History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 145

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 145
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 145

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).

run of stone for grinding corn, was put into the mill. In January, 1848, the mill was destroyed by fire. Mr. Parrish had died a short time pre- vious to this, and the property was sold to Hen- ry Moore. le rebuilt the mill and furnished it like its predecessor with an "up and down saw" and one run of stone. In 1859 C. G. Ro- dolf purchased a half interest, and shortly after- ward a rotary saw was put in. Mr. Rodolf bought Mr. Moore's interest, and in 1857 and 1858 erected a substantial building, 30x40 feet in size, putting in two run of stone. It was run as a custom and merchant mill, flonr being shipped to Milwaukee and other large markets. In January, 1869, the mill was destroyed by fire. Mr. Rodolf rebuilt immediately, erecting a building 30x40 feet in size, and two stories in height. Two run of buhrs were put into the mill, and all other machinery in use in that day. In February, 1874, this mill was burned. The interesting litigation which grew from this is treated at length in the chapter upon "courts." In 1877 Frank G. Rodolf, a son of Charles G., purchased a half interest in the property, and they erected the present mill, which is 34x46 feet in size, three stories in height, and stone basement. The mill is equipped with four run of buhrs, and all other necessary machinery for the manufacture of first-class flour.

In 1852 Simon Sharp and Henry Miller erected a saw-mill on section 13, and equipped it with an "up and down saw." The power was derived from Hoosier creek, a dam of brush and earth being constructed. In 1853 Sharp & Miller sold to Oliver Miller. He operated the mill until 1867, when he sold to Isaac Thompson and John McCormack. Mr. Thompson purchased MeCormack's interest in 1870, and ran the mill until 1876, when he abandoned that mill, and, in company with S. C. MeClintock, purchased a steam mill and set it up near the old water power. Mr. Medlin- tock purchased his partner's interest in 1882.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

RELIGIOUS.

In 1854 John Crandall, a Baptist preacher, held services at John Thompson's house on sec- tion 23. Ile was a pioneer in the northern part of the county, and was instrumental in the establishment of a number of religious organi- zations in this region ; but he did not organize a society here.

The first Methodist class was organized at the house of Josephus Cooper, on section 28, by Rev. Hyatt [or Rev. Schoonover, as some claim]. The following were among the mem- bers : Josephus Cooper and wife, Henry Miller and wife, Mrs. C. Thompson and William Cooper. Josephus Cooper was the first class leader. The class was in existence but a few years.

Preachers of different denominations have preached at the school house in district No. 6. Rev. Mathers, the pioneer Presbyterian, was among the first to preach here.

In 1857 a Methodist Episcopal class was organ- ized here by Rev. John Walker. The following were among the members of this class: Gideon Miller and wife, James Lewis and wife, and Mrs. M. Young. Gideon Miller was the class leader. This class flourished for some time, holding meetings in the school house. During the war it suspended, as some of the members moved away. Revs. Knapp, Black- hurst and Burlingame were among the pastors who served this elass.

Pleasant Valley Christian Church was organ- ized at the Basswood school house in the win- ter of 1866-7. Rev. Jacob Mark was the preacher. The following were among the first members : Horatio Cornwall and wife, W. II. Cooper, Mrs. Keplogle and two daughters, Wil- liam Briggsand wife, and son Marvin. During the summer of 1866 a successful protracted meeting was held at which fourteen were bap- tized. The society met at the school house for some years. In 1874 they erected a neat frame church at Eagle Corners, at a cost of $650. The church now has about twenty members. J. B.

Newburn is the present clerk. Rev. James Keeper is the present pastor.

The Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Churel: was organized in 1851 by Rev. William Smith, from Sextonville, at the old log school house on see- tion 23. The following were among the early member: George D. Sharp and wife, Cyrus Sharp and wife, Mrs. Mary Sharp, William Robinson and wife, William Miller and two sons, George and John Miller and wives, Mrs. Sarah Perrine, Mrs. Abraham Beard and Henry Dawson and wife. The following were elected elders-George D. Sharp, William Robinson and Cyrus Sharp. Rev. Smith preached for the society one year. Among those who have filled the pulpit since that time are Revs. Over- ton, Langhlin, Conley, Smith, Pinkerton, Fran- eis, Sherwin and Sparrow. Rev. Thomas Mur- phy is the present pastor. The society met for worship in the school house until 1854, when they erected a frame church on the southwest quar- ter of the northwest quarter of section 24. The society has flourished and now has about ninety members. The present elders are : William Robinson, William Irving McCoy, Monroe Robinson, Thomas M. Miller and D. W. Bear. Monroe Robinson is the clerk.

A sabbath school was organized in connec- tion with the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church at an early day, with George D. Sharp as first superintendent. He was followed by D. A. Hurlbert, who held the position until the time of his death. Monroe Robinson is the present superintendent; the school meets every Sunday.

United Brethren Church Humility Chapel. This class was organized by Rev. George Kite soon after the war. The following were among the first members: Alexander Shannon and wife, Clarissa Shannon, Sarah Evans, Sarah Endicott and Susan Dillon. Alexander Shan- non was the first class leader. The following are among the pastors who have filled the pul- pit here: Revs. Mebbit, Potts, Young, Whit- ney, Pound, Day, Taylor, Bovee and Giffen. Rev. Wood is the present pastor. In 1882 the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

society commenced the erection of a church edifice which was dedicated Sept. 9, 1883, by Bishop Weaver, of Toledo.

CEMETERIES

Dawson's cemetery was surveyed by James Appleby in September, 1881. It is located on the sontheast corner of the northeast quarter of section 26, and contains eighty-eight blocks, eighty of which contain ten lots each, and eight five lots each. The first burial here was of the remains of Mrs. Henry Dawson, who selected the spot before she died.

Pleasant Hill cemetery, on section 23, is un- der the control of the Presbyterian Church. The land was donated by William Robinson and set aside for this purpose in 1851. The first burial here was of the remains of George W Miller, who died Aug. 30, 1855.

EAGLE CORNERS.

James Harvey was the first to engage in mercantile trade at Eagle Corners. He opened his establishment in 1879.

J. Lawrence and son opened their stock of goods in 1882.

C. (. Taylor was the first blacksmith, open- ing a shop in 1878-9. This branch is now rep- resented by Jacob Stetler and William Ware.

William Smith was the first wagon maker, opening here in 1876. This was the first busi- ness established at the "Corners."

Eagle Corners postoffice was established in February, 1870, with J. B. Newburn as post- master, and the office at his house. It was on the route from Muscoda to Excelsior, mail then being received once each week. John A. Law- rence is the present postmaster, keeping the office at his store.

Eagle Lodge No. 313, I O. O. F., at Eagle Corners, was organized on April 18, 1883. The following were the charter members: James Richardson, Horatio Cornwall, James Lewis, Oliver Shepard, Cassius M. Collins, Jacob Stet- ler, James Tisdale, John M. Craigo, John Goff, William Ware and Lewis Craigo. The first officers elected were: James Richardson, N. G .;

John Goff, V. G .; Oliver Shepard, secretary; Horatio Cornwall, warden; James Lewis, con- ductor; ℃. M. Collins, treasurer. The lodge meets at Lawrence's hall, Eagle Corners.

BASSWOOD.

Robert W. Peters was the first to engage in mercantile trade at Basswood. In 1869 he put a stock of goods in the one room of his dwell- ing, opening a country general merchandise store. A few years later he put up a building 18x26 feet in size, and took in John Blicken- staff as a partner. Six months later he sold out to his partner, and a few weeks afterward bought the establishment again. He continued the business until 1873, when he closed out his stock.

The next to engage in business here were Mc- Intire & Eleston Mr. MeIntire soon bought his partner's interest. In 1883 Joseph S. Peters purchased an interest, and now runs the store. Mr. MeIntire is in trade in Muscoda,

Norman W. Bennett established a blacksmith shop here in 1879, erecting a two-story building. He has since done a flourishing business.

In 1881 R. C. Brown and C. F. Wallace put in operation a steam saw-mill, which is still running.

The United Brethren Church was organized at the Basswood school house in December, 1865, by Rev. George Kite. The following were among the members: James Willey and wife, Charles Johnson and wife, William War- ren and wife, Mrs. Thomas Goff and Mrs. Wil- liam Briggs. Charles Johnson was the first class leader. Among the preachers who have held services here are the following: Revs. Young, Potts, Day, Taylor, Bovee, Whitney and Hood. At present no regular services are held.

The Basswood cemetery was laid out in 1861, on section 16. The land was donated by Thomas Hardy and Mrs. Francis Keplogle, each giving half an acre. The first burial was of the remains of a child of Thomas Hardy. The ground has never been surveyed, and the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

cemetery is free to all citizens of the town. At a meeting held for the purpose, James Lucas, Charles Johnson and Thomas Rummery were elected trustees. Subscriptions were solicited and money raised to fence the grounds.

Basswood postoffice was established in 1869. Jacob Bear was appointed first postmaster, but before he got his commission he sold his farm and moved away. James Lucas was therefore appointed in his stead Robert Peters was the next postmaster, keeping the office at his store. The next was Joseph Stanley, who kept the of- fice at his house on section 9. Robert Peters succeeded Mr. Stanley. He has deputized his son Joseph, and the office is kept at his store.

PERSONAL SKETCHIES.

Among the early settlers and the residents of to day in Richland county, there are none more noted for their energy, enterprise and thrift, than those in the town of Eagle.

Frank G. Rodolf was born at Centerville, Iowa Co., Wis., March 3, 1847. His early edu- cation was received in the public schools of Richland county and advanced by a two years term at the State University at Madison. In 1865 he, in company with A. Schmidt, engaged in the mercantile trade at Richland Center. In 1866 he purchased his partner's interest and con- tinued the business there until 1868, then moved to Eagle and opened a store near the mill. In 1869 he purchased an interest in the water power of his father, erected a saw-mill and engaged in the lumber trade. In 1872 he closed out the mercantile business and devoted his attention to his mill and farm. In 1876, in company with his father, he erected the flour mill of which he is sole manager. He is also quite extensively engaged in raising stock and hogs. le has the largest hog house in the county. It is 24x100 feet, and two stories in height. He usually keeps about 150 hogs and fifty head of horned cattle. He was joined in marriage, in 1868, to Mary Riel. She was born in Sandusky, Ohio. They have five children - Winifred, Charlie, Frank, Idell and an infant.

Thomas Goff ( deceased ) son of George and Mary (Manear) Goff, early settlers of Richland county, was born in Randolph Co., Va., May 16, 1828. He was but two years old when his parents emigrated to the territory of Arkansas, where they lived three years, then moved to Missouri and settled in Washington county and remained until 1848, when they came to Wis- consin and located in Richland county, which was at that time a new country, and was at- tracting the attention of emigrants. The sub- ject of this sketch lived with his parents until his marriage, June 12, 1855, to Sarah Wood. She was born in Randolph Co., Va, within two miles of the birthplace of her husband. They had never met, however, until after coming to Wisconsin. At the time of his marriage, he settled upon land that he had bought on section 15, town of Eagle. It was heavily timbered, and he has cleared a good farm, which is watered by Mill creek. It is well adapted to raising both grain and stock. His death occurred on April 5, 1881. He left four children -John, Adeline, Emmet and Andrew. Andrew was born Jan. 20, 1865, and died Ang. 24, 1-81. Mrs. Goff and her son Emmet ocenpy the home- stead.

William Miller, (deceased), the first settler of Hoosier Hollow, was a veteran of the War of 1812. He was born in Anderson Co., Ky., in Jannary, 1795, and was married to Charlotte Dawson, a native of Anderson county. In 1829, with two or three other families, they started for Indiana, taking their household goods on flat boats, floating down the Kentucky river to the Ohio, down the Ohio to the month of the Wabash river. At that point their boats were attached to a steamer and towed up stream as far as Lafayette. From there they continued their journey over land to Clinton county, where they located and were pioncers. They pur- chased government land, improved a faim ard resided there until 1849. In that year Mrs. Miller died, and Mr. Miller went to Richland Co., Wis., where he entered large tracts of land

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

in town 9, range I west, now known as the town of Eagle. He built a house on the south- east quarter of section 23, and returned to Indi- ana. In September of that year he came back to Wisconsin with his family. Some of his children who came with him were married, and he settled them upon land that he had en- tered for them. Mr. Miller and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church and as- sisted in the organization of the Pleasant Hill Church. He died in 1879. His son John was born in Kentucky in 1818. He was married in Indiana to llannah J. Hayes, a native of Ohio, They came to Richland county with his father in 1849, and settled on section 13, where they lived a few years and then traded for a farm on section 23, where they lived until the time of his death which occurred in 1865. Ile left seven children, six of whom are now living- Thomas M., James L., Mary E., Leoma C., Jef- ferson H. and William H. Thomas M., the oldest son now living, was born in Clinton Co., Ind., Feb. 25, 1844, and was five years old when he began pioneer life in Richland county. He assisted his father in the clearing of a farm, and attended the pioneer schools. Ile was married in 1867 to Rebecca I., daughter of George and Rebecca Slater, pioneers of Rich- land county. She was also a native of Clinton county. They first settled on section 23 and later on section 34. In 1875 he bought a farm on section 24. A portion of this land was cleared and upon it was a frame house partly completed. He completed the house and has since cleared quite a tract of land, and is engaged in raising stock and grain. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children-Edith 1., John L. and Joseph G.

William Cooper, one of the pioneers of Rich- land county, was born in Butler Co, Penn., March 21, 1801, where his youth was spent. Hle was married in 1823 to Martha Clark, also a native of Butler county and born in April, 1802. Hle purchased a tract of land and cleared a farmi, living ou the same for six years, when he sold

out and engaged in selling goods on the road for two years. Ile then worked on the Chenango canal three years, when he went to Ohio and was employed on the Maumee eanal one year, then went to Indiana and engaged in farming one year in Clinton county. In 1849 he made his first visit to Richland county and purchased the east half of the northwest quarter of section 11. After a short time he returned to Indiana and remained until 1850. Then with a team, ac- companied by his family, and taking their household goods along with them, started for their new home. At that time there was no settlement in the neighborhood of his land, and he purchased another tract on section 26, cleared a portion of the same and remained there until 1869, then sold out and moved to Museoda, and made a contract with the Government to carry the mail between Muscoda, Readstown and Vi- roqua, and was thus employed four years. For the past few years he has made his home with his son William. He is now eighty-three years old and retains his faculties to a remarkable de- gree. llis wife died in June, 1857, leaving twelve children, six sons and six daughters. Three of the sons served in the Union army- John Wesley enlisted in the fall of 1862, in the 20th Wisconsin, company II, and went south, and died while in the service, at Springfield, Mo., March 23, 1863. William H. was born in Mercer Co., Penn., June 25, 1836, and came 10 Richland county with his parents. He was married July 9, 1857, to Amy Eliot, who was born in Darke Co., Ohio, Oct. 17, 1840. In 1863 he settled on his present farm. He enlisted in February, 1864, in the 14th Wisconsin, com- pany K, went south and joined Sherman at Big Shantie, Ga. He served until Oct. 9, 1865, when he was discharged at Mobile, Ala. The following are among the important battles in which he participated: "Big Shantie, Baker's Ridge, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Love- joy Station, Nashville and Spanish Fort. While in the service he lost his health, and has never fully recovered, but has devoted his time since

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

his return in improving his land. He has three children-Isaiah L., Thomas W. and Lucy A. His brother, Thomas M., enlisted in 1861 in the 5th Wisconsin, company H. He was six- teen years old at the time, served sixteen months and was discharged on account of disability. He re-enlisted in December, 1863, in the 3d Wisconsin, company H, joined Sherman's com- mand, and was with him on his march to the sea, through the Carolinas and thence to Wash- ington where he was discharged in August, 1865.

George Siater, one of the early settlers of Richland county, was born in the State of Mary- land. When he was quite young his parents emigrated to Indiana and settled in Clinton county. Here the subject of this sketch com- menced pioneer life and spent his early days. He was married Feb. 7, 1847, to Rebecca Beard, a native of Washington Co., W. Va. In 1850 he visited Richland county and entered land on sections 22 and 23, and returned to Indiana. During the fall of the same season, in company with Abraham Beard and Joseph Hays he started for his new home accompanied by his family. They came overland with teams which was the nsnal mode of travel at that time, bringing household goods and provisions with them, camping out wherever night overtook them. Upon arrival, he at once erected a log cabin, and commenced clearing. A few years later he built a frame house. In 1861 he sold this farm and bought another on section 34, where he made his home until the time of his death, which oc- curred in January, 1862. Mrs. Slater died July 4, 1880. There are six of their children now living-Rebecca J., William J., Harriet M., Julia E., Sarah L. and George R. William J., was born in the town of Eagle, Feb. 21, 1852, and here grew to manhood, receiving his edu- cation in the district schools, advanced by two term+ at Beloit College. He was married Sept. 11, 1877, to Endora Dosch. She was born in in the town of Richwood. They have two children-Della and Don Juan. George R. was born, also, in the town of Eagle, Feb. 21,

1860. He has always lived on the homestead which he now occupies, in company with his brother, William J.

Joseph Powell was one of the early explorers of Richland county, having come here in 1851, at which time he remained about ten weeks, and returned to his home in Indiana. He made the trip overland. At this time he purchased land on Blue river, in Grant county, and, hav- ing made up his mind to settle there, he loaded his household goods in two wagons, and taking seven or eight horses and a lot of stock, started for Wisconsin. After five weeks' travel, camp- ing out on the roadside at night, he reached Richland county. He spent a short time with Alonzo Carson, in the town of Richwood, while he built a house npon his land, into which he moved on Christmas day. He cleared quite a tract of this land, and lived there five years, when he sold and bought timber land in Water- town, near his first farm, of which he cleared quite a large tract, and resided there until 1866, when he sold and came to Eagle, and purchased his present farm, which is now one of the best in the "banner town" of the county. It is lo- cated on section 30, and has seventy-two acres under cultivation. He has erected a good frame house and other buildings. He has been twice married, first to Rebecca J. Carson, Dec. 30, 1849. She was born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind., and died in April, 1881, leaving five chil- dren-John C., Margaret A., Amy J., Mary C. and Asher T. He was again married Nov. 15, 1883, to Martha J. Sullivan, widow of Abram Elliott. She has one child by her former mar- rrage-Bertha May. Mr. Powell was born in Gallia Co., Ohio, May 18, 1823. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Indiana, and were early settlers in Tippecanoe county. His father purchased land a few miles from Lafayette. He was a baker by trade, and opened a shop in that town. IIis father died when he was eighteen years old, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in Tippecanoe county until 1851.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

William Robinson, a well known early set- tler of the town of Eagle, is a native of Ken- tucky, born in Franklin, six miles from the State capital, Oct. 23, 1808. Here his early days were spent. In 1829 he, in company with his parents, emigrated to Indiana and were among the early settlers of Tippeconoe county. His father purchased timber land in Tippecanoe and Clinton counties. The subject of this sketch returned to Kentucky in the fall of 1832, and was married in Anderson county to Re- becca Richardson, and came back to Clinton county and began elearing a farm. In 1850 he came to Richland county with the Miller broth- ers, to assist them in moving here. He was at that time favorably impressed with the coun- try, and, although it was a wild, unsettled re- gion, inhabited by Indians and wild beasts, he thought it must become settled at no distant day, and he entered 160 acres on section 24, the northeast quarter. In 1852 he sold his farm in Indiana, and started with his family for their new home. They took two wagon loads of goods and two pairs of horses. They reached their destination after traveling fourteen days and moved into a vacant log house near by nn- til he could ent logs and build one on his own land. As soon as it was completed, he eom- meneed the elearing of a farm. The next year he purchased land adjoining his, on the north- west quarter of section 24, and there, in 1855, erected the first frame dwelling in the town, the same that he still occupies. It is a commo- dions, two story building, and has always been kept in good repair. He has also built a good frame barn and other buildings. His farm is located in the neighborhood known as Hoosier Valley. Mrs. Robinson died May 18, 1860, leaving seven children-James, Silas, Sarah J., Benjamin, Monroe, Mary and Ann. Hle was again married in 1861, to Mary Shuler, a native of Lycoming Co., Penn. Two children have blessed this union-Robert and Edwin. Rob- ert was born Dec. 26, 1862. His younger days were spent in school and on the farm. He was

married Nov. 15, 1883, to Mary, daughter of John and Eliza Mainwarring. Ile lives at home and manages the farm.

Jeremiah B. Newburn, a pioneer of the town of Eagle, first visited the county in 1852 and bought a claim of C. G. Rodolf, located on section 33, town 9, range 1 west, in what is now the town of Eagle. He remained a short time and returned to his home in Edgar Co., Ill. The following June he started, taking his fam- ily and a pair of horses and a wagon, which held their household goods, and eamped at night by the roadside. His wife and oldest daughter drove the stock, while he attended to the horses. They were twenty days in making the journey. On reaching their destination, they remained at his brother's nntil he could build a cabin. The family lived in this cabin several years, when he built a frame house, which was con- sumed by fire in 1875. Hle then erected his present dwelling. He is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born Dee. 2, 1814. When but two years of age he had the misfortune to be bitten by a snake, and in consequence was a cripple for fourteen years, and not being able to work, he improved the time by studying, and thus ob- tained an education. When he was seventeen year old, his parents removed to Ohio and set- tłed in Muskingum county, which at that time was attracting the attention of settlers, and there the subject of this sketch began his pio- neer life. Ile was married in 1838 to Caroline Mapes, who was born in Perry town, Muskingum Co., Ohio; born Aug. 11, 1822. In 1840 they moved to Pike Co., Ohio, where he purchased timber land and partially cleared a farm, re- maining there until 1845 when he sold out and again started westward, settling then in Edgar Co., Ill. when he again purchased timber land and partially. cleared a farm. He lived there until 1852, the year in which he came to Rich- land county. Mr. and Mrs. Newburn are the parents of three children-Margaret, William and Mary E Mr. Newburn was appointed post- master at Eagle Corners, Feb. 28, 1870, and re-

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 145

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