o r ^" "C- ^^ 'U '^ • > O , 4 o .<^^^* .*'': .0^ a^' .^^ '"'^...<- ^0- r> > .*" J "-^^ '• V A A A^ ,,o' -V^ '^ ''^^'\o^ .O^ >* • ' ' ,^' '^^' •'"^ ■^ •^^^'^ ^^'V 0- -^ -o^ / .^^ 1^ . 1 .°-t. ^<. O V "^-^ ^^^ V \, V- < o ^^^ C; ^.^^ ^o. » n^ <^ '. '■^- ■)■ ■?- -n^o^ v^^ ■a? %*. 1. ' ■ »- O ^^'^<^. 0^ _.«-,, -o ■ - O ^O. K^ 'V.^ .4' . '^/ "^.;^^fx^' ^■' -^'^^^v^ '^<;''4^'^'/ V'^f^v^ '^. .,-^* .- •3v •5' ^'^^ ^^^ ,0 o "bv" .^■' ■^ ■ ''c'^'^',. ,G" '^o '*'^-0^ •-^-l<' '^ ^-'. ''^•^' ^'^' -^ ' . . 1 * .'> ■I o o V V. •^. ..V .vi;^;>;^ V c>* 0' > HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY, WISCONSIN, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDUCATIONAL, CIVIL, MILI- TAtlY AND POLITICAL HISTOKV; POKTKAITS OF PROXINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPULSiiNTATIVE CITIZENS. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF ACCOUNT. OF ITS TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS. ILLUSTRATED. SPHINOFIELl), II.I.. UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1884. f (^'^ TO THE PIONEERS THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, WITH THE HOPE THAT YOUR VIRTUES MAY BE EMULATED AND YOUR TOILS AND SACRIFICES DULY APPRECIATED BY COMING GENERATIONS. . IP !?> E :f .A. O E . The importance of local bistory is appreciated to-day more than ever before. A general de- sire is being manifested by the people to preserve the records made by the pioneers. Old Set- tlers' Associations and Historical Societies are being organized in almost every city and county throughout the land. The interest in local history is not confined, as some suppose, to men of second and third rate ability, but men like Hon. John Wentworth, Hon. E. B. Washburn, Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, and others of that class, show as much interest in pioneer reminiscences and the various little incidents that go to make up the record of a new country, as could be shown by any who think the world is comprised in that scope of territory in their own immediate neighborhood. Hon. Daniel Durkee, Librarian Wisconsin Slate Historical Society, has delivered a lecture, which has been printed and scattered broadcast througliout the land, urging the people to perpetuate their local history, and every county history that is published is purchasfcd by him for that insti- tution, of which he is Librarian. In that vast library of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, no historical works are more referred to than the locil histories of the various counties of the States of the Union. Believing that the county of Vernon afforded material for a good history, the Union Publish- ing Company of Springfield, Hlinois, sent a corps of experienced historians into the field under the supervision of Prof. C. W. Buttcrfield with instructions to spare no pains in compiling a com- plete and reliable work. As preliminary to the work, and in order to insure correctness and a work in which every citizen of the county might feel a just pride, committees were appointed to read and revise the general history of each county, and a like committee in each towr.ship to ex- amine and correct the history of their respective townships. With but one or two exceptions, every man thus appointed served to the best of his ability, and the wisdom of the choice of tlie committees is shown in the work performed. We feel confident that we here present to our pa- trons a history that is correct as possible for human beings to make it. Special care has been taken in its compilations, hundreds of men and woraon being interviewed, and every source of in- IV PREFACE, formation canvassed that facts alone should be incorporated in it. The manuscript was then read to the committees, and time given to make such corrections as they deemed necessary, and each member was urged to exercise care, and not be backward in making such corrections or such suggestions as might be deemed necessary to insure correctness and add to the value of the work. Our thanks are certainly due to these men, a number of whom spent much time, with no thought of reward than that received in the consciousness of a duty well performed. Among others specially entitled to our thanks are: Heurv Casson, Jr., Capt. D. W. C. Wilson, Judge W. F. Terhune, Capt. R. S. McMichael, John R. Casson, James E. Newell, N. C. Nichols, Hon. CM. Butt, P. J. Layne, Col. Earl M. Rogers, Hon. H. P. Proctor, Hon. O. B. Wyrnan, Rev. John Whitworth, William Haughton and others. Every county officer, and every deputy employed in the various offices showed a perfect willingness and an earnest desire to aid us in obtaining infor mation. The press of the county is also entitled to our special gratitude. Without an exception, we have received the kindest treatment from each newspaper, their files being placed at our disposal, and from which we obtained much of the information contained in this volume In conclusion, we will say that our work is done; the History of Vernon County is placed in your hands. We trust that you will be pleased with it. Yours Truly, Union Publishing Company. TABLE OF CONTENTS. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. CHAPTER I . FAOB. PRE-HISTORIC AND SETTLEMENT 17 First Exploration of the Northwest 18 Wisconsin visited by fur traders find Jesuit mission- aries ]9 Founding of Jesuit missions in Wisconsin 30 Wisconsin under French domination " 21 Wisconsin under English supremacy 23 Wisconsin as a part of the Northwest Territory 25 Wisconsin as a part of the Territory of Indiana 2T Wisconsin as a part of Illinois Territory 29 CHAPTER II. PAOH WISCONSIN AS A TERRITOHY 34 Secretaries 35 United Stales Attorneys 35 United States Marshals 35 CHAPTER III. WISCONSIN AS A STATE « HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. WISCONSIN. CHAPTER I. AREA, POSITION AND SURFACE FEATURES. Area Geographical Position General Surface Features Mississippi Kiver The Baraboo Kiver The Kickapoo River CHAPTER II. TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. Geological Formation CHAPTER III. ANCIENT INHABITANTS. The Mound Builders. . . . The Indians The Siou-t . The Sacs and Foxes . 73 73 The Winnebagoes 83 CHAPTER IV. EARLY EXPLORATIONS 86 Expedition of Michael Accau 86 PAGE Expedition of Duluth 87 The Mississippi visited by Le Sueur 87 Perrot's voyage to the West 87 Le Sueur again on the Mississippi 87 La Perriere builds a fort on Lake Pepin 87 'The journey of Jonathan Carver 88 Observations bv Maior Pike 92 CHAPTER V. THE WINNEBAGO WAR 91 Murder of Gagnier and Lipcap 92 .\ Winnebago debauch JB First battle of Bad Ax 93 Great alarm upon the border 93 Arrival of Government Troops 94 De Kauray's Imprisonment 93 CHAPTER VI. THE BLACK HAWK WAR 95 Battle of Stillman's Run 95 Battle of Pecatonica 98 Pursuit of Black Hawk 96 Battle of Wisconsin Heights 101 Black Hawk pursued to the Mississippi 103 Battle of Bad Ax 105 Official report of the battle ... 106 TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. PAGE UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS 107 How Vernon County was surveyed 108 Civil Towns and surveyed Townships 109 Area of each Township 10!' Dates of surveys and notes of surveyors 110 Land Districts llii Wisconsin Land District 114 La Crosse Land District 115 La Crosse Land Office 115 ^CHAPTER VIII. FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY 116 The First Settler.s llfi Vernon County in Miiy, 1847 117 CHAPTER IX. PIONEERLIFE 118 TheLogCabin US Pioneer Furniture 11!' Primitive Cookery 119 Primitive Threshing 1-0 GoingtoMill 130 WildAnimals 131 CHAPTER X. FIRST THINGS 123 First preaching in the county 123 First Chiu'ch organized 133 CHAPTER XI. FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY 134 BadAxCounty 125 Origin of "Had Ax" unknown 139 Unpopularity of "Bad Ax" 1.30 Changing the name to Vernon 1.31 Etforts to form a new county 135 CHAPTER XII. TEERITOHIAL, STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRE- SENTATION 136 Territorial 136 State 136 Congressional 137 Members of Congress 138 CHAPTER Xin. COUNTY GOVERNMENT 1.38 County Commissioners 145 Supervisors again 147 County Buildings 160 Matrimonial 180 Abstract of Assessment Rolls 163 CHAPTER XIV. CIVIL SUB-DIVISIONS OF VEENON COUNTY 164 CHAPTER XV. THE COURTS OF VERNON COUNTY 168 The Circuit Court 168 The Battle of Kickapoo 176 County Court 183 CHAPTER XV r. THE BAR OF VERNO-N COUNTY 183 The Bar of the Past 181 The present Bar 193 CHAPTER XVII. THE WAR FOR THE UNION 196 Wisconsin's Frst Eflorts 196 The State Aroused 198 Vernon County Awakened HIS First War Meeting 199 War Meeting in De Soto ' " 200 Company 1, Sixth Regiment 200 Si.xth Wisconsin Volunteers 201 Iron Brigade 203 Company C, Eighteenth Regiment. 'Bad Ax Tigers" Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteers.. Twenty-fifth Regiment Vernon County's Roll of Honor In Memoriam Pensioners in Vernon County Company B. Fiftieth Regiment Early Mention of the War The Brave at home p.^GE 203 , 204 a08 210 . 217 . 31S . 220 CHAPTER XVni. PIONEER REMINISCENCES 237 Royal C. Bierce 227 Mrs. Cyrus D. Turner 234 FloraDe Frees Weeden 3;i8 CHAPTER XIX. ELECTION RETURNS. 240 CHAPTER XX. COUNTY REPRESENTATION '253 Treasurer 253 Register of Deeds 2.55 County Clerk and Clerk of Circuit Court 2.56 Clerk of the Circuit Court 2.57 County Clerk or Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. . . 257 Sheriff 2.58 County Superintendent of Schools '^Ki County Surveyor '265 County Judge 2(iB District Attorney 267 Coroner, 267 CHAPTER XXI. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 268 Village OF V'lRuQUA 268 Town of Viroqua 270 HiLLSBORouGti Town -'70 Bl.OOMINODALE . 271 Ontario 271 ROCKTON 271 TOWN OF Webster 271 Seeh-buho 271 sprinovili.e 271 De SOTO "271 VicTV. Tinker '-'98 Account written by D. W.C . Wilson 299 What happened to Mrs. W. R. Purdy. . 300 W F. Terhunc's Recollection 300 Statementof H M. Isham 302 N;iihanCoe's Narrative • ^'02 .luhii Dawson's Account 30:3 Charles C. Brown's Recollection 304 Recollections of R. C. Bierce — :io5 A. L. Russell's Statement 308 TABLE OF CONTENTS. VII CHAPTER XXV. PAGE PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED HISTORICAL SKETCHES. 310 From the Western Times, Sept. 0, 1856 310 By George Gale 310 From the Milwaukee Sentinel, Novemher, 1860 315 By Dr. Lansing, in The Lansing Chroniele, Febru- ary, 18C9 317 Lute A . Tavlor, in the La Crosse Leader, July, 1870.. 818 Uy G. W.Nuzum and John R. Casson, 1875 31'.) By W. F. Terhuue, 1878 320 From the De Soto Republican, 1870 323 CHAPTER XXVI. MISCELLANEOUS Vernon County once Sioux Territory Why the Fox Indians left the lower Wisconsin Concerning- the Fox Indians Treaties with the Sac and Fox Indians and the Win- uebagoes A sequel to the great Indian Treat}' of 1839 The Winnebagoes in 1816 The Winnebagoes in 1818 Up the Mississippi in 1819 War between the Sac and FoxeB and the Sioux Daniel M. Parkinson's UecoUections of the Winne- bago war James H. Lockwood's account of the Winnebago War An inteiesting event of the Winnebago War Last act in the Winnebago War Indians upon the Mississippi in 1825 Up and down the Mississippi before the Black Hawk W( 325 325 327 .328 rar. After the buttle of Bad Ax Capture of Black Hawk and the Prophet.. Death of Black Hawk Western Wisconsin in 18^30 32a 333 333 338 339 311 Mi Ho 3.54 356 357 3B9 375 379 382 :JSI CHAPTER XXVn. POETS AND POETRY :«» Tne Indian 3.S9 Sunshine in Winter 390 A Wish ■ 390 'Twas only a Shell 391 John Brown 391 Summer Song 391 Mount Keuo 392 CHAPTER XXVIII. SCHOOLS OF VERNON COUNTY 393 Original School Code StW Agitation for Free Schools 394 The School System under the State Government 394 Dcvi'lopnicnt of Schools in Vernon County 395 School Houses 396 Examination of Teachers 398 County Supervision 398 Prosperity of the Schools 399 General Statistics 400 CHAPTER XXIX. VARIOUS THINGS 401 A I'loneer incident 401 Censu.o of 1847 iOl The Methodist Episcopal Church from 1851 to 1859. ... 401 An Aerolite 407 Death of Moses Decker 408 Starling a paper under difhcultles 408 The Buckeye on Are 408 Whatwasit? 409 Wild cats and wolves 409 AcaUforfaots 409 Bears 409 Climatology of Vernon county 409 tieological history of the underlying formations of Vernon county 415 A n early deed for Vernon county real estate 418 An Indian scare 418 Town of B d Ax 420 Extracts from the ' "Record of the proeeedingrs of the Crawford county board" 420 Early roails in Vernon county 423 Agriculture in the \'ernon county regrion 42:1 First white men in Vernon county 424 PAGE An account of their \oyage up the Mississippi 429 Early experience in the northwest 431 Thoiiias G . Anderson 473 CHAPTER XXX. TOWN OF BERGEN 477 Early Settlements 477 First Things 479 Organic 479 Postolfices ■ 479 Religious ... 479 Educational 479 Cemeteries 479 CHAPTER XXXI. TOWN OF CHRISTIANA 480 Early Settlements 480 Early Events 481 Organic 4S1 Postofflces 482 MUl 482 Educational 48: Religious 482 Cemeteries 484 Village OF Westby 4{H Case of Murder 484 Biographical -185 CHAPTER XXXII. TOWN OF CLINTON 491 Early Settlement 491 First Events 495 Organic 195 Educational ■ ■ 495 Religious 496 Cemeteries 497 Mills 497 Village op Bloominodai^e 498 Village OF Phestonville 498 Biographical 4f«' CHAPTER XXXIII. TOWN OF COON .505 Settlement o05 FirstEvents •'«05 Organic -505 Schools 506 Village OP CoON" Valley .t06 PostofBce 507 CHAPTER XXXIV. TOWN OF FOREST 508 Earlv Settlement •i08 First Things •509 ( irganic 509 Ucli!;ious 509 Educational : 509 PostolHees 509 I emeteries -"lO Personal Sketches 510 CHAPTER XXXV. TOWN OF FRANKLIN 516 Early Settlement ^lO (Organic • 517 Schools 517 Religious 518 LibkktyPole 518 Cemeteries ■ .519 Uiographical .519 CHAPTER XXXVI. TOWN OF GENOA 527 Early Settlement -527 FirstEvents 526 Organic 528 Schools 528 Rcliinous 52S I'ostoffices 528 Village OP Genoa -528 t,\*meteries f •'►■■•1 Biographical '. 531 VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVII. PAGE TOWN OP GREENWOOD 536 Early Settlement 536 First Events 538 Organic 538 Schools 538 Religious Societies 539 Hansberry'a Mill 840 Cemeteries 540 Biographical 540 CHAPTER XXXVIII. TOWN OP HAMBUKG 551 Early Settlement 551 Organic 551 Religious 5.5U Schools 55a Cemeteries 55:i ViLL.\GE op ChaSeburg 553 Business Directory 553 Biographical Sketches 553 CHAPTER XXXIX. TOWN OP H.A.RMONr 5.>5 Early Settlement 5iji> PirstThings , 556 Organic 5.58 Religious , 5.56 Educational 557 Postoffices 5.57 Cemeieries 5.57 Mills 5.57 Village OF Newton 5.57 Personal 657 CHAPTER XL. TOWN OP HILLSBOROUGH 562 Settlement 563 Pirst Events » 564 Organic 567 Schools 567 School Statistics 568 United Brethren Church 568 ( emeteries 568 Trippville PostofBee 5611 Village OF HiLi>SBOBOUQH .56

,588 580 1H5 6:3« 71J 251 235 mi ™i| Kaullman, Abraham. C2|i ICegley, El 5.5' ,551 las. Guseeitl, Ferdinand 5.12 Hallich, Henry 57S llaKc, Enscbret P BOU Hiill, Ralph 711 Jlaniilto]!, George W Ii72 llaniilton, J. 1 27U Hamillon, N. W 5:^'. Iliiniilton, Seth 5!)U Hamnjer, Otto, Sr Hammer, Utto F. .54U Hammond, John J 7111 Hanson, Andrew 5'J. Hanson, H.:.. .50U Hanson, Hans 49'.; Hanson, Hans 758 Hansuii, Lars 480 7I);J ti52 5ui 254 1552 558 2«; J\elland, O. 0.,Jr Kerr, H n^h Kile, James Jvimball, Moses 5ri4 Knapi>, Henry .501 ICnower, VV. H 206-,528 Kuehn, Albert F 5;i;) Lacy, George Lake, John U.. . Lamb, Anthony. 57U Lamb, Kansom Landrnm, Charles Larkie, Auj^ust... Larson, Hans . . .. Larson, Hans K.. . Larson, Heltre Lathrop, John 514 Lathrop, Napoleon B 515 C.N I'Jl] Latshaw, Alexander 741 . . . 57:: .. (Mr . .. 7-1; ... 51; , . . ,51:1 . .. ,5111 ... 72:) . . 485 til.l PAGE McGrath, Timothy B3B .M el ; ralh. Timothy W 6Jtl McKie, N 715 Mclvitriek, A, James f>71 Wclvitriek, Samtiel 257 McLees, John M 558 McMiehael, Robert S 68' McMiehael, Samuel 2ti5 MoMichael, William C .... 2.56 MeSharey. James Ii03 MeVey, Eli 632 .M.-.laiv, T.C 288 .Millen, Peter J (153 iMellen, S. A 271 Michelet, John 480 Millard, Henrv 643 Jlillard, O. H 753 Miller, H. P 273 .Miller, Ueuben 54!: MiUisan, Itobert OOJ MiUisoo, Levi : 643 .Miner, P. D 6." Minor, JohnH 662 Minor, Thomas 06: Minor, Watson W 063 .M itchell, Erastus .574 Moekett, Itobert S 610 Mohs, Augnstus .570 .Mollinger, John 570 Monti, Mathew 534 Moody, Hiram. 70' .Moody, Nathan E TU8 Moore, James 039 Mor^'-an, Geor^^e W 715 .Murtian, Henrv H 739 MiHley, Calvin 704 Morlev, Calvin E 26; Morris, C. H .579 Morrison, Nathaniel 712; Morse, William A 592 >lorterud, Ciiristiau A 502 MuUin, David G 550 Mutch, James 573 Ilari'i Harris, Edward 660j Eatta Cieorsfe. Harris, J . E Harris, Kiehard J Hai-i-is, Wdliain Hartshorn, Georj^e W Haughton, William... Hay, Peter Hayden, Alvin M Haves, John Heal. Stephen G 738 Healy, Patriek 564 Heinrich, Ucinrieh 750 Hektoen, P. P 714 Henderson, John .52;i ilc-.iry, Marvin 700 Henry, Oscar S 524l Longley, John Jlernionson, Hermou 490 Lowrlc, Alexander 61^ 017 63; , 704 190 Layne, P. J Lee, Henry L 541'. Lee, Lars Hanson 5.0 Lier, Simon P 507 Lincoln, S. C 2.55 LinJ, Edward 2.55 Lind, Henry .546-57); 69ti| Latta, Josiah 51:1 Lawrence, Thomas . . 590 Lawlon, Chauncey W. 405| Layne. James H 263' Lavne, Newton ilay. 698 " " " ' 6.57 59) Jjindeman, W. F. Lisso, Joseph.. 706 478 llerriek, Gdbert. IJerr-on, William A lli'wej-. James H ffieok. Hiram A Hickok I'homas J Hi^'gins, Jacob Hill, Vilentia B Hinkst, Michael HodKc, William A llolliiiKStail, Charles.. Hopkins, .Vlbcrt II.... Hopkins, Hei'ry D Hornby, James Hornby, Jtobert Horton, D. W Hosmer, Afldison A Hoiijfhton, I*;. B Hon^hum, Edmund... Hoverson, Knudt Hoverson. S Hoyt, Joseph W Hnnt, Cyrns Hnrd, .John llunl. J. .Manson Hntehison, B. C. 603 .590 202 702 546 520 .56) .. 202 Lowrie, James 25J Lowrie, .J. 1' .595 Lowrie, William 595 Lowrie, W. W 261 Ludwig, Carl 574 Lyitle, C 742 519 Maddin, Patrick .570 7401 Mahr, David .542 499I Mallow, Adolphus P .550 610i Manhart, Joseph .5K1 610, Markle, .J C .5.54 7tW Marsbad, J. J 514 21 Masterson. John 491 Hutchison, William 617 559 Maxwell, James. 730 May.AlonzoF . ... 271 May, Iteoben . ... 731 Mav, WilliaTn J .... .524 McAulev, H. W .... 589 Mc.\ulev, It. .M .. 552 McCartey, J J 662 McCluriT, John .... BSil MeClur;.', J. Booth... . 64.3 MeConnell, William T 616 McCoUoufe'h, John McGrath, John .. 590 ... .598 . . . .598 . . . . .598 185-7;i,5 .... 7:10 ... 618 7117 . . . 0.59 . . 707 . ...510j ... a;fr. Naperua, Torg-er Nelson. Naprnd. Elias H Nelson, Einer Nelson, Hans Neperud, John A Nesting, Ole Evenson Newman, .\lfred W Newman, D. B .N'ewell, J.imos Evans — Newton. A ndrew New\ille, .\bi-am .\ ichols, Henr.v Nichols, Marshall C Nixon, A. M Nixon, Irvin O Nixon, It. S Norris, John Nuzum, George W ..^. Nuzum, Isaac F ^. Oakes, E. L Ollicer, E. C Older, A. H. Olson, Christian C. Olson, Frederick. Olson, Hans Olson, Knudt Olson. Lars Orrison, Hiram... Osbtirn, Mariou... ott, Charles Ott, John Olteson, Solfest... Outland, William. Owen, Pearly J... 487 097 549 487 506 507 182 271 192 500 526 ■678 701 594 640 594 492 732 732 534 591 18(1 Gul GI5 486 .551 Parker, Joseih O. Parker, Robert Parr. .John Parsfli. Frank . .. . l*atlerson, Itobert. Pa\dsen, Soren Peterson, Knndt — .5.59 (W2 497 532 ,531 659 «lk> .5(« Ki5 642 501 478 555 489 620 Peterson, N. Christian ... 526 Peaslee, Isiac 651 Peek, P. .Melvin 663 I'elton, Ezra O 642 Phillips, W. F 757 I'ierco, Lorenzo A 184 Pickorael, Elisha W 267 Pinch, Francis I 579 Pitcher, Charles W 267 Poff, CM 272 Poir, J.M 504 Pollard, S. R 262 Poorman, Isaac D 670 Poorman, Jacob N 671 Porter, Henry G 7S5 Potts, Jonathan 499 Potter, E 8.35 Powell, Elijah 528 Prentice, George 753 Preus, H. N 255 Priest, U. 1! 191-284 I'roctor, A I Ired 741 Proctor, H. P 195 Pnsh, William 605 Pulham, nilliam 532 Puis, Christian 6.58 Pulver, Wendell H 093 Purdy, William S 189-698 Itahbitt, Lemuels 626 Itadelill', Uev, L.L 263 Itcad, Daniel 600 Heed, Ellis .590 Ri-itcr, Charles 739 Itentz, Michael 599 lievels, John .513 llhinohart, Horace A 545 Richards, J . B 270 Riley, Aaron 704 Hiley, William S 533 Roberts, Benjamin 510 Robinson, H. A 287 Kogors, Benjamin 618 Rogers, C. E 261 Rogers. Earl M 713 Itodgers, J. C 514 Rogers, James H 737 Rudie, NelsJ 699 Rundlett, J. R 270 Rnsk, Allen 621 Busk, James 268 Rusk, Jeremiah M 760 Sabin, Bavid 671 Saeket, N. A 595 Salts, Milam 576 Salts, William F 574 Sandon, Hlbert W 756 Sandrm, Itobert 7.54 Sandon, William 752 Sangstad, Even T 487 Saxton, A. I! 589 Saxton, Norris W .589 Seal, John 11 .534 Seelv, Demp.ster 639 Sehnell, Fred 578 Schneider, Philip 009 Sehcenbi'rger. John 6,59 Schoolev, J, H 268 Sehreiner, J. K 718 Shattuck, George W 641 Shaw, .loelT 737 Shaw, John 514 Shaw, L. N .599 Shear, Isaac 575 Shear, Peter .577 Shear, Thomas J 576 Shei'ts, John 596 Sheets, William V .596 Shisler, Elias 531 shreve, Caleb 540 Shreve, Hezekiah 543 Shrove, James H 543 Shreve, John S .541 Shrevi', William 543 Shreve, William Smith 541 Sidy ic, Thomas 653 XII TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page Silbaugh, Edward 703 Silbaugh, Jacob 705 Sims, Samuel 477 Slack, Nathan .1 S8ll Small, John. Sr 638j Small, John, J r H.Ki Smith, Ananias OH!) Smith, Charles E Uli; Smith, D. T fiV, Smith, James C SHU Smith, Samuel 640 Smith, William 5K1 Smith, William '.. .523 Smith, Zachariah 813 Soloi. Ole B 525 Somerby, J. A 282 Southwjck, Milton 520 Spellum, John C 7iiO Spencer, John 723 Sperry, G. S 271 Spurrier. Green 2(j5 Stale V, John .544 Stark, Ethan A 71S Starner, Jonathan *il2 Steadman, M. W 744 Steenson, Steen 757 Steinmetz, Philip F 672 Steltins-, Dederick .510 Stelting, Frederick 513 Stelting, William C 613 Stephenson, Stephen 701 Sterling, Harvey 049 Sterling-, Le Grant. . 650 Sterling, Lewis 2fil Stevens, Ira 735 Stevenson, James Stevenson, John Stevenson, William Stoddard, Y. A Storer, Kobert Stont, Stanley Strang', Edmund Straw n. David Sirutbers, William Sudduth, John H Suttle, H. J. Swain, George A Swain, George W Swan, L. P Tainter, Anson Tare, John Tate, J. Henry Tate, Robert T< deriek, William H... Tenney, Jeremiah T.,. Terlnine, William F Tewalt. Solomon W — Thompson. AndrewT. Thompson, Ellis P... . Thompson, Lewis Thompson, Luther Thompson, Sever Thompson, Thomas Thoreson, Torger Thorp, I. P Tilton, Elijah Tilton, Simeon H Timerman. Hiram Tinker, Elisha W PAGE .... 52.S .... .559 .... 533 . . . 758 .. . 62U .... 623 .... 2,.3 .... 714 555 ... 26S ... 270 268-519 .... 558 .... 506 . . 510 625 715 625 752 739 i i.'. 6.50 65: 59' 6.58 525 613 700 560 265 714 714 755 26S Tinker, Jerome S... . Tollefson, O ToUefson, Louis Torgar, Ole T Towner, Frank M Tripp, Dier N Trott, Benjamin Turner, H. L Turner, William Upham, Charles H Vance, Alexander Van Wagner, Feli.v K.. Vumbauk, John H Wakefield, Adelbert... VVaketield, Leonard... Wakeinan, GaylordS.. Wakeman, Willio.m . . . Walker , Perry Walker, Samuel Wallar, Frank A Walloe, J. L Ward, lincinnatns Watterraan, Carlos F. Waters, Clark Waters, Isaac ,. Waters, W. S Watson, Samuel Weaver, Alfred ... Weber, Henry Weber. Nicholas Webster, William Weeden. Henry G ... Welch, Michael PAGE 7051 71S| 195: 522; 715 572 730 6,;i 623 742 PAGE Wells, John H 515 Westby, Ole T 489 Westrum, Arnt 663 White, French B 652 White, Giles 753 White, John W 737 White, W. S 2.55 Whitworth, John 705 Widmer, Arnold 758 Wisdahl, Peter 627 Wilkinson, Mons S 627 Willey, Froland 664 Williams, Benjamin . 526 Wiiiams, ClarkeD 711 Williams, Howard D 711 Williams, Israel 708 Williams, Roger 578 Williamson, George 590 WiNon, De Witt Clinton... 290 Winslow, Aaron 2/0 Winslow, L. H. T .575 Winsor. Ora 758 Wise George W 623 Wisel, Orin 256 Wolfe, G. W 287 Wood, C. L 596 Wood, Jonathan .596 Wood. L J 596 Wright. J. N 263 Wyman, O. B 193 Yakey, D. C -500 Zabolie, Albert 535 Zink, John 478 PORTRAITS Bennett, Van S.. Blake, 1. W Bouilleur, Philip. Conner, Henry... EUefson, Chris . PAGE ... .'i31 ... 709 ... ;Mi 691 Frazier, William . . Fra/.ier, Mrs. Pluma. PAGE ... .5.S4 . . . 585 Graham, Carson 323 McLces, John M.. 313,.MeMichael, R. S. PAGEJ PAGE Millard, O. H 745iRandon, Robert 205 Morterud, Christian A 493 Sterling, Lo Grant 656 Sterling, Laura A 657 Nichols, Alarshall C 151 Nixon, Irvin C 277 Terhune, William F 13:i 547- Tollefson, Louis ..187 259 Proctor, H. P 169, Tripp, Dier N 565 General Committee Vernon County. We the undersigned members of the committee appointed to revise and correct the general chapters of the History of Vernon County, certify that we hare examined the same and have made all the corrections and additions that we, in our judgment and to the best of our recollection, deem necessary, and as corrected we approve and are satisfied with the same. Viroqua, Nov. 16, 1883. [Signed.] P. P. Hektoen, 1 H. Nelson. I Com- D. W. C. Wilson, f mittee. Wm. P. Terhune.J Town Committees. We, the undersijrned committee, appointed by the old settlers, for the purpose of correcting the history of our respec- tive towns for the Histor.v of Vernon Count.v, hereby certify that the manuscript has been submitted to us and that we have made such additions and corrections as we. in our judsrment. deem necessary, and that as corrected, we to the best of our recollection, consider it a true history and approve of the same: Commltte names with townships alphabetically arranged: E. (1. Dudley, William Patterson, —Bergen Town. Ole Niarison, Peter M. Johnson, —Coon Towti. Chris. Morterud, — C!into)i Town. C. H. Ballsrud, John Mitchelet, —Christiana Town. Nathan Sherman, Mrs. Emma Sherman, —Forest Town. ThomiiB Cade, Michael Hinksl, -Fran/din Toum. Matthew Monti, William L. Riley, — Genoa Town. P. Abbott, James H. Shreve, —Oreenwood Town. George Swain, Ole Johnson, -Bamburg Toion. Hartwell Allen, David Calkins, —Harmony Town. D. N. Tripp, Albert Field. —HUltborotmh Town. Alfred Glassborn, Lameh Graham, —Jefferson Town. Philip Schneider, Thomas Flanagan, —Kickapoo Town, H. L. Turner, Allen Rusk, —Liberty Town, he Grant Sterling, A. Vance, -Sterling Town. Eli McVey, Dempster Seeley, —Stark Town. George H . Eastman, Robert Butcher, —Union Town, J. B. NeweU, Wm. F. Terhune, R. S. McMichael, —Tiroqua Town. Isaiah Glenn, Wm. P. Brown, Oliver Brian, —Webster Town, A. Carlyle, Alex. Latshaw, John W. White, D. A. Steele. —Wheatland Towm. O. White, Wm. Sandon, O. H.Millard, —Whitettown Town. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, CHAPTER I PREHISTORIC AND SETTLEMENT. AT a remote period there lived in this coun- try a people now designated mound build- ers. Of their origin nothing is known. Their history is lost in the lapse of ages. The evi- dences, however, of their existence in Wiscon- sin and surrounding States are numerous. Many of their earth works — the so-called .mounds — are still to be seen. These are of various forms. Some are regularly arranged, forming squares, octagons and circles; others are like walls or ramparts; while many, especially in Wisconsin, are imitative in figure, having tlie shape of implements or animals, resembling war clubs, tobacco pipes, beasts, reptiles, fish and even man. A few are in the similitude of li-ees. In selecting sites for many of their earth works, the mound-builders appear to have been influenced by motives which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Milwaukee and other cities of the west are founded on ruins of pre-existing struc- tures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been favorite places for these mounds. Their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river, of the Illinois, and of Rock river and its branches, also in the valley of the Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near the waters of the Mississippi. As to the object of these earth works, all knowledge rests upon conjecture alone. It is generally believed that some were used for purposes of defense, others for the observance of religious rites and as burial places. In some parts of Wisconsin are seen earth works of a different character from those usu- ally denominated "moutids." These, from tlieir supposed use, are styled "garden beds." They are ridges or beds about six inches in height, and four feet in width. They are arranged methodically and in parallel rows. Some are rectangular in shape; others are in regular curves. These beds occupy fields of various sizes, from ten to a hundred acres. The mound builders have left other evidences besides mounds and garden beds, to attest their HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. presence in this country, in ages past. In the Lake Superior region exist ancient copper mines, excavations in the solid rock. In these mines have been found stone hammers, wooden bowls and shovels, props and levers for raising and supporting mass copper, and ladders for descending into the pits and ascending from them. There are, also, scattered widely over the country, numerous relics, evidently the handi- work of these pre-historic people; such as stone axes, stone and copper spear-heads and arrow heads, and various other implements and uten- sils. As these articles are frequently discov- ered many feet below the surface of the ground, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers. These relics indicate that the mound builders were superior in intelligence to the Indians. None of their implements or utensils, however, point to a "copper age" as having succeeded a "stone age." They all refer alike to one age, the indefinite past; to one people, the mound builders. There is nothing to connect "the dark back- ward and abysm" of mound-building times with those of the red race of Wisconsin. And all that is known of the savages inhabiting this section previous to its discovery, is exceedingly dim and shadowy. Upon the extended area bounded by Lake Superior on the north, Lake Michigan on the east, wide-spreading prairies on the south, and the Mississippi river on tlie west, there met and mingled two distinct In- dian families, Algonquins and Dakotas. C'un- oerning the various tribes of these families, nothing of importance could be gleaned by the earliest explorers; at least, very little has been preserved. Tradition, it is true, pointed to the Algonquins as having, at some remote period, migrated from the east, and this has been con- firmed by a study of their language. It indi- cated, also, that the Dakotas, at a time far be- yond the memory of the most aged, came from the west or southwest, fighting their way as ihey came; that one of their tribes once dwelt upon the shores of a sea; but when and for what purpose they left their home for the country of the great lakes there was no evi- dence. This was all. In reality, therefore, Wisconsin has no veritable history ante-dating its discovery by civilized man. The country has been heard of, but only through vague re- ports of savages.* There were no accounts at all, besides these, of the extensive region of the upper lakes; while of the valley of the upper Mississippi, nothing whatever was known. FIRST EXPLORA■rIO^' OF THE NORTHWEST. The history of \\'isconsin commences with the recital of the indomitable perseverance and heroic hravery displayed by its first visitant, John Nicolet. An investigation of the career of this Frenchman shows him, at an early age, leaving his home in Normandy for the new world, landing at Quebec in 1618, and at once seeking a residence among the Algonquins of the Ottawa river, in Canada, sent thither by the governor to learn their language. In the midst of many hardships, and suriounded by perils, he applied himself with great zeal to his task. Having become familiar with the Algonquin tongue, he was admitted into the councils of the savages. The return of Nicolet to civilization, after a number of years immured in the dark forests of Canada, an excellent interpreter, qualified him to act as government agent among the wild western tribes in promoting peace, to the end that all who had been visited by the fur-trader might remain firm allies of the French. Nay, further: it resulted in his being dispatched to Nations far beyond tlie Ottawa, known only by heresay, with whom it was believed might be opened a profita' le trade in furs. So he started on his perilous voyage. He visited the Hurons, upon the Georgian bay. Witii seven of that Nation, he struck boldly into wilds to the north- ward and westward never before visited by civ- ilized man. He paddled his birch canoe along ♦Compare Cliamplain'8 Voyages, 1633, and his map of that date; Sagard's, Histoire du Canada: 1,6 leune Rekition, 1633. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 19 the eastern coast of Lake Huron and up the St. Mary's Strait to the falls. He floated back to the Straits of Mackinaw, and courageously turned his face toward the west. At tlie Sault de Ste. Marie, he had — the first of white men — set foot upon the soil of the northwest. Nicolet coasted along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, ascended Green Bay, andfinally entered the mouth of Fox river. It was not until he and his swarthy Hurons had urged their frail canoes six days up that stream, that his western exploration was ended. He had, mean- while, on his way hither, visited a number of tribes; some that had never before been heard of by the French upon the St. Lawrence. With them all he smoked the pipe of peace; with the ancestors of the present Chippewas, at the Sault; with the Menomonee8,the Winneba- goes, the Mascoutins, in what is now the State of Wisconsin; with the Ottawas, upon the Man- itoulin Islands, and the Nez Perces,upon the east coast of Lake Huron. He made his outward voyage in the summer and fall of 16.34, and re- turned the next year to the St. Lawrence. He did not reach the Wisconsin river, but heard of a "great water" to the westward, which he mistook for the sea. It was, in fact, that stream, and the Mississippi, into which it pours its flood. "History cannot refrain from saluting Nicolet as a distinguished traveler, who, by his explora- tions in the northwest, has given clear proofs of his energetic character, and whose merits have not been disputed, although, subsequently, they were temporarily forgotten." The first fruits of his daring were gathered by the Jesuit fathers, even before his death; for, in the autumn of 1641, those of them who were among the Hurons at the head of the Georgian bay of Lake Huron, received a deputation of Indians occupying the "country around a rapid [now known as the 'Sault de Ste. Marie'], in the midst of the channel by wliich Lake Superior empties into Lake Huron," inviting them to visit their tribe. These "missionaries were not displeased with the opportunity thus presented of knowing the countries lying beyond Lake Huron, which no one of them had yet traveled;" so Isaac Jogues and Charles Raymbault were detached to accompany the Chippewa deputies, and view the field simply, not to establish a mission. They passed along the shore of Lake Huron, northward, and pushed as far up St. Mary's strait as the Sault, which they reached after seventeen days' sail from their place of starting. There they — the first white men to visit the northwest after Nicolet — harrangued 2,000 Chippewas and other Algonquins. Upon their return to the St. Lawrence, Jogues was captured by the Iroquois, and Raymbault died on the 2 2d of October, 1642, — a few days before the death of Nicolet.* WISCONSIN VISITED BY FUR TRADERS AND JESUIT MISSIONARIES. Very faint, indeed, are the gleams which break in upon the darkness surrounding our knowledge of events immediately following the visit of Nicolet, in what is now the State of Wisconsin. That the Winnebagoes, soon after his return, made war upon the Nez Perces, kill- ing two of their men, of whom they made a feast, we are assured.* We also know that in 1640, these same Winnebagoes were nearly all destroyed by the Illinois ; and that the next year, the Pottawattamies took refuge from their homes upon the islands at the mouth of Green bay, with the Chippewas. f This is all. And had it not been for the greed of the fur trader and the zeal of the Jesuit, little more, for many years, probably, would have been learned of the northwest. However, a ques- tioning missionary, took from the lips of an Indian captain J "an account of his having, in the month of June, 1658, set out from Green Bay for the north, passing the rest of the sum- mer ami the following winter near Lake Supe- » History of tliu discovery of the nortliwest by John Nico- let in IKM, with a sketch of his life, by C, W. ButterQeJd, Cincinnati. Robert Clarke & Co., 1881. •LeJcune, Relation, 1038. tCol. Hist. New York Ix, 181. t Not ' 'captive, " as aome local bUtorlei have it. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. rior ; so called in consequence of being above that of Lake Huron. This Indian informed the Jesuit of the havoc and desolation of the Iro- quois war in the west ; how it had reduced the Algonquin Nations about Lake Superior and Green bay. The same missionary saw at Que- bec, two Frenchmen who had iust arrived from the upper countries with 300 Algon- quins in sixty canoes, laden with peltries. These fur traders had passed the winter of 1659 on the shores of Lake Superior, during which time they made several trips among the surrounding tribes. In their wanderings they probably vis- ited some of the northern parts of what is now Wisconsin. They saw at six days' jour- ney beyond the lake toward the southwest, a tribe composed of the remainder of the Huron s of the Tobacco Nation, compelled by the Iroquois to abandon Mackinaw and to bury themselves thus deep in the forests, that they could not be found by their enemies. The two traders told the tales they had heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river upon which they dwelt — the great water of- Nicolet. Thus a knowledge of the Mississippi began to dawn again upon the civilized world."* The narratives of the Indian captain and the two Frenchmen induced further exploration two years later when Father Rene Menard attempted to found a mission on Lake Superior, with eight Frenchmen and some Ottawas. He made his way in 1660 to what is now Keweenaw, Mich. He determined while there to visit some II u- rons on the islands at the mouth of Green bay. He sent three of his companions to explore tiie way. They reached those islands by way of the Menominee river, returning to Keweenaw with discouraging accounts. But Menard re- solved to undertake the journey, starting from the lake with one white companion and some Hurons ; he perished, however, in the forest, in what manner is not known, his companion reaching the Green bay islands in safety. White men had floated upon the Menominee, ' History Northeru Wisconsin, p. 39. so that the northeastern part of what is now Wisconsin, as well as its interior by Nicolet in 1 634, had now been seen by civilized white manf. FOUNDING OF JBSUIT MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN. In August, 1665, Father Claude Allouez embarked on a mission to the country visited by Menard. Early in September he had reached the Sault de Ste. Marie, and on the first day of October, arrived in the bay of Chegoimegon, at a village of Chippewas. Here he erected a chapel of bark, establishing the first mission in what is now Wisconsin to which he gave the name of the Holy Spirit. While Allouez had charge of this field, he either visited or saw, at Chegoimegon, scattered bands of Hurons and Ottawas ; also Pottawat- tamies from Lake Michigan, and the Sacs and Foxes, who lived upon the waters of Fox river of Green bay. He was likewise visited by the Illinois, and at the extremity of Lake Superior he met representatives of the Sioux. These declared they dwelt on the banks of the river "Messipi." Father James Marquette reached Chegoimegon in September, 1669, and took charge of the mission of the Holy Spirit, Allouez proceeding to the Sault de Ste. Marie, intending to establish a mission on the shores of Green bay. He left the Sault Nov. 3, 1669, and on the 25th, reached a Pottawattamie cabin. On the 2d of December he founded upon the shore of Green bay the mission of St. Francis Xavier, the second one established by him within what are now the limits of Wisconsin. Here Allouez passed the winter. In April, 1670, he founded another mission; this one was upon Wolf river, a tributary of the Fox river of Green bay. Here the missionary labored among the Foxes, who had located upon that stream. The mission, the third in the present Wisconsin, he called St. Mark. In 1671 Father Louis Andre was sent to the missions of St. Francis Xavier and St. Mark, as a co-worker with Allouez. At what is now the t Bancroft, in his History of United States, evidently mis- takes the course pursued from Keweenaw, by Menard. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 21 village of DePere, Brown Co., Wi.s., was located the central station of the mission of St. Francis Xavier. This mission included all the tribes inhabiting the vicinity of Green bay. A rude chapel, the third one within the pre.sunt limits of Wisconsin, was soon erected. Allouez then left for other fields of labor ; but Andre re- mained here, working with zeal during the summer of 1671. However, during a temporary absence his chapel was burned, but he speedily erected another. Then his dwelling was de- stroyed, but although he erected another, it soon shared the same fate. He was at this time laboring among the Menomonees. When he titially left "the bay tribes" is not known. In I 676 Father Charles Albanel was stationed at what is now DePere, where a new and better chapel was erected than the one left by Andre. In 1680 the mission was supplied by Father James Eryalran, who was recalled in 1687. When he left, his house and chapel were burned by the Winnebagoes. It was the end of the mission of St. Francis Xavier. The mission of the Holy Spirit was deserted by Father James Manjuette in 1671. It Avas the end for 170 years of a Roman Catholic mission at Che- goimegon. WISCONSIN UNDER FRENCH DOMINATION. In the year 1671, France took formal posses- sion of the whole country of the upper lakes An agent, Daumont de St. Lusson, was dispatched to the distant tribes, proposing a congress of Indian Nations at the Falls of St. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. The principal chiefs of the Wisconsin tribes were gathered there by Nicholas Perrot. When all were assem- bled, it was solemnly announced that the great northwest was placed under the protection of the French government. This was the begin- ning of French domination in what is now Wis- consin. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Falls of St. Mary, in 1671, in establishing the right of France to the regions beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as sufficiently def- inite, Nicholas Perrot, in 1689, at the head of Green bay,' again took possession of the country, extending the dominion of New France, not only over the territory of the upper Mississippi, but '■to other places more remote;" so that then, all that is now included within the boundaries of the State of Wisconsin (and much more) passed quietly into the possession of the French king. No fur-trader or missionary, no white man, had as yet reached the Mississippi above the mouth of the Illinois river. But the time for its exploration was at hand. Civilized men were now to beliold its vast tribute rolling onward toward the Gulf of Mexico* These men were Louis Joliet and James Marquette. Jolietcame from Quebec, having been appointed by the gov- ernment to "discover" the Mississippi. He found Marquette on the north side of the straits of Mackinaw, laboring as a missionary among the Indians. The latter was solicited and readily agreed to accompany Joliet upon his expedition.* The outfit of the party was very simple: two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had with them five white men. They began their voyage on the I7th day of May, 1673. Passing into Lake Mich- igan, they coasted along its northern shore, and paddled their canoes up Green bay and Fox river to the portage. They then crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they tioated, until, on the I7th of June, they entered the Mississippi. After dropping down the river many miles, they returned by way of the Illinois and Lake Mich- igan to Green bay, where Marquette remained to recruit his strength, while Joliet returned to Quebec to make known the extent of his dis- coveries. Fontenac's report of Joliet's return from a voyage to discover the South sea, dated Nov. 14, 1674, is as follows: "Sieur Joliet, whom Monsieur Talon advised me, on my arrival from France, to dispatch for 'That Count Fonteiiac, (rovernor of New France, nndM. Tolon, inletiiluiit, sbould have expressed a wish to Joliet ihat Father .Miiii|uett>' be invited to accompany him in his contemplated journey, is to be inferred from the words of the missionary ; l(\ cral States in the Union hav- ing claims to waste and unappropriated lands in the western country, a liberal cession to the gen- eral government of a portion of tiieir respective claims for the common benefit of the Union. The clairaini; States were Connecticut, New York and Virginia, all under their colonial char- ters, and the last mentioned, in addition thereto, by right of conquest of the Illinois country. The region contended for lay to the northwest of the river Ohio. Virginia claimed territory westward to the Mississippi and northward to a sonu'wliat indefinite extent. New York, and especially Connecticut, laid claim to territory stre' clung away to an unbounded extent west- ward, but not so far to the south as Virginia. The last mentioned State, by virtue of conquests largely her own, extended her jurisdiction over the Illinois settlements in 1778, and the year after, and erected into a county enough to in- clude all her conquests. But, what is now the State of Wisconsin, she certainly did not exer- cise dominion over. The three States finally ceded all their rights to the United States, leav- ing the general government absolute owner of the whole country, subject only to the rights, such as they were, of the Indian Nations who dwelt therein. Under a congressional ordinance, passed in 1785, for ascertaining the mode of disposing of lands in the western territory, the geographer of the United States was directed to commence the survey of them immediately beyond the Ohio river, upon the plan which has ever since been followed by the general government, re- sulting in regular latitudinal and longitudinal lines being run, so as to circumscribe every 640 acres of land, not only in Wisconsin but in all the west, wherever these surveys have been brought to completion. Two years subsequent to the passage of the first ordinance, was that of another and more famous one, providing for the government of the territory northwest of the river Ohio. This is familiarly known as the ordinance of 1787; and to this day it is a part of the fundamental law of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, the five states since formed out of the region included within the limits aifected by its provisions; — an act of Con- gress, passed in 1789, having adapted it to tho constitution of the United States. But neither the treaty with Great Britain of 1783, nor the ordinances of Congress which followed, gave the United States anything more than constructive possession of the whole of its western territory. The mother country, it is true, recognized the northern lakes as the boundary between her possessions and those of the now independent states, but finding an excuse in the fact of some of her merchants not being paid their claims as stipulated by the treaty of 1783, she retained possession of the whole northwest, including what is now Wisconsin, until 1796. By the ordinance of 1787, the United States in Congress assembled declared that the terri- tory northwest of the Ohio, should, for the pur- poses of temporary government, be one district, subject, however, to be divided into districts, as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained, that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the territory; a general assembly was also ])r(.vidcd for; and it was de- clared that religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means ol education should forever l)e encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the terri- tory, "otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duh convicted." But this organic law was of course nugatory over that portion of the territory ot- cupied by the British, and so continued until tile latter yielded possession, and in fact, for some time subsequent thereto. 36 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN". By the treaty agreed upon in 1794, between the United States and Great Britain, usually known as tlie Jay treaty, the evacuation of the posts and places occupied by British troops and garrisons in the northwest, was to take place on or before the 1st day of June, 1796. All set- tlers and traders within the precincts or juris- diction of these posts were to continue to enjoy unmolested, all their property of every kind, and to be protected therein. They were at full liberty to remain there, or to remove with all or any part of their effects; and it was left free to them to sell their lands, houses, or effects, or to retain the property thereof, at their discre- tion. Such of them as should continue to reside there were not to be compelled to become citi- zens of the United States, or to take any oath of allegiance to the government thereof; hut were at full liberty so to do if they thought proper; and they were to make and declare their election within one year after the evacuation of the posts by the military. Persons continuing after the expiration of one year without having declared their intentions of remaining subjects of his Britannic majesty, were to be considered as having elected to become citizens of the United States. It is believed that no citizen of Wisconsin, either in the settlement at "the bay" or at Prairie du Chien made such a declaration but that all who remained, became thereby citi- izens of the new government. The Indian war in the west; which followed the Revolution, was brought to an end by the victorious arms of Gen. Anthony Wayne, upon the banks of the Maumee river, in what is now the State of Ohio, in the year 1 794. The treaty of Greenville was entered into the next year with twelve western tribes of Indians, none of which resided in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, one of the provisions of the treaty was that, in con- sideration of the peace then established and the cessations and the relinquishments of lands made by the Indian tribes there represented, and to manifest the liberality of the United States, claims to all Indian lands northward of the Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and west- ward and southward of the great lakes and the waters uniting them, were relinquished by the gencal government to the Indians having a right thereto. This included all the lands within the present boundaries of Wisconsin. The meaning of the relinquishment by the United States was that the Indian tribes who had a right to those lands were quietly to enjoy them, hunting, planting and dwelling thejeon as long as they pleased, without any molesta- tion from the general government; but •when any tribe should be disposed to sell its lands, or any part of them, they were to be sold only to the United States; and until such sale, the general government would protect all the In- dian tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land against all citizens of the country, and against all other white persons who might intrude upon them. And if any citizen of the United States, or any other white person or persons should pre- sume to settle upon the lands then relinquished by the general government, such citizens or other persons should be out of the protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement might be made might drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as they might think tit; and because such settle- ments made without the consent of the general government would be injurious to them as well as to the Indians, the United States should be at liberty to break them up, and remove and punish the settlers, as they might think proper. The titles of the Indians to their lands were thus acknowledged; and they were unquestion- able, because treaties made, or to be made with the various tribes had been declared by the constitution of the United States, the su- preme law of the land. But those titles could only be yielded to the general government. The principal question to be afterward deter- mined was, what lands were each tribe the rightful owners of. So long as Wisconsin formed a part of the northwestern territory, no treaty was made by the United States with any HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 8T tribe or tribes occupying any portion of tlie the country now lying within the limits of Wis- consin. When, in ]7'.I6, Great Britain yielded posses- sion of the norl invest by withdrawing its garri- sons from the military posts therein, in pursu- ance of the Jay treaty of 1 794, and the United States took formal possession thereof, the change in the political relations of the few set- tlers of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien was not felt by them. They had become the adop- ted citizens of the United States without any realization further than a bare knowledge of the fact. British authority had been so little exercised in their domestic affairs, that its with- drawal was unnoticed, while that of the United States only reached them in name. Nearly all who were engaged in the fur trade were agents or employes of the British fur companies, and their relation to these remained unbroken. No intercourse for several years sprung up with the Americans. Under the ordinance of 1787, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the northwestern territory. At different periods counties were erected to include various portions of that region of country. By the governor's procla- mation of the 15th of August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of northern Ohio, west of a point where the city of Cleveland is now located; also all of the present State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne, "west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan," the whole of what is now the State of Michigan, except the extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; a small corner in the northeast part of the pres- ent State of Illinois, including Chicago; and so much of what is now Wisconsin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which included an extensive portion of its area, taking in the territory now constituting many of its eastern and interior counties. To this county was given the name of Wayne. Tl^e citizens at the head of Green bay, from 1790, until the 4th of July, 1800, were, therefore, res- idents of Wayne county. Northwest territory. But the western portion of the present State of Wisconsin, including all its area watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into the Mis- sissippi, was during those years attached to no county whatever. Within this part of the State was located, of course, the settlement of Prairie du Chien. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF THE TKRRITOET OF INDIANA. After the fourth day of July, 1800, all that portion of the territory of theUnited States north- west of the Ohio river, lying to the westward of a line beginning upon that stream opposite the mouth of the Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort Recovery, in Mer- cer Co., Ohio, thence north until it intersected the territorial line between the United States and Canada, was for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a separate territory, called Indiana. Within its boundaries were included not only nearly all of what is now the State of Indiana, but the whole of the present State of Illinois, more than half of what is now Michigan, a considerable portion of the present State of Minnesota,and the whole of Wis- consin. The seat of government was estab- lished at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash." now the city of Vincennes, Ind. Upon the form- ation of a State government for the State of Ohio, in 1802, all the country west of that State, but east of the eastern boundary of the territory of Indiana, was added to the latter ; so that then the area northwest of the Ohio river in- cluded but one State and one territory. After- ward, civil jurisdi('tion was exercised by the authorities of Indiana territory over the Green bay settlement, in a faint way, by the appoint- ment, by Gov. William Henry Harrison, of Charles Reanme as the justice of the peace therein. Prairie du Chien was also recognized by the new territorial government by the appointment of two persons to a like office — 28 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Henry M. Fisher and a trader by the name of Campbell. As American emigration was now rapidly dotting the wilderness to the westward of the State of Ohio wilh settlements, a treaty with some of the Indian tribes who claimed lands in that region extending northward into what is now Wisconsin, was a necessity, for as yet, none of these Nations )iad met any au- thorities of the United States in council. At the close of the contest between France and Great Britain so disastrous in North America to the former, the Sacs and Foxes readily gave in their adhesion to tlie latter, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two Nations, then about equally divided, numbered about 700 warriors. Neither of the tribes ■ took part in Ponliac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had, by that date emi- grated some distance to the westward, while the Foxes, at least a portion of them, still re- mained upon the waters of the river of Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the Sacs were occu- pants of the upper Wisconsin also to a consid- erable extent below the portage between that stream and Fox river, where their chief town was located. Further down the Wisconsin was the upper village of the Foxes, while their lower town was situated not far from its mouth, near the site of the present city of Prairie du Chien. Not long after Wisconsin had been taken possession of by the British, its northern por- tion, including all that part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas. The country around nearly the whole of Green bay, was the hun ing grounds of the Menomonees. The ter- ritory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes, while, as just stated, the Sacs and Foxes had the region of the Wisconsin river as their dwelling place. During the war of the Revolution, these two tribes continued the firm friends of the English, although not engaged in active hostili- ties against the Americans. When finally Eng- land delivered up to the United States the pos- session of the northwest, the Sacs and Foxes had only a small portion of their territory in Wis- consin, and that in the extreme southwest. Their principal possession extended a consider- able distance to the south of the mouth of the Wisconsin, upon both sides of the Mississppi river. On the 3d of November, 1804, a treaty was held at St. Louis between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States. These tribes then ceded to the general government, a lage tract of land on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, thence to the Wisconsin. This grant embraces, in what is now Wisconsin, the whole of the present counties of Grant and La Fayette, and a large portion of those of Iowa and Green. It included the lead region. These tribes also claimed territory on the upper side of the Wisconsin, but they only granted away a tract two miles square above that stream, near its mouth, with the right of the United States to build a fort adjacent thereto. In considera- tion of the cession of these lands, the general government agreed to protect the two tribes in the quiet enjoyment of the residue of their possessions against its own citizens and all oth- ers who should intrude on them ; carrying out the stipulations to that effect embodied in the Greenville treaty, of 1795. Thus begun the quieting of the Indian title to the eminent do- main of Wisconsin by the United States, which was carried forward until the whole territory (except certain reservations to a few tribes) had been fairly purchased of the original proprie- tors. So much of Indiana territory as lay to the north of a line drawn east from the southern bend of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its northern extremity, thence due north to the HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 29 northern boundary of the United States, was, for the purposes of temporary government, on the 30th of June, 1805, constituted a separate and distinct territory, called Michigan. Tliis new territory did not include within its boun- daries any part of Wisconsin as at present de- fined. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF ILLINOIS TERRITORY. On the 3d of February, 1809, an act of Con- gress, entitled an act for dividing the Indiana territory into two separate governments, was approved by the President and became a law. It provided that from and after the 1st day of March thereafter, all that part of the Indiana territory lying west of the Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that stream and "Post Vincennes" due north to the territorial line be- tween the United States and Canada, should, for the purpose of temporary government, con- stitute a sepai'ate territory and be called Illinois, with the seat of government at Kaskaskia, on the Mississippi river, until it should be other- wise ordered. By this law, all of what is now Wisconsin was transferred from Indiana terri- tory to that of Illinois, except that portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vin- cennes. This fraction ' included nearly the whole area between Green bay and Lake Mi- chigan and remained a part of the territory of Indiana. When, in 1816, Indiana became a State, this narrow strip, as it was neither a por- tion of Michigan territory on the east or Illinois territory on the west, remained without any organization until 1818. In that year it became a part of Michigan territory. In 1809, an effort was made by John Jacob Astor, of New York city, to extend the Ameri- can fur-trade by way of the lakes to Wiscon- sin and parts beyond; but the monopoly of the British fur companies was too strong, lie could only effect his object by uni- ting with the northwest company of Montreal, in 1811, to form out of the American and Mack- inaw companies, a new one, to be known as the Southwest company, of which Astor owned a half intererest, with the arrangement that, after five years, it was to pass into his h»nds alto- gether, being restricted in its operations to the territories of the United States. This company was susjjended by the war with Great Britain, which immediately followed. At the close of hostilities, British traders were prohibited by law from pursuing their calling within the jurisdiction of the United States. The result was the southwest company closed up its affairs, and the American fur company re-appeared un- der the exclusive control of Astor, who estab- lished his western headquarters at Mackinaw, operating extensively in what is now Wiscon- sin, especially at La Pointe, upon Lake Superior, where large warehouses were erected; a stock- ade built, lands cleared, farms opened, dwell- ings and stores put up. But English traders evaded the law by sending their goods into the United States in the name of American clerks in their employ. These goods being of supe- rior quality to those furnished by Astor, they continued to command the Indian trade to a large extent. It was only when the American prince of fur-traders was enabled to import goods to New York of equal quality and send them by way of the lakes, that he could success- fully compete with his rivals and in the end drive them from the field. At the commencement of the war with Great Britain the few settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien depended largely upmi the fur trade for their living, monopolized, as we have seen, at that period, by British traders. At the beginning of hostilities this dependency was promptly secured to the latter by the cap- ture, from the Americans, of the post at Macki- naw. Naturally enough most of the people of Wisconsin, limited in number as they were, ad- hered to the English during the continuance of hostilities. As to the Indian tribes, within what are now the limits of the State, it may be said that, in a measure, they, too, all arrayed themselves on the side of Great Britain. Tiie Menomonees and Winnebagoes took part in the 30 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. capture of Mackinaw, and subsequently in other enterprises against the Americans. Indeed, all the tribes in the northwest were firmly at- tached to the English by reciprocal interest in the fur trade, from which they derived their supplies. Great Britain had never ceased since the Revolution to foster their friendship by the liberal distribution annually of presents; hence, they were ready when the War of 1812-15 was inaugurated to take up the hatchet against the Americans. Just before ho.stilities began, the English traders were especially active in excit- ing the Indians against the Americans, more es- pecially against American traders. Robert Dickson, a resident of Prairie du Cbien, an Englishman by birth, was among the foremost in stirring up the animosity of the savages. Soon after the declaration of war he collected a body of Indians at Green Bay for the purpose of rendering assistance to the British forces in their operations on the lakes and in the north- west; they were principally Pottawattamies, Kickapoos, Ottawas, Winnebagoes and Sacs, the last mentioned being Black Hawk's band. This chief was made commander-in-chief of the savages there assembled, by Dickinson, and sent to join the British army under Proctor. The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this war; and having taken Mackinaw in July, 1812, they were, virtually, put in possession of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1814, the government authorities of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chieii, and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Col. McKay, of the British army, crossing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over 500 British and In- dians, received the surrender of the whole orce. The officers and men were paroled and sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two companies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was evacuated by the British. On the 3d of August, 1814, an expedition of about 300 men. under command of Maj.Zachary Taylor, left St. Louis in boats for the upper Mississippi. When they arrived at Rock Is- land they found the British there, apparently in force, with a battery on shore commanding the river. A severe fight took place, but after sustaining a loss of several killed and wounded the Americans returned to St. Louis. The British afterwards left Rock Island, and upon the signing of the treaty of peace by the envoys of the two governments, and the ratificalion of the same, the whole northwest, including Fort McKay at Prairie du Chien, was evacuated by British forces. When it was made known to tlie Indian tribes of the west some of them upon the Miss- issippi were willing and eager to make treaties with the United States. A lucrative trade sprung up between the merchants of St. Louis and the traders and Indians up that river. Goods were periodically sent up the river to traders, who in turn transmitted in payment, by the same boats, furs and lead. But, generally, the savages hovered sullenly around the now rapidly increasing settlements in the territories of Michigan and Illinois, and the general gov- ernment began to consider in earnest how the influence of British intercourse might be checked, for the savages were still encouraged by English traders in their unfriendly disposi- tion and supplied with arms by them. Accord- ingly, in the winter after the close of the war. Congress prohibited foreign trade in the ter- ritory of the United States; and, in the summer following, steps were taken to make this policy effectual, by establishing a chain of military posts near the Canadian frontier and upon the HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 31 principal lines of communication thence into the interior. These posts were to be occupied by Indian agents, with factories, or government stores, designed to supply the place of tlie pro- hibited traffic. On the 21st of June, 1816, United States troops took possession of the fort at Prairie du Chien. During the next month three schooners entered Fox river of Green bay, under the American flag, displaying to the astonished inhabitants of the small settlement upon that stream near its mouth, tlieir decks covered with government troops. They were under command of Col. Johii Miller, of the Third United States Infantry, whose purpose was the establishment of a garrison near the head of the bay. The rendezvous of the troops was upon the east side some distance up the river, and was called "Camp Smith." At the end of two months the garrison was established in barracks enclosed with a stockade. «Iamp Smitli was occupied until 1820, when a more substantial struc- ture was erected on the west side of the stream near its mouth, and named Fort Howard. The settlement at Green Bay was made up at the close of the war, of about forty or fifty French Canadians. The inhabitants (as at Prairie du Chien) were now for a time the subjects of military rule. "They received the advent of the troops in a hospitable spirit, and acquiesced in the authority asserted over them, with little evidence of discontent, maintaining a character for docility and freedom from tur- bulence of disposition remarkably in contrast with their surroundings. Military authority was, in the main, exerteii for the preservation of order." There was no ciyil authority worth speaking of. It was at a period when important changes were taking place. Tliat sometimes military autliority, under such circumstances, should liavo been exercised in an arbitrary manner, is not at all a matter of surprise. "The conduct of the soldiery was also sometimes troublesome and ofEensive ; as a rule, how- ever, harmonious relations existed between them and the citizens. The abuses were only such as were unavoidable, in the absence of any lawful restraint on the one hand, or means of redress on the other." This state of affairs did not long continue, as initiatory steps were not long after taken to extend over the community both here and at Prairie du Chien the pro- tection of civil government. The Indians of Wisconsin, upon the arrival of United States troops at Prairie du Chien and Green ba^, gave evident signs of a disposition to remain friendly, although some thought the advent of soldiers an intrusion. An Indian agency under John Boyer and a United States factory, well supplied with goods, with Major Matthew Irwin at its head, were soon established at the bay ; a factory at Prairie du Chien, under charge of John W. Johnson, was also started. The Menenionee and Winnebago tribes, the former upon Green bay, the latter upon the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, were now brought into nearer relations with the United States. WISCONSIN AS A PART OF MICHIGAN TEEEITORY. Upon the admission of Illinois into the Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west of Michigan territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made a part of Michigan territory; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came under the jurisdiction of the latter. At the close of the last war with Great Britian, Wis- consin began in earnest to be occupied by Americans. But the latter were still lew in number when the country west of Lake ^lichi- gan was attached to Michigan territory. Now, however, that the laws of the United States were in reality extended over them, they began to feel as though they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their own, notwithstanding ihey were surrounded by Indian tribes. On the 26th of October, 181.^, the governor of the territory erected by procla- mation three counties lying in whole or in part in what is now Wisconsin— Bruwu, Crawford 32 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. and Michilimackinac. The county of Michili- mackinac not only included all of the present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little Noquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Mississippi river. Its county seat was established "at the Borough of Michilimackinac." The whole area in Michi- gan territory south of the county of Michili- mackinac, and west of Lake Michigan formed the two counties of Brown and Crawford; the former to include the area east of a line drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage lietween the Fox river of Green bay and the Wisconsin; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du Chien was designated as the county seat of [Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the 22d of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of Michili- mackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length, and e.x- tending from tlie straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western boundary line of Michigan territory, with the county seat "at such point in the vicinity of the Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county com- missio "ers to be appointed shall designate."' Einbraced within this county — its southern boundary being the parallel of 46 degrees .31 min- utes north latitude— was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior. Brown and Crawford counties were soon organized, the offices being filled by appointments of the governor. County courts were also established, to which appeals were taken from justices of the peace. In January, \><2S, a district court was established by an act of Congress, for the counties last mentioned, including also Michilimackinac. One term (luring the year was held in each county. James Duane Doty was the judge of this court to May, 18.32, when he was succeeded by David Irvin. The United States were not unmindful of her citizens to the westward of Lake Michigan, in several other important matters. Indian agencies were established; treaties were held with some of the native tribes, and land'claims of white settlers at Green Bay and Prairie'^du Chien adjusted. Postmasters were also appointed at these two places. In 1825 and the two following years, a general attention was called^to the lead mines in what is now the southwestern portion of the State. Different places therein were settled with American miners. In June, 1827, the Winne- bago Indians became hostile; this caused the militia of Prairie du Chien to be called out. United States troops ascended the Wisconsin river to quell the disturbance. There they were joined by Illinois volunteers, and the Winneba- goes awed into submission. Fort Winnebago was thereupon erected by the general govern- ment at the portage, near the present site of Portage, Columbia Co., Wis. A treaty with the Indians followed, and there was no more trouble because of mining operations in the "lead region." On the 9th of October, 1829, a county was formed of all that part of Crawford lying south of the Wisconsin, and named Iowa. In 1831 the United States purchased of the Men- omonees all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake and the Fox and Milwaukee rivers. The general government, before this date, had, at several periods, held treaties with the Sac and Fox Indians. And the time had now come when the two tribes were to leave the eastern for the western side of the Misssi- sippi river; but a band headed by Black Hawk refused to leave their village near Kock Island, 111. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States; and upon their return early in 1831, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers; so the governor of Illinois took the responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refrac- HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 33 tory Indians beyond the Mississippi. Tine result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois volunteers. This and the tlireateiied advance across the river by the United States commander, brought Black Hawk and his fol- lowers to terms. They sued for peace — agree- ing to remain forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short dura- tion. Early in the spring of 18.32, Black Hawk hav- ing assembled liis forces on tlie Mississippi in the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended Rock river. 'I liis was tlie signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers, and in a brief space of time l,soo had assembled at Beardstown, (ass county. They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held l>y their officers and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the reg- ular forces. The Indians were sent word by General Atkinson that they must return and re- cross the Mississippi or they would be driven back by force. When the attempt was made to compel them to go back a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the discomfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon af- terward the volunteers were discharged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, is:?2. In June fol- lowing a new force had been raised and put under the command of General Atkinson, who coraiuenced his march up Rock river. Before this there bad been a general "forting" in the lead region, in Illinois, and including the whole country in what is now Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstanding which a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illi- nois. Squads of volunteers, in two or three in- stances, had encountered the Indians, and in one with entire success — upon the Pecatonica, in the present Lafayette Co., Wis. — every sav- age (and there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was tliree killed and wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmish- ing, when, being informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the southwest corner of what is now Jefferson Co., Wis., he immediately moved thither with a portion of his army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief, with his people, had flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the trail of the savages, leading in the direction of Wisconsin river. It was evident that the retreating force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pur- suing troops hastened their march. On the 21st of July, 18T2, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank of that stream, in what is now Ro,xbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every effort to escape across tlx' river. But that this might now be effected it became necessary for that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands when the pur- suing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry with his force, when they obtained a complete vic- tory. The action commenced about 5 o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy sustained a loss, it is said, of about sixty killed and a large number wounded.* The loss of the Americans was one killed and eight wounded. During the following night Black Hawk made his escape down the Wisconsin. He was pursued and finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi near the mouth of the Bad Axe, on the western boundary of what is now Vernon Co., Wis.; and on the 2d of August attacked on all sides by the Americans, who soon obtained a complete victory. Black Hawk esca])ed, but was soon after captured. This ended the war. •Ulack Miiwk ifiviw n vrry clittuicnt acoouiit as ti> hi- loss. "Ill lliiB skirniisU." says hr. "with fifty braves I de- fended and Hccompiisht-d nij- prt8sa»fe over tlic Wisoinsiii with a loss of "nly si.x men." 34 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The survey of public lands to which the In- dian title had been extinguished; the erection of Milwaukee county from the southern part of Brown; the changing of the eastern boundary of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; the attaching, for judicial purposes, of all the country west of the Mississippi river and north of the State of Mis- souri to the territory of Michigan in 1834, and tlie division of it into the two counties of Des Moines and Dubuque, were the important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. The prospective admission of the State of Michigan into the Union, to include all that part of the territory lying east of Lake Michi- gan, caused, on the 1st of January, 1836, a ses- sion (the first one) of the seventh territorial council, to legislate for so much of the terri- tory as lay to the westward of that lake, to be held at Green Bay, when a memorial was adopted, asking Congress for the formation of a new territory, to include all of Michigan ter- ritory not to be admitted as a State. This re- quest, it will now be seen, was soon complied Avith by the National Legislature. CHAPTER II WISCONSIN AS A TERRITORY. The Territory of Wisconsin* was erected by act of Congress of April 20, 1836, to take effect from and after the 3d day of July following. ♦Wisconsin takes its name from its principal river, which drain.s an extensive portion of its surface. It rises in Tjrtlse Viexix Desert {which is partly in Michigan and partly in Wisconsin), flows generally a south course to Portage in what is now Polumbia county, where it turns to the south- we-t, and after a further course of 118 miles, with a rapid current, reaches the Mississippi river, four miles below Prai- rie du Chien. Its entire iens:lh is about inO miles, descending, in that distance, a little more than 1. 000 feet, .\long the lower portion of the stream are the high lands, or river hills. Some of these hills present high and precipitous faces to- ward the water. Others terminate in knobs. The name is supposed to have been taken from this feature; the word being derived from mis-is, great, and o.s-.sin, a stone or rock. Compare Shea's Discover)! and Erplfrnthin nf the Missis- Riiipt, pp. 6 (note) and 268; Foster's Mississip/n Viahn, p. 3 (n<9 i; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford county, 850; Iowa county, 5,234. Total, 1 1,683. The enumeration for the two counties west of the Mississippi was — Des Moines, 6,257; Du- buque, 4,274. Total, 10,531. The population, therefore, of both sides of the river aggregated 22,214. The legislative apportionment, made by the governor, gave to the territory thirteen ! councilmen and twenty-six representatives. I These, of course, were to be elected by the pec- ! pie. The election was held Oct. 10, 1836. ' Belmont, in the present county of Lafayette, Wis., was appointed as the place for the meet- ing of the Legislature, where the first session began October 25. A quorum of each house was in attendance. Henry S. Baird, of Green Bay, was elected president of the council, and Peter H. Engle speaker of the house. The following persons served as presidents of the council while Wisconsin was a territory : First session, first Legislative Assembly, Henry S. Baird, Brown county. Second session, first Legislative Assembly, Arthur R. Ingraham, Des Moines county. Special session, first Legislative Assembly, Arthur R. Ingraham, Des Moines county. First session, second Legislative Assembly, William Bullen, Racine county. Second session, second Legislative Assembly, James Collins, Iowa county. Third session, second Legislative Assembly, James Collins, Iowa county. Fourth (extra) session, second Legislative Assembly, William A. Prentiss, Milwaukee county. First session, third Legislative Assembly, James Maxwell, Walworth county. Second session, third Legislative Assembly, James Collins, Iowa county. First session, fourth Legislative Assembly, Moses M. Strong, Iowa county. Second session, fourth Legislative Assembly. Marshal M. Strong, Racine county. Thirreseiilatives in Congress. On tlie same daj the State officers were sworn itito office. The next day Gov. Dewey delivered his lirst message to the Legislature. The first im- jiorlai't business of the first State Legislature was the election of two United States senators; Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats, were elected. The latter drew the short term; so that his office expired on the 4tli day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirteenth Congress; as Dodge drew the long term, his office expired on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of thirty-first Congress. Both were elected, June 8, 1848. Their successors, with the date of their elections, were as follows: Isaac P. Walker, Jan. 17, 1849; Henry Dodge, Jan. 20, 1851 ; Charles Durkee, Feb. 1, 1855; James R. Doolittle, Jan. 23, 1857; Timothy O. Howe, Jan. 23, 1861; James R. Doolittle, Jan. 22, 1863; Timothy O. Howe, Jan. 24, 1867 ; Matthew H. Carpenter, Jan. 26, 1869 ; Timothy O. Howe, Jan. 21, 1873; Angus Cameron, Feb. 3, 1875 ; Matthew H. Carpenter, Jan. 22, 1879; Philetus Sawyer, Jan. 26, 1881 ; Angus Cam- eron, March 10, 18S1. The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit court, courts of probate, and justices of the peace, giving the Legislature power to vest such juris- diction as should be deemed necessary in mu- nicipal courts. Judges were not to be elected at any State or county election, nor within thirty days before or after one. The State was divided into five judicial circuits, Edward V. Whiton being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, composed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock and Green as then constituted; Levi Hubbell, of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane; Charles H. Larrabee, of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, S.iuk and Portage, as then formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond dti Lac, Winne- l);igo and Caliunet; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth, composed of the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St Croix, as tl en organized ; the (county of Richland being attached to Iowa coiiiily ; the county of Chippewa to the county of Crawford ; and the county of La Pointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. In 1850, a sixth circuit was formed. Hy an act, wliich took ef- fect in 185 I, a seventh circuit was formeil. On the 1st (\»y of January, 185^, an eighth and nintli circuit was formed. In the same year was also formed a tenth circuit. An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864. By an act which took effect the 1st day of January, \>*~\, ihe twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876 a thir- teenth circuit was "constituted and re-organ 43 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. ized." At the present time John M. Went- worlh is judge of the first circuit, which is com- posed of the counties of Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; Charles A. Hamilton of the second, which includes Milwaukee county; David J. Pulling of the third, composed of Calumet, Green Lake and Winnebago; Norman S. Gil- son of the fourth, composed of Sheboygan, Mani- towoc, Kewaunee and Fond du Lac; (-^eorge Clementson of the fifth, composed of Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland and Crawford; Alfred W. Newman of the sixth, composed of Clark, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trem- pealeau and Vernon; Charles M. Webb of the seventh, composed of Portage, Marathon, Wau- paca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, Price, and Tay- lor; Egbert B. Bundy of the eighth, composed of Buffalo, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; Alva Stewart of the ninth, composed of Adams, Columbia, Dane, Juneau, Sauk, M rquette; George H. Myres, of the tenth, composed of Florence, Langiade, Outagamie, and Shawano; Solon C. Clough of the eleventh, composed of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Polk, and Washburn; John R. Bennett of the twelfth, composed of Rock, Green, and Jefferson; A. Scott Sloan, ot.the thir- teenth, composed of Dodge, Ozaukee, Washing- ton, and Waukesha; Samuel D. Hastings of the fourteenth, composed of Brown, Door, Mainetle and Oconto. The first Legislature provided for the re-elec- tion of judges of the circuit courts on the first Monday of August, 1848. By the same act it was provided that the first term of the supreme court sliould be held in Madison, on the sec- ond Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter at the same place and on the same day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. One of their own number under an act of June 29, 1848, was to be, by themselves, elected chief justice. Under this arrangement, the following were the justices of the supreme court, at the times indicated: Alex. W. Stow, C. J., fourth, district, Aug. 28, 1848, to Jan. 1, 1851; Edward V. Whiton, A. J., first circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 1853; Levi Hubbell, A. J., elected chief justice, June 18, 1851, second circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 185.3; Charles H. Larrabee, A. J., third circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 185-3; Mortimer M. Jackson, A. J., fifth circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 1853; Timothy O. Howe, A. J., fourth circuit, Jan. 1, 1851, to June 1, 1853; Wiram Knowlton, A. J., sixth circuit, organized by the Legislature in 1850, Aug. 6, 1850,to June 1, 1853. In 1853, the supreme court was separately organized, the chief justice and associate justices being voted for as such. The following persons have con- stituted that court during the terms indicated, since its separate organization: Edward V. Whiton, C. J., June 1, 1853, to April 12, 1859; Luther S. Dixon, C. J., April 20, 1859, to June 17 1874; Edward G. Ryan, C. J., June 17, 1874, to Oct. 19, 1880; Orsamus Cole, C. J., Nov. 11, 1880, (in ofiice); Samuel Crawford, A. J., June 1, 1853, to June 19, 1855; Abraham D. Smith, A. J., June 1, 1853, to June 21, 1859; Orsamus Cole, A. J., June 19,1855, to Nov. 11, 1880; Byron Paine, A. J., June 21, 1859, to Nov. 15, 1864; Jason Downer, A. J., Nov. 15, 1864, to Sept. 11, 1867; Byron Paine, A. J., Sept. 11, 1867, to Jan. 13, 1871; William P. Lyon, A. J., Jan. 20, 1870, (in office); David Taylor, A. J., April 18, 1878, (in ofiice); Harlow S. Orton, A. J., April 18, 1878, (in office); John B. Casso- day, A. J., Nov. 11, 1880, (in office). The act of Congress entitled "An act to ena ble the people of Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of such State into the Union," ap- proved Aug. 6, 1846, provided for one I nited States judicial district to be called the district of Wisconsin. It was also provided that a dis- trict court should be held therein by one judge who should reside in the district and be called a district judge. The court was to hold two HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 49 terms a year in the capital, Madison. This was aflerwanl changed so that one term only was held at the seat of the State goveriunent, while the other was to be held at Milwaukee. Special terras could be held at either of these places. On the 12th day of June, 1848, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by the President district judge. Hy the act of C'ongres.s of July 15, 1862, .1 circuit court of the United States was created to bo held in Wisconsin. The district judge was given power to hold the circuit court in Wisconsin in company with the circuit judge and circuit justice, or either of them, or alone in their absence. Wisconsin now composes a portion of the seventh judicial circuit of the United States, Thomas Drummond being cir- cuit judge. Ho resides at Chicago. The cir- cuit justice is one of judges of the United States supreme court. Two terms of the circuit court are held each year at Milwaukee and one term in Madison. In 1870 the Stale was divided into two dis- tricts, the eastern and western. In the western district, one term of the United States district court each year was to be held at Madison and one at La Crosse; in the eastern district, two terms were to be lield at Milwaukee and one at Oshkosh. On the 9th day of July, 1870, James C. Hopkins was appointed judge of the western district, Andrew G. Miller remaining judge of the eastern district. The latter resigned to take effect Jan. 1, l!~i74, and James H. Howe was appointed to fill the vacancy; but Judge Howe soon resigned, and Charles E. Dyer, on the 10th of February, 1^7.5, appointed in his place. He is still in office. Judge Hopkins, of the western district, died Sept. 4, 1877; when, on the 13th of October following, Ronianzo Bunn was appointed his successor, and now fills that office. An act was passed by the first Legislature pro- viding for the election and defining t!ie duties of a State superintendent of pul)Iic instruction. The persons holding that ofhce, with the term of c.-vch, are as follows: Eleazer Root, from Jan. 1, 1849, to Jan. 5, 1852; Azel P. Ladd, from Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan. 2, 1854; Hiram A. Wrigtit, from Jan. 5, 1854, to May" 29, 1855; A. Constantine Barry, from June 26, 1855, to Jan. 4, 1858; Lyman C. Draper, from Jan. 4, 1858, to Jan. 2, 1860; Josiah L. Pickard, from Jan. 2, 1860, to Sept. 30, 1864; John G. Mc- Mynn, from Oct. 1, 1864, to Jan. 6, 1868; Alex- ander J. Craig, from Jan. 6, 1868, to Jan. 3, 1870; Samuel Fallows, from Jan. 6, 1870, to Jan. 4, 1874; Edward Searing, from Jan. 4, 1874, to Jan 7, 1878; William C. WhitfonI, from Jan. 7, 1878, to Jan. 2, 1882; Robert Gra- ham, from J.an. 2, 1882, (now in office.) By the same Legislature, a State University was estab- lished. The school system of Wisconsin em- braces graded schools, to be found in all the cities and larger villages, the district schools, organized in the smaller villages and in the country generally, besides the University of Wisconsin, (located at Madison, the capital of the State). The university has three depart- ments: the college of letters, the college of arts, and the college of law. It was founded upon a grant of seventy-two sections of land made by Congress to the territory of Wisconsin. That act required the secretary of the treasury to set apart and reserve from sale, out of any public lands within the territory of Wisconsin, "a quantity of land, not exceeding two entire towi:- ships, for the support of a university within the said territory and for no other use or purpose whatsoever; to be located in tracts of land not less than an entire section corresponding with any of the legal divisions into which the public lands are authorized to be surveyed." The territorial Legislature, at its session in 1838, passed a !aw incorporating the "University of the Territory of Wisconsin," locating the same at or near Madison. In 1841 a commissioner was appointed to select the lands donated to the State for the maintenance of the university, who performed the duty assigned to him in n most acceptai>le manner. Section ii of ;irtii'li' X of the State constitution pro\ ides th.it '-pro- 60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. vision shall be made by law for the establish- ment of a State University at or near the seat of government. The proceeds of all lands that have been or may hereafter be granted by the United States to the State, for the support of a University shall be and remain a perpetual fund, to be called the 'University fund,' the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the State University." Immediately upon the organization of the State government an act was passed incorporating the State Univer- sity, and a board of regents appointed, who at once organized the institution. The Univ'ersity was formally opened by the public inauguration of a chancellor, Jan. 16, 1850. The preparatory department of the Uni- versity was opened Feb. 5, 1849, with twenty pupils. In 1849 the regents purchased nearly 200 acres of land, comprising what is known as the "University Addition to the City of Madi- son," and the old "University Grounds." In 1851 the north dormitory was completed, and the first college classes formed. In 1854 the south dormitory was erected. Owing to the fact that the lands comprising the original grant had produced a fund wholly inadequate to the support of the university, in 1854 a further grant of seventy-two sections of land was made by Congress to the State for that purpose. In 1 866 the University was completely re-organized, so as to meet the requirements of a law of Con- gress passed in 1862, providing for the endow- ment of agricultural colleges. That act granted to the several States a quantity of land equal to 30,000 acres for each senator and representa- tive in Congress, by the apportionment under the census of 1860. The objects of that grant are fully set forth in sections four and five of said act. The lands received by Wisconsin under said act of Congress, and conferred upon the State University for the support of an agri- cultural college, amounted to 240,000 acres, making a total of 322,160 acres of land donated to this State by the general government for the endowment and support of this institution. Up to the time of its re-organization, the University had not received one dollar from the State or from any municipal corporation. In pursuance of a law passed in 1866, Dane county issued bonds to the amount of $40,000 for the pur- chase of about 200 acres of land contiguous to the University grounds for an experimental farm, and for the erection of suitable buildings thereon. The next winter the Legislature passed a law which appropriated annually for ten years to the income of the University Fund, 87,308.76, that being the interest upon the sum illegally taken from the fund by the law of 1862 to pay for the erection of buildings. In 1870 the Legislature appropriated |50,000 for the erection of a female college, which is the first contribution made outright to the up- building of any institution of learning in this State. In order to comply with the law grant- ing lands for the support of agricultural colleges, the University was compelled to make large outlays in fitting up laboratories and purchas- ing the apparatus necessary for instruction and practical advancement in the arts immediately connected with the industrial interests of the State, a burden which the Legislature very gen- erously shared by making a further annual ap- propriation in 1872 of 810,000 to the income of the University Fund. The increased facilities offered by improvements in the old and by the erection of a new college building proved wholly inadequate to meet the growing wants of the institution. In its report for 1874, the board of visitors said: "A hall of natural sci- ences is just now the one desideratum of the Uni- versity. It can never do the work it ought to do, the work the State expects it to do, without some speedily increased facilities." 'i he Leg- islature promptly responded to this demand, and at its next session appropriated §?0,000 for the erection of a building for scientific pur- poses. In order to permanently provide for de- ficiencies in the University Fund income, and to establish the institution upon a firm and endur- ing foundation, the Legislature of 1876 enacted HISTOET OF WISCONSIN. 51 "That there shall be levied and collected for the year 1876 and annually thereafter, a State tax of one-tenth of one mill for each dollar of the assessed valuation of tlie taxable property of this State, and the amount so levied and col- lected is hereby appropriated to the University Fund income, to be used as a part thereof." This is in lieu of all other appropriations for the benefit of this fund, and all tuition fees for students in the regular classes are abolished by this act. 'J'he fourth section of the act of 1876, to per- manently provide for deficiencies in the Uni- versity Fund income, is as follows: "From and out of the receipts of said tax, the sum of$3,000 annually shall be set apart for astronomical work and for instruction in astronomy, to be expended under the direction of the regents of the University of Wisconsin, as soon as a com- plete and well equipped observatory shall be given the University, on its own grounds with- out cost to the State: Provided, that such ob- servator\' shall lie completed within three years from the passage of this act." The astronomi- cal observatory whose construction was provided for by this act, was erected by the wise liber- ality of ex-Gov. Washburn. It is a beautiful stone building, finely situated and well fitted for its work. Its length is eighty feet, its breadth forty-two feet, and its height forty- eight feet. Over the door to the rotunda is a marble tablet l)earing this inscription: "Erected and furnished, iV U- 1878, by the munificence of Cadwallader C. Washburn, and by him pre- sented to theUniversity of Wisconsin; a tribute to general science. In recognition of this gift, this tablet is inserted by the regents of the University." The telescope has a sixteen inch object-glass. The size is a most desirable one for the great mass of astronomical work. In 1881 a students' observatory was erected and a wing was added to the east side of the Wash- burn observatory. In the fall of 1848 there was a Presidential election. There were then three organized political parties in the State — whig, democrat and free-soil, each having a ticket in the field ; but the democrats were in the majority. The successful electors for that year and for each four years since that date, were as follows : 1848. Elected November 7. Ai Large — Francis Huebschmann. Wm. Duawiddie. FirstDistrict— David P. Maples Second District — Samuel F. Nichlos. 1852. Elected November 2. At Large — Montgomery M. Cotbren. Satterlee Clark. First District— Philo White. Second District — Beriah Brown. Third District — Charles Billinghurst, 1856. Elected November 4. At Large— Edward D. Holton. James H. Kiiowlton. First District— Gregor Mencel. Second District — W alter D. Mclndoe. Third District— Bille Williams. 1860. Elected November 6. At Liirge— Walter D. Mclndoe. Bradford Rixford. First District — William W. Vaughan. Second District — J. Allen Barber. Third District — Herman Lindeman. 1864. Elected November 8. At Large— William W. Field Henry L. Blood. First District — George C. Northrop. Second District — Jonathan Bowman. Third District — Allen Warden. Fourth District — Henry J. Turner. Fifth District— Henry F. Belitz. Sixth District — Alexander S. McDill. 1868. Elected November 3. At Large— Stephen S. I!arlow. Henry D. Barron, 52 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. First District— Elihu Enos. Second District— Charles G. Williams. Third District— Alleu Warden. Fourth District — Leauder F. Frisby. Fifth District— William G. Ritch. Sixth District— William T. Price. 1872. Elected November 5. .\t Large — Wijliam E. Cramer. Frederick Fleischer. First District — Jerome S. Nickles. Second District — George G. Swain. Third District — Ormsby B. Thomas. Fourth District — Frederick Hilgen. Fifth District— Edward C. McFetridge. Sixth District — George E. Hoskinson. Seventh District — RomanzoBunn. Eighth District — Henry D. Barron. 1876. Elected November 7. At Large— William H. Hiner. Francis Campbell. First District— T D. Weeks. Second District — T. D. Lang. Tkird District — Daniel L. Downs. Fourth District — Casper M. Sanger. Fifth District — Charles Luling. Sixth Distri*t, — James H. Foster. Seventh District — Charles B. Solberg. Eighth District— John H. Knapp. 1880. Elected November 2. At I*rge— George End. Knud Langland. First District — Lucius 8. Blake. Second District — John Kellogg. Tliiid District- George E. Weatherby. Fourth District — William P. McLaren. Fiflh District— C. T. Lovell. Sixth District — E. L Browne. Sfventh District— F. H. Kribbs. Eighth District — Jiihn T. Kingston. The popular vote cast for President at each of the Presidential elections in Wisconsin, and the electoral vote cast for each successful can- didate, were as follows : «1 1848 185; 1856 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 CANDIDATES. O •a <1 o Zachary Taylor Lewis Cass Martin Van Buren. . . . Franklin Pierce Winfield Scott John P. Hale.. James Buchanan John C. Fremont. . . . Millard Fillmore Abraham Lincoln John C. Breckinridge. John Bell S. A. Douglas Abraham Lincoln Geo B. McClellan Ulysses S. Grant Horatio Seymour Ulysses S Grant H>)race Greeley Charles O'Connor. . . . Rutherford B. Hayes... Samuel J. Tilden Peter Cooper G C. Smith James A Garfield . . . . Winfield S. Hancock. J. B. Weaver Neal Dow J B. Phelps 65, 83, 65, 108, 84, 104, 130, 133, 1, 144, 114, 7, Kl 747 001 418 658 240 814 843 090 579 118 888 161 021 458 884 . 857 707 997 477 834 66810 927 509 27 398 644 91 10 10 The act of the first Legislature of the State, exempting a homestead from forced sale on any debt or liability contracted after Jan . 1 , 1849, and another act exempting certain per- sonal property, were laws the most liberal in their nature passed by any State in the Union previous to that time. Other acts were passed — such as were deemed necessary to put the machinery of the State government in all its branches, in fair running order. And, by the second Legislature (1849) were enacted a num- ber of laws of public utility. The statutes were revised, making a volume of over 900 pages. The year 1848 was one of general prosperity to the rapidly increasing population of the State ; and that of 1849 developed in an increa.sed ratio its productive capacity in every depart- ment of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 53 tl>e miner, reaped the well-earned reward of Ills honest labor. The commercial and manu- facturing interests were extended in a manner highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational intere.sts of the Stale began to assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during the year. Within the limits of Wiscon- sin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find welcome and happy homes. There were many attractions for emigrants from the Old World, especially from northern Europe — from Germany, Norway, Sweden and Denmark ; also from Ireland and England. The third Legislature changed the January term of the supreme court to December and or- ganized a sixth judicial circuit. The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the "Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened in Janes- ville, in the latter part of 1849, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and vicinity. By an act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 9, 1850, this school was taken under the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government; for obtain- ing the means of subsistence; and for the dis- charge of tl)ose duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the 7lh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the governor. The other charitable institutions of the State arc the State Hospital for the Insane, located near Madison, and opened for patients in July, 18G0; Northern Hospital for the Insane, located near Oshkosli, to which patients were first ad- mitted in April, 1873, and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, located at Delavan, in Walworth county. The entire length of the building of the Wis- consin State Hospital for the Insane, situated on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, is 569 feet, the center building being 65x120 feet. The first longitudinal wing on each side of the center is 132 feet, and the last on each extremity is 119 feet. The transverse wings are eighty-seven feet long. Iliis com- modious building is surrounded by ornamental grounds, woods and farming lands, to the extent of 393 acres, and is well adapted for the care of the unfortunate needing its protection. In 1879, additional room for 180 patients was added, by converting the old chapel into wards, and by the addition of cross wings in front of the old building. The hosf)ital will now accom- modate comfortably 550 patients. In 1870 a law was passed authorizing the erection of the build- ing for the Northern Hospital, on a tract, con- sisting of 337 acres of land, about four miles north of the city of Oshkosh on the west shore of Lake Winnebago. The necessary appropri- ations were made,and the north wing and central building were completed. Further appro] ri- ations were made from time to time for addi- tional wings, and in 1875 the hospital was coni- pleted according to the original design, at a total cost to the State of 1625,250. The build- ing has been constructed on the most approved plan, and is suited to accomodate 600 patients. The land first occupied by the V\ isconsiii Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, comprising 11 46-100 acres, was donated by Hon. F. K. Phoenix, one of the first trustees, but ihc original boundaries have since been enlarged by the purchase of twenty-two acres. The main building was burned to the ground on the 16lh of September, 1879; but during the year 188(i four new buildings were erected, and with the increased facilities provided, 250 children may be well cared for. The new buildings are a school house, boys' dormitory, dining-room and chapel, with a main or administration bui iling. These buildings are plain, neat, substantial structures, and well fitted for the uses intended. 54 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. The Institution was originally a private school for the deaf, but was incorporated by act of the Legislature, April 19, 1852. It designs to educate that portion of the children and youth of the State, who, on account of deafness, cannot be educated in the public schools. Instruction is given by signs, by written language, and by articulation. In the primary department few books are used, slates, pencils, crayons, pictures, blocks and other illustrative apparatus being the means employed. In the intermediate depart- ment the books used are prepared especially for the deaf and dumb; more advanced pupils study text-books used in our common schools. The shoe shop commenced business in 1867 ;the print- ing office in 1878, and the bakery in 1881. The law provides that all deaf and dumb residents of the State of the age of ten years and under twenty-five, of suitable age and capacity to receive instruction, shall be received and taught free of charge for board and tuition, but parents and guardians are expected to furnish clothing and pay traveling expenses. The taking of the census by the United State, this year, 1850, showed a population for Wisconsin of 305,391 — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly 95,000. Many, as already stated, were German, Scandinavian and Irish; but the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valu- able mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited water-power of its numerous streams. In 1860 the population had increased to 775,881; in 1870 to 1,054,670, and in 1880 to 1,315,480. By an act of the fourth Legislature of the State, approved March 14, 1851, the loca- tion and erection of a State prison for Wiscon- sin was provided for, Waupim, Dodge county, being afterwards the point selected for it. The office of State prison commissioner was created in 1853, but was abolished in 1874. During that time the following persons held the office: John Taylor, from March 28, 1853 to April 2, 1853; Henry Brown, from April 2, 1853 to Jan. 2, 1854; Argalus W. Starks, from Jan. 2, 1854 to Jan. 7, 1856; Edward McGarry, from Jan 7, 1856 to Jan 4, 1858; Edward M. MacGraw, from Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan. 2, 1860; Hans C. Heg, from Jan. 2, 1860 to Jan. 6, 1862; Alexander P. Hod- ges, from Jan 6, 1862 to Jan. 4, 1864; Henry Cordier, from Jan 4, 1864 to Jan. 3, 1870; George F. Wheeler, from Jan. 3, 1870 to Jan. 4, 1874. The State (Law) Library had its origin in the generous appropriation of $5,000 out of the general treasury, by Congress, contained in the seventeenth section of the organic act creating the territory of Wisconsin. At the first session of the territorial Legislature, held at Belmont in 1836, a joint resolution was adopted appointing a committee to select and purchase a library for the use of the territory. The first appropriation by the State, to replenish the library, was made in 1851. Since that time, several appropriations have been made. The number of volumes in the library at the begin- ning of 1883 was 16,285. The fifth Legislature — the Assembly, whig, the Senate, democratic — passed an act authoriz- ing banking. This was approved by the gover- nor, L. J. Farwell, April 19, 1852. The ques- tion of "bank or no bank" having been sub- mitted to the people in November previous, and decided in favor of banks; the power was thereby given to the Legislature of 1852 to grant bank charters or to pass a general banking law. By the act just mentioned, the office of bank comp- troller was created, but was abolished by an act of Jan. 3, 1870. During the continuance of the law, the following persons filled the office, at the time given: James S. Baker, from Nov. 20, 1852 to Jan. 2, 1854; William M. Dennis, from Jan. 2, 1854 to Jan. 4, 1858; Joel C. Squires, from Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan 2, 1860; Gys- bert Van Steenwyk, from Jan 2, 1860 to Jan. 6, 1862; William H. Ramsey, from Jan 6, 1862 to Jan. 1, 1866; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from Jan. 1, 1866 to Jan. 3, 1870. The sixth Wisconsin Legislature commenced its session, as we have HISTORY OP WISCONSIN. 65 seen, Jan. 12, 1S53. On the 26tli of that month charges were preferred in the Assembly against Levi Habhell,judgeof the second circuit court,for divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in office. A resolution directed a committee to go to the Senate and impeach Hubbell. On the trial he was acquitted. By an act of the same Legislature, the State Agricultural Society was incorporated. Since its organization the society has printed a number of volumes of transactions, and has held, except during the civil war, annual fairs. Its aid to the agricultural interests of the State are clearly manifest. Farming, in Wisconsin, is confined at the present time to the south half of the State, the northern liaif being still largely covered by forests. The surface of the agricultural portion is, for the most part, gently undulating, consisting largely of prairies alternating with "oak openings." The State is essentially a grain-growing one, though stock-raising and dairy farming are rapidly gaining in importance. Wheat, the staple product of Wisconsin, is gradually losing its prestige as the farmer's sole dependence, and mixed farming is coming to the front. About twenty bushels of wheat are raised annually to each inhabitant of the State. Much more attention is now paid to fertilizers than formerly, clover and plaster being looked upon with constantly increasing favor. AVhile within the last ten years stock-raising has been a grow- ing interest, yet it has not been a rapid one; not so, however, with dairying — no other agricultural interest has kept pace with this. The principal markets for the farm products of Wisconsin are Milwaukee and Chicago. Hy an act approved March 4, 185.3, the State Historical Society was incorporated, it having been previously organized. The society is under the fostering care of tlie Slate, each Leg- islature Voting a respectable sum for its benefit. It has published a number of volumes of "Col lections" and of catalogues. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, where are to be found its library of historical books and pamphlets, the largest in the northwest. On the 21st of September, 1853, Timothy Burns, lieu- tenant-governor of the Stale, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased, the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of Gov. Farwell, were closed for one day, October 3. The year 1850, to the agriculturalist, was not one of much j)r(is- perity in Wisconsin, owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. The Slate was vis- ited during the year by cholera, not, however, to a very alarming extent. In 1851 the Stale was prosperous. In 1852 the citizens of Wis- consin enjoyed unusual prosperity. There were abundant harvests and high markets; an increase of money and a downward tendency of the rales of interest. The next year (1853) was also one in which every branch of industry prospered. There was an especial increase in commerce and manufactures. And here it might be said that next to agriculture the most important pursuit in Wisconsin is manufacturing; fore- most in this interest is lumber, of which the pineries furnish the raw material. The pine region extends through the northern counties of the State from Green Bay to the St. Croix river. The demand for lumber is constantly increas- ing, while the facilities for its manufacture are continually enlarging. Over one billion feet of logs are cut annually. The lumber mills have a capacity exceeding one and one-half billion feet. The products of these find their way to market, either by the Mississippi and its tribu- taries, by the various lines of railways, or through the great lakes. The other leading articles of manufacture are flour, agricultural implements and malt liquors. The fourth administration — William A. Bar- stow, governor — was signalized by a fugitive slave case, which greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. Sherman M. Booth, for assisting in the rescue of Joshua Glover, a fugitive slave, was arrested, but discharged by the su])reme court. He was again arrested under an indict- ment in the United States district court, and a 56 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. second time discharged by the supreme court; but the supreme court of the United States reversed the action of the State court in its second discharge of Booth, and he was re- arrested in J 860; the sentence of tlie district court was executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the President. The eightli Legis- lature of the State (Jan. 10 — April 2, 1855), passed an act very liberal in its provisions rela- tive to the rights of married women. On the 27th of June, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at Prairie du Chien. The State census, taken in this year (1855), showed a population of 552,- 109. In 1865, the number had increased to 86s,325; in 1875, to 1,236,729. Industrial occu- pations in Wisconsin were prosperous during the years 1854 and 1855. The fifth administra- tion began with William A. Barstow in the executive chair, by virtue of a certificate from the board of canvassers, that he had been a second time elected governor by a majority (as previously shown) of 157. But this certificate was set aside by the supreme court, giving the oflice to Coles Bashford, not, however, until Barstow had resigned, and Arthur McArthur, acting, by virtue of his office of lieutenant-gov- ernor, as governor from March 21, to March 25, 1856. A dry season during this year dimin- ished the wheat crop. The tenth Legislature of Wisconsin — Jan. 14 to March 9, 1857 — passed an act establishing at Waukesha a house of refuge for juvenile delinquents, afterwards called the State Reform School; now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for boys. It was opened in 1860. The buildings are located on the southern bank of Fox river, in view of the trains as they pass to and from Milwaukee and Madison, presenting an attractive front to the traveling public, and furnishing the best evidence of the parental care of the State authorities for the juvenile wards within its borders. The buildings include a main central building, three stories high, used for the resi- dence of the superintendent's family, office chapel, school rooms, reading room and library, officers kitchen, dining room, and lodging, fur- nace room and cellar. On the east of the main central building are three family buildings, three stories high, each with dining hall, play room, bath room, dressing room, hospi- tal room, officers' rooms, dormitory and store room. On the west of the main central building are four family buildings like those on the east in all respects, with the exception of the building at the west end of this line, which is a modern building with stone base- ment. In the rear of this line of buildings is the shop building, 38x258 feet, three stories high, which embrace boot factory, sock and knitting factory, tailor shop, carpenter shop, engine room, laundry and steam dyeing room, bath rooms, store, store rooms, bakery and cel- lar. The correction house, 44*80 feet, (intended for the most refractory boys) and will accommo- date forty; a double family building 38.xl 17 feet for the accommodation of two families of boys of fifty each. There is on the farm, which consists of 233 acres of land, a com- fortable house, a stone carriage and horse barn two stories high, built in the most substantial manner. The constitution of the State, adopted in 1848, provides, "that the revenue of the school fund shall be exclusively applied to the following objects: "1st. To the support and maintenance of common schools in each school district, and the purchase of suitable libraries and appurte- nances therefor. "2d. That the residue of the income of the school fund shall be appropriated to the support of academies and normal schools, and suitable libraries and appurtenances there for." No effort was made to take advantage of this jirovision of the constitution for the endow- ment of normal schools until 1857, when an act was passed providing "that the income of twen- ty-five per cent, of the proceeds arising from the sale of swamp and overflowed lands should be appropriated to normal institutes and academies, under the supervision and direction of a " 'board HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 51 of regents of normal schools,' " who were to he ai)pointerl in i)ursuance of the provisions of that apt. ITncler this law, the income placed at liic 00. During the same year, proposals were invited for extending aid in the establishment of a nf>rmal school, and jiropositions were received from various places. In 1866, the board of regents was incorpo- rated by the Legislature. In February, Platte- ville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as it had become apparent that a productive fund of about $600,000, with a net income of over |)80,000, was already in hand, with a prospect of a steady increase as fast as lands were sold, the board, after a careful in- vestigation and consideration of the different methods, decided upon the policy of establish- ing several schools, and of locating them in ditferent parts of the State. At a meeting held on the 2d day of May, in the same year, the board designated Whitewater as the site of a school for the southeastern section of the Stale, where a building was subsequently erected^ and on the 16th permanently located a • school at Platteville, the academy building having Iteen donated for that purpose. The school at Platte- ville was opened Oct. 9, 1866. The school at Whitewater was opened on the 31st of April, 1868. A building was completed during the year 1870 for a third normal school, at Oshkosh, but owing to a lack of funds, it was not opened for the admission of pupils during that year. The oj)eningand the ceremony of dedicating the build- ing took place Sept. 19, 1871. A fourth noimal school was opened in September, ls75, at River Falls, Pierce cotmty. It is understood to be the policy of the board of regents to establish eventually, when the means at their disposal shall permit, not less than six normal schools, but several years must elapse before so many can go into operation. The law under which these schools are organized provides that "The exclusive purpose of each normal school shall be the instruction and training of persons, both male and female, in the theory and art of teach- ing, and in all the various branches that per- tain to a good common school education, and in all subjects needful to qualify for teaching in the public schools; also to give instruction in the fundamental laws of the United States and of this State, and in what regards the rights and duties of citizens." Subsidiary to the State normal schools are teachers' institutes, held annually in nearly every settled county, and the State teachers' association, which has been organized for a quarter of a century. Besides the public schools of the State, there are a number of denomina- tional and other colleges, the principal of which are Kacine College, Beloit College, Milton Col- lege, Ripon College, Carroll College, at Wau- kesha; Lawrence University, at Appleton; St. .John's College, at Prairie du Chien; Galc.-ville I'niversity; Northwestern University, at \Vater- town; and Pio Nono College, at St. Francis Station, south of Milwaukee. There is also quite a large number of incorporated academies and seminaries, the more ))rominent ones being the Milwaukee iVcademy and St. Mary's Insti- tute, at .Milwaukee; Kemper Hall, at Kenosha; St. Catharine's Academy, at Racine; Rochester Seminary, Lake Geneva Seminary, Fox Lake Seminary, Albion Academy, Elroy Seminary, 58 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Wayland Institute, at Beaver Dam, and Santa Clara Academy, at Sinsinawa Mound. There are also about '700 private schools in Wisconsin. The whole number of children in VVisconsin between four and twenty vears of age is 483,071 ; the number of pupils in attendance in public schools, 299,019. The aggregate valuation nf school property in the State is $5,297,678.24. The sixth administration, Alexander W. Randall, governor, was noted for its "long par- liament," the eleventh Legislature of the State having been in session 125 days. A report of commissioners previously appointed to revise tlie statutes, was acted upon during the session, the result being the publication, in one volume, of the "Revised Statutes of 1858." The twelfth Legislature (Jan. 12, to March 21, 1850) was, like the two previous Legislatures, republi- can. At the commencement of the seventh ad- ministration, Randall's second term as gov- ernor, that party not only had control of the thirteenth Legislature, but of all the State offices. The governor, in his message to the fourteenth Legislature, on the 10th of January, 1861, de dared that the right of a State to secede from the Union, could never be admitted. "Thegox'- emment must besuslahied, the laws shall he en- forced/" An extra session of the Legislature was convened on the 15th of May, at which, no acts were passed except such as appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Mean- while a demand made upon the governor by the President, for troops to sustain the federal arm, met with a quick response. During the year, 9,991 men, in ten regiments, for three years' service, and one regiment for three months service, of 810 men, were sent out of the State. The number of volunteers originally in the sev- eral military organizations, from Wisconsin during the war, were as follows: First Infantry, three months 810 Firstlnfantry, three years * 945 Second Infantry, three years 1051 Third Infantry, three years 979 Fifth Infantry, three years 1058 Sixth Infantry, three years 1108 Seventh Infantry, three years 1029 Eighth Infantry, three years. 973 Ninth Infantry, * three years 870 Tenth Infantry, three years 916 Eleventh Infantry, three years 1029 Twelfth Infantry, three years 1045 Thirteenth Infantry,* three years 970 Fourteenth Infantry, three years 970 Fifteenth Infantry, three years 801 Sixteenth Infantry, three years 1066 Seventeenth Infantry, three years 941 Eighteenth Infantry, three years 962 Nineteenth Infantry, three years 973 Twentieth Infantry, three years. .'. 990 Twenty-first Infantry, three years 1002 Tweniy-.eecond Infantry, three years 1009 Twenty-third Infantry, three years 994 Twenty fourth Infantry, three years 1003 Twenly-fiflh Infantry, three years 1018 Twenty-sixth Infantry, three years 1002 Twenty-seveni h Infantry, three years 865 Twenty-eiglith Infantry, three years 961 Twenty-ninth Infantry, three years 961 Thirtieth Infantry, three years 906 Thirty-first Infantry, three years 878 Thirtj'-secoud Infantry, three years '. 993 Thirty-third Infantry, three years 892 Thirlyfourth Infantry, nine months 961 Thirty fifth Infantry, * three years 1066 Thirty sixth Infantry, three years 990 Thirty-seventh Infantry, one, two and three years 708 Thirty-eighth Infantry, one, two and three years 913 Thirty-ninth Infantry, one hundred days 780 Fortieth Infantry, one hundred d:iys 776 Forty first Infantry, one hundred days 578 Forty-second Infantry, one year 877 Forty-third Infantry, one year 867 Forty fourth Infantry, one year 877 Forty fifth Infantry, one year 8.59 Forty-sixth Infantry, one year 914 Forty-spvenlh Infantry, one year 927 Forty-eighth Infantry, one year 828 Forty-ninth Infantry, one year 986 Fiftieth Infantry, one year 942 Fifty-first Infantry, one year 841 Fifty-second Infantry, one year 486 Fifty third Infantry, one year 380 ii'irst Cavalry, three years 1124 Second Cavalry, three years 1127 Third Cavalry, three years 1186 Fourth Cavahy, three years 1047 Milwaukee 83 •Nov. 1, 1866. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. S9 First Battery Light Artillery 155 Second Battery Light Artillery 153 Third Battery Light Artillery 1 TO Fourlli Battery Light Artillery 151 Fifth Battery Light Artillery 155 Sixth Battery Light Artillery 157 Seventh Battery Light Artillery 158 Eighth Battery Light Artillery 161 Ninth Battery Light Artillery 155 Tenth Battery Light Artillery 47 Eleventh Battery Light Artillery 87 TwelfthBaltery Light Artillery 99 Thiiteenth Battery Light Artillery 156 Battery A, Heavy Artillery 1^9 Battery B, Heavy Artillery 149 Bal'ery C, Heavy Aitillery 146 Battery D, Heavy Artillery 146 Battery E, Heavy Artillery 151 Battery F, Heavy Artillery 151 Battery G, Heavy Artillery 152 Battery H, Heavy Artillery 151 Battery I, Heavy Artillery 150 B.atery K. Heavy Artillery 148 Battery I., Heavy Artillery 152 Battery M. Heavy Artillery 152 Sharpshooters 105 Gibbons' Brigade Band 13 On the 10th of April, 1862, Gov. Louis P. Harvey, the successor of AlexanderW. Randall, started, along with others, from Wisconsin on a tour to relieve the wounded and suffering soldiers from this State, at Mound City, Padti- cah and i^avannah. Having completed liis mission, he made preparations to return. Me went on board a boat, the Dunleitli, at the landing in Savannah, and there awaited the ar- rival of the Minnehaha, which was to convey liini and hisparty to Cairo, 111. It was late in the evening of the 19th of April when the steamer arrived; and as she rounded to, her bow touched the Dunleith precipitating the governor into the river. Every effort was made to save liis life, but in vain. His body was afterward re- covered and brought home for interment. Edward Salomon, Jientenant-governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, succeeded to the office of governor. The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's adminis- tration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the march- ing of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry and one company of sharpshooters constituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the Rebellion. But for the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organiza- tions, was more than doubled. At the end of the year 1863 thirty-three regiments left the State — the Thirteenth regiment being tlie only remaining one of the thirty-four in Wisconsin. The ninth administration, James T. Lewis, gov- ernor, saw the close of the Rebellion. On the lOlh of April, 1865, Lewis announced to the Legislature, then in session, the surrender of Gen. Lee and his army. Fifty-three regiments during the war were raised in Wisconsin, all, sooner or later, mov- ing south and engaging in one way or other in suppressing the Rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which constituted the territory on boili sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to Savannah. 'I'hese twelve regiments were: The First (three months). Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth. Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Georgia. Tliese ten were; The Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty- fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty- seventh. Added to these was tlie First (re-or- ganized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, embracig the country west and norlliwest of the central division. 'Ihese were: Kiijhth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, 60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty- fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty- ninth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fiftl), Thirty-niiitli, For- tieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-eiglith, Forty-ninll), Fiftietli, Fifty-first, Fifty-second and Fifty-third. During the war several transfers were made from one district to anotlier. There were taken from the eastern division the Third and Twenty- sixth and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which was sent to tlie department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twenty- fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from the western to the cen- tral department. The other niilitaiy orgai iza- tions from Wisconsin had various assignments Recruiting ceased in the State on the l.Stli of April, 1865. It was not many months before Wisconsin's last soldier was mustered out of service. The State furnished during the war over 75,000 men, of which number nearly 11,000 died in the service. Among all the noble women who gave them- selves to the sanitary work of the civil war perhaps few were more peculiarly fitted for forming and carrying out plans than Mrs. C. A. P. Jlarvey, widow of the late lamented Gov. Louis P. Harvey. She was appointed by Gov. Salomon one of the sanitary agents of the State. She soon procured the establishment of a convalesent hospital at JVJadison, Wis. The building when no longer needed as a hospital, Mrs. Harvey conceived the idea of having it con- verted into a home for soldiers' orphans. On Jan. 1, IS66, the home was opened with eighty- four orphans, Mrs. Harvey at the head. The necessary funds had been raised by subscription; hut it soon became a State institution. The or- phans were not only maintained but brought up to habits of industry. But it was not long be- fore the number of the inmates began to de- crease, owing to the fact that homes were found or many, while some were returned to their. mothers; none were kept in the institution after they had reached the age of fifteen. At length when the number had diminished to less than forty children, it was thought best to close the institution. This was in 1875. The whole number of orjdians cared for during the contin- uance of the home was about 700. The Legisla- ture then transferred the building to the re- gents of the University of Wisconsin, who dis- posed of it; and a Norwegian seminary is now established therein. During the tenth administration, Lucius Fairchild, governor, the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the northwest- ern branch of the National institution, was es- tablished in Wisconsin, three miles from Mil- waukee. It has a capacious brick building, con- taining accommodations for 1,000 inmates. In addition to this building which contains the main halls, eating apartment, offices, dormilory and engine room, are shops, granaries, stables and other out-buildings. The Home farm con- tains 410 acres, of which over one-half is culti- vated The remainder is a wooded park tra- versed by shaded walks and drives, beautifully undulating. The main line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad runs through the farm, and the track of the northern division passes beside it. Soldiers who were disabled in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, the Mexican War, or the War of 1812, and have been honorably discharged, are entit ed to admission to the Soldiers' Home. A law was passed in 1867 creating the office of insurance commissioner, the secretary of State being assigned to its duties. But, in 1878, it was made a distinct oftice, to be filled by the governor's appointment. It was, however, made elective in 1881. Philip L. Spooner iias served since April 1, 1878, and is still in ottice. The joint-stock fire insurance companies of Wis- consin are three in number, its mutual compa- nies also three. There is but one life insurance company in the State. A large number of fiie and life insurance companies located outside of HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 61 WisconRin transact business under State law within its borders. Early in 1870, during Gov. Fairchild's third terra, was organized, and in March of that year incorporated, the "Wisconsin Acad- emy of Sciences, Arts and Letters,'' having among its specific objects researches and inves- tigations in the various departments of the ma- terial, metaphysical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science and by the encouragement of original invention; the en- couragement of the tine arts by means of hon- ors and prizes awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scieji- titic, economical and art museums; the encour- agement of philological and historical research; the collection and preservation of historic rec- ords and the formation of a general library, and the diffusion of knowledge by the public i- tioii of original contributions to science, liter- ature and the arts. The academy has already published several volumes of transactio?is, un- der authority of the State. On the .3d day of July of tiiat year A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of consumption, and on the 13th of .January following occurred the death of associate justice, Byron Paine, of the supreme court. At the twenty-fourth regular session of the Legislature (January 1 1 — March 25, 1871,) a commissioner of emigration, to be elected by tiie ])eople, was provided for. The office was aljolished Jan. 3, 1876. During this time but two persons held the office — Ole C. Johnson, from Api'il 3, 1871, to Jan. n, 1S74; Martin J. Argard, from Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. 3, 1876. By an act of the I..egislature, apjtroved March 4, is79, the board of immigration of the State of Wisconsin was created, to consist of live members, of which number two are I'.r-ojficit) — the governor and secretary of State. Tile principal office is located in Milwaukee, with a branch office at Chicago. The object is to encourage i migration from Europe to Wis- consin. On the 23d of March, 1871, the State board of charities and reforms was created, to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the mem- bers being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional in- stitutions supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury. This board have since reported annually to the governor their proceedings. The Wisconsin State horticultural Society, although previously organized, first un- der the name of the "Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of March, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture rural adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 186s provision was made for the pub- lication of the society's transactions in connec- tion with the State Agricultural Society; but by the act of 1871 this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate form. The society holds annual meetings at Madison. In October, 1871, occurred great fires in northeastern Wisconsin. The. counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano suffered more or less. More than l,00omen, women and children per- ished. More than 3,'i00 were rendered destitute. The loss of property has been estimated at $i,- 000,000. No other calamity so awful in its results has ever visited Wisconsin. A compilation of the public statutes of the State was |)rei)ared during the year 1^71 l»y David 'i'aylor (now associate justice of the supreme court), anion. The survey was interrupted by a re- peal March 21, 1862, of previous laws promoting it. However, to coinplete the survey, the mat- ler was re-instated by the act of this Legisla- ture, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. On the 16th of February, 1875, O. W. Wight succeeded Lap- ham, but on the 2d of February, 1876, T. C. Chamberlain was appointed Wight's successor, and still holds the office. He has published four volumes of reports in a very able mannei, extending from 1873 to 1879, inclusive. Re- ports were also published by his predecessors. And just here it may not be inappropriate to say a word concerning the physical history of Wisconsin. "This can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, bv which the material of our oldest and deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but sliallow sea, covering the whole of the present territory of the State, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing mud and sand, as at the present day, and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history under consideration. Back of that the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The thick- ness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied, of course, an essentially horizontal position, and were doubtless in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale and other sedi- mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought to bear upon them laterally, or edge- wise, by which they were folded and crumpled and forced up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 63 which produced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of the globe. The foldings may be im.agined as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But tlie contortion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the characterof the rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and crystalization of the ingre- dients played a conspicuous part. By this met- amorphism granite, gneiss, mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed."* But to pur- sue further an inquiry into the geological struc- ture of the State would be foreign to this brief historical sketch of Wisconsin. The subject is ably treated of in the geological reports before referred to. The actual mineral resources of Wisconsin remain very largely to be developed, Its useful mineral material comes under the head of nic- talic ores and non-metalic substances. Of the first class are the ores of lead, zinc, iron and copper; of the second class ar« the principal substances found in brick-clay, kaolin, cement rock, limestone for burning into quick lime, limestone for flux, glass-sand, peat and build- ing stone. In Wisconsin lead and zinc are found together ; the former has been utilized since 1S2H, the latter since 1860. The coun- ties of La Fayette, Iowa and Grant — the southwestern counties of the State — are known as the " lead region." All the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin are from these counties. The lead ore is of one kind only — that known as galena. A large amount is produced yearly from the various mining districts in the lead region. The number of pounds raised from single crevices has often been several hun- • T. C. Chamberlain, State Oeolo^st, In Illustrated Hist. Atlas of WlsCODSlD, drod thousand. The zinc ores werelforraerly rejected as useless, but their value is, beyond doubt, very great, and they will be a source of wealth to the lead region for a long time to come, as they are now extensively utilized. Iron mining in the State is yet in its infancy. Numbers of blast furnaces have sprung up in the eastern portion, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. The several ores in Wis consin are red hematites, brown hematites, magnetic ores and specular hematites ; the first are found in Dodge county ; the second in Portage, Wood and Juneau ; the two last in Bayfield, Ashland, Lincoln and Oconti> counties. The thirteenth administration (0. C. Wash- burn, governor) ended with the year 1873, the republican party in the State being de- feated for the first lime since the commence- ment of Randall's administration. The session of the Legislature of 1874 was a noted onn for the passage of the "Potter Law," limiting the compensation for the transportation of passen- gers, classifying freight, and regulating prices fdr its carriage on railroads within Wisconsin. Three railroad commissioners were to be ap- pointed 1)3" the governor ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, wliose terms of oflice should commence on the Htli day of May, and the governor, thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissinner for three years. Un- der this law the govenmr appointed J. II. Os- borii, for three years ; George II. Paul, for two years ; and J. W. Iloyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this cdmniifsion inaugura- ted its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. In 1876 this board was abolished and a railroad commissioner, to be appointed by the governor every two years, was to take its place. This latter ofKce was made elective in 1881. The commissioners who have held office under these various laws are : John W. Iloyt, from 64 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. April 29, 1874, to March 10, 1876; George H. Paul, from April 29, 1874, to March 10, 1876; Joseph II. Osborn, from April 9, 1874, to March 10, 1876; Dana C. Lamb, from March 10, 1876, to Feb. 1, 1878; A. J. Turner, from Feb. 1, 1878, to Feb. 15, 1882; N. P, Hangen, from Feb. 15, 1881, and now in office. The "Potter Law" was resisted by the railroad com panies, but ultimately the complete and abso- lute power of the people, through the Legisla- ture, to modify or altogether repeal their char- ters was fully sustained by the courts both of the State and the United States. The necessity for railroads in Wisconsin began to be felt while yet it was an appendage of Michigan territory. Great advantages were anticipated from their construction. There was a reason for this. Explorers had published accounts of the wonderful fertility of Wisconsin's soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest 0'>en- ings, and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Frt)m 18.36, with the hope of improving their condition, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for the territory. Ger- mans, Scandinavians, and otiier Nationali- ties, attracted by llie glowing accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world ; steamers and sail-craft laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports; all bound for Wisconsin. With the development of the agricultural resources of the territory, grain raising became the most prominent interest, and as the settlements e.xtended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transportation of the products of the soil were seriouslv felt. The exjiense inciared in moving a load of pro- duce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used were hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. To meet the great want, better facilities for transportation, railroads were an indispensable I necessity. Between the years 18.38 and 1841, the territorial Legislature of Wisconsin char tered several railroad companies, but with the exception of the Milwaukee & Waukesha Rail- road Company, incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particu- lar shape. There are now in Wisconsin the following railroads, costing, in round numbers, §150,000,000: Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; Chicago & Northwestern; Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha; Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western; Wisconsin Central; Green Bay & Minnesota; Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul; Wisconsin & Minnesota; Chippewa Falls & Western; Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria; Prairie du Chien & McGregor; Milwaukee & Northern; Chippewa Falls & Northern, ind Wisconsin & Michigan. Other lines are still needed, and present lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions, as we have seen, upon which great issues have been raised between railway corporations in Wisconsin and the people, are now happily settled by seeming to the latter their rights , and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, are assured of the safety uf their investments. An era of good feeling^has succeeded one of distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the rail- roads depend upon the people for sustenance and protection. In 1874 the Wisconsin commission for the pinjiose of fish culture was organized. The iicxt year, by reason of State aid, the commis- sion was enabled to commence work. ' In 1876 was comjjleted the purchase of grounds, the erection of the buildings, and the construction of the ponds (seven in number) of the Madi- son hatchery, situated in the town of Fitch- burg, Dane county. A temporary hatching house was continued for some time in Milwau- kee, for the hatching of sj)awn of the white fish and lake trout. The commission was re- organized in 1S7S, the number of the members being increased from four to seven. Appro- HISTORY OF WISCOKSIN. 65 priations by the Legislature have been con- tinned, and tlic work jironiises favorable results to the Slate. Under an act of 1^75 an Industrial School for girls was organized in Milwaukee, where buildings have been erected, capable of accom- modating 150 inmates. Its proper subjectsare: (1.) Viciously inclined girls under si.xteen, and boys under ten years of age; (2.) The stubborn and unruly, who refuse to obey their proper guardians; (-3.) Truants, vagrants and beggars; (4.) Those found in circumstances of manifest danger of falling into habits of vice and im- morality; (.5.) 'J'hoso under the above ages who have committed any offense punishable by fine or imprisonment in adult offenders. Although the school was founded by private charity, and is under the control of a self-perpetuating board of managers, it is incorporated and employed by the State for the custody, guardianshij), discipline and instruction of the aforenamed children. In default of responsible and efficient guardianship, they are treated as the minors and wards of (he State, and by it are committed to the guardianship of this board of ladies during minority. The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was rejected by the supreme court at its January term, 1876; but as a law subsequently passed the Legisla- ture, making ladies eligib'e to practice in the several courts of the State, she was, upon a second application, admitted. By an act approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was established, the appoint- ment of a superintendent of vital statistics pro- vided for, and certain duties assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organ- ized soon after, seven persons having been ap- pointed by the governor as its members. And here it is proper to say a word as to the health of Wisconsin. "When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other States of the Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New England States. The United States census of 18.50, 1860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin ninety-four deaths to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The census of 1870 shows that the death-rate from consump- tion in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- consin are alike. These four States show the lowest death-rate among the States from con- sumption, the mortality being thirteen to fourteen per cent, of the whole death-rate. Cliraatologic- ally considered, then, there is not a more healthy State in the Union than the State of Wiscon- sin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate is inimical to health, and rather choose the cli- mate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health, and alike good for agricultural purposes."* There was in Wisconsin a general feeling of patriotism (if the acts of its citizens, both native and foreign born, are to be taken as an indica- tion of their attachment to their country), mani- fested throughout the centennial year, 1876. A board of State centennial managers was pro- vided for by the Legislature, to represent Wis- consin at the Philadelphia exhibition, and $20, 000 appropriated for their use, to make there a proper exhibition of the products, resources and advantages of the State. Under a law of this year, three revisers, afterward increased to five, were appointed to revise the statutes of the State. The result was a large volume, ably col- lated, known as the Revised Statutes of 1878, which was legalized by act of the June session of the Legislature of that year. On the 19th of October, 1880, Chief Justice Edward G. Ryan departed this life, in the seventieth year of his asre. lie was buried in Milwaukee, with honors becoming the position held by him at the time •Dr. Joseph Hobbins, In lUuBtrated Historical Atlas of Wisconsin. 66 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. of his death. His successor, as previously stated, is Chief Justice Orsanius Cole. By an act of the Legislature of 1881, a board of supervision of Wisconsin charitable, re- formatory and penal institutions was founded. The boards of trustees by which these insti- tutions had been governed since their organi- zation were abolished by the same law. The board of supervision consists of five members, who hold their office for five years, and who are appointed by the governor, the Senate con- curring, 'llie board acts as commissioners of lunacy, and has full power to investigate all complaints against any of the institutions un^er its control, to send for books jud papers, sum- mon, corppel the attendance of, and swear wit- nesses. The powers delegated to this board are so extraordinary, and its duties so manifold, tliat a recital of them will be found of interest. They are as follows : (I.) To maintain and govern the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane, the Northern Hospital for the Insane, the Wisconsin Stale Prison, the Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys, the Wisconsin Institution for the Educa- tion of the Blind, and the Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb ; and such otlier charitable and penal institutions as may hereafter be established or maintained by the State, (i.) To carefully supervise and direct the management and affairs of said in- stitutions, and faithfully and diligently promote the objects for which the same have been established. (3) To preserve and care for the buildings, grounds and all property connected witli the said institutions. (4.) To take and hold in trust for the said several institutions any land conveyed or devised, or money or property given or bequeathed, to be applied for any purpose connected therewith, and faithfully to apply the same as directed by the donor, and faithfidly to apply all funds, effects and property which may be received for the use of such institutions. (5.) To make on or before Octo- ber 1 in each year, full and complete annual in- ventoiies and appraisals of all the property of each of said institutions, which inventories and appraisals shall be recorded, and shall be so classified as to separately show the amount, kind and value of all real and personal jnoperty belonging to such institutions. (0.) To make such by-laws, rules and regulations, not incom- patible with law, as it shall deem convenient or necessary for the government of the said insti- tutions and for its own government, and cause the same to be printed. (7.) 'i'o visit and care- fully inspect each of said institutions as often as once in each month, either by the full board or by some member thereof, and ascertain whether all officers, teachers, servants and em- ployees in such institutions are competent and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and all inmates thereof properly cared for and governed, and all accounts, account books and vouchers properly kept, and all the business affairs thereof properly conducted. (8.) To fi.v the number of subordinate officers, teachers, ser- vants and employees in each of said institutions, and prescribe the duties and compensa'ion of each, and to employ the same upon the nomi- nation of the respective superintendents and wardens. (9.) To promptly remove or discharge any officer, teacher or employe in any of said institutions, who shall be guilty of any malfeas- ance or misbehavior in office, or of neglect, or improper discharge of duty. (10.) To annually appoint for the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane and for the Northern Hospital for the Insane, for each, a superintendent, one assistant physician, a matron, a steward and a treasurer ; and for the Institution for the Edu- cation of the Blind, and the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the In- dustrial School for Boys, for each, a superin- tendent, a steward, a treasurer, and all necessary teachers ; and for the State prison, a warden, a steward and a treasurer, who shall be the officers of said institutions respectively and whose duties shall be fixed by said board, except as herein otherwise provided. (11.) To HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 67 maintain and govern the f?chool, prescribe the course of sturiy and provide the necessary ap- paratus and means of instruction for tlie Insti- tution for tlie Education of the lilind, and for the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. {1-2 ) To prescribe and collect such charges as it may think just, for tuition and maintenance of pupils not entitled to the same free of charge, in the Institution for the Educa- tion of the Blind and in the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. (13.) To ti.K the period of the academic year, not less than forty weeks, and prescribe tiie school terms in the Institution for the Education of the Hliiid and the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. (14.) To confer, in its discretion, upon meritorious pupils, such academic and literary degrees as are usually conferred by similar institutions, and grant diplomas accordingly, in the Institution for the Education of the Blind and in the Institution for the Education of theJDeaf and Dumb. On the 20th of April, 188-3, a commissioner was appointed by the governor, for two years, in accordance with the provisions of an act p.is-icd by the Legislature of that year creating a bureau of labor statistics. The object of this office, now filled by Frank A. Flower, is to col- lect manufacturing and labor statistics, report violations of law.s for benefit of artisans, and generally to show the manufacturing condition and resources of the State. In her political divisions Wisconsin has copied, to a considerable extent, from some of her sister States. These divisions arc counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages. The county government is in charge of a county board of supervisors, consisting of the chairman of each town board, a supervisor from each ward of every city, and one from each incorpo- rated village. The county officers are : Clerk, treasurer, sheriff, coroner, clerk of circuit court, district attorney, register of deeds, surveyor, and one or two superintendents of schools, all elected biennially. There are sixty-five coun- ties in the State. The government of the towns is in charge of a town board of super- visors. The other officers are clerk, treasurer, assessors, justices of the peace, overseers of highways and constables. The government of cities depends upon charters granted by the State Legislature. Generally, there is a mayor, common council, clerk, treasurer, attorney, chief of police, fire marshal and surveyor. Incorpo- rated villages are governed by a president and six trustees. The other officers are clerk, treas- urer, supervisor, marshal and constable, and sometimes a justice of the peace or police jus- tice. The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people in 1848, is still "the supreme law of the State ;" but it has several times been amended, or had material additions made to it : (1.) Article V, section 21, relating to the pay of the members of the Legislature. This was amended in 1807. (2.) Article VI, sections 5 and 9, relating to the salaries of the governor and lieutenant-gov- ernor. This was amended in 18G9. (.3.) Article I, section S, relating to grand juries. This was amended in 1870. (4.) Article IV, sections .31 and 32, relatingto special legislation. These sections were added in 1871. (5.) Article XI, section 3, relating to munic- ipal taxation. This was amended in 1874. (0.) Article VII, section 4, relating to the number and term of the judges of the supreme court. This was substituted for the original section in 1877. (7.) Article VIII, section 2, relating to claims against the State. This was amended in 1877. (8.) Article IV, sections 4, 5, 11 and 21, re- lating to biennial sessions, and a change in salaries and perquisites of members of the Legislature. Tiiese were thus amended in 1881. 68 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN. (9) Article III, section 1, relating to resi- dence of voters in election districts some lime before the election, and to registration of voters in cities and villages. Amended to this effect in 1882. (10.) Article VI, section 4, article VII, sec- tion 12, and article XIII, section 1, all relating to biennial elections. Amended to this effect in 1882.* *A. O. Wright, in Exposition of the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. HISTORY OP VERNON COUNTY, wisconsrsiisr. CHAPTER I AREA, POSITION AND SURFACE FEATURES. Before entering upon a consideration of the history of Vernon county, past and present, it is a matter of importance to understand its area and geograpliical position; also its general sur- face features. We begin with its AREA. Vernon is properly considered one of the large counties of Wisconsin, it having a total area of nearl}' Hi. 5 square miles, or, to be more specific, it contains 521,5ts2.61 acres of land. From east to west, in its longest distance, it measures forty-eight miles; from nortli tosoutii, twenty-one miles. It embraces eighteen whole congressional townships; four half townships; and four fractional townships, all included in twenty-one towns: Greenwood, Hillsborough, Forest, Lincoln, Stark, Whiteatown, Clinton, Webnter, Liberty, Kickapoo, Fj-anklin, Viroqua, Christiana, Coon, Jefferson, Sterling, Harmony, Hamburg, Bergen, Genoa and Wheatland. GEORRAPHICAf, POSITION. The county has a position lying immediately on the Mississippi river, north of Crawford and Richland counties, and south of Monroe and La Cro.^se counties. It lies westof the counties of Richland, Sauk and Juneau. Its most southerly limits are sixty-three miles in a straight line north of the northern boundary line of the State of Illinois; its most easterly limits are in a straight line west, 126 miles from Lake .Vlichigan; its most northerly limits are in a straight line south, 198 miles from Lake Superior. West of the town of Wheatland and a small part of the town of Genoa, is (across the Mississippi river) the Stale of Iowa; but west of the residue of the last mentioned 70 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. town, and tliat of Bergen is (across the Miss- issippi) tlie State of Minnesota. If the bound- ary line between these two States were ex- tended across the Mississippi, it would strike about the center of section 21, in the town of Genoa. GENEBAI. SURFACE FEATURES. Some of the islands in the Mississippi, along the west side of the town of Bergen, are in Vernon county. What is known as "raft chan- nel," in the upper half of that part of the stream which washes the western side of the county, is the true Mississippi — the dividing line between Wi-consin and Minnesota. This extends down to the southwest corner of Ber- gen. Coon slough leaves the true Mississippi on section 19, in Bergen, and extends south to its southern line, where it again unites with the parent stream. Steamers, in low stagf'S of water, usually take the slough in preference to the main or "raft" channel. The Mississippi, on an average, along the whole western limits of the county, is about three-fourths of a Jnile in width; and from bluff to bluff on each side of the river, containing the basin proper of the river, is about five miles. The base of the bluffs proper, of the Mississippi, extends down to within one-third of a mile of the water's edge, on an average. These bluffs are indented by ravines, the outlets of water courses; the princi- pal of the latter are the Chipmunk creek, Coon river. Spring creek. Bad Ax river and Battle creek. Chipmunk creek rises on section 4, town of Hamburg, runs westerly and empties i to Coon slough, on section 3, in Bergen. It is a small stream and is fed by springs. Coon river rises in the town of Christiana on section 21, flows northeasterly, westerly and southwesterly until it empties into Coon slough, on section -32, ill Bei\;en. The stream is rapid and is fed by sju-ings. It affords water privileges for the running of several mills. There is also one flouring mill on Chipmunk. The next stream south is the Bad Ax river with northern and southern tributaries. The north branch of th Bad Ax rises on section 31, town of Christiana; the south branch rises in the town of Frank- lin; the two unite on section 12, in the town of Genoa, forming the Bad Ax proper, which thence flows westerly into the Mississippi on section 16, in Genoa. Battle creek rises on section 2, town of Wheatland, runs southwesterly and flows into Winnebago slough. Sloughs are arms of the main river; some have currents while others are simply formed of back water. The term coolie is still used in this vicinity for valley. Tliere are ridges all nearly of the same alti- tude extending back from the Mississipfi between the various streams before mentioned, having a southern and northern slope to them. On the south side of the South Bad Ax was originally an undulating prairie, named by the early sett'ers of ihe county, and still called, West Prairie. This is in the town of Sterling. The residue of the western half of the county was formerly, for the most part, timbered, and had a heavy growth of white and red oak, interspersed with oak grub-lands, except along the streams where burr oak and the different varieties of elm and maple prevailed. There is also in the towns of Coon and Chris iana, and extending into Viroqua, and part of Jefferson, an open country known as Coon Prairie. The towns of Christiana, Viroqua and Frank- lin form the water-shed between the streams flowing into the Mississippi and those empty- ing into the Kickapoo and its west branch. The east central part of the county is drained by the Kickapoo and its two branches. 'I'his includes the towns of Clinton, Webster, Liberty, Kickapoo, Whitestown and Stark and portions of Forest, Unior, Christiana, Viroqua and Franklin. The general course of the west branch of the Kickapoo is nearly south, while that of the east branch is southwesterly. They unite in the town of Kickapoo, on section 33 ; thence, the main stream flows southwesterly until it crosses into the county of Crawford, on section 18. There are numerous creeks ail having a southeast course, flowing into th HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 11 Kickapoo and the west branch, from the east- ern side of the towns of Christiana, Viroqua and Franklin, and the western side of tlie town of Kifkapoo. GeographicUly then, it may be said, in general terms, that the dividing ridge, or table land, running north and south tiirough the county, is situated about twenty mile? east of tile Mississippi, and from six to eight miles west of the west branch of Kickapoo and the Kickapoo proper, having an altitude above the Mississippi, of about 1,000 feet. And it may be here remarked, that all the waters which drain Vernon county either flow directly into the Mississippi, or find their way thither through the Wisconsin. From either side of the ridge between the east and west branches, spurs put off but of no very great extent. Both the branches head in Monroe county. Between the east branch and the head waters of the l>aral)0(., there is a table land known as the dividing ridge as it divides the waters of the Kicka])oo from those of the Baraboo and Lemon weir. 'l"he wliole of the town of Hillsborough and the northern portion of (ireenwood are drained by the Baraboo ; while the southern portion (if the town last mentioned is drained by Pine river, as well as the soutlieast portion of the town of Union. A large part of the town of Forest, the whole of Whitestown and Stark, and the eastern por- tion of Clinton and Webster are drained by the east branch or main Kickapoo, as it may be termed, as it carries more water than the west branch. It forms a drainage also f nship 14, range 3 west, in the town of Clinton; also on the northeast quarter of section 20, and the south- east quarter of section 17, in the same town; and some very good specimens of hematite have been found on the southwest quarter of section 3, in that town. The same may be said of tiie corners of sections 15, 16, 'IX and 22. This min- eral has also been found on the northwest quar- ter of section 21, in township 13, range 3 west, in the town of Webster. LotL'er Magnesian Liimtstoim. — dw the south- east quarter of section 14, in township 1', range 3 west, in the town of Kickapoo, the junction of the St. Peters and Lower iMagnesian is clearly marked by a bed of soft, yellow- ish white clay, about four feet thick. This clay resembles the pipe clay of the Trentun limestone, found in the lead region, south of the Wisconsin. At De Soto, on the Mis- sissippi river, the Lower Magnesian limestone affords a fine, close-grained and durable Imild- ing stone. It is of a very light color,and often nearly white. In the village of Springville, in the town of Jefferson, and along the banks of the stream a short distance below the village, the Lower Magnesian presents good outcrops. It occurs in beds from one to four feet thick, of a light yellow color, free from fiints, and makes a very handsome building stone. Along Coon river, in the town of Hamburg, there are numer- ous good exposures of the lower l)eds of the form- ation. There are many other exposuie.> in the county, but the foregoing are among the best. In general, tliey may be found on all stieams. No very extensive or valuable deposits of metallic ore are found in the Lower Magnesian formation, in the southwestern part of Wiscon- sin. A few localities of copper and lead e.vlst, which shows that the formation is not entirely destitute of nielallic contents. Economically considered, this formation is most useful in af- 78 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. fording good building stone and lime, botli of which articles are abundant in all parts of the country where the Lower Magnesian limestone becomes the surface rock. The only localities wherfi copper has been found ill Vernon county, are in the towns of Webster and Clinton, one in each, where only a single specimen has been discovered; but building stone and lime are obtained in many localities. St. Peters Sandstone. — In this county the St. Peters sandstone becomes the surface rock in many localities. At the village of Coon Prairie, section 5, in township 13, range 4 west, in the town of Viroqua, on tlie ridge dividing the Kickapoo from the Mississippi, this formation forms the surface rock. A spur of it also extends in a north- westerly direction as far as section 22, townsliip 14, range 5 west (the town of Coon), forming a belt averaging a mile and a half in width. Proceeding south from Coon Prairie village to Viroqua, the sandstone covers nearly all of the western half of township 13, range 4 west (town of Viroqua), and presents a number of fine exposures: 1. A mound in tiie southwest quarter of sec- tion 5, and one in the northwest quarter of sec- tion 8, all near the south line of section 5. 2. Three mounds in the northwest quarter of section 2', all near the north line of the section and about fifty feet high. 3. A ridge consisting of ledges of sr»iidstone fifty feet high, extending from near the cetiter of section 17, nearly to the northwest corner of section 18, presenting good exposures through almost the entire distance. At Viroqua, a branch of the main ridge extends to the west, a distance of twelve miles, between the north and south forks of the Bad Ax river. The sandstone on this ridge averages a mile and a quarter in width, with several small lateral branches. Continuing along tiie principal divide from Viroqua to the south line of township 12, range 4 west (town of Franklin), the St.Peters covers nearly all the western half of that township. In township 1 1, range 4 west (town of Frank- lin), a spur of the principal divide, covered with sandstone from half a mile to two miles in width, occupies the central part of the town- ship, extending from section 4, in Vernon county, to section 34, in Crawford county. In township 11, range 5 west, in Vernon and Crawford counties, the sandstone on the principle divide covers the greater part of the township, with a fine exposure in two mounds near the center of section 5, (town of Sterling), Vernon county. From the northeast corner of this township (town of Sterling), a high and very irregular ridge, with numerous lateral branches, extends west nearly to the Mississippi river, dividing Rush creek in Crawford county, from tlie south fork of the Bad Ax, in Vernon county. This ridge is covered with sandstone, the width of the belt varying from one to three miles. There are two good exposures formed by mounds; one a short distance south of the center of section 16, township 1 1, range 6 west (southwest section of Sterling), and the other in the southeast quarter of the same section. In addition to the foregoing, there are a num- ber of stated areas in Vernon county of which the following may be mentioned : 1. In townshipl2, range 5 west, (townships of Jefferson, Sterling and Franklin), on sections 15, 16, 21 and 22 there is an area equal to a section and a half. 2. In township 14, range 4 west, (Christiai}a), on sections 20, 21, 28 and 29 is a sandstone area equal to a little more than half a square mile; also, west of the quarter post of sections 34 and 3, on the south line of the township is an isolated mound of sandstone forming a good exposure. 3. On section 3, township 13, range 7 west, (town of Bergen), an area of sandstone extends into section 34, comprising about half a section. 4. In township 1 1, range 4 west, (towns of Kickapoo and Franklin), is a large area of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 79 sandstone lying on the ridge west of the Kick- apoo river. It is situated on sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in Vernon count}', and on sections 24, 25, 28, 33, 35 and 3G in Crawford county, comprising an area of about five sections. 5. In township 12, range 3 west, (town of Liberty), on the ridge between the Kickapoo river and its western branch, is a narrow ridge of sandstone, about four miles long and a lialf a mile wide, running through sections 2, 3, 10, II, 13 and 14, and ending on sections 34 and 35 in township 13, range 3 west, (town of Web- ster). 6. In township 14, range 3 west, (town of Clinton), on the ridge just mentioned, is an area of sandstone lying on sections 15, Iti, 21, 22, 27 and 28, and covering a surface equal to one section. Trenton Limestone. — This formation forms the surface rock in the following jilaccs in Vernon county: 1. In township 11, range 5 west, (town of Franklin), on sections Hand 15; and sections 21,22, 23, 26, 27 and 35 in Crawford county; and on the divide between the Mississi|)|ii and Kickapoo rivers. 2. On the same divide atid on sections 15, 16 and 21, of township 12, range 4 west, (town of Franklin), is an area equal to about three-quar- ters of a section. This is the most northerly point to which the Trenton formation has been traced in this part of the State. 3. In township II, range 6 west, (town of Sterling), on section 1 is an area equal to half a section. There is also on section 10 an area equal to a quarter section. 'JMiese last two areas are situated on the high ridge which sej)- arates the Bad A.x river from Rush creek in Crawford county. CHAPTER III. ANCIENT INHABITANTS. The first people of Vernon county, who were they 'i This question, of course, can never he answered. We know that, scattered over It, in various directions, there once lived a race concerning which all that has come down to us is exceedingly shadowy. These people are usually denominated THE MOUND BUILDERS. Vestiges of the labor of the so-called Mound Builders still exist in various parts of the county of Vernon, in the form of eartlMorks, consist- ing of mounds, some rudely representing ani- mals ; others seemingly like low battlements; while a third variety are simply elevations, usually conical in shape. Although more plen- tiful in the vicinity of the Mississippi and the Kickapoo rivers, yet they are all above the high watermark. They are numerous in the towt)s of Liberty, Sterli' g and Wheatlan. consisting of two mounds in the form of a bear lying on his side, tjie knee joint of the fore and hind legs bending back They are some six rods long ; their legs are toward each other. They are about six rods apart, one about its length ahead of the other. About forty rods to the north of this group is group No. 3 consisting of thirteen round mounds, in two rows ; one of the rows is straight— the largest mounds "are in the mid- dle. The other row is in a curve, in which there are seven mounds. From this group of mounds in a southwest direction, about forty rods, is group No. 4 consisting of two mounds ; one a straight mound of earth about fourrods long; the other one is a round mound directly in line with the other. About fifty rods to the southeast of this fourth group is a large mound in the form of a bird, his wiags and tail extended as though sailing in the air. From tip to tip of wings is about thirty rods. This mound is called the Eagle, on account of its large size, being the largest on the place. About thirty rods to the northwest of the Eagle is another mound in the form of a bird, about eight rods in length, of a more compact form then the Eagle. Its wings and tail are extended like a bird sailing in the air. Hawk is the name of this mound. About fifty rods to the south of the Hawk is a small round mound. From this round mound in a south- west direction is group No. 5, consisting of two mounds, one is in the form of a beaver crouched on the ground, his legs under him; the other mound is the same animal lying on his side, and forward of the other. Those mounds are about six rods in length. To the north of group No. 5 about twenty-five rods dis- tant, is group No. 6 consisting of two mounds in the form of birds. They are alike, both flying the same way. They are side by side, the tips of the wings just touching each other. They are flying south. These are called the Wild Geese. To the northwest of the Wild Gee.se, about thirty rods distant, is a straight mound about six rods in length. To the north of the Wild Geese, about thirty rods distant, is a group of four mounds, two of them are in the form of a beaver crouched upon the ground with his feet under him. The two other mounds are straight in line with each other, with about two rods between them; the length of these mounds are from six to eight rods each. On the same section in the Kickapoo valley, on the farm now owned by David Sommers, are numerous earthworks of like character as those on the farm of Mr. Turner. The average height of these mounds was, when the country was first settled, from two to three feet. THE INDIANS. The earliest record we have of the occupation of Vernon county and contiguous territory, by HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 81 the Indians, is that given on the map of Samuel Champlain, dated in 1632. It is there seen that reports liad reached the ears of the French upon the waters of the St. Lawrence, of a great river to the westward of Lake Huron and to the southward of Lake Superior, but which it was said flowed north into the lake last mentioned. This was a vague account of the Mississippi. Upon that river are located savages, which, probably, were those afterward known as THB SIOUX. Bands of this Nation occupied the whole immediately north of the Wisconsin It was known to the French, also, before any white man had ever set foot upon any part of Wis- consin or the northwest, that these Sioux were in the habit of going in their canoes to trade willi the Winnebagoes, who were located at that time (before 16.34) around Lake Winne- bago. Fartiier than this, no knowledge had been gained of these savages. Not many years afterward they must have withdrawn farther up the Mississippi, leaving the country upon and down this river for some di.stance from ti.e mouth of the Wisconsin, without inhabitants. At this time, the nearest savageis, eastward, were the Kickapoos, Miamis and Mascoiitins, who were loca ed on Fox river above Lake Winnebago. Such was the casein 1634, when John Nicollet, the first man to explore the present State of Wisconsin, reached that river. THE SACS A*I) FO.XBS. What is now Vernon county and its surround- ing country remained a derelict region until finally the Sacs and Foxes from the east came to Fox river and then moved westward to the Wisconsin. Of all the tribes who have inhabited this State, they are the most noted. The Sacs were sometimes called Sauks or Saukies and the Foxes were frequently known as the Oulagamies. They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as separate tribes. Afterward, liowever, because of the identity of their language, and their associations, they were and still are considered one Nation. In Decem- ber, 1669, Allouez found upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and early in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located up- on the Fox river of Green bay, at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a de- vice of these Indians for catching fish arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes, "they made a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, eivsily take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and without any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks — one calling themselves Oiit;igamics or Foxes, whence our English name; the other, Musquakiiik, or men of red clay, the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times « ith their kindred the Sacs east of Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw, a name derived from the Sacs. Thence thej' were forced by the Iruquois to Green bay; but were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river. Allouez, on the 24th of April, 1670, arriM-d at a village of the Foxes, situated on Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The Nation," he declares, "is renowned for being 82 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. numerous; they have more than 400 men bear- ing arms; the number of women and children is greatei", on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man having commorjly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten.'' The missionary found tliat the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the perse- cutions of the Iroquois. Allouez established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonville's more serious campaign; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 1693, they had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carry- ing arms and amunitions to their ancient ene- mies frequently causing them to make port- ages to the southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Afterward they became reconciled to the French; but the rec- onciliation was of short duration. In 1712, Fort Detroit, then defended by only a handful of men, was. attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascoutins and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only protected themselves but were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying the greater paft of the besieging force. The Nation continued their ill will to the French. The conseque.ice was that their terri- tory in 1716 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. Hut their friendship was not of long continuance. In 1718 the Foxes numbered 500 men and "abounded in women and children." They are spoken of at that date as lieing very industrious, raising large quanti- ties of Indian corn. In 1728 another expedi- tion was sent againstthem by the French. Mean- while the Menomonees had also become hostile; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the Foxes. The resu't of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of Monomonees; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagoes (after passing the deserted vil- lage of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe, also, at this date being hostile; and the destruc- tion of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in I7,S0, and defeated. In 1734 both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736 the Sacs and Foxes' were "connected with the government of Canada;" but it is certain they were far from being friendly to the French. The conflict between France and Great Brit- ain, commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and Foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the in- terests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the conquerors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two Nations, then about equally divided, numbered, in 1761, about 700 warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had emigrated farther to the westward; but the Foxes, at least a portion of them, still remained upon the wa- ters of the river of Green bay, which perpet- uates their name. A few years later, however, and the former -were occupants of the upper Wisconsin; also, to a considerable distance be- low the portage, where their chief town wns located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its mouth at the site of the present city of Prairie du Chien. At this date, 1 766, and even later, what is now Vernon county, was within the territory claimed as theirs. Gradually, *liowever, they retreated down the Mississippi until, before the close of the century, all their possessions in what is now Wisconsin, was in the extreme southwest. They no longer had their hunting grounds to the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 83 northward of the Wisconsin river. Another tribe had, as it were, crowded them out. Ddi-ing the war of the Revolution, the Sacs ami Foxes continued the firm friends of the English. In ISOt they ceded their lands south of the Wisconsin river to the United States; so that they no longer were owners of any lands within this State. From that date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as be- longing to thf- Indian Nations of Wisconsin. They were generally friendly to Great Britain during the War of 181:2-1.5, but they soon made peace with the United States after that contest ended. A striking episode in their subsequent history, is the IJiack Hawk war, which will be narrated in a sul)sequent chapter. The exact date of the Foxes leaving the Wisconsin river country is unknown'. They sold the prairie at the nioutli of that stream, to some Canadian F'rench traders in 1781, and subsequently va- cated their village. Probably about the begin- ning of the present century they had abandoned this region as their home, although they long after visited it for the purposes of trade. THE WINNEBAGOES. The Nation which displaced the Sacs and Foxes u])on the Wisconsin river and its contig- uous territory, including what is now Vernon county, was the Winnebagos. It is now 250 years since the civilized world began to get a knowledge of the VVinnebagoes— the "men of the sea," as they were called, pointing, possibly, to their early emigration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific. The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan as lies north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in early times, inhabited by several tribes of the Algon- quin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas, or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the IMis- sissippi. Hut the Winnebagoes, although one of the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had ]iassed the great river, at some un- known perioil, and settled upon Winnebago lake. Here, as early as 16.34, they were visited by John Nicolet, an agent of F'rance, and a treaty conohvled with them. Little more was heard of the Winnebagoes for the next thirty- five years, when, on the 2d of December, 1669, some of that Nation were seen at a Sac village on Green bay, by Father AUouez. As early at least,as 1670, the French were ac- tively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading. '•We found affairs," says one the Jesuit mission- aries, who arrived among them in September of that year, " we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the sava- ges much soured against the French, who were there trading; ill treating them in deeds and words, pillaging and carrying away their mer- chandise in spite of thein, and conducting themselves toward them with insupportable in- solences and indignities. The cause of this ilisorder," adds the missionary, '' is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this year come to trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from whom they pretended to have received many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain til it the arms of France were carried into the territory of the Winnebagoes over 200 years ago. The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a diflicult stream to navigate. Two .lesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had " three or four leagues of rapids to contend with," when they had advanced " one day's journey" from the head of the bay, "more diffi- cult than those which are common in other rivers, in this, that the fiints, over which" they had to walk with naked feet to drag their ca- noes, were so "sharp and so cutting, tint one has all the trouble in the world to IkiM cmc's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found an idol that the savages honored ; "never failing, in pass- ing, to make him some sacrifice of tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank liim that, by his assistance, they had, in a>ccnil- 8* HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ing, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream; orelse, if they had to ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The missionaries caused the idol "to be lifted up by the strength of the arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear no more," to the idolatrous savages. The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of trading and traffick- ing with white men ; for, following the foot- steps of the missionaries, and sometimes pre- ceding them, were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what territory was occupied by the Winneba- goes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head of Green bay. A direct trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winneba- goes to any great extent until tlie beginning of the 18th century. As early as 1679, an advance party of LaSalle had collected a large stoi-e of furs at the mouth of Green bay, doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them; generally, however, the surrounding Na- tions sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disposed of them, in turn, to the French. The commencement of tlie eighteenth century found tlie Winnebagoes firmly in alliance with France, and in peace with the dreaded Iroquois. In 1718, the nation numbered 600 They had moved from the Fox river to Green bay. Tliey were afterward foilnd to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winnebago lake, whicli lake was their ancient seat, and from which they had been driven either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the west and south- west. Their intercourse with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so, joining with them, as did the Menominees, in their wars with the Iro- quois, and subsequently in their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760. When the British, in October, 1761, took pos- session of the French post, at the head of Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number 1 50 warriors only ; their nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all, not less than three towns. Their country, at this period, included, not only that lake, but all the streams flowing into it, espe- ciallj' Fox river ; afterward extended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined with the Me- nomonees and other tribes to befriend the Brit- ish garrison at the head of the bay, assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the Eng- lish during the revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian war of 1790-4, taking part in the at- tack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present State of Ohio, in 179.3. 1 hey fought also on the side of the British in the War of 1812-1,5, aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4,5^.0. When,-in 18 16, the government of the United States sent troop to take possession of the Green b;iy country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who, at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the Nation came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought to be an intrusion. They were de- sirous of knowing why a fort was to be estab- lished so near them. The reply was that, al- though the troops were armed for war if nec- essary, their purpose was peace. Their response was an old one ; "If your object is peace, you have too many men; if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon, which had not yet been mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 86 of the situation, and the deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, IS16, at St Louis, the tribe made a treaty of peace and friendship with the general government ; but they contiiiue'l to levy tribute on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the rest of the Nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820 they had five villages on Win- nebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim of the Winnebagoes was ail extensive one, so far as territory was con- cerned. Its southeast boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river, to within forty miles of itsmoutli, in II inois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small streams flowing into the Missis- sippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wisconsin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory including what i.s now Vernon county, but did not extend across Fox river, although they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829 a large part of their territory in southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wisconsin river was sold to tlie general government. Just previous to this time, occurred the Win- nebago war, an account of which will be found in the next chapter. In 18.32, all the residue of the Winnebago territory south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay, was disposed of to the United States. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the Ist of November, 1837, "the Winnebago Nation of Indians" ceded to the general government "all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of "the great river." This arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river, Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands else- where. All had become lawless and roving. Some removed in 1848 ; while a party to the number of over 800 left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they have a reser- vation north of, and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over 100,000 acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Missis- sippi, they have several times changed their place of abode. The iieriod of Winnebago occupancy of Vernon county and the re- gion of country contiguous thereto, properly began about the commencement of the present century and ended, virtually, in 1848. S6 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER IV EARLY EXPLORATIONS. The territory now included within the limits of Vernon county, was first visited along its western border over 200 years ago by French- men, from the river St. Lawrence, in Canada. Tlie first to approach this region of country was John Nicolet, in 1634, who came no nearer than to the village of the Mascoutins, on Fox river, supposed to have been located somewhere on that stream within the present boundaries of Green Lake Co., Wis. A Jesuit missionary, in 1670, also visited the Mascoutins. His name was Claude AUouez ; but he came no nearer what is now Vernon county, than did Nicolet, in 1634. In 1673, Louis Joliet, accom- panied by a missionary, James Marquette and live other Frenchmen, ascended the Fox river to the portage, now Portage, Columbia Co., Wis.; crossed over to the Wisconsin river and dropped down that river to its mouth. Thence, Joliet journeyed down the Mississippi ; so, of course, no part of the present Vernon county was seen by him. EXPEDITION OF MICHAEL ACCAU. In 1680 La Salle, who was then on the Illinois river, was desirous to have the Mississ- ijipi explored above the point where it was first seen by Joliet ; that is, above the mouth of the Wisconsin river ; so he dispatched one Michael Accau, on an expedition thither; with him uent Antoine Auguel and the Rev. Louis Hen- nepin, a recollet friar. The party proceeded d )wn the Illinois river in April and up the Mississippi river. They were the first white men who ever saw any portion of what is, at this time, Vernon county, or who set foot upon its territory. This was in May, 1680. The description of the voyage along what is now the western boundary of Wisconsin (including, of course, Vernon county) is inter- esting, as given by Hennepin : " On the eastern side ( of the Mississippi ) you meet first an inconsiderable river ( Rock river) and then further on another, called by the Indians Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) whicli comes from the east and east-northeast. * * * It is almost as broad as the river Seignelay, or Islinois ( Illinois river ), and empties into the river Colbert (Mississippi), 100 leagues above the river Seignelay. "Twenty-four leagues above (the Wisconsin river), you come to the Black river, called by the Nadouessious, or Issate ( the modern Sioux ) Cliabadeba, or Chabaoudeba ; it seems incon- siderable. Thirty leagues higher up, yon find the lake of Tears ( Lake Pepin ), which we so named, because the Indians who had taken us, wishing to kill us, some of them wept the whole night to induce the other's to consent to our death. This lake which is formed by the river Colbert is seven leagues long and about four wide ; there is no considerable current in the middle that we could perceive, but only at its entrance and exit. Half a league below the lake of Tears, on the south side, is Buffalo river (the Chippewa), full of turtles. It is so called by the Indians on account of the num- bers of buffalo found there. We followed it for ten or twelve leagues ; it empties with rapidity into the river Colbert, but as you ascend it, it is always gentle and free from rapids. It is skirted by mountains, far enough off in some places to form prairies. The mouth HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. is wooded on both sides, and is full as wide as the Seignelay. " Forty leagues above is a river ( St. Croix ) full of rapids, by which, striking northwest, you can proceed to Lake Conde (Lake Supei'ior) as far as Minissakouat river ( the St. Louis), which empties into that lake. The first river (St. Croi.x) is called Tomb river, because the Issati left there the body of one of their warriors, killed by a rattle snake, on whom according to their custom, I put a blanket. This act of humanity gained me much impor- tance by the gratitude displayed by tlie men of the deceased's tribe, in a great banquet which tliey gave me in their country, and to which more than 100 Indians were invited." KXPEDITIDX OF ini.UTH. The next expedition independent of that of Accau, .and doirn the Mississipjii from the St. Croix to the Wisconsin river, and, therefore, along the western border of what is now Vernon county, was that of Daniel Greysolon Du Lhnt, generally known as Dulutli. He and some companions, in I ()80, made tlie journey across from Lake Superior to the Mississippi, by way of Bois Hrule river and the Si. Croix. Upon reaching the Mississip])i, he learned the fact that some Freni-hmen had passed up and had been robbt-d and carried olf by the Sioux. This was Ace iu and liis party. These, however, he finally induced the Indian.s to liberate, and the whr)le party floated down the river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, returning by that stream to Mackinaw. THE MISSISSIPPI VISITED IJV LE SUEUK. Le Sueur, a Frenchman, passed up the Missis- sippi from the month of the Wisconsin in 168:^; but of this voyage we have no account, only that he was on his way to tlie Sioux country. PEKROT's voyage to THE WEST. Nicholas Perrot was the next to asceinl the Mississippi ; and his was the fourth expedi- tion that had floated along the western border of what is now Vernon county. This was in l(iS4. Perrot had been a))pointed by the gov- ernor of Canada to command in the west, leaving Montreal with twenty men. His object was the establishing of a post on the Missis- sippi. He proceeded from the St. Lawrence to Green bay, and up the Fox river to the portage; thence down the Wisconsin and up the Missis- sippi to Lake Pepin, on the east side of which, near its month, he erected a stockade. The next year he prevented with a good deal of difficulty the capture of his post by the Fox Indians and their allies. He passed the winter of 16S.5-6 in his stockade, and then returned to G-reen bay by the same route traveled by him when going out. In 16S8 he again ascended the Mississippi from the mouth of the Wiscon- sin to the mouth of the St. Peters, and returned by the same route to Green bay. This ended the explorations of Perrot in the valley of the Mississippi. LE SUEUR A(iAIN ON rHK MISSISSIPPI. In the year 1700 the fifth explorer ascended the Mississippi. His name was Le Sueur, the same who had seventeen years before teen among the Sioux. B^rom the 1st of September until the .5th he advanced but fourteen leagues. It is probable he landed several times in what is now Vernon county. Le Sueur was the last to ascend the Mississippi until 1727, when Sieur LaPerriere attempted a renewal of the fur trade which the governor of Canada had re- solved to abandon west of Mackinaw, some time previous. I, A PERRIEEE BUIL1>S A KURT UN LAKE PEPIX. "Fort Beauharnais," on Lake Pepin, was erected by LaPerriere, but it was not long oc- cupied as a military post. The same year, a Jesuit missionary, Louis Ignatius Gnignas, at- tempted to found a mission among the Sioux on the upper Mississippi, passing up the river for that purpose to Fort Beauharnais, but it proved a failure. He was on the Mississippi again in 17'i6, and at Lake Pepin, with M. de St. i'ii'rre, but of his latter voyage little i- kninvn. From this time until the war of 175.5- Vproach near to it, in others lie at a greater distance. The land betwixt the moun- tains, and on their sides, is generally covered with grass, witli a few groves of trees inter- spersed, near which large droves of deer and elk are frequently seen feeding. In many places pyramids of rocks appeared, resembling old ruinous towers; at otiiers amazing preci- pices, and what is very remarkable, whilst this scene presented itself on one side, the opposite side of the same mountain was covered with the finest herbage, which gradually ascended to its summit. From thence the most beautiful and extensive prospect that imagination can form opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful meadows, numerous islands, and all these abounding with a variety of trees that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation, such as the nut-tree, the maple which produces sugar, vines loaded with rich grapes, and plum trees bending under their blooming burdens; but above all, the fine river flow- ing gently beneath, and reaching as far as the eye can extend, by turns attract your attention and excite your wonder." It was nearly forty years subsequent to Car- ver's visit before the Mississippi was ascended by any one who left a record of his journey. In 1805 Major Z. M. Pike made a reconnoi- sance up the river. We give his description of what he saw as he passed from a point just below the mouth of the Wisconsin up to -'a prairie called La Cross:" "September 4th, 1805, Wednesday. — Break- fasted just below the mouth of the Wisconsin. Arrived at the Prairie Les Chiens about I 1 o'clock; took quarters at Capt. Fisher's, and were politely received by him and Mr. Frazer. "September 5th, Thursday. — Embarked about half past 10 o'clock in a Schenectady boat, to go to the mouth of the Wisconsin, in order to take the latitude, and look at the situation of the adjacent hills for a post. Was accompanied by Judge Fisher, Mr. Frazer and Mr. Wo( ds. We ascended the hill on the west side of the Mississippi, and made a choice of a spot which I thought most eligible, being level on the top, having a spring in the rear, and commanding a view of the country around. A shower of rain 1 came on which wet us, and we returned to the i village without having ascended the Wisconsin I as we intended. Marked four trees with A, 15, i C, D, and squared the sides of one in the center. i Wrote to the General. "Sei)tember 6th, Friday.— Had a small council with the Puants and Winnebagoes; and a chi«f 90 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. of the lo^vcr band of the Sioux. Visited and laid out a position for a post, on a hill called Petit Gris, on the Wisconsin, three miles above its mouth. Mr. Fisher accompanied me; was taken very sick, in consequence of drinking some water out of the Wisconsin. The Puaiits never have any white interpreters, nor have the Fols Avoin (Menomonee) Nation. In my coun- cil I spoke to a Frenchman, he to a Sioux, who interpreted to some of the Puants. "September 7th, Saturday. — My men beat all the villagers hopping and jumping. Began to load my new boats. "September 8th., Sunday. — Embarked at half past 11 o'clock in two batteaux. The wind fair and fresh. I found myself very much embarrassed and cramped, in my new boat'',with provision and baggage. I embarked two in- terpreters, one to perform the whole voyage, whose name was Pierre Rosseau, and the other named Joseph ReinuUe, paid by Mr. Frazer to accompany me as high as the Falls of St. Anthony. Mr. Frazer is a young gentleman, clerk to Mr. Blakely, of Montreal; he was born in Vermont, but has latterly resided in Canada. To the attention of this gentleman 1 am much indebted; he procured for me everything in his power that I stood in need of; dispatched his bark canoes and remained himself to go on with me. His design was to winter with some of the Sioux bands. We sailed well, came eighteen miles and encamped on the west bank. I must not omit here to bear testi- mony to the politeness of all the principal inhabitants of the village. There is, however, a material distinction lo be made in the nature of those attentions. The kindness of Messrs. Fisher, Frazer and Woods (all Americans), seemed to be the spontaneous effusions of good will, and partiality to their countrymen; it ex- tended to the accomodation, convenience, exer- cises and pastimes of my men; and whenever they proved superior to the French openly showed their pleasure. But the French Canadians appeared attentive, rather from their natural good manners, the sincere friendship; however, it produced from them the same effect that natural good-will did in others. "September 9th, Monday. — Embarked early. Dined at Cape Garlic, or at Garlic river, after which we came on to an island on the east side about live miles below the river Iowa, and encamped. Rained before sunset. Distance twenty-eight miles. "September 10th, Tuesday. — Rain still con- tinuing, we remained at onr camp. Having shot at some pigeons, the report was heard at the Sioux lodges; when La Yieulle sent down six of his young men to inform me that he had waited three days with meat, etc., but last night they had began to drink, and, that on the next day he would receive me with his people sober. I returned him for answer, that the season was advanced, that time was pressing, and that if the rain ceased, I must go on. Mr. Frazer and the interpreter went home with the Indians. We embarked about 1 o'chick. Frazer returning, informed me that the chief acquiesed in my reasons for pressing forward, but that he had prepared a pipe (by way of letter) to present me, to show to all the Sioux above, with a message to inform them that I was a chief of their new fathers, and that he wished me to be treated with friendshiji and respect. * * * We embarked about half past 3 o'clock, cime three miles and encamped on the west side. Mr. Frazer we left behind, but he came up with his two peroques about dusk. It commenced raining very hard. In the night a peroque arrived from the lodges at his camp. During our stay at their camp, there were soldiers appointed to keep the crowd from my boats. At my departure their soldiers said: As I had shaken hands with their chief, they must shake hands with my soldiers. In wliicli request I willingly indulged them. "September llth, Wednesday. Embarked at 7 o'clock, although raining. Mr. Frazer's HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 91 (^anoes also came on until 9 o'clock. Stopped for breakfast, and made a fire. Mr. Frazer staid with me, and finding his peroques not quite able to keep up, he dispatched them. We em- barked; came on until near 6 o'clock, and en- camped on the west side. Saw nothing of his peroques, after they left us. Supposed to have come sixteen miles this day. Rain and co'd winds, ail day ahead. Tlie river has never been clear of islands since I left Prairie Les Chien. I ab.solutely believe it, here, to be two miles wide. Hills, or rather prairie knobs, on both sides. "September 12th, Tluirsday. It raining very hard in the morning, we did not embark until 10 o'clock. Mr. Frazer's peroques then com- ing up. It was still raining, and was very cold. Passed the Racine river, also a prairie called La Cross, from a game of ball played frequently on it by the Sioux Indians. This prairie is very handsome, it has a small square hill, similar to some mentioned by Carver. It is bounded in the rear, by hills similar to the Prairie Les Chien. On this prairie Mr. Frazer showed me some holes, dug by the Sioux, when in expecta- tion of an attack into which they first put their women and children, and then crawl them- selves. They were generally round, and about ten feet in diameter; but some were half moons and quite a breastwork. This I understood was the chief work, which was the principle redoubt. Their modes of constructing are, the moment they apprehend, or discover, an enemy on a praiiic, they commence digging with their knives, tomahawks and a wooden ladle; and in an incredibly shoit space of time, they have a iiole sufficiently deep to cover themselves and their family, from the balls or arrows of the (Mieniy. They have no idea of taking those sub- terraneous redoubts by storm; as they would probably lose a great number of men in the attack; and although they might be successful ill tiic event, it would be (considered a very im- priidciil action. Mr. Frazer finding his canoes not able to keep up, staid at this prairie to or- ganize one of ihem, intending then, to over- take us." [observations by maj. pike.] "The\illage of the Prairie Les Chiens is situ- ated about one league above the mouth of tlie Wisconsin river. * * * * Tijg prairie on which the village is situated is bounded in the rear by high bald hills. It is from one mile to three-quarters of a mile from the river, and ex- tends about eight miles from the Mississippi, to where it strikes the Wisconsin at the Petit Grey, which bears from the village southeast by east. * * * From the village to Lake Pepin, we have, on the west shore, first Yellow river, of about twenty yards wide, bearing from the Mississippi nearly due west. Second the Iowa river, about 100 yards wide, bearing from liie Mississippi about northwest. Third, the Racine river, about twenty yards wide, bearing from the Mississippi nearly west, and navigable for canoes sixty miles. Fourth, the rivers Enii):u ra and L'Eau Claire, which joins their waters just as they form a confluence with the Mississippi, and are about sixty yards wide, and bear nearly soutliwest. "On the east shore, in the same distance, is the river de la Prairie la Cross, which empties into the Mississippi, at the head of the prairie of that name. It is about twenty yards wide, and bears north north-west. "We then meet with the Black river. * * * * In this division of the Mississippi the shores are more than three-fourths prairie on both sides, or, more properly speaking, bald hills, which, instead of running parallel with the river, form a continual succession of higli perpendicular cliffs and low valleys; they aji- pear to head on the river, and to transverse the country in an angular direction. 'I't'ose hills and valleys give rise to some of the most sub- lime and romantic views I ever saw. But tliis irregular scenery is sometimes interrupted by a wide extended plain, which brings to mind the 92 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. verdant lawn of civilized life, and would almost ] After the expedition of Maj. Pike, voyages induce the traveler to imagine himself in the | up the river soon became common and the pub- center of a highly cultivated plantation. The j lished naratives of them are numerous; but noth- timber of this division is generally birch, elm | ing is elicited in such as have been examined and Cottonwood, all the cliffs being bordered ; that is of particular importance not elsewhere by cedar." given in this history. CHAPTER V THE WINNEBAGO WAR. During the winter of 1825-6, there were con- fined in the guard house of Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, because of some alleged dis- honest act, two Winnebago Indians. In Octo- ber, 1826, the fort was abandoned and the gar- rison removed to Fort Snelling. The com- mandant took with him the two Winnebagoes. During the spring of 1827, the reports about the two Indians, around Prairie du Chien, was to the effect that they had been killed. It was soon apparent that a spirit of enmity between the tribe and the settlers in southwestern Wis- consin was effectually stirred up. In addition to this, were the daily encroachments of miners in the lead region; for these miners had, by this time, overrun the mining country from Galena to the Wisconsin river. Finally the difficulties led to an open rupture. MURDER OF GAGNIER AND LIPCAP. On the 28th of June, 1827, two Winnebago Indians, Red Bird and We-Kaw and three of their companions, entered the house of Rigeste Gagnier, about two miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained several hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird leveled his gun and shot him dead on his hearthstone. A person in the building by the name of Lipcap, who was a hired man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier turned to fly with her infant of eigh- teen months. As she was about to leap through the window, the child was torn from her arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped and thrown vio- lently on the floor as dead. The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when she snatched up a gun that was leaning against the wall, and presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape. Her eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers, and they both arrived in the village at the same time. The alarm was soon given; but, when the avengers of blood arrived at Gagnier's house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled infant. It was carried to the village, and, in- credible as it may seem, it recovered. A WINNEBAGO DEBAtTCH. Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from the scene of their crime to the rendezvous of their band. During their ab- sence, thirty-seven of the warriors who ac- knowledged the authority of Red Bird, liad as- sembled with their wives and children, near the mouth of the Bad Ax river in what is now Vernon county. They received the murderers with joy and loud approbations of their exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set abroach, and the Indians began to drink and as their spirits rose, to boast of what they had al- ready done and intended to do. They continued their revel for two days, but on the third tha HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 93 source of their excitement gave out — their liquor was gone. They were, at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in the scalp-dance, when lliey de- scried one of the keel-boats, which had a few days before passed up the river with provisions for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return, in charge of Mr. Lindsay. Forthwith, a pro- posal to take her and massacre the crew was made and carried by acclamation. They counted on doing this without risk, for they had exam- ined her on her way up and supposed there were no arms on board. But in this they were mistaken as the sequel shows. FIRST BATTLE OF BAD AX. There were indications of hostilities on the part of the Sioux on the upper Mississippi, and the boats when they left Fort Snelling had been supplied with arms. In descending the river they expected an attack at Wabashaw, where the Sioux were dancing the war dance, and hailed their approach with insults and menaces, but did not offer to attack the boats, or obstruct their passage. The whites now supposed the danger over, and, a strong wind at that moment beginning to blow up stream, the boats parted company. So strong was the wind that all the force of the sweeps could scarcely stem it; and by the time the foremost boat was near the en- campment, at the mouth of the Had Ax, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One i>rtwo Frenchmen, or half-breeds, who were on board observed hostile appearances on shore, anis return to the army under Gen. Atkinson, in its march from the mouth of the Pecatonica to Lake Koshkonong, where he found the Sac chief had eluded him. The recital is best given in the words of one who was in tlie army at the time and marched under Atkinson : "The 30th of June, 1832, we passed through the Turtle village [now the city of Beloit, Rock Co., Wis.,] which is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was deserted. We- marched on about a mile and encamped on the open prairie near enough to Rock river to get water from it. We here saw very fresh signs of the Sac In- dians, where they had apparently been fisliing on that day. Gen. Atkinson believed we were close to them and apprehended an attack that night. The sentinels fired several times, and \vc were as often paraded and prepared to receive the enemy, but they never came, thougli from the accounts given by the sentinels to the offi- cers of the day, there was no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the camp." "July 1. — We had not marched but two or three miles l)efore an Indian was seen across Rock river at some distance off, on a very higli prairie, which, no doubt was a spy, and likely was one that hail been pnjwling about our en- campment the night before. We proceeded a few miles further, and came to the place where the Indians, \vli<> had taken the two Misses Hall prisoners, had staid for several days ( near the site of the i)resentcity of Janesville ). It was a strong position where they could have with stood a very powerful force. We afterward discovered they always encamped in such places. We had not marched but a few miles from this place before one of our front scouts came back meeting the army in great haste, and stated that they had discovered a fresh trail of Indian."!, where they had just gone along in front of us. Maj. Ewing, who was in front of the main army some distance, immediately formed his men inline of battle, and marched in that order in advance of the main army, about three-quarters of a mile. We had a very thick wood to march through, where the under- growth stood very high and thick ; the signs looked very fresh, and we expected every step to be fired upon from llie thickets. We marched in this order ab )ut two miles, not stopping for the unevenness of the ground or anything else, but keeping in line of battle all the time, until we found the Indians had scattered ; then we resumed our common line of march, whic was in three divisions. Soon after we had formed into three divisions, the friendly Indians that were with us raised an alarm, by seven or eight of them shooting at a deer, some little in ad- vance of the army. The whole army here formed for actioti ; but it was soon ascertained that these children of the forest had been at what their whole race seems to have been born for, shooting at the beasts of the woods. " We hero encamped by a small lake (Storr's) this night, and had to drink the water, which was very bad, but it was all that could be found. Here a very bad accident happened. One of the sentinels, mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket wrapped around him, for an Inilian, shot him just below the groin, in the thick of the thigh. At tir.st the wound was thought mortal. I understood before I left the army, that the man was nearly well. Here Gen. Atkinson had, on this night, breastworks thrown up, which was easily done, as we were encamped in thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution wiiich went to show that he set a great deal by the lives of his men, and by no means was any mark of cowardice ; for 98 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. generalship consists more in good management than anything else. "July 2. — We started this morning at the usual time, but went only a few miles before Maj. Ewing, who was still in front with his battalion (of scouts), espied a very fresh trail, making off at about a left angle. He dis- patched ten men from the battalion, in com- pany with Capt. George Walker and a few Indians, to pursue it and see, if possible, where it went to. He moved on in front of his bat- talion a short distance further, when be came to the main Sac trail of Black Hawk's whole army, which appeared to be about two days old. Capt. Early, who commanded a volunteer in- dependent company, and had got in advance this morning, called ahalt; so did Maj. Ewing with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent back one of his staff officers for the main army to call a halt for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Anderson, of the Infantry, Capt. Early and Jonathan H. Pugh, went a little in advance, when Maj Anderson, with a telescope, took a view across the lake; as we had now got to Lake Koshkonong. [The army entered what is now Jefferson county, very neaily where, in going north, its south line is crossed by tlie Chicago & Northwestern Railway. The trail, after leaving the southeast (juarter of section 35, in township o north, of range 13 east, van nearly due north to the southeast corner of section '26, in the same township and range, where the army reached the lake in what is now the town of Koshkonong]. They then discovered tliree Indians apparently in their canoes. "Maj. Ewing went himself and informed Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, and - requested Gen. Atkinson to let him take his battalion round through a narrow defile that was between two of those lakes, where we sup- posed the Indians were. By tiiistime our scouts, who had taken the trail that led off on our left, returned, bringing with them five white men's scalps. They followed the Indian trail until it took them to a large Indian encampment that they had left a few days before. They reached it ; the scalps were sticking against some of the wigwams ; some of them were identified ; but I do not recollect the names of any, except one, which was said to be an old gentlemen by the name of Hall. "Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion about a mile, where the pass on the side of the lake appeared so narrow that he dismounted his men and had the horses all tied, and a few men left to guard them. The rest of us marched on foot about one mile through a narrow defile on the (east) bank of the Koshkonong Lake. This was considered a dangerous procedure, but Maj. Ewing, who was in front with Maj. Anderson, would have been first in danger. He now found that we were getting too far in advance of our horses ; so Maj. Ewing sent a part of the men back for them. When we mounted our horses, we were joined by Capt. Early and his independent corps. We then marched some distance around the (Kosh- konong) lake and went in between two of them, in a narrow defile until we found another deserted encampment. We now saw clearly that the Indians were gone from the Koshko- nong lake ; so, the next thing to be done was to find in which direction they had steered their course. Gen. Atkinson having been re-enforced by Gen. Alexander, took up his line of march, ar- riving at the burnt village on the 6th of July. That evening. Gen. Posey's brigade, in com- pany with Col. Dodge's squadron, joined Atkin- son. Col. John Ewing and his regiment came within a mile and a half of the main army and encamped. On the 10th, Gen. Atkinson sent Col. Kwing with his regiment down Rock river to Dixon's; Gen. Posey, with the rest of his brigade, was dispatched to Fort Hamilton; while Col. Henry and his brigade, Gen. Alex- ander's brigade and Col. Dodge's squadron were sent to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 99 Columbia Co., Wis., for provisions. Atkinson dropped down a short distance from the burnt village and built a stockade fort, which he called Fort Koshkonong. It was located on the south side of Rock river 11 the eastern outskirts of the present village of Fort Atkinson, Jeffer- son Co., Wis. Alexander returned from Fort Winnebago by the direct route, while Dodge and Henry took a more easterly one, striking Rock river at a point where there was a small Winnebago village, now Hustisford, Dodge Co., which point was reached July 18th. Infor- mation was here obtained that Black tlawk was at Cranberry Lake, farther up the river. This was believed to be reliable, and an express was started down the stream at once, to inform Gen. Atkinson of the Sac chief's whereabouts. 'J'he express came very unexpectedly, at a distance not more than eight miles from the starting point, upon the trail of Black Hawk, making his way down the river. The express returned to the army with the news, and the next morning, July 19th, the pursuit began. HLACK HAWK PURSUED TO THB WISCONSI.N. In the march in pursuit of the enemy, the Americans crossed the Crawfish near what is now Azlalan, in Jefferson Co., Wis., and were of course soon in what is now Dane county. But the account of themarch i.s best told by one who participated in the pursuit: •'July 19, 1832. — This day we had for about twelve miles, the worst kind of a road. Tn look at it appeared impossible to march an army llnough it. Thickets and swami)s of the wor.-.! kind we had to go through, but the men had Nomelliitig now to stimulate them. Tliey >iaw the Sac trail fresh before them, and the prospect of bringing our campaign to n end. 'IMicre was no murmuring, no excuses made, none getting on the sick report. If we came to a swamp that our iiorses were not able to carry U.S through, we dismounted, turned our horses before us and stepped in ourselves, sometimes ui> to our arm-pits in mud and water. In this way we marched witii great celerity. In the evening of this day, it commenced thnndering, lightening and raining tremendously. We stopped not, but pushed on. The trail appeared to be still getting fresher and the ground better, which still encouraged us to overcome every difficulty found in the way. It continued rain- ing until dark, and, indeed, until after dark. We now saw the want of our tents, a great number of us having left this necessary article behind in the morning, in order to favor our horses. "The rain ceased before day, and it turned cold and chilly. In the morning we rose early, at the well-known sound of the bugle, and pre- pared in a very'short time our rude breakfast, dried our clothes a little, and by 7 o'clock (July •20th), were on the march at a quick pace. On this day, some of our scouts took an Indian as a prisoner. On examination, he was found to be a Winnebago. He stated that Black Hawk was but a little distance ahead of us, and that he hid seen some of his party not more than two miles ahead. But it was a bad piece of conduct on our part that this Indian was not kept as a prisonei of war, but was set at liberty- and let go, no doubt, that he might inform the Sacs of our pursuit. "We halted and the order of battle was formed, as we expected we would overtake tliem this evening. The order was as follows : Gen. Dodge and Maj. Ewing were to bring on the battle. Maj. Ewing was jilaced in the center with his spy battallion, Capt. Gentry and Capt. Clark's companies on our right, and Capt Camp and Capt. Parkinson on our left. Our own battalion (Maj. Ewing's) was reduced to two companies (as Capt. Wells and his company had been left at Fort Dixon); Capt. Lindsey, of our own battallion, was placed on the right and Capt. Huston's company on the left: Col. Fry and his regiment on the right, and Col. Jones, with his regiment, on the left, and Col. Collins in the center. In this order we marclicd in quick time, with all possible speed, in hope that we would overtake the enemy on that 100 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. evening. We were close to the Four Lakes [in what is now Dane Co., Wis.,] and we wished to come up with tlieni before they couhl reach that place, as it was known to be a stronghold for the Indians; but the day was not long enough to accomplish this desirable object. "We reached the first of the Four Lakes [now kaown as Lake Monona, or Third Lake,] about sundown. Gen. Henry here called a halt and consulted with Pouquet [Peter Pauquette], our pilot, as to the country we were appi-oaching. Pouquet, who was well acquainted with this country, told him he could not get through af- ter night; that we had to march close to the margin of the lake for some distance, as the un- derwood stood so thick one man could not see another ten steps. Gen. Henry concluded to encamp here until the break of day. Gen. Dodge sent Capt. Di-xon on ahead with a few men to see if they could make any discovery of the enemy, who returned in a very short time and stated that they had seen the enemy's rear guard about one mile and a half distant. Gen. Henry gave strict orders for every man to tie up his horse, so as to be ready to start as soon as it was daylight. The order was strictly obeyed; and after we took our frugal supper all re- tired to rest except those who liad to mount guard, for we had marched a great way that day, and many were still wet by the rain that fell the preceding night; but being very much fatigued, we were all soon lost in sleep except those on guard. "July 21, at the break of day, the bugle sounded, and all were soon up and in a few minutes had breakfast ready, and, after taking a little food, we mounted our horses and again commenced the pursuit. We soon found that the pilot had told us no lie, for we found the country that the enemy was leading us into to be worse, if possible, than what he told us. We could turn neither to the right nor left, but were compelled to follow the trail the Indians had made, and that, too, for a great distance at the edge of the water of the lake. We had not marched more than five miles before Dr. Phil- leo came back, meeting us, with the scalp of an Indian. He had been on ahead with the front scouts, and came on this Indian, who had been left as a rear guard to watch our movements. 'I here were several shots fired at him about the same time, and I suppose all hit him from the number of bullet holes that were in him; but Dr. Philleo had scalped him, so he was called Philleo's Indian, which reminds me of the hunters: 'He who draws the first blood is en- titled to the skin, and the remainder to the car- cass, if there are several in the chase,' which was the case at this time." Leaving our journalist for a moment, we will describe the particulars of the march from the time the Catfish creek, or rather the Yahara as it is legally called, was reached until the army left the Fourth lake, the most northerly of the Four lakes, properly called Lake Mendota. In the timber skirting the Yahara, the Americans overtook the rear guard of the flying foe, where an Indian was wounded, who crept away and hid himself in the thick willows where he died. A scouting party of fourteen men was sent for- ward and preceded the main body about two miles. When they arrived at the point now the site of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, an Indian was seen coming up from the water's edge, who seated himself upon the bank, appar- ently indifferent to his fate. In a moment after his body was pierced with bullets, one of which passed in at the temple and out of the back part of his head. On examination, it was found that he was sitting upon a newly made grave, probably that of his wife, who had perhaps died of fatigue, hunger and exhaustion, and her dis- consolate companion had resolved to await the advancing foe and die there also. The trail was followed around the southern end of Lake Mendota (or Fourth lake), passing a little north of what is now the Capital Park, and along the lake across the University grounds. A few miles brought them to what appeared an ad- mirable position for a battle field with natural HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 101 defenses and places of ambush. It had been chosen by the enemy and liere they had lain apparently the previous night. This spot was afterward laid out as the City of Four Lakes. It is about three-fourths of a mile north of the present village of Pheasant Branch, in Dane county. We now return to the journal, from which we broke off to relate tliese |)artieulars. "I5ut I am not done with Dr. Philleo yet. I will show you that he is a good soldier, and iomething of an Indian tighter. The signs now began to get very fresh, and we mended our pace very much. We had not proceeded more than ten or fifteen miles further before our fighting doctor ran afoul of two more Indians; he showed his l)ravoryl)y assisting to kill them. I suppose he killed one, and Mr. Sample Jour- ney the other, so there was a scalp for each. Hut one of those miserable wretches sold his life as dear as possible. lie, in the act of fall- ing, after he «as shot, tired and shot three balls into a gentleman who himself was in the act of shooting at him. The ba Is were all small; one went through his thigh, one through his leg, and tiie other thi-ougli his foot. I am sorry I have forgotten the gentleman's name; he be- longed to Gen. Dodge's squadron. "We now doubled our spee(I, all were anx- ious to press forward, and as our horses were nearly worn out, we carried nothing, only what was actually necessary for us to eat; camp ket- tles and many such articles were thrown away. The trail was now literally, in many places, strewed with Indian trinkets, such as mats, ket- tles, etc., which plainly told us that they knew we were in pursuit. We, loo, saw from the face of the country that we were drawing close to the Wisconsin river, and our object was to overtake them before they reached it; so now wc went as fist as our horses were able to carry us. But this was too severe for ourpoor iiorses; they began to give out. But even this did not stop a man. Whenever a horse gave out, the rider would dismount, throw off his saddle and bridle and pursue on foot, in a run, without a murmur. I think the number of horses left this day was about forty. The rear guard of the enemy began by this time (about 3 o'clock p. M.) to make feint stands; and as the timber stood thick, we did not know but what the whole army of Black Hawk was forming for action; in consequence of which we got down and formed as often as twice, before we found out that their object was to keep us back until they could gain some strong position to fight from. Our front scouts now determined Hot to be deceived any more; but the next they came to, they stopped not for their feigned maneu- ver, but pursued them to the main body of the enemy. They returned to us in great haste and informed Gen. Henry that the Indians were forming for action. BATTLE OP WISCONSIN HEIGHTS. "We all dismounted in an instant. The line of battle was then formed in the same order that It had been laid ofl^ the preceding day, Gen. Dodge's corps and Maj. E wing's spy bat- talion still in front. The horses were left and every fourth man detailed to hold them; which gave seven horses to each man to hold. We had scarcely time to form on foot before the Indians raised the war-whoop, screaming and yelling fu- riously, and rushed forward meeting us with a heavy charge. Gen. Dodge aiul Maj. Henry met them also with a heavy charge, whicli firoduced a Iialton the part of the enemy. Our men then openeil a treraemlous volley of musketry upon them, and accompanied it with the most terrific yells that ever came from the head of mortals, e.xce|)t from the savages themselves. They could not stand this. They now tried their well known prac'tico of flanking; but here they w-ere headed again by the brave Col. Jones and his regiment, who were on our left, where he met them in the most fearless manner, and opened a heavy fire upon them. Col. Fry was placed on the extreme right. They tried his line, but were soon repulsed. Their strong position was on the left, or near the center, wliere Cols. Jones, Dodge and Ewing kept up 102 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. a constant fire upon them for something like half an hour. "The enemy here had a strong position. They had taken shelter in some very high grass, where thej could lie down and load and be entirely out of sight. After fighting them in this posi- tion for at least thirty minutes, during which time Col. Jones had his horse shot from under him, and one of his men killed and several wounded, Cols. Dodge, Ewing and Jones all requested Gen. Henry to let them charge upon them at the point of the bayonet, which Gen. Henry readily assented to, and gave the order 'Charge!' which was obeyed by both men and officers in a most fearless manner. All were in- tent upon the charge. We had to charge up a rising piece of ground. When we got on the top, we then fired perfectly abreast. They could not stand this. They had to quit their hiding- place, and made good their retreat. When they commenced retreating we killed a great num- ber. "Their commander, who, it was said, was Napope, was on a white pony on the top of a mountain in the rear of his Indians; he certainly had one of the best voices for command I ever heard. He kept up a constant yell, until his men began to retreat, when he was heard no more. Col. Collins was kept, during the en- gagement, in the rear as a reserve, and to keep the enemy from flanking and coming in upon us in the rear, which was a very good arrange- ment of Gen. Henry. It was now nearly sun- down and still raining, as it had been all the evening, but so slow that we made shift to keep our g(ins dry. The enemy retreated toward the river with considerable speed. .The ground they were retreating to, appeared to be low and swampy, and on the bank of the river there -ip- peared to be a heavy body of timber, which the ( iiemy could reach before we could bring them I'l another stand. So Gen. Henry concluded not to pursue them any further that night, but remain on the battle ground until next morning, and then he would not be in danger of losing so many of his men, knowing that in the dark, he would have to lose a ntimber; for the Indians would have the timber to fight from while we would have to stand in the open prairie. [The battle ground was on the east side of the north- east quarter of section 24, in what is now the town of Mazomanie, Dane Co., Wis.] "Next morning, July 22, the troops were pa- raded and put in battle order on foot, except Col. Fry's regiment, and took up the line of march to the river, leaving Col. Collins' regi- ment to guard the horses and baggage, and take care of the wounded. We marched down to the river, which was about one mile and a half off; but, before we reached the banks, we had a very bad swamp to go through, fifty or sixty yards on this side the timber, which stood very high on the bank of the river. We now saw- that Gen. Henry had acted very prudently. If he had attempted to follow them the evening before, he would have lost a great many of his men. When we got to the bank, we found they had made their retreat across the river during the night, leaving a great many articles of trumphery behind. We also saw a good deal of blood, where their wounded had bled. We now returned to the camp, seeing there was no chance to follow them this day aross the river. "We, in this battle (known in history as the Battle of Wisconsin Heights), were very fortu- nate, indeed. We had only one man killed and eight wounded; and we have learned since the battle that we killed sixty-eight of the enemy (but Black Hawk declared afterward that he lost only fix), and wounded a considerable num- ber, twenty-five of whom they report died soon after the battle. W^e now were nearly out of prot'isions, and to take up the line of march against them, in the condition our horses were in, told us plainly that we would suffer for something to eat before we could get it. We buried the brave young man, who was killed, with the honors of war. It was stated that he had just shot down an Indian, when he received the mortal wound himself. His name was John HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 103 Short, and he belonged to Capt. Briggs' company from Randolph Co., 111. He had a brother and a brothei-in-law in tlie same company, who witnessed his consignment to the mother earth. Tiie wounded weie all well examined and none pronounced mortal. We continued this day on the battle ground and prepared litters for the wounded to be carried on. We spent this day in a more cheerful manner than we iiad done anj' other day since we had been on the cam- paign. We felt a little satisfaction for our toils, and thought we had, no doubt, destroyed a number of the very same monsters that had so lately been imbruing their hands with the blood of our fair sex — the helpless mother and un- offending inf;int. VVe dried our (•lothes, which then liad been wet for several days. This day we spent in social chat between men and officers. There were no complaints made; ail had fought bravely; each man praised his officers; and all paaised our general. Late in the even- ing, some of our men, who liarown in October, 1846, assisted by William H. Weidman, William Higgins, Joseph E. B'ales, Joel M. Smith, cliain- men, John M. Smith, Reuben W. Ford, mark- ers. The surveyor says : "Timber almost uni- ver.sally black and white oak; some of it very good; some elm; Lincoln and ash in northeast corner on Raccoon creek. There are many fine 112 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. springs of pure water, plenty of deer and grouse." Township 13 north, range 5 west (northern and central part of Jefferson), was surveyed July, 1845, by Samuel D. Dixon, assisted by Napoleon Graham, B. C. Russell, chainmen, and James Bailey, Eli Derr, markers. Township 12 north, range 5 west (sections 1-9, 16-18, of the southern part of Jefferson, 10-15, 22-27, 34-36, the northwestern and cen- tral part of Franklin, 19-21, 28-33, the north eastern part of Sterling), was surveyed in 1846 by A. E. Wiiiteside, deputy surveyor, assisted by U. Gales, B. L. Eaton, cliainmen, and A. Hetzler, marker. Mr. Whiteside's notes are as follows : "The soil of this township is third-rate, rough, hilly and broken, sparsely timbered with black and white oat. There is, however, in tiie southeast corner a small portion of beautifully undulated prairie, second rate soil, and fit for cultivation. Tiie township is well watered by the finest quality of springs; tups of the highest hills are covered with rocks, flint and iron rust." Township 1 1 north, range 5 west (sections 1-3, 10- 5, the southwestern part of Franklin; 4-9, 16-18, the southern part of Sterling), was surveyed July, 1843, by A. L. Haren, assisted byC. C. Carter, Austin Wilder, chainmen, and Louis Davis, marker. Notes of the surveyor: '•The surface of this township, with the excep- tion of afew sections in the southwestern part and sections 24 and 25, in the eastern part, is r(jlling, first-rate land. The soil is sandy loam, excepting the prairie; it is thickly timbered and biusliy. The eastern part is watered by spring brooks, which run into the Kickapoo river. Tlie southwestern part of the township is very broken, well timbered and watered by streams of pure water, which run into the Mississippi." Township 14 north, range 6 west (Hamburg), surveyed by A. L. Brown October, 1846, as- sisted by William H. Weidman, William Ilig- gins, Joseph Fales, Joel Higgins, chainmen, and John M. Smith, Reuben W. Ford, mark- ers. "The best land in this township," says the surveyor, "is in the third bottoms (so- called) on Raccoon creek, which are located about forty feet above the creek, are dry and level. Other parts of this bottom are much lower, and where not marshy subject to inun- dations. After leaving the bluffs on the north side of the creek the land is a high, rolling ridge; in some places well timbered, and gen- erally second-rate. Some of the long ravines which make toward the creek are well adapted to cultivation, with timber convenient and the purest water. The cliffs are generally about 250 to 300 feet high, terminating toward Rac- coon creek in precipices of sandstone in almost every picturesque form imaginable. Along the sides of the steepest hills may be found many curious silicious and calcareous formations, but no appearances of anything more valuable." Township 13 north, range 6 west, (main part of Harmony ) was surveyed by N. C. Whiteside, assisted by U. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chainman and A. Hetzler marker. Notes : "This township in general is hilly and broken, the soil third rate and poor. There is however a portion of it on the north and a small por- tion on the south, rolling and second rate and well supplied with white and black oak timber. The remainder of the timber on the hills is scattering burr, white, black and jack oak. The river through this township affords many valu- able hydraulic ])rivileges, and is abundantly supplied with fine fresh water, springs out- breaking from the base of the hills." Township 12 north, range 6 west, (sections 1-4, and northern half of 9-12, is the southern part of Harmony; 5-8 and 17 and 20, is the eastern part of Genoa ; 29-31 the northeastern part of Wheatland ; southern half of 9-12 and sections 13-16, 21-28, 33-36, the northwestern and central part of Sterling). — This township was surveyed by N. E. Whiteside, in 1845. He was assisted by U. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chain- men, A. Hetzler, marker. " Tliis township," says Mr. Whiteside, "as regards its soil is HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. lis mostly third rate and poor, presenting an abrupt hilly broken surface, covered in many places witli rocks, flint and iron rust. North of the river there are a few bodies of good white and black oak timber. The surveyor says : " This township in general is well watered and the river presents in many places valuable water privileges." TowvsHiP 11 north, range 6 west, (sections 1-4,9-16, the southwestern part of Sterling, 5-9, 17, 18, the southeastern part of Wheat- land) was surveyed by A. L. Haren, who com- menced this survey July 18, 1843, and com- pleted it July 31, the same year. He was assisted by C. C. Carter, Austin Wilder, chain- men and Louis Davis, marker. Notes: "The northeast jjart of this township is extremely broken and hilly. The bluffs of the creeks, springs, brooks and dry ravines are from 250 to 350 feet high, and have an elevation from 20 to 30 degrees." Township 14 north, range 7 west, (the main part of Bergen ) was surveyed by A. L. Brown, who commenced the survey Dec. 27, 184G, and completed it Jan. 4 1847. He was assisted by Wm. H. Weidman, Joel M. Higgins, Joseph C. Hale}', chainmen, and Joshua M. .Smith, Reuben W. Ford, markers. Township 13 north, range 7 west, ( sections 1-18, the southern part of Bergen, 21-28, 33-36, the northern part of Genoa, was sur- veyed by W. E. Whiteside, assisted by T'. Gates, A. L. Eaton, chainmen, and A. Ilelzler, marker, no dates given. TowN'SHiP 12 north, range 7 west, f sections 1-4, 9-16, 21-24, is the central and southweslern part of Genoa, 25-28, 33-36, is the northwest- ern part of Wheatland), was surveyed in the first quarter of 18 16, by N. E. Whiteside, assisted by IJ. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chainmen and A. Het/.ler, marker. "'This township," says the surveyor, "is measurably unfit for cultivation, being hilly and broken. Soil mostly third rate and poor In general, the timber is of an inferior growth of burr, white and black oak. The hills fronting the Missis- sippi and Bad Ax rivers, are in places entirely shorn of vegetation, covered with rock, flint and iron rust. It is in all parts well supplied with springs of finest quality. The bottom of Bad Ax river ( although wider in this town • ship than any place else, is limited and mostly low and wet. The Mississippi river above and be'ow the mouth of Bad Ax, has little or no bottom, bounded by a perpendicular ledge of sandstone, ranging from 3 to 10 chains from the river and falling abruptly from the base of the perpendicular, to the water's edge, covered with large tumbling rocks, scattering burr, white and black oak trees." Township 11 north, range 7 west, (sections 1-4, 9-15, the southwestern part of Wheat- land). — The survey of this township was com- menced Sept. 28, 1843, and completed Oct. 10, 1843, by A. f-. Haren, assisted by 8. P. Folsom, S. N. Laster, chainmen, and L. Davis, marker. LAND DISTRICTS. The first land offices in Wisconsin were es- tablished under an act of Congress approved June 26, 1834, creating additional land districts in the States of Illinois and Missouri, and in the territory north of the State of Illinois. The first section provides "that all that tract lying north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wiscon- sin and Fox rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a tiorth and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of town- ship line west of Fort Winnebago to the Wis- consin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin land district, and that on the east side the Green bay land ffice, by .set- tlers and others in Vernon cDunty, have, of course, been entered there. 116 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER Vlll FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY. Among the questions which naturally interest the citizens of Vernon county of to-day is this: "Who was the first settler within its limits?" There is a curiosity always manifested by those who come after the pioneers, to leave his name, where he settled and the date of his arrrival. Especially is the time of his coming a matter of interest. The county itself, so far as the people constitute it, begins then, although its formation and organization date a number of years thereafter. THE FIRST SETTLERS. The town of Franklin has the honor of being the one in which was located the first sett'er. His name was John McCullough. The exact date of his coming is unknown, only that it was in the spring of 1S44. He built a house on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 12, range 5 west, during the summer of that year. It was near what was afterward Bad Ax, now Liberty Pole. The place is now owned by Thomas Sheridan. He also did some breaking, and made other prepaiations to bring on his family, which he effected in the following spring. The section upon which McCullough located was not afterward entered by him, nor any part of it. Orrin Wisel entered forty acres of it June 17, 1848, Charles Wiedeman, a quarter section, Nov. 13, 1849; Alexander C. Davis, eighty acres, Nov. 19,1849; II. L. Dousman, forty acres, May 2, 1850; Jacob Higgins, forty acres, July 17, 1851; Julia Hart, forty acres, April 1, 1852; Thomas J. Gosling, a quarter section, July 27, 1852; Thomas J. Gosling, forty acres, Oct. 23, 1852, and Francis Sanford, forty acres, Aug. 11, 1855; in all 640 acres; the en- tire section. McCullough remained on his place until the year 1852, when, in company with a number of others, he started for California. He arrived there safely, and, after a sojourn there of a year, he wrote his brother that he was on the eve of returning home; that he would start in a day or two, but he was never after heard of. The general impression is that he started on liis homeward trip and died on the plains. The next to make claims and erect a cabin (for houses in those days were little else), were two brothers, Samuel and Hiram Rice. 'J'his was in the spring of 1845. They settled at what was afterward Bad Ax, now Liberty Pole, in the town of Franklin, near McCullough. Samuel Rice brought his family with him. Mrs. Rice was a most excellent woman; a devoted Chris- tian. She died in the fall of 1847. McCullough and the Rice brothers were soon followed by Henry Seifert, George P. Taylor and George Pike. Seifert was a bachelor. He settled at the place afterward known as the "Dowhower farm," but now owned by Benja- min Williams, on section 18, township 12, in range 4 west, in the town of Franklin. Taylor located on section 30, township 12, of range 4 west, also in the town of Franklin. The place is now owned by J. C. Adkins. Mr. Taylor is not now a resident of the county. Harvey Sterling came to what is now the town of Sterling in July, 1846, and settled on section 10, in township 11, of range 6 east. His family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Lewis and Le Grand, came on in the spring following. Le Grand Sterling is still a resident of the county. In the same month (July, 1846), that Harvey Sterling settled in what is now the town of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. m Sterling, John Graham, with his three sons — Thomas, Baker anil Lamach, all grown — settled in the present town of Jefferson, on section 23, in township 13, of range 5 west, at what is now Springrille. In 184(5 Moses Decker settletl at what is now Virocjua ; T. J. DeFrees, at the head of "De Frees' Branch," and James Foster on Round Prairie. Mr. DeFrees was accompanied by his wife ami seven children, Jacob .Johnson, John (iraham and family, and Saul Decker. Those just mentioned were soon followed by others. Thomas Gillell and his sons, Nicho- las Vought, James A. Cooke, George Dawson, and J. Siiields — all took up claims near the present site of Viroqua ; and, about this time, (l.S4(>), Ira Stevens located at what is now Victory. William (". McMichael, Samuel Mc- Michael and Robert A[cjMichael, Charles Waters and Henry Waters — these located at or near Springville. Those who came during the year 1S46, or previous to that time, to what is now Vernon county, were, indeed, "ye ancient pioneers." "They were subject to all the inconveniences and i)rivations attending the establishment of new communities in remote sections of the country. They had at first to go to Prairie du Chien for their provisions and supplies." VERNON COUNTY IN MAY, 1847. By Alexander Latxhaw. "I settled, on the 14th of May, 1847, on West Prairie, in the present town of Sterling. There were before me, George Nichols, LeGrand Sterling, Lewis Sterling, and their father, Harvey Sterling, and James A. Clark. The whole of the present county of Vernon, was then the town of Bad Ax, Crawford county. There were some Frenchmen at De Soto, then called Winneshiek. There were three who had families and one who had none. Two lived in what was afterward Bad Ax county ; the others in Crawford county. They had comfortable log houses and carried on trade with the Indians. Two of them had Indian wives ; they were broth- rs by the name of Godfrey. They left not lo g after ttie Winnebagoes went away. They would chop a little wood for steamers sometimes. "Where the village of Victory now is, there was one Frendiman named Potwell, a trader. He was married to a squaw and had a family of children. Just above the mouth of the Bad Ax, there was another Frenchman , but he had no family. He, too, was a trader. Both left about the same time as the others who lived at Winneshiek (De Soto). "At this time (May, 1847) there were no settlers in going east from West Prairie until the settlement that was afterwards called Liberty Pole was reached. The first settler one came to, in going east and north, was John McCollough; the next, Samuel Rice, and Hiram Rice lived with him. The next directly east was George P. Taylor. A little north and west from Samuel Rice's lived George Pike. In about two miles north of Rices (now in the town of Franklin), on the road from Liberty Pole, as often called, to what is now Viro- qua, was the home of Henry Seifert. About a mile further north, on the same road, lived Jacob Johnson and T. J. DeFrees. "At what is now Springville, lived John Graham and his family. William C. McMichael was living on Taylor's place at that time. George A. Swain came soon after and settled on section 21, township 12, range 4 west (town of Franklin). Abram Stiles and James A. Cooke came with him. Cooke settled on section 4, in what is now the town of Viroqua. Stiles found a home on section 15, township 12, range 4 west, in the present town of Franklin." lis HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER IX PIONEER LIFE. Records of pioneer times are interesting, and they are not without their lessons of in- struction. By the light of the past, we follow in the foot-prints of the adventurous and enter- prising pioneer. We see him, as it were, amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilderness into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire, partaking of his homely and cheerfully-granted fare, and listen to the accounts which he is pleased to give us of fron- tier life, and of the dangers, trials, hardships and sufferings of himself and others, in their efforts to make for themselves homes in regions remote from civilization. Througli these pioneer records, we make our way along to the present. From small beginnings we come to the mighty achievements of industry, the com- plex results of daring enterprise, subduing and creative energy and untiring perseverance. Following on in the path of progress and improvement, we see once waste places rejoic- ing under the kindly care of the husbandman; beautiful farms, with all the fixtures and appur- tenances necessary to make the tillers of the soil and their families contented and happy, are spread out before us; villages are built up as if by magic, and by hundreds human souls are congregated within their precincts; the marts of trade and trafiic and the workshops of the artizans, are thronged; common schools, union schools and high schools have sprung up; young and ardent minds — children of the rich and the poor — may press forward together in tlie acquisition of science, literature and art; churches are built and a Christian ministry is sustained for the inculcation of religious senti- ments and the promotion of piety, virtue and moral goodness; the press is established, whence floods of light may emanate for the instruction and benefit of all ; railroads are built to bring the products of every clime, and the people from afar, to our doors; and the the telegraph "upon the lightning's wing" car- ries messages far and near. Let the records of the pioneers be preserved; in after years our children and our children's children will look over them with pleasure and profit. THE LOG CABIN. The first important business of the pioneer settler, upon liis arrival in Vernon county, was to build a house. Until this was done, some had to camp on the ground or live in their wagons — perhaps the only shelter they had known for weeks. So the prospects for a house, which was also to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to the heavy labors. The style of the home entered very little into their thoughts — it was shelter they wanted, and protection from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was content, in most instances, to have a mere cabin or hut. This was made of round logs light enough for two or three men to lay up. The house would generally be about fourteen feet square — perhaps a little larger or smaller — roofed with bark or clapboard, and floored with puncheons (logs split once in two and the flat side laid up). For a fire-place, a wall of stones and earth was made in the best practi- cable shape for the purpose, in an opening in one end of the building, extending outward, and planked on the outside by bolts of wood HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. lie notched together to stay it. Sometimes a fire- place of this kind was made so large as to occupy nearly the whole width of the house. In cold weather when a great deal of wood was needed to keep the proper warmth inside, large logs were piled in the fire-place. To protect the crumbling back wall against the effects of the fire and to throw forward the heat, two back-logs, one on top of the other, were placed against it. For a chimney, any contrivance that would carry up the smoke would do. They were usually constructed of clay and sticks. Imagine a cold winter's night when the .storm of wind and snow was raging without, the huge fire blazing within, and the family sitting aroundl It might be cozy enough if the cold was not too intense; and, in reality, before those fire-places there was often something of cheer, as the farmer sat smoking — if he had any tobacco; and tlie wife knitting — if she had any yarn and needles. For a door to his log cabin the most simple contrivance that would serve the purpose was brought into requisition. Before a door could be made, a blanket often did duty in guarding the entrance. But, as soon as convenient, some boards were split out and ])ut together, hung uj)on wooden hinges, and held shut by a wooden ]>in inserted in an auger-hole. PIONEER FURNITURE. In regard to the furniture of the pioneer's cabin, it may be said that it varied in propor- tion to the ingenuity of the occupants, unless it was where settlers brought with them their old household supply, which, owing to the distance most of them had to come, was very seldom. It was easy enough to improvise tables and chairs; the former could be made of split logs; the latter were designed after the three-legged stool pattern, or benches served their purpose. A bedstead was a very important item in the domestic comfort of the family; and the fashion of improvising them was as follows: A forked stake was driven into the ground diagonally from the corner of the room, and at a proper distance, u])on which poles reaching from each side of the cabin were laid. The wall ends of the poles were either driven into auger-holes or rested in the openings between the logs. Bark or boards were used as a sub- stitute for cords. Upon this, the wife spread her straw tick; and if she had a home-made feather bed, she piled it up into a luxurious mound and covered it with her sheets and bed- quilts. Sometimes sheets were hung against the wall at the head and side of the bed, which added much to the coziness of this resting-place — this pioneer bed-room. The sleeping arrange- ment was generally called a "prairie bedstead." PRIJIITIVE COOKERY. if the settler arrived in the early part of the season and had not lime to plant, or had no fields prepared for that purpose, he could, at least, have a truck-patch, where a little corn was planted, also a few potatoes a»id turnips, and some other vegetables were put in the ground. Of course this was only to make his small supply, which he had brought with him, reach as far as possible. Ilis meager stores consisted of flour, bacon, tea and coffee. But these supplies would frequently be exhausted before a regular crop of wheat or corn could be raised, and as game was plentiful, it helped to eke them out. But when the corn was raised, it was not easily prepared for the table. The mills for grinding were at such distances away, that every other device was resorted to for making meal. Some grated it on an implement made by punching small holes through a piece of tin or sheet-iron, and fastening it upon a board in concave shape, with the rough side out. Upon this the ear was rubbed to produce the meal. But grating could not be done when the corn become so dry as to shell off when rubbed. Some used a coffee-mill for grinding it ; and a very common substitute for bread was hominy, a palatable and wholesome diet, made by boil; 120 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ing corn in a weak lye till the hull or bran peeled off, after which it was well washed to cleanse it of the lye. It was then boiled again to soften it, when it was ready for use, as occasion required, by frying and seasoning it to the taste. Another mode of preparing hominy was by pestling. A mortar was made by burning a bowl-shaped cavity in the end of an upright block of wood. After thoroughly cleaning it of the charcoal, the corn could be j)ut in, hot water turned upon it, when it was subjected to a severe pestling by a club of suffi- cient length and thickness, in the large end of which was inserted an iron wedge, banded to keep it there. The hot water would soften the corn and loosen the hull, while the pestle would crush it. PRIMITIVE THRESHINCi. When breadstuffs were needed, they had to be obtained from long distances. Owing to the lack of proper means for threshing and cleaning wheat, it was more or less mixed with foreign substances, sucli as smut, dirt and oats. And as the time when the settlers' methods of threshing and cleaning may be forgotten, it may be well to preserve a brief account of them here. The plan was to clean off a space of ground of sufficient size, and, if the earth was dry, to dampen it, and beat it to render it somewhat compact. Then the sheaves were unbound and spread in a circle, so that the heads would be uppermost, leaving room in the center for the person whose business it was to turn and stir the straw in the process of threshing. Then, as many horses or oxen were brought as could conveniently swing around tlie circle, and these were kept moving until the wheat was well trodden out. After several ''floorings" or layers were threshed, the straw was carefully raked off and the wheat shoveled into a heap to be cleaned. This cleaning was sometimes done by waving a sheet up and down to fan out the chaff as the grain was dropped before it ; but this trouble was fre- quently obviated when the strong winds of autumn were all that was needed to blow out tlie chaff from the grain. This mode of pre- paring the grain for flouring was so imperfect that it is not to be wondered at that a consider- able amount of black soil got mixed with it, and unavoidably got into the bread. This, with an addition of smut, often rendered it so dark as to have less the appearance of bread than mud ; yet upon such diet the people were compelled to subsist for want of a better. GOING TO MILL. Not the least among the pioneers tribulations, during the first few years of the settlement, was the going to mill. The slow mode of travel by ox teams was made still slower by the almost total absence of roads and bridges, while such a thing as a ferry was hardly even dreamed of. The distance to be traversed was often as far as sixty or ninety miles. In dry weather, common sloughs and creeks offered little impediment to the teamsters ; but during floods and the breaking up of winter, they proved exceedingly troublesome and danger- ous. To get stuck in a slough, and thus be delayed for many hours, was no uncommon occurrence, and that, too, when time was an item of grave import to the comfort and some- times even to the lives of the settlers' families Often a swollen stream would blockade the way, seeming to threaten destruction to who- ever « ould attempt to ford it. With regard to roads, there was nothing of the kind worthy of the name. When the early settlers were compelled to make these long and difficult trips to mill, if the country ' as prairie over which they passed, they found it comparatively easy to do in sum- mer when grass was plentiful. By traveling until night, and then camping out to feed the teams, they got along without much difficulty. But in winter such a journey was attended with no little danger. The utmost economy of time was, of course, necessary. When the goal was reached, after a week or more of toilsome travel, with many exposures and risks, and the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 121 ])oor mail was impatient to immediately return witli the desired staff of life, he was often shocked and disheartened with the information that his turn would come in a week. Then he must look about for some means to pay e.\- penses, and he was lucky who could find em- ployment by the day or job. Then, when his turn came, he had to be on hand to bolt his own flour, as, in those days, the bolting ma- chine was not an attached .part of the other mill machinery. This done, the anxious soul was ready to endure the trials of a return trip, his heart more or less concerned about the affairs of home. Those milling trips often occupied from three weeks to more than a month each, and were attended with an expense, in one way or another, that rendered the cost of breadstuffs extremely high. If made in the winter, when more or less grain-feed was required for the team, the load would be f )upd to be so considerably reduced on reaching home that the cost of what was left, adding other expenses, would make tlieir grain reach the high cash figure of from $3 to $5 per bushel. And these trips could not always be made at the most favorable season for traveling. In .spring and summer, so much time could hardly be spared from other essential labor; yet, for a large family, it was almost impossible to avoid making three or four trips during the year. WILD ANIMALS. Among other things calculated to annoy and distress the pioneer was the prevalence of wild beasts of prey, the most numerous and trouble- some of which was the wolf. ^Vhile it was true, in a figurative sense, that it required the utmost care and exertion to "keep the wolf from the door," it was almost as true in a literal sense. There were two species of these animals, the large, black, timber wolf, and the .smaller gray wolf that usually inhalntcd the prairie. At first, it was next to impossible for a settler to keep small stock of any kind thai would serve as a prey to these ravenous beasts. Sheep were not deemed safe property until years after, when their enemies were supposed to be nearly exterminated. Large numbers of wolves « ere destroyed during the early years of settlement. When they were hungry, whicli was not uncommon, particularly during the winter, they were too indiscreet for their own safety, and would often approach within easy shot of the settlers's dwellings. At certain seasons their wild, plaintive yelp or bark could be heard in all directions at all hours of the night, creating intense excitement among the dogs, whose howling would add to the dismal melody. It has been found by experiment that but one of the canine species, the hound, has botli the fleetness and courage to cope with his savage cousin, the wolf. Attempts were often made to capture him with the common cur, but tiiis animal, as a rule, proved himself wholly unreli- able for such a service. So long as the wolf would run the cur would follow ; but the wolf, being apparently acquainted with the character of his pursuer, would either turn and piace himself in a combatative attitude, or else act upon the principal that "discretion is the better part of valor," and throw himself upon liis back in token of surrender. This strategic performance would make instant peace between these two scions of the same house ; and not infrequently dogs and wolves have been seen playing together like puppies. But the hound was never known to recognize a flag of truce ; his baying seemed to signify " no quarters ; " or, at least, so the terrified wolf understood it. Smaller animals, such as panthers, lynxes, wildcats, catamounts and polecats, were also sufficiently numerous to be troublesome. And an e-xceeding source of annoyance were the swarms of mosquitoes which aggravated the trials of the settler in the most exasperating degree. Persons have been driven from the labors of the field by their unmerciful assaults. 122 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The trials of the pioneer were innumerable, and the cases of actual suffering might fill a volume of no ordinary size. Timid women with the sight of beloved children failing in in health from lack of commonest necessaries of life. The struggle was not for ease or became brave through combats with real ' luxury, but was a constant one for the sustain- dangers, and patient mothers grew sick at heart \ ing means of life itself. CHAPTER X FIRST THINGS. John McCuUough was the first settler in what is now Vernon county. Where he located was then (1844) in Crawford county. The first couple married in Vernon county were George P. Taylor and Martha J. De Frees, April 8, 1847. The first white child born, of American par- ents, in the county was Electa S. De Frees, May 10, 1847. _ The first death was Mrs. Samuel Rice in the fall of 1847. The first school was opened in the spring and summer of 1849, taught by Jennie Clark, now Mrs. Messerssmith. The first school house was erected on the ridge between Viroqua and Brookville, built by George Swain, Abram Stiles and T. J. De Frees. It was intended also as a church. The first Church organized was a Methodist, at the house of T. J. De Frees, in 1848; the services were monthly. John Graham commenced, in 1846, the erec- tion of the first grist mill, at Springville. The first professional law)"er in the county was William F. Terhume, in 1851 . The first newspaper was the Western Times, started in June, 1866. The first term of circuit court was held at Viroqua by Judge Wirani Knowlton, commenc- ing on the third Mond.iy of May, 1851. The first county oflicers chosen in the county were: Thomas J. De Frees, county judge; Orrin Wise], clerk of the court and county board of supervisors; James A. Cooke, county treasurer; Jacob Higgins, register of deeds; and Samuel McMichael, county surveyor. The first frame dwelling in the county was erected in Viroqua by Messrs. Terhume and Bullard. Orrin Wisel was the first blacksmith in the county; located at Liberty Pole in 1848. John Graham erected the first mill in the county at Springville in 1847. The first actual settlement in the county was near Liberty Pole, in the present town of Franklin. The first postoffice in the county was at Liberty Pole. The first person who held family worship in the county was Mrs. Samuel Rice. The first camp-meeting was held in the sum- mer of 1849 in the valley near the place where afterward resided Rev. J. A. Cooke. The only minister (Methodist) present was Jesse Per- dunn. The first child born, of Norwegian parents, in the county was Brown Olson, in the now town of Christiana on the southwest quarter of section 3.5. His birth was March 30, 1850. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 123 The first Methodist class-meeting in the county was led by J. A. Cooke, who afterward became a Methodist preacher. This was in the year 184 9. rtRST PEEACHING IN THE COUNTY. Among the first settlers of the county there was a distant, yet distinct form of religion, ac- knowledged by a few; but the power thereof was weak. The first settlers had left their old homes in other States and emigrated hither for the purpose of improving their worldly condi- tion; and, as they located at that time in, as it were, an isolated country, away from settle- ments to the distance of fifty miles, on wild and never before occupied prairies except by the ab- originees, their minds would, very naturally, seem to partake of the wilderness and tlie indif- ference which characterize the first settler of every new country. The support of their families must of necessity be the first desidera- tum, and when this is done, there was but little time remaining for worship, especially where the toils and difiiculties of a pioneer life had unnerved the inc'ination; and the spirit of what is sometimes called luke-warmness prevailed to some extent. However, near the close of the first year's set- tlement, the modern pilgrims in the inchoate county of Bad Ax, had become somewhat or- ganized; and as there were but few of them, a spirit of warm friendship and congeniality very naturally arose between them; which sympathy and kindred feelings stole unoliti'usively over the mind and lieart, inspiringa higher devotion and sense of obligation to a higher Being. In the summer of the year 1847, a Mr. Lee, from Illinois, visited the settlement, and preached the first sermon ever delivered in the county. It was at the dwelling of Samuel Rice. Tiiere wereon this occasion not to exceed twelve hearers, mostly men. During the delivery of tliis introductory sermon a huge black bear passed by the assembly, whereupon nmstly all the male portion of the congregation ininudi- ately dismissed themselves and went in pursuit of the animal, leaving the minister to finish his sermon in the presence of..the few remaining females. Mr. Lee preached occasionally during the summer of 184T to the people at their dwell- ings, took a claim of land near the head of the branch afterward familiarly known as "Lee's Branch," about three miles northeast of where the village of Viroqua now stands. "The first religious service in the county," writes Flora D. Weeden, "was conducted by a wandering miner, (Mr. Lee), who was prospect- ing through the county, stopped over Sabbath at the house of Samuel Rice. The entire set- tlement assembled to hear him preach. About the time the service had fairly commenced a black bear passed through the yard. All the men took their rifles and followed the bear, leaving the women and children to listen to the sermon. I was then twelve years old, but I re- member the incident. This occurred in the summer of 1847." FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED. The first Church organized in what is now Vernon county was by the Methodists. It was called the Bad Ax Church, and embraced the whole of the county in its district. In 1847 Elder Wood, of Prairie du Chien, left an ap- pointment to preach at the dwelling of T. J. De Frees, which appointment was filled by Mr. Thomas, formerly of Philadelphia, but at that time from Prairie du Chien. Among the set- tlers of the county that are remembered at that date, were John McCullough, Samuel and Hi- ram Rice, Henry Seifert, Mr. Pike, John Gra- ham, T. J. De Frees, Jacob Johnson, John Har- rison, Abram Stiles, Solomon Decker, James Foster, Thomas Gillett, J. A. Cooke, G. A. Swain, E. P. Kelly and Robert Foster and their families. Mr. Thomas formed a society of Church members during his labors among the people of the settlement. He warmed the hearts of the hike-warm Christians, and inspired into them new life and higher hopes, encouraged their zeal, and placed their feet upon the high- 124 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. way whither many of them continued to travel so long as they lived. The first who joined this new-born band of Christians in the wilder- ness, were J. A. Cook and wife, G. A. 8wain and wife, Henry Seiferl and his mother, and the wife of Samuel Rice; the last mentioned being the first person in the county to hold family worship. All who knew her testify to her deep and inward piety, her true devotion to her Savior, and her love for everything of a sacred character. Mr. Thomas continued preach- ing occasionally in the settlement during the remainder of the year 1847, and often in the following year. During the summer of 1849, the number of inhabitants had so increased in the settlements, that it became convenient to have schools as well as meetings for religious worship; so the people of the thinly settled district, united and put up a cabin in the grove through which the road passed, from Virginia to Liberty Pole, then called Bad Ax. It was both a school house and a church. In the fall of that year (1849), Jesse Perdunn, from Grant county, vis- ited the settlement, and, as a matter of course, the cabin school house was his appointed place to preach. Religion and a general spirit of piety at this time, began to pervade the minds of the settlers and prayer and class meetings were held fre- quently, at the dwellings of the people. J. A. Cooke led the first class-meeting that was held in the county, and from that time others began to work more zealously in the cause. A spirit of Christian freedom began to rest upon the minds of the community. In the summer of 1 849, the first camp-meet^ ing was held in the county. It was near the place where Rev. J. A. Cooke afterward re- sided. Mr. Perdunn was the only minister present. Many were converted and a large number were added to the Church, which, at this time, had assumed an active power, and wielded a strong influence throughout the com- munity; but there also were many back-sliders. The Church continued to progress, and grad- ually increased in numbers during the year fol- lowing (1850); when, in the month of August, a large number met at the place occupied the previous year and held another camp-meeting. At this meeting Elder Hobart was present, Mr. Perdunn, James Bishop and other ministering brethren. Elder Hobart was the first elder to visit the Church, and his district comprised the entire State of Wisconsin, north of the Wiscon- sin river. Mr. Perdunn's labors here closed for a few years, but iie had the satisfaction of know- ing that he had been instrumental in building up the first religious denomination in the county. CHAPTER XI FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. The territory now included within the limits of Vernon county was first a part of Crawford county. The last mentioned county was formed by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan territory, Oct. 2C, 1818. An east and west line passing near the northern limits of what is now Barron county, separated Craw- ford from the county of Michilimackinac on the north ; a line drawn due north from the northern boundary of Illinois, through the mid- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 125 die of the portage of Fox aud Wisconsin rivers, was the boundary line between it and Brown county on the east. It was bounded on the south by Illinois, and on the west by the Mis- sissipj)i river, the western limit of the territory. In 1829 Iowa county was formed, embracing all that part of Crawford county south of the Wisconsin river, and including the islands therein. In 18-34 Brown county was extended westward to the Wisconsin river above the portage, leaving that stream the boundary of Crawford county on the east, as well as south. These are all the changes of boundary that were made while the county remained within the jurisdiction of Michigan territory. Wis- consin territory was formed in 18;j6. The northern portion of it had previously been embraced in the counties of Miehilimackinac and Chippewa. The dividing line between the State of Michigan and the territory of Wiscon- sin left the organization of those counties within the former, and extinguished tliem so far as they lay within the limits of the latter; and, in 1838, the district of country thus vacated, lying east of the Mississippi and Grand Fork rivers and north of the original county of Crawford, was attached to and made a part of that county for judicial purposes. Thus it was that Crawford county had its limits virtually extended to Lake Superior and the British dominions, on the north. Afterward, counties were formed at different times out of its terri- tory until, in 1851, it was reduced to its present limits by the erection of La Crosse county, and also of BAD AX COUNTY. The acts by which this county was designated by boundaries and named, and by virtue of which it was fully organized, were as follows : "An act to divide the county of Crawford and organize the counties of Bad Ax and La Crosse . " 77te People of the State of Wiscomin, repre- sented in the Senate and Assembly, do enact as folio fs : "Sec. 1. All that portion of the county of Crawford lying between sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 2.) and24 in township 11 and township 15 north, of ranges 2. 3, 4,5, 6 and 7 west, be, and hereby is organized into a separate county, to be known and called by the name of Bad Ax ; and all that portion of Crawford county lying north of township number 14 north, of ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 be, and hereby is organized into a separate county, to be known and called by the name of La Crosse. "Sec. 2. On the first Tuesday in the month of April next, the electors of said counties of Bad Ax and La Crosse shall, in addition to. electing their town officers, vote tor and elect all officers necessary for a complete county or- ganization, and the county officers so elected shall qualify by bond and oath as prescribed by law, and enter upon the duties of their re- spective offices upon the third Monday of May, and continue in office until the first Monday of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifly- two, and until their successors are elected and qualified. It is liereby made the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county of Crawford to make out notices of such elec- tions to be posted in the respective counties upon the publication of this act; and the sheriff of (.'rawford county shall cause the said notices to be duly posted as in other general elections. "Skc. 3. The county of Bad Ax shall remain one town until the board of town supervisors shall divide the same into three or more towns, and the supervisors, town clerk and town treas- urer may act as and be county officers for such offices respectively. "Sec 4. (This section refers wholly to l..a Crosse county and is, therefore, not given). "Sec. 5. (This section has reference entirely to Crawford county; hence it, also, is ouiitied). "Sec. C. From and after the third Monday of May next, the said counties of Bad Ax and La ]2« HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Crosse shall be organized for judicial (and) county purposes, and for all purposes and mat- ters whatever, and the county of Chippewa shall be attached to the county of La Crosse for judicial purposes. The circuit court shall be holden in the county of Bad Ax on the third Monday of May and fourth Monday of November of each year, and in the county of La Crosse on the fourth Monday of February and the fourth Monday of August of each year. "Sbc. 7. All writs, process, appeals, suits, re- cognizances, or other proceedings whatever already commenced, or that may hereafter be commenced, previous to tlie tliird Monday of May next, in the county or circuit court of Crawford county, shall be prosecuted to a final judgment, order or decree, and execution may issue thereon and judgment, order or decree may be carried into execution in like manner, and the sheriff of said county shall execute all process therein, in like manner as if this act had not passed, anything in this act to the con- trary notwithstanding. "Sec. 8. The returns of all electioris provided for in this act shall be made for the county of Bad Ax to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the present town of Bad Ax, who shall issue certificates, within ten days from the time of holding such election, to the persons elected to the respective offices. The returns for the county of La Crosse, shall, so far as county officers are concerned, be made to the clerk of the board of town supervisors for the town of Albion, and said clerk shall issue like certifi- cates of election within fifteen days after said election, to the persons duly elected. "Sec. 9. The county seat of the county of Bfkd Ax shall be at such place as the board of supervisors shall designate, until a place shall be permanently located by election upon that subject, and the qualified electors may vote at any election for the permanent location, and the place (designated by ballot) that shall have a majority of all the votes cast upon that subject, shall be the permanent county seat for said county. "Sec. 10. The location of the county seat of La Crosse county, is provided for by this section. Geobge H. Walker, Sj)eaker of the Assemhly, pro tempore. Samuel W. Beall, Lt.- Gov. and President of the Senate. Approved March 1, 1851. Nelson Dewet." II. "An Act to amend an act entitled "An act to divide the county of Crawford and organize the counties of Bad Ax and La Crosse." The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assemhly, do enact as follows: "Sec. 1. All that portion of the county of Crawford included within the following bound- aries, shall form and constitute, and is hereby organized into a separate county to be known and called by the name of Bad Ax, viz: Begin- ning at the northwest corner of the county of Richland, thence running south on the range line between ranges 2 and 3 west, to the north- east corner of section 24, of township 11, north of range 3 west, thence west on the section line to the boundary line of this State, in the main channel of the Mississippi river,thence northeily on the boundary line of this State in the said river, to the point of intersection of said bound- ary line and the township line between town- ships 14 and 15 north, thence east on said township line to the northeast corner of town- ship 14 north, of range 1 east, thence south on the range line between ranges 1 and 2 east, to the southeast corner of township 13, of range 1 east, thence west on the township line between 12 and 13 to the place of beginning. And all of that portion of tiie county of Crawford lying north and northwest of the said county of Bad Ax be, and hereby is organized into a separate county to be known and called by the name of La Crosse. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 127 "Sbc. 2. Section 1 of the act to which this is amendatory is hereby repealed. FkEDEEICK W. HoRiT, Speaker of the Assembly. Duncan C. Rekh, President, pro tempore, of the Semite. Approved March 1, 1851. Nelson Dewey." Upon the passage of these acts, the proper steps were taken to organize tlie county as pro- vided therein. An election was held on the first Tuesday of April, 1851, to choose all the county oflicers necessary for a complete county organization (a list of which is given in a subse- quent chapter); and the officers so elected were qualified by bond and oath as prescribed by the the law then in force, on the third Monday of May following, and on that day they entered upon the duties of their respective offices. At the same date, the first circuit court was holden, as will hereafter be more fully explained; so that then the wheels of the county organization were all set in motion. Vernon county, there- fore, as to its civil organization, dates from tiie third Monday of May, 1851. As provided in the organic acts of the county, a county seat was designated by the board of supervisors, until a place should be permanently located by an election by the qual- ified voters of the county. The place desig- nated by them was the village of Viroqua; and it was here, therefore, that the various officers entered upon their duties and tie circuit court held its first session. It was provided in the act of March 1, 1851, that "the qualified electors might vote at any election for the permanent location" of the county seat; and the place (designated by ballot) that should have a majority of all tlie votes cast upon that subject, should be the per- manent county seat for the county. Some thought the election, when called, ought to be by the county board of supervisors. Looking to the calling of such an election, the following petition was handed to the clerk of the board and tiled Nov. 1, 1851: "We, the undersigned, citizens of the county of Bad Ax, request the supervisors of Bad Ax county to call an election on the 10th day of January, 1852, * * * for locating the county seat. R. Dunlap, Rufus Gillet, George S. McCormick, L. A. Pierce, T. J. De Frees, Eldad Inman, Cyrus F. Gillett, James M. Bailey, Moses Decker, A. Latshaw, J. A. Cooke, Isaac S. Decker." But this petition, either because the board thought the day set was too soon, or that they doubted their authority to call an election, wat not acted upon hy the supervisors. To remove all difficulties and doubts concern- ing the calling of the election and fixing upon a day when it should be held, the Legislature passed as an act, which was approved by the governor on the 14th of April, 1852, in these words: "An act to permanently locate the county seat of Bad Ax county. '■'■The people (f the State of Wisconsin, repre- sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact »/.< fol- loics : "Sec. 1. The qualified electors of the county of Bad Ax shall be and are hereby authorized to vote for the permanent location of the county seat of said county, at an election hereby au- thorized to be held therein on Tuesday, the ■25th day of May, 1852, and polls shall be opened at the usual places of hohling elections, which shall be conducted in the same manner as is provided by law for conducting general elec- tions. Sec. 2. The sheriff of said county shall give at least ten day's notice of said election by post- ing or causing to be posted three written or printed notices, in public places in the vicinity of each place where the polls are to be held, which notice shall state the object and the lime and place of holding thesame; and the affidavit 128 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. of the person or persons posting the same shall be filed with the clerk of the board of supervi- sors previous to the canvass by the board of county canvassers. "Sec. 3. It shall be competent and lawful for each qualified elector, as specified in the first section of this act, to vote at said election for such place as he may think proper to designate, for the permanent county seat of said county; each ballot to contain the words written or printed or partly written and partly printed: "For permanent county seat (naming the place)" and no vote shall be thrown out by the in. speotors for any irregularity, if the intention of the elector is clearly specified. "Sac. 4. The votes given at such election shall be canvassed by the insj)ectors, and re- turned as provided by law to tlie clerk of the board of supervisors, within one week from the time of holding said election. "Sec. n. On the Tuesday next succeeding the election, the board of county canvassers, as chosen under the provisions of law, shall meet at the office of the clerk of the board of super- visors of said county, and proceed to make an estimate and statement of the votes cast, as follows: Tliey shall make duplicate statements, written out in words at length, of the whole number of votes given at said election, and the names of the places voted for for county seat, and the number of votes each said place re- ceived, which said statement shall be certified as correct, and attested by the signatures of the said county canvassers, one of which statements shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the board of supervisors and recorded in a suitable book provided for that purpose, and the ether shall forthwith be forwarded to the secretary of State, to be by him filed in his office, and the said secretary shall forthwith publish in the newspaper in which the laws of the State are officially published, a certified copy of sucli statement. If it shall a]>pear from the state- ment so made, that any one place has received a majority of all the votes cast at such election, then such place shall be deemed and declared to be the permanent county seat of said county. "Sec. 6. If, upon, canvassing the votes as provided for in the preceding section of this act, it shall appear that no place has received a majority of all the votes cast, then a new elec- tion for choosing a location for permanent county seat, siiall be held on Tuesday, the 'iOth day of June, A. D. 1852; and the sheriff shall cause like notice to be given of the election so ordered, and proof of the posting up of such notices shall be made as is provided in section 2 of this act; which notices shall also contain the further statement of the names of the two places having the highest number of votes for permanent county seat at the preceding elec- tion, and no vote cast at such second election shall be counted unless it designate the name of one of the two places having the highest number of votes at the previous election. "Sec. 7. The votes cast at such second elec- tion shall be canvassed by the inspectors and returned to the clerk of the board of supervi- sors within one week after such- election, and on the Tuesday next succeeding such election, they shall be opened by the county canvassers, and duplicate statements thereof made, and a certified copy of such statements shall be pub- lished by the Secretary of State, as provided in section 5, and the place having the highest number of votes at such election, shall be deemed and declared to be the permanent county seat of said county. "Sec. 8. This act shall take effect from and after its passage. J. McM. Shaftek, Speaker of the Assenih/i/. E. B. Dean, Jr., m President pro tern, of the Senate. Approved April 14, 1852. Leonard J. Farwell. [Published May 12, 1852. | In accordance with the provisions of the act just given, an election was held on Tuesday, the 25th day of May, 1852, to determine where HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 129 the permanent county seat of Bad Ax county should be located. There were but two places competing for the prize — Viroqua and Spring- ville. Viroqua won; and the county seal has ever since remained there. OBKJI.V OF "bad A.x" unknown. The name given to the county by the Legis- lature when it passed the bill for its for- mation was suggested by Thomas J. DeFrees. Although it proved to be an unfortunate sug- gestion, it was one very natural to be made ; as this part of the county of Crawford previous to the formation of Vernon, formed a part of the town of Bad Ax;besides the principal river which rises within its limits was known by the same name. It was because this stream was so called, that gave name to the battle fought below ils mouth between the Americans and the Indians under Black Hawk— "Battle of Bad A.t"— as explained in a previous chapter. And it, too, gave name to the town of Bad Ax. It may bo said, therefore, that the county was named from the Bad Ax river, a description of which has already been given. We now come to the origin of the name; and here we are met (or confronted) by three differ- ent traditions, or, more properly speaking, the- ories. (1.) It has been claimed that the term "Bad Ax," is derived from the Indian word 31itnie- liheik, the Indian name of the river. But, wiiile it is true, that the Indians called what is now known as the Bad Ax, by the name Minnesiieik, it is not true that the meaning of the latter is Bad A.f. It lias no such signification in the lan- guage of any of the tribes who have foi' the last 200 years, inhabited this region of coutitry. (2.) It has been stated that the origin of the name was because of the failure of the Indians who lived at the mouth of the river, to make good axes out of the stone to be found there, on account of iheii- softness. But the Sacs and Foxes and the Winnebagoes were furnished with steel implements by the fur-traders long before either of these tribes lived upon the Mississippi, or any of its branches. This tradi- tion, therefore, must fall to the ground, for the reason that the name was never applied to the river until the Winnebagoes took possession of the county, as will hereafter be fully shown. But there is another reason why the thecjry is an absurd one, and that is, the pres- ent race of red men do not make stone axes. It is the work of a forgotten people. (:5.) It has often been stated that the term l>ud cue, as applied to the river, is a corruption of the French bateaux, the story being, that a French trader once anchored his bateaux at the mouth of the stream, and the Indians ever af- ter applied the term they heard him pronounce freqnentl}', to the river. But, this theory has evidently been started by some one who had no knowledge how bateaiix is pronounced. No French trader would give the sound of Is to the .(■ in the word, Init would pronounce it bat-oze; ;ind this certainly, could never have suggested batl (IX. And to mike the matter still more ab- surd, it is said the Indians could not pronounce bateaii.f at all, but gave the word as near as they could, which sounded to English ears as bad ax. Now, any one who has heard a Sac or Fox In- dian or Winnebago speak French, will testify that the word bateau.e can be pronounced by an Indian perfectly, and with case. It may be stated, therefore, with certainty, that the ori- gin of the name, as applic its western border. There has been much misapprehension on tliis point, and I think it has all arisen from the 'Bad' in its name. "Without going into theliistory of the name, or why it was given to this county, and the river wliich runs through it, I will say that "Minne- sheik" is said to be the Indian word for "Bad Ax," and the probability is, that another year will not ela])se before the name of Bad Ax will be changed tor that of the pretty sounding In- dian name — "Minnesheik." The people of this county feel that there is something repulsive in the name "Bad Ax," and inasmuch as they have just as fine and as rich soil as there is in Wisconsin, they propose to have hereafter, as a good name. They believe there is really something in a name, and they want a good one." Exactly when the first proposition was made to havejthe name of the county (Bad Ax, changed is unknown ; and it would be of little importance if it could be determined. It is cer- tain, however, that as early as 1856, it had commenced to be agitated in a public way. A lady correspondent of the Westm-n Times, in a communication appearing in the issue of Oct. 25, 1856, says : "In a July number of the Times (not found), I noticed a proposition to change the name of our county. As the subject has been broached allow me to 'agitate' the matter a little further. I expected to see the name of Fremont or Day- ton, or some other hero proposed for a substi- tute. It is all right and proper that those men should receive all the honor their friends would confer upon them. Indeed, I hope Fre- mont will be elected to the Presidential chair, and I would vote for him myself if you men would let me. But while I would give him due credit for his valor, there are heroines, or one at least, in your village (of Viroqua) that has displayed courage equal to that which would explore the Rocky Mountains or face a cannon's mouth. "A woman who would be th.e tirst to settle in the wilderness, among savages and barbaiians, without a female companion, deserves tlie respect and honor that would be acce.ded to a man that had been 'through the wars.' As a tribute of our respect, I motion that the name of our county be changed to that of Ellen. I think it would be a pretty name ; at the same time it would show to the woman that we a])prociate her services in commencing a set- tlement in this rich and beautiful county. "The name as it now is, is ridiculed bv 'Yankees,' only that they think it should be 'Bad Acts' instead of 'Bad Ax.' Give us a name that we need not be ashamed of." "We have always been in favor," says the Northicestern Times, of Nov. T, 1860, "of chang- ing the name of this county — its present name is without any good origin and without mean HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 131 ing. We have used all the means in our power to find out the origin or cause of its present name, and we think Judge Knowlton the best authority. "He say.s that when this whole region was populated by Indians, a French trader came up to the mouth of the stream known as Bad Ax, in a bateaux loaded with goods, anchored his craft there, and opened trade with the redmen. The Indians could not pronounce the name bateaux, and tlie nearest they could come to it was to utter a sound which degenerated into Bad Ax. After this, the stream which the Indians called Minneskeik, was called Bad Ax*, and when the cuunty was erected it was called Bad Ax county; and now we have Bad Ax county, Bad Ax city, Bad Ax village, Nortii and South Had Ax rivers^Bad Ax enough to chop all humanity to piecesj. "If the name," continues the editor, "of our county must correspond with tradition, let us change it at once back to Bateaux, and give it a name that has some meaning. But we are in favor of giving it a good one while we are about it; and we have no particular objection to calling it Minnesheik, after its principal river, though we could select a name that we like bet- ter th:ui this. But let us have a name that strangers will not pronounce with a thrill of horror as they do the name of Bad Ax." In November, 1860, the Milwaukee Setitinel ]>ublished the following from a La Crosse cor- respondent : "A few days since, having received an invi- tation from a friend to accompany him on a speech-making trip, I turned my horses heads towards the countj- now known as Bad Ax. I had been here once before and was then agree- ably (-urprised at the nature and character of the country that was opened to my vision. Judging from the name, Bad Ax, I had been led to believe that the county was had — de- •We bave Just shown the fallacy of this supposed origin of the term. JAt this time I18S.3I there is but one "BadA.\" left in the oounty, and that one is the original— Bad Ax river. cidedly so. I had supposed that it was not only rough, but all timbered, and of a rather thin and poor soil. As to my suppositions and conjectures, erroneous as they have been, I believed they were the same as entertained by the community generally. I have traveled not a little on the Mississippi and have heard trav- elers express their opinions, and then most always given with a shrug of the shoulders, as though there was something repulsive in the name, Bad Ax. "The people of this most flourishing county feel that there is something in a name ; and they feel justly that they have been entirely lost sight of; that they are regarded as in the back woods and of not much account ; and they are inclined to think it is on account of the 'Bad' there is in the name of their county ; for, certainly, there is nothing bad in its soil. "Minnesheik is said to be an Indian word for Bad Ax ; * and in all probability, application will be made at the next session of the Legis- lature for a change of name; and, if granted, Bad Ax county will follow the example set in other portions of the State, of adopting and ri'taiiiing the more euphonious and prettier sounding Indian name, and of discarding such a senseless, jaw-breaking appellation as 'Bad Ax.' " CHANGINO THE XAME TO "vERNON." Finally, when Jeremiah M. Rusk was in the Legislature, in 18()2, \V. F. Terhune prepared petitions and circulated them throughout the county for signatures, asking the Legislature to change the name, but without designating a substitute. And here we introduce a letter of Gov. Rusk, addressed to the editor, explanatory of wliat followed : "Executive Chamber, Madison, Wis., October 29, 188.3. "Dear Sir : "Many of the leading citizens of the county believed that the name Bad Ax was a detri- •This Is an error: it has previously been discussed in this •hapt«r. 132 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ment to the future prosperity of the county. The Hon. William F. Terhune went east about 18.59, and when he returned he was thoroughly convinced that the name of the county was a great detriment to it, and from that time he strongly urged the change. An effort was made to change the name in 1800. In 1861 I ■was elected to the Assembly, and a very strong petition was signed and presented tome, urging the change to something else, but not designa- ting what. At that time I was not very favora- ble to the change ; but when the Legislature convened I became thoroughly convinced that the name was a detriment to the county. When- ever I ro.se and addressed the chair, and the speaker recognized "the gentlemen from Bad Ax," every body in the chamber turned to look at the member to see if he looked like the rest of tlie members. I immediately wrote Judge Terhune to select a name and I would do what I could to make the change. Judge Terhune sent me the name "Vernon," and the bill was presented and passed that Legislature. Yours very truly, J. M. Rusk." .Mr. Terbune found much trouble in selecting a new name that was pleasing to the people. Some thought it should be Wheatland ; others suggested Minnesheik, as already noticed ; and other names had advocates. Finally, Mr. Ter- hune hit upon the name of Vernon as a kind of comjjromi.-^e. The reason for its suggestion was that the root of the word (greenness) was appli- cable not to the people but to the general appearance of the county, covered as it was in many places with green wheat fields. Besides this, the word was euphonic and carried with it a pleasing association with Mt. Vernon the home (as is well known) of the Father of his Country, during his lifetime. These considera- tions induced Mr. Terhune to believe that the word would be, aa it proved, generally accepta- ble to the inhabitants of the county ; and he sent it forward as Gov. Rusk states in his letter just given. The bill introdued by Hon. J. M. Rusk and which passed the Legislature was as follows : ("Published March 28, 1862). "An Act to change the name of Bad Ax county to that of Vernon. ^^ The people of the State of Wiscorisin, repre- sented in the Senate and Assonhly, do enact as /'('/lows: " Sec. 1 . The name of Bad Ax county, in this State, is hereby changed to Vernon county, and by this latter name the said county shall be called and known in popular nomencla- ture and in law, in all places and for all pur- poses ; and whenever, in any law of this State, and in all deeds, mortgages and public records, the words "Bad An" occur, having reference to said county of Bad Ax, (now county of Vernon) said words shall be construed and understood in the same manner as if the word "Vernon" were |)rinted or written in lieu thereof. "Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the 1st day of May, A. D. 1862. "Approved March 22, 1862." A correspondent of the Vernon County Cen- sor, in writing to that paper, March 10, 1869, thinks the change of name worked a great change in the prospects of the county. He says : "For many years, the county, of which Vi- roqua is the county seat, labored under a great disadvantage in consequence of her taking to herself a name that had neither meaning nor sense. Why the settlers of the county suffered the name of Bad Ax to be fastened on them cannot now be ascertained. That the name blasted the county so long as it was retained, is a fact patent to all. As soon as the name was ch nged to Vernon, the whole county began to flourish, and now Vernon county has no small influence in the State. She has quite an array of public men, too, whose names are well known throughout Wisconsin ; such as Rusk, Priest, Purday, Graham, Terhune, Butt, Newell and others." HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 136 EFFORTS TO FOBM A NEW COirXTY. About the year 1859 there began a county seat war of a miKl form in Crawford county. The southern {>ortion of that county wanted it to remain at Prairie du Chien while the north- erners desired to have it removed to Dagget's Knob. The result was a ''secession movement" at the village of De Soto which lies in both Crawford and Vernon (then Bad Ax) counties. The denizens of this village and the country round about took it into their heads to form a new county out of the northern part of Craw- ford and southern part of Vernon. Could this be accomplished, then De Soto would be just the place for the county seat, of course. Pursuant to notice, then, the citizens of the towns of Wheatland, Sterling and Franklin, in Bad Ax county, and of Freeman and Utiea in Crawford county, held a meeting at the school house in Sterling, on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 1861, "to consider the propriety of certain changes in the dividing line of said counties," but in reality to promote a new county movement. The meet- ing was called to order by Dr. Bean, of Ster- ling, in the chair, and J. C. Kurtz, of Wheat- land, secretary. The chairman, in some appro- priate remarks, stated the object of the meet- ing. He was followed by Messrs. Crittenden, Carlyle, Ferguson, Sterling, McMinn, Gate and others; when, on motion, a committee of three, consisting of A. Carlyle, C. G. Allen and A. Crittenden, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the wishes of the meeting. The committee submitted the following resolutions, which were adopted: ''Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet- ing, the present line dividing the counties of Crawford and Bad Ax — dividing township 11 — is detrimental to the best interests of the inhabitants of the south half of said township 11, now situated in the limits of Crawford county and that the said county line should be removed to the line between townships 10 and 11. "Resolued, That, in the opinion of the meet- ing, the pecuniary interests of a portion of Ba;61, adjourned sine die." COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. As will be inferred, the system of county gov- ernment throughout the State of Wisconsin had undergone a revolution. The Legislature, dur- ing the winter of 1860-61 had passed an act abolishing the board of supervisors and creating the board of county commissioners. Under the former system the county board was composed of one member from each civil town in the county, while under the new system the board consisted of three commissioners. The county h.ad been divided into three districts (as has been stated), and each was entitled to one com- missioner. The election for members of the board occurred in the fall of 1862. The croat- ingact provided that the annua! meetings should be held on the second Monday in January, of each year. Pursuant to law, the first meeting of the board of county commissioners, began on the Uith of .January, 1862. The members were John W. Alien, representing the first district; C. G. Allen, the second; and John T. Brinkmann, the tliird. Organization was permanently effected by the election of John T. Brinkmann, as chairman for the ensuing year. From and after the June session, 1862, the records read "Vernon county," instead of "Bad Ax county." 146 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. On the QOth of November, 1862, the board ordered and determined that the wife of every volunteer and drafted man, from Vernon county in the service of the government, or State, be entitled to draw from the county treasurer $2 per month from and after Jan. 1, 1P63, and also ll per month for each child under the age of twelve years. On the 22dof December, 1862, Cyrus G. Allen, of Sterling, was elected chairman of tlie board for the ensuing year. At this session war matters largely occupied the attention of the board. It was ordered that: "Whereas, there had been appropriated the sum of |2,500 for the benefit of the families of volunteers and drafted men, the resolution in relation to the distribution of that fund be amended so as to give to the families of deceased soldiers the benefit of the same, families of commissioned oflicers excepted." This order was modified somewhat, however, by a resolu- tion, to the effect that "families of deceased soldiers, who had already received the $1 bounty promised, or pension, from the United States, and also the families of discharged sol- diers were not to share in the distribution of the fund." Another order of importance made at this session was to authorize the issue of county orders to the amount of |!4,000 in denominations from five cents up to three dollars. At the November session, 1863, Herman Greve was elected commissioner of the poor to succeed Hartwell Allen. On the 19th of the same month, the sum of 11,000 was appropriated to aid the families of volunteers. A special meeting of the board was held in January, 1864. The members at this time were: Charles Searing, from the first district; C. G. Allen, from the second district, and John Michelet, from the third district. C. G. Allen was elected chairman of the board for the en- suing year. In November, 1864, the board authorized Sheriff Clayton E. Rogers to sell a number of stolen horses which had been captured from horse-thieves. W. H. Goode was elected to fill a vacancy in the board of commissioners of poor, occasioned by the absence of Herman Greve. E. A. Stark was re-elected a member of the board. "Elijah Powell, of Viroqua, having been ap- pointed and commissioned by the governor to serve as supervisor from the second district in place of C. G. Allen, who had removed from the State in 1864, received the appointment on the last day ©f the session and came in and took his seat with the board, in time to assist for one day only." At a special session of the board in May, 1866, the resignation of James Lowrie, county treasurer, was received and Col. C. M. Butt was appointed to fill the vacancy. The supervisors in 1866 were John Michelet, chairman, Hugli McDill and C. M. Carr. The latter was appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy in the board from the first district. At a session on the Ist of January, 1867, C. W. Lawton, member-elect from the first dis- trict, succeeding Mr. Carr, qualified and took his seat. In April, 1867, it was decided to submit to the qualified electors of the county the ques- tion of abolishing the county's system of sup- porting the poor. In July, 1867, by order of the board, the north half of township 14, range 7 west, was detached from the town of Hamburg and attached to Bergen. At the October session, 1867, the orders of the board granting bounties for wild cat and wolf scalps were repealed. In jNovember, of the same year, James H. Layne was appointed poor commissioner to suc- ceed E. A. Stark. In 1868 Willard Morley succeeded Mr. Mc- Dill as member of the board. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. U7 On the 14th of November, 1868, the annual salaries of various county officers were fixed as follows : County treasurer, $1,000 ; county clerk, f 1,000; superintendent, fiSOO ; county judge, 1500 ; district attorney, ^400. On the ^d of January, 1869, the bounty for killing wolves and wild cats was re-established, the rate fixed being $5 for each wolf and 12.50 for each wild cat killed. In 1869 the board consisted of Willard Morley, chairman ; George W. Swain and B. F. Harry. In November, 1869, James E. Newell was appointed commissioner of the poor to succeed Elijah Powell. Thus the board of commis- sioners was made to consist of J. H. Layne, Enoch Enochson and J. E. Newell. In January, 1870, Willard Morley was re- elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. SUPEEVISORS AGAIN. During the year 1868 the Legislature passed an act changing again the system of county government throughout Wisconsin. This act abolished the commissioner system, or board of three, and reinstated the old system of a board made up of one member from each civil town and incorporated village. This law is still in force. The first meeting of the board under the new dispensation was held in the court house at Viroqua, in May, 1870. J. W. Greeiiman,of Genoa, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The board consisted of the following named gentlemen, representing the various towns and villages: Henry Sharp, Bergen; E. C. Jager, Chris- tiana; Ole Anderson, Coon; W. C. Stelting, Forest; William Clawater, Franklin; J. W. Greenman, Genoa; Jesse Warner, Harmony; J. W. Iloyt, Hamburg; J. R. Joseph, Libert) ; Joseph Fulmer, Stark; R. W. Jordan, Sterling; Ralph Hall, Viroqua; R. S. McMicliael, Village of Viroqua; C. C. Bennett, Webster; J. C. Davis, Wheatland; Giles White, Vrhitestown. Nothing of especial interest was tiansacted during this year,aImo8t all the time being spent in attending to road business. I'he annual meeting for 1871 began on the 14th of November. J. W. Greenman was re- elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following members were present: Levi Shorey, Bergen; John Michelet, Chris- tiana; Hans Nelson Coon; J. Conaway, Clinton; W. C. Stelting, Forest; F. K. Van Wagner, Franklin; J. W. Greenman, Genoa; Martin Rodgers, Greenwood; A. J. Wiard, Harmony: J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg ; J. Manhart, Hills- borough; Joseph Harris, Kickapoo; Allen Rusk, Liberty; J. O. Parker, Stark; R. W. Jordan, Sterling; G. S. Jordan, Union; Ralph Hall, Viroqua; R. S. McMichael, village of Viroqua; Simeon Adams, Webster; Giles White, Whites- town; Alexander Latshaw, Wheatland. At this session the supervisors abolished the board of commissioners of the poor, and resolved that hereafter the duties of that board should 1)0 performed by a superintendent of the poor, who should be annually elected by the board of supervisors. It was further provided that the superintendent should receive ^2 per day for his services. After these resolutions had been adopted, D. A. Barnard was elected superintendent of the poor for the ensuing year. Gardner & Wareham was granted a license to operate a ferry boat from DeSoto to Lansing, Iowa. The taxes levied at this session for the ensu- ing year, were as follows: For county i)urposes, ?;18,919.88; for State purposes, $8,029. lM; for school purposes, $3,783.97. The sum of ^4,000 was appropriated out of the general fund of the county for the support of the \>in>r (luring the ensuing year. The annual meeting of the board for 1872 was held in November. J. W. Greenman, of Genoa, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following meml^ers answered to their names upon the roll being called : Thomas Kingston, John Michelet, Ole Anderson, B. F. 148 HISTOEY OF VERNON COUNTY. Harry, J. VV. Greenman, Martin Rodgers, Wil- liam Webster, J. T. Brinkmann, -Joseph Man- hart, D. H. Pulver, N. W. Nelson, T. S .Jordan, Simeon Adams, Van S. Bennett, Elijah Tilton, Allen Rusk, William Clawater, J. S. Dickson, Peter Jerman and T. C. Ankeny. A report from D. A. Barnard, superintendent of tlie county poor, revealed some interesting facts regarding the poor farm. The following is an extract from the report : "There has been furnished at the county house during the year, 988 weeks of board, at an expense of )Sl,270.02, embracing provisions, clothing, bedding, fuel, furnitu'-e, lights, medi- cines, medical attendance, and salary of steward and supervision — a cost of $66.84 for each pau- per a year, or $1.27 for each pauper per week. Of the number remaining at the county house at this date, (Nov. 1, 1872) ten are idiotic, two blind, one insane and four, the remainder, are old, infirm, or otherwise incapable of self sup- port. The whole number receivingaid from the county, outside the county house, during the year, was 102, at an expense of $1, -321. 02. 'J he whole number receiving aid outside the county house at the expense of the county at date of this report is twenty ; of this number three are in- sane, two are idiotic, five over eighty years of age, seven under six years, and three are other- wise incapable of self support." D. A. Barnard was re-elected sciperintendent of the poor. The salary of the county judge was fixed at $1,000 per annum ; that of county treasurer, at $1,000; county clerk, $1,200; district attorney, $400; clerk of court, $400 and fees ; superin- tendent of poor $2 per day for each day worked, and ten cents per mile for each mile traveled ; superintendent of schools $4 per day, not to exceed $920. An order was passed granting a bounty of ^1.50 for each fox killed in the county. Tiie taxes levied for the ensuing year were as follows: For county purposes, $14,934.39; for State purposes, $11,281.78 ; for school purposes, $3,649.05. The long session closed by the board tender- ing a vote of thanks to chairman J. W. Green- man and county clerk John R. Casson. The board of supervisors convened for the annual session of 1873, on Tuesday, November II. Van S. Bennett, of Rockton, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following members were present : Ole Anderson, Philip Adams, Van S. Ben- nett, Wm. Clawater, J. S. Dickson, J. W. Greenman, C. L. Ingersoll, Peter Johnson, G. S. Jordan, John Michelet, Joseph Manhart, Peter Mclntire, R. S. McMichael, J. A. New- man, M. W. Nelson, Martin Rodgers, Ellis Reed, Henry Sharp, W. C. Stelting, J. H. Smith, E. A. Stark and William Webster. At this session D. A. Barnard, superintend- ent of county poor, made his second annual report. From it the following facts are gleaned : The number of inmates at the county house at date of last report was seven- teen ; number admitted during the year, twenty-two ; total number at county house dur- ing the year, thirty-nine ; two had died ; two sent to the hospital; four children were put out ; four otherwise discharged ; twenty-seven remained at the county house ; the average number there during the year was twenty-two. All this was at a total cost yearly per capita of $63.57, or a weekly cost per capita of $1.22. The whole number receiving aid from the county outside the county house was 105, at a total cost of $1,122.52. Of this number, four wore insane, and three idiotic. Of the twenty- seven in the county house, Nov. 1, 1873, nine were idiotic, one a cripple for life ; one insane ; two blind ; four over seventy years of age ; five under seven, and the balance are otherwise incapable of self-support. Total value of farm income and on hand, $1,747. D. A. Barnard was re-elected as superintendent of the poor. Taxes were levied at this session of the board as follows : For county purposes, $10,- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 149 000 ; for State purposes, 110,176.25 ; for school purposes, $3,967.51. The b ard resolved that all the territory belonging to the town of Genoa, lying on the south side of the south fork, and the main stream of the Bad Ax creek be taken from Genoa and attached to Wheatland. This, how- ever, was limited by the proviso that the ques- tion be submitted to the people of Genoa, at the next election, and in case a majority were in favor of the division it should take effect April 15, 1874, but it seems the proposition was rejected, as the change was never made. The annual session for 1874 convened on the 10th of November. Hon. VV. F. Terhune was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen represented the various towns in the county : Henry Sharp, Bergen ; John Michelet, Christiana ; Anton VonRuden, Coon ; H. W. Knapp, Clinton; W. C. Stelting, Forest; John Fopper, Genoa; Martin Rodgers, Greenwood; Peter Johnson, Hamburg; William Webster, Harmony ; Roger Williams, Hills- borough; William Frazier, Jefferson ; George Spurrier, Kickapoo; J. H. Smith, Liberty; Ely McVey, Stark ; P. Mclntyre, Sterling ; T. S. Jordan, Union; J. E. Newell, Viroqua ; W. K. Terhune, Village of Viroqua ; Philip Adams, Webster; David Wilt, Wheatland ; Henry O'Connell, Whitestown; P. McManny, Franklin. D. A. Barnard was re-elected superintendent of the poor for the ensuing year. The board made the following apportionment of taxes for 1874: ForState purposes, $8,195.76; for county purposes, $1.3,025 ; for county school purposes, 13,513. The total assessed valuation of the county was S3, 721,583. The long session closed by giving a vote of thanks to Chairman Terhune. The session for 1875 began on the 9th of No- vember. W. F. Terhune was re-elected chair- man. The roll being called, the following members answered to their names : C. C. Ben- nett, J. T. Hrinkmann, Jacob Eckhardt, Edgar Eno, William Frazier, M. Hinkst, T. S. Jordan, H. W. Knapp, W. L. Marsha'l, John Michelet, James McDonough, Eli McVey, P. Mclntyre, Henry Oakes, Henry O'Connell, A. Von Ruden, Henry Sharp, John H. Smith, W. F. Terhune, Elijah Tilton, Roger Williams and William Webster. D. A. Barnard was again elected superintend- ent of the poor. At this session a resolution was passed to the effect that the county would pay an additional bounty of So per head for full grown wolves killed, miking the bounty $10. The taxes for the year were apportioned as follows : For State purposes, $9,150.09 ; for county purposes, $15,613.30 ; for county school purposes, $3,760. The total assessed valuation of the county at that time was $3,903,325. A special session of the board was held in June, 1876. The members were all present. William Frazier was elected chairman. On the 14th of November the board met for the annual session of 1876. William Frazier, of Enterprise, was elected chairman for the ensu- ing year. The following comprises a list of the members of the board for this year : Goodman Olson, Bergen; C. H. Ballsrud, Christiana; H.W. Knapp, Clinton ; Anton VonRuden, Coon ; W. C. Stelting, Forest ; Christian Ellefson, F"rank- liii; F. A. Wallar, Genoa ; Mathias Hansberry, Greenwood ; John T. Brinkraann, Hamburg ; Simon CUauson, Harmony; Roger Williams, Hillsborough ; William Frazier, Jefferson ; Jo- seph Harris, Kickapoo; Stanley Stout, Liberty: A. W. De Jean, Stark ; A. D. Chase, Sterling : T. S. Jordan, Union ; Elijah Tilton, Viroqua : R. S. McMichael, Village of Viroqua ; John Snyder, Webster; Jacob Eckhardt, Jr., Wheat- land; Henry O'Connell, Whitestown. At this session all orders previously passed by the board in relation to wolf, wild-cat and fox bounties were repealed. The salaries of the various county officers were fixed as follows : County clerk $800 per annum ; county treasurer, $800 ; district attor- ney $300 ; superintendent of poor, $2 per day. 160 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and eight cents per mile ; superintendent of schools, $3 per day, (not to exceed 267 days) and $50. D. A. Barnard was re-elected superintendent of the poor. The board apportioned the taxes as follows: For State purposes, $10,186.0t); for county purposes, $17,138.92; for county school purposes, $3,7'58. The total assessed val- uation of the county for that year was $3,808,- 651. The annual session for 1877 began on the 13th day of November, 1877, and continued un- til the 21st. N. McKie, of Viroqua, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The members of the board were as follows : Goodman Olson. Bergen ; Jeremiah Conway, Clinton ; C. H. Balisrud, Christiana ; Ole Anderson, Coon ; W. C. Stelting, Forest; Christian Ellefson, Franklin; E. L. Oakes, Genoa; M. Hansberry, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg ; Simon Clauson, Har- mony; Roger Williams, Hillsborough; William Smi ill, Jefferson; C. E. Smith, Kiokapoo; Stan- ley Stout, Liberty ; H. H. Wyatt, Stark ; A. D. Chase, Sterling; T. S. Jordan, Union; E. Tilton, Viroqua; N. McKie, Village of Viroqua; John Snyder, Webster; Erastus Cilley, Wheatland ; Henry O'Conneli, Whitestown. At this session an order was passed granting a bounty of $3 on each wolf killed in the county, and $1 for foxes. D. A. Barnard was re-elected to the office of superintendent of the poor. Taxes were levied for the year 1877 as fol- lows : For State purposes, $8,862.74; for county purposes, $16,997.26 ; for county school pur- poses, $3,845.50 The total assessed valuaui.^1 of the county was, $3,777,170. The board of supervisors met for the annual sesiion of 1878 on the 12th of November. Van S. Bennett, of Whitestown, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The board con- sisted of the following members : Goodman Olson, Bergen; Jeremiah Conaway, Clinton; John Michelet, Christiana ; Ole Anderson, Coon; R. S. Sherman, Forest; Christian Ellef- son.Franklin; E. L. Oakes, Genoa; M. H. Fitzpat- rick. Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg; J. M. McLees, Harmony; Roger Williams, Hillsbor- ough ; William Smith, Jefferson ; Irvin Fox, Kickapoo; Allen Rusk, Liberty; A. W.DeJeaii, Stark; Joseph Morgan, Sterling ; T. S. Jordan, Union ; E. Powell, Viroqua ; R. S. McMichael, Village of Viroqua ; John Snyder, Webster ; D. H. Pulver , Wheatland ; Van S. Bennett, Whitestown. At this session taxes were levied as follows : For State purposes, $8,672.16; for county pur- poses, $13,275 ; for county school purposes, $3,590; The total assessed valuation of the county, $3,792,999. D. A. Barnard was re-elected superintendent of the poor. The name of the office was changed to " commissioner of poor." $2,600 was appropriated to the poor departments. The county clerk was authorized to execute a deed of conveyance of right of way to the Viroqua Railroad Company. The annual session for 1879 began on the 11th of November. Van S. Bennett was re- elected chairman, and the rules of order govern- ing the board in 1878 were adopted. The board Vi'as composed of the following gentlemen: Henry Schlong, Bergen; D. C. Yakey, Clinton; C. J. Skough, Christiana; Ole Anderson, Coon; R. S. Sherman, Forest; Christian Ellefson, Frank- lin; E. L. Oakes, Genoa; Martin Rodgers, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg; J. M. Mc- Lees, Harmony; Roger Williams, Hillsborough; Wm. Sit'*';, Jefferson; Irvin Fox, Klckajjoo; G. W. Wise, Liberty; Eli McVey, Stark; Joseph Morgan, Sterling; T. S. Jordan, Union; E. Powell, Viroqua; R. S. McMichael, Village of Viroqua; John Snyder, Webster; H. H.Morgan, Wheatland; Van S. Bennett, Whitestown. At this session resolutions were passed ask- ing the senator and assemblyman from this district to use their influence to have the Legislature pass an act providing for the bien- nial instead of annual sessions of the Legisla- ture. "¥%. (s^S^um HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 153 D. A. Barnard was re-elected poor commis- sioner. Taxes were levied as follows: For State purposes, |!6,085.06; for count}' purposes, $15,- 210.85; for county school purposes, $3,420. The total assessed valuation of the county this year was $3,802,714. A special session was held in February, 1880, to take steps regarding a new court house. Van S. Bennett was elected cliairman. The following is a transcript of the record so far as relates to the county buildings : Resolved, That the court house contemplated to be built in the county of Vernon, be built at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000), and the jail at the sum of six thousand dollars ($0,000), and that the committee to contract for and superintend the construction of the same, be and are herel)y authorized and instructed to have the same fully completed and ready for occupation, at the prices above named. That the cost of said court liouse and jail is hereby limited to said sum of twenty-three thousand dollars ($23,000), and the committee hereafter to be elected shall not exceed said amount, and that said committee give a bond to said county in this penal sum of fifty thousand dollars (^^50,000) to be approved by the board of supervisors of said county to secure and indem- nify said county against the payment of any excess above said sura of $23,000 for said court house and jail. The special committee to whom was referred the petitions asking that the question of build- ing a new court house be submitted to a vote of the people, reported the same back to the board without recommendation. Received and placed on tile. Mr. McMichael offered a resolution in rela- tion to accepting a loan of $23,000 from the State. Referred to committee on finance. On motion of Mr. .lord m the board adjourned until 2 o'clock p. m. 2 o'clock p. M. Board met. Called to order bv the cliairman. The committee on finance made the following report. Your committee to whom was referred pre- amble and resolution in relation to acceptance of a loan of the trust funds of the State, have had the same under consideratioji, and respect- fully recommend their passage. .1. W. HOTT, E. L. Oakes, Roger Williams. Committee. The report of the committee was adopted and the following preamble and resolutions passed. On this question the ayes and nays were called for. Those voting in the affirmative were: Messrs. Anderson, Bennett, Hoyt, Fox, Jordan, McLees, McMichael, H. II. Morgan, Michelet. Oakes, Powell, Rogers, Schlong, Sherman, Smith, Snyder and Williams, — seventeen. Those voting in the negative were: Messrs. Ellefson, Hanson, .Joseph Morgan and Wise — four. Absent or not voting, McVey — 1; PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. Whereas, The Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, at its annual session, A. D. 1880, passed a law approved Jan. 29, 1880, author- izing the commissioners of public lands to loan a ])ortion of the trust funds of this State not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars ($25, 000), to the countv of Vernon, in this State, and authorizing the board of supervisors of Vernon county to borrow a sum not exceeding the amount above named, of said commis- sioners, and to issue to said commissioners cer- tificates of the indebtedness so contracted ; said indebtedness to bear interest at the rate of seven per cent, per annum : Resolved, That we, the board of supervisors of Vernon county, duly assembled according to law, do hereby accept a loan of twenty-tliree thousand dollars ($23,000), according to the provisions of said act and the terms and limi- tations therein provided ; and be it further Resolved, That we, the said board of snper\ i- era of Vernon county, assembled as aforesaifl. 10 154 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. do issue to said commissioners certificates of the indebtedness so contracted, and that the cliaiiman and clerk of this board be and are hereby fully authorized and empowered, in the name of the county of Vernon to make, execute and deliver to said commissioners of the pub- lic lands, the certificates of said indebtedness, in such form as required by said commissioners, for any and all sums of money that may be loaned to said county, hereby fully empowering tlie said chairman and clerk of said board to do and perform all necessary things to be done by them to carry out the provisions of said act and these resolutions. Resolved, That a certified copy of this pre- amble and resolutions be filed by the clerk of this board with the secretary of State of the State of Wisconsin. Adopted Feb. 11, A. D. 1^80. Mr. Ellefson offered a resolution in relation to recording his vote, which the board refused to adopt. On motion of Mr. Smith the board took a recess for one hour. The time having expired the board re-assembled. Mr. Anderson offered the following resolution which, on motion of Mr. Schlong, was adopted under a suspension of the rules: Resolved, That the new court house be built of stone, and that the roof of said court house be made of tin or iron, whichever to the build- ing committee shall seem most proper. Mr.Wiiliaras moved that Mr. Struck, architect, be invited to meet the board to-morrow morn- ing. Motion prev.ailed. Mr. Michelet moved that the vote by which tlie board refused to adopt the resolution of- fered by Mr. Ellefson in relation to recording his vote, be re-considered. Motion prevailed and the vote was re-consi'lered and the resolu- tion adopted as follows : Resolved, by the board of supervisors of Ver- non county that Christian Ellefson have permis- sion to record his vote on the resolutions rela- ting to building a court house. Mr. Ellefson recorded his vote in the nega- tive. Mr. Smith moved that a committee of live be appointed by the chair to view grounds for location of new court house and jail, and report to the board to-morrow morning. Motion pre- vailed. Messrs. Smith, Hoyt, Jordan, Hanson and McLees were appointed such committee. Mr. Williams moved that a committee of three be appointed to examine the title to the lots on which the old court house and jail are located. Motion prevailed. Messrs. Williams, Michelet and H. H. Morgan were appointed such committee. On motion of Mr. Hoyt the board adjourned until 9 o'clock to-mprrow morning. Thursday, Feb. 13, 1880, 9 o'clock a. m. Board met, called to order by the chairman. Members all present except Mr. McVey. Jour- nal of yestei'day read and approved. Mr. Schlong offered a resolution in relation to em]iloying an architect. Referred to the committee on finance. Mr. Hoyt offered a resolution in relation to building committee. Referred to committee on ways and means. The committee on grounds were granted further time. The special committee appointed to examine title to lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, block 6, made the following report, which was received and placed on file : Your special committee to examine the records, in the register's office, in rela- tion to the court house lots, beg leave to report that they have made the necessary examination and find that the county is the legal owner of said lots. RoGEB Williams, ) John Michelet, >• Com. Henry H. Morgan, ) On motion, a recess of thirty minutes was taken. The time having expired, the board re- assembled. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 156 The committee on ways and means made the following report: We, your committee on ways and means, to whom was referred the resolution for the elec- tion of a building committee, beg leave to re- port that they have had the same under consid- eration and recommend its passage. On motion of Mr. Hoyt the report was adopted and the resolution passed by a vote of ayes and nays, all the members ]iresent voting aye except Messrs. Sherman and Williams, who voted nay. Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Ver- non county, that this board elect a committee of five persons to be designated as a building committee. Said committee shall have power to contract for the building of a court house, the cost of which shall not exceed the sum of ^!17,000, and for a jail and jailors' house, the cost of which shall not exceed $6,000. Said committee shall employ a competent architect to prepare plans and specificatiwns, and super- intend the work of construction of said build- ings; they shall cause public notice to be given that sealed proposals will be received for the construction of said buildings, and the material of which the same shall be constructed, and shall reject any and all bids exceeding the amount above stated. Said building committee shall require of the party or ])artie8 to whom contracts are awarded, to give bonds for the faithful performance of their contracts, as fol- lows: For the construction of the court house, in the sum of $34,000, for the construction of the jail and jailors' house, in the sum of Si 2,000. Said committee shall give bonds to Vernon county in the sum of ij50,000, conditioned for the faithful j)erforniance of their duties and the proper disposition of all moneys of the county, placed in their hands, for the construction of said buildings. Said committee shall receive for their services, the sum of ^2 per day each, for e.ach days time actually spent in the per- formance of their duties, and six cents per mile, for each mile neceBsarily traveled. Said com- mittee may elect a treasurer who shall give bonds iiy,he sum of $26,000, for the faithful performance of his duties, and may make such rules and regulations for the government of their body as they may deem proper, provided such rules do not exceed the authority granted said committee by the several resolutions of the county board. All the bonds mentioned in this resolution (excepting the bond of treasurer of the building committee) shall be approved by the chairman and two other members of this board, and the bond of the treasurer of the building committee shall be appi-oved by a ma- jority of said building committee. J. W. HOTT. Mr. Schlong introduced an order in relation to building commissioner. Referred to com- mittee on finance. On motion of Mr. McMichael, the board pro- ceeded to elect by ballot a building committee of five members. Messrs. Hoyt, Snyder, Powell, McLees and Anderson were elected such com- mittee. Mr. Williams offered the following resolu- tion, which was passed: liesoh'cd. That Col. C. M. Butt be requested to draft an order defining and limiting the pow- ers and duties of the building committee, so that said committee shall not be able to make the cost of court house, jail and jailors' residence exceed the sum of |23,00u, without being liable upon their official bond, for the excess of the said amount of $23,000. The committee on finance made the following report: Your committee, to whom was referred the order, in relation to electing building commis- sinners to superintend the construction of county buildings, have had the same under considera- tion, and respectfully recommend its passage as amended, by inserting two in place of one. On motion of Mr. McMicbael, the report was adopted and order passed. The county board of supervisors, of the county of Vernon, do order as follows: 156 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. That there be two special commissioners elected by this board, by ballot, whose^duty it sliall be, to watch over and care for the proper eri/ction of the court house and jail, and report in writing to the chairman and clerk of this board, of any irregularities in the performance of the work, selection of the materials or dis- bursements from the fund appropriated for building purposes. That the said special commissioners shall have the further power, and it is hereby made their duty to inform the architect and chairman of the building committee, of any defects in the construction of said buildings, or deviations in the work upon said county buildings, from the plans and specifications of the architect pertain- ing to the same. Signed, Henry Schlong. On motion of Mr. McMichael, the board ad- journed until 2 o'clock p. m. Two o'clock p. M. Board met. Called to or- der by the chairman. The committee on finance made the follow- ing report, which was adopted and the resolu- tion passed. Your committee, to whom was referred the resolution in relation to employing an archi- tect and superintendent of the new court house and jail, have had the same under considera- tion, and respectfully recommend its passage. Resolved, That we hereby elect C. F. Struck, of La Crosse, Wis., the architect and superin- tendent of the new court house and jail, and that the building committee make a written (contract with him for his compensation as such. Henry Schlong. The special committee on grounds for new buildings made the following report: Your committee appointed to select a site for new county buildings, have looked at various sites, and have selected as the most appropri- ate place for such buildings, a piece of land be- longing to Mr. Minshall, seventeen rods and thirteen and a half feet wide, on the east side, running the full width of his land, back to the west line aboiit thirty-five or thirty-eight rods, for the sum of 1 150 per acre. William Smith, J. W. Hoyt, Peter Hanson, J. M. McLees. On motion of Mr. Anderson, the report was adopted. Mr. Jordan made the following minority re- port. The undersigned, a member of your special committee, to whom was assigned the duty of viewing the several locations in and about Viroqua, proposed as suitable places on which to erect the new county buildings, and report to this body, begs leave to report that, in his opin- ion, the location occupied by the present county buildings is better adapted to that purpose, and a'l things considered preferable to any other, and would respectfully recommend the adoption of the resolution hereunto attached. T. S. Jordan. On motion of Mr. Ellefson, the report was adopted and resolution passed by the following vote: Affirmative, 11. Negative, 7. Hesolued, That the court house and jail, to be erected, be located on the grounds occupied by the present buildings used for those purposes. Mr. NVilliams moved to reconsider the vole by which the resolution in relation to building committee was adopted. Motion lost by the following vote: Affirmative, 10. Negative, 10. Mr. Ellefson offered a resolution as to material to be used in jail, which the board refused to adopt. H. H. Morgan moved to reconsider the vote on the resolution adopted in relation to lo- c tion of new buildings. Motion prevailed by the following vote: Those voting in the af- firmative were: Messrs. Anderson, Hoyt, Han- son, McLees, H. H. Morgan, Michelet, Schlong, Sherman, Smith, Snyder, Williams and Wise, 12. Those voting in the negative were: Messrs. Bennett, Ellefson, Fox, Jordan, McMichael, Joseph Morgan, Oakes, Powell and Rodgers, 9. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 157 Mr. Williams moved that the reBolution be laid on the table. Mr. McMichael moved to amend by postponing action thereon, until to- morrow morning. Amendment losl. Tlie origi- nal motion prevailed, the resolution was tabled. Mr. McMicliael introduced an order authoriz- ing county treasurer to pay over funds to the building committee. Referred to the commit- tee on finance. Mr. Williams moved to reconsider the vote oil tlie order passed in relation lo electing two building commissioners. Motion prevailed. The vote was reconsidered and the order laid on the table. Mr. Anderson offered a resolution authoriz- ing the building committee to purchase ground for new county buildings. Referred to com- mittee on ways and means. Tlie committee on ways and means reported the same back to the board for their action. Mr. McLtes moved that the resolution do now pas^. Motion prevailed. The ayes and nays were called for. Those voting in the affirma- tive were: Anderson, Fox, Hoyt, MeLees, Mich- elet, Rodgers, Schlong, Sherman, Smith, Sny- der, Williams and Wise, 1'2. Those voting in the negative were: Bennett, Eilefson, Han- son, Jordan, McMichael, Joseph Morgan, II. II. Morgan, Oakes and Powel, 9. Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Ver- non county, that the building committee be and are hereby instructed to negotiate with tlie proper parties, for seventeen rods, thirteen and a half feet, by thirly-tive to fifty rods of ground upon which tiie new court house and jail shall be located in the west portion of the village of Viroqua, on the site recommended by. a special committee of this body and upon the lands of Mr. Minshall. On motion, the board adjourned until 7 o'clock p. M. Board met. Called to order by the chairman. Mr. Iloyt otTered a resolution authorizing the building committee to sell lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, in block 6, Viroqua. Referred to committee on ways and means. On motion of Mr. Williams, the board ad- journed until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Friday, Feb. 13, 1880, 9 o'clock a. m. Board met. Called to order by the chairman. Mem- bers all present except Mr. McVey. Journal of yesterday read and approved. The committee on ways and means made the following report: Your committee on ways and means, to whom was referred the resolution authorizing the building committee to sell grounds, beg leave to report that they have had the same under consideration and offer the order hereto as a substitute, and recommend its passage. The report was adopted and the substitute was passed by the following vote. Those voting in the affirmative were: Anderson, Bennett, Eilef- son, Hoyt, Hanson, Jordan, McLees, McMichael, H. H. Morgan, Michelet, Oaks, Powell, Rodg- ers, Schlong, Smith and Snyder, 16. Those voting in the negative were: Fox, Joseph Mor- gan, Sherman, Williams and Wise, 5. It is hereby ordered and determined, by the county board of supervisors of Vernon county, that the building committee of this board, is hereby authorized and empowered to sell lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, in block 0, of the original plat of the village of Viroqua, on snch terms as shall seem to them for the best interests of the county, and apply the proceeds of such sale or sales, to the payment for the grounds purchased from Edward Miiishall and wife, for the location i)f the new county buildings, and in constructing fences, walks, out houses, cisterns and in jilant- ing trees, or otherwise improving the grounds. Upon the committee making such sale, it shall be the duty of the county clerk, when notified, and requested by the chairman of said com- mittee so to do, to execute to the purchaser or ])urchasers, good and sufficient warrantee deeds in the name and on behalf of Vernon county, I for the lot or lots so sold. 15? HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. All moneys arising from such sale or sales, shall be paid over to the building committee who shall render an account for the same to the county board of supervisors. The committee on tinance made the follow- ing report: Your committee, to whom was referred the order authorizing the building committee to re- ceive the $23,000 of the trust funds, have had the same under consideration, and respectfully recommend that it do not pass. The report of the committee was adopted. The board refused to pass the order. Mr. Schloug moved to strike out the words " said committee shall grant bonds in the sum of $50,000" in the resolutions passed by this board in relation to building committee, which motion prevailed. Mr. Williams offered the following resolu- tion which was adopted under a suspension of the rules : Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Vernon county, that chairman of the county board shall have power to fill any vacancy on the building committee caused by the death or resignation of any member of said committee. Mr. Schlong offered a resolution in relation to bonds of building committee. Mr. McMichael moved that the rules be sus- pended and the resolution adopted. Mr. Will- iams moved to amend by striking out the words "Ten thousand" and inserting the ' words "Twenty-five thousand." ' The amendment was lost by the following vote: Affirmative, live ; negative, fifteen. Mr. McMichael's motion prevailed, and the resolu- tion adopted as follows : Hesolved, By the board of supervisors of Vernon county, that the members of the build- ing committee be required to give a joint bond for the sum of $10,000 for the faithful perform- ance of their duties, said committee shall have power to draw orders on the treasurer for the funds in his hands, said orders to be signed by the chairman of the board of supervisors and countersigned by the clerk, upon the recom- mendation of the building committee. The annual session for 1880 began on the 9th of November. R. S. McMichael, of Viro- qua, was elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen represented the vari- ous towns and villages in the county : Henry Schlong, Bergen ; M. N. Hanson, Christiana ; H. W. Knapp, Clinton ; Ole An- derson, Coon ; R. S. Sherman, Forest ; H. A. Owen, Franklin ; John Carpenter, Genoa ; John Shaughuessy, Greenwood ; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg. VVm. Webster, Harmony ; Roger Williams, Hillsborough; William Frazier, Jefferson; Irwin Fox, Kickapoo; Stanley Stout, Liberty; Charles G. Stebbins, Stark; J. M. Vance, Ster- ling; Laor King, Union; E. Powell, Viroqua; R. S. McMichael, village of Viroqua; John Snyder, Webster; H. H. Morgan, Wheatland; Samuel Sloggy, Whitestown. At this session the bounty upon wolves was raised as follows: On a full grown female wolf, f 15, bounty; on a full grown male wolf, $10 bounty; all whelps, $5 bounty. D. A. Barnard was re-elected to the office of commissioner of the poor. The board fixed the salaries of the various county officers as follows: County clerk, $800 per year; treasurer, $800; district attorney, $300; commissioner of poor, $2 per day and eight cents per mile; county superintendent, $3 per day not to exceed $800; clerk of circuit court, $300 and fees; county judge, $500. Taxes were levied as follows: For State purposes, $12,811.29; for connty purposes, $15,871.88; for county school purposes, $3,609. The total assessed valuation of the county at that time was $3,967,970. On the 15th of November, 1881, the board met again in annual session. J. W. Hoyt, of Hamburg, was elected chairman for the ensu- ing year. The following members of the board were present: Henry Schlong, Bergen; HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 159 T. Madden, Christiana; P. Brody, Clinton; Helge Larson, Coon; R. S. Sherman, Forest; H. A. Owen, Franklin; W. L. Riley, Genoa; John Shaughnessy, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg; Simon Clawson, Harmony; Roger Williams, nillshorougli; Wm. Frazier, Jeffer- son; C. M. Poff, Kiekapoo; L. S. Rabldtt, Liberty; Irvin Nixon, Stark; J. M. Vance, Ster- ling;Laor King, Union; E. Tilton, Viroqua; H.A. Chase, Viroqua village; Wni. Hayes, Webster; II. H.Morgan, Wheatland; Samuel Sloggy, Whites- town. D. A. Barnard was re-elected poor commissioner. Taxes were assessed by the board as follows: For State purposes, $10,242.07; for county purposes, 118,067.25; for countyschool purpos- es, $3,788. The total assessed valuation of the county in 1880 was 44,014,945. For the annual session in 1882, the board met on the 14th of November. J. W. Hoyt, of Hamburg, was re-elected chairman. The board consisted of the following gentlemen: Henry Schlong, Bergen; Patrick Brody, Clinton; Timothy Madden, Christiana; Ole Anderson, Coon; W. C. Stelting, Forest; F.K. Van Wagner, Franklin; W. L. Riley, Genoa; Martin Rodgers, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg; Jesse Cowen, Harmony; Roger Wil- liams, Hillsborough; A. B. Saxton, Jefferson; W. N. Carter, Kiekapoo; L. S. Rabbilt, Liberty; Troy Evans, Stark; J. M. Vance, Sterling; S. Bauman, Union; E. Tilton, Viroqua; H. A. Chase, Viroqua village; William Hays, Web- ster; H. H. Morgan, Wheatland; Samuel Sloggy, Whitestown. Chairman Hoyt appointed the following com- mittees: On finance: H. A. Chase, Roger Williams and Henry Schlong. On claims: Samuel Sloggy, E. Tilton and Ole Anderson. Ways and means: H. H. Morgan, S. Bau- man, W. N. Carter, F. K. Van Wagner, A. B. Saxtou, W. C. Stelting and Martin Rodgers. Roads, bridges and ferries: William Hays, J. M. Vance, W. L. Riley, Jesse Cowen and Troy Evans. Equalization: E. Tilton, L. S. Rabbitt, Patrick Brody, H. H. Morgan and T. Madden. D. A. Barnard, commissioner of poor, pre- sented his report, in which he stated that there had been forty-two paupers at the county house during the past year. The aver- age number at the house during the year was thirty-one. The cost per capita of $1.24 per week. The number at the house Oct. 31, 1882, was thirty; of this number six were insane, fourteen idiotic, one epileptic, two cripples; four over seventy years of age; one under ten years, and of the others, two are incapable of self- support. The number receiving aid from the county outside of the county was 195. Mr. Barnard was re-elected to the office of poor commissioner. The salaries of the various county officers were fixed as follows: County clerk, $900 per annum; treasurer, $800; district attorney, $400; clerk of circuit court, $300 and fees; county judge, $500; poor commissioner, $2 per day and 10 cents per mile; county superintendent, $3 per day. On the 13th of November the board of supervisors convened for the annual session of 1883. J. VV. Hoyt, of Hamburg, was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. The following gentlemen were members of the board, repre- senting the various towns and incorporated vil- lages in the county: Wesley Pulver, Bergen; T. Madden, Chris- tiana; P. W. Carey, Clinton; Helge Larson, Coon; R. S. Sherman, Forest; Christian Ellef- son, Franklin; W. L. Riley, Genoa; W. King, Greenwood; J. W. Hoyt, Hamburg; Jesse Cowan, Harmony, G. J. Shear, Hillsborough; A. B. Saxton, Jefferson; P. L. Rush, Kiekapoo; D. B. Sommers, Liberty; Troy Evans, Stark; J. M. Vance, Sterling; S. Bauman, Union; E. Til- ton, Viroqua; H. A. Chase, Viroqua village; 160 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. William Hays, Webster; H. H. Morgan, Wheat- land; Henry O'Connell, Whitestown. COUNTY BUILDINGS. The first building used as a court house stood upon the site now occupied by the Masonic Hall in Viroqua. It was erected in 1850 by Moses Decker. This building is fully described in the chapter upon the courts of Vernon county, the first term of circuit court being held in it. This building was used for the purpose of a court house until 1856. In May, 1854, the board of supervisors of the county expressed themselves as in favor of the erection of a new court house. T. J. De Frees drew the plans and specifications of the proposed building and proposals were advertised for. In July, 1854, the proposition of Samuel Mc- Michael to erect a building .30x38 feet in size, and two stories high, for the sum of $2,100, was accepted. The erection of the building was at once commenced. It was finished in 1856, havinsr cost somewhat more than the original contract. This building still stands just back of the store of Rogers, Williams & Henry. For several years after its erection it was the finest county building in the sixth judicial circuit. When it was first built the first floor was divided into six oflice rooms; later the partitions were taken out, making four rooms. The upper story was occupied by the court room. In 1867 the contract for building a jail was let to Thomas Fretwell, of Viroqua. It was finished in November, 1858, at a cost of 82,060. It stands directly west of the old court house building. The court house and jail were occupied until November, 1880, when the county oflices and records were moved into the new court house, the one now in use. The present buildings were erected in 1880; the contract for building the court house, jail and sheriff's residence being let for §23,000. The actual cost only overrun this amount $168, and this was paid by the county. The reason of this excess was that the sheriff's residence was veneered with brick, while the contract called for a frame building. This made the en- tire cost of the court house, jail and sheriff's residence |i3,168. 'i"he court house is built of stone; about 60x70 feet in size, two stories and basement. In the basement are two large Ruttan furnaces which heat the entire building. There are half a dozen large rooms in the basement which are used for storage purposes ; partitions are of massive stone, making a secure support and foundation for the building. The first story is divided into cozy rooms which are occupied by the county officers. The upper story is divided into four rooms — court room, consultation room and two jury rooms. The court room is 42x58 feet in size, neatly furnished and well arranged. Just southwest of the court house stands the jail and sheriff's residence. The former is of stone ; the latter frame, with brick veneering. The buildings occupy a beautiful square con- taining about four acres of land, just west of the main part of town. MATRIMONIAL. The first marriage that appears on the record books of Vernon county was solemnized on the 16th of May, 1851, more than thirty-two years ago. The contracting parties were Nels Nelson and Martha Olson, and the marriage ceremonj' was performed by Oliver Langdon, justice of the peace. It would doubtless be of interest to many to give the record of marriages for the first ten years of the county's existence; but they are too numerous, therefore, only the first four years are given as taken from the records in the office of the register of deeds. Samuel Nelson and Sophia Flick, by justice of the peace Orrin Wisel, on Aug. 25, 1851. Job Brown and Mary Ann Davison, by llenrv Waters, Esq., on Sept. 10, 1851. Ingebright Homstead and Sophia Clemetson, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Dec. 20, 1851. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 161 Leroy B. Bundy and Hannah H. Taylor, by Rev. Daniel Parkison, on the 4th of July, 1852. Ander Anderson and Oleand Oleson, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Aug. 21, 1852. Nels E. Olson and Anna M. Hansdatter, by Oliver Langdon, justice of the peace, on Oct. 1 7, 1852. Jacob Lavold and Johannah E. Hansdatter, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Oct. 17, 1S52. Lewis Graham and Caroline E. Showan, by Henry Waters, Esq., on Nov. 16, 1852. Lafayette Everson and Harriet Morley, by Edmund Strong, Esq., on Nov. 21, 1852. Joiin Clemetson and Martha Ingebright, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Dec. 15, 1852. Philip Snyder and Elizabeth Guirt, by Ed- mund Strong, Esq., on Dec. 28, 1852. Franklin Cooley and Mercy A. Wilcox, by Rev. Ira Wilcox, on Jan. 26, 185-3. John Lockington and Polly S. Wright, by Rev. Daniel Parkison, on Feb. 20, 1853. Stephen O. Rice and Mary E. Decker, by Rev. Daniel Parkison, on the 23d of Feb. 1853. Henry Sifert and Etna E. J. Siveney, married March 15, 1853, by Rev. Daniel Parkison. Allen Day and Sarah McGary, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on March 24, 1853. Jesse Ewing and Martha Palmer, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on April 19, 1853. Erick Verack and Anna Siburuson, on May 16, 1853, by Oliver Langdon, Esq. .Tames Taylor and Louisa Henry, by Orrin Wisel, on M.ay 17, 1853. Nels Jakobson and Helena Paulson, by Rev. N. Brandt, on the 5th of July, 1853. Hiram B. Patterson and Abigal E. Harkness, by Henry Waters, Esq., on July 17, 1853. Gilbert Herrick and Ester A. Hale, by S. C. Lincoln, Esq., on Sept. I, 1853. Joseph B. Wilcox and Jane L. Willard, by Rev. Ira Wilcox, on Sept. 5, 1853. Nathaniel Cox and Jane Teawault, by Rev. Ira Wilcox, on Sept. 7, 1853. Samuel E. Burkes and Mary D. Crume, by Rev. James Bishop, on Oct. 8, 1853. Ingebright Christenson and Matea Enos, by Oliver Langdon, on Oct. 10, 1853. Francis Davidson and Jane Jones, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Dec. 9, 1853. William Flnnell and Catharine Moreley, by Oliver Langdon, Esq., on Nov. 30, 1S53. Nathan Coe and Mary Lawrence, by Rev. j Nicholas Mayne, on Dec. 25, 1853. [ The following are the names of those who were married during 1854, without going into j particulars as to dates : I Isaac W. Waters and Martha Price. George B. Taylor and Esther E. Spring. Lucius Bundy and Cordelia B. Moore. Christian Peterson and Anna Olesdaughter. George Hastings and Lavina Caswell. Christopher N. Johnson and Mary Nelson. Samuel McMichael and Julia Cook. Daniel Busbee and Hannah Groves. Robert S. McMichael and Osla Ann Sperry. Lorenzo Hill and Jemima Wilson. Daniel Day and Mary Hill. Joshua O. Richardson and Eliza Brown. Marshall T. Butts and Nancy L. White. James S. Medlicott and Emily Barrie. Moses Wheeler and Betsy Targer. Nirom R. Wells and Sarah A. Wright. Samuel Brice and Mary Spradling. Leonard C. Gilletl and Emily Dunlap. Cyrus F. Gilettand Sarah Jane Norris. A. W. Gillett and Rebecca J. Glen. Kidel Byron and Susan Halverson. Michael Larson and Rachel Knudson. Ransom P. Gillett and Rebecca Smith. William Rogers and Margaret Mahan. Peter Mathiason and Karen Jacobstaller. Enoch Enochson and Sarah Oleson. Andrew Evenson and Martha Nelsdalter. Sylvester Nelson and Anna Hanson. Sidney Harding and Anna C. Older. Ben (tuibrandson and Abelena Oleson. Elias Torgeson and Mrs. Algood Christen- son. 162 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The names and titles of those who performed t'ae marriage ceremonies during 1854, in the cases mentioned, are as follows : County judge, William Terhune; Revs. James Bishop, Daniel Parkison and H. A. Stub ; justices of the peace, Sylvester C. Lincoln, Henry Waters, J. P. Harkncss, N. W. Saxton. Robert Nelson, Orrin Wisel, Augustus H. Older, C. Ciieatham, Oliver Langdon and A. Nelson. During the last few years the records of mar- riages, show the names of many, both ladies and young gentlemen, wlio are sons and daugh- ters of the parties mentioned above, who have themselves taken partners to their joys and sorrows. Thus a new generation steps to the front. The following table shows the number of marriages recorded from the year 1851 to 1883, inclusive : 1851. 1852. 1^53. 1854. 1855. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867. 1868. 4 8 1869 1870 ... 160 181 18 1871 .. 181 31 1873 138 59 1873 150 6fi 1874 191 fid 1875 ... . 150 88 1876 . . .184 71 1877 155 8-5 1878 316 84 1879 206 50 18S0 152 39 1881 .... 182 13 1882 ... 208 47 61 62 1883 to Oct. 25,... Total, 126 ... 3,499 117 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 1(18 I I Go Value of City and Vil- lage Lots.. 1 C;OS?C^O^C1«:D — !C>C-fO Value of the S 5 i' ?: 'y. :?.V.\Ei^ ci ? Jr ' " aforesaid -.---_•_: ^- --_-,- t_--x'~ Acres of •■= ii = = *' iJ -^ ^ ^ ^"- r^ fs -o Laad. . f-4 . «D m o o CO t- « ■* "* »ft OiOOOD Oi »l « CO CO X 30 c: o: iS :s t- " X t- CC 1-1 X No. Acres Of Land - n f-i '^ CD ■* a ^l—iO'J'OlOOlOlClC i--;DO;-Hlr--^0;Cli— Ot M^l-iOOCOX Ot--.OX5J — t-iMOtO — XCOt-XCll-t-CO'-ii-H ^ *_ ._ ._ - r-. Ol -*• CC (?l Oi 3i t- 01 X 3 t- -J? X 71 — t- Oi ^ro-^-i-co^Dicst- -- 00 01 CD CO rH 1- t-!OX:^CO?3-*'X-^XPOOiCeOOia>Cr->t-COt- t-Ott-OCOOiX-^Ol-^-^L^Oifl— tOOS-^OX t-i^i5 — t-.F-ioirat-i-5^'-~"'W='=ccocoi.-oi'<*'cooii-Hi—ano r-ll.OXX'— COt-t-COCOlOkO-it't^'^t-Nt-COtO'iI* *-=-"" ="^ CO-*«CJ C0i-"NC0 01 t-coc;:si--*'ir::ooxi— ix-^c;t--*'i-oc-i3i3; 1— <:= ^ -f ji I- 1- itr m CO ;i CO ^ -* t- 1- 1- X -f iC O 03 > O O O O . _ w Oi o »s • o» ur ■*»< ;o t- ■ _ w. .-Iri.jO .tS— ^-f»-i -OiOI oooiomoio lo CO cm t- ot t- t- ?t CO oi oi tn«*i •ao-*i*-< «D t- rH CO ® Ol S X CO' X ri CO .-V O X -t 'r 01 ?^ -*< X iC Oi c 01 S t- — t^ C: CO t- 0! iC Oj X lit 1.0 Ol I-" t- ■* 1- ioo30 0!c;ooimr3in??T-i;ioco5Di-ooj- CO .4 CO o i^ i-^ t-' r: ' -lOOiO^OOCOt-— r as«-»'UCOOl-»'-Ht-C5COClOt-X-*»«3;c6'*fr i-xc rso»ff—i — >-t-*xxcocooi3icocotDe' XOOSXDJOSl--* — !— lC0C0Cl-i't--^O »a 40 Q 1— CO — o X o oj 1.0 i4j i V -— vj -» CD liO I- X OH-OC l-OI r: I- 'W S 3 u- O Xt-Ol - ■" ^ : i- o Z-. — c: if;t--^r - -•-ixiraia&oicoi; xx-fift^oooiC-oo-f — ccxo?t-CT!miaox cot-y5co'^iooiOi->»'i-coiCxx^oix-^i-5iN CO'*'?0C0 0»t-C0CO-*-efore Judge Knowlton. Its title was, " State of Wisconsin vs. William Watts." Watts had been indicted for murder in the first degree, by the grand jury of LaCrosse county, and the case came to Had Ax county upon a change of venue. The particulars of the affair were as follows : Some time during 1802, William Watts and a man named Deurst came from Illinois and settled upon a piece of land in Mormon Coolye, La- Crosse county. Watts being in the employ of Deurst, as a hired man. In the fall of 1852, Watts went to LaCrosse city, taking with him several head of cattle and other articles which had belonged to Deurst. He got upon a drunken spree and sold the property. For several days he hung around LaCrosse, and then disappeared. At that time the country in the region of Mor- mon Coolye was very sparsely settled, and it was some days before Deurst was missed ; but in time suspicions were aroused from the action of Watts, and the continued absence of Deurst, that all was not right. The premises were ex- amined, and it was found that Deurst had been murdered, and his body dragged some distance and hid in in a thicket. Watts was still absent. A reward of $500 was offered for his apprehen- sion. It subsequently transpired that Watts came to Bad Ax county and hired out to work for Anson G. Tainter. For several months he continued work, gaining the confidence of his employer. Finally a man from La Crosse county, who came to Tainter's upon business, recognized Watts, and told Tainter that he be- lieved Watts was the murderer,but would make further examination while the family were eat- ing dinner, and report the result. After dinner he told Tainter that it was a mistakfe and the suspicion was unfounded. The La Crosse man than proceeded on his way to Prairie du Chien, and upon his arrival at that place wrote the sheriff of La Crosse county in- forming him of the whereabouts of Watts. The sheriff at once came down to Tainter's, arrested Watts and took him to La Crosse, where the grand jury had found a true bill of indictment against him for the murder of Deurst. Before plea he secured a change of venue to Bad Ax county, where the case came to trial in Se])tem- ber,185.3. The counsel were among the most dis- tinguished lawyers in this part of the State and both gentlemen afterwards became circuit judges. Edwin Flint was for the prosecution and George Gale for the defense. Both were then residents of La Crosse. The trial excited great interest. The theory of the prosecution was, of course, all circumstantial; but this evi- dence and the chain of circumstances was most convincing. No one had seen him strike the blow, but his subsequent actions, selling the cattle, running away and assuming a different HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 173 name plainly proved his guilt. The theory of Watts' defense was self protection. Deurst was a rough, violent tempered man. Watts claimed that he had loaned Deurst money, and worked for him until his due amounted to a considerable sum. So one day they got to- gether for a final settlement, and while looking over accounts, they got into a quarrel. Deurst in a fit of anger drew a knife and attacked Watts, who, in defense, struck Deurst with an ax handle which he was engaged in making. Watts claimed he struck a harder blow than he intended and when he found it resulted fatally he was very much troubled; and finally adopted the only course he thought left to him, of hiding the body and making his escape. When the case was called for trial the pris- oner plead "not guilty" and a jury was impan- neled. After a long trial the jury re- turned a verdict of guilty, and on the last day of the term Judge Knowlton, after making eloquent and touching remarks concerning the heinousness of the crime, sentenced the prisoner to hard labor in the State pententiary for life. The affecting remarks and severe sentence of Judge Knowlton brought tears to the eyes of all present, except the prisoner, who maintained a stoic and inilifferent ex])ression which had char- acterized his behavior throughout the entire trial. William Watts was, accordingly, placed in the penitentiary, where he remained at hard labor until the 21st of December, 1861, when he was pardoned unconditionally by the governor, through the influence of George C4ale, then circuit judge. The petition for pardon, which was prepared by Judge Gale, contained the sig- natures of all the jurors before whom the case was tried save one, who swore the sentence was just and he would never sign a prayer for the pardon of the convicted man. Judge Wiram Knowlton's term of office expired with 1856, and he was succeeded as judge of the sixth judicial circuit by Hon. George Gale, of Trempealeau county, former- ly of La Crosse. Judge Kuowlton was a man of splendid endowments, both natural and acquired. He had a warm, genial disposition, and made friends among all classes with whom he came in contact. As a lawyer, he was a good one for those days, and was an able jurist. His great fault was his irregular habits. He lived at Prairie du Chien, until the time of his death, which occurred several years ago. The following article, which was written by one of the pioneer lawyers of Vernon county, will serve to show some of the peculiarities and characteristics of Judge Knowlton: "At one of Judge Knowlton's terms of court at Viroqua, there was a suit pending between Daniel Lowry, plaintiff, and Stephen Marston, defendant. Lowry had rented Marston's farm to work on shares, and had put in the ordi- nary crops. Along in the summer Lowry began to pull roasting ears and dig potatoes for family use. This alarmed Marston, who feared Lowry would get more than his share of the crops; so he cut up all the corn and hauled it home. Lowry thereupon brought suit against him for trover and conversion, in a justice court, and obtained a judgment. JVIarston appealed to the circuit court. Terhune was engaged on behalf of Marston; Bierce looked after the interest of Lowry. The action came up for trial before Judge Knowlton and a jury. After the plaintiff had produced all his evidence and rested, Ter- hune moved to non-suit Lowry on the ground that the testimony showed that the parties to the suit were tenants in common of th(' crops, and that one tenant in common could not sue his co-tenant for trover and conversion of the common property. "The argument of Terhune was a lengthy one, and was concluded at noon, when the court adjourned for dinner. In the afternoon Bierce was to reply. At the opening of court it was plainly to be seen thatsomething was wrong witk the judge; he was overcome with drowsiness. Nevertheless Bierce began his argument; but he had not spoken many minutes before "his honor" fell quietly into the arms of Morpheus, 174 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. so to speak; in other words, be was sound asleepi But Bierce kept on with his argu- ment — why should he not? Court wag in ses- sion; the judge was upon the bench; the jury in the box, and the sheriff on hand to preserve order. There, too, was the clerk at his desk; and the parties to the suit sat near their respect- ive advocates, — it was a scene for a painter! "It is asserted by one who was present that it was exceedingly difficult to tell that after- noon exactly where, in the old log court house, the majesty of the law was ensconced. It seemed as if justice, for the nonce, had dropped her sword and scales, torn from her eyes the bandage, and incontinently fled! Bierce, after a good long hour of forensic effort, reached his peroration in eloquent style! But, if the court «-as convinced, there was no outward sign, for the judge still slept. An adjournment 'took place.' The judge, like the lords after the celebrated speech of Sheridan, was too much 'affected' to calmly weigh the matter; at least, the matter was then and there not weighed. Judge Knowlton retired half unconscious to his room. Jurors, parties, witnesses, officers — all staid around the seat of justice for a day or two, but the judge came not. Then, they took themselves every man unto his own home. "Nothing more was heard of the suit for some three or four months, when the judge, who had by this time recovered his equanimity, wrote to the clerk, directing him to put the case on the calender for trial at the next term, as he had over-ruled Terhune's motion. The eloquence of Bierce had done its perfect work!" Hon. George Gale held his first term of cir- cuit court for Bad Ax county in June, 1857. He was succeeded in 1861 by Hon. I. E. Messmore, of La Crosse, through some change in the boundaries of the district; but only for a short lime did Messmore continue on the bench, the county being again thrown into Gale's district. George Gale was a native of Burlington, Yt., born Nov. 30, 1816. He had the advantages of a good common school education, and in March, 1839, commenced reading law. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar, emigrated west, and settled at Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wis. Here he opened an office and entered into successful practice of his profession. Besides holding other offices in the fall of 1847 he was elected a member of the convention to form a State constitution, serving in that body on the judici- ary committee. The same fall he was elected district attorney and a year later a member of the State Senate. On the 4th of July, 1851, Mr. Gale received from Gov. Dewey the ap- pointment of brigadier general of militia. In the fall of that year he removed to the upper Mississippi, locating at La Crosse. He was soon elected county judge for the term of four years. Jan. 1, 1854, he resigned this office and ill April, 1856, was elected judge of the sixth judicial circuit, then composed of the counties of Bad Ax, Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau, La Crosse and Crawford. He served the full term of six years. During 1857 he removed from La Crosse to Galesville, Trem- pealeau county, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 18, 1868. Judge Gale was best known, however, as a friend of educa- tion. Seeing that all northwestern Wisconsin was without college advantages, he first urged upon the people of La Crosse the importance of founding an institution near that village. Fail- ing in this, he decided to remove to the Trem- pealeau valley, start a village and found a col- lege. Accordingly, in 1853, he purchased a large tract of land where Galesville now stands, and in 1854 secured the organization of Trem- paeleau county, with the county scat located upon his land. He also obtained a charter for the Galesville University. The board of trus- tees was organized in 1855, and the college building was commenced in 1S58. Judge Gale was president of this college until 1805. He was not a college graduate but from his great interest in education, he was made master of arts by the Vermont University in 1857, and doctor of laws by the Galesville University in HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 175 1863. Judge Gale was a man of great energy and worth, and bis deatli was much mourned by a large circle of friends. While Judge Gale was upon the bench William II. Tucker, a law- yer from La Crosse, who at one time had a very large practice in the sixth circuit, often at- tended terms of court at Viroqua. He acquired quite a reputation for wit and oratory, and, be- ing somewhat cheeky frequently got into a dis- cussion with the judge. On one occasion a dis- pute arising between Gale and the lawyer, they both became somewhat "warmed up," and the judge in his excitement, compromised his dig- nity by offering to bet $100 upon the point of law involved in the dispute. Mr. Tucker, quick to take advantage of the judge's forgetful ness of his position, exclaimed: "Hold on. Judge! you oversize my pile; call it §1 and I'll cover it." At the October term of circuit court, in 1860, John Kellard, an Irish shoemaker, about sixty years old, a nervous voluable fellow who evi- dently prided himself upon having "licked the Blarney stone," was indicted for selling liquor without a license. He was very deferential to his superiors, and very lavish in applying and repeating titles. The indictment was in the old common law form, charging that "on the day of — , 18 — , at the town of Franklin, in the county of Bad Ax, State of Wisconsin, the defendant did wrongfully and wUUnUy wit/i force and arms sell and traffic in strong, spirituous and intoxi- cating liquors and drinks." * * * The case being pretty strong against Kellard, he was advised by his lawyers to plead guilty. When the indictment was read to him in court, and he was solemnly asked the usual question of: "Are you guilty or not guilty;" he s)jrang to his feet and replied earnestly: "May it plaze this most honerable coort! I be — believe I am a leetle guilty; but, may it plaze your most honerable honer I plade not guilty to ihe /o7-ce and arms, aforesaid." Speaking of the oddities of practice in early days. Judge Terhune relates an anecdote re- garding the case of State vs. Holt liugbee, for assault and battery. The defendant was a tall six-footer who bad been brought up in the back woods, who had a very loud voice and extremely large feet. It seems that the com- plaining witness was a nephew of the defend- ant. One day while passing along the highway in front of the defendant s house he began tantalizing the latter, calling opprobrious names and casting slurs upon Bugbee and his family. Finally Bugbee came out and gave the fellow a "booting." Bugbee was arrested and tried for assault and battery before justice court. W. F. Terhune was employed as counsel for the defense. R. P. Gillett, one of the early settlers of Viroqua, appeared for the prosecution. He was an odd, rough and ready genius, and was possessed of a good deal of natural wit and originality. It should be stated by way of ex- planation that the settlers in that region made a good deal of maple syrup, catching the sap in large sap-troughs made from linn trees. After the witnesses had been examined the argument of the counsel was heard. The defendant had nothing to offer save that the act was justifi- able, was brought about by great provocation and was necessary to teach the boy better man- ners. Mr. Gillett, for the prosecution, in sum- ming uj) the evidence and laying down the law, stated that "the boy was in the highway where he had a perfect right to be, and that no words could constitute a provocation which would justify Holt Bugbee in coming out and booting the boy with a/)fnV o/'sop troughs." Continu- ing, partly in replication, he stated that "noth- ing argued on the part of the defense, would justify the defendant in starting out on the highway and kicking a poor boy with a big pair of "fourteen boots." "Its an infernal lie!" yelled Holt; "I only wear twelves!" holding up his foot. The boots were fined fifty cents. Hon. Edwin Flint, of La Crosse county, was elected judge of the sixth judicial circuit in the spring of 1862. He served for six years. Judge P^lint was a good lawyer, and a thorough 176 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. master of all the detail knowledge relating to the profession. He now lives in Mason City, Iowa, having retired from the active practice of law. The case of State vs. John Tibbetts, upon indictment for murder, came up at the fall term of circuit court in 1864. The killing took place early in April, 1864. August Nifenecker, a former resident of Bad Ax city, was shot by Wm. S. Tibbitts, and died in about five hours. The substance of the testimony of witnesses was, that during a melee between Nifenecker and two men named Fopper and Moreville, Tib- bitts seized the heart of a stave cut about thirty inches long and three or four inches through, and struck Nifenecker a heavy blow with both hands, cutting a deep gash in the center of the head from near the edge of the hair on the forehead, two inches long, toward the back of the head. In a few moments Nifenecker re- covered and asked who struck him. On being told that it was Tibbitts, he looked around, and seeing him, gave chase. Tibbitts riin for the store, where his gun was standing behind the counter, and seizing it he shot Nifenecker in the breast, while the latter's hand was upon the latch, pushing open the door, with one foot on the door sill or top step. Tibbitts was seen to load his gun in the store previous to the shoot- ing. From the evidence it did not appear that there had been any quarrel between Nifenecker and Tibbitts previous to the time of Tibhitts using the stave cut. The preliminary examina- tion took place before Judge Graham and Jus- tice J. E. Newell, and bail was fixed at $1,500, for want of which the prisoner was placed in jail. Before trial in circuit court, the defend- ant obtained a change of venue to Crawford county. He was tried, found guilty of man- slaughter and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. He served his term, and after- ward became so demented that he was placed in the insane asylum where he still remains. In the spring of 1864, a number of ruffians belonging to a band of horse theives were cap- tured and brought to trial before the circuit court. The following account of the affair was published by the Northwestern Times, of Viroqua, in its issue of May 25, 1864 : THE BATTLE OF KICKPAPOO. "On Saturday morning last, under Sheriff Po- land, ex-Sheriff Goode, and Messrs. A. P. Bliss, A. Smith, L. C. Gillett, C. P. Richardson and H. A. Robinson, upon information received from a reliable source, made a descent on some horse thieves, who had congregated at one Dr. Hills, in a secluded place on the west side of Kickapoo liver, about a mile and a half above the little village of Kickapoo Center, in Ver- non county ; and after a night ride of about fifteen miles, came upon them suddenly, about half an hour after sunrise. The two horse theives started for the bushes. Hill was or- dered to open the gate, which he did upon threat of being shot by Mr. Goode. Some got through the gate, and others got into the field through which the thieves were running, some other way. They quickly gathered round the skedadlers, and seized one of them, but the ring- leader shot Mr. Goode in the fleshy part of the shoulder, and in the melee caused by the falling of Mr. Goode, Graves, alia^ Eno got out of and a little ahead of the crowd. Several followed Eno and two of the party. Bliss and Poland, each fired two shots at him, and he fired two shots at Bliss, one of which passed through the right ear of the horse on which he was riding. The party here run out of ammunition and it being impossible to ride horses into the thick brush and over the logs, he was not taken. But the other thief and three horses were brought to Viroqua. Since that time Dr. Hill and other parties supposed to behmg to the gang, or know something about them, have been brought to Viroqua, also, Eno's rifle and a fine mare and colt, that he claims as his property, that was probably stolen. Eno shot the sheriff of Fay- ette county, sometime since and a reward of $150 is offered for his body." HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 177 The same paper in its issue of Dec. 7, 1864, under the head of " Vernon County Court," said : "The last term of court closed on Wednesday after a session of two and a half weeks. 'I'he members of the Kickapoo horse thief gang were convicted, Dr. Hill and Millison, for rob- bing old man Roger and Pitzenberger, ( usu- ally called Spitzenberger) for horse stealing and all three were sentenced to States' prison for three years ; and all three were escorted to Waupun, by our wide awake sheriff, Rogers, and his efficient deputy, T. B. Brown. The La Crosse Jiepithlican says : " A tough gang of robbers and horse thieves who have for years committed serious outrages in the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Vernon county, recently had their arrangements dis- turbed. Three of the ring leaders were con- ricted last week in the circuit court after an exciting trial of several days duration ; and were sentenced by Judge Flint to three years imprisciunient in the penitentiary. Dr. Hill, who has been a man of considerable note in that region, and a man named Millison, who was his near neighbor, were convicted of rob- bery. A man named Jacob Pitzenberger was convicted for horse stealing. Their conviction was secured by Millison turningStales-evidence against Pitzenberger, which so exasperated the latter's wife that she turned States-evidence against Hill and Millison. The good work of caging such villains is not completed, as others of the same sort will be brought to justice. Tlie trial ot these men was conducted with great ability by Mr. Priest, of Viroqua, and Mr. Montgomery, of La Crosse, for the State, and Judge W. F. Terhune, of Viroqua, for the prisoners." The case of State vs. Charles Skippens, was of marked importance. It came before the circuit court at the spring term of 1865. The particulars of the occurrence through which the defendant was indicted were briefly as follows : One Friday night, early in January, 1865, John Good and James E. Newell, Jr., went into the only saloon in Viroqua, at the Dunlap House. Charles Skippens, the proprie- tor, was holding a light for Mr. Stroup, who was fixing a bedstead for Skippens. Good called for some beer and Skippens said he had no time to get it, as he was busy. Good started behind the counter and Skippens seized him and was pulling him out as Newell put his hand on Skippens' shoulder, and said, "don't hurt John, he is drunk." Skippens and Newell clenched and Skippens pushed the latter to the floor over a chair. Newell then turned upon Skippens and struck him several times in the face, when Newell was pulled off and Skippens went into the other part of the basement and then up stairs. Newell went out and stood at the corner, a few steps from the stairs leading down into the saloon. A few minutes later another disturbance between Good and Skip- pens' step-son began and Newell started to go into the saloon. L. C. Gillett and others tried to persuade Newell not to go. He kept on until he stood on the second step leading down into the saloon. At this instance Skippens dis- charged his shot gun at Newell's head, through the window, just over the steps leading to the saloon The muzzle of the gun was only about five feet from Newell's head when discharged. The charge of shot took effect on the right side of the head, tearing away the lacerated scalp and pushing it down over the right eye, and fracturing the scull. Newell sank to the steps apparently dead. He was taken to his father's house and Drs. Rush and Tinker were summoned to his aid, but it was all in vain, for the unfortunate man died on the 14th of Janu- ary, 1865. James E. Newell, Jr., was a native of Morgan Co., Ohio; son of Hon. James E. Newell, Sr. ] He came to Viroqua with his parents in 1854, I and was thirty years of age at the time of his ! death. He had just ccmiplettd his three years army service in the sixth regiment, Wisconsin i Volunteers, and came home in perfect health, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. received a warm greeiiiig and looked forward to a quiet life in the midst of friends. Immediately after the fracas, Skippens was arrested and taken to jail the back way, as the people were terribly excited and further vio- lence was feared. Upon a preliminary exam- atiou he was bound over and in the spring the grand jury found a true bill of indictment against him. His first trial was had at the April term of circuit court in 1865. The jury found him guilty of willful, deliberate murder. For technical reasons the verdict was set aside and a new trial was granted. The defendant then applied for a change of venue, and the cause was removed to Monroe county, where, at the March term, 1866, it was again tried, and the jury failed to agree. At the November term, 1866, the final trial was had, resulting in the acquittal of the accused upon the ground of self defense. Thus ended one of the most ex- citing cases that has ever been tried in the county. In June, 1867, Charles Shippens was again arrested, this time for rape and adultery. He was placed in jail at Viroqua together with Charles Shannan, who was charged with burg- lary. On the night of July 11, 1867, both of the prisoners escaped jail. The two were locked up in the same cell, and during the night in question they began operations by removing their bed and prying up a flat stone which was part of the floor of the cell. This stone was under the bed and next the jail wall. The in- strument used was a short stick sharpened in crowbar form at one end. The stick had been taken into the cell for firewood, and had been there since cold weather. After the stone was pried up they began to dig, using wooden pad- dles and an old case knife, which bad come into their possession by some means. About two feet below the stone first pried up, they came to the loose stones in the bottom of the jail wall, and removing some of these, they had, so far, a sufficient opening through which to escape. And now the help of good friends on the outside came into play, and some right-handed shoveler, (as was evident from the direction the dirt was thrown), dug a hole with a spade to communi- cate with the aperture inside. The opening was then complete and the birds flew. Skippens was traced to Ohio, where he had died. The murder of Robert Lange, which took place early in January, 1865, was one of the the most shocking and cold-blooded affairs that have disgraced the history of the State. 1 he murdered man and his murderer were both resi- dents of Vernon county although the foul deed was committed on the prairie three miles south- east of the city of LaCrosse. Robert Lange kept a store and saloon on Coon Prairie. On the evening of Jan. 4, 1865, he left his place for LaCrosse, in company with Jacob Clear, a soldier of company K, 18th Wisconsin regi- ment, whose furlough had just expired, and he claimed to be on his way back to the regiment. This Jake Clear, as he was generally called, had heretofore clerked for Lange, when his estab- lishment was further north on the same prairie. He had been hanging around Lange's for several days previous to Jan. 4, 1865. When about six miles from their starting place, the two stopped and got some coffee, and while there the woman saw L.an^e take out his money and count it, when Clear asked how much money he had and received as an answer " over a thousand dol- lars." Between 10 and 11 o'clock that evening Lange and Clear stopped at the Greenfield House, five miles from La Crosse, and drank some beer ; Clear keeping his facc hid as much as possible and drinking with bis face away from the counter. About 3 o'clock in the morning of the following day Lange's team was found standing at the Bloomer House. About one quart of blood was found on the seat of the sleigh. As soon as it was light enough search was made, and Lange's body was found about eighty rods from the track, with the back of the head, side of the head and jaws smashed in with the head of an ax. The bloody ax lay near the body. The murderer set up two empty beer HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 179 kegs, one on each side of Lange's dead body. Clear at once returned to bis regiment and ac- companied it to Chicago, where he was arrested. He fully confessed his guilt and was taken to LaCmsse and placed in jail ; but was soon taken to Milwaukee to save him from being hung by Lange's friends. He plead guilty, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for life ; but through some influence he was pardoned in 1 880 by Gov. Smith, and is now at large. At the spring term of court in 1868 the case of State vs. Alonzo Mitchell and others, evoked a good deal of interest. A lot of young fel- lows from Hillsboro and vicinity w'ere arrested at the instance of Julia A. Betts, for taking part and engaging in a charivari. After a a lengthy and exciting trial, the boys were fouTid not guilty. The lady, however, after- wards commenced a civil action against the de- fendants and recovered damages. In the spring of 186S Hon. Romanzo Buiin, of Sparta, Monroe county, was elected judge of the sixth circuit. His term of ofKce began Jan. 1,1869. In 1874 he was re-elected and served until appointed United States district judge, in in 1875, when he resigned the circuit judgeship. In December, 18«8, the grand jury returned five indictments against Warren Dennison, who lived at what was called Coon slough, in the town of Bergen, Vernon county. Den- nison was an offender. He was charged with horse stealing, and many other criminal acts. In the fall of 18tj8 deputy sheriff William W. Lowrie, of Newton, went after him on a jus- tice's warrant and found him at home ; but he was sitting by the tire covered with blanket.s and pretended to have the rheumatism so thai he could not walk. So he was left upon the promise on his part to come to Viroqua as soon as he was able. But in a day or two suspicions were entertained that he was merely playing a dodge ; so Lowrie went after him again, but the bird had flown. Two or three times during the winter there were reports that Dennison had come back, but when he was searched for, it was found that he was still skulking. Hear- ing again that Dennison was at home, Mr. Lowrie and Gates Page, on the 1st of May, 1809, started out to capture him. They found him near home, but when he saw them he started to run toward the river, where he had a skiff, and his pursuers followed. While running, Lowrie tired a shot in the air to warn Dennison to stop. He did so, and turned back on his pursuers, having his hand behind him. Lowrie asked what he had in his hand. Den- nison replied, a revolver. Lowrie told him to drop it, which Dennison refused to do. Lowrie then told him of the warrant for his arrest, and in- formed him that if he would surrender, he should not be hurt. Dennison refused to surrender, and said that if shooting was the game he could shoot as well as any man, and started toward Page, who levelled his shot gun on him. Then Dennison turned toward Lowrie, revolver in hand, and the two tired at each otlier about the same instant, although Lowrie was a little too quick for Dennison, his ball hitting the latter in the thigh, and probably disturbing his aim. Dennison did not fall, but was getting ready to shoot again when Page shot him, the load taking effect under the right shoulder. Denni- son then dropped his revolver and tried to pick up a sled stake, but failed, falling back with the words "I'm dead." When he fell, Lowrie car- ried water to him from the river and washed his face. In a short time he died. A coroner's inquest was held, and after an examination the jury rendered the following verdict : "That the deceased came to his death by a wound from a shot gun in the hands of I. G. Page ; thai the killing was justifiable." The case of State vs. Josiah Dennison foi- the murder of John Oliver, came before Judge Bunn at the fall term of the circuit court in 1809. The facts of the case, as developed by the evidence, were as follows: There was a dance at John Briit's saloon, Genoa, forintTly Bad Ax city, on Christmas eve, 1868, which tiie Olivers and Dennisons attended. It seems 180 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. that there had been trouble between John Oliver and Warren Dennison, father of the Dennison boys. Late in the night of the dance John Oliver began to talk to James Dennison about this old grudge; but the latter told him that he did not want to have anything to say about his father's quarrels, and so the two parted without hard feeling. John Britt then got Oliver over to his house with the design of keeping him tiiere and preventing a fracas, in the meantime Josiah Dennison had taken his partner home. After Oliver left, two friends of his began to boast that Oliver "could whip any Dennison," and offered to bet twenty-five dollars on it. Tliis to James Dennison. When Josiah came back, James toM him what had been said, and added that the men seemed de- termined to bring on a fight. Josiah then went to the men who had been talking of betting, but tiiey denied the offer of twenty-five dollars, offering a wager of five dollars instead. It ap- pears that there was then a match made up for Josiah Dennison to fight John Oliver, the next day, it being stipulated by Dennison that he and Oliver should both be searched for weapons before the figlit began. After it was settled that the two men were to fight, some one went over to Britl's and told John Oliver, who at once became enraged, put himself in fighting trim, and ran to the saloon in which the Dennisons were, calling out loudly for "that d d Denni- son who is to fight me." Those in the saloon rushed out, Josiah Dennison among the first. Tee two men met on the steps, Dennison say- ing, "Wait till 1 pull off my coat." While he was in the act of pulling off his coat the tight began, probably by Oliver striking at him. Almost as soon as they closed, Dennison called out that he was stabbed, broke loose and ran down the street, Oliver after him. Not over- taking Dennison, Oliver soon came back toward the crowd. Meeting a man in the street he asked if he was a Dennison, which was de- nied. Passing on he came to George Dennison and with the words, "God d d you, you are a Dennison," closed with him. George at once began to cry out to take him off that Oliver was "cutting him all to pieces." With that, Henry Dennison ran up, took hold of Oliver's shoulders, and jerked him off. Just at this instant, and while Oliver was in the attitude of striking with his knife, Josiah Dennison came up and shot him in the back of the head, about the base of the brain, causing almost in- stant death. The stabs inflicted upon tlie Den- nison boys were not serious. Josiah Dennison gave himself up and upon preliminary examina- tion was bound over to the fall term of circuit court in the sum of ^1,000. A change of venue was taken to La Crosse county, vehere the case was finally dismissed, the killing having been so plainly justifiable. At the June term of court in 1870 there were two horse thieves tried upon indictment, Marion Robinson and J. W. Grubb. Marion Robinson had stolen a horse from a Norwegian in Hamburg township. He sold the horse; was followed by the owner; arrested; in- dicted; plead guilty and was sentenced to the penitentiary for three years. J. W. Grubb stole a horse which belonged to H. W. Haskell, from a hotel barn in Viroqua. He was actuated more from the spirit of revenge than gain. He was arrested in Grant county and while Sheriff Brown was bringing him back, he escaped and took to the fields, running like a deer. The sheriff brought him down by shoot- ing him in the thigh, and they then proceeded on their journey. Grubb was indicted by the grand jury, plead guilty and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary. Another interesting case which was tried at the June term, 1871, was that of the State vs. Chester Barrett, upon indictment by the grand jury. There were three counts in the indict- ment "for bigamy, adultery and lewd and las- civious conduct." It seems that many years prior to tills time Barrett had been married, in Vermont, to a woman named Olive . The ceremony was performed by a minister HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 181 who lived in an adjoining State, and the stat- utes provided that all marriages should be per- formed by magistrates who were residents of Vermont. A few years after the marriage, Barrett came west and located in the town of Liberty, Vernon county. Here he was married again, to Jeanette Wood, on the supposition that the former marriage was illegal. In 1871, his first wife, Olive, prosecuted him and he was indicted as stated. Upon the first two counts in the indictment Barrett was acquitted; but was convicted upon the last, and sentenced to six months in the county jail. This was the man that was afterward shot and killed by Comfort Starr. On the night of Oct. 3, 1871, James Butler burglarized the saloon of Peter Bartholomew, at De Soto, with intent to steal. The grand jury system had just been abolished, and in- formation was filed against the defendant by Carson Graham. He was arrested, and upon preliminary examination was bound over to the circuit court. He plead guilty and asked to be sentenced by the county court. This tribunal sentenced him to one year's hard labor in the penitentiary. The case of State vs. Nathaniel and Martha Cummings was tried at the May terra of circuit court, in 1873. This was for assault upon tiie father of Nathaniel Cummings. While there was nothing of especial interest in the facts con- stituting the cause of action, yet the case in- volved a proposition of law which made it more than an ordinary one. It seems that the father and children had had some trouble regarding land, and the diihculty finally terminated in their coming to blows. They met, got into an altercation, and the woman seized a stick, and, in the words of the evidence, "hammered the old man." Nathaniel and Martha were arrested and tried. Nathaniel was convicted and fined $50 and costs, while Martha was acquitted. This was upon the principle that the wife hav- ing struck the blows in the presence of lior hus- band, she was acting under his authority and coercion, and he was therefore responsible for her acts. The attorneys were Terhune & Gra- ham for defense, and C. M. Butt for prosecu- tion. The fall term of circuit court in 1873 was disgraced by another murder trial. It was that of Comfort Starr, charged with the murder of Chester Barrett. These men lived in the town of Liberty. For a long time they had been at outs, and in constant quarrels regarding fences and easements belonging to real estate. On the 9th of June, 1873, Starr attempted to drive across a certain piece of land in the town of Jeiferson. Barrett came from his house with a gun in hand and forbade his crossing. After a few words and threats Starr seized the gun he had brought with him and shot Barrett, killing him. Starr was arrested and bound over to the circuit court. The case was tried at the fall term in 1873, and was ably conducted by C. M. Butts, district attorney for the State, and Car- son Graham and O. B. Thomas for the defense. Starr admitted the shooting, but plead .self de- fense, and upon this ground was acquitted by the jury. The spring term of court in 1875 was made memorable by the trial of the notorious case of State vs. J. P. Larry the defendant being charged with shooting John Downie. Larry and Downie were lialf brothers living near each other in the town of Liberty. On the 9lh of November, 1874, while plowing in his field, Downie was shot by some unknown person and for a long time laid at the point of death. Isaiah Guist, a neighbor with whom Downie was not on very friendly terms, was arrested on suspicion of being the perpetrator of the foul and cowardly deed, but he clearly proved his innocence and was immediately discharged. As time went by the sus])icion that Larry had done the shooting gained ground, and he was finally arrested. He plead not guilty and based his defense upon proving an alibi. The trial was a long and interesting one, and at one time a crowd from the neighborhood of the ]8>2 HISTORY OP VERNON COUNTY. town of Liberty collected and threatened to lynch the prisoner, so strong was the circum- Btantial evidence against him. But they were prevailed upon to desibt. One strong point made by the prosecution was, that Downie's gun had been missing for several weeks prior to the shooting and this gun was found under a log near by where the man who did do the shooting stood. But Larry proved an alil)i to the complete satisfaction of the jury, and was therefore acquitted. The fact as to who was the criminal is still shrouded in mystery. Hon. Alfred William Newman was elected judge of the sixth judicial circuit, to succeed Judge Bunn, in the fall of 1875, and is the pres- ent incumbent. Judge Newman was born in Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., April 5, 1H34. His parents resided on a farm near the village, where Judge Newman remained until he was twenty years of age, engaged in agricultural pursuits during the summer, and attending school in the winter. In 18,'')4 he entered Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1857, and continued the study of law, which he had commenced while in college. On the 8th of December, 1857, the judge was e.\aniiucd at Albany and admitted to the bar, and in Janu- ary, 1858, he came west, settling in Kewaunee Co., Wis. Two months later he removed to Trempealeau, where he has since lived. He held various local offices and was State senator prior to his election to the circuit bench. The case of State vs. Nancy C. Wiseman for ; ssault with intent to kill, came before the cir- cuit court of Vernon county, at the November term, 1878. It was really the termination of a series of occurrences which had before this received the attention of the district attorney. It seems that a single w'oman named Mary J. Sneed, living in the town of Stark, became the mother of a child, which she swore upon Mr. Wiseman, the husband of the defendant in the case in question. Bastardy proceedings were commenced against Wiseman, and he fled the State. A compromise was effected with the in- jured woman, by mortgaging one-half of Wise- man's farm for $500, and the proceedings were abandoned. When the pay-day of the mortgage came Mrs. Wiseman had concluded that her hus- band was not guilty ,and refused to pay the same. The parties came to Viroqua, and counsel was secured. Mrs. Wiseman's attorney found that her defense was untenable, and it was accord- ingly abandoned. When she found that the money must be paid, she seemed to go into a perfect frenzy. Seeing the author of her troubles, as she thought Mary Sneed to be, she followed her into a store, where some trading was being done. While Mary Sneed was talk- ing to a clerk, Mrs. Wiseman rushed up, and drawing a revolver pointed it at the girl's head and pulled the trigger! As good fortune would have it, the clerk threw up Mrs. Wiseman's hand and wrenched the weapon from her grasp before it was discharged. Mrs. Wiseman was at once arrested, and was tried for assault with intent to kill; but the jury acquitted her on the ground of insanity. The mortgage was fore- closed, and thus the case was finally settled. The attorneys were H. P. Proctor, of Viroqua, for the prosecution, and C. M. Butt, of the same place, and Morrow & Masters, of Sparta, for the defense. Another murder trial angaged the attention of the circuit court and the interest of all Ver- non county, at the spring term, 1880. It was that of the State vs. Carl Olson for man- slaughter. The case was ably conducted by H. P. Procter, district attorney, for the State, and Butt & Graves for the defense. Carl Olson kept a shoe shop at Westaby, a few miles north of Viroqua. One night during the winter pre- ceding the trial, a number of persons, among whom was Ole A. Johnson, gathered at Olson's shop, and a quarrel arose, during which Olson ordered some of the others out of his shop. During a fight which ensued Johnson received two blows upon the head, one of which [lene- trated the skull, and the wound had the ap- pearance of having been inflicted with a ham- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 188 raer. The following morning Johnson returned to his home, some distance from Westaby, and shortly afterward hauled some wood from the timber. A few days after the occurrence he was taken very ill, went crazy, and soon died. Olson was arrested, charged with the crime of manslauhter. He denied that he knew any- thing about who struck the blow, and plead "not guilty." The trial excited great interest. Sixty witnesses were summoned and examined and the jury found Olson "not guilty." The case of State vs. Bradly G. Emmons and Sally L. Tripp, for adultery, came before the circuit court at the fall term, 1880. Emmons was the hired man of Mr. Tripp, the husband of the co-defendant, in the town of Ilillsboro. She plead guilty, and was sentenced by the county judge to pay a fine of $200. It was paid by her husband. Emmons was tried by circuit court, found guilty, and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. In the summer of 1881 Thomas and James Riley were arrested for burglary. They had entered the store building of Albert and Au- gust Zabolio, at Genoa, and stole $92. They were bound over to the circuit in the sum of 1200 each, and upon depositing the amount with the sheriff they were released upon their own recognizance. Upon gaining their free- dom they both fled to some of the western ter- ritories and forfeited their bail. COUNTY COURT. County courts, oras they are generally termed, probate courts, were created by the constitution of the State, adopted in 1848. For a time they were vested with civil and criminal jurisdiction but this was soon taken from them. The name probate court expresses the jurisdiction which county courts now possess. Terms of this court are held monthly. In connection with the chap- ter upon county representation, the office of county judge is treated at length, showing who h ve filled the position since the reorganization of the county. CHAPTER XVI. THE BAR OF VERNON COUNTY. There is no class or profession which has more influence in social or political matters than the bar. Even the press, which wields a mighty power among the masses, does not sur- pass it, as matters treated are generally local and varying. The pulpit, a great worker of good, is more devoted to the moral and spirit- ual welfare of man. But the profession of law embraces all under one grand aim. Upon the few principles of natural justice is erected the whole superstructure of civil law, tending to relieve the wants and meet the desires of all alike. The grand object of law is equal justice to all. Laws are formed as exigences arise de- manding them, by the representatives of the people. Change is necessary. The wants of the people of to-day, and the lawful restraints to be thrown around us of the present age differ from those of past years. They are either too lenient or too severe; in one case to be strength- ened, in the other modified. The business of the lawyer does not call upon him to form laws; but it lies with him to interpret them and make their application to the daily wants of men. Every matter of importance, every question of weight among all classes and grades of society, \f^i HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. come before him in one form or another for discussion. Hence, the lawyer is a man of to- day, posted upon all matters pertaining to the age in which he lives. His capital is his ability and individuality, and he cannot bequeath them to his successors. They die with him or live in the memory of his deeds and sayings. In the early days of Wisconsin, business was not so great in extent as to occupy the full time of the lawyer. Suits were not so numerous or remunerative as to afford him a living for him- self and family, and often other occupations were taken in connection to swell the slender income. As a rule the lawyer became a politi- cian, and more of the prominent lawyers of those days went to Congress and the State Leg- islature than at present. The people demanded their services and they were glad to accommo- date the people. To-day the profession stands at the head, almost, of all others, and the good lawyer must always be prominent, as he is one of the forces which move, control and protect society. THE BAR OF THE PAST. The bar of Vernon county has numbered among its members many who have been an honor to the county and to the profession, as well. So far as material was accessible, sketches are given of each attorney who has practiced before the courts of the county. If any are omitted, it is because their names have been forgotten, not from intention. The peculiarities and personalities which form so pleasing and interesting a part of the lives of the members of the bar, and which, indeed, constitute the charm of local history, are, in a great measure wanting. Unlike the fair plain- tiff in the famous Bardell vs. Pickwick, there has been no "painstaking sergeant to relate the facts and circumstances of the case." Of those attorneys who resided in the county at one time, and are now dead or have quit practice or left the county, the historian will gpeak first, later of the present bar. Among those who have practiced before the courts of Vernon county, or who have been licensed resident lawyers, are the following: Lorenzo A. Pierce, T. J. De Frees, Rufus Dun- lap, H. W. McAuley, A. H. Older, W illiam Austin, R. C. Bierce, John J. Cole, W. S. Purdy, Carson Graham, O. O. Phillips, Newton M. Layne, D. B. Priest, E. H. Harding, T. C. Ankeny, H. H. Natwick, T. J. Vinje, C. N. Harris, A. W. Campbell, D. E. Hatlestad, R. J. Chase, John Nicholson, E. J. Steele, A. A. Hosmer and David Briggs. Lorenzo A. Pierce was the first licensed lawyer in Vernon — then Bad Ax — county. Prior to the organization of the county he had come from Dane county and located upon a piece of land about two miles north of Viroqua and was engaged at farming. He had a fair common school education, and had been a school teacher. When the county was or- ganized he was elected district attorney, so he began reading law, and was admitted to the bar at the first term of circuit court held in the county, on the 9th of May, 1851. He remained in the county but a short time, leaving it is thought to return to Dane county. Thomas J. De Frees was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and among the first licensed attorneys. Mr. De Frees was born Nov. 4, 1804' in Rockbridge Co., Va., four miles from Lexington, the county seat. When seven years of age he removed with his parents to Miami Co., Ohio, near the present city of Piqua. Here he resided until M.ay, 18.3 7, when he moved with his family to the State of Illinois; thence to Wisconsin, in the present Vernon county, in 1846, where he arrived on the last day of July. He located upon a farm about one m ile and a half south of to« n, and a few years later moved to town. At the second term of the circuit court he was admitted to the bar and, for a time, did his share of what little legal business there was to do. About 1856 he sold his farm to a Mr. Beabout, and moved to 1 Victory, where he was engaged in merchaudis- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. IPo ing for a short time; then came back to Viroqiia and bought some property on Bishop branch of I Wolf creek. Here he put up a little grist mill. I Several years later he and his son-in-law, O. C Weeden, bonglit a steam engine and put that into the grist mill. They sold to Joshua and James Ady. In 1874 both Mr. De Frees and his son-in-law removed to Kansas, where they still live. Mr. De Frees, it is claimed, gave the first name to the county — Bad Ax — from the river of that name. He was the first probate judge of that county; served out the term for which he was elected, and was appointed by the governor to serve part of another term. He was also the third district attorney of the county. Rnfus Dunlap wasamong.the first settlers in the county. He came from Ohio; was a man of about forty years of age and was genial and pleasant in disposition. He went to keeping hotel at Yiroqua. In November, 1851, he was admitted to the bar but never attempted the practice of law. He remained here until the time of his death. H. W. McAuley was for many years an active and prominent member of the bar of Vernon county. He came to Viroqua in 1853 from Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., and opened a gen- eral merchandise store in company with George McCormick. Later he opened a regular law office and jiursued the profession for several years. He still lives in the county, now mak- ing his home in the town of Wheatland. H . W. McAuley is one of the well known early settlers of Vernon county, and has been inti- mately connected with its progress since its or- ganization. He was an early attorney of the county and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He commenced practice in Jackson Co., Iowa, in March, 1843, where he remained four years. He wa.s admitted to, and practiced in all the courts of the territory (Iowa then being a terri- tory) and practiced successfully with such law- yers as Plane Smith, of Dubuque, Judge Leff- ingwell and Timothy Davis. He was a student ot the old common law practice of Blackstone, Chitty, Starkie, Maddox, Rosco, Comyn, Jones, etc., but never was a willing devotee to the code practice (or Gunter's rule) of cut and try. A native of North Carolina, his ancestors belonged to the Mecklenberg colony and emigrated from Scotland to North Carolina, in 1 174. He was born Sept. 9, 1816. His father, Daniel McAuley, emigrated to Mythe Co., Va., when H. W., was but three months old. In 1830 the family moved to Hendricks Co., Ind. Mr. McAuley came to the territory of Wisconsin, in 1835, and located at Mineral Point, in what is now Iowa county, where he was engaged in mining for a time. He was in Grant county when it was organized, in May, 1835. In August of that year, he went back to Mineral Point. Mr. McAuley, at this time, was quite a young man and not permanently located. He went back to the State of Indiana in the fall of 1835, but returned to Wisconsin again, the following year. In 1838 he again returned to Indiana and was married at Lebanon, Boone county, in 1839, and in 1840, returned to Wiscon- sin and located at Lancaster, Grant county. He had built the first house in the present village of Lancaster, two years previous, in 1838. In 1852 he came to the town of Wheatland, and assisted in laying out the village of Victory, as will appear in the history of that town. He was the first man who sold goodsin that village, and has been a resident of Vernon county since 1852. In November, of that year, he went to Liberty Pole and engaged in mercantile busi- ness. In the fall of 1853 lie moved his goods to Voroqua, where he continued business for .•^onie time. In 1854, owing to the diflicully of finding a store room, he removed to the town of Sterling and located on section 16. On the Bad Ax, he built a saw and grist mill, which was the second mill built on the south branch of this river, Ira Wisell having erected the first. Mr. McAuley was engaged in milling until 1871, when he sold out to his sons, William H. H. McAuley and R. M. McAuley, and removed to Viroqua, in 1872; in 1873 removed to Sparta, 1S6 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. where he was engaged in the patent business for a time. In 1869 he patented a turbine water- wheel, and in 1870, a nut lock of great merit, but never introduced it; then again located in the village of De Soto in 1875 and sold goods for a time. He now resides in the town of Wheatland on section 31, town 12, range 6, west, where he is engaged in farming, making a specialty of raising sorghum. Mr. McAuley has been three times married, his first wife was Eliza A. Richie, born in Nicholas Co., Kj.; the second wife was Rebecca A. McConnell, a na- tive of Ohio; his present wife was Melvina Sloan, born in Clarion Co., Pa. Mr. McAuley has bad twelve children, seven of whom are living, three sons and four daughters. In 1834 he wrote bis first letter, which was badly exe- cuted, he not having had any instruction, being now away from home, at the age of seventeen, because of shame for his ignorance. But July 5, 1834, he started to school at the Wabash Col- lege, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he contin- ued at intervals, as his health would permit, un- til the spring of 1836, having visited Wiscon- sin, in 1835, as before stated, for his health. Poor health from 1833 to 1851, prevented his entrance into public life, so he contented him- self with an investigation into the matters of science, history, political economy and religion. He was always slow in taking a position on any new question, and as slow to yield to public sentiment which so often leads the unthinking man astray. He is an ardent lover of machin- ery, ai.d firmly believes that the day is close at hand, when machinery will do all the work and leave the human hand and brain nothing to do but control; when the air like the water, will be navigated by vehicles as safely, the one as the other, as nature's elements are equal to the gratification of every desire of an elevated civ- j ilization. Development and maturity are the result of circumstances over which no finite hand or mind has any control. A. H. Older came to Bad Ax county from the eastern part of the Sute in 1849, and settled ! upon a farm near Viroqua. He was a man of about thirty-five years of age and had a family. Whether he was ever admitted to the bar is a question, but he practiced considerable before justice's court in early days, and for a time was justice of the peace. He remained here until 1856, when he sold his place to N. Morrison, and moved to the State of Iowa, where, when last heard from, he still lived. William Austin came to the countj- in 1853, from Marquette county, in the eastern part of the State, and settled at Readstown, where he built a little brewery, which burned down a few years later. While there he began the practice of law, and was admitted to the bar at Viroqua. He remained in the county until just before the breaking out of the war, when he moved to Iowa, and when last heard from was in California. Austin never amounted to any thing as a lawyer; nor, in fact, was he suc- cessful in anything else he undertook. He was a pleasant appearing, oily tongued fellow, and many of his transactions while here betokened unsavory principles. Royal Clifton Bierce became a member of the Vernon county bar in 1853. He was born in Cornwall, Litchfield Co., Conn., on the 3d of October, 1818 ; being the next to the youngest of eleven children. His father died when he was five years old, and the following year, the mother, with such of the children as were still living at home, moved to Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio. Royal C. received his education at the dis- trict schools in Cornwall and Nelson, and in the academies of Tallmadge and Farmington, Ohio. When twenty years of age he entered the law oftice of Hon. John Crowell, of War- ren, Ohio, and having read law the statutory length of time, was admitted to the bar. He did not attempt to practice law in Ohio, save now and then in justice court, but taught school for two years and then came west, landing at Burlington, Iowa. He taught school near there one year, and not being satisfied with the country, came to Wisconsin and located at HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 18!) Patch Grove, Grant county, in May, 1845. For a time he worked for a farmer and in November began teaching tlie district scliool at Patch Grove. In May, 1846, he tore up his Ohio diploma, went to Lancaster and entered the law office of Barber & Dewey, remaining with them until the fall term of court, when he was admitted to the bar. After his admission he practiced law for two years in company with Oran I. Spencer, when his health failed and he abandoned his practice. In the fall of 1853 his liealth having improved he located at Viroqua, and settled down to steady practice. He held the office of district attorney of Bad Ax, Vernon county, for two terms ; the first in 1854-5, the second in 1858-9. In 1858 the Legislature passed an act requiring a thorough enrollment of the militia, organizing it into divisions, brigades and regiments, and requir- ing tlie governor to apjioint all necessary field < fficers. LTnder this law, Gov. Randall ap- l)ointed Mr. Bie7-ce colonel. The enrolled militia of Bad Ax county constituted the Itith regiment, third brigade, fourth division. Isaac Spencer, of Springville, was api)olnted general of the brigade. In the summer of 1859 Mr. Bierce formed a partnership with Newton M. Layne, but in the summer of IS61, Mr. Layne w'ent into the service. This ])artnership con- tinued in name until the death of Mr. Layne, in 1804. In September, ls7o, Mr. Bierce, feel- ing Ijroken up in mind and body in conse- quence of losses sustained in the great tornado, sold his property in \'ernon county and bought a lialf interest in the Sparta Eagle. He moved his family to Sparta, and remained in sole editorial control of the j)aper until May, 187 1, when he sold his interest in the Emjle, aiul removed to Menomonee, Dunn county, where he at once opened a law office. He held the office of district attorney "f Dunn county for tliree successive terms, from .January, 1872, to ls78, and upon the expiration of his last term of office, retired from practice. When J. M. liusk was elected governor, Mr. liierce accepted an office in the adjutant general's department of the State government, which he still retains. Mr. Bierce was married in 1856, to Emily Ann Green, of Holyoke, Mass., bj whom he had three children, one of whom is still living. The mother died .nily 25, 1874, and in November, 1875, Mr. Bierce married Mrs. Elvira M. Doerr, of Springville, a daughter of Rev. Luther Kendall. They have one child — Flora Emily. John J. Cole came to Vernon, then Bad Ax county, from Massachusetts and located at Vir- oqua, in 1856. He had been admitted to the bar and in practice before coming here, and uj)- on his arrival formed a partnership with Hon. W. F. Terhune. He was well read in law, a hard student and had good success at the bai\ He remained for several years when he re- moved to La Crosse, where he still lives. William S. Purdy was admitted to the bar in 1859, but was never actively engaged in the practice of law. W. S. Purdy was born in Car- lisle, Sullivan Co., Ind.. Aug. 28, 1822. His father died when he was eleven years of age. Previous to this time his opportunities were limited, so far as getting an education was con- cerned, to subscription schools. From this time he assisted his mother, who was left with insuf- ficient means, to support a large family of chil- dren. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the saddler's trade, which vocation he fol- lowed for about eleven years. In 1845 he came to the territory of Wisconsin. After spending all his money in mining, he worked in Mineral Point at his trade for about six months. Mi-. Purdy married in Indiana and settled in High- land, Iowa Co., Wis., where he remained for one year. He then removed to Bad Ax, Craw- ford county, now in the county of Vernon. For ten years he followed farming, when he was elected clerk of tlie circuit court, which office he retained for eight years. He represented the counties of Crawford, Ridiland and Vernon in the State Senate one term. \\'hile living u]>- 011 his farm he held almost all of the local town 12 19" HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. offices at various times. Tn ] 869 he was elected county judge and served for two terms in this capacity. He was married in 1846 to Jane E. Lemon. They buried two children and have two girls and six boys still living. Mr. Purdy was a whig in early days, but since its organi- zation he has affiliated with the republican party and his always been an active politician. He made Vernon county his home until 18V8 when he moved to Pratt Co., Kan., where he still lives. Judge Carson Graham, for many years a prominent member of the bar of Vernon county, was born in Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 25, 1815. He acquired his education at the common schools and academies of his day. His father was a farmer, and his labor was upon a farm until the age of seventeen, when he went to Pittsburg to learn the printer's trade, where he worked for a short time, and not liking the business re- turned home. He then taught school for some time. In 1 835 he commenced the study of law and on the 18th day of December, 1837, he was admit- ted to the bar. Soon after he was appointed as- sistant attorney general, of Pennsylvania. He was also deputy United States Attorney for the western district of the same State for six years when he came to Wisconsin to look the country over. Failing to lind a location to suit him, he returned to Pennsylvania. In 1849 he deter- mined to return to Wisconsin, and accordingly he located at Fond duLac, where he remained three years, when he moved to Dubuque, Iowa. After a sliort stay in Dubuque, he located at LaCrosse ; but being broken down in health, he returned to Erie, Penn., and resumed practice there until 1857. At this time the desire to go west again, returned, and accordingly he went to La Crosse where he remained until Septem- ber, 1859, when he visited Viroqua on business and, as there seemed to be an opening here, he remained during the winter. In the spring of 1860 he formed a partnership with W. F. Terhune, and a year later was elected county judge, and this settled the question of his permanent loca- tion. In the spring of 1864, he was re-elected, holding the office eight years. He was also dis- trict attorney two years. He was appointed reg- ister of bankruptcy for the sixth congressional district by President Grant and held that office until it was abolished. Judge Graham continued in active businsss at Viroqua until the time of his death, Jan. 30, 1881. He was a man of fine social qualities. Possessing a wonderful fund of anecdote, with a splendid memory of past historical events, he was a most interesting con- versationalist and public speaker. His widow still survives him. O. O Phillips came to Viroqua in 1860, and read law with R. C. Bierce. When the war broke out he left the county, and his where- abouts are now unknown. Newton May Layne became a member of tlie bar of Vernon county in 1860. He was born in Prestonsburg, Ky., March 19, 1839; being the eldest son of James H. and Sarah M. Layne. He came with his parents to what is now Ver- non county, in March, 1854. In 1857 he was licensed as a local preacher in the Methodist Church. In 1859 he began the stud}- of law in the office of Terhune & Cole, at Viroqua, and was admitted to the bar of the Bad Ax county circuit court, at the May term, 1860. He spent the following summer at Madison, Wis., in the office of Lawyer Rollins, returning in the autumn to Viroqua, where he entered into partnership with Col. R. C. Bierce, and began practice. In 1861 he was the republican nomi- nee for district attorney. In December, 1S6 1, he was commissioned captain of the "Bad Ax- Tigers," a company recruited by himself and Lieuts. Goode and Charles W. Pitcher, which in January following was mustered into service as company C, of the 18th regiment. In March, 1862. they left Camp Trowbridge, Mil- waukee; went South, and was in Prentiss' bri- gade at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. On the 6th of April Mr. Layne was taken prisoner, and in company with Gen. Prentiss and some sixtv other officers, was held about seven HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 191 months, when he was exchanged. He returned to his regiment in November, and continued in active service until after the fall of Vicksburg in July, 1 803, when, being prostrated with chronic diarrli(pa, he returned to his home in Vernon county — came back to suffer, and finally, on the 28th of February, 1864, to die. Newton M. Layne was a young man who will long be remembered. He was a hard student from childhood; possessed of rare gifts of oratory; great peisonal magnetism and lofty aspirations, anchored to a strong Christian character. Few have stood upon the threshold of life's career with brighter prospects, and none have laid a more noble and willing sacrifice upon the altar of their country. D. B. Priest was a native of Posey Co., Ind. "When quite young he began reading law and was admitted to the bar. At an early day he came north and located at Richland Center, Wis., where he opened a law office and also en- gaged in mercantile trade. He remained there until he broke up in the mercantile business, and in the spring of 1861 came to Viroqua. He opened a law office and became a prominent man here; holding the office of district attorney for several years, and representing the county in the Legislature at different times. He was also interested in the VernonCounty Censor for a num- ber of years. In 1 868 he was appointed United States revenue collector forthis district, and re- moved to Sparta, Monroe county, where he lived until the time of his death in 1872. E. II. Harding came here shortly after the war and read law with Col. C. M. Butt. He was admitted to the bar in 1869, but never prac- ticed any here. He had been teaching school at Hillsborough, and ruturned to that place. He became sick from the effects of a sun stroke re- ceived while in the army, was sent to Chicago to be treated and later returned to Wisconsin and died. . T. C. Ankeny was a member of the bar of Vernon county for a number of years. About 1877 he moved to Tennessee, where he still lives. H. H. Natwick wan a Norwegian boy who was brought up in Vernon county. He studied law with Col. C. M. Butt, was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice. He is now some- where in Dakota territory. T. J. Vinje came to Viroqua in 1877 and be- came a partner of L. J. Rusk. He had been ad- mitted to the bar, but had never had much ex- perience of law. He was well read, full of en- ergy and push, and being a Norwegian, he be- came quite popular among that people and did a good business. He lived here until the time of his death several years ago. C. N. Harris was brought up from childhood in the town of Kickapoo, Vernon county. He attended the law^ department of the State Uni- versity, graduating in ls79, and at once came to Viroqua. He formed a partnership with H. P. Proctor, which continued one year, after which he practiced alone until the spring of 1882, when he went to Aberdeen, D. T., where he still lives, being a member of the firm of Harris & Campbell. Harris was a smart fellow, and has excellent prospects. A. W. Camjibell was a native of Wisconsin, coming to Viroqua in June, 1879, from Toraah. He was about twenty-three years old ; had read law in Madi- son and spent one year in the State University. Upon his arrival here he became a partner of Judge Carson Graham, which relation was maintained until November, 1880, when he formed a partnership with W. S. Field. In March, 188:!, this partnership was dissolve J and Mr. Campbell removed to Aberdeen, D. T., where he became, and still remains, a member of the firm of Harris & Campbell. Mr. Camp- bell was a good office lawyer. He was a hard student, and was careful and painstaking in all the work he undertook. He was among the best pleaders that have ever been in the county, his papers rarely being disturbed. 192 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. D. E. Hatlestad came to Viroqua on the 16th <)f July, 1880. He was a native of Norway ; had been educated at the Norwegian school at Decorah, Iowa, graduated from the law depart- ment of the Iowa State University, and was admitted to practice before the courts of that State. Upon his arrival at Viroqua he at once became the partner of H. C. Forsyth. This relation continued until October, 1881, when Mr. Hatlestad went to Crookston, Minn., where he is still in practice. He was a steady, indus- trious fellow and a fair lawyer. R. J. Chase was brought up in Vernon county from boyhood. He read law with Terhune & Graham, went to Madison, and for several years was the law partner of J. H. Carjjenter, becoming a successful practitioner. He now lives in Sioux City, Iowa, having become quite wealthy, and retired from practice. John Nicholson came to Viroqua from Mon- roe county, and read law with Rusk & Wyman. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, and after- wards opened an office in Hillsborough, and a short time later went to Dakota. E. J. Steele read law in the office of Rusk & Wyman, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883. He is now in Dakota. Addison A. Hosmer, a graduate of the law school at Cambridge, Mass., was the first practicing lawyer to locate at De Soto. He settled there in i85l. In 1860 he returned to Massachusetts. During tlie war he served as an officer in one of the Massachusetts regiments, and became quite distinguished. After the close of the war he was made judge advocate, and it was he who sentenced the notorious Wirz of Andersonville infamy to death. David Briggs located at De Soto as a Con- gregational preacher shortly after the wa r. He came from Illinois. He had been licensed as a lawyer some years previous to his coming, and finally gave up the pulpit f"r the bar. He was somewhat unfortunate in the profession, and returned to Illinois after a sojourn of a few years. THE PRESENT BAR. In 1883 the bar of Vernon county was com- posed of the following named gentlemen: W. F. Terhune, James E. Newell, C. M. Butt, II. P. Proctor, L. J. Rusk, C. W. Graves, O. B. Wyman, H. C. Forsyth, C. A. Roberts, W. N. Carter, L. Tollefson and W. S. Field, of Viro- qua and G. L. Miller, of De Soto. Hon. James Evans Newell is the second oldest attorney at law, in point of practice, in Vernon county. He came to Viroqua, Oct. 21, 1854, and during his long residence in the county has possessed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a worthy representa- tive of the pioneer element of Vernon county, who are rapidly and quietly passing away from the scenes of their toils and privations. James E. Newell was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1809. He is a son of David and Sarah Newell, natives of Ireland, near Dublin. Upon coming to this country, they first settled in Washington Co., Penn., and subsequently removed to Bel- mont Co., (;hio. In 1822 they located in Mor- gan Co., Ohio, where James E. was reared to man hood. In early life he served an apprentice- ship at the carpenter trade, but commenced reading law at the age of twenty-three, with John Welch, Esq., of Athens, Ohio. In 1854 he came to this county, and the following year was admitted to practice at the bar. lie thinks he was the third attorney to locate at Viroqua, and from that time to the present has secured a goodly share of practice. In 1856 Mr. Newell was elected a justice of the peace, and with the exception of two years has since officiated in that capacity. The same year he was elected judge of Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, and held the office four years. He has served in various local offices in the villaije, town and county, and represented his district in the State Assembly during the session of 1875- 76. During the war he was a first lieutenant in a Wisconsin regiment. Judge Newell has been HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 193 throe times married. His first wife, Ann Wood, was a native of Oliio, also the second wife, who died in Viroqua. His present and third wife was Matilda Loiigmere, a native of New- foundland. Eight children were born to the first union, six of whom are living — William, in Missouri; Isaac, in Iowa; Ann, in Kansas; David, in Iowa; Kate, in Fargo, Dak., and Martha VV^., in Kansas. W. N. Carter is an attorney at law of Viro- qua. He was born at Catskill, on the Hudson, in New York, in 184.T, and passed the first ten years of his life among the scenes of Rip Van Winkle's k-gendery exploits. His father, W. N. Carter, Sr., was a native of Green Co., N. Y., born in 1811, at Durham, and his mother, Mary MaoFarland, was also a native of Green county, having been born at Catskill in 1813. In 1854 his father, with his family, removed to Illinois, and in 1855 he removed his family to Vernon Co., Wis., settling at Readstown, in the town of Kickapoo. He was a cooper by trade, but owned a farm and tilled the soil during a goodly por- tion of his life. He died at Readstown Dec. C, 1880, and his beloved wife followed him to the great beyond, Dec. 10, 1882. When the civil war commenced the Carter family were among the first to respond to the call of duty, although having passed the age in which a man may en- list as a soldier. W. N. Carter, Sr., became a sergeant in the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Vol unteer Infantry; was promoted to alieutenantcy, but forced to resign from ill health, before the war closed. There were foursons in the family, and three of them, all that were old enough, entered the service. Sherwood E., was a mem- ber of an Illinois regiment, and served four years. He now resides at Lanark, in Illinois. W. N., Jr., enlisted Nov. 22, 1861, at the .age of sixteen years, in the \x\\\ regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and served till Aug. 1, 1865. lie was ill active service during the whole period of his enlistment, and was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant and cai>tain, holding the latter rank at the time of his discharge. Charles A. en- listed when but sixteen years of age, in com- pany I, I7th regiment Wisconsin, Volunteer Infantry. He was severely wounded at Atlanta, Ga., and died of his injuries. W. N. Carter learned the cooper trade, as did his brotherr--, with his father, but after the war taught school for some years in Vernon county. He com- menced the study of law in 1872, and three years later, entered the law office of Judge Terhune. He was admitted to practice in 1875, and was a law partner of H. C. Proctor until November, 1877. He then went to Readstown, but returned to Viroqua in January, 1883, and has since re- sided there. He has held the offices of town clerk, treasurer and chairman, in the town of Kickapoo, and was in 1880, the nominee of the democratic party, for State senator in the dis- trict composed of the counties of Vernon and Crawford, and in 1882 ran as an indej)endeni democrat for the Assembly, in the second as- sembly district of Vernon county, but the sen- ate and assembly districts being largely repub- lican,he was defeated in both instances. Walter S. Field, a practicing attorney of Viroqua, is a life resident of Vernon county. He was born in Hillsborough town in the fall of 1856. His father, Albert Field, was a jjion- eer of that town, locating in 1851. VV alter was graduated from the Wisconsin State Univeisity, atMadisoii, in the class of 1878, and from the law department of the same institution in the spring of 1880. In the October foll(nving Ik; came to Viroqua, and became associated in iln- practice of his profession with A. W. Cam])bcll, under the firm name of Campbell & Field. The former is now in Aberdeen, Dak., a»d a member of the law firm of Harris & Camjibell. Mr. Field has been alone in the practice of law since March, 1883. He married Emma Tourjec, a native of Laf.ayelte Co., Wis. Her father, Charles Tourjee, is deceased, and her mother is the wife of H. D. Williams, of Viroqua. O.B. Wyman, of thefirm of Rusk & Wyniaii, attorneys at law, Vii'oqua, has been a resident of Vernon county for over a quarter of a cen- 194 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tury. He was born in Windsor Co.,Vt., July 7, 1847, and when seven years of age, his parents removed to Stoughton, Dane Co., Wis. In 1856 they removed to Hillsborough, in this county, where they made a permanent settle- ment, and now reside. Mr. Wyman grew to manhood in Vernon county, and in early life prepared himself for the teacher's profession. He taught for several years, then attended the Stale University at Madison,for three years, and subsequently held the office of county superintendent of schools in Vernon county, for three terms from Jan. 1, 1874. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar, March 29, 1877. He was elected district attorney for Vernon county at the general election in 1881, and was village president of Viroqua in 1882, where he has resided since 1871. The present law co- partnership of Rusk & Wyman was formed in January, 1880. He married Emma Hammer, of Hillsborough, Dec. 28,1875. They have one son — Bernard M. Mr. Wyman is a man of fine at- tainments, well versed in his profession, and is an able and popular lawyer. Col. C. M. Butt, county judge of Vernon county, and senior member of the law firm of Butt & Graves, has been a resident here since the spring of 1858. He was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1833, and began the study of law at the county seat, McConnellsville, in May, 1856. In the fall of 1857 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and the following spring came to Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wis. He had pro- gressed far enough in his studies to be admitted to practice in 1859, and at once opened a law office in his new home. During the summer of 1862, he was chiefiy instrumental in raising company A, of the 25th, regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and at the date of its organization was made first lieutenant. In March, 1864, he was promoted as captain, and in February, 1865, was chosen major of the 48th regiment, and in February, 1866, was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment. Col. Butt was in active duty during his entire service of nearly four years. After the close of the war he was elected treasurer of Vernon county, and served four years. He was elected from this district to the Slate Senate, and served during the session of 1869-70. In 1871 he was elected district attorney of his county, and re-elected in 1873, serving four years. In 1878 he was elected county judge, and has since officiated in this capacity. Col. Bull is an able lawyer, a valuable public officer, and a man highly esteemed. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres in this town, adjoining the village where he resides. Mrs. Butt's maiden name was Mar- garet E. McAuUy, a native of Indiana, coming to Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., with her par- ents. Mr. and Mrs. Butt have a family of five children — two sons and three daughters. Henry Clay Forsyth is a young and rising attorney of Viroqua, where he located for prac- tice in August, 1879. He was born in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, May 22, 1847. His parents were William and Eliza Forsyth. His paternal grandparents were natives of Ireland, and emi- grated to Pennsylvania, and afterward moved to Ohio. His maternal grandparents were reared in the Society of Friends, and rem ved from Chester Co., Penn., to Ohio, where they became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Forsyth came to Vernon county from Oliio, in 1865, and made his home with an uncle, Ellis Reed, of Springville, in the town of Jefferson. On the 3d of August 1867, his father was stung to death by bees, and a day later his mother died of a lung disease ; thus throwing the burden of caring for seven orphan brothers and sisters, who, at his request, emigrated to Wisconsin. He received an ac- ademic education ; was graduated at the Aorth- western Commercial College, at Madison, and for a year was a student in the law department of the Wisconsin State University ; but owing to illness, was unable to be present on com- mencement day. He was admitted to the bar at the session of the circuit court held at Madison in July, 1878, Judge Alvah Stewart HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 195 presiding. In August, 1879, Mr. Forsyth came to Viroqua, as before stated, and was in part- nership with Judge William F. Terhune for about six months. On July 10, 1880, he formed a co-partnership with D. E. Hatlestad, which was dissolved in October, 1881. Mr. Forsyth is now alone in the practice, and has been a justice of the peace since August, 1878. H. P. Proctor is a member of the law firm of Procter & Tollefson, and is one of the most promising legal lights that lumiuate the bar of Vernon count3\ He has been a resident of Viroqua since 1869, and from Jan. 1, 1876, to Jan. 1, 1882, served the people in the responsi- ble position of district attorney. He has been three times honored with the presidency of the village board, a position which he was satisfactorily filling in 1883. Mr. Proctor was born in Franklin Co., Vt., in 184.3, and in 1862 accompanied his father's family to this county. They located in the village of Newton, where they still reside. In 1864 Mr. Proctor enlisted in company D, 43d Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and participated in the various fortunes of that regiment till the close of the strife. After returning home he entered the law office of K. C. Bierce, and afterward that of Judge Carson Graham. He was admitted to practice Dec. 13, 1871, and a short time afterward formed a partnership with his legal preceptor. This relationship continued until 1876, and since that period he has been successively in law partnership with the following named at- torneys : W. N. Carter, C. N. Harris and Louis Tollefson, the latter co-partnership being formed Oct. 1, 1879. The firm of Proctor & 'J'ollefson are found Iti the front ranks among the business firms of the county, both in point of legal business and deserved esteem. Mr. Proctor was united in marriage with Augusta, daughter of the late John W. Allen, e.x-county treasurer, who died Aug. 31,1881. Of their four children, thi-ee are living — Walter S., Harold P. and Celia M. Their second son is deceased. Louis Tollefson, junior member of the law firm of Proctor ]17 already obtained and that progress was making for additional sums. On motion, enough funds were appro])riated to purchase a good fife and snare drum and the committee were instructed to purchase the same at their earliest convenience. It was fur- ther ordered that 20 per cent be paid in at once on subscription. The committee on resolutions reported the following which were unanimously adopted: "We the people of Bad Ax county, in war meeting assembled, irrespective of party, for the purpose of declaring our sentiments on the present state of the affairs of the Nation, do hereby declare as follows: ). Mesolved, That secession is not a consti- tutional right, aiul that we look upon the pres- ent attitude of the pretended seceded States as one of rebellion coupled with the fixed deter- mination to crush out the spirit of liberty and substitute in its place, the spirit of slavery. 2. Resolved, That, under ordinary circum- stances, we believe in allowing the utmost free- dom of speech and the press, but in the present hour of our countiy's peril, we declare we will not permit any man in our midst to openly de- clare in favor of the right of secession, or ad- vocate the cause of traitors and rebels against the Federal government. 3. liesolved, That, to our old flag of stars and stripes, we owe all our property and our honor, and we hereby renew our allegiance and fidelity to it, and express our determination to never stand idly by and see it trailed in the dust. ' 4. Resolved, That, like our fathers of old, we here pledge, in support of our constitution and our flag, our lives, our fortunes and -our sacred honor. 5. Resolved, That we sympathize with the Union raen of the south, and will do all in our power to ameliorate their condition. The meeting was then warmly addressed by William Clawater, R. C. Bierce, T. C. Ankeny, Gen. Spencer, Adj't. .1. Berry, William F. Ter- hune, H. Greve and others. The utmost una- nimity of feeling, sentiment and enthusiasm prevailed among the speakers, and they were enthusiastically cheered by the large audience present. On motion, William Clawater, C. A. Hunt, Gen. Spencer, V,. M. Butt, J. Berry, J. C. Berry, William Joseph, Albert Bliss and Capt. C. B. 200 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Worth, were appointed a committee to receive the names of volunteers and report immedi- ately. On motion, Gen. Spencer, T. C. Ankeny, W. S. Purdy were appointed a committee to pro- cure martial music for the next meeting. On motion, William Clawater, R. C. Bierce and George Pollard were appointed a commit- tee to procure a cannon and have it at the next meeting. Oh motion, J. Berry was appointed to drill the volunteers on Saturday next. The meeting then adjourned. The names of persons enrolled as volunteers were as follows: C. M. Butt, T. C. Ankeny, J. L. Somerly, H. E. Pettit, W. E. Minshall, John Allison, L. M. Boughton, William Clawater, H. M. Richard- son, C. S. Lisenbee. The movement at Viroqua, was followed on M.ay ], 1S61, by a WAR MEETING IN DE SOTO. Pursuant to a call issued, a meeting was held at the Bay State house by the citizens of De Soto, and the following business transacted: The meeting was called to order b\ C. B. Whit- ing, and on motion, N. S. Cate was chosen chair- man and Frank Huntington, secretary. Mr. Cate, upon taking the chair, stated the object of the meeting to be for the purpose of enrolling a company for active service in the cause of our country, and also to take measures thought best to get up an independent company, for drill and military exercise, subject to the military laws of the State. Remarks were made by 0. B. Whiting, C. L. Ingersoll, D. S. Mulhern and others. There- upon George Gale, George H. Mead, Andrew Miller, James Davenport, George McDill and M. Godfrey expressed their willingness to vol- unteer immediately. A. Cooley offered his drum to Mr. Godfrey, if he did not conclude to go himself. On motion of Capt. C. B. Worth, a commit- tee of three were chosen to draw up a paper and solicit subscriptions for the relief of the fami- lies of those who may volunteer from this place. The committee drew up a paper which was read and accepted, and ordered to be circulated. On motion of George McDill, a committee of three were appointed to make arrangements to form a volunteer company. C. L. Ingersoll, H. Miller and J. C. Kurtz were appointed. On motion of J. C. Kurtz, C. B. "SVhiting and A. Carlyle were added to the committee. The committee on subscriptions soon reported $1,- 396, subscribed. Meeting adjourned. On the 4th of May, the Viroqua Expositor said: "The greatest enthusiasm prevails here among the people in reference to preserving the Union, enforcing the laws and subduing re- bellion. It is commendable on the part of some of our,good citizens, who are taking an active part in shaping every advantage in their power to raise and equip a company in this county, to be ready to do or die at their country's bidding." "A meeting has been called to take place to-day," continues the editor, "for the purpose of enlist- ing soldiers, and further, to do their duty as loyal citizens of a commonwealth and patriots in a common cause." From this time onward, frequent meetings were held in different parts of the county. Fi- nally, the result was the formation of the first company, wholly within the county for the war, known afterward as COMPANY I, SIXTH REGIMENT. This company was organized at Viroqua, in June, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service in Madison, on the 21st of July, .with the following roster of oiRces and enlisted men : Captain. — Leonard Johnson. 1st Lieutenant. — F. A. Haskell. ?d Lieutenant. — A. T. Johnson. 1st Sergeant. — Levi N. Tongue. 2d " James E. Newell. 3d " William Clawater. 4th " Henry Didiot. 5th J. S. Driggs. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 201 1st Corporal. — William Fox. 2d " John Luke. 3d " Clayton E. Rogers. ■1th " John M. Brigbam. 5th " Andrew Miller. 6th " C. A. Green. Tth " Thomas W. McClure. 8th " Edwin T. Fearn. Musicians. — Robert N. Smith, Samuel Walker. Wagoner. — James R. Lyon. Privates. — Thomas W. Allen, Gilbert L. Allen, George W. Atwood, Charles F. Bohn, Elias C. Burdick, Charles Birnbaura, Nathan Burchell, Lewis M. Boughton, Thomas W. Barcus, Edward L. Briggs, Daniel Campfield, Charles E. Carnes, Wra. S. Gushing, Charles A. Conklin, Lawson Davis, George W. Douglas, Franklin Elsworth, Charles Evritt, Oliver P. Fretwell, Rodolph Fine, Abijah Fox, Dewitt C. Fenton, James Fairman, Chester A. Green, John M. Goodwin, Alexander Graham, John Harlaiid, John F. Harding, Wm. H. Hauck- about, Ichobod B. Hill, Lewis Hart, Abel H. Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Henry Jones, Charles O. Jones^ John W. Longraire, Charles Lind, Edward Lind, Alexander Lowrie, Sidney B. Lovlin, Wm. Lawrence, Wm. Moore, Peter S. Markle, Wm. A. Mattison, Wm. E. Minchell, James McClain, Hugh F. McClure, George D. McDill, Thomas Newton, Wm. H. Nichols, Daniel W. Nutting, Levi Pearson, Charles F. Page, Aldrich W. Rodgers, Earl M. Rogers, Hiram M. Richardson, Wm. L. Riley, George Robins, Daniel Remington, Gabriel A. Ruby, Levi Steadman, George W. Sutton, Gotfriel Shriver, Caleb Shrieves, John L. Somerby, Wm. H. Sweet, Wm. Sears, Edward E. Sears, Milton South wick, Alfred Thompson, George W. Thompson, Reuben Thompson, George W. Thurber, Levi Tongue, John T. Willey, Fro- lan Willey, Chester A. Wyman, Joseph Wood, Isaiah Williams, James C. Wallace, Caleb Wright, Samuel G. Wallar, Francis A. Wallar and Rjchard A. Warraham. Recruits. — William Balden, James O. Bur- rell, Albert E. Fosdick, Henry A. Fosdick, John H. Hendrickson, Wm. II. .lohnson, Wm. L. Lindsley, Eli Rockwell, James A. Stalker and Valentine Warner This company was made a part of TUE SIXTH WISCOXSIN REGIMENT, which was organized at Camp Randall, Madi- son, in July, 1861, and mustered into the service of the United States on the 16th of that month, and left the State for Washington on the 28th. The following was the roster of the regiment : Colonel. — Lysander Cutler. Lieutenant Colonel. — J. P. Atwood. Major. — B. F. Sweet. Adjutant. — Krank A. Haskell. Quartermaster. — I. N. Mason. Surgeon. — C. B. Chapman. First Assistant Surgeon. — A. W. Preston. >'econd Assistant Surgeon. — A. P. Andrews. Chaplain. — Rev. N. A. Staples. Captain Co. A.— A. G. Mallory. " B— D. J. Dill. « C— A. S. Hove. " D— J. O'Rourke. " E— E. S. Bragg. " F— William H. Lindwurm. " " G— M. A. Northrup. " " H— J. F. Houser. " " I — Leonard Johnson. " " K— R. R. Dawes. First Lieutenant Co. A — D. K. Noyes. " " B— J. F. Marsh. " " C— P. W. Pluuier. " " D— John Nichols. " " " E— E. A. Brown. " " " F— Fred Schumacher. " G— G. L. Montague. " H— J. D. Lewis. " I— F. A. Haskell. " " K— J. A. Kellogg. 2d Lieutenant Co. A— F. C. Thomas. " B— Henry Sonill. " " " C— J. W. Plummer. 2ii2 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 2d Lt. Co. D— P. H. McCauley. " " " E— J. II. Marston. " " " F— Werner Von Bacheli. " G— W. W. Allen. " " " H— J. A. Tester. " " I— A. T. Johnson. " " K— John Crane. The regiment arrived at Washington on the 7th of August, and was immediately assigned to King's brigade and went into camp on Meridian Hill, where it remained until the 3d of September, when it marched with the brigade to Chain Bridge, and was employed in picket and guard duty at Camp Lyon, until it was joined by the 2d Wisconsin, the 9th Indi- ana, and the 7th Wisconsin about the 1st of October. These, afterward, formed the famous IRON BRIGADE. Early in the war Gen. Rufus King, a gradu- ate of West Point, tendered his services to the government and was appointed brigadier gen- eral, with authority to form a brigade composed of regiments from Wisconsin. In this he only partially succeeded, as the 5th Wisconsin was transferred to another brigade. He, however, succeeded in permanently attaching the 2d, 6th and 7th to the brigade ; these, with the 19th Indiana, afterward received the name of the "Iron Brigade," in the history of which is merged that of the 6th Wisconsin. The brigade as.iigned to McDowell's di- vision remained in camp at Fort Tillinghast until March 10, 1862, when they took part in the advance on Manassas, Col. Cutler, of the 6th Wiscmsin, being in command of the brigade. The month of July found them at Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg. The brigade afterward took part in the celebrated retreat of Gen. Pope. On the 28th of August, 1862, the battle of Gainesville was fought. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and waj fought by the "Iron Brigade" alone, it only receiving aid after the heaviest of the fighting was over. In this battle company I lost Privates Henry Didiot, Charles Burnham, Franklin Ellsworth a nd George Robbins, killed.* On the 29th of August the brigade was present on the battle field of Bull Run, engaged as support to a battery, and took part in the battle of the 30th and in the retreat which followed. Company I lost Private Rodolph Fine, killed : the wounded were Sergeant E. F. Fearn, Corporal R. War- ham, Privates Alexander Lowrie, E. C. Burdick, J. B. Hill, E. Lind, F. Page, J. L. Somerby, C. C. Wyman, Caleb Wright, S. G. Waller, Gil- bert Allen, Hugh McClure, G. Ruby, George Sutton and Lewis Broughton. The "Iron Brigade" took part in the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862, in which con- test Privates William Lawrence and John Har- ding, of company I, of the 6th Wisconsin, were killed. The wounded in this company were: Corporal C. Green, Privates M. Richardson, G. Ruby, L. Steadman, C. Bohn and H. McClure. In the early part of the battle of Antietam (which contest was participated in, among others, by the "Iron Brigade"), a shell fell into the ranks of the 6th regiment, killing or wound- ing thirteen men and officers. In this battle company I, of the 6th regiment, lost Privates George W. Atwood, George Douglas and Wil- liam Fox, killed, and Corporals J. Williams and C. O. Jones, and Privates N. Burchel, W. T. Barcus, C. Games, L. Davis, L. Hart, C. Lind, D. W. Nutting and H. M. Richardson, wounded. General Hooker was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac, and the campaign of 186! was begun, on the 28lh of April. The "Iron Brigade" proceeded on that day to Fitz- hugh's Crossing below Fredericksburg, and was attached to the first division of the first army corps. A fight occurred the next day at the crossing, but the 6th Wisconsin, followed by tlie 24th Michigan, crossed over in face of the enemy and carried their works. In this daring exploit company I lost Corporal Gabriel *Id this battle, and in those hereafter mentioned, in which company I were engaged, the number given as killed in- cludes also such aa died of wounds. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 203 A. Ruby, and Privates Charles A. Conklin, killed, and J. L. Stedman, wounded. The "Iron Brigade" was in the terrible battle of Gettysburg, where company I, of the 6th regiment, lost in killed : First Sergeant Andrew Miller, privates S. M. Boughton, John Hailand, (Toorge W. Sutter, Richard Gray and Levi Stedman ; wounded. Corporal S. Good- win, Privates, J. B. Hill, C. O. Jones, E. Lind, William Sweet, G. Shriver, G. Thurbur and S. Walles. But it was in the battle of the Wil- derness that the 6th regiment suffered more than in any other of the war. The loss of com- pany I was as follows : killed — Corporal Wil- liam H. Nichols ; Privates, Leroy L. Benedict, William R. Carnes, C. F. Dibble, John P. Johnson, Reuben Thompson, William M. Col- lins, Dewitt C. Fenton, Richard Gray, Peter S. Markle, Clark Smith and Caleb C. Wright ; wounded — Sergeant W. H, Hockabout; Corpo- rals J. S. Driggs, William S. Gushing and Icha- bodB. Hill; Privates, Gilbert L. Allen, Nathan Birche'l, Hiram M. Richardson, Isaac W. Roberts, John C. Barry, Harman Cole, John C. Moody, Edward Willard, John C. Campbell, Abraham Searles, David Lind, John W. White and John D. Oliver. The severity of the service engaged in by the 6th Wisconsin from this time until it was mus- tured out, can be judged of by the lists of the killed and wounded at different periods ; but we must be confined to a statement of those who suffered in company I. This company, from June II to July 1, 1864, had Sergeant Chester A. Green ; Privates, Christian Hopp, Joseph A. Johnson and Charles CuppeniaJl, killed ; and in August following, Private Thomas White. In the battle of Dabneys' Mill, on the 6th and 7th of February, 1865, company I lost, in killed. Privates Caleb C. Ellis and Marcus D. Carter. In the short campaign from March -29 to April 9, company I, of the Clh, for a wonder, had none killed, though other companies in the same regiment did not fare so well. The 6th regiment was mustered out on the (4th of July, 1865, and arrived at Madison on the 16th of that month, and were publicly received, paid, and the regiment disbanded. Having briefly traced the fortunes of company I, of the 6th Wisconsin during the war, we now proceed to give some facts concerning the second company raised wholly in Vernon county. This was COMPANY C, 18TH KBGIMENT. ''Bad As Tigers:' This company was organized at Viroqua, in December, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service at Milwaukee Jan. 19, 1862, with the following roster of officers and enlisted men: C.iptain — Newton M. Layne. 1st Lieutenant — John H. Graham. ■lA " — Allen A. Burnett. 1st Sergeant — Samuel Swan. 2d " William N. Carter, Sr. 3rd " Robert S. McMichael. 4th " John S. Dickson. 5th " Calvin Morley. 1st Corporal — Dan ford J. Spear. •id '■ Joseph H. Brightman. 3rd " Ranson J. Chase. 4th " William Cox. 5th " Roswell F. Corey. 6th " Gould Hickok. 7th " Samuel McMichael. «th " Joseph Buckley. Musicians — .lohn M. Stokes, Aaron Cooley. Wagoner. — Thomas J. Decker. Privates. — David Aarnott, Levi E. Baker, Henry S.Baker, Daniel D. Bates, Levi B. Bug- bee, Nathan Bankes, Lawrence Broderick, Azariah Brown, William Clarey, Edwin E. Crandall, William N. Carter, Jr., George Cliadeayne, Peter S. Campbell, Henry Clarey, Travels Day, William W. Dickenian, William Downie, Leonard C. Davis, William M. Delap, Martin V. Day, William Daily, Thomas J. Davis, Samuel Fish, Bardett Fletcher, Elijah Forsythe, Thomas Fretwell, Joseph G. Gander, 204 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Robert E. Graham, Noah Garrett, Benjamin Greenman, Cleason B. Guist, John S. Gray, William Hunter, Benjamin F. Harris, Henry Johnson, John Jones, John Kirkpatriek, Wil- liam Kettle, John Kingston, Christopher Koher. Harvey D. Lindley, William Loucks, John C. Metcalf, Hiram Moody, John B. Merrill, Wil- liam A. Masterson, Patrick Mooney, James Mc- Clelland, Daniel Mosholder, Nelson Mills, Archer J. Morrison, Bazzle Munion, Julius C. Morley, Isaac C. Newell, Walter W. Odell, Lawrence H. Page, Jasper N. Powell, Sanford C. Prince, Lauphlin Quinn, Daniel Rantz, Ben- jamin F. Rantz, Charles H. Raynor, John J. Ross, Henry Y. Swain, Allen L. Swain, John J. Swain, Samuel Sayer, Augustus Singer, Philip Singer, John Stokes, Norris W. Saxton, John H. Singles, William P. Starriek, George W. Taylor, Orrin Tooker, William H. Thompson, James Williams, Parley Whitney; making total original membership ninety-seven. The company was recruited by volunteers and draft as follows: John Carpenter, David Caulkins, John L. Cheney, Robert Campbell, Edward Carey, Charles Brown, Leonard Banke.s, William Den- nison, Benjamin Evans, Elijah S. Frazier, James Garber, Legrand Hickok, William M. Hall, John M. Herron, Theodore F. Hart, Byron W. Johnson, James Kingston, Alfred S. Soper, Peter D. Soper, Charles W. Miller, Sam- uel W. Moore, Richard Miers, Edward Owens, Samuel Pokrand, Simeon Powell, John Pennell, Edward Rogers, George M Rogers, Merrick Rogers, Harrison Sayer, Nathaniel Shepherd, Henry Sharpe, Isaac Sharpe, Gilbert Stewart, Evan Thomas, Isaac Taylor, Albert D. Welsh, James Young. The following members of this company were killed in action: William Kettle, Shiloh; Norris W. Saxton, Shiloh; John H. Single.*, Allatoona; William Downie, Corinth. The following died of disease: Captain N. M. Layne; Sergeant Samuel Swan; Sergeant Thomas Fretwell; Corporal Samuel McMichael; Corporal John B. Merrill; Privates: Levi E. Al- len, George Chadeayne, Travers Day, Elijah Forsyth, Joseph G. Gander, John S. Gray, Noah Garrett, William Hunter, Byrou W. Johnson, James McClelland, Lawrence F ige, William P. Starbuck, Nathaniel Shepherd, Wm. H. Thomp- son, Orrin Tooker, Isaac Taylor, Julius C. Nur- ley. Company C formed a part of THE 18th WISCONSIN BEGIMBNT. was organized at Camp Trowbridge, Milwau- kee, under the supervision of Colonel James S. Alban, early in the year 1862, and its muster into the United States service was completed on the loth of March of that year. The regi- ment left the State on the 30th, with orders to rejjort at St. Louis. The following was the regimental roster: Colonel. — James S. Alban. Lieutenant-Colonel. — Samuel W. Beall. Major. — J. W. Crain. Adjutant. — Gilbert L. Park. Quartermaster. — Jeremiah D. Rogers. Surgeon. — George F. Huntington. First Assistant Surgeon. — Larkin G. Mead. Chaplain. — Rev. James Delany. Captain Co. A. — James P. Millard. " " B. — Charles A. Jackson. " " C— Newton M. Layne. " D.— George A. Fisk. " E.— William Bremmer. " " F.— Joseph W. Roberts. « G.— John H. Compton. " H.— David II. Saxton. " " I.— William A. Coleman. " K.— William J. Kershaw. First Lieutenant Co. A. — Edward Colman. " B.— Thomas A. Jackson " C— John H. Graham. " D.— D. W. C. Wilson. " E.— G. R. Walbridge. " F.— George Stokes. " G.— Frederick B. Case. " H.— S. D. Woodworth. " I.— Ira H. Ford. " " K.— Alexander Jackson. n* ( '^4^& /^l^^T-^^T.'^.Z^T'^---^^ HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 207 2d Lieutenant, Co. A — Thomas J. Potter. " " " B— Samuel B. Boynton. " '" " C— Allen A. Burnett. " " " D— Peter Sloggy. " " " E— Luman H. Carpenter. " " " F— George A. Topliff. " " " G— James R. Scott. " " " H— Thomas H. Wallace. " " " I— Ogden A. Southmayd. " " " K— Phineas A. Bennett. The regiment arrived at St. Louis on the eve- ning of the 31st of March, 1862, and next day were ordered to proceed up the Tennessee river to Pittsburg Lauding. Arriving at the landing about noon of Saturday, April 5, they were as- signed to the command of Gen. Prentiss, which was then in the extreme advance, aboui four miles on the Corinth road. No sooner had the 1 8th Wisconsin reached its position on the Corinth road under Gen. Prentiss, than they found themselves confronted by the enemy. Li brief they had a position of extreme danger, as the enemy were marching in force against the Union army, and early on Sunday, the day after the arrival of the regi- ment, the battle of Pittsburg Landing began. The result is far more than a "twice told tale." Col. James A. Alban was shot through the body, and Maj. .J. W. Crain was killed with eight wounds on his person. Lieut. -Col. Samuel W. Biall and Acting Adjutant Colman were both severely wounded, and Capt. John H. Compton, company G, was killed. Company C lost its cap- tain, Newton M. Layne, taken prisoner; privates William Kettle and N. W. Saxton, killed;* and privates A. Clary, W. W. Dielhman, Sam- uel Fisk, John Kirkpatrick, Hiram Moody, Pat- rick Mooney, Laughlin Quinn, Benjamin Rantz, J. J. Swain, Samuel Sager and Augustus Singer, wounded. Capt. Gabriel Bouck, of the 2d Wisconsin, succeeded to the colonelcy of the 18th Wiscon- sin, and the regiment was assigned to the sec- • In this battle and in those hereafter mentioned, in which Cotnpan.v C were engaged, the number given as killed in- clude such as died of wounds. ond brigade, commanded by Colonel Oliver. In the vicinity of Corinth, Col. Bouck, early in Cctober, 1862, was attacked by an overwhelm- ing force of the enemy, but the 18th escaped though with some loss. Company C had pri- vates Robert E. Graham and William Downie wounded. The 18th left Corinth on the 2d of November. In May, 186-3, the 18th regiment had been assigned to the first brigade, commanded by Col. Sanborn, in Gen. Crocker's division, of the seventeenth army corps. At the battle of Cham- pion Hills, private Bent Markison was wounded. The regiment acted as sharpshooters in the as- sault of the 22d of May, at Vicksburg, to hold a position in front of a rebel fort, and cover the advance of the assaulting column. In this move- ment company C met with no casuality. On the 4th of Januaiy, 1864, Col. Bouck re- signed. Lieut. -Col. Beall had resigned the pre- vious August. The regiment was mustered out of the service at Louisville, July 18,1865, and reached Madison on the 2!)th, where they were public y received and disbanded. The next Vernon county company was the one subsequently known as COMPANY A, TWENTY-Fly^TII WISCONSIN. This company was organized at Viroqua, in August, 1862, and was mustered into the LTnited States service as a part of the 25lh Wisconsin regiment, in La Crosse, on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1862. The following was thf uiustei-in roll of com- pany A : Captain — James Berry. 1st Lieutenant — Cyrus M. Butt. 2d Lieutenant — (John R. Casson was promo- ted to this office Sept. 15, 1862). Ist Sergeant — Warren G. Davis. 2d " John R. Casson. 3d " Isaiah Ferrill. 4th " John Williams. oth " Robb E. McCrellis. 1st Corporal — Jnnics Miller. 2d " Ileurv Waters. 13 208 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 3d Corporal, Justus Smith. 4th " David C. Yakee. 5th " Amasa B. Sexton. 6th " Isaac L. Smith. 7th " John W. Church. 8th " John A. Ferguson. Privates — Jonathan Adams, Alfred Adams, Orrin Ames, Alexander M. Asberry, Peter D. Bartholomew, Jason Baldwin, Christopher C. Baker, Charles Barstow, Alfred Bartholomew, Abraham Benn, Mitchel Beck,'Amon Beddison, Russell S. Bundy, Isaac M. C. Burcham, William M. Chambers, Henry Chandler, William F. C. Coard, Philo Curley, William T. Cummings, George W.Cummings, Lysander Dalton, Joshua Douglas, John E. Davis, Charles W. Delap, John Dewitt, Thomas E. Engle, Robert L. Fer- guson, William H. Foreaker, John Garrett, Philip Gieser, James W. Gilman, Britton L. Gillett, Perley Grubb, George F. Green, John Graham, Henry N. Hadley, Moses E. Hadley, Nelson D. Hale, William F. Hanchett, George W. Hope, David C. Hope, Edward F. Hunting- ton, Henry Humphrey, William B. U. Hunter, Peter Jacobus, William Jonas, James L. Jordan, James H. Layne, Edwin K. Loring, James Mains, John Marshall, Manasah McClurg, James Mason, Peter S. Moore, Alexander Morrison, Eli Osborn, William Pidcock, George T. P id- cock, George J. Pierce, George Pulver, Frank- lin Ranger, William R. Rees, William C. Reed, Thomas H. Reed, Martin V. B. Richards, Amos A. Richardson, Ezra A. Roberts, Benja- min F. Roberts, Frederic S. Roe, Merritt Rowe, James H. Rogers, James F. Rhoe, John R. Rundle, Ira H. Sanford, Harvey Sewell, Nicho- las V. Sharp, Finley Smith, Nathaniel H. Smith, Ilirim Steadman, Silas H. Strieker, Freeman Sutton, Gilman Tenney, Charles H. Tilden, Vesparian W. Whitney, Ira Wisel, William S. Waters, Samuel Darnell, Arthur Gill. The history of company A, is, of course, merged in that of THE 25th regiment. This regiment was organ ized at Camp Solo- mon, La Crosse, in September, 1862, and mus- tered into the United States service on the 14th of that month, and was ordered to report to Gen. Pope, at St. Paul, to aid in suppressing the Indian difficulties in the State of Minnesota. They left the State on the 15th, with the fol- lowing roster: Colonel — Milton Montgomery. Lieutenant Colonel — Samuel J. Nasmith. Major — .Jeremiah M. Rusk. Adjutant — George G. Symes. Quartermaster — William H. Downs. Surgeon — Martin R. Gage. 1st Assistant Surgeon — Jacob McCreary. 2d Assistant Surgeon — William A. Gott. Chaplain- Rev. T. C. Golden. Captain Co. A — James Berry. " B— William H. Joslyn. " C— H. D. Faryuharson. " " D— James D. Condit. " E— John D. Scott. " " F— James C. Farrand. " G— Viruz W. Dorwin. " H— Ziba S. Swan. " I— Robert Nash. " " " K— Robert M. Gordon. First Lieutenant Co. A — Cyrus M. Butt. " " " B— William Roush. " C— L. S. Mason. " D—M. E. Leonard. " E— John W. Smelker. " F— Parker C. Dunn. 'i G— John W. Brackett. " H— Chas.F. Olmstead. " " " I— Daniel N. Smalley. " K-Charles A. Hunt.' Second Lieut. Co. A — John R. Casson. " " B— William H. Bennett. " " C— Thomas Barnett. " D— Charles S. Farnam. " " " E— John M. Shaw. " " " F— Oscar E. Foote. " G— Robert J. Whittleton. " " " H— Henry C. Wise. " I— John T. Richards. " " " K— Lewis F. Grow. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 209 Arriving at St. Paul on the 20th of Septem- ber, 1862, the regiment was divided, five com- panies under Lieut. -Col. Nasinith, being sent to Sauk Center, Painsville and Acton; the re- mainder, under the command of Col. Mont- gomery, was sent to Leavenworth, Fairmount, Winnebago City and New Ulm, where regi- mental headquarters were established. After service in Minnesota, the regiment returned to Wisconsin, reaching Camp Randall on the 18th of December, 1862. On the I7th of February, 1863, the regiment left, under orders to report at Cairo, 111., where they arrived on the 19th, and moved next day to Columbus, Ky., and encamped. Here the regiment was attached to the 16th army corps. From this time until August, which month found the regi- ment at Helena, they were variously employed. Ijieut.-Col. Samuel J. Nasmith died of disease contracted in the service on the I'Zth of August, and Maj. Rusk was appointed lieutenant col- onel in his place. '1 he regiment remained at Helena until the 1st of February, 1864, when they moved down the river to Vicksburg. The regiment reached Chattanooga May 5th and immediately proceeded to join the forces of Gen. Sherman. The sixteenth corps formed part of the "Army of the Tennessee" under Gen. McPherson. On the 9th of the month they took part in a movement against Resaca, which was renewed on the 14th, with the fol- lowing casualities to company A: Private Perley. B. Grubb killed; Sergt. J. Williams and Private A. A. Richardson wounded. In attacking the enemy at Peach Orchard on the loth of June Lieut.-Col. Rusk was wounded in the right arm. On the 19th of July the sixteenth army corps was at Decatur. About noon on the 22d three regiments commanded by Col. Sprague were attacked by two divisions of Wheeler's dis- • mounted cavalry. Col. Montgomery, with a force composed of companies B, E, F and I of tlie 25th Wisconsin, and four companies of the G'Jd Ohio, was ordered out to ascertain the po- sition of the enemy. They advanced about three-fourths of a mile up a road, on the west of which was a narrow but impassable swamp, and on the other a deep, miry ditch. The enemy were met about half a mile from the swamp, by the skirmishers, consisting of com- pany F and an Ohio company, under command of Lieut.-Col. Rusk. The enemy opened a se- vere fire and the skirmishers were driven down the road back to the reserve, which, under Col. Montgomery, was in position to the left of the road. The enemy advancing in sfj-ong force, Col. Montgomery moved the reserve by the left flank, and in attempting to cross the ditch to reach the battery in the rear, his horse sank in the miry ground, and he was shot by the enemy and captured. Lieut.-Col. Rusk, with the skirmishers, held the enemy in check for a sh'ort time on the road, but were soon obliged to re- tire. In attempting to do this Lieut.-Col. Rusk was surrounded liy six or eight rebels, who came at him with bayonets at a charge. One of them made a i4, the seven, teenth army corps left Atlanta on the grand march to the sea, the 21st acting as a train guard, as far as Monticollo, when they rejoined their brigade. At Beaiifert, Col. Montgomery, who had been exchanged, returned to the army and was placed in coniuiaiid of the brigade. 210 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. On the Salkahatchie river, on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1865, the 25th encountered the enemy, drove in his pickets and dislodged a small force behind temporary breastworks. A shell from the enemy grazed the head of the horse of Lieut.-Ool. Rusk, knocking the animal down, and the colonel was dismounted, the orderly in the rear having his head carried away by the missile. The regiment was mustered out of the service on the 7th of June and set out for home, arriving at Madison on tne 11th of that month, where they were soon paid off and disbanded. VBENON county's ROLL OF HONOR. The following are all the citizen soldiers of Vernon county, so far as they can now be ascer- tained, arranged under the towns in which they lived at the time of their enlistment: [Those marked (a) were killed ia action; (b), died of wounds received in action; (c), died of disease; (d), died prisoners of war; (e), killed by accident on railroad.] TOWN OF BERGEN. Eighth Infantry, Go. F: John W. Greenman, Corporal. Winth Infantry, Co. C, Fef..' Joseph Broockech. Thcelfth Infantry, Co. A: Philip Berry. fourteenth Infantry, Co. D: John B. Glenn, (a), Frederick W. C. Kock, (J), Patrick Asley. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: John Kings- ton, Sergeant; John L. Cheney, John S. Gray, ((/), Benjamin Greenman, Simon Powell. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. A: Philip Berry, Robert T. McClurg. Thirty-Fourth Infantry, Co. A: Thomas Briss, Emanuel Briss. Forty- Second Infantry, Co. F: George Bawkus, Edwin Drew, Listen B. Waller. Forty-Fifth Infantry, Co. K: Isaiah G. Page. Firxt Heavy Artillery, Co. H: William C. Hallenbeck, Isaac Quackenbush. TOWN or CHRISTIANA. Third Infantry, Co. M: Thomas SI; Captain. SLrth Infantry, Co. I: John C. Barry, cor- poral; Mollis W. Bishop, {d), William R. Carnes, Albert Emons, (c), Daniel Taylor. TIdrteenth Infantry, Co. I: Hans O. Hanson. Fifteenth Infantry, Co. B: Ole P. Olsen, Sergeant; Peter O. Larson, Co. E; Simon Anderson, (d), Thorger Erickson, Peter John- son, (c), Ole Kjostilson; Co. G, Charles Black, Tositere Larsen, Erick Olsen, Johannes Simen- sen. Seventeenth Infantry, Co. B: Andrew Jan- son; Go. I: Amos H. Hanse, (c). Twenty-Fifth, Co, F: Even T. Songsted; Co. K, Even T. Songsted; Fifth Corporal; James Everson, Simon C. Rerstad, Corporal; («), Erick Anderson, (e), Ole Peterson, (c). Fiftieth Infantry, Co. B: Torgee Jansen, Peter C. Hoonreon, Ole A. Knudson, Peter Maiinson, John S. Rogers, Christopher Trubon. Fifty Third Infantry, Co. C: Andres Ander- son, Christian Everson. TOWN OF COON. Thirty- Fourth Infantry, Co A: Peter Olsen, George Stregle. Fifty-Tliird Infantry, Go. B: John Matte- son. TOWN OF CLINTON. Ttcelfth Infantry, Co. J.' Alexander Hays, (c). Eighteenth Infantry, Go. G: John S. Dick- son, Corporal; Harvey D. Lindley, Daniel Mossholder. Twentieth Infantry, Go. F: Isaac M. Adams, James Waggoner. Twenty-Fifth Infantry, Co. A: David C. Yakey,2d Sergeant; John W. Appleman, Mitchell Beck, George W. Brown, Henry Humphrey, James Mains, Jonathan Adams, (c) Menasiah McClurg, (c), George J. Pierce, (c), James F. Rhoe, (c); Co.K: Peter Hanson, 5th Corporal; John J. Bergh, Iver Peterson, Lewis M. Hanson, Sergeant, (c);01eS. Johnson, Ole P. Karterna, Simon Erickson, (c), James Everson, (c), Ole J. Johnson, (c). T7tirty- Seventh Infantry, Co. F: Lorenzo T. Adams, Valentine E. Appleman, Oscar Burdick, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Sll (a), Charles R. Forsyth, (a), Elias Stocks, Thomas Chambers, (c),Cortez B. Taylor. Thirteenth Battery: William Sheets. TOWN OF FOKKST. Twelftli Infantry Co. I: Edgar Eno, Cor- poral; James Adams, James Jeffries. Fifteenth Infantry, Co. E: George Pepper. Ticeyity- Third Infantry, Co. K: James Burn- ham, (c). Twenty-Fifth Infantry, Co. A: Samuel Darnell, Corporal; Arthur Gill, (c). Forty- Second Infantry, Co. E: James C. Gordeii, Corporal; Wm. H. Hart. Forty-Ttiird Infantry, Co. F: Rufus S. Sherman, 1st Corporal; George Durkee, 5th Corporal; George W. Hawkins; Co. K: John S.Malosh. First Cavalry, Co. F: James Combest, (e), Jesse Irwin. TOWN OF FEANKLIN. Second Infantry, Co. G: John Vantassell. Sixth Infantry, Co. I : Earl M. Rogers, 1st Lieutenant; Edward L. Briggs, William Clanter, Sergeant; George W. Thompson, (c). Seventh Infantry, Co _B.*John Christopher. Eighth Infantry, Co F: Richard Perkinson. Tenth Infantry, Co. ^.'Frederick Sallander. Tenth Infantry, Co. E : Abner B. Allen, Silas W. Allen, Albert Bliss. Fifteenth Infaidry, Co. 11: Ole T. Trestby, Josiah Adams. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Newton M. Layne, Capt., Samuel Swan (c), Gould Hickok, Serg't, Henry W. Swain, Allen L. Swain, John J. Swain. Co. D, Charles French, Corp'l, Wm. H. French, Ferdinand Getter, Sr., Ferdi- nand Getter, Jr., Ezra Hanckabout, George J. Hornby, (c), Joseph Hornby, (f^), Francis M. Littleton, Hugh Littleton, George P. Melvin (c), Peter Slatter, John C. Williams, Corp'l; Wm. Wright (e). nineteenth Infa?itry, Co. C: Wm. Davis, Corp'l; John Myer, David A. Bundy, John A. Deaver, Theodore Garrell, Henry Gosling, George Johnson, Eli Mason, John Riley Thomas Savage (c), John C. Wilkinson, George W. Baker. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. A: John Wil- liams 2d Lieut.; Nelson D. Hale, 5th Serg't; Russell S. Bunday, 7th Corp'l; Wm. Chambers, James Mason, Corp'l (c); Joseph Wood, (c). Co. F, Caleb C. Lane. Thirty-sixth Infantry, Co. H : Mathias Mettick. Forty-second Infantry, Co. I: George B. Cade, David Dowhower, Seth Hart, Josiah W. Lamb, Corp'l; James O. McCuIlock, Pelatiah J. Richards, Martin V. B. Richards, Serg't; Felix K. Van Wagoner, John Wanek, Wm. Young, (c). Forty-third Infantry, Co. F: J^acob Gia- nera. Eighth Battery : Ole Castleson. TOWN OF GENOA. Eighth Infantry, Co. I: Alex P. Shaw,(f), Casper Fopper. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Harrison Sayre. Forty-second Infantry, Co. F: Thomas H. Ashbury, George W. Bartholomew, (c). Forty-third Infantry, Co. F: Joseph A. Heck, Florentine Heck, Samuel Kennedy, James Sandlin. TOWN OF GREENWOOD. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: Charles Bohn, Alex Graham, Aldridge W. Rogers, Dilman Saunders, Corp'l. Eighth Infantry, Co. I: Rudolph Martin, John Sullivan, Joseph Watson, (c). Tenth Infantry, Co. H: Robert M. Bailey. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. A : John S. Shieve, Hezekiah Shieve. Forty-second Infantry, Co. B : Samuel Cammack, Francis M. Cammack, Clement J. Cherington. Forty-fifth Infantry, Co. K: Leonard G. Mc- Cauley (<:■), Edwin M. Winslow. Forty-ninth Infantry, Co. A : James Bun- dy, Edson Daly, Andrew Johnson, Byer Knudt- . son. 212 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Tenth Battery : Hezekiah Wilds. First Heavy Artillery, Co. H: Jacol) Rich- ards. TOWN OF HAMBURG. Eighth Infantry, Co. I: James Mellor, (f>) Co. F. Samuel Fox (c). Ninth Infantry, Vet. Co. O: Andreas Moenick. Fifteenth Infantry, Co. E : Laurence An- derson {b), John Hoff, Lars Ingebirgtson, (<■•), Nels Nelson, Bore Peterson ( c), John H. Stokke. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. K: John Peter- son, Peter Handson (a), Peter A. Lendall ( c), Ole A. Nelson (t). Thirty-fourth Infantry, Co, A : Wm. Bam- berg, Ole Everson, Hans Olsen, George Stregle. Forty-third Infantry, Co. F : Andrew Sal- endar. Forty-Ufth Infayitry, Co. H : Mathias Bag- stad, Corp'l; John I. Huff, Simon Lunlokken, John C. Moilin Co. K, Hans Anderson, Chris- tian E. Sveen. TOWN OF HABMONT. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: G .L. Allen, Walker I. Barcus, Abel A. Johnson, Joseph Johnson, ((/), Alfred Thompson, William Stevenson. Twelfth Infantry, Co. A: Elisha Warner. Seventeenth Infantry, Co. H: Daniel W. Horton. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Robert L. Mc- Michael, Captain, John M. Heron, William Do- wine, {h), James Garbee, Byron W. Johnston, (t), Edward Rogers, George M. Rogers. Twenty-fifth Infantry , Co. A: Alfred Adams, 2d Corporal; Vespasian W. Whitney, Milton R. Wood, Isaac L. Smith, Corporal; Elisha II. War- ner, Christopher Baker, (c), Nicholas Sharp, (c), Sampson A. Vance, (e). Fortieth Infantry, Go. C: A. J. Bingham. Forty-Second Infantry, Co. H: Augustus Fetzlaff. Co. I, Harlan P. Procter. First Battery: Monroe Crawford, Hiram Buswell, Elijah Caulkins, Peter Carson, Calvin C. Hagerman, Levi Noble, Roland Reid, Jabez Y. Spaulding. First Heavy Artillery, Co. H: Walker T. Barcus. TOWN OF HILLSBOEOUGH. Sixth Infantry, Musicians: Wtnzel G. Hanzlik, Levi W. Touge. Co. I, Amos John- son, i!d Lieut; T. W. Allen, Nathan Burchill, Sylvester Brill, William Church, George W. Douglas, («), George W. Daniels, (a), Henry Didiot, Bradly Emons, Rudolph Fine, («), Abi- jah Fox, (c), William Fox, (b), Ichabod B. Hill, Sergt; Charles Lind, Thomas W. McClure, (c), Hugh F. McClure, William A. Mattison, Levi Pearson, Daniel A. Pierce, Gotfried Shriver, Hiram Sanders, Corp'l; Abraham Searles, Levi N. Tongue, 1st Sergt; Levi L. Tongue, Sergt; George W. Thurber, Reuben Thompson, Corp'l. (c); ChesterA. Wyman, Froland Willey, Corp'l; John Willey, Henry Wheeler. Seventh Infantry, Co. A: George M. Bur- kel. Eighth Infantry Co. I: Henry Grilley. Twelfth Infantry Co. E: Benjamin Kauff- man. Iwenty-first Infantry, Co. D: Norris Grilley. Twenty-fifth Injantry Co. F: Benjamin Huff- man. Forty-seventh Infantry, Co. C: Chester A. Wayman, Sergt; Charles W. Bailey, Christian Bauer, Christian Engles, Ephriam D. Greeley, Andrew J. Greeley, Pinckney Hayden, Jacob M. Heacock, Samuel W. Iloyt, Charles Lin- drum, Cliarles Lind, William A. Matteson, Corp'l; Alonzo Mitchel, Thomas J. Shear, Jona- than W. Shear, Daniel W. Shear, George W. Shaler, Charles H. Skillings, Anthony Winter. Forty-ninth Infantry, Co. A: Daniel D. Jar- vis, John C. McClure. First Cavalry. Co. F: Darius Reynolds. Tenth Battery: Jacob Dodge. TOWN OP JEFFEESON. Second Infantry, Go. A: Marshall L. Kinney. Go. E, William Kelock. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 213 Third Infantry, Co. A: Lockwood George. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: Alexander Lowrie, Capt. Eighth Infantry, Co. F: James Berry, 2d Lieut; Henry W. Allen, Seymour M. C'ummings, (c), George M. Drum, (c), Jeremiah L. Joseph, John P. Joseph, (c), John L. Smith, (r). Twelfth Infantry, Co. A: John W. Pulver. Thirteenth Infantry, Co. I: Erick Asbemson. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Allen A. Bur- nett, 2d Lieut; Henry Johnson, Archibald J. Morrison, Elijah S. Frazier, Burdett Fletcher, (c), Walter W. Odell, (r), Norris W. Saxton, (a). Co. D, George N. Esler. Joseph G. Hunter, {d), William Hunter, (e), Isaac H. Odell, Jona- than Townsend, Waldron Townsend. Ticentieth Infantry, Co. A: Austin Fletcher. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. A: Allen Fran- cis, Isaac W. C. Burcham, George Pulver, Wil- liam S. Waters, James Berry, Capt; Henry Waters, Sergt; Amasa B. Saxton, Corp'l; Wil- liam R. Reese, John W. Pulver, John Graham, {<■), Franklin Ranger^ (e), Marion F. Fleck, William Powell, (a), Peter Rantz, Morris W. Saxton, (p). Tkirty-eiylith Infantry, Co. F: William F. Riley. Fnrty-secoiid Infantry, Co. I: Augustus Wier. Forty-third Infantry, Co. F; John N. Pul- ver. Fiftieth Infantry, Co. B: Charles C. Has- kell, Albert Johnson, David S. Kyes, Daniel M. Moore, Robert J. Moore, Andrew Molley, Dan- iel W. Seals, William Shult, Benjamin F. 'Schriver. Co. 7i', Goelk Olesen. First Heavy Artillery, Co. L: H. N. M. Rayner. TOWN OF KICKAPOO. Fifth Infantry, Co. H: Benjamin Lawton, Serg; George W. Lawton. Co. A, Henry T. Lawton. Si.rth Infantry, Co. I; Michael Sallenter. Eiyhth Infantry, Co. F: Philander S. Groes. beck, Louis Groesbeck, Stewart Groesbeck. Tenth Infantry, Co. H: John Boyl. Eleventh Infantry, Co. A: Edwin Medla- cott. Twelfth Infantry, Co. I: Irwin Gribble, 2d Lieut; Joshua Hutchinson, Sergt; Ransom Kellogg, Corjj'l; Rudolph Foreman, Corp'l; Wallace B. Pugh, Corp'l; Emery L. Clark, Corp'l; Charles A. Toptine, (e), Eugene Bald- win, [a), Jacob Benu, Francis B. Clark, Henry H. Dupu, (b), Lumen S. Kellogg, Lewis D. Kel- logg, Peter Nuby, Ephriam Sandford, Daniel Sandford, (c), John W. Sutherland, James C. Toptine, (c). Sixteenth Infantry, Co. ^.' Francis Dupu, (r). Seventeenth Infantry, Co. I: John W. Taylor, William Hutchinson, Corp'rl; Abram Y. Banta, Robert L. Banta, Reuben G. Drake, Edward P. Dailey, Lewis F. Day, Joseph L. Dunlap, David Haggerty, Eli Hooks, Nelson Kendall, Doctor F. Kumrine, Carl A. Shermer, Robert W. Ten- uey and Andrew T. Vance. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: William N. Car- ter, Sr., 1st Lieut; William N. Carter, Jr., 2d Lieut; Roswell F. Corey, Corp'l., John James, John C. Mitcalf, Travis Day, (c)., Martin V. Day, William P. Starbuck, {<:)., Co. Z>., Nathan Hale, 2d Corp'l; William Miller, Andrew Per- kinson, Corp'l; Ambrose Osborn. Twenty-Fifth Infantry, Co. A: Eli Osborn, Ira H. Sanford, John W. Church, {b), Jason Baldwin, (c), Abraham Benn, (c). Thirty- Third Infantry, Co. F: James B. Con- nolly, (c). Thirty-Fifth Infantry, Co. C: David M. Pugh, (c). Forty- Second Infantry, Co. H: Eugene C. Gill. Co. I: David G. Bliss, Ist Lieut; John Clancy, William H. Lowny, Peter Vanalstine. Forty-Third Infantry, Co. C: Henry Benn, Jonathan Kyser, Thomas McQueen, (c), William J.Neely, George W. Wilder. Forty-Fifth Lifantry, Co. II: Lewis Hibbard, Marien Osborn. Fiftieth Infantry, Co. B: Joseph Harris. TOWN OF LIBKKTY. Second Infantry, Co. E: Ripley J. Richards. Ti.cel/th Infantry Co. I: George W. Wise. 214 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Forty- Second Infantry, Co. I: Samuel Pal- mer, Henry M. Rusk, Allen Rusk, Corp'l.; Cyrus J. Smith, Alfred Stedman, Robert Tate, George W. Wise. Forty-Third Infantry, Co. F: Robert McKee. ^OWN OF STAEK. Twelfth Infantry, Co. I: J. Emry Payn, Serg't., Moses Powell, Corp'l.; James W. Dean, James Moore, Andrew J. Tompkins, ( c). Tirenty-Fifth Infantry, Co. A: Henry W. Hadley, Chauncey Lawton, J. D. Orrison, James Miller, Serg't.; (c), Justin Smith, Corp'l.; (c), John Garrett, (c), Moses Hadley, (c), Peter S. Moore, (c), Findley Smith, (e), Nathaniel H. Smith, (c). Thirty- Seventh Infantry, Go. I: William A. Lease, {a), John J. Lease. Forty-Second Infantry, Go. B: Merritt W. Dean, (c), Orsumus Farnham, Corp'l. Forty-Third Infantry, Go. K: Martin Corsaw, 2d Serg't.; Gilmond Eno, 5th Serg't.; Samuel W. Grey, George T. Thomas. Forty-Fifth Infantry, Co H: George W. Law- ton, 1st Serg't.; Francis G. Lawton. TOWN OF STEELING. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: William M. Collins(J) John C. Campbell, John W. Elliott, Christian Hopp, («) John D. Oliver, Henry W. Phillips, Clark Smith (J) Thomas H. White {b). Fourteenth Infantry, Co. H : Peter Erick- son, (c). Fifteenth. Infantay, Co. li : Loren L. Hange, Ludwig L. H. Hange. Seventeenth Infantry, Co. B : Peter Mel- lam. Co. /. James McClurg, (c.) Eighteenlh Infantry, Co. C : Ransom J. Chase, 2d Lieut.; Danford J. Spear, Corp.; Le- grand Hickock, Julius C. Morley, (c). David Cunlkins, Isaac C. Newell, George W. Taylor, (c). Orrin Tooker, (r). Co. D. Charles Ames, (c) William H. White, Sergeant. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Go. A. Henry Chan- dler. Forty-second Infantry, Co. B. Wright S. Crane, Perry Curtiss, George P. Griffin, Sam- uel Hasbrook, Samuel W. Pitts, Edward S. Riggs, William Tewall, (c) Alvin Wakefield, Elijah Wakefield, Lafayette Wakefield, (c). Or- son Whitney, John Whitney, James Whitney. Sergeant. Co. I Samuel Davis, John W. Da- vis, Benjamin S. King, Wilson Mills, James A. Tewall, John S. Tewall, Benjamin I. Witcraft. TOWN OF UNION. Eleventh Infantry, Co. I). Francis VV. Mor- rison, James Pannell, Joshua Vanduson, Henry Widner, Mathias Widner, Martin I. Widner(f). Seventeenth Infantry Co. F. Herman Shoepp. Forty-second Infantry Co. E. William R. Bundy, Thomas, H. Daniel. Forty-third Infantry, Co. K. Archibald Calloway. TOWN OF VIEOQUA. Third Infantry, Go. A. Charles Verley. Sixth Infantry, Co. C. James Burrell, Charles A. Conklin {h) Charles Emett, O. P. Fritnell, Corporal; John F. Harding, {b) Wil- liam C. Ilockabout Sergeant; John W. Long- min (c) William C. Minshall, James E. Newell, Hiram M. Richardson, William L. Riley, Edwin E. Sears, George W. Sutton («) John L. Som- erby, James Wallace, Valentine Warner. Eighth Infantry, Co. F. Benjamin F. Alli- son, Sergeant; Samuel McColaugh, Corporal (r), John W. Allison, Amos W. Bicktield, William Burns, Benjamin F. Groves, William C. Groves, Isaac N. Groves, Eli M. Groves (c) Josiah S. Groves, Alfred Lore, Cornelius A. Marston (a) George S. Nichols, Wilson Pitcher, John W. Shell, Corporal, («); Michael Sallander, William Sal lander (c) Ninth Infanh-y, Co. H. Bernard Hartfield, Sergt. Major. Twelfth Infantry, Co. A: Robert M. Leigh ty, Co. I, Archibald Lee, Jerome S. Tinker 2nd Lieutenant;ThomasF. Bryant, John W. Carton, Daniel Cox, George Everett, Henry 11. Hull, Henry G. Honey, Daniel Jennings, Jared Jen- nings, Ore Lind ( a), John Munyon (<•), Seth McClurg, John A. Moore, George C. Richards (c), Benjamin F. Rider, Thomas Skinner, Mil- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 215 ton Sample (a), Samuel Smith, James Silbough (a), William L. Tate, Joel Winters, Samuel D. Yakey(0. fourteenth Injhntry, Co. J): AuthurP. Allen, Oscar P. Allen (c), James Foster, Milton Owen, Joseph Snodgrass. Fifteenth Infantrt/, Co. E: Peter Erickson ( c/), Knud Johnson, Treo Romsads ( c ), John Christenson, Sergeant (c). iSLdeenth Infantry Co. E: Lewis Connelly. Seventeetith Infantry, Co. I: Charles W. Pitcher, 2d Lieutenant; Richard Anderson, Arthur B. Haskell. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Calvin Mosley, Ist Sergeant; Thomas J. Decker, Sergeant; Wil- liam Cox, sergeant; Samuel McMichael, cor- poral; Joseph Buckley, corporal; Hiram Moody, Bazzle Munyon, Noah Ganatt (c), Thomas Freiwell {d), Robert E. Graham, C. B. Guist, John Parnell, Laughliu Quime, Daniel Rantz, Benjamin F. Rantz, Charles Raymer, John J. Ross, Augustus Singer (c), Phillip Singer, Nathaniel Sheppard, (c), William H. Thomp- son (c), Benjamin F. Wells. Co. I), Byron Carey. Co. K, George Williams ( c ). Nineteenth Infantry, Go. C: Henry B. Nichols, captain. Twentieth Infantry, Co. F: Gabriel Olson. 7\renty- first Infantry, Co. I): John E. Green. Ticenty-fitth. Infantry, Co. A: Jeremiah M. Rusk, Lieut. Col., William A. Gott, Surgeon, David C. Hope, Lieut, and Reg. Qr. Master, John R. Casson, Cap't., Alex. Morrison, 4th Corp'l., Britton L. Gillett, Harmon Jennings, George T. Pidcock, Amos A. Richardson, John R. Rundle, Cyrus M. Butt, Cap't., William F. Cumraings, John De Witt, James W. Gillmaii, William F. Hanchett, James IL Lane, Thomas H. Reed, Martin V. B. Richards, John E. Davis, David C. Hope, Edward Minshall, Isaiah Fer- rell, (c), Serg't., William Jonas, Corp'l, ((•), Charles Barston, (c), jVmon Hiddison, {c), George W. Cummings, (f), James A. Douglass, (f), Charles W. Delap, (('), William H. For- eaker, (c), Purley B. Grubb, (a), George \V. Hope, ( 6- ), William B. H. Hunter, (c), John Marshall, (c), William Pidcock, (c), William C. Reed, (c), Hiram Steadman, (c), Silas H. Strieker, ( c ), Freeman Sutten, (c ), Philip Sil- bough, (c), Ira Wisel, ( c). Twenty- Seventh Infantry Co. K: Charles H. Raymer, 1st Lieut. Thirty-Fifth Infantry, Co. C: William Bo.x- ley, Lemuel Lieurance, Corp'l., Frederick Lieu- rance, Serg't; Nathaniel Morrison, David Lieu- rance, Richard Pidcock, Augustus Smith, Serg't., Samuel Stroud, ( c ). Co. -i>., Joseph C. Harrison, Corp'l; Edward D. Brigham, Orrin Dickson, Jasper W. Grubb. Co. E, Daniel J. Gibson, ( c), Orrille Dickson, (c). Go. G,A. F. Smith, 1st. Lieu't., Eren Dal ton, John W. Saubpert, Corp'l.. George Martin, David E. Lawton, Thaddeus Conklin, Joseph Hadley, Corp'l., Joseph Pan- nell, Burr W. Serley, Amos F. Schilling, Elisha Smith, Henry Salander, John H. Small, James Small, Edward Everett. Thirty- Seventh Infantry, Co. F: William P. Hayter. Forty-Second Infantry. Co. I: Marshall C. Nichols, Capt., Samuel V. Allison, Serg't., Wil- liam H. Burlen, Corp'l., Joseph D. Brothers, Corp'l., Henry H. Blodgett, Corp'l., Thomas P. Dewitt, Joshua Lieurance, Albert J. Rusk, Wil- lard W. Rusk, Oscar J. Stillwell, John Welch. Forty-Eighth Infantry: M. Butt, Maj. Fiftieth Infantry Co.Ii: Clayton E. Rogers, Captain; James E. Newell 1st Lieut., George H. Burlin, John L. Groves, James W. (-Jiliman, William Getter, Alexander Gorsline, Francis M. Haskell, Simeon A. Hicok, James Kontner, Hans Jesperson, James H. Johnson, John Kirk- patrick, Selucas C. Miller, David Miller, John Myers, Leonard Morley, John Slater, Abraham Smith, Harrison Smith, William P. Shannon, Ezra W. Shrive, Ebenezer S. Stretsberry, Ole T. Severson, J. H. Swain, Francis Southwick, James J. Taylor, Elijah Tilton, Edward S. Tul- tle, Chancy Vanduson, Nelson W. Winters, William B. Williams. Fifty- Second Infantry, Co C; Samuel Penell, Peter Shult. 21(5 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. First Cavalry, Co. E: Jacob M. Snyder. Third Cavalry Co. A: James F. Palmer, Sergeant (e), Charles Marston, Davis Onstat. Fourth Cavalry, Co. I: Alexander B. Smith. TOWN OF WEBSTBE. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: James Mc McLane. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C Samuel Fish, (c). Thirty-Fifth Infantry, Co. D: Harry M. Al- len, Jacob Jones. Forty- Secowl Infantry, Co /:ArmerL. Wood, John Wood. Company F: Joseph M. Ames, Oliver Brown, William Bryson (c). Forty-Third Infantry Co. F : Lewis Graham, Ezekiel Jackson, Thomas M. McCollough, Henry E. Pettet. Forty-fifth Infantry, Co. H: Levador Green, David Hancock. TOWN OF WHEATLAND. Fifth Infantry, Go. K: Charles S. Foust. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: Francis A. Waller, Ist Lieut.; L. S. Benedick («), Albert E. Fos- dick, Henry A. Fosdick (c), William Lawrence, Corporal (a); Edward Lind, George A. Mc- Dill, Corporal; Andrew Milles, 1st Sergt. (a); Charles A. Page, Richard H. Phillips (e), Ga- briel A. Ruby, Daniel Remington, Robert N. Smith, Drum Major; William Sears (c), Francis A. Walker, 1st Lieut.; Samuel G. Walker, Cor- poral; Richard A. Warham, Corporal; Richard A. Warren, Corporal; John W. White. Eighth Infantry, Go. F: Francis ShHmway(c). Tii-elfth Infantry, Co. A: William H. Ash- berry, Franklin Buchannan, William Pulham, Henry T. Roberts. Seventeenth Infantry: F. James Ethelbert, Com. Sergt. Co. 1: Ethelbert F. .Fames. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: Peters S. Camp- bell, Corporal; Parley Whitney. Co. K; Mel- vin Bray man. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co. A: Warren G. Davis, Ist Lieut.; James H. Rogers, 3d Sergt.; James L. Gordan, 4th Sergt.; Thomas E. Engle, 1st Corpl.; Robert L. Ferguson, 5th Corp'l; Ed- win K. Loring, 8th Corp'l; Peter Jacobu.s, Charles H. Tilden, William F. O. Coard (e), Phillip Geiser (c), George F. Green (c), Harvey Sewell (c), Gillman Tenny (e). Twenty seventh Infantry, Co. I: George W. Furman. Twenty-first Infantry, Co. A: Thomas De- laey. Forty-second Infantry, Co. B: Zeans T. Clark, Henry P. Kendall, Orrin D. Wilson. Forty-third Infantry, Co. F: Frederick Stode, James Voisey. Forty-fifth Infantry, Go. K: Charles A. Tenny, 4th Sergt. Fiftieth Infantry, Go. B: Rezin Z. Ball, Joseph F. Huntington, Eleazer G. Miller, Silas E. Phillips, George S. Sperry, Albert A. Sum- ner, Seymour G. Waite; Co. K: Gary H. Jos- lyn, Milo M. Whitney. TO'WN OF WHITESTOWN. Fifth Infantry, Co. E: Christopher Ostran- deo, Corp'l. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: Clayton E. Rogers, 1st Lieut.; George W. Atwood (a), Elias C. Burdick, William L. Bodden, Franklin Els- worth («), Edward Fearn, Sergt.; Chauucey A. Grune, 1st Sergt.; Lewis Hart, Daniel W. Nut- ting, Joseph Words, Isaiah Williams, Corp'l. Eighteenth Infantry, Co. C: William Mas- terton, Patrick Mooney, James McClelland (c), John Stokes, (c), Peter Sloggny, Capt. Co. D: Adolpbus King, Henry J. Phelps, Joshua W. Sheldon. Co K: Nathan Culver. Twenty-first Infantry, Co. A: Hiram Bugbee. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Co A: Joseph Heck- ley, Samuel Wilkinson, Merriatt Rowe, Freder- ick S. Rowe. Forty-third Infantry, Co. K: Charles E. Critchitt, 2d Corp'l; George W. Delap, Corp'l; Robert W. Delap, William F. Finnell. Forty-ninth Infantry, Co. A: Abraham Bugbee. First Cavalry, Co. F: Lewis Clute, Francis Chalvin (c), Hiram J. Cronde, Charles W. Cute (r), Thomas Cox. Third Cavalry, Co. A: William Fennell. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 217 Fourth Cavalry, Co. I: Joseph A. Walker, Milan Graham, Alonzo D. Sabine. VERNON COUNTY AT LARGE. Fifth Infantry, Co. H: James M. Dean; Co A: Henry Osgood. Sixth Infantry, Co. I: William S. Gushing, .lames 0. Moody, John G. Moody. Seventh Infantry, Co G: George Allen, Harrison C. Joseph, Thomas E. Joseph. Eighth Infantry, Co. I: John Olson (c). Tenth Infantry, Co H: Albert Moses. Twelfth Infantry, Co. C: Charles Fish (r). Thirteenth Infantry, Co I: Louis Erickson. Fifteenth Infantry, Co. A: Tobias Ingbret- ser, Niets P, Olsen, Mecal Olsen, Amuud Ulsen (c); Co. D: Jacob Nelson; Co. F: Hans H. Leium. Ninteenth Infantry, Co. C: Judson Phelps, Frederick Guist, Chantey Hamar. Twentieth Infantry, Co A: Henry C. Thomp- son. Forty-third Infantry, Co. F: John F. Hofins, d Corp'l. IN MEMORIAM. When Pericles was called upon to deliver the oration over those who had fallen in the first campaign of the Peloponnesiau war, he be- gan by extolling Athens ; and, liaving ex- patiated upon her glories, her institutions and her sciences, he concluded by exclaiming: "For such a republic, for such a Nation, the people whom we this day mourn fell and died." It is "for such a republic — for such a Nation" as the United States of America, that the people of the North, by thousands, "fell and died" during the war for the Union ; and, to those thous- ands, Vernon county contributed her share. Vernon county's war record is of such a char- acter that her people may ever refer to it with pride and satisfaction. One of the early coun- ties in the State, as we have seen, to respond with volunteers in the hour of gravest peril, she never faltered during the entire struggle, weary and disheartening as it oft times was. Iler old men were not wanting in counsel, nor her young men or middle-aged in true martial spirit. With a firm, unswerving faith in the righteous- ness of the Union cause, her citizens, with scarce a distinction in age or sex, were imbued with a determination to conquer or die rather than survive defeat. It was this kind of patriotism that bore the Union cause througli defeat as well as victory, whenever the oftrrepeated news was brought home of depleted and scattered ranks. Vernon county valor is attested upon every street of her hospitable villages ; upon her broad sections of fertile land ; and last, but not least, within the silent enclosures of her dead. It is here that, with each recurring anni- versary, the graves of her heroes are moistened with the tears of sorrow, as loving fingers be- deck them with beautiful flowers. Although there are in the preceding pages some facts which may remind the citizens of Vernon county of the deeds of those who fought the good tight until the end, yet without these records, those days of peril, of suffering, and of victory at last, would not be forgotten by the present generation ; they are too deeply engraved in the hearts of all. Each of the citi- zen-soldiers from this county who stood loyally by the country's standard through the war, has wrought his name in characters that live as mon- uments to the memories of men. Many gallant sons of Vernon, who went out from home to battle for the Union, with only the benediction of a mothers' tears and prayers, came back to those mothers' arms witli a glo- rious record. Many returned having left a limb in the swamps of Chickahominy ; on the banks of the Rapidan ; at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg Vicksburg, or in the Wilderness. Many still bear the marks of that strife which raged at Stone River, luka, Chickamauga, or on the heights of Lookout Mountain, wlience they thundered down the defiance of the skies ; or of that strife which was waged before Atlanta, Savannah and in the Carolinas. But there were many who came not back. They fell by the wayside, in the prison, on tlie 218 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. battlefield, or in the hospital. Their memory, however, is held in the most sacred keeping. Some sleep beside their ancestors in the village churchyard, where the violets on their graves speak not alone of womanly sweetness, but in tender accents of the devotion of those beneath the mounds of earth. All, al', whether buried in the distant South or at home, are remembered IS they slumber on in a peaceful, glorified rest. '"Wiadsof Summer, Oh whisper low, Over the graves where the violets grow, '^ossoming flowers and sonps of bees, Sweet ferns tossed in the summer's breeze, Floating shadows and golden lights, Dewy mornings and radiant nights. All the bright and beautiful things That gracious and bountiful summer brings, Fairest and sweetest that earth can bestow, Brighten the graves where the violets grow." Many of the brave soldiers who battled for the Union — many, very many — "have gone before;" and they now wait upon the threshold of Paradise for the coming of those loved ones left behind, when they, too, shall have ex- changed the feeble pulses of a transitory exis- sence for the ceaseless throbbing of eternal life. Faithful and fearless, on the march, in the strife, at victory or defeat, they at last laid down at the mysterious frontier, leaving the exalted hope behind that, though the world was lost forever, there would be unfurled another realm of unimaginable glory, where they, and all whom they loved on earth, might realize the promise which the great Ruler of the universe has made to the just. PENSIONERS IN VERNON COUNTY. No. of certifi- cate. Name of Pensioner. Post-ofBce ad- dress. Cause for which Pensioned. Monthly P^t^^fj^,';?^'- ™'^- ance. 10,252 107,179 32,147 204,816 181,900 133,955 Burns, Hannali Cummings, William T. Peavy, Belinda, -- Soper, Darius Wakey, David U McDaniels, Samuel Smith, .Alexander B Headley, .James C Maines, Eliza Welch, Mary Lathrop, (!'hapnleon B.. Stokke, Johannes H... Oleson.Mathias Chancy, Charles H Markle, Jacob Shreve, Caleb Shreve,John S, Hyne. Tammy Palmer, Priscilla R Barton, Anthony Kose, Wm. F Pennel, Robert Green, Phebe White.JohnW Coffin, Peleg Dains, .\ndrew Rogers, JamesH Page, Charles F Davenport, Nelson Partridge, Susan L Gushing, Wm.S Ui,xon, James C Landin, James Salsberry, Robert S Eaelus, Henry W K no wles, Thomas Dodge, Darius Tongue, Levi Sullivan, James P Schriber, Gotttred Calkely, Catherine Crary, Milton E Salts, William F Avalanche . . do .... do Bergen Bloomingdale .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do Burr Chaseburgh ... do .... do .... do Debello ... do .... do Dell DeSoto ... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do .... do Genoa Gocle do Hillsborough.. - . do . do . do . do . do . do . do mother varicose veins and ulcer left leg widow 1813 w. 1. arm and thigh ch. diarrhea & dis. abd. vie lossl. leg. w. r. chest w. 1. ankle, 1. hip widow widow 1812 dis. heart wd . right thigh w. 1. leg minor w. 1 . elbow & r. arm chr. bronchitis chr. diarrhea mother widow rheum chr. rheum chr. diarrhea mother w. nates eurv 1812 .. . do injury to abdomen w. l.foot w. 1. groin mother w. 1. leg & r. thigh frac. skull minor of loss r. arm loss sight 1 . eye chr. diarrhea ... do epilepsy w. 1. shoulder, inj. to r. hand. . wd. 1. hip widow 1812 dis. chest par. deafness & dis. of eyes $8 00 6 00 June, 1881.... 800 8 00 Feb., 1879.... 6 00 24 00 Feb., 1882.... 4 00 10 00 May, 1881.... 800 Sept., 1880 ... 8 00 200 2 00 10 00 Dec, June, 1883.... 1882.... 8 00 800 400 8 00 July, Jan., June, 1881... 1881... 1880... 8 00 400 8 00 4 00 8 00 Marct Feb.. July, ,'1882. ;;■ 1881 . . 1881 . . 6 00 800 800 3 00 6 00 April, Oct., 1879.... 1882:::: 6 00 8 00 6 00 6 00 10 00 24 00 4 00 800 6 00 July, 1880 ... 12 00 8 00 6 00 h 00 6 00 4 00 July," Jan., 1879:.: 1881.... HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 219 PENSIONERS IN VERNON COUNTY. — Continued. No. of certifi- cate. Name of pensioner. Post-office ad- dress. Cause for which pensioned. Monthly rate. Date of origi- nal allowance. . . do loss middle finger r. hand 4 00 8 00 16 00 400 6 00 1 00 6 00 18 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 2 00 8 00 12 00 4 00 8 00 400 800 200 400 800 19 00 8 00 15 00 800 8 00 3 00 7 00 18 00 4 00 4 00 6 00 8 00 4 00 S 6 00 12 00 800 24 00 400 400 800 800 8 00 3 00 2 00 6 00 12 00 800 325 800 18 00 2 00 400 800 8 00 17 00 8 00 400 5 00 6 00 800 800 8 00 600 600 8 00 8 00 8 00 6 00 12 00 600 8 00 8 00 200 10 00 20 00 April, 1878.... Bailey, Jane ■■■■do.., do widow , do Jan., 1881 Webstpr IjPwi« H E do chr. diarrhea .... do Sept., 1880.... Welch. Johns K nviey,4tobert . Watt ison, William A Greelcv, Ephraim D Burchill, Nathan .. do do •■■•do .. do .... do .... do wd. r. thigh deafness both ears Oct , 1880 chr. diar. & res inj . to abd Aug., 1882... wd. both hands inj. tor. index finger, felon March, 1881.... .... do July, 1880.... Lind. Charles .... do wd. of face, loss 1. eye, inj. to r. eye... incise wd. of face do Stalpy Rachel Cole. Herman . . do .... do do 1. side of chest mother 36,603 Kevels, Henry .... do .... do wd. r. arm injury to abdomen, &c injury to abdomen La Farge ... do Aug., 1880 Peltnn Ezra anchylosis 1. knee joint, inj. to abd widow Liberty Pole .... do .... do .... do Mount Tabor. . do ... Slack, Harrison Peterson, Christopher Alexander. Emily wd. r. hand ... ... chr. diarrhea, dis. of abd. vis widf)w loss of great toe of 1. foot wd. 1 hand Dec, 1882... Nov., 1877 154,330 Lampman, Isaac. Newton Ontario .... do dis. of heart June, 1878 Culver. Nathan chr. diarrhea dis of eves March, 1882.... Smith, Ruben S ... do Aug., 1883 .... do June, 1881 .... do Quinn LaughliD do w 1. leg July, 1878.... Walker, Samuel .... do dis. of eyes surv. 1812 .... do Roberts, Isaac W .... do Glenn, Lewis B .... do w. r. thigh Gordon. James C .... do ch. diar , resul. dis. abd'l vis Apr., 1882 .... do Gudg"en, Arza do dis. lungs, diarr., with resit, dis. of abdominal viscera. inc'sd r. foot & dis. lungs . w 1 foot Mav 1882 Boldon, William L .... ....do Oct 1880 MeVay, Allen ....do .... do July. 1881 .... do Kelly, James Lamb. Lvdia A .... do .... do w idow .... do w. f. thigh & necrosis & resulting par- alysis. widow g.s.w.r.arm w.l. arm Thompson, Shora Greek, Wm. E ... do .. do 108, 089 Sn vder, John W Otttervale Jan 1882 133,911 .... do Roberts, Willis J .... do Lind, Elizabeth Purdy widow Keadstown .... do do May, 1880 Feb 1881 Salmon, Benjamin do ch. rheumatism .... do .... do w.r. thigh Jan. 1881 .... do Elmendorf, John F .... do ... do widow hurley. George Poff, Charles M ... do . . do .... do Nov., 1879. w 1 hip Sept., 1878 Cooiey. Prudia Fisk, Lucinda Retreat .... do do ... do Oct. 1882 Fourt, Charles S Adams. Jesse .... do .... do w. 1. leg w. neck, chest .... do Apr., 1881 Socktown .... do Bryant. Thomas F inj. r ankle May, 1878 Oct , 1880. .... do Bennett, Eliza ..do mother 220 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. PBNSioNEERa IN VERNON couMTY. — Oontinued. No. of oertifl- cate. Name of Pensioner. Post-office ad- dress. Cause for which Pensioned. Monthly rate. Date of original al- lowance 151,459 185,102 151, 821 25,848 Rolf, Albert H McDonald, David. . Romsas, Karen E ... Williams, George N.. Buchanan, Sarah Slocum, Abraham Graham, Lemach.. . Groves, Isaac N Driskill, Ubadiah Sinclair, John W Parker, Robert McHenry, Elizabeth. Drake. Janette Dupee, Sarah Koher, Christopher.. Wyman, Chester A... Blancharrt, Allen E... Blanchard, Job Snodgrass, Joseph... Critchet, Thomas Owens, Milton Olden, Edward Casson, John R Watson, Amy R Russell, Andrew Toney, Squire Fish, Nancy Waer. Robert Reed, Thomas Foster, James Goman, Eugene... Hodge. William A . Morley, Calvin Mason, Eli Beslin, Irwin Hunter, George D. Hoflns.JohnT Kahle, Earnest Allen, Henry W Aman. George Latta, Josiah Hunter. Polly Nicks, John D Chase, Henry A Clark, Samuel W... Stubbs, ThiKa E . . Erving, Samutl K. . Rogers, Earl M Rogers, Benjamin . Kastrue.Ole P Andrews, Simon . . . . do Springville. . . .do . do . do . do . do . do Star . do .do . do Sugar Grove. .do . do Tripville Victory . do Viroqua . do . do . do .do .do . do . do . do . do . do . do .. . do ... Viroqua . ...do .. .. . do ... .... do ... .... do .. .... do . .... do .. .... do .. .... do . . .... do .. ... do . do .. .... do . ... do .. .. do.. ... do .. . . do . . ... do.. Westby.. ... do . . w. 1. foot & I. thigh wd. head widow wd. 1. thigh. ' widow LSI dis. of heart w. r. breast & r. arm injury to abdomen ..., dis. of abdominal viscera W.I foot and hand chr. diar mother ... do widow eh. diarrhea wd. r. thigh rheum dis. kidneys injury to abdomen lossr. leg dis. of eyes, total blindness lumbago wd . I. hand mother dis. of eyes ... do widow loss pt. r. middle finger inj. to abd. and digestive organs, fever & torpid liver. ch. diarr. result, dis. abd. vis w. r. ankle w.ofl. shoulder, inj. to abdomen injury to abdomen . ... do w. of I. leg chr. diarrhea dis. of eyes and throat asthma, dis. of heart w. 1. breast w. 1. arm and hand ulcers r. leg , mother dis. of lungs w.r. thigh ; opethalmia, dis. of eyoB, inj . to abd . . widow wd. 1 thigh .... do w 1. knee injury to abdomen w.r. breast 4 00 6 00 8 00 4 00 8 00 6 00 2 00 3 00 4 no 6 00 4 00 8 00 8 00 8 00 18 00 6 00 K 00 800 4 00 18 00 72 00 4 00 8 00 8 00 12 00 4 00 8 00 2 00 12 00 6 00 4 00 f 10 00 4 00 8 00 13 00 4 00 6 00 12 00 2 00 8 00 6 00 8 00 4 00 2 00 16 00 8 00 2 00 17 00 2 00 10 00 2 00 June, 1881. Mar., 1878. July, 1883. Nov., 1879., Sept., 1881., May, 1882.. Sept., 1881., Dec, 1881. Aug. Apr. Oct., , 1881. .. 1880 1880 Mar., Mar. Aug. 1881 1878.. 1881 Mar. 1881.... July, 'issi!.'.. Dec, May, 1880 1880 Feb., Dec, 1880.... 1882,... Aug., Sept., April, June, 1881.... 1882.... 1881.... 1878.... April 1880.... Oct., 1880.... Oct., 1880., April, 1878. Dec. , 1882 .50th REGIMENT, WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS IN- FANTRY, CO. B. The roll of Co. B, of the 50th regiment Wis- consin volunteers, on May 30, 1866, was made up largely of Vernon county men. It was as fol- lows: Company Officer — Second lieutenant, J. W. Allen, Brodhead, Green county. fieijiinental Quartermaster Sergeant — Siles E. Phillips, De Soto, Vernon county. First Sergeant — L. Morley, Viroqua. Sergeants — E. S. Tuttle, Glen Haven, Grant county; H. J. Phelps, Ontario; J. Harris, New- ville; L. S. Daniels, Ontario. Corporals — -P. C. Hovertou, Soldiers' Grove, Crawford county; F. M. Haskell, Viroqua; C. C. Haskell, Ontario; J. S. Gibbs, De Soto; S. Turner, Newville; E. Tilton, Viroqua; E. G. Miller, De Soto. Drummer — F. Southwick, Franklin. Privates — George H. Burlin, Sparta, Monroe county; Henry Bacon, Pole Grove, Jackson county; R. Z. Ball, De Soto; L. Christianson, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 22l Springville; Michael Eckhardt, De Soto; Wil- liam Getter, Franklin; M. D. Holcomb, Ontario; Jonathan Hay, Viroqua; J. F. Huntington, De Soto; Torger Johnson, Coon Prairie; Albert Johnson, Rising Sun, Crawford county; Hans Jespersou, North Cape, Racine county; James Konlner, Viroqua; David D. Kyes, Ontario; Ole A. Knudson,Mt. Pisgah, Monroe county; James Bright, La Crosse, La Crosse county; R. J. Moore, La Crosse, La Crosse county; D. M. Moor, Ontario; J. R. Miller, De Soto; Ole H. Notwick, Coon Prairie; John Slay tor, Goole; H. Smith, Viroqua; William Shult, Viroqua; Jonathan H. Swain, Viroqua; E. S. Stretsbery, Ontario; Charles Schied, De Soto; William L. Tallman, PoleGrove, Jackson county; J .B. Tall- man, Perry Walker, Ontario. CommiHsioned Officers Resigned — Captain, C. E. Rogers, Jan. 4, If'Ce; Ist Lieutenant, J. E. Newell, Feb. 3, 1866. Discharged — First Sergeant, C. C. Brown, May .3, 1865. Privates — H. M. Bean, May 3, 1865; J. Cum- mins, May 3, 1865; S. A. Hicock, May 3, 1865; L. D. Prentice, May 3, 1865; O. L. Severson May 3, 1865; B. F. Schriever, May 3, 1865; T. E. Taylor, May 3, 1865; C. A, Vandusen, May 3, 1865; J. R. Lake, May 3, 1865; J. S. Rogers, May 27, 1865. Sergeants — L. IL ^Valker, June 15, 1805. Privates — W. B. Williams, June 15, 1865; John Knight, June 6, 1865; E. W. Threve, May 6, 1865; E. A. Webber, May 6, 1865; S. Wait, July 27, 1865; A. Smith, Oct, 21, 1865; C. A. Green, Nov. 27, 1S65; David Miller, May 27, 1865; G. S. Sperry, May 27, 1865; J. S. Groves, Feb. 13, 1866; E. H. Ames, Feb. 22, 1866; P. Martinson, Feb. 22, 1866; A. A. Summer, Feb. 28, 1866; H. K. Miller, Feb. 28, 1866. Died — H. F. Downing, May 10, 1865, Benton Barracks, Mo.; J O. Fox, June 9, 1S65, Boone- ville, Mo.; P. Kyser, Aug. 2, 1865, St. Louis Mo. Absent sick — J. P. Davenport, Calvin Boyer, Seth Edson, H. J. Smith. VEENON COUNTY CAPTAINS AND FIELD OFFICERS. Nine of the citizens of Vernon county were honored with commissions as captains during the war as follows: James Berry, C. M. Butt, W. N. Carter, John A. Carson, Newton M. Layne, Alexander Lowrie, WilliamMcMichael, C. E. Rogers and E. N. Rogers, the last men- tioned having been breveted major. Two Vernon county men received commis- sions as field officers: C. M. Butt, major, after- ward promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Jeremiah M. Rusk, major, also promoted to lieutenant-colonel; but subsequently brevetted colonel and brigadier-general. Gen. .Jeremiah M. Rusk was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, June 17, 1830; removed to Wisconsin and settled in Bad Ax (now Vernon) county in 1853; heW several county offices; was a member of the Assembly in 1862; was commissioned major of the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in July, 1862; was soon after promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy. Served with Gen. Sher- man from the siege of Vicksburg until mustered out at the close of the war, and was breveted colonel and brigadier-general for bravery at the battle of Salkehatchie; was elected bank comptroller of Wisconsin for 1866 and 1867, and re-elected for 1868-9; represented the sixth congressional district in the 42d Congress, and the seventh district in the 43d and 44th Con- gress; was chairman of the committee on invalid pensions in the 43d Congress ; was a member of the congressional republican com- mittee for several years; was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago, in 1880; was appointed bj' President Garfield and confirmed by the Senate, as Minister to Paraguay and Uruguay, which appointment he declined; was also tendered by President Garfield the mission to Denmark and the i)Osition of chief of the bureau of engraving and printing, both of which he declined; was elected governor at the 222 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. annual election in 1881, as a republican, receiving 81,754 votes against 69,797 for N. D. Fratt, demo- crat,and 13,225 votes for T. D. Kanouse, prohibi- tionist, and 7,002 for E. P. Allis, greenbacker. EARLY MENTION OP THE WAR. [From Vernon county papers.] 1861, May 15. At a meeting of enrolled volunteers at De Soto, T. C. Ankeny was called to the chair, when the following resolu- tions were adopted: "Resolved, That we unite with the enrolled volunteers of Bad Ax county to form a com- pany for active service. "Hesolced, That, for the purpose of organiz- ing said company a meeting be called at the residence of C. G. Allen, in the town of Ster- ling, at 12 o'clock M., on Saturday, the 18th inst., and invite all volunteers of this county to meet us on that day to elect officers " May 18. A meeting was held at Debello for the purpose of enrolling volunteers for active service to join a company started at Hillsbor- ough a short time since; about 800 were present. The United States flag was raised amidst the greatest enthusiasm. The meeting was called to order by Rev. E. Smith. On motion, T. B. Brown was chosen chairman and U Gregory secretary. Speeches were made by Messrs. Smith, Johnson, of Hillsborough: Daniels, of Wonewoc; O'Rourke, of Glendale, and Baker of Plymouth. After the speaking, a call was made for volunteers, and seven enrolled their names. The company now numbers seventy, ten of whom are from the town of Greenwood. June 26. The Anderson Guards who paid Viroqua a visit on Friday and Saturday last, are a fine body of energetic, wide-awake men. t'apt. L. Jo>'nson is a man who is full of mili- tary zeal; has done good service in Mexico, and wore, while here, a Mexican military jacket, with pure silver buttons, which he took from a Mexican whom he shot while in the act of robbing him (the Captain), while he lay on the tield of battle wounded. They (the Anderson Guards), added twenty- six recruits to their number from Viroqua and vicinity. They had a fine band, consisting of three brass instruments and a drum and fife with them. The Guard will be mustered into the service of Uncle Samuel at this place (Viro- qua), on Monday next. July 3. The Bad Ax county volunteers, "The Anderson Rifles," arrived here (Viroqua), on Sunday evening, having been brought in from Hazen's by teams from Viroqua, with the assist- ance of teams that came from the eastern part of the county, where most of the company reside. D. H. Johnson, Esq., and Dr. McKinney were here (Viroqua) before them for the purposes of swearing them in and making the necessary physical examination. Some were too old, some too young, or could not get consent of parents; some were unsound, but ninety-three or four were put on the roll. We believe that before they leave the county their ranks will be full. Leonard Johnson is captain, and Messrs. Baker and Johnson first and second lieutenants. Among the non-com- missioned officers we noticed J. E Newell, Jr., and Henry Osgood. The people from Viroqua and vicinity fur- nished teams to carry them to the Mississippi river, at Bad Ax City, and they were to take a steamer to Prairie du Chien and thence by rail to Camp Randall at Madison. Two out of three of our (the Northwestern Times') type set- ters are members of the company— John L. Somerby and William E. Minshall; also a former apprentice, J. W. Longmire, and a dozen or two of our subscribers. September 11. The volunteers from this (Bad Ax) county, headed by Capt. James Berry of the Home Guards, arrived safely at Prairie du Chien, where Capt. Berry was elected second lieuienant of the Crawford county companv that our boys have united with, and the company has gone on to Madison. September 25. Lieut. Berry was in tow-n (Vi- roqua) Sunday one week ago, and on Monday CiyL41 John C. Kurtz 240 County Treasurer. C. M.Butt ; 1229—1007 Joseph Norris 223 Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. John R. Casson 1246—1041 Jesse L. Davis 205 Supervisor 1st District. C.N. Lawton -.• 407—317 Edward Klopfleiseh 90 Supervisor 2d District. John Michelet 362—343 J.M.Conaway — 19 JUDICIAL ELECTION. APRIL 2, 1867. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Orsmas Cole 1228-119 I. C. Witherby 29 ELECTION NOVEMBER 5, 1867. Governor. Lucian Fairchild 1443-1059 JohnJ.Talmage 384 Lieutenant Governor. Wyman Spooner 1446—1062 GilbertPark 384 Secretary of State. Thomas S. Allen 1440- 1066 ErnstRoth 885 State Treasurer. WilliamE. Smith 1445— 106Q Peter Kupp 385 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 247 Attorney General. Charles R. Gill 1«5— lOCO Lucius P. Westerby 385 State Superintendent. Alexander J. Crai? 1446—1063 ■William Peck 383 Bank Comptroller. JereraiahRu9k 1440—1071 Richard J. Harvey.. .. 369 Prison Commissioner HenryCordier 1455—1085 OleHeg 370 Assemblyman. (First District.) HenryChase 456—200 W.H.Offlcer 256 Assemblyman. (2d District.) D. B. Priest 882 County Treasurer. CM. Butt 1562 Sheriff. T.B. Brown 1546 Clerk of the Circuit Ceurt. H. N. Preus 1540 District Attorney. J.E.NewcU 1545 Register of Deeds. G. W. GrifBn 1509 County Superintendent. T.J. Shear 911—183 HartwellAllen 728 Surveyor. H. C. Joseph 1555 Coroner. H.A.Robinson 1570 County Poor System. For 862—269 Against 593 JUDICIAL ELECTION April 7, 1868. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Luther S. Dixon 1561—958 Charles Dunn 603 Associate Justice of Supreme Court. Byron Payne 1565—959 E. Holmes Ellis 606 Judge of the Circuit Court. Romanzo Bunn , 1130—371 Milton Montgomery 759 Edwin Flint 283 ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 1868. President. TJ. S. Grant 2248—1637 Horatio Seymour 621 Congressman. C.C.Washburn 2240—1615 A.G. Ellis 625 Banking Law. For 1987-1913 Against 75 State Senator. C. M. Butt 2221—1624 James H. Lambert 597 Assemblyman. (1st District.) JohnMcLees 681—238 H. Allen 451 Assemblyman. (2d District) Van S. Bennett 764 County Supervisor. (District No. 1.) B.H.Harry 764 County Supervisor. (District No. 3.) G. W.Swain 762 JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 8, 1869. Justice ot the Supreme Court. Luther S. Dixon 1682—1654 S.W. Pitts 28 County Judge. Williams. Purdy 1587—1468 Hugh McDill 121 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 1869. Governor. Lucius Fairchild 1426-U28 CharlesD. Robinson 298 Lieutenant Governor. ThaddeusPond 1434—1142 HamlltonS. Gray 292 Secretary of State. S. Breese 1390—1095 AmasaG. Cook 295 State Treasurer. HenrvBaitz 1434—1142 John Black 292 Attorney General. S. S. Barlow 1435—1143 S. W. Pinny 292 State Superintendent. A. J.Craig 1432-1140 P. K. Gannon 292 Prison Commissioner. George F. 'Wheeler 1434—1141 Carl Bordoe 293 Assemblyman. (1st District.) R. May 601-530 D.A. Steele '. H Assemblyman. ( 2d District. ) Vans. Bennett 921 County Superintendent. J. N. Wright 1092—542 George W. Nuzum 660 County Supervisor. (2d District.) Willard Money 381—128 J.C.Davis 253 County Treasurer. J. W. Allen 1148-669 William Frazier 479 Sheriff. W. W. Lowrie 1198—727 R.S. McMichael 469 248 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. County Surveyor. Isaac F.Tharp 1237-836 H.C. Joseph *01 Coroner. H.D.Williams 163T— 1636 Scattering 1 District Attorney. Carson Gralinin 1032—413 J. E. Newell 619 Seatterinif 3 Register of Deeds. H. N. Preus 890-133 C. H. Ballsrud 7.57 Scattering 6 Clerk of the Circuit Court. P. J. Layne 1273-887 John Harding 386 Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. JohnK. Casson 1664-1663 Scattering 1 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 8, 1870. Congressman. J. M. Rusk 1347-1132 Alexander Meggett 215 Scattering 6 State Superintendent. Samuel Fallows 1329—1095 H. B.Dale 234 Constitutional Amendment. Against 1303—1235 For 68 State Senator. Angus Cameron 1298—998 William McConnell 300 Assemblyman. (1st District.) J. W. Hoyt 365—40 Ruben May 325 JohnT. Brinkmann 173 Assemblyman. (2d District.) H. A Chase 706—704 Scattering 2 Sheriff. Nathan Coe 1594—1592 Scattering 2 JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 4, 1871. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. •(To fill Vacancy.) W.P.Lyon 1599-1396 D.J. Puling 203 (To fill full term.) W. P. Lyon. 1641—1416 D. J. Puling 225 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1871. Governor. C. C. Washburn 1686-1270 J. R. Doolittle iie Lieutenant Governor. M. H. Pettit 1669—1240 John A. Rice 429 Secretary of State. L. Breese 1682—1257 Milton Montgomery 425 State Treasurer. Henry Baitz 1698—1289 Anton Klaus 409 Attorney General. S. S. Barlow 1684—1439 Edward S. Bragg 245 W.F. Vilas 170 State Superintendent. S. Fallows 1684—1259 W.D.Parker 425 Prison Commissioner. George F.Wheeler 1688—1275 Louis S. Johnson — 413 Commissioner of Immigration. Ole C.Johnson 1700—1295 Jacob Badden 405 State Senator. William Nelson 1598-1102 T. C. Ankrey 496 Assemblyman, (1st District). R. May 592-538 C. C.Olson 54 (2d District). H.A. Chase 736-521 A. Bliss 215 County Superintendent Hartwell Allen 1966-1907 Scattering 59 County Treasurer. J. W.Allen ; 1686—1293 W. T. McConneU 393 District Attorney. C. M. Butt 2084—2083 Scattering 1 County Clerk. John R. Casson 2104 Clerk of the Courts. P. I. Layne 2078 County Surveyor. B. S.Moore 544—36 J.F. Tharp 608 Coroner. H. D. Williams 2077—2073 Scattering 4 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5, 1872. President. tr. S. Grant. 2445—1903 Horace Greeley, Lib 542 Charles O'Connor, Dem 7 Congressman, J.M.Rusk 2567—2124 S. Marston 443 Assemblyman, fist District). Peter Jerman 1089—632 William Clawater 457 (2d District). J. Henry Tate ; 802—177 Robert Sandon 626 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 249 Sheriff. T. B. Brown 2109—1210 H.H. Furgeson 899 JUDICIAL ELECTION. APKIL 1. 1873. Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Orsamas Cole 2445 County Judge. J. E. NewcU 1240-23 William S. Purdy 1217 GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4, 1873. Governor. CO. Washburn 1706— U59 William R. Taylor 547 Lieutenant Governor. Robert H. Balier 1597-954 Charles D. Parijer 643 Secretary of btale. E. W.Young 1702— Uo9 Peter Doyle 543 State Treasurer. Ole C.Johnson 1700—1153 Ferdinand Kuchn 647 Attorney General. Leander Frisby 1700—1153 A. Scott Stoane 518 State Superintendent. Robert Graham 1700—1153 Edward Seaving 547 Commissioner of Immigration. George P. Lindman 1690—1159 M. S. Argard 531 State Senator. A. E. Bleckman 2150—2103 J. U. Reep 47 Assemblyman. (1st District.) William Frazier 1144 Assemblyman. (2d District.) EdgarEno 774—538 D. W.Adams 236 County Superintendent. O. B. Wymau 2179 County Treasurer. John W. Greenman 1307 — 132 William McConnell 875 County Surveyor. J. F. Tharp 2204 Coroner. C. E.Morley 2190—2186 Scattering 4 District Attorney. C. M.Butt 2106—2095 Scattering 11 Register of Deeds. Edward Lind 1435—678 W. S. S. White 757 (Herk of the Court. P.J. Layne 2143 County Clerk. JobnB. Casson ZUO JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 7, 1874. Judge of the Circuit Court. Romanzo Bunn 2272—2258 Scattering 16 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 1874. Congressman. J. M. Rusk 1916—1362 David C.Fulton 654 Assemblyman. (District No. 1.) Ole Anderson 807—331 Hartwell AUen 476 Assemblyman. (District No. 2.) J.imesE. NeweU , 74»-243 W. W. Joseph 600 Sheriff. Alexander Lowrie 1774—1031 G. J. Thomas 743 R. F. Lemen 41 JUDICIAL ELECTION, APKIL 6, 1875. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. James E. Newell* 165 ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 2, 1875. Governor. Harrison Luddington 1784—1088 WUUamR. Taylor 696 Lieutenant Governor. Henry L.Eaton 1797— U12 CharlesD. Parker 683 Secretary of State. HansB. Warner 1797—1114 Peter Doyle 683 State Treasurer. Henry Baitz 1800—1217 Ferdinand Kuehn 683 Attorney General. JohnR. Bennett 1801—1119 A. Scott Sloan 682 State Superintendent. Robert Graham 1795—1108 Edward Searing 687 State Senator. Reuben May 1193—41 J. Henry Tate 1152 Scattering 5 Assemblyman, ast District.) John Stevenson 633—120 J. F. Tharp 613 Assemblyman. (2d District.) T. S. Jordan 1282 Register of Deeds. Edward Lind 1804— U94 Johns. Dixon 610 County Treasurer. Ole Johnson 2451—2449 Scattering 2 250 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. District Attorney. H P. Proctor 1880—1353 CM. Butt 528 Scattering 14 County Clerk. John H. Casson 2455 Clerk of the Circuit Court. P.J. Layne 2450 Surveyor. Egbert Wyman 2449—2447 Scattering 2 Coroner. B.J. Castle 2079-2059 Scattering 20 Superintendent of Schools. O. B. Wyman 2456—2453 Scattering 3 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1876. President. Rutherford B. Hayes 2764—1647 Samuel Tilden, Dem 1117 Peter Cooper, Gr 110 Congressman. H. L. Humphry 2116—1494 Martin R. Gage 933 R. May 635 Assemblyman. (1st District.) Peter J. Dale 1017—295 Fred Eckhart 723 John Miohelet 200 (2d District) H. H. Wyatt 1260-501 A. W. De Jean 759 Scattering 3 Sheriff. C. E. Morley 2688—1451 H. H. Buchanan 1237 ELECTION, APRIL 3, 1877. Associate Justice of Supreme Court. William P. Lyon 2557—2518 Scattering 9 County Judge. CM. Butt 2542—2520 Scattering 22 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 1877. Goveruor. W. E. Smith 1678-832 Edward P. AUis 846 JamesA. Malory 416 Scattering 2 Lieutenant-Governor. James M . Bingham 1681—840 E. H. Burton 841 Romanzo Daria 470 Secretary of State. Hans B . Warner 1730—938 Joseph H. Osborn 792 James B. Hayes 419 State Treasurer. Richard G uenther 1722—931 William Schwartz 801 John Ringle 419 Attorney-General . Alexander Wilson 1611—847 Heury Hayden 764 J. M. Morrow 570 State Superintendent. W. C. Whitford .-. 1692-944 George M. Steele V58 Edward Searing 479 Amendment of Constitution. For 1411—1305 Against 106 State Senator. George W. Swain 1804—828 A. D. Chase 1078 Allemblyman. (1st Dtstrict.) Chris Ellefson 829—139 F. K. Van Wagoner 600 Assemblyman. (2d District.) AUenRusk 800—240 Marion Henry 560 Register of Deeds. C. C. Olson 1521-165 C H. Ballsrud 1356 Scattering 6 County Treasurer. Ole Johnson 19U-1034 Lenord Mosley 977 District Attorney . H.P. Proctor 1707—525 Carson G raham 1155 County Clerk. John R.Carson 1981—1059 Isaiah Glenn 922 Clerk of Circuit Court. P.J. Layne 2052—2050 Scattering - - 2 Surveyor. W. H. Knower 1691^84 I. J. Tharp -..,, 1207 Coroner. H. C. Gosling 1671—602 W. W. Dunlap 1069 Superintendent of Schools. O.B. Wyman 1683—470 HartweU Allen 1213 Scattering 4 ELECTION, APRIL, 1878. Associate Justice (full term). Harlow S. Orton 1435—1430 Scattering 6 Associate Justice (to fill vacancy). David Taylor 1450—1349 Scattering 1 ELECTION, November 5. 1878. Congressman. Charles D. Parker 1718 Herman L. Humphry 1718 Assembl>Tnan. (1st District.) Jacob Eckhart 939-126 Chris Ellefson 804 Scattering 1 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 251 Assemblyman. (2d District.) Roger Williams 919—129 James A. Cook 790 Sheriff. JamesH. Hewey 1908-346 William Frazier 1562 ELECTION APRIL, 1879. Associate Justice of Supreme Court. OrsamusCole 2133-1327 Montgomery M. Cothren 806 Scattering 10 ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 1879. Governor. William E. Smith 2092—1385 Reuben May 707 James G. Jenkins 377 Lieutenant Governor. James M. Bingham 2104—1411 William L. Utley 693 George H. King 382 Secretary of State. HansB. Warner 2108—1418 George W Lee 690 Samuel Ryan 380 State Treasurer. Richard Guenther 2109—1420 Peter A. Griffith 689 Andrew Haven 380 Attorney General. Alexander Wilson 2109—1419 EdwardG. Nye 690 J. Montgomery Smith 380 State Superintendent. William C. Whitford 2098—1416 William H.Searles 682 Edward Searing 398 State Senator. O.B.Thomas 1999—1219 P.N.Peterson 780 W.N.Carter 394 Scattering 1 Assemblymaa. (Ist District.) J. Eckert 944^417 P. J.Dale 527 E. Schilling 93 Scattering 7 Assemblyman. (2d District.) D.C.Takey 977—590 G.W.Gregory 387 H.O'Connell 199 Scattering 38 Register of Deeds. J. W. Curry 1680-386 C. C. Olson. 1294 W. T. McConnell 192 Scattering 8 County Treasurer. Ole Johnson 2239—1601 J.Conway 728 Calvin Morley 195 Scattering 2 District Attorney. H. P. Proctor 2029—1073 C. W. Groves 956 Scattering 6 County Clerk. J. R. Casson 2308—1496 Joseph Harris 812 Clerk of Circuit Court. P.J. Layne 2308—1498 W. McClaren 812 Superintendent of Schools. William Haughton 2333—1610 H. A. Bemis 823 Scattering 4 Surveyor. William H. Knower 2139—1108 J. F. Tharp 1031 Scattering 2 Coroner C. E. Morley 2170-1171 Robert Wilson 999 Scattering 3 ELECTION NOVEMBER 2 1880. President. James A. Garfield (Rep) 2774—1760 WinfleldS. Hancock (Dem) 1014 James B. Weaver(Gb) 525 Neal Dow (Pro.) 8 Congressman. Herman L. Humphrey 27T0— 1782 G Y. Freeman 1008 Joel Foster 632 Assemblyman. (1st District.) T. O. Juve, 1618—1592 Scattering 26 Assemblyman, (2d District.) Allen Rusk 1309—328 C. B.Slebins 983 Sheriff- Fran k Wallar 2236—174 M ichael Rents 2062 ELECTION, APRIL 5, 1881. Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Orsamus Cole (to fill vacancy) 2816—2115 G.W.Cate 1 Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Orsamus Cole (full term) 2116—2115 G.W.Cate. 1 Associate Justice. John B. Cassacy 2616—2615 M. M. Cothren 1 County Judge. C. M. Butt 2501—2437 N. E.Newell 64 G.D. Wallar 23 Scalterlng 252 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ELECTION, NOVEMBER 8, 1881. Governor. Jeremiah Rusk 2033—1664 Michael Fratt 358 EdwardP. AUi9 326 T. G. Kanouae 153 Scattering 6 Lieutenant GoTemor. S. S. Fifleld 1994—1581 WendallA. Anderson 413 David Giddings 336 HarveyS. Clapp 134 M. Johnson 1 Secretary of State. Ernesto. Timmie i;39— 1041 Michael Johnson 698 Wilson Hopkins 312 Edmond Barilett 136 State Treasurer. Edward C. McFetridge 2003— 159» Frank K. Falk 410 Gerhart Lammers 335 John J. Sutton 126 Attorney General. Lcander F. Frisby 2003—1589 Melanthon Briggs 413 Joel Foster 335 E. J. Comstock 125 State Superintendent. Robert Graham 2530—2193 J. A. Gaynor 337 N. N. Brickson 1 Railroad Commissioners. NillsP. Hangen r 2011—1604 Ambrose Hoffman . 40" T.G. Brunson 333 John Nader , 119 T. O. Jure 2 Commissioner of Insurance. Philip L. Spooner 2008 Louis Kemper 412 Lorenzo Merrill 337 Thomas Bracken 116 Chris Ellefson. 1 State Senator. Van S. Bennett 2166—447 Chris Ellefson 1719 J. A. Kobb 603 Scattering 7 Assemblyman. ( 1st District. ) TO. Juve 782-225 Henry Schlong 557 Scattering 7 Assemblyman. (2d District. ) T.J. Shear li;p— S31 J. L. Joseph 308 Register of Deeds. T. W.Curry 1951—1096 Joseph Omundson 855 County Treasurer. Ole Johnson 2117—1455 T.M. Vance 662 District Attorney. O. B. Wyman 2207—2190 Scattering 17 County Clerk. John R. Casson 2249—2244 Scattering 6 Clerk of Circuit Court. P. J. Layne 2180—1561 M. Monti 619 Surveyor. W. H. Knower 2038—1338 J. F. Tharp 690 W. L. Riley 1 Coroner. Stanly Stout 2170—1516 E. H. Morrison 674 Scattering 2 Superintendent of Schools. William Haughton 2170—1548 Hartwell Allen 624 Scattering 6 ELECTION, APRIL, 1882. Judge of Circuit Court Alfred W. Newman 2173—2157 GeorgeG. Wallar 16 ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1882. Congressman. CM. Butt 2042—998 G. M. Woodward 1046 B. F. Parker if 9 R. May 97 Scattering 1 Assemblyman. (1st District.) Chris Ellefson 915—387 HenryH, Morgan 628 Assemblyman. ( 2d District. ) M. C. Nicholas r68 112 W. N. Carter 556 William Landon 484 J. C. Spellum 163 William McMichael 2 A. McCaU 1 Sheriff. S. R. Pollard 1751-125 G. H. Hewey 1626 Scattering 1 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 853 CHAPTER XX COUNTY REPRESENTATION. In this chapter the various county officers are treated of. It is the design to trace the history of each county office, from the organization of the county, in 1351 to 1SS4, giving in connec- tion sketches of the gentlemen who have filled the various offices. The records of the elections held in Vernon county, prior to the war, are very meagre and deficient, and of some of the elections there is no record at all. Therefore, if tlie name of any one who has held a county office is omitted, it is because the omission occurs in the record. It will be noticed that the election of 1882 is the last one referred to. The reason of this is that tlie laws of the State have been changed so that the election of county officers will here- after be held "in even years." There was no election in November, 1883. The officers elected in 1881 hold three years. TREASURER. Upon the organization of the county, in April, 1851, James A. Cooke was elected first county treasurer. Mr. Cooke came from Illi- nois in 1848 or 1849, and settled with his fami- ly upon land about two miles east of the vil- lage, in the town of Viroqna. He remained there until the time of his death in 1881, and his widow, who survives him, still lives upon the old homestead. Mr. Cooke was a promi- nent man here. He was a man of integrity and much intelligence; he was a local Metho- dist preacher, and after working hard all day upon his farm, whenever occasion demanded, would fill appointments in the evening. In Novembei',1851, John Langley was elected county treasurer; but it seems there was some change in the county affairs at this time; for shortly after, it appears from the records, that Edmund Strang resigned the office of county treasurer, and John Longley was appointed to fill the place. Edmund Strang was a native of the State of New York. lie came west in 1848, and settled at Springville, in the town of Jeffer- son, where he opened a farm. When elected or appointed treasurer, he did not move to the county seat, and it is thought never performed a single official act. He was a genial, pleasant man socially; was well educated for those days, and this made him very popular; in fact, it is said, that the time was when he could have been elected to any office in the county by merely expressing the desire for it. He lived in the town of Jefferson until about 1875, when he moved to Osceola, Neb., where he still lives. John Longley was really the first to perform the duties of the office of county treasurer. Longley came to Bad Ax county at an early day, and located at Viroqua, where he followed the business of a carpenter and joiner. He was a lively, jovial fello>v, and made friends. He left about 1854, and it is thought returned to Illinois. While he was treasurer, there was but little to do. It is said that atone time he carried all the records of his office, including the tax lists, in his pocket, ui)on ^^lieets of fooUcap. In November, 1853, John Gardner was elected treasurer. He was re-elected in September, 1855, and again in November, 1857, serving in all six years. John Gardner came from Ohio in 1852 and settled in the village of Viroqua with his family. He was a liouse carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade; and an excellent work- man. He followed this business until elected to office. After serving his term of office as treasurer he moved to a piece of land two miles southeast of the village and opened a farm. 254 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Several years later he sold his place and re- moved to Missouri, where he still lives. He was a steady, sober, industrious man, and held the respect of all with whom he came in con- tact. In November, 1869, James Lowrie was elected treasurer of Bad Ax county. In 1861, 1863 and 1865 he was re-elected, serving until May, 1866, when he resigned and Col. C. M. Butt was ap- pointed to fill the office. James Lowrie was a brother of the Lowries who held the office of sheriff of the county at different times. He carae to the county with the rest of the family in 1855, and located in Springville in the town of Jefferson, where he rented and run the grist mill until elected county treasurer, when he re- moved to Viroqua. His popularity as an official is evident by the many times he was re- elected. As stated, he resigned in May, 1866, and removed to Monroe county, dying in Sparta several years ago. His widow still survives him. Mr. Lowrie made many friends by his genial, pleasant disposition; he was a promi- nent man here and his worth was also recog- nized in Monroe county, where he held some county office. In May, 1866, C. M. Butts, of Viroqua, was appointed treasurer to till the vacancy occa- sioned by the resignation of Mr. Lowrie. In November, 1866, he was elected to the position, and was re-elected in 1867, sei-ving until Jan. 1, 1870. J. W. Allen succeeded Col. Butt as county treasurer, being elected in November, 1869, and re-elected in 1871. Mr. Allen was a native of New York; but came to Vernon county from Lake Mills, Jefferson Co., Wis., at an early day and settled at Hillsborough. Here he erected a saw mill and followed the milling business until elected county treasurer, when he re- moved to Viroqua. While at the county seat he erected what is known as the Proctor & Tol- lefson block. Subsequently he returned to Hillsborough and engaged at farming, which he continued, with the exception of a short time spent at Odd Fellows work, until the time of his death, which occurred a few years ago. His widow still survives him, living upon the old homestead. In November, 1873, J. W. Greenman was elected county treasurer and served one term. Mr. Greenman came to what is now Vernon county, from Illinois, and located upon a farm in the town of Genoa. Upon his election to the office he moved to Viroqua. About the time that his term of office expired he received the appointment of deputy United States marshal for Utah, when he moved to Salt Lake City, where he still lives. He still holds that office. Greenman was a prominent man. He had made a good officer in the 8th regiment during the war; was genial, pleasant, capable and intelli- gent. He was not much of a politician, but he had so many friends, it was easy for him to get into office. He served one term in the Legisla- ture, representing the western district of Ver- non county, while Senator Cameron was Speaker of the House, and that gentleman took a strong liking to Greenman, aiding afterward in securing for hiw the appointment which he now holds. In November, 1875, Ole Johnson was elected treasurer. Having been re-elected in 1877, 1879 and 1881, he is the present incumbent. Qle Johnson, who is serving his fourth term as treasurer of Vernon county, resides in the town of Hamburg, where he owns a fine farm of 250 acres. Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, in 1820, and came to the United States when twenty-nine years of age. He resided about a year in Iowa Co., Wis., and in the fall of 1850, went to La Crosse. In 1855 he settled per- manently in the town of Hamburg. He located on section 22, where he has a pleasant home. Mr. Johnson is one of the prominent citizens of Hamburg town, and in the autumn of 1861, was elected to represent this district in the General Assembly of the State, serving one terra. His wife is also a native of Norway, and three chil- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 255 dren have been born to them— Henry, Martin and Mary, all natives of Hamburg town. REGISTER OF DEEDS. The first to fill this office for the county of Bad Ax— now Vernon— was Jacob Higgins. He was elected upon the organization of the county in April, 1851, and re-elected in November, 1851. Jacob Higgins was among the early settlers in the region of Liberty Pole in the town of Frank- lin, locating upon a farm where he lived until the time of his death. In November, 1853, S. C. Lincoln was elected and served one term. He came from New York in 1851, and settled at Viroqua. He had no regular business until elected to office. He made a good register. For a number of years he ran a hotel, and was postmaster at Viroqua, remain- ing until 1879, when he received the appoint- ment of railroad mail .agent on the Northwestern Railroad, which position he still occupies. In September, 1855, Hon. W. F. Terhune, was elected to succeed Mr. Lincoln. He kept the registers office in his law office. Daniel P. Allison was elected register in November, ISST, and was re-elected in 1850. Allison came from Illinois and settled at Viro- qua, becoming deputy postmaster and re- taining that position until elected register. He was only able to do such work as this, on ac count of having one cork leg, which crippled him badly. He remained until the war broke out, when he left, turning up later at Johnsons- burg, Mo. He was a steady, sober fellow, and an excellent scribe. In November, 1861, W. S. White was elected and being re-elected in 1863 and 1865, served six years. W. S. White came from the State of New York, at an early day, and settled on West Prairie in the town of Sterling. When elected to office, he removed to Viroqua and remained until 1876, when he moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where lie still lives. When last heard from, his wife, who was an excellent milliner, was running a store in Hutchinson, while he was doing some kind of railroad work. G. W. Griffin succeeded Mr. White. He was elected in the fall of 1867, and served one term. G. W. Griffin came to Vernon county with his parents about 1852. When the war broke out he enlisted, and after its close came back "all shot to pieces." He was elected register of deeds, and after serving his term, was re-nomi- nated, but withdrew and went to Madison. Later, he went to Kansas, where it is believed, he was killed by the Indians. His widow is now Mrs. Daniel Wise, of Viroqua. In November, 1869, H. N. Preus was elected register, and served one term. He was a Nor- wegian; came here from Madison, and settled upon Coon Prairie. In 1867 he was elected clerk of circuit court, and moved to town, and two years later, was elected register. He is now railway mail agent on the railroad between Viroqua and Sparta, and lives at the latter place. Edwa''d Lind was elected register in Novem- ber, 1873, and re-elected in 1875. He was a young Norwegian who had settled in the town of Harmony. When elected to office, he re- moved to Viroqua, and remained several years when he went to Nebraska where he still lives. C. C. Oleson, of Viroqua, succeeded Mr. Lind, being elected in November, 1877. Ill November, 1879, J. W. Curry was elected register of deeds. In 1881 lie was re-elected, anil is the present incumbent. John W. Curry, register of deeds of Vernon county, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1840. He was reared and educated among the hills of southeastern Ohio, and in 1862, the second year of the civil war, he enlisted in the 8Gth regi- ment, Ohio Volunteers, serving three months. In the summer of 1863 he took part in the cap- ture of Morgan's famous brigade, and in the fall of the same year came to Vernon county, and located in the town of Webster. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the 53d regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteers, and served till the close of the war. He then returned to Vernon county, and from that period, until 1879, was engaged in farming during the spring and summer seasons, 256 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and in teaching during the winter months. In 1879 he was elected to his present position. Mr. Curry married Harriet Adams, also a native of Morgan Co., Ohio. They have one son — Arthur B. COUNTY CLERK AND CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT. For several years after the organization of the county the offices of county clerk and clerk of the circuit court were merged together and the duties of both offices were performed by one official. Orrin Wise! was the first to fill the offices for Bad Ax county. He was elected in April, 1851. W. F. Terhune was the deputy and did all the business. Orrin Wisel came to Bad Ax county from the eastern part of the State in 1849 and settled at Liberty Pole, in the town of Franklin. In 1850 he moved to Viro- qua, and here opened a blacksmith shop. Shortly after his term of office expired he went to near Readstown, on the Kickapoo, and there remained — losing his wife meantime — until the war broke out, when he enlisted in a cavalry regiment and went into the sei'vice. Upon his return from the army he married his brother's widow, the brother having died in the service. Later he had trouble with his second wife, ac- cusing her of attempting to poison himself and children by his first wife, and he refused to live with her. They parted and he removed to Montana, where, it is reported, he has since died. Like all pioneers Wisel was a hale, jovial, rollicking fellow; but he was rude, uncultured and ignorant. He was an ardent democrat and this fact was the ground upon which he was elected clerk. In November, 1851, William C. McMichael was elected to succeed Wisel in the two offices. In November, 185-3, he was re-elected. Mr. McMichael was born in Richhill, Muskingum Co., Ohio. He removed from Ohio March 4, 1840, and subsequently settled in Mercer Co., 111., where on the 10th of February, 1842, he wa. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 279 the heavy expense and multitude of difficulties that have been encountered, are considered. The prospect is that the bidding on the 7th of June will be very animated, and may even ex- cell the sale of the first paper ever printed in Newport, Wis., last year." Following this "postponement" is a notice in these words: "We have dated this number a few days ahead of its appearance, in order to be- gin with June, and to have ample time to book our subscription list, and perfect all our arrange- ments." Another brief paragraph containing informa- tion concerning the paper is found in the same column, and is as follows: "We shall soon be in possession of our exchange list and become familiar enough with our location to complete our arrangements for receiving late news. We can then make our paper more interesting and acceptable." In his prospectus the editor says: "The Times will be what its name indicates, a record of passing events at home and containing for- eign news, miscellaneous and literary reading matter. It will be devoted to the interests of Bad Ax county and the surrounding region The Times will labor ardently for the prosperity of all its patrons without partiality for any particular location, and independent of party organizations. "The people of Bad Ax county and the adja- cent country, are respectfully invited to send in their own and the names of their friends and neighbors, as subscribers, and also prepare and Bend in such advertising as they wish to have inserted. " I^" All letters and communications should be addressed to J. A. Somerby, Viroqua, Bad Ax Co., Wis. Terms, one dollar and fifty cents in advance." Under "deaths," we find in the first number, the following: "In Viroqua, Wis., May 15,1856, Aurelia Louisa, daughter of Hon. Wm. F. and Margaret Terhune, aged four years and two months. " Little 'Spec,' as she was familiarly called, was a universal favorite in Viroqua, making friends alike by the sweetness of her disposition and the brilliancy of her intellect. Her head and her heart were older than her years; and could she have lived, a bright career would un- doubtedly have been hers. But she died; for .' All that's brightest must fall. The brightest, still the fleetest.' " Death left its sweetest impress on her face; and standing by her coffin, and looking on her as she lay there; one of earth's loveliest flowers blighted; the following lines are brought to mind: Tve seen death on the infant lie So sweet, it seemed a bliss to die; The smiling lip, the placid brow, Seemed fan'd by some bright angel's wing; And o'er the face a brighter glow Than aught of earthly joy can bring! " III another column is seen the following: NOTICE. Bad Ax, Bad Ax Co., Wis., May 23, 1856. Whereas, my wife, Christiana Orritta, has left my house and protection, without any just cause or provocation, this is, therefore, to warn all persons from harboring or trusting her on my accotmt, as I will not pay any debts of her contracting, unless compelled by law and not James Siedyie The first number of the paper has but one local ; but that one was probably read by the patrons of the Times with a considerable degree of interest and indignation. It was in these words : A VILLAIN IN CUSTODY. Columbus B. Brown, who has for some time been attempting in a bungling manner to play the Daguerrean Artist in this place, was arrested at the Buckeye House, on the 29th of May, by officer John P. Delarne, from Janes- ville, Rock county, assisted by sheriff J. M. Rusk, of this place. He was arrested on a warrant, for violating the person of Diana Blake, in October last, at 17 280 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Fulton, Rock Co., Wis., where Mr. Brown was then keeping tavern. Mr. Brown's wife having been dead some three or four years, he had em- ployed Miss Blake as his cook, and another lady had charge of the other departments, who happened to be absent for a night, when the foul outrage was committed. Miss Blake hav- ing been dangerously ill the next day, Mr. Brown carried her home to Pleasant Springs, Dane county, where she expired in a few hours, mor- tification having taken place, but not until she had given evidence under oath before the pro- per authority respecting Brown's barbarity. Miss Blake was a beautiful young lady of only sixteen years, and has thus been brutally mur- dered by a miserable apology for a human being. We are informed that Mr. Brown had previ- ously committed a similar crime and when an officer undertook to arrest him, shot him in the arm. Mr. Brown has kept concealed a portion of the time since the last crime was committed. Justice though slow is sure, and the stone cut- ting artists of Waupun will no doubt ere long receive one more accession to their numbers. Mr. Brown at first refused the wrist ornaments but finally made a virtue of necessity and they were put on. Officer Delarue is entitled to the thanks of the community for his perseverance in this case, in bringing an old and daring offender to justice. May he always have as good luck in furnishing re- cruits for the stone brigade at Waupun." In the second issue of the paper, June 14, 1856, an account is given of the success in sell- ing to the highest bidder the first copy printed of the Times. "The sale commenced" says the editor, "at half past 1 o'clock, on Tuesday last, and lasted about one hour, R. C. Bierce, Esq., acting as auctioneer. Mr. E. S. Fowler, of the firm of Keeler, Fowler & Co., was the suc- cessful man, his bid being t21. It is a very respectable sum, but not more than one-fifth of what it would have brought had the sale taken place on the last day of May, as first appointed; SO say the knowing ones. "Every printer who has started a newspaper," continues the editor "in a locality far removed from the great thoroughfares, and from the vi- cinity of machine shops, can readily appreciate the difficulties we encountered in attempting to get into operation at an appointed time." The reader, doubtless, has noticed that in the extracts given from the Western Times, the two words forming the county are consolida- ted into one, thus, Badax. Before the issue of the third number of the paper, the editor was taken to task for this by the Richland county Observer. "The disfiguration," says the Observer "of the words Bad Ax by the compound, Badax, which strangers are apt to read Ba-dax is a sorry formation, and should be restored to the original." But Mr. Somerby did not see it in that light, and the "disfiguration," was con- tinued in the Western limes. No marriage notices appeared in the first issue of the paper; but, in the second, are the following: "In this town, Viroqua, on Wednesday the 4th inst., by Rev. A. D. Low, Mr. Dennis Pow- ers, of De Soto, to Miss Clara E. Hanchett, of this town. The usual fee of cake received. May they enjoy a continual honey moon. "In this town, June 8, by Rev. Mr. Parkin- son, Mr. Augustus Ray to Miss Sarah Good." On the 26th of the next month, July, a citi- zen of "Badax" county, comes to the relief in the Western Times, of suffering humanity, ac- tual and prospective, in this matter: "Late Discovery. — To those that have chil- dren or ever expect to have. If you ever should have a child get anything in his or her nose, such as a bean, pea, gooseberry or anything of of the kind, just clap your mouth to theirs, and blow as hard as you can. The thing, whatever it may be, will fly out. Experience is the best teacher. Iea T. Hunter." At the end of one year the "times" were get- ting so hard with the editor of the Times, that HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 281 he assayed to bring his derelect subscribers to "time" in this ''time-ly" manner: THE WESTERN TIMES Will be discontinued after this number to all who have not paid in advance, or who have not paid for the past year, unless it is satisfac- torily known to us, that it is their intention to renew their subscription immediately. "Times" are hard and we must have pay for the Times, or we cannot buy paper to print the Times on, and the Times' readers will get no Times. We shall give our readers a page more of reading matter when long evenings come again. We have printed fifty-two numbers of the Times, while dozens of newspaper establish- ments have broke down under the pressure of hard "times," knocking at the door. With less patronage than any, we have lived tlirough the year, and yet, expect to continue on, conihaltiiig error, and inspiring with more life and energy the progressive tendencies of the county, than all other institutions combined. We are duly thankful for past patronage and hope to merit its continuance. Mr. Somerby continued the publication of the Wtsfern Times, until Jan. 6, 18.58, Avhen its name was changed to the Xortli ^VeMern Times. R. C. liierce was co-editor with Mr. Somerby, from Dec. U, 1859, to Sept. 18, 1861; James Osgood, of De Soto, having for about a year previous, also been associate editor. On the 7th of May, 1862,theiVorfA TFesiter« ^Ttwes appeared for the first time, as being printed in Vernon, instead of Badax county. The paper was con- tinued until the 28th of June, 1865, when the office was wrecked by the terrible tornado of that year. A portion of the material was saved which Mr. >omerby disposed of, to Daniel B. Priest, J. M. Rusk and William Nelson, who issued, Aug. 23, 1865, the first number of the Vernon County Censor, as a continuation of the Time.'f. The first issue was printed as volume 10, number 34. In their bow to the public, the three gentlemen just mentioned, have this to say: The undersigned having purchased the old NortMoestem Tim^s office, propose, with the support of the citizens of Vernon county, to publish the Vernon County Censor. The Censor will be a continuation of the Times, and will be in politics true to the constitution, the Union and the upholding of the National authority against all rebellion or uprising, whether State or individual. We expect to act with the re- publican or union party on all political ques- tions of the day. And while we so act, we shall feel free to condemn any course adopted by that party which we deem to be wrong ; believ- ing that it is every man's privilege to hold his own opinions and advocate them to the best of Ills ability, being responsible for the same. The two senior members of the firm are well known to the people of this county, and all that it will be necessary for them to say is that they I'xpcct to advocate the principles they have !ieretofore been known to profess. The junior !s a stranger among you, but he expects to ihow himself worthy of your confidence. Financially, we believe the Qensor to be in a I'air condition. The subscription list is not as large as it should be, but what there is of it is profitable. The legal advertising i.s good, and will probably increase. Hut the local adver- tising in Viroqua and the smaller towns of the county is not what it should be. The job work is not large in amount. But, taking the business altogether, it will probably not un- favorably compare with any country paper in the State. And our friends should recollect that the better support they give us, the better paper we can afford to give them. The military interest is pretty well repre- sented in the firm. The senior member has seen service for his country, and the junior has served some also, and (though much against his will) has also drawn rations from the 'Con- federacy.' But the least said about the said rations the better. Suffice it to s\y that in all the eighteen months stay among the chivalrous and high-spirited southrons, he did not witness 282 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. any over-feeding. But that is pretty well understood in the north now, and it is not necessary to give a new recital of what was seen there. In reference to dealings with patrons, it will be our wish generally to do business, as far as possible, on a cash basis. This we deem to be the best for all copcerned, and it will certainly be the best for us. The great bane of the newspaper business in the west is credit — long credit, which often runs to repudiation. It will be understood that Messrs. Priest and Nelson will have the editorial management of the Censor. It will be their aim to give the people of the county a readable paper and one which shall be 'up to time' on all current news and questions of the day. With our editorial brethren we hope to keep on terms of amity, and if we shall ever have any differences with any of them, we shall endeavor to discuss all points in a courteous and friendly manner. The paper we get out to-day must not be taken as a specimen. There are several neces- sary changes to make in the advertising depart- ment. We intend to take out of the paper all job type, although, of course, any advertiser may occupy all the space he pays for, but we shall not use flaming type. There are also several foreign advertisements to come out in a few weeks, which we shall replace with local paying advertising, or not at all. When we get into our new room we shall have better facilities for doing work, and then we hope to receive calls from our patrons. J. M. Rusk, D. B. Priest, William Nelson. What became of Mr. Somerby, who first established the Times, which, as we have stated, afterward became the Censor, is seen by an article published in the last named paper, Nov. 20, 1867, entitled : ABOUT TO MOVE. Mr. J. A. Somerby, an old resident of this place [Viroqua] is selling out, preparatory, we understand, to moving to Faribault, Minn. Mr. Somerby is the man who first begun the publication of a newspaper in this county, under the title of the " Western Times.'''' 'i hat was in June, 1856. The paper was published continuously, part of the time under the name of the "Northwestern Times" until the middle of August, 1865, when Mr. Somerby sold the establishment, and the new proprietors changed the name to that which this paper now bears. In the early days the struggle was hard to make a paper live in such a sparsely settled county as this one was, and Mr. Somerby has seen many disheartening days ; but, ever cheerful and hopeful, he pressed on, part of the time under the discouragement of having to divide a business not more than enough for one paper, with a rival. It is a feast to get hold of the old numbers of the "Times''' published in the first years, and read of the old actions done, the old prophesies, fulfilled and unfulfilled, and the way the people felt on various subjects. In fact, it seems little less than mediaeval reading, for the war has placed a great gulf between those times and now, which in ordinary times, it would take generations to make. The war settled so many questions ; it made every one feel so differently on National issues ; and it has made us all so fervently realize the benefits of our institu- tions, that it is no wonder all seems changed. "There is no time like the old time; " and the departure of an old pioneer like Mr. Som- erby recalls vividly the times past and gone. Let their memory be kindly cherished, for we are not likely soon to see warmer hearts, more ready sympathy, or heartier succor to the needy, than were common in those days. Mr. Somerby goes from among us with the respect and kindly remembrance of his old friends. May his lot be prosperous and pleas- ant in his new home. The Censor was continued under the same management which started it until Nov. 29 HISTORYfOF VERNON COUNTY. 283 1865, when J. M. Rusk, on his election to the office of bank comptroller of Wisconsin, retired from the firm. The remaining proprie- tors upon his retirement published, in their paper, the following: A CHANGE. With this number of the Censor, Col. J. M. Rusk retires from his position as partner in the proprietorship of this office. The colonel hav- ing been elected to the office of bank comp- troller of the State at the late election, this change is deemed expedient. The business of the office will be conducted as heretofore, and our patrons will not experience any change in our mutual transactions. In parting with Col. Rusk, we feel it just to say that our relations with him have been of the most harmonious chai'acter. No differences or misunderstandings have occurred in our short period of doing business together, and in all probability never would have occnrred if the time had been lengthened. He goes to a scene of wider usefulness and responsibility to which he has beeu chosen, and the people may well consider that they have elected an upright, honorable man to till the office of bank comp- troller for the next two years. Where Col. Rusk is best known he is best liked, and this was shown in the vote in different sections of the State. In towns where the members of his old regiment reside, he ran in nearly every case ahead of the remainder of the State ticket. This is a showing of which he may well be proud. He will be faithful to the trust com- mitted to his charge, and will do the State and himself honor in hie new position. * * * Daniel B. Priest. « William Nelson. The Censor was edited and published from this time until May, 1869, by Messrs. Priest and Nelson, when the former, with the issue of the 12th of that month, withdrew from the paper, leaving the latter as sole editor and proprietor. In leaving the paper, Mr. Priest had the follow- ing to say concerning the CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP. It is customary when an editor retires from a paper, for him to say words of farewell to his patrons. As I now retire from the Censor, I may be indulged while following the usual custom: In August, 1865, Messrs. J. M. Rusk, William Nelson and myself bought the Tiniex office from J. A. Somerby. At once changing the name of the paper to the one it now bears, we began the building up of an establishment which should be a credit to the county, and aimed at the issuing of a paper which should reflect no shame upon its patrons. To this end no labor has been spared, and with what success that labor has been crowned, we leave others to say. In our work, we have been cheered by the faithful and steady support of a large circle of warm friends, who have taken advantage of every occasion to help us, both with business and encouragement. To such we can only say, that their kindnesses have been received with with heartfelt thankfulness. On his election to the office of bank comp- troller, in November, 1865, Gen. J. M. Rusk retired from the Censor, and from that time until the present there has been no change in proprietorship. For more than three years and a half this paper has been published prompt y on time, no mishap of anj' kind having delayed our issue beyond the Wednesday morning mails. I also return thanks to my editorial friends in the State who have uniformly treated me with the greatest courtesy. In bidding them farewell from the Censor, it is only to resume my connection with them in a neighboring county. May our relations ever be as pleasant as they have been in the past. In conclusion, I take pleasure in recommending to the friends and patrons of the Censor, my successor and former partner, Mr. William Nel- son, to whom they are mainly indebted for 284 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. whatever they have found in the Censor, worthy of approval, as one whom I have tried and know is in every way worthy of their confidence and support; and with the earnest hope that the liberal patronage, confidence and support ex- tended to this paper during the time I have been connected with it may be continued, and with best wishes for old friends, we bid them good-by. D. B. Peiest. In parting from Mr. Priest in a business capacity, it is with feelings of the warmest friendship, cemented by years of close business relationship. Our intercourse has always been marked by the utmost good will on either side. While losing his personal weight in the Cen- sor, to which he has brought great support, I am glad to be able to say, that he does not retire from the editorial profession. May his days be prosperous ones. To the patrons and friends of the Censor, I will say that, in future, this paper shall be equal to what it has been in the past. No change will be observed in its management. It will strive to be fully up to all the occurrences of the day, and to give a reasonable amount of reading every week, hoping for a continuance of the approval and support of my friends, I subscribe myself, William Nelson. On the 26th of May, 1869, the Censor published the following: THE HON. D. B. PRIEST. This gentleman has moved to Sparta, where he will keep his office of collector of internal revenue for this congressional district. He has algo bought the Sparta Eayleoffice; and, assisted by Mr. Malcom Graham, son of Judge Graham, of Viroqua, he proposes to enlarge that paper to a nine column journal, and make other material improvements in it. From what we know of the new conductors, we anticipate a great im- provement in the Eagle in every respect. The first number of the paper under its new auspi- cies will appear this week. In the departure of Mr. Priest, this county suffers a loss which will not easily be repaired. He was one of the foremost men of the county in all things, and played his part well in every capacity which he undertook to fill. Of a friendly, open disposition, courteous manners, unselfish character, genial humor, and fine attainments, his like is not often met with. He has the warmest wishes of hundreds of friends in this county for his abundant prosperty. Says the Censor of Sept. 7, 1870: "With feel- ings of sadness, we learn just as we go to press, of the death of Hon. D. B. Priest, of Sparta." In 1875 Mr. Nelson admitted to a partnership Henry Casson, Jr., who had managed the paper since July, 1873, Mr. Nelson having assumed charge of the La Crosse Re]^uhliv,an- Leader in- March of that year. In January, 1877, his in- terest was purchased by Mr. Casson, and he became its editor and owner. The first issue of the paper under the management was on Jan. 17, 1877— volume 22, No. .3. The salu- tory of Mr. Casson was as follows: TO THE PATRONS OF THE CENSOR. On the 11th inst., the undersigned purchased of Hon. William Nelson the Censor office; and will continue the publication of the paper as heretofore. For the past three years the paper has been under our management, Mr. Nelson having been occupied in another field of labor. The past course of the paper may therefore be taken as a precursor of the future. So long as the republican party shall continue to make a liistory of freedom and justice to all men with- out respect to race or color, we shall advocate its cause and candidates with what little abili- ty we may possess. When the grand old party, ceases to do this, it will cease longer to exist. Our faith in the principles we have so long advocated is to-day stronger than ever, and we firmly believe that National prosperity and an undivided Repul lie depend upon the continued ascendancy of the republican party. Believing thus, we shall earnestly advocate its principles. "We shall not at this time indulge in any promises of great things we propose to do, but simply say that it is our desire to make the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 285 Censor a local paper; and to this end, we invite correspondence from every locality in the county. "With 'nialace toward none and charity for all,' and asking the kind indulgence of the pub- lic for any lack of ability, we subscribe ourself. The public's obedient servant, Henry Casson, .Fr." Henry Casson, Jr., was born in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., Dec. 13, 1843. He removed with his parents to Hennepin, 111., in 1847, where he resided until 1860, removing in that year to Peoria. In 1856 he was ap- prenticed to the printing business in the office of the Hennepin Trihxme. In 1865 he became one of the publishers of the Henry County Chronicle, at Cambridge, 111., where he remained until 1867, when he received an appointment in the New Orleans Custom House, through the influence of the late Hon. Ebon Clark Ingersoll. He resigned in July, 1868, and purchased the C«^pace were about to contend with each other lor the mastery. To the westward, black clouds uarched and countermarched, with noticeable iiiil alarming ra|)iditj\ To the eastward a simi- ir phenomena was observed, not unlike the iiovement of two vast armies manteuvering for idvantageous positions, pending a bloody con- diet. At length they came nearer, and still nearer to each other, until they met in deadly embrace, a short distance above the western limits of the village of Viroqua. The western' division of the contending forces seemed the stronger of the two, and back to the eastward hurled their antagonists with tre- mendous and death-dealing force. On and on came the victorious power, crushing buildings in its maddened march, and ever and anon demand- ing a human life, to satiate its thirst for con- quest. When its savage fury had been spent a scene of horror, such as mortals seldom behold, presented itself to the terror-stricken survivors of the great disaster. Seventeen persons were killed, including those who died soon after, as the result of the injuries they had received. 300 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Many buildings were demolished, including private residences, stores, barns, and the M. E. church, which occupied the site of their present place of worship. Nearly 200 people were left houseless as the result of the great tornado, many of whom lost every vestige of their house- hold goods and clothing save that upon their backs ; and tlie condition of many others was such as to move the stoutest heart. The generous aid so freely rendered to the sufferers by surrounding localities, will ever be remembered by the people of Viroqua, who themselves vied with each other in acts of kindness to the unfortunate. The fairest por- tion of the town was laid in ruins and a less industrious and self-reliant people would have seen good cause for depression and discouragement. But the energetic citizens of Viroqua, bent their whole energies to repair the damage done to property ; and while they mourned the terrible calamity which had overtaken them and their still more un- fortunate neighbors, they were assiduous in building up the waste places of their beautiful village ; and removing all traces of the terrible scourge which had so sorely afflicted them. IV. WHAT HAPPENED TO MRS. W. R. PURDT. Mrs. W. R. Purdy, then a little girl, eight years of age, with her sister two years older, were returning from school, and when but a few rods from the school house, the latter, realiz- ing more distinctly the danger of attempting to go farther, caught hold of a tree, entreating her sister to do the same, which she did not do, but ran on towards their home, a couple of blocks distant. When between where the waterworks are now located and Smith & Ly- tle's hardware store, (then I. K. Buck's store) on Jefferson street, she was taken up by the storm and tossed back and forth from one side of the street to the other. Timbers were flying promiscuously around, and once, after she had been blown against the store, and while lying there, a piece of timber, or board was sent whiz- zing through the building directly over her head. She was finally carried by the wind across Main street, and on to the porch of Nichols Bros' drug store, then in ruins. I. K. Buck seeing her from his door, ran across in the storm, picked her up, aud carried her into his store, keeping her there till the storm had subsided. Mrs. Purdy received injuries from which she will probably never recover. V. — w. F. tebhune's KECOLLECTION'. On the afternoon of June 28, 1865, I was at the intersection of Main and Jefferson streets in Viroqua village, when I saw a great agita- tion of the clouds in the west. It was about 4 o'clock. There seemed to be an unusual quiet and stillness all around, a dead calm prevailed ; meantime the disturbance appeared to increase in the westward. I heard a roaring sound, deep and approaching. I then obsei-ved that the air was filled with limbs and trunks of trees, having the appearance in the distance of birds rapidly flitting about. I very well knew what was coming, that a tornado was rapidly ap- proaching; and I hesitated whether to endeavor to reach my residence or return to my office, which was near ; as I was fearful I might be struck by the storm if I ventured to attempt to reach my home. Just at that moment some one took me by the arm and proposed we should go into the oflice ; there were several standing around. We thereupon stationed ourselves at the doors as the storm struck, in order to hold them shut. By this time the noise became very loud and ear-piercing, like a thousand steamboat whistles all blowing at the same time, sharp, shrill and vicious. Two of the office windows were at once blown in, and one of the doors was blown open which three strong men tried in vain to close again, until the force of the wind was somewhat spent. An unusual gloom and darkness pervaded the atmosphere at this time. The whole duration of the shock was not to exceed a minute and a half, probably not so long. No one was hurt in my oflice, because of the building being sheltered by another and HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 301 higher building, the store of J. Henry Tate. There was a girl writing in the office at the time, Alice Goode, who was terrified and shrieked with fear. Mrs. Susan Graham, wife of the late Hon. Carson Graham, had run into the office and assisted in trying to keep the doors shut. My own sensation was a very great concern for ray family, so much that I had little if any personal fear. My residence was about three blocks distant. As soon as the storm permitted, I started for home in great haste. I at once noticed that the street ahead of me was filled with the debris of ruined buildings, and I heard around me as I advanced, cries and shrieks of pain and alarm ; children and female voices mostly. I had gone but a few rods when 1 passed a Mr. Langley, who was holding on to a tree and bleeding from wounds he had received on fhe liead and face. 1 also observed the two-story building of J. H. Somerby, where the North icvsttru Times had been printed, lay in ruins before me, and I was compelled to run over iheni. I likewise noted that the store occupied by the Nichols', was leveled to its foundation. I did not of course take much lime for observa- tion, as I was running. I saw persons here and there darting about, but I liave no recollection who they were. I soon came in sight of my house, which, with a feeling of very great relief, I saw was still standing and the thought flashed across ray raind that my family was safe. My building stood in a native grove, and as I approached it I found all the larger trees blown down or torn up by the roots or their trunks twisted off above ground ; while the smaller hickory and oak trees lay bent over, with their tops upon the ground. I made my way through them as rapidly as I could and found that my building had been in appearance bombarded. The heavier timbers from the demolished houses of my neighbors, and from the M. E. cliurch building had been hurled with great force into the air, some of them striking upon the north side of my house, driving in the windows and doors and making holes like cannon shot, through the siding, knocking down the supporting pillars of the porches on that side, and carrying away the blinds and sash of the observatory. On entering my dwelling, I found my family in the cellar all unhurt, but in a great state of alarm and terror, from the effects of which my wife was rendered very ill and has never fully recovered. I got my family up from below as soon as I could re-assure them and prevail upon them to come. I found ray son Leonard, then ten years of age, was missing, and I at once started to find him. He had found shelter in a neighbor's house and was safe. My wife's experience was that, when she discovered the darkness coming on, she and the hired girl went up stairs to close the windows ; and after they had closed them, she observed, through the window, the trees bending their tops to the very ground. Frightened by the noise of the storm, she reached the head of the stairs in haste to descend to the cellar ; when the girl, in a paroxysm of fear, grasped and held on to her. They both descended into the kitchen where our two children were and she hurried them all into the cellar, she being in great fright and trepidation during the time ; and it -was there, as I have said, that I found them. When I had time to look about me, 1 found my young orchard and all the fences around destroyed and ray barn unroofed. I then went immediately to the assistance of others. I saw- all the buildings south of Terhune street, were either shattered or blown down, except my own. By this time I began to realize the awful nature of the disaster and became agitated. I threw open my doors for the dying and wounded in my immediate vicinity to be brought in. It was a most sickening spectacle, heart-rending in the extreme. The first to be assisted in was the wife of Dr. W. W. Wetdeu. She was only slightly injured but her child was killed. Their house h ad been blown away and 302 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the little one was found buried in the ruins. There was also a young lady in the bloom of youth brought in a corpse ; it was a Miss Gillett. A family named Barstow, consisting of six persons, received a terrible visitation. Mr. Barstow himself and wife and mother-in-law, Mrs. Drake, were brought in mortally injured, the brother-in-law, a Mr. Drake, was found dead in a field near the destroyed residence of R. C. Bierce, and little boys were left homeless orphans. Mr. Barstow died the same night, and the wife and Mrs. Drake were removed to the hospital improvised by the citizens the next day, where after lingering in great pain for several days, they died. Places were found for the boys, I think, with some distant relatives. Mrs. W. S. S. White, wife of the register of deeds, was brought in with a broken leg and remained in great bodily suffering for ten days, when she also died. On every side were heard the cries of suffering and distress, and for a week were seen the tears of lamenta- tion and woe. The loss and destruction of property was at first little considered, so great were other calamities. The blow fell so sud- denly and unexpectedly that those who escaped had time only to feel emotions of grati- tude for their own safety and that 'of their families and sympathy for the afflicted and dis- tressed. There was a silk dress found near New Lis- born, in Juneau county, belonging to Mrs. Dr. H. Gr. VVeeden. A dwelling house door of Joseph Buckley was found in the mill-pond at the village of Hillsborough ; and his army dis- charge was picked up two miles from Viroqua, near the residence of J. Wallace. Articles of clothing and pieces of damaged furniture were found miles away from the scene of the disaster. VI. STATEMENT OF H. M. ISHAM. On the 28th of June, at about half past 3 in the afternoon, I was in my brother's house, on section 3, in township 12, range 5 west, in the town of Jefferson, where my brother, Cas- sius B. Isham, came in pretty brisk, saying: "It is the worst storm coming I ever saw in the west," when just at tl'.at moment the house (a log one) began to go. The roof went first, and then a good part of the logs. Besides my brother, there were, in the house at the time, his wife and four children, and Mary Rowe. My brother was some hurt, and one or two of the children. His wife, also, was slightly injured. A few logs were left remain- ing. We all had all we could do to hold on to the logs that were remaining, to keep from be- ing blown away. It rained considerably at the time. I had ten or a dozen steel traps up in the loft, and they were all blown away and never found. A trowel was found a mile and a half away be- longing to me. The clothing, bed-clothes and articles were blown out of the house and never recovered. A spinning-wheel spindle, found sticking in the siding of a house in Viro- qua, was recognized as belonging to my brother. This was the first house struck by the tornado. It was repaired afterward, and stood several years, but is now demolished. It stood about 100 rods south of the town line, which runs to the south part of Viroqua. The roaring of the wind was very loud, and the clouds very black. The air was full of leaves and vegetation, that seemed to be whirled up from off the ground. The next house east of my brother's that was struck was on section 2, in the same town, belong- ing to Morgan Neff. It was blown to the ground. I went to Viroqua immediately after the tornado passed. I stopped at Neff's on the way. I had to walk about three miles and a half in a straight line before reaching Viroqua. Arriv- ing at the village I assisted the sufferers the best I could the rest of the day. VII. NATHAN COe's NARRATIVE I was living in Viroqua on the 28th of June, 1865, when the great tornado devastated a large part of the village. My dwelling was on Main street, where Joseph Buckley now lives — that HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 303 is, on the same lot. I was in the court house when I first noticed a strana;e appearance of the clouds. There seemed a very black cloud in the south, but a white one in the north. James Lowrie was county treasurer, and William Keir was at the moment paying his taxes. He and I were looking west, and the treasurer was attending to his books facing us. I saw the two clouds through the west window, which was up at the time, come together. They whirled around, presenting an appearance of a white streak and a black one in a spiral form. I remarked, "Those clouds are getting pretty badly twisted up." Lowrie looked around, and shutting up his book, exclaimed: "I am going home," at the same time closing the window. Of course we had to go out, as he locked the door of the office. Lowrie went west to his home, but Keir and I came into the tavern, then called the North Star, kept by Luther Polan, now the Tremont House. However, before we reached the tavern, it appeared as if it was raining; it was the water from the Skippen's pond, which we mistook at first for rain. When we reached the North Star, we had hard work to get in, there were so many inside holding the door. Keir got in first, and when I tried I was successful, but my coat-tail was caught in the door, and the pressure agiinst it was so great from those who were holding it, that I could not get loose. Just then I looked out of the south window, and saw the east side of the court house roof go off. Just at this moment some one said to me, "There are two of your horses coming down the street, and one vrith a piece of board hanging to the halter." It was a part of the manger where the horse had been tied in the barn. I had, at that time, seven horses in my barn. I then pulled myself out of my coat,tlie garment being left in the door. I then turned around, gave my coat a jerk, and the door came open. I looked out toward the south, and I saw the buildings were pretty much all down. I then went directly home. I found the east of my house gone, and the windows blown in on the north side. I asked my wife if any of the family were hurt, and she replied that there were none. Then I started to go to my mother's home — Mrs. Margaret Coe's. On my way there I met a boy who told me that all my horses were piled up in aheap on the barn floor — the barn was all gone and the floor too, except where the horses were. I had a new wagon standing beside the barn. It was blown away, and I never saw any part of it afterward. Still I went on to my mother's. I found her and my two sisters and Emily and Edward W. Hazen,not any of them injured. My brother, William Coe, had been in the house. My mother and the four children went into the cellar kitchen; but my brother refused to go down, and was blown away with the house. I found him a short distance away from where the house had stood; the rest of the family by this time, had come out of the cellar. My brother was fast under one of the sills. Mr. Keir went all the way with me from the tavern, and he helped me get my brother out, who was badly hurt. It was eight or nine days before we knew whether he would recover or not; but he finally got well. Five sacks of wheat and' some kitchen furniture were blown away from the cellar kitchen, and the clothes of my mother and of the children were pretty badly torn. The chickens around the house were all killed, and most of them had their feathers off quite as clean as if stripped by hand. One of the family garments — a cloth circular — was after- ward found about forty-five miles away, to the eastward. VIII — JOHN Dawson's account. Before the approach of the storm, the day was very hot,but the weather was threatening,and we could hear thunder for, perhaps, an hour before. I was very busily engaged at the time in my store, which was located nearly opposite my residence, and took little notice of the dan- gerous aspect of the storm until it was very near the village. When I first noticed it, some 304 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. one calling my attention to it from my store door, it appeared to be a confused mass of timbers, branches, stones, leaves, driven among themselves in every direction. The track of the storm appeared to be about one hundred rods wide, and the noise was like the rumble of thunder. In sound and in the dread that it inspired, it was like to a score of giant locomo- - lives driving abreast. It came from the west, and I watched its approach until it reached the nearest dwelling of the village that I discovered. This was the Gard- ner dwelling. It lifted the building from its base, tossed it in air like a toy, and rent it in pieces, scattering the fragments on every side. I watched its course among the houses until it neared my own home. I then saw a two-story building north of my dwelling picked up and thrust over upon my house. There was no time from the first real comprehension of the peril — not a moment to think. There was but one thought, and that was to hug the earth where alone lay our safety. With this intent I leaped from the door and ran out into the street, only to be knocked down by the flying timber. When . I recovered myself, the storm was past, and I rose and walked to the ruins of my house and took my child from its mother's arms and ran back to the store. My wife remained, saying she would see if she could find Mrs. Somerby. My injuries, which, in the excitement were hardly noticed, overcame me in a few minutes, and I became unconscious. Because of my wounds and the consequent illnesSj I did not see the ruins for some time, and can give no account of them. It was a number of weeks before I recovered sufficiently to be around and attend to business. I have never fully recovered. The whole number killed outright and who afterward died from the injuries received, were twenty. My house was destroyed in this way: The floor was left; all above that a wreck. My wife was slightly injured, but the boy was unhurt. Their escape was a wonder, considering the tim- ber and other debris which fell around them. IX. CHARLES C. BEO^VN's RECOLLECTION. I was about one mile east of Viroqua at Green's. I was helping Amos Green frame his barn. It was a blustering afternoon; there were strong indications of a storm. It appeared so threatening that we conclu led to quit work. It thundered heavily, and there was vivid light- ning. I suggested to the boys, as we had so many steel tools, that I felt uneasy about work- ing there. We had no more than quit fairly, before the storm came on. All but myself went into Green's house; I did not go in because I felt uneasy about home. I discovered the storm coming— the ground trembled. We could have seen the storm sooner had it not been that we were behind a heavy grove. The tornado passed about 200 yards south of me. It had the appearance of a huge top; it was cone shaped. It looked as though it was made up of tar— it was a black mass. The noise was deafening. Immediately after it passed it was quite calm. I immediately started for town. I had not gone far before I discovered the frag- ments of a school house. Children were run- ning wild in every direction. I was then close to old Mr. Green's residence. He asked me to go over and render assistance to those children who might be found in the rubbish. I went and helped take out six children, some already dead and the residue soon expired. Other help now came and I hurried home. Most of the children that I met before reaching the ruins of the school house were more or less injured; many had blood on their faces. They were frantic and were running for home. I found the school teacher, a young lady, sitting on the ground with a child's head resting on her lap with very bad gashes in her face. She was so covered with blood as not to be recog- nized. She appeared very cool and rational_ The child she held was already dead or was dy- ing. She said all but the six had gone home. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 305 I wondered how she could know; but she was correct. When I got home (I was then living with my brother, T. B. Brown, now dead,) the floor of our house was covered with the wounded lying about. There were none dead there however. I reached Viroqua not far from 5 o'clock. It. was the afternoon of June 28, 1865. In coming in from the country I saw many strange sishts. Chickens with their feathers nearly all blown off; cats wandering half dead; horses lying down with their legs broken. Wagons, household furniture and other articles strewed in every direction. I should think from all I 8aw and have since learned, the tornado traveled at the rate of about a mile a minute on the ground. RECOLLECTIONS OF B. C. BIEBCE. As I now recall the facts, it was at a point about four and one-half miles west from the vil- lage of Viroqua, that the wind had gathered sufficient force to begin to break down and tear up trees. My recollection is to the effect that the first building destroyed or partially des- troyed, was the residence of Benjamin Pierce. This, I think, was a log house, and, probably, was not very large. I think, too, that the dwelling of a man whose name is Cassius B. Isham, was either wholly or partially destroyed before the storm reached the village. As the tornado seemed to move straight to the east from the west, as straight as a line could be drawn, and as its track was only about twenty rods wide, it did not happen to strike many buildings until it reached the village. Then its ruin was triumphant and complete. A Mr. William Vought was living about one-half mile west from the village limits, and in the very pathway of the storm, but I think his house was not injured at all. I do not remember now the last building that was destroyed east of the village. But after the all-destroying column ceased to hug the ground so closely as to suck up buildings and everything else that stood in its way, it still had force enough to scatter fences, tear up trees by the roots or break them off. Writing to Prof. Henry, when all the facts were fresh in my mind, I remember now very distinctly that I made the distance about nine miles from the point where it began to destroy trees west of the village to the point where its destruction ceased east of the village. Like a bird of evil omen with black, wide-spreading pinions, it seemed to swoop down from the regions above, smiting first the tops of the trees, and descending lower and lower until it reached the ground, when it swept everything away with rushing wings, and when fully glutted and satisfied with the ruin it had wrought, of both life and property, it grad- ually lifted itself up again, destroying as it rose until it reached the very clouds. A great many acres of valuable timber standing east of Viro- qua was almost wholly destroyed. John White was, perhaps, one of the severest sufferers in this respect. As the tornado passed through the village, and it may have been so outside the village, there seemed to be side currents coming in from the northwest that proved destructive. The court house stood two blocks, or more, north of the direct track of the stof'm, but it was unroofed. Dr. E. W. Tinker occupied the house now occupied by Capt. John R. Casson, and to the rear of it stood his barn. The barn was destroyed and a valuable horse was killed; but I do not remember now that either his house or other houses in that immediate vicinity were much, if any, injured. Probably, the current that unroofed the court house struck tlie old Buckeye house, then occupied by J. M. Rusk's family, and tore off the north wing of the build- ing; and either this current or the one that ! struck Dr. Tinker's barn, struck the residence I of A. K Burrell, it being the house more re- . cently, and, perhaps, now occupied by H. P. I Proctor, Esq., and moved it from its founda- tions some six feet northeast, so that when Jlrs. Burrell, after the storm was over, went to the I door, and looking out, saw where the cistern 306 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. was, she exclaimed: "I declare if the storm didn't blow our cistern away!'' As for my own individual experience in that trying time, I can well say that I dislike to re- call it; but, if it will add anything to the value of the history you are compiling, I will give it. My office at that peiiod was on the lower floor of the south wing of Tate's store buikiing as it stood at that time. I was very busy that day drawing complaints for the foreclosure of some tax deeds, and I noticed nothing peculiar about the temperature of the atmosphere or of the clouds until the wind began to blow so hard through a south window that was open as to scatter my papers all about my office and I got up and closed the window and sat down to writing again. So lit- tle was I anticipating a violent storm, I did not even take the time nor the trouble to look out and see what the clouds were like. It was but a moment, however, apparently, before a gust of wind came in at the door which opened to the east, and blowing the papers all off my table a second time. I got up and closed t'ae door, gathered up ray papers and sat down to my writing again. At this time my son Fred- die, then seven years old, came running into my office, just dismissed from school, and plead with me to go home with him. He said there would be a dreadful storm, and most all the school children had run into the jail. I tried to quiet him down by telling him I thought the storm would be over in a very few minutes for my position in my office was such that I saw nothing of the fearful gathering of the clouds that held within them such terrific power for de- struction. It was growing dark in my office and I told Freddie we would go into the store and stay until the storm was over. We passed into the store and found a good many people in there and more came running in. I passed back to the farther end of the store building where there was a window overlooking the court house square. Then I noticed for the first time how dark, threatening and heavy the clouds were. In a moment more other men came rushing into the store; all of a sudden there was a terrible roar, and amidst it I could hear the shrieks of women and the frenzied calls of men; the store was full of people that had rushed in; the strong Imilding began to tremble and creak; some sprang to the doors and others to the windows to hold tl.em in; a wave of blackness almost as impenetrable as the blackness of deep midnight swept along. In that blackness I could bare'y see the tall liberty pole that stood in the court house square bending and sweeping round and round until the ball on the top seemed to touch the ground; the shurbbery all seemed to lie flat on the ground and to twist round and round in circles; the air was full of flying boards, shingles and rubbish that went sweeping by the window where I was standing and looking out on the dire drama that was be- ing [ilayed outside; I could hear them striking against the building, but over and above all was that indescribable, that unearthly roar, and brooding over and around all was the almost impenetrable darkness. All this was but for a moment, comparatively speaking. The spirit of the storm was as swift as it was terrible, in passing over the doomed village. The winds died away, the clouds lifted, and from the window, where I stood through it all, I could see that the court house was un- roofed, the lioerty pole was gone, the shrub- bery had all disappeared, and the trophies of the storm were lying around everywhere. The store doors were opened and the people began to pass out. I went to the door and looked out, and at a distance, apparently of two miles east of the village, I could see the whirlwind, tor- nado, cyclone, or whatever people might see proper to call it. It was a dark, perpendicular column, in fact, it was intensely black and im- penetrable, moving steadily on to the east, roar- ing as it went. Of its diameter, I had no means of judging, but it reached from the ground to the clouds, and I could see the clouds coming from every direction like race horses, and all HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 307 were drawn down into the terrible vortex. One moment, that awtul black, moving column would sink down and down, drawing every thing from above with it, and anon it would rise up and up into the heavens, and then it would spew out its gathered stomach full of rubbish which would go scattering off on the the wings of the wind. I do not remember that it rained while the storm cloud was passing over, but soon after, the rain began to fall. As the thought that my property had been touched by that dark mon- ster, I had seen so plainly, did not once enter my mind, I was in no hurry about leaving the store, but I remained there with Freddie until the rain ceased, then we started for the house. When I got out of the store, the first thing I noticed, was the ruins of J. A. Somerby's house piled up in the middle of the street, in front ot where McKee's store stands, and somebody stood there looking at them, then I saw that the store of H. Nichols & Sons was gone, all there was left of it was the lower floor, and L. W, Nichols stood there surveying the ruins. The next evidence of loss that I noticed, was when I reached the residence of Mrs. Thomas Fret- well; she stood in the middle of the street, cry- ing and wringing her hands. Her house was very badly demoralized. From Mrs. Fretwell's I went directly home, and it seemed to me as though I saw my houso standing thei'e, intact, until I got on to the very grounds. Like every one else, I was dazed, bewildered, thrown off my balance. The fact is, no two persons saw things just alike then. The first thing that recalled me to a sense of the real situation of things, meeting my little son, Arthur, then just over three years of age, run- ning around and calling for "Ma!" His clothes were nearly all torn from his body, he had a great swelling on his forehead, where he had been hit by something; he was plastered all over with dirt and blood was on his face, his hands and his feet. When he saw me he cried out, "Pa, where's Ma." I replied, "I dont know, ray son; dont you know where Ma is?" and he answered in his childish way, "No; where is her?" Then I began to realize the true condition of things. For a moment the inexpressible silence of complete desolation reigned. My house was gone, my wife was gone, buildings, fences, trees, all were gone. Only two hours before, I had left that home, a place bright and lovely to me; then all darkness, silence and desolation. Owing to my slowness in leaving the store after the storm was over, many of the villagers had rescued from the ruins of several destroyed houses, the injured, dead and dying, before I got to where my house stood, and several men were there looking for my wife when I got there. It was an hour per- haps, before my wife was found. She was found at last, by Comfort Richardson, lying insensible between two floors of the central portion of the house. These floors had been carried bodily from where the house stood, in a southeasterly direction from the street and on to the lands of Dr. Weeden. The finding was in a measure accidental. As we were threading through the ruins that lay thick all around. Comfort, being near the floors thought he heard a groan. For some time we looked around without finding her, when Comfort, noticing that the upper floor pro- jected some over the under floor, he stooped down and looked under, and he saw a portion of the skirt of her dress hanging down. By calling a number of men to our aid, we raised the upper floor sufliciently to get her out. She was taken to the residence of Deacon Trow- bridge where Dr. Tinker dressed her wounds. It was some hours before she was restored to consciousness, and several days before she so far recovered as to be able to help herself. A wound she received on her head, was the final cause of her death, so her attending physicians said. She never fully recovered from the ef- fects of that wound, and I could see that yearly and monthly, she was growing weaker physi- cally, and her mind, too, suffered some, towards the last, and on Monday evening July 19, 1874, 308 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. as she was sitting by my side in church, she was stricken with paralysis, and she lingered until twenty minutes past 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday, July 25, when she breathed her last. It may not be amiss to relate briefly what my wife told me she saw and felt before she be- came unconcious. It was a very warm day, and she was engaged in ironing, in the kitchen, when the wind began to blow quite hard, and she saw from the appearance of the clouds that quite a storm was like to happen. She went up stairs apd into other rooms below, to put down windows that were up; as there were several rooms, this occupied some time. Having closed all the windows she started for the kitchen again, and by the time she reached the door opening from the dining room into the kitchen, the wind was blowing so hard that the house began to tremble She noticed that Arthur had crawled under the kitchen table and was lying flat on his face. Phineas Drake, a man that was sawing and splitting wood in the wood house, had come into the kitchen and stood with his hands against one of the windows, and he re- marked that he "thought the wind would blow in tlie windows." At that moment she heard a jingling, as of breaking glass, and she knew nothing more until she came back to conscious- ness, after having been carried to Mr. Trow- bridge's house. She fell where she stood, by the door between the dining room and kitchen. Poor Drake was found in Dr. Weeden's field, some three or four rods beyond where my wife was found. His head was terribly bruised and he lay as lifeless, apparently, as a corpse. He lived, however, until the eighth day after he was hurt, but I always understood that he passed away without ever giving a single sign of life. He was taken to Tate's Hall, where so many other wounded and dead were taken.* His aged father and mother lived on the second block west from me, and were both killed. I learned from those who first reached the ruins of my place, that my little boy, Arthur, was thrown into the cellar, where he was so com- pletely covered with the debris of the storm, that the people who were looking around could not see him. Some of his playmates finally came along, and as he looked up through the rubbish and saw them, he called to them. Men were then called and he was taken out. There are a greatmany incidents connected, not only with the destruction of my home, but with the destruction of the finest portion of Viroqua, as it stood on the morning of the 28th day of June, 1865, and before the tornado struck it, that possess a sad, yet sacred interest to me, but it will not be proper for me to allude to them here. The whole face of that portion of the village that was swept by the tornado was changed. Every well known landmark was gone. The familiar things that I had-looked on every day were blotted out of existence. The fond care, the hopeful toil, the pleasant labors of years, vanished in a moment, and all that was left was memory. The track of the storm looked as though it had been the deep bed of a water course, for ages, from which the water had been suddenly drawn, leaving nothing pleasant for the eye to look on. Every where was cold, silent, gray ruin and desolation. Every green thing was gone from garden and from door yard, and dry, hard, scorched earth, alone remained. The ruins seem to be all plastered over with raud,and the scene of the ruins was most dread- ful and appalling. XI. — A. L. Russell's statemekt. I '""ame from Sparta the day on which the disaster occurred. I noticed several times that it threatened rain before I arrived home. I reached ray house about half past 3 o'clock. About that time there appeared to be a heavy shower gathering in the northwest and south- west. The clouds in the northwest had a white look, as if the sun was shining on them, but those in the southwest were intensely black — black as ink. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 309 When I came home (I had my wife with me) I left her at the house and I went to put out my horse. When I got back to tlie house it was unusually calm ; there did not seem to be any air stirring at all. The two storms seemed at this time to have come together in the west ; there was a great deal of thunder and lightning. My wife was standing in the door and called ray attention to the whirling appearance of the clouds. About that time the wind commenced to blow hard from the east ; then, in a moment, it changed to the west. We were both in the house looking out at the west door. The storm seemed now to be approaching very rapidly ; every thing seemed to be lapped up as it came on. My wife suggested that we had better go out doors. I told her to wait a moment, to see which way the storm was going. I then told her there was nothing that could stand before that storm ; that she should get her heaviest shawl and that we go across the road to a thicket. My house was in the extreme west end of the town. We had barely reached the brush when the storm was upon us. We came near being caught by a tree falling on us. We both then knelt down in the brush as close to the ground as we could get. By that time the wind blew so hard that the brush was all blown flat to the ground. We just got sight of the house as it was struck by the tornado. It was sucked right up into the clouds with a whirling motion ; but almost instantly it was total darkness. There was nothing to be seen but small balls of fire, which seemed about the size of a hen's egg. It was only a few seconds before it passed by. Both my wife and I were badly hurt ; my wife soon became unconscious after getting her to a neighlior's house ; one of her wrists was fractured ; she has never got the full use of it since. I soon followed out on the track of the tornado, and the sight was appalling I 310 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER XXV. PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED HISTORICAL SKETCHES. There have been printed at different periods historical sketches of a part or of the whole of the county. These are reproduced in this chapter because of their value for comparison, as show- ing the changes which have taken place in the county, and its increase. I. FROM THE WESTERN TIMES, SEPT. 6, 1856. The fall emigration has commenced coming in, and new houses and other buildings are going up in all parts of the county. New vil- lages are springing up and new roads are being laid and worked. The crops, already harvested, are good. The corn crop, although much of it was put in late, will not be below an average crop. Potatoes are excellent and very abundant. In short. Bad Ax county is going forward in fine style with every description of improve- ments. The Messrs. Gilletts' and Mr. Goode's steam mills will make lumber more plentiful for building. Land in this county, generally, we think, is very cheap, comparing the quality and con- venience to good inarkets, with other counties. And there is just as good land as ever a plow was used in, to be pre-empted yet, in the county, or entered as soon as the land office opens. And mechanics who wish to obtain good homes and plenty of business cannot do better than come to Bad Ax county. In Viroqua there are the very best kind of openings for a large car- riage shop, a jeweller's shop, a tailor's shop, a harness shop, a bakery, a machine shop and foundry, and many others. And in Viroqua and vicinity are excellent locations for a paper mill ; dozens of good locations for water and steam power of every description, and plenty of timber. Numerous springs are scattered over the county, from which flows, bright and sparkling, through trout brooks, plentiful supplies of the "nectar that Jupiter sips." On the ridge, where wells have to be dug, the water is generally obtained at less than forty feet on an average, and un- failing water has been obtained near this place (Viroqua), on top of a ridge, at a depth of twelve feet only. Now is the time for those who wish to get good homes cheap, to obtain them in just as good a country as there is in the wide world. II. BY GEORGE GAI.E, I860.* Bad Ax county, notwithstanding its uncouth name, is an excellent county of land. The most part of the county along the Mississippi river is quite broken, being cut up by many large and small streams that flow west into the Mississippi, but the central part rises on to the high table prairie, and is now covered with fine farms under a good state of cultivation. The eastern part of the county, including the Kickapoo val- ley, is covered with heavy hardwood timber. There is no poor soil in the county. The bluffs on the Mississippi and the heavy timber of the Kickapoo, are equally as rich in soil as the high prairie of the central portion, but it is not as thickly inhabited. The origin of the name of the county I will here give you as I obtained it from an Indian trader and sutler in the army, nine years ago. *Frora the Galesville Transcript. The errors in this ac- count by Mr. Gale will be sufficiently apparent to the reader from what has been said in prev iouschapters. We have not, therefore, attempted to correct them. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 311 The Winnebago Indians at an early time, at- tempted to manufacture axes and arrow heads out of the rocks near the mouth of Bad Ax river, but the rock being too soft the articles manufactured proved to be worthless. From that time the Indians applied the name of Bad Ax to the bluff, and also the river or creek near the point. The Winnebagoes called the creek Mar-slie-rah-:ihe-shiek Ne-shnn-ugh-arah, which literally signifies Ax bad little river. Notoriety was given to the name by the battle that was fought with the Sacs and Foxes by the United States army in 1832, two miles below the mouth of the Bad Ax creek. To perpetuate the meniory of the battle, the State Legislature, at the organization of the county in 1851 applied to it the name of Bad Ax, with the Webster spelling. Ax, without a terminating letter — e of some authors. Tiie village sites of Bad Ax city, Victory, DeSoto, and some other points on the Missis- sippi river, had, for many years before the organization of the county, been occupied by Canadian Indian traders, who for many years were supplied with goods by Col. Dousinan, agent of the American Fur Company, but as their residence was temporary, tiiey are not generally recognized as the first permanent set- tlers of thecount'v. The last of these traders who occupied these points at the ingress of the American population, was John Verdon, (called Battise), at Bad Ax city ; Mr. Palwell, at Vic- tory, and John Roberts, at DeSoto ; none of which are now residing in the county. Tlie first permanent American settlers, were Hiram Rice, Samuel Rice and John McCullock, who settled on Round Prairie, at what is now Liberty Pole, in the town of Bad Ax, in the summer of 1843. In the year 1846 their num- ber was increased by the addition of Jolin Gra- ham, Thos. J. DeFrees, Jacob, Johnson, John Harrison, Dr. Tinker and William C. .Mc- Michael. In 1847 Moses Decker settled the present site of Viroqua, and in 1848 John War- ner settled at Warner's Landins. In 1847 and and the following years new settlers came in rapidly and now Bad Ax county contains a more numerous population than any county north of the Wisconsin river, excepting only, the county of La Crosse. The county is well watered by the Bad Ax and Coon rivers, run- ning west into the Mississippi and the Kicka- poo, running south through the whole county having its source in the county of Monroe. The new county was organized by an act of the Legislature approved March 1st, 1851, and the first election for county ofticers was held on the first Tuesday of April of that year. At that election, Thomas J. DeFrees was elected county judge, Lorenzo A. Pierce, dis- trict attorney, William C. McMichael register of deeds, and Orrin Wisel, clerk of the court. The first term of the circuit court. Hon. Wi- ram Knowlton, presiding, was held in the old log school house at Viroqua, on the third Mon- day in May, 1851. The second term of the court was held on the fourth Monday of Novem- ber of thfe same year, at the same place, and by the same judge, at which latter term the writer attended as an attorney from La Crosse. This term beat the West for its rich scenes, many of which were so supremely ridiculous, that by common consent they never got into the papers. I doubt if any one will ever have the temerity to reduce them to writing. The present county officers are Hon. J. E. Newell, county judge; C. M. Butt, Esq., district attorney ; William S. Purdy, clerk of the court; William H. Goode, slieriff ; J. M. Bennett, clerk of the board of supervisors ; James Low- rie, treasurer ; D. P. Allison, regis'er, and Charles Pitcher, coroner. Ihey are all very efficient officers, and are creditable to the county. At the general election last fall, Wil- i Ham C. McMichael was elected to the Assembly from the district composed of the counties of Crawford and Bad Ax, and made an influential member of thatbody. Mr. McMichael has lielil some of the county offices nearly all the time since the organization of the county, and con- 312 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tinues to occupy a high position in the esteem of the inhabitants of that county. The old log court house has now given place to a large commodious two story frame building, being the largest court house in the si.\:th judi- cial district. ' VIEOQUA. The land on which this village was laid out, was first settled upon and improved by Moses Decker, in the fall of 1847. The name was de- rived from the name of a young squaw found in a novel, but had no reference to any of the ab- origines of this region of country. It was first laid out into village lots the 3d of Sept. 1852. A county addition was laid out the 13th of May, 1853. Under the act of the 1st of March, 1851, the board of supervisors established the county seat at Viroqua, and subsequently, the question hav- ing been submitted to a vote of the electors of the whole county, this village was retained as the permanent capital of the county. The village is located on the southeast quar- ter of section 31, and the southwest quarter of section 32, in township number 13, of range 4 west of the 4th principal meridian. It is distant thirty-six miles southeast from La Crosse, forty- seven miles northeast of Prairie du Chien and twenty miles east of the Mississippi river. It is situated in a pleasant grove nearly surround- ed by prairies and upon high rolling land. As a healthy location it cannot be easily exceeded in the western country. The village now contains a court house, jail, one bank, one postoflice, four dry goods and grocery stores, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, one cabinet shop, one steam grist mill, one school house, two churches, one harness shop, one boot and shoe shop, two hotels, one tailor, and several carpenter shops, five practic- ing lawyers, and two physicians, and a popula- tion of about 700 inhabitants. No spirituous liquors sold in town. UE SOTO. This village is named after the distinguished discoverer of the Mississippi river, and is loca- ted principally on section 15, township 11, range 7 west, on the east bank of the Father of Waters. The village is divided into the upper and lower town, the latter of which is in Crawford county. The original owners of the soil in the lower town were Joseph and Michael Godfrey, Canadian French, who sold out in 1855 to Gustavus Cheney, who purchased it for the Boston Company. That company have now a store, grist mill, boarding house, and the best and most extensive steam saw mill I have noticed on the Mississippi river. It is run with three engines, and besides many sin- gle saws, it has two gangs of twenty saws each. E. B. Houghton, Dr. Osgood and iTr. Powers purchased the upper town in 1854 and moved there in 1855. Dr. Osgood put up the tirst frame building in the spring of 1855. Dr. Houghton put up the second house very soon after — the same spring. The village was laid out in the summer of 1855, by Dr. E. B. Hough- ton as its proprietor. The upper town of De- Soto proper, contains two stores, two warehouses, postoflice, one steam saw mill, one three-story public house, called the Bay State House, kept by Mr. C. H.Allen, and a few shops. The land- ing on the Mississippi is good. This town has been the river deposit of a large amount of wheat for shipment during the past winter and does considerable business with the south part of Bad Ax and north part of Crawford. It was originally called Winneshiek, after the Indian Chief of that name who died at Lansing Iowa about 1848. The population of the whole village is about 500 inhabitints. VICTORT. This village is situated five miles above De- Soto, on the Mississippi river, and received its name from the victory which was obtained over the Indians at the battle of Bad Ax, which was fought only a mile below the village. Ira Ste- vens originally pre-empted the land in 1849, and entered it in 1850. He sold out part of his in- terest to Hon. William F. Terhune, John Ca- ^y^^i-^t^-c HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 315 vana and H. M. McAuley, who laid out a small village plat July 21st, 1852. George Gale, then of La Crosse, in the spring of 1853 purchased 105 acres of government land on the north side of the present village plat hut sold it in 18.54. for $1,000 cash, to Hon. John A. Rockwell, of Connecticut, who is the present proprietor thereof. The plat is located on the southeast quarter of section 28 towns^hip l-i, range 1 west. The village has an excellent landing on the Mississippi, a postoffice, one store, one hotel, one blacksmith shop, one shoe shop, one school house and does considerable business as a ship- ping point of grain. It contains about 300 inhab- itants. Judge Berry is now the principal pro- prietor. i::idAx City, located on section 28, township 13, range 7 ; Britl's Landing, on section 9, town- ship 13, range V.; and Warner's Landing on section 4, township 13, range 7; all contain good landings on the Mississijjpi, and are points of some business with the back country. Newton, located on the northwest quarter of section 23, township 13, range 6, is situated on the Mad Ax river, about nine miles from the Mississipj)i. It has mills, postoffice and hotel. SPEINGVILLB. Tlif village was laid out in 1847, by .Tohn (-Jraliam, the proprietor. It derives it name from an enormous spring of water that comes out of the hill at that point. The water of the spring, alone, runs a grist mill a few rods be- low. This is a delightful little village of about 400 inhabitants, with the usual number of stores, shops, hotels, etc. Hon . James R. Savage is postmaster, and one of the principal proprie- tors, at this time, of the village. The eastern part of Bad Ax county contains several villages of some importance, but your correspondent does not possess sufficient data to give them a proper notice at this titne. The whole county is now rapidly recovering from the embarrassment of the hard times, and at no distant day it will become one of the largest populated counties of the State. III. — PROM THE MILWAUKBE SENTINEL, NOV. 1860. [The writer uames the county Mianesheik.] Minnesheik ( Bad Ax) county lies on the Mississippi river, between the counties of La Crosse and Crawford, and also midway between the La Crosse and Milwaukee and Mississippi railroads. It comprises about twenty-seven townships of land, being over half a million of acres, a much larger area than either the counties of Rock or Walworth, and believe me, it contains just as good land as lies out of doors in the State of Wisconsin. I mu. well aware that, in saying this, I am saying a good deal, and many will think it hard to believe. I have seen something of the counties of Dane, Rock, Walworth, Dodge and others of the many " garden spots" in good old Wiscon- sin ; hilt, after all, there is not a county in the State that contains any better land than Minne- sheik (Bad Ax). Probably one-third of this is prairie, fine, rolling prairie, the soil being a rich clayey vegetable mold. Another portion, say one-third, is oak-openings and ridges covered with oak under-growth or "grubs." In many places farms have been opened up, and the cultivation of the soil reveals tons a clayey loam, well adapted to wheat; and on these broad ridges wheat does remarkably well. The balance of the land in this county is timbered, and that pretty heavily. This is an advantage, as the timber is needed in other portions. The soil in the timber country is a rich clay loam, thoroughly impregnated with vegetable mold. When cleared of its timber, it produces as fine wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., as can be raised. The roots of the trees run deep, allowing of the plow being run close to the stumps. The recent ( Federal ) census developes a heavier population than had been anticipated, the number being .about 11,000 (1 1,007). Five years ago the counties of Li Crosse and Bad Ax had each a little over 4,000 people (Bad Ax, 19 sit HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 4,823). Now, the former has 13,500 and the lattei 1 1,500. Considering the absence of large towns, railroads, etc., coupled with its bad name, I think Bad Ax, or Minnesheik, has done well. Large portions of the inhabitants are from Ohio and the New England States, though in some parts there is a good sprinkling of Nor- wegians. The great crop now is wheat, though the raising of stock is being taken hold of. There is not a finer region in the world for mixed husbandry ; grain, cattle, horses, hogs and sheep, cannot do otherwise than well here ; and I will venture the opinion that the hill sides and northern slopes of this county will yet become noted for their fruit, as well as for their sheep and cattle. The fine corn raised, of course, will tell you that before long pork will form a leading article of export. For the year 1860 the surplus wheat of this county must amount to not less than 1,000,000 bushels. By some, it is estimated at a much higher figure. How to get rid of this is the main question now. Go in what direction you will, it takes from thirty-five to fifty miles of teaming to get to markets. The people, in thinking of this, are led to inquire if their condition cannot be bettered. They ask "why cannot we have railroad facilities?" Their homes are between what is to be the terminus of Minnesota's railroad system at La Crosse, and the roads at the southeast. The people begin to see that it will be of some advantage to them to have a railroad from La Crosse to a favorable point of junction on the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad. They see that such a road would not only give them an outlet south- oaslwardly for their produce, but that it would carry through their county a large stream of travel, and that thus their many advantages would become known to the world about them ; their property would become enhanced in value and their position be one of importance in the State. If Minnesheik county will be but true to herself, she can soon rank second to no county in point of wealth and population (I except, of course, Milwaukee), for she has elements within her limits to make her such, if she will but develope them ; and I believe if she will take the initiatory steps, capital will be induced to take hold and help her. She must, however, show others that she has confidence in herself. There is, in Minnesheik county, an abun- dance of water-power, which, taken in connec- tion with its fine timber, will give it a front rank as a locality favorable to manufactures of whatever nature, as well as for the purpose of flouring her vast crop of wheat. Being on the highway between important systems of railway, a liberal charter for a rail- road was procured nearly two years ago. A company has been organized under this charter, which now proposes to survey the road and prosecute the work of its construction. It was proposed at first to build the southern half of the road from- Viroqua to some point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad at or near Muscoda. This road constructed w'ill provea very important feeder to the Milwaukee ine to form a HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 819 charruing picture of country comfort and rural life. Six or eight miles up the valley and you climb, on an excellent road, to the far summit of the bluff, and after a few miles of mingled woodland and clearing, descend into Coon valley, where a similar beautiful landscape meets the eye. The ascent and descent, mIow but not difficult, abound in the most picturesque situations; and for beauty and sublimity com- bined, can fairly rank with many of the much admired mountain views in the east. This ex- perience is repeated, until, at Springville, three miles this side of Viroqua, you strike the border of the ricli, rolling prairies, which form a large ]>ortion of the surface of Vernon county. Viroqua, the county seat of Vernon county, sits on the crest of one of the undulating swells of the prairie, and is pleasant with the abund- ant shade of natural trees. It suffers from the lack of running water, but, being the county seat of so large and productive a country, its prosperous future is assured, either with or without railroad facilities. VI. ^BY G. W. NUZUM AND JOHN R. CASSON, 1875. (From Tuthill's History of Wisconsin.) Vernon county is situated in the western part of the State, between the forty-third and forty- fourth degrees of latitude ; its western border of twenty-two miles being watered by the Mississippi river. The soil is good and covered with a heavy growth of hard-wood timber, such as is usually found in timbered countries. The product of small grain is equal, per acre, to any j)art of the State ; and in vegetables it excels the prairie. The surface of the country is rolling, and in some places hilly, but all valua- bb- for timber on such portions as cannot be cultivated. It is well watered by springs and brooks, and well adapted for grazing purposes, for which it will soon liecome noted. Like all timbered land, it is natural for grass ; and, having abundance of water, it will soon become the dairying |)ortion of the State. With an abundance of water-power furnished by the Baraboo and Kickapoo rivers, and a superior quality of timber that could be used for the manufacture of furniture and agricultural im- plements, this part of Vernon county offers inducements equal to any part of the State. The county contains 534,040 acres of land, one-third under cultivation. Of the balance, about one-half is capable of being worked. The raising of stock has become a prominent feature with the husbandman, producing the best quality of grass-fed stock that finds its way to Milwaukee or Chicago markets. The first attempt to raise fruit was atteniled with litile success. Many were disheartened and gave up, others persevered, and have met with success. We have a few " iron-clad " varieties of pears that do well. The first is the Haas ; next, Tetofsby and Duchess of Oldenburg. Some others have proved valuable. Of grapes, the Concord and Delaware have done nobly. The principal kinds of timber are maple, oak, basswood and elm. Plenty of game and fish are found in the forests and streams. Among the principal settlements is Viroqua, a thriving village and the county seat. It has three churches, and one union school with three departments, which is well supported, both as regards attendance and the interest mani- fested by the inhabitants. De Soto, Victory, and Geneva, on the Mississippi river, are the principal markets for the western portion of the county, and are also well supplied with schools and churches. There are about 120 school houses in the county, mostly of wood, but some are built of stone or brick which are very fine structures. Tiie one at Viroqua cost |I 4,000. The average wages paid to male teachers, is ^35, and female teachers ^25 per month. The population is about one-third Norwegian, one-half American and the balance German. Tlie county is increasing fast in wealth and population. It is estimated that 2,000,000 320 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. bushels of wheat were raised in the county, in 1873. VII. BY W. F. TEEHUNE, 1878. ( From the Illustrated Historical Atlas of Wisconsin.) The territory of this county was set off from Crawford and christened Bad Ax county, com- prising all that part of the present territory of Vernon, lying north of Crawford. On the same day, March 1, 1851, an amendatory act was passed assigning the county all that part of its present territory lying north of Richland county. Since that time there have been no territorial changes. In 1862 many of the inhabitants, imagining that its name was calcu- lated to give a wrong impression outside, both as to its territory and people, tending to hinder immigration, petitioned the Legislature for a change of name. This was granted, and the county has since been known as Vernon. It lies on the east bank of the Mississippi, having the counties of La Crosse and Monroe on the north, parts of Richland, Sauk and Juneau on the east, and Crawford and a part of Richland on the south. Its area embraces about 820 square miles, or about twenty-three congres- sional townships, at present comprised in twenty-one civil towns. The population in 1860 numbered 11,007, which had increased to 21,- 524 in the year 1875. The Baraboo and Kicka- poo rivers, emptying into the Wisconsin, drain the eastern portion of the county. The Mis- sissippi and Bad Ax and Coon rivers, emptying into it, water and drain the western part. Abundant water-powers are numerous on all these streams, waiting for the arrival of enter- prise and capital to be utilized and thus ren- dered available and profitable. GENERAL FEATURES. The surface of the county is broken and bluffy along the water courses ; elsewhere, undulating and favorable for tillage. Three beautiful prairies, named, respectively. Coon, Round and West Prairie, early attracted the attention of the pioneer and emigrant, and invited occupancy and cultivation in the first general settlement of western Wisconsin. The eastern portion of the county, from and includ- ing the valley of the Kickapoo and its tributa- ries, is heavily timbered with red and white oak, pine, soft and sugar maple, and the elm ; also with other less numerous varieties. The western portions of the county have the same varieties of timber, but in much less abundance, except along the Mississippi river, and upon some of its islands, where timber is found in larger quantity. The prairies above named, and extensive oak openings, interspersed with grass and thickets, mostly occupy the surface of the western portion. The surface formation is a deep, rich vegeta- ble mold, forming a soil especially valuable on the prairies and in the valleys, resting upon a clay sub-soil of varied thickness, frequently very deep ; a formation in itself rich in the elements of vegetable life, and favorably con- stituted for the production of all the cereals and grasses adapted to this climate. This sub- formation is frequently intermixed with sand. The underlying rock is chiefly the strata of the lower magnesian limestone. Underneath this the bluff ranges display the Potsdam sandstone, especially along the Mississippi and the Kicka- poo, where it forms the principal portion of the elevation, capped by the magnesian. The prin- cipal water courses have eroded their channels through the limestone, and in many places, deep into the sandstone, which readily yields to their action. The county is regarded as one of the best agricultural districts in the western part of the State. The acreage of its principal productions in 1876 was: wheat, 49,080 ; oats, 22,463 ; corn, 17,045 ; barley, 3,370. The great hindrance to a more rapid develop- ment of this county has been, and is, the want of railroad facilities ; but these will doubtless be afforded in time. Thepresent mode of com- munication with the outer world is by stage lines, which center at Viroqua and, diverging thence, traverse almost every part of the county. There are two lines of stages to La HISTORY OF VERNON COTJNTY. 321 Crosse, which, running alternate days from Viroqua, make a daily connection with that city. Stages three times a week to Sparta, De Soto, Prairie dii Chien and Richland Center. A narrow-guage railroad is contemplated from La Crosse to Viroqua, which will doubtless be pushed through within a few years. Anotiier is talked of up the valley of the Kickapoo, which, when completed, will open a market for the valuable timber and the great surplus of agricultural products of the couutv. With its abundant water-power, its forests and rich and luxurious soil, Vernon county may justly antici- pate a bright future. EARLY HISTORY. Upon the approach of civilization this region was ill possession of the Winnebago Indians. Their title was extinguished by treaty of No- vember, 1837, by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, and most of them were removed to Iowa prior to 1 846. Before its settlement, the county was frequently traversed along an inland route called the Black river road, from Prairie du Chien to the pineries on Black river, along the dividing ridge upon which Viroqua is situated, by men upon lumbering expeditions. Traders' cabins had been erected at Winneshiek, where De Soto now is ; also on the sites of Victory and Genoa villages at a very early date. In 1844 John McCullough and the brothers, Samuel and Hiram Rice, made the first claims and erected the first cabins, within what are now the limits of the county, near Liberty Pole, in the present town of Franklin. These were soon followed by Henry Sifert and Anson G. Tainter, who settled near them. West Prairie was first settled by the brothers, Levi and Lee Grant Sterling, in 1845, who were not long after followed by Alexander Latshaw, James H. Bailey, A. Vance, Widow Clark and family, George Nichols and William S. Purdy. These formed the nucleus for the settlement of the town of Wheatland. In 1846, Moses Decker, T. J. DeFrees and John Graham from Mineral Point, located — Decker on the site of Viroqua, DeFrees at the head of the DeFrees branch, on the Black river road, and Mr. Graham, at Springvile, where he commenced the erection of the first grist-mill. James Foster also came at the same time and located on Round prairie. These were soon followed by other settlers, among whom were Thomas Gillett, with his sons, William, Rufus, Jerome, Ransom P. and Abram ; also, Nicholas Vought, James Cook, George Dawson and J. Shields, all of whom took up claims near the site of Viroqua ; and by the brothers, W^illiam C, Samuel and Robert S. McMichaei, Charles and Henry Waters, who settled at or near Springville. About this time (1846) Ira Stevens located at Victory. Willard Spaulding built the first dwelling where the village of Genoa now stands, and Daniel Reed erected the first saw- mill at Readstown, in the present town of Kickapoo, about the year 1849. Albert Field was one of the first settlers in the town of Hillsborough, in the year 1850 or 1851. A Mr. Gill first located on Coon Prairie. He was soon followed by a few enterprising Norwe- gians, among whom were Even Olson, Torsten Olson, Gabriel Nelson, P. Peterson and Peter Oleson Brye, who were the pioneers of a class of citizens whose industry and perse- verance have done much to develope the re- sources of the county. The early settlers were subject to all the inconveniences and privations attending the establishment of new communities in remote sections of the country. They had at first to go to Prairie du Chien for provisions and sup- plies, and were obliged to perform a journey of 100 miles for that purpose. The state of society then, though not cul- tured or fashionable, was far from being rude or unpleasant. A cordial feeling pervaded the little settlements. The settlers were always ready to assist each other, and always extended 322 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tlie hand of "welcome" to new arrivals. The "latch-string" was always outside the cabin door, and hos pitality was a characteristic of all. These early settlers were not without their amusements, and social intercourse was not re- strained by fashion or organization divided by distinctions. The act which created Bad Ax county pro- vided also for its organization, to take effect on the third Monday in May, 1S51. An election was authorized to be held on the tirst Tuesday in April of that year, for town and county officers. The entire county was erected into one town, to remain such until the board of supervisors should see fit to divide it into three or more towns, and the persons who should be elected supervisors, clerk, and treasu- rer for the town thus established were directed to act as county officers in a corresponding capacity. The first county officers chosen in accordance with these provisions were : Thomas J. DeFrees, county judge ; Orrin Wisel, clerk of the court and county board of supervisors ; John Longly, county treasurer ; Jacob Higgins, register of deeds; Samuel McMichael, surveyor. The first term of circuit court was held in a log school house at Viroqua, by Judge Wiram Knowlton, commencing on the third Monday of May, 1851, before whom the county officers elect were duly qualified, thus perfecting the organization. COUNTY SKAT. The act of 1851 provided that the county seat should be at such place as the board of supervisors should designate, until permanently located by vote of the people. Viroqua was thus designated, and became the permanent county seat, by vote of the people at an election held May 25, 1852, in pursuance of the laws of that year. A voting precinct was established at Round Prairie in 1847, by the commissioners of Crawford county, which was the only civil organization within its limits previous to 1851. The tirst lawyer who established himself in this county was William F. Terhune. He came to Viroqua in August, 1851, where he re- ceived the appointment of Orrin Wisel's deputy, and kept the records of the clerk of the circuit court and county clerk's offices. Soon after him came Dr. H. G. Weeden, the first physician who located within its limits. Drs. Houghton and Osgood, from Jioston, Mass., settled in De Soto in 1854, where they found three French traders, by the name of Godfrey. James Lawrence came about the same time, from England, and settled at Liberty Pole. Dr. Osgood built, in tlie fall of T855, the first frame house in De Soto. Dr. Houghton opened a store there, and in the fall of 1855 Whiting & Valentine built and opened another. The first school in this section of the county was kept by Dr. Osgood's daughter, Ruth, now Mrs. Wait, of Viroqua. The largest immigration into the county took place in 1854 and 1855, the majority of the settlers being from Ohio. In 1845 a delegation of Mormons, looking for a future home, passed through the county, and cut out what is known as the Black river road, extending into La Crosse county, to what is known as Mormon coulee (ravine), where they settled for a short time. In 1849 Judge Purdy blazed a road to Port Andrew, on the Wiscon- sin river, having started with a companion from the Kickapoo river. The land was occupied in those early days under the "squatter sovereignty law." The closing engagement of the Black Hawk war of 1831, known as the battle of Bad Ax, took place within the limits of Vernon county, a short distance below the mouth of Bad Ax river, on the banks of the Mississippi, where there empties into it a small stream, since known as Battle creek. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. The district schools of this county, under tiie charge of O. B. Wyman, epunty superintend- ent, are in a very flourishing condition. There are 145 school houses, valued at §45,000, and nearly all good, substantial buildings — each of the 145 districts of the county having one. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 323 There are two high schools in the county, one at Hillsborough, at present under the man- agement of Mr. Setzenfand ; the other at Viro- qua, Rev. William Houghton, principal. These schools have been only recently opened ; but they are already doing a good educational work in the county. There are Congregational churches at De- Soto, Mt. Sterling, Bishop's corners and Viro- qua ; Methodist, at De Soto, Red Mound, West Prairie, Liberty Pole, Mt. Sterling, Viroqua and Hillsborough ; Baptist, at De Soto, Har- mony and Hillsborough ; Catholic, at Rising Sun ; Advent, at Liberty Pole ; Disciples, at Viroqua ; United Brethren, at Harmony ; and two Lutheran — (1.) the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Coon Prairie, town of Viroqua, and (2.) the Northern Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Coon Prairie, town of Christiana. The first has about 250 families, and church property valued at 825,000. The second has about 70 families, and church property valued $3,000. VILLAGES. Viroqua, the county seat, is situated on the "divide" between the waters of the Kickapoo and the Mississippi,on sections 31 and 32, town- ship 12 range 4 west. It is distant from Sparta, thirty miles ; from LaCrosse, thirty-five miles, and from Prairie du Chien forty-eight miles, and has about 600 inhabitants. It was incorpo- rated by act of the Legislature approved March 31, 1S66. The village was laid out in 1850, by Moses Decker, proprietor, and Samuel Mc- Michael, surveyor. Here was built the first frame dwelling in the county, by Messrs. Ter- hune and Ballard and here was opened the first school taught in the county, by Mrs. Margaret Terhuue.* The school was started by sub.scriji- tion at a certain price per pupil, there being then no school-district organization. The village was visited in 1865 by a terrible tornado, which entirely swept away the lower portion of the • This Bhould read, the first taught in the village. town, and in which a large number of lives were lost. It has now two hotels, three churches, a high school and graded district school, six stores, three wagon and blacksmith shops and one furniture manufactory. lis growth has been slow, but substantial, and its progress has scarcely equalled that of the surrounding country. The other villages in the county are Chaseburg, Hillsborough, DeSoto, Springville and Victory, all of which have made moderate but substantial progress. VIII. — FROM THE DK SOTO REPUBLICAN, 1870. The village of De Soto has the honor of being situated in portions of two counties, namely : the southwest corner of Vernon and the north- west corner of Crawford counties. Whether or not the boundaries were thus e.xtended with the expectation that at some future day the village would expand to such immense magnitude that one county alone could not contain it, we are not informed. At a remote period, when steamboats were looked upon by the dirty-faced ignoramuses of the forest as an evil spirit from the dark regions of the other world, which came forth to walk upon the water, and with its thundering voice awake the echoes of the valley, and disturb the slumbers of the little ignoramuses, commonly calcd papooses, the place was called "Winne- shiek Landing." This name, we presume, was bestowed in order to the better perpetuation of the memory of an antiquated Indian chief, who had undoubtedly, displayed much of the bravery so characteristic of his race, by murdeiing hundreds of white men and women, and knocking the bark off the trees with the heads of little innocent children as an after-dinner amusement. The bones of this proud and haughty copper- colored individual are, we are happy to an- nounce, mouldering to dust on the summit of an adjacent bluff, and the name of the village was long since changed to DeSoto, in honor of the the renowned voyager who first discovered the mighty Mississippi river. 324 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The village of De Soto is beautifully located in a wide valley, with majestic bluffs towering toward the sky on the north and south sides. A spring branch of pure and sparkling water courses its way down through the valley. There are good roads leading into the country, and they are extensively traveled by those who do their marketing at this point. The village was laid out in the spring of 1854, by Dr. E. B. Houghton, a former resident of Lansing, Iowa, who purchased the land from John Mobley. The first settlers were Dr. Houghton, J. Osgood, S. D. Powers, and C. B. Worth, the latter being the only one of the first families now (1870) re- siding iiere. At that time, the only building here was an old log cabin previously built by a French trader. This was called a hotel, and named the VVinneshiek House. Here the pioneers boarded and spent their leisure time in play- ing euchre and other games for the hickory nuts. Capt. J. B. Wilcox built what could really be called the first house, in the fall of 1854. Mr. S. G. Wait now (1870) resides in the house Dr. Houghton opened the first store ; Capt. Worth the second ; and if the tales which are told ot those primitive days are to be believed, we are led to the conclusion that a more roys- tering, jolly lot of hardy pioneers never got together. In 1855, other eastern people began to arrive, and new buildings were put up, and the place began to assume the appearance of a lively set- tlement. The principal steamboat landing was at Victory, where old Uncle Berry used to charge twenty cents a pound for mou'dy crack- ers, and fifty cents for storing a trunk a few hours in a building without siding, roof or floor. The large steam saw mill built by S. N. Cate & Co., of Maine, was put up in 1858, and run until the fall of 1861, when the company failed. This mill furnished settlers building materials. Stores, dwellings, and warehouses were erected, and De Soto,in her prosperity became noted as an active buslTiess point. Like allnewtowns, there came a day when prosperity for a time ceased, and little or no advancement was made. But that time has passed and " progression" is now the watchword. DeSoto is about equi-distant between Prairie du Chien and LaCrosse. The principal busi- ness part of the town is in Vernon county, the county seat of which is Viroqua, twenty- five miles distant in the interior. A drive of about three miles over a fine valley road, brings you to a nice upland farming country, which contains many highly cultivated farms. Wood and water is abundant; and better facil- ities for making a good, comfortable home, can- not be found anywhere. Lansing, Iowa, is sit- uated on the opposite side of the river, about four miles down stream, connections with which place are made during navigation, by a steam ferry-boat, and in the winter, nature sup- plies a bridge of ice for crossing. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. S25 CHAPTER XXVI. MISCELLANEOUS. VERS^O!* COUSTY OVCE SIOUX TERRITORY. [A paper read by Alfred Brunson before the Minipter- iiil Association of the Methodist Church, held at Viro- qua, Sept. 7, 1858.] History is among the most pleasing and en- tertaining of human studies. By it we converse and become familiar with men and things of ages long in the past, and live, as it were, from the beginning of time to the present hour; but we cannot extend our researches into the future. History relates to the past. Prophecy to the future. History embraces the biography of men and Nations; their ups and downs, rise and fall, de- tailing the incidents which have been, the changes which have occurred, the improve- ments which have been made, and when known, the reasons therefor, which is the philusojjhy of history. There are, however, many things of interest on the face of the earth of which we have no history, for the reason that none has reached us, if any was ever written; of such we can can only draw inferences of their causes from the effects which lie before us. Such is the case in reference to the ancient tumuli which abound to an unknown extent in the western States, but in none of them more numerously than in our own. Their forms, and the materials of which they are made, clearly indicate the work of human hands, and intelligence and design on the part of the builders. The forts and fortifications indicate the existence o' wars among them, and that the combatants had more or less knowl- edge of military science. In some of them the existence of something like brick or pottery indicates some advances in the arts of civiliza- tion, much more so than anything found among the aborigines which the Anglo-Saxon race found in the country. But the present race of Indians have no traditions of the people who made these mounds nor of the design for which they were built. The age in which these builders lived, or the distance of time from the present, is inferred from the age of trees found growing in the mounds, some of which, from their annual rings, are supposed to be 400 years old. But who were the builders, whence they came, whither they went, or by what means they became ex- tinct, lies in the impenetrable darkness of the past, and is not likely to be known in time. But there is an interest excited in the mind on see- ing these ancient works, a written history of which would highly gratify, if it were authen- tic, or believed so to be. This interest in us shows the duty to the future, to record what we know of the past or present, for its edifica- tion, as we would thai others should have done unto us, even so we should do to those who are to follow us. As the matter relative to these mounds now stands, conjecture alone can answer the inquiries of the antiquarian, which in most cases is as unsatisfactory as the total darkness in which the history of those times is now enveloped. Some have thought that these mounds were thrown up as monuments over the distinguished dead, and have inferred this from the fact that in some of them relics have been found. But 326 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. as the most and the largest of thera, on exam- ination, are found to contain no such remains, the inference is not well founded. That human bones and Indian relics have been found in some of them of late years is no proof that they were erected for places of in- terment; for since the whites have been in the country, our modern Indians have been in the habit, more or less, of burying their dead in them, and frequently guns, axes, kettles, etc., have been found with the bones — and some- times without them — which shows that the inter- ment took place since the whites came to the continent, and the fact that such metallic sub- stances have been found without the bones, shows that if men were buried there at first, their bones could not have continued in a state of preservation until this time. It is worthy of remark that while in Ohio the most prominent of these tumuli were forts or fortifications in Wisconsin, but few of that de- scription are found. I can now call to mind but one such, that at Aztalan, and in traveling extensively in the State for twenty-two years, I have noticed but few of these mounds south of a line drawn east from the mouth of the Wis- consin river to the lake, while n< rth of this line and between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers there are probably 1000 of them. In Crawford county alone there are at least 500, one hundred of which can be found in the towns of Prairie du Chien and Wauzeka. The evidence of ancient mining found in the Lake Superior copper region, with trees ( ii them of 400 years' growth or more, indicating some degree of intelligence and skill, makes it probable that those mines were wrouglit by the same race of people who made the mounds, and at about the same time; and yet, their being no copper relics found in these mounds, makes it probable that either they had no commerce with each other, or that they were few in number and emigrated from place to place, to avoid their pur- suing enemies, and that those mines were their last retreat, from which they disappeared from this country, either by emigration or by being destroyed. The latter, I think, is the most probable. The earliest inhabitants of the district now included within this State of whom we have positive knowledge, were the ancestors of pres- ent Indians of this vicinity, and from .the best light I have been able to obtain upon the sub- ject, from Indian traditions, and the earliest history of the country, the Dakota or Sioux were the occupants and owners of the soil of what is now our entire State, together with Minnesota and the northern parts of Iowa and Illinois. Tills occupancy we can trace back about 150 years, and if the growth of trees on the mounds and mines, which indicate at least 400 years to the time of the mound builders, be a true index, it is very strange that the Sioux have no traditions of them, as there would have been but 150 years between them. This makes it probable that the time of the mound builders was farther back in the world's history than is generally supposed. Of the origin of the Sioux, or how long they had inhabited and hunted over this country be- fore the whites came to it, we have no means of determining. They claim, and their tradi- tions, together with the traditions of the Chip- pewas and the earliest history of both by the whites, sustain the claim; the earliest occupancy of the country to which any known history or tradition refers. In 1639, (1634), Nicholet (John Nieolel), found the Pottawottomies in the vicinity of Green Bay. But in 1641 they were at Sault Ste. Marie, fleeing before the Sioux, who claiming the country as far at least as to that |)oint, were driving the intruders from their soil and coun- try. In 1642 a missionary was killed near Ke- wee-vve-na, by the Sioux, as an intruder upon their territory. From 1652 to 1070 the Hurons appear to have been wandering about the cimn- try between Green Bay and La Pointe, when they were expelled by the Sioux. In 1667 the Kiskasons, a band of the Ottawas, were driven HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 327 by the Sioux from the western shore of Lake Michigan, south of Green Bay. In 1660 Father Maret and others established • a mission ainonL( tlie Sioux, on the Che-goi-me- gon bay, wliich lies south of La Pointe. In 1668 there appears to have been a large gather- ing of the floating bands of the Algonquin or Chippewa race, who were encroaching upon the territory of the Sioux, at this mission, amounting to 800 warriors, for a kind of protracted religious meeting. The Jesuit missionaries coming to the country through Canada, first became acquainted with the Algonquin s, and being kindly received by them, of course felt partial to them; and know- ing that the Sioux and they were enemies, it would be natural for them to favor their early friends, and gathered them around their mission notwithstanding they were intruders in the country. Not a Sioux appears to have been there at the meeting, and the preaching was in the Algon- quin tongue. But this meeting of the enemies of the Sioux, in their own territory, seems to have aroused them to a defense of this right; anil in 16T0 they drove all these intruders, with the missionaries who had been the means of gathering them at that place, as far as Sault Ste. Marie. T'his proves that the Sioux claimed and exercised jurisdiction over the country as far east as Lake Michigan and St. Mary, as late as that period, which they did upon a more ancient right and occupancy of the countrj-. In 1681 Hennepin was taken prisoner by the Sioux, on the Mississippi, below the mouth of the Wisconsin river, as an intruder upon their country, 'i'his shows their claim to the country in that direction. WHY THK FOX INDIANS LEFT THE T.OWEK WIS- CONSIN. [/?// Jonathan Carver, 1766.] On the Sill of October, (1766) we got onr canoes into the Oiisconsin river, which at this place is more than a bundled yards wide; and the next dav arrived at the great town of the Saukies. Thi s is the largest and best built Indian town I ever saw. It contains about ninety houses, each large enough for several families. These are built of hewn plank, neatly jointed and covered with bark, so com- pactly as to keep out the most penetrating rains. Before the doors are placed comfortable sheds, in which the inhabitants sit, when the weather will permit, and smoke their pipes. The streets are regular and spacious, so that it appears more like a civilized town than the abode of savages. The land near the town is very good. On their plantations, which lie adjacent to their houses, and which are neatly laid out, they raise quantities of Indian corn, beans, melons, etc., so that this place is esteemed the best markets for traders to furnish themselves with provisions, of any within 800 miles of it. The Saukies can raise about 300 warriors, who are generally employed every summer in making excursions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee Nations, from whence they return with a great number of slaves. But those people frequently retaliate, and, in their turn, destroy many of the Saukies, which I judge to be the reason why they increase no faster. Whilst I staid here I took a view of some mountains [Blue Mountains], that lie about fiflepn miles to the southward, and abounded in lead ore. I ascended one of the highest of these, and had an extensive view of the coun- try. For many miles nothing was to be seen but lesser mountains, which appeared at a dis- tance like haycocks, thej' being free from trees. Only a few groves of hickory and stiinled oaks, covered some of the valleys. So plentiful is lead here, that I saw large (juantities of it lying about the streets in the town belonging to the Saukies, and it seemed to be as good as the produce of other countries. On the lOth of October we proceeded down the river, and the next day readied the first town of the Oltigaumies. This town contained about fifty houses, but we found most of them 32S HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. deserted, on account of an epidemical disorder tliat had lately raged among them, and carried off more than one-half of the inhabitants. The greater part of those who survived had retired into the woods to avoid the contagion. On the 15th we entered that extensive river, the Mississippi. The Ouisconsin, from the car- rying place to the part where it falls into the Mississippi, flows with a smooth but strong cur- rent; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and sandy bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a few islands, the soil of which appeared to be good, though somewhat woody. The land near the river also seemed to be, in general, excel- lent; but that at a distance is very full of moun- tains, where, it is said, there are many lead mines. About five miles from the junction of the rivers, I observed the ruins of a large town, in a very pleasing situation. On inquiring of the neighboring Indians why it was thus deserted, I was informed that, about thirty years ago, the Great Spirit appeared on the top of a pyramid of rocks, which lay at a little distance from it toward the west, and warned them to quit their habitations; for the land ou which they were built belonged to him, and he had occasion for it. As a proof that he, who gave them these orders, was really the Great Spirit, he further told them that the grass should immediately spring up on those very rocks from whence he now addressed them, which they knew to be bare and barren. The Indians obeyed, soon af- ter discovered that this miraculous alteration had taken place. They showed me the spot, but the growth of the grass appeared to be no ways supernatural. I apprehended this to have been a strategem of the French or Spaniards to answer some selfish view; but in what manner they affected their purpose I know not. This people, soon after their removal, built a town on the bank of the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Ouisconsin, at a place called by the French La Prairies les Chiens, which signifies the Dog Plains; it is a large town, and contains about 300 families; the houses are well built, after the Indian manner, and pleasantly situated on a very rich soil, from which they raise every ne- cessary of life in great abundance. I saw here, many horses of a good size and shape. This town is a great mart, where all the adjacent tribes, and even those who inhabit the most re- mote branches of the Mississippi, annually as- semble about the latter end of May, bringing with them their furs to dispose of to the traders. But it is not always, that they conclude their sale here, this is determined by a general coun- cil of the chiefs, who consult whether it would be more conducive to their interest, to sell their goods ^t this place, or carry them on to Louis- iana, or Michillimackinac, according to the de- cision of this council, they either proceed far- ther, or return to their different homes. The Mississippi, at the entrance of the Ouis- consin, near which stands a mountain of con- siderable height, is about half a mile over; but o))posite to the last mentioned town, it appears to be more than a mile wide, and full of islands, the soil of which is extraordinary rich, and but thinly wooded. CONCEBNING THE FOX INDIANS. (By Schoolcraft, 1820.) The first we hear of these people (the Foxes) is from early missionaries of New France, who call them, in a list drawn up for the govern- ment in 1736, "Gens du Sang," and Miskaukis. The latter I found to be the name they apply to themselves. We get nothing, however, by it. It means red earth, being a compound from misk-wau, red, and mikie, earth. They are a branch of the great Algonquin family. The French, who formed a bad opinion of ihein as their history opened bestowed on them the name of Renouard, from which we derive thi-ir longstanding popular name. Their traditions attribute their origin to eastern portions of America. Mr. Gates, who acted as my inter- preter, and is well acquainted with their lan- guages and customs, informs me that their tradi- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 32fi tions refer to their residence on the north banks of the St. Lawrence near the ancient cataraqui. They appear to have been a very erratic, spirited, warlike and treacherous tribe, dwelling but a short time at a spot, and pushing west- ward as their affairs led them, till they finally reached the Mississippi, which they must have crossed after 1766, for Carver found them liv- ing in villages on the Wisconsin. At Saginaw they appeared to have formed a fast alliance with the Saus, a tribe to whom they are closely allied by language and history. They figure in the history of Indian events about old Michili- mackinac, where they played pranks under the not very definite title of Muscodainsng, but are first C(«iispicu(>usly noted while they dwell on the river bearing their name, which falls into CTreeii bay, Wis. * The Chippevvas, with whom tliey have strong aftinity of language, call their Otagami, and ever deemed a sanguin- ary and unreliable tribe. The French defeated them in a sanguinary battle at Butte de Mort, and by this defeat drove them from Fox river. Tlieir present numbers cannot be accurately given. I was informed that the village I visited contained 250 souls. They have a large village at Rock Island, where the Foxes and Sauks live together, which consist'* of sixty lodges, and numbers 300 souls. One-half of these may be Sauks. They have another village at the mouth of Turkey river; altogether they may muster from 460 to 500 souls. Yet, they are at war wi*h most of the tribes around them, except the lowas, Sauks and Kickapoos. They are en- gaged in a deadly, and apparently successful war against the Sioux tribes. They recently killed nine men of that Nation, on the Terre IJlue river, and a party of twenty men are nov absent, in the same direction, undera half-breed named Morgan. They are on bad terms with the Osages and Pawnees of the Missouri, and not on the best terms with their neighbors, the Winnebagoes. • This iiHmo wn** llrKt iippliPd to a t^^rritoi-y iu 1836. I again embarked at 4 o'clock a. m. (8th). My men were stout fellows, and worked with hearty will, and it was thought possible to reach the prairie during the day by hard and late pushing. We passed Turkey river at 2 o'clock, and they boldly plied their paddles, sometimes animating their labors with a song; but the Mississippi proved too stout for us, and some- times after night-fall we put ashore on an island, before reaching the Wisconsin. In ascending the river this day, observed the pelican, which exhibited itself in a flock stand- ing on a low sandy spot of an island. This bird has a clumsv and unwieldly look, from the dupli- cate membrane attached to its lower mandible, which is constructed so as when inflated to give it a bag-like appearance. A short sleep served to restore the men, and we were again in our canoes the next morning (9th) before I could certainly tell the time by my watch. Daylight had not yet broke when we passed the influx of the Wisconsin, and we renched the prairie under a full chorous and landed at 6 o'clock. TREATIES WITH THE SAC AND FOX INDIANS AND THE WINNEBAGOES. Twelve treaties were held at different times between the United States and the Sac and Fox Indians and the Winnebagoes, affecting, im- mediately or remotely, the territory now inclu- ded within the limits of Vernon countv, as fol- lows: 1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, Nov. .S, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern- ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the cliicfs and head men of the united tribes ceded to the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east frcun the mouth of the Illinois to the head of tliat river, and thence to the Wisconsin; and including on the west considerable portions of Town and Missouri, from the mouth of (lie (ia.^iconade 330 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. northward. In what is now the State of Wiscon- sin, this grant embraced the whole of tlie present counties of Grant and Lafayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green connties. The lead region was included in this purchase. In con- sideration of this cession, the general govern- ment agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its owns citizens and all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper side of the Wisconsin river near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square adjoin- ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of §1,000 per annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk War. 2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles Co., Mo., on the Mississippi river, Sept. 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the Sac Nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were com- pelled since the commencement of the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their Nation. They gave their assent to the treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United States and the Foxes of Rock river. 3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern- ment. They assented to,recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804 to the full extent of their interest in the same. 4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed the treaty of ISOl, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuties. To this treaty. Black Hawk's name appears with others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had "touched the quill" to this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said he did not consider the same valid or binding on him or his tribe, inas- much as by the terms of those treaties, territory was described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was made by parties who had neither authority in the Nation nor power to dispose of its lands. Whether this was a true statement of the case or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of lands referred to was often confirmed by his Nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the disposition of the lands. 5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, 1816, between the chiefs and warriors of that part of the Winne- bagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the tribe state that they have separ- ated themselves from the rest of their Nation; that they, for themselves and those they repre- sent confirm to the United States all and every cession of land heretofore made by theirNation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest extended. 6. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie clu Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawatlamies, by which the boundary between the two first Nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and other tribes. 7. Another treaty was held August .5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small settle- ment on the St. Louis river, in Itaska Co., Minn. , with the same tribes, by which the previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas was defined, as a ^//^^ ^^i^^ln^i^^a/yir HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 3S8 portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty. 8. A treaty was made and concludod Aug 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Win- nebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their tribes were defined; no cession of lands was made. 9. A treaty was made at Green Hay, Aug. 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Potlawattamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in con- sequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the south- western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the rights of the Indians, and to give the Uniud States the right of occupation. 10. Two treaties were made at Praiiie dii Chien on the 29th of July, 1829, and Aug. 1, 1829. At the first date, with the Cliippewas, Ottawas and Potlawattamies, by which these Natio?is ceded all theirlands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois; and at the latter date with the Winnebagoes, by which that Nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the pur- chase of the lead-mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or sold by the grantees. By this important treaty, about 8,000,000 of acres of land were added to the public domain. The three tracts- ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41 degrees 30 minutes to latitude 43 degrees 1.5 min- utes on the Mississippi. Following the meander- ings of the river, it was about 240 miles from west to east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island to Lake Michigan. 11. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the Indian title of the Winnebago Nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1832. All the terri- tory claimed by this Nation lying south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June 1, 1833, or on any part of the country therein ceded. 12. The Winnebago Nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government at Washington, Nov. 1, 1837. That Nation ceded ;ill their lands east of the Mississippi, and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sept. 2!, 1832. A SEQUEL TO THE GREAT INDIAN TREATY OF IS29. (By Caleb Atwater.) On the day we delivered the goods to the Winnebagoes, after the Indians were all seated on the ground in rows, the chiefs on the highest spot in the center, on benches, clothed in the most sumptuous manner; where they could see and be seen to the best advantage; every tribe by itself; the half-breeds in one place; the full whites in another. As I passed through the open spaces between the ranks, my attention was forcibly drawn to a particular s])ot by a constant snarling, hissing noise of some miser- able human being, whom, on approaching her, I ascertained to be an Indian woman, shriveled, haggard and old, though remarkably neat in her person and. dress. She appeared to be about sixty years of age, and scolded incessantly. Some of the goods placed before her, as her shary of them, she complained of as being too fine; 80 334 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. others as being too coarse; some cost too mucli, wliile others were quite too cheap, and none of them seemed to please her. Wishing, if possi- ble, to please all of them, and especially the ladies; actuated by the best of motives, I en- deavored by every argument in my power to satisfy her, that so far as I could do anything towards it, great care had been taken in the distribution to do justice to every individual. I told her that her great father, the President, had specially ordered me, so far as in me lay, to please all, and to see that no one went home dissatisfied. At that moment she returned upon me a volley of epithets too degrading to be repeated, even though applied to myself, as I felt conscious of not deserving them. Turn- ing around to some females who were politely sitting on the ground behind me, I learned the faultfinder was an o/cZ »!f«V7, (unmarried men at sixty years of age I will call bachelors, but ladies never), and that the only distinguishing mark of attention she had ever received from any man was a smart blow with a flat hand on her right ear. As there is no law I'egulating taste, and some- times no rational way of accounting for some of its freaks; and as some sights are the aver- sion of some persons, while the appearance of other objects is equally disagreeable to others; and as I never could endure the ideas convened to my mind by a rattlesnake, a heartless poli- tician, an iceberg and a cold hearted woman, I turned away from her in disgust, and never saw her more nor inquired her name, for fear I should remember it. She was the only person who left the treaty ground dissatisfied with the commissioners. To please her it was utterly impossible. Seated, as I said, upon rising ground on benches, clad in blankets, either green or red; covered with handsome fur hats, with three beautiful ostrich plumes in each hat; dressed in ruffled calico shirts, leggins and mocasins, all new, and faces painted to suit the fancy of each individual, who held in his hand a new rifle, adorned too, with silver broaches, silver clasps on every arm, and a large medal sus- pended on each breast; the chiefs, principal warriors and head men, to the number of forty- two, sat during the two hours after all the goods had been delivered to the Nation. Every individual of both sexes in the Nation had lying directly before the person on the ground the share of the goods belonging to the individ- ual. Great pains had been taken to give each, such, and just so many clothes as would be suit- able for the owner to wear during the year to come. The clothes were cut so as to correspond exactly with the size of the owner. The pile of clothes for each person was nearly two feet in thickness, the sight of which entirely over- came with joy, our red friends, and they sat, dui'ing two hours, in the most profound silence, not taking off their eyes one moment from the goods, now their own. For the first time dur- ing my constant intercourse of several weeks with these interesting sons and daughters of the forest, as I passed repeatedly through their ranks, not an eye appeared to see me, not an ear to hear my heavy tread, not a tongue, as always heretofore, repeated the endearing name of "Oconee Kairake," (the good chief), which their kind partiality had given me on my first landing at Prairie du Chien. Their minds were entirely overcome with joy. The day being far spent, and, as the loading of the canoes, in which they were about to de- part, would necessarily occupy some little time, I informed the chiefs and principal men that the time had arrived when we should p.irt to meet no more; that the great gun at the fort would soon be fired to do them honor. With one accord they all arose, and shaking me heartily by the hand, many of them shedding tears on the occasion, they one and all invited me to visit them at their respective places of abode. In a shrill tone of voice Nankaw issued his orders for every individual to arise, take up his or her goods, and repair to the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 8P6 beach of the river near at hand, and there await the signal from the fort for their embarkation. In fifteen minutes they were all seated on the sands by the river's edge, where they all ^at in breathless silence awaiting the signal, which was soon given. As soon aa that was given each chief came forward, shook me again cor- dially by the hand, accompanied by the warm- est protestations of friendship. In a few mo- ments more they were off, covering a consider- able surface with their canoes, each one of which carried its flag of some sort floating in the gentle breeze, which ruffled the surface of the Mississippi. The Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatta- mies had received their goods in the same man- ner as the Winnebagoes; had been treated pre- cisely in the same way, and three guns, one for each Nation, had given tjiem signal to depart, and they had parted with me in the same kind and affectionate manner. After the departure of the above named In- dians, we had the Saulis and Foxes still with us, with whom we had orders to hold a council to ascertain from them "if they would sell tlieii mineral lands, situated west of the Mississippi?'' — and if they would sell them, upon what terms?" Gen. M'Neil, who was in command as a mili- tary officer in this section of country, addressed these tribes and was answered by Keokuk on the part of the Saiiks, and by Morgan for the Fo.xes. I regret that the injunction of secrecy rests on these speeches in the United States Senate; otherwise I should take great pleasure in laying them before the reader. Keokuk, in particular, made one of the best speeches I ever heard, and it was admired as such by several members of the Senate. Keokuk, on the part of these Indians, complained to us of certain white men who had settled on the Indian lands along the Mississippi in order to supply per- sons navigating the river with necessaries, such as poultry, milk, butter, eggs, and above all, cord wood for the steamboats. He complained that the United States had cultivated lands as a garden for the garrison at Prairie du Chien-had erected a mill without leave, on Indian land — and had not fulfilled former treaties with them. Making them liberal presents, we naturally deferred the whole subject in discussion for the consideration of the government of the Uni- ted States to act on it; and I take pleasure in saying the government has, since that time done its duty to these sons of the forest. After arranging all matters with them as well as we could, which occupied several days, they were dismissed in a very friendly manner, as all other Indians had been already, and they im- mediately descended the river for their homes.' Before leaving this place I wfsh to make a few remarks of a general nature. Though I neither am, nor ever pretended to he, a military man, yet I venture a few remarks • 111 some of the military establishments in the northwest. The fort on Rock Island is commanded by hills on both sides of it, and could not stand an hour against an enemy with cannon posted on the heights. Why this fort was placed here where it is, no man of sense can tell, if the British were to be the attacking enemy. If this work was intended to protect this frontier against Indians it is in so dilapidated a state that by cros>ing on the island above the fort, or gliding along in their canoes under the western side of the island, which forms the outside of the fort, the Indians could in any dark night make themselves mas- ters of the garrison in fifteen minutes. When- ever they please they can collect at this point in ten days 4,000 warriors, to contend with 400 soldiers. There is no regu- lar mail connecting this post with the United States and war might be declared for three months, in some seasons of the year, without the garrison's knowing it. There is a postoflice established here, and in summer the officers sometimes go to Galena lor their papers and letters, 100 miles above them S30 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. —and sometimes they go to Springfield, in the Sangamo country, a distance of seventy miles perliaps, for their letters. The ofiicers must go themselves, as the soldiers, if permitted to go, would desert the service. Cut o£E from all the world, that is, the civilized world, during six months of the year, the officers and soldiers lead a life as dull as need be. The officers who have families have established a school for their children, which is doing very well. Ascending the Mississippi, 200 miles or more above Rock Island, we arrive at Fort Crawford, at Prairie Du Chien. This post, like that at Rock Island, stands near the Mississippi on its .eastern shore, and is entirely and completely commanded by the hills on each side of the river. It enjoys, too, a situation so low that nearly every summer, during the dog^Iays, its site is under water from six to ten feet in depth, from the overflowing of the river. This work is in so dilapidated a state that I presume.it is now abandoned for another site somewhat more elevated but nearer the high hill that will forever command it, just east of it. Maj. Garland pointed out to me the spot where he supposed a new fort would be erected. There is a propriety in placing a military post somewhere, at or near the mouth of the Wis- consin, in order to form a line of posts situated on Green bay, where there is a fort — and in the interior, at the spot where Fort Winnebago is; but what consideration could have induced the government to place a garrison at St. Peters, 300 miles and more beyond a single white set- tlement — unconnected, too, with any other post in the very heart of the Indian country, I am unable to determine. If this post was intended to strengthen this frontier, it certainly weakens it to the amount of the force stationed there added to an amount of force enough to succor and defend it. If the object Avas to station a garrison where an intercourse with the Indians, for the purposes of trade, was sought. Lake Pepin, far below it, is the place where it should have been located. As it is, it so happens often that the officers and others who pass and repasi between Prairie Du Chien and St. Peters are taken prisoners on the route by the Indians. Unless some one wished to get a good govern- menml job by getting this post established, then I cannot account for this strange location, and I am equally at a loss to account for the continuance of this worse than useless establish- ment where it is. All the officers in the Indian countrv, who have been there ten years, ought instantly to be relieved by others. Lieut. Col. Z. Taylor, has been in the Indian country constantly with his family, about twenty years. Here he and his lady, who were bred in the most polished and refined society, have been compelled to rear as well as they could, a worthy and most interesting family of children. Col. Taylor commands Fort Crawford, at Prairie Du Chien. Dr. Beaumont and his amiable and accomplished lady; Maj. Garland and his, belonging to this garrison, are doing the same. It is an interest- ing sight, to see such persons, located as they are, in a fort, on the very verge of civilized life, educating a family of young children. The sit- uation of delicate females, belonging to some of the best families in the Nation, reared in tenderness, amidst all the luxuries and refine- ments of polished society, now living in a fort, calls for our sympathy and admiration of their fortitude, which enables them to bear with all the ills, and overcome all the difficulties attend- ant on their mode of living. When I was very unwell, from exposure, miserable water, and the worst of cookery, and worn down too by fatigue of body and mental suffering, I always found sympathy, food that I could eat, and smiles and kindness which touched my heart, in the families J have named, nor can I ever forget the females belonging to the families of Mr. Rolette and of Judge Lockwood, at Prairie Du Chien. Without their kindness towards me, I must have per ished. I do not deny my fondness for woman, be- cause I know ihat in cases of distress and HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 837 suffering, her sympathy and cheering voice, in- fuse into man new life, new vigor, and new fortitude, and he marches onward with redoub- led energy, to climb over every alps that is placed in hia way. Living, as these ladies do, amidst dangers, in an Indian country, they are familiarized with them and their animating voice is worth an army of men. I never can forget them, nor their families while I live. Would the government hear my feeble voice, such officers would not be compelled, with their families, to spend all their days, in an Indian country, while others who have known no suf- fering in the service, are attending levees and gallanting about the ladies at Washington City. There is something wrong in all this, that I hope will be rectified yet. At each of the military posts, the officers have established a library and a reading room, at their own expense. Their books consist of use- ful works, connected with their pursuits. His- tory, geography, mathematics, chemistry and scientific books, are in the library, and the offi- cers and their families arc well read in them all. Though they may be uninformed as to the pass- ing events, at the very moment they occur, yet, at unequal periods, their regular tiles of all the best newspapers published in the United States, are received and read with care. The The JVational IntelUc/encer, ISfational Gazette, all the literary periodicals, worth reading, are care- fully perused. The younger officers were all educated at West Point Academy, and wherever I met one of them, I always found a gentleman, and man of science, brave, active, vigorous, energetic, high minded, honorable, strictly honest and correct in all his deportment. He claimed all that belonged to him, and not one tittle more, of any one. These officers, belonging 1o the first families in the Nation, educated in the very best manner, are induced by their self respect, to conduct themselves in the very best manner on all occasions. They fear nothing but dis- grace, originating in their own bad conduct, and they scrupulously avoid it every where, and at all times. As officers, as gentlemen and as men, I feel proud of them as my countrymen. I pray them to accept this testimony in their favor, as- a small payment towards a large sum, justly due to them, for their good conduct, in every part of the Union, where I have had the pleasure of meeting with them. My only re- gret is, that this honest, heartfelt approbation of them, is all I have it in my power to bestow, upon persons so worthy. Those who are in ac- tual service on the Indian frontier, deserve more pay than they receive, in a country whore every thing is so extravagantly dear. Congress ought to remember these worthy men, and make fu- ture provision for them, and to Congress, I submit their case. While those, who shine rn every fashionable circle at Washington, under the eye of Congress, are well paid for their ser- vices, it is to be hoped that others, who undergo notiiing but hardships, will not be forgotten, as I know they will not be by the Senate. Having completed all our business, of a pub- lic nature, so far as we could at this place, about the middle of August, as near as I now remem- ber, we concluded to give our friends here a ball on the evening preceding our leaving them. It was attended by a'l of the respectable part of the people, in the garrison and in the village. It was a most interesting scene. Within the counsel house, where the civilized people were assembled, might be seen, persons of both sexes, as polished and as refined in their manners, as well bred, and educated as well too, as an)' per- sons in the United States; and at the siime mo- ment, might be seen on the outside of the hou.'se, at the doors and windows, looking on and occa- sionally dancing by themselves, by way of ex- periment, or to show what they could do as dancers in the open air, as motley a group of creatures (f can scarcely call them human be- ings) as the world ever beheld. They are a race peculiar to those parts of the upper Missis- sippi, where settlements were originally made by the French, soon after the conquest of 838 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Canada by the English, under Gen. Wolf. They are of a mixed breed, and probably more mixed than any other human beings in the world; each one consisting of negro, Indian, French, English, American, Scotch, Irish and Spanish blood; and I should rather suspect some of them, to be a little touched with the prairie wolf. They may fairly claim the vices and faults of each, and all the above named Nations and animals, with- out even one redeeming virtue. The reader will see that we were on the very confines of civilized and savage life. The officers and their families from Fort Crawford, and the best families in the Prairie, were all very happy, and we parted with them all in friendship, and retired to rest at about midnight. THE WINNEBAGOES IN 1816. In 1816 the Menomonees inhabited the country about Green bay, and their women occasionally married Winneba^oes, but not often. The Menomonees were a quiet and peaceful race, well disposed and friendly to the whites. To- mah, the acting chief of the Nation, was well spoken of by all the traders who knew him. The principal villages of the Winnebagoes were at the lower and upper end of the lake of that name, with an occasional lodge along the Fox river. At the season that traders generally passed the Portage of Wisconsin, they would find old grey headed Day-Kau-Ray at the Portage with his band. Iheir village was a short distance from there up the Wisconsin, and the Winnebagoes had villages up the Bara- boo river, and several small ones along down the Wisconsin to near its mouth and up the Mississippi. They were estimated at that time by the traders best acquainted with them, to be about 900 warriors strong. Of the Day-Kau- Rays, there were four or five brothers, who were all influential men in the Nation. One sister had a familj' of children by a trader named Lecuyer, who had married her after the Indian manner. Tradition says that their father was a French trader, who, during the time the French had possession of the country, married a Winnebago woman, the daughter of the principal chief of the Nation, by whom he had these sons and daughter; that at the time the country was taken possession of by the English, he abandoned them, and they were raised among the Indians, and being the de- scendants of a chief on the mother's side, when arrived at manhood they assumed the dignity of their rank by inheritance. They wei'e gen- erally good Indians, and frequently urged their claims to the friendship of the whites by saying they were themselves half white. THE WINNEBAGOES IN 1818. The locations of the different tribes of Indi- ans in the vicinity of Vernon county, in 1818, including also the homes of the Winnebagoes, is clearly pointed out in the narrative of Ed- ward Tanner, published in the Detroit Gazette of Jan. 8, and 15, 1819: "The first tribe of Indians after leaving St. Louis is the Oyiwayes (lowas). This tribe live about 100 miles from the west side of the Mis- sissippi, on the Menomonee, and have about •too warriors. The next tribe are the t^auks, who live on the Mississippi, and about 400 miles above St. Louis. They emigrated from the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) about thirty-five years ago. Their military strength is about 800 warriors, exclusive of old men and boys, and are divided into two divisions of 400 men. Each division is commanded by a war chief. The first are those who have been most distin- guished for deeds of valor, and the second the ordinary warriors. They have also two village chiefs who appear to preside over the civil concerns of the Nation. The next tribe is the Fox Indians. This tribe have a few lodges on the east side of the Mississippi near Fort Arm- strong and about four miles from the Sauk vil- lage. Thirty miles above this, at the mine De Buke (Dubuque,) on the west side, they have another village, and another on Turkey river, thirty miles below Prairie Du Chien. Their whole military strength is about 400 warriors. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 339 They are at this time in a state of war with the Sioux; and as the Sauks are in strict amity with the Fox Indians, and have the influence and control of them, they are also drawn into the war. This war was in consequence of depreda- tions committed by the Fox Indians on the Sioux. "Prairie du Chien, on which the village of that name stands, is a handsome plain, about half a mile wide from the bank of the river to the bluff or commencement of the rising ground, and out of danger from inundations. In conse- quence of the serpentine course of the river, the plain widens above and below the village. The soil is a black sand about fifteen inches deep, appearing to be very productive. The foundation is gravelly, containing amber stones susceptible of a handsome polish. Timber is scarce. The upland in the vicinity is very broken, poor and nearly barren. In the settle- ment are about 1,500 inhabitants, exclusive of the military, who are principally Creoles. As a place of business, it now appears on the de- cline. "The river Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) is about lialf a mile wide — common depth one to four feet — no falls, but generally a brisk current. The channel is subject to change, from the numerous bars of sand which lie in it, and fre- quently alter their position. In the river are numerous islands, on which grow the principal timber of the country. The banks are generally low and sandy — some plains lined with the com- mon granite stone. The bordering country is very broken, sandy and barren. In the interior the same description will answer. Barren, broken and destitute of vegetation, few pl.ices can be found that will admit of settlements. The Winnebago Indians inhabit the country bordering.on the tributary streams of both sides of the river. Tiiey appear to go abroad for their game, and have no conveniences for dwellinij, except a kind of lodges which they carry with them wherever they go. Their ter- ritory extends from the Mississippi to the vi- cinity of Green Bay, and the number of their warriors is 700." UP TIIK MISSISSIPPI IN 1819. [From a ' 'Journal of a voj^asre from St. TjOiiis to the Fulls of St. Anihony in 1819,"' by Maj. Thomas For- syth, ludiaa Agent.] I set out this morning with a view, if possible, to reach Prairie du Chien, but having no wind in our favor, and current strong, we could get no further than the mouth of the Ouisconsin. Distance to-day, twenty-four miles. Monday July 5, 1819. — I arrived to-day at 9 a. m., at Prairie du Chien, and immediately the wind sprang up and blew a fresh breeze. This was vexing, as I had experienced five days of head winds successively. I found here awaiting my arrival, the Red Wing's son, a Sioux Indian, who wished to be considered something, with a band of followers. He invi- ted me to a talk, and after relating the loss of one of his young men who was killed by the Chippewas, he expressed a wish that I would take pity on all present, and give them some goods. All this was a begging speech. I told him that I meant to go up with the troops to the river St. Peters, and on my way up I would stop at their different villages, where I would speak to them, and give them a few goods. Here I had nothing to say, as I could not give any goods at this place, because it required goods to give weight to words, and make them understand me well. Yet he is such a beggar, that he would not take any refusal. I got up in an abrupt manner and left him and band, to study awhile. The Leaf, the principal chief of the Sioux, arrived this evening. Tuesday, 6th. — 'I 'he Kettle Chief, with a band of Foxes, arrived here to day, to make arrange- ments with Mr. Partney about selling him the ashes at the different mines. A boat belonging to the contractor, arrived to-day, loaded with provisions for the troops, in twenty-five days from Wood river. Wednesday, 7th. — The contractor's boat left this day to return to Wood river. 840 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Thursday, 8th. — A young Folle Avoine (Me- nomonee) stabbed a young Sioux in a fit of jealousy to-day, near the fort. He was in liquor. Friday, 9th— The Sioux Indians yesterday seized on the Folle Avoine Indian who had stabbed the young Sioux, and kept him in con- finement, well tied and guarded by a few young Sioux ; but the Sioux chiefs sent for the Folle Avoine, and made him a present of a blanket and some other articles of clothing, and made him and the young Sioux whom he had stabbed, eat out of the same dish together, thus forgiv- ing and forgetting the past. Sunday, 1 1 th. — Every day since my arrival at this place, the wind has blown up the river ; to-day it came around south and with rain ; wind settled at the northwest. Monday, 12th.— The Red Wing's son is still here a begging. He invited me to talk with him in council yesterday. This I refused as I did not wish to be troubled with such a fellow. Tuesday, 13th — Much rain this morning ; witid southwest. Wednesday. 14th. — Some Winnebagoes ar- rived from headwaters of Rocky river, and Portage of Ouisconsin. These fellows are sci- entific beggars. Wind north. Thursday, 15th. — Yesterday evening the Red Wing's son's band of Sioux Indians set out for their homes, and I am glad of it, for they are a troublesome set of beggars. The wind blows hard from the north to day, which makes it much cooler than it has been for many days before. Friday, 16th. — The wind continues to blow hard from the north, and the weather is still cool. Two men arrived this evening from Green Bay in a canoe. Saturday, 17th. — Mr. Boutillier (Francois Bou- tillier) arrived here to-day from Green Bay. Mr. Shaw also arrived here to-day from St. Louis in a canoe, having left his horses at Rocky Island. He informs me that he left Belle Fon- taine on the 15th ult., that the recruits destined for the Mississippi set out on the day before, and may be expected shortly. Sunday, 18th. — Took a ride out in the country. Found some of the situations hand- some, but the farmers are poor hands at cultiva- tion. Flour $10 per cwt.; corn, ^ per bushel ; eggs, $1 per dozen; chickensll to $1.25 a couple. Butter none made. Monday, 19th — A little rain, and cool all day. Mr. Shaw left to-day to return home. Tuesday, 20th — A little rain to-day. Wednesday, 21st — Winds fair for boats com- ing up the river, and little rain to-day. Thursday, 22d — A fine wind up the river to- day, with much rain. The old Red Wing, a Sioux chief, with about twenty of his followers, arrived to-day. This is another begging expe- dition. Friday, 23d — The wind is still up the river, with some rain. The old Red Wing and I had a long talk, and, as I supposed, the whole pur- port was begging. Saturday, 24th — Having heard much talk about Carreis' claim to land at or near St. Peter's river, and understanding that the Red Wing knew or said something about it last year, curi- ■ osity led me to make inquiries of him, having now an opportunity. He told me he remem- bered of hearing his father say that lands lying on the west side of Lake Pepin, known by the name of the old wintering places, were given to an Englishman; that he is now an old man (about sixty years of age), and does not, him- self, remember the transactions. I wished to continue the conversation, but the old man did not like it and therefore I did not press it. Sunday, 25th — Wind north, and a warm day. Monday, 26tli — Capt. Hickman and family left this place to-day in an open boat for ^t. Louis. Wind north, and another warm day. Tuesday, 2'7th — Another warm day. No news of any kind. Wednesday, 28th — A boat arrived here from Green Bay. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 841 Thursday, 29th — This is the warmest day I have experienced this season, although there blew a hard wind up the river all day. Friday, 30th — Yesterday evening the war party of Foxes who had been on a hunt of some of the Sioux of the interior, returned without finding any. Much wind and rain this morning. I returned Mr. Moore 11, which Mr. Aird gave me last September to buy him some articles, which could not be procured. Saturday, 31st — Wind light up the river; no boats, no recruits, no news, nor anything else from St. Louis. Sunday, August 1st — Maj. Marston set out to- day early with twenty-seven troops in three boats to garrison Fort Armstrong, at Rocky Island. The boat which brought the settler's goods from Green Bay a few days since, set out to-day to return home. Some rain to-day; weather warm. Monday, 2d — Thank God, a boat loaded with ordnance and stores of different kinds arrived to-day, and said a provision boat would arrive to-morrow, but no news of the recruits. Tuesday 3d — Weather warm, with some rain. Wednesday, 4th — This morning the provision boat arrived. No news from St. Louis. This boat brings news of having passed a boat with troops on board destined for this place. Some of the men say two boats. Some rain to-day. Thursday, 5th — Much rain last night. Col. Leavenworth is determined to set out on the 1th, if things can be got ready for the expedition to St. Peters. The colonel has very jiroperly, in my opinion, engaged the two large boats now here, with as many men belonging to the boats as will remain to accompany the expedition, their contents being wanted for the new estab- lishment at St. Peters. Without the assistance of these two boats, it would appear impossible for the expedition to go on. Friday, 6th — Yesterday evening some French- men who would not agree to go any further up the Mississippi, set out for St. Louis in a bark canoe. This morning eight discharged soldiers set out from this place for St. Louis in a skiff. Saturday, 7th — Every exertion was made to get off to-day, but impossible. A fine wind up the river. Sunday, 8th — This morning the colonel told me that he would be ready in an hour, and about 8 oclock we set out for river St. Peters. The troops consisting of ninety-eight rank and file, in fourteen bateaux and two large boats loaded with provisions and ordnance, and stores of different kinds, as also my boat; and a barge belonging to the colonel, making seventeen boats; and in the wl ole ninety-eight soldiers and about twenty boatmen. I felt myself quite relieved when we got under way. We made to-day eighteen miles. WAR BETWEEN THE SACS AND FOXES AND TUB SIOUX. ( I.— By Mrs. H. S. Baird, of Green Bay.) During the first half of the present century, there existed between different Indian tribes of the north and west, a succession of sanguinary wars. The conflicts between the contending parties were marked by the characteristic traits of cruelty and ferocity of a barbarous race. The tribes engaged in these hostilities were the Sioux, Chippewas, Sacs, Foxes and Winneba- goes. Their battles were not always fought in their own country, nor on their own lands. Whenever and wherever a hostile party met, a contest was sure to be the result ; and many incidents connected with this warfare were observed by the early settlers of Wisconsin, one of which I witnessed, and will relate. In the month of May, 1830, with my family, I visited Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi ; we were guests of the late Joseph Rolette, then a trader, and agent of the American Fur Company. One evening, a few days after our arrival, we were startled by hearing the con- titiual and successive reports of fire-arms, apparently on the Mississippi below. The firing continued for an hour or more, and was succeeded by sounds of Indian drums and savage yells, with an occasional discharge of guns. 349 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The family having retired at the usual time, were aroused from their slumbers about mid- night, by hearing foot-steps on the piazza, con- versation in the Indian language, and finally by knocking on the door and window shutters. Mr. Rolette immediately arose and went out to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, when he was informed that a bloody battle had been fought, and the visitors were the victors, and had called up their trader to inform him of their victory, and to obtain the necessary spirit water to celebrate the glorious event in regular savage style. Their wants were supplied, of course, when they took their leave, but not to sleep ; neither could we sleep as the warriors kept up through the night a most horrible pow- wow, enlivened by savage yells, all plainly within our hearing. In the morning, we heard the particulars of the savage fight, and during the day witnessed one of the most disgusting and revolting exhi- bitions that human beings could display. On the day before the battle, or rather mas- sacre, a war party of some twenty or twenty- five Sioux encamped on an island opposite Prairie du Chien. They were there joined by a few Menomonees, who volunteered to assist their friends, the Sioux. It appears that the latter had previously received information that on that day a party of Sacs and Fo.xes, their inveterate enemies, would leave their village, situated on the Mississippi, some distance below Prairie du Chien, intending to visit the latter place ; and that they would encamp for the night at a regular camping ground, near the mouth of the Wisconsin river. In the afternoon of that day, the Sioux war party embarked in several canoes, and descend- ed the river. Arriving near the spot where they knew their intended victims would en- camp, they drew their canoes on land, and care- fully hid them in the thick woods, and then selected a spot covered with a dense growth of bushes, and within a short gun-shot of the landing place on the camping ground. Here, with true Indian cunning, they lay in ambush, awaiting the arrival of the unsuspecting Sacs and Foxes. No fire was made, and the still- ness of death reigned in the forest. Nor had they long to wait for the arrival of their foes. Between sunset and dark the party, in three or four canoes, arrived at the fatal landing place, and dis-embarked. It consisted of eighteen persons, one old chief, one squaw, one boy about fourteen years old and fifteen warriors. Upon landing, the party commenced unloading the canoes. The concealed war party remained perfectly quiet, scarcely breath- ing, so that their victims might be completely surprised. After all had landed, and while carrying their effects on shore, leaving their guns and war-clubs in the canoes, the party in ambush bounded to their feet, with a horrible yell, and fired a murderous volley at the sur- prised party, by which all fell except one man and the boy. The former reached a canoe, seized a loaded gun, and discharged it, mortally wounding one of the Sioux ; but the poor Sac was soon despatched, and the only one of the eighteen who survived was the boy, who hap- pened to be in a canoe. He seized a paddle, pushed into the stream, and made his escape down the swift current of the river. After the massacre, all who yet breathed were despatched, and horribly mutilated. Hands, feet, fingers, ears and scalps were cut off, and more horrible still, the heart of the aged chief was cut from his breast, and all taken by the victors as trophies of the bloody conflict. On the day succeeding the murder, the victo- rious party assembled, and accompanied by a few squaws, p raded the streets of Prairie du Chien, with the monotonous sounding drum and rattle, and displaying on poles the scalps and dismembered human fragments taken from the bodies of their victims. The whole party was painted with various colors, wore feathers, and carried their tomahawks, war-clubs and scalpiug-knives. Stopping in front of the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 843 principal houses in the village, they danced the war-dance and scalp-dance, ending with yells characteristic of incarnate devils. The mangled limbs were still fresh and bleeding ; one old squaw had carried on a pole the entire hand, with a long strip of skin from the arm of one of the murdered men, elevated above her head, the blood trickling down upon her hair and face, while she kept up the death- song, and joined in the scalp-dance. After this exhibition, which lasted two or three hours, the warriors went to a small mound, about 200 yards from Mr. Rolette's residence, and in plain sight made a fire and roasted the heart of the old murdered chief, and then divided it into small pieces among the several warriors, who devoured it, to inspire them with courage, and " make their hearts glad." The whole scene was shocking and disgust- ing in the extreme, and such a one, we hope, never again will be witnessed in a civilized community. The incidents just related, occurred in a town containing a civilized (?) population of 600 or 800 inhabitants, under the walls of the TJ. S. garrison, and within musket shot of the fort. Neither civil nor military authorities made any effort to prevent the exhibition of the revolt- ing and savage trophies of the sanguinary battle. In the afternoon, the party of Sioux warriors embarked in their canoes, and ascend- ed the Mississippi, on their return to their own village, leaving on the minds and memo- ries of those who witnessed these horrible and frantic orgies, recollections not soon to be for- gotten. II. — BY JAMES H. LOCKWOOD. In 1830 a party of Sauks and Foxes killed some Sioux, on or about the head-waters of Red Cedar river, in the now State of Iowa; and the same season a band of Fox Indians, who resided about where Dubuque now is, had occasion to visit Prairie du Chien on business with the agent, whom they had previously informed that they Would arrive on a certain day. An Indian called the Kettle was their chief. It was gener- ally believed that John Marsh gave the Sioux information of the coming of the Foxes, and of the time they were expected; and on the morn- ing of the day apjjointed for the arrival of the Foxes at Prairie du Chien, a small war party of young Sioux made their appearance here, and joined by a few of the Menomonee young men, proceeded down the Mississippi to the lower end of the Prairie du Pierreaux, some twelve or fifteen miles below Prairie du Chien, where a narrow channel of the Mississippi runs close to that end of the prairie, fringed with small trees, bushes and grass. They knew the custom of the Indians in going up stream to avail them- selves of all such side channels, as there was less current in them than in the broad river; and secreting themselves among the bushes, trees and grass, awaited their unsuspecting victims. When the Foxes came within point blank shot, they all tired upon them, killing their chief Kettle and several others. The Foxes finding their chief killed, returned down the river to carry the news of their misfortunes to the tribe, while the Sioux and Meuomonees returned home with the tidings of their victory and to dance over it. They passed through Prairie du Chien, and remained a short time here, but for some unaccountable reason, no notice whatever was taken of it. The signs of several war parties of the Foxes were reported to have been seen on the opposite side of the river during the year; but they effected nothing until sometime, I, think, in June, 18.31, when a considerable number of Menomonees had collected at Prairie du Chien, and encamped on an island near the eastern shore of the .Mississippi, about one-fourth of a mile from the old Fort Crawford. They had obtained whisky enongh for all to get socially drunk upon — and it is rare to find a Menomonee who will not get drunk when he has a chance; and they had carried their revels far into the night, until men, women and children were Ijeastly drunk. About two hours before day, a 344 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Fox war party, that had been watching their movements, fell upon them in that helpless state and killed about thirty ot them. By this time some of the more sober of them were aroused, and commenced firing upon the Foxes, who fled down the river, pursued a short distance by the Menomonees. Thomas P. Burnett, the Sub-Indian Agent, was sleeping with me in my store, and it being very warm weather, we had made a bed of blankets on the counter, when about two hours before daylight, we were awakened by the cries of a Menomonee woman at the store door. We let her in, when she told us of the disaster to the Menomonees. Mr. Burnett took my horse and went to inform Gen. Street, the Indian Agent, who lived about four miles above this, and who arrived about day-light and gave the first information to the fort. Although there had been a great firing of guns and hallooing among the Indians, the sentinels had reported nothing of it to the officers; but on hearing of the affair, the commandant immediately dis- patched a company of men in boats after tiie Foxes, but they did not overtake them. The government demanded of the Sauks to deliver up the perpetrators of this deed. The Foxes fled to the Sauks, and their chief. Kettle, being dead, they remained among and amalgamated with them, and have not since continued a separate Nation or tribe. I have always believed this to be the origin of the Black Hawk War. There were, I suppose, other causes of discontent, but I believe that this transaction was the immediate cause of the movements of Black Hawk. DANIEL M. Parkinson's recollections of the WINNEBAGO WAR. [From ' 'Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin," Vol. II, 1856]. In the year 1822 considerable excitement was created in relation to the lead mines near Galena, and a number of persons went there from Sangamon county, among whom was Col. Ebenezer Brigham, now of Blue Mounds, Dane Co., Wis. In 1828 the excitement and intereit relative to the lead mine , country became con- siderably increased, and in 1827, it became intense, equalling almost anything pertaining to the California gold fever. People from almost all portions of the Union inconsiderately rushed to the mining region. With Col. Wm. S. Hamilton, James D. Brents and two others, I arrived at Galena on the 4th of July, 1827, and on the same day arrived also a a boat from St. Peters, which had been attacked by the Indians a short distance above Prairie du Chien, bringing on board one luan killed and two men wounded. In the encounter with the Indians they killed two of them. * * * Upon the reception of the alarming intelli- gence of the attack on this boat, and also upon some of the inhabitants near Prairie du Chien and the reports being spread over the country, a scene of the mostalarming and disorderly con- fusion ensued — alarm and consternation were depicted in every countenance — thousands flock- ing to Galena for safety, when in fact it was the most exposed and unsafe place in the whole country. All were without arms, order or con- trol. The roads were lined in all directions with frantic and fleeing men, women and chil- dren, expecting every moment to be overtaken, tomahawked and scalped by the Indians. It* was said, and I presume with truth, that the encampment of fugitives at the head of Apple river on the first night of the alarm was four miles in extent, and numbered 3,000 persons. In this state of alarm, confusion and disorder, it was extremely difficult to do any thing; almost every man's object was to leave the country, if possible. At length a company of riflemen was raised at Galena, upon the requisition of Gov. Cass of Michigan, who arrived there on tlie second day after the alarm. This company was commanded by Abner Fields, of Vandalia, 111., as captain, and one Smith and Wm. S. Hamil- ton as lieutenants, and was immediately put in motion for Prairie du Chien, by embarking on board the keel-boat Maid of Fevre river. On our way up the river, I acted as sergeant of the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. S45 company, and we made several reconnoitering expeditions into the woods near the river, where Indian encampments were indicated by the ris- ing of smoke. In these reconnoissances we run the hazard of some danger, but fortunately all the Indians that we met were friendly disposed, and did not in the least sympathize with those who had made hostile demonstrations. When we arrived at Prairie du Chien we took possession of the barracks, under the prior orders of Gov. Cass, and remained there for several days until we gave way to Col. Snelling's troops who arrived from Fort Snelling. While we remained there, a most serious difficulty oc- curred between Col. Snelling, of the regular army, and Capt. Fields and Lieut. Smith of our volunteers, which eventuated in Lieut. Smith sending Col. Snelling a challenge, and Capt. Fields insisted upon doing so likewise, but Col. Hamilton and I at length dissuaded him from it. Col. Snelling declined accepting Lieut. Smith's challenge, and immediately sent a corporal with a file of men to arrest Mr. Scott, the bearer of Smith's communication. The volunteers refused to surrender Scott into the hands of the guard but Col Hamilton wrote a note to Col. Snelling, stating, in effect, that Scott should immediately appear before him. Accordingly Col. Hamilton and I conducted Mr. Scott into the presence of Col. Snelling, who interrogated him as to his knowledge of the contents of Lieut. Smith's communication; and upon Mr. Scott's assuring the colonel that he was entirely ignorant of the subject-matter, he was dismissed. Col. Snelling then addressed the vo'unteers in a pacific and conciliatory manner, which seemed to dispose of the matter amicably; but the colonel, nevertheless, refused to furnish us with any means of support, or any mode of con- veyance back to Galena — as the boat in which we came, retunieil there immediately after our arrival. But for the noble generosity of Mr. Lookwood, who kindly furnished us with a boat and provisions, we would have been com- pelled to have made our way back to Galena on foot, or as best we could, without provisions. During our entire stay at the garrison, we re- ceived the kindest treatment and most liberal hospitality at the hands of Mr. Lockwood. At the time of our arrival at Prairie du Chien, the citizens had in their custody as hostages for the good conduct of their Nation, three Indians, one of whom was the well-known Chief Day- kau-ray. He disclaimed on the part of his Nation as a whole, any intention to engage in hostilities with the whites; he was, however, retained some time as a hostage before being released. During our absence, another volunteer com- pany was raised, commanded by Gen. Dodge, who was constantly in the field with his mounted force, keeping in check the approach of the enemy. During his rangings, he took young Win-ne-shiek, son of the chief Win-ne- shiek, who was detained as a hostage for some time. No farther disturbances of a serious character took place that season; and in the suc- ceeding autumn. Gens. Atkinson and Dodge held a council or treaty with the Winnebagoes. After this we had no more Indian troubles till 1832. .TAMES n. LOCKWOOD's ACCOtJNT OF THE WINXE- BAGO WAR. In the winter of 1825-26, the wise men at Washington took it into their heads to remove the troops from Fort Crawford to Fort Snelling, and abandon the former. This measure was then supposed to have been brought about on the representation of Col. Snelling of Fort Snelling, who disliked Prairie du Chien for difficulties he had with some of the principal inhabitants. During the winter there were confined in the guard-house of Fort Crawford two Winnebago Indians, for some of their sup- posed dishonest acts ; but what they were charged with, I do not now recollect. At that time, as already mentioned, our mails from St. Louis, the east and south, came via Springfield to Galena, and the postmaster at Prairie du Chien sent to Galena for the mails of that place 346 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and FortSnelling. An order would frequently arrive by steamboat countermanding a previous order for the abandonment of the fort, before the arrival of first order by mail, and this mat- ter continued during the summer of 1826, and until October, when a positive order arrived, directing the commandant of Fort Crawford to abandon the fort, and proceed with the troops to Fort Snelling ; and if he could not procure transportation, to leave the provisions, ammu- nition and fort in charge of some citizen. But a few days previous to this order, there had been an alarming report circulated, that the Winnebagoes were going to attack Fort Craw- ford, and the commandant set to work repairing the old fort,ani1 making additional defenses. Du- ring this time the positive order arrived, and the precipitancy with which the fort was abandoned during the alarm was communicated to the Indians through the half-breeds residing at or visiting the place, which naturally caused the Winnebagoes to believe that thetroop.s had fled through fear of them. The commandant took with liim to FortSnelling the two Winnebagoes confined in Fort CrawforH, leaving behind some provisions, and all the damaged arms, with a brass swivel and a few wall pieces, in charge of John Marsh, tlie then sub-agent at this place. The Winnebagoes, in the fall of 1826, ob- tained from the traders their usual credit for goods, and went to their hunting grounds ; but early in the winter a report became current among the traders that the Winnebagoes had heard a rumor that the Americans and English were going to war in the spring ; and hence they were holding councils to decide upon the course they should adopt, hunting barely enough to obtain what they wanted to subsist upon in the meantime. Mr. M. Brisbois said to me several times during the winter, that he feared some outrages from the Winnebagoes in the spring, as from all he could gather they were bent on war, which I ought to have believed, as Mr. Brisbois had been among them engaged in trade over forty years. But I thought it impossible that the Winnebagoes, surrounded, as they were by Americans, and troops in the country, should for a moment seriously entertain such an idea. I supposed it a false alarm, and gave myself very little uneasinesss about it ; but in the spring, when they returned from their hunts, I found that they paid much worse than usual, although they were not celebrated for much punctuality or honesty in paying their debts. It was a general custom with the traders, when an Indian paid his debts in the spring pretty well, on his leaving, to let him have a little ammunition, either as a present or on credit. A Winnebago by the name of Wah-wah-peck-ah, had taken a credit from me, and paid me but a small part of it in the spring ; and when I reproached him, he was disposed to be impu- dent about it; and when his party were about going, he applied to me as usual for amunition for the summer, and insisted upon having some, but I told him if he had behaved well, and paid me his credit better, that I would have given him some, but that he had behaved so bad that I would not give him any, and he went away in a surly mood. A man by the name of Methode, I think, a half-breed of some of the tribes of the north, had arrived here, sometime in the summer of 1826, with his wife, and, I think, five children ; and, sometime in March of 1827, he went with his family, up the Yellow or Painted Rock creek, about twelve miles above the Prairie, on the Iowa side of the Mississippi river, to make sugar. The sugar season being over, and he not returning, and hearing nothing from him, a party of his friends went to look for him, and found his camp consumed, and himself, wife and children burned nearly to cinders, and she at the time encfenfe. The}' were so crisped and cindered that it was impossible to deter- mine whether they had been murdered and then burned, or whether their camp had accidentally caught on fire and consumed them. It was generally believed that the Winnebagoes had " HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY Ml murdered and burnt them, and Red Bird was suspected to have been concerned in it; but I am more inclined to think, that if murdered by Indians, it was done by some Fox war party searching for Sioux. In the spring of this year, 1827, while a Chip- pewa chief called Hole-in-the-day, with a part of his band, visited Fort Snelliug on business with the government, and while under the guns of the fort, a Sioux warrior shot one of the Chippewas. The Sioux was arrested by the troops, and confined in the guard-house. The Chippewas requested Col. Snelliug to deliver the Sioux to them, to be dealt with after their manner ; to which he agreed, provided they would give him a chance to run for his life. To this they acceded. The Sioux was sent outside of the fort, where the Chippewas were armed with tomahawks and war clubs. He was to be allowed a fair start, and at a signal started, and one of the swiftest of the Chippewas armed with a club and tomahawk after him, to overtake and kill him if he could, which he soon effected, as the Sioux did not run fast, and when overtaken made no resistance. The Winneba- goes hearing a rumor of this, got the news among them that the two Winnebagoes con- fined there (for the murder of Methode and family) had been executed. During the spring of 1827, the reports about the Winnebagoes bore rather a threatening as- pect; but, as I said before, situated as they were I did not believe they would commit any depredations. Under this belief, and hav- ing urgent business in New York to purchase my goods, I started for that city on the 25th of June; it then took about six months to go and return. Mine was the only purely American family at the Prairie, after the Garrison left. There was Thomas McNair, who had married a French girl of the Prairie, and John Marsh, the sub-Indian agent, who haut liim, and the peojile proposed building breast-works with it. I learned on my arrival at the Prairie that on the proceeding day, the 2t)th, Red Bird, («li<), when dressed, always wore a red cuat and called himself Engli:?h,) went to my house with two other Indians, and entering the cellar kitchen, loaded their guns in the presence of the servant girl, and went up through the hall into Mrs. Lockwood's bed-room where she was sittino- alone. The moment the Indians entered her room she believed they came to kill her, and im- mediately passed into and through the jtarlor. and crossed the hall into the store to hei- broth- er, where she found Duncan Graham, who had been in the country about forty years as a trader, and was known by all the Indians as an English- man. He had been a captain in the British Indian Department during the War of 1S12, and a part of the time was commandant at Prairie Du Chien. The Indians followed Mrs. Lock- wood into the store, and Mr. Graham by some means inducer! them to leave the house. Tluy then proceeded to McNair's Coulee, about two miles from the village, at the lower end of Prairie Dii Chien, where lived Rijeste Gagnier; his wife was a mixed blood of French and Sioux extraction, with two children; and living with him was an old discharged American soldier by the name of Solomon Lipcap. The Winneba- goes commenced a quarrel with Gagnier, and finally shot him, I believe, in the house. Lip- cap, at work hoeing in the garden near the house, they also shot. During the confusion, Mrs. Gagnier siezed a gun, got out at ihe back window with her boy about three years old on her back, and proceeded to the village with the startling news. The cowardly Indians followed her a part of the vvay, but dared not attack her. On her arrival at the village a party went to the scene of murder, and found and brought away the dead, and the daughter of Mr. Gagnier, about one year old, whom the mother in her fright had forgotton. The Indians had scalped her and inflicted a severe wound in her neck, and left her for dead, and had thrown her un- der the bed, but she was found to be still alive. .She got well, and arriving at womanhood got married, and has raised a family of children; -he is yet alive and her eldest daughter was l)ut I ecently married. The people had decided not to occupy the old .'ort, as a report had been circulated that theln- lianshad said that they intended to burn itif the inhabitants should take refuge there. During the lay of the 27tli, the people occupied themselves in making some breast-works of the timber about Mr. Brunei's tavern, getting the swivel and wall pieces from the fort, and the con- demned muskets and repairing them, and con- cluded they would defend themselves, each commanding, none obeying, but every one giv- ing his opinion free'y. About sunset one of the two keel-boats arrived that had a few days previously gone to Fort Snel- ling with supplies for the garrison, having on board a dead Indian, two dead men of the crew and four wounded. The dead and wounded of the crew were inhabitants of Prairie Du Chien who had shipppd on llie u]>-bonnd trip. Thoy reported that tliey had been nitacked the even- ing before, about sunset, by the Winnebago 21 352 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. *Indians, near the mouth of Bad Ax river, and the boat received about 500 shots, judging from the marks on its bow and sides. The Indians were mostly on an island on the west of the channel, near to which the boat had to pass, and the wind blowing strong from the east, drifted the boat towards the shore, where the Indians were, as the steering oar had been abandoned by the steersman. During this time, two of the Indians succeeded in getting on board of the boat. One of them mounted the roof, and fired in from the fore part; but he was soon shot and fell off into the river. The other Indian took the steering oar and endeavored to steer the boat to the island. He was also shot and brought down in the boat where he fell. During all this time the Indians kept up a hot fire. The boat was fast drifting towards a sand bar near the shore, and they would all have been murdered had it not been for the brave, resolute conduct of an old soldier on board, called Saucy Sack (his surname I do not remember), who, dur- ing the hottest of the fire, jumped over at the bow and pushed the boat off, and where he must have stood the boat was literally covered with ball marks, so that his escape seemed a miracle. They also reported that early the day before the attack, they were lashed to the other boat drifting, and that they had grounded on a sand bar and separated, since which time they had not seen or heard anything of the other boat, and thought probably that it had fallen into the hands of the Indians. This created an additional alarm among the inhabitants. The same evening my boat re- *Kx-Gov. Reyaolds, of Illinois, in his volume of his Life and Times. thus states the immediate cause of this attack. That somewhere above Prairie Du Chien on their upward trip, they stopped at a large camp of Winnebago Indians, gave them some liquor freely and got them drunk, when they forced six or seven squaws, stupefied with liquor, on board the boats, for corrupt and brutal purposes, and kept them during their voyage to Fort Snellingand on their return. When the Win- nebago Indians became sober, ajid fully conscious of the in- jury done them, they mustered all their forces, amounting to several hundred and attacked the foremost of the descending boats in which their squaws were confined. But this story has since been proven to be without foundation. turned, the men becoming too much alarmed to proceed. That night sentinels were posted by the inhabitants within the breast- works, who saw, in imagination, a great many Indians prowling about in the darkness; and in the morning there was a great variety of opinion as to what was best to be done for the safety of the place, and appearances betokened a great deal of uneasiness in the minds of all classes. On the morning of the 28th I slept rather late, owing to the fatigue of the preceding day. My brother-in-law awakened me, and told me the people had got into some difficulty, and that they wished me to come out and see if I could not settle it. I went out on the gallery, and inquired what the difficulty was; and heard the various plans and projects of defense pro- posed by different persons. Some objected to staying in the village and protecting the property of the villagers while theirs, outside the village, was equally exposed to the pillage of the Indians. Others were for remaining and fortifying where they were, and others still urged the repairing the old fort. As the emi- nence on which my house stood overlooked the most of the prairie, some were for concentrat- ing our people there and fortifying it. After hearing these different projects, I addressed them something as follows: "As to your fortifying my house, you can do so, if it is thought best, but I do not wish you to go there to protect it; I have abandoned it, and if tlie Indians burn it, so be it; but tliere is one thing, if we intend to protect ourselves from the Indians, we must keep together, and some one must command." Some one then nominated me as commander, but I said: "No, I would not attempt to com- mand you, but here is Thomas McNair, who holds from the governor a commission of cap- tain over the militia of this place, and has a right to command; if you will agree to obey him implicitly, I will set the example of obedi- ence to his orders, and will, in that case, furnish you with powder and lead as long as you want to shoot (I being the only person having those HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 35?! articles in the place); but unless you agree to obey McN'air, I will put my family and goods into my boats and go down the river, as I will not risk myself with a mob under no con- trol." Upon this they immediately agreed to acknowledge Mr. McNair as commander, and I was satisfied that he would take advice upon all measures undertaken. Joseph Brisbois was lieutenant, and Jean Brunet was ensign, both duly commissioned by the governor. Capt. Mc- Nair ordered a move of all the families, goods, . with the old guns, to the fort, arid it was near sunset before we had all got moved there. About that time we discovered the skiff of the other keel-boat coming around a point of an island neai- Yellow river, about three miles dis- tant; but we could not discover whether they were white men or Indians in the canoe, and of course it created an alai'm, but in a few moments thereafter, the keel-boat hove in sight and tl'.e alarm ceased. It soon arrived, reporting that they had received a few shots in passing the places where the other boat had been attacked, but had received no injury. On this boat Joseph Snelling, son of ("ol. Suvlling. returned to Prairie du Chien. Joseph Snelling and myself acted as supernumeraries underCapt. McNair. The government of Fort Crawford was conducted by a council of the captain and those who acted under him. It was immedi- ately resolved to repair the old fort as well as possible for defense, and the fort and block- house were put in as good oriler as circum- stances and materials would admit. Dirt was thrown up two or three feet high around the bottom logs of the fort, which were rotten and dry, and would easily ignite. Joseph Snelling was put in command of one of the block-houses, and Jean Brunet of the other, with a few picked men in each, who were trained to the use of the swivel and wall pieces that were found and mounted therein; and a number of barrels were placed around the quarters filled with water, with orders, in case of an attack, to cover the roof of the buildings with blankets, etc., and to keep them wet. All the blacksmiths were put in requisition to repair the condemned muskets found in the fort, and, mustering our force, we found of men and women about ninety that could handle a musket in case of an attack. The next day afjer taking possession of the fort, J. B. Loyer, an old voyageur, was engaged to cross the Mississippi and go back through the country, now the State of Iowa, to inform Col. Snelling, commanding Fort Snelling, of our situation. For this service Loyer was promised fifty dollars, and furnished with a horse to ride and provisions, and Duncan Gra- ham was engaged to accompany him, for which he was to receive twenty dpllars, provisions and a horse to ride; and for these payments, I be- came personally-responsible. Gov. Cass, who had come to Butte des Morts, on the Fox river, to hold a treaty with the Winnebagoes, learning from rumor that there was dissatisfaction among them, started in his janoe, and arrived at Prairie du Chien on the morning of the 4th of July. He ordered the company of niilitia into the service of the LTnited States, and appointed me quarter-master md commissary, with the request that I would use my own funds for the supply of the depart- ment, and that he would see it refunded; and, furthermore, assumed the debt for ammunition and provisions already advanced, and also the expenses of the express to Fort Snelling, and directed me to issue to the troops a keel-boat load of flour, that I previously receipted for to one of the agents of the contractors for Fort Snelling, who feared to go farther with it. . After these arrangements had been made. Gov. Cass proceeded in his canoe to Galena, and raised a volunteer company under the late Col. Abner Fields as captain, and assigned him to the command of Fort Crawford. Lieut. Mar- tin Tiiomas, of the United States ordnance de- partment, and then stationed at the arsenal near St. L'luis, « ho happened to be at Galena, came up and mustered tlie two companies of the militia into the service of the United States; '.54 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and contracted with Phineas Black, of the vil- lage of Louisiana, in Missouri, whom he found at Galena, for a quantity of pork which was sent up by the boat that brought the volunteer company. Gov. Cass proceeded from Galena to St. Louis to confer with Gen. Atkinson, then in command of Jefferson Barracks, and of the western military department. This resulted in Gen. Atkinson's moving up the Mississippi with the disposable force under his command at Jef- ferson Barracks. During this time, Col. Snel- ling came down the Mississippi, with two com- panies of the 5th regiment of United States In- fantry, and assumed the command of Fort Crawford, and soon after discharged the Galena volunteer company, as they could not well be brought under military discipline. But the Pi'airte du Chien company was retained iii ser- vice until some time in the month of August, for which service, through the fault of some one, they never received any pay. During this time Gen. Atkinson arrived with the troops from Jefferson Barracks, having on his way up dispatched a volunteer force under Gen. Dodge from Galena, to proceed by land to the Portage of Wisconsin. When Gen. At- kinson, with great difficulty, owing to the low state of the water in the Wisconsin, arrived at the Portage, he met old grey-headed Day-Kau- Ray with his band, who finding himself sur- rounded by the volunteers in the rear, and Gen. Atkinson's force of regulars in front, and a company of volunteers from Green Bay, con- cluded to disclaim any unfriendly feelings to- wards the United States, and disavowed any connection with the murders on the Mississippi. Gen. Atkinson, on these assurances of Day- Kau-Ray, returned, but ordered the occupation of Fort Crawford by two companies of troops. Xotwithstanding these murders of our citizens ;ind movements of troops, the wise men at Washington, with about as much judgment as they generally decide upon Indian affairs, de- cided that this was not an Indian war. After the people had taken possession of the fort, and before the arrival of Gen. Cass, Indi- ans were seen in the village, and a guard was sent out to take them and bring them to the fort. They made no resistance, but surrendered themselves, and were brought to the guard house. One proved to be the famous Red Bird, who headed the party that murdered Gagnier and Lipcap; another was Wah-wah-peck-ah, the Indian I had met tip the Wisconsin river, and whose conduct had so much alarmed me and my men; the other was a young Indian whose name I do not recollect. There being no charge of crime against Wah-wah-peck-ah and the young Indian, after the United States troops were stationed at Fort Crawford, they were dis- charged; and Red Bird was retained in the guard house, where he died before he was tried for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap. AN INTERESTING EVENT OF THE WINNEBAGO WAE. On the 1st of September, ISaV, Maj. Wil- liam Whistler, with government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while there, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his ap- proach, and directing him to halt and fortify himself, and await his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jef- ferson Barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler, from Fort Howard, at Green Bay, was to capture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression. The Winneb.3goes were advised that the security of their j>eoj)le lay in the surrender of the murderers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler w.ts at the portage he received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they will come in." In reply to the question, "who will come in?" he said, "Red Bird and We Kau." After making this answer, he retired b}' the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day another Indian came and took position in neaily HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 355 tlie same place and ia the same way, when to like questions he gave like answers; and at sun- down a third came, confirming what the two had said, adding, that he had, to secure that object, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his property. There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote tiiemselves for the good of their people, but only to recon- cile those who were about to be bereaved to the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the pur- pose is seen in the fact that the murders com- mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this people by the whites. The parties mur- dered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the wrongs and outrages of wliich the Indians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family or people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity. About noon of the day following there were seen descending the mound on the portage a body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass the Americans could discern the direction to be towards their position. They bore no arms, and no one was at a loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox river, when on a sudden singing was heard. Those who were familiar with the air said, " it is a death song." When still nearer, some present who knew him said, " it is Red Bird singing his death song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to cross- ing over, two scalp yells wore heard. The Menomonees and other Indians who had accom- panied lIu- troops were lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on; but when the " scalp yells " were uttered, they sprang to their feet as one man, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. They were at no loss to know what these yells were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless inferred the first. Barges were sent across to receive and an escort of military to accompany them within the lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird. And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which was the encampment. In the lead was Car-i- mi-nie, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, an order being called, Car-i-mi-nie spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves they have come in ; treat them as braves ; do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he was not the big captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him. The military had been previously drawn out in line. The Menomonee and Wabauckie (Oneida) Indians were in groups upon their haunches, on the left flank. Ou the right was the band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant, were the murderers. On their riTht and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a semi-circle ; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable looking We-Kau, a little in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed on Red Bird. In height he was about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry ; and these embraced the entire man from his head to his feet. 35H HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. He and "We-Kaii were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel'shymn. Every tiling was still. Red -Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and, taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion ; then, rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with his flint and steel, lighted and smoked it. All sat except the speaker. The substance of what they said was as follows : They were required to bring in the mur- derers. They had no power over any except two ; the third had gone away ; and these had voluntarily agreed to come in and give them- selves up. As their friends they had come with them. They hoped their white brother would agree to accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty ; the meaning of which was, to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and con- cluded by asking for a little tobacco and some- thing to eat. They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By having done so they had turned away our guns and saved their people. They were ad- monished against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great Father of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances ; that their friends should be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white chil- dren were tried ; that for the present Red Bird and We-Kau should not be put in irons ; that they should all have something to eat and tobacco to smoke. Having heard this. Red Bird stood up; the commanding oflicer, Maj. Whistler, a few paces in front of the center of the line facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick uurvey of the troops, he spoke, saying, " I am ready." Then advancing a step or two, he paused, say- ing, " I do not wish to be put in irons; let me be free. I have given away my life; it is gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his thumb and finger and blowing it away), " like that," eying the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, " I would not take it back, it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Maj. Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when, the major stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kau marched through the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard w.is set over them. The comrades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, tak- ing with them our advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco. We-Kau, the miserable looking being the ac- complice of Red Bird, was in all things the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if born to command and wor- thy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been born to be hanged; meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the starved wolf; gaunt, hungry and blood thirsty; his entire appearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The pris- oners were committed into safe keeping at Prairie dn Chien to await their trial in the reg- ular courts of justice for murder. LAST ACT IN THE WINNEBAGO WAR. John Qtjincy Adams, PREStDENT of the United States op America: To all who shall see these presents, Oreeting: Whereas, at a court of Oyer and Tenniuer, held at the village of Prairie du Chien, in the month of Sep- tember, A. D., 1828. Wa-niga, otherwise called the Sun, and Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little BeufEe, were convicted of the oifer.se of murder in the second degree, and the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little BeuflFe, was also convicted of another HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 357 offense of uiurder in the second degree: And, whereas, also it appears satisfactorily to me that the clemency of Ihe executive may be cxiended to the said convicis without injury to the public: Now, therefore, I, .John Quiacy Adams, President of the United States of America, in consideration of the promises, divers other good and sufficient causes oije hereunto moving, have granted and do hereby grant to the said Wa-nl-ga, otherwise called the Sun, and to the said Chickh-ong-sic, otherwise called Little Beufte, my full and free pardon for the offenses afore- said, In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. Given at the City of Washington this third day of November, A. D., 1828 and of the Independence of the United States the fifty-third J. Q. Adams. By the President; H . Clay, Secretary of State. * INDIANS UPON THB MISSISSIPPI IN 1825. (By Schoolcral't.) Trip to Prairie clu Cliien on the Mississippi. — Large assemblage of tribes. — Their appearance and character. — Sioux, Winnebagoes, Chippe- was, etc. — Striking and extraordinary appear- ance of the Sacs and Foxes, and of the lowas, Keokuk, Mongazids' speech. — Treaty of limits. Wliisky question. — A literary impostor. — Jour- ney through the valleys of the Fox and Wis- consin rivers. — Incidents. — 'Menomonies. — A big nose. — Wisconsin Portage. June 23d. 1825. The whole village was alive w'ith the excitement of the surrender of the murderers. Tiie agency office had been crowded with spectators during the examination ; and both white and red men saw in their voluntary delivery into the hands of the agent, an evi- dence of the power of the government in watch- ing over and vindicating the lives and interests of its citizens in the wildest wilderness, which was gratifying to all. To Gitche lauba, the chief at the bay of Kewywenon, in Lake Superior, who had been instrumental in producing the delivery, I pre- sented a sliver medal of the first class, with a written speech approbatory of the act, and com- plimentary of himself. In the meantime, my •Copied from the oriiriiial pardon. preparations for attending the general convoca- tion of tribes, at Prairie du Chien, were com- pleted. I placed the agency under the charge of Capt. N. S. Clark, 2d Infantry, who had sat- isfactorily and ably performed its duties during my absence at New York. I had selected a delegation of the most influential chiefs* to at- tend the contemplated council, and all things being ready, and my canoe-allege in the water, with its flag set. I embarked for the trip on the 24th. I descended the straits that day, and having turned Point Detour reached JVIichili- mackinac the next morning. The party from Detroit had reached that point the same morning, after traversing the Huron coasts for upwards of 300 miles, in a light canoe. Con- gratulations on the success that had attended the demand for the Chippewa murderers,awaited me. Some practical questions, deemed indis- pensable respecting that transaction, required my immediate return to St. Mary's, which was effected on the 2'7th, and I again embarked at St. Mary's on the 28th, and rejoined the party at Mackinack on the 30th. The distance trav- ersed is about ninety miles, which was four times passed and repassed in six days, a feat that could only have been accomplished in tiie calms of summer. We finally left Mackinack for our destination on the Mississippi, on the 1st of July. Tlie convocation to which we were now proceeding, was for the purpose of settling internal dis- putes between the tribes, by fixing the bounda- ries to their respective territories, and thus lay- ing the foundation of a lasting peace on the frontiers. And it marks an era in tiie policy of our negotiations with the Indians, which is memorable. No such gathering of the tribes had ever before occurred, and its results have have taken away the necessity of any in future, so far as relates to the lines on the Mississippi. We encountered head winds, and met with some delay in passing through the straits into Lake Michigan, and after escaping an imminent hazard of being blown off into the 35S HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. open lake, in a fog, reached Green Bay on the 4:th. The journey up the Fox river, and its nu- merous portages, was resumed on the 14th, and after having ascending the river to its head, we crossed over the Fox and Wisconsin portage, and descending the latter witli safety, reached Prairie du Chien on the 21st, making the whole journey from Mackiuack, in twenty-one days. We found a very large number of various tribes assembled. Not only the village, but the entire banks of the river for miles above and below the town, and the island in the river, was covered with their tents. The Dakotahs, with their high-pointed buffalo skin tents, above the town, and their decorations and implements of flags, feathers, skins and personal "brave- ries," presented the scene of Bedouin encamp- ment. Wanita, the Yankton chief, had a most mag- nificent robe of the buffalo, curiously worked with dyed porcupine's quills and sweet grass, a kind of war flag, made of eagles' and vultures' large feathers, presented quite a martial air. War clubs and lances presented almost every imag- inable device of paint ; but by far the most elaborate thing was their pipes of red stone, curiously carved, and having flat wooden handles of some four feet in length, ornamented with the scalps of the red-headed woodpecker and male duck, and the tail feathers of birds artifi- cially attached by strings and quill work, so as to hang in the figure of a quadrant. But the most elaborately wrought part of the devices consisted of dyed porcupines' quills, arranged as a kind of aboriginal mosaic. 'J'he Winnebagoes who speak a cognate dia- lect of the Dacotah, were encamped near ; and resembled them in the style of lodges, arts, and geneal decorations. The Chippewas presented the more usually known traits, manners and customs of the great Algonquin family — of whom they are indeed the best representatives. The tall and warlike bands from the sources of the Mississippi — fromLaPoint, in Lake Superior — from the val- leys of the Chippewa and St. Croix rivers, and the Rice lake region of Lac du Flambeau, and of Sault Ste. Marie, were well represented. The cognate tribe of the Menomonees, and Pottawottaraies and Ottowas from Lake Michi- gan, assimilated and mingled with the Chippe- was. Some of the Iroquois of Green Bay were present. But no tribes attracted as intense a degree of interest as the lowas, and the Sacs and Foxes — tribes of radically diverse languages, yet united in a league against the Sioux. These tribes were encamped on the island, or opposite coast. They came to the treaty ground, armed and dressed as a war party. They were all armed with spears, clubs, guns and knives. Many of the warriors had a long tuft of red horse hair tied at their elbows, and bore a necklace of grizzly bears' claws. Their head dress con- sisted of red-dyed horsehair, tied in such man- ner to the scalp lock as to present the shape of the decoration of a Roman helmet. The rest of the head was completely shaved and painted. A long iron-shod lance was carried in the hand. A species of baldric supported part of their arms. The aziau, moccasin and leggins consti- tuted a part of their dress. 'J hey were, indeed, nearly nude and painted. Often the print of a hand in white clay, marked the back or shoulders. They bore flags of feathers. They beat drums. They uttered yells at definite points. They landed in compact ranks. They looked the very spirit of de- fiance. Their leader stood as a prince, ma- jestic and frowning. The wild, native pride of man, in the savage state, flushed by success in war, and confident in the strength of his arm, was never so fully depicted to my eyes, and the forest tribes of the continent maybe challenged to have ever presented a spectacle of bold dar- ing, and martial prowess, equal to their landing. Their martial bearing, their high tone, and whole behavior during their stay in and out of council, was impressive, and demonstrated, in an eminent degree, to what a high pitch of HISTORY OF VERNON COXJNTY. 359 physical and moral courage, bravery and success in war may lead a savage people. Keokuk, who led them, stood with his war lance, high crest of feathers, and daring eye ; like another Coriolanus, and when he spoke in council, and at the same time shook his lance at his enemies, the Sioux, it was evident that he wanted but an opportunity to make their blood flow like water. Wapelo, and other chiefs backed him, and the whole array, with their shaved heads and high crest of red horse hair, told the spec- tator plainly, that each of these men held his life in his hand, and was ready to spring to the work of slaughter at the cry of their chief. Gen. William Clark from St. Louis, was asso- ciated with Gen. Cass in this negotiation. The great object was to lay the foundation of a permanent peace by establishing boundaries. Day after day was assigned to this, the agents laboring with the chiefs, and making themselves familiar with Indian bark maps and drawings. The thing pleased the Indians. They clearly saw that it was a benevolent eflPort for their gnod, and showed a hearty mind to work in the attainment of the object. The United States asked for no cession. Manj' glowing harangues were made by the chiefs, which gave scope to their peculiar oratory, which is well worth the preserving. Mongazid, of Fond du Lac, Lake Su- perior, said ; "When I heard the voice of my Great Father coming up the Mississippi valley calling me to this treaty, it seemed as a murmuring wind ; I got up from my mat where I sat musing, and hastened to obey it. My patliway has been clear and bright. Tiuly it is a pleasant sky above our heads this day. There is not a cloud to darken it. I hear notli- ing but pleasant words. The raven is not wait- ing for his prey. I hear no eagle cry, come let us go. The feast is ready — the Indian has killed his brother." When nearly a whole montli had been con- sumed in these negotiations, a treaty of limits was signed, which will long be remembered in the Indian reminiscences. This was on the 10th of August 1825, vide Indian Treaties p. 371. It was a pleasing sight to see the explorer of. the Columbia, in 1806, and the writer of the proclamation of the army that invaded Canada in 1812, uniting in a task boding so much good to the tribes whose ]iassions and trespasses on each others lands kept them perpetually at war. 'Tis war alone that gluts the Indian's mind. As eating meats, inflames the tiger kind. — Bute . At the close of the treaty, an experiment was made on the moral sense of the Indians, with regard to intoxicating liquors, which was evidently of too refined a character for their just appreciation. It had been said by the tribes that the true reason for the commission- ers uf the United States government speaking against the use of ardent spirits by the Indians, and refusing to give them, was not a sense of its bad effects, so much, as the fear of the ex- pense. To show them that the government was above such a petty principle, the commissioner had a long row of tin camp kettles, holding sev- eral gallons each, placed on the grass, from one end of the council house to the other, and then, after some suitable remarks, each kettle was spilled out in their presence. The thing was evidently ill relished by the Indians. They loved the whisky better than the joke. Impostor. — Among the books which I pur- chased for Gen. Cass, at New York, was the narrative of one John Dunn Hunter. I remember being introduced to the man, at one of my vis- its to New York, by Mr. Carter. He appeared to be one of those anomalous persons of easy good nature, without much energy or will, and little or no moral sense, who might be made a tool of. It seems no one in New York was taken in by him, but having wandered over to Lon- don, the booksellers found him a good suliject for a book, and some hack there, with consider- able cleverness, made him a pack-horse for car- rying a load of stuff about America's treatment of the Indians. It was called a "captivit}-,''ancl he was made to play the part of an adventurer 360 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. among the Indians, somewhat after the manner of John Tanner. Cass reviewed the book on our route and at tlie Prairie for the North American, in an article which created quite a sensation, and will be remembered for its force and eloquence. He first read to me some of these glowing sentences while on the portages of the Fox. It was continued, during the leis- ure hours of the conferences, and finally the critique was finished, after his visiting the place and the person, in Missouri, to which Hunter had alluded as his sponsor in baptism. The man denied all knowledge of him. Hunter was utterly demolished, and his book shown to be as great a tissue of misrepresentation as that of Salmanazar himself. August 21st the party separates. I had deter- mined to return to the Sault by way of Lake Superior, through Chippewa river. But, owing to the murder of Finley and his men at its mouth in 1824, 1 found it impossible to engage men at Prairie du Chien, to take that route. I determined, therefore, to go up the Wisconsin, and by the way of Green bay. For this pur- pose, I purchased a light canoe, engaged men to paddle it, and laid in provisions and stores to last to Green Bay. Having done so, I em- barked about 3 o'clock p. m., descending the ma- jestic Mississippi, with spirits enlivened by the hope of soon rejoining friends far away. At the same time, Mr. Holliday left for the same des- tination, in a separate canoe. On reaching the mouth of the Wisconsin, we entered that broad tributary, and found the current strong. We passed the point of rocks called PeHt Gri.t, and encamped at Grand Gris. Several hours previous to leaving the Prairie, a friend handed me an enveloped packet, say- ing, "Read it when you get to the mouth of the Wisconsin." I had no conception what it re- lated to, but felt great anxiety to reach the place mentioned. I then opened it, and read as follows: "I cannot separate from you without expressing my grateful acknowledgements for the honor you have done me, by connecting my name with your Narrative of Travels in the Cen- tral Portions of the Mississippi Valley, elieve I should receive letters, but to my sore disappointment I found nothing. I invited Dr. Wood to supper, having some ducks and snipes to otfer in addition to my usual stock of solids, such as liam, venison and buffalo tongues. ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI IN 1829. Galena stands on the land we afterwards pur- chased of the Indians, and is the largest town in Illinois. When we arrived there it had been settled about three years. It contained several taverns, a considerable number of stores, about a dozen lawyers, and four or five physicians, witli little to do, as the country is healthy. Tliere were three religious congregations in the place — Methodists, Roman Catholics and Presbyte- rians. The town is built on the side hill, in the form of a crescent, on the nortli side of Fever river, and contains, perhaj)s, 1,000 inhabitants. It is a seat of justice of Jo Daviess Co., 111., and is situated in latitude about 42 degrees, 30 minutes north. It con- tains at all times, very large quantities of lead, brought here eillier as rent to the government, or for sale to the merchants. The superintend- ent of the mines and his assistant, Maj. Camp- bell, live here. The latter gentleman and his amiable and interesting lady had been with us on our passage from St. Louis, and they were happy to find themselves at the end of as dis- agreeable a journey as was ever made on these waters. Numerous groceries appeared in the town, to us, and two billiard tables were occupied by ])ersons who wished to amuse themselves at billiards. Mr. James Barnes, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio, kept an excellent boarding house, and I found many old acquaintances in the town, enjoying the beet of health, and they appeared cheerful and happy. Here we learned that a large body of Indians had already been assembled at Prairie du Chien, for some time, and were in readiness to meet us. Knowing the necessity of supplying them with food, that ours would not reach us for some time yet, and knowing this to be the last opportunity we should find to purchase any food, we purchased 500 bushels of corn, and loading all we could convey, we left this beauti- ful town on the next day, and departed for our final destination, where we arrived about the middle of July, 1829. As soon as we were discovered by our red friends, a few miles below the fort, opposite to their encampment, they fired into the air about 1,500 rifles, to honor us. Our powder had become wet, and, to our extreme mortification and regret, we could not answer them by our cannon. Having fired their arms, some ran on foot, some rode on their small horses furiously along over the prairie to meet us where we landed. Amidst the motley group of thousands, of all ages, sexes, classes of society, colors and conditions of men, women and children, who met us on the wharf — Nawkaw and Hoocliope- kah, with their families, eagerly seized my hand, and I was happy, indeed, to meet tliein here. During twenty years I had seen tliem several times, and they recognized me in a moment, among the crowd, and assured me of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 363 their friendship and good wishes. These chiefs of the Winnebagoes and their families pressed around me, and continued close by me until we reached the tavern where we went. There we entered into a long conversation, and they in- troduced me to their red friends. I assured them of my ardent friendship, and that they and their people should be dealt with, not only justly but liberally : that the President, their great father, was their friend, a warrior like them, and never would do them any injury : that I wished them all to remember what I now told them, and when we finally parted, if ray solemn promises thus voluntarily made to them had not been kept to the very letter, I wished them to publicly tell me so. Shaking me heartily by the hand, and assuring me of their friendship, they then appealed to Col. Menard, who heartily agreed with me, in assuring them of our good intentions towards them. Dr. Wolcott, the agent for the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, here met us, and he had been at incredible pains to get his Ituiians here, where they had been for nearly a month, perhaps. Mr. Kinzy, the sub-agent of the Winnebagoes, whose sub-agency is located at Fort Winnebago, had also come, and with him all the principal persons of that Nation, residing in that direction. All the Irulians with whom we were sent to treat, were represented on the ground, and all that was wanting to begin our councils we urged forward with all the energy that the officers of the government and their numerous friends could muster. The next day, in com- pany with Gen. Street, the agent of the Winne- bagoes, resident here, several sub-agents and interpreters, T met the principal men of the Winnebagoes, and we impressed u])oii them the necessity of keeping their young nien under subjection, and arranged with them the outlines of the manner in which our business should be conducted. The talk was a long one and oc- cupied the afternoon. Gen. Street was very zealous in the service of the government. Gen. McNeil and his officers at the fort erected a council shade, near the fort, and in about three days we were ready to hold a pub- lic council, when Dr. Wolcott's Indians informed me that they could not meet in public council until an Indian was buried, and inquired of me if I objected to the burial, to which I replied that I could not object to the burial, certainly. On the next day, to my regret, I learned they would not assemble in council until the Indian was buried, and again inquired, whether I was willing to have the person buried, to which question I replied in the affirmative, when I was informed that the relatives of the deceased would not consent to the burial of the murdered person until they had received a horse, as the compensation for his death. Understanding the difficulty at last, the commissioners gave the horse, the deceased was buried, and the Indians agreed to meet in council next day. I took some pains to get the murderer and the relatives of the deceased together, in order to have a perfect reconciliation between them. They shook hands very cordially in appearance, but the relatives of the deceased person informed me privately afterwards, that, as soon as the murderer got home with his horse and goods, tliey would kill him and take his property, which he could better keep than they could until then. If I am correctly informed, they did as they assured rac they would, after their arrival in their own country. So that compounding for the murderer only procrastinated for a time the punishment of the crime. When everything was in readiness for the opening of the council, the Indians of ;tll the tribes and Nations on the treaty groun i attcndeil, and requested to h.ave translated to them, sever- ally, what we said to each tribe, whi(^h lieing assented to on our ])art, the Winnehairocs. the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawattamies, Sioux, Sauks, Foxes and Monomonees, half-breeds, the officers from the fort, the Indian agents, suli- 364 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. agents, interpreters, and a great concourse of strangers from every city in the Union; and even from Liverpool, London and Paris, were in attendance. The commissioners sat on a raised bench facing the Indian chiefs; on each side of tliem stood the officers of the army in full dress, while the soldiers, in their best attire, appeared in bright array on the sides of the council shade. The ladies belonging to the officers' families, and the best families in the Prairie, were seated directly behind the com- missioners, where they could see all that passed and hear all that was said. Behind the princi- pal Indian chiefs sat the common people — first the men, then the women and children, to the number of thousands, who listened in breathless and death-like silence to every word that was uttered. The spectacle was grand and morally sublime in the highest degree to the Nations of red men who were present, and when our pro- position to sell all their country to their Father had been delivered to them, they requested an exact copy of it in writing, the request was instantly complied with, and the council broke, up. Next day we addressed the Winnebagoes, as we had the Chippewas, etc. the day before, and at their request gave them a copy of our speech. After counciling among themselves, the Chip- pewas, etc., answered favorably as to a sale, though they would do nothing yet until they bad fixed on their terms. The Winnebagoes appeared in council and delivered many speeches to us. They demanded the $20,000 worth of goods. "Wipe out your debt," was their reply, "before you run in debt again to us." Our goods, owing to the low stage of the water, had not arrived yet, and the Indians feared we did not intend to fulfil Gov. Cass' agreement of the year before. When our goods did arrive, and they saw them, they then changed their tone a little; but in the meantime, great uneasiness existed, and I was often seriously advised by Nawkaw and other friends to go into the fort, as Gen. McNiel had done. Col. Menard's ill health had compelled him to leave the ground and go to Gen. Street's, five miles (the General calls it three), from the council house. Unless we left the ground, we were told by the Winnebagoes, that they "would use a little switch upon us." In plain English, they would assassinate the whole of us out of the fort. Two hundred warriors under Keokuk and INIorgan, of Sauks and Foxes, arrived and began their war dance for the United States, and they brought word that thirty steamboats with can- non and United States troops, and 400 warriors of their own, were near at hand. The Winne- bagoes were silenced by this intelligence, and by demonstrations, not misunderstood by them. When Keokuk arrived, he brought two deserters from the garrison here, whom h-e had made prisoners on his way up the river. Quas- quawma and his son-in-law, Tia-ma, came with Keokuk. It was a season of great joy with me, who placed more reliance on these friendly warriors than on all our forces. Good as our officers were, our soldiers of the army were too dissipated and worthless to be relied on one moment. Taking Keokuk aside and alone, I told him in plain English all I wanted of him, what I would do for him, and what I expected from him and his good officers. He replied in good English: "I understand you sir, perfectly, and it shall all be done." It was all done faithfully, and he turned the tide in our favor. The goods arrived and also our provisions; Col. Menard's and Gen. McNiel's health were restored and they appeared again at the council house, and everything wore a new aspect. They approved of all I had done in their temporary absence. On the 29th day of July, 1 829, we concluded our treaty with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. On the 1st day of August a treaty was con- cluded with the Winnebagoes. So the treaties were executed at last, and about 8,000,000 of acres of land added to our HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 365 domain, purchased from the Indians. Taking the three tracts, ceded, and forming one whole, it extends from the upper end of Rock Island to the mouth of tlie Wisconsin; from latitude 41 degrees, 30 minutes, to latitude 48 degrees, 15 minutes, on the Mississippi. Following the meanderings of the river, it is called 240 miles from south to north. It extends along the Wis- consin and Fox rivers, from west to east, so as to give us a passage across the country from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extends from Rock Island to Lake Michigan south of the Wisconsin, the Indians now own only reservations, where they live, which, as soon as the white people settle on all the ceded lands, will be sold to us, and the Indians will retire above the Wisconsin, or cross the Mississippi, where the bear, the beaver, the deer and the bison invite them. The United States now own all the country on the east side of the Mississippi, from the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Wisconsin. When I have crossed Rock river, atter hav- ing passed over the interior of the ceded coun- try, I will describe it more particularly. It remains for me to make a few remarks upon the country along the Mississippi from Fort Eilivards upward, and briefly describe Prairie du Chien. Ascending the Mississippi, the country ap- peared to rise up out of the river at Fort Ed- wards, and the hills assume a greater elevation, still, at Du Buque's mine and tomb not far from Galena. From thence upwards, the bot- tom lands are narrow, the river turns towards the northwest aiKl becomes very crooked, bounded by high bills. Cassville, thirty miles below Prairie ilu C-hien, stands on a narrow bottom, wiiere an opening into the mineral country, in the direction of Mineral Point, pre- sents itself. This easy passage down to the river has located a town here of a few houses, consisting of a tavern, a storehouse for the lead, belonging to the United States; and here a gov- ernment sub-agent to collect and receive the government's share of lead resides, Maj. Beal. Opposite to the mouth of the Wisconsin stands Pike's hill, lofty and abrupt, and just above this place, on the eastern bank of the river, begins the low prairie ground on which Fort Crawford and the village of Prairie du Chien stand. The town begins to show itself three miles above the Wisconsin, and extends upwards about nine miles, where it ends. The river is full of islands, and when at its highest altitude in a freshet is three miles in width, from hill to hill. Originally settled by the French, it was once a place of some importance, as the remains of old cellars and chimneys show. That importance is no more, and jjroba- bly never will be again. Overflowed by high waters, and but little good land near it, with- out water power, I see little inducement to build up a town here. On the north side of tiie Wisconsin there is no land on which a town can be located near the Wisconsin, and the south side is preferable for it, where one will, one day, rise up. The town, though, is a seat of justice for a county of Michigan, and perhaps thirty families, besides those belonging to the garrison, reside here. No Indians reside near here, and there is no sort of need of nor pro- priety in having an agency, etc., here for the Winnebagoes, because Fort Winnebago is the proper place for the agency. Gen. Street, the agent and near relative of Mr. Barry, the postmaster general, is the pres- ent agent, and his residence, I consider to be about five miles above the fort, though I am aware that Gen. Street's estimated distance is only three miles. The water found by digging in this |)rairie is not always good, and that in our well was the worst I ever tasted, operating upon the bowels like glauber salts, and I suffered excessively from using it. Even the food cooked in it af- fected me seriously. The well in the foit is better, and some persons obtain water from springs in the river when it is low. The river 366 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. covers all the town and where the fort is in high water. The Mississippi rising late in the season, and subsiding in the summer solstice, this place must be sickly in summer every year, when a freshet takes such a time to appear. In 1829 there was no such rise in the river, of any amount, and the place was healthy. The only Indians living on this river below this place and near it, are the Sauks and Foxes. The principal town of the former, on the east side of the Mississippi, is situatea on the north side of Rock river, near its mouth, and in sight of the Mississippi. Not many years ago this town contained, it is said, 4,000 or 5,000 inhabi- tants. They have sold all the country east of the river Mississij)pi, and are withdrawing from it to a new town some ten miles west of the old town, and about the same distance from Rock Island. The principal town of the Foxes is on the brink of the river near Du Buque's mine, and in sight of his tomb, which is erected on a high hill, where the cross on his grave can be seen from the river to a considerable distance from it. Du Buque was an Indian trader and lived and died here. The Fox town contains twenty wigwams or upwards, and I presume some 200 Indians. I saw but a few acres of poorly cultivated corn near the town, and the wigwams looked shabby enough. Morgan is the principal warrior of this village, as Keokuk is of the Rock river town. The Sauks and Foxes were so useful to us as auxiliaries, that I feel grateful to them and make a few remarks on their principal men who were with us. Keokuk, the principal warrior of the Sauks, is a shrewd politic man, as well as a brave one, and he possesses great weight of character in their national councils. He is a high-minded, hon- or able man, and never begs of the whites. While ascending the Mississippi to join us, at the head of his brave troops, he met, arrested and brought along with him to Fort Crawford, two United States soldier, who were deserting 'rom the garrison when he met them. I in- formed him that for this act he was entitled to a bounty in money; to which he proudly replied, j that he acted from motives of friendship towards the United States, and would accept no money for it. Morgan is the principal warrior of the Foxes, and resides at Du Buque's mine on the western bank of the Mississippi. Though less versatility of talent belongs to him than Keokuk po.'»sesses, yet he is a brave man and fond of war. More than a year before we were in this country, this Indian general had gone to the Sioux country and killed a woman and three children of that Nation, whicli act produced the war, then raging between the two Nations. This act has since been dreadfully avenged by a large party, on some twenty individuals of the Foxes. Tiama, a principal civil chief of the same tribe, is an excellent man, and son-in-law of Quasquawma. Their village is already noticed as being located on the west side of the river, opposite where we lay on an island, at the head of the lower rapids. Quasquawma was the chief of this tribe once, but being cheated out of the mineral countrj-, as the Indians allege, he was degraded from his rank and his son-in-las-, Tiama, elected in his stead. The improvisator!, whose name has escaped my recollection, is a shi'ewd wit and a very good man, certainly a very amiable and agreeable one. He is highly esteemed by all his people. Tom, a half-blood, is a great pet among the whites. He speaks prairie-wolf French and a little English, in addition to his knowledge of Indian languages. Of the above named individuals, and several others belonging to these brave a:id generous allies, I brought away with me as correct a likeness as I ever saw drawn. Gratitude towards them was my motive for being at the expense of these beautiful paintings which have HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 369 gone to London a year since. Like many other expenses I was necessarily put to, I have never received even one cent from tlie government towards them, nor have I received one cent, eitlier for my expenses or my services at St. Louis, tlie lower rapids. Rock Island, or Galena. I say this because it has been stated, very differently, even on the floor ■>£ the House of Representatives. It is not true, that all my expenses were paid by the United States; nor is it true that my services have been paid for by the government at all. In saying this, I do ■ it in justice to myself as I would to do justice to any other injured individual, however humble in the Nation. I am even yet unpaid, but I never will condescend to beg for my pay at tile doors of Congress. 1 did once expect very different tieatnient from my country. UP AND DOWN THE IIISSI.SSIPI'I BEFORE THE JSLACK HAWK WAR. In May, 1S31, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, left the agency in care of sub-agent, Thomas P. liurnett The latter reported to Gen. William Clark, supei'intendent of Indian aft'airs, at St. Louis, on the isih oi Ih.'it month, that "the Indian relations amona the different tribes of this quarter, have not a very : micable appearance. The threatenings of the Saiiks and Foxes, and occasional acts of mischief committed by them against the whites, in the vicinity of Rock Island, have doubtless i)een communicated to you before this time. "The Sioux chief, Wabashaw, and a consid- erable number of his tribe, are now lierc (at Prairie du Chien). A small party of them who came across the country from Red Cedar, state that within their country north of the line of tiie purchase of last summer, they came upon a war road of the Sauks and Foxes. They fol- lowed the trail leading out of the country sev- eral days, and from the signs remaining at their camps, they have no doubt, that three or more of the Sioux have been murdered by the Sauks and Foxes. Among other appearances that confirmed them in this belief, was a painted Inif- falo robe, such as no Indians in this quarter bu I the Sioux make or use, cut in pieces at one of their camps. They pursued their trail until they came upon their camp, a few miles north of the old Red Cedar fort; but finding them double their own number, did not make an at- tack. They say that they have made peace and promised to keep it, and will not in any case be the aggressors. "Col. Morgan informed me, two days since, that he had sent down to the Sauks and Foxes to send up ten or twelve of their men to see him, and have a talk with him. They were ex- pected here on yesterday, but have not yet ar- rived. The Sioux are waiting their arrival, and are, I believe, ready to meet them, either as friends or enemies. When they were informed that the Foxes were coming, they put their arms in order. They say that if the Sauks and Foxes come and deport themselves peaceably, they will not molest them, but if they seeany hostile inanifestations, they will strike them. My own opinion is, that if the Sauks and Foxes have had a war party out against the Sioux, they will not •ome here upon Col. Morgan's invitation, know- ing as they do, that the Sioux always visit this place about this season in considerable numbers. "A part of the Monomonees have been to see me since Gen. Street's departure. They re- newed their promise not to go against the Chip- pewas for the present, but to wait a while longer to hear from their Great Father." The squally appearance of Indian affairs called for the watchful attention alike of agents and officers of the army. But it became a ques- tion of etiquette, which should take the lead in the matter. The military seems to have claimed that right, while the agents claimed at least to know what had been done in the premises; both being then under the superintendence of the' War Department, the military considered the Indian Department as subordinate to theirs. But 'My. Burnett thought othorwis.c. claiming that each branch of thi> public service had its a|>propriate duties with which the other should 22 svo HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. not interfere, while in case of necessity one should assist the other, both acting in unison. And as the Sauks and Foxes alluded to in his letter to Gen. Clark, did come to the place, with whom Col. Morgan held a council, without the knowledge or co-operation of the agent, Mr. Burnett claimed to be informed of the nature and extent of the proceedings, and addressed a note, dated May 23, 1831, to Col. Morgan, as follows: "Sir — I was informed yesterday that you held, on the morning of that day, a council with a party of Sionx and a party of Fox Indians which you had assembled in the village of Prairie du Chien. As the acting Indian agent at this place, it properly concerns me to know what takes place at this post in relation to Indian affairs. I should therefore be glad to be informed of the circumstances that required such council. The objects to be effected, and the results ac- complished; also the names of the chiefs ormen of influence of either tribe, who were present. Will you please to communicate to me as early as may be convenient, the desired information, and likewise whether Gen. Street was apprised, previous to his departure, of the contemplated meeting of those Indians." This brought from Col. Morgan the following tart reply, and raised the question of preroga- tive: "Sir — I acknowledge in you no right to call on me to render an account of my proceedings to yon, though if you will do me the favor to call at my quarters on my return from St. Peter's, for which place I am just about to set out, I will explain to you the object of the council and tell you what passed. You were apprised yourself of the Foxes having been in- vited, and you knew they had arrived. Why stay four or five miles off? I stated to the In- dians that you should have been to the council, if you had lieen here." Mr. Burnett informed Gen. Clark of the transaction of Col. Morgan, May 28, 1831: "In my letter of the I8th inst., I informed you that Col. Morgan had sent for the Sauks and Foxes to visit this post. On the 21st inst., about fifteen men of the Foxes, of Dubuque mines, ar- rived at the village, and on the next day Col. Morgan held a council with them and the Sioux, who were here. I presume that whatever took place, at the council, or was effected by the meeting of the Indians, of any importance, will be communicated to you through the proper channel, by Col. Morgan who acted alone in the measure. "The Sioux had been waiting the arrival of the Foxes for several days. The Foxes landed at the village on Saturday evening, not later I think than 4 o'clock. The council was opened the next morning, as I am informed, at 10 o'clock; yet no intimation of either time or place of meeting, or that my presence was at all desired,, was given, although there was ample time to do so. Throughout the transaction, there has been no consultation had, or co-opera- tion had with the agency. The only communi- cation upon the subject previous to the council and departure of the Indians, was the simple fact that he had sent for the Foxes, of which I apprised you. I suppose that if anything oc- curred of sufficient importance to found a re- port upon, he will communicate the facts, and in that case, it must appear that the measure was undertaken and carried through without any connection or co-operation with this agency. I have, therefore, given the above statement of facts to show that the absence of co-operation in this affair was not from neglect of duty or inattention on the part of this agency." The information that I have collected on the subject, is this: "Some fifteen Foxes from Dubuque mines, all young men except one or two, came up and had a talk with the Sioux and Col. Morgan, in which each expressed a desire to continue the peace which had been concluded between them the last year. The Foxes denied any knowledge of a war party having gone against the Sioux. They said they wished to be at peace, and would not do any act of hos- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 8T1 tility, but they couM not answer for those be- low — tliey spoke for themselves only. They smoked and danced together and parted in ap- parent friendship and harmonj'." The extent of the frontier and tlie number of tribes witiiin the agency kept up an almost in- cessant e.vcitement, as to their affairs, and to keep the government advised of all their move- ments, required constant vigilance and the writ- ing of numerous letters. Under date of June 1.3, 1S31, Mr. Burnett writes to Gen. Clark: "I have received since the last mail from this jilace information which I consider entitled to credit, that a war party of Sioux is now being organized- among Washaba's band to go against the Cliippewas, by a warrior of some note in that band. I liave also understood that there are a tew Menomonees, relatives of those who were killed by the Chippewas in the fall and winter past, now with the band of Sioux. But I liave not been able to learn whetiier theyinlenil join- ing ihe Sioux in their expedition or not, but think it probable tliatsonie of thorn will do so." Under date of June 29th he wrote: "I am in- formed by Maj. Langham, who arrived here from below a few days since, tliat the Winne- bagoes of the Prophet's village on Rock river, have i-nited with the Sanks and Foxes. The Winnebagoes of the Wisconsin and Upper Mis- sissippi are still peaceable. They arc most likely waiting to see the first results of the movements below, and intend to act afterwards according to circumstances. "Until within two or three weeks past, very few of those Indians have visited this place for a length of time, fewer, I am told, than uSual at this season of the year. Lately a great many of them have been here, the most of whom came down the Wisconsin and have gone up the Mis- sissippi. A great jiortion of them are old men, women and ciiildren. They continue to pass by daily. Many rumors are in circulation as to their present disposition and intention; very few of which are, perhaps, entitled to implicit belief. They have served, however, to give considerable alarm to many of the inhabitants of the prairie, and many of them begin to think themselves in danger. I have spared no pains to ascertain the disposition of the Winnebagoes here and have found no evidence of a disposition to ho.s- tilities on their part, unless their sending so man)' of their old men, women and children up the river and purchasing powder in larger quantities than usual for ordinary hunting, should indicate something of the kind. "I also learned a few days since that the one- eyed Decori had left his village at Prairie La Crosse and gone down to the Sauks and Foxes. This was accidentally communicated tomy in- formant by a Winnebago and is probably true. Decori was down about two weeks since and called to see me on his return home. His de- portment was as usual; I saw no change. In fact I have not discovered any change in the deportment or appearance of any of them that 1 have seen. They all appear to be perfectly friendly. None of the traders here think they have any hostile intentions. "Col. Morgan left the fort for Rock Island on ;lie morning of the 27th inst., with two compa- nies from his post, and two more from Fort Winnebago, under M:ij. Twiggs. He had pre- viously called in all fatigue parties and put his whole force under a course of training. Much alarm prevails in the mines. The people are arming and preparing for their defense. I do not consider thjt there is any immediate dan- ger either here or in this vicinity. Much, how- ever, will doubtless de])eiid on the result^ below. The Sioux and Menomonees are certainly friendly, and against the Sauks and Foxes, would willingly unite with the whites if per- miUed to do so. I have heard nothing since my last of a war party of those Indians against the Chippewas." In February, 1832, Mr. Burnett was in Ken- tucky, when Gen. Street wrote him that "the ^Menomonees and Sioux are jireparing for a n- laliatory war again.>.t the Sauks and Foxes in the spring. The Menomonees liave made peace 372 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. with the Chippewas, in order to have no fears from that quarter. The two tribes met above the mill on the Chippewa and made their peace. I have advised the superintendent so as to have the earliest interferance, if any is intended. The Sauks and Foxes, I learn, expect retaliation and •will be prepared to meet them. If the govern- ment i.s not early in stopping them, they will certainly go in considerable force, and a bloody contest may be expected." About the ]st of April Mr. Burnett received iiistruction.s, while yet in Shelbyville, to "pro- ceed to the agency at Prairie du Chien by way of St. Louis, and call on Gen. Clark for the funds allotted to the agency for 1832, or such portion thereof as he shall determine to for- ward. The receipts will be forwarded to you at St. Louis as soon as a conveyance by steam- boat shall occur." Mr. Burnett reached the agency about the 1st of May. At that time the Sauks and Foxes under Black Hawk were in hostile movements on Rock river, with Gen. Atkinson in pursuit. To aid in the defense of the country, Gen. Atkinson, from Dixon's ferry, May 26, 1832, addressed Gen. Street as fol- lows: " Sir: — I have to request that you send me at this place, with as little delay as possible, as man}' Menomonee and Sioux Indians as can be collected, within striking distance of Prairie du Chien. I want to employ them in conjunction with the troops against the Sauks and Foxes, who are now some fifty miles above us in a state of war against the whites. I understand the Menomonees, to the number of 300 warriors, who were with j'ou a few days ago, are anxious to take part with us. Do encourage them to do 80, and promise them rations, blankets, pay, etc. I have written to Capt. Loomis to furnish them some arms, if they can be spared, and ammuni- tion. If there are none at Prairie du Chien, I must procure some in this quarter. Col. Ham- ilton, who has volunteered his services to lead the Indians to this place, will hand you this let- ter; and if the Indians can be prevailed on to come, will perform the duty. I have to desire that Mr. Marsh may be sent with Col. Hamilton and the Indians, and an interpreter of the Me- nomonee language." In accordance with this requirment. Gen. Street gave, on May 30, to Mr. Burnett the following instructions: " Sik: — You will please proceed with Mr. John Marsh, who goes express to the nearest Sioux village, and render him such aid as may be necessary in obtaining as many Indians as possible, to come down with you, and proceed under the command of Mr. Marsh to join Gen. Atkinson. The letter of Gen. Atkinson will be your guide in the business. Use every means to expedite the object; and hasten your return, as much depends upon the expedition." The nearest Sioux village was 130 miles up the river from the seat of the agency, which had to be ascended in canoes, there being no steamer then to be had. Yet in six days after receiving the order, Mr. Burnett made the fol- lowing report to Gen. Street: "Sir: — In obedience to your order of the 30th ult., I set out immediately from this place, in company with Mr. Marsh, in a canoe, with eight hands, to visit the nearest village of the Sioux Indians. From recent indications among the Winnebagoes of the upper Mississippi of a disposition to engage in hostilities with the Sauks and Foxes, Mr. Marsh and myself thought best to call at their village on the river La Crosse, and invite so many as might be disposed to join us on our return, and go with the Sioux and Menomonees to join Gen. Atkinson's army on Rock River. We arrived at the Winneb.ago village on the evening of the next day after leaving this post, and that night had a talk with the chiefs and braves upon the subject. Win-o-a-she-kan was opposed to the measure, and declined having anything to do with it. He said the Sauks had twice, this season, presented the red wampum to the Winnebagoes at Port- age, and that they had as often washed it white, and handed it back to them; that he did not like that red thing, he was afraid of it. Waudgh- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 373 ha-ta-kan took the wampum, and said that he with all the young men of the village would go; that they were anxious to engage in the expe- dition, and would be ready to accompany us on our return. " The next day we reached Prairie Aux Ailes (Wabasha), and found tlie Sioux extensively anxious and ready to go against the Sauks and Foxes. They were intending to make a de- scent upon them in a few days, if they had not been sent for. They engaged with alacrity in their preparations, but we found it necessary to wait till Monday morning to give them time. We left their village on our return, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, accompanied by the whole ef- fective force of the band, and at La Crosse were joined by twenty warriors of the Winnebagoes, tlie remainder of their village to follow the next day, and reached this place to-day, at 2 o'clock p. M., with 100 warriors, eighty of whom are Sioux and twenty Winnebagoes. I think from the disposition manifested by the Winne- bagoes, til at fifty or sixty more of them wiU be here before the expedition leaves the prairie, making a force of of 1::0 or 140. The Indians with whom I have met, appear well effected towards the whites, are in fine s])irits and seem anxious to engage with the Sauks and Foxes. " I made the promise authorized to the In- dians of subsistance, pay, etc., and told them that their families should l>e supplied with pro- visions during their absence from home. The most of the families of the warriors have accom- panied tliem tiius far, to take a supply of pro- visions home with them, when the expedition shall have left this place. It is due to Mr. Marsh to say tliat he lias displayed great zeal and energy in effecting the object of our visit, and that his exertions had the effect of bring- ing out the greatest possible force from the bands we have called upon." Mr. Hurnett greatly desired and strongly urged Gen. Street to allow him to accompany these Indians and take part in the war. But the general thought his services were needed at and near the agency, and, therefore, declined to comply with the request. In the meantime the Sauks and Foxes re- treated from the Rock river to the Wisconsin, where they were routed, "horse, foot and dragoons." The news of this defeat of the In- dians soon reached Prairie du Chien, and it wns thought probable that if the Sauks and Foxes could get canoes or even rafts, that they would attempt to escape from their pursuers by de scending the Wisconsin river. To prevent this, some volunteer troops were stationed on that river at the ferry, now Barrett's. But the In- dians took across the country towards Bad Ax. AN EPISODE OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR. As soon as it was ascertained that the hostile Indians under Black Hawk were wending their way to the Mississip])i, after the battle of Wis- consin Heights, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent, wrote to Thomas P. Burnett, sub-Indian agent, with a view to adopt means to intercept the savages, the following letter, on the 25th of July, 1832: "Sib: — You will proceed up the Mississippi to the Winnebagoes, twenty-five or thirty miles above this place, and inform them * * * of the crossing of the Sauks to the north side of the Wisconsin, and that their chiefs Carrumana and Decori are here, and that I want all of the Winnebagoes to come down with you immedi- ately; tell them it is the wish of their chiefs also. One object of this is, to get them out of the way, with their canoes, to prevent their crossing the Sauks over the river. Send on word, if you can, to the upper villages, that the Sauks have been defeated, and have crossed the Wisconsin. And should the Winnebagoes hesi- tate, tell them that if they do not come, I will not pay the annuitj to any who refuse. The time is now near and they will lose their money. Hasten back as soon as possible." The next day, July 2iith, Mr. Burnett reported : "Sir: — In obedience of your order of yesterday, I set out from this place in a bark canoe late last evening to visit the Winnebagoes, supposed 374 HISTORY[^OF VERNON COUNTY. to be encamped twenty-five or thirty miles above Prairie du Chien. This morning before day the steamboat enterprise, with a military command, came by my encampment and took myself and crew on board. Before arriving at the place where the Indians had been encamped, we found that they had been gone for several days, and had removed some distance above. "We therefore continued on up a considerable distance, passing several lodges at different points until we came to the principal camp, on the east side ot the river, supposed to be sixty miles above Prairie du Chien. I communicated your message to all the Indians I saw on the way, who readily promised to obey your in- structions. "At the principal camp I found Washington Decori with a considerable part of the tribe from the Wisconsin and Kickapoo rivers. I immediately informed them of your request, and desired them to get ready as soon as possible and go to the agency. They manifested entire willingness to do so, but said some of their party were out hunting, and would be in at night, for whom they wished to wait,, so that all might come together. They promised very positively, that they would start as soon as the hunters should arrive, and would certainly see you by the middle of the afternoon to-morrow. Atter some conversation about their starting this evening, and their still objecting to do so until the hunters came in, Lieut. Abercrombie told them that he would wait until sunset for them to get ready, and if they did not start by that time, he would take all their canoes and bring them down with the steamboat. About two hours after this they concluded to start and let the hunters come on after them; and after seeing all the canoes move off, we started on our return, and reached this place at 9 o'clock this evening. The Indians whom I saw will be here to-morrow by 12 o'clock. They had not heard of the battle on the Wisconsin, but appeared to be highly gratified and pleased at the news." The next day, July aUh, Gen. Street ordered Mr. Burnett to "proceed with Washington Decori to LaCrosse, and such other points as you may deem important, and tell the Winne- bagoes I wish to see them at the agency. I wish Winneshiek certainly to come. Much must be left to your own judgment in the case. The object is to get what information you can relative to the Sauks and Foxes, and to draw all the Winnebagoes from the Upper Mississippi, and with them the means of passing the river. If you can, extend the news to the Sioux." The following day Mr. Burnett reported to Gen. Street: "In obedience to your order of yesterday, I went on board the steamer Enter- prise last evening, and started for LaCrosse. We arrived early this morning at the entrance of the lower mouth of Black river and found the Winnebagoes encamped on the shore. I took Wekon Decori, and went on shore immedi- ately ta see the Indians. I found the one- eyed Decori and the Litte Thunder at the lodges, but found that most of the band had left the village sometime since. Winneshiek and Waumarnarsar, with about fifteen men and their families, had been gone near a month to hunt and dry meat about fifty miles up LaCrosse and Black rivers. The rest of the band were in the camp. I told them that you wished to see them immediately; that the Americans under Gen. Dodge had defeated the Sauks and Foxes on the Wisconsin, and after killing a great many, bad driven them across the river; that the defeated Indians were endeavoring to make their escape to the Mississippi for the purpose of crossing it and regaining their own country; and that it was probable they would attempt to reach that point, that they might get tlie . Winnebago canoes to cross in, and that they must get away from that place before the Sauks and Foxes arrived. "They said they would come down immedi- ately on the return of the absent party; that they were afraid of the Sauks, and did not wish to leave a small part of their band behind, who HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 375 were too few to resist if they would meet them. I then told them to send two of their best young men on horseback to bring .in the hunt- ing party. They very promptly complied, and in a short time the young men were mounted and 'on their way. I charged the express to carry to the absent Indians the message I had delivered, and to tell Winneshiek especially, that his presence was required at the agency. The chiefs present told rae that they thought they would all be here certainly in si.x days, and probably sooner. I told them it was of great importance to them to come as soon as possible, and bring all their canoes on the river; that if the Sauks should come to that point they were not strong enough to prevent them from taking their canoes (if they did not kill them), and crossing over the river; that should they eflFect a passage to the west side of the river, at any point above this place, within their country, they would be suspected of assisting them, and if it should be known that they had done so, they would lose their annuities and be treated as allies of the Sauks and Foxes. They promised lo start for this place on the return of the absent party and bring all their canoes with them. From their apparent anxiety, I think they will be here in three or four days at the farthest, tliough they said it might be six. "The Sioux chief, L'Ark, who left this place on the evening of the 25th inst, passed Black river this morning before our arrival, and will reach his people with the news (which he re- (ieived from here) to-day. Having done all we could, we left LaCrosse at 10 a. M.,and reached this place at 3 p. m., making ninety miles in iive hours." It was but a few days after this, the 'id of August, 1832, that Gen. Atkinson over-hauled the broken fragments of Black Hawk's army, fatigued, hungry and dispirited, and attacked them on the bottoms of the Mississippi, a few miles below the mouth of Bad Ax river, about forty-five miles above Prairie du C'hien, and to- tally defeated and scattered them, as related in a previous chapter. Black Hawk was soon after taken prisoner by a company of Winnebagoes. Mr. Burnett met them soon after the capture, to whom Black Hawk gave a piece of red rib- ron which was tied to his hair. AFTER THK BATTLE OF BAD AX. (By John A. Wakefield, 1883.) As soon as the battle was over all the wounded were collected to one place, and, with those of our enemy, were examined and their wounds dressed; there was no difference here between our men and our enemy. The different surgeons did their best for both. They were no longer able to do us any harm, but were in our ])0wer and beg- ging for mercy, and we acted like a civilized people, although it was with the -worst kind of enemies, and one that had done so much mis- chief and had taken away so many of the lives of our fellow citizens. We had killed and wounded a great many of these wretched wanderers, that have no home in the world, but are like the wild beasts, more than man — wandering from forest to forest, and not making anv improvement in the natural mind. All their study is how to proceed in the chase, or take scalps in time of war. But, although they are a miserable race of people, and live a wretched life, they are much fright- ened when they see death staring them in the face, which was the case at this time. When we came upon the squaws and children, they raised a scream and cry loud enough to affect the stoutest man upon earth. If they had shown themselves they would have come off much better, but fear prevented them, and in their retreat, trying to hide from us, many of them were killed, but contrary to the wish of every man, as neither officer nor j>rivate intended to have spilt the blood of those squaws and children. But such was their fate; some of them were killed, but not intentionally by any man, as all wx're men of too much sense of honor and feeling to have killed any but those who were able to harm us. We all well knew 8V« HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the squaws and cbildren could do us no harm and could not help what the old Black Hawk and the other chiefs did. The prisoners we took seemed to lament their ever having raised arras against the Uni- ted States, and appeared to blame the Black Hawk and the Prophet for the miserable con- dition tliat their tribe was then in, but at the same time appeared to rejoice that they were prison- ers of war, which plainly showed that they had some faith in our humanity and that they would exchange the life they were then living for any other. They appeared to manifest every token of honesty in their examination. They stated that Black Hawk had stolen off up the river at the commencement of the battle, with some few of his warriors and a few squaws and children. I think the number of warriors was ten, and thirty-five women and children, or, in other words, four lodges, which is the Indian phrase, as they do not know how to count by numbers. They were examined respecting the first battle we had with them on the Wisconsin and they stated that we killed sixty-eight on the field of action, and that twenty-five had died since from their wounds, making in all ninety-three that we are certain we killed in that battle, besides a number more that there is no doubt still lin- gered and died with their wounds. Putting together what were killed in the two battles, and all the little skirmishes, we must have destroyed np wards of 400 of these un- happy and miserable beings, which was occa- sioned, no doubt, by the superstitious ideas which were instilled into their minds by the Prophet. Although I have already stated that those unhappy wanderers make no improve- ment in the natural mind, they still, by in- stinct, believe in an overruling Providence, and are the most credulous people upon earth. They pay much attention to their dreams, and if one of their Nation dreams much, he soon takes the name of prophet, as they believe it to be a visitation of the Great Spirit. One morning I chanced to rise verj' early, and taking a walk through the encampment, accidentally wandered to where the Indians were encamped. It was just at the dawn of day, and they were just beginning their morning worship of the Great Spirit. I had often heard that these uninformed children of the forest believed that there was a "God, and tried to worship him, which made me call a halt to see if what I had heard respecting this unhappy people was true. They commenced by three of them standing up with their faces to the east ; one of them commenced a kind of talk, as though he «'as talking to some person at a distance, at the same time shaking a gourd, which from the rattling, I should have taken to be full ©f pebbles or beans. The other two stood very still, looking towards the east ; the others were all sitting around in the most perfect silence, when the old prophet, i^riest, or what- ever they called him, commenced a kind of song, which I believe is the common one sung by the Indians on all occasions. It was as near as I could make it out, in the following words : "He-aw-aw-he-aw-how-he aw-hum," with a great many elevations and falls in their tone, and beating time with the gourd of pebbles. When this song was sung, thej' commenced a kind of prayer, which I thought the most solemn thing I had witnessed. It was a long, monotonous note, occasionally dropping hy a number of tones at once, to a low and nnearthly murmur. When he had done he handed the gourd of peb- bles to one of the two that stood by him, who went, as near as I could ascertain through the same ceremony, still shaking the gourd. When he had done, he handed it to the third, who went through the same motions, and making use of the same words that the first two had done, which I suppose was a supplication or prayer to the Great Spirit to give them plenty to eat, and strength to conquer their enemies. It is stated by those who are. acquainted with this race of people, that they are very much afraid of offending the Great Spirit. If they have bad luck in hunting, they think it is caused by theirhavingoffended the Great Spirit, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 371 andtliey make an atonement, by offering up or making sacrifice of something tliat they set much store by, sucli as burning their tobacco, or something else that they dote upon very much, but lliere is nothing in this world that they think more of than tobacco, as smoking they think is almost as indispensably necessary as eating. I must now return to the battle ground with my subject. After the battle was all over, and the wounded all attended to, the prisoners and the wounded of both parties were put on board of the steamboat Warrior, and taken down to Prairie du Chien, where the wounded were taken to the hospital and the prisoners put in confinement. The boat returned to us the next morning. We are still at the battle ground, or near it; whilst we lay there our men were still picking up scattering Indians. They brought in an old chief who was wounded. He was very poor, was between six and seven feet high, what hair was on his head was gray, but that was not much, as the most of it was shaved off, just leaving enough for hand-hold to scalp him by, as these superstitious beings think it would be a n)ark <<{ cowardice to cut off this tuft of hair, which the}' call their scalp. These superstitious beings believe that if they are maimed or disfig- ured in this world they will appear in the next in the same form, which is the reason they scarcely ever bury their dead. If he should chance to lose his scalp they think that it would show in the next w oild that he had been con- quered and scalped by an enemy which would go to show that he was not a great warrior. Gen. Atkinson now' thouglit that lie had taken jusl retribution for the blood these Indians had spilt on our frontiers, and saw tliat it would be useless to cross the river in pursuit of those wretched beings, for they^ were now scattered and hid in the swamps, so that it was an imj)0S- sible thiilg to take many of them. He finally caiui' to the conclusion to drop down to Prairie du ( liien and have a talk with the Winneba- goes, for it was now manifest that they had been allies to the Sacs and Foxes, for the prison- ers that we took in this action put all doubts to rest on this score. We had a long time be- lieved that they were acting treacherously and Gen. Atkinson now thought that it was time to bring them to an account for their conduct. He accordingly on the second day after the bat- tle, which was the 4th of August, took up the line of march for Prairie du Chien, but before Gen. Atkinson left the battle ground he provisioned a number of Sioux and some Winnebagoes and sent tiiem in search of Black Hawk to see if they could not capture him, and bring him in as a prisoner, which the Sioux appeared to be anx- ious to do as the Sacs and they liad been at vari- ance along time and they saw that there was no chance of taking revenge for the many injuries the Sacs had done them. Gen. Atkinson and the infantry went down on the steamboat War- rior and reached Prairie De Chien the same day we started. The mounted men, baggage and all went down by land and reached Prairie du Chien the next day, which was the olh of August. On entering the settlement of f'rairie du Chien we witnessed a very novel scene. The Monomonee Indians were rejoicing at the defeat of the Sacs and Foxes, and were express- ing it by music and dancing. Tbey had ob- tained several scalps, amongst which weie some of the squaws, which they always gave to their squaws. They had given their squaws several of them and were making music for them to dance around them. If, was, as neai as I could observe, in the following way: The men all stood in a row with gourds in their hands, shaking them in a very regular order, while one old fellow was beating on tl)e head a kind of drum, which is generally a deer skin ' stretched over a hollow gum, sawed to the length of our diunis. They never use but one ! stick an ithstanding that we, as well as our horses, were nearly worn out with the fatiguing marches, through the swamps and over the mountains, yet all were cheerful, and every heart seemed to leap for joy, at the thought of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. »79 being free from the toils and hardships of a soldier, to return again to tiie embraces of a wife and children, or a father and mother, brothers and sisters, and to mingle, once more, in the walks and society of the fair sex, which appears to be a sovereign balm to man in all his afHictions. On .this day, just at night, we met about 300 Menomonee Indians in company of an American officer from Green Bay, coming to join in pursuit of the Sac and Fox Indians. We happened to meet them in a prairie. The officer advanced and met us, or we certainly would have fired upon them. When we came up to them they appeared almost to lament that they had not got in before we had the last battle, in order that they could have had an opportunity of assisting us in the work of death to our common enemy. For they are, as I have already stated, great enemies to the Menomonee Indians. When they left us they seemed to press forward with more vigor, as it was their object to pursue the balance of the Sacs and Foxes, who had made their escape. On the next day we began to reach the set- tlements in the mining country. This was again a solemn scene. The farms had mostly been sown in grain of some kind or other. Those that were in small grain were full ripe for tlie sickle ; but behold I the husbandman was not there to enjoy the benefits of his former labor by thrusting in the scythe and sickle and gathering in his grain ; which was fast going to destruction. All appeared to be solitary, and truly, presented a state of mourn- ing. But as we advanced a little further into the more thickly settled parts we would oc- casionally see the smoke just beginning to make its appearance from the tops of the chim- neys ; as some of the inhabitants thought that it would be as well to risk dying by the toma- hawk and scalping knife as to lose their grain and die l)y famine ; and others had received information that we had slain in battle their troublesome enemy, who had driven them from their homes and had slain many of their neigh- bors. Whenever we approached a house there is no telling the joy it would give to the deso- late man who had lately emerged from some fort, and had left his wife and children still in it wliile he ventured to his home to save some- thing for them to subsist upon. I must confess that it filled my heart with gratitude and joy to think that I had been in- strumental, with many others, in delivering my country of those merciless savages, and restoring those people again to their ])eaceful homes and firesides, there to enjoy in safety the sweets of a retired life ; for a fort is to a husbandman what jail is to a prisoner. The inhabitants of this district of country had been shut up in forts for the last three months, through fear of becoming a prey to Indian barbarity. Nothing very interesting occurred on our march to Dixons. Lieut. Anderson, of the United States army, met us at this point, and by the 17th of August mustered us all out of the service of the United States. We sheathed our swords and buried our tomahawks and each man again became his own commander and shaped his own course towards his home, to enjoy the social society of his relatives and friends, in the pursuit of their different avoca- tions in life. CAPTURE OF BLACK HAWK. AND THE PROPHET. After the Battle of Bad Ax when Black Hawk's band was totally defeated, Brevet Brigadier-General H. Atkinson, of the United States Army, and Joseph M. Street, agent for the Winnebagoes at Prairie du Chien, told the principal chiefs of that Nation, that if they would bring in the Black Hawk and the Pr()|)het, it would be well for them, and that the govern- ment of the United States would hold them in future as friends and treat them kindly, and that they would not, by so doing, be considcrcM] any longer the friends of the hosti'e Sacs and Foxes. 380 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. On this declaration, the one-eyed chief, called the Decori, and Cheater took some of their men with them and went in pursuit of these Sacs chiefs, in order, if possible, to take them prisoners and bring them and deliver them up to the Indian agent at Prairie du Cliien. On the 27th of August, these two Winnebago chiefs returned, bringing with them the Black Hawk and the Prophet, the principal movers and instigators of the war. The interview with them at Prairie du Chien, I have been told, was a very interesting scene. I will give the reader the substance of their talk with Indian Agent Street and Col. Zachary Taylor, which will go to show how vigilant and with what perseverence these Winnebago chiefs acted to take these prisoners. Thej' weiie upwards of twenty days gone, after they left Prairie du Chien, before they returned with them. When they arrived. Black Hawk desired to speak to Indian Agent Street. The amount of what he said was, that he was not the originator of tlie war; that he was going whei'e he would meet Keokuk, and then he would tell the truth; that he would then tell all about this war which had caused so much trouble; that there were chiefs and braves of his Nation who were the cause of the continuance of the war; that he did not want to hold any council with him; that when he got where Keokuk was he would tell the whole of the origin of the difficulties and of those who committed it; that he wanted to surrender long ago, but others refused; that he wanted to surrender to the steamboat Warrior, and tried to do so until the second tire; that he then ran and went up the river and never re- turned to the battle ground; that his determin- ation then was to escape if he could; that he did not intend to surrender after that, but that when the Winnebagoes came upon him, he gave up; and that he would tell all about the disturb- ance when he got to Rock Island. The one-eyed Decori and the Cheater both in like manner addressed Mr. Street, whom they term their father; which almost all the Indians do their agents. The one-eyed Decori rose first and addressed him in the following manner: '•My father, I now stand before you. When we parted I told you we would return soon; but I could not come any sooner. We had to go a great distance (to the Dale, Dells, on the Wis- consin river above the portage); you see we have done what you sent us to do. These are the two you told us to get (pointing to Black Hawk and the Prophet). We always do what you tell us to do, because we know it is for our good. My father, you told us to get these men, and it would be the cause of much good to the Winnebagoes. We have brought them, but it has been very hard for us to do it. That one — Macatamish Kakacky — was a great way off. You told us to bring them alive; we have done so. If you had told us to bring their heads alone, we would have done so; and it would have been less difficult for us to do, than what we have done. My father, we deliver these men into your hands; we would not deliver them even to our brother, the chief of the warriors, but to you, because we know you and believe you are our friend. We want you to keej) them safe. If they are to be hurt, we do not wish to see it; wait until we are gone before it is done. My father, many little birds have been flying about our ears of late, and we thought they whispered to us that there was evil intended for us; but now we hope the evils birds will let our ears alone. "My father, we know you are our friend, becaui^e you take our part; this is the reason we do what you tell us to do. My father, you say you love your red children; we think we love you as much or more than you love us. My father, we have been promised a great deal if we would take these men, that it would do much good for our people; we now hope to see what will be done for us. My father, we have come in haste, and are tired and hungry; we now ])ut these men in your hands. We have done all you told us to do." HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 3 SI Mr. Street, the agent of the Winnebagoes then said : "My children 1 you have done well. I told you to bring th'ese men to me, and you have done 80. I am pleased at what you have done. It will tend to your good ; and, for this reason, I am well pleased. I assured the great chief of the warriors that, if these men were in your country, you would find them and bring them to me ; that I believed you would do what I directed you to do. Now I can say much for your good. I will go down to Rock Island with the prisoners ; and I wish you who have brought these men especially to go with me, and such other chiefs and warriors as you may select. My children I the great chief of the warriors, when he left this place, directed me to deliver these and all other prisoners to the chief of the warriors. Col. Taylor, who is by my side. "Some of the Winnebagoes on the south side of the Wisconsin river have befriended the Sacs, and some of the Indians of my agency have given them aid ; this was wrong and dis- pleased the great chief of the warriors and your great father, the President, and was calcu- lated to do much harm. My children ! your great father, the President, at Washington, has sent a great war chief from the far east — Gen. Scott — with a fresh army of soldiers, who is now at Rock Island. "Your great father has seTit him and the governor of Illinois to hold a council with the Indians at Rock Island ; he has sent a speech to you ; and he wishes the chiefs and warriors of the Winnebagoes to meet him in council on the 1 0th of September next. I wish you to be ready to go along with me to Rock Island. "My children I I am well pleased that you have taken Black Ha.wk and the Projihet and 80 many others, because it will enable me to say much for you to the great chief of the war- riors and your great father, the President. I shall now deliver these two men. Black Hawk and the Prophet, to the chief of the warriors here. Col. Taylor, who will take good care of them until we start to Rock Island." Col. Taylor then said : "The great chief of the warriors told me to take the prisoners when you should bring them and send them to Rock Island to him. I will take them and keep them safe, but use them well, and will send them by you and Mr. Street when you go down to the council, which will be in a few days. Your friend, Mr. Street, advised you to get ready and go down soon, and so do. I tell you again, I will take the prisoners and keep them safe, but will do them no harm. I will deliver them to the great chief of the warriors, and he will do with them in such manner as he may be ordered by your great father, the President." Cheater, a Winnebago, said to Mr. Street, the agent : "My father ! I am young and don't know how to make speeches. This is the second time I ever spoke to you before the people. My father I I am no chief. I am no orator, but I have been allowed to speak to you. My father! If I shall not speak as well as others, still you must listen to me. "My father I when you made the speech to the chiefs, Waugh-kan-decorri Carimanee, the one-eyed Decorri, and others, the other day, I was there. I heard you. I thought what you said to them you also said to me. You said if these two (pointing to Black Hawk and the Prophet) were taken by us and brought to you there would never any more a black cloud hang over your Winnebagoes. My father I your words entered into my ears, into my brain and into my heart. I left here that very night, and you know you have not seen me since, until now. My father I I have been a I great way. I had much trouble ; but when I I remembered what you said I knew you were right. This made me keep on and do wli.it you told me. Near the dale (dells) on the I Wisconsin river I took l?lack Hawk. No one i did it but me. I say this in the ears of all 383 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. present, and they know it ; and I now appeal to the Great Spirit, our Grand Motlier, for the truth of what I say. My father ! I am no chief, but what I have done is for the benefit of my own Nation, and, I hope, for the good that has been promised us. My father ! that one, Wa- boki-shick, i.s my relation. If he is to be hurt I do not wish to see it. My father ! soldiers sometimes stick the ends of their guns (bayo- nets) into the back of Indian prisoners when they are going about in the hands of the guard. I hope this will not be done to these men." DEATH OF BLACK HAWK. Black Hawk was sent as a prisoner from Prairie du Chien to Jefferson Barracks, under charge of Lieut Jefferson Davis — then in the United States array at Prairie du Chien, and thirty years later President of the Confederate States. Black Hawk was kept a close prison- er until April, 1833, when he was taken to Washington, together with some of his family and the Prophet. After an interview with President Jackson, and being emphatically told by him that the government would compel the red men to be at peace, they were sent as prison- ers to Fortress Monroe, for "levying war," as Davis was, thirty-two years later, for the same offense. On June 4, 1833, by order of the Pres- ident, Black Hawk and his fellow prisoners were liberated and sent home, under officers ap- pointed to conduct them througli the principal cities of tiie Union, in order to impress them with a proper sense of the power of the whites and of the hopelessness of any conflict on the part of the Indians with the government of the United States. Black Hawk ever :fter remained quiet. He died Oct. 3, 1838, and was buried on the banks of the Mississippi, in the State of Iowa, near the head of the Des Moines rapids, where the village of Montrose is located. The Indian trade carried on for the Missis- sippi and Missouri and their tributaries was from Mackinaw. Until 1816 goods came mostly from Montreal in bateaux or canoes, mostly by the Mackinaw or its successor, the Southwest Com- pany, or by some private traders. But early in 1815 Mr. Astor purchased out the interest of the Southwest Company at Mackinaw and its dependences, and in August of that year Ram- sey Crooks, as already mentioned, went to Mack- inaw as agent for Mr. Astor to complete the arrangements. In the spring of 1816 the goods of the American Fur Company were imported to New York, and thence by way of the lakes to Mackinaw. During that spring several Montreal traders arriving at Mackinaw with Indian goods, probably not aware of the law of Con- gress prohibiting British subjects from trading within the American territories, now took advantage of the order of the secretary of the treasury, and sent their goods into the Indian country, under the nominal direction of a hired American clerk, to whom the goods were invoiced and who took the license in his name, and gave proper bonds with security to the traders who owned them, who went along ostensibly as interpreters, until the boat passed all the American forts and agencies, when they assumed the ownership, and proceeded as usual in their business — these clerks' bonds were con- sidered as a mere formality to evade the law, and were worth so much brown paper, and no miore. In the spring of 1817 the American Fur Com- pany brought a large number of American clerks from Montreal and the United States, some of whom made good Indian traders and are yet in the country, but nearly one-half of them were found not qualified for the business, and in the following spring many of them were discharged from Mackinaw, which was then the grand depot of the Indian trade. The American Fur Company, as had been the practice of the Mackinaw and Southwest com- panies, made their outfits to Lake Superior, to the Mississippi, the head of St. Peters, and the Missouri. The boats for the Mississippi and Missouri trade passed through the north end of Lake Michigan from Mackinaw, thence through Green bay to the settlement of that name HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 3P3 thence up the Fox river to the Little Kaukalin, where they made a portagje of about three- fourths of a mile. Augustin Grignon had a trading house at this point and kept teams to transport the goods and furs, (the men taking the boats empty up or down the rapids, as the case might be, for which he charged about twen- ty cents per one hundred pounds. The boats then proceeded to Grand Chute, where the men made another portage of the goods or furs, and passed the boat over the Grand Chute em'\)ty. Thence they proceeded to the rapids at the low- ! er end of Winnebago lake, where they usually made half loads over the rapids into the lake. Thence they proceeded upward to where the Fox river enters the lake, thence up Fox river through Puckawa lake, and Lac de Boeuf, or Buffalo lake, and some smaller lakes to portage of Wisconsin, where a man by the name of Roy resided, who kept teams and hauled goods, furs and boats across the Portage of one and one- fourth miles from the Fox to the Wisconsin river, for which he charged forty cents per one hundred pounds, and ten dollars for each boat. The boats then went down the Wisconsin to its mouth, and ihence up the Mississippi about three miles to Prairie du Chien; the traders of the lower Mississippi and Missouri never going down without a short stop at Prairie du Chien, where they generally spent some days in con- viviality, dinners, dancing, etc. Tradition says that many years since, when there were many wintering traders in both the upper and lower Mississippi, it was the custom of every trader visiting Prairie du Cliien to have in store a keg of eight or nine gallons of good wine for con- vivial purposes when they should again meet in the spring, on which occasions they would have great dinner parties, and, as is the Eng- lish custom, drink largely. But in 1816 there were but few of the old traders remaining, and the storing of wine at Prairie du Chien had be- come almost obsolete, although the traders were then well supplied with wine, and that of the best kind, of which they made very free use. It was then thought that a clerk in charge of an out6t must have his keg of wine, but after the American Fur company got fairly initiated into the trade they abolished the custom of furnish- ing their clerks with this luxury at the expense of the outfit. As has already been said, the In- dian trade of the Mississippi and Missouri and their tributaries was carried on from Mackinaw as the grand depot of the trade of the north- west. The traders and their clerks were then the aristocracy of the country; and to a Yankee at first sight, presented a singular state of society. To see gentlemen selecting wives of the nut- brown natives, and raising children of mixed blood, the traders and clerks living in as much luxury as the resources of the country would admit, and the engagees or boatmen living upon sotqj made of hulled corn with barely tallow enough to season it, devoid of salt, unless they purchased it themselves at a high price — all this to an American was a novel mode of living, and appeared to be hard fare; but to a person acquainted with the habits of life of the Canadian peasantry, it would not look so much out of the way, as they live mostly on pea soup, seasoned with a piece of pork boiled down to grease; sel- dom eating pork except in the form of grease that seasons their soup. With this soup, and apiece of coarse bread, their meals were made; hence the change from pea soup to corn is not so great, or the fare much worse than that which they had been accustomed, as the corn is more sub- tantial than peas, not being so flatulent. These men engaged in Canada generally fur five years for Mackinaw and its de].endeiicies, transferable like cattle to any one who wanted them, at generally about .5(10 livres a year, or in our currency, about $S3..S3; furnished with a yearly equipment or outfit of two cotton shirts, one three point or triangular blanket, a }iortage collar and one pair of beef shoes; being obliged, in the Indian country to purchase their nmctas- ins, tobacco, pipes and other necessaries at the price the trader saw fit to charge for ihein. 884 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Generally at the end of five years these poor voyageurs were in debt from fifty to 150 dollars and could not leave the country until they had paid their indebtedness; and the policv of the tradeis was to keep as many of them in the country as they could; and to this end they al- lowed and encouraged their engagees to get in debt during the five years, which of necessity required them to remain. These new hands were by the old voyageurs called in (\.er\s.ion,mangeurs delard — jwrk-eaters as on leaving Montreal, and on the route to Mackinaw, they were fed on pork, hard bread, and pea-soup, while the old voyageurs in the Indian country ate corn soup, and such other food as could convenietly be procured. "J'hese mangeurs de lard were brought at considerable expense and trouble from Montreal and other parts of Canada, frequently, deserting after they had received some advance in money and their equipment. Hence it was the object of the traders to keep as many of the old voyageurs in the country as they could, and they generally permitted the mangeurs de lard to get largely in debt, as they could not leave the country and get back into Canada, e.vcept by the return boats or canoes which brought the goods, and they would not take t' em back if they were in debt anywhere in the country, wliich could be easily ascertained from the traders at Mackinaw. But if a man was prudent enough to save his wages, he could obtain passage, as lie was no longer wanted in the country. WESTERN WISCONSIN IN l(<3(i. (By S. M. Palmer.) Desirous of visiting Cassville, Prairie du Chieti and that part of the territory bordering on the Mississippi, I accepted a cordial invita- tion from Col. Daniels, of Cassville, to take a seat in his carriage for that place. It wa'* a delightful morning in September, when, with an agreeable party, consisting of the col- onel, Mr. Latham, of Mineral Point, and a Mr. Payne, of Boston, we bade adieu to the noble, generous people of Mineral Point, and pro- ceeded over a rough, uncultivated, hilly, and tolerably well timbered country, some six or ten miles to a pretty spot called Diamond Grove, near which was the residence of Col. John B. Terry. Here it was proposed to stop, but on approaching the house, it was evident that the family were not at home, and I proposed to pa.ss on, but was overruled by Col. Daniels, who insisted that it was the seat of genuine hospit- ality, where the latch string was never drawn in — wRich proved to be the case on that occasion, at least, and the whole party entered the house. And although no member of the family was at home. Col. Daniels, presuming upon his friend- ship with the proprietor, opened the cupboard, and set out an excellent cold collation, to which was added a bottle of something stronger than milk, on which the party regaled them- selves most satisfactorily. Proceeding across a fine rolling prairie, beau- tiful as a garden, though almost in a state of nature, with at rare intervals a small agricul- tural improvement, or a hamlet of miners' huts, we struck the military road, which traverses the dividing ridge extending across the territory, tlie western terminus being at Prairie du Chien, along which we continued through a succession of natural landscapes, the most rich and gor- geous that can be imagined, until we readied the intersection of the Cassville road ; near which, but a short distance along the last named road, we stopped for the night, at a small log hut, the only building of any description in the vicinity, excepting a small one on a recent im- provement, said to have been commenced by Hon. Thomas P. Burnett, near where we di- verged from the military road. We were generously welcomed, and as com- fortably entertained as the limited means of our kind host and hostess would admit. The ride from this point to Cassville was through a country of extraordinary beauty, with a soil of unrivaled richness and fertility, though with the exception of a very few small buiklings and improvements, untouched by the hand of man. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 387 The people of Cassvilie, proverbially intelligent, accomplished and enterprising — proud of what tlioy considered the great beauty and immense natural advantages of the location of their tovvn — were all bustle and excitement in view of many grand and important improvements already projected or in progress ; first among which was a magnificent hotel, the foundation for which was already being laid. All classes appeared prosperous, happy and contented, looking forward with confidence to a brilliant future for themselves and their favorite town. After remaining a short time here, I took passage (kindly accompanied by Capt. Estin, and Mr. Latham) on board the steamboat Ad- venturer,a very small dilapidated and filthy boat, (fur at that time there were comparatively few steamers of any description plying on the Miss- issippi, above Dubuque), for Prairie du Chien. This town, located on a beautiful prairie, some four miles above the mouth of the Wisconsin river, would have been fully equal in appearance to any other site on the Mississippi, but for a slough or bayou which ran through it nearly parallel with the river, thus dividing the town, and giving to that portion next to the river, or Old Town, as it was called, the appearance of an island, which was exclusively occupied by the store and warehouse, a large and elegant stone structure, and other buildings of the North American Fur Company, with a few mean huts tenanted by a miserable set of French and In- dians. It was here that John Jacob Astor, the New York millionaire, as a member or chief of that mammoth fur company, made, it has been said, a considerable portion of his immense wealth. On the opposite side of the bayou, or Ne.w Towni, was Fort Crawford, in which were about .300 United States troops. It occupied a high, airy and commanding position on the prairie, and comprised four substantial stone buildings, each some 200 feet long, forming a hollow square, in the center of whicli was a spacious paraile ground. The officers and ladies of the garrison were exceedingly courteous and agree- able, exerting themselves to render our visit in every respect pleasant and satisfactory. The New Town contained liut few dwelling houses, and those of a very ordinary character, the only one of any pretensions, which I recollect, being that occupied by Judge Lockwood. Returning to Cassvilie I took passage on board the steamer, Missouri Fulton, and bid- ding adieu to that delightful territory, in the fond hope of be'ng permitted to visit it again in after years, set out cheerily for my eastern home, at Rock Island, in which stood Fort Armstrong, a handsome and truly formidable fortress. The captain kindly landed to afford the passengers an opportunity of witnessing the formalities of concluding a treaty which was being held between Gov. Dodge, acting for the LTnited States, and the chiefs of the Sauk and Fox Indians, during which the latter ceded to the government their immensely valuable reservati'^n situated on the Iowa river, west of the Mississippi, and nearly opposite to Rock Island, the sum stipulated for the purchase Iieing, as it was then understood, seventy-five \;3nts per acre.* The acquisition of this domain was consid- ered of great importance to the country ; not so much on account of its intrinsic value, as to get rid of those mischievous tribes of Indians, who up to a period very recent, had kept up a continual warfare with their white neighbors, at the instigation of I51ack Hawk, who strenu- ously maintained to the last, that they had been * This is substantially correct. Tlie Smiles and Foxes ceded at this treaty, 400 sections, or 2'>G,00n acres, in consideration of which the sura of $30,000 was to he paid thorn the follow- ini? year, and $10,000 a.year for te i years thereafter, makinjf altOi?ether S130.000. In addition, the government asrreod to pay certain debts due to traders, and other claims, amount- insf in the aifsrosratc to $50,394.67 ; and still farther provided to pay certain annuities for several hulf-liroed children for their education, etc., the total ainountof which cannot be well estimated. This would show the cost of the ceded lands at between seventy and seventy-H ve cents per acre. It is inter- estiiiff to notice that Itlack Hawk, who was preseru at the treaty, had no ollicial connei'tion with it. hiivint' been practically deposed by our (.■overnment at the close of the Black Hawk War, by the reco«nitioii of Keokuk, as head chief. 1^- <-' D- 23 388 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. unjustly deprived of the lands and homes inherited from their fathers, and which ended only with the capture of that brave old chief, and the consequent termination of war in August, 1832. Pending the treaty, some 400 of the Sauk and Fox tribes, old and young, male and female, were encamped on the western bank of the river, opposite the island, who, contrary to the supposed proverbial taciturn and stoical dis- position of that people, were engaged in all manner of sports, including horse racing and gambling of every description. The men, many of them, were painted after a variety of grotesque fashions, their heads ornamented and decked out in scarlet cloth or flannel, with a profusion of feathers, beads and other finery. They appeared decidedly happy, and at times were boisterous in their mirth. After the passengers returned to the boat, they were visited, among others, by the co-chiefs. Black Hawk and Keokuk, who exhibited evident signs of pleasure and gratification at being intro- duced to them, particularly the ladies, toward whom they were decidedly gallant. This treaty was considered, and justly too, a highly important one, settling, as it did, forever, the difficulties and misunderstandings which had so long subsisted with those Indians, who were the original owners and occupiers of all that beautiful country on both sides of the river, for a considerable distance above and below Rock Island, and Gov. Dodge was highly compli- mented for the skillful and successful manner in which he conducted the negotiations for the final result. Thus have I hastily and imperfectly jotted down the reminiscences of a brief residence in the territory, nearly a quarter of a century ago; and if, among them all, there shall be found a single fact worthy of preservation as con- nected with its early history, I shall feel amply recompensed for the little time and labor it has cost me in its preparation. PoTTSviLLE, Pa., November, 1858. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 380 CHAPTER XXVII POETS AND POETRY. In the domain of literature, there are not, nor have there been, any citizens of Vernon county who liave been rewarded with a world- wide reputation; nevertheless, the efforts of not a few liave been creditable, and some have achieved a success that has attracted attention botli at home and abroad. But this success has been, in a marked degree, confined to versifica- tion. No prose work has ever been printed in Vernon county. Efforts in that line have been confined to now and then an article published in some one of the county papers. Not so, however, in poetry. Ever since newspapers have been printed in the county there have been frequent poetical contributions to them; — and an unusual number of these have been ef a high order of merit. These effusions have, by no means, been confined to school girls and love- sick swains; but many of the older and most substantial citizens of the county have thought it not beneatii them to court the muses; and they have done this sometimes over a 7wm de plume, but more frequently with their own sig- natures attached. Occasionally an anonymous piece of poetry has been given to the public, through the medium just mentioned, deserving of particular notice; but these are few. A correspondent of the Northwestern Times contributed under the nam de plume of "Esma- relda," more than a score of years ago, some fugitive poems that were meritorious. We copy one, entitled THE INDIAN. Oh! lone Winnebago, How sadly you weep O'er the bones of thy loved ones In their desolate sleep; The white man hath robbed thee Of thine own native soil, And the graves of tby fathers Are sunk neath their toil. How sad is thy journev, As thou goest alone Through these wide rolling prairies, That were once all thine own, 'Mid the homes of the white man No more Ihou art free; Scarce a grave for thy dead Will they grant unto thee. No more o'er these blufls Shall thou roam with delight. Nor chase the wild deer With fleet step and light, Nor 'round the great council fire Recline at thine ease. Nor smoke with thy kindred The calumet of peace. No more shall thou fish In this bright, silver stream, No more shall the blade Of the tomahawk gleam; No more shall thine arrow The water-fowl cleave; At the bidding of while men. All these thou must leave. Oh! sad Winnebago, We grieve for thy fate, Tby wrongs by the white man Hath eiiined" Iheni ihy bate. May the spirit tliou wdisbip Yet gnint untd the e A portion with braves And home with the free. S9i) HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. In the following poetical contribution to the Censor of Dec. 20, 1865, the cumulative meas- ures are striking,and the poetic images decidedly above mediocrity. It is anonymous and is entitled SUNSHINE IN WINTER. Sweet is the sunshine, The golden sunshine, When in the winter time, The cold winter time, Through long dreary days, Earth's dreary days. Storm clouds on storm clouds — Such dark storm clouds — Have thickly veiled the sky, Veiled the whole sky. Oh! it bursts gloriously. Most gloriously. On our glad vision, Kavish'd vision. Like a pure angel, A wing'd angel. From Heaven's clear blue The sapphire blue. The deep, deep blue above, Arched blue above! It strikes on our heart-strings, Ourchil'd heart-string, As the last zephyr, Eve's last zephyr. Smites the silk'cord. The ailkea cord. Of alone, lone harp. A lost, lost harp, , Found among the flowers, Earth's sweet flowers. And oh, the charming music, The soul's own music. That laughs upon the air. The wintry air, When the sweet sunshine, The charming sunshine. Breaks from the storm clouds. Wrathful storm clouds, And floods the whole world. The whole, whole world! Who in Vernon county does not know Wm. V. Terhune, one of the oldest of its lawyer and citizens? Few would suspect from his mattef- of-fact way of talking that his thoughts ever ran in a poetic groove; yet, he has published a number of fugitive pieces, of which he may well be proud. We select from the Vernon county Censor of April 21, 1874, A WISH. When summer's sun pours down its ardent rays. And nature withers 'neath their scorching blaze, — See, 'mid the landscape, yonder crystal stream Glide on its way toward the deep ravine, Calm o'er their pebbled bed the waters go. No eddying ripples agitate their flow; While peaceful murmuring as they glide along. They blend with birds in sweet harmonious song: On each fair bank a fresher verdure blooms. There, sweetest flowers breathe their rich perfumes, Sunbeams, reflected from the surface gleam, And shimmering dance in gladness o'er the stream. Trace its bright course along the meadow's side, And breathe delicious coolness from its tide; Mark how the herds the crystal liquid lave. While verdure springs luxuriant near the wave; Gentle and calm, its life-diffusing flow Spreads soft enchantment through the vale below. So, do I wish with me would ever glide, 'Mid haunts of peace, life' fast descending tide, f-o, might it move in an unruffled stream. Where blessings linger and enchantments gleam; So, might its waves, with lustred virtues shine. Reflecting brightness from their source divine; So, on its banks perennial flowers fair, Of worth and goodness bloom forever there; So, might it flow, my fellow men to bless With light and joy and increased happiness. By far the most prolific of Vernon county poets is the Rev. William Haughton. His contributions, at home and abroad, to various papers, have been numerous. He is, indeed, a true poet. He has an exhuberauce of fancy, and his style is picturesque and attrac- tive. He paints a pen-picture with a masterly hand. He has published a collection of his poems, entitled, "Sylvicola, or. Songs from the Backwoods." The book is a beautiful speci- men of the printer's art. It was published in 1878 at Viroqua, by Henry Casson, Jr. The author's preface is brief and we give it entire: PREFACE. "I know not what may be the fate of this little book. I make no appeal to the hearts or HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 391 sympathies of a kind public, well knowing that it must stand or fall on its own merits or demerits alone. "I have been solicited to collect in book form the fugitive pieces already published in the local papers, and I have done so without taking time to correct faults. Many of these pieces were written in early boyhood and published in tlie Canadian papers under the nam de plume 'Sylvicola.' So sweet is the impression left on my heart of their reception, that I have given as the title of my little book a namestill dear to me. May these songs — faulty as they are — bring to your heart a tithe of the joy they have given mine. William Haugiiton. Viroqua, Wis., 1878." From "Sylvicola," we select the following as a fair average of the whole; 'TWAS ONLY A SHELL. 'Twas only a shell by the river-side — A tiny and delicate shell; But 'twas kissed by tlie lips of the tinted tide, As it slept where the pearly waters hide. And the sunbeam loved it well. But alas for the gem with the delicate dye, 'Twas crushed by the foot of a passer-by; No more will it blush to the tinted wave In its sanded bed by the whispering cave. 'Twas only a flower by the streamlet's brim, And it grew in the valley deep; But 'twas kissed by t)ie dews when the day grew dim la the melting fall of the robin's hymn, And the night wind sang it to sleep. But alas for the gem with its violet dye! 'Twas plucked by the hand of a passer by; No more will it blush to the tinted tide In its grassy bed by the streamlet's side. 'Twas only the heart of a lowly one— .\ heart that was tender and true, So little were left when its trust was gone. Yet sweet was the h"pe that it leaned upon. And strong was the love that it knew. But alas for its life! On a cruel day A shadow fell and it withered away: 'Twas a faithless love — 'twas a trust betrayed, And the broken heart of a lowly maid. O red-lipped shell by the sanded cave! O violet gem by the tinted wave! O trusting heart of a lowly one! Away and away from my dreams you've g(me. Sad types, when the spoiler's hand is nigh, Or the careless foot of a passer by. JOHN BROWN. [written rN I860.] Wail for the hero gone, O slave! Wail for the hero gone! Like a rock which the tempest breaks upon He stood, while the might of his heart alone Beat back the giant wave. Weep for the hero dead, O slave! Weep for the hero dead ! Sublime was the dream for which he bled. Be a martyr's crown on the hoary head Asleep in a felon's grave. Mourn for the hero lost. O slave! Mourn for the hero lost! By that awful line in the landmark crossed Will freedom rise where the gage is tossed To burst thy bonds and saye! Wake for the bold heart hushed, O song! Wake for the bold heart hushed. For the victim's blood that nobly gushed. For the captive wounded, chained and crushed, For a people's shame and wrong! SUMMER SONG. The breathing balm, the soft perfume Of beauty bursting into bloom ; The dewy morn, the starry night. The blending waves of shadowy light ; The cloud of everthauging hue. The tranquil heavens so deeply blue, The blushing buds upon the spray— These are thy gifts, O, Summer day ! Sweet Spring, in all her glory dressed — Young Summer leaning on her breast. Crowned with a wreath of opening flowers. Fanned by the breath of southern bowers ; The birds' wild carol from the bough. The haze upon the mountain's brow. The peace, the joy, the flooding light Thrill the rapt heart and charm the sight. 392 HISTORYtOF VERNON COUNTY. What hiind but thine, O, thou Supreme ! Could paint the sunbeam on that stream ? Could give the pearly dew its light. Or flood with gems the starry night ? Could wake the myriad joys that throng In breeze or bower, or wild bird's song, More rapturous than a seraph's dream ? What hand but thine, O thou Supreme ? Thou comest in the rushing storm. When terrors robe thine awful form ; When quivering lightnings round thee meet And thunder crouches at thy feet ; When at thy beck wild tempests sweep And shriek along the howling deep. And the mad waves in terror rise. Their white lips pleading with the skies. Less glorious, but how fair, art thou. When robed and crowned as thou art now; Not the wild anthem of the storm, Nor pitchy darkness round thy form, But light and joy and peace serene, — The heavens so blue, the earth so green. What hand but thine, O thou Supreme ! Could paint that flower or gild that stream ! He loves not heaven who loves not thee, O wealth of Summer scenery ! From whose cold breast no echoes start Responsive to thine own full heart. To me, that land where angels throng Is rich with verdure and with song. And every dream of heaven is bright With earth's dear love, its life and light. William Clawater, of the town of Franklin, a member of the 6th Wisconsin in the Iron Brigade of the late war, has written (and is still writing,) some creditable poetry. The fol- lowing is especially to be commended : MOUNT RENO. 'Tis morn, the night wind seems whispering rest. Hills dotting the valley^with borders of green. Huge frowning cliffs guard the gates to the west. Dark shadows o'erlapping the valleys between. Bright rose the sun on that calm Sabbath morn. On South Mountain's top shimmering light. By the farm-house and cottage green waved the corn, Where Hooker was resting the right. On the left stood a gray, hoary giant. Battle-scarred by the storms and by time ; Beneath its dark shade, rock-girt and defiant. Lay a path where the bravest might climb. At its bass lies a cordon that's deep. Rent banners inscribed ' 'Gaines' Mill ;" No braver men, living or asleep, Than bore them at Malvern Hill. Up from each flank moved the line. Their arras at a right shoulder shift. The center stands still as the pine. That covered the mountain and rift. In the center's a deep yawning grave, Where Nature seems holding her breath, Palor whitens.the cheek of the brave, As the eye scans this valley of death. There's a deep wave of blood on the heart ; Describe it ? — it cannot be told ; Slow, aye, and worthless the pencil of art. Were it lightning and letters of gold ! Now tnis death-chilling silence is o'er. Dark the cloud that foreshadows the hail, The fierce storm that bursts with a roar. The rocks echo back on the gale. The iron line rush to the charge, Bragg,Fairchilil, and Gibbon are breasting the shell, No braver line trusting in steel. Than surged up that valley of hell. Now, high above the roar of the guns. Piercing wave, 'tis the Southerners' yell Falling chill on the hearts of our sons. For it tells when the brave Reno fell. The dark, graj' rocks are now crimsoned with blood. Locked banners trail their folds o'er the dead ; Ebbing tides of the heart swell the flood. And each throb dye's the green heather red. Darkens the mountain with Northern blue. Roll the Rebel gray like a fast-ebbing tide. Their darkened crime and their falser dream. Mingle earth and blood on the mountain's si. e. With the dark blue lines came the flashing steel. Planting stars and stripes on the crown. And the haughty chivalry backward reel. The stars and bars with the sun go down. Setting sun, 'twas thy last fading ray. That painted death's shade at the sever ; Round its brow twines the laurel and bay, And Mount Reno is famous forever ! HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 393 CHAPTER XXVIII. THE SCHOOLS OF VERNOisT COUNTY. From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now known as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory, education was mostly confined to private in- struction, or was sought by the children of the wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Mon- treal and Detroit. The early Jesuit mission- aries, and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States — representatives of various other religious de- nominations sought to teach the Indian tribes of this section. In 1823 Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite 'Shanty-Town." A Catholic mission school for Indians was or- ganized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in 1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winne- bago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years. THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL CODB. From 1818 to 1836, Wisconsin formed a part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837 Mich- igan was admitted into the Union as a State and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minne- sota, Iowa, and a considerable region still fur- ther westward, was, by act of Congress approved April 20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible with the provisions of the act, sub- ject to alteration or repeal by the new govern- ment created. Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the orig- inal code of Wisconsin, and it was soon form- ally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial Legislature, which met at Bel- mont. Although modified in some of its pro- visions almost every year, this imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the State constitution in 1848. The first material changes in the code were made by the territo- rial Legislature at its second session, in 1837, by the passage of a bill "to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organizing, reg- ulating and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as twenty electors should reside in a surveyed township, they should elect a board of three commissioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of school lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also provided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate school houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors sliould be elected annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the basis of the town organization. Every 394 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. town with not less than ten families, was made a school district and required to provide a com- petent teacher. More populous towns were di- vided into two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain others, being transferred to the in- spectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, pre- viously in existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school houses and supporting schools, was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commission- ers was restored, and the duties of the inspect- ors were assigned to the same. Other some- what important amendments were made at the same time. In 1840, a memorial to Congress from the Legislature, represented that the people were anxious to establish a common school system, with suitable resources for its support. From lack of sufficient funds many of the schools werie poorly organized. The rate-bill tax or private subscription was often necessary to suppliment the scanty results of county taxation. Until a State government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new States, for educational purposes, a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the State, the 500,000 acres to which the State was enti- tled by the provisions of an act of Congress passed in 1841, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not specified. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the State constitution. AGITATION FOR FREE SCHOOLS. Shortly before the admission of the State the subject of free schools began to be quite widel)^ discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial Legisla- ture, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town to vote taxes on all the assessed property for the full support of its schools. A provision of the act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1845, and thus the first free school in the State was legally organ- ized. Subsequently, in the Legislature, in the two constitutional conventions, and in educa- tional assemblies, the question of a free school system for the new State soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free school system similar to that in our present constitution. The question of establishing the office of State superintendent, more than any other fea- ture of the proposed school system, elicited dis- cussion in that body. The necessity of this of- fice, and the advantages of free schools sup- ported by taxation, were ably presented to the convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Con- necticut, in an evening address. He afterward prepared, by request, a draft of a free school system, with a State superintendent at its head, which was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the article on education previously pre- pared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in which we now find it. Immedi- ately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution prepared by the second conven- tion, three commissioners were appointed to re- vise the statutes. To one of these, Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was as- signed. The work was acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one, went into operation May 1 St, of that year. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM UNDER THE STATE GOVEBX- MENT. In the State constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 395 four corner stones were: (1) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; (2) the school fund created; (3) the system of supervision; (4) a State University for higher instruction. The school fund has five distinct sources for its cre- ation indicated in the constitution: (I) Pro- ceeds from the sale of lands granted to the State by the United States for educational pur- poses; (2) all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for breach of the penal laws; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty; (5) five per cent, of the sale of government lands within the State. In addition to these constitutional sources of the school fund, an- other and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1S70. By an act of the State Legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and overflowed lands, granted to the State by Congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were. added to the common school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances; but if not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school fund. The following year one of these fourths was con- verted into the normal school fund, leaving one- half for the common school fund. In 1858 an- other fourth was given to the drainage fund, thus providing for the latter one half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school fund, until the year 1865, only tlie remaining one fourth. In the latter year this was transferred to the normal school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this fund should be transferred to the common school fund until the annual income of the lat- ter fund should reach ^200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the normal fund left applicable to the sup- port of normal schools and teachers' institutes. At the first session of the State Legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to provide for the election, and to define the duties of a State superintendent of public instruction. A district board was created, consisting of a mod- erator, director and treasurer; the office of town superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substan- tially that passed by the Legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May 1, 1849. The most important change since made was the abolition of the oftice of town superintendent, and the substitution therefor of the county su- perintendency. This change took effect .Tan. 1, 1862. * DEVKLOPMBNT OF SCHOOLS IN VERNON COUNTY. From small beginnings indeed, education has developed in Vernon as in other counties, step by step, growth upon growth, ever widening and deepening to meet the wants of an increas- ing population, until to-day our schools stand abreast with the times, and are not far behind the foremost in Wisconsin. Here and there some fifteen to twenty years ago the traveler might meet on some cross road or deep in the head of some cooley, the old- time log cabin, poorly lighted, largely ventilated, wretchedly constructed and furnished, where grown boys and girls with little children were taiight from old fashioned and various text books, and often indeed, without even these poor aids. Educated and trained teachers were hard to obtain. There was little attempt at classification or any uniformity of method. One teacher spent part of his terra in pulling down the work which the former teacher had built up, or in carrying the pupil over the same ground traveled by his predecessor, leaving the boy or girl at compound numbers or at frac- tions, to begin again the same process on the re-opening of the school and arrival of the next teacher. ♦"Educational History," by Prof. Edward Soaring-, in the Illustrated Historical Atlas of Wisconsi:! 396 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The programiue and curriculum of these palmy days were the time worn reading and arithmetic in the forenoon; geography, reading and spelling in the afternoon. Language les- sons or grammar were seldom or never taught. Penmanship was a scarcity. The benches and desks were rude; the ceiling low; the floor rough and rickety. No outbuildings were visible and on the whole the aspect looked uninviting. Yet here and there some good, solid work was accomplished, owing, perhaps, rather to the de- termination and patience of the pupil than to tlie ability of the teaclier and the aid of books, and out from even these poorseliools have gone earnest hearted youths and maidens equipped and harnessed fairly for the struggle of life. So true is it that talent will finally manifest itself in spite of lack of aid from extensive sources. Vernon county had several superintendents of schools in these days known as township su- perintendents. By and by instead of the log cabin might be seen, along the public roads, here and there, the neat frame building; sometimes roomy and well lighted, with seats and desks in keeping, and occasionally a good blackboard and a map or two on the walls. Some system, too, was at- tempted in the examination of teachers, and also in the discipline of the school room. Schol- arship became a necessary factor in the teach- er's fitness. The schools were more frequently visited; better order prevailed; the tests of suc- cessful work sought out both by superintend- ents and district boards, and the attention of the public now closely turned to the conditions of the schools. The township system of superintendents closed and that of county supervisors begun. One of the first, if not the first county super- intendent was Mr. Hartwell Allen, who held the oflice for some years. Mr. X. Wright, of Bloomingdale, carried on the work for two years, and Mr. O. B. Wyman, then of Hillsbor- ough, continued it for six years longer. These gentlemen did earnest and successful work and helped to bring up the character of Vernon county schools to their present condition. At the close of Mr. Wyman's term of oflice Mr. William Haughton, a former principal of Viro- qua High School and pastor of the Congrega- tional Church at same place, was elected and again elected to the oflice in the last county election. From a small beginning the schools now num- ber 160. Many of the buildings are commodi- ous and comfortable, respectably furnished and well ventilated. Quite a number are very pleasantly located, and some of the towns have entered so heartily into educational matters that they have spared no cost and.no pains in buildings and surroundings. NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY. Bergen number 7 Christiaoa " 6 Clinton " 7 Coon " 6 Forest •' 10 Franklin " 10 Genoa " 6 Greenwood " 7 Hamburg " 7 Harmony " 6 Hillsborough " 9 Jefferson " 10 Kickapoo " 7 Liberty " 4 Starli " 7 Sterling " 10 Union " 6 Viroqua " 14 Webster " 7 Wheatland " 6 Whilestowu " 8 In good condition 5 3 3 5 9 8 4 6 6 5 5 7 3 1 5 8 6 5 3 " . •' 5 5 Total 21 towns, 160 In good condition, 107 SCHOOL HOUSES. A few of these buildings are of brick and stone. 'J'he balance of those in good condition, quite a credit to the county. Thirteen new school houses were built dur- ing the year. One in Christiana, costing $745 in the pleasant and thriving village of Westby, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. SP7 on the Viroqua & Sparta Railroad. The ladies of this village deserve much credit for the active part they took in helping forward this building, having gotten up entertainments to help therein. The building is neat and roomy and contains two departments, one in each story. Coon has a very neat brick building in the striving village of Coon valley, standing near the beautiful brick church edifice of the Lu- theran faith. Our Norwegian friends show great zeal in the cause of education. All these public school buildings are a credit to them. Of the six school houses in this town, every one is neat and well kept. The same can be said of Christiana. Forest put up a building costing 1600. One cannot but be pleased with the character and condition of the school houses in this town, trim, neat, presenting an exterior that merits praise and an interior helpful to both teacher and student. The same may be said of other towns, but when we consider the rough nature of many parts of Forest and lack of wealth amongst its people, one is compelled to give large credit to its education loving residents which are chiefly American. Ontario, a very beautiful village in Whites- town, on the waters of the Kickapoo ; if not the city of palms, is at least of evergreens, orderly, quiet and serene ; has a graded school of two departments, over which Prof. D. O. Mahoney has reigned for some years, doing good work. The people feel the need of a new building and a High School. We trust to see one there ere long. Newton, in the town of Harmony, owns a large two story building, a credit to its people, especially to Mr. Hartwell Allen, an ex-superin- tendent of Vernon county, whose zeal and spirit helped on the good work. Newton has been noted for its special and select schools conducted by Mr. Allen, Mr. Haughton and one or two others. The former, especially, has done good work here, so good that his influence has been felt to this day among teachers and pupils. Readstown school, in Kickapoo, has a re- spectable history. Able teachers have left their marks there. De Soto, in town of Wheatland, owns a building which is a credit to the place. It was erected by I. W. Blake, of Viroqua. It is two story, commodious, airy, neat and well furnished. It is appraised at upwards of 83,000, but who can estimate the value of its work or rather the work done therein to the community. Formerly they ran three depart- ments, at present owing to the exit of people to the far west, only two departments are open. Victory, on the banks of the Mississippi, owns a good and commodious building. So of other places along or near the same shore between De Soto and the northwestern boundary of Vernon. Time we trust is near when this shore will be alive with activity and business enter- prise and crowds of children shall seek the school house. In the common course of things and the nature of events that day is not far distant. Hillsborough, in the eastern part of the county has a beautiful building. In fact two buildings very nearly side by side. Three departments are kept open the greater part of the year, one of them a High School. The buildings are pleasantly located, apart from the village, yet commanding a view of it. There are here excellent and numerous accommo- dations, good airy rooms, and the general aspect of the place is delightful. The good citizens, many of whom are Germans, spare no cost in and for the well-being of their schools. Rockton school has also a good history. The people have lately put the building under repairs and have neatly and conimodiously furnished and seated it. To the Hon. Samuel S. Bennett much credit is due. His helpful -hand and large influence have done much for educa- tion, as well as for other good things in this ])lace and amongst this community. 398 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Chaseburg, on the Coon river, owns a pretty school building. We are tempted again into calling attention to a name interwoven with the history of this place. The Hon. Mr. Swain, a true friend to every good work. His influence has been very helpful to education in this place. Viroqua scliools have prospered in the past few years, especially those in the village. A large stone building of four departments, costing some 114,000, was erected some years ago, but was found not ample enough for the rapidly increasing school population. Last year a very elegant and commodious brick building was erected. And yet they come. Before long another wing will have to be added to this edifice. The schools both high and graded have, for two years past been under the charge of Prof. I. C. Smith, a very able and zealous teacher, and a graduate of Platesville Normal School. Mr. Smith is doing good work, as are also his staff of teachers. Emma Howett, Lena Washburn, Hatlie Ferrett, Eliza Haughton, Ida Coe and Hattie McKie. The attendance is large. The curric- ulum very respectable and the work done is really valuable. The schools have won the confidence of the general public, so much so that now resident pupils are seeking to avail themselves of its benefits in large numbers. EXAMINATION OF TEACHEES. Two semi-annual public examinations for teachers are held, one in March and one in September of each year, at eight different points in the county, most available to teachers. About 250 to 300 applicants attend these examinations, some write only for their grad- ing, others for certificates, 180 to 200 of which have been annually granted, chiefly of the third class grade. We have been graduallj' reducing the corps of teachers and raising the standard of qualification. During the past year fewer certificates have been granted than ever before, and the result is, naturally higher salaries and a better class of instructors. We seek everywhere and on all occasions to give encouragement and promise to do faithful and efficient work. Teachers are requested to give reports to county superintendent as to their location and work, name of school board, order of exercises, progress and punctuality of pupils, average attendance at school, methods of instruction, visitations at homes of pupils and preparations for school room work after school hours. COUNTY SUPERVISION. The effect of this supervision and discipline is manifest in the better order of the schools and the progress of the pupils. Not only is it sought to have the intellect developed, but likewise the heart of kindness and courtesy, in the school room and on the play grounds. A constant visitation, when not engaged in office work, is kept up by the superintendent, when methods of instruction are examined, suggested or recommended, and faithful work encour- aged. Public lectures are frequently given ; talks to the children, also, on the beauty and nobil- ity of education, self government and a pure life, self-giving and unselfish like the Great Master — for we all know that mere intellectual power without moral guidance and strength is a failure for this life and for the next. Teach- ers and pupils everywhere welcome the super- intendent, and he has always a place in the hearts and homes of our generous people. There is held each year two normal insti- tutes, under the management of a normal school conductor, assisted by the county super- intendent and most able and prominent teachers. These institutes are of incalculable benefit. They present the best and standard methods of teaching; experiences of the most successful in the profession ; the drill, the discipline and the elementary nature of the work, and are cal- culated to fit the teacher for abler methods of greater uniformity and of larger results in the school room. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 399 School boards and school patrons are of late turning their attention to the providing of text books for their districts of greater uniformity, and of school furnishing in maps, globes, seats and desks. The outlay in this direction during the last school year has been large. The pro- fession is becoming less and less an itineracy, good teachers being retained in the old places at an increased salary. An extract is here offered from State superintemlent Whitford's report for 1880-1 : ''The returns from Vernon county are pecu- liarly satisfactory. Here an earnest and general attention has been given to the compulsory law. The present county superintendent, Wil- liam Haughton, as well as his immediate prede- cessor, has labored faithfully to enlist the interest of the teachers, school boards and other prominent citizens in the different districts, in securing a hearty compliance with the terms of the law. 'In my opinion, its power to influence parents and guardians in sending their children to school has been tested in this county as thoroughly as in any other section of the State. The increase in the attendance of children of school age the past year was S4I, while the in- crease in school population was cfnly 100. The percentage of attendance of these children upon public schools was eighty, and of the children between seven and fiUeen years of age it was ninety-one. These are excellent results ; and if the same could be reached in other lo- calities the State would have no reason to com- plain of the "neglect of very many of the citi- zens to furnish their children the advantages of an elementary education." "Mr. Ilaughton, the present superintendent, writes in reference to the facts above stated : "Doubtless, the compulsory law has ranch to do with this increase of attendance, and yet I find that Vernon county people are steadily awakening to the necessity of giving their (■iiil- dren all the benefits of our common schools." There is yet much to do. The battle has not yet been won. May the time soon come when the school houses will adorn the county, when the last log cabin will have disappeared and in its place will stand the neat edifice with pleasant surroundings, calculated to train and elevate the ideas of the beautiful in the hearts and minds of the children, and when every njan and woman, every youth and maiden in this beautiful country will have risen to a larger conception of what America offers them and expects from them in return. A great people, a grand future, to be reached not so much by wealth or by victory on the battle field as through the agency and power of the common schools. It will be seen by the following figures that the schools are still steadily though slowly in- creasing : PROSPKBITY OF THE SCHOOLS. There are four towns in which there are pub- lic school libraries containing about 250 vol- umes, cash value of which is supposed to be $110 to $120. One hundred and forty-three schools, in which are good blackboards, twenty hav- ing charts, lOi having good maps, forty-one hav- ing globes, and 180 supplied with Webster's large dictionary. There have been employed 250 teachers, of both sexes, during the year, about seventy of whom were males. The salaries of the males averaged $28 per month, and that of females, $22. Average number of months in which school kept, about seven and a half. There has been a very decided gain, both in length of school term and in teachers' wages, in the past few years. Average scholarship on authorized standard about seventy-five per cent, on females and seventy-seven and a half on males. A few r(> ceived only a six months license, but the greater part a year's certificate. About fifty of the schools have adnptcil ilie course of study arranged and recomincndcil by 400 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. State superintendent. Others have in part tried it. The difficulties in the way are numerous, but persevering teachers are overcoming them. The list of studies as prescribed by tlie State is as follows : Orthoepy, orthography, reading, penman- ship, arithmetic, grammar, geography. United States history, civil government, and theory and art of teaching. In these, third grade ap- plicants are examined. In addition, for second grade, candidates are examined in elementary algebra, higher grammar, physical geography and physiology. For first grade, in addition thereto, higher algebra, geometry and natural philosophy or physics. But few of the teachers have obtained first grade certificates, and of these few the males preponderate. A larger number obtain second grade, and these certificates are held almost wholly by females. A teachers' association has been held at Ontario during the winter. The state of the roads and the distance to available points are such as to make such gatherings less frequent and more sparsely attended than they ought to be. It is to be hoped they will in time be more numerous and better attended than they are now. Ray's and Robinson's arithmetics ; McGuf- fey's, Sander's and the Union readers ; Mon- teith's. Harper's, and Swinton's geographies ; Kerl's, Harvey's and Swinton's grammars, have of late been the popular text books in the county : yet of late, too, Appleton's series, especially the reader, is working its way into the schools. So, also, is Fish's arithmetic and Olney's algebra. Evan's little work on geom- etry is growing into favor in the high and graded schools. One thousand dollars and twenty cents has been expended in private schools during the year, the whole for teachers' wages. There are nineteen of these schools. The expenditure over any former year in amount of outlay for teachers' wages is upward of $6,000 while that of amount total for school purposes is $10,000 to $10,500. The extra cost of school buildings the past year, excluding any other year, is some $6,000 to $7,000. The county having spent $11,322 for building dur- ing the last year. GENERAL STATISTICS FOB 1882 TO 1883. Whole number of chilrtrea of school age in county 9038 Whole number who have attended school 6790 Whole number of days school has been taught 24 U8 Number of teachers required to teach the schools 160 Whole number of public American schools in county.. 160 Number of private schools in county 19 Average wages paid teachers per month $24,81!4 Number of visits paid by the county superintendent. . 132 Number of addresses and lectures giTen on education 25 Number of districts which have adopted list text books 85 Petcentage of enrollment of children of school age — T8 Percentage of enrollment of children between 7 and 15 87^4 Number of new school houses built during the year 13 Amount of cost of these school houses $11,. 323 Amount of outlay for teachers' wages $35, 326 Total amount for all school purposes $38,168 Number of graded schools in the county 4 Number of high schools 2 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY! 401 CHAPTER XXIX. VARIOUS THINGS. As the years pass away there are transpiring continually in the county incidents of import- ance, wliich, in their nature, only require brief mention, but which cannot well be overlooked. Some of these are so transient in their character, that, by much the larger portion of the people, they are soon forgotten; but what may seem unimportant now may become exceedingly im portant to future generations. It is the office of this chapter to preserve these small things, awaiting the time when each shall no longer seem like "an insubstantial pageant faded." A. PIONEER INCIDENT. Lee Grant Sterling, in 1847, carried his plow on his shoulders from West Prairie to Mt. Ster- ling, in Crawford county, on his way to Prairie du Chien to get it sharpened. At Mt. Sterling, his load getting rather heavy, he hired a horse and rode the residue of the distance. On his way back he overtook Alexander Latshaw, whose wife was a relative, and a joyful meeting was, of course, the result. Mr. Latshaw was just then on his way out to settle in the county. CENSUS OF 1847. As the present county of Vernon before its formation by the Legislature in 1851, as Bad Ax county, was a part of Crawford county, the set- tlers up to that date were, of course, residents of the last mentioned county. On the 1st day of December, 1847, an enumeration of the heads of families, the number of males in each family, Uo the number of females was taken in the Mt. Sterling precinct. No. 2, by the census taker of that year, with the following result: Heads of Families or Prtn- CIPAL Persoh. Ira Stevfne John Miller Philandor Green William T. Sterling . George Nichols John Teavalt James A. Clark Alexander Latshaw. Joseph Heck S. Bacon Thomas Lewis Hugh Moore Esau Johnson J. D. Gay Ezekiel Tainter James A. Cooke John Hemerson ThomasGillett Elisha Secley John Graham Clemant Spaulding. . M. Cheatham Elisha Jinks William Spencer ... John Heed Samuel Ingraham... Thomas J. Defrees. . .Jacob Johnson Henry Seifert Abraham Stiles George A. Swain. .. George P. Taylor Michael Hinkst Samuel G. Kice George Pike Owen Whigyle Philip Snyder J. Warner Bangui Roberts Andrew Neiborn Francis PatneU Joseph Godfry White Males. White Females. 134 Total i 2 3 o 8 ."> H 1 a 1 2 2 a 5 IH « 4 3 :f 3 « o 4 2 4 8 14 a fl 1 a H R » 2 K 5 K 1 2 4 7 2 7 1 2 1 n 8 2 8 1 6 1 2 f> 1 3 1 223 THE M. E. CHURCH FROM 1851 TO 1859. In the year 1851 a Mr. Stevens was appointed by the Methodist Episcopal Conference to the Bad Ax charge, as it was called, and he labored zealously in the cause, preaching in turn at 402 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Viroqua, the Bad Ax school house, occasionally at the dwelling of James Foster, and at other private dwellings throughout the district, which included the whole of the present Vernon county. In the year 1852 the conference appointed Nicholas Mayue to the charge. Mr. Mayne was a quiet, zealous Christian, patient under all cir- cumstances; not a very fluent speaker, but cor- rect and impressive. He resided under the same roof with D. G. A. Swain, and had for his places of preaching, the dwelling of Mr. Swain, Viro- qua, Bad Ax, Springvllle and Coon Prairie. Mr. Mayne was also appointed to the same charge for the ensuing year, and his field of labor before the close of the second year became much enlarged, the Church increased in numbers and his services were well attended. The camp meetings were still carried on during the specifled period in each year in the valley near the residence of J. A. Cjoke, with increased additions to the Church. It was about at the time of the closing labors of Mr, Miyiie when, in consequence of the great additions to the Church, both by new converts and those coming in by .etter, that it became necessary to make preparations for the building of a meeting house. Upon the close of Mr. Miyne'.s appointment to the Bad Ax; circuit, the conference sent Mr. Cooley to the charge. Mr. Cooley's places of preaching were the same as those of Mr. Mayne. We cannot find from the facts collected in reference to Mr. Cooley's labors among the brethren of the Bad Ax circuit, that he formed any new societies, though many additions were made to those already formed. At the close of the labors of Mr. Cooley on the circuit, Mr. Perdunn, who had preached to the first Church at Bad Ax, was sent back on the charge. Mr. Perdunn was a warm-hearted speaker and a zealous Christian. He lab( red earnestly among the brethren near half his ap- l>ointraent,when sickness in his family called him home. He left the charge with the blessings of the Church resting on him and returned to his home to witness the expiring moments of his beloved wife, who died triumphantly in the faith which her husbaad had so zealously preached for many years. At the calling away of Mr. Perdunn from the charge, it was left without any minister, until James Bishop and Mr. Mcludoe generously prof- fered their services to the brethren for the remaining portion of Mr. Perdunn's appoint- ment. They labored zealously in the good work of building up the societies and consolidating the energies of the Church in general; and the cause received a lively impetus from their labors. The Church considering its infancy and the adverse circumstances which its supporters had to encounter in the wilderness; the sacrifice which was necessary to be made on the part of the ministers, by leaving their homes in distant places and coming among the brethren to preach, receiving but a pittance for their labors except the warm friendship and hospi- tality of the members; notwithstanding all this, the Church prospered and increased continu ally; prayer meetings began to be held in many places, and a general spirit of piety and devo- tion was diffused among the settlers; and few new countries have ever witnessed a more general reign of religious freedom during its first settlement than did the county of Bad Ax. In the summer of 1850 Elder Hobart, of Prairie du Chien, visited the Church in Bad Ax, in his official capacity, and presided at the second camp meeting. This camp meeting was held under more favorable circumstances than the one the previous year. When the elder and many .if his ministering brethren made their appearance among the members and resident ministers of the circuit, there was great rejoic- ing. It was to them as the re-enforcement of tlie army in the days of Wellington. Blucher had come and victory hailed his approach; and he appeared as one "born out of due time." Elder Hobart appeared as the first elder in the Bad Ax charge, and at the second camp HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 405 meeting held on the old ground in the year 1850. Some, perhaps, may think this is not the fact, that he was not the first one that visited the Church in an offiicial capacity, that Elder Wood visited the charge prior to the coming of Elder riobart. It is true that Elder Wood, as has heretofore been mentioned, visited the set- tlement, leaving an appointment to preach, which appointment was tilled by Mr. Thomas, at the house of T. J. DeFrees, but Mr. Wood, afterwards elder, was not elder at that time, but was minister in charge on the IJlack river circuit One fact should have been mentioned in the account of the itinerant ministers, in relation to the visits of Wm. Tascar, who visited the Bad Ax Cluireh in the spring of 1849. Mr. Tascar was more theoretical than practical in his preaching, and lacked, apparently, the physical energy necessary to surmount all difficulties to be encountered in a new co:intry. Howevei', on his departure, liis place was ably filled bv other ministers whose names have alrca ly been ment'oned, which brings this nai-raivc ilnwn lo the date of 18.56, and the a]ipointment oi George W. Harlshoni, of Lafayette county, to the Viroqua circuit. It became necessary about this time to divide the district, which was done tlie fail previous to tlie appointment of Mr. Hartshorn. The circuit was divided nortli and south, leaving about one-third or one-half lying alono- the Mississippi river and the remainder to com- prise the eastern i>art of the county, which re- ceived the name of the "Viroqua charge," and the river charge that of "Newton." To the Newton circuit G. W. Nuzum was ap- pointed first minister in the year 18.56 and he made his place of residence the village of New- ton, situated on the Bad A.\ river. His places of preaching were Newton, Springville, Had Ax City (now Genoa) and several private dwellings. Mr. Nuzum was a man of diniinutive stature, young and not of sufficient piiysical ability to carry out the yearnings of his soul and the ac- tivity and energy of his mind. He was a lively and active worker in the Church, much devoted to the cause and his every-day life a continuous sermon. Mr. Hartshorn was a man of heavy and ap- parently robust stature, a good scholar, but not classical; a good physician and minister, compe- tent to cure both body and soul. He labored ear- nestly on his charge, filling his place creditably, and the next year was appointed to a district in Grant county, and took up his residence at the quiet and pleasant village of Boscobel, on the Wisconsin river. As early as the year of 1850 so many societies had been organized throughout the district, and these societies had to be visited by the minis- ter, and, as yet, dwelling houses being scarce, at least unoccupied ones, that it was difficult to find one wherein the minister might live and en- joy his leisure hours in seclusion — devoted to his work. To remove this difficulty Mr. Per- dunn granted to the Church, to be used as a parsonage, one acre of land oflp his farm which lay two miles northeast of the village of Viro- qua. This parsonage was situated opposite the dwelling of George Dacy, in a beautiful grove of hickory and ash, on the skirts of the prairie. When Mr. Stevens was sent to the charge, he erected a cabin on the parsonage, the people of the neighborhood lending a very generous aid. Mr. Stevens cut away the underbrush from the ground, trimming the shrubbery and creating quite an attractive appearance about the premises Mr. Cooley afterwards occupied the parson- age during his appointment, but some time after he retired from the charge the house and ground came into dispute, arising from the sale of the farm from which it was taken, and the Church tacitly I'elinquished its claim and the premises ceased to be used for its benefit. After the re- linquishment of the claim on this tenement, the ministers took u|> tlieir residence with the fami- lies of the members, or were provided other- wise with dwellings of some kind by tliem. 24 406 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. At the time when Mr. Bishop and Mr. Mcln- doe were filling the place of Mr. Perdunn, they conceived the idea of building a house for wor- ship in Viroqua. During the years 1853, 1854 and 1855, the rush of emigration was so great to Bad Ax county and accessions to the Methodist Church were so numerous that it became difiicult to find a house large enough to contain the at- tendants; and to remove this inconvenience, Mr. Mclndoe started a subscription paper for the purpose of building a meeting house. This subscription was dated May 29, 1856. The members all subscribed liberally. Some as high as $100 and many who were members of other Churches donated lumber, and some la- bor, and others who were not members of any Church aided materially in building the house. During the coming summer D. S. Connelly put in a bid for the erection of the building and got the contract. He prosecuted the work with vigor and the following year services were held in the new church. Mr. Mclndoe's subscription list footed up 1343.22. After this another subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of completing the building — painting and plastering and other work. This W!vS the first building for public worship erected by the Methodist Church in the county; and having a building for the general meeting of the Church, the different classes were at- tended at dwellings and school houses until it became necessary to erect buildings in other lo- calities. Mr. Hartshorn preached the first ser- mon in the new church in Viroqua. No doubt the annual camp-meeting did much toward the building up and strengthening the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bad Ax county. Tiiey were held three years successively on the same grounds, with the exception of the last year of the three, when they located a site with- in a few hundred yards of the former grounds, holding the meeting once, after which they pre- pared new grounds in the grove about one mile east of Viroqua, where they held their meetings successively for three year, which brings this narrative to July, 1858. Many hundreds of new converts were made at these meetings; members were strengthened in the faith; prayer meetings and revival meet- ings followed; and thus a religious spirit went forth perhaps without a parallel in any newly settled country in the west. Other Churches caught the fire of their zeal and crowded on their own work, sometimes joining with them in the great labor of Christianizing the land. In the fall of 1857, during the first year of the appointment of J. E. Fitch to the Viroqua circuit, a union meeting was held at the new church in Viroqua, wherein Mr. Dean, Baptist missionary, and J. E. Fitch, minister in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church, united for the purpose of showing to the world how well Christians could agree, and to show their love for the churches; and a revival ensued whereby many were saved from the sin of the world, taken into the Churches. About 200 were added to the M. E. Church during the first year of the labors of Mr. Fitch throughout the circuit. New Brookville, a pleasant little village had in the meantime sprung up, four miles south of Viroqua, at which place Dr. G. A. Swain re- sided, who had already done much toward build- ing up a Church in that place. He first built a neat little dwelling iu the village to be occu- pied by the circuit ministers; but during the appointment of Mr. Hartshorn a slight difficulty arose between him and the doctor, which re- sulted in the removal of Mr. Hartshorn to Vii-o- qua. What the difficulty was it is needless to mention. Mr. Hartshorn found in Viroqua many warm friends and a comfortable dwelling. The Church at New Brookville so increased that it became necessary to have a building larger than any already there for the attendants to meet in; and Dr. Swain went to work in his usual persevering style, and a meeting house was soon erected. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 407 Previous to the building of the church at New Brookville, on account of the inconven- ience of so many in one class, it was di- vided, one part still meeting at the parsonage in the village, and the other class meeting at the school house, known to many as the Robin- son school house, two miles northeast of the village. The place of meeting of the new class became a regular place of preaching, and Wil- liam Cox was appointed leader of the class. During the winter of 1857 a revival took place among the new class, under the preaching of John Whitworth and J. A. Cooke, and many were converted and the class greatly increased and strengthened. About this time was the great revival through- out the United States. Never before in its his- tory was there known to be such a general turn- ing to the Lord; and the Methodist Church in Bad Ax county took an exceeding active part and had a bountiful share of new-born souls as a reward for her Christian zeal. New societies sprang up in every direction. New minister^ took up the sword and helmut and battled val- iantly, and peace was multiplied in the Church. The era of the revival of 1-57 will never br erased from the annals of the (lunch in I5a.l Ax county, or from the memories of the peoplf. In the spring of 185S, the Church in New Brookville commenced the erection of a build- ing for public worship at that place, under tht superintendence of Dr. G. A. Swain, as already intimated. The building was situated on a beautiful eminence in the outskirts of the vil- lage. It was finished the following fall, and the dedicatory sermon preached ■ by Elder A. H. Walters, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1858. The build- ing was well finished, and was an ornament to the village and neighborhood where it was erected, and an honor to the Church in general. In the spring of 1859 conference made an appointment at New Brookville, and sent thither J. J. Walker. This was the first appointment at that place and the third one in the county. Mr. Walker's places of preaching were New Brookville, Bad Ax, and in few school houses and dwellings throughout the circuit of his ap- pointment. After the expiration of Elder Hobart's term of office as presiding elder. Elder R. Wood was appointed to the upper district. About the year 185.3, Elder A. Brunson was appointed and following him was Elder A. H. Walters, who was afterward presiding elder, by re-appoint- ment. The next church building of the Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the town of Webster near the residence of Simeon Adams, who for many years was a leader of the class at that place. They had occasional preaching there by J. Whitworth, J. A. Cooke and Robert Adams. In June, 1859, the ministerial appoint- ments for Bad Ax county were : A. Foster, sta- tioned at Viroqua ; H. H. Smith, at Newton ; and J. J. Walker at New Brookville. AX AEROLITE. "We will not anuonnce," says the Western Times, i.f Aug. 10, 1856, "as an item of news, the f:ici iliat a few days, since a fire-ball or meteor WIS sci n to fall near this village (Viroqua), and that the sione or mass of native metal which (MU'^ed ihc |ilienomenon, was afterwards found on the surface of the earth. But the occur- rence has given rise to the question, what is the cause of so strange an appearance ? Several theories have been advanced to account for these bodies, the scientific name of which is aerolites. They are composed of metal in an ig- neous spongy form, showing the action of heat, and apparently of volcanic origin ? They cannot proceed from any volcano upon the earth ; but one of the theories is that they are projected from volcanoes of the moon with such force as to be cast beyond the sphere of the moon's at- traction and within that of the earth. "Others suppose they are fragments of a planet or comet, or matter existing in space between the planets; and as the earth meets them in her orbit, they are brought within the sphere of her attraction and to her surface. In passing 408 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. from a rarer to a denser atmosphere, they are heated and form sometimes shooting stars and sometimes ajrolites or meteoric stars. In the latter form, they fall to the ground, and produce the curious phenomenon which has called our attention to the subject." DBATH OF MOSHS DECKER. (From the Northwestern Times, Aug. 8 1860.) It is with sincere regret we record the death of Moses Decker, Esq., which occurred in this village (Viroqua) on Saturday, the 4th inst. Mr. Decker had readied his three score years and ten, being in his seventy-second year. He was born in the State of New York, and portions of his life were spent in that State, in Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. During the War of 1812-15, he was living in Ohio, was drafted as a soldier and served one campaign. In January, 1847, he removed with his family on to the ground now occupied by the village of Viroqua, cutting his way with an ax. He had, previous to the moving of his family here, selected his lands, and soon after his arrival they were entered. When Bad Ax county was or- ganized, Mr. Decker laid out the village of Viro- qua, and as an inducement to locate the county seat here, offered to donate forty acres to the county, adjoining the village plat, to aid in the erection of county buildings. Viroqua be- came the county seat and Mr. Decker conveyed to the county board of supervisors the forty acre tract. Since his removal here Mr. Decker has seen Bad Ax county organized and its population increase from a few families to 10,000 souls. He has seen churches and school houses spring up all around him, and the wilderness made to bloom like a garden. Amid all the changes and improvements that have been made Mr. Decker has stood in our midst like one of llie ancient landmarks. But at last he is gone! "Your fathers, where are they? and the pro- phets, do they live forever?" No; one by one, the links that bind the present to the past are sundered, and we look with sadness for a mo- ment on the vacancy made by their removal, and then, hurried along by the waves, we float down the stream of time, soon forgetting the forms and faces that have been borne away from us forever. Mr. Decker's first wife died Jan. 3, 1 859. He was married again to Mrs. Anna Goode, widow of the late Thomas Goode, Esq., who survives him. Eleven children scattered through the States of Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and California mourn his loss. STARTING A PAPER UNDER DIFFICULTIES. J. A. Somerby, of Madison, Wis., early ill the spring of 1856, walked through from his home to Viroqua to look up the prospects for establishing a paper at the county seat of Ver- non county. After his arrival he made arrange- ments with prominent men of the village to raise money to assist in getting liis family, print- ing press and printing materials from Madison; this was effected by employing thj-ee teams whicli brought the whole to Viroqua. The first issue of the paper (the Western Times) was gotten out in the building then used as a court house — a hewed log, one-story edifice. THE BUCKEYE ON FIRE. On Sunday morning, about 7 o'clock our citi- zens were alarmed by the cry of '■'■Fire at the Buckeye.'''' Fire had communicated to a bed in a room in the second story. When discovered the room was full of smoke and flame; but Mr. (Jeremiah M.) Rusk rushed into the room and succeeded in partially stifliing the fire, when he fell from the effects of suffocation and exhaus- tion and crawled to the door, when he again rushed in and brought out a burning trunk. Mr. Rusk's hands are very badly burned, so much so that he will not have the use of them for several weeks. The flames were effectually subdued in a short time by the citizens who collected in a few mo- ments and showered snow upon the fire. Dam- ages about $300. We bespeak a liberal patron- age for our popular high sheriff, the keeper of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 409 the Buckeye House, who is thus suddenly crip- pled for a, second time within a few months, he having had the misfortune to put his knee out of joint early in the spring in landing from a Mis- sissippi steamer. — Wes/em Times, Dec. 1-3,1865. WHAT WAS IT? [From the Viroqua County Censor, Api-il -t, ISUH] . A strange noise was heard by many people in this vicinity last Thursday. Some say it was in the air and resembled the noise made by the rush and whirl of a tornado; while some think the noise was in the earth, and that there was a shock similar to the shock of an earthquake. The noise was heard in other places; we have intelligence that it was noticed in Richland and Crawford counties. It seems to have been a somewhat mysterious noise; for no one can tell just what it was like, or where it seemed to be. If it was a light shock of an earthquake, and will never be any more serious than it was on this occasion, no one will care much about it; but if it was a tornado, our people must be ex- cused for having a wholesome terror of it, the one last year having been such a fearful visitor that we do not like to think that we can possibly have another. WILD CATS AND WOLVES. [From the Vernon County Censor, Jan. 1, 18B8.] Mr. John R. Casson, clerk of the board of supervisors, informs us that he has received during the month of December, J 867, applica- tions for bounty on forty-three wild cats and one wolf. The county bounty being abolished, the hunters get only the §10, tiie State bounty, which, however, will bring §440 on this account — a handsome sum. The wolves seem to be about all killed out. During the summer and fall they were much more numerous for wolf bounties; but they have gradually dwindled away to one a month. A CALL FOR FACTS. [From the Vernon County Censor, Feb. 26, 1868.] To the friends and relatives of deceased s'ddiers ; It is more than probable that at some future day Vernon county will erect a suitable monu- ment to the memory of her soldiers slain in the late war or who died from disease contracted in the service. It is probable, too, that some person may undertake to preserve in book form a short history of the part performed by Vernon county soldiers in suppressing the rebellion. I wish, therefore, that the friends of deceased soldier would send to me, if they can, the full name of such deceased soldier, the date of en- listment, the various actions in which such soldier engaged, etc., and such other facts con- cerning the history of the soldier as the friends may see proper. I wish, too, that all of Vernon county soldiers who had commissions in the service would furnish me with the date of their various com- missions, their first enlistment, the principal actions in which they engaged, etc. Now, friends of soldiers, do not be afraid to write me and write at once. I do not care how poor your penmanship is, nor how bad your spelling is. I only ask you to write all your communications on good, clean paper. If I should not use the materials myself, I will carefully preserve them, so that they can be used by somebody. R. C. BlERCE. BEARS. [From the Vernon County Censor, July ."J, 1888.1 Just east of this village (Viroqua), two or three bears seem to have taken up their quar- ters, making themselves quite at home. Not long since, Mr. Brothers, on rising in the morn- ing, found several of these animals composedly sitting on their haunches at his door-step, and he being unarmed was not able to secure the prize thus almost within his reach. The other day we hear Mr. "Put" White was chased from his field to his house by an old bear with two cubs. Unless the "varmint" are careful our market will soon be supplied with bear meat. CLIMATOLOGY OF VERNON COUNTY. The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and moisture which prevails in any given place, 410 HISTORY' OF VERNON COUNTY. and which directly affects the growth of plants and animals, is determined by the following causes: 1st. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds ; and 5th. Local influences, such as soil, vegetation axM prox- imity to lakes and mountains. Of these causes, the first, distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are verti- cal. But in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmos- phere, as the amount of air to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the equa- tor to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water and the prevail- ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given region, and its cause*, is one of the most difficult problems of science. On the second of "these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oceanic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equal and moist than those of the interior. A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high moimtains. The rate at which the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situa- tion, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season of the year. As a rough approxima- tion, however, the fall of 1 deg. of the ther- mometer for every 300 feet is usually adopted. Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of the relative distribution of atmos- pheric pressure blowing from places where the pressure is highest, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts showing the mean pres- sure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of western Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds ; and in the ex- tremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in summer and the Arctic blasts of winter. Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most im- portant. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tem- perature. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modified by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it would be if bare. Evapora- tion goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar manner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. Dur- ing summer the water cools the air and reduces the temperature of the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is produced. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 411 The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels ; the warmer water rising to the surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises tlie temperature of the neighboring region. This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own State by Lake Michigan. It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air com- ing in contact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, dis- placing the warmer and lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is gen- erally more intense in ravines and valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical im- portance to fruit-growers. In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Vernon county, and the con- ditions on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of Wis- consin, particularly of the western portion of the State, of which Vernon county is a part; and from this, the reader can readily deduce the character of the climate in the county. The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Laj)ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, in the signal service report for 1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the southern part of the State, as that of Brecken- ridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderat- ing effect of the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night. Countries in the higher latitudes having an extreme summer temperature are usually charac- terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi .valley, however, is directly exposed in spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds con- dense their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a profusion of rain which deprives the climate largely of its continental features. As already stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about thirty inches annually. Of this amount about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eights in summer, and the rest is equally distributed between spring and autumn — iu other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the State ; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less than that of some other. . In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than in the Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United Slates is the great range of plants of tropical or sub- tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and mois- ture, and the mechanical and chemical compo- sition of the soil. The basis of this great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the 412 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. coast of the Gulf. Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72 deg. and 77 deg , in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas ; but it may be grown up to tlie line of 65 degs., which includes the whole of Wiscon- sin. The successful cultivation of this impor- tant staple is due to the intense heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen. While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45 deg., that of southern Ireland and central England is 50 deg.; the line of 72 deg, the average temperature for July, runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and Eng- land have a mean temperature of only 60 deg. In Wisconsin, the thermometer rises as high as 90 deg. and above, while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the trop- ical element of our summers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while Eng- land, with a higher mean temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain out-doors, unfrosted the whole winter, cannot mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2 deg. below the mean of 60 deg. will greatly reduce the quantity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60 deg. being essential to a good crop. Wheat re- quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain may be grown as far north as Hudson bay. Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin. North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the State, November belongs properly to the winter months, its mean tem- perature being about 32 deg. The decrease of heat from August to September is generally from 8 deg. to 9 deg.; 1 1 deg. from September to October, and 14 deg. from October to November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45 deg. A beautiful season, commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in November. This period is characterized by a mild temper- ature and a hazy, calm atmosphere. According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncom- monly tranquil condition of the atmosphere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake Superior, but it is more conspicuous and pro- tracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not ob- served in the southern States. Destructive frosts generally occur in Septem- ber, and som etimes in August. "A temperature of 36 deg. to 40 deg. at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the posi- tion of the thermometer being usually such as to represent lesg than the actual refrigeration at the open surface." In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times be- low the freezing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14 deg. The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow. The mean winter temperature varies between 23 deg. in the southeastern part of the State, and 16 deg. at Ashland, in the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 20 deg. is of importance, as it marks the av- erage temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees, such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875-'76, the mean temperature for December, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4 deg. above the average mean for many years, while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and February was about 12 deg. below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and mild winters. In the same winter, 1875 — 76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only six times below zero, the lowest being 12 deg., while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six times below zero, the lowest be- ing 23 deg. In the northern and northwestern HISTORY OF VEUNON COUNTY. 413 part of the State the teiaperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During tlie exceptionally cold winter of 1872-3, at LaCrosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero ; on December 24, .it indi- cated 37 de^. below, and on January 18, 43 deg. below zero, averaging about 1 i deg. below the usual mean for those months. The moderating efifect of Lake Michigan can be seen by observ- ing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers and the Grand Traverse region of Michigan, have the same average winter tem- perature. The same is true regarding Ga- lena, 111., Beloit and Kewaunee. A similar in- fluence is noticed in all parts of the State. Dr. Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from 1,100 to 2,2-10 feet high) protects the lake re- gion in no inconsiderable degree from the ex- cessive cold of winter. According to the same autiiority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed with ice, for a period of nine years, varied between No- vember 15 and December 1 ; the time at which it became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea- son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the New England States usually have snow ly- ing on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern lake district it rarely remain.s so long. In 1842-43, however, sleighing commenced about the middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — live months. The average temperature for the three raontlis of spring, March, April and May, from Wal- worth county to St. Paul, is about 45 deg. In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27 deg., which is an increase of nearly 7 deg. from February. The lowest temperature of this month in 1876 was 40 deg. above zero. April shows an average increase of about 9 deg. over March. In 1876 the line of 45 deg. for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, Illinois, touching Lake Erie at Toledo, showing tliat the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes. "In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring, vegetation in places remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into ex- istence." The increase from April to May is about fifteen degrees. In May 1876 Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the same mean tem- perature, about 55 degrees. The extremes of our climate and the sudden changes of temperature no doubt have a tnarked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from arctic to trophical. and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to make the Missi.'^sippi valley, perhaps, one of the most favorable areas in the world for the development of a strong and wealthy Nation. During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three fourtiis of the rainfall is in showers usually ac- companied by electrical discharges and limited to small areas. Hut, in autumn, winter and spring, nearly tlie whole ])recipitation lakes place in general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and generally lasting two or three; day. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow toward tliat area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and 414 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. great, it is accompanied by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point. On the south side of the storm center the winds veer from southeast to southwest by the south point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are usually as follows: After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast gener- ally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The clouds which are now moving over us discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The barome- ter continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern quarter by the prevaling wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in direction and then ceases. The thermometer rises and the barome- ter has reached its lowest point. This is the center of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a temperature 10 or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter and spring rains are generally first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any poiut along their path, and move eastward with an ave'-age velocity of about twenty miles an hour in summer and thirty miles in winter, but some- times attaining a velocity of over fifty miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In predicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well as in collecting data for scientific conclusions. A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a country of its trees. The general influence of forests in modifying the extremes of tempera- ture, retarding evaporation and the increased humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to mention it; while in winter the sensible cold is never so extreme in woods as on an open surface exposed to the full force of the winds. The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United States labor in the woods without inconvenience when the mercury stands many degrees below zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost insupportable. In the State of Michi- gan it has been found that the winters have greatly increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move along even-faced with the de- struction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the most abundant fruits of that State; at that time frost, injurious to corn at any time from May to October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the corn. The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solution, yet the me- chanical screen which they furnish to the soil, often far off to the leeward of them, is sutticiently established, and this alone is enough to encour- age extensive planting wherever this protection is wanting. With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, we cannot positively aflirm that the total annual quantity of rain is even loflaly diminished or increased by the destruction of the woods, though both theoretical considerations and the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 415 balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more rain falls in wooiled than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed; the proposition, namely, that, within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be questioned that they tend to promote the fre- quency of showers, and, if they do not aug- ment the amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons. There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, obser- vations of the Rhine, Oder, Danube and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142 years, demonstrate beyond doubt that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list ©f navi- gable rivers. The Blue-Grass region of Kentucky, once the pride of the west, has now districts of such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mountains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells become too low to furnish water for their cattle. In our own State "such has been the change in the flow of the Milwaukee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the proprietors of most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water- power in dry seasons of the year. What has happened to the Milwaukee river has happened to all the other water-courses in the State from whose banks the forest has been removed; and many farmers who selected land upon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks dried up during a con- siderable portion of the year. Districts stri pped ot their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests, droughts and frost. Hurricane-*, before un- known, sweep unopposed over the regions thus denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track. Parts of Asia Minor, North Africa, and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe that it is the destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation. From such facts Wisconsin, already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late. GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE UNDERLYING FOR- MATIONS OF VERNON C'lUNTY. LBy T. C. Chamberlin, State Geologist.] I. — Potsdam Sandstone. After the great Archaean upheaval, there fol- lowed a long period, concerning which very lit- tle is known — a lost interval in geological his- tory. Itisonly certain that immense erosion of the Archnean strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its strata and redepositing the wash and wear be- neath its surface. The more resisting beds withstood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases the sands and sediments accumulated, as- they did over the bottom of the surrounding ocean. The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbed- ded themselves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in either case, to t^ll their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnawings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and wear that have previously been the main agents of rock formations, abundant life now swarms in the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the con- 416 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tribution of each little being was small, the myri- ad millions the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains, a large contribution to the accu- mulating sediments. Among plants there were sea-weeds, and among animals, protozoans, radiates, moUusks and articulates, all the sub- kingdoms except the vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites, who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain locali- ties. The result of the action of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with interstratitied layers of lime- stone and shale. These surrounded the Arch- sean nucleus on all sides, and reposed on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted on the copper and iron-bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result was the red Lake Superior sandstone. On the oppo- site side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and granites and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediate vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies abroad, irreg- ular belt bordering on the Archtean area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the State, is often likened to a rude crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this formation lies in a nearly horizontal position, and repose un- conformably upon the worn surface of the crys- talline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval ; there was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present day very much the same as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central por- tion of the State. The beds have been some- what convpacted by the pressure of superincum- bent strata and solidified by the cementing ac- tion of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and Ijy their own coherence, but the original charac- ter of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness, is very irregular, owing to the un- evenness of its Archajan bottom, and may be said to range from 1 ,000 feet downward. The strata slope gently away from the Archaean core of the State and underlie all the later forma- tions, and may be reached at any point in south- ern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which can be calculated with an approx- imate correctness. As it is a water-bearing for- mation, and the source of fine artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbed- ded layers of limestone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of fountains. II. Lower Magnesian Limestone. During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the forma- tion of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, without any very remarked disturbance of existing con- ditions," the formation of limestone was re- sumed, and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from fifty to 250 feet was attained. This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the for- mation, which is undulating, and in some local- ities may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and falling 100 feet in in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit, have been spuken of as limestone simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones, since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a notable quantity of silicia, which occurs dissseminated through the mass of rock; or, variously, as no- dules or masses of ehert; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming beautiful miniature grottoes; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argilla- ceous matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 417 and copper, are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few mol- lusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life, embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities whc're a somewhat ampler fauna is found. 13ut it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the dejjositirig seas, for it is certain that most limestone has originated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete calcareous mate- rial, and it is most consistent' to believe that such was the case in the present instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly oblit- erated. This formation occupies an irregular belt skirting the potsdam area. It was, doubt- less, originally a • somewhat uniform band swinging around the nucleus of the state al- ready formed, but it has since been eroded by streams to its present jagged outline. Ill- — St. Peter's Sandstone. At the close of this sandstone-making period there appear.sto have been an interval of which we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand ac- cumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the low- er magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the State, for a few prominences were left pro- jecting through the sand deposits. The mate- rial laid down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-roiled — grains. This was evidently deposited horizon- tally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a sense unconformably upon it. Wliere the sandstone abuts against tlie sides of the limestone prominences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional ini])urities, the formation is a very pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufac- ture. At most i)<)ints the sandstone has never become firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it varies greatly in thickness, the great- est yet observed being 212 feet, but the aver- age is less than 100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now collected are very meagre indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some of the finest arte- sian fountains in the State, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the lower magnesian limestone on the south. See map. IV— Trenton lAmestone. A slight charge in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accom- panied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and consolidated into limestone. A jiart of the time the accumulation of clayey matter pre- dominated, and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a j.ortion of these are true limestone, containing but a very small jiroportion of magnesia. A suffi- cient amount of carbonaceous matter is jncscnt in some layers to cause them to burn rradily. This formation is quite highly nietallifoniu.s in certain portions of the lead region, con- taining zinc especially, and considerable lead. 418 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. with less quantities of other metals. The for- mation abounds in fossils, many of them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are repre- sented. The surface area of this rock borders the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distin- guished from the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 120 feet. AN EARLY DEED FOR VERNON COUNTY REAL ESTATE. This Indenture, made this seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, between Samuel Read, of the county of Crawford and territory of Wisconsin, of the first part and John Mc- CuUoch, of the county and territory aforesaid, of the second part, witnesseth, that the said party of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of thirty dollars to me in hand paid, by the said party of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have remised, released, sold, conveyed and quit-claimed and by these presents do remise, release, sell, con- vey and quit-claim, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all the following described lot or parcel of land, situate, being and lying in the county of Craw- ford, and known and designated as follows: Twenty-four acres of (off) the west side of the the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section number thirty-six, in township num- ber twelve north, of range number five west of the fourth principal meridian. To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular, the appurtenances and privileges thereunto be- longing, or in any wise appertaining, and all the estate, right, title, interest and claim what- soever of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, in and to the above described premises to the only proper use, benefit and be- hoof of the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, and the said party of the first part for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, do covenant and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, that he will warrant and for- ever defend the aforesaid premises to be free and clear of all claim or claims of all and every person or persons claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof, by, through, or under him, and none other. In witness whereof, the said party of the first part have hereunto set his hand and seal, the day and year first above written. Daniel Read. Sealed and delivered in presence of Thomas J. DeFrees, Hiram G. Rice. Territory of Wisconsin, CRAWFORD county. I, Thomas J. DeFrees, a justice of the peace of said county, do certify that Daniel Read, whose signature appears to the foregoing deed, and who is personally known to me to be the person described in and who executed the same and acknowledged that he executed the said conveyance, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. Given under my hand [and] seal, this seven- teenth day of May, 1 848. Thomas J. DeFrees, Justice of the Peace. Office of Register of Deeds, crawford county, wis. March 1st, 1850. I hereby certify that the within deed of con- veyance, from Daniel Read to John McCullocb, was this day produced to me, in my office, at 12 o'ch'ck noon, and there upon duly recorded in Book F of Deeds, [on] pages 408, 409. Thomas Bugbeb. Begh of Deeds, C. C. Wis. AN INDIAN SCARE. In 1846 the citizens living contiguous to the Wisconsin river were treated to a genuine "In- dian scare," and, as the Winnebagoes were the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 419 supposed enemies, an account in this history is properly given of the event. In the winter of 1844-5, and while the Legis- lature of the State was in session at Madison, the capital, a rumor that an Indian war had broken out, came to the ears of tlie legislators with a thousand fearful forebodings, and pro- ducing intense excitement. At this time the militia laws had all been repealed, probably with a view to counteract the supposed influ- ence of Gov. Doty, and the capital he might have made by the organization of the militia, and the appointment of the oflicers from among his friends, the majority of the Legislature be- ing opposed to Doty. At this juncture, however a change in the administration of the general government had changed governors, and Gen. Dodge was again at the helm of the terri-* tory. But the law which abolished the militia service with a view to hamper and trammel Doty, was now, in a time of need, found to trammel and hamper Dodge, for though great fear was excited, t^^at plunder and murder would be, or were actually being committed by the Indians, the governor's hands were tied by the law, which he had himself approved. The representations ot the Indian disturbances made to the governor he communicated to the Assem- bly. The emergency of the case was such as to call the two Houses together at an evening ses- sion, to receive the governor's message on the subject, and to devise ways and means for the public defense. And while one was looking at another, at a loss to know what to do, a mem- ber penned and offered a bill to repeal the act by which the militia organization had been abol- ished, anes, cher- ries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, straw- berries and several other varieties. The French who first settled Detroit planted apple trees, pear trees and various other kinds of fruits, and, judging from that fact, I expected to find such trees in abundance in this region. But in this I was disappointed; finding of their planting but a few apple trees and these of an indifferent quality. About the year 1830 Gen. Street, the Indian agent, brought a lot of apple trees from Ken- tucky to this place, and set them out on a lot at the north end of this prairie. They have had but little care and are natural fruit, yet they have grown well and are very fruitful when not injured by the frost. In 1838 1 procured fifty grafted fruit trees from Kentucky, the nearest place from which I could then procure them. But the distance of transportation and change of climate must have affected them. Further- more the warmth of the steamboat caused them to bud in the moss in which they were done up so that but four or five of them lived. I have since tried seedlings of this country's growth, and though I have had bad luck, the mice and careless ploughman injuring the trees, yet there are some fine and very promising orchards in the country. What is wanted is a nursery in the country, so that the trees will become ac- climated, and there cnn be no doubt but that apples, pears and plums will do as w^ell as in any country as far north as this. As for peaches our hopes and prospects are not so flattering, [n 1846 1 had twenty peach trees, which, in March, showed l>uds for as many bushels of fruit; but a severe frost in April killed them down to the very roots. A neighbor of mine had beat me, in that be had thirty or forty bushels of the fruit the season before, and had hopes of a hundred at the time l)ut his shared the fate of mine, or nearly so. A few sprouted and made a great effort to live. We could raise peaches here if we could prevent the sap from starting before the late severe frosts in the spring. I do not agree with the theory that hard freezing before the sap has started kills these trees. For forty years I have watched these trees in the west, and I have never been satisfied that either the fruit or the tree has been injured by the frost before the sap starts in the spring. But invariably if the sap has .started, and is followed by a black frost, that is, something harder than a mere white frost, the fruit, if not the tree, is killed. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 429 Various remedies have been tried and recom- meuded for this evil — a northern declivity, cov- ering the roots with straw when the ground is frozen, etc. But the best, as I think, is engraft- ing the peach upon the wild plum. The plum we know seldom fails of bearing fruit on ac- count of frost, because it is late in putting forth its sap; and if the peach top is dependent on the plum root for sap it cannot get it, nor start its buds, until the plum root, according to the law of its nature, gives it. And as that period is so late, the frost usually does not injure the plum, neither can it injure the peach. Another advantage of this mode of grafting is, that the worm has sometimes killed the peach by goring its roots; but that occur- rence, as far as I know, never happened to the plum. The raising of peaches in this climate is a desideratum of which most persons despair. It is laid to the climate; but in this I think tliey are mistaken. Lower Canada, Vermont, New York, northern Pennsylvania, Ohio and I think Michigan once were favored with abundance of of this delicious fruit. In 1812, when I first emigrated to nortliern Ohio, those farms which had been long enough cleared to have peaches on them abounded in this fruit, and the trees and fruit continued to grow and do well until about the year 1830, when the late spring frosts began to kill, not merely the fruit, but the trees themselves. And what is singular, the frost took those in the valleys in one year, and those on the hills in another; and so on from one lo- cation to another; until, in 1836, when I left that country, there were but few peaches left, and from the newspapers I learn that since then this same cause has worked farther and farther south until fears are entertained of the loss of this fruit as far as Philadelphia and Baltimore. Now, from all this, the evil appears to be in the changes of tile seasons and not in the climate. The climate in the same place must be the same. But seasons have changed and re-changed since the settlement of America and favorable seasons may yet come round to us again in this matter. FIRST WHITE MEN WHO WERE EVER IN VERNON COUNTY — AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR VOYAGE UP THE Mississippi.* We set out from Fort Creve Coeur (on the Illi- nois river) the 29th of February, 1680, and to- ward evening, while descending the river Seig- nelay (Illinois) we met on our way several parties from Illinois returning to their village in their periguas or gondolas loaded with meat. They would have obliged us to return, our two boatmen were strongly influenced, but as they would have had to pass by Fort Creve Coeur, where our Frenchmen would have stopped them, we pursued our way the next day, and my two men afterward confessed the design which they had entertained. The river Seignelay on which we were sail- ing, is as deep and broad as the Seine at Paris, and in two or three places widens out to a quarter of a league. It is skirted by hills, whose sides are covered with fine, large trees. Some of these hills are half a league apart, leav- ing between them a marshy strip, often inun- dated, especially in the autumn and spring, but producing, nevertheless, very large trees. On ascending these hills you discover prairies further than the eye can reach, studded, at intervals, with groves of tall trees, apparently planted there intentionally. The current of the river is not perceptible, except in time of great rains; it is at all times navigable for large barks about a hundred leagues, from its mouth to the Illinois village, whence its course almost always runs south by west. On the 7th of March we found, about two leagues from its mouth, a Nation called Tama- roa, or Maroa, composed of 200 families. They would have taken us to their village lying west of the river Colbert, six or seven leagues • The leadei of this party. It will be remembered, was Acau: with him went FatherLouis Hennepin, who wrote the account here given. It was first published in KM. 430 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. below the mouth of the river Seignelay ; but our two cauoemen, iu hopes of still greater gain, preferred to pass on, according to the advice I then gave them. These last Indians seeing tliat we carried iron and arms to their enemies, and unable to overtake us in their periaguas, which are wooden canoes, much heavier than our bark one, which went much faster than their boats, despatched some of their young men after us by land, to pierce us with their arrows at some narrow part of the river, but in vain ; for soon discovering tlie fire made by these warriors at their ambuscade, we promptly crossed the river, gained the other side, and encamped on an island, leaving our canoe loaded and our little dog to wake us, so as to embark more expeditiously, should the Indians attempt to surprise us by swimming across. SooH after leaving these Indians, we came to the mouth of the river Seignelay, fifty leagues distant from Fort Creve Coeur, and about 100 leagues from the great Illinois village. It lies between 36 deg. and 37 deg. north latitude, and consequently 120 or thirty leagues from the Gulf of Mexico. In the angle formed on the south by this river, at its mouth, is a flat precipitous rock, about forty feet high, very well suited for building a fort. On the northern side, opposite the rock, and on the west side beyond the river, are fields of black earth, the end of which you can not see, all ready for cultivation, which would be very advantagious for the existence of a colony. The ice which floated down from the north kept us in this place till the 12th of March, whence we continued our route, travers- ing the river and sounding on all sides to see whether it was navigable. 'I here are, indeed, three islets in the middle, near the mouth of the river Seignelay, which stop the floating wood and trees from the north, and form several large sand-bars, yet the channels are deep enough, and there is suflicient water for barks ; large flat-boats can pass there at all times. The river Colbert (Mississippi) runs south- southwest, and comes from the north ami north- west ; it runs between two chains of mountains, very small here, which wind with the river, and in some places are pretty far from the banks, so that between the mountains and the river, there are large prairies, where you often see herds of wild cattle browsing. In other places these eminences leave semi-circular spots covered with grass or wood. Beyond these mountains you discover vast plains, but the more we approach the northern side ascending, the earth did not appear to us so fertile, nor the woods so beautiful as in the Illinois country. This great river is almost everywhere a short league in width, and in some places, two leagues ; it is divided by a number of islands covered with trees, interlaced with so many Tines as to be almost impassable. It receives no considerable river on the western side except that of the Olontenta and another, which comes from the west-northwest, seven or eight leagues from the Falls of St. Anthony, of Padua. On the eastern side you meet first an inconsider- able river, and then further on another, called by the Indians Ouisconsin, or Wisconsin, which comes from the east and east-northeast. Sixty leagues up you leave it, and make a portage of half a league to reach the bay of the Puans ( Green bay ) by another river which, near its source, meanders most curiously. It is almost as broad as the river Seignelay, or Illinoi.s, and empties into the river Colbert, 100 leagues above the river Seignelay. Twenty-four leagues above, you come to the Black river, called by the Nadouessious (Sioux), or Islati, Chabadeba, or Chabaoudeba, it seems inconsiderable. Thirty leagues higher up, you find the Lake of Tears ( Pepin ), which we so named because the Indians who had taken us, wishing to kill us, some of them wept the whole night, to induce the others to HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 431 coiiseut to our death. This lake which is formed by the river Colbert, is seven leagues long, and about four wide ; there is no consid- erable current in the middle that we could perceive, butonly at its entrance and exit. Half a league below the Lake of Tears, on the south side, is Buffalo river, full of turtles. It is so called by the Indians on account of the num- bers of buffalo found there. We followed it for ten or twelve leagues ; it empties with rapidity into the river Colbert, but as you ascend it, it is always gentle and free from rapids. It is skirted by mountains, far enough off' in some places to form prairies. The mouth is wooded on both sides, and is full as wide as that of the Seignelay. EARLY EXPERIENCE IN THE NORTHWEST. By Thomas G. Anderson.* About the beginning of March, 1800, I left Cornwall for Montreal, to join my bourgeois, Robert McKinzie, who, by the by, was bred a tailor, but had made a pile of money by the In- dian trade, which as a matter of course en- abled him to take rank among the "big wigs" of society. I was nearly a month too early for the canoe start to commence. I had, therefore, in the meantime, to live an idle, lonely life al a boarding house. My boss was, however, fully emi)loyed laying in his goods and engaging his men and canoes. My personal outfit consisted of a corduroy roundabout, pants and vest, four striped cotton shirts, four pair socks, and four '-two and a half point blankets" sewed up in canvass, with two pair of blankets to cover me, forming my bed and bedding. A gun, powder-horn and shot- bag filled, fitted me for the hunt; and a travel- ing basket, containing a boiled ham, some sea biscuit, salt, tea, sugar and pepper, with a tea- pot, a small tin kettle in which to boil tea water, a tin cup for tea drinking, two tin plates, two knives and forks, two iron spoons, and a small • A biographical sketch of Mr. Anilcreun will be founil ap- pended to this narrative. canvas tent for fair weather. These articles, with $200 salary, formed the usual outfit and wages for a clerk in the Mississippi Indian trade for the first year. During the long eve- nings of that youthful period, lots of youngsters sought my acquaintance, but a kind providence kept me from their evil ways. The 3d of April being now arrived, I was con- veyed to Lachine, our starting point from civil- ization. I took a lo(>k at the bark canoe which was to transport me to savage wilds. These canoes are about forty feet long, over five feet wide and three feet deep, and made of the bark taken from the white birch tree, and sewed to- gether with the small roots of the hemlock tree. The strips of bark were cut into the proper shape and stretched upon a strong frame, com- posed of split cedar, and firmly sewed to it with the hemlock fibres. It is now ready for pitch- ing, or rather, "gumming," which is performed by spreading on the seams a kind of resin pre- pared from the sap extracted from the pine tree, carefully laid on, and pressed firmly with the thumb. It hardens, and stops every leak. Next morning at daylight we were prepared to load. The canoe was placed in the water, when four nicely smoothed cedar poles, the length of the canoe, were laid in the bottom, in order that the cargo may bear equal pressure on the frail vessel throughout; and the most weighty packages laid on them to bind and con- fine them to the shape of the canoe. On these the heavier articles were placed, such as shot, axes, powder; then the dry goods to the brim. Over all was piled a month's provisions for all hands, consisting of pork, peas and sea biscuit, the latter contained in canvas sacks, which, when filled, were five feet long and two feet in diameter. Aljout 10 o'clock all was ready, and we em- barked. On leaving the wharf I was near caus- ing the canoe, now top heavy, to turn over and send all down the Lachine rapids. Wishing to give all the eclat on ray departure, I Kred off my 432 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. gun, which so surprised and startled all hands, that the canoe was nearly going over, which taught me to confine my rejoicings on future occasions to terra firma. After proceeding a few miles the guide, who is commodore, and is responsible for all dur- ing the journey, ordered a halt and all hands to debark. A heavy rapid was before us, which must be surmounted. Among other necessary articles of the outfit was a rope about twenty yards long, one end of which was securely fast- ened to the prow of the canoe. Two of the men were ordered to strip to their shirts, whose duty it would be to wade to their middles up the rapids, one at the prow, the other at the stern of the canoe, to keep it clear of the rocks. Theprowman orguide and steersman, each with a long pole to ward off, while the remaining five men, sometimes in the water, and some- times on shore, to pull at the rope. When all was ready the guide directed me to a very narrow path, which led me by the verge of a precipice, from which I had a view of the poor men below struggling against the cold rapids, which for two miles ran at the rate of fifteen or twenty miles an hour. At the end no fire was made to dry the men's clothes and warm their feet; but all was hurry and away to the camping ground, about three miles. 'J'he paddling was brisk, the song loud and lively, the water smooth, and the hungry mouths soon reached the end of their first day's journey. The guide and all hands were very attentive to me, in carrying me in and out of the canoe, setting my tent in order, boiling my kettle, etc. I had nothing to do with the drudgery of cook- ing. The men's practice in the culinary art was very simple, but good. 1 he tin kettle in which they cooked their food would hold eight or ten gallons. It was hung over the fire nearly full of water, then nine quarts of peas, one quart per man, the daily allowance, were put in; and when they were well bursted, two or tiuL^e pounds of pork, cut into strips, for seasoning, were added, and all allowed to boil or simmer till daylight, when the cook added four biscuits, broken up, to the mess, and invited all hands to breakfast. The swelling of the peas and biscuit had now filled the kettle to the brim, so thick that a stick would stand upright in it. It looked inviting, and I begged for a plate full of it, and ate little else during the journey. The men now squatted in a circle, the kettle in their midst, and each one plying his wooden spoon or ladle from kettle to mouth, with almost electric speed, soon filled every cavity. Then the pipes were soon brought into full smoke. Our encampment being at the foot of a small fall or cascade, over which canoes and all had to be transported, the guide would not allow talking; so all was bustle, each man's duty be- ing at every trip to carry two packages of eighty-four pounds each over the portages; and six men to carry the canoe, which counted for one trip for each of them, it remaining for them to carry a package afterwards. All was soon over, the boats re-loaded, when the paddle would again resume its strokes with the merri- est songs accompanying its play. I conclude that the breakfast on pea soup, with the con- dition of the atmosphere, so affected the nasal organs that the men suffered intensely the first few days. With respect to camping, cooking and scen- ery, there was little variation during the jour- ney. I may, however, mention the beautiful sheet of water falling about forty or fifty feet into the Ottawa near the present city of that name, where at the time of which I write, sev- enty years ago, there was not even a shadow of a mansion. This fall was very properly called Le Rideau, for it has the appearance of a beau- tiful curtain. At length we reached the Portage de Vause, three miles from Lake Nipissing. At the end of the portage was a log hut, with three or four Canadians; a northwest trading post; the only house or human beings we had seen since leav- ing Lachine. The people were very kind, giv- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 433 ing me some fish and offering me lodgings for the night; the former I thankfully received, but preferred my tent to the latter. Parts of two days were spent in getting all things over this long portage, while the peas, pork and cakes had been considerablv lessened. The second day, however, we crossed the lake and pitched our tents on the French River. We had mounted seventeen portages, and we had to descend seventeen more .to Lake Huron. The poor men were sadly worn out with the roughness of the last carrying place, and the guide considerately brought to an hour earlier than usual to give them a good rest and an op- portunity to wash, a business in which they had thus far spent little time and lesser soap. The only time I tried the experiment of carrying packages was at the last long portage, where I got the guide to tie a pair of strings to a bag of biscuits and load me with it; but it swayed about, and being top heavy, I could not walk steady. Before proceeding twenty yards down I came with the bag in the mud. The men ran to unharness me, and laughed to see me enjoy the fun. The next morning the sun stepped forth, and with our paddles and songs we merrily left the lake behind us. How many days it took to reach Lake Nipissing from Lachine, or from Nipissing to Lake Huron, I know not, neither is it of any importance to past generations; but of this I am sure, that in due time we readied Lake Huron, and the keenness of the air of that broad sheet of pure water was felt night and day; and even at this distant period of seventy years, my probocis takesoffense at its sufferings at that lime. After getting over those seventeen portages, and running sundry rapids, at times going at the rate of ten knots an hour, we at length reached the big lake; and again, after paddling and working many days, we landed on Grosse island, within nine miles of Mes-she-mic-ka- nock, the Big Turtle; corrupted into Michili- mackinac, and finally into Mackinaw. The traverse being long and dangerous, it was deemed imprudent to undertake it with our full load; and it being late in the day, the guide concluded to encamp, and have everything ready for an early start in the morning. When the morning came I volunteered to guard the baggage at one end of the portage, enabling all hands to engage in the transportation of the goods and canoes; but here I was too desirous of reaching the end of this long journey, and would not stay. In this I was wrong, for one of the men had to remain in charge of the half loads necessarily left, thereby weakening the carrying force, which might have proved seri- ous had a high wind occurred. However, all was safe over and in store by sunset. Here, then, I was in Mackinaw, truly a stranger in a strange land. I knew no one, and my only care was to perform such duties as might be allotted to me without a murmur. Mr. McKinzie's two outfits or equipments had arrived from their trading posts. They called to see me, and I was informed by them that the furs they had brought on here were to be packed in a certain way for transportation by canoe to Montreal. At it I went, and before Mr. Mc- Kinzie arrived in a light canoe, the forty or fifty packs were pressed, marked and the bills of the contents of each pack all ready. The men complained of being given little time, but Mr. McKinzie was surprised and pleased to find all in readiness for those who wanted to return without delay to Montreal, yet would stay to distribute the goods, which were brought under my supervision, into the three outfits he in- tended to send to trade with the Mississippi In- dians the ensuing winter. Two of the outfits were assigned to two brothers named Lagortroin, and the third to myself. There was also a lot of old remainders of goods from a retail shop Mr. McKinzie had for long years before kept; these, not suitable for the Indian trade, I was directed to pack up and take to St. Louis and make the most of them. My orders were all verbal. My hour- 434 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. geois, laboring men, were gone; my work was (light); but it being too early in the season for me to start, I amused myself profitably in going out daily sliooting pigeons for my pot. As my larder had nothing but hulled corn, tallow, and a small quantity of salt pork; this latter was kept as a luxury for rainy days, when the feathered tribe were permitted to rest. As I had seen my dear mother make croxen- yoles or curly cakes, of which I was very fond, so I thought I would try my hand at it. I ac- cordingly procured two pounds of flour, put it into a wooden bowl, not over scoured, after ti.sh, poured in cold water, not too much, lest I should drown and lose my flour, adding a little salt, and handled it until to fancy it appeared to be first rate dough. My next care was to clean the pot of cobwebs, and put it over the fire with a good lot of tallow, which, by the way, had no email share o' musty smell about it; but this, I thought would evaporate by the heat. While this heating process was going on, I busied my- self in cutting up my beautiful dough into all kinds of fancy sliapes, cats, dogs, snakes, mice, etc. These effigies I now committed to their hot bath; and in a few seconds they were so nicely browned that my mouth fairly watered to overflowing, and I could wait no longer for a taste. I found the fork rather dull, so scooped them out with a wooden ladle. On their touch- ing the cold plates, to my horror, though refined by the action of the fire, the tallow became as hard as a candle. To eat my fine looking cakes was impossible, as they had become hard and tough as sole leather. However. I gave them to the men, who dissolved them in their next choice corn cooking; and thus ended my cake frying for all time to come. My patii to the pigeon ground lay immedi- ately past a notary public's door, and I had no- ticed sweet faces peering at the nice, hand- some young sportsman as he passed daily with his gun. At length I was watched on my return; a young widow lady, standing in the door, as I touched my hat, said: "You appear to be a stranger?" I replied: "Yes; just from Mon- treal." ''Will you walk in and rest yourself V" "No, I thank you, I must give the men their corn." "Whenever," said she, "you feel lonely we shall be glad to see you." I thanked her for her kindness. The notary's hopeful son called u)ion me and confirmed the invitation. The next day ray best Montrealers saw the light and got an airing, fitted for an after- noon's call. No pains were spared to prove that I was recently from civilized society. At 4 o'clock I was formally introduced by the no- tary's son to his aged father, ditto mother, his widowed sister, Mrs. La Frambois, his other sisters and Miss Cowan. The engage of the latter's f.ither was killed by an Indian, who was taken for his trial to Kingston, on board the schooner Speedy, Capt. Paxton, when she foun- dered, and all on board were lost, judges, law- yers and all. I, of course, remained to tea, and in the evening a "hop" was gotten up. This kind of fun was kept up almost daily during the remaining ten days of my stay. My canoe was at length ready, and I took a run up for good bye. I did not join in the general boo-hoos, but I felt pretty badly. I have, perhaps, got ahead of my story, as I ought to have said that, having departed from Mackinaw, I was now on a coasting jour- ney on Lake Michigan, exposed to storms, or calms, or burning suns, and eighty leagues of uninhabited wilderness to travel before I could reach Green Bay, or see any but savage faces. Tenting, sleeping, etc., were the same as on Grand river ; certainly the air had improved — whether caused by the wide expanse of water, I cannot positively affirm ; but I am of the opinion that the influence of the hulled corn on the human system produced a less repugnant feeling to the nasal organs. After many days rowing, sailing and storm- bound, I landed at Green Bay, where were about a dozen settlers, scattered within the limits of, perhaps, four miles — little farmers, none cultivating more than five acres, their HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 435 crops consisting of corn and potatoes. An old man lived here named Langlade, who had, until the Americans got possession of the country, been in the employment of the British government, whose daughter had married a trader named Grignon, from whom had sprung very many branches. An English gentleman, Jacob Frank, and his nephew, John Lawe, Jews, were extensively embarked in the fur trade here. At this time, and for years after, I became very familiar with them ; for, on this occasion, they tendered me much friendly advice how to conduct myself with the Indians, to beware of the cunning deceit, treachery, etc., of the traders, with whom I was about to mix up. This was the first good counsel I had heard on commercial business ; and, to this day, it has been of ser- vice to me. Here it became nesessary to engage an in- terpreter, to perform also the duties of steers- man. Only one suitable person could be found, and he must feed with the bourgeois. That was well enough, but he had an overgrown squaw wife, with too papooses not long hatched, and they must join the same mess. In stating to Mr. Frank my awful predicament, he laughed at me and said : "You can't better yourself ; besides you will find that, in many cases, two or three incumbrances, or even half a dozen, such as your delicate ideas abhor, luxuriate in the same canoe." I could not help myself, so the next day was fixed for a start. To-morrow came. I took my breakfast with my friends. I found a nicely fitted place for me, immediately over six kegs of powder, of 300 pounds weight — plenty to end our terres- trial journey by adding a spark. Contrary to a very old custom, and much to tlie annoyance of the smokers, I absolutely prohibited lighted pipes on the canoe. A nice location was fixed for Mrs. Bartram near her husband, Mons. Bar- tram, the interpreter. All this added no little incumbrance to the canoe. We embarked, and away we started for the Portage du Onisconsin, sixty leagues distant. Proceeding three miles, we came to the begin- ning of a six mile rapid, the greater part of which Lady Bartram and I had to take dry land to overcome, in order to relieve the canoe of surplus weight, as the men had to wade and carefully avoid the rocks, in dragging the canoe up this toilsome obstruction. The slow process of working up the rapids gave time for splendid fishing sport. Black bass were very abundant, and I caught enough for supper and breakfast for all on board. Having at length overcome all the rapids, the water being low, the men were well tired, and I said "camp." The tents were soon up, the interpreter having one for himself and fam- ily; and the loading of the canoe being refixed, ready for the morning's start. Meanwhile L.ady Bartram busied herself in cleaning the fish, at which she appeared perfect — indeed, she might have secured a professorship any- where for superiority in this line. Well, the fish are at length in the kettle, Lady Bartram fixing all the dishes, plates, etc., I had on the mats in my tent. The fish were presented in a big tin dish, boiling hot — all Lady Bartrain's volunteer work, having assumed entire control over the kitchen department. Now, reader, you may wish for, but you won't get a taste. You may, bowi'ver, take a peep at our tea party, all squatting flat on the mats; Mr. Anderson, the writer, presiding, with Lady Bartram on the right, Sir Bartram on his left, ready to bring the tea kettle and then Master and Miss Bartram in front, scrambling for the fish eyes in the dish, at which their progenitors exult to witness their activity Mr. Frank had said, "You'll get used to it." But I never will. Crossing Winnebago lake with difficulty, we pushed on through the Rice lakes. Now we are fairly on Fox river, passing Butte des Morts. Here, many years since, a French Jesuit ami his men had been murdered by the Winiiel)a- 4J6 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. goes. Camping and tea-ing with no variety; however, after some days we got used to it. In due time we reached Portage, Ouisconsin, (Wisconsin) a carrying place of three miles across the Ouiseonsin river. All over in two days. This river has a smootli, strong current with many shifting sand banks. On this Port- age I first became acquainted with rattle-snakes, and from all I had heard, I was not desirous of getting used to^them. Eighteen hours' travel, sixty leagues, brought us to Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi. Here was a little village of perhaps ten or fifteen houses; and at the distance of three miles were three farmers. Except one framed one the liouses were all built of logs, plastered with mud, and covered either with cedar, elm or black ash bark. The people w^ere nearly all lower Canadians, carrying on, with small or large stocks, the Indian trade. Without excep- tion, they were kind and hospitable, and prided themselves on their honesty and punctuality in paying their debts, and keeping their engage- ments. Very little money was in circulation. There were no lawyers to excite strife. Not- withstanding all this fair appearance, there were those among them, regarded as otherwise honorable, fair and clever, who would defraud and over-reach I'is neighbor, even to despoiling him of his last copper. After making the necessary arrangements, I started down the Mississippi for my wintering ground with the Sauk Indians. On arriving at the place I found a house empty, in which some trader had winteied the year before. Possession, I thought, being nine points in law, I set all hands to making repairs, and stowed my goods into it. The next business was to give a portion of my goods on credit to a people I never before had seen. However, it was the mode of carrying on trade, and I must "get used to it." My house, which was now all right, had four good rooms and two fire-places — one in m}^ room, and one in the rear or kitch- en which also warmed Lady Bartram on her east wing, and the shop or store in the west wing. Although neither papered nor carpeted, it was compact, warm and comfortable, in this unchristian country, and uninhabited except by savages. All being thus fixed I embarked my retail shop goods, under the impression of making a haul^ with my laces, muslins, satin slippers, etc. One day and a half (probably from about the locality of Quincy) on the swift current of the Mississippi, brouglit me to the Spanish town of St. Louis. I cal'ed on, and obtained leave from the Spanish regal authority, to open shop, hired a house and exposed my precious finery in the dress line. Many called, admired, and would call again; some would go in for fifty or one hundred francs, if I would take dairy in pay — which was there understood to include cabbage, turnips and other vegetables, but no silver. We could not dicker, so after many days rent at one shilling and eight cents per day, to pay which made a hole in my stock of muslin, therefore, I must pack up and go. The only money I got or saw was one York shilling, and this from Mrs. Myers, a Jewess, from Montreal, for a ball of cotton wicking. When I got back to my trading post I found four opposition traders — Monsieurs St. John, Blondeau, Berthelot and Carron. They were all old hands, and viewed me as an intruder, and would spare no pains to ruin the mangefur de lard, or pork eater, as those in infancy in the trade were roughly called. But a blessed guardian, who, with shame I say it, I knew not, and he it was who told me that swillingAot stuff and gambling night and day with cards, was not right. I had not seen a book of any kind since I left my dear Cornwall in March. Lady Bartram had kindly taken control of the cuisine department, and separated me from her own family, for which I rejoiced. I could not, however, get used to the marks left on my floor by the papooses. The long winter, from No- vember until spring, had to be worn out; and I did ray share of rambling with my gun, shooting HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 4S1 paroquets, picking and eating pecans, and break- ing through the ice with narrow escapes. My interpreter being an old hand at intrigue and trickery, and naturally suspicious, became aware, by frequently visiting my neighbors, of their vile plots against me, and enabled me to thwart their designs. The Indians returned from their hunt, paid about twenty-five per cent, on tlieir debts, and commenced trade. When this was over, my friends (the traders) sent thirty or forty Indians, half drunk, with a worthless bear skin, and demanded from me a keg of rum — a gallon — therefor; and, on ray refusal, they threatened to break the shop door and take it. I stepped into my room, took from under my pillow a brace of brass pistols, and came back to the kitchen, only a minute's walk. I desired the interpreter to say, that the first man who strikes the door will be shot. In the bustle to clear out, the fellows took a loaf from the bake-kettle, and another took a brand from the fire, and stuck it into the straw, with which the building was covered. On hearing of it, I rushed out and fired after them; but they fortunately had made good time, and were out of reach. The trade being over, I quietly packed my furs, baled my goods, and got ready, without my neighbors knowing my object. By dayligiit canoes and cargo were at the landing place. While the boats were being loaded Mrs. Bart- ram prepared breakfast, and I had made up my mind never again to winter near to people worse than savages. I set fire to my house, and em- barked, having ordered an extra rowing place, where, if necessary, I could pull an oai', and keep ahead of my friends. In order to reap the trade from such Indians as usually came from, their hunts, and encamped along the river where no trader wintered — with these, the first who came were first served. I had Criuse to rejoice that my cunning friends did not leave for two days after me; consequently the extra oar was not needed, and my trading friends had to take my leavings with the scat- tered bands en route for Prairie du Chien. A few days rest for all hands, and following the fashion I one day got senselessly drunk, which was the first and last time during my Indian trade tours. While at Prairie du Chien I punctually attended all the best nightly balls. We sometimes kejit Sunday; but whether on the right day was doubtful. My friends (the traders) at length arrived, who represented me as a fear- less and dangerous person to be letloose amongst the Indians? — always carrying gun and pistols, and would shoot any one who quarreled with me. This reputation was soon made known far and near — no' a very favorable one under most circumstances. But it had a good effect with that class of traders who would get beastly drunk and fight like dogs at night, and be good friends and love each other in the morning. Though I was far from deserving such a charac- ter as they gave me, it preserved me from the gross insults to which the meek and retiring were subject. After our few day's sojourn, I started for Mackinaw. The journeying seemed to agree with Lady Bartram and family, for they were in as good health on our return to Green Bay as when we departed. Mr. McKinzie had arrived wlien I reached Mackinaw, and was quite pleased with my returns and doings generally; but as he was about to be married, he gave up the trade, aud pressed me verv hard to go back with him, as they were wanting me to fill my old place at Kingston. But my destiny was not so ordered, and I would not be persuaded. The offer was good; but something, I could not tell what, held me back. At my master's in Kingston I never saw a Bible, nor heard a word about religion, except in Church, and when good old Dr. John Stuari, the former Moliawk missionary attended to prepare me for confirmation— so, I now think, that my bleesed guardian infiueiiced my decis- ion. It is true it often occurred to my mind with what devotion my ever dear father and mother read their Bibles on Sundays, and ab- 438 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. stained from all week-day emploj-ments which were not absolutely necessary. They were now very old, and I would be delighted to see them; but my mind was tixod. There were no plea.s- ufes and enjoyments in the society and occupa- tion which lay before me; I cared not for money, nor had I a desire to heap up riches. When my old master, Mr. Maikland, wrote to me, while I was spending my last winter in Cornwall, re- questing me to go back to him, my reply was, "I am engaged to Mr. McKinzie, and I shall look in future to my gun, knife and tomahawk for a support." This decision influenced me to refuse Mr. McKinzie's offers at Mackinaw to return to Kingston; for, from my boyhood, I felt proud of keeping my word. I therefore engaged with my friend Mr. Frank, of Green Bay, and went and wintered (1801-1802), on the Riviere des Moines. This river empties into the Mississippi from the west, about forty miles above where I wintered last year.* 1 ascended the Des Moines about fifty miles, to the loway tribe of Indians- a vile set. A Frenchman named Julien f was my only com- petitor this year for the Indian trade at this point. These Indians hunted near the Missouri, about ninety miles across the country from wliere we located. It would have been an easy matter, though somewhat expensive, to have sent goods around by and up the Missouri to the vicinity of the hunting grounds of the loways; but to avoid this expense, for which there seemed no neces- sity, Julien and I agreed that neither would send outfits there, but trust to our own exertions in the spring, when the Indians, we concluded, would bring their furs to our shops. I con- sidered myself quite away from trickery; but as time hung heavily upon me, I wore it away as well as I could by hunting, making oars, pad- dles and other whiltlings, until about Christ- * This would place the former trading: poet not very far from the present city of Quincy. t Doubtless Julien Dubuque, mas. Then Mons. Julien and his interpreter, had a quarrel; and following the vile conduct of his master in deceit, he told me that Julien had deceived me, having sent goods up the Missouri last fall. This was a thunder-clap to me. An immedi- ate explanation from Mr. Julien was demanded. I was furious, and showered all the abuse I could muster on his cringing head. My mind as to what was best to do under the circumstances was soon made up. I called my interpreter into council, and said, "Now, boy, you know how Mr. Julien has deceived me; are you will- ing and ready to carry a load on your back across to the house near the Missouri, which Mr. Julien has treacherously put there, with the intention of stealing all the credits I made to those Indians last fall." All were willing. "Tit for tat" said I; "he wanted to ruin me, I will only injure him. Some of you ask his interpreter to go with us and carry a load." He accepted the invitation. Then my party, in- cluding myself, became nine strong. I left my own interpreter in charge of the Des Moines trading post, and started the next day with seven loaded men, taking provisions for one day only, depending on game for our supply. The little islands of wood scattered over the boundless plains were swarming with wild turkeys, so that we had plenty of poultry. At the end of six days we reached our destination safe and sound, taking Mr. JuJien'stwo enyages by surprise. My party soon fitted up a tempo- rary shop. Not long after, the Indians came in, made a splendid season's trade, managed for the transportation of my packs of fur by leaving a man to help Mr. Julien's two etigagen down with their boat. Thus I completed my winter, and Mr. Julien found his trickery more costly than he anticipated. My next winter (1802-1803) was spent with the Winnebagoes, on Rock river. They were the most filthy, most obstinate, and the bravest people of any Indian tribe I have met with. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 441 Here I had a half-breed in opposition in the trade. Our houses were about half a mile apart, and between us was a very high hill, over which we had to pass by a little path through the bushes. On one occasien, returning from my neighbor's, on a very dark night, I lost the path. The hill, I was aware, terminated on my right in a, precipice at least 300 feet from the river below, and that the path ran within fifty or sixty feet of the precipice. I was at a loss what to do. If I sat down to await the return of day- light I would surely go to sleep, and in a dream, perhaps, walk to my destruction. So I determined to walk about, feeling carefully with my feet for the path; but, as people gener- ally do when they become confused, I went the wrong way, and soon found by my steps that I was going down hill. I, therefore, lay down on my stomach, to get at the level of the ground, placing my head up hill, intending to work my- self along in that way until I could get into a thicket, and there remain until morning. I got on the path, however, before I found a thicket. My house was soon found; and this -n^as my last visit after nightfall. On examining my trail the next morning, I found I had been within six feet of the precipice, which, had I nached it, must have proved fatal to me. ] had a good season's trade during this winter of (1802-1S03), and had plenty of venison, wild fowls and wild or natives potatoes to eat, but awful human brutes to deal with. My short sojourn at Prairie des Chiens, the rendezvous of the Mississippi traders, pre- sented but little variation ; and our journeying from' and to Mackinaw only differed in this respect, that in the summers the rivers were low and sluggish, and, in returning to Macki- naw, we could not make more than from three to ten miles a day in ascending the Ouisconsin. Having had enough of the Lower Missis- sippi, I would not try it over again. Min-na- wack (or Mill-wack-ie ) was offered to me for a trading post, and I went among the Kickapoos. About a quarter of a mile from the entrance of the river I observed a nice green and level spot. There I landed, and pitched my tent, towards the close of 1803; and, in a short time, we had a three-room house over our heads, no up stairs ; but all the timbers above the floor exposed to view. The river here is, perhaps, sixty yards wide. On the opposite side were two traders, Le Claire and La Fromboise, who had been settled there several years, and each had two or three relatives, or other hangers on, which formed quite a society of its kind. I had bought a horse, and considered it my duty to ride over the plains and pick up skins from the scattered Indian camps. My neighbors had been very kind, and I made up my mind to exercise my best en- deavors in the cooking line, and tender them a rare feast on Christmas day, which was now near at hand. On Christmas eve my invita- tions were extended to my friends. I h.id secured the fattest raccoon the Indians could tree ; and defied any one to procure a fatter one, for there was no lean about it. Towards sunset, I set my cook to chop any quantity of venison for stuffing. My raccoon was unusu- ally large, weighing about thirty-two pounds, requiring a large quantity of stuffing to fill it out plump. In the meantime, I had the pepper in apiece of deerskin, pounding it into pulver- ized form, cutting up onions, and a little cedar leaves, to give ray viand a pleasant taste. No coonship's bodj', I am sure, was never so cram- full before. About 8 o'clock it was stitched up, and ready for placing on the spit early the next morning. Then where should it be placed for safety during the night to prevent it from freezing ? Of course by the fire. I went to bed, and my mind was on the raccoon subject all night. But what was my mortification when I got up at day light to hang my coon 'up to roast to find it putrid and stinking. Oh, misery ! sympathize with me for ray lost labor, and with my friends for their lost dinner. I had no cook book. So ended my second attempt at cooking. Of course, I went without 26 442 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. my dinner, and got laughed at by my half- famished friends. The Indians, Pottawatamies, in this locality, were docile, and easily managed ; and doing a fair trade, I remained here three years, fre- quently going on horse-back to Chicago, a distance of sixty ( eighty-five )_ miles; but the route was a hard-sand beach ; and having a fleet pony, and a cool breeze from the lake, the distance was soon overcome without fatigue to my young bones. During my second year at Min-na-wack, or Mill-wack-ie ( 1804-1805 ), Capt. Whistler with his company of American soldiers, came to take possession of Chicago. At this time there were no buildings there except a few dilapidated log huts, covered with bark. Capt. Whistler had selected one of these as tempo- rary, though miserable residence for his family, his oflicers and men being under canvas. On being informed of his arrival, 1 felt it my duty to pay my respects to the authority so much required in the country. On the morrow I mounted Kee-gekah, or Swift-Goer, and the next day I was invited to dine with the captain. On going to the house, the outer door opening into the dining-room, I found the table spread, the family and guests seated, consisting of several ladies, as jolly as kittens. The gents had not yet arrived. I had not been seated ten minutes before the door opened, and in rushed a host of Indian war- riors, hideously painted, scantily dressed, orna- mi-nted with feathers, bear's claws, deer's horns, snake's rattles, etc., etc. The ladies almost fainting, ran off, leaving the captain and my- self to see the end. The first act of the war chiefs was to walk around the table and pick up the pieces of bread which had been placed, after the old fashion, beside the plate of each guest, which he handed to his young men in attendance. Being acquainted with the chief, and knowing something of the language, I asked him : •' What brings you here in this garb ? Your great Big Knife father has sent his soldiers here to protect you, and to encourage more traders to come among you ; and instead of being thankful, you come to insult them. You had better go to your camp and bring them some venison, and be kind to them." He shook hands with me, and went off with his followers. I have ever considered my having been present on that occasion to have been providential, in saving the lives of this detachment ; for, in all probability, had not some one been present acquainted with the Indian character, Capt. Whistler would have called in some of his men to expel the war party, in which case it is easy to imagine what the consequences might have been. In 1804, while trading with thePottawatamie Indians at Min-na-wack, or Mill-wack-ie, having no society, and little to do, I was naturally enough very lonely. I, therefore, undertook a journey along the lake shore, to visit my friend, Jacob Frank, at Green Bay. The first day's journey brought me to an encampment of Pot- tawatamies, at Two Rivers, nearly seventy miles distant, reaching there before night. I put up at the lodge of an old Indian chief, named Na-na-bou-jou, who gave the following account of the origin of his tribe, in answer to my inquiry on the subject : " I take my name," said he, " from my origi nal ancestors, who were the first living man and woman. They found themselves in a big canoe ; all the animals were also in the same canoe, floating on thick water. After a while the ancestors insisted that there must be some- thing much more substantial beneath the water. To test it, they wanted the deer or some other animal, to dive down and ascertain. None would venture on so perilous and uncertain an undertaking. At length a beaver volunteered to make the effort, and jumped overboard, plunging beneath the waters. After a long time he rose to the surface, almost dead, with- out being able to relate anything satisfactory. But the ancestors still persisted that there must HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 443 be a hard substance upon which the waters rested. Finally they persuaded the musk-rat to go on a trip of discovery. He, too, was gone a long time on his sub-watery exploration ; but at length he emerged from the flood of waters quite exhausted. The woman ancestor took him up in her arms, and on nursing and drying him to bring him to, found a little clay adher- ing to one of his fore-paws. This she care- fully scraped off, worked it between her thumb and finger, and placed it on the water to see if it would float. It immediately began to in- crease in size, and in three days it was more than three fathoms broad. "The wolf now began to grow very trouble- some, snarling and growling at all the other animals, so tliat the woman ancestor scolded him sharply, but to no purpose. At length she got angry and threw him out upon the little island, which was yet too small to bear him up in one position. He, therefore, had to run round and round the edge of the little island, which is the cause of the shores of lakes and rivers being harder than the rest of the land. The island continued to grow, herbs sprang up on it, so that they could send other animals out of the canoe to find a lodgment there. "The woman ancestor said to her husband : What a pity we have no trees growing on the island, and proposed to paddle around some- where to find a tree. They soon found a nice little balsam flower, which they brought and planted in the center of the island. It grew in a very short time till it reached the sky. They then observed an object over their heads, mov- ing east and west, day after day. The woman ancestor was quite captivated with it, and she sent her husband up the tree, to set a snare to catch this beautiful object. He went up and found it had the appearance of an old woman. However, he set a snare, and descended. The beautiful object was caught in the net, and there it stuck. The woman ancestor was per- fectly outrageous because it was stopped in its course ; and scolded her husband for setting the trap. She then desired her husband to ascend the tree, and let the beautiful object go on its course again ; but he declined to do so. She then tried to get the deer and other animals to go up, but they could not climb. At last she induced a raccoon to make the effort. The heat was so great when he got near the object, that it scorched him, and he came tumbling down through the branches of the tree. The good woman was now in a greater rage than ever, when she found she could not have her curiosity gratified, and the object loosened from its captivity. After a long time a mole volun- teered to go up. All the other animals began to laugh at him for his temerity ; but up he went, and when he got near the object, finding it very hot, he managed to burrow along till he reached the snare, and cut the object loose. But in doing so, he scorched his nose, and that is the reason why moles have brown noses and small eyes ; and the sun once loosened from its trap lias been going ever since." Such was Na-na-bou-jou's legend. The earlier portion of this Pottawatamie legend evidently refers to the general deluge. Other tribes have also had handed down to them, more or less vaguely, traditions of the deluge. Some of ihese traditions are related by School- craft in his History of the Indian Tribes, Vol. I, p. 17; Vol. VI, pp. 571-72, as preserved variously by the Algonquins, Iroquois, Chero- kees, Muscogees and Chickasaws, all agreeing that there was a general cataclism, and that but few persons were saved. The Algonquins, he says, relate, that when the deluge began to submerge the mountains, a benevolent God, called Manabo, ascended a high elevation, climbed a tree, and as the waters rose, he com- manded the tree from time to time to grow taller, which obeyed the injunction ; when at length he directed successively the loon, the beaver, otter, and mink, to dive down and find bottom; but none of them succeeded. At last he sent the musk-rat ; for, said he, your ances- tors were always famous for grasping the 444 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. muddy bottoms of pools with their claws. The animal succeeded in bringing up a morsel of earth in its claw ; and from this new chaotic mass, the Algic deity re-created the earth. A recent Des Moines correspondent of the St. Paul Pioneer Press gave this statement, which embodies the same idea : " Several of the leading men of the Musquakie tribe of Indians, from their reservation in Tama county, were here recently. They were in charge of George Davenport, their agent, who was born among the Indians at Rock Island, and in whom they have great confidence. Mr. Davenport related many incidents in the history of the Sacs and Foxes, who formerly occupied this territory. The Musquakies are the remnants of these tribes. Mr. Davenport says they observe religious rites which closely resemble those of the ancient Hebrews. They have a Bible, of which there are several copies among the tribe, which are ancient, and preserved with great care. Each Bible consists of twenty-seven parts. It is written in characters and signs known only to them. They utter prayers to a Supreme Being in a language entirely different from that in which they converse usually. What it is, Mr. Davenport has never been able to learn, nor has he been able to get a copy of their Bible. They get from their Bible a tradition which corresponds to our accounts of tde deluge ; for, one day, when Mr. Davenport was attempting to explain to them the existence of a God, and his relation to man, and also of Niiah and the deluge, one of the chiefs replied: 'Ugh ! We know that long time. We was all in canoes tied together. On top heap water. Wo put down musk-rat, one, two, good many times. He come up. Last time he go down, he come up he bring mud. We know water go down.' Their religious rites are held in secret." iVl'ter its relation, I closed my eyes in sleep. Next morning at day-break, I journeyed on my snow shoes, cutting across a point of land, and after a hard days tramp, I at length reached my destination. After my third years' winter at Min-na-wack ( 1805-1806 ) and return to Mackinaw, the for- eign markets requiring a better quality of peltry, I was solicited to go to the Upper Mis- sissippi to the Sioux country. I wintered ( in le06-1807) on the St. Peter's river, about fifty miles above its mouth. I took up my station in a delightful part of the wood-fringe. Each bank of the river was enriched with a strip of timber, which in some places extended back a mile from the stream. Here the deer, wild fowl, and other game were in abundance ; and as I had dismissed the Indians to their hunting grounds before reaching this spot, I bad all the hunting t^-. myself, and had plenty of meat, roasted geese, ducks, prairie hens, etc., but no vegetables. My French Canadian cook would occasionally treat me with a cake, baked in the ashes, from my scanty allowance of flour. As a treat, I would sometimes have veni- son fried in deer's tallow in the kettle, or in the long frying pan. These steaks I could not eat hot enough to prevent their congealing in their progress to their throat; consequently the roof of my mouth would become so thickly cased over with tallow as to necessitate the use of my knife to remove it. About the begin- ning of March (1807), the Indians came in from their hunt, encamped around my trading-house and began to pay their debts and trade for the surplus. A crust had formed on the snow, and all the young Indians and boys went ofl^, and, for amusement, wantonly tomahawked every deer they could find, as the poor creatures, breaking through the crust, could not get out of the way. Deprived of venison, the wild fowl came in abundance. I made up my packs, and got ready for a start, trading off the remnant of my goods with scattered bands on my way down to Prairie des Chien. My returns for the season's trade were good; and I concluded to operate with the Sioux as long as I should remain in the business. The following winter, (1807-1808,) I re-occupied my last year's trading post on the St. Peter's, but HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 445 iindur very different circumstances. The wan- tons recklessly killing off the deer last March, brought a judgment upon all. There was not a deer to be seen. The winter was a very mild one, and the buffalo did (not) travel so far south as we were — consequently all were without pro- visions. The nearest tribe of Indians to me were fifty or sixty miles away, on the trail the buffalo usually took in the winter season, and they were in a starving state. I had consumed every article I had of the eatable kind, including several packs of deer skins. I and my men roamed about in quest of game without success. We set traps of all kinds, in which we occasionally caught wolves, fishers, martens, and minks, all of which went to the pot, and I could take my share of all ex- cept of the wolf. My cook said he would dress a piece, and dish it up so I would like it; so he cut off a- choice bit from one just brought in and put it into the bake-kettle, seasoning it witli pepper, salt and mustard, adding some Stoiighton bitters and a glass of high wines to give it the taste of chicken. But with all this knowledge of refined cookery, I could not stom- ach what tasted to me like a mouse-nest; for when better food cannot be had, the wolves live on mice. The men, however, devoured it as voraciously a.s cats would their victims. Faxes were in great abundance, but they were too cunning to be caught in the traps. They would take the bait, and spring and turn over the traps, but were careful to keep their toes out. So I thought I wou'd trick them and show them ray cunning. I took six steel traps, and, with the aid of ray tomahawk, set them in such away that they would have to walk over them to get at the bait which I placed in the circle formed bj' the traps. On visiting my device the next morn- ing, 1 found one fox had been out-witted. I discovered him, crouched behind a bunch of grass, as if asliamed of having been over- reached. On my way home I met a deer, walking leis- urely toward me on the ice; on seeing me, he bolted up the bank, and after a few bounds in the deep snow he stuck fast, and, coming up to him, I soon relieved him from his dilemma by sticking my knife into hi:? vitals. I left him on the ice with my traps, and, re- turning to the station, sent a couple of men for them, and great was our rejoicing. But I was saving of the venison; all the inwards were cleaned, and served to give a relish to wolf, or such other meat of the kind as Providence was pleased to throw in our way. Time, under such circumstances, I scarcely need say, hung heav- ily upon me. March, however, at length came, and my hunting host brought in their rich re- turns, and the wild fowl were with us again in clouds, and in due time wc recovered our lost flesh. News reached me that the (Indians) who had gone in the fall to winter on the route usually taken by the buffalo, had been starving; many had died from want. In a small lake in tiieir vicinity, it was said, that forty bodies of men, women and children had been found. It ap- peared that as soon as the ice was out of the lake they waded in, feeling with their feet for turtles and roots for food; but being too weak to return to land, they would fall down in the water, and there remain. Some were found dead on the plains. My return to Mackinaw was as in former years. The next season [1808-1 809j, I wintered higher up the the river, at Lac qui Parle. All went well here. I arrived unusually early at my post, so that I went with a party of Indians on a buf- falo hunt to the source of the St. Peter's, the Jiig Stone Lake, perhaps thirty miles in circum- ference. We went up in canoes; but long be- fore a buffalo could be seen on the plains, my attention was directed to a rumbling noise, like rolling thunder at a distance, which seemingly caused the whole country to quiver and shake; and as we drew nearer, the awful bellowing of 10,000 enraged bulls was truly friglilful. 446 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. We were now skulking noiselessly along, en- deavoring to reach a few acres of wood-land before us. A short distance above this was a bay, which was crowded with buffalo swimming in all directions. As far as the eye could reach, the prairie was black with these animals. On reaching the woods, I was permitted to raise up a little, and peep into the bush, which was also full of them, and some of them within ten yards of us. But I was forbidden to fire. My guides said, when I got on the hill some fifty yards off where there were no trees then I might go ashore, and kill all I could. How the guide got to his place without disturbing them, I know not, for the little bush was swarm- ing with them; but when I made my appearance, they were so excited, running off towards the plains, and I so astonished, that I could not take aim at any one of them; but I fired into a batch, which were brought to bay for a second by my friend on the hill, who had shot three fat cows in as many minutes. The squaws now went to their work of cut- ting up the meat. The hides were not cared for, so they only took the skin off of such parts as they wanted for immediate use, or to slice up and dry or smoke, the only means they had for preserving it even for a few days. My friend, Wy-o-be-gah, the marksman, in- vited me to accompany him a couple of miles to a little lake, where he said we would find lots of buffaloes drinking and washing themselves. We did not want meat; but, savage-like, we wanted to kill game. On nearing the lake, we could, as he said, see large numbers of animals drinking and washing. A fringe of strong grass, four feet high, surrounded the water. We ap- proached carefully on all fours; he leading the way in front, reached the grass-fringe, which he divided with his gun, and, at length, made sign for me to look through the opening. Within five yards of us stood a monster bull, which ap- peared to my astonished eyes twenty feet high. I wanted to shoot him; but Wy-o-be-gah shook his head, at the same time giving an un-buffalo grunt, when the monster animal reared on his hind legs, gave a whirl around, and away he went. Wy-o-be-gah's aim was to kill a cow, but he missed his object, and ran off leaving me to look out for myself, which I did by securing a position behind a large tree, where I intended to attack some lonely passer-by. I had not remained there long before a big bellower came towards me; but I observed by his line of approach, that he would be too far from the reach of my gun, so I went nearer to where he would pass. Putting two balls in my gun, and hiding in the grass, I waited his com- ing, for he approached within twenty yards of me. I took deliberate aim at his heart. He stopped, and furtively cast about for his enemy. I wished my tree was nearer, for I was sure he would be after me, and my plan was to get the start of him. I was soon on my legs, and he after me; but I beat him, and got safe to the tree before him. But I was too shaky to load my gun, and he passed on not noticing my dodg- ing behind the tree, and he was soon out of sight. Returning to camp, a plentiful supply of mar- row bones were ready for the hunters. The mode of cooking the marrow is to hold the bones over the fire until they are nicely browned; then break or split them in two with the toma- hawk, and dig the marrow out. It is very nice, and does not clog the stomach like other fat, or congeal in the mouth like deer's. In fact, if we had salt, bread, or vegetables of any kind to eat with it, it would have been doubly delicious. All this time I had not killed a single buffalo of the thousands I had seen, and all because I did not know how; while Wy-o-be-gah had killed seven, and all we took away did not amount to the meat of one animal. We returned home the next day. My principal occupation during the winter, was making oars, paddles, etc., ready for an early spring start. March at length came, and, to my grief, I got word from my hunters that they were not coming to the trading-house; but HISTORY OP VERNON COUNTY. 447 would pass about two days' journey to the south, on the route for Santa Fe, to get wild horses, etc. The next morning, my interpreter and four men were on their way to their camp, to collect all they could on account of goods advanced to the hunters on credit the preceding fall. They col- lected twenty-five per cent, less than was due; but I had a chance of making up the nominal loss by trade with those who did come to my post, and I sent word to the band who had cheated me, that I would not give them any credit next fall. In the autumn (of 1809), I delayed reaching my wintering grounds, in the Big Stone Lake region, until the middle of November, and suf- fered much inconvenience in consequence, be- ing obliged to assist the men in breaking the ice in many places, and sometimes to wade up to our middles in water to drag the boat tlirough the ice. VVe at length, however, reached our old trading-post about 4 o'clock of an aftt'r- noon, found fifty or sixty lodges there; and we had just time to stow away my goods in the house, where the men slept. My interpreter, his wife, and I, preferred to spend our nights in my large leathern lodge, or markee, until the necessary repairs should be made in the house for our winter's comfort. Some of the Indians inquired whether I in- tended to give them credit as formerly; and I, reminding them of their ill treatment of me in only partially paying their last year's debts, said I should not trust them again. We got our supper as usual; and as was the custom, ray lodge was soon filled with Indian visitors, smok- ing and telling stories. The interpreter and his wife lay down, and I soon followed suit, and hardly closed my eyes when the interpreter spoke to me in a low voice, not calculated to awaken suspicion, saying his wife informed him, that the Indians were talking of killing us, and seizing the goods. I turned over quietly and took a smoke, and intimated to my inter|)reter to do the same, meanwhile joking with the In- dians around us in the lodge about swan shoot- ing, etc. We took down our guns on pretence of getting them ready for the morning's shoot- ing; but, in truth, for our defense, if necessary. I had my tomahawk and knife all ready to kill before being killed. While the Indians were still smoking their pipes, and I stretched in a sleeping position, a bustle was heard at the door, and in popped a tall, good-looking Indian, painted, feathered, and armed in full war costume. My time has come, I thought; but, being a law-abiding person, it would be wrong in me to break the peace, so I sat on the defensive. But I was soon all right, for my war friend was asked by one of my smoking visitors what was up, that he was thus attired at this late hour? "lam come," he re- plied, "to die with the white people; if they must be killed, I must first be put out of the way, for they shall not be hurt while I live. You had better go to your lodges, and let this man, who has brought us ammunition, etc., to save our lives, go to his rest. I am going to guard him." They all hurried off. He said to me, "go to sleep," and I did so without delay. At daylight I was preparing a present for the band, as they could not hunt without ammuni- tion, etc. I put up powder, ball and shot to match, tomahawks, knives, and other needful articles. When I had them all in readiness, I said to the principal men who were seated around : "You cheated me last year in not paying your debts as you promised; and for that reason I will not trust you again; but knowing that you cannot live without my help, take these articles, and divide them among your band. If you have the hearts of men, you will think of me next spring." The whole camp was shortly moving, and I got my gun, and was just starting for shooting swan, which were flying over in large flocks; and while emeiging from the door of my lodge, I met my guardian, who asked me where I was going. When I informed him, he bade me go back, and stay there until he should ascertain that it I was safe for me to expose myself. Now, for the 448 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. first time, I really felt that my life was in danger, and had only escaped the assassin by God's good providence in sending this man to save me. Not here and there individuals, but the entire band became my deadly foes because I would not give them my goods on credit, as all former traders had done. This man, who had so opportunely come to my relief, was of course my guest for the time being. The next morning, about 10 o'clock, he had walked quite a circuit around my house, ex- amining for tracks, in case there should be any one of the band lurking about for mischief ; but finding all safe, he told me I could go and shoot swan. I had never seen this man before; and, on inquiry, my interpreter informed me that he was a half breed, the son of a gentle- man from Montreal, who had been in the trade many years before, named Ance, and had re- tired. I went to my shop, opened some pack- ages and gave him a present, of which he was proud, and was as heavy as he could con- veniently carry. I never saw him again. This proved to be the hardest winter I ever met with in my iourney through life. Old VVack-haw-en-du-tah, or Red Thunder, was one of the bravest and most universally respected chiefs among all the numerous Sioux bands. What brought him into such high es- teem may be worth noting. An Ottawa Indian, from Lake Michigan, had by some means wandered away from his own countrv and joined Red Thunder's band, where he re- ceived the kindest hospitality ; but his tribe, in Michigan, were at war with the 0-ma-haw Indians, on the Missouri. In their rambling or pleasure seeking during the summer season, though their homes might be widely separated, strange tribes would often come in contact, and have great fun, horse-racing, ball-playing and very many other means of amusement, with which the whites are not familiar. On the occasion in question, about 200 lodges each of Sioux and 0-ma-haws encamped on the great plains within visiting distance of each other. This happened many years before I saw Red Timnder. It soon became known in the 0-ma-haw camp that Red Thunder was harboring one of their enemies, and a party was immediately sent to bring the Ottawa, dead or alive. Red Thunder used every argument in his power to save his pivtege, but to no purpose. Then taking his gun he said : "Since you will not permit me to keep the Ottawa, you shall not kill him, but I will," and shot him, the same ball accidentally killing a young 0-raa- haw who was behind the Ottawa. The 0-ma- haws took the two bodies away with them. War was now imminent in consequence of this mishap of Red Thunder's ; and, in order to avert the impending outbreak, early the next morning the Sioux chief mounted his horse, and rode alone to the 0-ma-haw camp, singing his death song, and with his knife, as he rode among their lodges, cut pieces of flesh from his thighs, and throwing them to the dogs, said : "My friends, I fed my dogs with your flesh yesterday, and am now come to feast your dogs on my poor flesh, in hopes that we may continue brethren." Red Thunder was care- fully taken from his horse, his wounds dressed, and, in time, he was loaded with presents and sent home, thus preserving the harmony of the two war-like tribes. In 1813 old Red Thunder and part of his baud volunteered to go with Col. Dickson against the Americans, and were present at the battle of Fort Meigs, on the Maumee. On his return home he had many marvelous stories to relate, such as the folly of the English soldiers running up to cut down the pickets, and being themselves shot down in the attempt. Another great piece of folly was, in his estimation, "that tlie English had placed their great big guns — cannons — a long way from the pickets ; and they took little tin kettles, filled them with rifle balls, and put these kettles, one at a time, into the big gun, and fired it off at the clouds, as if they were ducks. I told them" said Red Thunder, "to shoot at the fort ; but they HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 449 laughed at me, and I left them in disgust and came home." Having mentioned and described this old chief, who shared with me the hard winter (of 1809-10) before us, I will proceed in my narra- tive. Old Red Thunder, with two other lodges of his band, after Auce had been gone a few days, arrived and encamped quite close to my house. A few Indians, in this way, generally wintered about the traders' houses. They had no store of provisions, but hoped, as I did, that buffalo m.eat would abound. Warned by a former year's sufferings, I kept iu stove five or six bushels of corn. I and the Red Thunder's boys killed more of the wild fowl than fed us all for awhile. But the marshes were soon frozen over, and that supply was cut off. There were no wolves or small game of any kind in this part of the country ; so Red Thunder's people were soon reduced to subsist on the old buffalo hides they had used to sleep upon, perhaps for years. Under these circumstances, common humanity induced me to share my corn with them, which was becoming daily reduced. In the meantime I, with my men and the Indian boys were con- stantly roaming about, in hopes of finding some- thing we could convert into meat. One day one of the men found the head of an old buf- falo, which some of his race had lost last sum- mer, and with difficulty brought it liome. We all rejoiced, in our straitened circumstances, at this piece of good luck. The big tin kettle was soon tilled and boiling, with a view of softening it and scraping off the hair ; but boiling water and ashes would not stir a hair. We then dried it, in hopes we might burn the hair off; but in vain. We felt sadly disappointed, as we were on short rations, our corn supply drawing near an end. In this dilemma, Mrs. Red Thunder, almost in despair, took her as, and started in quest of bitter sweet, or wild ivy ; and succeeded in bringing home all she could carry, and re- ported that there was plenty more. This vine is readily prepared for food. It is cut into chunks from one to three inches long, and boiled until the coarse, thin bark easily sepa- rates itself from the stem. The bark then makes at least three fourths of the original quantity ; it is spongy, and of a bitter sweet taste. It is quite nutrious; and though one might not fatten on it, still it would preserve life for a long time. I now took three of the men, and started in the direction the buffaloes usually, in mild win- ters, travel. We followed the river, and within four or five miles, we discovered a buffalo. Two of the men, being old hunters, said at once, "That's a scabby old fellow, not worth shooting." However, as he was not far off', I said I would try my hand at him. So, taking advantage of the wind, and skulking through the tall grass, his time was come. Crack ! went my ritle, and he was down and well out of misery. (>ii e.x- amination, it was found that his back and the upper part of his sides were a mass of scabs and blood, where the magpies and other carniv- erous birds had peeked and fed, as they do when these animals become too old and feeble to defend themselves. Proceeding on our journey, we came to a hole in the ground made by an otter, around which he had deposited ever so many poly-wogs, of which it would have been unkind to have deprived him of his food supply. We soon after came upon the tracks of a ground-hog, and .soon found his cave. We then went to work to e.xhume the body, for purposes well known to hungry people in these parts. As we neared the end of our day's journey — a dreadfully cold day it was — one of the hunters called my attention to a black spot on the hill- side, fully a mile beyond our intended camping place. He thought it was a buffalo, and said,' "Let's go and see." So I sent the other two men to prepare our night's lodging, while St. Maurice, the best hunter, and I started off with the murderous intent of bagging a big game. We availed ourselves of every means of avoid- 460 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. iiig observation by our intended victim, so we might get within a safe shot of the apparently sleeping buffalo. At length we reached a little hil- lock, within twenty yards of what we regarded as more meat than we could carry home. Putting in fresh priming, St. Maurice whispered, "I'll tire as he rises, and vou reserve your charge for use in case he runs at us." "All right," said I; and St. Maurice, not to cause too much excitement in the poor buffalo, whom he regarded as about drawing his last breath, gave a gentle whistle, but no movement ; he whistled louder and louder, then gave a yell, but still he stirred not. We then went up to him ; lie was dead, but not quite stiff. We managed to take his tongue and heart to our camp, which was in some old trader's winter- ing house. The ground-hog was ready for supper and before bed-time, was nearly all gone. The tongue and heart were nicely cut up, and washed, ready for early cooking in the morning. Whether ground-hog meat acted as an opiate or not, I cannot say ; but this I know, we all slept later than we intended, and the wonder was, that some of us were not frozen, for it was bitter cold, and our bedding consisted only of each man's blanket, which it was his privilege to carry, with extra moccasins, etc., on his back, when not otherwise in use When I turned out in the morning, the cook had got up a rousing fire, and the tongue — the most dainty part of the buffalo — and a part of the heart, were in the kettle, ready to hang on the fire. Of course I had no washing tools at hand; pants and socks were found where I left them when I retired to rest — that is, on my legs and feet. A very slight rub of snow on the hands and eyes finished my toilet for the expected de- licious repast. "Which will you have, sir, tongue or heart?" This directed my eyes to the kettle, boiling over with a black bloody froth, with a sickening, putrid smell. I bolted out of the house, leaving the men to smack their lips on heart and tongue, while I took the remnant of the ground-hog to the open air. Breakfast over, it was concluded that the non-hunter and St. Maurice should strike out on the plains, while Beaubien, an old hunter, and I should go up the river, all parties to meet at a certain point. When I had reached the place indicated, I cast my eyes around to see if the others were coming, and I noted instead a pair of frightful, infuriated monster eyes — a buffalo of the scabby kind, lying half way up the bank of the stream; his breath had turned to white frost, enveloping his body, so that not a particle of him was visible save his eyes, which were greatly dilated, and apparently bent on mischief. I jumped up on the opposite bank and took vay stand behind a tree. In those days I was a good shot. I took deliberate aim and hit him in the temple. He did not appear to feel it. I fired four shots, which brouglit St. Mauriqe, and to my delight, a strange Indian with him. I now advanced to old scabby, and hit him to no purpose; one more shot, placing the muzzle of my gun to his eai:, gave him mo- tion, for he shook his head, and rolled down the bank dead. The strange Indian was one of a band, about four days' journey distant, in the buffalo range. The chief's name was Whoo-way-hur, or Broken Leg. I had never before seen him. He was chief of Les Gens des Perches band; and his fame for bravery and love for the whites was known far and near. He had come all that dis- tance with peltry to buy a few trifling articles, worth, in fact, a dollar, perhaps; but to him of more value than the most costly dinner set. I with my party went home, and my customer, of course, with us. Less than half a peck measure would now hold all the corn I had to depen 1 on; and it was worth more to me than the same measure of golden eagles. I knew the perils of long journeys through the prairies in the winter season, I, therefore, asked all my men if any of them would go with our visitor to get some meat. They would all volunteer; but I HISTORY OF VERNON COTJNTT. 451 said two must remain with me, and four go — to settle among themselves who should go and who should remain. They carried some goods to pay for the meat, and two (|uarts of corn were roasted and pounded for their journey. Before daylight the next morning they were on their way, and were to be back in nine long, anxious days. The Yankton band, to which Ance belonged, had left in Red Thunder's charge a horse with a dis- located shoulder, and could not recover. The corn was all now but gone; the bitter sweet within a reasonable distance had been devoured, and I brought to poverty and to tny wit's end; and yet four days before the men could return. Hard is the task my poverty compels, To get my living amid savage yells. I sent for Red Thunder to consult about our future. His only hope, however, lay in the chance of the coming of the buffalo; but I was not of his way of thinking, and suggested the killing of the horse. But he said no — he dared not, for the Yankton would be very angry. Before I was up the next morning, however. Red Thunder came thumping at my door and calling at the top of his voice, my Sioux name — ''Wee- yo-te-huh! (The Meridian Sun) the horse is dead." The old chap had stuck the horse, and when I got to the spot, he had skinned the ani- mal's head and part of the neck; and parts of it were soon stuck on sticks roasting, and parts being made into broth in the Indian lodges. I got for my part a piece of the upper portion of the neck; it was eatable, but, in truth, I would have preferred roast lamb. My Indian friends kept cooking and eating without relaxation, night or day, until the old horse, save hoofs and bones, had been consumed. The nine days for the men's return had passed, and they came not. On the eleventh day I went six or eight miles, in hopes to meet them, but returned disappointed and grieved. When within a mile of the house, about dusk, I met with one of those scabby buffaloes and managed to end his misery; and reporting my success to Red Thunder, his In- dian friends, with knives, tomahawks and torche.s, were soon on their way to this lucky God-send, in their estimation. To partake of such meat, I knew I could not. My last pint of corn was being roasted. I had some apprehen- sions that my absent men had been killed, which was the least of my fears; but there was greater danger that they had been lost or buried in the snow — particularly the latter; thoughts of such accidents had often occurred to my mind. In any case, if they failed to return with supplies, my only alternative was to write an account of matters and things, and make up ray last bed. On the twelfth day of their abscence, I had been straining my eyes with melancholy reflec- tions till about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when I retired to the house to smother care and anxiety in smoke. I had not long been at the pipe when a general shout of joy was raised at the Indian camps — "The white men are com- ing!" I was not slow to see for myself; and here they came, loaded with dried buffalo meat, and the welcome news that Broken Leg with a lot of his young men would bring ample sup- plies in a few days. This was good news. When, with marks of reproach, I asked them why they had not returned sooner, they told me they had been two and a half days buried in the snow. I could not doubt them, for I was aware that such things happened every winter on these plains. Not many winters before this, an Indian, with eight white men, saw a storm approaching, and with all haste made for a little clump of trees for shelter. But when within half a mile of the goal, they were compelled by the severity of the storm, to lie down and be covered with the avalanche of snow falling. The wind and drift are so powerful that people cannot face them and breathe. These nine persons remained under snow for three days; and but for the Indian, the whites would all have perished. He had been caught before; he kept himself 452 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. raised to near the surface by packing the snow under hiin, which also kept him in a cooler atmosphere,so the place where he was, continued dry, though warm. He could, moreover, being near the surface, with only a thin layer of snow, over him discern when the storm had abated. At the end of the third day, he went to the little bush or wood, made on a rousing fire, and cutting a ten foot pole, returned to hunt up and liberate his imprisoned compuiions. This he accomplished by thrusting the pole at random, until one would seize it, when the Indian would dig him out. He found them all dripping wet; and the wind having rendered the snow firm, he packed each one, as he brought him from his cave, to the fire, otherwise they would have soon frozen, coming out of their warm bath into so chilly an atmosphere. For unless a person thus buried scrapes the snow from above, and packs it below or under him, the heat of his body melts the snow, and he finds himself in a pool of water. As promised, at the end of four days Broken Leg arrived, with ten of his young men, loaded with dried meat, pelican, buffalo's bladders filled with marrow, and a few furs. I paid them well, and all were pleased, except one young fellow, who had a wolf skin to trade; but he wanted four times its value, which I would not give. He then drew his robe about him. and leaning on the counter, as is the Indian habit, with inten- tion of tiring me out. I, however, wrapped myself also in a robe, and laughingly lay down on another robe, when my lad finding he was beaten at his own game, went off in a rage, and X went to trading with the others. Broken Leg was soon informed that Master Wolf was pre- paring his bow and arrows to shoot me on emerging from the shop. The chief was up instantly, and going from my apartment to the men's room, found Master Wolf ready to bleed me, and took his bow and arrow from him. He then gave him a few thumps over the head, threw his weapons into the fire, and turned him out of the room. On their going away the next morning, I gave the chief a keg of rum ; and not expecting it, they were all the more delighted. This was the last I saw of this tribe of Leu Gens des Perches. Now we all — Red Thunder *and his people included — lived luxuriously on roast and boiled meat — rather tough and smoky, to be sure, but the best that the country afforded, or money could buy. March was now close at hand ; the wild fowl would then afford me amusement, but first of all I must look after the fur hunters. At length they came, well loaded too, only to stay one night, consequently all of Red Thun- der's, as well as my own, spare rooms and beds were occupied. They paid me amply. I made a splendid trade, gave them two kegs, each con- taining three gallons of high wines and six of water. True, they might have gotten the water at their camp ; but carrying it on their backs twenty-five miles would mix it better. They made a little speech, hoping I would come .again ; but my heart might have said : "My face you shall see no more." Pack-making, boat-fixing, bird-shooting, and patiently waiting for the ice to melt out of the streams, were now the objects that occupied my attention. The Sioux, from about forty miles above the mouth of the river St. Peter's to its sources, and away over the plains, are, or were then, known as the Upper Sioux, and those below that to Prairie du Chien, the Lower Sioux, and were widely different in their character. The latter were more reasonable, and more easily managed, being less savage. This may, per- haps be attributed to their chiefs having re- peatedly, in the early days of Canada, visited Quebec, and got large presents, parchment * Lieut. Pike, when on liis public mission up tlie Missis- sippi, in 1805—1806, did what he could to repress the sale of liquor to the Indians. When at Prairie du Chieu, in April, 1806, he thus spoke of Red Thunder : "I was sent for by Ked Thunder, chief of the Yanktons, the most savage liand of the Sioux. He was prepared with the most elegant pipes and robes I ever saw. Shortly after, he declared, •that white blood had never been shed in the viilai^e of the Yanktons, even when rum was permitted; that Mr Murdoch Cameron arrived in his village last Autumn ; that he invited him (Cameron) to eat, and gave him corn as a bird ; and that he, Cameron, informed him of the prohibition of rum, and was the only person who afterwards sold it in the vil- lage . ■ " HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 453 commissions, and silver medals — one side of which was the king's head, and the British coat of arms on the other, presented to them, through the Indian department, from Gen. Haldiraand and Lord Dorchester, and other early Canada governors. In those days the Indians were strong, but yet treated the Eng- lish with kindness, and placed full confidence in tiiera. Do we reciprocate their friendship and liberality now that we are strong and they weak ? Ice gone and boat loaded, good-bye forever to the Yankton band of Sioux Indians, now des- tined to the Mississippi, Prairie du Chien and Mackinaw. While at Mackinaw thisyear (1810) in passing through Robert Dicksons room one day, I saw several books on his table, among which were two copies of the Bible. Recollect- ing the interest my parents appeared to take in this book, I at once concluded I must have one of them. To ask Mr. Dickson for one would be useless; and my good friend Parson Stuart, the old Mohawk missionary, had so impressed upon my mind that stealing would be a breach of one of the commandments — therefore I dared not take it. My conscience was quieted with the sug- gestion that I could horroio it, which I did, faithfully returning it the next year; but like many other things I have left undone, I did not read it with the attention I should have done. The remainder of my Indian trading years was spent with the Lower Sioux Indiana. One season at Lake St. Croix (1810-11). This year the much-respected Sioux Chief Onk-e-tah En- du-tah, or Red Whale, while spending part of the summer (of 1810) with many of his people at Prairie du Chien, lost his only daughter there. He determined to take her remains tip to his village and bury them with those of her relatives — a distance of about 200 miles, and in the burning hot month of August. He placed the corpse in his canoe and started, two other families following in their respect- ive canoes. When they had accomplished about half their journey on the eighth day, they reached lake Pepin; he landed, and threw the putrid body into the water, say- ing: "I cannot carry my child's body any far- ther; but her bones must be buried with her mother and sisters. Will any one help me sep- arate the bones from the decayed and decaying flesh." No one responded. He threw off his covering; and sitting down on the beach, went to work and cleaned the flesh from every bone, throwing the decayed parts into the lake. He then got some grass, tied them up carefully, placed them in his canoe, and renewed his jour- ney. During this operation, as well as occas- ionally when on his route home, he would sing the death song, accompanied with loud wail- ings and tears, producing an indescribable mel- ancholy, and echo from the surrounding hills, well calculated to turn the most joyous heart into mourning. I have much to say about the Red Whale, and his strange story of his origin — an inven- tion by which he acquired the most, if not all, of his popularity over his superstitious follow- ers. He was a great orator, a.s well as success- ful war chief, and a friend of the whites. When he was about twenty-five years of age, so I was informed, he made a feast, and invited the principal men of his tribe, and thus addressed them : " My friends, you all know that as soon as I could use the bow and gun well, I placed myself under a warrior and a medicine man, to learn all they knew ; I blackened my face ; I fasted many days, and dreamed many dreams. I then followed you on the war path. Few of you, on our return, maile the women and children dance and sing more than 1 have done, for coming home with even one scal|), causes days of dancing and rejoicing." Then referring to his trophied head, he added : "You know how I got this hair and these feathers from your enemies' heads. I love the Sioux, and will now tell you where I came from, and how I became oi"ie of your people. " When this world was small, and only a lew camps upon it, a long way frtmi here I was born 454 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. in a land where the people were all black ; and, on growing up to manhood, I hated this black meat. My father would not let me travel to see other tribes, so I told him I would die. Mother wanted to keep me ; but no, I was un- happy amongst this black people, and I died. It is a fact that all the Indian tribes I have met with hate negroes. "I laid there,'" hecontinued, "about 600 years. At la.st I became weary, so I got up one night, very carefully, for fear of disturbing the old people ; for had they heard me, they would not have permitted me to go and travel. It was a good night ; the moon was bright ; I could only see a little piece of it. I started. No one could hear my wings or see my bodv. In crossing over the great Salt Lake, I got very tired ; but I did not like to die in the water, and took courage. I got to a tree where I took a good sleep. After that, I traveled to many places, looking out for a good camp where I would be happy ; but the camps I saw were mostly white, with some blacks — I did not like them. At last I got here one day, when the sun had gone down out of sight. Hearing singing and dancing at the Falling Water (St. Anthonys Falls), I perched myself on that big oak tree where your people encamp. From my elevated place, I could see through the tops of the lodges all things within as well as without. A war party had just returned with the scalps of their enemies. They were the most merry people I had ever seen, feast- ing, singing, dancing, and engaged in all kinds of sports. So I concluded to try your way for a while. "When all was quiet and the fires burned down, I crept into the lodge of Cut-Thumb, the war chief, and became by choice a Sioux. Now, my friends, you know my history ; and I now tell you, I want to be your war chief. If you say 'no,' I will soon die, and travel to some other country ; but if you say 'yes,' I will lead you on the war-path until my legs get too old and frail to carry me." "There was no opposition ; he did not leave the lodge a common warrior, but head chief of the tribe. The first time I saw him, in 1806, he ap- peared to be about fifty years of age. I think, in 1807,* Lieut. Pike, of the American army, afterwards Gen. Pike, of Little York fame, was on his way to discover the source of the Missis- sippi. He slept for the night on an island, immediately opposite the mouth of the St. Peter's. It was late in November. The Red Wh.ale, with part ot his band, was encamped on the island at the time. An awful storm of wind, snow, hail and rain came up, with thun- der and lightning. The storm had abated in the morning, and Lieut. Pike missed his flag. After the usual military invitation, the man who was on sentry at the time was pinioned to be flogged. Red Whale, hearing a rumpus in the camp, went up to see what it was all about. He found the man tied to a tree, ready to be scored, and the chief was told by the American commander that the man had lost the flag, and must be flogged. Red Whale said "No," and added: "I'll send ray young men for it," as it must have caught in the brush." But Lieut. Pike persisted in his determination to punish the negligent soldier. Red Whale drew his knife, and said : '*I will stick the first one that strips that soldier." The "stars and stripes" were, brought forward, the man released, and Red Whale lectured the lieutenant for having been himself the cause of the flag's loss. "You knew," said he to Pike, "that it was a black night ; we could not see the length of my arrow. Any one might have taken it away. You knew the wind was strong enough to tear it to pieces, and you should have taken it into your tent." With this cutting reproof Red Whale thought all was settled, and he went to his camp ; but soon another rumpus was heard in the American *Capt. Anderson is somewhat at fault as to the date when Lieut. Pike camped on the island at the mouth of the St. Peter's. According to Pike's Travels, page 34, it was Sept. 21, 1805 ; but nothinp is related by the lieutenant as to the incident of the Red Whale . HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 455 encampment, and he ran there with all haste. He found the man again tied to the tree, ready for the nine tails. "I told you," said Red Whale, not to hurt this man. You have got your flag. What more has he done ?" "Noth- ing," was the reply, "but he must be punished." "I say no," retorted the Sioux chief ; "white man's blood shall not stain my land — unloose him." "No," replied Pike, he must be flogged." "I say he must not," said Red Whale, and gave the shrill war whoop. A portion of his war- riors were quickly at his side, whom he ordered to cut the strings and let the soldier go. It was soon done, and Red Whale turning to the officer, said : "Young man ! my name is Onk-e-tah En-du- tiih. I know all that happens for many a day's journey around me. It was your fault, and not the soldier's, that your flag floated down the river. Now I warn you, if you hurt this man during the winter, I will make a hole in your coat when you come back in the spring. Go now ; you may tell all the Sioux you meet that Red Whale desires them to be kind to you and your soldiers, and give you plenty to eat ; but, as I have warned you, beware of hurting that man's back." The Lower Sioux at this time consisted of six bands, to wit : That of Wau-be-shaw, or The Leaf, the most respected, as he had been twice to Quebec, where he had received medals, flags and other presents, which the Sioux remember with gratitude to this day. Their offspring are at this moment as fond of and loyal to the Britii-h government as their ancestors were. Whoo-pah En-du-tah,* or Red Wing,f who was famed for foretelling events, was at the head of one of the bands ; Red Wliale, another ; •En-du-tah, red— whoo-iiah, wing ; onk-e-tnh, whnlf, and en-du-tah, red : Wack-haw, thunder— en-du-tah, red ; hence, Ked Winjr. Red Whale and Red Thunder. +Pike, in his Travels, page 23. mentions Red Wing, in September, 1805, as the "sccondwar chief in the notion. He made me a speech and presented a pipe, pouch and liulTalo Bkin. He appeared to be a man of sense, and promised to aceompany me to St. Peter's ; he saluted mc, and had it returned. I made him a small present." Shock-0-pe, or The Six, another; Kah-hai-ge- gad, or Little Crow, and Thunder, the remain- ing two bands. Red Thunder, in fact, was not considered as fixedly attached to any particular band or locality ; but his was a roving, friendly band, welcome any and everywhere. About the year 1810, whether from a pros- pect of war, or what, I know not, the Americans would not permit British traders, though we were willing to pay the duties on them as usual, to carry goods into the Indian country within the territory of the United States. This was b.id news. The Montreal merchants had landed their goods, as formerly, at the island of St. Joseph, a British garrisoned outpost, forty-five miles distant from Mackinaw ; and Indian traders were waiting for their outfits, without which the Indians would bo great sufferers. All arguments failed ; "Jonathan" would not permit us to enter his territory. After a brief consultation, eight of us (in the autumn of 1810) formed a league or partnership, with the intention of running the blockade, or sinking our all in the adventure. The parties to this arrangement were : Robert Dickson of Queenstown, U. C, head man ; Allen Wilmot, T. G. Anderson, Jacob Franks, Joseph Rolette, John Lawe, James and George Aird, of Prairie du Chien. Seven well filled boats, contain- ing, altogether, about £10,000 worth of goods, were in a few days in readiness, with about 100 guns, all loaded and distrihutod conveniently (>n the boats for ready use, in case of an attack by American soldiers from the Mackinaw gar- rison. We started early in the morning, and, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, came in sight of the dreaded fort, nine miles in front of us. Prudence directed the shoving of our boats into the rushes and await the night. We hailed an Indian passing and impressed him as our guide or pilot. In a straight line it was fifteen miles, which would require us to ])ass immedi- ately under the garrison's guns, and beneath the high bank, so as to be out of reach of the reve- nue oflScer; but, to be on the safe side we took 456 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the deep bay route on the northern side of the island — increasing our night's work five miles, no trifling matter for people in a hurry. About daylight it blew hard, a heavy sea arose and my boat sprang a leak. Had not Ihe guard kept a good look-out, we would have been discovered; but another and a strong pull took us out of view around Point St. Ignaee, where we repaired my boat, boxed up the guns and proceeded fearlessly on our journey. At Green Bay we spent two days giving Mr. Jacob Franks and Mr. John Lawe their outfits of goods. Mr. Dickson and the two Airds went above the Falls of St. Anthony for their trading grounds; Mr. Wilmot, second in command of the combina- tion, chose for himself Rolette and Anderson to winter on the island where Red Whale pre- vented Lieut. Pike from whipping one of his soldiers. Wilmot and Rolette had never wintered with the Sioux before, and thouglit it would be safer to have the protection of a fort for a trading-post; and though a novel notion in this part of the country, it must be done. It nearly cost me my life. The necessary stores and dwellings forming three sides of a square and stout oak pickets the other. This year, following the custom of the country, whicli I had hitherto resisted, I took to live with me a little half-breed. When the In- dians came out from their winter hunting grounds in spring, they formed ab ut 300 lodges. They encamped immediately about the fort; and after the trading was over, the usual bonus of high wines was issued to them. This was done in the morning; and, immediately after, our head man (Wilmot) started to visit another band of Indians, taking with him twelve out of our full strength — sixteen in all; thus leaving me with two white men and a negro, to meet the storm which generally took place at the close of these drunken carousals, when they were particularly thirsty, and their supply was cut off. All were jolly in the camp during the day dancing, singing and hair-pulling prevailed; and sometimes an attempt at stabbing. One poor fellow was stabbed over the right eye, following the skull around till it reached the left ear. An old man had his skull fractured by a heavy stroke from a fire-brand. On sober- ing off next morning, and fearing the fracture would result in his loss of hearing, as had been the case with his brother before him; and firm in the conviction that after his departure he should join his brother in the land of happy spirits, he used a stiff straw, probing the wound and preventing all chance of healing and re- cover}', and soon died. About 12 o'clock at night the supply of grog became scanty. The empty kegs had been heated over the fire, and rinsed till even the smell of liquor was no longer perceptible; and to obtain more of the fiery beverage, one reck- less fellow, with gun in hand, scaled our fortifi- cation, while the four guardsmen were sleeping in supposed security. The interpreter slept in a room, the door of which opened into the yard; and my room was adjoining. The noise of the drunken Indians outside bad awakened him; and he called to me sayilig there was an Indian in the yard with his gun. I threw on my clothes as quickly as I could; got to the door, with my hand on the latch, standing with my full front to the door. The interpreter now said something to me which I did not under- stand; and on turning to ask an explanation, the Indian fired, the ball passing thiough the door at the very .spot where I had just been standing. The concussion nearly knocked me down. I looked on the floor and felt of my body but found no blood. I then rushed out and caught the fellow by the hair befoie he had finished re-loading his gun for a second shot. I threw him on his back before he had time to think of what was transpiring, and drew him inside, placing hiiu in charge of the negro. Ail this did not consume five minutes, including my merciful preservation, through God's providen- tial care of me. Mr. Rolette, the third white man, pretended that he did not hear the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 459 firing, and when I knocked at his door and bid him get ready for a fight, he would not move until I threatened to break into his room ; and, in loading his gun, he so shook with fear, that he broke his ram rod. When we were all ready, I took the interpreter to the pickets and had him call to the Indians and say, that they need not send away their women and children, as they commenced doing, for we did not wish to kill them, but let the warriors come on, if they desired to do so. In an instant the whole Indian camp was in motion, women screaming, children crying, dogs howling. Some of the Indians were in search of their guns, which their women had hid away before the spree began, lest in their drunken orgies they might kill one another. Every few minutes I called out to them, inquir- ing if the women and children were gone, and if the warriors were ready for the fray. At length I discerned some one very cautiously approaching the fort ; and on challenging him as to who he was, and what he wanted ? He replied: ''I am Red Whale; let me in. I want to take care of the whites." This was good news. I knew we were safe under his protec- tion. He insisted on my releasing my prisoner, which I did, and all became quiet. By 10 o'clock the next morning, the would be murderer invited all to a feast. On the receipt of this invitation, we all concluded that our end had come, and my companions were indisposed for the breakfast tendered. But we must show pluck; so placing my two pistols in my belt, I led the way ; and, to our great relief, on reaching the door of the lodge, the pipe of peace was presented to us, which was a confession and atonement for the culprit's drunken* folly. I always found, that to be truthful, honest and unflinching, where justice was demanded, invariably gained respect and confidence with all Indian tribes. In two days the Indians were all gone, Mr. Wilmot and party had returned, our packs were made up, and our friend Dickson, from above the St. Anthony Falls, had arrived. A council of the partners was held, at which it was deter- mined, as a quantity of goods remained over, to carry on a summer's trade for deer skins, and I was requested to take charge of the post, and conduct the trade. I consented to do so, on condition of their leaving with me one of the boats, an interpreter and four men. This was acceded to, and I was left in sole charge of the Sioux trade. In case this narrative should fall into the hands of any French cooks, which is not very likely, I must enlighten him touching the mode in which we prepared a Christmas dinner in Onke-tah En-du-tah's dominions, in the year 1811. Our stock of wild fowl, which our fall sport had laid in, was consumed. The Indians, on whom we had depended for venison, were a great distance from us ; and we had, for some time, been feasting on dried and smoked musk- rats, a bale of which savory meat had been secured from the Indian autumnal hunting season; Christmas day had arrived; and, as on former festival days, I was minded to prepare something new for myself and friends to eat, and to talk about for awhile. So, immediately after breakfast, I called my servant and told him we intended to have a " sea-pie " for dinner ; and that it must be made under my own inspection, as I wanted it particularly nice. "So," said I, "go and wash your hands very clean and bring Red Whale's large wooden bowl full of flour, to be made into a paste." That being done and set by the fire to raise, I directed that six of the fattest musk- rats that could be found in the bale be brought; cut off the head and hairy part of the feet, throwing them away. Divide each musk-rat into six parts and wash them in warm water. Then put into a piece of deer-skin, a dozen grains of pepper and powder it, by pounding, as fine as snuff, and pulverize some salt also. "Is the bake-kettle clean ?" "Yes, sir," replied the servant, " I baked bread in it yesterday." " All right," said I ; " now roll out some paste 87 460 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the size of the bake-kettle, not more than half an inch thicii ; grease the bottom of the kettle with that lump of tallow ; fit the paste to the bottom of the dish. Then lay on the paste a layer of musk-rat meat ; pepper and salt it ; then some strips of paste over the meat, and so alternate the courses till the kettle is nearly full." After filling the dish with water, cover- ing it tight with plenty of live coals on the top, it was left to cook by a slow fire. But pepper and salt did not save it, nor savory crust convert musk-rat into relishable food. On opening the* pie, so sickening was the efiluvia emanating from it, that all were glad to rush to the door for fresh air. Nor have I ever since voted in favor of smoked musk-rat pies. Fishing and shooting were now out of season, Indians were away at their summer villages, and time began to hang heavily on my hands. No books, no news from the outside world, no exchange of ideas with my fellow men, except an occasional visit from some old chief, who, pleased to find me amused with his supersti- tious and long-tailed stories of the pre-adamite period, only interesting from the dreams and vagaries of his forefathers, would sit, drink tea, smoke and talk by the hour. To kill time, I planted a few potatoes and some corn around the fort, and they produced marvelous crops on which I and my men made marvelous meals. The Indians have capacious stomachs. One old fellow offered a wager that he could eat at one sitting sixty of the largest potatoes I could produce, and would have weighed at least thirty pounds; but, knowing that he had lately eaten a full grown ground- hog, and drank a pint of oil to keep it down, I declined the bet. The Indians were now collecting for their summer's hunt on the upper Mississippi, and I prepared to accompany them, to encourage their hunting; but how to get my boat over St. An- thonys Falls was a serious consideration. I, however, set the men to work to make four wheels, with a temporary rigging, not having tools to do more. As the Indians were going in the direction of their Chippewa enemies, I took with me a pound swivel, in case of acci- dents. On reaching the falls, I got my boat on the truck, but a break-down soon followed. My hunters turned out with willing hands and the boat was soon over. From this point a narrow fringe of timber shades the river above. A few miles onward, Rum river, from the east, and a few miles far- ther. Crow river, from the west, both powerful tributaries, largely swell the Mississippi. Above tliera the river narrows gradually, as far as I went, until it becomes a small stream of eighty or 100 yards wide. In this fringe of timber the deer retire from the scorching sun of summer; and if the mosquitoes are troublesome, the pes- tered animals plunge into the river. Our first day's hunt was not very successful. It was confined to one side of the stream, with our camp at Crow river. The next and succeed- ing days we were on both sides, and the shots were frequent. The hunters were in their canoes, gaily and leisurely paddling and chat- ting, while the children were squalling and yelling lustily — occasionally stopping to pick berries — while the hunters were keeping abreast of the navigators, outside the wood, and shoot- ing the deer as the noisy paddlers frightened them from their coverts. We always laid by every third day to stretch and dry the skins. The meat of the slaughtered deer was very little cared for; I do not believe that more than one in ten of those killed was taken from the spot where they were skinned. On these resting days, the old trappers would go up quietly to the place indicated for the next two days' journey, and set their traps for the beaver, otter, musk-rats, etc., which would be collected as we journeyed on for the next ensuing two days. On one occasion, the hunters had nearly all reached the place of rendezvous before I did. On arriving there, my attention was drawn to a large group of men, women and children at HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 461 short distance away; and on reaching the spot, I saw a a stout woman lying on her back, with a leather strap drawn tight about her neck, and she black in the face. Many of the by-standers were making jocular remarks at the folly of tak- ing so slender a cord "to hang so big a meat to." I cut the strap and dashed water in her face, and she revived; when she jawed me roundly for bringing her back to her cruel sister. On inquiry, I found that she and her elder sister were married to a fellow called "Cut Thumb," and, in a fit of jealousy, the elder had struck the younger with a hoe. Out of revenge and spite to her rival and husband, she found and climbed a convenient tree, to a limb of which she fastened one end of a strap, and the other to her neck, and jumped off; but as many of the sight-seers unfeelingly said, the leather was unfortunately not strong enough. At length our Sioux hunters had reached the borders of their Chippewa enemies, and conse- quently alarms were frequently, though falsely reported. The scouts, who hunted no longer abreast of the navigators, but took an early morning start in advance of the canoes. At length a trap had been lost ; and the only pos- sible way of accounting for it was, that it had been stolen by their thieving enemies. We had now reached a sandy plain, a beauti- ful spot for our resting day. The war chief, who had now command of the expedition, had l)iackened his face and sung his war song in expectatio.n of an attack from the Chippewas the next morning. He increased the number of scouts, directing them not to fire a shot, and to exercise every care in discovering traces of the enemy. About 4 o'clock the scouts came in reporting having heard and seen sorts of imaginable things their superstitious fancies could invent — foot-prints, gun reports, indica- tions where fire had been made, the glistening from looking-glasses — for young Indian dandies often carry small looking-glasses attached to their belts, which in the sun, reflect the glaring light a great distance. Other signs were also reported — buffalo, deer, ducks, geese, etc., going in all directions, as if escaping from the hunter, and smelling the enemy. Not one word of any of these reports was true. It, however, accorded with our Gen. Cut- Thumb's prediction, that the enemy were at hand. A council of war was forthwith called, by which it was concluded that we had been discovered by the Chippewas, and they would be upon us during the night. The warriors were directed to sharpen their knives, clean their guns, and have everything in readiness for battle. The women were ordered to ex- tinguish the fires, and carry their children back to the bush; and the old and infirm to guard the lodges. The excitement was too great for me to describe; it was, however, confined to the women and children, for the warriors were quietly preparing their weapons for great slaughter. At length Cut-Thumb requested me to do him the favor to join him in a raid he was about to make on the terrible Chippewas, aud take my artillery with me. To this I readily consented on condition that he would provide transporta- tion for my gun, which he promised. I was told tliat we were immediately to proceed about a mile up the river, to a place where we could not fail to annihilate the expected war party. My gun having been well swabbed out, and charged with twenty-five fusil balls, and a novel kind of port-tire constructed of dry cedar bark, crushed fine, and rubbed with a coat of tahow — the construction of which occupied me, perhaps, five minutes. Meanwhile, I was re- minded by my chief every ten seconds, that delays were dangerous. All, at length, being ready, one of my gun- ners shouldered my cannon, the other its car- riage — they were very Samsons ; and all on lip- toe marched off for the selected battle-ground — "conquer or die," and "no quarters," were our mottoes. The artillery commander had neither paint nor feathers, but his braves were dressed in their best, so that in the event of the enemy 462 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. taking one of their scalps, the Chippewa women might say : "What a handsome fellow he must have been !" When the words "halt ! prepare for action," were whispered, I found myself, gunners, port- fire, a'l, on the edge of a perpendicular sand- bank, which terminated at the water's beach, sixty feet below; and, immediately opposite, an island, which, at this season of the year con- tracted the stream to about thirty yards wide, the main channel being on our side. It was now getting dark, and I had much difficulty in adjusting the royal artillery, so as to fire a per- pendicular shot downward to destroy the ex- pected fleet of Chippewa canoes. The plan of attack was so arranged that on the canoes arriving within common range, I was to discharge my one pound artillery, which, it was supposed, would throw the fleet ito confu- sion, when the general discharge of small arms would cause many to fall, and throw the enemy into still further dismay. The Sioux braves would jump, roll or tumble down hill, plunge into the grand old Father of Waters, and stab, tomahawk or drown every Chippewa son of them who should have the temerity to invade the country of the Wau-be-shas,the Red Whales and the Cut-Thumbs. The dry grass was to be fired, to throw light on the massacre, and to distinguish friend from foe. I was to remain on the bank, and witness the extreme horrors of Indian war, or to retire to the woods, should I desire to avoid the murderous scene. All was "hush," and if any one wished to smoke he must retire to the rear and hide the light of his pipe. All was extreme anxiety. At length the supposed paddling was heard at a distance, and as it became more distinct I confess I fully believed the noise pro- ceeded from the action of paddles, the braves threw off every incumbrance of dress, except a well secured belt around the waist, in which to carry the carnage knife and tomahawk. The critical moment had now arrived; one of the supposed canoes had reached the boundary. But one of the braves who had stealthily gone down to the beach to appropriate to himself the first scalp and the earliest glory, yelled out, " jS/ia-iec^-.' " the Sioux word for pelican; and up flew a hundred or more affrighted pelicans that had been innocently swimming down the river on a leisure foray against the little fishes. Thus suddenly and ludicrously was brought to a termination my first and bloodless war ad- venture. Cut-Thumb's ambition was only increased by this disappointment. He dreamed dreams which were predictions of great success, and two days after we had reaped our pelican glories, he blackened his face, gave the war-whoop, and sang his war song. All the braves danced the war-dance around him. Wishing to see all of their folly I accepted the invitation courteously tendered me to join the party. They were now to invade the enemy's country, and glorious success would be the certain result. At day- light the next morning all were astir, and scouts sent in advance; and by 10 o'clock the remain- ing braves were in their canoes and under way. The warlike Cut-Thumb was standing in his canoe singing of the prowess and glories of the Sioux, and invoking his familiar spirit to be with them and crown their adventure with bountiful success. Our progress was very slow, and made with studied precaution. When we had proceeded five or six miles we arrived at a place appointed to arrange the general's staff. It was an im- portant appendage to a grand army. It con- sisted of two cooks or messengers; it would, perhaps, be more in military parlance to call them aids-de-camp. A band of music, too, must needs be provided. It consisted of a bass-drum, improvised from an empty nine gallon keg, one head out and a deerskin tightly drawn over it, with a small wooden hammer for a drum stick; a tamborine and two dried gourds, partly filled • with pebbles, together with a variety of rattles of minor importance. These made up the band. A little concert was given in the evening to HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY, 463 test the ability of the performers. This ended the first day's progress of the campaign. Sen- tries being posted, each one wrapped in his blanket, lay down on the soft grass, covered by a deer skin, and bespangled with brilliant stars, to make the most of a short night. Daylight next morning brought our pickets to camp, when pipes were cleaned out and the first smoke of the new-born day went round. Teeth were taxed to their uttermost to munch the stone-hard dried venison; after which we were, scouts and all, at our respective posts, en route for our anxiously looked for field of battle. The taking of " a single scalp would have crowned the whole party with lasting honor, in their estimation. We went forward with muf- fled paddles, carefully scrutinizing every noise, the course of every deer or bird, which might indicate an approaching foe; and withal, care- fully weighing the frequent reports, however improbable, of the principal scouts. About noon we were called to halt, to have a big war dance. On landing, and stepping for- ward a few yards trom the canoes, I found my- self in a beautiful patch of prairie land, forming a circles of forty paces in diameter, as regular as if drawn by a compass. It was enclosed by thick shrubbery, with here and there a tall balsam and other evergreens. Nature had pro- vided a splendid locality, eminently fitted for a social, enjoyable pic-nic, where boys and girls could romp and hide and go seek; dance, eat and grow fat. But it was not to be so hon- ored now. On the contrary. Old Nick himself was to be invoked, and the most beastly cere- mony to be performed I ever witnessed. After all were landed from their canoes, a party of five or six were dispatched to the bush for a pole, while the others were employed in removing all impediments from within the cir- cle. The bushmen soon returned with a bal- sam pole about forty feet long, denuded of its limbs and bark, except within about four feet of the top, which was left in its natural state. This pole was planted in the center of the am- phitheatre. Up to this time all conversation was carried on in an under-tone, and all noise avoided as much as possible; but this restric- tion was, I thought, now inconsistently removed, so that all were at full liberty to yell to the ut- most capacity of their lungs, and to smoke to their heart's content without restraint or fear of being smelt by an unseen enemy, and thus betraying their presence. Gen. Cut-Thumb and his band were seated in the shade, tuning their instruments, and trying their dis-harmouy, while the braves were dress- ing and primping for the dance. Finally the big drum gave its warning voice of tum-tum- tum, while the minor rattles joined in the rude chorus. Now the living actors, with deafening yells, frightful threats, and inhuman contor- tions commenced their circuitous jumping dance. A spectator was kindly invited to take a seat out of the way and near the music. Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed of this yelling gesticulation fandango, when an inno- cent dog attempted to run across this conse- crated ground, but was suddenly arrested in his desecrating career by being pierced at mid-cir- cle by half a dozen arrows. His body was in- ^stantly removed outside the dance ground, ripped open, the pluck taken out and hung on a stake about five feet high, which had been planted near the balsam pole. The dance was now resumed, and sickening to relate, that many of the dancers in their rounds, would step up and take a bite out of this bleeding pluck, which they would either swallow themselves, or transfer it from their teeth to Cut-Thumb's mouth, who, being so am- ply fed with so delicious a repast, soon became 80 sick that he had to retire from the concert, and the scene changed. They were to fire at the upper end of the pole, above where the peeled and unjteeled parts met. He whose shot would bring the green branches to the ground would take the first scalp. All this beastly humbug lasted 1 about four hours. Then we again embarked, 464 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. scouts were sent out, and "hush" was the word, which seemed useless after the recent noisy carousal. At dusk our canoes were drawn into the grass skirting the shore, and the whole party, except the out-pickets, were snugly en- sconced in a shrubbery thicket. I had gotten a sufficient insight into their mode of warfare, and was completely disgusted with their savage performances. We were, now about thirty miles from our camp. So next morning I asked Cut-Thumb for a small canoe, which they could well spare, which he readily turned over to me. The weather was fine, and with a strong, smooth current I made rapid progress, and might have shot several deer that were in the water to escape from the flies and gnats; but it would have been wanton cruelty, as I could not carry them with me. I reached my camp about 4 o'clock, my men rejoicing to see that I had not lost my hair. On the next day I began packing and pre- paring for my return home, as there was no more prospect of further hunting, and the war party was not expected back for six or eight days. But, to my astonishment, Cut-Thumb and his party hove in sight, singing their tri- umphant song of having been six days on the war path without losing so much as a solitary scalp. In the evening a dance, called a ball, was given in celebration of the proud and happy event. Early the next morning all was bustle; and by 5 o'clock my boats and all were over the portage and below the falls of St. Anthony. Here I had another proof of the care of a blessed providence over me. I had not noticed my cannon since the ever-to-be-remembered "pelican scare." It had been resting with its twenty-five ball charge, and wishing to notify my men whom I had left at the fort, I extracted the balls, primed it anew, and placed a piece of punk wood, lighted on one side, so that it would not ignite the powder until I had reached a safe distance away. The breeze, however, hastened the punk burning, and the gun went off, bursting and scattering it so that one fragment only was ever found, and that close to my feet. This happened in the midst of a group of at least 300 souls, and not one hurt. I thought in extracting the balls, some of the paper wadding must have remained in the gun which caused the mishap. I was well-tired of Indian war humbug, and deer slaughtering. It appeared that Cut- Thumb, in his dreams, pretended to have found out that the little Englishman — We-yo-te-hun, the Meridian Sun — became, in some way, aware of danger ahead, which caused him to take his departure; and the war-party became so im- pressed with this foolish idea, that they hurried- ly jumped into their canoes, and returned to We-yo-te-hun and his big gun. I must do the Sioux the justice to say, that on the whole, they were the most cleanly — had the best regulations as a tribe, though, like most others, governed by superstition — were the swiftest pedestrians — the best bow and arrow men — the most enormous eaters at their feasts, yet could abstain longer without food, than any of the numerous tribes I have met. I at length reached home after four weeks sporting, glad of the change, and happy to rid myself of the many insects which nip so sharp- ly in Indian camps. The remaining summer days of perfect idleness in my isolated situation, were long and tedious, varied only by accom- panying a party of two canoes of hunters in search of buffaloes at the Great Stony Lake, the source of the river St. Peter's. When, on the fourth day, within eight or ten miles of our destination, we could hear the roar of the bulls, like the rumbling of distant thunder; and when within a mile of it, we could see thou- sands of them swimming about in the water. In fact, the whole lake was literally full of huge buffaloes, cooling themselves. The wind being favorable — -from, not toicards them — we went on quietly until we reached a clump of ten or fifteen acres of timber, where it was our intention to camp. At length my guide drew fflSTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 465 my attention to the bush, which was also full of them. He was the only hunter with us; I wanted to fire, but he shook his head as a veto on my wishes. Wrapped in a buffalo robe, he got quietly out of the canoe, passed unheeded through the crowd to the edge of the prairie land, about fifty yards, and immediately shot one. At this signal, I was at once in the bush among the host; but they were so frightened, running, jumping and bunting, that I was so confused that I could not take aim at any one in particular, so let fly at the flock, to no pur- pose. Within fifteen minutes, my guide had three fat cows lying at his feet. When I reached the prairie, the whole scene before us was one black, living, undulating, moving mass — tens of thousands of heavy, powerful beasts were fleeing from their hated enemies. But all had been put under Adam's control. I had not had a fair shot. In due time we returned home. The wild fowl season came, and I practiced on them until the ice shut them off, and they disappeared; then followed a few days of musk- rat hunting, when winter shut me in. Not a book or paper of any kind to beguile and shorten the tedium of the season; a little trapping, and one snow-shoe trip of sixty miles to visit my nearest neighbor; then making oars and paddles to wear off the winter. Finally the Indian hunters came in, trade was soon over; my lit- tle half-breed took off my little boy and girl to her friends, and I never saw her again. My boat was repaired, and about the 20th of March, 1814, I left the river St. Peter's, with full intent to return to the trade, not, of course, knowing what a kind Providence had in store for me. Arriving at Prairie du Chien, I, ns usual, deposited such articles as I would require for the next winter's trade; and after feasting eight or ten days at my friend, Mons. Brisbois', on thickened milk and sugar, I started for Macki- naw. It being early in the season, and hard work for the men to stem the strong current of the Ouiscousin river, I permitted them to go on leisurely, stopping along the sand banks to collect turtles' eggs, which were excellent eating, and to kill rattle-snakes, some of which were very beautiful to behold — at a respectful distance — being about four feet long, with skin of a bright golden color, interspersed with ebony black heart-shaped spots. But the eating of turtle's eggs was, after a few days, brought to a sudden termination. These eggs are somewhat less in size than a pigeon's. My cook brought me, as usual, a dozen for breakfast. On opening the first one, I observed something coiled in it, like a black hair; but how a hair could get inside of an egg, I could not make out. So I summoned the men to examine the phenomenon. Tliey at once called out, "a snake." I was not aware till then that turtles' and rattlesnakes' eggs were quite similar, and that they both made their deposits in the sand, for the warmth of the sun to hatch ; nor did I know how many young snakes I may have eaten. We had col- lected of the mixed kinds, and eaten at least a peck a day for the last five days, and I now re- gretted the discovery, for they were very good. But our stomachs revolted against them for fur- ther indulgence. I spent a few days at Green Bay, with my friend, John Lawe. In short, I so daw- dled away my time that nearly all the traders had arrived, and I did not reach Mackinaw un- til about the 10th of June. I made a splendid return: 330 buffalo robes, and ten packs of bea- ver and other furs and peltries. For the robes I was offered, by the commanding of- ficer of the fort, ten dollars each; but I had re- ceived a circular from my equipperin Montreal, Touissant Portier, advising me not to sell be- fore his arrival, as he would give the highest market price. 466 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The garrison at Mackinaw was commanded by Lieut. Col. Robert McDouall * of the Glen- garies, with detachments of the Royal veterans, the 81st and Newfoundland regiments, and a sergeant's command of the royal artillery. Be- ing a poor Indian trader, it was, of course, not my business to seek acquaintance with such great men as army officers. However, before the end of a week after my arrival, I was roused up one morning by a gentleman, who informed me that two men in a little bark canoe had just arrived express from Prairie du Chien, with the information that three boat loads of Ameri- can soldiers had arrived there and were building a fort at that place. I jumped up, exclaiming, "We must go and take the fort." I dressed, and, on reaching the street, I found all astir, and alive to my views. I said: "All those who are willing to go, give me your names." By sun-down I had more than eighty volunteers, all traders' clerks and engages, save one, who had large interests at stake on the Mississippi. It is true our enter- prise appeared unwise, and very doubtful of success, for our private means were too limited for a big job of this kind. We had no stores of any description for such an undertaking — no boats, provisions, arms nor ammunition. When Col. McDouall, in the course of the the day, became aware of my success, he was much pleased, and offered me any military stores he could spare from his scanty stock. This good news inspired our ambition. I was made a captain, mounted a red coat, mustered a couple of epaulettes and an old rusty sword, with a red cock feather adorning my round hat. I was once a captain of pompous dimensions, and lucky it was was for Napoleon and his hosts that they were beyond the reach of Anderson's Mississippi Volunteers. X McDouall was a Scotchman, entered the British army in list), became a lieutenant the following year, a captain in 1KU4, amajor, June 24th, 1813; a lieutenant colonel, July 29th, 18i;j; a colonel in 1830; and a majorgeneral in 1841. He suc- cessfully defended FortMacliinaw, Aug. 4, 1814, when attacked by Col. Croghan and Maj . Holmes. He died at Stranrawer, Scotland, Nov. lBth,1848. I was an entire stranger to the commandant, and it would not have been soldier-like in him to have entrusted valuable military Litores to a man without credentials. So the command of the expedition was placed nominally under a volunteer officer from lower Canada, Lieut. Col. McKay. Well, the island of Mackinaw was, in fact, under blockade, and in daily expectation of a formidable attack. It would, therefore, have been unwise in the commandant to have grants ed us very many supplies from his limited stores; but knowing the vast importance of se- curing the services of the northwestern tribes, and witnessing also the devoted enthusiasm of a jolly band of Canadian voyage urs, embodied in so short a time — and that, too, by an old vol- unteer of the Revolutionary War, in defense of their country, inspired him with confidence in us, and we were joyfully mustered into service as a part of his command. Col. McDouall assigned three gun-boats for our use — open vessels which had been con- structed at Not-ta-wa-saw-gun the winter before; one having a platform near the prow for a gun. A brass three-pounder, and such other stores as he could prudently spare, also one artillery man for a bombardier, and a worn out soldier from the veteran battalion. Finally we were ready, and started about the 20th of June, 1814, on our expedition against Prairie du Chien, with many a cheer and hearty wish for our success. We made all haste to get out of the reach of the expected enemies' fleet from below. At Green Bay some of the Menomonee tribe volunteered, and following us in their canoes, joined us at Winnebago lake. In fact, when we reached Prairie du Chien, about the 20th of July,* we had a host of followers of all Nations, ages and sexes. We reached there about noon, and pitched our camp at a convenient place; and I went immediately with a flag of truce, demanding their surrender. This they refused to do. I noticed that they had built houses, and fenced *It was Sunday, July ITth. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 467 them in with strong oak pickets, ten feet high, with two substantial block-houses, with chevaux de-frise, and two gun-boats at anchor near by. On my return to camp, we opened tire on the fort, but to little effect upon their earthed-oak pickets. Their six-pound shot, because of their bad powder, did not reach our camp. Mean- wliile, under shelter of the village buildings, the Indians kept up a constant firing at the fort, cutting down their flag, and wounding two of their men through the port-holes. Two of our Indians were also wounded, but slightly. Thus ended the first day. The next morning we re-opened our fire upon the fort. Our shots hit them, but they did not return the fire. So I ordered the bombardier to run his gun up and attack the gun-boats. Only one returned the fire, the other being empty. They gave shot for shot merrily. At length my gunner cried out: "For God's sake, come and help me!" I ran to him and found all his men had left him, and I said, "what can I do?" "Take the trail of the gun, please, and enable me to lay it," he replied. The next shot from the boat rolled in between the wheels of our gun, being; a three pound shot, having taken aim, saying: "Will you return us this ball, sir?" "Yes," we replied; and loading our gun with it shot it off, and with it cut off their gunner's two legs. This shut them up; they cut cable, and I ran to camp, ordering our gun-boats ready to follow and capture their vessel, as it had all their valuable stores on board. But our commander. Col. McKay, rose from his snooze, came along rubbing his eyes, peremp- torily ordering me to desist. One word from me would have caused mutiny. The American boat turned a point about a mile below, and landed to stop leakage and prevent their sink- ing. Our cannon shot were now nearly all gone. Sol got a quantity of lead from the village, and with a couple of brick made a mould, and cast a number of three-pound leaden balls. Moan- while the Indians were bringing in balls which the Americans had by their short shots scat- tered about the prairie without effect. Our stores of provisions were getting low, our am- munition exhausted, but the fort and its con- tents we came to take, and must have them. At day light next morning our gun was within 150 yards of the pickets, with a small fire mak- ing an iron shot red hot. "When they found them- selves in a fair way to be burnt out, they sur- rendered. We took sixty-five prisoners, several iron guns, a small quantity of pork, flour, etc., together with a quantity of whisky. The casks containing the liquor, I stove in, fearing the Indians might get it. As they were thirsting for the blood of their enemies, and required some tact to keep their hands off from the American prisoners, we could not trust any of them inside the fort. The American empty boat was fitted up, and next morning at day light, the prisoners were on their way to St. Louis, on parole ; escorted by one of our lieutenants, (Brisbois) for a short distance. Now began the novel and much needed instruction as to guard-mounting, etc. The bombardier and the old veteran were the only two persons in the whole batch that had any correct knowledge of the science of war. Our commander, an o'd northwestern, boiling inside and roasting outside, for the thermome- ter stood at ninety-eight in the shade, con- stantly cursing and blaspheming all above and below, now took a bark canoe, with four men, and after giving his own name, McKay, to the fort, and transferring the command to me, took his leave to the joy of all concerned. I am now, on a smaller scale, a Wellington, commanding all around me. Some of the Indians in this quarter had been induced by exaggerated stories from the enemy, to surrender the Royal George medals which they had received with other tokens of friendship from Gen. Ilaldimand, Lord Dorchester and other prominent command- ers in the early days of Quebec, for those of the American eagle. However, they soon 468 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. returned to their old flag, with the exception of one Sioux Chief, Hoo-pah En-du-tah, or Red Wing, who was the head of a large band, and a numerous family connection. He was famed, too, as a great prognosticator. After my repeatedly pressing the subject, he came to me one morning ; and after the usual smoke, he took my hand. Then standing up, he addressed me by my Sioux name, saying : " We-yo-te-hun, or Meridian Sun, I have had another dream. You know all tlie blood in my heart ia English ; but I will not now fight tlie Big Knives ( Americans ). I have given to you my band, and my children. They, with all the other Indians, are your soldiers, and will fight for you ; but Red Wing will not raise his war- club. I saw the future in my dreams three times." He then took liis seat, having evi- dently spoken in opposition to his outward man. After another smoke, I said : " Will you tell me your reasons for your fixed and strange determination ? " " Its no use," he said; "I have told you I will not now fight the Big Knives." "Very well, " I replied, " but I would like to know the reason for such action." "I cannot and will not change my thoughts," answered Red Wing. " Well, tell me why, and I'll say no more." " You tell me," said the chief, " that the lion on this medal is the most powerful of all animals I have never seen one, but I believe what you say. This lion, like our tiger, sleeps all day ; but the eagle, who is tlie most power- ful of birds, only sleeps at night; in the day time he flies about everywhere, and sees all on the ground. He will light on a tree over the lion, and they will scold at each other for a while ; but they will finally make up and be friends, and smoke the pipe of peace. The lion will then go home and leave us Indians with our foes. That is the reason for not tak- ing up my war club. Your enemies will believe me when I speak good words to them." And so things turned out ; we left them to care for themselves. I had now about 5,000 Indians at my com- mand, and tlie least expensive troops known, for they fed and clothed themselves. I had now to look around, determine upon the means for defense, and drill the volunteers to the exercise of small arms. I had not the means, nor under existing circumstances would it be of any use, beyond guard-mounting, etc. If a force should be sent against us, it must be by water, and our dependence would rest on our artillery. I, therefore, selected the best men for the purpose. I, myself, at the head, and directing my bombardier to select two iron three-pound field pieces, and placing myself under his command, the drilling began. Our hearts were in the work. The words of com- mand were few, the manoeuvering for our pur- pose was simple. Twice a day, and four hours each time, under a broiling sun, was no boy's play. At the end of a week, half of the garri- son were well able to manage the guns, but needed full practice, which I could not allow, as our stores were small. To keep up the ex- citement, we had sham fights twice a week, scampering over the prairie like so many real combatants. In September, a Sauk Indian courier arrived, by a short cut across the country from Rock River, informing me that eleven gun-boats had been seen some distance below that stream, making slow progress up the Mississippi, sup- posed to be designed for the re-capture of Prairie du Chien. I immediately got ready Capt. Graham and six sturdy volunteers, in two large wooden canoes, with a one-pound swivel, and some ammunition for the famous Black Hawk, who, with his warriors, was at the place of rendezvous, at the confluence of the Rock and. Mississippi rivers. There for about four miles, is a very strong current, the navigable channel is narrow and very serpentine. 'i he obstruction at this point causes the water to flow about two feet deep, over a gravel HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 469 beach ; and if the boatmen are not very care- ful, the current will force the boat upon this treacherous gravel bank, and give no small trouble to get it again into the proper channel. My orders, therefore, to Capt. Graham were, to remove the Indians out of sight, and leave nothing that could alarm the Americans, until they should be well upon the difficult part of the rapid ; then a single shot would throw them into confusion, when they could not well escape. Capt. Graham reached the place in time to effect his arrangements. The enemy arrived at the foot of the rapids too late in the day to undertake to ascend the difficult channel. They accordingly anchored in the stream, and thus my plan was thwarted. A young Indian, whose brother had been killed by the enemy a few days before, took the first chance which offered for revenge. He made his way at night to one of the gun-boats, and drove his lance through one of the sentries, killing him on the spot, and then making his escape, singing his war song, and thus arousing friends and foes. The next morning the American commodore had at the mast head of his vessel, the ominous words, " No Quarters.'''' So our swivel began to play upon them ; they took the alarm, cut their cables, and the whole fleet was soon on its back track foi' St. Louis. It was necessary to make extensive repairs at Fort McKay to render our position comfortable for the winter. Provisions were to be previ- ously supplied by the traders and farmer.s ; the meat rations of game and fish. I liad no military chest ; but my credit was unbounded. I did not know anything about the mode of keeping array accounts, nor was I practiced in military regulations. I, therefore, reported these circumstances, and at the same time, recommended the bombardier, who had con- tributed so much to our success, for promotion. I sent off an express, in a light canoe, with this report, addressed to Lieut. Col. Robert Mc- Douall, commanding at Mackinaw and its dependencies. Within a month, I received a very satisfactory reply ; Capt. Bulger, of the Newfoundland regiment, was sent to relieve me in the command ; and James Keating, late bombardier, was promoted to Fort Adjutant, and a contractor was appointed to supply rations. Capt. Bulger set to work, and in a very few days had all my accounts properly prepared ; and though he commanded the garrison, I was the prime mover of all. Everything passed off with much glee ; the officers and traders gave balls at least three times a week, until about the latter part of December, 1814, when a melan- choly event transpired. The contractor's meat stores were low, and he requested me to spare him two of my interpreters to go about fifteen or twenty miles to a Sioux camp for venison. They procured more meat than the two could carry, when an Indian volunteered to transport the surplus. One of the interpreters was a Canadian, the other a half-breed. The latter said to his comrade : " We must Iteware of this fellow, for he is a very treacherous Indian." The Canadian replied, while putting a second ball in his gun : " If he makes any fuss, he'll get these two balls to keep him quiet." They started with their loads, having but the one gun, which was carefully carried by its o^vner, the Canadian. Night came on, and they encamped about eight miles from the fort. All this time the suspected Indian had been very good in his behavior; and in preparing their bed, he quite won their confidence, carefully drying their socks and moccasins, and carrying straw for their bed. The two interpreters lay down under the same covering, with the gun at their heads, leaning against a tree. They were soon sound alseep. Not so the deceitful Indian ; for 80 soon as he found them unconscious, he quietly took their gun and shot them both. \ The Canadian, who was next to him, was instantly killed ; and one of the balls passing through him, entered the half-breed just above 470 HISTORY OF VERNON COTJNTT. the navel. Not feeling his wound, he jumped up ; but the murderer and gun were gone. Finding his companion dead, and that he himself was wounded, he covered up the corpse and started for the fort, which he reached about 8 o'clock in the morning, quite faint from the loss of blood. Immediately after the arrival of the wounded man, I dispatched a party of volunteers for the murderer; but he had fled. Failing to find the guilty outlaw, they apprehended the chief of the village (Le Corbeau Francois), who was an uncle of the escaped culprit, brought him to Prairie du Chien, and he was locked up in the Black Hole of the fort. The next day, on being informed that if the murderer was not immediately produced, he would be shot instead, he sent off a message to his band, ex- plaining to his people the alternative. Search was made and the guilty fellow found in another tribe, a hundred miles away, and he was brought to the fort after only eight days absence. The chief was forthwith released from confinement, and his nephew put in his place, where he remained a couple of days. Capt. Bulger was ignorant of Indian character, and Col. Diajon, a nobody, wished to save the prisoner on the ground, that in case he should be executed, it would turn all the Indians against us; while I, on the contrary, insisted tiiat it would produce a feeling of respect, and it so resulted. I believe ^/ear, among Indians, to be a means of securing their friendship. The culprit was shot as he deserved. The commandant ordered a court-martial to try the prisoner. The wounded interpreter identified the murderer. 'I he old chief said, "kill him; he is a bad man, and has murdered two Indians of his own family." The prisoner confessed his crime, saying his object in shoot- ing them was to secure the gun. The court brought in the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to be shot. Capt. Bulger approved the sentence, and ordered his execution the next day at 10 o'clock, when the sentence was carried into effect — his death instantly followed the crack of the volley of rifles. Indians, whites, and all appeared satisfied at the result. The wounded interpreter died in my arms a few days after. All was now quiet, until the latter end of May, 1815, when we received news of peace, and orders to evacuate the post, and return with all haste to Mackinaw. Capt. Bulger, who was heartily tired of the secluded situation, was off within two hours, leaving me to settle the ac- counts, and bring away the Volunteers. At 12 o'clock the next day, all was in readiness, and I was about getting on board, when a batteau full of Sauk Indians, with Black Hawk at their head, was seen coming up the river, and near at hand. After landing, and the usual formal smoke, I informed them of the conclu- sion of peace, and that they must now bury their war clubs, and be good friends with the Big Knives — Americans. The whole-hearted man and unflinching warrior. Black Hawk, cried like a child, saying our Great Mother, Great Britain, has thus concluded, and farther talk is useless. I gave them some ammunition, provisions, with a hearty shake of the hand, and we parted sorrowfully. At Green Bay, I met dispatches from Col. McDouall, directing me to institute an inquiry to ascertain if any, and what, public accounts remained unpaid at that place. This detained me for some time; I, however, reached Macki- naw in July. Not many days after my arrival, I received orders to return to the Mississippi with three batteaux, loaded with Indian goods for distribution among the Indians, and to for- mally announce to them the conclusion ot peace. I did not return from this mission until Sep- tember, when I found Mackinaw had been given up to the Americans; and Col. McDouall had taken up a position on Drummond Island, with- in our own limits, and which was an entire bush — never a stick had been cut there. I arrived there on the 15th September, 1815. In a few HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 471 days my volunteers were paid off, and I was ordered by Mr. Askin, of tbe Indian depart- ment, to take charge of the new station, and all its stores. There was no houses, and every mechanic and laborer was engaged in erecting barracks and store-houses for the troops, con- sisting of detachments of artillery and engineers, two companies of the 37th regiment, and also for the commissariat, field train, ordnance, store-keepers, medical and Indian departments — the latter numbering three officers, four in- terpreters, one doctor, and a black-smith. Each one had to prepare, as best he could, winter quarters for himself. Not being able to provide a shelter for my use without an effort, I took off my coat and went to work; my inter- preter coming to my aid, I soon had a house. A fire had passed through the bush, and the logs at hand were all blackened, so it became neces- sary to frequently wash our hands and faces. My building was 24x18 feet in size, six feet and six inches between the upper and lower stories, spaces between logs filled with chinks and clay, cedar bark roof, with a clay chimney. Though of novel construction, it was comforta- ble, and received the dignified name of "Pottawatamie HaW from Col. McDouall. I divided my house into three apartments, two bed rooms, and a drawing room, the latter serving also for my oflSce and dining room. One of the bed-rooms, I invited Mr. Keati ng to occupy. My furniture consisted of a small pine table, three chairs, a bench, and a little cupboard in one corner, in which were three cups and saucers, and three plates, with knives, forks and spoons to match. A small kitchen was located outside, in which a big fat soldier, our servant, prepared our breakfast and blackened our boots. As we dined with the other officers of the mess, my servant had no pastry to cook. Thus we were settled for the winter. Late in the fall two schooners arrived from the nava' depot at Kingston, to winter here — one commanded by Lieut. Adam Gordon, after- wards the "Laird of Kenmure," the other by Lieut. Keane, afterwards an admiral. In the winter they got lonely on board- and solicited from me permission to stretch their hammocks in my drawing room, which was freely granted. A jolly and comfortable winter passed off, and spring opened to the joy of all, bringing us six months' news from the civilized world. The issue of Indian presents commences in June, and, at the end of October, I had made issues to 5,000 Indians from all points of the compass, including the Mississippi and Red river coun- tries. Col. McDouall and the 37th were relieved by a detachment of the 7lst, under Maj. Howard, a tyrant. It had been a custom to give as presents to the Indians a large amount of silver ornaments, which I considered as a kind of luxury, not adding to the comfort of those people, but materially increasing the expense of the King's bounty. I, therefore, consulted with the major on the subject — for the Indian department to which I was attached was still under military rule ; and, at my request, he issued a garrison order directing me to confine my estimate for the supply of Indian presents, for the ensuing year, to such articles only as would prove a comfort to them, and not a luxury. This little job proved to be a big saving; for I have been told that, at this very time, there were 1,500 pounds of these silver ornaments ready for distribution at the Niagara depot. But their issue was forbidden. I have no good words to say for Maj. Howard, so I leave him in silence, except to add that he was peremptorily ordered to headquarters, on the opening of navigation, to be court-martialed. Col. Maule, of the 100th regiment, now took command, accompanied by his wife and her sister, Miss Belle Jarvis, together with a jolly batch of officers. We now began to assume the rank of civilized life. "Pottawata- mic Hall" being irconveniently situated for my Indian business, I erected a building rather more commodious. About this time Miss Ham- ilton and Miss Upsher arrived — the former a 472 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. daughter of Capt. Hamilton, of the regiment, and grand-daughter of Dr. Mitchell, surgeon- general of the Indian department ; while the other young lady wa.? the daughter of Capt. Up.sher. They were cousins, and were living with Dr. Mitchell. Miss Hamilton was a well educated and very pious young lady. During the winter our almost daily amuse- ment was snow-shoe walking, and in the evening, tea-ing somewhere, for the whole garrison was living like one happy family, each seeking the others' comfort. A growing preference for each other's society became evident between Miss Hamilton and myself ; and the next cutter drive, for I kept a horse, settled the matter. On the 20th of February, 1820, 1 was married to Elizabeth Ann Hamilton, daughter of the late C'apt. James Mathew Hamilton, of the army, her grandfather. Dr. Mitchell, who was a magistrate, performing the service from the Church of England's prayer book ; and Mr. George Mitchell was at the same time married to Miss Harriet Upsher. My marriage is duly recorded in the register's oflBce at Sandwich, Upper Canada. Maj. James Winnett, of the 68th regiment, was at this time in command of the garrison. It had up to this period been a rule in the Indian department to accept from the Indians presents of maple sugar, corn, mats, etc., re- paying them amply from the Indian store. These presents from the Indians were intended to be converted into money and placed to the credit of the department, but this was never done. Who profited by these operations is not my business to state. In the first year of my agency I shipped 600 or 800 pounds of sugar to the headquarters of the Indian department, sup- posing it would be received and disposed of for the benefit of that department ; but its receipt was never acknowledged. Consulting Maj. Winnett on the subject, he directed me to turn over all such articles as I had in store to the commissariat of the garrison, and not in future receive presents — practically exchanging com- modities with the Indians. Thus a few more thousands of savings were added to the silver ornaments. Prior to this 1 had been appointed a magis- trate, collector of customs, postmaster and issuer of licences, giving me plenty to do. I must now return to my new order of things. It was delightful to have one so much beloved to liandle the old teapot and assist digestion by pleasant chit-chat. From the moment of our union we had perfect confidence in each other, and to the day of my precious wife's death, at Coburg, Upper Canada, June 30, 1858, not a thought had originated in one's mind that was not communicated to the other. My wife instructed me in religious matters, and induced me to establish family worship. From a place of Sunday resort to while away time, on the part of the oflScers, our home be- came a place of prayer; and at my companion's suggestion, I read, on Sundays, the morning church service and one of Burder's, or of such other sermons as we could get. During the twelve years we were at Drummond Island, we received only four short visits from Protestant clergymen; one from Rev. Mr. Short, of the Church of England, from Araherstburg, and three from the Rev. Mr. Ferry, a Presbyterian missionary, from Mackinaw. Most of the offi- cers, with their wives, attended services every Sunday. Not only did we continue these regu- lar Sabbath services, but commenced to in- struct the Indians in religious duties; and, though my explanations of Scripture were im- perfectly imparted, yet they became so inter- ested that they would come a distance of nine miles to hear my evening readings. Now my wife insisted on my sending for my two little Sioux children. Though she had one of her own, she felt bound to care for the others. The boy was sent to Sandwich, where he received a good Ena;lish education; then kept store for sometime at Coldwater, Canada; but thinking he could do better, he went to St. Louis, where he sickened and died of fever. The HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 473 girl was educated in the United States, and in 1833 was a teacher in our school at Coldwater, where she married a highly respectable Eng- lish gentleman named Andrew Robertson. She being entitled to what was called by the Amer- icans a "Sioux land claim," it was thought by Mr. Robertson worth looking after; so they went to St. Paul, where, after a few years, he died, leaving his wife and three children, all boys, who, I am informed, are doing well. In the fall of 1828 I had occasion to visit Toronto, accompanied by the old Fort Adju- tant Keating;* and shortly after the Indian agency was removed from Drummond Island to Penetanguishine, some ninety or 100 miles nearly north of Toronto. f THOMAS G. ANDERSON. Thomas Gummersall Anderson was born at Sorel, in Lower Canada, Nov. 12, 17T9. His father, Samuel Anderson, at the commencement of the American Revolution, sympathizing with the mother country, received a commission in the King's Royal Regiment, of New York, was wounded at Bunker Hill, and subsequently served under Sir John Johnson. Settling in Cornwall, Upper Canada, after the war, he held many local offices, and died in 1832 at the ven- erable age of ninety-seven years. When the son, Thomas, was but a mere child, the father procured for him a commission as a cadet in his father's company, in the King's Royal Regiment. At the age of fifteen he be- came a clerk, in 1795, in the store of Thomas Markland, in Kingston, remaining with him * ThiB brave miin, .Ianin'» Keatintr, deserves special notice. Ho was born in the parish ul Tiniplcshort, county of Wex- ford, Ireland, in IT* His father was a country squire, and was murdered at an early period. The son, at ei(rliteen, joined the Royal Kejriment of Artillery, in 1804. under Col John Smith; and received a medal for his good services at Martinic|ue. In IRU be had the command of a vcduntcer bat- tery on the Prairie du Chien cipcdiiioii. and rlistintruished himself in an especial maEiner. InlKl.i he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and was made fort adjutant at St. Joseph':*; and was then stationed at Drummcmd Island till it wasttiven up to the .-Vmerican {Tovernmcnt, then at .Vmherstburtr, find finally at Penetanguishine. He was here promoteil to the rank of captain anil adjutant in charife of that garrison till his death, in IM'.I, at the awe of sixty-three. His son, bearing the same inirae, resides at Oil City, Canada. + The notes to the foregoing narrative are from the pen of L. C. Draper, corresponding secretary of the State Histori- cal Society of Wisconsin. five years, when he resolved, as he expressed it to enter upon the "battle of life" in the wild, and almost trackless forests of the great north- west. After the removal of the Indian agency from Drummond Island to Penetanguishine and that vicinity in November, 1828, Capt. Anderson continued in the employ of his government, at- tending to the wants of the Indiairs of his charge, providing comfortable houses for their use, and the necessary means of education and civilization. In 1836 the plan of settling the Indians in that part of Canada, on the great Manitoulin Island on the northern border of Lake Huron, was inaugurated; and Capt. An- derson was placed in charge of the establish- ment, where he remained until 1845, when he was appointed visiting superintendent of In- dian affairs and payer of annuities, which he held until June 30, 1858; thus serving fifty- eight years on the frontiers as a trader and in the Indian department. His experiences in Indian life were large and various. He thoroughly studied the Indian ciiar:icter, treating the red men with kindness when leniency was the wiser course, and with severity when the occasion demanded it. It is related of him, that one day while lying in his tent, a drunken Indian came in uninvited, and bending over him, knife in hand, made several pretended stabs at the prostrate trader; and would have done so in good earnest had not the captain, with his cii'^tomary coolness and knowledge of the Indian character, assumed the semblance of sleep, and refrained from mak- ing the slightest movement. After amusing himself in this way for several minutes, the Lidian left; when Capt. Anderson called to his men to inquire of the fellow what he wanted? "Rum," was the reply. Anderson asked for a bottle, and on its being haufled to him, knocked the Indian down with it, gave him a sunnil beating, and never saw him again. While Capt. Anderson was himself a mem- ber of the Church of England, yet in the dis- 474 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. charge of his duties as Indian superintendent, he uniformly respected alike the opinions and labors of Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Catholic missionaries. The welfare, spirit- ually and temporarily, of the red man, appeared to be his controlling desire, from his engage- ment in the service of the Indian department to the time of his death. He frequently com- plained^of what he considered the injustice done the Indians by the British government; and the neglect of them by the Church of his fathers; to him causes of great anxiety. He was universally respected by the Indians under his supervision, and received from them many tokens of their affectionate regard. He was in every sense a good man. His death occurred at Port Hope, on the northern shore of Lake On- tario, Feb. 16, 1875, in the ninety-sixth year of his age, leaving two daughters and a son; the • latter, Rev. G. A. Anderson, of Penetanguishine, Ontario. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 477 CHAPTER XXX. THE TOWN OF BERGEN. This territory is located in the western part of Vernon county, and is bounded on the north by the county of La Crosse; on the east by- the towns of Hamburg and Harmony; on the south by the town of Genoa, and on the west by the Mississippi river. The town com- prises forty-five full congressional sections of land, and nine parts of sections, containing al- together about 30,000 acres. The Mississippi river washes the western lini' of the town, and along its entire length, am" inland for two or three miles. Inuumerabli sloughs and water courses are seen, al! finding an outlet in the mighty "Father o waters." These sloughs are called Coon, Moi mon. Middle, etc:, and some are navigable, a: Warner's Landing is located on one of the larger ones, just north of Bergen postoftice. Thr Coon river enters the town on the northeast quarter of section 25, and takes a westerly course through sections 26, 27, 28 and 33, emp- tying into Coon slough on section 32. The northeastern and southeastern portions of the town are not as well supplied with water courses as the central and western parts, but furnishes to the settlers an abundant supply of good spring water. EARLY SETTLEMBNTS. In 1S52 two natives of Norway, coming to this western country, met by chance, and both concluded to locate in what is now the town of Bergen. Halver Jorgenson selected his future home on the south side of Coon river, on section 26, and has since resided there. The other, Andrew Emberson, settled on section 33, where he now lives. They were followed the same year by Chris- tian Allison, also a native of Norway, who lo- cated on section 13, and lived there till his death, in 1868. In 1853 there were three new-comers in the town, all natives of Norway. Peter Olson set- tled on section 14, where he died in 1873; Wil- liam Nelson located on section 26 and died some years ago; John Peterson made his home on sec- tion 22, where he still resides. A year later (1854), S. C. Stetson and family, natives of Otsego Co., N. Y., located on section 1 1 , town 1 3, range 7 west — in the southern por- tion of the town, where Mr. Stetson was eiisraged in farming until 1880, the date of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Stetson were the parents of one child — Huldah — who is now postmi.s- trt'ss at the Rest postoffice. Great Britain also furnished a settler in 1855. Samuel Sims, who resides on section 10, was l)orn in Derbyshire, England, in 1821. In 1847, when he had arrived at the age of manhood, he came to the United States and first settled in New York. In 1851 he went to New Jersey; and in 1853 he went to Pennsylvania, and in 1855 came to the town of Harmony, entering eighty acres of land on section 6. In 1863 Mr. Sims enlisted in the United Statet navy, and was assigned to duty on the gunboat Shamrock, where he served until his discharge in 1864. He was married in 1848 to Mary Egal. Three children were given them — Elizabeth, wife of Samuel McKown, John W., who mar- SB 478 HISTORY OF VERNON COXJNTT. ried Miss Estella Henry, and Theodore. Mrs. Sims departed this life May 7, 1883, since which time Mr. Sims has made his home with his son, John W. Joel F. Outcelt settled in the town in 1855, on sections 22 and 2-3, town 13, range 7. In 1868 he moved to the town of Harmony. Engrebret Engh made a settlement in the same year. Engrebret Engh, who located here in 1855, was born in Norway in 1817. He came to the United States in 1853, and first settled in the eastern part of this State, In 1855 he came to Vernon county with his family and purchased from the government a farm of forty acres, which he has since increased to 120 acres, lo- cated on sections 26 and 27. He devotes the greater part of bis time to his farm, and takes especial pride in the raising of good grain. In 1848 he married Martha Hanson, and four children have been born to them — Isaac, who married Thea Rorerud, and is a clerk in the postoffice at La Crosse; Hagbarth, who is a minister by profession. He graduated from Luther College, at Decorah, Iowa, in 1878; from the University of Christiana, in Norway in 1882, and from Luther Seminary, Madison, Wis., in 1883. In 1884 he will take charge of the Lutheran church, at Portland, Oregon. John M. married Lena Rindal, and at present is treasurer of the town of Bergen. Emma is the fourth and youngest child. Austria followed in the footsteps of Norway, :ni(l in 1866 gave to Vernon county a sturdy pio- neer. Frank Parsch, one of the most prosperous farmers in the town of Bergen, was born in Austria, in 1831. In 1856 he came to America, and the same year followed the tide of emigra- tion to Wisconsin. He came into Vernon county and bought a farm of eighty acres on section 11, which he has since increased to 100 acres. Mr. Parsch is an intelligent and enter- prising citizen, and for eight continuous years was selected by his neighbors and friends to serve them in the capacity of town treasurer. He was married in 1861 to Frances Heikel. Six children have been sent to bless this union — Amelia, wife of Peter Graw ; Charles, Gus- tave, Henry, Anna and John. Among the settlers of 1856 was A. Davis, who came from Columbia county and located on section 14, town 18, range 7, where he was still living in 1883. In 1860 and 1861 several new comers made their appearance, and the following named set- tlers have made energetic farmers and highly respected citizens : Joseph Lisso, who resides on section 14, was born in 1846, in Germany, and when ten years of age his parents came to the United States, and first settled at Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained but two years. In 1858 they re- moved to LaCrosse, Wis., where they remained two years, and then came to Vernon county and settled on section 14, of Bergen town, where the father entered 120 acres of land. The father died a few years later, and the farm was given to Joseph, which he has increased to 200 acres. Mr. Lisso was married, in 1809, to Elizabeth Dengeline, by whom he has four children — Elizabeth, Mary, Anna and Emma. Mr. Lisso's mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Dettove, are now residing with him. Mr. Lisso is one of the wide awake, enterpiising and accommodating farmers of Bergen town. John Zink, a prominent German farmer, of the town of Bergen, was born in Germany in 1843. He received a very fair education, and in 1861 emigrated to the United States, and to this town in the same year. He entered forty acres of land on section 33, but left his farm in 1864 to join the 7th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. He served till the close of the Rebellion, when he received an honorable dis- charge. He returned home and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. His farm has been increased to 1 (iO acres and he has lately erected thereon a commodious and substantial dwelling house, at a cost of about $1,500. Mr. Zink was united in marriage, in 1863, to HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 4 "79 Mary Kissell, of Vernon county. Nine children were born to them — John, Joe, Sarah, Mary, George, Rhoda, Frank, Charles and Anna. Mrs. Zink departed this life in 1882. Reinhold Bay, who resides on section 23, was born in Prussia, in 1838. In 1861, when but twenty-three years of age, he came to America, and the westward tide bore him to the State of Wisconsin. He founded a new home in the town of Bergen, where he purchased 117 acres of land. This has been increased to 177 acres, and Mr. Bay is known as one of the leading farmers of this town. In 187ii he was elected lo the office of school clerk, and at present is clerk of Bergen town. In 1864 he married Iluldah Will, and the result of this union has been the birth of ten children — Emil, August, Reinhold, Matilda, Emma, Theodore, Gustave, Ida, Bertha, and Albert. FIRST THINGS. The first settlers were Halver Jorgenson and Andrew Ember.soii, who located in 1852. The first school was taught on section 12, b\ Polly Sprague. The first marriage was Peter Olson to Mar tha Olson, in 1854, Rev. Sylbrant perforniinj; the ceremony. The first person that died was Ellen, daughter of Christian and Caroline Olson. The first school house was built on section 12, in 1859. The first religious services were held at Britt's landing in 1857, by Revs. Smith and Nuzum. The first postoffice was at Bergen ; estab- lished in 1856. ORGANIC. In 1853 the board of county commissioners granted permission to organize a new town, to be known as the town of Bergen, nine miles long, from north to south, and six miles wide at its widest part, from east to west. The first election was held at the residence of John Warner, and the following officers were chosen conduct the affairs of the new town for the ensuing year : Chairman, Orin Calkins ; assist- ants. Philander Bartlelt and Ransom Burnett; clerk, J. P. Ilarkness; superintendent of schools, John Raywalt ; assessor, Lafayette Everson. The present officers of the town are as fol- lows: Chairman of the board of supervisors Wesley Pulvei; assistants, Mathias Bryn and Peter Grow; clerk, Reinold Bay; treasurer, John Engh; assessor, Torger Olson. POSTOFFICES. There are located in the town of Bergen, three postoffices. Bergen postoffice was located, iu 1856, on sec- tion 4 and John Warner was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by the present postmaster, John Cumniings. The second office established was on section 21, and called Stoddard. Mr. Bochee was the first postmaster, and subsequently Peter Wan- denskie, the present incumbent. Rest postoffice was first opened in 1873, ou section 11, and S. E. Stetson was made postmas- ter. At his death his daughter Iluldah was appointed to fill the vacancy. The settlers of the town of Bergen are a steady, industrious and unassuming class of citizens, consequently the history of the town is as yet of a rather limited character. It will in- crease, both in volume and interest in the years to come. RELIGIOUS. In 1883 there were two religious societies within the town of Bergen — the Methodist Episcopal and German Lutheran. The former was organized by a class of twelve members, in 1860, and have always held their services at the Dudley school house, on section 25. The Geinian Lutheran Church was organized in 1867 by Rev. Barts, who was succeeded by Rev. Rhine, and the latter by Rev. Ording, the present pastor. Some twenty members consti- tuted the organizing congregation, and since then the membership has been increased to thirty-five. EDUCATIONAL. There are six school houses in the town of Bergen, with an aggregate valuation of tl,325. About 356 children attend these schools. CEMETERIES. The oldest burving ground in the town is the oile in the southwest part of the town, near the German church, on section 16. There are also several small private cemeteries throughout the the town. 480 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXI THE TOWN OF CHRISTIANA. This town takes its name from the capital of Norway, its first settler being of that nation- ality. It is situated on the north line of Ver- non county, and comprises congressional town- ship 14, range 4. It is bounded on the north by LaCrosse county, on the east by the town of Clinton, on the south by the town of Viroqua, and on the west by the town of Coon. The population of this town is largely Nor- wegian, and in 1883 it contained some of the choicest farms within the county. There is per- haps more tillable land in Christiana than al- most any other in the northern tier of towns in the county. EAELY SETTLEMBKT. The first settlement in this town was made in September, 1848, by Hans Olson Libakken, who with his family located on the southwest quarter of section 35. About the same time or a little later, an American named Carrier settled on sections 22 and 27, where he took up State lands. He lived there but a short time, but did a small amount of breaking and then sold out to a Norwegian and moved from the town. In 1849 and 1850 a large number of settlers located in this town. Ole Syverson came in 1849, and the following spring settled on the northeast quarter of section 35. Soon after he sold out to John Michelet and purchased other land on section 34, where he lived for a time, and then bought the forty acres where the village of Westby is now situated, and remained there till his death. Lars Christopherson was another settler of 1849; he located on section 35, which land he afterwards exchanged f or 1 60 acres on section 34. He had been a soldier of the Mexican War; he was living in 1883 at Bloomingdale, Vernon county. Evan Peterson came the same year and set- tled on section 36, where some years afterwards he died. Ole Thorstenson also settled in 1849 on sec- tion 30. He was born in Norway in 1785, and died a few years after coming to this town. His wife was born in March, 1788; died Aug. 27, 1863. Their son, Henry O. Gulord, in 1883, was living on the land claimed by his father. Hans K. Larson came in 1849 and claimed land on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27; his tract was made up of forty acres from each section. His final purchase, however, was confined to eighty acres, forty on section 22 and forty on section 26. In 1883 he was comfortably surrounded at his home on section 22. John Michelet settled on section 35 in June, 1850. Another early settler was Hans K. Rams- rud, who located on section 28.' John Olson Bergum settled on section 33 in the spring of 1850, and was a resident of the same place in 1883. Lars H. Galstad came the same year, locating on section 34. Among other settlers of 1850 were Iver P. Hegge, who settled on "section 29 with his father, Peter Olson and Ingebreth Homsted, who located on section 11. He was a prominent and well-known citizen, respected HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 481 by all his neighbors. He died about 1875, quite suddenly. In 1851 Ingebreth Homstad settled on section 11. He was a native of Norway, but came to this vicinity from Dane Co., Wis. He remained on this section till his death. His sons were yet occupyini^ it in 1884. Clement Bergh located the same year on section 35, where he resided till his death. Ole Running, another settler of 1851, settled on section 27, from there moved to Viroqua, and still later left the county and in a short time died. Lars O. Olson settled on section 23 in 1857. He was born in Norway in 1830; came to America with his two brothers. EARLY EVENTS. The first school house in the town was built on section 35, in 1851. During this year the first term of school was also taught. The first tavern for the accomodation of travelers was the residence of Engebreth Homs- tad, on section 11, who settled there in 1851. This was a popular stopping place for travelers for many years. Mr. Homstad died March 14, 1879. The first death known in the town was that of a man named Ole Anderson, a non-resident who was on his way from Dane county to the Black River lumber region. He got as far as the house of a German settler near the present village of Weatby, and was unable to proceed further. After a few days painful illness he died. This was about the middle of September, 1849. He was buried on the farm where he died. The deceased had a family living in Dane county. The first white child born in the town was Brown Olson, a son of Hans and Caroline Olson, who were the first settlers of the town. This birth occurred March 30, 1850. In 1884 he was living on the same farm on which he was born. The pirties to the first marriage were John Cieraenson and Martha Ingebrethson. They were married in 1851. The first religious services were held by the early Norwegian settlers, at private houses. The following incident illustrative of pioneer hardship, is given in the language of the writer, Hans Nelson, of Westby, Christiana town: "In 1849, there being no gristmill nearer than Prairie du Chien, the settlers had to go to that place for their milling and to purchase their flour. Upon one occasion, I remember T. Unseth went to Prairie du Chien to buy flour and other necessaries of life; but unfor- tunately the store keeper made a grand mistake and loaded up a barrel of white sugar instead of a barrel of flour. When Mr. Unseth got home his daughter at once climbed up into her fathers wagon to open the supposed flour barrel, the family being entirely out of any kind of bread stuff, at the time. But upon her taking out the head of the barrel, what was the sur- prise at finding the contents to be white sugar, instead of flour. Imagine the situation! No flour in the house — white sugar, however good in its place, would not make bread. The woman then began to cry as she thought of their con dition — fifty miles away from a mill and not a morsel of bread to eat. "What was to be done? The only way was to thresh some grain out of the stalk. And how was this to be done, unaided by machinery? Why they simply made a round ring twenty- five feet across on the ground and let oxen iread it out, in the good old fashioned way! After "threshing," came the grinding. This was not by the modern "roller process," but by turning an old cotinlry coffee mill. "There were many of the settlers of that year who lived on salt and potatoes, literally speak- ing too." ORGANIC. In 1855, the territory now constituting the towns of Clinton and Christiana were set off from the town of Viroqua, by the county board of Bad Ax county. To this territory was given the name of Christiana. In 1856 tbis 482 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. territory was divided into the present towns of Christiana and Clinton. The first election in the present town of Christiana was held at tlie house of Nels Han- son Napurd, on section 33, April 7, 1856. The following were the officers elected: J. R. Bjor- seth, (chairman), David Wilt and llendrick Johnson, supervisors. Lars Christopherson was elected town clerk, but did not except the office and William McKnight was appointed in his stead. Hendrick Johnson was elected assessor; no other town officers are recorded as beinsr elected at that date. The town officers for 1883 were: Timothy Madden, chairman; Jacob Olson and Ole Bent- son, supervisors; A. J. Moen, clerk; E. C Bratlie, assessor; Julius Johnson, treasurer. Andrew J. Moen, the present town clerk of Christiana, resides on section 33, where he settled in January, 1869. He was born in Nor- way in 1844; came to the United States in 1867. He lived in Minnesota two years, coming here from that State. His father, who came to Vernon county, several years later, now lives in the town of Coon. Timothy Madden resides on section 15. He is the present chairman of the town board. He came to the town in 1855, was born in the city of New York, in 1818, of Irish parentage. Mr. Madden came to Wisconsin in 1852 ; spent some time in the pinery regions and came to this town in 1858. POSTOFPICES. In 1884 the town was accommodated by three postoffices, Westby and Newry, on section 14, and Lovass on section 8. The first postoffice in the town was established in 1857, and was called Coon Prairie. The first postmaster was George Smith, who had the office on section 5, town 13, range 4. It was then removed to the house of John Benson, on the same section, and subsequently removed to the house of Mr. Whittaker. It was then moved to across the town line into Christiana and kept at the house of Robert Lange. Later it vibrated across the line from one town to another, until the estab- lishment of the postoffice at Westby, in 1879, when the Coon Prairie office was discontinued. The first postmaster at Westby was Andrew Johnson, who was shortly succeeded by Nicho- las Nelson, who still held the office in 1884. Newry postoffice was established in 1868. This office was first kept by Peter Bredle, at his house on section 11. The second postmaster was Frank Delle, who kept the office at his store on section 14. In 1884 tlie office was kept by Christopher Christopherson, who received his appointment in the spring of 1872. Lovass postoffice is so called from Jacob Lovass, the first settler of that part of the town. It was established, March 15, 1875, when Christian Olson was appointed post- master and was still in charge in 1884. Mr. Olson keeps a small general store at this point, which is located on section 8. MILL. The only mill in the town of Christiana is a saw mill built in 1862, on the south branch of Coon creek, on section 8. It was erected by Iver A. Amunson. The object in view, by the builder of this saw mill, was to cut lumber from the fine hard wood found in this section of the county. After running a few years it was taken down and replaced by one of a greater capacity, which was propelled by steam power. In 1883 this was removed to the northeast corner of section 7. EDUCATIONAL. The advantages for schooling in this town have always been fair, though perhaps below the average town of the county. The first school was taught in 1851 in a building erected that year on section 35. It was 22x26 feet and at the time it was built was among the best in the county. A few years later this building was burned. In 1884 there were seven school houses in the town, located in seven sub-districts. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 483 In district No. 1 the population are nearly all Norwegians who send their children to school more in the winter season than in the summer. This district affords a fair school building, though quite small. In district No. 2 about the same interest is manifested and also nearly the same advantages given in way of school property. In district No. .3 the school population is made up largely of Germans, Irish and Nor- wegians; the latter nationality being in the majority, however. Much interest lias been manifested in school matters. Timothy Madden, clerk of the school district, lias held the office for many years, during which time he has ever looked after the well being of the schools. The school house in this district is a large, well-planned frame structure, jiro- vided with the best improved seats, maps, charts, etc. District No. 4 is situated near Lovass post- office. Jacob Olson is the leading man in school matters here. The school building is not first- class, but is rather an index of by-gone days, when the common school was slighted more than it is now-a-days. Notwithstanding this dif- ficulty the patrons, who are nearly all Norwe- gians, evince a deep interest in their schools. In district No. 5 the Norwegian element pre- dominates largely. The school house is a log building which is fairly comfortable. School is usually held five months in the year. District No. 6 is situated on the north line of the town and county and embraces a portion of Portland town in La Crosse county. This district is also provided witii a log house. The Americans have the majority in this locality and great interest is manifested in the schools, which are generally taught by first-class teachers. In 1884 district No. 7 was comparatively a new district, which embraced the village of Westby. Here a large comfortable school house stands, furnished after the latest plans and methods. RELIGIOUS. The Norwegians were the first to maintain religious services in this town. They held meetings at a very early date, sometime prior to 1850. In 1884 there were three religious denomina- tions having organizations within the town. A Norwegian Lutheran church was located on section 2 and one of the same sect situated on the northeast corner of section 28. The Methodist Episcopal denomination has for many yeai's been represented by the Nor- wegians of that faith, who have held their meetings of late years in their church building on section 26; but, in 1884, had discontinued services and were preparing to build a new church in the village of Westby. The Norwegian Lutheran church on section 2 was erected about the same time that the Coon Prairie church was erected in the town of Viroqua. These two Churches were formerly one, but owing to the large membershi]) and the great distance apart it was deemed neces- sary to build a second church in the northern part of the town. This structure is a frame one, costing about $2,500. These two Churches are supplied by the same minister. Rev. O. Jacobson, of Viroqua, pastor of Coon Prairie M. E. Church, was born at Taunsburg, Norway, Feb. 12, 1849. Came to the United States in 1871, lived in New York city some time, where he began preparation for the min- istry. He began preaching in 1875 ; was or- dained deacon at Faribault, Rice Co., Minn., in 1877 by Bishop Andrew ; was ordained elder at Winona in 1879 by Bishop Peck. Was as- signed to the Deer Park circuit where he re- mained two years ; came here in 1S81. Before his ordination, Mr. Jacobson uad charge of the Churches of his denomination at St. Paul and Minneapolis, and afterward at Faribault. His 484 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. wife is a native of Sweden. They have three children. CKMETKEIES. In 1884 there were three burying grounds within the town of Christiana. The one first located and used was on section 33. This was finally removed to the village of Westby. One known as the Methodist cemetery is situated on section 26, and one used especially by the Re- formed Lutherans, is situated on section 28. VILLAGE OF WBSTBY. The forty acres upon which this village was laid out was purchased of the State by the Lutheran Church, with the intention of build- ing a church thereon. A portion of the land was used by this sect as a cemetery for a num- ber of years. The Church, however, decided to build on Coon prairie, and they then ex changed the property with Nels Hanson, for that of their present location on Coon prairie. Subsequently Mr. Hanson sold the land to Jens Johnson who in turn disposed of the property to Ole Syverson, and before the village was laid out, the property passed into the hands of a son of the latter — Anton Syverson. The plat was surveyed by the railroad company in August, 1879, and a little later the survey was confirmed by the county surveyor, with a slight change. The village is the outgrowth of the railroad, which reached this point at about the same time the plat was being surveyed. The place derived its name from O. T. Westby, who was then running a small store at this point. The first act toward business development in the place was the erection of a store by Hans Nelson, soon after the village was platted ; this was still used as a store by Mr. Nelson and his son, in 1884. The postoflice was also in this building at that date. The first regular train of cars reached this point Aug. 13, 1879. The station was opened for the transaction of business the day follow- ing. Andrew Johnson was appointed agent, which place he was still filling in 1884. The same season the warehouse of W. E. Coats & Co., was erected. Andrew Johnson purchased the first load of grain shipped from the village. John Michelet erected a second grain ware- house, the same fall. The first lumber dealer was Peter E. Peterson, who later engaged in trade with O. T. VVestby. Cargill &King, of Sparta, were the first stock dealers of the place ; John Humphrey was their buyer. John Steig had a blacksmith shop at this point when the railroad was built through and continued in the business for some time thereafter. The first hotel was built in the autumn of 1879, by Berut Gilbertdon, who con- tinued to operate it for about three years. It was owned by E. C. Bergh in 1884. The business directory of the village in July, 1883, was as follows: Hanson & Son, general merchants ; C. H. Ballsrud, E. C. Bergh and Thoreson & Co., lumber dealers; John Michelet and W. E. Coats & Co., grain dealers ; E. C. Bergh, hotel ; Jens Skugstad, harness maker ; M. J. Lindahl, tin shop ; Miss Ballsrud and Josephine Michelet, milliners ; Theodore Thorson and Anton Syverson, furniture dealers; B. Hanson and A. Peterson shoemakers; Charles Thorson, foundry and machine shop. CASE OF MURDER. A brutal case of murder of one of the citi- zens of the town of Christiana occurred on New Years night, 1864. Robert Lange resided on section 33, where he kept a store. Jack Clear was a soldier in the Union army, whose father lived in the town of Viroqua. At the time of the murder Clear was at home on a furlough, which had about expired. He and Langn were well acquainted and personal friends. Lange, having business at La Crosse, an ar- rangement was made with Clear, by which the latter was to ride to La Crosse with Lange, on his way to join his regiment. Lange was not again seen alive by any of his friends. At about midnight, his team, with the wagon, ap- peared in front of the City Hotel, where Lange was accustomed to call. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 485 The team was without a driver. Au examin ation revealed blood stains in the wagon; a- search was instituted and the body of Lange was found about three miles south of La Crosse. He had been killed and his head terribly man- gled with an ax. It seems that the parties had stopped at a place where beer was sold, and Clear had improved the opportunity of secret- ing an ax in the wagon. The day was very cold and after they had resumed their ride, Clear pretending to be cold, jumped out of the wagon and ran along behind it for some dis- tance, and then quietly getting in behind, picked up the ax, and struck his unsuspecting compan- ion, mangling him in a terrible manner and doubtless killing him instantly. He then drove into the timber, threw the body from the wagon, drove the team into town, and as it appears, left it to take care of itself. The object of the murder was to secure several hundred dollars that Lange had upon his person at the time. Clear succeeded in reaching Chicago where he was arrested by Elias Solberg, sheriff of La Crosse county. The murder produced intense excitement and when Clear returned to La Crosse, with the sheriff, a desperate effort was made to lynch him, which was finally prevented by strategy. Clear was tried for the murder and sent to Waupun for life, where he remained till recently, when he was pardoned by Gov. Smith, at about the close of his administration. BIOGRAPHICAL. Nearly thirty-six years have passed since the first settlement was made in the town, and the following named citizens are early settlers, sons or descendants of pioneers, or men prominent in town affairs, at the present writing. Hans K. Larson, has the honor of being one of the first settlers in this town. He was born in Norway, in December, 1803, and went direct to Koshkonong, Dane county in 1848, and to Vernon county in 11;<49. He made a claim of a quarter section of land, forty acres on each of the four sections numbered 22, 23, 26 and 27. He finally purchased the eighty acres which lie on sections 22 and 26. Mr. Larson was married in Norway, and three children were there born, one daughter and two sons. The daughter died in Norway, and in 1849, Mr. Larson's family ac- companied him to America. Another son was born on the vessel while enroute to this country. Mr. Larson has been peculiarly unfortunate with his family. His wife died in 1859, and his eldest son, Lars, reached maturity and then died, leaving a family. His second son, Mathias, died at Westby, in I 881. He was a man of in- telligence, and at the time of his death was chairman of the town board and justice of the peace. The son, Andrew, born on board the vessel, only lived to be fourteen years old. A grand-son of Mr. Larson, Henry Hanson, son of Mathias, lives with his grand-father. He was the only son of his parents, and born in this town, April 7, 1870. He is a boy of intelli- gence and much promise. M. C. Bergh is a son of Clement Cleinentson Rergh, who settled in Christiana town in 1849. He was born in Norway, in December, 1816, and emigrated to America with a wife and three children the same year he settled in Vernon county. He purchased forty acres of land from the government, and a like amount from Lars Christopherson, and lived thereon till his death, which occurred May 24, 1878. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergh, after their arrival in this county. The widow still occupies the old homestead with her son, M. C. Bergh. The latter was born in Norway, in 1846, and married a daughter of Die Olson, who is now deceased. These par- ents have been blessed with the following named children: Clara Menneli, Oscar Melvin, Tilda Maline, Nelle Bolette and Alma Char- lotte. The home farm contains 120 acres. John O. Berggum was one of the pioneers of Christiana town. He was born in Norway, Feb. 13, 1802. In October, IS-te, he married Nellie Johnson, and with his wife and one daughter, also an adopted daughter named Martha Larson, left their home April 3, 1849, 486 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. in a sailing vessel for America. When five weeks out, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Berggum. At the earnest solicitation of the captain, this boy was named after himself and his vessel, Wittus Johan Benedictus. After a ten weeks voyage, they reached New York. They went up to Albany in a vessel, and from thence to Buffalo by the Erie canal. Then boarded a steamer for Milwaukee, and thence to Dane Co., Wis., by team. This was their first halting place after five and a half months of constant travel. The family stopped with friends in Dane county the following winter, and the father traveled on foot 200 miles north to find work in the pineries. He succeeded, and by spring had earned about $100, but the failure of his employers deprived him of his earnings, with the exception of a few dollars. On his return to Dane county, he passea through the northern part of Vernon county, and was so well pleased with the country called Coop Prairie, that he resolved to locate there. He purchased a yoke of steers and two cows and with a sick wife and three small children, made the long and tedious journey to the town of Christiana. He settled on a farm on section 33, and in the summer of 1851, erected his present dwelling house. This is the oldest house now in the town. Mr. Berggum had to go to Prairie du Chien, fifty-five? miles distant after provisions. He has two living children — Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Rusk, and the son born on ship-board, W. J. B. Johnson. John Miohelet is a grain merchant of West- by, and one of the early settlers of Christiana town. He was born in Norway, in 1830, and in 1850, when a young man of twenty, set sail for America. He came direct to Vernon county, and from thence to Prairie du Chien, where he engaged in clerking. The following Christmas he returned by invitation to attend the wedding of Evan Olson and a Miss Nelson, which was among the first marriages in tiie county. When he first came to the town, he purchased a claim on section 35, of Ole Syver- son, but did not settle there — after leaving Prairie du Chien, he engaged with Frank Dunn (a brother of Judge Dunn ) as clerk in a store at Tibbet's Landing. This store was the first at that point ; building of frame, and con- tained a complete stock of general merchan- dise. The parents of Mr. Michelet came to Vernon county in 1851, and located on their son's farm. After again clerking in Prairie du Chien for a short time, he joined his parents on the farm, and remained there until 1879. In the fall of the latter year, he came to Westby village, and has since been engaged in the grain trade. Mr. Michelet is one of the repre- sentative citizens of Christiana town, and a man highly esteemed. Hans Olson was born in Norway Dec. 24, 1814. He married Karn Bakkam March 28, 1841. She was born June 9, 1817. They emi- grated to America in the spring of 1847, and located in the town of Christiana in 1848, on the southwest quarter of section 35. Mr. Olson was accidentally killed Dec. 22, 1864, by a stroke on the head from the limb of a tree he was felling. He died within fifteen hours from the time of the accident. He was the father of six children, two of whom died before him--Minna and Martinus. The oldest daughter, Agnethe, was born in Norway, married Markus Montgom- ery and lives at Chicago, 111. A son, Brown, was born in the town of Christiana, March 30, 18.i0, was the first white child born in the town and probably in the county. He was married to Sophia Nelson June 25, 1878, and is still liv- ing on the old homestead, where he was born. A sister, Helene, was born March 24, 1852, and married to Ole Bentson and is living in this town. Olave was born April 13, 1854, and died in Chicago, 111., Dec. 13, 1871. Lars Hanson resides on section 34. He was born in Norway, in 1817, and there resided dur- ing the earlier years of his life. In 184 9 he emi- grated with his family to the United States and settled in Vernon county in 1850. 'i'he year following he came into the town of Chris- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 487 tiana and located on his present farm, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the ])arents of four children. The eldest child, Evan, was born in Norway Dec. 12, 1845. The others are natives of this town — Johanes, born Dec. 23, 1853, Louis L , born Aug. 1, 1856, married Carrie, daughter of Andrew Peterson, Otto, born Feb. 10, 1859. Torger Nelson Naperud is one of the oldest settlers of Christiana town. He came to Ver- non county in 1852 and purchased his farm of Lars Christopherson the same year. The farm now contains 280 acres, the greater portion of which is under cultivation. This land is situa- ted on section 34 and only six acres were im- proved when it came into possession of its pres- ent owner. Torger N. Naperud was born in Norway in 1814 and emigrated to the United States with his family and parents. His father was born in 1778, and died in 1858. The mother was born in 1788, and died in 1865. Mrs. Naperud's father, John Pederson, was was born in 1791 and died in 1869. Her mother, Berte Pederson, was born in 1803, and died in 1876. These parents died at Mr. Naperud's house and all are buried in the same cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Naperud have five children, two sons and three daughters — Bergete, Necoline, Julia, John and Carl. Mr. Naperud is one of the most wealthy and respected citizens of the town. Hans Nelson, of H. Nelson & Son, merchants at Westby, is one of the most prominent citi- zens of Christiana town. He is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1835. His par- ents had live children— two sons and three daugh- ters. One daughter, Ingeborg, died in Nor- way. Another daughter, Helene, married Nels Jacobson, and with her sister Penele came to Dane Co., Wis., in 1849, where both daughters died of cholera. Mr. Jacobson afterward came to Vernon county and was one of the early set- tlers of the town of Hamburg. Mr. Nelson came to this State in 1852, and located the same year in the town of Hamburg, Vernon Co., Wis. In 1854 he sent to Norway for the re- mainder of his father's family. His mother died in Dane county when coming through that section of country, and was buried in the same graveyard with her two daughters. The father and a brother Ole located in the town of Hamburg, and there the fathei died Nov. 22 of the same year; aged sixty-three years. This was the first death in the town of Ham- burg. Ole enlisted in the 25th regiment, Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and died at Col- umbus, Ky., while in the service. Mr. Nelson is the only surviving member of of the family. He settled in the town of Ham- burg on section 12, in 1852, and fourteen years later removed to the town of Coon and farmed on section 8. But on the advent of the railroad into the town of Christiana, he removed to Westby and engaged in iiis present business. Mr. Nelson's wife is also a native of Norway. Thev have two sons — Necolai and Anton, both natives of Vernon county. The former is the junior member of the firm of H. Nelson & Son and the present postmaster at Westby, the lat- ter resides on his father's farm in the town of Coon. Even T. Sangstad, junior member of the firm of Thorreson & Co., lumber merchants, Westby, was born in Norway, in 1835. His father came to Wisconsin in 1850, and the mother and two sisters followed him in 1851. The family lo- cated on section 26, in the town of Christiana, where the mother died in 1854. The father is now in his ninety-second year, and is the oldest person in the town. TTiey were the parents of nine ch'ldren, four sons and five daughters. Two sons and four daughters are still living. The eldest daughter died in Norway. Even T. remained in his native land until eighteen years of age. In 1853 he joined his jiarents in this town, and has since made it his home. On Aug. 1-2, 1862, he resolved to assist his adopted country in suppressing tlie Rebellion, and there- fore enlisted in company K, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till 488 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the government triumphed. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was at Helena, Ark., where Mr. Sangstad was taken sick, and during the remainder of his term of service, when able to work, he was assigned to detached duty. Since the war he has been mostly engaged in cultivat- ing the soil, and at present owns a good farm on section 21. In 1881 he became a member of the firm of Thorreson & Co., in the lumber trade at Westby. Mr. Sangstad married Bertlia M., daughter of Thore Olson Bakkedahl, who settled here in 1854. They have been blessed with seven children, two sons and five daugh- ters, all living. Christian H. Ballsrud is one of the prominent merchants of Westby. He was born in Norway, June 30, 1884, and came to the United States when twenty years of age, and direct to the town of Christiana. He was young and vigorous, and for the first four or five years readily secured employment in the lumber camps on the Black river. In 1855 he bought a piece of land on section 27 of this town, but worked two years more before making a permanent settle- ment. He still owns the farm which he first purchased, and it now comprises 280 acres. Mr. Ballsrud came to Wisconsin the same year the republican party was first formed at Jack- son, Mich., and when he had been here long enough to understand the different principles that characterized the parties then in existence, he attached himself to the new party, and has proven a strong and earnest member to the present time. He is one of the prominent citi- zens of Christiana town, and has served in the greater number of its offices. He was town clerk for seven years, six of them in succession; was chairman of the board three years; assessor three years, and treasurer two years; was also justice of the peace for nine successive terms. He embarked in his present business in 18T9, and now enjoys a good trade. He was married in 1859, p.nd is the father of seven children, two sons and five daughters. Mrs. Ballsrud's parents came to America in 1854. The father, mother and two children died of cholera soon after reaching this country. Two sons and one daughter (Mrs. Ballsrud) are the only survivors. Mr. Ballsrud was once a nominee for register of deeds of Vernon county, and only lacked 132 votes of being elected. When he first came to America he acted as interpreter for his country- men for some time. Ernest C. Jager is one of the most industrious farmers of this town. He became a resident of Vernon county in 1855, and of Christiana town in 1871. He was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1«40. In 1854 his parents. Christian and Wilhelmina Jager, with their family, started for America, but the father sickened and died while they were yet in Europe. The widow and family came on and settled in Waukegan, 111. In 1855 Mrs. Jager removed to Vernon county, and settled in the town of Liberty. She died at Viroqua. There were six children in the family, four sons and two daughters. Two of the sons were in the Union army. Henry enlisted in the 9th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died in Arkansas while a prisoner of war. Louis, the other soldier, is now residing in Cali- fornia. Mr. Jager came to Christiana town in 1871, and bought a farm of Elias Johnson, whose father was the original settler on the land. This farm comprises 160 acres, and is well improved. Mr. Jager's wife is a native of Norway. They are the parents of four children — Carl, Eda, Josephina and Henry. Chris Christopherson resides on section 1-), where he settled in 1857, and has made all the improvements on his farm. He was born in Norway, in November, 1823, and came to the United States in July, 1856. He first lived in Racine, Wis., one year, and then came to Ver- non county. His father, Christopher Olson, died in Norway when his son was twenty-three years of age. His mother still lives in her native land. Five of the family came to this country all of whom live in Vernon and Monroe counties, Wis. Mr. Christopherson has been twice married. He has four sons by his first HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 489 marriage, and seven children by present wife. His farm contains IHO acres besides timbered land. Mr.Christopherson is postmaster of Newry postoffice, and is also engaged in the mercan- tile trade. Erick C. Bratlie was another settler of 1855. He purchased a farm on section 36, of Simeon Peterson, the latter of whom bought it of a Mr. Woodman, a non-resident. Five acres of this land was improved when it was purchased by Mr. Bratlie, and he has placed it under a good state of cultivation, and erected substantial farm buildings. E. C. Bratlie was born in Nor- way in 184'2. He accompanied his father, Christopher Bratlie, to this country, in 1854. The father lived with his son till his death, which occurred in 1860. He was twice married; his first wife the mother of E. C, died in Nor- way. His second wife died here in 1877. There were four children in the family, one son and three daughters, E. C, Bertha, wife of Elias Neperud, Mrs. Katherine Unseth, now a a widow, and Karine wife of Wilhelm Fleiciier of the town of Viroqua. Eric C. Bratlie mar- ried Olavi Peterson. They have been blessed with eight children, one son and seven daugh- ters. Mrs. Bratlie's father, Evan Peterson, came to Dane Co., Wis., from Norway, in 1847) and the following year settled on section 3*5 in this town, where he died June 10, 1877. His wife died in 1871. There were one son and eight daughters in the family. Three of the latter live in the town of Christiana, and all the surviving children are residents of Wiscon- sin. Soren Paulsen has been a resident of Vernon county since 1858, and of this town since 187'2. He is a native of Norway, where he was born in June, 1827. He there learned the carpenter and milling trades and in 1854 came to the United States. He resided a short time in each Chi- cago, 111., Racine, Wis., and La Crosse, Wis. From the latter place, in 1858, he came to Ver- non county, and purchased a farm of Mons. Anderson, of La Crosse. He engaged in farm- ing for nine years. He sold his farm to John Bergh, of Richland county, and removed to Sparta, Wis. He there worked at the carpenter trade for three months. Then returned to Vernon county, and purchased an interest in the grist mill at Bloomingdale, in the town of Clinton. He was there engaged in milling, with various partners, until 1872, when he sold his interest, and purchased of Fred Olson a farm on section 35, of this town. Mr. Paulsen owns 160 acres, well improved, and his farm- buildings will compare favorably with any in the town. Politically, he is a republican, ami a firm adherent to the principles of that party. Mr. Paulsen's wife is also a native of Norw.ay. They have eleven children, two sons and nine daughters. Ole T. Westby, in whose honor the village of Westby was named, was a merchant on the site of the village for fifteen years. His uncle, Evan Olson, came to Viroqua at a very early day, and in 1849 his father, Tosten Olson Westby, came to Vernon county from Norway, and stopped with his brother Evan for a time. Tlie following winder he left his family at Evan Olson's, town of Viroqua, and worked in the' lumber regions along the Kicka]ioo river. In 1850 he settled on 160 acres of land on section 34, Christiana town, where he resided till his death in March, 1871. His widow still resides at Westby. They were the parents of three children when they arrived in Vernon county — Rigene, who was born in NiTway in 18-3'', and now resides at Westby; Olen T. and Evan T., the latter of whom resides at Bloomingdale, in the town of Clinton. One child, born in this town, is now deceased. Ole T. was born in Norway in 1840. lie was nine years of age when his parents came to Vernon county, and was here reared and educated. When the war commenced he enlisted in company H, loth regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served over three years. Returning home, he purchased eighty acres of his father's farm, and was engaged in farming until 1^69. He then 490 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. embarked in the mercantile trade, and con- tinued it until 1881. He married Sarah Duhl. They are the parents of nine children, six liv- ing, two sons and four daughters. Three daughters are dead. Hermon Hermonson, a baker by trade and a farmer by occupation, resides on section 26. He was born in the city of Tonsberg, Norway, Nov. 20, 1831, and lived there till fifteen years of age. He emigrated to the United Slates in 1865, and joined his countrymen in Dane Co., Wis., where he lived for a short time. He then went to Racine and there worked at his trade until 1869, when he came to Vernon county and located in this town. He was the only one of his father's family who came to Vernon coun y. He was married in Norway in 1857 to Louise Harmonson, a native of Sarpborg. They have two adopted children — Peter, who was born in Norway, May 20, 1853, and Hilda, born Jan. 15, 1877. Mr. Hermonson is an industri- ous and intelligent citizen, and both parents are members of the M. E. Church. E. C. Bergh is proprietor of the Westby House, also engaged in the luiiihur business at Westby. He is a son of C. C. Bergh, a pioneer of this town, whose personal history appear** elsewhere in this woik. Mr. Bergh was born in the town of Christiana, Jan. 4, 1855, and here grew to manhood, receiving as good an educa- tion as the district school afforded. In Seji- tember, 1879, he came to the village of Westby, about the time the railroad was first opened to the village, and embarked in his present busi- ness. He is an active buriness man, and his hotel is highly spoken of by the traveling public. Mr. Bergh married Matilda Gilbert- son, and two daughters have been given them — Martha Florence and Rebecca. Andrew Johnson is agent of the railroad at Westby station, in the town of Christiana. He was born in Norway, Feb. 1, 1851, where he was reared and educated in his native language. When seven years of age his father died and his mother subsequently married John Jurgen- son Steen. The family came to the United States in June, 1867, and lived one year in Jackson Co., Wis. Then the step-father took up a homestead in the town of Preston, Trem- peleau Co., Wis., and there settled. Both pai- ents are now deceased. There were four chil- dren in the family, three sons and one daughter. The latter, Mrs. Caroline Anderson, resides on the old homestead. Charles E. is agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, at Zembrota, Minn., and his brother Christian is with him. Andrew is the elder child and accepted his present position when the railroad was fin- ished to Westby. He is an industrious and in- telligent citizen, and his oflicial services are very satisfactory to the company by which he is employed. He married Sarah Ramstad, a native of Norway. They have two sons — Leonard I. and Carl O. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 4fll CHAPl'i;.R XXXJI. THE TOWN OF CLINTON. Clinton is situated on the northern line of the county and comprises congressional town- ship 14, range 3 west, containing 23,139 acres of land. The general surface of this town is very broken and hilly, composed largely of val- leys and ridges. The bluffs along the streams present almost per|)endicular fronts, rising in many instances, to a great height from the rivers' bed. The soil in the valleys is of a black sandy character, and very productive; the up- land in the northern part of the town, produces excellent crops of wheat, oats and other cereals. In the southern part of the town is found a black loam with a clay sub-soil. All of this town was originally covered with timber, ex- cept about forty acres in the northeast corner; this was on section 11, and was included in tlie original entry of John Masterson, the first sot- tier of tlie town. The chief varieties of timber are the white, red and burr oak, with some hard maple, bass wood and butternut. The heaviest growth of timber extends in a belt from the northwest to the southeast corner of the town, and embraces about four-fifths of the entire area of the town. The principal stream flowing through Clin- ton, is the west branch of the Kickapoo river, which rises on section G, its source being a large spring pond, on the farm of Charles Jersey; it runs south from its source, to the middle of section 7, then flows west into the town of Christiana, re-entering the town of Clinton on the southwest quarter of section 19, thence in a southeasterly direction, leaving the town from section 31. This river has several branches in the town. The first in importance, of these, is the "Chaplain branch," consisting of two streams, one rising on the northwest corner of section 4, and the other on section 15; they unite on section 8, and taking a southwesterly course, enter the main stream on section 30. What is known as the "Gillett branch" of the Kickapoo river, rises on section 16, runs south- west, and unites with the main stream on the southeast quarter of section 30. The "Pierce branch" takes its rise on section 3 t, and leaves the town from section 32, entering the main stream in the town of Webster. Weister creek is a smaller stream, which also has a number of small branches, which unite in the southeast part of the town, thus forming a good sized stream before they leave the borders of the town, from section 36. Another small stream, a branch of Hrush creek, has its rise on the west side of section 2, and leaves the town from section 1. KARLT SETTLKMBNT. The first man to make an actual settlement in the town of Clinton was John Masterson, who in May, 18.54, located on the northwest quarter of section 1 1 He was an Irishman by birth, born in the county of Mayo. He went to Canada, when young, and from there to Ohio, from which State he came to this locality. At the time he settled here his family consisted of his wife and four children — Mary Jane, Wil- liam, Michael and Eliza. He resided where he first located till his death, al)out twenty years later. He was twice married ; his second wife survived him, and in 1884 was a resident of La- 492 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Crosse. Michael, the only one of the family in the town, was born in Ohio, May 27, 1838. He served in the 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, during the Rebellion. At the time of the organization of the town of Clinton, an effort was made by Mr. Master- son and his friends to have the town named after his father, as he was the first settler within ^he bounds of the town. This name was ap- plied for several years, and the clerk's records in the early history of the town so gives the name ; but the later Ijoard of supervisors failed to sustain the claim of Mr. Masterson and his friends, and the name Clinton was adopted by that body. Later in the year, 1 854, Ingebret Bjorseth and Lars Morterud, two Norwegians, began the improvement of the water power at Blooming- dale, and a little later still, Ole Hallingstad located on eighty acres of land on section 31. In 1855 the population was increased by a number of settlers ; C. A. Hunt, afterward of Monroe county, located that year, at what was afterward Bloomingdale. He was one of the active men of the town in those early days. Others came in that year, attracted, doubtless, by the prospective mill and other improvements that had began to develop themselves. In other portions of the town, in 1855, set- tled Thomas Seaman and John Stokes on sec- tion 13. Mr. Stokes died, March 26, 1878. A man jiamed Dunn, a son-in-law of John Masterson, came with the latter, remained a short time and moved to LaCrosse. L. B. Perkins came in October, 1854 and made an entry of land, on section 12, but did not settle on the same till in March, 1856 ; he afterward sold to T. J. Seaman and moved to section P. Another settler of 1855 was John Norris, who settled on section 26. His father, James Norris, came to Vernon county in 1854, spent two years in the town of Viroqua, and then removed to the town of Webster, where he died in February, 1883, He was a native of Maryland, born in 1799, and moved to Ohio, with his parents, when a mere boy, where he lived till the time of his coming to Vernon county. His wife, Susan (Hudson) Norris, died in 1881. There were six children in the family when they came to Vernon county. John was born in Ohio, in 1823. He was married in Ohio, his wife bore him seven children — Clarissa Almira, Phoebe, Cyrus, Susan, Margaret, Jas- per and Lydia. Hans Hanson, another pioneer of 1855, came in June, and settled on section 31, where he lived till 1871, when he exchanged his farm for a half interest in the mill property at Blooming- dale. He was born in Norway, in 1822, and came to America in 1850. He lived in Jeffer- son county, this State, till he came to the town of Clinton. His family consists of a wife and seven children, three boys and four girls — Maren O., Peter, Karen, Hannah M., Charley G. and Ida M. Among the number who settled in the town during 1856 were: Samuel H. Bugbee, Samuel and Alexander Currier and Jeremiah Conaway. Samuel H. Bugbee settled on section 1 2, in March. He was from the State of New York. He purchased eighty acres of land from his brother, Elijah L. Bugbee. He died Nov. 21, 1872. Luke Bugbee, a brother of Samuel, was also an early settler. The Currier brothers, Samuel and Alexander, in 1884, were occupying land claimed by their father, Abner Currier, in June, 1856. Abner Currier's family consisted of his wife and six children, all of whom had grown to manhood. The father died in November, 1872. A. J. Gift and B. Banker settled in 1857. The latter located on section 1. He was after- ward a soldier of the 25th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. After the close of the Rebellion he moved to the town of Whitestown, where he died in November, 1882. / -^/^, Oy, (^/^^^^ HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 495 James K. Boyd also settled on section 1 in 1857, and moved to Missouri in 1871, where he died. Patrick Brody came to the town of Clinton in 1859. He purchased his first eighty acres of land of Jonathan Adams. By birth he was an Irishman. He came to America in 1847. He lived in Columbia and Ontario counties, N. Y., till he came to this town in 1859. In 1884 he possessed 480 acres of land and was engaged in farming and stock raising. During the years 1856, 1857 and 185S, the increase of population was rapid. In 1880 the United States census gave the number of in- habitants of the town as 1008, including the village of Bloomingdale, which was given as ninety-six. FIRST EVENTS. The first house built in the town of Clinton was erected on seciion 31, on the present plat of Bloomingdale. It was built by Ingebrei Bjorseth, in 18.51. Here the first school in llu town was taught in the suuinier of 1857 h\ Mrs. Sarah Roy. The first sermon was preached in this hons( also, by Rev. John Whitworth. a Methodist c'ergyman. This was some time before the village of Bloomingdale was platted. C. A. Hunt did the first blacksmithing, in 1855. The first store was kept by H. B. Nichols, who opened up a general stock in 1856, and dealt about two years. The first shoe shop was carried on by T. Brown. The first saw mill was built by L. Morterud, on the southwest quarter of section 31, town 14, range 7. ORGANIC. Clinton was set off from the town of Chris- tiana, in 1856. The first election was held in the village of Boomingdale, when the following named were elected as town officers: C. H. Hunt, (chairman) T. J. Seaman, and B. F. Vanduzee, supervisors; Dr. Amos Carpenter, town clerk; P. C. Taylor, treasurer. These are the only officers wiiose names appear on the earliest record of this town. The officers in 1883 were: P. W. Cary, (chairman) D. C. Yakey and Timothy Dwyer, supervisors; Jeremiah Conaway, clerk; E. E. Rustad, treas- urer; H. M. Davis, assessor; Marion Osborne, J. C. Smith, G. C. Taylor and A. C. Clary, justices of the peace; S. W. Perkins, constable. EDUCATIONAL. In 1884 the town of Clinton had seven school houses, some of which were within ioint districts. District No. 1 was then using a log house, which was situated in a picturesque place, with fine play grounds adjoining. The population is made up of American, Irish and a few Norwe" gians. No. 2 also contained a log building, which was situated in the heart of a fertile, well de- veloped farming community. Here the Irish predominate; they send to school mostly in the winter season. This district while they are abundantly able to erect a school house which would be an ornament to the community and befitting their actual needs, seem to prefer the old halt decayed log cabin, which has served them a quarter of a century. The school house in district No. 3 is located near Dell postoffice, near Weister creek. This is another ](ioneer landmark; a log structure, old and dilapidated; most of the pupils in this dis- trict are American. District No. 5 is on the west bank of the Kickapoo river, a few miles from Bloomingdale. This is provided with a log school house. The population are maiidy Americans with an oc- casional Norwegian family. In the summer of 1883 the old log house was being superceded by a neat frame building, more in keeping with the times. District No. 6 is composed chiefly of an American settlement. The school house known as "North Clinton," is pleasantly located, much interest is manifested in this district in 2it 496 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. school matter, and their is a good average attendance both summer and winter. District No. "7 or "Sugar Grove" school has a .good frame building, well furnished and stands in a beautiful location. The American element predominates. Joint district No. 13, is situated near the vil- lage I if Bloomingdale. Here a frame house is provided, located on a hill near the village. This district is composed largely of Norwe- gians. EELIGIOUS. In 1884 there were three Church organizations in the town of Clinton — the Methodist Episco- pal, the United Brethren and Roman Catliolic. The church building of the Methodists is located on section 28. It is a log house erected in 1871. A class was organized the same year in which this house was built. Rev. William McMillan officiated, and the following named comprised the first membership: M. D. Adams, P. J. Owen and wife, S. R. Curry and wife, Samuel AVakeman and wife, Joseph Hughes and wife, 'Squire H. Mossholder and wife, Mrs. Harry Hall, Mrs. Betsy Hughes, Mrs. E. Cary, Mrs. Headly, Mrs. Frances Wakeman, Mrs. Fidelia Calhoun, Mrs. Ellen Wakeman and, perhaps, a few whose names are not here men- tioned.. Rev. McMillan preached for this Church a year, and was succeeded in their turn by the following named ministers : Rev. N. C. Bradley, Rev. Thompson, Rev. Smith, Rev. Frank Nuzum, Rev. R. S. Mockett, Rev. C. A. CliflE and Rev. L. N. Wooley. M. D. Adams was the first class leader, and continued to fill that office till his death, which took place Feb. 20, 1883. This is one of the largest classes on the Viola circuit, and was greatly increased by a revival held early in 1883. The first meetings held in the town by the United Brethren were at the house of James C. Smith, on section 25, in 1857. A class was then formed by Rev. R. Powell, composed of James C. Smith and wife, Laor King and wife, Cor- nelius Blower and wife, Mrs. Ann Fish, Robert Campton and wife, besides a few others whose names are now forgotten. Meetings were held at private houses about a year, and then at the school house in district No. 3, till the church on section 35 was erected. Rev. E. S. Alderman is the pastor in charge of the United Brethren congregation of Clin- ton town, and owns and resides on an eighty acre farm on section 35. He is a son of Elijah and Mary Alderman, and was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, April 12, 1830. He received a good common school education, supplemented with an academic course of study at Galena, Dela- ware Co., Ohio. He was married Sept. 5, 1852, in Athens Co., Ohio, to Miss F. D. Wakeman, and in 1859 both united with the United Breth- ren Church. In 1860 Mr. Alderman was li- censed to preach, and traveled as an itinerant minister in the Sciota conference of Ohio for two years. In tlie fall of 1864 he was trans- ferred to Wisconsin and joined the conference of that State. He finally made a permanent settlement in Vernon county, and has there re- sided during the greater portion of his minis- terial work. His labors in the cause of his Master have been mostly confined to Vernon, Richland, Sauk, Jefferson, Monroe and Dane counties. He has been the direct means of re- ceiving 500 converts into the Church, and ad- ministering the rite of baptism to over 400; also solemnizing 111 marriages. He has preached an average of twice each week for twenty-three years, and is still an earnest worker in the vineyard of Christ. Himself .and wife have had six children born to them, losing one in infancy. Another class of this denomination was formed in the town at a later period, and a log church was built on section 28, and called "Hughes' Chapel." Meetings were held in this till about 1882, when many of the members had removed, while others had united with the Weister Church. The Catholic church, located on section 13, was built in 1867. It is a frame structure 32x42 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 497 feet, with an 18 foot ceiling. The first services held by the Catholics in this town were at pri- vate houses in 1862. The earliest officiating pastor was Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was also pastor at Rising Sun. Tlie following named pastors have since served the Church: Rev. Father Marco, Rev. Nicholas Steeley, Rev. Michael Heiss, Rev. II. Gro.sse, who was pas- tor when the church was erected; he was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. Hacklier, then came Rev. Father Wicker. The trustees at the time the church was built were: Patrick Brody, Michael Navin, John Masterson, Hugh Donahue and Timothy Dwyer. The entire cost of the church building was $2,000. CEMETERIES. - The first cemetery in the town was situated near Bloomingdale and was open in 1857, fenced and improved. The next was the Catho- lic burying ground near their church on section 13. The third was located on Weister creek and owned by the United I5rethren Church Another cemetery is situated in school distric No. 6, known -is "North Clinton Cemelery.' There is also one at Sugar Grove by the Unitec Brethren Church. MILLS. The numerous streams throughout this town, which have an abrupt descent, afford ampk \vater-])o\ver privileges, which have been quite well improved and made a great source of interest to the town, even from its earliest history. The first mill was begun by I. Bjorseth and L. Morterud, in 1854; but before its completion the site with the half finished mill was sold to Evan Olson, who in 1855 sold a half interest to C. A. Hunt. The mill was finished and put in operation by this gentleman, in 1856. In 1884 this ]>roperty was owned by Marion Osborn. Marion Osborn is owner and proprietor of the grist mill at Bloomingdale, and also of saw-mill in the town of Webster, on this branch of the Kickapoo river, tie bought the grist mill in August, 1877, of Hans Hanson and Frederick Olson. Mr. Osborn is a native of Indiana. He came to this county with his father in 1858. He has had large experience in the milling business. He learned the trade of his father who owtied a mill in the town of Kickapoo. He purchased the mill of his father in 1866, and run it for seven years, and then en- gaged in farming in the t'lwn of Kickapoo, which he continued four years, when he sold his farm and bought this mill property as stated. The mill at Bloomingdale has two run of stone, and does all kinds of custom work. Mr. Osborn was a member of the 46th Wiscon- sin regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, serving about one year. Mrs. Osborn was formerly Miss Hannah McKettrick. From time to time there has been a number of saw mills in operation, within this town, in- cluding some run by steam, the principal one of which was brought in and set up by Ransom and A. P. Gillett, about 1855. This mill was located on the "Gillett branch" of the Kickapoo river, on section 20; it was operated at that point a number of years, and then moved to various points in the town as occasion seemed to require, and was finally discontinued. The engine, by which the mill was propelled, was afterward used in the Si)ringville flouring mill of the town of Jefferson. The first saw mill operated by water power, was erected by John and John S. Dickson, father and son, on section 30; it was on the west branch of the Kickapoo river. James Dickson, another son, did the carpenter work, and after- ward owned the premises. This mill was fitted up, for work, in 1856, and was run till July, 1881, when the dam was washed away and never re- built. A saw mill was operated by Alexander Swim, on section 30, in 1865 or 1866. In 1884 it was owned by H. W. Knapp, and was still doing a good business. Still another saw mill was built, in 186", on section 26; only ran for a few years. The object of these various saw mills was to convert into lumber the oak and bass wood 498 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. timber, with which the town abounded. There was also a considerable amount of pine timber on sections 17 and 21, which liad mostly disap- peared prior to 1880. A large amount of hard maple was also cut into lumber, by these mills; this was mostly used for the manufacture of furniture and wagon axles. Another important enterprise is the bedstead factory of Andrew IJakken, which was erected in 1881, but not fully completed to its present capacity till 1883. This is situated on the west branch of the Kickapoo river, on the south part of section 30. Here Mr. Bakken manufactures all kinds of turned bedsteads. The dimensions of this factory are 24x36 feet. The machinery is propelled by a fineturbine water wheel, which transmits its power to the various machinery by means of a wire cable 150 feet in length. Andrew Bakken is the owner of the bedstead and turning works on section 30, near Bloom- ingdale. He was born in Norway, in 1848. His father having died in Norway, he came to this country with his mother in 1869. He lived about one year in the town of Viroqua, and then removed to Richland Center, Richland county, where he worked in a bedstead factory about three years; thence to Milwaukee, where he worked for a time, as turner in a sash and door factory. He was then for a time engaged as turner in a furniture establishment at Chicago, 111. He then returned to Richland Center, and came to the town of Clinton in 1879. He married Eliza, daughter of Nels Larson. Mrs, Bakken died in December, 1876, leaving one daughter, Amelia, born in 1875. THE VILLAGE OF BLOOMINGDALE. This beautiful place was laid out in October, 1857, by Charles A. Hunt, Evan Olson and J.E. Palmer, whose names have already been men- tioned among the pioneers of this town. The Bloomingdale postoffice was established in 1858. Dr. Amos Carpenter was the first post- master; he was succeeded by C. A. Hunt and be by Tobias Brown, who was appointed Dec. 11, 1865, and served till 1871, when E. E. Rus- tad was appointed. '\'hb first physician was Dr. Amos Carpenter; he was not a graduate, but a fair doctor. In 1884 he was living at Seelyburg, this county. Drs. Hamilton, Lewis and C. M. Poff have practiced in the vicinity of Bloomingdale for a number of years; the latter being the only one there in 1884. His biography appears in the Medical Chapter. Bloomingdale has always been a good busi- ness point. The mill which was the first erected in the town aids in drawing a large trade to the village. In November 1883 tlie business of this place was represented as follows: Cliristian A. Morterud, general merchant and grain dealer; C. W. Dyson, general merchant; E. E. Rustad, general store, also keeps the post- office; H Gihle and Peter Hanson, blacksmiths; Henry A. Hanson, tannery; G. O. Myburg, shoemaker. VILLAGE OF PRESTONVILLE. This little village is located on section 26; it was laid out by Obadiah S. Preston in 1866. At about this time R. R. Jenness put up a store and sold goods for about two years. He was succeeded by Thomas Campton, who remained in trade a year and was succeeded by James Wagner, who ran a store for three years; then came Dr. Dennis W. Adams, who continued three years, and was then followed by Harry Pierce, who operated a general store till the time of his death. His wife then carried on the business and was thus engaged in 1884. Mr. Preston built a saw-mill on Weister creek, at this point, in 1867, and ran it until 1873, when the property passed into the hands of J. Ogg, who rebuilt the dam, which had been washed out, and repaired the mill. He sold to Martin B. Mills, who ran it till 1881, when its use was discontinued. In the fall of 1879 a second store was started by William Mack and Jake Streeton, of Sparta, who operated only a year. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 499 Apostoffice was established here in 1874 called Dell. Dr. D. W. Adams was postmaster and still acted in that capacity in 1884. While this village never has assumed any great pretensions as a business point, yet it has afiForded a handy place for the farming commu- nity to trade in a small way. BIOGRAPHICAL. The following personal sketches represent a goodly number of those who have settled in the town since 1855, and, by their energy, enter- prise and moral influence have advanced and kept at a high .standard the agricultural, manu- facturing and business interests of the entire community. Charles Hollingstad has resided on section 31 since he was seven years of age. His father, Ole Hollingstad, was a native of Norway, and emigrated with his family to America in 1854. He came direct to this town, and entered eighty acres of government land on section 31, which farm he subsequently increased by the purchase of another eighty. He was the father of seven children, of five whom are living. Charles was born in Norway, in 1847, and has been reared and educated in this county. He married Mar- garet, the daughter of John Olson Melby. Mr. Hollingstad's farm is the greater portion of the old homestead and contains 120 acres. Jonathan Potts is one of the pioneers of Ver- non county. He entered 120 acres of govern- ment land, in the town of Webster, May 5, 1854, and after living on that farm twenty-two years sold it to Franklin Woods, with sixty five acres improved. He came to Clinton town in 1870, and bought of Silas Calhoun his present farm on section 23, which was originally entered by Le Roy Jenness. Mr. Potts was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kinder) Potts, who came to Wisconsin with their two sons, Jonathan and George Wesley, in 1854. Tiie father settled on section 21, town of Webster, where he lived till the time of his death, which oc- curred Nov. 9, 1876. His wife had departed this life several years previous. George W. settled in Webster town, and still resides there. Jonathan Potts married Theressa N orris, who died June 25, 1883. They have four children — Phebe A., Thomas, William S. and Fannie. William S., who resides with his parents, was born in the town of Webster, in December, 1854. John W. Appleman one of the energetic and successful farmers of this town, is also one of the earliest settlers. His farm and residence are on section 22, where he has IGO acres of land; he also owns eighty acres on section 18. He bought his farm of John Color in 1870. Mr. Appleman has made good im|)rovemenls on his land, the most of which he has made himself. He is a son of Jesse Appleman, his residence in the county dating from 1856. He was born in Deerfield townshi]), Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1844. He enlisted in company A, 25tli regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served one year. Company A was first com- manded by Col. Butt, and afterward by Capt. J. R. Casson. The first farm Mr. Appleman owned was on section 29. His wife was Sarah Parr, a sister of John Parr, of this town. They have -seven children, two boys and five girls — James W., Ida J., Elizabeth E., Marietta, Charles H., Clara L. and Olive L. Mr. Appleman's father, Jesse Appleman, re- sides just across the line in the town of Web- ster. He is one of the largest land owners in the county. The maiden name of his mother, who has been dead many years, was IJeuIah Pettet. In the spring of 1855 two brothei-.s, Joiin S., and Hiram Dickson, came to Vernon county from Athens Co., Ohio, being natives of Morgan county. They located at Viroqua, where the former worked at his trade of blacksmiihing. In the fall of the same year their father, John Dickson, followed them and in the spring of 1856', the three located on section 30, in town 14 north, range 3 west, where tliey erected a saw- i mill on the Kickapoo river. The father lived I on that farm until his death, which occurred in 500 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the fall of 1861. One son, John S., is living at Springville in the town of Jefferson, and Hiram, the other son, is a resident of Richland county. In 1856 these three were joined by another son, James, but he soon after returned to Ohio and did not make a permanent settlement here until the fall of 1860. James Dickson was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1831, and went to Athens Co., Ohio, in 1837, and there resided until he he came to Vernon county in the fall of 1860. In 1861 he purchased the farm which now con- tains 1 20 acres. He married Nancy, daughter of James Maxwell. They have eight children — Edwin M., Thaddeus, Myra A., Sarah J., Cynthia J., James Emmett, Ira C. and Hattie M. One son, George, is deceased. Mrs. Dickson's father, James Maxwell, was a native of Pennsylvania, but when a child accompanied his parents to Muskingum Co., Ohio. He came to Vernon county with his family in the fall of 1854 and was one of the pioneers of Jefferson town. He located about one mile north of Springville, where he lived till his death in February, 1875. He was the father of nine children, one son and eight daughters. The latter are all living, but the former died when six years old. John S. Jenness has been a resident of Wis- consin nearly thirty years. His father, Thomas Jenness, was one of the settlers of 1856, in Vernon county. He was born in Orange Co., Vt., where he was reared and married. In April, 1855, he came to Rock Co., VVis., and the following fall to Vernon county. He located on section 14, where he lived till his death. His wife was formerly Clarissa McGlouthin, a native of Massachusetts. Tliey were the par- ents of four children that reached maturity — three sons and one daughter — John S., in this town, Thomas L. and Robert R., at Windom, Cottonwood Co., Minn., and Abbie, a resident of Denver, Colorado. John S. was born in Orange Co., Vt., in 1834, and came to Wiscon- sin in September, 1 855. He learned the carpenter and mill-wright trades and worked at them for fifteen years. In 1865 he bought of Thomas Lind- ley .1 farm on section 17, now containing about 200 acres. Mr. Jenness married Minerva Max- well, and five children have been given them — Ida M., Mettie, Elsie M., James V. and Nancy J. James C. Smith came in with the settlers of 1856. He located 160 acres of government land on section 25, in 18.:9, where lie still re- sides. Mr. Smith was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1818. His father, Nathaniel Smith, was a native of Maryland, but located in Ohio at an early day in the history of the Buckeye State. James C. was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and his entire life has been passed in agricultural pursuits. He has been a member of the United Brethern Congregation for forty-four years, and has ever been promi- nently identified with the interests of that denomination in this town. Mr. Smith lias been married three times. His first wife was Catharine Wandling, who died previous to his coming to Wisconsin, leaving one son,Nathaniel B. His second wife was Sarah Ben, who came here with her husband, and died in 1862. His third wife was Alzina Merrick, who departed this life in March, 1870. Mr. Smith has two living children by his second wife — Leonard W. and Mary C. Hon. D. C. Yakey was one of the early teachers of southwestern Wisconsin. He was born in Loudoun county, in the good old State of Virginia, the home of Washington, in 1830. When two years of age, his parents sought a new home in Ohio, and D. C. grew to manhood in Perry and Muskingum counties of the iiuck- eye State. His father, Jacob Yakey, is living, and still resides in Ohio. Mr. Yakey received fair educational advantages in his youth, and being of an enquiring turn of mind, thought to see what advantage the famous western country afforded for a young man. On Oct. 6, 1856, he arrived in Bad Ax (now Vernon) county. Soon after his arrival, he was em- ployed to teach, and followed that profession for some years, the greater portion of the time HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 501 it) Vernon county. He was a thorough teacher and firm disciplinarian, and his success was good. In 1881 he was elected superintendent of the schools of Clinton town, but subse- quently enlisted in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the varied fortunes of that regiment through its long and tedious three year's service. In 1866 Mr. Yakey settled on his present farm on section 20. Mr. Yakey married Julia Adams, and seven children have been born to them — Clara, Luna, Laura, Ira, Hattie, Lucy and Byron. Samuel Russell Curry resides on section 28. He has been a resident of this town since the spring of 1860, when he settled on his present farm, which was entered by his father, William Curry, several years previous to that time. Mr. Curry was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1837, and there lived until 1860, when he came to Vernon county. A sister of Mr. Curry, Mrs. Abi Adams, wife of Mordecai Adams, was the first member of the family who came to the county to reside. Mr. Curry married Martha A. Griffin, a daughter of John Griffin, of Viro- qua, born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1844, and came to Vernon county with her parents in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have three children —Albert U., Sarah E. and John W. They have lost three children — George W., their first child, Edward B. and Ida F. Mr. Curry's farm contains 188 acres. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Clinton. Henry Knapp is one of the well known pioneers of this town. He came here in 1860, and located on section 19, where he still resides. His farm contains 220 acres, and he also owns and operates a saw mill on section 30. Mr. Knapp was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1821. His father, Henry W. Knapp, was alsoa native of Connecticut, and died when his son Henry was a child. Henry was reared on a farm, and also learned a mechanical trade. He was married in his native State, to Lois A. Rood, whose father, Augustus B. Rood, died in Norfolk, Conn. Mr, Knapp finally concluded to locate in one of the western States, and with liis wife and family came direct to Madison, Wis., in 1855, with his brother-in-law, W. F. Webster, who had preceded him westward only a few months. Mr. Knapp went to Beaver Dam, in January, 1856, and the two engaged in the manufacture of siding lumber. In the fall of 1856, in company with C. P. Clark, Mr. Knapp erected a steam plaining mill, which the firm operated for two years. Mr. Knapp then sold bis interest in the business, rented a farm, and was engaged in farming until he came to Vernon county. He has held nearly all of the town offices, and was chairman of the town board for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have been blessed with three children — Emma, wife of G. W. Martin, Wal- cott H. and William E. John Parr came to the town of Clinton, in 1867, bought a farm of Martin Flemmiiig and James Wagner, and settled on section 33. He has been a resident of the county since 1860. He was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, and is a son of Thomas Parr. He married Mary, daughter of Jesse Appleman. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio, and accompanied her father to Vernon county in 1655. They have seven children living — Charles E., Cora E., Nellie C, Beulah J., Jesse J., Arthur O. and Gracie P. One daughter, Mary E., is dead. Mr. Parr's farm contains eighty acres, on which he has made various improvements. Dr. D. W. Adams, a prominent citizen of Prestonville, in Clinton town, has been a resi- dent of Vernon county since 1861. He was born in Washington Co., Ohio, in 1818, but mostly reared in the adjoining county of Mor gan. He there commenced the study of medi cine in 1845, and prosecuted his studies until 1848, when he commenced practicing. In 1861 he removed to this county and located on sec- tion 36, of Clinton town. He abandoned tlie practice of medicine and improved a farm, 502 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. which he sold in the fall of 1870. He then engaged in the mercantile trade at Prestonville. He resumed the practice of his chosen profes- sion in 1872, and also owns another farm located near his former one. Dr. Adams mar- ried Catharine Bailey, a native of Louisiana. Her father was a native of Virginia, but when a young man went to Louisiana, and was there married. His wife died shortly after their union, leaving one child, now Mrs. Dr. Adams. The father was absent at the time of her decease, and the mother gave her child in charge of whom she supposed was a true friend. This person, a Mrs. Blanchavd, was a slave owner, and soon compelled the little girl to associate with the slaves, with the evident intention of reducing her to slavery. The father knew nothing of this, but the facts reached the ears of the Lady Superior of the Orphans' Asylum of New Orleans, who rescued the child, and placed her in that Catholic insti- tution. She remained there six months, and then her father learned of her residence and had her removed to the home of Dr. Norton, with whom she lived until the latter's death. She was then twelve years of age, and went to Ohio with her father, where she was married. Dr. Adams and wife have five living children — Nerana D., Mary J., James Q., Alice A. and Nelson H. D. The eldest son, Isaac M., was a soldier in the 20th regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteers, during the late war, and while assist- ing with a battery, at the taking of Spanish Fort, was severely injured by the recoil of a cannon, from the effects of which he died in the spring of 1870. A daughter, Harriet F., lost her life by the accidental explosion of a kerosine lamp. She was married, and left one child. Another married daughter, Elvira, died at Prestonville. Several children died in infancy. William Dolen resides on section 34, where he settled in the fall of 1863. He purchased a quarter section of land of W^illiam Bryson, who located it from the government. He was born in York Co., Penn., in 1814, and there lived until he arrived at the age of manhood. He then removed to Ohio, and worked as a laborer for five years, and subsequently married Susan Forest, a native of Ohio, and engaged in farm- ing on a piece of land which lay both in Wash- ington and Morgan counties. He lived there until 1&63. In 1862 his wife died, leaving him with two children — Mary E. and William, Jr. He lived on the farm one year after his wife's death, and then came to Clinton, Vernon Co., Wis. Mary E. was married in 1866 to James F. Wakeman, a native of Ohio. They resided on the homestead until 1875, and then removed to Curry Co., Oregon. William Jr., married Sarah A., daughter of Lawrence Smith, a native of Sauk Co., Wis., and now resides on the old homestead. Their union has been blessed with three children — Hattie M., Jennie M. and Bertha E. Christian A. Morterud is the oldest estab- lished merchant in the village of Bloomingdale. He is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1833. He was well educated in his native tongue, and reared to a mercantile life. In 1865, when thirty-two years of age, he came to Wisconsin, and for a short time clerked for H. Pierce, then a merchant of Bloomingdale, now deceased. He soon after formed a partnership with his employer, but in a few mouths bought out Mr. Pierce's interest in the stock, and has since conducted the business alone. Mr. Mor- terud has put into practice all the business qual- ifications he was taught in his youth, and in connection with years of practical experience, has succeeded in building up a large and lucra- tive trade and winning the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. His trade will aggre- gate $12,000 to 115,000 annually, and the profits of hi.s past business has enabled him to accumu- late a fine property. In 1880 he erected his present store building. It is of frame, 24x65 feet in size, and cost about $1,500. Mr. Mor- terud has served as a member of the school board for several years, treasurer of the town HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 503 nine years; was justice of the peace two years and declined to serve longer, and has been a notary public since February, 1874. He married Sina, daughter of Ole Svend- son. They have five children — Anna, Gustavus, Clara, Oscar and Matilda. Pearly J. Owen, a native of Ohio, camo in 1866 He bought a farm on section 28, of Henry Pettit, and ))Ut up a log cabin in which he lived until 1871, when he erected his present residence. The farm was covered with a heavy growth of first timber, and Mr. Owen has al- ready cleared about 100 acres out of a total of 212i acres. Pearly J. Owen was born in Wash- ington Co., Ohio, in 1826. He was reared in Athens Co., Ohio, and lived there until 1866, the date of his removal to this county. His father, James Owen, and his mothtr were the parents of seven children, none of whom are residents of Wisconsin except our subject. P. J. Owen married Rosa Ann Hughes, formerly of Ohio. They have two children — Mary E., wife of Edward Allen, and Viola A. Mr. and Mrs. Owen are members of the M. E. Church of this town. Gaylord S. Wakeman came to Vernon county with his father, Samuel Wakeman, in 1866. He was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1848. In 18G0 he settled on his present farm on section 22, which he bought of William Merrill, who en- tered the farm as government land. Mr. Wake- man's farm contains eighty acres, well im- proved He married Phebe, daugliter of John Norris, and four children have been given to them — Tessa A., Huldah A., Myrta E. and Charles H. William Wakeman is a son of Samuel S. Wakeman, who came to Vernon county from Ohio, in March, 1866, and entered eighty acres of land on section 28, of Clinton town. Samuel Wakeman and wife were the parents of six children, five of whom have resided in Ver- non county — William, Mrs. Fidelia Callioun, who subsequently returned to Ohio, Mrs. Eve- line Snyder, who, at the time the family located here, was Mrs. Patterson Carey. The two youngest were Gaylord and Francis H., the lat- ter of whom returned to Ohio in 1881, and now resides with the eldest daughter, Mrs. Sabra A. Morris, in Athens county. Tiie mother of these children died in this county, Feb. 1, 1881. The father is still a resident of Clinton town. Wil- liam Wakeman was born in Ohio, in 1839, and made his first visit to Wisconsin in 1861. He was here when the war commenced, and imme- diately enlisted in the 19th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, serving three years and three months, and participating in all the bat- tles and skirmishes in which his regiment was engaged. After an honorable discharge, he re- turned to Ohio, his native State, and in 1866 made a permanent settlement in Clinton town, purchasing his present farm of Smith Messer, in 1867. Mr. Wakeman has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Ellen, daughter of Jesse Appleman. Two children were born to them. His present wife was Elizabeth Silbaugh, a daughter of Isaac Silbaugh. Tiiis union has been blessed with three children. Mr. Wake- man's farm comprises eighty acres of land, on which he has made various improvements. Philip W. Cary resides on section 15, where he settled in the fall of 1868. He purchased a heavily timbered farm of 120 acres of Patrick Brody, eighty-five acres of wliicli Mr. Cary has well improved. He is considered one of tlie substantial citizens of Clinton town; was as- sessor three terms; has been a member of the board of town trustees for several years, and is its present chairman. He was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1848. His grand-father was a na- tive of the Isle of Guernse-y, and emigrated to America in 1848. Mr. Cary's parents, Henry A. and Dolly (Newton) Cary, were natives re- spectively of Philadelphia and Massachusetts. Mrs. Cary's ancestors have been residents of New England for several generations past. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom, Philip W. and James P., are the only members of the family that ever located in 504 HISTORTfOF VERNON COUNTY. Wisconsin. James P. served in the 18th reg- iment, Ohio Volunteers; was in the army of the Cumberland, and participated in several import- ant engagements. After the war, he returned to Ohio and married Eveline Wakeman. He came to Vernon county in 1866, and settled in Clinton town, where he died Sept. 5, 1869, leav- ing a wife and two children, a son and a daugh- ter. Philip W. married Clarissa Norris, a daughter of John H. Norris. They are the parents of one son — Cyrus Seward, born Jan. 14, 1873. C. W. Dyson is engaged in the general mer- cantile trade at Blooraingdale. He was born in Athens Co., Ohio, in 1842, and was married to Lucy A. Danes, also a native of that county. During the civil war, Mr. Dyson was subject to the orders of the 3d regiment, Kansas Volun- teer Infantry, and served one and a half years, guarding the frontier. In 1874 he Ccame to the town of Clinton, and purchased a farm of S. A. Matson, on sections 17 and 20, with a dwelling house on the latter section. This farm was first settled by Mr. Matson's father-in-law, John Adams. In 1876, Mr. Dyson came to Bloom- ingdale, and is enjoying a fair trade. J. M. PofF, eclectic physician and surgeon, Bloomingdale, located here in 1882. His father, Dr. J. J. Poff, came to Wisconsin from Indiana some years ago. He first settled at Tomah, and subsequently in Richland county, at Belle Cen- ter, Crawford county, where he died July 6, 1875. Dr. Poif commenced the study of medi- cine with his brother. Dr. C. M. Poff, of Reads- town, and at present is attending lectures at the Bennett Medical College, Chicago, 111., from which he will graduate in the class of 1884. Dr. Poff has been in Bloomingdale about one year, and has secured an extensive and in- creasing practice. He married Lellah Gates, daughter of Willian Gates, of Readstown. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 505 CHAPTER XXXI II THE TOWN OF COON. The town of Coon is in tlie northern tier of congressional townships of Vernon county. It is bounded on the north by La Crosse county, on the east by Christiana, on the south by Jef- ferson, and on the west by Hamburg towns, and comprises township 14, range 5, having an area of 23,040 acres. Coon river flows through the northern part of the town, entering on sec- tion 1, passing through sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 and 8. This stream has several tributaries, which water the entire northern portion of the town. Coon, in common with all the territory embraced within the county, has a rolling and in some places a very rough hilly surface. The soil is of a sandy loam, which produces the finest crops of grain, corn and vegetables known to this part of the State. SETTLEMENT. The first settlement was effected by Norwe- gians, in 1848, and in 1884 they owned nearly every farm within its borders. Helgar Gilbronson was the first actual settler of the town. He came in 1848 and located on section 8, where he died a few years later. His widovF was still living in the town in 1S84, at the village of Coon Valley. Next came Peter Anderson, who settled in 1849 on section 9. O. Martinson came in during 1850, locating on section 36, where he was still living in 1884. Christian Anderson came the year following. Lars Ilelgersou and his son, Helga Larson, located in the town, on section 11, in 1852. Among the settlers who came in during 1854, were the following : Ole Nearison, who came from Dane county and settled on section 33. Halver Asmonson, who located on section 22, where he died in 1873. Swen Thorson located in the northeast part of the town. Neary Nearison came to section 27, located and was still a resident of the same farm in 1884. T. Seagerson also settled on section 27, where he lived till 1873, then moved west. Brea Erickson, who came from Dane county the same year, settled on section 28, where he still lived in 1884. Hans Hanson also came from Dane county, and located in 1857. FIRST EVENTS. The first marriage in the town was that of Lars Olson and Anna Onset. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Stubbs, some time during 1853. The first child born was Mary, daughter of Helga and Agnetta Gilbronson, in 1852. The first death was that of Nel.'* Olson, in 1854. The first school was taught in 1855 by Peter 0. Brye, in a dwelling belonging to John Christianson. The first school house was built on section 33, in 1859. The first religious services was preaching at the house of Helga Gilbronson, in 1859. ORGANIC. The town of Coon was organized in 1859. The first election was held April 6, 1859, at the 506 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. old log school house on section 33. The first town officers elected were : Peter O. Brye, chairman ; John P. Johnson, clerk ; Peter O. Brye, treasurer ; Ole Nearison and Araund Martinson, side board; Peter O. Brye, superin- tendent of schools ; Peter O. Brye, assessor. The officers of 1883 were : Helgar Larson, chairman ; E. O. Teffre, clerk ; C. 0. Brye, treasurer; Jacob Johnson and Peter J. Johnson, side board ; Peter M. Johnson, assessor. SCHOOLS. Notwithstanding the greater portion of the population of this town are Norwegians, much attention has been paid to schools in which the English language has been taught. The first school dates back -to 1855. In 1884 there were six school houses in the town and 378 scholars. VILLAGE OF COON VALLEY. This village was laid out and regularly plat- ted in 1859, by Henry Johnson, and is situated on section 7. It was named Coon Valley, as it is located in the valley of Coon river. The river at this point furnishes an abundant water power. The first house was built by Henry Johnson. There are no school or church build- ings within the village proper, but just at the edge of the place, the district school building is located. In 1861 or 1862 the Evangelical Lutherans organized a Church, and in 1878 built a church edifice on section 8. In 1884 this was the only leligious organization in the town. The beginning of business in the place was the opening of a store by Henry Johnson, in 1863. A saw mill was put in operation in 1858, by Mr. Johnson, who in 1863 erected a flouring mill. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Hans Nelson in 1866. The first shoemaker was Knudt Olson. In 1884 the business of the village was rep- resented as follows : Peter Swan & Co., and H. Hanson, dry goods ; the same firms also operated largely in the hardware and grocery trades. Peter Swan & Co., were proprietors of the flouring and saw mills, also a wool card ing mill. Andrew Smaby ran a blacksmith shop, doing general repair work. Ole Lien was the proprietor of a syrup manufactory. H. Hanson, the leading merchant of the vil- lage of Coon Valley, was born in Norway in 1840, and emigrated to the United States in 1S50. He first settled at La Crosse, Wis., where he remained until twenty-two years of age. He then came to the town of Coon and located in a settlement that two years later was laid out and platted and named Coon Val- ley. Mr. Hanson purchased a house and lot in the new village and for a number of years worked for Henry Johnson in the saw-mill and general store. In 1872 he opened a general store at Coon Valley postoffice, where he carries a stock valued at about $3,500, and enjoys a large and paying trade. Mr. Hanson was the third ap- pointed postmaster of Coon Valley and has held the position continuously for fourteen years. He was married in 1877 to Alma Olson. They are the parents of three children — Henry Alfred, William Howard and Christian Ger- hard. L. P. Swan, senior member of the firm of Swan, Naperud & Co., was born in Sweden in July 8, 1845. He was induced to come to the United States in 1869, and first located at Lans- ing, Iowa. He remained in that place for two years and then removed to La Crosse, Wis., where he was a resident for four years. In 1875 he came to the town of Coon and soon after purchased a third interest in the flouring and saw mill and a general store at Coon Val- ley. The firm is the largest in the village and carry on an extensive business. Mr. Swan was united inmariage, in 1876, to LinaNeperud, and two children have been born to them — Anna and Amanda. John A. Neperud, of the firm of Swan, Ne- perud & Co., millers and dealers in general merchandise. Coon Valley postoffice, was born in Norway, in 1847, and when ten years of age came to this country with his parents. They located in the town of Hamburg, where John A. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 501 grew to manhood. He worked on a farm in early life, and in 1878 came to the vil age of Coon "Valley and became a member of the firm of Swan, Neperud & Co., owner-s of the flour and saw mill and a stock of general merchan- dise. Mr. Neperud has prospered fairly since engaging in business. He married Caroline Haswald, and they have one child — Anna. Simou P. Lier, junior member of Swan, Ne- perud & Co., millers and merchants, was born in Norway, in 1842, and was there educated In 1869 he emigrated to the United States and came direct to Vernon county. He located in the village of Coon Valley, and in 1882 rented a one-third interest in the flour and saw mill and mercantile trade, of which he is now the junior partner. The grist mill contains four run of buhr stones, has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day and is valued at $15,000. The saw mill has a capacity of 3,000 feet per day. Their stock of goods is valued at $2,000 In 1882 Mr. Lier was married to Regina Frantson. POSTOFFICH. Peter O. Brye was instrumental in the estab- lishment of a postoflice in 1861. The first post- master was Henry Johnson, who was in time succeeded by Andrew Engerbretson, who was followed by H. Hanson, the latter being post- master in 1884, having thus held the office for fifteen years. Jacob Johnson was born in Norway, March 6, 1845. In 1867 the family emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Wisconsin and settling in Fond du Lac county. In 1869 they came to Vernon county. Jacob Johnson was married June 17, 1875, to Hetta A. Berg. They have three children — Clara Isabel, Cai- man Albert and Petter. In 1874 Mr. Johnson settled in the town of Coon, on section .32, where he now resides. In 1878 he was elected a justice of the peace, which position he still holds, and is also serving his third term as mem- ber of the town board of supervisors. Ole Eveiison Nesting, a young and prosper- ous farmer of the town of Coon, was born in Norway, in 1849. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and first came to the town of Coon, in this county. He purchased a farm of 200 acres from Christopher Hanson. Mr. Even- son is an energetic and enterprising young man, and not being content with only a farm, he wooed and won Mr. Hanson's daughter, Inge- borg, and they were married in 1874. Three children have been given to them — Eliza, Charlie and Selmer. 508 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE TOWN OF FOREST. This town is located on the northern line of towns in Vernon county, and is the first west of Hillsborough, the northeastern town of the county. The town is bounded on the north by Monroe county; on the east by Hillsborough town; on the south by Union town, and on the west by the town of Whitestown. This town is known as a congressional to^vnship, six miles square, and containing 23,040 acres. In 1880 the population of Vernon county was but 23,23.i, and each of these, with the exception of the surplus 195, could have been locatexJ in Forest town, settling one perso'i on each acre of land. The town is well watered by three main streams and their tributaries. Warner creek rises in the northeast quarter of section 27, and flows southerly and westerly through sections '27, 34, 33, 32 and 31. On this latter section it unites with the northern branch, which finds a head on section 29 and takes a southwesterly course till it reaches the main channel. The north branch of Billing's creek enters the town on section 4, and passes through sections 5, 8 and 7, leaving the town on the southwestern quarter of section 7. The south branch of Billing's creek rises near the center of section 14, and flows westerly through sections 14, 15, 22, 21, 20 and 19, leaving the town near the southern line of section 18. Two other streams flow through the town. One rises on sec- tion 11, and takes a northerly course through section 2, and the other rises on section 26 and flows easterly through section 25. The surface of the town is very rolling and of a rongh character, but very fine farm lands are found on the bluffs, while those in the valleys are better adapted to the raising of stock on a large scale. EAELY SETTLEMENT. In May, 1855, Waldo Stewart came into what is now the town of Forest, and selected a quar- ter section of land on section 26, which he entered, and on which he resided till 1879. He then sold the old homestead and removed to Illinois, where he departed this life in 1881. The second settler was a native of the "Green Mountain" State. This was Nathan Sherman. He located 200 acres on section 12, and moved there in the fall of 1855, where he still lives. He has been a prosperous farmer, and in 1856 was a member of the town board. John C. Tabor made a settlement here in 1855, entering land on section 1. The same year a Mr. Eno and family removed out here from Connecticut, and located eighty acres on section 31. A son of Mr. Eno, Edgar by name, still resides in the to«n. Germany furnished another settler in 1855 in the person of Henry F. Stelting. He entered 120 acres of land on section 3. Thomas Andrews and .Jonas Hubbard came in the early spring of 1856, and settled on sec- tion 13. Mr. Hubbard yet resides there, but Mr. Andrews is deceased. Albert Kies came about the same time and entered land on section 12. Mr. Kies is now living in the village of Ontario. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 509 Old Vermont again furnished a new citizen and J. B. Nofsinger made his new home on eighty acres of timbered land on section 33. Mr. Nofsinger was made chairman of the town board in 1857 and held that office for eight years. These early settlers were s oon followed by Cyrenius Lumbart and Matthew Ellis; Samuel Baldwin, who settled on section 12; John W. Williams, who located on section 15, and many others whose names cannot be recalled. FIEST THINGS. The first settler was Waldo Stewart, who lo- cated here in May, 1855. The first person deceased was Albert Kies in 1856 the same year he came The first birth in the town (white) wa^^ Sarah, daughter of Philander and Miranda Chandler. The first school was taught in 1856 in a log house, thrown together to take adva,ntage of the school fund. It was located on the south- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 12. Roseldah Sherman taught the first school. The first marriage in the town was James Morgan to Mrs. Jerusha Kies (widow of Albert Kies, deceased), in 1851, Benjamin Roberts, J. P., officiating. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Israel Burch in Mr. Sherman's log house in 1856. ORGANIC. In the spring of 1856 permission was asked of the county board of supervisors for the erection of a new town to be called Forest. The re- quest was granted and the town set apart. On the 1st of April of the same year an election was held and the following officers were elected: Chairman, Giles White; assistants, Nathan Sherman and J B. Nofsinger; clerk, William C. Stelting; treasurer, John C. Tabor; assessor, Giles White; superintendent of schools, John C. Tabor. The present oflicers of the town are as fol- lows: Chairman of the board, R. S. Sherman; as- sistants, J. N. Ledman and L. Baldwin; clerk, J. J. Marshall; treasurer, E. Eno; assessor, William H. Stelting. RELIGIOUS. The first to organize a religious society was the United Brethren sect, who organized in 1856. The first pastor was Rev. Doolittle. The Christians also formed a society at an early date, and continued about four years, holding meetings at the Forest school house. The Wesleyan Methodist Church, of Forest town, was organized in 1857 at the residence of John Markee by Rev. Cooley, who preached the first sermon. The following named minis- ters have officiated in the order they are named: Rev. John Markee, Rev. De Lap, Rev. Bray, Rev. De Lap, Rev. Townsend, Rev. John Markee, Rev. De Lap, Rev. Good, Rev. Mul- inx. Rev. Vandresden, Rev. Buckner, Rev. Hol- comb. Rev. Harris and Rev. McNoun, the pres- ent pastor. The present membership of the congregation is about thirty, and the present trustees are: John Markee, F. M Cleveland and G. Eastman. BDUCATIONAI- O ver twenty-seven years have elapsed since the little log school house was erected on section ly. In these twenty-seven years the population of Forest has increased between eight and nine hundred per cent., and in 1880 numbered 889 souls. Better and more educational facili- ties are needed at ihi- present time, and the 442 school children of Forest now meet in nine school houses, scattered over the entire town, with an aggregate value of $3,055. POSTOFFICES. The town is well supplied witli postal facili- ties, in fact, as much so as any town in the county. The firs't established was at Mount Tabor. This was located on section 1, in 1856, and J. Clark Tabor was the first postmaster. He was followed in consecutive order l>y John Howell, R. S. Sherman, Eli Sherman, Nathan Sherman, Eli Sherman and John Malosh, the latter of whom is the present postmaster. 510 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The Burr postoffice was established in 1859, on the south line of section 23, and at the inter- section of several important roads. Wesley Barton was appointed as postmaster, and he was succeeded by J. Linch, who was postmas- ter in 1884. In 1863 it was thought necessary to have an office in the southern part of the town, and Goole postoffice was therefore established. Wil- liam Giles, the first postmaster, was succeeded by James Kiel, incumbent in 1884. Valley postoffice was located on section 31, in 1865, for the benefit of the settlers in the western and southwestern portions of the town. Fred Meyers first assumed the duties of the of- fice, and was succeeded by William Copley. Mr. Copley died while iu office, and his widow remained in charge until D. A. Lawton, the present official, took charge of the office. CBMETBRIES. In 1884 the town contained two burying grounds, the oldest of which is situated on the southwest quarter of section 1 . The other on section 26, near the church. Earnest Lodge, No. 212, of the Good Temp- lar's order, was organized by the following char- ter membership, Jan. 1,1881: Mary Sherman, Eli Sherman, George Pepper, Ann Pepper, N. F. Sherman, Emma Sherman, Clara Roberts, John Jeffries, O. J. Jeffries, Henry Pepper, Harrison Pepper, Clarence Sherman and A. Sherman. In 1884 this lodge had a live mem- bership of thirty-eight. PERSONAL SKETCHES. The following notices include the names of the most influential and respected citizens of the town. Tbey are deserving of more than passing notice, on account of their prominence in the different lines of business in which they are engaged. Benjamin Roberts, one of the first settlers of the town of Forest, was born in 1816, in Franklin Co., N. Y., where he received a com- mon school education. Mr. Roberts resided in bis native town until 1854, when he came to Wisconsin. He first located in Walworth county, but only remained one year, and then moved to Vernon county, and entered 200 acres of land in the town of Forest, on section 1, where he still resides. At the time Mr. Roberts came to Forest town, there were only two fami- lies in the town, those of Nathan Sherman and J. B. Nofsinger. The first winter, he was com- pelled to sell his only team to obtain money to purcha.^e pruvisions, but has since been very prosperous. Mr. Roberts was united in mar- riage to Maria Tabor, in 1843. Mrs. Roberts was born in 1821, in Lower Canada, and came to the United States in 1837. They have had six children, one of which, Milan, was killed in a railroad accident, between St. Paul and Min- neapolis. Five children are living — Elizabeth, wife of Lewis Clute, D. C, who married Lucinda Burris; Clayton B., married to Maria Fowler; Lucias T., who married-Rose Vincent, and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have nine grand-children, Josie, Grace and Raymond Clute; William and Mirtie Roberts, and Linn, and an infant, the children of Clayton B. Roberts, and Edna and Edmond, children of Milan Roberts, deceased. .Mr. Roberts was elected justice of the peace in 1856, at the first town election. In the fall of that same year, and about the time that Benjamin Roberts had located here, a sturdy German and his family, including two sons — William C. and Frederick, came here from Hendricks Co., Ind., and were content to begin life anew in the wilderness of timber that covered Forest. Dederick Stelting was born in Germany, in 1796, and emigrated to these United States, in 1838. He resided several years in Pennsylvania, and subsequently in Maryland and Hendricks Co., Ind. In the latter country, he lost his wife Elizabeth, who was born in Germany, 1802, and died in 1854. Soon after, Mr. Stelting removed the remain- der of his family to Dane Co., Wis., and in the golden days of October or November, came to the town of Forest, and made a new home for HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. .513 his children. He resided with W. C. Stelting until his death, Feb. 25, 1883. William C. Stelting, one of the sons men- tioned, was born in Prussia, in 1828, and accompanied his father through to this town. Mr. Stelling entered for himself eighty-nine acres of land on sections 14 and 23, and by industry and economy has been enabled to increase his possessions to 209 acres. He is one of the prominent citizens of the town, and when it was first set off, served one year as town clerk Since that period he has officiated as chairman of the town board fifteen years, and treasurer three years. In 1860 he married Sarah A., daughter of John and Permelia Markle. They have nine children — Permelia E., Lizetta E., Otto J., Witto A., Samary M., Alfretta and Loretta ( twins, aged nine years), Waldo and Essie. Frederick Stelting was born in Prussia, ii. 1834, and accompanied his parents to Americ: when quite small. In Hendricks Co., Ind., Ik learned the cooper trade, and worked at it unii his removal to tliis town, in 1855. In connec tion with a brother, he located 200 acres o land on section 14, where he has since lived He has been energetic and frugal, and has in creased his farm to 311 acres, most of whicl. is well improved. He served as one of tin town supervisors for one year, and in 186:^ married Miranda Markle, who was born in 1844. Seven children have been given them, but only two survive — Herman T. and Austin G. The deceased are C. A., Bird C, Oscar U., Alice and Elsie. John Revels was but a boy of ten years when his father came into the town of Forest, in 1855. He was a native Hoosier, and born in Orange Co., Ind., in 1845. He grew up to manhood in the town of Forest, and has always made this his home. He has been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits through life, and now owns forty acres of land on section 6. In 1863 he enlisted in the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, and was discharged in 1865, on account of his eyes being injured by coming in contact with burnt powder. Mr. Revels was married, in 1865, to Tempa C. McCord, of Vernon Co., Mo. They are the parents of six children — Mary J., Eddie M., John W., Court, Ettie and Herman. Mr. Revels is a member of the Richland United Christian Conference, and is trying to vindicate God's Holy word. C. M. Carr, one of the most prominent attor- neys at law, and business men and farmers of this part of Vernon county, • was born in Thompkins Co., N. Y., in 1817. When eleven years of age, his parents removed to Cuyuga county, in the same State, where our subject grew to be a man, and was engaged in farming and milling. In 1855 he removed to Wauke- siia Co., Wis., and for two years was engaged in the saw-mill business. He then entered 12t; acres of land in the town of Hillsborough, ii, this county, and employed his time at farming. He made his home there for twenty-tour years, increasing his land to 140 acres and practicing the j)rofession of law. In 1866, he was appoint- ed by the governor, to the position of super- visor for the eastern district of the county, when the entire county board consisted of but tiiree members, and held the office of justice of the peace for two terms. In 1881 he disposed of his farm, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 23, in Forest town, where he has since resided. For tlie past twenty-five years, Mr. Carr has enjoyed an extensive practice in the justice courts, and is a uiiui highly esteemed by all. He was married, in the winter of 1S45, to Emily Pierce. They have five children — Isaac F., Harry H., Casion .M., Lucia M. and Nelson R. Richard .J. Harris, who has been a citizen of the ic^wn of Forest for twenty-one years, was born in Rock Co, III., in 1848. In 1853 he was taken by his parents to Stoughton, Wis., and there remained for two years. They then removed to the village of Munford, in (Trant county, and there engaged in keeping hotel for two years. Their next n!ove w^ to Richland Center, Richland county, and three yearti later (in 1860) to the town of Forest. The elder 30 514 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Mr. Harris bought 160 acres of land on section 16. He now resides on section 14. He owns 480 acres of land, and is one of the most thriv- ing and prosperous farmers in the town. On Jan. 1, 1872, he married Harriet Trail, and the fruits of this union have been the birth of five children. Ihree are living — William H., Nettie J. and George T. Cora, the oldest, died in 1874, and Franklin J. in 1881. J. J. Marshall, a native of the Buckeye State, settled here in 1865. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1842, and in 1856 accompanied his parents to the town of Union in this county. In 1865 Mr. Marshall purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 31, and immediately moved thereon. He has increased his farm to 220 acres, and is considered one of the repre- sentative men of this town. During his resi- dence here he has been honored with the office of town supervisor three years, and town clerk five years, was assistant postmaster in the State Senate, in 1883. He was united in marriage, in 1863, to Mary S. Poorman. They have nine children— John L., Elihu F., Mary E., Flora E., Moses B., Sidney J., Nettie, Esther A. and Jessie F. John Lathrop, one the prospering farmers of the town of Forest, was born in Cambridge, Vt., in 1838. He there resided until 1863, when he went to Franklin Co., Vt., where he engaged in farming for five years. In 1808 he came to the town of Forest, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 22, which farm he has increased to 200 acres. Mr. Lathrop was mar- ried in 1861 to Delia Leach, by whom he had two children — Charlie and Nellie. He was so unf<}rtunate as to lose his wife in 1 878. He was again married in 1880 to Louisa Woods, and they have one child — Adelia. His daughter Ne'lie is now the wife of Lawrence Gregory. IMr. Lathrop has been one of the constables of Forest town for five years. John Shajp was born in 1829, in New Hamp- shire, where he remained until 1841, when he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and shortly after to Waukesha county, where he lived twenty- seven years, and then removed to the town of Forest,where he engaged in farming. Mr. Shaw now owns a pretty little farm of forty acres on section 32, where he resides. He was mar- ried in 1856 to Helen Hay, by whom he had one child. Mrs. Shaw died in 1857. Mr. Shaw again married in 1859 Henrietta Beebe, and they have six children — Helen, Henry, Charles, William, Inez and Milan. Helen is now the wife of Eli Sherman. Mr. Shaw was a member of the 7th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry ; enlisted in 1864, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Elijah Bass was born in North Carolina in 1836, and his parents removed to Ohio the same year. He lived in the Buckeye State until 1870, when he came to the town of Forest and purchas- ed thirty-two acres of land on section 28, where he now resides. Mr. Bass has increased his farm to 152 acres. Mr. Bass was married in 1861 to Elizabeth O'Neal, born in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Bass are the parents of twelve children — Ransom, aged twenty-one, Matilda, *aged twenty, William, aged nineteen, Zachariah, aged seventeen, Mansfield, aged fifteen, Caro- line, aged eleven, Ardelia, aged nine, Victoria, aged seven, Martha, aged four, Jewell, aged three, and Simon, aged one and half years. Ma- tilda is now the wife of Warren Newell. J. C. Rodgers was born in 1855, and is a na- tive of Rock Co., Wis., where he remained until 1860, when his parents then removed to the town of Greenwood in this countj-. In 1870. Mr. Rodgers came to the town of Forest, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 6, where he now lives. Mr. Rodgers was married, in 1875, to Phebe Gaudy, who became the mother of one child — Myrtle. Mrs. Rodgers died in 1878, and he subsequently married Mrs. Jane Pointer. Mrs. Rodgers had one daughter by her former husband — Eliza- beth. Mr. Rodger's father, A. W., was born in 1829, in New York. His mother, Sarah, was HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 515 born in 1S3V, in New York, and is now living with her husband at North Hudson, Wis. Napoleon B. Lathrop, a brother of John La- throp, was born in Cambridge, Vt., in 1841, where he resided thirty years, and having learned the trade of carpenter and joiner he went to Canada in 1871, to work at his trade. He remained there two years, and in 1873 re- m.oved to the town of Forest, where he remained but a short time, and then went to Clayton Co., Iowa, and worked at his trade for three years, and at the end of that time he returned to For- est town, where he has since lived. When he first came he purchased eighty acres of land on section 22, which he now owns. Mr. La- throp was married in 1880 to Jane Smith. They have two children — Harvey and Eliza. In 1861 Mr Lathrop enlisted in the 2d regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and at the battle of Savage Station was wounded in the left shoulder; and at t)ie battle of Fisher's Hill he was wounded in the right side of the face; and at the battle of Cold Harbor was shot out of a tree with wounds in the back and right hip. At this time he was acting as a shai'p shooter, having been detailed in 1863 as one of the Vermont sharj) shooters. Jesse Delaney was born in Vernon Co., lud., in 1860. He is a son of Robert and Sarah De- laney, The latter died in 1877, and the former in the town of Forest, in 1880. Mr. Delaney grew to manhood in his native county, and in 1877, while a young man, decided to come west and build up his home among the people of the Hadger State. He came to Forest town in 1877, and owns forty acres of land on section 8, where he now resides. In 1882 he was united in mar- riage to Emma, daughter of William M. and Mary A. Carson. Mr. and Mrs. Delaney have one son — Gideon. James Kile was born in 1820, and received a common school education. In 1845 he re- moved to Rock Co., Wis., and there engaged in farming for one year. He then removed to Wiota, Wis., and a year later removed to Mos- cow, in this State, and lived there fifteen years. In 1877 he came to Vernon county and pur- chased eighty acres of land on section 33, where he now resides. In 1864 Mr. Kile and son George enlisted in the 37lh regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and were discharged in 1865. Mr. Kile was married in 1840 to Huldah Van Norman, who was born in 1821. They have four children — George, who married Laura Burdick; Mary, wife of Wallace Spears; John, who married Julia Salisbury, and Guila, who married Catharine Salisbury. John H. Welts was born in New York, in 1839, and lived there until he was eighteen years of age. He then came west to Dane Co., Wis., and there engaged in farmiug until 1862. In the latter year he enlisted in tiie 23d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was iioiior- ably discharged in 1865. He participated in the following named skirmishes and battles: Ciiickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Ciiampion Hill, Black River Bridge, siege of V'icksburg, siege of Jackson, Miss., Spanish Fort and Grand Caton. At the latter he was taken prisoner on hov. 3, 1863, and was con- tiiied until Dec. 25, l-<63. At the close of the war Mr. Wells returned to Dane county, and iliere remained until 1^77, when he removed to ilie town of Fore-it, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 1, where he now lives. He was married in lt-60to Maria Thompson, who was i)()rn in 1839. They have one daugiiler — Ilattie, aged ten years. Mrs. Wells is the daughter of James and Lydia Thompson. Alfred Weaver, a native of North Carolina, became a resident here in October, 1879. He was born in 1831, and in Se))tember, 1844, ac- companied his father's family to Fayette Co., Ohio. In the fall of 1848 they removed to Grant Co., Ind., where Alfred was married to Sarah I). Revels in the autumn of 1851. In 1859 he removed his family to Sauk Co., Wis. and in March, 1864, enlisted in the 29th regi- ment, Illinois Volunteers (colored), and served twenty months. He returned to Wisconsin, and in 1870 removed to Indiana with his wife and ten children. In 1873 himself and wife were divorced, and in 1877 he .married ]\Iary Certain, who is the inother of^one child. In October, 1879, he settled on section 8, in For- est township, where he has since been engaged in farming. 516 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTi-R XXXV. THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN. The town of Franklin is situated in the southern part of Vernon county, and comprises parts of congressional townships 11 and 12, ranfifes 4 and 5. It has an ai-ea of fifty-two sec- tions or about 33,280 acres. It is bounded by the towns of Jefferson and Viroqua on the north, Viroqua and Kickapoo on the east, Crawford county on the south, and the towns of Sterling and Jefferson on the west. The only streams within the borders of this town are a few small creeks, among which are, Taiuters, a branch of the Kickapoo river, and a branch of the lower Bad Ax river. The general surface of the country is very rough and hilly. Among the objects of natural curi- osity in this town is "Monumental Rock," which is described in another chapter. EARLY SETTLEMENT. To John McCullougli is ascribed the honor of having made the first actual settlement in the town of Franklin. He came in 1844 and afterward entered land and did some breaking. The next spring he brought his family on. His claim was on section 25 of township 12, range ■") west. In 1852 he, with a number of others, went to California, remained a year in the gold region, and wrote to his brother that he was about to return, but he was never afterward heard of, and it is supposed he perished on the plains. In 1845 George P. Taylor located on section 30 of township 12, range 4. He remained till J 882, at which date he sold to J. C. Adkins. Henry Siefert, a bachelor, came in 1845 and settled on section 18, where he built a log house. His mother soon came and kept house for him a number of years, when they removed to Iowa. Another settler of 1845 was Samuel Rice and his brother Hiram. The former brought his family with him. His wife died a year or two Hfter their arrival and he married again, but left his family and moved to Mackinaw, Mich. Abram Stiles settled at Brookville on section 15, in 1846 or 1847. Dr. Swain and Rev. James A. Cook also came the same season. Edward Davis, who was among the pioneers of the town, settled on section 35, township 12, range 5; He was a resident of the county in 1884, but not living on the same land on which he first settled. Andrew Briggs, a man of considerable ability, and who was afterward a member of the State Assembly, settled in the town at an early time. He removed to Readstown, where he died. Michael Hinkst settled on the north half of the southwest quarter of section 31, township 12, range 4, Aug. 6, 1847, where he was still living in 1884. Another early settler was Anson Tainter, whose settlement dates back to 1848. He was born in Virginia, Aug. 19, 1823. His father was Stephen Tainter, a native of Massachusetts. A. G. Tainter married Rachel J. Tobler. Mr. Tainter is one of the well known and well to do farmers of this town ; his residence is on section 11. He owns over 400 acres of land in Vernon county, and 160 acres in Crawford county. Mr. and Mrs. Tainter have been HISTORY OF VERNON COTTNTT. 511 blessed with twelve children, ten of whom were living in 1884. Among other settlers in the town was Ran- som Lamb, who removed from Virginia, his native State, to Illinois, and from there to Franklin township in 1850, where he remained till his death, in 1871. Besides those mentioned as being among the first settlers were : George Pike, L. D. Smith, John Britt, Andrew Henry, James Lawrence, William TJtley, E. Inman, Ira Wixcox, Isaiah Adams and Daniel Read, who built the Reads- town mill. All of these came prior to 1853. C. C. Fortney, an early settler, was the son of Christian O. Fortney, who was born in Nor- way, and came to America in 1856, settling in the town of Franklin, on section 10, township 11, range 4, where he remained till his death, Jan. 11, 1869. He left a wife and two children. C. C. is the only one now living. He was born in Norway in 1846. He married Margaret Jones, daughter of Elling Johnson, an early settler of the town of Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Fortney have five children — Christine, Christo- pher, Gustave, Carrie and Eliza. ORGANIC. The town of Franklin was the last territory in the county to which the name "Bad Ax" was applied. It was changed from Bad Ax to "Loch Haven," by the board of supervisors, April 8, 1857. The following year, 1858, it was given the name of Franklin. No record having been preserved, nothing certain can be determined upon as to who the first officers were. Those of 188.3 were: Chris EUefson (chairman), Arne Larson,William Cla- water, supervisors; Knute Peterson, treasurer; W. W. Johnson, assessor ; Forest F. W. Alex- anof Germans and Norwegians. The school district is pro- vided with a good building, enclosed by a sub- stantial fence, and being near a fine grove '•» a very attractive place. District No. 8, at that date, had an inferior building, in an out of the way place. However 518 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the school usually has a good attendance. The scholars are chiefly Irish and Norwegians. District No. 9 is in the heart of the heaviest Norwegian settlement. The school house liere, is small but in good repair and well furnished. The winter school is usually well attended. In district No. 10 the school building is lo- cated on low flat ground, near a little creek. Here tiie school interests have been greatly neglected. In district No. 11 the building is small and poorly furnished. The location is a beautiful elevation. The attendance is small in the sum- mer time. The school population are chiefly Norwegians, with a few Irish. In district No. 1 2 there is a very good school house, which however, is poorly located on low ground. This school has a good average at- tendance. RELIGIOUS. The earliest religious services within Frank- lin town Were held at private houses before a school house or church had been erected or even contemplated. The first services were con- ducted by a missionary of the Methodist Epis- copal denomination from Prairie du Chien. This was in 1846. A little later a log school house was built on section 17 and services were then held in that. The Rev. Parkins was the first to preach regularly here. The names of the first class organized were, so far as remembered: Dr. George A. Swain and wife, J. A. Cooke and wife. The latter named was the leader of the class and later became a local preacher, remaining such till his death. As the county increased in population so did this Church in membership and spiritual strength. [For some years it was in what was known as the Bad Ax mission, which was afterward included in the Viroqua circuit, and is now known as the Liberty Pole circuit. There are two Norwegian churches in the town of Franklin. One is situated on section 10, town 11, range 4 and belongs to what is known as Hanges Evangelical Lutheran Synod of America. It became detached from the par- ent synod about 1860. It numbers about thirty- five voting members. A church building was erected in 1872. The first trustees were: C. C, Fortney, Ole Torge and Knute O. Fortney. The first pastor was Elling Eilson. The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church is located on section 15 ,town 11, range 4 west This denomination was the first to locate in this town. The first Norwegian settler of the town of Franklin was Torger O. Fortney, who came in 1855; others came about the same time and soon after, services of this people were held in a church built of logs, located just over the line in Crawford county. In 1876 they erected a neat frame church on section 15. The first sermon preached in this building was delivered by Rev. Juve. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Neilson. Others who have preached for and been pastor of this Church from time to time are: Rev. Stubb and Rev. Praus. LIBERTY POLE. This place, as an old pioneer remarked in I88:J, "is an imaginary village." At a very early day some town lots were staked ofF and numbered, of which but a very few were ever sold. Yet this particular locality has always been a prominent land mark to both the resident and stranger. It derived its name from the fact that the first liberty pole or flag stafi' in Vernon county was erected at this point July 3, 1848. A postoftice was established there, called Bad Ax, which, in 1870, was changed to Liberty Pole. Hiram Rice sold the first goods at tliis point. Jacob Higgins erected a store at an early day and he, in company with Capt. Thomas Cade, ran a store for about a year, during a part of 1862 and 1863, when Mr. Cade withdrew from the firm. A Mr. Smith also traded there a little later, as did Luther Nichols. In 1884 there was a small store operated by Knute Peterson. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 519 Soren Hanson, a native of Denmark, came to the United States in 1873 and located in the fall of that year at Liberty Pole. Here he worked at the blacksmith's trade which he had learned in his native land. CEMETERIES. In 1853 James Lawrence buried his sister, Mrs. Henry Williams, on land he owned on section 1 9, and after a few years gave a piece of land containing about two acres, including the spot where his sister was buried, to be used by the town of Franklin as a cemetery. It is situated in a beautiful spot within the forest near the road-side, and is the principal burying ground of the town. There was, in 1884, besides this cemetery, a Norwegian burying place near their church, south of Liberty Pole, and also a few private burying grounds. BIOGKAPHIOAL. We herewith present some biographical sketches of Franklin's most prominent citizens. They are worthy of especial attention. Dr. George A. Swain was one of the pioneers of Vernon county. He was a native of Ohio. His parents were from Pennsylvania, and his paternal father was a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Swain's parents died when he was quite small and he was reared on a farm. He was married in Ohio to Anna Hay, and a few years after suf- fered the loss of a leg by the falling of a tree. After this accident he turned his attention to the study of medicine and removed from Wood to Wayne county, in the same State. He sub- sequently located in Wayne Co., 111., and in 1845 came to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled in a small setllement afterward called New IJrook- ville, and was engaged in farming. He was proliably the first pliysician in Vernon county, and as such his professional services were much in requisition. The county was sparsely settled and a call for tlie "doctor" would probably come from the distant parts of the county. A long ride through forests and underbrush, and small, if any, remuneration was often the result of such calls; but Dr. Swain never faltered when sickness demanded his attention, and many an early settler remembers him with heartfelt gratitude. In 1879 he removed to Kansas. Himself and wife had seven children, six living — Henry V., Jonathan H., John J., Allan L., R. B and William M. Their other child, Julia, died at the early age of eight years. The family are all residents of Bourbon and Rock Co's., Kansas with one exception. Jonathan H. resides on a por- tion of the old homestead on section 21. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 1, 1835, and accompanied his father to this county. He enlisted in the 50th regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, and was in the army about one year and four months. He married Louisa Strieker, daughter of William Strieker. They have three sons and one daughter— Lemard W., Hobart F., Eftie A. M. and Frank W. Mr. Swain's farm contains 114 acres. Michael Ilinksl owns a fine farm of 240 acres onsection 31. He was born in YorkCo., Penn., March 10, 1817, and when eight years of age removed to Ohio with his parents. When a young man he spent ten years at various points in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, engaged in farming and mining. He was employed in the lead mines in Grant Co., Wis., as early as 1830. On Aug. 6, 1847, he came into Ver- non county and located in what is now Frank- lin town, and is tlie earliest settler now re- siding in the town. Otiiers came before he did, but they have moved away or have died. Mr. Hinkst is a man of good edu- cation and possesses a valuable fund of general information. He was the second superintendent of schools for the town and held that position eight years. He has also served as chairman of the board and clerk of the town. Mr. Hinkst was married Oct. 19, 1852, to Eliza Fisher, born in Crawford Co., Penn., Aug. 13, 1824. She re- moved to Wisconsin with her j)arent8 when quite young. She died in the town of Franklin, in 520 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. June, 1S63. Mrs. Hinkst was the mother of four children — George, who resides in Virginia City, Nev., and tliree daughters — Jane, Lydia and May. Ail were students at the State Nor- mal School at Platteviile, and are now engaged in teaching school. Jacob Higgins was one of the earlier settlers of Franklin town, and is well remembered by the pioneers. He was born near Ithica, N. Y., Oct. 2, 1802, and was there reared, re- ceiving a good education. He taught school in New York in early life, and then went to Michigan, where he opened a store and was engaged in mercantile pursuits. On Nov. 10, 1842, he there married Phebe Wisel, and seven years later came to Vernon (then known as Bad Ax) county, Wis., arriving May 10, 1849. He located at Liberty Pole, and immediately bought a quarter section of land on sections 25 and 26, town 12 north, range 5 west. He continued in mercantile pursuits, was also post- master of what was then known as Bad Ax postoffice, and continued in that office until his death. He held various town offices. In March, 1857, he removed his family dn his farm one mile west of Liberty Pole, where he permanently settled, and was a prominent and well respected citizen up to his death, which occurred Sept. 4, 1858. Mrs. Higgins was born at Parma, Catta- raugas Co., N. Y., and removed to Indiana with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have two living children — Sidney, who was born in Steuben Co., Ind., Sept. 2, 1843, has always lived on the old homestead, married Lucy A., daughter of Jesse Davis, an early settler of this town. They have four children. Judson the second son, was born in St. Joseph Co., Mich., Aug. 11, 1845, married Alice Robson, and has four children. Zuleima, the only daughter, was born at White Pigeon, Mich., Dec. 28, 1847, and died on the old homestead, Feb. 16, 1868. Milton Southwick has resided here since 1851. His father, Amasa Southwick, was born in New York, and was married at Jamestown, Chautauqua county, in his native State, to Permelia Sherwin. He removed his family to the village of Harmonsburg, Crawford Co., Penn., and there resided until 1846. In the latter year he loaded up his family and house- hold effects, and with a team of oxen as the motive power, started westward over the moun- tains of Pennsylvania. He traversed the hilly country of eastern Ohio, and tiie flat prairies of northern Indiana, and finally stopped at Janes- ville. Rock Co., Wis. In 1851 Mr. Southwick removed his family to Vernon county and pur- chased a claim of State land of L. D. Smith, at that time a merchant of Liberty Pole. 'i his land was located on section 28, and was farmed by Mr. Southwick until his decease. He died July 17, 1860, leaving a wife and six children. Mr. Southwick learned the carpenter and joirer trade in New York, and followed it for some years after locating here. Mrs. Southwick resides at Salem, Oregon, with her three youngest children — Frank, Mary and Ella. The other children are as follows — Sarah E., wife of David Cary, resides near Soldier's Grove; Mil- ton and Nancy A., wife of Myron Goodell; Amy and Matilda (Brown) are dead. Milton, the eldest son, resides on the home farm, which now comprises 130 acres. He was born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1836, and was fifteen years of age when his parents came to this county. During the war he enlisted in the 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served about two years. He married Juliette, daughter of Ransom Lamb, who was one of the early settlers of this county. They are the parents of eleven children, all living — Aniasa R., Maria J., Burnhara, Ada, Emma, Lucy, Myrtia, Edna, Vesta, Helen and Frank B. Mr. Southwick has also served his neighbors and fellow citizens as chairman of the board of supervisors, road supervisor and town treasurer for several terms. Thomas Cade, familiarly known as "Capt." Cade, is one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Franklin township. He was born HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 521 near Hull, Yorkshire, England, March 9,1811. He emigrated to the United States with his father, Thomas Cade, in 1830. The family set- tled in Michigan, where the father resided till his death. On Aug. 3, 1853, Mr. Cade came to the town of Franklin, and located on a farm he had purchased of James McColloch the preced- ing June. Some five acres of this farm were improved when Mr. Cade became its owner, and he immediately began to clear the land and cul- tivate the soil. He was the first person to ex- periment in fruit growing in Vernon county. In 1854-55, he set out 300 trees, consisting mostly of apples and plums. He also set out three pear trees which bore large and excellent flavored fruit for a few years, and then stopped bearing. In 1854 he went back to Michigan and bought a flock of sheep, which he took to his new home. These were among the first sheep ever brought into Vernon county. His farm now consists of 200 acres. Mr. Cade mar- ried Lydia Read, a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and a niece of Daniel Read, in whose honor the village of Readstown bears its name. Mr. and Mrs. Cade have had eight children, six living — George B., Henry R., Joseph D , John W., Isabell and David A. The deceased were Elizabeth and Jonathan G., the latter a twin of David A. William Clawater, of Liberty Pole, is one of the early and well known settlers of Vernon county. He settled in this town Oct. 21, 1853. He was born at Rock Haven, Clinton Co., Penn., in lf-25, and came to the town of Franklin Oct. 1, 1853. He was married in Pennsylvania, and came here with his family. His father, Wil- liam Clawater, came here at the same time, and lived with his son until his decease. Mr. Clawater and father were the only members of the family that ever came to Franklin town, i He had five brothers and four sisters; two of the former and one of the latter are still living. I His oldest brother, Cornelius H., lives at Stcw- artville, Mo., John F. in Donophon Co., Kan., and his sister Jane, wife of D. M. McDonald, I resides at St. Josej^h, Mo. Mr. Clawater mar- ried Elizabeth E. Hogue, a native of Indiana. They have ten children, three sons and seven daughters — Mary A., wife of Lloyd Coe; Jessie, wife of Thomas Kelly; Jennie, Louis, Kate, Belle, Edna, Forestine, Ray and Wade. Mr. Clawater's general occupation has been farm- ing. He has 256 acres of land in his home farm, also owns land elsewhere. He has been chairman and member of the town board of su- pervisors for about twenty years. John Fortney resides on section 33, and is a son of Thomas Fortney, who became a resident of the town of Franklin in 1856. Thomas Fortney was born in Lysters, Bergens stift, Norway, Feb. 4. 1816. He learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land, and came to the United States in 1853. He bought a tract of land of George P. Taylor, and the resi- due of his farm from the State. He still resides on section 4, where he first settled. Mr. Fort- ney married Susan Ottum, and eight children have been born to them — John, the eldest son, was born in Dane Co., Wis., in 1855. He bought his farm, now comprising 240 acres, of David Carrey. His wife is a native of Nor- way. The second son is Ole, born in Vernon county in 1858, also married and owning 265 acres of land on section 32. The other chil- dren are Hans, Arne, Katherine, Thomas, Christian and Christina. Robert Hornby came to Franklin with ''Ca])- tain" Cade in 1853. He was born in Canada in 1832, and accompanied his father's family to Michigan in 1841. Mrs. Hornby died there and Mr. Hornby, in 1851, went to California, returned to Michigan in 1856, and came to Vernon Co., Wis., residing witli liis son Robert until his death, Oct. 15, 1874. K<)l)ert has been a resident here for thirty years, and owns a farm of 203 acres on sections 26 and 35. He married Margaret Getler, a native of New York, and daughter of Ferdinand Getler. They liave been given five children, four sons and one 522 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. daughter — Martin L., William, George, May and James. Among the early settlers of the town of Franklin, is Andrew J. Johnson, who resides on section 19, of town 12 north, of range 4 west, (town of Franklin), where he settled in Novem- ber, 1853, on government land. Mr. Johnson was born in Albemarle Co., Va., in 1819, where he lived till seventeen years of age, when he removed with his parents, William R., and Francis Jolmson, to Alton, 111. In 1846 Mr. Johnson came to Lafayette Co., Wis., when that State was yet a territory. He came here from that county. His father went to Lafayette county in 1847, and came here with his son, in 1853, with whom he lived until his death in 1861, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife died in Illinois. Mr. Johnson was married in Alton, 111., to Elizabeth Brown, who died in this town July 9, 1872. He has six children — William O., A. F., Anna, wife of Fayette Tainter, Edwin R., Fannie, wife of Nathaniel Bowman, and Mary, now Mrs. Burleigh. Mr. Johnson's farm contains 170 acres. He is one of the substantial citizens of the town of Frank- lin. He has been a member of the town board and also a school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Liberty Pole. Jacob D.ich was one of the earlj' settlers of this town. He was born in Alsaee-Loraine, then a province of France, in 1810, and lived there during early life. He was there married to Mary Miller, and four children were born to them, two daughters and two sons. The two former died, and in 1854 Mr. Dach, wife and t.vo sons, emigrated to America. They came directly to Vernon county, where they joined Mr. Dach's brother, Christian, who had pre- ceded them a year. They purchased of Elisha Inmau, a farm of 160 acres, and both brothers went to work to improve the land. The coun- try was new, also the farm, but both were ener- getic and hopeful, and soon the land was cleared and cultivated. As time progressed, Mr. Dach added to his first purchase, and at the time of his death was the largest land-holder in the town of Franklin, and was successful beyond ex- pectation. He first lived in a log house, 12x16 feet in size, and at present the improvements on the Dach lands are not surpassed by any in the town. 'J'he brother. Christian, died Jan. 26, 1875, and our subject April 28, 1876. The widow and the two sons reside on the farm, which now consists of 557 acres. Jacob, the eldest son, was born in Alsace-Loraine, Jan. 10, 1846, and married Lizzie, daughter of John A. Gross. They have three children — Mary, Lizzie and Jacob. Daniel, the younger son, was born in Alsace-Loraine, Feb. 15, 1849 and is yet unmar- ried. Ole T. Torgar resides on section 28, and is' a son of Torgar O. Fortney, the earliest Norwe- gian settler in the town of Franklin, havinf» located here in 1854. Torgar O. Fortney was born in Bergen stift, Norway, in April, 1807, and was married in his native land. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States, and located at Cottage Grove, Dane Co., Wis., where he bought and improved a farm. On June 15, 1854, he came into Yernon county, and pur- chased of the government a tract of land lying in the two towns, Franklin and Kickapoo. He erected a house on the part that lies on section 15, of Franklin town, and resided there until his death, which sad event occurred I"eb. 18, 1880. When he, Fortney, came to Vernon county his family consisted of a wife and four children — Ole T., Cordelia, Daniel, who now resides on the home farm, and Christina, the youngest. Ole T. Torgar was born in Nor- way, Oct. 11, 1838, and located on his present farm of 240 acres, June 6, 1871. He has been twice married. His first wife was Susan Larson, with whom he lived for fourteen years. Siie was the mother of seven children — 'J'orgar T. O., Carrie, Jane C, Olena, Louisa, Susanna and Soren. His present wife was Johanna Solon- son. They have four children — Ellen C, Sam- uel O., Maria and George A. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 523 William Smith, an industrious and enterpris- ing farmer, owns a farm of 102 acres, on section 17. He was born in Vinton Co., Ohio, March 19,1851. His father, John Smith, came from La Fayette Co., Wis., to this county in the fall of 1855. He first located in the town of Viro- qua, but in December, 1866, removed to the town of Franklin, where he now resides on sec- tion 17. William Smith settled in Franklin town in 1875, purchasing his farm of Daniel Aikens. This farm was first settled by Wil- liam P. Hayter, who is now a resident of the to,wn of Viroqua. When Mr. Smith bought the land, only twenty acres was improved. He has developed fifty-seven acres into fertile fields, and put good and substantial improvements thereon. Mr. Smith did not desire to see the great Smith family disappear from off the face of the earth. He married Melinda J. Aikens, also a native of Ohio. They have two children — Daniel Elmer and Benjamin F. Philip Biddison came to this county in June, 1856. He resides on section 22, town 12 north, of range 4 west, and made his location soon after coming to the county, purchasing a quar- ter section of State land. Mr. Biddison was born in Baltimore Co., Md., near the city of Balti- more, in 1815, but was principally reared in east- ern Ohio. His father, William Biddison, was a native of Maryland, and after removing to Ohio, located on a farm where he resided till his death, at the advanced age of ninety years. Mr. Biddison grew to manhood on a farm. He was married at the age of twenty-three and about that time left farming and settled in the village of Oakfield, Ohio, and engaged in man- ufacturing. Since he came to Vernon county, he has been engaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits. He was married in Ohio to Elizabeth McFarland. They have five children — James E., Sarah J., Samuel D., Sena A. and Philip, all natives of Ohio. Mr. Biddison has 340 acres of land, about 250 of which is under cultivation. John Henderson settled on section 35, in 1856, on the farm, where S. M. Honaker now resides. He was born in the parish of Dalton,in the south of Scotland, July 6, 1806, and came over to America when a young man. His father died in Scotland, in 1817, and his mother came to this country with her son, and lived with him until her death, which occurred Oct. 12, 1863, at the age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Hender- son finally settled at Monument Rock, Franklin town, in this county, where he died Jan. 1, 1878. He was a well-read man, taking pride in the possession of a large and well selected library, containing mostly those works relating to science and religion. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a punctual attendant at its services. On Dec. 9, 1837, Mr. Henderson was married in Delaware Co., Ohio, to Irena Page, a native of Broome Co., N. Y., born Sept. 22, 1819. The fruits of this union were the birth of seven chil- dren, only two of whom are living-John W.,who owns the old homestead, and Irena, wife of Wil- liam O. Johnson. Thomas, the eldest son, died in 1854, aged sixteen years, while attending school at Dubuque, Iowa. Alexander was a member of company F, 8th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and died at St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1863, of wounds received in battle. John W. married Hattie, daughter of Oscar Henry, and resides on the home farm of ItiO acres. Felix K. Van Wagner was born in I'^lster Co., N. Y., in 1827. He married Mary Gorsline in 1848; removed to Calhoun Co., 111., in Octo- ber of the same year; remained theie until 1852; removed to Grant Co., Wis.; lived there until 1856 ; moved to Vernon county and settled on section 13, town of Franklin. Re- mained there until 1864. Moved with his fami- ly to Viroqua, in said county of Vernon ; en- listed in the 42d regiment as a sergeant and I was detached from the regiment as chief of ' military police. Remained in that position until discharged at the close of the war, when he came home and remained in Viroqua until 1^67. Bought the farm of 120 acres on section 18, 524 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. town of Franklin, of John Anderson, first set- tled on by Mr. Eaton. Mr. and Mrs. Van Wag- ner have had eight children, of whom three died in infancy, one, at the age of twenty, and four are now living — Saraii, wife of Alexander Morrison, deceased ; Mary, wife of Daniel Wise ; Augustus and Etta. William Cox resides on section 15, where he located many years ago. He was born in Lin- colnshire, England, in 1835, and when quite young was taken to raise by his uncle, Rev. John Whitworth. In 1S50 Mr Co.x accompa- nied Mr. Whitworth and family to the United States. They came to Wisconsin and located in Vernon county. Mr. Cox purchased the farm where he now resides from Mr. Whitworth. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the 18th Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Champion Hills, Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Altoona, and with "Sherman marched down to the sea." He mar- ried Jane J., daughter of Abner Conkling. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have four children — Lester W., Edwin W., Erminine B. and Harvey T. George W. Bush is a lite resident of Vernon county. His father, George Bush, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, in 1810. He was there mar- ried and five children were born to him. His wife died and he again married, this time to Mrs. Eliza (Suit) Connor. They came to Ver- non county in 1853 and settled at Viroqua. Mr. Bush was landlord of the old "Buckeye House" for several years, and afterward carried the mail and passengers on the stage route between Viroqua and Prairie du Chien. In 1859 he came to Franklin town and bought a farm on section 20, where he lived till his death, Feb. 28, 1875. The children by his first wife were named Elias, Morris, Mary, Emily and Theo- dore. His second wife was the mother of three children — Harriet, Sarah and George. Mrs. Bush died in December, 1868. George W. was born on the old homestead, April 26, 1857. He married Bibalonia, daughter of John Smith, born in Vernon county. They have one son — Charles. On the death of his father, Mr. Bush came into possession of the home farm, which contains 120 acres. Oscar S. Henry has been a resident of Ver- non county since 1851, and is classed among the pioneers. He resides on section 18, of this town, on a farm owned by H. D. Williams, of Viroqua. Mr. Henry was formerly a resident of Illinois, and in the fall of 1851 came to Vernon county with his brother, Samuel. In the summer of 1852 he bought some land in the town of Viroqua and converted it into a good farm. This farm he subsequently sold to Ralph Hall, and it is now owned by his widow, Mrs. Martha Hall. In 1862 Mr. Henry came into the town of Franklin, where he has since resided. He has been a justice of the peace for four years. While living in Illinois Mr. Henry married Lucinda Bowman, who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1835. She went to Illinois with her father, Nicholas Bow- man, when eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are the parents of three children — Mary, wife of Albert Brott; Phineas S. and Hattie, wife of John Henderson. Knudt Hoverson made a settlement in this town in 1862. He was born in Bergen Stift, Norway, in 1806, and came to America the same year, he located in Vernon county. His second son, Martin, preceded him one year, and enlisted in Dane Co., Wis., in the 11th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and died at St. Louis, Mo., while in the service. The eldest son, Hans, remained in Norway. Mr. Hoverson first purchased eighty acres of land on section 15, and since then has increased his farm to 320 acres. Mr. Hoverson has two children living in the town of Franklin — Martha and Einar. The latter was born in Norway, in 1845, and lives with his father on the home farm. He married Betsey S. Thomp- son, and they have four children living — Knudt M., Johanna, Sever and Rodina. They lost one son, Soren. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 625 William Clements settled here in 1863. He was born in Athens Co., Ohio, and is a son of John Clements, who died in 1880. His pater- nal grandfather, James Clements, was the first settler in Athens Co., Ohio. He was a Spaniard by birth, and educated for the priesthood. He never adopted his profession. William Clem- ents located in the town of Franklin, and pur- chased forty acres of land of Thomas Munyon. The remainder of his land he bought from Eleph Divie. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Munyon, and they have nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Lutlier Thompson resides on section 33, where he settled in 1863. He was born in December, 1839, in Bergen Stift, Norway, where he lived until 1855, and then came to America with his father, Andrew Thompson ; the latter died in the town of Franklin, Vernon county, in March, 1875. Mr. Thompson located here in 1863, purchasing a farm of 140 acres of Nelson Cady. Mrs. Thompson came to this country with her father, John O. Svecn, in 1857. The latter died in Christiana town, in December, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have five children — Thomas, Ida Marie, Albert Julius, Emma Jonnete and Thea Chrisdine. Osten Johnson Sveen, who resides with Mr. Thompson, was born in Gudbrands Dalen, Nor- way, Feb. n, 1842, and came to the United States with his father, John Anderson Sveen, in 1857. The latter died in the town of Chris- tiana, Dec. 7, 1878. Mr. Osten J. Sveen has no family lion. Christian Ellefson came to this town in 1866, and now owns a farm of 280 acres on section 14. Mr. Ellefson was born in Lysters, Hergen Stift, Norway, April 20, 1842. He received a good education, and in 1860 emi- grated to America He lived for a short time each in Dane Co., Wis., Dakota, Sioux Ciiy, Iowa, and in 1866, settled in the town of Franklin. Mr. ICllefson has been a prominent citizen for many years. He has been chairman of the town board and treasurer and assessor of the town. He was committed to the interests of the republican party until 1878, when he was the nominee of the independent part for assemblyman. He was elected, and re-elected in 1882, by 288 majority out of a total of 1,543 votes. Ills wife was Lena Michael, a native of Norway. They have six children. Ferdinand Getier was one of the settlers that located in the spring of 1855. He leased a farm for several years, and finally bought land in the town of Sterling. He purchased his present farm of James Hornby in February, 1869. He now owns 179 acres. Mr. Getier was born at Schoharie, Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1815. He is a son of William Getier, who was of German parentage and born on board the vessel which brought the famous La Fayette to our shores to espouse the cause of American liberty. He lo- cated with his parents in eastern New York, and died at Schoharie Court House at the age of over 100 years. Ferdinand Getier learned the tailortrade in his native town, and followed it for many years, bolii before and after coming to Wisconsin. When he came to Vernon county he was very poor, and his wife assisted him athis trade for many years, and to lier is entitled much of the credit of their success in life. Mrs. Get- ler's maiden name was Ellen Van Dusen, of Holland descent. Her father, .Facob Van Dusen, died when she was quite a child, and her mother still resides with her daughter at an ad- vanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Getier are the par- ents of twelve children, eight living — Helen J., divorced wife of James Hornby; Margaret, wife of Robert Hornby; Benjamin, John, William, Samantha, wife of James Latshaw; Cornelia, wife of Willard Bowman and Carrie, wife of William Jackson. Three of their sons were in the Union army. Ferdinand was a member of the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry and accidently killed at Jackson, Miss. Ole E. Soloi, who resides on section 33, and is better known as Ole Ericson, was born in the village of Havslo, Bergen Stift, Norway, July 4, 1833. He came to the Uuiled Sutes in 1856, 526 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and located at Sparta, in Monroe Co., Wis., and afterward at West Prairie, in the town of Sterling, in this county. In 1861 he married Betsey A. Thompson, and in March, 1866, he came to the town of Franklin, and bought a farm of Mr. Richards, one of the early settlers of the town. This farm now comprises 120 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Soloi have four children — Edward E., born at Sparta, Wis., in 1862; Thom, in the town of Sterling, in 1864; Henry, born in 1866 and Peter, in the town of Frank- lin, in 1869. Benjamin Williams resides on section 18, town 12 north, of range 4 west. He bought his farm in 1876 of T. B. Appell. He settled in Vernon county in 1366. Mr. Williams was born in South Wales in 1839. He there learned the trade of a blacksmith and came to the Uniterl States in 1866, the same year that he settled in the county. He located first at De Soto, and engaged in work at his taade, and went to Vir- oqua in 1872, where he also followed black- smithing. His farm contains ninety-five acres. He married in Wales, Elizabeth Deere. Her father was John Deere. Mr. Williams' father also bore the Christian name of John. Mr. Williams at his present location is engaged in farming and blacksmitliing. N. Christian Peterson is the present wagon maker at Liberty Pole. He was born in Den- mark, in lS3o, and there learned the wagon maker's trade. He emigrated to tie United States in 1869, and came direct to the town of Franklin, succeeding Peter Jacobson in the wagon business. Mr. Peterson is an excellent workman, a man of intelligence and highly re- spected by the entire community. Knudt Peterson is a member of the firm of Fortney & Peterson, dealers in general mer- chandise, at the village of Liberty Pole. He was born at Utica, Crawford Co., Wis., in 185.'i. His father, Nels Peterson Bjorkem, was a na tive of Norway and an early settler in Crawford county. Mr. Peterson came to Liberty Pole in 1874 and was a clerk for Williams Bros., until 1878. He was then employed in the same ca- pacity by Geo. H. Tate & Sou, of Readstown and remained with them one and a half years. Re- turning to Liberty Pole, he clerked for C. D. Williams until Nov. 1,1882, when the preseni firm purchased the stock of goods of Mr. Wil- liams and have succeeded him in the business. Mr. Daniel T. Fortney, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Kickapoo town, this county; is a farmer. Andrew Burns is an old settler of the State of Wisconsin, but has resided in Vernon county only a few years. He was born in county Kil- dare, Ireland, about 1822, and lived there until twelve years of age. His parents, Peter and Margaret Burns, died in Ireland, and Andrew came to the United States when about seventeen years of age, with his brother Thomas, who now resides in Chicago. Mr. Burns first stopped at Fall River, Mass., where he worked in the fruit factory of Andrew Robinson and made his home with his employer. In 1846 he located in the town of Cedarburg, now in Ozaukee county where he lived seven years. In June, 1854, he removed to Crawford county and seven years later to the town of Bangor, La Crosse county. Inl876 he came to Vernon county and bought of Eldad Rogers, a farm on seition 30, now com- prising 220 acres of land and well improved. Mr. Burns was married in New Jersey to Sarah Booth, who is a native of Hudson, N. Y., and re- moved to New Jersey with her parents when five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have had eight children, three living — Sarah, wife of Edward Riley, of La Crosse, Marcella and Peter J. Louis N., Mary A., Lucinda and two infants are dead. Abram Newville owns a farm of 120 acres on section 14. He is a son of Jeremiah Newville, who was one of the pioneers of Franklin town. Mr. Newville was born near Albany, N. Y., in 1-10, where he was reared. He married Ra- chel Lawson and removed to Michigan. He subsequently located in Illinois, and went from there to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled on the farm his son Abram now owns, where he lived till his death, which occurred about 1860. Abram was born in New York and came to Vernon county some years after his father. He married Mrs. Jane (Davis) Pidcock, a native of Pennsylvania, 'hey have one son, Jeremiah, who resides on a farm near his parents. Mrs. Newville had three children by her former hus- band-Hugh, Letitia and John C. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 6i1 CHAPTER XXXVI THE TOWN OF GENOA. Genoa was organized in the spring of 1870, a portion of it being taken from the town of Bergen and a part from the town of Wheatland. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Ber- gen and Harmony, on the east by the towns of Harmony and Sterling, on the south by Wheat- land town, and on the west by the Mississippi river. It is seven miles in distance north and soutii and six miles from east to west, and com- prises territory embraced within congressional townships 1-2 and 13, ranges C and 7 west. It contains an area of about 24,000 acres. The town is watered by two branches of the Bad Ax river; the north branch entering the town on section 36, passing through a corner of this section into section 37 of town 12, where it unites with the other branch which enters the town on section 17, runs northwest through sections 17, 8, 7 and 12, where it makes a junction with the north branch. From sec- tion 12, the main stream courses through sec- tions II, 14, 15 and 16 and there unites with the Mississippi river. There are many spring brooks arising along the bluffs of the Bad Ax river, which are tribu- taries to this stream. The general surface of this town is extremely rolling. The valleys and table lands being the best farming lands. EARLY SKTTLKMKNT. The first settler was William Tibbitts, who entered 160 acres of land on section 22, in ]f*')f\ He was followed the same year by Elias Shi.sler, who entered 120 acres of land on section 22, where he was still living in 1884, ,Iohn Ott, one of the wealthiest farmers of the town of Genoa, entered forty acres of land on section 34, in 1853. Ferdinand Guscatte settled where Genoa now stands, in 1855, and engaged in the manufacture of wagons. William Stephenson came in 1856 and pur- chased eighty acres of land on section 17, where lie was still living in 1884. Charles Brown came the same year (1856), and entered forty acres of land on section 20. John Fopper came in 1857 and settled on sec- tion 28, of which he purchased eighty acres. Maj. N. W. Hamilton was one of the settlers of 1S5S. He was born in Fayette Co., Ind., in 1820, and settled in the town of Jefferson, this county, in 1854, where he entered land which he afterward sold to Ramsey and Miller, and then entered eighty acres of land in the town of Genoa, on section 4, moving there in 1858. Mr. Hamilton was married to Alnudia Clark, in 1853, by whom lie has four children — Emla, Isabell, Irila and Jenett. He was the first school treasurer of the town of Genoa, and held the office for eleven years. Among others who settled in this town at a later date were: James M. Bailey, James Stevenson, W. H. Knower and Elijah Powell. James M. Bailey was born in 1815, in Virgina, and settled in Vernon county, near Viroqna, in 1819. He was under sheriff, and at the follow- ing election was elected the second slu-iiff of the county. He moved to the town of (icnoa in 1877, and settled on section 19, town 12, range 7 west. He was married to Elizabeth 528 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Clark in 1847, by whom he has three chil- dren — -William, Jennie and Edward. James Stevenson was born in Ireland, in 1840, and came to America in 1857, and to the town of Genoa in 1863, where twenty years later he was still living on a farm of 200 acres on section 12. He was married in 1862 to Isabel Hamil- ton, of Vernon county. Elijah Powell, who was born in 1820, in Mercer Co., Ohio, came to this town in 1865, and purchased 160 acres of land on section 4, town 13, range 7. He was married in 1842 to Mary Rayner, who died in 1843. In 1814 Mr. Powell married Martha McKee, who died in 1854, and in 1862 he again married a Miss Shelby. Mr. Powell has been the father of seven children. W. H. Knower, one of the most intelligent farmers in Vernon county, was born in 1830, in R icktield, Mass. At ten years of age he moved with his parents to the city of New York, where he received a thorough education, and came west in 1850 to better his health. He taught school in Milwaukee in the winter of 1850-51, and in 1855 came to Ve rnoncoiinty and taught school until 1865, when he settled on his farm in the town of Genoa, on sections 1, 2 and 1 1, of township 12, range 7 west, where he owns 240 acres in one tract. He was married in 1 852 to Mary Elliott, of Bangor,Maine, by whom he has had four children — George, Charles, Susie and Franklin. FIRST EVENTS. The first couple married in the town of Genoa, was David Hastings and Miss Kelsie, in 1856. The first birth of a white child was J. W., son of Samuel and Martha Kelsie, in 1854. The first school was taught in 1855 in a log house, afterward used for a hotel. The first religious services were held at the residence of Samuel Kelsie, by Rev. Delap, in 1856. The first school house was built, in 1 860, on sec- tion 28, where the village of Genoa now stands. The first school was taught by Sarah A. Bacus, in 1856 The first death in the town was David Hast- ings, in 1856. ORGANIC. The first election of what is known as the town of Genoa, was held April 7, 1860, at the village school house of Genoa. The first ofiicers were : E. Page, chairman, Peter Shum- way and Willis Masker, supervisors ; William Burlock, clerk ; John Greeman, treasurer ; Willis Masker, assessor. Officers of 1883: William Riley, chairman, VVilliara Hall and August Vegline, supervisors ; Mathew Monti, clerk ; Barnard Gadola, treasurer ; John Car- penter, assessor. SCHOOLS. The first school in the town of Genoa was taught by Sarah A Bacus, in 1855, on sec- tion 28. In 1884 the town contained six school build- ings, valued at $2,200. The town at this date had a school population of 3i7. RELIGIOtrS. The only religious societies in Genoa, in 1884, was that of the Roman Catholic, who organized at an early day. This Church is made up largely of Italians. Other denomina- tions have held meetings from time to time at school houses. POSTOPFICES. Genoa postoffice was established in 1854, on section 29, on the site of tlie village of Genoa. The first postmaster was Jacob Kelsie, who was after a time succeeded by James McGrath, Mathew Monti, Wm. Bui'lock and J. B. Bozola, who was postmaster in 1884. Romance postoffice was established in 1854, on section 6. The first postmaster was John Tewalt. He was succeeded by William Fox, who still held the oflice in 1884. THE VILLAGE OF GE\0A. This village was laid out and platted by Joseph Monti, on section 28, in the year 1854, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 531 and .was first named Bad Ax, after the only- river in the town of Genoa. For a time it was thought the name Bad Ax quite appropriate as the people were for years kept in fear, by the bad characters that constantly infested their vicinity, from off the Mississippi river, as it was quite a steam-boat landing for steamers, plying up and down the river. However, in ISC, the people thought the name had a tend- aucy to keep the town from being settled by the better class of people, and hence they changed the name. The original plat of the village contained twenty-one blocks. Block 12 was donated to the public, for public uses, by Joseph Monti, and afterward became the public square ■J he first house was erected by David Hast- ings, in 1853. The first store was opened by .Joseph Monti, in 1854. A wagon shop was put in operation at once ; also a blacksmitli shop run by Ferdinand Guscetti. A hotel was erected in 1854 by Sylvester Lupi. The first saw mill was built by William Ofiicer, in 1858. The business of tlie place ii 1884 was represented as follows: Mathev Monti and Albert Zabolia, dealers in dry goods, boots, shoes, crockery and hardware. J. P. Monti, proprietor of the only hotel. Albert Guscetti, blacksmith and wagon shop. The St. Charles Catholic Church was organ- ized in 1862, and a church edifice erected two years later, in the village of Genoa. This building was 24x36 feet, and cost $500. The Church was organized by Rev. Father Marko. In 1884 the Church numbered about 300. CEMETERIES. There were two cemeteries within the town of Genoa, in 1884. One situated a half mile from Bad Ax city (Genoa), on land owned at an early day by Samuel Kels e, on section 21. The other burying place was on section 28. BIOCRAPHICAL. Edward Cox, one of the pioneers of Vernon county, was born in Indiana, in 1832. In 1848 he removed to Prairie du Chien, Wis., and lived there for two years. In 1850 he settled near Springville, in the town of Jefferson, and since then has resided in several different town- ships. He has followed boating most of his life. Mr. Cox was a member of the Ist Wis- consin Battery during the late war, and was honorably discharged in 1865. He was married, in 1855, to Matilda Powell. Of their four children, two are living — Sherman and Eddie. Roscoe and Rosa are deceased. Mr. Cox lost his wife in 1871, and in 1874 married Caroline Oliver. He owns two lots in the city of La Crosse, Wis , and his wife owns sixty acres of land in the town of Genoa, and three lots in the village of Genoa. John Ott, o?ie of the pioneers of the town of Genoa, was born in Germany, in 1820. When ten years of age he came to America with his parents and they first settled in Butler Co., Penn. Mr. Ott remained there for twenty- three years, growing to manhood and obtaining a good common school education. In 1^53 he eaniu to Vernon Co., Wis., and finally entered forty acres of land on section 34, in town 13 north, and range 7 west, wliich sub- sequently became the town of Genoa. 'I'he country was new and sparsely inhabited, and the trials and privations of a pioneer life w( re mail} . Mr. Ott was willing to accept his share of hard work and labored manfully, early and late, to clear the farm and make a liome for liis family. His landed possessions increased slowly and lie now owns 200 acres. In 1810 lie was married ill Pennsylvania to Barbara Sniiih. This union was blessed with four children, three of whom are living — Henry, Mary, wife of Lemuel Gorman, and Charles, who married Clementina Monti. Samuel is deceased. Mrs. Ott died in 1877, and in 1881, Mr. Ott was again married to Catharine Lupi. Elias Shisler has been a resident of Genoa town for twenty-nine years. He was borti in Perry Co., Ohio, Feb. 12, 1827, and was mar- ried to Nancy Barnes March 27, 1844. After this 31 532 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. union he removed with his family to Allamakee Co., I')wa, resided there two years and assisted in the survey of the county. He then came to Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, and located in the vil- lage of Victory, town of Wheatland, and while a resident thei-e served as chairman of the board of town trustees, and two years as constable. He has resided in the town of Genoa since it was organized as a town, and after traveling over fourteen States and three territories has ar- rived at the conclusion that Vernon county meets his approval better than any county he has ever visited. Mr. Shisler has been thrice married. His second wife was Eliza Conroad. They were married Nov. 5, 1855. He had one child by his first marriage, four by the second union and three children by his present wife, all dead but one son of the second wife, Amos by name. Ferdinand Gusoetti, who lives on section 28, came to this town in 1855. He was living in Jo Daviess Co., Ill , and there carried on the manufacture of wagons. At the earnest solici- tation of Joseph Monti, of this town, he was in- duced to come to Genoa and became a settler in 1855. He located in Genoa village when the country around was quite a wilderness and was a wagon maker there for many years. He finally sold his shop and bought eighty-two acres of land on section 28, where he now lives. In 1864 Mr. Guscetti enlisted in the Ist Wis- consin Heavy Artillery and served through the war. He was married in 1840 to Mary Buffi. Of seven children born to them only three are living — Matthew, Juliett, wife of Daniel Bifli, and Catharine. Charles Brown, who was one of the early set- iKr of the town of Genoa, was born in Ireland, in 1829, and in 1849 emigrated to the United Slates, and first settled in the city of New York. Mo followed boating from that port to New Or- li'iins for two years and then moved to White Co., Ind., but not being satisfied, went still further west, and located in Lake Co., 111., where he remained two years, and then re- moved to Genoa, and entered forty acres of land on section 20, where he still resides. Mr. Brown has increased his farm to 120 acres. He was united in marriage in 1855 to Mary Camp- bell. They have seven children — John, Isabella, .M.Trgaret, Franklin, William, Irena and Ro- manso. Mr. Brown was a member of the 18th regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, having en- listed in 1864, ad discharged in 1S65. His father, John Brown, was born in 1800 and is now living in Scotland. Charles Ott, who came to the town of (-Jenoa when but nine years of age, was born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1847. His parents, John and I^aibara (Smith) Ott, are natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania. When six years of age he came to Vernon county witli his parents, and in 1856 located here. Mr. Olt has always been engaged in farming, and owns 180 acres of land on section 2:^, under a high state of cultivation. He has been supervisor of roads since 1880. Mr. Ott was united in marriage, in 18T2, to Clementina Monti, of this town. They are the jiarents of four children — Ida V., Mary R., Jessie E. and Charles M. William Pulliara was born in SufiFolkshire, England, in 1830, and when but six years of age emigrated to the Dominion of Canada, and there remained until about the year 1840, when lie removed to Piscataqua Co., N. H., and was a resilient there about sixteen years. He then came to Vernon county and entered land in the town of Wheatland, which he sold in 18(iO, and afterward, in the same year, purchased 120 acres of land in the town of Genoa, on sections 23 and 24, of town 12 north, of range 7 west. Mr. Pulhain was married to Nisa E. Sandon, of Vernon county, in 1862. They have reared eight children — Agnes, Ellen, Laura, George, David, Frank, Mary and Margaret. Agnes is the wife of Samuel <'wen, of the town of Jefferson. Mr. Pulham enlisted in January, 1864, in the 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and was discharged in July, 1865, at the close of the war. His mother, Elizabeth HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 5.33 Pulham, is now living in Genoa town, at the ripe age of seventy-nine years. His father, William Pulham, was also a native of England, and died in New Hampshire, about 1840. William Stevenson, a native of the "land of Shamrock," located here in IS56. He was born in Ireland in 1820, and resided there till twenty-four years of age. lu 1844 he em- igrated to the United States, and first settled in New York city. In 1855 he removed to Rock Co., Wis., but lived there only one year. In 1856 he came to the town of Genoa, and purchased of James McCormick eight acres of land on section 17, where he has since resided. Mr. Stevenson has been industrious and ener- getic, and at present owns 120 acres of land. In 1863 he came forward and enlisted in the 18ili regimentj Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully until he was honorably discharged at tiie close of the war. He re- uirned home and has since devoted his time tc agricultural pursuits. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Davidson, and two chil- dren were born to them — John W., who mai- ried Josie Graham, and Sarah M. Mr. Stevei son suffered the loss of his most estimable wift and was again married, in 1859, to Elizabeth .Miller. Five children have been given to thi.- union — Lizzie M., Henry A., Ellen R., Anna M. and James E. John Fopper, one of the largest land owners in the town of Genoa, located here in 1857. He is a native of Switzerland, where he was born in 1818. He received a thorough education in his native land and is able to converse fluently in five different languages, including that of Switzerland. In 1857, he resolved to see the far famed America, and accordingly came over tlie same year. After lamling at New York, he c.uue westward to Wisconsin, and sought a new home. He tin.iUy concluded to locate in the new settlement, in what is now the town of Genoa, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 28, where he resided nine years. Mr. Fopper then sold the eighty acres of laud aforesaid and bought 400 acres of the Hecks es- tate on sections 11 and 14, town 12, range 7. Mr. Fopper is unmarried, but has lived with and supported his widowed mother during his resi- dence here. Mrs. Fopper is now at the advan- ced age of eighty-four years, and Mr. Fo}/j>er shows his filial affection by trying to make lier declining days pleasant and comfortable. Mr. Fopper has also two widowed sisters residing in this town — Mrs. Barbara Gess and Mrs. Anna Barbara Gess. William S. Riley, one of the well knownciti- zens of the town of Genoa, was born at Mari- etta, Ohio, in 1845, and remained there until 1858. In the latter year he came to Vernon Co., Wis., and located at Viroqua. In 1861 he enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in l!:*G4. He was captain of the Vernon County Light Guards for two years and under-sheriff for one term. For the past three years Mr. Riley lias been chairman of the town board of supervisors. He is a contractor and builder by occupation anil lias erected some of the finest buildings ami residences in Vernon Co. In 1882 Mr. Ki- ley was married to AnnaLupi. They have one ciiild — Augusta C. AllR-rt F. Kuehn, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Genoa, was born in Prussia in 1S30 and at the age of nineteen left his home for a new one in a land that had only been a a N;ition for seventj'-three years. He spent two years wandering from place lo place over the iiert' republic and finally became satisfied that W'liion Co., Wis., wou Id be the location for a permanent home, lie bought eighty acrts on section 4, town 1 2, range 7 west, town of Genoa in 18i>0, and has since increased his first i>ui- chase to 360 acres. In 1864 he entered the army of his adopted country, enlisting in the 6lh reg- iment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. AVhile ill the service he was wounded in the head and one shoulder and received an honorable dis- charge at the close of the Kebellion. Mr. ( Kuehn has been a member of the town board 534 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. for four years and town assessor for ten years. In 1^63 he was married to Julia Misjahl and nine children have been sent to bless their union — Lina, Elizabeth, Bertha, Albert, Ernest, Huldah, Sophia, Edward and an infant son. Mathew Monti, a sou of Joseph Monti, the founder of the village of Genoa, and its present postmaster, was born in New York city in 1840. His father was a native of Switzerland, born in 181], and emigrated to the United States in 1832, locating in New York city. Mr. Monti's mother was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1811, and died in Vernon Co., Wis., in 1880. When Mr. Monti was but a year old his parents moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1842 to St. Louis, Mo.; thence to Galena, 111., where they resided until 1863. In 1853 Mr. Joseph Monti came to Vernon county and entered 2P6 acres of land in the town of Genoa. Being of an en- terprising disposition he laid out and platted the village of Bad Ax (now Genoa), which he named after the county of Bad Ax (now Vernon). Mr. Mathew Monti now owns twenty acres of land on section 28 and village property. In 1882 he engaged in mercantile pursuits and now owns a stock of goods valued at $2,000. Mr. Monti has served his neighbors and citizens as clerk of the school district six years, justice of the peace ten years; was also town treasurer and has been town clerk and postmaster of Genoa for seven years. He was united in mar- riage in 1864 to Almira Greenman and three children have been born to them — Leona, Au- gustus and Blanche. •John Carpenter came to this county in 1866 and resided in the vicinity of Victory for five years. He then settled in the town of Har- mony and there resided until 1868, then moved to the town of Genoa, where he owns 2Y8 acres of land. He was born in New York in 1833, :inil in 1861 married Marcia Ann Rogers, a n;itive of New Hampshire, who accompanied her parents to this county and located in the town of Harmony, in 1853. In 1864 Mr. Car- penter enlisted in the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably dis- charged at the close of the war. His parents came to this county in 1866 and settled at Vic- tory, in Wheatland town. Mr. and Mrs. Car- penter are the parents of six children — Frank, Lou'sa, wife of George Van Vleet, Robert, Rox- ania, Agnes and Ross. K. L. Oakes, who became a resident of the town of Genoa in 1867, was born in "the good old State of Maine," (Kennebec county), in 1821. In lS-i7, when he was but six years of age, his parents removed to Penobscot county, in the same State, and in 1848 they located in Wor- cester Co., Mass. In 1855 Mr. Oakes came out to see this western country, and appearing sat- isfied that the State of Wisconsin would de- velop rapidly and take her place among the foremost States of the Union, (like his native State), he settled at Springville, Adams county, where he remained twelve years. A desire to see more of this wonderful country, and per- haps to better his fortunes, led him to seek Vernon county. He there purchased of Amos Moore 166 acres of land on sections 4 and 34, in towns 12 and 13 north, range 7 west. Mr. Oakes resides on his farm on section 4, about three miles southeast of the village of Genoa. While a resident of Springville, Adams county, 'ae en- listed in the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Oakes was married in 1848 to Polly D. Newton. They were the parents of one child — Clara, now the wife of Anson Elliott. Mrs. Oakes depaited this life in 1851, and two years later Mr. Oakes married Armanda S. Newton. They have been given seven ehildien, three living — -Florence J., wife of Charles F. Smith; Jessie S. and Horace E. Ella died in 1850, Bertha in 1861, Frank E. in 1865 and Alice in 1869. John H. Seal was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and in 1842 accompanied his parents to Ohio. In 1845 they removed to Du Page Co., 111., and in 1850 to Vernon Co , Wis. They first settled at Springville, and in 1870 Mr. Seal HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 535 came to the town of Genoa and purcliased forty acres of land on section 3, of town 13 north, range 7 west, which he has increased to 200 acres and all free from incumbrance. Mr. Seal was married in 18*)0 to Emily P. Tainter, and their union was blessed with one child, now living — Edmund. Mrs. Seal died in 1803, on the 19th day of January. He was again mar- ried in 1869 to Julia E. Shrouf, who died in ISri. Mr. Seal the third time united in mar- riage to Sarah J. Irvin, by whom he bad five children, all now dead. His wife died in 1S79. His fourth and present wife was Paulina Mund- sack, whom he married in 1882. Mr. Seal is a very prosperous farmer. He is the fallier of two living children — Edmund and John E. J. W. Clayson was born in New York, in 1822, and in 1855 removed to Richland Co., Wis., where he entered land, which he afterward sold. In 1860 he went to Crawford Co., W is., where he remained seventeen years, and then came lo the town of Genoa, where he purchased eighty acres of land from George P. Griffin, on section 24, of town 12 north, of range 7 west. He has since increased his farm to 101 acres. He was married to Margaret J. Davis, and two of their children are now living — Charles an^l George. Mrs. Clayson died in ' 1857, in Richland county, and in 1860 Mr. Clay- son was married to Jane Mullen. In 1864 Mr. Clayson enlisted in the 52d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably dis- charged in 1865. Albert Zabolie was born in Italy in 1858, and emigrated with bis parents to the United States in 1877, and settled in the village of Genoa, where his father and himself opened a dry goods and general store. They now carry the largest stock of goods in the village, valued at about $5,000. Mr. Zabolie was married in 1882 to Rosa Starlochi, of Vernon county. Mr. Zabolie':; father, August Zabolie, is still living in the village of Genoa. Albert is doing a pros- perous business in his line of trade. 536 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTEK XXXVII THE TOWN OF GREENWOOD. This town comprises township 13, range 1 east, which is in the southeastern corner of the county, bounded on its north by Hillsborough, on its east by Sauk county, on its south by Rich- land county and on its west by the town of Union. Like most of the land in Vernon county, this is rough and broken. The land that is tillable is of a fertile quality. The town is well supplied with small streams, among which are Pine and Baraboo rivers, and their numerous tributaries. The northern portion of the town is traversed by the Baraboo and its branches, while the southern part is coursed by the Pine and its branches. There are a great number of fine springs throughout the town. At one time the hop crop was an important business in this section of the county; but of late years they are not 80 much raised. At one time just after the war, when hops brought fifty cents a pound, nearly every land owner went into this specula- tion; planted out large hop yards and erected the necessary buildings. This, together with a big crop, put the price down to a shilling a pound; and by this reverse cpused a loss of many thousands of dollars to this section of Vernon county. In 1884 but few hops were produced within the county. But at this date, and for two or three years previous, tobacco culture has been entered into extensively in va- rious parts of the county. EARLY SETTLEMENT. This is one of the earliest towns settled in the eastern part of the county. The first settler was William Van Alstine, who came in as early as 1851, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 23. In 1852 he sold to Isaac Meek, who came from Indiana. Meek only remained about a year, then sold out and returned to Indiana, where he was ordained a Wesleyan Methodist minister. Van Alsiine went to Oregon. In 1884 the oldest settler living in the town was William Jordan, a native of Pennsylvania, but who came here from Indiana with Isaac Meek, and settled on section 23; a few years later he moved to Missouri, but soon returned to his location on section 23. The first land entry in the town was made by James B. Avery, a resident of Baraboo, who entered the south half of section 22. The pat- ent bears date January, 1852, but is said to have been entered some time previous to this. R. G. Story came, in 1854, and settled on sec- tion 27. He sold out and in 1856 moved away. Caleb and John S. Shreve came in 1853. Caleb settled on section 22, where he was still living in 1884. John at first located on section 23, but later moved to section 15. There was a village laid out, in the fall of 1855, by James R. Strait and Richard Smith, called Debello. It was situated on the south- east quarter of the southeast quarter of section 22. Mr. Smith came here from Indiana in the fall of 1855, and brought a stock of goods with him and opened a store, which he operated a year or so, when he closed up and removed to Missouri. He sold his store to Morgan and Joseph Hansbury. Daniel Bates opened a blacksmith shop in 1856. He engaged in this about a year and then moved away. lIISrOKY' OF VERNON COUNTY. 537 A postoffice was established in 1855. James R. Strait was appointed postmaster. In 18.56 he was succeeded by Moses Jordan. In 1884 Elias Kejjley was postmaster, keeping the office at his house on section 27. It is on the route from Hiilsborougli to Rockbridge.. This vicin- ity is still known as Debello, although the vil- lage, once so flourishing, with lots selling for $50 each, is now converted into farms, and corn, wheat and oats grow in what was the principal thoroughfare of tiiis place. Ill 1882 Andrew Volstad opened a store on section 23, which has proved a great conven- ience to the farmers in the vicinity. Below is ttiven the names of many of the pioneers of this town, together with the dale and location of their settlement, brief sketches, etc. No special attention is paid as to the exact order in which they came, simply a record of the facts connected with their settlement: Horace A. Rhinehart, of New York, came in 185G and bought land on section 34. He after- ward moved to section 27. William Hynes, an Englishman by birth, came in 1856, settling on section 34. George Jepson, of England, settled on sec- tion 34, in 18rJ5 ; he sold the following year and moved to the town of Union. Joseph Martin, a native of New York State, came in 1854, and located on the southwest quarter of section 26. He was an unmarried man and lived alone, working his place until 1864, when he sold to Einar Nelson and moved to Iowa. William Shreve, a native of Pennsylvania, in company with his three sons, Eden, Hezc- kiab and James H., came to the town from Ohio, in the fall <>f 1855. The father settled on the northwest quarter of section 22, where he remained till the time of his death, in ISO. Hezekiah and Edeti lived at home several years, after which the former moved to section 22, and the latter to Storm Lake, Iowa. James H. settled on section 15. James R. Strait came from Indiana in 1855, and purchased the southeast quarter of sec- tion 22. Richard Simtli came from Ohio in the fall of 1855, and brought along a small stock of goods. He stayed only a few months, then moved south. Freeman Webster, of New York, came in the spring of 1855, and located on section 8, where he remained until 1874, then moved to Hills- borough, where he was living in 1884. Morgan Lloyd, a native of Ireland, came in 1856, and settled on section 20, where he died in 1882. Owen Conaway, an Irishman, settled in 1856, on section 17, where he died in 1881. Charles Landruni, of Indiana, settled in 1855, on section 23, built a log house and remained two years, after which he sold to Clement Clier- riiigton, and moved to Hillsborough, where he died in 1882. Abraham Kuffman, of Pennsylvania, settled on section 15, in 1856. Robert Bailey, a native of Canada, located on section 21, in 1854. Reuben Miller came from Indiana in 1855, and settled on section 14. Hugh Brandon came from New England, in 1855, and settled on section 13, where he was still living in 1884. Phineas Bundj, a native of North Carolina, came to the town in 1855, and settled on sec- tion 27, where he resided in 1884. Malcom McMillan, of Nova Scotia, came in 1855, from Michigan, and located on section 20. Mike Farrell, an Irishman, came in 1855 and located on section 5, where he was still living in 18S4. John Rice, also a native of Ireland, settled on section 7, in the spring of 1856. Among the pioneers of 1856 who are entitled to sketches in this connection is Moses Jordan, who is a native of New Jersey; he was born in 1801. When fouryearsold his parents moved to Pennsylvania, wliere he grew to manhood. When but thirteen years of age he engaged in 538 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. a flour mill to learn the milling business. In 18;i2 he removed to the State of New York, where he remained until 1838, when he moved to Illinois, lived there five years and moved to Indiana, where he remained till 1853 and then came to Bad Ax county, and bought the north half of the northwest quarter of section 26, town 13, range 1 east, in what is now Green- wood town of Vernon county. In 1854 he moved to Readsburg, where he lived two years, then returned to Greenwood. In 1869 he had the misfortune to lose his eyesight, since which time he has been blind. He was mar- ried in 1822 to Mary Shaner, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1805. They have had nine children, six of whom were living in 1884 — William, Susan, Elizabeth, Harriet, Mary and Louisa. Mr. Jordan has been a prominant man in town affairs, having been elected as the first justice of the peace, also first town treas- urer. Thomas Brown, who lived in the town of Viroqua, bought the southeast quarter of sec- tion 22, in 1857. His father James Brown and family lived here at the time. Mr. Brown was an educated man and followed school teaching and surveying. He died in 18'70. Joseph Hansberry came here from Indiana about the same time, or perhaps a little earlier, remained a few years and then left the county. Elias Kegley settled in the town in 1856. He is a native of Virginia, born in Wythe county, Sept. 3, 1824. When fourteen years old his ])arents moved to Johnson county, where he grew to manhood. In 1856 he came to Wis- consin, spent two years in the town of Green- wood and then went to Missouri, where he remained until 1862. From there he removed to Iowa where he spent a year, then returned to this town. In 1864, he went to Pine River, Richland county, where he remained till 1867, and again returning to this town bought his farm on which he lived in 1884. He was mar- ried in 1856 to Rebecca Bundy by whom he has had five children — Albert H., Mary R., Ida J. George A. and Ellen. FIRST EVENTS. One of the first marriages, in the town of Greenwood, was Joseph Trean and Miss Brook. This ceremony was performed in 1855. They settled on section 22, remained a few years and moved to Indiana. The first birth in the town was James, a son of Robert and Jane Bailey, who was born Oct. 1, 1854. In 1884 he was living in Iowa. The first death in the town was a son of John S. and Caroline (Beck) Shreve, named Perry, who died in March, 1854. The first town election was held in August 1856. The first blacksmith in the town was John Staley, who opened a shop in 1855, which was located on section 15. He died while serving in the Union army, in 1863. ORGANIC. The town of Greenwood was organized in April. 1856, and the following officers elected : U. Gregory, chairman; Caleb Shreve and Ran- som Daley, supervisors, Joseph D. Hansberry, clerk ; but as he removed from the town before his term of office expired, Thornton Perry was appointed to fill the vacancy. R. G. Story was elected superintendent of schools, but on ac- count of his removal, C. A. Fuller was appointed in his place. Moses Jordan and Mr. Knox, jus- tices of the peace ; John S. Shreve, assessor. At the annual town meeting, in 1883, the fol- lowing officers were elected for the ensuing year: John Shaughnessy, chairman, John Anderson and Joseph Pliner, supervisors ; William Bran- don, clerk ; .lohn S. Shreve, treasurer ; J. W. Shreve, assessor ; Horace Rhinehart, justice of the peace; A. Hanson and Hiram Sanders, con- stables. SCHOOLS. In 1884 the town of Greenwood was divided into six school districts. The first school house in the town was in what is now known as district No. 5, built in HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 539 1856, and stood on the southeast quarter of section 22. Grace Brooks was the first teacher. This house was used but two or three years, when it was replaced by auotlier log house, which was still standing in 1884. The first school in district No. 5 was taught in a log house belonging to Calsina Townsetid, situated on the northwest quarter of section 14. The first term of school in this district was taught by Jane Townsend in 185T. A school house was built on the northwest quarter of section 14, in which Marie Smith was the first teacher. This house was in- use till 1877, when a frame house was erected on the southeast quarter of section 14. Marie Smith also taught the first school in this build- ing. In district No. 4 the first school was taught by Margaret Fuller, in 1858, at Morgan Lloyd's house. In 1859 a school house was provided on the northwest quarter of section 20, in which Sarah Brown taught the first term of school. This house was in use for school pur- poses till 186S, when a new one was erected on the site of the old one. Martin Shields taught the first school in this house. In district No. 3 the first school iiouse was built in 1857 or 1858, and was situated on the southwest quarter of section 8. Mary Givens wasoneof the early teachers here. This build- ing was afterward enlarged and served the dis- trict until 1880, when a frame building took its place. Charles Colier was the first teacher who taught in the new building. In district No. 7 a school house was built in 1859 ; this was located on the southwest quarter of section 36. This was a small log house which served the purpose until 1866, when an- other log building was erected, which stood on the northwest quarter of section 36. Mary Rennick was the first teacher employed in this building. District No. 8 was provided with a school house some time in 1866 or 1867, on John Anderson's land, on section 32. Susan Outkelt taught the first school in this house, which was moved in 1871 to section 31, and used till 1880, when another building took its ])lace, on the south- west quarter of section 29. Kate C'ostello was the first teacher in the last named building. RELIGIOUS SOCIKTIKS. The first religious services in the town were held at the log school house on section 23, in 1857, by Rev. M. Clingman, a Methodist preacher, who organized a class of which Josephus Cherrington was leader. This class continued to hold services for about five years. Revs. Moore, Day and Holcomb preached for tliis society as long as it had an existence In 1856 the United Brethren organized a class at the same school house. Rev. Adam Shambeau, from the Kickapoo, was the preacher, and Horace A. Rhinehart was class leader. Another United Brethren class was formed in 1877 at the house of Samuel Watson, by D. K. Young. This class numbered forty mem- bers, Joseph Frank was the first leader. Meet- incs were held at the house of Mr. Watson till the church was built in 1878 on section 16. The following preachers have served this people: Revs. Charles Hibbard, William Smith, D. K. Young and E. Casper. Tillman Sanders was class leader in 1384, at which time services were held once in two weeks. The Christian Church was organized in 1860, at the log school house on section 22, by Rev. Abraham Williams. James II. Shreve was the first deacon. Rev. Williams was succeeded by Isaac Lepley and he by James II. Shreve. In 1879 they completed a church, which was built of logs located on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 15. John S. Shreve was deacon of the Church in 1884. Tiie Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church held its first meetings in private houses. Rev. Preus, a missionary, was their first preacher. In ISTI they built a hewed log church on the southwest quarlnr of sect'on 25. The Seventh Day Adventists held their first meeting in this town in June, 1878, in a tent on 540 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. section 26. Elders O. A Johnson and P. L. Horn were the preachers. Tliey organized a society, the following winter, at a private house owned by Jonathan Hunter, on section 2.5. There were about thirty members. B. F. Thomas was chosen first deacon. In 1880 a church was built on the northwest quarter of section 2-5. Elder Johnson preached for some time and was finally succeeded by Elder C. W. Olds. The first Catholic servicfs in the' town of Greenwood were held at M)rgin Lloyd's house on section 20, in 1860. Father Peter Montague was the first priest, whose home was over in Juneau county, but he supplied this settlement of Catholics, occasionally. In 1871 a church was built, which was located on the northwest quarter of section 9. Father Bernard was the first regular priest in charge after the liouse of worship was erected. hansbeery's Mir.L. This mill was built by Nicholas Didivt, in 1874, and is situated on the northeast quarter of section 3. The power is derived from the Baraboo river aud from a fifteen horse-power engine. The river at this point gives an eight foot fall. In 1S75 Didivt sold to Mithius Hansberry, who still operated it in IS84. CEMETERIES. The first place set apart for a burying ground was on section 2.3, near Debello, on llie Van Alstine farm. In 1884 there was a Norwegian cemetery near their church on section 23 and one on the northwest quarter of section 22, near the Christian church; also a Catholic cemetery on section 9 by their church. BIOGRAPHICAL. The following sketches represent a large number of the leading citizens of Greenwood town in the order in which they made a settle- ment here: Otto F. is a son of Otto Hammer, one of the pioneers of Hillsborough. He was born in Nhw York Oct. 23,1847. He was but eight years of age when his parent? came to Wisconsin and became pioneers of Bad Ax county. He received his education in the public schools of Hillsbor- ough town. At seventeen years of age he com- menced to learn the shoemaker's trade and worked at that three and one-half years. He then engaged with Carl Ludwig, and was in his em- ploy, working in the brewery and on the farm four years. He was married Dec. 25, 1870, to Mathilda Duft. They have five children — Jo- sephine, Emma, Mathilda, Mabel and Robert. The May previous to his marriage he had bought timber land on section 1, town of Greenwood. He has since cleared a farm, built a house and now makes this his home. Caleb Shreve, a pioneer of Vernon county, and son o!^ William and Eleanor (Caleb) Shreve, was born in Miami Co., Ind., May 29, 18.'3. When but an infant his parents removed to Perry Co , Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was there married, Sept. 15, 1842, to Naomi .Jennings. Mr. Shreve remained in Perry county until 1853, when he started west to seek a home. Arriving in Wisconsin, he bought the southwest quarter of section 22, town 13, range 1 east, in territory now known as Greenwood town, Vernon county. Here he was one of the first settlers, as there were less than a dozen families in the eastern part of the county at this time. In 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, went south and served two years. In 1863 he received an injury and was discharged on account of disability. He also lost his voice; but a few years later he fell from a barn which was the means of restoring it to him. He, however, again lost it and now converses only in a whisper. He had no school advantages and consequently is not an educated man, but is endowed with a good share of om- mon sense. Mr. Shreve is kind.hearted and hospitable, cheerful in his disposition and en- joys the respect and confidence of all who know him. He is a good judge of a horse; also treats them for diseases. His practice in this profes- sion is very large, extending into Sauk and Richland counties. On April 7, 1879, Mrs. Shreve died, leaving eight children — Ezra W., HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 541 Sarah E., Smith, John J., Isaac L., Arminda, Lovica and Caleb Perry. Mr. Shreve was a member of the first board of supervisors of Greenwood town and also has been postmaster at Debello. William Smith Shreve was but six years of age when his parents located in this town. lie was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1847. His parents were Caleb and Naomi (Jennings) Shreve. They came to Vernon Co., Wis., in 1853, and were pioneers of Greenwood town. William S. grew to manhood on the homestead farm, assisting in the farm labor during the summer, and attending.school in the winter season. He bought some land in Sauk county, and after his marriage traded this land for a, farm on section 22 of this town, where he lo- cated, built a log cabin and resided till 1882. In the latter year he settled on his present farm, which is on the same section, and now includes the plat of the village known as Debello. Mr. Shreve was married, in 1868,to Susan Fries, and five children have been given them — Mary Amanda, Charles F., Louisa M., Susan Edith and Myrtle C. John J., another son of Caleb and Naomi (Jennings) Shreve, was born in Boone Co., 111., Oct. 4, 1853. He went to Dakota in 1873, and took up a homestead in Turner county. Here he lived until 1881, when he returned to the town of Greenwood. He settled on his present farm in 1882. He was married, in 1876, to Ellen Rogers. They have two children — Ada J. and Edward O. John S., son of William and E'eanor (Smith) Shreve, was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Feb. 16, 1828, and there grew to manhood. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Caroline Beck, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1853 he came to Wisconsin to seek a home, settling on section 23, of township 13, range 1 east. In 1854 he went to Sauk county and found employment clearing land, for which he was paid six shil- lings per day. In this way he raised money to pay for his land. In 1855 he traded his land on section 23 for 120 acres on section 15, moved there, built a good log house, and commenced clearing the land. Mr. Shreve has been very successful in his endeavours to make a home, and now owns 160 acres of land, seventy acrts of which is under cultivation. Mrs. Shreve died Jan. 25, 1858, leaving nine children — Mary Ellen, Hezekiah, William A., Joseph, Xapoleon, Sarah, John E., Armilda and Isaac. William A. was born March 25, 1856, and died April 23, 1880; Sarah was born Jan. 25, 1860, and died in September, 1875. In 1871 Mr. Shreve was married to Emma C, daughter of William and Yanca (Jenkins) Uiiies, and widow of James Bundy. They have two chil- dren — Charles and Amy. Mr. Shreve has been prominent in town affairs. He was the first asses- sor in Hillsborough town, and filled that office in Greenwood eleven consecutive terms. He is the present treasurer. Mrs. Shreve died June 25, 1858. Prentiss Abbott is a son of Aaron A. and Abesta (^[oulton) Abbott, was born in Tunbridge town, Windsor Co., Vt., in 1822. When four years of age, his parents moved to Boston, Mass., where his father engaged in the boot and shoe business. After remaining there one year, they moved to Canada, settling in the province of Quebec. At the end of six years they re- moved to Port Hope, province of Ontario. Here it was that Prentiss began his career as a hunter. Game was plenty, and he s])ent a greater part of his time in hunting and trapping, and made con.siderable money thereby. In 1838 bis parents moved to Milwaukee, Wis., where they lived one year, when his father bought some timber land from the goveriinient, situated five miles from Milwaukee, and Pren- tiss helped him to clear it. Game being abund- ant, Prentiss spent much lime Iiunling deer, bear, elk and panthers, finding a ready sale for them in Milwaukee. When he was twenty-one vears of .age he, in coinjiany with his brother, erected a large frame house on tlie farm and opened a hotel, called the Kinnekinick House. One year later he sold out and went to Wau- kesha county, where he purchased a farm, 542 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ereQted a large house, part log and part frame, and engaged in farming and keeping hotel. Two years later he removed to Washington county, and in 1854 he again changed his resi- dence, coming to Vernon county, and entering 640 acres of land in town 13, range I east, now known as Greenwood. He built a log house on the southeast quarter of section 10, and com- menced clearing a farm. In 1861 he went to Hills- borough, bought town property, and opened a hotel. He remained in this business until 1875, when he again returne here until 1866, when he sold to his son an( bought land on section 34, which he has sinc( made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson had sev en children — Nels E., Paul, Rachel, Carrie. Mary, Christiana and Johanna. Nels E., the old- est son of Einer and Gure (Paulson) Nelson, was born in Norway, Jan. 18, 1842. When thirteen years of age ho accompanied his parents to America and soon after commenced life's battle for himself. He readily found emi)loyment as a farm laborer, and on Nov. 18, 1861, enlisted in company H, 15th regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry and participated in all the skirmishes and battles of that regiment. He was severely wounded on the third day of the battle at Stone River and lay in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn, for six months. He re- joined the regiment at Murfreesboro and at the battle of Chickamauga was taken prisoner. He was confined in the enemy's prisons at Rich- mond and Danville, Va., for seventeen months, and while at the latter place succeeded, with a few companions, in digging with wooden shovels a hole under the prison wall and cscaj.- ing, but was soon recaptured. From Danville he was taken to the renowned Andersonville pen, where he spent six months, and was sub- sequently taken to Charleston and Florence, South Carolina, and then to Richmond asrain, from which latter p ace he was paroled. He was afterward taken sick with typhoid fever and sent to the hospital at Annapolis, Md., go- ing home from thence on a furlougli, and finally mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 6, 1865. When he entered the army he weighed about 185 poXinds, and when honorably discharged at Madison four years later he tipped the beam at ninety-five pounds — the result of sickness, ex- posure and prison life. As soon as he had re- covered a portion of his lost strength he en- gaged in farming and in 1806 purchased his father's farm on section 26, of this town, where he has since resided In 1869 he was married to Betsey Johnson, and nine children have been given to them, six now living — James A., Ed- ward N., Clara P., OjerteR., Robert and George .M. John Anderson, one of the early N(rrwei;ian settlers of Greenwood town, was born in 1829. His youth and early manhood were spent in school and on a farm in his native land. In 1857 he left home and came to America Going directly to Wisconsin, he settled in Dane coun- ty, where he w^s employed in farming. He re- mained there until 1865, when he came to Green- wooil and purchased land on section 32. He immediately began improving his land and now has a farm in a good state of cultivation. In 1855 he was married to Julia Christo|)herson. Fifteen children blessed this union, twelve of whom are now living. Mr. Anderson is as well educated in English as in Norwegian. He is a leading member of the Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical ('lunch. .Mr. Anderson is jiromi- 32 550 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. nent in town affairs and is a member of the town hoard, now serving his second term. Adiilphus P. Mallow was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 18-37. His parents were early settlers in Sauk Co., Wis. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted for one year in the 60th Ohio Vol- unteer.", company C, and while in that regiment, was at New Creek Station, Winchester, Mc- Dowells and Harpers Ferry, where he was taken prisoner and paroled with the rest of the Union soldiers. His time being nearly out, be was sent to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, till he was mustered out, when he returned to his Wisconsin home, where he remained one year, forming the acquaintance and marrying the only daughter of Dr. Aaron Winslow, one of Vernon county's oldest and most respected citizens. They were married the 3d of Janu- ary, 1864, and the 4th he left home to enlist in the 19th Wisconsin, and was in battles of Fort Darling, Fair Oaks and other engagements ot that summer of 1864, when the Army of Poto- mac lay in the rifle pits in front of Petersburg. On that memorable day in April, 186-5, when the Union soldiers went into Richmond, he entered with his regiment and remained on duty at the Custom House until August 9, when his regiment was ordered to Wisconsin to be mustered out. He returned to Woodbind, engaged in farming, and ii> 1872 purchased E. M. Winslow's place and an interest in the Dr. Winslow farm in Greenwood, on section 11, where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Mallow have four cliildren living — Ralph W., Hattie Maud, Charlie E. and Edith Lillian, and one, Freddie, deceased. D.ivid G. Mullin settled on his farm in Greenwood town, in 1875. At that time it was lieavily timbered, but he has cleared fifty acres, built a good frame house and granary, and is now engaged in grain and stock raising. He was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 9, 18.38. Wiien but three years of age, his parents moved to Lewis county, where his father bouglit 20U acres of timbered land in West Turin, and cleared it. David here grew to manhood, making his home with his parents until eighteen years of age, at which time he went 10 Illinois, and from there to Salem, Neb., where he remained about eighteen months. He then returned to New York remaining there until 1865, when lie went to West Blue Mound and purchased a farm. Two years later he sold this place and went to Dunn county, engaged in lumbering (me season, going from thence to Minnesota, where he pur- chased 280 acres of government land in Brown county. He improved 240 acres of this land and remained there until 1875, when, as before stated, he came to Greenwood. He was mar- ried, in 1865, to Mary Bohn. They have been blessed with six children — Hattie, Florence, Charles, Clara, Eda and Susie. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 551 CHAPTER XXXVIII THE TOWN OF HAMBURG. This town, like that of Webster, is six miles square, comprising township 14, range 6 west. It is bounded on the north by the county of La- Crosse ; on the east by the town of Coon ; on the soutli by the town of Harmony ; and on tlie west by the town of Bergen. The town is watered by one river, which is fed by a large number of small tributaries. The Coon river is formed by three or four small >ireams in the northeast part of the town, and lakes Its course through sections 12, 13, 24, 2C and 27, and on the southeast quarter of sectior •28 flows into quite a large basin. From this il continues its course northerly, then westerl\ through sections 28, 20 and 29, and leaves the town on the northwest quarter of section 30. The surface of the country is very roUinj. and hilly, but in the valleys and on the bluffs i^ found soil that when fully cultivated will pro- duce bountiful crops. BARLY SETTI.EMENT. 1 he first settler in the town was Ole Peterson Gullord, a native of Norway, who came to this country in 1848, and to this town two years later (1850). He entered eighty acres of land on section 13, which he has since increased to 200 acres. In 1854 he married Caroline Evenson, and four children have been born to them — Pe- ter, Amii-1, Charles and Joel. Mr. Gullord was followed in the same year by Mathias Larson, who located where he still resides. In 1851 Nels Erickson became a member uf the pioneer band, and took up a homestead of eighty acres. Close after Mr. Erickson came the present county treasurer, Ole Johnson, who traveled nearly ti,000 miles to find a home in the town of Hamburg. Andrew Evenson arrived early in 1852. He is now deceased. Peter Oleson Brye made his home here for a short time, but was induced by the settlers of the town of Coon to pitch his camp in their midst, that they might have the benefit of his educational facilities. Even Egleston came into the town in 1853, and was the first to erect a house in the vicinity of Chaseburg. He was born in Norway, in IS. -5, and was here married, the same year he settled, to Gena Olson. They have eight chil- dren — Belle, Thomas, Eiel, Anna, Ole, Hannali, Eleas and Halvor. Mr. Egleston entered 100 acres of land on section 33, where he still re- sides. Knudt Olson joined his brother and fellow- countrymen herein 1855. He entered 100 acres of land on section 12, and has since increased his land to 2G0 acres. He was born in Norway, in 1827, and came to America in JS49. At the age of thirty he married Rachel Sarson, who has borne him six children. Three are living — Lewis O., Elizabeth S. and Olus M. Tlie de- ceased are Albert A., Lewis O. and Anna. Mr. Olson has been a member of the town board of supervisors for the past eight years. ORGANIC. This town was set apart early in 1858, ;ind the first town meeting held at a school liouse near where Chaseburg now stands, April 6, 1858, when the followini: "flicers were elected : J. 552 HISTORY OF VEIWON COUNTY. W. Ohaney, chairman, A. F. Ellertson and George Gemanhardt, side board; A. Lamprecht, clerk; Ole Jolinson, treasurer; Ole Johnson, as- sesssor; J, W. C^haney superintendent of schools. The present officers of the town are as follows: J. W. Hoyt, chairman of tlie board, Ole Nelson and George Stroel, assistants, S. C. Steinburg, clerk; G. M. Vincent treasurer. RELIGIOUS. Tlie larger part of the settlers of this region are Norwegians, and those that reside in the Coon valley, and along the Coon river, and its riilges on either side, through the towns of Bergen, Hamburg and Coon, and from the town of Coon and northeast into La Crosse county, (a population of about 1,400 souls) are members of the Coon Valley" Norwegian Lutheran con- gregations. These people worship at three dif- ferent churches, known as the Upper Coon Val- ley, Middle Coon Valley and Lower Coon Val- ley. These three congregations, previous to 1874, together with that at Fish Creek, in the town of Monroe, La Crosse county, were con- nected with the Coon Prairie parish. Their ministers were: Rev. H. A. Stub, who officiated about six years ; Rev. A. C. Pre us, about nine years, and subsequently the Rev. H. Halvarson who still preaches at Coon Prairie, Viroqua, and other points. *In 1874 the four congregations previously mentioned, were formed into a se]ia- rate parish, and their first minister was Rev. A. S. Meling. Since July, 1882, Rev. E. Jensen, formerly of Jefferson Prairie, Wis., has been in charge of the parish. The Middle Coon Valley congregation is the only one of the three located in the town f>f Hamburg. It was organized in 1854, by the Rev. H. A. Stub, with the following named members: Ole Johnson, Anders Olson Th;i- Inng, Even Eielsen, Hans Kongelstad, Erik Mar- siuen, Anders Nilsen Klomsten, Nils Eriksen Marking, and others. Tlie first services were held at the residence of Ole Johnson. The church is of logs, 30x24 feet in size, and was erected in 1859, at a cost of $500. The present member- ship is about 250, and the Church'is in a good financial condition. The present trustees are : Christian Nilson, Stephen Nilson and John Hagen. A parochial, or weekly religious school is under the auspices of the Church, and held for about sixty days each year, under Harold Hofl", the teacher. SCHOOLS. Hamburg has always had a good class of pub- lic schools. In 1884 the town was divided into seven districts, each being provided with a fair building. The school population was at this date one half Norwegian and the other half made up about equally of German and Ameri- can children. CEMETERIES. There are three organized cemeteries within the town. One located in the village of Chase- burg, and the other two on sections 3 and 19. THE VILLAGE OF CHASEBURG. This village is located on section 28, on the east side of Coon river. It was laid out and platted by George Swain and George Little, on June 4, 18(56, and was named in lienor of Henry Chase, who had been instrumental in founding the village. The original plat comprised twelve blocks or squares, and the first dwelling house was erected by George Swain. The first saw mill was built and put in run- ning order by Henry Chase, in 1862. Mr. Chase and George Little erected the first flouring mill, in 1863. The first store was opened, in 1863, by Hon. J. W. Hoyt, and he now enjoys the largest trade in the village. .Joseph W. Hoyt is also postmaster of Cha^e- burg, and owns 190 acres of land in this town. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st regiment, Ver- mont Cavalry, but was discharged a little later, on account of sickness. He was chairman of the board of Hamburg town for five years, also chairman of the county board for two years. In 1870-71, he represented the county of Vernon in the State Legislature. He was- married, in 1863, to Elizabeth Isham, and three children HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 653 have been barn to them — Russell, Nina and Harry. The first sermon in the village of Chaseburg, was preached in 186:^, byRev. H. A. Stub, in the house of Henry Chase. The first blacksmith shop was erected by a Mr. Cogswell, in 1864. 'I''he first school was taught in the village school house by Miss Spence, in 1865. The first birth was Nellie, daughter of George Sw ain and wife. The first hotel was erected by George W. Swain, who has since conducted it in a manner highly satisfactory to the traveling public. The first shoemaker im the village was Mathias Peterson. The first physician was Dr. Rusk. It is not known who was the first person de- ceased, or the first couple married. BUSINKSS DIEECTORr. Dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes — J. W. Hoyt, L. C. Steinburg; hardware— J. W. Hoyt and Thomas Parkin; saw mill — George Swain; grist mill — Granville Akin; harness — August Getting; blacksmiths — J. C. Markle and 1 lioinas Lattimer; hardwood lumber — George Swain; veterinary surgeon — Monroe Vincent; manu- facturer of shoes — Andrew Peterson. The census of 18F0, gives the population of Chaseburg as 12.5. A prominent man of this village was Henry Chase, who came from Vermont in 18(5-2, and after a sliort stay in Dane county, came to this place, and was instrumental in building up the village which bears his name. He was elected a member of the State Assembly in ]8'i8. He, in company with George A. Lyttle, owned the Coon River Mills at this point. Mr. Chase died in March 1872, leaving a wife and three chil- dren. After his death, Mr. Lyttle tnok Mr. Chase's interest in the mill. BIOGKAPHICAI, SKETCHES. Peter O. Hrye, is a native of Norway, and (^ame to Racine Co., Wis., in August, 1840. He remained there one year, and then moved west- ward to ]iad Ax (now Vernon) county, in the fall of 1850. He passed over the present site of Viroqua on the -'Jlst of October, and from there went straight to the Kickapoo timber. He worked there the following winter, and in the spring rafted the logs down the Kickapoo and Mississipi)i rivers as far south as Quiiicy, HI. He made his home in the town of Viroqua untilJune 27, 1857, when he joined his brotlier in Hamburg town. He lived there until the spring of 1859, when he was persuaded to move over the line into what is now the town of Coon, for the purpose of assisting in the organization of the new town. The inhabitants were mostly Norwegians, and did not understaid English, and .Mr. Brye enjoying the knoivledge of that tongue, was elected to the most impoitant town ofiices, in April, 1859. He was re-ekcted to the same offices each succeeding year until 1867. In the fall of 1866, he resigned his of- fices, and rejoined his brother Knudt Olson, in Hamburg town, with whom he has since made his home. Mr. Brye devotes his attention and money to the selling of lands. Lars Finstad was born in Norway in 1823, and emigrated to the United States in the year 185.S, and settled in Hamburg on section 28. That same year he entered eighty acres, which he has since increased to 150 acres. Mr. Finstad was married in 1845, to Hellena ScOioll, by whom he has had eleven children, five of whom are now living — Hans, Christian, Edward, Mebin 1>. and Jane. Christian is now married to Ella Johnson, and three childnn have been given to them. Hon. George W. Swain, who located in the town of Hamburg in 1863, was born in the Granite State, in 1824. He there received a good common school education, and in 1845, re- moved to the adjoining State of Vermont, where he resided for eight years. In 1853, he came west to Dane Co., Wis., and ten years later settled in this town. He purchased a saw-mill and 240 acres of laud, lying on sections 28, 14 and 6, from Messrs. Chase and Lyttle, 554 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and in 1860, surveyed and platted the village of Chaseburg. Mr. Swain was in 1870 a county supervisor. He is a strong republican in poli- tics, and in 1878 was the nominee of his party for State senator, against A. D. Chase, the can- didate of both the democratic and greenback parties. Mr. Swain was elected by a handsome majority. He still owns the saw-mill and car- ries on a large business in getting out wagon and plow stuff and hard-wood lumber. He also owns the only hotel in the village. Mr. Swain was united in marriage, in 1849, to Hannah Chase. They have reared four children — Josiah B., who married Mary Lattimer, Cora E., wife of Frank E. Aiken, Allie L. and Nellie J. Mrs Swain was born in New Hampshire, in 18-.'5, and when five years of age accompanied her parents to Vermont. She was there married to our subj<.'Ct, and in 1863, came to the town of Hamburg with the honor of being the first American woman in the town. Her daughter Nellie was the first American child born in the town. J. C. Markle was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1839, and when he was two years old his parents removed to I'utnam Co., Ind., where they remained till 1851, when they moved to LaCrosse Co., Wis., and se tied in what is called the "Ramsey Cooley," where Mr. Markle remained until he was called to defend his coun- try in 1861. He then enlisted in the 2d regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, company B, and was discharged in 1864. Mr. Markle was wounded at the battle of South Mountain in the left arm and at the battle of the wilderness was wounded in the right arm. In 1867, Mr. Markle came to tbe village of Chaseburg, where he has carried on the business of blacksmithing and manufac- turing wagons, and now owns sixty-two acres of land on section 28, also a house and three lots and a smith wagon and paint shop in the village of Chaseburg Mr. Markle was mar- ried in 1869, to Neoma J. Maxwell, of Vernon county, who has borne him four children — Berthier E., Claud O. and Cora B. Charles died in 1883. Mr. Markle's father, George Markle, was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and now resides in LaCrosse Co., Wis. His moth- er, Elizabeth Markle, is also a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1818, and is now living in La- Crosse Co., Wis. lilSTOliV OF VERNON COUNTY. 555 CHAPTER XXXIX TO N OF HARMONY. Tliis township, known as towu I'o nurtli, range 6 west, was the sixth one orgatilzcil in Venion county. It comprises forty T'lll sectiDiis and four lialf sections, of land cortaining in all 26,S80 acres, or 3,840 more than a full con- gressional town. The land is mostly owned by residents, who have strenuously endeavored to cultivate and improve itand in comparison with other town in the county, will ]>rove that their efforts -have not been in vain. The United States government still owns and controls about S06 acres of land in the town. Only one stream of any note flows through the town, lending fresh life and strength to the already fer- tile soil. This is the North Bad A.\- river, which enters the town in the eastern j)art on sec- tion 24 and takes a westerly course througli sec- tions 23, 22, 21, 20 and 19, making a sudden turn in the latter, and tio wins; southerly tluvjugli sections 30 and 31. It leaves the town on the southwest quarter of the latter section. This stream is well fed by numerous tributaries, flowing from all parts of the town. Good springs are also plentiful and supjily pure, fresh water for drinking and cooking purposes. EARLY SETTLBMKNT. The first white settler in Harmony town, and a resident here at the present time, was William Struthers, who came in 1848, and in 1850 made the first enlry of laud, of 100 acres, "comprising tlie east lialf of the nortli« est quar- ter and the north half of the nortlieast cpiarier of section 24, town 13 north, range west." Mr. Struthers is a native of Rockbridge Co., Va., and served with distinction in both the Mexican and civil wars. At the close of the former he located in this town. Mr. Strutliers and David Calkins are the only ones of the early settlers now living in the town. The Granite State furnished another pioneer in 1850 in the person of David Calkins. He was born in the rock-ribbed State of New ILimji- shire in 1821, and in 1844 removed to Lowell, Mass. In 1847 he was seized with that irresist- able (but not fatal) malady, the western fiver, and removed to Chicago, 111., where he manu- factured wagons. In 1849 he married Mary Craft and in 1850 removed his family to this town, locating on section 23, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Calkins have eight children. Between the years 1848 and 1852 there were several persons located in the new town, among whom may be mentioned the following: James Harkness, Orrin Calkins, Elias Roger,-*, Edmond Rogers, Edwanl Rogers, .Joim Ray- wait and Samuel Kelsie. Mr. Kelsie was, per- haps, the second settler in the town and David Calkins the fourth. The county having been opened up for settle- ment, new settlers were constantly arriving, and in 1852 the town of Harmony welcomed several of them. Robert Patterson and his family came in and located land on section 21. Mr. Patterson was born in 1802 and died in 1875. His wife still survives him. Their son, E. O. Patterson, was born in 182C and now re- sides on section 15. 556 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTV. John C. Hagerman came from Galena, 111., in 1852 and was a resident of the town until 1875, when he removed to Iowa. In 1854 Vermont contributed a settler, Horace Keyes, who was born in 1800, and now owns land on sections 'iO and 21 of this town, where he has resided for twenty-nine years. Two years later Alvin Baker and wife, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania, came into the town and set- tled with their family on section 21, where the family still reside. Mr. Baker is now deceased. Their children, men and women grown are John, Joseph, Marion, Hester and Lydia Another old settler of Harmony town is S. W. Moore, who has been a resident here since 1858. He is a native of Washington Co., Penn.; married Nancy McClurg; was in the Union army from 1863 till 1865, and now owns 360 acres of land. Among other settlers who came in prior to 1860 were: Philando Bartlel, Chester Morley, Harvey Sheffield, J. L. Smith, Murray Chafee, James Scott, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Aiken, Powell Brothers, Richard Sylvemut, Jesse Es- ler, Henry Esler and George Esler; also, James Chauncy, Levi Nobles, Calvin Allen, H. P. Buswell, E. Crandall, John McLees and F. M. Moore. FIRST THINGS. The first religious services held in the town- ship were conducted in a dwelling house, in 1856, by the Rev. Mr. Munion. The first school was taught by Mary Spencer, in 1853, in an old board shanty, erected some years previous by David Calkins. The first couple married in the town was Hiram Patterson to Abbie Harkness, in 1855. The first election was held in the Baker school house, in 1856. The first election for town officers was held in the village of Newton in 1856. The first school house was erected in 1856 on section 23, and Miss S. L. Allen, sister of Hart- well Allen taught the first school. The first white child born in the town was Frank, son of David and Mary Calkins, October, 1851. The first white person who died in the town- was Henry, son of Elias Rogers, in 1853. The first 4th of July celebration in the town was held in 1862, at Newton, in a beautiful maple grove. The orator was Hartwell Allen. ORGAMC. Harmony township was organized in 1855. At tliat period there were but five townships in the county, represented on the board of county commissioners as follows: Bergen, John M. McLees; Jefferson, Isaac Spencer; Viroqua, William H. Good; Bad Ax, Andrew Briggs; Kickapoo, William H. Austin. A petition for a new town was offered to the board by John M. McLees, and after due consideration it was granted, and also an order for an election of town officers. At this election the follow- ing named persons were selected to act in their difi^erent official capacities: Chairman, R. S. McMichael; clerk, Harrison Keyes; treasurer, Horace Keyes; side board, I. L Smith and Daniel Kelsie; superintendent of schools, Orin Calkins, succeeded in 1858 by Hartwell Allen. RELIGIOUS. As previously stated, the first religious ser- vices in Harmony town were conducted by Rev. Munion, at a private residence, in 1852. After this initial sermon preaching was had in the different dwellings throughout the town- as occasion would permit, and a Sabbath school was permanently organized in 1863, under the auspices of the Baptist Church, with D. W. Horton as superintendent, assisted by his wife. Since that period it has been con- ducted by D. W. Horton and Jesse Cowen, and this present year has an average attendance of thirty-five scholars, with A. Nobles as superin- tendent. BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1869 Rev. S. E. Sweet, of De Soto, came into the township and preached the first Bap- tist sermon. On December 4, of the same year, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 557 a few persons met to consider the propriety of organizing a Baptist Church. Delegates from tlie congregations at De f'oto, La Crosse and Sparta were cordially invited to attend the meeting, which was lield at the Hockley school house Jan. 29, ]870. Rev. Thomas Slade, of La Crosse, was chosen moderator, and D. C. Jackson, of Sparta, ^s clerk. The Church was duly organized, and Elder S. E. Sweet was their first pastor. He remained with the congrega- tion until Dec. .3, 1870, when he resigned, and on Christmas day following Elder Green, a returned missionary, delivered a fine sermon, and remained about six weeks. During this time many were added to the Church. On April 21, 1872, Rev. Houghton received a call to the pastorate and remained two years. He then went to Viroqua, where he still resides, but occasionally preaches for his old charge. The congregation is quite small at present, many members having removed to, other locali- ties. There is only one church building in the town at the present time. That is yet un- completed, but is owned jointly by the Metho- dist and United Uretlu-en congregations, both having discontinued their organizations some time since for want of means to bear expenses. EDUCATIONAL. There are at present in Harmony town five school buildings, aggregating in value the sum of $6,000, with an average enrollment of 431 scholars. POSTOKFICES. The postoftice cilled Enterprise was located on section 11, in 1866, and H. M. N. Rayner was appointed postmaster. He filled this ])i)si- tion until 1882, when the office was discontinued for reasons unknown. Tlie postoftice at Newton was locate year) and R. B. Hays. Mr. Cowen has been honored with offices of trust in the township for the past fourteen years, a fitting tribute to the confidence and esteem in which he is lield by his neighbors. Andrew Newton, who located in the village of Newton in 1863, was born in Lebanon, Penn., in 1838. He there received a fair edu- cation, and in 1858 removed to Chicago, where he worked at the blacksmith trade for five years. He then came to Jefferson town. and from the date of his arrival until 1872, was engaged in farming. In 1872 he removed to Harmony town, and since then has been doing a large and prosperous business, working at his trade. He is the owner of a large shop, a fine residence and several vacant lots in the village. In 1865 he married Elizabeth Huoett, of this town. They are the parents of four children — Alice B., Eugene, Oscar and Mattie. Torger Thoreson, who became a resident of Harmony town in 1869, was born in that cool and healthy country called Norway, in 1825. He came to these United States in 1867 and first located on Coon Prairie, but two years later bought 120 acres of land on section I, where he has since resided. He has culti- vated this land and now owns one of the best improve)h HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. >07 the home of the bride, March 9, 1856. The ceremony was performed by Daniel Kimball, Esq. The first birtli in the town was Andrew Mack, son of James and Cornelia jNIack, who was born Sept. 13, 1S52. Tlie next l)irth was that of Eveline M. Hill, daughter of V. B. Hill, who in her young womanhood married James Hamilton. I^he first death which occurred was that of Mrs Smith, who died Oct. 15, 1855. She was buried on section 1, where she died. The first school was taught on the present village plat of Hillsborough. The fir-;t religious services were held at the house of Elisha D. Douglass on section 14, by llev. Joseph Hanlin, of the Free Will Baptist denomination. ORGANIC. The town of Hillsborough was organized in 1856. The first election was held at the house of Albert Field, April .3, of that year. H. H Knox, Joseph M. Martin and Alltert Field wen chosen inspectors of election. It was voted ti elect two assessors and two constables; also tha a fund be raised for contingent expenses, of %10i for the ensuing year, and the same amount foi the improvement of highways. Joseph M. Martin was elected chairman of the board and Albert Field and H. H. Knox, members of the side board; Daniel Kimball, town clerk; Edward Klopfleisch, treasurer; John S. Shreve and A. W. Rogers, assessors; Henry F. Daley, A. W. Rogers, Edward Klopfleisch and Daniel Kim- ball, justices of the peace; John S. Shreve and James S Carley, constables. The total number of votes cast at this elec- tion was twenty-one. The following were the town officers of 1883: Thomas J. Shear, chairman, Q, F Waterman and L. L. Tongue, supervisors; C. F. Fine, clerk; Benjamin Salts, assessor; August F. Mohs, treas- urer; Williaw McGfalh, D. N. Tripp and Jusiah I Jameson, justices of the peace; Thomas Sweet, Uriah Fox and S. J. Messenger, constables. SCHOOLS. Hillsborough has always been fully up to other towns of the county in educational mat- ters. School house after school house has been added for the convenience of the scholars of the town, until, in 1884, there were seven within the town. A short and comprehensive sketch of each school district is herewith given: District No. 1. A comfortable and commo- dious frame, in a very pleasant bication. Long been knowii and recignized as the "Blood school house." So named after one of the early settlers. A good attendance always, and large, especially in winter. The district lies near the county line of Juneau. Mr. Forbes, living near the school house, is an earnest friend to educa- tion. This school has done, and is yet doing good work. The people liberally support it. DistrictNo. 2. A large frame, well furnished and in a cheerful locality, pleasantly situated among fertile farms. There is always a large attendance in the winter, and the school has been favored with some able teachers. It has been liberally patronized and supported. The people liave been abundantly able to do so. District No. 3. Comprises Hillsborough high and graded schools. The high school has not of late years, been as fortunate as its friends de- sired. While the people have been liberal and the board public spirited, tlie school has not been a success. This was, in part, owing to the unwise selection of teachers of good education in each case, but of poor executive ability. Mr. Conway taught some years ago and was very successful. Others as well educated, but otl)er- wise not as able, followed him. It is to be hoped that the gentlemen selected in the future, will do much toward regaining for it, its former rep- utation. The building is commodious and well furnished, quite a credit to the village. The higher mathematics, German and Latin have been taught and cousiilerablc advuncenicnt made. 33 568 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The people deserve to have a good school. There are beside two graded schools, one an interme- diate and the other a primary. Good work has been done in these schools by a succession of very faithful teachers. Mr. George Mobs, a true friend of education, is at present, the dis- trict clerk. District No. 5 — A very neat a nd comfortable frame building near or at Trippvllle, situated on or near the road leading to Elroy, as also to Hillsborough and about seven miles from the latter place. Mr. Wyman, of Trippville, as also Mr Tripp have taken much interest in the school. The building is furnished with good maps and fairly seated. Good work has been done in this school by a succession of very ex" cellent teachers. District No. 6 — School house about three and a half miles from Hillsborough, a fair and neat frame, quite in keeping witli the rest of the school buildings in this town and a credit to public patronage and sentiment. This building; is pleasantly situated on the highroad from On- tario to Hillsborough and has usually a good attendance. District No. 8 — Near the former residence and hard by the farm of Mr. Roger Williams, a large frame house and on the road leading from Viroqua to Hillsborough. It is some four miles from tlie latter place, lias ample accommo- dations for a large attendance, and yet this dis- trict is in need of a graded school with two de- partments. Sixty to seventy pupils are in dai- ly attendance through the winter, among whom are many Bohemians. The schools of Hillsborough, with the excep- tion of No. 8, are attended chiefly by Americans, but this district has several Bohemian families. Good work has almost always been done in this school and the people, chief among whom has been Mr. R. Williams, take an active part in school matters. District No. 4 — Only a part of this district is situated in the town of Ilillsboroucth. SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1882 AND 1883. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT. The Steady and continuous growth of the public schools may be seen by reference to the table following: The year 1882 was in advance of former years and the increase of 1883 speaks well for the public spirit which makes the schools so suc- cessful. 1882 18S3 Incr. Whole No. ehildrea of school age in Co 8.9i.5 9,03.S 83. Whole No. of days school was taught 20, 228 24. 148 3, 920 Whole No. of pupils who attended school 6.601 6.7»0 189 u'hnlp No. of days attendance of pupils 364,126 397,154 3:3, 028 No. of new school houses built 9 13 4 Costof school houses built $4,6.35 ¥11,322 ?6.687 Outlay for teacher's wages 818,921 ?25, 325 $6,404 Total am't paid for school purposes $28, 013 $38, 168 $10, 155 Total number of schools in county 157 160 3 Whole number of licensed teachers 182 UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. In 1884 the town of Hillsborough had but two Church organizations — the Free Will Baptist, which is in the village of Hillsborough and the United Brethren, located on section 12, The former ha . been mentioned in connection with the village history. The latter de nomination was organized in February, 1859, by Rev. Mr. Carter. The members of the first class were as follows: Stewart Forbes and wife, Henry Seaman, Charles Enimonds, T. W. Allan, Mr. Sweet ami wife and Michael Keller. The church building of this denomination was dedicated Feb. 10, 1S70, by the Rev. James Johnson, of Freeport. This edifice is situated on the land between the towns of Hillsborough and Wonowoc in Juneau county; a part of the building being in each county. The building, which is of an imposing appearance, is 36x50 feet, surmounted by a spire seventy -four feet high. The cost of this church was about S2,500. The trustees at the time of the erection of the church were: James Mutch, Benjamin B. Thompson, C. G. Thompson, Frederick Bab- cock, Lewis O. Galley and William Mutch. The pastor at that date was Rev. Elisha Borce. CEMETERIES. There are three cemeteries within the town of Hillsboronoh. One is situated near the vil- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. "CO lage of Hillsboroiigb. This, in 1884, was a pretty and well ke)it cemetery. Another is sit- uated on the southwest quarter of section 12, in connection with the United Brethren church; this also has always received much care and at- tention. Tlie third cemetery is on section 14. TRIPPVILLE POSTOFFICE. Trippville is the name of a postoffice on sec- tion 8, which was established in 1867. It was named after Dier Tripp, who has been post- master ever since its establishment. At this point there is a store and saw-mill, both of which were built by Mr. Tripp. This place is located on what is known as the head waters of the mi begaii the erection of a saw mill here in 18(30, which he completed in 1862. It was at first operated by an overshot wheel, but in the s])riiig of 188-3, he made a change in I lie mill, substituting a turbine wheel, and mak- ing other changes. The capacity of the mill i> 10,000 feet per twenty-four hours. Mr. Tripp e.^ lablished his stort' in August, lS7l. He came to the town with Elisha Douglass and A. I! Cole in May, 18.t1. He made a claim on sectioi I, but while absent to earn money to pay fo the same, his claim was jumped. He the) bought land on sections 3 and 1 1, finally settled on the latter. In the fall of 18-55 he built a log house on section 8, which was still standing in 1884. Mr. Tripp was a young man at the time and kept bichelor's hall for two years and then moved to section -3 and from there to sec- tion 1 1 and a little later still moved back to the mill site. THE VILLAGE OF HILLSBOROUGH. This village, which is located on the north side of the south branch of the Baraboo river, on section :i.5, takes its name from that of the town of Hillsborough, in which it situated. A man named Warren, made the original entry of land at this point, in October, 1854, for Albert Field. Edward Klopfleisch, of New York city, when looking for a location in the west, visited this site, and was favorably im- pressed, especially with the mill power af- forded by the Baraboo river. He accordingly made arrangements with Albert Field for the purchase of the land, and witli Otto Hammer, became proprietor of the village plat, including the mill power. This was in the autumn of 1854. Mr. Klopfleisch, with his brother-in- law, Sclilolmilch, at once began the erection of a saw mill. Otto Hammer, who was partner in the town site, came from Jefferson county in 1855, bringing his family and personal effects with him. In 185T, while Mr. Klopfleisch was in New York city, the attention of John Mollinger and Ambrose Armbruster was called to the import- ance of this point, and as the result, Mr. Arm- bruster returned with Mr. Klojifleisch and pui- chased the interest held by Mr. Schlolmilch. Mr. Mollinger also, at the same time securing an interest in the location. A small grist mill was erected, and snon became a mill of niucli importance. Mr. Armbruster brought his family here from New York city in 1861. The follow- ing vear Jacob Sallenbach took an interest in the business. In 1S65 a mill was erected which was still doingservice in 1884. In 1868 Mr. Klop- fleisch retired and the company has since lieen known as the Hillsborough Mill Company, the firm beiiig composed of Ambrose Armbruster, Oito Hammer and John Mollinger. This flour- ing mill h.is always been an im])ortant factor in the growth and advancement of thisjiart of tiie county, and has always been noted for making an excellent grade of fliuir and also for uj riyht, honest dealing on the part of its owners. For many years it was the only mill throughout a large sco])e of country The mill building is 42x50 feet. At first there were but two run of stone, but later another run was added, and still later, another, making four in all. This mill is situated on the south bianch of the Baraboo river; its \yond contains fully a hundreil acres, and gives force to the machinery of the mill throu'cli a head of sixteen (eel. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Short sketches are here subjoined, of the three gentlemen who have so long comprised this mill company. Mr. MoUinger was the only one surviving in the autumn of 1883. Ambrose Armbruster was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1818, and came to America in 184*7 from Paris. He left Paris on account of the revolution which had broken out in France, in consequence of which' all Germans had been requested to leave that country. He was married in Paris to his present widow Caroline Steurer, born in Strasburg in 1826. Mr. Armbruster died June 8, 1883. He left three children — Emma, wife of Robert Hammer, Anna, wife of Frank Kanffmann, and Robert, the two later natives of this town. Otto Hammer, Sr., died Aug. 6, 1883. He was born at Altonburg, Saxony, April 10, 1816. He came to America early in the year 1846; lived two years in New York city and came to Wisconsin in 1848 and to Hillsborough, as stated, in 1855. He was married in New York city to Eliza Belton. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters; five of them-Otto, Jose- phine, Robert, Eddie and Minnie-are now living at or near Hillsborough, and one, Mrs. O. B. Wyman, at Viroqua. Mr. Hammer, was a cabinet maker by trade and a skillful workman. He pursued his occupation in sev- eral of the capital cities of Europe, including Berlin and Paris. He came to New York from the latter city. John MoUinger was born in the city of Kai- serslautern, on the Rhine, in the province of Bavaria, in 1813. Like the other members of the firm, he came to New York from Paris in 1845. He worked eighteen years at his trade in New York city before coming here in 1865. In July, 1883, Barney & Bailey, who had the use of Albert Field's money, put in opera- tion a fine steam saw mill, together with vari- ous kinds of wood working machinery. This mill is located at the upper end of the mill pond of the flouring mills of the Hillsborough Milling Company. It js propelled by a forty horse power engine. This mill does a large business in sawing to order, railroad timl)er, wagon and plow material and steamed, bent sleigh runners and wagon hounds. BUSINESS INTERESTS. The village was surveyed in the summer of 1856, by James H. Daniels, at that time county surveyor. The first store was opened in 1855, by Charles Landrum, in a log building used for this pur- pose and also for a residence. Mr. Landrum soon after look in as liis partner Daniel Bus- bee, who continued a member of the firm but a short time, after wliich he removed to the town Greenwood, and later to the village of Ave-, lanche, where lie engaged in the milling busi- ness. Charles Landrum built the store now occu- pied by Charles Lind, in 1857. A number of years later he erected the store afterward used by Roger Williams, also the dwelling house adjoining, both of which are now owned by his widow. The first wagon maker of the place was Jason Noyes, who was still a resident of the town in 1884. The first blacksmith was Albert Kuersten, who is now deceased. The first shoemakers were Lind Brothers, one of whom, Jacob is deceased and the other, Peter, is still in trade in the village. The first school in the village was taught by >Sobrina Burwell, in the summer of 1855. This school was held in the log dwelling house of Otto Hammer ; the family of 3Ir. Hammer living in the house at the time. This was the first house erected in the village. The first sermon preached in Hillsborough, was delivered by Rev. Joseph Hanlan, of the Free Will Baptist Church. The first and only regular attorney of the place was A. 1'. Johnson. The first hotel was erected by Irving Tliomp- son, who sold it to Prentiss Abbott, who run it as a hotel for several years. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 571 Tlie hotels of 1884 were the Kuersten House and the American House. Tlie former was built by Albert Kuersten, who died before its completion, and it was finally finished by his widow, who became the wife of John Phair. This is a log and frame structure, well built and cost about 83,000. The American House was built in part bj' Jacob Lind, and completed by Alexander Wood. In 1884 this was operated by Benja- min Salts. The Hdlsborough postoflice was established in 1855. The first postmaster was Morgan Hansbury, who was succeeded -by Charles Land- rum, and he by Thomas J. Shear, who was still holding the office in 1884. This became a money order office in 1869. The first order was drawn by J. W. Leverett ; amount $5. The first order was paid to N. D. Beebe, of Warren, 111. There were 14,6-30 orders drawn from this office from the time it became a money office in 1869, to Sept. 4, 18S.3, a period of a little more than fourteen years. The first physician of Hillsborough and vicinity, was Dr. Winslow. Other physicians have been here: Dr. Meritt, Dr. Smith, Dr. J. R. Riindlelt, who was a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, practiced here about ten years and left in the fall of 1880. He is now at Augusta, in Eau Clairo county ; Dr. B. B. Numan graduated at Keokuk ; practiced here a short time and is now located in the town of Forest. Tlie present physicians are Dr. Francis Pinch and Dr. C. II. Morris. This village is tributary to a large tract of country ; it has had a gradual, healthful growth and is an excellent trading point. The merchants and other business men are doing a thriving business. A number of fire business houses were erected in 1881 or 1882. The busi- ness of tiie place in 1884 was in the hands of the following : A. Winslow & Son and Rich- ard N. Pinch, druggists; Shear & Mitcher, Charles L. Lind and Charles Ludwig, general dealers ; Charles F. Hyde and F. Fine, grocers; M. E. Crary, boots and shoes ; A. Mitcher, fur- niture; Roger Williams, grocery and restau- rant ; R. Hammer, hardware ; George C hap- man, harness maker ; John P. Phair, proprietor of the Kuresten Hotel ; Benjamin Salts, pro- prietor of the American House ; Fred Schnell, brewery ; Kaufman & Fincher, wagon makers and blacksmiths. RELIGIOrs. The Free Will Baptist Church was organized Feb. 28, 1869, by Rev. O. W. Smith, of Men- dota, 111. Those who joined the first class were : Joel W. Parker and wife, Albert Field and wife, E. D. Douglass and wife, James W. Leverett and wife, Mary E. Parker, James W. Parker, Mrs. Vienna Winslow, Mrs. Emily Carr and Mrs. Sarah Mitchell. Rev. O. W. Smith preached for the society a few weeks and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Jack- son and his wife, the Rev. Mary Jackson, both of whom officiated till July, 1871, when Rev. Jeremiah Phillips became )]astor, and remained for two years. After this Rev. J. H. Daniels, a minister of the Church of the Disciples, preached for the congregation for some time. Among other ministers who have supplied this Church were : Rev. F. M. Washburn, who was principal of the schools at Elroy ; Rev. Robert CoUey was pastor for a few months, and per- haps others whose names have not appeared. The church building is a frame strut ture, erected in 1871, at a cost of ?!l,200. I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Hillsborough, No. 253, was organized March ), 1876, by N.C. Bradley, D. D. G. M. The following were charter mem- bers : Roger Williams, T. J. Batman, Egbert Wyman, Otto Hammer and Herman Sheiman. The first officers were : T. J. Shear, N. G. ; Roger Williams, V. G. ; Egbert Wyman, R. S.; Cliarlcs Landrum, treasurer ; L. B. L'pham, secretary. Since its organization this hdge has lost, by death, the following : Henry Link, died ^'arch 12, 1881; Charles Landrum, died Aug. 17, 1881, and J. W. Allen, Aug. 30, 1881. In 572 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 1884 the lodge numbered fifty-four, and was in good condition. Rebekah Lodge, No. 113, of Hillsborough, was organized Nov 2e, 1882, by Van S. Ben- nett, grand master. '; he following constituted the charter membership : Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Tongue, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Shear, Mr. and Mrs. Roger VVilliams, Mr. and Mrs C. J. Lind, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Myers. The first officers of this lodge were : Mrs. L. L. Tongue, N. G. ; Miss Helen Shear, V. G. ; Mrs. J. B. Fox, secretary ; R. Williams, treasu- rer. In 188 4 this lodge was in a very flourish- ing condition and numbered thirty-one mem- bers. BIOGRAPHICAL. Among those who have been instrumental in clearing up the timbered land of this town and improving the many farms within its limits, together with those who have combined to in- crease the manufacturing and business indus- ' tries are the following named citizens: Mrs. Sarah A. Couper, of Hillsborough, is the widow of James C. Couper, one of the earlier settlers of Vernon county. Mr. Couper was boin in Yorkshire, England, March 1, 1821. He came to New York when a young man, where lie was married to his present widow, Sarah Ann Scuts. They came west to Dodge Co., Wis., soon after they were married; thence to Marquette county. They came to Vernon county and located in the town of Union in 1850, being one of the first families in that town. Mr. Couper took up a farm of government land which he improved. He was a man of some education and in early life was very fond of huntingand this part of Vernon county afforded ample opportu- nity lor sport of that kind. He accumulated considerable property and died Feb. IV, 1883. Mrs. Couper was born March 4, 1828. She has one daughter, Mary Ann, wife of George II. Blackburn, of the town of Union. Elisha D. Douglass located on section 14 in November, 1851. This land he had entered the previous April. He was born in Italy, Yates Co., N. Y., in 1822, and lived there till thirteen years of age. He then accompanied his par- ents to Pennsylvania and was there married to Mary J. Kerr. In 1847 he removed to Baraboo, Wis., and four years later to his present farm. In 1861 he enlisted in the 16th regiment, Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and was severely in- jured at the battle of Shiloh, necessitating his discharge shortly after. Mr. Douglass lost his first wife Feb. 14, 1872. His present wife was Mrs. Anna M. Edwards, widow of Elias Ed- wards. Ten children were born to the first union, five sons and five daughters. Mrs. Douglass had three children by her former hus- band. Dier N. Tripp is proprietor of what is known as Trippville in the town where he has been merchant, postmaster and mill owner for many years. He was born in the town of Nassau, Renssalaer Co., N. Y., April 27, 1836. He is a son of Gideon Tripp, who removed with his family to Michigan in 1837. Mr. Tripp came to Vernon county about the 10th of May, 1851. At that time he only had ten cents which he gave away and commenced work at nine dollars per month to earn himself a home and has been a resident of Hillsborough town since that date. On the 8th of December, 1856, he married Sally L. Hammond, a native of Allegany Co., N. Y., and daughter of Charles C. Hammond, also a native of New York, who removed his family lo Juneau Co., Wis. Mr. Tripp built the mill in the years 1861 and 1862 and commenced in the mercantile business in August, 1871. On the 14th day of November, 1871, his mill burned — a loss of at least $3,000 — with no in- surance, and in fifty-five working days lie re- built and started the mill in better sliape than it was before it burnt. At the date of Nov. 15, 1883, he is quite certain he is the oldest resi- ■ dent in what is known as the "L" of Vernon county. Mr. and Airs. Tripp have four chil- dren — Gideon, who married Ann Crary; Nancy L., wife of Erastus Mitchell, Jr.; Alice and Grace. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTV. 573 Albeit FieM is one ol' the pioueers of Ver- non county, and one of the very earliest settlers of the town of Hillsborough. He was born ill the town of Falmouth, Cumberland Co., Maine, Aug. 15, 1821. He is a son of Bracket Field, who was born in the same town and lived there all his life. Mr. Field was reared on a farm, married Angelina Hall Ajjril 10, la-to, and ill the fall of 1851 went with their only child, Marietta, aged eigliteen mouths, to Sauk Co., Wis The following February, 185:?, he came to Vernon county and entered the northwest quarter of section 35, in town 14 north, range 1 east, where he still resides. He now owns about 2,000 acres of land in this and adjoining towns, and is extensively engaged in farming and dealing in hard wood timber and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Field have hail five children, three of whom are living. Their only son, Walter, is an attorney-at-law at Vir- oqua. Their two daughters are: Marietta, wife of ].. B. T. Winslow, and Ella L. Mr. and Mrs. Field are members of the Free Will Bap- tist Church. James Mutch is the elder of five brothers who were early settlers in the town of Hills- borough — John, Robert, William and Alexan- der are the other four. The first three are still residents of the town. James Mulch was liorn in Scotland, in 1S20, and in 1850, with Ids brother William, emigrated to Ohio. In 1853, William came to Wisconsin to look for land for the two. While he was in this State, James re- turned to Scotland, and was there married to Jane Tough. William had bought a farm of a man named Fritchie, in the town of Hillsbor- ough, Vernon county, and in 1854, James and wife came direct to the new purchase. Wil- liam lived with his brother and family for several years, and then purchased 320 acres of land on sections 1 and 12, which, with some subsequent additions, comprises the farms of the tw o brothers. James Mulch is a man high- ly esteemed in the coinmunily in which he lives. He is liberal in his support of Churches and schools, and, although not a member of that body, assisted most liberally in erecting tlie United Brethern church of the village, and in supporting it. Mr. Mutch and wife have two children — William and Clarence. William, the other brother, married Harriet Bennett, and nine children have been sent to bless their un- ion. He is also a prominent and well known citizen of Hillsborough town, and at present is on a visit to his native land— "Bonnie Scot- land." Henry Haflich was one of the pioneers of 1855. He was born in Perry township. Union Co., Penn., Nov. 7, 1818. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Yeller) Haflich, both natives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio about 1824, and settled in Stark county, where they remained a few years, then removed to Richland county, in the same State, where they have died since Henry has been a resi- dent of Vernon county. Mr. Haliich was mar- ried in Richland Co., Ohio, to Mary B. Miller, a native of England. In 1855, he came to Ver- non county, and entered land on section 32, of this town, where he has since resided. This land was covered with a heavy growth of tim- ber, and the home of wild animals. Mr. Haf- lich in his early life remembers of killing ten bear and over one hundred deer. His priiKii- pal meat for years was wild game. He worked earnestly and sturdily for several years to clear his land, and now rejoices in the possession of one of the iiiiest farms in the town, well supplied with good farm build- ings. Mr. and Mrs. Haflich are ihe parents of four children — Elizabeth ^I. born in Sauk county, Sept. 9, 1851; Sarah J. born in Sauk county, Aug. 2, 1853; Jacob Z. born in Vernon county, Oct. 14, 185"; Alice A. born in Vernon county, July 1 9, 1859. George Lacy is a well known farmer, resid- ing on section 3. His father E. Urial Lacy, was born in Ohio, Jan. 1, 1794. He was reared in his native State, and was there married. About 1844, he emigrated to Dane Co., Wis., 574 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and there bought and improved a farm. In 1846, he lost his wife, and ten years later came to Vernon county. He purchased a farm of Abner Dayton, who had entered the land from 'the government. This farm is now owned by his son George, who came into possession in 1865. Mr. Lacy died on this farm March 19, 1867, aged seventy-three years. Ten of his children reached maturity — Esther, Henry, Cynthia, Emily, ('larissa, Laura, Martha, Har- rison, George and Orlin. George, the ninth child and third son of this large family, was born in Loraine Co., Ohio, in 1 842. He was but a 8m.all child when his parents removed to Dane Co., Wis., and in 1862, he enlisted from there in company A, 23d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served till the close of the fratricidal struggle, and was present at the following engagements: Chickasaw Bayou, Miss., Arkansas Post, Ark., Cypress Bend, Greenville, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, siege and capture of Vicks- burg, siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Since the war, he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Lacy married Frances Conley, and they have two children — Mary L. M. and Enno H. Carl Ludwig came to Hillsborough as early as 1854 and located permanently the following year. At the same time came William Link and Julius Hohfeldt. Mr. Ludwig made a claim in Mr. Links name of 160 acres on section 36 and this land was divided between the two, Mr. Ludwig receiving one hundred acres and Mr. Link sixty acres. Mr. Ludwig was born in Muhlhausen Thueriengen, Germany, in 1831, and came to the United States in 1851. He first stopped in Ohio and went from there to Dane Co., Wis., where he remained two years previ- ous to coming to Vernon county. He first en- gaged in farming but in 1858 commenced the manufacture of beer in a small log building. He afterward erected the present brewery and conliiiued the business until 1874, when he sold to the present proprietor. He engaged in the mercantile trade in 1876 and has since contin- ued in that business. Mr. Ludwig was married in Dane Co., Wis., to Rosina Schuman, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig are the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living — one son and eight daughters. Erastus Mitchell resides on the old home- stead on section 83, where his father, Royal Mitchell, located in 1855, purchasing his land of the government. Royal Mitchell was a pio- neer settler of Hillsborough town and well known to all the early inhabitants. He was born in New York Oct. 14, 1805, and was there reared to manhood. He married Susan Shear and subse- quently removed to Michigan, locating near Jack- son. He returned to New York, and after stop- ping a while in Erie county, came to Dane Co., Wis, in 1852 and in 1855 to Vernon county. Mrs. Mitchell died Sept. 13, 1873, and her hus- band followed her over the dark river on March 20, 1874. They were the parents of two chil- dren — Erastus and Ruth Ann. Erastus was born in Erie Co., N. Y., March 16, 1836, and now resides on the home farm of 120 acres. He married Amanda Betts, a native of New Vork. They have four children — Harriet A., born in 1860, Erastus, Jr., born in 1865, Susan S., born in 1871, and Julia, born in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Mrs. Mitchell's father, Charles G. Betts, came from Dane county to Vernon county with his family in 1856. He located on a gov- ernment claim on section 10, of this town, where he lived till his death in September, 1866. He was a native of New York. His wife still survives and resides on the old homestead. William F. Salts resides on section 24, wliere he owns sixty acres and also owns eighty acres just south of the home farm on section 25. Mr. Salts is a son of William Salts, who was born in Duchess Co., N. Y., in 1 790, and when three years of age removed to Columbia county, in the same State, with his parents. He there married Reliance Ticknor, a native of Massa- chusetts. They removed to Erie Co., N. Y., in 1829, where Mrs. Salts died Aug, 15, 1844. In HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 575 1854 he removed to Jeffeisou Co., Wis. Mr. Salts then resided with his children until his death. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom are living — Mary J., widowed wife of Q. A. Shout, who died in Hillsborough in I 874; Angeline, twice married, first husband Levi Cooper, present husband Irving Thompson, of C'liijipewaCc, Wis.; William F., Benjamin, Mi- lan P., Hannah, wife of Thomas Knowles, Julia, wife of Henry Brooks, and Elijah, a resident of of Chippewa Co., Wis. William F. Salts was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., March 14, 1823. He married Hannah Phillips, who died Feb. 4, 1862. His present wife was Hannah Bower, a native of Germany. Of the eight children born to the first union, only three are living. Mr. Salts came to Vernon county in the spring of 1855 and has since resided here. He is quite extensively engaged in the dairy business. Isaac Shear resides on section 13, where he settled in 1855. Mr. Shear is one of the sev- eral brothers of that name, early settlers of this town. He was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in May, 1823; married Eunice Kibbie, also a native of that State. Mr. Shear's farm contains eighty acres, forty of which he bought of the government. Mr and Mrs. Shear have four children — Isaac, George, Lafayette and Mary Jane. Mr. Shear came from Jefferson county, this State, to Vernon county. L. B. T. Winslow, of Ilillsboroiigli village, is a son of Aaron Winslow, the first regular physician in Vernon county. Dr. Winslow was born at Falmouth, Maine, Jan. 31, 1810. He was of English descent and a lineal descendant of Edward Winslow, the first governor of Ply- moutli colony, whose inhabitants landed at Plymouth Rock from the good Mayfover, in 1621. Dr. Winslow graduated from the medi- cal department of Bowdoin College in 1839, and was first located for i)ractice in New Orleans, and subsequently in Alabama. lie was a strong abolitionist, and never hesitated to express his sentiments when called upon to do 80. Such a course naturally led to many petty and trifling annoyances, and the doctor accordingly returned to Maine. He resided at Monmouth six years and at Brunswick (both in Maine), a longer period. In 1849 he went to California, two years later returned to Maine, and in 1853 went westward to Illinois. In 1855 be came to Vernon Co., Wis., and located in the town of Greenwood, and improved a farm. He was probably the only regular phy- sician in Vernon county for a number of years. In 1872 he established himself in the drug trade at Hillsborough village, and was succeeded by his son,Loring B. T., in 1876. He died March 28, 1883. Politically, Dr. Winslow was a whig and subsequently a republican, casting his last two votes at the general election for prohibition. He was a careful observer, a good talker, and frank and open on all questions. He was not a member of any religious denomina- tion, but a firm believer in the Bible, as the re- vealed will of God. Dr. Winslow was married in 1839 to Vienna True, also a native of Maine. At his death he left a widow and three chil- dren — Frances, wife of Adolpbus P. Mallow; Edwin M., in Winnebago, 111., and L. B. T. This latter son was born at Monmouth, Maine, as were the other children. On Jan. 1, 1864, he enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wis- consin Infantry, and participated in many seri- ous engagements, witnessing the final surrender of Lee at Appomattox. After the war he re- turned home, and engaged in farming on the old homestead in the town of Greenwood. Mr. Winslow was married in 1870 to Marietta, diiughter of Albert Field, of Hillsborough. Of their four children three are living — Edwin, Vienna and Ella Z. The eldest son, Albert, is dead. Charles G. Betts resides on section 16. He is the son of Charles G. Betts, Sr., who settled government land on section 10, in 1856. Charles G. Betts, Sr., was a native of New York, and came witii his family to the cistern jiait of Wisconsin several years previous to his settle- ment in Vernon county. He resided till his 576 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. decease on the farm where he settled. His deatli occurred in September, 1866. The maiden name of his wife was Samantha Dor- leska Roza. She still occupies the homestead farm. Charles G. Betts, Jr., was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1839. His wife was Mary Cor- nell. They have four children. Patrick Maddin is one of the early settlers of Hillsborough. He settled on section .34, April 18, 18,i6, where he still lives. He purchased his farm, 160 acres, of the government. Mr. Maddin was born in county Galway, Ireland, Nov. 19, 1820. He came to the United States when thirteen years of age. His father, John Maddin, died in Ireland. Mr. Maddin made several trips between this country and Europe before making his location here. Before com- ing to Wisconsin he lived several years in the eastern States; thence to Ohio, where he lived eight years and a half. He married .Mary Holly, a native of Ireland. They have seven children living, and two deceased. Mr. Maddin's farm was originally heavily timbered, iiid it required many years of constant work to clear up and improve the excellent farm that Mr. JMaddin now possesses. When he settled here m the wilderness, bear, deer and other wild game were abundant, and many are the storiis he can tell of his e.xperience with these wild beasts of the forest. Now all these have passed away and given place to cultivated farms and a dense population. Augustus Mohs has been a resident of Ver- n on county since 1856. He was born in Aiiha't, Germany, in IS'28, and came to the United States in 1852. He lived two years in New York and then spent a like period in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. In 1856 he came to Hills- borough and worked for the mill company for two years. In 1858 he bought a farm in the town of Forest, and after farming for several years returned to Hillsborough in 1865 and en- gaged in the saloon business. He sold out in 186*7 and was a farmer in the town of Green- wood until 1874. Of late years he has been en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Mohs was married in 1874 to Mrs. Sophia (Busse) Lind, widowed wife of C. L. Lind. They have two children — Ida and Freddie. Mrs. Mohs had four children by her former marriage. Milan Salts resides on section 25, on a farm which he entered in 1856. He was born in Col- umbia Co., N. Y., in April, 1827; came to Jef- ferson Co., Wis., in the spring of 1845, but re- turned the following year to New York. He married Janet Mitchell, a daughter of Knowl- ton Mitchell, who settled in Vernon county in the spring of 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Salts have ten children, six sons and four daughters. His farm contains 120 acres. Mr. Salts went over- land to California from New York in 1852; was aljsent two and one half years. Henry, son of Jacob and Augusta Lind, pio- neers of Vernon county, was born in Germany in 1834. He attended school there until four- teen years of age, when he engaged in teaming in West Baden, Germany. At seventeen yeais of age he, in company with his parents, left his native land and came to America. They landed at New York city and came directly to Wis- consin, settling in Washington county. He was there married in February, 1857, to Mary Coe, born in Steuben Co., N. Y. In June fol- lowing he came to Vernon county and pur- chased timber land, on section 12, town 13, range 1 east, and commenced to improve a farm. He has built a good log house, to which he has made a frame addition. In 1882 he built a frame barn, 30x40 feet, with a stone basement. Mr. and Mrs. Lind have five chil- dren — Lorinda, Matilda, Ida, Arlliur and Charles. Hon. Thomas J. Shear is one of the promi- nent merchants of Hillsborough village. He was born in Erie Co., N. Y , in 1836. His educa- tion was obtained in the cominon schools and later at the Springville Academy. When about eighteen years of age he engaged in teaching school and came to Vernon counly in the spring of 1858 and located permanently HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 577 in Hillsborough in the spring of 1859. He taught the village school for several winter terms and finally bought a farm on sec- tion 24. On Feb. 2.3, 1865, he enlisted in the 47th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, but ill health prevented him from doing active service. In the summerof 1865 he was clerk of a military court in the State of Tennessee. In 1867 he -ivas elected to the position of superin- tendent of schools of Vernon coun ty, and served two years. On Oct. 1, 1870, Mr. Shear engaged in mercantile trade in the village of Hillsborough, and the present firm of Shear & Mitcher was formed in September, 1882. Mr. Shear has been postmaster of the village since 1871, and was town clerk for many years. He is the present chairman of the town board. Mr. Shear was elected to the Wisconsin House of Representatives in'the fall of 1881, and served one term. Mr. Shear married Emergene Woodbury, also a native of New York They have four children — Helen, Myrtie, Wesley and Byron, the three latter natives of Wisconsin. Mr. Shear's father died in New York and his mother made her home with her son until her death. Charles Beal was born April 7, 1823, in Ichal- shara parish, county Sussex, England. He came to America when eighteen years of age and set- tled at Oneida Co., N. Y. He there engaged in farming and tanning. Charlotte Buss came o.ver the same year from England and settled in Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y. Charlotte Buss was married to Charles Beal in New York State, Oneida Co., in November, 1846. The family consists of four daughters, two eldest daughters deceased; the two living are: Char- lotte, the wife of Charles Fowler, and Ade- laide. John Beal, the father of Charles Beal, came to Utica, N. Y., in 1848. He married his last wife when he was eighty years of age, and died in Utica, N. Y., when he was ninety years old. Charles Beal came to Wisconsin in 1851, locating in Dodge Co., afterwards in Sauk county. In 1859 he came to the town of Hills- borough, Vernon Co., Wis., and located on sec- tion 3, where he now resides, and owns eighty acres of land. He purchased his farm of Thomas Linden in 1859. Charles Beal enlisted in the 49th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. Peter Shear is one of several brothers who are among the earlier settlers of this town. He came here in 185S, and engaged witii his brothers in the manufactui'e of baskets at Hills- borough. His father, Isaac Shear, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shear has been twice married; his first wife, Ellen Warner, died in New York. He has six children, three sons and three daughters. Carlos F. Waterman resides on section 2. His settlement dates from the year 1859 He was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1826, where he lived till twenty-five years of age, when he went to Dane Co., Wis., and located at Stoughton and engaged in farming. He came here as stated in 1859; bought forty acres of his farm of II. Seaman, and eighty acres of ^Marshall Southwick. He resides on the eighty acres. He was married in Vermont, to Maria Everett. His father, John Waterman, died when his son was but one year old. His mother, Melinda (Knapp) Waterman, died a year later. Mr. Waterman is the only member of his father's family who settled in \\'rnon county. His parents had nine children, seven of whom settled in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman have two children — Ida, wife of Elliott Wyman, and Fred, at home. The children were born in Dane Co., Wis. Mr. Waterman's present farm contains 100 acres. John Wesley Allen settled in the town of Hillsborough, on section 28, in ISGO. He located on section 14, in 1877, on a farm which he bought of John M. Bennett. Ho died Aug. 31, 1881. Mr. Allen was born \n Herkimer Co., N. Y., January, 1819. He was n anil in his native State ; married Lavina I5oyer, who was I born in the same county. They came to Jeffer- 578 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. son Co., Wis., where they resided several years before settling in Vernon county. Mr. Allen was one of the well known citizens of Vernon county. He occupied the office of county treasurer two terras. His widow still resides at the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had thirteen children, three sons and ten daughters; nine of the children are still living. Their two sons, Thomas J. and Ethan A. reside on the old homestead. The former was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1850 ; married Alice Sheldon, daughter of George W. Sheldon, of this county. They have one son — Clyde. Ethan A. was born in the town of Hills- borough, in 1864. The homestead farm now owned by Thomas J. and Ethan A. contains 185 acres. William Conway has lived in Hillsborough town for about nineteen years. He was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in March, 1810, and emigrated to the United States in 1843. In 1861 he came to Vernon county and pur- chased his present farm of William P. Frost, who occupied the farm for several years, and made some improvements. This farm lies on section 34. Mr. Conway married Johanna Gorman, and they have had eight children. Of these, only four are living — Patrick, who resides on a farm adjoining his father, John G., who has admirably fitted himself for a pro- fessional career, Ellen and Mary. The deceased children died in infancy. David Johnson resides on section 25 in the town of Hillsborough, where he settled in Jan- uary, 1865. This land was entered by Joseph Kimball who left it to his son, Daniel, and he sold it to J. F. Teeter, from whom Mr. Johnson purchased. He now owns a well improved farm with good buildings. David Johnson was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1818, and lived there till he came to Vernon county. His father was Kendall Johnson, a native of Massachusetts, and a descendent of the Puritan Pilgrims, of 1620, but he never lived in Vernon county. David Johnson married Nancy Quinn, a native of Ire- land, of the county of Antrim, and eight chil- dren have been given them, all having been born in Erie Co., N. Y. — Mary, (who died at the age of fourteen years) John Q., Luther, Sarah, Charles A., a teacher by profession, who received an academic education at Elroy, Wis., and is now teaching in Chippewa Co., Wis., William V., Alice A., and Andrew L., who have all grown up to manhood and womanhood. Hon. Roger Williams is proprietor of the res- taurant at Hillsborough village. He was born at Oswego, Oswego Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1836, and is a son of Watfson Williams. When four- teen years of age he shipped on board a mer- chantman, and took a two years cruise. He subsequently followed the lakes for some years, and for three years previous to the war, was en- gaged in the groceiy trade. When the civil war commenced, he enlisted"in the 110th regi- ment. New York Volunteer Infantry, and served about eighteen months. He was discharged from the Marine hospital, at New Orleans, on account of disability. In August, 1865, he came to Hillsborough town and purchased a partially improved farm on section 29, where he settled the following October. He still owns this farm of 120 acres, seventy-five acres of which are under cultivation. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Williams removed into the village, and engaged in his present business. Mr. Williams was married, before the war, to Ellen M., daugh- ter of Philand Madison, who settled in this towii about 1863, but is now deceased. They have two children — Ella R. and George A. Mr. Williams has served as clerk of his school dis- trict; was chairman of the town board, for ten years, and in the fall of 1879, was elected to the State Legislature from this district. Fred Sohnell is the owner of the Hillsbor- ough brewery. He was born in Germany, in 1^49, and in 1866, came to the United States, and here learned the brewing trade. He came to Vernon county in 1866, and in 1873, bought of Carl Ludwig, his present brewery, and has since conducted the business. He has also en- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 579 gaged in the manufacture of brick since 1877. The main building of the brewery is a stone basement with frame superstructure, about 35x40 feet in size. An addition is of frame 20x40 feet in size. The dimensions of the ice house are 24x32 feet. The brewery has a ca- pacity of 1500 barrels annually, and in 1882, Mr. Schnell manufactured 1300 barrels. Francis I. Pincli, physician and surgeon, lo- cated in the town of Hillsborough, in Novem- ber, 1880. He was born at Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1855, and in early life at- tended the common schools. He subsequently entered Ripon College, where he obtained a good classical education. He commenced the study of medicine at Ripon, in 1877, with Dr. F. Conger as his preceptor, and was graduated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in the spring of 1880. Dr. Pinch is a young man of promise, and during his three years resi- dence here has gained the esteem and respect of the community, and a comfortable practice, both of which are essential to success. C. II. Morris, physician and surgeon, located in the village of Hillsborough, in January, 1883. Dr. Morris is a native of Rush Co., Ind., and commenced the study of medicine in 1875. He graduated after a two years course at the Medi- cal College of Indiana, in 1880. After two years of practice in Indiana, he came to this State. Dr. Morris is a man of fine education and well versed in the profession which he has made a life work. He has made many friends in his new home, and is rapidly building up a large and substantial practice. oSO HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPl'i^H XLI THE TOWN OF JEFFERSON. Jefferson is located in range 5, and embraces congressional town 13, and twelve sections of town 12, and therefore has an area of about 30,720 acres. Coon town is on its north border, Viroqua and Franklin towns on its east, Franklin and Sterling towns on its south, and Harmony and Sterling towns on its western border. One branch of the Bad Ax river takes its rise in the northern part of this town. There is perhaps more than the average amount of farm land in this town. The soil is of the very best in the county, and great care has been taken by the settlers to cultivate their lands in a proper manner and as a direct result, the town has more well tilled, highly improved farms than almost any other town within the county. There are many very large beautifully designed farm houses throughout this town, a large number of which are surrounded by large thrifty pine trees, the dark green foliage of which is a perpetual beauty, which is even increased in mid-winter, when the common forest trees are leafless. EAELY SBTTLEKS. The first settlement of this town was made by John Graham, in July, 1846, who, in company with his three sons, Thomas, Baker and Lamech settled on section 23, town 13, range 5. They moved from Mercer Co., 111., with four yoke of oxen. They left Illinois in the month of April and came as tar as Grant county, this State, where the family halted, while Mr. Graham and Jefferson De Freese came on to Vernon county in search of lands suitable to make homes. At that date the only settlers in Vernon county were Messrs. Rice and McCollough. They found lands adapted to their wants and soon returned to Grant county for the family, and were soon settled, after a fashion, in their new frontier home. Mr. Graham and his sons erected a rude log cabin and resided there " monarchs of all they surveyed," until that fall, when they were joined by William McMichael and family. Mis. McMichael was a daughter of John Gratiam. Mr. Graham was born in Virginia, and with his parents moved to Ohio, where he learned the trade of millwright. He married a Miss Lyons, who died leaving four children, two sons and two daughters. He subsequently married Miss Reasoner and moved to Grant Co., Ind., where he built a mill and operated it till 184C, when he removed to Illinois. His wife died, leaving him nine children to care for. Six of these children were living in 1884 — '-aker, Lamech, Mary, Jefferson, Casandrew and Vallie. After coming to Vernon county, Mr. Graham married Mrs. Mary Crawford, whose maiden name was McMichael. By this union there were two children. Mr. Graham erected the first mill in Vernon county ; he also laid out the village of Springville. He died in 1862. The following are the names of those who settled in the town previous to 1850 : John Graham and his sons Lamech, Thomas ;\nil Baker, who came in July, 1846 ; William Mc- Michael, Isaac Spencer, Edmond Strong, Charles Waters, Isaac Waters, Henry Waters, William Spencer, Edward Cox, Daniel Cox, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 581 Charles Cox, Samuel Brice, John Flick and sons, Clement Spaulding, Clayborn Cheatham, D. Cheatham, Dr. J. H. Sudduth and Nicholas Murphy. The Waters family, who came in 1858 or 1859, were the children of Isaac and Abigal (Clark) Waters, natives of Connecticut, who reared eight children, four sons and one daugh- ter of whom were pioneers of Vernon county. 1"he first to come was Charles, who came on at the same tim e William Spencer did and finally married his daughter — Mary J. Charles followed farming and the nursury business in the town (if Jefferson for many years, but final- ly inovcil to Grant county and later to Iowa. Henry Waters came previous to 1850. He farmed and run a store at Springville for a time; but in 1884 was living at Fort Kearney, Neb. Isaac Waters, who was an unmarried man at the time of his coming to the county, soon after married Martha Price. He remained about ten years and moved to Minnesota. Clark Waters was the last to come to the the county and settled on section 24. Here- sides there still. Among the settlers of 1854 was Isaac Williams, who settled on land afterward owned by Col. May. In 1855 William Smith became a resident of the town of Jefferson and in the fall of the same year became associated with Seth Hamilton in the blacksmithing business. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Smith went on the Mississippi river to work, spending two years there. He then moved to La Crosse, where he lived till 1860 and then returned to Springville and resumed work at his trade, continuing until 1875, since whicli time lie has given hisattention to farm- ing. He came west in 1855 by railroad as far as Madison, this State, and soon after wended his way overland to Vernon county, where his brother, I. \V. Sinith, had previously located. In 1859 he married Louise Kowe, who bore bim eight children, seven of whom arc living Sarah, Clarence, Willie, James, George, Earl and Bessie. Among other settlers of an early date was Nathan J. Slack, who settled on section 30, town 12, range 5, in 1858. He first located at Liberty Pole in 1856. In 1884 he was ccunted among the wealthiest farmers of the town, owning 440 acres of well improved farm lands in this town and 240 acres on the Bad Ax. His wife was Adeline Rogers, daughter of Hi- ram Rogers She was born in New York, in 1836. They have two children — Carrie and Charles. John Flick and family, who were quite early set- tlers, lived near where Lamech Graham after- ward lived. They remained where they first set- tled till the time of his death, Christmas day, 1865. His rcmainslie buried on the hill just north of the Eureka Mills. Mr. Flick followed farming and stone quarrying; also burned lime. In 1884 the family were scattered, some in one State, some in another. The widow was then living in Minnesota. FIRST THINGS. The first occurrences in the settlement of a country are ever of interest to the reader of local history; and below is a record of many of the first events which transpired in the town of Jefferson: The first settler was John Graham, who came in 1846. The first marriage was Solomon Flick and Mary Graham, which took place in 1850 or 1851. The first death in the town, also in the county, was William Lewis McMichael, son of William and Eleanor McMichael. This occurred in 1846. His remains were first buried east of Viroqua, but later were removed to Springville cemetery. The next death was Thomas, son of John Graham, who died in the winter of 1847-8, and was the first body interred in the Springville cemetery. The first blacksmith shop was operated as early as 1848. 582 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. William Smith burned tlie first stone coal used in the town, in I860. It was purchased in Milwaukee and used in his blacksmith shop. Before this date charcoal had been exclusively used for iron work. The first school was taught by Henry "Waters in 1849. The first school house was built in 1850, and was located just north of Springville. ORGANIC. This town was organized in 1855, and was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The early records are very incomplete, and the only facts relating to its early history is that the first supervisors were: Isaac Spencer, Charles Waters and James Marker; and X. W. Saxton, town clerk. In 1856 the supervisors were: J. R. Savage, James Marker and William Evans; Julius Rowell, town clerk. In 1883 the town officers were: M. Saxon, chairman; E. P. Thompson and M. Hovelind, supervisors; Joseph McLeese, clerk; Michael Rentz, treasurer; I W. Thorp and E. Tigue, justices of the peace; Isaac Groves, assessor. POSTOFFICKS. In 1884 the town of Jefferson had two post- offices within its borders. The first postoffice established in the town was at Springville, in 1849. The mail was received from Prairie du Chien twice a week. Edmond Strang was the first postmaster. Among the postmasters have been: James Savage and P. Buflfler. The lat- ter was serving in 1883. The first postmaster of Esofea postoffice was Edwin Larson. This office continued only a few years. In 1870 it was again established and M. Rentz made postmaster. He in time was suc- ceeded by A. K. Strand, and he by Nels John- son, who was followed by Christian Schriven. The first goods sold at or neir this postoffice were by Edwin Larson, who, after two years, was followed by A. K. Strand, who engaged in trade about 1873, and continued till 1880, when he was succeeded by Christian Schriven. In 1884 the place had a store, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and a tannery. EDUCATIONAL. Educational matters in the town of Jefferson have ever been watched and cared for, even from the early pioneer days, with the greatest prudence and wisdom. None but the best teachers have been engaged to teach the schools. In 1884 the town contained six districts proper and four joint districts, each of which were provided with a fair school building. Joint school district No. 1 owns a frame school building on section 23, erected about twenty-five years ago. District No. 2 has a frame house on section 15, which is about twenty years old. District No 3 possesses a frame building on section 3, built about 1808. Joint district No. 5 owns a frame building on section 1. Joint district No. 6 owns a very old frame house on section 6. District No. 7 erected a frame house on sec- tion 34, about 1868. District No. 8 erected a substantial frame structure on section 16 in 1878. District No. 9 possesses a good frame build- ing on section 31, put up about 1875. Joint district No. 10 erected in the autumn of 1883 a neat frame school house on section 8, of town 12 north, of range 5 west. District No. 14 owns a very old frame struc- ture on section 36. All of the school buildings are in town 13 north, of range 5 west, with the exception of joint district No. 10. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. The first heralds of the Cross in this vicinity were from the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion. The first services were held in 1 850, by Rev. Perdun, at the house of Isaac Spencer. The United Brethren organized a society in 1859, at which date Rev. Mr. Smith officiated as preacher. Among the first member were : L. J. Wood and wife, J, livown and wife, Sapj- ^p^. C/'~^i^^5. In 1877 he sold to E. N. Shaw, who was its pro- prietor in 1884. In 1883 the business of the place was repre- sented as follows : Lewis Shaw, groceries, also the proprietor of the Springville House ; H. Amunson & Co., general dealers; Isaac Hamilton, harness maker ; Trumin Kendall and H. W. Jackson, blacksmiths. VARIOUS MANDTACTOEIES. In 1883 the town of Jefferson supported the following branches of manufacturing industry: tannery ; broom factory ; harness and shoe shops ; furniture factory and an extensive sorghum mill. The tannery was erected in 187.', by Michael Rentz, at Esofea, and has always done a large business in the production of upper leather, lining, mitten leather, etc. A broom factory was put in operation by J. M. Goldrick, who had the great misfortune of losing his eyesight in 1862, and as he did not recover, he was sent to the Blind Institute at Janesville, where in the course of five weeks he learned to make brooms, and since that time has done a good business in that line. In 1854 E. C. Oificer commenced the manu- facture of furniture at Springville, which he followed about three years. This was the only attempt ever made in this line of business. Among the earliest shoemakers of the town were Philip Boufileur and Enoch Brooks. The first one to engage in the harness busi- ness was William Boufileur, who opened a .shop in 1875, at first using the rear of his father's store for a shop. In the spring of 1880, he erected a shop and continued in busi- ness till 1883, when he sold to Isaac Hamilton, who learned his trade of Mr. Boufileur. This is the only harness shop in the town of Jeff^er- son. In 1857 I. F. Thorp and Archibald Morrison engaged in tbe manufacture of fanning mills, in which they continued but a part of the year. John M. Goldrick had been in the same busi- ness in the town as early as 1855. This town supports a very important branch of farm industry in the way of a Sugar Cane manufactory, which was commenced in 1863. In 1S05 William Frazier began to grow cane on an extensive plan and continued the same till 1873, making from 800 to 1,000 gallons annually, by the use of a two horse power mill. In 1880 he again resumed the business, and in 1883, commenced to make sugar. He was the third man in Wisconsin to engage in sugar making from sorghum. The first was at the State University at Madison, and the next, Mr. Decker, at Fond du Lac, who made about 4,000 pounds in the fall of 1882. In June, 1882, the agricultural department at Washington, D. C, issued a circular stating that Congress had appropriated a certain amount of money to be used in experimenting in the manufactory of sugar from cane grown in the northern States. Of this amount the department proposed to divide $1 '4,000 into ten equal shares, to be given to the ten men who returned the best report on the subject of growing sugar cane and making sugar therefrom. In December, 1882, Wil- liam Frazier sent his report in to ttie commis- sioner of agriculture at Washington, and was soon informed that he had been awarded one share, $1,200, and the same was received by him in May, 1 883. The following is an extract from his prize report : Dear Sir : — I send you the following report. I planted twenty acres to Amber Cane ; yes, I planted it all three times ! after telling every- body and their boys how to plant cane, failed to get a stand myself. Planted five acres on the 27th of April ; fifteen on the 12th and 13th of May, used corn planters ; planted very shal- low, not to exceed one-half an inch in depth ; HISTORY OP VERNON COUNTY. 067 my ground was in splendid condition ( finely pulverized and made smooth with a " hunter"), planted in check rows three feet three and one- half inches each way ; deposited seed in south- east corner of square, then roUed the ground. But the expected spring rains failed to come. We did not liave enough rain in this locality from the time we commenced to ])low in the spring until the 24th day of June, to wet the plowed ground one inch deep ; but we had some little showers, just enough to start some of the plants, only to wither and dry for want of moisture. Planted again the last of May and forepart of June, which came better, but a little wire-worm about one-half an inch long, and the white grub played sad havoc with the young plants. Planted again about the middle of June. After all my pains failed to get half a stand on nineteen acres of the twenty acres planted. Process of manufacturing : I have ten feet (all from mill to boiling house ; four feet from level of evaporator to floor of syrup house. Run my juice through a two-inch pipe, sixiy-six feet from mill to custom tanks ; have two of ihem. Capacity 180 and 200 gallons respect- ively. These tanks are made of galvanized iron and wood, and hold just ton gallons to one inch in depth. Here the juice is allowed to settle while the tank is being filled ; here the juice is measured, tested and drawn through a swing pipe and run into one of the two lime tanks ; put enough of the milk of good fresh lime so the juice will turn blue litmus paper purple. When the lime is put in mix thoroughly. It will be seen that I lime my juice cold. Some successful manufacturers do their first boiling in batches; this I believe to be unnec- essary and inconvenient. I use a pan ( for defecating) seventeen feet long, forly-four inches wide, with three apartments ; the one next to smoke stack is five feet long, the ne.vt one four feet, the balance of pan is finished like the cook evaporator, channels sixteen ii.clies wide. I run the limed juice into the apartment next to chimney. This is made separate from balance of pan and placed higher; here the juice heats gradually, but never boils. We skim this about once in five or six hours ; it passes from this to the second apartment, where it is raised nearly to the boiling point, but not allowed to boil ; here it is skimmed every two or three hours ; the juice is passed through a gate from this to the third division, almost as clear as water, where it is boiled as rapidly as possible until the green scum is all off, when it is drawn by a continuous flow into tanks. I use two of them, with a ca])acily of 100 gal- lons each, where it is allowed to settle an hour or more from the time it begins to fill until it is empty. Here we obtain a feccula, fine and very tart. These settlings will ferment in a very short time. From these tanks the defe- cated juice is drawn through swing pijies into the Madison pan (cook evaporator fifteen feet long), where it is kept boiling rapidly until fin- ished. We run the finished syrup by a continuous flow through a wooden trough, covered with fine wire screen, thirty-two feet to cooler, from one cooler to another, when it is usually cooled to about 1+0 deg., Fahrenheit. This second cooler is set on truck, and when filled is drawn by a windlass to top of syrup tank, which li;is a capacity of 2, .360 gallons. A little porus alum water should be used in the semi syrup ; when one of the tanks is about three-quarters full put in one pint of the alum water. Mix well. To prepare the alum water, dissolve 2-h lbs. of porus alura in ten gallons of water. The settling tanks should be rinsed two or three times a day. Eacli tank should have- a 3-inch hole in the bottom to expedite the cleans- ing. On stopping for the day (we did not inn much at night), I always had the mill and all tanks that were emptied washed with milk of lime, or rinsed with water and then white- washed. 588 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The sooner and mo^-e rapidly the juice and semi-syrup, after being settled, can be boiled the better. Too much skimming is bad. Any attempt to remove the scum before it has be- come somewhat firm — has some body to it — will result in mixing it with the juice, and thus materially injuring the quality of the syrup. I believe in thoroughly skimming but not a con- tinuous dipping by any means. I use wood for fuel; have it split fine for the evaporator and then have a trusty boy whose business is to keep a steady hot fire and skim front end of pan. I pay a man extra wages to superin- tend evaporator and keep running from the time it is started in the morning until we wish to stop at night; he did not scorch or bum a gallon in making almost 4,000 gallons. * ********* Yours Truly, Wm. Frazike. The money which Mr. Frazier received from this essay on "Sugar cane in the North," added to his enthusiasm so that the following year he planted twenty-five acres, and went to the ex- pense of putting in new machinery with which to make sugar. Henry Morgan of Wheatland town is perhaps the next largest producer of sorghum, in Ver- non county. CTCLONK. June 23, IS'ZS, a small cyclone struck the res- idence of William Frazier on section 5, of town 1.3, range 5, and completely demolished it. At the time, there were eleven persons in the house — Mr. and Mrs. Frazier, and their six children, his sister-in-law and child, and a hired girl. None were killed, but several were seriously injured. The floor of the house was carried about a mile, and trees were hurled a distance of three miles and forced bodilj into the earth. No further damage was done till the storm struck Hazens Corners now known as Cashton. FISH PONDS. Near Esofea there are a series of fish ponds constructed by Michael Rentz in 1881, for the purpose of raising trout. Water is supplied from a large stream which gushes out of the earth at that point. Mr. Rentz was, in 1883, producing some very fine fish. CEMETERIES. In 18^-t there were two regular cemeteries within the borders of this town. The oldest of these is the one situated near the village of Springville. The other, which is used by the Norwegians, is located on the northwest quar- ter of section 14, town 13, range 5. BIOGRAPHICAL. Nearly forty years have elapsed since John Graham and his three sons first made a settle- ment on the virgin soil of what is now Jeffer- son town. The following personal histories represent about forty of the pioneer settlers and prominent citizens of to-day; those who have been witnesses and participators of the steady toil and innumerable privations attend- ant on the clearing and settlement of this por- tion of Vernon county. Limeh Graham, the oldest settler in Vernon county residing there in 1884, was born in Ohio April IV, 1828, came to this county in 1''46, in company with Nelson De Frees, and has since been a resident of Springville, Vernon county. His principal business has been milling, and is at present one of the partners of the Eureka Mill. Mr. Graham has made a large amount of money, but has met with heavy losses by fire and otherwise. He was marritd in 1851 to Mary Kelsey. She died, leaving two children, one of which is now living — Columbus. In 1862 he married Enphanie Gambols, and by this union has had ten children, eight of wliom are now living — Lameh, \\ illiam, Irwin M., John, Al- fred B., Amada, Anna M. and Mary M. Alfred Glassborn is a native of Virginia, born in the year 1815. When one year old he removed with his parents to Ohio. Here he re- sided until 1839, being raised to farm life. He then went to Lee Co., Iowa, and in 1844 cpme to Wisconsin, working for two years in the lead mines. In the fall of 1846 he removed fartlier HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 589 north, and lias since resided within the limits of what is now known as Vernon county, with the exception of three years spent in California. TTntil 1868 he gave his attention to farming. In 1869 lie became associated, as partner, with Lameh Graham, in the milling business, erected the Eureka Mill, at Springville, and has since owned an interest in the same. Mr. Glassborn never married. Samuel Brice is numbered among the pio- neers of Vernon county, having settled here prior to 1850. He pre-empted land on section 27, town 13, range 5, on which he resided until 1883, when he removed to Brown Co., Dak. Mr. Brice was born in 1820, in Kentucky, removing with his parents to Missouri, where he married Mrs. Mary Spradling, nee Ingram. She had two children by her former marriage, one of whom If now living — Anna, wife of J. Zuingliens May. Mr. and Mr.s. Brice have but one child — John. .lohn Brice, son of Samuel and Mary Brice, was born in Jeffnrson, Vernon county, Aug. 5, 1855, now residing on the homestead. He was married in 1 876 to Oliva Parsons, daughter of Israel Parsons. They have four children- — Amy, Maud, Jessie and Effie. Ann M. (Sprad- ling) May, the daughter born to Mrs. Samuel Brice, was born in Lincoln Co., Mo., in 1)>50. In 1853 slie was taken by her parents to Ver- non Co., Wis., and Dec. 29, 1868, married Zuingliens S. May. They have six children, five of whom are natives of Vernon county — Belle, Samuel, Georgia, Idumea and Edna. In 1882 Mr. May removed to Brown Co., Dak., where a little daughter, named Bertha, was born to them. S. Hoverson is numbered among the settlers of 1852, as on the 2Vth of August, that year, his parents came to Vernon county, soon purchas- ing land on section 12, town 13, range 5, and as soon as suitable buildings could be erected made this their home. Here his father died in September, 1881; his mother makes her home with him. Mr. Hoverson was born in Norway, May 10, 1835. He emigrated with his parents to America in 1852, and has since, as before stated, been a resident of Jefferson town .He is a republican in politics, and for nine years has been a member of the town board. In religion he is a Lutheran. Among the early settlers of Vernon county is found Norris W. Saxton, who, with his wife and three children settled near Liberty Pole in 1852. In 1853 he removed to Springville, en- gaging in farming, and also for some time in running a saw mill. When the civil war broke out he responded to the call of his country by enlisting in com])any C, 18th Wisconsin Volim- teers, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh in April, 1862. Mr. Saxton was born in New York State in 1813, and while a resident there married Maria L. Belknap. He then emigrated to Illinois, going from there to Wisconsin. Mrs. Saxton died in 1878. She had five chil- dren — A. B., Jennie E., deceased, N. W., who enlisted in company F., 37th Wisconsin Volun- teers, dying while in service; Anna L. and Syl- vester S. A. B. Saxton, son of Norris W. Saxton, was born in Pike Co., III., April 16, 1^43. He came with his parents to this county, and has since been engaged in farming. He was married to Augusta C. Favor, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Favor, and now resides on section 6, town 13, range 5, owning 120 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Saxton have had six cliildren, three of whom are living — Clement S., Emma L. and Norton F. Mr. Saxton is a National grecnbacker. In religion he is a Methodist Episcopal. Martin F. Allen was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1820. His early life was spent working in saw mills and grist mills, three years of which time was spent in Canada. He came to Vernon county in October, 1853, purchasing the southwest quarter of section 28, town 13, range 5. He then returned to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and the following si)ring brought his family to their new home, the jour- ney being made byway of the great lakes, from 590 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Ogdensburg, N. Y., to Chicago, 111., and thence by team to Wisconsin. In 1858 Mr. Allen traded his property for a saw mill at Newton, removed thither in ISOO, erected a new saw mill, and four years later built a grist mill on the place. He resided in Newton about seven- teen years, when he sold his mills, returned to Jefferson, and now resides on section .32. His farm consists of 240 acres. He was married in 1841 to Anna Landon, of Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. She died in July, 1842, leaving one son, who has since died. In 1849 he married Betsy C. Ellis, and by this union had eight children— Charles, the eldest, entered the United States service in 1864, and now fills a soldier's grav.e; Emery E., Julia, wife of Joseph Baker; Elisha, James M., George W., Hattie and Henry. He is a strict republican, and adheres closely to temperance. William A. Herron came to Vernon county in April, 185.3, settling on the northeast quarter of section 14, town 13, range 5, where he now owns 240 acres. He has given his princi- pal attention to farming, although for a few years he was engaged in general merchandise business, at Springville, in partnership with George E. Morse. In 1881 he went to Dakota, taking a homestead and tree claim, and has spent much of his time since in improving the same. Mr. Herron was born June 22, 1823, in Muskingum Co., Ohio. In 1848 he married Mary McLees, and in 1853, as before stated, came to Wisconsin, the journey from Ohio be- ing made on steamboat, by way of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Herron have nine children — Han- nah J., now Mrs. Matthew Gray, Sarah E., now Mrs. Ge.orge E. Morse, Joseph M., Mary M., now Mrs. H. L. Rayner, Martha W., now Mrs. Frank Warner, Rachel, now Mrs. Arthur Ams- den; Charles T., George W., and Kate. He is a republican, and a member of the Congrega- tional Church. Setli Hamilton settled at Springville, Jeffer- son town, in 1854, engaging in the black- smith business. After continuing this business for two years he engaged in carpenter work- in 1859 he went to Pikes Peak, but returned in 1862 to Springville, and has since been engaged in farming. He was born in Ohio, Jan. 14, 1833, and resided in his native State until reaching maturity. He was married in 1855, to Cathe- rine Ann Van Dyke, daughter of Abraham Van Dyke. She removing with her father from the State of Ohio in 1854. Their children num- bered six, in all, two boys and four girls. Three of them are dead and three living — Comentna Alice, the oldest, was born July 7, 1856, died July 4, 1862; Loami Wilber was born April 23, 1863, died Jan. 24, 1865; Seth Lorin was born Jan. 23, 1875, died Nov. 18, 1878. The living ones are — MelzanaLoretta,MattieLeona, Mary Lucy. Mr. Hamilton's politics, if any, are democratic, in faith he is an Advent believer. George Williamson has been a resident of Vernon county since 1865. He worked at the cooper trade for three years, at Chaseburg, the remainder of the time being engaged in farm- ing. He was born Jan. 29, 1843, in Muskingum Co., Ohio. He learned his trade in his native State, and followed it there until 1861. He then enlisted in company A, 122d Ohio Infantry, serving three years, and participating in several hard fought battles and numerous skirmishes. He was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, which disabled him for three months. July 4, 1868, he married Hettie, daughter of James Maxwell. They have three children — Blanche, Lloyd and Irwin. He is a republican, and a member of the G. A. R. James Maxwell came to Vernon county in 1854, in the fall of the same year, purchasing fifty acres of land on section 15, town 13, range 5, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1875. He was born Nov. 10, 1808, in Westmoreland Co., Penn., and removed with his parents to Ohio, where he was married, Dec. 22, 1831, to Sarah Joseph, born in Virginia, Sept. 25, 1808. They had nine children, eight daughters and one son — the latter deceased. The children living are — Dy- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 591 antlia Irene, wife of Johu Goldrick; Margaret, wife of Tliomas Harper; Mary, wife of Salem James; Rachel, wife of Isaac Groves; Nancy, wife of James Dixon; Neoma, wife of Charles Markle; Celestia, wife of David Stevenson; and Hetty, wife of George Williamson. Mrs. Max- well still resides on the homestead, which con- tains 140 acres of land. E. C. Officer settled at Springville, Vernon counly, in 1854, working at his trade, cabi- net maker, for about three years. In IBS'? he mariied Mary Ann Spencer, daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann(McConnell) Spencer,since which tinu- he has given his attention to farming. He now owns -310 acres of land, twenty-one lots, and the largest springs in the county, from which the vilUge of Springville derived its name, are located on his land, only a few rods from his residence. Mr. OfHcer was born Feb. 8, 1827, in Muskingum Co., Ohio, being a son ()( .Tames and Sarah (Crumbaker) Officer. He learned his trade and worked at it in his native Stale until coming to Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Officer have had eight children, six of whom are living — James, Irvine, Flora M., Elmer H., Wyman L. and Lloyd Spencer. Samuel Davis was born in Pennsylvania in ISOl, learned the- cooper trade, and removed to Ohio, residing there until 1855, when he came to Jefferson town Vernon Co., Wis. He died in September, 1872. He was twice married. His first wife was IVIiss Yours, by whom he had ten children, nine of whom are living. Ilis second wife was Elizabeth G. (Tladden. They had seven children, four of whom are living — Nancy, William I., Hulda E. and Miles G. Mrs. Davis is now the wife of Thomas White. Miles G. Davis was born in Morgan Cit., Ohio, April 8, 1854. He received a common school education. In March, 18"T, ho marrioikingum Co., Ohio, where she was married. They lived together until 1872, when May 23 she died, having borne thirteen children — .Salem, Troylus, Reuben, Eben, Maria, Charles, Edwin, Lucy, George, Theodore, John, Alta and Thomas. Ten are still living. Reuben died Aug. 10, 1840; Theodore, Feb. 1, 1868, and John, Dec. 14, 1878. Mr. James united with the Baptist Church in April, 1830; his wife in 1833. In politics he was an "old line whig," then a staunch republican. In June, 1875, he was married the second time, to Mrs. Mary Miller, widow of James Miller. She was born July 20, 1828, in Muskingum Co., Ohio; was married May 20, 1847, and removed with her husband, in 1854, to Vernon Co., Wis.; settled near Viroqua, and in 1860, settled on a home- stead in the town of Stark, on sections 4 and 5, town 13 north, of range 2 west. In August, 1862, her husband enlisted for the war in com- pany A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and died at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 11, 1863, at the age of thirty-seven years. She had four chil- dren — Harvey, Mansfield L., Sarah E. and Asbury F., two of whom ai-e dead. Sarah E. died May 17, 1874, and Mansfield L. died June 18, 1882. Both wife and husband were mem- bers of the Methodist Church. He was republican in politics. William A. Morse was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 23, 1817. His early life « as spent on a farm, while he received a good commer- cial education, and for many years was engaged in book-keeping. NV'hile serving in that capacity in Lockport, he made the acquaintance of Orrilla N. Hunter, to whom he was married in 1840. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin, engag- ing in mercantile business at Springville, Ver- non county, which he continued the greater portion of the time until his death, which oc curred in 1874. Mr. Morse was the first depot agent at Lockport, on the New York Central Railroad, and faithfully served the comp.my a number of years in that capacity. Mrs. Morse still resides with her only child — George E. Mr. Morse possessed excellent business qualifica- tions, and was well known in the county. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and ranked very high. He was a Royal Arch Mason, was connected with the Commaudery, and was a Knight Templar. He assisted in organizing the Masonic lodge at Viroqua. He voted the republican ticket, but never aspired to office. Religiously, he was an Adventist — one of the first in the county. George E., only son of William A. Morse, was born in Lockport, N. Y., June 11, 1841, coming with his parents to Wisconsin. He received a good common school education, and was raised to a mercantile life, assisting his father in the store. He re- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 593 mained at home uutil 1871, at which time he was married to Sarah E. Herron, daugliter of William A. Herron. They liave had five chil- dren, two of whom are living — Mary E. and Margaret E. Mr. Morse has been principally engaged in farming, being for a time, how- ever, engaged in mercantile business. In poli- tics he is a republican, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Clark Waters was born Feb. 8, 1805, in the State of New York. He removed with his par- ents to Illinois, from whence he came to Wis- consin, becoming one of the pioneers of Ver- non county. He now resides on section 25, Jefferson town. Mr. Waters has been mar- ried three times. His first wife was Orrilla Clark, by whom he had eleven children, seven living at the time of her death. His second wife was Julia Mack, from whom he was di- vorced soon after marriage. His present wife was Mrs. Louisa Derr, widow:ed wife of Charles Derr, who was killed while serving his country in the civil war. Five children were born to them, three daughters and two sons — the former married, and the latter still single. Mr. and Mrs. Waters were married in 1867. W. S. Waters, son of Clark and Orrilla Waters, removed with his parents to Vernon county. In 1862 he enlisted in company A, 25th Wisconsin Volunteers, serving three years. Mr. Waters married Joam Older. They have seven children — William, Arbelle, Earnest, Hattie, James, Burton and Lester. Adam Doerr arrived at Springville, April 11, 1856, and at once entered the employ of tlie Grahams, who were then repairing their mill, and when it was completed, Mr. Doerr was placed in charge and held the position for three years. On account of being troubled with rheumatism, he was compelled to give up steady work in the mill, but he still assists about the mill occasionally. When Mr. Doerr first en- tered the mill he was unable to speak the Eng- lish language, but as he was well educated in German, he kept the books at the mill, and was soon familiar with our native tongue. He purchased his present farm in 1859, and now has a comfortable home. When he bought his land there was but little timber in the vicinity, as fires swept across the country annually. IJut now, where the soil has not been put under cul- tivation, it is covered with a thick forest. Mr. Doerr was born in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 1,18^:0. He learned the milling business, and subsequently the tailor's trade. In 1851 he emigrated to the United States, and first stopped in Butler Co., Penn., where, in 1853, he married Susanna Keonig. They have three children — Susan, Anna and John. Jonathan Favor was born in Grafton Co.,N. H., May 6, 1799. In 1821 he was united in mar- riage with Mary Pingry, born in the same county, Aug. 28, 1802. In 1833 they moved to Erie Co., N. Y., seven years later to McHenry Co., 111., and in 1854 came to Wisconsin, set- tling on section 10, town 13, range 5. Here Mr. Favor was engaged in farming until his death, Feb. 21, 1875. Mrs. Favor still resides on the homestead, and is in good health for one of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Favor had twelve children, ten of whom are living — Isaac S., Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ira Olds ; Feletus, J.ine, now Mrs. Theodore Wilson; Minerva, widiwof Wallace W. DeFrees ; Daniel W., Ambrosia, nowMrs. John Spencer ; Augusta, now Mrs. A. B. Soxten ; Electa, now Mrs. Joel Herron, and Jerome. Mr. Favor was a loving husband, kind father, and good neighbor. He always lived a Christian life, and during his latter years was connected with the Advent Christian Church. Jerome Favor was born in McHenry Co., 111., June 26, 1846. He came with his parents to Wisconsin, now owning and residing on the homestead, which contains 160 acres of land. In 1880 he erected a large frame house at a cost of $2,400, but it was no sooner completed than it was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Favor was compelled to rebuild. Feb. 1, 1869, he 594 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. married Lucy James, daughter of Thomas James, They have two children — Fannie and Arie. Mr. Favor is a republican. In religion he is an Advent Christian. I. M. Groves became a resident of Vernon county in the fail of 1856, residing in Liberty town until T869, since which time he has lived in Jefferson town. He was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Sept. yO, 1839, where he resided until coming to Wisconsin. He enlisted Sept. 6, 1801, in company F, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer.^, servinguntil Sept. 16, 1864. He participated in the battles of Frederickstown, Mo.; siege of New Madrid, Island No. 10 and siege of Cor- inth, when he was taken sick, remaining in the hospital eleven months. He was also f.n the Red river expedition. In 1865 he married Rachel Maxwell, daughter of James Maxwell. They had six children, five of whom are living — James F., Ottosia A., Le Roy M., Mary E. and Hattie I. He is a greenbacker in politics, but was fonnerly a re]niblican. His religious connections are with the Methodist Episco])al Church. Mr. Groves is a member of the G. A. R. R. S. Nixon settled on section 34, town 13, range 5, Vernon Co., Wis., and here he still re- sides. He has given his attention to Farming and now owns 190 acres of land. Mr. Nixon was born Nov. 10, 1820, in Morgan Co., Ohio. His father, Hugh Nixon, was a native of Ireland, and his mother, Rachel (Wood) Nixon, was born in New Jersey. R. S. Nixon received a common school education. In 1843 he was married to Jane Rees, born in Muskingum Co., Ohio. In 1856 they came to Wisconsin. Mrs. Nixon died in March, 1881, leaving six children — Mary J., Amos M., Charles IL, Emma, Eva and Sam- uel. He is a republican and a member of the I. (). O. F. He is a member of the Method- dist Episcopal Church. A. M. Nixon, son of R. S. and Jane (Rees) Nixon, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, IS.tO. He came with his parents to Wisconsin and has since been a resident of Vernon county. He learned the blacksmith trade and for some time had a shop at Viroqua. He settled on his present farm in 1875 and in March of the same year married Sarah Emma McKitrick. They have four children — Charles A., Roy, Claude and Howard W. In politics Mr. Nixon is re- publican. L. G. P. Adams was born in Quincy, Mass., Oct. -'4, 1815. He ^^earned the shoemaker's trade and while pursuing the same made boots for Gen. B. F. Butler and Dr. Ayers. He was married Dec. 31, 1839, at Lowell, Mass., to Eliza S. Mallon. Ten years later, he removed to New Hampshire from whence, in 1857, he he came to Wisconsin and has since been a res- ident of Vernon county. He was engaged in farming at Viroqua until 1866, when he removed to Springville, engaging in hotel business. He was proprietor of the Springville House until 1877, when he sold to L. X. Shaw. Mr. Adams now leads a retired life. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had two children, one now living — Anna E., wife of Samuel Older, Springville, Wis. Philip Bouffleur is a native of Prussia, born Sept. 7, 1829. His father, Peter BoufHeur, emi- grated to the United States in 1853 and died at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854. His mother, Catha- rine Bouffleur, emigrated to the United States in I860 and has since been a resident of Ver- non county. Philip learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country. From 1849 to 1851 he served in the 30th Infantry Division of the Prussian Army. In 1854 he came to America, first stopping at Butler, Butler Co., Penn. On Nov. 27, 1855, he was united in marriage with Mary Reinlinder. In 1857 he came to Wisconsin, settling in Springville and following his trade until 1864, when he suc- ceeded Mr. Bartolf in the general mercantile business and by his pleasing manners and hon- est dealings so gained the confidence of the people that his trade was on a continual increase until in 1882 his sales amounted to $30,000. Mr. I'ouffleur is a republican in politics. He served as postmaster at Springville from 1864 to HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 505 1883. He is a man of excellent business quali- fications and highly esteemed by his fellow men. Mr. Bouffleur is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. His religious con- nections are with the Methodist Episcopal so- ciety. Mr. and Mrs. Bouffleur have had eight children, live of whom are now living — Wil- liam, Dora, wife of C. N. Harris, Harmon, Al- bert and Minnie. William Lowrie was one of the best known and most respected citizens of Vernon county. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1 799. At the age of fourteen years he was appren- ticed to learn the carpenters trade, at which he was occupied as an apprentice and journeyman until he reached the age of twenty-one. Being of a studious turn of mind, he found time each day to spend a few hours in study or in reading instructive books, thus, with a mind richly stored with the beautiful thoughts and precepts of the grand old authors, with a perfect knowl- edge and mastery of his chosen trade ; being possessed of honest principles, industrious and persevering habits, he was well fitted to go out into the world among strangers, and win friends and fortune for himself. At the age of twenty- five years he sailed for America, which became the home of his adoption. He first settled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he invested a considerable sum of money in lands, and worked at his trade as contractor and builder. Soon after his arrival in New York, he was married to Christiana Korr, an amiable and beautiful young lady of Scotch parentage, whose father was one of the early settlers of that country. Tiiey lived in that State for a number of years, when enterprise and love for adventure prompt- ed him to remove with his family to Vernon Co., Wis., where he became a resident of Jeffer- son town, in 1856. He settled on section 30, town 13 north, of range 5 west, where he was engaged in farming, and lived prosperous and happy until his death, which took place Jan. 20, 1879, at the ripe old age of eighty years. He was a noble man, a loving and kind I husband and father, and a true friend. Mrs. Lowrie still survives her husband. As a true, faithful, loving, patient wife and mother, none can exeell her. She bore the inconvenience and hardships of pioneer life, with a courage which nothing but deep love for her husband and family, and a perfect trust in her Heavenly Father could have sustained. She is now living in her seventy-third year ; for a lady of her age, she has retained remai'kable eye-sight, still being able to read fine print, thread a needle and sew without spectacles. Her mind is unu- sually active and retentive, and she converses fluently with friends upon the early scenes and incidents of their early life in Wisconsin. J. P. Lowrie, son of William Lowrie, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., June 2-2, 1840. He came with his ])arents to Wisconsin and has since resided in Vernon county. He was mar- ried in 1871 to Rebecca Kaden. They have three children — Lurana V., Alexander and Lovary. In politics, Mr. Lowrie is a republi- can. N. A. Sackett was born Nov. 9, 1829, in Duchess Co., N. Y. He removed with his par- ents to Chautauqua county, at the age of seven years. Here he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-one years he married Mary E. Dewey. Mr. Sackett came to Dane Co., Wis., in July, 1857, with his wife and two of her sisters with their families ; visiting there until spring. Then he came to Vernon county, ( then called Bad Ax ) where he has since resided on section 6, town 13, range 5, and has followed farming as an occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Sackett have had three children. The oldest, a son, died in infancy at their former home. Flora M. aged twenty-one, and Charles A. aged nine years, are still with their ])arents. Mr. Sackett, wife and daughter are members of the U. B. Church. In politics, he is a repub- lican. J.ames Crcviston came to Vernon county in June, 1855, living in Kickapoo valley one sum- mer, then settling on section 15, Jeflferson 596 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. town, where he died, Feb. 9, 1883, of heart disease. Mr. Creviston was born in Pennsyl- vania March 5, 1811. He removed with his parents to Indiana, where, in 1850, he was married to Mary Jane Garver, born in Ohio Feb. 26, 18.3:!. They had six children — Ema- line, wife of William V. Sheets, Francis, Henry, Leonora, Ada and Lillie. .Mr. Creviston was a kind father and good neighbor. His wife still resides on the homestead. John Sheets was born in Kentucky; subse- quently he removed to Ohio, where he was married toEvaline VanDoni. He then removed to Illinois, where he died, leaving four children, three of whom are living — William V., Eliza A. and Isaac. Mrs. Sheets afterward married Daniel Mossholder, and in 1858 came to AVis- consin, settling in Yernon county. William V. Sheets was born in Iroquois Co., 111., Nov. '29, 1844. He came with his family to Wisconsin, in 1858, and has since resided in Vernon county. He enlisted Sept. 15, 1863, in the 13th Wisconsin Light Artillery, serving un- til the close of the war. In 1868 lie married Emaline Creviston, daughter of James Crevis- ton. They have two children — Mary Etta and Erminnie E. Jonathan Wood and his son, L. .1., came to Vernon county in 1854 and selected land on section 6, town 13, range 5, not locating thereon, however, until the spring of 1858. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Wood came from New York State to Dane Co., Wis., removing in the spring, as stated, to this county. That neighbor- hood has since been known as Woodville. While in New York Mr. Wood operated a saw- mill, but after coming to Wisconsin was engaged in farming. He died in 1869. L. J. Wood was born Feb. 17, 1827, in Oneida Co., N. Y. In his younger days he assisted his father in the mill, and al.so served for two years as clerk in a store. He was married in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. in 1848, to Sarah Dewey, also a native of New York State. They have had four children, two of whom are living — Charles L. and Minnie, wife of Hiram Bender. Mr. Wood belongs to the United Brethren Church. C. L. Wood was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 17, 1850. He came with his parents to Vernon county, and has since re- sided on the same section with them. In 1874 he married Anna Frazier, daughter of William Frazier. They had two children — -Winnie, deceased, and Nellie. In religious views Mr. Wood is a United Brethren. William Harris became a resident of Jeffer- son town October, 1859. He was occupied in farming a few years, then engaged in the milling business, at Newton, until 1879, when he removed to Nebraska. He was born in Ohio and reared on a farm. He was married to Prudence Williams, by whom he had eight children — Thomas, Elias, Clarissa, J. Enoch, Eunice, Lawson, Mary and Anna. J. E. Harris, son of William and Prudence (Williams) Harris, was born Oct. 22, 1844, in Ohio. He came with his parents to Vernon county, and assisted his father on the farm. In December, 1866, he was united in marri.ige with Mary E. Thompson, daughter of E. P. Thompson In 1869 he went to Dickinson Co., Iowa, returning to Vernon county in 1873, since which time he has resided on section 31, town 13, range 5. His children are — Oliver E., Roy and Troy. In 1864 Mr. Harris entered the United States service, serving in company H, 12th Wisconsin Volunteers until the cldse of the war. He is a member of the G A. R. Ellis Reed was born Nov. 2, 1835, in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, where his father was a farmer. He was married Jan. 13, 1859, to Hannah McLees, and soon started for Wiscon- sin, having previously, in 1858, purchased 278 acres of his present farm on section 14, town 13, range 5. He now owns 480 acres of land. His children are — Francis A., Ilarley Lincoln, .Maggie, (deceased), Katie M., Nellie D. and an infant. In politics he is a republican, and has been chairman of the board of trustees of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 597 the town. He is a. member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Reed is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ellis P. Thompson was born in Muunt Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, April 27,1816, and shortly after his birth liis parents removed to Harrison Co., Ohio, where he was principally raised. He was left fatherless when about the age of ten years; his mother being poor his educational advantages were limited. He was one of eight children, and was put out to live with a neighbor, and shifted from place to place till old enough to maintain himself. He then liired with tjie farmers by the day and monthj at from thirtj^-seven and a half to sixty- two and a half cents per day, or from ten to fourteen dollars per month, till about the age of tnciity-lwo years, then moved to .Morgan Co., Ohio, whore he contracted with John Bernhard to farm his place on shares for several years, getting one-tiiird of the grain only, dur- ing which time he was married to Edith Men- denhall. She died in 1847, leaving two chil- dren, one of which is now living — Eliza J., wife of Richard Pidcock, of Sullivan Co., Mo. In 1848 Mr. Thompson was married to Martha Rouanzoi'i, and subsequently rented a small farm for one year, then rented a larger farm for five years; then, having accumulate! a small amount of ca[)ital, bought a farm for $2,500, paying $1,000 cash. Crops failing for the next three years, he was not able to meet his payments, and was obliged to make some turn. Blinding an opporlunit}% he traded for land in Wisconsin, with about eighteen acres cleared and a small house erected thereon, but encum- bered with a mortgage of $500. It was located on section 32, town 1.3 north, of range 5 west, in Vernon county. He started with his family, in 1S.=)9, for Wisconsin, the journey being made with team, requiring thirty-one dayp. He arrived in Vernon a poor man, his property consisting of one team, a small amount of household goods, and si.xty dollars in money. He has given liis principal attention to farming. now owning 440 acres of land, his improve- ments being among the best, and is now in comfortable circumstances — the result of indus- try and economy. By his second marriage he had eight children, si.x ot whom are living — ■ Mary E., Jacob A., William P., Emaline H., Martin B. and Carrie A. In politics he is a National greenbacker; is also a member of the Christian Church. G. F. Jackson was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., Feb. 18, 1810. His father operated a saw- mill, and G. F. divided his time between work- ing in the mill and farming. In 1834 he mar- ried Debora Cook, and subsequently emigrated to New York. In 1852 he went to California, leaving his family in New York. After remain- ing there three years he returned to the Empire State. In 1855 he went to Appleton, Wis., and in the spring of 1862, came to Ver- non county and settled at his present residence. His children are — Caroline, Harriet, Frank and Alice. Andrew Hanson was born in Norway, Nov. 20, 1841. He resided in his native country until twenty-one years of age, when he emigrated to the United States. He stopped first in Vernon county, his bi'other having settled there three years previous. Mr. Hanson did not settle down at first, but worked for sometime in Minnesota and also in the pineries of Wisconsin. He was married Dec. 12, 1874, to Elisa Evenson, two years younger than himself. Tlicy have now four children — Hans Engebret, born Sept. 1, 1875; Charl Mathias, born June 12, 1877; Min- nie Helena, born Nov. 15, 1879, and Ellen Louise, born Jan. 26, 1882. He started a nursery and continued in the business a number of years, but not finding it profitable, sold out and put his whole attention to farming, and by hard work and good management has now a farm of 160 acres of good land, good buildings, and all the implements to run the same success- fully. He has seven brothers and two sisters residing in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In 598 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. politics he is a republican, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Alonzo F. May, son of Col. Reuben May, was born in Clay Co., Ky., March 12, 1853. He came with his family to Vernon Co., Wis., and assisted his father on the farm. May 28, 1883, he was married to Eva Eckhardt, daughter of Jacob Eckhardt. He has since resided on sec- tion 36, Jefferson town, where he has a neat home. William J. May, a sou of Col. Reuben May, was born in Kentucky, Jan. 15, 1842. He came with the family to Wisconsin in 1863, and has since been a resident of Vernon county, with the exception of one year, when he followed farming in Monroe county, this State. He has always tilled the soil, excepting two years, when he had charge of the grist mill at Newton. In the fall of 1882 he settled on section 36, Jeffer- son town, and now owns sixty acres of land. On Dec. 13, 1866, he married Rachel M. Hayes, daughter of John Hayes. They are the parents of one son — James F. Politically Mr. May is a greenbacker. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. H. Amunson is a native of Norway, born June 20, 1846. He resided in his native coun- try until 1864, at which time he emigrated to the United States, and has since been a resi- dent of Vernon county. In 1866 he began clerking for Philip Bouffleur, with whom he continued until Sept. 1, 1883, when he purchased a half interest in the business, the firm name being H. Amunson & Co. In the fall of 1868 he was married to Leanna Latta. They have had five children, two of whom are living — Philip and Carrie. Mr. Amunson is a stirring business man and is very successful. He is re- publican in politics. In religious views a Meth- odist Episcopal. Col. Reuben May is a native of Pike Co., Ky., born June 23, 1815. His parents were na- tives of Virginia. They had twelve children, ten of whom are still living. Reuben spent his early life on his father's farm. He was married March 5, 1835, to Miss E. V. Honaker, also a native of Kentucky. In 1849 he removed to Clay county, being engaged in making and shipping salt, also working a farm of 400 acres. In 1861, when State after State was seceding from the Union, Mr. May was found loyal to his country, and on the 27th of September, en- listed in the United States service, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. In May, 1863, he was appointed colonel of the 7th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and served as such with credit to himself and country until Oct. 5, 1864, when the regiment was mustered out of ser- vice. Mr. May participated in many hard fought battles, and a number of skirmishes. He commanded the 8th Kentucky in the battles of Perryville, Laurel Hill, Stone River, Mur- freesboro; and the 7th Kentucky in the siego of Vicksburg, battle of Jackson, Miss., Comut River, La., Semmes Port, Yellow Bayou, etc. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, and disabled for four months. At the close of the war Mr. May came to Wisconsin, locating in Jefferson town, Vernon county, where his family had previously located in 1863. He has given his principal at- tention to farming. In politics Col. May was first a democrat, but in 1360 voted for John Bell for the Presidency. And in 1864 he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln. In 1870 and 1872 he represented his district in the General As- sembly. In 1875 he was a candidate for State senator, and it was only after a contested elec- tion that his opponent, J. Henry Tate, was de- clared elected by a majority of six votes. When the National greenback party sprang into exis- tence, Col. May became one of its advocates, and in 1879 was their candidate for governor. His wife died Jan. 28, 1881, leaving ten chil- dren — Louisa J., Mary D., William J., Thomas H., Zuingliens S., Robert D., Alonzo F., Albert B., Richard A., (deceased), and Hugh L. Feb. 28, 1883, he married Mrs. Phebe A. Aiken, nee Dolliver. Col. May is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. 0. O. F., the G. A. R. and the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 599 State Grange. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episco])aI Church. Michael Reiitz was born June 25, 1846, in Norway. He learned the tanning business, which he followed in liis native country, until 1868, at which time he emigrated to the United States. He first stopped in Decorah, Iowa, but soon removed to Chicago. Here he worked at his trade until 1870, when he came to Vernon county, settling at Esofea, where he erected a tannery, and soon after went in partnership with his brother. Christian, which tliey still continue. They also own 140 acres of land. In IS'ZO Michael Rentz married Agnethe Olson. They have five children — Mathilde, Agnes, Henry Norman, Olga and Amalie. Mr. Rentz is an independent greenbacker in politics He has heUl the position of postmaster, at Esofea, has also been a member of the town board, and for the present holds the ofiice of town treasurer. W. H. Jackson, blacksmith at Springville, Vernon county, became a resident of the county in 18T2, being engaged for two years in farm- ing, since which time, he has been proprietor of a general blacksmith and repair shop, also man- ufacturing a few wagons. Mr. Jackson was born Aug. 25, 1840, in Grant Co., Wis. His parents, James A., and Emily (Stiles) Jackson, are still residents of Grant county. Mr. Jack-on's early life was sj)ent at work in the mines, but when si.xtecn years of age, he commenced to work at his trade, which he continued to do until com- ing to Vernon county, Sept. 22, 1870. He was ni;nried to Sarah .Vackson, daughter of A. Jack- son, of Viroqua. They have an adoj>ted son — Samuel Lee Wilson. Mr. Jackson is a well in- formed citizen and has many friends. He is a democrat in politics. His religious connections are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. L. N. Shaw was born in Quincy, Mass., Aug 25, 1827. Being the son of Capt. John W. Shaw, he became imbued with the life of a sailor when a small boy, and thus at the age of fifteen years, took to the sea, and followed a sailor's life until nearly forty years of age, when he was oi)liged to give up a sea-faring life on account of ill health. During these years Mr. Shaw had vis- ited nearly all of the navigable globe, sailing on the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, expe- riencing the various changes incident to i sail- or's life, and was shipwrecked three times, and during these years had been instrumental in saving twelve lives from shipwreck. Mr. Shaw had passed through all the grades of a sailor, from the forecastle to the quarter deck, and at the age of twenty-one, became master of a ves- sel, sailing on the coast and inland waters of California, for eight years. In 186.3 Ca])t. Shaw with impaired health, left California for his native State, where, in the city of Boston, he embarked in the general jjrovision business. In 1877 he came to Wisconsin, succeeding L. G. P. Adams as ]iroprietor of the Springville House, of which he is still landlord, having also added to his hotel, a grocery business, which he is conducting in connection with the house. Capt. Shaw has been twice married. His first wife was Betsy C. Phillips, to whom he was married in 1853. She died in 1S70, leaving three chil- dren — Catherine W., Emma L., and Walter L. In 1872 he married Mrs. Emily A. Newcomb, wee Adams. She had two children by her former marriage, one now living — Albert C. UuO HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER XLII. THE TOWN OF KICKAPOO. Kickapoo is among the southern tier of towns of Vernon county, and comprises a portion o four congressional townships — townships 11 and 12, range 3 west, and towrships 11 and 12, range 4 west of the fourth principal meridian. The surface is very much broken having within its boundary a number of large hills. At an early day there was a large amount of heavy timber of which there is still standing a large quan- tity, consisting of white oak, rock maple, bass- wood and other varieties. Thousands of rail- road ties have been annually obtained from the timber in this town. The large game, such as deer, elk and hear, existed in great numbers during the first decade of the settlement of the country, but they are now unknown. Small game yet abounds. Tiie Kickapoo river runs through the town. Its two branches — the east and west forks — make confluence on section 4. The river is fed by many small streams which enter into and help swells the volume of water. The smaller streams are made up from the many clear and sparkling springs tliat exist in various parts of the county. The soil is generally rich and productive where tillable, and is well suited to indigenous as well a-! native grass, which makes the town an excellent one for stock. Those that have, Iti the past, engaged in stock raising, have been uniformly successful. Some maple sugar, of an excellent quality, is annually niade by the enter- prising citizens. Bees thrive here, and many of the farmers have been quite successful in the past few years, in bee culture. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first settler in the town of Kickapoo was Daniel Read, who came here in 1849. He was a native of Tioga Co., N. Y., but had lived sev- eral years in St. Joseph Co., Mich. He came to Vernon county in 1846 or 1847, settled near Liberty Pole, in the town of Franklin, and opened up a farm. On his arrival in Kickapoo he built a saw mill on Read's creek, as it is now called. He was a bachelor, and well advanced in years at the time of his settlement here. Ho was an enterprising man, as will be seen by reference to the village history. He was a jovial man, good hearted, aid much esteemed by all. He died here in 1862. At the time of his death he made his home with Gilbert Herrick. Orrin Wisel came with Mr. Read, or about the same time. He was a blacksmith by trade, and opened the first shop in the town. The first farm in this town was opened by Philip Schneider, who located here in 1849. He was a native of Bavaria and had lived near Viroqua the previous two years. He settled in the Kickapoo valley on section 5, town 1 i, range 3 west, and still resides on the old home- stead. Archibald and Daniel Day, natives of Ken- tucky, came in 1851. The former settled on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 9, town 11, range 3 west. He died there in 1876. His daughter, now the wife of Thomas Gosling, occupies the homestead. Daniel entered land on sections 17 and 18, of the same town and range. He sold in 185.5. to Seth Edson, who now occupies the placi-. Dan- iel died about 1857. Henry B. Hopkins, a native of Connecticut, came here from Grant Co., Wis,, in 1853, and HISTORr OF VERNON COUNTY. 003 entered laud on section 14, town 11, ranges west, where he still lives. Abel C Cusliman, from Vermont, came here in 18.'i3, and erected a sawmill on the east fork of the Kickapoo. Me was a pioneer in Jeffer- son Co., Wis., iiaving lived there for several years prior to his removal to this county. The mill is now operated by his son James. David Barril, a native of Scotland, came dur- ing the winter of 1S53-4, and entered land on section 35, town 12. range 3 west, where he still lives. R. F. Carey was from the Nutmeg State. He came to Vernon county, in 1854, and entered a portion of section 10, town 11, range 3 west. He settled on this land the following year, and there made his home until 1883, when he sold out and left the town. Samuel Baldwin was a settler of 1854. He was from New York. On his arrival in Ver- non county, he made choice of land on section •2, town 11, range 3 west, where he located and lived some years and then removed to Richland county. In 18S3 he went to Kansas. Daniel Hill, a native of Illinois, by profession n physician, came in 1853, and located on the northeast quarter of section 26. He was after- wards convicted of horse stealing, served a lorm in the penitentiary, and then returned to llie town, but finally removed to Kansas. The Keystone State furnished a settler in 1853 in the person of Peter Neeley, He settled on section 1, town 11, range 3, lived there eight or nine years, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he died a few years later. His widow now lives in Washington territory. Francis Lawton, a native of New York, also came in 1853, from Jefferson Co., Wis., and, in comj any with A. C.Chishman, built a saw-mill. In I 1858 he sold out and went to Rockton, where | he built a grist mill, lie now lives in W^asli- i ington territory. John Grubbs was another of the pioneers of ' 1853. He located on the northeast quartri- of I section 36. He is now dead and his widow lives in Richland county. Abraham Benn, from England, came in 1856 and located on section 1. He enlisted in the Union army during the war and died in the service. Some of the family yet reside in llie town. John Harrison and Henry (4lasburn, originally from Illinois, came from Viroqua in 1849. The year following they built a saw-mill on the west fork of the Kickapoo. About the time of the war they sold out and left the town. W^illiam Austin settled in Readstown in 1853- He was something of a pettifogger and quite a musician. Two of his daughters were good musicians and occasionally gave public concerts. Mr. Austin left the county durng war times and now resides in California. George Miller came in 1853, lived in Reads- town a few years, then left his family and re- turned to Illinois, from whence he came. Gilbert Herriek, a native of New York State, came from Viroqua in 1853. He was a carpen- ter by trade and worked at the business together with farming. He made his home in Reads- town until his death, which occurred in 1879. His widow survived him but a few months. Three daughters are yet liA'ing, two of whom reside in Iowa, the other still living at Reads- town. In 1854 Daniel B. Hale came to Readstown. He is a nephew of Mr. Read and is yet a resident of the village. James McSharry, a native of Ireland, came from Galena, 111., in 1853. He entered land on section 36, town 12, range 4, where he located and remained three years, then went to section 7, town I 1, range 3, where he lived until 1882 when he removed to Rising Sun, where he died on Easter Sunday, 1883. His widow and two daughters now reside in Rising Sun. Robert Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1852 from Richland county and entered land on sections 35 and 36, town 12, ranges 35 604 HISTORY OF VERNON COUTSTTY. west. He built a house on section 35 and still resides there. Lorenzo Hill was from New York. He came in 1853 and located on section 25, town 12, range 3. He was a single man at the time, but soon afterwards married a daughter of Robert Wilson. His wife dred in 1857 and he subse- quently sold out and left the county. He is now a resident of Washington territory. Albert Bliss, a native of Vermont, came to Readstown in 1854 from Grant Co., Wis., where he had lived several years. He opened a store that fall, and the next year embarked' in the hotel business. He was a resident of the town until 1883, when he removed to Viroqua. William Powell located on section 12, town 11, lange 3, in 1854. He was a minister of the Christian or Disciple Church, but engaged in teaching the greater part of his residence in the county. He remained here ten or twelve years, but now resides in Viroqua. Charles Allen, a native of Virginia, came from Oliii) in 1854 and settled on section 3, where he remained until his death in 1874. His widow subsequently married H, B. Hopkins. James Medlicut, a native of England, came in 1854 and settled on section 1, town 11, range 4 west. He lived there about twelve years, when he moved to Iowa, where he has since died. Two of his sons now live in Iowa. William Geddes settled in the Kickapoo val- ley in 1855, buying land on section 33, town 12, range 3 west, where he still lives. He is a na- tive of Ohio. James Fox, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1854, first locating on section 4, town 11, range 4, where he lived two years, then moved to section 8, town 11, range 3 west. He died there in August, 1883. He was a wagon maker by trade, and worked at his trade the greater part of the time, while a resident of the town. He was an active and influential mem- ber of the Christian Church. Rodman Baker was among the settlers of 1855. He was a native of New York, but came here from Green Lake Co., Wis., locating on section 14. In 18.58 he removed to Marion Co., Mo., and died there in 1879. His widow still lives there. His daughter, the widow of A. P. Bliss, lives at Readstown. .James Foreman, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1855. He bought village lots in Kicka- poo and built a log house. He died there in 1857. His widow now lives with her daughter, who is the wife of Ransom Kellogg. His son, James, a successful farmer, lives on section 2, town 1 ] , range 3 west. O. C. Fortney is a native of Norway. He came here from Madison Co., Wis., in 1855, and first located on section 13, town 11, range 4 west. He lived there about one year, then moved to section 11, of the same town. In 1882 he moved to section 2, where he died in 1883. His widow yet resides on the latter homestead. James Maiben, by birt'-, was a Scotchman. He came here from Grant Co., Wis., in 1854, bought land on section 8, town II, range 3. He died Jan. 8, 1857. His family still reside here. Francis Dupee came from Grant Co., Wis., in 1856. He enlisted in the army and died in the service. His son Henry also died in the service. The familj- now occupy the old home- stead. Henry Cumrine located on section 10, town 11, range 3 west, in 1855. ]le wasa native of Maryland, but came here from Ohio. He built a two story hewed log house on his arrival, which he still makes his home. George Spurrier was from Jefferson Co., Ohio. He came here in 1855, and entered eighty acres of land on section 14, town 11, range 3, where he still resides. John Crook, a native of England, was a settler of 1857. He located on section 26, town 12, range 4. In 1870 he moved to tlie town of Franklin, where he now lives. His, son William now lives on the old homestead. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tOo Reuben Alexander was from Indiana. He located on section 11, town 11, range 3, in 1857 where he yet resides. Among the settlers of 1855 was Zachariah Smith, a native of Ohio, but who came from Indiana, and located on section 13, town 11, range 5, where he still lives. His brother, William A. Smith, came the same year, and settled on the same section. He died in 1880. His family still occupy the home- stead. Reuben Drake, a native of New Jersey, came in 1855, from Indiana, and settled on section 12, town 11, range 3, where he yet remains. John (Tiibble, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Indiana in 1854, and located on section 30, town 11, range 3. In 1871 he moved to Viola, where he died in 1875. His widow now lives in Richland county. One of tlie pioneers of 1856, worthy of special mention in this connection, is William Pugh (deceased), who was born in North Caro- lina, in 1781, and died at Readstown, in 186P \Vlien young, he moved to Virginia, where h( married in 1810, and a few years later, remove( to Kentucky, where he remained until 1S45, a which time he came to Wisconsin and spent ; year in Grant county. He then returned t( Kentucky, and remained until 1856, when he moved back to Wisconsin, and settled near Readstown, Vernon county, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Pugh was born in the State of Virginia, June 26, 1794. She married Mr. Pngh the January before she was sixteen years of age, and by him had twenty- one children, thirteen of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. The mother, when ninety years of age, ( 1883 ) was well preserved and enjoyed good health. The year she was ninety, slie was out walking, when a rattle snake ■ came across lier pathway, which had seven rattles. Mrs. Pugh found a stick, hunteil the venomous reptihe out from his hiding place and killed it; this took more cour.ige than most of her children or grand-children would have possessed. In 1884 she was mak- ing her home with her son, Andrew J., near Readstown. ORGANIC. Kickapoo town was organized in 1-53. The first election was he!d at Orin Wisel's house. May 29 of that year. The territory embraced forty six sections, and has never been changed. Several attempts have been made to sub-divide it, but such attempts have always failed No record of the first town officer." can be given, ex- cept that Robert Wilson was the first justice of the peace. Officers of 1883: P. L. Rush, Lewis Ander- son and John Claney, supervisors; William Hutchinson, assessor; J. J. McCarty, clerk; George Spurrier, A. M. McClarin and H*nry Sutherland, justices of the peace; A. S. Cary> constable. VILLAGE OF READSTOWN. In 1855 Daniel Read had platted a village to which he gave the name of Readstown. It is situated on a portion of sections 7 and 8, town 11, range 3, and lies upon both sides of the Kickapoo river. Mr. Read built the first house upon the site of the prospective village, in 1848. It was of round logs and located upon the east side of the river. Before the village was platted quite a settle- ment had been made, and the first store opened by William H. Austin, early in the year 1854 Mr Austin continued in the business about one year, when he closed out. Albert Bliss opened the next store, in the fall of 1854. He contin- ued in the business for several years, finally dis- posing of his interest to his son, Parker, who continued it until his death. His widow still carries on the business. The citizens of Readstown, and those wlio did business at this point, were without mail facili- ties until 1857, when an office was established with Hiram Austin as the R\>t postniasitr, with the office at his residence. Mr. Austin was suc- ceeded by Hugh McClarrieii, who gave way, in, 1801, to A. P. Bliss, u ho continued to discharge 606 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. the duties of the office until his death, when liis widow was appointed. In February, 18S1, Al- bert lUiss was commissioned and held the office until March, 1883, wlien he resigned and Mrs. A. P. Bliss was again appointed. Mail is now received three times a week. The "village smith" is celebrated in poetry and illustrated by the artist, and no well reg- ulated village is considered complete without a representative of tliis branch of industry. In 1850, five years before the village was platted, Orin Wisel opened a blacksmith shop in the place. He continued to work at his trade until 1860, when he closed the shop. It was re- opened shortly after, by William Dailey, who continued until sometime during the war. Albert Bliss, who was the second merchant in the place, opened the first hotel in 1855. It was a commodious frame building and considered an lionor to the village. The hotel is now run by tiie widow of his son, Albert P. Bliss. In the fall of 1854, a distillery was erected ou the west bank of the river, by William H. Austin. The building was washed away in the spring of 1 857, and never replaced, though Mr. Austin erected and run a brewery for about four years, upon its site. The brewery build- ing was destroyed by fire. In a new country, and cut off from general markets, and where the inhabitants are gener- ally of the poorer class,a mill for sawing the na- tive lumber, is greatly appreciated. In 1849 Daniel Read built a saw mill on what has since been known as Read's creek. It was supplied with a perpendicular saw. The mill stood about ten years, when it was replaced by another and better one, erected near the site of the old one. The new mill stood until 1881, when it was torn down. A greater blessing, even than the old saw mill, was the grist mill, erected in a new settlement. As often narrated, the pioneers of this western country often suffered great inconvenience from the lack of milling facilities, and the man who erected a mill for the purpose of grinding the corn and wheat of the few settlers, was consid- ered a public benefactor. In 1851 Daniel Read built a small mill, securing power from Read's creek, through a r.ace one-third of a mile in length, and which afforded a seventeen foot tall. For two years the mill was supplied with but one run of buhrs, which was sufficient to meet the requirements o% its patrons. A second run of buhrs was added in 18.t6. B. D. Hale was the first practical miller employed by Mr. Read. In 1859 the mill was rented to Thomas Hardin, who run it two years and was succeeded by Henry Lockwood, who also rented and run it two years. In the meantime Mr. Read died and his sister, Anna Hale, inherited one-third inter- est in the mill, which went to her son, B. D. Hale. Thomas Cade purchased the two-thirds interest. As soon as Lockwood's lease expired, Mr. Hale took charge of the mill, purchasing from Mr. Cade an amount sufficient to give him a half interest. With the exception of about two and a half yetrs, when it was rented, the mill has been run by Mr. Hale, to the present time. It lias now three run of buhrs — one for flour, one for middlings and the other for coarse grinding. It has all the machinery for making first-class flour. The building is 24x30 feet, one and a half stories high, with an addition 12x30 feet. In 1883 Francis II. Rogers bought Mr. Cade's interest, and is now associated with Mr. Hale in the management of the mill. The west side of the river had the mon poly of the trade until 1876, when W. H. Aikins opened a store on the east side. The second store was opened in 1882 by J J. McCarty. A blacksmith shop was erected and the trade followed, by George Read, before the war. In 1868 Mr. Read disposed of the shop to George Kemmel, who yet continues in the business. The business of Readstown in the fall of 1883 was represented by the following named : William Aiken, Mrs. A. P. Bliss & Son and John McCarthy, general stock. James Treseder, hardware dealer. HISTORY OF VKRNON COUNTY. 607 Mrs. A. P. Bliss, bote'. George Kerabe'l, Henry Wamburg and Lew Kellogg, blaeksmitlis. Hale cfc Rogers, proprietors of the mill. THE VILLAGE OF KICKAPUO. Tlie lilile collection of bouses known as Kick- apoo was laid out by Joseph Wood, on land owned by Robert Wilson, in ]S,57. It is situ- ated on tlie west bank of pie Kickapoo river, on section 35, town 12, range ^ west. Knox & St. Jobn opened the first store in 1S57; they kept a general stock, including gro- ceries. They continued about a year and closed out. Then came Samuel Green, who moved a stock into the same building — a log house long since torn down. Several persons have traded herefrom time to time. The trade in 1SS4 was left in the hands of Ambrose Osborne. Robert Wilson kept the first hotel. lie began to keep travelers when he first came to the county. In 1857 he built a frame hotel, called the "Jackson House," named in honor of "Old Hickory." They kept this as a public house till 187.3. A postoffice was established at this jioint in 1853. Robert Wilson was the first postmaster; he served over eighteen years and was suc- ceeded by Lorenzo Hill, and he, by Samuel Green. Ne.vt came Thomas Dunning, who was followed by Mr. Wilson, who was in charge a year and followed by L. S. Kellogg. In 188.3 A. C Ciishman and Frank Lawton erected a saw mill on the east bank of the Kick.ipoo river, its 'power, however, being de- rived from Elk creek. This mill was still in use in 188 4. when it was being run by his son, James M. The first religious services in this vicinity were held at the school house in 1857. Preachers of various denominations conducted seivices in the |>lace. A Methodist Episcopal class was organized, but prior to 1880 had been discon- tinued. A Free Will Baptist society was organized in 1879, by Rev. F. B. Moulton, which had abont thirty members. Robert V\ ilson and E. H. Bragg were chosen deacons. In the spring of 1880, a small church was built which co.st about $000. In 1883, owing to most of the membership having moved away, the society was disbanded. EDUCATIONAL. The town of Kickaj)Oo is well supplied with school houses, and in educational matters ranks among the best in the county. The first school at Readstown was taught by Mrs. Bound in a small building erected for other purposes in 1854, but during that year a frame building was erected for school purposes, and the first school taught therein was by Je- mima Wilson. This building was in use until 1867, when it was replaced by a larger and bet- ter one, which was still in use in the fall of 1883. Gardner Bliss was the first teacher in the new building. Each district in the town is supplied with a school house. Joint district No. 1 secured its first school house in i860. It was of logs and erected by the volunteer contributions (in labor) of the men in the district. The building was cov- ered with slabs and had slab seats provided for the scholars. This building was replaced by the present one in 1871. Helen Hutchinson has the honor of being the first teacher in the new scl ool house. The first school in di.strict No. 2 was held in Samuel Green's house in the winter of 1854-5. It was taught by Caroline McKasha. In 1857 a log house was erected, in wiiich Isaac Osen- baugh taught the first school. It stood upon section 35, on the line of section 36. This house was used but a short time when a frame house was built on the same section line. Nettie Cliff was the first teacher in this house. In 1869 the present sdiool building was erected and school was first taught therein by Annie 1 Turner. I Elizabeth Williams taught the first school in I district No. 3, in 1857. A rude log house had been erected that year for school purposes, lo- 608 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. cated on section 17, town 11, range 3 west. In two or three years it was replaced by a hewed log house, erected on the same lot. William Powell taught the first school in this house. In 1882 a neat frame school liouse was ei'ected on section 11, in which Laura E. Smith taught the first school. The first school in district No. 4 was in a building belonging to William Geddes, located on section 33. This was in 1856. Sarah Clark has the honor of being the first teacher. A scliool house was erected the same year on the northwest quarter of section 33, town 12, range 3 west. Ill district No. 5 the first school house was built in 1857. It w,as of logs and located on the northwest quarter of section 9. It was built on the subscription plan. Mrs. R. F. Cory was the first teacher. The old log school house was used until 1876, when the present frame build- ing was erected. William S Andrews was the first teacher in the new house, which is located on section 10. District No. 6 is not provided with a school house. The first school in district No. 7 was taught by Margaret McSharry in 1860. The school was held in a log house owned by Mr. Banta, located on section 11. A log house was bought of Mr. Brown and is still used as a school house. It is located on section 11. Almira Fox taught the first school in this house. The first marriage in the town is not posi- tively known. In 1855 Abner Hancock was united in marriage with Irena, daughter of John Harrison. Orin Wisel, justice of the peace, officiated on the occasion, the ceremony being peiformed at the house of Thomas Gillingham, at Readstown. George Baker was united with Ulialah Shoults about the same time, at the residence of the bride's parents. Henry B. Hopkins, justice of the peace, officiated. 'J'he first birth is also unknown, or at least has not come to the knowledge of -the historian. An early birth was that of Elsie, daughter of H. B. and Emeline (Dean) Hopkins, born July 28, 1855. She is now married and living in Grant Co., Wis. The first meetings of the Sugar Grove Chris- tian Church were held at the residence of Zac'i- ariah Smith, in 1857. Rev. Daniel Parkerson was the first minister. This society was organ- ized at the school house on section 13 in 1857 by George H. Babb. Abram Williams and Zachariah Smith were chosen elders and Wil- liam Shore and Henry Davis, deacons. 'J'he original membership was composed of about fourteen persons, among whom were Zachariah Smith and wife, George Spurrier and wife, Reuben Drake and wife, Henry Davis and wife, William Shore and wife and Elmira Newman. Rev George H. Babb was the first regular preacher after the organization of the society. He was succeeded by Rev. Hurd, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Henry Howe. 'I'he soci- ety has never had a regular settled pastor, but has been supplied by preachers from other points. Worship was continued in the school house some four or five years, when services were held in Richland county until 1875, when a neat frame building was erected on section 13, town 11, range 3, town of Kickapoo. A Sab- bath school was organized at the school house soon after the organization of the society. William Powell was the first superintendent. The present superintendent is Rutson Drake. The Methodist Episcopal Conference has sent ministers to Readstown since the time the village was laid out. The first meetings were held in the school house, Rev. Schooley being among the first preachers. No class was organ- ized here until 1876, when Rev. McMillan or- ganized one with about eight members, among whom were James Treseder and wife, Martha McKittrick and Mrs. Sylvia Bliss. James Treseder was appointed class-leader. In the winter of 1881-82 a revival was held, when sev- eral persons were added to the membership. In the spring of 1882 a house of worship w as HISTORY OK VERNON COUNTY. 609 erected on a lot donated by Daniel Read in 1S60. Rev. R. S. Mockett is the present pastor of tlie Church. A union Sabbath suliool was organized in 1882 with Jajnes Treseder as superintendent. It is held in the Methodist Church. PERSONAL. Josiali Adams, one of the settlers of Ver- non county, was born in the town of Somerset, Somerset Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1822. When he was quite young his parents moved to Ohio and bceame early settlers of Stark county, where be grew to manhood. In 1845 he went to the Maumee valley and bought timber land in Ileniy county. In 1849 he came to Wisconsin and spent the summei' in Lafayette county. In tl.e fall of that year he came to Bad Ax coun- ty and halted at Liberty Pole, which was at that time called Bad Ax. He made a claim on section 32, of town 12 north, of range 5 west. In the fall of 1850 he returned to Ohio and spent the winter and sold his land there, return- ing to this county in 1852. On the 3d of April, 1853, he started for California, going across the plains with ok teams. He arrived at Spanish Ranch the 8lh day of September, liaving been over five months on the way. He engaged in mining and remained in Califor- nia until 1855, when he returned to Liberty Pole, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama and Xew York. He then settled down and en- gaged farming, remaining in Franklin town un- til 18W1, when he sold out and came to Kick- apoo and bought land on section 33, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, where he now lives. He was married in 1860 to Mary Wright, of Ohio. They have one child, named Cyrus. Ilis second and present wife was Ro- setta Hooks, who was born in Mercer Co., Ohio, Feb. 5, 1833. Her father, Thomas Hooks, set- tled in Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1847. Philip Schneider, one of the pioneers of Ver- non county and the oldest living settler in the town of Kickapoo, was born in Bavaria, Sept. 15, 1815. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1837 he left his native land and emigrated to America. He landed at New York and went to New Jersey, where he was employed at farming for ten years. In 1847 he came to Wisconsiii, and lo- cated in what was then called Crawford county. He stopped near Viroqua and helped Mr. Deck- er put up the first house ever erected in Viroqua. He remained there two years; then in 1849 came to town 1 1 north, of range 3 west, and en- tered land on section 5. He first built a small log cabin in which he lived until 1802, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. Schneider's farm is in the Kickapoo valley and contains 200 acres. It was the first farm opened up in the town. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Guist, born in Ohio. Four children have blessed this union — Jacob, Mary, George and Philip. Mrs. Schneider died in 1856. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1857, was a sister of his first wife and named Mary. She was the widow of Paul Sisler. Samuel Estes is one of the oldest settlers now living in the county. He first came here in 18=.0, to hunt and trap. He camped on sec- tion 26, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, built him a bark hut and here lived in solitude two years. He killed elk, deer and bear, and other small game, selling the pelts at Prairie du Chien. After stopping here a few years, set- tlers began to come in, and he concluded this would be a good place to settle, lie accord- ingly entered land on sections 25 and 2ti, and built a log house and engaged in farming. As he was the first settler here, he made a good selection in the Kickapoo valley. He has been twice married. His first wife was Ruth Hall, who was born in Ohio. Four children blessed this union, two of whom are now living — Eliza- beth and Rachel. Mrs. Estes died in March, isoo, aged twenty-eight years. His second wife, to whom he was married in the fall of 1866, was Mary A. Shaw, also a native of Ohio. They have four children — Mellisa, Samuel, Annie and Henry. iMr. Estes was born in 610 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Atlams, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 28, 1820. Wlieu he was quite young, his parents removed to New York, and lived two years ; then re- moved to Canada, and settled at London, now in the province of Ontario. At the breaking cut of the patriot war, they returned to York State, and settled near Watertown, Jefferson county. They lived there but a shorttime, when they again moved to Cayuga county, and later to Cortland county. In 1846 lie started west. He first halted near Elk Horn, where he was employed in farming and teaming until 1850, when he came to this county, as before stated. He lived in his log house until 1877, when he built the neat frame house in which he now resides. James M., son of Abel C. and Elizabeth ( Lawton ) Cushman, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Sept. 6, 1850. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. They were early settlers in Jefferson Co., Wis., and also in Vernon county, coming here in 185.3. James M. attended the district school and the public school at Viroqua for two years. When young, he commenced to work in his father's saw-mill, and learned to be a sawyer. In 1873 he bought land on section 26, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, and has since that time en- gaged in farming summers and has run the saw-mill the remainder of the year. He was married, in 1868, to Maria J. Snow, who was born in Ohio. They have three children — Lil- lian, Alta and Florence. Henry B Hopkins, one of the early settlers of Kickapoo town, was born in Newiugton, Hartford Co., Conn., May 18, 1817. He was the son of Horace and Fannie (Root) Hopkins, natives of Connecticut. When Henry was eight years of age, his parents moved to Ohio, set- tling in Portage county, where he grew to man- hood, learning the carpenter trade. He was married May 30, 1839, to Emeline Dean, born in 'Irunibull Co., Ohio. They settled in Portage county, where Mr. Hopkins worked at his trade until 1848, when he came to Wisconsin, locat- ing in Grant county. In 1853 he came to Ver- non county, and entered the land where he now lives. He built a log house in which he lived until 1873, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mrs. Hopkin's motlier died in December, 1837. Of tlie seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, four are living — Albert, Delia, George and Elsie. Harriet, born May 27, 1840, married Henry Henthorn, died Nov. 6, 1873 ; Eluell D., born May 27, 1858, died Nov. 2, 1880 ; Alfred H., born Oct. 6, 1852, died at Esof ea. Wis., June 18, 1883. Mr. Hopkins second wife, to whom he was married May 6, 1875, was Nancy Holcomb, widow of Charles Allen. He was the first justice of the peace in the town, and was repeatedly elected to that office as long as his health was such that he could attend to the duties of it. He was also first postmaster of Sugar Grove postoffice, holding the position many years and resigning on account of his ill health. Albert H , eldest son of Henry B. Hopkins, was born in Ellenboro, Grant Co., Wis., Nov. 14, 1847. In 1853 he came with his parents to Vernon county, making his home with them until 1868, when he was married to Mary J., daughter of William and Ann (Williams) Shore, and widow of Zebulon Metcalf. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio. Tbey have six children, four of whom are living — Bertha A., Frances E., Myrta C. and Guy F. Emmet V. and Willie H. died in infancy. Soon after marriage Mr. Hopkins settled on his present farm, on the northwest quarter of section 11. David Barrie is one of the oldest settlers now living in Kickapoo town. He is a native of Scotland, born in Perthshire, Feb. 14,1814. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn to weave, working at that for some time, after which he was engaged for thirteen years, on the river Tay, in the salmon fishing busi- ness. He was then employed for three years as gardener. In 1853 he came to America, landing at Montreal, and going to London, where he HISTORY OF VEKNON COUNTY. 611 visited witli a brotlicr-in-law, two months, tlien went to Butler Co., Penn., where he visited a brother. In November, 1853, he started west to seek a home, first slopping at Viroqua, and on the 1st of January, 1854, entering land on section 35, town \2, range 3, Kickapoo town. He first built a log cabin, in which lie lived ten years, then erected a neat frame house, which was burned in Occober, 1877. Mr. Barrie then erected the frame liouse in which he now lives. He also has a log and a frame stable on his place. He made a good selection for a home, and now has one of the best farms in the county. When Mr. Barrie began pioneer life, in 1853, he worked three weeks in the dense wilderness without seeing a human being. Still he was not without company, for there were any amount of deer in the forest at that time. He went to LaCrosse, a distance of fifty miles, with an ox team, for his first provisions. It took him eight days to make the trip. His nearest postoffice was Viroqua, twelve miles distant. The nearest grist-mill was at Spring- ville, a distance of sixteen miles. Adelbert S. is a son of Roswell and Eliza Corey, pioneers of Vernon county. He was born in Bradford Co., Penn., March -29, 1851, and was but three years of age when his parents came to Vernon county. They located land on section 10, of town 11 north, of range 3 west, and our subject was there reared to iiianhood, dividing his time between the school and farm He was married in October, 1871, to Hester Salmon, and soon after bought land on sections 10 and 15, of town 11 north, of range 3 west, but two years later sold this piece and purchased 120 acres on section 12, of town 11 north, of range 4 west, where he resided until 1882, and then remoTed to an adjoining farm, on the same section. Mr. Corey and wife have been blessed with five children — William, Minerva, Ernest, James and Lillie May. Daniel T., son of Torger and Kari Fortney, pioneers of Vernon Co., Wis., was born in Nor- way, April 7, 1 845. When three years of age, his parents emigrated to America, locating in Dane Co., Wis. His mother died when he was seven years of age and his father was again married within a year after her death. In 1854 they started from Dane county with two yoke of oxen to each wagon, and settled in Vernon Co., Wis., on section 11, town 11 north, range 4 west. Here Daniel grew to inaiiliood, receiving a good education in the district schools. He was married June 9, 1 838, to A'na Peterson, and settled on the homestead. This union was blessed with seven children, of which three went to the Eternal home while infants. The four living are Torger, Nils Elias, Anna Maria and Gerhard Olaus. Ilis father died in IWSO, in his seventy -second year. Mr. Forlney has been prominent in town aifairs, having held offices of trust in the town. In 1882 he en- gaged in mercantile business at Liberty Pole, in company with his brother-in-law Knudt Pe- terson. They are doing an extensive business — buying and selling live stock and grain. Reuben Drake is one of the early settlers of Vernon county. He was born in New Jersey,] n 1824. When quite young, his parents removed to Ohio, and settled on a farm. He was there married, in 1846, to Matilda A. Sanders, bt)rn in Columbiana Co., Ohio. He bought a piece 111' land in Perry county, and engaged in fann- ing until 1851, when he sold and went to In- diana, and spent one and a half 3-ears. lie then returned to Perry county, and remained there until 1S55. In the spring of that year, he came to Vernon county, and entered land on section 12, of town 1 1 north, of range 3 west, where he still resides. He first built a small log cabin in which the family lived five years, aiul then built a hewed log house. In 1870 he erected the frame house in whicli he now lives. His son Benjamin was born in Peny Co., Ohio, in Oc- tober, 1849. He came to Wisconsin with his ])arents. His younger days were spent in school, and on his father's farm. He was joined in marriage in April, 1871, to Sarah Beighle, a native of Pennsylvania. In the tall of that 612 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. year, they went to Iowa, and he took a home- stead in Lyons county, and there remained one and a half years ; then returned to Kickapoo town, and bought Land on section 13, of town 11 north, of range 8 west. In 1881 lie bought another tract on the same section, on which is the neat frame house in which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Drake are the parents of live children — Blanche, Elmer G., Epsie E., Jesse O. and Gertie J. Setb Edson, one of the early settler of Kick- apoo, was born in Broome Co., N. Y., July 8, 1827, and was there reared to agricultural pur- .suits. He lived there until 1855, when he came to Bad Ax county, as it was then called, and purchased land of Daniel Day, on sections 17 and 18, of town 11 north, of range .3 west. There was a log house on this land at the time. He lived in that a few years, then built the frame house in which he now lives. He was married, in 1859, to Caroline Weybright, a na- tive of Ohio. Five children blessed this union — Almira, RhoJa, Ella, William and Margaiel Mrs. Edson died in May, 1874, and he was again married in 1877, to Susan Anderson. They have three children— Samuel L., Dora J. and Nora May. His father's name was Guy Edson; born in Pelliam, Hampshire Co., Mass., March 17, 1794. He was there married to Rhoda Packard, who was also a native of that county. They moved to New York, and settled in Broome county, where he bought a farm and lived until 1871, when he came to Wisconsin to ioin ills children. He now makes liis home with his daughter, in Crawford county. James Foreman, an early settler in Kickapoo Center, was born in Butler Co., Penn., in 1808. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Bortemus, was also a native of Butler county Seven children blessed this union, ihree living — Rudolph, now a resident of Fayette Co , Iowa; Romania E., wife of Ransom Kellogg, who resides on section 14, and James. In 1855, in company with liis family, he came to Bad Ax county and located at Kickapoo Center, where he bought town lots. He died here in 1857. His son James was born in Butler Co., Penn., Feb. 14,1837. He came to Wisconsin and made his home with his parents until the time of his father's death. In 1856 he bought land on section 2, of town 11 north, of range 3 west. He was married in 1857 to Marga- ret, daughter of Robert Dobson, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in Kickapoo in 1857. At the tiihe of his marriage he settled on his land. He had already com- menced improvements, and had built a log house in which he lived until 1864, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. He has been a successful farmer and now owns 216 acres of land, a part of which is in the Kicka- poo valley. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman are the parents of four children — Sarah A., Ciiarles, Martha E. and Jane M. Ole Fortney was one of the first Norwegians to settle in the town of Kickapoo. He was born June 4, 1823. He received a liberal education when young, and after finishing school, he en- gaged with a carpenter to learn the trade, and worked at that until 1850, when he came to America. He located at Madison, Wis., and worked at his trade. He was there married, in 1852, to Cornelia Johnson. They remained in Madison until 1855, when he took an ox team and with his family started for Bad Ax (now Vernon) county. He bought land on section 13, of town 11 north, of range 4 west; built a log house and lived there one year, then traded for land on section 11, of the same town, and moved there with his family. He built a log house and lived in that until 1882, when he gave that farm up to one of his sons. He then built a neat frame house on section 2, of the same town, and moved there with his family. He had for some time been in feeble health and did not live long to enjoy his nice new home. He passed to his rest April 1, 1883, leaving a widow and eight children to mourn his loss. The children are — Catharine, Hans, Christina, John, Ole, Martha, Sophia and Mary. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 613 William Geddes was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, April 12, 18.30. His father, Henry Geddes, was born in Bucks Co., Penn., twenty- eiglit miles from Philadelphia, in the same house in which his father was born. He was there married to Tamzon Forst, born in New Jersey. They settled in Ohio at an early day. Wiien William was quite young, his parents re- moved to Morgan Co., Ohio., where they re- mained until the time of their death. In early manhood William went to McConnellsville, the county seat of Morgan county, engaging with a carpenter to learn the trade. He worked at his trade until the fall of 1854, when he started west to seek a home. He spent the winter twelve miles from Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio. In the spring of 185.5 he again started on his journey, and coming to Vernon county, located on section 38, town 12, range 3, in the Kickapoo valley, and built a frame house, 16x24 feet. Mr. Geddes has since cleared a farm, made a large addition to his house, and now makes this his home. He was married in 1851 to Laura Ann Hagerman, born in Washington Co., Ohio. Eleven children blessed this union — Henry, Rhoda A., James E., Julia A., Isabel], Fiannah, Edward D., Ella and Nellie, twin.s, Rosa and John Irving. Henry was born July 28, 1852, died Feb. 8, 1881. John Irving died in infancy. Zaehariah Smith was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1821. When fourteen years of age his parents moved to Morgan county, where they lived four years, then moved to Perry county. His father died soon after and Zaeha- riah then started in life for himself. He mar- ried, in 1843, Amy Battin, born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 27, 1822. They went to Indi- ana in 1846, locating in the western part of Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were among the first in starting the Disciple Church in Burlington, Carl Co., Indiana. Mr. Sniitli was deacon of that Church for a number of years. In 1855 he and his wife and five small children started for the northwest with their covered wagons. They traveled uiulcr many hardships, especially the mother who had the care of the children, they being sick most of the time. They forded the Tippecanoe river, and narrowly escaped being drowned. They landed ill Bid A^ (now Vernon), C >., Wis., Nov. 9, 1855. Mr. Smith bought timber land and immediately commenced to cle ir a farm. There was a small cabin on the place where they lived four years. The country being new and no churches near, the early settlers met in his house to worship God. Elder Parkerson was the first preacher in this place. In 1800 Mr Smith erected a hewed log house in which he lived until 1881, when he built the neat frame house where he now resides. His farm is in Sugar Grove, one of the most plea.sant localities in Vernon county. Mr. Smith was one of the first in establishing the district school and also the Disciple Church, in this place, of which he was an elder for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are parents often children. The oldest son enlisted in the War of the Re- belionand died at Nashville, Tenn., in 18G5. Sever Thompson was one of the early Nor- wegian settlers in Vernon county. He was born in Norway, Jan. 14, 1828, and in l.s53 came to America, joining his countrymen in Dane Co., Wis. He remained there two years and in 1855 made a settlement in Bad A.\ (now this) county. He located on the south- west quarter of section 13, town II north, of range 4 west, on which lie erected a log cabin. One year later he sold this land and purchased tiie northwest quarter of the same section, ami removed his primitive dwelling house to his new farm. He subsequently weather-boarded and painted his cabin, giving it the appearance of a frame house. He cleared up the farm and lived there till his death, whic'> occurred April 24 1883. He left a widow and five ciiildren to mourn his death. The children are — Betsey, Ole Nels, Emma, Thomas and Soren. The eldest son, Ole, is a teacher in the public schools. He was born in this town, Nov. 1, 61 1- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 1858. He received his early educalion in the district school and was afterward a student at the graded schools of Viroqua. Henry Benn was an early settler of Kicka- poo town. He was born in t'umberlandshire, England, Oct. 16, 18-29. In .January,' 1853, he left his native land for Amei'ioa, and located in Jefferson Co., Wis., where lie "as married, in 1854, to Susan Holinger, a native of Ohio. In 1850 Mr. Benn came to Vernon county and bought forty acres of land on section 35. of town 12 north, of range 3 we-^t, erected a log house, and resided there for ihree years. He then sold his property and purchased another "forty" of unimproved land, and again erected a substantial log cabin. In 1864 lie enlisted in company C, 43d regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teers, and served till the war closed and re- ceived an honorable discharge. In 1864 he purchased land on section 35, adjoining the town plat of Kickapoo, on which he lias since resided. In April, 1882, he had the misfortune to lose his house by fire. Mr. and Mrs. Benn have been blessed with two childien — Ida, wife of John Lowry, of Richland Co., Wis., and a son that died in infancy. James Cianey, one of the pioneers of Vernon county, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1815. When fifteen years of age he left home and his native land to seek a home in .\raerica. After living in Maryland for some years lie went to Memphis, Tenn., where he was married to Maria Osborne, born in Kentucky. Tliey went to Galena, 111., where they lived until 1S56, when they came to Vernon Co., Wis., set- tling on section 36, town 12, range 4. Mr. Cianey improved the land, making this his home until his death in 1875. His widow, jvith her son James, now occupies the home- stead. Mr. Cianey left four children — William, John, Mary and James. John Cianey, son of James and Maria (Os- borne) Cianey, was born March 20, 1847, in Galena, III., being but nine years of age when his parents settled in this county. His younger days were spent in school and at work on the farm. In 1867 he engaged with George Read to learn blacksmithing and has worked at that trade the greater part of the time since. Mr. Cianey also owns a farm lo- cated on section 1, town 11, range 4. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Mr. Baker, at Readstown, to do general blacksmithing and wagon making. In 1882 Mr. Baker died and Mr. Cianey now has a shop at his home. In 1870 Mr. Cianey was married to Catharine Joyce, born in Madison, Wis. They have had four children — Thomas Francis, Isabelle and Grace, twins, and Charles. On Sept. 1, 1864, Mr. Cianey enlisted in the Union army, serving ten months and receiving an honorable dis- charge when the war closed. Thomas Flanagan was born in county Long- ford, Ireland, in 1821, where his younger days were spent in school. In 1841 he came to America, landing at New York city, where he was engaged in the manufacture of brick on the Hudson river. He remained there until 1845, when he went to Galena, 111., and engaged as clerk in the smelting furnace of Corinth & Co. In 1851 he went by way of the Isthmus to California. He engaged in mining at Downie- ville until winter, when he bought a lot of mules and with provisions started for the moun- tains. In 1853 he returned by way of Nica- ragua to Galena. He remained there until 1854, when ho bought eight Jiorses and sixteen head of cattle and, in company with seven others, started across the plains for California. He was there engaged i n the mines and in a saw mill. In 1856 he returned to Galena and after making a short stop came to Wisconsin, buying land on sections 1 and 12, town 1 1, range 4, and on sections 6 and 7, town 1 1, range 3, wlfere he removed in the winter of 1856-57 with his family. He first built a small frame house in which lie lived until 1871, when he built the commodious one in which he now lives. He has nearly 600 acres in Kickapoo town and 140 in Franklin town. Mr. Flanagan was married HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 615 in 1S47 to Bridget Finley, who was born in La- fayette Co., Wis. They have liad si.x cliiidren — Edmund P., Maria, William, John, Joseph and Nellie. Mr. Flanagan has been prominent in town affairs and has tilled offices of li-ust. He was town clerk for eight successive years. Helge Lar.son,one of the pioneers of Kicka- poo town, was born in Norway, Feb. 16, 1820. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. lie was married in 1850 to Carrie Svalheii). In 1855 they left their native land and came to the United States. They first set- tled in Dane Co., Wis., and in 1856 came to Vernon county, purchasing land on section 1 -J, town II, range 4. He built a log house and improvoli- tics, Mr. Groves is a greenbacker. He has been justice of the peace and a member of the town board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal C^hurch. George P. Martin settled on section 9 in 1855 where he remained until 1881 and then re- moved to Nebraska. Jonas Groves also settled in 1855 on section 5, where he still lives. John R. Joseph settled on section 9 in 1855. He remained there about fifteen years and moved to Iowa. He was a native of Ohio, from which State he came to Wisconsin. Another settler of 1855 was John W. Hunter, who settled on section 16 and remained until death, which overtook him in 18'i'2. Among the pioneers of 1856 was James Scbooley, who settled on section 16. He re- moved to Kansas just before the Rebellion broke out, but afterwards returned to Liberty town; but still later returned to Kansas. Samuel Graham settled on section 6 in 1855, where he tilled the soil for a number of years and removed to Colorado, where he was en- gaged in the hotel business in 1884. Samuel Fish settled on section 8 in 1855. He enlisted in company C, 18th Wisconsin Infantry, was wounded at Siiiloh and died from its effects soon after. In 1SS4 his widow, Nancy Fish, was still living on the land pre-empted by her husband. About the same time or a little later Stephen A. Fish, father of Samuel Fish, came to the county for settlement and died somt yeni-s after. John W. Church came to Vernon county from New York. After a short stay in Richland county, he settled on the southwest corner of section 12 in 1855-6. He was a good mechanic and followed the carpenter's trade until the civil war broke out, when he enlisted in com- pany A, 25th Wisconsin; was wounded during a battle in South Carolina and died from its effects. He was a brave soldier and a good man. He was accounted one of the best marks- men in his company and it was often remarked by his comrades that upon the discharge of his gun there was one less rebel to tightl Jusl be- fore his fatal wound he was seen climT)ing over the earthworks and was told bv Col. Rusk that he was in great danger; but Church replied: "Just let me drop one more of them!" William Turner was a native of New York atid married Sally Ingalls in that State. He was a millwright an, he being but seventeen. In January, 1864, he enlisted in the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry and served until the regiment was mustered out of service. He then returned to Viola and in 1869 married Sarah A. Brown, daughter of Ab- ner Brown. He then removed to Du Page Co., 111., and subsequently to Missouri. In 1873 he returned to Wisconsin and studied and prac- ticed veterinary surgery for five years with John F. White, in Kenosha, since which time he has practiced at Viola. He is a republican and is at present town clerk. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have one daughter — Julia M. EARLY EVEXTS. The first birth in the town of Liberty was J. N., a son of Allen and Mary Rusk, born Oct. 28, 1855. The first death was a child of George P. Mar- tin, who died in 1856, and the remains were buried on their farm on section 9. The same grounds were afterward selected for the town cemetery. The first marriage in the town was Sanford Hanchett and Ann Harris, who were united in matrimony in 1855 by Allen Rusk, then justice of peace. Another marriage which occurred about the same date, was that of Johnson Fuller and Sarah Graves. This couple had to present them- selves to Robert Wilson, a justice of the peace, whe performed the ceremony under a large oak tree near the Indian mounds around which there hangs so much of mystery. ORGANIC. Liberty, the smallest town in Vernon county, was last to be organized. It was formerly a part of Viroqua town; but on account of being so far from the village of Viroqua, the people chose to be set off into a separate organization, which was done in 1858; Allen Rusk present- ing a petition, signed by many of the citizens, to the county board, requesting them to set off sections 1 to 24 inclusive, of township 12, range 3 west, into a civil town and that Us name should be Liberty. The name was suggested by Mr. Rusk, presenter of the petition. The board granted tlie request, and accordingly an election was held April 6,1858, at the school house on section 9, the former residence of George P. Martin. The following officers were elected: Allen Rusk, chairman, Samuel Gra- ham and George P. Martin, supervisors; Sam- uel C. Fish, town clerk; John R. Joseph, treas- urer; Allen Rusk and Samuel Graham, justices of the peace. Officers of 1883: D. B. Sonimars, chairman, Robert Tate and M. Wilkinson, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 625 supervisors; iS'. D. Ward, clerk; Alleu Rusk, assessor; W R. Snead, justice of the peace and F. V. Brj'son, constable. SCHOOLS. The first school in the town of Liberty was held in a building formerly used by George P. Martin as a residence. It was located on sec- tion 9. Emily Clauson was the teacher. In 1884 the town had four school buildings. At this (late a part ot the scholars of lue town attended the schools located in other towns, which had joint districts with Liberty.' RKLIGIOrs. In an early day the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination formed a class, which in 1884, be- longed to the Liberty Pole circuit. The United Brethren sect also organized a Church, some time after the war, and continued to keep up regular services till about ISTS. These two are the only religious organiza- tions ever perfected within the town. CEMUTERIES. In 1884 there were two cemeteries within the town of Webster, both being situated on section 9. The oldest of these is the one located near the pioneer residence of George P. Martin. The first burials in this cemetery were two chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Martin. The second hur- rying place is on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section y. LIBERTY POSTOFFICE. A postoflice was established at the residence of John R. Joseph, in 1S59 or I860; his wite acting as postmistress. She was followed by Mrs. M. J. Wolford, who was succeeded by Mrs. M. A. Davis. Then Mrs. Wolford was again ' appointed, and in time was succeeded by Allen Rusk, who was postmastet^ in l>^84. 'I'his office has always been kept at the house of the per- | son receiving the appointment of postmaster, or postmistress, and for this reason, has been styled "the office on wheels," but it has always gone by the name of Liberty, and has served I well the needs of the people who have lived in that vicinity. MILLS. The first mill erected in the town of Liberty, was a saw mill, built by H. L. Turner, in 1856, which was located on section 24, and was fur- nished with power by the waters of the Kicka- poo river. In 1857 Mr. Turner added a grist mill, the machinery of which he ])urcliased in Buffalo, N. Y. He operated this mill till 1864, when he sold to A. C. Cushman, who operated the combined saw and flouring mill until IHVO, when he built another mill, known as the Viola Mills. This mill was built a few rods down stream from the site of the old one. It is a wooden building, ^2x48 feet, and is three stories high. It contains four run of stone. The river furnishes a head of six feet, which gives ample propelling power for the necessary machinery of the mill. This property is valued at $20,000 including the saw mill, which was still in oper- ation in 1884. Another early saw mill was )>ut in operation by William C. Groves, on section 4, which con- tinued a number of years. THB MOUNDS. There are a number of Indian mounds, a mi- nute description of which is given elsewhere in this work, within this town. There a'e to be seen about forty of these peculiar mounds, on section 24. They represent animals of the larger species, birds, reptiles etc., and are sur- rounded with no little mystery and curiosity. lilOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Personal mention is made of the following named prominent citizens: Robert and John Tatf, two natives of Fort Wayne, Ind , accompanied their ])arenl8 to this county in 1854. Robert was born Nov. 28, 18.39, and was but fifteen years old when he came into the county. The father liad entered land on section 18, and in 1862, Robert honiesteaded 16i) acres on section 23. He has since lived on this land, and has increased it by a purchase of twenty acres. In 1864 lie enlisted in company 626 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. I, 42d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until be was honorably discharged, in 1865. Mr. Tate has served his fellow citi- zens as town treasurer and const.ible, also as treasurer of his school district. Mr. Tate mar- ried Pruda Downey, of Vernon county, and of their six children, four are living — Margaret, wife of Harmon D. Jennings; Mary, wife of Joseph S. Bond; Estella and Charles. John Tate was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 18.51, and was tlierefore only three years of age when his parents came to Vernon county. He owns forty acres of land on section 22. Mr. Tate was united in marriage, in 1870, to Esther Amanda Philpot. They have six children — William S., James W., Laura A., David O., Owen B. and Ida M. John H. Vumback, a native of Wolfeushau- sen, Germany, was born in 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1850. He first settled in Cook Co., 111., where he remained five years. In 1855 removed to Crawford Co., Wis., and one year later, (1856), came to Vernon county and settled 120 acres of land, on section 23, town 12 north, of range 3 west. Mr. Vumback was married, in 1853, to Elizabeth Amos, who was born in Byron, Germany, in 1829. They have seven children — Henry, who married Jeanette Cass; Conrad, who married Rosa Goer; John, Mary, wife of Edward Spitzer; Sophia, wife of Joseph Maple; Minnie and Philip. Lemuel S. Rabbitt, a native of the "old Do- minion," settled in Liberty town, in 1864. He was born in Hancock Co., Va., in 1827, and in 1854 was married at Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth E. Blazer. In 1855 here- moved his family to Richland Co., Wis., where he resided nine years. Mr. Rabbitt then came to Liberty town, and purchased of John Bryan 160 acres of well improved land on sections 23 and 24. Mr. Rabbitt has been chairman of the town board of supervisors for the past two years. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitt, six of whom are living — Sanford, Anna, Lemuel E., John, George and Jasper. Sanford was married to Lucinda McCarty, April 6, 1882. They have one son — Roy. Mrs. Lucinda Rab- bitt, wife of Sanford, is a native of Morgan Co., Ohio. Sanford was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth Rabbitt, wife of L. S. Rabbitt, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 29, 1829, (leap year). Robert Storer was born in 1831 in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio. He there received a com- mon school education, and when he was sixteen years of age he went to Perry Co., Ohio, where he remained till the year 1865, and then came to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled near Viroqua, and remained there two years, and then he came to the town of Liberty and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres on section 5, which he now owns. Mr. Storer was united in mar- riage to Mary Orrison, in 1857. They are the parents of eight children — John F., Celia A., William, George, Charles, Austin, Emma and Wilbert. The following named children are married: John F., to Catherine Wilson, and Celia to David Buchanan. Joseph S. Bond, farmer, although quite young, is nevertheless one of the pioneers of the town of Liberty. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was but two years old when his parents removed to Richland Co., Wis. In 1869 they located in Liberty town, the father purchasing 120 acres of land on sections 12 and 23. Joseph S. now owns this land with an additional forty acres purchased subsequently. He was married in 1882 to Mary, daughter of Robert and Pruda (Downey) Tate. Mrs. Bond was born in Ver- non county in 1865. Mr. Bond's father, Rich- ard H. Bond, is a native of England, where he was born in 1820. He emigrated to the United States in 1844, and made his first permanent settlement in Richland Co., Wis. In 1852 he removed to Vernon county, and now owns eighty acres of land on section 24, in this town. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1843, to Susannah Sutton. They had two children — Mary and Joseph. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 627 II. A. Curry, who ve.sides on section 21, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1845. His father, William Curry, was born in Virginia in 1808, and settled in Ohio about 1831, and there died in 1878. His wife still survives, and resides with her son William, in Ohio, at the advanced age of seventy-one years. In 1870 Mr. Curry removed to Vernon Co., Wis., and purchased 3tiO acres of land in the town of Liberty, of M. Longstroth. He has reduced the size of his farm to 190 acres. He was elected a jtistice of tlie peace in 1878, and served one term. Mr. Curry wbs married in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1808, to Elizabeth Starbuck. They have three children — Edgar, Charles and Guy. Mrs. Cur- ry's father, Jonathan Starbuck, was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1825, and died in Virginia at the age of thirty-two years. Her mother was born in 1827 and died in Ohio at the age of forty-seven years. Mons. S. Wilkinson was born in 1848 in Nor- way, and emigrated to America in 1858. He first settled in Crawford Co., Wis., and in 1874 he came to the town of Liberty. He married Anna Lee, who was also born in Norway, in 1848. She came to the United States in 1868. They have had born to them two children — Wilbert C. and Herlha J. Mr. Wilkinson does not own any real estate in the county at present, having just sold his farm, which con- sisted of eighty acres on section 18, where he still resides. Mr. Wilkinson contemplates pur- chasing another farm on the same section. Elizabeth Wigdahl was born in Norway in 1818, and came to the United States in 1864. She settled in the town of Christiana, where she lived until 1878, when she removed to the town of Liberty, and bought of John Erikson 160 acres of land on section 19, where she now resides. Mrs. Wigdahl was married in Norway, in 1844, to Peter Wigdahl, who died in Vernon county on the 27th day of July, 1880. Mrs. Wigdahl has five living children— Mary, Betsey, Emma, Anna and Sarah. Hans is deceased. Mary is the wife of Hans Vomburg; Betsey married Nels Swigan; Sarah joined fortunes with Robert Robertson, and Anna is now a widow with three children. 628 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPIER XLIV THE TOWN OF STARK. Stark is bounded on the north by the town of Whitestown, on the east by Union, on the south by Richland county, and on the west by the town of Webster. Its territory comprises township 13, range 2 west. The Kickapoo river flows through the town, entering its domain on section 3, and leaves from section 31, into the town of Webster. This stream furnishes a good water power on section 20, which is well utilized. The Kickapoo has several small tribu- taries taking their rise in different parts of the town. Among these are Jug creek and Weister creek. The former comes in from the town of Union and unites on section 3 ; the latter enters from Whitestown and makes a confluence with the main stream on section 9. Bear creek also flows from Union town and empties into the river proper on section 29, where another fine water power is obtainable. Otter creek, another little creek, flows from the town of Webster and joins the river on section 29. These streams ar^ spring brooks, of the purest water and are perfectly clear ; many of them contain fish. While the topography of this town, in common with that of the entire county is quite broken and hilly, yet it is as good a farming section as Vernon county affords. EAELT SBTTLEMENT. Ihe earliest settlement in the town of Stark was made in 1853, by the following : Chauncy W. I.awton, who came from Kickapoo Center and settled on section 20. John H. Anderson, a native of Scotland, came in the spring of the year and entered land on section 20, which included the water power. Among the few that came in during 1854, was P. Orrison, who entered land on section 20, for Lis father, and on section 17 for himself. lie remained on his land about ten years and moved into the town of Webster, where he purchased a mill. In 1884 he resided at Viro- qua. Jesse Orrison, father of P. Orrison, came in 1854, from Perry Co., Ohio, and located on sec- tion 20, where he remained till the time of his death in 1862 ; his wife died in 1880. Emery Lockie, a native of Virginia, settled in the town, on the northeast quarter of section 36, in 1854, where he resided until 1857, and removed to Missouri, where he was afterward killed by his son, who led a band of Confed- erate guerillas. In 1855, Henry Smith, of Ohio, settled on section 19. Eli McVey settled in the town in 1854, on land near Rockton. John B. Lease came in from Greene county, in 1855, and located on the northwest quarter of section 36, where he lived till 1877, when he sold out and moved to Turner Co., D. T. Peter Smith, of New Jersey, came in 1855, from near Viroqua, and settled on section 9, where he remained till his death in June, 1880. Benjamin Bahr and Adam Bryan, also set- tled in 1855, the former on section •-', and the latter on section 3, where they improved their lands and remained till 1875, when they sold and in 1884, were' living in Laporte, Iowa. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 620 Thomas De Jean came from New York to Waukesha county, but soon removed to section 29, Stark town. He arrived some time during the spring or summer of 1855 ; having entered land, however, in 1853. He erected a saw-mill and a little later built a grist-mill. He died in 1877 ; his wife still lives on the homestead. George Walts was another settler of 1855 ; he settled on section 2, where he cleared up a farm. He remained there until 1861, when he sold and went to Michigan. In 1884 he was living at Laporte, Iowa, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. Elliot Benson, a native of Massachusetts, came from Greene Co., Wis., in 1855, and set- tled on section 35, where he remained until 1879, when he sold and moved west. David Simons, of Ohio, settled on the north- west quarter of section 26, in 1855. He re- mained five or six years and moved to Ne- braska, and in 1884, was living in Oregon. E. Daltou, of Maryland, came in 1855 and settled on section 5, where he still resided in 1884. Among the settlers of 1856 were : Joseph R. Bean, E. Potter, Joseph Parker and Johu Barge. Joseph R. Bean came from Virginia, to Jo Daviess Co., III., and in 1856, came to the southeast quarter of section 24, Stark town. Afterward he moved to Union town, where he died in 1868. E. Potter removed from Vermont to Grant Co.,VVis., and from there to this county, in 1856. He located on section 24, where he was still living in 1884. Joseph Parker was a native of Kentucky, who came from Illinois and settled on section 35, where he still resided in 1884. John Barge, a German, came in tlie summer of 1856, and settled on section 12. George and William White, who were natives of England, settled on the northeast quarter of section 26, where they made some improvements. In the fall of 1857 they went to the Black river region. George was a Mor- man preacher, and said to have been a very able man. Samuel W. Gray, a native of New York State, came from Grant Co., Wis., in the fall of 1857, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 26, where he was still living in 1884. EARLY EVBNTS. One of the earliest marriages in the town was Henry Malier and Mary Bahr, in tlie winter of 1855-6. They were married at Viro- qua ; and their home was on section 2, where he died a number of years ago. His widow- married again and lives at Laporte, Iowa. Oscar, son of E. and Lydia (Smith) Dalton, was one of the first children, if not the first born in the town. His birth occurred June 20, 1855. ORGANIC. The town of Stark was set off from the town of Union in November,] 858, and the first election for town officers held at the house of Morrison Wilson, in April, 1859. No records are preserved of thefirst few town meetings, hence the first officers are here, necessarily omitted. The fol- lowing were the officers of 1883: Troy Evans, chairman of the board of supervisors; I I). Nixon, assessor; James Calhers, treasure!'; W. H. Norris, clerk. SCHOOLS. In 1884 the town of Stark contained seven school houses which were located in districts known as Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, joint district Nos. 8, and 10. In district No. 1 the first school was upon the subscription jilan and was taught in 1860, by Mrs. Jesse Orrison, in her son's house. In 1861 a log school building was erected on tlie line of sections 16 and 17. Laura Evans was the first teacher employed in this building. This build- ing was burned in 1864, and sdiool was then lield in a house which belonged to Payton Orri- son. In 18(i6 a frame building was erected on the southeast quarter of section 17. Lizzie Stimble was the first to teach in tliis new build- ing. 630 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. District No. 2 was provided with a school house in 18-57, which was located on tlie soutli- east quarter of section 5. This was a log build- ing. Mary Clausen was the first teacher. A new house was built in 1874, on the southwest quarter of section 5, in which Belle Robinson taught the first term of school. The first school house in district No. 3 was built in 1857; this was a log house located on the northwest quarter of section 30. Matilda Shell taught the first term of school. After ward a frame house was Ijiiilt, whicii stood on the northwest quarter of the southeast quar- ter of section 29. Mrs. Ingram taught the first school in this building. District No. 4, more commonly known as "Jug Creek School," had its first term of school in a log house built by a few of the neighbors, on the southwest quarter of section 2. The first school was held in the winter of 1857-8. This house served a few years, when a hewed log house was erected on the old site, in which Anson W. DeJean taughtthe first school. In 1876 a frame house was built and furnished after the more modern style. This building was located on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 11. Thomas Smith taught first in this building. The first school house in district No. 5 was erected in 1859; it was a log building located on the southwest quarter of section 24. Corne- lius Weeden was the first teacher in this house. In 1866 another log building took the place of the one of pioneer days; this was situated on the southeast quarter of section 23. Joint district No. 8 had its first school build- ing erected in 1858 — a log house located on tlie northwest quarter of section 35. Harriet E. Cox was the finst teacher. In 1881 a frame house was erected near the site of the old one. Jacob Potts was the first teacher in the new building. District No. 10 was organized in 1871. A stone building was purchased of A. W. Sprague. Alice Seeley, afterward wife of Ed. Nixon, taughtthe first school. In 1874 another build- ing was provided, which was located on the north bank of the river, near the center of sec- tion 20. Kate West was the first teacher. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. Religous services were held in the log school house on section 2 as soon as it was completed, by the Evangelical Association. A class was formed with about twenty members, among whom were: George Walsh and wife, John Barger and wife, Adam Bryan wife and two daughters, Joseph Fulmer and wife and Francis Lawton and wife. Adam Bryan was chosen the first class leader. Rev. Sater was among the first ministers. He was killed in the Indian massacre in Minnesota in 1862. This society mat at the log school house until within a few years, but now meet at Rockton. In 1867 the first Methodist Episcopal meet- ings were held in the school house on section 17. Rev. C. N. Cunningham was the first preacher. He organized a class in the winter of 1867-68 with about eighteen members, among whom were: Samuel Smith and wife, Dempster Seeley and wife, Irving Nixon and wife, William H. Bacon wife and daughter, Lizzie Stiinble, Adelia Farnhara, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bar- ton, .John Dyer, Emma Dyer, Cynthia Moore and Mary M. Miller. Irving C. Nixon was cho- sen class leader. This class continued to wor- ship in the school house till 1871, when a church building was erected on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 20. This goes by the name of Star Chapel. A sab- bath school was formed in connection with this class in 1868. I. C. Nixon was the first super- intendent. The school in 1884 had an average attendance of about thirty-five scholars. Another Methodist Episcopal class was formed in 1875 by Rev. Bradley at the new school house on Jug creek. John Barge and wife, Adam Bryan and wife;Mrs. G. W. Wiseman and John Barge were among the members of this class, and Mr. Barge was chosen class leader. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 6;n The United Brethren formed a class in the hewed log school house on section 2, just prior to the Rebellion. Rev. Himes was the first preacher The class numbered about twenty- five. In 1884 Rev. Alderman was pastor for this denomination. There was Baptist services conducted at the house of John B. Lease, in 1857, by John Cran- dall, a Baptist clergyman, who organized a soci- ety of this denomination, which was known as Bethel Church. They built a church in 1877 on section 28, in which Kev. SI iter was the first to preach. In 1884 the society held no regular services on account of numerous removals. CEMETERIES. This town has two cemeteries within its bor- ders, both on the same section. One on the northwest quarter of section 20 and the other on the southeast quarter of section 20. THE VILLAGE OF STAB. Star is the proper name for this village ; however, outside of a radius of ten miles it is known .'is "Seeleyburg," after Dempster Seeley. R. S. Moore, county surveyor of Vernon county, platted this village in 1867, for C. W. Lawton. It is on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 20. C. W. Lawton built the first house in the place, in 1859, on the north side of the river ; but in 1861, he moved it across the river to where the village now stands. Mr. Lawton also built the first store in 186:^. Joseph McHenry put in a small stock of goods, which he continued to traffic in until 1870. A. W. Sprague, from Rhode Island, erected a building and opened up a store, which he operated for six months, then returned to Rhode Island. His store was sold for a school house. In 1874 Joseph Cowan and II. H. Wyatt formed a partnershij) and rented the Sprague building, which I)emi)ster Seeley bought of the school district. This store was burned out and Mr. Seeley erected another building on the same spot and Mr. Wyatt run a general store there for four months, when this building was burned and Mr. Wyatt moved to Viroqua. Mr. Seeley again rebuilt and II. C. Millard opened up a stock of goods and continued two years, being succeeded Vjy Obadiah Driskal, who lost his stock hy fire in 1883. Dempster Seeley erected a saw mill on the east branch of the Kickapoo river in 1863. This was a frame building, 25x50 feet, and employed a circular saw. In 1870 he added a shingle and planing mill, and in 1879 the whole was destroyed by fire. He again put up a building, 50x90 feet, in which is operated a shingle mill, planing mill, turning lathe and rotary saw mill. Thomas DeJean built a saw mill on the east l)ank of the East Kickapoo river, in 18."i7. A log and brush dam was thrown across the stream, which gave him a fall of seven feet. In 1863 he sold a half interest to his son, Anson W. In 1865 they put in a rotary saw, an I in 1873 quit the lumber business and built a small grist mill, furnished with three run of stone. After Thomas DeJean's death the mill was operated by his son, Anson W. A postoffice was established in 1859 and Thomas DeJean made postmaster. He kept the office at his house on section 29. In 1861 C. W. Lawton became postmaster and moved the office to his house on section 20. He was still holding the office in 1884, having had charge of it continuously, except one year when Anson DeJean held it. Robert Parker is now deputy and keeps the office at his store. BIOGRAPHICAL. There is no class of citizens so richly deserv- ing of praise, respect and esteem as the pioneer settlers ; and too often even this is denied them. It is the aim of the historian of this chapter to give a few lines to the honored pio- neers and their descendants, due them on ac- count of being instrumental in "clearing up" and developing this new and beautiful soil. 632 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Chauncey W. Lawton came to Vernon county in 1854, and entered land on section 1, town 11, range 3 west, Kickapoo town. He built a log cabin and cleared about twelve acres of land. In 18.58 he traded that for a place in town 13, range 3. He then came to Stark town and rented a farm on section 29, for one year. He then traded his farm in Kickapoo town for one on section 20, Stark town, and built a h"nse on the north bank of the river, which he moved, in 18U0, to the south baiik. In 1805 he built the large frame house in wiiich lie now lives. In 1867 he platted the village of Star Mr. Lawton was born June 27, 1825, in Great Valley, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing a liberal education in the district and high school. When nineteen years of age, he entered the office of Aiigel & Fox with whom he studied law two years. In 1846 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Waukesha, where he remained one year, then returned to New York State, remain- ing until 1854, at which time he came to Ver- non county, as before stated. He continued his study of law in this county, and, in 1859, was admitted to the bar at Viroqua. .Mr. Lawton has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married Sept. 2, 185', was Mirian F.Dyer. Three children blessed tins union — Clarence, Alice and Ulysses. Mrs. Lawton died March 21, 1871. He again married, Aug. 3, 1872, Jemima Dowell, a native of Scotland. They have three children — Caroline, William and Alexander. Mr. Lawton was appointed postmaster of the Star office, in 1861, and holds the office at the present time. He has been prominent in county and town affairs. He has served as county commissioner, and for several years has held the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Lawton was a soldier in the Union army during the late war, and was with Sherman dur- ing that memorable march to the sea. Eli McVey, an early explorer of the Kickapoo valley, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 1832, and there he spent his younger days, in school, and on the farm. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin, and visited Vernon county. In the winter he engaged in lumbering in the Kicka- poo pineries, and in the summer in rafting lumber down the river, being thus occupied for three successive summers, after which he en- gaged in breaking prairie. In October, 1861, he enlisted in company I, 12th Wisconsin Vol- unteers, and went south. He took part in tlie siege of Vicksburg, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea ; also, participated in the many battles and skirmishes in that memorable campaign. He was discharged in August, 1865, and returning to Vernon county, purchased wild land on section 3, Stark town, and engaged in farming. He has since built the frame house in which he lives, and a frame barn 30x40 feet. In 1878 he purchased eighty acres of land on section 33, Whitestown town, and has since improved a part of that. Mr. McVey was married, in 1867, to Caroline Bryan, by whom he has had four children — Sherman, Ag- nes, Ella and William. Hiram, son of Jesse and Mary (Gheen) Orri- son, pioneer of Vernon county, was born in Mus- kingum Co.. Ohio, April 18,1834. When he was quite young,his parents removed to Perry county, where he grewto manhood. He was but twenty years of age when his parents came to Bad Ax county. He made his home with them in Stark, and went to Franklin in 1858, and there bought a tract of land. He made some improvements on the land and lived there two years ; then sold. He was married in 1863, to Mary Parr, and bought a farm in the town of Webster, and lived there until 1866, when he came to Stark and bought the farm he now occupies on sec- tion 7. They have four children— Sarah Al- meda, John A., Minnie C. and Francis W. John H. Anderson, an early explorer of the Kickapoo valley, and a pioneer settler of Stark town, is a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, Nov. 14, 1826. When fourteen years of age he left home and went to sea; sailed two years be- fore the mast and then came to the United States, .stopping first in Maine and spending HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 6:^3 some time in Portland; thence to Biddeford and other places. In Saco he was employed for one 3-ear in a brick yard. He then vi.sited New Haven, New York and Philadelpliia, and spent a winter in Lancaster, Penn., where he was employed teaming. Fi'om there he went to Washington county, where he remained till the fall of l'-!49, then went to Adams Co., 111., spend- ing the winter near Qiiincy, being employed in chopping wood. In the spring of 18.50 lie came to Wisconsin, spending the summer at Spring Green Prairie, Sauk county. In the fall he vis- ited Richland county, and was employed in get- ting out lumber to build the Hazellon saw mill, the first one in that county- Late that fall he went to Mork in the pineiies, and from that time until 1>!55 was employed in getting out lumber and rafting it down theKickapoo river. While S(i doing he became acquainted with the localities and also with the few settlers along the river. He settled in ISo.t on section 20, town 1.3, range 2 west, now known as Stark town, Vernon county. He built a cabin on the west bank of the east fork of the Kickapoo river, and there lived a single man for five years. Mr. Anderson was married Feb. 7, 1860, to Lucy McHeury, One child blessed this union — Nancy Elizabetli. At the time of his marriage lie owned a farm house on the brow of the hill, which he now makes his home. For the past few years his health has not been good, and not being able to farm has turned his attention to bees and has started an apiary. His wife was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wal- lace) McIIenry, born in Ohio. Her parents settled in Webster in 18.t7. Her father died in 1SG5; her mother in 188-2. Philip Aumock was burn in Perry Co., Ohio, .June 17, 1827, and was reared on a farm till fifteen years of age. He then learned the car- penter trade, and was married on the 29th day of January, 1840, to Eleanor Duseiiberry, also a native of Perry Co., Ohio. Soon after marriage Mr. Aumock engiged in the cabinet business, which he followe After remaining tliere one year and a half he moved to Huntingdon county, where he also re- mained a year and a half. In 1855 lie came to Wisconsin, settling first in Marshall (now Bloom) town, Richland county, where he had the year previous purchased land He remained here until 1870, working at the carpenter trade and also runtiing a gristmill. He then went to Forest, running a grist mill and blacksmith shop there until 1875, at which time he came to Stark, as before stated, and opened a black- smith sho]) in the village of Star. One. year HISTORY OF VEHNOX COUNTY. 643 \:\tvv lie purcliast'd land on tliu ninth bank of the river, whore he erected a dwelling house and shop, and has continned in business here since that time. ]\Ir. Starner was married in 185.3 to Myreni Slaley, born in Stark Co., Ohio. Five children liave blessed this union, two of which are livinji — Samuel J. and Sarah M. Henry Millard, merchant, was born in Rush- ville, Ontario Co., N. Y., July 22, 1855. He was less than two years of age, when Lis par- ents came to Vernon county and settled in Ontario. His early education was received in the district school sup]ilemented by two years at tlie High School, at Sparta. In 1872 he en- tered Wayland Institute, graduating frl, preached in Isaac Cone's house on sec- tion 8. Meetings were kept up liere for several years but no class was ever formed. 648 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. The Lutlicvan people held services peculiar to their sect, in Albert Nash's house on section 17, about 1856, and in 1858, built a church on that section. Rev. Mr. Stub acted as their minister, at the same time serving the Lutheran Church at Coon Prairie. He was finally suc- ceeded by Rev. Preus, and he by Rev. Juve, who preached for fourteen years, and in 1883 was followed by Rev. J. G. Nelson, at which date the Church comprised seventy-three mem- bers. In 1867 the Methodists organized another class at the Retreat school house. The fol- lowing were the first members : E. B. Hyde and wife, William Barr and wife, Ammon Davis and wife, Mrs. V. L. Davis, Mattie Davis and Mrs J. M. Hill. William Barr was class leader. This class belonged to the De Soto circuit. In 1872 a church was built at Retreat; it was a frame house built at an expense of $l,.300. In 1884 this Church numbered sixty- five. The following ministers have served this charge: Rev. Bushby, Rev. H. J. Walker, Rev. Th(m\as ]\Iaiiuel, Rev. D. L. Hubbard, Rev. D. Ciingman, Rev H. D. Jenks. W. W. Kurd and J. F. Nuzum. In 1873 a Methodist class was formed at the school house on section 5, town 1 1, range 5, by Delos Hubbard, a minister of the De.Soto circuit. This class numbered twenty-three, and was under the leadership of E. B. Alien. In 1874 a church building was provided; this was lo- cated on section 4, town -11, lange 5. In 1884 the class numbered about twenty. The follow- ing ministers have preached for this Church: A. D. Chase, John Davis, John W. McKay, William McMillan, Robert Smith, John Medd, James Phelps and R. S. Mocket. A Congregational society was organized at the house of Robert McMynn, on section 14, town 11, range 6, in 18.f8, by Rev. Mr. Judsou, of Viroqua. Among the first members were the following: E. Bishop and wife, Richard Morgan and wife, James Jordan and wife, Robert McMynn and wife, Reuben Jordan and wife, Sylvester Hayden and wife. Reuben Jor- dan and Richard Morgan were the first deacons. For several years this society worshiped at the school house on section 14; but in 1880 they used the Methodist church at Retreat, and in 1883 built a church of their own at that point. It was a neat, well planned building, which cost about $1,400. Among those who have served as pastors of this society are: , Rev. Radcliff, Rev. Valentine, Rev. Bridgman, Rev. Thomp- son and Rev. Haughton. The first regular services of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in this vicinity were held at Christian Chrisliansou's house just over the town line, in Harmony town; Rev. A. C. Preus being the minister. In 1874 a church was built on the northwest quarter of section 13, town 12, range 6. In 1884 there were sixty-three families who regularly attended here. Rev. Mr. Nelson was pastor at this date. A United Brethren class was organized at the school house on section 28, town 12, range 5, by Rev. E. K. Young. He was followed by Rev. John Day. On account of the removal of its membership, this class only existed a few years. In 1880 a Methodist class was formed at this point., CEMETERIES. The first burying ground of the town of Ster- ling was on section 10, where fifty-six inter- ments were made. In 1866 a new cemetery was platted on section 10, on a beautiful mound covere/l with walnut trees, which suggested the name of this new cemetery "Walnut Mound Cemetery." This is said to be the next to the finest cemetery in Wisconsin — the one at Madi- son, only, being finer. Resides this burying ])la "e there are several Nor^^egian cemeteries I within the town near their churches. POSTOFFICES. In 1S84 this town contained three postoflSces I — Rc'tieat, Purdy and West Prairie. A brief history of each of these offices, together with the business interests which cluster about them i is here given: HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 649 Retreat postoffice was established in 1854. W. P. Clark was ajjpointed postmaster; at that time he kept the office in his residence. This was on the mail route from Readsburg to Dc Soto. In 1884 Jesse L. Davis was postma'Ster, and at that date kept the office at his store. Mail was received four times a week from Viro- (jiia and De Soto. A blacksmith shop was opened at Retreat by O. C. Jone-s, in 1864 or 1865; it was sold to F. B. White in a year or two, who soon sold a half interest to J. M. Hill, who afterward purchased the entire shop. In 1873 D. P. Smith opened a wagon shop, doing general repair work, such as is demanded by the farming class. West Prairie postoffice was established in 1862. Allen Donaldson was the first postmas- ter, having the office at his house on section 6, town 1 1, range 5. Purdy postoffice was established in what was known by the early settlers as the "Purdy neighborhood," at a very early day. In 1884 Ole Gauper was postmaster. This office being at this time on the mail route from Viroqua to De Soto. At this point there is a blacksmith shop, which was started in 1876 by Joseph Brzazows- ky. In 1881 George Little put a saw mill in operation and a little later a feed mill was added. Bad Ax creek furnished the power for this mill and in the spring of 1883 the dam was washed out by a flood and the foundation of the mill undermined, causing it to fall into the stream, where it was left to decay. GRAND FORKS NEIGHBORHOOD. On section 19, town 12, range 5, where the two branches of the Bad Ax river unite, there is what is usually termed the Grand Forks neighborhood. At this point there is a flouring mill, a store and blacksmith shop. In 1880 D. K. MuUikin, P. M. Peck and J. O. Morse erect- ed a flouring mill. It was a three-story struc- ture, 26x38 feet on the base. Tlii's mill has three run of buliis with the most improvod ma- chinery. It does both custom and merchant work. The Bad Ax river gives a head of nine feet at this point, which furnishes an abundant water power. Another mill was built in 1875 by John Mel- lor, on section 16, town 11, range 5. This mill had two run of buhrs. Its fifteen-horse power engine furnished the power. In July, 1880, the builder traded the property for a farm in the Bad Ax valley. A brewery was built in 1870 on section 20, town 12, range 5, by Justice Grow and Rein- hard Walker. This was in operation for about two years, but in 18S4 was not in use and was fast going to decay. PERSONAL. The following sketches speak for themselves, and need no comment: Harvey Sterling deserves honorable mention among the pioneers of Vernon county. He was born in Hagerstown, Md., in 1763, and his early life was passed amid the stirring scenes of the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars. He was twelve years of age when the Ameri- can patriots were first slaughtered at Concord and Lexington, and shouted for joy when the liberty bell rang out the glad tidings of inde- pendence on July 4, 1776. In 1799 he removed to what was then almost beyond the pale of civilization, — State of Kentucky, — and settled in Woodford county. He was about forty-nine years of age when the second war with Eng- land commenced, and 1812 enlisted in the service of the United States, and was mustered out at the close of the war. He then returned to Kentucky, and located in Spencer county, where he lived until 1846. In the latter year he came north to Wisconsin, and made a settle- ment in Vernon county, where he died in 1855, aged ninety-two years. Mr. Sterling married Elizabeth Harper, a native of Pendleton Co., Va., born March 8, 1780. This union wa.'» blessed with twelve children. Mrs. Sterling doparlud this life Dec. 23, 1869, at the age of eit'htv-nine. 650 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Le Grant Sterliug was the tenth child of this large family, and was the first settler of Sterling town, and is the oldest living settler of Vernon county. He was born Aug. C, 1819, in Spencer Co , Ky., and there grew to manhood. In 1840 he removed to Wisconsin, and located near Mineral Point, in Iowa county. In 1844 he laid claim to land on sections 10 and 2, in town 11 north, of range west, then in Craw- ford county, but now embraced in the town of Sterling, Vernon county. He then returned to Mineral Point, and again engaged in mining, until 1S40, when he leturned to Crawford county and entered his land. He lived on the farm until 18d7, when he sold it and removed to Missouri residing there for two years. Again returning to Vernon county, he bought a farm on section 14, town 11 north, of range 6 west, (town of Sterling), where he has since made his home. He has made some improvements on his land and has repaired his residence until it is considered one of the finest in the town Mr. Sterling was maVried in 1856 to Margaret Rut- ter, who was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Five children were given them — Charles, John H., Thomas, Lee Andrew and Henry. In 1871 Mr. Sterling suffered the loss of his wife and four children, John II. being the only one surviving. On Nov. 3, 1872, he married Lorena Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania. Of the four chil- dren born to this union, three are living — Olive, Jessie and William. Soloman W. Tewalt was born in Knox Co., Ind., in November, 1838. When eight years of age his parents moved to Wisconsin, settling in Vernon county. He was raised to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the district school. He was married in 1860 to Josephine Hurd, after which he settled on section 8, town 11, range 5. He remained there until 1871, when he sold out and went to Oregon, at the end of three years returning to Sterling town. In 1880 Mr. Tewalt purchased the Adlington farm, located on sections 21, 22 and 28, town 12, range 6, comprising one of the best farms in this section of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Te- walt have six children — Edwin, Nellie, Alice, Nettie, Alvah and Elmer. Alexander Vance is a native of the "Old Do- minion," ami came into this county in 1849. He therefore ranks among the first on the pioneer list. Mr. Vance was born in Virginia, March 14, 1814. He grew to mature years in his native State, and in 1837 became a resident of Sulli- van Co., Ind. Twelve years later, (1849) not being satisfied \\ ith his new home, he sought a home in Wisconsin, and found one to his liking in Bad Ax county. He settled in what is now called the town of Sterling, where he erected a log cabin for a new residence. He lived in this humble abode until 1870, when he binlt his present frame residence. Mr. Vance was mar- ried, in 1839, to Susan Sloane, a native of Indi- ana. They are the parents of three children living — John M., Mary .f. and Margaret. The eldest of these, and only son living, John M., was born in Sullivan Co, Ind., Aug. 15, 1842. He was but seven years old when his parents came to this county, and here reached the years of manhood. He received a very fair education in the district schools, and had the pleasure of attending the first school taught in Vernon county. In 1SG3 he was joined in marriage to Maay Curtis, and Aug. 27, 1864, enlisted in company I, 42d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was ordered to Cairo, 111., where it performed garrison duty. Mr. Vance was mustered out of the service in June, 1865, and returned home. At the time of his marriage, he had settled on his present farm on section 4, town 11 north, of range 5 west, his farm embracing the land his father had located in 1849. Mr. Vance has always evinced a lively interest in town affairs; has served four terms as town clerk, tliiee terms as treasurer, and is the present chairman of the board of town supervisors, this being his fourth term. Mr. and Mrs. Vance are the parents of six children — Perry, Charles, Clinton, Frederick, John and Etta. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 651 Samuel Davis came in with the settlers of 1S.52. He entered land on section 4, town 11 nortii, of range 5 west, in territory now known as the town of Sterling, and where he still re- sides. Mr. Davis was born in Knox Co., Ind., April 29, l^!-.28, and was there reared on a farm. In 1849, ho married Sarah J. Devorse, also a native of Indiana. In 18.52 the two came to Wisconsin and located in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have Iteeii blessed with seven chil- dren^Hannah, Elizabetli, ilargaret, Andrew, Daniel, Lavina and Peter. Isaac Cone, one of the early settlers of Ster- ling, is a native of Maine, born July 16, 1(94. He entered the service of the United States at the time of the trouble on the boundary ques- tion between this country and Canada. In 1849 he emigrated to Wisconsin and lived one year in Walworth county. Then removed to Rock county and lived there thi'ee years. In 1853 he came to Vernon county and entered land on sec- tion 9, of town I 1 north, of range 5 we.st, ter- ritory now ii\cluded in the town of Sterling. He erected a house, improved the land and re- mained here until the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. He was first married to Susan Davis, also a native of Maine. She died in 1865. In (870 he married Florence Hayden. She is now living at Midway, and is ninety-two years of age. Isaac Peaslee was an adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Cone. He was born in Penobscot Co., Maine, Sept. 14, 1^^35. His mother died when he was but fourteen days old. He made his home witli his adopted parents until the time of their death. He was married, in 1855, to Laura King. Nine children have blessed this union — ^Louisa, George, Susan, Eugene, Harry, Herman, Mary. Tiiomas and Mary M. Eugene died when two years of age, and the two children named Mary died in infancy. Mr. Peaslee has lived in Sterling continually since IS.T.S, with the exception of one year, 1872, when he went to Crawford county and pur- chased a farm anil lived, there one year; then re- turned to the old homestead where he has since resided. Mrs. Peaslee was the first school teacher on West Pr.airie. Christopher N. Johnson was one of the first Norwegians to settle in Sterling town. He emi- grated to America in 1847, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., where he remained until 1849. He then went to California, to mine for gold, and in 1853 came to Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, and entered land in town 12 north, of range 5 west, in territory now included in the town of Sterlinir. He improved this land and made it his home until his death, which occurred in November, 1875. Mr. Johnson was twice mar- ried. His second wife, to whom he was mar- ried in 1857, was Gunelda Fortner. She is the mother of six living children — John C, .Mar- garet, Christina, Ellen, Torger N. and Christo- pher N. Two of the daughters are teachers in the public schools and are meeting with great success. By his integrity and untiring benevo- lence, Mr. Johnson won the confidence and es- teem of the new comers, by whom he was looked up to as "a father of his country," and to whom they came for counsel and advice. They were always welcome at his house, which was to them as an oasis in the desert, and were re- ceived with the greatest hospitality. Long will he live in the memory of his countrymen, who came here in those dark and dreary days when want and the desolate prairie stared them in the face, and the Indiati war whoop was heard on every side. Then it was that they found in Christopher Johnson a true and constant friend. John C. was born in Sterling town, Dec. 10, 1858. He received a good education in the district schools of this town, and in the \ graded school at Viroqua. He was elected to the office of town treasurer in April, 1883, and I is now serving in that res])onsible position. j Cliristian C. Olson was born in Norway I July 27, 1842. When three years of age his parents died, and Christian went to live with an uncle, Ilalvnr Erlandsun. In 1850 the fam- ily emigrated to the United States, settling in f?b2 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Dane Co., Wis. His uncle died soon after. In 1853 they came to Vernon county, settling on section .30, town 12, range 5, in territory now included in Sterling town. Here Christian grew to manhood, receiving his education in the dis- trict school. In 1804 he went by way of the Isthmus to California, remaining there six years. He then returned to Sterling, purchas- ing a quarter section of laud on section 23, town 12, range 6, and there engaged in farm- ing. In 1878 Mr. Olson was elected county register and removed to Viroqua, where he re- mained until 1883, when he engaged in trade at Grand Forks, Sterling town. In 1869 he was married to Julia Swinson. Mr. and Mrs. 01. west. He improved the land, built a house and made this liis home until the time of his death, which occurred Aug. 27, 1882. His only son, Theodore, was born Sept. 15, 1856. His younger days were spent in school and on his father's farm. He was married Nov. 13, 1876, to Elizabeth, daugh- ter of William anil Mary Adams, who settled in Harmony town in 1856. They have three chil- dren — Essie, Myrtle and Lloyd. He occupies the homestead in company with his mother. Thomas Sidyie was the oldest son of William and El 'en (Paurie) Sidyie, and was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, June 22, 1834. His 654 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. father was a miller, and when thirteen years of age, Thomas hegan to work in the mill. In 1855 he came to America, settling in Vernon Co., Wis. He made his home with au uncle, near Springville, for three years, when, in 1858, he was married to Sarah Pideock, born in Ohio, June 28, 18-35. He then, for four years, rented a farm in Viroqua town, after which he was en- gaged in farming in different parts of the county. In 1869 he went to Iowa, locating in Allamakee county. He remained there two years, after which he returned to Vernon county and rented a farm on section 1(3, town 12, range 6, Sterling town. After renting this two years, Mr. Sidyie purchased it, and has since made it his home. Mrs. Sidyie died, at Viroqua, Dec. 18, 1863, leaving three children — William, Eliza Ellen and .Margaret J. The two oldest ones live in Genoa, the youngest in Iowa. Mr. Sid- yie's father was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1809. He died in 1866. His mother was born in Perthshire, in 1810. They were mar- ried in 1833. Mrs. Sidyie came to America to join her son in 1857, and has since made her home with him. She has si.x children living — Thomas, James, Margaret, William, John and Robert. Leonard Wakefield, one of the early settlers of Sterling town, was born in New York State in 1800. He grew to manhood in his native State, and was there married to Polly Whitney, also a native New York. Soon after marriage he moved to Pennsylvania, where he bought a farm and lived until 1833. He then went to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, and living there twelve years. Going then to Illinois, Mr. Wake- field purchased government land in Lake county, and cleared a farm. In 1856 he again turned his face westward, locating in Sterling town, Vernon Co., Wis. He purchased land on section 2, town 1 1, range 6, and also on section 35, town 12, range 6, and here remained until his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife died in 1878. Their son, Elijah, is still a resident of the town. He was born March 15, 1827, in Pennsylvania. In 1853 he married Cleora Stickney, by whom he had four children, one of which is living. He lived in Ohio and Illinois with his parents, and came with them to Sterling, loca'ingon land on section 2, which his father had entered in 1855. He enlisted in 1864, in companj' B, 4-2d Wisconsin Volunteers, and went south. He served until the close of the war, being dis- charged in June, 1865. Adelbert, son of Elijah Wakefield, was born Sept. 21, 1854, in Lake Co., 111. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the district school. He was married, March 30, 1876, to Jane Wilder, born in Crawford Co., Wis. Four children have blessed this union — Effie C, John B., Charles and Hiram. He now occupies the old homestead of his grand- father. His children are the fourth generation that have lived on that place. Henry Weber is a settler of 1856. He was boi'ii in Saxe-Coburg Germany Aug. 25, 18 22. He at- tended school until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade, at which he continued to work until 1847, when he left his native land and emigrated to America. He landed at New York, but not finding employment went out of the city and succeeded in getting work on the New York & Lake Erie Railway, and subsequently on the Eric Canal. In 1850 he started west, visited Chicago, and from there went to St. Paul, .Minn., and also Stillwater, and afterward to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked at his trade until 1856. In 1856 he made a settlement in Vernon c( unty- He has since been a resident of Sterling town. Mr. Weber has improved his farm, erected sub stantial buildings for stock, grain, etc., and is an extensive raiser of small fruits, making a speciality of grapes. His farm comprises 280 acres. He was married in 1854 to Mary Pauly. also a native of Germany. They have had ten children — Elizabeth, Henry, Bertha, Mary, Chris- tian, i.ouisa, Josephine, Sophia, John and Caro- line J. Josephine died when four yc;ns of age. j^cux^j^^a^ aj ^4zft^ HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 657 P. D. Miner was born Aug. 12, 182S, in Mon- terey townsliip, Berkshire Co., Mass. His yoixnger days were spent in scliool and on the farm. In 18-54 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Grant county. He bought a team and was engr.ijed for three years in breaking prairie. In 1S57 he came to Sterling town, settling on a farm that his father h^d entered a few years previous. For a few months he boarded with E. T. Hisiiop. He, in company with another man, kept bachel r's hall in an old log house on the place. He was married in 1858 to Sarah D., daughter of Dr. Simeon F. and Antoinette (Brush) Huntington. Her father was a native of Connecticut, and an early settler of Craw- ford Co., Wis. Mrs. Miner was born iu Ohio. Tliey have five children — Wilbur E., Henry T., Mary E., lliram and Alice. After marriage Mr. Miner liuilt a house on his farm. He has been a successful farmer, and now has 410 acres of land, a good set of buildings, and is now living with the surroundings of a comfori- a'lle home. Simeon Gibbs was an early settler in Wasl inirton Co., Wis. He emi<>rated to that count v in 1S4T, and bought government land am cleared a farm. He remained there until 185St when he made his present settlement on sectioi 10, of town 1 1 north, of range 6 west. He wa: born in Otsego Co.,N. Y., May 1.3, 1806. Whei he was but seventeen years of age his parents removed to JefiEerson county, where they were early settlers, and where he assisted his fathei in clearinir two farms. He was there married in June, 1827, to Lucy Page, born in Chesliirc Co., N. H., Dec. 7, 1806. Her father, David Page, was born in Brattleboro, Vt. He served the United States in the War of 1812, and was severely wounded at tlie battle of Sackett's Harbor. He was also an early settler in Jeffer- son Co., N. V. At the time of his marriage Mr. Gibbs bought a farm in St. Lawrence Co.,N. Y., and lived there a few years, then sold and ic- turiied to Jefferson county, where he remained niiiil 1H47, when he came to Wisconsin, as be- fore stated. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have five children living — Jane, Lindley, Clara, John and Mary. His son John lives on the farm adioining his father. He was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1844, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. He enlisted in February, 1865, in the 50th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteers, and went west to the frontier. While in the service he nearlj' lost his eyesight, but has since partially recovered. He was mar- ried April 25, 1869, to Rosella Fish, of Vermont. They have five children — Harrison, Herbert, Alfred, Edith and Charlie. Alvin M. Hayden was quite a prominent citi- zen of Sterling town for eighteen years. He was born in Somerset Co., .Maine, Oct. 2, 1810, and died in the town of Sterling Nov. 6, 1878. At the time of his death he was postmaster of West Prairie; had always taken an .active inter- est in town aflEairs; filled several offices of trust and for years was a justice of the peace. He married Clarissa Mitchell, also a native of Som- erset Co., Maine. Five children were born to them, three of whom are now living — Lucy, William W. and John F. In 1855 Mr. Hayden emigrated with his family to Wisconsin and lo- cated in Monroe county. In 1858 they removed to Missouri, but returned within two years, and in 1860 settled in Sterling town. Mi. Hayden |)urchased land on section 6, town 11 north, of range 5 west. He improved this farm, erected a comfortable residence and here resided until his death. His widow still occuj)ies the olmi)any. In 1865 Mr. Bellows had come to Vern n county and purchased land on "West Prairie," on section 17, of town 11 north, of range 5 west, and section 86, of town 1-2 ninth, of range 5 west. In 1868 he settled on the former named piece of land, and has since been en- gaged in farming. At the present time lie is extensively engaged in the raising of fat stock. In November, 1877, Mr. Bellows repaired his residence, made quite an addition to it and hung out the sign of the "West Prairie Hotel." His long experience with travelers as conductor, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 6(51 and liajipy disjjoshion, togetliei- with the pleas- ant and sociable character of his wife, render his hostlery one of the best in western Wiscon- sin, and a most ])opnlar stopping place for the best class of travelers. Mr. Bellows has been twice married. His first marriage was in December, 1S53, to Augusta D. Chase, of Meri- mac Co., N. H. One child blessed this union — Ida. His second and present wife was Addie A., daughter of Alfred and Mary (Blodgett) Proctor, born in Saugus, Essex Co., Mass. Tliey have one son, Elmer. Mr. Bellows is also postmaster at West Prairie. Charles S. Fourt, superintendent of the Dis- ciples Church Sunday school, was born Dec. 25, 1832, in Henry Co., Ind., being there raised to agricultural pursuits. In 1853 he emigrated to Iowa, becoming a pioneer in Allamakee county, where he entered land on section 12, Paint Creelc township, breaking forty acres and build ing a log house thereon. In 1859 he sold this f:irm and purchased land on section 16, town 10, range 6, Crawford Co., Wis. He cultivated this farm and built a frame liouse, residing there until 1869. He then came to Sterling town and purchased land on seftion 14, town 11, range 6. In 18';6 hu bought his jiresent home on section 11, this town, on which, in l&8:i, he built a neat frame house. Mr. Fourt has been twice married. His first wife was Hannah Valentine, a native of Manchester, England, born Feb. 28, 1836. She died April 9, 18T6, leaving seven cliilclren — Lavinia, Ed- win and Edgar, twins; Ida E., Franklin, Min- nie M. and Lucinda T. In October, 1876, he married Hannah Davis, born in Sullivan Co., Ind. .Vir. Fourt has been for some time an elder in the Disciples' Church. ISelus She])lierd Abrams settled on his pres- ent farm in the spring of 1870. He was horn in (-nyuga Co., >>'. Y., June 5, 1821. He remained there until cigiiteen years of age, when he re- moved to Wayne county, in his native State, and engaged in fanning, remaining, th we until 1856, when lie came west to Wisconsin, and en- tered land in town 12 north, of range 5 west, now in the town of Sterling. Mr. Abrams now owns 200 acres of land, 100 of which are fairly improved, and the other half is in jiasture and timber laud. He was married, in 186.'!, to Fan- nie, widowed wife of Leiand Brown, who was a soldier in the late war, and died while in the service. Of late years, Mr. Abrams has -rented his land, and a portion of the time has made his liome at Boscobel, Grant Co., Wis. Before marriage he was unsettled, and spent a large portion of bis time traveling. J. S. Dustin settled lip his present farm in 1870. He was born at Bethel, Maine, Aug. 6, 1834. He passed his early life amid rural scenes, and received his elementary education in tlie district school. When a youngman, he learned the carpenter and ioiners trade, at wliich he worked in Maine and New Hampshire until 1862. In that year he came to Wisconsin, and 1803, located at Eau Claire, where he was en- gaged in the lumber trade until his removal to Vernon county. He settled on his present farm, which is located on section 3, town 11 north, of range 6 west. Mr. Dustin was united in marriage, in June, 1868, to Sarah Cole, of Orleans Co., Vt. They are the happy parents of two children — Frank and Albert. John Wesley Cade was born April 19, 1847, in St. Joseph Co., Mich. He came to Wiscon- sin with his parents in 1853, making his home with them until eighteen years of age. He then returned to Michigan, attending school four years at Sturgis, fitting himself for a teacher, teaching one term there, returning to Vernon county, where he engaged in farming in the summer seasons and teaching in the winter, a practice which he still continues. In the fall of 1871 he came to Sterling town, rent- ing a farm for one year. In the fall of 1872 the house where he lived was blown down l)y a cyclone; he bought a farm situated on section 5, town 1 I, range 5, where he has since made his home. His residence was burned June 13, 1883, with most of the contents. He was mar- 662 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ried in 1871 to Electa I. Cass, born in Lorignal, Province of Ontario. They have had four chil- dren — StelljRoscoe, Roeklin (who died in 1878), and Orpheus Blaine. Mr. Cade has been promi- nent in town affairs, and has filled offices of trust in the town. Ole Gauper, postmaster at Purdy, was born in Norway, Aug. 29, 1851. When he was but eleven years of age, his parents emigrated to America. They first stopped in Madison, Wis., until the spring of 1863, then went to Black Earth town, in Dane county, where they re- mained until 1885, then came to Vernon county and located at Chaseburg. He made his home with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, then started in life for himself. He went to DeSoto and was there employed in a saw- mill four years. After that he attended school two winters. He was married in 1872 to Amelia, daughter of Ove and Elizabeth Lind, a teacher in the public schools of this county. He purchased land on sections 10,11 and 14, of town 12 north, of range 6 west. He built a house on section 10 and lived there until 1878, when he removed to section 12 and lived there until 188.3, when he bought the old stand at Purdy, located on section 13, and now makes this his home. He was appointed postmaster in 1883. He is also iustice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Gauper have three children — Robert Oscar, Elida and Alfred. Cyrus Hunt, one of the early settlers of Ver- non county, was born in the village of Monroe- ville, Huron Co., Ohio, Oct. 12, 1830, and where he grew to manhood. He received his educa- tion in the district school, supplemented with six month study under the private tuition of A. H. S aw, at Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. In 1847 he went to Iowa and located in Linn county, and there engaged to learn the coopers' trade. He was also engaged in teaching. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin and entered land, as before stated. lie returned to Linn county and there spent the winter of 1854-55. Returning to his land in the spring of 1856, he commenced making im- provements, and also worked at his trade as cooper. In 1866 he traded his farm for another farm on section 17, of the same town, and lived there two years; then rented the farm and re- moved to DeSoto. He there worked at liis trade some of the time. He also served as justice of the peace. He remained there until 1873, when he sold his farm and purchased land on section 2, of town 11 north, of range 6 west, in territory included in Sterling town. He has since bought adjoining land, built a frame house and now makes this his home. He has paid considerable attention to fruit and has enjoyed as good success as any one in this section. He now owns an orchard of about 300 trees. He was married in 1862 to Elizabeth Asbury, a native of Madison Co., Ark. They have eight chil- dren — Richard R., Joseph M., Cyrus, Carrie, Almon, Ida P., Bertha and Ella. Mr. Hunt has been prominent in town affairs. He was ap- pointed justice of the peace a few days after coming into the town, and has been elected to that office each succeeding year. He has also served as town clerk. Thomas Minor was born in Monterey, Berk- shire Co., Mass., Feb. 28, 1815. Hewasmarried in April, 1889, to Laura Brewer, also boi'n in Monterey. In 1873 Mr. Minor came to Vernon county, purchasing land on section 14, town 11, range 6, Sterling town, and also on section 24, Freeman town, Crawford county. He settled on section 14, and still makes that his home. Mr. and Mr. Minor had nine children, five of whom are living — John H., William H., Wat- son W., Helen and Charles. Mrs. Minor died July 10, 1870. John H. Minor, eldest son of Thomas and Laura (Brewer) Minor, was born in Monterey, Berkshire Co., Mass., July 10, 1840. He re- ceived his early education in the district school, completing it at Williams Academy, in Stockbridge. After leaving school ho engaged in farming and carpentering in Monterey. In 1872 he came to Wisconsin, and purchased the farm on section 14, town 11, range 6, formerly HISTOKiT OF VERNON COUNTY. ma owned by Reuben Jordan, and which he still occupies. He was married in 1866, to Eliza beth Maine, born in Bark Hampstead, Conn. They have had six children — Edson, Mariana, Clarence, Berniee, Francis and Johnnie. Mr. Minor lias taken a prominent part in town airs. He is a member of the town board. Watson W., the third son of Thomas and Laura (Brewer) Minor, was born Jan. 21, 1851, in .Monterey, Mass. He was reared ou a farm, receiving his education in the district school. He came to Sterling town, Vernon Co, Wis , in 1871, purchasing land on sections 13 au'l 1 4, town II, range 6. In 1876 he bought an ini|)roved farm of Clarence Bishop, situated 0.1 the southwest quarter of section 14. He makes this his home. He was married, .Ian. 16, 1875, to Martha C. Engle. They have three children — Hattie, Wallace and Charlie. In 1879 he went into a blacksmith shop at Retreat, to learn the trade. In 1880 he built a shop at his home, where he now carries on the black- smith trade in connection with farming. The other two sons, William H. and t liarles, live in Berkshire Co., Mass. The only daugliter, Helen, married Deacon Phelps, and resides in Slockbridge. Arnt Westruin, assessor of Sterling town, was horn June 6, 1840, in Norway. He received liis education in the common schools, and in the High school. Wlu'ii seventeen years of age he entered the agricultural school, which school he attended two years. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States. He first went to Minnesota, spending six months in Spring Grove. He then went to La Crosse, engaging there in teaming. In March, 1875, he came to Vernon Co., W is., trading city property for a farm, situated on sections 26 and 85, town 12, range 6, Sterling town. He now makes this his home. In 1808 Mr. Westrum was married to Cliristina Ever- Bon. They have four chihlreii — Tena, Ovedia, Clara and Adolph. Mr. Westrum is well fitted for the position which he occupies. He i.s now serving his fourtli term as assessor, having been first elected in April, 1879. Arne J. Bolstad settled in Sterling town in 1876. He first bought forty acres of land on section 27, town 12, range 6, and on this B'lall piece of land commenced farming, liy industry and good management he has pros- pered, and his farm now contains 180 acres. Mr. Bolstad is a native of Norway, born Dec. 17, 1846. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1867 he came to the United States, first locating in Madison, Wis. After stopping there a short time, he came to Vernon county, being employed in farming in Franklin town until 1875. He then went to the Black river, following lumbering and farm- ing one year, then came to Sterling, as before stated. He was married in 1875 to Bertha Ev- erson. Four children have blessed this union — Ellen Helena, Maria, John J. and Henry E. P. Melvin Peck, one of the proprietors of the G]-and Forks flouring mill, was born in Wayne Co., Penn., July 24, 1844. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. In 1864 he came to Wisconsin and located in Crawford county, where he engaged witli his brother-in- law as a millwright. lie worked in Wis- consin eight or ten years, then went to Minnesota. He built the Peterson mill in Fill- more county, and worked on all tlie principal mills on the Root river. He remained in Min- nesota five years. In 1879 lie came to the Bad Ax valley, and in company with his brothers-in- law, Mullikins and Morse, erected the Grand Forks flouring mill, which he is running at the present time. He was married, in 1875, to Henrietta Buckmaster, of Ohio. They have one child — Le Ross. 664 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPIER XLVI. THE TOWN OF UNION. Congressional township 13, range 1 west, is what is known as the town of Union. It is bounded on the north by the town of Forest, on the east by the town of Greenwood, on tlie soiitli by Richland county and on the west by the town of Stark. The surface in some parts of the town is very rough and broken, while in others it is quite level. There is a large amount of timber distributed over the surface of this town, some of the best lauds in the town had not been cleared up, even as late as 1S84. The western part of the town is watered by Warner creek and its branches. The southern part by liear and the south by Pine river, which takes its rise in the town. In 1884 this was strictly a rural town, which contained neither a postoffice or store. James Cooper kept a store on section 2, on the old State road, at a very early day ; and William Dixon kept a stock of goods at his house on section 10, as did J. B. Eastman on section 12. In early times there was a large amount of ginseng root gathered and sold to distant markets, which brought from fifty cents to a dollar per pound, when dry. FIRST SKTTLEKS. James Cooper, who settled on section 2, in l>-49, was the first settler within the town of Union. He remained there until 1881, and moved to Hillsborough, where he died in 188.3. The next to locate in the town was Hiram Heath, who came in sometime during 1854, and settled on section 31, where he remained four years and then removed to Black River Falls. The first Bohemians which settled in the town, came in 1855, direct from their native country. Joseph Urban and Anton Slania, together with Albert Johnechick and J. Barta. Slama settled on section 36, where he died in 1883. Barta remained on section 25 a few years and removed to Dakota. Urban located on section 36, and Johnechick on section 25, where they lived in 1884. The following came in during 1855: Henry Widner, a native of Indiana, came early in the spring and located on section 1. A year later he sold to Wilson Thing, and settled in Forest town, where he remained a year, then returned to Union and settled on section 8. He enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service of his country. In 1880 his family were living in Iowa. Charles D. Holbrook came from Michigan in the summer of 1855 and purchased the norlh half of the northeast quarter of section 2, where he died five years later and was buried on his farm. His widow returned to Michigan three years after the death of her husband. Joseph Getty, a native of Maryland, came from Ohio in 1855, and settled on section 30, where he still lived in 1884. William Dixon, an Englishman, came from Oneida Co., N. Y., in the summer of 1S55, and entered land on sections 2, 3, 4 and 9. In 1884, he resided on section 2. Settlers came in more rapidly in 1850 than they had in any previous year. Among the number who came in for actual settlement were: William Outlaud, Moses Marshall, John B. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 605 Eastman, George W. Lewis, Archibald Calaway, John Searing, Ebenezer S.Eastman, George Jep- soii and Charles Alberson. William Outland, came from Ohio, in the fall of the year and settled on section 27, where he tilled the soil until the breaking out of the Re- bellion, when he responded to the call of his country, enlisted and served through the war. After his return from the service, he moved to Richland county and there built a saw mill on Mill creek. A few years later, he sold and moved to Nebraska, where he was engaged at herding cattle on the plains. He finally was found dead in his cabin. He was a man of good character, possessed a fair education and made many friends where ever he lived. Moses Marshall, came from Ohio in the fall of 1856, and located on section 28, but later, moved to section 29. John 1). Eastman, a native of New Hampshire, settled on section I 2, where he died in August, 1876. George W. Lewis, came from Ohio in the fall of 1S56 and settled on section 35, where he was living iu 1884. Archibald Calaway, of Virginia, settled on section 30. John Searing, a native of New York, came in the spring of 1856, and settled on section 19, where he died after a few years ot pioneer life. Ebenezer S. Eastman, a native of New Hamp- shire, came in the fall of 1856, and settled on section 1, where he remained a few years then moved over into the town of Forest, where lie died in 1880. Charles Alberson, a native of England, moved from Whitestown, Conn., and entered the south- west quarter of the southeast quarter of section 3, and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 10. He died in 1866, when his family moved to Fort Wayne, Ind. George Jepson, a native of England, bought the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 1. He afterward engaged in trade with James Cooper. In 1860 he went to Hills- borough and engaged in trade alone, and a few years later was burned out. lie died previous to 1879. Robert Milligan was one of the early settlers in the town of Union. He was a native of Bel- mont Co., Ohio, born in 1800, and there grew to manhood. He was married in 1856 to Mary Scott, who was born in Chester Co.,. Penn., in 1805. They remained in Belmont county iinlil 1840, then removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county. Mr. Milligan there bought land and engaged in farming and also at worked at the carpenter's trade. He framed the court house at Platte City. In 1847 he returned to Belmont county and remained there until 1856, when he came to Wisconsin and settled in town I 1 north, of range 1 west, now known as the town of Union. lie purchased land on section 3 i and commenced to clear a farm. He was a loyal man and watched with interest the struggle during the war of the Rebellion. During the dark days of 1864 he became so fired with zeal that he could no longer restrain himself and at the advanced age of sixty-four enlisted with the 100 days men and went to the front, serving until the expiration of his term, when he started on his return home. He was taken sick on the way and died at the National Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee, Oct. 3, 1864. His widow survived him and occupied the homestead until the time her death, which occurred March 3, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Milligan were the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living — Eliza J., wife of Otho Douglass and residing in Hel- mont Co , Ohio; Sarah R.. wife of Mathias Groves; Angeline S., wife of Hugh Kerr, and Mary A., wife of James C. Reeve, of Nuckolls, Neb. The following are among the settlers ot a later date: Joseph -McCoy, a native of Pennsylvania, came fi'oin Butler county in the spring of 1857. and settled oir section 10. He was killed in the Union army in February, 1865. 666 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. T. S. Jordan, of Indiana, settled on section 28 in August, 1858, wliere he was still living in 1S84. Jacob N. Poorman, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Indiana in 1801 and settled on sec- tion 22. The same year David Sibin, of the same State, settled on section 2 8. James McKitrick, of Oliio, settled that year on section 17, but afterwards moved to section 18. Henry Obert came in 1860 and settled on section 5. He was a native of New York State. He died in 1875. Edward Harris, a colored man who had been a slave in Tennessee, came to the town of Un- ion soon after the war and purchased half of the northwest quarter of section 2. It is re- lated of this negro that he was very industrious and also quite ingenious. V\ bile a slave he earned money nights making bracelets, and at the earliest opportunity he left his master and came nortli. He was with the Union army as cook about two years. At the time of the elec- tion in 1868 he was getting ready to move to Canada as he expected, in case Seymour and Blair, democratic candidates for President and Vice-President, were elected, to be returned to slavery. Like others of his race he was very superstitious. He was an excellent farmer and had the respect of all his neighbors. His first wife a!id children were taken from him and sold, and a son of his second wife was living in 1884 on the homestead in this town, where his father died. KARLY EVENTS As early a death as there is any record of, was William Joseph, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Getty, who died Jan. 3, 1861. His was the first remains buried in the Newburu cemetery. Among the earliest births in the town were Adela, daughter of William and Rebecca Out- land, in the winter of 1856-'7, and Joseph F., son of Archibald and Harriet (Wear) Calaway, born Sept. 6, 1857. The first settler was James Cooper, who set- tled on section 2. ORO-VNIC. The town of Union was organized at a meet- ing held April 10, 1856, at the house of Joseph Beans, when the following officers were elected: Joseph Newburn, (chairman), Elliot Benson and Herman Heath, supervisors; Horace II. Ri])ley, clerk; Joshua W. Osgood, treasurer; Tiiomas De Jean, assessor; Richard Glenan, superintendent of schools; Hiram Heath, George Walts and Thomas De Jean, justices of the peace; William Shult, Adam Bryan and John H. Russel, constables. Officers of 188.3: Samuel Bauman, (chaii-man), P. S. Steinman and Frank Johneschiek, supervi- sors; Eobert Butcher, town clerk; Frank Crouse, tieasurer; Jonathan Cry, assessor; Adam Crouse and J. N. Poorman, justices of the peace. SCHOOLS. The first school in the town of Union was taught in 1857, in a log building erected by the neighbors on section 30. This school was taught by Isaac Outland and was in what was afterward known as district No. 1. This build- ing was used as a school house for about two years, when another was erected on another part of the same section, in which Charles Searing was the first teacher. In 1872 a neat frame house was built to take the place of the rude log houses which served in pioneer times. Mary S. West was the first teacher in this frame building. In what is now known as district No. 2, which was organized in 1859, a log school house was built on the southeast quarter of section 3. Miranda Markee was the first teacher in this district. In 1870 a new building was provided, which was located on the northwest quarter of section 12. Moses Brown was the first teacher. The first school in district No. 4 was taught in 1859 or 1860, in a log cabin on section 25. District No. 5 was organized in 1864 at a meeting held at the house of David Sabin, in November. A log school house was built in HISrORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 667 1866, located on the southeast quarter of section 28. Amanda Smith was the first teacher em- ployed in tills district. This school house was still in use in 1884. The school house in joint district No. 5 was built in 1868 or 1869; it was a log house on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 17. Ellen Marshall was tlie first teacher. A frame building was erected in 1880, on sec- tion 17, in which Maggie A. King taught the first term of school. The first school in district No. 7 was held in Joseph McCJoy's house, on the northwest quar- ter of section 10, in 1858, by Emeline Moses. RELIGIOrS. The Wesleyan -Methodists organized a class at the school house on section 3, in 1862. Rev. John Markee and Alpheus Bray were the first preach- ers. Among others John B. Eastman and Jo- se[)li McCoy and their wives were members of this class; the former was cho^ien class leader. The following preachers have sei^ved this church: Rev's. Markee, Bray, Alonzo At wood, Josephus Good, Willara Mulleinx and Town- send, who proved to be an imposter. The Roman Catholics held their first mass in this town in the school house soon after it was built. Father Joseph Ilyneck was tlie first priest. In 1873 they erected a church, located near tlie school house. Father Martin Bulin was priest at the time the church was in course of erection. In 1884 Father Anton Slaina was serving the Chui'ch. The United Brethren held se^vic^s in the school house on section 17 in 1876. Adam Siianbougli was the first preacher; he organized a class that year, consisting of twelve members: James -McKitrick and wife, Myron Van Deauseii and wife, Jolin Van Deausen and wife, Rebecca and Amanda Harness. James McKitrick was stew- ard and class leader. The following are among the number of preachers employed: Rev. D. K. Young, Rev. Pound, Rev. Charles Ilibbard, Rev. William Smith and Rev. E. Casper. The first religious services in the southwest- ern part of the town were held in the log school house on section 30 by John Crandall, a Baptist minister who organized a society of twenty members, who worshipped in the new log school house. A branch of this society have a church in the town of Stark. DISCONTINUED POSTOFFICES. What was known as Muncie postofiice was established in 1862. Jacob N. Poorman was appointed postmaster and kept the oflice at his house. It was on the mail route fromTon tiie shelves of the Johnson Smith building. He continued in business for about six years when he sold out. The next exclusive hardware store was started by Edward Everett shortly after the close of the war. He opened uj) in a building wliich he erected tliat stood just opposite the present Park Hotel. He continued in business) until the summer of 188.3, when he sold to L. W. Ady & Co.. who are still in business, occupying a brick building which they erected. L. W. Ady started the next hardware store in 1879, in a building erected by Col. Butt. lie remained in that buihling until the summer of 1883, when he moveurt W. Battels. The first harness shop in the village was started by W. S. Purdy in a little building that had been erected by J. E. Newell, which stood just back of Col. Butt's law office. Judge Purdy continued in the business for several years and was finally succeeded by his son, I>. F. Purdy, who is yet in business. They erected the building in which the business is now carried on. In 1884 there were two shops in ^"iroqua — that of B. F. Purdy and Ferguson & Zitzner. The first barber shop in Viroqua was started in 1862 by Thomas Bryant in the Skippen's Hotel. A little later he went into the service and during his absence Charles Skippens t liotel in Viroqua was erected by Rufus Dunlap, in 1850. It stood upon the lot now occupied by the Park Hotel. The main building was about 16jc24 feet in size, and a story and a half in height. A wing was bui t on each side, making the building about 24.x36 feet in size. It was originally a log building, but was afterward weather-boarded over the logs. It contained six rooms. One room suf- ficed for kitchen, dining-room and sitting- room, one for the office, the rest being bed roams. Rufus Dunlap opened the house as the Dunlap Hotel, and continued to run it for about six years. After this, it was not used as a hotel, and the timbers were finally utili/.ed in the con- struction of a barn. The second hotel erected in Viroqua wa.s the old Buckeye House. It was erected by W. F. Terhune and William A. Bullard in the sum- mer and fall of 1852, and stood upon the now vacant lot on the corner just north of Clarke Brothers store. The building was about 24x36 feet in size, and one and a half stories high The hotel was opened as such by Terhune & Bullard. They were succeeded by .Jeremiah M. Ru.sk, the present governor of Wisconsin, as landlord. The next landlord was George Bush, who ran it for several years, when its use for hotel purposes was discontinued. The build- ing was afterwards owned by Dr. James Rusk, and then Carson Graham, whose property it was when destroyed by fire in 1878. Mrs. Gra- ham still owns the lot upon which the building stood. The next hotel in Viroqua was the North Star House, which was erected in 1 854 by Henry Nichols. It was 30x40 feet in size and an excellent building for those days. It was opened as a liotel by S. C. Lincoln. Succeed- ing him as landlord came Mr. Perliam, .1. M. Rusk, L. W. Nichols, Mr. Herrick, F. A. D™- toTi, Isaac Pennell, J. A Somerby, Hirara Has- kell, J. H. Gordon, L. R. Decker, Nathan Coe, Loyd Coe, Mr. Hewitt and E. W. Hazen. The name of the hotel was changed from North Star to Haskell, and finally Tremont House, which name it still bears. The present Park Hotel was erected as tlie Dunlap House in 1858, by Hillier Dunlap and his mother. Its size was 24x36 feet, two stories high. Warren Dunlap opened the building as a hotel and acted as landlord for several years, when he was succeeded by Charles Skippens. Skippens remained landlord until 1865, when Bannister Brothers became proprietors. Hiram Haskell succeeded the Bannisters as landlord. Then came Capt. Connor, who changed the name to the Viroqua House. Orange Lamb Wis the next landlord, and succeeding him came Capt. Connor again, who is the present landlord, the name of the house having been changed to the Park Hotel. Henry Connor, son of Henry and Sarah Con- nor, was born in West Chester, Chester Co., Penn. His father died the same year of his birth, and after two years his mother married again. Henry lived with his step-tather till he was fourteen years of age, receiving a liberal HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 685 education. Then leaving home, he hired ontto drive a team of mules on the canal. After working for himself for three years, he returned home, and learned the trade of paper slainer, of his step-tather, who (in 1857) carried on the most extensive business in that line of trade in Philadelphia. He worked for his step-father for §J per month. In 1857, he married Amanda M. Branshy of Philadelphia. Their union has been blessed with three children — Mary Loxly, John Henry and Henry John. His step-father was financially ruined in the panic of 1857, and in consequence of this failure, Henry Connor was thrown upon his own resources without one dollar,but by indomitable energy, he soon foaud employment on the Pennsylvania Central rail- road, where he remained for one year, at ninety cents per daj'. At this time he became a citizen of the United States, being twenty-one years old. He cast his first vote for Alexander Henry, for Mayor of Philadelphia, the republican nom- inee, in the spring of 1858. Mr. Connor was then appointed fireman in the city water de- partment, holding that position till 1861, then resigning and enlisting, April 18, as a private in company C, 17th regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and was discharged Aug. 2, 1861, at tlie expiration of his enlistment. He then returned to Philadelphia, and accepted his former posi- tion in the water depan-lnient which he held two months. At this time the democratic party came into power, and he was 7iotitied that his services were no.longer needed. He was imme- diately appointed by the republicans to a position as inspector of the gas department in the same city. After holding this position for nine months, he cheerfully gave it up, that he might further serve his country. On the 5th of Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, ri8th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; was promoted as sergeant, Aug. 7, 1862 ; servetl in that capacity until Dec. 13, 1862; was pro- moted to 1st sergeant on the battle Held of Fredericksburg, Jan. 19 1864; was promoted as 2d lieutenant company C, same regiment, Dec. 21,1864; promoted again as 1st lieutenant of company H, same regiment, March 28, 1865, and subsequently promoted to the captaincy of company E, same regiment. He was with the army of the Potomac and Sept. 30, 1864, was wounded at Poplar Spring Church, through the face and neck. He was absent froiu duty only six weeks and returned to share the hardships of war life with the army until the battle of Gravely Run, March 31, 1865, when he was severely wounded, and suffered the loss of his right leg, which was amputated above the knee. He remained at the hospital until Oct 28, 1865, and was mustered out at his own request, in order to accept the position as chief weighmas- ter of the Philadelphia gas department. While serving in this position he was nominated by the republican convention, Aug. 31, 186i:, to the office of city commissioner, and was elected to said office Oct. 9, 1866, by 10,000 republican majority. He was sworn into office, Dec. 31, 1866, by his Honor, Morton McMichael, mayor of Philadelphia. He took his seat Jan. 1 186T, held the position for three years, giving a bond in the sum of $80,000 for the faithful performance of his official duties. During his official ca- pacity, he disbursed $2,000,000 of the city's money. On his retiring from office, he was again employed by the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company for four years. In 1878 he came to Boscobel,Wis., to visit his daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Keen. He at once saw a future for this boundless west, and only regrets that he was so unfortunate as not to have cast his lot in with the people of the west twenty-five yeai-s ago. He has leased the Park Hotel, in Vimqua, and under his successful management, it has derived a goodly share of the public patronage and establisheil a fame forbountiful hospitality far over the surrounding countrv. The next hotel in Viroqua was the Buckeye House, which was erected for a hop housu by J. H. Layne & Sons. It was changed to a dwell- ing by Lindsley Layne. It was converted into 686 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. a hotel and opened as such in May, 18S2, by S. W. Clark, the present proprietor. EDUCATIONAL. The first school in Viroqua was taught by Mrs. Margaret C. Terhuiie, in the old log court house building during the latter part of the summer and fall of 1851. The school started two or three weeks after the arrival of W. F. Ter- hune and his wife. There were about sixteen scholars in attendance. The term lasted about three months and was paid for by subscription at $2 for each scholar. During the succeed- ing winter of 1851-2 Judge Terhune taught the school at the same place and upon the same plan. Jennie Clark, now Mrs. Messersmith had charge during the following summer. The old log building continued to be used for school purposes about two years, after which rooms were rented for public schools until 1856, wiien, the district having been organized, a school house was erected. It stood opposite the present residence of Warren Dunlap. It was, for those days, a commodious frame building, containing two rooms. School was thi'U held in this building. Among the teachers who at different times had charge of the scliooi while this building was in use were: R. C. liierce, C. M. Butt, L. M. Perham, O. C. Smith, Mr. Moore, T. B. Brown and A. D. Chase. This school house was used for school purposes until 1808, when the present building was erected and the old one was sold to Charles Brown at auction. He moved it to a block east of his present place of business, where he used it for a shop for some time and finally sold it to J. H. Tate. It is now used as a dwelling house. The present building, as stated, was erected in 1868. It is a large stone structure, occupy- ing an excellent site a few blocks east of the main part of town. The Viroqua high school was organized in 1876. A large brick edifice was erected a little east of the center of town, in 1882, at a cost of 12,400 for the high and grammar schools. The lower departments occupy the stone building formerly occupied by all the departments. In 16S2-3 new turnaces were placed in both build- ings and now the schools are heated and venti- lated by the latest improved methods. The grounds surrounding the school are extensive and are beautified with different varieties of trees. In 1883 the teachers were as follows: High school, C. J. Smith, principal; Lona Washburn, assistant; grammar department, Emma F. Howell, teacher; first intermediate department, Hattie E. Terrell; second intermediate depart- ment, Eliza Haughton; first primary depart- ment, Ida B. Coe; second primary, Hattie McRie. Thus it will be seen that the educational facilities of Viroqua are excellent, and the public schools are justly a matter of pride to the citizens. In 1883 the school board consisted of the fol- lowing gentleman: Director, R. S. McMichael; clerk, H. A. Chase; treasurer. Earl M. Rogers. The committee upon examination of graduating class was composed of O. B. Wyman, William Haughton and C. J. Smith. VIROQUA POSTOFFICE. The Viroqua postoffice was not established until several years after the village was platted. In 1851 the nearest postoffice was Springville. In the spring of 1852 Hon. W. F. Terhune drew up a petition and procured signatures of most of the early settlers, praying for the estab- lishment of a postoflice at this point. This petition, accompanied with a map of the coun- try, was sent to the postoffice departm,ent. After considerable delay the petition was granted, and the postoffice of Viroqua was es- tablished, S. C. Lincoln being commissioned as the first postmaster. Mr. Lincoln opened the postoffice in the little building that had been erected by Judge Terhune, upon the corner of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 681 Court and Main streets. He remained post- master for about ten years, part of tlie time having the offise in a building where the Park Hotel now stands, and later moving it to the other end of town. In 1864 Dr. James Rusk was appointed postmaster, and he kept the office in t' e old Buckeye House. S. C Lincoln succeeded Dr. Rusk as postmaster. He removed the office to where Mabie's grocery store is now located. He was succeeded by W. S. Purdy, who removed the office to the building now occupied by A. Bliss' grocery store. On the 1st of January, 1876, Capt. R. S. McMichael was appointed postmaster, taking c'aarge of the office on the 4th of January. He was reappointed in December, 1882, and is the present in- cumbent, making in this, as in all public posi- tions to which he has been chosen, a most effi- cient and satisfactory official. The office now occupies a building two doors north of the Bank of Viroqua. The Viroqua postoffice was made a money order office Aug. 8, 1866. The first order was drawn the same day, the remitter being L.W.Nichols, payee, H. C. Brown, New York; a nount 82.50. After Capt. McMichael took charge of the office, the first order was drawn Jan. 4, 1876; remitter, S. P. Layne; payee, A. A. Abbott & Co., Chicago, III; amount $20. The total num- ber of orders drawn up to Dec. 5, 1883, was •25,080. Roberts. McMichael, postmaster at Viroqua, is one of tlie pioneers of Vernon county, his residence in the county dating from April 10, 1650. He was born in .Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1M27. His father, William McMichael, was horn in Washington Co., Peun., but removed to Ohio when quite a young man. R. S., was brought u)) to the business of farming. On coming to Vernon county, he located at Spring- ville, in the t'>wn of Jefferson, and engaged in farming. In 1855 lie went to Newton in the town of Harmony, and engaged in the lumber business. lie enlisted Nov. 21, 1861, in com- pany C, 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the company he was made 2d sergeant, and finally, in Feb- ruary, 1864, he was promoted to the captaincy of the company. He was actively engaged in the service during the whole progress of the war; participated in the siege of Corinth, in May, 1862 — was at the battles of luka and Corinth, Miss, Grant's campaign against Vicksburg; bat- tles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, etc. After the war, he served one term as sheriff of the county, was under-sheriff for a number of years; in fact was engaged in sheriff's duty most of the time, from the close of the war, till his appointment as postmaster, Jan. 1, 1876. Capt. McMichael has been twice married. His first wife was Orla Ann Sperry, a native of Trum- bull Co., Ohio. She died at Newton in 1865. His present wife was Mrs. Frances J. "(Gibbs) Swan. He has three children by his first mar- riage — William A., in Dakota, Eunice L., now Mrs. Westwick, of Dubuque, and Ella, wife of John Aikin. He has one daughter by his pres- ent wife — Nettie. Capt. McMichael was dep- uty United States marshal of this county, from 1870 to 1873, and was in government employ at Washington, during the winter of 1873-4. Several other members of Capt. McMicbael's family have been residents of Vernon county. His brother, William C, who is noticed else- where in this work, came to Springville in 1847. Another brother, Samuel, came with R. S., to Springville, and settled at Viroqua, in 1853. He was a member of company C, 18th Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and died a prisoner at Macon, Ga. Two sisters, also, came at the same time. Mrs. Mary A. Graham, who lost her hus- band and married Jesse Appleman. She died at Bloomingdale, town of Clinton, in March, 1883; Isabella, who married Harrison Sayre, now of Nebraska. FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. Viroqua has lodges of the following orders: Masonic, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 688 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Good Templars, Ancient Order oT United Work- men, Grand Army of the Rej)ublic and Chosen Friends. RELIGIOUS. The first religious services held in the village were at the old log school and court house, under the auspices of the Methodists. The Methodist Episcopal Church was the pio- neer Church of Vernon county, and gave to Viroqua and vicinity the first religious services. The first class formed at Viroqua was organized at a camp meeting held in a grove near the residence of James A. Cooke, east of the vil- lage, conducted by Rev. Jesse Pardun in the autumn of 18-18. James A. Cooke was appointed leader, and among the members were: James A. Cooke and wife, James Foster and wife, George A. Swain and wife, Daniel Crume and wife, William Crume and wife, George Crume and wife, Peter Hay and wife and ]\lr. Gillett. To these were soon added Rev. John Whitworth and wife, Henry Nichols, long and reverentially known as "Father" Nichols; and others. At first the class met at private houses, then in a log school house near what is now Brookville, and later in the' log court house, school and church building in Viroqua. The first circuit of which Viroqua was a part comprised the en- tire county, the preacher in charge being aided in his arduous work by local preachers; nota- bly. Rev. John Whitworth, James A. Cooke and James Bishop. The'preachers successively upon the work, with regular appointments at Viroqua, have been as follows: Jesse Pardun, 1849-50; Rev. Stevens, 1851; Nicholas Mayne, 1S52-ii; A. Cooley, 1854; Jesse Pardun and Rev. Mclndoe, 1855; George Hartshorn, 185G; James Fitch, 1857-8; A. Foster, 1859; J. E. Irish, 18(30: George W. Nuzuni, 1861-2; Sam- uel Dodge, 1S63-4-.T; W. F. De Lap, R. Fan- cher, 1867: Thomas Manuel, 1868; I. S. Leavitt, 1869; W. R. Irish, 1870; W. F. De Lap, 1871- 2-3; Jacob Miller, 1874; E. L. Semans, 1-75-6-7; George Nuzum, 1878-9; Charles Irish, 1880; J. T. Morgans, lh81; I. B. Bickford, 1882-:3. The different presiding elders have been Chailncy Hobart, Alfred Brunson, R. R. Wood, A. H. Walters, W. B. Hazeltine, J. T. Pryor, R. Dud- geon, W. F. De Lap, J. D. Searles, E. E. Clough and J. B. Balch. The first church building was erected in 1856 upon a lot deeded to the society by Henry Nichols. This was entirely destroyed by the tornado of 1865, and the present build- ing was erected upon the same site at a cost of about $2,000, in 1866, being dedicated Feb. 17, 1867, President Steele, of Lawrence L^niver- sity, preaching ihe dedicatory sermon. The remarkable zeal and laborious efforts of Rev. Samuel Dodge in the rebuilding of the church at this time, when tJie entire community was depressed financially and otherwise, by the de- structive tornado, deserves special mention and grateful remembrance. Gen. J. M. iiut^'k presented the Church with a fine 500 pound bell from the Buckeye Foundry, at Cincinnati. A notable revival occurred under the pastorate of Rev. W. F De Lap, during the winter of 1867, and the society became distinctively strong in numbers and spirituality. The present officers of the Chuich are as follows: Pasloi-, Rev. I. B. Bickford; class leader, P. J. Layne; stewards, John W. Curry, J. B. Richards, Joiin Everett, S. P. Layne; recording steward, P. J. Layne; district steward, J. W. Curry; trustees, William Strieker, S P. Layne, J. B. Richards, John Everett, D. A. Barnard and C. J. Chei- rington. During 1883 the audience room of the church was papered and ceiled, the ]iulpit and platform remodeled, and now presents a very tasteful appearance. Being the most com- modious and centrally located chuich in the village it is in frequent use for temperance meetings and public school exercises. The Sunday school was organized during the summer of 1867, upon a denominational basis, a union school having, up to this time, been con- ducted by this and other Churches. The Sun- day school in 1883 was officered as follows: Superintendent, P. J. Layne; secretary and treasurer. Dr. J. B. Ri. hards. Jessie Richards HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 689 is organist for both Church and school. The Church now lias an effective membership of about tiftj-. The enrolled membership of the school is about fifty, with an average attend- ance of about forty. Rev. I. B. Bickford, present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at V^iroqua, was born June V, 1^47. When five years of age ho accomp:inied his parents to Illinois. He was educated in the public schools of that State, and at Hillsdale College, Mich. Previous to entering (he ministry he was engaged as a newspaiier publisher for some time. He pub- lished the Creton Thnes in Ogle Co., 111., for a couple of years, and was. editor of the Byron Nmcs, in the same county, for three years. He entered the ministry in 1879, and was admitted to tlie Western Wisconsin Conference, at La- Crosse, Sei)t. 24, 1879. He was stationed at Onalaska three years before coming to Viro- ijua The first services by the Christian Church were held in 18.5l', by Rev. Daniel Parkinson, who organized a society here in 1854. It had forty members. The first elders were David Ayersand Chailes Wright. John Gardner was one of the first deacons. Some of the leading members of the Church then were : Thomas Cheatham and wife, John Dawson, Stephen Powell, Elij ill Powell, Klizabeth Goode and ^Liiy Parkinson. The year following the or- ganization, the society nearly doubled in num- bers. It was at that time the leading Church in Viroqua. Rev. Paikinson died in Septem- ber, ISnG. lie was a man of fine ability. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Howe, who I'reaclied for tlie society for two years. He died several years ago. The next minister was theii- jMcsent one. Rev. John Ilurd, who at that time remained with the Church about two years, until May, 186:^. Since that time the following ministers have served the society: Revs. Henry Anderson, R. D. Cotton, George G. Hamilton and Florence Reece, who was suc- ceedcil by the present pastor. Rev. John liiiiil. The present membership of the Church is seventy-five. The church builditig was erected in 18.56. It is a frame building, 30x40 feet in size, neatly finished and will comfortably seat 250 persons. The society lias had a Sunday school in operation most of the time since its organization, and both Church and Sunday school are now in a flourishing condition. The present officers are as following : Pastor, John Ilurd ; elders, Philip Bidison, Edward Min- shall and Elijah Powell; deacons, Ellis Thomp- son and 'Squire Tony. Rev. John Ilurd was born in England in 1823. He came to the United States with his parents when a child, settling in Ohio. In the fall of 1836 he removed to Michigan. He was educated at Hiram College, Ohio ; during two years of his attendance at that institution, James A. Garfield was its president. Mr. Ilurd began preaching in I860, and has been engaged in the work ever since. He is an earnest and faithful worker for the cause of Christianity. The first Congregational society of Viroqua was organized on the 12th of May, 1855. There beiny present. Revs. L. L. Radcliff, of Viroqua, W. F. Avery, of Sparta, and Warren Bigelow, of Black River Falls. The following were the first members of the Church: Mrs. Jane S. Weeden, Mrs. Abbie S. Weeden, Mrs. Mary L. Radcliff, W. A. Ilerron, Mrs. Mar}' Herron and Mrs. N. B. Palmer. Rev. L. L. Radcliff was the first pastor, haviftg been sent here by the American Home Mis^ionary Society. He com- menced his labors on the 5th of October,1854,and continued his labors with the Church until Oct. 1, 1855, when he removed to Prairie du Chien. The Church remained without a pastor, only enjoying occasional preaching, until May, 1859, when Rev. G. C. .Tudson became pastor, remain- ing with the Church until September, 1861. He was succeeded by Rev. B. S. Baxter in October, 186'i, who remained with the Church for two years. In November, 1866, Rev. L. L. Rad- cliff again became pastor of the Church, but owin"; to difficulties arising in the Church and 090 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. society, his labors terminated in May, 1869. May 1,1870, Rev. John G. Taylor, a member of the Chicago Theological Seminary, became acting pastor and served as such until Oct. 1, 1870, when Rev. S. E. Lathrop was called to the pastorate. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Horn. The society has a very neat frame building located just east of the main part of town on the corner of Court and Yancy streets. The first Sunday school organization iu Viro- qua was effected by Rev. L. L. RadclifF, in May, 1855. James E. Newell was elected superint-endent and R. C. Bierce assistant. Mrs. Mary L. Radcliff, H. Trowbridge, Mrs. Abbie S. Weeden and R. C. Bierce, were teachers. It was organized as a union school and kept as such until the Methodist society organized a school of their own in the winter af 1866. The following persons were at various times superin- tendunts of the union school: Henry Nichols, R. C Bierce, H. Trowbridge, Alson Keeler, L. W. Nichols and J. D. Brothers. The Congregational Sunday school was or- ganized iu 1866. Among the early superintend- ents were: E.C.Smith, A. K. Burrell, L. W. Nichols and R. C. Bierce. The school is now in a most tlourishing condition. Rev. O. P. Peterson, the present presiding elder, first inti'oduced the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Cliureh to his countrymen in Vernon county bj' preaching at the private residence of Ole Running in the year 1852. Coon and Round Prairies, with other territory extending into adjoining counties, was organized into a mission known then and now as the Coon Prairie mission, with Rev. O. B. Knudson as preacher in charge, and the first organization of a class was by him at the Asbury school house on section 23, town 13, range 4 west, in July, 1S54. John C. Spellum was appointed class leader, and of the members were: Ole Running and wife, John C. Spellum and wife, Ole Han- son and wife, John Meyer and wife, Osten Kjelland and wife, Bernt Thompson and wife and Lars Springer and wife. Ole Running was appointed steward. From this beginning the work gradually ex- tended throughout the Norwegian settlements in the county, different points being from time to time opened up by the earnest, aggressive missionary spirit and labors of the ministers in charge. The Norwegian people, almost with- out exception, came to the county trained and indoctrinated in the Lutheran Church, the State Church of Norway, and their conversion to Methodist doctrines and usages has been at- tended with peculiar difficulties; and especially so when later the Lutheran Church founded a society, with a resident priest on Coon Prairie, and interposed strenuous opposition to the in- troduction of Methodism. Classes were formed at Bad Ax, Chaseburg, Enterprise and Esofea and are still maintained. The membership being scattered it is customary in addition to the regular services at the points named to hold grove and camp-meetings each summer and preaching in different school hou ses and private residences throughout the the year. A church building was erected in 1866 on section 26, town 14, range 4 west, the site for the church and a burying ground having been donated to the society by Christian Songstad in 1863, at which time the burying ground was formally dedicated. Tiie building was 24x36 feet and cost $800 and was erected under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Johnson and presiding eldership of Rev. O. P. Peterson; the dedication occurred in 1866 and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Wright, of Sparta. The board of trustees consisted of John C. Spellum, Soren Paulson and Lars Pe- terson. This church is now being replaced by one in process of erection at the village of Westby, 28x40 feet in dimensions, to cost about $1,200 and of ornamental design. The pastors in order to the present time have been as follows: ^.^ryiyTytj^ — " HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 693 O. B. Knudson, 1854-6; Nels P. Olson, 11-57; A. Cedarholm, 1858; Samuel Anderson, 1859-60; P. Agrilius, 1861; J. C. Spellum, '862; C. Slen- son, 1863-4; J. H. Johnson, 1865-7; C. F. Elsthlost, 1868-9; Christian Trieder, 1870; R. Olson, 1871-2; Jens Gertsen (sniiply), 1873-6; Christian Omand, 1877-9; Martinus Nelson, 1880; O. Jacobson, 1881-3; O. P. Peterson, 1883. The present membership in the county is about 100 and the prospects for the future are full of promise. The Church has truly come up to its present standing and sti-ength under great difficulties, having to contend with popular prejudice on the part of the people among whom the work has been done, in addition to the obstacles always incident to pioneer work, and the success at- tending the efforts put forth has been wrought largely by the piety and perseverance of the men in charge. Circumstances have been unfavorable to Sun- day school work, though something has been doni in this direction, and plans for the future cor- lemplate special efforts. INCORPORATION. Viroqua was incorporated in the spring of 1866. The first meeting of the council wa.-^ held on the 1st of June, 1866. The first officers- of the incorporation were as follows ; Carson Graham, president; W. S. S. White, I. K. Buck and C. M. Butt, trustees; John R. Casson, clerk ; A. K. Burrell, constable; J. S. Tinker street commissioner; John Dawson, treasurer. The officers from 1867 fo 1883, wore as fol- lows: 1867 — Carson Graham, president ; Edward Coe, J. H. Tate and J. E. Newell, trus- tees ; J. R. Casson, clerk ; Warren Dunlap, marshal and street commissioner. 1S68— C. M. Butt, president; J. II. Tate, W. S. I'urdy and Nathan Coe, trustees ; Janus Morion, marshal and street commissioner ; James Morton, clerk. 1869— C. M. Butt, president ; J. S. Metcalf, R. S. McMichael, trustees ; W. S. S. White, marshal; John Dawson, treasurer; P. J. Layne, clerk. 1870— C. M. Butt, president ; II. A. Chase, C. C. Brown and A. L. Russell, trustees ; B. F. Purdy, clerk ; John Dawson, treasurer ; A. K. Burrell, police justice ; S. C. Lincoln, marshal and street commissioner. 1871 — William Nelson, president; A. L. Russell, Calvin Morley and W. A. Gott, trus- tees ; John Dawson, treasurer; John Gordon, marshal and street commissioner ; P. J. Layne, clerk. 1872 — William Nelson, president; C. M. Butt, Carson Graham and O. C. Weeden, trus- tees ; P. J. Layne, clerk; John Dawson, treas- urer; J. E. Newell, justice ; E.S. Goodell, mar- shal and street commissioner. 1873 — William Nelson, president ; Carson- Graham, C. M. Butt and O. C. Weeden, trus tees; P. J. Layne, clerk ; John Dawson, treas- urer; James E. Newell, justice ; E. S. Goodell, marshal and street commissioner. 1874 — D. A. Barnard, president ; C. M. Butt, .1. H. Tate and N. Coe, trustees ; P. J. Layne, clerk; John Dawson, treasurer ; J. E. Newell, justice; E. S. Goodell, constable ; William Ever- son, street commissioner. 1875 — D. A. Barnard, president ; C. M. Butt, N. Coe, J. H. Tate, C. C. Brown, Alex Gors- line, J. W. Greenman, trustees ; P. J. Layne, clerk. May, 1875 — Carson Graham, president; W. F. Lindemann, C. C. Brown, M. C. Nichols, Joseph Pulver, Alexander Gorsline and B. F'. Purdy, trustees ; P. J. Layne, clerk ; John Dawson, treasurer ; J. E. Newell, justice. 1876 — E. M. Rogers, president; B. F. Purdy, E. A. Stark, N. Coe, I. W. Blake, Ed Lind and H. P. Proctor, trustees ; D. A. Barnard, treas- urer; J. E. Newell, justice; P. J. Layne, cleik ; W. N. Carter, village attorney ; W. T. Not- tingham, marshal. to 69-t HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 1817 — D. A. Barnard, president ; H. P. Proctor, E. A. Stark, B. F. Purdy, Ed Lind, William Lake and P. N. Shumway, trustees ; W. S. Purdy, justice ; E. Minshall, street com- mis8ioner;J. E. Slade, marshal ; W. N. Carter, attorney; John Dawson, treasurer. 1878— E. M. Rogers, president; E. A. Stark, H. P. Proctor, William Strieker, Silas Haskell, Joseph Pulver and C. M. Butt, trustees ; P. J. Layne, clerk; John Dawson, treasurer; VV. F. Terhune, justice; E. S. Goodell, marshal ; Ed- ward Minshall, street commissioner. \819 — B. M. Rogers, president ; J. E. New- ell, C. Graham, C. M. Butt, H. P. Proctor, E. A. Stark and S. W. Wait, trustees; P. J. Layne, clerk; F. A. Holden, marshal and street commis- sioner; W. F. Terhune, justice, ( resigned and was) succeeded July, IS19, by H. C. Forsyth. 1880 — Carson Graham, president ; J. R. Cas- son, H. D. Williams, Joseph Pulver, Mr. Mor- gan, E. A. Stark and C. M. Butt, trustees ; C. A. Roberts, clerk; W. W. Dunlap, street commissioner. 1881— H. P. Proctor, president ; C. M. Butt, E. A. Stark, 0. B. Wyman, E. H. Craig, ^Y. H. Pulver and F. Minshall, trustees; E. M. Rogers, treasurer; C. A. Roberts, clerk; S. H. Gorsline, street commissioner. 1882—0. B. Wyman, president; E. A. Stark, F. Minshall, E. H. Craig, Peter Nelson, Fred Eckhart, Nathan Coe, W. H. Pulver, Thomas Jerman, trustees; A. W. Campbell, clerk; F. M. Minshall, street commissioner. 1883 — H. P. Proctor, president; C. M. Butt, J. H. Tate, Mr. Curry, E. A. Stark, R. S. Mc- Michael, Joseph Pulver, M. C.Nichols, trustees; W. S. Field, clerk; H. C. Forsyth, justice; John Dawson, treasurer, Frank Minlisall, marshal. TOWN OF VIROQDA. The town of Viroqua embraces all of con- gressional township 13, range 4 west, the two northern tiers of sections, and sections 13,14, 23 and 24 of township 12, range 4 west. It is bounded on the north by the town of Chris- tiana; on the east by Webster and Liberty ; on the south by Kickapoo and Franklin ; and on the west by Franklin and Jefferson. The sur- face of this town is generally broken and hilly yet it contains some of the finest agricultural lands in the county. The eastern and north- eastern parts of the town are made up of rolling prairie, interspersed, here and there, with small gi'oves. The balance of the town was origin- ally covered with heavy timber; but much, if not the greater part of this, has been cleared away by the thrifty and enterprising settlers, and there are now valuable farms in all parts of the town. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The early history of this town is to a great degree identical with that of the village, as most of the early settlers clustered about Viro- qua. However, some of the most prominent first settlers will be noted. The first settlement in the town was made in 1846. During August, of this year, George En- sign and Samuel Ingram came and located upon farms in this town. Mr. Ensign sold out about twenty years ago and left the country. Samuel Ingram remained until 1880, when he sold* out and moved to California. T. J. DeFrees, Solomon Decker and John Harrison came during the same year. The two former are treated elsewhere at length. John Harrison took a claim which included what is now known as the See Spring. The farm lie located upon is now owned by Elijah Tilton. Harrison erected a saw mill on the west branch of the Kickapoo which was one of the first in the county. He afterward sold out and wont to Missouri. RELIGIOUS. There are two Church organizations in the town of Viroqua, outside of the village. The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church on Coon Prairie, was organized in 1853, by Rev. H. A. Stub. The first members were: Ole A. Running, John C. Spellum, P. Eggen, Michael Larson, Svend Svendson, Erik Torkilsen, Hans Jenson, Gullik Olsen, Bernt Larson, Hover Sig- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 695 bjornson, John Clemmetson, N. E. Nilsson, Halvor Bjornson, Cleramet C. Berg, Lars A. Tollakson, Jacob A. Tormeson, Gullik Torkel- son, Halvor Johnson, Reinhanl Aslakson, Enoch Enochsen, Sigbjorn Aslakson, Lars Galstad, Hendrik Johnson, Christen Hanson, Christian Hoversen, Tjostal Anmndson, .Johannes John- son, Even Olsen and Ole Tostensen. Tlie first officers of the Church were: H. A. Stub, pastor; Tjostol Amundson, Thomas Johnson and Lars Christoferson, trustees. The first religious service was held in Han's Nap- rud's house, now belonging to his son E. H. Naprud. H. A. Stub served as pastor from 1 854 to 1 8G1 , when he re-iigned on account of failing health. He is still living, in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where his congregations at present are sitiiated. Rev. Stub's successor was Rev. A. C. Preus, who served as pastor from 1863 to 1872, when fail- ing healtli compelled him to resign his position and return to Norway, where he died, as bishop, in 1878. After Rev. Preus came Rev. H. Hal- vorsen, the present pastor. The first house of worship was a small frame building, 55x32 feet, costing about $2,000. It was dedicated in 1858. This church soon be- came unable to accommodate the growing num- ber of the congregation, and in 1875 the erec- tion of a capacious stone building, in the gothic style of architecture, was commenced. Its interior is not yet finished, but re- ligious services have been held there for the past five years. This is without doubt the grandest church building in Vernon county, its size being 100x50 feet, tower projecting nine feet; height of spire 150 feet. Its present cost is $20,000. It stands on a beautiful elevation, overlooking Coon Prairie, and the surrounding country. The present condition of the Norwegian Evangeli- cal Lutheran Ciinrch is prosperous, the number of the voting members is 200. The present ol- ficers of the Church are: H. Halvorson, pastor; P. I'. Ilektoen, secretary and treasurer; John i Clemmetson, C. A. Morterud, Anders Jenson Peder Halvorson, Edward Theige, Nils T. Nil- son, Lars Hovde and Ole G. Hanson, trustees. The Metliodist Episcopal society was organ- ized in 1854, by the Reverend Bishop, with twenty-two members. Philip Adams was class leader. The memhersliip was afterwards in- creased to sixty. A log church was erected in 1860, on section 22, which is still in use. The Church is not at present in a very flourishing condition, as many of the members have gone elsewhere, while others attend Church at Viro- qua. The following are among the pastors who have filled the pulpit for the society at differ- ent times: Revs. Bishop, Purdun, Cooley, Fitch and Hartshorn. EDUCATIONAL. From the following brief description of the various districts in this town, it will be seen that educational facilities are excellent. District No. 2 is a joint district. It has a fair building, in a pleasant location, which is well furnished. 'J he school has a good attendance. District No. 3 is also a joint district. It has a good frame building well furnished. The at- tendance is fair. District No. 4 has also a fair school building. The population here is chiefly Norwegian. Disti-ict No. 5 embraces the village of Viro- qua. District Xo. will soon abandon the old school building, as a new one is being erected at a cost of about $400, which will be ready for the winter term of school in 1883-4. District No. 7 has a good building which is well ventilated and furnished. The attendance is good. District No. 8 has a small but comfortable school building pleasantly located on Coon Prairie. The population here is almost wholly Norwegian . District No. 9 has a fair building but it is in a poor location. Tiie attendance is usually good. 096 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. In district No. 10 the old school buildina; was burned down some months ago and a new one has been erected. OBGANIC. The name of the town of Viroqua was for- merly Farwell. As a general chapter is devoted to the creation and changes of name and bound- aries of towns, it is unnecessary to here refer to the various changes through which the town of Viroqua has passed in assuming its present limits. In 188:^ the officers of the town of Viroqua were as follows : Supervisors, Elijah Tilton, chairman, Lars Christianson, and Seth McClurg; town clerk, P. J. Layne ; treasurer, M C. Berg ; assessor, Marvin Henry ; justices of the peace, C. A. Roberts, J. E. Newell, H. C. Forsyth and Lars T. Larson ; constables, E. S. Goodell, J. J. Silbaugh and E. H. Morrison. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The wealth and prominence of any county naturally finds a location in or near its county seat. Viroqua is no exception to this rule and the following named citizens represent a fair proportion of tlie financial, business and intel- lec ual forces that materially influence the moral progress and industrial growth of Vernon coun- ty- James Foster is one of the pioneers of Ver- non county. He came of the old Connecticut military stock that settled on the western re- serve, in northeastern Ohio. He was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1814, and has been a resident of this State since 1835. At that date his father's family, together with five other fam- ilies, went to Wellsville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and there loaded a'l their household effects, provisions, stock and families on a keel boat and floated down the Ohio to the mouth of the Cumberland river, where they secured the ser- vices of a steamboat to tow them to St. Louis, .Mo. At this point they had their boat attached to another steamboat and followed in its wake up the beautiful ''Father of Waters" to Prairie du Chien, in Crawford Co., Wis. Here they rested from their long and tedious journey and all finally made permanent settlements in Craw- ford and Grant counties. Mr. Foster's fatlier was a millwright by trade and shortly after his arrival was employed to erect a saw mill in Grant county, which was one of the first mills in southwestern Wisconsin. He located in Crawford county, but only lived about two years after he made a settlement. His wife also died at about the same period. .James Foster lived in and near Prairie du Chien un- til 1847, when he came to what was tiien Bad As (now VeriiQu) c'>uiity and located on a quar- ter section of government land in Viroqua town. He still resides where he first settled and owns ninety acres of his first purchase. Mr. Foster has almost reached his three score and ten and about fifty of these weary years have been spent among the earlier scenes of Wisconsin's history. He has given the better portion of his life to assist in developing one of the grandest Slates in our Union and he deserves all the praise tliat tongue can speak or pen can trace. It is to be hoped tint his future years on earth may be generously su]i])lied with all the comforts of old age. His wife was Diantha Wells, born in Perry Co., Ohio, in 1828. Her parents were Benjamin and Eleanor Wells, who settled at Viroqua in 184s). The father died here many years ago and the mother afterward removed to Oregon with a son and there passed away from earth. Mr. and Mrs. Foster lutve one son, Silas, born here in 1851. He married Emily, daughter of Baker and Catharine Graham, one of the well known pioneers of VernoTi county. In 1861, he enlisted in the 14th regiment, Wis- consin Volunteers, served about six motiths and was discharged on account of disability. In 1842 Mr. Foster entered the United States army and served throtigh the Mexican War. For this service he received, in 1844, the land war- rant for his present farm. Nathan Coe is a son of Isaac Coe, who settled in Franklin town, Vernon county, in 1848. Isaac Coe was a native of Maryland but removed HISTORY OF VERNOX COUNTY. 69- westward and located near Columbus, Ohio. He removed from the town of Franklin to the town of Utica, Crawford Co., Wis., in 1852, and in ISfio went to California, where he died in 1 S09. His widow departed thi.s life at Viroqua in 1S72. They were the ])arents of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Nathan was born in Zanes- ville, near Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1827, but was reared at Columbus. He came to this county with his father, in 1848, from Lafayette Co , Wis., where the family had resided for about two years. Nathan also made a claim on section 1, in Franklin town, which land he owned until 1S82. In the spring of 1850 he joined the "madly rushing throng" on its way to the newly discovered gold fields of Cali- fornia, taking the overland route. He there remained for two years. He then returned to Franklin town and made that his home until 1804, the date of his removal to Viroqua. Mr. Coe has been engaged in farming the greater portion of his life and has also been an exten- sive dealer in real estate. He has owned at various times a large number of farms and his business transactions have been uniformly successful. He was united in the bonds of holy wedlock to Mary, a daughter of James Lawrence, who set- tled at Liberty Pole, in Vernon county, in 1851, and now resides at De Soto. Mrs. Coe is a n.i- tive of England. She is the mother of four daughters and one son — Attilla, Julia, Ida, Ed- ward and Charity. Mr. Coe owns a farm of 1 15 acres, adjoining the village of Viroqua. Mr. Coe has been twice honored by his neighbors and friends by election to the office of sheriff. Rev. James A. Cook was one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of Vernon county. He was also one of the earliest settlers, having lo- cated on section 4, town 12, range 4, Viroqua town, in July, 1848. He was born in Kentucky March 4, 18-24 and removed with his parents to Illinois when two years of age. Here he grew to manhood. At ten years of age he was con- verteil, and was a class leader many years be- fore entering the ministry. He commenced preaching as a local minister soon after coming to this town, and continued in the ministry until near the close of his life, Aug. 13,1881. His wife still lives on the claim which he lo- cated in l.-<48. Mr. Cook labored faithfully in the cause of his Master during the years when to be an itinerant minister of the Methodist Church required long journeys, exposure to all kinds of weather, and such accommodations as pioneer life afforded. He was twice married. His first wife was Susanna Hay, who died in Viroqua town in December, 1859, leaving eight children, three sons and five daughters, six of whom are living. Mr. Cook married Mrs. Juliann M. Shaner in September, I860. She was born in Perry Co., Ohio, and came to Wis- consin with her husband. Dr. Martin Shaner, in 1854. Dr. Shaner was drowned in the Kicka- poo river at Readstown, June 9, 1857, in an at- tempt to rescue two children, who had fallen into the river, from drowning. Mrs. Cook had four chil'dren by her first marriage — Abbie, Daniel F., Learoy S. and Albert. Mr. Cook's youngest child, Hobart, and a daughter of Mrs. Cook, Martha Jane, were killed in the tornado of 1865, being two of the victims who perished by the destruction of the school house on that memorable day, June 28, of that year. Elias H. Naprud is the son of Hans Nelson Naprud, who settled on section 4, Viroqua town, in August, 1848. Hans Nelson Naprud is one of the earliest Norwegian settlers of the town. He emigrated to the LTiiited States with his family in 1847, coming to Vernon county the following year. He had five children, four of whom are living — Nels, Gilbert, Helen and Elias H. Elias H., the youngest child, was boin in Norway, in November, 1836. He married Betsy Brathlie, daughter of Christojiher Brath- lie. They have four children — Andrena, Leed- wig, Laura and Nordahl. Elias H. occupies the homestead farm, which contains 200 acres His mother died on the homestead in 1874, his father in 1875. 698 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Wendell H. Pulver was one of the early set- tlers of Jefiferson town. He was born in Seho- liarie Co., N. Y., in 1793. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He married and settled in Dutchess Co., N. Y., and thence to Onta- rio county about 18-36. He came with his family to Kenosha, Wis., in 1847, and to Rock county the following year, where the family lived till 1855, when they came to Ver- non county, and settled at Springville, in the town of Jefferson, where he lived until his de- cease. He was a wagon maker by trade, and is said to have built the first wagon made in Ver- non county. He died in 1871; his wife, Ra- chel (Teager) Pulver, died before the decease of her husband. They had six children, five of whom are living — Mrs. Mary A. Fish, Mrs. Catharine Waterman, David H., born in 1834, in Schoharie Co., N. Y.; Oliver H., borri in Ontario Co., N. Y., and William H., born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1840. The eldest son, John N., was born in Schoharie county in 1821; was a soldier in the war of the Re- bellion, and died in the hospital at Madison, Ind. Daniel H. and William H. came to Viro- qua from Springville, and engaged in wagon making and blacksmi thing in 1879. Previous to that- time they were engaged in the same business at Springville. David H., married Susan A. Wade, and William H., Elizabeth Wade. William S. Purdy was one of the early set- tlers of Sterling town, and during his thirty years' residence in Vernon county held high of- fices of trust and honor, and possessed the con- fidence of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances. He was a native of Carliste, Sullivan Co., Ind., born Aug. 28, 1822. His father died when he was eleven years of age and at fifteen he was apprenticed to a saddler of his native place to learn the trade. He worked at his trade for fifteen years, and in 1845 came west to the territory of Wisconsin. He was for a time engaged in mining, and afterward worked at his trade at Mineral Point for a few months In 1849 he sought a new location in what was then the town of Bad Ax, Crawford county, but now in the town of Sterling. He was largely identified with the early history and growtli of that section of the county, and during liis resi- dence tliere held nearly all the town offices, read law and was admitted to practice. He re- sided on the farm ten years, and finally gave up his early and well-tried associations and re- moved to Viroqua to accept the office of clerk of the circuit court, a position, to which he had been elected, and which he tilled for eight years, during which time he served one year in the State Senate. He was elected county judge in 1809, and subsequently re-elected, serv- ing two successive terms. Judge Purdy was married in 1846 to Jane E. Lemen, also a native of Indiana. They have been blessed with eight children — Brice F., Kossuth F., William R., Henry II., Ella M., Frank, Ed, and Ida M. Only two of this large family are yet residents of Vernon county — Brice F. and William R. In 1878, on account of failing health, and tliinking that a change might prove beneficial. Judge Pur- dy removed to Pratt Co ,Kan, where he now re- sides. Brice F. Purdy, the eldest son, is a harness maker of Viroqua. He was born in Iowa Co., Wis., in 1849, just previous to his parents re- moval to this county. He learned his trade with his father and embarked in the business in 1871. Mr. Purdy married Hattie Coe, a sis- ter of Nathan Coe. They have four children — William, Myrtle, Ella and an infant son. Peter Hay located in the fall of 1850 on sec- 3, town 12, range 4 west, where he still re- sides. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1818. When twenty-one years of age he moved with his parents to Wayne Co., 111. His father, Jonathan Hay, settled in Viroqua town in 1851, and died in 1868. Mr. Hay was married in Illinois to Mary Clarke, born in that Stale. They have had eight children, six of whom are living — Jonathan, Eliza Jane, John, Mary M., Martha E. and James. The names of their de- ceased children were — Peter and Julia. All HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 699 except the two eldest were born in Viroqua. Mrs. Hay's father, Samuel Clarke, was a native of Kentucky. Her brother, Samuel Clarke, came to ihi.s town with M]-. Hay. lie enlisted during tiie Rebellion and died while in the service. Their oldest son, Jonathan, was born in Illinois in 1848. He married Marcella Adams, boin in Ohio. She died and he was again married. Mr. Hay has three children by his second wife — Mary Jane, Pearly and Frank. Jonathan enlisted in 1864 in company B, 50th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. Peter Hay's farm originally contained is40 acres. He h.is now 2C0 acres of land. O. O. Kelland, Jr., is the son of O. O. Kel- land who settled on the northeast quarter of section 7, Aug. 14, 1851, where his son now lives. Mr. Kelland, Sr., was one of the earliest Norwegian settlers in Viroqua town. He was born in Norway in 1797, and was there married to Anna C. Kelland. He came to the United States with his wife and four children in 1851, settling immediately in Vernon Co., Wis. He bought his farm, containing 107^ acres, of the State of Wisconsin, and lived thereon until his death, which occurred in 1877, he having re- sided on the farm for twetity-six yeais. Mrs. Kelland is still living. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelland in this town. The names of their children are — Bertha, re- siding in Blue Earth Co., Minn. ; Mary Lesi- let, residing in Jefferson town, this county ; Mary Ann, also in Blue Earth Co., Minn; Ellen B., deceased ; Christina, Sarah and Lars, de- ceased. O. O. Kelland, Jr., was born in Norway in 1844. He now owns and resides on the home- stead. . He married Olena C. Oleson, who died in 1872. Air. Kelland has had two children, one of whom is living — Anna. One of the prominent and successful farmers of Viroqua town is Nels J. Rudie. He was born in Norway, July 12, 1829, and emigrited to the United States in 1851, coming direct to this town. He worked in the Black river pine- ries till 185a, when he entered 160 acres of land on section 6, where he still r«sides. He has since added 200 acres to his first purchase, besides 200 acres in other adjoining towns, and has made good improvements thereon. He was married July 27, 1859, to Marith H. Dahl, born in Norwav, April 4, 1836. They have six children living and two dead — John N., born April 6, 1860 ; Am.alle N., born Dec. If, 1862, died ill August, 1864; Hans Myer, born April 27, 1865; Theodore Amandus, born Nov. 18, 1867; Normand N., born Sept. 16, 1871, died in July, 1872; Hannah Marie, born Sept. 11, 1873; Nordahl N., born July 26, 1876, and Amalie Elizabeth, born April 9, 1880. Ananias Smith has resided in Vernon county thirty-two years, and from a poor man has risen to be one of the most prominent and in- fluential citizens of the county. He came here from Rock Co., Wis., in June, 1851, with a yoke of oxen, a pair of steers and $1 in money. He bought 163 acres of land on section 31, Viroqua town, and commenced life anew. Half of this land was heavily timbered, but Mr. Smith possessed a good constitution, un- limited energy, and a determination to succeed, and a glance at his present possessions shows that he has succeeded. He owns 600^cres of the finest land in Vernon county, and his first cabin of logs has given way to a handsome farm residence. His stock is of the best breeds, especially his horses, in which he takes great interest aiul pride. He also owns the Park Hotel at Viroqua. Mr. Smith was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1 821, and when a small boy removed with his parents to Duchess county, in the same State. His father, Nathan- iel Smith, died in Duchess county, and his mother, Hannah Smith, afterward came to Ver- non county, and here departed this life. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Sarah N. Jcr- man, a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y. They have four children — Helen, wife of Frank Southwick, of Salem, Oregon ; Rena, wife of LeRoy Hyles ; Antoinette and Albert. 700 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Jolm C. Spellum came here in J 851, being one of the earjiest settlers of the town. He first entered eighty acres, for which he paid 8100, afterward entering another eighty at a cost of ^50 per forty acres, now owning 160 acres, located on sections 1 7 and 20. Mr. Spel- lum was born in Norway, in 1820. He came to the United States in 18-16, landing at Milwau- kee, Wis., in July of that year. He was the only one of his family coming at that time, but a biother, Elias C, followed him and now resides in Nebraska. Mr. Spellum was mar- ried to Anna Thompson, also a native of Nor- way, and coming to this county with her par- ents in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Spellum have had ten children, seven of whom are living — Nellie, Sadie, Libbie, John R., Chris, Albert and Oscar. They were all born in this town. Mr. Spellum has been a member of the town board eleven years. Tliomas Thompson is a native of Norway, born in 1820. He emigrated with liis parents to the United States in 1846, settling in Racine Co., Wis. In July, 1851, he came to Vernon county, settling on State land on section 17, Viroqua town. His parents removed to this county in 1852. They are now deceased. In 1856 Mr. Thompson purchased, of Ole Ander- son, a farm of 120 acres on section 8, Viroqua town, where he still resides. He has a valuable farm, with good improvements, all made by himself. Mr. Thompson married Mary Sever- son. She was also a native of Norway, and came to this county with her parents in 1852. They have ten children, two boys and eigiit girls — Ellen M., Anna C, Tolena A., Elizabeth M., Thomas, Sarah B., Matilda, Nora R., Minnie H. and Nordahl L. The changes which have taken place in the development of the country since Mr. Thompson's location here, have been great. His nearest markets were Prairie du Chien and La Crosse. He frequent- ly drove an ox team to the latter place and back, the trip consuming about five days. Marvin Henry resides on section 32, where he owns 118 acres of land; has also eighty acres on section .34. He bought the former of Jesse Green and J. D. Brothers. Mr. Henry settled in Vernon county in 1852. He was born in Oakland Co., Mich., town of Southfield, sixteen miles from Detroit, in 1827. He lived there until his ninth year, when he removed to Indiana with his parents, Marvin and Eliza- beth Henry. The former was a native of Massachusetts, and died in Indiana, in the fall of 1840. The latter was born in New York, and died in the town of Kickapoo, Vernon county, November, I860. In 1841 Mr. Henry removed with his mother's family to Illinois, where he giew to manhood, married and came to this county with his family in 1852, his residence in this county dating from May 9 of that year. At the time of his removal to Wisconsin, his family consisted of his wife and one child — Laura A. He settled on section 25, in what is now Jefferson town, where he pur- chased a farm of State land, which he im- proved and occupied for sixteen years, when he removed to the town of Viroqua. His wife was Elizabeth Hall, a sister of Ralph Hall, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have had ten children, nine living — Laura A., John T., Rossetta I., Christopher K., George D., Ralph S., Andrew T., Tarama A. and Archibald A. They lost one daughter, Mary J. The parents of Mr. Henry had eleven children, six sons and live daughters ; all of whom but one have been residents of Vernon county. Mrs. Mary Van Vlack, Marvin and Samuel are residents of the town of Viroqua. Mr. Henry has held various town offices ; has assessed the town four times ; was justice of the peace of the town of Jefferson four years, and a member of the town board three terms. In 1874 Mr. Henry met with a severe loss. His barn and grain stacks were burned, on which there was no insurance. His loss was about $2,000. HISTORY OF VERiNON COUNTY. 701 Marslia'l C. Nichols was born Jan. 17, 1838, near Warsaw, Hancock Co., 111. His mother hav- ing dieil when he was eis^ht years old, he was taken to Carthage, in the same county, wliere he remained until 1S49, when lie accom- panied his father to Le Claire, Iowa, and from there to Viroqua, in 1852. In 1855, he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained at school until 1857, when he returned to his home in Viroqua. Here he commenced the mercantile business in August, 1858, conducting the busi- ness alone until 1870, when he formed a part- nership with L. W. Nichols, under the firm name of Nichols Bros. In 1877 L. W. Nichols retired from the firm, and he continued the business alone until August, 1882, when he sold his general stock to Clarke Bros., continuing in the drug business until 1883, when he dispose^ of his drug stock and retired from the active business pursuits. During the summer of 1864, the darkest days of the late war, when our country was earnestly calling for more vol- unteers, Mr. Nichols left his business in charge of others, volunteered, raised a company, and joined the 42d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; was commissioned captain of com- pany I, and continued in command of the com- pany until the close of the war. He arrived home June 29, 1805, and found his store build- ing and merchandise had been destoyed by tiie terrible tornado which struck the place the day before. The following September he went to Norfolk, Va., where he engaged in the mercan- tile business, and remained there until the sum- mer of 18(J6, when he returned Viroqua, and resumed charge of his business there. In the fall of 1882, Mr. Nichols was elected a member of the State Legislature, from the sec- ond district of Vernon county. On Sept. 11, 1867, he married Hettie M. Rusk, daughter of the late Dr. James Rusk. She was born in Morganville, Morgan Co., Ohio, March 30, 1843; ! removed, with her parents to Vernon county, in May, 1857. She was one of the graduating class of the Normal department of the State University, in 1865, and was one of the pioneer teachers, having taught before her marriage twelve terms in this county. They are the parents of six children — James Walter, born April 23, 18G9, died May 11, 1870; Annie D|elia, born July 11, 1871; Hettie Rusk, born Feb. 12 1874; Marshall C, Jr., born Dec. 27, 1879, died Jan. 6, 1881, and David Whitney, born April 12, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are among the honored and respected citizens of Vernon county. Stephen Stephenson is one of the settlers of 1852, having located on his present farm on section 17, Viroqua town, in July of that year. Mr. Stephenson came from Racine county to this place, coming over with an ox team and wagon. This team, with ten head of cattle, and ten cents in money constituted all his woildiy possessions at that time. He worked in La Crosse the winter previous to settling here, at which time La Crosse contained but three small stores and two taverns for the accommo- dation of the traveling public. His farm origi- nally contained eighty acres, but he has now 160 acres. He married Torand Thompson, a sister of T. Thompson and Mrs. Spellum. They have five children, all of whom, with the ex- ception of the oldest, were born in Viroqua — Ellen, wife of Joseph Omnndson, born Feb. 5, 18.T] ; Mary Ann, wife of August Sweger, born March 4, 1853; Tolena, wife of Severt Larson, born March 1, 1855; Thomas, born March lo, 1858; Mslena, born July 2, 1859. J. W. Groves, dealer in musical instruments and sewing machines, is the only one engaged exclusively in this business in Viroqua. lie be- came established in 1879. He was born in Perry Co., Ohio, in January, 1855, and was en- gaged in teaching for a number of years in Vernon county. He kept a book and stationery store for some time before engaging in his present business. He wjis married to Rachel E. Biehl, who was born in Illinois. They have one child — Regina. His father, H. S. Groves, was born March 28, 1830, in Perry Co., Ohio. V02 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. He came to Vernon county in 1853, entered land in Liberty town, and settled with liis family two or three years later. In July, 1 85:3, he married Elizabeth Evans, born in Muskin- gum C'0.,Ohio. Mr. Groves was a blacksmith by trade. He settled in Viroqua village in 1865, although he had worked here at his trade before that time. He died Feb. 2, 1874. His wife still lives in Viroqua. They had five children, three of whom are living — J. W., Louie and Asa E. Hiram A. Hicok has resided in Vernon county since 1853, at which time he located in Viroqua village, working at his trade, that of a plasterer. He was the first to engage in plastering as a business in that village, and probably the first in the county. He is still en- gaged in that occupation, also calcimiuing and brick laying. Mr. Hicok was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., April 21, 1823, and was reared in that State. He married Mary Han- chett, born in Lisle town, Broome Co., N. Y., in 1819. 'J'hey have one daughter — Mary M., born in December, 1849. She resides at home. One son, Simeon A., was born at Maine, Broome Co., N. Y., Feb. 2, 1848. He en- listed in the United States service in company B, 50th regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, on the 23d of February, 1865, and was discharged at Benton Barracks on the 13th day of Apiil, 1865. He died June 5, 1881, in the insane asylnm at Elgin, 111. Mr. Hicok's father came with him to this county and died April 30, 1859. Mary Hicok is a poetess, taking generally fur her topics scriptural passages. Edward Silbaugh settled in Vernon Co., Wis., in 1853, living for one year in Franklin town. In 1854 he settled on section 25, Viroqua town, and entered a farm. In 1869 he bought a farm of Michael Caniield, on section 28, this town, which he has since made his home. Mr. Sil- baugh was born in 1822, in Pennsylvania. He is the son. of Philip and Jane Silbaugh. When thirteen years of age he removed with his parents to Ohio, coming from there to this i county. His parents are now deceased. Mr. Silbaugh married Catharine, daughter of Henry and Anna M. Acker. ■ She was born in Tomp- kins Co., N. Y., removing with her parents to Ohio when fourteen years of age, and coming to Vernon county in 1869. Her father died in ISTO and her mother returned to Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Silbaugh have nine children — William A., Jacob J., Henry, Lewis, Jane, Mary A., Nancy, Lucy and Amy. The first five were born in Ohio, the others in Ver. on county. All, with the exceptiou of Mary A., are married. Mr. Silbaugh's homestead farm contains 160 acres. He has also sixty acres on sections 20 and 26. Like many other early settlers, Mr. Silbaugh had but little of this world's goods, but now has a comfortable home and well improved farm. John Dawson is one of the early settlers of the county, having settled here in 1854. He owns a fine farm, containing about 200 acres, 130 of which are in cultivation. There is a good spring on the farm near the dwelling, af- fording an abundant supply of pure water. There is also a large, well conditioned orchard of many varieties of apples, plums, grapes and minor fruits, and covering an area of eight acres. Mr. Dawson was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1832, and passed his early life in Mor- gan county, of his native State. He is of English parentage. In 1854 our subject came to Vernon Co., Wis., and for some time engaged in teach- ing. In 1856 he began a mercantile business at Viroqua, which he afterward extended by a branch store to the prairie north. He remained in trade almost continuously for thirteen years, during which time he married Martha, daugh- ter of William H. Ady, also a native of Bel- mont Co., Ohio. The fruits of this union are three children — Miles M., Lucy R. and Jere- miah M. Since he sold out his stock of mer- chandise, Mr. Dawson has been chiefly engaged in general insurance business, although he de- votes a portion of time to his farm. Jesse Garrett was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1820, where he grew to manhood. He came HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ?03 to Viroqua town, Vernon Co., Wis., in the spring of ISol, purchasing of Thomas Reed a claim on section 23. His original farm con- tained 160 acres, which he increased to 360 acres, -200 of which are improved. He has good buildings on his place. Mr. Garrett lias been thrice married. His first wife was Lorena Al- lard. She died before Mr. Garrett came to Wisconsin. Subsequen'ly he married Mary J., daughter of John McClurg, and after her death, was married to his present wife, Martha, daugh- ter of Vanness Brown They have three chil- dren — Pennel, born Nov. 1, 1857, married Lucy, daughter of Edward Silbaugh; William, born July 11, 1859, married Elizabeth, daughter of Enoch Enochson; and Clarietta, born July 6, 1868. Mr. Garrett's father, Pennel Garrett, was a native of Pennsylvania. He lived to be over ninety years of age. Noah and John, brothers of Mr. Garrett, also settled in Vernon county. Noah enlisted in the 1 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and John in the 25tb Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry. Both died in the service. Jason Glenn came to Vernon Co., Wis., June 16, 1854. He is the soc ')f Isaac Glenn, who was born in Ohio, Jan. 1, 1806, and came to this county with his family in June, 1854, settling on section 15, in the timber of Webster town. He was twice married. His first wife died in 18.49, in Perry Co., Ohio. He had seven chil- dren, four of whom are living. Mr. Glenn di. d in 1862. Jason was born in Ohio, and came to this county with his father. He enlisted in llie 35th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving from Nov. 16, 1863 to March 15, 1866. He was at the siege of Spanish Fort, and also took part in other important battles. Mr. Glenn married Clarinda Norris, daughter of Edward Norris, who settled in Webster town, Dec. 4, 1854. Mr. Norris was a native of Ohio, born March 14, 1816, and died April 4, 1863. Mr. Glenn resides on section 29, of Viroqua town. James Hornby was born in London, Canada West. He is the son of George and Mary (Cutsforth) Hornby, natives of England. When ten years of age, he removed with his parents to Michigan. Mr. Hornby has resided in this county since July, 1854, when he entered land on section 26, Franklin town In 1868 he sold that farm, and came to Viroqua town, purchas- ing, of Elisha Berbout, his present farm, situ- ated on section 7, town 12, range 4. Mr. Hornby has four children — Martha Louisa, liv- ing in Union Co., Iowa; Alfred L., Estella and Minnie. His farm contains 120 acres. Robert Hornby, brother of James, lives in Franklin town, Vernon county. Thomas Jerraan succeeded G. H. Bacon in the drug trade, in January, 1880. The latter had been in business only three months and is now a resident of Baraboo, Wis. Mr. Jerman was born in Norway, Aug. 14, 1846. His father, Soren Jerman, was born Jan. 8, 1812, and his mother, Dec. 16, 1810. They were the parents of six children, all natives of Norway, and five of whom are living — Peter, born June 3, 1835, a resident of Sterling town; Susan, wife of Andrew Thompson; Lottie, born Jan. 6, 1843; Thomas, born Aug. 14, 1846; Anna, born July 12, 1849; Elsie S., was born April 18, 1840, and is now deceased. In 1851 the family came over to these United States, and sought a new home in the then wild country of Bad Ax (now Ver- non) county. They located in what is now known as Sterling town, and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. The father died in that town Nov. 8, 1874, aged almost sixty-three years. His wife still survives him at the age of seventy- one. Thomas was a small child when he came to Vernon county, and in his early life he learned the practical lesson of hardship and privation. lie has developed with the county, and few have been here longer, or witnessed mort won- derful and interesting changes than the drug- gist of to-day. In early life, he was employed I as a clerk in the town of Sterling, one year; Mt. Sterling, in (Crawford Co., Wis., for five years, and was engaged in general merchandising at Rising Sun, Wis., for about a year. He thea came to Viroqua, and previous to embarking in ^04 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. business for himself, was a clerk for six years, in the general store of N. McRie. In 1882 he erected his present handsome and commodious quarters. The building is of frame, veneered with brick, 25x60 feet in size, containing a store room on the ground Hoor, and Mr. Jerman's res- idence above. In 1S83 he erected another build- ing, similar to the first, and adjoining the same. These buihlings form one of the finest bu>iiK'SS blocks in the city. Mr. Jerraan is a successful business man, and has built up a large trade. He married Blanche Terhune, daughter of Judge Terhune, one of the best known citizens of Vernon county. They have one son -Ray- mond L. James H. Layne, of Viroqua, settled in the town of Franklin, in 1854. He purchased a farm which included what was afterward the village of I5rookville, which latter place he laid out and platted. He was born in Amherst Co., Va., in 1812. He removed to Kentucky, in 1828, where he resided till 1852, when he re- moved to Macon Co., 111. In the fall of 1853 he removed to Platteville, Wis., and came to this county, as before stated, in 1854. The farm that he owned in the town of Franklin, he pur- chased of Benjamin McCormick. Mr. Layne was one of the prominent early settlers of that town ; was chairman of the board of supervi- sors several years, and represented his district in the State Assembly, in the session of 1862-3. On his removal to Viroqua, he bought the farm of William Good, which was settled by Moses Decker, one of the well known pioneers of Vernon county, and engaged in farming, and nursery and hop business. He is at present engaged with his son, Samuel P., in the sale of farming implements. Mr. Layne has been twice married. His first wife was Minerva May, a native of Kentucky. She died in 1879. His present wife was Mrs. Amanda Burnett. He had five children by his first marriage, one daughter and four sons ; •daughter died in childhood ; sons all grew to maturity. Newton M. was born in Kentucky, in March, 1839. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his pro- fession. On the breaking out of the civil war, he raised company C, of the ISth regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Was elected cajitain on the organization of the com- pany ; was captured at Shiloh ; was after- ward exchanged, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. He contracted a disease in the army of which he died. Calvin Morley is one of the honored pioneers of Vernon county and Viroqua town. He came here from New York, his native State, in September, 1854. Mr. Morley was born in 1818, at Smyrna, Chenango county, where he grew to manhood. His parents, Abner and Amanda (Allen) Morley, were of New Eng- land stock, and located in New York after their marriage. At the age of sixteen years, Calvin was employed in a woolen factory, and con- tinued in that business until 1853, when he learned the cabinet trade, and worked at it for one year. Upon coming to this county he pie- empted a farm in Viroqua town, on which lie resided one year, and then removed to the vi'- lage. In 1861 he enlisted in company C, 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Layne. He served about one year, and was discharged for disability. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and after the war, returned to Vernon county, and again engaged in the cabinet trade. He is the pioneer in that branch of trade, having first commenced in 1855. Mr. Morley's principal occupation is painting, which business he still follows. His wife was Elizabeth P. O'Toole, a native of Massachusetts, who removed to Utica, N. Y., with h'er parents when a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Morley have six children — William B., Margaret A., Fred, Frank E., Kate and Grace. Aaron Riley lives on section 24, where he settled in September, 1854. He came to this town in July of that year. He has 160 acres of land which he bought of the government. He was born in Ohio; was married in Morgan HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 705 county of tliat State, to Elizabeth B., daughter of Robert Adams, who also came here in 1854. Mr. Riley has five children — Hugh B., Robert N., Cyrus F., James F. and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Jacob Silbaugh, brother of Edward Silbaugh, settled 01) section 25, Viroqua town, in June, 1854, where he still resides. His farm contains 160 acres. Mr. Silbaugh was married in Ohio to Rebecca Jane Allen. They have four chil- dren — Louisa Catharine, wife of Philip Biter- son; Frances Elraira, Luella Linora and Warren Haven. Jerome S. Tinker is the son of Dr. E. W. Tinker, one of the early physicians of Viroqua town. Dr. Tinker was born in New York, in 1811. He was reared in Ohio, and studied medicine with Dr. Little, of Roseville, Musk- ingum Co., Ohio. About 1835 he began the ])ractiee of medicine in Rossean, Morgan county, and in 1854 came to Viroqua. In Sep- tember, 1836 he married Mary Nulton, who died June 26, 1^*81. He subsequently married again. In 1883 he removed to Missouri. He had eight children. Jerome S. was born in Russcaii, Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1837. He came with his father to Viroqua, and has continued to reside here since. He served in the War of Rebellion, in the l-2lh Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry. He was for a time engaged in the drug and grocery business in Viroqua, and also kept what is now the Trcmont House, then called the North Star. Ilis farm is on section 10, town 12, range 4, in this town. Rev. John Whitworth, of Viroqua, is one of that sturdy and valiant Ijand of pioneer preachers that are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and early carry into every new and straggling settlement the Gospel of righteousness. He is a native of England, born in Lincolnshire, in March, 1810. At the early •age of fourteen years, he was thrown upon his own resources, and selected the farm as a healthy and vigorous training school for both mind and m\iscle. He entered the ministry as a Wesleyan local preacher of England, at about the age of twenty-seven years, and in 1849 was induced to emigrate to the United States of America. He lived at Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., for several years, and in 1854, made his first trip into Bad Ax (now Vernon) county, settling permanently the year following. He located land on sections 4 and 9, in Viroqua town, which he has disposed of recently. Mr. Whitworth was for several years a local and itinerant preacher of the M. E denomination. His first work in the cause of the Lord after coming to what is now Vernon county, was with the Bad Ax mission, which embraced a very large scope of country. He was afterward with the Lewis Valley Mission in LaCrosse county, but failing health caused him to desist his arduous duties for a time. Upon his re- covery of his strength he was assigned to th e Viola Mission, where he remained a short time, then with the Ontario Mission one-half year, then took charge of the Newton circuit for two and one-half years. He has '-esided alternately on his farm and in the village of Viroqua since 1855. Rev. Whitworth has been twice married; his first wife was Mary Dawson, a native of England, who died in 1874. His present wife was Mrs. Mary J. (Bort) Walrath. Daniel W. Favor is a son of Jonathan Favor, who settled in Jefferson town, Vernon Co., Wis., where he lived until his death, in July 1854. He was a native of New Hampshire, but came to Vernon county from Illinois. His wife still lives on the homestead. Daniel W. was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1S37. He, with his brother Philctus and sister Miner- va, came to Jefferson township in April, making prej)arations for the family who came the fol- lowing July. Jonathan Favor exchanged his farm in Illinois for a half section of land in Jef- ferson town. Daniel settleil on eighty acres of this land, located on section 24, where he lived until 1877, when he removed to his present res- idence, the northeast quarter of section 33, 106 HISTORY Oi^ VERNON COUNTY. Viroqna town. He bought this farm of eighty- tliree acres of Dr. Tinker. He has a liberal supply of water on his place, having near his res- idence a fine spring of pure, cold water. He also has a fine stone quarry on his place. Mr. Favor was married to Cecelia, daughter of Alexander McConnell, April 23, 1861, an early settler of Jefferson town. They have had ten children, seven sons and three daughters — Cecil P., Oscar D., Lucius U., Loren D., Constantine A., Am- brosia C, Franklin C, Mattie R., William True and Mary E. They were all born in Jef- ferson town with the exception of the two youngest, who were born in Viroqua. Mrs. Favor's father remained here but a few years, returning to Indiana, his former residence. He died in Noble county, that State, May 4, 1819. E. S. Goodell was born in Oswego Co.,N.Y., in .1847. He removed to Marquette Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1851. In 1870 he engaged ill the livery business in Viroqua, which busi- ness he continues to conduct. He was mar- ried to Helen Brown, whose father was an early settler in Greenwood township. His father, Merchant Goodell, came to Viroqua town with his family in 1855, settling on sec- tion 8 and removed to the village of Viroqua, in 1872, where he died July 29,188.3. The fol- lowing notice we clip from one of the Viroqua papers: Merchant Goodell was born at Charlestonj Mass., Sunday, Sept. 4, 1808, and would there- fore have been seventy-five years of age if he had lived till the 4th day of next September. He removed to New York State in 1840, and from thence to Marquette Co., Wis., in 1851, where he resided over three years, coming to Viroqua and settling in the northern part of the town, in 1855. In 1834 he was united in marriage to Miss Janette Comstock, and four children were born to them, three of whom are living. Mr. Goodell was in every respect a good man. During his long life he "did unto others as he would have them do unto him." He was a member of the Methodist Church and a con- sistent Christian. His life was a pure and hon- orable one, upon which there was no stain. He enjoyed the friendship and respect of every one who knew him, for he was a good citizen, a true friend and a kind neighbor. His aged partner, with whom he had traveled the path- way of life so many years, and his sorrowing children have the sympathy of the whole com- munity in their loss. W. F. Lindemann is one of th* earliest settler of Viroqua, and one of its most promi- nent and successful business men. He is at present engaged in the banking business with Gov. J. M. Rusk, and also in mercantile pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 500 acres on sections 19 and 20, of the town of Viroqua, and is extensively engaged in ra sing fine s'ock. Mr. Lindemann was born in Prussia, Dec. 30, 1832. He came to the United States in November 1850, landing at New Orleans, La. He went to St. Louis, Mo., and from thence to Johnstown, Penn., where a brother-in-law was then residing. His next move was to St. Paul, Minn., and in 1855, he came to Vernon county. He was first employed as a clerk in the store owned by Keeler & Capon. This firm's name was afterwards changed to Keeler & Mc- Michael. In 1858 he become partner of H. Greve, his brother-in-law, he being the successor to Keeler & McMichael. In 1861 he sold out his interest to Mr. Greve and moved on a farm in the town of Sterling, Vernon county and returned toV roqua in 1862, and in 1863, he em- barked in the mercantile trade for himself. In 1868, he went to Sparta, in this State,- and there engaged in mercantile pursuits, but was burned out one and a half years later, and re- turned to Viroqua. Mr. Lindemann was united in marriage to Rebecca Eckees, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter — Henry, born in May, 1859, (is cashier of the bank,) Albon, born in May, 1362, is clerking in the store, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 707 Regiiia, born Dec. 1, 1864, and Wille, born March 30, 1874 John McClurpf was born in Mercer Co., Penn, in 1805, where he grew to manhood. He was married to Jemima Booth, born in Ohio. He came to Vernon county from Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 18.55. He purchased his farm of Noah Garrett, who died in tlie Union service during the war. It is situated on section 27, Viroqua town, and was originally owned by Jona- than Hay. Mr. and Mrs. McClurg have had eight children, six sons and two daughters — Mary Jane, Mrs Jesse Garrett, (deceased,) John B., residing in Sterling town, James, died in the war at Long Island, Manassah, died in the hospital at H lena, Ark., while in the ser- vice, Nancy, wife of W. S. Moore, Seth, who reside- in this town, was also in the service, Lu- ther, also enlisted, but died before entering the army, Sylvanus, who resides in Washington territory. In 1858 Mrs. McClurg died, and in July, 1859, Mr. McClurg married Mrs. Martha J. Payne, widow of Uri Payne. She was born in Lisle town, Broome Co., N. Y., in 1827, and was married in that State to Mr. Payne, com- ing to this county Sept 8, 1856. Mr. Payne died Jan. 3, 1857, of ty})hoid fever. He had not yet made a settlement. A son, George, died a short time previous to his father. Mr. and Mrs. McClurg have had three daughters, only one of whom is living — Eva, born in Viro- qua town. Mrs. McClurg has lost two children by her first marriage. William T. .VIcConnell was born in Muskin- gum Co., Ohio, in 181 7. He removed with his parents, to LaGrange Co., Ind., in 1831. He removed to Vernon (then Bad A.\) county, June 29, 1855. In the fall of 1854, with his brother, Alexander, he had purchased nearJy 1,000 acres of land, lying mostly in JefFeraon town. They also purchased a saw mill there, with the inten- tion of manufacturing lumber. William T., however, sold -his interest in the mill to his brother Alexander, who operated it for several years. Subsequently they sold this tract of land to different parties. Mr. McConnell's first settlement in Wisconsin was in Crawford county, where he bought a half interest in a grist mill. He afterwards exchanged this for a farm in Jefferson town, on which he resided until 1882, when he came to Viroqua village and engaged in the grocery business. Mr. McCon- nell, during his agricultural life, paid much at- tention to the cultivation of fruit, being one of the earliest, as well as one of the mist success- ful fruit growers in Vernon county. He ex- perimented with various kinds of fruit trees for the purpose of discovering those best adapted to this region. He made the cultivation of apples a specialty, and the mauy ])remiums which he received is evidence of his success in fruit growing. Mr. McConnell took great in- terest in the organization and success of the Vernon County Agricultural Society, of which he was the presiding officer for several years. He was also its secretary one year, and treasurer a number of years. He is highly respected and esteemed as an upright and honorable citizen. Politically, Mr. McConnell is a democrat. He has been chairman of the board of supervisors, and has several times been a candidate for office, but while he has generally run ahead of his ticket, his party has been too much in the mi- nority to elect him. He has been twice married. His first wife was Rhoda Moses. She died in Indiana. He subsequently married Sarah A. Caldwell, a native of Virginia. She died in August, 1882. He has two children by his first wife — Marshall A., who resides near Sioux Falls, Dak., and Rhoda. He has three children by his second wife— Homer, of Sioux Falls, Dak., Ag- nes and Ellon. Hiram Moody was born in Waldo Co., Maine, in 1813. In the fall of 1817 he removed with his parents to .Morgan Co., Ohio, where his father, Nathan Moody, resided till his death. He came to this county as early as 1853, enter- ing at that time, 800 acres of timber land in Webster and Clinton towns. In 1855 he located on land in Jefferson town, part of which he 70S HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. still owns. He has a farm of 120 acres in Jef- ferson town and also owns considerable prop- erty in the village of Viroqua, on which he now resides. He married Sarah Longstreth, born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1813. They have five children — James C, Catharine, Mar- tha J., Nathan E. and Abigail. They lost one son — Bartholomew. Mr. Moody enlisted in the 14th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was transferred to the Hd Iowa Battery, and died while in the service at Corinth, Miss. One son, J. C. Moody, enlisted in company I, 6th Wis- consin regiment, where ha attained especial honors for bravery. Our subject also enlisted in the 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, serving a full term of three years. Nathan E. Moody is a son of Hiram Moody. He was born in Perry Co., Ohio, in 1849. In 1855 he came with his parents to Vernon county. He is engaged in the manufacture of brick at Viroqua. Brick had been manufac- tured from an early period in the history of this town, but the present yard was established in 1874. It has been operated by different in- dividuals, and has been quite an important feature since the advent of railroads. The quality of the brick is good, and their dura- bility has been proven by long use. Mr. Moody has had charge of the yard since 1878. In IS-^S he manufactured 300,000 brick, supplying home trade only. There is but one other brick yard in Vernon county, located at Hillsbor- ough. Mr. Moody married Martha, daughter of Rev. James A. Cook, born in Viroqua town in 18.52. They have two children — Bertha and Jessie They lost two daughters — Blanche and Edith, both of whom died when five years of age. One of the successful farmers of the town of Viroqua is Michael Welch, who resides on section 10, town 12 north, of range 4 west, where he located in .June, 1855. He bought his farm the previous winter of Abner Conkling. Mr. Welch was born of Irish parents, in the city of London, England, May 16, 1816. His father, Michael Welch, was a native of county Cork, Ireland, where he was married, and with his family went to London. From London he came to the United States, to secure a home for his family, which he left behind him. He se- cured work near Philadelphia, Penn., where he remained several years. He sent for his family about 1820. In the mean time, his wife had died. He removed with his children to Harri- son Co., Ohio, and thence to Perry county in the same State, where he died in 1857, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married again after coming to this country ; had four chil- dren by first marriage and three by his second union. Mr. Welch is the only survivor of the first children. On coming to this county in 1855 he purchased 200 acres of land, whore lie now lives, of Mr. Conkling. Very little im- provement had been made upon the place, a few acres only being under cultivation and a log house had been built by Mr. Conkling. All other improvements have been made by Mr. Welch. He has now 340 acres well iniprov d, and is regarded as one of the most successful farmers of the town of Viroqua. His wife was Barbara Coher, born in Columbiana Co., Ohio She is a sister of the wife of Jeremiah Cona- way, one of the early settlers of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have had six children, five of whom are living — John, a public lecturer ; George, Mrs. Rebecca Ellsworth, Christopher and James. They lost one daughter — Mrs. Catharine Rogers. Israel Williams came to Viroqua town, Ver- non Co., Wis., with his family in 18.55. He was a native of Connecticut, where he was born in 1799. He removed when a young man to New York State, where he married Harriet Rockwood, born in Herkimer county. In 1S37 they removed to Walworth Co., Wis , settling in Spring Prairie town, being among the earliest settlers of that county. Tliey came from there to this county, as before stated, in 1855 They did not survive long after coming to this county, Mr, Williams dying in 1856, o, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 11 and his wife the year following. They had nine children, seven of wliom are livins; — Caro- line, wife of J. I. Taylor ; George IL, Clarke D., Howard D., Louise, wife of E. A. Rogers ; Amanda, wife of Col. E. M. Rogers, and Frank E. Two sons, Clarke D. and Howard D., are residents of the village of Viroqua, and are among her prominent business men. But one daughter resides here, Mrs. E. M. Rogers. Clarke U. Williams was born in Walworth Co., Wis., in 18.37. He came to Vernon county with his parents. In 1859 he went to Califor- nia, residing there and in Nevada for ten years, returning in 1869, since which time he has been engaged in farming and in merchandising. He married Sarah V. Jewell, daughter of J. II. Jewell. They have three children — Florence v., George J. and Le Roy J. Howard D. Williams was born in Walworth Co., Wis., in 1S39. He spent several years in New York State, after which he came to this county. He is a member of tlie mereantih firm of Rogers, Henry & Williams. He mai ried Mrs. Sarah C. Tourgee, widow of Charle^ Tourgee. They have one son — Frank, born ii Franklin town. She has a daughter by her firs: husband — Emma Tourgee. William Bowman was born in Perry Co.. Ohio, in 1825. His father, Thomas Bowman, came to Vernon county with his family in 1856. He lived in Viroqua town but a year or two, when he removed to Missouri, and from thence to Iowa, where, in 1981, he died. He was twice married. He had si.K children by his first wife, and nine by his second. William is the only one of his father's family who resides in Vernon county. Like many otlier early settlers he came here poor, but by industry and economy he has secured a compi^'tency. The farm on which he resides, on section 21, contains 100 acres, under a good state of cultivation. He also owns 200 acres of land elsewliere in the town. He was married in Ohio to Grizelle Crawsky. Thev have eight children, four sons and four daughters — Mary E., wife of Sebastian Silbaugh; Thomas J., Rebecca E., wife of H. Anderson; Jerome, Erastus, Violetta, William and Sarah E. Samuel died at the age of twenty-five years. Amos W. Green came to Vernon Co., Wis.,- in 1856, settling on section 27, Viroqua town, where he resided two years. He purchased his present farm in 1864, of Joseph Brothers. It contains 101 acres on section 33. He also has 160 acres of land on section 35, this town. Mr. Green was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1S33, where he was married to Mary E , daughter of Joshua Ady, born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1837. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter — Minnie J. She is a daughter of Thomas Ady, of Jefferson town. Mr. Green is the only member of his family in this county. He has two sisters in Monroe Co., Wis. Mrs. Green has a brother, Thomas, in Jefferson town, and a sister, Mrs. Elijah Tilton, in this town. Jesse Green, father of Amos W., was a native of INInine. He came to Vernon county in is.j", settling on afarm adjoining that now owned by his son, which is now the prop- erty of Marion Henry. He subsequently re- moved to Sparta, where he died in 1882. His wife (lied while in Viroqua town in 1876. Mrs. Martha A. (Sabin) Hall is the relict of Ralph Hall, who with his family came to Vernon county in October, 1856, and settled on section 5, town 12 north, of range 4 west, where Mrs. Hall with her family still resides. Mr. Hall purchased the farm of Oscar Henry. He was born in England in 1.^'30, and came to the United States in July, 1843, with his parents, who settled in Cook Co., III. He was married in Illinois in 1851, to his present widow, Mar- tha A. Sabin. Mr. Hall died July (!, I,s72. His father, George Hall, died in Illinois. His mother came to Viroqua in the fall of 1806, where she still resides. Mr. Hall was a highly resjiecled and industrious citizen; was a charter member of the Vernon Cou?ity Agricultural Society, and was also for some time treasurer of that organization, and was also at one time 41 V12 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. chairman of the town board of Viroqua. Mrs. Hall was born near. Cleveland^ Ohio, in October, 1830. Her parents, Sylvester and Phebe Hall, settled in Cook Co., III., in 3 841, where they lived till their decease: Mrs. Hall has three cluldren^Phebe A., wife of Henry McDermott, was born in Cook Co., 111.; Ananias, born in the town of Viroqua, in De- cember, 1858, and John, born in 1868. She still resides on the homestead farm, which con- tains 140 acres. Nathaniel Morrison is one of the settlers of ] 856, having settled on section 8, town 1 2, range 4 west, in June of that year. He is not only one of the early settlers, but is also one of the most aged citizens, having been born in 1804 in Guernsey Co., Ohio, where lie resided until coming to Vernon County. His father, Hans Morrison, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Morrison was married, in Ohio, to Charlotte Havens, born in Pennsylvania. She died Sept. 22, 1866. He has had nine children, five of whom are living — Elisha, Robert B., Alexander C, Natharael and John, all of whom, with the exception of Nathaniel, who lives in Kansas, live in Vernon county. Alexander served in the army during the war, enlisting Aug. 14, 1862, in company A, 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. He married Sarali, daughter of F. K. Van Wag- ner, an early settler of Franklin town. Nathaniel enlisted, in 1863, in the 35th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Morrison lost two children who had arrived at maturity — Mary Ann, who mari-ied Justice Smith; he died of disease contracted in the army; Margaret, who married Oliver C. Smith. Mr. Morrison still owns his original farm of 200 acres. He was a member of the town board for nine yc.Tr. He is connected with the Christian Church. Earl M. Rogers, of Rogers, limiry & Wil- liams, merchants of Viroqua, has been a resi- dent of Vernon county since May 1, 1S56, wlien he located at Liberty Pole. Col. Rogers was born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1839. His father, Clayton Rogers, settled with his family in Crawford Co., Wis., in 1850. In 1860 Col. Rogers crossed the plains to the mountains, but returned in 1861, to enter the Union army. He enlisted in company I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in June, 1861, and was made a lieutenantin December, 1861. He was for one year aid-de-camp to Brig.-Gen. Wadsworth, and on the death of that gallant officer, served in the same capacity with Brig.-Gen. Bragg. He was severely wounded, June 18, 1864, in the as- sault on the works of Petersburg but, returning to the army in October served till April, 1865. In 1867 he re-entered the array, receiving a commission as lieutenant in the 3d United States Infantry; served two years in frontier service, and resigned to return to Vernon county. He then embarked in mercantile pursuits at Liberty Pole, and in 1872 came to Viroqua, en- gaging in business under the firm name of Rogers & Henry. In the fall of 1880 the present firm was formed under the firm name of Rogers, Henry & Williams. Col. Rogers married Amanda, daughter of Israel Williams. They are the parents of three children — Edith, Henry and Edward. C. C. Brown has been dealing in furniture in Viroqua since 1^67. He carries quite an ex- tensive stock, and, as this is the only furniture store of any importance in Vernon county, his trade is naturally very large and lucrative. Mr. IJrown was born in Oakfield, Perry Co., Ohio, in 1844. His father, James Brown, came to Vernou Co., Wis., in 1856. He was a native of Maryland, and by occupation a surveyor. He found plenty of work to do in the new counti-y, and was soon made county surveyor. With the proceeds of his labors, he bought a farm in the town of Greenwood, where he resided till his death, in 1878. His widow is a native of Bloody Run, Penn., and now resides in Viroqua. C. C. Brown resided in his native State until May, 1857, when he joined his father's family in this country. He married Dora Graff, a native of HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 713 Illinois. Her father died when she was but a small child, and she subsequently lived for a number of years at Viroqua with her grandfather, Moses Decker, one of the well-known pioneers of Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children — Otto and Bennie. Levi R. Gaines resides on section 32, ad- joining the town plat of Viroqua. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1833, and was reared amid the refining influences and ingen- ious productions of the Nutmeg State. In 1852, he left New England manners and convention- alities, and sought a new home at Kenosha, Wis., among the frank, practical and pleas- ant inhabitants of the Beaver State. His father, Theodore Gaines, came to Viroqua, with his family, in 1856, and died there May 31, 1862. Levi followed his father's family the next year (185'7) and has since been a resident of Vernon county. He early learned the carpenter trade, and erected many of the earlier private resi- dences and public buildings of Viroqua, includ- ing the Congregational and Methodist churcl edifices. Since 1869 Mr. Gaines has beei' engaged in selling sewing machines and musi- cal instruments. He resides in a pleasani home just without the limits of the village, and also owns a farm in the town of Webster. He married Cornelia, daughter of A. C. Stevens, born in Oswego Co., N. Y. Four children were born to this union, two sons and two daughters. The former are living and named Eugene and Edward. John W. Aikins was born in Vernon Co., Wis., in July, 1859. He resides on section 8, Viroqua town, on a farm purchased by his father, Daniel Aikins, of William Beabout. A sketch of Daniel Aikins will be found else- where. Mr. Aikins was married to Ella, a daughter of Capt. R. S. McMichael, of Viro- qua. They have two children — Walter L. and Cora. His farm contains 120 acres. I. W. lilake is a contractor and builder, and a member of the firm of Blake & Co., lumljer * dealers. Mr. Blake is also a carpenter by trade, and many of the private and public buildings of Viroqua sliow evidence of his handiwork. He was born in Bristol Co., Mass., in 1838, and when a young man went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship to the car- penter trade. In 1859, he came still further west, and located in the town of Wheatland, where he found work at his trade. On the breaking out of the war, he immediately re- turned to New England, and enlisted as a private in the 12th regiment, Maine Volunteers serving three years and tlree months. The regiment was first attached to the command of Maj.-Gen. Butler and afterward to that of Maj.-Gen. Banks. He participated in all the important engagements of the southwest, and at the siege of Port Hudson performed an act of valor which gained for him the admira- tion of both friend and foe, and deserves special mention in this work. The two armies were resting in their entrench- ments after a temporary repulse of our forces from an attack on the enemy. Thev were but a few rods apart and within short range of musketry. Many of the sorely wounded lay writhing md groaning under the broiling sun, in the narrow space that separated the combat- ants. One poor comrade in particular was mortally wounded, aiirn in Pickaway Co., Ohio. They had five children, th'^ee of whom are living — Elijah, Rebecca and Mary, now Mrs. William C. Aldon. Tiiese children all live in this town. Mr. Tilton died Dec. 31, 1876. Mrs'Tiltonis still living. J. Henry Tate, general merchant, has been a resident of Viroqua since 1865. He was born in the town of Landgrave, Bennington Co., Vt., in 1830. He was reared to the business of farming. In 1847 he went to Boston, Mass., where he was engaged as clerk for two years. In 1849 he went to California; was absent about two years, when he returned to New England; lived in Boston several years, and went to Rhode Island in the spring of 1860. He enlisted on the breaking out of tlic war, in the 2d Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and went into the service as commissary sergeant. He was in the service three years; was, for ten months, as- sistant quartermaster of the 3d Division of the 6th Army Corps. He was present at several of the earlier battles of the war, including the first battle of Bull Run, battle of Kredericksburg and Salem Heights. Col. Tate is one of the promi- nent business men and one of the enterprising citizens of Vertion county. He is an ardent re- publican, politically. He was elected to the State Assembly in 1873, and was a member of the State Senate in 1876 and 1877. He is en- gaged in general merchandising at Viroqua, also has another store at Casliton; the firm name there being Tate & Nelson. Mrs. Tate was formerly Helen M. Walker, also born in the town of Landgrave, Bennington Co., Vt. They have six children — Mrs. Nellie M. Towner, Mrs. Ella I. Boyer, J. Henry, Jr , Addie M., Frank E. and Frederick A. George W. Morgan is the only resident phoiograpiier in Vernon county, and as his artistic ability is excellent, his patronage is large and remunerative. Mr. Morgan was born at Elk «rove, Grant Co., Wis., in 1845. His father, Samuel Morgan, was an early settler of that county, ami a wagon maker by trade. He removed to Allamakee Co., Iowa, in 1850, where he now resides. George W. commenced learn- ing the art of photography in 1866, with Dr. Hall, of Lansing, Iowa. Dr. Hall subsequently died, and Mr. Morgan took charge of his busi- ness and continued it with fair success for about six years. In June, 1872, he located in Viroqua. Mr. Morgan married Hattie L. Mur- ry, a native of Ohio. Frank M. Towner is proprietor of the only exclusive book and stationery house in Veinon county. He carries a full stock and varied assortment, including fancy goods, musical instruments, etc., and his stock is valued at from $8,000 to $10,000. Mr. Towner was born in Erie Co., Penn., in 1854. In his earlier life, he took a select course of study in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor and was subsequently a student in the Wisconsin State University, at Madison. He came to Viroqua in 1866, and embarked in his present business in the fall of 1872. Mr. Towner en- joys a first class custom, and is highly respectetl as a citizen. He married Nellie, daughter of Col. J. Henry Tate, one of the most prominent merchants of Viroqua and Vernon county. N. McKie is a |)rominent and successful merchant of Vernon county. He is extensively engaged in the drug, hardware and lumber trade at Viroqua, and is held in liigh esteem by his acquaintances. He was born in sunny Eng- land, in 1828, and served an apprenticeship in the drug business, at Dumfries, Scotland. In 1848 he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he opened and operated two drug houses, in the retail trade for ten years. From 1851 to 1861 he was engaged in farming and merchandising, in St. Clair Co., III., and in 1869, he located at Viro- qua. He immediately embarked in the general mercantile trade, and his stock is mostly com- posed of drugs and hardware. In December, 1880, he engaged in the lumber trade, in which he has been fairly successful. In addition to his business interests in Vernon county, he has 716 HISTORY 'OP VERNON COUNTY. also liad a branch establisliment in Crawford Co., Wis. Mr. McKie married Sarali J., daughter of Dr. James Rusk. They liave six children — Harriet, Sarah E., Jane E., James H., Hugh and Ernest. John J. Hammond resides on section 32, Viroqua town, where he settled in the spring of 1871. He purchased of N. Wells forty- four acres of good land, especially ^adapted to the raising of small fruit. Mr. Hammond devotes the major portion of his time to fruit growing. His vineyard produced, in 1880, about 6,000 pounds of fine Concord grapes, and in 1882, over 4,000 pounds. Berries form a respectable part of his fruit interests, and in 1882, he raised over fifty bushels of excellent Early Richmond cherries. He is also engaged in the cultivation of sugar cane, making annu- ally from 100 to 600 gallons of sorghum molasses. John J. Hammond is a native of Northamptonshire, England, born in 1839. When seventeen years of age, his father and mother, William and Elizabeth Hammond, emi- grated to these United States, and located in New Jersey. There the father embarked in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued until his death, in the spring of 1882. In 1861 he removed his family to Illinois, where he lived during the remainder of his life. Mr. Hammond was united in marriage, in 1863, to Ann Hall, a native of Illinois, whose parents came from England. Mr. and Mrs Hammond have been blessed with nine children, three of whom are living — Alice Ann, Ida Mai-y and Addie Belle. Those deceased were named Alice P., Elizabeth Ann, Lydia M., Oliver S., Eleanor S. and Cora Estella. Capt. Robert P. Clarke was not an early set- tler of Vernon county, but was so intimately and prominently connected with the early his- tory of the Mississippi valley that a brief sketch of him here will probably be of interest to the readers of Vernon county history. He was born near Pittsburg, Penn., in 1802. He began keel-boating ou the Ohio river when but twenty years of age, and followed boating in that kind of a craft until steamboats began plying the Mississippi. At one time, when ascending the Mississippi river, he was attacked by a large party of Indians, not far from the city of La Crosse. After a desperate fight with the savages, in which twelve of his crew were killed, he succeeded in beating off the Indians. He commanded one of the first steamboats that ever ascended the Mississippi river. It was called the Mexico, which, under his command, carried the first private freight to the head of navigation on that river, and he also com- manded the third steamer that ascended the Missouri river. He owned and commanded a number of the finest river steamboats, including the Mexico, Lady Washington, George Washing- ton, Chief-Justice Marshall, General LaFayetle and others, and was identified with steamboat interests down to nearly the time of the close of his long and eventful life. Daring the Texas war for independence, his sympathies were aroused by the struggling Texans in their struggle tor independence. He organized a company, consistingnnostly of the crew of his steamboat, and left St. Louis, Mo., with his company for the headquarters of Gen. Samuel Houston, the commander of the Texan forces. He joined that general and participated in the sanguinary^battle of San Jacinto, where the Mexi- cans lost 630 killed, and 730 taken prisoners. Among the latter were included Gen. Santa Anna. Capt. Clarke was the first to carry the news of that important victory to New Orleans. After he retired from steainboating he located at Cincinnati, afterward removing to St. Louis, which was his home for many years. He was a resident of the latter city when the war for the Union broke out, and although too old to en- gage in active service he took a deep interest in tlie success of the Union cause, and was an ardent supporter of the old flag during that fearful struggle. Notwithstanding he followed the river so many years, where moral and re- ligious principles are not supposed to predomi- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 717 iiate, Capt. Clarke was a man of strong religious convictions, and highly respected wlierever known. As wassaidof himathisdeath, he was "a public spirited and Christian gentleman, honest, plain spoken, frank and kind-hearted." lie re- ceived ills first religious impressions under the ministrations of Dr. Lyman Reecher, at Cincin- nati, Ohio. He removed to De Soto, Wis., where his children resided, in 1874, where he died in October, 1880. The respect and esteem in which he was held was well attested by the large number of prominent citizens that attended the funeral of their deceased friend and neigh- bor. He was married twice, the first time at Wheeling, W. Va. He had three children by this marriage, but he lost his whole family in one night at Wheeling, by that dreadful, de- stroying scourge — yelhiw fever. In IS-tO he married a Vermont lady, Mary Warren, by name, whom he met as a passenger on his boat, while ascending the river. He had five children by this marriage, four of whom are living. His oldest daughter, Maiy L., is the wife of Rev. William J. Clark, of Knox Co., Ohio. A younger daughter, Elizabeth VV., resides with lier brother, C. Edward, at Viroqua. The mother of these children, the second wife of Capt. Clarke, died at St. Louis, Mo., of cholera, in 1849. George H. and C. Edward Clarke, sons of Capt. Robert P. Clarke, comprise the firm of Clarke Bros., general inereliants, Viroqua. They eng^iged in business here in 1SS2 and are doing an extensive business. George H.Clarke, of the above named firm, ^as born in 1845 at St. Lonis, Mo., where he grew to manhood. In 1863 he went to Col- orado, where lie was engaged in mining and merchandising. 'Ihe party to which he be- longed had several severe battles with the sav- ages, this being the i)eriod of active Indian hostilities. In is(j6 he returned to St. Louis, soon after becoming connected with the Kansas Pacific Railway survey. He continued thus oc- cupied for about a year, meeting with many thrilling adventures in the wild regions of the west. He again returned to St. Louis, engaging in merchandising and in 1873 settling in De Soto, where he continued until 1882, when he came to Viroqua. Mr. Clarke has been twice married. His first wife, Martha M. Trott, was a native of Maine, but was reared in Vernon Co., Wis. His present wife was Miss L. M. Sweet, born in Richland county, and by whom he had two children. While at De Soto Mr. Clarke was engaged in various enterprises be- sides that of merchandising, among others that of putting up ice for the St. Louis market, be- ing the first in the county to engage in that business. He put up on an average about 5,000 tons of ice annually. C. Edward Clarke was born in St. Louis, in 1843. When seventeen years of age he accom- panied his father to the mining regions of the west. They took a quartz mill with them, be- ing interested in the mining business for about six years. In 1864, joining a volunteer force that was organized to put down an Ir.dian outbreak, he participated in a hard fought bat- tle with the Indians, including the battle of Sand creek, Nov. 29, 1864, in which 500 Indians wtre killed. In 1866 he went' to Arkansas, where he became interested, with his fatherand Joseph Brooks, in cotton farming, afterwards merchandisinjj and interested in railroad con tracts and cotton buying on an extensive scale at Indian Bay and Duvall's Bluff on White river, Ark. In 1876 he came to Vernon county, locating in DeSoto. In 1882 he came to Viroqua, engag- ing with his brother in tiie general merchandise trade. Mr. Clarke is a cultured gentleman. He has traveled extensively, and possesses much general information. George Dennis lives on section 22, where he settled in 187.3. He was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, April 3, 1824, where he lived till became to tills county. He was married to Sarah J. Ai- kins and came to Vernon county in 1854 and has been a resident of t)ie town of Viroqua since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have five chil- 718 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. dren — Luciiula, Nancy J., James, Herman and Henry. Mr. Dennis' farm contains 120 acres. He has a good farm, well improved. Mr. Den- nis is of German descent, his paternal grand- fatlier being a native of Germany. His parents, William and IMary Dennis, died in Ohio. J. K. Schreiner, M. D., resides in Viroqua village. He was born in Christiana, Norway, in 1857. In 1875 he began the study of medicine and for six years was a student of the medical department of the University of Christiana, graduating from that institution in 1881. He came to the United States soon after hisgradua- tion. Dr. Schreiner is a cultured gentleman and thoroughly educated in the science of med- icine. He has established an excellent practice and receives not only the patronage of his own countrymen, but is appreciated as a skillful physician by other nationalities. He spends Tuesday and Saturday afternoons of each week at the village of Westby, attending to his pro- fessional calls. Dr. Schreiner married Chris- tina Gjerdrum. She is a well educated and re- fined lady. O. Tollefson is a native of Norway and a brother of L. Tollefson, Esq., of Viroqua. He was born in 1854 and came to this country with his parents in 1860, settling in Allamakee Co., Iowa. In 1871 he went to La Crosse, Wis., and engaged as clerk in the wholesale estab- lishment of Marsten & Son. He was also engaged for a time with Chai'les Solberg and afterwards was in business three years for himself. He came to Viroqua in 1882, forming a partnership with Joseph Omundson in the general mercantile business, under the firm name of Tollefson & Omundson. Mr. Tollefson has since purchased the interest of Mr. Omundson and is now doing business under the firm name of O. Tollefson & Co. Mr. Tollefson is one of the most enterprising young merchants in the county. Harrison Gochenour is a native of Clinton Co., Ind., who located here in the practice of dentistry in January, 1883. He was born in 1857 and commenced the study of his profession at Frankfort, Ind., where he served an appren- ticeship with Dr. J. D. Wirt. He came to Wis- consin in September, 1880, and located at Viola in Richland county, where he remained about two years and then came to Viroqua. Dr. Gochenour is well educated in his chosen pro- fession, and during his short residence in Ver- non county has secured by his merits the confi- dence of the public aud established a good pat- ronage. He married Emily Landes, a native of Virginia. They have one daughter — Blanche. B. F. Ferguson, of Morley & Ferguson, who succeeded P. B. Vess in November, 1882, in the harness trade, has been a resident of Vernon county since 1852. He was born in the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., in 1850. His father, William Ferguson, was an early settler in the town of Wheatland, this county, where he still resides. Mr. Ferguson learned his trade with the firm of B. F. Purdy & R. L. Ferguson, his brother, of Viroqua, aud has been in business for himself over a year. He was married to At- tilla, daughter of Nathan Coe, of Viroqua. Mr. Morley, of this firm, is a son of Calvin Morley, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume. Ethan A. Stark manufactures wagons aud does repair work in Viroqua. He has been a resident of Vernon county twenty-seven years and engaged in his present business about nine years. He was born in old rock-ribbed New Hampshire, in 1825. His father was Jedulhan Stark, who died when Ethan was but a lad. When thirteen years of age Mr. Stark went to Lowell, Mass., and secured emjjloyment in the large woolen mills at that point. He was only a boy, but thrifty and industrious, and finally became overseer in the factory where he first entered. He held this responsible and labori- ous position for sixteen years, and then resigned to come west. He located in Vernon county and purchased a farm in Viroqua town, where HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 119 he has engaged in agricultural pursuits for some years. In 18V5 he succeeded Samuel Met- calf in the wagon maker's trade, and has since conducted the business with fair success Mr. Stark ma ried Amanda F. Weeden, born in Vermont, in 1829. Her father died in Vermont, but her mother came to Viroqua and liere de- parted this life Aug. 26, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have one daughter — Helen M., born Sept. 18, 187.3. 720 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER XLVIII. TOWN OF WEBSTER. This portion of Vernon county is bounded on the north by the town of Christiana, on the eas^t by the town of Stark, on the south by the town of Liberty, and on tlie west by the town of Viroqua. The town is square in size, compris- ing 36 sections. There is only one stream of any importance within its limits, with the excoji- tion of the main branch of tiie Kickapoo river, which fl2 these mills went into the hands of H. M. Chamberlain & Co., who in 1864 sold to .John C. Davis. The stock was closed out and the mill lay idle for several years. ') his failure was caused in part l)y the failure of the New England Glass Co., nf which Mr. Houghton was the financial manager. On the (!om])letion of this mill, when thev had a three month's supply of logs on hand, the stock of this concern amounted to *ilOO,000. A shingle mill was built by C. M. and A. R. Worth, about 1865. They also sawed some lumber. After running this about four years it was converted into a grist mill and the Worth brothers then occupied the Cate & Co's. mill for about five years, during which time they manufactured large amounts of lath, shingles and lumber. In 1884 this mill was used for cutting staves and heading. An establishment for the manufacture and cutting of files was started by A. Miller, who run it for a year or so and enlisted in the army to "suppress the rebellion," which had then just commenced. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. In 1857 Capt. William Plummer & Co. en- ga£;ed in the manufacture of lime and connect- ed with their business the manufacture of hard wood barrels. They did an extensive business, although it was continued only about a year. The De Soto brewery is owned by Charles E. Reiter, who purchased it of George Eckhardt in 1882. Mr. Reiter makes about 400 barrels of beer per annum. The building was erected by Cate & Co., in 1858, and used by them as a store. George Eckhirdt first utilized it for brewing purposes. The first school in the village was taught hj Mrs. Catharine P. Stevens, in the winter of 1855-6. This was a private school. The first school house proper wa.s built in the summer of 1856, in which James McDill taught the first school the winter following. This house was in use as a residence in 1884, a new school house having been built in 1872. This building was a frame structure, two stories high. The cost of this house was |3,500, and, excepting the one at Viroqua, was the best in the county. The first physician in De Soto was Dr. G. S. Sperry, who came from St. Paul in the summer of 1856. He was an excellent physician. He died in 1873. 42 730 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Other physiciuns were: Dr. G. W. Brooks and Dr. Worth. The physician in 1884 was Dr. Orlando Ewers. Others who have borne the title of doctor, though not educated physicians, were Dr. E. B. Houghton, the original proprie- tor of the village. He moved from the place to La Crosse and later to St. Louis, where he died in 1862. Dr. James Osgood came in 1854 and assisted in laying out the village and finally be- came owner of one-fourth of the town plat. He died in 1863. Dr. Simeon Powers, a dentist, was also owner of another fourth interest in the town site of De Soto. He afterward re- moved to Sparta, where he was at the time of his death. Capt. C. B. Worth came in 1854 and remained till his death in 1875. He was also owner of a fourth interest in the village plat. His son Addison made the first lumber wagon in De Soto. The first lawyer who practiced at this point was Addison A. Hosmer, a graduate of the Harvard law school at Cambridge, Mass. He came in 1857 and returned to that State in 1860. From there he went into the army and befoie the war closed became quite distinguished. After the close of the war he was made judge advocate and it was he who passed sentence on the notorious Wirz, of Andersonville infamy, Tolbert C. Ankney came here as an attorney in 1865, though he had been here previous to the war. He was associated with George McDilb who was also an attorney here at that time. H. W. McAulley began the practice of law in 1866, continuing for a number of years. The present attorney is George L. Miller. The first hotel in this village was known as the Winneshiek House. It was a log house and among the first built in the place. The Bay State House was erected in 1856, by Seth Crow- ell and Jonathan F. Porter, who ran it for sev- eral years. Other parties who have from time to time operated this house, are C. H. Allen. Thomas Lawrence, who had charge of the house in 1862-3, and was succeeded by Benja- min Trott, who improved the premises and who operated it till his death, in December, 1879. In 1884 it was owned and conducted by his widow, Mrs. Hannah Trott. This hotel was, without doubt, the finest in Vernon county in 1884. It was a three story frame building, 32x45 feet, and finished in good style. The first cost was $7,000. Mrs. Hannah Trott, proprietress of the Bay State House, De Soto, is the widow of Benjamin Trott, who came to De Soto in 1 859. He was born in Shuncook in the British Province, in 1816. He was brought up in the State of Maine. He came here in the milling interests of Gate & Co., and had charge of the manufacturing of shingles in the mill of this company. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he rented the Bay State House, which he conducted for several years, then pur- chased it, and continued in charge of the same, till his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1879. He was a man highly respected in the commu- nity in which he lived, as an upright, honora- ble citizen. His wife still owns and conducts the hotel. Her maiden name was Hannah Bean. She was born in Perry, Washington Co., Maine. She has two children — Barbara, wife of Mr. Steele, of Viroqua, and Rebecca, wife of Rob- ert Rice. The next hotel was the De Soto House, built soon after the Bay State House was erected. It was built by Kurtz & Hale for a hotel and boarding house, but finally was used for a car- riage and wagon shop. The second hotel, called the De Soto, was formerly a store building and was chajiged to a hotel, by Edward Sweeney. This house, in 1884, was being operated by Mrs. Ann M. Miller. The postoflice at De Soto, was established in 1855. Dr. S. D. Powers was the first postmas- ter, and Adam Carlyle acted as his deputy. The next to hold the office was Dr. Osgood, with J. C. Kurtz as his deputy. Dr. Osgood was suc- ceeded by C. B. Whiting, whose deputy was Fred Carr. In 1884 the postmaster was J. H. Rogers, who was appointed in 1865. This be. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 731 carue a money order office in July, 1678. The first order was issued to J. H.Hinds, for 138.32. Tlie first order paid, was to Mrs. John Babcock and was dated July 22, 1878. The business interests of De Soto, in 1884, were in tlie hands of the following: C. Lyttle & Co., general merchants, also deal- ers in lumber and grain. Fred Eckhart & Co., grain dealers. J. A. Cooper, manufacturer of wagons and carriages, also dealer in farm machinery. Charles L. Woodbury, general merchandise and farming implements. Adam Carlyle, agent for the Diamond Jo steamboat line. C. Lyttle, agent for the North Western line of steamers. J. H. Rodgers, general merchandising and drugs. Charles H. Upham, general store, also hard- ware and farm machinery. D. A. Steele, furniture. Charles McDowell, blacksmith shop. J. F. Allen, wagon maker. Mrs. A. H. Wareham, millinery and furnisl - ing goods. Miss M. L. Porter, dress-maker. C. L. Ingersoll, flour and feed. Louis Stinseng, boots and shoes. Patrick De Lacy, boots and shoes. John Devlin, meat market. Fred Schmidt, drugs. Mrs. J. A. Cooper, millinery and dress-maker. Mrs. H. Carpenter, dress-maker. N. E. French, grocery and restaurant. Orville D. Pulver, restaurant. Charles E. Reiter, brewer, and owner of the Lansing and De Soto ferry. Mrs. Hannah Trott, owner and proprietor of the Bay State Hotel. Mrs. A. N. Miller, owner and proprietor of the De Soto House. William Waldron, fisli dealer. W. F. McMastress, fish dealer. H. E. McMasters, cooper. C. L. Mueller, stave and heading factory. O. Ewers, physician. G. L. Miller, attorney. James H. Rogers, postmaster. D. Abbott Steele came to De Soto Oct. 5, 1855, in company with his brother, Alvah Steele, who remained about three years and returned to New Hampshire. D. Abbott Steele was born ill Georgia, where his parents, who were natives of New Hampshire, were then living. He has been variously engaged since coming to De Soto; in 1884, he was engaged in the furniture business. John W. White came in the spring ot 1855, and located just northeast of the village, where he still lived in 1884. Edmund Houghton came to De Soto April 1, 1855. He is now the earliest present resident on the village town plat. He was born in Har- vard, Mass., in 1808. Served an apprenticeship in New Hampshire, to the trade of a machinist; and came here from that State. A friend of Mr. Houghton's, R. P. Waite, came with him, l>ut returned to New Hampshire. Mr. Hough- ton made a location on section 10, town 11, ange 7 west, where he mide a claim which her still owns, but he has always made his home in the village. His wife was Nancy Bryant, a na- tive of New Hampshire. They have one daugh- ter — Ellen, the wife of Woodbridge Dyre. Other early settlers of the town were : Samuel Pike, who came from Massachusetts in 1855, and remained until 1873, when he re- moved to Iowa. He was a painter by trade ; C. B. Stevens, who was a tinner, came into the village of De Soto in the spring of 1855, and continued to live there until 1882, when he moved to Dakota. Also, Dennis Powers, Sid- ney R. Gage, Hugh McDill, R. F. Lemen, A. McDowell and Anthony Valle, a Frenchman, who enlisted into the United States army and died at Andersonville prison. cnuKCUES. The Central Methodist church in the town of Wheatland, is on section 31. The class was 732 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. organized in 1857. The first preacher was Rev. Myron Clendenning. The original members were : Jacob Chase and wife, A. D. Chase and wife, Moses Sanderson and wife ( Mr. Sander- son was a local preacher); Peter Waldron, Bridane Sanderson and wife. These are all that are remembered. De Soto, Retreat and Central societies have comprised one circuit, hence this is called the Central Church. The Rev. Newton Lane assist- ed Rev. Clendenning, who was the first on the circuit. The circuit at that time, comprised a large area of territory. Rev. Clendenning is now a member of the Rock River Conference. The Rev. Lane died in the service during the Rebellion. Rev. Clendenning was succeeded by Rev. Smith.. He by the Rev. Bassenger; then came the Rev. J. E. Irish ; other pastors were W. P. Hill, Christopher Bushby, Thomas Manuel, H. J. Walker, D. L. Hubbard, D. Clingman, H. D. Jenks and the Rev. W. W. Hurd. The present pastor is the Rev. I. F. Nuzum. The Central church building was erected in IS'/V. It is a frame structure, one and a half stories, and cost about $900. A Sunday school has been supported since the class was organized ; it now numbers seventy- five members. Rev. George W. Nuzum, formerly pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Viroqua, was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 18-32. He there grew to manhood. He was a student for some time at the college at Athens, Ohio. When twenty-three years of age, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Ohio Conference. He was married in Ohio to Miss M. F. Groves, and in 1856 came to Ver- non Co., Wis., joining the Bad Ax circuit and preaching at various points according to the customs of his Church. Mr. Nuzum first settled on forty acres of land in Viroqua town, where he lived for a number of years. Subsequeuily he resided for about eight years in Liberty town. He then settled on his present farm in Viroqua. He has been engaged in the active ministry ever since his removal to Vernon county, twenty years, except at intervals, when ill health compelled him to retire for a season of rest. He has ten children, six sons and four daughters. Isaac F. Nuzum, son of George W. Nuzum, also a Methodist minister, was born in June, 1855, in Perry Co., Ohio. He began the min- istry in 1877, at which time be joined the West Wisconsin Conference. He is at present pastor of the Church at De Soto. He married Lydia A., daughter of David McCulloch, an early settler of Crawford Co., Wis. The first meeting of the Congregational society in this locality was held Feb. 15, 1856. The society was organized at this meeting. The minister present was the Rev. L. L. Radcliffe, of La Crosse district convention. Among the number who joined the society at this time were : Charles Houghton and wife, Fannie Houghton, Mrs. Mary E. Roach, Mrs. Abbie W. Tobey (the last two were daughters of Mr. Houghton ). Daniel D. Fuller and wife, Mercy P. Fuller, Alexander Young and wife, Wilton E. Roach and J. F. Tobey. The first pastor was Rev. L. L. Radcliffe ; the first oiBcers were Charles Houghton, deacon ; and Daniel Fuller, clerk. Rev. L. L. Radcliffe was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Parker, in 1863, and he by Rev. Peter Valentine, in 1865. The next pastor in charge was Rev. L. Bridgeman, who came in 1868 and remained till his suc- cessor, Rev. James Mitchell came in 1871 ; the Rev. S. H. Thompson came in 1S74 and was succeeded by Rev. William Houghton, in 1879; Rev. Charles Vaile was pastor in 1881 ; then came Rev. William Houghton to his second pastorate. A church building was erected in 1859; it was built in the Gothic style of architecture, and cost the society about $1,800. The society has been supported by a good Sunday school since the time of its organization in 1859. D, HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 733 A1)br)tt Steele, who was elected siipevintendent of this school in 1862, was still its superin- teiulciit in 1884, having served continuously for twenty-one years. This school averages about thirty-Hve pupils. 'I'he first services of the M. E. Church were held in a huilding built of railroad ties for a wagon and blacksmith shop, in the year 1855. The tirst class was formed by Rev. T. C. Clendenning in tlie year 1858. The members, as near as can be ascertained, were as follows : James Lawrence and Mary, his wife ; William Hemraingway and wife, and his son, George, and daughter, Mary Heramingway, and Wil- liam Wyburn. The first minister of the M. E. Church who preached in De Soto was Rev. John Whit- worth, now of Yiroqua. Thi' M. E. church was built in the year 1850, and removed out in the country in the year 1875, being now known as the Central Church. The pat-tors of the M. E. Church in De Soto circuit have been as follows : Revs. John Whit- worth, T. C. Clendenning, Mr. Lane, Mr. Smith, S. D. Bassenger, J. E. Irish , W. P. Hill, C. Bushby, Thomas. Manual, H. J. Walker, D. L. Hubbard, D. Clingman, H. D. Jencks, W. W. Hurd and the present jiastor, Rev. I. F. Nuzum. The De Soto Baptist Church was organized at the house ot Dr. James Osgood, Jan 11, 1855, with a constituency of sixteen members, who adopted as theirs the New Hampshire articles of faith and covenant. The Church was duly recognized by council on the 9th of the following February. A. B. Hubbard, a member of the Church, served as its pastor with acceptance for six months, after which Rev. D. Mulhern became pastor. For a while the I Church gained in membership, both by baptism [ and letter. In 1^57 serious trouble arose which resulted in the exclusion of quite a number of members. The aggrieved, with others, hold- ing letters from other Baptist Churches, called for a council, which was attended by delegates from the La Crosse and Winona, Minn., Churches. Although the Church was repre- sented in the council, it refused to comply with the recommendation to reconsider its action. The council further recommended that, should the Church refuse to reconsider its action, a new Church should be formed. This was done soon after by the union of about twenty mem- bers. The new Church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley Baptist Association at its next annual meeting. Rev. D. Mulhern served as its pastor, and a few were added by baptism. Through removals its membership was reduced and its meetings discontinued, and were never revived. The first Church held occasional meetings at De Soto. In March, 1861, its place of meeting was changed to Brush Creek. Here it was prospered, at one time numbering thirty- one members. Removals and change of resi- dence led.the Church in 1868 to again make De Soto its place of meeting. Concessions were made which resulted in those living in the neighborhood, members of the second Church, uniting with the old Church. The following year Rev. S. E. Sweet became pastor and was ordained. He preached here and at other points, one of which was Harmony, where a Baptist Church was organized the follow- ing January. Rev. Sweet served the two Churches one year, when, in order to pursue further study, he went to Beaver Dam, Wis. In 1872 Rev. William Haughton became pastor, serving the Harmony Church also. He re- mained about eighteen months. From this time regular monthly meetings were held, with occasional preaching, till February, 1875, when Rev. N. L. Sweet became pastor. Quite a number were added to the Church by baptism. Rev. Sweet's pastorate continued four years. Since his resignation tlie Church has been de- clining. Although twenty-eight names are reported now, but very few are active members. SOOIKTLES. Ancient Order I'nited Workman Lodge, of De Soto, was organized June 10, 1878. The (34 HISTORY 'OF VERNON COUNTY, charter members were: James Lyttle, Fred Schmidt, William Davis, Philip B. Peters, George Eckhardt, B. D. Jenks, D. A. Steele, Fred A. Schlottman, Jacob Eckhardt and AVoodbridge Dyre. The first officers were : James Lyttle P. M. W; Jacob Eckhardt, M. W; P. B. Peters, foreman; B. D. Jenks, re- corder; D. A. Steele, financier; W. Dyre, receiver; George Eckhardt, guide; F. A. SchlottmaUj overseer; F. Schmidt, I. W; William Davis, O. W; P. B. Peters, George Eckhardt, and James Lyttle, trustees. In 1884 this lodge had a working membership of thirty-two, and was in a flourishing condition. In 1884 there was both a lodge of the Odd Fellows and Good Templars at De Soto, each in a flourish- ing condition. DISASTROUS FIEBS. The 8te im mill of Whiting & Carr was burned ill .July, 1865, involving a loss of over $20,000. In March, 1879, occurred the worst conflagra- tion that ever visited the place. The cause of tills fire has always remained a mystery. It originated in the general store of L. C. Larson. Eight buildings were consumed. Mr. Ingersoll sustained the greatest loss, which included two buildings occupied as a wagon and blacksmith shop, together with a fine stock of general mer- chandise. His total loss was about $10;000. Among tbose wao sustained quite heavy losses were:L. C. Larson, John L. O'Kre, J. F .Allen, Fred Schmidt and John Devlin. This fire was a serious blow to De Soto, from which it never fully recovered. THE OLDEST SHOEMAKER IN AMERICA. In 1884 the village of De Soto boasted of a resident, who came to the place at an early date, and who by careful investigation was found to have been actively engaged more years, at the shoe bench, than any other man in the country. This gentleman's name is Patrick De Lacy, who has been constantly engaged at the bench since twelve years of age, or a period of seventy-one years. And strange to say, after these long years of stooped shouldered work, he is as as erect as most young men of to-day. VILLAGE OF VICTORY. This village was laid out in 1852, by Henry W. McAuley, VVilliara F. Terhune, Ira Stevens and Hiram Rice. It was named Victory, by Judge William F. Terhune, on account of the victory over Black Hawk, which occurred near this place. There were three houses on the site of the village when it was laid out, one of which was built by Timothy Piper; the second by Hiram Rice, and the third by the French traders, who had occupied the place. Tlie first building after the laying out of the village was built by Hiram Rice aur])ose of trading with the Indians. PERSONAL HISTORIES. Ira Stevens, of the village of Victory, has been a resident of the county since January, 1850. He was born near Toronto, Canada, in 1819. He passed the winter of 1889-40 in Cliicago, and went to Galena the following spring; located at Prairie Du C'hein, in 1844, and came to Bad Ax county, as stated, in 1850. He married Eliza Decker, a daughter of Moses Decker, who was the earliest settler of Viro(jun. Harriet A. Porter, of De Soto, is the widow of Henry G. Porter, who settled with his family in De Soto, Aug. 15, 1855. The family resided in tlie village until al>out 1860, when they removed to a farm on section II, in the town of Wheat- land, which Mrs. Porter still owns. Mr. Porter died December, 1880. He was a native of Ox- ford, Maine, where he was born Sept. 19, 1825. He was married, in 1859, in New Hampshire, to his present widow, Harriet Bryant, born in New Hampshire. She first came west with friends, in 1855, but returned to New Hampshire, where she was married. Mrs. Porter has one daugh- ter — Mary Lillian, born in De Soto, August, 1860. Mrs. Porter is now a resident of the vil- lage of De Soto. H. W. McAuley is a native of North Caro- lina. His ancestors belonged to the Mecklen- berg colony, which emigrated to North Carolina from Scotland in 1774. He was born Sept. 9, 1816. His father, Daniel McAuley, emigrated to Wythe Co., Va., when H. W. was but three months old. In 18-30 the family removed to Hendricks Co., Ind. Mr. McAuley came to the territory of Wisconsin, in 1835, and located at Mineral Point, in what is now Iowa county, where he engaged in mining for a time. He was in Grant county when it was organized — in May, 1835. In August, of that year, he went back to Mineral Point. Mr. McAuley, at this time, was quite a young man, and not perma- nently located. He returned to Indiana in the fall of 1835, but came to Wisconsin again, the following year. In 1839 he again returned to Indiana; was married and returned in 1840, lo- cating at Lancaster, Grant county. He had built the first house in the present village of Lancas- ter, two years previous to that time (in 1838). In 1852 he came to the town of Wheatland, and assisted in laying out the village of Victory, as will appear in the history of the town of Wheat- land. He was the first merchant in the village. He has been a resident of Vernon county since he went to Victory, June 7, 1852. In November of that year, he went to Liberty Pole and en- gaged in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1853 he removed his goods to Viroqua, where he was in business for some time. In the fall of 1854, owing to the difficulty of getting store room at Viroqua, he removed to the town of Sterling and located on section 10. He built a saw and grist mill, on the Bad Ax river, which was the second mill built on'the Wisell branch ■736 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. of this river, Ira Wisell having erected the first mill. Mr. McAuley engaged in milling till 1873, when he sold out to his sons and removed to Sparta, where he invented a turbine water wheel on which he obtained a patent. He engaged in the patent-right business for a time, and then again located at Sterling. He now resides in the town of Wheatland, on section 31, town 12 north, of range 6 west, where he is engaged in farming, and making a specialty of manufactur- ing sorghum. Mr. McAuley has been three times married. His first wife was Eliza Ann Richie, born in Nicholas Co., Ky. His second wife was Rebecca A. McConnell, a native of Ohio. His present wife was Melvina Sloan, born in Pennsylvania. Mr. McAuley has had twelve children, seven of whom are living. Mr. McAuley is one of the well known early settlers of Vernon county, and has been intimately con- nected with its growth and progress since its organization. He was one of the early attor- neys of the county, having been admitted to the bar in 1842. R. M. McAuley, of DeSoto, is the son of H. W. McAuley, now of the town of Wheatland. He came to this county with his father, in 1852. He has been a resident of the village since 1872. lie is a miller by trade, having been taught that business by his father. After coming to De Soto, he opened a feed store, which he continued for some time, then engaged in general merchandis- ing under the firm name of McAuley & Bell. The firm was afterward changed to H. W. McAuley & Son. He was engaged for one year with ('. L. IngersoU and after that with C. H. Upham. In February, 1881, he retired from merchandis- ing »nd is now engaged in farming, giving spec- ial attention to the raising of sorghum. Mr. McAuley was married to Mary Young, daugh- ter of Alex Young. She was born in Crawford county. Wis. Mr. and Mrs. McAuley have five children — John, Royal and Raymond (twins), Marv E. and Frank. Adam Carlyle came to De Soto in August, 1855. No man has been more intimately con- nected with the history of the village than he. On coming to De Soto he engaged in merchandising with Thomas Dowse, under the firm name of Carlyle, Dowse & Co. In 1858 their stock and trade was sold to parties in Lan- sing, Iowa, and Mr. Carlyle re-embarked in busi ness under the firm name of N. S. Cate & Co. From 1862 to 1865 he was connected with the firm of John C. Kurtz & Co. In 1870 he was em- ployed as book-keeper by Joseph Reynolds, the owner of the "Diamond Jo" line of steamboats, and was stationed at Fulton, 111. From 1874 to 1878 he was in Patterson, N. J., engaged with Capt. J. B. Wilcox, of Victory, in selling Minnesota flour. In 1879 Mr. Carlyle was con- stituted agent at De Soto for the "Diamond Jo" line of steamers, a position he has since held. Mr. Carlyle is a native of Dumfries, Scotland, born in 1826. He emigrated with his father's family to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1840. The family removed from New York to Canada, where the father, Walter Carlyle, resided until his death. In 1852 Mr. Carlyle went to ( hica- go. 111., where he was engaged as clerk by Mills & Co. Three years later he came to De Soto. Mr. Carlyle has been connected with De Soto from its infancy and has always been highly es- teemed as an upright business man and a valuable citizen. His wife, Mrs. Catharine E. (Cook) Car- lyle, is a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. C;ir- lyle have eight children, six of whom were born in De Soto — Walter J., Catharine J., Thomas, wio was the first white child born in De Soto (born Feb. 14, 1856), now at Fulton, 111., Annie C, Mattie, Daisy M., Adam and George. Arvin Chase resides on section 32, where he entered eighty acres, in 1855. He resided here, however, at that time for about one year, and then located in the town of Sterling, t)n what is known as the H. Bellows place. He re-seltled here in 1870. The farm, which contains -200 acres, is now owned by his brother, R. J. Chase, who was the youngest of his father's family. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. and came to the county about 1858 ; studied law with Judge Graham, of Viroqua, where he was adniitled to the bar ; served in the Union army durins; the Rebellion,and is now practicing his profession at Sioux City, Iowa. Another brotlier, Lucius, also studied law with Judge Graham. He is now deceased. The father, Jacob Chase, settled in the town of Sterling, in 1858, where he resided till his death. James H. Rogers, general merchant and post- master at DeSoLo, was born in Indiana, in 1842; he has resided in Vernon county since 1855, when his father, B. H. Rogers came to this county, with his family, and located ai Spring- ville ; he afterwards removed to the town of Wheatland, where he died in 1868. James H. enlisted in the Union army in 1862, as a soldier in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, first commanded by Capt. James Berry, afterwards by Col. Butt, and still later by Capt. J. K. Casson. Mr. Rogers participa- ted in most of the campaigns and battles in which the twenty-fifth was engaged, including Kennesaw Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, Resaca and Sherman's march to the sea. He has been engaged in business in De Soto since 1865, build- ing his present store in 1868, a frame building 24x36 feet. He was appointed to his present posi- tion as postmaster, October, 1865. His wife was Esther Coffin, daughter of Peleg Coffin, who settled in the town of Freeman, Crawford county, in 1855 ; further notice of whom will be found elsewhere. Mr. Rogers has five chil- dren — Winnie 11., Minnie E., James H., Jr., Charles M. and Mary Z. Joel T. Shaw is one of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland. He landed at DeSoio, Oct. 1 1, 1855, by the steamer War Eagle, which was afterwards burned at LaCrosse. The same fall he entered 120 acres of land on section 29, where he still resides. His farm now contains 160 acres, 100 acres being improved. Mr. Shaw was born in the town of Glover, Orleans Co., Vt., in 1821. His parents were Seth T. and Clarinda (Mason) Shaw. His father died in New Hampshire, and his mother in Vermont. Mr. Shaw was married in Mas.sachusetts, to Eliz- abeth Bodwell, a native of New Hampshire. They have two daughters — Jane A., now Mr.s. Chris Larson, born in Vermont, and Julia Fran- ces, born in the town of Wheatland, now Mrs. Harry Clark. One of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland is John W. White, who resides on section 11, town 11, range 7 west, where he settled in May, 1855, purchasing his land of Dr. E. B. Houghton. Mr. White is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in Fairhaven, now town of Acushuet, Mass., in 1822; where he re- sided until he went to New Bedford, Mass., where he was in business for a number of years. His father, Phineas White, was a cotton manu- facturer. He was a lineal descendant of Wil- liam White, who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, and whose son. Peregrin White, was the first child born in the pilgrim settlement. The father of Mr. White had nine children, seven of whom are living — five sons and two daugh- ters. He died in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. John VV. is the only one of the family who settled in Wisconsin. The land which Mr. White purchased of Dr. Houghton consisted of but twenty acres. On this he built a log house the year that he came here. This house is still standing, and is one of the oldest in town. Mr. White occupied it until 1878, when he erected his present residence. His farm proper contains 160 acres; this he entered as government land the year that he came here. His wife was Catharine H. Ashley, a native of Mas.sachusetts. They have had five children, three of whom are living — James, Charles A., de- ceased; Alice, deceased ; John M. and Edward I. The last named was born in the town of Wheatland, the others in Massachusetts. Mr. White enlisted January, 1864, in the 6th Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and was in service until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, after which he was not in active service. ■738 HISTOBY OF VERNON COUNTY. Josiali F. Allen, wagon-maker of De Soto, came to Vernon county in 1856 and settled at Springville in the town of Jefferson. He is tlie son of Truman Allen an early settler of Spring- ville, but at present a resident of De Soto. J. F. Allen was born in Keysville, Essex county., in 1837. VN'hen a lad he moved with his parents from the State of New York to Rock Island, III., thence to Springville, \N is. He afterwards returned to New York and having lived in different parts of that State he remeved from thence to De Soto, Vernon county, several years after his father had located there. At the time of the Rebellion he enlisted in the U^lh New "i ork Volunteer Infantry, and served six months, being then discharged for disability. He learned his trade, that of a wagon-maker, in Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He came to De Soto in the fall of 1875. Mr. Allen has been twice married; his first wife died at Fre- donia; she was Almeda Taylor of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. His present wife was Emma Heal of De Soto. He has two children by his first wife — Wilton G. and Wallace T. and also two by present wife — Goldie and Silv'ia. William Fosdick was born in Maine in 1810, his parents were natives of New Hampshire. He settled in De Soto in May li-55, and that year entered 120 acres of government land on section 12, where he resided for a number of years. April 1, 1873, he settled on section 36, where he now lives. He has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Hannah Eastman who died here in 1861. His second wife was a widow when she married Mr. Fosdick, her maiden name was Clara A. Smith. She was a native of Brandon, Franklin Co., N. Y., but was brought up in Vermont. Mrs. Fosdick's first hushand was Henry Webster, who died in Fair- field, Vt., in 1850. She was married to Mr. Fosdick in 1862. By his first wife Mr. Fos- dick has one son, Albert E., another Henry A., was a soldier, a member of the 6th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, company I. He died at Washington, while still iii the service. Mrs. Fosdick has one daughter by her first husband, Mrs. Ellen N. Cole. Mr. and Mrs. Fosdick have two children — Byron N. and Lucy G. William Cushing resides on section 14, town 11, range 7 • west. He was born in the town of Pembrook, W^ashington Co., Maine, in 1835. He was brought up on a farm and when a young man engaged in lumbering and milling. He came to De Soto in 1857, with N. S. Gate & Co. In 1860 he purchased a claim of S. D. Powers, and settled upon it in 1868. All improvements upon it have been made since that time. July 1, 1861, he enlisted in com- pany I, 6th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served four years or until the close of the war. He participated in fifteen general engagements, including among the number the second battle of Bull Run, the battles of Gainesville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hatches Run and Five Forks. He was wounded during the battle of Bull Run and also at Spottsylvania. He was detached to Battery D, 5th Rhode Island Light Artillery, near Cattlet's Station, Va. April 18, 1862, re- turned to his regiment again April, 1863. He was taken a prisoner at the Battle of Hatche's Run, Feb. 6, 1865, where he was held as a prisoner of war in Libby prison, Richmond, for two months when exchanged and returned to his regiment. For one year after the war he resided in St. Louis. He married Julia A. Warham, a native of Oswego Co., N. Y. They have three children — Mary E. Luella G. and Cassius I. Mrs. S. G. Heal resides on section 1, in the town of Wheatland, her farm contains 112 acres. Mrs. Heal is the widow of Stephen G. Heal, who was born in England, in 1844, and died here June 29, 1879. He emigrated to the United States with his parents when he was quite young. Mr, Heal came to Vernon county in 1857, at the same time, Mr. Miller, the father of Mrs. Heal, also arrived in this county. Henry JNIiller was a native of Belfast, Ireland. He emigrated to this country with his family HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 73i) and settled at Paterson, N. J., wliere he en- gaged in mercantile business. The year of his arrival in V^ernon county he purchased the farm wliich his (laughter now own.s, of William Ovvles. He returned to Paterson, where he died in February, 187P ; bi.s wife died in Sep- tember of the same year. Tliey had twelve children, but four of whom are living — Elcazer .1., of Paterson N. J., Joseph R., residing in the same city, Elizabeth and Ellen M. The youngest son was a member of company I, Oih regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at tiie battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Heal was married to Ellen Miller, Nov. 3, 1870; he had lived in the family of Mr. Miller some time previous to this event. Some time after his marriage he purchased the farm on which Mrs. Heal now resides, of his father-in-law. Mrs. Heal has four children — Mary E., Agnes S., Lizzie H. and Henry S. She lost her oldest child, Lizzie M. Henry H. Morgan resides on section 5, town of Wheatland. He isason of Richard Morgan, a native of New Hampshire, who settled on this tarni in \X5H. When a young man, Richard Morgan moved to Maine, where he married Ach.sah Whitcomb. From there he moved 'o this State. At this time he had a family of five children — Samuel, the eldest, came here witli a family of his own ; he now resides in Ogden, Boone Co., Iowa. Joseph, the second son is now in the town of Sterling. Two other chil- dren are Achsah and .Henry H., the latter of whom owns the homestead where his father settled in 1856. He was born in the State of Maine, in 1840, and came to this county the year after his father. He married Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Monmouthshire, England. Edmund Philli|i8, her father, having died in England, her mother emigrated to the United States with her family in 18,54. Mrs. Phillips moved to De Soto in 1803, and resided there until her death, which occurred in May, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have five children — Mary W., Roscoe P., Grace C, Wesley H. and Maurice E. The homestead farm has now 220 acres, it originally contained 240. Mr. Morgan is one of the prominent farmers of the town of Wheat- land. He has been a justice of the peace and assessor of the town, and is at present chair- man of the town board, a position which he has held for six years. Charles Reiter, owner of the De Soto brew- ery and also of the Lansing and De Soto ferry boat, J. A. Rhomburg, is the son of Martin Reiter, who settled in the town of Freeman, Crawford Co., Wis., in 1853. In 1857 he set- tled at Retreat, in the town of Sterling, of this county, where he lived about twelve years. He then settled in the town of Wheatland. He removed to Minnesota, in 1872, where he now lives. He is a native of Germany ; his wife was born in America. Charles E., was born in Albany Co., N. Y., in 1851, and came to Wis- consin with his parents. With the exception of six years, ending in 1878, which he spent on the frontier of Minnesota, he has been a resi- dent of Vernon county since he came here with his father's family. Before engaging in his present occupation he was engaged in farm- ing and stock buying for several years. His wife was Cora A. Green, a native of Vermont. They have three children — William H., Charles W. and Myrtle. One of the early settlers of the town of Wheatland, is Jeremiah J. Tenney, who resides on section 6, on the farm' which he entered June 11, 1855. He made some improvements on the place the first season, and brought his family here April 26, 1856. He entered 245 acres on sections 6 and 7, and still owns that amount of land, although he has disposed of part of his original entry. Mr. Tenney was born in the town of Topsfield, Esse.v Co., Mass., April 17, 1805. From the age of seven till that of nineteen years he lived in the Stale of Maine; afterwards he was a resident of Massachusetts and New Ham))shire until he came here. Mr. Tenney learned the trade of a millwright. He was a skillful mechanic, and for many j-ears en- 740 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. gaged 111 business pertaining to his trade. For eight years in Mancliester, N. H., and ten years in Lawrence, Mass., be was employed as a millwright in manufacturing establishments. He went to Manchester before the first mill was built there, and from there to Law- rence, where he was engaged to assist in the erection of mills. For over twenty years he followed his trade of a millwright. He mar- ried Patience Choate (Proctor), who was born in Derry, Rockingham Co., N. H., Jan. 26, 1807, and died March 5, 1877. Mr. Tenney has five children — Charles A., Jacob, Elizabeth, Thomas and Lyman W. He lost three children, two of wliora died in infancy, the other a son, Gilman, enlisted in company A, 25th regiment, Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and served about fifteen months, when his health failing him he obtained a furlough, hoping a visit home would fully re- store him. He arrived at De Soto in a very feeble condition, and stopped at the home of his comrade, Charles Tilden, where he suddenly died, not having reached his destination. The loss of his son was a terrible blow to his father, and he still feels deeply his sad afliic- tion. Charles, the oldest son, lives in the town of Wheatland; was a soldier in the Union army, and is a teacher by profession. Thomas was born in Manchester, N. H. He is also a teacher. Elizabeth, the only daughter, a native of Derry, N. H., followed the same profession for many years. John C. Davis came to De Soto in I8.')8, in the interests of the milling firm of N. S. Cate it Co. He was born in the town of Chester, Rockingham Co., N. H., in October, 1826. The earlier years of his life, from the time he was five years old, were spent in Haverhill, Mass., in the family of a man named Crowell, his father, John Davis, having died when he was quite young. His mother, formerly Polly Em- erson, was a native of Chester, N. H., and died in Massachusetts in 1862. Mr. Davis mar- ried Sarah M. Blood, a native of Boston. For sometime after coming to De Soto, Mr. Davis continued in his position as agent for N. 8, Cate & Co. Afterwards for several years he was engaged in the mercantile trade, and at the same time was agent of the Northwestern Insurance Co. He was a man quite generally known in the county, especially as an agricul- turalist. For a long time he was a member of the M. E. Church, and for several years a preacher of that denomination. He died Aug. 16, 1883. Pie had been an invalid for a num- ber of years and a great sufferer during that lime; but his sufferings were greatly alleviated by the constant and devoted attentions of his faithful wife and daughters. The family at present consists of Mrs. Davis and six children —Ellen, Lisette, Edward S., E. Stacy, Cora F , Susie E. and Russell. Noah E. French is engaged in the grocery and restaurant business at De Soto. In 1S.t9 he came to the town of Wheatland with his uncle, James Davenport, who now lives in Crawford county, and has been a resident of this town ever since. His father, Noble P. French, died in the State of Indiana when Noah E. was a child. His mother, Ruth, came here with her second husband, Benjamin Rogers. She died in 187.3. Noah E. French was born in Broome Co., N. Y.,in 1843. From New York he moved to Indiana, from there to Grundy Co., 111., coming here from the last named State. He married Sophia Gould, a daughter of Joseph Gould, a native of Massachusetts. She died here Aug. 13, 1872. Mr. French's present wife was Elizabeth Powell, daughter of Francis E. Powell. Mr. French has one daughter by his first marriage — Minnie J., and five children by his second wife — Mary, Lizzie, Bertha, Nellie and Noble P. William A Hodge, of Victory, is proprietor of the Victoria Nursery and is extensively en- gaged in fruit growing. In 1866 he entered eighty acres of land on section 27, which he at once began to improve. In 1868 he began the nursery business and has been successfully en- gaged in that business until the present time. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. r4i He makes a specialty of small fruits; has a large experience in the business and follows his occu- pation with a perseverance and ardor which in- dicate both his love for the business and his determination to succeed. Marked success has attended his labors. His stock includes all kinds of apples, which his experience has taught him are adapted to this climate. He has a great variety of plums, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc. The business is carried on in a most systematic manner, Mr. Hodge himself performing a largo part of the labor re- quired. The satisfaction that is expressed with the stock he produces is well attested by his large patronage. His business is constantly in- creasing; witliin the last fevv years he has pur- chased forty lots in ihe village of Victory, which he is devoting to nursery stock and small fruit. He is also engaged in the raising of sor- ghum, manufacturing from 1,500 to 2,000 gal- lons annually. Among his industries may also be mentioned bee keeping and market garden- ing, supplying the steamboats with vegetables and shipping also to La Crosse and Lansing. Recently he established a mill of four horse power, suitable for all kinds of grinding, except flour. Mr. Hodge is one of the most active business men in V^ernon county. He was born in Yates Co., N. Y., in 1832; there he also re- ceived liis education. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the 46th Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and served nine months; being badly wounded at the battle of Harrisonburg, Va., he was discharged for disability. In 1864 he came to Wisconsin. His wife, Jane Williams, was born in Rockford, 111. She came to Ver- non county with her mother, Permelia Wil- liams, who died in this town in 1862. Her father died in Rockford, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have two children— Olive Jane and Clara L. Alfred Proctor came to the town of Wheat- land Iron Lynn, Mass., in 1862. In 1865 he settled on his present farm, which he purchased of Alfred Rolfe. His farm consists of 160 acres on which all improvements have been made since his possession of it. Mr. Proctor was born in Derry, N. II., in ISls. His parents, Jacob and Lois (Lufkin) Proctor, were natives of Gloucester, Mass. They both died in Derry, N. H. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Ann Blodgett, born in Maiden, Mass., in 1824, but died in this State in 1865. His present wife is a lineal descendant of Dr. Jeimer, tlie discoverer of vaccination as a pre- ventative of the small ])ox. Mrs. Proctor was born in Paterson, N. J., in 18-^4. Her maiden name was Mary Ann Jenner. Her father, Wil- liam Jeniier, died in 1835, when she was eleven years old. From New Jersey she removed to Ohio, where she married Enoch Yocum in Cin- cinnati in 1847, who died in Toledo in 1853. After the death of her husband Mrs. Yocum returned to New Jersey and with her mother's family removed to Salem, Henry Co., Iowa. At this place she was married to Samuel H. Wood- mansee in 1857 and removed with him to Lan- sing, Iowa, at which place he died in 1863. Several years later (1868) she was married to Mr. Proctor. By his first wife Mr. Proctor had seven children, two of whom are living in Chi- cago, two in Washington territory, two in the town of Sterling, Vernon Co., Wis., and one re- mains at home. Mrs. Proctor had two chil- dren by her first marriage; both of them died in infancy. Mrs. Proctor's mother died in Craw- ford Co., Wis., in 1879. One of the earliest settlers of Vernon county is Alexander Latsliaw. Perhaps, with the ex- ception of Lee Grant Sterling, there is no older resident of the county. In 1847 he made an entry in the town of Sterling, on sections 3 and 4, town 11, range 6 west. At the time of his arrival there were but two families in the town — those of L. G. Sterling and George Nichols. In 1867 he removed from Sterling to Victory, where he has since resided. His son James, born June 18, 1847, was the first male white child born in Vernon county. Mr. Latshaw is i a native of Sullivan Co., Ind., where he was li-2 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. born in 1824. His father, Joseph Latshaw, was a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he removed to Indiana, where he lived until his death, in September, 1845. He settled in Indi- ana in the year 1814. Mr. Latshaw has gen- erally been engaged in farming; he is at present in the wood trade. He married Mary Clark, daugliter of William Clark, a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Latshaw have seven children — James, Albert, Belle, Edward, Kate, Nellie and Clare — four sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in the town of Sterling except Clare, the youngest, who is a native of Victory. John D. Babcock is the son of Simeon Bab- cock, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Crawford county with his family in 1854, but died the following year, before he had made a settlement. The family settled, soon after the father's death, in the town of Freeman, Craw- ford county. lie was married three times ; his widow, Liberty Furman, a native of Pennsylva- nia, lives in De Soto. Simeon Babcock had six children by his last wife. John D. resides in De Soto ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1851 ; has lived in De Soto since 1865 ; he married Rossie Greene, a native of Vermont. Mr. Babcock is at present engaged in buying grain for the firm of Fred Eckhardt & Co. Charles H. Upliam, general merchant, came to this State and also to De Soto in ISVS. He was born in Great Barrington, Mass., in 1853. On coming to De Soto Mr. Upliam engaged himself as a clerk to Stevens & Son, in general merchandising business. He remained with them three years, when he engaged in business for himself. He keeps a complete stock of geiieral goods. Hardware is an important de- partment of his business ; also the manufac- ture of tinware, as he is a tinner by trade. He also handles farming implements. Mr. Upham came to De Soto a young man, with but little means, and by attention to business he has succeeded in establishing a good trade. His stock is one of the most complete in tlie village. He married Elizabeth Duffy, a native of Wisconsin. Joshua A. Cooper, wagon and carriage man- ufacturer at De Soto, established his business Oct. 1, 1875. He was born in Connecticut in 18.33. His father died when he was a child. Mr. Cooper has spent a number of years of his life in traveling, and has visited various parts of the* United States. When about eighteen years of age he went to Richmond, Va., where he lived three or four years. He established a wagon manufacturing business at Winona, Minn., in 1857. As before stated, Mr. Cooper has traveled extensively, having worked in not less than twenty-three States and territories ; also in Canada. He married Jane Coy, a native of New York. They have three children - Edward L., Alice M. and William A. The oldest was born in Montana, and William in Preston, Minn. Mr. Cooper is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages ; also sells farming implements. The firm of C. Lyttle & Co. consists of C. Lyttle and Peyton Davidson, of La Crosse. Mr. Lyttle came to De Soto and engaged m the lumber business, in the spring of 1870, which he conducted alone for two years, and was then joined in business by his brother, James, who was with him one year. Mr. Lyttle was again in business alone for one year in the lumber and stock trade. The present firm was formed in 1881. They transact a large business in lumber, stock and general mer- chandising. Mr. Lyttle, who conducts the business, is a gentleman of excellent business qualifications. He is also agent for the North- western Line of steamboats. He is a native of Canada and an early settler of La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Mr. Lyttle was born in 1847 and came to De Soto in 1876. His wife was Alice Haney, a daughter of James H. Haney. George C Clark, of the village of Victory, is one of the oldest residents now living in the county. He was born in Knox Co., Ind., Nov. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 743 13, 1833, and came to the town of Sterling in the spring of 1847 with Alexander Latsbaw. At the same time came J. L. Tewalt and Lewis Trainer, the former of whom settled in the town of Sterling. The latter settled at Dodge- ville, Iowa county, but afterward removed to Miiscoda, where he died. He came to Vernon county with his mother's family, consisting of eight children, his father, William Clark, hav- ing died when he was a boy. His mother, Matilda Clark, settled at Walnut Mound, now called Retreat, in the town of Sterling. She now lives in Victory. Mr. Clark came to Vic- tory in 1881 and engaged in merchandising. He married Sarah Wilcox, a native of Indiana. They have three children — Lola L., Effie and Russell. The children of Mrs. Matilda Clark are as follows-Mrs. Martha Chandler (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, James A., who went to California in 18.52 and still lives there; Mrs. Mary Latshaw, William P., at Tomah; Mrs. Jane Messersmith; George C. and Franklin. 744 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. CHAPTER L TOWN OF WHITESTOWN. The town of Whitestown is located in the northern tier of towns in Vernon county, and the third town west of the eastern boundary of the county. The town is bounded on the north by Monroe county, on, the east by the town of Forest, on the south by the town of Stark, and on the west by the town of Clinton. The town contains thirty-six sections. It was named in honor of Giles White, the first settler in the town. The surface of tlie town is very rough and roll- ing, but five large streams of running water and numerous springs contribute to the fertility of the soil, and form an abundant supply for stock and living purposes. The main stream of the Kiekapoo riyer enters the town on section 2, taking almost a direct southerly course through the town, and leaves on section 34. Brush creek enters on section 4, and empties in the Kieka- poo river on section 2. The north and south branches of Billings creek flow through the town of Forest, uniting near the center of sec- tion 13, of tliis town, and joining the Kiekapoo river on section. 26. Weister creek enters the town on section 30, leaving on section 31; and Warner creek enters on section 36, and flow.s into the Kiekapoo river on section 35. EARLY SETTLEMENT. As Stated, the town was named in honor of the first settler, Giles White, who came to tlie towu in July, 1853. Sidney Waite settled on Billings creek in 1854, and was a resident of the town in 1884. William Sandon came in the fall of 1854. In 1884 he was proprietor of the Vernon Hotel at Ontario. About the same time came Washington Mc- Fee and settled on section 14, where he re- mained till his death, in 1867. William Finnell settled on section 3, in 1856. The same year O. H. Millard came and opened a store at Ontario. His family came the follow- ing spring. He was still in trade in 1884. Germany was the birth place of Henry Se'- bach, one of the first citizens. He was b )rn in 1827, and came to the United States the same year. He entered a quarter section of land on section 34, where he still resides. M. W. Steadman, who first saw the light of day in the "old Bay State," was the fourth to locate his family in the new region. He camo in the spring of 1855 and entered 160 acres of land on section 3. He was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., in 1813; was married in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1844, to Maria White. They have three children — Ellen, wife of Robert Sandoii; Martha, wife of William Sandon, and Lorenzo. Mr. Steadman now operates the feed mill and carding machine of Robert Sandon, in the vil- lage of Ontario. W. W. Joseph also came in 1855, and en- tered land on section 11. He is now deceased. He was followed by John Ostrander, who set- tled on section 23, but is now living in one of the western territories. James Horn settled liere in 1855, but now resides elsewhere. ^^-0^-Z^ HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 747 Willard Hart came in 1856 and entered land on section 9. Three mechanics from New York came in the spring of 1856. George Prentice, a native of Chenango county, Nathan and Elvanis Culver, who were born in St. Lawrence county. The latter was also a millwright by trade. Lewis Daniels accompanied M. W. Steadman and Creorge Prentice to Whitestown, in 1855, but after remaining a short time returned to Ohio, his native State. The year 1857 witnessed the advent of several new comers. Anthony Lamb settled on section 1, where he entered forty acres of land, and where his widow still resides. In 1863 Mr. Lamb enlisted in the United States service and departed this life in a government hospital. An Englishman and a native of the Empire State, also cast their lot in the new settlement, and at the present time none are more highly esteemed than these two pioneers — Robert San- d-m and O. H. Millard. Samuel Sloggy came in 1859 and became one of the leading business men of Ontario. ORGANIC. This town was organized in 1856, and the first election for town officers was held at the store of George Prentice, in the village of Ontario, April 7, 1857. There were but four- teen votes polled, and when these were counted it was found that the following named persons were elected to their respective offices : Giles White, chairman, Washington McFee and William Hart, assistants ; George Prentice, clerk ; Willard R. Hart, treasurer ; Washing- ton McFee, assessor ; Myron Tuttle, superin- tendent ot schools. The present officers of the town are : Henry O. Connell, chairman, Michael Nevin and August Kreigle, assistants ; Addison Sloggy, clerk ; George Prentice, treas- urer ; William Fish, assessor. UECOKD OF FIRST EVENTS. The tirst settler was Giles AVhile, who located in 1853. He built the first house in the fall of the same year. The first mill in the town was a saw-mill, erected by Mr. White in the summer of 1865, on the Kickapoo river on section 2, and run by water power. The first school was taught by Ellen Stead- man (now the wife of Robert Sandon ) in a ■ Washngton, D. C, May 29, 1865. \ Dear Colonel : — As I am ordered by the war department to a distant field, in a few hours I shall be compelled to take leave of my I old command. In doing so I feel that I shall separate from very many that are very dear to mc, made so by being associated with them in 7ti2 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. common toils and danger. I cannot leave you, colonel, without expressing my thank.s for that hearty support and co-operation which has ever characterized your actions and bearing in the field. You have been very much in command of your regiment, it has won a proud name, second to none that I know in our armies. You, by your faithful and untiring efforts, have con- tributed largely to this. You are entitled to, and I hope will receive the generous thanks of the executive and the people of your State, for your faithfulness to the troops entrusted to your care. The able manner in which you have discharged every duty in the field entitles you to the gratitude of all who love the cause in which you have sei-ved so well. Please accept, colonel, my sincere wishes for your prosperity and happiness. Your friend, J. W. SPEiGTJB, Brigadier- Geiieral. To Col. J. M. Rusk, 25th Wisconsin Volun- teers. Such was Gen. Rusk as a soldier, as is found recorded, and gathered from those who know his history. In September, 1865, the republican State convention of Wisconsin nominated the gen- eral for bank comptroller by acclamation. He was elected in the November following by upwards of 10,000 majority. In 1867 he was again nominated and elected by the repub- licans of his State, and served the two terms in a most acceptable manner. During his second term the business of State banking having become nearly obsolete, by reason of the discrimina- tions against it in the national banking law, the people passed an amendment to the State Con- stitution abolishing the office of bank comptrol- ler. So that he was the last bank comptroller of Wisconsin. The following editorial ap- peared in the Wisconsin State Journal on the occasion of Gen. Rusk's final retirement from the office of bank comptroller: j "As a State officer lie was thoroughly conver- > Bant with the law and rules pertaining to his | department. In closing out old banks he has saved the State much money. His suggestions concej-ning the final settlement of all bank ac- counts have been valuable. "The general is distinguished for his thoroughness in business matters, the absence of narrow prejudices in all things, a determina- tion to do what is fair, for his excellent judg- ment and unswerving devotion to republican principles. "In August, 1870, he was nominated by the republicans of the sixth congressional district in Wisconsin as their candidate for represent- ative in Congress and in November of the same year was elected by the largest majority given by any district of the State to its representa- ive. He is now serving his term in Congress. ' Gov. Rusk's congressional career commenccil on the 4th day of March, 1871. He was then brought face to face with the most eminent statesmen of both political parties, and placed on a higher plane of action than he had before occupied. Would he be found equal to the emergency? His district was "the old sixth" that had been represented so many years by the late C. C. Washburn. It was very large, em- bracing twenty-four counties, and covering nearly, if not quite, one-half the area of the State. It embraced all that portion of the State which was rapidly filling up with new set- tlers and in which new industries were being developed. It extended from the Wisconsin river on the south and east, to the Mississippi river on the west and to Lake Superior on the north. To become acquainted with and to protect all the mixed interests of his district re- quired great labor and ceaseless care. When he appeared in the field as a candidate for the nomination, he found the Hon. William T. Price, of Black River Falls, to be his princi- pal competitor; the Hon. John T. Kingston, of Needah, was also in the field with quite a strong and influential following, but he was not so prominent an opponent as was Mr. Price- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 703 The merits of the three candidates were freely and thoroughly discussed before the nominating convention was held. The voters felt as though the district that had been so well repre- sented by Washburn, should be represented by a -worthy successor. The nominating conven- tion was held in Sparta, and after a spirited contest, during which Price, despairing of r< - ceiving the nomination himself, sought to de- feat Gen. Rusk by turning as much of his strength as he could over to Kingston. Gen. Rusk bore off the honors. The Hon. Alexander Meggett, of Eau Claire, was the democratic nominee, and both candi- dates canvassed the whole district, but Gen. Rusk was elected over Meggett by a majority of 5,528 votes, his own county, Vernon, giving him a majority of 1,132 votes in a total vote of 1,562. In this Congress, the XLIId, Gen. Rusk was placed on the committee on public lands and on that of the militia. Before the next congressional election came around, the State had been re-districted undc; the census of 1^70, and the "old sixth district' disappeared, and Vernon county was throwi into the new seventh district. But so well had hi met the expectations of his constituents, and si clean was his record, that no candidate appeared in the field against him, and he was elected to the XLIlId Congress without opposition in the republican ranks. The democratic can- didate was the Hon. Stephen Manton, of Eau Claire. Gen. Rusk was elected in the new seventh district, by a majority of 7,637 votes, his own countj' giving him a majority of 2,124, in a total vote of 3,010. This vote will illustrate the great popularity of the general at home. In the XLIIId Congress, he wa." chairman of the committee on Invalid Pensions, also a member of the committee on Mines and Mining. Under his chairmanship, the pension laws receivod careful consideration, and it can undoubtedly be said that the interests of the old soldiers of the republic were not neglected. In 1874 he was placed in nomination for re- election, with little or no opposition. Maj. D. C. Fulton, of Hudson, was the democratic nom- inee. In this election, the general received a majority of 3,441 votes over Maj. Fulton, his own county giving him a majority of 1,262, in a total vote of 2,570. The XLIVth Congress was democratic, but he was placed on two com- mittees — on Invalid Pensions and on Agricul- ture. Gen. Rusk was not a public speaker in the general acceptation of the terra, and conse- quently but few of his utterances on the floor of the house of representatives were printed. But he was a worker, and with sleepless vigi- lance he watched the legislation of Congress, that he might protect and enhance, in all things, the interests of his more immediate constitu- ents, at the same time not forgetting that as a member of Congress he was called on to legis- late for the whole country. His membership on the committee on Agriculture led him to turn his attention to the agricultural interests of the (M>untrv, and he delivered in the house of repre- sentatives, a speech on "The tariff and its rela- tion to agriculture," which was printed and cir- culated all over the country as a campaign doc- ument, in the summer of 1876. While a member of Congress and in a great measure held responsible for all Presidential and and other federal appointments in his district, amid all the scrambles for office and emoluments, he so conducted himself as to retain the respect, not only of his constituents, but of all the peo- ple of the State. Refusingtoprofitby the salary- grab, which he voted against in all its stages, he covered his back pay into the treasury. He left Congress without a .^tain on his record. From the day of his retirement from Congress to the day he was called on to assume the ex- ecutive authority of the State, he remained quietly at home, attending to his own private business. Only once during these years did he appear in public, and that was as a delegate to the republican National onvention in Chicago, 44 i6i HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. in 1880. But during this period of retirement, he was not lost sight of. Six years service in Congress, under the eye and notice of Gen. Gar- field, had given the latter a clear knowledge of the I'eal worth and abilities of Gen. Rusk, and when Garfield became President, without con- sulting Gen. Rusk, he nominated him to the Senate as minister to Paraguay and Uraguay, in South America, and the nomination was at once unanimously confirmed by the Senate. But Gen. Rusk declined the mission. President Garfield then tendered him the appointment of minister to Denmark, and the position of chief of the bureau of printing and engraving, both of which Gen. Rusk declined. In the fall of 1881 he was placed in nomina- tion for the oflice of governor by the republi- can State convention. Before the meeting of the convention, several good republicans were named as candidates for the oflice. It was known that the question of prohibition would enter into the contest, and the democrats hoped that the prohibitionists would draw enough republican votes to enable the democrats to elect their whole State ticket. With this end in view, the democrats encouraged the prohibi- tionists in every way they could. Hon. N. T>. Fratt, of Racine, was placed in nomination by the democrats, T. D. Kanoure, by the prohibi- tionists and E. P. Allis, by the greenback party. Herculean efforts were put forth by the demo- crats and prohibitionists to defeat the general, but without success. He was elected by a plu- rality of 11,957, over Fratt. Kanoure received 13,225 votes, and Allis received 7,002 votes. The following account of the inauguration of Gov. Rusk is from the Madison Democrat, Jan. 4, 1882: Monday, the legal day for celebrating the new year, and inaugural day, too, according to law, brought grand events to the capital city. At an early hour in the morning streets and corners were crowded with people, especially boys and girls, all an.xiously awaiting the arrival of troops from various sections of the Slate, coming to make a display on the inaugural oc- casion. Trains from the north were late, and as time went on the crowds continued to gather and become more eager. One was reminded of the approach of Barnum's or Forepaugh's show — the St eet parade. The day was bright, and on the sunny street corners the throng ex- perienced no great inconvenience. By and by a man in military garb made his appearance down by Shelden's headquarters and hundreds rushed to meet him. He gave out word that three companies had arrived — two from La Crosse and one from Beaver Dam. Then did excitement run high. In due time the military column moved from East Madison towards the centre of the city. The march was up Wilson, King and Main streets. The escort was con- ducted by the Governor's Guard and the Lake City Guard, of Madison. When the line reached a point on Main street,between the Vilas House and the Park Hotel, slight maneuvering was indulged in, and the companies from abroad were assigned regular quarters. Soon after 11 o'clock there was another arrival and another rally of sight-seers. The train from Milwaukee, by way of Watertown, brought to the East Madison depot a company from Milwaukee, one from Oshkosh and one from Fond du Lac, and a baud from Oshkosh. Here followed another grand escort to the heart of the city, the Oshkosh band discoursing soul- inspiring music. The leader in front with a cap as big as a bushel basket, swinging his baton, engrossed the full attention of the youngsters. This was the elephant of the show. The march continued along the streets above mentioned, and the line halted where the first one did, and broke ranks after a few moments had been indulged in to the edification of a vast throng of spectators. There was but little time to waste, as the new State officers must be at the capitol to take the oath of office at noon. Therefore it was not long before drums were heard to beat and rattle, and from all quarters gathered soldiers in tine HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. ,05 new uniforms. The Lake City Guard was easily distinguished by their overcoats whicli they kept on all through the day, with capes fastened back, showing the blood-red lining. Eight companies formed into two battalions on Main street, along the southeast side of the Capitol square — one battalion made up of the two La Crosse companies and the two capital city companies, was commanded by Lieut. Col. M. T. Moore, and the other battalion, composed of the Milwaukee company, the Beaver Dam company, the Fond du Lac and the Oshkosh companies, was under command of Col. Chand- ler P. Chapman, of Madison. After some maneu- vering the two battalions were marched up Main street, and took position on Carroll street in front of the Park Hotel. Here the new and the o'd State officers were received; and then they went around the capitol park, starting down Carroll, and entering the park opposite the Vila.- liouse. The line was made up as follows: Arion Band. LaCros3e Light Guards. LaCrosse Goverunr's Guard. Lake City Guard . Madison Governor's Guards. Drum Corps. Burchard Guards of Beaver Dam South Side Turner Rifles. Oshkosh Rifles. Fond du Lac Guards. First Carriage — Containing Gov. Smith, Gov. -elect Rusk, Lieut-Gov. Fifield, and Hon. J. C Gregory, president of the day. Second Carriage — Containing Secretary Warner, Sec- retary-elect Timme, Treasurer Guenther, and Treasur-erelect McFetridge. Third Carriage— Containing Atlorney General Wilson, Attorney General-elect Frisby. State Superin - tendent Whitford, and Slate Super- intendent-elect Graham. Fourth Carriage — Containing Insurance Commissiouir Spooner, Railroad Commissioner Turner, Railioad Conimissiom r-eh ct llaugcn and Surgeon Gener.il Palmer. Fiflh Carriage — Containing H.m. Phi'etus Sawyer, if Oshkosh, Gen. Ed. Bryant. Col. N. Smith, iiudilon. F L. Gibson, The capitol was entered at the east door, and all proceeded at once to the assembly chamber. On the main stand were soon seen the out-going and in-going State officers, the president of the day, Hon. J. C. Gregory, the chief justice and his associates of the supreme court, and other dignitaries. While seats were filled, the Oshkosh band gave out rare music. 'I'lie exercises were opened with prayer, delivered by Rev. C. H. Richards, of Madison. President Gregory stated the occasion and made a few appropriate and happy remarks. Gov. William E. Smith then made what may be termed his valedictory address. He ex- pressed himself happy in having an oppor- tunity to acknowledge that though the two terms of his office had found his duties a pleasure, the most friendly and cordial feel- ings had existed between him and all with whom he had dealings. The State was in a most piosperous condition ; there were plenty of moneys in the treasury, and all was serenity, so to speak. He 'introduced his successor with happy remarks. Gen. Rusk arose, amid applause, and after acknowledging the responsibilities of the high office he was about to enter, returned thanks to the citizens of Madison, and others who had .assembled, for the most kind, and generous re- ception of the newly elected officers about to assume their duties; he also thanked the Na- tional Guard, who had so generously rendered service upon the occasion, and the retiring Slate officers, who are entitled to the thanks of all for the faithful and efficient manner in which they have discharged tiieir several duties. '1 he gov- ernor commenced his address as follows : "Selected by the people of Wisconsin as their chief executive, I have the honor, in obedience to the requirements of the constitution, of sub- mitting to you my first annual message. I am deeply impressed with the responsibiliiies of the position to which I have been chosen, occu- pied as it has been by so many distinguished 706 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. gentleman, including my immediate predecessor, who has administered the affairs of State with marked ability and to the satisfaction of the people. "The past year has been one of unparalleled prosperity to the Nation. United once more in the bonds of peace and harmony, with all sec- tional strife abated, the country has made gi- gantic strides ahead. Our Nation has been blessed with health, with abundant harvests, and a greater degree of prosperity than in any former year; and had it not been for the shock of the assassination of our lamented President, the year would have been one of the most suc- cessful and happy of our National life. "I cannot refrain from speaking in this con- nection a few words in relation to our late be- loved President, James A. Garfield; a man of broad intellect, a noble heart, a kind and gener- ous spirit; he was pre-eminently a leader among leaders. Succeeding by his own efforts in rais- ing himself from poverty to the highest posi- tion in the gift of the people, he had com- menced a career which promised to bear full fruition of the hopes of his countrymen, when he was prostrated by the bullet of an assassin. Beloved by the people and mourned by the whole civilized world, his memory will live for- ever. "The present chief magistrate. President Chester A Arthur, called to the position under these most sorrowful circumstances, has, by his wise administration of governmental affairs, merited the confidence of the country. "Wisconsin has shared in the general pros- perity of the year. Our harvests have yielded good returns and our products have found ready markets at good prices. "Agriculture, our greatest industry, has been well rewarded, and the financial condition of this class, who contribute so much to the growth and wealth of our State, has been materially improved. Capital seeks investment at a much reduced rate of interest; our manufacturing in- dustries have steadily and permanently in- creased, and many other enterprises and re- sources have been developed during the year. "The laws have been faithfully and efficiently executed, and peace and tranquility have pre- vailed throughout the State during the year with as few exceptions as is usual." The oath of oflice was administered to all the newly elected except the insurance commis- sioner and the railroad commissioner, whose terms have not yet begun. The next entertainment was dress parade on Main street, which called out a good crowd. In the evening a reception and dance took place in the assembly chamber. It was a happy time. The new governor seemed to enjoy him- self hugely on the floor. He did not have the fancy modern step and shuffle, but be indulged in the regular old-fashioned "hoe-down" style, to the edification of the spectators. Music furnished by the Oshkosh baud was good. The toilets of some of the ladies on the floor are described as follows: Mrs. Gov. Rusk, black velvet dress, elabo- rately trimmed with point applique lace, blush roses. Mrs. L. J. Rusk, plain black silk costume. Mrs. Elmer Craig, daughter of Gov. Rusk, black velvet skirt with black silk overdress, beautifully embroidered in colors. Miss Ida Rusk, white satin dress, silk mull, white roses, high coiffure. Miss Mary Rusk, pink silk grenadine satin and applique lace trimmings. Mrs. Gov. Smith, black velvet dress en traine, point lace, flowers, reception hat. Mrs H. B. Warner, black satin de Lyon, trim- mings of passementerie and guipure lace, point lace, cameo jewelry, crushed roses. Mrs. Lieut. Gov. Fifield, black satin merveil- leux dress; corals and lace. Mrs.E. C. McFetridge, merveilleux satin dress; shirred flounces; velvet basque; duchesse lace; coral jewelry. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 161 Mrs. H. W. Chynoweth, black surah satin dress, with jet trimmings and heliotrope flowers. Miss Alice Frisby, wine-colored satin dress, point lace trimmings. Mrs. Congressman Guenther, peacock blue satin dress, white Spanish lace overdress; dia- monds. Miss Ella Wheeler, beautiful white satin cos- tume, Spanish lace trimmings. Mrs. F. W. Oakley, light blue surah silk and silk tissue; diamond ornaments. Mrs David Atwood, black satin dress, with point duchesse lace; cameos. Mrs. Gen. Wilson, black satin de Lyon, with court train; black velvet basque, trimmings of jet and steel passementerie and thread lace; duchesse lace and coral jewelry. Mrs. Senator Burrows, dress, dregs of wine, satin; cameo and point lace. Mrs. Senator Van Schaick, black velvet en traine dress; duchesse lace and diamonds. Miss Gary, of Beloit, white muslin and rose silk; flowers. Miss Atwood, bronze satin merveilleux and moire brocade; turquoise and pearl jewelry. Mrs. Dr. A. J. Ward, black silk; cameos. Mrs. Col. W. F. Vilas, wine-colored satin dress, court train, petticoat of cream-colored satin, brocaded in flowers; cameos and pearls. Mrs. Dr. William H. Fox, black moire dress; diamonds. Mrs. E. P. Vilas, cream silk, corals. Mrs. Robert McCurdv, surah skirt, with bro- caded satin overdress, trimmed with passemen- terie and Spanish lace; duchesse lace; cameo jewelry. Hardly had Gov. Rusk been seated in the ex- ecutive chair, before he was confronted with a problem, the solution of which shows the far- reaching sagacity of the man, and the executive ability of the magistrate. On the 20th of Jan- uary, 1882, he received by telegraph, the follow- ing message: Superior Junction, Jan. 26, 1882. Gov. Rusk, Madison: The men on this end of the Portage and Superior road are taking every thing within their reach. We are powerless to protect our property against 700 men, who have neither money nor means of subsistence. They threaten to burn houses and destroy everything here. We appeal to you for protection. Can you send relief? Walker, Judd & Veaset. To understand the full force of this dispatch, it will be necessary to state that the Legisla- ture, in 1874, granted to the Chicago & North- ern Pacific Air Line Railway Company a large tract of land, part of the original lands granted to this State by acts of Congress, of June 3, 1856, and May .5, 1864, for the purpose of aid- ing the building of certain lines of railroad in this State. The lands granted to the Air Line Railroad Company were the lands that were set apart in the original grant to aid in build- ing a road from "St. Croix river or lake" to the west end of Lake Superior and to Bayfield. The. road from St. Croix river to Bayfield was being built by the North Wisconsin Railway Company, that company having received the lands applicable to the building of that road. The Air Line company was trying to build the road from the west end of Lake Superior^ — Su- perior City — southward to a point of intersec- tion with the North Wisconsin road in Burnett county, the point of intersection being known as Superior Junction. This company had re- ceived from the Legislature, as before stated, a grant of all the lands applicable to the build- ing of a road from Lake Superior southward to the junction with the North Wisconsin road. In January, 1882, the Air Line company had about 1,400 men working along its line, when suddenly it collapsed, being deeply in debt to sub-contractors and laborers. This collai)se left 1,400 men turned loose on the community in the winter time, and many of them were far away from their homes and families. About 600 768 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. of them were at Superior Junction, and about 800 were at Superior City, or scattered along the line. This was the condition of things on the 26th of January, 1882, and which called out the telegram above quoted. It may here be stated that Walker, Judd & Veasey were heavy lumber men, located near Superior Junction and having extensive property interests there, and they were also the creditors to quite an amount of the Air Line company for supplies furnished. To that telegram the governor at once re- plied, requesting Walker, Judd & Veasey to notify the men that they must do no damage, and to assure them that supplies would be sent at once and transportation furnished such of the men as wanted to leave and find work in other localities. On the same day, Walker, Judd & Veasey telegraphed back to the gov- ernor that the men refused to leave without tiieir pay; that they would have their pay before they left or they would burn the railioad bridges and destroy the track. Tliey also wanted the governor to send up 200 armed men to protect property and preserve order. Tiie governor replied in substance that the men wanted bread — not bayonets ! A great many telegrams came to the governor trom dif- ferent parties, showing a highly wrought state of feeling, and great fear that the men would resort to riotous proceedings. A bill had been introduced into the Legislature, and was then pending, to revoke the grant of lands to the Air Line company and confer it on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway Com- pany. This bill had been introduced because the Air Line company had virtually forfeited its right to the grant in not building the road within the time limited by the grant. A happy thought struck the governor. In revoking the grant to the Air Line company and conferring it on the Omaha company, the Legislature had ample constitutional power to attach the con- dition precedent to the grant, of full payment of the indebtedness of the Air Line company to its laborers. The Legislature was not in session then, it having adjourned over Sunday a day or two before, and consequently Gov. Rusk could not communicate with them, but keeping his own counsels, he sent a dispatch direct to the laborers, telling them that "they must at all events maintain order and respect persons and property, and that the State would not permit any violation of the rights of per- sons or of property. He told them it was not wise for them to stay there expecting speedy payment from the Air Line company, and he advised them to appoint a committee to look after their rights, and then go away and get work as quick aa they could. The governor's sensible advice was followed. In a few days the Legislature re-convened and the governor at once sent in a special message giving a full and unvarnished history of the whole matter. He called especial atten- tion to the fact that a great deal of expense had been incurred in feeding the men and furnisliing transportation to those who went away to seek work elsewhere, and he closed his message with these words: "I also venture to suggest that if the Legislature shall transfer the grant applicable to the road from Superior Junction to the west end of Lake Superior, to any com- pany, it would be wise, under existing circum- stances, to require such company to provide funds for the immediate payment of these laborers, and to reimburse the State for any ex- penses incurred in taking care of these men in this emergency." The governor's suggestion was heeded, and on the 16th of February following, he approved an act revoking the grant to the Air Line com- pany, and conferring it on the Omaha com- pany. This act provided that within three days after its passage the Omaha company should pay to the governor the sum of $78,000, and give such security as the governor should re- quire, to fully indemnify and save harmless the State against all liability and expenses in- cuiTed in feeding the laborers, should the sum^ HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 769 of «;75,000, part of ilie 178,000 paid to the gov- ernor, be inadequate to the full payment of the laborers, and requiring the company within thirty days after the passage of the act, to file v/ith the secretary of State their authenticated resolution of acceptance of the grant on the terms imposed by the Legislature. The bal- ance of the $78,000 being $3,000 was reserved to pay the expenses of the agent appointed to adjust the claims of sub-contractors and laborers. The act further required the govern- or to appoint an agent who should forthwith investigate and ascertain the amounts honestly and actually due for labor and supplies done and furnished prior to Jan. 30, 1882, on the Air Line road. The Omaha company at once ac- cepted the grant on the terras proposed, paid over to the governor the $78,000 and gave the security the act required. The governor ap- pointed Judge Butt, of Vernon county, agent to adjust the claims, who at once entered upon that duty, and in a few months the claims were all adjusted and paid. The manner in which the people of the State appreciated the action of Gov. Husk in the mat- ter is well illustrated in the following extract of a speech delivered by the Hon. John Hinton, of Milwaukee, at a mass meeting held at Bay View on the 21st of February, 1883. He said: "He is an earnest, unflinching friend of the workingman. When several Imndred laborers up north here, who had not received pay for months, and were almost starving for the want of food, and demanded that they have their pay or ])rovisions to live on, and wlien Gov. Rusk was telegraphed to send 200 bayonets to put tlieni down, he telegraphed back: 'I cannot send bayonets — it is bread they want.' He or- dered them fed, and more than that, he notified the Legislature that if they did pass that land grant bill, unless they made i)rovision to ])ay those men the wages tiiey had honestly earned and whicli was their due, he would not sign tlie act. He is the friend of the laboring man, he has shown it always, and he proved it by his executive power as governor." This brief sketch of the matter gives but a very faint idea of the real situation of things along the line of the road, and of all that Gov. Rusk had to deal with in bringing about such a happy solution of the trouble. As executive of the State, Gov. Rusk has felt called on several times to interpose his veto to bills that had passed both houses of the Legislature. The first bill that he vetoed was one confer- ring on John Glover and others, their heirs and assigns, the right to erect, maintain and keep a dam across the Totogalicans creek, in the county of Bayfield, Wis. This act authorized them to flood lands, to charge tolls for the pas- sage of logs and lumber through the dam, etc., etc. The act conferred these privileges on Glover, his associates and assigns, for the term of fifteen years. The governor vetoed the bill on the grounds of expediency alone, and he began his message thus : "I feel constrained by a sense of public duty to withhold from this bill executive approval. This action upon my part has been reluctantly taken, for the reason that I discover no consti- tutional objection to the bill in any of its pro- visions, and I am fully mindful of the delicacy involved in placing my individual judgment in opposition to the judgment of the Legislature, upon grounds going to the expediency of its action. But as my objections to this bill per- tains with equal force to a class of measures rapidly increasing in number, and aimed at what, in my judgment, is a growing evil in legislation. I have thought it fairly within the line of executive duty to call the attention of the Legislature to the s\ibject in this connection. "The constitution of the State provides that coporation without banking powers or privileges may be formed under general laws, but shall not be created by special act, except for muni- cipal purposes, and in cases where, in the judg- 770 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNT V ment of the Legislature, the objects of the cor- poration cannot be attained under general laws." The constitution resei'ves to the Legislature the riglit to alter, modify and repeal all charters granted by the Legislature or created under general laws, made permanent to the foregoing constitutional provision. But for years the Legislature had been grant- ing to persons the right to dam the lumbering streams of the State, to charge tolls for the pass- age of logs and lumber on through the dams, to flood lands, and conferring on those persons corporate powers and franchises for a number of years, without reserving the right to alter, modify or repeal those franchises and corporate powers, and the governor of the State had been signing all such acts, until, as Gov. Rusk said in his veto message, "a large number of the lumbering streams in the State are being given over by this means to the control of individuals." The veto message was quite lengthy, but it completely covered the whole ground, and so convincing was its logic, that it was unani- mously sustained, and it effectually stopped the passage of bills conferring corporate powers and franchises on individuals, without any reservation of the constitutional right of the Legislature to alter, modify or repeal. Another veto which shows with what keen- ness the governor looks in-to all actions of the Legislature in the passage of bills, and the closeness with which he scrutinizes that action in the light of the constitution of the State, is the one he sent to the Senate on the 12th of March, 188.3, to a bill originating in the Senate, entitled " An act to legalize the action of cer- tain county boards of supervisors, relating to the salaries of certain county oflicers. " In 1882, there was, and ever since the organi- zation of the State government there had been, a statute authorizing and requiring the board of supervisors of the several counties in the State to fix the salaries of the several county officers ; and as the law stood, in 1882, the supervisors were required to fix the salaries for a given terra, one year before the commencement of that term. The counties, or at least some of them in which an election for county officers was to be held in November, 1882, the term of office to commence on the first Monday in Jan-uary, 1883, fixed the salaries of their respective officers for that term, at the annual meeting in Novembei', 1882, one week after the election was held, in clear violation of the law, and then appealed to the Legislature to legalize their acts. And this thing had been going on to a greater or less extent since the organization of the State government, and it is believed the gov- ernors of the State had invariably approved the bills. Gov. Rusk, in his veto of the bill in ques- tion, raised several po'nts, but it is unnecessary to notice them here. The following extract from his message will show clearly one point raised, and his manner of dealing with it : "The bill declares to be legal and valid the action of such of the county boards as voted at their annual meetings in November, 1882, to raise the salaries of certain county officers for the years 1883 and 1884. The language of the bill creates the irresistible inference that a portion of the county boards of the Stale voted at the annual meetings in November, 1882, to raise the salaries of certain county officers in their respective counties for 1883 and 1884. It also very clearly implies the invalidity of such action, as the necessity for this proposed curative legislation rests solely on such invalid- ity. The power of the county boards of the State to fix salaries of county officers was, in 1882, and is now, regulated by section G94 of the Revised Statutes, which is as follows : '(Section 694). The county boards at their aii- nual meeting in November, shall fix the amount of salary which shall be received by every county officer, including county judge, who is to be elected in the county during the next ensuing year, and is entitled by law to receive a salary payable out of the county treasury ; and the salary as fixed shall not be increased or diminished during his said term of office. All HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 11i salaries shall be paid out of the county treasury, quarter-yearly, at the end of each quarter. If the county board of any county shall fail to establish the salary of any county officer as herein provided, such officer shall receive the same annual salary as that received by his im- mediate predecessor. This section shall not apply to any particular county whose salaries to its officers have been specially provided and fixed by law.' "As to officers to be elected in the county during the next ensuing year, the action fixing the salaries, whether by lowering- or raising, would be clearly within the power of the boards and would require no legislative care. "I feel warranted, therefore, in assuming that the action sought to be legalized by this bill was invalid for some violation of section 694, either in fixing the salaries of county officers elected in 1882, or in raising the salaries of offi- cers then in office. Can the Legislature consti- tutionally legalize the action of a portion of the county boards of the State, in so fixing the sal- aries, in violation of section 694? The supreme court seems clearly to have answered this ques- tion in the negative in Rooney vs the Supervi- sors of Mihntiikee County, 40. Wis. 23." The governor made another point on the con- stitutionality of the bill, holding it to be in con- flict with section 23, of article 4 of the constitu- tion, which provides that "the Legislature shall establish bat one system of town and county government, which shall be as nearly uniform as possible." On this i)oint the governor said: "It would be a signal breach of the uniformity of the or- ganic system of county government required by the constitution, that a board of supervisors of one county should be ])ermitted or required to disregard the wholesome principle binding all the other counties of the State. It would be a strange uniformity, which for grave ends of public policy should absolutely place the com- pensation of county officers beyond control in some counties, and subject it, in violation of such policy, to control in other counties. It is quite apparent that an act of the Legislature of 1882, in terms authorizing county boards of cer- tain counties to raise the salaries of officers elect- ed that year, or those in office, would have been unconstitutional as violating the uniform- ity of county government." The messages which Gov. Rusk has allnu- aly transmitted to the State assembly are char- acteristic of the man — plain and simple in their wording, clear and concise in tone, and honest and straightforward in pointing out what he considers to be the best methods of meeting the present wants of this rapidly increasing population, and providing for the exigencies which may arise in the fostering and develop- ment of the agricultural, mercantile and indus- trial interests of the State. They bear unmis- takable evidence of a close observance into the necessary requirements of the different depart- ments of the State government and a i)ains- taking effort to promote the moral and intellec- tual growth of the whole people. Gov. Rusk has yet a year to sit in the chair of State, and it is useless to speculate as to what his future may be. He may be called to further and higher honors when he vacates the guber- natorial chair. And it may not be amiss, in this connection, to produce here a few of the compliments that havedro])ped from the press and other sources, called <'Ut by "a record so clear in his high office." Said a leading and influential democratic pol- itician of this State, in the fall of 188;i : "(tov. Rusk has made a most excellent gtJ § 3 p •d c 3 3 o c. ty cr a m p r o ira 13 ins 1 17:.... 53 .38 lis ;w 68 8l 9 45 ■M :« 13.1 S3 125 25,.... ia3 89 flO 63 66 9f 4 .56 75 3 78 81 65 13.... 44 75 12« 4S; 89 21, 9; 89 46 4 171 5; 114 8 19 93 ;i5 » 162 91 148 16 3 102 120 2 136 30, 84 24 11 94 73 ■M 162| 1141 69 70 11 111 68 10 53; 37 45 13 ... .59 16 91 19l 57 4i 4 72 31 11 167 441 100 9 5 88 61 « 49 60; 41 ....1 2 31 .W 2 3!H 10«| 319 38; 7 421 29 31 86 381 58 22! 14 SK Vi S 1.37 43' 72 17 1 32 91 31 15 131 33 121 6 15 103 18 37 2774! 1014 \ 2022 358 153 042 1046 189 45 T80 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. APPENDIX ABSTRACT OF LAWS. ELECTORS AND GENEKAL ELECTION. Section 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election. 1. Citizens of the United States. 2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citi- zens conformably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization. 3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress to become citizens of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstand- ing. 4. Civilized persons of Indian descent, not members of any tribe. Every person convicted of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights, and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly in any bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall offer to vote shall be permitted to vote at such election. Section 1-3. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which he actually resides. Section 14. The general election prescril)ed in the constitution shall be held in the several towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such representatives in Con- gress, electors of President and Vice-President, State officers and county officers as are by law to be elected in such year. Section 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town menting was held, or at such other place as shall be ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have been ordered by the supervisors when they established more than one election poll, except that the first election after the or- ganization shall be held at the place directed in the act or proceedings by which it was organ- ized ; and all elections in villages constituting separate election districts, and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the trustees of such village, or the common council of such city, at least ten days before such election, unless a difl'erent provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city. Section 16. Whenever it shall become im- possible or inconvenient to hold an election at the place designated therefor, the board of in- spectors, after having assembled at or as near as practicable to such place, and before receiv- ing any votes, may adjourn to the nearest con- venient place for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. Upon adjourning any elec- tion as hereinbefore provided, the board of inspectors shall cause proclamation thereof to be made, and shall station a constable or some other proper person at the place where the ad- journment was made, to notify all electors ar- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 781 riving at such place of adjournment, and the place to which it was made. Section 20. A registry of electors shall an- nually be made. 1 . In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had a population of 3,000 or more. 2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, separate elections are held; which viHage, at the last preceding census, had a population of 1500 or more. 3. In every town containing a village which, at said census, had a population of 1,500 or more, in which village separate general elections are not by law required to be held. 4. In all towns, any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or village in which a registration by this cliapteris required. Such registration shall be made in the man- ner provided by this chapter. The persons authorized by law to act as inspector of election in each of such towns, wards or election dis- tricts shall constitute the boards of registry therefor. Section 21. The said inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre- ceding each general election at the place where said election is to be held; and in election dis- tricts in which there were polled at the pre- vious general election 300 votes or less, they shall sit for one d,ay and in districts in which t'lere were more than 300 votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days, if necessary, for the }iurpo8e of making such list. They shall meet at 9 oclock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8 o'clock in the evening of each day, during which they shall so sit. The clerks appointed by law to act as clerks of election shall act as clerks of the board of registry on the election only. The proceedings shall be open and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be heard in relation to cor- rections or ailditions to said registry. They shall have the same powers to preserve order which inspectors of election have on election days and in towns vacancies on the board shall be tilled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections. Section 22. The said inspectors at their first meeting, and before doing any business, shall severally take and subscribe the oath of inspect- ors at a general election and said inspectors shall at their first meeting make a registry of all the electors of their respective districts, placing thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames in one column, and in another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if none. If any electors residence is at any hotel or public boarding house, the name of the hotel or boarding house shall be slated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their election districts, apjiearing on the poll list kept at the la«t preceding gen- eral election and are authorized to take there- for such poll list from the office where kept, omitting such as have died or removed from the district and adding the names of all other persons known to them to be electors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding gen- eral election, the said board therein may make such registry from the best means at their command and may, if necessary, procure there- for certified copies of the last \w]\ list. They shall complete said registry as far as practica- ble at their first meeting and shall make four copies thereof and certify the original and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far as the same are known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous place in the room in which their meeting was held and be accessible to any elector for examination or making copies there- of, and one copy shall be retained by each in- spector for revision and correction at the second meeting. They shall, within two days after said first meeting, file the original registry 782 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. made by them, and said poll list in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in ten of the most public places of said election districts or may publish the same in a newspaper at an expense not exceeding one cent for each name. Section 23. The inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place designated for holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon. In elec- tion districts having less than 300 vo- ters, as shown by the preliminary registry^ the board shall complete the registry on the same day;- but if there are more than that num- ber of voters they shall sit two days. Tney shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry, first by erasing the name of any per- son who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oaths of two electors of the district to to be not entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall ap- pear and if challenged, shall answer the ques- tions and take the oath thereinafter provided; secondly, by entering thereon the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall appear before the board and require it, and state his place of resi- dence, giving street and number, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if chal- lenged answer the questions, and take the oath provided in case of challenge at an election; but if any person shall refuse to answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the register is required to be corrected but will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be otherwise qualified to be an elector. Any elec- tor who did not vote at the previous general election shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or final registration of elec- tors by appearing before the board of registra- tion of his election district and establishing his right to be registered, or, instead of personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered to the board in writing. Such appli- cation shall state the name and period of con- tinuous residence in the election district and place of residence t'erein, giving the number and street of the applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when he came to the United States and the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the election. Upon receiving such application, t)ie board of registration shall register the name of such applicant, if it appears to the board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to vote. Such state- ment shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the board and be filed in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as pro- vided by this section. The form shall be pre- scribed by the secretary of State. Every man named in this section shall be subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other offense in respect thereto as is provided in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offering to vote at an election. After such registry shall have been fully com- pleted on the day above mentioned, no name shall be added thereto by anj^ person or upun any pretense. Within three days after the second meeting the said board shall cause four co)iies of the registry to be made, each of which shall be certified by them to be a correct regis- try of the electors o"f their district, one of which shall be kept by each inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the office of the proper town, citj^ or village clerk. All registry shall at all times be open to public inspection where deposited, without charge. HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 783 Section 24. On election day the inspectois shall designate two of their nuniher at the opening of the polls who shall check the names of eveiy elector voting in such district whose name is on the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election, of any ward or election district defined in section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry, made at the second meet- ing as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided; but in case any one shall, after the last day for completing such registry, and before such elec- tion, become a qualified voter of the district, he sliall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been duly registered, provided he shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the inspectors his affi- davit in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis- try, become a qualified elector of such district, and facts showing that he was not such elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such inspectors the affi- davit of two freeholders, electors in such elec- tion district, corroborating all material state- ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election shall not be registered, such person shall bo entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was entitled to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal from the election district or other- wise, since that election, which affidavit shall al.so be corroborated by the affidavit of two freeholders, as is provided for other non-regis- tered voters. No one freeholder shall be com- petent to make at any one election corrobora- ting affidavits for more than three voters. All of said affidavits shall be »\vorn to before some officer autliorizetl by the laws of this State to take depositions. The inspectors shall keep a list of the names and residence of the electors voting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the registry and return it, together with such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk. No com- pensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day following the election, one of said poll list and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, and the other of said poll lists and copy of the registry so kept shall be returned to the county clerk with the returns of the election. Such inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a newspajjcr printed in the city, village or town where such registra- tion was made, of the registry, and shall in- clude in such notice all additions to and omis- sions from the preliminary list, and shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed in such city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to the same compen- sation per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices COMMON SCHOOLS. Section 41.3. 'The information of any school district shall beby written order of the town board, describing the territory embraced in the same to be filed with the town clerk within twen- ty days after the making thereof. The supervi- sors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant their notice thereof in writing, describing its bound- aries and api)ointing a time and place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitants to notify every qualified voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of residence, of the time and place of such meeting at least five days before the time appointed therefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly and endorse thereon a return, containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and re- "784 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY, turns sball be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district. Section 414. In case such notice shall not be given, or the inhabitants of a district neglect or refuse to assemble and form a district when so notified, or in case any school district hav- ing been formed or organized or afterwards be disorganized, so that no competent authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner liereinafter provided, notice shall be given by the town board and served in the manner prescribed in the preced- ing section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and the preced- ing section, it shall he the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time and place so directed. Section 415. "Whenever it is necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining towns, the town boards of such towns shall meet together and form such district by their written order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the supervisors of each town, and shall file one such order with the town clerk of each town and deliver the notice of formation to a taxable inhabitant of each district, and cause the same to be served and returned in the time and man- ner hereinbefore described; and any such dis- trict may be altered only by the joint actions of the town boards of such towns in the same manner that other districts are altered. Section 416. Every school district shall be deemed duly organized when any two of the of- ficers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have consented to serve in the oftice to which they have been respectively elected by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the first meeting and recorded in the minutes thereof; and every school district shall be con- sidered as duly organized after it shall have ex- ercised the franchises and privileges of a dis- trict for the term of two years. Section 425. The annual meeting of all "school districts in which graded schools of two or more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other school districts on the last Monday of Septem- ber in the year. The hour of such meeting shall be 1 o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, du- ly recorded at the last previous annual meeting; but at any annual meeting a majority of the electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such districts shall be held on the last Monday of August instead of the last Mon- day of September. Said determination to take effect when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have been filed with the town clerk in which the school house of such district is sit- uated and to remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of such district. Section 426. The clerk shall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of which shall be affixed to the outer door of the school house, if there be one in the district, and he shall give like notices for every adjourned dis- trict meeting when such meeting shall have been adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed legal for want of due notice, unless it shall appear that the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent. Section 42*7. Special district meeting may be called by the clerk, or, in his absence, by the directors or treasurer, or written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors when lawfully assembled at a special meeting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting, except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be particularly specified in the notices calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 785 meeting, unless three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by written notice left at their place of business, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor. Section 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is (jualitied to vole at a general election, for Slate and county officers, and who is a resident of such school district. A.SSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES. Section 469. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be assessed on the same kind of property as taxes for town and county purposes ; and all personal pro]ierty which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in tlie town, shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district purposes. BORROVFING MONET. Section 4V4. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual meeting, vote a special tax to be col- lected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, authorize the district board to borrow for a ])eriod not exceeding one year, a sum not ex- ceeding the amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and thereupon the district board may borrow such money of any person on such terms, and execute and deliver to the lender such obligations therefor and such security for the rej)ayment, including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the district, subject to the directions contained in tiie vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by law. Section 498. Every district clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for his district as required by law, shall be required to pay the whole amount of money lost by such district in consequence of liis neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and for the use of the district. Section 499. Every town clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the county superintendent his annual report, as re- quired in this chapter within the time limited therefor, shall be liable, on his official bond, to pay the town the amount which such town or any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon; and every county superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter to the State superintendent shall be liable to jiay to each town the amount which such town or any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be recovered in either case by an ac- tion prosecuted by the town treasurer in the name of the town. Section 503. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which a list of text books have been adopted ac- cording to law, who shall, within three years from the date of such adoption or thereafter, without the consent of the State superintendent, order a change of text books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars. Section .513. Every woman twenty-one years of age and upward may be elected or appointed as ill rector, treasurer or clerk of the school dis- trict, director or secretary of the town board under the township system, member of the board of education in cities, or county su))erin- tendent. Section 560. In reckoning school months twenty days shall constitute a motitli and one hundred days five months. ASSESSMENT OF TAXES. Section 1035. The terms "real property," "real estate" and "land," when used in this title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and privileges appertaining thereto. Section 1036. The term "personal proper- ty," as used in this title, shall be construed to 786 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. mean and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steam- boats, ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad, buildings upon leased lands, if such buildings have not been included in the assess- ment of the land on which they are erected; ferry boats, including the franchise for running the same; all debts due from insolvent-debtors, whether an account, note, contract, bond, mort- gage or other security, or whether such debts are due or to become due, and all goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, money and effects of any nature or description having any real or market- able value and not included in the term "real property," as above defined. Section 1037. The improvements of all land situated in this State, which shall have been en- tered under the provision of the act of Congress entitled "An act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain," approved May 20, 1862, and which shall be actually occupied a- d improved by the person so entering the same, or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation and such improvement shall be assessed as personal property. All taxes levied thereon shall be collected out of' the personal property of the occupants of such land and in no other manner. Section 1038. The property in this described is exempt from taxation, to-wii : 1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no loans contracted to be sold by the State shall be exempt. •2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school ; but lands pur- chased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt only in the cases provided in section 1191. 3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association used exclusively for the purpose of such as- sociation, and the real property if not leased or not otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and convenience of the buildings of such association, embracing the same, not exceeding ten acres ; and the lands reserved for grounds of a chartered col- lege or university not exceeding forty acres, and parson-'ges, whether of local churches or districts, and whether occupied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benefit. The occasional leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts or the leasing of such parsonages shall not render them liable to taxation. 4. Personal property owned exclusively by the State or any county agricultural society, and the lands used by any such society exclu- sively for fair grounds. 5. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any organized fire company, and the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith, owned by such company and used exclusively for its proper purpose. 6. The property of Indians who are not citi- zens, except lands held by them for purchasers. 7. Lands used exclusively for public burial grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead therein. 8. Pensions receivable from the United States. 9. Stock in any corporation in this State required to pay tax upon its property in the same manner as individuals. 10. So much of the debts due or to become due to any persons as shall equal the amount of bona fide and unconditional debts by him owing. 11. Wearing apparel, family portraits and libraries, kitchen furniture and growing crops. 12. Provisions and fuel provided by the head of a family to sustain its members for six months ; but no person paying board shall be deemed a member of a family. 13. All the personal property of all in- surance companies that now or shall be organ- ized or doing business in this State. 14. The track, right of "way, depot grounds, buildings, machine shops, rolling stock and other property necessarily used in operating HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 787 any railroad in this State belonging to any rail- road company, Including pontoon, pile and pon- toon railroads, and shall henceforth remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to special assessments tor local improvements in cities and villages, and all lands owned or claimed by such railroad company, not adjoining the track of srtch company, shall be subject to all taxes. The provision of this sub-division shall not apply to any railroad that now is or shall be operated by horse power, whether now or hereafter constructed in any village or city. 15. The property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in the business of telegraphing in this State. 16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceed- ing one lot in amount, is exempt so long as the same shall continue to be used as such home. 17. All property of any corporation or asso- ciation formed under the laws of this State for the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs, by exhibitions, which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used ex- clusively for such fairs and exhibitions, pro- vided the quantity of lands so exempt shall not exceed forty acres. IS. Such tree-belts as are or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter sixty-six of one of these statutes. Section 1191. Real property, upon which the county holds any certificates of tax sale, shall continue liable to taxation and to sale for un- paid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive purchaser at the sale; but when a tax deed shall be issued to the county, and it shall hold tax certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subsequent to the date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to the passage of these statutes, such property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same is sold by the county. The county clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish to the assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Nothing in this section shall be so construed as to apply to lands owned by mi- nors, married womon, widowed women, idiots or insane persons. COLLECTION 01" TAXES. Section 1089. The town treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the tax roll for the cur- rent year, shall forthwith post notices in three or four public places in such town that the tax roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the taxes charged them therein are subject to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of January in such year; and af- ter the said fii'st day of January he shall proceed to collect the (ax charged in such roll and re- maining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed or at any place of his usual residctice, if within the town, and demand payment of the tax charged to him on such roll. Section 1090. On all taxes paid or tendered at the office of such treasurer prior to said first day of January, he shall remit all of the •five per cent, collection fees, except so much thereof as he is authorized by law to have for his fees upon taxes so paid. Section 1091. Town orders shall be receiv- able for taxes in the town where issued, and shall be allowed the town treasurer on settle- ment of town taxes, and county orders and jurors' certificates shall be receivable for taxes in the county where issued and shall be allowed such treasurer on settlement of county taxes with the county treasurer, but no town treasurer shall receive town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his assessment roll exclusive of all taxes for school purposes, nor county orders and jurors' certificates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein. Section 1097. In case any person shall re- fuse or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him, the town treasurer shall levy the same by 788 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. distress and sale of any goods and chattels be- longing to such person, wherever the same may be found within his town; and if a sufficient amount of such property cannot be found in such town, the towTi treasurer may levy the same by distress and sale of the goods and chat- tels belonging to sucli person, wherever the same may be found in the county or in any ad- joining counties. Section 1098. The town treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such sale, at least six days previous thereto, by ad- vertisement, containing a description of the property to be sold, to be posted up in three public places in the town where the sale is to be made. The sale shall be at public auction in the day-time, and the property sold shall be present; such property may be released by the payment of the tax and charges for which the same is liable to be sold; if the purchase money on such fsale shall not be paid at such time as the treasurer may require, he may again, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in his name of office, the purchaser for the pur- chase money, and recover the same with costs and ten per centum damages. Section 1099. If the property so levied up- on shall be sold for more than the amount of tax and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for want of bidders, the treasurer shall return a state- ment of tlie fact and return the property to the person from whose possession he took the same; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in the same manner as if no levy had been made. HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. Section 1223. The supervisors of the sever- al towns shall have the care and supervision of the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty: 1. To give directions for repairing the high- ways and bridges within their respective towns, and cause to be removed all obstacles there- from. 2. To cause such of the roads used as high- ways as have been laid out but not suf- ficiently described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then present time, but not fully and sufficently recorded to be ascertained, described and en- tered of record in the town clerks office. 3. To cause bridges wliich are or may be erected over streams intersecting highwav s to be kept in repair. 4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as they shall judge conven- ient and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in the office of the town clerk; but no such division shall be made within ten days next preceding the annual town meeting. 5. To assign to each of the said road dis- tricts such of the inhabitants liable to pay tax on highways as they think proper, having re- gard to the nearness of residence as much as practicable. 6. To require the overseer of highways from time to time and as often as they shall deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law. 7. To assess the highway taxes in their re- spective towns in each year, as provided by law. 8. To lay out and establish upon actual sur- veys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper; to discontinue such roads as shall appear to them to have become unnec- essary, and to widen or alter such roads when they shall deem it necessary for public conven- ience and perform all other duties respecting highways and bridges directed by tliis chapter. INTOXICATING LIQUORS. Section 1548. The town boards, village boards and common councils of the respective towns, villages and cities, may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep groceries, saloons or other places within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. Tsg in quantities of less than one gallon of strong, spirittious, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors, to be drank on the premises ; and in like man- ner may <;;rant licenses for the sale in any quantity of such liquor not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale of such liquor to be drank on ihe premises shall not be less than ^2.5 nor more than lIoO ; and for the sale of such li(]uors not to be drank on the premises shall be not less than $10 nor more than $40. Section 1549. Every applicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of $500, with at least two sureties, to be approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be free- holders and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant during the continuance of his license will keep and maintain an orderly and well regulated house; that he will permit no gambling with cards, dice or any device or implements for that purpose, within his prem- ises or any other house, yard or shed appertain- ing thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxicating liquors to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the written order of the parents or guard- ian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon intoxication, or to habitual drunkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such supervisors, trustees or aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition- of any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty thereof ; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor to satisfy any judgment that may be recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of for- feitures incurred under this clia|itcr. If more than one judgment shall have been recoverroperty, and she may sue and be sued alone, in regard to the same. She may make and hold deposits in savings banks. She may, by a sejarate convey- ance, release her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed. If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for bim; and while they live together, the wife can buy all things necessary for the support of the family, and for which he is liable. The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them himself; and he continues so liable if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates himself from her without good cause. But he is not so liable if she deserts him (unless on extreme provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves liim because he treats her so ill that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her; but what the misconduct must be to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency. If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible the same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife. ACTIONS. All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form which must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 801 on the defendant, to be answered within twenty days. ARREST. Defendant may be arrested: 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to re- move from the State, or where the action is for in- jury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting proper- ty, or in an action to recover damages for prop- erty taken under false pretenses. 2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or fraud- ulently misajjplied by a public officer or attor- ney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora- tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in official or profes- sional employment. 3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the sher- iff cannot find the same. 4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or dis- posing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought. An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one of the above causes. ATTACHMENT is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and that it is due on contract; and, 1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of his creditors. 2. That defendant has assigned, disposed of or concealed liis property or is about to do so with intent to defraud ceditors. 3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, his property from the State with intent to defraud creditors. 4. That the debt was frauduJcntly con- tracted. 5. That he is a non-resident. 6. Or a foreign corporation. 7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud creditors. The amount sued for must exceed |50. (iARNISHMENT is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the cred- itor, that he believes that any third person (naming him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execu- tion on a similar affidavit. JUDGMENT is a lien on real estate in the county where ren- dered from the date of docketing, and in other counties from the time of filing a.transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears inter- est at seven per cent., or as high as ten per cent, if stipulated for in the contract. STAY LAWS. In justices courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was rendered, stay of execution is allowed as follows: On sums not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month; between $10 and $30, two months; between $30 and $50, three months; over $50, four months. EXEMPTIONS. A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not inclu- ded in a town plat or a city or village; or, in- stead, one quarter of an acre in a recorded town- plat, city or village. Also, 1, family Bible; 2, famfly pictures and school books; 3, private library; 4, seat or pew in church; 5, right of burial; 0, wearing apparel, beds, bedsteads and bedding, kej)! and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used, cooking utensils and houseliold furniture to the value of $200, one gun, ritle or fire-arm to the value of $.50; 7, two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or in lieu thereof, a span of liorses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wag.on, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow, one drag and other farm utensils, including 802 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. tackle for the teams to the value of $50; 8, pro- visions and fuel for the family for one year; 9, tools and implements or stock in trade of a mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceed- ing $200 in value; library and implements of a professional man to the value of $200; 10, money arising from insurance of exempt prop- erty destroyed by fire; 11, inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, sewing machines; 13, Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State; 14, printing material and presses to the value of $1,500; 15, earnings of a married person necessary for family support for sixty days previous to issu- ing process. LIMITATIONS OF ACTIOKS. Real actions, twenty years; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same; judgments of courts of record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other courts of record and sealed instruments accruing without the State ten years. Other contracts, statute lia- bilities other than penalties and forfeitures, tres- pass on real property, trover, detinue and replevin, six years. Actions against sheriffs, coroners and constables, for acts done in their official capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slan- der, assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against sheriffs, etc., for escapes, one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may biing action after the disa- bility ceases,provided the period is not extended more than five years, and infants one year after coming of age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death; against the same, one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in writing. COMMERCIAL TERMS. I — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before a7iy de- nomination of money, and meant, as it means now, United States currency. £ — Means pounds, English money. (d — Stands for at or to; ft for pounds and bbl. for barrels; f? for per or by the. Thus: Batter sells at'20@30c f ft and flour at $8@$12 f bbl. May 1. Wheat sells at $l.'i0@$1.25, "seZ/«r t/wne." Seller June means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June. Selling short is contracting to deliver a cer- tain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the sell- er has not the stock on hand. It is for the in- terest of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts" are termed "bears." Buying long is to contrive to purchase a cer- tain amount of grain or shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. The "longs" are termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate" so as to "toss" the prices upward as much as possible. MINERAL RESOURCES. The useful mineral materials that occur with- in the limits of the State of Wisconsin, come under both of the two grand classes of such sub- stances: The metallic ores, from which the metals ordinarily used in the arts are extraotad; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in the arts for the most part without any pre- liminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals; of the second class, the principal substances found are brick- clay, kaolin, cement rock, limestone for burning HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 803 into quick-lime, limestone for flux, glass-sand, peat and building stone. LEAD AND ZINO. These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same region and under exactly the same circumstances being even obtained from the same open- ings. Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since 1860, still holds this promi- nent position, although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have been found in the crystalline (Archaean) rocks of the northern part of tbe State and in the copper-bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indica- tions at present that these regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes then from that portion of the southwestern part of the State which lies west of Sugar river and south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the south- ern side of the valley of the Wisconsin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This dis- trict is commonly known in Wisconsin as the "lead region," and forms the larger part of the "lead region of the L^pper Mississippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois. What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of the Valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France, III., 397, 398) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot about 1692; and states that in 1721 the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings that remains, makes no mcnlion of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harp's History of Louisiana, which was written early in the 18th century, shows that the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from the present southern boundary of Wis- consin, Aug. 25, 17C0. Capt. Jonathan Carver, 1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds and found the Indians in all the coun- try around is possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as "float mineral," and which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one min- ing before Julien DuBuque, who, 1788 to 1809, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which now bears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1821J when the attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827 the mining had become quite general and has continued to the present time, the maximum production having been reached, however, between the years 1845 and 1847. Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both the "Upper" and the "Lower regions, the lat- ter one of which lies wholly within the limits of the State of Missouri, have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead, the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late years, however,these mines are far surpassed in pro- duction by the "silver-lead" mines of Utah and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce inci- dentally a very large amount of lead. Never- theless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead region is of one kind only, the sulphide known as galena, or galenite. This ore, when from mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sul- phur. Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of deposits, having been produced by the oxidiz- ing influence of the atniospiiere. The chief one of these oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as cerussite. Galena almost always contains some silver, commonly enough 804 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin gale- nas, however, are unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace. The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the "black-jack" of the miners. The pure sul- phide, sphalerite, contains sixty-seven per cent, of zinc, but the iron bearing variety, known mineralogically as marmatite, generally con- tains ten per cent, or more of iron. A ferrugi- nous variety of the carbonate, smithsonite, also occurs in abundance, and is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the ore. Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited de- posits in a series of limestone beds belonging to the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata, with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lieup:)ii an irregular surface of ancient crystal- line rocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the galena, blue and buflf limestones, an ag- gregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often together; by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the blue and buff limestones and the lowest layers of the galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the galena beds. The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevices and flat crtvices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the verti- cle crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, hav- ing a width of a few inches, an extension later- ally from a few yards to several hundred feet, and a verticle height of twenty to forty feet, thinning out to nothing in all directions, and filled from side to side, with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral or gangue mat- ter. Occasionally the vertical extension exceeds a hundred feet, and sometimes a number of these sheets are close together and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expansions, which are some- times large caves or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retaining its normal charac- ter, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasionally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled, and common- ly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses, though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The vertical crevices show a very distinct arrange- ment parallel with one another, there being two systems, which roughly trend east and west and north and south. The east and west crevices are far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined near- ly altogether to the upper and middle portions of the galena, and are not productive of zinc ores. They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock for- mation, filled by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evident- ly been enlarged by the solvent power of at- mospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice. The "flat crevices," "flat sheets" and "flat openings,' are analogous to the deposits just described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position being characteristic of cer- tain layers which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the dissolving waters having, moreover, been di- rected along them by less pervious layers above and below. The flat openings differ from the ver- tical crevices also in having associated with the HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 803 galena much of either the black-jack or dry-bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently being entirely wanting. Oleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite. These materials have sometimes a symetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open- ing, the central portion being empty. The Hat openings characterize the blue aiul buff and lower galena beds, and from them ni-arly all the zinc ore is obtained. It is not possible, in the limits of this sliort paper, even to mention tlie various mining dis- tricts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and 1873, these two establishments have produced 23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in 1869, 2,.53 2,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,«8S pounds. The zinc ores were formerly rejected as use- less, and have only been utilized since 1860. An attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel and clay, both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore u.sed, caused a very heavy expense for transporta- tion. The ores are therefore now taken alto- gether to LaSalle, 111., where they meet the fuel and clay,and the industry at that place has be- come a'flourishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, very great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come. Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having fre(juentiy been removed, it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground re- mains at every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographieo-geological maps of the region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and just published by the State in the Report of the Geological Survey, make this knowledge acces- sible to all. IRON. Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the eastern part of the State, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to be done in the way of exploration, for the most promis- ing iron fields are in the heavily timbered and unsettled regions of the north part of the State, and are as yet imperfectly known. It appears probable, however, that iron ores will, in the near future, be the most important mineral pro- duction of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present importance. RED HEMATITES. The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hematites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined, are always so largely mingled with me- chanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty per cent. The most important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton iron ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida Co., New York, where it was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is constantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its charac- ters, both pliy^^ical and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it when coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold- 806 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. short," on account of the large content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from phosphorous, it yields always a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numer- ous points from New York to Tennessee and at some points i-eaches a very great total thick- ness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the State, but at the bottom of the series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections 12 and 13 in tlie town of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north and south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in thickness, consisting of hori- zontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places a slight me- tallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat liydrated. Three quarters of a mile north of Iron Ridge, atMayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet. According to Mr. E. 'J\ Sweet, the percentages of the sev- eral constituents of the Iron Ridge ore are as follows: iron peroxide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2. TO; silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water, 8.75 — 100: metallic iron, 46.66. Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of these ores alone, producing an ii'on very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cent.; phosphorus, 1.675; carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.108 — 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty- five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores. It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich , and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis., The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of the Niag- ara farmation in Wisconsin, but no one of these appears to promise' any great quantity of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations. In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone, forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made iu this district, so that the size of the deposit is not definitely known. BROWN UEllATITES. These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure, has about sixty per cent, of the metal; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deposition from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered un- derneath the large marshes of Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly titty per cent, of iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, ami near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the amount obtaina- ble is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52; alumina, 3.77; iron perox- ide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46—99.85; metallic iron, 49.98 — according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from sec ion 34, town- ship 23, range 6 east. Wood county, yieliled, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, 1.00; iron peroxide, 73.23; lime, 0.11; magnesia, 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07; phosphoric acid, 0.10; or- ganic matter, 5.88; water, 14.24; — 99.69: me- tallic iron, 51.26. Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling cracks and irregular cavities in certain portions HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 807 of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and the adjoining portion of Ricliland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years and recently another one has been erected at Cazenovia, in the sarae'district. MAGNETK^ ORES AND SPECULAR HEMATITES. These are taken together here because their geological occurrence in the same, the two ores occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another. These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin; but it is quite probable that they may before many years become its principal mineral pro- duction. In magnetic iron ore the iron is in the shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72.4 per cent, of iron when pure, and this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the s\me as red hematite, but is crystaliiie, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over sixty-five per cent., while in most regions where they are mined they commonly do not reach fifty per cent. The amount of rich ores of this kind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than fifty per cent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining Stales. So largely does this matter of richness affect the value of an c re, that an owner of a mine of forty-five per cent "hard" ore in Wisconsin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan si.'cty- five per cent, ore than to smelt his own, even if his furnace and mine were side by side. The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts— the Penokee iron distiict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Asliland and Lincoln counties, and the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40, ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Si)ecu- lar iron in veins and nests is found in small quantities with the (juartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county and Necedah.Juneau county and very large quantities of a specular quartz- schist, charged with more or less of the mag- netic and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county but in none of these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore. In the Penokee and Menomonee regions the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Ilaronian se- ries. The rocks of these districts are really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series may be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this rock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quanti- ties of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistent to the action of at- mospheric erosion. As a result these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of lean ores have deceived many explor- ers, and not a few. geologists. In the same rock series, for the most part occupying por- tions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary richness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. One deposit, laid open dur- ing the summer of 1877, shows a width of over 150 feet of first-class specular ore; and exceed- ing in size the greatest of the famous deposits in Michigan. In the Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the exis- tence of the richer ores is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of lean ore, which forms a continu- ous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become al- 808 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. most merchantable ores. The probability is, however,that the rich ores of this region will be found in the lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are bur- ied beneath lieivy accumulations of drift mate- rial. COPPER. The only copper ore at present raised in Wis- consin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the lead region of the southwestern part of the State, where small quanties of chalcopyrite, the yellow sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from, pockets and limited crevices in the galena limestone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not appear that the quantity at any point is suf- ficient to warrant exploration. Copper occurs also in the northernmost por- tions of Wisconsin, wheie it is found under al- together different cfi'cumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw Point and Isle Boyal stretch soutwestward in- to and entirely across the State of Wisconsin, in two parallel belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately leaving the shore of Lake Su- perior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron an Chij)- pewa counties. The other belt forms the back- bone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas county, forming a bold ridge to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series a])pear to be for the most part ot igneous origin, but they are distinctly bed- ded, and even interstratified with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series have generally a tilted position. In veins crossing the rock beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic CO'. per in fine flakes is often found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them has sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the exis- tence of copper in paying quantity. GOLD AND SILVER. Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in the State. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ashland county. Judging from the occurrence of. silver in the same series not far to the east in Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin. BRICK CLAYS. These constitute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles from the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin, having been deposited by the lake< when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along Lake Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of coun- try bordering Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made an- nually inthis region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely known under the name of "Milwaukee brick," though by no means altogether made at Milwaukee. Others are ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T. Srt'eet that the white bricks are burned from clay which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also contains a very large amount of carbonate of lime. At Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each ; at Nee- nah, 1,600,000; at Clifton, 1,700,000; at Water- HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 809 loo, 1,600,000 , and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Edgerton, White- water, Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee and other places. In most cases the cream-colored bricks are made from a bright red clay, although occasionally the clay is light colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay. Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick clays are also found in the interior of the State. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley, in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay oc- curs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platteville, Lancaster and other points in the southwestern part of the State, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity. KAOLIN (PORCELAIX-CLAT — FIRE-CLAY.) The word "kaolin" is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its ajiiilication to the Eiirojiean porei'lain-clay was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among scientists until very recently — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a solid rock. True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being the result of the disintegration of felds]>athic crys- talline rocks "in place," that is, without being removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as Zv/o- linite, a compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the feldspar of feldspar-bearing rocks. Feldsjiar con- tains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both, By percolation through the rocks of sur- face water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingredients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecomposed, or only partly decompoi^ed feldspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by a system of leviga- tion, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of the mineral kao- linite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material, and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares. The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposi- tion, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial action. In a belt of country, how- ever, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin, westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent ; the glacial forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water- courses have existed, the result being an un- usual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin, Yellow and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which, between the rivers, are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, til ed at high ang'es, and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers strike across the country in long, straight lines, j)atches of kaolin are found ranging themselves into simi- lar lines. The kaolin patches are most abund- ant on the Wisconsin in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size, one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness. The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some being quite impure and easily 8]0 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. fusible from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only, while much of it is very pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be ob- tained, which, by mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware. idly in- 816 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. creasing commodity in tbe productions of the State. POKK AKD Beef.. Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the State during a few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are striving with commendable zeal to rival each other in raising the finest animals for use and the market. HOPS. The culture of hops, as an article of com- merce, received but little attention prior to 1860. In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used by the brewers throughout the Slate. In 1866, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774 bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound, stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the coun- ties of Sauk, Columbia, Adams and Juneau, be- sides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. In 1867, 26,562 bales were re- ceived at Milwaukee, and the prices langed from fifty to seventy cents per pound. The es- timated crop of the State for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over $4,200,000. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the State. The crop everywhere was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over- supply was anticipated. But few, however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of those in- terested. The first sales were made at twenty- five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the prices were reluctantly accepted by the grow- ers. The price continued to decline until the article was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten cents per pound. Notwithstanding thesevere check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So much of the crop of 1868 re- mained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate that of 1S69. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents per pound. Hop- cultivation received a check from over produc- tion in 1868, from which it did not soon re- cover. A large portion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869 was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one-half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During the year 1871 a great advance in the price, caused by the par- tial failure of the crop in some of the eastern States, and the decrease in prices causing a de- crease in production, what was left over of the crop of 1870 more than doubled in value be- fore the new reached the market. The latter opened at thirty-five cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime qualities. The crop of 1872 was of good qual- ity, and the market opened at forty to fifty-five cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much larger quantity was raised than the year previous. In 187.3 and 1874 the crop was fair and prices ruled from tlilrty-tlirce to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the State. Prices were extremely irregular during 1875, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that would not pay the cost of produc- tion. In 1876 prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in Novem- ber. Over 17,000 bales were received at Mil- waukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year. Over 1.3,000 bales were shipped out of the State. TOBACCO. Tobacco raising is comparatively a new in- dustry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 817 is easily raised. It is not regarded as of supe- rior (juality. It first appears as a commodity of transportatiou in tlie railway reports for the year 1871, when the Prairie du Chien division of tlie St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years* ending with 1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the maxi- mum being in 1874, 6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, -2,743,854 pounds. The crop of 1876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The greater part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf raised in the State is used here or by west- ern manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 1877, is a large one, and lias been secured in good order. It is being contracted for at from four to six cents per pound. CRANBERRIES. The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in develop- ing the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed through- out the northern part of the State. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit ; yet, the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 1851 less than 1,500 barrels were sent out of the State. In 1872, the year of greatest pro- duction, over 37,000 barrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. '1 he price has varied in different years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. SPIRITUOUS AXD MALT LIQUORS. The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of population and with the other Industries of the State. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, 292 breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876 there were 293 of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1376, 321,611 barrels of lager beer, aneloit also has an excellent water-])ower, and it is largely improved. Scat- tered throughout the State are many other water-powers, not alluded to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In Washington coun- ty, at West Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a water- power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Men- dota; also, a good one at Stoughton, below the first, or Lake Kegonsa; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river. In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large immber of splendid water-powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water- ])Owers on its main stream and numerous branches; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though containing resources which, when develojted, will make it rich and prosper- ous. There are numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the localities they severally drain, 820 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. that have had their powers improved, and their waterfalls are singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake, Superior, there are numerous and valuable water-puwers. The Montreal river falls 1,000 feet, in a dis- tance of thirty miles. MANUFACTUEBS. The mechanical and manufacturing indus- tries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diver- sify their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their mechanics and artisans. All our cities and most of our villages, support establish- ments that furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census report for ISTO, afew facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year, remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made since the statistics were gathered. In 18'(0, there were eighty- two establishments engaged in making agricul- tural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at $2,393,400. There were 188 furniture establishments, em- ploying 1,844 men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were 485 establishments, employ- ing 2,184 men, and their product was valued at $2,596,534; for clothing, 263 establishments, and value of product 12,340,400; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370; leather, eighty-five tan- neries, employing 577 men, and value of pro- ducts $2,013,000; malt liquors, 176 breweries, 835 men, and their products valued at $1,790,- 273. At many points the business of manufactur- ing is carried on more or less extensively; in- deed, there is hardly a village in the State where capital is not invested in some kind of mechanical industry or manufacturing enter- prise, and making satisfactory returns; but for details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history. The principal commodities only, which Wis- consin contributes to trade and commerce, have been considered. There remains quite a num- ber of minor articles from which the citizens of the State derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered in this paper. CONCLCDING REMARKS. Statistics are usually dry reading, but, ti> one desiring to change his location and seeking information regarding a new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the productiveness of the soil ; the me- chanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares as he is accustomed to make; the capitalist, con- cerning all matters that pertain to resources, advantages, and the ojjjjortunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor- mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor- mation are now various, and the knowledge they imparl fragmentary in its character. Provision shculd be made by law, for the col- lection and publication of reliable statistics re- lating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational inter- ests. Several of the States of the Union have established a "bureau of statistics," and no more valuable rejiorts emanate from any of their State departments than those that exhibit a condensed view of the material results accom- plished each year. Most of the European States foster these agencies with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the physical laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its pi-oductions; the growth of society, and to cdl those facts or conditions which may increase or diminish the" HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 821 strength, growth or liappiiioss of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science, which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences. A writer has said that, "If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing State, instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, ."jnd is, it is difficult to see more than one par- ticular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the material for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to pro- pel the machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such rich yirofusion. Slie has also the men whose enterprise and skill liave accom- plished most surprising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in plac- ing the State in a proud position of independ- ence. It is impossible to predict what will be the fu- ture growth and development of Wisconsin. From its commercial and manufacturing advan- tages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will in a few years lead in the front rank of the States of the Union in all that constitutes real greatness. Iler educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State Uni- versity, her colleges and high schools, and the peoples colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver, in 1706, one hundred and eleven years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of wonderful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remark- able prediction of which we see the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has arisen from its pres- ent uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from time immemo- rial has been gi'adually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stalely palaces and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies sup[)lant the Indian huts, whose only decora- tions are the barbarous trophies of their van- quished enemies." ' 'Westwiird ihe cciurse of empire takes its way; The four tirst acts already passed, A fifth shall close the drama with the day; Time's noblest offspring is the last." LUMBER MANUFACTITRE. Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much of the importance to which the State has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth. In America, agriculture always has been, and al- ways will be, the primary and most important interest; but no Nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois and Iowa are rich with a fertile and produi-tive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peo- pled the northern wilds with energetic, i)rosper- ous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the State with a network of rail- ways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations which are are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun. If a line be drawn upon the State map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point, to where it would naturally strike the Mississij)pi river, it will be below the southern boundary of the pine timber regions, with the single excep- tion of the district drained by the Yellow river, a tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its tim- ber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one-half of the State. The pine timbered land is found in 822 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. belts or ridges, intersperst^d with prairie open- ings, patciies of hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county, affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many in- stances, the power to cut them into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most and best of its pine from the former State. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumber- ing is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts: The Green bay shore, which includes the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers; the Wolf river district; the Wisconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned; the Black river; the Chippewa and Red Cedar; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix. Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be at- tempted. The first saw-mill built in the State, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair. Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the memory of any inhabitant of to- day. In 18:^9, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water-power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In 1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and two years later, one at Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed the beginning of lumber- ing operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the largest in the State. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in that district; they were sold to the Galena Railroad Company for use on de- pot buildings, and were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay be- came one of the greatest points for the manu- facture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and gradually change from mar'?h to swamp, then to level, drj' land, and finally become broken and mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. Tiie Peshtigo flows into the bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual pro- duct being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coai'se quality, run- ning but a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is known as Norway pine. Of the whol-e amount of timber tributary to the Pesh- tigo, probably about one-third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality, and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural pur- poses after being cleared of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned l)y one company. The Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built on its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856, in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite an extensive lumber manufacturing point. 'J he timber tributary to this stream has been of the best quality found in the State Lumber cut from it has been HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. 823 known to yield the extraordinarily h'gli average of fifty and sixty percent. U])pers. The timber now being cut will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been cut away, but it will re- quire a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was necessary to cut its equivalent in amount owing to it remote location. The annual production of pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 6-5,000,000 feet. The whole production of the district, exclu.sive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about 140,- 000,000 feet annually. The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at Neenah in 18.35. In 1842, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw mill on the upper Wolf near the location of the present village of Shaw- ano, and in the following spring he sent the first raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosli. This river also rises in Oconto county but flows in a southerly direction, and enters Winne- bago lake at Oshkosli. Its pineries have been very extensive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any other district in the State. The qual- ity of the timber is very fine, and the land is con- sidered good for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which renders it a very good .stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling, and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this district is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 187G ij was 138,000,000. Tlie principal nianufai-iur- ing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac; the former has twenty-one mills, and the latter ten. Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the State. It rises in the extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until at Portage City, it makes a grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numerous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in the State. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log-driving and raft-running very ditti- cult and even hazardous. The timber is gener- ally near the banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gridually dirainishingin extent as it recedes from them and giving place to the sev- eral varieties of hard woods. The extent to which operations have been carried on necessi- tates going furliicr up the stream for available timber, although there is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winnebago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull Falls, and Wausau had a population of .350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies; the current flows at the rate of from ten to twenty miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the task of ])iIot- ingaraft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber. With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was twenty-tour days; though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, several weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber 82-t HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. manufactured annually on this river is from ] 40,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet. Black river is much shorter and smaller tlian the Wisconsin, but lias long been known as a very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the State. The first saw mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 1819 by Col. John Shaw. The Winnebago tribe of Indians, liowever, in whose territory he was, objected to the inni'va- tion of such a fine art, and unceremoniously offered up the mill upon the altar of their out- raged solitude. Tlie owner abruptly quitted that portion of the country. In !8:i9 another attempt to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same point by two brothers by the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, wjio eventually became its possessor. His son, Dudley J. SpauUling, is now a very exten- sive operator upon Black river. ]j1 Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw mills located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 2-25,- 000,000 feet of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. Tiie balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious riverto float logs ill, which necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, vari- ously estimated at from 150,000,000 to 200,000,- 000 feet, about equal to an entire season's pro- duct. This makes the business more iiazardous than on m;uiy other streams, as the loss from de- preciation is very great after the first year. 'I'lie quality of the timber is fine, and good prices are realized for it wlien sold within a year after be- ing cut. Tlie Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber now standing, tributaiy to any one stream, on the continent.' It has been claimed, though with more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber sup- ply of the State. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich pine district in all directions. The charac- ter of the tributary country is not unlike that through which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's creek, near its confluence \\ ith the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied liy the village of Menomonee. In 1837 anotlier was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Clii|)pewa became very prominent as a lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the northwest. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw mills, none having a capacity of less than 3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000. The an- nual production of sawed lumber is from 250,- 0011,000 to 300,000,000 feet; the production of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1867 the mill owners upon the Mississij)pi, be- tween Winona and Keokuk, organized a corpo- ration known as the Beef Slough Manufactur- ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, de- signed for the Mississippi mills. At the conflu- ence of the two rivers various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most dif- ficult stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and ungovernable, and in summer, almost des- titute of water. About its head are numerous lakes which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the Cliippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many places flows between high bluffs, and under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and un- manageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are turned in loose, and are carried down with each HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY 825 successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass, which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting and delivering to the respective owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Compa- ny, in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resistless velocity. In 1S47 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the his- tory of log-running streams. In the month of June the Ciiippewa rose twelve feet in a single night and in the disastrous torrent that was creat- ed, piers, booms or "pockets" for holding logs at the mills, together with a tine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river op- posite the mill boom into whieli it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diag- onally across the river, automatically, the ac- tion of the current upon a number of ingenious- ly arranged "tins" holding it in position. l>y this means the logs are sheered into the recep- tacle until it is tilled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the "fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the logs to go on for the next mill to stop and c.ipture its pocket full in like manner. By this method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the process of balancing accounts ac- cording to the "marks," at the close of the season, has been one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improveraonts at Eiigle Ra])ids by the com- pany abi)Ve mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enter- prise until adequate means for holding and as- sorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Claire rivers, two important branches of the Chippewa, such diffi- culties are avoided by suitable improvements. The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality of the timber is good and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks market. West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minnesota, the same as that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in factabout one-half of each belongs to Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belong- I ingin this State are Apple Clam,Yellow,Nameko- I gan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which they flow contain iarjje bodies of very tine pine timber. The St. Croix has long becTi noted for the excellence of its j dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is I cut into lumber at Stillwater, and marketed bv rail, and the balance is sold in the log to the mills on the Mississippi. Such is a brief and somewhat crude descrip- tion of the main lumbering districts of the State. Aside from these, quite extensive oper- ations are conducted upon various railway lines which penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost eveiy county in the State, mills of greater or less ca- |)acitv may be found cutting up pine or hard woods into lumber, shingles or cooperage stock. .Most important, in a lumbeiing point of view, of all the railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior, a distance of :551 miles, with a lino to Green Bay, 11.3 miles, and one from Stevens Point to Portage, seventy-one miles, making a 820 HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY. total length of road of 449 miles. It has only been completed to Ashland, within the present season. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the east and north of Lake Winnenago, through an excellent hard wood section. There are many stave mills in opera- tion upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden ware establishments and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft timber as raw material. From Stevens Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of timber iu the State. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 fei!t of lumber is annually manufactured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from l^omah to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point. The extent of the timber supply in this State has been a matter of much speculation, and is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees cannot be counted or measured until reduced to saw logs or lumber. It is cer- tain that for twenty years the forests of Wiscon- sin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber and no fears are entertained by holders of pine lands th;it the present generation of owners will witness an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruc- lion to tlie standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is great- er than by the axes of the loggers. The neces- sity for a State system of forestry for the pro- tection of the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason; for no natur- al resource of the State is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. Accord- ing to an estimate recently made • good authority, and which received the sanction jf many interested parties, there was standing in the State in 1876, an amount of pine timber, ap- proximating 35,000,000,000 feet. The annual production of lumber in tlie dis- tricts herein described, and from logs floated out of the State to mills on the Missis-^ippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rail w.ay . herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin for- ests would reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard wood production no authentic information is obtainable. To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for float- ing to the mills, requires the labor of about 18,001' men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employ- ment and support to 54,000 persons. To con- vert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200 bushels of oats, nine barrels of pork.,and beef, ten tons of hay, forty barrels of flour, and the use of two pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for 1,800,- 000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor em- ployed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important market for the products of his farm. H47 75 1 -'I'-' % V^ • S^ \V^ ,\^ ^,}K^;;:^^ y\-^^'.\ /.>v,:^% /^m: ^-^^■^^ a'' ^-^ ^■^^, < )h'. ■s>- ^O''" .•■> ■V -J. • - ' .i* .°-^^ if % ^--.^ C, vP <^*» - • • ' Jl^ . 'C 'I. ' ' \y i 5 • • , o ■•^ .<£. ^^ A-^' -^ V 0^ •'••" ■> if ;^' . °o ' . . ' .C' .^ ■ ^'. ,>° ,.>^;, -^^/ ,;^v. %^„,'° , %: ^j" •<^\ V, ,/. f » , « ? ,<:■ V^ .^ ^T',- v-*. "■-^ :.V.^".>^'. ^,,. :T -' ■ A. v^^ V *•"''• ,^& ^- "°.. t^. .^* C, J-' -/^^ .V-> ^-^9^' ..V "^0 "°.- ^°-^-^.. •0 t>' •^^0^ \ ,«•■>, *> <^. ..^" «-v ^o '%■>» r « ' .0 ■OK ^o >^^ ^*c-' % --? V .•> »'<'■ .-^^ A*- .V^' ^o ^^ °o .C "*o V* ''!'.«' ,0^ .0^ ^.. .-^ *^ ''"<#', vT. "^oV*" 1 • • ° . '^^ c '^^. -Ns-^:' •*^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS !!|ii ;ii II Mi[{||ii|r||{||i|. 11 HI 016 091 179 7 WM