History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 157

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 157
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 157

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).

Harvey Gillingham, a native of Ohio, came here in the spring of 1852 and entered land on sections 11 and 12. He erected a log cabin on the southwest quarter of section 12, and re- mained here until he died.

Lonis and Nelson Muso, Canadian French- men, came here in 1853. Lonis located on the southeast quarter of section 13; and Nelson bought the claim of A. P. Hyde, on section 24. They remained here a few years, then sold out and moved away.

In the fall of 1853 William Minett and John Graham, natives of England, came from Roek Co., Wis., and made the first settlement on Horse creek, in the town of Marshall. Wil- liam Minett estered land on seetion 35. John Graham, for himself and others, entered land on sections 34 and 35. The two then returned to Rock county and remained until October, 1854, when they came back accompanied by Thomas and Charles Graham and James Ward. Mr.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Minett settled on the land which he had en- tered and still lives there. John Graham settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 34, where he improved a farm, erected a stone house and lived until after the close of the war. He now resides in the town of Hen- rietta. Thomas Graham settled on the south- west quarter of section 35 and is still a resi- dent. Charles Graham and James Ward both settled upon the farms on section 35, where they still live.

Thomas Knouse came from Ohio in 1854, and located on seetion 4. A few months later he sold to Jacob Ream and moved away. Ream came from Indiana. He remained here several years, then sold out and removed to Nebraska.

Martin Copenhefer, a native of Ohio, came from Indiana in 1854 and entered land on sec- tion 3. He improved a farm and lived here until 1880, when he sold his property and moved to Spring Valley.

Edward Pinnick, a native of Ohio, came here in 1854 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 6. Two years later he sold out and re- moved to the town of Henrietta, where he erected a saw-mill and laid out the village of Yuba. He has since removed to Nebraska.

R. Brewer, a native of Vermont, purchased the land which Pinniek had claimed, on section 6, in the town of Marshall. He cleared about twenty-five acres and lived here until 1866, when he sold out and removed to the town of Dayton where he still lives.

Jonathan Totten, a native of Ohio, came here in 1854 and settled on section 3, where he lived until the time of his death. His son Oliver now owns the homestead.

Arthur Cook, a native of Pennsylvania, came here from Ohio in the fall of 1852 and entered the southwest quarter of section 31, where he still lives.

Benjamin W. Queen, also a native of Penn- sylvania, came at about the same time and en- tered land on section 8. When the war broke

out he enlisted and died in the service. The family still occupy the old homestead.

John Hart, a native of Ohio, came in the fall of 1854 and entered land on section 1l. He improved a farm and lived there until the time of his death.

Daniel Noble, a Scotchman, came here from Ohio in 1854 and entered the northwest quarter of section 3. Ile still owns the land but lives with his son on section 24.

Henry Merrill, a native of Ohio, in 1854 en- tered land on section 15. In March, 1855, he settled upon the land, where he still lives.

Joseph Benton, Sr., a native of Scotland, came here from Ohio in 1834 and settled on seetion 12, where he lived until the time of his death. His son Joseph came the following year and located on section 14, where he still lives.

Richard Caddell, a native of the State of New York, came from Ohio in 1854, and bought land on section 22. He settled here in 1956, and remained until the war broke out, when he enlisted and died in the service. The family still occupy the old homestead.

The first settlement on what is known as English Ridge, was made by James Brightman, a native of England, who came here from Wal- worth county in 1854, and entered land on sec- tions 27 and 34. He settled here in the spring of 1855, but a few months later sold to John McKy and moved to section 28. Mr. Bright- man now lives in Richland Center.

In the fall of 1854 John Anderson, a former sailor, came here from Walworth county, and entered land on section 28. He shortly after- ward sold to James Brightman and removed to Illinois. He now lives in Iowa.

John Donegan, an Irishman, came from Illi- nois in 1854 and entered a traet of land on see- tion 34. After a time be was appointed post- master of the Buckeye postoffice, he got into trouble, was convicted of robbing the mails and sent to the State penitentiary at Waupun. Upon his release he removed to Janesville.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Among those who came in 1855 and secured homes were the following: Daniel Slusser, Ilenry Kepler, Alanson Clark, Joseph Kerby, George Davis, William Coulter, T. Knapp, Joseph Moon, William Richards, John and Abraham Harris.

Daniel Slusser came from Indiana. IIe lo- cated on section 9, where he remained a few years, then sold out and removed to his former home.

Henry Kepler was a native of Pennsylvania, but came here directly from Ohio. He entered land on section 30, where he still lives. His son, William F., came at the same time and entered land on section 31. Ilis home is now on section 30. Joseph, another son, lives in the town of Marshall, and Sylvester, another, re- sides at Boaz.

Alanson Clark, a native of Ohio, came here in 1855 and bought land of John Fogo, on sec- tion 12. There he lived until the time of his death.

Joseph Kerby was a native of the State of Maryland, but came here from Indiana. Ile entered land on section 30, where he still lives.

George Davis was a native of Virginia. He came from Indiana during 1855 and selected land on section 30, where he still lives.

William Coulter, a native of Ohio, came from Indiana in the fall of 1855 and entered the northwest quarter of section 7, where he still lives.

T. Knapp came here from Ohio in 1855 and settled on section 18. A few years later he sold that place and settled on section 31. Ile now resides in the town of Rockbridge.

Joseph Moon and William Richards were natives of England. Mr. Moon entered land on section 27, where he still lives. Mr. Rich- ards also selected land on section 27. lle re- mained there until the time of his death; and the family still ocenpy the old homestead.

John Harris and son, Abraham, natives of England, came here from Walworth county in November, 1855. The father entered 200 acres

of land on section 28, and is still a resident. Abraham remained here until the time of his death.

Joseph Conkel, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1855 and settled on the southeast quar- ter of seetion 29. He improved the land and remained for a number of years; then traded the property for a farm in the town of Dayton, where he still lives.

William Ewers, a native of Ohio, also came in 1855. Hle settled on section 31. His present residence is in the town of Dayton.

Patrick Redington, a native of Indiana, came at an early day and settled on section 7, where he still lives.

William Hall, a native of Virginia, came here in 1856 and settled on section 4. He is now in business at Chicago.

Thomas G. Ewers, a native of Virginia, came from Ohio in 1856 and settled on the southwest quarter of section 29 lle lived there until the time of his death.

Thomas Parsons, an Englishman, came here in 1856 and purchased land on section 28, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 187e.

Abraham Elliott was another early setter. lle came from the southern part of the county in 1859 and located on section 17. A few years later he sold to Joseph Berkshire.

FIRST THINGS.

The first birth in the town was that of Maria, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (MeCannon) Marshall, born April 25, 1852. The girl grew to womanhood and married William Russell, of Carroll Co., Ohio. Her husband is dead, but she still lives there.

Probably the first death in the town was that of Simon Marshall, who died in the summer of 1855. On the 25th of December, 1855, his mother, Mrs. James Marshall, died. They were bo h buried on seetion 9.

Joseph McCoy, a native of Pennsylvania, was the first blacksmith in the town. He opened a shop here in 1856 and did horse shoeing, general I repair work and manufactured plows. He re-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

mained here until 1857, when he went to Ver- non (then Bad Ax) county. When the war broke out he enlisted and died in the service.

The first mercantile business in the town was carried on by Joseph Marshall, who sold goods for George Kronskop, and also handled gin- seng.

MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES.

In 1855 Thomas Marshall erected a saw-mill on the northwest quarter of section 14. The power was derived from the north branch of Fancy creek, the water being carried to the mill through a race a quarter of a mile in length. An old fashioned "up and down" saw was put in. The mill could only be run during warm weather, and did but little business in the five years of its existence.

In 1857 William Saltsman erected a saw-mill on the southwest quarter of section 19, equip- ping it with an "up and down" saw. The power was derived from Mill creek. The water was carried through a race 130 rods in length. The mill commenced operation in November, 1858, and continued until 1870, when it was de- stroyed by fire. Mr Saltsman rebuilt the mill and put in a circular saw. In 1880 he sold the property to William Kepler, who put in new machinery, built a log dam and changed the race so that it is now only sixty rods in length.

In 1868 Sylvester Kepler erected a earding mill on the northwest quarter of seetion 31. The power is derived from Mill creek, a dam having been constructed of logs and stone, se- curing six feet head of water. The mill is furnished with a carding machine and picker, and is operated during the summer seasons.

In 1871 [or 1872], John and J. G. Ewers erected a flour mill on section 31 of the town of Marshall. A two story frame building was erected, and the mill was equipped with one run of buhrs and the other necessary machin- ery for the manufacture of flour. Mill creek furnishing the power by which the mill is run, a dam of earth and lumber having been con-

structed which secures eight feet head of water. It is run as a custom mill.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in the town of Marshall was taught in 1855 by Susan Wanlass, now the wife of John Blair, in a small log building erected for the purpose by the people in the neighbor- hood. It stood on land owned by Joseph Ben- ton, on the southwest quarter of seetion 14. The building was put up at a "bee." The floor was made of puncheons, the roof of bark and the building had no door. Only one term was taught in this building. In 1857 a house was erected of hewn logs on the northwest quarter of seetion 13, in which Mary Marshall taught the first school. This building was used until 1868, when a frame house was erect- ed on the southwest quarter of section 13. J. H. Ewing taught the first school in this building. This is a "union district."

The first school house in district No. 2 was ereeted in 1856 on seetion 4. This building was also put up by a "neighborhood bee." The roof was covered with shakes. William Me- Millan was the first teacher. The house was moved to the northeast quarter of seetion 9, where it was in use until 1883, when a neat frame building was erected on the southeast quarter of section 4. Robert R. Benton taught the first school in this building.

Joint district No. I embraces territory in the towns of Marshall, Bloom and Rockbridge. It was organized in 1866 and a log school house was erected on the southeast quarter of seetion 2. John Mathews taught the first term of school in this house. In 1882 a large frame building was erected on the old site in which William E. Gillingham was the first teacher.

The first school in district No. 3 was taught by John B. Covil in 1866 in a small building erected for the purpose. This building was a primitive affair. Posts were driven into the ground and plank nailed to them; while the roof was covered with plank. But one term of school was taught in this building. The second

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

term was taught by G. W. Putnam in his log house. In 1867 a substantial hewn log build- ing was erected on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 6, in which G. W. Putnam was the first teacher.

The first school in district No. 4 was held in the pioneer log cabin of William Saltsman, on the southwest quarter of section 19; the teacher being Benjamin Doudna. This was in the winter of 1860-1. During the following year a school house was erected on the southeast quar- ter of section 19, in which Elam Bailey taught the first term of school.

'The first school house in district No. 8 was erected in 1857, on section 27. Amanda Creed was the first teacher. The old school house was in use until 1866, when the present school building was erected on the southwest quarter of section 27. Cordelia Daggett was the first teacher in the present school house.

The first school house in district No. 9 was erected in 1857. It was a hewn log building, located on the southwest quarter of section 29. Martha J. Clark was the first teacher. This school house was used until 1866, when a frame house was erected on the northwest quarter of section 32, ih which Mary Ward taught the first term of school.

RELIGIOUS.

During the year 1857, religious services were held at the house of Joseph Kerby, by Rev. Thomas Mason, from Woodstock. A Methodist Episcopal class was organized here with about. seventeen members, among whom were the fo]- lowing: Joseph Kerby and wife, and daughter Rachel, Lewis Huff and William Saltsman and wife. The class kept up their organization for a few years only, meeting at private houses and at the school house on section 29. James Lake and Elder Walker were among the preacher> who served the class.

United Brethren Church of Pleasant Valley. Services of this denomination were held in an early day at the house of J. II. Hindman, on

section 2, and also at the residence of Richard Hampton. Among the first members of the Church were Joseph Benton, Jr., and wife, .I. HI. Hindman and wife, Richard Hampton and wife and Harvey Gillingham and wife. In 1859 a log church edifice was erected on the northeast quarter of section 2. A few years later this building was moved further south, but on the same section. Here the congregation worshiped until 1881, when a neat church edifice was erected on the southeast quar- ter of the northwest quarter of section 13, at a cost of $2,000. Rev. Nathaniel Smith was one of the first preachers for the society. Since then the following have filled the pulpit: Revs. Howard, Mabbitt, Sutton, Kite, Reed, Alderman, Pound, Bovee, Whitney, Elder Nickey and J. W. Reed. The latter is the present pastor. In 1884 Elias Gillingham was class leader and the society numbered 126 members. There is a Sabbath school in con- nection with this Church, which is in flourish- ing condition. Thomas Gillingham is the pres- ent superintendent.

English Ridge United Brethren Church. The first meetings of this denomination were held at the house of John MeKy in the fall of 1857. Jeremiah Payne was the first preacher, and un- der his administration a d'ass was organized with about nineteen members. Among the number were the following : Abraham Harris and wife, Mary Richards, Jacob Hoffman and wife, and John McKy and wife. A. Harris was the first class-leader. The class met in various private houses until the school house was built, when services were held in that. I Ist they erected a frame church edifice on the south- west quarter of section 27. Among those who have preached for this class are the following : Revs. George Kite, James Howard, G. H. Mah- bitt, Henry Smith. A. W. Alderman, L. Pound, E. Bovee, A. J. Hood, A. Whitney and G. G. Nickey. Rev. J. W. Reed is the present pas- tor and Joseph Moon is the class leader. The class now has a membership of about forty.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The Presbyterian Church of Faney Creek was organized at the house of Alanson Clark, June 11, 1859, by Rev. J. H. Mathers. The follow- ing is a complete history of the Church from its organization. It was published in the Republi- can-Observer, Jan. 17, 1884:

"Through the assistance of Messrs. Angus Smith, L. T. Janney and P. M. Smith, who have compiled the same from the Church records and gathered from those living within the bounds of the Church at the time of its organization, we are enabled to publish the following history and incidents of the Presbyterian Church of Fancy Creek, from its inception down to the present, embracing a period of almost twenty- nine years. From a letter received by Mr. An- gus Smith from Rev. J. H. Mathers, the first Presbyterian minister in this region, who or- ganized this Church and preached to it for sey- eral years, and who is still held in grateful re- membrance by the people, which was intended to be read on the occasion of the recent dedica- tion of the new church, a full account of which was given in this journal last week, but which was not received in time, we make the following extract. He says: 'In June, 1855, I heard of a family of Presbyterians on Fancy Creek by the name of Noble; I started in search of them. I went to the county seat and inquired of Israel Janney, register of deeds; he knew nothing of them but directed me to Mr. Wad- dell, near the month of Fancy Creek. He informed me that a man of that name had staid with him one time when on a trip to Orion for supplies. lle directed me to 'Squire Joe Marshall, of Fancy Creek, for information. He knew the family and gave directions by which I might find them. I wandered through the woods by a path, and my attention was at- tracted by a company of men raising a house. I then little imagined that in that log cabin which this more pretentious house was to super- cede, the Presbyterian Church of Fancy Creek would afterwards be organized, but it was so. It was Mr. Alanson Clark's house which the

neighbors were engaged in raising.' We give these few extracts to show how new the country was at that time and the difficulties Mr. Mathers had to contend with. He found the family he was in search of, and who are now life-long friends. Rev. J. H. Mathers preached at Mr. Noble's and Alanson Clark's every three or four weeks until the year 1859, at which time, pre- vious notice having been given, those friendly to the organization of a Presbyterian Church assembled at the house of Mr. Clark on the 11th of June, 1859, and adopted measures to se- eure such an organization. After a sermon preached by Rev. Mathers, the following per- sons united in the formation of a Church to be known as the Presbyterian Church of Fancy Creek, to be in connection with the Presbytery of Dane, now Wisconsin River Presbytery: Alanson Clark, Mrs. Elizabeth Clark, Nan- ey Clark, John K. Polk, Mrs. Catharine Polk, Daniel Noble, Mrs. Margaret Noble, Mrs. Jane Fogo, Mary Wanless, Mrs. Eliza Merrill, T. M. Ocheltree and Mary Mc! on- ald by letter; and Mrs. Ann Marshall and Mrs. Mary Caddell on profession of faith. An elec- tion of ruling elders was entered into, which resulted in the choice of Alanson Clark and Daniel Noble, who were set apart on the next day, being Sunday, June 12, 1859, to that office in the presence of the congregation. On July 16, 1859, the session met at the call of the mod- erator, Rev. Mathers, and Daniel Noble was chosen clerk of session, which office he held for many years. Mrs. Lilly Clark was ad- mitted to membership by letter at this meeting.

Of the original fourteen members at the for- mation of the Church there are only five living. Their names are: John K. Polk, who is very old and feeble, not able to attend Church ; Daniel Noble, Mary Wanless, who is now Mrs. Mary Clark, Mrs. Eliza Merrill and Mrs. Mary Caddell.

"The first persons baptized after the formation of the Church, according to records, was Mrs. Mary Caddell and her infant children, Sydney

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and Rachel. The first communion was adminis- tered to the Church Sunday, July 17, 1859.

"On March 19, 1860, there was a congrega- tional meeting held at the house of Alanson Clark for the purpose of electing trustees to take charge of the temporalities of the Church. Rev. J. H. Mathers was chosen president, and A. Clark was chosen elerk. The election resulted in the choice of Daniel Noble, T. M. Ocheltree and Angus Smith. The persons present at this, the first congregational meeting were: A. Clark, Elizabeth Clark, Nancy Clark, John Clark, Alexander Clark, John Fogo, John Hart, Daniel Noble, D. McDonald, Donald Smith, John K. Polk, Joseph Benton, Sr., Arch- ibald Wanless, Mrs. Susan Blair, John Blair and John Wanless.

"Sometime during the spring of 1860 the question of the location of a church site and cemetery was taken into consideration, result- ing in the choice of the present location. A meeting was held Jan. 28, 1861, at Marshall school house, to adopt measures for er cting a church. It was determined to build a newod log church, 26x30 feet, and to meet on the 7th day of February to cut and hew the logs. On the day set, the people cut and hewed the logs and Messrs. Angus Smith, Harvey Marshall and Wallace Fogo.hanled them to the site. Some- time in June, 1861, it was raised and enclosed as fast as possible. Afterwards it was used for services during the summer and partly comple- ted late in the fall, but was not fully completed for one or two years. Before the erection of this church services were held at the private houses of A. Clark, Daniel Noble, John Fogo, Henry Merrill, John Wanless, J. K. Polk, and sometimes in the barns of Joseph Marshall and John Hart, and later in the old log school house near where the United Brethren church now stands, on land then owned by Joseph Mar- shall."

The log church was located on the northeast quarter of section 14. This building was used until the summer of 1883. In July, 1583, the

society commenced the erection of a large frame church near the old site, which was soon completed. It is 30x50 feet in size, eighteen foot posts, and is valued at $2,000.

The Church has had for its pastors since its organization, Revs. J. H. Mathers, who was its pastor for several years, J. M. Reid, Peter Dougherty, Lemuel Leonard, John Irwin, T. G. Pearce and II. G. Denison, who is now supply- ing the pulpit in connection with Richland Center. All the pastors are still living except the lamented Mr. Reid, who lost his life in a runaway accident in Ohio several years ago. The present elders are Angus Smith, Daniel Noble and L. T. Janney. L. T. Janney is elerk.

At an early day a Sabbath school was organ- ized in connection with this Church. Carrie Morrow is the present superintendent.

The Ash Ridge Regular Baptist Church was organized Aug. 9, 1873, by Rev. N. L. Sweet, with six members. The following were the first members: G. W. Putnam and wife, Mrs. Mary E. Emery, Mrs. J. M. Marshall, Mrs. A. A. Hutton and George H. Putnam. G. W. Putnam was elected deacon, and George II. Putnam clerk. This took place at the school house in district No. 3. The society continued to worship at the school house until 1877, when a hewn log church, 20x28 feet in size, was erected on the southeast quarter of section 6. Rev. George D. Stevens was the first regular pastor. Succeeding him came Rovs. N. H. Slater, E. J. Stevens, W. S. Sweet, Eller Cha- pin and Alfred Prouty. The latter is the pres- ent pastor. The class has flourished, and now has twenty-five members.

A Sabbath school was organized in 1871, at the school house, with G. W. Putnam as super- intendent. Ile has since held that position. The school meets every Sunday, and has an av- crage attendance of twenty.

In the fall of 1882 Rev. Elihu Bailey organ- ized a class at the Lowry school house, on see- tion 19. There were fourteen members, as follows: B. H. Thomas and wife, Francis

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Harris and wife, Mrs. Joseph Berkshire, Mar- tha Robbins, W. F. Myers and wife, William T. Blazer and wife, Francis Lowry and wife, and David Reid and wife. B. II. Thomas was chosen class leader, and Francis Harris, stewart. Soon after organization the class erected a log church building on section 20. Rev. Bailey has been pastor since the organization of the class. There is a Sabbath school organization in connection with this class, of which Martha Robbins is superintendent.

MILL CREEK POSTOFFICE.

Mill Creek postoffice was first established in the town of Sylvan, with Thomas A. Merrill as postmaster. A few years later Henry Kepler was appointed postmaster, and kept the office at his house on section 31 in the town of Mar- shall. The office was on the mail route from Tomah to Muscoda, mail being received twice each week. R. H. Bond succeeded Mr. Kepler as postmaster and kept the office at his residence, on section 25, in the town of Sylvan. The next postmaster was Alvin S. Bailey, and the office was removed to section 34, in the town of Marshall. John Ewers succeeded Mr. Bailey and kept the office on section 36, in the town of Sylvan, at his residence. L. D. Bailey was the next postmaster, and again the office was re- moved to the town of Marshall. John G. Ewers succeeded Mr. Bailey and is the present post- master.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 157

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