History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 116

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 116
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 116


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).


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G. W. Putnam


747-218


J. T. Barnes.


529


County Clerk.


W. II. Pier


1536- 280


S. J. llyattt


1256


County Treasurer.


J. T, Walker


1551 - 341


D. G. Pease.


1210


Register of Deeds.


David Sommers


1616- 447


Barney C. Hallin


1169


Clerk of Court.


Michael Murphy


1650-523


E. W. Wulfing


112%


Sheriff.


R, D. Robinson


1492- 200


J. L. R. McCollins


1292


Prosecuting Attorney.


James Lewis


1685- 617


11. Haseltine


1068


Surveyor.


James Appleby


1698- 622


D). llardenburg


1076


Coroner.


G. Jarvis


1675- 559


R. Akan


1116


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 1, 1873. County Judge.


II. W. Fries


1448- 725


723


A. L. Wilson


Seattering


1


ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 4, 1873


Governor.


C. C. Washburn


1148- 82


W. R. Taylor ..


1000


Lieutenant-Governor.


R. H. Baker.


1147- 88


Peter Doyle


1059


State Senator.


George Krouskop.


1174-155


F. G. Miller


1019


Assemblyman.


(District No. 1.)


Josiah McCaskey


787


Senttering.


J. B. MeGrew


824- 788


38


J. R. Doolittle


820


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


( District No. 2.)


P. M. Smith


461- 10


J. S. Ellsworth. 451


ELECTION, NOVEMBER 1874.


Congress.


11. 8. Magoon


1524- 418


Charles F. Thompson 1106


Scattering ..


57


Assemblyman. (District No. 1.)


Norman L. James


776-117


Vincent Harter.


659


(District No. 2.)


B. F. Washburn


669- 603


Opposition


69


County Clerk.


Jesse G. Burnell


1454- 165


Samuel Noble.


1289


Scattering


Register of Deeds.


D. B. Sommers


1565- 445


J. D. Funston


1120


Clerk of Court.


Michael Murphy


1479-367


S. N. Doolittle


1172


Sheriff.


W. C. S. Barron


1503- 439


Samuel Noble


1569


P. R. Long


1065


Prosecuting Attorney.


James Lewis


1389- 77


Oscar Black


1319


County Surveyor.


James Appleby


1635-619


Hascal Haseltino


1016


Coroner.


George Jarvis.


1499- 385


John Walworth


1114


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 6, 1875.


Chief Justice Supreme Court,


E. G. Ryan ...


1391


ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1875.


Governor.


11. Ludington


1522- 390


R. W. Taylor.


1132


Lieutenant Governor.


H. L. Eaton.


1545-447


Charles D. Parker


1098


State Senator.


D. L. Downs


1492- 338


H. W. Fries


1154


Assemblymen. (District No. 1.)


Josephy Moody


726


L. R. McCollins


737- 11


Scattering .


(District No. 2.)


HI. II. Hoyt


603- 92


J. T. Barnes.


511


A. S. Ripley


52


School Superintendent.


David Parsons


1551-556


-


JUDICIAL ELECTON, APRIL 4, 1876.


Judge of Circuit Court.


W. E. Carter


1421- 89


M. M. Cothren


1332


M. M. Strong


56


Scattering


ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1876.


President.


R. B. Hayes, (Rep.) ..


2038- 447


Samuel J. Tilden, (Dem.).


1591


Peter Cooper, (Greenback)


31


Congress.


G. C. Hazleton


2028- 408


Philo A. Orton.


1622


Assemblyman.


(District No. 1.)


J. L. R. McCollum.


953-


S. B Loomis


945


(District No. 2.)


Elihu Bailey


932- 118


David Matter


814


County Clerk.


Jesse G. Bunell


2123- 590


Jonathan Turner


County Treasurer.


11. L. Burnham


2102- 533


Register of Deeds.


Reuben Sutton


2024-381


Fred Mathews


1643


Clerk of Court.


Michael Murphy


1981- 343


M. J. Connolly


1638


Sheriff.


G. II. Mattison.


2084- 521


M. H. B. Cunningham


1563


Prosecuting Attorney,


Eugene Wulfing.


2027- 500


S. H. Doolittle


County Surveyor.


James Appleby


2058-473


P. E. Brewer


1585


Coroner.


W. M. Fogo


2003- 420


D. M. Lovering


1583


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 3, 1877.


Justice of Supreme Court.


William P. Lyon.


3023-3023


County Judge.


II. W. Fries


1700- 381


W. C. S. Barron


1319


ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6 1877.


Governor.


W. E. Smith


1201-472


James A. Mallory


Edward P. Allis.


705


Lieutenant-Governor


James W. Bingham


1196- 462


R. E. Davis.


734


M. G. IJardeuberg ...


9,5


E. II. Benton


704


3


1533


821


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


State Senator.


Archibald Campbell.


1111- 226


J. L. R. MeCollum 885


HI. C. Cutter 630


Scattering.


4


Assemblyman. (Distriet No. 1.)


J. M. Thomas


652- 288


J. Hoover.


364


Albert Misslieb .


471


(Distriet No. 2.)


P. M. Smith.


519-164


T. C. Clark


355


J. T. Coatos


252


School Superintendent.


D. D. Parsons


1225- 568


D. Hardenberg


657


W. T. Sharp


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 10, 1878.


Justice Supreme Court (full term).


Ilarlow Orton ...


1424


Justice Supreme Court (short term.)


D. Taylor.


142%


ELECTION. NONEMBER 5, 1878. Congress.


George C. Hazleton


1664-224


Owen King.


1440


Assemblyman. (District No. 1.)


J. M. Thomas


883- 68


S. M. MeCorkle.


(District No. 2.)


Elihu Bailey


731- 124


L. M. Thorp.


607


Seattering


5


County Clerk


Peter Sweeney


County Treasurer.


H. L. Burnham


1671-263


Israel Janney


1408


Register of Deeds.


Reuben Sutton


1678~285


B. C. Hallin


1393


Clerk of Court.


Homer J. Clark


1706- 324


1382


Scattering


3


Sheriff.


Daniel S. Noble.


1625- 186


1439


Seattering


1


County Clerk.


George W. Putnam


2280-642


T. J. Ellsworth


1648


Seattering


County Treasurer.


Irvin Gribble


2287- 630


D. Hardenberg


1399


Coroner.


John II. Carswell


1644- 358


1286


M Lovering. 145


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 1, 1879.


Associate Justice Supreme Court.


M. M. Cothren


1506- 161


Orsamus Cole


1345


ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1879. Governor.


W. E. Smith


1713-1133


James G. Jenkins


580


Reuben May


428


Scattering


Lieutenant-Governor.


James M. Bingham


1709-1139


George H. King


570


William M. Utley


437


Seattering .


5


State Senator.


J. B. MeGrew


1740-1111


Robert Wilson.


529


George J. Carswell


431


Seattering


4


Assemblyman. (Distriet No. 1.)


William H. Joslin


957- 493


William Smensebloss


78


H. W. Fries.


464


(Distriet No. 2.)


J. H. Case


747-513


D. Morrison


206


Jay Briggs


234


Scattering


2


School Superintendent.


D. D. Parsons


1640- 644


H. W. Glazier.


996


ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 1880.


President.


James A. Garfield (republican)


2260- 625


Winfield S. Hancock (demoerat).


1635


James B. Weaver (greenback) ...


151


Neal Dow (probibition).


Congress.


George C. Hazelton


2285- 557


M. M. Cothren


1728


Assembly man. (Distriet No. I.)


B. M Jarvis


1152- 272


William MeCorkle


880


(District No. 2.)


John H. Case.


1081- 211


F. G. Rodolf


870


Henry Dillon


Prosecuting Attorney.


E. C. Wulfing


1527- 24


H. A. Eastland


1503


Scattering


Surveyor.


James Appleby


1659-260


Levi Houts


1657


Register of Deeds.


W. II. Rennick


2304-666


Seattering


G. L. Sprangler


1638


3


815


Jesse G. Bunell.


1729- 379


1350


Martin Shields


L. G. Thomas.


822


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


Clerk of Court.


George E. Bennett.


2288- 624


C. F. Leach 1664


Scattering


2


Sheriff.


Harry Busby


2407- 865


John Shaffer


1542


Scattering


Prosecuting Attorney.


Kirk W. Eastland


2307- 685


S. H. Doolittle


1632


Surveyor


James Appleby


2347- 759


P. E. Brewer


1588


Coroner.


D. O. Chandler ...


2273- 617


James Snyder


1656


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 5, 1881.


Chief Justice Supreme Court.


Orsanıns Cole


1826-1826


Associate Justice.


John B. Cassoday


1824 -- 1824


D. L. Downs


1824-1318


L. G. Thomas.


506


Scattering . . ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 8, 1881. Governor.


Jeremiah M. Rusk.


1383- 697


N. D. Fratt.


686


T. D. Kauouse. 185


E. P. Allis


226


Scattering


Lieutenant-Governor.


S. S. Fifield


1397- 704


W. A. Anderson 693


I. S. Clapp 165


D. Giddings


228


State Senator.


W. C. Meffert.


1329- 206


J. L. R. McCollum


1123


Assemblyman. (District No. 1.)


James Washburn


744- 93


R. L. Telfair


651


(District No. 2.)


639- 249


JUDICIAL ELECTION, APRIL 4, 1882.


Judge of Circuit Court.


George Clementson


1676-366


M. M. Cothren


1810


ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7, 1882.


Congress.


Cyrus M. Butt ..


Gilbert M. Woodward


B. F. Parker.


R. May.


Assemblyman.


C. G. Thomas


1844- 436


Joseph L. DeHart ..


1406


S. Stofer


181


P. H. Fay


5


County Clerk.


Homer J. Clark


1827- 458


H. C. Kyger


1396


W. H. Stewart


214


Scattering


16


County Treasurer.


Irvin Gribble


1843- 278


Israel Janncy


1565


Register of Decds.


Renben Sutton


1857- 531


M. J. Covley.


1326


M. L. Sherman


235


3


Scattering


Clerk of Court.


George E. Bennett


1857- 494


John Keane.


1363


A. L. lIolcomb


202


Sheriff.


A. D. Lane


1796


George Fogo.


1341


D. O. Chandler


279


Scattering .


Prosecuting Attorney. .


Michael Murphy


1739 -- 240


S. H. Doolittle.


1499


Scattering


7


County Surveyor.


James Appleby.


2164- 938


A. D. Dennison.


1226


Coroner.


Norman L. James


1736- 111


M. Lovering


1625


390


D. P. Wise


28


George H. Tate.


J. W. Jones


County Judge.


823


HISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.


CHAPTER VII.


NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION.


In this chapter it is the design to trace the history of each of the county offices from the organization of the county to the present day, and also to mention the name of every citizen of Richland who has served the Nation, State or county in an official capacity. As far as pos- sible, sketches are given of the various gentle- men. There has been much difficulty con- nected with obtaining material for biographic- al sketches of those who have died or moved from the county since their . official services were performed. Where the mention of men who were prominent in their day, is short, it is because of the meagre material to be secured. CONGRESSIONAL.


Upon its organization, Richland county be- came a part of the Second congressional dis- triet. Orsa mus Cole was elected to represent this district in November, 1849, and served in the Thirty-first Congress. Mr. Cole is the present chief justice of the supreme court of Wis- consin.


Benjamin C. Eastman succeeded Mr. Cole as congressman from the Second district and served in the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses, or from 1851 to 1855.


Cadwallader C. Washburn next represented the Second district, and served in the Thirty- fourth, Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses, from 1855 to 1861. He afterwards became gov- ernor of Wisconsin.


In November, 1860, Luther Hanchett was elected to succeed Gov. Washburn. He died Nov. 24, 1862, and Walter MeIndoe was elected to fill out the balance of the term. At this


time Wisconsin had three representatives in Congress.


By the census of 1860, it was found that Wisconsin was entitled to six representatives in the National House, and upon the State being re-districted, Richland county became a part of the Third congressional district. Amasa Cobb, of Mineral Point, first represented the new Third district. He was elected in 1864, and re-elected in 1866 and 1868, serving in the Thirty-eight, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses.


J. Allen Barber succeeded Amasa Cobb, as congressman from the Third district, being elected in November, 1870, and re-elected two years later.


In November, 1864, HI. S. Magoon was elected congressman from this district, and served in the Forty-fourth Congress.


In November, 1876, George C. Hazelton, of Boscobel, Grant county, was elected to repre- sont the Third congressional district, and being twice re-elected, served six years or in the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses.


In November, 1882, Gilbert M. Woodward, of La Crosse, was elected congressman from this district, and is the present incumbent of the oflice.


RICIILAND COUNTY IN THE LEGISLATURE.


Richland county first appears as being repre- sented in the Legislature at the third session of that body, which convened Jan. 9, 1850, and adjourned Feb. 11, 1850. At this time this county was associated with Crawford and other


.


824


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


counties, as the third senatorial district, and was represented by James Fisher, of Prairie du Chien. In the Assembly, Richland associa- ted with Iowa county and was represented by Moses M. Strong, of Mineral Point. Mr. Strong was elected speaker of the House. lle was considered at that time one of the finest lawyers in the west.


The fourth session of the Legislature con- vened Jannary 8, and adjourned March 18, 1851. At this time, Richland, with other conn- ties, was represented in the Senate by Levi Sterling, of Mineral Point. Charles G. Rodolf, of Highland, served Richland county in the Assembly. Mr. Rodolf was for many years identified with the development of Richland county, and is often noticed in this volume. He now lives at Muscoda.


The fifth session convened January 14, and ad- journed April 9, 1852. Levi Sterling, of Min- eral Point, was still in the Senate. Luman M. Strong, of Highland, represented the county in the Assembly.


The Legislature convened for its sixth ses- sion on the 12th of January, 1853, and ad- journed April 4, 1853, until the 6th of June following, for the purpose that the Senate might sit as a court of impeachment and the Assem- bly be present to prosecute the trial of. Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial cirenit, against whom articles of impeachment had been exhibited, charging him with acts of cor- rupt conduct and malfeasance in office. For this purpose the Legislature again convened on the 6th of June, and adjourned finally on July 13, 1853. Levi Sterling, of Mineral Point, in this Legislature, represented the district of which Richland county formed a part. In the Assembly the county was served by Henry Con- ner, then, as now, of Port Andrew.


The Legislature convened for its seventh ses- sion Jan. 11, 1854, and adjourned April 3, 1854. Levi Sterling was still in the Senate from this district; Nathaniel Wheeler was the assembly- man. Mr. Wheeler was a Methodist preacher,


who at that time lived in the town of Buena Vista, where he was a very early settler. IIe remained there until just before the breaking out of the war, when he left the county. He is spoken of as having been a popular and influential man in those days.


The eighth session of the Legislature began on Jan. 10, 1855, and adjourned April 2, 1855. The district to which Richland county was attached, was represented in the Senate by Hon. Amasa Cobb, of Mineral Point, one of the most able lawyers in the State, and afterward a member of Congress. Hon. D. L. Downs, now of Richland Centre, represented this county in the Assembly.


The Legislature convened for its ninth ses- sion Jan. 9, 1856 ; took a recess from March 31, 1856, to September 3, and adjourned finally Oct. 14, 1856. Amasa Cobb still represented this district in the Senate. In the Assembly, Robert Akan served Richland county. Mr. Akan came from the eastern States and at a very early day settled with his family upon a farm a short distance northwest of Richland Centre. There he remained until 1875, when he sold his place for $5,000, and removed to Webster City, Iowa. He was a genial, pleasant fellow, and was well liked by his neighbors.


The tenth session of the Legislature convened Janauary 14, and adjourned March 9, 1856. L. W. Joiner, of Wyoming, represented the dis- triet, of which Richland county formed a part, in the Senate. Robert C. Field served Rich- land county in the Assembly, Mr. Field came to Richland City as carly as 1850, and located upon a farm about a mile north of that village. He remained there for about ten years, when he removed to Trempealean county in the north- ern part of the State, and represented that dis- triet in the Senate. He died there in 1876. He was a very active business man, and spent most of his time in trading and bartering. Ile would buy anything he saw, and sell anything he owned.


825


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


The eleventh session of the Legislature con- vened January 13, and adjourned May 17, 1858. Lemnel W. Joiner, of Wyoming, still repre- sented this district in the Senate. In the As- sembly, Richland county was for the second time served by Charles G. Rodolf, of Orion.


The twelfth session convened January 12, and adjourned March 21, 1859. At this time, Charles G. Rodolf, of Orion, was in the Senate, and William Dixon, of Lone Rock, in the Assembly.


The thirteenth session of the Legislature con- vened Jan. 10, 1860, and adjourned April 2, 1860. C. G. Rodolf was still in the Senate. Jeremiah L. Jackson, of Viola, had succeeded William Dixon as assemblyman. Mr. Jackson still lives in the town of Forest.


The fourteenth session of the Legislature be- gan .January 9, and closed May 27, 1861. Lem- uel W. Joiner was senator from this district, and Elihu Bailey, of the town of Marshall, rep- resented Richland county in the Assembly.


The legislature convened for the fifteenth session, Jan. 8, 1862 and adjourned April 7, 1862. Re-convened June 3, and adjourned June 17, 1862. Met in extra session September 10, and adjourned Sept. 26, 1862. At this time Norman L. Cate, of Viroqua, repsesented the district in the Senate and Dr. LeRoy D. Gage, of Richland Centre, served the county in the Assembly.


The sixteenth session of the Legislature con- vened Jan. 14, 1863, and adjourned April 2, 1863. In this session William S. Purdy, of Viroqua, represented the district in the Senate, and John Walworth, of Richland Centre, rep- resented the county in the Assembly.


The seventeenth session of the Legislature began January 13, and closed April 4, 1864. In this session Hon. William Ketchum, of Rich- land City, represented the district in the Sen- ate. Ilon. John Walworth was again in the Assembly, having been re-elected.


Hon. William Ketchum was born at Jericho, Long Island, May 24, 1819. In 1851 he came |


west and located at Richland City, where for many years he was engaged in the lumber busi- ness. He served his two terms in the State Senate with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was always relied upon for his integrity and uprightness in all his official acts. His home remained at Richland eity until the time of his death which occurred Sept. 14, 1879.


The eighteenth session of the Legislature convened Jan. 11, 1865, and adjourned April 10, 1865. William Ketchum was still in the Sen- ate. Henry L. Eaton, of Lone Rock; represen- ted Richland county in the Assembly. Mr. Eaton still lives in the town of Buena Vista.


The Legislature convened for its nineteenth session Jan 10, 1866, and adjourned April 12, 1866. At this time Richland county was asso- ciated with Crawford as a senatorial district and was represented in the upper house by Benja- min Bull, of Prairie du Chien. H. L. Eaton was still in the Assembly.


The twentieth session of the Legislature be- gan Jan. 9, 1867, and closed April 11, 1867. The Senatorial district remained the same as in the preceding year, and Mr. Bull was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Ira S. Haseltine served Richland county.


The twenty-first session convened January 8, and adjourned March 6, 1868. William Ketchum, of Richland City, had been again elected to the Senate from this distriet. Capt. Warren C. S. Barron, then of Westford, but now of Richland Centre, had been elected to succeed Haseltine in the Assembly.


The twenty-second session of the Legislature convened January 13, and adjourned March 11, 1869. William Ketchum was still in the Senate. Joseph M. Thomas, of Lone Rock, served the county in the Assembly. Mr. Thomas is still a resident of the town of Buena Vista. .


The twenty-third session of the Legislature convened Jaunary 12, and adjourned March 17, 1870. At this time George Kronskop, of Rich- land Centre, was representing the district in


826


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


the Senate ; and James H. Miner, of Richland Centre, served the county in the Assembly.


The twenty-fourth session began January 11, and adjourned March 25, 1871. George Krous- kop was still in the Senate. Elihu Bailey, of the town of Marshall, had again been elected to represent the county in the Assembly.


The twenty-fifth session of the Legislature began Jannary 10, and closed March 27, 1872. Henry L. Eaton, of Lone Rock, was Senator from this district. Richland county, according to the census taken in 1870, was entitled to two representatives in the Assembly. They were William Dixon, of Ithaca, and George W. Put- nam, of Ash Ridge. J. II. Waggoner, a former resident of Richland county, was chief clerk of the Assembly during this and the two follow- ing sessions.


The twenty-sixth session convened January 8, and adjourned March 20, 1873. Henry L. Eaton, of the town of Buena Vista, was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by Norman L. James, of Richland Centre, and George W. Putnam, of Ash Ridge.


The Legislature convened for its twenty- seventh session January 14, and adjourned March 12, 1874. George Krouskop, of Rich- land Centre, had again been elected Senator. In the Assembly, Richland county's representa- tives were Joseph B. McGrew, of the town of Richland, and Phillip M. Smith, of Marshall.


The twenty-eighth session of the Legislature began January 13, and closed March 6, 1875. George Krouskop was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by Norman L. James, of Richland Centre, and Benjamin F. Washburn, of the town of Rich- wood.


The Legislature convened Jan. 12, 1876, for the twenty-ninth session, and adjourned March 14, 1876. Daniel L. Downs, of Richland Cen- tre, had been elected to succeed George Krous- kop as State Senator. The assemblymen fiom


this county were J. L. R. McCollum, of Sexton- ville, and Henry H. Hoyt, of West Branch.


The thirtieth session began Jan. 10, 1877, and adjourned March 8, 1877. D. L. Downs was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by J. L. R. McCollom, of Sextonville, and Elihu Bailey, of Mill Creek.


The thirty-first session of the Legislature be- gan January 9, and closed March 21, 1878. This Legislature met in extra session June 4, 1878, for the purpose of completing the revision of the statutes, and adjourned June 7, 1878. Ar- chibald Campbell, of Middleburg, was Senator, from Richland county. The assemblymen from Richland were Philip M. Smith, of Rich- land Centre, and Joseph M. Thomas, of Lone Rock.


The Legislature convened for its thirty-second session January 8, and adjourned March 5, 1879. The representatives from Richland county were the same in this as in the preceding ses- sion, except that J. M. Thomas, of Ithaca, had succeeded P. M. Smith, in the Assembly.


The thirty-third session of the Legislature be- gan in January, 1880, and closed in April, 1880. J. B. McGrew had been elected State Senator, and took his seat at the opening of the session. The assemblymen were William II. Joslin, of the town of Rockbridge, and J. H. Case, of the town of Eagle. Mr. Case now lives near Win- throp, Iowa.


The Legislature convened in January, 1881, for its thirty-fourth session, and adjourned April, 1881. Mr. McGrew was still in the Senate. B. M. Jarvis, of the town of Westford, and John H. Case, of the town of Eagle, served the county in the Assembly.


The thirty-fifth session of the Legislature began in January, and closed in March, 1882. This county at that time was associated with lowa county as a senatorial district, and was represented by W. C. Meffert, a harness-maker, who lived at Arena, in Iowa county. The as- semblymen from Richland county in this ses- sion were James Wasburn, of the town of Rock-


827


HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.


bridge, and George H. Tate, of the town of Forest.


During the winter of 1852-3 an act was passed by the Legislature changing the terms of office of senators from two to four years, and assemblymen from one to tu o years. The number of assemblymen was lessened, and Richland county was only entitled to one representative in the lower house. It was also provided that thereafter sessions of the Legisla- ture should be held biennially. Senator Meffert held over from the former election. C. Thomas was elected assemblyman.


COUNTY CLERK.


John Rutan was the first county clerk for the county of Richland. He was elected at the or- ganization of the county, in April, 1850, and was re-elected in November of that year. Mr. Rutan was among the first settlers at Richland City, where he was elerking in a store when elected to the clerkship. Soon after the expi- ration of his term of office he left the county. Ile was a married man ; had a fair education, and in those days was considered a prominent man.


In November, 1852, Hascal Haseltine was elected county clerk and served one term. Mr. Haseltine was a native of Vermont, a member of the Haseltine family who settled at Rich- land Centre and founded that village. Hascal settled with his family upon what has since been platted as the Schoolcraft addition to Richland Centre. He remained in the county for a num- ber of years and finally removed to Missouri, where he still lives.


David Strickland, of Richland Centre, suc- ceeded Mr. Haseltine, being elected in Novem- ber, 1854. IFis deputy was Israel Janney, who . at that time was register of deeds.


In November, 1856, Charles D. Stewart was elected county clerk and served two years.


By the election in November, 1858, D. Glazier Pease, became county clerk, and made an ex- cellent officer. Mr Pease is still a resident of the town of Richland.


C. II. Smith succeeded Mr. Pease as county clerk, being elected in the fall of 1860. He served two years.


In November, 1862, G. L. Laws was elected clerk of court, and being re-elected in 1864 and 1866, served six years. Mr. Laws was a native of Illinois. At an early day, as early at least as 1850, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, and settled in Richland county, upon the Wis- consin river, at a point which took the name of "Law's Ferry." About 1860, Mr. Laws moved to Richland Centre and taught school here; when the war broke out he went into the ser- vice. At the battle of Williamsburg he lost a leg, and after partially recovering, in the hos- pital, he returned to his Richland county home, and was soon afterward elected county clerk. For some time he was associated with W. M. Fogo in the publication of a paper at Richland Centre, and was also a partner of C. II. Smith in the real estate and abstract business. He re- mained here until 1879, when he removed to Ne- braska. He is now register of the United States land office at McCook, in that State. Laws was a man of more than ordinary education and busi- ness ability, and while like all men he was unfor- tunate in some respeets, yet he is spoken of by all as having been a prominent man, and one who made many friends.




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