History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 81

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899; Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1304

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2. Two papers against usury laws, published in the Democratic Review, in 1850.

3. A paper on the Agriculture of Dane County, published in the Transactions of the State Agricultural Society of Wisconsin, in 1851.

4. A paper on the Adaptation of Crops to Soil and Climate, published in the same work for 1852.

5. An address before the Madison Institute, 1855, on the Rank of the Human Race Among the Rational Orders of the Universe.

6. A series of articles against taxing evidences for debt, written about 1856.

7. A paper on the Origin of the American Indians, read as the annual address before the State Historical Society, January, 1859.

8. A speech delivered at Madison, March 14, 1861, on the state of the country.

9. A series of articles published in the Argus, in 1861, advocating the doctrine that States by revolting lapsed into the Territorial condition.

10. A pamphlet on the Depreciation of the Currency, published in 1865.

11. A review of Senator Doolittle's speech at Madison, September 30, 1865, on Recon- struction, published in that year.

12. A paper on Eleazar Williams and the Lost Prince, read before the State Historical Society, March 10, 1870.

13. A paper read before the Wisconsin Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters, Feb- ruary 15, 1870, on the Laws which Govern the Configuration of Comets.

14. A paper before the same institution, in 1874, on the Effect of Duties on Imports upon the Value of Gold.

leR head, M. D.

ALBION.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Mr. Smith began in the year 1851 collecting materials for a work on "Currency." He spent several months in the libraries of New York and Washington, and subsequently wrote a few chapters, but never completed the work.

LUKE STOUGHTON,

son of Thomas Stoughton, was born in a sturdy New England family, in the town of Weathers- field, Vermont, on the 10th of December, 1799. While he was still a child, his father removed to Westfield, in the northern part of the State, then an almost unbroken wilderness. Here, of course, his opportunities for acquiring an education were extremely limited ; but he was trained to habits of strictest industry, economy and integrity. He learned a mechanical trade and fol- lowed it for a number of years, spending a part of his time in Boston, Mass., and Mobile, Ala.

Returning to his native State, he married Miss Eliza Page. In 1837, he visited Wiscon- sin. In 1838, he removed his family to Janesville. He entered the mercantile business, built the American House, and otherwise aided in promoting the growth of the young town. Here he resided for twelve years, and accumulated a handsome property. In 1847, he purchased of Daniel Webster a large tract of land in the county of Dane, upon which the village of Stough- ton is now located. Although in feeble health, he soon bent all his energies to improving the water-power, and building up a large village. He induced a large number of his old friends to settle around him, started several kinds of business, and influenced the railroad company to run the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien road through the place. Stoughton is beautifully situated upon the banks of the Yahara, and in appearance resembles a New England town. It has grown into a thriving village, and is now the busy center of trade for a large extent of country, and contains several large manufacturing establishments.

Mr. Stoughton was a man of strong practical sense, sound judgment, a trusted friend and wise counselor. Modest, retiring and deferential to others, he never sought any public position, but has held the high esteem of all who knew him. He loved truth for truth's sake, and was uncompromising in his regard for justice.

His religious views were liberal. He read extensively and possessed a large fund of gen- eral information. His manner was characterized by a quiet but manly dignity. At his home he was hospitable in the highest degree, genial in spirit, discussed freely and intelligently the public topics of the day, in regard to which he was stable and conscientious in his opinions. In his domestic relations he was distinguished for kindness and tenderness. His many years of feeble, failing health, a great trial to one of his active temperament, were borne uncomplain- ingly.

He died on the 15th of August, 1874. The Masonic Order, of which he was a member, took charge of the body on the occasion of his funeral, and at the grave read their beautiful and impressive ceremony.

Few men lived more respected or died more regretted by those who knew him, than Mr. Stoughton.

BYRON PAINE

was born at Painesville, Ohio, October 10, 1827. He first attended the common schools in his native village, becoming afterward a pupil of the Painesville Academy, where he graduated with distinction. He then read law with his father, James H. Paine, who, in November, 1847, settled in Milwaukee. About this period, the son commenced the study of German, pursuing it until he could read the language fluently and speak it readily. He was admitted to the Milwaukee bar in 1849; and, on the 20th of June, 1854, to the bar of the Supreme Court of the State. He was industrious in his profession, and soon became an able and powerful advocate.

In 1853, he acted as Madison reporter of the Milwaukee Free Democrat. On the 19th of May, 1854, he made an argument before the Supreme Court of the State in the celebrated

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Booth case, involving the appellate jurisdiction from State to United States courts, and the constitutionality of the fugitive slave law. His effort was directed against the validity of the enactment. This placed him at once in the front rank of the leading lawyers of Wisconsin, and gave him a widespread reputation. He received congratulations from eminent men in various parts of the country. It was, indeed, the foundation of his legal reputation. It was regarded not only as one of the ablest efforts of his life, but one of the best arguments ever made on that side of the question. On the 7th of October, 1854, he married Miss Clarissa R. Wyman, of his native place. He addressed the young men of Waukesha College at the com- mencement, 1855, of that institution ; and, in the fall following, canvassed a part of the State, speaking on the Republican side during that contest. In January, 1856, he was elected Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin Senate. On the 10th of November following, he was appointed County Judge of Milwaukee County, and was elected to the same office in April following. This was a very strong evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the people. He retained the position until June 21, 1859, when he was called to the office of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, being elected the April previous, as the successor of Justice A. D. Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended, whether on the 31st day of May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, 1860, he went through with the formality of resigning his office, and the Governor appointed Judge Paine as his successor on the 20th of June.

Judge Paine held his position on the bench of the Supreme Court until the 15th of Novem- ber, 1864, he having resigned on the 10th of August previous, to take effect on that day, to enter the army. He enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel. His post was in Tennessee, where he remained until May, 1865, when the death of an only and much-loved brother called him home. On returning to civil life, Judge Paine again entered on the practice of his profession in Milwaukee. This he continued until re-appointed, on the 16th of August, 1867, to the Supreme Court of the State, to succeed Justice Downer, resigned. In April, 1868, he was elected to fill the term expiring June 1, 1871, holding the office until his death, January 13 of that year. During his practice at the bar, he was associated with his father and brother, and for a time with Hal- bert E. Paine. While on the bench, he worked hard, and justified the most sanguine expecta- tions of his friends. His published opinions show patient and careful examination, laborious research and investigation, a proper deference to authorities, just discrimination of adjudged cases, a clear and firm grasp of sound principle. His mind, in a legal way, was critical but not revolutionary. He laid no violent hand upon the long-established systems of equity and com- mon-law jurisprudence. Many of his decisions might be cited as fine specimens of judicial reasoning and clear, persuasive argument. He was liberal in his views; and, as a citizen, humane and benevolent, frank and open-hearted. He had, in private life, a large circle of friends. He continued his law lectures in the university with general acceptance, until stricken down by the disease which terminated his useful career. In 1869, the University of Wis- consin conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws.

STEPHEN HASKENS CARPENTER.

Mr. Carpenter was born in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., August 7, 1831. His early education was given him at his home. He prepared for college at Munro Academy, Elbridge, N. Y. In 1848, he entered the Freshman class of Madison University, at Ham- ilton, that State, afterward, in 1850, entering the Junior class of the University at Rochester-graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1852. He had early shown & predilection for the classics ; and having been taught Latin at home, in his youth, he was enabled to continue the study in college with more than ordinary success. To the Greek, also, he gavea good deal of attention; so that, at his graduation, his reputation was excellent for his attain- ments in both languages. After graduating, he came to Wisconsin.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Of his arrival in Madison, says one who was then of the faculty of the university : "He had come to join the small body of us then constituting the faculty, who were striving in the midst of narrow and discouraging conditions to lay the foundations of a great institution of learning for Wisconsin. He was then just arrived at legal manhood-just turned of twenty-one years of age, and was just graduated from college. In personal appearance, however, and in the extent and range of his acquirements, he seemed four or five years older .* He occupied the position of Tutor in the University, at the commencement of the third university year (1852-1853), taking the place of O. M. Conover, who was promoted to the chair of ancient lan- guages and literature. He retained his position until July, 1854, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Augustus L. Smith.

After being a few months employed in selling cabinetware in Madison, as senior member of the firm of Carpenter & Lawrence, he associated himself in that city with S. D. Carpenter in the publication of the Daily Patriot-he being announced, on the 20th of November, 1854, as its local editor and publisher, while S. D. Carpenter became the political editor. On the 17th of July, 1855, he succeeded to the position of co-editor ; and, on the 29th of January, 1856, of joint publisher. On the 28th of July following, he retired from the Patriot, having disposed of his interest to Rolla A. Law. On the 31st day of January, 1857, he established, in Madison, a neatly printed weekly paper, devoted to news and literary and miscellaneous reading, but non-political, called the Western Fireside. It was a good family paper, and was ably edited, but its support was not sufficient to justify its publication ; so, on the 8th of January, 1858, it was discontinued. The materials of the office were afterward purchased by the proprietors of the State Journal. This ended his career as editor and publisher. He continued in it, how- ever, long enough to be recognized by the public not only as a man of ability, but as a graceful writer. t

For the years 1858 and 1859, he was Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Wisconsin. Being a very methodical man, he introduced order and system into the internal administration of the office. In 1860, he was elected Professor of Ancient Languages in St. Paul's College, Palmyra, Mo. This position he held until the war of the rebellion broke up the institution. Returning North, he taught a select school one winter in Richland, Wis. After- ward, failing to find more congenial employment, he maintained himself, for a time, by working at the printer's trade in Madison, setting type in the offices of the Wisconsin Farmer and State Journal. He also gave lessons in German. During these years all his spare time was devoted to literary studies.

In 1864, he was elected Clerk of the city of Madison, continuing in that office until Octo- ber, 1868, when he resigned. Meanwhile, he filled, temporarily, the chair in the University made vacant by the resignation of Prof. Read, as before mentioned. He was also a member of the City Board of Education, Madison; and, from January 1, 1868, to the 1st day of October following, was Superintendent of the Schools of Dane County. His resignation of these offices was made imperative because of his acceptance of the professorship of rhetoric and English literature in the University. This chair was changed, in 1874, to logic and English literature, but Prof. Carpenter was continued therein until his death, which occurred at Geneva, N. Y., December 7, 1878.1

In 1855, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by his alma mater, and, in 1872, that of Doctor of Laws. He was married to Miss Frances Curtis, of Madison, Wis., on the 14th of May, 1856. In 1875, he was elected to the Presidency of the Kansas University, but declined the office, believing he could do a greater and better work in the institution with which he was connected. In 1876, he was appointed by the State Superintendent of Public

* From an address delivered by O. M. Conover, LL. D., before the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, December 17, 1878, ia memory of Prof. Carpeater. "I have never parsonally known," continues Dr. Conover, "any man of his years, any graduate fresh from an American College, who had so large an acquaintance with Greek literature, especially with the Greek poets. He had already read all the Homeric poems through several times, and was singularly familiar with aeveral af the Greek dramatists, especially ÆEschylua and Sophoclea."

t Adapted largely from "A History of the Press of Dane County, Wis.," written by David Atwaod, and furnished the Wisconsin Editorial Association, at Fond du Lac, st its ainth annual session, June, 1865.

# For many of these facts we are indebted to a biographical sketch of Prof. Carpenter, from the ahle pen of R. B. Anderson, A. M., Professor of Scandinavian Languagee in the University of Wisconsin, printed in Robiason'a Epitome of Literature, Philadelphia, December, 1878 .- ED.

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Instruction of Wisconsin, an examiner of teachers applying for State certificates. He continued to hold this office until his decease.

It may be said that, as teacher, Dr. Carpenter had few equals in the United States. His favorite fields were rhetoric, logic, and English literature; these he cultivated assiduously. Although at home in the classics, in political and moral science, in French and German, and in mathematics, it was in the English language and literature that he was especially erudite-espe- cially profound. Outside this department, "his knowledge was not of the sort that would be called erudition ; it was rather general than detailed; and consisted, principally, of such facts as had an importance outside of the science to which they belonged. It was such knowledge as a man of vigorous mind and retentive memory (whose leading trait was the clear perception of the bearing of things) would gather from an extensive field of reading and study."*

The fame of Dr. Carpenter rests largely, therefore, upon the wonderful power he exhibited as an educator. "He loved his work and threw his whole being into it. His class-room was never a tedious place. A student never sought that room in doubt of receiving help, or left it unsatisfied. Every one felt the remarkable permeating presence of the beloved instructor. Prof. Carpenter put his stamp upon every intellect. He reached out with a strong arm and raised the young men and women to a higher intellectual plane. He made himself felt. A student knew he was standing upon solid ground in the Professor's presence."+ "His thought," says another, "was pre-eminently logical. He saw quickly and traced rapidly the relations of things. Logic was a favorite science with him, and he gave it more enforcement in the minds of pupils than any other teacher I have ever known. It was the stronghold of his instruction."; Says Prof. J. B. Parkinson: "Prof. Carpenter was distinctly an educator-teacher. In his ability to impart instruction-his aptness to teach-lay his special power. Not one man in ten thou- sand could equal him as a teacher. Here was his chosen field. In it was the work that lay nearest his heart. He thoroughly appreciated the chief requisites of the successful instructor." "Prof. Carpenter seemed to aim," continues Prof. Parkinson, "at a thorough mastery of his department ; and his familiarity with what he had in hand, his wealth of happy and forcible illustrations, and his genuine enthusiasm, constituted the chief secrets of his success in the class- room. As a teacher, then-and I use the term in its technical sense -- his impress has left the deepest furrows. As a teacher, his influence will reach the farthest and abide the longest."||

In 1867, Prof. Carpenter published his first work-a book entitled "Songs for the Sabbath School." It consisted of a collection of melodies-embracing a variety of new tunes; these, with one exception, were composed by himself. In the preface, the author says: "The music in this little book is all new and is believed to be serviceable. The words do not inculcate error, but are in accordance with evangelical truth." The hymns, also, several of them, were written by him. These are, generally, to be commended for their sweetness and tenderness.

As the result of his studies of Anglo-Saxon and the English language, Prof. Carpenter has given to the schools of the country three excellent books: "English of the Fourteenth Cen- tury;" "An Introduction to the Study of the Anglo-Saxon Language;" and, "The Elements of English Analysis." The first mentioned is, in fact, Chaucer's "Prologue" and "Knight's Tale," illustrated by grammatical and philological notes, designed to serve as an introduction to the study of English literature. The author's notes are ample; and these, together with a glos- sary, are intended to remove every difficulty that would meet a student of average ability. In his second book-" An Introduction to the Study of the Anglo-Saxon Language "-he com- prises an elementary grammar of the Anglo-Saxon; also selections for reading, with explanatory notes, and a vocabulary. In his last book-" The Elements of English Analysis "-he uses a system of diagrams to represent to the eye the outline structure of a sentence, in order the more readily to fix the principles of analysis in the mind of the student. This is a small but care- fully written work.

* From Prof. William F. Allen's memorial address before the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, December 17, 1878.

+ Madison Daily Democrat, December 8, 1878.

Memorial address before the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, December 17.1878, by President John Bascom, of the State University. Address, in memory of Dr. Carpenter, before the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, December 17, 1878.

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HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

After the publication of his Anglo-Saxon grammar, Dr. Carpenter devoted the most of ] is leisure hours to the translation and annotation of the celebrated poem, "Beowulf," the oldest monument extant of Anglo-Saxon literature. He had just completed the translation when he died, and was preparing a somewhat elaborate introduction, which .he left not quite finished. This last important work of Prof. Carpenter, one on which he bestowed much care and to which he gave his ripest scholarship, will be published under the editorship of Prof. R. B. Anderson, who was, through many years, his bosom friend.

Prof. Carpenter was not an author of books, in the popular sense of the term. He wrote but one-" An Historical Sketch of the University of Wisconsin "-adapted to the general reader; but, to the religious and educational periodicals of the country, he contributed exten- sively. His communications took a wide range. His style of writing is marked and strikingly characteristic of the man. When he said anything he said it; and, at times, the fire of his thoughts consumed his words. Although largely wanting in the imaginative element, his diction is, nevertheless, peculiarly attractive because of its smoothness and clearness. Take this para- graph, as an example, from "The Relations of Skepticism and Scholarship," in the Baptist Quarterly, for January, 1873:

"Faith is the condition of progress. Belief grasps actual possession by the strong hand of demonstration ; while faith rises superior to reason, and grasps greater truth by the stronger hand of conviction. Faith is not an abandonment of reason ; it is the condition of reason. It places the crown of universal dominion upon the head of man; puts in his hands a scepter, which the future as well as the present obeys-eternity as well as time. It asserts our kinship with God, who does not discover truth by the slow process of reason, but who reaches his con- clusions by the same intuitive action by which faith apprehends principles. Reason adapts man to the present life. Faith is a pledge of immortality. Destroy faith, and man is hedged in by humanity -- is limited to the now and here-to the little segment of the infinite circle which lies immediately before him. Add faith to reason, and out into infinity, onward into coming eternity, upward to God Himself, sweep the slowly arching sides of the mighty circle of truthi, whose round will, nevertheless, forever baffle finite measurement."

A number of his educational addresses have been published. His direct way of giving utterance to his thoughts is well illustrated in the opening paragraph of one of these-" Indus- trial Education " -- delivered before a convention of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, February, 1874: "There are two essential requisites to success in any trade or profession : A knowledge of the principles forming the science of which the profession is the practical applica- tion ; and skill in the application of these principles. The one requires cultivated mind; the other, cultivated muscle. Every profession presents these two sides, but notably those which are largely dependent upon mechanical operations for their success."

An address on " Reading," delivered before the State Teachers' Association of Wisconsin, in July, 1871, at Madison, and published in the August number of the Wisconsin Journal of Education for that year ; also an article in the Examiner and Chronicle, on " The Education Question-Conflicts Between the Old and New," are worthy of special commendation. His centennial Fourth-of-July address, in Madison, added to his reputation as an orator and man of culture. "The Relation of the Different Educational Institutions of the State " and " Rambles in the World of Words," contributions to the periodical first named, exhibit, in a striking light, the wide range of his thoughts and his extensive scholastic attainments.

Of Dr. Carpenter's published lectures, one on " Moral Forces in Education," and a series of twelve on " The Evidences of Christianity," have received a merited recognition from some of our country's ablest and best men. His translations from the French have also been highly complimented. The most notable of these efforts are (1) articles on political economy and the future of Catholic nations, of Emile de Laveleye, and (2) stories of George Sand, from Revue des deux Mondes. Dr. Carpenter was a member of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. He contributed two papers to its " Transactions " : (1) " The Metaphysical Basis of Science; " (2) " The Philosophy of Evolution." These papers attracted wide attention,

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especially the last mentioned. His very latest contribution to the press was a solution of an algebraic problem, to be found in the January number, 1879, of the Wisconsin Journal of Ed- ucation.

The sudden death of Dr. Carpenter produced a profound impression in Wisconsin. Reso- lutions expressing appreciation and esteem were adopted by the faculty and regents of the uni- versity, also by the State Teachers' Association and by the State Historical Society, of which he was a member and an officer. His mortal remains lie buried in the beautiful cemetery near the city of Madison, not far away from the institution where many of his years were so profitably employed, and where he gathered unto himself a name and fame that Wisconsin will long remember with pride and respect.

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History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Part 81

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