USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > A standard history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Volume I > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
. After her time and previous to the assumption of a corporate body by the Village of Baraboo, the following served as postmasters: James H. Wells, Truman J. Wood and Samuel Hartley.
It was Mr. Hartley who erected the frame building which after- ward was occupied by the Republic newspaper, but fitted up by the new postmaster for the accommodation of the villagers when he was inducted into office in 1861. He placed in the postoffice 472 boxes and 76 draw- ers, which gave Baraboo quite a metropolitan standing. Mr. Hartley also had the honor of holding the postmastership after the village in- corporation.
THE BARABOO WHISKY WAR
During the interim, also, occurred two events which at the time caused much excitement. The Baraboo whisky war of 1854 centered
Dowzooby Google
427
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
in the invasion of the Brick Tavern by the women of the town and surrounding country, whose indignation had been aroused by the death of a hard drinker at its bar and the consequent suffering of the family. The ladies were egged on doubtless by the Methodist minister and other citizens and flooded the floor of the saloon with its liquid stoek. They were arrested about a week later-that is, the ringleaders in the crusade -were taken to Lower Sauk before a German justice of the peace, who held them for trial in the Circuit Court. The offenders were released on their own recognizanec, and at the next term of court Judge Wheeler assessed the total damages at $150, which was immediately paid by the husbands and other male sympathizers of the raid. Which ended the Baraboo whisky war.
THE RIVER ON A RAMPAGE
On the night of March 14, 1859, the Baraboo River, greatly swollen by the spring rains and melting snows, burst through the north wing of the boom just above Bassett & Pratt's dam, carrying down a large drive of logs with great force against the upper dam timbers, which gave way. This increased the flow of water in that direction and hur- ried thither hundreds of other logs which, like so many battering rams, soon beat a large hole in the dam and, within thirty minutes' time, a torrent of water four feet in depth poured through the chasm. As it poured through the opening, the flood struck the bank just above the flour mill and rapidly undermined it. The flour was finally moved to neighboring buildings, and parties were sent off to fell trees, which were placed in the pathway of the oncoming torrent where the bank was weakest. Notwithstanding this prompt defense, about one-third of the dam was swept away, as well as a considerable section of the Lower, or Maxwell Dam.
VILLAGE ADDITIONS
The first addition to the original village plat was entitled Mrs. Peck's First Addition, and was recorded June 15, 1849. The others, in sue- cession, made until city incorporation was effected in 1882, were as follows: Wallace's Addition, August 9, 1849; Mrs. Peck's Second Addition, July, 1855; English's Addition, November, 1856; Moore & Drown's Addition, April, 1860; Thomas' Addition, May, 1873; Camp's Addition, September, 1873; Brown's Addition, October, 1873; Lang- don's Addition, July, 1874.
VILLAGE GOVERNMENT
The Legislature of 1865-66 passed an act incorporating Baraboo as a village, and fixing its boundaries as follows: The southeast quarter
Digiced by Google
BARABOO ABOUT THE TIME OF INCORPORATION
The accompanying illustration is of the Baraboo river and the manufacturing industries of Baraboo about 1866. The picture was taken by Mathew Mould, a pioneer photographer. The large building to the left is the P. A. Bassett flour mill; the one across the river to the right, the John Seaborn hub and spoke factory; the one in the distance near the end of the bridge, the Bassett heading factory; the structure just to the right, the P. Pratt saw mill; the two on the side of the hill, up from the bridge, the Baraboo House and Bender's brewery; and on the cleared space far beyond the bridge, the H. H. Potter hop yard.
De and py Google
429
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
and the south half of the northeast quarter of section 36, township 12, north, range 6 east, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 1 and the north half of the northeast quarter of section 2, township 11 north, range 6 east. The village charter also provided that the first election for officers should be held on the second Monday in April, 1866, "in ease this aet shall take effect on or previous to that date, or in case no election shall be held on that day, then such first election of officers may be ordered and appointed by any ten freehold voters."
The first record of any election, under the act of incorporation, is dated April 2, 1867, when the voters within the village limits assembled at the courthouse and cast their ballots (104) for members of the first board of trustees and police justice. The following were chosen: S. M. Burdick, president and police justice; B. F. Mills, A. Andrews, T. D. Lang, J. R. Hall, B. L. Purdy and C. C. Remington, other members of the board.
The first meeting of the board thus elected was held April 5th, three days following, and all, with the exception of Judge Remington, took the oath of office, C. A. Sumner being appointed in that gentleman's place. The appointive offices, under the charter, were then filled- elerk, John Barker ; attorney, C. C. Remington ; treasurer, R. M. Strong; constable, Frank Fletcher; attorney, W. H. Clark; surveyor, W. H. Canfield; fire warden, M. C. Waite, and poundmaster, James Goodwin.
The successive presidents of the village board succeeding Mr. Bur- diek were: M. Mould, 1868-69; J. R. Hall, 1869-72; James Dykins, 1872-73; Samuel S. Grubb, 1873-74; M. Mould, 1874-76; Frank Avery, 1876-77; D. S. Vittum, 1877-80; William S. Grubb, 1880-82.
Succeeding Mr. Barker as clerk were Anton Fischer, who served continuously until 1872; Phillip Cheek, Jr., who was in office until 1879, when Rolla E. Noyes was appointed. R. M. Strong, Mair Pointon, J. J. Gattiker, T. D. Lang, Fred Johnson, L. O. Holmes, M. Hoffman and E. O. Holden were village treasurers at various times, and W. H. Clark, C. C. Remington and John Barker, seemed to have a monopoly on the position of attorney of the village board.
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS AND FINANCES
The City of Baraboo was incorporated by Chapter 21, Laws of 1882, and under aet approved on February 25th of that year. The first meeting of the common council was held March 28, 1882.
The mayors who have served Baraboo: C. A. Swineford, March, 1882, to March, 1883; T. M. Warren, March, 1883, to April, 1886; F. N. Lang, April, 1886, to April, 1887; J. Van Orden, April, 1887, to April, 1889; John H. Hull, April, 1889, to April, 1890; M. H. Mould, April, 1890, to April, 1891; Charles Wild, April, 1891, to April, 1893; A. F.
Dlg zed by Google
430
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Fisher, April, 1893, to April, 1895; J. B. Ashley, April, 1895, to April, 1896; A. G. Buckley, April, 1896, to April, 1898; Frank Avery, April, 1898, to April, 1900; Ed L. Luckow, April, 1900, to April, 1901; E. P. MeFetridge, April, 1901, to April, 1902; D. M. Kelly, April, 1902, to April, 1904; E. G. Marriott, April, 1904, to April, 1908; John H. Hull, April, 1908, to April, 1910; Charles Bender, April, 1910, to April, 1916; G. T. Thuerer, April, 1916 -.
City Clerks-J. G. Train, 1882-85; J. S. Worthman, 1885-1917; S. HI, Wood, 1917 -.
Treasurers (elected for one year). E. A. Holden, 1883; M. I. Mould, 1884; H. P. Jones, 1885; H. P. Jones, 1886; Amos Hull, 1887; A. A. Hull, 1888; J. K. Hawes, 1889; Aug. Ockerhauser, 1890; A. Christie, 1891; Henry Watson, 1892-93; Henry Noyes, 1894; Geo. A. Pabodie, 1895; Joseph Doppler, 1896; Ed Selleck, 1897-98; Chas. Junge, 1899-1900; Frank Avery, 1901-2. Elected for two years: J. C. Link, 1904; Wm. B. Hazeltine, 1906; Ira Humphrey, 1908; Wm. B. Hazel- tine, 1910; Henry L. Hale, 1912; W. B. Hazeltine, 1914; C. L. Brew- ster, 1916 -.
Chiefs of the Fire Department: H. W. Abbott, chief engineer 1887 and chief of the fire department 1888; J. G. Seaman, 1889-92; A. Ackerhauser, 1892-93; J. G. Seaman, 1893-97; Wm. Marriott, 1897-98; J. G. Seaman, 1898-1906; Aug. Ockerhauser, 1906-07; W. J. Power, 1907-10.
After 1910 the police and fire commission made the appointments. W. J. Power was appointed chief in 1910 and still holds office.
City Marshals-Henry Cowles, 1882-83; L. O. Holmes, 1883-84; II. W. Abbott, 1884-86; B. S. Doty, 1886-93; R. Delap, 1893-96; R. Wilby, 1896-99; TI. W. Abbott, 1899-1901; L. W. Stone, 1901-03: B. N. Robin- son, 1903-04; L. W. Stone, 1904-06; J. E. Buckley, 1906-10.
In 1910 the city marshal's office was placed under the Police and Fire Commission. S. A. Pelton was appointed chief and still holds office.
City Attorneys-John Barker, 1882-89; S. S. Barlow, 1889-92; R. D. Evans, 1892-1900; R. E. Noyes, 1900-02; Evan A. Evans, 1902-03; John M. Kelley, 1903-10; V. H. Cody, 1910 -.
City Engineers-R. G. Evenden, 1882-98; W. G. Kirchoffer, 1898. 1904; H. E. French, 1904 -.
Health Officers-Charles Gorst, 1886-1902; Theo. Koch, 1902-09; Dr. A. L. Farnsworth, 1909-11; L. W. Sayles, 1911 -.
Street Commissioners-In 1882 C. N. Davis was elected a street eom- mittee to see to the duties of street commissioner for 1883-84; C. L. Brewster, 1885-88; Chas. Bender, 1888-89; C. M. Smith, 1889-92; C. L. Brewster, 1892-97; W. M. Langdon, 1897-99 ; C. L. Brewster, 1899-1906; H. HI. Hulbert, 1906-09; C. L. Brewster, 1909-16; John Steinbrinck, 1916 -.
A number of interesting and practical items are gathered from the
Dionzoo by Google
431
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
report of the Finance Committee of the City Council in its report for the period from July 1. 1915, to December 31, 1916, inclusive. The bal- anee on hand at the former date was $27,761.25; net amount of city tax roll for 1915, $99,495.86; total of balance on hand and receipts for the entire period, $192,004.28. The total disbursements, or expenses of oper- ating the city government, for the eighteen months, were $181,155.68, and the balance on hand December 31, 1916, $10,848.60.
THE FIRST SCHOOL AND TEACHER
When a few families had gathered at and near Baraboo Mills agita- tion commenced for a school and teacher. Eben Peck had met one E. M. Hart, a Massachusetts man, at Prairie du Sac, and still kept him in mind when the little colony at the Rapids demanded a school among other modern improvements. Finally a meeting was held June 22, 1844, at which Wallace Rowan, Lewis Bronson and William H. Canfield were appointed a committee to select a district school site. They selected the high point of ground a short distance west of the Wood & Rowan Mill, but the site was changed at the suggestion of Mr. Peck, who proposed that the district should claim the southeast quarter of section 35, town 12 north, range 6 east, to be entered and afterward sold, when deemed financially advisable for the support of neighborhood schools. A log building was therefore erected near the northwest corner of the quarter. Notwithstanding the abundance of timber in the vicinity, it is said that it was put up on the most economical plan. But it was so well ventilated that one of the old settlers who attended school therein asserts that "you could throw a cat through the eraeks without touching a hair."
Even before the district school was built Mr. Hart had tried his hand and head on the young people of the neighborhood, at the behest of Mr. Peck and the villagers. O. L. Stinson tells the story so well, both as to the school and the teacher, that the writer will not attempt to improve upon his version. Here it is: "Since no records exist concern- ing the school days of Baraboo's early life, outside of the brief and valuable outlines made by William H. Canfield, who was one of the very first to settle in the Baraboo valley, a glamour of uncertainty, mingled more or less with romance, is naturally shed around the accounts handed down from the adventuresome days of 50 and 60 years ago. Not many are now living who saw the creation of the log school house on Seventh avenue in 1844, when E. M. Hart taught the first school in Baraboo. Even among these, accounts differ as to the details of its construction and its exact location. There is no question, however, concerning the general spirit of the times, the ever present and all too prevalent weak- nesses of human nature, the admirable courage and sacrifice of certain individuals, and the gradual supremacy finally of principles, which place the founders and promoters of the Gem City historically in the same class
Digicedby Google
432
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
with those who have accomplished results more ostentatious in character. Almost from the beginning, and continuously from 1844 to the present day, have there been ample opportunities in one form or another for the young people to obtain exceptionally good training, far exceeding indeed that procurable in the average town of the same size at the same time. Because all of the seleet schools and colleges finally went out of existence, does not argue that their importanee was small. Because no college like that of Beloit or Lawrence university remains to the present day, does not indicate a failure on the part of the schools which existed in Baraboo merely for a time. It isn't so much what a community has to show from the many years of its historic struggles that counts in the final summing up. It is the attitude of the various progressive individuals, no matter what they may accomplish, which is the determining factor.
"Before a school district was organized, Eben Peck met E. M. Hart in Prairie du Sae and induced him to come to Baraboo and teacli a private school. This was in 1843 and the school was taught, it is said, in an old log building, which had been standing from the very beginning of Bara- boo. Mr. Solomon Shaffer was the name of the man living in the building previous to its use as a school. (Mr. Shaffer's wife was a sister of the first Dr. Cowles of Baraboo.)
"On June 22, 1844, a school meeting was held and a committee com- posed of Lewis Bronson, Wallace Rowan and William H. Canfield was appointed to select a site for a district school house. The high point of ground a short distance west of the Wood & Rowan mill was chosen. At the suggestion of Eben Peck the location was changed to the southeast quarter of section 35, town 12 north, range 3 east, on the northwest corner of which the log structure was built. This building stood there many years after its services as a school house were ended, on Seventh avenue, slightly east from the corner of Birch street and Seventh avenue on the south side of the street facing the north, and was used for a dwelling, having been eneased with boards. Until 1849 this building was used as a court room, town hall and general meeting house, as well as a school house.
"The logs of the building were left in the rough and the roof was made from slabs taken from Levi Moore's mill. The cracks were filled with battin. The size was about 12 by 14. The credit of its construction was shared by several, among whom were John Crawford, Wallace Rowan, James H. Webster, and David Reynolds.
"A small blackboard, about 5 by 21% feet made by James H. Webster, was put up in the room. The furnishings were mainly benehes. The teacher even had no desk. These benches were made from slabs, sawed on one side, rough bark on the other, taken from Levi Moore's mill, and they were arranged along the side of the room in a haphazard manner. The supports at the ends of the benches were split from slabs and two
Diowzooby Google
433
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
were placed at each end. The heat was furnished by a fireplace, whose chimney appeared on the outside, as customary in those days.
"E. M. Hart, the first teacher came from Massachusetts. The sub- jects the first year were reading, writing and spelling, together with extensive efforts in elocution. The next year grammar and arithmetic were added to the course of study. The books were anything and every- thing which pertained to the subjects studied. 'Exceedingly fortunate was the pupil who could get any at all,' says David Reynolds, one of the first pupils.
"Among the pupils of the first school were: Arminta, John, Robert and Archibald Rowan; Julia and Henry Johnson; Eveline, Sophronia, Sam (a little deranged), Orin and Parmelia Gilson; Margaret and Hannah Wood; Victoria and Victor Peck; Henrietta and Mary Ann Webster; David Reynolds; Caroline and Cornelia Hill.
"Excepting those who lived at a distance, they brought their dinners. The games, ball, tag, ante-over, pom-pom-pullaway and ring-around-rosie and others, were played by the children.
"About once a week recitations were held. David Reynolds recolleets that of one of the biggest boys, John Rowan, who appeared on the floor in front of the school, and spoke :
" 'A raccoon's tail is ring-ed around; A possum's tail is bare; The squirrel has a bushy tail, And stub tail is the bear.'
" 'We laughed lots about that, so I never forgot it,' said Mr. Reynolds.
"Occasionally a dance was held for the young people. One of these occurred at the home of the Gilson's, the parents of the teacher's wife. Louis Bunson often did the fiddling.
"Some rather unsavory reports floated about concerning the life of Mr. Hart previous to his sojourn in Baraboo. It was said that he had different names in different places. The accounts of him after leaving Baraboo are certainly not creditable. His school work seems to have been fair, although one of his pupils said that he 'wasn't extra smart.' He had 'fine manners,' was a good penman and an excellent reader. His salary was paid in the old fashioned way and consisted of what the people gave him, amounting perhaps to some $25 per month. School was held during the winter, about three months. The rest of the time he did not do much of anything.
"Mr. Hart was a bachelor and not very young. He became enamored of one of his pupils, Eveline Gilson, a very popular girl only fourteen years of age, and married her. This was the first white man's wedding in the Baraboo valley, according to Mr. Canfield. The match was a very unfortunate one for many reasons: not the least of which was the dis- Vol. 1-28
Digitized by Google
BARABOO IN THE '70s
BARABDO
Diamczno by Google
PO
435
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
erepancy in their ages. An incident which occurred while they were living in the lean-to of the Shaffer schoolhouse indicates very well their unpleasant relations. When the lean-to had been built onto the school- house for the teacher and his young wife, the window between was boarded up. A knot-hole remained, however, and this was pasted over with paper. At times the teacher noticed considerable amusement amongst his pupils. Paper wads were appearing in the air and he was unable to locate the misereant; for no one in the room seemed to know anything about it. He finally discovered that they came from the knot- hole in the partition and went to interview his wife about it. An angry noise of quick words was heard by the pupils; but without much avail, for the teacher found his pupil-wife more difficult to manage than the whole school. Very sad, however, is the final story of this couple.
"Three children were born to them during their residence in Baraboo. After the few years teaching they departed and were not heard of for two or three years, when her parents got track of her. She was found alone on an island with one little girl. Hart had taken the two older children and left his wife alone to die. She was rescued only temporarily, however, and died soon after. Her little girl was adopted by her sister. It was intimated that Mr. Hart was in disguise, hiding in Baraboo at the time.
"Mrs. G. W. Walker of Lyndon Station, one of the first pupils, says : 'Mr. Hart taught in Baraboo one year, nearly, and next at Sauk. He then returned to Baraboo and taught about two years. Among his pupils were many who were quite old. After he returned from Sauk he taught on the South Side where a rude slab building was put up for him by a "bee" organized by the people. It had a door in the north side and one long window in the south side, about the height of three panes of window glass. This window ran the whole length of the south side of the house. In front of this window was a bench and in front of the bench a long table. This long bench and long table, it seems, had to accommodate nearly all of the school, about thirty pupils (a large school for those days). During the winter period one or two small tables and benches were added as temporary affairs.'
"Hart is described by W. H. Canfield as being 'medium in height, of light complexion, and nervous temperament, his education being very good.' He relates an incident of Baraboo's first teacher as follows: 'E. M. Hart was not accustomed to dugout boats and onee met his Water- loo while in Baraboo. On one occasion he attempted to cross the Baraboo river just above the Maxwell dam, and losing control of the craft went over. He got very wet.'"
UNION VILLAGE SCHOOL
"The village increased in population very rapidly for a few years and school requirements equally fast," says Mr. Canfield in one of his sketches.
Digitized by Google
436
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
"When towns were organized in the change from territorial to state government it became necessary to reorganize the school districts. In 1849-50, the village then containing about six hundred inhabitants, a spirited contest sprung up between the advocates of a Union School district for the village and those who wished to divide the territory into three or four districts. After holding several meetings the advocates of a Union district prevailed, and in 1850 a two-story frame building thirty five feet square was erected on Block 38, North Side."
SELECT PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Before the organization of a public high school in 1877 several in- stitutions of higher learning were established and maintained in Baraboo. In 1854 Rev. Warren Cochran opened a school in the Congregational Church which was afterward transferred to one of the Taylor buildings on the corner of Broadway and Third Street. A two-story wooden build- ing was erected on a height a little west of the original town, and a school was opened with a view of laying the foundation for an unde- nominational college. Professor Pillsbury of New York succeeded Mr. Cochran and the school was finally chartered as the Baraboo Collegiate Institute. That was March 23, 1863, and its incorporators were: D. P. Crandall, Herbert Huntington, Terrell Thomas, C. A. Clark, C. C. Cowles and E. Martin. The institute had been formally opened in the fall of 1858 by Mr. Cochran, as principal, and Miss Almira B. Savage as pre- ceptress. The latter was a Verinout woman of education and refinement. and is often given credit for starting the original school which developed into the Collegiate Institute. Among those most prominent in its man- agement previous to its incorporation were D. P. Crandall, its first presi- dent; E. Martin, vice president ; Dr. C. C. Cowles, secretary, and Herbert Huntington, treasurer.
Professor Pillsbury, of New York, succeeded Mr. Cochran in charge of the school, and in 1861 left it for Mineral Point, Wisconsin, to reor- ganize the seminary in that place. He was followed by Professor E. E. F. Hobart, a graduate of Beloit College, who, with his wife, conducted a successful school for several years. Upon their retirement Professor J. S. Kimball, of Keokuk, Iowa, assumed the principalship and con- tinued thus until the new graded public school was opened in 1870. A subsequent review of the operations and influences of the Baraboo Collegiate Institute, largely within the past few years, made by those who once attended it as students, leads to the belief that no personality has so fondly and deeply impressed itself on the intelligent community of those days as that of Miss Savage, who, for several periods, had sole charge of the school.
In 1854 Miss Maria Train also opened a school of a select character, conducted it with ability for about two years, and then became Mrs. C. C. Remington.
Dicedby Google
437
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
In 1856 a move was made to establish a school for girls of a high order, which resulted in the chartering by the legislature of the Baraboo Female Seminary. Miss Mary A. Potter was the principal; Luey A. Underwood and Mrs. Jane Gregg, assistants. In 1859 Miss Mary Mor- timer became the principal, with Susan Warner as associate and an increased corps of teachers. Miss Mortimer continued in charge for six years and among those associated with the school about this time were Miss Minerva Brace, Miss Julia Pierce, Miss Ellen Curtis, Miss Eva Collins, Miss Mann, Miss Helena Zastrow von Kussow and Miss Augusta Camp, the last being at the head of the musical instruction.
JOINT DISTRICT NO. 4 SCHOOL, BARABOO
The successors of Miss Mortimer were Rev. H. H. Kellogg and his assistants, several being members of his own family. The seminary was a Presbyterian denominational school at its organization and although all were admitted alike that feature was no doubt somewhat of a drawback to its broad expansion. P. A. Bassett was a pillar of the institution and when the time eame he could not give it needed support, the dissolution, as the result of this and other causes, came. The semi- nary buildings, northeast corner of Oak and Sixth streets, became per- sonal property and were sold to the Episcopalians for a church and rectory. About the time of the transfer they were occupied by Miss Bevelyn A. Bassett and Miss Ellen Robinson, the two conducting a private school there.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.