USA > Wisconsin > Iowa County > History of Iowa County, Wisconsin > Part 122
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Schools .- The cause of education has always been uppermost in the minds of the citizens of Mifflin. who seem to have determined, from an early day, to give to succeeding generations such ed- ucational privileges and advantages as are denied to many. To this end, during the summer and fall of 1842, a schoolhouse was erected in the southwest corner of the town, and, during the winter of the same year, the first school was taught. H. L. Liscom was the teacher, he being paid by subscription or pro rata. Owing to the prevalence of small-pox in Platteville and vicinity, this school was suspended for several weeks in the latter part of 1842 and early in 1843. The school was attended by about twenty scholars, many of whom were obliged to walk five and six miles daily. The following summer, Mr. Liscom taught the first school in the vil- lage of Dallas, now defunct. During the winter of 1843-44, Miss Sarah Jacobs, subsequently Mrs. H. L. Liscom, taught the school in the village with very flattering success. Antedating the establishment of the school on Section 18, in the southwest corner of the town, the children of Mifflin were taught at the schools along the line, in Grant County. Those crude educational beginnings have finally culminated in the adoption of a system of education which, from being kindly fostered by the inhabitants, renders Mifflin, in educational matters, one of the leading towns in the county.
There are now in the town 600 children of school age-308 male and 292 female; nine schoolhouses, with accommodations for 500 children, and requiring the services of ten teachers. The average wages per month of male teachers is $30.90; female, $24.66. During the year ending August 31, 1880, there was received for school purposes in the town, $2,616.41 : paid out for school purposes, $2,412.81-$1,944.50 being for teachers' wages. The school property in the town, as taken from the Town Clerk's report, is valued at $9,765.
In this connection, the occasion is availed of to record the achievements of two of MilHlin's brightest scholars-David B. and Thomas D. Jones. These brothers were born in the Welsh settlement, in town of Mifflin, where they spent their childhood and attended the public schools of the town. At the ages of sixteen and fourteen respectively, they entered the Platteville Normal School, being recorded as members of the same class. From this seat of learning they graduated with honors in 1870. The subsequent two years they spent in teaching-David at Viroqua, Wis., and Thomas at Fort Howard, Wis. In 1872, they entered Princeton College, New Jersey, and from this famous institution graduated, with the highest honors of their class, in the summer of 1876, being equal in percentage. During the fall of this year, Thomas was chosen to represent Princeton College at the Inter-Collegiate Contest held in New York City. There he entered into competition with representatives of the best colleges in the East, and was the honored recipient of the first prize in mental science. Immediately after his achievements in New York City, Thomas, with his brother David, sailed for Germany and entered the Leipsic University. They received diplomas from this institution in 1877, then returned to the United States, and are now practicing law in Chicago, where, by their fine accomplishments and strict integrity, they are winning laurels for themselves and reflecting credit on their friends and na- tive town.
Churches .- It would be difficult indeed to state, with any degree of accuracy, the exact date of the first religious services held in the town of Mifflin. As was customary in nearly all
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
pioneer settlements of Southwestern Wisconsin, the " circuit rider " was the first divine to make his appearance among the hardy miners and husbandmen. Here, at an carly day, services were held at the settlement in the western part of the town, in the dwellings of the residents, and for some years, or until congregations were organized and churches established in the Welsh settle- ment and in the village, did the " circuit rider " continue to supply the spiritual requirements of the pioneers ..
The town now has within its confines five congregations, each of which owns a church building ; two are in the village of Mifflin, and three in the Welsh settlement. Of the latter is the Penial Church (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist). This congregation was organized by the Rev. John Davis, in 1847 ; there were at that date but seven families in the Welsh settlement, all of whom joined faith in the new church. The services of this congregation were held at private residences until late in 1847 or early in 1848, when, the society's number aggregating fifty members, they erected a small chapel on Section 11. This was a frame structure, and was built at a cost of $300. In 1869, it was removed to the vicinity of the new church, and has since been used for hall purposes. In 1868, this congregation numbered seventy-five members, and, requiring more commodious quarters for their religious meetings, they erected, at a cost of $5,000, the fine frame structure which now adorns Section Il. The Penial congregation now numbers 129 in good standing, all of whom are of Welsh nationality or descent. Rev. John Davis, the first, and for thirty years the Pastor of this congregation, was born in September, 1814, in North Wales, where he passed his boyhood and received a common-school education. In 1839, he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1846; then he immigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Mifflin. In 1847, he organized his Penial congregation, and continued as Pastor until he died, April 23, 1877. At an early age, he evinced the desire to join the ministry of his people, and, though his early educational advan- tages were limited, he, being a close student, eventually acquired an excellent education, which he put to the most commendable of uses. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and morality, and to him is due the credit for laying the foundation of the high moral standing of his people in this town. As a token of esteem and veneration, his numerous friends and fa- vorite congregation have erected to his memory in the churchyard a beautiful Scotch-granite monument, at a cost of $1,100.
He was succeeded to the pastorate by John T. Morris, in 1877, who continued two years. There is now no regular Pastor.
The Rock Church congregation (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist) was organized in 1855, when the rock building now used by them was erected. This society was formed by the withdrawal of twenty-five members from the Penial congregation, who seceded on account of the distance of the new church from a portion of the congregation who were located in different parts of the town. Rev. John Davis, of the Penial church, officiated as the first Pastor. He was succeeded by the present Pastor, John F. Morris. The congregation now numbers thirty-five : the church and cemetery are located on Section 15.
The Welsh Congregationalist Church was built in 1871, and is located on Section 10. This society was organized in 1870, and for some time meetings were held in the schoolhouse of District No. 3. It originally consisted of about ten or twelve members, and now numbers thirty in good standing. The first preacher was John Davis, of Dodgeville, who was followed by Revs. Breese, Powell and Benjamin Hughes.
Official Record .- The town of Mifflin was organized April 3, 1849, the first town meeting being held at the house of John T. Phillips, on Section 12. Town 4, Range 1. At this meet- ing, the following officers were chosen : William Tate, Oliver W. Phelps and John Newman, Judges of Election ; R. M. Miller and Joshua King, Clerks of Election. Having organized the meeting, the following town officers were elected : Joel Clayton, Chairman ; Caleb Sylves- ter, Francis Kirkpatrick, Supervisors; Clerk, R. M. Miller; Treasurer, Levi Welden ; Assessor, W. J. Hammonds ; Town School Superintendent, George W. Strong; Justices, John Newman, John Davis, Richard Pratt, R. M. Miller ; Constables, Levi Welden, John Holland, O. W. Phelps : Overseers of Highways. Samnel Carr. O. W. Phelps.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
At a special meeting held May 26, 1849, a tax of $100 was levied on all taxable property of the town to defray the expenses of the fiscal year. The first taxes of the town were levied in 1849 as follows: State tax four mills on $68,487.82, the assessed valuation of the town during this year amounting to $273.95; county tax, 1 per cent, $684.87 ; school tax, 2} per cent, $171.11 ; total, $1,129.93. For town purposes : Road tax, three mills, $205.46 ; expense tax, $136.97, making a total of $342.53. The assessed valuation of the town for 1880 was $812,- 931. April 5, 1870, the town purchased the stone building in the village previously used as a schoolhouse, for a town hall, from William Bainbridge, the consideration being $400. The following is a complete roster of the town officers from its organization :
1850-Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John Newman, Andrew Huse, Supervisors ; Clerk, W. G. Spencer; Treasurer, John Clayton ; Assessor, Richard Pratt; School Superintendent, W. G. Spencer.
1851-John Newman, Chairman ; Joseph B. Hunter, Caleb Sylvester, Supervisors ; Clerk, Joseph B. Wells ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe ; Assessor, Richard Pratt ; Superintendent, Joseph W. Wells.
1852-Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; John Clayton, William Owens, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Wilson ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe; Assessor, Richard Pratt ; School Super- intendent, G. W. Strong.
1853-Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; John Clayton, John W. Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Wilson ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe ; Assessor, G. D. Pettyjohn ; School Super- intendent, Mark Finnicum.
1854-F. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; C. S. Millard, G. W. Strong, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Wilson ; Treasurer, John Estabrook ; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin- tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1855-F. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; Michael Flood, C. S. Millard, Supervisors ; Clerk, George W. Strong; Treasurer, John Clayton; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin- tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1856-Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John W. Jones, Herman Grunow, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield; Treasurer, John Clayton ; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin- tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1857-Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John W. Jones, Enoch Enloe, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, John Clayton; Assessor, G. D. Pettyjohn ; School Superin- tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1858-G. D. Pettyjohn, Chairman ; William Holmes, William Owens, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Burton ; Treasurer, Joseph B. Hunter ; Assessor, E. W. Sylvester ; School Superintendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1859-Andrew Huse, Chairman ; James Hird, John W. Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield; Treasurer, William Hopper : Assessor. E. W. Sylvester.
1860-Andrew Huse, Chairman ; James Hird, William Bainbridge, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, Robert Packard; School Superin- tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1861-Charles S. Millard, Chairman ; F. C. Kirkpatrick, William Bainbridge, Supervi- sors ; Clerk, Fred Eck; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird ; School Superin- tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1862-William Bainbridge, Chairman : John Kennedy, William Holmes, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird.
1863-Andrew Huse, Chairman ; Robert J. Hughes, Joseph Anderson, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird.
1864-William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, John Carpenter, Supervi- sors ; Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper; Assessor. Samuel Clayton.
1865-J. B. Sylvester, Chairman ; John Estabrook, Joseph Parmerly, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey : Treasurer, C. S. Millard ; Assessor, James D. Adams.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1866-William Holmes, Chairman ; John Carpenter, Thomas Thomas, Supervisors; Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, John T. Jones.
1867-James Hird, Chairman ; William Oliver, John Carpenter, Supervisors; Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, John T. Jones ; Assessor, John T. Jones.
1868-John B. Sylvester, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, Horace H. Streeter, Super- visors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey, Treasurer, John T. Jones ; Assessor, Joseph Parmerly.
1869 -- William Holmes, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, H. H. Streeter, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, Joseph Parmerly.
1870 -- William Bainbridge, Chairman ; John B. Sylvester, John W. Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, J. H. Matthews.
1871 -- William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, John B. Sylvester, Supervi- sors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, II. H. Streeter.
1872-William Bainbridge, Chairman ; E. E. Williams, John B. Sylvester; Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, N. N. Jones; Assessor, James Hird.
1873-William Bainbridge, Chairman ; William Holmes, Richard Humphreys, Supervi- sors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey; Treasurer, E. E. Williams ; Assessor, James Hird.
1874-William Bainbridge, Chairman ; G. Barries, Peter Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk, George W. Strong ; Treasurer, H. Cushman ; Assessor, James Hird.
1875-J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, William Holmes, Supervisors ; Clerk, Charles Bainbridge ; Treasurer, William Gibbon ; Assessor, James Hird.
1876-William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Herman Grunow, E. Davis, Supervisors ; Clerk, C. C. Bainbridge ; Treasurer, J. B. IFuse ; Assessor, J. W. Jones.
1877-J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; E. Davis, Samuel Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Gibbon ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse : Assessor, E. E. Williams.
1878-J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; Samuel Stevens, E. Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk, Thomas Patefield ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse; Assessor. James Hird.
1879-J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; P. T. Stevens, E. E. Williams, Supervisors ; Clerk, T. Patefield ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, James Hird.
1880-J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; E. E. Williams, P. T. Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk, William Gibbon ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, James Hird.
VILLAGE OF DALLAS.
As early as 1845, the citizens of Mifflin conceived the idea of forming a town center, and forthwith William Waddell and James Morrison purchased ten acres of land and proceeded to survey and lay out the village subsequently known as Dallas. This village was so called in honor of ex-Vice President of the United States, George Mifflin Dallas. The site of Dallas is located about half a mile to the southwest of the present village of Mifflin. This was consid- ered a desirable location, being in close proximity to the smelting furnace operated by Francis Cholvin, and contiguous to the " Black Jack " Range.
There were no streets in those days, and improvements then projected or completed were of the most primitive character ; the main thoroughfare was the present highway leading out of the village of Mifflin to Belmont and Rewey Station. This village is said to have been at one time a thriving municipality with a comparatively numerous and industrious population.
Prior to or about the time of laying out the village, Joel Clayton established himself in business here, being recorded as the first merchant to solicit the patronage of the inhabitants of the village and vicinity. Here he continued to dispose of his wares until 1848. In the year 1846, Charles Cox started a store in the village with a stock of merchandise distinguished for its variety. In subsequent years, the growing population of the town became so numerous that additional stores and the various mechanic shops necessary to a prosperous village were estab- lished, and succeeded beyond the expectations of their promoters.
James Sprinston started the first blacksmith-shop and continued to thrive for some years. Dr. Ripley, one of the leading physicians of the county, located here in 1846 and remained until 1850.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
when he took his departure for other fields of labor. Joel Clayton was the first to establish a tavern and cater to the public taste ; he erected a comfortable frame structure and conducted the hotel business in connection with his store. Joshua King was among the first school-teach- ers. John Lee, the "famous shoemaker of Dallas," established himself here, and, for a num- ber of years, did a successful business caring for the soles of the mining population of the thriv- ing town.
The population of the village of Dallas, as suggested, was composed principally of miners, whose permanency was defeated by the decadence of the mines, consequently, when the gold fever of 1849 struck the village, it swept the population, like an avalanche, from the attractive vicinity of Dallas to the more promising shores of the Pacific. It must not be inferred that the village ceased to exist at that time, for such was not the case. It lived a number of years longer, and proved a formidable rival to its successful competitor, the village of Mifflin. Its bus- iness, however, could not withstand the severe check received, and finally succumbed to the dull times necessarily succeeding the departure of its inhabitants.
VILLAGE OF MIFFLIN.
On Section 34, near the central part of the town, in the valley between the hills over- looking the waters of the Pecatonica River, is located the attractive village of Mifflin. After the completion of the Mifflin Mills, erected in 1848, Joel Clayton purchased thirteen acres of land from James Waddel, and proceeded to plat and survey the present village of Mifflin. This having been accomplished he erected a comfortable log cabin, a story and a half high, which was occupied by his parents for a dwelling a number of years, and subsequently, in 1865, was razed by Mr. Bainbridge. The first store-keepers in Mifflin came principally from Dallas, previously the leading village in the town. Among this number were Messrs. Miller, Ham- mond, Vance, Benjamin Ferris, and Waller, a Hebrew, who kept a store in the building now oc- cupied by John Slack as a dwelling. The honor of being the first store-keeper in the village is generally conceded to John Miller, who established himself here early in 1850; during the same year, Thomas Iverson started the first blacksmith-shop. Early in the fifties, a hotel was opened by Thomas Richardson. Benjamin Ferris built the brick store on the corner opposite the Mifflin House, and now owned by John Kennedy. During the years 1851, 1852, 1853 and 1854, the village prospered and, in spite of the contending influence of its rival, Dallas in- creased in population, influence and importance more rapidly than its competitor, and, within the decade in which it was projected, it entirely outstripped its rival and made for itself a place among the leading villages of the county.
The first schoolhouse built in the village was a stone building erected in 1855. This was a one-story house with one room, which was used for school purposes until 1867, when the pres- ent frame schoolhouse was built. This stone building was subsequently purchased by the town, the consideration being $400, and is now used for a town hall. The present school building was constructed at a cost of $2,500, by District No. 2, which includes the village and parts of Section 27, 28 and 34. This structure has accommodations for 200 children, requiring the serv- ices of three teachers.
The Mifflin Post Office was established in the village in 1849, Mr. Vance being appointed Postmaster. The mail was received and distributed at his store, he being then a merchant in the village. This office was subsequently removed to Lower Town, or Dallas, and Charley Cox appointed Postmaster. The office continued there awhile, then was removed to Mifflin, where it has since remained. The following persons have been recipients of Executive favor and acted as Postmasters : Joel Clayton, John T. Jones, John Kennedy, William Welden, J. W. Rewey and Joseph Harker, the present official.
The first church in the village was the Primitive Methodist, which society was organized in 1854, Thomas Jarvis being the first preacher. Immediately after the organization of the con- gregation, the church was erected and services have been held regularly therein up to the pres- ent time. This society has flourished with gratifying success, although for the past two years the
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
attendance has not been quite so large as in former times. In the fall of 1880, the congregation commenced the erection of a new church, which will be completed early in the spring of 1881.
In the summer of 1878, the Advent Revivalists wended their way to the village and erected a canvas tent, wherein numerous and protracted revival meetings were held, until sufficient converts were made to organize a society, which was accomplished in the fall of the same year. This denomination has erected a church, and have now a resident Pastor, Rev. Philo Hitchcock, and a congregation aggregating thirty families.
A., F. & A. M., Mifflin Lodge, No. 153, was organized June 13, 1866, with J. W. Rewey as Master; William Hopper, Senior Warden, and Charles S. Millard, Junior Warden. The Lodge now numbers fifty-two with the following officers: J. W. Rewey, Master; J. Harker, Senior Warden; J. D. Huse, Junior Warden.
The business interests of Mifflin are now represented in general merchandise by Harker, Bainbridge & Son, and Thomas Alton, Jr .; wagon-makers, Robert Graham and Cyrus Ren- yolds ; blacksmiths, John Blackney and James Stacey & Bro .; physician, H. R. Bird ; lawyer, Thomas Patefield ; shoemaker, Joseph Gillis ; hotels, Cyrus Renyolds and Thomas Warne ; photographer, Cyrus Renyolds ; Mifflin Mills, William Bainbridge.
VILLAGE OF REWEY.
The village of Rewey is situated on the line of the Chicago and Tomah Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, on the beautiful prairie ridge dividing the waters of the Pecatonica from those of the Platte River. It is located about equidistant from the village of Mifflin, in Iowa County, and the village of Washburn in Grant County, on the southeast quar- ter of Section 5, Township 4, Range 1 east of the Fourth Meridian. It was platted in August, 1880, by J. W. Rewey, the present proprietor. from whom it derives its name.
The first settler was Hiram A. Rundell and wife, and their daughter, Mabel S., was the first child born in the hamlet. Jefferson Smith located the pioneer blacksmith-shop, in a corn- field, on July 28, 1880. E. J. Bennett is entitled to the credit of the initial mercantile trans- action, which consisted of the purchase of one hundred bushels of oats from Warren C. Cush- man, on September 17, 1880. In November of the above year, J. B. Huse, of Mifflin, came here and opened a branch department of his business. Thus far he has not had occasion to regret the step, as the undertaking, being established on a satisfactory financial basis, has proved a profitable investment of time and means. A second store, containing general mer- chandise, is conducted by H. W. McReynolds. A fine hotel, 18x28 feet, flanked by a wing of the same proportions, is progressing toward completion under the supervision of the proprietor, M. F. Rewey. When finished, the hotel will afford a convenience long needed by the travelers who frequent this section of the country. The railroad company has also signified its intention to make the modest station of Rewey into a dining point, where passenger trains will stop twenty minutes for dinner.
The Chicago & Tomah Railroad opened their office for business at this point on October 5, 1880, by appointing J. W. Rewey agent ; and on the same day the first shipment, embracing thirty-six tons of zinc ore, was transported to Galena, and consigned to William Bainbridge. Messrs. Barrows, Taylor & Co., have established a lumber-yard at this point, and arrangements are already being consummated for the erection of church and school buildings next season. A telegraph operator, B. D. Tuttle, is stationed here; and, surmising from present indications, the village is destined eventually to eclipse many of the older and more pretentious settlements.
TOWN OF MOSCOW.
This town was originally settled by Americans, Irish and English, though now the Norwe- gian element is largely predominant. The first settlement within the present limits of Moscow was made by Asa Bennett, a professional hunter, who, with his family, located on Section 28, and there erected a log cabin, the first in the town. Here he and his family lived in peace and
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HISTORY OF OF IOWA COUNTY.
quietude, disturbed only by the howling of wolves and the frequent quarreling of other predatory animals, until the gold fever of 1849, beguiled him and his family to California.
In 1846, Francis McKenna settled in the town, and built a cabin on Section 3, Township 4, Range 3. He emigrated to America from Ireland in 1841, and located in Mineral Point, where he remained until he removed to Moscow. Pleasant Fields settled here early in the year 1847, a little northeast of Moscow Village. Here Mr. Fields remained for several years, and cultivated a small farm. In the year 1843, previous to locating in the town of Moscow, he dis- covered the mineral at the " Young Diggings " in the town of Waldwick.
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