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 78

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 78

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William Conway has lived in Hillsborough town for about nineteen years. He was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in March, 1810, and emigrated to the United States in 1843. In 1861 he came to Vernon county and pur- chased his present farm of William P. Frost, who occupied the farm for several years, and made some improvements. This farm lies on seetion 34. Mr. Conway married Johanna Gorman, and they have had eight children. Of these, only four are living-Patrick, who resides on a farm adjoining his father, John G., who has admirably fitted himself for a pro- fessional career, Ellen and Mary. The deceased children died in infancy.

David Johnson resides on seetion 25 in the town of Hillsborough, where he settled in Jan- uary, 1865. This land was entered by Joseph Kimball who left it to his son, Daniel, and he sold it to J. F. Teeter, from whom Mr. Johnson purchased. He now owns a well improved farm with good buildings. David Johnson was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1818, and lived there till he came to Vernon county. His father was Kendall Johnson, a native of Massachusetts, and a descendent of the Puritan Pilgrims, of 1620, but he never lived in Vernon county. David Johnson married Naney Quinn, a native of Ire-

land, of the county of Antrim, and eight chil- dren have been given them, all having been born in Erie Co., N. Y .- Mary, (who died at the age of fourteen years) John Q., Luther, Sarah, Charles A., a teacher by profession, who received an academic education at Elroy, Wis., and is now teaching in Chippewa Co., Wis., William V., Alice A., and Andrew L., who have all grown up to manhood and womanhood.

Hon. Roger Williams is proprietor of the res- taurant at Hillsborough village. He was born at Oswego, Oswego Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1836, and is a son of Watson Williams. When font- teen years of age he shipped on board a mer- chantman, and took a two years cruise. He subsequently followed the lakes for some years, and for three years previous to the war, was en- gaged in the grocery trade. When the civil war commenced, he enlisted in the 110th regi- ment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and served about eighteen months. He was discharged from the Marine hospital, at New Orleans, on account of disability. In August, 1865, he came to Hillsborough town and purchased a partially improved farm on section 29, where he settled the following October. He still owns this farm of 120 aeres, seventy-five acres of which are under cultivation. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Williams removed into the village, and engaged in his present business. Mr. Williams was married, before the war, to Ellen M., daugh- ter of Philand Madison, who settled in this town abont 1863, but is now deceased. They have two children-Ella R. and George A. Mr. Williams has served as elerk of his school dis- trict; was chairman of the town board, for ten years, and in the fall of 1879, was elected to the State Legislature from this distriet.

Fred Schnell is the owner of the Hillsbor- ough brewery. Ile was born in Germany, in 1849, and in 1866, came to the United States, and here learned the brewing trade. Ile came to Vernon county in 1866, and in 1873, bought of Carl Ludwig, his present brewery, and has since conducted the business. He has also en-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

gaged in the manufacture of brick since 1877. The main building of the brewery is a stone basement with frame superstructure, about 35x40 feet in size. An addition is of frame 20x40 feet in size. The dimensions of the ice house are 24x32 feet. The brewery has a ca- pacity of 1500 barrels annually, and in 1882, Mr. Schnell manufactured 1300 barrels.

Francis I. Pinch, physician and surgeon, lo- cated in the town of Hillsborough, in Novem- ber, 1860. He was born at Springvale, Fond du Lae Co., Wis., in 1855, and in early life at- tended the common schools. He subsequently entered Ripon College, where he obtained a good classical education. He commenced the study of medicine at Ripon, in 1877, with Dr. F. Conger as his preceptor, and was graduated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in

the spring of 1880. Dr. Pinch is a young man of promise, and during his three years resi- dence here has gained the esteem and respect of the community, and a comfortable practice, both of which are essential to success.

C. HI. Morris, physician and surgeon, located in the village of Hillsborough, in January, 1883. Dr. Morris is a native of Rush Co., Ind., and commenced the study of medicine in 1875. He graduated after a two years course at the Medi- cal College of Indiana, in 1880. After two years of practice in Indiana, he came to this State. Dr. Morris is a man of fine education and well versed in the profession which he has made a life work. He has made many friends in his new home, and is rapidly building up a large and substantial practice.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLI.

THE TOWN OF JEFFERSON.

Jefferson is located in range 5, and embraces congressional town 13, and twelve sections of town 12, and therefore has an area of about 30,720 acres. Coon town is on its north border, Viroqua and Franklin towns on its east, Franklin and Sterling towns on its south, and Harmony and Sterling towns on its western border. One branch of the Bad Ax river takes its rise in the northern part of this town. There is perhaps more than the average amount of farm land in this town. The soil is of the very best in the county, and great care has been taken by the settlers to cultivate their lands in a proper manner and as a direct result, the town has more well tilled, highly improved farms than almost any other town within the county. There are many very large beautifully designed farm houses throughout this town, a large number of which are surrounded by large thrifty pine trees, the dark green foliage of which is a perpetual beauty, which is even increased in mid-winter, when the common forest trees are leafless.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first settlement of this town was made by John Graham, in July, 1846, who, in company with his three sons, Thomas, Baker and Lamech settled on section 23, town 13, range 5. 'They moved from Mercer Co., Ill., with four yoke of oxen. They left Illinois in the month of April and came as far as Grant county, this State, where the family halted, while Mr. Graham and Jefferson De Freese came on to Vernon county in search of lands suitable to make homes. At that date the only

settlers in Vernon county were Messrs. Rice and McCollough. They found lands adapted to their wants and soon returned to Grant county for the family, and were soon settled, after a fashion, in their new frontier home. Mr. Graham and his sons erected a rude log cabin and resided there " monarchs of all they surveyed," until that fall, when they were joined by William McMichael and family. Mis. McMichael was a daughter of John Graham. Mr. Graham was born in Virginia, and with his parents moved to Ohio, where he learned the trade of millwright. He married a Miss Lyons, who died leaving four children, two sons and two danghters. He subsequently married Miss Reasoner and moved to Grant Co., Ind., where he built a mill and operated it till 1840, when he removed to Illinois. His wife died, leaving him nine children to care for. Six of these children were living in 1884-Baker, Lamech, Mary, Jefferson, Casandrew and Vallie. After coming to Vernon county, Mr. Graham married Mrs. Mary Crawford, whose maiden name was McMichael. By this union there were two children. Mr. Graham erected the first mill in Vernon county ; he also laid out the village of Springville. He died in 1862.

The following are the names of those who. settled in the town previous to 1850 : John Graham and his sons Lamech, Thomas and Baker, who came in July, 1846 ; William Mc- Michael, Isaac Spencer, Edmond Strong, Charles Waters, Isaac Waters, Henry Waters, William Spencer, Edward Cox, Daniel Cox,

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY

Charles Cox, Samuel Brice, John Flick and sons, Clement Spaulding, Clayborn Cheatham, D. Cheatham, Dr. J. H. Sudduth and Nicholas Murphy .

The Waters family, who came in 1858 or 1859, were the children of Isaac and Abigal (Clark) Waters, natives of Connecticut, who reared eight children, four sons and one daugh- ter of whom were pioneers of Vernon county. The first to come was Charles, who came on at the same time William Spencer did and finally married his daughter-Mary J. Charles followed farming and the nursury business in the town of Jefferson for many years, but final- ly moved to Grant county and later to Iowa.

Henry Waters came previous to 1850. Hle farmed and run a store at Springville for a time; but in 1884 was living at Fort Kearney, Neb. Isaac Waters, who was an unmarried man at the time of his coming to the county, soon after married Martha Price. Ile remained about ten years and moved to Minnesota.

Clark Waters was the last to come to the the county and settled on section 24. Here- sides there still.

Among the settlers of 1854 was Isaac Williams, who settled on land afterward owned by Col. May.

In 1855 William Smith became a resident of the town of Jefferson and in the fall of the same year became associated with Seth Hamilton in the blacksmithing business. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Smith went on the Mississippi river to work, spending two years there. He then moved to La Crosse, where he lived till 1860 and then returned to Springville and resumed work at his trade, continuing until 1875, since which time he has given his attention to farm- ing. lle came west in 1855 by railroad as far as Madison, this State, and soon after wended his way overland to Vernon county, where his brother, I. W. Smith, had previously located. In 1859 he married Louise Rowe, who bore him eight children, seven of whom are | early as 1848.

living -- Sarah, Clarence, Willie, James, George, Earl and Bessie.

Among other settlers of an early date was Nathan J. Slack, who settled on section 30, town 12, range 5, in 1858. He first located at Liberty Pole in 1856. In 1884 he was counted among the wealthiest farmers of the town, owning 440 acres of well improved farm landsin this town and 240 acres on the Bad Ax. His wife was Adeline Rogers, daughter of HIi- ram Rogers. She was born in New York, in 1836. They have two children-Carrie and Charles.

John Flick and family, who were quite early set- tlers, lived near where Lamech Graham after- ward lived. They remained where they first set- tled till the time of his death, Christmas day, 1865. ITis remains lie buried on the hill just north of the Eureka Mills. Mr. Flick followed farming and stone quarrying; also burned lime. In 1884 the family were scattered, some in one State, some in another. The widow was then living in Minnesota.

FIRST THINGS.

The first occurrences in the settlement of a country are ever of interest to the reader of local history; and below is a record of many of the first events which transpired in the town of Jefferson :

The first settler was John Graham, who came in 1846.

The first marriage was Solomon Flick and Mary Graham, which took place in 1850 or 1851.

The first death in the town, also in the county, was William Lewis McMichael, son of William and Eleanor McMichael. This occurred in 1846. His remains were first buried east of Viroqua, but later were removed to Springville cemetery.

The next death was Thomas, son of John Graham, who died in the winter of 1847-8, and was the first body interred in the Springville cemetery.

The first blacksmith shop was operated as

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

William Smith burned the first stone coal used in the town, in 1860. It was purchased in Milwaukee and used in his blacksmith shop. Before this date charcoal had been exclusively used for iron work.

The first school was taught by Henry Waters in 1849.

The first school house was built in 1850, and was located just north of Springville.

ORGANIC.

This town was organized in 1855, and was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The early records are very incomplete, and the only facts relating to its early history is that the first supervisors were: Isaac Spencer, Charles Waters and James Marker; and N. W. Saxton, town clerk.

In 1856 the supervisors were: J. R. Savage, James Marker and William Evans; Julius Rowell, town clerk.

In 1883 the town officers were: M. Saxon, chairman; E. P. Thompson and M. Hovelind, supervisors; Joseph McLeese, clerk; Michael Rentz, treasurer; I W. Thorp and E. Tigue, justices of the peace; Isaac Groves, assessor.

POSTO FFICES.

In 1884 the town of Jefferson had two post- offices within its borders. The first postoffice established in the town was at Springville, in 1849. The mail was received from Prairie du Chien twice a week. Edmond Strang was the first postmaster. Among the postmasters have been: James Savage and P. Buffler. The lat- ter was serving in 1883.

The first postmaster of Esofea postoffice was Edwin Larson. This office continued only a few years. In 1870 it was again established and M. Rentz made postmaster. He in time was suc- ceeded by A. K. Strand, and he by Nels John- son, who was followed by Christian Sehriven.

The first goods sold at or near this postoffice were by Edwin Larson, who, after two years, was followed by A. K. Strand, who engaged in trade about 1873, and continued till 1880, when he was succeeded by Christian Schriven. In 1884

the place had a store, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and a tannery.

EDUCATIONAL.

Educational matters in the town of Jefferson have ever been watched and cared for, even from the early pioneer days, with the greatest prudence and wisdom. None but the best teachers have been engaged to teach the schools. In 1884 the town contained six districts proper and four joint districts, each of which were provided with a fair school building.

Joint school district No. 1 owns a frame school building on section 23, erected about twenty-five years ago.

District No. 2 has a frame house on section 15, which is about twenty years old.

District No 3 possesses a frame building on section 3, built about 1868.

Joint district No. 5 owns a frame building on section 1.

Joint district No. 6 owns a very old frame house on section 6.

District No. 7 erected a frame house on sec- tion 34, about 1868.

District No. 8 erected a substantial frame structure on section 16 in 1878.

District No. 9 possesses a good frame build- ing on section 31, put up about 1875.

Joint district No. 10 erected in the autumn of 1883 a neat frame school house on section 8, of town 12 north, of range 5 west.

District No. 14 owns a very old frame struc- ture on section 36.

All of the school buildings are in town 13 north, of range 5 west, with the exception of joint district No. 10.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

The first heralds of the Cross in this vicinity were from the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion. The first services were held in 1850, by Rev. Perdun, at the house of Isaac Spencer.

The United Brethren organized a society in 1859, at which date Rev. Mr. Smith officiated as preacher. Among the first member were : L. J. Wood and wife, J. Brown and wife, Sam-

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

uel Powell and wife, and N. A. Sackett and wife. In 1883, owing to various causes, the society was about discontinued.

The Advent Christian Church was organized in the summer of 1869. Services were held at the Springville school house, where Rev. Ilig- gins preached at intervals, until 1879, when Rev. George Turner came to Springville and organized a Church consisting of the following members: Catharine Hamilton, Daniel Favors, Aurilla Morse, William Morse, A. Van Dyke, Rebecca Van Dyke, Celestia Chandler, Cassie Wills, James Brooks and Jennie Savage. Rev. Turner was succeeded by Peter W. Hough dur- ing whose stay in 1871, the society erected their church edifice, which cost $1200. Following Rev. Peter W. Hough, came Rev. Job Brown, who was followed by Charles A. Slocum, who served the Church till 1883, at which time they had a membership of abont forty. They have always supported a live Sunday school, which has been regularly and largely attended.

Among the earliest Congregationalist minis- ters of Vernon county was Rev. L. L. Rateliff, who preached at various places throughout the county in 1854.

MILLS.

The first mill built in the town was erected in 1848, by John Graham. This mill was loca- ted on section 23, and was operated by water power from Bad Ax river. It was 24x30 feet square and three stories high ; it was provided with two run of buhrs. It was run by Mr. Gra- ham and his sons, for six or seven years, when they took it down and built a new one about a hundred yards down the stream. This mill was built by John Graham and his son Lameh, and was a very good mill. It was 40x40 feet square, three stories in height, and contained three run of stone.

Lambert Graham run this mill till 1868, when he sold to Delevan Kief. It was destroyed by fire, Dec. 31, 1868.

In 1869 the Eureka Mills at Springville, were built by Alfred Glassborn and Lamech Graham,

and was operated by them till 1878, when John S. Dixson was made a member of the company. This mill was 40x40 feet, built of stone and cost $9,000. In 1881 this mill was destroyed by fire, when it was rebuilt, this time being run by steam power.

Ira Wissell erected a grist mill in 1855, on the southwest quarter of section 9, town 12, range 5. He soon sold out; but the mill was run by other parties for about ten years, when the machinery was removed elsewhere.

Another saw mill was put in operation at a very early day, probably about 1852, by Daniel Cox. It was situated on section 4, town 13, range 5, and was run for two years until Mr. Cox died of the small pox. His widow sold the mill in 1854, to N. W. Saxton, who operated it for sev- eral years, sold to Alexander McConnell, after which it passed through several men's hands, and at last was washed down stream.

A steam saw mill was erected in 1865 by W. II. Officer, at Springville, and operated at that point for two years, when he sold to parties up in the pineries.

VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE.

This village is situated on section 23, town 13, range 5, on a branch of the Bad Ax river. Some time before 1850, Dr. J. Il. Sud- duth, a practicing physician, and Nicholas Murphy his son-in-law, who was a carpenter by trade, located where this place now stands. The first goods sold at this point were handled by a Mr. Wright. N. D. Legard, of Sparta, and A. C. Delap, also were among the early dealers.

The first regular store was operated by James R. Savage, who continued several years.

Berry & Graham were also early dealers.

Bartolf & Conant engaged in trade in 1858. Shortly after Mr. Conant withdrew and Mr. Bartolf continued alone until October, 1864, when he sold to Philip Bouffleur, who was still in trade in 1884, at which date his sales were about $30,000 annually. In September, 1883, he sold a half interest in his business to H.

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

Amunson, when the firm name was changed to H. Amunson & Co.

L. N. Shaw engaged in the grocery trade in 1880.

The Springville hotel was built by Philip Bouffleur, in 1860. He sold to Thomas Buch- annan and he to L. G. P. Adams, in 186%. In 1877 he sold to E. N. Shaw, who was its pro- prietor in 1884.

In 1883 the business of the place was repre- sented as follows :

Lewis Shaw, groceries, also the proprietor of the Springville House; II. Amunson & Co., general dealers; Isaac Hamilton, harness maker ; Trumin Kendall and H. W. Jackson, blacksmiths.

VARIOUS MANUFACTORIES.

In 1883 the town of Jefferson supported the following branches of manufacturing industry: tannery ; broom factory ; harness and shoe shops ; furniture factory and an extensive sorghum mill. The tannery was erected in 1872, by Michael Rentz, at Esofea, and has always done a large business in the production of upper leather, lining, mitten leather, etc.

A broom factory was put in operation by J. M. Goldrick, who had the great misfortune of losing his eyesight in 1862, and as he did not recover, he was sent to the Blind Institute at Janesville, where in the course of five weeks he learned to make brooms, and since that time has done a good business in that line.

In 1854 E. C. Officer commenced the maun- facture of furniture at Springville, which he followed about three years. This was the only attempt ever made in this line of business.

Among the earliest shoemakers of the town were Philip Bouffleur and Enoch Brooks.

The first one to engage in the harness busi- ness was William Bouffleur, who opened a shop in 1875, at first using the rear of his father's store for a shop. In the spring of 1880, he erected a shop and continued in busi- ness till 1883, when he sold to Isaac Hamilton, who learned his trade of Mr. Bouffleur. This

is the only harness shop in the town of Jeffer- son.

In 1857 I. F. Thorp and Archibald Morrison engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills, in which they continued but a part of the year. Jolin M. Goldrick had been in the same busi- ness in the town as early as 1855.

This town supports a very important branch of farm industry in the way of a Sugar Cane manufactory, which was commenced in 1863. In 1865 William Frazier began to grow cane on an extensive plan and continued the same till 1873, making from 800 to 1,000 gallons annually, by the use of a two horse power mill. In 1880 he again resumed the business, and in 1883, commenced to make sugar. He was the third man in Wisconsin to engage in sugar making from sorghum. The first was at the State University at Madison, and the next, Mr. Decker, at Fond du Lac, who made about 4,000 pounds in the fall of 1882. In June, 1882, the agricultural department at Washington, D. C., issued a circular stating that Congress had appropriated a certain amount of money to be used in experimenting in the manufactory of sugar from cane grown in the northern States. Of this amount the department proposed to divide $12,000 into ten equal shares, to be given to the ten men who returned the best report on the subject of growing sugar cane and making sugar therefrom. In December, 1882, Wil- liam Frazier sent his report in to the commis- sioner of agriculture at Washington, and was soon informed that he had been awarded one share, $1,200, and the same was received by him in May, 1883. The following is an extract from his prize report :

DEAR SIR :- I send you the following report. I planted twenty acres to Amber Cane ; yes, I planted it all three times ! after telling every- body and their boys how to plant cane, failed to get a stand myself. Planted five acres on the 27th of April ; fifteen on the 12th and 13th of May, used corn planters ; planted very shal- low, not to exceed one-half an inch in depth ;

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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.

my ground was in splendid condition ( finely pulverized and made smooth with a " bunter"), planted in check rows three feet three and one- half inches each way ; deposited seed in south- east corner of square, then rolled the ground. But the expected spring rains failed to come. We did not have enough rain in this locality from the time we commenced to plow in the spring until the 24th day of June, to wet the plowed ground one inch deep; but we had some little showers, just enough to start some of the plants, only to wither and dry for want of moisture. Planted again the last of May and forepart of June, which came better, but a little wire-worm about one-half an inch long, and the white grub played sad havoc with the young plants. Planted again about the middle of June. After all my pains failed to get half a stand on nineteen acres of the twenty acres planted.

Process of manufacturing : I have ten feet fall from mill to boiling house; four feet from level of evaporator to floor of syrup house. Run my juice through a two-inch pipe, sixty-six feet from mill to custom tanks ; have two of them. Capacity 180 and 200 gallons respect- ively.

These tanks are made of galvanized iron and wood, and hold just ten gallons to one inch in depth. Here the juice is allowed to settle while the tank is being filled ; here the juice is measured, tested and drawn through a swing. pipe and run into one of the two lime tanks ; put enough of the milk of good fresh lime so the juice will turn blue litmus paper purple. When the lime is put in mix thoroughly. It will be seen that I lime my juice cold.

Some successful manufacturers do their first boiling in batches ; this I believe to be unnec- essary and inconvenient. I use a pan ( for defecating ) seventeen feet long, forty-four inches wide, with three apartments ; the one next to smoke stack is five feet long, the next one four feet, the balance of pan is finished like the cook evaporator, channels sixteen isches

wide. I run the limed juice into the apartment next to chimney. This is made separate from balance of pan and placed higher; here the juice heats gradually, but never boils. We skim this abont once in five or six hours; it passes from this to the second apartment, where it is raised nearly to the boiling point, but not allowed to boil ; here it is skimmed every two or three hours; the juice is passed through a gate from this to the third division, almost as clear as water, where it is boiled as rapidly as possible until the green scum is all off, when it is drawn by a continuous flow into tanks. I nse two of them, with a capacity of 100 gal- lons each, where it is allowed to settle an hour or more from the time it begins to fill until it is empty. Here we obtain a feccula, fine and very tart. These settlings will ferment in a very short time. From these tanks the defo- cated juice is drawn through swing pipes into the Madison pan ( cook evaporator fifteen feet long), where it is kept boiling rapidly until fin- ished. We run the finished syrup by a continuous flow through a wooden trough, covered with fine wire screen, thirty-two feet to cooler, from one cooler to another, when it is usually cooled to about 140 deg., Fahrenheit. This second cooler is set on truck, and when filled is drawn by a windlass to top of syrup tank, which has a capacity of 2,360 gallons. A little porus alum water should be used in the semi syrup ; when one of the tanks is about three-quarters full put in one pint of the alum water. Mix well. To prepare the alum water, dissolve 23 lbs. of porus alum in ten gallons of water.

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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 78

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

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