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 67
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Later in the year, 1854, Ingebret Bjorseth and Lars Morternd, two Norwegians, began the improvement of the water power at Blooming- dale, and a little later still, Ole Hallingstad located on eighty aeres of land on section 31.
In 1855 the population was increased by a number of settlers ; C. A. Hunt, afterward of Monroe county, located that year, at what was afterward Bloomingdale. He was one of the active men of the town in those early days.
Others came in that year, attracted, doubtless, by the prospective mill and other improvements that had began to develop themselves.
In other portions of the town, in 1855, set- tled Thomas Seaman and John Stokes on sec- tion 13. Mr. Stokes died, March 26, 1878.
A man named Dunn, a son-in-law of John Masterson, came with the latter, remained a short time and moved to LaCrosse.
L. B. Perkins came in October, 1854 and made an entry of land, on section 12, but did not settle on the same till in March, 1856 ; he afterward sold to T. J. Seaman and moved to section 9.
Another settler of 1855 was John Norris, who settled on section 26. His father, James Norris, came to Vernon county in 1854, spent two years in the town of Viroqna, and then removed to the town of Webster, where he died in February, 1883. He was a native of
Maryland, born in 1799, and moved to Ohio, with his parents, when a mere boy, where he lived till the time of his coming to Vernon county. His wife, Susan (Hudson) Norris, died in 1881. There were six children in the family when they came to Vernon county. John was born in Ohio, in 1823. He was married in Ohio, his wife bore him seven children-Clarissa Almira, Phæbe, Cyrus, Susan, Margaret, Jas- per and Lydia.
Hans Hanson, another pioneer of 1855, came in June, and settled on section 31, where he lived till 1871, when he exchanged his farm for a half interest in the mill property at Blooming- dale. He was born in Norway, in 1822, and came to America in 1850. Ile lived in Jeffer- son county, this State, till he came to the town of Clinton. His family consists of a wife and seven children, three boys and four girls- Maren O., Peter, Karen, Hannah M., Charley G. and Ida M.
Among the number who settled in the town during 1856 were: Samuel H. Bugbee, Samuel and Alexander Currier and Jeremiah Conaway.
Samuel HI. Bugbee settled on section 12, in March. He was from the State of New York. Hle purchased eighty acres of land from his brother, Elijah L. Bugbee. He died Nov. 21, 1872.
Luke Bugbee, a brother of Samuel, was also an early settler.
The Currier brothers, Samuel and Alexander, in 1884, were occupying land claimed by their father, Abner Currier, in June, 1856. Abner Currier's family consisted of his wife and six children, all of whom had grown to manhood. The father died in November, 1872.
A. J. Gift and B. Banker settled in 1857. The latter located on section 1. He was after- ward a soldier of the 25th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. After the close of the Rebellion he moved to the town of Whitestown, where he died in November, 1882,
lehr. a. Merterud
FW YORK MIBRARY
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
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James K. Boyd also settled on section 1 in 1857, and moved to Missouri in 1871, where he died.
Patrick Brody came to the town of Clinton in 1859. Ile purchased his first eighty acres of land of Jonathan Adams. By birth he was an Irish man. Ile came to America in 1847. He lived in Columbia and Ontario counties, N. Y., till he eame to this town in 1859. In 1884 he possessed 480 acres of land and was engaged in farming and stock raising.
During the years 1856, 1857 and 1858, the increase of population was rapid. In 1880 the United States census gave the number of in- habitants of the town as 1008, including the village of Bloomingdale, which was given as ninety-six.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first house built in the town of Clinton was erected on section 31, on the present plat of Bloomingdale. It was built by Ingebret Bjorseth, in 1851. Here the first school in the town was taught in the summer of 1857 by Mrs. Sarah Roy.
The first sermon was preached in this honse also, by Rev. John Whitworth, a Methodist c'ergyman. This was some time before the village of Bloomingdale was platted.
C. A. Hunt did the first blacksmithing, in 1855.
The first store was kept by H. B. Nichols, who opened up a general stock in 1856, and dealt about two years.
The first shoe shop was carried on by T. Brown.
The first saw mill was built by L. Morterud, on the southwest quarter of section 31, town 14, range 7.
ORGANIC.
clerk; P. C. Taylor, treasurer. These are the only officers whose names appear on the earliest record of this town. The officers in 1883 were: P. W. Cary, (chairman) D. C. Yakey and Timothy Dwyer, supervisors; Jeremiah Conaway, clerk; E. E. Rustad, treas- urer; II. M. Davis, assessor; Marion Osborne, J. C. Smith, G. C. Taylor and A. C .. Clary, justices of the peace; S. W. Perkins, constable.
EDUCATIONAL.
In 1884 the town of Clinton had seven school houses, some of which were within joint districts.
Distriet No. 1 was then using a log house, which was situated in a picturesque place, with fine play grounds adjoining. The population is made up of American, Irish and a few Norwe" gians.
No. 2 also contained a log building, which was situated in the heart of a fertile, well de- veloped farming community. Here the Irish predominate; they send to school mostly in the winter season. This district while they are abundantly able to erect a school house which would be an ornament to the community and befitting their actual needs, seem to prefer the old half decayed log cabin, which has served them a quarter of a century.
The school house in distriet No. 3 is located near Dell postoffice, near Weister creek. This is another pioneer landmark; a log structure, old and dilapidated; most of the pupils in this dis- trict are American.
Distriet No. 5 is on the west bank of the Kickapoo river, a few miles from Bloomingdale. This is provided with a log school house. The population are mainly Americans with an oc- casional Norwegian family. In the summer of 1883 the old log house was being superceded by a neat frame building, more in keeping with the times.
Clinton was set off from the town of Chris- tiana, in 1856. The first election was held in the village of Boomingdale, when the following District No. 6 is composed chiefly of an American settlement. The school house known as "North Clinton," is pleasantly located, named were elected as town officers: C. H. Hunt, (chairman) T. J. Seaman, and B. F. Vanduzee, supervisors; Dr. Amos Carpenter, town | much interest is manifested in this district in
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
school matter, and their is a good average attendance both summer and winter.
District No. 7 or "Sugar Grove" school has a good frame building, well furnished and stands in a beautiful location. The American element predominates.
Joint district No. 13, is situated near the vil- lage of Bloomingdale. Ilere a frame house is provided, located on a hill near the village. This district is composed largely of Norwe- gians.
RELIGIOUS.
In 1884 there were three Church organizations in the town of Clinton-the Methodist Episco- pal, the United Brethren and Roman Catholic.
The church building of the Methodists is located on section 28. It is a log house erected in 1871. A class was organized the same year in which this honse was built. Rev. William McMillan officiated, and the following named comprised the first membership: M. D. Adams, P. J. Owen and wife, S. R. Curry and wife, Samuel Wakeman and wife, Joseph Hughes and wife, 'Squire Hl. Mossholder and wife, Mrs. Harry Hall, Mrs. Betsy Hughes, Mrs. E. Cary, Mrs. Headly, Mrs. Frances Wakeman, Mrs. Fidelia Calhoun, Mrs. Ellen Wakeman and, perhaps, a few whose names are not here men- tioned .. Rev. McMillan preached for this Church a year, and was succeeded in their turn by the following named ministers : Rev. N. C. Bradley, Rev. Thompson, Rev. Smith, Rev. Frank Nuzum, Rev. R. S. Mockett, Rev. C. A. Cliff and Rev. L. N. Wooley. M. D. Adams was the first class leader, and continued to fill that office till his death, which took place Feb. 26, 1883. This is one of the largest classes on the Viola circuit, and was greatly increased by a revival held early in 1883.
The first meetings held in the town by the United Brethren were at the house of James C. Smith, on section 25, in 1857. A class was then formed by Rev. R. Powell, composed of James C. Smith and wife, Laor King and wife, Cor- nelius Blower and wife, Mrs. Ann Fish, Robert
Campton and wife, besides a few others whose names are now forgotten. Meetings were held at private houses about a year, and then at the school house in district No. 3, till the church on section 35 was erected.
Rev. E. S. Alderman is the pastor in charge of the United Brethren congregation of Clin- ton town, and owns and resides on an eighty acre farm on section 35. He is a son of Elijalı and Mary Alderman, and was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, April 12, 1830. He received a good common school education, supplemented with an academic course of study at Galena, Dela- ware Co., Ohio. He was married Sept. 5, 1852, in Athens Co., Ohio, to Miss F. D. Wakeman, and in 1859 both united with the United Breth- ren Church. In 1860 Mr. Alderman was li- censed to preach, and traveled as an itinerant minister in the Sciota conference of Ohio for two years. In the fall of 1864 he was trans- ferred to Wisconsin and joined the conference of that State. Ile finally made a permanent settlement in Vernon county, and has there re- sided during the greater portion of his minis- terial work. His labors in the cause of his Master have been mostly confined to Vernon, Richland, Sauk, Jefferson, Monroe and Dane counties. He has been the direct means of re- ceiving 500 converts into the Church, and ad- ministering the rite of baptism to over 400; also solemnizing 111 marriages. lle has preached an average of twice each week for twenty-three years, and is still an earnest worker in the vineyard of Christ. Himself and wife have had six children born to them, losing one in infancy.
Another class of this denomination was formed in the town at a later period, and a log church was built on section 28, and called "Hughes' Chapel." Meetings were held in this till about 1882, when many of the members had removed, while others had united with the Weister Church.
The Catholic church, located on section 13, was built in 1867. It is a frame structure 32x42
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
feet, with an 18 foot ceiling. The first services held by the Catholics in this town were at pri- vate houses in 1862. The earliest officiating pastor was Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was also pastor at Rising Sun. The following named pastors have since served the Church: Rev. Father Marco, Rev. Nicholas Steeley, Rev. Michael IIeiss, Rev. H. Grosse, who was pas- tor when the church was erected; he was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. Hackner, then came Rev. Father Wicker. The trustees at the time the church was built were: Patrick Brody, Michael Navin, John Masterson, Hugh Donahue and Timothy Dwyer. The entire cost of the church building was 82,000.
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery in the town was situated near Bloomingdale and was open in 1857, fenced and improved. The next was the Catho- lic burying ground near their church on section 13. The third was located on Weister creek and owned by the United Brethren Church Another cemetery is situated in school district No. 6, known as "North Clinton Cemetery.' There is also one at Sugar Grove by the United Brethren Church.
MILLS.
The numerous streams throughout this town. which have an abrupt descent, afford ample water-power privileges, which have been quite well improved and made a great source of interest to the town, even from its earliest history.
The first mill was begun by I. Bjorseth and L. Morterud, in 1854; but before its completion the site with the half finished mill was sold to Evan Olson, who in 1855 sold a half interest to C. A. Hunt. The mill was finished and put in operation by this gentleman, in 1856. In 1884 this property was owned by Marion Osborn.
Marion Osborn is owner and proprietor of the grist mill at Bloomingdale, and also of saw-mill in the town of Webster, on this branch of the Kickapoo river. He bought the grist mill in August, 1877, of Hans Hanson and Frederick Olson. Mr. Osborn is a native of
Indiana. He came to this county with his father in 1858. He has had large experience in the milling business. He learned the trade of his father who owned a mill in the town of Kickapoo. He purchased the mill of his father in 1866, and run it for seven years, and then en- gaged in farming in the town of Kickapoo, which he continued four years, when he sold his farm and bought this mill property as stated. The mill at Bloomingdale has two run of stone, and does all kinds of custom work. Mr. Osborn was a member of the 46th Wiscon- sin regiment, Volunteer Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, serving about one year. Mrs. Osborn was formerly Miss Hannah McKettrick.
From time to time there has been a number of saw mills in operation, within this town, in- cluding some run by steam, the principal one of which was brought in and set up by Ransom and A. P. Gillett, about 1855. This mill was located on the "Gillett branch" of the Kickapoo river, on section 20; it was operated at that point a number of years, and then moved to various points in the town as occasion seemed to require, and was finally discontinued. The engine, by which the mill was propelled, was afterward used in the Springville flouring mill of the town of Jefferson.
The first saw mill operated by water power, was erected by John and John S. Dickson, father and son, on section 30; it was on the west branch of the Kickapoo river. James Dickson, another son, did the carpenter work, and after- ward owned the premises. This mill was fitted up, for work, in 1856, and was run till July, 1881, when the dam was washed away and never re- built.
A saw mill was operated by Alexander Swim, on section 30, in 1865 or 1866. In 1884 it was owned by H. W. Knapp, and was still doing a good business.
Still another saw mill was built, in 1867, on section 26; only ran for a few years.
The object of these various saw mills was to convert into Inmber the oak and bass wood
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
timber, with which the town abounded. There was also a considerable amount of pine timber on sections 17 and 21, which had mostly disap- peared prior to 1880. A large amount of hard maple was also ent into lumber, by these mills; this was mostly used for the manufacture of. furniture and wagon axles.
Another important enterprise is the bedstead factory of Andrew Bakken, which was erected in 1881, but not fully completed to its present capacity till 1883. This is situated on the west branch of the Kickapoo river, on the south part of section 30. Ilere Mr. Bakken manufactures all kinds of turned bedsteads. The dimensions of this factory are 24x36 feet. The machinery is propelled by a fine turbine water wheel, which transmits its power to the various machinery by means of a wire cable 150 feet in length.
Andrew Bakken is the owner of the bedstead and turning works on section 30, near Bloom- ingdale. He was born in Norway, in 1848. His father having died in Norway, he came to this country with his mother in 1869. He lived about one year in the town of Viroqua, and then removed to Richland Center, Richland county, where he worked in a bedstead factory about three years; thence to Milwaukee, where he worked for a time, as turner in a sash and door factory. He was then for a time engaged as turner in a furniture establishment at Chicago, Ill. He then returned to Richland Center, and came to the town of Clinton in 1879. He married Eliza, daughter of Nels Larson. Mrs. Bakken died in December, 1876, leaving one daughter, Amelia, born in 1875.
THE VILLAGE.OF BLOOMINGDALE.
This beautiful place was laid out in October, 1857, by Charles A. Hunt, Evan Olson and J. E. Palmer, whose names have already been men- tioned among the pioneers of this town. The Bloomingdale postoffice was established in 1858. Dr. Amos Carpenter was the first post- master; he was succeeded by C. A. Hunt and he by Tobias Brown, who was appointed Dec.
11, 1865, and served till 1871, when E. E. Rus- tad was appointed.
The first physician was Dr. Amos Carpenter; he was not a graduate, but a fair doctor. In 1884 he was living at Seelyburg, this county.
Drs. Hamilton, Lewis and C. M. Poff have practiced in the vicinity of Bloomingdale for a number of years; the latter being the only one there in 1884. His biography appears in the Medical Chapter.
Bloomingdale has always been a good busi- ness point. The mill which was the first erected in the town aids in drawing a large trade to the village.
In November 1883 the business of this place was represented as follows:
Christian A. Morterud, general merchant and grain dealer; C. W. Dyson, general merchant; E. E. Rustad, general store, also keeps the post- office; HI Gihle and Peter Hanson, blacksmiths; Henry A. Hanson, tannery; G. O. Myburg, shoemaker.
VILLAGE OF PRESTONVILLE.
This little village is located on section 26; it was laid out by Obadiah S. Preston in 1866. At about this time R. R. Jenness put up a store and sold goods for about two years. He was succeeded by Thomas Campton, who remained in trade a year and was succeeded by James Wagner, who ran a store for three years; then came Dr. Dennis W. Adams, who continued three years, and was then followed by Harry Pierce, who operated a general store till the time of his death. His wife then carried on the business and was thus engaged in 1884.
Mr. Preston built a saw-mill on Weister creek, at this point, in 1867, and ran it until 1873, when the property passed into the hands of J. Ogg, who rebuilt the dam, which had been washed out, and repaired the mill. He sold to Martin B. Mills, who ran it till 1881, when its use was discontinued.
In the fall of 1879 a second store was started by William Mack and Jake Streeton, of Sparta, who operated only a year.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
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A postoffice was established here in 1874 called Dell. Dr. D. W. Adams was postmaster and still acted in that capacity in 1884.
While this village never has assumed any great pretensions as a business point, yet it has afforded a handy place for the farming commu- nity to trade in a small way.
BIOGRAPIIICAL.
The following personal sketches represent a goodly number of those who have settled in the town since 1855, and, by their energy, enter- prise and moral influence have advanced and . kept at a high standard the agricultural, manu- facturing and business interests of the entire community.
Charles Hollingstad has resided on section 31 since he was seven years of age. Ilis father, Ole Hollingstad, was a native of Norway, and emigrated with his family to America in 1854. He came direct to this town, and entered eighty acres of government land on section 31, which farm he subsequently increased by the purchase of another eighty. Ile was the father of seven children, of five whom are living. Charles was born in Norway, in 1847, and has been reared and educated in this county. He married Mar- garet, the daughter of John Olson Melby. Mr. Hollingstad's farm is the greater portion of the old homestead and contains 120 acres.
Jonathan Potts is one of the pioneers of Ver- non county. He entered 120 acres of govern- ment land, in the town of Webster, May 5, 1854, and after living on that farm twenty-two years sold it to Franklin Woods, with sixty five acres improved. He came to Clinton town in 1876, and bought of Silas Calhoun his present farm on section 23,which was originally entered by Le Roy Jenness. Mr. Potts was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Kinder) Potts, who came to Wisconsin with their two sons, Jonathan and George Wesley, in 1854. The father settled on section 21, town of Webster, where he lived till the time of his death, which oc- curred Nov. 9, 1876. His wife had departed this life several years previous. George W.
settled in Webster town, and still resides there. Jonathan Potts married Theressa Norris, who died June 25, 1883. They have four children -Phebe A., Thomas, William S. and Fannie. William S., who resides with his parents, was born in the town of Webster, in December, 1854.
John W. Appleman one of the energetic and successful farmers of this town, is also one of the earliest settlers. Ilis farm and residence are on section 22, where he has 160 acres of land; he also owns eighty acres on section 18. Ile bought his farm of John Color in 1870. Mr. Appleman has made good improvements on his land, the most of which he has made himself. Ile is a son of Jesse Appleman, his residence in the county dating from 1856. He was born in Deerfield township, Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1844. He enlisted in company A, 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served one year. Company A was first com- manded by Col. Butt, and afterward by Capt. J. R. Casson. The first farm Mr. Appleman owned was on section 29. His wife was Sarah Parr, a sister of John Parr, of this town. They have seven children, two boys and five girls- James W., Ida J., Elizabeth E., Marietta, Charles H., Clara L. and Olive L.
Mr. Appleman's father, Jesse Appleman, re- sides just across the line in the town of Web- ster. He is one of the largest land owners in the county. The maiden name of his mother, who has been dead many years, was Beulah Pettet.
In the spring of 1855 two brothers, Jolm S., and Hiram Dickson, came to Vernon county from Athens Co., Ohio, being natives of Morgan county. They located at Viroqua, where the former worked at his trade of blacksmithing. In the fall of the same year their father, John Dickson, followed them and in the spring of 1856, the three located on section 30, in town 14 north, range 3 west, where they erected a saw- mill on the Kickapoo river. The father lived on that farm until his death, which occurred in
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
the fall of 1861. One son, John S., is living at Springville in the town of Jefferson, and Hiram, the other son, is a resident of Richland county. In 1856 these three were joined by another son, James, but he soon after returned to Ohio and did not make a permanent settlement here until the fall of 1860. James Dickson was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1831, and went to Athens Co., Ohio, in 1837, and there resided until he he came to Vernon county in the fall of 1860. In 1861 he purchased the farm which now con- tains 120 acres. Ile married Nancy, daughter of James Maxwell. They have eight children - Edwin M., Thaddeus, Myra A., Sarah J., Cynthia J., James Emmett, Ira C. and Ilattie M. One son, George, is deceased. Mrs. Dickson's father, James Maxwell, was a native of Pennsylvania, but when a child accompanied his parents to Muskingum Co., Ohio. He came to Vernon county with his family in the fall of 1854 and was one of the pioneers of Jefferson town. He located about one mile north of Springville, where he lived till his death in February, 1875. He was the father of nine children, one son and eight daughters. The latter are all living, but the former died when six years old.
John S. Jenness has been a resident of Wis- consin nearly thirty years. His father, Thomas Jenness, was one of the settlers of 1856, in Vernon county. He was born in Orange Co., Vt., where he was reared and married. In April, 1855, he came to Rock Co., Wis., and the following fall to Vernon county. He located on section 14, where he lived till his death. His wife was formerly Clarissa MeGlonthin, a native of Massachusetts. They were the par- ents of four children that reached maturity- three sons and one daughter-John S., in this town, Thomas L. and Robert R., at Windom, Cottonwood Co., Minn., and Abbie, a resident of Denver, Colorado. John S. was born in Orange Co., Vt., in 1834, and came to Wiscon- sin in September, 1855. He learned the carpenter and mill-wright trades and worked at them for fifteen years. In 1865 he bought of Thomas Lind-
ley a farm on section 17, now containing about 200 acres. Mr. Jenness married Minerva Max- well, and five children have been given them- Ida M., Mettie, Elsie M., James V. and Nancy J.
James C. Smith came in with the settlers of 1856. 1Ie located 160 acres of government land on section 25, in 1859, where he still re- sides. Mr. Smith was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1818. His father, Nathaniel Smith, was a native of Maryland, but located in Ohio at an early day in the history of the Buckeye State. James C. was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and his entire life has been passed in agricultural pursuits. He has been a member of the United Brethern Congregation for forty-four years, and has ever been promi- nently identified with the interests of that denomination in this town. Mr. Smith has been married three times. His first wife was Catharine Wandling, who died previous to his coming to Wisconsin, leaving one son, Nathaniel B. His second wife was Sarah Ben, who came here with her husband, and died in 1862. 1Iis third wife was Alzina Merrick, who departed this life in March, 1870. Mr. Smith has two living children by his second wife-Leonard W. and Mary C.
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