History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 129

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Wisconsin > Part 129

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Village of Clinton .- In the fall of 1846, Thomas and Nathan G. Van Horn had con- structed, under the direction of N. A. Perry, a mill-dam at this place, and the following year erected a combined saw, grist and carding mill. For two years they controlled the mill, when they sold out to William Richardson, who remained sole proprietor until 1872, when he sold to his sons Matthew and Robert Richardson. For two years longer the brothers run it, when Matthew bought out the interest of Robert and run it about one year, disposing of the property to O. H. Lee & Son, who yet control it. The mill has three run of stone and does custom work exclusively.

The first house erected in the village was by N. A. Perry in 1846.

Wardner Earl started the first store in 1847. At the present time there are two general stores -- Tollefson & Son and Hoff & Brounty ; one drug store, owned by Brekke & Brounty ; one blacksmith-shop, one mill and a post office.

A post office was established here in 1847, by the removal of the old Christiana post office to the place. Wardner Earl was made the first Postmaster. He has been succeeded in turn by Charles Corneliuson, Carlman Burdick, W. D. Power, H. L. Sanderson, W. W. Stillwell, Ole Jacobson and Chester Tollefson. The latter was appointed January, 1870, and is yet Postmaster. The name of the office was never changed,

The first birth in the village was a daughter of Nathan G. Van Horn, in 1847. The first death was that of a son of Jarvis L. Freeman, in the same year.

The first school was in 1849.

A few years after the settlement of the place, a brewery was established here by a Mr. Lewis. After running it for a time its place was taken by a distillery, built by Mr. Jacobsen, being the first brewery and first distillery in the town of Christiana as well as the village of Clinton.

Village of Cambridge .- The first house built in this village was by Joseph Keyes, in 1847. Joseph Keyes, Abel Keyes and A. B. Carpenter had previously purchased all the land on which the village was originally located. including the water-power. During the same year, they built a saw and grist mill, and also a store building, the latter of which was occupied in the fall by

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Daniel Davidson, who sold the first goods ever disposed of in this village. Other improvements made at this time were the building of two hotels-one by George Dow, which he named the American House, the other by Mr. Wheeler, to which was given the name of Union House. Mr. Dow did not continue the business many years, other business occupying his attention. Mr. Wheeler soon after sold out and it passed into the hands of various parties, finally being de- stroyed by fire in 1868. The house was afterward rebuilt, and, under the name of Cambridge Hotel, it yet affords entertainment to the weary traveler.

A son of Daniel Davidson was born in 1848, being the first in the village.

A small frame schoolhouse was erected in 1848, which continued to serve until the erection of the present two-story structure, used for the purpose of a graded school.

At the close of its first year, the village had attained its growth, so far as numbers were concerned. Whatever permanency. it has attained since, is due in a great measure to George Dow, who has spent more time and money for its improvement than any other person. He has run a grist-mill for years, started a carding-mill, cheese factory and other enterprises to aid in building it up.

TOWN OF COTTAGE GROVE.

When, by the act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1848, the town of Madison was created, consisting of twenty-four townships, the one now forming Cottage Grove was among the number. By an act approved February 11, 1847, Townships 7 north, in Ranges 11 and 12 east, were formed into a separate town, by the name of Cottage Grove, from a burr- oak grove, in which a public house was built, and where a post office was kept. The first elec- tion was held at the house of Amos Beecher, on the first Tuesday in April, 1847. with the fol- lowing result: Supervisors, Henry L. Bush, Chairman, A. E. Adsit, J. W. Butts; Clerk, Frederick A. Mitchell ; Assessors, John Sunderman, Lucius Loss, M. W. Adsit; Justices of the Peace, Edmund P. Butts, J. H. Clyde, Charles Drakeley ; Commissioners of Highways, Molton J. Hammond, Samuel Halawork, E. Sampson ; School Commissioners, E. D. Kanouse, John Barker, Eli Sperry ; Collector, Isaac Beecher ; Constables, Isaac Beecher, E. A. Sperry, George S. Butler ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, John Deline ; Fence Viewers, Amos Harris, Allen Kanouse, Orsamus McCray.

By an act of the State Legislature, approved March 17, 1849, the east half of the town was erected into a separate one and named Deerfield, so that the town of Cottage Grove was reduced to Township 7 north, of Range 11 east, its present limits.

The first town election in the re-organized town was held at the house of Roswell Brown, on the first Tuesday of April, 1849, when the following officers, among others, were chosen : Charles Drakeley, Chairman ; David Sager, Lewis Waldref, Supervisors ; H. M. Warner, Clerk ; A. Kanouse, Treasurer ; H. M. Warner, Assessor and Superintendent.

The surface in the northern and southeastern parts of the town is rolling prairie, while in in the east and south is considerable marsh land. Some portions of the town are somewhat broken by bluffs. Liberty Prairie, which covers about five sections in the south part of the town, is considered the choicest locality in the town. It was so named by a company of Fourth of July celebrators, on the occasion of one of the first celebrations in the town.

The soil is of excellent quality throughout, being easy of cultivation, and highly produc- tive. This township is in the eastern part of the county. It is watered in the northeastern part by Koshkonong Creek, which enters the town on Section 3, and leaves it on Section 24. The banks of this stream are marshy. Little Door Creek enters from the town of Pleasant Springs, on Section 35, and flows south west and empties into Big Door Creek, near the line between Sections 31 and 32. Big Door Creek enters on Section 7, and runs in a southerly direction, passing through Pleasant Springs into Lake Kegonsa. The lowlands along this stream are a favorite resort for hunters, and much game is obtained, although many a disciple of Nimrod has been " taken in " by the treacherous mud-holes between the bogs.

The town is very fairly timbered with the various varieties indigenous to this part of the State.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

The inhabitants embrace about an equal number of Americans and Germans, with a small admixture of other nationalities ; the population of 1870 was 955 ; it is now 1,164. The social and educational condition of the people is excellent.

The first hotel in the town was opened as early as 1841, by Amos Beecher, at the point now called Cottage Grove, on Section 7. This tavern was for many years one of the principal stop- ping-places in the county. Here the stages were wont to change horses at that time, and here many of the incidents, connected with the early settlers and public men, of great interest, oc- curred. The business of the place is now represented by one general store, and several mechanic shops.

The first post office in town was established here in 1848, with William C. Wells as Post- master.

There are several church organizations in the town, and two secret societies. The Presby- terian society, of Cottage Grove, was organized in 1845, the Rev. J. G. Kanouse officiating. The service was conducted at the house of H. Catlin, which continued to be the only meeting- house in the town for some time after. Mr. Kanouse served the church until his death, which occurred in 1870, since that time, the pulpit has been occupied by William Hendrickson, Lem- uel Leonard, O. P. Thompson and others. In 1846, the Cottage Grove Methodist Episcopal Church society was organized at the tavern of Amos Beecher, the Rev. Mathew Fox and the Rev. Montgomery officiating, there were three charter members, Laura Robinson, Samnel G. Curtis and Thomas Atkins. Shortly after this, another Methodist Episcopal society was or- ganized in Liberty Prairie by Samuel Dodge and L. D. Kelly. Since the organization of those churches, the German Lutherans have organized a society and erected a commodious church building. They have a large and intelligent attendance.

At present, there are two post offices in the town; one at Cottage Grove, and one at Door Creek, on Liberty Prairie.

TOWN OF OREGON.

From the first Tuesday in April, 1846, to the first Tuesday in April, 1847, the territory now constituting the town of Oregon was under the government of the town of Rome, of which it was a part. By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 11, of the last-men- tioned year, Township 5 north, of Range 9 east, was created a separate town, and called Oregon. The first election was held at the house of L. S. Pratt.

The surface in most places is beautifully undulating, while in other places it is called hilly. It was principally covered with burr oak, among which stood large white and red oaks, and occasionally a large shell-bark hickory.

The entire town was covered with a sweet and nutritious grass, called blue-joint. As this grass was burned every fall, and there being no undergrowth of timber, a two-horse wagon could be driven through these openings with ease. As these annual fires prevented the roots of the timber from growing near the surface, the land was broken for the same price paid for breaking prairie ; hence it was claimed the oak openings combined all the advantages of the prairie and timber land.

The first settler in Oregon was Bartlet Runey. He was born and married near Baltimore, Md., and landed with his family in Janesville March 4, 1841. In the fall of that year, Mr. Runey located on Section 24, but did not move his family from Janesville until the next spring.

This summer (1842), Garland Thomas settled on Section 23, and Robert Thompson, a native of Scotland, settled on Section 12. In the fall, James B. Earl and family settled on Section 26, Daniel Hess on Section 25, and James Smith on Section 34.

In July, 1843, Thomas Hook settled on this claim, where on the 16th of April, 1844, his son Stephen was born, the first child born in Oregon. In that year Stephen Hook located on Section 27 ; C. Sargeant. and Fenton & Whipple, on Section 34 ; Pooler & Leonard, on Sec- tion 35 ; Abram Kirstead and C. P. Mosely, on Section 12; and Horace Watrous, on Section

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

1; Jerome Boswell located on Section 28 ; David Smith, on Section 18. C. P. Mosely's house soon became the nucleus of the lively village of Oregon.

In 1844, Reuben Boyce and family of grown-up sons settled on Section 36, where his son Reuben still resides, one of Dane County's best farmers. Soon after the arrival of Mr. Boyce, two of his sons died, the first deaths in Oregon. William Cummings and Schuyler Gilbert located on Sec. 10; William S. Bedford, on Section 35.

During the same year, Stoddard Johnson settled on Section 1; S. J. Pratt, on Section 12 ; J. S. Frary and Elisha his brother, on Section 24; and William F. Lee and Ira Ames, on Sec- tion 22.

In the spring of 1845, Nathaniel Ames, Ira Ames, William F. Lee, his son-in-law, and John N. Ames, his grandson, settled on Section 22. Nathaniel Ames was born in Greenwich, R. I. in 1761. He was in the Revolutionary army, and was stationed at Norristown, N. J., in the cold winter of 1779-80. Saw Washington when he came to the huts of the soldiers, looked in and (in his own words) said " Howdy." Mr. Ames witnessed the execution of Maj. Andre at Tarrytown, which he says was in front of an old stone church. Mr. Ames died in Oregon, August 27, 1863, aged one hundred and two years four months and two days. His pen- sion paper was dated in 1833, and signed by Lewis Cass, which entitled him to draw a pension for his services as a private in the war of the Revolution. He was, previous to his death, the sole surviving soldier of that war, in the Northwest. He had been for sixty-five years a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and his body was buried by them at Prairie Mound Cemetery, near Oregon Village, on Sunday, the 30th, after his decease, at 11 o'clock in the morning. Delegations from the lodges of Madison, and from those of adjacent places, were present at the obsequies.

R. Underwood, with two sons, John and Henry, settled in 1845 on Section 3; Ira Hayes and two sons, Enos and Plimpton, on Section 5 ; Joseph, William and Bennett Devine on Section 23; Richard Castleman and Rufus Rawson on Section 12, where they started the first black- smith-shop in Oregon. R. P. Main settled on Section 13.

During the same year came Joseph Algard, Harry Brown, John Ellsworth, William De Bois, Amasa Salisbury, M. A. Fox, J. W. Scovill, R. Babbitt, Seba T. Lewis, Ephraim P. Newton, Joseph G. Fox and James Fox.

In 1846 and 1847, L. M. Storey, T. Storey, Samuel Shepherd, Smith Patchin, Daniel McKeeby, E. W. Dwight, Phineas Baldwin and I. M. Bennett were among the settlers.'

The first marriage in the town was that of David Anthony and Jane Runey, in 1843, by Rev. Mr. Miner, of Madison. The officiating clergyman, while on his way to perform the serv- ice, had the misfortune to lose his horse, which got mired in the Nine Spring Creek, and died before it could be extricated.

The first school teacher in Oregon was Miss Sarah Ardelia Simons. Her father owned a farm on Section 35.

The first meeting of which any record is left, was held at the house of Charles P. Moseley April 26, 1845. The Rev. Stephen Peet, agent for the American Home Mission Society, and Rev. S. E. Miner, of Madison, were present ; adjourned for one day, then met, and organized a church with eleven members. The Congregational form of government was adopted. The church was called the First Congregational Church of Fairfield. John B. Prentice was chosen Clerk. At a meeting held November 15, 1846, the following resolution was adopted :

" Resolved, That the connection of this church with the Beloit Convention cease, and that the church adopt the confession of faith, form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, and that the church he designated the First Presbyterian Church of Rome."

Near this time the Methodists organized a class of seven members, and chose Stephen Pratt their Class-Leader. Stephen Pratt was a native of Cornish, N. H., is now upward of ninety years of age, but a Class-Leader yet.

The regular Baptists next organized a church, and E. H. Vaughan became their Pastor.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

A Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in Storytown February 12, 1848, by Elder Knapp with eight members. Moses N. Story was chosen Deacon, and Samuel Shepherd Clerk. The United Brethren early organized a church and held meetings in a schoolhouse on Sec- tion 24, but finally moved their church to Rutland. The United Brethren have an organiza- tion now in what is called Storytown.

The town of Oregon lies in the south part of the county, on the line dividing it from the county of Green, about twelve miles south of Madison. The town is watered in the southwestern part by a branch or tributary of Sugar Creek, which has its rise in the town on Section 20, and flows south and southwesterly through the towns of Exeter and Brooklyn, in Green County, into the Sugar River. From this stream, on Section 20, there is a ridge that runs northeasterly into Section 22. Badfish Creek rises in the town on Section 12, and flows easterly into the town of Rutland. The lands in the town are generally oak openings, with a very little prairie, and are all of good quality.

The population of Oregon (town and village), in 1870, was 1,498; it is now 1,515. The Chicago & North-Western Railroad enters the town on Section 36, and, pursuing a northerly course, leaves it from Section 2. taking the village of Oregon on its way.

VILLAGE OF OREGON.

The original plat of this village was upon the lands of Charles C. Waterman, William S. Bedford, A. S. Mygatt and John D. Tipple. Additions have since been made by S. S. John- son, Abraham Kierstad, E. E. Bedford, William S. Bedford and L. W. Parson.

The first house built in the village was by C. P. Moseley, in 1843, for the purpose of a tavern, around which has since grown the present thriving village of Oregon. The place was first called " Romes Corners," but this was before it was duly laid out and platted.

Mr. Prentice, in the winter of 1845-46, sold the first goods here; followed by T. M. Ben- nett, who finally merged into the firm of Bennett, Winston & Co. The latter house was more extensive than the former, and carried a large stock.

Post Office .- In 1848, an office was established at this place, with Egbert Bennett as the first Postmaster. Since Mr. Dudley's day, the following named have held the office in order given : I. M. Bennett, John D. Tipple, C. P. Mosely, J. L. Brown, William S. Bedford, John D. Tipple (second term) and C. W. Netherwood-the last named receiving his appointment on the accession of Grant to the Presidency for the first time. In August, 1871, it was made a money-order office. The first order drawn was August 1, 1871, by Bella W. Beebe in favor of A. T. Riddle, Milwaukee, Wis., for the sum of $8.44. The first order paid was drawn in Cin- cinnati, by William Clendennin, in favor of Charles L. Thompson, to whom it was paid August 7, 1871. The first five months there were issued 196 orders, amounting to $3,548.88. For the year 1879, there were issued 1,313 orders, calling for $22,304.39. From year to year the books of the office show a healthy increase.

Fires .- The first fire of any magnitude was in the fall of 1864. The business house of Gilbert Johnson, situated on Main street, west side of the public square, was burned to the ground. Mr. Johnson occupied the lower room as a confectionery store, and the upper as a dwelling. His loss was in the neighborhood of $1,000.

The second fire was near the former one, two two-story buildings being destroyed. This was in the spring of 1870. The buildings were owned by Huntington and David Tipple, one of them being occupied by John B. Tipple and C. W. Netherwood, the former as a general store the latter as a post office ; the other by B. W. Beebe as a general store. The loss on the two buildings was $3,500; on stock, $5,000.

On the evening of July 4, 1873, the third fire occurred, on Main street, Block 1, William Bedford's Addition to the village. Three one-story buildings and two two-story buildings were burned, together with a large proportion of stock. The buildings were owned by Frank Nott, Patrick Nangle and C. W. Netherwood. The loss on stock was $5,000, J. W. Scoville being the greatest loser. Loss on buildings, $4,800.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

In September, 1873, R. P. Main had his dwelling-house consumed by fire, in which a loss of $1,300 was entailed.

Thomas Zook, in the summer of 1874, was so unfortunate as to have his dwelling-house destroyed in like manner ; his loss was $1,600.

On the 29th day of May, 1880, the alarm of fire again rang out, when it was discovered that business houses on Main street were being again consumed by fire. Three buildings were burned, owned respectively by Isaac Howe, Charles Howe and H. J. Smith, who suffered a loss of $3,500. The buildings were occupied by Isaac Howe, as a drug store; H. J. Smith, furni- ture; Case & Warner, general merchandise. The greater part of the stock was saved, the loss amounting to $3,000.

Presbyterian Church .- In the spring of 1845, a church was organized adopting the Con- gregational form of church government, with C. P. Mosely as Deacon. Among those compos- ing the organization were C. P. Mosely and wife, Mrs. Alden, Mrs. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. Raw- son, John B. Prentiss and wife, and Mrs. Graves. In about one year after, by a vote of the congregation, the Presbyterian form of government was adopted, with C. P. Mosely, Caleb Spooner and Mr. Prentiss, Elders ; Mr. Prentiss, Clerk. Rev. Matthew A. Fox was called, and served as stated supply until 1856, when he was formally installed as Pastor, in which position he still continues to serve the church and congregation. A church edifice was erected in 1856, at a cost of $2,000, since which time twenty feet were added to its length, and other improve- ments made. The present membership of the church is eighty. Elders, Isaac Kierstead, Isaac Johnson, DeWitt C. Salisbury and A. L. Parsons; Clerk, Isaac Kierstead.

Baptist .- A church composed of twenty-eight members was organized in the spring of 1868, Elder Moses Rowley being instrumental in its formation. F. D. Powers was elected Clerk. Mr. Rowley was called to the pastorate, and served for eight months, preaching every two weeks. Elder Hiram Powers then assumed charge of the church, and continued to preach regularly every Sunday for one year and eight months, at the expiration of which time Elder Lucius Smith was called, preaching every two weeks. The present membership of the church is thirty-two.

Methodist Episcopal .- A class was organized here at an early day, and a church building was erected in 1860, at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated some time in the following year, Rev. Dr. Eddy, of Chicago, preaching the sermon. In size the church is 32x55. Since 1856, the Pastors of the church have been Revs. Samuel Dodge, 1856 ; John B. Bachman, 1857-58 ; Nelson Butler, 1859; Richard Dudgeon, 1860-61 ; W. H. Kellogg, 1862-63 ; John B. Bach- man, 1864-65 ; Hiram Chadayne, 1866-67 ; Richard Dudgeon, 1868-69 ; James T. Pryor, 1870; J. C. Aspinwall, 1871 to 1873 ; William Sturgess, 1874 to 1876 ; William S. Wright, 1877-78; James Evans, 1879-80. The present trustees are James Day, D. J. Bailey, O. M. Palmer, J. C. Miller, 'T. B. Cowdry, Charles W. Netherwood. Stewards-O. M. Palmer, James Day ; Augustus Herbert, Recording Steward. The present membership is 102.

Masonic .- Oregon Lodge, No. 151, A., F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation, July 20, 1865. A charter was granted, June 13, 1866, with C. H. Cronk, W. M. ; William Bedford, S. W .; Egbert Bennett, J. W. ; William S. Bedford, Ira Boyce, H. J. Smith, R. P. Main, J. L. Brown and M. M. Green as charter members. Since its organization, C. H. Cronk has held the office of W. M. ten years ; C. W. Netherwood, four years ; and H. G. Ellsworth, one year. Death has taken away four of its members-G. W. Morse, William F. Lee, Alexander Cashore and William C. Bennett. In 1877, the lodge fitted up in a tasty manner, at a cost of $400, and moved into their present hall, in Netherwood's block. Ninety persons have been initiated into this lodge since its organization, and it has a present membership of seventy, with the following named officers : H. G. Elsworth, W. M. ; H. O. Gray, S. W. ; G. M. Wilkins, J. W. ; J. S. Frary, Treasurer; C. W. Netherwood, Secretary ; M. M. Green, S. D. ; Joseph Fox, Jr., J. D .; E. R. Shepherd, J. Lindsay, Stewards; P. C. Peterson, Tilcr.

Odd Fellows .- A lodge of Odd Fellows was organized here in 1856, which was in a very flourishing condition for a number of years, but, from removals and other causes, it suspended in 1873. It was known as Oregon Lodge, No. 84, I. O. O. F.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Temperance .- The temperance cause has always had some earnest advocates in this place, and varions plans have been originated and societies started to aid in the work of reformation. The Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor and Mendotas have each had flour- ishing lodges at times. The first named has seemingly accomplished more for the cause than any other.

Reformation Lodge, No. 5, I. O. G. T., was organized September 13, 1855, with twenty-two charter members. The lodge was in a flourishing condition on the breaking-out of the rebellion, and, in consequence of the enlistment of many of its best working members, it was greatly weakened. The lady members worked heroically to sustain it until their brothers should return, but without avail. Their charter was surrendered after ten years of useful labor. Those com- posing the charter members were C. L. James, A. S. Parsons, Adelia M. Waite, Helen M. Salisbury, Orrin Grout, Edwin J. Thompson, Orlo Reed, Samuel Wood, Ansel Sartwell, A. H. Salisbury, Peter Field, Hans Petersen, I. A. Kierstead, S. C. Kierstead, Huldah C. Bennett, Mary Freeman, Martha J. Rawson, Stephen Luther.

Reformation Lodge No. 3, I. O. G. T., was organized November 9, 1865, a number of the old members of the order returning from the war, and desiring once more to enlist under the temperance banner. It started with a list of sixty-four charter members. After three years of service, the charter was surrendered.

Oregon Lodge, No. 151, I. O. G. T., was next in the field. In February, 1874, James Ross, of Madison, came and delivered a series of public lectures, and, on the 5th day of that month, organized a lodge with ninety-four charter members, as follows : O. M. Palmer, H. H. Marvin, Charles Waterman, George Devine, Flora Richards, G. W. Richards, Mary Ames, William Ames, Mrs. Lindsay, Ella York, Harriet Allen, W. Cramfield, Judson Marvin, Estella Allen, Martin Colby, George Martin, Mrs. Day, Ann R. Sayles, Mrs. Gray, Martha Coward, James Day, Walter Richards, Maggie Keller, Ella Devine, E. B. Owen, Arby Marvin, Frank Wolf, Rich- ard Tipple, Frank Coward, E. Boise, Helen Marvin, Emma Waterman, A. A. Parsons, Brevet Waite, Adaline Johnson, Julia Yager, E. Chamberlain, Horace Johnson, Stephen Van Ettan, Eliza Van Ettan, Susie Terwillager, William Terwillager, Sadie Terwillager, I. Wolfe, Lucy Terwillager, Minnie Parsons, A. McIntire, A. Boise, Elias Jacobus, Mrs. Jacobus, S. Pound, A. Niles, E. McIntire, H. Niles, Albert Pound, Ira Hayes, Emery Hayes, Emma Rucker, Kittie Jackson, Frank Hayes, . Mrs. I. Coward, Norris Getz, L. Martin, Addie Gilbert, David Owens, Mr. Sutton, Wilber Allen, S. G. Abbott. The first officers elected were J. I. Lind- say, W. C. T .; Helen S. Jackson, W. V. T .; J. C. Aspinwall, W. C .; Marion Ames, W S .; Josie Travis, W. A. S .; Albert Pound, W. F. S .; Mary Kierstad, W. T .; John Ames, W. M .; Mary Howe, W. D. M. ; Josie Moseley, W. I. G .; Horace Johnson, W. O. G .; Mrs. S. G. Abbott, W. R. H. S. ; Mrs. O. M. Palmer, W. L. H. S. ; J. Richards, P. W. C. T. These oficers were likewise charter members of the lodge. Since its organization, 254 persons have been ini- tiated into the lodge, but it now numbers but sixty-six. It has had its seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity, but has continued on its way, endeavoring to exemplify the principles of faith, hope and charity. The only surviving member of Reformation Lodge who has ever remained with the order is A. S. Parsons, the present Lodge and State Deputy.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 129

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1304

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304