History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 182

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 182
USA > Wisconsin > Crawford County > History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin > Part 182

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).

Father Herman Grosse, resident pastor in Westford, was born in Saxony, Germany, April 24, 1842. He attended a common school until the age of eleven, then entered the college at Heiligenstadt, where he studied for nine years. He then passed examination and entered the university at Munich. After completing the course there, he attended at Vienna, and after- ward at Munster in Westphalia, Paderborn. Ife was ordained by the Right Reverend Bishop Martin in 1863, and came to the United States, where he received the last ordination at Mil- waukee, from Bishop lIenni, and was sent to Kansas City, Mo. He remained there five years, then returned to Wisconsin to take charge of St. Mary's Church in Monroe county, remaining there seven and a half years. He was then at

Sank City four and a half years, after which he came to Cazenovia. He now has charge of four Churches, including the two in Westford, one in Henrietta and another at Ironton. He is a gentleman of pleasing address and one who commands the respect of all.

Oscar B., son of Levi J. and Fanny (Allen) Lincoln, was born at North Windham, Wind- ham Co., Conn., Aug. 31, 1854. He came to Wisconsin with his parents, a sketch of whom appears in the history of Ithaca town. Oscar B. remained at home until twenty years of age, alternately attending school and working on the homestead farm. He then went to Madi- son, Wis., and was employed by his uncle to assist him in well drilling. He remained there two years, and then procured a set of drilling tools and returned home, since which time he has made a business of well drilling in Rich- land, Sauk and Juneau counties. In 1881 he came to Cazenovia, July 1, and established the "Yankee" blacksmith shop, employing a man to attend to the custom. Since becoming a resident of Cazenovia, he has been engaged in selling agricultural implements, and in con- nection with the business of well drilling, keeps on hand a good stock of pumps and pipe. Mr. Lincoln is energetie and enterprising, and has been fairly successful in business. He was married at Muscoda, Wis., July 3, 1879, to Nan- nie Adams, a native of Crow Wing, Minn. Two sons have been given to them-Burr T. and Buford G. The former was born at Nep- tune, Sept. 8, 1880, and died in April, 1881. The latter was born at Cazenovia, June 5, 1883,

IIISTORY OF RICHILAND COUNTY.

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CHAPTER XXXIV.

TOWN OF WILLOW.

This is a full congressional township, being 11 north, range 2 east of fourth principal meri- dian. It is bounded on the north by Westford, on the east by Sank county, on the south by Ithaca, and on the west by Rockbridge. It is well watered by Big and Little Willow creeks and their tributaries, which flow through the town in a southerly direction. It is principally an agri cultural town, and has many good farms both in the valleys and on the ridges. There is con- siderable waste land on account of abrupt breaks. but in this particular it compares favorably with other portions of the county. Unfortunately the early records of the town have been lost. and a list of the officers could not be obtained The following is a partial list: E. L. D. Moody chairman, John Hake, side supervisor; Hiran Hitchcock, clerk; Hiram Britton and John Shaw. justices of the peace; Cyrus Stowe, treasurer; D O. Chandler, superintendent of schools. The ofli- cers for 1883 were as follows: John R. Smyth, chairman, J. A. Mercer and C. C. MeNamar. side supervisors; Antone Rollet, clerk; T. J. MeNurlin, assessor; Albert Hake, treasurer; Marion Hart, Matthew White, Samuel Doolittle and J. O. Frye, justices of the peace.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

other's welfare apparent in those days, were things to be the more appreciated as time passed on. The social cirele, although necessarily limited as to numbers, had not its present limit as to classification, and the disagreeable for- malities of the present day were unknown. A treatise on etiquette was not a necessity in every family, and the peculiar twist of a handker- chief, or fold of a shawl, were not matters re- quiring especial thought and careful manipula- tion. Comfort and happiness were untramelled by fashion and formalism. In such respects many in later days have had occasion to wish for the good old times.

The first settlement in the town was made in June, 1852, by John lake, a native of York State, who came here from Rock county. Pre- viously two of his sons had been here and en- tered land on the southeast quarter of section 4. This locality now bears the name of Hake Hollow. Here Mr. lake cleared quite a farm, and lived a number of years. He died at Sex- tonville in December, 1883.

The next settler was Benjamin Smith, who came into the town for the first time when Mr. Ilake moved here with his family. He selected land on section 23, where he still resides.

Many interesting features cluster around the first settlement of a country. Among the many D. O. Chandler, now a prominent citizen of Richland Center, was among the earliest set- tlers of this town. Ile was a native of Erie Co., N. Y., and came here from Buffalo in 1858, and settled on section 9, where he entered 160 acres and cleared about forty. In 1859 he re- difficulties, privations and hardships always at- tending the first development, there are bright spots along the pioneer life, standing out some- times in bold relief against a background of darkness and distress. The mutual helpfulness, almost universal kindness, and interest in each | moved to Loyd and engaged in mercantile busi-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

ness until 1865, when he removed to Richland Center and engaged in the hardware business.

Another settler of 1853 was Henry Cushman, from New England. He settled in Hake IIol- low, remained a short time and went to Iowa.

Jacob Fellows and Byron Telfair came the same year and settled on seetion 2, where they erected the first cabin in the north part of the town. They made some improvements, and in 1854 sold to Ephraim Moody. Fellows moved to Loyd and bought an interest in a saw-mill, in which place he died a few years later. Telfair was a lawyer, and a brother of Dr. Telfair, of Lone Roek. He settled in Buena Vista, en- listed in the army and contracted disease, from the effects of which he died a few years later.

The next year (1854) Russell Carpenter eame from York State and settled at Loyd. He was by trade a elock-tinker, and kept boarding- house. In 1864 he removed to Sauk county, where he was living at last accounts.

Another settler of this season was Ephraim Moody, a native of Ohio. He emigrated from Green county and settled on seetion 2. He was a land speculator, and was elected county sheriff; removed to the county seat, where he died in 1861.

From the same county, about the same time, came August Lampher and located on the north- east quarter of section 1. In 1859 he removed to the Kickapoo. In 1861 he enlisted in the army and served until the close of the war. At last report he was in Nebraska.

Seetion 10 received a settler this year in the person of Dr. Hitchcock, from Greene county. He was a practicing physician and quite an elderly man. He sold out to Joseph Stout, a na- tive of New Jersey, and in 1855 removed to Reedsburg.

During the winter of 1854-5 Alonzo Burdiek came from Dane Co., N. Y., and settled on see- tion 2. Ile died in 1868. His widow now lives in Viola.

Edward C. Walker came from Greene Co., N. Y., in 1855, and bought land on the north-

west quarter of section 1. He has cleared a farm, which he still owns.

James French, a native of Tennessee, lives on section 2, where he settled in 1854.

Patrick Smlth, a native of Ireland, came here in 1855 and bought land on section 23, where he lived a few years, and moved west.

Valentine Stoddard, a native of Connecticut, came here from New York State in 1854 and bought land on seetion 31, where he settled the following year, and still lives.

Daniel Stoddard, also a native of Connecticut, came from New York in 1854 and settled on section 30. He was an old batchelor and by profession a school teacher. Hle died in Feb- ruary, 1868. His widow still occupies the homestead.

Philip MeNamara was a settler of 1857. IIe was a native of West Virginia and came from Iowa and lived first on Mill creek, then, in 1857, he came to Willow and settled on his present farm on section 19.

The next year, during the month of Septem- ber, Watson A. Hatch came from New York State and settled in the village of Loyd, where he now lives.

Amos Stafford also came in 1856 from Chen- ango Co., N. Y. He came in the fall and spent the winter in Loyd. The following spring he settled on section 26, where he lived a few few years, then traded his farm for forty acres on seetion 15. He there built a mill, put in a turning lathe and manufactured household fur- niture. He was a natural mechanic, a good workman, and continued in that business some time and cleared a farm. He died here during the war.

John Rosenbaum and Aaron Bowman eame from Ohio in 1856 and located on section 1, where they made a little improvement and re- mained a few years, then moved to Westford.

David Wildermurth, a native of Ohio, came from Iowa county in 1855 and entered land on section 7. In 1856 he settled and has since re- mained.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

New York State furnished another settler this year in the person of Daniel Graves, who made settlement on the southeast quarter of section 10. He enlisted in the army and con- tracted a disease from which he died soon after his return. There is one son now living of this family who, at last accounts, was in New York State.

Edward M. Alward, a native of New Jersey, came here in 1853 and entered land on sections 18, 19 and 20. He did not settle, however, until 1857. He now lives on section 16.

Bartholomew Shea is a native of Ireland and came here in 1855 and located on the southeast quarter of section 20, where he still lives.

Samuel Fuller was from Ohio and came from Green county in 1855 and settled on section 5, where he now lives.

Ralph Ward, an Englishman, came to Willow as early as 1854 and selected a home on section 9. After a few years he removed to Iowa, but has since returned, and now lives on section 7.

Another early settler was William Butler, a half-blood Indian, formerly from Onondaga C'o., N. Y. He came from Ithaca probably about 1853 and settled on th southwest quarter of section 31. He was quite an elderly mau and had a white woman for a wife. He was a good farmer and quite industrious. He was, in common with all of his race, very fond of hunt- ing, and among his exploits during one winter killed seventy deer. He cleared quite a farm and remained here a number of years. He was quite a character in his way and served in the War of 1812. He drew a pension during his declining years and lived to the mature age of ninety-nine years. He had but one child, a . daughter, now dead. There are two grandsons now living in Dakota.

Another early settler was Jefferson Shaver, a native of Kentucky, and of African descent. lle first came to the county in 1852 and lived in the town of Ithaca two years. In 1854 he came to the Little Willow valley. He had bought eighty acres of land, one-half of which was in I lived some years. He is now dead.

the town of Willow and the other in Rock- bridge. He first built a house on the town line. His present house is on section 31, town of Willow.

David Wood arrived here in 1854 and settled on the southwest quarter of section 29, where he died. Two of his sons entered the army and sacrificed their lives in the cause of their country. The rest of the family are scattered and their whereabouts unknown.

Harvey Wells and Henry Short came in 1855 and settled in Wheat Hollow, where they im- proved farms. They removed to Nebraska in 1870.

Preserved Wheat came from Michigan in 1855 and located on section 28. The valley in which he lived took his name and is called Wheat hollow. About 1870 he sold out and at last accounts was in California.

A man from New York State, Heury II. Butts, came here in 1856 and located on section 23, where he still lives.

Mrs. Jane Warren came from the same State the same year and died here in 1862.

In 1855 John Drought, a native of Ireland, came. He was from Jefferson county and set- tled in the village of Loyd. He had purchased land on section 15, which he still ocenpies.

S. V. Carpenter was a native of York State, and came here during the winter of 1854-55 and settled on section 11, which place is still his home.

In 1856 a Vermonter by the name of Joseph Marden, settled in "Marden Hollow" where he yet makes his home.

Charles Herzing, Sr., a native of Germany, a weaver by trade, settled in the village of Loyd in 1856, where he operated asmall factory and died in 1881. His son, Charles, settled on section 27, where he cleared a good farm. In 1870 he removed to Nebraska.

In 1855 there was a settler came here by name of John Romack. He made his selection on section 25, where he cleared a farm and

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The same year Joseph Stout came from New Jersey and settled on section 10. He is now dead. His sons Merritt and Jonathan now oc- eupy the homestead.

Myrus Ramsdale, a native of Vermont, was also a settler of 1855, and selected the south- west quarter of section 10. He was a black- smith, worked at his trade and cleared a farm He died about 1872, and the whereabouts of lis family are unknown.

Another settler of this year was Romine Shaw, a native of Alleghany Co., N. Y. Ile located on the northwest quarter of section 15, and remained until 1864, when he returned to York State, and now lives in Cattaraugus county.

An earlier settler was I. A. Chandler, a na- tive of Erie county, who came probably as early as 1853, and made a claim on the southwest quarter of section 9. In 1855 he sold out and worked at his trade of carpenter at Pike's Peak. He is now in Texas.

EDUCATIONAL.

The citizens of Willow town have not been unmindful of the educational wants of the children within her borders, and have provid- ed from time to time, necessary facilities for imparting instruction, and giving all an oppor- tunity to receive a fair education. The town is now divided into school districts calculated to meet the wants of the people. Some changes might be made to advantage, which would bet- ter accommodate some sections, and in these matters the wants of the people being duly con- sidered, changes will doubtless be effected in time. As early as 1857, a school was taught in a log house located on the southeast quarter of section 9, and owned by D. O. Chandler. This is called district No. 4 and Annie Fellows was the first teacher. A number of terms were taught in this building. In 1866 a log school house was built which is still in use. Margaret Larey was the first teacher in the new building. The same year a school was commeneed in what is called district No. 7, and was taught by Jem-

ima ITake in a log building belonging to John Hake, located on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 34. The same year a school building was erected, and painted a bright red after the cus- tom of those days. It was located on the south- east corner of the southwest quarter of section 34. Anna Fellows was the first teacher in this building. The house has since been sold and is now used for a wagon shop in Ithaca. In 1879 the present house was built, located on the southwest of the northeast quarter of section 34, and Clara Campbell taught the first school therein. The teacher at this time (1884) is Nallie Railton. Before these schools were or- ganized, Mr. A. Hitchcock taught in what is known as district No 1. This was in 1855, and the house was located on block 4, of the vil- lage plat of Loyd. The same year a frame building was erected on block 3. In this house Charlotte Smith was the first teacher. In 1876 a new house was built on block 10, in which Mary Cass taught the first school. The teacher for 1884 was Lizzie Markham. That same year (1855) in what is called district No. 2 a school was taught by Harriet Smiley in a log shanty owned by E. L. D. Moody, located on the southeast quarter of section 2. The year following the first school house was built in this district and Velisa Godfrey was the first teacher within its walls. She had previously commenced a term in Mr. Moody's barn, but completed it in the school building. In 1882 a more commodious house was erected and fur- nished at a cost of $600. Margaret A. Ander- son was the first teacher in this building. In 1884 a school was here being taught by James B. Moody. The first school taught in what is called district No. 5 was by Emily Grover in 1859, during which year the house was built, lo- rated on the southwest of the northwest quar- ter of section 23. This building was burned in 1867 and the present house erected on the old site. In the latter building Edward Long was the first teacher. District No. 6 was organized ! in 1859 and a school building erected the same

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

year, located on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 31. Mary Worth was the first teacher. In 1880 the district sold this house to Valentine Stoddard, and built a new house on the south- west quarter of section 30, where John Steven- son was the first teacher. This building is supplied with modern furniture, and the school in 1884 was under management of Hessie Rail- ton. In 1858 a school building was erected in district No. 10, on the southwest of the north- west quarter of section 7. It was constructed of logs, and Cordelia Wood was one of the first teachers. Afterward another log house was built on the southeast quarter of section 6 in which Jemima MeNamar was the first teacher. In 1879 this house was burned and two terms of school were taught in David Wildermuth's hop house. In 1880 a neat frame house was built on the southwest quarter of the northwest quar- ter of section 8, in which Lillie Wood was the first teacher.

RELIGIOUS.

The spiritual wants of the people of Willow have not been altogether neglected, although many, in an early day, very much desired Church privileges beyond what they were able to obtain, and as a consequence Churches were organized, societies formed, and the attention of the peo- ple directed toward matters which appertained to their spiritual welfare. Prayer meetings and occasional services were held in some of the houses of the early settlers, and as to the date of the first meeting of such a character, there is some difference of opinion, and it is uncertain at what place or by whom the actual first meet- ing was held. The historian ascertained dates, and facts, so far as they could be given, and the same are hereby presented: During the winter of 1857-58, revival meetings were held at the school house in Loyd, conducted by different preachers, and quite a number of the people were converted. The ministers were of the United Brethren order, among whom were: Rev. Frederick Outcalt, James Howard and G. G. Nickey. The latter was a presiding elder. At

the close of this series of meetings, a class was organized with about thirty members. The following were among the members: Amos Stafford and wife, W. A. Hatch and wife, Joseph Stout and wife, T. R. Rollins and wife, George Wright and wife, John Shaw and wife, Edward Long and wife, Levi Stafford and William Shaw. Edward Long was chosen class leader and W. A. Hatch steward. The following named preachers administered to the spiritual wantsof this class: Frederick Outealt, James Howard, Revs. Harrison, Smith, Sutton and Alderman. During, the preaching of the latter meetings were dis- continued.

In 1856 Rev. Kilbourne, of the M. E. Church held services in different parts of the town but did not succeed in effecting any organiza. tion. The first United Brethren society organ- ized in this section of the county, was at the residence of Moses Bible, on section 35, town of Westford, in the spring of 1857, by Rev. Fred- erick Outcalt. The class contained fifteen mem - bers, among whom were the following: Moses Bible and wife, William Smelier and wife, James French and wife, John Frye and wife, John Clary and wife, William Thornburg and wife, Henry Trobough and William Carr and wife. James French was class leader. They met for worship in the Moody school house on section 2, town of Willow, for some years, but now hold meetings at the Block school house in the town of Westford. In January, 1884, they were mak- ing preparation to build a church to be located on the southeast quarter of section 2. The class now numbers about thirty members, and Ash- bury Smelier is class leader. There was an- other organization of this denomination affected at the residence of David Wood, on section 29, in 1858, with eight members. Among the num- ber, were: David Wood and wife, Moses Call and wife and Alpheus Smith and wife. David Wood was class leader, and during his life the organization was continued, but disbanded soon after his death. About the same time Rev. Outealt organized another class in "Hake Hlol-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

low" with the following members: Cornelius Hake and wife, John Ilake and wife, A. Van- allen and wife, George Hake and wife, and Mr. Romaek and wife. John Hake was the class leader. This society continued in existence about four years, by which time, most of the members had moved away. The Christian Church of West Willow, was organized about 1870, by Rev. William Cammick. The follow- ing were among the members: J. R. Davis and wile, Samuel Jones and wife, Enoch Gray and wife and Mary and Rachel Davis. J. R. Davis was elder and clerk. Enoch Gray was class leader. In 1881 the society purchased the school house in which it was organized, and continued to hold service in that building. Among those who have preached there are the following: A. Rogers, David Wood, John Walworth and James M. Keepers, the present pastor. George Jones clerk, and J. R. Davis deacon. They have preaching regularly once a month. In 1874 Rev. Thayer, a United Brethren preacher, or- ganized a society at Ezra Reagles' house with five members, as follows: Ezra Reagles and wife, F. L. Smith and wife and Rosanna Beggs. Ezra Reagles was class leader and F. L. Smith steward. This society continued to hold meet- ings in private houses until 1877, when a log church was built, on the southwest of the south- east quarter of section 7. The following named pastors have preached to this society: Rev. Potts, McReynolds, Aldrich, Mabbitt, Young, Snell and Erwin, the present pastor. This or- ganization has flourished, and now numbers seventy-three members. Jesse lJatch is the present elass leader and Ezra Reagles steward. A Sabbath school was organized in 1875, with Harrison J. Kirkpatrick as superintendent. This school flourishes during the summer months only. In 1878 Rev. F. B. Moulton, from Ithaca came to Loyd and preached in Rollet's hall. IIe continued to supply the pulpit here from time to time, until 1880, without any organization. In February of that year, he held a series of protracted meetings, at which time considerable

interest was manifested, and a Free-Will Bap- tist Church was organized with fourteen mem- bers, as follows: J. W. Burnham and wife, with three children, A. Rollet and wife, with two children, J. W. Roberts, with his wife and Non, and J. W. Bryant and wife. J. W. Burnham and J. W. Bryant, were chosen deacons, and J. W. Roberts, clerk. Mr. Moulton is still pas- tor of the society. In connection with this Church there is a Sabbath school, of which .I. C. Hatch is superintendent.

HISTORICAL ITEMS.

The first birth in the town of Willow was that of Lucy Lorain Smith, a daughter to Ben- jamin and Phoebe (Price) Smith, born in De- cember, 1852. She was married to Albert Tut- tle, and died in Richland Center in November, 1876, leaving two children.

The first death was that of II. Z. Britton, who died at the village of Loyd in 1855, where he was buried, but has since been removed to the cemetery.

MILLS.

About 1867 Daniel W. Dodge built a saw- mill on the northwest quarter of section 34, having an "up and down" saw. The dam was built of timber and dirt. In 1871 he sold this property to Augustus Taplin, who operated it for four years, when it reverted to Mr. Dodge, and was burned the same year. He immedi- ately rebuilt, and it is now owned by Davis & Poole. It is furnished with a muley and lathe saw, and the proprietors are doing a fair busi- ness. Earlier than this, in 1855, John Wood erected a saw-mill on section 15, on Willow creek. It was constructed on the old pattern, having an "up and down" saw. In a few years he sold this property to Mr. Sexton, who in 1868 sold it again to Samuel MeCorkle, and he in turn to Robert McCorkle, who put in a circular saw. In 1879 he sold a one-half interest to his brothers, Samuel and William. The new firm built a grist-mill with two run of stone, and put in all neesssary machinery for the manufacture of first-class flour.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CEMETERY.

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History of Crawford and Richland counties, Wisconsin, Part 182

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