History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, Part 81

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical
Number of Pages: 754

USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 81

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The government of the present corporation and the exercise of its corporate powers, in the management of the fiscal, prudential and municipal affairs, is vested in a Mayor and Com- mon Council, consisting of five members, and a Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal and such other offi- cers as the Common Council may appoint (for special duties see charter. The Common Coun- cil and one Justice of the Peace and a County Supervisor are elected by the public vote ; the remainder of the officers are appointed by the Common Council. The general provisions and privileges are similar to those granted in the first charter, and already enumerated. (For changes and particulars, consult Chapter 3 of 1877.)

The officers of the village of Darlington from 1865 to 1876, inclusive, are here given ; the first election held under the charter was on the second Monday of May, 1865 :

1865-66-J. G. Knight, President; L. D. Russell, S. S. Allen, G. O. West and John Smith, Trustees ; C. F. Osborn, Clerk ; E. J. Russell, Treasurer; P. A. Orton, Assessor ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal ; W. H. Page, Street Commissioner ; P. A. Orton, Jr., Attorney.

1866-67-Chauncy Field, President ; J. B. Doty, A. C. Martin, David Schreiter and I. Stockwell, Trustees ; C. F. Osborn, Clerk ; E. J. Russell, Treasurer ; J. H. Bigler and B. H. Paddock, Marshals ; H. S. Magoon, Attorney ; Warren Gray, Surveyor.

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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

1867-68-Frank Scott, President; David Schreiter, I. Stockwell, N. H. Carpenter and D. B. Dipple, Trustees ; C. F. Osborn, Clerk ; E. J. Russell, Treasurer ; P. A. Orton, As- sessor ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal ; A. Pratt, Street Commissioner ; H. S. Magoon, Attorney ; Warren Gray, Surveyor.

1868-69-P. A. Orton, Jr., President ; A. Law, H. Campbell, J. Driver and H. E. Van Osdell, Trustees ; C. F. Osborn, Clerk; S. S. Allen, Treasurer ; E. R. Stephens, Assessor ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal ; D. Flannigan, Street Commissioner ; Thomas Brown, Surveyor.

1869-70-Hugh Campbell, President ; Charles Blakely, M. J. Alworth, William Noble, R. B. Cutting, Trustees ; G. S. Anthony, Clerk ; S. S. Allen, Treasurer ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal; J. B. Cutting. Street Commissioner ; P. A. Orton, Jr., Attorney ; Thomas Brown, Surveyor.

1870-71-David Schreiter, President; Charles Blakely, A. D. Blakely, I. Stockwell and R. Noyes, Trustees ; G. S. Anthony, Clerk ; H. N. Carpenter, Treasurer; B. H. Paddock, Marshal; O. Kellogg, Street Commissioner; C. F. Osborn, Attorney, and W. Gray, Sur- veyor.

1871-72-E. R. Stephens, President; George Tyson, E. C. King, J. Driver and O. Clarkin, Trustees ; G. S. Anthony, Clerk ; M. Doyle, Treasurer; B. H. Paddock, Marshal ; H. Campbell, Street Commissioner; J. H. Clary, Attorney.

1872-73-A. W. Hovey, President : A. Pratt, E. C. King, J. P. Hamilton, M. J. Alworth, Trustees; H. L. Brown, Clerk ; G. S. Anthony, Treasurer ; A. T. E. Blessing, Marshal ; H. H. Fitch, Street Commissioner ; J. H. Clay, Attorney ; O. Paddock, Fire Warden.

1873-74-A. W. Hovey, President : William Logue, S. Lamperell, J. A. Ford, H. J. Weaver, Trustees ; H. L. Brown, Clerk ; E. Halloran, Treasurer ; B. H. Paddock, Marshal ; R. B. Cutting, Street Commissioner ; C. F. Osborn, Attorney : S. S. Allen, Supervisor County Board.

1874-75-David Schreiter, President; H. J. Weaver, G. S. Anthony, S. Mullen, J. B. Farrington, Trustees ; H. L. Brown, Clerk ; Edward Halloran, Treasurer ; W. W. Hamilton, Marshal ; John Weaver, Street Commissioner ; C. F. Osborne, Attorney ; P. A. Orton, Super- visor of County.

1875-76-A. W. Hovey, President ; D. Flannigan, Henry Deakin, H. J. Weaver, S. D. Driven, Trustees ; H. L. Brown, Clerk ; Edward Halloran, Treasurer ; B. H. Paddock, Mar- shal ; Alden Pratt, Street Commissioner ; C. F. Osborne, Attorney : P. A. Orton, Supervisor ; A. B. P. Wood, Justice of the Peace.

1876-77-A. B. P. Wood, President; F. C. Duncan, P. J. Wogan, H. Follon, J. O. Ford, Trustees ; John Blackburn, Clerk ; E. C. King, Treasurer; Edward Stott, Marshal ; C. F. Osborn, Attorney ; P. A. Orton, Supervisor ; G. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace.

Under the city charter, the officers have been :

1877-78-A. B. P. Wood, Mayor and Police Justice ; F. C. Duncan, W. W. Hamilton, H. Bates, Alden Pratt, P. J. Wogan, Councilmen ; A. B. P. Wood, Justice of the Peace; H. H. Fitch, Clerk ; M. Doyle, Treasurer ; C. F. Osborn, Attorney ; H. Bates, Jr., Marshal ; P. A. Orton, Supervisor.

1878-79-F. C. Duncan, Mayor and Police Justice ; D. Schreiter, S. S. Allen, W. N. Williams, Alden Pratt and W. W. Hamilton, Councilmen ; J. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace ; C. J. Wadsworth, Clerk; G. S. Anthony, Treasurer; C. F. Osborn, Attorney ; H. Bates, Jr., Marshal ; L. B. Waddington, Supervisor.

1879-80-William Hooper, Mayor and Police Justice ; R. H. Williams, J. B. Farring- ton, S. Mullin, J. B. Ray and G. S. Anthony, Councilmen; H. Bates, Justice of the Peace ; C. J. Wadsworth, Clerk ; J. E. Otis, Treasurer ; A. J. O'Keefe, Attorney ; D. Flannigan, Marshal ; O. F. Blakely, Supervisor.

1880-81-C. F. Osborn, Mayor and Police Justice ; D. Schreiter, J. Driver, S. S. Allen, H. J. Gallagher and J. B. Roy, Councilmen ; G. A. Marshall, Justice of the Peace ;

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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

H. L. Brown, Clerk; William Hooper, Treasurer ; G. A. Marshall, Attorney ; D. Flanni- gan, Marshal ; O. F. Blakely, Supervisor.

RELIGIOUS.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- This church recognizes as its origin a "class" organized at La Fayette Center by the Rev. J. B. Dickens, of Hamilton Grove Circuit, during the year 1847, of which J. D. Haughanout was leader. The society held religious services in a log schoolhouse on the Hamilton farm, until 1853, when the new and more commodious Center Schoolhouse became its second temporary sanctuary. Two years later, the members and friends of the society built a frame church at a cost of $900, locating the same at the Center, which has continued to be, with a change of location, their place of worship. In 1864, it was removed to its present site and enlarged.

The class continued a part of the Hamilton Grove or La Fayette Circuit, until 1856, when it was constituted Darlington Mission, and the Rev. John Blockhurst appointed minister in charge, who reported the number of members at the close of his first pastoral year at eighty- six. His successors in charge of the circuit have been appointed as follows: The Revs. Nathaniel Wheeler, 1857-58; J. B. Hurd and William Ferrin, supply, 1859; William Bar- rett, 1860; S. P. Waldron, 1862; John Knibbs, 1863-65; W. H. Palmer, 1866-67; M. Dunsdale, 1868; James Evans, 1869; J. S. Leavitt, 1870; H. S. Richardson, 1871; William Kellogg, 1872; C. P. Hackney, 1873; C. Cook, 1874-75; A. Charles, 1876-77; J. Trused- der, 1878-79, and A. J. Davis, 1880.

The church has a membership of 115, and property, including a parsonage, valued at $3,000.

Congregational Church .- This society was first organized on May 2, 1847, at Willow Springs, a few miles north of Darlington, with the following members: Elihu Hall, Jacob M. Pease, Henry L. Leffingwell, J. Dwight Stephens, Sabrina Stephens, Sarah Homan, Adeline E. Hall, Eleanor Please, Esther H. Stephens, Barbara McCoy and Eliza Shelden. The Rev. J. D. Stephens officiated as Pastor, and Elihu Hall was elected to the Diaconate, and, though the church was neither numerically nor financially strong, the administration of its affairs by these gentlemen was such as to promote its success, and establish the congregation upon a permanent basis.

Mr. Stephens remained in charge about three years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Sam- uel A. McEwen, who, too, remained about three years, preaching alternate Sundays. It was during his pastorate that the society changed its base to Darlington, where accommodations for services were afforded until the church edifice was ready for occupation, in the schoolhouse, and at a blacksmith-shop, but, as no record of the church policy and history at this time can be found, the facts in that connection are involved in obscurity.

Along in 1856, the Rev. Edward Morris became Pastor of the congregation, and, through his labors and efforts, the present church edifice was projected and completed. He remained until 1860, and was followed by the Revs. Miles Doolittle, John Q. Hall, D. L. Leonard, J. T. Clifton, D. M. Breckenridge, M. Rowley, W. Smith, J. C. Crisman and A. W. Safford, the present incumbent. During the incumbency of each of these, labors in the vineyard were prosecuted with vigor and success. The church to-day is in a high condition of prosperity, and the Sabbath school one of the largest in the city. The edifice is of frame, of generous dimen- sions, with a capacity for 300 worshipers, and which is liberally attended upon the occasion of services, which are conducted morning and evening on first day.

The Baptist Church .- In response to the request of the citizens of Darlington, or more properly speaking of Center, a conference was called to take into consideration the establishment of a Baptist Church in Darlington. The meeting was held at Center, December 19, 1849. Following are the names of the constituent members : Alfred Hovey, Leland A. Hovey, O. F. Hovey, Calvin Pratt, Ichabod Paddock, Fannie Pratt, Sarah Hovey, Marian J. Hovey, Emma Harris, Leantha Paddock, Mary Ann Paddock, Elsie E. Paddock. At the close of the

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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

conference, the following order of exercises on the organization of the Baptist Church, was observed : Preaching, Rev. G. R. Patton, of Sugar River Church ; " Prayer of Recognition," Rev. N. E. Chapin, of Lancaster ; " Hand of Fellowship," Rev. William Wallace ; " Charge to the Church," Rev. Caleb Blood ; " Address to the Audience," Rev. G. W. Ford, of Apple River Baptist Church. December 23, 1849, A. W. Hovey, Rev. Caleb Blood and A. Hovey were appointed a committee to prepare articles of faith, and, on January 19, 1850, this committee reported their choice in the selection of what is termed the " New Hampshire Collection," which was adopted by the congregation. The first Pastor was Rev. Caleb Blood, whose call to this charge was dated February 3, 1850. The first officers were Calvin Pratt, Deacon, and Leland A. Hovey, Clerk. The first meetings of the congregation were held in the upper story of a building owned and occupied by a Mr. Hovey as a wagon-shop and residence. Subsequent meetings were held at the dwellings of the several members until 1855, when Messrs. Keep and Lynd donated to the congregation the plot of ground which they still own, and upon which they built, in 1855, the edifice now standing. The contractors for the building were George Mckay, masonry ; Roberts & Spinney, joiners ; Mr. Pierce, painter. The original cost of the church was $4,000. In 1876, a tower was erected at a cost of $1,200, and, various improvements hav- ing since been added, it is now one of the principal church edifices of Darlington. Since the removal of Rev. Caleb Blood. the spiritual destinies of the society have been guided by Revs. Salmon Moulton, L. Milton Whitman, N. E. Chapin, Mr. Mendell, Mr. Holman, Mr. Annis, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Lansing and the resident Pastor, who entered upon the work here as a supply December 1, 1879, and became Pastor February 1, 1880. The officers of the church for 1880 are J. B. Merrian, Clerk ; Warren Gray, Deacon ; H. H. Hawley, Treasurer ; Dwight Kinney, Superintendent of the Sabbath school. The congregation has a membership of eighty-eight, seventy of whom are residents.

Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary .- The Rev. Father O'Neill, a pious priest, was the first to attend to the spiritual wants of the Catholic people who settled in and around the village. now city, of Darlington. The residence of William McWilliams, an earnest and prac- tical Catholic, was used as a chapel where holy sacrifice of the mass was offered for the first time between the years 1855 and 1857. Father O'Neill continued to attend to the spiritual wants of Catholics in Darlington for some years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Fathers Stro- ker, McGowan and O'Connor, all of whom resided during their several administrations at the old church or mission of Willow Springs, in this county, which is now attended from Darlington. These reverend gentlemen continued to administer the sacrament, say mass, and attend to the general wants of the Catholic people of Darlington until the month of August, 1864.

The Rt. Rev. J. M. Henni, now Archbishop of Milwaukee, the father and founder of the Catholic Church in Wisconsin, and who was consecrated in 1844, at a time when that State was a wilderness, saw with his watchful eye the wonderful strides the church was making in this portion of his new diocese, and appointed the Rev. A. T. David the first resident Pastor of the Catholic Church of Darlington. Father David, with that energy characteristic of the Catholic clergy all over the country, went immediately to work, and, in a brief time, completed the parochial residence and a church edifice, which latter, however, was removed to the northeast corner of Mary and Wells streets some four years ago, and is now used for a parochial school, where upward of one hundred of the children of the parish are taught religious and secular knowledge under the direction of Sisters of Mercy who have come hither for that purpose from their mother house at Fond du Lac.

Father David, in addition to his labors in Darlington, attended to the missions of Willow Springs, Kendalltown, Seymour and elsewhere, also remaining in charge until August 19, 1866, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. M. McGinty, who, assisted by his twin brother, the Rev. D. V. McGinty, took charge of the diocese on the 28th of October of that year. The following year, the present mission stone church edifice on Harriet, between Wells and Main streets, was commenced, though it was not until 1868 when the corner-stone was laid with im- pressive ceremonies in the presence of a large concourse. The Rev. John Casey, now of Cas-

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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.

cade, Wis., preached the sermon on the occasion, and the stone was placed in position by the Rev. Father McGinty. The pastorate of that gentleman terminated August 1, 1871, when the Rev. James Fitzgibbon took charge and served five years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. M. Hannon, at present in service. His administration has been of the most successful charac- ter, and he has, with the aid of the congregation, liquidated a large debt with which the church has been encumbered for upward of thirteen years.

The subject must not be concluded without reference to the services of a good man and devoted Catholic who has contributed in means and influence to obtaining for the church the prominent position it now occupies throughout the county. John Smith and his wife Harriet were among the first settlers of La Fayette County, having located in Willow Springs Town- ship in 1832, within a mile of the present site of the Catholic Church. Their house was the chapel where mass was first said in Willow Springs, as also a caravansary where the poor Irish emigrant met with a hospitable welcome. He contributed largely to building the new church in Darlington, and though dead, still lives in memory as a public benefactor.

In twenty years, the church in and about Darlington, has increased from three families to over two hundred, and there is every prospect that additions will be made with the return of each Easter season.

The church property, which includes a cemetery near the city, is valued at $18,000.

Kemper Mission-Supported by the Episcopal sect, has been in operation for some time, increasing in numbers and influence with each succeeding year. On the evening of Wednesday, August 7, 1867, a very small congregation assembled in the Congregational Church of Darlington, where the first services in the city. if not in the county, were held, under the auspices of the Rev. Lyman Phelps, Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, at Mineral Point. Ten days later, the Rev. John Wilkinson preached in the Methodist Church, and from these beginnings the cause of Episcopalianism dates its growth hereabouts.

Services were suspended temporarily after the date last named, owing to the absence of a Minister, and were not resumed until December following, during which month the Rev. John McNamara, Rector of St. Luke's Church, Whitewater, and Dean of the Janesville convocation, in which jurisdiction Darlington was included, preached twice.

On the 13th of May, 1868, the Rt. Rev. W. E. Armitage, Assistant Bishop of Wisconsin, visited Darlington, and conducted services in the Methodist Church. Meantime, the sum of $400 had been raised in the county for the purpose of sustaining a mission, both at Darlington and Shullsburg, and, in July, 1868, Bishop Armitage assigned the Rev. Charles F. Adams to the charge, that gentleman preaching in the court house during his stay here. Soon after this, a meeting was convened for the purpose and a congregation organized by the election of George A. Marshall, Warden; Ella R. Stephens, Treasurer, and H. E. Van Osdel, Secretary of the society. Mr. Adams enjoyed the living until November, 1868, when he retired, and for a brief season the congregation was without a Rector.

In June, however, the Rev. John F. Taylor was called to the pulpit, remaining six months, when he resigned to accept a call to Detroit. Thence until June, 1879, no regular Pastor served, the society being dependent upon the occasional visits of the Revs. A. W. Seabrease and Lyman Phelps, by whom the duties were severally discharged until relieved by the Rev. David A. Sanford. The latter remained one year, when he was followed by the Rev. H. M. Green, the present incumbent.

The present congregation numbers about twenty-five communicants, and services are held Sabbaths, morning and evening, the court house being occupied for that purpose. J. M. Mar- shall is Warden and Treasurer, and F. P. Derring, Secretary.

SCHOOLS.

The old one-story stone building located where Mr. Nash's joiner and wagon shop now stands, originally built by Messrs. Keep & Lynde for a Mr. Wright, and intended for a black- smith-shop, was in the year 1851 fitted up for and occupied by the first school taught in Dar-

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lington. It was the scene of many vicissitudes, often doing duty as a church, town hall, etc. Political harangues and religious exhortations found voice within its walls. It saw festivity and mourning, and has itself long since come to grief. In this seat of learning a school-meeting was held in 1851, and an election for district officers was had. S. W. Osborn was elected Director ; J. Driver, Treasurer, and H. S. Fassett, Clerk. The first teacher here was Miss Sophia Fallon, and the roll showed an attendance of ten scholars, four of whom were children of Mr. Osborn. The next summer, a male teacher named Daniel Mills was engaged at a salary of $25 per month, a stipend raised by subscription or assessments pro rata. Mr. Mills taught but one term of twelve weeks. Since that time, school has been continued two terms of twelve weeks each a year. The first private school taught in Darlington dates from 1854. Miss Ellen Bailey was the preceptress, and her school was held in the building now occupied by Benjamin Martin as a residence. She received as remuneration $6 per month, paid by the scholars. In 1855-56, a Mr. Foster taught a private school in a building which stood near Noyes & Fallon's dry-goods store, and now forms a part of the book store of Driver Brothers. About 1857, a Miss Wells taught a select school in a building erected for this purpose by Warden & Allen. In 1853, Mr. Keep offered to donate Lot 2, Block 15, since occupied by W. N. Williams, to the school district if they would build thereon a schoolhouse. The generous offer was not accepted. The School Board in those early days was composed of three citizens chosen annually by the qualified voters of the district. The books used were principally McGuffey's series, with such others as each family brought with them from their native place. This school district was composed of the village of Darling- ton and a small portion of the township. In those days, each town had its own Superintendent, which system prevailed until 1865, when the present office of County Superintendent was estab- lished. Since 1865, there have been ten Superintendents ; J. B. Parkinson, one year; Dr. G. W. Lee, two years ; William Ahern, two years ; Dr. C. B. Jennings, four years ; George A. Marshall, two years ; J. G. Knight, one year ; Thomas Van Meter, one year; Henry Jane, one year and eight months; John J. Roche, four months, unexpired term of Mr. Jane ; C. G. Thomas, four years.

At a meeting of the school district held in 1855, it was resolved that an appropriation should be made for the purpose of erecting a schoolhouse of sufficient capacity to accommodate all the children of the district who desired to attend. Grounds were procured, and the contract for the building let to H. C. Nash for $1,100, he to furnish all materials. This schoolhouse, the first erected by the district, was of brick, had two rooms with a seating capacity in each for thirty-six scholars. In 1863, more room being required to supply the demand occasioned by the increase in population, the present " old schoolhouse " was built as an addition to the one- story brick structure. The contract was let to John Williams for $2,100. This building is now used by the Temple of Honor as a lodge room. By way of contrast, from the comparatively small expense of the schools in 1851 and that of sixteen years later, at a meeting of the legal voters of the district held August 26, 1867, it was resolved " That the sum of $1,700 for teach- ers' wages, $200 for fuel, and $35 for insurance be raised by tax on property on the district to defray the expenses of the schools during the ensuing year." At this time, there were in the district, 391 children of school age. The average attendance during the winter months was 280. and during the summer months, 231.

During the summer of this year, it became evident that greater and better school accom- modation was necessary. The subject was agitated throughout the district, when, at a meeting held September 9, 1867, a committee of four persons, consisting of A. Warden, L. D. Russell, P. A. Orton, Jr., and I. F. Halstead, was "appointed to act in connection with the District Board, to take into consideration the policy and necessity of further school room, and submit plans for the erection of a schoolhouse ; also to negotiate for the purchase of a site for the same." This committee, in connection with the District Board, offered a majority and a minor- ity report, the latter of which was adopted. The former reported that, " Conceding the neces- sity of additional school facilities, your committee believe that an addition of 32x40 feet, two stories in height, could be built to the present structure, which would afford, for all the scholars

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in the district, facilities for four years. That such a structure could be built for the sum of $2,500, and completed for the use of the district by the 1st of December next." Signed H. H. Gray, A. Warden, P. A. Orton, Jr., A. Pratt.

The minority report, signed by E. J. Russell and L. D. Russell, recommended that, " Since the present schoolrooms will accommodate but 276, and the average attendance is 280 ; and that, in anticipation of the wants of the district within five years, a building affording accommodation for an average attendance of 500 will be required; and that such a structure will cost $10,000, and a suitable site for the same will cost $2,800; that, in view of continuing harmony in the district, a central location should be selected ; and that the following proposals have been received for schoolhouse sites : Anthony Bering, Lots 17 and 18, $600; B. Paddock, Block 42, $1,500 ; Samuel Salisbury, block and one-half, Rupell Addi- tion, $1,200; L. Rogers, two lots and house north of court house, $1,500 ; A. Stella, Block 2, $2.800. The committee deem the block of Mr. Stille the most suitable for the purpose, and that if, in the opinion of the district, the erection of a new schoolhouse is demanded of the capacity set forth in this report, your committee would recommend the construction of one ready for use September, 1868, at a cost of $10,000, exclusive of site; that said building should be of stone and brick or of stone."

At the regular annual meeting of School District No. 12, July 13, 1868, held at the court house in Darlington, H. H. Gray, Director of the district, reported that he had purchased from Anton Stille Block 2, in Darlington, for the sum of $2,800, to be paid in five years from 1867 ; and the said Gray then proposed to assign his contract for the purchase of said block, and all his interest therein, to the district, the district paying the purchase price of the block to Mr. Stella. The meeting accepted Mr. Gray's proposition, and a tax of $189 was levied on all taxable property in the district, to pay one year's interest upon the purchase price of the block which was to be the site of a new schoolhouse. The meeting then voted " That the district do build, as soon as possible, a new schoolhouse on the Stella Block aforesaid, which shall cost $15,000, suitable and of sufficient capacity for 600 scholars."

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History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, Part 81

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical Number of Pages: 754

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899. cn; Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical
Number of Pages: 754