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 35
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N. W. DENSON was the first white child - born March 19, 1848. A daughter of JOHN EASTMAN was born April 14th of the same year.
The first church was built on section 8, in 1851, belonging to the Nor- wegians, of the Lutheran denomination. It was twenty feet square, built of logs, and is still doing service as a church, having been repaired and modified. It served as a school house till the fall of 1852, when the first school house was built. This was located a quarter of a mile east of where DALEY'S store now stands. O. B. DALEY opened the first retail store in 1853.
As a separate organization, Perry dates back to April 4, 1851 - it being a part of Primrose up to that time. After the year 1848, the settlers were mostly German and Norwegians, apparently crowding out the Ameri- cans; among the last to leave were Mr. DENSON and Mr. CAMPBELL.
Population in 1870, 1,051.
PRIMROSE.
The township of PRIMROSE lies on the southern border of the county, in the southwest quarter, adjoining Perry on the east, of which it was formerly a part, known also as township No. 5, north of range 7 east.
The Sugar river and its numerous tributaries, water the northern half
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of the county. Primrose post office is on section 21. The village of Mount Vernon lies part in section 3, and part in the town of Spring- dale, a small settlement.
The town was first settled in 1345. R. SPEARS located on section 19; A. SPEARS, on section 8; CHRISTIAN HENDRIXON came the next year and settled on section 25. The town was organized in 1845. The first offi- cers were: DAVID THOMAS, Chairman; SAMUEL NASSINGER and FREE- MAN FISHER, Supervisors; and ROBERT HARRINGTON, Clerk. The first school house, called "Primrose school house," was erected in 1847, on section 17. G. JACKSON was the first teacher. Rev. A. PRICE, of the Lutheran Church, was the first pastor. A mill was built on section 7 in 1858, being the first in the town. Primrose had the honor of sending a. member to the Legislature in 1868 - Hon. GUNNIF TOLLEFSON.
On section 24 is a hill 200 feet high, 100 rods long and 15 rods wide at: the top, called Mt. Julia. Among the natural curiosities is the " Devil's. Chimney," on section 11. This is a solid body of rock 50 feet high, 25. feet diameter at the base, and 50 feet at the top. In 1850, a man by the name of JOEL BRITZ climbed to the top, and placed a flag there. He is the first and only man that ever accomplished the feat of ascending the so-called chimney. The flag staff still stands there. Names of visitors from all parts of the United States are engraved on the rock.
Population, 1870, 1,015.
PLEASANT SPRINGS.
The town of PLEASANT SPRINGS is located in the southeast quarter of the county, known also as township 6 north of range 11 east.
Lake Kegonsa, or First Lake, covers a portion of sections 18, 19, 20 and 30.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad enters the town on the south line on section 32, runs northerly, passes out on the west line of section 7. The town is watered in the northwest by Big Door Creek and Catfish Creek in the southwestern part. The town is settled largely by Nor-, wegians.
The town of Pleasant Springs received its name from a large spring on the lands of OLE EVENSON, on section 27. Among the early settlers K H. ROE, H. SEVERSON, ROBERT MCCOMB, P. S. MARKHAM, JOHN SON- DERMAN, K. KITTELSON, K. A. JUVE, and K. A. JOITEL. The first town meeting was held April 4, 1848. The first church was built where the Lutheran church now stands, on section 14. The first sermon was preached by Pastor W. DIETRICHSON, under a large oak tree, on A. K. JUVE's farm, September 2, 1844. The first school was taught in a private house. The first school house was built in section 25.
No minerals are known to exist in the town. The soil is good and
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water excellent. Wheat corn, oats, and other cereals are produced in large quantities. There were a few Indian mounds on J. J. WILLIAMS" land, section 19, but they are now nearly all obliterated. Population 1870, 1,065.
ROXBURY.
The township of ROXBURY lies in the northwestern corner of the county and includes all of township 9 north, of range 7 east, lying east and south of the Wisconsin river. Fish Lake covers a portion of sections 3. and 4. Crystal Lake, part of sections 1 and 2. Crane Lake is on sections 14 and 15.
Clifton village is a small settlement on section 6, at which place there is a bridge across the Wisconsin river. River P. O. is on section 7, where there is also a bridge. Alden's Corners is post office at junction of sections 26, 27, 34 and 35. The northwestern corner of the town is very rough and hilly, with some high bluffs. The Wisconsin river extends. over two miles on the western side. There are many Germans settled in the town.
The town was originally a part of Dane. It was organized April 3, 1849. BURK FAIRCHILDS was elected Chairman; LORENZO FARR and LORENZO D. MILLER, Supervisors ; JAS. CROWDER, Town Clerk; LOREN- ZO FARR, Assessor; JAMES STEEL, Treasurer; Z. BOWERS; J. CROWDER, GEORGE RICHARDS and B. FAIRCHILDS, Justices of the Peace,
RUTLAND.
The Township of RUTLAND is situated on the south line of the county, in the southeastern part, known as township 5 north, of range No. 10 east.
The town is watered by the Badfish creek and numerous tributaries. Bass lake lies in section 24. Island Lake on section 3, which covers two thirds of the section. There is an island near the middle of the lake cov- ered with rock-maple trees. No other trees of the kind are found in this section. The village of Rutland is in section 19.
The town was first settled in 1842, by JOSEPH PRENTISS and son, JOSEPH DE JEAN, DANIEL POND and S. D. LITTLE. They located on the southwest corner of the town, on the old Madison and Janesville road, which was a stage route at that time. No other settlements were made until June, 1844, when JONATHAN LAWRENCE and S. W. GRAVES came in and settled on section 28, then back in the wilderness. Late in the fall of the same year JEREMIAH DOUGLASS commenced a settlement on section 11. In 1845, quite a number of people from Vermont located in the south part of the town, which was called the Vermont settlement; and a majority of those people remain in the town at the present day. The same year the DOUGLASSES, DANNONS, CASLEYS and others, from Maine,
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settled in the north part of the town. This was called the Maine settle- ment. About four hundred people came into the town that year, and afterwards the town was rapidly settled. The lands were all taken in a few years by actual settlers, and none by speculators.
The first town meeting was held in April, 1846. JONATHAN LAWRENCE was elected Chairman, and S. W. GRAVES, Town Clerk. The town was named after the town of Rutland, in Vermont. At present there are eight school districts, with good school houses. There are three churches, be- longing to the Methodists, United Brethren and Free Will Baptists, re- spectively. The village of Brooklyn, in Green county, touches the south- west corner.
There is but very little prairie in the town; it was originally burr-oak openings. There are but few natural curiosities. In opening limestone quarries, numbers of fossils have been found - some quite large and per- fect.
Population in 1870, 1,139.
SPRINGDALE.
The Township of SPRINGDALE is located in the southwestern part of the county, known as township 6 north, of range 7 east.
It is watered by the west branch of Sugar river and numerous tributa. ries.
Mount Vernon is a small village on section 32; Springdale P. O. on section 25; Clontorf P. O. on section 11.
The town contains some remarkable remains of that ancient people who are supposed to have inhabited this country prior to its occupation by the Indian races-the most noteworthy of which are to be found on section 15. Here are three mounds, about fifty feet apart, and extending east and west. They are uniform in size, being about six feet in height above the surface of the adjacent land, and circular at the base, where they are nearly forty feet in diameter.
Commencing at the distance of fifty feet from the most eastern mound, and extending in an unvarying direction to the east, there is a long, low ridge, or bank of earth, one hundred feet in length. The height of this ridge, above the surface of the ground on which it is situated, is four feet, and measures six feet through the base, north and south, a line drawn due east and west would divide the three mounds and ridge exactly in the centre. Being upon elevated land, the view from the site of these mounds would, were it not for the luxuriant young trees by which they are sur- rounded, be both beautiful and commanding.
In the summer of 1870 one of these mounds was partially explored by Mr. CHAS. H. LEWIS, a resident of the town, when a well-preserved hu- man skeleton was unearthed, together with a stone pipe of curious work-
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manship, two stone knives, some highly polished and perforated pieces of bone, and many stone implements, the use of which is now unknown.
These mounds and their contents are objects of great interest to the an- tiquarian, as they point to the stone age of Wisconsin, and tend to the elucidation of the great problem in regard to that extinct and mysterious people, the mound builders of America.
Population in 1870, 1,138.
SPRINGFIELD.
The township of SPRINGFIELD is situated in the northwestern quarter of the county, adjoining Middleton on the north; known as township 8. north, range 8 east.
It is an excellent township of land, but not as well watered by streams as many others, except in the northeastern part.
Springfield village, a small settlement, is on section 5; Hyer's Corner Post Office is on section 4: Ashton Post Office on section 26.
The town was first settled in 1842, by HAWLEY SIMONS, who located on section 10; G. B. SLAUGHTER, on section 36, and GEO. JOHNSON, on sec- tion 4. They all came from New York State. The town was organized in April, 1848. The first church was erected on section 7, in 1858, and known as St. Martin's Church. The first school house was called JOHN- SON's school house, and was located on section 12. The first physician in the town was Dr. WINSON, who resided on section 36. Rev. N. MAR- TIN, of the Baptist Church, was the first pastor. EUNICE JOHNSON Was the first white child - born September 4, 1845. The first marriage that occurred was that of Mr. GEO. HOWARD and Miss SARAH MURRAY, which took place in 1844.
The surface of the country is undulating, in some places bluffy. Soil generally rich and fertile, the principal productions being wheat, corn and oats. No natural curiosities exist, though Indian relics have been found.
Population in 1870, 1,443.
SUN PRAIRIE.
The township of SUN PRAIRIE is situated in the northeastern quarter of the county, known as township 8 north, of range 11 east. The north- ern paat is prairie. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad passes through the northern part. The village of Sun Prairie is situated on parts of sections 4 and 5, 7 and 9, and is a station on the road. It is a place of considerable business, and large quantities of grain are shipped east. The village was organized under the charter on the fourth Tuesday of March, 1868, when the following officers were elected : WM. H. ANGELL, President of the board; CHAS. H. BIRD, WM. F. HARDWICK and C. R.
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BABCOCK, Board of Trustees; WILLIAM REEVES, Assessor; G. M. SMITH, Clerk. It contains about 1,000 inhabitants, has Baptist, Methodist Epis- copal, R. Catholic and Congregational churches and a large school build- ing, about a dozen stores, two hotels, two lumber yards, and two livery stables; five doctors, one lawyer, and one dentist, and a number of shops.
The history of the origin of the name of the town has been given in the former part of this volume, to which reference is made.
The town was first organized as such in the spring of 1848, with A. W. DICKINSON, Town Clerk.
Population in 1870- town, 984: village, 626.
VERMONT.
The township of VERMONT is situated on the west line of the county, between the towns of Black Earth on the north, and Blue Mounds on the south, known as township 7 north, of range 9 east. It is well watered by numerous streams, the lands adjoining being rich and productive. As a whole the town is rough and hilly. There are no villages or post offices.
The town was named by one of the settlers, after his native state. The first settler was a German, named JOSHUA HARMONY, who located here in 1846.
J. C. STEELE, who located on section 7, and S. BATTY, on section 6, were among the early settlers. The town was organized in 1855. The first officers were WHALON HASBROOK, ISAAC C. STEELE and JNO. CALD- WELL. AARON DANA, Clerk.
The first sermon was preached in the year 1849, by H. MAYNARD, of the Methodist Church. The first school district was organized in 1850 - ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL the first teacher. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1859; a Norwegian Lutheran church in 1860.
Population in 1870, 1,244.
VERONA.
The township of VERONA is located in the southwestern quarter of the county, south of Middleton, and southwest of Madison, known as town- ship 6 north, of range 8 east.
It is watered by Sugar river and Badger Mill creek. The surface of the country is rolling, diversified by hills and valleys, with considerable prairie land.
The " Nine Mounds " are on section 8; the country adjoining is known as " Nine Mound Prairie."
Verona village and post office is a small settlement on section 15.
The town was first settled by people from England. The first land was sold in 1840. WM. A. WHEELER built the first mill on Badger creek. The first school house was built on Badger Prairie. Presbyterian was
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the first church organization; A. BURNS the first pastor. MARGARET STEWART was the first white child born in the town; E. COLLINS among the first male children.
There is a cave of considerable extent in the northern part of the town, on section 5, an account of which may be found in chapter nine of this volume. Indian mounds and relics are found on section 18, and traces of an Indian village on section 33. Also, the remains of an ancient bakery on section 25.
The Dane County Poor House is located in this town, on section 14. It was opened for the reception of inmates in 1854. The number of persons admitted since that time is 597. Of that number 60 have died, 475 have been discharged, and 60 yet remain. The farm consists of 152 acres -90 acres tillable land, 62 acres low land, and 60 acres of wood land. The building is constructed of brick, and is 40 x 60 feet in size. The farm and building cost $10,113.82. Other buildings have been erected, such as sheds, corn-cribs, barn, etc. The inmates are comfortably pro- vided with clothing, bedding, good substantial food, and all necessaries of life usually furnished in such institutions for the support of the poor.
Population in 1870, 1,124.
VIENNA.
The township of VIENNA is situated on the north side of the county, the second township north of Madison, and known as township 9 north, of range 9 east.
There are no streams in this town, except in section 36.
Norway Grove P. O. is located on section 23.
The town derived its name from the town of Vienna in New York. Among the first settlers were WM. G. SIMONDS, LOUIS MONTANDER, S. NICHOLSON, THOS. LIDAY, DAVID ROBERTSON, A. A. BOYCE and WILLARD FISHER.
It was organized April 16, 1849. A. A. BOYCE was elected Chairman; BENJ. NESMITH and WILLARD FISHER, Supervisors; ISAAC MANN, Town Clerk; THOS. LINDSAY, Assessor; JABEZ WESTON, Treasurer; JONAH POYNER, W. FISHER, A. A. BOYCE, HUBBELL FULLER, Justices of the Peace.
The first church was of the Lutheran denomination, erected 1854- Rev. Mr. PREUSS, pastor. The first school house was built on section 7, in 1851.
The soil is fine, productive prairie. The timber embraces different varieties of oak and some poplar.
Population 1870, 1,177.
WESTPORT.
The town of WESTPORT lies north of Madison, and comprises all that
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portion of township 8 north, of range 9 east, not covered by Lake Mendota.
The town is watered by Six Mile Creek and Catfish Creek, with their tributaries.
The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad enters on the south line at section 36, and passes through the town northwesterly, passing out at section 6. Waunakee is a flourishing village and station on section 8. Westport post office is on section 21. Lake Mendota covers a part of sections 33, 34, 35 and 36.
The town derives its name from the village of Westport, in Ireland. Among the early settlers were the MONTANDERS, BOYLES, O'MALLEYS, COLLINS, etc. The town was organized in 1849. First school was built on section 9, in 1846. First mill was built in 1847. In 1867 a R. Catholic church was erected on section 22. The northern and western portions of the town are principally prairie- the rest marsh and timber. There were some Indian mounds and graves where the Hospital now stands.
The Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane is located on section 35. The entire length of the hospital building is 569 feet, the centre building being 65 x 120 feet. The elegant and commodious buildings are sur- rounded by ornamental grounds, wood and farming lands to the extent of 293 acres, and when some contemplated improvements are added, a com- plete institution, creditable to the enterprise of the people of Wisconsin and their philanthropy, will suitably accomodate the unfortunates need- ing its protection.
A more detailed description of the Hospital will be found in the former part of this volume.
Population 1870, 1,589.
WINDSOR.
The township of WINDSOR lies on the northern line of the county, north of Burke, and known as township 9 north, of range 10 east.
It is watered by small streams that flow into the Catfish, and the south- east corner by Token Creek.
The surface of the country is prairie and oak openings. It is an ex- cellent township, and adapted to the production of corn, wheat and other cereals.
As originally organized it included the present towns of Vienna, Windsor, Burke and Westport. The first town meeting was held at the house of HORACE LAWRENCE in 1847. The first supervisor was CHARLES M. NICHOLS.
The Madison and Portage railroad passes through the town, entering on the south line on section 32, and passing out on the north line on section 6. De Forest station and postoffice is on section 17; Morrison
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station and postoffice, on section 6; and Windsor station and postoffice, on section 29, at which place are a few stores and mechanical shops.
Population in 1870, 1,256.
YORK.
The township of YORK lies in the northeast corner of Dane county, known as township 9 north, of range 12 east. It is watered in the south- west part by Waterloo creek.
The surface of the country is prairie and oak openings, interspersed with natural meadows.
The town was organized April 1, 1848. B. B. FREEMAN was chosen chairman, D. E. EMERY and WALTER BROWN, supervisors, MARTIN MEAD, justice of the peace, and OTIS B. LAPHAM, town clerk.
It is divided into eight school districts, and has two church organiza- tions.
York Center is a small village and postoffice at junction of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22.
Population in 1870, 1,069.
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ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
On page 232, is an account of the organization of the Baptist Church and the erection of the church building. Rev. FOSTER HENRY, of Ver- mont, informs the writer that he made an effort, during a sojourn at Madison in the winter of 1849, '50, to raise a subscription to build the church edifice. That he succeeded in raising some $6,000, conditioned on the sum of $10,000 being subscribed. The latter amount was not reached and the effort was a failure. In 1854, Rev. M. D. MILLER suc- ceeded in raising funds for the purpose as the narrative shows.
In chapter six we omitted to notice among the organizations in the year 1854, that of Hiram Lodge, No. 50, of Free and Accepted Masons, which was effected on February 21. This Lodge is in a prosperous con- dition, as is also the " Concordia Lodge," No. 83, which was organized March 20, 1857, which was not noticed.
Capitol Lodge No. 1, Independent Order of Good Templars, was insti- tuted March 19, 1856, and has prospered well ever since, now possessing one of the finest lodge rooms in the State, in Ogden's block.
Among those who passed through the Four Lake country in early times, and have left a record of their journey, is one family who have been inadvertantly overlooked. On the 8th of March, 1831, JOHN H .. KINZIE, Esq., then Indian agent at Fort Winnebago, having occasion to visit Fort Dearborn, left the Fort (Winnebago) in company with his young wife and a few attendants. They encamped the first night on a stream emptying into Fourth Lake, and the next day passed around the lake. Scattered along its banks was an encampment of Winnebagoes who were friendly; they passed on to the " Blue Mound," and thence seven miles further to Col. MORRISON's place, and thence to KELLOOG's, to DIXON's, on Rock river and thence to Chicago. Mrs. KINZIE, in her very interesting work, " Wau-bun, the Early Day in the Northwest," N. Y., 1856, 8 vo., ' has an account of this journey.
INDEX.
Abbott, Abijah, referred to, 376. Abbott, H. G., visited Madison 1837, 57. Adams, C. F., visited Madison 1860, 268. Ainsworth, Calvin, Police Justice, 287. Allen, C. H .. Supt. of Schools, 288. Allen, Elizabeth, Marriage[1838, 92. Allen, Gen. T. S., referred to, 303. Albee, G. C., referred to, 229.
Aldrich, L. D., in the war, 274, 278, 305.
American Hotel, referred to, 37, 72, 79, 80, 135, 173.
Ames, Nathaniel, rev. soldier, 268, 282, 291. Apostolic Church, referred to, 127. Armitage, B'p W. E., 392. Arndt, C. C. P., killed, 185-6, 289-90. Artesian Well, 310-13, 358-9.
Atwood, J. P., referred to, 252, 274, 304. Argus and Democrat, established, 230-31. Armel, Louis, early trader, 24.
Atwell, B. D., wounded in war, 296.
Atwell, W. P., same, 296 ..
Atwood & Rublee, printers, etc., 230-31. See Madison State Journal.
Atwood & Buck, brick dwelling, 222.
Atwood, David, referred to, 79, 222, 233, 265, 267. 298, 320-1, 335, 349, 361, 367, 375. Atwood, Isaac, settler in 1838, 79.
Aubrey, Jas., killed in Black Hawk war, 19, 20.
Badger, Rev. Mr., teacher, 146. Bacon, R. S., Com. College, 249. Bailey. M. T., referred to, 314. 324. Baird, H. S., at Madison site 1829, 17. Baker, Mrs. E. E .. , referred to, 372. Baker, Dr. J. E., referred to, 342. Baker, J. L., in the war, 305. Baltzell, J. R. referred to, 265, 303, 321,331. Bank of the West, organized. 242. Bank of Madison, organized, 268.
Baptist Church, organized and history, 196, 232.
Barnard, H., Chancellor, 266. Barnes, Frank, steamers, 295, 312. Bartlett, S. B., referred to, 372. Baxter, D., contractor, etc., 71, 197. Beardsley, O., referred to, 120. Beecher, early settler at Cottage Grove, 160. Benedict, S. G., referred to, 252, 282. Beouchard, E., in Black Hawk war, 19. Billings & Firmin, 325. Bingham, H., referred to, 281.
Bird, A. A., early settler, etc., 35, 36, 47, 57, 70-73. 85, 257, 328-9. Bird, Chas. H., early settler, 72-74. Bird, Prosper B., early settler, 74. Bird, Mrs. P. B., 381. Bird's Ruins, account of, 98. Bird, T. E., referred to, 284, 335, 367. Bird, Z. H., early settler, 74, 137. Bishop, Andrew, referred to, 370. Black Hawk war, 18-22.
Blakesley, M., referred to, 301. Bliss, F., referred to, 367.
Blue Mounds, description of, 16, 17.
Blue Mounds, visited by Capt. Carver, 10. Bolden, Jesse, referred to, 63, 64, 74.
Borschenius, H., in war, 280.
Botkin, Alex., notice of, etc., 150, 224.
Botkin, S. W., in war, 286.
Bowen, Dr. J. B., Mayor, etc., 265, 317, 335, 336.
Boyles, A., & Co., Merchants, 191.
Bradford, H.C., in Confederate service, 305. Bradford, S. A., Capt. Madison Gnards, 233. Braley, A. B., Magistrate, 252, 349, 370. Brewer, F. B., referred to, 300.
Briggs, Fred., referred to, 297.
Briggs, Giles, workman on old Capitol, 74. Brighamn, Ebenezer, memoir, 12-15.
Brigham, Ebenezer, referred to, 33, 77, 80, 112-14, 127, 138, 239.
Brigham, David, early settler, 79, 130, 138, 145.
Brigham, J. R., referred to, 149, 180, 221, 361-2.
Brisbane, Rev. W. H., Baptist church, 232. Britt, C. C., Madison in 1842, 141-3.
Brittan, Rev. J. B., Grace Church, 246 251. Brown, Hiram, etc., referred to, 314. .
Brown, John A., at Madison, 1842, 141-3. Brown, Tim., referred to, 282, 290-2,
Bryant, Geo. E., County Judge, in the war, etc., 274, 278, 279, 297, 302, 324, 359. Brooks, Rev. W. R., Baptist Church, 232-33.
Brunson, Rev. Dr. A., paper on Madison, 1841-3, 134-7, 351-3.
Bruen, W. D., built Bruen's Block, 234. Bruen's Block Tenants, 252. Buck, Royal, Teacher, etc., 149, 222. Butterfield, Jona. early settler, 111. Bunker, G. W., referred to, 360.
Burdick, Elisha, referred to, 365. Burial Places, 164-168. Bull, J. M., referred to. 286.
Bundy, G. & D., workmen on Capitol, 74. Burgoyne, Dr., referred to, 328. Bushnell, C., Madison Hotel, 73.
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