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 157

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 157

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Then came the anxiety of National affairs; the old slow way of getting in the returns had to be endured. Finally the defeat of Douglas came; and though young in political experience, it seemed as if the future was opened to me. The night after the news came, not a minute did I close my eyes. War, with all its concomitant

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

horrors, seemed a certainty to me. Then came the discussion, public debates and constant agi- tation of the questions of compromise or war, in which I took an active part as a conservative, upholding J. J. Crittenden's compromise reso- lutions; feeling sure the predictions of A. H. Stephens would be realized if the south rushed headlong into secession. She would lose her cherished curse of slavery, and be whipped back into the Union, deprived of her rights of free government, because the rule of force would have to be resorted to. This time passed, and the war came, with a feeling that there was much wrong on both sides. But having been taught from childhood, as all democrats of the time were taught, the Union must be preserved at all hazards, "or liberty dies;" and having worn the talismanic banner on my "little Giant hat" during the Douglas campaign, though scoffed at by those who now cried out that all were disunion unless they supported and sanc- tioned all that was done by the republican ad- ministration and Congress. I still clung to the Union as the only salvation of the Nation, oc- cupying the position of peace-maker.

The memory of the war times seems like a terrible night-mare. Prominent republicans jumping up and down and swearing that even Abraham Lincoln ought to be shot or hung for countermanding Gen. Fremont's order in regard to slavery. At the same time listening and ap- plauding some soft-brained orator, made wild by the sudden acquisition of power by the repub- lican party, advocating the hanging of some garulous southern sympathizing, though good- hearted and harmless old lady of the neighbor- hood. The riding on rails of good Union men, and even republicans, because they would not subscribe to Gen. Pope's orders, issued on a rebel community, in a secession State, in our county seat.

A mob having been organized by some of the citizens of Monroe, based on the story of some ignorant superstitious person, that a company of secessionists were being organized, or likely

to be, undertook to enforce this order of Gen. Pope's, requiring all persons to subscribe an oath to support the constitution of the United States.

A citizen of the town of Sylvester was asked and refused to sign, saying, he being a justice of the peace, he had already taken such an oath, in accordance with law, and should not comply with the demands of a mob, nor otherwise en- courage them. He was first egged, then rode on a rail. Still refusing, he was given twenty- four hours to leave the county, or be hung. A large number of the citizens of the county took the matter in hand, knowing the old man to be in no way a dangerous person, and although not particularly conciliatory in speech and manner, and a man of stubborn will; one who had never forfeited his rights to protection from violence, and a man feeble in health and strength, called a meeting to be held at the house of J. Chryst, in the town of Jefferson, he being at the head of the movement. About 200 assembled there, and resolved to protect all law abiding citizens from mob violence from whatever source; my- self being on the committee of resolutions. The meeting then appointed a committee to go to Madison with the person threatened-Shel- don Rust-and present his case to Gov. Har- vey. I. Chryst, William Rittenhouse and S. Roub were of the committee. They started the next day, and on presenting the case to the governor, were told that they need fear no fur- ther threats, that he would inform the gentle- men at Monroe that he was chief executive of the State of Wisconsin, and to disband all un- lawful organizations or he would have them ar- rested. Thus ended a most shameful attempt on the part of a few individuals to over-ride all law, and popularize themselves through violent demonstrations, in putting down rebellion where none existed.

On the 5th of October, 1864, a draft was is- sued against the town of Sylvester for thirteen men to report at Prairie du Chien on the 20th of that month. B Fitch, A. W. Sutherland, S. Cot-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

german, J. Stephenson, Webster Lindley, Reu- ben Coldren and B. Sutherland were among the number that reported. I think the number wanted was five. Two took French leave ; the rest re- ported, and were given time to fill the quota with volunteers, which they found no trouble in doing, though they had to pay well for them. Your humble servant being the last on the list, the quota was full long before reaching his name, and he . was therefore exempted for one year. After giving about $50 to help out the ones enrolled, he returned home to re- flect upon the sincerity of certain persons who had always opposed raising bounty by town tax, declaring that a draft was the only fair way of filling the quota of towns, but when drafted, whined and cried over their hard fate. This was the last and only draft levied on our town. In spite of a strong opposition on the part of a few, a liberal bounty was voted and the quota of the town promptly filled.

I remained a conservative, supporting the war as a necessity of the times and the Union, at all hazards, except the curtailment of liberty; voting bounties with the majority of our citi- zens, to soldiers ; support to soldiers' families ; soldiers' relief fund, to alleviate suffering from the vicissitudes of war, and supply the wants of the suffering in camp, fields or hospital.

The report of battles brought more pain than joy, though the victory for the Union had its mead of safisfaction. The wavering and fluctu- ating of the public mind had little influence ; it was too often upon a pinacle of glory and triumph, and then down deep in the slough of despair. My faith in the ultimate result of victory for the Union never left me, though the time dragged heavily, and ter- ribly lengthened, until hopes seemed almost against fate. The time came, that memo- rable day in 1865, reaching our isolated town without telegraph, steam propeller or railroads, as the winds of Heaven sweep o'er the face of the earth, bringing life and joy on tis wings. Thus came the news from one voice,

to be re-echoed by another, and then another, until joy filled the breasts of all-even the few whose whole sympathy seemed with the south. The glorious old flag was honored always and at all times by our patriotic citizens, and the glory of its victory crowned with peace and heralded by fraternal solicitude.

I have written this much of the history of the war time to insure the proud record of the fra- ternity, and the strong ties of neighborly friend- ship that bound our citizens together and pre- vented the alienation and estrangement of friends and neighbors during the terribly ex- citing period of war. Though many were of of southern birth and education, with strong sympathy and fillially bound to our combatants south; as one who stood between the two ex- tremes of Garrisonians and the followers of Breckinridge, I give testimony that all joined in the work of carrying on the War for the Union, and in the course of events .developed patriotism and loyalty in every citizen of our town, even to protecting our citizens from mob- violence without resorting to violent means, and withont distinction of party or place of birth, or difference of opinion.

Now, that the passions of individuals are buried by the charity we must have for all, let passionate words be buried in the oblivion of time. Their acts alone can tell the true im- pulse of their natures.

Truly may we believe the free institutions of our fathers must and always will be preserved, where such men as were leaders actively en- gaged in moulding public opinion in the town of Sylvester in those times that tried men's sonts.

MATTERS OF INTEREST.

The first celebration of the 4th of July, was held at Justus Sutherland's in 1847. Reuben Stevens beat the drum with Daniel Wessel and N. Heinstret. In raising the liberty pole which was spliced and put up through a tree, it broke, and was cut off and spliced, and the flag then unfurled from it. An oration was deliv. ered by a man from near Monticello.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

The first murder committed in the town was that of F. Ohm, who was killed by his son, Fred, in June, 1878. The murderer had two trials and was finally sentenced to States prison for life.

The first death in the town was that of Joshua Davis, an estimable young man who came from Fayette Co., Penn., with Joseph Woodle. He was taken sick with fever and died in the winter of 1887-8. His remains were buried on the southwest quarter of section 35, near what was then known as Rock Spring, but were subsequently disinterred and now rest in the Mount Vernon cemetery.

The first blacksmith shop in the town was opened on section 35, in 1837, by Joseph Woodle.

An early school in the town was taught in the winter of 1840-41, in a small house on sec- tion 35, which had been erected by Joseph Woodle for a blacksmith shop. It was taught 'by Isaac Woodle, a graduate of Washington University, Pennsylvania. He afterward studied law with Judge Whiting, of Janesville, and began practice. When the war broke out he enlisted, served as quartermaster of Gov. Barstow's regiment, and died in the service.

The first school in the northern' part of the town was tanght by Paul Chandler, who afterward died of hydrophobia in 1855. Levi Leonard, step-father of Burr W. Jones, the present con- gressman from this district, was also an early teacher. It was in a building that had been erected by the settlers on section 15, in Decem- ber, 1840. The term was commenced in the house of Justus Sutherland in order to secure the apportionment of the school funds, and was finished in the building that was erected. Among the scholars were Solomon Sutherland, Melzar Colton, T. B. Sutherland, Chloe Suther- land, James, John T. and John Sutherland.

One of the first marriages in the town-if not the first-was that of William Baird to Eliza- beth Woodle, daughter of Joseph Woodle. The |

ceremony was performed on the 4th of July, 1839, by Rev. Daniel Harcourt. It was after the 4th of July celebration at New Mexico had been participated in by the parties, and all partook of a good dinner, although there was no display.

Among the early settlers was Jacob Stauf- facher, who located on section 6, in 1845. Like many others he was very short of money. Dur- ing the first three years of his residence here, the only money which he became possessor of, was ten cents, and that he borrowed from Syl- vester Hills, by whom he was at that time employed. This money was borrowed to pay one of the pioneers who had the instruments and was an expert tooth puller, for pulling one of Mr. Stauffacher's teeth, which had been aching for several days. On arriving at the "dentist's" he was told that the charges would be twelve cents, and he would not pull the tooth without the additional two cents. Mr. Stauf- facher plead, but in vain, and almost distracted with pain, he went and borrowed the other two cents and paid the dentist, and had his tooth drawn. Our informant refused to give the name of the dentist. The tools (turnkey) with which this job was performed are now in the possess- ion of Arick Sutherland.

Ball's mill is located on Reeder's branch on section 22. On this site a saw mill was erected by Amos R. Sylvester, in 1843, a frame build- ing having been put up, 45x18 feet in size. Later a turning lathe was added and also a blacksmith shop. A sash saw was put in and afterward a mulley saw. A good water power was furnished here and a large business was done. Mr. Sylvester ran the mill until 1865, when S. D. Ball, the present proprietor, pur- chased it.

Samuel D. Ball was born in Erie Co., Penn., Nov. 6, 1818. He is a son of Gary and Polly (Davis) Ball, natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel was the second of eleven children. In 1842 he came to Green county and located on section 25, town of Sylvester. He lived there until 1860,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

when he erected the Marion House at Juda. He also erected a flouring mill at Juda. In 1865 he purchased the mill and place where he still resides. His farm contains 176 acres. He is a republican, politically. On the Ist of June, 1840, he was united in marriage with Lydia Montgomery. She was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, May 6, 1822. Seven children is the re- sult of this union-Martha J., Theresa P., George G., Charlotte M., Lettie M., Frederick G. and Franklin R. Mr. Ball is the originator and builder of the political car in 1860, of which mention is made elsewhere.

The McCracken mill was built by Joseph Mc- Cracken. He put up a frame building about 36×50 feet in size, equipped it with an old- fashioned sash saw and for propelling motor used a fifteen horse power. Mr. McCracken sold to Mr. Mosher. Then it was owned suc- cessively by Messrs. Scoville, Henry Bowell, Samuel Dennis, and in the fall of 1883, E. R. Albright purchased the property and is the present proprietor.

In the spring of 1873 a company was formed consisting of Jacob Stauffacher, Jacob Luch- singer and Henry Babler, for the purpose of erecting and operating a cheese factory. The same spring a building was erected on section 6, on Jacob Stauffacher's farm. It was a neat fram building 14x16 feet in size, one story high. In this the cheese was made, milk being pur- chased from the neighboring farmers and worked into cheese here. It was run as a cheese factory until it was burned in June, 1878. At that time a new building was erected, 18x20 feet in size, one story high, on the site of the old building, in which the business is still carried on. The present proprietors are Peter Stauf- facher & Bros.

The Nevada Cheese Factory was established in the spring of 1877. A building 18x50 feet in size, two stories high, was erected by S. D. Ball. Chris Carlan carried on the business until 1880, when Mr. Ball put in a set of machinery and

ran it until the fall of 1882 when he sold the machinery and closed out the business.

James Harker carried on a blacksmithing business from 1870 for a number of years.

In the summer of 1883 W. W. Kellogg scraped out around a spring on his farm on section 20, and made a carp pond, in which he placed fifty carp procured of the fish commissioner at Washington. It is now owned by Charles W. Read.

OFFICIAL.

The first election in the town of Sylvester was held at the house of Amos R. Sylvester, on section 22, on the 3d of April, 1849. The fol- lowing town officers were elected: Supervi- sors, T. W. Thompson, chairman, Reuben D. Stephens and Joseph Reeder; clerk, Martin C. Sutherland; assessor, Cyrus Benson; treasurer, A. R. Sylvester; superintendent of schools, S. P. Campbell; justices of the peace, A. R. Syl- vester, Joseph McCracken, Justus Sutherland, and Henry Burkey; constables, James Brood,. A. W. Sutherland and Edgar Bowen. The judges of this election were Joseph McCracken, Davis Bowen and Samuel Vance; the clerks were Daniel Murdock and Jacob Leonard.

On the 23d of August, 1864, a special town meeting was held by the voters of the town at the house of A. R. Sylvester, which resulted in raising a tax for the purpose of paying town bounties to volunteers to the amount of $1,800, which sum was placed upon the tax rolls of that year.

On the 27th of December, 1864, an election was called for the purpose of voting a special tax to raise $200 for each man who should vol- unteer into the service of the United States, and be accredited to the quota of the town. This was in answer to the President's call for 300,000 men, issued in December, 1864, and to fill all former deficiencies. The election resulted in a majority for the tax.

In 1884 the town officers were as follows: Supervisors, E. J. Dodge, chairman, William F. Moore and Henry Roderick; clerk, G. H.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Pengra; assessor, Charles J. Stephenson; treas- urer, R. C. Murdock; justices of the peace, M. H. Pengra, Melzar Colton and T. B. Suther- land; constable, William Beckett.

SYLVESTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.

The Mutual Insurance Company of the town of Sylvester, Green county, was organized under chapter 103, laws of 1872, with twenty-nine stockholders, who had subscribed $53,600 in stock. They met Jan. 7, 1873, and elected the following directors: Benjamin Harlan, M. H. Pengra, William Duboise, John Brown and W. II. Covell. The officers were: B. L. Hoyland, president; M. H. Pengra, secretary; and John Brown, treasurer.

The object of the organization was to insure against loss by fire or lightning, farm buildings and their contents, such as stock, farm produce, etc. The company collects no funds except a fee of two mills on each dollar of insurance. Eleven years have passed since its organization, during which time only two assessments have been made, one of four, and one of two mills on each dollar of insurance. The amount of assess- ments during the eleven years have thus been only six mills on the dollar.

From the original amount of $53,600, the stock subscribed has increased until in January, 1884, it amounted to $213,480, while there was a surplus fund in the treasury of $237.33. In 1884 the directors and officers of the company were: Henry Roderick, president; M. H. Pen- gra, secretary; J. A. Sutherland, treasurer; William C. Gorham and Jacob Stauffacher. Annual meetings are held in January.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first building in the town erected for school purposes was located on the northeast corner of section 26, on land owned by George West. It was erected in 1845 by the voluntary contribution of the settlers. It was a log house, 16x18 feet in size, covered with shakes, with rough boards for the floor.

The first school here was a summer term taught by Polly Phillips. A term of school

was also taught the following winter by a Mr. Ross. This building was afterward rebuilt, made higher, and used by Mr. West as a tene- ment house.

The first school in the town was taught by William C. Green in the winter of 1839-40, in a log building located on section 30. Mr. Green was afterward superintendent of schools and was a prominent man in educational affairs. He died in this county.

There was no regularly organized school dis- trict here until after. the organization of the town, in the spring of 1849. At this time the town was divided into three districts, compris- ing territory as follows: District No. 1 em- braced sections 1, 2, 11 and 12; district No. 2 embraced sections 3, 4, 9 and 10; district No. 3 embraced sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, and the southeast quarter of section 15, and the north- east quarter of section 22. In 1850 school build- ings were erected in all of these districts; those in Nos. 1 and 2, being frame, and the one in No. 3, being stone.

The building in No. 1 was rebuilt, and in 1884 was still used. This building is located on the southeast corner of section 2. In 1884 it had an attendance of thirty-seven.

The building in district No. 2 was located on section 10. This building was afterward sold, and is now used as a residence. A new school house was erected on the southeast corner of section 4, which is still used for school purposes. The attendance is fifty-one.

The school house in district No. 3 was located on section 24. The building was used for school purposes until the summer of 1883, when it was torn down and the material used in the construc- tion of a new house, which was erected on sec- tion 23. The first teacher was Abigail Decker, who had an attendance of about twenty. Her school was commenced in a room in the house of P. Hopkins, on section 23, and continued there until the new house was completed. In 1884 the attendance was twenty-three.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

District No. 4 includes sections 5, 6, 7 and 8. A stone building was erected in 1850, on sec- tion 5, which is still in use. There is an attend- ance here of fifty pupils.

District No. 5 embraces the southeast of the southwest quarter, and the southeast quarter of section 20; the south half of sections 21 and 22; sections 27 and 28; and the east half and the northwest quarter of section 29. A frame house was erected on section 28, which was used until the summer of 1881, when it was replaced by a new frame building, erected on the old site. In 1884 there were twenty-five children of school age in the district.

District No. 6 embraces all of section 15, ex- cept the southeast quarter, sections 16, 17 and 18, the north half of sections 19, 20 and 21, and the northwest quarter of section 22. The school house is frame and is located on section 21. This district was organized in 1857.

Joint district No. 7 includes the territory in this town, and in Monroe. The school house is located on the northwest corner of section 31. There are fifteen children of school age belong- ing to this district, who live in this town.

District No. 8 embraces sections 25, 26, 36, and nearly all of section 35. The first building was a frame structure, located on the northwest quarter of section 36. This building was used until 1855, when it was burned. A brick build- ing was erected on the old site, but owing to the settling of the foundation, it became dangerous, and a frame building was erected near by, which is still in nse. In 1884 there were eighty schol- lars of school age in the town.

The balance of the territory in this town be- longs to joint districts with Jefferson.

RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

The first religious services within the limits now comprising the town of Sylvester, were held at the house of Joseph Woodle on section 34, in the summer of 1837, by Rev. Mr. Shunk, a Methodist preacher from Pennsylvania. This preacher had heard that Woodle was from Pennsylvania, and was acquainted with rela-

tions of his, so he called and held services at Woodle's house, before the cabin was finished. Services were held here for two years, when Mr. Woodle sold out and removed to section 32, where they continued to hold services two years. After this, meetings were held at the McCrack- en school house on section 31, until the class, which had in the meantime been organized here, was merged with the Monroe society. Among the early members of the M. E. class in Sylvester were-Mr. Baird's family, Joseph McCracken, Charles Southern and family, Jack- son Sonthern and family, Asa Brown and fami -. ly and William E. Satterlee and wife.

The German Zion Church of the Evangeli- cal Association of North America, was organ- ized Aug. 24, 1860, at a meeting held at the old log school house. Rev. Andrew Tarnutzer was elected chairman; J. U. Elmer, secretary; J. U. Elmer, Anton Stanffacher and Henry Bable, trustees. Jacob Stauffacher was the first class leader and Anton Stauffacher, admonisher. During the same year (1860) they erected a neat frame church. The following named have preached to this class since its organization: Revs. Andrew Tarnutzer, Jacob Sill, William Strasburg, Leonard Vanwald, Peter Massanger, John M. Hammitzer, Nicholas Shook, Charles Finger, Leonard Buehler, Christian Brandell, Henry Upphove, Frederick Moser, Conrad Green and Peter Held. Rev. John U. Elmer is the present pastor. There are from thirty to forty families who are members of this class. A Sabbath school was organized by Father Howard a number of years ago. I. Robinson was the first superintendent. Henry Stauffa- cher is the present.

A great many of the early settlers were Bap- tists. The first services of this denomination were held at the house of Jacob Stull in 1839. This house was the one formerly occupied by Mr. Woodle, which was located on section 35. Rev. William Stillwell, from Winnebago county, was the first pastor. An organization was ef- fected and meetings were held monthly. From

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

this grew the Church at Juda over which Elder G. R. Patten now presides.

CEMETERIES.

The first burials of deceased residents of this town were made in Richland cemetery .

A burial ground was started at an early day on the farm of Justus Sutherland. The remains of James Sutherland was about the first inter- ment made here. This was used as a cemetery until 1856 or 1857, when a new cemetery was laid out on section 2, and several bodies were removed to it from the Sutherland ground. When the Gap Church cemetery was laid out, another removal was made, leaving but few graves in the former grounds.

The cemetery of the Mount Vernon Baptist Association is located on the southwest corner of section 36.

The Evangelical Cemetery Association was formed in 1860. They bought one-half acre of land of Jacob Stauffacher on section 5. In 1872 it was platted into lots. It contains twenty- eight lots, 18x34 feet in size. It was laid out by Jacob Norder, Henry Baebler, Dietrich Stauffacher and Jacob Stauffacher. Among the first burials here were those of the remains of John Rhiner and Michael North. The present directors are Dietrich Stauffacher and Henry Stauffacher. The treasurer is John Elmer.

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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 157

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