USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > Madison > A history of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin : including the Four Lake country : to July, 1874, with an appendix of notes on Dane County and its towns > Part 33
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380
HISTORY OF MADISON AND THE
after great and sudden floods, when the waters, dammed back by the choked entrance, rise ten or fifteen feet against the face of the cavern, compressing the inner air, which escapes through small fissures, to the crest of the hill, with a hiss and a roar somewhat akin to the shriek of a steam whistle. At one spot, indeed, the conversation of parties deep in the cave can be heard directly overhead, showing that if extra ventilation were ever needed it could be easily provided for. Anything like floods, in this elevated basin, however, are extremely rare, and could only occur after long continued rains, or the sudden melting of great and heavy bodies of snow. No rain-fall from May to November has ever been known large enough to send any water into the opening, nor does any enter during the months of winter.
"It is greatly to be regretted that drift-wood and other ma- terial have been allowed access, and to accumulate in such quantities as to preclude thorough explorations. Fossil re- mains of the mastodon, the mammoth and the elephant, as well as of other extinct species, have been found in deep fissures in various parts of the lead region; and there is every reason to suspect their existence here. These cavities originated from a common cause, and have a natural relation to each other. Sci- ence had much to anticipate from the revelations of this vast subterranean tunnel. Its buried chambers, of curious form and magnificent proportions would have been the delight of future generations, if rendered accessible. Possibly the entrance rub- bish of the lowest cavity may yet be removed, and by that means the upper chambers be cleansed and restored. In any event, the spot will be visited by the curious, as it is unlike any other cavern in the country, and the only one whose entrance is at its source, and not the mouth. The darkness that hides its interior secrets covers a great mystery."
In closing up our history, we would only say that we have endeavored simply, but faithfully to portray Madison as it was and has become. Thirty-seven years have wrought many changes. A few of those who came here at the beginning of the settlement of the town still remain. Our good friend Mrs.
381
FOUR LAKE COUNTRY OF WISCONSIN.
PECK resides at Baraboo, of which place she was also the first settler. Gen. SIMEON MILLS, DARWIN CLARK, Esq., and Mrs. PROSPER B. BIRD still reside here. Of the other settlers of 1837-38, a number are residents of other Wisconsin towns. Few realize the privations of those who came here as pioneers to subdue the country to the wants of civilization. They per- formed their work patiently and well, and we live to reap the fruit of their labors.
The future is before us. Ours may never be a city remarka- ble for mammoth proportions, manufactures and the busy life that characterizes a metropolis, but in all that makes it a de- lightful place of residence, with its unsurpassed advantages of beauty and healthfulness of location, educational, literary and other privileges, we are assured that its fame will not, cannot grow less, but that steady progress is before it, and that Madi- son will ever maintain a proud place among the growing and prosperous cities of our State and of the West.
a
APPENDIX.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF MADISON, FROM ITS INCORPORATION IN 1856, TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 1874.
1856.
Mayor-JAIRUS C. FAIRCHILD. Street Superin't-(Senior Aldermen).
Clerk-WILLIAM N. SEYMOUR. Marshal-FRED. MOHR.
Treasurer-JOHNSON J. STARKS. City Attorney-DAVID R. COIT.
Police Justice-ARTHUR B. BRALEY. City Surveyor -- P. W. MCCABE.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ABIEL E. BROOKS, THOMAS HEERAN, ADAM KRAEZ.
Second Ward-NAPOLEON B. VAN SLYKE, JOHN N. JONES, DAVID J. POWERS.
Third Ward-CHARLES GEORGE MAYERS, PETER H. VANBERGEN,1 WIL- LIAM F. BAKER,? ALGERNON S. WOOD.
Fourth Ward-SETH M. VAN BERGEN, JOSEPH HOBBINS, TIMOTHY KIN- NEY.
1 Resigned. 2 Elected Aug. 28, 1856.
1857.
Mayor-AUGUSTUS A. BIRD. Police Justice-ARTHUR B. BRALEY.
Clerk-WILLIAM N. SEYMOUR.1 Street Superin't-(Senior Aldermen).
STEPHEN H. CARPENTER .? Chief of Police-ANDREW BISHOP.
Treasurer-FRED. SAUTHOFF. City Att'ys-ABBOTT, CLARK & COIT. City Surveyor-WILLIAM M. HOUGH.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ABIEL E. BROOKS, THOMAS HEERAN, CASPER ZWICKY. Second Ward-NAPOLEON B. VAN SLYKE, DAVID J. POWERS, JULIUS T. CLARK.3
384
APPENDIX.
Third Ward-CHARLES GEORGE MAYERS, JOHN G. GRIFFIN, DAVID R. HYER.
Fourth Ward-SETH M. VAN BERGEN, TIMOTHY KINNEY, JOS. HOBBINS. 1 Disabled by stroke of paralysis. 2 Elected Oct. 7, 1857. 3 Resigned March 3, 1858. Vacancy filled at charter election.
1858.
Mayor-GEORGE B. SMITH. Street Superinten't-SIMEON MILLS.
Clerk-HENRY WRIGHT. City Attorney-SILAS U. PINNEY.
Treasurer-JAMES K. PROUDFIT. City Surveyor-WM. M. HOUGH.1
Police Justice-ARTHUR B. BRALEY. LEVI P. DRAKE.2
City Assessor-HENRY K. EDGERTON.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-THOMAS HEERAN, A. SHERWIN, SIMEON SECKLES.
Second Ward-DAVID J. POWERS, ERI S. OAKLEY, JAMES JACK.
Third Ward-JOHN G. GRIFFIN, DARWIN CLARK, CHRISTIAN HINRICHS. Fourth Ward-TIMOTHY KINNEY, CASSIUS FAIRCHILD, PATRICK L. DOW- LING.
1 Died. 2 Elected Dec. 20, 1858.
1859.
Mayor-GEORGE B. SMITH. Street Sup't-SIMEON MILLS.1
Clerk-CHARLES GEORGE MAYERS. WILLARD KNIGHT.ยบ
Treasurer-ANDREW SEXTON. City Attorney-JOHN R. BALTZELL. Police Justice-ARTHUR B. BRALEY. City Surveyor-J. A. LIGOWSKI. Chief of Police-JOHN SHEALEY. City Assessor-HENRY WRIGHT.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-A. SHERWIN, JOHN ZEHNPFENNIG, WILLIAM DUDLEY. Second Ward-ERI S. OAKLEY, JOSEPH BAYER, WIILLAM HAWLEY. Third Ward-DARWIN CLARK, FRED. C. FESTNER, EZRA C. SQUIRES. Fourth Ward-CASSIUS FAIRCHILD, JOHN A. BYRNE, JOSEPH HOBBINS. 1 Resigned. 2 Elected May,23, 1859.
1860. -
Mayor-GEORGE B. SMITH. Street Superintend't-J. A. SLAVIN. I
Clerk-CHARLES GEO. MAYERS. Chief of Police-F. S. VAN BERGEN .? Treasurer-J. C. SCHETTE. City Attorney-C. AINSWORTH.
Police Justice-A. B. BRALEY. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE.
City Assessor-DAVID H. WRIGHT.
385
MADISON CITY OFFICERS.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JOHN ZEHNPFENNIG, FARREL O'BRYAN, P. H. TURNER. Second Ward-JOSEPH BAYER, JAS. W. SUMNER, DANIEL K. TENNEY. Third Ward-FRED. C. FESTNER, DARWIN CLARK, KYRON TIERNEY. Fourth Ward-JOHN A. BYRNE, TIMOTHY KINNEY, JOHN Y. SMITH. 1 Resigned January 5, 1861. 2 Elected January 5, 1861.
1861.
Mayor-LEVI B. VILAS. Police Justice-A. B. BRALEY.
Clerk-CHARLES GEO. MAYERS. 1
Street Superintendent and Chief
WILLIAM A. HAYES. 2 of Police-F. S. VAN BERGEN.
Treasurer-FRED. C. FESTNER. City Surveyor-LEVI P. DRAKE. City Assessor-GEORGE H. BARWISE.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward -- FARREL O'BRYAN, GEORGE E. BRYANT, 3 PETER H. TURNER.
Second Ward-JAMES W. SUMNER, DANIEL K. TENNEY, J. ALDER ELLIS.
Third Ward-DARWIN CLARK, KYRON TIERNEY, JOHN GEORGE OTT. Fourth Ward-TIMOTHY KINNEY, GEORGE B. SEEKLES, J. Y. SMITH.
1 Resigned November 14, 1861. 2 Elected Nevember 14, 1861. 9 Resigned February 24, 1862. Vacancy unfilled until charter election, April 1, 1862.
1862.
Mayor-WILLIAM T. LEITCH. Street Superintendent and Chief
Clerk-WILLIAM A. HAYES. of Police-ANDREW BISHOP.
Treasurer-FRED. B. HUTCHING. City Att'ys-WAKELEY & VILAS.
Police Justice-C. AINSWORTHI. City Surveyor-LEVI P. DRAKE. City Assessor-PETER H. TURNER.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JOHN KAVANAUGH, 2 ELIAB B. DEAN, JR., GOTTLIEB GRIMM. Second Ward-DANIEL K. TENNEY, 3 JAIRUS H. CARPENTER, 4 TRU- MAN E. BIRD, A. C. DAVIS.
Third Ward-KYRON TIERNEY, C. W. HYEL, W. M. RASDALL, JAMES Ross.
Fourth Ward-GEORGE B. SEEKLES, " ED. C. KAVANAUGH, CHARLES. H. LUCE, JOHN DUNN. 4
1 Appointed September 16, 1862. 2 To fill vacancy. 3 Resigned September 15, 1862. 4 Elected September 29, 1862. 5 Resigned September 18, 1862. 6 Resigned September 15, 1862.
..
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APPENDIX.
1863.
Mayor-WILLIAM T. LEITCH. Police Justice-C. AINSWORTH.
Clerk-WILLAM A. HAYES.
City Attorney-CHAS T. WAKELEY.
Treasurer-C. W. HEYL. Street Superintendent and Chief
City'Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE. of Police-A. BISHOP.
City Assessor-PETER H. TURNER.1
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ELIAB B. DEAN, JR., JOHN MONAGHAN, J. ZEHNPFENNIG. Second Ward-TRUMAN E. BIRD, JAIRUS H. CARPENTER, H. M. LEWIS. Third Ward-C. W. HEYL, 2 KYRON TIERNEY, 3 JAMES ROSS, JOHN T. STEVENS, 4 HENRY WINCKLER. 5
Fourth Ward-ED. C. KAVANAUGH, HIRAM N. MOULTON, 4 TIMOTHY KIN- NEY, 5 JOSEPH HOBBINS, 4 J. M. DICKINSON.5
1 Resigned. FRED MOHR appointed May 2, 1863. 2 Resigned April 10, 1863. $ Elected April 17, 1863. 4 Resigned December 28, 1863. 5 Elected January 6, 1864.
1864.
Mayor-WILLIAM T. LEITCH. City Clerk-WM. A. HAYES.1 S. H. CARPENTER .? City Attorney-JOHN R. BALTZELL, City Surveyor-PATRICK MCCABE.
Street Superintendent and Chief of Police-JOHN B. HYLAND.
Treasurer-C. W. HEYL.
Police Justice-JAMES M. FLOWER. City Assessor-JOHN REYNOLDS.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JOHN MONAGHAN, ANDREW WALD, EBENEZER SPRAGUE,3 ARTHUR B. BRALEY.4
Second Ward-JAIRUS H. CARPENTER, HENRY. M. LEWIS, TIMOTHY BROWN.
Third Ward-JAMES ROSS, KYRON TIERNEY, ERNST DOERSCHLAG.
Fourth Ward -TIMOTHY KINNEY, J. M. DICKINSON, GEORGE D. LINCOLN. 1 Resigned June 11, 1864, 2 Elected June 11, 1864. 3 Resigned June 3, 1864. 4Elected June 14, 1864.
-
1865.
Mayor-ELISHA W. KEYES. Clerk-S. H. CARPENTER. Treasurer-JOHN REYNOLDS. Police Justice-JAMES M. FLOWER. City Attorney-H. W. TENNEY.
Street Superintendent and Chief of Police-IRA W. BIRD. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE.1 LEVI P. DRAKE.2
City Assessor-WM. T. LEITCH.
387
AADISON CITY OFFICERS.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ANDREW WALD, ARTHUR B. BRALEY, JOHN HEERAN. Second Ward-HENRY M. LEWIS, L. S. INGMAN, JOHN CORSCOT.
Third Ward-KYRON TIERNEY, EBENEZER SPRAGUE, AUGUST HER- FURTH.
Fourth Ward-J. M. DICKINSON,3 SILAS U. PINNEY,4 THADDEUS W. GIBBS, JOHNSON J. STARKS.
1 Removed July 14, 1865. 2 Elected July 14, 1865. $ Resigned June 2, 1865. 4 Elected June 9, 1865.
1866.
Mayor-ELISHA W. KEYES. Street Superintendent -- I. W. BIRD.
Clerk-S. H. CARPENTER. Chief of Police-BEN. F. LARKIN.
Treasurer-S. V. SHIPMAN. City Attorney -- C. T. WAKELEY.
Police Justice-JOHN R. BALTZELL. City Surveyor-LEVI P. DRAKE. City Assessor-C. G. MAYERS.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ARTHUR B. BRALEY, JAMES CONKLIN, HANNIBAL LACHER. Second Ward -- L. S. INGMAN, HENRY M. LEWIS, JOHN CORSCOT.
Third Ward-EBENEZER SPRAGUE, KYRON TIERNEY, B. M. NIENABER. Fourth Ward-THAD. W. GIBBS, GEO. W. MCDOUGAL,1 WALDO ABEEL,? L. D. STONE,' J. C. MCKINNEY.
1 Failed to qualify. ? Elected April 25, 1866. Resigned November 1, 1866. 3 Elected December 17, 1866.
1867.
Mayor-ALDEN S. SANBORN. Chief of Police-WM. HICKEY.1
Clerk-S. H. CARPENTER. JOHN SHEALEY .?
Treasurer-GEO. MEMHARD. City Attorney-C. T. WAKELEY.
Police Justice-JOHN R. BALTZELL. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE.
Street Superintendent-A. BISHOP. City Assessor-THOS. C. BOURKE.3
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JAMES CONKLIN, ROBERT NICHOLS, SAMUEL ENGEL. Second Ward-HENRY M. LEWIS, MYRON T. BAILEY, A. RILEY JONES. Third Ward-KYRON TIERNEY, H. CHRISTOFFERS, PETER B. KISSAM. Fourth Ward-L. D. STONE, HIRAM N. MOULTON, SIMON FORAN.
1 Removed October 11, 1867. 2 Appointed November 26, 1867. $ Elected September 6,1867.
388
APPENDIX.
1868.
Mayor-DAVID ATWOOD. Street Supt .- ANDREW BISHOP.
Clerk-STEPHEN H. CARPENTER.1 Chief of Police-JOSH. W. TOLFORD.
Treasurer-JAMES CONKLIN. City Attorney-ARTHUR B. BRALEY. Police Justice-JOHN R. BALTZELL. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE.
City Assessor-THOMAS C. BOURKE.2
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-ROBERT NICHOLS, SAMUEL ENGEL,3 ANTHONY MCGOVERN. Second Ward-MYRON T. BAILEY, ROBERT WOOTTON, HALLE STEENS- LAND.
Third Ward-H. CHRISTOFFERS, PETER B. KISSAM, OLE THOMPSON. Fourth Ward-HIRAM N. MOULTON. L. D. STONE, A. S. FRANK.
1 Resigned Oct. 10, 1868, and John Corscot elected. 2Term expires Sept. 7, 1868. 3 Resigned Sept. 4, 1868, and Fred. Daubner elected.
1869.
Mayor-ANDREW PROUDFIT. Chief of Police-T. C. BOTSFORD.
Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT. City Attorney-A. S. SANBORN.
Treasurer-WILLIAM HABICH, Jr. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE. Police Justice-JOHN R. BALTZELL. Assessor-N. L. ANDREWS.
Street Supt .- ANDREW BISHOP. Pound Master-A. KOENIG.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-GEO. ANDERSON, D. K. TENNEY, FRED. DAUBNER. Second Ward-A. R. JONES,1 M. T. BAILEY, R. WOOTTON. Third Ward-H. WINCKLER,2 J. M. BOWMAN, P. B. KISSAM. Fourth Ward-S. FORAN, PETER YOUNG, L. D. STONE.
1 Resigned Dec. 4, 1869, and Walter Deards elected Dec. 18, 1869. 2 Resigned Jan. 8, 1870, and J. G. Ott elected Feb. 21, 1870.
1870.
Mayor-ANDREW PROUDFIT. Street Supt .-- ANDREW BISHOP.
Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT. Chief of Police-J. SHEALEY.
Treasurer-ANDREW PICKARTS. City Attorney-A S. SANBORN. Police Justice-JOHN R. BALTZELL. City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE. Assessor-N. L. ANDREWS.
389
MADISON CITY OFFICERS.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-FRED. DAUBNER, F. O'BRIEN, GEO. ANDERSON. Second Ward-WALTER DEARDS, A. DAUBNER, M. T. BAILEY. Third Ward-J. M. BOWMAN, W. H. KARNS, H. WINCKLER. Fourth Ward-JAMES Ross, H. N. MOULTON, S. FOREN.
1871.
Mayor-JAMES B. BOWEN.
Chief of Police-CHAS. C. HAMMER City Attorney-Jos. C. FORD.
City Surveyor-P. W. MCCABE.
Police Justice-J. R. BALTZELL. Assessor-N. L. ANDREWS.
Street Supt .- ANDREW BISHOP.
Pound Master-W. J. MANNING.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-JAS. CONKLIN, HENRY VILAS, FERD. DAUBNER. Second Ward-A. DAUBNER, C. P. CHAPMAN, WALTER DEARDS. Third Ward-J. G. OTT, W. H. KARNS, J. M. BOWMAN. Fourth Ward-THOS. DEAN, ESTES WILSON, JAMES ROSS.
1872.
Mayor-JAMES L. HILL. Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT.
. Street Superintendent, Surveyor- LEVI P. DRAKE.1
Treasurer-CHAS. G. MAYERS. City Attorney-Jos. C. FORD.
Police Justice-A. B. BRALEY. Assessor-WM. T. LEITCH. Pound Master-W. J. MANNING.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-E. COOK, GEO. BUNKER, JAS. CONKLIN.
Second Ward-R. WOOTTON, C. P. CHAPMAN, A. DAUBNER. Third Ward-F. M. DORN, JOHN LEWIS, J. G. OTT. Fourth Ward-ADRIAN WEBSTER, ESTES WILSON, THOS. DEAN.
1 Resigned Dec. 7, and Andrew Bishop appointed
Mayor-J. C. GREGORY. Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT. Treasurer-JAS. FARRELL. Police Justice-A. B. BRALEY.
1873. Street Superintendent-A. BISHOP. City Attorney-CHAS. K. TENNEY. Assessor-W. T. LEITCH.
Pound Master-ISAAC SMITH.
Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT.
Treasurer-JOHN LEWIS.
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APPENDIX.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-GEO. BUNKER, JOHN HEERAN, E. COOK. Second Ward-C. P. CHAPMAN, A. DAUBNER, R. WOOTON. Third Ward-H. KLEUTER, DARWIN CLARK, F. M. DORN. Fourth Ward-A. SEXTON, T. DEAN, ESTES WILSON.
1874.
Mayor-SILAS U. PINNEY.
Clerk-JOHN CORSCOT.
Street Superintendent and Chief of Police-A. BISHOP.
Treasurer-GOTTFRIED GRIMM. City Attorney-C. K. TENNEY.
Municipal Judge-A. B. BRALEY. Assessor-WM. F. LEITCH.
City Surveyor-JAS. QUIRK.
Pound Master-E. SQUIRES.
ALDERMEN.
First Ward-GEO. BUNKER, GEO. MEMHARD, THOS. HAYDEN. Second Ward-C. P. CHAPMAN, W. K. BARNEY, T. B. WORTHINGTON. Third Ward-H. KLEUTER, D. CLARK, F. M. DORN.
Fourth Ward-A. SEXTON, P. L. SPOONER, JR., M. P. WALSH.
391
DANE COUNTY, WIS.
DANE COUNTY, WIS.
Dane county, so named in honor of Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts,. who drafted the celebrated ordinance of 1787 for the government of the Northwestern Territory, is situated midway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river; its southern boundary being twenty-four miles. north of the south line of the state. It is bounded 'on the north by Col- umbia and Sauk counties, on the east by Dodge and Jefferson, on the south by Rock and Green, and on the west and northwest by Iowa and the Wisconsin river. Its extent is forty-two miles from east to west and thirty-five miles from north to south, containing one thousand two hun- dred and thirty-five miles, or 709,400 acres of land.
The county was organized into a separate government in 1839, when it contained about 300 inhabitants. The United States' census, taken in 1870, makes the number 53,109, being a gain, since 1860, of 9,187.
There are thirty-nine towns in the county. Six of them are largely settled by Norwegians and six by Germans, and the American and Euro- pean nationalities are more or less represented in all of the towns.
The county is well watered by lakes and streams, and the soil is gen- erally fertile; in some parts extensive prairies prevailing, and in others- undulating and hilly land. Timber is plentifully interspersed through- out the county. The public land in the county is all taken up and the unimproved land remaining can only be obtained from speculators and others.
There are churches of all denominations throughout the county, also public and private schools. The Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad runs through it westwardly; the Chicago and Northwestern runs through it going northwest, the Milwaukee and Watertown runs west as far as Mad - ison, where it connects with the main Milwaukee and St. Paul line, and the Portage and Madison road runs south as far as Madison, and efforts are being made to extend the same southwestwardly so as to reach the coal beds of Illinois.
The valuation of the taxable property in the county in 1872, as calcu- lated by the State Board, was $24,393,808. In 1870 there were 20,695 horses; 38,420 neat cattle, and 343 mules and asses; 65,351 sheep and lambs ; 122,812 swine; 8,443 wagons, carriages and sleighs ; 1,296 watchies; 451 pianos and melodeons; 1,250 shares of bank stock in the county,
392
APPENDIX.
which with the value of merchants' and manufacturers' stock, $728,277, and other personal property, $1,804,004, gave a total value of $5,092,979. There were also 760,575 acres of wild and improved land, which with city and village lots made a total real estate value of $15,475,032.
From the 395,703 acres of improved lands in the county in 1870, there were produced respectively of wheat, 2,730,130 bus .; rye, 18,398 bus .; corn, 931,264 bus .; oats, 1,465,759 bus .; barley, 148,003 bus .; potatoes, 345,852 bus. Also, 74,369 tons of hay; and respectively of wool, 251,947 pounds; butter, 1,229,226 pounds; cheese, 37,938 pounds; hops, 51,915 pounds. The estimated value of all this farm production, including bet- terments and additions to stock is $5,483,047, and of the manufactures produced $1,121,563. In 1870, the public debt of the county was $175,000, and the yearly total tax levy $287,072. The cost of paupers for the year was $6,000, and 20 criminals were convicted. There were 222 libraries in the county, containing 106,700 volumes. There were 75 church organi- zations, meeting in 61 edifices, with a seating capacity of 22,250, and a value of $165,200. The number of newspapers was eight, with a circula- tion of 19,170. In the year ending August 31, 1873, there were 20,530 school children in the county, between the ages of 4 years and 20 years, and the total value of the school property was $229,540.
The foregoing brief exhibit of the agricultural, manufacturing and social progress and condition of Dane county, gives substantial evidence on which to predicate the continuance of a prosperous career for it and its people; and as it is the largest and best county in Wisconsin, all that its people need for their continued success and comfort, is to keep as they have done, in the van of enterprise and material and social devel- opment.
393
DANE COUNTY TOWNS.
DANE COUNTY TOWNS .*
ALBION.
The town of ALBION received its name at the suggestion of ISAAC BROWN, in honor of his former place of residence in Orleans county, New York. F. SWEET, the first white inhabitant, came from Oneida county, New York, and settled on section 23, in August, 1841. In Sep- tem ber, 1841, BURR and OMEN ANDERSEN, from Norway, settled on sec- tion 2, and within a few weeks, SAMUEL F. STEWART, from Massachu- setts, settled on section 14. These four families were the only residents until September, 1842, when JESSE SAUNDERS and D. J. GREEN settled on section 22, on what has since been called Saunder's Creek, where the village of Albion now stands.
These two families were the first "Seventh day " people in the town. They were followed by others in the early part of the next year, among whom were SOLOMON HEAD, ADIN BURDICK, JAMES WEED and HIRAM BENTLEY. On the 22d of June, 1843, they organized a Seventh day Bap- tist Church, which now has over three hundred members. The first pas- tor was Rev. O. P. HULL.
Among the early settlers in the more northern part of the town were the MARSDENS, CLARKS, WILDMANS, HALLS, SLATERS, BUSSEYS, and oth- ers, from England, who soon organized a Primitive Methodist Church, with Rev. MARSDEN as first minister.
JESSE SAUNDERS opened the first store. D. J. GREEN, the first hotel. The first school was built by the Seventh day people, voluntary contribu- tions, in 1843 or 1844. Their church was built in 1861. A Methodist Episcopal Church was built about 1868. A new Primitive Methodist Church is now being built. Albion Academy and Normal Institute was founded in 1854. Its chief work is the qualification of teachers for com- mon schools. Annual attendance of students from 250 to 300. There are three large brick buildings with grounds containing twelve acres of land. The corporate property is valued at $50,000. The courses of instruction embraces Classics, Mathematics, Metaphysics, Natural Sci- ences, Normal Course, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Elocution, Book- keeping and Spelling. Hon. C. R. HEAD, president of board of trustees.
* The author of this volume is indebted to Harrison & Warner, publishers of the "Dane County Atlas," for much valuable information contained in these notes.
26
394
APPENDIX.
Rev. A. R. CORNWALL, principal. No licenses have ever been issued in this town.
The village of Albion lies in the central part of the town, and is a small settlement.
The township lies in the southeast corner of Dane county. It is well watered, and the lands generally are of an excellent quality. Rice lake is about six miles long, north and south, and takes a part of sections 12 and 13; and the western part of Lake Koshkonong covers a part of sec- tions 25 and 36.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad enters the township from the east on section 32 and passes out at the southwest part of section 30.
The township of Albion is known also in the government survey as township 5 north, range 12 east.
Population in 1870, 1,142.
BERRY.
The Township of BERRY is situated in the northwestern portion of the county, and was formerly a part of Springfield. It is known as township 8, north of range 7, east.
In 1852, a town meeting was held at the school house in District No. 1, JAS. BOWMAN was elected Chairman; O. KERL and E. ELLIS, Supervi- sors; JNO. GRAY, Town Clerk ; JOHN MEDD, Treasurer; A. PUDDLEFORD, Assessor ; JOHN WIGHTMAN, THOS. BARBER, JOHN SAVILL and GEORGE STEVENS, Justices of the Peace. Among the early settlers were, Mr. WIGHTMAN, Mr. CROWTHER, A. SKINNER, J. BONHAM and F. ANHALT.
The surface of the country is generally hilly, except in the western part, between Halfway Prairie Creek and Spring Creek. The soil on the bottom lands is dark loam, and on the high lands clay. The timber is principally white oak. Indian Lake lies in sections 2 and 11. A large part of the inhabitants are Germans, or of German descent.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes through sections 31 and 32, in the southwest corner.
Population in 1870, 1,156.
BLOOMING GROVE.
The Town of BLOOMING GROVE lies in the central part of the county, adjoining Madison on the east, of which it was part, until set off by the County Board in 1850. It is known as township 7, north of range 10, east. A large part of section 8, the north half of section 17, and a part of section 20, are covered by Lake Monona; also a large part of sections 28 and 33 by Lake Waubesa.
The town was first settled in 1845, by R. W. LANSING. J. G. WOLF, J. BECHTEL and Rev. G. B. MILLER arrived soon after. The town was organ- ized in 1850. N. W. TOMPKINS was elected Supervisor; R. W. LANSING,
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DANE COUNTY TOWNS.
Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace. The first marriage was that of ALBERT BARKER to ALIDA J. LANSING, in 1850, performed by Rev. J. G KANOUSE. There are (1874) 11 school districts in the town.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad enters the town on the south line, from the east, on section 34, and passes through sections 33, 29 and 30, where it proceeds west, through Madison. The Watertown division of the same road passes through sections 6 and 5, east.
Population in 1870, 1,010.
BLACK EARTH.
The Township of BLACK EARTH lies in the northwestern part of the county, and formerly included within its limits the Township of MAZO- MANIE. It is known as township 8, north of range 6 east, and is com- posed of eighteen sections of land-one-half the usual number. It. derives its name from the creek that passes through it.
At a town meeting held April 5, 1854, LEVI E. THOMPSON was elected Chairman; H M. WARNER and E. L. POUND, Supervisors; A. H. HOL - BROOK, Town Clerk; JAS. HAYES, Assessor; THOS. DAVIS, Treasurer,
The surface of the country is generally broken, but there are some excellent bottom lands on the streams. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad follows the valley of the creek, entering the town on the east line, on section 36, and passing out at the northwest corner of section 22 on the north line of the town. There are a large number of Norwegians settled in this town.
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