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 111

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 111

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Before the interests of the proprietors were divided, a lot was donated to John P. Dixon conditioned upon his erecting a store building. He at once erected a double frame building, two stories high, about 40x60 feet in size. It stood on block 88. This was the first building of any size erected on the site. In this build- ing the first business in the village was estab- lished, by Sherman, Clinton & Co. They moved their stock of general merchandise into the south room of the Dixon building, in the spring of 1856. Shortly afterward Edson C. Clinton established a hardware store in the north room of Dixon's building. The old building, a few years ago, was replaced by a neat brick building.

In 1857 James Sherman bought out the inter- est of Mr. Clinton, in the firm of Sherman, Clinton & Co., and the firm became J. T. Sher- man & Co. They continued for about two years, when they were bought out by Edson C. Clinton, who, as stated, was running a hardware store in the other part of the building. He ran both stores for a number of years.

During the summer of 1856, Dr. M. L. Burn- ham came from the east and put up a building on Centre street, about a block north, on the opposite side of the street from the Dixon build- ing. It was a two story building, the upper story being occupied as a dwelling. In the

lower story, Dr. Burnham opened a drug store. A few years later, he erected a store building on the east side of Centre street, and moved his stock of drugs into it. Joshua Nanscawn suc- ceeded Dr. Burnham in the drug business, and after continuing for several years, moved his stock of goods to Fort Howard, Wis. C. J. Sherman now runs a hardware store in the old Burnham building.

During the fall of 1856, a furniture store was started by Joseph Merrill.

L. Fisher, a brother-in-law of Mr. Merrill, came this year and is still a resident of Brod- head .:

In the fall of 1856, E. D. Clinton, Ransom Taft and Jacob Ten Eycke, erected a hotel on Thomas street. It was a good sized frame build- ing, being 30x60 feet in size, with an "L" to the rear, 24x50 feet in size. It was two stories high with basement, and cost about $3,500, including the erection of the barn. Ransom Taft opened the building as a hotel, and ran it for three or four years, when the other owners took it, Mr. Clinton, at this time, having a two-thirds inter- est. They sold to James Campbell, then presi- dent of the Sugar River Valley Railroad Com- pany, and he moved the building to Cresco, lowa. This was known as the Clinton House, and the building, when taken down for removal, was so carefully handled and marked, that when it was again put up in Iowa, the name, which had been painted on the side, read the same, without a letter or shade being out of place.

Late in 1856 I. W. Thayer commenced the erection of a hotel on the south side of the railroad track. The building was finished in 1857, and was opened to the public for hotel purposes by Mr. Thayer. He sold to W. B. Manley, who in turn sold to J. B. Searles. Mr. Searles owned the building until it was burned to the ground.

Ransom Taft, during the season of 1856, erected a dwelling, which stood where Deacon Clinton's residence is now located. James Sher- man bought the building, and it was moved to

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Clinton street, where it still stands. It is now occupied by Mr. Atkinson.

During the same season, (1856), dwellings were erected by Edson C. and Henry P. Clin- ton. The former put up a dwelling on Clinton street, in which his widow still lives. Henry erected a building on the same street, about two blocks farther north. He lived and died in that dwelling. It is now occupied by H. P. Clark.

In 1856 Mr. Wade erected the Farmer's Hotel. He sold to James G. Patton. It is now owned by J. V. Patrick, and is still used for hotel purposes.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

Thus the growth of the village progressed. Times grew better as the financial panic of 1857 was passed. Then came the outbreak of the Re- bellion with its attendant demand for men and money. But through all this, Brodhead had a steady and permanent growth, until to-day it has become one of the best points for trade in south- ern Wisconsin. As trade increased and the business of the village began to assume city proportions, the general merchandise business- which, in early days, is one of the features of every village-began to separate, and instead of the stores handling a little of everything they took one line exclusively.

As has been stated, the first stock of general merchandise in Brodhead was owned by Sher- man, Clinton & Co., who established business in 1856.

Martin Mitchell, a Decatur merchant, was the second. Ile removed his goods to this place in 1858, and continued in trade until his death. The firm of Wheaton & Mitchell, successors to Martin Mitchell, were in business until the death of Mr. Wheaton.

The third merchant to carry a general stock was Myron Halstead. He built a store building on the south side of the railroad track in 1857, and in the spring of 1858 removed his stock of goods from the old town of Clarence where he had been in trade, and located at Brodhead. He

afterwards took in a partner, and the firm be- came Halstead & Smith. This firm had a good trade for several years.

B. R. Clawson and B. F. Roderick established business in 1862. In 1865 Mr. Roderick pur- chased his partner's interest and continued alone until February, 1867, when W. W. Rod- erick and Sylvester Stewart purchased a half in- terest in the business and the firm became B. F. Roderick and Co. In about 1870 B. F. Rod- erick withdrew and the firm name changed to Stewart & Roderick. About three years later Sylvester Stewart became sole proprietor and in December, 1877, removed the stock of goods to Zumbrota, Minn.

In 1884 the dealers in general merchandise at Brodhead were: W. W. Roderick, Aurand & Terry, Gould & Iverson, J. G. Orr, and the Brodhead Mercantile Association.

W. W. Roderick, general merchant, began business in Brodhead as a clerk, in 1865, for B. F. Roderick, now of Sioux Falls, Dak. In 1867 he engaged as a partner in the business, the firm name becoming B. F. Roderick & Co. This firm existed about three years, when B. F. retiring, the firm became Stewart & Rod- erick. Four years later Mr. Roderick retired from the business, and in January, 1878, estab- lished his present business. He keeps a com- plete general stock, including dry goods, cloth- ing, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Roderick was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1844. His father, Jacob Roderick, Sr., came to this county with his family, in 1861, and settled in the town of Jefferson. Mr. Roderick was a soldier in the War for the Union, enlisting in January, 1864, in company D, 36th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served till the end of the Rebel- lion. He joined Gen. Grant's army at Spottsyl- vania, which was the first battle in which he was engaged. He participated in the siege of Petersburg, where he was slightly wounded. He also witnessed the finishing stroke of the Rebellion, the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House. His father now lives in Nebraska.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

The family of children consists of five, four sons and one daughter-Mrs. Mary A. Blythe, in Nebraska; B. F., at Sioux Falls, Dak .; John M., in Nebraska; W. W. and G B., the latter in Minnesota. Mr. Roderick married Anna Ly- man, born in Walworth Co., Wis. They have two children-Maud and an infant son.

The first to embark in the drug trade at Brod- head was Dr. N. L. Burnham. In 1857 he erected a store and dwelling, and established business. The building which he erected is now occupied as a dwelling by B. R. Clawson. Dr. Burnham soon associated Mr. Bliss as part- ner, built a new store building and carried a. stock of groceries in connection with the drugs. Within a few years Burnham & Bliss dissolved partnership, Bliss taking the groceries and Burnham the drugs. 'The latter was succeeded in business by J. Nanscawn & Son, who re- moved the stock to Fort Howard, Wis.

The second drug business was established by. Taylor & Nanscawn. The latter named gentle- man sold his interest to Mr. Mitchell, and the firm became Taylor & Mitchell. About fifteen months later D. W. H. Taylor became sole pro- prietor. Mr. Taylor had his brother associated with him a short time, but his interest was soon purchased by E. J. Hutchinson, and the firm of Taylor & Hutchinson continued until D. W. H. Taylor again became sole proprietor. He closed out the stock.

The third druggists were Morris & Persons. They estatblished business and continued about six months, when Persons withdrew and R. Morris continued alone for a short time, when he was succeeded by Clark & Walling. This firm, in 1872, changed to Clark, Towne & Co. Two years later the firm became Clark & Towne, and so continued until February, 1884, since which it has been L. E. Towne & Son.

Broughton Bros. & Co., established business in 1869. In 1870 the firm became Broughton Bros., and has so continued to the present time.

Kuns Bros. opened a drug store in 1880. This firm was succeeded by Stair Bros., who are still in business.

E M. Lyons entered into trade in May, 1883. E. C. Clinton, the pioneer hardware dealer, came from Waukesha and established business here in 1856. Ile sold in 1857 to Taft & Clinton, who closed ont in 1860.

Taylor & Eyer opened a store on the south side of the railroad in 1858. They afterwards removed to the north side, and in about 1860 closed business.

Leonard Lakin came from Janesville and es- tablished business here in 1859. He continued several years, then sold the tin and stove de- partment to Spaulding & Brown, and the hard- ware to M. Morse. The latter gentleman after- wards also bought ont Spaulding & Brown, and continned in trade until 1871, when he was suc- ceeded by Bloom & Roach. Mr. Roach after- wards withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Bloom removed the stock to Monroe.

George T. Spaulding established business in 1872. He was succeeded in 1883 by G. A. Met- calf & Co., and this firm in the spring of 1884 by Sherman & Moore, who are still in trade.

J. M. Lauby established his present business in 1880.

Mitchell & Durgon entered into trade in 1866. Mr. Mitchell soon sold his interest to G. R. Monell, and the firm became Monell & Durgon. In about 1870 G. R. Monell became sole pro- prietor, and two years later closed out the stock.

AGRICULTURAL IMIPLEMENTS.

The first to become an exclusive dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery was Mr. Eastman. Hle established business in 1870 and continued about two years. This line is now represented by J. B. Searles and George T Spaulding.

J. B. Searles has been a resident of Green county since 1859, and was here temporarily in 1856. He is a native of Camillus, Onondaga, Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1836. In 1846 his father, E. H. Searles, started westward

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

with his family, his objective point being the town of Sylvester, in Green county, where a brother, J. M. Searles, had already located. He shipped his goods to Chicago by steamboat, and with his family traveled with team and wagon. On reaching Michigan he was induced, by the glowing accounts of the country, to lo- cate in the Grand river country, in that State, where he remained till his death. His wife with the younger children of the family removed to Kansas, where she still resides. J. B. Searles was the eldest of the family of seven children. He left home when twenty-three years of age, and did not accompany his mother to Kansas, but came to this county, as before stated, in 1859. He has a brother, Robert D., living in the town of Sylvester. J. B. Searles located in Jefferson where he lived until he came to Brod- head. He has been very successful in business, and is the owner of two good farms in the town of Jefferson, also valuable real estate elsewhere in the county. He is engaged in selling farm machinery and does a large and profitable busi- ness. His wife was Charlotte A. Patrick, daughter of C. V. Patrick, of Brodhead. Mr. and Mrs. Searles have three children-Charles, Elijah H. and Frank.

George T. Spaulding, of Brodhead, was born in Proctorsville, Vt., in 1833; his father was Ira Spaulding. He was one of the early busi- ness men of Brodhead, having come here in 1856. He was for some time engaged as tinner in the hardware store of E. C. Clinton. He served his country during the War of the Rebellion, first enlisting in the 3d regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, as a member of the regi- mental band, July 2, 1861, serving in that capacity under Gen. Patterson, at Harper's Ferry during the first battle of Bull Run, then under Gen. Banks in the Luray and Shenan- doah Valleys, Va., taking part in his advances and in his retreat from Strasburg, Va., to Wil- liamsport, Penn., in 1862, soon after being mustered out of service by an act of Congress, discharging all regimental bands and only

allowing brigade bands, afterwards re-enlisted in the 1st brigade, third division, fifteenth army corps, as a member of the 1st brigade band. He participated in a number of impor- tant campaigns,including Atlanta and "Shermans march to the sea." After the war he was en- gaged in the hardware business, in the firm name of Spaulding & Brown, for two years. From 1870 to 1883, he conducted the hardware trade alone, being succeeded by the firm of Metcalf & Sherman. His principal business at this time is selling farm machinery, and he has an extensive trade; his sales for 1883 amounted to abont $25,000. He is an excellent business man and has accumulated a fine property. He still owns the store building in which he con- ducted the hardware business and other valua- ble property. He is the town treasurer for 1884, a position he has held for eight successive years. In 1860 Mr. Spaulding returned to Ver- mont and was married to Fidelia Shedd, a native of that State. They have two daughters -Lena and Carrie.

The first person to sell cabinet work in Brod- head was Joseph Merrill. He opened a shop in 1857, and continued for about two years. The first regular cabinet shop was opened by Samuel Bennett, late in 1857, and he manufac- tured the first work of this character here. He conducted the shop until 1866, when he was sur- ceeded by E. L. Ryan, who continued a number of years, then sold to R. M. Smith. He worked at the business for about one year, when it wa- discontinued. Bennett & Barnes opened a shop in 1872. One year later Mr. Bennett sold to F. B. Smith. This firm continued for a year or two, when Mr. Barnes sold to F. B. Smith and went to Dakota. Mr. Smith continued four or five years, when Barnes returned, and again the two became associated together. In 1881 Mr. Barnes purchased Mr. Smith's interest, and con- tinued in the business until 1883, when he was succeeded by Payne & Payne, who still conduct the business.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

E. W. Payne, of the firm of Payne & Payne, who represent the furniture business in Brod- head, was born at Monroe, in this county, in 1859, and is a son of Willard Payne, of that city. He learned the business of cabinet mak- ing in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he served an apprenticeship of three years. His wife was Nellie Campbell, also of Monroe. F. W. Payne, his cousin, and partner, was born in Monroe, and is a son of Calvin Payne, and his wife was Carrie Parks, of Monroe. Payne & Payne engaged in business in Brodhead, in April, 1883, succeeding Ira Barnes. These gentlemen are both young men, enterprising and thoroughly acquainted with their business. They keep a complete general stock of goods, and are establishing an excellent business.

SHOEMAKERS.

L. S. Fisher, the pioneer shoemaker, opened his shop in 1856, and still continues to do cns- tom work.

The second was Mr. Bowman. He remained about three years. Mr. Goodhue came and went, and Jacob Bush and Mr. Hintz have shops at present.

HOTELS.

The Young House was built in 1868 by John A. Young, and was first opened to the public in May, 1869, although not fully completed until August of said year. It is a brick structure, 52x62 feet in size, including kitchen, and is forty- five feet high-three stories. The building cost about $10,000, the site costing $2,500, and the furniture $4,000. The house has good fire escapes, and first-class accommodations to forty- five persons. A larger number, however, has frequently been entertained. It is the leading hotel in Green county.

John A. Young, owner and proprietor of the "Young House" at Brodhead, was born in the town of Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 5, 1832. He removed with his parents to the town of New Scotland, when a child. His father was a carpenter by trade, and in limited eir- cumstanees, and John began early to earn his

own living, thereby acquiring those habits of industry and frugality which have attended him through life, enabling him to secure a competence. At the age of fifteen he engaged in work upon a farm at $4 per month. At the end of the year his employer presented him with $2 in addition to his wages, making $50 for his services for a year. He was employed the next year by the same farmer, at $8 per month, commanding higher wages on account of scarcity of laborers, caused by the preva- lence of cholera that season. Though but a lad at this time, he was entrusted by the farmer with the carrying of products of the farm, dairy, etc., to the Albany market, receiving pay for the same, and returning frequently before daylight in the morning. He engaged for the third year with the same farmer, but owing to illness, was compelled to return to his father's, who, in the meantime, had removed to the town of Guilderland, in the same county. John re- mained in that town till after his marriage, which occurred June 18, 1852. The year fol- lowing his marriage he worked as a farm hand, for which he received a compensation of $150. He then leased a farm of 300 acres, which he conducted for two years, after which he worked a farm of his father's one year. In the spring of 1858, having sold what personal property he had accumulated, he came to Wisconsin for the purpose, of locating if pleased with the country. He brought his family to this State in the spring of 1859, living in the town of Lima, Rock county, in a log honse with flooring in only one half of the house till the autumn of that year, when he engaged in the occupa- tion of painting. He then rented a farm in Johnstown, near the village of Johnstown Centre, where they lived one and a half years. In the spring of 1861, he began keeping hotel at Johnstown Centre. This was Mr. Young's first experience in hotel keeping. Nov. 4, 1863, he came to Brodhead and bought an un- divided half of the 'Manley House,' of Wil- liam B. Manley, for which he paid $1,600. The

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

following winter he bought the remaining in- terest of Mr. Britton, for which he paid the same amount. These investments involved Mr. Young considerably in debt, but he soon estab- lished his success as a hotel man by removing his indebtedness, and has ever since continned to advance in the direction of success. Hle kept this hotel several years, and sold it about a year previous to beginning the erection of his pres- ent hotel. Mrs. Young was formerly Maria Groat, born in the town of Guilderland, Albany Co., N. Y., in 1833. Her father was noted for many years throughout New York and New England as the owner of superior race horses- known as Sorrel Pony and Black Maria. Mr. and Mrs. Young have four children-Alice, Manley, Mand and Florence, all of whom were born in Wisconsin. Mr. Young is a man of much natural ability, and aided by his estimable wife, has established a reputation as a hotel man second to none.

The Exchange House was built by L. S. Fisher, in 1867. It is a frame structure and cost about $3,500. It was enlarged in 1869. The house is still owned by Mr. Fisher, but is leased to Charles II. Lewis.

BANKS.

The first bank at Brodhead was established in August, 1869, under firm name of Bowen & Co. E. Bowen, president, and J. V. Richardson, cashier. The stockholders were: E. Bowen, J. V. Richardson, A. Ludlow, J. W. Stewart, Asa Richardson, Thomas Hendrie and S. C. Pierce. In 1871 this bank was chartered as the First National Bank of Brodhead, with a capital stock of $50,000. It continued as a National Bank until 1875, when the charter was given up and it again resumed the name of Bank of Brodhead, the firm being Bowen & Co. After the National Bank charter was given up several of the stockholders withdrew, and it was finally owned by E. Bowen and J. V. Richardson. In March, 1879, E. Bowen became sole proprietor, and conducted the business until August, 1881, when, on account of failing health, he sold out,

and it has since been in charge of C. N. Car- penter, president, and J. B. Searles, cashier. The stockholders first were: E. Bowen, J. B. Searles, David Dinwiddie, J. G. Orr, Ami Burnham, R Broughton and C. N. Carpenter. The present stockholders are: Ami Burnham, C. N. and A. V. H. Carpenter, J. B. Searles, R. Broughton and E. Bowen. The present offi- cers are: President, C. N. Carpenter; cashier, J. B. Searles; directors, J. B. Searles, Ami Burn- ham, A. V. H. Carpenter, R. Broughton and C. N. Carpenter.

POSTOFFICE.

The Brodhead postoffice was established in the fall of 1856 and John B. Sawyer was ap- pointed postmaster. Mr. Sawyer resided in the country, but was the most available democrat at that time. The office was kept at the store of Taft & Clinton, S. P. Taft, acting as deputy postmaster. Mr. Sawyer was succeeded in office by E. A. MeNair, who for a time kept the office on the south side of the railroad track. C. W. Clinton became successor to Mr. McNair, and he was sneceeded by H. P. Clinton, who re- tained the commission until his death, when his widow, Eleanor Clinton, was appointed post- mistress. Mrs. Clinton was succeeded in June, 1871, by Burr Sprague, and he, on Jan. 10, 1879, by B. W. Beebe, the present incumbent. It was made a money order office July 17, 1869. The first order was issued to Spaulding & Brown; amount $50. The first order paid was to Kimberley & Tyrrell; amount, $1.

B. W. Beebe, postmaster at Brodhead, has been a resident of the village since 1872, and has held his present office since Jan. 10, 1879. Mr. Beebe was born in Racine county, in this State, in 1843. When about three years old he removed with his parents to Dane county. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was clerking in a store at Janesville. He enlisted in company D, 2d regiment of Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, when less than eighteen years of age, and reached the seat of war in time to participate in the first battle of Bull Run. Dur-

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

809

ing McClellan's peninsula campaign he was stationed with his regiment at Fredericksburg. He took part in the battle of Gainsville, where his regiment lost its colonel and suffered a great loss of men, and also in the second battle of Bull Run. At the battle of South Mountain he was severely wounded by the fragment of a a shell that exploded within a few feet of him, killing and wounding fifteen men. His right thigh was badly injured, the main artery being severed, and it was only by the prompt atten- tion of his comrades, who removed him in- stantly to a surgeons' quarters near by, that his life was saved. Amputation would have been resorted to had it not been for the fact that the wound was so near his body that it was deemed impossible without producing a fatal result. He also by the same missile lost a part of his left hand. He remained in the hospital seven months. After about one year, when he had sufficiently recovered to enable him to get about again, he was employed in the provost marshal's office at Janesville for a year. In 1865 he ac- cepted an appointment in the paymaster-gener- al's office of the war department, at Washing- ton, where he remained two years. IIe then returned to Wisconsin and engaged in general merchandising at Oregon, Dane county. IJe was married Dec. 24, 1865, to Gertrude E. Tip- ple, daughter of David Tipple, an early settler of Dane county. They have two children-Cora E. and Grace. The former was born in Washı- ington, D. C., and the latter in Oregon, Wis.

BRODHEAD CITY MILL AND WATER POWER.

Nature did not supply a water power at this place, but through the energy of its citizens Brodhead can now boast of one of the best hy- draulic powers in the county. The history of this enterprise dates from 1860. At that time two brothers, Thomas and John Hendrie, owned and operated the old mill at Decatur, but as that once thriving village was fast passing away, the Hendrie Brothers became desirous of removing. The people of Brodhead were anxious to have a mill in their thriving business

place, and thus pursuaded the Hendrie Brothers to take hold of the enterprise. It was no small undertaking, for in order to get a water power at this place it was necessary to construct a race from the old mill dam at Decatur, a dis- tance of three and one-half miles. The Hen- drie Brothers were in limited circumstances, and as it required considerable capital to under- take this enterprise, and as it would be a great benefit to the village, the citizens of Brodhead and others interested agreed to give the sum of $8,000 as a bonus to carry on the work. This amount was raised by subscription. The fol- lowing named persons paying $100 or more:

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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 111

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