History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 118

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

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

John Reynolds had twenty-two votes for Governor. William Kinney had ten votes for Governor. Rigdon B. Slocumb had seventeen votes for Lieutenant Governor. James Adams had twelve votes for Lieutenant Governor. Zadock Casey had two votes for Lieutenant Governor. Certified by us, Attest : RUSSEL E. LEACOCK, JOIN B. BEAUBIEN, JAMES KINZIE, JESSE WALKER, MADORE B. BEAUBIEN, Clerks of the E ection. Judges of Election.

One of the judges failing to attend, the two preseut appointed Russel E. Heacock to fill his place, there being no Justice of the Peace present at the election.

JOHN B. BEAUBIEN. JAMES KINZIE.

TOWN OF EDEN.

This small town, erected only some three years ago, is really the garden spot of the county. As its name fully designates, it is almost a farmer's Eden, being naturally well adapted in almost every way to the production, in great perfection, of all the agricultural products, either indigenous or acclimated.

The inhabitants are, as in contiguous localities, a combination of various nationalities, and almost uniformly represent a high standard of character. The churches, of which there are three, are well supported; and the schools, of which there are five, are studiously maintained at a high standard.

There are deposits of mineral in the town, but to how great an extent is not known, as but little has been done in the way of mining for many years. The first discovery was made acci- dentally by a merchant of Mineral Point, while passing over the road to Centerville. By him, it was reported to N. P. Underwood, now of Pulaski, but for some reason the discovery was neglected, so that nothing was done toward developing mines here until about 1840 to 1845, and long after the location of the first discovery was forgotten. It is altogether probable that there are beds of mineral here-galena, black jack and drybone-that, if developed, would yield a handsome revenue.

The history of Eden is necessarily, to a large extent, identified with Highland, to which the territory now embraced by its boundaries belonged, until it was set off, and, therefore, the names of very many of those who have, in former years, figured quite prominently in this sec- tion, will be found in the sketch of that town.

As to who the very first settler may have been, or was, is not accurately known. This was a sort of neutral ground, despised and neglected by the first comers of Mifflin, Centerville and Highland. On account of its possessing no recognized value, except for agricultural purposes ; therefore, for several years after those points were supporting quite a large population, these beautiful prairies were left lying dormant in the lap of Mother Nature.

So far as general accounts go, the first settler in what is now the town of Eden was Daniel Thorpe, who is remembered as having been located here as early as 1842, on the farm now owned by Daniel Zimmer, Section 25. He, it appears, fixed himself at that point for the purpose of accommodating the travelers who were passing to and fro on the old military road, and also for the purpose of mining; as it is known beyond a doubt that he was engaged in developing " diggings," to a considerable extent at one time, but to how great a profit, or for how long a time, is not known. However, it is certain that a good deal of mineral was raised and taken to the old David Scely furnace, which stood about a mile east of Centerville, near what is now the town line between Highland and Eden, and which was erected about 1836 by Moses Meeker, the pioneer smelter of Galena, and one of the first in this county. The old fur- nace long since went to decay, and the old Daniel Thorpe " diggings " became filled with water, so that the mine is not now available to any appreciable extent.

Another of the old settlers of this town was H. M. Billings, who was really the first comer into this country who made a permanent home here, but the first years of his residence in the county were spent in what is now the town of Highland. Mr. Billings came to the county as early as 1834, and into this town about 1847. He was one of the stanchest of the old pioneers, and a man so well known and thoroughly identified with the history of the county and State development, that it is only necessary for us to mention his name to recall the man to his asso-

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

ciates who still survive him. His career and death are noted in another chapter. He leaves a widow and highly respectable family, all of whom, with the exception of Mrs. Billings, who is now the last of the very first women, are natives of this town.

Of other old settlers of this town, we are enabled to mention Thomas Manning, Edward and Jacob Hayes, Andrew McKeady, Henry Pugh, E. P. Pritchard, Daniel Darnell, J. N. Lemon, Kund Holverson, Daniel Zimmer, S. N. Tregonning, James Thomas, Mr. Armfield, Thomas Comfort, Jacob Culber, John Holman, James Fox and John Coker, all of whom have contributed liberally toward the development of the country by their constant and assiduous efforts.

There are also many others who have been located in this section of the county for a good many years, many of them now being the representative men of the town in wealth and enter- prise, of whom it would be highly gratifying to speak in general terms, but the limits of this work preclude all but a brief survey of the chief incidents in the growth of the country and a mncn- tion of those who were here first, so far as can be ascertained from local sources of information.

Of those who were here early, that have been here the longest, may be mentioned Messrs. McKeady, Pritchard, Lemon and Zimmer, all of whom, with many others not spoken of, are living in the enjoyment of a happy and prosperous old age.

One of the institutions of Lang Syne, well remembered by the oldest, was the old Cross Plains House, erected about 1848 by George Shepard and a man by the name of Popejoy. The house derived its name from its isolated position on the open plain traversed by the first stage road, and at that time, besides being the first hotel and only desirable stopping-place in this part of the country, it was almost the only house for miles around, for it must not be forgotten that as late as 1850, and almost up to war times, the country, now converted into fine farins, was very much of it lying untilled.

In connection with the old tavern occurs a remembrance of the old race-track and the sports of thirty years ago. The track, which was straight and as level as a house floor, lay near the tavern, and here, from miles around, on Sundays and holidays, would congregate the miners and sporting characters to have a bit of fun. Horse-racing was the chief amusement, but tar- get-shooting and foot-racing were not at all uncommon, and an occasional fisticuff may also have been introduced in vindication of various political opinions and otherwise, or to test the validity of some one's claim to being the best man in "seventeen counties."

A post office was established in town as early as 1850, Daniel Thorpe being Postmaster and keeping the office at the old tavern already mentioned. After continuing a few years it was abandoned, and no other office was established until the arrival of Martin Ash at what is now the village of Eden.

About the first ministers to visit this section of the country were Rev. T. M. Fullerton and Rev. Whitford, the latter.at one time being a resident of the town. After them (in 1850) came "Parson" Williams, familiarly so called, who was chiefly instrumental in erecting the Epis- copal Church, which was the first religious edifice in the town or in this part of the county. The church, which stands on Section 31, is a commodious edifice, having cost about $5,000 when it was built; the money, it is said, was obtained by Mr. Williams from abroad, as a con- tribution for the purpose. The other two religious edifices-Mount Hope Baptist Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church-were both built about five years ago.

VILLAGE OF EDEN.

This place, known under the various titles of Danville, Cross Plains, Cobb Post Office and Eden, is the only village in the township. It is a smart little town, one of the best for business in this portion of the county, and bids fair, now that a railroad is to pass through or near it, to outstrip many of the adjacent and older and more pretentious places.

The first settler here was Martin Ash, who came about 1850. At the time his log cabin was being rolled up, he ventured the prediction, which has since been fulfilled, that there would eventually be a village at this point. He subsequently, in 1859, erected the first hotel, known

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as the Bailey House, which was kept after him by M. Van Buren, David Dudgeon and William Rappson.

The first business of the place was blacksmithing, by Thomas Comfort, and saloon-keeping, by John Tige and James McDonald. These were followed by Michael Schutte, in 1872, who opened the first store in the place in connection with a saloon.

The first regular mercantile establishment was started by John Fillback and H. Cunning- ham, in the fall of 1873, and is still in operation. The general business development made within the last few years, is best represented by the directory appended in conclusion.

The present post office (known as Cobb) has been in operation about fifteen or twenty years. It has been kept respectively by Martin Ash, J. W. Sherwood, Jacob Culver, William Rappson, Michael Schuette and the incumbent, John Fillback.

A depot is to be built here during the summer of 1881, on grounds located thirty-eight rods north of the village, on Sections 25 and 26. The grade of the road has already reached the place, and, within a few months, the snort of the iron horse will wake the echoes in the place.

The reader of the future, when he adjusts his spectacles and glances over the record of the past, will here find the names of the business men of 1880, and, perhaps, of a later date : Charles Fox, hardware; W. J. Rappson & Son, hardware and drugs; F. A. Cuninghan, groceries ; Joseph Bailey, hotel; Gordan Andrews, Doctor; John Fillback, general store, Postmaster and Town Clerk ; Patric Manning, shoemaker ; James Goldthorp, wagon-maker and blacksmith ; Daniel Zimmer, carpenter; Richard Manning, hotel and saloon; Peter Schutte, groceries ; Thomas & Davie, furniture; George Yickelson, butcher; David Smith, blacksmith; Michael Schutte, hotel; L. E. Cooley, general store; John Prideaux, wagon-maker and blacksmith ; Jacob Hayes, carpenter ; Daniel Zimmer, Sr., Justice.

The town of Eden was set off from the town of Highland in the spring of 1877, according to the general desire of the inhabitants of the first-named town, and, on the 3d of April of that year, the first town meeting was held in the schoolhouse of District No. 9, and a regular organi- zation effected. The following persons were chosen inspectors of the election : J. B. Johnson, C. D. Alexander and Andrew McReady. The town officers elected were as follows : Andrew McCready, Chairman ; John Jacobson and C. D. Alexander, Supervisors; John Fillback, Clerk ; Richard Manning, Treasurer, and John Billings, Assessor.

1878-John Billings, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John Fillback. Clerk, Richard Manning, Treasurer.

1879 -- J. B. Johnson, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John Fillback, Clerk ; Richard Manning, Treasurer.

1880-John Billings, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John Fillback, Clerk; Richard Manning, Treasurer.

TOWN OF HIGHLAND.

As is well known, the only industry that was considered of importance in an early day was mining; and as early as 1828, certainly large amounts of lead were raised here. The importance of this industry continued to increase for a good many years, and at one time this part of the country ranked very high among the best sections of the lead-producing regions of Iowa County. In after years, as agricultural pursuits came into vogue, the mining interests began to wane, and continued to fall off largely for a good many years, but at the present time this work is being pursued, apparently, with renewed vigor, and large quantities of lead, blende and calamine are being shipped out of the town daily from the vicinity of Highland and Cen- terville, or what is now known as Dry Bone Post Office.

The most extensive mining was once done in the vicinity of Highland, and the Magnire lead is usually considered as having been the best ever discovered. This was being worked to the greatest profit from 1850 to 1860. The mining is now being done chiefly near Dry Bone. To attempt to state accurately the amount of ore that has been sent from this section, would be futile; therefore, no figures are given ; suffice it to say, the yield of black jack and drybone,

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

from the mine of Kreull & Co., near Centerville, has been for many years enormous. Hun- dreds of thousands of pounds are shipped away annually, and during some portions of the year a perfect retinue of teams is required to convey the product to the railroad at Avoca, from which point the most of it is shipped to La Salle, Ill. When it is understood that drybone has been at times as high as $75 to $80 per ton, or even higher, something of an estimate of the immense revenues realized from this industry may be realized. At the present time the price is much lower, but high enough to insure a handsome profit to the owners.

The general social status of the people is good. The schools and the churches receive a hearty and free support from a majority of the inhabitants. This indicates their true character. There are very many fine farms here-some that will compare favorably with any in the county -and throughout the town an evident pleasure and pride is taken in making substantial and useful improvements-those that will last and reflect credit upon the energies of the farmers and laboring classes.

Highland is the oldest village of consequence in the town and ranks in importance next to Mineral Point and Dodgeville, for, although removed from railroad communication, a large and remunerative business is done here. With the exception of milling, there is no manufact- nring done in this locality. The oldest inhabitant is Mr. Blabanm, aged ninety-two years. 'The oldest settler now living is William Manning, who has been here since 1838. The present pop- ulation of the town is 2,436. For census lists, see general history.

Who may have been the first white comer or comers into this town it is very difficult to de- termine, as none of those who first pitched their tents here are left to tell the story. But, with- out doubt, the first white man was a Frenchman, an Indian trader, by the name of Brisbois (as appears in the general history). The first "diggings," as they are familiarly called, were named after him, and, from being near the surface, could be easily worked, and therefore were sought by the Indians, who were really the first miners. This mine was situated about one mile north and west of the site of Highland, but was never worked very extensively, on account of the rocky nature of the land.

In 1827 and 1828, when the grand influx of miners rushed into the county, a large num- ber came here, prominent among whom were Capt. James Jones, Levi Gilbert and Daniel Moore. Many others came here about that time, the names of some of them appearing in the following list, which represents the number of voters in the town in 1838, carefully compiled from authentic official documents. Some of these will be remembered, by many of the oldest inhabitants now living, as having been men prominently connected with the early settlement of this portion of the county, while many of the names will stand unrecognized, they having been obliterated from memory by the oblivion which time and change bring, and from which there is no salvation except through tradition and history :

Richard Pratt, Louis M. Samuel, John G. Larowe, Peter W. Foot, Moses Meeker, P. Hol- lenbeck, Jordon Underwood, John Young, S. Brunier, J. T. Landrum, E. B. Goodsell, J. G. Parish, Peter Clarey, James Conners, John Gilbert, H. Mesmore, Daniel Moore, John Hughes, H. M. Billings, J. C. McKenna, R. Smith, Levi Gilbert, Alonzo D. Mills, Henry Lndnum, E. G. Clay, D. E. Parish, A. Short, Henry Boyer, John Ripperton, Thomas Waters, B. F. Len- ord, James B. Jameson, J. O'Neill, S. Wilkinson, T. Popejoy, Bernard McDermott, John Lyons, C. W. Banely, P. C. Underwood, W. A. Pollock, F. C. Kirkpatrick, Samuel Taylor, Silas Jones, James Orchard, Thomas D. Potts, Wilson Wright.

Levi Gilbert and Capt. Jones, it is generally conceded, opened the second mine, called the Walter Diggings. To enumerate all the various diggings, as Dry Bone, Blue River, etc., that were soon after being operated, is neither possible nor necessary to the interest of the narrative. Suffice it to say, within a few years the country in various directions was largely honeycombed by miners' pits, that went by any name the facetiousness of the owner might suggest.

While the war of 1832 was raging, the people were posted on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 34, Town 7, Range 1, under the command of Capt. James Jones ; but during those three months of Indian troubles, the little garrison remained quiet, as

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

the chief seat of the difficulty was in the eastern part of this county and in what is now LaFayette County. In fact, it is said that the miners were not deterred from prosecuting their labors to any great extent by the unpleasantness, excepting those who chose to go out with the volunteers in quest of adventure and scalps. After the war, the increase of population must have been quite rapid, but so many were coming and going that a large part of those who were there in the first place had removed to other points.

The first lead lode of unusual value was discovered about 1834, by Thomas G. Lucas and a man by the name of Powers. This mine is described as having been the most productive and easiest worked of any ever opened up to that date, or indeed for many years after. It was located not far from Centerville. Not long after this, Vosburg Jennings, H. M. Billings and P. C. Underwood, Elihu B. Goodsell, Stephen P. Hollenbeck, Moses Meeker and many others opened mines here, some of which were worked with profit for a good many years.

John G. Parish brought a wife and family of seven children into the county, two of whom were daughters. One of these girls married Daniel Moore, and the other Levi Sterling, who was the first Sheriff of the county. These were the first marriages in the Blue River district, and among the very first in the county.

The first farin in the town was opened about 1836 or 1837, by Mr. Potts, in the south part, near the line of the town of Eden. A good many years before any other person had made any improvements of particular note, there was a large piece of land under cultivation here, and almost before any other person had begun farming in this section of the county, he had a thrifty young orchard, which was producing largely. This orchard was one of the very first in the county, and practically demonstrated that fruit could be raised successfully, when nearly every one supposed it would not grow in this country.

CENTERVILLE.

The first mercentile business was started in the town in 1836, by William Atchison, at the mining hamlet of Centerville, which should be mentioned as the chiefest place in the west part of the county at that time ; the metropolis of the Blue River district, as this part of the county was called for many years, and after which an incorporated company .was subsequently named, which was organized to mine in this part of the county. Centerville received its name from being located directly on the line between Iowa and Grant Counties ; sub- sequently it was called Dry Bone, on account of the chief mineral product of the region. A post office was established here about 1840, with Hugh McCracken, one of the early comers and second merchant in the town, as Postmaster. He was succeeded by Charles N. Mumford, in 1845, who held it until 1852 or 1853, when it was discontinued ; the present office was estab- lished in 1878, with Anthony Kruel as Postmaster.

A Mrs. Townsend kept boarding-house at Centerville at a very early day, and, with two amiable daughters, dispensed the comforts of life to the bachelors of that region. These girls were among the first married in the town, a man by the name of Mills and another by the name of Samuels being the favored parties. A person by the name of Hyde also kept a board- ing-house here at one time.

In the winter of 1874, an enterprising party named Thomas Allen erected a building and set up a large and complete mineral-washing apparatus, near Dry Bone; but, unfortunately, the investment of time, energy and money brought no reward, and last year the affairs of the estab- lishment had to be closed out. The expense incurred in this attempt to improve the mining interests of the country cost something like $20,000. Probably no one else will be so rash as to make a similar endeavor, although it would seem that such a business ought to prove successful and remunerative.

Before 1850, the business of Centerville changed its course and went to its more prosperous rival, Highland, and since that time the little hamlet has almost ceased to be a place. There is yet a store here where the post office is kept, and a blacksmith-shop and saloon. This is the only business, aside from mining and farming, done in the locality.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

In early days the lead raised in the vicinity of Centerville was smelted, principally at Dr. Meeker's furnace. The value of blende and calamine was then unknown, and millions of this valuable mineral was lost.

Another of the early settlements was Simonsville, which received its nom de plume from a miner of "ye olden time," who first made this valley his place of abode, and who, it is said, dis- pensed the ardent almost before the recollection of any of the modern settlers. The location of the place is about all there is to it, as it never reached the dignity of a hamlet, although the early residents may have had hopes that some time there would be a village. The only business which has been done here for years in the way of trade has been by R. C. Lee, who keeps a grocery and meat market. At this point is the farm of Antony Emback, one of the very oldest living settlers.

Of the men who were in the town before 1850, not mentioned elsewhere, and many of whom have either gone over the river or moved to other places, we mention David McFarland, Patrick Manning, W. H. Hook, John Howard, Pat Smith, David Leman, Alfred Parmer, Pat Fitz- patrick, William Otterson, Russell Leech, Andrew and James McFarland, Ahab Bean, Timothy Burns, James Andrews, John Booth, Judge Strong, Theodore and R. L. Vance, Gilbert Corley, J. J. Jones, E. Watson, John Pettigrove, E. Dyer, W. W. Jennings, J. Mullamphy, J. D. Meeker, C. N. Mumford, J. B. Darnell, F. A. Hill, Dr. L. C. McKenna, John McDermott, Frank- lin Ward, P. J. Toll, W. S., John and Daniel Dudgeon, John Fultz, Mr. Gottschalk, Dr. J. P. Hamilton, John and Louis Suddeth, James, Pat and Edward Manning, J. Donahue, Joseph Daley and A. Galloway. Many of these are well remembered as representative men, and some of them have occupied the most distinguished or public positions in the gift of the people, as T. Burns, David McFarland. The oldest of the first settlers now living are Messrs. McFarland, Jones, Einhoff, Carley, Darnell and Manning. Nearly all of those enumerated in this connection were residents of the town before 1850, and some were here as early as 1840.

Furnaces .- As early as 1828, Capt. Jones had a furnace, and within a few years there was another started by Moses Meeker, one of the most noted of the first settlers. This fur- nace stood east of the village of Highland, and was subsequently operated by David Seely for many years. From this, it will be readily understood that there must have been a large amount of mining done in Highland before 1850.

At a very early day, it was known among the miners that there was a magnificent spring west of the site of Highland, about a mile, and a good many were ambitious to start a furnace at that point, as there was also an abundance of wood convenient. Nothing was done, however, until 1836. Then, simultaneously, P. C. Underwood and J. B. Terry started out to find it, with the avowed intention of building the mooted furnace. As a result of the search, J. B. Terry found the spring, made a claim, and a furnace was erected soon after, called the Blue River Fur- nace, in which J. B. Terry, William S. Hamilton and Dr. Moses Meeker were chiefly interested. This furnace operated for a few years only and was abandoned. At one time there was talk of building a mill here, as the spring, which bursts from a hill some distance above the level, is one of great volume.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 118

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