered the smaller children
from attending school. Besides squirrels, geese, turkeys, rac-
coons, deer and elk the woods there harbored panthers, wild-
cats, wolves and wild hogs. Mr. Fox remembers one case of a
neighbor's child being caught and devoured by wild beasts.
Once, w^hen about seven years old, sent two miles through the
woods to carry a basket of dinner to his father, he met at a turn
of the path what he supposed was a large brindle dog. On his
approaching him with a friendly whistle, however, the animal
turned and walked off, showing the long, bushy tail of a wolf.
The children of those days learned to handle a rifle early, and
boys ten years old would shoot and bring home partridges, wild
turkeys and sometimes a young deer.
Cyrus' school days ended with the death of his mother (in
Plymouth, Ashtabula county, Ohio, February 25, 1828), who gave
him as her dying injunction, "Be a good boy and meet me in
heaven," The family became disbanded, and from this time, his
BiOGlL\PHICAL 811
eleventh year, Cyrus earned his own living. For his first five
months' work he received $40, the use of his employer's library
and some training in declamation. Three years were thus spent
in chores work, with an occasional month at the district school,
clerking in the village grocery, or serving as cabin boy on the
schooner "Western Traveler," owned by his uncle, Abner Fox.
After three years his family was reunited again at Manhattan, on
the Maumee, his father having married again and engaged in the
hotel business. The depression of 1837 ended that effort, and
with what was left his father bought the quit-claim of a French
Canadian half-breed of North Bass island, Put-in-Bay. Of its 600
acres fifty were cultivated, and there was a quarry of good lime-
stone. When Cyrus was sixteen years old, however, a new survey
showed that North Bass island was within what was called United
States territory. The Canadian claim had been worthless and
the family were deported to the docks of Sandusky City, penni-
less and shaking with ague. Cyrus could have supported him-
self, but bravely chose rather to help his poverty-stricken father
and the younger children. After wearing out his ague by har-
vesting corn, buckwheat and potatoes for the neighbors and
threshing wheat with a flail on shares, he managed to bring home
something every Saturday night. He repaired a deserted log
house for winter quarters, provided a liberal woodpile, then when
his father and brothers had recovered secured a job thirty miles
away at chopping five acres of fallen timber at $5 per acre with
board, and another job of splitting 1,000 rails at 50 cents per
hundred, and making 200 sap troughs at 2 cents apiece for his
sister Delana's father-in-law. His father having rented a forty-
acre tract containing a log house and a sugar bush, by April 20
the whole family were comfortably settled there. Cyrus then
offered his father $100 for the balance of his time, which was ac-
cepted, and with a bundle of clothes suspended from a stick on
his shoulder and $10 in his pocket he walked to Sandusky City,
went thence by steamer to Cleveland, and next day on foot to
Mentor. Just south of the center of Mentor the Mormon prophet,
Joe Smith, had built a village and temple, which later, after the
Mormon exodus, was used for a normal school called the Western
Reserve Teachers' Seminary, under the supervision of Drs. Lord
and Nichols.
The Fox boy, now seventeen years old, worked for a teacher-
812 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
farmer, James Dickey, whose library and experience, with at-
tendance at night schools, helped him to become a teacher also.
His wages for three years averaged $13.50 per month for eight
months, the remaining four months of each year being spent in
chopping cordwood and splitting rails. Working next for Ed-
win French, Cyrus also taught a district school for five winters,
with an occasional term at the Teachers' Seminary for himself.
He gained the power to interest young men from the lakes and
the furnace, and also in 1844 gained Miss Lucy Ann Nichols for
a wife, and two years later decided to go West. With a prairie
schooner and a heavy team and good wishes from neighbors,
August 31, 1846, he started with wife and twins, Louisa and
Eliza, for northern Illinois. They had hardly crossed the Mau-
mee when the mother and children became quite ill, and little
Eliza died and was buried. Reaching Coldwater, Mich., the
home of his sister, Mrs. Delana Fox Rawson, they were all sick
with bilious fever. Resuming the journey near the close of Oc-
tober, they finally reached the home of his brother-in-law, Lewis
Nichols, November 1, 1846, in Winnebago county, Illinois, just
south of the Wisconsin line near Beloit. Cyrus had used up all
his means and $200 of borrowed money, but bravely started into
the work of making a farm from native prairie and small wood
lot. His previous training with the ax and natural inventive
faculty were a help, and within a year he had an abandoned
claim shanty built over into a house for his family. With two
splint-bottom chairs (one a rocker) and a three-legged stool for
furniture, the new stove and new oil lamp were lit up. The
mother, holding her little Louisa in her arms, took her seat in
the rocker and exclaimed, "Baby, we have got home." For
sixty years Mr. Fox continued to farm that same land, making
Beloit his market town. In the course of developing his hack-
berry farm into one of the best-equipped and most productive
farms of the county he was helped much by his inventions. One
of the first was a simple device for planting a sod crop of corn,
beans, buckwheat, etc., in such a way as to hide the hills as
much as possible from the gophers ; another was the attachment
of a corn and bean planter and the plough, so that the rows and
hills could be at any desired distance apart or at any desired
depth without any additional tax upon team or teamster. Also
the vibrating telephone — small wire of the right tension for trans-
BIOGRAPHICAL 813
mitters and cigar boxes for receivers — that was quite popular
on the farms, conversing any distance less than three miles. An-
other was a riding attachment to a plow, harrow or roller. He
also increased the profits of dairying by means of a new kind of
milk can which could be submerged in water, keeping in the
milk and keeping out the water; he improved his corn by selec-
tion of the best seed and by careful cultivation, and soon pro-
duced ears of forty-eight rows. For such large corn he had in-
vented a new kind of sheller.
In politics Mr. Fox is and has always been a Democrat of
the Jeffersonian school ; his war record was wholly vicarious ;
two of his brothers lost their lives in the great rebellion, and
one was of the squad of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry that halted
Jeff Davis when he came out of his tent disguised in his wife's
waterproof. Religiously, up to his thirtieth year Mr. Fox was a
Universalist, a pupil of Hosea Ballou ; his wife, -however, being
a member of the Baptist church, he early became a half brother
of the church in Beloit, and after thirty years of that doubtful
relation he came with his wife into full fellowship with that
church.
As to public office his ambition has simply been to take his
term in serving as township and county officer. During twenty-
five years off and on he served as justice of the peace and mem-
ber of the school board. His fraternal society membership has
been with the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars.
In 1891, December 22, Mrs. Fox died and was buried in the Be-
loit cemetery. A few j^ears ago Mr. Fox finally gave up farming
and has since made his home in Beloit with his daughter, Mrs. H.
S. Tower. Other children living are Esther Louisa (Mrs. Charles
W. Gore), Mary Delana (Mrs. P. T. Nichols) and Cyrus N. Fox,
all now residents of Beloit; and there are seven grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren.
In his old age Mr. Fox has enjoyed making a systematic vis-
itation of the public schools of Beloit with the approval of the
board and the hearty welcome of teachers and 1,500 scholars.
He has written often for the local papers over the signature of
"Deacon Peck." Now, in his eighty-seventh year, he is still en-
joying active physical and mental powers — a hale old gentleman.
Lawrence E. Cunninghajn, mayor of Beloit, Wis., was born at
Beloit on March 1, 1852, and is the son of Captain Burard and
814 HISTORY OF EOCK COUK^TY
Elizabeth (Bailey) Cunningham, both born and reared in Ire-
land, but who, believing that better opportunities existed in
the United States for them, came to Beloit in 1849. Mr. Cunning-
ham was a sea captain and a ship owner in his native land, but
after coming to Beloit he engaged in the business of contracting
and building, which he followed successfully for a great many
years. He is now ninety years of age and retired, making his
home during his declining years with his daughter, Mrs. J, H.
Gatley. Mother Cunningham died in 1892, mourned by husband,
children and hosts of friends. Their children were seven in num-
ber, viz.: Mary, now Mrs. J. H. Gatley; Lawrence E., subject;
Elizabeth, died in infancy; John, died April 30, 1905, was part-
ner with our subject since 1877; Anna, wife of Mr. John Kinney;
Burnard, Jr., contractor and builder; James, died in 1889.
Our subject, Lawrence E., received a good common school edu-
cation in his home town, and after completing his studies he took
up the business of his father, that of carpenter and contractor,
with his brother John, and later commenced the manufacture of
sash, doors and blinds, and in 1900 added to his already pros-
perous business a retail lumber yard. Mr. Cunningham has been
very successful in business and is a man who has the confidence
of all who know him. His methods are to be absolutely honest
with everybody, and he has never owed or borrowed a dollar
from any man — has never asked for a loan or refused to pay a
bill. His ideas of business may be considered by some as con-
servative, but he has combined a kindly disposition with an ear-
nest endeavor to adhere to the "square deal" with every person
with whom he has come in contact. He has always taken a great
deal of interest in public affairs and in the welfare of his home
town has served faithfully for eighteen years as alderman of
the Third ward, and is at present mayor of the city of Beloit.
He is a member of the school board, member of Beloit Lodge,
Knights of Columbus ; the Elks, and Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, Camp No. 348. In religious faith he is a Catholic.
On February 4, 1883, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage
with Miss Josie Rice, daughter of Lawrence and Mar|garet
(Baldwin) Rice, of Beloit. There have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Cunningham four children, viz. : Libbie, who is now Mrs.
Henry J. Love and resides in Beloit ; Forrest and Florence, twins.
BIOGEArHICAL S15
students of Madison, Wis., University; and Lawrence Rice, Jr.,
who attends the Parker school at Beloit.
Rex J. Dowd, widely known as the head of the R. J. Dowd
Knife Works, of Beloit, Wis., and one of the prominent, public-
spirited and enterprising citizens of that city, is a native of
Sandisfield, Berkshire county, Mass. He was born on October
24, 1833, to Jared B. and Sally (Smith) Dowd, both families of
whom were of English origin, settling in New England in early
colonial days. The first representative of his father's family in
this country was Henry Dowd, who emigrated from England in
1639 and settled at Guilford, Conn., where some of his descend-
ants still reside. Later members of his family moved to Berk-
shire county, Massachusetts, where our subject's father was en-
gaged as a farmer. His maternal grandfather, Dr. Amos Smith,
was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and a man of promi-
nence in his profession.
Our subject passed his boyhood at home, receiving his prelim-
inary education in the common schools of his native town, and
supplemented it with a course of study in the ordinary English
branches, algebra and bookkeeping at the Connecticut Literary
Institute at Suffield. After finishing his studies there he worked
for a time on a farm, but in November, 1851, went to Lee, Mass.,
and learned his trade, that of making edged tools and machine
knives in all their various branches, finally acquiring an interest
in the business. Mr. Dowd continued in business at Lee until
1877, when, with a view to establishing a business in his own
name and widening the scope of his operations, he sold his in-
terests at Lee and moved to Beloit, Wis., where he has since made
his home. The time was most opportune, and as to the place,
none more favorable could have been selected. Beginning in a
modest way, and increasing his facilities to meet the requirements
of the constantly growing business, Mr. Dowd has by faithful,
persistent and conscientious work, fair and honorable dealing,
and unfaltering purpose to succeed, made for himself and for
the business which bears his name a reputation of which any
man might justly be proud. For many years the R. J. Dowd
Knife Works has been recognized among the leading industrial
institutions of Beloit, and its founder asi one of her substantial,
honorable, reliable and most esteemed citizens. While the ex-
acting duties of his business have engaged Mr. Dowd's chief at-
816 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
tention, he has yet found time to devote to other affairs. For
fifteen years he was president of the Beloit Savings Bank, being
one of its incorporators, and for more than twenty years has been
one of its trustees; and he has also for ten years or more been
president of the Beloit Water Company.
In physique Mr. Dowd is of medium height, strongly and
firmly built, and in his frank, open face reflects those admirable
qualities of mind and heart that have characterized him in all
his varied relations with his fellow men.
Alive to all that pertains to the welfare of others, and in
sympathy with whatever relates to the good of the community,
he cheerfully does his part in aid of every worthy cause that
appeals to him. He has never had any inclination to engage in
political affairs more than to perform his duty as a good citizen,
but in political sentiment has always been a Republican. In re-
ligious faith he is affiliated with the Congregational church at
Beloit.
On March 9, 1857, Mr. Dowd married Miss Sarah A. Kelsey.
of Lee, Mass., who died on February 5, 1905. Their two sons,
Glenville A. and Robert I., are both associated with their father
in business.
John A. Love, who has held political honors in this municipal-
ity at various times and who is held in high esteem by the citi-
zens of Beloit, was born in Delaware county. New York, October
7, 1850. His father, Richard C. Love, and his mother. Harriett
E. (Alverson) Love, were both natives of New York state. They
moved to Beloit, Rock county. Wis., in 1870, and settled on a
farm, following the business of farming and stock-raising suc-
cessfully for many years and until their decease. The father
died in 1895 at the age of seventy-seven years and the mother in
1885 at the age of sixty-one.
John A. received his early education at Walton, N. Y., and
completed his studies in the Beloit schools, after which he en-
gaged in the grain business, which he followed for some twenty
years; but for the past five years he has been actively engaged in
real estate in Beloit. In 1903 Mr. Love associated himself with
Mr. Don Van Wart and the firm name became Love & Van Wart.
Mr. Love has been the trusted custodian of the funds of Be-
loit for a number of years. He was elected treasurer in 1889
and held the office three terms by reelection. He was also elected
BIOGRAPHICAL 817
to the office of assessor at different times and is now chairman
of the board of public works of the city.
In societies Mr. Love has also taken a prominent part. He is
a member of the Masonic order and also of the Knights of Pyth-
ias, and for seventeen years has been clerk of the Modern Wood-
men lodge.
In 1874 Mr. Love married Miss Jennie E., daughter of Isaac
Sanders, a member of one of the first families of Beloit.
Horace Josiah Leonard was born November 27, 1836. in St.
Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. Y., not far from Gloversville.
His father, Horace K. Leonard, came to Beloit, Wis., with his
family about 1848 and was the first to establish a practical tan-
nery in this section. He was a man of strict integrity and ster-
ling business qualifications. Coming as he did from that section
of New York state even then famed for its glove and mitten
manufacturing enterprises, he brought with him a thoroughgoing
knowledge of this industry. Originally as an adjunct to his tan-
nery business he began the manufacture of gloves and mittens
in 1861, probably the first industry of its kind in Wisconsin.
His two daughters, Minerva and Josephine Leonard, were as-
sociated with him in this newer undertaking and materially con-
tributed to its growth and enlargement. It soon came to absorb
all their attention to the exclusion of the tannery business, which
w^as eventually discontinued.
It was on June 13 of this year, 1861, that Horace Josiah
Leonard enlisted and went to the front with Company L, First
Iowa Cavalry, under command of Colonel Fitz Henry Warren.
During this war period Mr. Leonard engaged in the battles of
Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe and Jenkins
Ferry, Ark., also at Lexington, Mo., and on the road between
Little Rock and Camden. In the latter engagement he was under
fire forty consecutive days. He was engaged in scouting during
the latter days of the war and was mustered out April 1, 1866.
On his return to Beloit he engaged with his father in the
glove and mitten business the latter had already established, the
firm being known as H. K. Leonard & Son and continuing such
until the death of the elder Leonard in 1877. Acquiring full
ownership of a business that was now well under way, Mr. Leon-
ard took it up as his chosen life work, giving to it his best thought
and endeavor. It was his great satisfaction to see it grow and
818 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
expand under his careful and yet progressive management. He
eventually incorporated under the title of the H. J. Leonard
Manufacturing Company, at which time he was doing business
with the retail merchants of fifteen states, the growth in his home
city of Beloit being evidenced by the erection of a fine factory
building of hard-burned brick and brownstone trimmings espe-
cially designed to meet the requirements of his glove and mitten
trade. It is a structure showing in all its details the painstaking
thought of a man who knew just what he wanted and was sat-
isfied with nothing short of the best.
On February 23, 1887, Mr. Leonard was married to Emily
Allen Wheeler, the daughter of Rev. Leonard H. Wheeler, a
sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. She was
a woman of discriminating judgment in business matters, so
much so that her husband was wont to attribute his success in
a large degree to her faithful and efficient cooperation ; and yet,
on the other hand, most deeply beloved by all who knew of her
noble traits of- character. Mr. Leonard thoroughly enjoyed the
sunshine of a delightful Christian home, and though not blessed
with children, the mutual devotion to one another of this hus-
band and wife was an open book to all their friends.
He was a man of large physique, better than six feet in stat-
ure, with the expression of one who had had his wrestle with
the verities of experience. Strongly social in his make-up and
most kindly thoughtful for those in need, and his sense of humor
and expression of it was entirely original, a genuine Yankee drol-
lery flavoring it all. Experience had distilled for him many a wise
epigram and philosophical deduction to which he was wont to
give a terse expression peculiarly his own. And so outside of
business hours he was companionable and much enjoyed by a
large circle of friends.
In religious matters he had the advantage of a good early
training and at the time of his marriage was a member of the
Second Congregational church. Later, however, when he re-
moved his residence to the east side of the river, without re-
moving his membership, he was a constant worshiper at the
First Congregational church, where his wife was a member, up
to the time of his death. He was also a member of the local Ma-
sonic fraternity and of the L. H. D. Crane Grand Army post.
He died at his home in Beloit in the sixty-seventh year of his
HAMILTON RICHARDSON.
BIOGEAPHICAL 819
age on August 14, 1903, and the church, the Masonic order and
the Grand Army post united in paying their respect to one they
all sincerely loved. His beloved wife followed him on October
4 of the following year.
Robert H. Clinchy, of 936 Harrison avenue, Beloit, Wis., is
a native son of this place, born on June 4, 1852, to John and Anne
(Henry) Clinchy, who left their home in Ireland in 1845 and
came to Wisconsin and bought a farm six miles northwest of
Beloit, where they made their home until 1872, when the father
retired from active life and resided in his city home until the
time of his death, which occurred in 1898 at the age of seventy-
nine years. Mother Clinchy died in 1886 at the age of seventy-
one years. They were very worthy and industrious people and
are still well remembered by the older residents of the county.
Our subject, Robert H., started out as a carpenter, after re-
ceiving a fair education in his home schools. He continued in
this line of business until about 1880, after which he worked
for the Eclipse Wind Engine Company, and in 1884 was pro-
moted to the position of directing the erection of railroad water-
ing stations for the Eclipse company. He held this position until
1894, when he opened a grocery store, which he sold out in 1900.
Since then he has refrained from taking an active part in busi-
ness, devoting his time to the care of his real estate.
Mr. Clinchy was married on January 8, 1890, to Mrs. Sarah
Haskins, who had lived in Beloit for many years.
Serene T. Merrill was born September 24, 1816, in Gill, Frank-
line county, Mass., and was the eldest of eight children of Par-
don H. Merrill and Emily Taylor. His father was a blacksmith,
machinist and inventor, whose shop, with its triphammer, lathes
for turning wood and iron, emery-wheels, etc., was famous for
its facilities for doing heavy mill work and as a factory for
"Merrill's goose-necked hoe," patented in 1814 and now univer-
sally used instead of the clumsy old eyed hoe, proved a fit nur-
sery for developing the ingenuity which the four sons inherited
from the father; it was also a natural progenitor of the more
pretentious iron works of 0. E. Merrill & Co., of Beloit, Wis., a
firm composed of three of the four brothers, and now merged in
the Beloit Iron Works, whose paper machines and water-wheels
are extensively used not only in this country but also in foreign
lands. Mr. Merrill's maternal ancestors were prominent actors
820 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
in the settlement of the Connecticut River valley. Mr. Taylor
came from England as early as 1639, and his descendants, each
in his time, to the third and fourth generations sealed with his
blood his fidelity to his country.
The parents of the subject of this sketch moved during his
infancy to Hinsdale, N. H., where he passed his early life, re-
ceiving in the common school the rudiments of an education. At
the age of seventeen he spent one quarter at the Fellenberg Acad-
emy, Greenfield, Mass. Soon after his return from Greenfield
he was engaged to teach the winter session at the Hinsdale vil-
lage school. After this winter's experience in teaching he at-
tended the academy at Amherst, Mass., for one term, where he
commenced the study of Latin. For four successive winters he
taught in the same school, his father making the bargain and
receiving the compensation for his services.
Having attained his majority, with an outfit of a new suit
of clothes and $100 in money he started for Georgia, where he
spent two years teaching in the Sparta Female Model School, one
year at the female college at Fort Gains, and five years as prin-
cipal of the academy at Cuthbert. Diligent and methodical in
his habits, much of his leisure while in Georgia was devoted to
the study of languages, especially Latin and French.
In 1844 Mr. Merrill married, at Leyden, N. Y., Miss Mary H.
Kimball, and in 1846 came to Beloit, Wis., seeking occupation
more congenial to his inclinations than teaching, but disappointed
at not finding a door open for his mechanical turn of mind, he
became the successor of the Rev. L. H. Loss as principal of the
Beloit Seminary, in which position he continued till his school
was merged into the Beloit College of 1849. (See the account
of Beloit College. That Beloit Seminary was the school for
which Major Charles Johnson and Cyrus Eames obtained a char-
ter from our territorial government at Burlington, Iowa, in 1837.)
During the years 1850 and 1851 Mr. Merrill, in connection
with Mr. T. L. Wright, built at Rockton, 111., the first paper mill
erected on the Rock river. It was under his instructions and
at his suggestion that the first strawboard for sheathing, both
saturated and plain, was made into rolls, under an invention
made and patented by Mr. S. T. Merrill. From this beginning
the immense trade in building paper that has conferred such in-
calculable benefits upon the country has been built up.
BIOGEAPHTCAL 821
In March, 1852, Mrs. Merrill died, and in September, 1853, he
married Miss Jane G. Blodgett, daughter of Rev. L. P. Blodgett,
of Cooperstown, N. Y. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have been
very active and honorable members of the First Congregational
church of Beloit during all their life here.
In 1873 Mr. Merrill, having been appointed by Governor
Washburn as commissioner to represent Wisconsin at the World's
Exposition at Vienna, in company with his wife spent the sum-
mer in Europe.
In 1873 Mr. Merrill helped to organize the Eclipse Windmill
Company and was president of that and also of the Merrill &
Houston Iron Works, and of the Citizens' National Bank. In
1875, while visiting his old home at Hinsdale, N. H., he became
interested in the Savings Bank of Cheshire County, and planned
to establish one in Beloit. While serving as a member of the
state legislature in 1876 he introduced a bill to legalize the same
and in 1881 the bank was organized, and he became president,
which office he filled for three years. His prophecy that he ex-
pected to see the deposits amount to $500,000 has been more than
realized; the annual report for 1907, December 3, gives the
amount of deposits on that date as nearly twelve hundred thou-
sand dollars ($1,194,195.25).
Among the many offices of trust held by Mr. Merrill may be
mentioned: School commissioner of Beloit, superintendent of
schools, alderman of the city of Beloit, state commissioner to
the World's Exposition at Vienna in 1873, member of the Wiscon-
sin legislature in 1876 and 1877, honorary commissioner to
World's Exposition at Paris in 1881, curator of Wisconsin edu-
cational exhibit at the New Orleans Exposition in 1885, member
of Rock county board of supervisors eighteen years, trustee of
Rock county insane asylum twelve years, trustee of the First
Congregational church of Beloit for twelve years, trustee of Be-
loit College for thirty-six years, member of the city school board
for a number of years prior to 1873, president of the Eclipse
Windmill Company for six years, president of the Merrill &
Houston Iron Works for eight years, president of the Beloit Sav-
ings Bank for three years, president of the Rock River Paper
Company for fifteen years. His mental and physical powers were
active to the end.
Beloit has had many noble citizens, but the life of S. T. Mer-
822 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
rill in its manifestation of ability, availability, integrity and long
continuance of service may well be called a record citizenship.
His earthly career ended at his residence in Beloit, Wis., on the
22d day of October, 1905. Public funeral services were held in
the Beloit College chapel and a tall granite shaft marks the rest-
ing place of his remains in the Beloit cemetery. Mrs. Merrill
passed away in the fall of 1906, November 17, and the family is
now represented by the five children — Mary Isabella, George
Spencer, Louis Blodgett, Helen Colt and Robert Taylor Merrill.
Charles Frederick Rau was born August 4, 1845, at Gross
Bottwar, Wiirttemberg, Germany. His parents, Charles Fred-
erick Rau and Rosina Brosi, were born in 1804 at Gross Bottwar.
The father was a cabinetmaker by trade. His parents, with their
six children — three sons and three daughters — came to America
in the spring of 1853. The first year was spent at Newark, N. J.
In June, 1854, the family removed to Beloit, Wis., which has ever
since been the family home. The father died in 1876 and the
mother in 1886.
At the age of six years C. F. Rau, Jr., was placed in the Ger-
man schools, where he remained for two years, and then came
to America. Here he attended the public schools until 1861, when
he entered the printing office of the Beloit "Journal" as an ap-
prentice for three years. At the close of that apprenticeship he
was made foreman of the office. In 1865 he returned to the Be-
loit high school, then in the charge of Prof. Alexander Kerr. In
1866 he left school and became a clerk in the book store of Jo-
seph Brittan. After a year's work he went to Chicago, where he
was employed by Mr. John R. Walsh in the Western News Com-
pany. In 1868 he returned to Beloit and opened the Enterprise
Furniture Store, which was a success from the start to its close.
In 1871 he built a substantial brick building at 326 State street,
which was finished on the day of the Chicago fire. This building
was his business home till 1892, when he retired from active mer-
chandising.
Mr. Rau has always been deeply interested in the develop-
ment of Beloit and in its manufacturing interests, having been
a holder of stocks in several of the manufacturing companies.
He is at present a director of the Second National Bank of Beloit.
He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guards from
1877 to 1882. ,
BIOGEAPHICAL 823
Mr. Rau has always been an ardent Republican from the days
of Fremont and Lincoln through the years of Blaine, McKinley
and Roosevelt. While never seeking office for himself, he was
always active in securing the best men for office.
In 1866 he became a member of the Second Congregational
church of Beloit, with which church he was connected during
the twenty-five years of Dr. H. P. Higley's pastorate. Later he
has identified himself with the First Congregational church.
In 1881 he was married at Dubuque, Iowa, to Miss Sarah M.
Belden, daughter of Dr. C. W. Belden. They have three chil-
dren — Belden Brosi, a member of the office force of the United
States Steel Specialty Company, New York city; Irene Fred-
ricka, who was graduated from Beloit College in 1907 and is
now (1908) attending Simmons College at Boston; and Edward
Ritsher, who is attending Beloit high school. By industry, econ-
omy, integrity and perseverance he has surrounded himself with
some of the comforts of life — a home among the trees and flowers
with an outlook over the beautiful Rock River valley.
Proud as Mr. Rau is of being a German, he is first and fore-
most a loyal American citizen.
John Thompson is one of the prosperous and successful manu-
facturers of Beloit, Wis., whose achievements are the result of
his own untiring efforts. He has a genius for hard work, and
with unusual clear-sightedness he has been able to avail himself
of opportunities when they occurred and to make them when
they did not, with the result that he now ranks among the leading
substantial citizens of his city. He is a native of Birkenes, Nor-
way, and was born July 15, 1828.
During his boyhood he attended the district schools of his
native place, the only school privileges he had, and when a young
man learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for sev-
eral years while in Norway. In 1850, when twenty-two years
old, he came to the United States, making the voyage in a sail-
ing vessel and landing in New York after being seven weeks on
the water. Thence he traveled via the Erie canal and around
the lakes, reaching Milwaukee at the end of five weeks with 25
cents in his pocket. A stranger in a strange land, unacquainted
with the language of the people, he had many difficulties and dis-
couragements to overcome ; but, nothing daunted, he started out
into the country with a brave heart to find work. The change of
824 HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY
climate from his native land to the intense heat that then pre-
vailed brought on an illness from which he suffered most of that
summer, but he kept his courage and finally made his way to
Whitewater, where he found some of his own countrymen, who
readily befriended him. He remained in Whitewater till the fol-
lowing year and then removed to Beloit and resumed work at
his trade, being employed by various parties. A little later he
secured employment at the Skinner Plow Works at Rockford,
111., and made the first plow that was turned out of that factory,
and continued there until 1860. Having accumulated a small
capital, Mr. Thompson now returned to Beloit and opened a shop
and began the manufacture of plows on his own account. His
business, small at first, gradually grew and prospered so that in
a few years he added the manufacture of wagons, and so con-
tinued until 1870, when Colonel 0. C. Johnson became a partner,
and the scope of the business was enlarged. Up to this time,
and till 1873, only hand work was done in the establishment ; but
during that year a steam plant was built and power machinery
installed. In 1874 Mr. John A. Johnson, of Madison, was ad-
mitted into the firm, and the business continued to grow till a de-
structive fire on July 24, 1876, wiped out the entire plant. Re-
construction was commenced at once and one year later new
buildings were completed, the plant was in working order, and
the business went on without material change until 1880, when
Mr. Thompson purchased the interests of his partners and asso-
ciated with himself his sons, the firm now changing from J.
Thompson & Co. to J. Thompson & Sons. In 1886 the business
was incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin as the J. Thomp-
son & Sons Manufacturing Company, with Mr. J. Thompson as
president and O. T. Thompson as secretary and treasurer.
Under Mr. Thompson's careful, conservative and skillful
management the business has shown a constant growth from the
start and is recognized as one of the prominent manufacturing
industries of Beloit. In 1902 Mr. Thompson retired from active
participation in affairs of the concern and Mr. 0. T. Thompson
was made president and treasurer and Mr. A. S. Thompson its
secretary.
In 1857 Mr. Thompson went back to his native land, and
there, at Flak, on May 13, married Miss Martha Wallesverd, and
with his bride returned at once to Beloit, arriving the following
BIOGRAPHICAL 835
June. Of nine children born to them five are living, viz. : Oscar
T., Edwin A., Alfred S., Cora and Josephine. The fiftieth anni-
versary of their wedding day, May 15, 1907, was celebrated by
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson with a golden wedding at their home
and was an event long to be remembered by the large number of
relatives and friends present. Aside from his private business
Mr, Thompson has been actively identified with public affairs in
his city and as a Republican has served three terms as a member
of the city council. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and in
charitable and benevolent work is always ready to give encour-
agement and material aid.
Frank H, Williams, who is a native of Rock county, Wiscon-
sin, was born at Johnstown, this county, November 24, 1857. His
parents, Hiram and Eveline (Reilly) Williams, were both na-
tives of Chautauqua, N. Y. In an early day they came West and
settled in Rock county, where they made their future home and
reared their family.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public and
high schools of Lake Geneva, AVis. After leaving school he en-
gaged in the butcher business, which he followed for a few years,
and then commenced the study for a veterinarian under the
tutelage of Dr. Martin, at Janesville, one of the oldest residents
and veterinarians of Rock county. After six years of study and
practice at Janesville Dr. Williams moved to Beloit, where for
the past fifteen years he has successfully engaged in the practice
of his profession.
Henry Pentland, who is now retired from active business and
resides at 524 Broad street, Beloit, Wis., was born in County
Down, Ireland, on September 11, 1833. His parents were William
and Agnes (Clark ) Pentland, who in 1843 came to Wisconsin
and settled on a farm in Geneva township, Walworth county,
where they lived until their death, the father at the age of sixty-
two years and the mother at fifty-six years of age. The father
was buried at Geneva and the mother at Kenosha.
Henry was raised on his father's farm and received his edu-
cation in the common schools of Walworth county. In 1853 he
went to California in search of gold and remained there for six
years, when he returned to his native land and spent six months
in the town of Newtownards. At the expiration of this time he
came back to America and located at Beloit, where he engaged
826 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
in the grocery business at 325 State street, which he conducted
for thirty-two years, retiring from active business in 1899.
Mr. Pentland is one of Beloit 's oldest and most respected citi-
zens, having made this city his home for nearly half a century.
He was married at Beloit in 1872 to Mrs. A. F. Briggs, a native
of New Hampshire, who died in 1892. He again married in 1894,
Mrs. Margaret M. Cochrane, who is a native of Pittsburg, Pa.
Leonard Hemenway Wheeler, who devoted his life to mis-
sionary work among the Indians, was born in April, 1811, at
Shrewsbury, Mass. Soon after his birth his family moved to
Bridport, Vt., where he grew up and passed his early manhood.
He there completed his preparatory studies and later was gradu-
ated from Middlebury College, at Middlebury, Vt. He next pur-
sued a course of theological studies at Andover Seminary, and
supplemented this with a coarse of medical lectures at Pittsfield,
Mass.
"When thirty years of age, on April 26, 1841, Mr. Wheeler mar-
ried Miss Harriet Wood, of Lowell, Mass., and immediately there-
after, accompanied by his bride, took up his chosen work among
the Ojibway Indians at Madeline island. Lake Superior, under
commission from the American Board.
Their early years in the mission field were filled with hard-
ships and privations that would have made persons of less heroic
mold quail and turn back. But not so these consecrated souls.
Touched by the appeal of a benighted people, they labored on,
patiently enduring their trials, and faithful to him who had
called them to the work of uplifting those under their charge.
After some years the mission station was moved to Odanah, near
Ashland, Wis., and here, chiefly through Mr. Wheeler's tireless
efforts, his Indian wards were finally settled on a fine govern-
ment reservation. In all he spent twenty-six years among the
Indians, who believed in him as their teacher, physician and
friend.
During these years of service there had been born to these
faithful and self-sacrificing missionaries a family of nine chil-
dren. The father's health finallj' giving way through the years
of strain and hardship, he was forced to abandon his cherished
work, and in order to secure to his children suitable educational
advantages, and to recuperate his failing strength, he in 1866
BIOGRAPHICAL 827
moved with his family to Beloit, where he passed the remainder
of his days, and where he died on February 22, 1872.
The value and results of his missionary labors are well summed
up in two brief quotations taken from the tributes of two men
for one they honored: "It is safe to say that no man was ever
more thoroughly devoted to the work of rescuing the Indian
from barbarism, vice and degradation than was Mr. Wheeler.
His primary object was to preach Christ, but he saw clearly
that the Indian must be civilized or exterminated. When un-
scrupulous and grasping men were to rob and wrong the red
man his watchful eye and sound judgment saw the danger and,
like the old cavalier without fear and without reproach, he
raised his voice and used his pen for their defense. His inter-
cession in their behalf was usually productive of essential good,
for those that knew him knew that truth and justice were at his
back and that it was not safe to take up the gauntlet against so
unselfish a champion. It was not for himself that he pleaded, but
for those who could not defend themselves." And again: "The
great results of all missionary and church work are written only
in the Book of Life. But upon the pages of history, even as men
write it, there is honorable place for the record of twenty-six
years' labor among a once barbarous people, the establishment
of civil government among them, the development of improved
plans of missionary and educational work, the training of labor-
ers for other fields, the founding of a town and the establish-
ment of a successful business carried on in the spirit of the
Master."
Mr. Wheeler was a man of varied talents and inventive genius,
and it was during the last years of his life, while living in Beloit,
that he perfected and had patented what is known as the Eclipse
windmill, the idea of which came to him as early as 1844 and
grew out of the needs of his mission work, namely, the necessity
for some cheap power to pump water and grind corn and wheat
for the Indians. The idea was worked out into a crude model
while still in the mission field, but the pressure of his mission
duties obliged him to put it aside. Not until 1866 was he able
to put his invention to a practical test. A patent was granted
September 10, 1867, and in the fall of the same year the first full-
sized Eclipse windmill was exhibited at the state fair at Madison
and there sold to an influential farmer of Albany, Wis. It was
828 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
in the early stages of the development of the windmill that Mr.
Wheeler also contrived and had patented what is known as the
"offset link" used in windmill pumps. Rock county cradled
these two inventions, and it has since been the home of their
development and growth. It is from Eock county that the
Eclipse windmill and pump and allied specialties are still being
sent out world-wide by the great Fairbanks-Morse Company.
As Ashland Academy, recently expanded into Northland Col-
lege, at Ashland, Wis., will stand as a memorial to the educa-
tional branch of the missionary labors of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler,
so will the Eclipse windmill here in Eock county memorialize the
industrial side of a life wholly consecrated to his Master's service.
Charles Eugene Wheeler, a native son of Wisconsin, was born
at Odanah March 8, 1856, and lived among the Indians of north-
ern Wisconsin until he was ten years old. His paternal ancestors
settled in and about Bridport, Vt., at an early day and those on
his mother's side in and around Lowell, Mass. His parents, Leon-
ard Hemenway and Harriet (Wood) Wheeler, were sent out as
missionaries and lived and labored among the Chippewa In-
dians from 1841 until 1866, when they removed to Beloit with
their family in order to give their children the benefit of its edu-
cational advantages. After finishing his preliminary studies our
subject entered Beloit College and was there graduated with the
degree of bachelor of arts with the class of 1878, after which he
taught school two terms. During the next fifteen years Mr.
Wheeler was associated with his brothers at Beloit in the manu-
facture of the Eclipse windmill, tanks, etc. This windmill was
invented by Mr. Wheeler's father, as was also the "offset link,"
now in general use on windmill pumps, and the business, which
became known as the Eclipse Wind Engine Company, was sold
to Messrs. Fairbanks, Morse & Co., who are still manufacturing
its products. Since 1895 Mr. Wheeler associated with his brother
in contracting work, giving special attention to building and
equipping waterworks plants.
As a business man Mr. Wheeler is prompt, energetic, clear-
sighted and thoroughly practical, and the movements with which
he has been identified have been of great material benefit to the
city of Beloit. He has devoted himself closely to his business
affairs and enjoys a well-earned reward of conscientious, per-
sistent and faithful effort along the line of his chosen work, and
BIOGRAPHICAL 829
is rightly classed among the public-spirited men of his city. Mr.
Wheeler is a Republican, but has never cared for political office.
In religious faith he is affiliated with the Congregational church
and takes an active interest in the work of the Young Men's
Christian Association. He is also a member of the Six o 'Clock
Club of Beloit.
On June 7, 1894, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Rosalia J. Phil-
lips, whose womanly qualities of mind and heart endear her to
those who know her. Mr, and Mrs. Wheeler have two children,
named respectively Horace P. and Charles Eugene, Jr.
William H. Wheeler was born January 1, 1847, on Madeline
island, Lake Superior, where his parents were engaged in mis-
sionary work among the Ojibway Indians under the auspices of
the American Board. The family later moved to Odanah, Wis.,
near the present city of Ashland, where Rev. L. H. Wheeler was
chiefly instrumental in locating the Indians on a fine reservation.
Here the boyhood of W. H. Wheeler was spent, amid surround-
ings and under conditions that developed physical hardihood, a
strong moral fiber and a trained ingenuity to meet the varying
as well as exacting requirements of a frontier life peculiarly iso-
lated at that time. It was an experience calculated to awaken
aU his mental and moral faculties and furnish him with an effi-
cient working equipment of wide versatility for the large busi-
ness undertakings that were to engage his attention.
On account of its educational advantages he was sent to Beloit
in the early '60 's, where, with other Beloit College men, he re-
sponded to the call of his country and went to the front. Re-
turning, he pursued his studies at the college.
In 1866, after twenty-six years of missionary service, the
parents and remainder of the family came to Beloit for the edu-
cation of the children. The father, though much broken in health,
completed his model of a self-regulating windmill of an entirely
new and original principle. A patent followed promptly. The
business of developing the windmill with its allied machinery fell
to the lot of W. H. Wheeler, as the father survived only a few
years after his invention was patented.
From extremely small beginnings the business yearly took
on increasing proportions, continually enlarging its scope by in-
eluding the manufacture of machinery and equipment directly
allied with the windmill itself, and covering an ever widening
830 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
circle of demand. The farmer, the ranchman, the planter, the
extensive railroad field, the large export trade and many mis-
cellaneous uses of power mills were all included in this widening
circle of demand. W. H. Wheeler was the recognized genius
and moving spirit of this rapidly growing enterprise, and him-
self invented subsequent improvements in the regulating mech-
anism of the windmill as well as other devices the enlarging
business suggested.
A brief glance at this point of Mr. Wheeler's mental equip-
ment is of interest. While his mind is of a distinctively legal
type in its grasp and mastery of detail and in its reasoning and
logical faculties, it is also as sensitive and retentive as a pho-
tographer's plate of all impressions and facts coming to it from
without, classifying them in due order for instant use. Coupled
with these mental traits is the imaginative faculty of the born
inventor, and, transfusing all, the tremendous initiative char-
acteristic of the true captain of industry. A man of dominating
personality, strong sympathies; beloved for numberless, and by
him forgotten, acts of kindness ; public-spirited in behalf of the
best things ; a man of vision, of untiring activity, and self-for-
getful.
But to proceed with the things he has actually accomplished :
The Eclipse windmill began its career under the title of L. H.
Wheeler & Son, enlarged to the Eclipse Windmill Company, and
again to the Eclipse Wind Engine Company, in all three of
which he was the active manager. He further developed at Be-
loit the Eclipse Clutch Works and later added the Williams en-
gine, under the new title of Williams Engine and Clutch Works.
After building up an extensive manufacturing plant all these
interests were sold out to Fairbanks, Morse & Co., a firm of
world-wide reputation, who expanded the plant to a normal
working capacity of 2,500 men.
Since retiring from the manufacturing business in Beloit Mr.
Wheeler entered the contracting field, and has installed large
municipal waterworks and lighting plants in this and other
states. But he has always had unbounded faith in Beloit and its
future, and has seen it progress from a small town of 3,500 to an
important manufacturing city of 15,000, and he is credited with
having contributed to this growth as much or more than any
other single citizen. He was the prime mover for a system of
BIOGEAPHICAL 831
waterworks for Beloit, and was president of the Beloit Business
Men's Association at the time of its greatest activity, when he
gave much time and thought to realize a greater Beloit, and at
which time the Berlin Machine Works were induced to move to
Beloit, where it has grown to immense proportions and is only
exceeded by the Fairbanks-Morse plant.
That Mr. Wheeler is a man of vision is evidenced by the pos-
sibilities he saw in a strip of territory, unoccupied except for
farming purposes, just over the state line south of Beloit. He
acquired the strip of something over 500 acres, immediately con-
tiguous to the heart of Beloit proper; opened up a subdivision
with platted streets and cement sidewalks; set apart the north
frontage for factory sites; induced the C. & N.-W. and C, M. &
St. P. railway companies to put in a joint switching track; all
of which has been done, including the locating of seven indus-
trial enterprises in the new tract, known as South Beloit. Among
these plants are John Thompson & Sons, the Racine Feet Knitting
Company and the Warner Instrviment Company.
It involved the courage of strong conviction as well as faith
in a vision to forecast what has actually been realized in this
latest enterprise of Mr. AVheeler's.
In politics he has always been a dyed-in-the-wool Republican
of the whilom Stalwart type ; but as a man who always reasoned
out his faith politically and otherwise his confidence in the old
brand of Republican medicine as a cure for present ills is strongly
shaken.
Edward Franklin Hansen was born October 7, 1860, at Beloit,
Wis. He is the son of Carelius and Guri J. Hansen, both natives
of Norway; the father came to America in 1853 and the mother
in 1851. They were married in Janesville in 1854 and moved to
Beloit. Here they made their home and reared their family,
consisting of six sons and five daughters, of whom nine are now
living. One of the daughters died in infancy, and one son,
Charles L. Hansen, died in 1893. Mr. Hansen's father was a
blacksmith by trade. He started a small factory at Beloit for
the manufacture of walking plows, and for years supplied the
local and general trade. He was a man of ingenuity and very
skillful in the use of steel and iron, and his numerous improve-
ments and original inventions which were studied out by him
have been universally adopted by all manufacturers of plows.
833 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
The subject of this sketch, Edward F., received his prelimi-
nary education in the public schools of Beloit, and when not at-
tending school found plenty to keep busy at in his father's fac-
tory, so that his early education was practical in learning to do
by doing. He later served a regular apprenticeship and worked
as a machinist at the shops of 0. E. Merrill & Co., of Beloit, Wis.
In this manner he built up a practical knowledge of how a suc-
cessful business concern could be carried on.
Mr. Hansen's integrity has been recognized by his fellow
citizens to the extent that they have honored him in many ways —
first, by placing him in the office of city treasurer of Beloit in
1885 and 1886, and again in 1887; then in the year 1888 the
common council of the city of Beloit placed him in the office of
city clerk, which office he held until his resignation, February,
1896. In 1889 he was elected treasurer of the Beloit school dis-
trict, which office he held for ten years; in 1895 and 1896 he
served the people of the First assembly district of Rock county
as their representative in the state legislature. In 1896 he served
as a member of the board of public works of the city of Beloit ;
in 1897, 1898 and 1899 he served as alderman of the Second ward
of Beloit, and in 1901 was appointed by Judge Dunwiddie as a
member of the Rock county board of jury commissioners, which
office he still holds. In 1891 Mr. Hansen was elected a director
of the Beloit Savings Bank, and in 1892 he was elected to his
present office of secretary and treasurer of the bank. This is
a strictly mutual savings bank and is owned by the depositors,
who now number (1908) nearly 6,000, while its deposits are over
$1,130,000, which proves that the people of this community are
in a highly prosperous condition and that their surplus savings
are being well handled and carefully conserved.
Our subject has always cast his lot politically with the Re-
publican party, and in fraternal societies is affiliated with the
Beloit Lodge No. 40, Knights of Pythias, and Lodge No. 864, B.
P. 0. Elks, of Beloit. Mr. Hansen and family attend the First
Congregational church.
On May 29, 1895, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage with
Miss Carrie A. Ross, daughter of L. E, and Susan M. Ross, of
Beloit, Wis.
Charles Butler Salmon, a native of Peru, Huron county, Ohio,
was born August 16, 1850, to Ebenezer Putney and Elizabeth
BIOGRAPHICAL 833
(Pomeroy) Salmon, the former a native of Goshen, and the latter
of Williamsburg, Mass. The father was a graduate of the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and practiced medi-
cine for several years in Ohio. He was also an alumnus of the
Union Theological Seminary, New York, and was a successful
preacher in Ohio after giving up his medical practice.
In 1860 he settled at Allen's Grove, Walworth county, Wis-
consin, as president of the academy there, which under his man-
agement became the leading preparatory school of southern Wis-
consin and northern Illinois, being especially affiliated with the
Beloit college. In 1865 he moved with his family to Beloit to
educate his sons Edward and Charles, and there died at the age
of seventy-five years. The mother, who was a direct descendant
of the Pomeroys of Revolutionary fame, and of Jonathan Ed-
wards, died at Beloit, at the age of seventy-six years.
Entering Beloit Academy in 1865, our subject was there
graduated the following year, and in the fall of 1866 entered
Beloit college and pursued the regular classical course till the
beginning of his junior year, in the fall of 1868, when he left
college to become the western representative of a large New York
manufacturing company with headquarters in Chicago; three
years later he went to New York, and from the main office of the
company, traveled through the principal cities west of Ohio. Mr.
Salmon resigned his position in 1873, and with Messrs. S. T. Mer-
rill and W. H. Wheeler organized the Eclipse Windmill Company
at Beloit, which later became the largest concern of its kind in the
United States. In 1881, being obliged to retire from business on
account of impaired health from overwork, Mr. Salmon sold his
controlling interest in the business to Messrs. W. H. Wheeler and
C. H. Morse, and out of this grew the present great factory of
Fairbanks & Morse Company, the site and a small part of the
buildings of whose plant was sold to it by Mr. Salmon. In 1885
Mr. Salmon organized and became the leading spirit in the Beloit
Water Works Company, and directed the construction of its
plant, and in 1892, with his brother, Edward P. Salmon, became
its sole owner. Under their management and control, the plant
and business were greatly enlarged and increased, and in 1906
were sold to the present merger company — the Beloit Water, Gas
& Electric Company — for $300,000, Mr. Salmon becoming and
still being president and treasurer of the merger company. In
834 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
1887 Mr. Salmon purchased the old Huston & Whitford flouring
mills and reorganized the business, which under the new name,
Salmon Milling Company, was, until the plant was destroyed by
fire in 1893, the largest concern of its kind in southern Wisconsin.
Mr. Salmon has always been a firm believer in his city as an
educational and manufacturing center, and among the many
public-spirited citizens of Beloit, none is more loyal to her inter-
ests and to the welfare of Eock county and the state at large
than he. He at different periods organized the "Unity Associa-
tion," for owning and constructing business property, and the
Beloit Improvement Company for subdividing and developing
unimproved real estate. Among the buildings in whose construc-
tion he had the principal part may be named the Foster Shoe
Factory, which he sold to the shoe company, the postoffice block.
Unity block. Grand Avenue block, City mills and other smaller
properties, all of which he with his brother still owns. Mr. Sal-
mon has, as a matter-of-fact, 'improved more business and manu-
facturing property than any other one citizen. Mr. Salmon has
always been a zealous and staunch worker in and supporter of
the Republican party, but has never sought or desired political
office. In religious faith he has been affiliated with the First Con-
gregational church of Beloit since 1865. Both he and his brother
are generous supporters of the Beloit college, and he has for
many years been a member of its board of trustees, and at pres-
ent (1908) is vice-president of the college.
On June 24, 1874, Mr. Salmon married Miss Addie, daughter
of the late A. B. Carpenter, who died, aged ninety-two years, and
who probably was more intimately associated with the early his-
tory and progress of Beloit than any other man. Of five children
born to Mr. and Mrs. Salmon, two, viz. : Edward and Loretta, are
living, and three, Cornelia, Charles, Jr., and James, are deceased.
David H. Pollock is one of the wide-awake, progressive men
of Beloit, Wis., whose energy, enterprise and persevering indus-
try have gained for him a degree of success of which he may just-
ly be proud. A native of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he was
born in 1860 and is a son of Arthur and Lydia (Nagle) Pollock,
both natives of the north of Ireland. In 1842, while yet single,
they came to the United States and settled in New York state,
where they were married and whence, in 1866, they moved to
Hebron, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where the father spent his
BIOGEAPHICAL 835
life as a farmer. His death occurred in 1895. His mother died
in the fall of 1906.
David H. received a good English education in the public
schools of his native place, and in early life spent seven years
in teaching. He also attended the Normal school at Whitewater,
where he was graduated in 1881. Two years later he became a
clerk in a drug store and at the same time pursued the study of
pharmacy and continued in that capacity for some six years.
Having thoroughly familiarized himself with the details of his
chosen occupation, Mr. Pollock was ready to start out on his own
account, and for that purpose in 1888 settled in Beloit and estab-
lished the drug trade which has since engaged his time and atten-
tion and in which he has been eminently successful. He has al-
ways taken a commendable interest in civic affairs and whatever
tends to promote the welfare of the city or his fellows, has his
earnest sympathy and support. He has been somewhat active in
political matters, is a Republican in his views and is now (1907)
serving his tenth year as alderman from the fourth ward of Beloit.
Mr. Pollock is president of the Mutual Savings Bank of Be-
loit, one of the substantial financial institutions of the city whose
help to those of moderate means in caring for their savings and
in other ways looking after their interests, has been and is well
nigh incalculable. It carries on its books the names of 6,000 de-
positors.
As alderman, Mr. Pollock served as chairman of the commit-
tee having in charge the matter of the franchise for the Inter-
urban railroad, and took an active part in securing the system
of sewers now in operation, the paving of the city streets and
other valuable public improvements. In religious affairs he is
alert and active, a member of the Congregational church and a
member of its board of trustees and chairman of the building com-
mittee, and had an active part in the work of the building com-
mittee having in charge the erection of the new church edifice in
1905.
Mr. Pollock has the distinction of being the owner of the only
modern apartment building in his city, known as "The Bonita."
In 1902 Mr. Pollock married Miss Florence, daughter of Dr.
R. H. Stetson, at Lima, Rock county, and by her has one child,
Florence Bonita. Mrs. Pollock died April 8, 1906.
Mr, Pollock is a man of fine social qualities and by the force
836 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
of a pleasing personality, attracts many warm friends. He is an
active member of the Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.
Oscar T. Thompson, who is at the head of one of the prominent
manufacturing industries of Beloit, Wisconsin, is a native of that
place and was born in 1860, the son of John and Martha (Walles-
verd) Thompson, both natives of Norway. The father, one of
Beloit 's oldest and most respected citizens, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work, lives in retirement from active business,
enjoying with his wife and family in their elegant home the well
earned fruits of his long and honorable business career.
Oscar T. had good educational advantages in the common and
high schools of Beloit, and after finishing his studies there went
abroad, spending one year in Norway. On his return home, he
was for six months bookkeeper in the Citizen's National Bank at
Beloit, after which he became associated with his father in the
manufacture of plows and many other varieties of agricultural
implements. During the first six years of his connection with
the business, he was associated with his father and brother under
the name of J. Thompson & Sons ; but when in 1886 the business
was incorporated as the J. Thompson & Sons Manufacturing
Company, he became its secretary and treasurer, and so continued
until his father's retirement in 1902, when he was made presi-
dent and treasurer and his brother, Alfred S. Thompson, was
made secretary. Mr. Thompson is eminently fitted by education
and training for the responsibilities of the position he holds as
the head of a great industrial establishment, and under his care-
ful management the high standing attained by the concern under
his father's direction, has been ably and fully maintained. Mr.
Thompson has given his attention closely to his business, finding
little time for outside matters. He is a Republican in politics,
but takes no part in political matters more than to perform his
duties as a good citizen. He is interested and somewhat active in
education matters, and in July, 1907, was elected a member of
the school board of Beloit. He is also a member of the library
board. He is connected with the Order of Elks and in religious
faith is affiliated with the Episcopal church.
On June 30, 1896, Mr. Thompson married Miss Cora Clark,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Clark, of Beloit, and they have
two children, Albert and Martha.
John Hackett was born in the state of Vermont, January,
BIOGEAPHICAL 837
1808, the son of a New England Baptist minister. Early in life
he was thrown upon his own resources, but having a natural love
for study, succeeded in preparing himself for the bar, to which,
after coming to Wisconsin territory, he was admitted.
While quite a young man, having borrowed $2,000 from his
uncle in the East, he started a general store with a partner in
the state of Ohio. There also he married the accomplished and
beautiful daughter of Caleb Blodgett. That Ohio venture prov-
ing a failure through fault of his partner, involving the loss of
his $2,000, in the year 1836 Mr. Hackett came with his father-in-
law and the sturdy Blodgett boys to the spot where the city of
Beloit now stands, the land at that time being not yet even open
to government entry. With the help of friendly Indians Mr.
Blodgett promptly built a double log cabin, which both families
occupied, ploughed some of the rich land east of it, sowed wheat
and raised a crop. John Hackett, though naturally more inclined
to professional work, took hold of that pioneer life and labored
in the harvest field with the rest, not only during that first har-
vest year of 1837, but also for several summers after becoming
settled in other business.
The village of Beloit, first platted in 1837, was entered as
farm land in 1838, and the lots then sold or assigned. Caleb
Blodgett having built the Rock River house at what is now the
northeast corner of State street and East Grand avenue, John
Hackett secured the lot at the southeast corner of those streets
and built there a modest home and store combined. There he
opened a general store, which is claimed to have been the first in
Beloit.
From the beginning, Mr. Hackett had a definite purpose, viz. :
to earn an honest living for his family, pay ofi' that $2,000 debt,
then if possible, make an independent fortune and in and through
it all develop in himself a true manhood. In that fourfold pur-
pose he succeeded. His eastern uncle had a large raft of bass-
wood lumber which had been floated down Rock river to Beloit
and lodged on that island where now is located the Beloit Iron
Works. To this nephew, John, he entrusted the sale of that lum-
ber, and also made him his agent in various other investments.
By industry, frugality and honorable dealing Mr. Hackett suc-
ceeded in all these business interests and so laid the foundation
for a fortune. While carrying on his store he became possessed
838 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
of a farm on the west side of Rock river which covered all that
region now occupied by the fourth ward, platted it into lots, and
with the rapid sale of these, entered on a stage of prosperity
which made him in time one of the wealthiest men in the place.
He was Beloit's first postmaster, and when the city was organ-
ized, one of its early mayors. He paid that $2,000 debt, purchased
and sold farms and built and owned that West side stone flouring
mill, so long known as the Hackett mill and later as the Blodgett
mill. For many years he owned a warehouse and also held much
stock in the West Side paper mill and in the East Side mill.
Soon after acquiring land on the west side of Rock river, John
Hackett showed his faith in the growth of Beloit by building
there in 1842-1843, on the conspicuous location now occupied by
the city high school, a substantial stone home, the first house
erected on that side of the river. There ^his daughter, Ella (Mrs.
John Russell Adams), was born, and about ten years afterwards,
his wife died.
John Hackett, along with Lucius G. Fisher, of Beloit, and
several men of Janesville, incorporated the Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company, then of Janesville, but
later of Milwaukee, Wis. He was also one of the incorporators
of the Beloit & Madison railroad, which afterward became the
Madison division of the Northwestern Railroad Company. Mr.
Hackett was also active in all school matters, and one of the Be-
loit public schools on the west side bears his name.
In the early part of his Beloit life Mr. Hackett was a member
of the First Congregational church, but later came with his wife
into regular attendance on the St. Paul's Episcopal church. That
society's second building was erected on a part of his west side
home lot, donated by him for that purpose and still their church
home,
John Hackett was by nature a man of literary tastes and he
acquired a fine private library, the best in Beloit, and called by
Senator Matt Carpenter the best selected for its size of any in
the state. After his fortieth year he learned French so as to read
it easily, and among his 1,300 volumes, some 300 were in that lan-
guage, mainly scientific works. While a young man, I remember
hearing some college man remark that if one of our college pro-
fessors, then of doubtful health, should break down, Mr. Hackett
could fill his plaice. Mr. Hackett was a member of the Wisconsin
BIOGEAPHICAL 839
territorial assembly in 1840-1842, and of the convention called
to form a state constitution in 1846. He also represented this
county in the state legislature in 1852.
John Hackett was naturally reticent and kept his own coun-
sel, revealing his plans only as they were carried out. His early
training developed in him habits of order, promptness and de-
cision, but he was also of a social disposition and always culti-
vated a cheerful spirit. When his store on Bridge street (now
East Grand avenue) was burned, involving the loss of half his
library, he said to a sympathizing friend, "Yes, I am sorry to
lose the books, but I can afford the loss better than some others
could," and passed the matter off with a pleasant laugh. While
not lacking in gifts to various charitable objects, he believed
especially in helping people to help themselves. So he became a
sort of private building and loan association long before such
enterprises were publicly known, thus helping many a young man
to secure for himself a permanent home.
About the year 1858 Mr. Hackett retired from active business
and thenceforward was occupied only with the care of his va-
rious properties, keeping active to the very last. He was confined
to his bed only a week before his peaceful death, February 5,
1886, at the age of seventy-eight years.
On the day of the funeral, Monday, February 15, out of re-
spect to his memory and in accordance with the proclamation of
Mayor Charles H. Parker, most of the stores were closed and
the members of the common council, with many other citizens,
attended the impressive public services held at the Episcopal
church.
February 14, 1888, at a public gathering held in the opera
house, Mr. John R. Adams, of Chicago, in behalf of his wife, Mrs.
Ella Adams, the donor, presented to the city of Beloit that beau-
tiful and massive memorial fountain which bears the name of
John Hackett and graces the market place at the junction of
Fourth street and Grand avenue. It was publicly accepted by
the mayor. Prof. E. G. Smith, who concluded as follows: "In
accepting therefore this gift for the city, we do it as a memorial
to one prominent in our early history, loved by his personal
friends, trusted by his fellow townsmen, honored and respected
by all.
"We accept it as a memorial, fittingly chosen to remind us
840 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
and later generations of a citizen, identified with kindly acts and
progressive ideas, who thought of and unselfishly entered into the
works and plans of others. We accept this memorial as a tribute
of a daughter's love, keeping before the people the record of her
father's life and those motives which made him an important
factor in the early development of our city. We receive this
monument, made of imperishable granite, as something that will
endure, a pride of our city and as a voice reminding our young
men of those early days and urging them to a like high apprecia-
tion of the duties and privileges of citizenship."
In December, 1889, Mrs. Ella Adams, to the further memory
of her father, erected in the Beloit cemetery a monument con-
taining thirty-two tons of New Hampshire granite, the largest
private monument in the city or county.
John M. Keep was born at Homer, Cortland county, New
York, January 26, 1813, of New England stock. At an early age
he entered Cortland academy at Homer, and entered Hamilton
college in 1832, graduating in 1836. He immediately began his
legal studies with Augustus Donnelly, a distinguished lawyer at
Homer, N. Y., and completed them with Horatio Seymour, Esq.,
at Buffalo. He was subsequently admitted to the bar and began
practice at Westfield, N. Y. In 1844 he removed to Beloit, Wis.,
where he resided up to the time of his death. In the spring of
1856 he was elected judge of the first judicial circuit of Wiscon-
sin, but was compelled to resign his position on account of ill-
health and the pressure of private business, at the end of two
and one-half years. In religion Mr. Keep was a Congregation-
alist, having united with that denomination at the age of sixteen
years, and in all the relations of life and the connections he
formed, he preserved unblemished his Christian character. His
early political preferences and party associations were with the
Whig, and later with the Republican party. He was never a
candidate for any political office. Judge Keep died on March 2,
1861, aged forty-eight years. Although a comparatively young
man. Judge Keep was exceptionally strong as a lawyer, a writer
and a public speaker.
Hon. Lucius G. Fisher was born in Derby, Vt., on his father's
farm, August 17, 1808, died in Chicago, March 6, 1886. Educated
in the common schools and local academy, working on the farm
meanwhile. Tai^ght a government school in Stanstead, Canada,
BIOGEAPHICAL 841
and later the school in Derby, where he received his preliminary
education.
In 1833 appointed deputy sheriff for Derby and vicinity. At
that time the office was an important one, as the country was in-
fested by smugglers from the Canadian side.
After being appointed three terms, he resigned and became
connected with the Fairbanks Scale Company, of St. Johnsbury.
In 1837 arrived in Chicago, a town of 3,000 inhabitants.
From the present site of Marshall Field's store to the lake
was then a cornfield. Not liking the looks of things he went to
Milwaukee and later to New Albany. He made a short stop at
Janesville, where there were only three houses.
Being pleased with the then named New Albany, he settled
there and soon after, as one of a committee chosen to select a name
for the village, suggested "Beloit," which name was adopted.
In 1839 was appointed sheriff of Rock county by Governor
Dodge, and later by Governor Doty, and still later was elected
by the people.
In 1840, was appointed by the territorial legislature one of a
board of commissioners to lay out roads from Beloit to Milwau-
kee and to Madison.
In 1842 married Miss Caroline Field and began business under
the firm name of Fisher & Bundy, later Fisher, Cheney & Co.
He was largely instrumental in inducing the Northwestern
Railroad Company to extend their line to Beloit, raising the
money ($80,000) and personally pledging its collection.
He was director of the railroad from Beloit to Madison.
He was president of the first bank in Beloit, and also started
the "Beloit Journal," the first paper there.
With others he built the first paper mill there and was largely
identified with other enterprises.
When Beloit became a city he was for several years an alder-
man, later was elected to the legislature.
He was largely instrumental in organizing Beloit college, and
was for years one of its trustees and also of Rockford seminary.
He was one of the incorporators of the Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee in 1857.
In 1861 he was appointed postmaster at Beloit by President
Lincoln, which office he held for five years, moving to Chicago in
1866.
842 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
There he entered into the real estate business and built several
downtown buildings.
In 1870 he was elected supervisor of Hyde Park.
In 1883 took an extensive trip on the continent and from that
time until his death in 1886, spent the time in travel and looking
after his property interests.
He left three children: Lucius G. Fisher, Jr., Mrs. William
A. Bond, Mrs. Dr. Samuel R. Ward.
Thomas Lappin, the pioneer merchant of Janesville, was born
in County Mead, Ireland, on May 12, 1812, and was the son of
William and Ann (Welch) Lappin. His father was an only son,
and his mother an only daughter, consequently his cousins, aunts
and uncles were necessarily limited. In 1825 the family emi-
grated from Ireland to America. After spending two years in
New York they removed to Detroit, where Thomas learned the
printer's trade and was one to set type on the first issue of the
"Detroit Free Press."
In the spring of 1838 he set sail for Milwaukee, taking a small
stock of general merchandise with him, in which J. & L. W^ard, of
Detroit, were interested. The vessel in which he sailed was
wrecked on the reefs and but a small portion of the stock was
saved. Being anxious to meet his partners in Milwaukee, he
stored the goods, and out of patience waiting for an expected
boat, with some others started on foot over the Indian trail for
Milwaukee. (On coming in sight of the lake near the old North
Point lighthouse, they had the pleasure of seeing their boat pass
them.)
In December of the same year he came to Janesville and in
company with the Wards he opened the first general store in this
city, in June, 1839 ; in fact, it was the first store of any kind in
the town. They occupied a one-story frame building made of
logs and it was called "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Their stock in-
voiced at $350. In 1840 the partnership was dissolved and Mr.
Lappin began business himself with a stock of $140. He walked
to Chicago to replenish his stock, and found that he had exceeded
the amount of his cash by $15, for which the house refused to
trust him, the recent panic in financial affairs having destroyed
commercial confidence. In 1840 he erected a two-story frame
building, and at this time there were between seventy and eighty
inhabitants, and they wondered what Uncle Tom could do with
BIOGRAPHICAL 843
a two-story building. Later on Mr. Lappin erected the large and
sightly block on the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, which
is one of the most substantial and stately business blocks in the
city and forms one of the four corners which are the pride of our
citizens and the admiration of the strangers within our gates.
Mr. Lappin always had a pleasant word and a kindly greeting
for everybody. Time and again has the writer heard his cheery
"Good morning, my boy," which was his customary salutation to
his young men friends, and by whom he was reverently called
"Uncle Tommy." A man honest as the day is long, who would
scorn to do an unkind act and who was spoken of by young and
old, from the rich man who counted his thousands, to the poorest
bootblack in the streets, by all grades and classes of society as
one of God's noblemen. "Gentle to bear, kindly to judge," pos-
sessed of a warm heart, a generous nature, he is one whom to
know was to love, honor and esteem. His reputation for hospi-
tality was second to none and his home is where his friends love
to congregate.
Mr. Lappin 's wife was Mary J. Jackman, daughter of Timothy
and Ester Cooper Jackman. She has been a worthy helpmate for
many years and is still spared to preside over the home where
peace and happiness ever reign supreme. She is a lady of whom
too much cannot be said in her praise, and she shares with her
husband the good will of everybody who has the honor of her
acquaintance,
Benjamin Franklin Pixley, born September 26, 1815, son of
William Pixley and Abbey Lewis, his wife, was the fifth in a
family of ten. William Pixley, B. F. Pixley 's father, was in direct
line of descent from William Pixley, one of the early settlers of
Hadley, Mass., his name appearing on an old map as owner of a
parcel of land in that town, about 1663. The father of B. F. Pix-
ley (William Pixley) was born May 30, 1784, at Stratford, Conn.,
died June 20, 1853 ; married November 1, 1808, at Kirkland or
Augusta, Oneida county. New York, Abbey Lewis, daughter of
Captain Nathaniel Lewis and Abigail Wooster, of Huntington,
Conn. He was born an "old whig," a strong partisan and a de-
termined Henry Clay man, and felt deeply Clay's defeat. He is
named in Thurlow Weed's autobiography (page 224) as an active
anti-mason, one of the committee from Chili and Wheatfield to
urge the governor to offer a large reward for the apprehension
844 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
and capture of the abductors of William Morgan. B. F. Pixley
lost his mother at an early age. and his father was compelled to
place him under the care of a maternal uncle, as there was so
large a family of young children that it was impossible to keep
them all at home and give them the proper care. After his
father's second marriage he returned home, aiding his father in
the farm work, getting his schooling at the district schools of the
day, and at an academy, or what would answer to our present
day high school. Between 1842 and 1848 Mr. Pixley made two or
three trips west, through Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Much
of this traveling was done on horseback, and he drove a flock
of sheep from Oneida county, New York, to Janesville, Wis.,
around the lower end of Lake Michigan, and on this journey
passed through the present site of Chicago, the whole of which
he could have bought for the value of his flock of sheep. He
bought some land near Janesville and located, going back in
October, 1848, to Rochester, N. Y., where he married on October
25 Jane Eliza Lewis, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Bowen
Lewis. Isaac Lewis was in the army during the war of 1812 and
a direct descendant of a veteran of the Revolutionary army. Mr.
Pixley and his wife at once went to Janesville to make their
home, going by boat from Buffalo to Milwaukee, thence to Janes-
ville by stage, as at that date no railroad entered Janesville.
From this time on Mr. Pixley engaged in many enterprises, farm-
ing, milling, merchandising, etc., keeping all the time in touch
with the wool industry of the country, becoming widely known
as an expert buyer of this commodity, which led to his being in-
duced, in 1863, to form a partnership with others in Chicago, un-
der the name of Pixley, Hall & Kinzie, located at the corner of
Michigan avenue and Lake street. Mr. Pixley moved his family
to Chicago at this time. He was very successful in his business,
making many acquaintances and business friends among Chi-
cago's solid business people of that time. In the spring of 1871
Mr. Pixley bought a peach farm in St. Joseph, Mich., thinking to
retire here and devote most of his time to outdoor pursuits, but
in October, 1871, occurred the great fire in Chicago, in which
Mr. Pixley lost all his possessions except the Michigan home, com-
pelling him again to take up business. He also was a loser to the
extent of many thousands of dollars in the great fire of Boston
(1872?) and of course was seriously affected by the panic of
BIOGRAPHICAL 845
1873, though he kept on for a number of years, showing an
amount of grit that is not usual, finally retiring to his Michigan
home, where he made a success of growing fancy fruit for the
Chicago market. In February, 1895, Mr, Pixley had a fall, re-
sulting in a broken hip, from which he recovered after a long
confinement, but the shock had broken down his constitution,
resulting in gradual failure and his death June 23, 1901. Mr.
Pixley, like his father, was an "old whig," but later became a
conservative Democrat, was rejected as a volunteer during the
rebellion through some physical disability. Mr. Pixley was a
Cleveland Democrat, and possibly was one of the best posted
men of his day on the politics of the country and the men en-
gaged in them. Mr. Pixley was not a politician in the sense of
seeking office, never having sought nomination, though always
active in local and national elections, and wrote a great deal on
this and other subjects.
Mr. Pixley was born and brought up in a Presbyterian family
and community, but both he and his wife, while living in Janes-
ville, became interested in the Episcopal church and became com-
municants, he being senior warden of the parish in St. Joseph,
until his death. Mr. Pixley was a large man, physically and ment-
ally. Always had the respect and love of the people who knew
him.
He must have inherited some of his father's anti-mason ideas,
as he was member of no lodge or society. Mr. Pixley and wife
had six children, four born in Janesville and two in Chicago, four
of which are now living in St. Joseph, Mich. Mr. Pixley 's wife
survived him about six years, dying in March, 1907.
Cornelius Nicolaas Vermeulen was born at Kondekerke, Hol-
land, October 4, 1846, and is the son of Adrianus and Alida (van
Galen) Vermeulen. His grandfather, Cornelius Vermeulen, was
a man of commanding influence and business sagacity, and for
forty-five years held responsible government and state offices in
Holland.
Mr. Vermeulen 's ancestors on his maternal side were well
known and respected citizens of Holland, and were closely allied
with the government for a great many years. His grandfather,
Cornelius van Galen, was greatgrandson of the famous Admiral
Hendric van Galen, who, during the war of 1600 between Eng-
land and Holland distinguished himself as a brave and efficient
846 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
officer. He was the pride of the Holland navy and after his
death, a beautiful monument was erected to his memory by the
people of his native land.
Cornelius received his education in the common and high
schools of Gonda, Holland, taking a special course of study in
architecture. America holding out greater inducements for
young men in his profession, he decided to immigrate, and ac-
cordingly in 1888 he left his native land, arriving in America
with his family, and located first in Chicago, where for ten years
he was engaged in a general business of real estate.
In 1898 Mr. Vermeulen left Chicago and went to Barron
county, Wisconsin, where he established a Holland colony around
Perley; removing thence to Sherry, Wood county, Wisconsin, he
established another Holland settlement. In 1901 he moved to
Beloit, where he has since been engaged in the real estate and
loan business.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Vermeulen has held some local
offices, such as justice of the peace, etc., and has been a notary
public since 1898. On July 4, 1873, he was married to Miss Maria
Clasina Jonkers, to whom has been born ten children: Maria A.
C, who is the wife of P. S. Cartner ; Alida M. 6., wife of William
B. Jones ; Clasina M. A., Henrietta, Margaretha, Alida and Johan
C. N., the only son, who died December 6, 1903, from the effects
of a gunshot wound received while hunting rabbits. His death
was deeply mourned by his family and many friends, as one of
the noblest young men of Beloit. The other five children died in
Holland, before his coming to America.
Richard G. Scheibel, city marshal of Beloit, with residence
at No. 340 Locust street, was born in Beloit, April 7, 1867. His
parents were Henry and Hannah M. Scheibel, both natives of
Germany.
R. G., our subject, was educated in the schools of Beloit, and
after completing his studies worked on a farm for three years.
He then engaged in the butcher business, which he conducted suc-
cessfully for eight years, but his ability as an officer being recog-
nized, he has been continuously on the police force for the past
fourteen years, and at the present time, 1908, is the chief officer
of the Beloit police force.
Mr. Scheibel is a popular member of the Elks, Modern Wood-
men of America and the Knights of Pythias.
BIOGRxVPHlCxVL 847
He was married on December 25, 1891, to Miss Anna Glassell,
who was born in the town of Sullivan, Jefferson county, Wiscon-
sin, on December 11, 1869. There has been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Scheibel three sons, viz. : Russell II., Clarence F. and George C.
Charles H. Kai, of No. 730 Cleveland avenue, Beloit, Wis.,
whose birthplace was Berlin, Germany, was born July 21, 1867.
His parents were Charles and Sophia (Burt) Kai, both natives of
Germany, and came to the United States and settled in Beloit,
Wis., in 1871, and engaged in the broom corn raising and later
operated a threshing machine, which he made a successful busi-
ness of, and retired two years ago for a well earned rest.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools
of Beloit, and after completing his studies, he engaged in the
business of painting, paper hanging and decorating. He also
owns and operates a complete threshing outfit, which, altogether,
makes his life a busy one.
Mr. Kai is a member of the Odd Fellows, and in 1895 was
married to Miss Elly Madru, of Newark township. Rock county,
Wisconsin, and her parents were among the early settlers of the
county.
Anthony I. Schmit, M. D., Avho resides at the corner of Bluff
and Liberty streets, Beloit, Wis., with offices in the Ritsher block.
No. 355 Grand avenue, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in
1863.
He received his early education in the common schools of his
native place, and his college education at the gymnasium of
Luxemburg. He graduated from that institution in 1881.
In 1882 and in 1883 he studied philosophy and natural sciences
at the University of Strassburg, and passed the examination for
the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in 1882, and that of Master of
Arts and Sciences in 1884.
He then studied medicine at Strassburg, Heidelberg and
Munich, Germany, and in 1889 passed the examination of the
state board of examiners and was given a license to practice
medicine in his home country.
Dr. Schmit came to the United States in 1890, and after hav-
ing practiced medicine in Oconto and Sharon, Wis., he perma-
nently located in Beloit, Wis., in 1903.
In society matters, the doctor is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of the
848 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
World, the Elks, Columbian Knights and several other fraternal
organizations.
Doctor Schmit was married November 22, 1905, to Miss Elsie
Wiukley, of Clinton, Wis., who is a graduate of the Clinton high
school and the Whitewater college.
James A. Chamberlain, of Janesville, Wis., was born in Hart-
ford, Conn., March 2, 1833, and came with his parents to Wis-
consin in 1838. He was the son of James and Ann Maria (Jack-
son) Chamberlain. The father was a native of England, born
March 13, 1791. The mother was born in Long Island March
29, 1797. Mr. Chamberlain moved from his old home in Con-
necticut to the then new and undeveloped state of Wisconsin in
1838 and purchased a tract of land from the government in whal
is now Bradford township, Rock county, where he built a home
and reared his family. This was in the good old times when
bear meat and venison were staples in the settlers' larder. Rail-
roads and interurban trolleys were not doing much business in
those days. He used to haul supplies from Milwaukee and out
to the lead mines in western Wisconsin, in which expeditions our
subject was an active assistant. They had their share of priva-
tions which fall to the lot of all pioneers, and our subject has
lived to realize their fondest dreams of what this country would
be some day when they had all the modern improvements in way
of rapid transportation and beautiful and well-furnished homes
which are owned by a happy and prosperous people. Mr. and
Mrs. Chamberlain lived long and useful lives and were honored
and respected by all who knew them. He died September 10,
1874, at the age of eighty-three years, and was followed by his
wife October 16, 1876, her age being eighty years at the time of
her decease.
Our subject, James A., received the usual amount of school-
ing that was obtainable in the early settlement of the county;
at first there being no regular school houses, he learned his first
lessons in a little log house, the class being taught by one of the
neighbor's wives. This plan was superseded later by a sawed log
building which was erected by the settlers for a school house,
and he refers with some pride to the fact that his last terms at
school were in a real stone school house on the banks of Turtle
Creek, which proves that the spirit of progression was stirring
in the hearts of the early settlers of Rock county, and that they
BIOGRAPHICAL 84f)
were constantly striving for better conditions. His first venture
after starting out in life for himself, was farming in Bradford
township, Rock county, where he lived for three years, then re-
moved to La Prairie township and purchased a farm, where he
lived for sixty years, a successful farmer, always up with the
times and working for the betterment of the community in which
he lived. Mr. Chamberlain was the second child of a family of
four, the other members of his family being Mrs. Julia A. Smith,
now (1907) living in Clinton, "Wis., at the age of eighty-one
years ; Mrs. Sarah J. Dockstader, a widow, her age being seventy-
two years, and Mrs. Mary C. Johnston, who died in 1903. Mr.
Chamberlain lived on his 210-acre farm, fifty acres of which
was part of the original homestead, for sixty years, when he re-
tired, with a competence, to make his future home in Janesville.
He is blessed with a wonderfully retentive memory, and has
lived here since the earliest settlement, having seen all the im-
provements made in Rock county; his reminiscences, if properly
recorded, would make a very interesting history of the county.
Mr. Chamberlain is one of the original republicans, having
cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, but has never sought or
held political office except in a local way to help along with
school or township affairs. He is a member of the Masonic order,
having been a member since 1862.
On March 26, 1856, he was married to Miss Helen J. Hum-
phrey, who was a native of New York state, and was born in
1838, daughter of Frederick C. and Eliza (Yates) Humphrey,
who came to Wisconsin in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain
were the parents of one child, Emma F., wife of Dr. James Mills,
of Janesville. Mrs. Chamberlain died in Janesville on January
15, 1899. Dr. and Mrs. Mills are the happy parents of two chil-
dren, Wallace 0., born April 16, 1889, is a graduate of Janesville
high school, and is now (1907) a student of the State university
at Madison, Wis. ; James S., born November 22, 1894, is now at-
tending high school at Janesville.
Albert Whitford, who now fills the chairs of mathematics and
astronomy in Milton college, is a native of New York state and
was born May 28, 1832. He is the third of a family of four chil-
dren born to Samuel and Sophia (Clarke) Whitford, the others
being William C, late president of Milton college; Hamilton J.,
now deceased, and Herbert D., of Milwaukee. His parents, who
850 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
were natives of Brookfield, Madison county, New York, spent
their lives there and in the adjoining townships of Edmeston and
Plainfield, Otsego county. New York. The father was a farmer
and died September 21, 1848. The mother died in July, 1888.
Albert was reared on his father's farm and received a thor-
ough education. He was graduated from Alfred Academy,
Alfred, N. Y., in 1853, and during the years 1854-56, and 1857-63,
was instructor of Latin language and literature at Milton col-
lege. In 1857 he was- graduated from Union college, Schenectady,
N. Y., with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and received from
the same institution in 1861 the degree of Master of Arts. Dur-
ing 1864-5 he served as superintendent of public schools of the
east district of Rock county, Wisconsin, and during the years
1865-67 was principal of DeRuyter institute, DeRuyter, Madison
county. New York. During the school years 1867-68, he was
professor at Milton college, and 1868-72 professor of
mathematics in Alfred university, Alfred, N. Y. Since
1872, a period of thirty-five years, he has filled the chair of
mathematics at Milton college, in the meantime, 1878-80, serv-
ing also as active president, thus devoting his life to the cause
of education. Prof. "Whitford is known as one of the foremost
educators in the west, and the influence of his quiet, unpreten-
tious Christian life has left its lasting impression on the char-
acters of hundreds of pupils and students who have studied un-
der him. He has for many years been an active and devoted
member and a deacon of the Seventh Day Baptist church of
Milton.
On May 31, 1857, Prof. AVhitford married i\Iiss Choice Eliza
Curtis, of East Troy, Wis., whose death occurred November 4,
1888, at the age of fifty-four years. Of five children born to
them, Albert C, the eldest, is now deceased; Anna Sophia is
married to Dr. C. Eugene Crandall, of Milton, Wis., and is in-
structor of German language and literature in Milton college ;
William H. lives in Independence, Kan. ; Alfred E. is professor
of physics and assistant of mathematics at Milton college, and
Arthur Hamilton, the youngest, is deceased. On February 14,
1892, Prof. Whitford married Emily L. Burdick, of Leonardville,
Madison county, New York, a daughter of Ruel Burdick, of
Brookfield, of the same county.
William Clarke Whitford. Every great work among men
ANTHONY I. SCHMIT, M. D.
BIOGRAPHICAL 851
owes its rise, its marked progress, or its final success to some one
man, who stands apart from his fellows, like stately pine tower-
ing above the lesser trees of the forest. The work of other men
in the same enterprise was important ; his was absolutely essen-
tial. The influence in some undefined and inconspicuous way
has woven itself into the finished structure; his has stamped his
name and personality upon the whole movement, and we see his
face and feel his spirit from whatever point of view we approach
it. Thus martin Luther stood among the reformers of the six-
teenth century ; thus the name of Savonarola shines with a golden
halo among the champions of civil and religious freedom; thus
the name of William C. Whitford shines among those who have
given life and its service to the work of Milton college ; thus his
spirit has given a glow to the wholesome atmosphere which sur-
rounds the college like the pure air of some rugged mountain
home.
William Clarke Whitford was born in West Edmeston, Otsego
county, New York, May 5, 1828. His ancestors for several gen-
erations were of Puritan stock, and settled, in the colonial
period, in New England. The nearer ancestry settled in Otsego
and Madison counties in the years when such settlement meant
many privations and days and years of severest toil. But it
meant also the development of sturdy manhood and noble
womanhood — qualities which were a better inheritance to the
generation born in the midst of such struggles than beautiful
homes or large bank accounts. Mr. Whitford was the eldest of
four sons of Samuel and Sophia Clarke Whitford. He was con-
secrated by his father to the work of the gospel ministry from
the hour of his birth. As he grew to boyhood and early man-
hood the question of his education gave his parents much anx-
iety, for they had very little means which could be spared from
the common comforts of the family to be used for this object.
With heroic purpose to give his son the best possible preparation
for his work, the father cheerfully subjected himself to many
self-denials in order to save money for the boy's school expenses.
The early death of the father not only cut off this scanty school
fund, but called the son from school at intervals to do what a
boy of his years might toward the support of the family. Through
many hardships and after many interruptions, in Brookfield
academy and at DeRuyter institute, he was prepared for college.
852 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
He entered Union college at Schenectady, N. Y., with advanced
standing, at a time when that institution was under the presi-
dency of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, then one of the few great institu-
tions of learning in this country. Again his school life was in-
terrupted and in 1850-51 he taught in Alilton academy, then in
its infancy; during the next two years he was principal of an
academy at Shiloh, N. J. Meanwhile he kept up his collegiate
studies and after an examination, graduated from the Union
college with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. These difficulties
encountered in his struggle for an education and their complete
mastery, show how those characteristic qualities of indomitable
courage and supreme optimism which distinguished his later life
were developed. They also gave him that sympathy for worthy
young men and women struggling for an education without which
many of them would have given up in hopeless despair. Imme-
diately after his college graduation he entered the Union Theo-
logical seminary of New York city, for a course of theological
study which fortunately he was able to pursue to its close in
1856.
Meanwhile he had been twice married. Before entering col-
lege he had become engaged to Miss Elmina Coon, of DeEuyter,
N. Y., whose health, never very vigorous, soon began to show
symptoms of decline. Leaving college, he hastened to DeEuyter,
where they were married, and immediately came to Wisconsin
in the hope that the change would check the progress of the
malady which was sapping her young life. Disappointed in this
hope, they returned to DeEuyter, where she died in a few hours
after their arrival. During the school work at the Shiloh
academy, Mr. Whitford was married, March 23, 1852, to Miss
Euth Hemphill, who was at that time preceptress of the academy,
and who faithfully shared his labors through all the varying
sunshine and shadows of more than fifty years, and who followed
him so quickly to their great reward.
In 1856, at the age of twenty-eight years, the young student
was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, for which he
was prepared by the fervent prayers of a godly father and
mother, by extraordinary native talents, by a most thorough
general and special course of training and most of all by the
consecration of all his powers to the Christ whose redeeming
love was the supreme joy of his life. He immediately came to
BIOGEAPniCAL 853
Milton pastor of the Seventh-Day Baptist church. His hibors
here for two years were crowned with the most marvelous re-
sults the church has ever known.
In 1858 Prof. Ambrose C. Spicer, who had for nearly ten
years been the able principal of jMilton academy, resigned that
position, and the trustees, after much persuasion, prevailed upon
"Elder" Whitford to take charge of the work "until they could
find a better man for the place." That phrase, which was in-
tended to limit the period of engagement to a term or two at
the farthest, defined his life work, for, for a period of forty-four
years, the "better man" was not found. As principal of the
academy for nine years, he enlarged its courses of study, greatly
increased its number of students, and stamped upon it that deep
Christian spirit consistent with the broadest catholicity which
has ever since characterized the institution. In 1867, through
his efforts, prompted by his far-sighted wisdom, the legislature
of the state of Wisconsin granted the institution a college char-
ter, under which it was at once organized and under which it
continues to the present time. Principal Whitford was the only
possible candidate for the presidency, to which office he was
enthusiastically elected, and in which the best work of his life
has been done, ending only when his life went peacefully out on
that beautiful May morning just after chapel, May 20, 1902.
Ended? No! The work of such a man never ends. The out-
ward performance of it may cease, and the weary heart and brain
may rest, but the work goes on in multiplying power in the lives
of those who have been stirred to noble living and holy service
by his spirit, his teaching, his example.
While devoting his best energies to the highest interests of
Milton college, President Whitford took a broad view of the
duties and opportunities of the college president, deeming it
consistent with his home obligations to take an active part in
elevating the standard of education throughout the state. With
this thought in mind he served one term, 1868, in the Wisconsin
legislature, during which he was chairman of the committee on
education. To the same end he served two consecutive terms
as state superintendent of public instruction, 1878-81. While
in this service he published a volume of plans and specifications
for district school houses which secured throughout the state
a better grade of buildings, both as to convenience, comfort and
854 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
sanitation. A service even greater than this was the direction
he gave to the movement for graded courses of study in the pub-
lie schools of the state, resulting in the high school system, which
others have caried on until the high school bids fair, in a few
years, to find a place in many country districts as well as in the
cities and large villages of the state. During the occupancy
of this office. President AYhitford was editor-in-chief of the "Wis-
consin State Journal of Education," the ablest publication of
its class in this country; and his official reports are models for
the comprehensive view which they take of the great work com-
mitted to his supervision as well as for the elegance, clearness
and force with which that view is set forth. He was honored
with the presidency of the State Teachers' Association, and was
for a number of years member of the board of regents of the
state university. In all these positions he rendered efficient ser-
vice. He was, in the largest sense of the word, an educator. He
has left a deep, wide and lasting impression not only upon the
individual students who came under his personal influence and
instruction, but also upon the men who have helped to mould
that system. The influence, power and usefulness of the college,
which he felt was the object of his life work, did not suffer, but
gained by these arduous labors.
Besides his eminent services in this strictly educational work,
President Whitford was an earnest student of many historical
subjects. The history of the town, county and state in which
he lived was to him a source of great interest. With rare dis-
crimination and quick perception did he note the evidences of
the habits and character of the aboriginal occupants of the
county as discovered in vanishing trails, in half concealed earth-
works, or in mounds of fantastic shapes, beneath which were
sometimes found buried treasure, rude implements of war or a
ruder industry, and sometimes skeletons of fallen comrades or
of the companions of such domestic life as was possible to these
primitive sons and daughters of this western world. In like
manner he gathered with almost endless pains the facts and in-
cidents which marked the early settlements of the country, and
having gathered wrought them with a master hand into pages
which glow with the record of grand achievements in the sub-
jugation of virgin nature to the uses of man, and in the training
of man to the highest ends and noblest ambitions. He had had
BIOGRAPHICAL 855
in contemplation for several years previous to his death, a com-
prehensive history of the Seventh-Day Baptist people of this
country. To this work he had given much thought and effort.
But little has been found of this work beyond the accumulation
of a considerable mass of material which he collected from old
public records, the records of churches, schools and family
genealogies from the earliest settlements in Newport, R. I., in the
colonial days of the country, to the prairies and mountains of
the west in the present generation. While much time was
spent by him in these researches, he was keenly alive to living
things.
The great political questions of his time, the economic prob-
lems affecting the interests of all classes of citizens, were sub-
jects to which he gave long and careful study and upon which
he came to decided conclusions. These conclusions, when once
reached, he was always ready to defend against all comers.
Those who were students of the academy during the fierce strug-
gles of the Civil War can never forget the hearty patriotism of
his chapel talks, or the fervency of his prayers in which he often
followed the fortunes of contending armies and prayed that vic-
tory might rest with the Union forces, or the hearty thanksgiv-
ing which was sure to be offered up to God when news of great
victories came up from the bloody fields. Several trips, made
in the later years of his life, into portions of New Mexico and
Arizona, afforded him an opportunity to study the topography
of that section and its strategic importance between the south-
west and northwest. Further investigation convinced him that
the important part played by the Union army in that region had
never been fully appreciated or fully written. With character-
istic enthusiasm and energy he took up the task of writing it,
and offered, at length, a well written article to ''McClure's Maga-
zine." These publishers were, however, obliged to refuse the
article on account of its length. He at once addressed himself
to the task of reducing it to the required proportions, with the
result that, instead of cutting it in two, he had wrought it out
to more than twice its former length. It now lies in manuscript,
with numerous maps, charts and other illustrative cuts await-
ing the art of the publisher to give to the public what President
Whitford regarded as by far the fullest general history of the
southwest campaign of our great Civil War.
856 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
In such diversified labors the long years sped away, and the
dignified, stalwart figure which Milton students for nearly fifty
years have associated with the name and memory of "Elder"
Whitford, began to move about feebly, and all too quickly, while
love's chosen tasks were multiplying before him, he went out and
up on the wings of the morning to come not back. The tearful
throng that gathered to join in the farewell service to his mem-
ory told how deeply he had impressed himself upon two genera-
tions of people, far and near, among whom he had walked as
instructor and friend ; and who had known him as a scholar and
patriot, but who loved best to call him "The Elder." He was
the father of one daughter and three sons, the youngest of whom,
Milton C, alone survived hira.
Byron H. Wells, who ranks among the substantial and in-
fluential citizens of Milton, is a native of Rock county, and was
born March 24, 1857. His parents, Caleb and Martha (Williams)
"Wells, removed from New York, their native state, to Milton
township, Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1850, and settled on a
farm, where thej' passed thier lives enjoying the well merited
esteem of all who knew them. The father, who was a man of
commanding influence in the community, died in 1901 at the age
of seventy-five. The mother, a woman of true womanly virtues,
died at the age of seventy-six, in 1895.
Byron H., reared on his father's farm, received a good Eng-
lish education in the district schools, and afterwards attended
Milton college, after which he turned his attention to farming.
He has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs
and has been called to fill numerous local offices, village trustee,
president of the village board, assessor, etc. In politics he is a
Republican. He is a man of fine social qualities, a loyal friend,
and a genial comrad, and is affiliated with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
Naturally of an inventive and mechanical turn of mind, he
has always taken an interest in electrical developments and im-
provements, and since 1901 has been treasurer and manager of
the Milton and Milton Junction Telephone Company. He has
also been president of the Bank of Milton since 1904.
In 1900 Mr. Wells married Miss Marguerite, daughter of
William H. and Madeline (Hamilton) Coon, of Milton. They
have one child, Kenneth B.
BIOGI^APHICAL 857
Lewis Alexander Platts, who for many years has been one
of the foremost men of the Seventh-Day Baptist denomination,
is a native of Clarke county, Ohio, and was born February 21,
1840. He is the eldest of five children born to David Rittenhouse
and Angeline (Davis) Platts, the former a native of New Jersey
and the latter of Virginia. Their other children were Benjamin
K., who enlisted in Company K, Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and
died while a prisoner of war in 1862, in Virginia; Corliss I., who
was a member of Barstow's Third Cavalry Regiment and died
while on scouting duty in Arkansas in 1862 ; Sarah Eleanor, who
married Captain George W. Clement, and died at "Welton, Iowa,
in 1870, and Willametta J., who is married to Mr. John H. Bab-
cock, of Milton, Wis.
David R. Platts settled in Green Lake county, Wisconsin,
with his family in 1845. He was a cabinet maker and farmer by
occupation. He died in Harrison county, West Virginia, in 1877,
at the age of seventy-two years. His wife had died two years
previous to that time in Farina, 111., at the age of sixty. She
was a woman of intense religious nature and deep religious con-
victions, and the influence of her teachings and godly living in
her family, first turned the mind of our subject to the gospel
ministry, in which he has so long been a leader.
Lewis A., after finishing his preliminary studies, attended
Milton college, where he was graduated with the class of 1864 ;
two years later he received a degree from Alfred university, in
the state of New York, and in 1871 was graduated from the
Union Theological seminary. New York city. While a student,
he served the Seventh-Day Baptist church at Friendship, N. Y.,
as pastor, and from 1868 to 1876 held the pastorate at Newmar-
ket, N. J. From 1876 to 1882 he was a pastor at Westerly, R. I.,
and during the next ten years edited the "Sabbath Recorder"
at Alfred, N. Y. From 1892 to 1896 he filled the chair of church
history and homiletics at Alfred university, and since the year
last named has served as pastor of the Seventh-Day Baptist
church at Milton. In 1886 Mr. Platts received from Alfred uni-
versity the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and stands as one of
the strong men among representative men of his denomination.
Dr. Platts has never been on the "waiting list." His ser-
vices have always been sought, and his calls for labors outside
his regular work have been and are many. He was two years
858 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
president of the village board of Alfred, N. Y., and also vice
president of the University bank, and for seven years president
of the building and loan association of that village. He was for
a short time president of the board of trustees of Alfred univer-
sity, and is vice president of the board of trustees of Milton col-
lege. He was for six years recording secretary of the board of
managers of the Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society, at
Westerly, R. I.
Dr. Platts is alive to all that pertains to the good of his fel-
lows and the result of his earnest work and Christian living
is shown in the lives of those who have come within the range of
his influence.
In 1864 he married Miss Emma, daughter of Jesse and Dency
(Blivin) Tefft, of Almond, N. Y. Mrs. Platts is of New England
ancestry. She was graduated from the teachers' course of Mil-
ton college in 1864, and in 1866 from the philosophical course at
Alfred university, which institute conferred on her the degree
of Master of Arts in 1873. Since 1898 she has been an instructor
in French language and literature at Milton college. Dr. and
Mrs. Platts have three children, viz. : William Whitford, of Mil-
ton ; Jesse Allison, who is pastor of the Presbyterian church at
Bellfonte, Pa., and who married Miss Emily Ophilia Maxson, of
Elmira, N. Y., and Lewis Arthur, a doctor of dental surgery at
Chicago, who married Miss Alice Leona Davidson, of Milton.
Willis Peck Clarke is a native of Unadilla Forks, Otsego
county. New York, and was born May 15, 1842, and is a son of
Erastus P. and Mary Jane (Peck) Clarke, both of whom were
of English ancestry. The father was a native of West Edmeston,
N. Y., and the mother of Bridgeton, N. J. They moved from
Otsego county. New York, to Plainfield, N. J., and thence re-
moved to Milton, Wis., in 1856. He was a carpenter by trade
and a man of influence in his community. He was for twenty
years an insurance agent and justice of the peace. He was a man
of deep religious convictions and was prominent in the councils
of the Seventh-Day Baptist church at Milton. He died in 1905
at the age of eighty-seven years. Our subject's mother died in
1885 at the age of sixty.
Willis P. was educated in the district and select schools and
at Milton academy before the organization of the college, grad-
uating in June, 1861. On October 7, 1861, he enlisted in Com-
BIOGEAPHICAL 859
pany K. Thirteenth Regiment "Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
under Captain Pliny Noreross. He was in the service through
Kansas, later in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, and after
the close of the war went under General Sheridan to Texas to
enforce the evacuation of Mexico by the French. He received
numerous promotions during his term and returned to Wiscon-
sin in command of his company and received an honorable dis-
charge December 27, 1865. On his return to Milton Mr. Clarke
was for a number of years employed as a mechanic, but in 1875
engaged in the drug business, to which he has since devoted his
attention, except during a part of the years 1878-9, while serving
as confidential clerk under State Superintendent W. C. Whit-
ford. jMr. Clarke has always been a prominent and influential
man of affairs. He served twenty-five years as secretary of the
board of trustees of Milton college, resigning in 1905, and dur-
ing the administrations of Presidents Arthur and Harrison was
postmaster at Milton. Since the close of the war he has been
secretary of the association of the survivors of the Thirteenth
Wisconsin Regiment, and is a charter member, and for twenty-
five years has been treasurer of the State Pharmaceutical Asso-
ciation of Wisconsin. ]\Ir. Clarke has been connected with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1870 and has filled the
various chairs; has been a member of A. D. Hamilton Post No.
60, Grand Army of the Republic, since its organization ; is a cor-
responding member of the Wisconsin Natural History Society
and also is connected with the State Historical and the National
Geographical Societies. Since 1870 he has given much time to
gathering rare and valuable archeological specimens in the
vicinity of Lake Koshonong, and in 1907 donated his fine collec-
tion of 2,500 specimens to the archeological department of Milton
college. In religious belief Mr. Clarke is a Unitarian.
Oil October 15, 1867, Mr. Clarke married Miss Lucy A., daugh-
ter of Mr. Alvit Clarke, of Plainfield, N. Y. They have two chil-
dren, viz. : Bessie E., who is married to Mr. Samuel W, Clarke, of
Allegany county, New York, and Ray W,, who is a practicing at-
torney at Milton.
Ray Willis Clarke, attorney-at-law, was born at Milton, Rock
county, Wisconsin, May 27, 1879, and is a son of Willis P. and
Lucy A. (Clarke) Clarke, both of whom were natives of New
York state. His grandparents, Erastus P. and Mary Jane (Peck)
860 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Clarke, came to Milton in 1856, where they lived until their
death, the grandmother in 1885 at the age of sixty years, and
the grandfather in 1905, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Ray Willis Clarke received his early education in the Milton
high school and graduated from the Milton college with the
class of 1902, receiving the degree of B. S. He then entered the
law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, grad-
uating in 1905, and was admitted the same year to the Rock
county bar and began his practice at Milton, where he has since
remained. He has also been assistant professor of political
science and history at Milton college since 1905.
In politics Mr. Clarke is a Republican on all national issues,
but on all local matters casts his ballot for the man whom he
thinks best qualified for the position. He is prominent in Mil-
ton College Debating Society, and also a past grand of the I. 0.
0. F., and a member of A. F. & A. M., as well as a member of
the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
In 1906 Mr. Clarke was married to Miss Madge E., daughter
of F. Y. Holcombe, of Madison, Wis. A son, Franklin Willis,
was born to them August 8, 1907.
William Clifton Daland, who since the summer of 1902 has
been at the head of Milton college, was born in New York, Octo-
ber 25, 1860. He is the son of William B. Daland, of Elizabeth,
N. J., and Alexina Janet Kenworthy. His paternal ancestry
runs back to the French Huguenots, while on the maternal side
he is of English and Scotch lineage. He received his preliminary
education at the "Pearl Cottage Seminary," a private school at
Elizabeth, N. J., and in 1875 entered Brooklyn Collegiate and
Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in 1879
with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He studied three years at
the Union Theological seminary of New York city and was grad-
uated in 1886, and while a student there became an adherent to
the Seventh-Day Baptist faith. From June, 1886, till October,
1891, he served the Seventh-Day Baptist church at Leonardsville,
N. Y., as pastor; then had charge of the church at Westerly, R.
I., till May, 1896, then preached in London, England, till June,
1900, when he returned to the church at Leonardsville and there
remained till called to the presidency of Milton college in 1902.
While a pastor in London, Mr. Daland spent some months study-
ing in Germany, and also visited the west coast of Africa in the
BIOGRAPHICAL 861
interests of missions. He became a student of music early in life
and when fifteen years old was organist at the Second Presby-
terian church at Elizabeth, N. J., where he continued six years
and then took a similar position with the First Baptist church
at Brooklyn, N. Y., which he held till he went to Leouardsville
in 1886.
Mr. Daland is the author of "Song of Songs," translated
from the Hebrew with notes, a work which secured high praise
from the late Prof. Franz Delitzseh, of Leipsic, and which was
recommended to his classes in Hebrew poetry by the late Presi-
dent "William R. Harper, of the University of Chicago.
In June, 1887, Mr. Daland received from the Alfred univer-
sity the degree of Master of Arts, and in June, 1896, Milton col-
lege conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Alfred
university also honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divin-
ity in 1903.
In September, 1884, Mr. Daland married Miss Agnes B. Nor-
ton, of Elizabeth, N. J. They have four children, viz.: John,
Clifton, Stephanie and Alexander.
Paul M. Green, cashier of the Bank of Milton, Milton, Wis.,
is an influential and highly respected citizen, and one of the best
known business men in northern Rock county.
He was born in Allegany county, New York, August 15, 1837,
son of Henry W. Green, and grandson of Joseph Green, whose
early home was in New Jersey. Henry Green, the father of Paul
M., was born in Brookfield, N. Y., and at Alfred, N. Y., married
Martha M. Coon, daughter of Stephen Coon, father of a large
family. Many of his descendants are now citizens of Rock
county and adjoining counties in Wisconsin.
To Henry W. and Martha M. Green were born three children.
Paul M. was the youngest. The oldest, Ira, died in infancy,
August 15, 1829. Mary E. was born September 27, 1832, and
died August 22, 1901. She was married to M. S. Burdick.
Paul M. Green's parents in 1840 moved to Wisconsin, and
settled upon government land in the northwestern part of the
township of Milton, not far from what is now known as Charley
Bluff, on the shore of Lake Koshkonong. Here they lived for
twenty-eight years. Mr. Green was a leading man in the com-
munity, being in the early forties road commissioner for the town-
ships of Milton and Lima, when they were under the territorial
862 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
government. Later he was a supervisor of his own town, and
held other local offices, being for several years a trustee of Mil-
ton academy. He died in January, 1878, being seventy-two years
of age. Mrs. Green was a natural nurse, and in the early pioneer
days often took the place of the physician, using her own home-
made remedies and good common sense. Her services were
eagerly and often sought and greatly appreciated by the people
of the neighborhood. She died at a good old age, eighty-six,
February 2, 1894. They were both prominent and loyal mem-
bers of the Seventh-Day Baptist church.
Paul M. passed his boyhood days on the farm and received a
good common school education. He afterwards attended Milton
academy. For a time he was engaged in farming, but when in
1868 his father moved to what is now the village of Milton, he
likewise made this place his home and has lived here ever since
that time. The first four years he was associated with his father
in the boot and shoe business. Then for thirteen years he was
postmaster, and for eight years he owned and managed the lum-
ber and coal yards of the place. In 1884 he became one of the
organizers and stockholders of the Bank of Milton. About 1893
he was president of the bank two years, and since then has been
its trusted and efficient cashier.
Mr. Green has always taken an active interest in public
affairs and in the welfare and prosperity of the community. He
has been called to fill many local offices of honor and trust. As
chairman of the town board for five years, and as supervisor of
the village of Milton since its incorporation, he has served on the
Rock county board, being now a member of the building com-
mittee. He was a member of the state legislature in 1893-94,
representing the first assembly district of Rock county. For
nearly twenty years he has been connected with the manage-
ment of the public school of the place. For forty years he has
been a trustee of Milton college and is now president of the
board. He was one of the organizers and the first president of
the Milton Citizens' Association. He is the acting manager and
treasurer of the cemetery association. He is one of the promoters
and stockholders of the Milton and Milton Junction Telephone
Company. Fraternally he is a member of Du Lac Lodge No. 322,
I. 0. 0. F. Politically he is a Republican. Religiously, he is a
member of the Seventh-Day Baptist church.
BIOGKAPHICAL 863
In 1859, May 19, Mr. Green was married to Miss Abbie Me-
Henry, of Almond, N. Y., daughter of James and Abbie (Vincent)
McHenry. Mr. McHenry was one of the earliest settlers in Alle-
gany county, New York. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Green, Eldon L., who died when only about one year of age.
Mrs. Green is a charming lady whose gracious manners both in
her home and in society have been very helpful to her husband
in achieving the success which is his. Together, by their wise
counsel, by their public spirited enterprise, by their sane optim-
ism, by their loving helpfulness, they have contributed largely
towards giving to Milton the reputation it enjoys of being one
of the most desirable places in "Wisconsin in which to live and
rear a family.
Elmer L. Barnes, who was born March 7, 1873, is a son of
Richard and Ella (Peck) Barnes, natives of England and Ver-
mont, respectively. The father was born in 1832 and the mother
in 1843. They came to Rock county over half a century ago, and
for twenty-two years Milton Junction, where they still live, has
been their home.
Elmer is the younger of two children, Mary Luella is the
wife of Frank Maryatt, and resides in Milton township.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the
public schools at Milton Junction, and from 1892 to 1900 was
engaged in steam and electrical engineering. In 1900 he pur-
chased the elevator at Milton and has since successfully con-
ducted a large flour, feed and grain business. Since engaging
in the grain business, he has rebuilt his elevator, which is now
modern in its appointments and equipped with a new thirty-two
horse power engine of the Fairbanks & Morse type.
In political faith, Mr. Barnes is identified with the Republican
party, though taking no active part in the affairs of the party,
except to perform his duties as a citizen. He is a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a progressive and
enterprising citizen, commanding the respect and confidence of
his large circle of friends, in the community in which he resides.
On November 15, 1894, Mr. Barnes was married to Miss Clara
Garthwait, daughter of L. H. and Hannah (Jenkins) Garthwait,
of Milton Junction. To this union has been born three children :
Lottie L., George R. and Herbert E. Their home at Milton is
864 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
built of concrete blocks, and is modern in construction and ap-
pointments.
Frank C. Binnewies, M. D., of Milton, AYis., is the fourth child
of a family of eight children born to Frederick and Elizabeth
(Yareho) Binnewies, who were both natives of Germany. They
came to America in the early fifties, settling first in Illinois, then
to Walworth in 1871, and subsequently removed to Sharon, Wis.,
in 1888, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, in which
he was successful, and where he resided until his decease. He
was a man of commanding influence in his community, and his
death, which occurred in 1895, at the age of sixty-seven years,
was mourned by his large circle of friends and acquaintances.
The mother of our subject is still living at her home at Sharon,
Wis.
Frank C. was born at Harvard, 111., on May 31, 1869. He re-
ceived his education in the district schools of his native county,
and at the Walworth high school. After taking a course of study
at the Chicago Veterinary college, he entered the Chicago
Homeopathic Medical College, of Chicago, in 1897, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1900. He is also a graduate
of the Hahnemann Medical college of the class of 1905. Imme-
diately after receiving his diploma he located at Milton, where
he has since resided and successfully engaged in the practice of
his profession. He is identified with the American Institute of
Homeopathy, is a member of the state and county medical so-
cieties, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Dr. Binnewies was married on May 18, 1904, to Miss Laura
Josephine Bullis, daughter of James P. Bullis, of Milton.
Albert Rogers Crandall, M. A., Ph. D., who ranks among the
leading educators of Wisconsin, is a native of Little Genesee,
New York, and was born September 16, 1840, son of Jairus and
Julia A. (Wells) Crandall, natives of Ehode Island. They settled
in Allegany county, New York, in 1832 and spent the remainder
of their lives there. The genealogy of the family runs back to
early colonial days, its first representatives in this country hav-
ing come from England to this country as early as 1635, settling
finally in Rhode Island.
Our subject developed a fondness for study in early life and
after closing his preliminary studies in 1858, entered the aca-
demic department of Alfred university, at Alfred, N. Y. In re-
BIOGRAPHICAL 865
sponse to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, young
Crandall enlisted and entered the Civil War, and at the expira-
tion of his term reiinlisted, serving two and a half years, reach-
ing the rank of first lieutenant by promotion. Resuming his
studies he spent three years as a student of Milton college, re-
ceiving the degree of B. A., and later the degree of M. A. After
leaving college, he was one year principal of Big Foot academy,
at Walworth, Wis., after which he spent five years at Harvard
university as a student in the Museum of Comparative Zoology,
taking special studies in geology, paleontology and zoology. At
the same time he made a special study of botany in the Botanical
garden, and during one year was an art student in the Boston
Lowell institute evening school, and during all these years spent
his summer vacations in field studies and as a collector for the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, his journeyings extending over
parts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine to the Ottawa
region in Canada, western New York and along the Appalachian
belt from the Catskills to northern Georgia, Alabama and Mis-
sissippi.
In 1873 Mr. Crandall was appointed assistant to Prof. N. S.
Shaler of Harvard university in the work of the Kentucky geo-
logical survey. In 1873 he was instructor and three years later
became professor in the department of natural history of the
Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky, at Lexington,
In 1875 he was instructor in the summer school of geology or-
ganized by Prof. Shaler at Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. In ad-
dition to his other duties, Prof. Crandall continued work on the
geological survey until 1892.
During the years 1896 and 1903 he was professor of natural
history at Alfred university, and since the latter date has filled
the same chair at Milton college, Milton, Wis., his chosen place
of residence. Prof. Crandall has written many papers and de-
livered various addresses on his specialties and is widely known
in educational and scientific circles for his published works on the
geology and botany of eastern Kentucky.
On February 16, 1874, Professor Crandall married Miss Ellen
A., daughter of Truman and Phebe (Willcox) Saunders, the
former a native of New York and the latter of New England an-
cestry. Of three children born to them. Alberta has since 1903
been principal of the piano and organ department of Milton col-
8C6 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
lege, where she was a student in the school of music from 1893
until 1898. From 1898 to 1901 she studied and taught the piano
at Alfred university. During 1891-3 studied under Dr. W. S.
Matthews, and in the New England Conservatory of Music at
Boston; Ellen, who since 1904 has been instructor of the violin,
viola and violoncello at Milton college, and an orchestra leader,
was a student in the school of music there from 1893 to 1898,
taking violin lessons of Prof. Hardige, of Watertown, Wis., one
season, studied and taught the violin at Alfred university, 1898-
1901 ; studied the violin at the Conservatory of Music, Corning,
N. Y., under Prof. Bastleman, 1900-01, and from 1902 to 1904
was a student of the violin and of orchestration at the New Eng-
land Conservatory of Music at Boston, and William T., graduate
of Milton college, is at the University of Wisconsin, pursuing
post graduate studies, and a member of the university orchestra.
Clem W. Crumb has always made his home at Milton, Wis.,
where he was born September 7, 1858, the son of M. Wells and
Hannah (West) Crumb, the former born August 13, 1824, at
DeRuyter, N. Y., to John and Elizabeth (Wells) Crumb, of that
place, and the latter, born November 19, 1828, at Leonardsville,
N. Y., to Clement H. and Rachael (Davis) West, natives of Shiloh,
N. J. Our subject's parents were married in 1849 at Leonards-
ville, New York. In 1856 they settled on a farm near Milton,
Wis., but in 1876 retired from the farm and moved into the vil-
lage, where the father died August 8, 1879. The mother now
lives with her son, our subject.
Clem W. received a common school education and afterwards
studied for a short time at Milton college. Commencing when
a young man, Mr. Crumb spent twenty-two years as a commercial
traveler, after which he dealt in western lands, and since 1903
has been manager of the Clem W. Crumb Land Company, of
Milton. Mr. Crumb has always been a man of intense activity
and a thorough man of affairs. He has a pleasing personality
and readily makes and retains friends. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also is connected with
the Masonic fraternity.
On June 5, 1889, Mr. Crumb married Miss Lizzie, daughter
of Frank and Elizabeth (Howard) Johnson, of Darien, Wis. They
have one child, Fred W., who was born April 25, 1897.
W. H. Ashcraft is one of the representative and early busi-
CA<^£--'t
BIOGRAPHICAL 867
ness men of Janesville. He was born in the Empire state, in Ot-
sego county, New York, on August 1, 1833. The traditional his-
tory says that the family settled in the Connecticut colony long
previous to the Revolutionary War, and it is certainly known
that W. H. Ashcraft, the great-grandfather of our subject, was
long a resident of that state. Jared Ashcraft, the paternal grand-
father, was a native of Otsego county, New York, where he passed
the greater part of his life; but his death occurred at the home of
his son in Michigan.
Jedediah Ashcraft, the father of W. H., was also born in Ot-
sego county, of which county his wife, whose maiden name was
Miss Hannah Smith, was also a native. They became the par-
ents of three sons and a daughter, who grew to mature years,
and all, with the exception of our subject, are still residents of
New York.
W. H. Ashcraft was reared in his native county and remained
under the parental roof until sixteen years of age. His father
was a cabinetmaker by occupation, and the son assisted him in
his business from an early age, and when arriving at the age of
fifteen years he was possessed of a good knowledge of the trade.
The following year — in 1849 — he left home and, going to Bing-
hamton, N. Y., worked at his chosen occupation for a period of
four years. At the expiration of that time he emigrated to the
West, locating in Janesville, where two years later — in 1856 —
he established his present business as furniture dealer, which
he has carried on continuously since. He began on a small scale
as a retail dealer, but not long afterward engaged in manufac-
turing, conducting both branches of the business. He now owns
a fine store in which he is located on the north side of West Mil-
waukee street, of which he took possession in 1870, and also the
store building adjoining it on the west. His success is due en-
tirely to the careful attention which he has given to the details
of the business, together with his honest, upright dealings, which
have secured the confidence and respect of the public. Begin-
ning business in Janesville when but a youth, and with no means
save his personal earnings, he has gradually built up an extensive
and substantial trade and is numbered among the leading and
enterprising business men of the city.
In 1854 the marriage ceremony which united the destinies
of Mr. Ashcraft and Miss Martha Carodine was performed. The
868 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
lady is a daughter of John Carodine, an early settler of Green
county, Wisconsin, who is now residing in Albany, that county.
Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft have two children — Estella H. and Wil-
liam H. The latter is associated with his father in business. He
is a graduate of the Oriental School of Embalming and makes
a specialty of embalming the dead, being very skillful in that
art. He is now married, his wife having been Miss Catherine B.
Carle, a daughter of W. F. Carle, of Janesville.
Kimble Killam, a native and well-known citizen of Rock coun-
ty, Wisconsin, and one of her large class of prosperous and sub-
stantial farmers, was born on January 18, 1849, and is the second
of a family of five children born to Rush and Ada J. (Kimble)
Killam, natives of Pike county, Pennsylvania. Of their other
children, Lucy A. lives in Janesville; Harriet, third child, is de-
ceased; Cornelia T. is married to Mr. Charles Clayton and lives
in Indiana ;and Augusta, the youngest, is the wife of Mr. G. Dab-
bert and lives in Wisconsin. The father first came to Rock county
in 1839 and entered a tract of government land and laid the foun-
dation of his future home. In 1845 he returned to his native
state and married, and bringing his bride to his new home in
Milton township, there reared his family and lived until his de-
cease in 1871.
He was a man of determined purpose, strict integrity and per-
severing industry and commanded the respect of all who knew
him by his upright, manly living. He began with no capital
other than his native abilities, and attained to a place among
the well-to-do farmers of the community of his day, and be-
sides left to his family the heritage of an honored name. His
widow survived until December 14, 1906.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm, having
the common experience of the ordinary farmer boy, and re-
ceived his preliminary education in the district schools and
later studied two terms at Milton College. Mr. Killam lived on
the family homestead until 1895, taking the management of it
at the time of his father's decease and afterwards coming into
possession of it by purchasing the interests of the other heirs
of his father's estate. In the year last named he sold the place
and bought a farm of 160 acres in Lima township, which he now
owns and where he lived until February 1, 1900, when he was
appointed superintendent of the Rock county asylum and poor
BIOGRAPHICAL 869
farm at Janesville. The poor farm comprises 380 acres of well-
improved land and there are in the institution an average of 230
inmates, with a working force of twenty helpers. Under Mr.
Killam's thorough and careful management, with his practical
knowledge of affairs, the institution has become a model of its
kind and ranks with the best in the state.
For many years Mr. Killam has been active in the local coun-
cils of the Republican party and has been called to fill numerous
local offices. For seven years he was supervisor of the town of
Milton, served as township assessor for five years, and for two
years was chairman of the town board.
In 1873 Mr. Killam married Miss Mary A., daughter of Philip
and Nancy (Livingston) Marquart, who was born in Milton, Rock
county. Her parents moved from Ohio, their native state, in
1845, and settled in Wisconsin, where they passed the remainder
of their lives. Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Killam
the eldest, Grace C, is married to Mr. Roy Mepham, of Reeds-
burg, Wis. ; Myrtie E. is the wife of Mr. Archie Cullen and lives
at Milton Junction ; Lucy C. is married to Mr. Philip Bower, a
farmer of Lima ; Nellie is a teacher and lives at home ; Rush P.
married Miss Louise Peabody and lives on the county farm;
Mark, the sixth child, and Eva E., the youngest, also live at home.
Loren Finch, who was a resident of Rock county, Wisconsin,
for nearly half a century and for many years was counted among
her prosperous farmers and representative citizens, was a native
of New York state. He was born on June 29, 1821, and was a
son of Alva and Phoebe Finch. His father was a farmer in New
York and died there when his son was quite young.
Our subject passed his early life in his native state, where he
received a good English education in the common schools. Soon
after attaining his majority in 1844 he came West and settled
in La Prairie township. Rock county, where he devoted himself
to farming and made his home. Mr. Finch was a man of indus-
trious habits, a good manager, and withal honorable and straight-
forward in all his business affairs, and maintained the confidence
and good will of all who came within the range of his influence.
He had a kind and loving disposition and was a model husband
and neighbor, unselfish in his actions and always ready to help
those in need or distress. He was a Republican in political senti-
ment and filled numerous local offices, serving as justice of the
870 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
peace, treasurer of the township and town supervisor. In re-
ligious faith he was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Mr, Finch carried on general farming and stock raising with
good success and added to his original holdings from time to
time, owning at the time of his decease a model farm of 260
acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. In
1892 he retired from the farm and moved to Janesville, where he
died in 1893 honored and beloved by a wide circle of friends.
In 1856, at the age of thirty-five, Mr. Finch married Miss Nancy,
a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Wilcox, who was a native of
Allegany county. New York. Her family settled in Milton town-
ship. Rock county, in 1845, but later removed to La Prairie town-
ship, where they died. Her father was a Baptist minister and a
man greatly beloved and highly esteemed for his manly character.
Mr. and Mrs. Finch had no children. Mrs. Finch still lives
in Janesville and has a comfortable home at 59 Milton avenue.
She is an honored and devoted member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Dr. Henry Palmer, a native of New Hartford, N. Y., was born
July 30, 1827, to Ephraim and Abigail (Brown) Palmer, both
natives of New York. In 1856 the family moved to Wisconsin
and settled on a farm at Edgerton, in Rock county, where the
father passed the remainder of his life. He was a man of com-
manding influence and at one time served as a member of the
state legislature. Henry was educated in his native state, sup-
plementing his common school education with a thorough course
of medical study at Albany, and practiced his profession at Troy,
N. Y., till his removal to Wisconsin with his father in 1856. Set-
tling at Janesville in that year, he began practice then as a
partner with Dr. Robert B. Treat and so continued till 1860.
At the opening of the Civil War Dr. Palmer entered the vol-
unteer service as company surgeon, but was soon made regimen-
tal surgeon of the Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. The following
year he became surgeon of the celebrated "Iron Brigade''' and
later was placed in charge of the hospital at York, Pa. He was
appointed medical inspector of the Eighth Army Corps in 1864,
and the following year was detailed to close the affairs of the
military hospital at Camp Douglas, Chicago. He was mustered
out of the service with the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel.
BIOGRAPHICAL 871
Returning to Janesville at the close of the war, Dr. Palmer
held a leading place in his profession until the day of his decease,
June 15, 1895. He was professor of clinical surgery in the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago (now the medical de-
partment of the University of Illinois), from its organization
till his decease. He also was vice-president of the American
Medical Association and for ten years was surgeon general of
Wisconsin. Dr. Palmer was a prominent figure in the civic life
of Janesville and served as mayor of the city during 1866 and
1867, and Palmer Memorial Hospital now stands as a lasting
monument to his memory and worth.
In 1852 Dr. Palmer married Miss Edna A., daughter of Noah
and Almira (Butler) Hoyt, natives of New York, who settled in
Wisconsin in an early day. Of eight children born to Dr. and
Mrs. Palmer, Theo. W., Kittie and Charles died in infancy ; Clara
also is deceased. Of those living, William H. is a practicing
physician at Janesville, Stella is married to Mr. S. A. Sabine and
lives in Colorado, Ella Eloise is the wife of Mr. Malcolm Morral,
of Janesville, and Elizabeth Gertrude is married to Mr. J. See^
bert Taylor, of Janesville. Mrs. Palmer resides at the beautiful
family home at 115 Madison street, Janesville, where the benign
influence of her cheery manner and womanly virtue has long
made it a center of domestic happiness and social enjoyment.
John T. Snyder, who was born in IMarion county, Indiana, on
September 27, 1837, is a son of James S. and Eliza (Martin) Sny-
der, natives of Ohio. They were among the pioneer settlers of
Richland county, Wisconsin, where the father died in 1890 at the
age of eighty years. The mother died in July, 1906, in her ninety-
fourth year. Our subject is one of a family of eleven children,
nine of whom still survive, viz. : Jeremiah L., of Richland Center,
Wis.; Kate, the widow of W. H. Dean, deceased, of Footville,
Wis.; William, of Richland county; James B., of Rockford, 111.;
Isaac N., of Reedsburg, Wis. ; Barton W., of Rock county, Wiscon-
sin; Mary E., widow of Mr. Frank Davis, deceased, of Richland
county; and Albert I., of Milwaukee. Selina Jane died in infancy
and William died at the age of ten years.
Our subject attended the district school in his native place,
and after the removal of the family to Richland county, Wiscon-
sin, in 1854, he helped to build a log schoolhouse, where he taught
school in 1855. and 1856. He also worked by the month at farm-
872 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
ing. In the spring of 1861, with his brother Jeremiah, he Wien,1j
to Green county, "Wisconsin, making the journey on foot, and
there rented a farm, and also taught school. By his enterprise,
economy and thrift he accumulated means sufficient to buy Bome
land, and in 1869 purchased 120 acres in Rock county. To this
he added by other purchases from time to time, and now owns
a farm of 320 acres, known as one of the most highly improvedi
and productive farms in Center township, being thoroughly
equipped with modern improvements, buildings, etc.
Mr. Snyder has always taken an active part in educational
matters and is always in hearty sympathy with all matters re-
lating to the public welfare. He has served as a member of the
school board, is a strong advocate of temperance, and since boy-
hood has been an earnest and consistent member of the Christian
church.
On February 25, 1863, Mr. Snyder married Miss Martha A.,
daughter of Mr. Abram and Mary Ann (Putnam) Fleek, of De-
catur, "Wis. They have seven children, viz. : Frank H., of Janes-
ville ; Fred W., of Footville, Wis. ; Mary E., Mattie, Charles E.,
Glenn G. and Grace A. In 1895 Mr. Snyder removed with his
family to Janesville, where he now lives retired from active busi-
ness, honored and respected by all who know him.
Elijah P. Wixom, who lived for more than half a century in
Rock county, Wisconsin, and attained to a place of prominence
and influence among her substantial and representative citizens,
was a native of Putnam county. New York. He was born Feb-
ruary 15, 1835, and was one of a family of nine children born to
Robert and Charity (Barrett) Wixom, both natives of New
York state, and of German lineage. They settled in Fulton town-
ship, Rock county, in 1850, on a farm which the father improved
and where the family had their home. He was also a carpenter
by trade and built many barns throughout Rock county. He
died at the family homestead in November, 1868, and his widow,
who survived to an advanced age, passed away in 1891.
Elijah P. was a bright, energetic and self-reliant youth and
acquired a good English education in the common schools during
his boyhood. When the family moved from their eastern home,
being then but fifteen years old, he alone took charge of and
drove a flock of sheep from Ithaca, N. Y., to Buffalo, whence he
had them brought by boat around the lakes to Milwaukee and
BIOGRAPHICAL 873
thence drove them across the country to Fulton township, Rock
county. On attaining his majority he left his father's home and
went back to his native place, but a year later returned and soon
afterwards, in partnership with his brother, bought a farm and
engaged in farming. He continued in that occupation till 1871,
when he retired from farming and with his family took up his
residence in the city of Janesville.
Mr. Wixom was active and influential in local affairs and
filled with credit to himself numerous offices of trust. In his
earlier life he was a Republican in politics, but later became u
Democrat. He was somewhat active in the Masonic order and
was a member of the Knights of Pythias. In religious faith he
was affiliated with All Souls' church, of Janesville.
In 1863 Mr. Wixom married Miss Clara M., daughter of Silas
and Cynthia (Cowan) Hurd, who was born in Fulton township.
Her parents, natives of New York state, were among the pioneer
settlers of Rock county, settling there about 1838 on land which
her father bought from the United States government. He was
a successful and prosperous farmer for many years, and by his
own efforts rose from a condition of comparative obscurity to a
position of affluence and prominence in the community. He with
his family was connected with the Universalist church. A sketch
of his life appears in another part of this work.
Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs, Wixom the eldest,
Claron W., is deceased. Ella M., the second child, is married to
Mr. James R. Lamb and lives at 158 Milton avenue, Janesville,
Wis.; and Silas, the youngest, is single and lives with his mother
in the beautiful family home on Milton avenue.
Henry L. McNamara, one of the representative business men
of Janesville, was born in W^illiamstown, Mass., on March 15,
1851, and is the son of Lawrence and Harriet (Hickox) McNa-
mara, both natives of Massachusetts. The father died on June
30, 1858, and was survived by his wife, who is still (1908) living,
at the age of seventy-eight years. After completing his studies,
which included a common school course in the district schools
and a graduating course in Graylock Institute, of Massachusetts,
Henry L. removed to the state of Iowa in 1869 and engaged in
farming until 1871, when he engaged in the real estate business
in Chicago, which he followed for some three years. He then
turned his attention to merchandising, handling woodenware, and
874 HISTOBY OF EOCK COUXTY
continued in that line from 1874 to 1879, when he disposed of
his business and went on the road as a traveling salesman, sell-
ing woodenware, until 1898, and on April 1 of that year he lo-
cated in Janesville and engaged in his present business of hard-
ware, and is considered one of the practical business men of the
county.
;Mr. McNamara has always held allegiance to the Republican
party, although not in an office-holding capacity. He finds re-
laxation from his daily business cares in the various fraternal
orders of which he is an active and influential member. He has
been a member of the Masonic order for the past fifteen years
and is treasurer of the Janesville Commandery No. 2, and is also
a live member of the Elks lodge.
On December 10, 1873, Mr. McNamara was united in marriage
with Miss Sarah E. Ward, who is the daughter of John G. Ward,
of Fulton county, New York state, who came to Wisconsin in
1878 and died in Janesville April 14, 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. McNamara are the parents of three children, all
of whom are now living, viz. : Harry W., who is in business with
his father, was born December 18, 1875 ; Frank L., who is district
attorney of Sawyer county, Wisconsin, was born January 21,
1877 ; and Mark L., born December 14, 1879, is also associated
with his father in business at Janesville. The brothers are all
graduates of the Janesville high school and Frank is a graduate
of the law department of the university at Madison, Wis.
Peter Myers, whose life was closely identified with the pros-
perity and development of Janesville, was a native of France,
his birthplace being on the banks of the Seine 150 miles from
Paris. He was born on February 8, 1819, the son of Peter Myers.
His father was a soldier under Napoleon and lost a limb in the
battle of Moscow. He emigrated to the United States with his
family of eight children when our subject was a young lad, and
bought and settled on a 640-acre tract of land near Lancaster,
Pa., where he died suddenly, dropping into his chair dead on
entering his house. The farm having been willed to one of his
brothers, our subject found himself thrown upon his own re-
sources, and going to Buffalo, N, Y., learned the butcher's trade
and lived there ten years, and there made the acquaintance and
was a companion and roommate of the late John Plankinton, of
Milwaukee. From Buffalo Mr. Myers removed to Rockford, 111.,
BIOGRAPHICAL 875
and iu 1845 settled at Janesville, where he made a permanent
home and became a prime factor in the progress and develop-
ment of the city. On his arrival he opened a meat market in a
building on West Milwaukee street; the site is still owned by
the Myers estate. Ilis business prospered, but in 1846, owing
to the breaking of the dam in the river, his basement was flooded
and he moved to a small building standing on tamarack poles
at the east end of the Milwaukee Street bridge, a site which he
afterwards bought and on which he erected a substantial build-
ing. Prosperous and thrifty from the first, he invested his money
in business property and erected numerous blocks which stand
as lasting monuments to his business sagacity and enterprise.
He was ever ready to help those who showed a desire and willing-
ness to do right. Quick to look into the welfare and future in-
terests of his home town, he never refused to enroll his name in
a good cause when sought to do so. He was one of the thirty-six
charter members of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company; also one of the original stockholders in the first rail-
road which made its way into Janesville, in January, 1854, then
known as the Milwaukee & Mississippi, later as the Milwaukee
& Prairie du Chien, which changed to the Milwaukee & St. Paul
and at last merged into the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. He
was also one of the original stockholders in the North- AVestern
railroad. He was also closely allied with the Janesville cotton
factories, at one time being one of the heaviest stockholders, and
it may safely be said he was ever ready to take the initiative in
any enterprise to promote the city of Janesville. His was the
first brick residence built in Janesville. He also erected the Myers
Hotel, which at that time was one of the finest hotels in the
state, and in 1870 at a cost of $30,000 erected the Myers Opera
House, and later numerous business blocks. He owned more
corner lots than any citizen ever owned in Janesville. His com-
modious and beautiful residence at the corner of East and Mil-
waukee streets, still occupied by his widow and owned by his
daughter. Miss Katherine I. Myers, is one of the finest in the city.
In 1850 Mr. Myers closed out his butcher shop and devoted him-
self to the pork packing business, in which he amassed his wealth.
Mr. Myers was a man of simple habits, caring little for per-
sonal adornments, and yet in the appointments of his home and
the furnishings of his hotel and decorations of his opera house
876 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
he was most luxurious and artistic. He was well known from
coast to coast, on account of his strong personality, as "Peter the
Peculiar"; however, underneath a blunt exterior beat a warm
and generous heart, and by his wise prudence, thrift, uprightness
of character and kindliness he gained and held the confidence
and respect of all who knew him, and his death, which occurred
on March 13, 1888, was mourned by all as that of one of the
city's most enterprising men and benefactors.
In political sentiment Mr. Myers was in early life a Demo-
crat, but later became a Republican. In casting his ballot, how-
ever, he regarded more the fitness of the candidate than party
affiliations.
His religion was to love justice, to assist the weak, to forget
wrongs and to remember benefits. 'Tis a fitting inscription
which encircles a large portrait of him in the Myers Opera
House: " Janesville's Benefactor, Peter Myers, born February
8, 1819, died March 13, 1888. He made and left the best efforts
of his life for you. ' '
On July 15, 1847, Mr. Myers married Miss Julia Ann Blakes-
ley. Mrs. Myers was born at Burlington, Bradford county, Pa.,
in 1826. Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers the eldest,
Charles, is deceased. Those surviving are John B., Walter R.,
Katherine I. and Peter L.
James S. McGowen, more than threescore years a resident of
Wisconsin, is a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland. He was
born November 5, 1830, and is the second of four children born
to John and Mary (McDonald) McGowen, natives of Ireland.
The father was a farmer there until 1840, when he immigrated
to the United States with his family and settled on a farm near
Rochester, in Monroe county, New York. In 1849 the family
moved to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the father bought a
tract of unimproved land, on which he built a log house and
where he successfully continued his occupation of general farm-
ing. Here he reared his family and made his home until his de-
cease in 1857. The mother died in 1880, past ninety years of age.
Their first child, Mary, died in Ireland; Charles, the third child,
lives in the state of Iowa; and John, the youngest, is now de-
ceased.
The father was a Democrat in politics, and with his family
was in religious faith a Catholic.
BIOGEAPHICAL 877
James S. was eleven years old when the family came to this
country and nearly twenty when they came to "Wisconsin. He
had the ordinary experience of the farmer boy, working on his
father's farm and attending the district schools, until he grew
to manhood, and then learned the carpenter and builder's trade.
In the spring of 1850 he left home and began life for himself,
settling in Janesville, where he continuously plied his trade until
his retirement from active business.
For many years Mr. McGowen held a first place among the
successful and reliable contractors and builders of Janesville,
and the evidences of his skill and workmanship are to be seen in
all parts of the city. He has always been a Democrat in politics,
but has taken no active part in political matters more than to
perform his duties as a loyal citizen. He is a Catholic in re-
ligious faith.
In 1854 Mr. McGowen married Miss Mary Louise, daughter of
Daniel and Deborah L. Bennett, who was born in Hounsfield,
Jefferson county, N. Y., on June 23, 1831, and whose death oc-
curred February 19, 1905. Of four children born to Mr. and
Mrs. McGowen the eldest, James B., is deceased; the second,
Emmett D., is a successful attorney in Janesville, whose sketch
appears in another part of this work; Mary L., the third child,
married Mr. Charles F. Miles, a Unitarian minister, and lives in
Menomonie, Wis. ; and Eva, the youngest, died in infancy. Since
the decease of Mrs. McGowen Mr. McGowen has continued to
occupy his comfortable home on Milton avenue and busies him-
self in fruit and bee culture, the productions of new fruits being
his specialty.
Mr. McGowen is one of the most successful fruit growers in
the state of Wisconsin, and his advice is sought in all fruit cen-
ters throughout the state.
Hiram Merrill, a native of Adams, Jefferson county, N. Y.,
was born in 1829 to David and Eunice (Lord) Merrill, both of
whom were natives of Maine. His father, who settled in Milwau-
kee, Wis., in the fall of 1837, prior to settling there was for some
years a hotelkeeper at Messena, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., and
later moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He owned a ship yard at Mil-
waukee, and built many lake vessels. His death occurred at
Janesville, Wis., on March 12, 1872, in his seventy-ninth year.
His wife — our subject's mother — died on November 10, 1855.
878 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
The first representative of the family in this country was Na-
thaniel Merrill, who came from England in 1635 and settled at
Newberry, Mass., where his son, Abraham, was born in 1637.
Following in genealogical line were David, born February 20,
1677 ; David, born May 1, 1708 ; Melalat, born July 29, 1741, and
William, the grandfather of our subject, who was born April 12,
1767. Our subject attended the Milwaukee public schools and
after leaving school worked in his father's ship yard. At the
time of the California "gold fever" young Merrill, on March 5,
1849, with a party of gold-seekers started overland with ox
teams for California. Gaining the summit of the Sierras on
September 27, he soon reached his destination, where he lived
five years, three of which were spent in mining and two years
of the time constructing water ditches, which he sold to miners
for hydraulic mining purposes. In 1854 he returned to Milwau-
kee via Nicaragua and during the next ten years was engaged in
the grain and real estate business. In 1864 he went to Wash-
ington, N. J., and engaged in milling, but in 1866 retitrned to
Wisconsin and settled at Janesville and became interested in
the gas works, with which he has been prominently connected
since.
Mr. Merrill is known as a man who takes a lively interest ih
all affairs pertaining to the welfare and development of his city.
Besides serving as president and holding a controlling interest
in the New Gas Light Company, for many years he has helped to
organize and is a stockholder in a number of other industries
and public utilities. He has served as a member of the state leg-
islature, also as mayor of Janesville. In political sentiment Mr.
Merrill is an independent Eepublican.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and to do good
is his religion.
On October 20, 1856, Mr. Merrill, at Machias, N. Y., married
Miss Louise Ballard. Of four children born to them, Harry E.
died June 9, 1893; May Evelyn died in 1867; Louise Adelle is
married to Dr. T. B. Wiggin and lives in Chicago; and Jessie Eu-
genia is the wife of Mr. Burton L. Nowlan, of Janesville.
William A. Murray, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Janesville, Eock county, Wisconsin, July 30, 1866, the fifth of a
family of nine children, of which six were boys and three girls,
born to John Murray and Eose (Barrett) Murray, who were both
BIOGRAPHICAL 819
natives of Ireland. John Murray came to New York state at the
age of twelve years, then moved to AYiseonsin in 1854 and engaged
in stoneeuttiug, where he remained until he came to Janes-
ville in 1855. He was employed by the Janesville Barbed Wire
Works. He died February 14, 1904, aged eighty-four years. His
wife died June 13, 1897, aged fifty-eight years.
William was educated in the common schools of Janesville
and at the age of fourteen years started out in life for himself,
and was first employed by Samuel Henderson in the meat busi-
ness, and was in his employ for four years. He then started in
the business for himself on West Milwaukee street, Janesville,
which he conducted with success for four years, when he en-
tered the employ of Nelson Morris & Co., of Chicago, as traveling
salesman. After one year of traveling he again opened his mar-
ket on West Milwaukee street, which he has conducted continu-
ally since 1898.
In politics Mr. Murray is a Democrat and is popular with the
people of Janesville. They have honored him by electing him
alderman of the Fifth ward for three terms and president of the
board of aldermen for four years. He is a member of all the
Catholic societies and also a Modern Woodman and belongs to
St. Patrick's Catholic church.
In 1894 he was married to Miss Catherine Murphy, daughter
of Patrick Murphy. There have been three children born to
them — William Emmett, Mary Hazel and Frank.
Elbridge Gerry Fifield, who was born at Gilmanton, N. H.,
on February 2, 1817, was the son of Samuel and Abigail (Leav-
itt) Fifield, and the fifth of a family of eight children. He was
of sturdy New England stock and traced his paternal ancestry
to William Fifield, who immigrated from London, England, in
1634. His grandfather was a revolutionary soldier. He spent
his boyhood on his father's farm and received such education
as the district schools of that time afforded, later attending an
academy at Montpelier, Vt. In 1837, being then twenty years
old, he with others made the journey from his home to Wiscon-
sin, traveling by stagecoach, canalboat, sailing vessels, slow
steamboats, and walking from Detroit to St. Joseph, Mich., a dis-
tance of 280 miles, reaching Milwaukee, then a mere village,
on June 11. Thence he walked to Jefferson county, where he
entered a claim soon after his arrival and where he made his
880 HISTORY OF EOCK COUIsTTY
home till 1845. The hardships of those pioneer days were many,
but there were mingled with them many pleasures growing out
of the feeling of friendliness and neighborliness existing between
those early settlers. As an instance of this Mr. Fifield loved to
refer to his first winter's experience, when, being engaged in
getting out timber for himself on Bark river, and having neither
horse nor ox team, he walked to Janesville and borrowed a yoke
of oxen from Samuel St. John, and after using them in hauling
his logs returned them to their owner in the spring. While living
on his farm Mr. Fifield was largely employed in rafting logs and
lumber down Rock river, and also did much in opening and im-
proving the territorial roads in southern Wisconsin. He was the
first to drive a team — oxen — over the completed road from Rock
river to Milwaukee.
After selling his farm in 1845 Mr. Fifield opened the first
lumber yard in Janesville, locating it at the west end of what is
now the Court Street bridge, and near where he built his home.
Associated with him at a later period were his three brothers,
who had moved to Janesville, so that since its establishment in
1845 there has continuously been a Fifield lumber yard. As the
years passed the business enlarged and for nearly forty years
the yard occupied the entire block between Pleasant and Dodge
streets.
During eight years, 1855 to 1863, Mr. Fifield was engaged in
mercantile business at Jefferson, his early home. On his return
to Janesville in the year last named he bought at the corner of
North Jackson and Ravine streets the home where he passed
the remainder of his life. Mr. Fifield was a Republican in politi-
cal sentiment from the time of the organization of that party in
1856, and though never an office seeker held several local offices.
as member of the school board, alderman, etc. In October, 1853,
Mr. Fifield married Miss Sarah R. Copeland, of West Bridgewater,
Mass., a direct descendant of Miles Standish, John Alden and
Francis Cook. Of six children born to them, Frank E., James
S., Helen C, who is the widow of Mr. Frank Sherer, and Cath-
erine R., live at Janesville. Two children died in infancy. Mr.
and Mrs. Fifield celebrated their golden wedding on October 24,
1903. The happy event was attended by children, grandchildren
and many relatives and friends, and was a source of unalloyied
pleasure. Mr. Fifield was a man of deep religious convictions.
BIOGEAPHICAL 881
and his religion was to him a continual source of comfort and
blessing. With his wife, he was a Swedenborgian in belief. After
the death of Mrs. Fifield, which occurred July 1, 1905, his
strength gradually declined until his decease, which occurred
on February 26, 1907. His was a long and useful and happy life
and he passed away in the fullness of years, esteemed and be-
loved, leaving to his family the rich heritage of an honored
name.
James R. Lamb, one of Janesville's wide-awake and enter-
prising citizens, is a retired farmer whose life has been passed
in Rock county. He was born in Johnstown township on No-
vember 9, 1864, and is the second of three sons born to Robert
and Anna (Risk) Lamb, natives of Scotland. His elder brother,
William, is a farmer in Johnstown township, and his younger
brother, Robert, lives on the family homestead. The parents
came to the United States in 1849 and settled in Johnstown town-
ship. Rock county, Wisconsin, where the father bought a tract
of unimproved land, where he made a home and reared his fam-
ily. He was a man much esteemed in the community for his
goodness of heart and kind, neighborly qualities and beloved
by all who knew him. He was a Democrat in politics and in re-
ligious faith was, with his wife, affiliated with the United Pres-
byterian denomination. His death occurred at his home in 1890
and was followed by that of his wife in 1893.
James R. grew to manhood on the home farm, where he had
the common experiences of the western farmer boy an(i received
a good common school education in the district schools of the
neighborhood. He lived on the family homestead until he was
twenty-nine years old, but in 1893 settled on a farm of his own
comprising 440 acres. Here he carried on general farming with
good success for five years, but in 1898 leased the place and
moved with his family to the city of Janesville.
Mr. Lamb has always taken an active interest in local public
affairs, and while living in Bradford township was for some years
a member of the town board and also served as township treas-
urer. He owns and controls much farming land and has a beauti-
ful and commodious home at 158 Milton avenue, where he and his
family reside. They are active members of the Presbyterian
church, he being an elder in that body.
In 1896 Mr. Lamb married Miss Ella M., daughter of Elijah
883 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
P. and Clara (Hurd) Wixom, who was born in Rock county.
They have one child, Stuart James, a promising boy of ten years.
Edson A. Burdick was born July 3, 1839, in the town of
Grafton, Rensselaer county, N. Y. His parents were Zebulon
P. and Philena (Brock) Burdick. Mr. Burdick 's father was a
man of literary attainments and practiced law in early life, but
on account of failing health was forced to give up active prac-
tice, and engaged in farming in order to live an out-of-door life.
His talents and publie-spiritedness were recognized by his fellow
citizens and he was chosen by them as their representative in the
Wisconsin legislature for several terms in both houses.
Edson A. Burdick is a direct descendant, on the paternal
side, of Robert Burdick, who was undoubtedly the first Burdick
to emigrate to America. He was one of the founders of West-
erly, R. I., and was a large purchaser of Narragansett Indian
lands. He was deputy several terms in the Rhode Island colonial
general assembly.
Our subject was educated in the common and high schools~bf
Janesville and in the Evansville Seminary. While at Evansville
he gave the study of languages special attention, but further
progress in student life was broken off at this time by the break-
ing out of the Civil War. He served as enrolling officer and en-
listed subsequently as corporal in Company A, Fortieth Wiscon-
sin Volunteer Infantry. After the war he engaged in teaching
for years until his health failed, when he removed to California,
where he completely recovered. In the spring of 1877 he was
appointed to a clerkship in the bureau of pensions at Washing-
ton, D. C, and became a principal examiner in the bureau, where
he remained until he resigned in May, 1905.
Mr. Burdick has always been a Republican and has held
various local offices, such as town clerk of Janesville for a num-
ber of years and superintendent of schools of the First dist^'ict
of Rock county from 1872 to 1875. He has been a member of
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, also of
the Anthropological Society of Washington, D. C, and of the
Biological and Microscopical societies of the same place. He is
also a -member of Harmony Lodge No. 17, A. F. and A. M., of
Washington, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Burdick was married on June 12, 1878, to Miss Bjleanor
irALVOR L. SKAVLEil.
BIOGEAPHICAL 883
M. Grubb, of Janesville. They are the parents of one son, Zebu-
Ion Palmer Burdick.
Frank C. Cook, the son of Josiah F. and Mary Amanda (Kings-
bury) Cook, was born at Brockport, N. Y., June 28, 1846. His
father was a native of Vermont ; his mother, of New York state.
His father having died when Frank was still an infant, he was
obliged to start at an early age to make his own way in the
world and began when scarcely thirteen years old to learn the
jeweler's trade, being apprenticed to an uncle at Brockport,
N. Y. About 1861 he came to Janesville, Wis., and found em-
ployment with Mr. James A. Webb, then the leading jeweler of
Janesville. A few years later, Mr. Cook started for himself, and
during the seventies he built the block on West Milwaukee
street, where he conducted the successful business of a jeweler
until December, 1906, when he retired. Mr. Cook was a director
of the Merchants and Mechanics bank at Janesville. His death
occurred at Janesville on June 10, 1907. Though not an ardent
politician, Mr. Cook never neglected his duty as a citizen. His
vote was always cast for the Republican ticket. He was a char-
ter member of the Janesville Lodge of Elks and also of the
Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the Unitarian church
at Janesville, being for many years the treasurer of the society
and one of its trustees. He was genial and kindly in his dispo-
sition, thoroughly upright in all his business relations and highly
respected by all who knew him. He was married April 26, 1868,
at Janesville, Wis., to Frances B. Alden, who survives him.
Levi B. Carle, who ranks among the leading influential citi-
zens of Janesville, Wis., a native of Lowell, Mass., and born
August 8, 1835, is one of three children of John B. and Parnell
(Blossom) Carle, the others being Wilbur F. and John H, Carle.
The genealogy of the family is traced to one of three brothers
who immigrated from Ireland in 1680 and settled in that part
of the colony of Massachusetts which later became the state of
Maine. Our subject's great grandparents were Nathan and
Sarah Carle, born, respectively, March 11, 1747, and March 10,
1749. Their son, Silas our subject's grandfather, was born No-
vember 12, 1776, and died May 7, 1858, in his eighty-second year.
He was a farmer by occupation ; his wife, Abigail, was born De-
cember 27, 1779, and died at the age of nearly eighty years, Sep-
tember 23, 1859.
884 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
The mother of our subject, Parnell, nee Blossom, was born
in "Woodstock, Vt., and was descended from an old New England
family of Scotch lineage. Her death occurred in Eock county,
Wisconsin, December 27, 1856.
His father, John B. Carle, was born in the town of Waterbor-
ough, near Portland, Maine, on February 24, 1808, and he be-
longed to the fifth generation from one of the three brothers
hereinabove referred to. His early purpose was to learn the cab-
inet maker's trade, but he abandoned this and became a machin-
ist and was employed by the Middlesex Manufacturing Company
at Lowell, Mass. He was a skillful mechanic, and although his
services were always in demand, he saw greater opportunities in
the West, and in 1852 removed with his family to Eock county,
Wisconsin, and settled on a new farm in the township of Janes-
ville and there established the family home. Later in life he
retired from the farm and took up his residence in Janesville.
After the death of his wife (our subject's mother) in 1856, he
married Miss Eobena Mouat, and by her had one child, Jennie
M., now the widow of Harry F. Killer (deceased), of Janesville.
On the death of his second wife, he married her sister, Miss Mary
Mouat. He was a man of firm convictions with the courage to
maintain them in all that was right, and was universally esteemed
for his manly character. A Whig in early life, he became a Ee-
publican on the formation of that party in 1856. In his religious
faith he was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. His
death occurred September 1, 1884.
Levi B. received his education in the common schools, and
while yet a youth, started out for himself with no capital other
than his native abilities and $18 in money and a determination to
succeed. Going to Milwaukee, he was for a time employed as a
bookkeeper, and still later engaged in selling books at auction
for a Chicago publishing house.
After closing this engagement young Carle spent a year farm-
ing, and then, in 1858, settled at Janesville, opening a grocery
store, which he conducted successfully for twenty-one years. Ee-
tiring from the retail trade in 1879, Mr. Carle engaged in the
wholesale grocery trade at Chicago, 111., but after four years, in
1884 he returned to Janesville, and, with his son, Norman L.,
engaged in the leaf tobacco business, in which he has since con-
tinued with success.
BIOGRAPHICAL 885
Mr. Carle's business career has been successful from the be-
ginning, and through it all he has been known far and near for
his honorable and fair dealing and his strict adherence to the
principle taught in the Golden Rule.
He was president of the First National Bank of Janesville
for three years, and is now vice-president of the same institution.
Is now president of the Janesville Machine Company, and one
of the directors of the Janesville Electric Company.
He was president of the Business Men's Association of Janes-
ville for four years. He is ever ready to advance the interests
of Janesville.
On April 18, 1857, Mr. Carle married Miss Kate Higgens,
whose parents settled in Wisconsin when she was a child. They
had three children, Parnell, Norman L. and Josephine. Mrs.
Carle, whose death occurred in July, 1894, was a devoted wife
and mother, and a woman of noble Christian character and do-
mestic virtues.
Edwin Case, who has resided in Rock county, Wisconsin, since
1842, was born in Spofford township, Onondaga county, New
York, on May 25, 1831, and is one of two surviving children of
Samuel and Cloe J. (Olmstead) Case, both natives of New York
state, the other survivor being a sister named Cordelia. The
names of those deceased were Henry, the eldest ; Abigail, Maraba
and Henry, the youngest. The father, who was a farmer by
occupation, also kept a hotel in the town of Senate, N. Y.
In 1842 he brought his family overland with teams and wagon
from New York to Rock county, Wisconsin, and settled on a
small farm which he bought in Clinton township, and also con-
ducted a hotel for a time. Later he returned to New York and
there died about the year 1853, his wife having passed away
some four years prior to that time. They were both devoted
members of the Baptist denomination and people highly esteemed
and much beloved for their kindness and goodness of heart.
In politics the father was a Republican, and for a time served
as town supervisor of Clinton township.
Edwin attended the district schools and received a good Eng-
lish education. He was an ambitious, energetic and self-reliant
boy, and from the time he was fourteen years old, did a man's
work, taking a large share in the care of his father and mother,
both of whom were in ill health much of their later lives. For
886 HISTOKY OF KOCK COUNTY
five years he worked out by the month and being thrifty and
economical saved enough to buy forty acres of land in Clinton
township, and also bought and sold several other pieces of land
with considerable profit. Later he purchased a farm in La
Prairie township, which he improved and where he made his
home until 1902, when he retired from farming and took up his
residence in the city of Janesville.
In politics Mr. Case has always been a Republican, but has
taken no active interest in political matters more than to per-
form his duties as a loyal citizen. He is a man of kindly disposi-
tion and generous impulses, and always ready to give a helping
hand to those in need, and has a wide circle of true friends.
In 1858 Mr. Case married Miss Eliza, daughter of Amey Her-
rick and Harriet ("Wine gar) Belding, who was born in Mont-
gomery county. New York. Her parents, also natives of New
York, passed their lives there, the father being a farmer by occu-
pation. Mrs. Case is the ninth of ten children, of whom two be-
sides herself, viz. : Emeline, the third, and Catharine, the seventh,
are living. The names of those deceased in the order of their
birth, were Sarah, Charles, Hannah, Spedy, Deodatis, Juliet and
Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Case now live in a pleasant home at No.
161 Racine street, Janesville, in the enjoyment of the fruits of
their years of more active life. They have never had any chil-
dren of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Olive, who is
married to Mr. William M. Cook, and lives in Chicago, 111.
James A. Fathers was born in Chicago on May 5, 1859, and
was but an infant when his parents removed to Janesville. He
attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old, when
he entered the woolen mills of F. A. Wheeler & Sons, learning the
trade of a carder. Not liking the pursuit, he abandoned it, and
subsequently acquired the harnessraaking trade in the establish-
ment of C. H. Payne. After working four years as a journey-
man, he bought out Mr. Payne and successfully conducted the
business until 1889, when ill health compelled his retirement
from active labor. For three years he conducted a meat market,
but abandoned this enterprise upon his election to the city treas-
urership in 1894. This office he has held continuously up to the
present time by successive reelection. To the discharge of his
official duties, he brought a large fund of common sense, a con-
siderable knowledge of public affairs and unswerving integrity,
BIOGEAPHICAL 887
which qualities joined with gentleness of disposition and urban-
ity of manner, admirably qualify him for a post of grave respon-
sibility whose occupant is daily called upon to do business with
"all sorts and conditions of men." The year 1894, however, did
not mark Mr. Father's debut in the arena of public life.
At the age of twenty-two he was chosen, on the Republican
ticket, to represent the Third ward upon the board of aldermen.
He occupied a seat in that body for four years, and for three
years served as president of the council.
He is universally popular, and is regarded as one of Janes-
ville 's most influential citizens. He is a stockholder in the Bower
City bank. Mr. Fathers belongs to both the Masonic and Odd
Fellows fraternities, being a member of Janesville Lodge No. 55,
F. & A. M., and belongs to Janesville City Lodge No. 90, I. O. 0.
F., being a P. G. R. of the grand encampment of the jurisdiction
of Wisconsin, and the present grand scribe of said jurisdiction.
Some twenty years ago he bought his present pleasant home
at No, 259 South Main street. He was married on June 1, 1881,
to Miss Emma A. Scofield, daughter of Theodore and Catherine
Scofield, of the town of Center, Rock county.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. James A. Fathers three chil-
dren : Rosa May, Elsie June and John Thurston. Rosa May died
in infancy. Elsie June is the present assistant treasurer of Janes-
ville, Wis. John T. is employed on construction work for the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company.
Joseph M. Bostwick, who is counted among Janesville 's
pioneer merchants and substantial citizens, is a native of Bethany,
Genesee county, New York. He was born February 3, 1834, the
son of Joseph Bostwick, who removed with his family to Staf-
ford, in the same county, in 1836, and eleven years later settled
at Janesville, Wis. Joseph attended the common schools in his
earlier boyhood, but at the age of fourteen years engaged as a
clerk in the general merchandising store of Messrs. Bailey and
Dimock. In 1849 Mr. Bailey withdrew and Mr. H. 0. Clark came
into the business, the name changing to Dimock & Clark, and
still later became H. O. Clark & Co. and so continued until 1854,
when the business failed and young Bostwick entered the employ
of Mr. J. W. Wheelock, whose business he, in connection with
Mr. William Knowles, bought at a later date, but sold again
within six months. He next associated himself with Mr. O. K.
888 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
Bennett, and under the firm name of Bennett & Bostwiek pur-
chased and carried on the business of H. 0. Clark & Co. Four
and a half years later this firm was dissolved, the stock of goods
being divided between the partners, and Mr. Bostwiek formed
with Mr, M. C. Smith the firm of Smith & Bostwiek, which dealt
in dry goods, carpets and clothing and continued in business
until 1881, a period of twenty-one years, when the stock was
divided and Mr. Bostwiek, taking his share, returned to his
former stand on South Main street and opened a large store for
the sale of dry goods, carpets, cloaks and gent's furnishing goods.
In 1882 Mr. Bostwiek associated with himself his sons, Eobert M.
and Joseph L., under the firm name of J. M. Bostwiek & Sons,
which still continues, being known as one of the most reliable
houses in the city.
Mr. Bostwiek is a Eepublican in politics and has served as a
member of the city council of Janesville.
On November 30, 1855, Mr. Bostwiek married Miss Harriet
M. Allen, of Genesee county. New York. Of eight children born
to them, six, viz. : Frank M., Robert M., Joseph L., Harry, Marion
and Harriet, are living; two, Henry Clark and Edward, are de-
ceased.
John Douglas King, whose life on earth ended on March 8,
1906, was a native son of Wisconsin. He was born at Janesville,
in Rock county, November 18, 1845, and was a son of John and
Margaret (McKay) King, both now deceased. He married, when
twenty-seven years of age, June 20, 1872, Miss Amorette M. Wil-
son, only daughter of Mr. Henry 0. Wilson, of Janesville, and
by her had one son, H. Douglas King, who was born July 9, 1873,
and who is now (1908) with the National Surety Company, of
New York city.
On attaining his majority, Mr. King, in 1866, entered the
service of the United States government and for forty years,
until his decease, was connected with the postoffice department
in various capacities, filling some of the most difficult and re-
sponsible positions. He served first as chief of inspectors of the
Omaha (Nebraska) division, then of the Denver (Colorado) divis-
ion, and later the Washington, D. C, and New York divisions.
His native fitness for the work and his love of it, combined with
a practical knowledge gained from his years of experience, made
him one of the most alert and valued men in the service, and in
BIOGEAPHICAL 889
his death it was felt that the department with which he was so
closely identified, suffered a great loss. With Colonel James E.
Stewart, then of the Chicago division of postoffiee inspectors, he
was instrumental in ferreting out and disclosing the infamous
"Star Route" frauds, in which Colonel Robert G. Ingersol gained
world-wide fame by his notable defense of John W. Dorsey and
others.
Mr. King was endowed with noble qualities of mind and heart.
When necessity required, he was brave as a lion and firm as the
rocks; but the sight of helplessness and suffering melted him to
tenderness. He loved the beautiful in life, and by music he was
moved to tears. He was a dutiful son, a thoughtful and tender
brother, an affectionate and indulgent husband and father, and
a loyal friend, and in the generosity of his unselfish nature, he
was never happier than when doing some service for and giving
pleasure to others. His manliness and nobility of character were
impressed upon all who came within the range of his influence,
and to know him inspired confidence and trust and admiration
akin to love. He was loyal to all that was good, pure and clean
in all that he thought and did, and faithful in the discharge of
every private or public trust. To his friends the world seems
lonesome without him, but there shines upon the dark cloud a
bright light, the reflection of his manly deeds so nobly wrought,
and the memory of his pure, unselfish life shall abide like the
sweet influence of a hallowed benediction.
March 8, 1906.
Gentlemen :
Complying with your request of this date as to the record in
the postal service of Mr. John D. King, I have to say that the
records of this department show^ Mr. King, born in Janesville,
Wis., in 1845, was appointed a postoffiee inspector January 22,
1880, and that with the exception of two intervals during which
he was out of the service, he continued as an inspector until the
4th of April, 1902, when he became chairman of the Civil Service
Board, rural delivery service, retaining that position under the
postoffiee department until June 30, 1905, when he was trans-
ferred to the same position to the rolls of the Civil Service Com-
mission. Mr. King served in the field as an inspector with such
record for efficiency that he was made inspector-in-charge of
division, and in this capacity was stationed successively at
890 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
Omaha, Denver, Washington, New York, Spokane and St. Paul.
It is understood that from the time he was fourteen years of
age until his appointment as an inspector he was employed in
the postoffice at Janesville, Wis. During his entire connection
with this department, Mr. King rendered very faithful and meri-
torious service. Very respectfully,
GEORGE B. CORTELYOU,
Postmaster General.
The Honorable, W. J. V.
The Civil Service Commission.
Copy of minute of the United States Civil Service Commis-
sion, March 9, 1906, on the death of John D. King :
COMMISSION. John D. King, chief of Board of Examiners
of Rural Carriers, died on March 8, 1906. Mr. King was in the
service of the government upwards of forty-five years, beginning
as a messenger in the postoffice at Janesville, Wis., and rising
by successive promotions to the position of assistant postmaster
of that office.
In January, 1880, he was appointed postoffice inspector, and
served with such a record for efficiency that he was made in-
spector in charge of division, and in this capacity was stationed
successively at Omaha, Denver, Washington, New York, Spokane
and St. Paul. The postmaster general states that "During his
entire connection with this department Mr. King rendered very
faithful and meritorious service."
Mr. King was chief of the rural carriers' board from April
4, 1902, to the time of his death. The commission desires to place
on record its tribute to his high character and fidelity.
Abel L. Fisher, oldest son of Seth and Mary Ann Fisher, was
born in the town of Center, Rock county. Wis., on Decem-
ber 6, 1850. He received a common school education from the
public schools of his town. Later he attended the Evansville
seminary, Beloit academy and Milton college, all of Rock county.
In 1873 he engaged in farming, and in stock raising in the
town of Center. In this occupation he continued until the spring
of 1892, when he removed to Janesville, Wis., to engage in the
business of buying and selling leaf tobacco. Since 1897 he has
had associated with him in business his younger son, Everett C.
Fisher, the firm being Fisher & Fisher, dealers in leaf tobacco.
As state secretary of the Wisconsin Tobacco Growers and
BIOGRAPHICAL 891
Dealers' Association, Mr. Fisher has taken an active interest in
collecting for distribution to the tobacco growers and dealers of
the state, statistics and information, pertaining to the growing
and culture of tobacco.
As a citizen, he has been public spirited and enterprising, and
ready to contribute of his time and means to the advancement
of the public interest and general good.
Mr. Fisher was married in 1873 to Mary, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. James Cleland, of the town of Center, Wis. They have
four children: Arthur M. Fisher and Everett C. Fisher, both of
Janesville, Wis. ; Mrs. Samuel N. Braden, of Minneapolis, Minn.,
and Minerva M. Fisher, of Janesville, Wis.
Charles V. Kerch, city engineer of the city of Janesville, Wis.,
was born on March 3, 1866, at Loran, in Stephensen county, Illi-
nois. His parents were Jacob H. and Eliza (Giddings) Kerch.
The former was a native of Germany, and came to this country
with his parents when he was four years of age. They settled
in Pittsburg, Pa., where they remained for eight years and then
removed to Stevensen county, Illinois, in 1855. He married Miss
Eliza Giddings, reported to be the first white female child born
in that county. Her family were people of prominence, among
them being the great American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne;
Rufus Choate and Joshua R. Giddings, whom James A. Garfield
succeeded in congress.
Mr. Charles V. Kerch, of this sketch, began his studies in the
district schools around his old Illinois home, and after acquiring
the usual amount of education furnished there, he entered the
normal school at Dixon, 111., from which he graduated in the
scientific course with the degree of B. S., and in the civil engineer-
ing course with the degree of C. E. He then obtained employ-
ment as a civil engineer in Dixon, where he continued for one
year; from there he entered the engineering department of the
Chicago & Northwestern railway, but left that to enter the en-
gineering department of the World's Columbian Exposition Com-
pany in Chicago. After closing there, he came to Janesville and
was again employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company,
and then did private work for three years. He returned to
Dixon, 111., again and was city engineer there for three years;
he returned to Janesville, however, in 1900, to accept the position
of city engineer in that city, which position he has held ever
«92 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
since and is also at present (1908) the county surveyor of Rock
county.
Mr. Kerch has always been a Republican in politics, and is a
thrifty, enterprising citizen, ever ready to assist in any move
toward the betterment of his community. He is a man of sound
judgment and good business qualifications, and an all round man
of affairs.
On April 2, 1864, Mr. Kerch was married to Miss Mary Hobart,
daughter of Alexander and Anna M. Hobart, of Toronto, Kan.,
highly respected citizens of that place.
Mr, Kerch is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious faith
both he and Mrs. Kerch are members of the Congregational
church of Janesville.
Fenner Kimball, a pioneer resident of Rock county, Wiscon-
sin, was a native of Scituate, R. I., where he was born to Dean
and Lydia Kimball on October 6, 1822.
His father was a hard working farmer with a large family
to support, and in his endeavors to support them on the stony
hillside farm he owned, he had a hard struggle, and the children
were compelled to help just as soon as they were old enough.
The subject of our sketch found employment in the cotton mills
at eleven years of age, where he worked, except such time as he
helped on the farm. His schooling had to be worked in winters
and at odd times, but he had a genuine taste for learning and all
of his life he devoted his odd moments to study and reading.
At the age of 16 he was bound as an apprentice until he was
21, to Otis Potter, a painter and carpenter of North Scituate, R.
I., and it was during this time he learned the trades of both
carpenter and painter. After coming of age he worked at car-
pentry in Boston and Fall River, Mass., for short periods until
he moved to East Greenwich, R. I., in 1846 and then he pursued
the painting trade for ten years.
In 1847 he was married to Miss Adeline Allen, a daughter
of Abraham and Rachel Allen, both natives of Fall River, Mass.
One son, Frank D., now engaged in the furniture and undertak-
ing business in Janesville, was born to them.
In 1856 they moved to Rock county, Wisconsin, and settled
on a farm in La Prairie, three miles south of Janesville on the
Beloit road, said farm now being the old Hugunin home. He
BIOGRAPHICAL 893
was one of Rock county's thrifty and hard working farmers.
In 1867 he sold his farm and moved to Janesville and engaged
in the furniture and undertaking business with Colonel W. B.
Britton, under the iirm name of Britton & Kimball, of which
firm his son Frank D. is the successor. About this time he also
became interested in the formation of the Bower City band, and
having a talent for music he became very proficient on several
different instruments and at once became a very active and
zealous member of this organization, which soon became famous
throughout the West as one of the crack bands of the country.
He bought himself a home at the corner of Main and South
Second, where he lived until 1893, when he moved to the home
now occupied by his widow, corner Bluff and South Second. He
soon was recognized as a very valuable addition to the city and
became very active in all public affairs as well as interested in
many business enterprises, and the benefit of his experience and
advice proved very valuable to the many business organizations
in which he was interested as well as to the county, on the board
of supervisors of which he served seventeen years. He was
elected to represent his district in the legislature, once in 1878
and 1879, and again in 1895-1896.
In 1881 he retired from the furniture business and bought
out F. G. Stevens' interest in the firm of Thoroughgood & Co.,
manufacturers of cigar boxes and cigar box lumber, in which
business he took quite an active part, until 1898, when he retired
and sold his interest.
About 1884 he also became a partner in the retail hardware
business under the firm name of Kimball Hardware Company,
but in this business he remained only a few years. He was very
successful in all of his business ventures and formed a very large
circle of both business and social acquaintances and friends. He
was president of the Bower City bank from its start to his death.
He was a member of the Unitarian church, a generous supporter
thereto and an active leader therein, being superintendent of the
Sunday school for some time.
He enjoyed music, literature and all outdoor recreations. He
was a good performer on both piano and organ, as well as being
a skilled band musician. He enjoyed Shakespeare and other
great writers of all ages and of all lands and accumulated a very
good library. He was for many years and at his death a mem-
894 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
in the local lodges and as in all other things into which he en-
ber of the Masonic fraternity and held all of the highest offices
tered, he played an earnest and important part in all their social
and ceremonial gatherings ; as advancing years crept upon him
he retired from active participation in business and devoted con-
siderable time to travel and recreation. He became quite an
enthusiastic bicycle rider after he had passed the seventieth
milestone of life's journey.
Surrounded by his family of wife, and his son and his family,
he passed into that undiscovered country on March 6, 1899, at
peace with the world and at rest with his God, sincerely mourned
hy all who knew him. He was a very generous and kindly man,
always willing to assist those in want or distress, and was a con-
tributor to all the charitable organizations which asked his aid.
He never sought public office, it always sought him, and while
in public office he performed duties thereof as consistently as he
did his own affairs. He was probably better known to men in
every walk in life, in the city he made his home, than any other
man of his day and generation. Certainly he was as favorably
known and as well liked as any man of his time, and he was at
his death sincerely mourned. His sound character gave the ele-
ment of purity and honesty to his every motive and act and he
had high standards and worked to attain them rather than to
merely make money. His motto was to do good in the world,
and certainly at the close of his well rounded life, he left the
memory of a noble life and of a work well done.
Levi Alden, the son of Levi and Boadicia (Warner) Alden,
was born at Claremont, N. H., July 24, 1815, He was of May-
flower ancestry, being sixth in descent from John Alden, one of
the signers of the compact in the cabin of the ship Mayflower in
1620. His father, Levi Alden, removed with his father, John
Alden, from Warwick, Mass., to Claremont, N. H., between 1781
and 1790. He was a man of extensive business. Besides con-
ducting a large farm, he operated a brickyard, manufactured
earthenware and carried on blacksmithing. His maternal an-
cestors were early settlers in Connecticut, several of them serving
in the Revolutionary war. Levi Alden, the subject of our sketch,
was educated at Unity Scientific and Military academy at Unity,
N. H., and at Union college, at Schenectady, N. Y., graduating
with the class of 1844. After leaving college he was principal of
BIOGRAPHICAL 895
Cayuga institute, at Cayuga Bridge, N. Y., for one year. In 1845
Mr. Alden removed to Janesville, Wis., arriving on July 4. In
August, 1845, in partnership with E. A. Stoddard, he established
the "Janesville Gazette," the first copy appearing about August
14, 1845. The "Gazette" was published by Alden & Stoddard,
Alden & Tompkins, Alden & Grattan, Levi Alden and Alden &
Holt, successively, until March 17, 1855, when Mr. Alden sold
out his interest to Charles Holt. During a portion of this time,
Mr. Alden was principal of the Janesville academy. He operated
the first telegraph line between Janesville and Milwaukee. In
1856, he served as a member of the ninth session of the Wisconsin
state legislature. From 1858 to 1866, he was clerk of the circuit
court for Rock county, and was admitted to the Rock County
Bar Association, December 3, 1866. He was auditor of public
printing for the state of Wisconsin, at Madison, Wis., from 1867
to 1873, when he engaged as associate editor of the "Wisconsin
State Journal" (David Atwood, proprietor), at Madison, till
1890. He belonged to the Whig, afterward the Republican party,
and was a staunch Republican to the day of his death and never
failed to cast his vote. He was a regular attendant of the Uni-
versalist services in Janesville till the society became merged
into the Unitarian church (All Souls), which he also attended.
He was a charter member of the First Unitarian church at Madi-
son, Wis., and one of its trustees. Levi Alden was married, July
26, 1843, at Fleming, N. Y., to Sarah Ann Leach, daughter of
Winslow and Esther (Southworth) Leach. Mrs. Alden died at
Madison, Wis., January 23, 1873. Their children were : Mary
E., who married George Judkins, of Claremont, N. H. ; Frances
B., who married Frank C. Cook, of Janesville, Wis.; Louisa J.,
who married Dr. Theodore W. Evans, of Madison, Wis. ; Sarah
L., who married Dr. Henry S. Hall, of Washington, D. C, and
Hattie L. Alden, unmarried. Levi Alden died at Madison, Wis.,
November 23, 1893.
Edward Amerpohl, Janesville, Wis., was born at Brodhead,
this state, on May 25, 1871, to Christ and Elizabeth Amerpohl,
natives of Germany, and who emigrated to America and settled
at Baraboo, Wis., in the early forties, and later resided at Madi-
son and Brodhead, where he died in 1891 at the age of seventy-
one years.
Edward is one of a family of eight children, all of whom,
896 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
with the mother, are still living. He received his education in
the public schools of his native town and followed the trade of
a carriage painter until 1900, when he came to Janesville, Wis.,
and became owner and proprietor of the Janesville Floral Com-
pany, located at 214 South Main street. He has rebuilt and
added to his original buildings until now (1907) he has 12,000
feet of glass-covered greenhouses. He is the originator of the
Nephrolepis Amopolilii fern. He does a large retail and ship-
ping business in fresh cut flowers and design work.
In political sentiment he is a Republican; as candidate for
alderman from the Third ward in the spring of 1907, he was de-
feated after a hotly contested campaign. He is a member of the
KJnights of Pythias, B. P. 0. E. Eagles and Unique Club.
Mr. Amerpohl was married in 1894 to Miss Aida Colby, of
Brodhead, to whom has been born one child, Harold E.
Edward Burton Heirastreet, druggist of Janesville, established
business in this city in 1868, and has carried it on continuously
since with marked success. His stock comprises a full line of
drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, glass and artists' materials,
and in the last mentioned class of goods he does both a retail
and wholesale business. His establishment is one of the largest
and finest drug houses in the state.
Mr. Heimstreet is a native of New York, and was born in
Lansingburg, Rensselaer county, on January 3, 1848. His father,
Stephen Heimstreet, was born in New York, November 24, 1813,
and was a well known druggist at Lansingburg. His mother,
whose maiden name was Emeline Spicer, was born at Charlotte,
Vt., and was descended from an old New England family, her
father, the Rev. Tobins Spicer, being a prominent Methodist
itinerant minister of New England. In January, 1867, his par-
ents.became residents of Janesville, where they made their home
until October, 1886, at which time they returned to the East on a
visit. The death of the father occurred at Troy, N. Y., in Janu-
ary, 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. His mother died at
Troy, N. Y., in October, 1901. Both were devoted members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, at-
tending the Methodist Episcopal college at Poultney, Vt., and
subsequently became a student at Jonesville academy at Jones-
ville, N. Y. ; later at Mechanicsville academy. He then studied
BIOGRAPHICAL 897
medicine under Dr. II. B. AVliitou, of Troy, N. Y., for two years;
also attended Albany Medical college.
He served in the latter years of the war as a private of Com-
pany F, of the Fourteenth Regiment, United States regulars,
until August following tlie close of the war, when through the
influence of his father, who had been trying to induce him to
leave the service since he had entered it, he was honorably dis-
charged.
Mr. Heimstreet was employed in his father's drug store from
early boyhood, and became thoroughly instructed in the busi-
ness. In 1867 he removed to Janesville, Wis., intending to per-
fect himself in the study of medicine, but finding an opportunity
to buy a drug store at a good advantage, he did so and has
carried on the business continuously since.
On January 14 1868, Mr. Heimstreet was married at Janes-
ville to Miss Stella Howard, daughter of William H. Howard,
then sheriff of Rock county. The lady was born at Shullsburg,
Grant county, Wisconsin, where her parents were among the
early settlers. Two children have been born of their union, Alice
M., of Janesville, and Charles S., of Lake Mills, Wis., where he
is engaged in the drug business.
Mr. Heimstreet has been identified with the leading interests
of Rock county since becoming one of its residents. He was one
of the foremost movers in securing the state pharmacy law, and
worked long and faithfully to secure its passage. He is credited
with being the founder of the pharmacy law, and Wisconsin
Pharmaceutical Association, of which he was the secretary
for twenty-one years, and also secretary of the State Board of
Pharmacy, in which position he served for twenty years. He
was secretary of the Janesville City hospital for many years;
for three years was secretary of the Rock County Agricultural
Society, and treasurer for several terms ; for ten years served as
secretary of the Janesville Horticultural Society; for thirty-three
years held the office of secretary of the Janesville fire police, and
five years was collector of the Janesville fire department. He is
also past commander of the W. H. Sargent Post No. 20, G. A. R. ;
a charter member and past chancellor of Oriental Lodge No. 22,
K. of P. ; P. G. of Wisconsin Lodge No. 14, I. 0. 0. F., and sachem
of the Order of Red Men. For many years has been president
of the Humane Society and Associated Charities of Janesville.
898 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Mrs. Heimstreet, a bright, active and highly intelligent
woman, renders her husband valuable assistance in his business
correspondence and in the clerical duties of the various society
secretaryships which he holds, and without her cheerfully ren-
dered services, it would be impossible for him to successfully dis-
charge the various duties imposed upon him without neglecting
his private business, Mr. Heimstreet is recognized as one of the
wideawake, progressive business men of Janesville, public spir-
ited, broad in his views, of unquestioned integrity and always up
with the times, his interest and efforts in the cause of wholesome
laws in regard to pharmacy, have won him distinction throughout
the state.
Sanford Soverhill, one of the wide-awake business men of
Janesville, Wis., was born in Fulton township. Rock county,
October 25, 1856, and is the son of Myron H. and Adeline M.
(Sanford) Soverhill. He grew to manhood in the country, at-
tending the district schools and later the graded schools of Ful-
ton, and devoted himself to farming until he was twenty-six
years old. In 1885 Mr. Soverhill left the farm, and going to
Janesville, was for several years engaged in the tobacco trade,
buying on commission for New York and other eastern houses
and for European concerns. About 1886 he changed the char-
acter of his business, and instead of acting as a broker, turned
his attention to buying and packing tobacco and shipping to
various market points in the United States. This he has con-
tinued to the present time (1908) with good success, being now
engaged also in buying and selling wool.
Mr. Soverhill is a practical and thoroughly careful man in
his business relations and while looking closely after his more
personal interests, has also devoted much time to other outside
business affairs. He is president of the Peoples' Coal Company,
of Janesville, and is also one of its directors, and also a director
of the Monarch Mining, Developing & Reduction Company, of
Grant county. New Mexico.
In political sentiment he is a Republican. He is identified
with several fraternal and social organizations, such as the
Knights of Pythias, the United Commercial Travelers, Twilight
Club of Janesville, and others local in character. In religious
faith he is affiliated with the Presbyterian church.
On November 23, 1883, Mr. Soverhill married Miss Anna G.,
STANLEY B. SMITH.
BIOGRAPHICAL 899
daughter of Isaac and Anna (McNall) Porter, of Cookville, Rock
county, a woman of charming personality, who presides with
womanly grace over their comfortable and happy home.
Mr. and Mrs. Soverhill have an interesting family of four
children, named respectively, Cora, Laila, Edith and Wilna.
Edward Ruger, of Janesville, Wis., is descended from Philip
Ruger, of Dutchess county, New York.
John Ruger, the son of Philip, married Catherine Lee Roy, who
was of a French Huguenot family. He served in the Revolution-
ary war, was in the battle of Saratoga, and after the surrender
of Burgoyne, moved to Saratoga county, New York.
Francis Ruger, his son, married Jane Jewell, of Connecticut.
She was of Puritan ancestry. Thomas Jefferson Ruger, his son,
was born in Northumberland county. New York, February 25,
1802. He graduated from the Union college, Schenectady, N.
Y., in 1830, with the degree of M. A. Was principal of Wilbra-
ham academy; he married Maria Hutchins in 1830; was ap-
pointed president of Wesleyan seminary at Lima, N. Y., in 1832,
and in 1836 was ordained priest in the Protestant Episcopal
church.
On Maria Hutchins side, Benjamin Hutchins was captain in
the Eighteenth Connecticut regiment, and served with his com-
pany under Washington in New York in August and September,
1776. Marched to Bennington in 1777, and was promoted to
major. In May, 1778, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel
of the Twenty-sixth regiment by Governor Jonathan Trumbull,
and resigned in 1781. Benjamin Hutchins, his son, was born
October 14, 1767, and in 1785 married Jerusha Bradley.
Maria Hutchins, daughter of Benjamin, was born in East
Haven, Conn., October 31, 1804, and married Thomas Jefferson
Ruger, September 5, 1830. They had nine children, viz. : Cor-
nelia Maria, Thomas Howard, Edward, William, Henry Hobart,
Frances Eliza, Bradley Morgan, Ellen Augusta and Morris.
Edward Ruger was the third child and second son of Thomas
Jefferson and Maria (Hutchins) Ruger. He was born at Lima,
Livingston county, New York, September 16, 1834. His parents
moved from Lima to Bridgewater, Oneida county, thence to
Sherburne in Chenango county, thence to Marcellus in Onondaga
county, all in the state of New York. While at Marcellus, Edward
Ruger attended public school.
900 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1844, Eev. T. J. Ruger moved with his family to Janesville,
Wis., as a home missionary of the Protestant Episcopal church.
At Janesville Edward Euger at first attended the public schools
and later the Janesville academy, of which his father was the first
principal. He also attended the academy under Principals A. B.
Miller, Messrs. Woodruff and Woodard, and Professor Spicer.
During these periods he worked on his father's farm, pursuing
his studies mornings, noons and evenings under the supervision
of his father, being in school proper only during the three win-
ter months of the year. His father was an accomplished mathe-
matician, and by inheritance and study Edward Ruger became
enamored with the study of mathematics and was early drawn
to the profession of civil engineering and surveying, and prior
to his opening an office in Janesville for the practice of his pro-
fession, he had experience in United States land surveying, sub-
dividing sections, and making preliminary and locating surveys
for railroads and their construction. In 1857 he opened an
office in Janesville for the practice of his profession, and in 1859
was elected city engineer of Janesville, and in 1860 was elected
county surveyor of Rock county. He held this office and prac-
ticed his profession at Janesville until 1861, doing some hydraulic
engineering work in Walworth and Jefferson counties relative to
backset of water.
In 1861 he enlisted and raised a company for service in the
war of the rebellion and was enrolled as captain of Company
A, Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He remained in
Camp Treadway at Janesville till January, 1862, when he was
ordered to the front, going first to Leavenworth and Fort Leaven-
worth, Kansas, and then to Fort Scott, Kansas, thence to Fort
Riley. Here he was appointed a member of a court martial, at
the completion of which he assumed command of his company
and proceeded with his regiment to Moscow, Ky. Here he was
detailed to rebuild a bridge across the Obion river which had
been destroyed by the enemy. When this work was completed,
he proceeded with his regiment to Columbus, Ky., where he was
appointed provost marshal and served in this capacity till
granted a thirty-day leave of absence. Returning at once to
Janesville, he was married to Miss Sarah B. Wright, daughter
of Josiah Wright, August 23, 1862. At the expiration of his
leave of absence, he returned to his regiment, then stationed at
BIOGEAPHICAL 901
Fort Henry, Tennessee. From Fort Henry his regiment was
ordered to Fort Donaldson, and here he was detailed as acting
topographical engineer, and from this time on to the close of
the war he served in the capacity of topographical engineer on
the staffs of Major General Lovell H. Rausseau and Major Gen-
eral George H. Thomas. Upon joining the command of General
Thomas, he entered upon his duties as superintendent of the
topographical engineer's office of the Army of the Cumberland
and remained in such position until 1869. He made new surveys
and drew up the maps of the operations of the Army of the Cum-
berland during the war, and of the operations of the armies of
the Tennessee and Ohio during the Atlanta campaign, which are
now on file in the war department at Washington.
After returning from the war, he opened an office in Janes-
ville, Wis., for the practice of his profession, civil engineering
and surveying. Since 1874 he has been engaged almost wholly
on hydraulic engineering pertaining to water powers and water
works, having been employed as consulting or chief engineer on
almost every feature of hydraulic engineering, his practice call-
ing him to twenty-three states in the Union.
Mr. Ruger still resides in Janesville, and for more than thirty
years has been an elder in the First Presbyterian church, which
office he still holds. He has two sons, Frank, a successful busi-
ness man of Superior, Wis., and Harry, a professor of psychology.
Both sons are married and blessed with children.
Solomon Spoon, for more than three score years a resident of
Rock county, Wisconsin, is justly counted among the representa-
tive citizens and substantial farmers. He was born in Perry
county, Pennsylvania, on August 11, 1829, and is the fourth of
eleven children born to Abraham and Martha (Earnest) Spoon,
both natives of that state. Their other children named in the
order of their births, were Anna, Samuel, Elizabeth, George, Con-
ard, Abraham, Mary, John and Henry. The youngest died in'
infancy unnamed. The father, a mason by trade, in 1846 settled
with his family in Plymouth township, Rock county, making the
trip around the lakes to Racine and thence with team and wagon.
He bought 120 acres of wild land, which he improved and culti-
vated and where he made his home with his family until his
decease, in 1874. His wife died there. They were both honored
members of the Congregational church.
902 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Our subject was seventeen years old when he came with his
parents to Kock county. He was reared to farm work and re-
ceived a common school education. Two years after attaining
his majority, in 1852, prompted by the spirit of the times, he went
to California in quest of gold, the trip being made overland with
four yoke of oxen and occupying four months' time. He re-
mained there nearly five years, and in 1857 returned by boat via
Isthmus of Panama. On his return home Mr. Spoon bought a
farm in Magnolia township which he worked some ten years,
when he sold out and bought in Plymouth township. After
carrying on his farm there ten years, he again sold and moved
to Janesville township, where he engaged in farming until 1890,
when he retired from farming and took up his residence in the
city of Janesville, where he now owns and occupies a beautiful
modern home.
Throughout his busy life Mr. Spoon has prospered in his
affairs, and by his upright and honorable dealings, has gained
the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and ac-
quaintances. He has always shown a commendable interest in
public affairs and when called to fill local offices, has discharged
his duties faithfully and well. In both Magnolia and Plymouth
townships he served as director of the schools. In politics he is
a Republican, but has always preferred the quiet of his home life
to official position. In religious faith he and his family are affil-
iated with the Congregational church.
In 1860 Mr. Spoon married Miss Augusta, daughter of George
and Elizabeth Royer, who was born in Pennsylvania. His parents
moved to Wisconsin in the early days and passed their lives
there.
Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spoon, the eldest, Mary,
is married to Mr. Peter Nelson, of Milwaukee ; the second, Frank,
married Miss Luella Borrow, and lives in Janesville. Jennie is
the wife of Mr. Frank Martin, a Congregational minister at
Galva, 111., and Grace, the youngest, lives at home and is teach-
ing school at Janesville.
William Payne, who was a resident of Janesville for more
than a third of a century, was a native of Waterbury, New
Haven county, Connecticut, and was born September 5, 1814, to
Raphael and Ruth (Mix) Payne, the former a son of Thomas
Payne, a Connecticut farmer. The family is of English origin,
TUOGKArHICAL DOS
and tradition says that three brothers immigrated from Paynes,
England, in colonial days, and settled with the Puritans, two
of them in Massachusetts and one in Connecticut.
In 1819 our subject's parents moved to New York state,
where his father died about 1825. At the age of thirteen, Wil-
liam, with his mother, returned to Meriden, Conn., where he
found employment in the shop which was the nucleus of the
present Meriden Britania Company. Young Payne was an apt
learner and ambitious to succeed, and in a friendly contest, in
which he surpassed all the other employees, so impaired his
health that he was obliged to quit the shop. He was now seven-
teen years. Engaging as a canvasser for the sale of a book,
he spent some two years with good success, and then, in 1835,
went to Ohio and settled on a farm near Huntsburg in Geauga
county. A return of his former ailment soon compelled him to
abandon farming, and he again found employment as a sales-
man, and engaged with a friend at Elyria, Ohio, in the manu-
facture of silverware and in buying and selling jewelry and shell
combs. The business prospered and he later employed peddlers
on his own account. Owing to the financial crisis of 1837, he
was obliged to close out his business, however, but paid every
dollar of his indebtedness with interest. After that he spent
several years selling woolen goods from a w^agon for an Ohio
manufacturing concern, and in 1842 engaged as salesman for a
wholesale dry goods house at Pittsburg, Pa., with which he re-
mained till the business of the house was destroyed by fire, and
then secured employment with Messrs. Shacklett and Glyde, of
that city. Mr. Payne became a partner in this business in 1850,
under the name of B. C. Shacklett & Co., and seven years later
purchased the entire business. In 1858 he took a partner, the
firm name becoming Wilson, Payne & Co. This firm continued
about two years, but impaired health forced Mr. Payne to make
a change, and in 1860 he bought and settled on a small farm in
the outskirts of Janesville, Wis., spending the winter months,
for the most part, in Florida. Mr. Payne could not content him-
self in idleness, and with others organized and incorporated the
Janesville woolen mills, of which he was made president. He
afterwards disposed of his interests and closed his relations with
the concern.
Mr. Payne was a man of intense energy, and throughout his
904 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
life held a commanding place among his associates and in the
community in which he lived. He was a Republican in politics,
and with his wife, actively associated with the Baptist denomina-
tion in religious work.
In 1835, Mr. Payne married Miss Julia, daughter of Abraham
and Julia (Barnes) Thorp. She was a native of Massachusetts
and of English ancestry. Of five children born to them, four,
viz. : George, Martha M., Zerelda and William, are deceased,
and one, Mrs. M. P. Leavitt, well known in Janesville, alone sur-
vives,
Mr. Payne's death occurred on May 16, 1896, and that of his
wife on July 6, 1900.
Charles L. Valentine, postmaster of Janesville, was born
October 16, 1846, in Genesee county. New York, son of James
and Elizabeth Valentine. They were of English and Scotch an-
cestry, the original founders of the family having settled near
the site of the present city of New York in the early part of the
eighteenth century.
While Mr. Valentine never had the educational advantages
which the youths of Wisconsin have offered to them at this time,
he received the best common schooling to be obtained at that
time, and enlisted in the army while quite a young man and
served his country during the Civil War as private in Company
E, Fifth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. Was wounded at
Spottsylvania.
In politics he has always been a staunch Republican. He has
been called at various times to serve the public in holding offices
of trust and responsibility. He has served as city clerk of Janes-
ville, register of deeds of Rock county, and has represented his
district in the state legislature. He is at present postmaster,
and holds sway over the beautiful government building in Janes-
ville. He is an active and useful member of the following lodges
of the city : Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks.
In religious faith Mr. Valentine was reared as a Methodist,
his parents being members of that church.
On May 2, 1871, Mr. Valentine was united in marriage with
Miss Mary E. Gage.
George Scofield, who in his lifetime was one of Rock county's
LAWRENCE C. WHITTET.
BIOGEAPHICAL 905
representative and substantial citizens, was born in Saratoga
county, New York, on September 2, 1843, the eldest child of
Edwin and Jane (Mason) Scofield, both natives of Connecticut.
Their other children were named in the order of their births —
Eliab, Caroline, Mariah, Silas, Charles, Fanny and Georgie. The
father was engaged in farming, both in his native state and in
New York, and on his removal to Rock county, Wisconsin, witli
his family in 1846, he purchased the farm on which he passed
the remainder of his days. After the decease of his wife in
1889, he married her sister Jane; by Polly, his first wife, he had
four children, viz. : Frank, Marshall, Harriet and Eben. He was
a man highly esteemed in the community, active in all that per-
tained to the welfare of his fellows, and was honored with nu-
merous local offices. He was a Republican in politics, and in
religious faith was affiliated with the Baptist denomination. His
death occurred on January 1, 1895.
George, our subject, was reared on his father's farm, and sup-
plemented his common school education with a course of study
at Milton college. About the year 1863, he went to California,
where he spent a year. Soon after his return he married, and
going to Fulton township, Rock county, settled on a farm, where
he lived until December, 1891, when he retired from farming and
settled at Janesville and there passed the remainder of his life.
Mr. Scofield was a man of intense activity, industrious and
thrifty, and withal of a kindly, happy disposition that attracted
to him many loyal friends. He was a Republican in political
sentiment, but preferred the quiet of his home life to official posi-
tion. He died on May 6, 1897.
In 1866, Mr. Scofield married Hiss Sarah, daughter of Silas
and Cynthia M. (Cowan) Hurd, early settlers of Rock county.
Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Scofield, the eldest, Ma-
litta, is married to Mr. L, N. Bushour, and lives in Pawnee, Okla. ;
Willis, the second child, married Anna Burdick, and lives on the
home farm; Clara E. is the wife of Mr. John Thomson; Elma L.
lives at home with her mother; Bertha E. is married to Mr.
Eugene C. Noyes; Jessie E. is the wife of Dr. Edwin N. Nash,
and Floy, the youngest, is single and lives at home. Besides her
own children, Mrs. Scofield also has with her a niece. Miss
Francis M. Ingle, a daughter of her sister.
The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and
906 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
the handsome modern home on Milton avenue is a center of
social and domestic enjoyment, the family being one of the
oldest and most highly esteemed in the community.
Halvor L. Skavlem, historian and public-spirited citizen of
Janesville, Wis., was born in the town of Newark, in Eock
county, on October 3, 1846, son of Lars Halvorsen and Groe
(Nilssen) Skavlem; the father was born in Norway in 1819, and
emigrated to the United States in 1839 and died in Eock county,
Wisconsin, September 2, 1879. The mother came here from Nor-
way, her native country, in 1842, and the next year was married
to Mr. Skavlem, Sr. She died at Beloit, July 23, 1907. She was
a woman of model Christian character and a devoted wife and
mother. She braved the hardships and privations of a new and
sparsely settled country that her children might have the benefits
of a republic, where independent thought and action was the
equal privilege of all. At the time they established their home
in Newark in 1843, there were but few houses in the township.
The father of our subject took a prominent part in organizing
the Liberal Lutheran church in early days, and their house was
used for church services for years before there were school
houses and church buildings available. He was a radical anti-
slavery man and identified himself with the movement to abolish
human slavery in the United States and territories, and cast his
first ballot for James Birney, who was candidate for president
for the "Liberty Party." He was a man of intense energy and
strong convictions, positive in his opinions when he knew that
his cause was just and right — in fact, one of nature's noblemen.
Our subject, Mr. H. L. Skavlem, received a good common
school education, and although his opportunities were limited,
he made the best use of them and fitted himself for a school
teacher, and combined the two occupations of farming in sum-
mer and teaching school in the winter months. In 1873 he Avas
married to Miss Gunnil Olmstad, on December 15, 1873, and
bought a farm in Newark township, where they made their home
until 1880, when he was elected sherifi" of Eock county. They
then removed to the city of Janesville, where they have since
resided. Previous to being elected sheriff, and while living on
the farm, Mr. Skavlem held many local offices and was a member
of the county board. He has always taken interest in public
affairs, and has at all times been ready to aid every movement
BlOGriAPHICAL 907
that had for its purpose the betterment of Rock county and its
cities. Since living in Janesville, Mr. Skavlem has also taken a
great interest in the public library, and was the librarian for
three years and for many years has served on the board of di-
rectors. He promoted and helped organize the State Library
Association. He has always been interested in the early and in
the contemporary history of his native state of Wisconsin, as well
as in the prehistoric ages of this region. He is a member of the
"Wisconsin Historical Society, and is one of the leading members
of the Wisconsin Society of Acha^ology, also of the Wisconsin
Natural History Society, and as a naturalist has more than a
local reputation. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of
Pythias. In religious matters he is inclined to do his own think-
ing, being more in harmony with the Unitarian belief than any
other. Mr. Skavlem wields a ready and versatile pen, and his
literary field ranges from the technically scientific paper to the
lighter shade of magazine contributions in both prose and verse.
He is a man who is well and favorably known by nearly every-
body in Rock county.
Mr. and Mrs. Skavlem are the parents of four children:
Hannah L., born October 13, 1875, deceased ; Louis Norman, born
October 19, 1877 ; Gertrude J., born February 15, 1879, and Henry
Oilman, born January 31, 1885.
Frank H. Snyder, who is a native of Green county, Wiscon-
sin, was born March 5, 1864, and is a son of John T. and Martha
A. (Fleek) Snyder. His grandparents, James S. and Eliza (Mar-
tin) Snyder, were natives, James from the blue grass region of
Kentucky, Eliza from Indiana, and who, in an early day removed
to Richland county, Wisconsin, being among the early pioneers
of that section.
James S. lived to be eighty years old and died at Richland
Center, in Richland county. Eliza, the grandmother, died in
July, 1906, at the age of ninety-four years.
Our subject was raised on his father's farm in Rock county,
Wisconsin, and received his education in the common schools
of Evansville. After leaving school he returned to the old home-
stead and followed the life of a farmer until 1899, when he re-
moved to Janesville, and commenced business on his own account.
He has since continued in the general fire insurance business
and has met with continued success.
908 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the
Elks.
On March 25, 1891, Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Jose-
phine, daughter of Joseph Marshall, at Richland Center, Wiscon-
sin, and they have one child, Cliff "W.
Frank P. Starr, who has always lived in Rock county, Wiscon-
sin, was born in Newark township on November 27, 1856, and is
the elder of two sons born to James and Amelia (Butters) Starr,
natives of England. His brother, Egbert, is now deceased. The
parents came to the United States in 1850, and after four years'
residence in Beloit, Wis., settled on a farm in Newark township,
where they passed the remainder of their days. The father was
a successful farmer and brought his farm, which was wholly
unimproved when he settled on it, to a high state of cultivation,
and improved it with good buildings and other equipments of
the modern farm. He was a Republican in politics, but took no
active part in political affairs more than to perform his duties as
a good citizen, preferring the peace and quiet of his simple home
life. Both he and his wife were affiliated with the ''Church of
England" and highly esteemed in the community.
Mr. Starr died at the family home in 1889, and his wife passed
away in 1903.
Frank P. passed his boyhood assisting in the farm work and
attended the district schools of the neighborhood and had the
ordinary experiences of the wide-awake farmer boy. He sup-
plemented his common school education by study in the Beloit
schools, fitting himself for teaching — a profession to which he
devoted himself continuously for some twenty years with marked
success, being for eight years principal of the graded school at
Afton, Wis. He was for two years president of the Teachers'
Association of Rock county. Mr. Starr has always taken an
active interest in political and civic affairs and at one time served
as Clerk of Rock township. In 1898 he was elected on the Re-
publican ticket, county clerk of Rock county, and by reelections,
filled that office six years. He was then elected to the office of
supervisor of assessments and is now (1907) acting in that
capacity. He is a man of fine personal and social qualities and
popular among his wide circle of loyal friends. He is affiliated
with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and Loyal Americans, and in religious faith is con-
BIOGRArHICAL 909
nected with the Congregational church. He is a man of literary
abilit}^ fond of books, and as a ready and forceful speaker has on
various occasions exercised his talents with good effect during
political campaigns.
Asa D. Sanborn, who was one of Rock county's prosperous
and enterprising citizens, was a native of Littleton, N. H. He
was born in 1827, and was a son of Ezra and Mrs. Whitman
Sanborn, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire and
passed their lives there, the father being a carpenter by trade.
Asa D. was educated in the common schools and grew to
manhood in his native state and was there engaged for some
years in manufacturing sash and blinds. In 1864 he disposed of
his interests in the East and, removing to Wisconsin, settled on
a farm in Rock county and there engaged in farming for some
seven years. In 1871 Mr. Sanborn retired from the farm and
moving to Janesville, opened a grocery store and carried on a
successful business in that line until his decease in 1895. He
was a quiet, home-loving man, unassuming in manner, never
seeking or caring for official position, finding in his own business
ample scope for gratification of his ambition. He was a Re-
publican in politics. In his business relations he was always
prompt and upright, and as a man was universally esteemed for
his manly character.
In 1851 Mr. Sanborn married Miss Angie M., daughter of
Joseph L. and Laura (Gove) Taylor, who was born in New Hamp-
shire in 1833, and who now resides in her comfortable home at
No. 162 South Main street, Janesville. Her father, a native of
Massachusetts, was a shoe dealer in early life, but later engaged
in farming. Her mother was a native of New Hampshire.
Of two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanborn, the elder, Charles
A., was in business with his father at Janesville for some years,
but now lives in North Dakota, where he is engaged in the sale
of agricultural implements. He married Miss Nellie Drake, and
they have two children, viz. : Roy A. and Lawrence D. The
younger son, B. T., was a physician and practiced his profession
at Janesville until his decease in 1891.
Stanley B. Smith was a native of Philadelphia, Jefferson
county, New York, and was born on October 4, 1843, the son of
Jesse and Mary Brooks Smith. In 1846 his parents removed
with their family to Wisconsin, and settled in the toAvn of Union,
910 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
where our subject spent his boyhood. He supplemented his com-
mon school education with a course of study at the University
of Michigan and also studied law with a view to entering the
profession, but decided to enter business life instead. After
coming to Janesville when a young man, Mr. Smith, with his two
brothers, was for several years connected with the Clow Reaper
Manufacturing Company, being a stockholder and director in
the company. In 1876 he took a position as bookkeeper in the
Rock County National bank, and there familiarized himself with
every phase of the banking business, being successively teller,
cashier, etc. Mr. Smith continued his connection with this in-
stitution till 1894, when he resigned and soon afterwards became
president of the First National bank of Janesville, which office
he filled at the time of his decease, which occurred on January
19, 1906. The city sustained the loss of one of its best citizens
and most progressive business men and a man whose helpful in-
fluence was felt in every department of civic life. He was a recog-
nized authority in literary matters ; a leading member of the
Round Table, once a noted club in Janesville; associated with
various literary organizations, and himself a fluent and interest-
ing writer of pure English, though he never allowed his produc-
tions to be published over his own name.
It is largely due to his untiring zeal and efforts that Janes-
ville today has its public library. Mr. Smith was a man of cheer-
ful, sunny disposition, and the very soul of good fellowship in
its best sense. He was a brilliant conversationalist, at once in-
structive, humorous and witty, and through his nobility of char-
acter, scholarly attainments and manly virtues, attracted to him-
self many devoted friends. He was withal a man of generous im-
pulses and gave largely to charities of various kinds. In politics
he was a Republican, though he never sought or desired office.
In 1889 Mr. Smith married Miss Martha M. Logan, who, with
his two sisters, Mrs. Thomas Alsop, of Brooklyn, Wis., and
Mrs. Mary Richardson, of Santa Barbara, Cal., are the only
members of his immediate family to survive him.
Edson S. Williams, who lives at 101 Jefferson avenue, in Janes-
ville, Wis., is a native of New York state. He was born at Car-
mel, N. Y., on December 17, 1843, to Wright and Elizabeth
(Hughes) Williams, natives of New York.
Edson was raised at Carmel, where he attended the public
BIOGEAPHICAL 911
schools until he was thirteen years of age, then set to work at
the farming business, which he followed for four years. He came
to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled at Evansville, where he engaged
in the harness business, and followed the same until 1880. He
came to Janesville, Wis., in 1888, where he has since remained.
When the Civil War broke out and the call for troops was
made, Mr. Williams, in 1861, responded and enlisted in Company
H, Second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and with the
Iron brigade, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He saw
much service, being with his regiment engaged in the battles of
Bull Run, Gainsville, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg, loosing his right leg in that battle, July 1, 1863. He
served until November 26, 1863, when he received an honorable
discharge and was mustered out of the service.
Mr. Williams is a member of Union Lodge No. 11, Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows, of Washington, D. C, and in re-
ligious matters he affiliates with the Episcopalians.
On September 22, 1890, Mr. Williams married Loriuda F.
Stevens, at Janesville, Wis., and who is the daughter of Samuel
and Fanny Stevens, of Janesville, Wis., deceased.
John P. Watson, one of Janesville 's successful contractors,
and a resident of that city since 1855, is a native of Cambridge-
shire, England, was born November 16, 1826. His parents, Wil-
liam and Mary (Spinks) Watson, were also natives of England.
At the age of thirteen he began working on the railroad, but
soon afterward was employed on bridge building, and was en-
gaged in that line of work on various railroads in the old coun-
try until 1849, when he emigrated to America. He made his
home in Chicago and for one year was engaged in bridge building
for the Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company on the old
Galena division between Chicago and Elgin.
In the spring of 1850, during the great gold excitement, he
went to California, going overland by team, and engaged in
placer mining in Placerville. The succeeding two years were
spent in the gold mines with varying success, at the end of which
time he returned to New York by way of Nicaragua and at once
sailed for his native land, where on March 23, 1852, in Spalding,
Lincolnshire, England, he was married to Miss Susan Wilson, a
daughter of John and Sarah (Taylor) Wilson of that place.
Within three months he returned to Chicago, where he en-
913 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
gaged in the hotel and livery business for two and one-half years.
At this time he loaned money, which he had made in California,
for twenty-five per cent.
In the spring of 1855 Mr. Watson came to Janesville, where,
after a few months as proprietor of the Ogden house, he resumed
his former business as contractor, building bridges and culverts
on the Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad between Janesville and
Brodhead. This work occupied one summer, when he began
contracting and building in the city.
He built a store for J. J. R. Pease, also the Jackman block
and a number of dwellings, and in 1861, repaired the dam across
the Rock river above Milwaukee street. About 1862 he built a
round house and railroad bridge at Janesville for the Chicago &
North-Western railroad. He built piers and foundations for the
bridges at Racine and Kenosha and the smaller bridges on the
Lake Shore division for the same company, as well as the masonry
work for the bridges on the line between Janesville and Green
Bay, and the Madison division. He enlarged and straightened
the tunnels at Sparta, Wis., built the masonry for bridges in
Minnesota and for the air line between Fond du Lac and Mil-
waukee.
He has done a large amount of tunnel work, and, altogether,
has employed or been in charge of a large number of men, more,
perhaps, than any other man in the state. During the high
water of the spring of 1881, when Janesville was threatened with
inundation, he came to the rescue, and by his experience and
knowledge of such work, relieved the city of serious trouble.
During that and the following year he built the race and lower
cotton mill.
In 1882, when a large portion of the upper dam was washed
away by high water, he checked the flow of water in a gap more
than 100 feet wide by fifteen feet in depth, in eighteen days, and
restored the power for the Avork of factories and mills in high
water, a feat hardly supposed to be possible.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson were blessed with a family of six chil-
dren, one dying in infancy. Mary Elizabeth, the Avife of Orion
Sutherland; Susan E., widow of Clinton H. Wilcox; J. H., of
Janesville; William E., of New Mexico, and Dottie M., wife of
William T. King, of Minneapolis. Mrs. Watson passed away
January 13, 1899.
BIOGEAPHICAL 913
Mr. Watson is a Republican in politics, but has never sought
or desired office. Not connected with any church, he has been
liberal in support of all. About 1882, after leading a very busy
and useful life, he retired from the cares of same. Possessing
a spirit of enterprise, supported by indomitable energy and
pluck, he never hesitated to undertake a difficult or dangerous
piece of work, and has invariably carried out his undertaking
with marked success. While having sustained some serious in-
juries in the course of his life while in discharge of duty, he has
had the good fortune to carry his men through with but one
fatal accident among the thousands who have been under his
charge.
A man of broad views, free-hearted and ever ready to do a
kindness or to assist those in distress, Mr. Watson by his upright,
manly course and strict integrity has now the respect and con-
fidence of all who know him.
John L. Wilcox. No history of Janesville could be complete
without devoting some space somewhere and in some manner to
the achievements of the younger class of men who are giving the
best years of their lives toward building up the industrial re-
sources of the country, and it is therefore a diflBcult matter to
do justice to these young men, many of them being extremely
reluctant to talk about themselves; and one of the chief offend-
ers in this line is John L. AVilcox, the secretary and general man-
ager of the Lewis Knitting Company. He was born in Janes-
ville on November 24, 1879. His parents were Clinton H. and
Susan E. Wilcox, who were always highly esteemed by the people
of Janesville, where they have resided for many years. Father
Wilcox passed out of this life on April 1, 1895; Mother Wilcox
is still (1908) living, with the hopes of many years to come, in
which she is joined by her children and many friends.
Our subject received his education in the public schools of
Janesville, and after completing his studies there found em-
ployment in Chicago, where he was for several years connected
with the wholesale firm of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., where he
received a business training and experience which proved in-
valuable to him and doubtless had a large influence in the forma-
tion of his decision to enter upon the career of a manufacturer
of underwear. The goods made by his company have received
a world-wide reputation.
914 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
Mr. Wilcox is a member of the society of Elks of Janesville,
and secretary of the Sinnissippi Golf Club of Janesville.
On January 1, 1901, Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage with
Miss Mabel Barrett Lewis. They are the happy parents of one
child — Annette.
Charles H. Weirick, a prosperous and influential citizen of
Janesville, was born at Shopiere, Rock county. Wis., October 7,
1863, to William C. and Susan (Long) Weirick, natives of Penn-
sylvania and Ohio respectively. They were married in the state
last named, and in 1858 removed to Rock county, Wisconsin,
and settling at Shopiere, where they made a home and passed
their lives. The father was a mason contractor and followed his
occupation until his decease in 1868. The mother survived until
1898.
Charles H. acquired a good English education in the public
schools of his native town and at the age of eighteen years began
clerking in a general store, where he remained until he attained
his majority. That was in 1884, and from that time on during a
period of eighteen years he carried on a general merchandising
business in his home town with good success.
Mr. Weirick has always been interested in public matters
and has been active in the local affairs of the Republican party
for many years. He served as clerk of the town of Turtle ten
years, for six years was chairman of the town board of super-
visors, and in 1902 was elected register of deeds for Rock
county, and closing out his mercantile business in Shopiere, took
up his residence in Janesville, his present home.
Mr. Weirick is actively identified with various social, fra-
ternal and benevolent organizations, being a member of the
Masonic order. Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, the Order of Elks and Modern Woodmen of America.
On October 1, 1891, Mr. Weirick married Miss Nellie M.,
daughter of Mr. Charles W. and Eliza (Nash) Stark. The
father, a native of Vermont, is a farmer by occupation and
served for many years as register of deeds of Rock county.
Mr. and Mrs. Weirick have two children, viz. : Marion, fif-
teen years, and Maurice, eleven years of age.
Arthur C. Kent, a retired business man of Janesville, Wis.,
was born at Chataqua, Canada, and is a son of Cartwright and
Caroline M. (Smith) Kent, the former a native of Lincolnshire
BIOGRAPHICAL 915
and the latter of London, England, she being a half-sister of the
Honorable Charles Chichester, queen's counsel, of London.
Arthur C. was educated in the common schools in Canada,
and after leaving home acted as French interpreter at the Inter-
national Hotel at Niagara Falls, N. Y., during 1853-54. Going
to Chicago in 1855, he was for a year ticket clerk in the office
of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. Mr. Kent
returned to Canada in 1856 and engaged in the distilling busi-
ness ; then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed in
the slate and marble trade for a time and after that was engaged
as a contractor and builder at Lexington, Ky. In 1860 Mr. Kent
came to Janesville, Wis., and there, in response to President Lin-
coln's call for troops on November 6, 1861, enlisted in Company
E, Third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, and entered
the service as first lieutenant of his company, and served until
June 13, 1863, when he resigned and returned home.
Mr. Kent next engaged in the distilling and vinegar business
for five years, after which he turned his attention to manufac-
turing and building operations. Besides three handsome modern
apartment buildings he erected and equipped a large factory for
the manufacture of corn planters, and before selling his inter-
ests in the establishment in 1905 had manufactured and placed
on the market more than a million corn planters. In 1906 Mr.
Kent invented and patented a potato planter which has proven
a great success. Throughout his varied and busy career Mr.
Kent has maintained a high standard of business integrity, and
in whatever he has undertaken he has always shown himself
capable and trustworthy, so that wherever known he is held in
high esteem. He has never sought or held public office, his own
business being more to his liking and furnishing ample scope
for the gratification of his ambitions. He is connected with the
Masonic order and is also a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic. In religious faith he is affiliated with the Episcopal
church.
On October 23, 1866, Mr. Kent married Miss Hattie M. Liddle,
and they have had two children, both of whom died in infancy.
Claremont S. Jackman, a native of Janesville, Wis., was born
November 20, 1846, to Timothy and Maria M. (Smith) Jack-
man. The Jackman family is of English ancestry and was first
represented in this country in colonial days, some of its mem-
yi6 HISTORY OF EOCK COUXTY
bers serving in the state militia of Massachusetts, and in the
Revolutionary War under Washington. Stillman Jaekman, our
subject's grandfather, was born in Massachusetts, but later
moved to New Hampshire, where he died.
Our subject's father was a native of New York state and in
early life was a farmer. He settled at Janesville, Wis., in 1842,
where he conducted a hotel and was also engaged in the milling
and mercantile business. He was a prosperous and successful
business man and a man of commanding influence in the com-
munity, and was a member of the first city council of Janesville.
He was one of the organizers of the Rock, now Rock County,
National Bank, and served as its president from its organization
till his decease in 1868 at the age of sixty-eight years. Our sub-
ject's mother, who died in 1888, was a daughter of Jesse Smith,
a native of Massachusetts, who in 1848 settled in Union town-
ship. Rock county, Wisconsin, where he carried on farming and
also conducted a store until his decease at the age of ninety
years. Our subject is one of a family of four children, of whom
two are deceased. His brother, Clarence N., is a carriage manu-
facturer of Janesville.
Claremont Jaekman was educated in the common schools,
and at the age of sixteen, in 1862, enlisted in the army and en-
tered the Civil War as a member of the Twelfth Wisconsin Ar-
tillery. He fought in the battles of Mission Ridge and Altoona
and the siege and capture of Savannah, participated in Sher-
man's march to the sea, and later, was assigned to duty at the
headquarters of General John A. Logan. After his return from
the war he spent one year in the milling business at Janesville,
and the next year and a half was engaged in mining in Montana.
After his return to Janesville on July 1, 1867, he took a position
as messenger in the Rock County National Bank, and worked
his way up through the various offices until he became its presi-
dent, which office he now (1907) holds. Mr. Jaekman is counted
among the most progressive and influential citizens of his city.
He has large financial interests in many of the city's large
manufacturing and commercial enterprises and is a large stock-
holder in the Janesville waterworks. In politics he is a Repub-
lican and has served two terms as alderman from the Third
ward. He is a member of the Masonic order and is connected
with Oriental Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
BIOGRAPHICAL 917
On March 10, 1869, Mr. Jackman married Miss Clara Ilan-
chett, daughter of John H. and Julia (Titus) Hanehett. They
have one son, Frank, who is cashier in the bank with his father
and who married Miss Etta B. Hanehett, by whom he has three
children, Francis, Claremont and Ann.
The Jackman home at the corner of Park place and St. Law-
rence street is a model of elegance and comfort.
Silas Hurd, who was one of the pioneer settlers and sturdy,
substantial farmers of Rock county, Wisconsin, was a native of
New York state. He was born in September, 1817, and was a
son of Jonathan and Elizabeth Hurd. He grew up on a farm,
having the ordinary experiences of the eastern farmer boy, and
received a good common school education. On attaining his
majority he came West to begin life, having no capital save his
native ability and a determined purpose to succeed. This was
before the days of railroads, and he made the trip from his east-
ern home to the then territory of Wisconsin overland with team
and wagon, camping out nights on the way. Stopping near Be-
loit, he spent one season there and raised a crop of corn, and
then settled on a quarter section of land which he purchased
from the United States government in Fulton township. Here
he built a rude log house on the bank of the Rock river, in which
he lived with his family until able to erect a comfortable and
substantial modern home. Mr. Hurd had a genius for hard
work and turned his hand to anything he could find to do to
earn an honest dollar. Thus by perseverance, industry, econ-
omy and thrift his affairs prospered, and, adding to his original
purchase from time to time, he owned at one time 1,200 acres of
fine, fertile farming land, besides a vast amount of personal and
other property. He was always a man of public spirit, ready to
help in any way he could to advance the material and moral
welfare of the community, and was held in high esteem as one
of the self-made substantial and influential citizens of Rock
county of his day.
In politics he was a staunch Republican, but never sought or
cared for official position, finding in his chosen work ample scope
for the exercise of his powers and the gratification of his ambi-
tion.
He died at his home on April 7, 1888, universally esteemed.
918 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
and left to his family, besides the results of his material pros-
perity, the lasting heritage of an honored name.
In early life Mr. Hurd married Miss Cynthia Cowan, a native
of New York state, whose decease occurred on July 12, 1880.
Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurd the eldest, Charles
H., is deceased; the second child, Clara M., married Mr. Elijah
P. Wixom, now deceased, and resides at 153 Milton avenue,
Janesville; the third, Sarah E., who now resides at 203 Milton
avenue, is the widow of Mr. George Scofield, deceased ; Emma
L., the fourth child, is married to Mr. George A. Proctor, died in
1902 ; John C. is a prosperous farmer of Fulton township ; and
Malita, the sixth, and Lelia, the youngest child, are both de-
ceased.
Sketches of both Mr. Elijah P. Wixom and Mr. George Sco-
field appear elsewhere in this work.
James F. Hutchinson, mayor of the city of Janesville, is a
native son of Wisconsin, born December 31, 1856, at Dunkirk,
Dane county, Wis. His parents were Stoakley and Elizabeth
(Ingmalles) Hutchinson, who were both born and reared in
England, the father in the town of March, Cambridgeshire, born
November 13, 1826; the mother in Lincolnshire, born October
8, 1830. They came to the United States in 1852 and lived in
New York city for three years, then removed to Wisconsin in
1855 and settled in Dunkirk, Dane county, where they farmed
for three years. Being attracted by the possibilities of Rock
county, they moved to Janesville in 1858 and there made their
permanent home, Mr. Hutchinson engaging in the business of
contracting painter, which he carried on successfully until the
time of his death, which occurred on December 23, 1906, at the
age of eighty years. Mrs. Hutchinson died January 11, 1880,
aged forty-nine years. There were born to them ten children, of
which our subject was the second of the family.
James F. received a good business education in the schools
of Janesville and then engaged in the contracting work with
his father, and in 1895 embarked in business for himself, in which
he has been very successful not only in a financial way but also
m gaining and holding the esteem of his fellow men.
In politics Mr. Hutchinson is a Democrat, and has been hon-
ored by the voters of Janesville, electing him mayor of the
city for two terms and twice as alderman of the Second ward.
BIOGRAPHICAL 919
His amiable nature makes him very popular with his fellow
members in the different fraternal orders, and he carries the
passwords of the Masons, Odd Fellows and the Elks. Together
with the rest of his family he is an Episcopalian in religious
faith.
On September 14, 1882, Mr. Hutchinson was united in mar-
riage with Miss Agnes Olson, daughter of Andrew Olson, of
Janesville. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson
two children — Fred 0., born June 22, 1884, and Althea E., born
September 18, 1888.
Hon. Hamilton Richardson, a prominent business man and
early settler of Janesville, Wis., was born in the town of Le Roy,
Genesee county, N. Y., on October 17, 1820, and was a son of
William and Mary (Pierson) Eichardson. His father, who was
of Scotch and English descent, was born in Johnstown, N. Y.,
and the name of Hamilton which our subject bears was the
maiden name of his mother, who was of Scotch ancestry. Mr.
Richardson's mother was born also at Johnstown, N. Y., and on
her father's side was of English descent, while her mother, who
was a Van Valkenburg, was of the old Mohawk Holland an-
cestry.
Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received
his education in the district schools, which he attended until fif-
teen years of age, when he left the farm and entered the service
of a mercantile firm and became a member of the family of one
of its partners, a personal friend of his father's and a most ac-
complished business man, with whom he emigrated to Michigan
when that state had just been admitted to the Union. The en-
tire state except along the southern border was almost an un-
broken wilderness. The firm with which young Richardson
was employed located in Genesee county at what is now the
thriving city of Flint. They laid out a large part of that town
and built the first dam across the Flint river at that point,
erected the first sawmill and established the first mercantile
house in the city and county.
Their business included banking and for a time was pros-
perous, but when the great commercial panic of 1837 occurred
they, like thousands of other business men, were forced into
bankruptcy. Throughout his entire connection with the firm
Mr. Richardson participated in the management of its extensive
920 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
business and had the varied experience of opening, conducting
and closing an extensive enterprise.
In the financial history of the country the panic of 1837
marks a disastrous epoch of which but few business men of the
present day have any knowledge. To the experience acquired
at that early day may be attributed the caution and forethought
that marked his course through life and to which he was largely
indebted for his uniform success in the various business enter-
prises in which he engaged.
In 1840 he returned to New York and renewed his studies
in the academy of his native town ; but he was too much imbued
with the western spirit to long content himself in the East, and
consequently in the spring of 1842 he again wended his way
westward and located at Milwaukee, Wis., where he secured em-
ployment as bookkeeper in one of the large commercial houses
in that city. In the year 1844 he engaged in the hardware busi-
ness at Racine, but not realizing his expectations in that line, he
sold out in the spring of 1846 and removed to Janesville, where
he again engaged in the hardware business.
In 1850 Mr. Richardson, in connection with Mr. Truesdell,
erected the Excelsior Mills, later known as the Hodson Mills.
The venture proved an unfortunate one, as the property was at
first nearly destroyed by fire and later by flood. A succession
of poor crops had produced dull times, which still farther embar-
rassed matters, and Mr. Richardson, to make a change of base,
in the fall of 1851 removed to California, where the gold ex-
citement of that day had caused a great rush of emigration. He
selected Marysville, at the head of navigation on Feather river,
as the site of future operations, and there established a mercan-
tile house through which he furnished supplies to mountain
traders and miners. At that time Marysville was an important
commercial center, and for four years he carried on the business
above mentioned with marked success. In the course of his op-
erations he was obliged to make long trips over the mountains,
visiting various miners' camps and new hamlets. While on one
of these expeditions he was attacked and robbed by a portion of
Joaquin's noted band of highwaymen and narrowly escaped
with his life.
While a resident of California Mr. Richardson helped to
organize a company which operated a line of steamers on the
BIOGEAPHICAL 921
inland waters of the state in opposition to a giant monopoly that
was robbing the public by its extensive charges. He was one
of the largest stockholders in the enterprise and served as secre-
tary and treasurer of the company. The new line proved a
great success and broke up the monopoly, as its projectors and
managers intended. After five years spent on the Pacific slope
he returned to Janesville and again entered into business at that
place. Although just on the eve of the great commercial crisis
of 1857, he made successful investments in real estate and ac-
quired extensive property interests here. He was a stockholder
in various manufacturing establishments, including the New
Doty Manufacturing Company and the Janesville Cotton Mills,
and was a stockholder and director of the First National Bank.
He owned two store buildings on South Main street and three
on West Milwaukee street.
On August 9, 1858, Mr. Richardson was married at Janesville
to Miss Caroline A. Pease, the daughter of the late Judge Lor-
rain T. Pease, of Hartford, Conn. She was born at Enfield,
Conn., but was reared and educated at Hartford. Her father
was in government employ and in discharge of his duty visited
Green Bay, Wis., and Fort Snelling, Minn., during the early
settlement of the Northwest. His son, the Hon. John J. R. Pease,
a pioneer settler of Janesville, came to Green Bay with his father
in 1840, as did the daughter, Mrs. Richardson.
On the consummation of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rich-
ardson went abroad, spending the remainder of that and the
following year in a tour of Europe. On returning to Janesville
the husband erected the elegant mansion in which his widow
still resides. He also bought the Doty Manufacturing Company
and was the largest stockholder in the New Doty Manufacturing
Company. Prior to the Civil War he was a Democrat in politics,
but on the commencement of the great struggle he joined the
party of the administration and gave the government a patriotic
and hearty support. He contributed largely both of time and
means in raising troops for the war. He was one of a commit-
tee of three which raised the Thirteenth Regiment of Wisconsin
Infantry and was an active member of nearly every committee
that was organized for w^ar purposes in the city of Janesville.
In 1864 he was elected to the legislature by the united Re-
publican and war Democratic vote, and in 1868 was elected
922 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
county commissioner and appointed a member of the committee
on public buildings which had the charge of the erection of the
Rock county courthouse, an edifice which for beauty, stability
and convenience was unrivaled in the state. He was subse-
quently twice elected a member of the county board of super-
visors and in 1876 was elected to the state senate, and was three
times reelected, serving from January, 1877, until 1882. During
the session of 1877 Mr. Richardson introduced and managed the
passage of a bill which provided that all charitable and reform-
atory state institutions should be under the management of one
board of control, a law that has tended to produce a more uni-
form and satisfactory operation of these institutions. In the
session of 1881 he introduced a bill to provide for the humane
care of the chronic insane, not otherwise provided, which estab-
lished the present system of combined state and county control.
He was chairman of the committee on charitable and penal in-
stitutions of Wisconsin and in March, 1881, presented an ex-
haustive and comprehensive report on the subject of the investi-
gation of the state hospital for the insane. On March 30 of that
year he delivered a very eloquent and touching eulogy on the
character of the late Hon. Matthew Hale Carpenter. In all his
relations with the senate Mr. Richardson was recognized as a
useful and influential legislator. His connection with impor-
tant committees was marked by energetic and prompt action
and his views and opinions were always respected and valued
by his fellow senators.
In July, 1883, he was appointed by President Arthur to the
position of postmaster of Janesville and served in that capacity
until February, 1888.
Mr. Richardson was a Mason, belonging to the West Star
Lodge No. 14, A. F. and A. M. ; Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A.
M. ; and Janesville Commandery No. 2, K. T.
Mr. and Mrs. Richardson were parents of six children, five
sons and one daughter: Victor P. Richardson, who is president
of the New Doty Manufacturing Company and was twice mayor
of Janesville ; Sarah M., residing in the city of Janesville ; Ham-
ilton P., residing in Chicago, 111., in the commission business;
John P., residing in Chicago, 111. ; Marshall P., a lawyer, residing
in city of Janesville; and Lorrain T., a captain in the regular
army, located in California.
BIOGRAPHICAL 923
In 1873 Mr. Richardson again visited Europe and made an
extensive tour of the Old World. Among the most enterprising
and successful business men of Janesville, he was without ques-
tion accorded the foremost place. He possessed that quick per-
ception and sound judgment, cool nerve and indomitable will
which are so essential to the successful prosecution of all busi-
ness enterprises. As a financier he was conservative yet pro-
gressive, and his opinions were valued and respected by those
with whom he was associated. In politics he was universally
successful and won his point in many a contest when opposed
by the most powerful manipulators of the machine. Integrity
of character, steadfastness of purpose, liberality and broad
views on the great principles and affairs of the world charac-
terized his life and won for him the unqualified respect and
esteem of neighbor, friend and fellow citizen.
Mr. Richardson died at his home in Janesville on September
22, 1906, after a long life filled with usefulness and honors. He
was a fine type of the high-class business man, one of the men
who by their energy, integrity and strength of character lay
deep and solid the foundations of new communities and leave
as a legacy to their relatives and friends the memory of a strong
character beautifully tempered by kindliness and justice and
charity.
William Blodgett was born March 13, 1834, at Columbus,
Ind. His parents were Selvey K. Blodgett, born January 12,
1812, in Batavia, N. Y., and Mahaila Norris, born in Virginia
July 28, 1812, who was the first white woman to make her home
in Beloit, coming here in December, 1836, with her father-in-law,
Caleb Blodgett, and her two-year-old son, William, the subject
of this sketch.
His grandfather, Caleb Blodgett, the first white settler at
Beloit, was born near Randolph, Vt., April 17, 1789. He mar-
ried Chloe Kidder on December 25, 1807, and died August 7,
1840. He was a descendant of Thomas Blodgett and wife Susan,
who embarked in the "Increase" from London April 18, 1635,
settling in Cambridge, Mass., as members of "Rev. Thomas Shep-
herd's Company," which founded what is now the Shepherd Me-
morial church.
The Blodgetts were a patriotic race. They served in the
French and Indian wars, and. they furnished 114 Revolutionary
924 HISTORY OE EOCK COUNTY
soldiers. Samuel Blodgett, the grandfather of Caleb, was a
friend and correspondent of Washington, was called the "Pio-
neer of Progress," and was best known for his great enterprise
of the time of completing a canal around Amoskeag falls at
Manchester, N. H. A son of his, Samuel, Jr., served on the
staff of Washington, was chairman of the commissioners to fur-
ther the project of the national capitol, built the first house at
Washington and furnished the first money ($10,000) toward
laying the foundation of the capitol and the president's house.
Caleb Blodgett and grandson William came to Beloit in De-
cember, 1836, and bought for $200 the rights of the French Cana-
dian Thibault. In the language of the Indians, he stood on a
high hill and bought so many "looks," about 7,000 acres of
land on the east bank of Rock river. Indians and squaws helped
him roll up the logs for his house, which was built with two
rooms and stood on the banks of Rock river on what is now
State street. He dug a race down what is now called South
Race street and set up the first sawmill in Beloit in March, 1837.
He sold to Dr. White, of the New England Emigrating Com-
pany, a one-third interest in his claim excepting the sawmill for
$2,500. That same year his son, Selvey K. Blodgett, the father
of William, arrived from Ohio and engaged in farming on the
place now known as Yost's park. Here in a log house was born
the second white child in Beloit, William's brother, Selvey K., Jr.,
June 10, 1838.
Caleb Blodgett had named the settlement New Albany, but
the later arrivals in the village disliked that name, so that in
the fall of 1838 a committee of three chose the new name, Beloit.
In Caleb Blodgett 's house, using Caleb's large family Bible,
twenty-four members founded the First Congregational church
of Beloit, December 30, 1838.
Selvey K. Blodgett, the father of William, discontinued his
farming business and in 1852 crossed the plains to California
to investigate the wonderful stories told of that western state,
returning to his home in Beloit after three months, where he
continued to buy and ship stock and produce.
William Blodgett received his primary education in the pio-
neer schoolhouse of that early day. Desiring a better business
education, after saving enough from his own earnings he pursued
and completed a full course at D.- V. Bell's Commercial College
ELIJAH P WIXOM
BIOGEAPHICAL 925
(now Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College) in Chicago, 111.,
receiving his diploma for a thorough knowledge of commercial
law and bookkeeping in the spring of 1856, then accepting the
position of bookkeeper in the milling business for his uncle, John
Hackett.
The following year, 1857, he and his father purchased a half
interest in Mr. Hackett 's milling business, the connection con-
tinuing until 1867, when they purchased Mr. Hackett 's interest.
Following many changes of partnership, in 1888 William Blodg-
ett purchased the entire ownership of the business and continued
sole proprietor until 1890, when the business was organized into
a corporation, the Blodgett Milling Company, of which he was
president until his death. In July, 1898, the mill was almost
totally destroyed by fire and the fall of the same year the busi-
ness of the Blodgett Milling Company was moved to Janesville,
where Mr. Blodgett died August 27, 1901, and was buried in
the cemetery at Beloit.
June 17, 1856, William Blodgett was united in marriage with
Miss Elizabeth M. Hodge, who was born in Vesper, N. Y., Decem-
ber 2, 1834, and died in Janesville, Wis., December 6, 1906, a
woman of Christian attainments and possessed of a wonderfully
strong character to influence for good those who met her. Five
children came from this union, three of whom died in childhood.
The two remaining are Frank H. Blodgett and Mrs. David
Wheeler Holmes, of Janesville, Wis.
William Blodgett M'as a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the Morning Star Lodge No. 10, A. F. and A. M.,
Beloit; Chapter No. 9, R. A. M., and Beloit Commandery No. 6,
K. T. He was also a member of Myrtle Lodge No. 10, I. 0. 0. F.
He was a valued trustee of the Beloit Methodist church for many
years.
In political sentiment he was a Democrat. He was honored
with several local offices of trust in the city of Beloit, once as
acting mayor, and for three terms he served as alderman from
the Fourth ward.
Mr. Blodgett was a man of more than ordinary business abil-
ity and wise judgment. In the official and responsible positions
he held he always proved himself capable, honorable and trust-
worthy, so that no one stood higher in public esteem than did
William Blodgett.
926 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUN^TY
Thomas 0. Howe, who holds a high place in the business
world and social life of Janesville, Wis., is a native of Ohio and
was born on May 5, 1860, and is a son of Frank and Martha
(Vigan) Howe, both of whom came of English ancestry. He had
good educational advantages in early life, which he improved,
and after finishing his preliminary studies pursued a course of
study at Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. After leaving
college Mr. Howe devoted himself to teaching for some time,
but since 1886 has been connected with the Rock River Cotton
Company, engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods, being
now one of the principal men connected with that enterprise.
Mr. Howe is a man of clear foresight and good judgment,
practical and progressive in his ideas, and withal honorable and
straightforward in all his methods and dealings, and in the dis-
charge of his duties in whatever position he has been placed has
always shown himself capable and trustworthy. He is a man
of pleasipg personality and fine social qualities, and is identified
with various benevolent, industrial, fraternal and social organ-
izations, being a member of the Masonic order, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, and United Commercial Travelers.
On May 27, 1883, Mr. Howe married Miss Clara Muggleton,
whose varied accomplishments and womanly endowments of
mind and heart make her the center of attraction among her
wide circle of friends. They have one child, Hazel C.
PranMiii F. Lewis was born September 28, 1850, at Fort Win-
nebago, now Lewiston, Columbia county, Wis., and is a son of
Edward F. and Betsey (Barrett) Lewis. The father was a na-
tive of Connecticut and at the age of eighteen removed with
his father to Wisconsin. At a later date he settled in Columbia
county, and for a time conducted a hotel, also carried on a gen-
eral store, and for two years served as sheriff of the county.
He was a man of influence in the community, and during the
Civil War filled the post of deputy provost marshal. In 1871 he
founded the Lewis Knitting Company, which, beginning in a
small way, through skillful management, wise forethought and
careful attention on the part of those in charge has grown to
large proportions and become one of the prominent industries
of the state. Our subject's mother is the daughter of Stephen
Barrett (a descendant of Colonel Barrett of Revolutionary fame).
BIOGRAPHICAL 927
who was born in Massachusetts and engaged in the woolen man-
ufacturing business. He settled at Turtle Creek, in Rock county,
Wis., in 1842. He was a man highly esteemed for hi& upright-
ness of character and manly dealing, and for years was a deacon
in the Baptist church. His death occurred at the age of eighty-
four years at the home of his daughter. His widow died two
years later.
Our subject is one of a family of seven sons, of whom two
besides himself survive, viz., Stephen B. and William L. The
eldest brother, Judson A., who was a sergeant in Company C,
Twenty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was killed
by a bullet through the forehead at the battle of Vicksburg.
Franklin passed his boyhood on his father's farm and at-
tended the common schools, supplementing his study there and
in the high school at Portage with a course of study at the State
Normal School at Whitewater. He taught school several years
at Waupun and served two years as superintendent of the West
Ward school there. Going thence to Whitewater, he was for
one year principal of the East Side school and one year superin-
tendent of city schools in that city. Going to Redwing, Minn.,
he spent two years in commercial life and then engaged as a
traveling salesman, selling undertakers' supplies for the White-
water Manufacturing Company, and the Cleveland Burial Case
Company, of Cleveland, traveling through the states of Wiscon-
sin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and the Dakotas.
Thus equipped, Mr. Lewis in 1883 established himself in the
manufacture of knit goods in association with his father and
brother at Portage. Upon the death of the father in 1885 the
management of the business fell upon the brothers, who removed
it to Janesville, Wis., in 1887, where it was incorporated by them
in 1889 as the Lewis Knitting Company. Mr. Lewis is president
of the corporation.
Mr. Lewis has always taken an interest in the civic and re-
ligious affairs of his city, being a Republican in politics, and
with his family being actively affiliated with the Congregational
church, which he has for many years served as secretary. He
is one of the directors and president of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association of Janesville and was the chief organizer of
their concert band. He has been for twenty-nine years a member
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
928 HISTOKY OP KOCK COUNTY
On November 29, 1877, Mr. Lewis married Vietorine, daugh-
ter of Anson and Hannah (Thorpe) Rockwell. Of three children
born to them, Mabel Barrett and Francis Eleanor are living.
The eldest, Edward, died in infancy.
Allen Perry Lovejoy, who was for many years one of the
leading and influential citizens of Janesville, Wis., was a native
of Wayne, Me. He was born March 21, 1825, and was a son of
Nathan and Temperance (Wing) Lovejoy. Both his grandfather
and his great-grandfather Lovejoy were officers in the American
Revolution. The former was a member of the "committee of
safety" from 1777 to 1780, and also on the committee for revising
the state constitution. His father was a native of New Hamp-
shire, but when a young man moved to Maine and settled on a
farm and there died in 1867 at the age of eighty-one years. His
mother was a daughter of Allen Wing, a farmer. His lands sur-
rounded a lake, formerly called Wing poud, and included a saw-
mill, from which he furnished lumber for the first church edifice
built in Wayne.
The Lovejoy family is of English Puritan origin, and among
its members who have attained to eminence in this country were
the abolitionists Elijah P. and Owen Lovejoy, the latter a con-
gressman from Illinois, both of whom were educated in the same
school with Allen P.
Our subject was raised on his father's farm, and early in life
acquired those habits of industry, frugality, self-reliance and
thrift that characterized his entire life. He supplemented his
common school education by a course of study at Wesleyan
Seminary, Readfield, Me., and at the age of eighteen years taught
a public school in his state. In 1844 he became an apprentice
in the carpenter's and builder's trade and followed that occu-
pation some sixteen years. At the age of twenty-five, in 1850,
he turned westward, landing at Milwaukee, Wis., with little cap-
ital other than his native energy, firm purpose, dauntless cour-
age and determination. He took stage to Jefferson and walked
from there to Janesville, where he at once found work, and there
and in Beloit, Wis., for nine years devoted himself to his trade
as a contractor and builder. From his building operations Mr.
Lovejoy branched out into the retail lumber trade, and from
that to manufacturing and the purchase of standing timber, un-
til his lumber interests extended throughout several states. He
BIOGRAPHICAL 929
was also financially interested in numerous other commercial
and banking enterprises in AVisconsin and was for ten years
president of the Janesville Machine Company. INIr. Lovejoy
wielded a wide influence and took an active interest in civic
affairs in his city and state. He was elected to the general as-
sembly of Wisconsin in 1869, and during the years 1887-1889
served as a member of the state senate, being a Republican in
political sentiment. He was prominent in Masonic circles and
was a member of the Knights Templar and Knights of Pythias.
In his death, which occurred March 18, 1904, at Janesville, the
city lost one of its most substantial, progressive and public-spir-
ited men, and the state a worthy citizen of the best class.
On May 29, 1880, Mr. Lovejoy married Miss Julia I. Stow,
of New Haven, Conn., by whom he had four children — Allen P.,
Henry S., Julia S. and Webster Ellis, the last of whom died in
infancy.
Frank D. Kimball, a prosperous business man of Janesville,
Wis., was born on December 12, 1848, at East Greenwich, R. I.,
and is a son of Fenner and Adeline (Allen) Kimball, who came
West and settled at Janesville, Wis. Here Frank D. acquired
his education in the public schools, and after leaving school
learned the painter's trade. After that he was employed as a
brakeman on the Chicago & North-Western Railway. Later,
after an interval spent in firing an engine, he became a locomo-
tive engineer, and for sixteen years was engaged in that capac-
ity on the North-Western Railway. In 1882 Mr. Kimball aban-
doned railroading and turned his attention to the furniture and
undertaking business at Janesville, where he has continued in
that line with eminent success for more than a quarter of a cen-
tury.
Mr. Kimball is a man of careful, businesslike methods, and
in all his transactions and dealings, by his fairness and readiness
to carry out the principle of the golden rule, readily gains and
holds public confidence and esteem. He has always devoted
himself closely to his business, neither seeking nor caring for
public office.
In politics he is a Republican. He is identified with the Ma-
sonic order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and
is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
On July 2, 1866, Mr. Kimball married Miss Euretta Bur-
930 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
dick, who died April 30, 1876, leaving one son, George F. ; a
daughter. Belle, having died in 1870. In 1877 Mr. Kimball mar-
ried Sarah L. Hatch, his present wife, and they have two chil-
dren, viz., Frank W. and Euretta Mary.
Dr. James W. St. John, who ranks among the leading medi-
cal practitioners of Janesville, Wis., where he was born October
30, 1839, is a son of Levi and Sarah T. St. John, who in 1836
settled on a farm which is now a part of the site of the city.
The father died in 1861 and the mother in 1872. James passed
his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the common
schools till his eighteenth year. He then studied one year in
the seminary at Castleton, Vt., after which he was graduated
from the Janesville high school. He began his medical studies
in 1859, but after the opening of the Civil War spent six months
in the United States service as medical cadet at Memphis, Tenn.
On his return home he resumed his studies at the Chicago Medi-
cal College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1865.
Dr. St. John has taken a somewhat active interest in the civic
affairs of his city, and during 1875-76 filled the office of mayor.
He has also served as the president of the board of education
and held other minor offices.
In 1873 Dr. St. John married Miss Mary E., daughter of
Ivers and Jane Gibbs, of Worcester, Mass.. though Mrs. St. John
herself was born in Vermont. Dr. and Mrs. St. John move in
the best social circles, and their home, over which Mrs. St. John
presides with dignity and womanly grace, is a center of culture
and refinement.
Wilbur F. Carle comes of Scotch-Irish lineage and traces his
paternal ancestry through five generations to one of three broth-
ers who came from Ireland and settled in that part of the Mas-
sachusetts colony which is now the state of Maine. His maternal
ancestors were of Scotch lineage, his mother, Parnell, nee Blos-
som, coming of an old New England family of Scotch descent.
She was born at Woodstock, Vt., and died at the family home
in Rock county, Wisconsin, December 27, 1856. His father, John
B. Carle, was born in the town of Waterborough, near Portland,
Me., February 24, 1808. He was of the fifth generation in direct
line from one of the three brothers hereinabove referred to. A
more complete account of the genealogy of the family and the
BIOGRAPHICAL 931
life of John B. Carle appears in the sketch of Mr, Levi B. Carle
in another part of this work, to which reference is made.
Wilbur F. was born at Lowell, Mass., May 22, 1841, and when
a lad of about twelve years came to Wisconsin with his parents
and settled on a farm which his father purchased in Rock county.
He passed his boyhood on the farm and attended public schools
and acquired a good English education. He began his business
career as a grocer and continued in that line of trade several
years with good success, after which he was associated with a
boot and shoe manufacturing company.
In 1879 Mr. Carle purchased the retail grocery business there-
tofore owned and conducted by his brother, Levi B. Carle, and
since that date has carried on a general merchandising business
in Janesville. Throughout his life Mr. Carle has been charac-
terized by prudence, industry and wise forethought, traits in-
herited from his long line of New England ancestry, and in all
his varied business enterprises has been known for his upright
and fair dealing. He has always taken an interest in those
things that tend to the betterment of his city and the welfare of
his fellows, and is esteemed and respected as an enterprising
and progressive citizen and man of affairs.
On October 6, 1864, Mr. Carle married Miss Maria, daughter
of William and Catherine Strawser, who were among the early
settlers of Green county, Wisconsin. They have one child. Kit-
tie B., who is married to Mr. William H. Ashcraft, of Janesville.
Levi Inman was born on July 12, 1829, and was a native of
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Wisconsin in 1857
and engaged in farming for a number of years, then sold the
farm he had purchased and with his father moved to Milledge-
ville, Carroll county, 111., whence he returned a few years later
and settled on his 200-acre farm in Bradford township, which
he improved and where he passed the remainder of his life and
where his widow now resides. He was engaged in general farm-
ing and stock raising and besides carried on quite an extensive
dairying business, and withal was prosperous and thrifty. He
was a quiet, home-loving man, caring little for outside affairs,
but filled several local offices. He was supervisor one term and
for six years served as district clerk. He was a Republican in
politics, and in religious faith a Congregationalist. His death
occurred on May 4, 1903, and the interment was at Clinton.
932 HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY
On February 2, 1852, Mr. Inman married Miss Mary M.,
daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Winter) Robbins, a native
of New Jersey. Her father, a farmer by occupation, moved with
his family to the state of Iowa, where he passed his life in farm-
ing, dying at the age of about eighty-four years. His widow,
who attained about the same age, died four years later. Mrs.
Inman was educated and lived until her marriage near Wilkes-
barre. Pa. She is a member of the Emerald Grove Congrega-
tional church. Of six children born to Mr, and Mrs. Inman, the
eldest, Edward C, was born in Pennsylvania and died at the
age of forty-one, leaving a widow, Alice, nee Scott, who was born
in Bradford township and now lives in California ; Levi Frank-
lin, died in infancy; Lizzie M., who has quite a talent for paint-
ing and has done some fine work in that line, resides at home;
Rush G., who has always lived on the homestead, was born May
11, 1866, and after leaving the district schools attended the Be-
loit high school and later studied at Milton College. Besides
an interest in the home place he owns a finely improved farm of
200 acres in Bradford township, which he leases. Besides gen-
eral farming he carries on a dairying business, and also breeds
and raises high-grade stock. He has served as treasurer of Brad-
ford for two years, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica and the Mystic Workers, and is a member and trustee of the
Emerald Grove Congregational church. He has also served for
eight years as secretary of the Avalon Creamery Company, a
large and prosperous organization at Avalon.
Jeanette E., who resides at home, was educated at Mt. Car-
mel Seminary, Illinois, where she studied four years, and after-
wards taught in various schools of Rock county. She is an ac-
complished pianist and has taught music successfully.
Mr. Rush G. Inman, with his mother and sisters, Lizzie M.
and Jeanette E., have moved to Janesville, where they have
bought a beautiful home and where they will make their perma-
nent home, having leased his farms.
Frederick Hiram Howe, one of the successful and prosperous
business men of Janesville, Wis., has attained to the position he
holds through years of persistent effort in the line of his native
talents and in furtherance of an honorable and worthy purpose.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he was born on March 8, 1858, and
is a son of Francis and Martha Howe. He acquired the ordi-
BIOGEAPHICAL 933
nary common school education in the district schools of the
neighborhood, where he lived in Orange township, Cuyahoga
county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood on a farm. Beginning
in 1878, when he was twenty years old, and continuing until
1879, he traveled through Ohio selling goods for Messrs. Moyer
Brothers, dealers in tin and hardware at Cleveland. From 1880
to 1884 he traveled in the interest of the Brooks Oil Company,
of Cleveland, and during the next ten years was similarly em-
ployed with the Globe Oil Company, of that city. Closing his
affairs in Cleveland in 1895, he removed to Janesville, Wis., where
he has since been connected with the Rock River Cotton Com-
pany, engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. In all his
dealings Mr. Howe is known for his prompt, honorable and
straightforward methods, and in every position of responsibility
to which he has been called he has shown himself capable and
trustworthy, and wherever known none stands higher in public
esteem than he. He is a man of pleasing personality, sociable
and genial, and is identified with several fraternal organizations,
being a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Benev-
olent and Protective Order of Elks.
On December 21, 1881, Mr. Howe married Miss Jennie M.
Bragg.
Hercules W. Perrigo, who resides at 18 Ruger avenue, Janes-
ville, Wis., was born in Franklin county, New York, January 12,
1839. He is a son of Meader and Lydia (Stevens) Perrigo, who
were both natives of Vermont. They were married in 1828 and
in 1830 removed to New York, where they resided until 1866,
when they came West and located in Rock county, Wisconsin,
purchasing a farm in Fulton township. Here Mr. Perrigo made
his home and engaged in general farming and stock raising for
many years. In later life he retired from actual business and
moved to Edgerton, where he died on May 5, 1906, at the age
of ninety-nine years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died
in 1896, a devout Christian and member of the Methodist church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Perrigo were born fourteen children, ten of
whom are still living.
In polities Mr. Perrigo was a Democrat and took an active in-
terest in the affairs of his party and held many local offices in
New York before coming to Wisconsin.
Hercules W. was raised on his father's farm in New York
934 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
state and received his education in the district schools of his
native place, and for six years prior to his coming to Wisconsin
taught school there.
Mr. Perrigo was married to Miss Jane Lawton, who was born
in New York, the daughter of Chester and Laura (Marvin) Law-
ton. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Perrigo,
viz.: Carrie, who is the wife of Mr. Thomas C. Taylor, a com-
mercial traveler; "William, who lives in Bradford, Pa., is the
cashier of the First National Bank of that city and is married to
Elizabeth Leroy; the third child, Harry, died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Perrigo affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Mr. Perrigo responded to the call of President Lincoln for
troops, and on September 29, 1861, enlisted in the First New
York Engineers and served three years and nine months, and
for gallant service was promoted to sergeant major of his com-
pany, which office he held at the time of his discharge.
He is a member of the Grand Army of the Eepublic and in
politics is a Republican.
After removing from New York state to Eock county Mr.
Perrigo engaged in farming, and met with success from the
start; and in 1885 he moved to his home in Janesville, where he
has since lived in retirement.
Ezra Goodrich was the only son of Joseph Goodrich, the
founder of Milton and Milton College, the first landlord, first
merchant, first treasurer and the first postmaster of Milton. He
was born February 24, 1826 at Alfred, Allegany county, N. Y.
He had an only sister, Mrs. Jane (Goodrich) Davis, of Rockford,
111., born February 6, 1828, at Alfred, N. Y. Mrs. Jane (Good-
rich) Davis died at Rockford, 111., August 22, 1903.
Joseph Goodrich was the son of Uriah and Mary (Carpen-
ter) Goodrich, and was born May 12. 1800, at Hancock, Mass.
Uriah Goodrich was the son of Elijah and Margaret (Gillett)
Goodrich, born August 24, 1767, at Hancock, Mass., and died
September 2, 1845, at Alfred, N. Y.
Elijah Goodrich was the son of Jacob and Benedict (Good-
win) Goodrich, born July 3. 1724, at Windsor, Conn., and died
October 3, 1791, at Hancock, Mass.
Jacob Goodrich was the son of John and Rebecca (Allen)
BIOGRAPHICAL
935
Goodrich, born November 27, 1694, at Wethcrsfield, Conn., and
died May 11, 1746, at Windsor, Conn.
John Goodrich was the son of William and Sarah (Marvin)
Goodrich, born May 20, 1653, at Wethcrsfield, Conn., and died
September 5, 1730, at Wethersfield, Conn.
William Goodrich was one of the "Pilgrims" on the "May-
flower" from England, and was a descendant of the founder of
"Goodrich Court" and "Goodrich Castle," built during the
GUODUICH CASTLE.
feudal ages, in Herefordshire, four miles southwest of Ross,
about one thousand years ago.
Joseph Goodrich, at the age of nineteen years, started out in
the world for himself with an ax and a pack of clothes on his
back. He went from Hancock, Mass., to the wilderness in Al-
fred, Allegany county. New York, on foot and alone. Arrived
there with fifty cents in money and commenced to work his
way. At the age of twenty-one he built him a log shanty on
936 HISTOEY OF EOCK COU^ttY
Vandermark creek. Then returned east to Petersburg, N. Y.,
and married Nancy Maxon December 22, 1821. In the spring
of 1822 they came to Alfred and began to keep house in the
little log cabin — without a window or a door and with the ground
for a floor.
In 1823 his father came out and united with him in erecting
the first sawmill on the Vandermark creek, which they got to
running the last day of that year. In this he sawed logs on
shares and obtained lumber to put up a good sized two-story
house, which he had enclosed in 1824. In it he had a large fire-
place with andirons and a crane to swing over and off of the fire
with hooks to hang pots and kettles on. Adjoining there was
a large brick oven for baking bread, pork and beans. On the
hearth in front of the oven was the blue-dye tub for coloring
stocking yarn, on which the children sat to warm their toes
and shins. Mr. Goodrich did not get the house plastered and
painted until 1827. In it he kept travelers and religious meet-
ings and town meetings were held. It is still standing and is a
good dwelling yet. He built and kept a small country store and
ashery there, buying ashes and making potash. The ashes were
sometimes brought in sacks from the hillside by women on horse-
back and sold by them for pin money.
Mr. Goodrich was a leader in the military trainings, was made
a major and was known as Major Goodrich throughout his life.
Allegany was a hilly, hardpan country, and hearing of the rich
level prairies of the West, Mr. Goodrich got the fever to go
there, and he induced his neighbor, H. B. Crandall, and hired a
young man, James Pierce, to go with him. He boxed up a load
of goods from his little store, and on June 26, 1838, they left
Alfred, with them journeying to Buffalo with the team and
then by steamboat up around the great lakes. They landed in
Milwaukee and from there came on foot. Mr. Goodrich again
brought a pack on his back, but instead of an ax to fell trees,
brought a spade to test the soil. Coming out on to a wild little
prairie covered with flowers and surrounded with small silver
lakes and green trees, they tested the soil and were pleased, and
Goodrich got a claim where Milton now stands and Crandall a
claim where Milton Junction now is. No highways were laid
out, but Goodrich drew an air line from Chicago to Madison on
the territorial map, and one also from Janesville to Fort Atkin-
r
■ ^^^^^ ^^'^^^^t^-t^^-z^^y^ ^^y^
BIOGRAPHICAL 937
son, and finding they crossed on his claim, he there located a
site for his house. These roads were laid out the next year, and
they crossed each other, as he expected, by his house. He built
this dwelling 16x20 feet in dimensions and one and a half stories
high. It had one small 7x9 glass window above and one below.
The frame he made of hewed oak and it was covered and shin-
gled with oak — had a 3-ply batten Indian proof oak door and
an oak floor. It still stands and is now all antique oak. In one
gable and upstairs he had oak shelves for his goods, which was
Milton's first store. Janesville and Fort Atkinson had none.
He bought the claim to the land where Milton now stands with
$60.00 worth of goods, and the claim to Hon. F. C. Carr's pioneer
farm with $125.00 worth of goods. Mr. Goodrich left his house
and little store in charge of Mr. Pierce and returned East for
his family, and while he was gone Mr. Pierce sold four hundred
dollars' worth of goods.
Mr. Goodrich moved his family and goods from Alfred, N.
Y., with four teams and covered wagons by the overland route.
The first half of the way the wagons were mounted on sleighs,
as they started in snow four feet deep January 30, 1839. There
were twelve in the party, including passengers and hired help.
One sleigh tipped over in the first day's drive and Mrs. Good-
rich's collarbone was broken. The surgeons could not set it and
kept it in place, and she rode all the long way with it loose in
a sling. In Ohio they crossed the great "Maumee swamp,"
where there were thirty-one emigrant taverns in the thirty
miles. In crossing the Calumet, near Chicago, one team and
wagon broke through the ice into the water twelve feet deep,
one horse being drowned and the best load of goods wet. The
streets of Chicago, then a small city, were entirely submerged
in a sea of black mud. They had to ford the Desplaines river
and Turtle creek, each being deep, flood-swollen streams. Not
a house was to be seen on Rock prairie and only Mr. Newhall's
log cabin was in sight as they struck into the wild oak opening,
nor was there another shanty until they came out onto Prairie
Du Lac, where, standing out alone on the cold, bleak prairie,
the little red oak pioneer cabin stood where it still stands to-
day. Here they arrived March 4, 1839, after an overland win-
ter's journey of thirty-four days. In this little 16x20 building
they lived with Pierce, a family of thirteen, and kept the store
938 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
and travelers besides, and in it religious meetings were held.
Here Joseph Goodrich decided to found a village, for which he
platted and gave to the public a large and beautiful public
square. He gave lots to mechanics who would settle there and
gave grounds for a church, district school, the college and a
cemetery. He built an academy and maintained it for ten years.
He secured the line for the first railroad via Milton, gave them
the right of way and depot grounds, and took ten thousand dol-
lars' worth of its stock. He was a man of unbounded hospi-
tality and a friend of the poor, the oppressed and enslaved. He
was elected to the legislature with the unanimous vote of the
district. In religion he was a Seventh Day Baptist, and in poli-
tics a Whig and Republican. His devoted wife died in 1857 and
he was married to Mrs. Susan H. Rogers February 4, 1859. They
lived happily together. He died in 1867 and was buried by his
beloved wife at Milton, where his son has erected a monument
to their memory.
Ezra Goodrich came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1839
when he was thirteen years old. He was a pupil in the first
school of Milton and in the first academy, but the constant need
of his help in his father's business in making a new Wisconsin
home deprived him largely of schooling. His education was
mainly the rough and ready lessons of practical pioneer life.
When he came to Milton the Blackhawk and General Atkinson
army trails were fresh and plainly to be seen. He was here
when Rock county was organized, when the first highway in
Milton was laid, when the first mail route and stage line in the
county was established, when the first church and schoolhouse
were built, and the first grave in the cemetery was made. He
was in Janesville when it had but one log house, H. F. Janes'; in
Fort Atkinson, when it had but one log house, D wight Foster's;
in Watertown when it had but one log house and one frame one,
and Goodhue had a sawmill there; at Waupun when it had but
one log house, Mr. Wilcox's, and at^on du Lac when Dr. Darling
had the only house there. He was here when the first railroad
in Wisconsin was built, and the first wire for telegraph or tele-
phone was strung. It is marvelous to see the changes that have
been made in one lifetime. In 1849 Ezra Goodrich engaged in
the mercantile business in Milton, dealing in groceries, dry goods.
jPW| 3IP^
A-
>d^v-'t_-<iwC
BIOGRAPHICAL 939
crockery, clothing, iron and hardware, in which he continued
until the dark days of the rebellion, in 1861.
On October 14, 1852, Mr. Goodrich was married to Elizabeth
L. Ensign, near Binghamton, N. Y., and they had four children —
Joseph C. Goodrich, born June 24, 1854, now of Milton ; Will-
iam H. Goodrich, born February 15, 1856, now of Brunswick,
Mo. ; Mary E. Goodrich, born March 23, 1859, now Mrs. Dr. Post,
of Chicago, and Anna S. Goodrich, born June 18, 1861, now Mrs,
Will Davis, of Milton, Wis. In religious belief Mr. Goodrich is
a Seventh Day Baptist. In politics he was a Republican ; he is
now independently independent and votes for the best man. He
is a man of strong convictions and that which he believes to be
right he dares to defend, and that which he deems to be wrong
he dares to denounce. This gives him bitter enemies as well as
warm friends. He has been an active factor in Milton events
for the past sixty years and more than an ordinary lifetime.
He raised the controlling stock in "Milton Academy" when it
was incorporated — over which there was a red hot denomina-
tional strife. He raised the money to fill Milton's quota in the
army of the great rebellion, when the hearts and hopes of all
others had failed, and they were ready to throw up the sponge.
He raised the money to set Milton College again on its feet when
it was hopelessly bankrupt, and the efforts of all others had
utterly failed — they having succeeded in raising only twenty
dollars. For this he raised a subscription of over thirteen thou-
sand dollars, of which he gave two thousand three hundred
himself. He secured the location of Milton High School build-
ing on the public square, in which he was opposed by Milton
College and many others, who wanted it located in an uncouth
lot still vacant south of the railroad and south of Lane's mill.
He drew the plan and superintended the erection of the building.
He platted the ground and set out the trees and today Milton's
High School grounds are conceded to surpass any public school
grounds in the Northwest. Mr. Goodrich secured the subscrip-
tion and set out the trees in the beautiful park north of the
railroad at Milton; he reorganized Milton cemetery after it had
lost its organization and its grounds were grown up to brush
and weeds, and he organized the uniform system of grading and
sodding the lots and adorning them with trees. In these innova-
940 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUXTY
tions he was also opposed, but Milton now has one of the most
beautiful cemeteries in Rock county.
Some twenty years ago Mr. Goodrich inaugurated a system
of raising a special tax in the town for graveling the roads in
which at first he was bitterly opposed; by persistence he suc-
ceeded, and today Milton has more miles of road that is good at
all seasons of the year than any rural town in the state, and if
she continues but a few years longer she will have a good hard
highway to every farm in the town. Many years ago when they
began to gather milk for the factories, Mr. Goodrich began to
advocate gathering children of the town into centralized schools.
In this he was opposed to the point of almost hissing him down,
but of late a marked change is seen and many are now advo-
cating the coming change. He now claims that the school chil-
dren of Milton ere long will be riding in covered spring wagons
over good roads to and from school, and that, when the good
time comes, every child alike will have the opportunity of a
good education free.
Since the death of his father, Mr. Goodrich has devoted his
time largely to improving the home farm which was left to him.
He has cleared off thick woods, grubbed out the roots, drained
and tiled the shallow ponds and wet marshes, and increased the
tillable land of the farm from seventy-five to over three hundred
acres. The best land now on the farm is where muskrat houses
uses to stand and cat-tail flag used to grow. He has erected a
commodious house for a tenant there, with extensive cribs and
granary, and houses and yards for hundreds of hogs, and barns
and sheds for farming tools and 100 head of cattle and horses.
He calls it "Sunnyside," and there, in his old age, he enjoys
spending a large portion of his time seeing things grow and
looking after matters. He has eleven grandchildren, but among
them are none to perpetuate the name of "Goodrich."
On April 23, 1892, Mr. Goodrich lost his most estimable wife.
He was again married October 16, 1893, to Mrs. Charlotte M.
Little, daughter of I. P. Morgan, one of the founders of Milton
Junction, and widow of W. V. Little, who died February 18,
1886. The marriage of Mr. Goodrich, a son of the founder of
Milton, to Mrs. Little, a daughter of the founder of Milton
Junction, is to some extent a union of these two rival villages,
BIOGRAPHICAL 941
which, it is hoped, may soon be blending together, and even-
tually become a prosperous, happy and harmonious one.
Illin Bryce, one of Avon township's enterprising and success-
ful farmers, was born in Avon May 20, 1857, son of John and
Jane (Huff) Bryce. His parents were both natives of New York
state and first moved to the state of Ohio, where they lived for
some time, when they again took up their journey toward the
west, which was accomplished by horses and wagon. They ar-
rived in Wisconsin in 1852 and purchased a farm in Avon town-
ship. Rock county, where they made their home until the death
of Mrs. Bryce, mother of our subject, which occurred in 1901.
Mr. Bryce enlisted in 1861 in Company K, First Regiment
Wisconsin Heavy Artillery Volunteers, and served with his regi-
ment until 1864, when he was honorably discharged. Upon his
return home, he resumed his business of farming until the death
of Mrs. Bryce, when he moved to Brodhead, where he lived a
retired life until his death in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce were
the parents of nine children, four of whom are now living. Mr.
Bryce was a man of progressive ideas, prominent in his com-
munity, and did much to help improve and build up the county.
He was a good soldier and citizen and his memory will be cher-
ished for many years to come.
niin was raised on his father's farm and received the usual
amount of schooling that was the lot of a farmer boy of his day,
but being naturally of a quick turn of mind, he has added to his
education by experience and observation. He has been success-
ful in business, to which his well tilled and well stocked farm
will attest. His improvements are modern and up-to-date, and
his thoroughbred horses, mostly of the trotting class, are the
pride of the farm. His cattle are the Short Horn breed, of which
he has a fine herd. He is successful in raising a varied line of
grains, and his farm of 115 acres is one of the model farms of
Avon township.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and has
held some minor local offices.
On December 25, 1883, Mr. Bryce was married to Miss Eliza,
daughter of John Cox, of Avon. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce have one
child, Elsie A., who is a graduate in common English studies,
and at present studying music.
Ole Benson, of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, is a
943 HISTOKY OF EOCK COUNTY
practical demonstration of what a poor and friendless boy can
accomplish by perseverance, hard work and economy. He was
born in 1844, in Norway, where he lived until twenty-seven years
of age, when he came to the United States, arriving in 1871. He
located first in Grant county, Minnesota, where he preempted
government land and commenced making improvements and
building a home. He remained there eight years, when he de-
cided he could better his condition and moved to Houston, Minn.,
where he engaged in general farming and stock raising until
1891. He then moved to Avon township, where he owns 237
acres of fine farm land, 160 acres being under cultivation. By
hard work and close application, he has prospered, and the fine
improvements found on his estate are such as any person might
justly be proud of.
When Mr. Benson was only one year of age his father died.
He lived with his mother till he was fourteen years old and then
was compelled to make his own way in the world independently.
Mr. Benson believes in having the best of everything as nearly
as possible, and besides general farming, he is engaged in rais-
ing fine stock, such as Norman horses, Poland-China hogs, etc.
He has been successful in his business affairs and is a model
farmer and good citizen.
In politics he holds to the Republican faith, and has held
several local offices, and is an active member of the Lutheran
church,
Mr. Benson was married in 1881 to Miss Jennie Johnson,
daughter of Erton Johnson, of Avon township, and they have
an interesting family of eleven children, viz. : Alice, Edolph,
John, Bert, Herman, Josie, Boletta, Thomas, Oscar, Earnest and
Ruth, all of whom are still living.
John Hyland, a public spirited citizen and successful farmer
of Avon township. Rock county, Wisconsin, is a native of Massa-
chusetts, and was born February 9, 1842. He is one of a family
of eight children, born to Morris and Mary (Blaney) Hyland,
who emigrated from Ireland, their native land, in 1837, and set-
tled in Massachusetts ; thence, in 1847 thej^ moved to Stephen-
son county, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where they spent the
rest of their lives, the father dying in 1905 at the age of ninety-
three years, and the mother dying in 1885. Of their eight chil-
dren, four are now living.
BIOGRAPHICAL 943
John was educated in the common schools of Stephenson
county, and at the Mt. Morris seminary in Ogle county, Illinois,
where he studied two years.
In 1873 Mr. Hyland moved to Rock county and settled on his
present farm of 240 acres in Avon township. Here he has been
engaged in general farming and dairying, having 150 acres under
cultivation and making a specialty of raising high grade cattle
and hogs.
Mr. Hyland has been active in local public affairs, having
served as a school officer thirty-two years, supervisor of the
township two terms and one term as chairman of the town board.
In politics he is independent in his views. He is a man of public
spirit and to his untiring efforts during some ten years is largely
due the public work known as the "Avon canal." This w^ater-
way, from six to seven miles in length, will drain some 32,000
acres of wet land, and will cost from $16,000 to $20,000. Mr.
Hyland, together wnth Mr. Canute Stordock and Mr. Leroy
Stokes, are now serving as the canal commissioners. The utility
of this important public improvement is now recognized by all,
but like all public works of its kind, was made possible by the
indefatigable, persistent pushing of Mr. Hyland and others, who
never rested until their object had been achieved.
Mr. Hyland belongs to Avon Camp No. 1209, Modern Wood-
men of America, and for twelve years served as an officer in the
lodge. In religious faith he is a Catholic. In 1868 Mr. Hyland
married Miss Mary Ryan, a daughter of Francis and Ann (Gar-
vey) Ryan, who immigrated from Ireland, their native land, about
1837, and settled in Avon township, where Mrs. Hyland was born
some sixty-two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hyland have a family
of seven children ; of these Morris, the eldest, is a farmer in
Avon township ; Frank is employed in the postoffice at Rockf ord,
111. ; James lives at home ; Annie is a teacher ; Agnes is a stenog-
rapher at Rockford, 111., and Julia and Ella live at home.
John B. Henry, one of the prominent, successful and progres-
sive farmers of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, was
born in Massachusetts on August 15, 1840, and is the second of
a family of three children borh to A. G. and Julia (Leonard)
Henry, both natives of that state. Their other children were
named Mary and William, the latter being a farmer in Avon
township. The father was a hotel keeper in early life ; he came
944 HISTOEY OF ROCK COUNTY
to Rock county in 1858, settling first at Beloit, but in 1862 moved
to Avon township, where he was engaged in farming the re-
mainder of his life, his death occurring in 1889.
John B. supplemented his common school education with a
course of study at Racine, leaving there shortly before he would
have been graduated and returned home to engage in farm work.
Mr. Henry has devoted his life to farming, making a specialty
of breeding and raising high grade cattle and Poland-China hogs.
His farm comprises 110 acres of land under a high state of cul-
tivation and well improved, with fine buildings and other neces-
sary and modern farm equipments and appliances.
Mr. Henry has always taken a commendable interest in public
and civic affairs, being active in local school matters and serving
as township supervisor, and for ten years as chairman of the
town board. He is a regular attendant of the Methodist Episco-
pal church at Avon and belongs to Avon Camp No. 1209, Modern
"Woodmen of America.
In 1870 Mr. Henry married Miss Lydia Fletcher, daughter
of Mr. William D. and Mary C. (Collins) Fletcher, who settled
at Beloit in 1850. They afterwards moved to Avon township,
where the father was engaged in farming the remainder of his
life, his death occurring in 1888. The mother died in 1884. Of
three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry, Albert G., the eldest,
married Miss Blanche Nelson; he was formerly a teacher, and
is now (1907) a clerk in the employ of Messrs. Fairbanks, Morse
& Co. at Beloit. Wilbur V. married Miss Ella Van Slyke and re-
sides in Bradford township, and Frank S., the youngest, lives at
home.
Mr. Henry has had an active life, and by devoting himself
faithfully to the work of his chosen occupation has achieved
well-merited success, and with his family lives in the enjoyment
of social and domestic comforts and the fruits of his upright and
honored career.
Frank J. Sammon, one of the progressive and public spirited
citizens of Avon township, was born in Winnebago county, Illi-
nois, on July 10, 1855, to Timothy and Catherine (Dunn) Sam-
mon. They were sturdy Irish people whose yearning for a home
in a free country brought them to the United States in an early
day, believing that a good opportunity for accumulating a for-
tune lay before them. They set sail for America, and on their
BIOGRAPHICAL 945
arrival, first located at Philadelphia, Pa., but remained there only
a short time, when they decided to move west. They next set-
tled in Cook county, Illinois, where they made their home for
several years. Their hearts being set upon a farm home, how-
ever, they found their ideal place in Avon township, Rock county,
Wisconsin, and very soon located there and established a home
for themselves and family. They first came to Avon in 1856,
where they lived the remainder of their lives ; Father Sammon
died in 1878, Mother Sammon surviving him until 1895, when
she, too, passed away, leaving her children to mourn her loss.
Frank J. received a common school education in the district
schools of the township, and has always lived on the old home-
stead, which is now owned by himself, his sister Julia and brother
William, they, too, having always lived there since birth. Be-
sides general farming, Mr. Sammon takes great pride in raising
and breeding fine stock. He has a large herd of Red Poled cattle
and his hogs are the Poland-China breed. He is a Democrat in
politics and has held a number of local offices of trust, among
them being that of overseer of highways, which he held for some
four years, and was clerk of the school board for twenty-two
years. Mr. Sammon is also a member of Avon Camp No. 1209,
Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of liberal views on
all matters, and is ever ready to aid in any pursuit tending to
the betterment of the community.
William Sammon, brother of Frank, was born in the state of
Pennsylvania, June 25, 1835. He came west with his parents
when they settled in Wisconsin, and has always resided on the
homestead. He is the joint owner of 100 acres of land, fifty acres
of it being under cultivation, the balance being in pasture. He
is the eldest of a family of eight children, seven of whom are
still living.
1871 Mr. Sammon and Miss Bridget Cummins were united in
marriage ; Mrs. Sammon died in 1875, leaving one child, Sara,
who is now the wife of William Clark.
Gunder K. Restigen was born in Norway May 31, 1844, and
is a son of the late Knute Restigen, who came to America in 1861
and settled first in Spring Valley township, where he remained
one year, then moved to Avon township, where he remained until
his death, which occurred in 1870, at the age of sixty years. He
946 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
had a family of seven boys, who all came to the United States
and became good citizens.
Gunder received his education in the common schools of Nor-
way, and since coming to the United States, has lived in Avon
township, where he now owns 320 acres of land, and carries on
general farming and tobacco raising, and is quite an extensive
breeder and dealer in cattle and Poland-China hogs.
Mr. Restigen was married in 1880 to Miss Caroline Pierson,
who is also a native of Norway and who came to this country
with her parents in an early day and settled in Avon township,
where they still live.
Mr. and Mrs. Restigen are the parents of six children, viz. :
Knute, Perry, Giles, Clara, Mabel and Nora.
In politics Mr. Restigen is a Republican and has taken some-
what of an active part in the affairs of his party and has been
town treasurer, supervisor and a member of the school board.
In religion he affiliates with the Lutheran church.
Frank 0. Mitchell, a prominent and prosperous farmer of
Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, was born in Green
county, Wisconsin, on February 14, 1856. He is a son of Jesse
and Racina (Oviatt) Mitchell; his father was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and his mother of Ohio. They came to Wisconsin in
1837 and began .the life of a pioneer, settling on a farm in the
beautiful southern Wisconsin land of promise, which our subject
has since done his full share to develop, and has watched the
rolling stretches of prairie interspersed with oak groves and
here and there clumps of wild plum trees, transformed into one
of the richest farming districts in the United States — a country
of peace and plenty.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, parents of our subject, had a family
of thirteen children, nine of whom are now living, all raised on
the old homestead. Mr. Mitchell died on January 3, 1895. Mrs.
Mitchell is still living at this date, 1907, with her daughter at
Davis, 111.
Frank 0. received a good common school education in the
public schools of his neighborhood, and carried on the business
of farming until 1892 in Green county, when he removed to Rock
county and purchased a fine farm of 160 acres in section 31, Avon
township, which is in a high state of cultivation, having been
improved from time to time with new and substantial farm
BIOGEAPHICAL 947
buildings by Mr. Mitchell. He has also purchased an additional
tract of ten acres of fine timber land in Spring Grove township,
Green county, and in addition to general farming, Mr. Mitchell
takes pride in raising and breeding blooded stock of a high
grade. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America,
Camp No. 71, Brodhead.
In religious faith he is a member of the Baptist church.
On January 3, 1888, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with
Miss Ada Johnston, daughter of W. F. and Catherine Johnston,
natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. They were
old settlers of Green county, Wisconsin, and were the parents
of five children, all of whom are living. Mr. Johnston is still liv-
ing at an advanced age now (1907). Mrs. Johnston died on May
19, 1890. They were both devoted members of the Methodist
church. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a charming family of four
daughters, Flossa, Blanche, Aline and Mildred, all living at home.
Elick Johnson is another of the prosperous farmers of Avon
township. Rock county, Wisconsin, where he was born April 20,
1859. His parents, Easton and Gusta Johnson, were both natives
of Norway, but hearing of the advantages to be gained in the
United States, they left their native land and sailed for America,
arriving in Rock county in 1840, and settled in Avon township
on the farm now owned by our subject. They had a family of
five children, three of whom are living, viz. : Lizzie, Jennie and
our subject. When they arrived at Avon, they set bravely to
work to build a home in the then new country. The hardships
were many and it required all the courage possessed by the hardy
pioneer of the north to overcome the many obstacles which were
presented to them. By hard work and perseverance, they suc-
ceeded, however, and lived to see the wilderness changed to one
of happy homes and highly cultivated fields with fine schools and
houses of worship. They carried on general farming for many
years, and after gaining a competency, retired and moved to
Brodhead, w^here they spent the last few years of their lives in
comfort and ease. The father died in 1895 and the mother in
1871.
Mr. Elick Johnson was educated in the common schools of
his native township, and has been successful in farming his 260
acres of highly cultivated land and besides he was engaged in
the dairy business and the raising of fine stock. Among the
948 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
varieties of stock which are to be found on his farm may be men-
tioned Poland-China hogs, Plymouth Eock chickens, Short
Horn cattle and Norman horses.
Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Lutheran church, is a
member of Camp 1209, Modern Woodmen of America, and has
taken somewhat of an active part in politics, having been a mem-
ber of the town board for seven years and treasurer of the school
district for nine years.
In 1880 he was married to Hanna Olson, daughter of Hans
and Olena Benson, who were natives of Norway, where he died,
the mother later coming to America.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a family of nine children : Elmer,
who now (1907) resides at Durand, 111., and is engaged in the
livery business ; Gusta, who attended commercial college at Mil-
waukee and is now a stenographer at Lake Mills; Easton, who
is a school teacher; Harry, who is at home and a graduate of
the commercial department of Beloit college; Johnnie, who is
attending the Normal school at Whitewater, and Henry, Mabel,
Oscar and Marvin, all of whom are living at home.
John Gilbertson was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, on
December 7, 1860. He was the son of Jacob Gilbertson, who
came to this country from Norway some time during the fifties
and settled in Illinois, where he followed the business of farm-
ing for a number of years. Mrs. Gilbertson was Miss Martha
Martinson, also a native of Norway. They had a family of
twelve children, six of whom are living, our subject being the
fifth child. Mr. Gilbertson died in 1895, leaving his widow, who
now resides in Janesville, where she has lived for the past twelve
years.
Mr. John Gilbertson, our subject, came to Eock county in
1887 and settled on a farm in Avon township, following the busi-
ness for more than twenty-five years. He is a large land owner;
his present farm consists of 160 acres, besides fifteen acres in
Illinois and eighty acres in North Dakota, all of which is first
class farm land. Mr. Gilbertson has lived on his present home-
stead for the past ten years.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Carrie Swenson, whose par-
ents were natives of Norway. They have two children, Lulu and
Edward J., both living at home.
Mr. Gilbertson votes the Eepublican ticket, and has held sev-
BIOGEAPHICAL 949
eral local positions of trust. Pie is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, and in religion he is affiliated with the
Methodist church. He is a man of liberal views on all subjects,
and his success in farming may be attributed to his shrewd man-
agement and ambition.
They have two children, Edward J. and Mrs. Lula Folmer,
the son living at home and the daughter living in Minnesota.
His wife died on March 7, 1903.
He was married in 1907 to Mrs. Maggie Thompson, of Avon.
Alfred Gardiner, one of the popular and successful farmers
of Avon township, Rock county, Wisconsin, is the son of Ste-
phen and Susan (Bean) Gardiner, who were natives of England
and who in 1853 came to the United States and settled in New
York state, where they remained seven years, and then came West,
locating at first in Beloit, where they rented a farm and followed
that business until, shortly after the war, he removed to Avon
township and again engaged in general farming, which he con-
tinued until his death in 1892 at the age of seventy-five years,
eight months and twenty-three days. His widow survives and
lives at .
Alfred was born in England in 1845 and came to America
with his parents and is one of a family of eight children. He
received his education in the common schools and has been a
farmer during all his life. He now owns 180 acres of land and
carries on general farming and stock raising, being a breeder
of Chester W^hite and Poland-China hogs. Shorthorn cattle and
Shropshire sheep. He has made extensive improvements on his
home place, where he has lived for the past twenty-two years.
In 1871 Mr. Gardiner was married to Miss Ida Watson at
Brodhead, daughter of William and Lucretia Watson. To this
union have been born three children — William, who is a farmer
in Avon township; Alfie and Aden, who are now (1907) at home.
John S. Lynch, another of Avon's prosperous and respected
citizens, was born in Ireland June 24, 1843, to Jeremiah and Mar-
sella (Summers) Lynch, both natives of Ireland, and who in
1847 came to the United States and for two years made their
home in Boston, Mass., where Mr. Lynch worked at his trade,
that of a machinist. Removing from Boston to New York city,
he followed the same employment, and after remaining there two
years the family came West to Wisconsin and located at Beloit.
950 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
In 1850 the father purchased a farm in Avon township, which is
now owned by our subject. Here he made his home for thirty-
three years, and died March 24, 1883, his widow surviving until
December 11, 1890.
Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were the parents of eight children, three
of whom are now living.
Mr. John S. Lynch was married on August 13, 1865, to Miss
Amanda C. Hannegan, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Glass) Han-
negan, of Dearborn county, Indiana.
Mr. Lynch had a varied experience as a soldier during the
Civil War, being unfortunate enough to be forced into the Con-
federate army. Fifth Eegiment Louisiana Infantry, but escaped
after two years' service and enlisted in the Forty-second Wiscon-
sin Volunteer Infantry in 1864, where he served faithfully until
the end of the war.
His political faith is with the Eepublican party, and being of
good judgment, he has been many times called upon to hold posi-
tions of trust. In local affairs he is a man of prominence; he
has been assessor of Avon township for four years, and is a mem-
ber of the school board. He is president of the Newark Improve-
ment Association, has served as deputy sheriff of Rock county for
two terms and has also been chairman of the township board for
six years. He was on the police force of Madison, Wis., for two
years, being an appointee of Governor Upham. He is a member
of several different societies, of which may be mentioned the Ma-
sonic lodge, the Modern Woodmen of America, Avon Camp No.
1209, and Woodmen of the World, of Beloit.
Mr. Lynch has traveled extensively both in this country and
in Europe, having twice crossed the ocean on trips of pleasure
and observation, and at this time (1908) he is enjoying his coun-
try home in Avon township.
Andrew Shirley, who is the fifth child of a family of nine chil-
dren, is a native of Norway, where he was born on January 10,
1849. His parents were Henry and Isabelle (Johnson) Shirley,
who emigrated with their family to the United States in 1853.
They came direct to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Avon
township, where they carried on farming with unvarying success
for many years. Numbered among the thrifty citizens of Avon
township, they enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who
knew them. The father died in 1869 and his widow in 1888. Of
BIOGRAPHICAL 951
a family of nine children Andrew is the only surviving son. The
other living members are Annie, Martha, Mary and Helen. Tlie
names of those deceased are Henry, Ole, Nelson and Christ.
Raised on his father's farm, Andrew grew to manhood, and
since the death of his father has carried on the home farm, add-
ing from time to time many substantial improvements. He now
has 382 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, and besides
general farming he is an extensive breeder and raiser of Durham
and Holstein cattle, Poland-China hogs and Norman horses.
In 1876 he was married to Helen Brennum, daughter of John
and Isabelle Brennum, who were also natives of Norway, but
came to America in an early day, settling in Lafayette county,
Wisconsin, where they followed the life of farmers until their
decease.
Mr. and Mrs. Shirley have three children — Jay, Harry and
Elmer. One of his sons, , is now a student of Yale Uni-
versity.
In political sentiment Mr. Shirley is a Republican, and he has
held several local offices. For eighteen years he has been assessor
and has also filled the office of town treasurer, and was justice of
the peace for six years and school officer for eight. He is a mem-
ber of Brodhead Camp No. 4, Modern Woodmen of America.
Canute H. Stordock, one of Rock county's successful and en-
terprising farmers, resides on his farm in Avon township, where
he was born April 24, 1850. His parents, Holver and Isabelle
(Knutson) Stordock, were both natives of Norway, where they
lived till 1839, when they, like many others from their native land,
emigrated to the United States and first settled in Cook county,
Illinois. From Cook county he went to the lead mines at Min-
eral Point and then back to Winnebago county, Illinois, but later
moved to Avon township in 1848, where they settled on a farm
and remained the rest of their lives. During his long and pros-
perous career Holver Stordock followed the business of farming
except for three years which he spent in the lead mines. They
had a family of seven children, three of whom died in infancy;
those now living are Holver, Canute, Inga and Isabelle. The
father died in 1893. His widow survived until 1901.
Our subject as well as his brother and sisters was raised on
the farm where they now (1907) live. They are the proud pos-
sessors of 635 acres of land, 350 of which is in a high state of cul-
952 HISTOEY OF EOCK COUNTY
tivation, the balance timber and grazing land. The home place
in Avon township, which contains 160 acres, the rest being located
in Green county, is well improved with large and modern frame
buildings; their barn is one of the best in the neighborhood and
is 40x62 feet in dimensions. Mr. Stordock also has 550 acres of
unimproved land in Clark county, Wisconsin.
Mr. Stordock, besides being engaged in general farming, is
an extensive raiser of high-grade stock, while in bee culture he
has been unusually successful and has over 100 hives, from which
he has received a substantial remuneration, and he is considered
authority on bee raising by the citizens of the county.
In politics Mr. Stordock has taken an active part and is count-
ed among the independents. He has been town treasurer and
for two years was chairman of the town board. He is chairman
of the bonded canal commission which is now being constructed
near his property, which when completed will be twenty feet
wide and four miles long and will furnish drainage for 3,200 acres
of land, costing from $16,000 to $20,000. The high state of cul-
tivation and the modern improvements which we find on Mr.
Stordock 's farm are all due to the energy and thrift of himself
and brother.
Samuel Filmer Cuckow, who has always lived in Rock county,
Wisconsin, was born in the home where he now lives in Bradford
township on May 26, 1854, and is the son of Samuel Jarvis and
Eliza Simmons (Filmer) Cuckow. His father was born in Roch-
ester, Kent, England, January 16, 1815, and was the second son
of Thomas B. and Elizabeth Cuckow, the former being a son of
Thomas Cuckow, who was born in England in 1787 and who came
to this country in 1818 but soon afterward returned to England
with his family. His father, Robert Cuckow, passed his life in
England and died in 1838 at the age of seventy-one years.
Thomas B., our subject's grandfather, died at the home of his
son in Bradford township November 24, 1874. Samuel Jarvis
Cuckow, our subject's father, passed his early life in England,
where he learned the printer's trade. In January, 1836, he mar-
ried Sarah Eliza Bridgeland, who was born at Boxley, England,
and came at once to the United States. They lived in New York
city, where two children. Mary A. and Thomas J., were born to
them. Returning to England in 1840, two more children, Eliza
and Eleanor B., were born to them. In July, 1849, his wife died.
BIOGRAPHICAL 953
and two years later he came again to the United States and
settled on a farm in Bradford township, which with its additions
he owned at the time of his decease. In 1885 he went to live with
his daughter, Mary A., at Evanston, 111., but on her death two
years later he made his home at Janesville, Wis., till his decease,
March 5, 190 
