History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 152

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 152
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 152

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).

William Atwood, a native of New York State, was also one of the arrivals in 1853. Hle settled on the northwest quarter of section 2, where he lived for a number of years, and then removed to Sextonville. He was a blacksmith, and followed his trade for several years at Sex- tonville, after which he removed to Orion.

Richard Woodcock, a native of New York, arrived during the same year. He settled on the southeast quarter of section 26, where he lived for several years and improved a farm. He is now dead

John Smith, an Irishman, came here as early as 1853, and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 18. He erected a board shanty, broke a few acres of the land and remained four or five years, when he sold to Jolin Young and left the country.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

John Jaquish, a native of New York State, came here in October, 1853, and entered land on section 15. He lived there until in March, 1882, and then removed to the village of Ithaca.

Joseph W. Jaquish, a native of Pennsylvania, came here at the same time, entered land on sections 10 and 11 and put up a shanty. Hc settled upon the place in 1854 and still lives there. His father, David Jaquish, came with him in 1854, and made his home here for several years. He died at Madison in 1875. Ile was a native of New York State; had served in the War of 1812, and was a pensioner during the last few years of his life.

Anthony Thomas, a native of Connecticut, came here in 1853 and bought land on section 30, where he remained until 1860. During this year he removed to Trempealeau county, where he lived until the time of his death.

Colby Cass, a Canadian, also came here in 1853 and settled on section 20. He lived there until the time of his death.

In the fall of 1854 William Stearns, a miner, came from Spring Valley, and settled upon the west half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the southwest quarter of section 1, town 9, range 2 east. In 1860 he sold his place to Hon. J. M. Thomas, and removed to White- side Co., Ill., where he has since died.

The first German settlers in the town were William Tunenschloss and Rudolf Gra-sman, who came from Dodge county in June, 1854. The former bought 120 acres of land on see- tion 16, where he still lives. The latter bought land on the same section and lived there until 1871, when he sold out and removed to Monroe county, where he died. His widow and family still live there.

William Irish came in 1854 and made this his home for a number of years. He is now a Methodist minister and is presiding older of the Portage district.

Daniel Earl, the first settler in Four Spring Hollow, came here in 1854 and entered the

southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 36. This is still his home.

Amos C. Williams came here in 1854 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 1, town 9, range 2 east. There he built a log house, cleared a small traet of land, and re- mained until 1858, when he sold out and moved across the line into Sauk county. Ile has since removed to Iowa. He was a cooper by trade, and was generally known as "Cooper Wi !- liams."

David Carpenter, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., also came in 1854. Ile settled on the southwest quarter of section 2, where he opened a farm and lived until after the elose of the war, when he sold out and removed to Ne- braska.

Chester Foote, a native of New York State, came here in 1854 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 11. In 1857 he sold to Benjamin Winterburn and removed to the town of Buena Vista, where he lived for a number of years. He is now a resident of MeHlenry Co.,

William H. Davis was another of the arrivals in 1854. He was a native of Vermont, but came here from Canada in October of that year, and bought land on sections 28 and 29, town 10 range 2 east. This is still his home.

James Sonles came here in 1854 and entered the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 6; but only lived there a short time. He is now a resident of the town of Richland.

During the following year, 1855, there were many valuable additions to the settlement in this town.

John Wallace, a native of Canada, came in 1855 from Richland City, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 12, town 0, range 2 east. lle lived there for several years and then sold to Joseph Wade.

Jacob Handel, a native of Germany, came here from Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1855. He entered quite a large tract of land and set- tled on section 26. He was quite an elderly

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

man. After remaining here a few years he re- moved to Milwaukee, where he died.

Ira Davenport, a native of the State of New York, came here in 1855 and settled upon the northwest quarter of section 25. Ile sold out several years later and went to Dane Co., Wis.

William Simpson, a native of Ohio, came here from Illinois during the same year, 1855, and settled on section 30, where he still lives.

William Misslich, a native of Germany, came here from Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1855, and bought the south half of the southeast quarter of section 14. He improved the farm and made it his home until the time of his death. Three of his sons-Albert, Paul and Anthony, came here at the same time, in 1855. Albert entered the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, and the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 13, and the south half of the southwest quarter of section 14. Paul entered the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 14. Albert now lives on section 26. Anthony and Paul live on the old homestead on section 14.

Eberhard Wallpott, a German, also came with the Misslich party, and bought 200 acres of land on section 22. He lived there until 1881, when he sold out and moved to Cross Plains.

William Perrin came here from Sauk county in 1855, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 8. Ile lived there for two or three years when he sold out and removed to near Has- tings, Minn., where he died.

John Short, an Englishman, came from the State of New York in 1855, and entered land on section 33, town 11, range 2 east, just over the line in the town of Willow. He now lives with his son Henry, in the town of Ithaca.

Christian Lasse, a native of Prussia, came here from that country in 1855 and bought land of Amasa Grover, on section 26.

David Hardenberg came in 1855 and bought the southwest quarter of section 2 from James

Banks. He sold out in 1866 and removed to Lone Rock.

William Dixon, a native of England, came here in 1855 from Buena Vista and settled on section 1, town 9, range 2 east, where he still lives.

Isaac Lawrence, a native of Dutchess Co, N. Y., came here from New York city in 1856, and bought the south half of the north- east quarter of section 2. He lived there until 1880, when he sold out and went to Nebraska, where he and his wife have since died.

James Carpenter, a brother of David Car- penter, a settler of 1854 came here in 1856, and settled on section 2. Ile lived there until after the elose of the war, when he moved to Lone Rock, and has since gone to Nebraska.

David Lane, a native of New York State, came here in 1856 and settled on the southwest quar- ter of section 36. He improved a farm and lived here until 1875, when he sold out and removed to New Jersey.

Henry Emshoff was another of the pioneer Germans. He came here in 1856 and settled on section 14. He is now a resident of the town of Orion.

Elias Weston was also a settler of 1856. IIe was a native of the State of New York. He settled on section 10, and lived there until 1880 when he sold out and removed to Des Moines, Iowa.

Other early settlers were: M. M. Smith, Cole- man Dupee, John Worth and Abel Ragles.

FIRST BIRTH AND DEATH.

The first birth in the town of Ithaca was that of James, a son of Thomas and Rachel Derrick- son, which occurred Aug. 5, 1849. The child died Oet. 6, 1849. This was the first death in the town.

RELIGIOUS.

The first mass in the town of Ithaca was held by Father Max Gardner, at the house of William Misslich, in November, 1856, and this finally re- sulted in the organization of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Father Gardner was at that time a

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

resident of Sauk county, and knowing there were people here in the wilderness without a spiritual advisor, he started out on foot and alone for this little German settlement. lle was gladly welcomed and the people gathered at the house of William Misslich, as stated. There were four children baptized at this time -Agnes, daughter of Albert and Mary A. Misslich; Henry, a son of Peter and Mary Wert- zel; Gertrude, daughter of Joseph and Barbara Bodendine; and Maggie, daughter of Jacob and Catharine Weitzel. It was decided to build a church, and subscriptions were solicited. There were but few families here at that time. The male members were-William Misslich and his three sons, Albert, Paul and Anthony; Joseph Oschner, Andrew Muller, Jacob Weitzel, Henry Axsenmacher, Peter Weitzel, Casper Brewer and Joseph Bodendine. Money was sub- seribed to the amount of $139, and a small building was erected on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 14. Father Max Gardner was the first to say mass in the church. Father Wendel Bernard was the first resident pastor. In 1864 a parsonage was built. It was an unpretentious frame building, with two rooms, and cost $337, beside work done by the members. Father Bernard was succeeded on Christmas, 1865, by Father Theopholis Bean, who had charge until May, 1872. In 1869, through his influence, a commodious stone house was erected for school purposes and as a home for the sisters in charge. It is a two and a half story building, well furnished. There are two large rooms on the ground floor, which are used for school purposes, while the sisters or- enpy the upper part.

Father Bean was succeeded by Father Fran- cis X. Heller, who remained until Oct. 17, 1874, when Father A. Mendl became pastor. In May, 1875, he was succeeded by Father Michael Heiss, who remained until 1878. In January, of that year, Father Henry Koenig, the present pastor, took charge.

The parsonage, as stated, when first built contained two rooms. A few years later an ad- dition of two rooms was made. In 1883 Father Koenig erected a commodious two story frame house, adjoining the old part. To show how the Catholic Church has prospered, it is stated that Father Bean had charge of seven different Churches, beside several appointments at pri- vate houses. Two of these Churches were in Sauk county, one in Crawford, and the rest in Richland. St. Mary's Church started with eight families; it now numbers eighty-five fam- ilies, and owns property valued at $15,000. Father Koenig also has charge of the Church at Richland Center, being assisted in his labors by Father Joseph Bush.

Father Henry Koenig, the popular pastor of the St. Mary's Church, was born in the city of Heiligenstadt, Prussia, Germany, Oct. 7, 1835. Ile studied first in his own native city, and fin- ished his education at the city of Rome. Ile went to Ireland and was ordained as a Catholic priest at Carlow College, on the 9th day of May, 1859. After a sojourn of a few weeks in Ireland he came to America, and was assigned to a Church at Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Ind. He remained there seven years, and then went to Wilmar, Pulaski county. From there he went to Kansas, and returning east located at Toronto, Canada, where he remained until tak- ing charge of the St. Mary's Church, in Janu- ary, 1878. Father Koenig's parents never came to America. IFis father died Jan. 29, 1382, at the ripe old age of eighty-three. His mother is still living in Prussia, seventy-five years of age. He has a sister that is teaching in Urso- line Convent, Jeffersonville, Ind.

The Bear Valley union church was erected in 1874, by the people in the vicinity. It is a neat frame structure and cost about $2,400. It is located on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 11, town 9, range 2 east. The church is free to all denominations. There is no organization, but Rev. S. B. Loomis

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

preaches here. He is liberal in his views, and his sermons are listened to with interest.

Adjoining the church grounds is a cemetery, which was laid out in 1860. An association was formed in the neighborhood for the pur- pose. The first officers were: A. G. Burnham, president; J G. Carpenter, treasurer, and J. M. Thomas, secretary. The officers of the asso- ciation in 1883 were: Benjamin Winterburn, president; William Dixon, treasurer, and J. M. Thomas, secretary.

A Lutheran Church was organized in 1862 at the school house on section 30 by Rev. Simon Spyker. It had fourteen members, as follows: Samuel Davis and wife; Samuel S. Davis and wife; Samuel Stofer and wife; J. G. Marden and wife; Harriet Cass, Rosanna Spyker and O. V. Davis. Rev. Spyker has been the pastor of this Church since its organization. In 1869 it changed its form of government and became a Congregational Church. For several years they met for worship in the school house, but since the erection of the union church, services have been held there. The society now has forty-three members. The present deacons are: O. V. Davis, S. S. Davis and O. R. Jaquish. The trustees are: S. J. Freeborn, O. V. Davis and C. A. Hatch.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in the town was taught in The Ark in 1851 by Susan McCaw.

The first school house in this town was built in 1851 in the present village of Sextonville. The rafters and studding were made of hewn tamarack poles. . Margaret Ingram taught the first school.

School district No. I embraces the village of Sextonville, and a history of it appears in con- neetion with the history of the village.

The first school in district No. 2 was taught in a log house, owned by William Harris, on the northwest quarter of section 1, town 9, range 2, in the summer of 1855. The teacher was Mary Dyke. During the same summer a a substantial frame house was erected on the

southeast quarter of the northeast quarter section 2. Isaac Peckham was the first teacher in this building. In 1859 the dis- triet was divided and a log school house was built on the southeast quarter of section 26, in which Jane Giles first wielded the ferule. Two or three years later the school house was removed to the southeast quarter of the north- east quarter of section 36, where it remained several years and was then moved to the north- west quarter of section 36. It was in use here two years, when the territory was again attached to distriet No. 2. Arthur Ochner is the present teacher.

School district No. 4 is a joint district. The first school house in this district was erected in 1852 on the northeast quarter of seetion 30. Cordelia A. Bush was the first teacher. There were eight scholars in the district at the time. The old school house remained in use until dur- ing the war, when a larger house was erected on the old site.

In 1859 a portion of the district was set off and a school was taught in Joshua Crapser's granery, on section 28, Belle Britton being the teacher. In 1859 a school house was ereeted on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of seetion 28. Sarah Telfair was the first teacher in this house. This district was known as No. 11, and its organization continued in ex- istence until 1875, when the territory was attached to other districts and district No. 11 was abolished.

Distriet No. 6 is also a joint district. The first school house in this district was erected in 1856. Dr. Sippy and Abel Reagles gave the lumber and all of the neighbors turned out and put up the building on the southwest quarter of section 4. Charlotte Smith and Rebecca Mc. Cloud, now the wife of Valentine Stoddard, were the first teachers. The old house was in use but a short time when it was replaced by a larger and more expensive building. Edward Long was the first teacher in this building. The present teacher is Johanna Stoddard.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

In joint district No. 5 the first school house was erected in 1860, being located on the east half of the south vest quarter of section 6. Mrs. Helen Smith was the first teacher. The school building has since been moved to its present location on the east half of the northwest quar- ter of section 7. J. W. Manley is the present teacher.

The first school in district No. 7 was taught in Amasa Grover's granary by Sarah Etta Per- rin in 1855. There were less than a dozen scholars in attendance. The following spring the district erected a frame house on the south- west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 17. Miss Perrin was also the first teacher in this house. This building was used for school purposes until 1877, when a new house was erected. Della Welton was the first teacher in the new building. Frank Smith is the present teacher.

The first school house in district No. 10 was a log one erected in 1861 on section 14. Mil- ton Derrickson was the first teacher. This house was used until 1869, since which time the district has rented a room of the St. Mary's congregation at Keysville.

The first school house in district No. 12 was built in 1860. It was of logs, and located on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 2. Olivia Hays was the first teacher. The house which was first erected was used for school purposes until 1880, when a neat frame building was put up near the old site. Libbie Ward was the first teacher in the new house. The present teacher is Francis W. Jaquish.

ORGANIC.

The town of Ithaca was organized in 1856. At a meeting held on the Ist of April at the Thomas school house, the following officers were elected: Board of supervisors, William Harmon, chairman, J. C. Foote and S. H. Doo- little; clerk, Luther Irish; treasurer, James Boyd; superintendent of schools, D. L. Hub- bard; justices of the peace, William Crutsen- burg, S. 11. Doolittle and D). W. Dodge; asses- !

sors, (there were three elected) George Math- ews, D. F. Carpenter and Joseph Post; consta- bles, James Boyd, Stephen Reagles and John Wallace; inspector of weights and measures, George Richards. The elerk of the meeting was R. S. Eldred. The inspectors of the elec- tion were Jaeob Krouskop, chairman, William II. Davis and D. L. Carpenter.

At the annual town meeting held in April, 1883, the following were chosen as town officials for the ensuing year: Supervisors, Albert Miss- lich, chairman, J. G. Lamberson and A. Grover; elerk, J. R. Shaw; treasurer, T. Sippy; assessor, George II. Turner; justices, L. Grail, William Dixon and A. H. Dow; constables, E. F. Howe, R. A. Hammond and John E. Schmitz.

RICHLAND COUNTY NURSERY.

This nursery was started in 1868 by S. J. Freeborn, at his home on section 20. In 1871 he was joined by A. L. Hatch, and a partnership was formed between these two gentlemen for carrying on the business. At this time the nursery was removed to sections 22 and 27, where sixty acres were purchased, forty of which were improved. Since that time other tracts of land have been purchased until they now have 160 acres, the most of which they use. Both of these gentlemen have separate orchards, aside from the nursery, Mr. Freeborn having 3,500 trees and A. L. Hlatch, 2,000. The firm has been very successful in their business, and much credit is due to them for their energy and en- terprise in the establishment and prosecution of this beneficial and much needed industry.

TWIN BLUFFS POSTOFFICE.

This office was established in June, 1883, with Chages Pierce as the first postmaster. He keeps the office at his house near the station. The office receives four mails per day.

KEYSVILLE POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice bearing this name was estab- lished in April, 1872, and Paul Misslich was commissioned postmaster. It was then on the Lone Roek and Le Valle route, and mail was received three times each week. It is still on

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the same mail route, but mail is now received daily. Mr. Misslich is still postmaster and keeps the office at his house on section 14.

BEAR VALLEY POSTOFFICE.

'T'his office was originally established in Sauk county at an early day, taking its name from the creek of that name. About 1860 the office was moved to the town of Ithaca, and John Price was commissioned as postmaster. He kept the office at his house, on section 36. The office at that time was on the mail route from Lone Rock to Ironton, and mail was received twice each week from both ways. Mr. Price in a few years was succeeded by John A. Shontz, as postmaster, who is the present incumbent. The office is kept at his house on section 36. Mail is now received every day.

THE VILLAGE OF PETERSBURG.

In 1855 Peter Haskins laid out a village on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 25, to which he gave the name, Petersburg; suggested, it is presumed, by his first name.

Shortly afterward a Mr. Beard bought three village lots and opened a grocery store, and in connection made the sale of whisky a specialty. After he had run the business for a year or so, he was taken sick with the typhoid fever and died.

There was no other sign of business life here until after the close of the war, when A. Ded- erich opened the store, which is still in opera- tion. He now runs a wagon, blacksmith and shoeshop, and also keeps a public house at this point.

In 1871 Joseph Ochsner, John Little and David Dudgeon erected a flour mill on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 36, adjoining the site of the village of Petersburg. They put up a builling, 26x38 feet in size, two stories high, and equipped it with three run of buhrs and other necessary machinery for making first-class flour. The dam was built of earth and timber and secured seven and a half feet fall of water. Joseph

Ochsner and Boorman are the present owners of the property and they rent it. It is now run as a custom mill.

THE VILLAGE OF NEPTUNE.

Dr. Joseph Sippy platted a village on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 4, in 1855, to which he gave the name of Neptune. At the time there was a log house upon the site belonging to Daniel Gwin.

In 1854 Stephen Ragles opened a store here in a building that he had erected for the purpose. He soon made an addition to the building and opened a tavern called the Neptune House. In 1856 he closed up his business and went to Sextonville.

The Neptune postoffice was established in 1854, with Dr. Joseph Sippy as postmaster. The office was named by the authorities at Washington. It was on a route from Sexton- ville, and mail was received once each week. Dr. Sippy was succeeded as postmaster by R. J. Taplin, and then came John Sippy. The latter gentleman resigned and moved away, and as no one would accept the office it was finally discontinued.

In 1853 Dr. Sippy commenced the erection of a saw mill at Neptune, which was completed during the following year. It was furnished with an "up and down saw." A dam of brush and dirt was thrown across Big Willow creek, which secured six and a half feet fall of water. In May, 1866, Rufus Taplin bought the property and has run the mill since that time. The dam has been washed out several times since then, but the present substantial stone dam, which was built by Mr. Taplin, bids fair to be per- manent. In 1883 he added a feed mill which is quite a convenience to the people in the vicinity.

In 1862 Rev. Thurston, a Methodist Episco- pal clergyman, preached at the school house in Neptune and organized a class with about twenty members. Among them were the fol- lowing: Joseph W. Jaquish and wife, David Jaquish, Mrs. Olive Dupee, Dr.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Joseph Sippy and wife, Nathan Jaquish and wife, and Julia Weston. Joseph W. Jaquish was elected class leader. Among the pastors who at times presided over the little society were Rev. C. Cook and Mr. Harvey. As time rolled by the members moved away and died, and finally the class dropped out of ex- istence.

THE VILLAGE OF ITHACA.

This is a very pleasantly located hamlet on section 17. It has never been platted; but busi- ness honses have collected about the spot and it is now a good point for trade, being sur- rounded by a wealthy and prosperous class of farmers.

In 1865 James Spickard opened a harness shop on the present site of the village. This was the first sign of business life at this point. In 1865 Mr. Spickard opened the first store in the village, keeping groceries, dry goods and a general assortment of merchandise. He is still in trade here. Mr. Spickard only contin- ued to run his harness shop for two years.

Samuel Stover, in 1867, opened the second harness shop and is still in business.

The first blacksmith was William Krouse. who opened a shop at this point in 1867. Ile was in business five or six years, when he was succeeded by D. W. Bear, a first-class workman. Mr. Bear was in business here about four years. He is now located at Rodolf's mill, in the town of Eagle, and is doing an extensive business, running a hardware and grocery store in con- nection with his blacksmith shop. The shop at Ithaca changed hands several times within a year, and then George Bear bought it and con- tinued in business until the fall of 1883, when II. II. Spyker, the present blacksmith, pur- chased it.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 152

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