History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 160

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 160
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 160

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).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

he rented his farm and went to Missouri, with the intention of locating there. His family were not satisfied, and consequently they re- turned in the fall of the same year. In the spring of 1865 he purchased land on section 21, which place has since been his home. He is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, Aug. 31, 1810, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the sub- seription schools. He made his home with his parents until twenty-two years old, when he was married to Martha Peebless. She was born in Prince George Co., Va., Nov. 19, 1814. Ile then purchased a farm in the town of Warren, where he made his home until 1861, when he came to Richland county and settled in the town of Marshall. They have eight children living- Deborah, John, Thomas, Euphimia, Isaac, Wil- liam, Frank and Edgar. The eldest son, named Benjamin, was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1840. Ile enlisted in the army in June, 1862,in the 20th Wisconsin, company K. He was transferred to company G, and was killed at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862. Their son, John, who now has a farm on section 19, also did valiant service in the Union army. Their son Frank lives on the old homestead and carries on the farm. Ile was born in Bel- mont Co., Ohio, in July, 1856; was married Oct. 29, 1882, to Georgia, daughter of John and Elanora (Marshall) Ilart. They have one child-Leon Hart. The youngest son, Edgar, was born in Missouri. Mr. Doudna had filled the office of assessor in Ohio, so the duties were familiar to him when called upon here. This office he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people for many terms. He also has held the office of justice of the peace. Politically he is a democrat. Relig- iously he may be called a Liberal, and has no connection with any Church.

tarried but a short time and returned to Ma- honing Co., Ohio. Two years later he moved to Pennsylvania and lived until 1858, when he returned to Ohio, and remained until 1863. He then came to Marshall and settled on his land. lle was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Dec. 2, 1814. While he was quite young his parents removed to Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. Hle at first at- tended a subscription and afterward the public school, and acquired a fair education. Ile was married in 1842 to Elvina Steele, also a native of Beaver Co., Penn. She died in 1858, leaving five children-Joseph C., James R., and twins John O. and Olive, and Charles C. Olive is now the wife of Millard F. Hart. His present wife, to whom he was married in 1863, was Adeline Young, who was born in Ohio. They have two children-Emma Rena and William C.

W. O. Allison settled in Richland county in 1865. lle first purchased land on section 10, where he lived until 1872. He then bought land on section 16. In 1880 he purchased his present farm, which contains 240 acres, located on section 4. It is watered by Fancy creek. Ile was born in Belmont Co., Ohio. Ilis father was a carpenter and lived in different places, working at his trade, until 1850, when he went to California and spent two years, then returned and purchased a farm in Belmont county. In 1860 he disposed of this property and removed to the village of Fairview, where he resumed work at his trade. The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents until 1861, when, at the first call for troops, he became in- spired with patriotism, and, his parents being unwilling, he ran away from home and enlisted in company K, 17th Ohio Volunteers. After serving four months and five days he was dis- charged with the regiment and returned home. The 4th of October, of the same year, he again enlisted in the 74th Ohio, company K, and im- mediately went to the front with the regiment and served until the close of the war. Among

John Truesdale was one of the early explor- ers of Richland county. He first visited here in 1852 and entered land on section 25, town 11, range 1 west, now known as Marshall. He ! the many engagements in which he participated

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

are the following: Fort Henry, Nealy's Bend, Stone River, Tullahoma, Hoover's Gap and Mis- sionary Ridge, all in Tennessee. He was with Sherman on his ever memorable march through Georgia to the sea, thence through the Caro- linas to Washington, participating in the many hard-fought battles of that exciting campaign. He had veteranized Feb. 4, 1864. and was soon after appointed corporal, serving until the close of the war. He was not sick a day of the time and was discharged July 10, 1865. On his way home an accident occurred on the railroad, he was caught between two cars and held there for one and a half hours. ITis leg was broken and he was otherwise badly bruised, and in conse- quence was laid up for several months. Mr. Allison has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Penter, who was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, and died in 1872, leaving two chil- dren-Ida and James. His second wife was Agnes Pippin, who was born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind. Ilis parents were early settlers of the town of Bloom.

Hon. Philip Smith settled on his present farm in 1867. It is located on sections 13 and 24, in the Fancy creek valley. He was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (McDonald) Smith, was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 23, 1836, where he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, obtaining what education he could as opportunity offered in the public schools. In 1855 he visited Richland county, remained a short time, and returned to his former home where he remained a number of years and then started for the mountains. He visited Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. After this extended trip, and con- siderable experience with much travel, in 1865 he returned to Ohio. The following year Janet N. Smith became his wife, she was also a na- tive of Columbiana county. After this impor- tant event of his life he moved to Pennsylvania and engaged in mercantile business in the oil regions. Here he remained but a few months when he came to Marshall as before stated.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children -Emma A., Eliza M., Elizabeth .J., Mag- gie B., Edson A., Anna B. and Burkie Mabel. The first child, Emma A., was born Feb. 8, 1867, and died July 5, 1882. Mr. Smith is a public spirited man and has filled many positions of trust and honor in the county, and is at this time chairman of the town board. He has twice represented his district in the Legislature, being elected to that position in November, 1873, and in 1877. His second election was a public endorsement of his course and position, and was a well deserved compliment to a worthy man.

WVm. A. Balsley was born March' 4, 1847, in Washington Co., Penn. When six months old his parents, John S. and Julian Balsley, removed to Fox township, Carroll Co., Ohio, in the year 1865. Mr. Balsley joined the Presbyterian Church of Mechanicstown and Jan. 3, 1872, was married to Annie K. Twaddle, by the Rev. H. Y. Seepeier, at the residence of Wm. Kelly, Jr., a resident of Jefferson Co., Ohio. His wife was a member of United Presbyterian Church, of Yellow Creek, Ohio, with which she united when fifteen years old. On March 24, 1872, they boarded the cars at Salineville, Ohio, and on March 28, 1872, arrived at Lone Rock, Wis. On the 26th they took the stage to Richland Center, and in April, 1872, both united by letter with the Presbyterian Church of Fancy Creek. They removed to an old house on H. Marshall's land and lived there till June 17, 1872, and then moved into a cabin on land which Mr. Balsley had purchased. It was located on section 21. They lived there till May 18, 1883, then removed to their present residence. They are the par- ents of five sons, four living-John K., W. L., Addie J., and C. B. The second son, J. M., died at the age of two months, and is buried in the Fancy Creek grave yard.

Edmund B. Looker came to Richland county in 1872, and settled in the town of Marshall. He purchased the northeast quarter of section 6, about twenty-five acres of which was cleared.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

He has now seventy acres cleared. The farm has been rented the greater part of the time, while he has lived at ease. He is a na- tive of New York city, born Feb. 13, 1811. When but an infant, he was taken in charge by his grandparents, who lived in the town of Orange, Essex Co., N. J., gaining his education in a subscription school. When he was eleven years of age his grandfather died, and he found a home among strangers. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a shoemaker to learn the trade. After serving six years, he worked as a journeyman until the age of twenty-one, when he went to Cumberland Co., Penn., and opened a shoemaker's shop and continued the business for twenty years. He then moved to Ohio and settled in Fulton county, upon land having

water power upon it, in the town of Gorham. Ilere he built a saw-mill which he operated. He also cleared a farm. At the end of eight years he sold out, removed to Indiana, and purchased a farm in Union township, Adams county, also a sorghum mill, and engaged in making syrup, living there until 1872, at which date he came to Richland county. In 1835 Mr. Looker went to New York city on a combined business and social trip, making the journey the greater por- tion of the way on foot. He returned by steam- boat and rail, traveling on the only railroads in the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1853, he made a trip to northwestern Ohio by his own conveyance, being twenty days on the journey.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

TOWN OF ORION.

The town of Orion lies in the southern tier of towns the second from the east line of the connty, and is bounded on the north by Rich- land; on the east by Buena Vista; on the south by Iowa county, from which it is separated by the Wisconsin river, and on the west by Eagle. It embraces the territory of congressional town- ship 9 north, range 1 east, except the eastern tier of sections ; and also that portion of town- ship 8 north, range 1 east, which lies north of the Wisconsin river. The surface of the town is rather broken and inclined to be hilly; yet there are many fine farms here and an abund- ance of natural timber. A large part of the town is upon the rich bottom lands of the Wis- consin river, and no finer scenery, nor more fertile, fruitful land can be found. The census of 1880 gave the town a population of 733. There are 102 farms here in a good state of cultivation.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlers within the limits now com- prising the town of Orion were: John R. Smith and his son-in-law, Thomas Mathews, the former a native of Kentucky, the later of Ten- nessee. They came from Grant county, in October, 1842, and claimed fraction No. 6, town 8, range 1 west, and fraction No. 5, town 8, range 1 east, entering the land two or three years later. After they had entered the land, they sold a half interest to Orrin E. Barber, and laid out the village plat of the present vil- lage of Orion. The plat then laid upon frae- tion No. 5, town 8, range 1 east, and contained fourteen blocks of eight lots each. This was

the initial step of founding the village. Its history is treated at length in the proper place.

R. J. Darnall, a native of Kentucky, came in 1843, and located in Orion, entering land on section 19. He engaged in mercantile trade and also improved his farm. In 1856 he re- moved to the town of Forest, and for some years kept a hotel. He now lives in Illinois.

William Thompson, a native of Kentucky, came here from Missouri, in 1846, and made a claim on sections 14 and 15. IIe did not prove up on this place, but entered land on section 2, where he erected a saw-mill. In 1858 he sold ont and removed to Kansas. He now lives at Blue Rapids, Marshall Co., Kan., where he is engaged at farming.

William Mathews, a native of Illinois, came at about the same time as did Mr. Thompson. He entered land on section 32, where he lived for several years. He now lives in Missouri.

Green Mayfield, a native of Tennessee, came here from Iowa county in 1847, and made a elaim on section 4, entering the land a few years later. He settled there in March, 1848, and still occupies the place.

David Mayfield, also a native of Tennessee, came from Grant county in June, 1847, and en- tered land on sections 3 and 10. He improved the farm and made this his home until 1883, when he sold out; he now lives at Richland Center.

Carlos Joslyn, a native of Vermont, came here from Mineral Point in 1847 and settled on the southeast quarter of section 9. In 1848 he sold this place and removed to the southwest

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

quarter of section 10, remaining a resident of the town until 1853. He now lives with his son-in-law, L. Renick, in the town of IHenrietta.

W. II. Joslyn, a son of Carlos Joslyn, came here in 1848, and was a resident of the town until 1852. He now lives in Richland Center. He has held many positions of public trust and responsibility, and is a prominent man in county affairs.

In July, 1848, a party of Germans, consisting of Henry Sigrist and Henry and Frederick Scherman, came prospecting for land. After selecting land they returned and brought their families in August, of the same year. Henry Sigrist entered the south half of the southwest quarter of section 3. Henry Scherman selected land on sections 2 and 3, where he cleared a farm and lived until the time of his death. Frederick Scherman purchased land of Carlos Joslyn, on section 9, where he remained until the time of his death.

Walter Gage, a native of the State of New York, came here in 1849 and entered fraction No. 2, on section 34. He started a ferry there which, in 1850, he traded to James Law. Mr. Law erected a large frame house upon the land, which at that time was the largest house in the county. The place took the name of "Law's Ferry," and for years this was a land-mark to all settlers in this region.

Levi Houts, a native of Indiana, came here in 1849 from Muscoda, and entered land on see- tions 3 and 10, town 9, range I west. IIe now lives on section 31, town 9, range 1 east.

John Mainwaring, a native of Wales, in com- pany with his two sons, Daniel and John, came here from England, in 1849. Daniel died in April, 1850. The son, John, bought a claim from John Mathews on the southeast quarter of section 33, and entered the land. Ile lived there two years, then returned to England. In 1865 he came back and bought land on section 27, where he now lives. The father settled on John's land, on section 33, where he lived until

1865 when he went to live with his son, where he died in 1876.

Charles N. Kneefe, a native of Germany, came here in 1849 and settled on sections 14 and 15, having entered the land previous to this time. He lived there for several years and is now a resident of Dane county.

Alanson Hlurd, a native of the State of New York, came at about the same time and set- tled on the northwest quarter of section 3. Ile lived there a short time and then removed to the southeast quarter of section 10. He now lives in Vernon county.

Reason Barnes, a carpenter, by trade, came here in 1849, but in a short time removed to Boaz.

Dr. Jacob Brimer, a native of the State of New York, came here is 1851 and located on section 21. His home is now on section 2.

John Henry Demmer, a native of Germany, came here from Milwaukee in 1853 and pur- chased a claim of Alanson Ilurd on section 3. Ile entered the land from the government and still makes it his home.

Peter Bobb, a native of Maryland, came here from Pennsylvania in 1854 and purchased land on section 32, where he still lives.

Ilezekiah Jones, a native of Kentucky, came here from Indiana, in 1854. He selected land on section 10, where he still resides.

In the spring of 1854 Abram Miller, a native of Kentucky, came from Indiana and bought land of the Joslyns, on section 10. Ile still oc- cupies the place.

Henry Wilson, a native of Butler Co., Ohio, came from Indiana in the spring of 1854 and bought land on section 9, where he still resides.

Frederick Schmidt came from Germany in 1854 and bought land on section 16, where he lived until the time of his death.

Simon S. Blake, a native of Pennsylvania, came at about the same time and entered 120 acres of land on sections 17 and 18. He erected a log house on the latter section, improved a farm and still lives here.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

James Lewis, a native of Ohio, came in 1854 and located on section 7, where he still resides.

John Bobb, a native of Pennsylvania, came here in the spring of 1855 and bought land on section 32, where be cleared a farm and erected a neat house and barn. When the war broke out, he enlisted, and died in the service. The only child he left, a son, now lives in Nebraska.

John Hamilton, a native of Pennsylvania, came from there in the spring of 1855 and lo- cated in the village of Orion, where he still lives.

After this time the settlement became more rapid, and the vacant land in the town was soon taken by an enterprising class of pioneers who have all done their share toward developing the natural resources of the town. Many of these are noticed elsewhere, so it will be unnecessary to make further reference to them in this con- nection.

FIRST THINGS.

The first birth in the town of Orion, as well as the first in the eastern portion of the county, was that of Mary Mathews. She was born Nov. 13, 1843, and was a daughter of Thomas and Catharine Mathews. She married Sanford Miller, and remained in Orion for a number of years, then removed to the town of Forest, where she died in 1870. She left three chil- dren, two of whom are now living at Reeds- burg.

The first child of German parentage born in the town, was Henry, a son of Henry and Caro- line Sigrist, born April 24, 1849. He is now married, and is still a resident of the town.

The first marriage in the town was that of Joseph Parrish to Catharine McClellan, the ceremony being performed by J. R. Smith, a justice of the peace. They were a runaway couple from Muscoda. They lived in Orion for a time, then moved to Muscoda. The husband finally died in the town of Eagle, where he had been keeping a saloon.

One of the first deaths in the town was that of John Nipple, who died in about 1850. The remains were buried in the cemetery at Orion.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in district No. 1 was taught by Mrs. David Mayfield, at her house, in 1851. Mrs. Alanson Hurd taught the next term of school. In 1858 a log house was erected on section 10. This school house was in use for several years, and was then replaced by a neat frame building.

The school house in district No. 4, which is located on section 8, was erected in 1858. Da- vid Wacker was one of the first teachers in this building.

The first school in district No. 5 was taught in 1858 by Simon S. Blake, in a frame building erected during the same year on the eastern part of section 19. During the war the organi- zation of the district was abandoned and the territory was attached to other districts. In 1865 the district was re-organized and a hewn log school house was erected, in which Sarah Gaston was the first teacher. In the winter of 1881-2 a new building was erected in which Julia Thompson taught the first school.

The first school in district No. 7 was taught by Lucita Law during the war. The district had purchased a building that had been erected for school purposes on section 34, but there were then but few settlers in the neighborhood, and they could not support a school, so the building was sold to district No. 7 to raise money to pay the teacher. The building was moved to the southwest quarter of section 32, where it was used for school purposes until 1880, when a neat frame building was erected a quarter of a mile east of the old site. Ada Bobb was the first teacher in the present house. Minnie Lawrence is the present teacher.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services in the northern part of the town were held in the old log school house on section 10, by Rev. Mr. Pryor, but no organization was effected at that time.

. .

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Rev. Josiah Burlingame preached in the same building and held protracted meetings in an early day. He organized a Methodist Episco- pal class, among the first members of which were: Green Mayfield and wife; Alanson Ilurd and wife; Charles Frye and wife and David Mayfield and wife. Charles Frye was chosen class leader. For a time the class met for wor- ship in a building on seetion 4, which belonged to Green Mayfield, and later in the school house on section 8. Revs. Hall, Cook and Chase were among the pastors who served the class. During the war some of the members went into the service, while others moved away and, for a time, meetings were discontinued. Some years later Rev. Brakeman re-organized the class at a meeting held at the school house on section 8. The following were among the members who joined at that time: Simon S. Blake and wife, Charles Bobb, Charles Frye and wife, Randolph Sandlin and wife, Andrew Crawford and wife and Andrew Shane and wife. Charles Bobb was chosen class leader. The class met for worship in the school house until 1871, when they erected a hewn log church edi- fice on the southeast quarter of section 7. Among the pastors who have filled the pulpit for the class are: Revs. Jackson, Smith, Crouch, Waldron, McGinley, Sackett, Burnett, Clifton and Med. The last named is the present pastor.

At an early day a Sabbath school of this de- nomination was organized at the school house on section 8, of which Charles Frye was the first superintendent. J. W. Shane is the pres- ent superintendent.

The first meetings of members of the Ger- man Evangelical Church were held at the house of Henry Sigrist, in about 1852. Rev. Riegel, from Sauk county, was the preacher. Rev. Schnake organized a class in the log school house, soon after it was built. Among the first members of the class were: llenry Sigrist and wife, llenry Scherman and wife, Charles Kneefc and wife, Fred Scherman and wife and Wil- liam Scherman and wife. Henry Seherman

was the first class leader. Meetings were after- ward held in a vacant log house on section 3, which was purchased. In 1869 the frame build- ing which they now occupy was erected on the old site. Rev. Nesh is the present pastor.

A Sabbath school was organized at an early day, of which Ilenry Scherman was the first superintendent and held the position for many years. Henry Flemme is the present superin- tendent. The school meets every Sunday, and has a large attendance.

There is also a cemetery under the manage- ment of this society, which is located near the church.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1857, at the Ash creek log school house, by Rev. Rolock. Among the first members were : Philip Daniel Berger and wife, Henry Demmer and wife, and Frederick Smith and wife. Sev- eral others joined soon after the organization was effected, and services were held in the school house for a number of years. A sub- stantial log church, however, has been erected, in which services are now held.

MILL.

In 1848 William Thompson erected a 'saw- mill on section 2. The power was derived from Ash creek, and the mill was equipped with an old fashioned "up and down saw." Machinery for grinding corn was soon added. It was a small affair, but was a great convenience to the settlers in those days. Caleb Merris, a resident of the town of Ithaca, onee came to the mill to have some corn ground, and, on his return, he told the neighbors that it was the "smartest" mill he had ever seen. He said that "as soon as it got through with one kernel, it would go right to work on another." Mr. Thompson sold out in 1858 to Jacob Krouskop, who erected a carding mill, and in 1864. Jacob Brimer pur- chased the property.

OFFICIAL MATTERS.

The town of Orion was first called Richmond, the name being suggested by Thomas Mathews. In 1856 the name was changed to Orion.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The first election in the town of Richmond was held at the house of Mathew Alexander in the fall of 1848.

The town of Richmond was organized at a town meeting held at the house of Thomas Mathews in April, 1849, at which time the first officers of the town were elected. John R. Smith, Myron Whitcomb and R. J. Darnall were chosen inspectors of the election. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, John R. Smith, chairman, Adam Byrd and Wil- liam Kincannon; clerk, John Nipple; collector, Stephen Finnell ; assessor, Walter B. Gage; superintendent of schools, Marvin White; jus- tices of the peace, William Thompson, E. II. Dyer, B. B. Sutton and Mathew Alexander; constables, Nathaniel Green, William White and Daniel H. Byrd; overseers of the highway, L. B. Palmer and William White.

At the annual town meeting held at the school house in district No. 1, on the 3d of April, 1888, W. M. Brimer, Abram Miller and Christopher Ford were chosen inspectors, and Levi Houts and William H. Dooley clerks of the election. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Supervisors, W. M. Brimer, chairman, Herman Bremmer and Henry Emshoff; clerk, Levi Houts; treasurer, W. H. Dooley; assessor, John Emshoff; jus- tices, W. H. Palmer and John Flamme; con- stables, Chris Berger, Lewis Miller and Thomas Owens; sealer, W. H. Palmer. At this meet- ing it was voted that a town house be erected, but no money was appropriated for the purpose.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 160

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