History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 141

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 141

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Scientific and Literary Association of Mazomanie and Black Earth .- This association was organized in the spring of 1878, for the purposes of discussing scientific and literary sub- jects, and hold meetings twice each month in Good Templars' Hall in Mazomanie. The meet- ings have usually been well attended, and the time spent in an agreeable and profitable manner. The present officers are Henry Howarth, Mazomanie, President ; U. P. Stair, Black Earth, Vice President ; S. E. Bronson, Mazomanie, Secretary.

Good Templars .- Mazomanie Lodge, No. 65, I. O. G. T. (afterward changed to No. 14), was instituted January 15, 1858, with William Robinson, W. C. T., and John Howarth, W. R. S. The membership is ninety-seven. The charter members of this lodge were Rev. Moses Rowley, Robert Robotham, William Robinson, Henry Howarth, Barney Campbell, Mary Camp- bell, Samuel L. Hooker, Ellen Hooker, N. T. Davies, Lydia Rowley, Eliza Hall, Martha High, James High, Wells High, Lorenzo Eaton, Samantha Eaton, Milo Dietz and John Howarth. This lodge had its records burned some years ago. In 1877, the lodge organized a public library, and now own about two hundred volumes of choice literature, which it loans to any who desire to avail themselves of the privilege for five cents a volume per week. The officers of the lodge for the term commencing May 1 were Howard Elliott, W. C. T. ; Lillie Peck, W. V. T .;

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Fred John, W. S .; Annie Smith, W. A. S .; Frank Kerr, W. F. S. ; Edith Landpher, Treas- urer ; Frank Robinson, W. M .; Jennie Bronson, W. D. M. ; Charles Thompson, W. C .; L. H. Moulton, W. S. ; Anna Murrish, W. G. ; George Clifford, P. W. C. T .; C. E. Whelan, L. D. United Workmen .- W. H. Burford, D. G. M. W., instituted Unity Lodge, No. 22, A. O. U. W., with nine charter members, who were chosen to fill the various offices, as follows : James Kaye, P. M. W. ; S. E. Bronson,. M. W .; C. H. Near, F .; W. H. Gleason, O .; H. Z. Moulton, R. ; T. F. Stair, Financier ; Samuel Murrish, Receiver'; B. R. Cowdery, T .; T. T. Huntington, I. W .; C. F. Zirbel, O. W. The membership of the order has been constantly on the increase, twenty-three members being initiated between the 1st of January and 15th of May, 1880, when its membership was fifty-seven. Those elected to the office of M. W. since its organization were S. E. Bronson, B. R. Cowdery, H. M. Green and James Arnold. At its annual election in January, 1880, there were elected: James Arnold, M. W .; J. F. Preston, R. ; G. F. Clifford, F .; William Davidson, O .; H. H. Coleman, G .; William Cork, Finan- cier ; Samuel Murrish, Receiver ; C. A. Damon, I. W .; J. H. Richards, O. W.

Patrons of Husbandry .- Mazomanie Grange, No 318, P. of H., was organized by Deputy W. C. Williams. The charter members of the Grange were Stillman Moulton and wife, George F. Clifford and wife, Luther Clark and wife, Frederick Diment and wife, O. B. Hazeltine and wife, George Seston and wife, L. O. Roberts and wife, S. O. Davis and wife, John Greening and wife, Charles P. Kerr and wife, Henry Powell and wife, C. W. Hazeltine, John C. Fisher, John Gray, John Ford, Samuel Hawley, Lewis Seston, Reuben Whitcher, Patrick Cory, George Alford and William Bowman -total, 32. On the first election for officers there were elected: George F. Clifford, Master; Luther Clark, Overseer ; Stillman Moulton, Lecturer; William Bowman, Treasurer; O. B. Hazeltine, Secretary ; Frederick Diment, Steward; John Ford, Assistant Steward; John Gray, Chaplain ; Charles Kerr, Gate Keeper; Mrs. John Greening, Stewardess; Mrs. George F. Clifford,. Ceres ; Mrs. Charles P. Kerr, Flora ; Mrs. L. O. Roberts, Pomona. From the organization of the Grange till June 1, 1880, there were admitted, by initiation, 33, making a total membership of 65. Of this number the Grange has lost, by removal and otherwise, 25; leaving a membership of 40. It is now on a good substantial basis, its members being firm believers in the principles of the order, and they are willing to make sac- rifices for its best interests. At the regular meetings, subjects are discussed of prac- tical interest, politics and religion being tabooed. George F. Clifford held the office of Master during the years 1874 and 1876 ; Stillman Moulton, 1875; Henry Powell, 1877, 1878 and 1879. James H. Greening is the present Master, with the following-named officers : George F. Clifford, Overseer ; A. M. Benedict, Lecturer; Joseph Bennett, Steward; Henry Keely, Assistant Steward ; S. S. Humphrey, Chaplain ; Charles Kerr, Treasurer; O. B. Hazeltine, Secretary ; John Burchill, Gate Keeper ; Nellie Benedict, Ceres ; Mrs. M. A. Powell, Pomona; Mrs. Laura Greening, Flora ; Mrs. M. E Hazeltine, Lady Assistant Steward.

Fire Department .- In the latter part of the year 1873, a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of securing money for the purchase of a hook and ladder outfit. About $75 was raised, a truck wagon, hooks, ladders and buckets purchased, and, on the 25th of May, 1874, an organization was effected under the name of Mazomanie Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, and William Butterfield was elected Foreman ; John Forrest, First Assistant; N. T. Davies, Second Assistant ; D. W. Bronson, Treasurer; Richard Black, Secretary. These officers were continued until 1876, when Charles J. Trager was elected Foreman ; D. R. Pres- ton. First Assistant ; J. A. J. Showers, Second Assistant ; Richard Black, Secretary; T. W. Wilson, Treasurer.

Steps were now taken to procure an engine and hose cart. The village not being incor- porated, the town was appealed to for aid, which was refused. The subscription paper was again brought into requisition, and, through the special exertions of Charles J. Trager, Richard Black and T. W. Wilson, some $1,200 was raised. In the spring of 1877, a hand-engine was purchased, together with a hose cart and 500 feet of rubber hose. Just before the arrival of

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY

the engine, and on the 10th day of May, 1877, the large manufacturing establishment of N. T. Davies caught fire from the upsetting of a kerosene lamp, destroying one wing of the building and causing a loss of $4,500. Through the heroic exertions of the hook and ladder company, assisted by citizens, the main building was saved. There was no insurance.

At the annual election, May, 1877, Charles J. Trager was again elected Foreman; J. A. J. Shower, First Assistant ; T. Huntington, Second Assistant ; L. C. Oulmann, Secretary ; T. W. Wilson, Treasurer. The first fire at which the engine was brought into requisition was that of a shed adjoining the barn of Mr. Murrish, which occurred June 1, 1877. Luckily, the fire was soon extinguished, with a very nominal loss. The cause of the fire was unknown. On the 7th of September, of the same year, the warehouse adjoining the lumber-yard was burned, at a loss of $120. From this warehouse the fire spread to the lumber-yard, but was soon extinguished by the fire department, the owner of the yard experiencing a loss of $350. How the fire originated was never known. On the 16th of June previous, the barn of W. U. Hover was burned, at a loss on the barn of $75, and a like amount for a horse.

The department elected for its officers, in 1878, Charles J. Trager, Foreman ; J. A. J. Shower, First Assistant ; George Wightman, Second Assistant ; N. T. Davies, Third Assistant; 0. B. Vosburgh, Secretary ; T. W. Wilson, Treasurer. At this time, the engine company and the hook and ladder company were consolidated into one fire department, the Third Assistant acting as Foreman of the hook and ladder company. During this year, the department was called out a number of times, the first being August 12, 1878, when the grocery stores of Rob- son and Pearson were destroyed, the buildings occupied by each being owned by J. A. Schmitz. Mr. Schmitz's loss was $750, covered by insurance; Pearson's, $350; Robson's, $450. On the 28th day of June, 1878, the barn of James Carlisle was burned, by which he incurred a loss of $800. This was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. September 22, of the same year, Otto Geise's jewelry store was discovered on fire, but it was soon extinguished, with a nominal loss.

At the election of officers of the department, May, 1879, Charles J. Trager was elected Chief; J. A. J. Shower, Foreman; John Preston, First Assistant ; George Wightman, Second Assistant ; N. T. Davies, Third Assistant ; H. R. Learnard, Secretary ; T. W. Wilson, Treas- urer. The department was called out four times this year, and performed some effective service. The first time the alarm was given was on the 30th day of May, 1879, on which occasion the town hall was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, resulting in a loss of $500, with no insurance. On the 24th of June following, the brewery of Tinker & Schleuch was burned, resulting in a loss of $3,000, with $1,000 insurance. The cause of the fire is unknown. S. P. Waldron, living about three-fourths of a mile outside the village limits, was the next sufferer, his harn being destroyed, with a loss of $200, covered by insurance.

March 16, 1880, the dwelling-house of Herman Steffon was burned. Loss, $200; no insurance. In May, this year, the following-named officers were elected : Charles J. Trager, Chief; Thomas Woolrich, Foreman ; J. A. J. Shower, First Assistant; George Wightman, Second Assistant; N. T. Davies, Third Assistant ; H. R. Learnard, Secretary ; T. W. Wilson, Treasurer.

Carlisle House .- This was the first public house erected in the village, and was built by George Butler in 1855, and was run by him for some time, under the name of the American House. It has passed successively into the hands of Samuel Hoskins, Mr. Yager, George Zeller, and James E. Carlisle, and has been leased by several parties at different times. In 1867, it passed into the hands of Mr. Carlisle, who made extensive additions to it, refurnished it, and gave the house the reputation of being first-class. The house has an excellent sample room for commercial travelers, and a good livery in connection, under the management of J. F. Carlisle.

Freeman House .- This house was built, in 1855, by Henry Cowdery. It is a large, two- story frame, 40x40, with a wing added, 20x30, and has accommodations for thirty-five guests. Mr. Cowdery had charge of the house, which was then known as the Mazomanie Hotel, until

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April, 1873, when it was leased by Theodore Freeman, who changed its name to the Freeman House. In 1876, Mr. Freeman purchased the property, and still continues to provide enter- tainment for numerous guests.

Commercial House .- This house was erected in 1857, shortly after the completion of the railroad, by Charles Williams, who continued to entertain travelers here until his death, when it was purchased by John Lester and run by him awhile, then leased to various parties, and finally, in 1877, sold to John Westhauser. Additions have been built to the house, from time to time, until now it has rooms for the accommodation of about twenty guests.

Schmitz's Block-This is one of the most pretentious business blocks in the city, and was erected in 1879. It has a frontage of forty-four feet and a depth of fifty-three feet. It is two stories, with a basement. The building is occupied by Mr. Schmitz, with the exception of the upper part, which is fitted up as a public hall.

Schmitz's Hall .- This hall is 44x50 feet, has a sixteen-foot ceiling, and will accommodate about 500 people. It hae a large stage for concerts, theatrical and other entertainments. The hall was built in the summer of 1879, and opened to the public in October following. J. A. Schmitz, proprietor.

Mazomanie Mills .- In 1857, Lynch and Walker, of Milwaukee, became the owners of the fine water-power on Section 16, and erected thereon a large and commodious flouring- mill. Some time after, William Sanderson became the owner, disposing of the same in a short time to William Thompson, who for many years transacted a large and profitable milling busi- ness, giving employment to a great number of operatives. In 1876, the mill passed into the hands of E. Sanderson & Co., who made extensive alterations and improvements, at an outlay of $15,000. The mill has eight run of stone, and manufactures but two grades of flour. It is one of the best water-powers in the State, and is built close to the railroad track. Having ready access to the markets and the large grain-growing districts of Iowa and Minnesota, it is enabled to do a large and profitable business. John B. Hicks is the present superintendent of the mill.

Mazomanie Custom Mills .- This mill was built in the town of Berry, by Cropper & Jacobi, and removed by them to this place in 1864, and operated by Mr. Cropper until 1876, when he sold his interest to Robert Patterson. The firm of Patterson & Jacobi continued for about two years, when Mr. Patterson sold to R. H. Rung, who remained interested for one year, when, in January, 1880, it passed into the hands of August Jacobi. The mill does cus- tom work almost exclusively, and has two run of stone.

Mazomanie Brewery .- In 1858, Peter Wert erected a frame building, 30x22 feet, two stories, with basement, and began the manufacture of lager beer. For some ten years he con- tinned in the business, and then disposed of it to Herman Black, who in turn sold to Charles Schlew in 1875. Mr. Schlew successfully conducted the business until June 24, 1879, when the building was burned, causing a loss of $3,000. Undaunted, he at once began rebuilding on a more extensive scale, erecting a stone structure, 98x45 feet, two stories, with basement, which was finished in about four months from the time of the fire. In May, 1880, Mr. Schlew sold to Ambrose Lang, the present proprietor.

Manufacturing .- In 1860, John Warren, Nathaniel and Stillman Moulton built a large three-story brick and stone building for this purpose, with steam power and machinery for plan- ing, matching, sawing, etc. A large business was established, which steadily increased from year to year ; but on the 2d day of May, 1865, a great calamity befell them, in the loss by fire of their building and entire stock, prepared during the preceding winter ready for " setting up " into mills. N. Moulton having withdrawn in 1863, the loss, amounting to $4,000, fell upon the other members of the firm, and was very severe, there being no insurance. In 1867, George and N. T. Davies, the successors of J. Warren & Co., rebuilt the premises and made extensive additions and improvements, both in buildings and machinery, including the establishment of a foundry and machine shop. Among their improvements was a 20-horse power engine. In 1874, N. T. Davies bought the interest of his brother George, and continued the business alone. On the

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10th day of May, 1877, the shop was again burned, Mr. Davies losing some $4,000, on which there was no insurance. With commendable energy, he rebuilt and proceeded with his business as though nothing had happened. In busy seasons, he has employed as high as twenty five hands in the various departments of his business.

Carriage Shop .- Charles J. Trager commenced business on a small scale in 1864, in the rear of a blacksmith shop, but by industry and integrity won the confidence of the community, so much so that the increase in his business caused him to erect, in 1868, his present commodious shop for his own special use. This shop is of brick, the wood-shop being 25x25, on the ground floor, and the blacksmith-shop 28x50. The building is two stories, the upper being used as a paint and finishing shop. Mr. Trager usually employs eight men, and has always made a spe- cialty of fine carriage-work and fine sleighs in their season. About two-thirds of his work is upon orders, the balance for the general trade.

Carriage Shop .- John Parman commenced business on a small scale in 1858, and in 1864, being unable to fill his orders from the little shop then occupied by him, he erected a large two-story brick, and commenced manufacturing on a more extensive scale. While doing all kinds of wood work, he has for several years turned his attention specially to the manufacture of carriages, his work in that line giving good satisfaction. Six men find employment in his shops.

Wagon and Blacksmith Shop .- C. E. Whelan, in 1859, moved to the village and opened & repair shop, continuing in that line for six years, when he commenced manufacturing wagons and carriages. In January, 1878, his shop was burned, causing a loss of $800, with no insur- ance. He immediately re-erected a larger and better shop upon the same site.

Badger State Creamery and Cheese Factory .- This important enterprise was put in opera- tion in the spring of 1875, by Humphrey & Sherwin, under the name of Mazomanie Cheese Factory. The firm continued to operate it two years, when Mr. Sherwin retired. Daniel Humphrey then continued the business two years longer, when, in the spring of 1879, a joint stock company was organized under the name of Badger State Creamery and Cheese Factory, with a capital stock of $2,500. Their factory is well arranged for the manufacture of butter and cheese, and they now continue in operation during the entire year, turning their attention to either the one article or the other, as the market may demand. At their annual election in the spring of 1880, Daniel Humphrey was elected President; A. Benedict, Secretary ; Sam- uel Meurrish, Treasurer.

TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE.

MADISON.

JOHN W. HUDSON, Superintendent and Business Manager of the Madison Manufacturing Company ; was born in New York in 1834, and at the age of 11 (1845) he came West, and has been a resident of Madison and vicinity from that date ; for fifteen years he was a grain and produce dealer at the depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in Madison ; he began business here the season be- fore the railroad was completed to Madison ; was obliged to draw all the grain with teams to Stoughton ; before attaining his majority he taught school two years in Milton and vicinity, Rock Co. He was mar- ried, in 1853, to Miss Rachel Garrison, of Milton ; they have had five children; one died in childhood ; two live in Madison, and two are married. His residence is the " Mills Place," which contains 20 acres ; about two miles from the capitol, in the town of Blooming Grove; he has been ten years a member of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and served three terms as Officer and two terms as Representative ; he is also a Good Templar ; he has never essayed politics except once, in 1869, when he nearly overcame the Democratic majority in the canvass for Representative in General Assembly. In Aug. 1862, he enlisted in Co. D of the 23d W. V. I .; Col. J. J. Guppey, commanding; was honorably dis- charged in the fall of 1863, because of disease contracted in the army ; he took part in the siege of Vicks- burg, and was a portion of the time on detached duty in New Orleans. He is the manager and one-fourth owner of the "Orchard Farm," containing 670 acres ; this has the most expensive farm improvements and is called the finest farm in Dane Co. He owns real estate in Florida and Kansas; he owns a controlling interest in the " Madison Manufacturing Co." and is Superintendent of the establishment, which is located on Fourth street, near the University ; they employ an average of thirty men in their general foundry and jobbing machine shop ; the association is incorporated, and the officers are : President, J. M. Bowman ; Vice President, F. J. Lamb ; Superintendent, J. W. Hudson ; Secretary, H. Johnson. Mr. Hudson has always been an active, practical man ; he has superior executive ability ; is always busy but nevertheless finds ample time to meet the social claims resulting from the varied relations of life; prudence and indus- try are his prominent characteristics.

TOWN OF CHRISTIANA.

GEORGE DOW, Cambridge ; is a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and was born Jan. 9, 1808. He will, therefore, have attained the age of 73 years at the opening of the new year. A young man of the age of 22 years, he severed his connection with his native country, and alone came to America. This was in the year 1830, and at a time when but little was known respecting America among the people of the Old World. In 1840, he made a purchase of Government land in Dane County, and since has been a permanent resident thereof-his home being at Cambridge, in the town of Christiana. Of course, the interior of the State (then a Territory) was entirely new. In 1847, he built a hotel at Cambridge, the first constructed in the eastern part of the county. About this time, the water-power was improved at the place by Mr. A. B. Carpenter, who was aided in the work by Mr. Joseph Keys. A saw-mill was erected, and also a flouring-mill. In 1854, this property passed, by purchase, into the hands of Mr. Dow, who made extensive improvements thereon. The flouring-mill was a profitable investment, being located in a fine wbeat-growing region. In 1863, he erected a woolen-factory. In 1874, he constructed at that place a cheese-factory. In 1877, he purchased a one-half interest in the Stoughton flouring-mills, at Stoughton, Wis., and became one of the principal stockholders in the Stoughton State Bank, which was organized in the same year. Previously, in 1867, he built a fine store in Cambridge, and went into partnership, in the dry goods business, with A. B. Carpenter, Esq., of Beloit. In the matter of improvements, in the early settlement of the county, Mr. Dow has been among the foremost. Previous to his settlement in Dane

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County, he was Probate Judge of Jefferson County. This was during the years 1847-48. He was elected Treasurer of the same county in 1849. In matters of town business, he has, at various times, held every office, from Chairman to Pathmaster. In connection with Ex-Gov. Taylor, as Commissioners for the Poor, they purchased the site and erected the present Dane County Poor-House. In all these relations Mr. Dow has held a steady and undeviating course of rectitude. He has accumulated a handsome property, and in such accumulation there has been to stain of dishonor. Inheriting an unusually vigorous constitution, and acquiring good habits of life, he has attained to a vigorous old age, and bids fair to live many years to come. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat, and understands well the theory of the American Government. He is a pleasant and agreeable conversationalist, thoroughly conversant with the history of his native land, her traditions, her poets and her poetry, and exhibits, in his person and manner, traits of Scottish character and pertinacity almost as strong and pronounced as though he had but yesterday bidden farewell to his Highland home. He has reared a family of three sons, two of whom are established in business in Stough- ton, and four daughters, of whom the eldest was the wife William Blacklock, of Placerville, Cal., and died there in 1865.

Mr. Dow was married to Miss Janet Black, in the city of New York, in the year 1833. She is still living, a woman of strong mind and of domestic nature. Their married life has been essentially a pleasant one, and they are apparently as happy to-day in each other's society as when they mutually took their marriage vows at the altar. Honored and respected in the community in which they have lived so long, we hope this aged pioneer and his excellent companion may long enjoy the fruits of their well-spent life. His name is inseparably associated with the early, history of Cambridge, and will be remembered with kindly feelings by all the old pioneers, by their posterity, and by later comers so long as Cambridge has a name.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ABBREVIATIONS.

Co .........

.Company or county

W. V. I. . Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry W. V. A .. Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery

P.O. Post Office

st .. .. etreet W. V. C., . Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry

MADISON CITY.

ABIJAH ABBOTT & SON, dealers in all kinds of foreign and American marble and granite, on Main street, near court house, Madison, Wis. Manufacture all varieties of articles in marble, such as table tops, mantles and monuments.

LEVI ALDEN, born at Claremont, N. H., July 24, 1815; educated at Union College, Sche- nectady, N. Y. Married Sarah A. Leach, July 26, 1844, at Fleming, N. Y. ; had five daughters-Mary E., now Mrs. George Judkins, of Claremont, N. H. ; Frances B., now Mrs. F. C. Cook, of Janesville, Wis. ; Louisa J., now Mrs. T. W. Evans, of Madison, Wis. ; Sarah L., now Mrs. H. S. Hall, of Wash- ington, D. C., and Hattie L. Alden, of Madison, Wis. July 4, 1845, arrived at Janesville, Wis .; August 14 same year commenced publication of the Janesville Gazette, of which he was editor and proprietor till 1855. In 1856, elected as member of Assembly for the Janesville district ; in 1858, elected Clerk of the Rock County Circuit Court, which office he held for eight successive years; in 1867, was appointed Superintendent of the Public Printing, in the Secretary of State's office, which position he held till 1873, at which time he took position on the editorial staff of the State Journal, where he has ever since remained. During residence in New York, was Principal for two years of the Caynga Academy, and after removing to Janesville, was Principal of the academy at that place for about the same length of time.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 141

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