History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 115

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

USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 115

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).

The year 1828 is remembered as being one of general prosperity, but the following year mineral declined in value, and provisions increased in price. Flour could be obtained only at. Galena, and $20 and $25 per barrel was the selling price; potatoes were $1 per bushel, and pork $30 to $35 per barrel. This condition of affairs tended to check the tide of immigration, and it was not until the first streaks of light kissed the eastern horizon, announcing the dawn of the year 1830, that the town of Dodgeville renewed its former prosperity. This year was char- acterized by the arrival into the present limits of the town of large numbers of "Suckers " from Illinois and Missouri, nearly all of whom engaged in mining. Early in 1832, Armsted Floyd opened a small farm of ten acres on Section 20, but, owing to the outbreak of the Black Hawk war in May of that year, he raised no crop until 1833. Floyd came to Shullsburg, La Fayette County in 1828, and to Iowa County in 1829. He first located a small garden patch on the

775

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Van Metre survey, and raised an acre of potatoes in 1829. In 1830, he removed to the town of Linden and broke the farm now owned by Mr. Toay ; here he raised a crop of corn in 1830. In 1831, he located a farm on Section 17, where was located the old Phelps Furnace; and, in 1832, opened his farm in Section 20. He subsequently sold this place and engaged in mining on the old Fortner Diggings. In the spring of 1840, he purchased an improvement made by Washington Richardson in the northern part of the town, and since known as the Floyd settle- ment. Here he died several years ago. Among the first to locate in this " settlement " were W. C. Scott, who cultivated a small farm on Section 20, in 1835; William Smead and G. W. Richardson located on Section 20 in 1838; G. W. Standardt and Robert Shields settled west of Floyd in 1841. The first Scotch families to locate herc were James Sillers, who came in 1844, George and William Duncan, Peter Smith, Joseph Turston, William MeIntosh, Robert Kinnear and David Shand.

In 1832, John Messersmith broke and cultivated a farm of forty acres with horses belong- ing to the Government, which he was then keeping, in the eastern part of the town.

The breaking-out of the Indian war under Black Hawk's leadership suspended all operations. and the scattering settlers enlisted in the defense of their families and their possessions. For three long months the future of Dodgeville seemed hid behind clouds which bore no silvery lining, and anxiously indeed did the pioneers await the golden dawning of a brighter day, when the treaty of peace was declared and the information received that all might return to their deserted claims. Inspired with the confident feeling of safety, the work of developing this now. valuable territory was resumed.

The Murder of F. S. Clopton .- In the early mining days, when the " lead mines " were overrun with a desperate and devil-may-care class of adventurers, life was a source of much anxiety to the more peaceable and well-behaved miners. Crime was rampant, as, owing to the cumbersome nature of the laws, criminals could easily flee the country before the intricate machin- ery of justice could be brought into action.

The proximity of claims and diggings were, in many instances, fraught with peril, as the turbulent classes never hesitated for a moment to forsake a barren lead, and, by force of intimida- tion, dispossess the claimants of more profitable land. In 1829, a case of this nature occurred, resulting in the murder of a miner and the subsequent conviction of his assassin. Two brothers. named James and Robert Duncan, were working a lead on the road running from Galena to Min- eral Point, near the State line. Their labors did not prove prosperous, in strong contradistinction with the efforts of a neighbor, F. S. Clopton, whose contiguous claim afforded a reasonable. return for the toil expended. He daily waxed more indignant at his own impoverishment, and he began to covet the adjacent lead. This covetous spirit led to the exchange of angry words and the creation of a bitter enmity between the rival miners. James Duncan called in the aid of two fellow spirits, called Wells and Richardson, who agreed to provoke a quarrel. Their plan of action was not divulged, nor was any one apprised of the brewing storm until the morning of April 6, 1829. Then Wells and Richardson, accompanied by James Duncan and J. Scott, appeared in the vicinity where Clopton and J. Van Matre were industriously plying the pick and spade. Wells and Richardson were armed with rifles, and, approaching the laborers, entered into conversation.

Van Matre inquired what was the unusual circumstance that caused them to be armed.

" To defend our property and our lives," was the lightning response, and suiting their actions they both drew a bead and fired. At the first discharge, Van Matre exclaimed, " I am shot !" and on the second fire Clopton fell to the ground. Robert Larance and James Duncan carried the wounded man into his humble cabin, and placed him on his rough bed of bonghs and straw. He expired in a few minutes, his last words, addressed to a cluster of sympathizing miners, being, "I forgive Wells for killing me; he was instigated to it; I blame James Duncan and MeKnight for my death." With these words of fortitude, his soul took its flight. In the meantime, the murderers hastened home, and, mounting two trusty horses, fled toward the river. Prior to their departure, they hastily concluded a sale of their claim to Ja'nes Duncan,

776

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

for $200. Getting wind of their precipitous flight, J. B. Estes followed in pursuit, but did not succeed in capturing the desperadoes.

James Duncan was arraigned before John Marsh, Justice of Peace of Crawford County, charged with being an accessory to the murder. He was indicted for the crime, and, on furnish- ing bonds of $2,000 to appear at the ensuing term of the District Court, at Prairie du Chien, he was admitted to bail. His subsequent career is unknown.

Prominent among the number who engaged in farming in 1834 was William James, who arrived in the precinct in the spring, and settled on southwest quarter of Section 20. Here he broke seven or eight acres of land in the fall of this year, and raised his first crop.

Not the least among the pioneer's tribulations, during the first few years of the settlement, was the going to mill. The slow mode of travel by ox teams was made still slower by the almost total absence of roads and bridges, while such a thing as a ferry was hardly even dreamed of. The distance to be traversed was often as far as sixty or seventy-five miles. In dry weather, common sloughs and creeks offered little impediment to the teamsters ; but during floods and the breaking-up of winter, they proved exceedingly troublesome and dangerous. To get stuck in a slough and thus be delayed many hours was no uncommon occurrence, and that, too, when time was an item of grave import to the comfort and sometimes even to the lives of settlers' families. Often a swollen stream would blockade the way, seeming to threaten destruction to whoever would attempt to ford it.

These milling trips often occupied several weeks, and were attended with an expense that rendered the cost of breadstuffs extremely high ; and for a large family it was almost impossible to avoid making three or four trips during the year.

The trials of the pioneer were innumerable, and the cases of actual suffering might fill a volume of no ordinary size. Timid women became brave through combats with real dangers, and patient mothers grew sick at heart with sight of beloved children failing in health from lack of the commonest necessaries of life. The struggle was not for ease or luxury, but was a con- stant effort for the sustaining means of life itself.

Owing in part to the difficulties cited, the progress of agriculture was slow until after the advent of the year 1840. In August, 1839, however, the population of Dodgeville Precinct was quite large, taking for a criterion the polling list made up at that date, which included the names of the following voters: W. Garrison, S. H. Campbell, James Jenkins, O. G. Ewing, S. H. Biggs, W. C. Scott, W. W. Kane, J. Van Orman, G. W. Standart, Adam Plank, S. Deitchmandy, N. B. Harker, James Carnes, C. Scott, W. B. Carnes, A. S. Crooker, P. D. Round, C. W. Bagley, James Likens, R. S. Black, John G. Jenkins, William Tyrer, B. Hendy, W. F. Jenkins, William McCutchin, R. P. Wilson, Silas Wildes, J. B. Parkel, Robert Wilson, Janies D. Jenkins, T. B. Shaunce, Richard Soward, Nathan Fortner, William Wilren, George W. Richardson, Augustus C. Dodge, Lewis Wilson, John Lindsey, Phillip Round, Samuel Cracker, B. F. Cooper, Alfred Soward, Samuel Anderson, Joseph McMurty, nearly all of whom resided in the village and town of Dodgeville. Prominent among the number who engaged in farming in the town of Dodgeville during the next ten years were Thomas Thomas, located on Section 26, in 1841; Halvor Halvorson, Section 32, 1842; Edward R. Jones, Section 18, 1845; John Roach, Section 33, 1847 ; Robert R. Williams, Section 12, 1849 ; Thomas Buck- ingham, Section 14, 1848. The following years, the improvements kept pace with the times, and immigration to the town was large, nearly all arriving in the later history of the town, engaging in agricultural pursuits.

Smelt Furnaces .- Aside from the smelting works in the village of Dodgeville, which are treated of in another chapter, there were a number of furnaces in different parts of the town, operated at different intervals. Collier & Leigh started a smelt furnace in Cox Hollow on Sec- tion 22, in 1828, and, in the fall of 1829, the venture proving unsuccessful, they put their lead in flat-boats on the Wisconsin River, and embarked for the St Louis market. Thomas Jenkins also had a furnace in Cox Hollow in 1828, and continued to smelt until 1831. Henry Dodge, son of the Governor, built a log furnace here in 1836, but remained only one year. He was

777

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY,

followed by a Mr. Hendy, the height of whose ambition was to place in operation a blast fur- nace. He succeeded in erecting a wheel and part of the necessary machinery, but for lack of sufficient water-power the enterprise was abandoned. William James and Henry Eva operated a smelt furnace near the farm of John Lindsey, in 1834, and continued smelting in connection with farming until 1836. Henry Dodge for many years operated a smelt furnace south of the village, and a Mr. Phelps did smelting business a few miles north.

Bennett &. Hoskins' Furnace .- The year 1843 witnessed, among other events, the dis- covery, by Thomas Jenkins, of the rich mineral lead that subsequently took his name. It was located on the northwest quarter of Section 35, Township 6 north, Range 3 east. These dig- gings proved remunerative and were worked by Jenkins & Blanchard until 1846, when William M. Todd bought them out. Mr. Todd worked the mine for a time, then leased it to the com- pany which bought it in 1850. Messrs. John Rogers, James Cocking, Joseph George and James Perkins constituted this company ; later, John Corvin purchased Mr. Cocking's interest. In June, 1852, Mr. Rogers sold out to Joseph Bennett, and Mr. Corvin to N. Arthur. The mines were worked by Perkins, Bennett, George and Arthur, in company, until 1860. Prior to this date, in the year 1858, a furnace was built and continued in operation till 1860, when, Mr. Arthur having disposed of his interest to James Roberts, the present smelt furnace was built by Perkins, Bennett, George and Roberts. Mr. Roberts retired in 1864, and Mr. Per- kins in 1868. In March, 1869, the firm of Bennett & George consolidated with C. Cholvin & Co., or Cholvin & Hoskins ; the retirement of Mr. Cholvin in 1874, and that of Mr. George in 1879, left the firm as now constituted, Bennett & Hoskins. The Dodgeville furnace only is now in operation, and connected with it is the "slag" furnace, operated by the same com- pany.

C. Cholvin §. Co .- This smelting firm was organized in 1858, by C. Cholvin and Augustus Pine, both Frenchmen, and Samuel Hoskins. In 1865, Pine sold out to Samuel Hoskins, and the firm was since known as C. Cholvin & Co. Soon after the retirement of Mr. Pine, John Nordorf was made a partner, but he subsequently disposed of his interest to Samuel Hoskins. The furnace originally built by this company was located about one hundred rods east of the present Bennett & Hoskins' furnace, and was demolished soon after the union of the two firms in 1869. This company also, for a number of years, operated a furnace at Highland Village. but discontinued it in the spring of 1880.

Mundy, Pierce & Co .- This firm of smelters was originally organized as Hendy, Mundy & Pierce. The present furnace, near the village of Dodgeville, was built in 1867. The same year the Mylroie Bros. became a part of the firm, but both retired soon after. Joseph Pierce, Sr., united with Hendy & Mundy in 1876. Eventually Mr. Hendy retired, leaving the firm as at present, Mundy & Piercc.

Mills .- The first attempt at building a mill in the town was made in 1833, by William Jenkins and George W. Standart. This mill was a saw-mill, located on Section 2, on James' Branch, operated by water, and subsequently was converted into the grist-mill, now known as the Union Mills, in the same locality. Mr. Jenkins retired from the firmu after eighteen months, and was suc- ceeded by John Lindsey, who continued a year and a half in partnership with Standart. During the summer of 1838. the dam was washed away by a June freshet, and rebuilt the following fall. Late in the season of this year, Messrs. Standart and Lindsey disposed of the mill property to Will- iam Jenkins. He run the mill alone for some time, and traded the property to Samuel K. Campbell for eighty acres of land. In 1850, Mr. Campbell sold it to Squire James, who con- verted it into a grist-mill in 1854. The mill was run by the James family until 1877, when the present proprietor, John Dawe, purchased it. The mill has two run of stone, and manu- factures a superior article of flour.

The Blatz Mill .- This flouring-mill was built in 1864, by Peter Theno. He continued three years, when, in 1867. he sold the property to the present proprietor, John Blatz. Mr. Blatz has remodeled the building and fitted it up with new machinery throughout. It has two runs of stone, and does principally enstom grinding.

778

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Schools and Churches .- Owing to the excitement over the mineral wealth of this section of the country, but little zeal was manifested for many years in the cause of Christianity or edu- cation ; and it is difficult to ascertain the time when schools and churches commenced to pros- per. Whatever apathy might have existed has been happily overcome, however, and both Christianity and education are now in a flourishing condition.

The first schoolhouse in Dodgeville was built near a spring on the farm of James Hoskins. It was a small frame building erected in a very plain manner. Instead of lath, the carpenters of those days rived out strips from small saplings growing near, and nailed them as lath usually are to the studding. It was a house of prayer as well as of study, and it was nothing uncoin- mon of a Sunday for the rough miners to congregate there, stack their rifles in a corner, throw off their accouterments, and after services go out hunting. This first temple of early education was removed at a later day to the Janesville neighborhood, where it burned down.

The first school in the town was taught by the pioneer teacher, Robert Boyer, in the sum- mer of 1833, in a small log building which stood near the Hendy furnace, one and one-half miles north of the village. James Jenkins, best known by his pupils as " Papa " Jenkins. taught in the old Hoskins Schoolhouse in 1838, and later. Ira Hazeltine taught here in 1839-40; Robert Wilson in 1841, and later, George Sims and Hopestill Foster disciplined with birch rods and Webster's Elementary. Eventually, schools were established in different parts of the town, which, being cherished and fostered, have culminated in the adoption of a school system surpassed by few towns in the county.

There are now in the town nineteen schoolhouses. with accomodations for 1,450 children. The school property is valued at $10.570.50, but, at the completion of the projected high school building in the village, the school property will be valued at $35,000. During the year ending August 31, 1880, there wns received for school purposes $7.644.16, and paid out $5,879.25 ; of this amount, $4,401 was for teachers' salaries. There are in the town 1,410 children of school age ; 704 males, and 706 females. These require the constant employment of twenty-three teachers.

The Standart Grove Post Office-Was established on Section 19, Township 7, Range 3, in October, 1875, and was named in honor of George W. Standart, the first Postmaster. He continued in office until March, 1878, when he was succeeded by Robert Kinnear, the present incumbent. Mr. Kinnear came from Burlington, Vt .. to Dodgeville, in 1845, and has resided in his present location since 1846.

The Dodgerille Fire Insurance Company-Was organized March 22, 1879, in the village of Dodgeville, under the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin, providing for the organization of such institu- tions. The Board of Directors elected for one year, or until successors are chosen and qualified, consisted of John Rowe, Sr .. James Bennett, William T. Williams, Peter Reckenthaler, William Berryman. B. Schoeneman. T. M. Jones. H. Halgrimson and Joseph Perkins. Twenty-seven names were subscribed. representing $25,000 of insured property. John Rowe, Sr., was elected President : Joseph Perkins, Secretary, and James Bennett, Treasurer. The first annual meeting was held January 6. 1880. The Treasurer's report showed that $168.55 had been received as premiums on policies. and $34 received for issuing policies now outstanding. The total expenditures up to the date of the meeting were $59.15, and the available cash aggre- gated $143.40. The same officers were re-elected for the ensuing year.

The first town meeting of the town of Dodgeville was held in pursuance of law, on Tues- «lay. April 3. 1849. The Wesleyan Church was the place, and the records show that 180 votes were registered. The meeting was organized by the election of James D. Jenkins as Chairman and Sylvanus Race and Philip Thom as Inspectors ; Henry Messersmith and Cyrus Connell as Clerks. The Inspectors and Clerks were sworn by Philip Thom, a Justice of the Peace, and he by J. D. Jenkins. Chairman. John Messersmith was elected Chairman of the Town Board by receiving 137 votes, against 30 for John Lindsay. Asahel Blanchard and George Sims were elected Supervisors over Henry Dunstan and Milton B. Persons. Thomas M. Fullerton received a majority of 118 votes over David C. Evans, for Town Clerk. A. S.

779

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

Allen had 159 votes for Town Superintendent of Schools-no opposition. Jacob M. Miller was elected Town Treasurer over Samuel Hosking. John G. Jenkins as Town Assessor over Michael Bennett.

Justices of the Peace-Robert Wilson, Stephen S. Ferrill, William James, Robert Shields, Philip Thom and Armstead W. Floyd.

Constables-William Rowe, Jr., William Garrison, William M. Chilton, Henry Eva, Ed- ward James and William C. Scott.

On the 7th of April, 1849, a special town meeting was called for the 7th of May follow- ing, at the hall of the Sons of Temperance. The special town meeting was held in accordance with the above call, and, besides the transaction of other business, subdivided the four road dis- tricts already established and formed two additional districts. It was

Resolved, That a tax of $300 be levied for the support of the poor; that a tax of $200 be levied for the sup- port of the common schools, and $500 be levied for town purposes and $100 for bridges.

The Town Hall .-- At the Seventh Annual Town Meeting, held in the Town Clerk's office, April 3, 1855, the committee to whom was referred the recommendation contained in the report of the Board of Supervisors submitted the following :

The undersigned committee, considering a town hall actually necessary, would recommend the building of a house for town purposes, 20x40 feet, two stories high. The basement, divided into four offices, could be either used or leased to advantage by the towu. The cost of building not to exceed $1,500. WILLIAM JAMES,

ROBERT WILSON, THOMAS STEPHENS.

On motion, it was voted that a town tax of $1,500 be raised and it, with the surplus of moneys remaining in the Poor Fund at any time during the ensuing year, after the pauper ex- penses are estimated or paid, shall be devoted to the building of a town hall, under the direction of the Board of Supervisors, and to defraying the town expenses. The contractor for the car- penter work was S. B. Mclaughlin, and the mason work let to Paul Davey & Co. and the building completed during the summer.

The following is a list of the town officers from 1850 to 1880, inclusive :

1850-Asahel Blanchard, Chairman ; Cyrus Cornell and John Lindsay, Supervisors ; T. M. Fullerton, Clerk ; William Marr, Treasurer ; Samuel Hendy, Assessor ; John Lumley, Su- perintendent of Schools.

1851-Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; Thomas Menkay and S. S. Ferrill, Supervisors ; B. M. Henry, Clerk ; Samuel M. Derry, Treasurer ; James D. Jenkins, Assessor ; Rev. A. S. Allen, Superintendent of Schools.

1852-John Messersmith, Chairman ; Meredith Evans and A. W. Floyd, Supervisors ; Henry Madden, Clerk ; Martin Knudsen, Assessor ; Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Assessor; A. S. Allen, Superintendent of Schools.

1853-John Messersmith, Chairman; John Read and Henry Dunstan, Supervisors ; Michael Bennet, Clerk ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Andrew Lulickson, Assessor; Rev. A. S. Allen, Superintendent of Schools.

1854-John Parris, Chairman ; A. W. Floyd ann Meredith Evans, Supervisors ; Nathan H. Thomas, Clerk ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ; Samuel Hendy, Superintendent of Schools.

1855-Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Chairman ; Henry Sims and R. C. Owens, Supervisors ; L. H. D. Crane, Clerk; Matthew Bishop, Treasurer ; Stephen H. Wilson, Assessor ; A. S. Al- len, Superintendent of Schools.

1856-Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Chairman ; John Lindsay and Richard Jones, Supervisors ; R. C. Owens, Clerk ; Henry Sims, Treasurer ; Robert Wilson, Assessor ; E. C. Jones, Super- intendent of Schools.

1857-John Lindsay, Chairman ; John Reed and S. W. Reese, Supervisors ; William F. Phillips, Clerk ; Charles S. Nurse, Treasurer ; Richard Jones, Assessor; L. H. D. Crane, Su- perintendent of Schools.

780

HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

1858-S. W. Reese, Chairman ; Richard Arundell and William Farager, Supervisors ; D. B. Staples, Clerk ; John D. Roberts, Treasurer; Meredith Evans, Assessor ; George Sims, Su- perintendent of Schools.

1859-B. F. Thomas, Chairman ; John Reed and Hans Olson, Supervisors ; P. D. Wig- ginton, Clerk ; Henry Dunstan, Treasurer; Matthew Bishop and A. W. Floyd, Assessors : George Sims, Superintendent of Schools.

1860-George Messersmith, Chairman ; John Reed and Hans Olson, Supervisors ; P. D. Wigginton, Clerk ; Henry Vincent, Treasurer ; A. W. Floyd and Matthew Bishop, Assessors ; B. F. Thomas, Superintendent of Schools.

1861-George Sims, Chairman ; John Reed and Erick Halvorson, Supervisors ; P. D. Wigginton, Clerk; S. B. Mclaughlin, Treasurer ; J. A. Slye, Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Sims resigned January 20, 1862, and B. F. Thomas was appointed.

1862-Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; William Owens and Robert Shields, Supervisors ; George W. Dodge, Clerk ; William Rogers, Treasurer ; R. D. Davis and Hans Olson, Assessors. 1863-Samuel Hendy, Chairman; William Owens and John Rowe, Supervisors ; Henry Dunstan, Clerk; Thomas Thomas, Treasurer ; R. D. Davis and John Lindsay, Assessors.

1864-Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; Charles Dickinson and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; Thomas Davey, Treasurer ; William Smith and R. D. Davis, Assessors.

1865-Robert Wilson, Chairman; Joseph Pearce and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; John W. Thomas, Treasurer ; R. D. Davis and Hans Olson, Assessors.

1866-Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Joseph Pearse and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ; Henry Dunstan, Clerk ; J. W. Thomas, Treasurer ; Henry Schull and Lars Moe, Assessors.

1867-Robert Wilson, Chairman ; J. H. Penberthy and T. M. Jones, Supervisors ; Henry Dunstan, Clerk. The latter removed in December, 1867, and W. H. Prideaux was appointed. 1868-Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Joseph Bennett and Evan Williams, Supervisors ; Or- ville Strong, Clerk ; John Rowe and Richard T. Parry, Assessors. In January, 1869, J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., was appointed Clerk, upon the resignation of Mr. Strong.

1869-Joseph Bennett, Chairman ; E. E. James and T. M. Jones, Supervisors ; J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., Clerk ; E. H. Noyes, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor.

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 115

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