History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 114

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

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The year 1828 rolled away into the past, leaving the impress of but very few events wor- thy of reference beyond the fact that emigration tended hitherward without interruption, and before the " melancholy days " had come, the future city, though populous with life and anima- tion, bore no resemblance to the immediate vicinity in that respect. In 1829, in addition to those who made the mining settlements their abiding-places, there were a limited number who took up lands and made the primary attempts at farming undertaken in the town. It might be here ob- served that the first hotel opened in the county was established in March of this year at the present city. It stood on the corner now occupied by Ivey's meat market and James' harness- shop; Col. Daniel M. Parkinson was the boniface, and, by his efforts and enterprise, contributed largely to the building-up of both Iowa and La Fayette Counties. Among those who are ro- ported to have come into the town in 1829 was Gen. Henry Dodge, who settled on Section 15 and made the first attempts at farming undertaken in the town; he also became a smelter there, building the third furnace erected in the county. This year also came Garrett D. Pharris, who established himself on Section 9. A Mr. Miller settled east of the village, on the place now occupied by James Aid. Mr. Miller erected the first mill in the county and did a thriv- ing business until facilities and improvements in that behalf were increased with succeeding years. Jolin F. O'Neil came in and occupied land two miles south of the village. Capt. John B. Terry located at Diamond Grove, where he subsequently built a furnace and engaged exten- sively in mining and smelting. During this year, large accessions were made to the population of the mining settlements, but few of those who came ventured beyond the charm wrought by mines, leads, levels, drifts and minerals. As a result, while the town, before Winter and his aged locks appeared, contained fully three thousand inhabitants, nearly all of these being res- idents of Mineral Point Village and the territory immediately contiguous. Indeed, as one of those who came about that time remarked to the writer, it was impossible to state who came into the town that year. There were settlements of insignificant numbers and importance compared with Mineral Point at Dodge's Grove, in the northeast corner of the town ; on the Miller place east of the present city, and Paschal Bequette may have begun the building-up of a colony in the northwest corner of the town ; but beyond these there were no settlements save those at the mines. Excepting an occasional miner's cabin, there is reported to have been no settlement be- tween La Fayette County and the city, except Graysville, adjoining the present city, established, it is believed, in 1828 or 1829, by R. W. Gray.

The year 1829 had been one of unexampled prosperity, relates a gentleman who participated in these benefits, but the following year was experienced hardships of the most exacting charac-

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ter. Business declined. Lead and mineral diminished in value from a remunerative price to almost nothing. Flour was held at very exorbitant rates, as also was pork, coffee, sugar, and all the necessaries of life. These ruinous prices required desperate efforts on the part of all to sustain themselves. In consequence of this monetary stringency, many persons became discour- aged and left the country ; many gave up business. In brief, the country at that period, and continuing up to the close of the Black Hawk war, presented a gloomy and unpromising ap- pearance that was anything but flattering to inhabitants or strangers.

In 1832, as all are familiar with, the Black Hawk war commenced and was concluded through the efforts of pioneers from the wildernesses of the Northwest, in which representatives from town of Mineral bore an active, onerous and valiant part. Some fell beneath the burthens assumed, but they live in the memory of grateful generations, and their names and prowess adorn the brightest pages of the history of those times. As has already been stated, Fort Jackson was erected within the present city limits. But there were twoother forts built in the town-Fort Union at Dodge's Grove, and a stockade at Diamond Grove. Gen. Dodge, John Hood, John F. O'Neil (who served as Captain), Paschal Bequette, Dr. Allen Hill, John McNair and many others went from the town and city, and enjoyed the dignities and emoluments appertaining to "grim-visaged war" with the savages. The war closed without material damage being inflicted upon the town or any part thereof, though the inhabitants were subjected to frequent alarms, that, in the light of subsequent revelations, occasioned no inconsiderable mirth. During the con- tinuance of hostilities, word was carried to the town settlers by Capt. Estes that a force of In- dians was making its way toward their homes eager fore gore. and threatening to massacre every white man, woman or child they could overtake. A force was sent out from Fort Defiance and ascertained that this report was a false alarm. Upon this information being communicated to the anxious, expectant victims, apprehension yielded place to confidence in their security, and cheer- fulness usurped the place of gloom. After the war, immigration became more numerous, and was made up chiefly of miners, who settled in the lead regions. Among those who came abont this time was a colony of hale, hearty, strong muscled and stronger hearted Cornish pick and gad artists, composed in part of John Curthew, William Kendel, William Bennett, Stephen Hos- kins, Mark Terrell, Stephen Terrell and some others, who landed at the village of Mineral Point, whence they radiated to various parts of the town and county, and have since been identified with the growth and development of the sections at which they established their several homes. In these parts they wrought and suffered amid the conditions of earth for years. during which period many of them laid up treasures on carth, and many of them passed on, leaving no shin- ing train whereby we can conjecture whither. As already stated, agriculture, up to and includ- ing this period, and for some years subsequent, was rarely attempted. The cultivation of the soil yielded precedence to the search for wealth beneath its surface ; mining was the chief occu- pation carried on ; and nothing that would even remotely interfere with labors in that direction was thought worthy of consideration. The cause of education and religion remained compara- tively uncultivated, though schools had been opened, and " Uncle Billy Roberts " sought to point the way to salvation. From this time to 1835, the country was thickly inhabited by miners and the miscellaneous order of people attracted by the inducements held out for wealth by the mines. In the latter year, the land office was opened at Mineral Point, and, in 1836, Territorial government was established. In 1835, the land sales brought large numbers to the town, and many purchases of property within its present limits were made. Dr. John Loofborough settled on Rock Branch, three miles from the city in a southeasterly direction; Washington Oni, east of Mineral Point, on Section 2, and a few others, probably, at points of vantage, who have left no record of their comings and goings to guide one in the search for facts bearing thereon. The year 1836 is remembered as a season of land speculation, which has never been equaled since. Capitalists and agents came hither from all parts of the East, and lands were purchased indiscriminately wherever they could be obtained. A man named "Bronson, from New York, Col. Boyington, from Florida, a Mr. Halsted, from New Jersey, and the thousand and one others, with money in their respective purses and speculation in their individual eyes, made up the com-

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plement of visitors who flock to newly discovered and reputedly wealthy regions in the hope of amassing fortunes without the exchanges of laber and diligence.

From 1835 to 1840, the emigration was gradual, those who came following the practice of those who had already arrived, and settling near the mining villages. In September, 1838, the population of Mineral Point Precinct was quite large, as appears from the polling-list made up at that date, which included the names of the following voters : Esau Johnson, A. W. Comfort, Henry Johnson, Richard Martin, John Van Matre, Pierce Compton, Joseph Green, Samuel Parks, Albert S. Crooker, William Devine, Robert C. Hoard, Peter Hartman, Antoine Barlow, Augustus C. Dodge, Emory Humphrey, D. G. Fenton, John King, Sylvanus Hast- ings, Curtis Beech, William Strong, Oliver Reynolds, Samuel H. Hinman, H. L. Dodge, Lyman Smith, William Brown, A. Mitts, John Kennedy, Michael Clink, Humphrey Beckett, John B. Terry, Oran Paddock, John Foss, James Bradshaw, John F. O'Neil. O. G. Ridgely, James Morrison, Silas F. Brown, Andrew Pierce, Jonathan Meeker, Harrison Lloyd, William G. Sneads, William Gilmartin, William McCutchins, Jacob Van Orman, Burke Fairchild, Alexis Van Orman, Henry Messersmith, Henry J. Handy, Hugh Mcknight, O. P. Williams, E. Pierrepont, S. B. Trasher, William H. Rossiter, Robert Dougherty, Samuel Warren, Josiah P. Plummer, W. W. Adkins, A. N. Mills, George Messersmith, Alexander Mills, James Phipp, James Potwell, William H. Banks, John Walcott, David M. Jones, G. Mckinney, John Mc- Dowell, Jabez Wilson, James McDonald, Jonathan Cole, William Sublett, John Bracken, Robert Wilson, Joseph Caldwell, Edward James, John Enix, F. J. Dunn, Nathaniel Hatch, David Tryon, James Scantling, Thomas Webster, Sylvester B. Palmer, Nelson Lathrop, Francis Vivian, Orsemus Jewell, John McNair, Edward Whitmore, Manoah Griffin, Nicholas Curry, William Sampson, William Brown 2d. Zenas Chander, John Phillips, Andrew Pierce 2d, An- drew Hodget, Joseph Shaw, William Campbell, Joshua Mclain, Jefferson Stuzman, Washing- ton Evans, William Nible, Philip D. Round. William B. Carnes, James F. Carnes, David M. McConnell, Samuel W. Davis, Robert P. Wilson, John Gilbert, Milton P. Persons, J. T. La- throp, John Rowland, John Likens, William W. Kane, Jason Lothrop, George Cubbage, Albert Jemison, Sylvester Race, Henry Richardson, Obediah Rittenhouse, James Purcell, Charles F. Legate, Edward McSherry, George Beattey, Richard MeKim, John Avery, John A. Brinager, Alexander Blair. William Taylor, John Ritch, Richard Saword. G. D. Farris, Jeremiah Mckay, John Jones, Alfred Soword, Nathaniel Parkinson, Henry Blaney, John Lufborough, John Wansley, Patrick McGuigan, T. Wright, Nelson Moore, Zenas Harrington, Joseph R. James, George Hardy, Thomas Conner, Frederick Hardy, George W. Heacock, Lewis Wilson, Samuel R. Campbell, Humphrey Taylor, William Mason, Luther A. Cole, Martin V. Burns, Andrew M. F. Scott, Thomas B. Shanner, Samuel Crocker, John James, Parley Eaton, Colley Frost, James Woossey, Washington Richardson, Alfred Browning, Samuel Anderson, Edward Tyre, John Russell, John B. Jenkins, Washington Olney, Thomas Turner, D. J. Dilley, Thomas Holmes, John Etheridge, John Milton, John Hood, Joseph McMartry, John R. Crawford, Lan- son Culver, Peter Parkinson, Sr., Thomas Mcknight, James Robb, William Prideaux, Reuben Bishop, Andrew Baird, Jacob George, Benjamin White, John Smith, Jacob S. Rowe, Andrew Leonard. William Donnard, D. W. Dickson, Joseph Frigarkis, Anthony G. Street, Mathew G. Fitch, Ephraim Hemming, C. Scott, Henry Crow, Joseph Jones, William Turner, Henry Polk- ingborn, Ralph Goldsworthy, Robert W. Gray, Abner Nichols, William Henry, Levi Harness, William Hobson, Joseph Penwell, Thomas Jenkins, Israel Moor, Francis Shaw, Abijah Dewitt, John Logue, S. B. Vinton, Peter DeCourcey, Cromwell Lloyd, Edward Cook, William Tregay, Peter Beer, Samnel Torquvan, Charles Seaton, William Staunton, Charles F. Griswell, Adam Plank, Ambrose Comstock and Bennett Haney, nearly all of whom resided in the city and town of Mineral Point.

The panic of 1837 seemed to have spent its force before this section of the West had been reached, and, from all accounts, the town was but remotely affected by its visitation. The en- suing ten years were replete with accidents, incidents, failures and successes in the town, but confined, as a rule, to the vicinity of what is now the city of Mineral Point, and are detailed at

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

length under that head. Then, if chroniclers are correct in their reminiscences, the place was a humble, unpretentious village, as compared with what it has since become, the log huts and shanties of residents being ranged along the ravines, but their inhabitants a race of energetic, pushing men, whose actions and appearance imparted an air of prosperity and happiness to the place, which was fully confirmed upon acquaintance. Indeed, the claim was advanced that the township anticipated its neighbors in the number and character of improvements made within its limits, and, in January, 1849, when the county was divided into towns, the arrivals of " prairie schooners " into the town of Mineral Point, laden with settlers and supplies, were as numerous and welcome as vessels at the largest seaports. Farms had by this time been opened. They were limited in number, 'tis true, but carefully cultivated and attended to. Leads had been "struck " at the surface diggings in Graysville and elsewhere in the town, and a total of five lead furnaces were in successful operation at accessible points within its limits. Mills had

also been distributed in convenient localities, and were generously supported by the growing population, and interests in nearly every department of life were consulted and conserved. Schools had " taken hold " upon the communities, and the growing generations were afforded adequate means for obtaining an elementary and practical education. Churches, too, were pat- ronized and sustained where once they were disregarded, and the teachings of the divine Naza- rene were discoursed upon and elaborated where, but a few years previous, they had scarcely been thought of. Such, briefly, was the condition of affairs in the town twenty years after its settlement had been commenced. Thriving merchants, with their ledger-like look, had suc- ceeded to the traders of years before. "Very wise men," with sculptured courtesy in every feature, had familiarized themselves with the political preferences of residents, and were on hand to avail themselves. Educators and moralists were being substituted for the presence of men whose restless eyes, overdress and abundance of jewelry indicated their acquaintance with " short cards," and the advantages to be derived from " four aces." In a word, a higher planc had been reached, and consequent felicity attained. During the progress of the Mexican war, which was at this time (1849) prevailing, Gen. Charles Bracken and John Clowney endeavored to inspire more than a passing patriotism and raise a company of troops for active service. But they failed to arouse enthusiasm or excite ambition for achievements on the field of battle, though there were quite a number, it is claimed, however, who visited the historic coast of Mex- ico from the town of Mineral Point, and, landing 'neath the shadow of " Orizaba of the clouds," which pierces the blue vault of heaven 16,000 feet from the level of the sea, participated in the struggles for the possession, and finally gained an occupation, of the halls of the Montezumas. But not nearly so many, it would be safe to say, wandered off into that wondrous land of ro- mance, where delicious visions of tropic magnificence, which pass over humanity in the dim consciousness of dreams, are realized, as struggled through storm and sunshine, through light and darkness, to search for gold by the side of that tide which rolls onward through the Golden Gate to the Pacific, and found-a grave. Nor yet so many as those upon whom, during that same summer, life's door-way was closed at the beck of the Asiatic cholera, and who were taken into a new life, where the sunshine would ever be undimmed by remembered cares and disap- pointments. Not less than 250 traveled to California from this town during the excitement con- sequent upon the discovery of gold in that land of promise. A limited number returned ; a still more limited number succeeded ; and a precious few-how precious no tongue can tell- who went forth exuberant with hopes and joys, were laid to sleep on the banks of the Chagres, to be waked no more.

In 1855, it is stated that the lands within the town were generally owned and occupied. Mining had, in a great measure, become the work of corporations, and very many of the features of life of an early day lived only in memory. Farming was becoming an art, the excellence in which was annually demonstrated in the increased productions of the soil. A railroad had been commenced, and was pushing its way through the town unimpeded, and nature and art seemed to combine for a fruition of the most perfect civilization. During the war against secession, the town provided men and means for its maintenance and support, and lent its best endeavors

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to the attainment of an honorable conclusion. Since those troublous times, the history of the town has been as the life of an individual. Sorrow and joy have mingled with the experiences of its inhabitants; death has left its damps upon the brow of him who rejoiced in the flush of health and strength when the country was new, has touched the lines of beauty with its bony finger, and an end has come to all perfection and wandering at will among the survivors of a former age, as also among their descendants, has devoted to vacancy what once was filled with eloquent rejoicings. But improvements and advancements have kept pace with the times in which men have lived. Villages and hamlets dot the landscape of this prosperous town. Schools are to be found at every cross-road ; churches raise their steeples and domes to heaven ; fields of waving grain are to be seen, and the voice of the reapers to be heard, as they were when nature, aided by man, in Mineral Point Town was educated and cared for until it became the patron in place of the dependent. And so it always will be. Man will die, but nature will keep on. The seasons come back at their appointed time ; day returns with its golden splendor and night with its eloquent mystery, all speaking to man of the glory, the beauty and omnipo- tence of God, not more than of His goodness to the children of men in this favored land.

TOWN OF DODGEVILLE.

This town, located in the center of the county and its metropolis, the village of Dodge- ville being the county seat, is regarded as one of the leading towns in the county. It is bounded on the north by Clyde and Wyoming, on the east by Ridgeway, on the south by Waldwick and Mineral Point ; on the west by Eden and Highland. It is irregularly set apart, and contains ninety-four sections of Ranges 2, 3 and 4, and Towns 5 and 6. The surface of the town is quite diversified, being divided into high, rolling prairie, level lowlands, sharp, rocky bluffs, and long ridges and ravines. Along the numerous streams which course the town are narrow valleys of fertile land, smiling among the somber hills upon which they fatten by the aid of nature's perpetual washings. On the tops of the ridges the land is less fertile than in the valleys, but becomes more productive as it approaches the prairie. Some of them are several miles in width, and furnish excellent opportunities for the husbandman. South of the dividing ridge is a belt of rolling prairie reaching entirely across the town from east to west, and including forty sections, comprising a very productive agricultural district. This prairie abounds in groves of small timber and springs, and owing to its extreme rolling formation, is very pictur- esque and desirable. All the ridges and untillable land in the town are covered with timber, so that fuel is abundant and cheap, and easy of access to all. The soil is a rich loam, favored everywhere with a clay subsoil, giving security against waste of fertilization.

The town is well watered by numerous springs rising in the prairie, from which several streams are formed, all of which flow northward to the Wisconsin River. These streams vary in size from the rivulet to the large creek, and furnish abundant water-power, much of which has been utilized. The soil is very productive, well wooded and watered ; and, consider- ing all things, the town of Dodgeville offers great inducements to the agriculturist, whether he may prefer grain-growing, stock-raising or dairying as his employment.

But a brief period has elapsed since Wisconsin was peopled by a new and daring race ; a race who sought refuge from the restraints of civilized society, among savage beasts, and among savage men, liable at any moment to meet death in its most appalling forms ; they yet shrunk not from the burdens they had assumed until their efforts were crowned by a glorious and final triumph. And now from the old world and new, a vast tide of emigration swept in upon the immense prairies and mining lands of the West, and the fertile fields of the South, the enterprising and virtuous seeking to improve their condition, the vicious of all grades desiring to escape from the terrors and trammels of the law. Between such opposing interests and pas- sions, collisions were inevitable, and fearful have been some of the deeds that stain the history of these localities.

In every new country there is an era of strife, turbulence and general combat ; a state of nature which is always a state of war; when sanguinary crimes provoke still more sanguinary AA

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punishments. It is peculiar to no geographical section, but applies with more force to the West and Southwest in the mining regions than elsewhere. Petty villains and criminals have here sought a comparatively secure retreat ; but, happily, in all instances, the phenomenon is of brief dura- tion ; the evil soon runs its course, and the beautiful spirit of order and progress emerges from the chaos of confusion and blood. While, therefore, we can never sufficiently admire our noble ancestors, who were always ready to sacrifice all for their country's good, we yet dwell with an intense and living interest upon the bold and daring men of a later day who have made " the wilderness to blossom as the rose."

The history of Dodgeville is interesting not only on account of its local importance, but in its relations to the early settlement of the State; for here was a numerous population before many of the thriving villages and cities of the Badger State were even projected in the mind of man. When this locality was first visited by the whites, it was apparently a derelict region. In the middle of the eighteenth century, however, the Sacs and Foxes had taken possession of it, but they in time gave way to the Winnebagoes, who occupied this territory when pioneer settlers began to invade this region, and it was recognized by the Government as their land in subsequent treaties. By a treaty concluded at Prairie du Chien August 1, 1829, the Winnebagoes ceded to the General Government a tract of land south of the Wisconsin River, which included the present county of Iowa, and opened the way to permanent settlements. Prior to this time, a few of the more adventurous pioneers had located in the town of Dodgeville, attracted hither by the exaggerated reports of rich finds among the incipient lead diggings.

The early settlement of the town was made at the site of the present village of Dodgeville, which has been elaborately treated in another portion of this work. The rich deposits of min- eral in the vicinity was the loadstone which proved the attraction and incentive to the hardy pioneers to take up their abode in regions remote from civilization, and there to pave the way for future prosperity. For many years mining was the only pursuit, as in those early days it was erroneously supposed that land abounding in such lead deposits would be of no avail for agricultural purposes. Prior to the Black Hawk war there were but few farms.

The first farm in the town was started in the summer of 1828. The enterprising husband- man was James Jenkins. He broke about ten acres on Sections 16 and 21, the plows used being the old fashioned bar and shield, which followed the four wheels of a wagon. Mr. Jen- kins put in a crop of corn and potatoes the first year, and, in 1829, he raised the first wheat in the town. Early in the year 1831, he erected an 18x20-foot log cabin, and during the summer he was joined in the then far-away wilderness by his wife and family from Alabama. He con- tinued to increase his farm year by year, which, with his fostering care, developed into a valua- ble piece of property, and for many years was the leading farm in the town. Mr. Jenkins was a native of North Carolina, and was about seventy years of age when he first came to Dodge- ville. He is said to have been a man of great perseverance, and of a generally very mild dis- position. He died in Dodgeville in 1848, and in the following year, as the summer sunshine and the bright budding flowers announced the advent of the month of May, he was joined by his wife in that far off land we see so dimly, where the troublous vicissitudes and hardships of the pioneer are unknown.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 114

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