USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 43
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HOME AT MOTHER TEEL'S
"My principal home during the year was at Father Tecl's. I spent nearly a week there once in three weeks, and myself and horse shared the best they had. The family consisted of two old persons and George, about seventeen, and Charles, about twelve. Mother Teel was more than a mother to me, for she saved my life, once at least, by her skill in treating a dangerous disease successfully. No poor itinerant ever met with more generous hospitality than I did at that 'Methodist Tavern,' and my home there is among the most cherished memories of my life.
"I finished my year on July 20th, having traveled about 3,500 miles, besides visiting generally about the settlement, preaching nearly 200 times to congregations ranging from two, the lowest, to thirty, the high- est, averaging eight. I could count my congregation every time for the whole year without making a mistake! The people were generally poor, consisting in most instances of newly married couples, just begin- ning life for themselves. But they were exceedingly kind, and I may add, patient ; for I was often ill, and at best could poorly interest, much less profit them. But it was a valuable year to me, rich in privations, trials and opportunities, and one I can never forget because of its pleas- ures.
SUCCEEDED BY SEYMOUR STOVER
"At the conference of 1842, held at Chicago, Seymour Stover suc- ceeded me on the Museoda Mission, while I was sent far hence to the
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gentiles-that is among the Chippewa Indians at the head of Lake Su- perior. Mr. Stover is still living near Chicago. His connection with the Sauk county people did not prove very happy. At the end of his ยท year the mission was left off the minutes. In 1844 it was again favored with mention, but not called 'Sauk Prairie,' and left 'to be supplied,' being yet in Platteville District, Benjamin T. Kavanaugh being the Presiding Elder. Being far away, I have no knowledge as to who was the supply for that year, but he probably was a Badger."
PLACE NAMES RELATING TO SAUK COUNTY
An alphabetical epitome of the history of Sauk County is fairly contained in a brief consideration of the origin of the localities therein -geographical, archaeological and political. As complete a list as is compatible with the space at the disposal of the author is given below.
Ableman-Village named for Col. Stephen Van Rensselaer Ableman. The place was once called Ablemans Mills, Rock Springs and Excelsior. The name of Rock Springs was given from the springs at the base of the rocky bluff, and Excelsior from the seal of New York. See Excelsior.
Adams-See Baraboo.
Babbs Prairie-Level tract near Reedsburg, named for James W. Babb and son, John, who settled on the prairie in 1845.
Badger State-On the authority of Dr. Reuben G. Thwaites and other historians of Wisconsin and the Northwest, the term badger was popularly applied to the commonwealth because of the habit of the lead miners, many of whom came from the far-eastern states. As they were unable to return to their homes in the winter they dug into the hillsides, burrowed there like badgers, awaiting the opening of activity in the spring. They called themselves Badgers, and the name was fastened on the state.
Badger Valley-Vale nine miles east of Spring Green, named for animals once numerous there.
Bald Bluff-Hill in the eastern part of Greenfield. Years ago there was no timber on the land, but since the coming of the early settlers trees have covered the hill. From this elevation or from that region several streams have their origin and among them are Jackson, Sibertz, Calydon, Clark and Palmer creeks.
Ball Prairie-Small level tract in the western part of the county, named for resident.
Baraboo-City, town, river, valley and bluffs. The Town of Baraboo was originally in the northwestern part of the county.
After all that has been written by numerous historians as to the origin of the name Baraboo, the only certainty is that there was a Frenchman by the name of Baribeau who established himself as a trader on the Baraboo River early in the last century or near the close
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of the century before. When Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites of Madison edited the Mackinac Register he found that Sieur F. Baribeau (pro- nounced Baraboo), voyager, was god-father at the baptism of a female neophyte, July 22, 1747. There is nothing to indicate which one of the Baribeaus came to Wisconsin, and had a trading post at the mouth of the Baraboo River. Tanguay's record does not come beyond 1791; and all it proves is that there was a well known family of that name and that the "f. Baribeau" mentioned in the Mackinac Register (1747) was probably Francois, the progenitor of the family. Francois (3) was mar- ried in 1742 at Montreal, and was probably the signer at the baptismal service as written in the register in 1747.
One writer says that Baribeau was a young man, only seventeen years old, when he sought the Wisconsin wilderness to seeure pelts for the Hudson Bay Company and later for the American Fur Company. Portage was the nearest settlement and when speaking of him it would be natural to say down at Baribeau's or Baraboo's. Hence the name appeared in various ways on the early maps and in the early annals of this region.
In an interview of Dr. L. C. Draper with Spoon Decorah in 1877, the old chief told Dr. Draper he was born on the Baraboo near Portage. The name of the village was the same as that of the river, which was Ho- cooch-ra or Shoot Fish River. Baraboo was the white man's name. In- dians never used it. In the Winnebago vocabulary Dr. Draper, on the authority of two old Indians, Big Bear and Old John, calls this stream "Ho-gooch-er-rah, Fish-Shooting River. Ho is the abbreviation of horah, fish; and Gooch-er-rah, shooting with arrows." In the same book he gives for the site of Baraboo City "Och (as in German) -arrow ; Gravelly Riffles."
Baraboo -- The county seat which, on the maps and in the early ac- counts, was spoken of as "On the Baraboo," similar to saying "On the Wabash" or "On the Lemonweir." Afterwards it was "Baraboo Rapids" and "Baraboo Mills." When a plat was made by Charles O. Baxter for Prescott Brigham, Mr. Brigham decided to call the place Adams as he held John Q. Adams and the Adams family in Massachu- setts in great esteem. Soon after George Brown made a plat of his property and called it Baraboo. Much of Brown's land was south of the river. On January 14, 1849, the board of county commissioners or- dered the plats of Adams and Baraboo to be called Brooklyn, but the villages continued to be separate until May, 1866, when a village charter was obtained uniting the two under the present name. At the sugges- tion of the postal authorities in 1852 the name Adams was dropped and the postoffice was afterwards known as Baraboo.
Bassinger Island-Island in the Wisconsin River opposite seetion nine in the Town of Merrimack, named for Dr. Samuel H. Bassinger, formerly of Prairie du Sac and member of the legislature.
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Bear Creek-Town and stream in the southwestern part of the county, so called on account of the prevalence of bears in that vicinity in the early days. The town was named after the stream. The Winne- bago word for Bear Creek is Hoonge-Nee-Shunick.
Bear Valley-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Bear Creek. Bessemer-See North Freedom.
Big Creek-Stream in the Town of La Valle. Name suggested from the size of the stream.
Big Hollow-The name of a canyon or valley three miles long and three miles wide in the Town of Spring Green, named for size. There are a number of these so-called hollows along the bluffs.
Black Hawk-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Troy named for the Indian Chief, Black Hawk, leader of the Indians in the Black Hawk war. After the battle near Sauk City the Indians fled through the wilderness near where the hamlet is located.
Blakeslie Prairie-Level traet of land in Ironton, named for early resident.
Bloom-See North Freedom.
Bluff Postoffice-A discontinued postoffice on the East Sauk Road, Town of Sumpter, near the bluff.
Brooklyn-One of the original towns in the northeast portion of the county. It was named by R. G. Camp for Brooklyn, New York, that city being named for Breuckelen, Holland. The name signifies "broken upland" or "marshy land."
Buchanan-Discontinued postoffice.
Calydon-When the United States geological surveyors were at Dur- wards Glen at the time of making the contour map of this region they asked B. I. Durward, the poet-painter who resided there, for the name of the stream flowing through the glen. He replied, "the Calydon." It comes from Caledonia, an ancient name in Scotland, the native land of Mr. Durward.
Cahoon Mine-Iron mine opened in 1911 about two miles south of Baraboo and named for former Assemblyman Wilber Cahoon.
Carr Creek and Carr Valley-Stream and vale in Ironton named for David Carr.
Cassell-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Troy. See Cassell Prairie.
Cassell Prairie-Level tract in Town of Troy, named for Dr. J. N. Cassell.
Chapman Lake-Small body of water in Fairfield, named for Park- man Chapman.
Christiehood Prairie-Level traet of land between Baraboo and North Freedom, named for James Christie.
Clark Creek-Stream which enters the Baraboo River in Glenville, about a mile southeast of Baraboo, named for Judge A. M. Clark.
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Cliff House-Abandoned hotel and discontinued postoffice on the north shore of Devils Lake. It was originally called Minnewaukan, after a lake by that name in North Dakota.
Climax -. A railroad siding between La Valle and Wonewoc. The farmers in the neighborhood called it Poor Dickie and finally it sim- mered down to the meaningless word, Podunk. The place is sometimes called Crossmans Crossing, for a land owner there.
Clinton Square-Park in Lyons named for Governor De Witt Clin- ton of New York. Governor Clinton was one of the projectors of the Erie Canal and W. H. Canfield was a surveyor on the new waterway. Afterwards, in 1846, Mr. Canfield, deputy district surveyor for Sauk County in the Territory of Wisconsin, made a plat of Lyons and named the publie square or central park for the Empire state executive.
Collamer-See Merrimack.
Congress Hall-Glen between Delton and the Wisconsin River named by the Topping family about 1850 from the form of the first chamber at the entrance.
Coon Bluff-Elevation in Dellona where the animals are numerous.
Copper Creek-Stream in Winfield named because copper ore was found there. The ore came down from the north in glacial times and was known as "floating ore." The land was held by the government for a long time on account of the supposed mineral wealth and in the meantime much of the ore was hauled away.
Cramers Corners-See Plain.
Crawford Creek-See Draper Creek.
Crossman-See Climax.
Dawn-Summer home of the Kerfoot family on the Wisconsin River near Kilbourn.
Dead Mans Spring-On Section 21, Town of Excelsior. In 1846, a man died near a spring and it was afterwards named Dead Mans Spring, by James Babb. The man who died there was a surveyor.
Dell Creek-A stream in the northeast portion of the county. The word Dells, as applied to the region of the Wisconsin River above and below Kilbourn, comes from the French, Dalles, meaning the narrows of a river or between the cliffs. No doubt the place was given the name by early Frenchmen who came to this region. From the word dells we get Lower Dells, Upper Dells, Dell Prairie, Fern Dell and Dell Creek. Delton, as applied to the town and village, is a contraction of Dell Town. Dellona, the name of a town, is from the same source. Dell Creek was named from the number of dells along the stream. The name appears as early as 1845, as shown by the government plats of the surveys.
Dellona-One of the towns. See Dells.
Dellona-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Dellona. See Dells. Delton-One of the towns. See Dells.
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Delton-Village in the Town of Delton, platted by Edward Norris and called Norris, for himself. When the postoffice was established it was called Loretto, the first name of Mrs. Norris. Afterward the name was changed to Delton.
Denzer-Discontinued postoffice in Honey Creek, named for William Denzer.
Devils Lake-Going back to the days of the Indian this body of water was called Minnewaukan or Evil Spirit Lake. On the other hand, Dr.
SCENE NEAR FERN DELL
M. M. Quaife, superintendent of the State Historical Society, Madison, under date of October 18, 1917, writes: "We find Devil's Lake, To-wah- eun-chunk-dah, Sacred lake-no bad meaning."
Tradition : Long years ago, a good Winnebago went on the bank of the lake offering his devotions aloud and crying to the Supreme Being for twenty days, fasting, when he saw an animal resembling a cat rise to the surface and, hearing the Indian's sorrow, told him he would help him live a long and happy life. He did long live. The prayer or wor- ship was called "Haah-tock-ke-nutch." The animal was called "Wock-
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eheth-thwe-dah, with long tail and horns. Many others also saw this animal.
The lake has unusual echoing powers and for this reason the Indians supposed the bluffs were infested with spirits. The belief is current that the Indians were afraid to eamp there because of the evil spirits in the hills. When I. A. Lapham visited the lake in the fall of 1849 he wrote in his field notes, now in the Sauk County Historical Society : "The lake is vulgarly called Devils Lake from the wild, rocky place in which it is found." The first recorded visit of any person to the lake is James S. Alban, the first permanent settler in Sauk County. While wandering through the hills in 1839 he eaught a glimpse of its sparkling surface through the trees. On the early maps it is called Lake of the Hills or Devils Lake.
Devils Lake-Station formerly ealled Kirkland, for Noble C. Kirk. When the Cliff House was occupied the postoffice there was called Devils Lake and at the same time the railroad called the station at Kirkland, Devils Lake. This was confusing to the postoffice and railway company so the postoffice at Kirkland was changed to Devils Lake when the one at the Cliff House was discontinued.
Devils Nose-The eastern extremity of the south range of bluffs, named by the employes of the Chicago & North Western Railway, who built the road.
Draper Creek-A stream which flows into the Baraboo River at the pumping station named for John Draper. It was formerly called Craw- ford Creek for James Crawford.
Eagle-One of the original towns in the county, named probably for national emblem.
Excelsior-One of the towns, named by Col. S. V. R. Ableman. The name appears in the seal of the State of New York, the native eommon- wealth of Colonel Ableman.
Excelsior-See Ableman.
Fairfield-Town, probably named for Fairfield, Massachusetts. The town was first named Flora by Timothy Adams for an old sweetheart. The residents did not like the name and a petition was eirculated by John Crawford which resulted in a change. The counties and towns of New England named Fairfield were so called from the beauty of their fields.
Featherston Creek-Stream in Ironton, named for Thomas Feather- ston.
Finlay-Discontinued postoffiee.
Flora-See Fairfield.
Franklin-Town, named for Benjamin Franklin or geographical divi- sion of the same name in another state.
Freedom-Town, the name no doubt is patriotie. Freedom was for- merly a part of other towns and the residents worked hard to be sepa-
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rated. When the new town was formed the word Freedom may have been used as typical of their efforts.
Friendswood-See Oaks.
Garrison-Abandoned village and discontinued postoffice at the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo River, named for Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gar- rison, residents there.
Giddings-Discontinued postoffice, seetion one, Town of Excelsior, probably named for Joshua Reed Giddings, an American statesman.
Glenville-Region southeast and near Baraboo, named by C. L. Pear- son for the glen-like appearance of the locality. The little red school house was once the name of the section.
Gordon-A telegraph station established between Reedsburg and La Valle when the Chicago & Northwestern built a second track. The origin of the name is unknown unless it be for William W. Gordon, president of a railroad in Georgia.
Greenfield-Town named by Nathan Dennison for Greenfield, Massa- chusetts, his former home. Greenfield, Massachusetts, was named for a river which intersects it. Before its incorporation as a town the settle- ment was known as "Green River District."
Hacketts Corners-See North Freedom.
Haraszthy-See Sauk City.
Harrisburg-Discontinued postoffice, seetion seventeen, Town of Troy, named for John W. Harris. It was originally spelled Harrisburgh.
Hay Creek-Stream near Reedsburg where the early residents cut hay, hence its name.
Haystacks-Elevations in Dellona having fantastic shapes, as the name implies.
Hill Point-See Tuekerville.
Hubbell Prairie-Level tract of land in La Valle, named for early owner.
Hulbert Creek-Stream in the Town of Delton, named for Joel Hulbert.
Honey Creek-I. A. Lapham in his "History of Wisconsin," pub- lished in 1836, says the stream is called Naumatonan or Honey Creek. The former name is probably Winnebago but its meaning is unknown. The name of Honey Creek was applied to the stream on account of so many wild bees with rich stores of honey being found there by the early settlers. Honey Creek is the largest stream wholly within the county.
Honey Creek-Town named for the stream. The town was originally much larger.
Horse Bluff-An elevation just west of the Village of La Valle named in a peculiar way. H. C. Palmer relates that in an early day several hunters were camped there and while seated around the blazing fire, smoking their pipes, they were startled by the neighing of a horse. Very
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soon a pony, saddled and bridled, came trotting into the eamp. For two days a search was made for the owner, without avail. . The only white men known in that vicinity at the time were James W. Babb and his son, John, on Babbs Prairie. The mystery was never cleared and since that day the elevation has been known as Horse Bluff.
Humboldt-Discontinued postoffice, section 35, Town of Ironton, probably named for the geographer, Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
Ironton-Town and village, named by Jonas Tower on account of the presence of iron. Early surveyors reported iron on account of the varia- tion of the needle.
Iroquois Mine-An iron mine in the Town of Freedom, first called the Sauk Mine for the name of the county. It was originally owned by the Iroquois Iron Company, which operated the Iroquois Furnace Com- pany. When the Oliver Iron Mining Company purchased the plant the name was changed to Iroquois for the name of the furnace. The word Iroquois is from one of the five great Indian nations which once inhab- ited Central New York, and is said to come from "hiro, " I have said, and from "koue," a vocable, which expresses joy or sorrow, according to the rapidity with which it is pronounced.
Jackson Creek-A stream which enters the Baraboo River near the .Jackson bridge in Greenfield and is usually called Jackson Creek for J. Jackson, an early settler. On the United States topographical map issued about 1897 the stream is called Rowley Creek, the name being that of another resident. In territorial times the stream, or at least the . upper portion of it, was known as Leambros Creek. Leambro lived with a group of Indians at the headwaters of the ereek. He was a Frenchman and had a squaw for a wife.
Jonesville-Discontinued postoffice, northeast corner of section 19, Town of Spring Green, named for Thomas Jones, the first postmaster. The office stood on an Indian burying ground which has since been eaten away by the Wisconsin River.
Karstetter Prairie-Level tract of land in La Valle, named for early owner.
Kings Corners-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Sumpter, named for Solomon King. The village plat was called New Haven.
Kingston-One of the original towns, named for Kingston, New York, the home of the King family, early residents in the town. See Sumpter. Kirkland-See Devils Lake.
Kirkwood-Railroad siding west of Baraboo. Stennett says the name was given for N. C. and Timothy Kirk.
La Bars Pond-See Mirror . Lake.
Lake of the Hills-See Devils Lake.
La Rue-Village site platted in the Town of Freedom and named for W. G. La Rue, a former resident of Baraboo, who was instrumental in locating the vast beds of ore in the region.
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La Valle-Town and village. The name means "the valley." There is some dispute as to who should have the honor of applying the term. See Marston.
Leach Creek-John Brink named Leach Lake and Creek from the fact that the water leached or percolated through the soil. Brink was a United States surveyor from Crystal Lake, Ill., and when he made the subdivisions of Fairfield he camped near the creek.
Leach Lake-Sce Leach Creek.
Leambro Creek-See Jackson Creek.
Leland-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Honey Creek, named for Cyrus Leland, member of State Legislature.
Lime Ridge-Village in the Town of Ironton, named for a lime ridge about a mile west of the place, where the first postoffice was located.
Litchfield-Portion of the plat of the City of Baraboo, named by R. G. Camp for Litchfield, Connecticut, which in turn was named for Litch- field, England.
Little Prairie-Level tract in Town of Troy, named from the small size of the prairie.
Loddes Mill-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Prairie du Sac, named for Martin Lodde. The postoffice was once called Rowells Mills for Henry Rowell.
Log Town-See Plain.
Loretto-Discontinued postoffice in the Town of Bear Creek, named by Rev. Fr. T. A. Byrne for Loretto, Italy. It is sometimes spelled Loreto.
Loretto-See Delton.
Lower Narrows-See Narrows.
Lyons-Suburb of Baraboo named by Harvey Canfield, for Lyons, New York, where he once resided. Lyons, New York, was named for Lyons, France.
Manchester-Abandoned plat and village where the city pumping station is located, named for eastern city.
Man Mound Park-A park in the Town of Greenfield, named for large Indian effigy mound shaped like a man, the only known man mound in the world.
Marble Ridge-Discontinued postoffice in Town of Bear Creek.
Marian Park-A park at Prairie. du Sac, named by W. H. Jacobs for his daughter.
Marston-Town formerly in the northwestern part of the county, no longer on the maps, probably named for some resident or eastern town by the name of Marston. There was a postoffice called Marston which was changed to La Valle on account of it being similar to Mauston in the next county.
Matts Ferry-Scc Merrimack.
Merrimack-Town and village, named by Mrs. J. G. Train for the
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County of Merrimack in New Hampshire. It should be spelled with the final k, the same as the New Hampshire name. The Village of Merrimack was first called Matts Ferry for Chester Mattson who operated a ferry there. When the postoffice was established it was called Collamer for the postmaster general. The name was afterward changed to Merrimack. Gannett says the Indian word Merrimack means "sturgeon" or "swift water."
Minnewaukan-See Devils Lake.
Mirror Lake-Onee known as the "upper" or LaBar's Pond. It was formed in 1860 by the ereetion of a dam near the Village of Delton. As the people came to visit it for pleasure or fishing, the remarkably clear reflections attracted attention and exclamation, "what a mirror," and the like. In this way the name gradually changed. It is said that Mrs. C. A. Noyes of Kilbourn is eredited with first applying the name.
Narrows Creek-A stream which flows through the narrows and into the Baraboo River at Ableman.
Narrows Prairie-A level tract west of Ableman, named for Narrows Creek, which flows through the prairie and quartzite uarrows. Also, discontinued postoffice.
Narrows, Upper and Lower-Narrow gorges in the quartzite hills where the Baraboo River enters and emerges from the eanoe shaped Baraboo Valley.
New Buffalo-Town once in the northeastern part of the county but no longer on the map. Many of the residents came from Buffalo, New York, to New Buffalo.
New Haven-Abandoned village plat in Sumpter, named for New Haven, Connecticut. See Kings Corners.
Newport-Abandoned village and discontinued postoffice on Wiscon- sin River in Delton.
Norris-See Delton.
North Freedom-Village located in the northern part of the Town of Freedom, hence North Freedom. Where the roads meet in the center of the section was originally called Hacketts Corners from the families residing there. When the railroad was built two plats were made, one called Bloom for George W. Bloom and one called North Freedom. Afterwards Bloom Station was changed to North Freedom. Iron ore used for paint was later discovered and the name became Bessemer in honor of Sir Henry Bessemer, who invented the process of reducing iron ore. The name of North Freedom was later decided upon.
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