History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 111

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

noon, Dr. Whiting preached upon the strength and beauty which are in God's sanctuary, and with earnest prayer, the congregation uniting, the house was set apart to the sacred services of God. The church, under Mr. Pond's ministry, enjoyed a steady and uniform prosperity, and continued until 1872, when he tendered his resignation, which was accepted in September of that year. In November following, the church invited Rev. A. P. Johnson, of Woodstock, Ill., to act as Pastor for six months. The relationship has been maintained ever since that time to the present date. Upward of 700 names have been enrolled upon the register of the church, out of which number nine have entered the Gospel ministry, as follows : Alvin M. Dixon, Truman M. Douglas, Arthur D. Laughlin, Robert L. McCord, John D. McCord, David Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Daniel W. Pickard and Adrian Van Vliet. The church now numbers 228 members, and owns property (including a parsonage purchased in 1880 for $1,800) representing a valua- tion of $13,000.

St. Mary's Catholic Church .- There seems to have been no effort to establish the Catholic sect in Platteville until about the year 1842, although there were a few scattering members of the church in Platteville and vicinity, principally composed of miners. In the fall of 1842, the Rev. James Causse undertook to establish a mission, and said mass in the houses of John Morrison, Bernhard McKerney and John Micka. So successful were the efforts he put forth that a church was commenced the same year, and completed in the spring of 1843, but its dedi- cation was postponed until 1844, in the meantime mass being said and services held in the- honses of communicants, principal among which, in addition to those cited, were David Gard- ner, Edward Dorsey and Frank Fies. The church was of frame, 24x36. and its erection. was. promoted by contributions from many non-Catholic residents, Mr. John H. Rountree donating the lot. The leading members of the congregation that season were : John Micka and family, Bernhard McKerney and family, John Morrison and family, Edward Dorsey, David Gardner, Michael Maher, Peter Carroll, Frank Fies, Patrick Bannagan, Anthony Hallagan, Mr. Drou- lette, Phillip Reilly, Mrs. Pitts, Patrick McMahon, Cornelius and Joseph Schutner, Casper Hermann, the McGovern brothers, the Henessey brothers, Owen Gallagher, James McLaughlin, James Savage, Patrick O'Malley and some others. The church was a mission attached to Po- tosi and Mineral Point for some years, but finally became an independent parish. In the sum- mer of 1870, it was decided to build a new edifice, and in the spring of 1871, the foundations. were commenced. May 13 of that year the corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies, the Rev. P. H. Albricht preaching the sermon. On November 21, following, the dedication occurred, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni officiating, since when it has been occupied as a house of worship. The building is 40x80, of brick, with a capacity for 400 auditors, and cost $10,000. The present congregation numbers 100 families. The property, including the cemetery and parsonage, is valued at $12,000, and the following prelates have had charge of the Parish : The Revs. James Causse, Father Doherty, Francis de Vivaldi, Martin Hobbes, M. W. Gibson, P. A. Vorssen, Charles Exel, Joseph Prasch, M. J. Joerger, Philip Albricht, J. M. Cleary, J. Gruemer and W. Miller at present officiating.

The Church of Christ .- Located at the corner of Cedar and Second streets, and owned by the society known as Disciples of Christ, which was first organized in Platteville under the labors of J. P. Lancaster during the year 1847. The society was then composed of James Campbell, M. D., wife and mother, William Tibboot and wife, J. W. Smelker and wife, Mr. Whitaker and wife, Mr. Chatfield and wife, L. H. Wannemaker and wife, and some others, these latter being added to the congregation between the years 1847 and 1854.

In 1865, the present church edifice was purchased for $500, the congregation previous to that date worshiping at various accessible points, including the houses of members, stone schoolhouse, etc. The present value of church property is stated at $600, and the following ministers have served since the organization : The Rev. J. P. Lancaster, Calvin Smith, Mr. Dixon, Charles Levan, John Sweeney, William Sweeney, Henry Exley, E. C. T. Bennett, C. J. Mortimer, Mr. Searls and Mr. Monroe.

J. W. Smelker has been acting Elder, and John Robertson acting Deacon, since 1865.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Platteville .- The German population of Platteville became numerous at an early day. Most of them were Lutherans, and in the absence of a church attended services at the German Presbyterian Church. In 1855, H. Martens, A. Groath, Messrs. Knebs, Gilbert, Johnson, Mehren and others extended a call to the Rev. S. Fritschel, which was accepted, and services regularly held thereafter until the completion of the church edifice, in the brick schoolhouse. In 1856, a meeting of the congre- gation was held to make arrangements for the erection of a house of worship, at which Henry Carl donated two lots on " Dutch Hill," upon which the building was put, the same being ded- icated in the spring of 1857, the Rev. Mr. Grossmann, of Iowa, officiating. The building is of brick, 30x50, with a capacity for one hundred and fifty worshipers, and cost $2,800. In the spring of 1857, the Pastor in charge accepted a call to Detroit, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Burk. That gentleman, however, rendered himself unpopular by his advocacy of the "private confession of sins" and the use of a form of absolution which gave universal offense. For these reasons, a part of the congregation withdrew its support and absented itself until the arrival of the Rev. C. Starck, who was substituted for the Rev. Burk.

This trouble caused a division of the church, eight families who supported the latter gen- tleman withdrawing and erecting a church edifice, on the lot opposite the old church.

In the spring of 1859, the congregation procured the erection of a parsonage, and, in 1862, the Rev. Dr. Neumann was elected to the pastorate, occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Starck, who moved to La Crosse, and remained until 1868, when he retired, and after three months, during which the church was without a minister, the Rev. Dr. Bartlett was installed. He remained only six months, when, developing signs of insanity, which subsequently mani- fested themselves so pronouncedly as to require the restraint of the victim, he, too, was retired, and the Rev. Mr. Thiele took his place. From September, 1869, till July, 1870, the church was closed, but during the latter month once more opened under the pastorship of the Rev. Mr. Reichenbecker, who remained until the spring of 1876, being a man of the greatest energy and supported by a strong party. At this date some trouble was experienced, and the church united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The Rev. Mr. Severingham, Presi- dent of the Wartburg Synod, arriving in Chicago in March of that year, came to Platteville, re-organized the congregation, and influenced the selection of the Rev. J. Salinger, a member of the Lutheran Synod of Canada, who responded. and remained in charge four years, going hence to Washington. The Rev. C. Starck was elected his successor, and returned to a field of labor he occupied acceptably twenty-one years previous. In the twenty-five years during which the church has obtained in Platteville, 826 persons have been baptized; 382 confirmed, 161 couples married, and 166 funerals have occurred. The sacrament has been administered to 8,760 members during that period, and the congregation has contributed a total of $20,000 for church purposes.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church-Was first organized April 17, 1876, by the Rev. E. Naltz, then Vicar of the Wisconsin Synod, who held services in the rock schoolhouse on Main street. The congregation, up to that date, had been identified with the German Lutheran Church of Platteville, in which a difference of opinion was caused, on account of what was con- sidered by some the support of inconsistent doctrines. This caused a separation of the congre- gation, the dissenters establishing the present society. A constitution was adopted, which was signed by about thirty-five members, and the following Trustees were elected : R. Barzmann, W. Goeke, J. H. Wiese, N. Besers, A. Beutz and F. Goeke. On May 14, 1876, it was resolved to erect a church edifice, and work thereon was commenced immediately. So vigorously was the same prosecuted, that its completion was reached early in the ensuing fall, followed by the dedi- cation, which occurred October 14, of the same year, when services were conducted by the Revs. Ungredt and Stregenmeier. The edifice is located on Broad street, is of frame 60x36, sixteen feet high, handsomely finished and cost $4,000. Previous to this and in July, the con- gregation was incorporated, and the Rev. L. Jaeger was ordained Pastor. He remained in charge until August, 1878, when failing health compelled his resignation, and he was succeeded

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

by the Rev. E. Hoyer, who is now in charge. The congregation at present numbers sixty voters, and the value of church property is quoted at upward of $4,000.

A portion of the building is occupied as a parish school, which enjoys an average attend- ance of fifty-five scholars, but the congregation has in contemplation the erection of a parson- age and schoolhouse during the present year.

German Presbyterian Church-Located at the corner of Green and Cedar streets, was organized during 1850 as the German Evangelical Church of Platteville, but subsequently received the title by which it is now known. The original members were, in part, as follows : J. J. Brodbeck, Augusta Brodbeck, Maria Brucker, John Valentine Carl, Maria M. Carl, C. N. Doscher and family, Catharine M. Fert, John P. Kolb and family, Valentine Fitz and family, Heinrich Landsberg, Christian Schlegel and family, and others, and the same year the present church edifice was erected with the Rev. John Bantly as Pastor. The church has, from its foundation, constantly held up the Bible as the standard of truth, and advocated the lessons taught in the Heidelberg and Westminster Catechisms. At present, the church is in a flourish- ing condition, with a numerous congregation, and owning property valued at several thousand dollars. The following Pastors have occupied its pulpit since the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Bantly : The Revs. Jacob Schwarz, John Van Derlass, John Fechudy, John Grab, and Joseph Wittenberger, at present officiating.

The Platteville Cemetery Association .- Every day comes the sad intelligence that some loved one has put off the mortal life and gone to dwell in the realms of everlasting bliss. Every day a flower is plucked from some sunny home, a jewel snatched from some treasure of love. Every day from the summer fields of life a harvester disappears ; every day a sentinel falls at his post, and his funeral train winds like a wintry shadow along the street. A young girl, per- haps, pure as the bridal wreath that clasps her forehead, is stricken down at the altar, and from the aisles of the temple is borne to the slumberer's gardens. A strong man clothed in the garb of victory falls to dust as the pean sounds from his lips. An aged patriarch bowed down with years and pain sinks into his dreamless sleep as he looks out upon the horizon of the future for the coming of the angel host. Each day some pearl drops from the jeweled thread of friend- ship ; some lyre to which we have listened with ecstatic pleasure is hushed forever. But wise is he who mourns not the pearl and music lost, for life with him shall pass away gently as an eastern shadow from the hills, and death prove a triumph and a gain.

The first cemetery of. Platteville was laid out on land donated by Maj. Rountree and N. H. Virgin, south of the Virgin mill, on a line between Sections 15 and 16. The first burial was that of a young man whose name is forgotten, who died in a miner's cabin, on the Rountree branch, as early as 1829. Here for many years were the dead of Platteville laid. The gentle babe, sinless as an angel; the ambitious youth, hopeful and generous, whose path was hemmed with flowers ; some aged soldier whose cheerful cry in the sieges and struggles of the past was missed from the bivouac of life, was laid to rest here. During the small-pox epidemic of 1843, the soil of this primitive graveyard was flung upon the form of him or her who had been touched by the icy breath of Azrael the dark-winged, and dreamed no more save in the strength of that promise, " Ye shall live again." In time, the four acres set apart for sacred purposes became occupied with the bodies of those who have gone before, and in about 1850 the grounds were deeded to the village upon the condition that the municipality should care for it forever.

It is handsomely laid out, and bears upon it the impress of care and affection in the monu- ments that have been erected to commemorate departed worth, in the flowers that deck the hil- locks there, in the visitations of friends to the graves of those who shall be awakened at the first call of the herald angels to the flush of that summer which is eternal in the balm-breathing gardens of God.

On September 15, 1855, the present Platteville Cemetery Association was organized by William Butler, John Lewis, Henry C. Lane, Isaac S. Clark, Homer Perry, N. Messersmith, James Kelley, William Woods, J. L. Pickard, J. Alford, Homer Page, N. Goodrich, James Durley and P. D. Hendershot. At a subsequent meeting, John Lewis was elected President,

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

V. P. Eastman, Treasurer, and I. S. Clark, Secretary, with the following Board of Trustees : N. Goodrich and J. L. Pickard, one year ; H. C. Lane and H. Perry to serve two years, and J. Lewis and William Butler, three years. A tract of land comprehending ten acres was obtained on Section 16, west of the city, and landscaped and laid out in lots, drives, avenues and walks, the same handsomely adorned, and presenting a rare picture of art and nature exquisitely com- bined. Here, since the organization of this association, have occurred the burials of those who . died in Platteville and vicinity.

The present officers are J. H. Bevans, J. H. McArthur, F. R. Chase, G. M. Gurnsey, W. H. Behn and H. C. Lane, Board of Trustees, with F. R. Chase, President, J. H. McArthur, Secretary, and J. M. Gurnsey, Treasurer.

CHAPTER X.

HAZEL GREEN.

LOCATION-SETTLEMENT-"HARD SCRABBLE"-FIRST WHITE WOMAN-THE FIRST LOG HOUSE- FIRST AGRICULTURISTS-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VILLAGE-EARLY EVENTS-THE VILLAGE IN 1850-DR. JAMES G. PERCIVAL-AN ERA OF PROSPERITY-VILLAGE ROSTER-THE STORM- CLOUD EUROCLYDON-THE SCHOOLS-THE POST OFFICE-CHURCHES-HZAEL GREEN CEME- TERY-SECRET SOCIETIES-THE HAZEL GREEN BAND-LIGHTCAP'S MILL.

LOCATION.

The only municipal corporation of importance and influence in the town of Hazel Green owes its settlement, building up, progress and wealth to the lead mines, the early source of all advancement and centralization of resources in this portion of the country.

Old men still live in this quiet inland village, which has been the scene of so much of in- terest and so much of horror, who recall the day when the present site was a trackless plain. Old men, whose thin soft hair is white as snow, and whose cheeks are furrowed with care-writ- ten lines, recur to the days long since mingled with thoughts of the dim gone-by, as dreams canopied o'er with the golden gleams and shimmering glows of happy memories. They reflect upon the scenes which came and vanished like a wreath of mist at eve, during the earlier days of their experience, before youth yielded place to manhood, and perchance mourned their depart- ure, for youth is an age that is too precious to last ; time will not row back for them, and to- day they look away to that opposite shore, in the fond belief that these dreams may be once more realized in the beyond. The seeds of success which were sown in those days grew down the aisles of the future, and have shed a beautiful light upon age. Loved faces will greet the transition to the home above, sweet words will welcome their coming, and the fruition of child- hood's dreams and prayers will circle old age with their halos of splendor, when those that are left have run their race, and the world for them is rolled up like a scroll.

SETTLEMENT.

The earliest settlements made in present Hazel Geeen were effected at the lead mines, in the vicinity of the village, and reference to them must be superficially indulged, prefatory to a history of the settlement made in the village itself. As early as 1825, it is thought, miners had begun their explorations in its immediate neighborhood, and discovered evidences of wealth which settled their doubts as to remaining. As a rule, they were of that class of men of un- settled, indecisive character, disposed to roam and romance, rather than to remain at any desig- nated point. To some of them the pseudonym of "sucker " was applied, as indicative of their inclination to come hither in the spring and remain until the frosts of November chilled their energies, when they departed and were heard of no more in this section. Others, after meeting with but measured success, became discouraged, and sought encouragement elsewhere, and others, though meeting with success, yielded to nomadic characteristics, and vanished as silently and mysteriously as they had made their advent.

HARD SCRABBLE.

In those days, the territory surrounding present Hazel Green was known as " Hard Scrab- ble," and arose from what is represented to have been a desperate contest for the possession of a. mine, not unfrequent at the time of which mention is here made. This took place, it is said, in 1825, at a point on the Branch, some distance beyond the Catholic Church erected in 1846,

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

between James Hardy and Moses Meeker, in which the former was victorious. Those convers- ant with the melee denominated it the Hardy Scrape, whence it degenerated into " Hard Scrab- ble," under which it became famous throughout the lead mines, and was so known officially until 1838, when a post office was located at the present village, and a name appropriate, as also more in harmony with the surroundings, given to the infant settlement. Hard Scrabble, however, is still applied by many who flourished when the township was known as such, and decline to be governed by the changed order of affairs.

FIRST WHITE WOMAN.

During 1825 or 1826, a Mr. Adney came in from the East, and settled upon a claim in Section 13. His daughter, who married Mr. Dixon, of Platteville, in early days, is said to have been the first female to appear in this vicinity. William Billings also came with Mr. Adney. The latter remained some time, and, in 1827, disposed of his claim to a Mr. Floyd, who, in turn, sold to Lewis Curtis. This gentleman brought his family here in 1828. Previous to that year, the Wolcott and Townsend families became residents. In 1826 or 1827, Christian Ebersold settled near the village, and, during 1828 or 1829, erected

THE FIRST LOG HOUSE

on the site of Hazel Green. The logs were obtained from land now owned by Mrs. Andrews, and hauled to their place of delivery by Mr. Curtis. The house was near the present residence of John Gribble ; it was sixteen feet square, and built by Wolcott, Townsend and Billings. The country was prairie, except occasional patches of hazel bush, and the cost of the premises can be imagined when the difficulty of procuring lumber, or rather timber, is measured. However, the house was completed, and stood for many years the mark and model of its time. Between this year and 1830, comparatively few settlers, to be considered under the head of permanent, were identified with the body politic.

In addition to those already mentioned, there were others who came to stay, and did remain until the murder of Lovell and Maxley at Sinsinawa Mound, in 1832, created an epidemic of terror among the large proportion, who fled to Galena. Among those who came in was Gen. G. W. Jones, now a resident of Dubuque; Mr. Gregoire, his brother-in-law ; William Bernhouse, Capt. Charles McCoy, Oliver and Heile Rice and some others, who settled at points distant from, as also contiguous to, the village.

FIRST AGRICULTURISTS.

In 1831, the price of mineral depreciated to a ruinous extent, and materially diminished the number engaged in mining. As a rule, some interest began to be manifested in agricultural pursuits, and this year the Curtis brothers, whose father, as has been stated, had entered a claim of 160 acres of land in Section 13, began the cultivation of forty acres of the tract. They run, or claim to, the first furrow in Hazel Green Township, and planted wheat, corn and oats. The crop was disposed of-the wheat for seed and the corn and oats at Galena.

From 1830 to 1838, the arrivals included Jefferson Crawford, who became one of the most prominent and prosperous mine operators, W. E. Dudley, John Cottle, Orville Cottle, John Ed- wards, Robert Young, J. M. Chandler, Hiram Weatherbee, Otis B. Peck, Allen Preston, John Hinch, Kibbe and the thousand and one miners, smelters, traders, adventurers and oi polloi, whose footprints in the sands of the times have been obliterated by the current of weightier matters incident to building up and developing a new country.

The Black Hawk war produced an effect upon Hard Scrabble and its surroundings, similar to that experienced elsewhere in other sections, the prosperity of which was embarrassed by its ex- istence. Large numbers of the inhabitants removed to Galena, and but a minimum proportion of these returned when the brows of the soldiers were bound with victorious wreaths, and their arms were hung up as monuments to their prowess and achievements. A company composed of miners and settlers was enlisted and commanded by Capt. Charles McCoy. A log fort was built around the Ebersol mansion, garrisoned by this company, which, after a brief stay there,

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

however, proceeded to Galena, leaving the prospective village without defense. But happily the savages neglected Hazel Green in their route to the Rock River, and beyond the murders at Sinsinawa Mound, above referred to, no levies either upon the lives or property of settlers were undertaken. After the war and return of those who had gone out in pursuit of the enemy or places of safety returned, others came on their first trip to the lead mines, and interests for a time dead were wakened into new life. Hiel and Oliver Rice opened a farm be- tween Hazel Green and the Mound; P. P. Patterson, a farm on Section 14, and P. P. Stone a similar venture north of the State line. Mining was prosecuted with renewed diligence, and many of the leads discovered during this period became sources of infinite profit to subsequent owners. In fact it might be said that the labors employed, enterprise of settlers, and gratifying results which attended the undertakings inaugurated in the years immediately succeeding the victory at Bad Ax are in a very great measure prime factors in all successes which have since been attained hereabouts. At an earlier day, roads had been improvised out of the Indian trails from Hazel Green to Galena and Platteville, and as there were no mills in the vicinity, or de- positories for the sale of edibles, those who were prevented from " raising " their own "hog and hominy " obtained these indispensables at one of the settlements mentioned, neither of which, however, were as advanced in the scale of populousness or thrift as they have since become.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VILLAGE.

Early in the year 1838, the preliminary steps toward the establishing of the present village, by the location of a post office, of which Jefferson Crawford was made Postmaster, and named Hazel Green at the suggestion of Capt. McCoy. Soon after, Samuel C. Wiltse surveyed lands located in the upper part of town belonging to R. R. Young and Allen Preston, and laid it off into village lots. This was followed by the survey of a tract in lower town, owned by John Ed- wards, which was similarly platted.

EARLY EVENTS.

At that time, the improvements in the established village were limited in number, and of the most unpretentious description. Beyond the houses previously erected by Christian Eber- sold and John Edwards, and the saloon of Otis B. Peck, in one of the latter's tenements, there was nothing to indicate the existence even of a settlement. Miners' cabins occupied the ravine near the village, but were not within its corporate limits. This year, however, some building was commenced and completed, but no very general system of improvements was undertaken. Preston & Chandler erected a frame house on the present site of the Crawford Block, and occu- pied the premises as a saloon and bowling alley. It was known as the " Light House," and is said to have been the scene of many an occurrence calculated to excite the mirthful if not the intellectual. Allen Preston, one of the proprietors, also erected a frame residence adjoining. Ezra Dorman came into the village this year from Jamestown, and built a frame store north of the Edwards House. R. R. Young erected a story and a half frame on the ground now occu- pied by the " Empire House." He opened it as a hotel, the first in the village, and it still does duty as part of the Empire. Thenceforward, but little advance was made, either in the additions te the population or attractions of the surroundings. Mining continued to be the chief occupation, and little was done in any of the channels of business but with special refer- ence to this industry. In 1843, the population is estimated to have been about 200, and the buildings barely sufficient for the accommodation of this number. There was no physician in the vicinity-no churches-and clergymen and schoolmasters were unknown factors of the period. But from this date on, until the discoveries of gold in California, the village built up rapidly. The stores in 1843 were but two in number, maintained by Orville B. Cottle and Ezra Dorman respectively. William Brubaker carried on a blacksmith-shop opposite the Edwards homestead, and there were some other trifling ventures, which totalized the manufact- uring and commercial interests of the place.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 111

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1044

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1044