History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 134

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 134

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).

Murder and Suicide .- One Thursday forenoon, June 29, 1871, the village was thrown into great excitement by several reports of a revolver, and the cry of " Saunders is killing his wife !" Everyone within hearing rushed for Mrs. Saunders' millinery store, but only to find their worst fears realized. The murderer had done his work. Mrs. Saunders was found lying in the mid- dle of the floor, the blood spurting from a bullet wound in her neck and another in her face. She was still conscious, and when spoken to said, " Oh, my poor children," and, a moment later, when Dr. Stair had arrived, again spoke, " Oh, Doctor," and immediately became uncon- scious. In the meantime, the excited crowd began to look for Saunders. The word was given

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that he had entered the dwelling-house next door, and into that the men rushed. As he was known to have a revolver with him, some care was taken in the search, so that it was some five minutes before he was found. He had gone to the darkest corner of the cellar, and there placed the muzzle of the revolver in his mouth and fired, killing himself almost instantly, one distorted roll of the eyes being the only move detected after he was found. The cries of the excited citizens were immediately hushed. That he had received his just deserts was plainly depicted on every counte- nance. Not one word of sympathy for him was uttered. Charles Saunders was about forty years of age, and his wife, Mrs. Lonisa Saunders, thirty-seven. They were born in England and mar- ried there, coming to this country soon after .. They had lived together twenty years, four years of that time in New York and fifteen years in this village. Six children were born unto the couple. Mr. Saunders was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and, when sober, was an excellent mechanic; when intoxicated-which was quite frequent-he was quarrelsome, and abusive to his family. His wife, being unable longer to submit to him, had applied for a divorce, since which time he had been forbidden to enter her store. It appears, on the morning referred to, Saunders went into the store, quite intoxicated, and, seating himself on the counter, asked Mrs. Saun- ders to go with him to Madison that day, adding that he wished to make over to her the deed to some property. She partially promised to go, but wished to take her son William, which he objected to. She then left the room, and he followed to the door, then returned to his seat on the counter. Mrs. Saunders soon returned, when he commenced abusing her and her mother in a most shameful manner. After bearing this for a few minutes, Mrs. Saunders ordered him to leave the store. He refused to go, got off the counter and faced her, when she took a chair and gave him a push. He immediately drew a revolver and fired, the ball hitting her in the neck ; she fell, when he fired again, hitting her in the face. He then leveled the revolver at his mother-in-law and fired, then ran out of the back door, but turned and fired again, neither ball taking effect. He then ran to the cellar and shot himself, as previously stated. Mrs. Saunders lingered in an unconscious state for seven hours, when she died. Her funeral was largely attended. Saunders was buried by the town the afternoon of his death.

Congregational Church .- A society was first organized here under the ministrations of Rev. A. S. Allen, November 1, 1855, and church organization perfected October 11, 1856. Assisting in the organization of the church were Rev. Daniel T. Noyce, Martin S. Moore, and Rev. A. S. Allen. Signing the articles of covenant at that time were Rev. A. S. Allen, Mar- tha J. Allen, Miss Elizabeth H. Allen, Miss Harriet D. Coon, D. Boardman, Lucy Boardman, Benjamin F. Smith, Mary Smith, Oscar A. Kenyon, Dexter Hall and Gilbert G. Wheeler. The name of Congregational Union Church of Black Earth, was adopted, together with the Articles of Covenant of the Presbyterian and Congregational Convention. Rev. A. S. Allen was chosen the first Pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Curtis, and he, in turn, by Rev. M. M. Mar- tin, and the latter by Rev. E. C. Stickel. Success has hardly been commensurate with the efforts put forth in behalf of the cause, but still some good has been accomplished. In 1861, the society erected a small but neat church edifice, at a cost of $1,200, which will seat about two hundred and fifty persons. The present membership of the church is twenty-three ; its officers are James Turk, J. H. Young, Thomas Taylor, Deacons; J. Holden, Clerk and Treasurer; Thomas Taylor, George Manwaring, John Elliott, J. H. Young, J. Q. Stewart, John Ward, Trustees ; Thomas Barber, President of (the board ; James Turk, Treasurer; J. Holden, Sec- retary.

Episcopal .- Rev. S. P. Eldridge was first to proclaim the Episcopal faith in this village. He succeeded, in 1873, in gathering together and organizing a small band of disciples, holding services in the town hall. Mr. Eldridge was succeeded by Mr. Huntington, and he, in turn, by Rev. H. M. Green. During the ministrations of the latter a church edifice, 30x40 feet, was erected and set apart to the worship of Almighty God. The church has made but slow prog- ress, numbering, in June, 1880, but fifteen members. Samuel Barker, Warden ; John Wall, Treasurer and Clerk.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Masonic .- A dispensation was granted for the institution of a Masonic lodge in this place, and on the 1st day of September, 1869, Black Earth Valley Lodge, No. 179, A., F. & A. M., was organized. A charter was granted June 16, 1870. Its first officers and charter members were: George High, W. M .; Robert Robotham, S. W .; Edwin Burnett, J. W .; M. C. Bur- nett, Treasurer; G. C. Howard, Secretary ; Samuel Goodlad, S. D .; J. E. Stanford, J. D .; A. S. Johnson, Tyler ; James Barnes, L. T. Park, David D. Logan, William L. Barker, H. E. Peabody, Matthias Marty, J. B. Duncan, M. Anderson. George High held the office of W. M. until the first regular annual election, which occurred December, 1870, when Samuel Good- lad was chosen, and was re-elected annually until December, 1879, a period of nine years. He was succeeded by T. H. Taylor, the present incumbent. Since its organization, forty-two per- Bons have been initiated. In December, 1879, twenty-eight members in good standing were reported to the Grand Lodge. . Death has claimed but one member-Edwin Burnett, the first Junior Warden. Its present officers are T. H. Taylor, W. M .; Samuel Goodlad, S. W. Clar- ence Burnett, J. W. ; Andrew P. Winden, Treasurer ; David D. Logan, Secretary ; John E. Stanford, S. D. ; William L. Barker, J. D. ; Matthias Marty and Olif C. Olsen, Stewards ; Philip D. Paul, Tiler.

Mendotas .- On the 24th day of April, 1874, Minnehaha Council, No. 2, Ancient Order of Mendotas, was instituted in the town hall, by R. E. Davis and others of the Middleton Council. There being no Supreme Council at the time, No. 2 was given no charter, and up to this time has worked without one. The first officers were L. D. Harvey, Sachem ; Mrs. Kate Burnett, Queen ; Clarence Burnett, Prophet ; Mrs. M. A. Goodlad, Priestess ; Lem. Reeve, Writer; A. S. Johnson, Treasurer ; H. D. Jencks, Assistant Sachem ; Miss Mary Barber, Guide ; Miss Virginia Bagnall, Temptress ; David Barber, White Eagle; Edward Warner, Trusty Brave ; Guard of Tent, Miss Eva Randall. The Council started with a membership of twenty-two, and rapidly grew in numbers and popularity as its principles became known. Soon after its organization, A. S. Johnson fitted up a hall in the second story of his store building, into which the Council moved. With the utmost liberality, the members donated the funds to fit up the hall in a tasty manner. Soon after an organ was added, and Indian relics from the camp of Chief Joseph adorned the walls, together with the labors of fairer hands. The hall was the pride of every member. Here the Council met, with pleasure and profit, every Tuesday evening, doing a work of love and striking telling blows for temperance. The Sons of Temper- ance and Patrons of Husbandry secured the use of the hall for their sessions from the Mendotas, who held entire control. The Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance held its annual session in this hall September 2 and 3, 1874; and after their labors were performed almost the entire body of delegates sought admission at the council fire. They were admitted, and in after years the few seeds thus sown germinated into councils in various parts of the State. Since its organ- ization the following-named persons have held the office of Sachem : L. D. Harvey, Samuel Goodlad, J. E. Stanford, J. F. Morrow, George Bates, Clarence Burnett, W. H. Robbins, D. A. Barber, H. McCargar and J. B. Bachman.

In 1874, Middleton and Minnehaha Councils met in the hall of the latter and organized a Supreme Council, which has since held its annual sessions regularly. Through the efforts of this organization forty-nine councils have been instituted in various places in Wisconsin and Minnesota, many of which are still in a flourishing condition.

Early on the morning of April 11, 1880, the devouring element of fire swept away in a few minutes the beautiful hall and its entire contents, including the library and records. The loss to Minnehaha Council was over $300. Although the blow was enough to have caused the death of an organization composed of anything but the most resolute material, the little flock gathered together, and, in their old original camp, relit the council fire.

Patrons of Husbandry .- Black Earth Grange, No. 118, was organized April 1, 1873, by Deputy King, of Marshall, Dane Co., Wis. Its first officers and charter members were Enoch Wood, Master ; J. E. Stanford, Secretary ; Clarence Burnett, Overseer; Warren Walker, Lec- turer ; William Beaty, Steward ; John Drake, Assistant Steward ; Mrs. Fannie Wood, Lady

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Assistant Steward ; W. S. Crowther, Treasurer; Walter Stanbridge, Chaplain ; Mrs. William Beaty, Ceres ; Mrs. O. M. Stanford, Pomona ; Mrs. Katie Burnett, Flora. The membership of the order has been quite uniform since its organization, never being less than fifty, and seldom over sixty members. Its present membership is fifty-six, with the following officers : Enoch Wood, Master ; John Elliott, Overseer ; Charles Watzske, Steward; John Kading, Jr., Assist- ant Steward ; Addie Turner, Lady Assistant Steward; Jesse Walker, Treasurer ; Mrs. William Barker, Secretary; John T. Wilson, Lecturer ; Mrs. Thomas Ward, Ceres ; Mrs. Enoch Wood, Pomona ; Mrs. Anna Bester, Flora. Since its organization, death has called away from the Grange, James Craney, John Kading, and Mrs Partridge. The Patrons suffered a serious loss April 11, 1880, by the burning of their hall and all their records. Nothing saved; no insur- ance.

Planing Mill .- U. D. Wood, in 1875, commenced business in the village as a carpenter and builder, and, during the dull seasons of trade, began the manufacture of bee-hives, milk safes, and other articles in demand among farmers and townsmen, from which has grown his present business. From time to time he has added such tools as seemed to be required for his own work, many of which he constructed himself, until he had everything necessary for planing, scroll-sawing and turning, which is now the main part of his business. His mill is located near the cheese factory, in the south part of the village.

Hauling Can .- Barber & Nuubson have invented and secured patent on a can for hauling milk to the factories, which they first began manufacturing in 1879. The inventors claim, and have backed up their claim by the strong testimonials of living men, that with this can, milk can be hauled twice the distance possible with the old can, and with perfect safety. The same gen- tlemen have been manufacturing a milk cooler, of which Mr. Nuubson is the inventor, and which has found extensive sale wherever introduced. In addition to manufacturing themselves, the inventors sell State and county rights to others for that purpose.

Creamery .- In the fall of 1879, Enoch Wood commenced the manufacture of butter from pure cream, manufacturing for such farmers as choose to avail themselves of his facilities for doing the work. He has continually added to his dairy until in the spring of 1880 he was using the cream of 150 cows, collecting three times each week, and making over 300 pounds of butter in that time. He has endeavored not to come in competition with the cheese factory in this place, and has therefore gone long distances for cream, traversing a large portion of the town of Cross Plains. In order to carry out his plans, Mr. Wood issued a circular, in which he says :

" The new method of raising cream, called the deep setting system, in cans, which in hot weather can be submerged in ice or cold water at a temperature of 45 or 55 degrees, is meeting with marked success wherever tried. By this method, all the cream can be raised in from twelve to twenty-four hours in its greatest perfection ; requiring less room and labor than the common milk-pan. It is secure from all odors, dust and flies, being water sealed. The most advanced dairymen would no more go back to setting milk in open pans than they would to reaping grain with the old crooked sickle.

" In order to command the highest prices and compete with the vast amount of creamery butter now in the market, we must put forth every effort in our power to manufacture an A No. 1 article, which only can be made from the best cream, and to accomplish this our patrons must put in practice the following rules :

"Rule 1. Send cream from none but healthy cows, and not less than five days after calving.

" Rule 2. Use none but tin milk pails, and keep them perfectly clean, straining the milk into the cans as soon as drawn from the cows.

" Rule 3. In warm weather, change the water in cooler one or more times, as may be required, to keep milk at proper temperature.

" Rule 4. In winter keep cans in a place where the milk will not freeze, as frozen cream will not make good butter, and requires too much time to churn it.

" Rule 5. After the milk has cooled or thrown off the animal heat, put on the cover and seal with water by filling the rim which runs around the outside of the can.

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" Rule 6. Thoroughly wash and scald all pails and cans as soon as used, and air well before again using.

" Rule 7. We reserve the right to reject any and all cream that is not perfectly pure.

" Rule 8. Each patron shall receive monthly in cash the full market value of all butter sold from his cream, less the price of manufacturing and other expenses."

Cheese Factory .- The manufacture of cheese for the general trade was first commenced in this place in 1875, when Manwaring, Wilson & Beaty erected in the south part of the village a two-story frame building, 20x40, together with an ell to be used as an engine-room, and in which they placed one of three and one-half horse-power. I. J. Sanderson, a practical cheese- maker, from Herkimer Co., N. Y., was engaged, and superintended the factory during the seasons of 1875 and 1876. The following season Mr. Chaffee was employed, Mr. Sanderson returning to the work in 1878, and remaining through the season of 1879. During this season Mr. Beaty sold bis interest to Mr. Wallace, the firm being known as Manwaring, Wilson & Wallace. During the seasons of 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, there were made each year from 60,000 to 70,000 pounds of cheese. In 1879, on account of the low price, but 23,000 pounds was made. A good quality has always been made, the greater part of which has been consumed at home. Of the shipments a large part has been sent to England. F. H. Sanderson is the present Superintendent of the factory.

Machine Shops .- Peter Johnson commenced business here, on a small scale, in 1871, hav- ing a cash capital, with which to purchase tools and material, of only $40. He made a small lathe that year, which in time gave way to a larger and better, superseded still later by one better suited to the increasing business being done by him. The little one-horse shop has grown, in the past nine years, to one of respectable dimensions. For seven years he confined his atten- tion principally to repairing farm machinery and other job work ; but in 1878, he began the manufacture of three and five shovel cultivators, which have met with a ready sale, and given satisfaction. A six-borse-power engine has been introduced, together with all the necessary machinery for sawing and dressing lumber, which has become an important part of bis business. Shops are located near the depot.

Business of Black Earth in 1868 .- Isaacson, Halvorsen & Co., J. E. Ward, J. Lenze & Co., Spears & Rice, Mrs. M. A. High, K. Erickson, dry goods ; Isaacson, Halversen & Co., J. E. Ward, Spears & Rice, Mrs. M. A. High, K. Erickson, H. Wallroff, J. Lang, gro- 'ceries ; Isaacson, Halversen & Co., J. E. Ward, J. Lenze & Co., Spears & Rice, K. Erikson, boots and shoes ; Spears & Rice, Isaac, Halverson & Co., drugs and medicines; Thomas Barber, hardware; Mrs. M. A. High, Mrs. W. M. Whelan, milliners ; Burnett & Son, Spears & Rice, books and stationery ; G. S. Ward & Bro., E. Troan, lumber ; Gilbert Anderson, D. W. Brain- ard, Andrew Halverson, Dahl & Thompson, boot and shoe makers; August B. Lange, Michael Schleuch, harness makers ; M. H. Myers, Peterson & Oleson, wagon-makers ; William Squire, L. Sylvester, Ole Jensen Wick, blacksmiths; Thomas Barber, furniture ; Stanford & Logan, Isaacson & Co., Spears & Rice, produce merchants ; Thomas Barber, agricultural implements ; Oliver Peterson, E. S. Parker, liveries; John Wall, flouring-mill; E. H. Sackett, saw and card- ing mill ; E. S. Parker, hotel.

Business of Black Earth in 1880 .- In the spring of 1880, there were representing the business of the place, Johnson & Olsen, Stanford & Logan, Julius Weissenborn, dry goods and groceries ; T. Barber & Son, hardware; J. Holden, drugs ; A. P. Winden, merchant tailor ; A. H. Anderson, confectioner and barber ; J. Schanel, furniture ; Mrs. E. S. Parker, Mrs. H. Piper, millinery ; George Zellor, hotel; Burnett & Son, publishers Advertiser and general steam printing ; C. Lange, Edward Kirst, harness makers ; K. J. Mjelde, Ole Oleson, shoemakers ; Ole Rustebakke, jeweler; Peter Johnson, general machine shop; F. Voss, O. J. Wick, M. Hanson. blacksmiths ; U. D. Wood, P. Johnson, planing-mills; M. H. Myers, wagon-maker ; U. D. Wood, J. Q. Stewart, carpenters ; John Muskat, A. A. Steensrud, F. Hickstine, W. Meltzer, salons; Stanford & Logan, John Ward, R. Martin & Son, grain buyers ; John Adams, Ward & Thatcher, R. Martin & Son, stock-buyers; George Bate, Heman Mckenzie, lumber;

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Stanford, Logan & Co., flour-mill; E. H. Sackett, saw and carding mill; U. P. Stair, W. H. Robbins, physicians ; S. Charlesworth, lawyer and insurance agent ; Manwaring & Wilson, pro- prietors Black Earth cheese factory ; F. Hickstine, butcher; W. Brown, drayman; William. Showers, cooper ; R. J. Collie, hardware and groceries ; S. Barker, groceries, boots and shoes; Misses Churchill & Burnett, dress-making ; Taylor, station and express agent.

TOWN OF MEDINA.

The territory now constituting the town of Medina, was one of the four townships, which, by the act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, were erected into the town of Sun Prairie. It remained a part of the last-mentioned town, until, by an act approved March 11, 1848, it was erected into a separate town, and named Medina. The first election was held on the first Tuesday of April of that year, at Bird's Ruins, when the following, among other officers, were elected : Charles Lum, Chairman ; William C. Rood and Henry S. Clark, Super- visors ; Urbane Parsons, Clerk ; Aaron H. Pinney, Treasurer ; Sardine Muzzy, V. Moore and Aaron H. Pinney, Assessors.

The name of Medina was given this town from the fact that its earlier settlers were princi- pally from the town of Medina, Ohio. The town was first settled principally by Americans from. the States of Vermont, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. The Norwegian's began to settle in the town in 1848; a number of English families located in the southwestern part. The Ger- mans began to immigrate and settle in the east part of the town in 1864; they now constitute. about one-fourth the population of the town. Scattered throughout the town are a number of fami- lies of Irish Protestants. The early settlers were Volney Moore, Eleazer Moore, Henry S. Clark, Martin Mead, Moses Page, Martin Bostwick, Daniel S. Cross, Reuben Smith, Sardine Muzzy, Willard Cole, Peter Sifert, Asa Cross, John Douglas, Louis Stone, John T. White, Charles Lum, A. J. Allen, John Tracy, M. D. Currier, Thomas Hart, Jr., Louis Morrill, Jesse M. Smith, Silas Mory, Thomas Hart, Sr., Joseph Hart, C. T. Weeks, Charles Wakeman, Jacob Miller, George Lewellen, W. E. Persons, A. M. Hanchett, Urbane Parsons, M. J. Tompkins, Aaron Pinney, Samuel Chadwick, Mr. Bonner, Charles M. Smith, W. J. Day, Asa Cummings, Mr. English, Lewis Stone, Mr. Spaulding, William Larabee, William Monger, Nathaniel Smith, Herbert Smith, J. W. Donaldson, Mr. Helms, Lewis Stone, Hart Larabee, Martin King, G. D. Mead, John Babcock, E. P. Hutchins, Gideon Ormsby, Dr. Seeley, J. G. Day, Louis Mor- rill, Jesse Smith, Samuel Smith, C. Severcool, John Bacon, John Granger, O. W. Thornton,. James Barber, Dr. Drake, Stephen W. Mory and William Mory.

In 1852, a plank road was projected and built during that and the following season, from Watertown to Hanchettville, a great improvement on the old corduroy road.

On the 28th day of December, 1842, the first marriage was consummated in Medina, at the- house of Volney Moore, on which occasion he celebrated the wedding of both his daughters, the eldest to Charles Lawrence, and the youngest to Henry S. Clark.

William, son of Volney Moore, was born in 1840, being the first in the town.

The first death in the town was the wife of Martin Mead, in the spring of 1846.

The town has erected a large and commodious town hall in the village of Marshall. Here the annual town meetings are held, as well as county, State and national elections. The hall is rented to various benevolent and temperance orders, and is also used for concerts and other pur- poses.

The first house erected in the town was on the present site of the village of Marshall, and was built by Zenas Bird, in 1837. In consideration of his building a house, A. A. Bird and Petrie, who came to this county with him, were to improve the water-power in Waterloo Creek, and build a saw-mill on the same, which they were to have ready to run within one year. Ac- cording to contract, Zenas Bird erected the house, and the other parties had the lumber ready to construct the mill. Zenas Bird and his hired men went to Madison for supplies. While gone, the prairie caught fire, and the house, lumber and all were burned. This was in October,

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839. The house was not entirely consumed; the frame was left standing until 1845, when it ell to the ground. From this event the place derived the name of Bird's Ruins.

In the summer of 1845, Miss Susan Tracy tanght a term of school in one room of the house of Reuben Smith, at Bird's Ruins, which was the first school in the town.

The wife of Martin Mead died June 17, 1845, being the first death in the town.

Mr. Bonner, of whom mention has been made as being among the early settlers of the town, came here in 1843, from the city of New York. After having erected his log cabin, he and his wife seemed ready to enjoy life. As they were quietly sitting and musing over the past and laying plans for the future, one evening, two men suddenly burst open their door, and made a demand on Mr. Bonner for his money. They, being possessed of a goodly sum of money, did not propose to give up their wealth without a struggle, so they concluded to try a hand-to-hand conflict with the ruffians. The fight lasted about twenty minutes, when Mrs. Bonner managed to get out the door and cry for help loud enough so that their nearest neighbor, who lived over a mile away, heard her cries. The robbers, fearing that help would be had at once, made a hurried departure, no richer than when the attack was made, and leaving behind a hat and pis- tol, which were afterward used as evidence against parties charged with the attempted bur- glary. Mr. Bonner was so severely beaten that he did not recover for several weeks. He at once left tilling of the soil to people better skilled in that art, and who had a better record as pugilists than he possessed. Disposing of his property, he moved to Whitewater, where he engaged in the grain trade, and where he afterward died.

The first meeting for religious services was held at the house of Reuben Smith, in the winter of 1844, Rev. Mr. Pete, a Congregational minister, officiating. Mr. Pete was after- ward instrumental in the organization of the Congregational Church at Bird's Ruins, being the first church organization in the town.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 134

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