History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 126

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

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West Blue Mounds, best. known as " Pokerville," has at least two peculiarities,-its name and location. The first settler here was Thomas Champion, an English bachelor, who built a cabin in 1845. In 1846, he sold two and a half acres to Hiram Carter and one Giblett. They erected a frame hotel, then began playing poker. Giblett was a professional gambler, and Carter soon learned. One Wilson built a saloon here, and about that time Ira Isham, a Dane County farmer, dubbed the place "Pokerville." During the palmy days of lead mining, and up to war times, the game of poker was the leading " industry" of the village. John Adams was the first merchant here. He was a Kentuckian, and was one of the early settlers of Dodge- ville. The firm of Wilson, Isaacson & Green succeeded him. C. B. Arnold came in July, 1854, and bought the Carter-Giblett hotel. It burned in 1857, and on the site, within ten weeks, he erected his present hotel. Joseph Eising was the first and only cabinet-maker. Mah- lon Blecker, who settled two miles west, in 1840, came here and opened the first blacksmith- shop. In 1848, Squire John Helmenstine came, and is the veteran shoemaker. His father

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

came with him, and is now living here. Grant Barnes, Matthews Leeuy (first tailor), M. Hus- brook, and G. W. (Wash) Miller were well remembered settlers here.

When the site of Pokerville was a bushy waste, the old Blue Mounds Post Office was estab- lished, with Col. Ebenezer Brigham as Postmaster. During James Buchanan's administration, C. B. Arnold was appointed, and, with the removal, the name of the office was changed to West Blue Mounds, which name it has since retained. In 1861, Edward Dale was appointed, it being kept by his daughter Sarah for a time after her father's enlistment in the Union service. The office was then half a mile east from the village, in Dane County.

John Helmenstine, Jr., was the next appointee, then C. B. Arnold, who was succeeded by the incumbent, W. H. Jones. The mound itself is owned by C. B. Arnold, who bought it in 1862, of Louis Lewis, Lewis having purchased it of the Government.

There are now in Pokerville three stores, two hotels, with a number of shops. Religious services are held in the schoolhouse, built in 1854; Miss Caroline Thomas was the first teacher here. The M. D.'s have been Messrs. Cutler, Coon, Stair, Hanson, Flower and R. W. Jones. The latter is now the only resident practitioner. Henry Stellsman was the first and for years the only butcher. The completion of the Milwaukee & Madison Railroad has raised the hopes of the "Pokervillians," and the sound of the saw and hammer are now ringing against the wooded sides of the mound.

Among the early settlers here were David H. Jones, Edward Riley, William R. Sampson, Harmon Renshaw, Ole Narveson and Thomas Borthwick. The latter was also the first stone- mason, and assisted in the erection of old Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien.

In connection with the various interesting features of this locality, must not be forgotten the West Blue Mound Springs. These springs, which are the property of Mrs. Arnold, are said to possess chalybeate virtues of a very high order, and, in connection with the remarkably beautiful scenery of the locality and healthful altitude of the Mounds, will undoubtedly in the near future secure a fair share of the public watering-place patronage. The larger of these springs is quite remarkable on account of its situation, size and the character of its water ; taken altogether, this is probably the most naturally beautiful and interesting spot in this portion of the State.

Causes Celebre .- One early frontier experience or incident of an unusual order deserves mention, as it exhibits the manner in which any violation of individual rights was very apt to be treated in the early days. It appears that a testy old gentleman, an Englishman or German, had rented his farm to a brother Welshman or vice versa. But before the renter's time was ont, the owner of the place concluded that he wanted it vacated, and would have it vacated. In order to accomplish this, a not very commendable stratagem was resorted to by shooting through a window or something of the sort, in very close proximity to the tenant's head. The result of this was that the tenant becoming frightened for his life, left the place, whereupon the pro- prietor moved in. At this time, the crops which had been harvested, were standing in the field ; but a large number of the abused laborer's friends and neighbors determined that they should not remain there, or at least what belonged to him, so they proceeded in quite a body to make a division of them, and hauled off his share. This proceeding of course aroused the ire of our landlord, and he at once began suit against them for damages. The suit was tried before John Messersmith, who decided against the defense, sentencing them either to return the amount of produce removed or to pay for the same. In turn, the parties, or a number of men in town (unknown), disguised themselves, and proceeded to the house of the prosecutor, took him from his bed all en negligee, and also took a son from the garret, who tried to defend himself with a shot-gun, dragged them out doors, and taking a lot of stout sprouts gave them a sharp flagellation. An attempt was also made to dope them with tar, but the weather being cold, the tar refused, fortunately for the victims, to act. After having received a summary castigation, they were released with a warn- ing that in the future they must have a care, or they would be helped out of the country in a very unceremonious manner. The effect of this method of treating them, although rough, proved very salutary, as they were more consistent citizens thenceforth.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

TOWN OF WYOMING.

Socially, educationally and morally, the town of Wyoming may be truthfully said to be superior to the majority of the towns in the county. It is practically a temperance town. A license for the sale of liquor has never been granted in the town, nor has a saloon been tolerated for any length of time. Several attempts at saloon keeping have been made, but have always resulted in complete failure.

Wyoming, though not settled permanently until fifteen years after the discovery of mineral at Dodgeville, and the founding of old Helena, is now one of the leading towns in the county. The art of agriculture had been pursued in other sections of the county for twelve years with considerable success, while the fertile valleys of Wyoming were yet lying lonely among its unat- tractive ridges, and gave no evidence of the mine of agricultural wealth contained within its borders. And it was not until the advent of the year 1843, when William Jenkins and J. M. Jones found their way to the Wyoming Valley, that the stillness was dispelled by the husband- man's voice and the soil disturbed in its lethargic repose. These pioneers located on Section 3, Town 7, Range 3, and together erected a small log house. Mrs. Jenkins was the first white woman to venture into the wilderness and take up an abode among the savage inhabitants of the forest. Here Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Jones, in partnership, broke land and raised the first crop of wheat in the town. These were followed by B. S. Rollins, a native of Maine, who located here in the spring of 1844, and built a small log cabin and began the cultivation of a few acres of land. He remained here for several years, being rewarded for his labors with a fair share of success.

In the spring of 1845, several very desirable additions were made to the population of the town, in the persons of L. W. Joiner, O. F. Levake, Gilberth Franklin and Mr. Noyes, who made their appearance in the town and began opening up farms in different parts of the valley. Messrs. Joiner and Levake were the first New Englanders in the town, being natives of Ver- mont. The settlers who were here then soon developed considerable tracts of land, and the re- sults, productively, being very favorable, Wyoming was brought before the public in such a light as to attract numerous emigrants who were seeking homes in the most valuable agricultural districts in Iowa County. Among those who found their way into this territory during the fall of 1845, were William S. Richardson, a native of Tennessee, and G. W. Richardson, of Mis- souri, who also settled in the Wyoming Valley where they have developed fine farms. They were followed, in the spring of 1846, by George Franklin, Alexander and Samuel Darrow, James, Isaac, G. W. and J. Fann. At an early day, a man named Snead, with Messrs. Hunter and Miner, located claims at the head of the creek since distinguished by the historic appellation of Snead Creek, and opened up the first farms in that section. In the fall of 1846, Thomas McClure settled on a claim at the head of Snead Creek.

During the succeeding years from 1847 to 1860, the population of the town increased very rapidly ; the enterprising people laid out and developed the numerous well-tilled and valuable farms now spread out before us in the differents parts of its broken surface.

To the citizens of this now prosperous town, great credit is due for the strict maintenance of the principles of industry and morality presented in the every-day life of the early pioneers. Many of those who were among the first in the town are still living here, and to them, more than to any of the later settlers, is due the honor of instituting such measures as have placed their Wyoming in its present prominent position in the estimation of the public.

Among the number of early settlers still living in the town are Samuel Spencer, Robert Bruce, L. W. Joiner, Thomas Parr, J. H. Parr, C. B. Higgings, J. M. Levake, S. C. Oleson, H. Duntan, R. L. Joiner, O. F. Levake, H. M. Levake, James Carter, Thomas Carter, J. T. Morris, Ole Paul, F. Newton, James Hand, Mrs. L. Richardson, Mrs. E. Darrow, James Dar- row, Samuel Claybaugh, William Claybaugh, Cosset Riley, Anson Wood, George Adams, David Poterton, Robert Squire, James Smith, Jerry Ryan, Patrick Ryan, J. T. Barnard, E. M. Geer, Henry Richardson, J. B. Richardson, D. Rodman, John Graham, Patrick King, Owen

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

King, Alvah Culver, David Culver, D. C. Culver, William Lockman, J. S. Davis, Robert Lloyd, John King and John Barnard.

Messrs. Gear, Joiner, Lavake, Richardson, Parks and Lowry are now the oldest settlers of the town who came after 1840. Messrs. Joiner, Sr. and Jr., are the leading men in public affairs in this section of the county.

Schools .- The citizens of Wyoming enjoy school privileges excelled by few towns in the county ; and these educational advantages were not attained all at once nor without much effort. In the fall of 1845, the settlers of Wyoming Valley banded themselves together and erected a small log schoolhouse on Section 34. That rough temple of learning, which many distinguished men recall in the glamour that memory throws around their youth, as their only alma mater, was for several years the only seat of learning in the town. The first teacher here was Miss Mary Ann Noyes, who trained the minds of sixteen pupils, the total number of school age in the district at that time. Eventually, as the settlement increased, schoolhouses were erected in different parts of the town, and improvements in that respect kept pace with the general development, until now the educational advantages of Wyoming have reached a standard of superiority that might well be emulated by others more favored in some respects.

Churches .- Religious services were first held in the old log schoolhouse on Section 34, during the year 1846, and a Methodist class formed by twelve local preachers of Dodgeville and vicinity, with T. M. Fullerton, the pioneer "circuit rider," at their head. The people here were attended during the two following years, alternately, by the local preachers who came out from Dodgeville regularly, without price but for the love of their Master.

In 1848, a Congregational class was formed, and Rev. A. D. Vaughn, then a young man, was employed and continued to preach here for fourteen years. The members of this class were Gilbert T. Franklin and wife, O. F. Levake and wife, William Jenkins and wife. Mrs. Fann, Mr. and Mrs. Shields, of Dodgeville; Henry Pasche, Mrs. L. W. Joiner, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Helena. This society still exists and is in a flourishing condition.

At the time the Congregational society was organized, it assumed the name of the Wyo- ming Church, after which the valley, and eventually the town, received the same name.

About the year 1851 a Reformed Presbyterian society was organized by the families of Messrs. Bernard, Darrows, Graham and Franklin, most of whom were natives of Prince Edward Island. Soon after the organization, they erected a substantial church building on Section 35, at a cost of $800. This congregation held services here regularly for about ten years, then, a majority of the members having moved to other parts, the society was disbanded and the church sold to the Congregationalists for a consideration of $400. This church is now occu- pied by the Congregationalists and Methodists in common. The Catholics of the town are mem- bers of the Ridgeway Congregation, where they attend services.

Manufacturing .- The first mill in the town was built in 1848, by Anson Grandison, Enoch and Samuel Wood, and W. Shepard, and was located on Section 11, near the head of Rush Creek. It has changed proprietors repeatedly, and is now the property of John Richard- son, but has not been operated for several years.

In 1879, Jones Brothers erected a grist-mill at the month of Dodge Valley, on Section 25, and put in one run of stone and feed-grinder. The dam of this mill has a head of fourteen feet.

In 1850, George Squires built a furniture factory on Section 3, Township 7, which he con- tinued with varying success until 1880, when the business was abandoned.

D. Hathaway also established a fanning-mill factory and sorghum evaporator on Section 27. This business he continued until 1880.

As early as 1846, W. J. Allen and a Mr. Fisk started a lumber-yard on the Wisconsin River, near the mouth of Dodge's Creek. This subsequently passed into the hands of Hugh McCutchin and P. King, who for many years did a very extensive business. This establish- ment is now owned by Owen King, and is recognized as being one of the best lumber-yards on the Wisconsin River.

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

In 1846, a blacksmith-shop was started on Section 21, by Samuel Claybaugh, who for many years was the only blacksmith in the town.

First Death, Birth, Marriage .- The first adult death in the town was Mrs. Wakely, who died in 1848.

The first birth was a daughter of William Jenkins. The second was the child since known as George Rollins.

The earliest marriages in the town were those of Rev. A. D. Loughlin to Elizabeth Frank- lin, and Hugh Franklin to Mary Richardson, which culminated in 1848.

Jonesdale-Town Organization .- In 1852, one enterprising citizen of the town, named John M. Jones, located on Section 21, and, with the assistance of Barrett Williams, there laid out the village subsequently named, to commemorate his efforts, Jonesdale. Barrett Williams started a store here the same year, and laid the foundation for a saw-mill. Soon after, Thomas Lane, of Dodgeville, opened a store in the village, and, in company with Barrett Williams, erected a grist-mill on the foundation built for the saw-mill. They put in two runs of stone, and subsequently a carding-machine was attached. The mill changed hands several times, and finally was carried away by the spring freshet.

The business interests of this promising burg were at one time represented by merchants, mechanics, blacksmiths, shoemakers, carpenters and a tavern. For a few years the population of the village increased rapidly, and its future looked bright, indeed. But the enchanting hopes of its sanguine inhabitants were speedily dissolved when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passed on the opposite side of the river. Eventually the village of Jonesdale was abandoned, the merchants, shop-keepers and mechanics left for more promising parts, and this once flourishing municipality is now placed with the annals of the past, and its pretending streets and thoroughfares have long since been converted into more profitable corn and potato fields. The site of this decayed village is now the property of S. C. Oleson.

Post Offices .- The Wyoming Post Office, located on Section 35, was established in 1848. William S. Richardson was appointed first Postmaster. He was succeeded by Robert Rule, who established a stand in Wyoming Valley in 1852. Four years later, Mr. Rule disposed of his store to Warren Perciville, who also took charge of the post office. Subsequently, O. Hop- kins started a shop and became Postmaster. About the beginning of the war, W. J. Allen opened a store in the town and was appointed Postmaster, which position he held until 1870, when William Roberts took the store and office. In 1878, J. C. Eagan, the incumbent, took charge of the office. The mails have been received here constantly for thirty-three years, sometimes daily, but generally twice a week.

At the point where the office is now kept on Section -, there is quite a little hamlet, con- taining Mr. Eagan's store, the blacksmith and wagon-shop of C. Riley, the Congregational Church, and a neat town hall, besides dwelling-houses. The town hall here is certainly a credit to the enterprise and public spirit of the citizens, as it is one of the very best if not the best in the county.

Societies .- Helena Valley Patrons of Husbandry, No. 491, was organized several years ago, and, at one time, was so strong as to represent one-half the farm property in the town. The organization has, however, dwindled to its present status of thirty members, and represents not more than one-fifth of the property in the town.

Wyoming Lodge, No. 314, Good Templars, was organized in 1865 with fifty charter mem- bers. This commendable society has steadily increased from year to year, until at present it is the fourth largest lodge in the State, numbering 125 members. Meeting room is furnished by the town free of rent.

Wyoming Indian War .- In early times, when the white population was small, compara- tively speaking, and the native aborigines were numerous, Indian " scares " were of frequent occurrence. Though many of these were without foundation, yet they had a dire effect upon the early pioneers. In 1846, Mrs. McClure, wife of Thomas McClure, was met by a Winne- bago Indian, who with his peculiar gestures and menacing attitudes was understood to be un-

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

friendly and threatening hostility. Mrs. McClure was naturally frightened, and, as soon as practicable, reported her experiences to the few settlers in the neighborhood. Easily excited in those days, they formed a small body, and with L. W. Joiner as Captain, they started in pur- suit of the savages. While crossing the ridge, the Indians were espied camped on an island in the Wisconsin River. Forthwith the little band of whites took to boats, and crossing the river selected the object of their search and proceeded to gratify their revenge. The Indian was found to be sick with the measles, and his squaw, to prevent the punishment about to be in- flicted, threw herself between the enraged whites and the victim. Touched by this exhibition of devotion on the part of the untutored squaw, the whites withdrew from the camp and departed for their several homes. The Indians, however, left the country, and in future years the scattering settlers were not disturbed by the hostile savage.

Town Organization .- On Section 9, Town 7, Range 3, is located Percussion Rock; so called by a party of miners from its peculiar shape. It is 180 feet high, perpendicular on one side and shaped like an old tower or furnace. Its top is inaccessible. At first this section was called Percussion Precinct, in honor of the rock, but in 1849, when the town government was organized, the name was changed to Wyoming, after Wyoming Church. Unfortunately, we are unable to make an official record, owing to a fire having destroyed the early town books. During the war of the rebellion, this town responded nobly to the call to arms, and furnished men and money liberally for the support of the Government founded by our fore- fathers. Ten thousand dollars was promptly subscribed for war purposes.

HELENA.

The point of greatest interest in the north part of the county, from 1828 until 1840, was what is usually termed Old Helena, which was located on Section 29, in what is now the town of Wyoming. As will be seen in the general history, the first village in the county was planted here in 1828, the intention then being to build a place at that point which would rival Galena, as by that means the great water thoroughfare of Wisconsin could be utilized advantageously for the shipping of lead, and also for transporting all needful supplies into the country. In 1828, there were a few huts, but the principal objects to be seen were the stakes that marked out the town lots. In 1829, a large hewed-log house was erected by three Morison brothers, who also broke a few acres of land. In 1830, this house was purchased by George Medary, who moved there with his family and opened a sort of hotel, and also did, or rather attempted to do, legal business. Soon after him, William Green, who was afterward killed by the Indians, came here with his wife and erected a comfortable log house and pre-empted the land where the shot-tower was afterward built. The first white child born in the north part of the county was a son of Mr. Green's. The Government erected a small building for storing lead and supplies, in 1829, and stationed an agent here. In 1830, Frank Guyon opened a store here, and for a short time the prospects for building up a smart little town were good, but alas for human hopes, the Black Hawk war came on, the place was abandoned and that was the last of it.

After the war, in 1833, Daniel Whitney, Platte & Co., heavy capitalists for that time, came here and made arrangements for erecting the shot-tower, and platted a piece of land, one and a half miles east of where the first settlement was made, near where Owen King's lumber-yard is now located, at the mouth of Mill Creek. Thomas B. Chaunce, of whom many funny anecdotes are related, was engaged by them to sink the shaft. The side of the bluff was cut down vertically until a large horizontal surface could be obtained upon which to build the tower; then a hole was blasted down through the solid rock to the depth of 100 feet, after which a drift was run in at the base of the bluff, to intercept it, which was large enough for a man to enter. These are still to be seen. It is related, that while the shaft was being sunk, a large party of Indians came up in their canoes, just as a blast went off; hearing the noise and seeing the smoke come out of the side of the bluff, with no apparent cause, as no one was in sight, so frightened them that they all rushed pell-mell into their canoes and beat a

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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.

hasty retreat, thinking probably that the Old Nick was after them. A horse belonging to Peter Lloyd once jumped from Cap Bluff, near this place, into Mill Creek, without sustaining any injury-an almost incredible feat, as the distance is very great.

A shot-tower was crected over the shaft, after its completion, of sufficient height to give a fall of 180 feet, then John Metcalf was employed to begin the work of casting shot, which may be said to have continued, almost uninterruptedly, from 1835 until 1841. The shot kegs were made by a Scotchman, John Wilson, .well remembered among the pioneers as one of the very accomplished men who came to this country in an early day. He was a fine artist and good scholar, as well as cooper; he afterward died on the Sauk side.

A trading establishment was started here by John Dougherty in 1833, he who afterward married a squaw, daughter or niece of the old Winnebago Chief, Whistling Thunder, and has left a number of descendants in this and La Fayette County. After Whitney & Co., a man by the name of Kingston came here and platted an additional tract of land.

In 1836, the " Wisconsin Shot Tower Company " was formed, and in 1837 a village was regularly platted and recorded by the following interested parties : R. McPherson, Daniel Whitney, De Garned Jones, J. R. Door, N. M. Standart, D. Griffith, S. Thompson, C. Town- send, J. S. Kimberly, George Coit, John Williams, F. C. Mills, G. P. Griffith, John Griffith, Jr., W. N. Griffith, F. L. Morgan, James Platte, W. H. Demming, Evan Griffith, John Grif- fith, Sr., and B. S. Webb, the last named being the agent of the company. The plat is a fine specimen of drawing, one to make a lot-holder's eyes water with delight.

In the fall of 1836, seven mechanics were employed by the company's agent, and sent to the dells of the Wisconsin River, where they got out a lot of timber, which was floated down for the purpose of building a warehouse. This was a very large structure for those times, being. when completed, 40x60 feet in area and five stories high, including the basements. The com- pany also started a store here at that time.

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History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Part 126

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