USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 117
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At this time, and for a half-score of years later, what afterward became Boscobel was a part of Marion, and was a wild plain, given over mainly to the forest denizens and their aborig- inal companions, whenever the latter saw fit to wander in this direction. Even as late as 1855 and 1856, deer, in droves of a dozen or more, would cross the river and stray, with wondering eyes, to the edge of the new settlement, probably puzzling over this unwonted activity, ready to fly upon the slightest provocation to the shaded hillside coverts. This north country was at that time hovering between the two poles of prosperity and semi-oblivion. The problem of its future existence was finally solved, as has been many others, by those linked bands of iron and steel, which have, for the past half-century, solved so many of a similar nature. The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, as first designed. would have left Boscobel nameless and undisturbed to fight out alone its destiny. But the guiding spirits of the enterprise saw fit to change their plans, and the future of Boscobel was assured.
774
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
In 1853, previous to the advent of the road, the following families were living in the limits of the present town : A. E. Hall, Joshua Brindley, Mrs. S. Powell, W. McCord, all living on land as given above; Matt Ward, on Section 34, southwest quarter ; Mark and William Bailey, on the northeast quarter of Section 35; George W. Crandall, on the southeast quarter of Sec- tion 36 ; Mrs. Craig, on the southwest quarter of Section 24, and Abner Petty on the south half of Section 13.
The greater portion of the land in this vicinity was then Government property, which after- ward, under the graduation established by the Government, became subject to entry at 50 cents per acre. The roads were few, little traveled, and in that condition so peculiar to all new coun- tries, which renders the life of the traveler anything but comfortable as he progresses over them.
A saw-mill of limited capacity, erected by Mr. Bull, was in existence, located on Crooked Creek-a stream whose erratic wanderings suggested its distinctive title-three-fourths of a mile below McCord's; but of grist-mills there were none within the proverbial "Sabbath-day's jour- ney." As a means of crossing the river a ferry had been established, operated by M. Woodard and D. Thompson, opposite Section 14, to Georgetown, now without ferry or building, and those not caring to avail themselves of this means were obliged to traverse cight miles of sandy, snaggy roads in reaching Boydtown.
The land on which the city stands was purchased in 1854, by C. K. Dean, Adam E. Ray, Henry M. Ray and E. H. Brodhead, and the station located the same year. At this time the site was occupied by a beautiful grove of oak trees. A party of railroad magnates, with their friends, came over the road on a tour of inspection, during the year, and took carriages from Muscoda, proceeding by these conveyances to Prairie du Chien, returning in the same manner. Among the party was Gen. Rufus King, then editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel. Upon his re- turn, Mr. King referred in the most flattering terms to the new station, speaking of it as Bos- cobel, the name being said to have its derivation from the words " bosc," wood, and " belle," beautiful. However this may be, the name, once given was accepted, and retained to the present day. In this year, Dr. Blanchard and Moors Rice figure among the prominent additions to the population of the embryo town, and the year immediately succeeding, C. K. Dean, John Mor- timer and William S. Coates, with their families, settled in what was to be their future home. In the latter part of this year, the near approach of the railroad drew attention to the town, and several parties came in to stay, among them Mr. John Ruka, who put up a board shanty and built a blacksmith-shop, where he practiced his trade, just west of the present residence of Dr. Carley. James Dickerson had already put up a small frame building, in which a limited stock of goods served to dignify the institution by the name of store. Mr. Dickerson had been omitted among the early arrivals, as had also Mr. Horace Watkins, who came probably as early as 1855 and took up a claim on the river bottom, on which his dwelling is still standing.
Boscobel was platted early in 1856, and the lots put on sale this year.
The site, now so densely populated, was originally a portion of farms owned by Joshua Brindley and A. E. Hall, and did duty as a corn-field, the street now known as Wisconsin avenue having been laid out through it in 1856. Even up to the very settlement of the town, the golden ears hung thick in the fields.
Among the arrivals for 1856 were Dr. J. O. Beals, who dealt out quinine and blue pills to the inhabitants ; J. C. Stevenson, Charles Contoit, Elder Moorehouse (who opened a small, very small, drug store), J. R. Muffley, and others, whose names have drifted away into the great Lethean sea.
The advent of the snorting, puffing, sizzling iron horse, as the old year was wrapping itself in its furry mantle of snow, gave Boscobel a heavy impetus which soon developed its good results by the rapid influx which characterized the following years. The first agent of the company at this point was John Mortimer.
By 1858, village lots that a few years before had been wild prairie land, purchasable at 50 cents per acre, were selling readily at $100 and $200 each. The town, as originally projected, would have occupied the ground northwest of the railroad track, but, with the usual perversity
C. K. Dean
BOSCOBEL
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
of new settlements, it persisted in overlapping the original boundary line, and stretching away to the south and east, where four-fifths of the city lies to-day.
THE FIRST FIRE.
In April of this year (1858) occurred the first fire in the village, the Barnett House, occu- pying the present site of the Betts House, going up in smoke. This hostelry, which had been erected late in 1856, by Mr. Andrew Barnett, had become so important a part of the village comity that its loss was severely felt. Preparations were immediately made for the erection of another in its place, which, upon its completion, was occupied by Mr. Barnett.
During the years 1858, 1859 and 1860, the village advanced with strides only equaled by the gigantic " seven-leagued boots " of nursery tales. Up to this time, the village and adjacent country had formed a constituent part of Marion town, but, in 1859, it had been set off into a separate town, to be called Boscobel, the first town officers, being elected in the spring of 1860. Hardly had the young town settled its new honors upon its shoulders, before it was called upon, with other corporate bodies throughout the county, to deal with the war fiend, whose loathesome wings were flapping with a fierce threatening throughout the land.
THE WAR.
On April 16, 1861, a call for volunteers was circulated by C. K. Dean, while in the other portions of the county there was " hurrying to and fro," all of which resulted in the organiza- tion in the main street of Boscobel, on the morning of April 21, of two companies of volun- teers, the first to be organized in Grant County. During the long, weary years of the war, Boscobel stood nobly for the preservation of the Union. The history of these dark days has been written elsewhere. It is sufficient that representatives of the village were to be found on every field, pouring out their blood like water in the defense of that star-flecked banner, whose folds guaranteed liberty and equal rights to all.
Full well did she respond to all calls for funds, either to make comfortable those who had been left as a precious legacy by father or husband who had gone down in the mad rush of bat- tle, or to pay bounties to those volunteering for the preservation of the country so dearly loved by all. The amount of money raised during these years, for war purposes, by Boscobel, was about $8,000.
During these years the town continued to advance, steadily, if not as rapidly as its most ardent supporters might have wished. In the year 1864, village honors were conferred upon the thriving burg by the Legislature, a charter being granted at that time. The population at this period numbered about twelve hundred.
When the return of peace had brought back to the thriving village the many brawny arms and stout hearts whose place for four years had been at the front, business industries once more livened up, the busy hum resounded from every workshop, and the village took a sudden and well-sustained stride on the road of commercial prosperity. The years from 1867 to 1870 wit- nessed many improvements in the way of handsome business blocks and substantial buildings. Many, in fact the most, of the buildings now ornamenting the main artery of Boscobel-Wis- consin avenue-with their architectural proportions, date their conception and execution back to these years. The panic years of 1873-77 were felt, with their depressing effects, in Boscobel as well as in other cities in the country. Yet, notwithstanding these influences, the little muni- cipality did not hesitate to take upon itself the burden of debt which, in prosperous times, might well have made an older and wealthier community hold back in doubt, fearful of the conse- quences. Yet, without flinching, Boscobel went sturdily forward with the construction of a bridge across the Wisconsin River, which was to cost, as time rolled on, the sum of nearly $45,- 000. In order to enable them to do this, the citizens petitioned the Legislature for a city char- ter, which was accorded them by the Legislature of 1873.
The flood tide in population of the village was reached in 1875, when the number of in-
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
habitants allotted to the city by the census of that year was something over sixteen hundred souls. The census of 1880 showed a slight diminution in this number.
Whatever might be the characteristic of the population, the business interests of the city, owing to the public-spirited, enlightened, and far-seeing policy adopted by the municipality from the beginning, showed no signs of falling off; on the contrary, the horizon was brightening with each succeeding year. The large extent of territory on the opposite side of the river, the trade of which is brought, not only figuratively but literally to the doors of Boscobel's merchants, by means of the link whose wooden spans connect the north and south shores of the broad Wis- consin.
The city itself is one of the handsomest places in the county, if not in the State. Embow- ered in trees, it lies on the broad plain encircled in a loving embrace by the beautiful bluffs, a priceless jewel in an emerald setting.
The Boscobel of to-day contains among its business interests three general stores, carrying heavy stocks ; one clothing and shoe store, four hardware stores, two drug stores, two grocery stores, distinctively such ; four restaurants, five millinery establishments, three tailors, four shoe- maker shops, three harness shops, three butcher shops, six hotels, ten saloons, and three dress- making establishments. Besides the list as given above, there are three wagon and carriage manufacturers, one brick-yard, one carding and spinning establishment, the latter manufacturing an excellent article of yarn that finds a ready sale ; one flouring-mill, one cigar factory, two furniture stores, three livery stables, one cooper shop, two stave factories, two banks, one photo- graph gallery, three jewelry stores and one lumber yard, operated by J. H. Sarles, and doing a heavy business, having branches at Muscoda, Woodman and Fennimore.
In the professional branches are found six law firms and three physicians.
Among other industries which add to the wealth of the city is the " bee business " which , occupies the attention of three different operators, strained honey being the principal article of export. This, with the addition of three elevator firms, whose warehouses have a combined capacity of 25,000 or 30,000 bushels, completes the complement of the city's industries.
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
As has been stated, Boscobel was set off from the town of Marion in the month of Novem- ber, 1859, by the County Board. The first town meeting was held at the Walker House, April 3, 1860, at which time and place occurred the first election of town officers. The first meeting of the Town Board was held April 10, at the office of George Hartshorn.
The rapid growth of the settlement early brought about a wish for incorporation as a village, as conducive to the best interests of all concerned. In the Legislature of 1864, a petition for incorporation was presented by a member from this district, the petitioners' cry for incorporation being granted in an act passed in the following March. The corporate limits of the village embraced Section 22, the west half of Section 26, all of the east half of Section 27 that lies in Grant County, the northeast quarter of Section 34, and the northwest quarter of Section 35, or about one-fourth part of the town of Boscobel.
This charter, with its attending powers, which were quite ample, was deemed sufficient until it was found necessary, in order to complete the bridge across the Wisconsin, to assume a bonded indebtedness. This, however, could only be done in a corporate capacity under a city charter. A charter was accordingly drawn, and through the efforts of John Monteith in the office of Haz- elton & Provis, Boscobel was incorporated as a city, by the Legislature of 1873, the act bearing date March 15. This charter continued the boundaries in force under the old village charter, provided for the division of the city into four wards, for the election of Mayor, four Aldermen, Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk, two Justices of the Peace, one Constable or Marshal, and such other officers as the Mayor and Aldermen should ordain. By an amendment of 1880, the Clerk was appointed by the Council. The charter is quite ample in its powers, as was the village charter before it.
779
HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
Under this charter the city has continued its corporate existence up to the present time. Below is given a list of town, village and city officers from the first organization of the town :
TOWN OFFICERS.
1860-Supervisors, J. A. Houghtaling, Chairman, William S. Coates, Francis McSpaden ; Clerk, George Han ; Treasurer, R. J. Hildebrand; Assessor, George B. Shipley; Superin- tendent of Schools, A. S. Sampson ; Justices of the Peace, Mark Bailey, Ephraim Moody ; Constables, George L. Bowen, H. B. Gleason, Richard Frankland.
1861-Supervisors, John Pepper, Chairman, Gustavius Guentzel, Conrad Fritz; Clerk, J. W. Quackenbosh ; Treasurer, R. J. Hildebrand ; Assessor, A. W. Ray ; Superintendent of Schools, Albert Sampson ; Justices of the Peace, Andrew McFall, Martin DeWitt, Peter Rae (to fill vacancy) ; Constables, G. L. Bowen, J. J. Button, Jonathan Walker.
1862-Supervisors, Conrad Fritz, Chairman, Joseph Molle, E. Halloran ; Clerk, William F. Crawford ; Treasurer, John F. Shipley ; Assessor, J. A. Houghtaling ; Justices of the Peace, Peter Rae, George Cole; Constables, George W. Kendall, J. J. Button, Charles Contoit.
1863-Supervisors, D. T. Parker, Chairman, J. H. Sarles, James Barnett; Clerk, I. M. Richmond ; Treasurer, John Pepper ; Assessor, Asa W. Ray ; Justices of the Peace, L. J. Woolley, O. M. Graves ; Constables, W. W. Watkins, Robert P. Clyde, Martin De Witt.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
Election held second Monday of March, 1864.
1864-President, D. T. Parker ; Trustees, A. Ransom, J. R. Muffley, D. G. Seaton ; Po- dice Justice, G. W. Limbocker. (Clerk, Constable, Treasurer and Street Commissioner were appointed by the board.) Clerk, George C. Hazelton ; Treasurer, G. Guentzel ; Constable, Seth D. Curry ; Street Commissioner, S. F. Watkins.
1865-President, John H. Sarles ; Trustees, Alfred Palmer, T. Carrier, G. W. Cowan ; Police Justice, Martin De Witt; Clerk, G. C. Hazelton ; Treasurer, G. Guentzel; Constable, W. W. Watkins.
1866-President, E. DeLap; Trustees, L. Anshutz, John Kelty, O. W. Graves ; Police Justice, G. Scott ; Clerk, L. J. Wooley, Treasurer, - -; Constable, A. A. Petty.
1867-President, G. C. Hazelton ; Trustees, Terrence Carrier, G. Guentzel, John Pepper; Police Justice, J. D. Meeker ; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker; Marshal, Arnold Petty.
1868-President, John H. Sarles ; Trustees, G. W. Cowan, M. A. Sawyer, G. Guentzel ; Police Justice, G. W. Limbocker ; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker; Mar- shal,
1869-President, John Pepper ; Trustees, E. Meyer, T. Carrier, G. W. Parker; Police Justice, G. W. Limbocker; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker ; Marshal, A. A. Petty.
1870-(Election May 2)-President, Terrence Carrier ; Trustees, E. Meyer, R. S. La- throp, D. W. Carley, L. G. Armstrong; Marshal, John Kelty; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker; Supervisor, W. W. Field.
1871-President, Alfred Palmer ; Trustees, C. J. Molle, G. W. Cowan, Austin Ransom, J. P. Willis ; Marshal, John Kelty ; Supervisor, W. W. Field; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker.
1872-President, James Barnett ; Trustees, Harvey Clark, Austin Dexter, R. S. Lathrop, Josiah Thompson ; Marshal, S. D. Curry ; Supervisor, B. M. Coates ; Clerk, G. W. Limbocker ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker.
1873-City incorporated March 12, 1873.
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
CITY OFFICERS.
1873-Mayor, James Bennett; Alderman, First Ward, Charles McWilliams ; Second Ward, Henry Taylor; Third Ward, Henry Nelson ; Fourth Ward, John Pepper ; Marshal, John Kelty ; Treasurer, J. D. Meeker; Assessor, M. F. Crouch ; Justices of the Peace, Jacob McLaughlin, Benjamin Shearer ; Clerk (appointed), C. H. Contoit.
First meeting of the City Council was held at the city hall on Friday evening, April 4. 1874-Mayor, G. W. Parker; Alderman, First Ward, Gustave Meyer; Second Ward, J. P. Willis; Third Ward, A. Mckinney ; Fourth Ward, L. Ruka ; Marshal, S. D. Curry ; Treasurer, L. P. Lesler ; Assessor, G. R. Frank ; Clerk, C. H. Contoit.
1875-Mayor, James Barnett ; Alderman, First Ward, Harvey Clark ; Second Ward, J. R. Muffley ; Third Ward, G. W. Cowan ; Fourth Ward, L. Ruka ; Justices of the Peace. M. De Witt, J. McLanghlin ; Treasurer, John Pepper ; Marshal, John Kelty ; Clerk, C. H. Contoit ; Street Commissioner, O. P. Knowlton.
1876-Mayor, G. Meyer; Alderman, First Ward, G. F. Hildebrand; Second Ward, George Cannon ; Third Ward, A. M. Mckinney ; Fourth Ward, M. Ableiter; Treasurer, William Thompson ; Marshal, J. P. Willis ; Clerk, C. H. Contoit; Street Commissioner, O. P. Knowlton ; City Attorney, A. Provis.
1877-Mayor, B. M. Coates ; Aldermen, First Ward, W. Thompson ; Second Ward, George Cannon ; Third Ward, Com. Rogers ; Fourth Ward, M. Ableiter ; Treasurer, T. Kron- shage ; Marshal, John Kelty ; Justices of the Peace, M. DeWitt, J. Mclaughlin ; Clerk, H. W. Favor ; Street Commissioner, S. F. Watkins; City Attorney, A. Provis ; Bridge Commissioner, E. C. Meyer.
1878-Mayor. John H. Sarles; Aldermen, First Ward, M. B. Pittman; Second Ward, John Kelty ; Third Ward, Henry Nelson ; Fourth Ward, Leo Anshutz; Treasurer, T. Kron- shage; Marshal, D. C. Perigo ; Clerk, H. W. Favor ; Street Commissioner, J. P. Willis; City Attorney, T. J. Brooks ; Bridge Commissioner, A. Dexter.
1879-Mayor, T. N. Hubbell; Aldermen, First Ward, O. P. Knowlton ; Second Ward, William Stoddart; Third Ward, C. Parce; Fourth Ward, G. Guentzel; Treasurer, T. Kron- shage ; Marshal, J. F. Woodard ; Justices of the Peace, M. De Witt, J. Mclaughlin ; Clerk, H. W. Favor; City Attorney, William Dutcher ; Street Commissioner, John Kelty ; Bridge Commissioner, A. Dexter.
1880-Mayor, T. N. Hubbell; Aldermen. First Ward, William Thompson, 1 year; Har- vey Clark, 2 years ; Second Ward, F. Scheinpflug, 2 years; Edwin Pike, 1 year; Third Ward, D. Lenahan, 2 years ; C. Parce, 1 year ; Fourth Ward, J. Ruka, 2 years ; A. J. Pipkin, 1 year ; Treasurer, T. Kronshage ; Marshal, John Kelty ; Clerk, H. W. Favor; Street Com- missioner, John Kelty ; Bridge Commissioner, A. Dexter : City Attorney, John D. Wilson.
1881-Mayor, T. N. Hubbell; Aldermen, First Ward, T. J. Brooks; Second Ward, E. Pike; Third Ward, C. Parce ; Fourth Ward, M. Ableiter ; Treasurer, T. Kronshage; Marshal, John Kelty ; Clerk, H. W. Favor ; Street Commissioner, John Kelty ; Bridge Commissioner, A. Dexter; City Attorney, John D. Wilson ; Justices of the Peace, J. C. Richardson, J. McLaughlin.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Numerous fires, at an early date, had brought the citizens of Boscobel to such a realizing sense of their need for protection against this destroying element, that when, in 1867, parties at Madison offered the village a good hand-engine at an extremely low figure, Mr. G. W. Cowan was authorized to go to Madison, examine the machine, and if in good shape to buy it. Under these instructions, the engine was purchased at a cost of $300. Quite a little history attached to this fire queller. It had originally been brought from Fortress Monroe to Madison and sta- tioned at Camp Randall. Upon the breaking-up of this post at the close of the war, the engine, with other Government property, was sold at public sale, and bought by the parties who sold it to this village. Public expectation was considerably disappointed in the appearance of their
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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.
new protector, and for the year succeeding the purchase, the engine was allowed to lie neglected and disused. In the year 1868, the village authorities put in hydrants along the race running through the city. and prepared for any emergency that might arise. The burning of the Catlin House and the brewery in this year, and within several months of each other, gave the friends of the abused engine a chance to show its powers, the result being a slight rise in opinions as to its merits. In January, 1869, three buildings standing just north of the Carrier House went up in smoke. Had it not been for the services rendered by che much-abused engine, the Carrier House and adjacent buildings would, undoubtedly, have followed suit. The erstwhile disgraced machine was now in high favor, and steps were immediately taken for the organization of com- panies for protection against the fire-fiend. The ruins were still smoldering, when, on Monday evening, January 25, a meeting was held at McSpaden's Hall, preparatory to organizing an Engine and Hook and Ladder Company. Mr. Ed Meyer was chosen Chairman, and J. T. Shipley, Secretary. After it had been " moved and carried to form engine and hook and lad- der companies," F. McSpaden was elected Foreman of the former, and A. Bobel of the latter. A committee was then appointed to draft constitution and by-laws, when the companies adjourned ; the engine company to January 27, and the hook and ladder company to January 28.
At the first-named date, the engine company met and appointed a committee of three to "procure a name" for the company. Their report was made at a subsequent meeting, the name fixed upon being " Protection Engine Company No. 1." The officers elected at the meet- ing of January 27 were as follows : Foreman, W. H. Rose; First Assistant Foreman, Capt. Farquharson ; Second Assistant Foreman, W. W. Watkins; Secretary, O. E. Comstock ; Treasurer, J. H. Sarles. The present officers of this company are: Foreman, W. H. Rose ; First Assistant Foreman, Theo. Kronshage; Second Assistant Foreman, E. Brookens; Secre- tary, H. W. Favor; Treasurer, Leo Anshutz.
Hook and Ladder Company .- At the adjourned meeting held January 28, this company . finished its formal organization, by electing officers as follows: First Assistant Foreman, George Scripture ; Second Assistant Foreman, John Kelty ; Secretary, L. G. Armstrong ; Treasurer, Robert Anderson. Twenty-eight members formed the company at this time. At an adjourned meeting held February 4, the name of Boscobel Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was adopted, and the number of members fixed at thirty, as a maximum. This limit has since been abolished, there being at present no restriction to the membership. The officers are: Foreman, A. Bobel ; First Assistant Foreman. C. P. Flinn ; Second Assistant Foreman, N. Ellingsen ; Secretary, L. B. Ruka ; Treasurer, G. Meyer ; Hose Captain, A. Mckinney ; Assistant, D. Ricks.
Soon after the organization of the department, or in the summer of 1869, a second-hand engine, somewhat larger than their first purchase, was offered to Boscobel authorities by parties who had purchased it at a foreclosure sale in Guttenberg, Iowa. This engine, like its mate, had come from Madison, from which city it had been sold to the Guttenberg authorities with the result as above. The engine, with hose, hook and ladder cart and appurtenances, was offered to Boscobel for the sum of $500. The offer was accepted and Boscobel thus placed in possession of two first-class engines of their kind. The new purchase was handed over to the company then organized, and was afterward known as Engine No. 1. It was made at Providence, R. I., and has a ten-inch pump. The old engine was laid up in ordinary until the organization of the second fire company, when it was transferred to them. It has a seven-inch pump, and was manufactured at Rochester, N. Y.
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