History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 135

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 135

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Dr. Drake was the first physician in the town. He settled here in 1846, and practiced his profession for several years, then moved north, where he met his death.

The town of Medina lies on the eastern boundary line of the county, which separates it from the town of Waterloo, in Jefferson County, and is sixteen miles northeast of Madison. The town is well watered in the northern part by Waterloo Creek, which enters it on Section 5, passing out after a circuitous route on Section 12. This stream furnishes some excellent water- power. There is but little prairie land in Medina, the most of the land being oak openings, interspersed with about an equal quantity of marsh or meadow. The Watertown line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passes through the center of the town, entering on Section 12, and passing out at Section 6. The lands are very rich, and productive.

VILLAGE OF MARSHALL.

The land upon which the village is located, was purchased by Zenas Bird in 1839. In 1845 it passed into the hands of John Douglas, who afterward transferred it to A. M. Hanchett. The latter gentleman, in 1849, laid out a small portion of it and gave it the name of Hanchett- ville. In 1859, another plat was made by Mr. Hanchett, and the village given the name of Howard City. The property soon afterward passing into the hands of Porter & Marshall, the name was changed to that of Marshall.

Preliminary to the location here of a village, John Douglas erected a small saw-mill on Waterloo Creek, which was completed in 1847.

G. W. Day, in the fall of 1845, in one room of Douglas' house, started a small store, tra- dition having it that his principal stock in trade was a barrel of whisky, which as often as a gallon was drawn from the faucet, a gallon of water was poured into the bung-hole, the effect being that, when winter set in, it froze solid. Sifert & Durban were the next persons to com- mence mercantile business, followed soon after by Thomas & Pinney, the latter remaining but a few months, when they removed to the village of Lodi, in Columbia County.

When Mr. Hanchett settled here, there was no post office nearer than Lake Mills, about ten miles distant. A. M. Hanchett was made the first Postmaster. Mr. Hanchett was succeeded by

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Bradford Hancock, who held the office until William H. Porter was appointed, who is the present Postmaster, with C. E. Bell as deputy, the latter having charge of all the busi- ness. The office was made a money-order office in 1878. The first order was issued July 1 of that year, and was drawn by Oliver W. Thornton, in favor of William Hill, Waukesha, for the sum of $1. The second order issued was for $25, and the third for $50. Up to May, 1880, there were issued 835 orders amounting to $11,182, on which the Government received a com- mission of $101.75. There were paid during the same time, 174 orders, amounting to $3,028.97. The first order paid was from Mason City, Iowa, in favor of O. W. Thornton, for $10.

G. D. Mead and Catherine Douglas were married January 28, 1846, being the first couple married in the village.

The first death was the wife of Martin Mead, who died June 17, 1845.

The first school was taught by Miss Susan Tracy, in Judge Smith's house in 1846.

In 1847, a lodge of Sons of Temperance was organized by George B. Smith and Judge Knapp, from Madison. It remained in existence about a year and a half, with variable success, and then passed away. In 1849, an Odd Fellow's lodge was organized in the brick schoolhouse, but for some reason was sustained only a short time.

In 1852, A. M. Hanchett erected the first and only grist-mill in the village. Various im- provements have since been made, until at present, it occupies a front rank among Wisconsin mills. It is now owned by William H. Porter.

Religious .- The first church organized in the village was that of the Congregationalists in the winter of 1844-45. Among those composing its membership were N. F. Smith and wife, Herbert Smith and two sisters, Mrs. Martin Mead, Mrs. William Monger and J. W. Donaldson and wife. Rev. Mr. Reynolds was the first Pastor.

Baptist Church .- A church was organized in the town of Waterloo, Jefferson County, February 1, 1845, Elders Conrad and Green officiating. Seven persons signed the articles of covenant-Clifford Harris and wife, John Sherwood and wife, S. L. Parsons and wife and Mrs. Bush. The first services were held in the log schoolhouses of that day, and when not convenient to meet there, in the private dwelling-houses of members and friends. After the village of Marshall had obtained a start, the place of meeting was then removed, and, in 1870, a church edifice was erected at a cost of $4,349. Since its organization, the church has had seven Pastors-A. E. Green, Thomas Theal, Isaac Walden, J. J. McIntyre, S. D. Thales, L. G. Cotspole and G. M. Daniels. Its present membership is thirty-eight.

Cheese Factory .- A factory was erected in the spring of 1880, and a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing cheese. Joseph Hart was elected President; George Allen, Sec- retary ; W. H. Porter, Treasurer. The milk of about 250 cows is being used.

VILLAGE OF DEANSVILLE.

On the completion of the Sun Prairie Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road, Richard Dean laid out a small part of Section -, to which he gave the name of Deans- ville. This was in 1860.

The first residence built in the village, after platting, was by James Carr.

The first death was that of the wife of Richard Dean, in 1855, and the first marriage was Mr. Dean and Miss Flower, in 1858.

The village has been a good grain market. The first buyer was Richard Dean, followed by J. B. Carr, M. H. Perrigo and Mr. McNeil.

A post office was established here in 1860, with Richard Dean as Postmaster. He was succeeded successively by A. A. Aldrich, R. C. Perrigo, J. B. Carr, H. S. Clark, Cyrus Stewart and R. B. Smith.

The population of the village is about 100.

The population of the town of Medina, in 1870, including its villages, was 1,525. The population now is 1,404.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

TOWN OF MIDDLETON.

The territory now constituting the town of Middleton, Township 7 north, of Range 8 east, had no organization for purposes of town government until the 1st Tuesday in April, 1846, when the town of Madison was organized, of which it was a part. By the act of the Territorial Legis- lature of February 11, 1847, the town of Madison was reduced from twenty-four townships to three-the western one being the present Middleton. It continued a part of Madison until March 11, 1848, when, by an act of that date, it was created a distinct town and named Middle- ton; so called by Harry Barnes after a place in Vermont. The town was organized on the first Tuesday of April following, by the election of Thomas T. Whittlesey, Chairman ; Orson Cook, Linus M. Palmer, Supervisors ; F. J. Starr, Clerk ; John B. Colton, Treasurer ; Andrew Starr, Assessor, and other officers.

At this meeting, $75 was voted for town expenses, and $1 per day to each of the town officers for services.

The surface of this town is diversified by a pleasing succession of hills, valleys and prairies ; it is what is usually called a rolling country, there being very little of the land that lies entirely level, and scarcely any so rough or broken as not to be readily cultivated. On Sections 8 and 9, in the northern portion, there is quite an extensive tract, now known as Mud Lake, a boggy area, doubtless at some former period the bed of a lake. Adjoining this " lake " there is con- siderable marsh or hay land; also on Sections 11 and 23 there is some excellent meadow. In the south part of the town, on Section 27, there is an elevation, from which, on a clear day, a view of the surrounding country for miles can be obtained ; also near this is another and more remarkable physical feature, a cave, discovered by J. D. Sanford, in 1842, on the farm of Mr. Richardson, Section 33, the mouth of which is just over the line in the town of Verona. There. is also what is known as the big marsh, in the north part of the town, where are found extensive beds of peat bog.

The soil of this town is usually a rich black loam, with an intermingling of clay, limestone, marl and sand, and is as productive and lasting in fertility as any in the county, there having been raised forty bushels of wheat to the acre in an early day, and more recently 107 bushels of shelled corn to the acre, by Mr. J. D. Sanford.

The town is watered by the streams known as Pheasant Branch and Black Earth Creek. The former flows easterly through the northeast part, and empties into Lake Mendota, the west end of which lake projects into the town. The Black Earth flows through the northwest part of the town.

The timber consists almost entirely of white and burr oak, of which, in an early day, there were large quantities. There is also some hickory, poplar and elm.

The inhabitants are of different nationalities, the Germans preponderating largely. The social, religious and educational condition is exceptionally good, there being a large number of denominational and secular societies-and good schools, including a high school.

The products of the town are principally corn and stock, with lighter grains. Limestone of a fine quality is found here in abundance.

The first person to settle in the town was Orson Cook, who came here and made a claim on Section 26, in the spring of 1841, and did some breaking and built a dug-out cabin. Later in the season, J. D. Sanford came on to his present farm on Section 27, which had been entered by his brother in 1837. Mr. Sanford immediately went to work and erected a house preparatory to bringing in his family, which arrived in the fall of this year, his wife being the first white woman in the town.

After this the settlers came in very rapidly. From 1842 to 1850, Hawley Cook, M. K. McCord, S. Hayden, William Cooley, E. Clewett, Harry Barns, Youngs Hallock, Sr., J. H. Par- mer, B. Cleveland, Jr., George, James, Henry and Joseph Taylor, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Fry, Mr. Parmer, E. Bailey, Elder Dawson, A. Bush, T. T. Whittlesey, R. R. Gyles and sons, Francis Gault, Sr., and sons, E. Richardson, J. F. Starr, E. Noyes, J. B. Colton, A. Starr, B. Cleveland,

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Sr., L. Cleveland, and many others settled in the town. Some have moved away, and some are dead.

The first German settlers were James Dohr, Christopher Hendricks, James Ben, Henry Prier, Ed Ryder and Mr. Muehlenbucht and some others who came in before 1854 and settled on the school section, and there are a few still living here.

In June, 1842, Orson Cook went and took a wife unto himself, in the person of Jane Thomp- son, who was the second woman in the town, and the only one Mrs. Sanford had seen in six months.

During that year, on July 31, D. W. Sanford was born, the first white child "to the manor born " in the town.

The second marriage was that of William Cooley and Louis Hayden, and the first death and funeral was that of William Cooley, not long after his marriage.

The first wheat was raised by J. D. Sanford, he having to go to Illinois, a distance of 107 miles, to get his seed.

The thrashing machines used for the first eight or ten years were the feet of horses, and the fanning-mills were the winds, that required no propelling.

The first milling was done at Hicox Mills at Blue Mounds.

The first religious services were held at Mr. Sanford's house in the winter of 1842.

The first regularly ordained minister who preached in town was the Rev. Jesse Bennett, a Methodist.

The first Baptist minister was the Rev. Mr. Parmenter.

Mr. Sanford ran the first regular breaking-team, six yoke of cattle.

The first stopping-place for travelers in the town was with Mr. Sanford. At that time the travel was over the Mineral Point road, and was very large, especially in the number of emi- grants.

E. Clewett settled on Section 26, in 1845, and after that travelers found shelter with him. His sign, "The Junction House," gave East Middleton its first title, which it is best known by now.

Mr. Clewett was the first shoemaker in town. He was for many years one of the most prominent Masons in the State, being Tiler of the Grand Lodge.

During that year a regular tavern was opened in town on the Madison and Sauk City road, in the northeast corner of town, on Section 2, known as the "Eight Mile House," by M. K. McCord.

In 1847, Mr. Sanford erected a hewed-log building at an expense of $144, to be used as a schoolhouse, church, or public building. Very soon after, Lucinda Rhodes was engaged and taught the first school, at about $2 per week.

The post office was soon after established, Harry Barnes being appointed Postmaster.

In 1847, Harry Barnes erected a frame hotel at the Junction, where the post office was kept.

At this time the Junction, or, more properly, Middleton Post Office, was the metropolis of the town. There were two taverns, a saloon or two, one shoe-shop, and J. D. Sanford had such groceries, to sell as the settlers might need. In after years, there were several stores here, the first started by William Gould, and, at different times, various mechanical shops have been started. At the present time, there are two saloons, with stores connected, and one tailor-shop to represent the business of the place. The post office is now called East Mid- dleton, though at one time, after the naming of Middleton Station, it was named the Junction.

James Dohr, who was the first German settler in town, started the first wagon-shop at Pheasant Branch in 1851. The first blacksmith-shop was opened by Henry Prien soon after.

One of the enterprises started in this town at a large expense, and no profit to the opera- tors, was the draining of the big marsh and opening the peat beds on Section 3 by W. B. Slaughter and Frank Gault. A large stone building was erected and some smaller frames. An apparatus for drying and pressing was bought, but, after the expenditure of a large amount

STOUGHTON.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of money, the undertaking was abandoned, as it could not be made to pay. The experiment, though a costly one, proved largely beneficial, as by that means the big marsh was thoroughly drained. In 1856, the Milwaukee & Mississippi, now the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, was built through the town. There is a post office on Section 3 called West Middleton.

CITY OF WEST MADISON.

Sometime during the spring of 1837, Stephen Peck, James W. Glenney and Timothy Johnson, of Milwaukee, caused to be platted in what is now the town of Middleton, on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 22, in Township 7 north, of Range 8 east, a "city," which they named West Madison. The plat was recorded May 29 of that year. It contained twenty-five blocks and a large number of lots. Through the middle of the " city " ran the road from Madison to Blue Mounds. But West Madison never became even a hamlet. The tract on which it was located is marked on the Dane County Atlas of 1873 as the property of J. Wit- temburg (70 acres) and L. Paul (10 acres), in the town of Middleton. Concerning the "city," a writer who stood upon the site on the 31st day of May, 1837, says :

"We had advanced about seven miles from the lakes [Mendota and Monona] into the prairie [toward the Blue Mounds], when we met with the old bachelor, Mr. [Ebenezer] Brig- ham, whose cabin we had stopped at, at the Blue Mounds, accompanied by another person hold- ing various papers in his hand, and who appeared somewhat agitated as we came up with them. This man's name was Picketts, and his story was as follows : He had left New York on a trad- ing expedition for Milwaukee, on Lake Michigan, and, on arriving there, had sold and delivered to a person there, of the name of Glennie [Glenney ], butter, bacon and other commodities to the amount of $900. Mr. Glennie, it appeared, being desirous of introducing respectable settlers into the Western wilderness, and being gifted with very persuasive powers, had induced Mr. Picketts, when in a remarkably verdant state of mind, to receive, in payment for his goods, nine lots admirably situated for erecting city buildings, in the city of West Madison, which, as the engraved map most forcibly exhibited, was advantageously situated upon the banks of the Third Lake. Mr. Picketts had thought it one of the best bargains that had ever been made, which was prob- ably also Mr. Glennie's opinion, who, in addition to his deeds in fee simple, delivered him a handsomely engraved plan of the city of West Madison, with its imposing squares and streets, and the most charming of lakes lying, in all its quiet beauty, in front of the city.

"Now, these deeds were bounded by certain ranges and lines that had been surveyed by the surveyors of the General Government, so that, of course, the lots were there. Having obtained from the land office some directions and instructions as to the numbers of his lots, he brought Mr. Brigham with him to identify that part of the township where they were situated. Mr. Brigham, who understood all this machinery very well, had just communicated to his com- panion that the lots described in his deeds were exactly where he was standing. Mr. Picketts therefore had all that satisfaction that a man can have who has found a mathematical point, but, as to its value to him, which depended altogether upon its being in a city founded on the bank of a large lake, it was as clear to his comprehension as anything could be that it was nil, for, however true it might be that the lots were there, it was no less so that the lake was seven miles off, and could not be seen from them.

"Upon looking over his papers, I saw into the fraud at once. The plot of ground where we now stood had been laid out into squares and streets on paper, and the building lots in the streets had been regularly numbered and conveyed into the deeds, in which no mention what- ever was made of the lake. By way of embellishment, the vender had added the lake to the engraved plan of the city, and had called the city West Madison. This was the best that he could do for his customers. He had brought the lake and city very prettily together on paper, and it was most unreasonable to ask him to bring two points together in any other way that nature had so far divided. He had merely sold the lots by their numbers and bounds, and there they were. To be sure, there was not a drop of water, nor a tree, nor a being, within seven

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

miles of them, and it was pretty certain that there never would be; so nothing was left for Mr. Picketts but to make the most of his wrinkle, and to part with them to some untraveled friend in New York who had a romantic turn for lake scenery.

" Leaving the outwitted New Yorker to his reflections, we rode on to the Buffalo Mounde [ancient earthworks], which had previously attracted our attention, and, having re-measured several of them, pursued our way to Brigham's."*

N. C. Rowley was the first settled physician in town : he came about 1850. The first regular store was opened at Pheasant Branch.

Middleton Detective Association-At a call meeting of the citizens of Middleton, held at the junction, on the 14th of October, 1861, it was decided to organize an association, the object of which should be the protection of property from the depredations of thieves. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and the meeting was adjourned to meet on the 19th of the month. At that meeting the society was thoroughly organized, and the following officers were elected : J. O. Gordon, President ; Danel Vernon and Henry De La Matyr Vice Presidents ; D. H. Town, Secretary, and W. D. Sillibridge, Treasurer. At the two subsequent meetings, ten vigilants were elected. Officers are chosen each year. Since the second annual election, W. Whitney has been President, and for the last ten years J. Goodwin has been Secretary. Any one can become a member by paying $1. Any expenses for the relief or protection of a member, is paid out of the general fund. There have been eighty-four members enrolled thus far, but many of these are dead or have removed. At present there is $77.50 in the treasury.

Middleton Fire and Lightning Insurance Company .- The first meeting of this company was held in the hall of Daniel Moul, at Middleton, on the 4th day of January, 1876. The organization was then effected, there being twenty-nine persons present who subscribed to poli- cies to the amount of $25,000, as required by law. Nine Directors were elected, as follows: R. E. Davis, H. J. Hill, D. Richardson, J. Ben, R. Green, D. Vernon, J. E. Brumm, J. Wheelwright and J. Drives ; R. E. Davis was chosen President ;, Daniel Vernon, Vice Presi- dent and R. Green, Secretary. Elections are held annually. The Directors remain the same, excepting that Samuel Barry, G. W. Sanford, F. Elver and William Wullock have been chosen in the place of J. Ben, D. Vernon, R. Green and Jesse W. Wheelwright. The officers now are R. E. Davis, President ; G. W. Sanford, Secretary ; J. E. Brumm Treasurer. Thus far 255 policies have been issued, and eleven losses have been paid. The present liabilities are $268,- 676.25 ; amount of loss, $294.75. The company covers the territory of Middleton, Madison, Springfield, Verona, Westport and Fitchburg.

Middleton Cemetery Association .- Previous to 1854, the dead were either interred on their farms or in a now disused burial-place, near West Middleton, on Section 28. About 1852 or 1853, a cemetery was laid ont by a regularly organized association, at Middleton, on Section 22. In 1871, the association was re-organized with seventeen members; five Trustees were elected, and the following officers : Richard Green, President ; J. Gordon, Secretary, and D. Vernon, Treasurer. The Trustees were elected in classes, once in three years. The first man buried here was J. T. Word, in March, 1854. In 1870, the grounds were enlarged to two acres. The present officers are H. Goodwin, President ; Richard Green, Secretary, and Youngs Hallock, Treasurer.

There are several other cemeteries in the town, but they are all connected with the different churches, there being no independent organization to control them.

The German Evangelical Association of West Middleton .- The first preaching of this denomination in town was by J. Gibbons, in 1754. Soon after a class of eight members were organized ; there are now sixty-three members.

The Sabbath school was started in 1870, and in 1872 the church was built at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated the same year by R. Zeakel.

The ministers, since 1871, have been L. Hortmier, one year; Henry Huelster, one year ; E. Bockemuell, two years ; P. Held, three years ; Henry Huelster, one year, and at present,

*From Featherstonhaugh'e " Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotor," Vol. I, pp. 105-109. It is hut justice to the proprietors of the "city"' to say that the plat, ae recorded, showe no lake near .- En.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

H. Clement. The church is located on the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 20. This church has a cemetery.

There are two Lutheran societies in the town that have churches, one on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of Section 5, and one on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section 15. The organizations are under the pastoral care of Charles Schenck.

Village of Middleton .- The first plat of this village was made on the 10th of November, 1856, by C. M. Williamson, Levi P. Drake being the surveyor. It was recorded November 27 following, and includes the north half of the southeast quarter of Section 11, and all of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 11, lying north of the railroad. The streets are all sixty-six feet wide.

An addition was afterward made by E. D. Clinton, C. A. Haskins being the surveyor. This plat was recorded on the 21st of Jannary, 1867, and was laid on the farm of Mrs. Par. menter, who received every other lot for her share.

On the 7th of April, 1869, George Murray platted a subdivision of out-Blocks 9 and 10 of the original plat, L. P. Drake being the surveyor.

Previous to the coming of the railroad, which passes directly through the village, this locality was covered by small trees and brush, there being no other dwellings in the vicinity than the cabins of the first settlers, or perchance a stray Indian wigwam, or a retreat for the dis- pensing of the ardent.

The entire surrounding country was a muddy district, and gave but little promise of its present excellence. But time is the magic wand that mellows and improves all things it touches, and that often makes the realization far better than the most sanguine hopes.

The village was first known as Peatville, in honor of its surroundings; then it became Mendota, which it retained until a Mendota started up in another locality; then it was changed to Middleton Station, and subsequently to Middleton.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 135

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