History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 136

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 136

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 growth of the village has not been rapid, but has been constant and gradual. The business done here has always been largely in excess of the apparent resources of the place, and in some respects it has been much greater than that done by towns of ten times ity size through- out the country.

The shipments of grain and stock from this point annually, especially the former, have been during some years simply enormous, and perhaps more than from any other inland point in the State. It is said that in 1868 the shipments of wheat alone from this point, amounted to 500,000 bushels. And as early as 1865, R. E. Davis and Richard Green, who were then the grain- buyers, paid out each about $119,000 in one month for wheat. The grain trade has fallen off largely since 1870, owing to poor crops, and the passage of the North-Western Railroad through a section adjacent to this place.

At the present time live stock, hogs and cattle, is produced and sold here largely, about two hundred car loads being shipped annually.

Eight years ago, Middleton acquired a considerable notoriety throughout the country, as the place where the first distillery crookedness was discovered and the ways of defrauding the revenue revealed. That industry ceased about that time and has not been resumed.

Socially and religiously, this place is not excelled in the entire country, considering its size, for there are not less than twelve different denominational and secular organizations. They have first-class schools here and maintain a high educational standard, and the general charac- ter of the people is above the average.

The first houses on the village plat were built by Simon Rose and a brother-in-law. Mr. Rose built on Lot 18, Block 1, and opened a saloon and boarding-house for the workmen on the railroad. Eventually he enlarged the building and started the first hotel. The brother-in-law built on Lot 1, Block 7, and opened a saloon and store. This was the first store in town ; sub- sequently, Charles Weinburg purchased this property and kept store here. The building is now used for a saloon.

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In 1856, William A. Wheeler built the brick building on the corner of Hubbard and Parmen- ter streets, where he opened a store. After him S. Damas occupied it, then Sam Thuinger, and, in 1873, Dufrenne & Lyle. The property passed from Mr. Wheeler to J. Leuz, and then to A. Van Edig.

The first permanent mechanical business established here was the blacksmith-shop of John Prien, excepting the work of carpentering.

A warehouse was built here in 1856, by B. C. Slaughter, which was used for depot, warehouse and post office. William McCord was the agent, and a Mr. Glosser, the first grain-buyer. In 1851, Isaac Bunting came here and established himself permanently as a grain-buyer, purchasing a warehouse that bad been brought out from Madison a short time before. In 1863, Richard Green bought out Mr. Bunting, and went into the grain-buying business, and in 1865 R. E. Davis built the east warehouse, now owned by Mr. Green, and embarked in the same busi- ness. For several years these gentlemen were the competing buyers until Mr. Davis was elected to the Senate, and made the political arena his field of labor. In 1867, James White built a warehouse, and Mr. Green also built the first part of the present elevator during the same year. In 1868, the White warehouse passed into Mr. Green's hands, who, in 1876, moved it and united it with his new warehouse, making the present commodious elevator, which is 20x 110 feet and two-stories high, with stone foundation. He has now a ten-horse-power for elevat- ing and grinding grain, and the capacity of this elevator is 1,500 bushels.

In 1868, the building belonging to the Odd Fellows, now occupied by R. E. Davis' store on the lower floor, was built, and in 1869, the present depot was erected. There are three hotels in Middleton; the Mendota, kept by William Haffman ; the Washington, by Daniel Maul; and the American, by Gerard Aussem. There is a drug store here that has been in operation for some time, started by Drs. A. A. Rowly and I. C. Cooledge.

A. B. Kingsley has the lumber-yard at this point. Mr. Kingsley has a planing-mill also, which is used in connection with his other business, built in 1871, and having a ten-horse-power engine, and such other machinery as is necessary. The sales of lumber here annually amount to 700,000 feet on the average.

In 1879, a subscription list was circulated by R. E. Davis among the business men and farmers of this locality, and $1,700 was raised to build an elevator, which should be free to any one for the storage of grain, if they belonged to the association, and where any one could buy grain by paying taxes and insurance. The elevator has a capacity of 8,000, and furnishes very acceptable accommodations for those who wish to ship their own grain. There are several parties engaged in buying and shipping stock, who have commodious yards and buildings for carrying on the business.

The Middleton steam-mill of to-day is the outgrowth of several institutions. First, the old depot, erected by Williamson, was here; then, in 1868, W. A. Wheeler and William Wheeler converted it into a mill, which was 24x30 feet, into which was put a 40-horse-power engine and two runs of stone. In 1870, Jacob Lenz purchased the property and enlarged the building, and began to distill highwines. He did run above two years, when he failed and run the country. The distiller passed into the hands of his bankers, who put Allex Rogers to conduct the bus- iness. Under his management, the revenue-swindling scheme developed into a bonanza, which was finally discovered by Uncle Sam in 1874. The property then passed into the possession of Mr. Vanslyke, who re-converted it to the milling business, with the two runs of stone and the same engine.

Besides what has been mentioned, there is an undertaker's and furniture establishment here, a meat market, several saloons, and blacksmith, wagon, shoe, tailor and millinery shops.

Middleton Post Office .- After the railroad came, in 1856, the post office was established, and kept, at first, in a warehouse, before mentioned, B. C. Slaughter being the Postmaster. The warehouse then stood where R. Green's elevator now is. It was subsequently moved on to Lot 2, Block 13, and converted into a dwelling-house. Mr. Slaughter was Postmaster one year; then the office was taken by N. Griffith, who kept it in a building on Lot 3, Block 7, where A.

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A. Rowley's drug store stands. Mr. Griffith kept groceries and liquors. In 1863, the office was placed in charge of Richard Green, who kept it in the old depot, erected by Mr. William- son. After Mr. Green, S. Barber had the office, with the depot agency, for a time ; then John Riplinger was appointed, and moved the office into a store and saloon on Lot 7, Block 4, of Clin- ton's addition. While he was Postmaster, the building burned and everything in it ; after that A. B. Parmenter kept the office, as deputy, in the old Rose building, on Lot 1, Block 7, until 1865, when he received the appointment of Postmaster, from Andrew Johnson. Subsequently, the office was removed to its present station, on Lot 5, Block 12, of Clinton's addition. In 1870, Mr. Parmenter resigned, and R. E. Davis was appointed, Mr. Parmenter remaining Deputy. During the same year, Mr. Davis resigned and Mr. Parmenter was re-appointed, and has since held the office.

District School .- After passing through the various stages of development, from the log building up, Middleton, or District No. 12, has now a two-story stone building, costing, finished and furnished, about $2,500. There are two departments, and the rooms are well fitted, with commodious patent seats that will accommodate 120 pupils. An incident which occurred several years back, at a school-exhibition, is worthy of mention. While the upper room was jammed full, one of the lamps exploded and threw the audience in to a panic, and, in their frantic en- deavors to escape, five more were broken. The scene which ensued was beyond description. Seventeen persons jumped from the windows to the stones beneath, and the remainder were so inextricably crushed together that they could not escape for some time. Several persons were very badly injured, but the fire did but little damage.

High School .- At the annual school meeting of 1878, District No. 12 voted $1,000 to erect a high school building, and, during the summer of 1878, the present brick structure was completed, under the management of R. E. Davis. The building is 25x44 feet, and one story high, and is a single schoolroom and entry-way. The floor is laid in oak, thoroughly oiled. The schoolroom was seated by the town, plain board seats being supplied. The room will ac- commodate fifty pupils. The use of the house was given by the district to the town, which em- ploys the teacher and controls the school. The standing is very high. Four pupils graduated hers last year that were admitted into the Freshman class of the State University.

The Masons .- A Masonic lodge was instituted here June 1, 1870, under the name of Mid- dleton Lodge, No. 180, A., F. & A. M., with Mansfield Orries as W. M. ; J. M. Bull, S. W. ; H. P. Rider, J. W .; Elisha Baily, Treasurer ; R. E. Davis, Secretary ; W. J. Taylor, S. D .; C. Klauber, J. D., and J. B. Colton, Tiler.

The Odd Fellows .- Middleton Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 158, was instituted October 10, 1868, by J. W. Hudson, R. W. D. G. M., with the following charter members : R. E. Davis, N. C. Rowley, John Prien, G. W. Murray, J. Drives, D. Brush, C. Klauber, H. Chuster, J. Parmenter, C. Moll, A. B. Parmenter, C. Lamert, J. Tideman, W. Hagel and H. L. Hyde.

The officers elected and installed were, R. E. Davis, N. G. ; H. L. Hyde, V. G .; Charles Klauber, R. S .; G. W. Murray, P. S .; J. Prien, Treasurer.

The number of members in good standing is forty-eight. Since the lodge was instituted several deaths have occurred. At the death of each member the lodge pays $50; at the death of a member's wife they pay $30, called funeral benefits. The members are nearly all connected with the Odd Fellows' Insurance Society of the State; which has already paid to the families of deceased members here, $6,500.

The lodge owns the lot and large frame building on the same, the upper story of which is used for their lodge room, and which is also rented from them by the Freemasons and Encamp- ment. The lower story is used for a store, by Davis Bros.

The value of lodge property is $1,500. The lodge-room is very neatly furnished, and the order has regalia costing $300.

Mendota Encampment, No. 34, I. O. O. F .- This higher branch of the Order was insti- tuted July 27, 1869, by J. W. Hudson, Grand Patriarch, with the following charter members : R. E. Davis, G. W. Murray, N. C. Rowley, C. Klauber, John Tiedeman, John Prien, J. W. Bradley and A. B. Parmenter.

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Officers elected and installed : R. E. Davis, C. P. ; C. Klauber, H. P .; H. L. Hyde, S. W .; A. B. Parmenter, J. W .; and G. W. Murray, Scribe. Present membership, 34; value of encampment property, $200.

There is also a lodge of Rebeccas at this place, making in all three lodges of the Odd Fellows' order.

The Grange .- Middleton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, was instituted March 14, 1873, with M. Anderson, W. C. Williams, Charles Elver, E. S. Hunt, W. H. Outhouse, Daniel Vernon, John Lohes, W. Whitney, Fritz Laubake, George Gyte, Joseph Goodwin, C. Heintz, William Shackelbury, William Sanford, William Hallowell, Henry Sanford, Edward Bell, Francis Hallowell, Fred Hilgast, Mary B. Anderson, Charlotte Williams, Minnie Elver, Mrs. E. S. Hunt, Mrs. W. H. Outhouse, Mary Vernon, Mrs. John Lohes and Mrs. G. W. Sanford as charter members.

Good Templars .- The Middleton Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized on the 2d day of March, 1866, with the following charter members : R. Green, R. E. Davis, J. Parmenter, J. W. Bush, G. Murray, Sarah Barber, Emerette Davis, Mary Murray, A. Maud Green, H. Colby, D. Meredith, M. Dunn, P. S. Meredith, M. D. Meredith, M. Kerrighan, A. Colby, T. Scott, J. Middlemore, Sarah Barber and A. L. Parmenter.

Officers elected were R. E. Davis, W. C .; Sarah Barber, W. V .; T. Meredith, W. C .; J. Parmenter, Secretary; R. Green, Treasurer.

Officers now, A. B. Kingsley, W. C .; Miss L. Coolidge, W. V. ; W. M. Hoyt, W. C .; J. W. Green, Secretary ; E. Clark, Treasurer. There are now twenty-three members in good standing.

Mendotas .- The Ancient Order of the Mendotas, an organization devoted to the interests of the temperance fraternity and its progress, was conceived, developed and founded here, the first organization being convened on the 17th day of June, 1872, according to the plan of the origin- ator of the institution. This order is supposed to derive its antiquity from the traditions and ceremonies of long-extinct Indian tribes, even as far back as the time of Montezuma, or when the ruins of Yucatan stood in stately grandeur, the scene of active life and prehistoric endeavor. Nevertheless, the order is the result of the inventive genins of a Middletonian of A. D. 1872. Although the Queen, Sachems, warriors and squaws of the Society No. 1 have, like the native aboriginals, dispersed and divided, even though they were at one time a large tribe, yet the order continues to be very popular in different parts of the country, and will, doubtless, continue to exist and do good, and afford amusement, for years to come, and mav some time become ancient.

The Presbyterian Society .- This society was regularly organized and incorporated, accord- ing to law, on the 15th of November, 1868, at the schoolhouse where this denomination had been in the habit of holding services. The Trustees elected were G. W. Murray, Thomas Whittlesey and Daniel Brush. Previous to the time of organizing, services had been held here irregularly for a short time by different ministers, the last of whom was Rev. W. M. Hoyt, who officiated at the organization, and who has since been minister in charge of the church. Services were held in the schoolhouse until 1869, when the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,600. It is a frame building, and will seat 150 comfortably. In March, 1869, when the project of building the church was started, the society was organized into an ecclesiastical body by the Columbus Presbytery, to be called the first Presbyterian Church of Middleton, con- sisting of seven members. There are now twenty members.

Baptist Church of Middleton .- The society which constituted the nucleus of this church was called " Meadow View." The meeting for the purpose of organizing was held on the the 14th day of December, 1853, about one and one-half miles north of Middleton Station, in the schoolhouse of joint district No. 1, Elder R. Jones officiating. The society soon became quite large, and continued to hold meetings at the schoolhouse until 1863, when it had become so reduced in numbers that, to maintain services, it joined with the Springfield Church, where meetings were held until 1868, when the society began having preaching in the schoolhouse at

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Middleton Station, where services were continued regularly until 1870. At a meeting held March 2, 1869, Elder Wilder officiating, the society re-organized into the present church. Very soon after, a subscription list was circulated to obtain funds for building a church, and during the following summer the church edifice was begun, the Methodists uniting with the Baptists in furnishing the means for building. By April of the following year (1870), the structure was completed at a cost of $1,800. During the month of April the buildings was dedicated by Dr. Hodge. The present membership of the church is twenty-six.

The ministers of the society since 1853 have been Elder Jones, Elder Wisner, Elder Sher- man, Elder Hill, Elder Humphrey, Elder Bowman, Elder Rowley, Elder Wilder, Elder Martin, and Elder Smith, who has been here since 1873.

M. E. Church .- The Methodist Society of Middleton was organized in July, 1869, the Rev. E. C. Arnold, of the East Middleton Circuit, officiating. The first members were D. Meredith, W. A. Knowlton, Mrs. H. Davis, Mrs. E. C. Hyde, Mrs. Mary Murray, Mrs. E., of Knowlton, Ellen Oberst, M. D. Meredith, S. Meredith and Ursula Meredith. The present membership will not exceed twelve. The Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists have had a Union Sunday School for the last three years.

The German Lutheran, Evangelical and Presbyterian Association .- The German Lutheran Society was organized in 1872, with about twenty-five families. The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Compmeyer, the next the Rev. Mr. Vogel, then the present minister, Rev. Mr. Wilke, who has had charge for the last three years. There is also an Evangelical Association and a Presby- terian society. All of the above societies hold their services in the Presbyterian Church, as they have no churches.

Village of Pheasant Branch .- This place, platted by Thomas T. Whittlesey, lies on Pheasant Branch Creek, in the southwest quarter of Section 1 and northwest quarter of Sec- tion 12, Town 7, Range 8. It was surveyed February 20, 1852, by D. B. Travis, and was recorded February 15, 1853.

The old Sauk road passes directly through the village, and, in its palmy days when the travel was large and the two mills were running, it was a thriving place and bade fair to become a large town, but these expectations have not been realized, although there is now a good deal of business done here.

The first house in this vicinity was built by Isaac H. Palmer, now of Lodi, in 1847, which stood about eighty rods up the creek from the present site of Pheasant Branch. After him, each of the first settlers, when they came here, occupied this house, as follows: T. T. Whittlesey, Elder Dawson, A. Bush, R. R. Gyles, Francis Gault and A. Grinnell. In that house Frank Gault found his wife, theirs being the first marriage at this point, and then Mr. Grinnell, an unscrupulous old rascal, traded away his daughter for another man's wife. This is now Mr. Knapp's kitchen at Middleton.

T. T. Whittlesey entered the land where the village stands, and, in 1847, built the first house on the site, and, in 1849, Frank Gault built a house where he now lives.

In the fall of 1849, Mr. Whittlesey had a steam saw-mill built (the first in the town), with sash saw and twelve horse-power. Frank Gault ran it three years, then it was sold to Illsby & Son, of Madison, who ran it three years and sold it back to Mr. Whittlesey, who then sold to Alex Worth, who wore out the mill. It ran twelve years.

In 1850, a store was started here by M. K. Cody and H. A. Winston, near the present bridge. This store became the first tavern in 1852, called the Pheasant Branch Hotel, which at that time did a thriving business, as the travel over the Sauk road was then very large. Mr. Cody kept it first. After passing through several hands, it finally burned. The last landlord was J. Doty, who left between two days.

In 1850, J. Dohr opened his wagon-shop, and, not many years after, Mr. Prien started a blacksmith-shop.

During the summer of 1852, W. A. Wheeler and Frank Gault erected a steam flour-mill here, 34x40 feet in area and four stories high, built of oak on a stone foundation. They put

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in a forty-horse-power engine and three runs of stone, and could grind five barrels per hour, running night and day. They ran it ten years, doing a thriving business, then sold it to T. T. Whittlesey for $7,000. He ran it two years, then sold to J. Camel, who rented it to this and that one until 1865, when it was closed up, and subsequently rotted down, the machinery being sold for a song.

The brewery here was started by J. Wagner, in 1865. In 1868, it was purchased by J. Lenz and J. Hess, for $8,000. They improved it and did a large business, when Lenz fled. The brewery passed into the hands of the First National Bank of Madison, and lay idle for a long time. It is now owned and run by Hubert Bernhardt and John Fendorf, and is doing a fine business.

There is now one general store in Pheasant Branch, well stocked, and owned by J. Lorch. There are two hotels and saloons, and various mechanics' shops.

The first fire in the village occurred in 1869, when Frank Gault's house was burned, at a loss of $2,500. On its ashes he erected his present handsome brick dwelling.

The second school in the town was taught in a frame schoolhouse that stood for a time between Middleton and Pheasant Branch, and which accommodated both places for a time. It was subsequently moved to its present location in Pheasant Branch, where it now stands and serves the same purpose, having been suitably repaired.

The first ministers to preach here were the Revs. Wyrick and Allen, father of Thomas S. Allen. The people now attend church at Middleton.

The post office was established in 1850, and was first kept in the old store and hotel by M: K. Cody as Postmaster. He was succeeded by J. A. Roloff, who kept the office in his saloon in the tavern now called the " Travelers' Home." From him it was transferred to John Lorch, the present incumbent.

Thomas Tucker Whittlesey, the founder of Pheasant Branch, was, in his day, one of the most prominent and influential men in this State. He is remembered with feelings of admiration and great respect by all who had the pleasure to know him, and was undoubtedly one of Wisconsin's most gifted men. He was the son of Elisha and Mary (Tucker) Whittlesey, and was born at Danbury, Conn., May 12, 1794. He graduated at Yale College, and in 1836, was elected a member of Congress, where he remained until 1839. After coming to this State, he entered into politics, and was a member of the Senate in 1853-54. In his death the county, town and State lost a valuable citizen.

TOWN OF PLEASANT SPRINGS.

Township 6 north, of Range 11 east, of the United States Survey, is the territory now con- stituting the town of Pleasant Springs.

This territory was first brought under town government, along with twenty-three other townships, all forming the town of Madison, in April, 1846. It so continued until February 11, 1847, when, along with the territory now constituting the town of Dunn, it became a new town called Rome.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 11, 1848, Rome became extinct, and its east half was erected into a separate town called Pleasant Springs.

The first town election was held at the house of John Patterson, the first Tuesday in April, when the following, among other officers, were elected :

Daniel Wheeler, Chairman ; John Patterson, John Thetcham, Supervisors; Jobn Sunder- man, Clerk ; W. Dinman, Treasurer ; Robert McComb, Assessor.

The town of Pleasant Springs is situated in the southeast part of the county. It is watered in the northwest part by Little Door Creek, which passes through Section 6, in the northwest corner on its way to Lake Kegonsa, and by the Yahara River, which proceeds from Lake Kegonsa, on Section 20, and runs southerly into the town of Dunkirk, Section 33. Lake Kegonsa covers a portion of five sections in the western part of the town. The principal part of the lands are oak openings. There is also a good proportion of marsh or meadow lands with

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fine springs and small streams of living water. The town is traversed by the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Pleasant Springs receives its name from a large spring on Section 27, and numerous smaller ones in different parts of the town.

Abel Rasdall was the first settler of the town, locating his cabin on the eastern shore of First Lake (now in Pleasant Springs), about half a mile south of its outlet.

K. H. Roe, H. Severson, Robert McComb, P. S. Markham, John Sanderson, K. Kittle- son, K. A. Juve, K. A. Joitel, Daniel Wheeler, John Patterson, John Thetcham, W. Dinman, James Brante, Abram Divan, Zina Gilbert and Joseph S. Mills, were among the early settlers of the town. The Norwegian element predominated from the start, and maintains the lead to the present time.

The first school was taught in a private house.

The first schoolhouse was built on Section 25.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. W. Dietrichson, under a large oak tree on the farm of A. K. Juve, September 2, 1844.

The first church was a Norwegian Lutheran built on Section 14.

In 1877, J. I. Williams built and launched on Lake Kegonsa an elegant little steamer. In size it is fifty-six feet long, four feet six inches deep, nine foot beam, with an upper and lower deck, and is propelled by a twenty-horse-power engine.

The town has six schoolhouses and two churches. One of the schoolhouses, including furni- ture and bell, was built at an expense of $2,000.

Pleasant Springs finds market for its produce in Stoughton, Madison, Edgerton, McFar- land, Cambridge, Christiana and Fort Atkinson.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 136

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