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 34
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The village of BLACK EARTH is one of considerable business, and is situated on section 26. It contains a grist mill, Congregational and Methodist churches, hotel, town hall, a newspaper office and a number of stores and shops. It was incorporated in 1857, which act was after- wards repealed. Population in 1870, 966.
BLUE MOUNDS.
The Township of BLUE MOUNDS is situated in the southwestern part of the county, known as township 6, north of range 6 east.
This is one of the oldest settled towns in Dane county-the first settler being Col. EBENEZER BRIGHAM, an account of whom will be found in the former part of this volume. He first settled here in 1828, before the territorial organization. The town was organized in April, 1848. There are five school houses and four churches-two Lutheran, one Presbyte- rian and one Methodist. The town is well watered by small streams, and abounds in beautiful scenery. The East Blue Mounds is in the northwest part and occupies section 5 and portions of 4 and 6. It is the highest point in the southwestern part of the State and rises to an altitude of 1,931 feet above the sea and 1,072.5 above the lakes at Madison. From the summit, a grand panorama is spread out; objects many miles distant
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are distinctly visible, as are the lead regions of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Mineral shafts abound all about the Mounds filled with ores of lead, zinc, copper, pyrites, spars, and the ordinary varieties of matrix that inclose this class of mineral treasures.
The eastern part of the town is settled largely by Scandinavians. Pop- ulation in 1870, 1,165.
The postoffices are West Blue Mounds, in Iowa county, near the west line of Dane county; East Blue Mounds, corner of sections 10, 11, 14 and 15; Mt. Horeb, on section 12.
BRISTOL.
The township of BRISTOL is located in the northeastern part of the county, and was formerly a part of Sun Prairie, known by government survey as town 9, north of range 11, east. It is well watered by Waterloo creek and its branches in the eastern part. The surface is undulating, soil rich and fertile and considerable marsh or hay land.
It was organized as a separate town in 1848, the first town meeting being held at the house of GEORGE C. SMITH. W. W. PATRICK was elected first Supervisor.
Brazee's Lake lies in southwest corner of section 34, and is about three-fourths of a mile long, north and south.
Population in 1870, 1,275.
BURKE.
The township of BURKE lies in the northeastern quarter of the county, adjoining the city of Madison in a northeast direction, and known as town 8, north, range 10 east. It is watered in the northern part by Token Creek. This is an excellent township of land, the surface about equally divided between prairie and timber. The soil is rich and productive. The town has the advantage of two lines of railroads passing through it, the Madison & Portage Railroad, which enters on the southwest corner from the south and runs northerly from Madison through the western part, passing into Columbia county; and the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad which enters on the south line in section 33, and runs north- easterly into the town of Sun Prairie.
The town was first settled about 1841-2. Among the early residents were HORACE LAWRENCE, ADAM SMITH, and GEORGE H. SPALDING. E. GROVER located in 1844. It was formerly a part of Windsor.
It was organized as a separate town in 1852. Hon. ADAM SMITH Was elected first supervisor.
The village of Token Creek, in section 3, lies on the stream of that name on the north line of the town, on the site of an old Indian encamp. ment.
Population in 1870, 1,127.
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CHRISTIANA.
The township of CHRISTIANA lies in the southeast part of the county, adjoining the county of Jefferson, known also as town 6 north, of range 12 east. It is well watered in the north by Mud creek, and the central and eastern part, by Koshkonong creek and tributaries. Koshkonong prairie lies between Mud creek and the first named stream.
The town was first organized May 6, 1847. Among the early settlers were A. O. AMUNDSON, M. MAYHEW, J. PETERSON and S. H. COON. The first school house was built on section 9. The first church was of . the Lutheran denomination and was located on section 27. The first preacher was a Mr. DIETRICHSON. Some portions of the town are some- what broken, the whole about equally divided between prairie and timber . There are two villages in the town: Cambridge, on section 12, and Clin - ton, on section 24, both on the Koshkonong creek, the latter has a grist mill. Utica post office is on section 19.
The town is settled largely by Norwegians. Population, 1870, 1,342.
COTTAGE GROVE.
The township of COTTAGE GROVE lies east of the town of Blooming Grove, about nine miles east of Madison, and known as town 7 north, of range 11 east.
It is watered in the northeastern part by Koshkonong creek, in the southern and western part by Little and Big Door creeks.
The village of Cottage Grove is a small settlement located in section 7. Door Creek post office is on section 33.
The town was first settled in 1837 by AMOS HARRIS, who located on section 9. AMOS BEECHER, WILLIAM WELLS and H. CATTINE, on section 7. The town received its name from a burr-oak grove in the midst of which a public house was built, and where the post office was kept. The town was organized April 6, 1847. HENRY L. BUSH was elected Chair- man, and F. A. MITCHELL Town Clerk. There seems to have been no Treasurer elected ; at least, the records do not show it. A Presbyterian Church was early organized under the care of Rev. GEORGE KANOUSE. Subsequently, a Methodist Church was organized, and both congregations now have commodious meeting-houses. The first school house was built on section 7. There are now nine school districts, in which schools are kept from six to nine months each year. The surface of the country is rolling, some parts being rugged and hilly. The town contains about 7,000 acres of marsh land, which yields excellent hay and pasturage. There are Indian relics and mounds on the lands of ALBERT GASTON on section 4.
Population, 1870, 955.
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CROSS PLAINS.
The township of CROSS PLAINS is located in the western part of Dane county, and is known in the government survey as township 7 north, range 7 east.
It is watered in the northeast quarter by Black Earth creek, and Sugar river on the southern sections. About two-thirds of the town is prairie land. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad enters the town on the east side, on section 12, and passes out northwesterly in section 5.
The town was first permanently settled in 1840, by EDWARD HUGHES and JOHN CAMPBELL. They were soon followed by JOHN W. THOMAS, BERRY HANEY, THOS. ARLAND and S. BELL. A Mr. STEEL was living in the town in 1837, engaged in hunting and trapping, but did not remain.
The town was organized in 1847, with RIPHA WARDEN, Supervisor: WM. HOWERY, Assessor; BERRY HANEY, Clerk. School districts were organized the same year, and schools soon after.
In the south part of the town is an elevation 'known as Pine Bluffs. This is a body of rock, on the top of which grows a clump of pine trees. There are also some high bluffs in the northern part of the town.
The villages of Foxville and Christina, are on sections three and four on the railroad. Cross Plains post office is on section 2. Pine Bluff post office at the junction of sections 21, 22, 27 and 28. Population, 1870, 1,506.
DANE.
The township of DANE is situated on the northern line of the town, east of Roxbury, known as township 9 north, of range 8 east. The north- western part is watered by Spring Creek. Somc portions are rough and bluffy.
The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad passes through the town north andsouth in an irregular line. The village of Dane is a way station on section 13. Brereton is a post office on section 30.
The town was first settled by FREEDOM SIMONS, who arrived in 1842. The next year, J. LEWIS, L. BLATCHLEY, G. W. BELL, WILLIAM DUNLAP, and others, from Ohio, located in the west part of the town, and this sec- tion was called the Ohio settlement. About the same time, CLARK BAB- COCK, J. BABCOCK, - PETTIBONE, D. HAWLEY and JOHN OTTO came in. JOHN MILLER, from Vermont, arrived in 1844.
Dane and Roxbury formerly composed one township. The records of Dane date back to 1848. It took its name from the county. The soil is good, about two-thirds prairie, the balance oak openings. The people were engaged exclusively in farming, up to the advent of the Northwest- ern Railroad, in 1871; since which time the village of Dane has sprung up, and is a point of considerable business.
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The old Indian trail from Four Lakes to Sauk Prairie ran, in a nearly direct line, through the town from the southeast to the northwest corner. Population, in 1870, 1,043.
DEERFIELD.
The Township of DEERFIELD lies on the eastern border of Dane county, in township 7 north, of range 12 east.
The town is very well watered by Koshkonong creek, which enters the town on the west line, runs easterly and empties into what is known as Krogh's Mill Pond, a large body of water which covers a portion of six sections of land. Mud creek enters the town on the south line, and run- ning north empties into this pond-large enough in area to be called a lake. Goose Lake lies in the northeast corner on sections 1, 2, 11 and 12. Norah P. O. is on section 29.
The first settlers in the town arrived 1841-42; among them were DAVID R. HYER, B. INGRAHAM, COLBEN OLESON, and STORK OLESON. Mr. HYER located on section 9; he was the first postmaster of Deerfield postoffice, established in 1843, and held the office for eleven years. During this time he kept hotel, and bought and kept on hand supplies for the stages running from Madison to Milwaukee and Janesville to Columbus.
The first annual town meeting was held at Mr HYER's house April 3, 1849. At this meeting, ALLEN E. ADSIT was elected Chairman of Board of Supervisors; EMERY SAMPSON and GEORGE R. FRYER, Supervisors; H. L. FOSTER, Town Clerk ; BENJAMIN POTTER, Treasurer, and MARTIN W. ADSIT, Assessor.
Population, 1870, 1,040.
DUNKIRK.
The Township of Dunkirk lies in the southeast part of the county on the south line, also known as township 5 north, of range 11 east.
It was one of the original towns at the organization of the county in 1846.
The Yahara or Cat Fish runs through the town, entering on the north line on section 4, and passes out on the south line on section 35. On this stream are good water powers. The village of Stoughton is located on sections 5 an 8 on this stream, and is also a station on the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and is a place of much business. It contains a hotel, three stores, flouring mill, plough factory, Baptist and Episcopal churches, a large wagon factory, a number of mechanical shops and many hand- some residences. Dunkirk village is a small settlement on section 21. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes through the central part of the town, entering on the east line on section 25, and running north west- erly, passes out on the north line, on section 5.
The first town meeting was held in 1846, at the house of Mr. LYONS. ABNER BARLOW was elected first supervisor.
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The surface of the county is gently undulating; the soil is good, and produces the usual varieties of grain, and some tobacco.
Population in 1870, 1,194,
DUNN.
The Township of DUNN is situated in the southeast quarter of the county, and is township 6 north, range 10 east. Lake Waubesa, or Sec- ond Lake, covers portions of sections 4, 5, 8 and 9, on the northwest part; Lake Kegonsa, or First Lake, on the eastern side, also takes a portion of sections 13, 23, all of 24, 25 and 26; Hook Lake, in the southwest part, on sections 28, 29 and 32; Mud Lake on section 10.
The soil is clay in the openings, and black loam on the prairies.
A large number of the settlers are Norwegians. The town of DUNN was so named by mistake. The inhabitants petitioned to have it called Door, but the Town Clerk mistook the word and called it Dunn. The early settlers were A. WEATHERBY, A. WHITCOMB, E. ROOT, WILLIAM ROOT, H. PRICHARD, WILLIAM CALLADAY and O. B. MOORE. The town was organized in 1848. There are eight schools and one church. Indian relics abound on almost every hill. Mounds, in the shape of animals, birds and fishes are numerous.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes through the northeast corner. On section 3 is the village of MacFarland, a station on the rail- road.
Population in 1870, 1,172.
FITCHBURG.
The Township of FITCHBURG, formerly known as Greenfield, is situated in the south central part of the county, known as town 6 north, of range 9 east.
The north tier of sections is watered by a small stream which has its rise in nine springs in section 3, and Penora creek, on the eastern side, on which is located the village of Lake View.
Stoner's Prairie is the name of a post office on a prairie of that name on section 30. At that place, JOHN STONER, of Madison, made improve- ments as early as 1838. Oak Hall Post Office is a small settlement on section 33. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad passes through the town, entering on the south line on section 35, passing northerly out at section 2, into the town of Madison. Syene is a station and post office on the railroad, on section 11.
The first settlers were, WM. QUIVEY, JOS. VROMAN, P. PRITCHARD, R. W. SALISBURY, W. TRUE, GEO. W. Fox, WM. H. FOX, GEO. KEENAN and JOHN KEENAN. WM. QUIVEY's log cabin was hotel, Post Office and town house for a long time. The Fox settlement was a well known locality before towns were established in the county.
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At the town meeting held April 4, 1854, S. W. FIELD was elected Chairman; ISAAC EATON and M. GRADY, Supervisors; R. C. BENNET, Town Clerk ; P. S. NOTT, Treasurer; C. POSTLE, Assessor.
Population in 1870, 1,152.
MADISON.
The township of MADISON includes all that portion of township 7 north, of range 9 east, except the city of Madison, and is situated near the center of the county. Almost the whole of the northern part is covered by the waters of Lake Mendota, and a portion of the eastern part by Lake Monona. Lake Wingra occupies the larger part of section 27 and parts of sections 26 and 28. The town is traversed by the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, which enters it from the south at section 36, passes north- westerly and westerly through the city and town to section 18, where it passes into Iowa county. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad enters on the south line on section 35, runs northerly across Lake Monona, and northeasterly through the city into Columbia county.
The history of the town is identical with that of the present city, and has been given heretofore and is unnecessary to be repeated.
On section 6, on the north side of Lake Mendota, Black Hawk and his- party were encamped during the Black Hawk war.
Quarry town is a small settlement on sections 20 and 21. .
Population in 1870, 857.
MAZOMANIE.
The township of MAZOMANIE is situated in the northwest corner of Dane county, and is composed of sections one to eighteen, inclusive of township 8 north, of range 6 east, and fractional part of township No. 9, lying south and east of the Wisconsin river. The northern half of this township is marsh or meadow land, very rich and productive. The southern half is watered by Black Earth creek and its tributaries.
The village of Mazomanie is a thriving place of business; located on sections 9 and 16, and is a station of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which road passes through sections 16, 17 and 18, in the southwest part of the town. It contains two grist mills, an Episcopal, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Primitive Methodist and Congregational Churches; a good school house, 4 public houses, 2 nurseries, a brewery, and a number of stores and shops.
The town was organized in 1855. The first settlers came from Liver- pool, England, in the fall of 1843. A Mr. CHARLES WILSON, Agent for the British Temperance Emigration Society, purchased a quantity of land, a portion of which was occupied by the members of the society. The' names of the settlers were J. RHODES, J. RAY, J. HOMES, G. ROBBINS,
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J. KERR, and others; also, Mr. A. SENIER, not a member of the society, located on section 18.
The first school house was built in 1847, on section 15, and known as " Howarth's," or the "old log school house." The first church was erected on section 16. It was called the First Congregational Church, and its pastor was the Rev. D. JONES, of Dover, Iowa County, Wisconsin. The first school teacher was MARY HAYES, who resided on section 15. The first marriage that occurred in the town was that of Mr. LEACH and Miss REEVE.
Mr. WM. THOMPSON, after coming to Wisconsin, returned to England for his family. On their way back to Wisconsin, his wife gave birth to a son, and they named it in honor of the vessel in which they were travel- ing, PATRICK HENRY THOMPSON.
Population in 1870; town, 569; village, 1,144.
MEDINA.
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The Township of MEDINA is situated in the northeastern part of Dane county; the eastern side divides it from the county of Jefferson. It is known as township 8 north, range 12 east.
The northern portion is watered by Waterloo creek. Spring creek is a tributary in the central part.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes across the town, entering on the east side on section 12, passing out on section 6. Deanville is a village and station on section 8. The village of Marshall is located on Waterloo creek, on sections 10 and 15.
The town was first settled about 1846. It derived its name from Me- dina, Ohio, the former residence of most of the settlers, among whom were CHAS. LUM, S. MUZZY, MARTIN KING and ASA CRASS. The first town meeting was held April 4, 1848, when CHAS. LUM was elected Chair- man, and URBANE PARSONS Town Clerk. In 1847 there was no school house, meeting house, or any other public building, except an inferior tavern. In the fall of 1848 a brick school house was built, which answered the purpose of school house, town house and meeting house, for nineteen years. In 1866 an academy was built, costing six thousand dollars. In 1869 the Baptist and Methodist societies each built a meet- ing house. In 1871 a town hall was erected, so the town is now pretty well provided with public buildings.
On the site of the present village of Marshall, ZENAS H. BIRD, a brother of Col. BIRD, put up the frame for a large building, with the view of establishing a tavern at that locality; but other routes of travel began to be opened, and Mr. BIRD, regarding the prospect as unpromis- ing, abandoned the premises. Left to the action of storms and weather, the building, in the course of two or three years, fell to the ground, and
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hence the place was named " Bird's Ruins." BIRD sold to DOULASS, DOUGLASS to HANCHETT, when the place was called Hanchettville. HAN- CHETT laid out a large territory, and named it Howard City. The prop- erty was sold on a mortgage, and bought by SAMUEL MARSHALL, from whom it derives it present name.
The village contains an excellent grist mill, hotel, Baptist church, a few stores and mechanical shops. Population, 1870, 1,525.
MIDDLETON.
The Township of MIDDLETON lies near the central part of the county, adjoining Madison on the west, and known as township 7 north, of range 8 east. This is one of the early settled towns in Dane county. It is watered on the northeast by Pheasant Branch, and on section 1 is the small village of that name. On section 9 is a large expansion of water known as Mud lake, from which a small stream runs westward into Black Earth creek.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad crosses the town, entering from the east on section 13, passing out at section 7. Middleton Station, a place of considerable business, is located on section 11. It contains a steam planing mill, an elevator, four public houses, distillery, a few stores and shops. East Middleton postoffice is on section 27, Middleton post- office on section 30.
The town was originally a part of the town of Madison. It was organ- ized as a separate town in 1848. The first Supervisor was THOS. F. WHITTLESEY. 1
The early settlers were WALLACE ROWAN, MICHEL ST. CYR and Col. WM. B. SLAUGHTER, a more particular account of whom will be found in the former part of this volume. ROWAN early located as an Indian trader, at the head of Fourth lake, and was there at the outbreak of the Black Hawk War, in 1832.
He was succeeded as a trader by MICHEL St. CYR. Whisky and tobacco constituted his stock in trade. But this trade was not sufficient for a livelihood, and he cultivated about eight acres of ground, raising corn, oats, potatoes, and a few vegetables. His cabin was a small affair, but he entertained the few traders that passed through the country. This was on the site of the City of the Four Lakes. Col. WM. B. SLAUGHTER entered the land in 1835, and conveyed an undivided one-half to Judge DOTY, December 20th, in that year, with a view of having a town laid out there, and eventually securing the Territorial Capital at that point. It was surveyed and plotted in 1836. But Col. SLAUGHTER being absent at the time of the session of the legislature at Belmont, Madison was the successful competitor for the interesting prize at stake, and the City of
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the Four Lakes met an untimely end. The village of Pheasant Branch is located near the spot.
The soil is excellent, and farm products generally are raised in large quantities. There is a large pond or lake situated on section 9. Popu- lation, 1870, town 1,539, station 286.
MONTROSE.
The township of MONTROSE lies in the southwestern part of the county, on the southern border, known as township 5 north, range 8 east. The town is well watered by Sugar river and its tributaries. The soil is rich and productive. The village of Paoli lies on sections 3 and 10, on Sugar river. Belleville is a small settlement on section 34.
The town of Montrose was first settled in 1841, by JOSEPH KENDRICKS and GEORGE MCFADDEN and families, ELAM ELDER, then single, and BENJAMIN CROCKER and family.
The town was organized in 1847. DANIEL M. HOLT was elected first supervisor. The election was held at Mr. McFADDEN's house. The first white child born in the town was in the family of Mr. HENDRICKS. The town received its name at the suggestion of Mr. McFADDEN, after a town in Pennsylvania.
Population in 1870, 1,157.
OREGON.
The township of OREGON lies on the southern boundary of the county, in the central part, known on the surveys as township 5 north, range 9 east. It is one of the early settled towns. It is watered in the southwest part by tributaries of Sugar river.
The Chicago and Northwestern railroad passed through the town, entering on the south line, on section 36, passes out on the north line on section 2.
The village of Oregon is a station of the road on section 12, and is a place of considerable business. It has a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, three stores, lumber yard, broom factory, hotel, and a number of mechanical shops.
The town was organized in 1847. It was first settled in 1842-3. Among the earliest settlers were C. P. MOSELEY, from Connecticut; A. KIERSTEAD, from New Jersey; R. ROONEY, from Virginia; ROBERT THOMPSON, from Scotland; JOSEPH G. Fox, from Ireland; R. BOICE and WM. ROOT.
The first town meeting was held in the house of L. S. PRATT. A Con- gregational church was organized in April, 1845, by Rev. S. MINER and Rev. S. PEET, with twelve members. In November, 1846, it became Presbyterian under the ministry of Rev. M. A. Fox, its present pastor.
The land is undulating, consisting of prairie and oak openings. The
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soil, sandy loam and clay. Brick clay, from which excellent cream brick is made, is found near Oregon village.
Population in 1870, 1,498.
PERRY.
The township of PERRY is situated in the southwest corner of Dane county, known as township 5 north, of range 6 east.
The town is well watered by small streams, the head waters of the East Peckatonica river. Perry post office is on sections 8 and 17. Forward post office on section 23.
The town was named in honor of Commodore PERRY, of Lake Erie fame. It was first settled in the spring of 1846, by JOHN BROWN, a native of Indiana, who settled on section 27. JOHN HOBART and ANTON KEL- LAR, from Germany, came later in the year, and located on sections 3 and 10. The next year, SHUTE RUDY and JOHN SEARS, from Kentucky; JOHN EASTMAN, from Ohio, and S. H. CAMPBELL settled mostly along the southern border. In February, 1848, B. F. DENSON, a native of North Carolina, moved in and settled on section 34. During this summer, sev- eral Norwegians moved in, prominent among whom were HANS JOHNSON, on section 20; LARS HALVERSON, on section 17; T. THOMPSON, on section 17, and OLE O. BAKKEN, on section 4. The last named bought out a Nor- wegian who had come the year before. The above-mentioned individ- uals may rightfully be considered the pioneers of the town, but of these only BAKKEN and JOHNSON still remain.
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