USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 33
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"The name was as well settled in my mind as the organization, and I took what seemed to me the most effectual course to secure its general adoption. Re- publican; the common weal; an old and cherished name in our own political history, and the name which is owned, as theirs, by all liberal men and liberal organizations throughout the world. The adoption of this name was as much inevitable as was the nomination of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In both of these cases, a wise choice meant success, and unwise one meant defeat ; no more, no less. That I was advocating this name for the great party which I saw looming in the near future above the horizon, as far back as the autumn of 1852, there . is abundant evidence.
"Were Horace Greeley living, I could readily convince any one that I was contemplating this identical state of things in the political world, name, organi- zation and all, as early even as May, 1852; but, as Mr. Greeley's testimony is not now attainable, and as I have but one living witness to this latter fact (which witness I do not choose to call), I must rest upon the autumn of 1852. And perhaps the autumn will do as well as the spring. That gives Ripon a prece- dence of nearly two years (or, to be exact, nineteen months) in the matter of the name; for it was not until June, 1854, that the name 'Republican' was adopted formally, and that was by the state convention of Michigan. I take pleasure in referring to one of our oldest and most prominent citizens, Judge E. L. Runals, who took no part in the movement, but was cognizant of it all. This is his testimony :
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'Ripon, December 16, 1879.
'Dear Sir : I remember well a conversation I had with you in the fall of 1852, not more than two or three weeks I should think, after the election of Franklin Pierce to the presidency, in relation to the political affairs of the country. You, in substance, said that the whig party, to which you belonged, could not survive such an overwhelming defeat as it had just suffered; that it could never rally again; that it would have to abandon its organization and its name; that the country had ceased to care for the old whig issues; that slavery had become the all-absorbing question; that on some phase of this question a new party would probably soon be formed at the north, which would combine whigs, free soilers, and all the outside elements against the democracy, which was the great pillar and support of slavery; that the selection of a name would be an object of the first importance to this new party; and that, in your opinion, it should be called the republican party. You also gave your reason at considerable length for so thinking. You said that as this was the name by which the party of Jefferson had been called from its foundations up to Jackson's time, it would possess a charm, by reason of these old associations, for all Americans, and that it would be attractive to men of foreign birth by reason of its general use amongst the liberals of Europe-and much more to the same effect. Having known you in politics as a whig, I was rather surprised at these predictions as coming from you, and it is probably owing to this fact that they made so firm an impression on my mind.
'Yours very truly,
'E. L. RUNALS.
'To Major A. E. Bovay, Ripon, Wisconsin.' "
Jehdiah Bowen was a democrat,-an anti-Nebraska democrat-and sym- pathized with Major Bovay's desires for a new, anti-slavery party. So much so, as to join him, Amos Loper and others in a call for a meeting of the citizens of Ripon. The notice of this meeting was published in the Ripon Herald on the 29th of February, 1849. The meeting was held on the same evening, in the Con- gregational church, and was presided over by William Dunham; W. N. Mar- tin, secretary.
On the 18th day of March, the Herald printed the following call for a meeting :
"The Nebraska Bill-a bill expressly intended to extend and strengthen the institution of slavery has passed the senate by a very large majority, many northern senators voting for it, and many more sitting in their seats and not voting at all. It is evidently destined to pass the house and become a law unless its progress is arrested by the general uprising of the north against it.
"Therefore we, the undersigned, believing this community to be nearly or quite unanimous in opposition to the nefarious scheme, would call a public meet- ing of citizens of all parties to be held at the schoolhouse in Ripon, on Monday evening, March 20, at 6:30 o'clock, to resolve, to petition, and to organize against it. Signed, J. Bowen, A. Loper, T. L. Reynolds, A. E. Bovay, and fifty others."
There were fifty-four citizens -- whigs, free soilers and democrats-who signed the call, and all pledged themselves to join the new party. A committee of five was chosen, consisting of three whigs, one free soiler and one democrat, the Vol. I-18
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members of which were A. E. Bovay, J. Bowen, Amos Loper, Abram Thomas and Jacob Woodruff. And then, by formal vote, the town committees of the whig and free soil parties were dissolved and the republican party in Ripon was born.
FOREST
Owing to the present splendid groups of hard timber covering the larger por- tions of this town, the name of Forest was given it. This section of the county had a beautiful and valuable grove of hard wood timber with here and there patches of tamarack and cedar. Most of the woods have disappeared, as the trees have been cut up into lumber or fuel, although there are still some remain- ing. The town is well watered and the soil brings in a fair return for the money expended in fitting it for farming. Mullet Lake in the southern portion supplies sources of a stream by the same name, which flows in a northeasterly direction, after making a bend to the south. Other streams furnish the locality with splen- did water and drainage, some of which is of sufficient power for milling.
The town of Forest was organized in 1848 and at the first election, held April Ist of that year H. C. Giltner was chosen chairman. The town is on the western tier and has for its northern boundary the town of Marshfield, on the east Sheboygan county, south the town of Osceola and west the towns of Tay- cheedah and Empire. The earliest settler was Henry C. Giltner, who came early in 1845, and was closely followed by Josiah A. King, who made a permanent settlement in the town in May, 1845. James Davis and P. T. King settled here the same year near the center of the town and as permanent settlers were prob- ably here prior to Henry C. Giltner. William Chase came early in 1846 and it was at his house the first election was held. O. C. White, Solomon Benedict and others settled not far from Mr. Giltner about this time, and a short time thereafter the Germans were attracted here and became the predominant element.
The first birth to take place in the town of Forest was that of Sarah Chase, and the first death that of James Davis.
A Mr. Slocum married Miss Riley and furnished data for the first marriage to take place here. In the summer of 1849 the first schoolhouse was built on section 14. S. Corbett was the teacher. Rev. Mr. Scott in 1847, at the house of William Chase, preached the first sermon. The Catholics erected a church building on section 19, in 1858.
The Union church was organized April 7, 1879, and a church building was erected on section 36. The organizers of this church were Henry Stannard, E. C. Coon, William Stewart, P. H. Montgomery and E. Conger. It was dedicated by Rev. F. A. Marsh in 1880. The Methodist church society was organized in November, 1873, by James Corbett, and in 1874 a building was put up for religious meetings on section 13. The first sermon was preached by J. T. Woodhead. The first preacher was J. S. Bolton.
The first postoffice established in the town was called Oasis, as early as 1847. The postmaster was H. C. Giltner. An office was established at Dotyville in 1849. Thomas Davidson handled the mails. He also in 1852 opened the first store at Dotyville. The Banner postoffice was established in 1866, C. A. Corbett presiding. Both these offices have long since been discontinued.
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OSCEOLA
The town of Osceola gets its name from the famous Florida Indian chief Osceola. At one time it was rich in timber and had numerous small lakes. It was first settled in 1845 by Washington Noble, James Farr and Peter Radliff. A few months later they were joined by W. R. Longstreet, who gave to the town its name; John Beeson, William Mitchell and Silas Allen. About this time other parts of the town were settled by John Graham, William Oliver, John Airhart, Joseph Cavanagh and others. The town was organized in 1851 and in April of that year at an election held, Rev. J. W. Whitney was elected chairman, William Mitchell clerk; Leander Mayhew assessor; W. R. Long- street, superintendent of schools.
The soil of Osceola is highly productive and there are many finely cultivated and well kept farms. The landscape is beautiful and the lakes are attractive and furnish an abundance of fish for the followers of Izaak Walton.
The first birth in this town occurred in the family of William Oliver in 1847. Byron Graham, son of John and Louisa Graham, was born March 14, 1849.
The marriage of Washington Noble to Helen Airhart was the first to take place in Osceola.
In February, 1849, the infant daughter of Michael and Helen Scammell died, and later in the year Mrs. Noble was buried. These were the first deaths in the town.
The first school was taught by Sarah J. Waters at the house of M. Cary in 1840. A schoolhouse was erected on section 8 in the winter of that year.
Rev. J. W. Whitney preached the first sermon in the town of Osceola at the house of William Mitchell in 1847, and the first church edifice to be built was in 1856, on section 2, by members of the Catholic faith.
A postoffice was established and called Osceola and also one at Waucousta. These have been discontinued. Postoffices established in an early day at Dun- dee and Armstrong's Corners have also gone out of existence.
A village called Dundee was platted by E. M. McIntosh in February, 1864 Here a dam and sawmill had been built by Stephen Palmer and Mr. McIntosh in 1855. The property soon afterwards came into the possession of William and Leroy Palmer, who built a flouring mill in 1858, which was later owned by F. Hollensteiner. The first postmaster at Dundee was I. S. Sheldon. Dun- dee became quite an important little trading point, with general stores, school and three churches, but it has long since lost its attractiveness to the surround- ing country.
The first saw and grist mill were built at Waucousta in 1848 by John Bee- son. Both were in the middle branch of the Milwaukee river.
Michael Scammell was the first Irish settler, who came in 1848. William Mitchell was a bonny Scot. He was early in the field, as was John Airhart, who came from the fatherland.
The first store opened in the town of Osceola was located at Waucousta by T. W. Purcell in 1859. Here J. H. Trentledge later had a store. There was also a blacksmith and wagon shop, cheese factory and other industries.
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
ROSENDALE
Flowers of many descriptions abounded in luxuriance in this locality in an early day. Roses predominated, so that it appeared to Mrs. George D. Curtis as a perfect dale of roses and that condition suggested to her the name of Rosen- dale, which was applied to this town. The community was created in 1846 and on April 7th of that year the first election was held at the house of Samuel Sanborn, at which time W. H. H. Dodd, Samuel Sanborn and H. C. Ward were elected supervisors; F. Scofield, clerk; S. Sanborn and H. S. Bixby, assessors; J. D. Price, collector ; H. W. Wolcott, W. H. H. Dodd and Dana Lamb, jus- tices ; Jerome Yates, B. Dodd, S. E. Smith, constables ; Jerome Yates, H. W. Wol- cott, O. Grant, school commissioners ; G. D. Curtis, Dana Lamb and A. Kenyon, fence viewers; C. Bolcom, A. Kenyon and L. A. Bemis, road commissioners ; Stephen R. Sanborn, sealer of weights and measures.
Samuel Sanborn was the first settler in this town. He located on the south- east quarter of section 35, in June, 1844. During the summer he kept "batch," broke ground and sowed wheat in the fall. He then returned to his old home in Waukesha county, where he remained through the winter. In the early spring of 1845 he brought his family to Rosendale and became a permanent settler. Prior to this, however, Dana Lamb with his family had located in the town. Before the year 1845 had closed there were over twenty families in the town. In 1846 there were about as many more and from that time on settle- ments were made rapidly and the town became in point of the number of its population one of the most important communities in the county.
Other early comers were Philetus Sawyer, later to become a United States senator ; C. F. Hammond, Henry C. Bottum, Dr. A. H. Bowe, Dr. Storrs Hall, James Saunders, Joseph Scribner, N. C. Hill, Frederick Scofield, Job Hum- phries, Henry Wheeler, Almon Kenyon, George D. Curtis, Henry W. Wolcott, William H. H. Dodd, C. M. Balcom, Alban Harroun, James Port, Noah H. Jewett, Henry C. Ward, H. A. Bixby, Jerome Yates, Bushnell Dodd, Othello Grant, J. D. Pierce, S. R. Sanborn, L. A. Bemis, Samuel E. Smith, Allen Perry, David Brinkerhoff, John H. Chapman, Frederick Jewett, James T. Elliott, Moses Ranger, S. D. Ranger, Samuel B. Parsons, Clinton Matteson, C. R. Pease, James Scofield, D. C. Thompson, Eliphalet Smith, Byron Howe, C. Stow, John Ackerman, Thomas Fletcher, Jonathan Daugherty, Bertine Pinkney, S. M. Smead, Stanton Fordice, William T. Innis.
The west branch of the Fond du Lac river, with tributaries, waters the western and lower half of the town, and the Sheboygan-Fond du Lac rail- road enters the town in section 36 and leaves it at section 19. Rosendale sta- tion is on section 25.
Since the village of Rosendale was laid out in 1872 it has become somewhat of a trading point for that section of the town. It maintains the Rosendale State Bank, has general stores, physician, Congregational, Methodist and Evan- gelical Lutheran churches, high school, a lodge of Odd Fellows and of Masons. There is an elevator, a factory where is manufactured Rosendale spreaders, a lumberyard, an agricultural implement concern, and withal it is a busy little community.
. As early as 1846 C. Stow had a blacksmith shop in this vicinity. The first
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
Episcopal services were held in the village in 1847 by Bishop Kemper. In April, 1861, Rev. F. Durlin organized St. Mark's Episcopal church. B. Pinkney was senior warden and A. H. Bowe, junior warden. The vestrymen were George Walton, W. Danielson and Adam Seely. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid in 1863 and the building was consecrated by Bishop Kemper, April 12, 1864. The Congregational church was first presided over by Rev. Dana Lamb. It was organized in the schoolhouse May 21, 1848, with twenty members. The first deacons were David Brinkerhoff, Homer Barnes and W. G. Winnegar. A building was erected by Rev. Lamb in 1854 and was dedicated in 1855. Later it was enlarged, repaired and rededicated. The first pastor was Rev. L. Bridgeman. A Methodist class was organized in December, 1849, in the schoolhouse, by Rev. Lathrop, and was comprised of Mr and Mrs. H. G. Hal- sted, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Kibby, J. W. Ennis, Miss E. Covell, Mr. and Mrs. E. Warring, W. Hyde and his mother, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Ballard and two daugh- ters. The first trustees were: H. G. Halsted, John M. Cowhan, A. H. Bowe, H. W. Wolcott, George D. Curtis, J. Berto, Almon Burt, A. L. Kibby and Wil- liam Stevens. Services were first held in the schoolhouse until 1854, when a building was erected at a cost of $1,200. It was dedicated by Rev. M. E. Co- bleigh in January, 1855. The first pastor was Rev. Lathrop.
The first marriage in the town of Rosendale was celebrated between Eliph- alet Smith and Sallie Warren, in November, 1840.
The first birth was that of James, son of Alban Harroun, in October, 1845.
The first death was that of Mrs. Jerod Patrick, daughter of Jonathan Dodd. This took place May 22, 1846.
Dwight Hall taught the first school in the winter of 1846 in a log building that stood on section 35, put up for the purpose.
A Baptist minister named Jeremiah Murphy preached the first sermon in the township at the house of Samuel Sanborn, in January, 1846. The first church was erected in 1853 on section 35 by the Congregationalists.
A postoffice was established at Rosendale in May, 1846. Dana Lamb was the first postmaster. In a short time after the postoffice was opened, Jonathan Daugherty had in running order the first store, of which Fay & Collins were the proprietors.
A. H. Bowe was the first physician in the town.
SPRINGVALE
Springvale was created a separate town March II, 1848, when the first elec- tion was held at Abel Willard's house. Warren Whiting was elected chairman and Charles D. Beers, clerk. The town received its name from Squire Dana Lamb by reason of the numerous vales and springs which abound within its limits. The town is bounded on the north by Rosendale, on the east by Lamar- tine, the south by Waupun and west by Metomen. It is devoid of villages and railroads but is a splendid farming community and ranks well as an agricul- tural center with its sister towns.
The first settler was William Cheeney, who settled on section 31 on Wedge's Prairie, in April, 1845. Prior to this, however, John A. Allen entered section 35 in 1844. Alban Harroun, W. H. H. Dodd, Rev. Dana Lamb, James Post,
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
E. B. Parsons, 'Squire Dana Lamb and a number of others had settled in this town. Among other arrivals were Warren Whiting, Charles D. Beers, A. C. Whiting, H. I. Ackerman, James T. Elliott, Joseph Scribner, Edward Ensign, W. B. Disbrow, F. M. Wheeler, J. B. Spencer, G. F. Wheeler, James H. Sco- field, C. H. Seymour, S. Wilkinson, G. W. Sizer, T. K. Gillett and Frank Bowe. Many of these men just named are also claimed by the town of Rosendale as first settlers, which is due probably to the fact that at one time Springvale was a part of that town.
The first marriage in Springvale was that of E. Smith and Miss Sallie War- ren, in November, 1846. F. Scofield and Calista C. Bemis were also married in that month and year.
The birth of H. Sydney Hazen, son of John and Melissa Hazen, in Septem- ber, 1847, was the first to occur in this town, and the first death was that of Phoebe, wife of John Yates, and daughter of Amos Prouty. The death occurred March 14, 1848.
The first school was taught by Mrs. H. M. Jewett in a cabin on section 18, and the first religious services were held at William Cheeney's house in Novem- ber, 1845.
A Methodist class was formed June 3, 1846, by Rev. W. G. Miller at the home of William Cheeney. The members were William Cheeney, Abigail Cheeney, D. S. Cowles, Ann Cowles and Henry Moore and wife. The Method- ists erected a church on section 2 in the town of Waupun in 1868, which was used largely by members living in Springvale. The trustees were J. M. Haw- kins, William Cheeney, W. S. Randall, G. G. Randall and W. M. Stearns.
There was also a Baptist society organized in the town. The Universalists organized in 1849. Rev. Joseph Ward at the time was pastor and there were twenty members. The first Catholic services were held in 1847 by Father Haley, of Watertown, at the home of J. O. Riley. For three years thereafter meet- ings were held at William Riley's residence, conducted by various priests of the diocese. A building was erected in 1858 on section 17, which was supplied by a clergyman from Fond du Lac, Ripon and Waupun.
EDEN
The town of Eden was created and organized in 1848. An election was held in April at the house of Peter Vandervoort, at which time Peter Vandervoort was elected chairman and Samuel Rand, town clerk. In 1847 a meeting had been held to name the town, at which time "Adam Holiday, an eccentric char- acter, arose to propose a name. After commenting on the many beauties of the place, the richness of the soil, the abundance of fruits and flowers and the beau- tiful woods and fields, he remarked that Adam dwelt in the garden of Eden and that there were holy days there." The giving of the name of Eden to the town soon followed amid much merriment from those present.
Eden is bounded on the north by Empire, on the east by Osceola, on the south by Ashford and on the west by Byron. There are two ridges of limestone, suitable for building material, extending north and south through the town. Otherwise the surface is gently undulating and was originally composed of prairies, wild hay marshes, rather small oak openings and limited belts of heavy
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BANK BUILDING AT EDEN
SCENE ON A BUSINESS STREET, EDEN
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
timber. In the early days wild plums, cranberries, grapes and crabapples grew in abundance and were unusually large and edible. The highest point of land in Fond du Lac county is said to be on section 16 in this town, being three hundred and fifty-two feet above Lake Winnebago, and about five hun- dred feet above Lake Michigan. There are several large springs. The soil is generally of a deep, rich loam, with a subsoil of limestone gravel, and adapted to almost any branch of agriculture. The town is watered by the west branch of Milwaukee river and other small streams. Here is quite an interesting field to the archaeologist, as there are found many mounds from which have been taken pottery, earthenware and other articles peculiar to prehistoric ages.
It is conceded that Joseph Carr was the first settler in Eden, although he did not enter the first land. He was building a log cabin in November, 1845, and in February following Peter Vandervoort and Samuel Rand, with their families, were here building log houses for homes. The first crops were raised in 1847 and were satisfactory in their yield. In the fall of 1847 other settlers began to arrive rapidly. In April, 1848, as has been said the town was organized and given its name.
The first child born here was a daughter of Adam Holiday. She made her appearance in 1847. John L. Martin was the first boy born in Eden.
The first religious services were held at the home of Peter Vandervoort in 1846, by Rev. Dickinson. That same year Mr. Vandervoort began preaching. In 1848 Rev. M. L. Noble performed the marriage ceremony between Margaret Bell and a Mr. Baldwin. This was the first wedding in the town.
By 1850 there were two schoolhouses, in which the pupils gathered for in- struction.
Foster postoffice was established early in the history of the township by Egbert Foster, but it has long since gone out of existence. The German Method- ists organized a society and erected a church building on section 10. Members of St. James Catholic church held their first services in a log house built in 1849 on section 29, by C. Mangan, E. McInroe, Joseph Lawler, T. McGinty, P. Ryan, T. Ward and others. This was used until 1865, when a better and more commodious building was erected under the ministrations of Rev J. Mc- Gowan.
In 1873 the Air Line railroad was built through the town and Eden was made a station. The line was owned by L. Batterson, who platted the village and sold the first lot to A. Edelman, who built a store. The second lot was bought by M. Altenhofer, who also built a store. An elevator was erected by Mr. Batterson and the first wheat shipped from the station was by Isaac Advance. A hotel was erected by John Botzen, and a postoffice was established and placed in charge of Peter Vandervoort. Eden is quite a thriving little ham- let, eight miles southeast of Fond du Lac. There are general stores, cheese factory, a farm implement and hardware concern, harness shop, hotel, physi- cians, churches and school.
ELDORADO
This is township 16 north, range 16 east, and is bounded on the north by Winnebago county, east by Friendship, south by Lamartine and west by Rosen-
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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY
dale. Its surface is gently undulating and contains less prairie than most of the other towns. There was considerable heavy timber, some oak openings and marshes. Eldorado marsh was especially large in size. However, the yield of hay in this section has always been gratifyingly large. The first settlers were Moses S. Barnett, Theodore Sheldon, William Hall and others, who came to this county early in 1846. The first town meeting was held in April, 1848, at the house of Cyrus Parks. M. S. Barnett was chosen chairman and James Cowhan, town clerk. In April, 1849, the town was separated from Friendship and the first election was held at the house of William C. Wolcott. The first person to make a permanent location in Eldorado was Harvey Anderson, in the fall of 1845. In May, 1846, Moses S. Barnett became a citizen of the town. Samuel Sanborn entered the first land,-a tract on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 31.
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