History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 172

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 172
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 172

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.

dians were about to hold a war dance, and on such occasions they partook freely of whisky, and it was their usual custom to kill a prisoner; therefore, as young Smith was the only captive, he was somewhat afraid that, notwithstanding his being a great favorite of the tribe, in a fit of drunkenness they might kill him, so he asked permission of his mother, the chief's wife, to go to Montreal, near which place the tribe was encamped, until the war dance was over, and was granted the permission. He went to said city, dressed and painted in true savage style, and passed along the streets without any one taking any particular notice of him. At last he met a negro, to whom he related his experience. The negro informed an officer, who at once laid plans to release Smith from his bondage. Ile accordingly had Smith appear sick, and when the chief's wife came after him, Smith pre- tended to be very sick and in great agony, whereupon the officer told her that the boy was sure to die, and that she had better make what she could out of him. She at last consented to release her claims for two gallons of whisky, which was granted her, and Smith returned to his friends, and afterwards again resided in the valley where he was taken prisoner. Whitney Smith served an apprenticeship at the tanning trade, and then engaged in the business. He subsequently carried on a mercantile business in his native town, where he was married. In 1836 he emigrated to Illinois, and settled in what is now Stark county. He gave the name to the town of. Wyoming, in that county, and was postmaster at that place for several years. In 1844 he came to Wisconsin and located at Mineral Point, was at first engaged in mercan- tile, and afterward in tanning business. In the fall of 1876 he removed to Chicago, and in the spring of 1878 came to Richland Center, where he is no v living a retired life. Mr. Smith has been twice married, the second time, Feb. 28, 1849, to Anna Maria Clemes. She is a native of England. They have reared four children, only one of whom is living-Frank C., who

is now assistant professor of chemistry and minerology in the university at Ann Arbor, Mich. Mr. Smith is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, of which he is one of the elders. William Smith and family were driven from their home in Wyoming Valley by the Indians three times. The family twice returned to Connecticut, and upon their return William Smith died before the Indians made the last raid.

H. B. Allen, druggist, bookseller and grocer. is a son of Harvey and Fannie E. Allen, and was born in Walworth Co., Wis., Dec. 20, 1846. He commenced mercantile life as clerk at the age of thirteen, and in 1862 went to Beloit, where he learned the drug business. In Octo- ber, 1879, he came to Richland C'enter and pur- chased a half interest in the business of F. P. Bowen. In March, 1883, he beeanre sole pro- prietor, and is now doing a leading business. In 1869 he was married to Neatie Shue, daugh- ter of Ira T. Shue, of Beloit. They have two children-Frank II. and Lottie G. Mr. Allen is an enterprising citizen, a republican in poli- tics, a Knight Templar in the Masonic frater- nity, and a member of the I. O. O. F.

L. W. Baxter represents the profession of dentistry at Richland Center. He located here May 18, 1880, at which date he opened his office in the Krouskop block, where he remained until the same was destroyed by fire. His office is now pleasantly located on the second floor of the Pier block, and is supplied with all con- veniences to do first-class work. Dr. Baxter was born in Wankesha Co., Wis., June 15, 1853. He received a good common school education, and Assisted his father in tilling the soil until 1879. In that year he commenced the study and practice of his profession under the guid- ance of Dr. G. A. Sinclair, of New Lisbon, with whom he continued until he came to Rich- land Center. Ile was married Jan. 8, 1882, to Alice Burnham, daughter of II. L. Burnham.

W. J. Hillman is permanently located and en- gaged in photography in Richland Center. He

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

established this business in October, 1881. Mr. Hillman was born in the State of New York, April 17, 1849. The family soon removed to Massachusetts, and in 1856 went to Cannon Falls, Minn., where the mother still resides. The father died in 1861. Mr. Hillman enlisted at St. Paul, Minn., April 3, 1865, being scarcely sixteen years of age, and was assigned to the 2d Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, going south April 12 and joining the regiment at Wash- ington. Ile was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 14, the war being over. Ile then returned to Minnesota, and spent the time in farming and going to school until twenty years of age, teaching school two terms. Since that time he has devoted his attention principally to the art of photography. Ile is a skilled artist and successful in his business. He was married in 1871 to Caro W. Barnes. They have two children-Mabel, born June 6, 1875, and Charles, born Ang. 14, 1878.

C. W. Slocum, the former landlord of the Park Hotel, became connected with the same in January, 1882, and served as its clerk until the following October. He then had charge of a hotel at Owatonna, Minn,, four months, when he again returned to the "Park", and in May, 1883, became proprietor. Mr. Slocum was born in Windham Co., Vt., Oct. 22, 1857. He is the son of James and Margette (Robinson) Slocum. In 1856 the family emigrated to Wisconsin and settled at Mazomanie, where the parents still reside, and here the subject of this sketch helped till the soil until he embarked in the hotel business. Ile is courteous and accommo- dating, and under his management the "Park" became a favorite with the traveling public. Ilis connection with said hotel ceased about Nov. 1, 1883, when be removed to Ipswich, Dak., and is there engaged in the same business.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXX.

TOWN OF RICHWOOD.

The town of Richwood forms the southwest corner of Richland county, embracing township 9 and a portion of township 8, range 2 west. The southern portion of the town is compara- tively level and the soil is somewhat sandy. This portion of the town includes what is known as Sand Prairie. North of this the surface is somewhat diversified, in some places being quite rouglı. As a whole, however, Richwood is among the very best towns in Richland county.

Knapp's creek enters Richwood by way of section 6 and traverses the entire length of the town on its way to the Wisconsin river. It furnishes numerous water priveleges, several of which have been improved. The ereek derived its name from a trapper of that name, who had a cabin a few miles from the mouth of the creek, and followed hunting and trapping through this region before the territory was inhabited by permanent settlers. He returned to the county once, after John Coumbe had settled within the limits of Richwood, for the purpose of getting some traps that he had buried on a former visit. This is about all that is known of the man. No one knew from whenee he came or whither he went. Byrd's creek traverses the eastern portion of the town. These streams, with their numerous spring tributaries, furnish an abundant supply of water for farming and household purposes, as well as power for driv- ing a vast amount of machinery.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settler within the limits now com- prising the town of Richwood was John

Coumbe, the first actual settler in Richland county. Mr. Coumbe first came to the county in 1838 and erected a log cabin on section 35, town 9, range 2 west, but as the Indians were rather numerous and as Mr. Coumbe did not admire them as his only neighbors he returned to the south side of the Wisconsin river, and again the territory which now comprises Rich- land county was uninhabited by any white per- son. In 1840, however, Mr. Coumbe again crossed the river and took up his abode in the cabin he had erected two years previously, and here he gave his attention to agricultural pur- suits until the time of his death. He was a good neighbor and an honored citizen.

Edward Coumbe came to the county shortly after his brother, John, and settled on Sand Prairie. Ile remained there until 1848, when he traded his property to Thomas Elliott, and returned to Grant county. He was elected a delegate from Richland county to the first State convention, called to draft a constitution for the State of Wisconsin, which assembled at Madi- son on the 5th of October, 1846.

John MeKinney came in 1841 and selected land on section 27, bringing his family in the fall of the same year. Mr. Mckinney was a valuable citizen and neighbor; for instead of hunting, fishing and trapping, he at onee com- menced improving his land and raising food upon which to subsist. He obtained a small set of buhrs, with which, by means of a horse power, he ground not only his own coru, but also that of his neighbors. He was a native of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Virginia, and came of an industrious and hon- est raee, but he was an unsuccessful manager or poor financier. He resided in the county about eight years, then moved to the south side of the river for the purpose of educating his ehil- dren. Ile afterwards returned to the county; but his death occurred at Muscoda in February, 1882.

Peter Kinder, a native of Kentucky, came here in 1844 and located on section 26, where he lived until the time of his death. Ile was a successful farmer, a good neighbor and gained a large circle of friends as well as the respect of all who knew him. In early days he was noted as a public benefactor. No one in need ever went to him in vain, and his uniform kind- ness and feeling for others became almost pro- verbial.

Adam Byrd was also one of the first settlers in the town. He was an Ohio man. He loca- ted on section 28 near the creek which bears his name, and erected the first saw-mill in the town of Richwood. Ile remained here about twelve years when he removed to Oregon.

Vincent B. Morgan and George C. White also came at a very early day. Morgan was a na- tive of Georgia, and was a good natured, whole- souled fellow, weighing about 225 pounds. Ile took a claim on section 31, but never did much farming, preferring to hunt and fish. He died here in 1853.

George C. White was a Pennsylvania Ger- man, and had the usual good qualities of that class of people, industry and good manage- ment. He located on section 34, where he lived until the war broke out, when he and his only son enlisted in the 11th Wisconsin regi- ment and both till soldier's graves. Mr. White was one of the first to fill the office of sheriff for Richland county.

D). M. Shore settled in Richland county on the 30th of August, 1846, and one year later came to the town of Richwood and settled on !

section 26. Here he lived, following farming, until his death, which occurred in 1883. Ile was born in Kentucky in 1816; moved with his parents to Illinois, where he was married to Nancy .1. Parker, and from thence came to this county as stated.

E. Ash came here in 1848 (or 1849) and lo- cated on the northwest quarter of section 27. He resided here about seven years when he re- moved to Jowa. He only improved about twenty acres of his farm here.

George Rea came at about the same time and lived with O. Carson until 1851, when he pur- chased the northeast quarter of section 20. This was his home for about thirty years when he removed to Kansas. Ile now lives at Springfield, Mo. .

Rev. William II. Hoskins was the first min- ister of the gospel to settle in Richland county. Hle represented the United Brethren denomi- nation. In 1853 he came here and settled on Sand Prairie and preached at Crow Hollow, Sand Prairie, Spring Green, Lone Rock and Pea Ridge (now Sandusky), a circuit of sixty miles in length. Ile traveled on horseback, making each appointment every two weeks. In 1854 he purchased forty acres of land on section 17, erected a saw mill and thus laid the foun- dation of Excelsior. Later he became superan- nated as a preacher and engaged in farming. Mr. Hoskins was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 11, 1817. In 1838 he was married to Mary Winton, came to Wisconsin and settled in Dane county, coming to Richland county in 1533, as stated.

After this time the settlement was more rapid. Many more of the okl settlers are treated at length in other connections.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first death in the town was that of the wife of James Moore. Her remains were bur- ied on the southeast quarter of section $3, on land afterward owned by G. M. Clark.

The first marriage in the town was that of Daniel Byrd to Harriet Parker.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The first religious services in the town were held at the house of Edward Ash on section 27. Rev. William Kanoyer, a United Brethren, offici- ated.

The first birth that occurred in the town was that of Melinda Morgan, whose nativity in April, 1843, entitles her to the laurels of being the first child born in the county as well as town.

The second marriage in the county also oc- . curred here on this pioneer ground. This was the marriage of W. G. Parker to Emily MeKin ney, in the spring of 1848.

The first frame barn in the town was erected by Myron Whitcomb in 1852. The lumber was sawed at Roekbridge and the shingles were shaved and nearly one half an inch in thickness. New siding was put on the barn in 1883 but the roof was still in good condition. The barn is 40x50 feet in size with 16 feet post. The tim- ber was framed by Noah Titus and consisted solely of pine.

The first house erected in the territory which now comprises the town of Richwood, was also the first in the county. It was the log cabin erected by John Coumbe, in 1838, on sec- tion 85.

The first horse team brought into the county were brought into the town of Richwood, in 1841, by Thomas Andrews.

The first brick residence in the town of Rich- wood was erected in 1855 by Henry Miller, on section 26. This building was enlarged in 1879, by S. B. Marsh, to a two story building, and in 1883 it was the only brick residence in the town.

The first mill in the town was built by Adam Byrd, on Byrd's creek. Its history will be found elsewhere in this volume.

The first postoffice in the town was estab- lished on Sand Prairie, in 1848-9, with John- ston Young as first postmaster. Several years later the office was removed to Port Andrews, and Dr. R. M. Miller was commissioned as post- master. He was succeeded in turn by William

Harper, L. Janney, R. L. Carver and J. R. Carver, the latter being the present incumbent. Mail is received tri-weekly from Muscoda.

The first orchard in Richland county was set out by Myron Whitcomb, in this town, in 1851. The trees were purchased from Henry Conner, who had brought them from Indiana. This first orchard numbered fifty apple trees, but they soon withered and died. But Mr. Whit- comb did not despair, and the next year he pur- chased 800 trees, 100 of which he set out him- self and the balance he sold to the neighbors. The majority of those set out by him lived and he now has a good orchard.

The first chestnut trees were set out by Ed- ward Clark.

INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES.

Knapp's creek, on its passage through section 20, furnishes an excellent water privilege; cight feet head of water. Alonzo Carson was the first to utilize and improve this power. He purchased the property in 1855 and erected a saw-mill. In April, 1866, a freshet washed the mill away, and he at once rebuilt. In 1868 or 1869 he sold to Avery & Langdon, and in 1870, A. H. Avery became sole proprietor. In 1871 he built a grist-mill, at a cost of about $5,000, equipping it with two run of buhrs. Mr. Avery died in 1879, and the property was soon afterward purchased by B. F. Washburn. Sam- uel Yeager owned an interest in this property for several years and operated a chair factory in connection.

The Ellsworth Mills are located on section 6. They were erected by .I. S. Ellsworth in 1856, and are still his property, but since 1876 they have been operated by his son, M. D. Ellsworth. The mills do general sawing, planing, matching, and band-sawing, the principal products being material for wagons and agricultural imple- ments.

In 1867 Thomas J. Ellsworth erected a tan- nery near Ellsworth mills, and operated the same for about ten years.

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IIISTORY OF RICIILAND COUNTY

In 1848 Melendeth Whit settled on Byrd's creek, and put in shape a device for crushing hominy. It was so arranged that by the use of a water-wheel a weight would be raised and let fall into a wooden mortar. In the mortar about a peck of corn could be placed, and this would be erushed to meal in a day's time. The only trouble Mr. Whit complained of was that the crows would occasionally carry off the corn before it was ground.

Adam Byrd came to Richland county in 1844 and settled on section 25, in the town of Richwood, near the creek which bears his name. He erected the first saw-mill in the town, and had the same in operation in 1845. The property subsequently passed into the hands of John Coumbe, who in turn sold to Coleman & Carver. These gentlemen erected a new mill, but as they became somewhat finan- cially embarrassed, John Coumbe again became owner of the property. In 1865 David Dewey, in company with two other gentlemen, pur- chased the property, but Mr. Dewey soon became sole proprietor. In 1875 he built a steam mill, using some of the machinery that had been used in the old water mill, which is now in dis- use. The steam mill is driven by a twenty- horse power engine.

The first buhrs for grinding corn in the county were brought into the town of Rich- wood, in May, 1846, by John McKinney. They were run by horse power.

In 1879 IT. B. Ellsworth leased the water privilege which Knapp's creek furnishes on section 17, and set a carding mill in operation. lle afterward added a saw-mill and general wood- working department, manufacturing broom handles, table legs, sled runners, ete.

RELIGIOUS.

The Christian Church was organized at the school house of district No. 4, in 1878, with Revs. M. Sheffield and Jacob Felton, officiating. Among the first members were S. B. Marsh, wife and child ; William Ritchie and wife; J. W. Jones and wife ; Mrs. Jane Shores, D. Field,

Emma Richardson and Mrs. Howland. The church is in good condition, the pastors have been: Revs. Lewis, Hines, Martin and Buroker.

The Norwegian M. E. Church is located on section 12. It is a log building which was erected in 1862, but the society was organized sometime previous to that time. Among the first members were: HI. G. Collier and family, George Sheldon and family, Andrew Anderson and family, Ole Paulson and family, Ole John- son and family, A. Bergam and family and John Olson and family. The first pastor was Abe Knudtson.

CEMETERIES.

The first cemetery in the town was laid out on the southwest quarter of section 35, the land being donated by John Coumbe. The first body interred here was that of James Carson, whose death took place in 1851. The coffin was made by James Jones, or, as he was usually called, by English Jones.

Wright's cemetery is located on section 24, upon land which was donated by I. J. Wright. Sand Prairie cemetery is located on section 34. The land was donated by Edmund Clark. Shore's cemetery is located on section .6. Coates' burial ground is located on section 5. There is also one burial ground on section 5, one on section 2, one on section 11, and another on section 20.

FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL IN RICHLAND COUNTY.

The first school board elected in the county consisted of J. R. Smith, Thomas Matthews and Jackson Darnell, who, in 1518, took steps to ercet a log school house at Orion. Mr. Darnell started ont in search of a teacher and soon om ployed Mary F. Mulamphy, now Mrs. Joseph Elliott, of Highland, Iowa county, to teach a term of three months at $23 per month. She, on the 5th of June, of said year, came to the county. The school house was not yet completed, but as it was necessary to commence immediately in order to receive the public money, Miss Mulamphy opened school at the house of I. R. Smith. In a few weeks, however, the school

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

house was completed, and the school then had more room. As the new building had seats around the edge of the room and the desks consisted of boards laid on pins driven into the wall, so that when the students were writing they were obliged to face the wall and thus turn their backs to the teacher; but the school progressed finely and the students, twenty-five in number, were greatly benefited by attending. The teacher gave good satisfaction and was thus employed to teach the second term in 1849.

RICHWOOD SCHOOLS.

The first school in this town was taught at the house of Peter Kinder in 1848-9. This was a subscription school. William Durren was the teacher.

The first public school in the town was taught during the same season in a log school house located on the northeast corner of section 35. Elizabeth Conner was the teacher.

At an early day a man named Hunter taught a subscription school on Sand Prairie.

In 1857 Richwood had four schools.

In 1884 there were ten schools in the town, all in successful operation, having comfortable school buildings. One of these is a free high school at Port Andrew.

OFFICIAL MATTERS.

The first election in this region was held at the house of Matthew Alexander in 1847, to choose delegates to the constitutional conven- tion. There were thirty-eight votes cast, there being searcely any restriction upon the right of suffrage.

B. Morgan, overseer of the poor. Johnson Young, Alvin B. Slaughter and Mark A. Byrd were elected justices of the peace, but only Young qualified and gave bond of $500, having for sureties G. C. White and V. B. Morgan. At the same election Alonzo Cave and John . Coumbe were chosen constables. Although no record exists of the number of votes cast at this election, at the ballot taken June 4, same year, we find twenty-six votes taken.

The present officers of the town, elected in the spring of 1883, are: Supervisors, L. M. Thorp, chairman, W. R. Garner and Chris. Peterson; clerk, E. J. Langdon; treasurer, John Brown; assessor, James Appleby; justices, Ilen- ry Conner, C. J. Moore, W. H. Haskins and N. B. Miller; constables, T. C. Wallace, Thomas Ellsworth and Orrin Jones. Since the organi- zation nothing has occurred to mar the tran- quility of Richwood's official career. Good men have been chosen to fill the offices and public matters have been efficiently cared for. Among those who have been prominent in town affairs and have filled town offices are the fol- lowing: Thomas Ewing, Henry Connor, H. F. Coates, Levi Persinger, I. J. Wright, I. N. Miller, J. D. Dosch, Nathan Winton, L. M. Thorpe, R. S. Carver, John Coumbe, S. B. Marsh, J. H. Tilley, J. W. Jones, H. J. Clark, R. N. Young, J. S. Ellsworth, Robert Buchan- an, B. F. Washburn, J. S. Clark and W. R. Garner.

PORT ANDREWS.

This village was named in honor of Capt. Thomas Andrews, who settled on the southeast corner of section 35 in 1841. Ile afterward kept a small store and succeeded in having the postoffice moved to this place from Sand Prairie. In 1850 he laid out four blocks of village lots. On the 14th of November, 1854, the plat was enlarged by what was known as the Andrews & Miller addition, which contained fourteen blocks, some of which, however, were fraction- al. In 1856 Port Andrews had grown to be a

On April 2, 1850, was held the first election for town officers in Richwood, it having just been organized as a separate town and election precinct. The meeting was held at the house of Peter Kinder and resulted in the choice of the following officers: Adam Byrd, William Kineannon and Samnel Fleck, supervisors; Johnston Young, clerk; Myron Whitcomb, treasurer; George C. White, superintendent of town schools; W. R. Kincannon, assessor; V. I flourishing, wide-awake village, with several

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

stores, shops, groceries, saloons, schools, churches, etc; but the railroad was built on the south side of the river, steamboats ceased to ply the river, and the place gradually ran down, until in 1884 the place had almost become a thing of the past, containing only two stores, a blacksmith shop, shoe shop, high school and church.

The first school at Port Andrews was kept by Thomas Andrews.

The second store was opened in 1850 by R. M. and I. N. Miller in a small building which had been erected by William Kincannon.

The third general store was kept by Palmer & McClure.

The first blacksmith here was Hardin Morse.

In an early day every house was open to strangers and travelers. The first hotel was opened by Mr. Isham. He sold to Joseph Elliott.

The first school house in Port Andrews was erected in 1854.

The first religious society organized at Port Andrews was the Methodist Episcopal, which denomination effected an organization in 1854. Meetings were held in the school house.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 172

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