History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 180

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 180
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 180

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William Heal was born in Washington town- ship, Delaware Co., Ind., Feb. 19, 1832, where he resided on a farm until the death of his father in 1847. He then went to Jefferson township, Grant Co., Ind., and lived with his brother-in- law, Joel Littler, on a farm, till the latter's death in 1853. lle engaged in farming until 1856' and then commenced to learn the joiner's trade with his brother, James McDeed lleal, which occupation he followed until May, 1861. Hle enlisted at this date, in company HI, 12th regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under C'apt. Thomas Doane. lle was discharged at Washington City, in May, 1862, and returned to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1864 he re- turned to Indiana, and in 1867 came once more to Wisconsin, and bought eighty acres of land on seetion 7, town of Sylvan, Richland county, which farm he has increased to 177 acres. He settled on this farm July 4, 1867, where he still resided in 1884. He has improved the farm and built a saw-mill. He erected the first town house in Richland county. On the 14th of January, 1884, his house burned, with almost its entire contents. The house was rebuilt the same week, with the assistance of neighbors, who heartily

responded with cheerful and substantial aid. Mr. Ileal was married, in 1856, to Martha Ann Nottingham, of Delaware Co., Ind., by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Heal died in 1857, near Muncie, Ind. Mr. Ileal again mauried in Grant Co., Ind., in 1963, to Marga- ret E Reeder, by whom he had two children- John F., and one child that died in infancy. His second wife departed this life in 1865, in Jefferson township, Ind. Mr. Heal married again in Richland Co., Wis., in 1868, to Mary E. Burt, by whom he has seven children, four now living-Harriet Alice, Effie Norene, George Eugene and William Ernest.

Thomas Harn, one of the prominent business men and pioneers of the town of Sylvan, was born in Tyler Co., Va., in 1820. He lived there ten years and then his parents moved to Monroe Co., Ohio., where he obtained a common school education, and learned the moulder's trade, at which he worked for three years. He was then obliged to abandon it on account of his eyes. He then followed boating, on the Mississippi river, first in the capacity of cook, then watch- man, next as second mate, and finally as mate, until 1844, when he returned to Monroe Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming, which he contin- ued till 1861, when he enlisted in the service of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, and was honorably discharged in 1864. In 1885 he moved to Wash- ington county, and remained three years. In 1868 he moved to Wisconsin, town of Sylvan, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 4, on which he now resides. Mr. Harn was united in marriage with Catharine Dougherty, who was born in Monroe Co., Ohio, in 1821. They are the parents of four children living and three dead-Margaret, now the wife of James Lath- ram; John D., now married to Susan Bender; Rebecca, now the wife of Eugene Vincent; and Stephen, now living at home. Mr. Harn was a member of the 2d Virginia Cavalry, having in- listed in 1861. He was wounded three times, at Charleston, at Wytheville and at Loop Creek, West Virginia. He has been chairman of the town board, two years, and is now engaged in arming.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

TOWN OF WESTFORD.

The town of Westford forms the northeastern corner of Richland county, embracing the ter- ritory of township 12, range 2 east. On the north and east it is bounded by Sauk county, while the towns of Ilenrietta and Willow lie to the west and south. The general surface of the town, in common with the rest of the county, is of a hilly nature, although but a small share of the land is unfit for cultivation. The town is well settled with a good class of people, who are well to do, thrifty and intelligent. The town is watered by the upper Willow and in part by the Little Baraboo river and its tribu- taries. Both of these streams head in this town.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The honor of the first settlement in this town belongs to Allen Perkins, a native of Madison Co., N. Y. He came here from Walworth Co., Wis., in 1848, and entered a large tract of land in Westford, including the present site of the village of Cazenovia. Ile settled here in 1853 and erected a house on the southeastern part of section 12. In 1865 he sold all his interest in the village of Cazenovia, and moved to Mis- souri. In 1867 he settled in Laclede county, that State, where it is thought he still lives engaged at farming. Allen Perkins was an honest man, and held the respect of all who knew him.

Henry Fuller, a native of England, came from the State of New York, in 1853, and entered land in this town, claiming the south half of northwest quarter of section 12. IIe settled here in 1856 and remained until about 1880,

when he rented his farm and removed to Sank county.

William Y. Barron, a native of England, and his father-in-law, Thomas Woodford, also came in 1853. Mr. Barron entered land on section 14. Ile sold out as early as 1867 and removed to Cazenovia, where he opened a wagon shop. Two or three years later he went to Lime Ridge. He is now a resident of Ean Claire, Wis.

Thomas Woodford entered the east half of the northwest quarter of section 14, where he erected a house and lived until the time of bis death in 1856. He was buried at Ironton.

In 1854 there were many more arrivals than in the previous year. Cyrus Stowe came from the State of New York, by way of Dane county, early in the winter of this year, and settled on the present site of Cazenovia, erecting a house on what is now block 8. He was a blacksmith by trade and opened the first shop in Cazen- ovia. He now lives, retired from business, on Sun Prairie, Dane county, where he followed his trade for many years.

Levi and Asa Lincoln, natives of the town of Westford, Otsego Co., N. Y., also came early in the winter of 1854, and settled upon block 1, of the present site of the village of Cazenovia. Here they erected a log building and put in a small stock of merchandise. They con- tinued in trade for about three years, when Asa went back to Dane county. Levi went to Sank county and engaged in farming. Later he went to Dakota, where he died, in 1882.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

O. L. Gleason was also one of the arrivals in 1854. Ile was a native of Massachusetts, but came here from Dane county, and entered land on section 13, taking the east half of the south- east quarter. He now lives in Cazenovia.

George Dennis came early in the spring of 1854 and entered the north half of the north- west quarter of section 12. In the fall he sold to Joseph Dann and moved away. Mr. Dann spent the winter here and then returned to Whitewater, Wis.

In the fall of 1854 four families of native Tennesseans, John Frye, John H. Clary, James French and William Smelier, came from Indi- ana. They came overland, with teams, bring- ing their household goods with them. Mr. Frye entered the southeast of the south west quar- ter of section 36; Mr. Clary the west half of the southwest quarter of the same section, and Smelier and French located in the town of Wil- low. Mr. Frye still owns the land he first claimed; Mr. Clary joined the army toward the close of the war and died in the service. His son, Isaac M. Clary, is now living in Willow. The widow married again and now lives in Iowa.

N. R. Kline, a native of New York State, came here from Ohio, late in 1854, and bought the northeast quarter of section 15. In 1883 he sold his place and moved to Dakota. Another arrival of 1854, was William Davalt, a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio, who came from Dane C'o., Wis. Hle settled on section 32, where he still resides.

Frederick Deitelhoff, a German, came here in 1854 and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 11. Ile lived here until the time of his death, and his widow, hav- ing married again, still occupies the old home- stead.

In the fall of the same year (1854) John Don- ahue, a native of Ireland, came from Ohio, and entered land on sections 22 and 27. He then returned to Ohio and spent the winter, return- ing the following spring with his family and

locating upon the place he had entered, where he still lives.

G. W. Montgomery, a native of New York State, came in 1855 and entered the southwest quarter of section 9. He remained there for about three years, when he sold out and removed to Sauk county. Ile now resides in Walworth Co., Wis. During the war he served in the 3d Wisconsin Cavalry.

Allen Tinker, also a native of New York State, came during the same year as did Mont- gomery, from Jefferson Co., Wis., and loca- ted on seetion 9. He now lives in Cazenovia, where he is following his trade, blacksmithing.

S. S. Moon, a native of Indiana, came here in 1855, and entered land. He lived upon the land about two years, then sold out and removed to the village of Cazenovia, where for a time he worked in Perkin's mill. He then went to Sauk county and purchased a mill. He is now dead.

Edward West, a native of New York State, came from there in 1855 and bought the north- west quarter of section 12. Hle improved the farm ; but now lives Cazenovia.

Jesse Carpenter, a native of Ohio, made his appearance in the town of Westford in 1855 and entered the northwest quarter of section 21, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 28. Ile erected a house on section 91 and remained two years when he sold out and returned to Ohio.

In the fall of 1855 another bateli of natives of Tennessee came. They were : Moses Bible, Zachi Clary and Jonathan Smelier. Like the former party they all came from Indiana, over- land, with horse teams, bringing their families and household goods with them, and also drove some stock. They were about three weeks on the road. Moses Bible entered the southwest quarter of section 35 and the north half of the northwest quarter of the same section. The Jast piece was for his son, Rufus M. Bible. Ile erected his house on the southwest quarter of section 35 and still lives there. Zachi . Clary

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

entered the east half of the southwest quarter of seetion 23. He made his home there until he died. His son, William, still occupies the old homestead. Smelier settled in Sank county.

Ludger Phoenix, a Canadian, came here from the State of New York in the fall of this year and bought land on section 11.

Elijah Williams came at about the same time, in 1855, and entered the west half of the north- west quarter of section 23. He died there in 1867 and the family are scattered.

Cornelius Sweeney, a native of Ireland, eame in the spring of 1855 and entered the north half of the southeast quarter of section 22, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 22. Hle erected his dwelling on section 23 and still makes that his home.

Peter Jax, a German, came here from Fond du Lac in 1855 and bought State land on seetion 15-the southwest quarter. Ile has improved the farm and still lives there.

William Duren, a native of Prussia, came from that country in 1856 and entered land on section 3. He lived there until 1866, when he bought land on seetion 14 where he still lives.

Theodore Moll, a native of Germany, eame during 1856, and set his home stakes on seetion 2. Ile improved the farm and made it his home until his death in 1877.

William M. Beeson, acompanied by his brother and William Mann, came from Indiana at an early day. Beeson settled on section 1. The Mann family settled in Sauk county, and Lewis Mann located on section 2. The latter sold out in 1880 and removed to Nebraska.

FIRST EVENTS.

One of the first marriages in the town was that of William Burman to Eliza Russell. The ceremony was performed in 1856, at the resi- denee of the bride's parents on section 14, by Frank Jones, justice of the peace. 'Squire Jones was "new at the business," and fearing he might have made some mistake, he after- ward called on the parties at their home to rectify the mistake if any had been made.

The first birth in the town was that of George Barron, son of William and Charlotte ( Wood- ford) Barron, in January, 1857. He was killed at Otter creek, Eau Claire Co., Wis., when abont sixteen years old, by a stroke of lightning.

The second marriage that took place in the town, was that of Simeon Lincoln to Jane Kline, which took place in 1857, at the resi- denee of the bride's parents. Rev. Augustus Hall officiating.

In the earlier days it was a great hardship to go within a mile of Baraboo to mill, a distance of thirty miles, and many tell of taking six and seven days to make the trip, having such poor cattle from want of fodder, that no faster time could be made. Wild grass, and that of a poor quality, would not make cattle strong enough for hard work, and it was all the hardy pioneers had to give them.

In 1858 breadstuffs became scarce in this re- gion. Allen Tinker and Cyrus Stowe, members of the school board, took money from the school treasury, giving their notes for the same. They then employed a man to go to Spring Green for corn, which was then selling for eighty-seven cents per bushel. This relieved the wants of the people and all was settled up satisfactory.

Dr. J. M. Flautt, a native of Ohio, was the first physician to locate in the town. He came here in 1858 and located on section 15, where he remained until during the war.

ORGANIC.

The town of Westford was organized in April, 1857, at a meeting held at Lincoln's store, in the village of Cazenovia. The following were the first officers elected: William Bur- man, elerk ; Allen Tinker, chairman of town board of supervisors; Moses Bible and John Russell, associate supervisors ; Zachi Clary, treasurer; Allen Perkins and Frank Jones, jus- tices of the peace.

At the annnal town meeting held at Cazen- ovia, in April, 1883, the following town officials were elected : John Keane, elerk; Henry Mitehel, assessor ; board of supervisors, B. M. Jarvis,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

chairman, (he moved from the town and Allen Tinker was appointed) John Donahoe and An- drew Johnson; Converse Pierce, Allen Tinker, Andrew Johnson and John Frye, justices of the peace; Thomas Moody, constable; Converse Pierce, treasurer.

DUREN'S MILL

In 1868 William Duren erected a saw-mill on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 14, on the Little Baraboo river. The mill is equipped with an up and down saw, a circular saw for cutting off, a rib saw and a felly saw, making three circular saws and a band saw. A turning lathe was also put in. The mill manufactures stock for wagons, sleighs. harrows, etc. A dirt and stone dam was thrown across the river, giving eight feet fall of water. Upon the completion of the saw-mill, Mr. Duren put in one run of stone for grinding feed. EDUCATIONAL.

The first school house in the Woodman dis- trict, was commenced in 1857, and completed during the following year. Theressa Carr was the first teacher in this house. The old build- ing remained in use until 1878, when the pres- ent structure was erected near the old site on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 32. Lettie Smith was the first teacher in this building.

The first school in district No. 2 was taught in a log house belonging to John Donahoe, on section 22, in the winter of 1856-7. The teacher was George Flautt. In 1857 a log school house was built on the northeast quarter of section 22, in which James Brown taught the first school. During the war a frame house was erected upon the same site, and in this building Peter White taught the first school. A few years later this school house was moved near the church, and has since been moved to its present location on the southeast quarter of section 22.

The first school in district No. 8 was taught in Allen Perkin's log building across the stream north of Cazenovia, by William A. Perkins.

In 1857 a frame school house was erected upon block 4, in the village of Cazenovia, which is still in use.

In district No. 4 the first school was taught in 1856 by a Mr. Crisp, in a log carpenter shop belonging to N. R. Cline. In 1857 a log school house was built on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 15. In 1869 a two story frame building was erected on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 11, at a cost of about $1,500. This building is still in use.

About 1860 a school house was erected in dis- trict No. 5, on the northeast quarter of see- tion 19. Kate MeCarthy was one of the first teachers in this building. Several terms of school were taught in this house when the dis- triet was split up, and the territory annexed to other districts. In 1875 another house was erected in the southwestern part of the north- east quarter of section 20. Hugh Fitch was one of the first teachers in this building.

The first school in distriet No. 7 was held in a log house belonging to John Clary, on section 36, in 1865. Katie Krouse was the teacher. The next school was held in Mr. Bible's tannery. In 1867 a hewn log school building was erected on the northeast quarter of section 35. W. C. S. Barron was the first teacher in this house. This is known as the "block school house."

In 1864 a school house was erected on the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 7, in which James Me Vees was the first teacher. The house is still in use.

RELIGIOUS.

The first mass for the German Catholic Church in Westford, was held at the house of Jacob Marts, and said by Father Gaertner, then a resi- dent of Sauk City, who had charge of several counties in this part of Wisconsin. The first resident priest was Father Bernerd. De way succeeded by Father Beau, then came Father Metzler and finally Father Grosse, the present priest. For a time the German Catholics wor- shiped in the Irish Catholic Church; but in 1858 and 1859 they erected a church on section

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

14. In 1883 the society were making prepara- tions to build a frame structure, with brick vaneer, 40x90 feet in size, to cost about $5,000. The congregation now numbers about seventy German families.

St. Bridget's Catholic Church, of Westford. Father Sthale was the first priest to visit the Cath- olies that form the congregation of this clurch. He was here first in December, 1855, and held mass at the house of John Donahoe. He in- duced the people to build a church. In 1856 the erection of a log churel on the northwest quarter of section 22, was commenced which was completed in 1857. Father Sthale was the first to say mass in this edifice. The log church was in use until the present edifice was com- pleted in 1881. It was dedicated in September, of that year. Father John B. Metzler was the first to hold mass in this church, and it was mainly owing to his exertions that the new eburch was erected. The congregation now numbers about fifty Irish families.

Near the church is the cemetery of this con- gregation. Dennis Murphy, who died in April, 1856, was the first buried here. His wife was interred near him in July, following. The land originally belonged to John Donahoe, who donated five aeres to the church, and the ceme- tary was regularly platted in 1863. It was dedicated by Father Bernard a few years later.

CAZENOVIA VILLAGE.

The land upon which the village of Cazenovia is now located was entered in 1848 by Allen Perkins. The village was surveyed in Febru- ary, 1855, by Solon Rushmore, for Mr. Perkins. The first frame house upon the site was erected by Samuel Colby, in 1854. The first log house was erected by the Lincoln brothers the same year. In this building they opened the first store in the village. They remained in trade but a few years.

Richard Mann was the next to engage in trade here. He remained but a short time, when he sold out and removed to Sauk county.

Alois Fieks bought ont Mann and carried on the business alone for one year, when he sold a half interest to Sebastian Wenker. They con- tinned in trade five months, when Wenker bought the Stowe property. This was in 1866. Mr. Wenker took his share of the stock and set up the business on his newly acquired premises. In 1877 he erected a building, 22x46 feet in size, two stories high.

The first blacksmith in the village was Cyrus Stowe, who opened a shop here in 1855. Ile remained here but a few years, when he re- moved to Sun Prairie. Allen Tinker was the next blacksmith. He opened a shop here in the spring of 1858, and is still in business.

For many years Cazenovia was without a hotel, and the traveling public were taken care of very satisfactorily by Allen Tinker. In 1875 J. W. Thompson opened the first hotel. Hle was landlord until March, 1876, when he sold to Mrs. Carrie M. Atkins, who is still the pro- prietor.

Andrew J. Stibbins was the first shoemaker to locate in Cazenovia, opening a shop here in 1855. He remained but a few years. Henry Bushman, the present shoemaker, commenced business in 1868.

The first millinery establishment here was opened in 1867 by Addie Boyd, at the house of Allen Tinker. She ran the shop but a short time. This branch of trade is now represented by Ida Nuss, who opened her shop in 1881.

Dr. J. J. Worthy, was the first resident phy- sician at Cazenovia, locating here during the war. Ile remained a number of years.

INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES,

Allen Perkins erected a saw-mill in 1853, the power being derived from the south branch of the Little Baraboo river. The mill was equipped with an "up and down saw," and for several years did a good business. The dam was built with log cribs, filled with dirt and stone. The first dam was washed out before the war. It was replaced by another dam, which soon followed the first dam down the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

stream. Mr. Perkins then sold the power and mill to George Jarvis.

In 1854 Allen Perkins started a grist-mill, erecting a large building and equipping it with one run of stone. Mr. Jarvis bought this mill with the other property. While Mr. Jarvis owned the mills the dam went ont once; but he quickly repaired it. In 1866 Mr. Jarvis com. pleted the present mill. The building is 30x50 feet in size, two stories high. It is furnished with two run of stone, and all the necessary machinery for the manufacture of first-class flour, while the water power is one of the best in the State. B. M. Jarvis is the present pro- prietor.

CAZENOVIA POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice at this place was established in 1856, with Cyrus Stowe as postmaster. Hle kept the office at his house. It was then a special office, and the mail carrier was paid by subscription from the citizens. Mail was re- ceived once a week from Sextonville, and later from Ironton. In 1883 mail was received three times each week from Rielland Center and daily from Le Valle. Allen Tinker succeeded Mr. Stowe as postmaster. Then in succession came: M. O. Tracy, George Jarvis, Edward Kimber, J. C. Spencer, B. M. Jarvis and Wenzel .J. Hanzlik. Mr. Hanzlik is the present postmas- ter, and keeps the office at his store. He was appointed June 28, 1883.

RELIGIOUS.

Religious meetings were held at the house of N. R. Kline as early as 1856. Rev. Wood, a Wesleyan Methodist, was the first minister, but he did not organize.

The first Methodist Episcopal preacher was Rev. Augustus Hall, who, in 1857, preached at Lincoln's store. He organized a class there with twenty-six members. Among the mem- bers were-Ludger Phoenix and wife, Allen Tinker and wife, Andrew Tinker, JJohn Russell, Mrs. Henry Fuller, Nathaniel Camp and wife, George Perkins, George Montgomery and wife, William Y. Barron and wife, Mary J Russell,

Mary J. Tinker, W. C. Osborne and wife, Sarah J. Low, N. R. Kline and wife, Clara Perkins, Levi Lincoln and wife, and James Kinney and wife. Allen Tinker was the first class leader. Rev. Augustus Hall was the first pastor. He lived in Sauk county and had several charges in this region. The following named ministers have at different times preached for the class at Cazenovia, since Rev. Hall: Rev. E. Your, the first presiding elder; Revs. S. D Bassinger, W. D. Atwater, R. M. De Lap, Mathew Ben- nett, M. F. Chester, W. W. Wheaton, J. T. Bryan, Mr. Conway, J. J. Walker, Mr. Dudley, George Tyacke, R. W. Nicholas and II. D. Jeneks. Rev. Jencks, the present pastor, resides at Ironton and has charge of four classes: Iron- ton, Cazenovia, Sandusky and Washington. He holds services at Cazenovia once every two weeks. The Cazenovia class met at the school house for worship until 1878, when they erected a frame church on the southeast quarter of see- tion 12. Rev. George Tyacke was the first minister to hold services in this building. Allen Tinker was the first leader of the class, and held that position for many years. Ludger Phoenix is the present leader. The class now has fourteen members. A Sabbath school was organized at about the same time as the class, with Allen Tinker as superintendent. The school meets every Sunday. Frank Phoenix is the present superintendent.

In 1857 a Wesleyan Methodist class was or- ganized, at Lincoln's store, by the Rev. Mr. Wood. It had about twenty members, among whom were-Jonathan Wright and wife, Cyrus Stowe, Henry Fuller and wife, and Daniel Carr and wife. As none of the members of this class are now living in the town, a full history of it cannot be collected. The class only continued in existence a few years.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 180

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