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 55

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 55

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).

Burr Sprague, attorney at law, Brodhead, is a native of Cattarangus, N. Y., where he was born in 1836. In 1816 he removed to Rock Co., Wis., with his parents, settling in the town of Spring Valley. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in merchandising, which he continued in Spring Valley and in the town of Oxford till 1868, when he came to Brodhead. In 1871 he opened the first book store in the village. He continued in the book trade till 1878. He served as postmaster here for a number of years, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He served in the legislature from the first district, Rock county, in the session of 1868, and from the second district, Green county, in 1878. He owned and condneted the Register of Brodhead from October, 1878, till June 1879. Hle was superintendent of the schools of Brod- head for five years. He has taught many years and always took a deep interest in educational

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

matters. He married Vina Lamphear, an adopted daughter of Dr. S. W. Abbott. They have three children-Louis, proprietor of the "Brodhead Register," Jessie and William.

John J. Putnam was one of the prominent and well remembered early settlers of this town. He came to Green county in 1848 and pur- chased, in the town of Decatur, a tract of 500 acres of land. He located here with his family, in June of the next year. He was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 1801. His advan- tages for education, in early life, were very limited. The death of his father, when he was seventeen years of age, placed upon him, to a great extent, the support of the family. He was married before leaving Virginia, to Mary M. Fleek, daughter of Adam Fleek. After mar- riage he removed to Hocking Co., Ohio, and thence to Licking county, engaging in agri- cultural pursuits. He remained there until he came to Green county. Mr. Putnam was a man of strong mental powers and of sterling integrity, and although he died comparatively early in the history of Green county, he left a record that is not forgotten. He was a justice of the peace for a number of years, also held the office of chairman of his town. He accumulated a valu- able property, owning at his decease, about 1,400 acres of land. His death occurred June 5, 1856. His wife survived until February 1874. They had ten children, seven of whom are now living, four sons and three daughters, all resi- dents of this county, except the second son, John J., Jr., who resides in Texas. Two of his sons, Oliver S. and Henry C., are residents of Brodhead.

Oliver S. Putnam, Esq., was born in Newark, Ohio, May 15, 1838. IIe came with his father's family, to this county in 1849. In April 1861, he enlisted in the three months' service and re- enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, on company F, 31st Wis- consin Infantry. He was made Ist sergeant at the organization of the regiment. In April 1864 he was promoted to a lieutenancy, com-

manded his company during the siege of At- lanta, Sherman's march to the sea, and in the final battles of Sherman's memorable campaign. He began the study of law, in the winter of 1865 but discontinued it to engage in coal min- ing in Illinois. He resumed the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1871, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Brodhead. He was police justice for a number of years. Mr. Putnam's army life seriously impaired his health and he has never recovered his former vigor. His wife was formerly Alice M. Copp, daughter of John E. Copp, who settled in Decatur in 1846. Mr. Copp was formerly from the State of New York, but came to Green county from Ohio. He went to California in 1850 and was absent thirty years. He then settled in Texas where he re- cently died. His widow still resides in Texas. Henry C. Putnam was a soldier in the Civil War, and was made a non-commissioned officer by election of his company, and served with marked distinction and rare bravery in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, company B.

The following letter from Hon. I. F. Mack, of Chicago, is a fitting tribute to the memory of his life-long friend, J. J. Putnam :

CHICAGO, Ang. 6, 1884. Union Publishing Company :

DEAR SIRS :- I learn that you are compiling and publishing a History of Green County, Wis- consin, and as the writer was a resident of that county from 1848 to 1870, it fell to my lot to be well acquainted with many of the early settlers and prominent men of that section. Among the latter class in the eastern portion of the county, I am pleased to name the late lamented John J. Putnam, Esq., who, with a large family con- nection of six or eight families, left Ohio and settled in the town of Decatur in that county, a little earlier than 1848, forming one of the most frugal, thrifty, granger settlements it has ever fallen to my lot to know, some of whom will regard it invidious if I place Mr. Putnam, dur- ing his life, in the front in point of intelligence

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

and noble manhood. Although a farmer, Mr. Putnam was a man of extensive reading, a keen observer of men and things, anjastute reasoner, thoroughly posted in regard to ;all questions that then divided political parties and councils of ripe judgment and of unassailable integrity. Though firm and decided in his conviction he was not intolerant, but genial and kind to the last degree. A prominent figure in the old

whig ranks and a sincere admirer of Henry Clay many a democrat felt the incision of his sharp ent political thrusts, in the early days, and with true patriotism in his bones, he could but pass into the republican ranks. Stricken with a fatal malady while endowed with manly vigor, he passed away, leaving a handsome competence for a sorrowing wife and an interesting family of several sons and daughters.

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

385

CHAPTER XV.

RAILROADS OF GREEN COUNTY.

In 1816 the frontiers of the United States settlements had been extended into Michigan, Illinois and Missouri, while Prairie du Chien was its most distant military post. This re- mote village was brought into communication with approaching civilization by the agents of the American Fur Company from the way of the lakes, and by military transportation from the way of St. Louis. Canoes or keel boats pur- sued these ways at long intervals, yet with some degree of regularity, and this intercourse, slight as it was in comparison with modern connec- tions by steam and rail, was sufficient to draw hither a few Americans for purposes of trade, or in discharge of some United States agency in connection with Indian or military affairs. The arrival of the first steamboat inaugurated a new era in commercial affairs and the build- ing of roads in various directions tended to in- crease trade and traffic at this point. But the multiplication of steamboats and roads did not satisfy the demands of the public for cheap and rapid transit. Railroads began to be looked upon as a necessity, and a line that should connect Lake Michigan with the Mississippi as particularly desirable.

THIE MILWAUKEE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.

Between the years 1838 and 1841, the Terri- torial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several railroad companies, but with the exception of the "Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Com- pany," incorporated in 1847, none of the corpo- rations thus created took any particular shape. The commissioners named in its charter met Nov. 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L.

W. Weeks and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday of February, 1848, they opened books for subscription. The charter of the com- pany provided that $100,000 should be sub- scribed and five per cent thereof paid in before the company should fully organize as a corpo- ration. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the 10th day of May, and Byron Kilbourne chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1848, authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850, its name was changed to the "Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 1851 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad reached Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1852, Edward H. Brodhead, a prominent engineer from the State of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1857 to the Mississippi river, at Prairie du Chien.

The first regular train reached Prairie du Chien, in April, 1857 ; and the terminus of the road was located at "Lower Town." It is ap-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

propriate here to observe, that this enterprise, a great one for its day, and for the era in which it was achieved, was undertaken and successfully carried through, (to their honor be it said) by citizens of Wisconsin, residents of the city of Milwaukee.

In this connection it is proper to state that E. H. Brodhead, of Milwaukee, was the then president of the road. William Jervis, of the same city, was superintendent, and E. P. Bacon, general freight agent. Among other gentlemen who took a leading part in carrying through this great work, may be here mentioned, the Hon. Edward D. Holton, still living, and the Hon. Ashael Finch, lately deceased, (both of the city of Milwaukee).

CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY.

In 1859 and 1860, the Milwaukee & Missis- sippi Railroad Company defaulted in the pay- ment of the interest on its bonds. A fore- closure was made and a new company, called the "Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and property. In 1867, the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company obtained control of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad. The legislature of 1857 had passed an act, authorizing all stock- holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of stock owned by them. The direc- tors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Company had secured a majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1867, elected themselves a board of directors for the Prairie du Chien Company. All the rights, property and interests of the lat- ter company came under the ownership and con- trol of the former. In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill, general manager, of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. They were retained in their respective positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to the able and efficient manner that has characterized their management of the company's affairs.

FIRST RAILROAD IN GREEN COUNTY.

All things considered, it must be set down as a fact that one of the most important, (if not the most important) event which has ever hap- pened in Green county, was the building of its first railroad. While the Milwaukee & Missis- sippi Railroad Company was in existence, it not only proposed to build a road from Milwaukee to Madison and Prairie du Chien, but also one to Dubuque, Iowa. We have already seen what success that part of its project met with which contemplated a road to Prairie du Chien. Let us now consider what more nearly concerns the people of Green county, the Dubuque project. But before dwelling upon the results of that scheme, it must be stated that there was an un- dertaking having in view a railroad through Green county which ante-dates the other. This was the incorporation of the

SOUTIIERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD COMPANY.

The object in view in organizing this com- pany, was the building of a railroad from Mil- ton, in Rock county, by way of Janesville, the county seat, through the counties of Green, La- fayette and Grant, to the Mississippi river. Of course, this was a project calculated to interest the people generally of Green county. Every- body wanted a railroad, and they wanted it as near their own homes as it could be built. The chartering of this company was a scheme orig- inating in Green county, so great was the de- sire here to have communication with the out- side world by means of the iron rail. This was early in the year 1852. A survey followed, reaching from Janesville to Monroe, and in the fall of 1853 work began near Monroe, but was soon discontinued for want of means. Early in 1854 the Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company transferred all its rights to the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company, and the first- mentioned company ceased to exist. The pro- jected road now took the name of

THE SOUTHERN WISCONSIN BRANCH OF THE MIL- WAUKEE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.

The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Com- pany got an amendment to their charter, author-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

izing them to build the line, the intention being to extend it to Dubuque, in Iowa. This com- pany, in the spring of 1855, employed a party of engineers to re-survey the line from Janes- ville to Monroe, preparatory to obtaining the right of way and commencing grading. J. T. Dodge, then of Janesville, now of Monroe, bad charge of the surveying party.

The contract for the work was let late in the fall of 1855 to C. D. Cook, of Milwaukee, a leading railroad contractor of the State. The work had commenced in February, 1856, and the track laid to Brodhead in September, 1857. Meanwhile the road had been mortgaged three times, and, in August, of this year, was sold on the third mortgage. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining money, there was now an actual sus- pension of track-laying for want of means to pay the duty upon the rails. That diffienlty was at length overcome by advances made mainly by the Bank of Monroe; so that the track was laid to Juda, in November, and to Monroe in December, 1857.

THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION AT BRODHEAD.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Sept. 23, 1857.]

Early on the morning of a drizzling, rainy, muddy Thursday of last week, we left home to attend the celebration of the opening of the Southern Wisconsin Railroad to Brodhead. The day was an unfortunate one as to appointment ; the weather being unpleasant, and the circuit court for Green county being in session and en- gaged upon the ease of Nehemiah Root.

About 11 o'clock A. M., an excursion train of six passenger and three or four freight cars, all crowded full, left the depot to meet the excnr- sionists from Milwaukee, Waukesha, and towns along the line of road. At Janesville, the Mil- waukee train of five crowded cars was added, and the train returned to Brodhead, arriving just in time to permit the whole company to take refuge in the large depot before the ap- proach of a passing shower. This unexpected moistening, not down on the bills, disconcerted the reception and dinner arrangements ; every-

thing, however, passed off pleasantly and har- moniously. After dinner Judge Randall re- sponded to a call in a few pertinent and well- timed remarks, succeeded by the banging of guns and the more pleasant roar of instrumental music.

The train returned at half past three o'clock, a number remaining to participate in a hop to come off in the evening.

The Monroe Brass Band furnished an excel- lent quality of music for the day, their playing being a matter of universal admiration ; the Brodhead Brass Band also played excellently well for so young a band; there was also a mar- tial band from Decatur, that participated in all the festivities.

Brodhead is fast getting to be a lively village, and the business over the railroad is already quite important, though at the present ruling prices of produce the exports from this county are not a tithe of what they soon, probably will be.

A GREAT EVENT.

The completion of the Southern Wisconsin Railroad to Monroe, in Green county, was, in- deed, a great event; perhaps, when viewed in all its bearings, the greatest that has ever oc- curred within the limits of the county. That this may not pass from the minds of future gen- erations readily, we give a few extracts from the Monroe Sentinel, concerning its progress from the eastern edge of the county to Monroe, and the happy time had by the people upon its completion to the county-seat of Green county.

THIE SOUTHERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Oct. 28, 1837.]

We have the satisfaction of announcing that the track-laying on the Southern Wisconsin line is resumed, and the workmen to-day commence laying the rail this side of Brodhead. Some of our moneyed men have given their names as surety that if the company will commence lay- ing the rail, they shall receive the necessary money, $1,300 per mile-to take iron out of bond, or enough to lay as far as Juda. If the

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stock-holders will come right up to the work like men, the road will be opened to Monroe in a few weeks. There are but fifteen miles to lay, besides side tracks and switches at Juda. We are well aware that the times are very hard, but it must be borne in mind, that the produce of the stock-holders is taken at Milwaukee quota- tions, and if every one will take hold with a will, we will have the road. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush;" we can get the road this fall by one carnest and concentrated effort. Next season the difficulty may be greater.

HI. Thompson is the accredited agent of the company, to take and forward produce or sub- scriptions, and pay over only so fast as the com- pany actually expend on the line. If he calls at your house don't send him away empty.

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Nov. 18, 1857.]

The track-layers to-day, (Wednesday) will have the rail laid into Juda, and by Saturday night, will probably have finished all side-tracks. It is now but eight miles from Juda to Monroe, and a little more hard work will bring the cars to this point. Let every man who has a cent in money or a bushel of wheat, pay the same to B. Dunwiddie, director, or Henry Thompson, Esq., agent, and those gentlemen will faithfully apply the same to the taking of iron out of bond. It will not do to let the track-layers cease until the last switch in this town is laid.

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Nov. 25, 1857.]

We are informed by friend Graham, of this town, [Monroe] that the track-layers are now putting down the switches and side-tracks at Juda, and towards the latter part of this week will commence moving westward towards Monroe.

One of the Messrs . Graham is personally superintending the work and doing all that man can do to hasten its progress.

Stock-holders and citizens along the line of this road are very much indebted to the Bank of Monroe, for the aid it has rendered and is

now rendering, to secure the completion of our road. It has furnished money to carry on the work when no other bank in the State would loan a penny-a fact that must not be forgotten when the cars shall rumble into town.

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD. [From the Monroe Sentinel, De3. 9, 1857.]

By politeness of friend Graham, we paid an- other visit to the railroad, Tuesday. At the time we left, 4 o'clock p. m., the rail was laid half way across the trussel-work-which is nearly a quarter of a mile in length. To-day the train will run over it, and we have engaged a passage on the first car.

The road is open within three and a half miles of Monroe, and the work is progressing rapidly.

SOUTIIERN WISCONSIN RAILROAD.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Dec. 23, 1857,]

We are in high feather, we are elated. We feel good. Why ? Go with us a few rods to- wards the southern portion of the village, and we will show you two parallel iron rails lead- ing to the east and connecting with all her roads, over which the strong engine with its ribs and muscles of iron and steel, is hereafter to play back and forth like the weaver's shuttle, fetching and carrying its load of men and merchandise.

The cars have come to town, and every day "Richland timber " echoes the scream of loco- motive. The facts that our people have paid the M. & M. R. R. Co., thousands of dollars within a few weeks, and that the Messrs Gra- ham have laid the rail at the rate of about half a mile per day throughout the worst month of the year, all go to demonstrate one thing, namely, that this village is to, be a little world of bustle and activity, from this time hence- forth ; and here we make the assertion, which we will prove by-and-by, by the figures, that Monroe will be the heaviest produce station in Wisconsin. It is a strong assertion, we know, but not over-grown, when it is considered that there will be tributary to this market alone over

- - -

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

156 square miles of territory, all well settled and improved.

Some kind of a celebration will undoubtedly take place at the formal opening, which will not occur for two or three weeks yet, inasmuch as there are several places where the track . will have to be ballasted, to be safe. We are told that some of the officers of the road will be in town the present week, to examine depot grounds, and arrange for the opening.

THIE RAILROAD CELEBRATION.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Jan. 13, 1858.

Below we give the order of arrangements for the approaching railroad celebration in honor of the opening of the Southern Wisconsin Railroad to Monroe, to take place on Tuesday the 19th inst:

ORDER OF ARRANGEMENTS:

Firing of cannon at 5 A. M. until 7 A. M. on public square.

Cars leave station at precisely 7 A. M. for Janesville, arrive back at 2:30 P. M.

Firing of cannon on return of cars.

Reception speech.

Reply.

Firing of cannon, when the company are marching from cars to hotel.

Dinner at 3:30 P. M.

Regular toasts and replies thereto.

Volunteer toasts and replies.

Firing of cannon after each reply.

Excursion tickets will be issued by Henry T. Thompson, B. Dunwiddie and John W. Stew- art, the con.mittee appointed for that purpose, to whom application may be made.

Per order Committee of Arrangements.

JOIN GRAHAM,

A. RICHARDSON.

H. STEVENS, GEORGE E. DEXTER. E. MOSHER, Committee.

TIIE RAILROAD CELEBRATION.

[From the Monroe Sentinel, Jan. 20, 1858.]

At a few minutes after 7 o'clock A. M. Tues- day, as lovely a January morning as poet's | Milwaukee.

fancy ever created-seven passenger cars almost filled with citizens of Monroe and vicinity, left the depot grounds of this village to meet at Janesville the guests from the cities and vil- lages of our State, who were disposed to join with us in our joy and good checr.

All were happy and cheerful as a party could well be; some chatting, some singing, some silently enjoying their first ride upon a railroad train-all possessing with satisfaction the hour after the bent of their minds. At the varions stations fresh additions were made to the load, so that by the time the train arrived at Janes- ville, the citizens of that seldom astonished place actually rolled their eyes in wonder that so many people could be collected anywhere between that vast city and sundown.

The Milwaukee train with some six cars ar- rived a little before 11 o'clock, and soon after- wards attached itself to the down train and started for this point, both trains being made one. The return trip was made in good time and the excursionists welcomed by a large body of our citizens.

As soon after the arrival as quiet could be re- stored, the president, George E. Dexter, Esq., presented S. P. Condee, of this village, who made an eloquent, appropriate and cordial reception speech, which was replied to on be- half of the guests by Hon. E. D. Holton, in an equally appropriate manner. At its conclu- sion, the excursionists proceeded to the various hotels and to private residences, whither they were cordially invited by our citizens, the spe- cially invited guests stopping at the American.

The dinner at the American was of the best order, and heartily greeted by hungry humani- ty. After dinner, came toasts in the following order:

1st. The city of Milwaukee, responded to by Col. George H. Walker, of that city.

2d. The Milwaukee & Mississippi Rail- road, responded to by Hon. E. D. Holton, of

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

3d. The city of Janesville, responded to by Mr. Williams of that city.

4th. The village of Whitewater, responded to by Rufus Cheney, of that village.

5th. The press of Wisconsin, responded to by Col. Hart, of Milwaukee.

6th. Roads and bridges, the first prints of the dawning sum of civilization.

7th. The iron roads of our country, a net work binding State to State in political union, community to community in commercial and social intercourse, the only talisman which can convert into reality the statesman's dream of a single and united Republic stretching from ocean to ocean.

8th. The whistle of the locomotive. It swallows up the secret of the fife, and the roll of the drum; its resonant echoes sounding peace on earth and good will to man.

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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 55

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