USA > Wisconsin > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Wisconsin > Part 99
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ARGYLE MILLS.
The only flour-mills in the village of Argyle were put up during 1852, and, although many changes of ownership have been made since that time, the mills have been constantly employed, contributing to the comfort not more than the prosperity of the immediate vicinity. The prop- erty was originally owned by Asa Saxton and John Edgrin who utilized the water-power de- rived from the Pecatonica River, and erected and furnished the premises about the year above designated. The building is of stone, two stories high, and originally contained two run of buhrs, with a capacity for grinding 200 bushels of grain per diem. Saxton and Edgrin conducted the business for three years after the mills were completed, when Mr. Saxton died, and Frederick Hunnel succeeded to his interest by purchasing thereof from decedent's heirs. After an ex- perience of two years, he sold out to D. S. Hawley and retired, and in 1865 James Sardison pur- chased Edgrin's interest and carried on the venture in conjunction with Mr. Hawley, perfecting improvements, meanwhile, including an additional run of buhrs, until 1878, when Mr. Hawley retired and Michael Crotty became a partner, so continuing up to the present day under the firm name of Sardison & Crotty.
The business of the house is said to be large and prosperous, including custom milling, as also the manufacture of flour for shipment, and is patronized by liberal custom. The firm em- ploys two hands, grind 300 bushels of grain daily, and regard its investment as representing a valuation of $13,000.
In addition to the grist-mill, Messrs. Sardison & Crotty carried on a saw-mill in buildings adjoining, which were constructed in about 1845. At that time, J. E. Eldred and A. U. Gibson combined for the purpose, and, availing themselves of the Pecatonica as a motive power, began the sawing of lumber, which was used throughout Argyle Town for building and other pur- poses. The establishment in time became part of the grist-mill property, and passed into the possession of each successive purchaser of the same. It is supplied with rip and buzz saws, ca- pable of sawing 2,500 feet of lumber per day and is valued at $2,000.
OWEGO MILLS,
located on Whitesides Creek, two and one-half miles southwest of the village of Argyle, are among the oldest and best-known milling establishments in the county. These mills were first projected almost before the Indian wars which prevailed in the present county of La Fayette at an early day were concluded, though it was not until 1837 that they were assigned a local hab-
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itation and name. In that year, John Williams, an adventurous millwright, put up a frame building and stocked it with one run of stones, which were propelled by the water-power of Whitesides Creek, and kept constantly busy. Within a brief period, a stone addition was made to the frame building, and, in 1839, the premises passed into the hands of Robert Threadgold. That gentleman carried on the business of milling until his death, when the property was man- aged by James Sardison, administrator for the benefit of the heirs at law. About this time, the stone addition was thrown down, and the mill was entirely rebuilt of frame, and was pur- chased by Mr. Sardison, who sold to C. C. Eldred, who, in his turn, disposed of his purchase to Warner Million, by whom the mills are now owned and operated. They possess a capacity for grinding 100 bushels of grain a day, with the assistance of one hand, and are valued at $6,000.
ARGYLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The present congregation is the outgrowth of a class which was established years ago, when Argyle was included in the Hamilton Circuit, and was attended to by circuit-riders and exhort- ers, whose names have come down with the history of Methodism in the West, shrined in a lus- ter and reputation that will be imperishable so long as the followers of the Epworth divine are included among the religious sects of the world.
As near as can be ascertained, the first class to organize in the village was composed in part of D. S. Hawley and wife, Frederick Hunnel and wife, Mr. Allen and wife, Mrs. Craw- ford Million, Hiram Arnold and wife and some few others. Frederick Hunnel officiated as Leader, and the society listened to sermons at irregular intervals, from 'traveling Pastors, until about 1852. During that year, the congregation became attached to the Fayette Circuit, and the Revs. N. Close and [E. B. Russell preached alternately every fortnight. These were suc- ceeded by John L. Dyer and B. Chris, and fortnight preaching was continued until 1857. The schoolhouse held the worshipers until the Baptist Church was built, when that congregation granted its occupation to the Methodists ; but, revoking this permission subsequently, the latter removed to a room in the third story of D. S. Hawley's house (now used as a hotel), and held undisputed possession of the same for some time, removing thence back to the schoolhouse. During these years, efforts had been actively employed by the society for the purpose of build- ing of a church, and, in 1859, the means having been amassed, the stone church on South street was begun by D. S. Hawley, and completed during the following spring, when it was dedicated, the Rev. S. P. Mather preaching the dedicatory sermon. Previous to this, however, the Argyle Church was set off from the Fayette Circuit, and became an independent mission, under the care of the Rev. A. L. Thurston, the first settled ; minister of this congregation. ~ He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. John Blackhurst, who died in the service, the vacancy thereby created being supplied by the Rev. S. P. Waldron, who came when the church was completed, and first occupied the pulpit, which has since been filled by ministers in coursc. At present, the church edifice, which is 30x40, with a seating capacity of 250, and cost $1,200, is regarded as of too limited dimensions for the congregation, and it is designed to either enlarge or erect a new edifice at an early day.
The society now includes a membership of 150, and preaching is. had every other Sunday morning, but every Sunday evening. The property, which includes a parsonage, opposite the church edifice, purchased in 1872 for $1,500, is valued at $3,000, and the following ministers have accepted calls since Argyle became an independent circuit : The Revs. S. P. Waldron, Jacob Miller, Thomas Lawson, H. C. Jenks, R. Pengilley, R. Burnip, P. K. Jones, E. W. Allen and William Thomas, at present in charge.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This society is composed of the Norwegian and German residents of Argyle and the vicinity, and is said to be in a flourishing condition. It was organized in 1875 with a compliment of four families, under the direction of the Rev. F. M. G. Jertson, and began worship in the Methodist Church edifice, where services were conducted until the present Lutheran Church was completed.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
When the organization was perfected, a movement was inaugurated for the building of a house of worship, and so successfully did it progress that within one year from the date of the society's formation the same was completed and occupied. It is located in the northern portion of the village, and is a prominent object to residents for miles around. The building is of frame, 30x70, with a steeple, handsomely finished, and cost, with improvements subsequently made, a total of $2,500. The present congregation numbers fifteen families, and the Rev. F. M. Jertson still officiates as Pastor.
ARGYLE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
was organized in 1853, though the cemetery was laid out and platted in 1850, under the direc- tion of Briggs and Foss. It is located at the extreme south end of North street, containing about two acres of ground divided into 226 lots, and highly ornamented with tombs and monu- ments. The first interment was Joseph E. Eldred, in December, 1850.
The first officers were : J. E. Saxton, President ; L. B. Waddington, Secretary. The pres- ent officers are : W. B. Thurston, M. D., President ; J. S. Waddington, Treasurer, and F. G. Wyman, Secretary.
JUDGE JOHN WILFORD BLACKSTONE.
Judge John Wilford Blackstone, son of Stephen F. and Elizabeth (Baker) Blackstone, was a descendant of the family of that name who immigrated to America from England six years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and located on the site of Boston. The parents of the above settled in Madison, Madison County, N. Y., when the State was comparatively a wilder- ness. They were originally from Connecticut. John Wilford Blackstone was born October 18, 1796. The characteristics of the race that settled the now historic places of Boston and Providence manifested themselves in this removed offspring of William Blackstone, who left Boston and founded Providence plantation because of differences with the Puritans, and made a home for the persecuted Quakers on Blackstone River, Rhode Island. The germs of religious freedom which there took root, grew into wide-spreading branches throughout the land. The name is preserved in numerous historical localities in the East.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Madison until about the age of 17 years, at which time he entered Hamilton College. The catalogue shows that he was a gradu- ate of the class of 1819. Gerret Smith graduated the previous year.
Three months prior to his graduation, being led by the spirit of adventure, he engaged to go with a gentleman named Hart to the then far West. Embarking at Olean. Point in keel- boats laden with miscellaneous merchandise, they followed the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi to Memphis, in Tennessee, trading at the little towns on the banks until their stock was exhausted ; thence returning to his native place, he entered upon the study of law, and, three years later, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice, but the adventurous spirit still possessed him. Two years were spent in Canada, when he again embarked at Olean Point in a skiff, with a single companion, and brought up at Shawneetown, where, at that time, were the principal salt works of the West.
In 1828, he removed to the Galena lead mines, and, in the winter of 1828-29, to Mineral Point. After remaining here for some two or three years, he removed to New Diggings and settled near the place where the village of the same name now stands. In the spring of 1835, he purchased the farm near the White Oak Springs, known as the Judge Blackstone farm, and now occupied by his son, Augustus. Before leaving New York, Judge Blackstone studied medicine, and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine. In 1832, he took part in the Black Hawk War, and held a Lieutenant's commission in Capt. Clark's Company, under Gen. Henry Dodge. In 1838, he was a member of the Second Territorial Legislature,
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
convened at Madison November 26, 1838, and was elected the Speaker of the Assembly, accord- ing to the " Blue Book " of Wisconsin.
Judge Blackstone was married to Mrs. Katharine Hammond, in Galena, April 4, 1833 ; her parents were of Scotch descent, and she was the mother, by her first marriage, of Mrs. S. N. Scoles, of White Oak Springs.
Judge Blackstone had, by this marriage, seven- children-Theodore E., John W. (now member of the State Senate), Isabel (died in 1861), Joseph, Augustus, Eugene (died in 1868) and Jennette (wife of R. A. Bequette, White Oak Springs). Judge Blackstone was a member of the County Board, and Chairman of it for many years ; was a good presiding officer, and, as a man, he has many friends and but few enemies. Was warm and genial in his friendships, lib- eral and hospitable at his house, as the following incident will fully illustrate : An old lady on her way from Wiota to Galena was thrown from her buggy, or little wagon, near the Judge's house, and her ankle broken or dislocated. The Judge took her at once to his house, sent for the doctor, and had the best of care taken of her and her team for eight or ten days before she could be removed home ; but, when the time came that she could be sent home, the good man sent her free of charge or any expense, even for the doctor's bill. The old lady was of some importance and a strong Democrat, but said, as strong a Democrat as she was, she would sup- port Judge Blackstone if he ever ran for office in that county. He was a man of thorough men- tal training, calm, cool judgment, and through a long life enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. Of powerful build physically, and resolute courage, he won from the then wilderness a handsome competency, and at the ripe age of seventy-two entered a new pilgrimage to the untried and unknown. The Judge died October 15, 1868, and was buried on the old homestead farm, honored and beloved by all good people.
COL. SCALES.
The late Col. Scales was born April 17, 1805, in the county of Rockingham, N. C., and came to Wisconsin in 1825, and, among the early pioneers, engaged in the development of the lead mines in the then Territory of Wisconsin. He proved to be one of the successful miners. His first success was in the purchase, with Henry Smith and S. M. Journey copartners, of the celebrated Blackleg mine, discovered by Stephen Loyd and James Gillis. This mine was noted for its immense yield at a very small cost. His success in that enterprise placed him in the midst of many co-adventurers, mostly without means, their courage their only capital.
The country was filled with this class of men, and, to an observer that knew him well, it would seem that Providence had so decreed that such a field should be opened for the exercise of so many noble traits of character as the Colonel possessed, for it was a grand one, and how well he played his part the thousands who received help from his generous hand can testify. The biographer knew him intimately for forty-four years, and, during that long acquaintance, never knew him to refuse assistance when he thought it was needed. He was an exception to the rule, to which there are too few. To all that this rule implies, the Colonel was an exception whenever such a case was presented to him, that great big heart would force him to say, " I hope time will prove him a better man than the circumstances seem to warrant." He would never cease his efforts to afford opportunities to the accused to furnish any proof in mitigation of the offense of which he may have been accused. In such cases, public opinion had no terror for him ; so long as there was any hope, he was the good friend of the unfortunate. It may not be amiss right here to give a little history of the last known act of true charity of his life.
A very promising young man had grown up under his immediate observation ; he had done business with him, and he was the young man's friend. He liked him, and believed him to be a good man. This young man was elected to the office of County Treasurer, served his first term, and was re-elected to the same office. No one suspected anything wrong, and he ran for the
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
third term, and was defeated. On an examination of his books, he proved to be a defaulter to a considerable amount. He did not deny the defalcation, and only pleaded for mercy. Under the circumstances, he could not give the necessary bond for his appearance in court. The Colonel was sick when he heard that " Tommy," as he called him, was in jail. He sent for two friends and said to them, " I want you to go to Darlington, and bail out Tommy, and I will hold you harmless. I want him to take Christmas dinner with his wife and children." Being asked if he was not afraid that the culprit would go away and leave him the bond to pay, he replied, " No, Tommy will not treat me that bad; I know he will stand his trial, and prove a better man than many think ; at least I hope so." His friends did as he requested, and " Tommy " was permitted to return to his family, and remain with them until after the Colonel's death. Shortly after, his trial came off, and he was acquitted, so the good old man was his bondsman at his death. This, his last act of charity, was characteristic of his whole life. He possessed a mind bold, comprehensive and aggressive ; despised indolence, and pitied the indolent man. Although, he was not what we call an educated man, yet, he was a great reader, and when you talked with him you felt the presence of a storehouse of knowledge. When the critic of learning attempted to criticise him, and arouse the slumbering richness of his thought-his grand ideas of the duties of man to man-his idea of what should be the relation of the wealthy to the poor-he would be silenced. He would readily discover that in the Colonel he found a depth of sentiment and thought that he had never sounded, and the beauty of his ideas soared to heights he had never scaled. To see him was to admire him ; he was plain and unassuming. To know him well was to love him much. It was sad news to many poor persons when they heard that the Colonel was dead. They followed him to his grave, and there expressed their grief for their lost friend.
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE.
TOWN OF SHULLSBURG.
This town is located in the southern part of La Fayette County, and comprises Townships 1 and 2 north, Ranges 2 and 3 east, of the Fourth Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north by Seymour and Darlington, on the east by Gratiot, on the south by Monticello and White Oak Springs, on the west by New Diggings.
The general contour of this town is of a gently rolling surface, except in the vicinity of the streams, where it is broken and uncultivated. It is well adapted for stock-raising, as well as being one of the best farming or grain-raising towns in the county. Among the number engaged in the cultivation of blooded stock are James H. Earnest, Samuel Scales and John Matthews.
The town is well watered by the numerous spring brooks within its limits, which, bubbling forth from the earth, form creeks and streams, which, flowing through the valleys, ravines and low lands of the town, render its surface attractive and tillable. In different parts of the town may be found valuable growths of young timber, principally oak, ash, hickory, quaking ash and butternut.
The soil is of a black loam, with a lime-rock soil beneath the sub-deposit of sand. Lime and sand stone are found in abundance, and are valuable for building purposes. Many of the beautiful and commodious residences, as also the substantial out-buildings, of a number of the prominent citizens of the town are constructed of this rock or stone, quarried in their own vicinity.
The population of Shullsburg comprises German, English and Irish nationalities, the latter predominating. The citizens of this town have always been prominent in the county for their sterling integrity, education and general qualifications, ranking high with many of the leading men of the State.
In Shullsburg, as in many other towns of the county, prior to permanent settlements, tem- porary residences had been established by lead-prospectors who were induced to locate here by the lead discoveries made by miners from Galena, at that time an important point. Early in the twenties, wherever ore was discovered, there a settlement would be effected, composed prin- cipally of miners, prospectors, fortune-hunters and speculators. Some of these would remain and become permanent residents, while others were attracted to new discoveries in different parts of this and other counties. Thus, for several years, the pioneers of Shullsburg were of migratory nature, who, though their career may have been eventful, have left no marks to guide the historian in pursuit of their names and deeds accomplished.
Among the earliest pioneers and permanent settlers in the present limits of Shullsburg were Henry and J. P. B. Gratiot, who located at Gratiots' Grove in 1825, on the farm now owned and occupied by James Ormand. A portion of the Gratiot's claim, perhaps the greater portion, was located in White Oak Springs, though the residence was erected in Shullsburg. Here they traded with the Indians, and engaged in mining and smelting, which business they carried on successfully for a number of years. To them is due the honor of laying the foun- dation in Shullsburg for a large proportion of the wealth, enterprise, intelligence and morality which have since characterized the citizens of that town. During the Black Hawk war, the settlement of the Gratiots at Gratiot's Grove became celebrated as the location of Fort Gratiot. In 1826, Henry Gratiot, had selected lands near the present village of Shullsburg, as a field of
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HISTORY OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
operations for his extensive lead mining, and in the summer of this year purchased the privilege of sinking for ore in the vicinity from the Indians, paying $500 therefor. Here he was found when the rush of 1827 began.
An influence that prevented the rapid settlement of this locality during 1826 and 1827, was the menacing conduct of the Winnebago Indians. They exhibited a threatening disposi- tion from the date that the first pale-faces appeared, and began their prospecting in the future town. These difficulties were overcome, however, when, during 1827, the treaty of peace was concluded at the Portage. The settlements made during this year were principally between the present village of Shullsburg and the Ridge.
Among those who cast their destinies in the limits of the present town, in 1827, were the brothers John, Joseph and Lewis Van Matre, who began mining and developed the so-called Badger Lot Diggings. Jesse W. Shull came here the same year and located at the place sub- sequently known as Dublin. He afterward left here, and settled on the Pecatonica River, near the present village of Gratiot. To continue the list of settlers who came to Shullsburg in 1827 : Devee and Hawthorne opened the Stump Grove mines on the Ridge. Work and Red- ford employed about twenty men, and operated mines on lands east of Shullsburg village, now owned by McNulty Brothers. Also Abraham Miller, Mr. Wakefield, Isaac Hamilton, Hum- phrey Taylor, George Earl, Absalom A. Townsend and a number of others, made the town of Shullsburg their place of abode. Antoine Bane, with his brother-in-law, a man named Pockett, and another named Brickler, immigrated to Shullsburg from the Selkirk settlement, in the British Possessions, and located farms on Section 18, two miles from the village. Pockett subsequently located on the site of the present village and engaged in mining. Here he died some years later. Bonum King was also among the early prospectors for wealth in this region. During 1828, 1829 and 1830, settlers came in rapidly, and many of them located farms and became permanent residents. Among others of the Selkirk colony were Joseph Varien, Peter Gorey, the Bruckler and Rendsburger families, and Gabriel Gorke, who established themselves near Gratiot's Grove, and engaged in mining and smelting.
It is asserted by some that the cause of the Winnebago war emanated from the Shullsburg miners trespassing upon the Indian Reserve mineral lands. But, be that as it may, it is well known that Drs. Vee and Hawthorne, with numerous other prospectors and miners, crossed the ridge and began operations on the Indian land. This ridge is located two miles north of the present village, and at that time was considered the dividing line between civilization and bar- barism. In some instances, the right to mine had been purchased of the Indians; but, in most cases, operations were conducted with utter disregard to the rights of the Indians. Jesse W. Shull, who had discovered a rich lead over the Ridge, was driven off, and his preliminary works, as well as his cabin, were destroyed by the Winnebagoes. But these, it is claimed by some authorities, were not the immediate cause of the war. In July of 1827, a fort was erected on the prairie north of Gratiot's Grove, which, had opportunity presented itself, would have proved a formidable obstacle to attack. Capt. Hollingsworth was in command of the gar- rison. A second fort or block-house was constructed by Capt. Jesse W. Shull, and occupied the site of the decayed village of old Shullsburg. This was garrisoned by a company of thirty men, under command of Capt. Jesse W. Shull. They never had occasion to exhibit their bravery nor gratify their anticipations of heroic deeds.
These troubles naturally caused ill effects, which were experienced for some years after- ward. Farming was abandoned, and the development of the mines temporarily delayed. Dur- ing subsequent years, however, the husbandmen returned to till the soil once more, and again were the mines opened up, thus forming what subsequently proved to be for La Fayette County the precursor of a glorious future. The years between 1830 and 1840 were noted for the great influx of settlers into the future town of Shullsburg. Among the number were John K. Will- iams, Zebediah Gates, the McNulty family, Solomon, William and Edwin Osborne, Alexander Mock, Thomas Hoskins, J. H. Knowlton, John Ryan, the Meloy family, James McFerrin, W. H. Howard, A. A. Overton, W. P. Boyce, Charles and Harry Brockway, John Cottle, John
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