History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 116

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

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Up to the building of the brick schoolhouse in 1846, it is thought the schools taught in Potosi were those of a private character, and carried on under private auspices and by private subscriptions. With that event, however, this system no longer generally obtained, and was succeeded by the system provided for by legislative enactment.

The little brick did excellent service, it is said, from the days when rugged youth inhaled the dreamy air of idleness within its walls, to those when village Hampdens and future legis- lators and statesmen first comprehended the rule of three behind its portals. But schools, like men, arrive at an age when their usefulness is past, and, like men, they are cast aside as the phantom of an hour, to sparkle in the sunlight of a more prosperous candidate.

This was the experience of the little old brick, which was vacated in 1867, when the new schoolhouse on North East street was completed and publicly dedicated to the cause for which the inconveniences of its honored but cramped predecessor necessitated its building. The new house is of brick, two stories high, of convenient dimensions, containing three departments, and cost a total of $7,500.

In the departments of primary, intermediate and high, requiring three years to complete, a student can obtain an education that will fit him or her for any position in life where modest merit always commands an audience. The school year consists of two terms, attended by monthly and terminal examinations, enjoys an average daily attendance of 160 pupils, and requires an annual outlay of $1,300 in the liquidation of obligations thus incurred.

It is under the control of three teachers, who are jointly and severally responsible to a Board of Trustees, at present composed of John A. Nevill, E. S. Rockwell and W. H. Hunt.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

THE PRESS.

The Potosi Republican .- During the month of May, 1847, the absence of a weekly pape in the then thriving village was supplied by the issue of the Republican. It was a folio, with seven columns to the page, politically Democratic, and conceived and brought forth at a tim when its necessity was sufficiently apparent to justify the venture. Its success is said to hav been instant and general, but the sequel of its birth was not equal to the promise that even imported.

The paper, it is said, was ably edited by the Hon. J. M. Denton, by Seaton & McKee, by Seaton & Paul, and others, and with the exodus of miners and others to California-a period running through the years 1849-52, interest in the enterprise began to wane, and after endur ing a checkered experience until 1855, when it was overtaken by the calamity of suspension and disappeared from view.

Potosi Signal-Was established by David & Robert McKee, sons of Stewart McKee, who built the McKee Mills, and the first number issued on the 13th of July, 1852, from an office ir the Langworthy building. The founders procured their material at St. Louis, whence came the printers and other auxiliaries indispensable to a newspaper office. It was edited by the McKer Brothers for a brief period, then by McKee & Seaton, and by others, and still enjoys the repu tation of having been the brightest, spiciest, newsiest paper ever published in the lead mines After a year, the experiment was found to be a losing one, when the publication of the Signa was abandoned, the materials removed to Shullsburg, and the Shullsburg Chronicle quickenec into life.

As with the Republican, no files remain of the Signal accessible to examination.

THE VILLAGE POST OFFICE.

This usual and indispensable adjunct to village life has enjoyed a continued and happy existence, having been established for nearly half a century and free from the official and other annoyances peculiar to public service. Its history is brief, and can be told without exhaustive verbiage. The office was established in 1837, half way between the Head of the Hollow anc Van Buren, where it remained nine months, under the administration of Peter Coyle. At the expiration of that period, Celestine Kaltenbach was appointed, and removed the office to Van Buren. He has now been in the service for forty-three years, and has followed the drifting changes of the tide from Van Buren to La Fayette, to Potosi with his charge, and is at present located in one of the brick buildings erected on Main street in 1843, where he will remain until his terms of office are finished, and his record is certified to the Great Master.

RELIGIOUS.

The Methodist Church was established in 1839, and after thirty years' labors yielded tc the inevitable about ten years ago. In 1839, a class was formed in La Fayette, composed of Thomas Clayton, leader ; with Thomas J. Crockwell, John Crockwell, Catharine C. Crockwell, George Maderie and wife, James R. Short and wife, and John Peddler and wife, as members. Weekly prayer meeting was established, and semi-monthly preaching enjoyed for some time in the small residence of J. R. Short. Finally, a log meeting-house was erected, and served its purpose until 1845. During that year a brick structure erected for Mormon purposes, in the Hollow, was purchased and removed up town, where it was occupied for five years. In 1850, the edifice now known as a Temperance Hall was built, and up to early in the seventies was known as the Methodist Church. At that period, however, or rather in 1877, the cause of Wesleyanism in Potosi, which had for some years previous been on the wane, failed to rally, and yielded up the ghost. The church was sold, and the sect has no existence now.

St. Thomas' Catholic Church .- The first Catholic society organized in Potosi bears date some time in the year 1837. Early in that season Celestine Kaltenbach and family, Peter Coyle and family, Michael Lawler and family, John Tobin and family, and some few others,

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

communicants or the Church of Rome, established a beginning and heard mass in the residences of the several members. This was continued until 1838, when a small, inconvenient log church, on the site of the present church, was completed at a cost of $500, and taken possession of and used without formal consecration. For a period the congregation was compelled to depend upon the services of missionary evangelists, but upon the completion of the church as mentioned, the Rev. Father Caussi was ordered hither, where he remained until 1852 in the discharge of his sacred offices.

During his administration the capacity of the edifice was sorely taxed, so large became his parish ; and in 1847 the present handsomely proportioned and furnished brick church was built, a large and commodious brick parsonage adjoining having been finished in 1845. The church is 36x56, surmounted by a stately steeple, and cost, with the parsonage, a total of $11,000.

The church was solemnly dedicated to the service of God by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni, Bishop of the Diocese, and has since been so appropriated. After the Rev. Father Caussi re- signed his pastorate, he was succeeded by the following prelates, though the church is now dependent upon mission services : Father Gibson, the Rev. Joseph Albert, Father Nurts, Thomas Hodnet, William Bernard, and J. C. Devine, who died in the service in 1880.

The church property is valued at $10,000, and the congregation about one hundred families.

The First Congregational Church .- This society was organized as the first Presbyterian Church of Potosi, on December 20, 1840, and under the direction of the Rev. S. Chaffee. Owing to some unexplained and unexplainable, not less lamentable fact, no record of the success or failure of these Calvinists is preserved, and hence the historian is denied the pleasure of such presentation. The last Pastors who served were the Rev. James F. Mitchell, who came Septem- ber 1, 1872, and resigned August, 1874; the Rev. N. Mayne from November, 1874, until 1875. He was followed by the Rev. D. W. Gilmor, under whose pastorate, and, on Tuesday, February 29, 1876, the church was formally changed from Presbyterian with forty-four members. Mr. Gilmor was retained until August, 1872, working with success in his chosen labor, when he resigned to accept a call elsewhere. On the 19th of October of the same year, the Rev. J. A. Ball took charge, and is still in the service.

The present congregation numbers forty-seven communicants, and the church property represents a valuation of $2,000.

It is proper to add that the Waterloo Church is an offshoot of the Potosi Congregational Church, having been organized June 14, 1875, with sixteen members, and yet prospers.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.

Potosi Flouring Mills .- The solitary manufacturing establishment in the village was estab- lished August 19, 1879, by C. Peacock and G. G. Bonns and is proving a valuable investment. Kaltenbach's building opposite the Banfil House was reconstructed by these gentlemen and stocked with machinery, including four run of buhrs, one set of crushers, two separators, etc., together with an engine of forty horse power, at a total cost of $5,000.

The capacity of the mill is fifty barrels of flour per diem and one bushel of feed per minute. The firm manufactures all grades of flour, as also patent and fancy patent and do a business of $45,000 per year.

The Potosi Brewery-Located one mile west of the village, was erected in 1855 by Gabriel Hail, who came to America from Memmingin, Bavaria, and was a well known and influential citizen of Potosi for the period of a quarter of a century. The premises are of stone, two stories high, and furnished with cellars, coolers and equipments for the manufacture of beer unsurpassed in the West. The brewery costs $10,000, and has, since the death of its founder, been operated by the heirs.

When running to its full capacity, eight men are employed at a weekly compensation of $50, and the annual business is estimated at $10,000.

SOCIETIES.

Mendota Lodge, A. O. M .- A temperance organization chartered on the 9th of June, 1877, by the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, and organized by Grand Sachem Morrell, with twenty members and the following officers : H. G. Green, Sachem ; Mrs. D. Bantill, Queen ; William Gibson, Prophet ; Mrs. George Lewis, Priestess ; E. J. Bilderback, Writer; Mrs. Eliza Kendrick, Treasurer, and William Mains, Guide.

Meetings were held at regular intervals up to 1878 in Lower Masonic Hall; during that year the order purchased the vacant Methodist Church for $225, and have convened since that event in the hall last designated.

The present members number 25. Meetings are held weekly on Saturday nights, and the present officers are : John A. Nevill, Sachem ; Mrs. David Burch, Queen ; Rev. J. A. Ball, Prophet ; Mrs. D. Banfill, Priestess ; Mrs. George Lewis, Treasurer ; Willis Rockwell, Writer ; Miss Lottie Goodrich, Guide. Lodge property is valued at $500.

Warren Lodge, No. 4, F. §. A. M .- The records of this lodge show that the first meeting of the order held in Potosi was on the 20th of October, 1844, to take into consideration the pro- priety of organizing a subordinate lodge. Enos G. Wood was chosen Chairman, and J. D. Spaulding, Secretary.

The first regular communication was designated " Warren Lodge of Ancient York Masons," and was held in a room or place over Coons & Wooley's store in La Fayette, on the 2d of May, 1844. It was held under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the Territory, signed by B. F. Kavanaugh, Grand Master, attested by Ben C. Eastman, Grand Scribe.

The following officers were appointed : Bro. Enos P. Wood, W. M .; Bro. Marcus Wain- wright, S. W .; Simon E. Lewis, J. W. The by-laws of Melody Lodge, No. 2, were adopted for their government, and the following subordinate officers elected : Bro. Thomas J. Taylor, Treas .; Bro. George Maderie, Sec .; Bro. S. B. Keene, S. D .; Bro. D. W. Hall, J. D .; Bros. Samuel Alexander and Myron Patterson, Stewards; and Bro. John R. Seaton, Tiler. The fol- lowing are the names of brethren present in addition to the officers elect : William H. Wood, H. R. Coulter and John R. Spaulding.

Terrence Clark and Thomas Palliser were the first candidates for admission, and were received under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge.

The lodge continued working under this dispensation until January 10, 1845, when it was fully organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge of the State, and on the 24th of the same month, the first regular officers of the lodge were installed by Grand Master B. T. Kavan- angh, and Asa E. Hongh, Acting Deputy Grand Marshal, as follows : George W. Bicknell, W. N .; H. R. Coulter, S. W .; George Maderie, J. W .; Thomas Palliser, Treas .; William H. Wood, Sec .; Simon E. Lewis, S. D .; D. W. Hall, J. D .; J. H. Barnett, Tiler. At this com- munication Bros. Robert Templeton and D. A. Mckenzie were passed to the degree of Fellowcrafts.

During the year 1845, Bros. Joseph Petty, James F. Chapman, Lewis Reynolds, Gendower M. Price, Joseph Woolley, Cyrus K. Lord, William McDaniel, and many other well-known citizens of the county, made application for admission to the lodge, and were raised to the sub- lime degree of Master Masons.

In June, of the same year, a contract was made with the I. O. O. F. for an undivided half interest of their hall, and thereafter the lodge held its monthly meetings in the building which they still occupy.

Of the charter members, and those who were connected with the lodge during the first year, none are now living, if we except Joseph Petty, the present Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, and Judge C. K. Lord, of La Crosse. All have taken their last dimit of earthly things, and gone, as we cherish the hope, to become true and faithful communicants of the Celes- tial Lodge above.

Only a few members of Warren Lodge were engaged in the recent war, as most of them were of that age, at the commencement of the rebellion, when the infirmities of human life forbid

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

active military service, notwithstanding their loyalty and devotion to the cause of the Union was ever manifest by their good words and works; and while the young men fought the battles of their country, the old men contributed, with open heart and hand, to the support of their poor, distressed brethren, their widows and orphans.

Three of its present membership were in the military service, viz .: John Liken (since dead), John D. Canfield and Robert H. Kendrick, the latter of whom has served several terms as Master of the Lodge since the close of the war. Mr. Kendrick enlisted as a private in Company H, Twenty-fifth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, August 12, 1862, and was elected Second Corporal. The company left immediately for the regiment, which was ordered to Minnesota to quell the Indian disturbances. After scouting two or three months on the frontiers, they pre- pared to go into winter quarters, building log and sod cabins, and supplying themselves with potatoes and other vegetables from the abandoned farms of the settlers. They had scarcely got in their winter's supplies, however, when they were ordered to report at Madison, and from there were ordered South in the vicinity of Vicksburg. Midsummer of the next year found them on the Yazoo Bottoms, where all were soon taken sick and many died. On the death of First Lieutenant Wise, Mr. K. was promoted to the office made vacant, and served in this capacity until the close of the war. He was captured by the enemy at Atlanta, Ga., on the 22d of July, 1864, and taken to Macon, where he remained a close prisoner for two months. From here he was removed to Charleston, S. C., where he was kept in close confinement two months longer. While here, in company with five hundred other officers who were prisoners, he was placed under the fire of Foster's guns to prevent our fleet from shelling the city. He was next removed to Columbia and placed in a State asylum, called by our boys " Camp Sorghum," to commemo- rate the fact that all the prisoners were fed on corn meal and sorghum molasses ; thence they were taken to " Camp Bacon " (so-called from another memorable fact that it was the first place they had tasted bacon in four months), at Charlotte, N. C. On the 5th of March, 1865, he was exchanged, and returned home the mere wreck and shadow of a man. Mr. Kendrick was a true and faithful soldier, as he is a man and Mason.

The present membership is forty. The present officers are : William Honnsel, W. M .; James Bradbury, S. W .; John Chester, J. W .; George Kinney, Treas .; J. W. Seaton, Sec .; R. H. Kendrick, S. D .; Lafe Casbey, J. D., and William Palliser, Tiler.

CEMETERIES.

There are three cemeteries in the vicinity of Potosi, two belonging to the Catholic Church and one known as the Protestant cemetery.

All are held sacred in the eyes of the world, all contain the loved emblems of mortality, who, if the teachings of inspiration are accepted as the true faith, wait for those that are left behind, on the shores of the beautiful river. They are appropriately laid out, handsomely orna- mented with shrubberies and flowers, and evince a taste in their picturesqueness and surround- ings, at once happy and appropriate.

ADJOINING SETTLEMENTS.

Supplementary, and it might be added tributary to Potosi Village, are points of settlement contiguous thereto, though their race with prosperity was decided years ago. Among these are Dutch Hollow, a mile to the east of Potosi, British Hollow and Rockville to the northeast, dis- tant a mile and a half and three miles respectively.

DUTCH HOLLOW.

This is a pleasant settlement largely composed of Germans, as it nomenclature would indi- cate, containing a number of residences, a school and St. Andrew's Church.

In 1845, a Catholic society was established in this vicinity, which was the germ of the present large congregation. The society was organized by Father Andrew Tusch, to whose dili- gence and labors the subsequent success observable was mainly due.

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

In 1846, with the aid of his congregation, and subscriptions obtained from the piously inclined he erected a brick church edifice, and for thirty years worshiped with his people therein. I 1851, Father Tusch resigned his pastorate, and was succeeded by Father Nicholas Thiele. I 1876, the erection of the present edifice was commenced, and labor expended thereon until it completion. The building is of brick, 48x110, and surmounted by a steeple 135 feet from th ground. It is one of the most commodious and elegant houses of worship of any denomina tion in the county, and cost a total of $25,000 before its dedication, which occurred in 1877.

Dutch Hollow is the scene of no inconsiderable thrift, peculiar to the character of th inhabitants, and is a pleasing spot for business or residence purposes.

BRITISH HOLLOW.

British Hollow was among the earliest settlements in the county, and where Thomas Hyme erected his cabin within its present precincts in 1827. Subsequently there was a large influ of emigration of miners, who developed the wealth of the region, and contributed to whateve of prosperity that has survived its flush of youth, so to speak.

The village proper was brought first into prominence through the efforts and enterprise c J. R. Vineyard, James Lancaster, Edward Thwaites, R. Urvine and others, and while contain ing several stores, a hotel, etc., has lost its prestige as a town these many years. It is supplie with a school and Methodist Church, which, with business transacted annually of but limite proportions, are the chief points of interest to residents and strangers.

The Methodist Episcopal Church-Is a handsome frame, about 25x30 in dimensions, wit a capacity for 200, and was built in 1859, at a cost of $600. It is attached to the Georgetow: Circuit, and services are held there semi-monthly, under the pastorate of the Rev. T. J. Lewis

The congregation is estimated to number about forty.

The system of schools in use here is the same as that established throughout the county The school edifice, however, is one of the most commodious, architecturally handsome and other wise attractive in this portion of the State. The main building is composed of stone, 27x36 completely furnished, and was erected in 1868, at a cost of $1,200. The addition is also of stone 21x30 and was erected as a primary department in 1875, costing an amount similar to tha paid for the main building.

The course of instruction is complete, with a view to affording desirable opportunities fo the acquisition of an education. It enjoys an average daily attendance of thirty, and $400 i expended annually in its support.

ROCKVILLE.

This village, situated three and a half miles from Potosi, nine miles from Lancaster, an ten miles from Platteville was located about 1850, when the post office was removed hither fror Pin Hook.

The early settlers in this vicinity include the Hon. A. W. Emery, who came to the vicinit in 1832; Jacob Dawson, in about 1840; Samual Druen in about 1830; D. C. Phillips, th discoverer and operator of " Phillip's Range," in 1844; Joel Stephens, and Birch and Cheste in 1845; Thomas Carthew, Edward Ivy, Andrew Jackson, James Jackson, Hudd Smith an Bradley in 1847, and some others. The village was, in those days, the center of a minin region of vast resources, and to-day is made up of one store. a tavern, school, two churches an about one dozen residences.

The School-Was erected in 1872, at a cost of $2,600. It is of frame 26x36, and contain a primary and grammar department, giving employment to two teachers, and have an averag attendance of eighty pupils.

It is under the control of a Board of Directors, consisting of John Carthew, Joseph Walke and Samuel Stephens, and requires an annual expenditure of $600.

The Methodist Episcopal Church-Was erected in 1854, is attached to the Georgetown Ci: cuit, and enjoys a liberal attendance upon days when services are held by the Rev. T. J. Lewi:

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

German Presbyterian Church-Was organized by the Germans and Americans about 1850. The organization as thus constituted, continued for a number of years, when a separation occurred, the Germans affecting a separate organization. The church is of brick, of limited dimensions, and handsomely situated on the brow of a hill. The congregation at present num- bers forty-three members, the church property is valued at $1,000, and the following Pastors have served since its foundation : The Revs. John Beully, J. Liesfeld, J. Burk and A. C. Stark ..

Rockwell Lodge, No. 356, I. O. G. T .- Was organized February 22, 1881, with twenty members and the following officers: J. C. Emery. W. C. T .; Miss Ellen Carthew, W. V. T. ; Miss Mary A. Kitto, W. C .; T. H. Carthew, W. S. ; Miss Julia Curnow, W. A. S .; Miss Maggie L. Phillips, W. F. S. ; Miss Abbie Dawton, W. T. ; John Druan, W. M. The present membership is stated at thirty-seven ; meetings are convened weekly on Saturday evenings, and the present officers are B. F. Likens, W. C. T .; Miss Ellen Carthew, W. V. T. ; T. H. Car- thew, W. R. S .; Miss Maggie L. Phillips, W. F. S .; Miss Maty A. Kitto, W. C .; Miss Abbie Dawton, W. T. ; John Druan, W. M.

St. Andrew's Catholic Benevolent Society was organized February 28, 1875, by the Rev. N. A. Thill. The first officers were : William Mechler, President; Anton Zeller, Vice Presi- dent ; Theo. Mikesch, Secretary ; John P. Friesen, Treasurer; W. Schmitz, Marshal; C. Si- mon, Assistant Marshal. Present officers are : H. B. Uppena, President; B. Marino, Vice President ; Rev. J. A. Dries, Secretary ; B. H. Uppena, Treasurer ; William Schmitz, Marshal ; William Mechler, Banner-bearer. The society is in a prosperous condition.

CHAPTER XII.

BOSCOBEL.

EARLY SETTLEMENT-THE FIRST FIRE-THE WAR-MUNICIPAL MATTERS-TOWN OFFICERS-VIL- LAGE OFFICERS-CITY OFFICERS-FIRE DEPARTMENT-WISCONSIN RIVER BRIDGE-ARTESIAN WELL-SCHOOLS-POST OFFICE-THE PRESS-CHURCHES-HOTELS-MASONIC ORDERS-I. O. O. F .- A. O. U. W .- TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS-CEMETERY-BOSCOBEL AGRICULTURAL AND DRIVING ASSOCIATION-BAND-MANUFACTURERS-BRICK YARDS-ELEVATORS-TROUT POND.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The ancient Norman nobility of England were wont to refer to the peers and nobles created by Edward IV and his predecessor as the " new men." The same appellation might have been applied to this city by some of the old settled towns of the county ; but, to carry the applica- tion further, as the "new men " of " Merrie England," despite the sneers and contemptuous frowns of their older brethren, continued to grow and flourish, until, among the " bows and bills " of Barnet, the older chivalry went down under the flashing swords, amid the cries " make way for the new men," so the " new village " has not only distanced the majority of its competitors, but has, as it rose higher in reputation, population and business prosperity, witnessed the decay and almost living death of those which at its birth were themselves flourishing and prosperous towns.

The first actual resident in the present town, at least so far as known, was one Thomas Sanders, who came to this portion of the county from Galena, Ill., in 1846, and built him a hut on what is now Block 6, of Boscobel proper. This he occupied with a partner named Asa Wood, and together they engaged in getting out logs on the river bottom adjoining, which they afterward rafted down the river to the mills below. The name of Sanders is kept prominently before the citizens of the town by the little stream that careers and gurgles through the city, furnishing a constant supply of living water. The first actual settler is not so easily ascertained. Among those here at an early date were John Newberry and a widow lady named Powell. The former occupied the place afterward purchased in 1878 by Mr. W. McCord, while Mrs. Powell had located on the south west quarter of Section 35. In 1847, a settler by the name of Waynes came in, but, as there is no record of him later, it is probable he did not remain very long. In March, 1848, Mr. McCord and family came and located on their present farm. The succeed- ing spring Joshua Brindley arrived with his family and settled a short distance from McCord. He, two years later, bought the claim of Charles Bailey, on Section 35, half a mile southeast of the town, upon which he moved, within the limits embraced in the present city. A. E. Hall . had a claim, situated near the site of the present depot, and was the first actual settler on the site of the present city.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 116

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