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 76

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814

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 76

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William Hill left Vermont, when a young man, was absent for a number of years ; returned to his native State, where he married Mary Ann Meade and moved to the State of New York ; from there he moved to Indiana, where he re- mained a short time and came to Wisconsin. In 1884 he was a resident of Juneau county.

Albert Field also made a claim in the fall of 1851, on the northwest quarter of section 35, where he settled in 1852.

N. W. Davis located on sections 27 and 34, about 1854. He sold out in 1860, and moved west of the Mississippi river.

Settlements were made very rapidly from this date on.

Thomas MeClure settled early on section 4. In 1884 he was living at Elroy.

Nelson Brill located on section 27, remained till 1869, then removed to section 14, where he died about 1875.

John Fox settled on section 27, in 1855. He is deceased, and his widow and two sons live in this village.

.Joseph Manhart isone of the early settlers of the town of Hillsborough. He was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1817. He learned the trade of a baker, and followed that occupation for many years, visiting several of the principal cities of Europe, pursuing his trade. He came to the United States in 1848, under the auspices of the German colony, which settled at Kosko- nong, in Jefferson county. Ile remained in that connty about seven years; came to Hillsborough in the summer of 1855 and settled on the south- east quarter of section 26, where has since lived.

Stewart Forbes resides on section 2, in the town of Hillsborough. He has been a resident of this town since the fall of 1855. He left Scotland April 15, 1854; landed at Quebec, lived in Montreal sixteen months before coming to Wisconsin. He was born in county Aber- deen, in 1831. His father, Arthur Forbes, was a forester by occupation for fifty years. Mr. Forbes was married in Scotland to Margaret Mutch, a sister of the Mutch brothers of this town. Like many others of the pioneers of Vernon county, Mr. Forbes possessed but little of this world's goods when he came here. His first land was forty acres on section 3, where he built a log house and improved about eight acres. He located there about 1860, where he lived till 1864, when he sold out and bought his present farm of sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes have five children, three sons and two daughters-Stewart A., Ellen J., now Mrs. Lum«den; Maggie, Robert and Jesse. They lost one daughter, Isabel, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Forbes is a man highly es- teemed in the community in which he lives, as an excellent neighbor and Christian gentleman. Ife and wife are members of the Church of United Brethren of this town.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Froland Willey came to the town of Hills- borough in the fall of 1855. He was born in Vermont in 1833. He removed to Ohio with his parents when a boy, and thence to Jefferson county, this State, in 1852. He came here from Jefferson county, and settled on section 24. In 1878 he sold his farm and removed to Kansas, but has returned and is again a resident of this town. He married Caroline M. Ilill, March 9, 1856. This, as elsewhere stated, was the first marriage in the town of Hillsborough. Mr. and Mrs. Willey have four children-Fidelia, who married Charles Newman; Ida, wife of George S.ilts; Emina and Alonzo.

Charles Landrum, deceased, who built the first store in the plat of the village of Ilillsbor- ough, was born in Knox Co., Tenn., Dec. 12, 1821. When seven years of age his parents re- moved to Crawford Co., Ind., and thence to Howard county, in that State. He came to Ver- non county in the spring of 1854. As already stated he kept the first store and was the second postmaster at Hillsborough. Ile enlisted in

1864 in the 47th, and served till the close of the war. He was regimental postmaster in the service. He lost his health in the army, which continued poor until his death. He married in Indiana, Lydia Hansbury, who is now a resi- dent of Hillsborough.

James M Hansbury, first postmaster at Hillsborough, is a brother of Mrs Landrum. He removed from that village to lowa, and thence to Ohio, where he still lives.

John Berry settled on section 17 in 1856. In 1884 he lived in Iowa.

O. A. Shont, a stage driver, came to the vil- lige about 1856. He drove stage from Hills- borough to Manston. He died many years ago. His wife still lived in the village in 1884.

Patrick Healy resides on seetion 28, where he settled May 10, 1856. He came here from Walworth county, and purchased his land from the government. He is a native of county Gal- way, Ireland, born in 1826. He came to the United States when twenty-six years of age.

He lived in Colombia Co., N. Y., before coming west and removed thenee to Ohio, where he lived one year. His farm contains 180 acres of land well improved. His wife was Mary Ann Lloyd. They have nine children, five sons and four daughters.

Moses Kimball Jeffries lives on section 17, where he settled in 1856. He purchased his land of the government. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1820. In his younger days he was engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, where he was a flit boat pilot for many years. He was married in Ohio to Maria L. Jones, who died in Madison while Mr. Jeffries with his family was en route to Vernon county. His second wife was Rachel Cann, who died March 15, 1883. Mr. Jeffries is one of the larger farmers of this town, and h as a well improved farm.

Christian Engler resides on section 20, where he settled in October, 1857, on a government farm of eighty aeres. He was born in Switzer- land, in 1828; came to the United States in 1850 and located in Pennsylvania. He was married in Erie county, in that State, to Anna Barber, also born in Switzerland and came to the United States in 1852. After their marriage they came to Rock Co., Wis., where they lived several years before coming to Vernon county. They have three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Engler served in the War of the Rebellion in the 47th Wisconsin regiment from February, 1865, till the close of the war.

Among other early settlers were the follow- ing: Henry Hayfleich, who came in 1855. and located on section 32, where he still resides; Henry Link on section 36; J. H. Thompson on section 25; William F. Miland; P. W. Frost, who settled on seetion 34; A. R. Glidden on sec- tion 35; James Madden, who settled on the northwest quarter of section 34.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first marriage in the town was Froland Willey and Caroline M. Hill, a daughter of V. B. Hill, the first settler. They were married at

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

the home of the bride, March 9, 1856. The ceremony was performed by Daniel Kimball, Esq.

The first birth in the town was Andrew Mack, son of James and Cornelia Mack, who was born Sept. 13, 1852. The next birth was that of Eveline M. Ilill, daughter of V. B. Hill, who in her young womanhood married James Hamilton.

The first death which occurred was that of Mrs Smith, who died Oct. 15, 1855. She was buried on section 1, where she died.

The first school was taught on the present village plat of Hillsborough.

The first religious services were held at the house of Elisha D. Douglass on section 14, by Rev. Joseph Ilanlin, of the Free Will Baptist denomination.

ORGANIC.

The town of Hillsborough was organized in 1856. The first election was held at the house of Albert Field, April 3, of that year. H. 11 Knox, Joseph M. Martin and Albert Field werd chosen inspectors of election. It was voted te elect two assessors and two constables; also tha a fund be raised for contingent expenses, of $ 100 for the ensuing year, and the same amount for the improvement of highways. Joseph M. Martin was elected chairman of the board and Albert Field and H. H. Knox, members of the side board; Daniel Kimball, town clerk; Edward Klopfleisch, treasurer; John S. Shreve and A. W. Rogers, assessors; Henry F. Daley, A. W. Rogers, Edward Klopfleisch and Daniel Kim- ball, justices of the peace; John S. Shreve and James S Carley, constables.

The total number of votes cast at this elec- tion was twenty-one.

The following were the town officers of 1883: Thomas J. Shear, chairman, C. F Waterman and L. L. Tongue, supervisors; C. F. Fine, clerk; Benjamin Salts, assessor; August F. Mohs, treas- urer; William McGrath, D. N. Tripp and Josiah

Jameson, justices of the peace; Thomas Sweet, Uriah Fox and S. J. Messenger, constables.

SCHOOLS.

Hillsborough has always been fully up to other towns of the county in educational mat- ters. School house after school house has been added for the convenience of the scholars of the town, until, in 1884, there were seven within the town.

A short and comprehensive sketch of each school district is herewith given:

District No. 1. A comfortable and commo- dious frame, in a very pleasant location. Long been known and recognized as the "Blood school house." So named after one of the early settlers. A good attendance always, and large, especially in winter. The district lies near the county line of Juneau. Mr. Forbes, living near the school house, is an earnest friend to educa- tion. This school has done, and is yet doing good work. The people liberally support it.

District No. 2. A large frame, well furnished and in a cheerful locality, pleasantly situated among fertile farms. There is always a large attendance in the winter, and the school has been favored with some able teachers. It has been liberally patronized and supported. The people have been abundantly able to do so.

District No. 3. Comprises Hillsborough high and graded schools. The high school has not of late years, been as fortunate as its friends de- sired. While the people have been liberal and the board public spirited, the school has not been a success. This was, in part, owing to the unwise selection of teachers of good education in each case, but of poor executive ability. Mr. Conway taught some years ago and was very successful. Others as well educated, but other- wise not as able, followed him. It is to be hoped that the gentlemen selected in the future, will do much toward regaining for it, its former rep- ntation. The building is commodious and well furnished, quite a credit to the village. The higher mathematics, German and Latin have been taught and considerable advancement made,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

The people deserve to have a good school. There are beside two graded schools, one an interme- diate and the other a primary. Good work has been done in these schools by a succession of very faithful teachers. Mr. George Mohs, a true friend of education, is at present, the dis- triet clerk.

District No. 5-A very neat and comfortable frame building near or at Trippville, situated on or near the road leading to Elroy, as also to Hillsborough and about seven miles from the latter place. Mr. Wyman, of Trippville, as also Mr Tripp have taken much interest in the school. The building is furnished with good maps and fairly seated. Good work has been done in this school by a succession of very ex- cellent teachers.

District No. 6-School house about three and a half miles from Hillsborough, a fair and neat frame, quite in keeping with the rest of the school buildings in this town and a credit to public patronage and sentiment. This building is pleasantly situated on the highroad from On- tario to Hillsborough and has usually a good attendance.

District No. 8-Near the former residence and hard by the farm of Mr. Roger Williams, a large frame house and on the road leading from Viroqua to Hillsborough. It is some four miles from the latter place, has ample accommo- dations for a large attendance, and yet this dis- triet is in need of a graded school with two de- partments. Sixty to seventy pupils are in dai- ly attendance through the winter, among whom are many Bohemians.

The schools of Hillsborough, with the excep- tion of No. 8, are attended chiefly by Americans, but this district has several Bohemian families. Good work has almost always been done in this school and the people, chief among whom has been Mr. R. Williams, take an active part in school matters.

District No. 4-Only a part of this district is situated in the town of Hillsborough.

SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1882 AND 1883.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.

The steady and continuous growth of the public schools may be seen by reference to the table following:

The year 1882 was in advance of former years and the increase of 1883 speaks well for the public spirit which makes the schools so sue- cessful.

1882 1883 Incr.

Whole No. children of schoolage in Co 8,955

9,038

83.

Whole No. of days school was taught ).228

24,148

3,920

Whole No. of pupils who attended school

6.601

6,790

189

Whole No. of daysattendance of pupils 364, 126 397, 154 33, 028

No. of new school houses built

Cost of school houses built $4,635 $11.322 $6,687

Outlay for teacher's wages

$18,921 825,325 $6,404

Total am't paid for school purposes

$28, 013 $38, 168 $10, 155

Total number of schools in county

157 160

Whole number of licensed teachers 182

UNITED BRETIIREN CHURCH.

In 1884 the town of Hillsborough had but two Church organizations-the Free Will Baptist, which is in the village of Hillsborough and the United Brethren, located on section 12. The former has been mentioned in connection with the village history. The latter de nomination was organized in February, 1859, by Rev. Mr. Carter. The members of the first class were as follows: Stewart Forbes and wife, Henry Seaman, Charles Emmonds, T. W. Allan, Mr. Sweet and wife and Michael Keller.

The church building of this denomination was dedicated Feb. 10, 1870, by the Rev. James Johnson, of Freeport. This edifice is situated on the land between the towns of Hillsborough and Wonowoc in Juneau county; a part of the building being in each county. The building, which is of an imposing appearance, is 36x50 feet, surmonnted by a spire seventy - four feet high. The cost of this church was about $2,500. The trustees at the time of the erection of the church were: James Match, Benjamin B. Thompson, C. G. Thompson, Frederick Bab- cock, Lewis O. Galley and William Mutch. The pastor at that date was Rev. Elisha Borce.

CEMETERIES.

There are three cemeteries within the town of Hillsborough. One is situated near the vil-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

lage of Hillsborough. This, in 1884, was a pretty and well kept cemetery. Another is sit- nated on the southwest quarter of section 12, in connection with the United Brethren church; this also has always received much care and at- tention. The third cemetery is on section 14.

TRIPPVILLE POSTOFFICE.

Trippville is the name of a postoffice on see- tion 8, which was established in 1867. It was named after Dier Tripp, who has been post- master ever since its establishment. At this point there is a store and saw-mill, both of which were built by Mr. Tripp. This place is located on what is known as the bead waters of the middle Hillsborough branch of the Baraboo river. Mr Tripp began the erection of a saw mill here in 1860, which he completed in 1862. It was at first operated by an overshot wheel, but in the spring of 1883, he made a change in the mill, substituting a turbine wheel, and mak- ing other changes. The capacity of the mill is 10,000 feet per twenty-four hours. Mr. Tripp es tablished his store in August, 1871. Ile cam( to the town with Elisha Douglass and A. B Cole in May, 1851. He made a claim on section 1, but while absent to earn money to pay fo the same, his claim was jumped. He ther bought land on sections 3 and 11, finally settled on the latter. In the fall of 1855 he built a log house on section 8, which was still standing in 1884. Mr. Tripp was a young man at the time and kept bachelor's hall for two years and then moved to section 3 and from there to sec- tion 11 and a little later still moved back to the mill site.

THE VILLAGE OF HILLSBOROUGHI.

This village, which is located on the north side of the south branch of the Baraboo river, on section 35, takes its name from that of the town of Hillsborough, in which it situated.

A man named Warren, made the original entry of land at this point, in October, 1854, for Albert Field. Edward Klopfleisch, of New York city, when looking for a location in the west, visited this site, and was favorably im-

pressed, especially with the mill power af- forded by the Baraboo river. He accordingly made arrangements with Albert Field for the purchase of the land, and with Otto Hammer, became proprietor of the village plat, including the mill power. This was in the autumn of 1854. Mr. Klopfleisch, with his brother-in- law, Schlolmilch, at once began the erection of a saw mill. Otto Hammer, who was partner in the town site, came from Jefferson county in 1855, bringing his family and personal effects with him.

In 1857, while Mr. Klopfleisch was in New York city, the attention of John Mollinger and Ambrose Armbruster was called to the import- ance of this point, and as the result, Mr. Arm- bruster returned with Mr. Klopfleisch and pui- chased the interest held by Mr. Schlolmilch. Mr. Mollinger also, at the same time securing an interest in the location. A small grist mill was erected, and soon became a mill of much importance. Mr. Armbruster brought his family here from New York city in 1861. The follow- ing year Jacob Sallenbach took an interest in the business. In 1865 a mill was erected which was still doing service in 1884. In 1868 Mr. Klop- fleisch retired and the company has since been known as the Hillsborough Mill Company, the firm being composed of Ambrose Armbruster, Otto Hammer and John Mollinger. This flour- ing mill has always been an important factor in the growth and advancement of this part of the county, and has always been noted for making an excellent grade of flour and also for upright, honest dealing on the part of its owners. For many years it was the only mill throughout a large scope of country The mill building is 42x50 feet. At first there were but two run of stone, but later another run was added, and still later, another, making four in all. This mill is situated on the south branch of the Baraboo river; its pond contains fully a hundred aeres, and gives force to the machinery of the mill through a head of sixteen feet,

570

HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Short sketches are here subjoined, of the three gentlemen who have so long comprised this mill company. Mr. Mollinger was the only one surviving in the autumn of 1883.

Ambrose Armbruster was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1818, and came to America in 1847 from Paris. He left Paris on account of the revolution which had broken out in France, in consequence of which all Germans had been requested to leave that country. He was married in Paris to his present widow Caroline Steurer, born in Strasburg in 1826. Mr. Armbruster died June 8, 1883. He left three children- Emma, wife of Robert llammer, Anna, wife of Frank Kauffmann, and Robert, the two later natives of this town.

Otto Hammer, Sr., died Ang. 6, 1883. He was born at Altonburg, Saxony, April 10, 1816. He came to America early in the year 1846; lived two years in New York city and came to Wisconsin in 1848 and to Hillsborough, as stated, in 1855. He was married in New York city to Eliza Belton. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters; five of them-Otto, Jose- phine, Robert, Eddie and Minnie-are now living at or near llillsborough, and one, Mrs. O. B. Wyman, at Viroqna. Mr. Hammer, was a cabinet maker by trade and a skillful workman. lle pursued his occupation in sev- eral of the capital cities of Europe, including Berlin and Paris. le came to New York from the latter city.

John Mollinger was born in the city of Kai- serslautern, on the Rhine, in the province of Bavaria, in 1813. Like the other members of the firm, he came to New York from Paris in 1845. He worked eighteen years at his trade in New York city before coming here in 1865.

In July, 1883, Barney & Bailey, who had the use of Albert Field's money, put in opera- tion a fine steam saw mill, together with vari- ous kinds of wood working machinery. This mill is_ located at the upper end of the mill pond of the flouring mills of the Hillsborough Milling Company. It is propelled by a forty

horse power engine. This mill does a large business in sawing to order, railroad timber, wagon and plow material and steamed, bent sleigh runners and wagon hounds.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

The village was surveyed in the summer of 1856, by James H. Daniels, at that time county surveyor.

The first store was opened in 1855, by Charles Landrum, in a log building used for this pur- pose and also for a residence. Mr. Landrum soon after took in as his partner Daniel Bus- bee, who continued a member of the firm but a short time, after which he removed to the town Greenwood, and later to the village of Ave- lanche, where he engaged in the milling busi- ness.

Charles Landrum built the store now occu- pied by Charles Lind, in 1857. A number of years later he erected the store afterward used by Roger Williams, also the dwelling house adjoining, both of which are now owned by his widow.

The first wagon maker of the place was Jason Noyes, who was still a resident of the town in 1884.

The first blacksmith was Albert Kuersten, who is now deceased.

The first shoemakers were Lind Brothers, one of whom, Jacob is deceased and the other, Peter, is still in trade in the village.

The first school in the village was taught by Sobrina Burwell, in the summer of 1855. This school was held in the log dwelling house of Otto Ilammer ; the family of Mr. Hammer living in the house at the time. This was the first house erected in the village.

The first sermon preached in Hillsborough, was delivered by Rev. Joseph Hanlan, of the Free Will Baptist Church.

The first and only regular attorney of the place was A. T. Johnson.

The first hotel was erected by Irving Thomp- son, who sold it to Prentiss Abbott, who run it as a hotel for several years.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

The hotels of 1884 were the Kuersten House and the American House. The former was built by Albert Kuersten, who died before its completion, and it was finally finished by his widow, who became the wife of John Phair. This is a log and frame structure, well built and cost about $3,000.

The American House was built in part by Jacob Lind, and completed by Alexander Wood. In 1884 this was operated by Benja- min Salts.

The Hillsborough postoffice was established in 1855. The first postmaster was Morgan Hansbury, who was succeeded by Charles Land- rum, and he by Thomas J. Shear, who was still holding the office in 1884. This became a money order offiee in 1869. The first order was drawn by J. W. Leverett ; amount $5. The first order was paid to N. D. Beebe, of Warren, Ill. There were 14,630 orders drawn from this office from the time it became a money office in 1869, to Sept. 4, 1883, a period of a little more than fourteen years.

The first physician of Hillsborough and vicinity, was Dr. Winslow. Other physicians have been here: Dr. Meritt, Dr. Smith, Dr. J. R. Rundlett, who was a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, practiced here about ten years and left in the fall of 1880. He is now at Augusta, in Eau Claire county ; Dr. B. B. Numan graduated at Keokuk ; practiced here a short time and is now located in the town of Forest. The present physicians are Dr. Francis Pinch and Dr. C. H. Morris.

This village is tributary to a large tract of country ; it has had a gradual, healthful growth and is an excellent trading point. The merchants and other business men are doing a thriving business. A number of fire business houses were erected in 1881 or 1882. The busi- ness of the place in 1884 was in the hands of the following : A. Winslow & Son and Rich- ard N. Pinch, druggists ; Shear & Mitcher, Charles L. Lind and Charles Ludwig, general dealers ; Charles F. Hyde and F. Fine, grocers;

M. E. Crary, boots and shoes ; A. Mitcher, fur- niture ; Roger Williams, grocery and restau- rant ; R. Hammer, hardware ; George Chap- man, harness maker ; John P. Phair, proprietor of the Kuresten Hotel ; Benjamin Salts, pro- prietor of the American House; Fred Schnell, brewery ; Kaufman & Fincher, wagon makers and blacksmiths.

RELIGIOUS.

The Free Will Baptist Church was organized Feb. 28, 1869, by Rev. O. W. Smith, of Men- dota, Ill. Those who joined the first class were : Joel W. Parker and wife, Albert Field and wife, E. D. Douglass and wife, James W. Leverett and wife, Mary E. Parker, James W. Parker, Mrs. Vienna Winslow, Mrs. Emily Carr and Mrs. Sarah Mitehell.

Rev. O. W. Smith preached for the society a few weeks and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Jack- son and his wife, the Rev. Mary Jackson, both of whom officiated till July, 1871, when Rev. Jeremiah Phillips became pastor, and remained for two years. After this Rev. J. H. Daniels, a minister of the Church of the Disciples, preached for the congregation for some time. Among other ministers who have supplied this Church were : Rev. F. M. Washburn, who was principal of the schools at Elroy ; Rev. Robert Colley was pastor for a few months, and per- haps others whose names have not appeared.

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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 76

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Union Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Union
Number of Pages: 814