History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 104

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958

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The foundry and machine-shop of John Wearne & Sons, located on the Dodgeville road, a short distance from the business portion of the city, was established in 1868. Messrs. Wearne & Sons, since the establishment of their shop, have been engaged in the manufacture and repair- ing of sugar mills and different kinds of farming and mining machinery. When in full force, four men are constantly employed.

Tornado Brewery .- This institution is located on the Dodgeville road, one mile from the business portion of the city. and is one of the important industries of the place. In 1850, the first building was erected by William Tyrrell, at a cost of $4,000. This was a stone structure, 24x100 feet, and two stories high. Mr. Tyrrell continued in the brewing business but a short time, and was succeeded by Jacob Roggy. In 1854, Charles and Frederick Gillmann pur- chased the property, and, in 1855, Jacob Spielmann was admitted as a partner. The business was then carried on under the firm name of Gillmann Bros. & Co., until 1857, when Charles Gillmann sold his interest to his partners, who continued together until 1868. This firm made valuable improvements, erected substantial and commodious buildings, and increased the capacity of the establishment. In 1868, Mr. Spielmann disposed of his interest to Charles Gillmann, who, with his brother, did a successful business together until 1872. Charles was then elected County Treasurer, and rented his share to William Muser. In 1874, Charles Gillmann pur- chased the entire property, and has since been sole proprietor. The memorable tornado of May 23, 1878, entirely destroyed the brewery with five other buildings in the immediate vicinity, entailing a loss to Mr. Gillmann of $20,000. During the summer and fall of the same year, the present rock building was erected and fitted with all the modern inventions in machinery, etc., at a total cost of $12,000. Prior to 1878, the beer was manufactured by hand, and the fullest capacity was 2,500 barrels per annum. The Tornado Brewery now has a capacity of 6,000 barrels per annum, and is regarded as one of the leading brewing establishments in Southwestern Wisconsin. Its sales are confined principally to Iowa, La Fayette and Grant Counties. Six men are employed, and its rapidly increasing business requires the constant operation of the brewery.

Garden City Brewery .- This brewery was established by James Argall, the present pro- prictor, in 1854. At that time, the large stone building, 62x80 feet, now in use, was erected. It is divided into malt and brewing apartments, and has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a week. For a number of years, Mr. Argall paid considerable attention to bottling beer ; but of late years, has abandoned this branch of the business. The sale of beer manufactured at this establishment, is confined to Mineral Point and vicinity.

Henry's Bank .- A private banking institution established in the fall of 1861, by William T. Henry. who has since acted as President. The first eashier was George Henry, who resigned April 1, 1878, and was succeeded by Thomas T. Parmele. This bank does a general banking business, foreign and domestic exchange ; also agency for the Guion-Morris Express and Rotter- dam Steamship Companies, located in city building on High street.

City Bank-Was established as a private banking institution December 22, 1874, by Alex- ander Wilson and Edward Harris, who have since carried on a general banking business with foreign and domestic exchange: ageney for the National and White Star steamship lines. Alexander Wilson, President : William Harris, Cashier ; located in Toay's Block.

Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association .- A preliminary meeting of the citizens of Mineral Point and vicinity was held at the city hall in the afternoon of May 8, 1871, to discuss the propriety of organizing a society for the encouragement of agriculture and mechanical pursuits. The meeting was called to order by Dr. George D. Wilber, and, upon motion of John J. Ross, James Toay was appointed Chairman, and William HI. Peek, Secretary. After an exchange of views, a committee, consisting of Dr. G. D. Wilber. James H. Spensley and John

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

J. Ross, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, which was reported and adopted at the next meeting of the society May 22, 1871.

The organization being effected, the society then procured a lease of seventeen acres of land from John J. Ross, which they fitted up for, and held the first fair early in September of 1871. The excellent management of the officers and executive committee rendered this first effort a flattering success. A half-mile track for horse-racing was made, and succeeding fairs were held in 1872-73. Early in 1874, the members of this society, desiring to conform to the State laws, and thereby receive State aid, adopted March 5, articles of association, signed by John H. Vivian, Thomas Priestley, R. D. Pulford, John Clowney, John J. Ross, H. M. Oliver, T. S. Ansley and John Hoare. The first section of those articles declared, "This society shall be known and designated as 'The Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association,' and shall be located at the city of Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wis., where all its meetings, fairs and exbi- bitions shall be held. The purposes of this association are hereby declared to be the encourage- ment of the agricultural and mineral resources of Southwestern Wisconsin."

The membership of this society is limited to the territory embracing Iowa, La Fayette and Grant Counties. Successful fairs have been held annually, the society never yet failing to pay premiums and legitimate expenses in full. The association have just completed negotiations for the purchase of new ground, consisting of thirty acres, west of and adjoining Graceland Cemetery. This excellent location, when fitted with race course, floral hall, stalls, etc., will cost the society $3,500. The present floral hall was erected in 1875, at a cost of $1,200.

The following is a complete list of the officers of the society from its organization :

1871-President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, William Bainbridge, Isaac Comfort, Charles Dunn, John J. Van Metre ; Secretary, S. D. Gaylord ; Treasurer, George Henry.

1872-President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, William Buckingham, J. B. Johnson, I. C. Comfort. S. Harker; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1873-President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort. J. B. Johnson, N. K. Van Metre, Cornelius De Long, J. McWilliams ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1874-President, John H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, John Clowney, C. De Long, N. K. Van Metre, William Buckingham ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1875-President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, J. C. Kirkpatrick, John Clowney, J. H. Earnest, J. J. Davis ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1876-President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, William Lanyon, G. C. Weathersby, J. J. Davis, I. C. Comfort, J. C. Kirkpatrick ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1877-President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, W. Lanyon, Jr., J. C. Kirkpatrick, W. Buckingham ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1878-President. William T. Henry ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort; Owen Wright, J. Elwood, N. K. Van Metre, R. D. Pulford; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1879-President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, Francis Little, Edwin Johnson, R. D. Pulford ; Secretary, Delos P. Beech ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley. 1880-President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, J. Tregoning, G. G. Cox, James Toay ; Secretary. Delos P. Beech ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.

1881-President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, George G. Cox, J. Tregoning, J. H. Vivian.

The total receipts of the society for 1880 was $3,317.64; disbursements, $3,185.53, leaving a balance in the treasury of $132.11.

The uniform success and general satisfaction attending the fairs of this association reflect great credit on the managing officers, and furnish ample evidence that it has accomplished the ends for which it was established.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

SECULAR SOCIETIES.

Freemasons .- The history of Freemasonry in Wisconsin is so intimately associated with the early history of Iowa County, that we may say they are blended and interwoven together in such a manner that the mention of either one subject conjures up a host of sister thoughts. The oldest lodge now extant in the State is located at Mineral Point, where the second lodge was erected through the exertions of Most Worshipful Grand Master W. R. Smith, in 1840. The Menomonee Lodge, of Green Bay, antedates this by nearly twenty years. As this was a transient lodge, without local prestige, it can hardly be counted amongst the State institutions.

In the year A. D. 1824, the Grand Lodge, of New York, granted a dispensation for the formation of a Military Lodge, under the name of " Menomonce Lodge," which worked for many years at Green Bay, in this State. This, it is believed, was the first Masonic organization within the Territory of Wisconsin.

The next in order of precedence, was Mineral Point Lodge No. 1, of Free and Accepted Masons. It commenced work under a dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, bearing date of October 8, 1840. The dispensation was granted to W. R. Smith, W. MI., Moses Meeker, S. W., Charles Dunn, J. W., and their associates, to open and work Mineral Point Lodge, and the lodge was first duly established at Mineral Point, Wis., July 26, 1841. A permanent organization was effected under a charter dated October 11, 1842, under the name and number of Mineral Point Lodge No. 49. The officers mentioned therein were William R. Smith, W. M .; Charles Dunn, S. W., and Moses Meeker, J. W. The charter members were Thomas P. Bennett, Ebenezer Brigham, Daniel Moore, John D. Ansley, Ormond H. Paddock and Stephen Taylor, all of whom have passed away except O. II. Paddock, who resides at Dar- lington Wis. The lodge was properly constituted by Charles Gear (commonly known as Father Gear), assisted by Ephraim F. Ogden, H. H. Gear and others. The first initiate was Thomas I. Parish, following whom were A. W. Parris, David W. Jones and George W. Cobb.

In June, 1843, the Grand Lodge of Missouri granted a dispensation for the formation of Melody Lodge, now No. 2, at Platteville, Wis .. and issued a charter for its permanent organiza- tion October 12, 1842.

During June of the same year, the Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a dispensation to open a lodge at Milwaukee; and issued a charter October 3, 1843, to Milwaukee Lodge, now Kil- bourn Lodge, No. 3, for its permanent organization.

The legal representatives of these three Lodges met at Madison, Wis., December 18, 1843, organized and constituted the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, framed and adopted a constitution, and elected Bro. Benjamin T. Kavanaugh, of Melody Lodge, the first Grand Master. January 17, 1844, a called communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin was holden at Madison, " for the purpose of granting charters to the subordinate lodges within the Territory desiring to come under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge, and for other purposes ; " at which time, the charter under which Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, is now acting, was granted.

Following is a list of past incumbents of the three principal offices of the lodge since its organization, arranged in order of their rank by seniority, namely :

Past Masters-William R. Smith, Thomas P. Burnett, A. W. Parris, Whitney Smith, Elihu Springer, M. M. Cothren, R. Delos Pulford, C. F. Legate, I. E. Messmore. E. Healey, J. P. Tramel, Amasa Cobb, J. C. Squires, George II. Pierce, George D. Wilber, W. I. Cox, Calvert Spensley, S. E. Shepard and I. A. Spratler.

Past Senior Wardens-Moses Mecker, Charles Dunn, G. W. Jones, O. II. Paddock, G. W. Cobb, E. Williams, O. J. Minor, G. W. Bliss, W. Humbert, Joseph Deller, W. Hopper, D. N. Gates, W. J. Cox, J. N. Bradley, C. Spensley, S. E. Shepard and I. A. Spratler.

Past Junior Wardens-D. W. Jones, H. M. Billings, J. B. H. Perkel, E. B. Carson, T. Rodolf, Samuel Crawford, Joseph Smith, T. S. Allen, James Spensley, Ed U. Bliss, W. W. Likens, James Griffith, D. M. Platt, Calvert Spensley, S. E. Shepard, I. A. Spratler, James A. Brown and Richard Wearn.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

At different intervals, the following lodges sprang into existence, being recruited principally from Mineral Point No. 1 : Highland. No. 16; Dodgeville, Mifflin and Linden Lodges. The old lodge has maintained its organization without any breaks. It has numbered in its ranks some of the most distinguished men of the State. William R. Smith, the first Grand Master, . is so generally known that any eulogy of his memory would be superfluous. Thomas Pendleton Burnett, the second Master, was one of the most promising lawyers in the Territory. Hon. Charles Dunn, who was Chief Justice of the Territory, manifested unbounded interest in the working of the lodge. His brother, F. J. Dunn, also took an active part in the early organiza- tion ; also Gen. George W. Jones, who subsequently represented Iowa in the United States Senate. Schuyler Pulford, a prominent physician of his day, and a resident of Mineral Point, was equally famous. In the regular succession of Masters, we find enrolled Hon. Montgomery M. Cothren, Judge of the Circuit Court of Iowa County ; Hon. Amasa Cobb, Judge of the Supreme Court of Nebraska, and others.

"Old No. 1" has been honored with three Grand Masters, namely : William R. Smith, Henry M. Billings, and R. D. Pulford. Numerous deputies and minor officials have been selected from the present lodge.

Brother Pulford from the first was a very enthusiastic member and a great workman in the cause, and has stood at the head of the fraternity in Southwest Wisconsin for years, and has received all the honors at their disposal. He has preformed a highly active and prominent part during all his connection with the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Wisconsin, and to him much is dne for the present status of the lodge in this section of the State.

Of its old members, but few remain, the majority having been called to the eternal home of the Great Architect. Those still living are George W. Cobb, who affiliated in 1844; M. M. Cothren and R. D. Pulford, of 1846; John P. Tramel and John Clowney, of 1847. The remainder have all passed into rest. The oldest Mason in the lodge is Dr. H. Van Dusen, who was made a Mason prior to the " Morgan excitement " in 1826. Brothers Tramel and Pulford are the only active survivors of the original roster. The present officers are Samuel Wright, W. M. ; Thomas Priestly, S. W. ; William A. Jones, J. W.

Iowa Chapter, No. 6, was instituted February 22, 1851; George W. Cobb, High Priest ; A. W. Parris, King, and L. M. Strong, Scribe. Present officers : James T. Pryor, Jr., High Priest ; Albert Spratter, King, and Benjamin T. Prideaux, Scribe.

Mineral Point Commandery of Knights Templars was instituted May 5, 1874; R. D. Pulford, E. C .; J. H. Evans, Generalissimo, and Calvert Spensley, Captain General. Present officers : James T. Pryor, Sr., E. C. ; George S. Anthony, Generalissimo, and Thomas Priestly Captain General.

Odd Fellows .- The history of Odd Fellowship in Iowa County dates from the earlier set- tlement of the county and of the Territory of Wisconsin.

The first Lodge of Odd Fellows founded in the State of Wisconsin, and, in fact, the first lodge in the Northwest, was Iowa Lodge, No. 1, of Mineral Point, Iowa County, which was chartered while what is now the State of Wisconsin was a part of the then Territory of Michi- gan. In 1835, some miners who had formerly resided in Pottsville, Penn., and had been mem- bers of the order there, conceived the idea that it would be possible to establish a lodge among the miners congregated around what was then known as "Shake-Rag." The following persons petitioned the Grand Lodge of the United States for a charter, which petition they transmitted to Stephen Taylor, of Pottsville, Penn., viz. : Edward Coad, William Ball, Andrew Renfrew, William Polkenhorne, John Cole, Richard Johns, Joseph R. James, John Cock, George Mitch- ell, John Casserly, John Rich and Edmund Paul. Their petition was granted, and a commis- sion was issued to Stephen Taylor. constituting him a Special Deputy Grand Sire, and author- izing him to institute a lodge in Mineral Point, Iowa County, to be hailed as Iowa Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F.

In these days of rapid railroad traveling, it is difficult to appreciate the difficulties attend- ing the journey of this Deputy Grand Sire from Pottsville beyond the Alleghanies, traveling

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

across the mountains as best he could, then down the Ohio to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to Galena, and so out to Mineral Point, and all to institute a lodge of Odd Fellows. It is true that the new lodge paid him $400 to compensate him for his trouble, and in that day it seemed a huge sum of money, yet few men in these days would take such trouble and encounter so many unpleasant experiences for such a purpose.

This lodge so organized flourished but too well at first. It would seem from its history that a furor to join it was started among the mining population, until nearly every man in and around its location had joined or had sought to join it. At one time, its membership was consider- ably over two hundred, and its coffers were plethoric with money. The large sum paid the instituting officer is one evidence ; another is the fact that, in 1836, it paid the Grand Lodge of the United States the sum of $112.40 as the per centage on dues, besides giving $25 toward a service of plate for Grand Sire Thomas Wildey. In 1838, the lodge was visited by P. G. Sire Thomas Wildey, the founder of the order in the United States. From his report, we copy the following relating to Iowa County :

" From Galena, I embarked for Mineral Point, in Iowa. In this Territory, I found Odd Fellowship progressing with equal pace with all the institutions of a new and flourishing coun- try. The brethren appeared generally well informed in the work, and, although somewhat neglectful in their fiscal affairs, were in a much better condition than I expected to find them. Your agent here opened an encampment and an additional subordinate lodge upon proper appli- cation, and I have no doubt that the order will steadily advance in Iowa. I had the pleasure, during my sojournment among them, to participate in the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of a spacious hall, which they are now erecting, and I feel great delight in reporting to the Grand Lodge of the United States the fact that the occasion was celebrated in a manner which would have done credit to the most experienced lodge in the States. An oration, distinguished alike for its eloquence and chasteness, was pronounced by one of the brethren, and one common generous glow seemed to pervade the whole family, auguring the brightest prospects for Odd Fellowship in that region. In view of the zeal manifested in the work, and the certainty of a very rapid increase in the order in this section of the West, I deemed it proper to commit the superintendence of the interests of the order here to competent hands, and accordingly appointed P. G. M. Potts as District Deputy Grand Master for this interesting district of Odd Fellow- ship."

It will be seen by the foregoing extract that the brethren were somewhat neglectful in their fiscal affairs. This was the downfall of the lodge eventually. Its treasury was overflowing with money, and it was loaned to " Tom, Dick and Harry," without adequate security, and. as a conse- quence, when it sought to pay the obligations incurred in the building of the hall spoken of by Father Wildey, its officers found that moneys so loaned were not collectible. Many of the bor- rowers had left the county, and others were impecunious. In this emergency, the lodge ap- plied to the Grand Lodge of the United States for relief, which was refused. Meantime the membership had, partly from dissatisfaction at the fiscal management, and more from the uncertain and floating character of a mining population in its earlier days, dwindled from over two hundred in 1836, down to twenty-seven in 1843, at which latter date the membership became tired of the burden they were trying to bear, relinquished their building to the lien-holders, and surrendered the charter to the Grand Lodge of the United States.

From this time, the lodge was almost forgotten, until some members of the order thinking that so old a landmark of the order ought not to be lost, took steps under the newer laws of the Grand Lodge of the United States to revive the old lodge. In this they were successful, and in April, 1873, under the auspices of Grand Master H. E. Willis, the lodge was revived, and, at this writing. it is in a flourishing condition, owning the largest and handsomest lodge-room in the West, erected at a cost of $3.500. The charter members of the renewed lodge were Edward Coad, Samuel Thomas, John H. Vivian, James James, Thomas Prisk. The lodge now numbers seventy-eight members with the following officers : Il. Huxtable, N. G .; William Treloar, V. G .; John Nancolas, R. S .; Josiah Jacka, P. S .; S. Francis, Treas .; S. C. Thomas. R. S. N.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

G .; William Smith, L. S. N. G .; William Short, Warden; Isaac Penrose, Cond .; George Masten, O. G .; John Roberts, I. G .; Samuel Toay and James Dabb, R. and L. S. S.

La Fayette Lodye, No. 2, was instituted by Grand Sire Wildey, in 1838.

When he visited Iowa Lodge, No. 1, at that date, he found its membership so large that he advised its division into two lodges, and accordingly instituted La Fayette Lodge, No. 2.

This lodge had but a short existence, for as the membership of Iowa Lodge fell off, its members urged the impolicy of trying to sustain two feeble lodges, and so induced the members of La Fayette Lodge to surrender their charter and rejoin the parent lodge.

In January, 1845, some of the former members of Iowa Lodge, No. 1, petitioned the Grand Lodge of the United States for a charter for a new lodge, and the result of the petition was the organization of Miner's Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., at Mineral Point in that year. In 1847, the lodge built a lodge-room on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The lodge had a large membership, composed very largely of miners, who are notoriously un- certain in their habitats. The exodus to the gold mines of California during 1848 to 1851, drew from the lodge nearly its entire membership, until in 1853, the membership was so reduced that the remaining members became disheartened and surrendered their charter.

This lodge remained among the defunct lodges until 1858, when John H. Vivian, John James, Thomas Prisk, James James, Sr., Samuel Thomas, Edward Coad and John Milton ap- plied to the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin for a restoration of the charter. The old charter having been lost, a new one was granted with the names above as charter members. The lodge was revived in August of that year, and prospered well until April, 1873, when it was removed to Adamsville to make room for Iowa Lodge, No. 1, then revived, at which place, Adamsville, it still remains in existence.

The sudden rise and decay of these earlier lodges may be largely attributed to the fact that they seem to have been organized and conducted as benefit societies, simply ignoring the higher moral plane on which modern Odd Fellowship seeks to place itself.

Wildey Encampment, No. 1 .- In his report of his visit to Mineral Point, Father Wildey says : "Your agent here opened an Encampment. The fact of the former existence of this Encampment seems to have been forgotten by the officers of Grand Lodge of the United States. as evidenced by the fact that they allowed the number to be transferred to one Milwaukee Encampment, and allowed its name to be adopted by another Encampment at Shullsburg, in La Fayette County."

This Encampment is thus spoken of by Past Grand I. Langworthy, in his history of Odd Fellowship in Wisconsin :

" Hearing that an Encampment at an early day was established at Mineral Point, which fact was positively denied by several of the oldest Odd Fellows in the State, I applied to P. G. John 11. Vivian, for such information as he could collect, and am indebted to him for the following interesting statistics, the yellow paper and faded ink bearing testimony to their genuineness, besides the testimony of the Seribe.

" It will be observed that mention is made of an Encampment in the report made by P. G. S. Wildey, which was established by him at the same time. Like La Fayette, No. 2, it had a short life, and herewith is appended what purports to be a record of all the meetings held by " Wildey Encampment, No. 1." They were obtained from the Seribe, and I am indebted to P. G. John II. Vivian, for the interest he has taken and assistance in hunting up the old work. It was duly established out of doors, in a grove, as stated, guards being thrown out for protection :

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 104

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 958

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 958