USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 52
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The valley of the Fox River and the Des Plaines, together with the numer- ous small lakes and streams, furnishes abundant water for grazing-purposes: accordingly Kenosha County largely excels in the dairving-business. Some twenty different establishments on the factory principle are engaged in the manufacture of cheese. Although some are in their infancy, yet about six hun- dred and eighty-seven thousand pounds were manufactured last year, valued at eighty - five thousand, eight hundred dollars. Other factories are soon to be started, and the dairy-business will lead the agricultural interest of the county. In the above statement we do not in- clude the farm dairying of the county.
The number of acres under the plongh falls but little short of former years; but there are less acres devoted to wheat. The raising of corn is largely on the increase, not for export, but to be fed on the premises. The beef, pork, and sheep sent to Chicago last year by railroad amounted to one hundred and fifty car-loads; in valne, oue hundred thousand dollars. In addition to the above, a large number of cattle, sheep, and swine, were driven to Milwaukee and elsewhere. Stock-raising is begin- ning to attract the attention of the best farmers in the county. The thorough-
the best to cross with our native stock. The low price of wool has materially diminished the demand for sheep; and the number of fine woolled sheep has very much lessened within two or three years past. Yet the value of the wool crop in Kenosha County amounted to nearly sixty thousand dollars for 1870. It is believed, however, that the de- inand for wool will be sufficient to induce farmers to continne raising this important staple of our county.
The fruit of Kenosha County begins to attract considerable attention. Apples are yearly becoming more abundant; and, as the soil becomes more drained and better tilled, the apple-crop will be most certainly ample for the wants of the community.
Kenosha is a flourishing town, and the capital of Kenosha County. It is ellgi- bly situated on a bluff ou the western shore of Lake Michigan, fifty-five miles north of Chicago, and thirty-five miles south of Milwaukee. It is the most sonthern lake-port in the State, and has a good harbor, with piers extending into the lake. The first settlement of the town was made in 1836. It is sur- rounded by a beautiful fertile prairie, under good cultivation. The Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad passes through Kenosha; and it is also the eastern ter- minus of the road running from Rock Island north-east. There were, in 1874, twenty-five vessels enrolled at Kenosha, with a tonnage of 7,954,90. Population, 1875, 4,959.
KEWAUNEE COUNTY.1 - Kewannee County is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan, one hundred and ten miles from Milwaukee. The general topogra- phy of the county is rolling. The quality of its farming-lands is excellent, though in some places swampy, yet, when drained, is susceptible of produ-
1 This sketch was contributed by Edward Roch and W. V. Perry of Ahnepee. - C. R. T.
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cing equal to the uplands. In the east- ern part of the county the soil is of a clay loam; but, as you approach the west line of the county, it is inixed with gravel and sand. There is hardly an arre of land in the county but what is capable of cultivation. Actual settlers are in possession of about one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land: the balance is held mostly by speculators. The county is heavily timbered: the varieties are principally oak, beech, maple, basswood, elm, cedar, pine, hemlock, and tamarack. Owing to the facilities for water-transportation, luin- her and timber find a ready market. Railroad facilities are as yet prospective; but the Green Bay and Lake Pepin Railroad must eventually have a ter- minns on the lake, and Alinepee will be the most direct point.
The principal source of industry is agriculture. "Winter wheat has been grown in this county, aggregating forty- two bushels to the acre, and weighing sixty - two pounds to the measured bushel. Next in importance is the dairy business. Manufacturers will in the future find eligible localities here, as timber, and especially hard-wood varie- ties, is so plentiful.
Kewannee village manufactures lum- ber to a large extent; and the supply of timber will last for many years to come.
LA CROSSE COUNTY.1 - About one- third of this county is prairie, and has a very fertile black soii: nearly one-third is bluffy, which is remarkably adapted for stock-raising: the balance is timber, saud, swamp, and poor bluffs. County contains about three hundred thousand acres of land, - two hundred and fifty thousand assessed, and a hundred and fifty thousand under cultivation. Nearly seven-eighths are in possession of actual settlers, held at an average price of fif- teen dollars per acre. State owns five thousand acres of land, mostly located on the Mississippi River bottoms. Owned by General Government, and subject to entry under Homestead Law, is about forty thousand acres, quality being gen- erally poor, bluffy, swamp, and sandy land, and located in all parts of the coun- ty. Facilities for water-powers are good; many of which are improved, and have been made to serve as a valuable item in the cominercial interests of the conn- ty. The prevailing timber of the forests is black and white oak. Valuable stone- quarries are worked, and of good qual- ity. Black and La Crosse Rivers trav- erse the county, though navigable only for logs and rafts. The Milwaukee and St. Panl Railroad runs through the county from east to west, also Winona
1 Our sketch of La Crosse County was con- tributed by P. S. Elwell of Wauhincimes, H. N. Solberg, and Charles Seymour. - C. R. T.
'cut-off" on western border. Several roads are in contemplation, with encour- aging prospects.
The dairy, as a branch of agriculture, has received considerable attention, and has been satisfactory and profitable to all concerned.
The county has little prairie-land. The choice farms in all directions are in valleys of exceeding richness; and from the bold bluffs, which are perpetually washed by rain in spring, sinmer, and autumn, and by snow in winter, to en- rich the valley-lands, living springs send out generous streams of the purest wa- ter. The tiers of Wisconsin and Minne- sota Counties on the Mississippi River, although rough, are remarkably adapted to stock-raising and dairy purposes. While these valley-farms are perpetually replenished by the wash from the bluff slopes, the latter are kept in deep verd- ure by the moisture cansed by great and sudden disparity in the temperatures of water, land, and air, and by the invigo- rating ammonia produced by the late antuinn and early spring fires. These bluffs are thus self-constituted fertilizing agents to strengthen the valley-farms for the heavier task of yielding generons crops. Vegetation in La Crosse County, on the first day of June, is usually as far advanced as it is in Northern Illinois and Northern Indiana two or three weeks later.
In reference to home-markets, it is gratifying to notice in and at the city of La Crosse, with a population of about ten thousand, which is one-half of the entire county, increased attention to manufactures, which give employment to large numbers of skilled artisans, who become valuable consumers of farm-products; and thus between the demands for home-consumption, and for Sonthern and Eastern markets by water and rail transportation, the farmers have a choice of markets. This serves to illustrate the substantial benefits derived by farmers from proximity to manufac- turing establishments, and demonstrates the existence of a permanent bond of sympathy and a mutual interest between these two higher branches of industry. The lumbering-interests of the Black River have their seat, centre, and market of purchase, sale, and supply, at La Crosse; and from this source alone mani- fold benefits accrue to the agricultural producers of this and contiguous coun- ties. The largest, safest, and best ship- yard between the mouth of the Ohio River and the Falls of St. Anthony is located in the well-protected harbor be- tween La Crosse and the mouth of Black River. It is the headquarters of the large ficet of steamers and barges em- ployed in the navigation of the Upper Mississippi and its tributaries. It is a valuable item in the commercial ele-
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bor of mechanics, are in large request during the winter season, when naviga- tion is suspended, and when, in other localities, there is comparatively a de- pression in business. Thus it will be seen that La Crosse City and County are favorably located, constituted, and occupied, with reference to agricultural and other industrial interests; and that with railroads reaching east and west, and river-navigation north and south, their condition is prosperous.
Education is not neglected, but re- ceives vigorous attention. The character of the inhabitants, the majority of whom are accustomed to, and fully appreciate the value of, popular education, would insure due regard to this most important feature of a well-ordered community. As to the press of La Crosse, it is safe to say, thiat liberally-patronized and enterprising newspapers, published in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages, have long been in successful operation.
With so many elements of strength and influence actively employed, no one need be surprised at the steady and rapid progress of the city and county of La Crosse. Without boasting, it may be truthfully said, La Crosse is one of the live, progressive, enterprising, prosper- ons points in the West; and the solidity, beanity, and magnificence of its private residences, public edifices, and business establishments, would be interpreted by any intelligent observer as palpable evi- dence of wealth and refinement. The recent discovery of a considerable quan- tity of bituminous coal of a superior quality, at a depth of about forty-five feet from the surface of the ground, where three German farmers were dig- ging a well on the side and near the base of one of the bluffs, about four iniles east of La Crosse, establishes, beyond all controversy, the fact that Wisconsin has coal of a good quality; and it is to be hoped that measures will soon be adopt- ed to develop this important resource.
La Crosse, the capital of La Crosse County, is situated on the left bank of the Mississippi River, at the month of La Crosse River, and on the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, about 125 miles north-west of Madison.
She is the "Gateway City " of bothi the fertile fields of Southern Minnesota, and of the immense pine-regions in the north. The bluffs back of the city fur- nish inexhaustible supplies of the best of limestone. Brick is manufactured near by; and lumber, in immense quan- tities, is found at her very doors. Thus the natural advantages of La Crosse are unexcelled.
ments of this vicinity, as the products of | mercial importance. She possesses ten the soil and forest, and the skill and la- or twelve blocks of paved streets, hav- ing been paved with the Nicholson, or macadamized, and well graded; a fine city building; a very efficient police-de- partment; and a fire-department, which does very excellent service The edu- cational advantages of La Crosse can- not be excelled. There are four ward schools, a high school, and a normal in- stitute in the city.
If the morality of a community can be measured by the size and elegance of its churches, as compared with the num- ber of its inhabitants, we must place La Crosse in the front rank of moral cities. The Congregational Church is a brick building, with a fine spire and bell: it also contains a very fine organ. The Baptist is a very fine stone church. The Roman-Catholic is a very large structure of brick. Besides these are many oth- ers; nearly every denomination and sect being represented.
There are five newspapers published in La Crosse, -three English, one Ger- man, and one Norwegian.
Pomeroy's Opera House Block is a very fine building. It is a solidly built block of red brick, a hundred and ten feet square, five stories high; the lower half-basement story sixteen feet high, the others fourteen feet. The lower portion of this building is used and oc- enpied by the newspaper publishers of the city. The upper story of the build- ing is occupied by the Opera Hall, a hundred and ten by eighty feet. The scenery and stage appliances of this hall are excellent: it has seating capacity for about fifteen hundred persons.
The manufacturing interests are well represented in La Crosse. Three very large saw-mills, and several smaller ones, manufacture almost incredible quantities of lumber, which is shipped into the surrounding county, and over the several railroads leading out of the city. Besides these, there are four man- ufactories of farming-implements, two of threshing-machines, three founderies, a large plough-factory, boiler-works, a large door, sash, and blind factory, a woollen-mill, and the usual complement of smaller mamifactories.
In the mercantile line, Mons Anderson, dry-goods merchant, is probably the heaviest dealer. He occupies a spacious store in bis large building, the largest private mercantile edifice in the State, outside of Milwaukee. In the third story of this building is located At- well's Business College, which offers the best advantages in the West for a com- mercial education.
Population, 1875, 11,012.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY.1 - This is one of
1 We are indebted to L. E. Johnson of Darlington, and John C. Wood of Wiota, for
She stands the fifth city of the State in population, and the second in com- I materials for this sketch. - C. R. T.
-
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the first settled counties in the State; but its life and prosperity received but little impetus until within the last dec- ade: nearly all of the principal agricul- tural resources have been developed within this period. The general topog- raphy of the county is undulating. The soil is an admixture of black loam and clay. County contains 397,366 acres of land, three-fourths of which are under cultivation. Nearly all, however, is capable of the highest cultivation. All the lands are in possession of bona-fide holders, except a few small tracts, which are owned by the State. Water-facili- ties are excellent, but only used in the running of flour-mills; no other kinds of machinery of any account being used. Agriculture is the leading industry of the county; yet a large number are en- gaged in lead-mining, which is carried on with perfect system. Lead is found in all positions, and in every town of the county; the largest mine being in Shulls- burg. Lead is principally found in crev- ices in rocks, mixed with clay and sand. Copper has been worked with but little success. The carbonate of zinc is found in most of our lead-shafts, but has never been put to any use. The prevailing timber is oak, walnut, maple, hickory, and ash. Pekatonica, Galena, and other branches traverse the county, and are stocked with black bass and pickerel. The Illinois Central Railroad runs through the county north and south, nearly in its centre. There is a very favorable prospect that the Monroe branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad will be extended to the Mis- sissippi, running through the county east and west. Farming and mining are the principal sources of industry.
Much attention has been paid to the root-crops. The potato, owing to a good market south, has commanded a good price, and consequently has been largely cultivated. Many new varieties have been experimented with: the rage has quite equalled the hop-fever. This county claims to understand the potato- culture, and regards it as having yielded the best results of any thing put into the ground. The English farmers cling with tenacity to the turnip, which is by them regarded as essential to good hus- bandry; while the American farmer cul- tivates the carrot as inore nutritious, and less bulky.
They have been more successful in the cultivation of fruit than most of the counties of the State. A great variety of apples are exhibited at our annual fairs. The apple-crop of the county supplies most of the demand for home-consump- tion. From 1855 to 1860, many things combined to injure fruit and fruit-trees; but, since that time, there has been a marked improvement in the general health of the orchards, as well as an in- I this sketch. - C. R. T.
crease in the yield. The bark-louse has entirely disappeared in a large number of the old orchards, thereby indicating an improved condition in the health of the tree.
A good quality of brick-clay is found in various parts of the county; and there is a good brickyard at Darlington.
The three principal villages in the county are Darlington (the county- seat), Shullsburg, and Belmont. The schools in these villages are all first- class; the schoolhonses costing from twenty to thirty thousand dollars each. These villages, as well as the whole county, are well supplied with churches. There are one hundred and twenty schoolhouses in the county, mostly in good condition. Wages for male teach- ers average $35.50, and for female teach- ers $22.50, per month.
The nationality of the inhabitants is about one-fourth Irish, one-eighth Eng- lish, one-eighth Germans, one-fifth Nor- wegians, and the balance Americans. The majority of the Norwegians are in the eastern portion: the others are scat- tered all over the county.
MANITOWOC COUNTY.1-The surface of this county is principally rolling, and covered with hard-wood timber, consist- ing of oak, beech, maple, cedar, and hemlock. The last is principally valua- ble for its bark, which is very largely used for tanning-purposes. There are about ten sections of what is denominat- ed swamp-lands in the county ; but these, with a little improvement, will make ex- cellent grass-lands. Pine is found along the lake-shore, where the soil is sandy; but, in the interior of the county, the soil is a clay-loam, and is good.
The water-power of the county is ex- cellent. There are seven good powers on the Manitowoc River, and four on Five Rivers, all partially improved, there being invested about one hundred and sixty thousand dollars; but all of these are capable of a much further im- provement.
Floating copper-ore has been found in the towns of Cato and Cooperstown.
The very best of clay for brick is found all along the lake-shore. There are a large number of brickyards ; and large quantities of brick have been shipped the last two years. Marble and valuable stone quarries are also found along the Manitowoc River, and extending into other portions of the county; but these have not as yet been developed to any great extent.
The Manitowoc River passes through the centre of the county, and is naviga- ble for three iniles. The Two Rivers forms a junction at the village of the
1 We are indebted to N. J. Gilbert, F. Schultz, and G. W. Burnett of Manitowoc, for
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
same name. Fish abounds in both of these streams, and in other smaller ones to a considerable extent.
The lack of railroad facilities in this region has heretofore been a great draw- back; but all that is now changed. The railroad from Manitowoc to Appleton is completed. It connects with the Wis- consin Central at Menasha, thus giving direct communication with the Northern Pacific Railroad. The Lake-Shore Road from Milwaukee is also completed; and now no part of the State has better rail- road communications than this county.
Agriculture is the principal industry of the county. In 1872, there were raised ahont six hundred thousand bushels of wheat, four hundred thousand bushels of oats, one hnudred thousand bushels peas, one hundred thousand bushels rye, and five hundred thousand bushels po- tatoes.
The city of Manitowoc is a lively, thriving place; and ship - building is there carried on to a considerable ex- tent. Four large tanneries are here in full operation, with a capital of abont ninety thousand dollars. "About seven- ty thousand barrels of flour were shipped from the city the past year.
At Two Rivers there is a large tub, pail, and chair factory, and a tannery, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. There are also manufactured about fifty million feet of lumber annually.
With the excellent water-powers in the county, and the ease with which all kinds of hard wood can be obtained, it is readily seen that Manitowoc County offers extraordinary inducements for many branches of manufacturing, where hard wood enters as the principal ma- terial. Shipping - facilities to the inte- rior of the State will soon be excellent; and we see no reason why manufactur- ing shall not largely increase.
MARATHON COUNTY.1 - There is no doubt whatever, that the natural re- sources of Marathon County, in soil, timber, iron, water-powers, and other advantages, as well of climate as of geo- graphical position, are second to none in the State.
The extreme length of this county is about one hundred and twenty miles; and its width, fifty-four miles. Deduct- ing the area covered by small lakes in the northern part of the county, it con- tains abont three million five hundred thousand acres of land, of which not over a hundred thousand acres are un- der cultivation.
At least three-fourths of the land of this county are timbered; the high lands, or ridges, being mostly covered by hard wood, such as maple, oak, ash, elm, bass-
wood, butternut, &c., while that along the streams is mostly pine and hem- lock.
The principal sources of industry are agriculture and lumbering. Over three- fourths of the county are capable of be- ing cultivated. The soil is of an excellent quality, and produces all kinds of grain and vegetables common to northern cli- quates. Wheat has been raised over forty bushels to an acre, and other grain in proportion. Winter wheat has never failed. Although our farmers have thus far had ouly a home-market, they have as yet been unable to supply the de- mand, and have always realized a better price for their products than farmers in the southern portion of the State.
The county has very good railroad- facilities.
Lumbering is carried on to a great ex- tent; Inmber and shingles being the chief exports. Thonsauds of persons are an- nually employed in the Wisconsin-River- pineries, at good wages. Over a hun- dred million feet of lumber are annually shipped from this county ; and the almost endless pine-forests in the northern part of the county will furnish material for this branch of industry for generations to come.
There are now in operation in this county thirty stationary saw-mills, be- sides a number of portable mills for the manufacture of lumber; also three flour- ing-mills, six shingle-mills, and one ex- tensive planing-mill.
The Wisconsin River, running through the centre of the county, with its tributaries, furnishes numerons water- powers, comparatively few of which have been improved. But, when our railroad - communication with the rest of the world is completed, capitalists, no doubt, will appreciate the induce- ments offered by Marathon County for remunerative investment. The unde- veloped mineral resources of Marathon County are very extensive; iron being the most abundant, which has been dis- covered in inexhanstible quantities in different portions of the county, and no doubt will, in the future, be one of our principal productions.
Wood has heretofore been ahnost the exclusive building-material in nse; but it has now been substantiated that they have also a superior quality of clay for the manufacture of brick; and they are now being used for building to a consid- erable extent. Three brickyards are al- ready in operation at Wausau.
Last, but not least, are the cranberry- marshes, which have been looked up, and purchased from the government recently. Thousands of acres of as fine cranberry-land as can be found in the world exist near the centre of the coun- ty, on either side of the Wisconsin River. This branch of industry, which is at-
1 For our sketch of Marathon County, we are Indebted to W. C. Silverthorn, John Ringle, and John Patzer of Wausau. - C. R. T.
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
tracting so much interest in other parts of the State, bids fair to be a splendid thing here.
MARQUETTE COUNTY.1 - The whole country is openings and timber. The soil is diversified clay and loam, with con- siderable sand, and extensive marshes, furnishing abundance of natural mea- dows and pasture. The county is well watered with springs, small creeks, and large mill-streams. There are ten flour- ing-milla, fonr woollen-factories, two saw-mills, and one iron-foundery in the county. Fox River runs through the county from east to west, with two thriving villages upon its banks, having four warehouses for grain and other shipping - purposes. There are nine villages in the county, all of thetn well supplied with business-houses, and well patronized.
Montello is the county-seat, with a large and commodious court - honse, bnilt of stone and brick, two churches, stores, and mechanics' shops, two flour- ing-mills, and a woollen-factory. Mon- tello is situated upon Fox River, where they have a regular line of steamboats from Berlin down the river. It has more water-power than any other town west of Neenah, and only about one- fourth improved and used. A foundery, tannery, sash and blind factory, and many other kinds of factories, conld do a good and paying business here, and are much wanted.
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