History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 119

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Grant County > History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 119

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Boscobel Argus .- Mr. C. Lahman commenced the publication of the Argus February 24. 1863. The sheet was a seven-column folio, Democratic in politics. The paper had a precarious career of about nine months, when like many others. it had to succumb to the inevitable. The Appeal was first published January 1, 1867, W. H. Bennett editor and proprietor. First started as a six-column folio, Republican in politics, and enlarged to seven columns January 29, 1868, with " patent insides." On October 24, 1868, Mr. Bennett retired from the Appeal. being succeeded by the Appeal Printing Company. In February, 1869, the name of the paper was changed to the Boscobel Journal, the Journal Printing Company publishers, and W. H. H. Beadle as editor. Beadle withdrew April 24, 1869, and was succeeded by Mr. T. W. Bishop, December 14, 1869, who continued the publication of the Journal until August, 1870, when the material of the office was purchased by R. B. Rice and T. W. Bishop and removed to Lancaster. Upon the suspension of the Journal, Boscobel was left without a newspaper until December 25, 1872, when the Boscobel Dial was issued by Messrs. Walworth & Son, C. B. Walworth publisher. The Dial was a seven-column folio, Republican in politics, published on the auxiliary plan. Walworth & Son continued the Dial until January 2, 1874, when Mr. C. Burton purchased the business and carried it on until September 10, 1875, when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor Capt. H. D. Farguharson. The Dial was enlarged to an eight-column folio, December 24, 1875.

CHURCHES.

Congregational Church .- This church was organized August 2, 1857, in the old Milwau- kee & Mississippi depot, through the efforts of Rev. A. A. Overton. The following persons were united by letter in its organization : Moses Rice, John Tyler, A. D. Allen, William Beals, Clarisa P. Rice, Myra A. Rice, Lucy M. Rice, Marcia Carley and Betsey Kellogg. At this meeting, Moses Rice was appointed as a delegate to the Congregational Convention of the State. The earlier meetings of the congregation were held at the depot. The church grew stronger with years, and August 5, 1860, notice having been previously given according to the statute of the State, the church met and elected the following persons as Trustees : Hezekiah Kellogg,

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for the term of three years ; Job Leffley, for two years, and James Lucas for one year. The gentlemen forming the first Board of Trustees for the young society.

Up to the middle of the year 1863, the congregation were without a church home. With this fact in view, their Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Overton, assisted by some of the members, pro- ceeded with the work of soliciting subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. So far, and with such success had their labors progressed, that by 1863, enough was in hand to warrant a commencement. The lots on which the church was afterward erected were donated to the society by Mr. John Mortimer. The church-the same with some enlargements is still standing-was first opened for public worship July 12, 1863, the sermon on this day being delivered by the Rev. D. Cleary, of Beloit. The new edifice was not dedicated until in Jan- uary, 1864, when the dedicatory sermon was by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Madison. From the founding of the church until this time, Rev. Mr. Overton had ministered to the spiritual wants of the congregation, devoting one-half of his time to Boscobel, and the remaining portion to Avoca. Mr. Overton was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Melvin. This Pastor was the first engaged exclusively by the church, whose growing needs demanded the whole time of a Pastor. Mr. Melvin remained one year, when he was succeeded by Rev. B. King, who took up his labors with the church in 1864, and continued as Pastor until 1866. For the year succeeding his departure, the congregation was without a spiritual guide. In 1867, the deficiency was sup- plied, and Rev. William Stoddart, Sr., commenced his labors with the congregation in the rela- tion of Pastor, a connection that remained unbroken during thirteen years.

The church, as originally built, was 40x32, but as years rolled on, it was found too small for the growing needs of the society, and in 1867 or 1868, was enlarged to its present size, 60x32, twenty feet having been added to the rear. In July, 1879, during the prevalence of a heavy thunder shower, the church was struck by lightning, and damaged to the extent of about $200. The repairing of the damages inflicted caused an interval of nearly six months to intervene ere regular church services could again be holden in the building. Dr. Stoddart severed his con- nection as Pastor of the congregation in 1880. The same year, Rev. E. C. Steckel received an invitation to assume Pastoral charge of the church, which invitation was accepted, and his labors have continued up the present date.

At different times in the history of the church, a burden of debt has seemed to paralyze for a time the energies of all, but these incumbrances have been successfully and successively re- moved. and to-day, the church stands free from all debt. In connection with the church, there is a flourishing Sunday school of over two hundred scholars, divided into twenty-three classes. The school has a membership in the Home Missionary Society, and enjoys the enviable pleasure of being out of debt and having money in the treasury.

The present value of the church property is $2,000. The officiary being as follows : Deacons, J. R. Muffley and J. B. Ricks ; Clerk and Treasurer, Mrs. L. G. Armstrong ; Pastor. E. C. Steckel. The total number of members received into the church since its organization is 202, of which eighteen have passed over the shining river to the world beyond, and fifty-seven have been given letters to other churches, leaving a present membership of about one hundred and twenty active members.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- Early in the year 1855, the few members of this faith then residing in Boscobel or contiguous sections gathered together at the residence of Mr. James M. Dickerson, where they listened to the principles of Christianity as they were inculcated by the Rev. Mr. Buck, the minister who at that time included Boscobel in his circuit. The following year, the little class held their meetings in the depot. Upon the organization of the Congrega- tional congregation in 1857, the two societies used the depot on alternate Sundays. In the meantime, the Rev. Mr. McMullen had succeeded Mr. Buck. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Irish, a year later, the Methodist society held services in the old log schoolhouse, standing near the present cemetery. Rev. C. Cook followed Mr. Irish as Pastor of the young church, preach- ing a few times in the old schoolhouse, when the church building in process of erection was completed, and the society was no longer homeless. This was in 1861. Among the earlier

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members of the church were Mrs. Susan Dickerson, who was prominently connected with the church from its organization until the time of her death ; A. Ransom, Eliza Ransom, George Hall and Mrs. Hall, "Father " Irish and Mrs. Irish.

This house of worship was used for the six years next succeeding, when the necessity of a larger church was forced prominently upon the minds of the members, and steps were accordingly taken to erect a structure in accordance with the needs of the society. A church edifice, 30x60, was erected during 1867, at a cost of about $3,000. Of this amount some $1,000 was raised by subscription, while the old church building was sold to the city for school purposes, the con- sideration being $800. Other sources furnished additional sums, so that upon the dedication of the structure, the debt had been scaled down to $350. In the meantime, Rev. Mr. Cook had been succeeded by other Pastors-Rev. Z. S. Hurd being the Pastor at the time the new church was completed, and remained in charge one year. The church records are sadly lacking in statistical matter, there being an entire absence of anything in the shape of records for several years, but the following list of Pastors is in the main correct from Mr. Hurd's pastorate, following whom came Rev. Mr. Buck for eighteen months; Rev. Mr. Cooley, several months ; Rev. C. P. Hackney, three years ; W. W. Wheaton, one year ; A. W. Cummings, one year ; J. C. Aspen- wall, one year ; W. H. Cheynoweth, one year ; George W. Nuzam, two years ; George Haigh, who remained a few months; John Allison, one year and eight months ; and the present Pastor, who has been in charge one year.

During its existence, the church has suffered much from removals of members, but at pres- ent has a membership of sixty, is free from debt and in a prosperous condition. Connected with the church work is a flourishing Sunday school, numbering sixty scholars. The present church officiary is as follows: Pastor, T. M. Evans ; Trustees, Joel Cramer, G. A. Christ, H. Hum- mel and M. D. Tillotson. The estimated value of the church property is $2,000.

Baptist Church .- The organization of this church was effected in 1869, with a membership of seven, as follows : J. Flint, Alethed Flint, Deacon, and Mrs. Bailey, Lewis Cobb, Mrs. Carpenter and Clara Jones. During the succeeding year, a protracted meeting held in Pitt- man's Hall, by Elder Phillips, added quite a number to the young organization. Soon after, Rev. Mr. Prouty was invited to the pastorate, and commenced his labors. During Rev. Prouty's pastorate, the church still standing on Mary street was built at a cost of about $1,500. Of this amount, $500 had been contributed by the Missionary Society located in New York, and an equal amount had been raised by subscription. A debt of about $500 was therefore left hanging over the congregation, which continued clinging to the organization. Rev. Prouty's pastorate extended over a period of seven years. Upon his departure, the Missionary Society of Chicago sent out Rev. Mr. Rermott to take charge of the little flock. This gentleman remained about a year and a half, during which period, by strenuous exertions, the incumbrances on the church property were lifted, and the congregation stood forth free from debt. At present, the church is without a Pastor. The membership is in the neighborhood of forty, the present Trustees being O. A. Rice, Frank Davidson and L. J. Woolley. From its organization, the church has kept up with punctual regularity its weekly prayer-meetings and covenant meetings once a month. A flourishing Sunday school furnishes a means of inculcating Christian doctrines to the younger members of the church, and testifies to the interest taken in church matters by old and young alike.

Lutheran Church .- Through the efforts of Rev. E. Wachtel and other prominent members of the Lutheran faith in Boscobel, the Lutheran congregation was organized February 23, 1867. The original members were as follows : Leo Anschutz, John Ruka, Louis Ruka, G. Guentzel, Phillip Hirchmann, John C. Kruel, George A. Kruel, Adam Kruel, John Sanger, Fritz Scheinpfluge, John Martin, John Boldt and William Seaman. The first officers of the society were: President, J. C. Kruel ; Secretary, Leo Anschutz ; Treasurer, G. Guentzel. Phillip Hirchmann was elected Elder. Steps were immediately taken for the erection of a house of worship, and a building, 24x40 feet, standing on the corner of Mary and Church streets, was soon after completed at a cost of $1,300. One lot of the ground occupied by the church pro-

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

perty was donated to the society by Dwight T. Parker, Sr., the remaining lot was afterward purchased of Mrs. Dwight T. Parker. A parsonage was also erected at a cost of $1,500; and, in 1880, a small school building was added at a cost of $250, making the value of the church property at present about $3,000. Rev. Wachtel remained as Pastor only a few months, and was succeeded later by Rev. John List, whose pastorate extended over the succeeding four years. Rev. Hirchmann took charge of the congregation upon the retirement of Rev. List and remained one year, when he was followed by Rev. Helbig, who began his work with this congregation in 1874, continuing six years, endearing himself to the church, and doing a good work for the Master. His successor was the Rev. Muchmann, who still continues to serve in the pastoral office. The present officiary of the church is : Pastor, Rev. Muchmann ; Trustees, G. Guentzel, John Boldt, Ed Weideranders. The membership is 126.

Catholic Church .- The first meetings of this society were held in an old log cabin situated just north of the railroad. From this time on, services were held at various houses until 1872, when the church now standing was erected. The cost of this building was to be in the neigh- borhood of $2,300, had the original plans been carried out. The church, however, was never completed as originally provided. The lots on which the building stands were obtained from the late deceased Hon. J. Allen Barber. The first Pastor to officiate in the new church was Rev. Father Cleary, who remained in charge of the church for a short time. His successors have been Rev. Fathers McMahon, Stelle, and the present Pastor, Father Schroudenbach. The exact dates of the arrivals and departures of the different Pastors is non-obtainable, owing to a deficiency in the records. Owing to general financial difficulties, the organization has been seriously handicapped in their work, but it is hoped that the future will be brighter than the past.

HOTELS.

The first institution having for its avowed object the sustenance of the inner man was opened by one Curtis, in the year 1856. The site of this first hotel was the second story of a warehouse building put up by Florence Liscum that year. The lower floor was meant for ordinary warehouse purposes. This for the time being was the only " hotel " of which the new settle- ment could boast, and continued to furnish food to the hungry and rest to the weary traveler for some six months, when " mine host " Curtis retired to the walks of private life. Succeeding this crude attempt came the Barnett House in the latter part of 1856, where, under the regime of " Andy " Barnett, most genial of landlords, the stranger was taken in and cared for in a manner that soon raised the reputation of this caravansary to the highest rounds of the ladder of famous county inns. In April, 1858, this house caught fire, and, despite all exertions, burned to the ground. For the time being, the Philbrick House, occupying the building still standing on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and La Belle street, and kept by a widow lady of the above name, caught the diverted channel of boarders and guests who had formerly made the " Barnett" their headquarters, and did a thriving business until the completion of the new building, erected upon the ruins of the burned hotel. The new structure was somewhat enlarged in size, and was opened again in 1859 by Mr. Barnett & Son, the latter selling out to Mr. John Pepper. They disposed of it, after a short time to other parties, the business finally falling into the hands of Mr. James Barnett, under whose regime the " Barnett " acquired a reputation that was State rather than local. After Mr. Barnett's retirement, the caravansary passed through different hands until it finally came under the supervision of Mr. Carrier, by whom the building was raised and one story added underneath, the name at the same time being changed to the " Carrier House," by which appellation it was known for many years. The house is at present in the hands of Mrs. J. A. Betts, and ranks among the first of Boscobel's hotels.

Prominent among the hotels of a later date, is the Central, which was erected in 1873 by Mr. A. Bobel, and opened the same year by Mr. James Barnett, who continued as landlord for the succeeding five years, when Mr. Bobel himself took the house, and ran it until January 7, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire, the interior being completely gutted, only the huge stone walls having been left standing. With an energy deserving of the highest commendation, Mr.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Bobel immediately set to work clearing away the debris preparatory to rebuilding. The new Central was completed by spring, and re-opened after being refurnished and refitted in the most approved style. The house is under the charge of Mr. Bobel himself, and takes a high rank among the hotels of Southwestern Wisconsin.

Among other hotels to which Boscobel has at various times fallen heir is the Boscobel House, on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Bluff street, which was erected in 1857 by Hall Brothers. Its immediate predecessor was a building in process of erection for tavern purposes, the material being a compressed brick made of lime and sand, of which the patentees expected great things. But the floods descended and the winds blew and beat upon that house, the result being that the structure was soon progressing in a thick, mortary stream down the street, carry- ing with it the air castles of the founders. The Boscobel House still remains standing and in use as a hotel, being at present under the proprietorship of J. Crowley.

The Muffly House, on Oak street, was erected during the war period, or rather, started then and constructed piecemeal by future owners. It came into the hands of the present owner in 1873, by whom the name was changed as above.

The City Hotel, kept by D. Lennahan west of the depot, is a farmers' hotel of moderate capacity, that does a thriving business in its particular line.

The Catlin House, standing near the present City Hall bullding, was, during the war period, a prominent candidate for public favor, but disappeared in smoke during 1868, and was not again rebuilt. . Other and smaller houses of entertainment there may have been, but the comparatively unimportant part they played in the development of the city has not marked them for special notice.

MASONIC ORDERS.

The first lodge of Masons to be organized in Boscobel, was Beautiful Grove Lodge, No. 101, which was instituted during the year. The first workings of the lodge was under a dis- pensation, the charter not being granted until some time after. This early organization included such names as those of Messrs. Palmer, Grey, Wayne, Hartshorn, Stephenson, Mortimer, Lim- bocker, R. J. Hildebrand and others, whose names have escaped the memories of those still present as residents of the city. Owing to internal difficulties, the lodge charter was surrendered December 23, 1863. The meetings had been held over the store of Fetle Meyer & Co., occu- pying the building now used by Sawyer & Favor's drug store. The Masters of the lodge so far as can be recalled, were Mr. John Mortimer, George Hall, Jehial Stephenson, George Harts- horn.

For the three years succeeding the suspension of operations by the Beautiful Grove Lodge, Masonry at Boscobel was at a stand still. Late in the year 1866, endeavors were made to organize a second lodge, the prime mover in the work being Charles F. Kimball, through whose exertions and those of others, a dispensation was granted, and a lodge gotten in running order early in the spring following. The lodge charter was not received until June 11, 1867, the charter members being C. F. Kimball, G. W. Cowan, L. G. Armstrong, M. A. Sawyer, Charles Mc Williams, M. B. Pittman, Joel Cramer, J. M. Calloway, P. S. Dusenbery, Lewis Kimball. Jr., and Theodore Kirkpatrick. Of this list, Mr. C. F. Kimball is now a resident of Pontiac, Mich .; Messrs. Cowan, Armstrong, Sawyer, McWilliams, Pittman and Cramer are residents of Bosco- bel ; J. M. Calloway is located at Millet, Wis., and the abiding place of Messrs. Dusenbery, Lewis, Kimball and Kirkpatrick is unknown. The name of this lodge was Grant Lodge, No. 169, the name being taken from the county cognomen. The first meetings were held in rooms over Knowlton & McLaughlin's store. In the fall of 1867, Mr. McSpaden built the block still standing near the Betts House, and the lodge secured rooms in the third story of this building. Here they remained for some years, when a desire was expressed on the part of a majority of the members to coalesce with the Odd Fellows Lodge, and jointly occupy one lodge-room. This was done, and for five years, the lodge meetings were held over Shieipfluge's store, at the end of this time, it was decided to return to their former hall in the McSpaden Block, where they at present occupy a fine suite of rooms on the third floor.

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

The first lodge officers were W. M., C. F. Kimball ; S. W., G. W. Cowan; J. W., L. G. Armstrong. The list of Masters from that time to the present contains the names of Cowan, Armstrong, Limbocher, Rice, Hubbell, Adams and Willoughby. The membership at present is sixty-two, with the following list of officers : W. M., S. R. Willoughby ; S. W., W. E. De Lap; J. W., J. D. Wilson ; Treas., M. A. Sawyer; Sec., T. N. Hubbell ; S. D., F. C. Muffley ; J. D., H. W. Favor; Tiler, A. Alden.

Royal Arch Masons .- Boscobel Chapter, No. 52, was instituted March 3, 1877, and the first regular meeting held March 13. The charter members were S. J. Brooks, F. B. Burdick, Charles McWilliams, D. C. Perigo, W. E. Gates, A. J. McCarn, S. C. McDonald, V. Millet and G. W. Nuzam. The first officers elected were H. P., S. J. Brooks ; K., T. B. Burdick ; S., C. McWilliams The present membership of the chapter is thirty-six, meetings being held the second and fourth Fridays of each month in the Masonic Hall. The officers are H. P., M. A. Sawyer; K., D. C. Perigo; S., G. W. Parker.

Knights Templar, Commandery No. 15 .- The dispensation for this order was granted February 7, 1880, to S. J. Brooks, L. F. S. Viele, Thomas Mc Williams, L. G. Armstong, M. A. Sawyer, S. R. Willoughby, J. C. Richardson, William Mc Williams, M. B. Pittman, S. C. McDonald, N. L. James, O. P. Underwood, H. E. Lindsay and J. Pugh. The Commandery was instituted by John W. Woodhull, Grand Commander, assisted by the Grand Commandery of Wisconsin, November 10, 1880, under charter dated October 21, 1880. The first list of officers was as follows ; T. J. Brooks, E. C .; L. F. S. Viele. Gen .; Thomas McWilliams, C. G .; William McWilliams, Prelate; M. A. Sawyer, S. W .; S. R. Willoughby, J. W .; C. Mc- Williams, Rec .; W. E. De Lap, Treas .; J. C. Richardson, Std. B .; L. G. Armstrong, Sd. B .; M. B. Pittman, Warder ; J. H. Clark, Jr., Sent .; Guards, Ed Meyer, G. W. Parker, O. P. Underwood The same list of officers obtained under the dispensation. The Commandery then numbering twenty members attended the Grand Triennial Conclave held at Chicago in August, 1880. This is the only Commandery with the confines of the county, and, in fact, with the ex- ception of the Commandery established at Mineral Point, the only one within the south western portion of the State. The limits of the territory over which the Commandery wields authority in its particular sphere is defined by a mean line between Boscobel and La Crosse, Madison and Mineral Point on the north, east and south, while on the west it is bounded by the Mississippi River. The present membership is thirty five. Regular meetings being held on the first and third Fridays of each month at the Masonic Hall.

Council .- Boscobel Council, No. 51, was organized February 24, 1881. It has a present membership of thirty, with the following officers : M. A. Sawyer, T. J. M .; D. C. Perigo, D. M .; George W. Parker, P. C. W.

The number of thirty-second degree members is six, as follows: T. J. Brooks, Thomas Mc Williams, L. F. S. Viele, C. S. Williams, M. B. Pittman, William McWilliams. To this list many other names are shortly to be added.

I. O. O. F.

Beautiful Grove Lodge, No. 122 .- This lodge was instituted February 26, 1867, as the result of the direct efforts of H. W. Favor and George P. Smith. Grand Master C. C. Cheney, of Janesville, assisted by members from the Mississippi Valley Lodge, No. 86, of Lancaster, assisted at the christening ceremonies of this new addition to the great family of Odd Fellow- ship. The charter members were as follows: William Northey, Philip Kelts, James Kelts, John Pepper and George P. Smith. H. W. Favor was debarred the pleasure of being enrolled as one of the charter members, owing to non-arrival of his card from the New Hampshire Lodge to which he had formerly belonged. The first officers elected were N. G., Philip Kelts; V. G., G. P. Smith ; R. S., Jacob Mclaughlin; Treasurer, John Pepper; W., H. W. Favor; Con- ductor, G. C. Hazelton; I. G., R. E. Kimball.

Beautiful Grove Lodge grew and flourished apace, and in time became the fountain-head of many lodges instituted in different parts of the county. Lincoln Lodge, No. 176, of Mount

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HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY.

Hope ; Bloomington Lodge, No. 159, of Bloomington ; Harmonia Lodge, of Boscobel, now merged again into the parent lodge, and Richwood Lodge, of Richwood, were each and all insti- tuted by members of Beautiful Grove Lodge, bearing cards from the same.

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History of Grant County, Wisconsin, preceded by a history of Wisconsin, Part 119

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?] Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: [Chicago : Western Historical Co.?]
Number of Pages: 1050