USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 108
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The all-pervading greed for gold and love of adventure stimulated the hardy miners of almost every clime on earth to wend their difficult way into the interior districts of the State, long before the busiest brain could have anticipated, or, perhaps, even have prophesied, what has been real- ized. And, as they pressed forward, willing to sacrifice every civilized enjoyment, and life and limb as well, if need be, in pursuit of Fortune's favors, so were they ever constantly opposed by the native and only natural owners of the soil, if, indeed, such a thing as a natural owner can exist. The result of this opposition was only to furnish an added stimulant to future exertion, while it may have proved a temporary restraint.
Thus we carly learn of the gradual and constant encroachments of the whites, which, every now and again, resulted in some bloody fray, caused by the red men resenting what, to them, was an unwarrantable intrusion, and which, in many instances, was totally unjustifiable upon the part of the whites, except upon the hypothesis that might is right, and that nature, in a primitive condition, is the proper spoil for any one.
Whatever may be the conclusions of the reader respecting the question of early proprietor- ship, the outcome remains the same. The trouble of 1827, as seen in the sketch of the Winne- bago war, furnished an opportunity for the miners to rush into a country hitherto untouched, although coveted by them. How eagerly the chance was seized, it is easy to understand, in con- templation of that past ; but the mighty metamorphosis which has since been wrought is a spec- tacle much more difficult to fully appreciate or comprehend. The reality of the growth of fifty years is almost as wonderful as Eutopia, when compared with the past and its barbaric con- dition.
Lead mining being during many years the only productive industry engaged in, those who first came to Dodgeville were solely attracted hither by that powerful magnet to a miner's
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
will, mineral, which was found here and in the vicinity in great quantities. Fortunately, the location was well adapted for a village site, a condition which Gov. Dodge was not slow to im- prove. The situation is altogether admirable in most respects, and well adapted to a large and permanent growth, and to which, to a great extent, may be attributed the final or present admira- ble reality.
The situation is altogether very desirable, unquestionably one of the very best in the county, and especially well adapted to a large and permanent business growth. These qualities probably did not receive any particular attention in the early days, when it was generally thought there never would be anything else done here other than mining, but, at this era, when every available piece of surrounding land is being tilled, and when the entire country is teeming with the fruits of husbandry, the aspect of things assumes an entirely different phase. The question of sta- bility, or that which promotes stability, is chiefly to be considered, and that is where Dodgeville takes the lead to-day. Being located, as she is, only about two miles from the geographical center of the county, and in the very heart of one of the most productive agricultural districts in the State, a constant and ever-increasing tribute in the way of trade and consequent wealth and prosperity, most naturally rolls in upon her from every direction as long as the land continues to produce.
It cannot be denied that in the emulation of past years, and owing to certain irresistible influences combined with a want of interest in her early development upon the part of many of those who first came here, Dodgeville was left far behind by her only rival, Mineral Point ; yet, though this be the case, there is a satisfaction in the thought that time, the balm that soothes, the power that destroys or upbuilds, has come to the succor of the place through the many changes that have been gradually wrought during a series of years, and is now rapidly pushing her to the front rank of local precedence in all things. Furthermore, if Dodgeville had in the early career of the place received a bequest similar to that donated by the Government to Mineral Point, it might have made far more rapid progress in all that pertains to general develop- ment, as then there would have been a fund of no small magnitude accruing for several years. that could have been employed in making all needful improvements, but this not being the case. every improvement made here has been at the general expense of the citizens.
In 1827, 1828 and 1829, the place was the metropolis of the mining region ; stores, taverns, " groceries " and shops were in the full tide of operation ; miners were digging around in almost every direction, and their rnde cabins, almost the only signs of their presence, might be seen dotting the landscape here and there in close proximity. The prospects were then bright indeed, but in one season (1829), the price of lead declined very rapidly from $5 per 100 pounds to less than one-fourth of that sum, causing nearly as lively an emigration of the miners to other scenes as there had been an immigration one or two years before. That condition, coupled with the load rents exacted by the Government, very soon drove nearly every one away, so that by the fall of 1829, there was nothing going on worthy of more than a passing notice.
At that time, Mineral Point, although in a terribly sickly condition, succeeded in main- taining an existence, and from that on, for nearly forty years, managed to keep the lead in business and general prominence. This distinction, however, though long accredited, in 1860 met with a severe check in the removal of the court house to this point, and last but not least, now that the Milwaukee and Madison Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad is to pass through the place, another auxiliary to the growth of the county-seat will have been estab- lished that places the village in an entirely different relation to externals, and materially improves the future outlook.
Having given a brief glance at the salient points connected with the progress of the town from its incipiency, we will now attempt an examination in detail of the general growth and local interests of the place, not, however, assuming that the account is entirely free from errors, as the memory of man is somewhat uncertain.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
FIRST LAND ENTRIES AND PLATS.
The first claimants here, as in nearly all new places, had, in the beginning, their little dif ferences, and sometimes had a great deal of trouble concerning them. That which is remem- bered here as having been the most prominent was a hotly-contested matter between James Jenkins and Henry Dodge, about a ten-acre lot lying south of Iowa street, where the court house and many other valuable buildings now stand, which both of them claimed. This was, doubtless, a regular mining claim, which would be, according to the claim laws, a piece of land equal to ten acres. As to whom this piece of land by right belonged is not known, nor, indeed, is it especially necessary to the interest of our narrative to know ; suffice it to say of this affair, almost before the memory of the oldest inhabitant here, there was a dispute concerning the own- ership of this part of the village property, and which afterward fell into the hands of James Jenkins, who made the first entry of land here.
The following are the names of those who first owned the land upon which the village stands, together with the times at which the entries were made:
Section 33 Entries .-- The east half of northeast quarter, by James Jenkins, September 4, 1835; the west half of the northeast quarter, by H. L. Dodge and John Lindsay, April 12, 1837 ; the southeast quarter, by James B. MeDonald, June 30, 1838.
Section 34 Entries .- Southwest quarter and northwest quarter of northwest quarter, by W. C. Young, January 5, 1836, and April 29, 1836 ; east half of northwest quarter, by A. C. Dodge, April 27, 1836; southwest quarter and west half of southeast quarter, by De Garmo Jones, April 1, 1836 ; east half of southeast quarter, by Henry Dodge and H. L. Dodge, March 24, 1837 ; west half of northeast quarter, by William I. Madden, April 29, 1836; east half of northeast quarter, by Arthur Bransen, September 3, 1836.
Section 27 Entries .- Southwest quarter, by William I. Madden, October 26 and 27, 1835 ; the remainder of the section by De Garmo Jones, April 1, 1836.
Section 28 Entries .- East half of northeast quarter and east half of southeast quarter, by William I. Madden, October 27, 1835 ; the west half of northeast quarter, by D. W. Jones, Esau Johnson and Stephen Taylor, March 8, 1837 ; the west half of southeast quarter, by Esau Johnson and William L. Sterling, March 4, 1837 ; east half of northwest quarter and east half of southwest quarter, by Moses Whitesides, September 16, 1835, and March 7, 1837; the west half of northwest quarter, by Asa Tyrer, July 27, 1836, and north half of southwest quarter, by Samuel Hambly, June 24, 1847.
The above is a correct list of the entries, and may be of use to our readers as accurate ref- erence, in connection with the dates of the various recorded plattings which have been made as follows, from the first to last :
The original plat of Dodgeville was made by S. Judson, and recorded December, 1844.
Minersville was platted by James Fassitt ; recorded May 27, 1846.
Jenkins' First Addition was platted by James D. Jenkins, and includes the original plat ; recorded August 27, 1846.
Black's Addition, platted by R. L. Black, was recorded April 27, 1847.
Jenkins' Second Addition, recorded October 2, 1847 ; platted by James Doran Jenkins.
Parry's Addition, platted by - Parry ; recorded Jannary 21, 1848.
Wilson's Addition, platted by Jabez Wilson ; recorded February 10, 1848.
Martin's Addition, platted by E. T. Martin ; recorded August 15, 1854.
Hoskin & Company's Addition, platted by Samuel Hoskins, B. Thomas, Henry Dunston and Thomas Liddecoat. It was recorded August 31, 1855, and ineluded Wilson's Addition.
Burrall's Addition, platted by Dr. George W. Burrall ; not recorded.
Eddy's Addition, platted by Philip Eddy ; recorded January 25, 1862.
Dodge's Addition, platted by Henry Dodge ; recorded June 26, 1862.
Hoskin & Company's Second Addition, in connection with Dodge's Addition, platted by Samuel Hoskins, H. Dunston and Thomas Liddecoat, October 7, 1862.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Madden's Addition, platted by Henry Madden ; recorded March 26, 1864. Lean's Addition, platted by Joseph Lean ; recorded April 15, 1868.
Thomas' Addition, platted by the executors of Edward Thomas, deceased ; recorded June 1, 1877.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Not anything was done in Dodgeville, of consequence, toward establishing municipality independent of the town government until the spring of 1858, and even then it is quite proba- ble that nothing would have been accomplished in that direction had it not been for the individ- ual effort of L. H. D. Crane, who was at that time Clerk of the Assembly. After having con- ferred briefly with the principal business men, who were almost unanimously in favor of a change, he drafted a charter and submitted it in person to the Legislature. By an act approved March 31, 1858, the bill became a law, incorporating "the President and Trustees of the village of Dodgeville " (known as Chapter 132), and embracing the following-described territory : The southwest quarter ; the south half of the northwest quarter, and southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 27 ; the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 28; the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 33; and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and the northwest quarter of Section 34, of Town 6, Range 3.
The elective officers were to be a President, six Trustees, one Treasurer, one Assessor and a Marshal, in whom were vested the municipal, fiscal and prudential affairs of the village. Al' other officers required in the transaction of business pertaining to the village, were appointed by the President and Trustees. Vacancies which might occur in the offices of any of the elected officers, were to be filled by calling a special election.
For the purpose of administering justice, the President was constituted a judicial officer, ranking with Justices of the Peace throughout the county. Ample provisions were also made for establishing such ordinances as might be deemed necessary for the preservation of good order, and for the protection of the general village interest in all particulars.
The charter was submitted for acceptance to a public vote of the citizens of the place, on the 4th of May, 1858; the result was favorable to the charter by a vote of eighty-four for it to fifty-seven against.
The recognized points of greatest interest to the citizens, or objects considered in the char- ter, were the provisions made for the improvement of the streets and sidewalks ; for the proper management of excise matters, and for the establishing of such police regulations as would pro- mote the best interests of the growing community. The fact prominently noticeable here, as elsewhere, with villages operating under the town form of government, was that no special bene- fit could be derived either from taxes or license ; and the only remedy that could be applied was that judiciously resorted to by the majority. Some of course objected, on the grounds that they could not let their hogs and cattle run ; but, according to tradition, they were allowed to run to a considerable extent, under the first charter, law to the contrary notwithstanding, as not every one stood ready to pound them.
By act of the Village Board July 12, 1858, the village was divided into two wards, the boundary line between them being a continuation, east and west, of the south line of Lot No. 10, of Jabez Wilson's Addition. That part lying south of the line was constituted the First Ward, and that north of the line the Second Ward.
The village operated and elected officers, under the charter of 1858, until 1861, then quietly relapsed to its pristine condition, or more properly speaking, the citizens neglected to elect officers, either through mutual consent, or mutual indifference, which amounts to about the same thing, and therefore, nothing was done, except to slide along on the old-fashioned plan.
This stagnation continued until the spring of 1864, when the people roused themselves. and a general desire was expressed that the village government should be revived. This could have been done under the old charter, but it was deemed desirable to increase the corporate limits and remodel the old form. Accordingly, an amendment was drafted by S. W. Reese, and, being sub-
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
mitted to the Legislature, became a law by an act approved March 25, 1864 (Chapter 201), P. and L.
The only change made in the boundaries was to include the whole of the south quarter of Sec- tion 27, whereas before, the limits only included the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 27. By adding the above 120 acres, the territory embraced became regular in form, being two miles long from north to south, by a mile and one-half wide from east to west. Soon after the passage of the amendment, it was presented for the approval of the people, and was accepted by a large majority.
This charter was a thorough revision of the first charter, embracing all of its salient points, besides introducing various other advantageous provisions. According to Section 4, the elective officers were only the President and Trustees, all other officers, as Clerk, Treasurer or Marshal and Street Commissioner, were to be appointed by the Village Board. A municipal court was established, the President being constituted Police Justice.
To enumerate the various provisions made for the creating of ordinances is unnecessary ; suffice it to say, the ground covered was broad enough to provide for nearly every exigency that might arise. Two amendments were made to this chapter of a similar character-one by act approved March 10, 1866 (Chapter 102), and one by act approved March 26, 1867 (Chapter 194).
The village affairs continued to be conducted under the above charter until the spring of 1878, when the Village Board submitted a proposition to the people to amend the old charter, or re-incorporate under the general law of 1872 (Chapter 188). The subject came before the people on the 19th day of May, 1878, when it was voted to amend the old charter by including all of the articles of Chapter 188, after Section 18, consecutively, with amendments that might be made to the same at subsequent sessions of the Legislature.
Soon after the amendment had been effected, a large number of the people expressed dis- satisfaction at some of the conditions or provisions imposed by the change, of which they were not thoroughly cognizant at the time of voting, especially regarding the paying of the poll and road tax in money ; whereas, previously, they had paid the same in money, labor or materials. In accordance with this state of feeling, a petition was circulated to annul the charter, for the purpose of re-incorporating under a private charter; but when it came to a vote of the people, the movement was defeated by a large majority, thus leaving the charter as it now stands.
Since the depot has been located, just outside of the village limits, the dissolution of the corporation has been contemplated, for the purpose of including within the corporate limits the land extending about a mile north of the present limits, which would take in the depot and grounds, and a considerable territory beyond. However, nothing has as yet been done in that direction.
Amendments to Chapter 188 are respectively : Chapter 123, general laws of 1873; Chapter 309, laws of 1874; Chapter 240, laws of 1876 ; Chapter 135, laws of 1877, and Chapter 341, laws of 1876.
1858-L. H. D. Crane, President ; George Sims, Matthew Bishop, John Ellwood, Nicholas Arthur, John Williams and B. F. Thomas were elected Trustees; Jacob Miller, Marshal ; Richard Arundel, Treasurer ; J. R. Roberts, Assessor. Mr. Ellwood, residing outside of the corporation, was ineligible, and, at a special mecting called for the purpose, Charles Madden was elected in his place. At a special election, held October 19, 1858, Thomas Stephens was elected President of the village, in place of L. H. D. Crane, resigned. The village officers, from 1859 to 1880, inclusive, have been :
1859-L. M. Strong, President; George Sims, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ; William Wheeler, Marshal.
1860-L. M. Strong, President ; Richard Arundell, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ; Thomas Stephens, Marshal.
1861-L. M. Strong, President ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Henry Madden, Assessor ; J. M. Miller, Marshal.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1862-The original records were lost during this year, and, though found again, the records of this year are not to be found.
1864-Samuel W. Reese, President ; James Rowe, Treasurer (refused to qualify, B. Thomas, Sr., appointed) ; Assessor, Thomas Lewis, Marshal (by appointment).
1865-This year, the President, William Hendy, and six Trustees, were elected ; they appointing the following officers : W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; salary, $50; B. Thomas, Sr., Treasurer ; Thomas Lewis, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1866-Joseph Lean, President and Police Justice; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; Henry Sims, Treasurer ; Thomas W. Lewis, Marshal.
1867-Joel Whitman, President ; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk; W. H. Hocking, Treas- urer ; Josiah Paull, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1868-S. W. Reese, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; David R. Davis, Marshal and Street Commissioner ex officio. The salaries of the Clerk and Marshal were fixed at $100 per annum.
1869-S. W. Reese, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; John E. Bartle, Treasurer ; David R. Davies, Marshal and Constable.
1870-S. W. Reese, President, Police Justice and a member of the County Board of Supervisors ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; D. R. Davies, Marshal and Street Commissioner ex-offieio. From 1870 to the present time, the President of the village has been a member of the County Board.
1871-S. W. Reese, President; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; D. R. Davies, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1872-S. W. Reese, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1873-Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1874-Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; J. W. Van Duyne, Constable and ex-officio Marshal.
1875-Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Street Commissioner.
1876-Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; Henry Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; H. H. Walters, Marshal.
1877-John Ellwood, President; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; H. H. Walters, Marshal.
1878-John Ellwood, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry Prideaux, Street Commissioner.
1879-Joseph Bennett, President ; W. II. Thomas, Clerk ; Nicholas Sherman, Treasurer ; H. Prideaux, Street Commissioner; Thomas Bailey, Marshal (resigned), and Mark Wheeler, appointed.
1880-Charles Bishop, President; W. H. Thomas, Clerk ; N. Sherman, Treasurer ; H. Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; Mark Wheeler, Marshal.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
According to the most authentie evidence, both of memoirs and the corroborative testimony of men now living, the very first settlement made in what is now the county of Iowa, was at this point, in the summer or fall of 1827. The first immigrants came in at the time of the raid on the Red Bird faetion of the tribe of Winnebago Indians, and, in all probability, by prospeet- ing, or, through information derived from a band of Indians, who had diggings on the Jenkins Branch, sinee known as Cox Hollow, were led to the discovery of the rich " patches " of ore abounding here. We speak of their being "patches," because nearly all of the early miners were shallow diggers, and because the surface diggings have always been known by that name.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The first parties that we have any record of were Ezra Lamb and two others-one by the name of Putnam, and the other named Morehead, a tinker. They were here certainly before October of 1827. There were some others here at that time also, but rather as stragglers than permanent workers, and whose names are not known either to history or to fame.
The first notable arrivals on the scene were Henry Dodge and his associates, servants, and probably a portion of the command who had been with him in pursuit of the Indians. They put in an appearance on the 3d day of October, 1827, and thenceforth, for three years, the incipient town was the theater of unceasing activity.
The principal characters, aside from Gen. Dodge and those mentioned, who came here in 1827, were Jesse W. Shull, Daniel Moore, John Ray, James Tagles, Geo. Medary, Jef and Louis Van Metre, brothers, who made the Van Metre survey, James L. Strode, James McRaney, Charles Galloway, John Turney, Charles Whistler, Milton B. Parsons, George Medary, James Wooley, Jacob Hunter, Charles Gaines and Martin Van Sickle. In the immediate vicinity of the place, during this year and the following, many settled, some of whom were residents for many years in the county. Nearly all of the above parties were acquaintances and friends of Gen. Dodge, and were men of the greatest resolution, and in many instances, of unusual ability ; in fact, men of such qualities of character as would naturally make them agreeable associates for the " Old Roman," as Gen. Dodge has been familiarly called, on account of his inflexible will and invincible bravery.
James M. Strode was distinguished as an able Indian fighter and enterprising man. He was a Colonel in the militia forces of Illinois, his home being at Galena.
Cel. Daniel Moore is almost too well known, by nearly all of the residents of Iowa County, to need special mention ; suffice it to say that he was one of the leading men in the very start, and for many years after, having been associated as a representative man with the principal men and events of importance connected with the early settlement of the county.
John Ray is best known as one of the first settlers in Willow Springs, La Fayette County, where he located in 1828, and opened one of the first farms in that section. His wife is remem- bered as the live Methodist Exhorter, who did more, perhaps, to advance the cause of Chris- tianity, in that locality than any one or a dozen persons besides.
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