History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 140

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 140

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This town received its name after Edmund Burke, one of Ireland's illustrious men. In 1837, Horace and William Lawrence came to this town from Vermont ; they built the first house, on Section 11. Horace Lawrence started the hotel known in those days as the Prairie House. Among other early settlers who located in the town were Charles S. Peaslee, who settled on Sections 27 and 28; A. Botkin, who put up the '76 sign, in honor of the year in which the Declaration of Independence was made; it has since been known as the '76 farm. Adam Smith and Abel Rasdall settled on Section 14 in 1841 ; Martin Lewis settled and built a house on Section 1; Alexander Lamere, a trapper, owned a farm on Section 10; G. A. Spaulding, from Vermont, settled on Section 3, in 1841. This was on the old Indian camping-ground, near

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Token Creek ; he kept a hotel there for a number of years. The first physician in the town was Dr. R. K. Bell. The first store in the town was opened by Messrs. Hanchett & Harris, at Token Creek, in 1848. The upper room of this store was used by two Englishmen, Messrs. Robinson & Davy, as a shoe-shop. John Douglas built the first store in the town in 1847. The first blacksmiths were E. C. Bullis and Goodrich. In 1854, Mr. S. L. Sheldon settled here on Sections 32 and 33. Mr. Sheldon taught school for a time in an old log house on his farm, but, in 1857, he left the farm, and engaged in selling agricultural machinery. He is now one of the largest dealers in the United States. Among other early settlers were A. D. Goodrich, on Sec- tion 9; F. H. Talcott, on Section 15 ; George and C. M. Nichols, on Section 36; H. D. Good- enough and James Sullivan, on Section 34; Thomas Rathbun, on Section 11; J. P. W. Hill and Thomas Sandon, on Section 5; T. W. Thompson, on Section 12; Torkel Gulekson and Gunder Olson, on Section 24, and Martin. Lewis, on Section 1. In 1849, David C. Butterfield com- menced a grist-mill on Section 5; it was completed by Loomis & Rasdall. Rasdall was one of the old pioneer settlers and Indian traders; he was afterward accidentally killed in his mill. David Prindle was an early settler on Section 26; he died at the advanced age of 90.

There are but two post offices in the town, one, Sanderson Station, situated in the southwest quarter of Section 17, on the line of the Madison & Portage Railroad, and Token Creek, situ- ated on the line between the towns of Burke and Windsor on Section 3.

The population of the town in 1870 was 1,127; the population now is 1,002.

In 1852, Burke was set off from Windsor, and erected into a separate town, having, for its territory, Township 8 north, of Range 10 east, of the. United States survey. The first town election was held at the house of Adam Smith, when the following, among other officers, were elected : Adam Smith, Chairman ; J. P. W. Hill and John Vroman, Trustees ; John Douglass, Clerk ; Charles G. Lewis, Treasurer, and A. T. Cady, Assessor.

TOWN OF VERMONT.

The territory run off by the United States Surveyors into Townships 6 and 7 north, of Range 6 east, although at first included in the town of Madison, was, by an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 11, 1848, erected into the town of Blue Mounds; but in 1855 the north half of this territory was formed into a separate town called Vermont.

At the first town meeting, held on the first Tuesday of April, 1855, the town was organized, and the following officers were elected : Whalen Hasbrook, Chairman ; J. C. Steele and John Caldwell, Supervisors, and Aaron Dana, Clerk.

The town was named Vermont by one of the old settlers, in honor of the Green Mountain State.

The surface of this town is highly diversified in character, there being sharp ridges, deep pockets, stony bluffs and fertile valleys throughout, with much land that is very good for culti- vation, and none so very rough that it cannot be made available for the purposes of timber raising or pasturage. There are few pre-historic remains here, but there are somewhat phenome- nal conditions existing in the town, in the form of three unexplored holes or caves ; two on Section 16, and one on Section 30. In the winter, the streams from these holes can be seen for a long distance.

The soil is usually very productive, particularly in the valleys, where corn, hay and oats do very well. Wheat does better on the higher ground, which is usually a sandy loam or limestone marl, according to the height, the very highest ridges being composed of limestone, and the lower ridges of sandstone. The best soil in town is on Section 36 and adjoining. That which the farmers most regret is the washing of the hills, which has very materially damaged the arable land throughout this section.

The town is very well watered with small streams, and their sources-the springs. The largest of the streams is the East Blue Mound Creek, which enters the town on Section 34, and, flowing northwest, passes out on Section 6. The land, through which this creek flows, is called the saw mill bottoms, and is very fertile. This stream supplies excellent mill privileges, which

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have been partly improved. All of the other streams, of which there are several, are tributary to the East Blue Mounds Creek, with the exception of one, which, rising on Section 25, flows northerly, passing out of the town on Section 2, and empties into the Black Earth Creck.

When the first settlers came, there was but little timber in the town, the hills and valleys being covered principally with brush and saplings. Now there is an abundance of several differ- ent kinds, as oak, walnut, butternut, hickory, ash and poplar.

A majority of the inhabitants are Norwegians, the northeast part being very thickly settled by them. In the southwest part of the town there is a settlement of Irish. Besides there are a few families of Americans and English, and quite a number of Prussians and Austrians. There are two churches and several schools which are well supported, and to all appearances the condition of the people is excellent throughout the entire town. The population of 1870 was 1,244; it is now 963.

The products are such as are usually supplied by the agricultural districts of the county, there being no manufacturing done in the town to any extent.

The first white settler was a Pennsylvania Dutchman by the name of Joseph Harmony, who settled here in 1846. He was an old man when he came here, and had neither money to help himself with nor team to plow his land. So he had to erect a cabin as best he could with ax and auger, and plow his land with the spade and hoe. The old man and his still older wife had a hard time of it, and we find that after they had been here about nine years, they had only succeeded in getting three acres of land under cultivation, and the forty acres which constituted the claim was yet unpaid for. About this time some one bought the claim from the Govern- ment, and the old gentleman had no home. At this juncture, his neighbors charitably joined to- gether and raised $50, and bought forty acres of land on Section 31, and presented it to the veteran pioneer. He died about the beginning of the great rebellion.

After Mr. Harmony there were no settlers until 1847, when Mathew Rasback, Samuel Batty, John Caldwell and Samuel Lattimer settled in different parts of the town. During the following four years, J. Stuhltrewers, Mr. Perry, Barney Burrows, J. C. Steele, E. K. Liverad, the first Norwegian, Paul Capley, Mr. Barlow, Henry Brown, John Smith, Thomas Buffe, Nelson Daniels, John Olner, A. B. Erbe, E. Odell and Mahlen Hasbrock with a few others came in. Subsequently, the settlers poured in very rapidly until within a few years the town was thickly settled.

Of the earliest comers who are now living here, we mention M. Rasback, S. Batty, J. C. Steele, John Smith, John Olner, A. B. Erbe and Aaron Denney, all of whom are in comfort- able circumstances and some of them fore-handed.

The first death in the town occurred in 1852, when the cholera swept through this section of the country and killed several in Vermont. The first of these was old Mr. Rasback.

The marriage of E. B. Erbe and Anna Christina in 1852 was the first in the town. They were engaged before coming to this country, but as they belonged to different provinces it would have cost $40 to cosummate their union, so it was deferred until they reached America. They were married at E. Brigham's place, in Blue Mounds, by Squire Dale, who charged them 30 cents for a certificate and the treats for those who were present at the ceremony.

The first school district was organized in 1850, and the first schoolhouse was built on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 17. The first teacher was A. Campbell.

A blacksmith-shop was started on Section 25, in 1849, by C. K. Siverud, the first one in town.

There are now six school districts in the town, with six sections to a district. The school- houses are frame, the best of which is the one in District No. 3.

The first Pathmaster in town was Mahlen Hasbrock. Then the road district included the entire town ; now the town is divided into thirteen districts.

The first road that traversed the town was from Pokerville, or Brigham's mines, to the Wisconsin River, and was doubtless in use forty-five years ago.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mahlen Hasbrock brought in thirty head of cattle when he came, intending to start a dairy and stock farm, but, neglecting to provide feed enough for them, they nearly all died the first winter. During this time, Mr. Hashrock and a brother were hunting deer, and killed 103 be- fore the winter was over.

Religious services were first held in the town in 1849, by a Methodist minister, the Rev. H. Maynard.

Immediately after his arrival, in 1847, Mr. Samuel Lattimer built a saw-mill on Section 21. Mr. Lattimer operated the saw-mill until 1865, when he sold the property to S. Goodell and J. B. Kehl. They repaired the building and converted it into a grist-mill, putting in two run of stone. In 1876, the mill passed into the hands of Charles Elver, who added another run of stone. He still runs the mill, which does first-class work. In 1851, Thomas Steele erected a saw-mill on Section 28. After passing through several hands, it was abandoned, and finally rotted down.

A sorghum evaporator was brought into town two years ago, by C. A. Andleman, who resides on Section 7. This year he made a large amount of sirup for himself and others.

A post office was established on Section 21, last year, with John Lohrs as Postmaster. It is an unpaid office, and receives mail but once a week. Mr. Lohrs has a grocery and saloon at this point, the only ones in the town.

The Catholic Church (St. Simon's) .- This church is situated on Section 29. It has aresi- dent priest and a large congregation. The St. Simon's Total Abstinence Society was organized in 1877. The officers are Michael Denun, President; E. Keating, Vice President; George Blake, Secretary ; D. Keleher, Treasurer ; William Frawley, Librarian. There are now forty members.

The Norwegian Lutheran Church .- This church, situated on Section 11, was built in 1868. The congregation now numbers about ninety families. The first minister of the Lu- theran faith to preach in the town was P. H. Rasmusson. After him, in 1860, John Fjeld, the present Pastor, came.

Each of the churches has a cemetery in connection, besides there is a commonwealth ceme- tery on Section 6, near the schoolhouse of District No. 3.

TOWN OF MAZOMANIE.

The town of Mazomanie is located in the northwest corner of the county. The northern portion, bordering on the Wisconsin River, is low and marshy ; the remaining parts are prairie with some openings. The soil is rich and productive, and watered by Black Earth Creek. It is traversed in the southwest portion by the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which enters on Section 16, and passes out on Section 18. The town was formerly a part of the town of Black Earth, and comprises the north half of Township 8, Range 6 east, and fractional part of Township 9, Range 6 east, lying south and east of the Wisconsin River. It was organized into a separate town in 1858.

The first settlement made in this town was in 1843, when large quantities of Government land were entered by the British Temperance Emigration Society.

Among the first settlers, were Charles Wilson, Joshua Rhodes, Alfred Senier, John Holmes, James Ray, George Robbins, John and William Wrigglesworth, Francis Wilson, Robert North, John Royston, William Thompson, Christopher Bennett, John Kerr, Charles Reeve, Robert Leach, John Linley and Robert Liman, with their families. William Summerville was also of the number.

The first marriage in the town was on the 25th of September, 1844-Robert Leach to Miss Emma Reeve.

The first death was that of William Summerville.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1849, on the school. section. The first school taught was in the same year, hy Mrs. Mary Williams.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

The first town officers were, among others, John Greening, Chairman ; James Craney, Philip Wagner, Supervisors ; William L. Freeman, Clerk ; S. E. Waterhouse, Treasurer ; James Hayes, Assessor.

VILLAGE OF MAZOMANIE.

The village of Mazomanie was laid out on the lands of Edward Brodhead, Anson Eldred, Moses S. Scott and Eliphalet Cramer, situated on Section 16, in June, 1855, and plat acknowl- edged by the several parties on July 2, of same year. John Hudson made an addition in July of this year, and, also, an addition was made by John Catlin, Edward Barber and A. W. Cur- tiss, which is known as Prairie Addition. In October following, William Robinson filed an additional plat. In January, 1856, Alfred Senier recorded a plat, to which he made a second addition in the following June. In 1857, Henry Walker made a record of an addition. In March, 1859, William Robinson and D. W. Bronson recorded an addition ; and, again, April, 1873, D. W. Bronson added farther to the original plat. The village now covers a large por- tion of Sections 16, 9 and 8.

The first settlers in the village were D. W. Bronson and family, David and W. H. Whitney, all of whom lived in a small house situated in the rear of the site upon which the Carlisle House now stands.

The first store was opened by S. Holbrook and John Martin, followed soon after by that S. E. Waterhouse and D. W. Bronson. George Butler built and opened the first hotel, under the name of the " American House." This was the first frame building erected in the village.

Among those who came here in 1855 were the Saulsbury brothers, Mr. Parsons, John Robinson, C. D. Haven, G. T. Whitney, Allen and Angus Macdonald, W. U. Hover, L. D. Brooks, A. S. Sanborn, William Allen, S. H. Vedder and Edward Huggins.

In June, 1856, the railroad first reached the village.

G. T. Whitney was the first Postmaster. The second was William L. Freeman. D. W. Bronson was appointed in 1861, and held the office a period of sixteen years, being succeeded in 1877, by Henry Schildt. The office was made a money-order office in 1878.

John B. Stickney was the first, and has been the only, station agent in the employ of the railroad company at this place.

As already stated, the first school building in the town, and likewise in the village, was erected in 1849. This was used for ten years, when, becoming too small to accommodate the increase of pupils consequent upon the growth of the village, a frame schoolhouse was erected large enough to meet the demands, as was supposed. The building was barely finished when it was found another room was demanded. In 1861, was commenced the erection of a brick edi- fice, 50x50 feet, two stories in height. This was occupied the following year, when the school was first organized under the graded system. In 1868, an addition was built, 30x50 feet, of the same height, making a building 50x80 feet, which was arranged for five departments. In 1876, however, it was again found necessary to occupy the former building and to establish a primary school near the Wisconsin River. In 1876, a free high school was established in the district.

First Congregational Church and Society .- A society was organized in the old log schoolhouse, in 1853, by Rev. David M. Jones. of Arena. Through his labors a church building was erected in 1855, which subsequently became the property of the Evangelical Association, by whom it was used until 1874. The society disbanded after a time, and was re-organized February 16, 1867. Rev. A. S. Allen, Moderator ; John Murrish, Clerk. Those subscribing to the articles of covenant were Thomas Ellis, Darius T. Boardman, Joseph B. Barney, Mrs. Sarah C. Barney, John Murrish, Mrs. Jane Murrish, Mrs. Sarah Jones, Mrs. Minerva Chapman, James Hays, Asa M. Seymour and Mrs. Charlotte M. Stickney. Of this number, but one, Deacon James Hays, was a member of the former congregation. The new organization elected James Hays, Deacon, and John Murrish, Clerk. A call was extended to Rev. T. B. Jervis, and he became the first Pastor of the church. It was through his instrumentality the church edifice was erected in 1871, at a cost of $2,500. In 1877, Rev. M. Martin offered his resignation, which, hy a vote of the church and society, was not accepted, but a leave of absence was given

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him for one year, in the hope that, by the expiration of the time, his health, which had failed him, would be improved, and he could return to the work. Mr. Martin never returned. In 1880, the officers of the church were Alvah Whitney and George B. Clifford, Deacons; Alice Stickney, Church Clerk ; Alvah Whitney, Sunday School Superintendent ; E. A. Brown, Walter Johnson, H. J. Goddard, D. N. Smith, Harry Lathrop, Trustees; Harry Lathrop, Secretary of the society.

Baptist .- This church was organized on the 11th day of April, 1857, by Elder Moses Rowley, one of the pioneer ministers of this State. Fifteen men and women signed the articles of covenant-Moses Rowley, Lydia Rowley, William Robinson, Desire Barrill, Ira Swett and wife, Sarah Nace, Miss Henry, Miss Martin, Nelson Bentley and wife, Harry Crooks and wife, Mrs. Hunt and Francis Lyman. William Robinson was chosen Deacon and Clerk. Elder Moses Rowley was the first Pastor of the church, and labored with it in word and in doctrine for several years. During the first year, the church was greatly blessed by accessions to its numbers. Elder Luther Humphrey was called to the pastorate in 1862, and remained two years, being succeeded by Rev. W. C. Wright, as supply, for one year. In March, 1865, Rev. Moses. Pickett accepted a call to the pastorate of the church, and remained two years. For a few months the church was without a pastor, but in September, 1867, Rev. R. S. Powers came and labored for a year. In October, 1868, Rev. Joseph Wassall assumed pastoral charge, and continued for two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. William H. Brisbane, who also served two years. Again the church was without a pastor for a time, but in September, 1873, secured the services of Rev. A. Von Puttcamer, who remained one year. In 1874, Elder Joseph Bow- man was called, and served until February 18, 1878, when Rev. E. Prouty became the Pastor. The present membership of the church is thirty-eight, with Rev. E. Prouty, Pastor; C. E. Whelan, Deacon and Clerk. A Sunday school was organized at the same time with the church, and had a continuous existence. The present Superintendent is E. Prouty. Average attend- ance, thirty-two. A neat and comfortable church edifice was erected in 1865, at a cost of $4,000. In size, it is 32x44, and has, in addition to its main audience room, a basement designed for lec- tures, prayer meetings and Sunday schools.

Methodist Episcopal .- This church was organized in the fall of 1856, by Rev. Robert Rowbotham, at the house of Barney Campbell. Those composing the first class were Barney Campbell, Nancy Campbell, Charles Richards, Mrs. M. Richards, Mr. Bacon, Mr. and Mrs. Coon, Harvey Cheney and Julia Cheney. Barney Campbell was the first class leader and first steward of the church. The Pastors in order have been Robert Rowbotham, two years; Edwin H. Buck, two years ; John Murrish, two years ; Mr. Chadeayane, one year; Mr. Blessing, one year; W. W. Smith, one year ; B. C. Hammond, one year ; J. D. Searles, three years ; A. D. Dexter, one year ; James Sims, two years ; G. W. Kellogg, one year ; J. D. Brothers, two years ; E. T. Briggs, one year ; H. Dockham, one year ; F. W. Hall, one year ; T. M. Evans, present Pastor. Previous to building the church edifice, the congregation met in what was called Haskell's University, an institution no trace of which now remains; afterward in the town hall. The corner-stone of the church building was laid by Gen. Fallows, in June, 1866, and the building was completed and dedicated to the service of the living God, in August, 1868, by Bishop Simpson and Dr. Minor Raymond. In the next month, the West Wisconsin Conference con- vened in Mazomanie, Bishop Ames, presiding. During this session, by resolution, one evening was set apart to hear Senator Carpenter on the political issues of the day. At the close of Mr. Carpenter's speech, Dr. Hass and Rev. Mr. Waldron each spoke in behalf of the election of Grant to the Presidency. The church building is 40x60 feet, and cost $6,000. The present officers of the church are W. U. Hover, David Harup, Joseph Bennett, T. F. Stair, John Porter, Stillman Moulton, Trustees ; Henry Schildt, James Cooley, Mrs. S. Moulton, Mrs. T. F. Stair, Mrs. Keeley, Stewards ; T. F. Stair, Class Leader. Its membership is sixty.

Evangelical Association .- The first regular preacher of this denomination was Rev. Henry Ragartz, who preached here in 1843. The society was organized in 1845. Serv- ices were usually held at the residence of different members, until 1864. when they

MRS. HANNAH FITTON. (DECEASED. ) BLACK EARTH.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

purchased the church building formerly owned by the Congregational Society. This they occupied until 1874, when they found, from the growth of the society, that they needed more room. They built a very pretty and substantial stone church on Hudson street, which was dedicated on the 29th of October of the same year, by Bishop Jacob Escher. The house is 36x44 feet, and cost, when finished, $3,600. Since its organization, the following-named per- sons have served as Pastors: Revs. George Swants, George Fleischer, Godfreid Umbrecht, George Von Eschen, Peter Speich, Peter Massueger, H. Huelster, George Brockmuehl, Peter Held, Lemeon Kortemeyer and Henry Clement, the latter being the present Pastor. Samuel Shower, John Parman and Christian Parman, Trustees.

Episcopal .- St. Luke's Mission was organized January 8, 1868, by Rev. J. B. Pradt, called as missionary. For two years services were held in the town hall. In 1869, they erected a fine brick edifice at a cost of $2,500, and in December of that year occupied it for the first time. The first officers of the church were E. W. Cornes, Deacon ; Richard Black, Treas- urer. Rev. J. B. Pradt was the first Pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. W. E. Spalding, who remained six months, and was followed by Rev. S. P. Eldred, who served eighteen months. Rev. Mr. Huntington then entered upon the work, continuing six months, when Rev. Henry M. Green came and labored three years. Rev. P. B. Morrison is the present Pastor.

Masonic .- A dispensation was granted, December 5, 1857, for the organization of a Masonic Lodge, and, on the 9th day of June of the following year, a charter was granted to Crescent Lodge, No. 97, A., F. & A. M .; with Alden S. Sanborn, its first Master, and John B. Stickney, its first Secretary. The membership of this lodge has increased gradually, until it now numbers sixty-five members. Their lodge-room and entire furniture and records were destroyed by fire May 2, 1865. They had bought and paid for the third story of the building erected by J. Warren & Co. This gave them a large and commodious hall, and was well fur- nished. The last payment on the hall was made but a few weeks previous to the fire. The Grand Lodge of the State granted a new charter in lieu of the one destroyed by fire, with George High, W. M. ; Luther Clark, S. W .; E. Wood Cornes, J. W. Since its organization the chair of the W. M. has been filled by Alden S. Sanborn, Barney Campbell, M. G. Todd, George High, Luther Clark, E. Wood Cornes, Norman Clark, Theodore Yager, B. R. Cowdery, John Forrest, Henry Z. Moulton and Eugene A. Brown. Ten members of the lodge have been removed by death previous to June 1, 1880-Warren Hill, Isaac D. Sweat, Jonas E. Haseltine, Philo W. Jones, William L. Freeman, S. E. Waterhouse, Isaac N. Briggs, Bela Warner, Daniel Clark and Daniel W. Bronson. The present officers of the Lodge are Eugene A. Brown, W. M .; Edward J. Whitney, S. W. ; S. E. Bronson, J. W. ; George Elliott, Treasurer; James H. Greening, Secretary; Hugh A. Stewart, S. D .; Deville W. Campbell, J. D .; Manville D. Alvord, Steward; Frank Robinson, Steward ; Curtis E. Whelan, Tiler.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 140

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