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 59
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Mrs. Bird is the mother of eleven children, five of which are now living in Wisconsin, and the others are dead. Her husband died of cholera, on the morning of Aug. 2, 1852.
Mrs. Bird was brought up by Chris- tian parents, who early taught their children how to pray, and to read the Bible understandingly. The religious element predommates largely in her temperament. She is a good, consistent inember of the Congregational Church, and has impressed upon the minds of her children the purity, holiness, and grandeur of true religion. Her natu- ral mental abilities are good ; for every effort is characterized by strong practi- cal common-sense. Her success in pioneer life is due more to force of will than to physical power. It is said that the countenance is but an em- blem of the workings of the soul. The writer knows this to be true with her; for her face is one of the kindest and the best; and as her stately form glides about in the dear old home, so sacred to her, even though it be moved from its original position, one feels an affection for her, - an affection akin to love.
MRS. ROSALINE PECK. - It was in Middletown, a village situated on a rise of ground west of the Green Mountains, Vt., and on Feb. 24, 1808, that Mrs. Rosaline Peck was born. Hler maiden name was Willard. She was an intelligent girl, ambitious and energetic, and possessed just such qualities as are somewhat natural to those reared in mountainous regions,
work successful. On her twenty-first birthday she was married, in the house in which she was born, to Mr. Eben Peck.
In July, 1836, Mrs. Peck and her family arrived at Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wis. They rented Col. Brig- ham's tavern-stand, and boarded him and his farming and mining hands during the autumn and winter, also entertaining travellers. A post-office had been established there at that time. Upon the decision to remove the capital from Belmont to Madison, they purchased lots at the latter place, and immediately sent hands and teams to erect a building. This was the first house in Madison; and a fine picture in the State Historical Rooms repre- sents it in its primitive condition. Mrs. Peck rode an Indian pony in coming from the Brigham place to her new home. They camped out two nights, but were awakened on the latter one by a severe wind-storm, and furious howling of wolves, and saw, to their astonishment, snow to the depth of five or six inches. This was April 15. The chinks in her new house were filled with mud by Judge Doty. Col. Bird, Col. Brigham, and others. Since her home was floorless, she had a temporary pen bullt, and her stove carried in, and lived there until May, when her new home was ready for habitation. On June 10 Col. Bird again arrived, with a party of thirty- six men, to commence building the Capitol. In this house was given the dinner at the laying of the corner- stone of the Capitol, July 4, 1837; the occasion being celebrated with due form and ceremony, accompanied with speeches, songs, toasts, &c.
Here Wisconsiana Victoria Peck, the first child, was born, Sept. 14, 1837. The first New Year's in Madison was duly commemorated at this hospita- ble home. The first wedding also took place here, April 1, 1838. Jairus S. Pot- ter, better known as Long Potter, was married to Miss Elizabeth Allen, by Mr. Peck, who was a justice of the peace. This was followed by a dance, Mrs. Peek officiating on the violin, - an accomplishment for which she was noted. In the spring of 1838 Mr. Peck rented the house to Robert L. Ream, the father of Miss Vinnie Ream, the sculptress, who was born in Madison.
Mr. Peck had built himself another house previous to the leasing of the first. Mrs. Peck was a good house-
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keeper, and made every effort to do | for the good old Kentucky cheer and away with the inconveniences that hospitality which characterized the dispensing of them.
surrounded her. Being something of a musician, she often entertained her guests with music. New Year's, Christ- mas, and turtle-soup suppers, dancing and card parties, were instituted by her, thereby aiding much in keeping up the spirits of the early settlers: besides, she weil knew, that, with but little circulation of literature, the chief mode of culture was sociality.
Mrs. Peck was not only the first settler in Madison, but was the first settler in Barraboo.
In 1844 her husband started for California, and is supposed to have been massacred by the savages while on his way. Though sixty-seven years of age, she lives alone in the upper part of the house she had built in Barraboo. She says she "has had a full share of life's troubles and of life's disappointments, and but few of its favors.
Mrs. Peck is a lady a little above the medium height, and possesses a coun- tenance which indicates much thought and perseverance. Untiring energy characterizes her efforts; and, withal, she has those traits of temperament which so well qualified her for active pioneer work.
MRS. REBECCA PARKINSON. - This lady, who was the wife of Col. Daniel M. Parkinson of Lafayette County, Wis- consin, was born in December, 1738, In Woodford County, Kentucky. She was the oldest daughter of Joshua and Anne Brent. When she was quite young, her father dicd, leaving her mother with a large family of children to support, and with but moderate means. In 1823 Mrs. Brent removed, with her family, to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon County, twenty -five miles east of where Springfield has been since bullt. It was in this un- cultivated region that she became ac- quainted with, and afterward married, in May, 1826, Mr. Parkinson, a wid- ower, with one or more children. In the autumn of 1827, she removed, with her husband and family, to the then "Galena Mining Country." As her husband was engaged in mining, they were obliged to move often, until the spring of 1829, when they opened a tavern in Mineral Point, a settlement which was then the most Important in the lead-region. She soon became a most excellent and popular landlady ; her table noted for the tasteful array of a bounteous supply of viands, and | veyance.
She was gay and fashionable; and, being particularly fond of dancing, she often gave entertainments of this kind at her own house. Her house - which was large and commodious, being built after the Southern style - caused these occasions to be the more hcartily ap- preciated by the young people in that vicinity.
Being born, and partly acquiring her habits, in the "Blue Grass Country" of Kentucky, she partook of the pecu- liarities of the ladies of that piace, in being very fond of the horse, and of horseback exercise. She thought nothing of putting her horse to its best speed; and often, in company with her husband, would race over the smooth prairies of Illinois. Some- times a wolf would be just in front of them for many a mile, the chasing and killing of which was considered rare sport and amusement by the early settlers of that State. She was also fond of the race-course, and often "backed " with considerable liberal- ity the favorite horse of her husband, which was known to be a successful racer.
After several years' residence in Minerai Point, Mrs. Parkinson and her husband removed to a farm, five miles distant, in the town of Willow Springs, where she remained until her death. At this place she took much pride in a beautiful and cleanly door- yard, an excellent garden, and a fine flock of poultry. The hospitality of Col. Parkinson and his excellent wife is known throughout the State.
Beloved and esteemed by all who knew her, her death, which occurred June 13, 1843, was sincerely mourned, and her memory is fondly cherished, The attributes of her character were industry, hospitality, generosity, and integrity, united with a most obliging and affable disposition.
MRS. LORINDA CAMPBELL. - This lady is the oldest daughter of Sylvester Hill, and wife of James Campbell, president of the Madison and Portage Railroad, who is well known through- out this State as a railroad contractor. She was born in Truxtun, near Syra- cuse, Onelda County, N.Y.
She, with her parents, commenced their journey to the West in Septem- ber, 1838, travelling with teams, as was at that time the usual mode of con-
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Arriving in Wisconsin, they located | reached Cincinnati. Here taking a on a farm about ten miles distant from river-steamer, they sailed down the Ohio, and up the Mississippi Rivers, to New Boston in Henderson County, Ill., at which place they resided until September, 1843, when they struck out for the wilderness of the Wisconsin Pinery. They journeyed by the way of Janesville, Madison, and Portage, and found these places in their Infancy. On their arrival at Grand Rapids, they found but one white woman, a Mrs. Strong, who had migrated to that place the year previously. Mrs. Kline re- sided there until the time of her death, which occurred in August, 1869; and, while she lived in Grand Rapids, she never travelled farther than twenty miles from her home. Monroe, in Green County, and imme- diately commenced the work of erect- ing a log-house, which, at that time, was almost the only kind known in the West. Logs sawed in two were called "shakers," and were used for roofing; and hewed logs were used for flooring. The furniture of log-houses in those days was exceedingly plain. Instead of chairs, stools were used. Home-made tables were found to be sufficiently ex- tensive and at which a family might easily be seated; and it has been proven that savory viands are relished just as much on a sanded pine table as on a painted one. Bedsteads were made by nailing two small logs against the side of the house, and these joined by another log.
Miss Hill was married to James Campbell in 1840, he having come in 1835, at which time there were only sixteen men in the county. Their first home was on a farm almost a mile from the village of Albany. Their house was frame; and a few years later Mr. Campbell erected a barn of pine lumber. This he hauled two hundred and fifty miles. They lived on the farm till 1851, when Mr. Campbell went to Albany, Green County, and engaged in the mercantile business, continuing in the same till 1862. Since that time they have travelled considerably, Mrs. Campbell going once with her husband to Europe.
Their home is now in Portage City.
She is mother of three children, one of whom is living, a daughter, who married a son of Judge Clinton, and resides in Portage City.
Mrs. Campbell is a lady of exceed- ingly pleasant manner, kind, and char- itable : she is ever willing to yield her desires to the wishes of others.
MRS. ELIZABETH KLINE. - Among the names of the early settlers of Wis- consin is that of Mrs. Elizabeth Kline. She was born in the old city of Stras- bourg, Nov. 8, 1789. Her maiden name was Kapp. In 1811 she was married to George Kline. With her husband and three children, she came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, In 1817. They lived at Quebec until 1820, and then came to the United States, and set- tled in Grove, Alleghany County, N. Y., where they resided until the fall of
Five of her eight children are now living. William, Karl, and Elizabeth (now Mrs. D. Baker) make their home in Grand Rapids. Leah, the wife of J.K. Searl, lives in Davies Corners, Adams County ; and a son in California. Her son John died in Illinois.
Her descendants are somewhat nu- merous; the grandchildren numbering thirty-two, and the great-grandchildren fourteen.
Mrs. Kline was always a hard worker, and one of that class of women who are especially endowed by Nature to be the helpmeet of a pioneer of the wilder- ness. There are but few women and fewer men who have the courage to overstep the boundary line to perform the work of the opposite sex, and do their own at the same time. But many a day did this brave and energetic woman not only attend to her house- hold duties, but went into the woods and did the work of a man. Strong physical and mental power was com- bined in her nature with surprising activity. Reward usually goes hand in hand with energy and perseverance; and, since these elements were charac- teristic of her efforts, her reward was not only substantial, but was realized by the influence wielded in the com- munity in which she lived.
MRS. JOSETTE JUNEAU. - Josette Juneau, a daughter of Jacques Vieau, late of Green Bay, was born in April, 1804. She resided at Green Bay and vicinity until 1820, when she married Solomon Juneau, who was then en- gaged as a trader on the spot where the city of Milwaukee now stands. 1836. From there they travelled in a Soon after her marriage, she removed wagon to Olean Point on the Alleghany thither, and shared with her husband border-life. For thirteen years, there River in Pennsylvania, and, embark- the hardships and self-denials of a ing with their goods on a raft, they
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was scarcely an incident to break this | menced. In the month of January, monotonous mode of living, since the nearest white settlements were Green Bay on the north, and Chicago on the south.
In 1838 the tide of emigration, flow- ing into the Mississippi Valley, found its way to this locality, which was then known only as a trading-post. Very soon the spirit of enterprise projected a city; and, its superior advantages becoming generally known, the spot for so long a period marked only by a trader's cabin became a large and populous city, and the abode of civil- Ization and refinement.
Mrs. Juneau lived to witness these important changes; and she did her part toward laying the foundations of society in that place for future gene- rations. Educated in the Catholic faith, she remained for many years a member of that church. She died in Milwaukee, Nov. 19, 1855, in the fifty-second year of her age.
MRS. SAMUEL ST. JOHN. - Mrs. Samnel St. John was the first white woman, the first mother, and the first being to yield up the spirit to the God who gave it, in the place now known as Janesville. During the month of November, 1835, Mr. Samuel St. John arrived from Vermont with his wife and three children. Their cabin was built at the foot of the hill on which now stands the elegant residence of Capt. Ira Miltimore.
And as Mrs. St. John looked from her cabin-door across the river, she could see the celebrated " Big Rock " known by various appellations in dif- ferent periods of time. In those days, the "rock " was about a third larger than at the present time. It was then a renowned spot to the Indians, and had been from time immemorial; being the place where Black Hawk held his court. To the fur-traders, it was prom- inent as a place of rendezvous, and as a point where Rock River could be con- veniently forded during most portions of the year.
Speculations in public land did not enter into the creed of Mr. and Mrs. St. John. They came to this spot to secure a home for themselves and their chil- dren, not dreaming that a city of 10,115 inhabitants would spread itself over a part of their and their neighbors' claims. At that time, the little Janesville con- sisted of but one family of nine per- sons, four of whom were pioneers boarding with Mrs. St. John.
Thus the winter of 1835-36 com-
the small company was increased by the addition of an infant son to the famlly of Mr. St. John, who is sup- posed to have been the first white child born in the Upper Rock River Valley. His name is Seth B. St. John, cousin of the present mayor of Janesville, and, when last heard from, was living at Columbus, in this State. In the same month, Dr. James Heath arrived with his wife, and, taking up their abode with them, made twelve persons in the little cabin, which was only eighteen by sixteen feet.
Mrs. St. John was a hospitable and an unusually energetic woman, though at this time her health was very poor. She gradually failed physically ; for her heart was overburdened with anxiety as to the future of her little family, and the care of heads of families under her roof, whose households were wait- ing the return of these pioneers to take them to Black Hawk's stamping- ground, that they might share the toils of the wife and mother who was doing so nobly for their loved absent ones. Faithfully did she perform her duties; and, like the mothers of the Red Men in the primeval forests, she scarcely stopped in her busy round of care till the voice of the new-born babe was heard. Eight months had not passed since she came to make her home in these western wilds, when death claimed her as his first victim, in which is now "the bower city of the West." After a decline of some months' con- tinuance, and the want of medical at- tendance, as well as the shelter and the care necessary to the mother of an infant child, Mrs. Samuel St. John died in the month of June, 1836.
It should be noted here, also, that Mr. St. John, her husband, who had in later years removed from Janesville, re- turned to visit his brother, and here died, his remains being deposited by the side of his wife. This spot is marked by a tombstone, upon an emi- nence near the road leading to Belolt, and in full view as one turns the bend of the river off Main Street.
MRS. AMABLE ROY. - This lady was probably the first white woman in Wis- cousin, at least the first one that lived in the first permanent settlement in the State. She was the daughter of Sieur Augustin De Langlade. He was a native of France, and born about 1695. His family were of the nobility, and had their castle. For the most part, and perhaps all, of his American
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life, M. De Langlade was an Indian trader. It is quite probable that he had the entire control of the trade at Mackinaw, having obtained a license from the French Government in Cana- da for that purpose. While there, he married the sister of the head Ottawa chief, King Nissowaquet; or, as the French called him, "La Fourche," or the Fork. Their eldest child, Agate - Madame Roy - was born at Macki- naw, about 1722. Her brother Charies was born at or near Mackinaw, in 1724, and afterwards, two younger brothers, and a sister, who married Mr. De Ver- vilie.
Mlle. De Langlade married M. Sou- ligny, who is represented as a man of severity and cruelty, which he had per- haps iearned while an officer in the French army. Madame Souligny, with her husband, her father and his family. went to Green Bay about 1745, and made their home at that place. They settied on the east side of Fox River, near its mouth, somewhat above and opposite the old French post, and about where Judge Arndt resided, in the upper end of Green Bay. This was the first permanent settlement made in Wisconsin. It is estimated that this little colony numbered but eight per- sons.
Augustin De Langlade died about 1677, at the age of seventy-five nearly, and is buried in the old cemetery in Green Bay. It is supposed, that, after his death, Madame De Langiade went to live with her relatives at Mackinaw. But the last known of her is, that, about ten years after, Gov. Sinclair gave "Madame De Langlade permission to go to Green Bay, and enter into pos- session of her houses, gardens, farms, and property, and take a hired man with her." Her brother Nissowaquet is said to have been living as late as 1799.
After M. Souligny's death, Madame Souiigny married Amable Roy, an In- dian trader, whose native place was Montreai. He went to farming after their marriage. Madame Roy never had any children ; but her brother's grand- son, Louis Grignon, lived with them from childhood. At this time, cur- rants were numerous in Green Bay; but Madame Roy had the first and the only apple-tree in her orchard, till 1816, when some were brought into the place.
dame Roy died the year after, in 1801. She willed ali her property to her hus- band; and, about one year after her death he died, leaving the property to Louis Grignon.
MRS. MARY A. MENARD. - Among the many notable characters found in Prairie dn Chien in 1815, and earlier, is one Mrs. Menard of mixed African and white blood. In former times she lived in one of the French villages be- low, and was there married to Charies Menard, a Canadian of French extrac- tion. She had been married twice pre- viously ; first to a man by the name of Du Chonquette, by whom she had two sons, one of whom was in the employ of Mr. Astor in his unfortunate expe- dition, in 1810, by sea, and across the continent, to the mouth of Columbia River, now Oregon Territory. Her next husband was named Gagnier, by whom she had three sons and three daughters. After the death of Mr. Gagnier, she married Charles Menard, by whom she had three sons and two daughters. She was generally called "Aunt Mary Ann;" and with the early pioneers, she was a person of much consequence, being the only one who made any pretence to a knowledge of the healing-art.
Untii a fort was erected in Prairie du Chien, and a surgeon arrived there with the troops, she was sent for by the sick, and attended them as regu- lariy as a physician, and charged fees therefor, giving them, as she expressed it, "devise and yarb drink." She was an excellent nurse; and, even after there were regular surgeons of the army stationed at Fort Crawford, Mrs. Menard continued to practise among the inhabitants. Whether she was employed because they had more faith in her skill, or because they could pay her with more ease, - as her fees were paid in the produce of the country, though she was not very modest in her charges, -cannot be with certainty stated; and frequently after the army- physician had attended a patient a long time, who, perhaps, for want of good nursing, could not be cured. " Annt Mary Ann" wonid take him home with her, and by the force of good nursing, with a little "yarb drink," would re- store him to perfect health ; so that the physician was often joked about her superior skiii.
The following story is related about her husband, Charies Menard. He was once arrested on the charge of
Her brother Charles died in 1800, and was buried beside his father. He died at the age of seventy-five. Ma- having sold whiskey to the soldiers.
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He was brought about five miles from his residence under a guard, tried by a court-martial, whipped, and, with a bottle hung to his neck, marchred through the streets with music, play- ing the "Rogue's March " after him. Mr. Menard protested that he had not soll liquor to the soldiers, but that they had asked him for it, and that he refused to let them have any, as he did not keep liquor for sale.
At the last accounts, many of her descendants resided in Prairie du Chien, and were generally as Industrious and orderly inhabitants as any others.
MISS NANCY SMITH. - " Aunt Nan- cy," as many of her old friends and former pupils delight to call her, is one of the pioneer school-teachers of Wis- cousin. She was born in the State of Vermont nearly seventy years ago. Possessing a naturally active and in- telligent mind, with a thoroughly-prac- tical education, acquired in the com- mon schools, and a charitable and sym- pathetic heart, replete with a strong love for the children and the youth of the community in which she lived. she was eminently successful as a teacher. But her attention was not given to her school-duties exclusively; for she was often found in the house of poverty and distress.
Since her removal to this State, her home lias been In the southern part. At first she lived with her brother in Iowa County, but afterwards with her parents in Moscow. After the death of the father, the mother visited, first with one child, and then another.
"Aunt Nancy" commenced teaching about fifty years ago, and taught for nearly forty years. Much development has been made in the school-system since her first pupils used to sit on the benches in the little log schoolhouse, which was as good as the State afford- ed ; but no development has been made in the strength of pure friendship which existed between teacher and scholars. Many of her students would cordially grasp her hand to give her a hearty welcome to their fireside, if they could but see the dark-haired woman whose stately forin is yet quite erect.
Miss Smith is an earnest, active Christian, a consistent member of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, to which she has belonged from childhood. In carlier days, it was the custom of the people to invite her to address them in the absence of their pastor, which she did in a clear, forcible, and impressive manner.
After removing from Moscow, she taught several years in Argyle and vicinity, from which place she went to Evansville for the purpose of educating her adopted daughter.
MRS FRANCES A. FARWELL. - Mrs. Frances A. Farwell, wife of ex-Gov. Leonard J. Farwell, was the daughter of Gen. A. N. Corss, who located in Madison with his family about twenty- three years ago. . Mrs. Farwell was then a young lady, and her future hus- band was governor of the State. Be- ing a woman of natural grace and beauty, to which was added the high cultivation derived from superior edu- cation and extensive reading, she at once became a general favorite in the society of Madison, to which she was a great accession.
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