History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 110

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

USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 110

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).

In 1842, Hoskins, Thomas & Co., opened a stoek of general merchandise in a small frame structure, erected for the purpose, in the lower part of the village, then known as Minersville. They were followed shortly afterward by Fullerton & Rynerson, with a general stock. They were located in a store near Strattman's shop. Jenkins Brothers started a store near the present post office; and William Todd had a good-sized stock of goods in the building which still bears his name, on the corner opposite Strattman's shop. Opposite Mr. Todd, in the brick building, was located Frank Thomas, engaged in general merchandising; and Richard Arndale had a hardware store on the site of the present Masonie Hall.

William Marr, the pioneer cabinet-maker of Dodgeville, established himself in business in 1844, near Hoeking's Hotel. Here he did a successful business until 1850, when he suc- eumbed to the cholera epidemic of that year. Since then the business has been carried on successfully by his son, James Marr.

Jonathan Carpenter & Son had a wheelright establishment near Rogers' Hotel. Samuel Rohr also had a wheelright establishment in the vicinity of Strattman's shop, very early.

BUSINESS FROM 1850 TO 1870.

Among the business men who established themselves here between 1850 and 1855, were Britton & Son, who located where James Hoeking's store now is ; Staples Brothers, opposite the present post office ; John Bonner, near B. Thomas & Co.'s briek building ; James Hoeking and Henry Dunston, on the site of Penberthy's dry goods store; Henry Prideaux, opposite Rogers' Hotel; and William Wheeler, near the post office. on the same side of the street. A Mr. Perry opened a store nearly opposite the post office ; Mr. McCraekin also had a general store on Iowa street. Between 1850 and 1860, the saloons in the village numbered fourteen. During this period, Dodgeville is represented as being one of the liveliest villages in Southwest- ern Wisconsin, with plenty of money in circulation, principally English gold and French silver. Miners then received $1.25 per day ; mechanics $1.50 to $2. Provisions were low ; flour sold for $1.50 per hundred, and beef 3 cents and pork 2 cents per pound.

The gold fever of 1849 had its due effect upon the miners of Dodgeville as elsewhere, and in 1850 a party of twenty took their departure for the city of the Golden Gate. They tried mining in the new El Dorado, but. within a year after their departure, had all returned to Dodgeville, satisfied that "all that glitters is not gold."

The panic of 1857 retarded the growth of the village somewhat; however, it was not so sensibly affected as other portions of the country ; but not until the business boom growing out

746

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

of the war reached the town, increasing business, raising the value of mineral to $50, $75 and, in some instances, even to $100 per 1,000 pounds, and creating an enlarged demand for various commodities, did Dodgeville overcome the apathy consequent to the panic, and renew its pristine vigor to any appreciable extent.

During the war, the village exceeded the most sanguine expectations in responding to the call to arms for the preservation of the Union. While others were slow in preparing their quotas, Dodgeville came bravely to the front with men, money and supplies, all of which were furnished most liberally. Since the close of the rebellion, the village has increased steadily in population. and, as a business point, it is generally conceded to be one of the leading mercantile municipalities in Southwestern Wisconsin.

From its earliest days, Dodgeville has been, in common parlance, termed a " very busy place." Miners and merchants made money rapidly, but the accumulation of wealth was reserved to the more thrifty and to those whose inclinations did not tend in the direction of sub rosa enjoyments, such as were to be found in the village in the early day in a condition of injurious perfection. Gambling and horse-racing were then amusements largely indulged in. but the " groceries " and houses of resort, remembered by the pioneers of fifty years ago, wherein games of chance were represented, and " soldiers of fortune " most did congregate, were factors in the civilization of the place that have long since been eliminated, and the places in the village which knew them once know them now no more. So thoroughly stringent, indeed, are the present rules, that card-playing for amusement is an offense, and prohibited by a suitable ordi- nance. Thus do communities and nations grow from the rough, crude states, into the pursuit of and enjoyment of the highest attributes of civilization. This restriction upon the part of the Dodgeville people, speaks volumes for the real moral attributes of the people, and must necessa- rily be as beneficial as it is creditable.

The following is a complete list of the business interests of Dodgeville January 1, 1869 :

Dry Goods and Groceries .- Hendy, Thomas & Co., Wheeler & Co., James R. Jones, N. Whitman, J. & H. Rowe, James C. Hocking, Narveson & Nelson, Prideaux & Hooper, Joseph Hocking, John H. Penberthy.

Dry Goods and Millinery .- Nicholas Arthur.

Groceries .- Joseph V. Rogers, Mrs. S. Phillips, Lars Moe, Miss Emily Sims, John O. Jones. Mrs. H. Williams, A. B. Robinson, Mrs. Thomas.

Boots and Shoes .- Thrall & Son, Alex Anderson, Roberts & Selzer, Thomas Lee.

Hardware .- Thomas Perkins, W. S. Bowne, R. Arundell.

Drugs and Medicines .- Smith & Roberts, W. A. Bishop.

Wagons, Sleighs, Etc .- Spang & Strattman, Roberts & Ralph, Sampson Bice, Bennetts & Harris, Samuel Rohr, Letcher G. Clark.

Carpenter Shops .- Davis & Prideaux, Andrew Anderson, James Peters, N. Sherman.

Cabinet Shops .- James Marr (two shops), Joseph C. Davey, Ben Midboe.

Blacksmith Shops .- James Cane. Spang & Strattman, Morris & Co., Stephen Pillow, Will- iain Harris, Johns & Bro., S. Rohr.

Millinery .- Mrs. N. Arthur, Mrs. E. Northey.

Harness Shops .- E. H. Schofield, Henry E. Jones, Thomas Bosanko, F. J. Prideaux. Tailor Shops .- Hendy, Thomas & Co., N. Whitman, Frank Walters.

Hotels .- Commercial House, James Jones ; United States Hotel, Richard Jones; Western Hotel, John R. Roberts ; City Hotel, Peter Opie; Dodgeville Hotel, Richard Rogers ; Wis- consin House, Joseph Hocking.

Saloons .- Adam Eulberg, John Ruderdorf, David Rogers, Charles Harris, Stephen Ben- nett.

Physicians .- Burrall & Cutler, A. E. Smithi.

Veterinary Surgeon .- Ed M. Davies. Law Firms .- Reese & Mulks.

Jewelry .- Sam Henderson, Smith & Roberts.

747

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Butchers .- Mylroie & Tregilgus, John Williams, Bilkey & Bartle, John Treloar.

Agricultural Implements .- Clayton & Triplett, P. J. Morris.

Livery Stables .- A. B. Robinson, W. N. Bishop.

Lead Furnaces .- Bennett, George & Co., Cholvin & Co.

Barber Shop .- John Buckingham.

Scoret Societies .- There are lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, and a Cold Water Temple.

Churches -Methodist Episcopal, Rev. William Sturges ; Primitive Methodist, Rev. J. Alderson ; Congregational, no Resident Pastor; Welsh Congregational, Rev. J. D. Davis; Welsh Methodist, Rev. David J. Lewis.

Real Estate Agents .- E. T. & W. J. Wrigglesworth, Orville Strong, S. W. Reese, Francis Vivian.

Insurance Agents .- Samuel W. Reese, E. T. Wrigglesworth, Orville Strong, O. P. Ashley.

Among the pioneers who came to Dodgeville before 1840, and still living here, are J. E. Bartle, William Treloar, Charles Bilkey, John Bilkey, Samuel Hoskins, Ben Thomas, John Rogers and James Smitheran. Of the old settlers who located here later are Joseph Ranyer, W. Watkins, John Hughes, Dr. G. W. Burrall, William Harris, James Roberts, Joseph George, R. N. Williams, Matthew Rogers, Joseph Pierce, Charles, W. N. and N. A. Bishop, William Cooper, Francis Prideaux, Thomas Clayton, Ben Hoskins, William Wilcox, T. T. James. J. R. Davis, Joseph Davis, Samuel Cornelious, Thomas Sencock, Samuel Rohr, John Penberthy, Joseph Bennett, James Perkins, James Marr and Nicholas Arthur. The names of many of the oldest settlers will appear in the history of the town of Dodgeville.

HEALTH OF THE VILLAGE.

Generally speaking, Dodgeville occupies a leading position in the annals pertaining to the health of the State. The beauty of its location, situated as it is on the slope of the dividing ridge and separated from the sluggish streams in the vicinity of which the germs of disease are generated, together with the thorough cleanliness of its streets and alleys, purity of its water, and commodious and well-ventilated residences, all factors in its make-up, render it almost im- pervious to infectious epidemics. Dodgeville, however, under other than its present condition, has been visited by that terrible scourge Asiatic cholera, and by those dire enemies to the health of children, diphtheria and scarlet fever, each of which, with unerring malignity, has selected many victims who have answered the call with their lives.

In 1850, the Asiatic cholera ran wild through some portions of the county, and scores in the apparent enjoyment of buoyant health suddenly took on the pale seal of the Master of Im- mortality and were laid to rest in the village churchyard. To attempt to trace the ravages of the epidemic would be futile indeed. Mineral Point and Dodgeville then presented flattering induce- ments to the invasion of the dreadful malady. It was located here principally in " Dirty Hol- low," where the marshy bottoms and stagnant waters, under the direct heat of the summer sun, produced the deadly miasma, the warp and woof of which was woven into the mystery of death. Here the contagion made its appearance in the middle of July, and lasted until the latter part of August. During this period, one hundred victims paid the debt of nature. Stalwart miners, the ideal of health and physical manhood, started to their toil in the morning, in the full posses- sion of their physical powers, and, before night, they would, perhaps, be carried home ghastly corpses.

The citizens were at once alarmed, disinfectants were strewn about with a lavish hand, the streets being covered with lime ; but the efforts of the people, combined with the most powerful preventives of medical science that could be operated against the fell destroyer, were of no avail. Panic stricken, large numbers of the population deserted the unfortunate village and took refuge in the surrounding country, sometimes camping in the open fields. The mortality was so great that it sorely tried the energies of the survivors to bury the victims, five deathis being enumer- ated in a single day.

748

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Among the physicians who remained and braved the epidemic were Dr. Sibley and Dr. Burrall. A man named Tyre, a farmer in the vicinity, was very successful in treating the dis- ease ; he had a method of steaming which proved very efficacious. The first symptoms of the disease was an acute diarrhoa, followed by cramps and vomiting, the patient dying with great suffering in a few hours after the first attack. As mentioned, the plague left the latter part of August, and the terrified inhabitants reluctantly returned to their desolated homes. The village was wrapt in mourning for households were diminished by the loss of some loved one, and in many instances whole families were swept away, leaving nene to mourn the loss of kindred. Bearing their trials and sufferings patiently, the citizens set out with the endeaver to regain their normal condition, confidently hoping they had experienced that which would never occur again, but in this they were doomned to disappointment, for, in the following summer of 1851, their hearts were almost stilled by the announcement that the much admired and skillful physician, Dr. Sibley, had succumbed to the cholera in their very midst. He had been called to the aid of chelcra victims in Wingville, Grant County. Braving the danger, and regardless of his own welfare, the heroic physician remained with his patients until he contracted the germs of the contagion, and became a martyr to his profession, having died August 23, 1851. Though the death rate here was net so great as during the year previous, yet those who were here at that time and wit- nessed its visitations say it was bad enough. Its effects were visible for years, and those who. survive the calamity recur to it to-day with feelings of terror.

Subsequently other diseases invaded the little village and played sad havoc among the chil- dren. During the month of August, 1854, twelve children succumbed to the summer com- plaint. In 1857 and 1858, diphtheria made its appearance and carried away seventy-five chil- dren under fifteen years of age. During the years 1860, 1861 and 1862, scarlet fever raged among the little ones, and, despite the precautions of the citizens and noble efforts of the physi- cians, thirty children were enumerated among the fatal cases in the village alene.

During the past fifteen years the average number of deaths has net exceeded a dezen. annually. It is a noteworthy fact that from September, 1878, until July of 1879, not a single- death occurred among the children of the village. Occasion is here availed of to commend as an example to future Esculapians, the faithfulness, temperance and unremitting perseverance of Dr. G. W. Burrall, which has wen for him the respect and encomiums of an entire community.

WAR ITEMS.

During the rebellion, the people of Dodgeville took a very active interest in the great struggle, and did as much if not more to promote the cause of the North than any other town in the county.

The first war meeting was held here in the month of May, 1861, at the court house which. was then a new building

This meeting, which was only a precursor of the many that followed, was a grand and en- thusiastic rally, fer, with regard to war matters as in other things, there was no half-way work done here ; it was but according to the bent of the people to go it strong. The most prominent person in connection with the speeches and resolutions made was Jehn Bracken, of Mineral Point.

Very soon after this, recruiting was commenced here by Charles Luver, and in a short time a company called the Dodgeville Rangers was organized, which eventually mustered into service as Company C, of the Twelfth Infantry, of whom general mention is made in the war history .. They went out under Wilson as Captain, Luver having resigned on account of being unpopular among the men.

A good deal of recruiting was done here at different times, but the only other company which was entirely enlisted at this place was the Dodgeville Guard, or Company C, of the Thirty-first. This was the largest company that every left the county, nearly if not quite all of whom belonged to the town of Dodgeville. (See general history.)

A union league was organized in 1862, for the purpose of drilling and perfecting metheds of rendering assistance, and about the same time a ladies' aid society was also formed. Mrs.

749

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Caroline Wheeler, now dead, was the leading spirit in connection with the aid society. The feel- ing which actuated these organizations will be best understood by the following: In the spring of 1863, report came that Company C, of the Thirty-first, then stationed at Columbus, Ky., was suffering with the scurvy. Immediately upon the reception of the news a public meet- ing was held, and it was resolved to send them a quantity of vegetables. The basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church was thrown open for the purpose, and contributions of potatoes, cabbage, and. in fact, almost everything edible, came in with a rush and in large quantities. Within a few days enough stuff was shipped to the boys to make them think of home for a month at every meal, but unfortunately for the generous intentions of the people and for the company, the articles were appropriated in toto before they ever reached the front, and were never heard from only in connection with the sanitary pirates who were determined to have vegetables for the hospitals if they were to be obtained in any way. Probably they were justified in doing as they did. At any rate company C came out all right in the end while others were benefited, so the labor was not lost.

It must not be supposed by the casual reader that all of the people here were patriotic, or that everything ran smoothly, for such was not the casc. There were both outspoken and secret sympathizers, who rejoiced when disaster came upon our forces, and who, it is said, held secret meetings. During the last of the rebellion, a number of the veterans of Company C, of the Twelfth, came home on furlough, and, learning how matters stood, they determined to teach the Copperheads a lesson. Having determined upon who were the most to blame and deserving of punishment, they went in force to their places of business, and marshaling out the foes to the national credit and honor. made them hurrah lustily for the Union under the penalty of being disported on a rail or in some equally ingenious manner. It is said that after that the politics of the Southern sympathizers either took a turn, or were kept to themselves. In the light of modern developments, doubtless, a real change has been effected in their sentiments with regard to Southern sympathizers.

When the veteran Company C came home, they received a public reception and dinner at the court house. In fact, whenever any of the soldiers came home, they were treated to the best the land afforded, and really more than they needed.

A brief description of the public demonstration made here at the fall of Vicksburg will not come amiss. The news was brought at midnight by parties from Mineral Point, who came into the village driving their horses with a rush and yelling at the tops of their voices. Mr. Reese was one of the first who heard the cry, and springing up and donning his clothes as quickly as possi- ble, he ran down to " Dirty Hollow " and roused Ben Thomas and Samuel Hoskins. Very soon after, they got out the whole town was up, men, women and children, and then began the most tremendous jollification ever witnessed here. Bonfires were built at different points on the street, and were kept burning regardless of cost, by the use of fences and outhouses, even the women carrying rails and wood to keep them going. The band turned out with their instruments, and everybody fell into line and away they went perambulating the streets after the music and singing and shouting like all possessed. John Sagers threw open his saloon, and spiritual refresh- ments were dispensed regardless. Probably the old bummers will remember that occasion as be- ing the time when they could have more than enough for the mere taking.

At 4 o'clock in the morning the stage arrived here, and then occurred one of the most ludicrous incidents of the night. A soldier by the name of Wm. George was on board, having come home on a sick furlough. Seeing the stage surrounded by a crowd of his acquaintances, George could not account for such a demonstration, except upon the ground that they had turned out to receive him. So, after looking in utter astonishment at the enthusing crowd for a few moments, he finally ejaculated, " My God, how did you know that I was a-coming." The cor- responding astonishment of his listeners, at this, can be better imagined than described.

Next morning, every available rig in town was taken, as might be said, from every dog-cart to every ancient and venerable carryall, and away the people went to Mineral Point, where were re-enacted the scenes of the preceding night.

750

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Early in the rebellion, an appropriation of $5 was made by the town to be paid each week to the family of every married man, and besides, large bounties were paid to those who enlisted. So, it may be fairly recorded that in all particulars the people of this section did their duty to their country to the best of their ability.

RAILROAD INTERESTS.

For the last twenty-five years, that which has been most devoutly desired by the citizens of Dodgeville has been a railroad. We often hear the cry, "My kingdom for a horse!" but here the monotony of that abjurgation has been relieved by the expression, " My substance for a rail- road!" And no wonder, for that has always been wanting to place the village and her aspiring citizens in a fair and thoroughly advanced business position. Since the time a railroad reached Mineral Point, in 1857, there has been a more or less constant agitation of the topic, how to get a railroad through to this point, no matter from what direction. At first the village was not strong enough to offer very large inducements ; for, it must be remembered, Dodgeville has been a place of slow growth ; therefore, nothing could be or was done, of any significance, until 186S. when the town and village, combined, offered the Mineral Point Railroad Company $60,000 if they would extend their road to this place. This was made as a standing offer ; but, for some reason, nothing was done by the company. Whether it was because they wanted more money, or on account of some ulterior cause, wherein a local finger may have been concerned, does not appear; suffice it to say : the managers of said road have since offered to build an extension for much less than $60,000.

Passing over various unimportant events connected with the efforts made at different times, we come to the organization of a railroad company in Dodgeville. One day in the spring of 1876, a civil engineer. E. Baldwin, who had been connected with the Illinois Central Railroad, and who was, withal, an ambitious and energetic fellow, bethought him that it would be an ex- cellent investment of time to work up a railroad scheme, for the purpose of connecting Lone Rock, Dodgeville and Freeport, Ill., with minor places along the route, by a narrow gauge rail- road. Therefore, as soon as the weather would permit in the spring, he started out and trav- eled over the country from Freeport to Dodgeville, and thence to Lone Rock. Having examined the ground carefully and satisfied himself that the scheme could be made to work, as the coun. try was good, the route not very hard to work and a railroad very necessary to all parties, he came to Dodgeville and broached the subject to come of the leading men. It is not expressing it strongly to say that he was a welcome embassador, and that he was met more than half-way by the best business men in the place. A railroad was what they wanted, and they were willing to do anything reasonable to obtain one ; yes, more than that-they were willing to make lib- eral sacrifices, both of money and time. During April of that year, several meetings were held among thie business men, and the subject thoroughly canvassed, and, finally, a number of them clubbed together and subscribed for enough stock to secure a Government patent. This was granted under the general law, April 20. 1876. to the following gentlemen, who were incorpo- rated as Directors of the Lone Rock, Dodgeville & Freeport Railroad Company : Orville Strong. J. W. Reese, M. J. Briggs, P. J. Morris, C. C. Watkins. H. C. Cutler, James Roberts, J. R. Davis, Charles Pishop. A. S. Hearn, Joel Whitmen. Joseph Bennett, of Dodgeville, and George Krauskop, a banker of Richland Center.

On the 25th of April following, a meeting of the Directors was held at the office of M. J. Briggs, the leading spirit of the enterprise, and the company was effectually organized, and the following officers elected : Joseph Bennett, President; Joel Whitman, Vice President ; J. W. Reese, Treasurer, and Orville Strong, Secretary. A committee, consisting of M. J. Briggs. Joel Whitman and C. C. Watkins, was appointed to solicit funds to defray the expense of pre- liminary investigations, surveys, etc. ; and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cutler, Reese, Briggs and Hern, was appointed to draft by-laws. During the month of May, a company was formed in Illinois to co-operate with the Dodgeville organization, called the Freeport, Pecatonica « State Line Company. Also various meetings were held in this place, and a preliminary sur-

751

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

vey was made by M. J. Briggs and E. Baldwin over the entire route contemplated, the villages and towns being agitated as to giving aid to the enterprise. Having decided the project was entirely feasible, and that liberal aid would be extended, the committee returned and reported favorably.

On the 30th of May, a meeting of the board was held, and the subject of starting the work discussed ; a division of opinion arose respecting whether the work should be commenced on the north or south end of the line, which resulted in favor of beginning at Freeport. According to the evidence of succeeding events. that decision appears to have been injudicious, as in all proba- bility, the short part of the line. that is, from Dodgeville to Lone Rock, would have been com- pleted and opened. At the above meeting, it was decided that a committee of competent per- sons should immediately set to work and canvass the towns and villages thoroughly and solicit aid.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 110

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