History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 149

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 149
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 149

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).

School district No. 6 was organized in 1855. The first school house was erected in the fall of 1856. It was a log building with a dirt and stick chimney on the outside, and a fire place within.

Marion Kinney, now the wife of II. T. Hamil- ton, was the first teacher, holding a term in the spring of 1856. The old school house was in use until 1861, when a frame building was erected on section 20. Mattie Akan taught the first, and George Holsey the second school in this house. The district is preparing to erect a new school building in 1884.

Union school district at Woodstock. The first school in this distriet was taught by Demas Wherry, in 1855, in a small log house which had been erected for the purpose. The first school within the present village of Woodstock was taught by Julia Satterlee. In the fall of 1859 a petition was circulated by James M. Callaway, Thomas C. Clark and Milton Satterlee, which was presented to the Legislature, asking that the Woodstock district and a part of the town of Bloom be organized as the Woodstock Union district. The prayer was granted and the or- ganization of the new district effected. A com- modions frame building was erected, which was used until 1883. In 1882 a new and larger building was commenced which was completed during the succeeding year. It is a frame building, vaneered with brick, two stories in height and 30x40 feet in size. The building is a credit to the village and one of which they may well be proud.

RELIGIOUS.

In early days religious services were held in a building erected by Bronson Greaves for a grist mill. Rev. George W. Turner, a Second Adventist, was the first preacher.

In December, 1865, a society of this denomi- nation was organized in the Norman school dis- triet, by Elder J. R. Preston. There were four members-Bronson Greaves, Benjamin Judson, Lizzie Hughart and Mary Renick. Bronson Greaves was the first deacon. Since the organi- zation, among those who have preached here are the following: Elders Hitchcock, Wilbur, Huff, Wilcox, White and Greaves. The society continued to flourish, and met regularly for worship at the school house in district No. 6.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Oswald Palmer is the present deacon. There is a Sunday school organization in connection with the Church, which meets during the sum- mer seasons. Oswald Palmer is superintendent, and B. Judson secretary.

As early as 1857 a Methodist Episcopal or- ganization was effected at the school house on section 20, under the management of Rev. Thomas Mason. The class took and has since bonne the name of East Pine class. Levi Mick was the first class leader. The class is still in existence, having a membership of seventeen, and meets for worship at the school house in district No. 5. John Fowler is the present class leader, Rev. Snodgrass pastor, and .John W. Fowler steward. Since organization the following named have filled the pulpit for this class: Revs. Brainard, Hawthorn, Timby, Thurston, Brake- man, Olmstead, Hodgson, McMillan, Sackett, Brothers, Bradley, Kilbourn, Medd, Bryan and Wheaton. The class belongs to the West Wis- consin conference.

A Sabbath-school was organized shortly after the class, with Levi Mick as the first superin- tendent. The school still meets regularly dur- ing the summer months. The following have acted as superintendents of the school: Levi Miek, John Fowler, T. F. Ayers, B. Fowler and Mary Ayers. Levi Mick is the present superin- tendent.

In the fall of 1881 Rev. D. C. Young, a preacher of the United Brethren denomination, held meetings at the school house in district No. 3. Since that time various preachers of this denomination have held services here. In December, 1883, Rev. Cosper, from Vernon county, organized a class with the following members: C. A. Robinson and wife and son Al- bert, Daniel Long and wife, Mrs. Matilda Cock- roft and daughter Mary J., Mrs. John M. Gar- field and Mrs. John Dixon. Daniel Long was selected class leader. Services are held once every two weeks at the school house in district No. 3.

A Dunkard, or German Baptist, society was organized in the vicinity of Woodstock in 1878. Revs. Myers and Forney were the first preach- ers. Meetings are now held once a month at the house of Joseph Turner on section 4, in the town of Rockbridge, and once each month in the town of Bloom. Rev. George Turner is the present pastor.

At an early day a Wesleyan Methodist class was organized at the school house of district No. 3. The following were among the first members: Michael Ghormley and wife, Jonas Lockwood and wife, Mrs. John M. Garfield, C. A. Robinson and wife and Martha Cockroft. Michael Ghormley was the first class leader. Among those who have filled the pulpit for the class are the following: Revs. Camack, Mul- linix, Good, Wood, Mc Millan, Ryman, Van Dressen, Holcomb, Mann, DeLap and Bunker.

The Universalist society. In 1875 B. F. Snook, the State missionary, came to Wood- stock and delivered a course of five lectures in the M. E. church. These were the first meet- ings of this denomination in the village. Since that time Revs. Eberhart and Critchet have preached here. The society is small but pros- perous. The following are among its mem- bers: Demas Wherry and family, H. T. Wal- ser, J. A. Meeker and Dr. J. B. Hitchcock.

The Catholic Church. The first mass in the town was said by Father Sthale, in the fall of 1855, at the house of Cornelius MeCarthy. For several years meetings were held in Mr. Me- Carthy's. In 1867 a church was built near the center of seetion 15. Among those who have held services since Father Sthale are: Fathers Montague, Bean, Bernard and Metzler. The present pastor is Father Herman Groose. There are thirty-five families who attend here.

ORGANIC.

The town of Henrietta was organized on the Ist day of April, 1856, at a town meeting held at the house of leman B. Miller, on section 17. The officers of the election were: Inspectors, Henry Bristol, chairman, William HI. Joslyn

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and Alexander Sires; Allen J. Slater, clerk. The first officers of the town were elected at this time. They were as follows: Supervisors, William H. Joslyn, chairman, Milton Satterlee and John M. Garfield; A. J. Slater, elerk; Henry Bristol, treasurer; Jabez Smith, assessor; Latimore Rennick, Henry Bristol, A. J. Smith and A. Sires, justices of the peace; A. J. Slater, superintendent of schools; Stephen Howard, A. Ryan and John M. Garfield, constables. At the first meeting it was declared that $150 be raised to defray town expenses for the ensuing year, and $75 for the support of the schools. It was also voted that hogs be allowed to run at large.

At the annual town election held in April, 1883, the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: Supervisors, John Dunn, chairman, R. M. Stockwell and O. Palmer; II. H. Walser, clerk; J. T. Pratt, treasurer; Wensel Hynek, assessor; Thomas Borton, and E. Johnson, jns- tices; John Slaney, G. W. Weeden and S. M. Ferguson, constables.

In 1876 a twon hall was erected on the north- east quarter of section 20. It is a frame build- ing and cost about $400.

HENRIETTA POSTOFFICE.

Henrietta postoffice was established, in 1857, with lleman B. Miller as the first postmaster. The office was kept at the residence of the post- master, on section 17, and was on a mail route from Richland Center, mail being received twice each week. Mr. Miller's successors were Bronson Greaves, Thomas Kinney, O. S. Wel- ton and Daniel Priest. The latter is the pres- ent postmaster, and keeps the office at his house on section 20. Mail is now received three times each week. '

MELANTIION CREEK POSTOFFICE.

years after its establishment the office was dis- continued at Mr. McCarthy's request.

MILL.

In 1856 Bronson Greaves erected a building for a flour mill, on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 17. However, he did not complete it, and during the war Herman Stoddard purchased the building, and put in machinery for carding wool and pulling and finishing cloth. In 1868 he sold to Daniel Priest, the present proprietor. The power is derived from East Pine river, which at this point furnished six feet head of water. Originally a timber dam was built, but this has been replaced by a substantial stone and earth dam.

VILLAGE OF WOODSTOCK.

The village of Woodstock is located on the southwest quarter of section 31. It is pleas- antly situated and is surrounded by an excellent country. The merchants are mostly young men who are enterprising, and the village bids fair to become a prominent rival for the larger portion of the trade of the northern part of Richland county.

The village of Woodstock was laid out in 1855 by Quinton Nieks and Milton Satterlee. The surveyor was Joseph Irish.

The first merchant here was James Calloway, who opened a general merchandise store in 1855. Since that time a great many have been in trade here for a longer or shorter period.

In 1883 there were four stores, kept by J. E. Mason, A. W. Travers, Samnel Ferguson and a joint stock company, of which A. S. Neff is president, and Ella Dickerson secretary.

The first blacksmith shop in the village was started by Daniel Storms. Ile now runs a shop at Richland Center. There are now two black- smith shops at Woodstock.

Melanthon Creek postoffice was established, In 1864 L. B. Madden started a small tannery here for the purpose of tanning skins for the manufacture of gloves and mittens. in 1856, with Cornelius McCarthy as postmas- ter. The office was kept at the residence of the postmaster, and mail was received once each In 1857 Chambers & Wilson, from Lacon, Ill., erected a wash and dry house for the purpose week from Rockbridge. The postmaster's sons, Thomas G. and Patrick, carried the mail. Two | of drying ginseng. They brought bacon and

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

flour from Chicago, which they traded for gin- seng, getting it by the wagon loads, and for some time doing an extensive business.

In the vicinity of Woodstock there is good material for making brick. II. N. Holbrook put up and burned the first kiln of brick.

The first death in Woodstock was an infant child of Dr. Byers, who located here in the fall of 1856, and remained during the following winter.

The second death was that of Elisha Satter- lee, aged seventy-three years. He was living with his son Ossian at the time.

The postoffice was established at Siresville in 1854, under that name. Milton Satterlee was the first postmaster. In 1855 it was removed to the southwest quarter of section 31, and the name changed to Woodstek ; Mr. Satterlee being re-appointed postmaster. At the present time Mrs. J. E. Mason is postmistress, her hus- band as deputy having charge of the office. Mail is received daily, the office being on the route from West Lima to Richland Center.

The Woodstock mills were built in 1857 by Stephenson & Calloway. The power was derived from the west branch of Pine river, a log dam being constructed. The mill stood upon the south bank of the stream. A Mulley saw was put in and common lumber was manufactured. In 1857 the firm erected a grist mill, near the saw mill, putting up a two story building 20x50 feet in size, and equipping it with one run of stone. The mill commenced operations in 1858. In 1859 John Meeker purchased Mr. Calloway's interest in the property. In 1864 Mr Stephen- son sold his interest to James Jones, who a short time afterward sold to Moses Meeker. In 1878 John A. Meeker purchased Moses' in- terest. At the present time the proprietors are Moses Mecker and his son R. D Meeker. The saw-mill continued in operation until 1878. The old log dam was replaced by a frame one, which in turn has been superseded by a stone dam. Eight feet head of water is secured at

this point, and it is never failing. The mill does custom work.

In 1869 Henry T. Walser erected a grist-mill near Woodstock on the west branch of Pine river. The building is two stories high, 25x36 feet in size. A dam of stone was built which furnishes six feet head of water. The mill does custom work. It contains two run of stone, and all necessary machinery for the manufacture of first class flour.

The Methodist Church at Woodstock was organized in 1857 by Elder Brainard. The first members were Henry Travers and wife, James M. Calaway and wife, Alexander Sires, Sr., and wife, Thomas Mason and wife, Mrs. Wil- liam Hook and William Sires and wife. Mr. Mason at that time was a local preacher and af- terward joined the conference. James M. Cal- away was the first class leader. Among those who have preached here since the organization of the class are the following : Elders Haw- thorn, Brahman, McMillan, Sackett, Brothers, Bradley, Kilbourn, Mead, Bryant and Wheaton. A. S. Neff is the present class leader. The class has flourished and is now in good condi- tion. In 1871 a neat church edifice was erected just east of the village, in which they now meet for worship.

A Disciple Church was organized here in 1856 by Elder Merrill, with abont twenty mem- bers. Quinton Nicks and family were among the prominent workers in this Church.

THE VILLAGE OF YUBA.

This village is located on the southwest quarter of section 6. It was laid out in 1856 for Edward Pinick. Joseph Irish was the sur- veyor, and proposed the name of "Pinick," but "Yuba" was finally chosen. Mr. Pinick sold a number of lots but no business start was made until several years later.

The first business enterprise here was a saloon opened by Joseph Baranek in 1875.

The first store here was established by Bur- gess Fowler in August, 1880, in the same build- ing that had been formerly occupied by the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

saloon. In 1882 Mr. Fowler erected a building, 24x44 feet in size, two stories in height. The upper story is used as a tenement; and the lower is occupied by the general merchan- dise store.

The first blacksmith shop was opened by W. Wheden in 1881. H. A. Renick is the present blacksmitlı.

John Jewell started a general merchandise store in 1882.

E. E. and J. II. Potts erected a building in 1883, for the purpose of a hardware store.

In 1856 Edward Pinick erected a saw mill on section 6. The power was derived from Pine river, the water being carried to the mill by means of a race, half a mile in length, securing seven feet head of water. An old fashioned "up and down" saw was put in. Joseph Bar- anek bought this mill and ran it until 1879, when he erected a new mill a short distance be- low the old one. The new mill is furnished with a Mulley saw, and does custom work.

The Yuba flour mill was erected in 1882 by R. D. Meeker and Frank Baranek, on section 7. The power is derived from the east branch of Pine river. The race through which the water is carried to the mill is seventy rods long, and ten feet head of water is secured. The building is a frame, two and a half stories in height and 24x36 feet in size. The mill is furnished with two run of stone, two bolting chests and all necessary machinery for doing first class work. It does custom work and most of the time is run to its full capacity.

Yuba postoffice was established in 1857, with Edward Pinick as postmaster. The office was kept at the house of the postmaster on section 6. When Mr. Pinick moved away, John Fowler was appointed postmaster, and kept the office at his house on section 7. In 1880 he was sue- ceeded by his son Burgess, who kept the office at his store in Yuba. The office is on the mail route from Rockbridge to llillsboro, and mail is received three times each week.

VILLAGE OF HUB CITY,

During the summer of 1854 James Gbormley put up a saw-mill on section 34. He put up a frame building and threw a brush and dirt dam across Pine river. In 1855 he made an addition to the building and put in one run of buhrs for grinding corn and wheat, and a bolting ma- chine for the manufacture of flour. In 1860 he erected a two story frame building, 20x40 feet in size, and put in one run of buhrs for making good flour. A few years later he added an- other run of stone, and about 1867 he put up a new saw-mill which he equipped with a circular saw. Mr. Ghormley ran the mills until 1876, when the property was purchased by Hon. George Krouskop. In the winter of 1881-2 he sold to T. G. Mandt, of Stoughton, Wis. The saw-mill has been enlarged and a planing mill added. A dry-house 60x200 feet in size has also been erected, and the enterprise has be- come one of the most important of Richland county's industries.

In 1882 a village was platted here under the name of Hub City. It now contains about twenty dwelling houses, aside from the numer- ous mill buildings.

A postoffice was established here in 1882 un- der the name of "Stalwart," but this has since been changed to "Hub City." The first post- mistress was Mrs. Frank Pollard. Hiram Hernstein is the present postmaster. The of- fice is on the mail route from Rockbridge to Ilillsborogh.

The first store in the village was started by T. G. Mandt in 1882.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Lattimore Renick was one of the earliest settlers of Richland county. He arrived in what is now the town of Orion, in a snow storm, on the 17th of October, 1848. That fall he commenced the building of a saw-mill on Ash creek, for William Thompson, and com- pleted it in 1849. In 1852 we went to Rich- mond village, bought a piece of land and en- gaged in farming, and also worked at his trade, which was that of carpenter and joiner, re-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

maining there until 1856 when he moved to Hen- rietta and purchased timber land on section 6 and immediately began to clear a farm. He broke his first two and a half acres with a hoe. Ile has since purchased adjoining land, and now has 120 acres on sections 6 and 7. He has built a commodious hewed log house with a frame addition, and has made it his home until the present time. Mr. Renick is a native of Ken- tneky, born in Barren county, Oct. 7, 1813. In his youth he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker to learn the trade. After serving three years he started on foot and alone for Louisville, ar- rived there and soon found friends and employ- ment as carpenter, and being a good workman he was never out of work. Ile remained there till 1841, when he went to St. Louis, but stopped there only a few days and then made another move, this time toward the north, halting at Mineral Point where he worked for a time at his trade, and from thence to Madison, where he was employed to work on the territorial cap- itol, remaining there until 1844, when he re- turned to Mineral Point and was engaged to construct the fluted columns of the court house. In 1845 he went to work at mining at Mineral Point and continued in that employment until 1848, when he came to Richland county. lle was married in 1815 to Lucy, daughter of Carlos and Mary (Bostwick) Joslyn. Eleven children have blessed this union, nine of whom are now living-Mary L., Henry, Margaret, James W., Francis A., Harry, George S., Addie and Susic. The oldest danghter, Mary. married Isaac N. Bingham, of this county. Emma mar- ried William F. Bingham, of this county. She died in October, 1880, leaving one child, Edith, who has since made her home with her grand- parents. Margaret E. is the wife of John W. Fowler. Mr. Renick has an extensive acquain- tance in different parts of the county, and is respected by all. Ile is a well read man and has a good recollection of past events. He has been prominent in town and county affairs, has been a member of the county board and has

filled nearly all the offices in the town in which he has lived, besides having served as an officer in the school district a great part of the time since its organization. Ile was also one of the first grand jurors of Richland county.

William Cratsenberg, one of the earliest settlers of Richland county, was born in Lewis county, town of Denmark, State of New York, in August, 1821. His father, Nicholas Cratsen- berg, was a native of Montgomery county, York State, and one of the carly settlers of Lewis county. The subject of this sketch was here brought up, receiving a liberal education in the publie schools. When quite young he com- menced to work in his father's tannery, learned that trade, and a few years later the trade of boot and shoe making. He was married in 184% to Catharine Rich, also a native of Lewis county, where he purchased a farm of 100 acres, and engaged in dairying. In 1851 he sold out and started west to seek a home. He came on the lakes to Milwaukee, and then with one horse and a wagon started for Richland county,. coming directly to the town. now known as Ithaca, and entered land on Willow creek, on seetion 18, where he commenced building a log house. He harvested wheat on the shares and that same fall had to hanl his grain to Iowa county to find a mill for grinding. The fol- lowing spring moved into his new house, and raised his first crop of eorn in 1852. In the fall of this year (1852) he went to mill at Black Earth, Dane county. The year following he sold this place and moved to Sextonville, where he purchased town property and engaged in the boot and shoe trade. Two years afterward he purchased the tavern well known as The Ark, conducting the same until 1858, then sold out and bought timber land on seetion 28, town of Henrietta; here he built a log house and stables and immediately commenced to clear a farm. In 1880 his stables were struck by light- ning and destroyed, together with stock and farming utensils. The frame house in which he now lives was built in 1879. His first wife

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

died in February, 1849, leaving two children- Deett and Dowite. His second wife, to whom he was married April 10, 1851, was Louisa Bur- dick, a native of Lincoln, Chenango Co., N. Y., born June 15, 1827. By this union there were five children-Nicholas Leroy, Celinda E., James B., Adam A. J. and Eugene S. Mr. Cratsenberg assisted in the organization of the town of Ithaca, and proposed the name which it still bears.

Patrick II., son of Cornelius and Ellen (Gal- lagher) McCarthy, pioneer settlers of Richland county, was born Dec. 5, 1845, in the province of Ontario, Canada. The next spring his par- ents removed to Milwaukee. When he was seven years of age, his parents removed to Richland county, locating in the town of Rich- land, where they remained until 1855, and then removed to the town of Henrietta, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, his time being employed in going to and teaching school and farming. In March, 1864, he en- listed in company D, 38th Wisconsin. His company formed a part of the Army of the Potomac and was immediately sent to the front, where it was engaged in many of the important battles from that time until the close of the war; including the charge of Petersburg, June 17 and 18, 1864, and the siege and capture of that city. He was discharged May 25, 1865, and returned home, where he engaged in teach- ing and farming. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Catharine Drea. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Nine children were born to them-Robert, Emmet, Catharine J., Cornelius E., Ellen L., William B., James F., John P., Francis A. and Mollie. In 1868 he purchased a tract of land on section 13, cleared up a farm and erected a nice lot of buildings, where he now makes his home. Mr. McCarthy has been quite prominent in town and county affairs. He has served as town clerk, chairman of the board and justice of the peace; the latter at the present time.

John A. Meeker, the present proprietor of the Woodstock flonring mill, is a native of Ohio, and was born in the city of Cincinnatti June 21, 1823. When he was quite young his parents moved to Galena, Ill., where his father had re- ceived a land grant from the government and en- gaged in the business of smelting lead, and was the first person to establish an enterprise of that character at that point, which has since become an extensive and lucrative business. In 1834 his farther moved to Wisconsin and located near Mineral Point, Iowa county. Here the sub- ject of this sketch grew to manhood, making his home with his parents and assisting at the smelting works, until twenty-one years of age. At this time, 1851, desiring to make a start for himself, he concluded to leave the paterna! roof and seek his fortune. Full of energy and enterprise he started for California, not as the trip is made in these latter days by methods of easy and comparatively safe transit, but by the tedious, dangerous journey across the plains with ox teams. This journey occupied 120 days, but at length he arrived at his destination and engaged in mining until 1853, when he returned home by way of Nicaragua. He then purchased prairie land and improved a farm which he sold in 1859. That same year he came to Woodstock and bought a one-half interest in the mill property which he now owns and has since made this his home, and milling has been his business except in 1863 when he went to Pike's Peak and remained until the fall of 1864. He has been twice married-to his first wife Matilda W. Ste- vens in 1848 who was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, and died in 1876, leaving three children -Robert D., Amy E. and Alice. His second wife was Amanda Biehl, born in Edwards Co., Ill. They have one child-Winifred W. Mr. Meeker's father's name was Moses, and he was born in Essex Co., N. J., in 1790. His parents were poor and he was obliged to work for him- self and make his own fortune as best he might. When young he learned the potter's trade. He

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 149

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