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 92

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 92

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and was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1835. She removed from there with her par- ents, in 1836, to Stephenson Co., Ill. Her father dying in December, 1841, her mother and the remainder of the family one year later removed to the town of Union, Rock Co., Wis., where she lived until the fall of 1852, when she was married to John B. Chase, as before stated, and came to this county. Her mother died April 13, 1873. She was a native of Penn- sylvania. Her father was born in Vir- ginia. John B. and Martha A. Chase have four children. The eldest, Clark L., was born Dec. 14, 1853, and was married to Minnie Elemier in 1882. They are now living in Ne- braska. The second child was a daughter (Phila A.) born Dec. 14, 1855. She was mar- ried to V. C. Holmes Jan. 26. 1881, and lives in Evansville, Rock county. He is treasurer of the Evansville Mercantile Association. The two remaining children-Franklin B. and Wil- liam B., the former born Dec. 14, 1859, and the latter May 9, 1862-are living with their par- ents. Mr. Chase was formerly a member of the democratic party, and still adheres to the principles originally advocated by that organi- zation, but now exercises the right of suffrage intelligently, voting for whom he considers the best men. He may be considered a democrat. Mrs. Chase is a member of the First Baptist Church at Albany. Mr. Chase received a limit- ed education in the district schools, and has fol- lowed various occupations. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been a member since about 1850.

Albert L., son of John and Amanda (Griffin) Broughton, was born in Albany, Wis., Dec. 28, 1845. Here his younger days were spent. Ile obtained his early education in the district schools, and afterwards attended Evansville Seminary one term and Milton College four terms. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching school during the winter season, teach- ing five terms in Green county and two in Rock county. He was married in 1868 to llattie

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Bump, a native of Rock county. He then set- tled on section on 34, where he lived two years, then removed to his present location on section 36, on the place where his father settled in 1842. They have four children-Marvin E., Dora A., George E. and Floyd L.

William, son of John and Amanda (Griffin) Broughton, was born in Albany, Oct. 22, 1848. He was reared upon a farm and educated in the district schools, and attended two terms at Al- bany. He engaged in teaching at the age of eighteen, teaching his first term in his home district. He was married in September, 1870, to Mary J. Coburn, born in Walworth Co., Wis. He then settled on section 34, where he resided until December, 1883, when he removed to section 35. Mr. and Mrs. Broughton have three children-Lena J., Walter J. and Jessie A.

Asa Comstock, settled in Albany in 1845. He was an early settler in Wisconsin, having locat- ed at Janesville in 1836. He was born June 8, 1800, in Chittenden Co., Vt. In his youth he went to Canada and spent some time with an uncle, then returned to Vermont, and made his home with his parents, until the time of his father's death. He afterwards went to the State of New York, where he was married to Clarissa Swan, and settled in Chautauqua county, where his wife died. On coming to Green county he entered land on sections 29 and 30, of township 3 north, range 9 east. Here he im- proved a large farm, erected good buildings, and made his home until the time of his death. He was again married in Janesville, in March, 1839, to Lydia Smiley, who was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1814. Eight children have blessed their union- Harriet, Mary, Charles, Alice, Jane A., Leander, Clara and Albert Bion. Jane Ann died at the age of seventeen years. Albert Bion, who now occupies the homestead with his mother, has managed the farm since the death of his father. He was born April 5, 1855, and married March 6, 1883, to Mary Lewis, a native of Mount Pleasant, Green connty.

Among the arrivals in 1846 were James Trow and William Reese, natives of Wales Mr. Trow located on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 15, where he lived until the time of his death, in 1873. He was one of the first justices of the peace elected in the town. Mr. Reese settled on the southeast quarter of section 14. He still owns the place, but lives in Rock county.

During the same year Hezekiah Wheeler and his son Carquil, natives of the State of New York, came and settled on the southeast quarter of section 13. The old gentleman died there some years later, and the young man sold out and removed to Nebraska. James Townsend, a son-in-law of Mr. Wheeler, came at the same time and settled on the northeast quarter of. section 13. A few years later he sold out and removed to California, where he was murdered by the Indians.

Seth V. Peebles was a native of Massachu- setts, born in the town of Petham, Hampshire county, May 1, 1803. When he was an infant his parents emigrated to the west and settled in Madison Co., N. Y., where he grew to man- hood and was married to May Stevens, in 1828. She was born in Madison county, in 1804. They removed to Chautauqua county, where he pur- chased timber land. He hewed a farm out of the wilderness and made that his home until 1843, when he sold out and emigrated to Mich- igan, and stopped in Branch county, until May, 1845, then removed to Illinois and lived in Boone county until February, 1846, when he came to this county and entered land on section 24 of township 3 north, range 9 east, remaining here until death called him away, Feb. 21, 1884. His widow lives on the homestead. They were the parents of four children, all now living- William H., Edwin M., Diana E. and Hial. Mr. and Mrs. Peebles have lived together fifty-six years, and his death was the first break in the family circle.

William II., the eldest son of Seth and May Peebles, was born in the town of Arkwright,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Chantauqua Co., N. Y., May 1, 1829, and came to Wisconsin with his parents, with whom he made his home until the time of marriage, in October, 1851, to Betsey Wheeler, also a native of York State. He then settled on his- present farm on section 24. They commenced house- keeping in a log cabin in which he lived until 1868, when he erected the neat frame house he now occupies. His wife died in June, 1853, and in October, 1854, he was again married to Fanny M. Griggs, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. She died April 15, 1880, leaving three children - Lura D., Carrie A. and Watson G. Their first child, Orville, died when fifteen years old. His third wife, to whom he was mar- ried Dec. 16, 1880, was Emily A. Griffin, a na- tive of York State.

Edwin M., another son of Seth V. Peebles, was also born in the town of Arkwright, April 14, 1834. He made his home with his parents until 1866. He was married April 8, of that year, to Sarah Kyes, who was born in the town of Theresa, York State. He had purchased land on section 23, and erected a log house, into which they moved and lived until 1882, then built the fine frame house he now occupies.

Silas P. Wheeler, a "New Yorker," came during the same year and settled on the south- east quarter of section 23. He lived here for a few years, then removed to Iowa.

The northwestern portion of the town is mostly settled by Norwegians. The first of that nationality to settle here was Aslak Aarhus, who came in 1848, and boughtl and on sections 5 and 8. He lived here about two years, and then sold out and removed to Iowa.

The next Norwegian settlement was made in December, 1849, by Syver Gothompson and family, and his son Thomas and family. Syver entered 160 acres of land on section 17, and made this his home until the time of his death. Thomas also located on section 17, and lived there until his death in 1857, which was caused by an accident. He slid from the top of a hay- stack and fell upon the prongs of a fork which

penetrated his vitals, causing death in twenty- two hours. His widow, married again, still oc- cupies the old homestead.

Syver Gothompson, one of the first Nor- wegian settlers in the town of Albany, was born in Norway in 1800. He was married in January, 1826, to Barbara Halgerson, who was born in 1810. In 1849, he, with his family, consisting of his wife and ten children, emi- grated to America. They landed at New York city, and proceeded up the Hudson river to Albany, thence by the Erie canal to Buffalo, where they took passage for Milwaukee. On their arrival there, he hired a team to take them to Rock county, where they remained until December of that year, then came to Green county and purchased 160 acres of land on sec- tion 17. There was a log house on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter, to which he built an addition, making it a double house. This was, for a time, the stopping place for all Norwegian emigrants who passed this way. At one time there were sixty-five persons, includ- ing the family, who spent the night at this house. In 1856 he moved to another part of the section where he remained until his death, in December, 1880. IIe had erected good frame buildings, including a large house and barn. His widow still lives upon the farm. Thirteen children were born to them, all of whom at- tained an adult age, and eleven are now living- Harry, Sarah, Ann, Barbara, Peter, Mary, Bertha, Andrew, Ellef, Syver and Julia.

Peter was born in Norway in 1840, and was nine years old when his parents came to America. Ile grew to manhood in the town of Albany, re- ceiving his education in the district schools. In 1862 he went to Minnesota and spent one year with his brother-in-law in Goodhne county. In the fall of 1864 he went to the pineries and engaged in chopping through the winter, and returned to Albany in the spring. He was married in 1866 to Bertha Gilbertson, and set- tled at that time upon his present farm on see- tion 17, where he has 196 acres, and is engaged

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

in raising grain and stock. He has erected a good frame house and a large barn, and is a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Gothompson are the parents of five children-Sophia, Lena, Laura B., Samuel G. and Ilenry A. Peter Gothompson is at the present time, and has been for several years, one of the town board in town of Albany.

Andrew was born in March, 1848, and was one year old when he came to America. In his younger days he attended the district school and assisted his father on the farm. He was married in January, 1875, to Josephine Swager, a native of Janesville, Rock Co., Wis. They have twe children-Norman S. and Bennie A. He owns and occupies the old homestead.

Ellef Gothompson was born in the town of Al- bany, Jan. 4, 1851, and was one of the first children born of Norwegian parents in this town, where he grew to manhood, and was edu- cated in the district school. He was united in marriage in November, 1879, with Cornelia Lev- erson, also a native of the town of Albany. They settled at the time of marriage upon his present farm, which is located on section 8 of Albany. They have two children-Bertha and Syver.

In 1850 the settlement was increased by the arrival of another party of Norwegian pioneers, consisting of Ole Harrolson, Haken Christian- sen, Ole Johnson, Torkel Jacobson and his son Gilbert and their families. Harrolson settled on the southeast quarter of section 7. Two years later he sold out and removed to Iowa. Christiansen settled on the southwest quarter of section 8. He improved the farm and lived there until 1872, when he sold out and moved to the western part of the county. Johnson also settled on section 8, and is still a resident. Jacobson located on the same section and died there in 1853. Ifis son, Christian, still occupies the homestead. Gilbert, Jacobson settled on the southeast quarter of section 8, where he still lives.

Ole Mickelsen came here in 1851, and settled on section 17. He now lives in Minnesota.

Among the Norwegian settlers who came in 1852, Were Ole Gilbertson and son, Ole, An- dreas Albertsen, Ole Leverson and Ole Broton. Ole Gilbertson Sr., bought land on sections 8 and 9. He died there in 1854. Ole Gilbertson, Jr., and Ole Broton bought the Dexter place, including land on sections 8 and 16. Gilbertson still lives there. Broton has since moved to the Red River Valley, in Minnesota. Albertsen settled on section 5, where he died in 1854. Leverson purchased the Harrolson place on sec- tion 7, where he still lives.

Reuben Fulson, familiarly known as "Old Ruby," a native of Canada, came to the county in 1841, and first stopped at Mr. Baxter's in the town of Spring Grove. He was soon employed by Erastus Hulburt, whom he served eighteen months. He resided in the county until his death, in 1875. Previous to his coming here he had served in the regular army. He was a very peculiar man and spent a great portion of his time in hunting and trapping. He no doubt killed more wolves than any other man who ever lived in the county, and on this account he became known through Green and Rock coun- ties as "Old Ruby, the Wolf Hunter." He had no family and his many peculiar whims fur- nished many a hearty langh for those who knew him.

In 1845, "Governor" Ford made a claim on section 16, creating a cabin on the corners of sections 8, 9, 16 and 17, and his claim surrounded it. Ile remained here for about three years, then left the county. All of the old settlers will remember "Gov." Ford, as he was known. He was accompanied by a son-in-law, and they sup- posed by building their cabin as they did, they could claim on either section.

John B. Preston purchased the "Gov's.," claim and remained until 1857, when he removed west.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first birth in the town was that of Stephen, a son of Stephen L. and Roxanna El-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

dred, born July 31, 1843. He is still a resident of the town.

About the first marriage in the town, was that of Albert S. Holmes to Sarah A. Cass. The ceremony was performed by Hiram Brown, jus- tice of the peace, July 26, 1846, at the house of S. L. Eldred. The couple still live in the town. ORGANIC.

The town of Albany was organized April 3, 1849. When the first town meeting was held, E. O. Pond, Asa Comstock and Joshua Whit- comb were inspectors of the election. The fol- lowing were the first town officers, chosen at this election: Aaron Broughton, chairman; James Campbell and George W. Bagley, super- visors; S. P. Wheeler, assessor; Christopher Meinert, treasurer ; Gilbert McNaught, clerk; Samuel F. Nichols, superintendent of schools; Erastus O. Pond, S. L. Eldred, James Trow, Jeptha Davis, justices of the peace; S. T. Bag- ley, H. Purrington and John Jones, constables. The record states that "Old Ruby" received three votes for constable.

At the first town meeting it was voted to raise $75 for the support of schools; $125 for contingent expenses.

RELIGIOUS.

At an early day a Methodist Episcopal class was organized at the school house on section 35, by Elder Hussey. The following were among the first members: Jeremiah Brewer and wife, B. Davenport and wife, John Ash and wife, and Thomas Ash and wife; John Ash was the first class leader. Among the preachers who at different times filled the pulpit for this class were: Revs. White, Hazeltine, Wheeler, Bradley, Ferguson and Allen. As nearly all of the members of this class have moved away, the organization has been abandoned.

UNITED BRETHREN.

In 1852 a United Brethren class was organ- ized at the school house on section 35, by Rev. William Haskin. Among the first members were: S L. Eldred and wife and two children; Washington Adams and wife, father, mother

and two daughters; William Murray and wife; Alexander Murray and wife; William Webb and wife, and Mrs. Cyrus Phillips. S. L. Eldred was the first class leader. Among the pastors who preached for the class were: Revs. S. L. Eldred, James Johnson, Elisha Bovee, S. A. Potts and W. Reed. This class has long since been discontinued.

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The first meetings of this denomination were held in Syver Gothompson's log house in 1850, by Rev. Clauson, from Rock county. The Nor- wegian element met at the same place, and, during pleasant weather, under the shade of a burr oak tree near by, until the log school house was erected, when that building was used as a place of worship. In 1864 a neat stone church was erected on section 8. Rev. Derrickson was the second preacher. He was succeeded by Rev. Magelsen, who was pastor for twenty- one years. Succeeding him, came Rev. Thor- vildsen, the present preacher. There are now (1884) nineteen families belonging to this Church, besides several individual members. Meetings are held once a week. The present officers of the Church are: C. Jensvald, dea- con ; Ole Gilbertson, Sr., secretary ; Andrew Gothompson and Ole Gilbertson, trustees.

HOOSIC POSTOFFICE.

Hoosic postoffice was established in 1849. Jeremiah Brewer was appointed postmaster, and kept the office at his house on the southeast quarter of section 36. When first established, it was on a route from Beloit to Mineral Point, mail being received tri-weekly. During the war Brewer resigned and the office was discon- tinued.

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

The first school in district No. 4 was taught by Martha Taggart, at Syver Gothompson's house, in 1853. During the same year a log school house was erected on section 8. Martha Taggart and Ellen Turmin were the first teach- ers in this house. This building was in use for

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

some years, when a more substantial building was erected on the old site. Martha Magoon and Ellen and Syver Gothompson were early teachers in this house.

The first school house in district No. 5 was built about 1849. The people of the neighbor- hood held a "bec," and cut and drew the logs together and thus erected the building. It is located on the northeast quarter of section 15, and is still in use. Orisna Higday was the first teacher in the house. David Jones was the teacher in the winter of 1883-4.

The first school in district No. 6 was taught by Susan J. Taggart, in a log house belonging to James Spencer. This was as early as 1850. Lydia A. Abbott and Phebe Rockwell were also early teachers in this district. In the fall of 1852 a log school house was built on section 23, in which Phebe Rockwell was the first teacher. This house was in use until 1864, when a frame building was erected on the south line of the northeast quarter of section 23. Warren Gardner was the first teacher in this house.

The first school house in district No. 7 was erected in 1846. It was a log building and was located on the southeast quarter of section 35. Sarah A. Cass, now the wife of A. S. Holmes, was the first teacher. The first building was in use for a number of years, when it was superseded by the present school house, which was erected on the old site. Irene Hall was one of the first teachers in this house.

Joint district No. 9 was organized in 1845 or 1846, and embraced a great deal of territory. The first officers were James Campbell and Daniel Smiley. The first teacher was Mary Parry. The first school house in the town was erected the same year that this district was or- ganized. It was located on the northern part of section 32. It was a log building erected by the people of the neighborhood. The cracks were filled with mud and the roof covered with shakes. This house was only in use for a few years, when school was held for a time in a

house belonging to Daniel Smiley, which was located on section 29. In 1855 the present house was erected on the northwest quarter of section 32. It is a substantial stone building and is in good repair.

The first school in district No. 10 was taught in a house belonging to William Rolfe on sec- tion 16, in 1853-4. Emily Gleason and Ellen Stanley were the first teachers. The first school house was erected about 1855, on the northeast quarter of section 16. It is still in use. Carrie Lockwood taught the term of 1883-4.

District No. 11 was organized in 1865, and the first term of school was taught during the same year in William Frances' lionse, on sec- tion 1, by Peter P. Pierson. In 1866 a stone school house was erected on the south west quar- ter of section 1, in which Sarah Carle taught the first school. This building is still in use.

REMINISCENCES. [By Hiram Brown.]

In this connection is presented a series of let- ters regarding events of early days from Hiram Brown. The correspondence was directed to Hon. C. Meinert. As far as possible the letters are given verbatim, only being altered where it was necessary to leave ont purely private or personal matters. Mr. Brown has a peculiarly interesting style of writing; and his graphic description of things and relation of events will be read with pleasure by his many friends throughout Green county.

The first letter bears the date of "Orleans, Harlan Co., Neb., Feb. 27, 1884." It is as fol- lows:

"Seeing a notice in the newspapers from Green county that a history was about being published, I concluded to write some facts to you, and if anything can be gathered from it of benefit to you or worthy of a place in the his- tory, you are at liberty to use it or any part of it. Mine I think was the second family in the town of Albany but perhaps Samuel Mitchell was a few days in advance of me. I located there abont the 20th of March, 1842, Mr. James

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Campbell being the first there. I put up a small shanty to camp in whilst getting a set of logs for the house. Mr. Campbell, Samuel Mitchell, Laurie True and Justus Sutherland was at the raising from the west side of the river, and Mr. Fox and Mr. Foshler from the east side of the river. Mr. Mitchell sold his claim to Dan- iel Smiley, who soon came and still lives on it.

"The winter of 1842-3 was one of the severest I ever saw; snow fell on the night of November 8, from four to six inches deep, and did not go off till the next April; most of the winter the snow was four feet on the level and cattle suffered severely, many dying by sheer starvation and I lost a few myself. Mr. Brown lost a large number. The ground was unfrozen when the first snow came and remained so during the winter. In the latter part of May or Ist of June a very severe and long rain storm filled the ground with moisture and in many places cov- ered the surface of the ground with a sheet of water, making it very difficult for teams with even a light load to pass along. Brown's Marsh, in particular, was then and for some time after an eye sore to loaded teams, as you well know.

"In August 1844, I shot and killed the first bear known to be in that section of country; afterward there were several killed in Green and Dane counties.

"The first case of litigation arising in what is now known as Albany, was between James Campbell and Joshua Whitcomb, originating in Mr. Whitcomb's entering a piece of land on which Mr. Campbell had a fence near his land, and he supposed said fence and improvements were on his own land, but by tracing lines closely it was found to be on government land, and Mr. Whitcomb entered it and claimed the fence and the crops then growing on it. Mr. Whitcomb employed as his attorney the Hon. John W. Stewart, of Monroe, and Mr. Campbell employed your humble servant; the court, Jacob Linzie of Exeter. The case was almost one like that of David and Goliah. Mr. Stewart, the Goliah, a well

read lawyer, and myself a perfect stripling in legal lore; but after some two or three ad- journments there was an agreement to arbitrate the matter which closed that suit with some pro's and con's on both sides. The next suit was before the writer and between Samuel Mitchell and another party, in which Mr. Mitchell came out second best or rather Mr. Mitchell did not have the best witnesses.

"Wolves, deer and wild honey bees were quite plenty, say from 1842 to 1850, deer going first.

"As to the further settlement of Albany, I leave to better hands, except that the first year of my residence in Green county, Justus Suth- erland was road supervisor and his district included Albany, Sylvester and other territory now forgotten. He came and notified me to work on the bridge across Allen creek at or near where the bridge now is leading towards Attica, soon after known as Winneshiek."

" ORLEANS, NEB., Feb., 28, 1884.

" In haste I wrote you some facts relative to the early history of Green county. After sleep- ing over the matter, I recollect some other facts and jottings of the people, and first, some facts of its natural history. First, you can probably recollect of William Dysert undertaking to dig a well about half way between my house and that of Joshua Flint's, and dug in what is now the highway some forty-three or forty-four feet, but found no water. He expected to strike the vein that supplied the spring at my house, and get an overflowing artesian well-but having hurt his hand he was prevented cutting off the supply to my spring. On the last day of his digging, near night fall, I was there, and he sent up the bucket of dirt, he asked me to look at some things he had found in digging a short time before. On examination it clearly appeared to be originally some pieces of, bark, one piece, say 2×3 inches surface size, two other pieces less size, but where they were recently broken, they had to me every appearance of coal, and were afterward also declared to be

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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 92

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