USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 27
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1915-Supervisors: George Carpenter, Jolin Mears, P. Dowd, S. S. Squires, Henry Behnke, E. R. Thomas, William Seallon, Herman Koen- eeke, A. Fry, Charles A. Steuber, William Johnson, Thomas Pearson, Edwin Steidtmann, Andrew Moely, James Gregory, R. F. Mereer, Urban D. Mather, Charles Enge, William Schencke, Carl Koenig, J. E. Wad- leigh, Bert Mortimer. Cities-Baraboo, G. W. Andrews, R. G. Griggs and E. V. Alexander; Reedsburg, C. A. Clark and R. P. Perry. Villages -Ableman, W. C. Holtz; Ironton, F. E. Hawkins; La Valle, F. S. Bar- nett; Lime Ridge, George W. Copley; Merrimack, George Loos; North Freedom, C. J. Riek; Plain, George Liegal; Prairie du Sac, J. B. Ragatz; Sauk City, Robert Buerki; Spring Green, John H. Carpenter. Cities- Baraboo, George W. Andrews, R. B. Griggs, E. V. Alexander; Reedsburg, C. II. Clark, R. P. Perry.
1916-Supervisors: George Carpenter, John Mears, Patrick Dowd, S. S. Squires, Henry Behnke, E. R. Thomas, William Scallon, Herman Koenecke, A. Fry, C. A. Steuber, William Johnson, Thomas Pearson, John Herr, John Schneider, James Gregory, Thomas Bindl, Urban D. Mather, Charles Enge, William Scheneke, Henry Steckelberg, Peter J. Horkan and Bert Mortimer. Cities-Baraboo, G. W. Andrews, William H. Ode and E. V. Alexander; Reedsburg, C. A. Clark and R. P. Perry. Villages-Ableman, W. C. Holtz; Ironton, F. E. Hawkins; La Valle, F. S. Barnett ; Lime Ridge, F. W. Goodell; Merrimack, George Loos; North Freedom, William C. Hill; Plain, George Liegel; Prairie du Sac, J. B. Ragatz; Sauk City, Robert Buerki; Spring Green, John H. Car- penter.
County Officers Eleeted in November, 1916: County clerk, Frank
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A. Cooper; treasurer, James H. Mastin (died July 29, 1917; E. M. Doll, of Prairie du Sac, elected by county board on August 16, 1917, to sue- ceed him; Mr. Doll sworn into the office August 18, 1917) ; clerk of circuit court, A. H. Clark ; coroner, Otto E. Westedt; district attorney, James H. Ilill; register of deeds, Carl M. Du Bois; sheriff, William Welk; highway commissioner, John Gunnison ; county surveyor, W. A. Gattiker ; superintendent of schools, George W. Davies; income assessor, Charles H. Stone.
1917-Supervisors: Wilber Cahoon, John Mears, Patrick Dowd, George J. Fliekner, Henry Behnke, E. R. Thomas, William Seallon, Herman Koenecke, George B. McGilvra, Charles A. Steuber, William
COURT HOUSE AT PRAIRIE DU SAC Drawn from description by Robert Koch
Johnson, Thomas Pearson, John Herr, John Schneider, James Gregory, Thomas Bindl, Urban D. Mather, Charles Enge, John Quinn, Henry Steckelberg, Peter J. Horkan and Bert Mortimer.
COURT HOUSE AT PRAIRIE DU SAC
In the meantime, through many years following 1844, county seat fights had been waged and subsided, and various court houses in the county seats of government, had come and gone. After the usefulness of the little temple of justice at Prairie du Sac had been outlived for the purposes to which it was originally dedicated, the building was con- verted into a school house and Judge W. T. Kelsey, of Baraboo, was a pupil there. He recalls that a private school was afterwards organized in the building and remembers the teacher with his feet upon the table
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and a cigar in his mouth as he expounded the principles of education. Judge Kelsey says that the building was a 2-story structure and looked similar to the residence that was occupied by I. L. Humphrey on Ash Street, Baraboo. It faced the south, had the county offices below and the court room above. In after years the building was moved to the northern part of the village and was used by Mr. Meyers as a shop. Later it was torn down and parts of the timbers used in building the barn standing on the lot where George Schneller resides.
COUNTY SEAT AT BARABOO
Prairie du Sac was not long to enjoy the satisfaction of being the county seat. When the deeds to the lots were offered to the county
FIRST COURT HOUSE IN BARABOO Drawn from description by Robert Koch
William H. Canfield of Baraboo, plunged into the forest and emerged after many startling experiences. He made a favorable report, the legislature had been petitioned to re-establish the county seat and on April 7, 1846, by a popular vote, it was decided to change the location to Baraboo. Prescott Brigham furnished the money to purchase a quarter seetion of land where the City of Baraboo is now located, the ground was platted by Charles O. Baxter and from the publie sale of lots the sum of $4,000 was realized for a new court house and jail.
FIRST BARABOO COURT HOUSE
The building was completed in April, 1848, by Col. Edward Sumner as the contractor and the old residents say it resembled a huge drygoods
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
box. This temporary wooden building was erected because the citizens were afraid that at some time the county seat might be moved. Sure enough about 1850 Reedsburg became an aspirant and the contest became so warm that Dietz-like the people of Reedsburg refused to pass logs over their dam. This was known as the "Reedsburg war." A United States marshal settled the dam question and a vote of the people in 1852, decided that Baraboo should remain the county seat.
THE BRICK COURT HOUSE
Soon after it was decided that the county needed a more suitable structure and P. A. Bassett was given the contract to put up a briek building at a cost of $5,000. Those who remain to tell us say that every- body thought it would bankrupt the county to build such a structure. A large portion of the money was contributed by the public. The build- ing was 40 by 20 and was the east portion of the old court house.
In after years Frederick Baringer, of Baraboo, was given the con- tract to build what was known as the west addition to the brick building. The addition cost $6,000.
Two COURT HOUSES BURN
The old court house that stood on the north side of the public square burned on the night of July 4, 1857. A writer in the Sauk County History (1880) says that when first erected in 1847 it was the wonder of the pioneers. It was called the "elephant" of the place and was used for school purposes, as a church, dances and an occasional funeral was held there. E. N. Marsh related before his demise that on one occasion the court room was engaged by one of the churches in order to hold a meeting and was also booked for a daneing party. This fact had not become generally known and at the appointed hour the worshipers and dancers began to assemble. It soon became apparent that there was a mistake somewhere and all began to wonder how it would terminate. The question was an easy one to solve for very soon a fiddler by the name of Badger brought forth his violin and as he tore off a tune the dancers tripped the light fantastic and the church folks disappeared. After the county deserted it, D. K. Noyes used it as a printing office and later Peter Van Wendall converted it into a saloon. It no doubt felt some humiliation and went up in fire and smoke which cleansed it of all its impurities.
On the night of December 27, 1904, the old brick building which stood in the park was discovered to be on fire and a few hours after was a mass of ruins.
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COURT HOUSE OF THE PRESENT
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
THE 1905-06 COURT HOUSE
In November, 1904, a month before the old brick court house burned, the board of supervisors had passed a resolution to erect a $100,000 structure to represent the dignity of the county, politically, civilly and judicially. In March of the following year the bonds issued to cover the cost of its ereetion were sold to the Bank of Baraboo and the contract for its construction let to T. C. McCarthy, of Madison, for $83,384. Ferry & Clas, of Milwaukee, had prepared the plans. The other steps taken in the enterprise were as follows: Building site located by City Engineer French, April 3, 1905; excavation begun by Frank Farwell, April 8th following; concrete work on basement begun on the twenty- seventh of the mouth ; first stone laid, May 1, 1905; Charles Hirschinger places individual cornerstone at southwest corner, May 25, 1905; county places a cornerstone at the southeast corner June 7th of the same year ; county officers, led by County Clerk Junge, move into the new structure, August 9-15, 1906, and on August 18th the courthouse was formally ac- cepted from the contractor by the board of supervisors, and was formally dedicated to the purposes for which it is so well adapted. John M. True was chairman of the board and of the building committee which had active charge of the work, and presided at the dedicatory exercises. Speeches were made by Associate Justice R. G. Siebeeker, Circuit Judge E. Ray Stevens and other distinguished members of the profession; and the courthouse was then considered ready for use according to old-time American custom.
In appearance it is very simple in its outline and in style what is known as classic. The pilasters on the front are in the Ionic order and the walls are surrounded by a cornice in harmony with these pilasters. The stone used is a limestone from Southern Indiana, of a warm gray color, and is considered the best building stone we have in the country outside of the marbles and granites.
The roof, the structure of which is composed of iron beams and terra eotta, is covered with a green glazed terra cotta tile having the ridges and angles laid with copper, making an agreeable color contrast to the stone work. The eupola surmounting the roof is of the same construction entirely covered with copper.
The general effect is that of a dignified, restful structure in harmony with the uses for which it is intended and one which in itself will be persistent for good in its influence upon the community. Approaching the main entrance by steps to a terrace the eye reads the simple Latin word Lex upon the frieze of the main cornice, and entering we find a staircase hall executed in a dull finish, dark reddish brown Tennessee marble with a floor in Illinois limestone; this follows through the eor- ridors of the first and second stories and the toilet rooms.
The main corridors of each story run to the right and left of the
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
entrance hall, lengthwise of the building, and from them open the vari- ous offices. On the first floor to the right are the county judge and county clerk, opposite the entrance the county treasurer and to the left the register of deeds and clerk of the court. The vaults for storage of docu- ments are fireproof, three stories in height and have an iron staircase in each and outside light.
The second story has the main court room 31 by 52 feet and 21 feet high with a coved ceiling and high wainscot. The finish of woodwork is in white enamel, wainscot, window and door trims.
The furniture is dark stained birch and the walls are colored in a tone of yellow brown. Adjoining the court room is the judge's room connecting with the library as well and toilet accommodations and a private stair is provided to the first story. The supervisors have a large and commodious room, 29 by 42, with two committee rooms. The district attorney's room adjoins the jury room. Outside of the court room these rooms have a dark oak finish. The lower story has offices for the sheriff, superintendent of schools, poor commissioner, assessor, janitor, vault accommodation and heating apparatus. Coal vaults are at the rear below the ground and can be filled from the wagons overhead. The floors are of concrete on fireproof arches between beams finished with a layer of smooth cement and on this is laid cork carpet, giving a soft, warm floor covering of pleasing color. The basement floor is finished in what is known as monolith, a composition waterproof, durable and easy to walk upon.
A change and a decided improvement in the architectural comeliness of the court house was made in 1915, when the upper part of the tower was rebuilt to accommodate the fine chime of bells installed therein as a memorial to J. J. Gattiger, a pioneer resident of the county, county clerk for eight years and for years a leading merchant.
COUNTY POOR FARM AND INSANE ASYLUM
About 41/2 miles south of Reedsburg, 5 miles west of Ableman and 3 miles northeast of Loganville, is an imposing, but at the same time, comfortable appearing array of buildings which stand for the county poor house and insane asylum, with the superintendent's residence between and the large farm barn at one extremity. C. Christensen and wife, superintendent and matron, have done mueh to make the institution a charity and a true reformatory of the highest grade. The inmates of both institutions are taught industry and self-respect to the extent of their intellectual and physical abilities, and the patients do nearly all the work about the farm and in the buildings. In accord with the modern ideas, also, the sanitary standard, both of structures, sur- roundings and individuals has been maintained at the same high level as the administrative methods. A clear running brook winds through
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the farm and finds its way into Narrows Creek. In its course it widens into a pond, and the two form pleasant fishing grounds for the patients when their allotted tasks are done.
The first purchase of land for the poor farmn was made in 1871, and in the following year a 2-story brick building, 30 by 40 feet, was erected ยท for the care of the poor. Later, a southern addition was made. For the insane, a wooden 1-story building was used for a few years, but the accommodations were so poor that the county board transferred the patients to Dane County by order of the State Board of Charities and Correction. The building was remodeled in 1893 and made into a 2-story structure, being turned over to the male poor. The resident buildings that were on the farm when it was purchased were moved back and used for laundry purposes. Such other outbuildings were added as a car- penter shop, barn, silo, carriage house, buildings for hogs and hens, cattle sheds, and ice house.
The original building of the large structure known as the insane asylum was erected in 1886, and was of brick, two stories and basement, 40 by 60 feet. The first admissions (five) are recorded for January 1, 1887. In 1893 a system of waterworks and sewerage was installed. The water supply was formerly furnished by a spring on the grounds, which in 1898 threatened to decrease in volume and furnish an inadequate supply. Then a windmill was brought into play to pump the surplus water into a small reservoir seventy-two feet above the ground level of the buildings. Still later a larger reservoir was erected, and the cold storage facilities of the plant were greatly extended and improved.
Since Mr. Christensen assumed the superintendency of the institu- tion not a few radical reforms have been instituted. The fields of the farm have been laid out anew and one section has been set apart for an agricultural demonstration plat. The same thing has been done at Men- dota and Oshkosh and in Vernon County. In that section of the farm is shown what can be done in the way of breeding corn, growing alfalfa, raising high-class oats and other produce. Mr. Christensen obtained samples of corn from different parts of the county and these were planted and the nature of the erops raised from them carefully noted. When the stalks were ripe and the ears turned golden, all the farmers within convenient distance of the farm were invited to gather in a sort of pienie and note the results; and, on several occasions, professors from the agronomieal department of the state university gave instructive lectures. Thus the experimental field at the poor farm became a source of edu- cation to the agricultural community, and the inmates themselves be- came interested.
Stone is always needed on the farm and through the investigation and enterprise of the superintendent a quarry was discovered and opened on the grounds. The patients do most of the work of getting the stone out and building it into the foundations of any structure which needs to be erected. Their work is supervised by an expert. There
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is, of course, no great hurry to complete any building and the ox team and the men labor leisurely, but in the end there are good results, and the patients have accomplished something and feel that they are of some account in the world.
But even the work of quarrying, building, taking care of the stock and "doing house work," does not occupy the leisure time of the inmates, possessed of all grades of intelligence and physical capabilities. Many of them would have been obliged to spend many weary and unprofitable days had not Mr. Christensen provided a means of light employment for them; and he was one of the first in the state to inaugurate this feature in the Sauk County institution. An old loom was obtained for a trifle and a patient was given a chance at rug weaving. He was anxious to get busy in the first place, and, as his work progressed, became so inter- ested in it that he could scarcely take time to eat or sleep. Early in the morning and late at night, the old-fashioned shuttle was thrust back and forth, and the rug slowly came into being. That was the start of the industrial department.
Possibly the most interesting and valuable work has been done in the upholstering department. Many pieces of furniture have been turned out, durable and attractive. A broken or a worn-out settee is no longer carried away to the attie, but is given new eloth or leather, and, with a little varnish, is made almost as good as new. A wheel from an old corn sheller and another from an antiquated binder were pressed into service in constructing a turning lathe. An old organ was found in an attic and this was converted into tabourets. When a broken piece is found in a chair, another is turned by some patient and the article of furniture is repaired.
Then there are basket weaving and brass pounding, by which many beautiful and useful articles have been made and sold.
From the character and comparative helplessness of the patients of the poor house, it will readily be understood that that institution is not self-sustaining, but as many inmates of the asylum are only mentally unsound within sharply defined limits, and often otherwise remarkably bright, the receipts from that institution have, for a number of years more than met the deficiency caused by the expenses incurred in main- taining the poor house. Patients in the asylum outside of Sauk County must each pay $3 per week, and even those who are residents of this connty pay the same when they are able. Thus, in some cases, the receipts per patient are as much as $6 weekly. This source of income is therefore considerable. About 75 per cent of the patients are usually from Sank County. The capacity of the asylum is about 100, which has, at times, been overtaxed.
COUNTY JAIL AND SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE
The county jail and sheriff's residence on Second Avenue was com- pleted in the fall of 1890, and the building is really an ornament, as well
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as being so thoroughly adapted to the purposes for which it was designed. It is north of the old jail and cost altogether $20,000.
STATISTICAL
The census takers and assessors who have been busy in Sauk County for the past forty years or more have collected a mass of information bearing on its progress which is very valuable and interesting, if con- sidered with some care. Its most important features are shown in the tables which follow, which, in themselves, are condensations of more elaborate statistics. If the reader is anxious to pursue any special line of investigation, he can, of course, follow it to the fountain heads among the county archives. It should be noted at this point that any figures relating to the schools of the county are reserved for a special chapter covering pages which follow.
POPULATION 1875, 1880 AND 1885
The population of Sauk County by towns in 1875, 1880 and 1885, the census enumerations of the odd years being taken by the state, was as follows :
Townships
1875
1880
1885
Baraboo
3,976
4,594
4,835 1
Bear Creek
808
808
853
Dellona
592
583
648
Delton
829
867
841
Excelsior
1,053
1,109
1,286
Fairfield
724
747
646
Frauklin
032
1,010.
1,033
Freedom
1,057
1,330
1,120
Greenfield
766
753
832
Honey Creek
1,270
1,248
1,250
Ironton
1,311
1,311
1,445
La Valle
1,153
1,364
1,553 2
Merrimack
886
829
836
Prairie du Sac
1,099
1,963
2,126
Reedsburg
2,242
2,547
2,617 +
Spring Green
1,049
1,090
1,098 6
Sumpter
773
745
747
Troy
1,046
1,028
1,002
Washington
1,003
1,169
1,213
Westfield
1,320
1,462
1,482
Winfield
827
780
838
Woodland
1,220
1,367
1,369
Totals
26,926
28,704
30,359
1 City of Baraboo: First ward, 1,495; second, 1,370; third, 1,303.
2 La Valle Village, 342.
3 Sauk City, 965.
* Reedsburg Village, 1,361.
5 Spring Green Village, 464.
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POPULATION, 1890, 1900 AND 1910
Civil Divisions
1910
1900
1890
Ableman Village
444
430
332
Baraboo City
6,324
5,751
4,605
Ward 1
2,077
Ward 2
2,739
Ward 3
1,508
Baraboo Town.
1,376
1,464
1,386
Bear Creek Town.
953
976
853
Dellona Town.
625
626
594
Delton Town.
903
916
829
Excelsior Town.
851
051
967
Fairfield Town.
616
697
672
Franklin Town.
1,216
1,114
1,044
Freedom Town.
901
962
943
Greenfield Town.
833
924
848
Honey Creek Town.
883
993
1,124
Ironton Town.
1,274
1,362
1,455
La Valle Town.
1,009
1,063
1,034
La Valle Village
421
386
333
Merrimack Town.
519
615
847
Merrimack Villago
312
350
....
North Freedom Village
647
485
316
Prairie du Sac Town.
506
541
618
Prairie du Sac Village
699
556
562
Reedsburg City
2,615
2,225
1,737
Ward 1
1,217
Ward 2
1,398
Reedsburg Town.
1,120
1,20+
1,112
Sauk City Villago
867
810
876
Spring Green Town.
501
636
583
Spring Green Village
730
621
625
Sumpter Town.
589
724
761
Troy Town.
917
950
911
Washington Town.
1,154
1,226
1,206
Westfield Town.
1,204
1,285
1,357
Winfield Town.
749
813
793
Woodland Town.
1,081
1,227
1,223
Totals
32,869
33,000
30,575
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION IN COUNTY
In connection with the population of Sauk County, there is no feature more interesting than the sectional distribution of the nationalities, and the most evident faet has been, for many years, the preponderance of the German element. In the state census of 1885, compiled by J. P. Witwen, county clerk, it was found that of the total population unm- bering 30,359, 22,917 were born in the United States, 5,530 in Germany, 752 in Ireland and 680 in Great Britain. At that time there were only 147 Scandinavians; 88 were born in France, 84 in British America, and
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26 in Holland. As there were many German-Americans in the number credited to the United States, the preponderance of the German element was self-evident, as it is today. No other proof is needed than a simple scanning of any city or village directory and a noting of the names which appear-literally thousands of them of German derivation.
In 1885 the distribution of the native German population in Sank County was as follows: Baraboo City, 332; Baraboo Town, 193; Bear Creek, 59; Dellona, 40; Delton, 62; Excelsior, 331; Fairfield, 25; Frank- lin, 258; Freedom, 292; Greenfield, 204; Honey Creek, 491; Ironton, 89; La Valle Town, 127; La Valle Village, 38; Merrimack, 129; Prairie du Sae, 254; Sauk City, 367; Reedsburg Town, 363; Reedsburg Village, 293; Spring Green Town, 47; Spring Green Village, 33; Sumpter, 127; Troy, 258; Washington, 263; Westfield, 539; Winfield, 107; Woodland, 209.
DR. KATE LEVI ON THE GERMAN ELEMENT
In view of the remarkably large German element in the entire State of Wisconsin several historians of the Badger state have thoroughly investigated the "geographical origin of German immigration" in this section of the country. All residents of Wisconsin freely acknowledge their indebtedness to the industry, efficiency and innate honesty of the German, and none more so than the citizen of Sauk County whose birth may have been within the boundaries of the United States, and whose ancestors, for generations, may also have been native Americans. Prob- ably none has made a more thorough literary investigation in this field than Kate Everest Levi, Ph. D., an alummms of the State University, whose papers have been published in the collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society, A sifting of her statements, made in 1898 (and which still virtually stand), indicates that the Pomeranians and Mecklenburg- ers, of Northeastern Germany, are most numerous in Honey Creek, Troy, Greenfield and Fairfield, in the southern and northeastern portions of Sank County. The towns of Westfield and Reedsburg are almost entirely settled by people from Hanover, while the emigrants from Holstein have generally selected the towns of Fairfield and Greenfield. These Germans came from the northwestern part of the empire. Many Bavarians and emigrants from southern and middle Germany are also scattered through Sank County. Rhenish Prussia is also well represented, its people being among the first Germans to immigrate to this section of the state. In 1840 Connt Haraszthy opened the way to German settlement along the Wis- consin at Sank City, for, although a Hungarian himself, nearly all the colonists whom he induced to accompany him were small peasant farmers and workmen from the vine regions of the Rhine.
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