History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 128

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 128

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1878-Supervisors, H. Grimm, Chairman, E. Groom, L. M. Okey ; Clerk, H. Burgess ; Treasurer, A. Grimm ; Assessor, J. D. Harp; Justices of the Peace. J. H. C. Sneclode, H. Hauger ; Constables, J. B. Ortscheid, T. J. Ishmael, W. T. Rice.

1879-Supervisors, H. Grimm, L. M. Okey, E. Groom; Clerk, H. Burgess ; Treasurer, A. Grimm ; Assessor, J. D. Harp ; Justices of the Peace, H. Burgess, G. H. Groom, H. Seipp (to fill vacancy) ; Constables, J. B. Ortscheid, L. J. Ishmael, Joseph Barrow.

1880-Supervisors, H. Grimm, Chairman, L. M. Okey, E. Groom ; Clerk, H. Burgess ; Treasurer, A. Grimm ; Assessor, J. D. Harp; Justices of the Peace, H. Seipp, J. B. Orts- cheid ; Constables, Joseph Barrow, William McCarnish, J. L. Finley.

1881-Supervisors, H. Grimm, Chairman, L. M. Okey, E. Groom ; Clerk, H. Burgess ; Treasurer, A. Grimm; Assessor. J. D. Harp ; Justices of the Peace, H. Burgess, J. D. Harp ; Constables, Joseph Barrow, W. Williams, Mat. Adrian.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVI. TOWNS AND VILLAGES-CONCLUDED. BEETOWN-MOUNT HOPE-PATCH GROVE-FENNIMORE-VILLAGE OF MONTFORT-WYALUSING- GLEN HAVEN-MILLVILLE-BLUE RIVER STATION.

BEETOWN.

This town dates back in antiquity to a date when the Indians and their French allies roamed through this southwestern region. That mineral had been found on the bluffs of Grant River at an extremely early date is proven by the remains of their rude smelting works that were plainly visible up to a date within the memory of the present generation. The first knowledge of Bee- town as a fixed place of abode for any number of people was in the early part of 1827, when James Meredith, Curtis Caldwell, Thomas Crocker and Cyrus Alexander stumbled across evidences of mineral at the foot of a large, hollow bee-tree that had been blown down by some of the storms passing over that section. Upon closer examination a nugget of mineral weigh- ing 425 pounds is said to have been discovered. However this may be, the lead thus discovered was known from this time forth as the "bee lead," and proved among the richest of the many rich discoveries in this section. . During the early attempts at mining, this lead caved in and killed a workman by the name of Jack Dowling. His body was dug out and buried on the ridge west of the diggings. His coffin was split "puncheons," laid in the grave. The grave was discovered accidentally in 1852, but all that could then be seen was the fast decaying "puncheons " and moldering bones.

During the "Winnebago fuss" the mines were deserted and left to care for themselves ; as the excitement died away greed for gain proved stronger than fears of "Injun," and parties began to straggle back. During the fall of 1827, Henry C. Bushnell settled at Muscalunge with his newly married bride. Mr. Bushnell had been in that section carlier in the year, and, having become impressed with the beauty and richness of the country, married and immediately returned to begin his new home in the wilderness. Here he erected a log cabin, the threshold of which-a broad flat stone-can still be seen imbedded in the soil a few feet above the gate leading to the residence of Hon. O. C. Hathaway. A short distance away, Mr. Bushnell erected a log blacksmith-shop, which is still standing, though exhibiting the marks of time on its rude walls. To Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell was born the succeeding year the first white child born in the county-Dorethy J. Bushnell. This same year George Hacket built a furnace near Musca- lunge .and commenced smelting. He also had diggings on the stream known as Hacket's Branch. In 1828, Mr. Bushnell removed with his family to Lancaster, and settled at what has since been known as " Bushnell Hollow." In the same year, Mr. Solomon Arthur and wife came to Beetown from Vermont and located there, the first actual settlers Beetown had known. Mr. Arthur had reached Chicago in the fall of the preceding year ; but meeting Gen. Cass at that point, who was advising people to put themselves under the protection of the fort, remained there until spring. In three days after his arrival he had his log cabin rolled up, and here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1846 or 1847. For five years, Mrs. Arthur was the only white woman in Beetown, her nearest neighbor being six or seven miles distant. She was often compelled to subsist on parched corn, and would spend many days and nights alone, with no companion but the house-dog.

Quite a number of adventurers came in the spring of 1828, with them Mr. A. L. John- son, from Baltimore. He brought in a stock of goods, opened a store, and, in company with Mr. Arthur, built a log smelting furnace. At the same time came Capt. Robert Reed and Dr. Hill, afterward residents of Lancaster; Messrs. Snyder, Fuller and Robert Dougherty, from

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Baltimore ; also James Walsh, who started the first blacksmith-shop, but all left in the fall. Orris McCartney was also among the new-comers in the spring of 1828, but in the fall moved out to and settled on his farm near Cassville, then a small settlement. From this time until the close of the Black Hawk war, hardly a half-dozen persons made their appearance at Beetown. Occasionally some one would come in from Galena, Prairie du Chien, or some other settlement, stay a few days and then leave.

During the Black Hawk war excitement, Mr. Arthur, having first sent his wife to the block-house at Cassville, remained on his claim, continuing the cultivation of his little patch of ground. Now and then an Indian would appear upon the horizon, when Mr. Arthur would retire to an improvised fort, a drift in a hill near by, and, rifle in hand, stand prepared to give the dusky intruder anything but a hospitable reception should he venture upon a closer acquaintance. Mr. Arthur was a genuine pioneer, one of those hardy sons of adventure through whose daring and labors the boundaries of the nation have been continually advanced, until it now incloses with a glorious civilization nearly every rood of land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He was buried at his death under the shade of four oaks in the Beetown Cemetery, a little northwest of the village. Mrs. Arthur continued to live in the old cabin until 1851, when her death occurred.

After the elose of the Black Hawk war, and no further danger was to be apprehended, emigrants began to come in in large numbers. James Prideaux and wife came to Beetown in 1834. Matthew Edwards and his wife were the next settlers, and were guests, by invitation, with Capt. Estes and other miners at an Independence dinner given by James Prideaux on July 4, 1835. Mr. Edwards opened a hotel, and also dealt in groceries and miners' supplies. After this date the population of Beetown increased rapidly. In the year 1840, an itinerant preach- of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held the first service in the village, in a cabin east of the town. The following year the Methodists organized the first church, under the instrumentality of Rev. Mr. Hulburt, and the same year the first school was opened, the teacher being Edward Walker. The foundation of this old schoolhouse can be still distinguished in a field at the rear of Mr. Hathaway's house. In 1843, William B. Brown opened a store with a general assort- ment of goods, his example being followed by Mr. Samuel Alex, but with a smaller stock. The post office was first established at the new village this year, and Mr. Alex was appointed Postmaster.

Heretofore dependence had been placed upon the old smelting furnace erected by Arthur and Johnston, but this year Mr. De Lasseaux erected another and larger one. De Lasseaux was a Frenchman, whose reputation among the miners for liberality and fair dealing was most excellent ; many was the poor adventurer, if tradition speaks correctly, whom De Lasseaux " grub-staked," taking his chances on the luck attending the prospector for his remuneration. He was murdered a few years later by a miner named Brewer, as related in another portion of this work. A Galena paper in this same year, speaking of the rapidly growing place, said : "Beetown embraces 880 acres of mineral reserve lands, 760 acres of which have been leased to ten individual firms as follows : Arthur & St. John, 160; Brewer, 80; Days, 160; Shebles, 80; Dudley, 40 ; Busbnell, 80; Edwards, 80; Bonham, 80." The price of mineral was at this time averaging $14.50 per thousand. Beetown had up to this time been solely a mining town, and although this has been the case in a great measure up to the present time, still the settling-up of the country to the west from this time on until along in the fifties, when new towns sprang up further west, gave an impetus to business which, for a time, made Bectown only second to Potosi in importance.

The year 1845 witnessed the establishment of the Baptist and Congregational congrega- tions in the village. The records of the former show that on the 21st day of June, 1845, " A meeting was held at the schoolhouse for the purpose of forming a branch of the Lancaster Church, and the following persons were enrolled : William Paddock, Loamir Pad- dock, and Aloyra Paddock, Moses Cooley, by letter, Samuel Newick, Belinda Woodruff and Betsy Cooley, by the same method, and Sister Bacon, by confession." William Paddock was

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elected Deacon, and Samuel Newick, Clerk. This church was organized under the super- vision of Elder J. Miles, of Lancaster. The Congregational Church was organized by Rev. Mr. Chaffee. In 1844, Timothy and Cyrus Barr erected a store and put in a heavier stock of goods than had been carried heretofore. The advent of merchants after this being very rapid. Succeeding the Barr Brothers came Gleason & Kirkpatrick, Dennis Warren, E. W. Pelton, B. Rounds, H. C. Marsh, Mr. Crocker, Mr. Phelps, Goodpell Lampson, William Cole, John Welsh, D. Stewart, J. H. Brown, John B. Turley and some others. A little later Bee- town commanded the trade as far north as the Wisconsin River, and west nearly, if not quite, to the Mississippi. In 1845, the first Sunday school had been started, under the supervision of Sarah B. Marsh, Charles Hood and Samuel Newick ; but it was not until 1847 that the first church was erected. It was constructed under the direction of Rev. Mr. Littlefield, of Lancaster, and was to be free to the different denominations and for town purposes. The elec- tion to choose delegates to the constitutional convention was held September 7, 1846.

The first election held in the township to organize under the State constitution was held in April, 1849. At this meeting, Silas Burt was chosen Moderator, and R. M. Briggs was elected Clerk. The whole number of votes cast was one hundred and twenty-four; and the following town officers elected : Supervisors-John B. Turley, Chairman : James L. Woodruff, James Prideaux ; Town Clerk-Robert M. Briggs ; Treasurer-Silas Burt ; Assessor- William Ainsbury ; Superintendent of Schools-William Holford ; Justices of the Peace-A. O. Coates, William McDonald, John Welsh, William Holford ; Constables-A. P. Stephens, Daniel Derring, Chauncy Underwood ; Sealer of Weights and Measures-Charles Hood.

The greatest period of Beetown's prosperity was undoubtedly those years just preceding the Mexican war. That outbreak drew away many of the adventurous spirits to the land of the Montezumas, and made the first break in the chain of circumstances that had served to bring the thriving village into the prominent position which it then occupied.

October 28, 1849, a strange phenomena of nature, denominated the " dark day," made its appearance. About half-past 1 in the afternoon the sky became suddenly so dark that it required lights in order to proceed with household duties. The appearance outside was some- what similar to that upon an eclipse of the sun.

The following year was the fearful cholera year, and Beetown was to suffer terrible ravages from the dread fiend. Without previous warning this grim ogre, dark and horrible, made his appearance Saturday, August 31, and within one short week, forty-two deaths had occurred, out of a population of less than four hundred. A few hours served in most cases to hurry the victim through the different stages of the disease. Streets were deserted, and the terrified in- habitants escaped as soon as possible from the dangerous vicinity. Some remained, caring for the sick and burying the dead, who were hurriedly enveloped in rude coffins and consigned hastily to the grave. Among these good samaritans was Capt. Du Bois, who, meeting a minister making his way village-ward after the disappearance of the disease, suggested to him that his oratorical efforts would be too late for some of Beetown's citizens, who, "when dying, like rotten sheep, could not have a prayer said over them."

Hardly had the village time to recuperate from the visitation of one destroyer before it was called to make good the ravages of another. During the early summer of 1851, heavy rains had occurred, which raised the rivers and all their branches to a height before unknown. In Beetown, the event of this season was always afterward known as the "great flood." A vivid description of this disaster was given in a letter to the Herald the morning following the occur- rence. The writer says: "Our town this morning presents a distressing appearance. Last night, at 12 o'clock, the water commenced to run through the town, tearing up bridges, carry- ing off platforms, filling cellars and houses, and hurling large rocks through the streets as though they were so many corks. Hough's saddler-shop was loosened from its foundations, carried down some thirty-five or forty feet and deposited in the road. A granary belonging to John B. Turley was also carried into the street. The bowling-alley attached to the Else House was torn up and entirely swept away, and the livery stable belonging to the Meyers estate was under-

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mined so that the building swung back eight or ten feet. Cole's warehouse is a perfect wreck ; not even the foundation can be seen, and the ruins lay strewn along the road to Smith's furnace. The house occupied by Widow Hammonds is entirely destroyed, the inmates barely escaping with their lives. Just as they passed out the gate, the building fell.

" Hardly a building in town escaped injury. Almost every ground floor was flooded, and small articles of furniture were met at every step. The gardens are entirely ruined ; such a thing as a fence is not to be seen. Lots which yesterday were covered with luxuriant garden vegetables, this morning are paved with rock. The loss is about $3,000."

Beetown had at this time seven stores, three blacksmith shops, one clothing establishment, one tavern, one saloon, two schoolhouses and one church. The village had suffered severely from the exodus to California, and was to lose many more from the same cause. Beetown, in fact, appears to have suffered more than any other town in the county in this respect. For a few years after this wave had begun to return upon itself, and before the towns springing up farther west had begun to assume importance, Beetown continued to bold its own, but the tide had turned ; the flood tide was passed, and now came the ebb. In 1867, the Graham Mining Company made a large purchase of land at Mnscalonge, and began operations on an extended scale, employing a large number of men. The company was composed of A. C. May, Marshall & Ilsey, J. C. Spencer and E. H. Goodrich. Mr. O. C. Hathaway was placed in charge as Superintendent. The company continued mining operations until 1877, during which period they raised 3,719,289 pounds of mineral. At the above date, Mr. Hathaway purchased the company's interest, since which time the mines have been operated by him alone. Another firm doing a large mining business is Atkinson & Peacock, who commenced operations previous to 1860. The product of the mines operated by this firm for the past decade has been about 800,000 pounds of mineral.

The Beetown of to-day is, however, but a shadow of the former mighty substance. Being essentially a mining town, it at all times depended upon its mining industries for support, after the withdrawal of its trade by the growth of other towns. The mines of this district are men- tioned in another portion of this work, hence it is only necessary to say here that their product from the time of the first discovery up to the year 1876, was estimated at 1,000,000 pounds per annum. At present the mines are yielding probably as much, if not more, mineral than any other mines in the county. The present population of Beetown, according to the last census of 1880, is 1,530.

A Masonic lodge was organized in 1860, with a fair list of charter members: The first officers were: Dr. Millard, M .; James Turley, S. W .; Michael Burns, J. W .; Wood R. Beach, Secretary. Following Dr. Millard came Josiah Halls as Master, who was succeeded by Hon. O. C. Hathaway. The present list of membership contains sixty names, with the follow- ing officers : O. C. Hathaway, M .; Samuel Burch, S. W .; C. Hutchinson, J. W .; C. Arthur, Secretary ; P. Stephens, Treasurer.

The Baptist society was organized, as before stated, in 1845, but was afterward removed to Bloomington, as will be seen in the history of that town.

Beetown Methodist Church .- This church was organized, as stated before, in 1841, being the principal charge of what has always been known as the " Beetown Circuit." At the meet- ing of the last conference, no pastor was appointed to the circuit, the different appointments being supplied by Mr. Jackson, a local preacher.

MOUNT HOPE.

The first settler within the limits of the present town of Mount Hope was the Hon. Thomas P. Burnett. As early as 1836, Mr. Burnett had entered the east half of the northeast and south- east quarters of Section 19, Township 6, Range 4 west. Other entries had added much to the originial purchase, and, in 1840, Mr. Burnett erected a double log cabin and began the task of improving his new farm. The spot chosen by him was enthusiastically spoken of as " one of the most lovely on the Military Road," that great thoroughfare of the Southwest. The place occu-

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pied a high ridge and contained a judicious distribution of timbered and prairie land. Here Mr. Burnett indulged his taste for agriculture and horticulture until the wilderness began to " blos- som as a rose." " Orchard, garden and lawns," were arranged with great taste and beauty, while the thorough management that characterized every detail of this beautiful place was shown even in the neatly trimmed shrubs and trees. The stock, cattle and horses, were of the best improved breeds, while the latest and best agricultural implements were always to be found upon this model farm. From the midst of this scene of beauty, and while engaged in planning the erection of a spacious stone mansion, the proprietor was suddenly called away in 1:46. The log house is still standing occupied by others.

The next settler was Mr. Ira D. Brunson, who settled upon his present farm in 1841, and the year following Mr. Whitesides located upon the military road and opened a stopping-place that was favorably known to travelers in that section for many years.

Mount Hope was originally an integral part of Patch Grove, and it was not until 1865, that it was erected into its present town limits, when, at an adjourned meeting, held in January of that year, the division was made that placed Mount Hope among the towns of the county. The present village was commenced in 1856. William Whitesides, Thomas Taylor and William Harlocker were the founders, the two first-named gentlemen giving 20 acres, and the last named 12 acres of land, for the purpose of making a town. This land was donated to the Trustees of the Brunson Institute, in order that, through the sale of lots, enough money could be raised to erect an educational institution bearing the above name. Subscriptions were also taken, and work immediately begun upon the foundation. The land on which the building site had been originally selected was found to be mortgaged when considerable advancement had been made. But, upon this discovery, a new site was chosen and work went on slowly.

The first house in the village was erected by W. H. Gilliard, in 1856. Mr. Gilliard also erected a blacksmith-shop the same year. The first trading done in the new burg was by Jona- than Heberlin, who opened a small stock in his house during the fall of 1857. Soon afterward, another trading establishment was started by Herman Clark. The village progressed but slowly until war times; the only houses previous to that date being the residences of Mr. Gilliard, Heberlin, Dr. Clark and Bluford Stone.

During the years of the war, the basement story of the institute had been built, and, in the years just succeeding the great struggle, the remainder of the building was erected. Hardly bad it been completed when in some unaccountable manner it took fire and burned down, at once dashing the hopes of its projectors to the ground. The building had been insured by the ladies' society for $1,800. Such part of the money as was left after paying debts and expenses was afterward given by the Trustees to the district to assist in erecting a high school building, which was done, and Mount Hope now rejoices in a most excellent school. Merchants had grad- ually come in ; Humphrey & Whitesides being among the first. A. B. Linn followed soon after. About 1867, Oswald, Nathan & Co., commenced business and continued for some time. In May of this year the town was platted and laid out.

A peculiar and distinguishing trait in this village is the strict adherence to temperance prin- ciples, which has marked its policy from the start, there having never been a saloon opened with- in its borders. Upon the retirement of Oswald, Nathan & Co., their store building was sold to the society of Odd Fellows, who occupy the upper hall as a place of meeting. The store is occu- pied at present by Mr. R. G. Humphrey as a general merchandise store. Besides Mr. Hum- phrey's, there are two other stores run by Mr. A. B. Linn and Mr. J. B. Fox. Besides these business establishments, the village contains one steam saw-mill, two blacksmith-shops, one shoe- maker and one carriage-maker. One physician, Dr. Sloat, attends to the health of the commu- nity. The town contains six school districts with five schoolhouses.

The first town meeting was held at the schoolhouse in the village, April 4, 1865, at which time the first town officers were elected. The first meeting of the Town Board was held April 13, 1865. Below is given a complete roster of the town officers from that date up to the present:

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

OFFICERS.

1865-Supervisors, Ira W. Brunson, Chairman ; Warren Courtwright, George Rouse ; Clerk, J. B. Linn ; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, J. B. Linn ; Justices, J. B. Linn, Allen Garvin, S. L. Stratton.

1866-Supervisors, George Rouse, Chairman ; Warren Courtwright, Samuel Braudt ; Clerk, C. A. Garvin ; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, Michael McNainee ; Justices, William Harlocker, Michael McNaimee, S. L. Stratton, B. F. Loomis ; Constables, Richard Keating and Amos Hazen.

1867-Supervisors, Ezra Abraham, Chairman; S. Braudt, L. A. Townsend ; Clerk, Charles Soward ; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, J. A. Kingsley ; Justices, Johnson Casler and D. D. Snider ; Constables, A. Hazen, R. E. Rouse, James Whiteside.

1868-Supervisors, Ezra Abraham, Chairman ; Reuben Cooley, L. A. Townsend ; Clerk, Charles Soward; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, William Harlocker ; Justices, C. F. Falley, George Evans and B. L. Loomis ; Constables, H. Harlocker, R. E. Rouse.

1869-Supervisors, Israel Miles, Chairman ; Westley Crow, R. Cooley ; Clerk, A. J. Smith; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, M. McNaimee ; Justices, M. McNaimee, D. Wea- ver, B. L. Loomis ; Constables, H. H. Harlocker, R. Keating, A. L. Stratton.

1870-Supervisors, I. Miles, Chairman ; R. Cooley, W. Crow ; Clerk, C. W. Grimesey ; Treasurer, Theodore Taylor ; Assessor, M. McNaimee ; Justices, J. B. Fox, E. Abraham, B. L. Loomis ; Constables, J. H. Clark, R. Keating.

1871-Supervisors, E. Abraham, Chairman ; J. Casler, R. Cooley ; Clerk. C. W. Grimesey ; Treasurer, J. J. Oswald ; Assessor, J. G. White ; Justices, B. L. Loomis, M. McNaimee, J. C. Williams ; Constables, J. H. Clark, A. Hazen, A. L. Stratton.

1872 -- Supervisors, E. Abraham, Chairman ; R. Cooley, J. Casler ; Clerk, J. C. Williams; Treasurer, J. J. Oswald ; Assessor, I. Miles ; Justices, J. C. Williams, I. Miles, D. D. Snider ; Constables, J. H. Clark, William Weaver.

1873-Supervisrrs, R. Cooley, Chairman ; W. Crow, E. Y. Ousley ; Clerk, C. Storm ; Treasurer, B. L. Loomis ; Assessor, D. W. Grimesey ; Justices, I. Miles, John Taylor; Con- stable, William Keating.

1874-Supervisors, R. G. Humphrey, Chairman ; W. Crow, J. Scanlan; Clerk, C. Storm ; Treasurer, P. L. Loomis ; Assessor, J. G. White ; Justices of the Peace, I. Miles, John Tay- lor; Constable, William Keating.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, Part 128

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