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 141

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 141

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The following named in succession have held the office of assessor since the organization of the town: Thomas Fenton, Ransom Drake, Henry Barkey, B. C. Baker, Samuel Johnson, Joel Wood, Henry Adams, A. H. Pierce, E. R. Gillett, Thomas Gravenor, Franklin Pierce, Jesse Gist, L. W. Wright, Cyrus Troy, J. F. Annis, Charles Morgan, L. F. Moore and John Stauffacher.

The following named have filled the office of town treasurer: D. Bragg, John Troy, William Foster, Pliny Colton, Joseph Moody, Edward Gillett, E. C. Fessenden, George W. Bridges, Joel Ward, W. C. Kessler, A. M. Barber, War- ren Jones, W. E. Noble, J. Bowen, Cyrus Troy,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

John Marty, R. Knight, L. P. Aldrich, E. F. Wright and John Legler.

VARIOUS MATTERS.

In June, 1844, Author Smith, a native of the State of New York, was killed by some un- known person. Mr. Smith had just sold his claim on section 17 for $200, but was to do some breaking on the place. This he was engaged at, and it seems that while in the act of sharpening the plow, he was approached from behind by some unknown person, who dealt him a fatal blow with a hatchet. His body was dragged some ten or fifteen rods, and left on some low ground, and the cattle with which he was plowing were left to wander about the field. Mr. Smith was a young man, and at the time was keeping "bach." He had been in the habit of calling at A. F. Steadman's, and as he did not call as usual, Mr. and Mrs. Steadman went to his house where there found things in disor- der. This aroused suspicion, and Mr. Stead- man immediately went to Exeter to enquire if he had been seen; he also went to his uncle's at Monroe, but as he had not been there, search was commenced by the citizens, which resulted in the finding of his body in a partly decayed state. An inquest was held at Exeter, but no clue to the murderer could be found. It ap- pears the murder was committed for money, as his trunk had been ransacked, but the money was afterward found wrapped up in some cloth. His body was buried on the Steadman place, but in 1882 was removed to the Monticello Cemetery.

In 1856 Charles Gilson committed suicide by cutting his throat while laboring under a fit of insanity. He had had an attack of fever and agne which had deranged his mind. He left no family.

The first death occurred in 1841, Samantha, daughter of A. F. and Patty Steadman. The remains were buried on the land owned by Mr. Steadman.

The first burial place was on the farm of A. F. Steadman, where six bodies wore interred,

One has since been removed, and five remain, but there is nothing to mark the spot. There were also a few bodies buried in the south west quarter of section 6. The first being a daugh- ter of David Smith.

VILLAGE OF MONTICELLO.

The land now occupied by this village was entered in 1843 by Robert Witter, who was acting as agent for his brother, Chester Witter. He immediately commenced making improve- ments, and the following winter completed the first saw mill at this place. In 1846 A. F. Stead- man purchased the property and platted the vil- lage. In 1847 Hugh McClintock purchased a a half interest; but in 1848 Mr. Turman became sole proprietor of the property. He, however, owned the same but a few months, when he sold to Jacob and Mathias Marty. These gentleman divided the property, Jacob taking that part lying on the north side of the river, and Mathias that on the south. The latter vacating his por- tion, Jacob Marty, in 1850, gave one lot to Peter Wilson on condition that he at onee erect a house, whereupon Mr. Wilson built a frame dwelling, 16x24 feet in size, one story in height. This was the first building in the village, and it now forms part of the Rural House.

The first store building was erected in 1851 by Sylvester Hills, who became the first merchant. He carried a general stock of goods, and con- tinned in trade two years, when he was snc- ceeded by George Campbell, who soon sold to Mathias Marty. He was succeeded by S. S. Hills & Co. in 1855. J. W. F. Randall after- ward owned a half interest for a short time. In 1857 George Gibson purchased the business and finally closed it ont.

The first hardware and tin shop was started by David and S. S. Hills and L. B. Conant, but was continued but a short time.

The Marty Bros., who were prominent among the pioneers of Monticello, were natives of Switzerland. They were well educated and good business men. Mathias was married to a daughter of Josiah Pierce, and is now a resi-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

dent of California, whither he went on account of his health. He is also a large property hold- er in Kansas City, Mo. Jacob Marty married a daughter of Sylvester Hills, and is now a resident of Paola, Kansas.

George Bowes was the first blacksmith, al- though his shop was not within the village limits, it being located on the south side of the river. George Rolland built a shop on the north side in 1849, and remained two years, then went to California. This branch of in- dustry is now represented by Thomas Mitchell and David Pratt.

Thomas Mitchell, blacksmith and wagon maker, began business in Monticello in 1877. In 1878, he erected the shop which he now occu- pies, a commodious building, 26x32 feet. He is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and does shoeing and general black- smith work. He is a first-class workman, and is liberally patronized. He is a native of Bohemia, born Dec. 9, 1838. At the age of eleven he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn the trade. He served three and a half years. When he was sixteen years old, he left his native land and came to America. He first located at Rock River, Dodge county, where he worked at his trade until 1856, then went to Bad Axe, now Veruon county, and opened a shop at Liberty Pole. He remained there one and a half years, then went to Madison, where he worked as journeyman one year, then to Minnesota, where he stopped a short time in Nininger City. In 1858, he located in New Glarus, Green county, and in the fall of that years, was married to Catharine Schindler, a na- tive of canton Glarus, Switzerland. In 1861, he enlisted in the service as blacksmith, and served six months. He then established him- self in business at Rockport, Atchison Co., Mo., continuing there until 1873, when he sold out and returned to Wisconsin. He opened a shop at Junction House, three miles west of Monroe. Six months later he went to Adams- ville, Iowa county, and remained until 1875,

then went to Dane county and remained two years, and, as before stated, came to Monticello in 1877. Hle owns a residence here, besides two store buildings, one of which he rents, and in the other has a stock of groceries. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of seven children -Elizabeth, May, Agnes, Clara, Katie, Edith and Thomas.

The first wagon shop on the south side of the river was opened by Robert and George Bridges and their father. The first shop on the north side was opened in 1857 by Ralsey Knight, who continued in business until 1861. Thomas Mitchell now represents this line of work.

The first harness maker was William Jordan. He established his present business in 1862.

The first shoemaker was Frank Drake, who came in 1853. He enlisted in the Civil War, and served as a soldier. He is now living in Idaho. The present shoemaker is Fred Swig- hey.

The grange store was established in 1875, with F. K. Studley as agent and business man- ager. He was succeeded, in 1877, by E. S. Sears, and he, in October of said year, by John Richards, who had charge until 1884, when he resigned and Pelter Holland was appointed. This business was owned and conducted exclu- sively by members of the Patrons of Husbandry until 18:0, when the charter was so amended as to allow others to hold stock. I. T. Humiston is president and J. F. Sears clerk of the associ- ation. A large stock of general merchandise and hardware is carried, and a profitable busi- ness condneted.

Ira T. Humiston, senior deacon of Monticello Union Lodge of A. F. & A. M., was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1824. His par- ents removed to Chautauqua county when he was four years old. He obtained his education in a subscription school, and at the age of four- teen years was apprenticed to a blacksmith, to learn the trade. He served five years, then

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

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opened a shop in Chantanqua county, where he continued business until 1856. He then came to Wisconsin, and established himself in busi- ness at the village of Monticello, and remained there until 1861. In November, of that year, he enlisted in company I, of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry. He went to Milwaukee and in Febru- ary following went south. He served until April 18, 1863, when he was discharged on ac- count of disability, and returned home with an impaired constitution. He has never recovered sufficiently to perform any manual labor. lIe purchased a farm in 1864, located on section 3, to which he removed, living there until 1882, when he came to Monticello, which is his home at the present time. He was married in 1849 o Helen M. Woodworth, who was born in Cay- uga Co., N. Y., March 31, 1826. They have two children-Robert and Fred W. Fred W., the youngest son, was born Aug. 31, 1855. 1lis early education was received in the district school, and advanced by one years attendance at Cedar Valley Seminary, at Osage, Iowa. Af- ter this he engaged in teaching. He was mar- ried Dec. 31, 1879, to Kate Hayden, born at Attica, Green Co., Wis. They have two chil- dren-Myrtie T. and Ivan R. He now ocenpics the old homestead.

The Monticello Union Cheese Manufacturing Company was organized in 1878, and received its charter on the 18th day of March. The charter members were: L. W. Wright, C. H. Baxter, Peter Wilson, S. C. Taft, W. P. Clem- ent and C. W. Whittier. The first officers were: Peter Wilson, president; C. H. Baxter, seere- tary; David Sears, treasurer; S. C. Taft and Amos Clement, trustees. The association pur- chased a lot on which they erected a building, which, when furnished, cost $2,000. The first year they leased the factory to parties who bought the milk. Afterwards the patrons hired the building, and gave as rent, thirty cents per 100 pounds of cheese manufactured. A good

grade of cheese is here made, which is sold in Chicago market.

The first hotel was built by Jacob Marty, in 1851, who kept the place about two years, then sold it to George Campbell. In 1854 Daniel Taft purchased the property, and one year later he sold to Thomas E. Fitzgerald. The property has changed hands several times since, and the house has been enlarged. It is now owned by Peter Wilson & Son.

Peter Wilson, one of the pioneers of Green county, is a native of Huntington Co., Penn., born April 16, 1818. When he was four years old his father died and his mother went to live with her parents, and with them emigrated to Ohio and settled in Stark county, where he spent his early life and obtained his education in the public schools. At the age of eighteen years, he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner, whom he served twenty months, then went to Cincinnati and worked under instrue- tion sixteen months. He then went to Rar- dolph Co., Ind., and worked at his trade two years, then returned to Ohio, and settled in Mercer county, where, in 1841, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Ira and Jane (Linder ) Foster. In October, 1843, he started, in com- pany with his father-in-law and family, for the Territory of Wisconsin. They traveled with teams, bringing with them a portion of their household goods. On reaching Kane Co., Ill., they stopped and remained until January, 1844, then pushed on to Wisconsin. Mr. Wilson lived with his father-in-law until March, and in the summer of 1844 worked at his trade in the town of Sylvester. In the fall he went to Mon- roe and worked upon the court house until it was completed. In 1845 he moved to Monti- cello and lived until 1847, when he made a elaim on section 1, of township 3, range 7 east, now known as the town of Washington. He built a log house and improved a few acres. In the spring of 1848 he sold this claim and bought eighty aeres in the same town, which

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

he sold the next fall and purchased 160 acres, also in the same town. This he sold after breaking thirty-five acres. In 1850 he built the first house ever erected on the present site of Monticello, which he occupied eight years. In 1852 he went across the plains to California, and was five months on the road. He engaged in mining there until 1854, then returned by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. Soon after he built a saw mill in company with S. C. Taft. In this he owned an interest until 1866. In 1872 he bought the "Monticello House," in company with his son, and has lived here since that time, with the exception of the winter of 1882-83, when he purchased a residence in Albany, and spent the winter there. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of four chil- dren-Julia, Alonzo, Ira and Harriet.

Ira Wilson was born in the town of Washing- ton, Green Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1848. He was reared and educated in his native county. Feb. 22, 1865, he enlisted in company G, of the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south to Missouri. He served until after the close of the war and was discharged with the regiment in November,1865. In 1866 he commenced to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for several years. He was married in 1870 to Temperance Loveland, a native of Pennsyl- vania. They have three children-Emery, Laban and Marion. In 1870 Mr. Wilson went to Michigan and remained one year, then re- turned to Monticello, and in 1879 moved to Warren, Ill., where he lived three years, work- ing at his trade. Since that time he has re- sided in Monticello, where he is engaged in company with his father, in keeping the "Monticello House."

The Monticello grist mill was built in 1854 by Orrin Bacon. It is 30x40 feet in size, and three and a half stories in height, and has two run of stone. Varions improvements have been made from time to time, and the mill at all times does first class work. The dam is a sub-

stantial structure, built of stone and earth, there being a solid stone wall four rods in length.

POSTOFFICE.

The Monticello postoffice was established in 1848, and A. F. Steadman was appointed the first postmaster, and he kept the office at his house. The office was located on the mail route beteen Janesville and Mineral Point, and be- tween Monroe and Madison. It is now on the route between Monroe and New Glarus. Mr. Steadman was succeeded in office by Mr. Tur- man, and he in turn by Mathias Marty, Vinie Godfrey, Dr. Wilcox, James Butts, A. Gorland, Frank Drake, L. B. Aldrich and E. F. Wright. MONTICELLO PHYSICIANS.

Dr. E. S. Knapp, who located at Monticello in 1854, was the first resident physician. IIe was a graduate of Rush Medical College, and a man of superior attainments. In 1859 he went to Kansas, but afterwards returned to this place. He is now a resident of Wiota, Wis.

The second physician to locate here was Dr. Jeremiah Wilcox. He remained here for about four years, then removed to Iowa.

Among others who have been located at Monticello are: Drs. Ruttan, Bradshaw, Cob- len, Stair and Minkler.

In 1884 the only representative of the medical profession at Monticello was Dr. Flower, who located here in 1875.

CIVIC SOCIETIES.

Monticello Union Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation Oct. 5, 1865, with the following members: James Butts, S. C. Taft, Joshua Crowell, S. Johnson, I. T. Humiston, T. C. Scott and B. F. Fessen- den. A charter was granted them July 13, 1866, and the following were the first officers: James Butts, W. M .; S. C. Taft, S. W .; Frank- lin Pierce, J. W .; S. Johnson, secretary. Joshua Crowell died before the charter was granted. The following have served as past mas- ters: James Butts, S. C. Taft, F. R. Drake and H. M. Barnes. The lodge now has a membership of over thirty, and its regular communications are

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on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

Mount Pleasant Lodge, I. O. G. T., was or- ganized Jan. 28, 1883, with thirty-nine charter members, and the following officers were elect- ed: A. R. Taft, P. W. C. T .; Fred Sears, W. C. T .; Martha Magood, W. V. T .: Charles Bar- low, W. C .; G. E. Knight, W. A. S .; Florence Buck, W. F. S .; Lewis Thompson, W. T .; William Barlow, W. M .; Ella Magoon, W. D. M .; Mattie Sears, W. I. G .; R. A. Barney, W. S .; Lottie Barlow, N. II. S .; Barbara Meredith, L. H. S., and James Moore, L. D. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and now has a membership of sixty. Its meetings are held weekly.

Rescue Division, No. 201, Sons of Temper- ance, was organized May 17, 1883, with the fol- lowing named persons as officers: Thomas Sears, P. W. P .; J. F. Sears, W. P .; Susie Buck, W. A. P .; Henry Pickford, R. Sec .; Hattie Trogner, Asst. R. Sec .; J. H. Trogner, F. Sec .; Mrs. Henry Pickford, treasurer; R. P. Hyde, Condt .; Mrs. R. Magoon, Asst. Condt .; Mrs. D. W. Pratt, I. S .; R. Magoon, O. S., and Elder Burnham, chaplain. The division now has a membership of thirty-five. Regular com- munications are held weekly.

RELIGIOUS.

A Methodist Episcopal class was organized as early as 1848, and the meetings were held at the log school house, located on the southwest quarter of section 8, Elder Phelps being the first pastor. Among the first members were Ira Foster and wife, Elijah Roby and wife, W. 1I. Coates and wife. Elijah Roby was the first class leader. There were several revival meet- ings held, and the class afterwards held meet- ings in the octagon school house until 1861, when a neat frame church edifice was erected. The following have been pastors of the so- ciety : Revs. Phelps, Frazier, Jones, Harris, Knox, Waldrown, Sample, Briggs, Burnish, Lawson, Allen, Lewis, Bean, Russell, Walker, Fancher, Hurd, Lake, Dudgeon and Gould. In 1854 Elder Patton, a regular Baptist

preacher, organized a society at what was known as the Truax log school house, and the following named were among the first members : Benjamin Truax, Benjamin Smaley and wife, Samuel Whitesit and wife, Elisha Gord and wife, Edmund Irish and wife, W. W. Martin and wife, W. W. Truax, Daniel Titus, Samuel Gord, Martin Purintun and wife, Leonard Gord and wife, Thomas J. Wittsitt and wife, James Truax and wife, E. B. Gord, S. Eldridge, Martha M. Wittsitt, Charlotte O. Conklin and Jane DeFord. The first deacons were : Benja- min Truax and Martin Purintun. Elder -Patton was assisted in the organization by Elders Reece, Pool and Clack. As a great many members have moved away, meetings are no longer held regular.

The Monticello Free Will Baptist Church Society was organized Dec. 1, 1855, by Rev. J. F. Hill. The first members were : David Sears and wife, O. M. Baker and wife, Cyrus Rob- inson and wife, Laura A. Johnson, Robert S. Bridges, Robert Moore and Otis Bridges. The deacons were : O. M. Baker, and R. S. Bridges. Meetings were held at the octagon school house until 1861. The society then erected a neat stone church, which in May, 1862, was dedi- cated to the worship of God by Rev. Horace G. Woodworth, who took as his text on that occa- sion. "In the name of God we unfurl our ban- ner." The following pastors have had charge of the society : Revs. William Small, R. R. Davis, Edward Berry, Mr. Felt, J. S. Dinsmore, Jefferson Bradley, M. M. Thompson and Rev. True, the present pastor. The society has a membership of abont forty. The deacons are J. 1I. Trogner, Ralzy Knight and T. Z. Buck, and J. F. Sears, clerk.

THE MONTICELLO CEMETERY.

The land occupied by the Monticello ceme tery was donated for burial purposes by Mathias Marty and Robert Bridges, and on the 10th day of January, 1852, an association was formed to take care of the same. The first trustees clected were ; Henry Adams, R. Gar-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

land, P. Pratt, M. Marty, F. R. Drake and R. S. Bridges. Ransom Drake was appointed secretary, and R. S. Bridges treasurer. Money was raised by taxation to fence the ground, and lots were sold at $7.50 each. The association failed to meet according to law, and thus lost their charter. A new association was formed in 1881. The new association took immediate steps to clear the ground, repair the fence, and now keep the same in good order.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

William Boyls was a native of Green Co., Penn., born in 1795. He was brought up on a farm, and received a liberal education. He was married to Mary Morris, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and settled in Lafayette county, where they remained some years, then moved to Indiana and settled in Vermilion county. Here he bought timber land and opened a farm. In 1835 he sold out there and went to Illinois. He spent one summer in Stephenson county, and in the fall of the year came to the Territory of Wisconsin, and settled in what is now the town of Clarno. He entered land and improved a farm, making it his home for some years, then sold out and bought land on section 15, where he also improved a farm, and remained several years. He then sold his farm and removed to Monroe, where lie lived until 1861. In that year he removed to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he died in August, 1881. His wife died a few days previously. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are now living- Jemima, now the wife of George Adams, of Monroe; Lucinda, wife of John Brown; Matil- da, now the widow of George Franklin, and liv- ing in Iowa; Casander, wife of Isaac Fan, of Lone Rock, Wis .; Sarah Ann, wife of L. W. P. Morton; and William, who lives in Nebraska. Mr. Boyls was one of the earliest settlers and to him is said to belong the honor of naming the county.

Josiah Pierce, the first settler in the town of Washington, was a native of the Bay State,

born in New Salem, Hampshire county, May 21, 1783. He was married to Ruth Ayers, of Granby, Conn. In 1827 they removed to New York, and settled in Otsego county, where they lived until the spring of 1837. Mr. Pierce then being in failing health, concluded to try a a change of climate, and came to Milwaukee, where he was engaged by Col. Bird, the con- tractor who was building the State capitol at Madison, to proceed to that place and open a boarding house for the accommodation of the workmen. Accordingly, he joined Bird's party and they started overland with four teams, carrying provissions, tools and other necessary articles. A part of the way they were obliged to cut a road, and in some places to build cor- duroy roads. He became the second settler in Madison, but remained there only until fall, when he came to Green county, and entered land on section 13, of township 3 north, range 8 east, now known as Washington. His nearest neigh- bors were at Exeter, seven miles distant. Al- though his health was quite poor at this time, he was able to be about and attend to business for several years. His death occurred Dec. 25, 1843. He was a man of good education, intel- ligent, public spirited and enterprising, and in his death the county lost one of its most useful and respected citizens. He was one of the first commissioners of Green county. His widow died June 8, 1863. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living.

Franklin Pierce, son of Josiah and Ruth (Ayers) Pierce, was born in New Salem, Mass., July 17, 1823. He was four years old when his parents moved to Otsego Co., N. Y., where his younger days were spent in school and upon the farm, until he was fourteen years old. Ile then came with his parents to Wisconsin. At the age of twenty-one he went to the pineries and worked one year. On his return he entered land on section 24, of the town of Washington, and commenced to improve a farm. He was married, in 1848, to Orinda, daughter of Ira L.

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HISTORY, OF GREEN COUNTY.

and Jane (Lindsey) Foster. He built a log house in which they commenced housekeeping. In 1851 he went to California and engaged in mining three years, then returned to Green county. In 1854 he sold his farm and pur- chased another on section 25, of the same town, where he lived until 1869. He then sold and moved to Monticello. One year later he bought a farm on section 16, of the town of Mount Pleasant, on which he resided until 1876. He then rented his farm and bought a farm adjoin- ing the village of Monticello where he now re- sides. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of five children-Ellen, Byron, Waldo, Ida and Frank L. Mr. Pierce has been, for many years, identified with the interests of both town and county. His first office was that of superin- tendent of schools, in the town of Washington. He was elected to that office at the organization of the town. He was also assessor of that town, and for several years, chairman of the board. Since living in Mount Pleasant he has served as a member of the town board, and as chair- man, five years, an office which he still holds.

Albert Pierce, son of Josiah and Ruth (Ayers) Pierce, was born in New Salem, Hamp- shire Co., Mass., April 28, 1820, and was seven- teen years old when he came with his parents to Wisconsin. He was married in November, 1852, to Sarah E. Becker, a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y. He settled at the time of his marriage on section 19, of the town of Mount Pleasant, where they remained two years, then sold his farm and bought another, in the town of Washington, upon which they lived until 1868, then sold and moved to Monticello a d purchased land near the village, where he re- sided until the time of his death, Feb. 11, 1882. He had been prominently identified with the affairs of both town and county and filled offices of trust to the satisfaction of all. He also repre- sented his county in the Senate of Wisconsin. He was always foremost in every enterprise for the public good, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all. At the time of his death he was

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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 141

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