USA > Wisconsin > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Wisconsin, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
From a small beginning the schools now num- ber 160. Many of the buildings are commodi- ous and comfortable, respectably furnished and well ventilated. Quite a number are very pleasantly located, and some of the towns have entered so heartily into educational matters that they have spared no cost and no pains in buildings and surroundings.
NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY.
Bergen
number
7
In good condition
5
Christiana
6
3
Clinton
7
3
Coon
6
5
Forest
..
10
9
Franklin
10
8
Genoa
6
4
Greenwood
7
..
6
Hamburg
. .
7
6
Harmony
6
5
Hillsborough
9
5
Jefferson
10
7
Kickapoo
7
. .
. .
3
Liberty
4
1
Staık
7
5
Sterling
10
8
Union
6
66
6
Viroqua
14
4 €
5
Webster
7
3
Wheatland
6
5
Whitestown
8
5
Total 21 towns,
160
In good condition, 107
SCHOOL HOUSES.
A few of these buildings are of brick and stone. The balance of those in good condition, quite a credit to the county.
Thirteen new school houses were built dur- ing the year. One in Christiana, costing $745 in the pleasant and thriving village of Westby,
397
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
on the Viroqua & Sparta Railroad. The ladies of this village deserve much credit for the active part they took in helping forward this building, having gotten up entertainments to help therein. The building is neat and roomy and contains two departments, one in each story.
Coon has a very neat brick building in the striving village of Coon valley, standing near the beautiful brick church edifice of the Lu- theran faith. Our Norwegian friends show great zeal in the cause of education. All these public school buildings are a credit to them. Of the six school houses in this town, every one is neat and well kept. The same can be said of Christiana.
Forest put up a building costing $600. One cannot but be pleased with the character and condition of the school houses in this town, trim, neat, presenting an exterior that merits praise and an interior helpful to both teacher and student. The same may be said of other towns, but when we consider the rough nature of many parts of Forest and lack of wealth amongst its people, one is compelled to give large credit to its education loving residents which are chiefly American.
Ontario, a very beautiful village in Whites- town, on the waters of the Kickapoo; if not the city of palms, is at least of evergreens, orderly, quiet and serene ; has a graded school of two departments, over which Prof. D. O. Mahoney has reigned for some years, doing good work. The people feel the need of a new building and a High School. We trust to see one there ere long.
Newton, in the town of Harmony, owns a large two story building, a credit to its people, especially to Mr. Hartwell Allen, an ex-superin- tendent of Vernon county, whose zeal and spirit helped on the good work.
Newton has been noted for its special and select schools conducted by Mr. Allen, Mr. Haughton and one or two others. The former, especially, has done good work here, so good
that his influence has been felt to this day among teachers and pupils.
Readstown school, in Kickapoo, has a re- spectable history. Able teachers have left their marks there.
De Soto, in town of Wheatland, owns a building which is a credit to the place. It was erected by I. W. Blake, of Viroqua. It is two story, commodious, airy, neat and well furnished. It is appraised at upwards of $3,000, but who can estimate the value of its work or rather the work done therein to the community. Formerly they ran three depart- ments, at present owing to the exit of people to the far west, only two departments are open.
Victory, on the banks of the Mississippi, owns a good and commodious building. So of other places along or near the same shore between De Soto and the northwestern boundary of Vernon. Time we trust is near when this shore will be alive with activity and business enter- prise and crowds of children shall seek the school house. In the common course of things and the nature of events that day is not far distant. Hillsborough, in the eastern part of the county has a beautiful building. In fact two buildings very nearly side by side. Three departments are kept open the greater part of the year, one of them a High School. The buildings are pleasantly located, apart from the village, yet commanding a view of it. There are here excellent and numerous accommo- dations, good airy rooms, and the general aspect of the place is delightful. The good citizens, many of whom are Germans, spare no cost in and for the well-being of their schools.
Rockton school has also a good history. The people have lately put the building under repairs and have neatly and commodiously furnished and seated it. To the Ilon. Samuel S. Bennett much credit is due. Ilis helpful hand and large influence have done much for educa- tion, as well as for other good things in this place and amongst this community.
398
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Chaseburg, on the Coon river, owns a pretty school building. We are tempted again into calling attention to a name interwoven with the history of this place. The Hon. Mr. Swain, a true friend to every good work. His influence has been very helpful to education in this place.
Viroqua schools have prospered in the past few years, especially those in the village. A large stone building of four departments, costing some $14,000, was erected some years ago, but was found not ample enough for the rapidly increasing school population. Last year a very elegant and commodious brick building was erected. And yet they come. Before long another wing will have to be added to this edifice. The schools both high and graded have, for two years past been under the charge of Prof. I. C. Smith, a very able and zealous teacher, and a graduate of Platesville Normal School. Mr. Smith is doing good work, as are also his staff of teachers. Emma llowett, Lena Washburn, llattie Ferrett, Eliza Ilaughton, Ida Coe and Ilattie MeKie. The attendance is large. The currie- ulum very respectable and the work done is really valuable. The schools have won the confidence of the general public, so much so that now resident pupils are seeking to avail themselves of its benefits in large numbers.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
Two semi-annual public examinations for teachers are held, one in March and one in September of each year, at eight different points in the county, most available to teachers. About 250 to 300 applicants attend these examinations, some write only for their grad- ing, others for certificates, 180 to 200 of which have been annually granted, chiefly of the third class grade. We have been gradually reducing the corps of teachers and raising the standard of qualification. During the past year fewer certificates have been granted than ever before, and the result is, naturally higher salaries and a better class of instructors. We
seek everywhere and on all occasions to give encouragement and promise to do faithful and efficient work. Teachers are requested to give reports to county superintendent as to their location and work, name of school board, order of exercises, progress and punctuality of pupils, average attendance at school, methods of instruction, visitations at homes of pupils and preparations for school room work after school hours.
COUNTY SUPERVISION.
The effect of this supervision and discipline is manifest in the better order of the schools and the progress of the pupils. Not only is it sought to have the intelleet developed, but likewise the heart of kindness and courtesy, in the school room and on the play grounds. A constant visitation, when not engaged in office work, is kept up by the superintendent, when methods of instruction are examined, suggested or recommended, and faithful work encour- aged.
Publie lectures are frequently given ; talks to the children, also, on the beauty and nobil- ity of education, self government and a pure life, self-giving and unselfish like the Great Master-for we all know that mere intellectual power without moral guidance and strength is a failure for this life and for the next. Teach- ers and pupils everywhere welcome the super- intendent, and he has always a place in the hearts and homes of our generous people.
There is held each year two normal insti- tutes, under the management of a normal school conductor, assisted by the county super- intendent and most able and prominent teachers. These institutes are of incalculable benefit. They present the best and standard methods of teaching ; experiences of the most successful in the profession ; the drill, the discipline and the elementary nature of the work, and are cal- culated to fit the teacher for abler methods of greater uniformity and of larger results in the school room.
399
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
School boards and school patrons are of late turning their attention to the providing of text books for their districts of greater uniformity, and of school furnishing in maps, globes, seats and desks. The ontlay in this direction during the last school year has been large. The pro- fession is becoming less and less an itineracy, good teachers being retained in the old places at an increased salary. An extract is here offered from State superintendent Whitford's report for 1880-1 :
"The returns from Vernon county are pecu- liarly satisfactory. Here an earnest and general attention has been given to the compulsory law. The present county superintendent, Wil- liam Haughton, as well as his immediate prede- cessor, has labored faithfully to enlist . the interest of the teachers, school boards and other prominent citizens in the different districts, in securing a hearty compliance with the terms of the law.
'In my opinion, its power to influence parents and guardians in sending their children to school has been tested in this county as thoroughly as in any other section of the State. The increase in the attendance of children of school age the past year was 841, while the in- crease in school population was only 100. The percentage of attendance of these children upon public schools was eighty, and of the children between seven and fifteen years of age it was ninety-one. These are excellent results ; and if the same could be reached in other lo- calities the State would have no reason to com- plain of the "neglect of very many of the citi- zens to furnish their children the advantages of an elementary education."
"Mr. Haughton, the present superintendent, writes in reference to the facts above stated :
"Doubtless, the compulsory law has much to do with this increase of attendance, and yet I find that Vernon county people are steadily awakening to the necessity of giving their chil- dren all the benefits of our common schools."
There is yet much to do. The battle has not yet been won. May the time soon come when the school houses will adorn the county, when the last log cabin will have disappeared and in its place will stand the neat edifice with pleasant surroundings, calculated to train and elevate the ideas of the beautiful in the hearts and minds of the children, and when every man and woman, every youth and maiden in this beautiful country will have risen to a larger conception of what America offers them and expects from them in return. A great people, a grand future, to be reached not so much by wealth or by victory on the battle feld as through the agency and power of the common schools.
It will be seen by the following figures that the schools are still steadily though slowly in- creasing :
PROSPERITY OF THE SCHOOLS.
There are four towns in which there are pub- lic school libraries containing about 250 vol- umes, cash value of which is supposed to be $110 to $120.
One hundred and forty-three schools, in which are good blackboards, twenty hav- ing charts, 102 having good maps, forty-one hav- ing globes, and 180 supplied with Webster's large dictionary. There have been employed 250 teachers, of both sexes, during the year, about seventy of whom were males.
The salaries of the males averaged $28 per month, and that of females, $22.
Average number of months in which school kept, about seven and a half. There has been a very decided gain, both in length of school term and in teachers' wages, in the past few years.
Average scholarship on authorized standard about seventy-five per cent. on females and seventy-seven and a half on males. A few re- ceived only a six months license, but the greater part a year's certificate.
About fifty of the schools have adopted the course of study arranged and recommended by
400
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
State superintendent. Others have in part tried it. The difficulties in the way are numerous, but persevering teachers are overcoming them. The list of studies as prescribed by the State is as follows :
Orthoepy, orthography, reading, penman- ship, arithmetic, grammar, geography, United States history, civil government, and theory and art of teaching. In these, third grade ap- plicants are examined. In addition, for second grade, candidates are examined in elementary algebra, higher grammar, physical geography and physiology. For first grade, in addition thereto, higher algebra, geometry and natural philosophy or physics.
But few of the teachers have obtained first grade certificates, and of these few the males preponderate. A larger number obtain second grade, and these certificates are held almost wholly by females.
A teachers' association has been held at Ontario during the winter. The state of the roads and the distance to available points are such as to make such gatherings less frequent and more sparsely attended than they ought to be. It is to be hoped they will in time be more numerous and better attended than they are now.
Ray's and Robinson's arithmetics ; McGuf- fey's, Sander's and the Union readers ; Mon- teith's, Harper's, and Swinton's geographies ; Kerl's, Harvey's and Swinton's grammars, have of late been the popular text books in the
county : yet of late, too, Appleton's series, especially the reader, is working its way into the schools. So, also, is Fish's arithmetic and Olney's algebra. Evan's little work on geom- etry is growing into favor in the high and graded schools.
One thousand dollars and twenty cents has been expended in private schools during the year, the whole for teachers' wages. There are nineteen of these schools.
The expenditure over any former year in amount of ontlay for teachers' wages is upward of $6,000 while that of amount total for school purposes is $10,000 to $10,500. The extra cost of school buildings the past year, excluding any other year, is some $6,000 to $7,000. The county having spent $11,322 for building dur- ing the last year.
GENERAL STATISTICS FOR 1882 TO 1883.
Whole number of children of school age in county .... 9038
Whole number wbo have attended school. 6790
Whole number of days school has been taught 24148
Number of teachers required to teach the schools 160 Whole number of public American schools in county .. 160
Number of private schools in county. 19
Average wages paid teachers per month $24,811/2
Number of visits paid by the county superintendent .. 132
Number of addresses and lectures given on education 25
Number of districts which have adopted list text books 85
Percentage of enrollment of children of school age .... 78 Percentage of enrollment of children between 7 and 15 8714
Number of new school houses built during the year .... 13
Amount of cost of these school houses $11.322
Amount of outlay for teachers' wages $25,326
Total amount for all school purposes $38,168
Number of graded schools in the county 4
Number of high schools.
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY :
CHAPTER XXIX.
VARIOUS THINGS.
As the years pass away there are transpiring continually in the county incidents of import- ance, which, in their nature, only require brief mention, but which cannot well be overlooked. Some of these are so transient in their character, that, by much the larger portion of the people, they are soon forgotten; but what may seem nnimportant now may become exceedingly im- portant to future generations. It is the office of this chapter to preserve these small things, awaiting the time when each shall no longer seem like "an insubstantial pageant faded."
A PIONEER INCIDENT.
Lee Grant Sterling, in 1847, carried his plow on his shoulders from West Prairie to Mt. Ster- ling, in Crawford county, on his way to Prairie du Chien to get it sharpened. At Mt. Sterling, his load getting rather heavy, he hired a horse and rode the residue of the distance. On his way back he overtook Alexander Latshaw, whose wife was a relative, and a joyful meeting wax, of course, the result. Mr. Latshaw was just then on his way out to settle in the county.
CENSUS OF 1847.
As the present county of Vernon before its formation by the Legislature in 1851, as Bad Ax county, was a part of Crawford county, the set- tlers up to that date were, of course, residents of the last mentioned county. On the Ist day of December, 1847, an enumeration of the heads of families, the number of males in each family, lso the number of females was taken in the
Mt. Sterling precinct, No. 2, by the census taker of that year, with the following result:
HEADS OF FAMILIES OR PRIN-
White
CIPAL PERSON.
Males.
White Females.
Total
Ira Stevens ..
1
John Miller.
5
3
Philander Green.
3
5
William T. Sterling
3
4
7
George Nichols.
1
2
3
John Teavalt.
6
8
James A . Clark
4
9
Alexander Latshaw
3
Joseph Heck.
2
S. Bacon.
Thomas Lewis
Ilugh Moore.
Esau Johnson
11
16
J. D. Gay
8
8
James A. Cooke.
1
3
John Hemerson.
3
6
Thomas Gillett
4
Elisha Seeley.
4
John Graham ..
8
14
Clemant Spaulding.
4
5
Elisha Jinks.
3
3
William Speneer
3
9
John Reed ...
6
8
Samuel Ingraham.
3
8
Jacob Johnson.
1
Henry Seifert.
3
7
George A. Swain.
5
7
George P. Taylor
1
Q
Michael Hinkst.
1
1
Samuel G. Rice
1
2
3
Owen Whigyle
5
1
6
Philip Snyder
1
J. Warner.
3
2
5
Bangill Roberts
2
1
3
Andrew Neiborn
1
1
Franeis Patnell.
4
3
7
Joseph Godfry
5
5
134
89
223
THE M. E. CHURCH FROM 1851 TO 1859.
In the year 1851 a Mr. Stevens was appointed by the Methodist Episcopal Conference to the Bad Ax charge, as it was called, and he labored zealously in the cause, preaching in turn at
54232283162 511421 3 2 2 8 3 5 1 1 4 1
6
M. Cheatham ..
2
Thomas J. Defrees
3
Abraham Stiles
6
8
George Pike.
1
2
3
Ezekiel Tainter.
401
402
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Viroqua, the Bad Ax school house, occasionally at the dwelling of James Foster, and at other private dwellings throughout the district, which included the whole of the present Vernon county,
In the year 1852 the conference appointed Nicholas Mayne to the charge. Mr. Mayne was a quiet, zealous Christian, patient under all cir- cumstances; not a very fluent speaker, but cor- rect and impressive. He resided under the same roof with D. G. A. Swain, and had for his places of preaching, the dwelling of Mr. Swain, Viro- qua, Bad Ax, Springville and Coon Prairie. Mr. Mayne was also appointed to the same charge for the ensuing year, and his field of labor before the close of the second year became much enlarged, the Church increased in numbers and his services were well attended. The camp meetings were still carried on during the specified period in each year in the valley near the residence of J. A. Cooke, with increased additions to the Church. It was about at the time of the closing labors of Mr. Muyne when, in consequence of the great additions to the Church, both by new converts and those coming in by .etter, that it became necessary to make preparations for the building of a meeting house.
Upon the close of Mr. Mayne's appointment to the Bad Ax circuit, the conference sent Mr. Cooley to the charge. Mr. Cooley's places of preaching were the same as those of Mr. Mayne. We cannot find from the facts collected in reference to Mr. Cooley's labors among the brethren of the Bad Ax circuit, that he formed any new societies, though many additions were made to those already formed.
At the close of the labors of Mr. Cooley on the circuit, Mr. Perdunn, who had preached to the first Church at Bad Ax, was sent back on the charge, Mr. Perdunn was a warm-hearted speaker and a zealous Christian. He labored earnestly among the brethren near half his ap- pointment, when sickness in his family called him home. He left the charge with the blessings of
the Church resting on him and returned to his home to witness the expiring moments of his beloved wife, who died triumphantly in the faith which her husband had so zealously preached for many years.
At the calling away of Mr. Perdunn from the charge, it was left without any minister, until James Bishop and Mr. McIndoe generously prof- fered their services to the brethren for the remaining portion of Mr. Perdunn's appoint- ment. They labored zealously in the good work of building up the societies and consolidating the energies of the Church in general; and the cause received a lively impetus from their labors.
The Church considering its infancy and the adverse circumstances which its supporters had to encounter in the wilderness; the sacrifice which was necessary to be made on the part of the ministers, by leaving their homes in distant places and coming among the brethren to preach, receiving but a pittance for their labors except the warm friendship and hospi- tality of the members; notwithstanding all this, the Church prospered and increased continn ally; prayer meetings began to be held in many places, and a general spirit of piety and devo- tion was diffused among the settlers; and few new countries have ever witnessed a more general reign of religious freedom during its first settlement than did the county of Bad Ax.
In the summer of 1850 Elder Hobart, of Prairie du Chien, visited the Church in Bad Ax, in his official capacity, and presided at the second camp meeting. This camp meeting was held under more favorable circumstances than the one the previous year. When the elder and many of his ministering brethren made their appearance -among the members and resident ministers of the circuit, there was great rejoic- ing. It was to them as the re-enforcement of the army in the days of Wellington. Blucher had come and victory hailed his approach; and he appeared as one "born ont of due time."
Elder Hobart appeared as the first elder in the Bad Ax charge, and at the second camp
405
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
meeting held on the old ground in the year 1850. Some, perhaps, may think this is not the fact, that he was not the first one that visited the Church in an official capacity, that Elder Wood visited the charge prior to the coming of Elder llobart. It is true that Elder Wood, as has heretofore been mentioned, visited the set- tlement, leaving an appointment to preach, which appointment was filled hy Mr. Thomas, at the house of T. J. DeFrees, but Mr. Wood, afterwards elder, was not elder at that time, but was minister in charge on the Black river circuit
One fact should have been mentioned in the account of the itinerant ministers, in relation to the visits of Wm. Tascar, who visited the Bad Ax Church in the spring of 1849. Mr. Tascar was more theoretical than practical in his preaching, and lacked, apparently, the physical energy necessary to surmount all difficulties to be encountered in a new country . However, on his departure, his place was ably filled by other ministers whose names have already been mentioned, which brings this narrative down to the date of 1856, and the appointment of George W. Hartshorn, of Lafayette county, to the Viroqua circuit.
It became necessary about this time to divide the district, which was done the fall previous to the appointment of Mr. Hartshorn.
The circuit was divided north and south, leaving about one-third or one-half lying along the Mississippi river and the remainder to com- prise the eastern part of the county, which re- ceived the name of the "Viroqua charge," and the river charge that of "Newton."
To the Newton circuit G. W. Nuzum was ap- pointed first minister in the year 1856 and he made his place of residence the village of New- ton, situated on the Bad Ax river. His places of preaching were Newton, Springville, Bad Ax City (now Genoa) and several private dwellings.
Mr. Nuzum was a man of diminutive stature, young and not of sufficient physical ability to carry out the yearnings of his soul and the ac-
tivity and energy of his mind. He was a lively and active worker in the Church, much devoted to the cause and his every-day life a continuous sermon.
Mr. Hartshorn was a man of heavy and ap- parently robust stature, a good scholar, but not classical; a good physician and minister, compe- tent to cure both body and soul. He labored ear- nestly on his charge, filling his place creditably, and the next year was appointed to a district in Grant county, and took up his residence at the quiet and pleasant village of Boscobel, on the Wisconsin river.
As early as the year of 1850 so many societies had been organized throughout the district, and these societies had to be visited by the minis- ter, and, as yet, dwelling houses being scarce, at least unoccupied ones, that it was difficult to find one wherein the minister might live and en- joy his leisure hours in seclusion-devoted to his work. To remove this difficulty Mr. Per- dunn granted to the Church, to be used as a parsonage, one aere of land off his farm which lay two miles northeast of the village of Viro- qua. This parsonage was situated opposite the dwelling of George Dacy, in a beautiful grove of hickory and ash, on the skirts of the prairie.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.