History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 107

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298

USA > Wisconsin > Richland County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 107
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 107

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).

J. A. Haggerty was born in Blairstown, N. J., in 1841, being raised to agricultural pursuits. In April, 1866, he came to Mt. Sterling, engag- ing at once in the mercantile business, with Mr. Cook, under the firm name of Cook & Haggerty, succeeding the firm of Cook & McAuley. He continued in this business until 1875, when he devoted himself exclusively to the real estate business until 1881. Mr. Haggerty has also dealt considerably in live stock. His excellent business qualities, combined with a remarkable amount of energy, have made him a successful business man. He now owns twenty improved farms in Crawford county, averaging 100 acres per farm. He also owns valuable property in the village. He has a fine creamery in process of erection near the village, which will have a capacity of 3,000 pounds of butter per day. This, with a creamery of much less capacity, now being erected by J. S. Rogers, of this town, will be the first erected in Crawford county. Mr. Haggerty married Sarah C., daughter of William McAuley. They have three children

-Bessie E. J., born in October, 1871; Willie A., born in July, 1875, Clarence R., born in July, 1877.

Samson Turner was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1836. When thirteen years of age he came with his mother to the United States, his father having previously died in England. He settled at St. Louis in 1849, where his mother died of cholera. After the death of his mother, he wandered from place to place, reaching La Crosse, Wis., in the fall of 1850, then a village of three houses. He passed the following win- ter on Root river, in southern Minnesota; came to Prairie du Chien in February, 1851, and worked for William Mahan. His first location was on government land, on the line of Crawford and Vernon counties, where he resided two years. Mr. Turner was married in 1860, and lived in Vernon county eight years; served in the War of the rebellion; was mustered out June 12, 1866; moved to the town of Utica April 1, 1868, loca- ting on section 20, town 11, range 4. Mr. Turner married Louisa E. Bundy, a native of New York. They have six children-Ralph, Joseph, Sarah, Frederick, Alice and William.

James A. Curran, postmaster at Rising Sun, is a native of New York city, born April 9, 1836. When two or three years of age he re- moved with his parents to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1849 to Monroe Co., Ill. In 1863 he engaged in the mercantile business in Freedom, Ill. He afterwards returned to St. Louis, and in 1869 came to Wisconsin. Coming directly to Ver- non county, he located at Viroqua, engaging for three years as clerk for N. MeKie. He then came to Rising Sun, Crawford county, taking charge of a branch house for Mr. N. Mckie, of Viroqua. Mr. Curran was appointed post- master Oct. 11, 1872, and seryed for some years, then resigned. He was again appointed in 1881. He was town clerk for the years 1881 and 1882, and treasurer from 1877 to 1879. Mr. Curran married Margaret McCoey, a native of New York State.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Henry C. Lester was born in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1847. He came to Crawford Co., Wis,, in 1874. In 1876 he purchased a farm of Charles Chauney and M. Robinson, located on section 8, town 10, north of range 4 west, where he now resides. His farm contains eighty acres, Mr. Lester was married in Pennsylvania to Anna D. Sonthard. Mr. Lester's father and brother, Orrin, also reside in this town, His father has a farm of 115 acres on section 9, town 10 north, of range 4 west, and Orrin Lester has 160 acres on section 17.

Thomas llelgerson was born in 1849, in Nor- way, being the son of Ole Helgerson. In 1869 he came to Utica town, Crawford Co., Wis., engaging in general mercantile business at Towerville. Mr. Helgerson had had considera- ble experience in business before coming here, having been a clerk for a mercantile house for a number of years. Ile married at Mt. Sterling Amanda Sears, daughter of Archibald Sears. Mr. and Mrs. Helgerson have three children- Harry, Archie and an infant.

Rev. Gabriel Momo, pastor of St. James (Catholic) Church, in Utica town, is a native of

Italy. He received his ecclesiastical education in Turin, province of Piedmont, being ordained priest in 1867. In January, 1875, he came to the United States. He was appointed pastor of the Church at Genoa, in Vernon county, in January, 1876, and in June, 1882, was transferred to his present charge. Father Momo is a highly cultivated gentleman, gener- ons and kind to all. His friends are not con- fined to his own Church, but he is greatly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

John Smethurst, of the firm of John Smeth- urst & Co., merchants, who succeeded Nicholas Grant in the spring of 1882, is the son of Dan- iel L. Smethurst, who settled in Seneca town in June, 1855, a sketch of whom will be found in the history of that town. Mr. Smethurst en- listed, in 1862, in the 31st regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, serving until the close of the war. llis brother, Joseph, was a member of the same company. Another brother, James, was a mem- ber of the 43d regiment. Mr. Smethurst mar- ried Helen, daughter of N. Miller.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

TOWN OF WAUZEKA.

The town of Wauzeka, so-called from an In- dian chief, is situated on the south line of the county, on the north bank of the Wisconsin river. It is bounded by the towns of Eastman and Marietta on the north; by the town of Ma- rietta and the Wisconsin river on the east; by the Wisconsin river on the south, and the towns of Prairie du Chien aud Bridgeport on the west. This town is composed of parts of five congressional townships, all of township 7, range 4, west, north of the Wisconsin river, except section 1; all of township 7, range 5 west, north of the Wisconsin river, and frac- tional parts of sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, of town- ship 6, range 5; also section 36, township 8, range 5, and section 31 of the same township in range 4 west.

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad passes through the town following the course of the Wisconsin river. A station called Wanzeka is situated on sections 8 and 17, in towns 7, of range 4 west, and on north bank of the Kick- apoo river about half a mile from the junction with the Wisconsin river.

The general surface of the town is very brok- en being a series of ridges and intervening val- leys, which lead to the Kickapoo and Wiscon- sin rivers. The soil is a heavy clay on the ridges with more of a loam mixture in the val- leys.

About three-fourths of the town was former- ly heavily timbered by the varions varieties of oak, maple, hickory, ehm, walnut, with much basswood and ash. The greater part of the more valuable timber had been consumed pre-

vious to 1880, although in places there may still be found many of the original forest trees. The best timber to be found as this date was that of a second growth.

The Kickapoo river flows in a very crooked channel through the eastern part of the town, and along its banks grows a fine quality of su- gar maple.

The Grand Gris (Grand Gray) is the next stream of importance. This flows through the southwest part of the town, and in an early day, was noted for the abundance of speckled trout which it contained. The little Kickapoo river enters the northwest corner of the town, and flows southeast, emptying into a slough of the Wisconsin river, on section 23, town 7, range 4 west. Phim creek enters section 36, in town 8 of range 5 west, flows through that section and enters the Kickapoo river on the same section.

SETTLEMENT.

From the most reliable information to be ob- tained, Jackson Foster was the first settler of what is now embraced in the town of Wauzeka. Hle came from Ohio in 1839 and settled on Grand Gris creek, and lived there several years Both he and his wife died on the place they first settled on.

Henry Stuckey was the next to settle in the town. He came to Prairie du Chien sometime during 1838 and not long after made a claim, the greater part of which is on section 13, town 7, range 5 west He was a single man at trat time, but he began the improvement of his land, soon after erecting a log house in which he kept

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

"bachelor's hall." In 1841 he married, and re- mained on the place till his death.

George Schlund settled on section 15, town 7, range 5 west, soon after Mr. Stuckey came, probably in 1839.

About 1840, Maj. William Wright, who was a major in the Black Hawk war, settled in the town with Judge Lockwood, and established Wright's Ferry, on the Wisconsin river. A number of years later, he married, and he and his wife remained at the ferry, till their death. lle died in 1856, and his wife, about one year previous to that time.

But few settlers came in for the next few years. Previous to 1847, however, L. Geitz settled on Grand Gris creek, where he built the first grist mill within the town in 1853. Ile died in the town some years afterward.

John Thomas, Stephen Tainter, Harvey Green, and perhaps a few others, made settle- ment before 1847.

In 1847 came L. L. Lathrop, who located on section 10, town 7, range 5 west, where he still lived in 1884.

Bernhard Herrold located on section 13, town 7, range 5 west. Ile afterwards lived in the village of Wauzeka.

In 1849 Ralph Smith settled on Plum creek, where he engaged in milling.

Morton Seeley, was another settler of 1849; he located on section 2, town 7, range 4 west. The same year he built the second saw-mill in the town. The following year, 1850, he re- moved from the county.

At about the same time of Mr Seeley's com- ing, John Thomas settled on section 15, town 7, range 5 west.

The same season, came John Miller, who set- tled on section 10, town 7, range 5 west. He had been a soldier in the regular army. Sev- eral years after his settlement here, he died.

John McHlarg located lands by warrant in 1849, which embraced the present site of the village of Wanzeka, but he did not settle till 1855.

Philip Steinbach settled on section 32, town 7, of range 5 west, in 1850, where at the present time (1884) he still lives. Ile was a Mexican.

In 1851 Herman Stuckey settled on section 15, town ', range 5 west. He purchased of John Thomas; he resided in the town till his death. The family still (1884) own the home- stead.

John Berry was an early settler in the town.

From about 1852 the town settled very rap- idly; the population being mostly of a German element.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first white child born in the town of Wauzeka was Mary L. Stuckey, daughter of Henry Stuckey. She was born August 21, 1842 She became the wife of Frank Chapek.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1850 by James E. Lockwood, on section 36, town 8, range 5.

The first regular school house was built of logs in the summer of 1853, in what is now known as district No. 3.

The first postoffice was kept by Henry Stuckey; this was established in 1854. Mr. Stuckey was the first and only postmaster, as the office was discontinued as soon as the railroad was built and the village of Wauzeka started, which was in 1856.

The first saw-mill was built by John Thomas and A. M. Miller, on Plum creek, as early as 1848. The only grist mill ever built in the town was erected by L. Geitz, in 1853, on Grand Gris creek ; it was destroyed by a flood in 1876, and rebuilt by Mr. Oswold. The first goods retailed in the town were sold by Ralph Smith on section 36, in town 8, range 5 west, in 1849. These goods which came from St. Louis by way of Prairie du Chien, were sold to those in the neighborhood, and also to log men in the pine- ries above.

ORGANIC.

The first town meeting in Wanzeka was held April 26, 1858, at which time the following were elected as town officers for that year :

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Jolm C. Berry, chairman ; John McHarg, L. L Lathrop, side board ; Joseph Burlingame, clerk; Loren Barnes, assessor ; Jesse R. Pratt, super- intendent of schools. The above are the only officers on the records of the first election.

Officers of 1883 : O. P. Vaughan, chairman : Christopher Walters, George Benner, side board ; Charles Brandes, clerk ; Jacob Wilha- ber, assessor ; Chris Rice, treasurer ; L. C. Hal- stead, Patrick McKillip, Jasper Wayne, and John Steinbach, justices of the peace.

EDUCATIONAL.

At this date (1884) there are three full and five joint school districts in the town of Wauzeka.

District No. 1, joint with the town of Mari- etta, has thirty-seven pupils, and school property valued at $320. The building is in a poor con- dition.

District No. 2 comprises the village of Wau- zeka. The first cost of the school house in this district was $4,500. Number of pupils of school age, 149.

District No. 3 is a full district ; it has a poor school building, valued at $45. Number of pupils, thirty-four.

District No. 4 has thirty-three pupils. This district is provided with a fair log house.

Distriet No. 5 is a full district, which is pro- vided with a good frame building valued at $350. Number of pupils, thirty.

Distriet No. 6 is a full district, having fifty- two pupils. The school house is a log building in a fair condition, valued at $100.

District No. 8 is joint with the town of East- man. Number of pupils, thirty-four. Thisdis- triet has a log house in a good condition, valued at $300.

District No. 11 is joint with the town of Marietta. It is provided with a frame school house valued at $150. Number of pupils from the town of Wanzeka, seventeen.

CEMETERV.

The only regular cemetery within the town of Wanzeka, was established on section 18, in 1872. There were a few private burying places;

but most of the remains. were removed to this cemetery.

MILLS.

The first mill built in the town was erected by John Thomas and A. M. Miller, in 1848; they operated this mill a year, and sold to Ralph Smith, who run it ten years, during which time he ent large amounts of native lumber, to- gether with the pine timber found on the head waters of the Kickapoo river.

Morton Seeley built a saw-mill in 1849. This mill was operated till 1830.

A small grist mill was built in 1853, by L. Geitz, on the Grand Gris creek, which a Mr. Oswold bought in 1865. This mill was burned in 1876, and rebuilt the same year.

COPPER MINES.

In 1860 copper ore was discovered by C. N. Mumford, on the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 26, town 8, range 5 west. The plant was not developed very ex- tensively till 1884, when Messrs. C. N. Mum- ford, A. Eaton and J. J. Hollister, formed a company, and were mining a paying grade of "float" copper. Ninety tons of this ore, was shipped to Baltimore, and yielded about forty per cent. copper.

VILLAGE OF WAUZEKA.

Wauzeka is the only village within the lim- its of the town. The original plat of the vil- lage is located on the north half quarter of ser- tion 17, town 7, range 4 west. This land was located by land warrants held by John McHarg in 1849. The warrant being obtained by Mr. MeHarg for services in the war with Mexico. About the time of the completion of the Prai- rie du Chien division of the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Panl railroad, to this point, the above mentioned quarter section of land was purchased by H. L. Dousman, who, the same season, 1856, caused the plat to be surveyed. In 1857 an addition was made to this plat, on the west, by John MeHarg. This part of the village plat being on section 18. The first dwelling house on the plat was built by the mill-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

ing firm of Markham, Foster & Co., in the sum- mer of 1856 This was a two and one-half sto- ry frame building. It was owned by the com- pany till 1880, when it was sold to Isaac John- son. Markham, Foster & Co , also erected the first store building in the place, and soll the first goods; this store was open, ready for trade, in the winter of 1856-7. It was located on block 19, and was ocenpied by the above named firm for many years, and finally purchased by John Chestnut, who removed it to a location near the depot. In 1884 it was used as the postoffice building.

A steam saw-mill was completed in 1856, by Markham, Foster & C, which had a sawing ca- pacity of 15,000 feet of lumber per day. This mill worked up pine logs, which were rafted down the Kickapoo river, as well as the native timber which was found in great abundance at au early day. Markham, Foster & Co., run this mill about seventeen years, when they dis- posed of the machinery. In 1865, a steam- power saw-mill was built by Esterly & Kiser, of Whitewater; the mill was finally removed to Michigan.

The Wauzeka Manufacturing Company was organized in May, 1871. B. F. Fay was made its president; George L. Scott, secretary; B. F. Fay, treasurer; Captain Ira Bisbee, superin- tendent This company engaged in the manu- facture of staves and other cooper stock. The mill was completed and in operation in July, 1873 It is run by steam-power, given by a forty-five horse-power engine. The full capaci- ty of this stave mill, is about 5.000 cords of stave bolts per year. They manufacture from the native timber, oak being principally used.

removed to Aiken, Minn., on the Northern Pa- cific railroad.

In the winter of 1883-4, a steam saw mill was built by Curry & Co., which had a capacity for cutting 4 000 feet per day. It was propelled by a thirty horse-power engine.

A postoffice was established at this point in 1856, and Dr. Hutchinson was appointed post- master; after several years he was succeeded by George Parker, who, after a few years, was fol- lowed by Jane Walker, and she, two years later, by Leo Oswold. Then came L. M. Cul- ver, station agent; he was succeeded by Charles Brandes. It became a money order office Aug. 1, 1882. At the present date, 1884, Charles Brandes is postmaster, having been in office two years:

FIRST THINGS.

Markham, Foster & Co. opened the first store in the village. They also owned and operated the first blacksmith shop; it was loca- ted on the mill lot, block 14.

The first shoemaker was H. W. Silga, who came in about 1859. In 1882 he moved to Es- terville, Iowa.

The first harness-maker was John Steinbach, who opened his shop in 1882.

L. M. Culver started the first general hard- ware store, also acted as station agent, and afterward was appointed station agent at Ester- ville, fowa.

HOTELS AND OTHER MATTERS.

Charles Ozeos kept the first hotel of the place, in a building erected by John Mcflarg for a residence. Dr. Hutchinson afterward kept the same house, which he purchased of Ozeos. About 1865 Benjamin Wolf built a hotel, which was burned in the fall of 1871. Ira Lawrence built a hotel, which was de- stroyed by the fire just mentioned. James Mallery built a hotel about 1873, which was de- stroyed by fire a short time after it was com- pleted. The hotels at the present time (1884)

About 1875, Parker. Ililderbrand & Co, erected a factory, for the manufacture of tight barrel staves; this was located on railroad land below the depot, on the south side of the track. John Parker, of the firm, had charge of the works; this mill was operated about four years. doing an extensive business; but in 1882 was : are the Ranney House and the Wauzeka.Ilouse.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

A boat yard was established at this place, on the Kickapoo river, about 1862, by Joseph Rey. nolds, proprietor of the Diamond Joe line of steamers, which ply the waters of the Mississippi river. The hulls of several steamboats were built here; also a number of barges. It was continued for a number of years, and was, in- deed, quite an enterprise for the place, giving employment, as it did, to so many men who lived in the immediate vicinity.

In April, 1864, Dr. L. C. Ilalsted and Capt. H. Hubbel began the building of a steamer of quite large dimensions, the length being 265 feet. Mr. Hubbel failing to fill his part of the contract, the project was abandoned, and the incomplete boat sold to the Diamond Joe con- pany, who used it as a wharf boat at the city of Dubuque.

CHURCHES.

In 1884 the village contained two church edi- fices-those were the German Lutheran and Roman Catholic. The former was built as a German Evangelical Methodist church, by that denomination, aided by liberal outside donations, with the understanding that it should be open for services to other denominations. By reason of removals, the Methodist class grew small, and in 1882 the building was sold to the Ger- man Lutherans, who number quite large. The first cost of this building was $900.

A Roman Catholic church was finished in the fall of 1881. This is a frame building with a neat steeple surmounting it; the cost was about $600. This church is supplied from Prairie dn Chien.

SCHOOLS.

The village of Wanzeka is within school dis- triet No. 2. The first school was taught by Miss Gould, of Prairie du Chien. She com- menced in a private house, owned by William Sinks. A school house was completed, how- ever, before the term closed, and the school removed to it. The date of the commencement of this school was in May, 1858, and the school house was built by Ralph Smith. Among the

early teachers in this school house were Jane Scott, sister of Robert Scott, of Prairie du Chien, Electra Washburn, James Roach, Mr. Wood, Miss Jefferson, W. A. Vaughan, Dr. Halsted and Manly Mumford. The old pioneer building, in which these just mentioned taught, constituted the town hall in 1884. In 1871 the present school house was built; it is a frame structure, 30x45 feet, with twenty-two foot studding. The building is a neat looking one, being provided as it is with a belfry and bell; it is the first object that meets the eye of the stranger as he enters the place. This school has for years been looked upon as one of the best in Crawford county. The school is not as large as at one time in its history, but still it sustains a good reputation for its excellence. Two teachers have always been employed; the first in the new building were James Malcolm- son and Emma Comstock. The former was employed two years as principal, and then fol- lowed by James Smith. James Bedicheck was principal for four years, and was accounted one of the most successful teachers ever had in the village. Lizzie MeHarg, Mrs. Bedicheck and HIelen Smith were teachers in the primary de- partment during the time Mr. Bedicheck was principal.

E. W. Farnham succeeded Mr. Bedicheck, and was retained for three years; he was a gradu- ate of Lawrence University, Wisconsin, and was a successful teacher. Under Mr. Farnham were Helen Smith and Mattie McDonald. In 1883 the schools were in charge of J. F. Bur- gess and Miss Mattie McDonald.

A large number of young ladies have been prepared for teaching at this school; among those are: Dora Jefferson, Maggie Smith, Flora McIlarg, Helen Smith, Carrie Smith, Lizzie Mellarg, Mamie McDonald, Mattie McDonald, Lillie Culver, Ester Lester, Fanny MeHarg, Lot- tie Mellarg, Agnes MeHarg, Cora Rosencrantz, and perhaps others whose names have not been recalled. Also the following young men have

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

received a like preparatory course: John Fryer, William Lester and Asael Larson.

SOCIETIES.

An organization of the Temple of Honor was founded at Wanzeka in December, 1877. The following were the charter members: Dr. L. C. Ilalsted, J.N. Wayne, George Beier, Ches- ter A. Pratt, W. J. Dougherty, E. M. Farnham, E. A. Bottom. The first officers were: Dr. L. C. Halstead, W. C. T .; J. N. Wayne, P. W. C T .; E. M. Farnham, W. R .; George Beier, W. T .; C. A. Pratt, W. F. R .; W. J. Dougherty, A. R .; E. A. Bottom, W. V. T.

This lodge numbered at one time seventy members, and has been the cause of much good; a large number of confirmed drunkards have been rescued and reformed, who still remain true to their obligations, and many moderate drink- ers have been restrained from further indulg- ence; while others have remained faithful for a short time and then broken their obligations and gone back to their cups. But on the whole the influence of this lodge has been for general good. Jan. 1, 1884, the lodge numbered twen- three members; meetings were then held semi- monthly, on Saturday evenings.

Emery Lodge, of the order of Good Tem- plars was organized at Wauzeka, Aug. 3, 1865. The first officers were as follows: S. J. Foster, W. C. T .; M. Washburn, W. V .; O. B. West, W. S; S. Perry, W. T .; O. Washburn, W. M .; J. J. Austin, P. W. C .; G. W. Clark, W. C .: S. Roseneranz, I. G .; G. Racey, O. G .; Hellen Ormsby, R. H. S ; E. Burlingame, L. H. S .; M. L. Smith, A. M. This order had a charter mem- bership of about twenty. The lodge continued about two years, the last officers of this lodge were elected in July 1867. Their names ap- pear in their records as follows: J. MeMillin, W. C. T .; 11. Smith, W. V. T .; S. Clark, W. S .; J. Smith, W. F. S .; B. MeMillin, W. T .; E. Ward, W. M .; E. MeMillin, Jr., W. I. G .; R. Moore. W. O. G. The lodge suspended soon after this election.

Wanzeka lodge No. 33, of the I. O. of G. T. was organized Oct 20, 1879, by Bro. J. A. John- son, State organizer. The charter members were as follows: R. Smith and wife, James Mc- Millin and wife, M. Priest and wife, Mrs. N. A. Wright, Mrs. N. Johnson, George Beck, Mrs. H. Rosencrantz, Mrs. L. Lester, Rev. A. F. Thompson, F. Priest, Mrs. Jennie Walker, Mattie McDonald, Thomas Burlock, Mrs. S. Rosencrantz, Mrs. F.Lindig, L. Hayse, and Luey Lawrence. The total membership from the date of the organization till 1884, was 290. The present membership is thirty-five. The success of this lodge has been very good. There is also a juvenile lodge of this same order at this place, which is also doing a good work.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 107

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1298

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. [from old catalog]; Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1298