USA > Wisconsin > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, past and present : including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county [microform] > Part 49
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
at Sparta had grown to such proportions and was situated on the main stage lines that it was successful over Leon in that contest : the village consequently has never grown to any great extent, being more of a trading point than anything else.
In July, 1851, R. S. Kingman and his two brothers, Rosalvo and Alvarado, came from Ashtabula, O., and settled in the town. Mr. Kingman afterwards went to Sparta and was closely con- nected with the early history and development of that village and city. About this time many settlers came in and the popu- lation increased rapidly. A postoffice was established in 1856. was discontinued after a few years, but was again re-established and has existed there ever since.
In 1861 a grist mill was built by C. F. Western, who ran it about a year, when it was purchased by Mr. Austin in 1862. The mill at one time during his ownership had four run of stone and turned out as high as 150 barrels of flour a day. The mill is fur- nished by a fine water power equal to forty-eight horse power and today is used principally as a feed mill.
Among the early settlers aside from those mentioned were A. H. Gilliland, who came in 1853: W. S. Jewell, who came the same year: A. II. Matteson, who arrived in 1858; Charles J. Mat- teson, who settled in the town in 1854. built a store and engaged in the mercantile business for about twelve years: afterwards went to farming. H. A. Link, who came in June, 1853. llis son, the Hon. W. W. Link, still resides in the town and is the oldest living settler. He has been prominent in Monroe county affairs and is living a peaceful life on his estate at an advanced age. In the early days a tavern was kept at Leon by D. M. West, who wanted the town named "Miranda." after his wife, but the name was proposed by a man named Lawton, who said it reminded him of a beautiful little valley he had seen in Mexico called Leon. The carly settlers liked it, so Leon it was. Peter DeCoursey, who was one of the first county board, came in 1851 with his father. Isaac; Samuel Wakeman, Reuben Kudney. Nelson P. Carrier in 1852; Arthur Jewel, John Oakley and Henry Oakley, 1854; Hiram Hutchins and Henry Vanetien, in 1855: David Johns and Lewel- len Johns, in 1853: James Morton, the stage driver, and Samuel Greenman, in 1852.
The first religions service in the town was in the 50's by a Congregational minister named Reynolds sent out by a mission- ary society in the East to preach the gospel to the "heathen" in Leon. He did not stay very long.
Leon is truly one of the garden spots of the county. Its
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beautifully situated farms, highly developed, are among the richest to be found anywhere. There are two creameries in the town, one situated in the settlement and the other on the farm of Ernest Austin, one-fourth of a mile south of the village. There are three churches in the town, the oldest being the Congrega- tional, and the next in point of time the Methodist church. At one time an Advent church was maintained for a time. but went out of existence for lack of support. There is a Norwegian Lutheran church situated on Fish creek ridge, about five miles from the village, which has a large congregation.
The present officers of the town are: A. E. Evenson, chair- man ; Ben Lee and Clyde Richardson, supervisors ; Winfield Link. clerk ; Ben Fox, treasurer; E. C. Solberg, assessor; Justice. Ben Fox. Population, 751.
TOWN OF LINCOLN.
Was set off November 22, 1860; originally included territory comprised in it and towns of LaGrange and Grant. In April, 1861, the first town meeting was held. at which W. L. Hayward was elected chairman ; M. C. Hart and Benjamin Miller, super- visors : William Parsins, town clerk; C. C. Miller, town super- intendent ; A. Maynard, assessor, and William Farmin, town treasurer.
The first settler in the territory of the present town, which is township nineteen, range one west, was either W. T. Maynard or a man by the name of Isaac Cooper. each of whom came into the town in 1855. In 1857 Hannibal Hamlin Lamb came and erected a building which became familiarly known as "Lamb's Tavern" until it was burned down, the last ocenpant of which was a son of the original founder, and in this house was held the first town meeting, at which Calvin Beers was elected chairman ; L. N. Sweet and William Randall, supervisors; W. A. Barber, town clerk; Clifford Woodard, treasurer. and J. L. Burk, assessor, this being a temporary organization.
The first sawmill in this new town was built in 1861 and was known as "Beer's mill," but reliable information shows that it was built by other parties. It was in this mill that the first school was taught in the town, and the first sermon preached, and the first Sunday school held within its walls. The first sermon was preached by old Elder Medd. as he was familiarly known, and one other minister, who came into the town early and was known as "Pappy Lea," who also conducted services here. About the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
year 1863 Emory's sawmill and also Snow's mill were built. Emory's mill was later known as Lowrie's, and in this mill a boiler explosion killed, or fatally injured, John Liddle and Mr. Gilson, the father of W. E. Gilson, who is at present a resident of the town.
In 1867 Warren and Gamble built the sawmill at the place which is now the village of Warrens, and there has been several stationary and portable sawmills located in the town for a portion of the time, but only one of early date, which became established as a permanent business, is the George Warren Company, of War- rens, which condneted a sawmill business for a great many years, and it has now become a mill for finishing lumber ready for the builder. This firm has grown to such proportions that they now condnet a blacksmith shop, repair shop, grist mill and a bank, each business being located in commodious buildings.
There is also located at Warrens the Rex Manufacturing Company, owned by C. O. Snipper, and this plant is a sawmill and planing mill, manufacturing and repair shop, and is con- ducted in a substantial stone building. For the first years of its existence and up to 1871 mail for this town came directed to Tomah, but at that date a postoffice was established near War- ron's mills, and James Gamble became the first postmaster, serv- ing until 1875, when W. A. Barber was appointed. and he has served continuously in that capacity up to the present time. The name of the postoffice was changed to Warrens. For the south- ern portion of the township mail was received at the Tomah postoffice until the establishment of a postoffice at Kirby and then there was a weekly, and afterwards, a daily service from Warrens until the rural routes were established. In the town- ship there are now three rural routes starting from Warrens which. to a great extent. cover the town.
The cranberry business is of considerable importance and has heen for a great many years. Much capital has been invested in improving the cranberry marshes, until now it has become a per- manent industry. Here also at the village of Warrens is a profitable point for the sale of wild blueberries and blackberries. and quite a number of farmers in this vicinity have gone into raising strawberries, raspberries and cultivated blackberries, so that it is a rapidly growing industry, and even apples are being raised to some extent on the heavier soil of the ridge lands. The town has many up-to-date and progressive farmers, and in com- mon with most of the towns in the county. the dairying industry has become prominent and the breeding of thoroughbred cattle
-
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is undertaken by its more advanced farmers with great success.
During the Civil War the town furnished four soldiers, all brothers, and were the sons of Landlord Lamb, of "Lamb's Tavern:" Louis A. Lamb, Galon A. Lamb, Ilenry Lamb, and William Lamb, who all returned honorably discharged, Galon A. being the only one wounded, and he still resides in the town. Some of the earlier pioneers are still living, notably L. N. Sweet and wife. C. R. Baker and wife. W. A. Barber and wife, Clifford Woodard and wife, George Munson, F. G. Warren, Lonis Morse, T. R. Gillett, B. L. Gillett, L. L. Gillett, and W. II. Gillett.
The present town officers are: George F. Goff. chairman ; August Burkholz and J. P. Pederson, supervisors ; Il. H. Harris, clerk, and L. B. Lauser, treasurer.
An incident is told of one of the earlier settlers, an old-time hunter, Silas Patterson, who bears on his person the marks of an attack of a large black bear, being at that time (not many years after the Civil War) in need of aid in purchasing supplies for a hunting trip. Mr. F. G. Warren was asked by Patterson to loan him the money with which to make the purchase, stating that if Mr. Warren would trust him he would pay him as soon as he got the bounty on a nest of young wildcats he had located. Mr. Warren replied that he "did not care to take chances on wild- cat security," but much to his surprise, a few days later Silas came in, bringing the cats and exclaiming, "What did I tell you !"
At the breaking out of the Spanish-American war Lincoln sent two men. Mett Rose and James Larson. who enlisted in Company K. Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, served through the campaign in Porto Rico, returning with that regiment in October. 1898, and were mustered out.
The town of Grant was from 1874 to 1899 a part of the town of Lincoln.
Present officers: Geo. E. Goff. chairman; August Burkholz and J. P. Pederson, supervisors; HI. II. Harris, clerk ; M. P. Laur- sen, treasurer: Melvin Mosher, assessor: W. C. Goff and T. R. Gillett, justices. Population, 902.
TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
There is no record of the organization of the town of Little Falls in the proceedings of the county board of this county. It seems that at the time of the organization of this county the territory comprised in the town of Little Falls and what was then known as the town of Eaton on the east of it was supposed to be in Jackson county, and these two towns were originally
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IHISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
organized and their first meetings held as a part of that county, but subsequently the mistake was discovered and the chairman of the town board of Little Falls appeared at the annual session of the county board of Monroe county in November. 1856, claim. ing a seat as a member of that body. Objection was raised to this, but the reason for it does not appear upon the record. After some discussion and consideration of the matter the board finally voted to give the supervisor from the town of Little Falls a seat with all the rights of a member, and W. W. Benton was duly sworn in as the first member of the county board from the town of Little Falls on November 11, 1856. Settlers came into the town early and began developing its farm and timber lands and water powers. Perhaps the oldest settler in point of time was William Printz, who came in 1852. being some two years before the county itself was organized, and the point near C'ataract was. in fact, one of the first localities in which settlers began to take up land. He was followed by Thomas Richards in 1854, and the other pioneers in order in which they came were George Walters, 1855: Mr. Hovey. 1855, who kept a store: Bert Mathews. 1856: M. P. Matteson, 1856; C. W. Johnson. 1857 ; JJohn H. Brackett, 1864.
There were many other settlers between 1856 and 1860, but it has been impossible to mention them all. It is sufficient to say that they were men of sturdy character and helped to build up the early industries of the town, laying the foundation for the future, which has surely proved their worth. There is a fine water power at the present site of the village of Cataract which has been in use for a great many years and at one time furnished the power for a woolen mill. which was erected there and has since run various institutions, including saw mills and a grist mill.
Between the years 1850 and 1860 the town of Little Falls saw some very lively times. There was no railroad then at Black River Falls, as Sparta became the first railroad point. Little Falls being situated on the way between these two towns there was considerable teaming done, not only from Sparta up to the limber woods, but also in the other direction. Freight was hauled back and forth and a stage made daily trips each way be- tween Cataract and Sparta and to Black River Falls, another line running also from Sparta and Cataract up to Eau Claire, and during this period and later these stage lines and freight hauling companies did an immense amount of travel. The town being sit- uated as it was. became a sort of center for a stopping place for
1
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TOWNSIHP IHISTORY
travelers, and at one time there were six hotels in the town, two at the village of Cataract, one at Max Craig's, one at Sam Ba- con's, one at Hugh Gallagher's, and one at Pett's tavern.
At the breaking out of the Civil War the citizens of Little Falls came forward handsomely to take up the gun for their country. On the call for three months' men Harold Walker and George Pomeroy were the first to enlist, and at the second call David Douglas, Perry Walker and Alonzo Barr were the first to put down their names and enter the service, and all three were subsequently killed. All of the men who went to the front from this town volunteered, and none had to be drafted. LaRoy Farr, then eighteen years of age, left his home as a first lieutenant, was taken prisoner at his first battle, which was Pittsburg Land- ing. and was put in prison at Andersonville. Later he was sent to Macon, Ga., and when he was finally released his health was broken down. The veterans who enlisted in the various military organizations in the rebellion from the town of Little Falls were as follows: Samuel Janes, Warren Pomeroy, George Pomeroy, Anthony Trumbly, Thomas MeCumber, Samson LaBew, William Ilenry Washburn, Robert A. Daws, H. 11. Atchison, John Baker, Isaac Matteson, Charles Matteson, LeRoy Farr. Albert Matthews, (. W. Johnson, Austin S. Beemer. David Douglas, Perry Walker, Ilarold Walker, John Locke. William Dodson, Adam Carnahan, Archie Carnahan. Andrew Carnahan, Charles Edwards, Chub Sanders, T. P. Loyd. John Martin, DeLos Head, Mr. Birge, Bert Matthews, Alonzo LaBarr, Robert MeLain. George Cross, Philo Walker, Mr. Brennan. Henry Crossen, Cummins Sprout and Rushbrok Sweet.
Most of the town is now well developed and the village of C'ataraet has become quite a little settlement, situated as it is near a good water power and is a convenient trading point for the farmers living in the vicinity. The town has furnished from its citizens several men who have acquired prominence in the county affairs, among whom may be named the Scantletons, father and son : Myron Brackett, who for a number of years was a member of the county board and later served as supervisor of assessment until the office was abolished; A. J. Carnahan, who now resides at Sparta, but who was elected as sheriff while a resident of the town: Hugh Gallagher, who was chairman during the railroad agitation, when the now defunet Sparta-Melrose rail- road was cutting a good deal of figure, and many others who have helped manage the affairs of their town and county.
During 1908-09-10 there was considerable excitement through-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
out the town over the bonding of it to aid in building the Sparta- Melrose railroad, which was then under consideration. and a rather warm meeting was held upon the proposition at which the citizens took sides, which finally culminated in a lawsuit to de- clare the honds illegal. The town lost the litigation but in the course of time the railroad bond limit expired and the Sparta- Melrose railroad has become a matter of history, and it may also he said that it never made any history, it being a project on paper, principally, from start to finish.
The present officers of the town are: D. R. Richards, chair- man: Jacob Walters and Obert Isensee, supervisors: Neil Han- son. clerk : J. T. Scantleton, treasurer : W. F. Schmelling. assessor. and G. S. Greeno, justice of the peace.
NEW LYME.
This is one of the later towns, the territory embraced in it being originally a part of LaFayette, and its early history. there- fore. is that of the latter town. It was organized in 1872 and the town was also at one time included in what was known as the town of Eaton, no longer in existence, but the sketch of its early history being given later on in this chapter.
The present town officers are: L. R. Hoard. chairman; Ezeb Veir and David Fletcher. supervisors; Robert Prescott. clerk : John B. Meyer, treasurer: Leo Richmond, assessor: L. D. Pres- rott. justice. Population, 281.
OAKDALE.
On November 12. 1857, the county board cut off the territory now comprised in Oakdale and created a new town under the name of Leroy. At the session of the county board in November. 1862, the name was changed to Oakdale.
Among the earlier settlers were E. Meloy and Daniel Dame. in 1854: Enoch Baker and William Y. Baker, 1855: Lewellan Amidon and Seth Chase, in 1856. The first building erected was a log cabin built by E. Meloy on section seventeen: the first church on the ground was the Catholic, which began services on Indian creek, three miles south of Oakdale station. in 1869. In 1857 a school house was built and school commenced with a small number of pupils, Miss Emma Baker being the teacher.
The town had the ordinary existence of towns in the county. developing with the coming of the railroad. settlement being quite rapid after that. Nothing of consequence disturbed the peaceful occupation of its inhabitants until 1907. On Wednes-
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TOWNSHIP HISTORY
day, July 3rd, of that year the town was visited with a eyelone which passed through the towns in the northeastern part of the county and was particularly severe in this town. The line of the storm was from Jackson county down through a portion of the town of Lincoln, across the east side of LaGrange, through the southwest corner of Byron, and then midway through the town of Oakdale.
The cyclone struck Oakdale near J. C. Hill's farm and de- stroved Mr. Hill's barns and other buildings, except his house. All of the buildings on the farms of Mr. Myers and Mr. Musser were destroyed, as were also all the buildings on the farm of Fred Gabower. Mr. Myers had his arm broken and Mr. and Mrs. Mns- ser saved themselves by going into the woods and elinging to small trees. The little village settlement was right in the path of the cyclone. The houses of B. C. Dame and A. N. Maltby were completely destroyed, and Daniel Dame killed. Nothing but the foundation of Mr. Dame's house remained. Mr. Maltby's house was moved a little from its foundation and crushed into kindling wood ; the windmill. barns, sheds and everything on the prem- ises were swept away. Robert Smith was killed also. and many persons received injuries more or less severe. Trees were up- rooted or were broken off, some were left standing with the bark completely stripped off from them. Mr. Johnson's store was moved slightly from its foundation. part of the roof torn off and the windows smashed. Syverson's elevator, containing 1,350 bushels of oats, was unroofed and wrecked and the grain scat- tered all over the country.
The amount of damage done in the town of Oakdale is hard to estimate, but it ran up into many thousands of dollars. In addi- tion to the destruction of the buildings mentioned the barn on Jackson Prell's farm was wrecked and Fred Gabower. in addi- tion to the loss of his buildings, lost all his crops and a fine orchard.
The present officers of the town are: George Kelk. chairman ; Richard Wagner and Charles Shelby. supervisors: W. W. Hug- hart, clerk ; Joseph Tiber, treasurer : R. A. Weiss, assessor: A. N. Maltby. justice. Population, 813.
PORTLAND.
This town was organized in 1858 and the first election of town officers held April 5, 1859. in the school house situated on section thirteen. The officers elected at that time were: Richard Cole, chairman; Peter Schreier and John E. Stevens. supervisors ;
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Adolph Heiser, clerk ; Albert Fisher, treasurer; J. J. Willsey and J. McFarland, assessors; James Draper, superintendent of schools; J. E. Stevens, John Leigh and Adolph Heiser, justices; Solomon Roberts and Albert Fisher, constables; John Cleaves, sealer of weights and measures.
Among the first settlers in the town were Adam Russell, who held the position of postmaster at what was then called Mt. Pisgah, and operated a tavern, or stopping place, for travelers located on seetion thirteen, on the so-called Black river road, where it is related Gen. Jeremiah Rusk, then a stage driver on the line between Sparta and Viroqna, stopped for refreshment for man and beast.
In 1857 or 1858 Jacob Hazen came and started the first store on section thirty-six at what is called "Hazen's Corners." In 1858 James Lord settled on section thirty-six and started a store with a bar in connection, which did not last long. The women in the community made a raid on the saloon, carried the kegs outside, opened the bung holes and let the evil spirits run at large. The first dwelling recorded is that located on section twenty-three, which was erected in the early 50's by a man named Hayden. Among the earliest settlers were Sam Krahen- buhl. F. A. Meissner. David Kallient, Thomas Clegg, J. Phillips, Henry Willsey. J. E. Stevens, J. J. Willsey, John B. Skinner, Christoff Cleaves, H. Troop. James Spaulding. Christ Brown, D. Jones. E. E. Evans. H. H. Barber. Matt Sturdevant and Eric Peterson.
The town furnished about seventeen soldiers during the Civil War: James Halverson. J. J. Willsey. John E. Stevens, J. B. Skinner. Martin Erickson, Louis Erickson, Wesley Sturtevant, Erick Peterson. Jacob Hazen. W. Stalker. Christ Brown. Lars Loom. Lars Peterson. Gustav Olson. Adrian Miller. Amund Han- son, and C. C'leaves.
Henry Willsey erected the first grist mill in 1859. and the first sawmill was built by David Killient in 1864. The German Intheran church was established in 1878. There is a very pros- perons creamery located in the town. which enjoys a large num- ber of patrons in the town. Portland is one of the richest farming territories in the county.
Its present officers are: T. R. Jones. chairman : Frank J. Mashak and Hohner Paulson, supervisors: Charles Perso, clerk ; Ole C. Lee, treasurer : Martin A. Erickson, assessor. Population. 1.088.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORY
TOWN OF RIDGEVILLE.
This town was organized on the first day of April, 1856, the first town meeting being held on the first Tuesday of April in this year, at which M. Aney, B. S. Blake and A. W. Gibbs were elected supervisors ; Samuel 11. Griswold, town clerk; George B. Aney, assistant clerk, and Anson Spinner, justice of the peace; later on A. W. Gibbs having moved away, Sanford A. Haushaw was appointed supervisor in his place on the 28th of January, 1857.
Among the first settlers was Manuel Metzger, who came direct from Germany and settled on a piece of land south of and near the present village of Norwalk, the farm now being owned by Mrs. Abraham Smith. He built a stone house of rough stone on a hillside, and this, undoubtedly, was the first building erected in the town of Ridgeville. From his early residence there the entire valley has acquired the name of "Metzger's valley," by which it is known even to the present time. At about the time that Metzger came other settlers drifted in, among whom were Silas MeGary, Anson Spinner. L. H. Gonger, Sebastian Feldumir, David Woodliff, George and M. Aney. John Bell, Henry Vieth, John Wallz, Jacob Aney, Carl Zimmerman, Oliver Hale and Isaac Hargrave, and many others, following each other so quickly that it is difficult to get all of the names.
The Lutherans erected the first church in this town in the year 1870. but prior to that time preaching had been had by an English Methodist preacher whose name cannot be recalled. The first sermon in German was delivered by Henry Esch, the father of Congressman John J. Esch. Mr. Esch later moved to Sparta. This sermon was delivered at the log school house in the town of Ridgeville, and after that for a number of years Mr. Esch held religious services in the German homes in that vieinity.
Beginning with the earlier days the cause of education re- ceived due attention, and soon after the organization of the town a small log building was erected upon Emanuel Metzger's farm, about three-fourths of a mile south of the present village of Nor- walk, and school was opened and has continued. At about 1875 a frame building was erected in the village of Norwalk, one mile north of the first place.
In the War of the Rebellion this town furnished not less than thirty-nine soldiers, a record surely to be proud of, and while
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
their full name cannot in all cases be given, the following is the list as near as can be ascertained : Mr. Blum. Jacob Root, Abraham Fairbanks. John Brunner. C. Meyers. Jacob Hettman, Silas MeCary. James Shanbin, Fred Vincenz. A. Vincenz. F. Beller- man, Henry Kroeger, William Munz, Tom MeGary. John Woodliff, Henry MeGary, Delos Crandel. Mr. Sherwin, Leander Perry. Thomas Jones, Samuel Jerred. Fred Smelling. Mr. Grosset, Mr. Vanalstine. JJ. C. Munz. George Munz. Mr. Banker. William Wil- Iup. John Holz. Mathew Flock. William Carr. Andrew Nolan, John Nolan, Oliver Hale. August Rath, William Charnleg. Sigmun Conger. Mr. Edwards and Mr. Richards.
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