History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 166

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 166
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 166

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).

In the meantime it seems that the sheriff and town board, taking advantage of Meehan's absence, sent the deputy sheriff, Elmore, with

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

a posse, some of the board going with them, to his house, to destroy the obnoxious liquors. They proceeded to the place, but on entering the premises were met by the determined oppo- sition of Meehan's wife, who stood at the head of the stairway with a gun in her hands, de- elaring that shewould shoot any man who had the temerity to attempt to come any further, or try to ascend the stair. Elmore commenced to parley with her, while she stood, like Ielen McGregor in her fortress, defying them. Finding remon- strance and entreaties were fruitless, and goaded on by the bystanders, he made a movement forward with the intention of storming the stronghold, thinking that there was more blus- ter on her part than that she would really shoot. But he had "reckoned without his host," for scarcely had he taken a few steps than the ama- zon presented her weapon and discharged it, causing considerable confusion and a masterly retreat on the part of all the lookers-on.

Iler intention to hurt was good, but in the excitement and anger of the moment, her hand trembled and she had missed hitting the officer or any one else. As soon as she saw that her aim had been futile, she snatched up another gun, seeing which Mr. Howland, one of the members of the board, called for weapons, and a rifle and revolver were handed to him. Cock- ing the rifle, he told her to lay down her arms and surrender or he would shoot. The woman weakened and surrendered and the officers marched in and took possession. A wagon was procured and all the liquor found in the house was taken out and placed upon it and driven to the banks of the Pine river. Here had congre- gated quite a number of people, of both sexes, to witness the destruction of the stuff. Barrel, keg and bottle were taken from the wagon and emptied into the swift current of the river, mingling with its waters the fiery liquid. After this had been completed, Mechan's wife was also arrested and placed under bonds to appear by the side of her husband, at the bar of the circuit court.

As soon as Meehan had recovered his liberty, he laid in a fresh supply of liquor, but was ar- rested and fined some $40, and the next day ar- rested and fined the same amount, and finding that it was likely to prove an expensive matter, he deserted the town, leaving Richland Center to enjoy the proud consciousness of having no saloon in its midst, as Carmichael had surren- dered and given up his business.

EDUCATIONAL.

In the summer of 1853 the first school in the village was taught in the court house building by Sylvia Hazeltine. Calista Hazeltine taught a term of school in the same place during the summer of 1854. In 1855 Sarah Thomas taught in a building owned by Ira S. Hazeltine.

The first gentleman to teach in the village was James Il. Miner, who began teaching a term in December, 1855, in the same building that had been occupied by the school taught by Sarah Thomas. The building was small and inconvenient, and without any lath and plaster on its walls, and as the winter was an unusually severe one, the scholars suffered from the in- clemency of the weather. Mr. Miner informs us that in the middle of the winter, the supply of wood, for the stove, gave out, and rather than abandon the school, he with his own hands chopped up the pole fence that surrounded the lot on which the school house was built, 'and kept up the fire in that way. And even with this the stove was always surrounded by shiv- ering urchins, who complained, that while their face was warm their backs were freezing. In the fall of 1857 the question of building a more comfortable and commodious school house came to the front, and the contest between the high tax and low tax parties displayed more acrimony than is usual in communities over the educational matters. However, owing to the personal exertions of D. B. Priest, Israel .Janney, J. Il. Miner and other well-known friends of education, the town voted a tax of $3,000 to erect a suitable building. This tax was assessed by the regular assessor and placed

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upon the tax roll, but, as it was well nigh impossible for many to raise the money to pay this tax, the building committee made arrangements to receive it in material or labor at a fixed price and their receipts were taken by the town treasurer on such tax at their face value. Under these conditions the present frame structure was erected during the year 1858. It is 36x52 feet in dimension and two stories high, and is a good substantial building, with three apartments, in which the three lower grades are taught.

Ira S. Hazeltine, one of the most prominent antagonists of the measure of voting the tax, refused for a long time to pay his assessment, but finding that he would have to, came to the committee after the building was all finished, and wanted to supply lumber, this, having no further use for, they declined and the matter rested for a time, when he went before the county board, and with the assistance of the then district attorney, persuaded that body to cancel the tax certificates and charge the tax back to the school district.

In 1868, this school having been outgrown by the wants of the district, a movement was put on foot to built a larger and more commodious one. Several meetings were held and at one of these town meetings the eitizens voted to levy a tax of $2,000 toward building the school house, and work was at once commenced on the struc- ture. The edifice was finished during 1869, and is a large roomy building and complete in every- thing except room, for the ever-increasing pop- ulation make it quite necessary to have more room, although both school houses are kept running. This building cost $4,500, and is in two apartments, and is under the personal su- pervision of II. R. Smith, who is the principal of all the village schools. The roll of teachers in 1883 were : H. R. Smith, high school ; P. H. Fay, grammar ; Mary McKay, Mary Spy- ker, M. Lawrence and Miss Vedder. There are at present 362 children enrolled and the average attendance reaches 289, which is quite a re-

spectable figure when we take into considera- tion that 152 of the scholars are quite small, being in the two lower grades.

In 1879 Miss Peck, from Milwaukee, started a kindergarten under the supervision of the school board.

In this connection it would be well to say that the schools are of a high grade and a com- plete conrse through the high school prepares the pupil for entry into the State University at Madison without any further studies.

The high school was established by vote of the qualified electors of the district, in 1875, and the first pupils to graduate therefrom were Miss B. D. Miner and L. C. Thorpe. The for- mer was a daughter of Judge Miner, and now the wife of J. H. Berryman, a lawyer of Rich- land Center. The present board of school con- trol is composed of D. L. Downs, J. D. McKee and O. J. Burnham, elerk. At a meeting held in July, 1883, it was voted that $15,000 be raised for the purpose of erecting a new school building, and a site containing five acres, lo- cated in the Schooleraft addition, was secured.

RELIGIOUS.

For some years after the settlement of the village, adverse circumstances kept the erection of any church edifice from being consummated. But as early as March 27, 1857, some stir was made in the matter toward the building of a union meeting-house, where all could worship. Committees were appointed, but, for various reasons, the scheme was abandoned. In May, 1857, the Presbyterians, who had organized a society that month in the village, determined to take the matter in hand and put up a place of worship for themselves. But means were scarce, and some time was necessarily spent be- fore the matter assumed a shape justifying the letting of the contract. But that day did at last dawn when the committee, of which Caleb Waggoner was chairman, we believe, that they could see their way clear to the end. William and A. L. Wilson took the contract of building

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HISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY.

the structure, which was finished during the same year, 1857.

Services were held during the fall, under the ministrations of Rev. J. H. Mathers, the first pastor of this little flock. At the opening of the church there were but nine members of the society, but the attendance from the first was very fair and favorable. Mr. Mathers was sue- ceeded by Rev. J. M. Reid, a faithful laborer in the "vineyard of the Lord," but whose health at last broke down and he was forced to retire in 1866. For some little time after his re- moval the fold was without a shepherd, but a Rev. Mr. White came and took temporary charge of them for about six months. Rev. G. J. E. Richards was installed as pastor in the summer of 1876, and remained in charge only about a year, when he, too, on account of poor health, was obliged to leave, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Winn for a short time. Since that time Rev. Mr. Benson has spent two years as a faithful laborer in this field, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Pierce, who took charge in January, 1880, and remained until January, 1883, when he terminated his connection with the society, and Rev. Mr. Winn, from Madison, supplied the pulpit until the summer 1883, when Rev. Dennison, the present pastor, took charge.

Possibly we may have made some omis- sions in the list of the pastors, or some little inaccuracies may have crept in, but the fault has been occasioned by the great difficulty en- countered by ns in our efforts in collecting the material for our facts, having mainly to rely upon the memories of those to whom we looked for the proper data. The church editice is a neat frame structure and cost $1,100, and is yet in use, and answers very well the purpose for which it was erected. When the building was erected a bell was secured through the exertions of J. W. Lybrand. He solicited aid from his merchant friends in the city of New York, and after raising the money, placed it in the hands of Rev. J. HI. Mathers, who purchased the bell.

It weighs 402 pounds and cost twenty-nine cents per pound.

METHODIST CHURCH.

Although the Presbyterian society were the first to creet a church edifice, still they were not the first to be organized into a society. As early as 1855 the Methodists had organized a class, and had held regular meetings, thus being the pioneer Church of the town. The first pas- tors were not regularly stationed ones, but were of that itinerant class, called eircuit preachers, and a Mr. Wheeler is believed to be the first to exhort this little band of Christian men and women who had determined to raise a Church in the wilderness. In 1859 the first regular pastor assumed charge, the Church being then made a station of the Methodist Church, hav- ing been heretofore only supplied by circuit preachers. Among those who have preached here since are: Revs. Brainerd, Walker, Nu- zum, De Lap, Cook, Hill, Chase, Brooks, Manuel, Irish, MeKay, Sturgis, Burnip and J. D. Tall. Rev. A. L. Tull is the present pastor. The church edifice was commenced in 1872, and was completed early in 1873, being dedi- cated on the 2d of March, by the Rev. Mr. Fal- low. W. H. Downs was the first class leader, A. B. Weigley is the present one.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This society was organized in 1866, and for a few years worshiped in the court house under the ministrations of the Rev. W. C. Wright. who was the first pastor, to whom the society owed its inception. He was an able, energetic worker in the ripe fields of the Master, and was not afraid to put his hands to the plough. This little band of Christians determined to erect a building in which to worship and in the same year set about the task, digging the exca- vation for the foundation walls. There were not many moneyed men in the congregation and contributions came in slowly and the work on the church was suspended from time to time for want of funds, so that it was not until the summer of 1870, that it was finished. Sunday,

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[HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Nov. 1, 1870, the church was dedicated by W. C. Wright, formerly pastor, assisted by Revs. J. W. Fish, of Fox Lake, Rockwell and Phil- lips. Rev. G. D. Stevens was the pastor of this Church for some years and was instrumental in the completion of the church. The church edifice is a fine large structure, 36x60 feet in dimension, and built of brick on a foundation of stone, with a high, light and roomy base- ment, which is used for school purposes. In- stead of having the building put up by contract, the board of trustees, the first the Church had, consisting of the following gentlemen: O. W. Gibbs, S. B. Pennell, J. S. Wilson, G. D. Stevens and G. L. Laws, determined to erect it themselves, which they did. The cost of the edifice was about $6,000, and is the finest build- ing of the kind in the county. The Church has been without a pastor for some time, but W. S. Sweet supplies the pulpit occasionally.

ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCHI.

The first mass was said to be held at the house of Patriek Meehan, in 1858, by Father Mande- ger, from Linden. Services were not held regu- larly, and sometimes three months passed with- out meetings. Father Francis Stokes, from Mazomanie, Father Murphy, from Crawford county, and Fathers Corney, Walsh and Ber- nard, held services at different times in private houses. In 1866 L. D. Gage donated ground for a church and cemetery, and soon afterward Father Bean, then pastor at Keyesville, erected a small church. In 1872 Father Francis Heller had the building enlarged to its present size. Father Heller was succeeded by Father A. Mendl, Ang. 10, 1874. In November, 1874, Father Heiss became pastor, and on the 16th of January, 1878, Father Henry Koenig, the pres- ent pastor, took charge. The Church has flour- ished and is now in excellent condition.

CEMETERY.

In 1854 a committee, consisting of C. W. lIuntingdon, Charles Nelson and others, was appointed to lay out a cemetery ground, and

they, for some unaccountable reason, selected a piece of ground on a rocky knoll, section 16, in Schoolcraft, which was seemingly the most un- suitable place in the whole valley for that pur- pose. A rocky, stony soil, into which the spade could only go for some three or four feet, and that only by the severest labor; exposed to all the elements in the worst shape imaginable. The site selected did not meet the views of the people of the village, who naturally wanted a more beautiful and convenient ground. In the spring of 1856 a meeting of the citizens was called to devise means to change the location of the burial ground. This sub- ject for a while engrossed the whole popu- lation, and much deliberation and wrangling ensued. Some half a dozen public meetings were held, and at last an organization was ef- fected and a committee was appointed to select the spot for the future cemetery. The commit- tee reported that they had selected block 29, in the addition to the village known as School- craft's, which was adopted and the necessary improvements made to secure the grounds and beautify the last resting place. The cemetery lies on the slope of a gentle acelivity facing the west, and is most beautifully laid out, dotted with evergreen and deciduous trees, and beds of lovely plants and flowers. The first officers of the association were: Caleb Waggoner, presi- dent, and James 11. Miner, secretary and treas- urer. The sale of lots and all business con- nected with the cemetery now lies in the hands of W. Harry Pier, who is the present secretary and treasurer.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY.

When in February, 1859, L. D. Gage gave to the Church of this communion the ground for a church, he donated sufficient land for the ceme- tery, which is attached and lies just north of the grounds owned by the Richland Center Cemetery Association, and is also beautifully laid out and well kept. Here in consecrated ground lie the bodies of those who have died in full accord with the Church. The cemetery is,

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as usual, under the control of the priest of the parish.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.

Richland Lodge, No. 118, was instituted at the village of Richland Center, Jan. 17, 1861, with eleven charter members, as follows: George Krouskop, D. S. Hamilton, F. P. Bow- en, J. II. Waggoner, James II. Ilaskins, W. M. Fogo, J. H. Harrington, Joseph B. MeGrew, Henry T. Bailey, Oscar F. Black and A. H. Kronskop. George Krouskop was the first noble grand of the lodge.

The lodge now numbers fifty-two members, and is in a fine, flourishing condition. They have a hall, which is fitted up with the para- phernalia of the order, and holds a fine library belonging to the lodge. This latter is a pet hobby of W. C. S. Barron's, the grand patri- arch of the State, who is a member of this lodge, who instituted the same by soliciting the members to each donate what books they could. They all entered into the scheme and a nucleus was formed; donations were also solicited from other grand officers, who all responded freely, notably J. B. Ostrander and John G. Clark; Hon. George C. Hazleton, the ex-member of Congress from the district, has also placed the lodge under obligations for donations of books. The present officers are: George Clark, N. G ; A. W. Maly, V. G .; John Brimer, secretary: Seth Butler, treasurer.

Richland Encampment, No. 40, was instituted Jan. 8, 1871, with the following charter mem- bers: J. M. Adams, D. G. James, J. B. MeGrew, G. W. Jarvis, N. L. James, W. C. S. Barron and John Hazel. The first officers were: Nor- man L. James, C. P .; J. M. Adams, II. P .; George Jarvis, S. W .; W. C. S. Barron, J. W .; D. G. James, T., and J. A. Hazel, scribe. The encampment meets in the same hall as the lodge, as do all the lodges of the order in the village. A large average attendance and the in- terest betrayed in the work show a healthy state of the organization. The present officers are: A. W. Maly, C. P .; Seth Butler, II. P .; W. 'and territory.

Collins, S. W .; Monroe Vreeland, J. W .; J. Bass, seribe; J. Il. Van Riper, treasurer.

Brasted Uniformed Degree Camp, No. 6, was instituted Feb. 7, 1883, with the following charter members: William Collins, Seth But- ler, M. Vreeland, F. H. Tuttle, G. J. H. Van Riper, M. Brodwright, John Brimer, A. G. Tut- tle, A. W. Maly, W. C. S. Barron and J. Bass. The officers are: W. C. S. Barron, commander; G. J. II. Van Riper, viee commander; John Brimer, officer of the guard; W. Collins, seere- tary; Seth Butler, treasurer.

Amanda Lodge, No. 75, Rebecca degree, was organized and instituted Dee. 1, 1882. The following are the charter members; Brothers, W. C. S. Barron, John M. Hennon, George M. Clark, William Collins, F. C. Pennell, Seth Butler, S. Penoyer, J. M. Brimer, M. Brod wright, W. F. Doudna and A. S. Hayes. Sisters, Amanda Barron, Josie Clark, Alice Collins, R. l'ennell, Margaret Butler, Fannie Penoyer, Nancy Brimer, Mary Doudna, Sarah Hayes and Delphinia Hennon. The officer- are George ('lark, N. G .; Fannie Penoyer, V. G .; Seth But- ler, treasurer; Josie Clark, P. secretary; S. Pen- oyer, recording secretary.

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.

As this is a comparatively new order, a brief account of its origin and object may not be inappropriate in this connection. On the 5th day of November, 1868, some fourteen gentlemen assembled at Meadville, Penn., and organized the first lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The motive that prompted them was a pure and unselfish one, and their plan of operations is the very best to carry out the purpose for which the order is intended-that of "charity, hope and protec- tion." From the date of organization the or- der grew slowly, until July 4, 1870, when the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was instituted at Meadville, in that State. The order then be- gan to extend into all the diffierent States and now is fully recognized in nearly every State

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

It is a benevolent order, not unlike the Odd Fellows, helping the widow and orphan and helping the sick. A distinguishing feature is the insurance, a payment of $2,000 to the heirs of a deceased member at his demise. The money is raised by assessment on the members and the life insurance is thus furnished at the actual cost.

Center Lodge, No. 70, of this order, was in- stituted at Richland Center, in July, 1879, by A. Il. Taisey, with the following charter mem- bers: Seth Butler, I. S. Hazeltine, A. S. Hayes, Cyrus Tryon, John Winn, Charles Speidel, B. Dodge Bailey, Robert Bailey, Jr., James Jones, Arthur D. Lane, James Kinney, Albert Schmidt, D. B. Sommers, James S. Smith, M. B. Burtch, W. C. S. Barron, A. W. Maly, Samuel C. Hyatt, A. G. Tuttle, Hlomer J. Clark, D. L. Noble, A. M. Stratton, A. P. Clayton, P. S. Brewer, S. St. John, Albert IIerple, Arthur Culver, D. E. O. Bird, John Iluston and W. HI. Waters.

The following were elected the initial officers of the lodge: Warren C. S. Barron, W. M .; D. L. Noble, financier; Homer J. Clark, receiv- er; S. St. John, overseer. The present officers are: W. C. S. Barron, P. M. W .; A. S. Hayes, M. W .; Seth Butler, overseer; Samuel C. Hyatt, financier; John Winn, receiver. Meetings are held every second and fourth Friday's of each month, and a large attendance is noted. This lodge is in a fine flourishing condition, and is growing rapidly in the estimation of the gen- eral community and already numbers among its members, many of the very best citizens of the town.

TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

The first temperance society in Richland Center was organized in the fall of 1856, and of its institution the following has been gathered:

At a gathering of the ladies belonging to the sewing circle of that village, Mrs. Israel San- derson, the wife of the editor of the newspa- per, introduced the subject of temperance and it was discussed in all its bearings, and it was determined to form an association for the pro-

mulgation of the doctrine of total abstinence. A meeting being soon after held, a large number were present and the organization was perfected and the following officers chosen: Mrs. Israel Sanderson, president; Mrs. James H. Miner, secretary. On the 26th of December the fol- lowing preamble and resolutions were adopted in lieu of a constitution, which were signed by the parties whose names are appended below, as evidence of their membership:

LADIES TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

"WHEREAS, We, the ladies of Richland Cen- ter, knowing well the evils that result from the sale and use of spirituous liquors, and as this de- moralizing traffic is becoming so very common in our midst, and as the temperance men of this community have so far found it impossible to sustain a prosecution against the sale of liquors, without license, we consider ourselves and families in personal danger, and as we feel that something must be done, for the present and future welfare of this community; there- fore, we do hereby pledge ourselves to the fol- lowing resolutions, to wit:

"Resolved, That we will not, from this date, trade at any establishment which is known to be directly or indirectly engaged in the traffic of spiritu ous liquors, as a beverage.

"Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed, whose duty it shall be to immediately call on the town board of supervisors and the district attorney and request them to prose- cute every individual, to them known, who sells intoxicating liquors in violation of law.

" Resolved, That every female of the age of fourteen and upwards, in the village, be requested to join our league and sign these resolutions.

"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, with our names, be published in the Richland County Observer."

Mrs. N. A. Hawkins, Mrs. M. Sanderson, Mrs. S. A. Price, Mrs. E. A. Wilson, Mrs. M. Statser, Mrs. J. L. MeKee, Mrs. E. P. Young, Mrs. Sarah Straight, Mrs. Amelia Kifer, Mrs. Jane Nawthrop, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Mrs. Harriet

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N. Pelton, Mrs. Jane Mears, Mrs. L. A. Nndd. Mrs. Eliza A. James, Mrs Sarah A. Northrop, Mrs. B. A. Downs, Miss Josephine Price, Miss So- phia Garwood, Miss E. M Strickland, Miss Sarah Short, Miss C. Fries, Miss Margaret J. Davis, Miss Emma C. Wilson, Miss Cassa Far- row, Miss E. J. Kinney, Miss M. N. Letson, Miss Maria Norman, Miss M. Ann Clagg, Miss Dorcas E Edson, Miss Maria Short, Miss Marian Fries, Miss Eliza E. Meehan, Mrs. Laura A. Bright, Mrs. Marian Thompson, Mrs. Laura Royce, Mrs. Augusta Hazeltine, Mrs. Anna M. Hamilton, Mrs. M. D. Clagg, Mrs. L. Morton, Mrs. Caroline Rose, Mrs. Phebe Hayes, Mrs. Elizabeth Fries, Mrs. Jane N. Wilson, Mrs. Eliza Marshall, Mrs. Margaret Adair, Mrs. Margaret Hankins, Mrs. L. E. James, Mrs. S A. Miner, Mrs. Barbara Davis, Mrs. Cholerton, Mrs. L. Priest, Mrs. Mary J. Huston, Mrs. Nancy Waggoner, Mrs. Sarah Hoge, Mrs. Mary Neff, Mrs. Eliza Huntington, Mrs L. Wright, Mrs. E. C. Arey, Mrs E. Janney, Mrs. Il. S. Wood, Mrs. C. D. Rank, Mrs. Mary B. Haw- land, Mrs. Sarah A. Gaston, Mrs. R. Hamilton, Miss M S. Kinney, Miss S. Jane Clagg, Miss Nancy H. Drewet, Miss Mary J. Brees, Miss Pleasant J. Janney and Mrs. Sarah Hamilton.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 166

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