History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 100

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).

James Nelson Patterson became a resident of the town in 1846, in October of which year he pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 22. The first town meeting was held in his log cabin. He remained a resident of the town until April, 1881, then removed to Evansville and retired from active life. Mr. Patterson was born in the State of New York, removed with his parents to Ohio, then united in mar- riage with Harriet VanDusen, thence came to Wisconsin, making the journey with a team, and became a resident of Green county.

Emerson Patterson, a young man and brother J. N. Patterson, also came in 1846. He, how- ever, remained but a short time, then went into the pineries. He died at Necedah in 1868.

Jeremiah Anderson in 1846 settled on section 23, and was there engaged in farming for many years. He afterwards resided in the village of Brooklyn, where he died. Ile had a son- Amos, who went to California.

Ezra Doolittle is one of the pioneers of 1846. He was born in Washington Co, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1817. His parents, Leonard and Anna Maria (Atwater) Doolittle, were natives of Connecticut. In 1824 the family moved to Mercer Co., Penn., where Ezra grew to man- hood, and united in marriage Dee. 17, 1840, with Jane Potter. He followed farming and lumbering. His wife died Dec. 20, 1843, leav- ing one daughter, Margaret Jane, born Oct. 31, 1843, who is now the wife of D. H. Glidden, living in the town of Brooklyn. In June, 1846, he came to Wisconsin. His brother Leon- ard, who came here before Ezra, settled on see- tion 10, where he lived until 1854, then moved to Lake Co., Ill., where he now lives, engaged in farming. Here Ezra took an invoice of his worldly goods and found that his capital amounted to $23.60. He went immediately to work at whatever he found to do. In 1847 he made a claim on section 10, now in the town of Brooklyn, and hired some breaking done, and a few acres of wheat put in. In the fall of the year he returned to Pennsylvania, where he had a small sum of money due him, but he was unable to collect it and was obliged to remain there all winter. On his return to Wisconsin he found his claim entered, but he bought the claim, paying 25 per cent. interest for three years for the money. Here Mr. Doolittle set- tled and followed farming for several years. March 16, 1854, he was married to Caroline M. Mack. In November, 1859, he moved to his present home, located on section 9. His wife died April 6, 1862, leaving one daughter, Ida. Jan. 6, 1868, he was married to Sarah A. Jones. He now owns 200 acres, and his improvements are among the best in town. He is engaged in general farming. In politics Mr. Doolittle was formerly a democrat, but since 1860 has voted with the republican party, and has held local office. Mr. Doolittle's present wife was Mrs. Sarah Jones, previously Sarah A. Roberts, and formerly Sarah A. Melvin. She was a native of Maine, and came to Wisconsin in 1856. She

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

was first married in Ohio, then moved to Rock county, where her husband died. She then re- turned to Ohio and was again married and re- moved to Illinois, where her second husband died. She then moved to Sheboygan Co., Wis., thence to this county, where she was married to her present husband. William E. Doolittle also came here from Pennsylvania, about 1852, and settled in the town of Brooklyn and engaged in farming, where he lived fourteen years, then moved to Jones Co., Iowa, where he now re- sides on a farm. The two daughters of Mr. Doolittle-Margaret Jane, was born Oct. 31, 1843; and Ida was born Dec. 16, 1859, and is now living at home. Samuel Doolittle came to the county in the spring of 1848, remained a few years, then went to Janesville and learned the painters trade. He was mar- ried to Frances Arnold. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 12th Wiscon- sin Battery and was killed at Allatoona, Ga. His only daughter is now the wife of Herbert Gray. Alfred Doolittle came to the county and re- mained about two years, then went to Min- nesota.

Jonathan Smith was born in Ohio, March 7, 1820, and came with his parents, Stephen and Philura (Love) Smith, to Wisconsin, in July, 1843. He resided with them in Walworth county until December, 1846, then came to Green county and entered land on section 11, of the town of Brooklyn, where he has since resided with the exception of eighteen months spent in Iowa. He owns eighty acres of land. He was married in January, 1878, to Mrs. Mary A. (Thompson) Anderson. They have one son- Forest A. Mrs. Smith has one daughter by her former marriage.

George Lozer came in 1846, and resided on section 18 for about twenty years, then left the State. One of his danghters is now the wife of James Root.

Rev. John Sawin and three sons-Alvin, Ethan and Lorenzo-settled on the southwest quarter of section 12, in the spring of 1846. He

was born in Willington, Tolland Co, Conn., and at the age of eleven years removed with his parents to Washington Co., N. Y., and after- wards to Herkimer county in the same State. His early life was spent on a farm. He received a good common school education, and spent a part of his time in teaching. He was united in marriage to Orrel Tennant, June 25, 1813, in Ilerkimer Co., N. Y. She was born in Spring- field, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 28, 1793. He was ordained a Baptist minister in the town of Exeter, Otsego Co., N. Y. In 1828 he moved to Springfield, N. Y., where he resided four years, devoting his time to the ministry. In 1832 he went to Ripley, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., wherehe also labored as a minister of the gospel. On Feb. 19, 1846, he started with a team and three of his children, and emigrated to Wiscon- sin, then a Territory, and arrived in Walworth county. He returned to New York by steamer, starting from Racine, Wis., and reached home May 7. June 10, of the same year, he bid fare- well to his relatives and friends, and with the remainder of his family, started from Erie, Penn., up the lakes, reaching Racine, Wis., June 14. From there he went to Walworth county, where he remained until the following September, when he located at Brooklyn, Green county. Hauling lumber from Racine, he built a shanty 18x30 feet in size, on section 12, town- ship 4, range 9 east, and moved his family there. He was the first Baptist minister in the Terri- tory. Ilere he labored until the weakness of old age suspended his work as a minister. His death occurred in 1866. His wife died in 1873. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are now (1884) living- Aurilla, Ann Eliza, Alvin J., Clarissa, Ethan P., Lucinda, Lorenzo D., Mary Jane, Marinda, Eleanor M. and Julia.

Alvin J., son of John Sawin, was born in Che- mango Co., N. Y., in 1819. He came to Wis- consin in 1844, and settled on Spring Prairie, Walworth county. In 1846 he came to Green county in company with his father. The old

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

homestead is owned by Aurilla, Alvin J., and Marinda, who have retired from the farm, and are residing in Evansville, Rock Co., Wis.

Amos D. Kirkpatrick came from Ohio and took up his abode in this town in 1846. He settled on section 18, and was the first to im- prove what is now known as the Dalrymple farm. Mr. Kirkpatrick at once became promi- nent among the pioneers, and at the first town meeting he served as one of the judges of elec- tion, and was elected chairman of the board of supervisors. In the fall of 1854 he was elected to the legislature and thus served his district in the assembly the following year. In 1864 he sold his farm and removed to Missouri.

William Kirkpatrick came with his brother Amos and settled on section 7, where he was engaged in farming until his death.

Ralph Ray came in 1846 and resided on sec- tion 20, for about twenty years. He then re- moved to Dayton and afterwards to Iowa.

Abram Stopp, a wagon maker by trade, located on section 18, in 1846. He died in about 1856, and his widow subsequently went to California.

Edward Klace settled on section 18, in 1846, and resided there until after the war.

Charles Snow came in 1847, and settled on section 17, where he resided until his death in 1856. His wife, formerly Ellen Paylor, still re- sides on the place, and is now married to Ste- phen Lewis.

Robert Tomson, familiarly known as "Scotch Tomson," came to the United States in 1842, and in 1848 became a resident of Green county, settling on section 34, Brooklyn. He was a poor man and experienced many hardships of pioneer life. He resided in this town for about twenty-five years, then removed to Albany.

Edward N. Kerby, a native of England, who possessed considerable of this world's goods, became a resident of the town in 1848. . He purchased considerable land and was afterwards engaged in a general mercantile business at Attica.

John Henderson settled on section 20, in 1848. He was a carpenter by trade. In the fall of 1849 his house was destroyed by fire, after which he left the county and when last heard from was a soldier in the Civil War.

William Carter came from New York and resided on section 18, until his death in about 1860. He had a large family of children, all of whom have left the county.

George Henderson and family were among the pioneers who came in 1848.

Monroe Carpenter, an early pioneer, resided on section 17. He died in November, 1848.

The following named persons voted at the election in the town of Brooklyn, in 1850, and again cast their ballots at the election in this town twenty-five years later: Davis Fenton, Jonathan Smith, C. D. W Leonard, Franklin Patterson, J. N. Patterson, Alonzo Purintun, David Heathman, John Pace, D. N. Shaw, Ezra Doolittle, C. A. Montgomery, O. P. Stowell, Otis Tompson, J. F. Eggleston, Joel Smith, J. W. Hazeltine, Jeremiah Anderson, W. R. Smith, Jr., Charles W. Gray, William Kirkpatrick, Powell Shell, W: W. Mclaughlin and Sylvester Gray.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first child born within the territory, which now comprises the town of Brooklyn, was Delila Victoria Gilbert, the date of her birth being Jan. 1, 1846. The first marriage ceremony was performed by Jacob Linza, Esq., at the residence of W. R. Smith, Sr. This was in February, 1846, the contracting parties being D. R. Corsaw and Caroline Smith.

The first religious services were held at the house of W W. Mclaughlin. There was a Methodist Episcopal class organized at this place in the spring of 1843, and Mr. MeLaugh- lin was the first class leader.

The first death was that of Henry Montgom- ery, which occurred in 1846. His remains were first buried on section 13, but afterwards removed to their final resting place in the Brooklyn cemetery. Mr. Montgomery had

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

settled on section 13, in 1845. He was a native of Vermont, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

ORGANIC.

In 1849, a meeting was held at the house of Robert Godfrey, for the purpose of selecting delegates to send to Monroe, and have congres- sional township 4 north, range 9 east, of the fourth principal meridian, organized as a civil town- ship. The delegates were: J. W. Patterson, W. B. Patterson and Addison Barton. They chose the name " York." But when they ar- rived at Monroe, they found a delegation from the northwest part of the county had already presented the name of "York," and thus the gentlemen who were a little late, contented themselves with the name of "Brooklyn."

The first town meeting was held at the house of James Nelson Patterson, on the 7th of April, 1849. Amos D. Kirkpatrick, Wilson I. Day and Daniel A. Dustin, served as judges, and G. G. Godfrey and J. W. Hazeltine as clerks of this meeting. The following named were elected as the first officers : Supervisors, Amos D. Kirkpatrick, chairman, D. A. Barton and Sylvester Gray; town clerk, O. P. Stowell ; treasurer, Martin Flood ; assessor, W. W. McLaughlin ; superintendent of schools, G. G. Godfrey ; justices of the peace, Leroy Hudson and William Kirkpatrick ; constables, Leonard Doolittle, Allen Whipple and Joseph Atwood.

roster of officers from 1849 to 1884, as copied from the record : Chairman, Amos D. Kirkpat- rick ; Chester Witter, H. M. Allen, Martin Flood, W. W. McLaughlin, Levi Crawford, J. A. Sawin, D. N. Shaw, H. R. Allen, C. D. W. Leonard, James Root, F. R. Melvin, John Dalrymple, E. J. Andrew, Stephen Swan. Town clerks : O. P. Stowell, Edmund Hill, W. B. Patterson, II. M. Allen, James McCoy, Tracy Montgomery, E. J. Andrew, Edward Netherwood, J. W. Hazeltine, M. F. Ross, B. S. Axtel and Henry Smith. Assessors: W. W. McLaughlin, Andrew Bennett, Thomas Kelley, William Kirkpatrick, Zelo Benningham, H. B. Capwell, Jacob Deremer, D. N. Shaw, C. D. W. Leonard, Harvey Church, James Root, W. W. Young, L. D. Dalrymple and O. F. Walliham. Treasurers: Martin Flood, D.N.Shaw, C.S. Gray, F. B. Patterson, A. Z. Bennett, A. Leonard, F. R. Melvin, C. A. Montgomery, Henry B. Lay, S. Andrews, D. O. Lockwood, C. M. Fuller, Hi- ram Patterson, Frank Pratt, A. G. Ellis and John Bell.

BROOKLYN CEMETERY.

For several years after the first settlement was made, there was no regular cemetery and thus the remains of those who died were buried in various places. Every time the people were summoned to bury one of their number they regretted that they had not a regular burying ground. This continued until March 26, 1853, on which day, W. W. Mclaughlin, H. M. Allen, George Fletcher, W. B. Patterson, Thomas King, Andrew Bennett, Daniel Northrum, Stephen Smith, E. Collier, Otis Tompson, Jeremiah Anderson and J. N. Patterson met at the school house in district No. 10, and formed the "Brooklyn Cemetery Association" for the purpose of procuring and holding land to be used exclusively for a cemetery. H. M. Allen was chosen as chairman and W. B. Patterson, as secretary of the meeting. W. B. Patterson W. W. MeLanghlin, Thomas King and Stephen Smith were chosen as a committee to select and

J. W. Hazeltine carried the election returns to Monroe, the county seat. The county board of supervisors in equalizing the assessment of the several townships, fixed the valuation of all the real and personal property in the town of Brooklyn at $34,415. The amount of State tax to be raised was four mills on the dollar. The amount of school tax was two and one half (23) mills on the dollar, and the amount of county was six mills on the dollar. The following amounts were charged the town treasurer: Town tax $250, State tax $137.66, school tax $86.04 and county tax $206.89, the total amount of tax 8680.19. The following is the | purchase a suitable ground. They chose three

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

acres located on the southeast corner of section 15, and the same has since formed the Brook- lyn cemetery. The first burial took place in 1853, a daughter, Amelia, of Thomas Campbell, of Exeter. The first trustees of the association were: Stephen Smith, H. M. Allen and W. W. Mclaughlin. The annual meetings are held on the first Saturday in March.

EDUCATIONAL.

The pioneers in the territory which now com- prises Brooklyn were an intelligent and wide- awake class of citizens, who realized the neces- sity of education. Thus, as soon as a few fam- ilies had settled in a neighborhood a school house was built and a teacher employed to give instruction to the young. The teacher's wages was usually paid by subscription, or by a tax levied upon the patrons of the school in pro- portion to the number of days their children had attended.

The first school house was erected in the spring of 1846. It was located on section 3, and Lavina Godfrey was the first teacher.

The second school house was built in the fall of 1846. It was located on what is now dis- trict No. 11. To build this house each citizen in the neighborhood furnished three logs and willing hands soon had the building complete. The first teacher at this place was Mrs. Caro- line Corsaw. There was also a school house erected on section 13, in 1846.

In 1884 there were ten school districts in the town, and educational facilities here are equal to those of any town in the county.

In 1849 the town of Brooklyn was organized into school districts, and the people in district No. 10 erected a stone school house on the southwest corner of section 14. The first teach- er in this building was Kate Kilroy.

The people in the northern part of the town of Albany and those living in the southern part of the town of Brooklyn organized a joint dis- trict for school purposes in 1850, and the first school was taught in a claim shanty located on section 32, Brooklyn, Mary Barnes being the

first teacher. The money necessary to defray the expenses of the school was raised by a per capita tax which was collected by Alonzo Pur- intun.

VILLAGE OF ATTICA.

In 1845 a traveler passing through the vicin- ity of Attica-then called Winneshiek-would have found a saw and grist mill, owned and operated by Newell Dustin; Elijah Thompson, a son-in-law of Dustin, assisting about the mill; Ben Cross] working at the cooper's trade; Chester Whitler engaged in farming; Lorenzo Barnes doing the blacksmith work, and a man by the name of Doane assisting Mr. Cross.

The village was first called Winneshiek, then Milford, but soon changed back to Winneshiek. When the postoffice was established it was called Attica, as there was, at that time, one postoffice in the State named Winneshiek. The name, Attica, was suggested by Jeptha Davis, formerly from Attica, N. Y. The vil- lage did not grow very rapidly, although for several years it received the trade from quite a large scope of country. In 1884 we find a good flouring mill owned and operated by Joseph Bartlett; one general store kept by S. A. Scott; a wagon shop by Joshua Clark; a blacksmith shop by Benjamin Cleveland; a hotel by Oscar Persons; a school house, one Church society and a postoffice.

S. A. Scott, son of Amos Scott, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., on the 16th day of Sep- tember, 1827. He was reared upon a farm, and remained in his native State until 1852. He then went to Ohio where he was married to Martha Archer. In 1856 he came to Green county, and followed farming in the town of Exeter until 1879. In that year he engaged in general merchandising at Attica. Mr. Scott was formerly a democrat in his political prefer- ences but is now a liberal. He has held the office of assessor, and in 1884, was postmaster at Attica. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have four chil- dren-Benjamin, Orrin, Emmett and Adelbert.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Joshua Clark settled at Attica on the 12th day of May, 1857, and has since given his atten- tion exclusively to his trade, wagon making, and is therefore one of the oldest wagon makers in the county. He was born in Washington Co., Vt., and in 1833 made a claim on land now oc- cupied by the city of Janesville, and in the same year helped erect the first log cabin at that place.

In 1846 Jeptha Davis purchased of Newel Dustin an interest in the water power. A new dam was built, and in the fall of that year Mr. Davis built a wool carding mill, and also oper- ated a dye house. He expected to afterwards build a large woolen mill, but as his sons did not like the business and he was getting old, he gave up the project. The carding mill was afterwards owned by James Crompton, and was operated for thirty years.

Jeptha Davis, a pioneer of the town of Brooklyn, was born in Massachusetts, in 1795. He remained in his native State until twenty- three years of age, then went to Wyoming Co., N. Y., and was married in Varysburg, in 1820, to Harriet Conger, a native of Paris, Oneida Co., N. Y. Ile built a woolen mill in Varysburg, also owned a saw mill. He engaged in operating the former about twenty-five years. In 1846 he came to Green county and settled in Brooklyn, where he entered about 400 acres of land, and engaged in farming. He built the first frame house in Attica, also erected a woolen mill in which he carried on carding and cloth dressing. He continued in business here until 1858, when he sold out and retired from active business. He resided in Attica until the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. He was prominently identified with the business interests of the town of Brooklyn for a number of years, and was a highly respected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had eight children, five of whom are now living-Corintha, now Mrs. Hill, and living in Lincoln, Ill .; Truman P., living in Allens Grove, Walworth county; Romanzo E., of Middleton, Dane county; Amanda, now

Mrs. Best, of Washington, D. C., and Sarah, wife of S. S. Hills, of Albany. Alvira, wife of Everett Dodge, an early settler of Brooklyn; Louisa, wife of Alpheus Laird, of Attica, and Electa, wife of Henry L. Hyde, of Middleton, are deceased. Mrs. Davis is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-two, and resides, the greater part of the time, with her son Romanzo E., at Middleton, Dane county.

At the point where Attica is located on sec- tion 31, Sugar river furnishes a good mill privi- lege, a six foot head of water. This power was first utilized in 1845, in which year a man named Lytchifield, generally known as "the Wild Yankee," built a dam across the stream and erected a saw and grist mill. He operated the mill but a short time, then sold to Newell Dustin. In 1846 he sold to Lucius and Wilson Day, and Chester Whitter, who added a whisky still, established a store and carried on a large and paying business. In about 1850, Wilson Day went to California, and one year later was followed by Chester Whitter, thus leaving Lucius Day sole proprietor. He afterward sold the property to Mr. Mckinney. In 1854 Wel- ton & Bartlett purchased the property, rebuilt the mill in 1855, and operated it until 1866, since which time Joseph Bartlett has been sole proprietor. The mill is 30x50 feet in size, has two run of stone and is operated as a custom mill.

Joseph Bartlett, proprietor of the Attica Mills, is a native of Wiltshire, England, where he was born on the 1st day of August, 1825. He learned the miller's trade in his native country. In 1849 he emigrated to the United States and first stopped in the State of New York. He also spent one winter in Canada, then came to Wisconsin and stopped a few months at Janes- ville; and in 1851 chose Green county as his future home. He first worked at Albany, but in 1854, in partnership with Mr. Welton, he pur- chased his present mill property. Mr. Bartlett is a good financier and has accumulated con- siderable of this world's goods. The children

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

are-Henrietta, Elizabeth, Chauncy, Charlotte, Sarah, Lillie, Myrtie and Gertrude.

The postoffice of Attica was established at an early day and E. N. Kerby was the first post- master. He was in turn succeeded by J. E. Hunter, Nelson Evans, Joshua Clark, David C. Heathman, C. D. W. Leonard and S. A. Scott. Mail is received daily by stage, Attica being on the route between Albany and Belleville.

An M. E. class was organized at this place at a very early day in the history of the county, and meetings were held quite regularly for many years. The present class was organized in 1874, and in that year the people built the present church edifice. It is a stone building and cost $2,250. The house of worship is to be free to all denominations, but the Methodist Episcopal are to have the preference. The so- ciety now has a membership of about thirty- five and the pulpit is supplied from Albany, the same pastor officiating at both places.

VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN.

No sooner was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad completed, than H. B. Capwell platted a village on the northeast corner of the town. The railroad company proposed to call the sta- tion Capwell, but as Mr. Capwell objected to the use of his name that of Brooklyn was chosen.

H. B. Capwell, the founder of the village of Brooklyn, became a resident of the State of Wisconsin in Octobor, 1854; the following win- ter he taught school at Union, Rock county, and in the spring purchased the land now occu- pied by the village of Brooklyn, this county. The land was covered with timber, but he soon cleared a portion and engaged in farming. In 1864 the Chicago & North western Railroad was completed through this section of country, and the company, upon the request of Mr. Capweil and others, established a depot in Green county. They proposed to call the station "Capwell," but as Mr. Capwell objected they gave it the name of "Brooklyn." He was the first station agent and resided here until 1868, then sold out

and went to Fayette Co., Iowa, where he died in 1881. Mr. Capwell was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y. He was married to Elizabeth Lock- wood, daughter of Horace and Maria Lockwood. He was a republican in politics, and served one term as sheriff of Green county and one term in the same position in Fayette Co., Iowa. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the M. E. Church.

The first building erected was a warehouse built by H. B. Capwell, D. O. Lockwood hew- ing the first stick of timber for the same.

The second building was erected by B. S. Axtell and was occupied by him for store pur- poses.

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History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168