History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 130

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 130

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United Workmen .- On the 14th day of June, 1879, Oregon Lodge, No. 16, A. O. U. W., was instituted in this place with the following-named officers as charter members : M. M. Green, P. M. W .; C. H. Cronk, M. W .; H. G. Ellsworth, G. F .; C. M. Palmer, O .; F. D. Powers, Rec .; J. M. Doolittle, F .; E. Jacobus, Recvr .; Joseph Fox, Jr., G .; H. Waterman, I. W .; G. Getts, O. W. Twenty-nine members have been enrolled since its organization, its present mem- bership being twenty-four. The present officers are G. M. Getts, M. W .; H. W. Draher, G. F .; Joseph Fox, Jr., O .; F. D. Powers, Rec .; H. W. Hayes, F .; J. A. Draher, Recvr .; J. A. Tay- lor, G .; E. Frary, W. Lodge meets in Netherwood's Hall.

Literary Association .- In the fall of 1878, an association was organized, composed of adult men and women of the village, for literary improvement. During the fall and winter months, weekly meetings are held in Netherwood's Hall, the exercises consisting of declamations, essays,

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

orations and debates. In the debates of the association, a wide range of subjects are chosen, there being nothing in its rules of order to prevent the selection of any subject of general or local interest. The meetings are always well attended, and afford a means of instruction worthy the attention of old and young.

Netherwood's Hall .- One of the most pretentious buildings in the village is that of Nether- wood's Block, the upper story of which has been converted into a public hall for concerts, theat- rical and other purposes. The building was erected in 1873. The hall is seated with chairs, 225 in number ; has a good stage, with scenery for the proper representation of plays, and is a credit to the village.

Chandler House .- This house was built by I. M. Bennett, in 1849, and has been in use as a hotel to the present time, having been owned and run, respectively, by Charles Water- man, Mr. Postle, A. L. Beebe and Richard Chandler, the latter becoming the purchaser in 1874.

Business Interests .- The village of Oregon has for many years enjoyed a lucrative trade, and business houses of all kinds have been well represented. For the benefit of the reader of the future, the following is given as representing the business of the place in 1880: Terwilla- ger & Lindsay, E. R. Shepherd, Tracy & Comstock, Case & Warner, general merchandise ; Hays Bros., harness ; Mrs. Johnson & Beckley, Miss Mary Hartwell, millinery and dress-mak- ing; Smith & Johnson, furniture ; William Sodon, wagons ; R. W. McIntyre, spring beds ; George Fox, druggist ; C. H. Cronk, station agent; T. Boyd Cowdry, merchant tailoring and clothing ; J. M. Doolittle, meat market ; C. E. Powers, restaurant and confectionery ; Andrews & Marvin, grain and poultry : G. W. Getz, wagons and carriages ; F. D. Powers, M. M. Green, attorneys ; E. L. Booth, J. H. Coward, boot and shoe makers ; Isaac Johnson, confectionery, flour and feed; H. H. Marvin, hardware, tinware and agricultural implements ; N. Emmons, Algard & Chandler, stock buyers ; Lovejoy & Richards, lumber ; P. Hayes, Oregon Hotel ; Richard Chandler, Oregon Exchange ; J. T. Hayes, Reeves & Comstock, agricultural imple- ments ; B. McDermott, groceries ; Edward Bishop, Mr. Wilkins, blacksmiths ; Charles Water- man, livery ; E. Jacobus, George M. Getts, M. W. Lamont, Charles Wolfe, carpenters ; D. J. Bailey, S. Neilson, painters; E. H. Osborn, George H. Fox, William Fox, physicians ; C. W. Netherwood, Postmaster, and proprietor of Netherwood's Hall ; William Jeffrey, drayman.

Origin of the Name Badfish-A Legend .- In the village of Oregon, near the graded school- house, rises a spring of clear and sparkling water. This spring is the source or fountain head of Badfish Creek, a stream that passes through the village of Cooksville, and empties into the Yahara about three miles from the village. Why this stream should have been called Badfish, when previous to its obstruction by mill-dams it swarmed with the most beautiful fish, has been a puzzle to many, which the following Indian legend will explain :

Soon after the red man of our day drove out the Aztec, who retired to Mexico, a noted chief, called Rushing Waters, had his village at Koshkonong. Rushing Waters had a young and brave boy, whom his father called Forked Lightning.

On Sugar River, near Exeter, was another band, whose chief was called Red Fox. As between these bands was a good trail, with distance less than a day's ride, their visits were often. This trail crossed the Yahara at Dunkirk, and the Badfish on Section 23, in Rutland. On one occasion, Red Fox took his daughter, White Lily, on a visit to Kosbkonong.

At evening, the sons and daughters of Rushing Waters walked up and down the beach of the lake, hunting shells and other curiosities; Forked Lightning walked with White Lily, and talked of the great fish in the lake, the fat deer on the hills and his fleet black pony.

In the morning, as Red Fox started for Sugar River, Forked Lightning caught his pony, and rode with them as far as the prairie ; and, as they parted, White Lily said Forked Lightning must come to Sugar River, and then smiled a good-bye. Forked Lightning rode to a hill, where he sat and watched the milk-white pony that White Lily rode, until it disappeared in the woods. Forked Lightning then rode slowly and sadly back to Koshkonong. A change now came over Forked Lightning. The frivolities of youth had now given place to sober reflection. He would

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

sit or leisurely walk the woods for hours, and seem unmindful of all surrounding objects. Rushing Waters would look at Forked Lightning and say, " Forked Lightning will be a medicine man, for he talks with the Great Spirit."

When the flowers covered the prairies, the children of Rushing Waters went to Sugar River to visit White Lily. After a few days, Forked Lightning said, " White Lily will go to Koshko- nong, catch the big catfish, and hear the screaming loon."

Early next morning, White Lily, her brother and visitors, left Sugar River for Koshkonong. At noon they stopped at what is now called Badfish Creek. Soon a furious storm approached. The tepees were pitched, and sticks gathered for a fire. As the storm continued until it was too late to reach Koshkonong, it was agreed to remain where they were for the night, and the girls to occupy one tepee, and the boys the other.

The boys went to the shoals and soon returned with a fine lot of fish, which were broiled and eaten with avidity. As the sun went down, the full moon rose in all its majesty, the whip- poor-will sang merrily and the woodcock ponred forth its bugle note. The scene became enchanting. Forked Lightning and White Lily strolled up the stream and sat down on a log overlooking the rapid, to see the gambols of the fish in the shoals.

" Will White Lily come and live in Forked Lightning's tepee ?" asked Forked Lightning, in almost a whisper. After a short pause, White Lily, pointing toward Venus, said, "" Does Forked Lightning believe that beautiful star is the happy hunting-ground, where all good Indians go ?" (A panse). "Will White Lily live in Forked Lightning's tepee, if Forked Lightning has wampum, beads and heap ponies?" White Lily looked to the full moon and said, " Does Forked Lightning believe the Great Spirit lives on that beautiful orb ?" "Forked Light- ning believes the starry canopy is the tepee of the Great Spirit, and that no night can be so dark that the All-seeing eye does not behold the acts of all his creatures, and if White Lily will live in Forked Lightning's tepee, we will be good Indians, and when we die we will go to the happy hunting-ground and spend an eternity of bliss together."

After a long silence, during which Forked Lightning picked a bunch of flowers and ate them, White Lily looked at her hands and said, " White Lily's hands are weak. White Lily can't carry the water, gather the sticks and hoe the corn." Forked Lightning now arose and looking White Lily in the face, said, "Forked Lightning's hands are strong. Forked Lightning will carry the water, gather the sticks and hoe the corn."

White Lily bowed her head and reached out her hand, which Forked Lightning clasped and embraced. Then she arose and they both swore by the Great Spirit that they twain should be one flesh henceforth and forever.

As they returned to camp, Forked Lightning felt a curious sensation, which soon resulted in the most violent vomiting. As he had no knowledge of having eaten anything but some broiled fish since morning, he naturally supposed them the cause of his sickness, so between each paroxysm he would exclaim, Badfish ! The party were much frightened at first, but Forked Lightning soon became better, and all went to their tepees until morning.

White Lily, who observed Forked Lightning eat the bunch of flowers while sitting on the log, went to see if he had not eaten some poisonous plant which had caused his sickness. Upon searching closely she found Forked Lightning had eaten with the bunch of flowers a sprig of the wild parsnip, which is a deadly poison, but had been ejected with the broiled fish.

White Lily ever after would tell the story of that eventful evening much to her amusement, but somewhat to the chagrin of Forked Lightning.

Ever after the stream was called Badfish.

TOWN OF MONTROSE.

By the act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, the present territory of the town of Montrose, along with much other, was organized into the town of Madison. Under the act of February 11, 1847, Township 5 north, of Range 8 east, was constituted a separate town, and named Montrose. It was so called after a town by that name in Pennsylvania. The

Daniel Vernon

( DECEASED ' EAST MIDDLETON.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

first town meeting was held at the house of George McFadden, when the following officers, among others, were elected : Daniel M. Holt, Chairman ; C. Morton, John Webb, Supervisors ; J. W. Scovill, Clerk ; V. S. Parkhurst, Treasurer ; William Moorehead, A. C. Bowker, .I W. Thornton, Assessors.

The town of Montrose is on the southern line of the county, which separates it from Exeter, Green County. It is an excellent township of land, and is well watered by Sugar River and its branches. A large part of the town is oak openings, with a few sections of prairie, and some marshes along the streams.

Joseph Kendrick, a Kentucky hunter, was the first settler, locating here in 1840, on Section 33, with a wife and two children. Two or three years later he sold out, and moved to the northern part of the town. Capt. George McFadden, wife and three children, were next, in the spring of 1841; Elam Elder came in the fall of 1841 ; J. R. Crocker, Capt. Stephen Esty and Author Smith settled in May, 1842, and Joseph Crocker, wife and children, Hollis and W. W. Crocker in September of the same year. Daniel M. Holt, J. M. and P. W. Matts, John Webb, were among the early settlers. Rebecca Crocker died October 31, 1845-first death of an adult. The first death of a child was a danghter of Joseph Kendrick, and the first birth his son, in the winter of 1840. The first wedding-V. S. Parkhurst and Angeline Palmer. The first school taught, in District No. 6, was by Roxey Grace, in Mr. Elder's log granary, in 1853. The next was taught by Maryett Smith, in the framed granary of A. C. Bowker. The first Methodist Episcopal service was by Rev. William Fox, in the house of Anstin Peasl. Elder Ichabod Cod- dington, a Baptist, held the first revival. The West Branch Mission (M. E.) was supplied from Madison, and meetings held in the Lyle Schoolhouse. It was removed in 1855, and since called Crocker's Appointment. The church was built in 1868, and dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Hall.

Belleville .- John Frederick was the first settler to make improvements. He bought 240 acres here in September, 1845, built the saw-mill in 1847, and the old stone grist-mill in 1849 or 1850. This did an immense business in early times, and was demolished and the present mill built in 1877. John Sylvester built the first store, and was the second Postmaster, Willard Shepard being the first, and Norton Emmons third, the others in order were R. Marks, Robert Beveredge, H. E. Story, M. F. Wistram, C. Bjonmask, H. E. Story, W. B. Norris, H. C. Green and W. N. Caldwell, the present Postmaster. Dr. J. H. Warren built the second store, and sold to Norris & Dalrymple. John Fuller was the first blacksmith, and Henry Howe built the first blacksmith and wagon-shop. The village was surveyed by Russell Babbett, in February, 1851, and named by Mr. Frederick in honor of his native town in Canada. The Baptist society was organized in 1853, and held first meetings in the old mill ; later, in the schoolhouse, and then in the present church, built in 1857-58. Belleville Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F., was first organized December 15, 1853, the charter was revoked December 24, 1858, and the lodge re-organized December 8, 1871. Officers : N. G., John W. Norton; V. G., William Oliver ; R. S., Calvin Moss; Treasurer, E. J. Harmon ; Warden, A. H. Smith ; Conductor, R. Marks ; Right Supporter, M. M. Moss ; Left Supporter, Frank Fitts ; Inside Guard, S. Morton ; Right Supporter, V. G., W. W. Willoughby ; Left Supporter, Charles Cronn ; all charter members except Messrs. Fitts, Willoughby and Morton. The Belleville Library Association was organized in 1878, and contains 226 volumes-a yearly payment of $1 enables any respectable person to be and remain a member. H. E. Story was the leading spirit in organizing, and the library is in his building. S. Esty, John Mitchell, W. and Peter Willoughby and H. A. Evarts, were all old settlers here ; but now non-residents. E. H. Osborn, who first came here in 1847, practiced twenty years, at one time associating with Dr. Wilson, then Drs. Ellingworth, Flower and Wheeler.

The Methodists, in 1847, commenced holding meetings, which they have continued up to the present.

In 1856, the Baptists organized a church, with Rev. Whitman, Pastor. In 1858, a church was built, which was used by other denominations up to 1875, when it was leased to the Second Advent Church. Rev. Hitchcock was Pastor of this church, organized in 1858.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

The first mill was built by John Frederick, in 1844. The present mill was built in 1867 by William Norris.

The first blacksmith-shop was built by Mr. Fuller, in 1848. In 1851, a hotel, which was the first in the village, was built by John Wood.

Paoli .- Paoli is situated in the southeast quarter of Section 3, on the south side of the East Branch of the Sugar River, five miles north of the county line between Green and Dane Coun- ties. Hon. P. W. Matts laid out and named the village in 1849. In 1850, he built a saw-mill, which was bought, in 1864, by F. H. & B. M. Minch. They improved the property and put up a stone grist-mill.

The first store was opened, in 1851, by John Mitchell.

In 1850, the Methodist Church was organized in the log schoolhouse. A new church has since been built.

The Paoli Cemetery is one-half mile south of the village.

The St. Raphael Catholic Church is located two and a half miles west of the village.

The town is well watered. A number of large springs are distributed throughout the town. The surface is rolling. The Sugar River enters the town at Section 3, passing into Green County on Section 35. The west branch of the Sugar River enters the town on Section 18, and enters Sugar River in the southwest quarter of Section 28.

The population of the town in 1870 was 1,157. The present population is 1,107.

TOWN OF FITCHBURG.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, a town was created to include Townships 5 and 6 north, of Range 9 east, also Township 6 north, of Range 10 east. The town thus constituted was called Rome, and included the present towns of Oregon, Fitch- burg and Dunn.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 11, 1847, Township 6 north, of Ranges 10 and 11 east, were constituted a separate town called Rome, while Township 6 north, of Range 9 east (the present Fitchburg), was erected into a town by itself, and called Greenfield, the name, however, by an act of April 2, 1853, being changed to Fitchburg. When Rome was erected, in 1846, the first town meeting was held at the house of William Quivey, within the present limits of Fitchburg ; so, also, when Greenfield was erected, in 1847, the first election was held at the same place. At this election, in April, the following officers were elected : Joseph Vroman, Chairman ; Stephen Varnol and George L. Dike, Supervisors; William H. Fox, Treasurer ; Isaac Eaton, Assessor. The house of Mr. Quivey, where the elec- tion was held, was situated one-half mile south of what is now called Oak Hall. The town was con- tinued to be called Greenfield for six years after its organization, when, as already mentioned, it was changed to Fitchburg.

The first settlers came in 1839, and were William Vroman, George Vroman and Joseph Vroman. Following these were William Quivey, Rev. William Fox, Dr. William H. Fox, George Fox, James Fox, Joseph Fox, Rev. Matthew Fox, William True, John and George Keenan, John Watkins, Charles Watkins, Frank Nott, and P. Pritchard. In 1842, there were but three families in the town. William Quivey kept the post office and hotel. In the spring of 1843, George Keenan, John Keenan, William H. Fox and George Fox commenced breaking and improving their farms.

The nearest blacksmith-shop was at Madison. Grist-mills were thirty-five and forty miles distant, at Columbus, Beloit and Ridgeway. In 1837, the first farm in the town was opened by John Stoner, on Section 17. The first reaping-machine in the town was owned by Joseph Vroman.

Mrs. George Keenan, after spending part of the day at George Fox's, one and a half miles dis- tant from her own home, started to return in the afternoon, with her child in her arms. When within one-half mile from her home, she was confronted by a large, full-grown bear. Fearing to turn out in the tall prairie grass lest she should trip and fall, she advanced toward the bear.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He also refused to leave the path, but raised himself, placing his paws over Mrs. Keenan's neck. She held the baby with her left arm, and, with the right, struck the bear a full blow on the side of the head, tearing away from him at the same time. She then took off her sun bonnet and threw it in the path. This the bear stopped to examine, and, while smelling and admiring it she got a fair start ahead of the bear. But bruin overtook her, and raised for a second charge. Mrs. Keenan turned and faced him, when, with a savage growl, he caught her, placing one paw on the baby. As before, she struck him and sprang back, trying to release her child; but the bear held on and did not loosen his hold till he had torn off the child's cloak, which he stopped to give a thorough shaking, when Mrs. Keenan, with her child, gained the house, just in time to avoid another attack. The next morning the whole neighborhood turned out with guns to find the bear, but were unsuccessful.

The town of Fitchburg is adjoining the town of Madison on the south, and is watered by two small streams that rise in the central part. One, known as Spring Creek, flows northeast- erly and finds an outlet at Lake Waubesa. On these streams are found excellent marsh or meadow land. The land in the town, for the most part, is of the best quality,. possessing a pleasing and desirable variety of prairie, timber, water and meadow, which is so necessary to render any country desirable for agricultural purposes.

The present population of the town is 938. In the town there are four post offices : Syene, Stoner's Prairie, Lakeview and Fitchburg. The town is drained by Penora Creek, which rises in Section 23, flowing northeast through Lakeview, and empties into Lake Waubesa; Swan Creek, which has two branches, one in the east part of Section 14, which flows northeast and meets one from the cast part of Section 11, the two, combining in Section 13, flow in a south- easterly direction and empty into Lake Waubesa ; Nine Springs Creek, which rises in Section 3, at the State Fish-Hatching House, and flows northeast, through Sections 2 and 1, emptying into the north end of Lake Waubesa.

The Chicago & North-Western Railway runs north and south through the eastern part of the town, passing through Sections 2, 11, 14, 23, 26 and 35, the only station in the town being at Syene.

There are four villages : Syene, located in the southeast quarter of Section 11, on the Chi- cago & North-Western Railway; Fitchburg, located near the center of Section 33; Lakeview, situated in the southeast quarter of Section 24, and Stoner's Prairie, located on the northern bonndary of Section 30. None of these villages have ever been platted.

The State Fish-Hatching House is located on Section 3, at the Nine Springs, about one mile and a half in a northwest direction from Syene.

TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.

In the subdivision of the county into towns, by the passage of the act of the Territorial Legislature, on the 2d day of February, 1846, the territory now included in the town of Spring- field was first brought under town government as a part of the town of Madison. It so remained until its organization into a separate town, on the first Tuesday of April, 1847. The first town election was held at the house of Michael McCord.

The lands in this town are divided between oak openings and prairie, with some high hills or bluffs in the western and northwestern parts. There is only one stream in the town, a tribu- tary of Seven Mile Creek, which rises on Section 10, and flows easterly into the town of West- port, and thence into Lake Mendota. In the vicinity of this stream are marsh lands, which are confined to Sections 10, 11 and 12, and which have become valuable through drainage.

The soil of the town is of good quality, comparing favorably with that of adjacent localities in fertility and general productiveness ; while the timber is such as generally prevails throughout the county, being principally varieties of the oak.

The population of the town is German, with other nationalities intermixed to a limited extent. The population in 1870 was 1,443; it is now 1,241.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

The first settler in the town of Springfield was Freedom Simons, who came in the spring of 1843 and located on Section 4, where he built a cabin, which, for some time, was the only white man's habitation between Madison and the Wisconsin River, a distance of twenty-two miles. His nearest neighbors were eight miles south of him. He subsequently moved into the town of Dane, where he lived until he moved to Lodi, in Columbia County, where he now lives.

In the fall of 1843, William Bullock, Hawley Simons, George Johnson and George H. Slaughter came in, the first named locating on Section 34, the second on Section 10, and Mr. Slaughter on Section 35.

The first marriage was that of George Howard and Miss Sarah M. Murray, in 1844. The first birth was that of Cassie McCord, in the winter of 1843-44.

The first death was Mrs. Frances Gillett.

In 1846, the agents of the British Temperance Emigration Society located some lands on Sections 10 to 15, inclusive, and during the year a number of families came out, among whom were Messrs: Hillier, Gillett, Bardsley, Tinker, Kay, Riley, Tymes, Seston and Bayer. These settlers had a hard time in this new country, many of them never having done a day's work in their lives outside of a factory. Some of them accepted the land provided by the society, but a number of them secured more eligible sites for their future houses. In the process of time, these men have developed into very enterprising and wealthy citizens.

The first market for the early settlers was Milwaukee, and the usual conveyance ox teams. The price obtained for wheat was from 25 to 40 cents, oftener the former than the latter price. A trip to the city occupied about two weeks, and, frequently, after disposing of their produce and paying their bills, they had not money enough left to return. Sometimes on the return trip goods were brought out for the traders, then something was usually made.

The first schoolhouse built in the town was a log building, on Section 12, known as John- son's Schoolhouse. This was succeeded in after years by the present frame structure. There are now eleven school and joint school districts, and nine schoolhouses and two German schools.

There are no villages in the town, though there are three distinct settlements, in which ars congregated a goodly number. These are called Hyer's Corners, Springfield Corners and Ash- ton. In each of the places is a post office, the one at Springfield Corners, being the oldest in the town, having been established in 1844, with Mr. Clark as Postmaster. The mail was then carried on horseback from Madison to Sauk once a week ; now it is carried to the above offices four times a week.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 130

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