History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 123

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

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin > Part 123

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816

HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Tafton Collegiate Seminary .- As has been seen, the higher institution of learning at Bloom- ington was the Blake's Prairie Institute, opened by Rev. M. T. Allen, M. A., in the early part of January, 1857. The school afterward passed under the charge of Prof. Parsons and Mrs. Parsons, both of whom had achieved a high reputation as educators. The school was first held in the Cole Building, on Congress street. The Trustees of the school, however, did not allow it to remain here for any great length of time, but, recognizing the advantages that would undoubt- edly accrue to the village by the establishment of such a seat of learning as was plainly possible with Prof. Parsons, as its guiding spirit, commenced the erection of a two-story frame structure that was afterward, for many years, known as the academy. Upon its completion, the school was removed to this location, and had soon established a reputation that was much more than local. Students flocked in from every quarter, the academy having at one time an attendance of over two hundred. This added in attracting attention to the village. The English branches, mathematics and languages were taught at the academy, employing several teachers in addition to Mr. Parsons and wife. Unfortunately, just at the time the institution was at its zenith of ex- cellence, differences broke out between the Professor and his supporters, which resulted in the former retiring from the Principalship. Mrs. Parsons continued in charge for a short time, when she in turn retired. Prof. Parsons afterward left Bloomington and took charge of the schools at Dubuque, going from there to Freeport, where he remained for some time, being at present en- gaged in the insurance business at Detroit, Mich. After Mrs. Parsons, came a succession of teachers who taught for a short period each, including Messrs. Lukens, Brooks and others. The building remained standing on the original site until 1873, when it was purchased by the Con- gregational society and remodeled for church purposes. It now serves as the abiding-place of the First Congregational society of Bloomington.

First Congregational Church-This church was organized on the 10th of April, 1847, at Patch Grove, in the house of Hugh Garside, consisting of fourteen members. The organizers were the Revs. O. Littlefield and J. D. Stevens. Mr. Littlefield became the first Pastor, preach- ing half the time at Beetown. He remained until February, 1849. During the months next following, the church was without a Pastor, but in November the church extended an invitation to Rev. C. W. Monroe, of Boston, a young man in the ministry ; December 25, he was ordained. A parsonage was in process of construction, but the building went so slow that Mr. Monroe took it into his own hands and held it as his own property. Rev. Mr. Monroe left in 1850, and for about a year the church was without a Pastor. During this interval, the Rev. S. W. Eaton, of Lancaster, looked after the spiritual needs of the little flock. In October, 1851, Rev. Ira Tracy became Pastor at a salary of $400. Mr. Tracy first preached at Patch Grove and the " Red Schoolhouse " alternately, but afterward changed so as to include other points. In 1855, the question of erecting a church building was taken up and a site selected a mile and a half south of the present village of Bloomington. The congregation was aided by private subscrip- tions and supplies from the Congregational Building Fund, the cost of the building being $1,400. April, 1856, Rev. Mr. Tracy took his departure, going to Spring Valley, Minn., where he remained until his health failed. August of the same year Rev. A. M. Dixon com- menced his pastorate, the church membership at this time being about fifty. During the nine years of Mr. Dixon's stay, this membership was doubled. Following Rev. Mr. Dixon came Revs. George Smith, William A. Lyman, Julian Dixon and A. E. Tracy. Nine members of the church entered the army ; seven returned; two, Charles Bingham and Ira Tracy, Jr., remained behind awaiting the great reveille. Rev. Mr. Dixon's efforts were heartily seconded by faithful workers, and, during his pastorate, Sabbath schools were established at Beetown, Patch Grove and Glen Haven.

During the winter of 1865-66, the church extended a call to Rev. C. T. Melvin, which was accepted. About this time, the congregation was strengthened by the addition of several members previously connected with the Scotch Presbyterian Church of Canada. In June, 1866, Rev. A. A. Young became the Pastor of the church, remaining five years. He was aided dur- ing the last part of his ministry by the Rev. W. H. Marble.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

At its first organization, the church had been called the First Presbyterian, but this name had soon after been changed to Blake's Prairie Congregational Church. During the pastorate of Mr. Young, the name was again changed to the First Congregational Church of Tafton. Rev. Mr. Young closed his labors May 20, 1871, and the church was without a Pastor for a little over a year. In June, 1872, the Rev. David Wirt received a unanimous call, which was accepted, and the reverend gentleman remained one year as Pastor. During this year, it was determined that the well-being of the church demanded that it should have one organized center et Bloomington and another on the prairie. The old academy was purchased and remodeled and improved at a cost of $1,160, and at the same time another church edifice was erected on the prairie ; the Bloomington Church was dedicated Angust 24, 1873; at that time there was a deficit of $600, but of this amount $512 were pledged at this time. The second church was dedicated October 12, 1873. During this same year, Rev. Charles Willey came to the pastorate and remained as Pastor for two years, during which time, twenty were received into the church. The first Sabbath in November, 1875, Rev. Smith Norton occupied the pulpit in both churches, and the week following the Rev. Ira Tracy, former Pastor, passed on to the shore beyond.

Mr. Norton remained six months, during which time ten members joined the church. In June, 1876, Rev. R. L. Cheney came and was ordained in the October following, and has since remained in the pastorate of this church. The present officiary of the church is as follows : Pastor, Rev. R. L. Cheney ; Deacons, J. A. Kilbourn, L. C. Newcomb, J. W. Stone, William Whellans, B. Beardsley ; Clerk and Treasurer, O. W. Graves. Society officers : Trustees, C. R. Newcomb, S. McIvor, B. Beardsley, M. Scott ; Clerk, C. R. Newcomb.

Baptist Church .- As the Beetown and Bloomington Baptist Churches are one and the same, the early history of the church and its beginning will be found in another place connected with the Beetown history. This organization was effected June 21, 1845, and it continued as a branch church until January 2, 1847, when a council was convened at Beetown, of which Elder J. P. Parsons was Moderator, and Elder William Stillwell was Clerk. The church organized as a separate church, with Elder Chapin as Pastor. Elder Chapin continued to divide his time between Beetown and Lancaster until November 30, 1850, when he accepted a call to devote his whole labor to the newer organization. He remained until the close of the following year, when he tendered his resignation, which was accepted with much regret. During his pastorate, meet- ings had been held alternately between Beetown and the "Red Schoolhouse." In 1852, Rev. D. Matlock preached alternately at Lancaster and at Beetown, and at the close of his labors Elder Miles preached for the church six months. He was followed by Rev. William Wallace. In May, 1855, Rev. E. M. Lewis was called to preach one-half the time. Previous to this, a revival added seventeen to the church. An attempt was made during this year to erect a church, but the project came to naught. In the spring of 1857, a series of meetings was held at Tafton, then a rising village, and the church removed to that place. In 1858, Elder Lewis severed his connection with the church. The congregation remained without a Pastor until April, 1859, when F. G. Thearle, a licentiate of the Darlington Church, assumed pastoral care in accordance with a call that had been extended to him. He devoted a portion of his time to the church at Wyalusing, but in October was ordained as Pastor. The name of the church was changed in this year from Beetown Baptist Church to Tafton Baptist Church, and work was commenced on a new church building, and completed some time after in 1863. Elder Thearle remained until 1864, when he was succeeded by Elder B. Law, who remained until April, 1867. The church was again without a Pastor until 1869, when Elder W. T. Hill took charge of the congregation, devoting a portion of his time to Wyalusing. Elder Hill resigned in August, 1870, his resignation was not acted upon until March, 1871, and in May he closed bis labors. April, 1872, Rev. G. F. Strong was called to the pastorate, and, accepting, began his labors in May ; they were cut short by his untimely death in September of the same year. In November, J. C. Webb preached for a few Sabbaths, and was asked to continue six months, and, in December, was asked to continue one year, he having been ordained in October by a council called for the purpose. Elder Webb closed his work in June, 1874, and the same month

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

an invitation was extended to Elder G. D. Stevens, who accepted the invitation, and has con- tinued as Pastor up to the present time.

The present officers of the church are as follows : Pastor, G. D. Stevens ; Deacons, James L. Woodruff, Homer Beardsley, Peter N. Thornton ; Clerk, Homer Beardsley. The Deacons also act as Trustees of the Church.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first Methodist class was organized in the fall of 1857, and consisted of H. K. Wells, Mrs. Wells, Jeremiah Gee, Mrs. Gee, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Osborne, Miss Annette Wilson, Miss Minnie Gordon, Mrs. N. Wilder, Luke Parsons and William Crosley. H. K. Wells was class-leader. Service was held every two weeks, the new organization being attached to Patch Grove. The ministers having the little flock under their care were the Rev. W. F. DeLapp and Rev. Knibbs, who were associated together on the circuit. Mr. De Lapp was followed by Rev. C. Cook in the spring of 1859, who had associated with him Rev. Alfred Brunson, followed in the fall of the same year by Rev. C. P. Hackney. In the fall of 1860, Rev. R. R. Wood succeeded Rev. Mr. Cook, and was, in 1862, followed by Rev. W. F. De Lapp, who returned for a second time. He remained two years, and was succeeded, in 1864, by Rev. E. S. Bunce. In 1866, Z. S. Hurd came to the circuit, remaining one year, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Kellogg. Rev. C. Bushby took charge of the circuit in 1868. Up to this time, the congregation had been without a church. The first meetings had been held in the old schoolhouse, and, after the erection of the Baptist Church, service had been held there for a few times, and afterward Brown's Hall had been leased for the use of the church. In 1868, however, the present church building was erected, and the congregation, after numerous vicissitudes, at last was vouchsafed a permanent abiding-place. Rev. Mr. Bushby remained three years, and was followed, in 1871, by the Rev. J. D. Brothers, who also served a term of three years. In 1874, Rev. E. M. McGinley came to the charge, followed, in 1875, by Rev. D. L. Hubbard. In 1876, the church, expressing a desire for the services of Rev. R. Hoskins, then at Bloomington, with the permission of Rev. Mr. Hubbard and the Presiding Elder of the district, Mr. Hoskins took charge of the church, being the first resident Pastor. The church was, in 1877, separated from Patch Grove and organized as a distinct body, Rev. James Ward being appointed to the new charge. Rev. Mr. Hoskins afterward sailed for India as a missionary. Rev. Mr. Ward was followed in the fall of 1878 by Rev. A. Charles, who remained as Pastor until 1880, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Lawson. Previous to his coming, Mr. Law- son had announced himself as willing to serve as missionary to the far-off east, and soon after his arrival at Bloomington notice was received by him that his offer had been accepted, which necessitated his severing his connection with his charge, leaving the church for the present with- out a Pastor. The present officers of the church are : Trustees, L. S. Osborne and J. D. Clayton ; a vacancy exists caused by the death of Mr. Milo Higgins, who formed the third member of the board ; Secretary, L. S. Osborne.

THE PRESS.

Bloomington Record .- The initial number of the Record was printed July 15, 1880, Mr. C. J. Glasier being the editor and proprietor. The paper was issued as an eight-column folio, which size it has since retained. Mr. Glasier has served his time at the " case," and for a time, with his sister, had charge of the Richland Observer. By perseverance and good management, he has placed the Record upon a stable footing, and, although a comparatively new venture, it has evidently "come to stay." The Record is conservatively Republican in politics, and fur- nishes for the citizens of Blake's Prairie just what they need in the shape of a bright local paper.

In conjunction with the Bloomington press must be mentioned the West Grant Advocate, which was started at Bloomington some years ago, and then transferred to Lancaster, where it ended its existence with the new year of 1877. The type and other material, after many changes and vicissitudes, now assist in heralding the news to Bloomingtonians through the col- uinns of the Record.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

BLOOMINGTON BANK.

This institution first opened its doors as a financial agency for the people of Bloomington and surrounding country in 1871. The bank was then located over Greer's store, in the building now occupied by Mr. Stanley. Humphrey & Clark, William Humphrey and W. B. Clark, were the incorporators. In 1873, a more suitable and commodious building was erected on Canal street, into which the bank was moved the same year. In this building it has since remained. A simple private banking business is all that the proprietors aspire to at present, and in the line chosen they have been eminently successful, commanding the respect and confidence of all their numerous patrons.

I. O. O. F.

Bloomington Lodge, No. 159, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted December 9, 1868. The charter members were T. J. Brooks, E. Mount, Jesse Brooks, F. F. Grant, George W. Nevins and Alonzo Wilson. The lodge was instituted by D. D. G. M. H. Favor, of Boscobel. The first initiates were Brothers S. Woodhouse, D. L. Riley, I. McWilliams, G. W. Harger, C. R. Thomas, Robert Hicks and L. Hoskins. As ancients, Alfred Green, John Woodhouse, H. N. Johnson, M. Hadley and J. H. Sneclode. Of the first elective officers, T. J. Brooks has ceased to be a member. Brother Mount has long since slept the sleep that knows no waking. Brother F. F. Grant remains and also Mr. Jesse Brooks. Of the first initiates three have ceased to be members, but all are living. . Of those who first joined as A. O., Brother John Woodhouse has joined that lodge whose Master's rulings have no mistakes. Brothers Grant, Kidd and Nevins were the first on whom degrees were conferred ; Brothers Grant, Hadley and Riley constituted the first committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. The second elective officers were Brothers Mount, N. G .; M. Hadley, V. G .; C. R. Thomas, R. G .; and R. Hicks, Treasurer. The Secre- taries, with rare exceptions, have succeeded to the V. G.'s Chair, and, with more rare exceptions, the V. G.'s to the N. G.'s Chair. The receipts of the lodge for the first term amounted to $468.12, and the expenditures to $372.23.

One of the most pleasant and profitable features of the institution has been the Rebecca meetings. The tact and taste of the Daughters of Rebecca in the management of these social gatherings, together with the intellectual treats occasionally given by them, will long be remem- bered by those present.

Thus, from small beginnings, has Lodge No. 159 raised itself to a commanding position morally, socially, numerically and pecuniarily. The lodge has at present sixty-two members in good standing, and the Rebeccas twenty-six members. .

I. O. G. T.

The first lodge of Good Templars was organized in Bloomington, or Tafton, as it was then known, December 9, 1859. During the continuance of the " Academy," the lodge prospered and flourished, having a strong membership, and exerted a powerful influence for good. Upon the downfall of the institution of learning, the lodge also felt the blighting influences, and about ten years after its first organization, yielded up the ghost. An effort was made some time after to resuscitate it, and for nearly a year the lodge struggled on, but the powers that were proved in the end too strong, and it was numbered among the things of the past. A lodge of the Sons of Temperance followed in course of time, but it had no stable foundation, and in turn suc- cumbed. The present lodge was organized Angust 29, 1879, when the following officers were installed: R. W. C., Rev. Alfred Charles; W. V., E. J. M. Newcomb; W. C., Rev. R. L. Cheney ; F. S., Mary Halford ; Rec. Sec., L. S. Osborne; Asst., W. L. Osborne; Treas., Mrs. Mary Clayton ; W. M., Harry Grant ; J. G., Nellie Osborne ; Sent., Thomas Smith; Lodge Deputy, William Burnetts. At the same date, a lodge of Juvenile Templars was started, with a goodly membership. The present officers of the lodge (May, 1881) are R. W. C., Rev. R. L. Cheney ; W. V., Mrs. Mary Clayton ; W. C., Mrs. Grant; Sec., M. M. Osborne; F.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Sec., J. D. Clayton; Marshal, Minor Perrin; J. G., Mrs. Sabin ; Lodge Deputy, L. S. Osborne.

BLAKE'S PRAIRIE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

August 1, 1868, a meeting was held at Brown's Hall, to consider the advisibility of or- ganizing a fair association. Mr. George Ballentine was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Jesse Brooks, Secretary. After appointing a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, the meeting ad- journed to August 15, at the same place. At this adjourned meeting, the following resolution was adopted :

Resolved, That we deem it advisable to organize an agricultural society, and to hold an industrial fair the coming fall ; to open books for membership at one dollar annually, or ten dollars for life, and that the name thereof be called " The Blake's Prairie Agricultural Society," the first fair to be held in the village of Bloomington, on the 16th and 17th days of September.

Officers were then elected as follows : President, William Humphrey ; Vice Presidents, James Milner, John Batie; Treasurer, D. F. Brown; Cor. Secretary, Jesse Brooks ; Executive Committee, J. M. Hickok, R. Glenn, R. Newman, L. M. Okey, A. A. Bennett. The society, since its organization, has held an annual fair, having leased a tract of ground immediately ad- jacent to the village. The present officers are : President, James Kenyon ; Vice Presidents, N. Austin, J. A. Davis; Secretary, F. Greer; Treasurer, G. Sprague ; Executive Committee, P. Thornton, W. Howard, J. M. Kilborn, George Whiteside, J. Honefal, J. S. Moore, A. M. Cilley, R. A. Welsh, A. B. Gates, H. F. Young.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

VILLAGE OF JAMESTOWN-VILLAGE OF GEORGETOWN-VILLAGE OF BIG PATCH-ELMO STATION -CUBA CITY-VILLAGE OF FAIR PLAY-CASSVILLE.

VILLAGE OF JAMESTOWN,

in the town of Jamestown, being located in the northeastern portion thereof, distant three miles from Fair Play and four miles from Georgetown to the north, is an unpretentious village, quietly. nestling among the hills and valleys, which relieve the monotony of the scenery in that section of the county.

This portion of the town was settled as early as 1827, when James Boyce made the first discovery of mineral in the center of what afterward became Section 12, one quarter of a mile from the village site. James Gilmore and family came in the same year and opened a farm near the present village, the first in this portion of the township. A large number of discov- eries of leads, the McKnight mine on the Joseph Pinch farm among the rest, were made during 1827, and as a result, the old settlers say that miners swarmed into the vicinity and began pros- pecting. Many were successful ; a larger number failed in their objects, and but very few of those who came permanently identified themselves with the town. Those who came were mostly from Vinegar Hill, Hard Scrabble, Shullsburg, and other points, whence they returned when it was certain they had been unable to improve their prospects at home. In addition to this fact, a law was passed during the winter of 1827-28 placing a tariff on lead, to take effect in June of the latter year. Prior to that date, immense quantities of mineral were gotten out, and with shipments of lead from Spain, so reduced the price of the commodity as to entail loss upon all who engaged in mining. At this the prospectors abandoned Jamestown as a field of operations ; the discoveries made prior to this calamity were worked out, but no new ones sought for.

During 1828, Silas Brooks settled on the village site, as also did Benjamin Kilbourn, the latter opening a farm eight years later, which is now on the confines of South Jamestown.

The Black Hawk war, a few years later later, diminished the population and confirmed the section in no small degree to the absence of a prosperity that was visible at other points in the county less advantageously located. There were no troubles during its continuance, and no recruits entered the service from future Jamestown. But all residents left the vicinity and hur- ried to Galena and elsewhere for protection, very few beyond those already mentioned returning when the war was over. From this date on until after the completion of the railroad from the lakes to the Mississippi, remarked one of those who came in 1827, there was no emigration to speak of, and a village was regarded as beyond the range of possibilities. Nevertheless, within five years after the battle of the Bad Ax, enterprising prospectors visited the mines and began the building of what subsequently gravitated into a post office known as Centerville, afterward as Jamestown.

It is thought that Thomas Webb became a citizen of the future village as early as 1838, though it is contended that he postponed the conferment of this distinguished honor until some years later. At all events, he put up the first house in the village as late as 1840. It was of logs, still standing, and with improvements and additions subsequently made, has since become the homestead of Warden Anderson, a merchant in North Jamestown.

About the same time, or, perhaps a year later, James Gilmore built on his farm, a short distance north of Mr. Webb's residence, and Henry Van Vleck erected a cottage to the south of Webb's. A year later, or in 1844, Sylvester Gridley, a merchant of Platteville, subsequent- ly opened the first store in the place, locating it across the street from the Webb place, from

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

which it might be said all improvements of that time seemed "to Orient." In 1845, the house now owned by Silas Brooks was built, and the following year H. H. Howe erected the commodious frame on the Stage road to Platteville, still standing and known as the "Jamestown Hotel. " Mr. Howe designed the premises for caravansary purposes, and as travel at that time was regular and generous, his accommodations were not unfrequently taxed, though the building was what is known as a " double building" two and one-half stories high. The same year John Matthews and Abraham Wood built a large frame house on the west end of the Cape & Taylor lot, which was considered one of the most elaborate and roomy in this portion of the county, and gained for its projectors the fullest meed of praise as citizens of enterprise and character, calculated to inspire the citizens with a noble ambition, and whose labors and improvements would enhance the value of property by the attraction of capital and other material aids in that behalf. From this date to 1850 there was very little building, and with the exception of a brick residence put up on the present site of James Sheffield's house, and some other improvements of minor detail, nothing was done.

In 1850, people began to build on the line between Sections 1 and 12, about where (and further south) South Jamestown or "Puckerville " rose up. The same year Thomas Beasley established a home as also did N. Ritchie, both houses being located west of the Webb premises. Between that and 1860, a parsonage for the Methodist minister was built; James Mackay, erected a dwelling house, which, with other less important ventures, are all that has since been accomplished save the erection of the Congregational and Lutheran Churches, and the school- house.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 123

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