USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 98
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The only religious society in the village, was organized in 1867, when a class was formed through the efforts of the Rev. Thomas Lawson, attached to the Argyle Circuit, and composed of Mrs. Mary K. Baker, Mrs. Elizabeth Blanchard, Mrs. Cyrus Clark, Charles Wren and wife and daughter, Nicholas Wren and wife and Mrs. Dana Rockwell. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse, and, by means of a revival, the charge was largely increased.
Labor was continued in the village with gratifying results, the class was yearly enlarged by the addition of converts, and infinite good has resulted to residents from the influence exerted. The congregation continued to worship in the schoolhouse until 1870. Some time previous, measures were inaugurated for the building of a church, which was completed and dedicated in that year. It is located on a commanding eminence across the river, and can be seen for miles. It is a frame, 30x40, one of the most handsomely finished in the county, and will comfortably seat an audience of three hundred.
The church property is valued at about $1,500, and the following ministers have officiated : The Revs. Thomas Lawson, H. C. Jenks, S. P. Waldron, R. Pengilley, E. W. Allen and William Thomas.
BLANCHARDVILLE CEMETERY
is located on the hill west of Blue Mound, and consists of an acre of ground. Though not fenced or properly cared for until about 1870, interments were made many years previous, the first being a son of Samuel Cline. At the present writing (1880), the little hillocks which mark the resting-place of many a loved one who has gone hence, are numerous, indicating that death has frequently visited the vicinity and left his mark. The grounds are handsomely laid out, planted with forest and ornamental trees, and containing a number of elaborately finished monuments.
POST OFFICE.
The village enjoys mail facilities of a reasonably fair order, for which the residents are chiefly indebted to A. Blanchard, who procured the location of the post office there during the administration of President Fillmore, by whom he was appointed Postmaster, and, for some time after, the future village was thus designated as a mail depot. Mr. Blanchard remunerated the mail-carrier out of his own pocket. He remained in possession of the office, which was kept in the stone store, for nearly a quarter of a century, undisturbed by succeeding administrations, until 1880, when he was removed, and James Mason appointed his successor. The merchants and citizens have communication with the world twice a week by Darlington and Monroe.
644
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
TOWN OF ARGYLE.
The town of Argyle is located in the northeastern part of the county. It is bounded on the north by the town of Blanchard, on the east by Green County, on the south by the town of Wiota, on the west by the towns of Fayette and Wiota. It comprises Township 3 north, Range 5 east, of the Fourth Principal Meridian. It consisted of fifty-four sections until April, 1869, when, by order of the County Board, eighteen sections off the northern part were organ- ized into a separate town, and named Blanchard.
At the organization of the town, Allen Wright, a Scotchman, and a leading man of the set- tlement, named it Argyle, in honor of the Duke of Argyle. Previous to the erection of the town, Argyle formed a part of the Wiota voting precinct. The first political meeting was held at the schoolhouse in the village, and the following officers chosen : John Z. Saxton, Chairman ; George H. Lillie, Clerk ; A. N. Gibson, Treasurer.
The general surface of this town is very uneven, in many parts badly broken. It is diver- sified with high bluffs, deep valleys and low, swampy bottoms. In this variation of surface there is, however, much good land, and very little but what can be utilized for stock or grain raising. It is principally a stock-raising region, being well adapted to this branch of industry, though in the northern part of the town may be found some good farming lands. It is well watered by springs and creeks. The Yellowstone River and Dodge's Branch, meeting on Sec- tion 22, form the East Pecatonica River, which flows through the town and into Wiota from Section 36. It is also well wooded by different kinds of timber -- oak, black walnut, elm and maple.
The population consists of Norwegians, Irish, Germans and Americans. The Norwegians largely predominate, and are settled principally on Sections 4, 5, 6, 10 and 16, on the Mud Branch and Yellowstone Rivers.
As early as 1836, nearly all the land in the town was entered by a company of Eastern capitalists, organized for the purpose. This company disposed of its title to farmers of the Eastern and Southern States who contemplated emigrating to the West. Owing to the induce- ments offered by this company to pioneers and early settlers, in 1839 a settlement was formed on Mud Branch, two miles distant from the village, by a number of Americans from the South- ern States. Among those early pioneers were Francis Call, Robert Threadgold, Elijah Sowl, Mr. Collins, George West, Daniel Knotts and Charles Call.
Here, along the bottoms and among the hills on Mud Branch, these hardy pioneers erected cabins and cultivated farms. Robert Threadgold was the first actual settler that entered land in the town.
Between 1840 and 1850, settlement progressed rather slowly, owing, it is surmised, to the attractions of the beautiful prairies and gentle, undulating surfaces of the different surrounding towns in the county.
Among the few who came here between 1840 and 1845 were Erastus Mosher, A. U. Gib- son, Mr. Horner, Nelson Moore, William Fowler and Allen Wright. Charles Smith also came about this time, and located the farm now occupied by John Patterson. In 1848, Judge J. S. Waddington settled on a small farm at the present site of the village.
After the year 1851, the advantages of Argyle became better known to immigrants, and vast numbers of Norwegians flocked into it, opening up small farms together. These worthy men, through their untiring energy and characteristic industry, have rendered Argyle promi- nent in all matters pertaining to the interests of the county. The first school was established in 1845, and held in a little cabin 10x12 feet in size, situated on the bank of the river, and afterward used for a smoke-house. Here was engaged a female teacher to instruct the six or eight children in attendance. This school was continued but one season. For several years, small subscription schools were maintained, though the children, as in the early settlement of many other towns, were mostly taught at home. The first district school was established in the vil-
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
lage in 1849. George H. Lillie was the first teacher. This was a frame building, 16x24 feet, with 8-foot posts. The scholars numbered twenty.
There are now in the town six schoolhouses, 478 children of school age-236 males, 242 females-requiring the services of eight teachers. The male teachers received an average sal- ary of $32.62; female, $20.46. During the year ending August 31, 1880, there has been received for school purposes $2,925.93; paid out, $2,381.27. Of the latter amount, $1,721 was for teachers' wages.
The first religious services were held in the house of Frederick Hunnel by a Methodist " circuit-rider " named Rev. Mr. Bashford. The first church was built on the site of the pres- ent schoolhouse in the village, in 1849. It was of the Baptist denomination. Several years later, this building was sold to the school district and converted into a schoolhouse.
In 1846, the first post office in the town was established on Section 26, on the place known as the " Hawley farm." William Fowler was appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by John G. Saxton. In 1848, the office was removed to the village. The following have acted as Postmasters since its establishment in the village: Judge J. S. Waddington, Joseph Scott, W. B. Thurston, William Wyman, G. R. Davie, S. Entikin, Andrew Anderson, James J. Davie and L. W. Devoe, the present incumbent. The mails were received at this office once a week from the Wiota and Madison Mail Route until 1865, when and for several years mails were received from the Mineral Point and Albany Mail Route. The mail is now received daily from the Monroe and Darlington route.
The first blacksmith in the town was Luke Teeple, who established himself in the village in 1852. He subsequently sold out to Johnson Brothers. In 1846, Eldrid & Gibson erected a saw-mill on the Pecatonica River, in the village, on the site of the present saw-mill. The dam was carried away by the flood in 1847. During this year, Gibson disposed of his interest to John G. Saxton, who, with his partner, Mr. Eldred, rebuilt the dam, and made some exten- sive improvements in the mill itself. Mr. Eldred sold out to Edgrin & Saxton, who continued the business, and in 1852, erected on the same water-power adjoining the saw-mill, a grist-mill, with two run of stone. These mills have often changed hands, but the quality of work has always been of uniform excellence.
The first store was established in the village by D. B. Eldred in 1849. His was a stock of general merchandise. The population of Argyle has decreased from 1,634 in 1870, to 1,229 in 1880, although the town has rapidly increased in wealth, until now, it is generally conceded to be the equal of the average towns in the county.
ARGYLE VILLAGE
a thriving village in the town of that name, located in the northeast portion of the county and named at the time of its first organization as an election precinct, in compliance with the prayer of a petition signed by John Z. Saxton, Robert Threadgold and others of its inhabitants, as a compliment to Allen Wright, one of the earliest settlers and most substantial citizens of the town. The village is pleasantly located on both sides of the Pecatonica River, which latter affords a valuable and abundant water-power in the midst of a flourishing and productive farming country, and possesses many inducements to attract the permanent resident and transient visitor. Though by no means the oldest of the county villages, it is far more prosperous than some, and, as a point for investment, either for residence or commercial purposes, its advantages cannot be denied. The proof of this is to be found in the elegant and cozy homes that are seen within its corporate limits, and in the amount of business transacted by the merchants which is said to ag- gregate upward of $200,000 per annum. Supplementary to these are the educational and re- ligious advantages accessible to all who seek. The school is one of the finest and most complete in this portion of the State, while three church societies in full tide of success hold out spiritual instruction to the incredulous and free-thinker.
646
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
The first settler within the present village limits, and one who set up his claim long before the formation of a village was ever thought of, is said to have been A. U. Gibson, who inhabited a cabin then occupying the present corner of Milwaukee and Broad streets, where he also culti- vated a patch of ground. Along in 1849, Messrs. Saxton and Eldred, who owned a quarter-sec- tion of land in the southwest quarter of Section 26, decided to improve the same, build a mill, and lay out a village site. The latter was originally intended to occupy the west bank of the Pecatonica River. But, after the survey had been completed and every arrangement made for plotting the ground, it was ascertained that no substantial foundations could be sccured for the mill, and the site was abandoned. Upon sinking for foundations, builders were unable to strike bottom, while the surface was solid; upon being removed, they found the subsoil to consist of sand, and, being unable to construct upon so unsubstantial a base, determined to repeat their ob- servations on the eastern shore, and there erect the mill, which, with other buildings they would cause to be put up, might form the nucleus for a village.
The original survey included a limited territory on the east side of the river, and was accord- ingly certified and recorded January 28, 1850. It contained thirty-four blocks, divided up into lots, and offered to purchasers at prices calculated to encourage rapid sales. When all these pre- liminaries had been disposed of, it was hoped that improvements anticipated with the survey, would be commenced, and the rush of purchasers keep pace with the improvements. But these anticipations failed of realization, and it was not until the desirable advantages to be availed of in the young village were generally advertised after years of delay, that they were sought. Those on the ground by example and prophecy, endeavored to build up the place, but, beyond individual success, there is none to record.
The first house put up in young Argyle was begun and completed in the spring of 1850, by . John Z. Saxton and J. S. Waddington. It was a frame, costing $600, and was appropriated to residence purposes by the builders. The building still stands on Milwaukee street, directly opposite the Argyle House, and is occupied by offices, a tailor-shop and a family. A. U. Gibson soon after razed his log cabin, and raised a new one on its site, composed of hewn logs, which pre- sented a handsome front to his less ambitious neighbors, if any there were at that time. 'This improvement was long since vacated, however, and its appearance is forgotten, save by the lim- ited number who lived, planned and executed for the public benefit in those times. Before the dawn of 1851, D. B. Ellsworth put up a frame house, which was jointly occupied as a store and dwelling by the owner, who established the first store in the village.
In December, 1850, Joseph E. Eldred, a pioneer of the town and village, departed this life, and was buried in the village churchyard, which at that early day in the village history had been provided-the first death in Argyle and the first interment made in the grounds set apart to those who have since laid down their cross and been crowned with the garlands of immortal life.
The earlier years of the village as already intimated, were not attended with events or cir- cumstances which had the effect of elevating the hopes of its founders with any idea that time would at last set all things even. Improvements were not remarked or frequent, and the sale of lots were not occurrences of frequent repetition.
J. S. Waddington was farming on what is now known as Waddington's Addition, southeast of the Argyle House, and the present streets were more frequently filled with quadrupeds than bipeds. Deer, wolves, prairie chicken and the game indigenous to secluded localities in the wil- derness, roamed at will through Milwaukee, La Fayette, Green, Broad, North, South and other streets, often unmolested, unless, exercising a familiarity born of a seeming confidence in man's humanity to their kind, the citizens became provoked and took vengeance upon them, as was not an unusual case.
In 1851, Asa Saxton erected a store at the corner of Milwaukee and South streets, and in 1852 the stone mill was completed.
During the former year, Florence Ellsworth was born to Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Ellsworth, and is known as the first birth after the village had been surveyed. She survived the accidents and
647
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
incidents of childhood, and removed to Decorah, Iowa, with her parents, where she is said to have married.
During the same year, Pope C. Kirkpatrick was married to Miss Anna Dennison, and received the benediction of a Congregational minister from near Beloit, who pronounced them indissolubly united. At the conclusion of the ceremony, cakes and the "fixins" peculiar to similar occasions were passed around, and, after their discussion, the Benedict of the drama escorted his prize to Darlington, accompanied by J. S. Waddington and Miss Helena Lars, as best man and bridesmaid.
In 1852, Spencer Ellsworth removed to Argyle from Wiota, and put up a house and a small frame building adjoining. The Argyle House was kept as a hotel, with D. S. Hawley as landlord. This was not the first house of entertainment, however, one having been previously opened by John Z. Saxton. A post office was opened about this time, and travel began to be a factor in the daily life of the place, gratifying as it was numerous. Many came by stage, a two-horse wagon, without cover or springs, which plied between Monroe and Wiota (carrying the mail), but the majority came by private conveyance, and those who refused to remain permanently, modified their refusal with a promise to come again. In 1853, stone buildings began to supply the rude frame residences, and were regarded as elegant acquisitions. The first erected for store purposes was completed that year by Saxton & Waddington, and cost $1,200. It is two and a half stories high, and stands on the spot of its origin, being occupied by L. A. Ross- ing as a general store. The same fall, the frame house adjoining, put up two years previous by Asa Saxton, was burned to the ground. The embers had scarcely been extinguished, before L. T. Pullen purchased the lot, and, on the ruins of the inflammable frame, built a three-story stone store that has stood a monument of strength and durability, and is now occupied by I. L. Erickson & Co. That year, as also 1854-55-56, was encouraging, some improvements were made and, addi- tions to the population reported. In the latter year, a census showed the existence of three stores, a saw and grist mill, one or more shoe-shops, one or two blacksmith and wagon shops, a post office, handsome stone hotel, and many other evidences of enterprise and healthy growth, includ- ing a total of fifteen families which came in between 1853 and 1856. With bright prospects, the people began to take comfort without taking thought of the morrow, and, while thus unmind- ful of its near approach, the panic of 1857 paralyzed their prospects, and spread ruin in its course. As a consequence, business languished, improvements were checked, commodities found no sale, and the cattle, which had been sources of profit, were left to browse on "the thousand hills " undisturbed by owner or covetous peculator. There were no failures in the village, it is said, but all were cramped for means, and many closed up their affairs, sacrificing their available resources to become free from debt, and began life again withe nergy, integrity and character as their stock in trade. All of these are to-day in comfortable circumstances, many of them independent, but none of them recall the experiences of that period as passed amid sunshine and contentment.
When the war broke out, meetings of citizens were held in the Methodist and Baptist Churches, and universal patriotism was the rule. Speeches were made, funds subscribed and volunteers furnished as long as a dollar or a man was needed to suppress treason, and, when the conflict was ended. nothing was spared to impress the citizen soldiers and soldier citizens with their worth and fidelity in the days of darkness and trouble.
From the commencement of the past decade to the present day, the improvements, though gradual, have been permanent and progressive. The village is well built and contains a large proportion of houses that would be regarded with pride in communities more pretentious and wealthy. The milling interest is large, comparing favorably with the mercantile, and, like the latter, is constantly increasing. Large quantities of butter, aggregating, it is said, 150,000 pounds a year, are shipped from the village, and the other industries are generously supported. With a population of 400, and every incentive to advancement, the future of Argyle is not without promise and prospects.
648
HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
ARGYLE SCHOOL.
The graded system of schools was adopted in Argyle some years ago, and has accomplished an infinite good in the cause of educatic .a . use that has ever been uppermost in the regards of citizens. Scarcely had the village been lann d, when the projectors of the same determined to provide a schoolhouse for the use of settlers. Up to 1851, a school had been maintained at in- tervals, in a log hut to the north of the Argyle House, for some time. This, however, failed to equal the demand, and, as stated, the founders of the village supplied the "missing link," in 1851, by the erection of a schoolhouse on Milwaukee street, on the lot now occupied by the Norwegian Church. George H. Lilly was the first teacher, and his roster of pupils included members of the Hunnel, Riddle, Lilly, Gibson and Hill families. The school was maintained here until 1857, when the Baptist Church, standing in the lot bounded by Broad, Mill, Green and East streets, was purchased and substituted. The old schoolhouse was removed to North street, where it was reconstructed and is standing to-day.
The Baptist Church remained in use until 1877, when the present handsomely finished and commodious frame schoolhouse, occupying the same lot, was completed and occupied, and will remain for years devoted to its present uses. The building is of frame, 36x60 feet, two stories high and contains three departments-Primary, Intermediate and High-requiring the services of three teachers, and furnishing the means of education to a large average attendance.
Thus improvement was made at an expense of $3,500; and it costs $1,300 to support its annual continuance. The present board is made up of Andrew Anderson, J. M. Dane and A. G. Hawley.
THE POST OFFICE.
This medium of communication was originally established as early as 1844, on the road be- tween Wiota and Argyle, with William Fowler as Postmaster. It was continued there on the present Hawley farm until 1850, when it was removed to the village, where it has since been supported by the Department, under the immediate control of the following officials : John Z. Saxton, J. S. Waddington, William Wyman, Smith Entriken, James Davis and L. W. Devou, the present Postmaster. Mails arrive and depart tri-weekly from Darlington and Monroe.
PARTRIDGE'S HALL.
A commodious building, occupying a convenient position on North street, was erected in 1878 by Alanson Partridge, at a cost of $2,000. The building is 32x62, two stories high and of frame. The ground floor is occupied by the proprietor's cabinet shop, while the second story is devoted to the hall proper. It has capacity for 400 auditors, is handsomely fitted up, conven- ient of access, and supplies all wants of the community in connection with lectures, sociables, etc.
ARGYLE LODGE, A. F. & A. M,
obtained a dispensation June 17, 1869, with the following members and officers : F. Lambert, J. M. Dain, L. B. Waddington, J. S. Waddington, A. J. Anderson, T. G. Wright, W. B. Thurston, James Harker, Simon Harker, William Brazzle, William Leach and Joseph Sardison. F. Lambert, W. M. ; J. M. Dain, S. W .; James Harker, J. W .; W. B. Thurston, Treasurer ; A. J. Anderson, Secretary ; J. S. Waddington, S. D .; Joseph Sardison, J. D., and William Brazzle, Tiler. The lodge convened over the Argyle drug store, on Milwaukee street, and was granted a charter June 15, 1870, the officers elected under the dispensation continuing to serve. The present officers are : J. M. Dain, W. M .; W. S. Arnold, S. W .; H. J. Hendrickson, J. W. ; J. S. Waddington, Treasurer ; A. J. Anderson, Secretary ; Joseph Sardison, S. D. ; Lewis Waddington. J. D .; H. J. Wadsworth, Tiler. The roll of membership includes thirty-five names. Meetings are held over H. J. Hendrickson's drug store, and the value of lodge property is stated at $500.
P. B. Impsow.
SHULLSBURG.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
ARGYLE BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized on the 21st day of August, 1851, by a Council called for the purpose, of which the Rev. S. S. Whitman acted as Moderator and the Rev. J. D. Cole as Secretary, with the fol- lowing members : Nelson and Hulda Ford, John and Hulda Hill, Orlean and Elizabeth Doggett, John Z. and Mary Saxton, Wealthy A. and Mary Hill, and Amos G. Hill, Asa Saxton and Helena Saxton.
In December following, the Rev. William Clack was chosen minister, and taking charge re- mained until February 23, 1853, when he resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. John Pool, who served the church in his pastoral capacity until February 25, 1854, at which date he re- signed. Thenceforward, until late years, the church prospered, services being held semi-monthly with good results, including an increase of members. This prosperity continued until early in the sixties, when its efforts began to wane, the congregation to diminish, and other causes to aid in affecting its influence until 1876, since when the church has been without any settled pastor ; and, though the society has enjoyed many special manifestations of Divine favor, its prospects at present are not said to be very encouraging.
In addition to those already mentioned, the following Pastors have officiated : The Revs. David Mattock, Mr. Theal, Alva Whitman, Daniel H. Palmer, C. H. Wilder, Michael W. Web- ster, C. C. Eldred and E. A. Wood.
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