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 96

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 96

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).

Chloe Pond is now the wife of R. H. Hewitt ; Louisa M. Nichols is now the wife of Dr. J. H. Warren; Maria I. Pond is now the wife of C. S. Tibbetts.

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consin regiment. He is now post chaplain in the U. S. Army.] Russell, Smith, Allen, Bene- dict, Haskins, Lewis, J. J. Walker, Pengilly, Clifton, Evans, Briggs, Tull, Allen and Rev. Mr. Tyacke. The last named is the present pastor. The class met for worship in the Congregational church until 1883, when they erected a frame church building, valued at $2,000. Francis Atkinson is the present class leader.

Francis Atkinson was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, May 28, 1837. He is a son of Richard and Mary (Nelson) Atkinson, pioneers of Green county. In 1842 they emigrated to America and located in Champaign Co., Ohio. In 1846 they removed to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Albany, this county. Francis helped his father and older brothers fence and clear a farm; working on the farm in the summer and at- tending school in the winter, until the winter of 1859-60, when he commenced work for himself. He was married in the spring of 1860 to Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Wilding) Jones. He rented a farm in the town of Decatur, and at the end of one year, purchased the same farm. In 1871 he bought 145 acres more. He followed teaching in the winter time for five years. In 1882 he purchased 170 acres in the town of Albany, adjoining his old farm, and moved thereon, and in 1883 erected a new barn. He is engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were both converted in early life, and joined the Church. He joined the United Brethren Church, when meetings were held in the old log school house. He served as class steward for a number of years. In 1877 he joined the M. E. Church, and has since been appointed class-leader. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are the parents of eight children-Owen O., William F., Russell B., Mary A., Annie M., Lillian M., Nellie W. and Ettie May.

On the 11th of June, 1854, a Congregational society was organized by Rev. J. D. Stevens in the old stone school house. Among the first members were: Everett Dodge and wife, John

Flint and wife, Thomas Flint and wife, Mrs. Julia Nichols, Mrs. Dr. Fayette, Mrs. Chloe Bax- ter, Mrs. John Burt and E. S. Gillies and wife. The first deacons were Everett Dodge and John Flint. For a number of years the society met at the school house, and then a frame church was built. This church was erected by the peo- ple as a union church and was to be open to all denominations. Rev. J. D. Stevens was the first pastor of the Congregational Church. Af. ter him came Revs. James Jameson, Mr. Webb, Mr. Foot and Mr. Jameson. As most of the members have left, this organization has been abandoned.

A union Sunday school was organized at about the same time that the Congregational society was organized. Chauncy Hurlburt was the first superintendent. This Sunday school is still in existence and is in a flourishing condi tion. The following named have acted as superintendent: Chauncey Hurlburt, James Barnes, Thomas Flint, Marshall Kellogg, Thomas Flint, G. W. Roberts and Thomas Flint. The latter is the present superintendent.

ALBANY CEMETERY.

Albany 'cemetery is located in the south- western portion of the village plat between Warren's addition and the Monroe road. It is triangular in form and contains about five acres. The ground was donated to the village for burial purposes in 1851, by Erastus O. Pond and Dr. Samuel F. Nichols.

OUR NATION'S BIRTHDAY.

The first celebration of our Nation's birth- day, at Albany, took place July 4, 1846. On that day the people from miles around met on the east bank of Sugar river, near the residence of Erastus O. Pond. There were present at this gathering, counting old and young, large and small, just seventy-five souls. Dr. Samuel F. Nichols was orator of the day, and the young ladies furnished the music, which con- sisted of singing the "Star Spangled Banner." All present enjoyed themselves and went to

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HISTORY OF GREEN¡COUNTY.

their respective homes feeling that the day had been well spent.

The second celebration took place July 4, 1853, at which time there was a much larger crowd than at the first, and a pleasant time was had.

LOSS OF LIFE BY ACCIDENT.

The first fatal accident in the town, occurred on the 1st of June, 1851. On that day William Richardson, a merchant, was drowned in Sugar river while attempting to cross in a small boat. He was accompanied by S. A. Pond. When they reached the river, Richardson said he would return to the house for his rubbers, as he didn't want to wet his feet, "if he did get drowned." In the middle of the stream the current was too strong for them and they were swept over the dam. The boat went over all right, but the under current drew it back under the falls and it was then capsized. Pond was a good swimmer and struck out for the shore, but the current was swift and he was carried below the bridge before he could reach shore. Rich- ardson could not swim and was drowned. Al- though every possible effort was put forth, his body was not found until June 21, when it was accidentally discovered, lodged against some drift-wood a few miles below the village.

Isaac T. Armsbury, a farmer by occupation, was missed from his home in 1858. Diligent search was made in the surrounding country and the river was dragged with grapples and after unceasing efforts, his body was found in Sugar river.

In 1858 a son of William Firm, age, thirteen years, took off his clothes, jumped into the river and was drowned. It is thought the boy did not know that the water was deep enough to drown him.

In 1872 a party took a boat to go fishing, and were carried over the dam. One of the party, a Norwegian, was drowned.

Gabriel Baglinger, a tailor by occupation, was drowned while bathing in 1874.

Aaron Peckham was drowned in 1874, while washing sheep in the river about two miles be- low the village.

In 1866 Herbert Atkinson was accidentally shot with a revolver in the hands of John Pace, Jr. The shooting took place in a saloon. Mr. Atkinson was a promising young man, about nineteen years of age.

Eddie Dodge, son of J. M. Dodge, was killed by falling walls at the fire, Nov. 27, 1883.

John McFarland, while in the employ of the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co., as brakeman, was killed near the depot, on Dec. 8, 1883. He was in the act of coupling cars, when he was caught between the locomotive and a flat car, the coup- ling link passing through his body, causing death in a few hours. He was thirty-four years of age, and left a wife and two children.

FIRES AT ALBANY.

Few towns have been so unfortunate with fires as Albany. For, although only a village of about 400 inhabitants, it has suffered the loss of over $100,000 worth of property by fire.

The first large fire occurred in 1866, when the Charles Campbell block, at the time occupied as a hotel, was destroyed; loss, about $2,500. Two years later five stores, including postoffice, were consumed; loss, nearly $20,000. In 1872 five more stores were destroyed, and a loss of about $20,000 sustained, and in June, 1880, the Warren block, occupied as a hardware store, was laid in ashes, causing a loss of $8,000. But the largest and most destructive of the conflagrations occurred in 1883, and was accom- panied by loss of life.

ALBANY'S GREAT FIRE.

At an early hour Tuesday morning, Nov. 27, 1883, the family of J. A. Lockridge, who were occupying rooms on the second floor of Mur- rey's block, were startled by discovering that their rooms were filled with smoke so dense as to almost suffocate. The family had barely time to give the alarm to J. E. Flood's family, occupying an adjoining suite of rooms, clothe

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

themselves and beat a hasty retreat, before the flames were on their track.

The cry of "Fire! Fire! Fire!" rang out on the night air, and before many minutes nearly all the inhabitants of the village were at the scene of disaster. The flames spread with such rapidity that all efforts to stay their progress proved futile, and the work of saving goods was begun, but this was soon cut off by the fire breaking through the upper floors.

While the citizens were performing efficient work in the store of John Lemmel, carrying out goods, an explosion occurred from gunpowder stored on the premises, tearing down a portion of the walls of Murrey's building, throwing the end walls into the street and instantly kill- ing Eddie Dodge, a promising son of J. M. Dodge, who, with others, was occupied in car- rying out goods. He had just reached the side- walk when the crash came, and he was almost buried in the debris. His skull was crushed and a terrible gash cut in the right side of his neck, thus causing instant death. The iron columns in front of the building remained standing, otherwise the loss of life would have been much greater. However, a number of persons were precipitated into the cellar and narrowly escaped with their lives. Some would have perished had they not been extricated from their perilous position.

Excitement now ran high. Union block and Murrey's block were one sheet of flames. The fire crossed the street and destroyed several wooden buildings, and it was with herculean efforts that the mill of Warren & Tomkins was saved.

The financial loss by this fire was about $60,- 000; insurance, $20,000. Those who suffered the loss were: N. B. Murrey, Murrey block; John Lemmel, hardware and building; J. A. Lockridge, restaurant ; J. F. Litel, general store; G. W. Bartlett, drugs and building; J. Benkirk, clothing; John Hahn, boots and shoes; C. S. Tibbitts, harness; A. Darling, boots

and shoes; Albany Journal; Albany Vindicator; S. A. Pond, Pond's Hall; A. F. & A. M. Hall; I. O. O. F. Hall; E. B. Dorr, blacksmith; Parker Dodge, J. F. Maynard, furniture; Humes & Bliss, harness; Charles Humphrey and E. Bag- ley. The following sustained bodily injury: Thomas Dorman, collar bone broken; Charles Mathews, bruised about the head; Thomas Gravenor, face cut; Richard Glennan, Fred Roberts, Will Roberts, John Lemmel, Charles Roberts and others, sustained more or less in- jury. How the fire originated is a mystery, but was no doubt accidental.

ON THE DEATH OF EDDIE DODGE.

[By Mrs. Nellie Jacobson.]

Little Eddie was killed in his heroic efforts in the great fire at Albany, on the night of Nov. 26, 1883. Just after returning from ringing the church bell, to arouse the citizens.

Oh! the cruel, cruel fire! 'Tis a hungry, raging fiend, Sweeping with it worldly treasures By hard hours of labor gleaned.

'Tis a sight to touch the heart cords, Even of the direst foe; Gazing on those smouldering ruins, Burying treasures in their glow.

Many heads are bowed in thinking Of hard spent, toilsome days, Gathering that which, in a moment, Vanished in that awful blaze.

The future seems all cheerless, To many hearts to-night, Thinking of the toils and crosses, To bring back those treasures bright.

Yes, Ah! many a lonely hearth-stone, Has been sadly robbed of bliss, And the cruel, cruel fire fiend, Is the only cause of this.

But while mourning worldly losses, Cast your eyes, dear friends, around, See ye that no vacant chair At your fireside can be found.

Then in thankfulness, for mercy, Breathe within a silent prayer, That this cruel grief has spared you All the dear ones gathered there.

Then think ye, of a lonely home Where lies a boyish form, Which, but a few short hours ago, With life, was pulsing warm.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

He hastened with the many, To lend a helping hand, To quell the fiery monster, That rose so wild and grand.

But ah! how brief the moment, Till sadly, back they bore A crushed and mangled body, A breathing form no more.

Think of the lonely father, And hear his anguished moan,

Say, do you bring my darling thus, My jewel, has it gone?

In what, is life worth living now, The stricken parent cries, My idol, it is broken, And here in ruin lies.

He seeks to clasp the mangled form, That once had been h s joy,

As if to warm the frozen blood, And wake to life, his boy.

The sad and weeping sister, Bathes the cold face with tears,

Gazing on the dear companion, Of her happy childhood years.

No more, as in the happy past, His coming shall she wait, Or gladden at the welcome sound, His foot-fall at the gate.

Among his young companions, And his many, many friends, His name is softly spoken, In the tone that sorrow lends,

For to know him was to love him, And his presence all shall miss, Oh! the cruel, cruel fire fiend, Its most cruel work was this.

FLOODS.

In the spring of 1867 the ice in Sugar river was thirty inches in thickness, and when the thaw came it broke up and went out with a rush causing high water. The ice went out with such force as to destroy everything it came in contact with. Thus all the bridges in the town were swept away, ontbuildings were removed and the "Albany Grist Mill" was destroyed. The damage done in the town of Albany amounted to at least $40,000. The mill destroyed being valued at about one-half that amount.

The greatest flood, however, occurred on the 30th of June, 1880, on which date Sugar river was about eight feet above low water mark and thus flooded nearly all of the streets in the

village. But as there was no ice no serious damage was done, further than wetting the buildings and inconveniencing the inhibitants. ALBANY IN 1854.

The following article was published in the Janesville Gazette in 1854, and has been pre- served by J. B. Perry, Esq .:

"In regard to population Albany ranks as the second town in Green county-Monroe being the first-yet Albany is a small village and one would get but a very inadequate idea of its busi- ness importance from the number of its in- habitants. The population of Albany is greatly disproportionate to the amount of its business. In fact it can be safely said that there is no other town, of its size, in the State of Wisconsin whose business transactions equal that of this village. The reason of this is found in a great measure in the extremely favorable position this village occupies. It is a central point in reference to a large and populous section of country whose trade is best accommodated here, being sufficiently distant from any surrounding village which can pretend to offer this place any effective rivalry. This village possesses another advantage the importance of which can- not be overlooked by business men. It has a capital water power. It is with no desire to make invidious comparisons, or with any un- friendly feelings toward other villages that the statement is made, that, all things considered, the hydraulic power of this place is superior to any other on Sugar river. There is one large flouring mill already in operation and there will probably be another erected here the com- ing season. There is also a good saw mill at this place, and there is to be a cabinet and carriage manufactory built here the ensuing spring which will make use of some of this water power. But all of the above will fall far short of exhausting it.

"In regard to the country immediately sur- rounding Albany, no higher praise can be ac- corded it than to say, it is as good, as rich, and I as productive as any in Wisconsin. It is such a

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country as demands and guarantees the growth and prosperity of the place.

"That Albany is bound to increase rapidly in wealth and population there can be no doubt, unless, indeed, some unwise policy, or rather, obstacle is interposed to avert for the time its 'manifest destiny.' 'The statistics given below have been carefuly collected by J. B. Perry, Esq., and they can be relied upon as correct. They will be found, we think, to substantiate the claims we have made for Albany:

"The Albany dealers have purchased since November last:

Pork, .236,337, 1bs.

Wheat .. 25,876, bu.

Corn, since October last, ·18,800, 66

Oats. . 6,500, ' '

Quails, .

1,166, doz.

Poultry,.

2,050, lbs.

Number of Prairie Hens,. 400,

Wheat ground at mill for customers, 8,622, bu.

Oats and other feed, 3,933, 66

Flour packed, 2,000, lbs.

Capital invested in trade outside of the above, . .

$41,250.

"Albany, Feb. 15, 1854."

PIONEER SETTLERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS.

The following named are those composing the bone and sinew of the town and village of Albany. If not early settlers, they are citizens who by their enterprise and general popularity are deserving of mention in the annals of pro- gress. Their names occur in order of their settlement as near as possible:

William P. Murrey, one of the pioneers of Green county, was a native of New York, born in the Mohawk valley, July 16, 1814. When a young man he emigrated to Michigan and set- tled in Hilldale county, where he was married to Susan A. Wright, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., born in 1821. They lived in Hillsdale county until 1844, then came to the Territory of Wisconsin. He rented land in Waukesha county and put in a crop, then came to Green county and entered land on sections 2 and 11, township 2, range 9 east, now known as Deca- tur. He then returned to Waukesha county and harvested his crop. In the fall he came back to Decatur and built a log cabin, and worked

through the winter at rail-splitting. In the spring of 1845 he was joined by his family. He continued to live upon this farm until 1861. In September of that year, he enlisted in company E, of the 13th Wisconsin regiment, and served until after the close of the war. He was dis- charged in the fall of 1865, when he returned home and resumed farming. He died in April, 1881. In the fall of 1882 his widow removed to Colorado where she resides at present. Five children were born to them-Napoleon B., Wil- liam H., Albert W., Lou P. and Emeline A. Napoleon B. Murrey was born in Michigan, Aug. 29, 1840, and was four years old when he came with his parents to Wisconsin. His early life was spent in the town of Decatur. He enlisted on the day that he was twenty-one years old, in the 5th Wisconsin Light Artillery, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Among the more important battles in which he participated are: Island No. 10, siege of Corinth and Jackson, in Mississippi; Perryville, Ky., Stone River and Chatta- nooga. He was taken sick at Chattanooga and sent to the hospital, where he remained three months. He was then sent to Murfreesboro and was there one year, then again joined his com- mand at Atlanta, where, after participating in the capture of that city, he was honorably dis- charged, and returned home. He engaged in farming until 1871, when he went to Texas and remained two years, then returned to Green county. In 1874 he removed to the village of Albany, where he now lives. In 1881 he erected a business house on block 13, which was de- stroyed by fire Nov. 27, 1883. He then built a brick block, 40x90 feet, with a hall in the second story. He was married in June, 1865, to Abby Caleff, a native of Dixon, Ill.

Daniel Hill started, in 1845, from Pennsyl vania for Wisconsin, with one horse and a wagon. He was accompanied by his wife and four children. Mr. Hill was taken sick the day he started, but kept on until he reached Trum- bull Co., Ohio. There he stopped, and a few

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

days later, died. His remains were there buried. After the funeral, the family again started on their lonely way for the Territory of Wisconsin. Having cooking utensils with them, they camped and cooked by the road-side. After a long and tedious journey, they reached Green county and located in the town of Syl- vester, where three of the children had previ- ously settled. The family lived there for sev- eral years. In 1874 Mrs. Hill went to Monti- cello to live with her daughter, Mrs. Hanford Selleck. She lived with her until the time of her death. Mr. Hill was born in Northumber- land Co., Penn., in 1796. Mrs. Hill's maiden name was Margaret Shaner. She was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1798. There were eleven children born to them, six of whom are now living-Eliza, married to Nathaniel Edgar, lives in Iowa; Mary, wife of A. White, living in Monroe; Julia A., wife of J. T. Suth- erland, resides in Grant county; Sarah J., wife of H. M. Selleck, of Monticello; William, born in Northumberland Co., Penn., June 9, 1833, and Henry, born in Northumberland Co., Penn., in 1855. The two boys went to work for an older brother, to raise means to keep the family together. They remained with him between two and three years, then William engaged to work at $10 per month, for J. J. Dawson, of Decatur, on his farm. At the end of fourteen months, Henry rented the farm, and his mother and two sisters moved thereon. They remained there six years, when the two brothers pur- chased a farm on section 4, in the town of Syl- vester. In about four years afterward, Wil- liam purchased Henry's interest in the farm, and continued farming until 1875, when he re- moved to Brodhead and engaged in the lumber business. He remained there in business until 1883, when he removed to Albany and engaged in the same business, with H. E. Burnham as partner. He was married on the 17th of Novem- ber, 1863, to Miss F. L. Whittier, born in Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass. They had three children-Harry B., Charlie and Willie II.

Henry now lives in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He was a soldier in the late war, serving in an Iowa regiment.

Arden H. Colton, son of Pliny and Rizpah Colton, was born in the town of Ripley, N. Y., Sept. 6; 1822. When he was three years old his parents moved to Erie Co., Penn., where they lived ten years, then moved to Mercer county in the same State. When the subject of this sketch was twenty-two years old, he started for the west. He traveled by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to Belleville, Iowa, thence to Jackson county, of the same State. He engaged in driving a breaking team until harvest, then worked at harvesting until fall. He then returned to Pennsylvania and worked through the winter in an iron furnance. In the spring he went again to Jackson Co., Iowa, rented land, and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1845 he came to Green county and drove team from Exeter, to different points, which business he continued fourteen months. He was married March 22, 1847, to Margaret J. Rima, daughter of John and Armelia (Fuller) Rima. She was born in Pennsylvania. At this time he bought a piece of timber land on section 10, and soon after traded twenty acres of this land for forty acres of prairie land on section 10, where he erected a log house and commenced housekeeping. They lived there two years, then traded for forty acres one mile north, to which they re- moved. One year later he sold that land and bought eighty acres in the town of Exeter, erected a log house and lived there one year, then sold, and in the fall of 1854, removed to Richland county and bought 240 acres in the town of Willow. He built a log house in which he lived four years, then erected a frame house, and lived there until 1859. He then traded his farm for land in Floyd Co., Iowa, re- turned to Green county and rented land in the town of Mount Pleasant. He lived there through the summer and then bought fifty acres on section 11, which he lost. He lived there

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

through the winter and in the spring rented a farm adjoining, and worked that summer. In the fall he removed to Monticello and rented a house during the winter, then went to look after his Iowa land. He lost pretty near all he had there, and traded what interest he had left for forty acres in the town of Jefferson, Green county, built a frame house and lived there two years, then bought eighty acres in the town of Washington, on which he lived six years, then sold and bought a farm on section 11, of Mount Pleasant, where he remained ten years, then traded for a farm of eighty acres on section 10. He lived there one year, then rented out his land and removed to Albany, where he rented a farm three years, then bought a farm on sec- tions 16 and 20, also the lots in block 18, of the new addition to Albany, and sold his farm on section 10, town of Mount Pleasant. He erected a frame house and barn and has since made this his home. Mr. and Mrs. Colton have five children-Rizpah A., Mary E., Armelia, Sarah J. and Phebe D.

Richard Hamer, a pioneer of Green county, was born at Glanravon, in the parish of Llanba- darn-ffynydd Radnorshire, South Wales, March 23, 1817. He was reared to agricultural pur- suits until he was eighteen years old, when he was apprenticed to Benjamin Davis, of Mon- ghke, blacksmith, with whom he served two years. He afterwards worked at Dolver and Llanbadarn, as journeyman. He, however, re- turned to farming, at which he remained until he emigrated to America. On the 1st of May, 1845, he was married to Mary Iarman, daughter of Ezekiel and Maria Iarman, of Bryngwain, in the parish of Llandinam, Montgomery- shire, North Wales, and on the 7th day of May, in the same year, they took passage across the Atlantic from Liverpool, in the sail- ing ship, John Bentley. After a voyage of six weeks and three days they landed at Quebec, Can- ada. He, however, was for two weeks laid up in the quarantine, suffering from rheumatism. From

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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 96

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