History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 126

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 126
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 126

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).

The price allowed by the committee for clear basswood or linn lumber was $7 per thousand. The old school house, 34x52 feet in dimensions, and two stories high, now stands a monument of the generosity and public spirit of a majority of the citizens of the village, during the most de- pressing financial time in the history of the present generation. It has been in almost con- stant use ever since, and is in a good state of preservation vet.

The people of the county took a deep interest in the political contest of 1860,and when it merg- ed into the stern realities of war, with one accord they determined to sustain the government. At an early day a public meeting was held at the court house and strong resolutions were passed, expressing the will and opinion of the people. Company II,. of the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, was raised, and quartered in the village for some time, supported by the volunteer contributions of the citizens.

On the 21st of May, orders were received to report at Madison. The citizens gathered and expressed a deep feeling in their quiet words and anxious countenances.

At this time the mail was taken by stage from Lone Rock every morning and arrived here at 11 o'clock. The driver, on reaching the out- skirts of the town, blew a tin horn to announce his arrival. The citizens would soon begin to assemble at the postoffice and hear from the boys and the news from the seat of war. A copy of a daily would be handed out the first thing on opening the mail pouch, which would be read to the crowd.

From this time forward the record shows the temper and patriotism of the people of the county. From a population of only 9,782 in the county in 1860, enlistments were made dor- the war, nearly equalling two regiments.

Considering all things, the people of Rich- land county have shown an enterprise and in- dustry in the development of the resources of the county, unsurpassed in the settement of the State.

Churches and school houses have been erect- ed and supported in every part of the county, and all by the settlers, out of their hard earned money, as very few men located among us with surplus means, and the accumulation of wealth has sprung from the development of land and country.

B. C. Hallin, now one of the members of the county board of supervisors, tells the following story, that illustrates, better than anything else can do, the stuff of which the noble pioneer wo- men, who first settled in Richland county, were made of. Mr. Hallin was absent on business, his wife sat down by a window to rest. Looking out to see where the child was, that was playing in front of the house, she espied what she thought was a large dog making its way through the wild pen vines that interlaced the heavy growth of timber near the house. A searching glance soon revealed the fact that the intruder was a large brown bear. To rush out and save the child was but the work of a minute. Mrs. Ilallin, having secured her offspring, turned to where she had her dog, a large English mastiff, chain- ed up, and loosing his collar, sent him to grap-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ple with his bearship. The dog made for him and a lively tussle ensued. The place of the combat was upon the declivity of a small hill at the bottom of which run a small creek, and in their struggles the two animals rolled into the water. The brave woman picked up the ax, which lay convenient, and running down to the place of combat, sought to assist her dog. But here she found matters in so much of a mixed state that she could not strike the bear for fear of hurting the dog. Watching her chanee, however, she at last saw the chance she was looking for, and a well directed stroke of the ax soon gave the quietus to bruin and ended the battle. When the combat was ended she called to her assistance a neighbor, who helped her to skin the beast, and drag the carcass to the house. A numerous family of children have all been cradled in this trophy of their mother's nerve and pluck. Hallin winds up his story, which is well authenticated, by saying that the bear came just in the niek of time, for there was no other meat in the house, and his bones were pretty well polished before they got through with him.

THE RICHLAND, UNION CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE.

[By Rev. John Walworth.]

In the early settlement of this county there were many of the different denominations and religious organizations of the eastern States, represented by the emigrants located here, and among them were a number of the members of the Christian Church from Ohio, Indiana and eastern States.

After the excitement and trouble of the war of the Rebellion, and our soldiers that were spared had returned home, the members of all societies saw and felt the duty of a better organization for the moral and religious in- struction of their families, and the better order of society generally.

In accordance with this sentiment, a meeting was held at district No. 8, in the town of Syl- van, on May 5, 1866. After devotional exer-

cises and mutual consultation, it was nnani- mously,

Resolved, That the moral and religious wants of the community requires of us a better organization for the more successful and ethi- cient performance of our work as ministers and members of the Church of Christ."

After which the following ministers (all of whom presented good credentials of their ordination and correct standing in their re- spective churches) : Jacob Felton, of the town of Aikin; Jacob Mark, of Marshall; John Walworth, of Richland Centre, and John Poff, of Sylvan, and delegates from two Churches or congregations, proceeded to organize this eon- ference by eleeting Rev. J. Walworth, presi- dent and Rev. J. Mark, secretary. After which the following formulated principles in sub- stanee were adopted as the basis of the faith of this conference:

The Bible is the inestimable gift of God to man, and contains in its teaching, all that is essential to direct man in his duty to his God, his neighbor and himself ; and, therefore, the only anthorative rule of faith and practice for man.

That all men have a God given right and duty to read, search and interpret the Serip- tures according to his own best judgment, using such aids and helps as are accessible to him. That every man is accountable to God for his actions, and for the use which he makes of his life and the blessings bestowed upon him.

That the Divine law fixes and promises a reward and blessing to the righteous in this world, and eternal life and happiness in the life to come, and that the same Divine law fixes and ordains an adequate retribution for sin of every kind, in this world and the world to come.

That the Lord Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the son of God, the only medium be- tween God and men, and the only name given under Ileaven to man whereby he can be saved.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

That the name Christian, designates the char- acter of the disciple of Christ, and is therefore the only appropriate and seriptural name given to the true believer and the Church of Christ.

That in all Nations and ages, every one who fears God and works righteousness, is accepted by him, and is therefore entitled to a member- ship in the Church of Christ by virtue of a Christian character.

That all divisions among true Christians and and persecutions for a difference of opinion is unauthorized by the Bible, and contrary to the true spirit of Christianity.

That all true Christians should be united in fellowship, in all gospel ordinances, in all good works and charity.

The form of ecclesiastical government of this conference and the Churches connected with it, is Congregational.

This conference has peacefully and without ostentation labored on, mostly in rural districts, until at its last annual session held at the Bethel church, in the town of Orion, October, 1883, the reports showed its membership to be twenty-one ministers, seventeen churches and about 300 communicants, with ten or more houses of worship. It has never received any peenniary aid from abroad, but has a home mis- sionary society with a permanent fund of about $300, and is ever active in the Sunday school work and the cause of temperance. Its officers elected at the last session are : Rev. John Walworth, president; Rev. C. M. Poff, M. D., vice-president and Rev. Jacob Mark, treasurer.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.

[By Rev. J. H. Mathers.]

There are three Presbyterian hurches in connection with the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Richland City, Richland C'entre and Fancy Creek-organized in the or- der here given. The Rev. Joseph Adams, of Dane county, occasionally crossed the Wiscon- sin river to preach to the few Presbyterians who had found their way to the frontier settle- ments of Richland county.

Hle was somewhat advanced in years, and had the care of a farm near Hayworth Ferry, so that his time was occupied with other interests, and after the organization of a Church about 1855, he retired from the field. For a short time, Rev. William MeNulty supplied the little Church. In January, 1855, J. H. Mathers arrived in Richland Centre, with a view to supply this Church for a few months, and then con- tinue his journey westward. E. P. Young and his son, David B. Young, and Richard Strubble, were the ruling elders, and upon them, with the help of J. Il. Morrison, at a later date added to the eldership, and a few others, depended the maintenance of our feeble Church.

Richland Centre, in the summer of 1855, was in the very infancy of its existence. Its entire population, before the inflow of that season, did not reach two score, I believe. The immi- gration of that year, however, gave it a new impulse, and as the county seat, it attracted population more rapidly.

The first religious services, I think, were held in Richland Centre, by Rev. William Smith, a Congregational minister who resided at Sexton- ville. Ile held his services in the store-room of Mr. Langdon. In the fall of that year my attention was directed to the place by the settlement there of several Presbyterian fami- lics-the Waggoners, Wilsons and Youngs. My first service was held in a room occupied as a grocery store by W. HI. Vinton, in the house now known as the American Hotel. At the next appointment our services were held in an upper room of the same building, fitted np and used as a ball-room. This room was generous- ly placed at my disposal by Mr. Herschel Ha- zelton, who owned and occupied the building, and who had no sympathy with the doctrines taught by the young minister. In this room, in February or March, 1856, the Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. Bradley Phillips, of Mineral Point (the preacher in charge being simply a licentiate and not an or- dained minister). Caleb Waggoner and E. P.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Young (formerly of Richland City) were elect- ed ruling elders, and our services were snbse- quently held in a school house, and then in the court house, and finally, after much tribulation, in the building now occupied by the congrega- tion, this house was finished in February, 1858, and for years was the only church edifice in Richland Centre. It shows the primitive con- dition of the town, that when the Church was organized, there was not a school house within its limits. A small building, which had been de- signed for a dwelling, was purchased by the dis- trict and fitted up for school purposes. Here the school meeting was held which determined to build the large frame building in the east- ern part of the town. This first house was af- terward purchased by C. D. Stewart, and by him converted into a dwelling as originally in- tended. Now it is in contemplation to erect an edifice which will cost §30,000.

TOWN OF MARSHALL.

The Presbyterian Church of Faney Creek, in the town of Marshall, was organized in the fall of 1857. Rev. J. II. Mathers was the first Presbyterian minister who preached within the limits of this township. The first sermon was preached in the house of Daniel Noble, on Faney creek, in August or September, 1855, and for some time thereafter regular services were held at the dwellings of Alanson Clark and Daniel Noble.

The Church was organized a couple of years or more after their services were first intro- duced. A meeting was called for the purpose at the house of Alderson Clark, and after due considerations it was determined by the Pres- byterians of the neighborhood to place them- selves in formal connections with the Church of their fathers. Alanson Clark and Daniel Noble were elected ruling elders, and about eighteen or twenty others entered into covenant, as the Church of Fancy Creek. Among the names that now seem to me as connected with this enterprise, either as members or supporters, are Clark, Noble, Fogs, Benton, Smith, Ilart,

Wanless, McDonald and Morril. There was no church building at that time in the township. Our ordinary services were held in the rude houses of the earlier settlers, and our commun- ion services in the larger buildings, which the increasing erops rendered necessary for their storage. I remember now that the sacrament of the Lord's supper was dispensed on the threshing floor of "Squire" Joe Marshall's barn, which was kindly placed at our disposal by its generous owner. On another occasion the barn of Mr. John Hart sheltered ns from the fierce rays of a summer's sun. Afterward the school house opened for our use. At a Congre- gational meeting held in Marshall's school house on Jan. 28, 1861, it was determined to build a log house 28x30 feet, for the use of the Church, and arrangements for preparing the logs etc., were made at the same time; the building was erected during the summer of same year, which is now about to give way to a Heat and substantial frame building.

The relation of the pastor, J. II. Mathers (under whose ministry the Churches of Richland Centre and Faney Creek were originally gath- ered), was broken by his removal to Pennsyl- vania in the spring of 1864.

Rev. J. M. Reid was the immediate successor of Mr. Mathers, but his health was finally broken and he was compelled to lay aside en- tirely the duties of the ministry. In 1877 his friends in Richland Centre were shocked by the tidings of his tragie death near Congress, Ohio. He was crushed to death beneath the wheels of a loaded wagon whie , he was driv- ing. Ile was a man of fine ability. lle was a resident of Richland County for eight or nine years.

Rev. Joseph II. Mathers was the first Presby- terian minister who permanently located in Richland county. ITis ministry began there on Feb. 1st, 1855, and terminated in April, 1864. J. Il. Mathers was born on Aug. 5, 1832, at Mif- flintun, Juniata Co., Pa. His parents were James Mathers, a leading member of the bar

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

of Juniata county, and Jane Hutchinson, a daughter of Rev. John IIntchinson, for nearly forty years pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Mifflintun and Lost ereck. Mr. Mathers graduated at Jefferson College, Cavensburg, Penn., on Ang. 7th, 1850, and at the Theolog- ical Seminary at Princeton, N. J., in May, 1854.

lle was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in June of the same year, and a few months there after began his ministry in Richland Co., Wis. In October, 1856, he was ordained to the full work of the Gospel ministry by the same body. On Dec. 2, 1856 he was married to Sarah E. Jacobs, of Mifflin- tun, l'enn., who shared with him the toils and joys of life until Nov. 8, 1869, when she passed to the rest of Heaven.

In 1860 the existing order as to the superin- tendeney of the common schools, was adopted, and J. Il. Mathers was elected the first county superintendent. The change was a very great one, and perhaps for the time worked to some disadvantage. The standard of scholarship on the part of the teachers was elevated, but some whose attainments were comparatively limited, but whose aptness to teach compensated for this deficiency, in a measure, were excluded from the schools. There was, in consequence, a scarcity of teachers, and in some instances really less competent teachers were placed in charge. In a short time, however, educational interests were. adjusted to the new order, and undoubted advance in the right direction has since resulted from the change. It would be wearisome to dwell at any length upon my ex- perience as county superintendent.

A leading business center at the time of my first removal to Richland county, was Krous- kop's store and mill. Any history of that re- gion would be defective which did not give a prominent place to Jacob Krouskop and his family. The old gentleman was then really in his prime. A sturdy, upright and shrewd man of business, he accomplished much in the build- ing up of his new fortune and in advancing the

general interests of the community. His influ- ence was felt not only in business circles, but he was recognized as a leader in religious enter- prises-was an earnest and consistent member of the M. E. Church for many years. ITis mill and store attracted an extensive trade, whilst his home was a centre of social influences widely felt. Ilis oldest son, now IIon. George Krous- kop, the banker, was just embarking in business, whilst "Doc" was in his youth, not as yet hav- ing the opportunity to develop the talent which has since made him an important factor in the commercial history of Richland county, But you will have of course, a full biography of the father and his sons, all widely known in the county, and indeed the State in which they re- side.

The Black family must also occupy a conspic- nous place in such a history. Alexander Black was a man of rare courtesy, intelligence and in- tegrity. Being prematurely grey, he had a more venerable appearance than his age would really suggest. It was always a pleasure to visit his hospitable home on the Willow, and enjoy the delightful society of this cultivated gentleman and his family. He possessed the courteous manners of the Virginian, and his intelligence always rendered him a most agree- able and entertaining companion.

The eccentric E. M. Sexton, the founder of Sextonville, was a notable character. He was among the very earliest settlers. His eccen- tric manners sometimes possibly offended those who did not know him well. My rela- tions to him were exceedingly pleasant, and I have the tenderest remembrance of the man. He was greatly crushed when the tidings reached him that his only son had been slain in battle. Ile never fully recovered from that blow.

The Brush's, the Foxes, Field's, Bremer's, De- voc's, Derricksou's, Young's, Morrisons, Wheel- er's, etc., were all prominent families in those early days, and many of the descendants are still conspicuous citizens.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Israel Janney was, in 1855, the clerk of the county. His name is closely identified with the social and political history of the times. His residence originally in Buena Vista, was trans- ferred to Richland, and for years he was a citizen of the county seat. His reminiseences of Rich- land county will be especially rich. The "Pike's Peak" excitement took away many of our citizens, and for a time Mr. Janney disap- peared from the county. His return was a sat- isfaction to his friends, as it was an advantage to society.

BY MRS. CYRUS D. TURNER.

Three young men, Ilartwell, Cyrus and Jerry Turner left Stykesville and Sheldon, Wyom- . ing Co., N. Y., about the Ist of May, 1854, and came west, making explorations for government lands, intending to go into the Bad Ax river valley; they stopped for a time at Mr. Wilson's, at Kickapoo Centre, to rest. Ilartwell took lands on Camp creek and some in Vernon county. Cyrus took lands in Richland and some in Vernon. Jerry took a tract in Vernon, which he afterwards traded for the farm of Mr. Rich- ards near the town plat of Viola.

These men returned to New York, where Cyrus and Jerry remained until September.

A short time after they had returned home, Hartwell returned and entered more lands, and with him came Lyman Jackson. Mr. Jackson entered lands where Mr. Sommers' residence now is, and Hartwell and Jackson both built log buildings, Jackson on said premises and Ilartwell near the month of Camp ereek. Then llartwell again returned to New York. Mr. Jackson remained here expecting his family to come on in company with the Turners. The Ist of September five families came: William Turner , and wife; Hartwell, wife and two children; Cyrus Turner and wife and two boys; S.uma Rogers and wife and two children; Lyman Jack- son's wife and two children; Jerry Turner, John Fuller and Asa Patten.

We came around the lakes to Milwaukee, and from there with our own teams. Our journey

was altogether a pleasant one until we left Richland Centre, then a town invisible, and entered the woods, with sometimes a road and sometimes not. Crying children, tipped over wagons and camping out, sitting up on chairs for fear of snakes, helped fill the programme of our journey; many walked as long as strength lasted rather than peril the lives of the little ones which they carried in their arms and on their shoulders.

Cyrus Turner looked over his land entries and proceeded to lay out a town line, his first survey did not please him, and he again made another plat which is now a part of the city property, although some of the streets have been fenced up for many years. The first thing to be done was to exeavate a log for a canoe with which to transfer travelers from shore to shore of the Kickapoo, which was fordable where the Waggoner's mill now stands.

House building was yet in its infancy here. The Gothic, Ionic, Doric orders of architecture are but little known; the style of which all the principal buildings here are composed may be termed "Kickapooric," for several sprang into existence about this time, which consisted of rolling logs up on to each other so as to enclose a square pen until the required height was . b- tained when the structure was covered with split boards, called "shakes" in western vernacular, which are nailed on by placing poles across them, thus making a very picturesque roof and a well ventilated attic. The space usually in- closed is about 18x20 feet or abont the size of your dining-room. This is the house of the pioneer, this little room is the kitchen, dining- room, pantry, bed-room, nursery, and frequently the up-stairs and down cellar for a family of about a dozen members; into this are stowed beds, chests, dishes, boxes, babies, pots, kettles, and all the trumpery and paraphernalia, and you can easily imagine what a paradise of commo- tion it is; there cannot be much of coveting for all are on an equality, even in taking pleasure rides after ox teams and faring sumptuously

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IIISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

upon wild game or mush and milk, or the most dainty dish of all, batter, warm griddle slap, pan cakes with pumpkin butter or wild honey. Our first religious sermon was preached in this pioneer building by Mr. Neher, of Forest, and in the summer of 1855 a little log school house was erected near the county line, and in a re- mote part of the town plat. Here our Sabbath school was organized, a library from the Ameri- ean Sunday School Union was procured, and we did well, notwithstanding all our difficulties; trees were chopped down, corn and potatoes planted, if disposed to indolence the melodious music of the mosquito or the silent aches of our limbs reminded us of action, by fighting mosqui- toes or rubbing our rheumatic limbs, or pass the time in shaking our superfluous flesh off.

William Mack, a half breed from the Picatonic country, now appears among us. He bought out the store of D. C. Turner, and built a wooden structure, which is now attached to Mr. Tate's store. With Mr. Mack came Mr. Goodrich and family. Mr. Goodrich built a plank house on block three, which is still standing. Here his little daughter, Libbie Goodrich, died. This was the first death. She was buried near the house on the said lot, near the southern line of the street, where her grave is indistinct.

In the fall of 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Keith, teach- ers in the Brown school of Chicago, spent their summer vacation in Viola with the family of D. C. Turner. In three days after their return to Chicago, lowey Willie Turner, D. C. Turner's oldest son, was a corpse. Here appears Dr. Gott, of Viroqua, for the first time; yet his skill was of no avail. This child's death was a crush- ing calamity upon his family.

Mr. Keith, Howey Willie and Freddie Turner were buried on the mound between the resi- dence of Charley Tate and Nelson Buegor's store for several years, but disinterred in 1869, and removed to the Viroqua cemetery, along with the remains of William Turner.

This year also D. C. Turner bought out Mr. Mack, and commenced buying ginseng, which business he followed for eight successive years. Buying and clarifying and drying was also largely carried on by James Turner and Henry Livingstone, from Kentneky.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 126

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