History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 131

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 131

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).

The prevailing religion is Catholic, there being two churches of that denomination in the town, both having large congregations. St. Martin's Church is located near Ashton Post Office, on Section 27, and St. Peter's is situated in the northwest part of the town, not far from Spring- field Corners, on Section 7. The Methodists have a society in the town, which holds services occasionally at some one of the district schoolhouses. The first person to preach in the town was the Rev. N. Martin, a Baptist minister.

The first physician was Dr. Winston. Since his time, Drs. A. A. Rowley and S. L. F. Ward have practiced in the town.

There is quite a large circulating library in the town, located near what is called Fordville. It is controlled by an association of some of the most influential persons in Springfield. The library contains several hundred volumes.

There is a lodge of Good Templars, which has a hall near the center of the town.

At Hyer's Corners is a good hotel, with D. R. Hyer as proprietor. Mr. Hyer has been serving the people as landlord in this county for about forty years, first at Deerfield, and later at the Corners. There is also a store and blacksmith-shop at this place.

At Springfield Corners (formerly called Clark's Corners), there is a store and blacksmith- shop. There is also one other store in the town, one blacksmith-shop and four saloons.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

TOWN OF VERONA.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 11, 1847, Verona, Town 6, Range 8 east, was created and named. The first town meeting was held at the schoolhouse the first Tuesday in April of the same year, when the following officers were elected : Samuel Taylor, Chairman; Rufus Atwood and Nathaniel Wheeler, Supervisors ; Samuel G. Abbott, Clerk ; Andrews Henry, Treasurer ; and John Ross, Assessor.

The township lies in the southwestern part of the county, about nine miles southwest of Madison. The first settlers were two Scotchmen-Thomas Stewart and James Young. They first came here in 1837, and located on the south side of the creek, in Sections 27 and 28. Here they made an excavation into the ridge, which they roofed with poles and grass. This was the first habitation in Verona.

Samuel Taylor was the next settler, and built the first log house in the town. Following came, in 1841, Peter White, William Reoch, Peter Martin and Patrick Davidson. They were followed by Andrew Patton, Matthew Hawes, William Collins and Magnus Leslie, with families.

The first thrashing machine brought into the county was made in Scotland, and imported by Patrick Davidson. This was a stationary machine. The first portable machine was employed. on the farm of Samuel Taylor, in 1846. This was a Traveler mounted on a wagon, drawn. through the fields by oxen, thrashing as it went, scattering the straw promiscuously.

The first public house was kept by Cheney Luce, a blind man. It was called the " Trav- eler's Home."" A private house was kept by Matthew Hawes. Joseph Flick was the first Post- master and blacksmith ; Dr. Spencer was the first physician, and was followed by Dr. Waterbury.

· The Verona Cave, described in a previous chapter, is an object of considerable interest.

The first 4th of July celebration held in the county outside of Madison was held on the farm of Thomas Stewart, in 1846. This celebration was attended by farmers, some of them coming as far as twenty-five miles. Before noon, a crowd of 150 had gathered. A shooting match was. arranged, the first prize to be a barrel of beer ; second prize, a sheep. The prizes were keenly contested for by riflemen. The first was won by Dan Ross. It was proposed that Dan should. tap his barrel and treat all hands; this he willingly agreed to do. On the way to the distillery, which was on the same farm, J. Stewart, in order to carry out the joke, proposed to J. McDonald that they should put a gallon or two of whisky into the barrel, saying the Yankees wouldn't know the difference. This they did. Returning, the beer was tapped, whereupon there was a general stampede, and a rush with every conceivable dish-lead ladles were used, cups, pans, Donald McDonald's new chip hat was considered just the thing to catch beer in, so it was whisked off without further ceremony, and passed around. After finishing the beer they returned to contest for the second prize. By this time the beer had commenced to work, and after some pretty wild shooting, making it dangerous for spectators, it was decided that John McDonald, Jr., had won the sheep. The rest of the afternoon was spent in playing Scottish games, and dancing on the green to the music of " Billy Reoch's " bag-pipe. Along in the evening the party broke up, but it was the middle of the next day before some of them found their respective homes.

The Badger Mills were built in 1844, by William A. Wheeler and George Vroman. A large party was given to celebrate the occasion, and the people for many miles around assembled. This was the first grist-mill built in the county.

Baptist Church .- The Baptist congregation of Verona was gathered by the labors of Rev. Charles Perry, and was recognized by a council called for that purpose on the 17th of February, 1855. The council consisted of Revs. M. Rowley, G. S. Martin, D. Phillips, C. Perry and others. Previous to this time there had been a Baptist society in the adjoining town of Spring- dale, but it was without recognition, and virtually extinct at the above date. Several who had heen members of that society joined the Verona church. Rev. M. Rowley was the first Pastor, but served only a few months.

He was followed by Rev. G. S. Martin. Rev. S. Sherman was the next Pastor. He served about three years, until 1860. The present house of worship was begun during the min-

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

istry of Brother Sherman with this church. Rev. J. Bruce succeeded to the pastorate, and in about one year and a half gave place to Rev. T. Theall. The meeting-house was dedicated in July, 1862.

In 1863, Rev. M. Rowley began a second pastorate of this church, which continued nearly three years. Then a second pastorate of Rev. G. S. Martin was resumed, and continued nearly six years. During Brother Martin's second ministry, and under his labors, an interest was awakened at Mount Vernon, nine miles distant. Quite a number were baptized. These, with others, were organized into a society, and were attached to the Verona Church as a branch. . A good house of worship was erected in 1869, and the society to the present time has been main- tained.

In 1876, the members erected a parsonage. When organized, the church consisted of seven persons. Eighty-seven have been baptized, and sixty have been received by letter and exper- ience, making 154, not embracing the members of the branch organization. The present mem- bership is sixty. Rev. L. Smith, Pastor since 1873.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This is situated in the village of Verona. It was dedi- cated on the 3d of December, 1867. S. P. Waldron was the first Pastor. The church com- menced with a membership of 115. The present church was built at an expense of $4,000, including the church furniture. E. Knox is the present Pastor. Membership. sixty.

Presbyterian Church .- The members of this church first held meetings in the schoolhouse on Samuel Taylor's farm, in 1848. A church was built in 1861, at an expense of $1,100. Matthew Fox organized the church. The first Pastor was Rev. James Donnel, followed by Rev. Robert Wescott. Rev. James Shankland then took charge of the church, and preached the United Presbyterian doctrine. He was followed by Rev. Hoyt, who was Pastor five years, after. which W. T. Leard took the charge and is the present Pastor. Meetings are held every two weeks.

The first religious services in the town were held at the residence of J. T. Hawes, by Rev. Salmon Stebbins. He was followed by Rev. Bennet, a Methodist missionary. Rev. Matthew Fox, a Presbyterian minister, preached occasionally.

The population of the town in 1870, was 1,124; the present population 1,040, which con- sists mostly of Scotch and Pennsylvania Germans.

Amy Thornton taught the first school in 1847.

The town received its name from George and William Vroman, after their township in New York. The town is well watered by Badger Mill Creek and Sugar River. The surface of the country is rolling, with prairie land, diversified by hills and valleys.

There is only one post office in the town ; this is at Verona Corners, J. H. B. Matts, Post- master.

Verona Corners has two stores, one kept by M. D. Davidson, the other by William T. Pierstof.

The Methodist and Baptist Churches are situated here.

The new railroad owned by the Chicago & North-Western Railway passes through the vil- lage. A depot and side-tracks are to be established here.

There are about sixteen families in the village.

Three or four new buildings are being built.

Verona township is watered by the Sugar River, which enters the town in Section 7, flows southeast, leaving the town at the southwest point of Section 34; also by the Badger Mill Creek, which rises in the northeast quarter of Section 13, flowing southwest, entering the Sugar River in the southwest quarter of Section 28.

TOWN OF CLARKSON (EXTINCT).

By an act approved February 11, 1847, " Township No. 9 north, of Ranges 7 and 8 east," were erected into a separate town called Clarkson. The first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday of April, at the house of John Clark. The town thus organized was the

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

present towns of Roxbury and Dane. Its history (as the town afterward became extinct) is merged in the sketches of the two towns last mentioned.

TOWN OF WINDSOR.

When Dane County, by the act of the Territorial Legislature of February 2, 1846, was divided into towns, the territory now constituting the town of Windsor was a portion of the town of Madison ; it so remained until February 11, 1847, when, by an act approved on that day, what is now the towns of Vienna, Westport, Windsor and Burke, was erected into a single town, and called Windsor, from a town of the same name in Vermont. The first town meeting was held at the house of Horace Lawrence, February 11, 1847, when the following officers among others were elected :

1847-Charles M. Nichols, Chairman ; Alexander Botkin, Charles Carnelison, Super- visors ; Ira Mead, Clerk ; Gardner Cottrell, Treasurer; Eleazer Grover, Nathan P. Spaulding, Chauncey Leland, Assessors.

By an act of the State Legislature, approved March 2, 1849, Townships 8 and 9, of Range 9, were erected into a new town, called Vienna. On the 31st of the same month, the south half of this territory was formed into a town by itself, and named Westport. At this period, therefore, the town of Windsor contained two townships only-the ones now constituting the towns of Burke and Windsor. But the south half of this territory was in 1852 organized into a town by itself; this left the town of Windsor with territory containing but one township, as at present con- stituted ; that is, Township 9 north, of Range 10 east.

From the date of its first organization, when it included four townships, until 1852, when it was reduced to one (the same as now constituted), the following officers were elected :

1848-Charles M. Nichols, Chairman ; George A. Spaulding, A. Botkin, Supervisors ; E. R. Swain, Clerk ; Gardner Cottrell, Treasurer; James Pettit, Eleazer Grover, Chauncey Leland, Assessors.

1849-Nathan P. Spaulding, Chairman ; John Douglas, Martin Lewis, Supervisors ; John Douglas, Clerk ; Sheldon Combs, Treasurer; F. H. Talcott, Assessor ; John Douglas, School- Superintendent.

1850-Nathan P. Spaulding, Chairman ; H. P. Wheaton, Eleazer Grover, Supervisors ; John Douglas, Sheldon Combs, Treasurer; J. E. Carpenter, Assessor ; John Douglas, School Superintendent.

1851-Eleazer Grover, Jr., Chairman; James Pettit, Orrin Chamberlin, Supervisors ; John Douglas, Clerk and School Superintendent ; Charles G. Lewis, Treasurer ; John Vroman, Assessor.

1852-Oliver M. Cross, Chairman ; Josiah E. Carpenter, Orrin Chamberlin, Supervisors ; Justice C. Pinney, Clerk ; William Whitney, Treasurer ; Wallace Blanchard, Assessor ; Elisha R. Swain, School Superintendent.

The land in this town is mostly prairie ; a small part of the eastern portion is openings ; also a strip about one and a half miles wide on the west and south sides of the town. It is watered by the Yahara River, which flows through the entire western portion, and heads on the north side of the town, and also by Token Creek, which runs through the entire south side.

In 1843, Nathan P. Spaulding built a house upon Section 34. He was commissioned by President Polk as Postmaster of Token Creek, and held the office for twenty-five years. He died in 1874.

In 1844-45, James West, Sr., N. N. Pike, Thomas Kewin, John Kershaw, Thomas Cum- mings, James West, Jr., Mr. Kinnison and Samuel Stephenson came in. During these years and the following one, a large number of persons made here their homes, among whom were Morris Goodrich, William Bartholomew, Sylvester Raymond, James Dorman, Samuel Burring- ton, Elias Combs and William Whitney, from Ohio; Christian O. Hatleberg was the first Scan- dinavian settler from Norway. Among others were Nathan Dodge, James Patterson, S. H. Sabin, Warren Baird, Justin Fish, Isaac Porter, Nathan Rowley, Justin C. Pinney, Dr. Rob-

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ert K. Bell, Josiah E. Carpenter, Rev. Elisha R. Swain and O. M. Cross. Ferdinand Rekor was the first German settler ; Samuel Stevenson was the first Englishman. The first wedding in the town was at the log house of William Whitney ; Josiah E. Carpenter, Esq., and Miss Caroline M. Reynolds were joined in wedlock by Rev. E. R. Swain. The Baptist Church was the first organized (in 1846) ; Rev. E. R. Swain was the first Pastor. Among the different Pas- tors of this church were Rev. George De Lamatyr, Rev. Bunce, Rev. Cobbin, Rev. Bolton and Father Fox. In April, 1851, the Congregational Church was organized at the Farwell School- house, by Rev. C. W. Matthews. The German Methodists in the northern part of the town erected and dedicated a church in 1876. Besides these churches, there are also a Moravian Church, which was organized in 1876, by Rev. William Shingle, and a Primitive Lutheran Church. The first female child born in the town was Delia, the daughter of E. R. Swain.

The first actual settler of the town was from the State of Vermont, and arrived here in the year 1841, settling upon Section 5. His name was William Lawrence. During the rebellion, he enlisted in the Union army, was taken sick, and died while in the service. James Morrison, a Scotchman, was the next settler, erecting his cabin on Section 6, near the present village of Morrison, after whom it was named. Thomas Campbell, likewise a Scotchman, came in about the same time with Mr. Morrison and settled upon Section 17, near the present village of DeForest. Mr. Pellet soon after built a log house on Section 36, and Mr. Leland on Section 30. Charles Lawrence was the next to construct a house in the town of Windsor, coming in some time in 1842. Mr. Lawrence came to Madison in 1838, and was one of the workmen on the old Territorial capitol. In 1842, he took up some government land in Windsor and settled upon it, and he continued to reside upon the farm then selected until his death, which occurred September 23, 1880. Randall Abner, an Indian, early improved a farm on Section 28. After emigrating to California, he joined the regular army as a scout, and was killed by another Indian while in the discharge of his duties.

After the organization of the town the immigration rapidly increased ; Germans, English and Norwegians coming in in large numbers. Among some of these were Shure Shureson, John Oleson and John Knudson, Norwegians; William G. Bartlett, Thomas Bewick and George Cole, Englishmen ; Frederick Pevison, James Meixner, Ernest Miller, F. Schambra, Henry A. Miller, Henry Brockmiller and Ferdinand Gomalke, Germans ; from different States were Martin Hilliard, Austin Freeman, James Clements, Tertius Turner and E. P. Sherman. In 1853, Charles Durkee purchased Mr. Stevenson's property ; also 600 acres of Section 16. Here he commenced farming on a grand scale, plowed the whole of Section 16 in one year, purchased a large flock of sheep and other stock. In one year, 4,000 bushels of buckwheat , were grown, in another 8,000 bushels of spring. wheat were sent to market; 700 sheep were also shorn in one year. Mr. Durkee sold his farm to Isaac N. De Forest at $25 per acre. He afterward went to Utah, and was made Governor of the Territory. Died while on his way to Kenosha, to visit his old home.

Windsor is a high and smooth rolling prairie, with a small portion of marsh land. The soil is nearly all under cultivation, is rich and productive. The western part of town is watered by the Yahara River, which flows from the north toward the south through the western tier of sections. There are two lakes in the town, one situated on Section 24, the other on Sections 34 and 35. There are three villages in the town: Morrison, situated on the northwest quarter of Section 6, on the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, Madison Division; De Forest, situated on the same railroad, on Sections 17 and 18; Windsor, on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, southwest quarter of Section 29. The pop- ulation of the town in 1870 was 1,256; the present population is 1,212.

TOWN OF CROSS PLAINS.

The territory now constituting the town of Cross Plains-Township 7 north, of Range 7 east-when first brought under a town government, on the 2d day of February, 1846, was a part of the town of Madison. It so continued until 1847, when, on the 11th day of February

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of that year, by an act of the Territorial Legislature, it was erected into a separate town and named Cross Plains. It was so called because of the crossing of two roads near the present Cross Plains Village.

The first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847, at the house of J. W. Thomas. At that meeting the following officers among others were elected :

Ripha Warden, Chairman ; Hugh Campbell and John H. Clark, Side Supervisors ; Berry Haney, Clerk ; William Howry, Assessor; William Showers, Treasurer ; and J. P. Benedict, Collector and Constable. First Justice of the Peace, Anthony Needham. The surface of Cross Plains in some portions is very uneven, and in others rolling prairie. The finest area is what is known as the Sugar River Valley, in the south part of the town. A more beautiful and fertile spot than this, it would be difficuit to find ; when viewed from the outlying bluffs and ridges, it presents a delightful picture of undulating prairie farms and woodlands, intersected by the stream from which it derives its name. The next best portion is Cross Plains Prairie, which extends through the northeast part of the town. It is a narrow prairie, hemmed in by bold bluffs on either hand, and through it flows the Black Earth Creek. A somewhat singular phe- nomenon is a mass of sandstone on Section 18, which rises abruptly to a height of about thirty- five feet, and which is nearly perpendicular on all sides. Another physical feature worthy of mention, is a rocky ledge or bluff in the south part of the town called "Pine Bluff," from which the little hamlet on Secs. 22 and 27 derives its name. This ledge is the home of a small grove of mountain pines.

The soil is generally excellent in quality, especially on the prairie sections, where there is no surface wash. It is usually a clay loam and marl with sand in small patches, and rich, allu- vial deposits in the very low-lying bottoms.

The timber is similar to that of the surrounding towns, being in the main white and burr oak, interspersed with poplar, hickory, ash and other indigenous varieties.

The streams already mentioned, together with the spring brook tributaries, constitute the water supply.

The products, from having been wheat and other small grains mainly in early years, have become stock, hay and corn principally.

The inhabitants are German, Irish and Norwegians, with a generous sprinkling of Americans. The social and religious condition of the town is good, and excellent schools are maintained. The population in 1870 was 1,506; it is now 1,331.

To Wallace Rowan is due the credit of having been the first, and to Berry Haney the second settler in this town. A sketch of Rowan has been given in a previous chapter. Haney located on the old military road between Galena and Portage, on Section 10, as early certainly as in July, 1836, where he built a double log house, and kept what was known as the Haney stand, a place where travelers could get lodgings (when there was floor to spare) and food to eat (when there was any). Soon after coming here, Mr. Haney engaged in staging between Min- eral Point and Winnebago. This he continued until the spring of 1838, when, a treaty having been effected with the Winnebago Indians, he, with two or three others, went to Sauk- County and laid a claim exactly where Sauk City now stands. In 1841, he sold his claim to Count Haraszthy, an Hungarian nobleman, and a Mr. Bryant, a wealthy Englishman ; then he came back to Cross Plains, and, very soon after, erected a comfortable stone house, where he lived for some time. This house is yet standing.

Mr. Haney, being a natural borderer, removed further West, and the scene of his early exploits has known him no more since that time. He was finally shot in a fray in Arkansas.

This town is also said to have been a favorite resort or stamping-ground for a hunter and trapper by the name of Robert Steele, in very early times, but the atmosphere of civilization was too much for him, so when the town began to be settled he took his departure for fresher fields.

In 1839, Edward Hugh and John Campbell settled in the south part of the town, and were for several years quite prominent citizens. They erected a good-sized stone house not long after coming, where one of them kept a place of entertainment for travelers during the time they lived

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

here. The first frame barn in the town, and one of the very first in the county, was built by them in 1841.

After the coming of the Campbells, the settlers poured in very rapidly. The following are the names of a majority of those who came in before 1847, some of whom came in as early as 1840 : John W. Thomas, Sidney Morgan, Isaiah Harlow and his sons (John, William and George), L. C. Malone, Thomas Arland, George R. C. Floyd, Abijah Fox, Daniel, William and Samuel Showers, Ripha Warden, William and John Howry, John Bryan, James Simpson, G. P. Thompson, J. H. Clark, J. P. Benedict, D. B. Carden, Sylvester Bell, Mr. Heine and sons (Allen and Hugh) and James Mills.

Of those mentioned, there are two now living in the town, John Howry and D. B. Carden, both of whom came in 1845, Mr. Howry a few months previous to Mr. Carden.

When Mr. Thomas came, he took the old Haney stand, succeeding Haney in the hotel bus-

iness. Mrs. Thomas is still living, the last woman of the very earliest settlers.

After the Campbells, G. P. Thompson was the first to open a public house in the south part of the town, he moving into a building erected by George R. C. Floyd, on the military road. Mr. Thompson kept hotel until about six years previous to his death, which occurred from an accident in 1874.

The first marriage in this locality, was one of E. Brigham's miners, Thomas Thomas, who wooed and won Miss Campbell, a sister to the Campbell brothers, in 1839.

Elder Zenith Gurly, a Mormon, held forth in Cross Plains about thirty-three years ago. There were some converts made.

About the first regular mechanics in town were two blacksmiths, Sylvester Bell and a Mr. Yates, the latter being the first one to open a shop at Pine Bluff.

A post office was established in the town at an early day-Sidney Morgan, Postmaster. It was near the site of the present Cross Plains villages.

The first burial ground in town was occupied by the Indians, on Section 10; here, soon after the Black Hawk war, the remains of the Indian Chief Black Crow were brought, and placed on a platform, high above the ground and the reach of the wolves and foxes; but this did not avail to save his tomb from spoliation, for Dr. Baxter and a phrenologist made a trip to the spot, and took, as a trophy, the warrior's skull to adorn some cabinet or museum. The white people had two places where they buried in early days; one on the top of a high bluff, on Sec- tion 10, where can now be seen a clump of trees. The other is located on a hill, on Section 31. There is now a small cemetery near Cross Plains Station, owned by an association, for general use, which is tastefully ornamented with trees and shrubbery ; and one other in connection with the Catholic Church. The little village of " Pine Bluff," although not platted, has, nevertheless, for many years, been one of the principal points in the town. A store was opened here first by Louis Martini, in 1854. He did a large business for three years, then left ; to be followed by Henry Winkle, who, two or three years after, built the present large stone building. Mr. Winkle has been Postmaster at this point for many years. Herman Wallraff opened a store in 1860, which, having passed through several hands, is now kept by John Loehrer, as a saloon and store. H. Mousbach started a store here in 1862. He is now gone, but his place has been taken by William Cullen, who keeps tavern, store, saloon and blacksmith-shop, besides being the principal veterinary surgeon for the surrounding country. There is, also, a wagon-shop here, kept by H. Bell, at the present time.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 131

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