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 8

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 8

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The taking of the census by the United State, this year, 1850, showed a population for Wisconsin of 305,391-the astonishing increase in two years of nearly 95,000. Many, as already stated, were German, Scandinavian and Irish; but the larger proportion were, of course,from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valu- able mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine. and the unlimited water-power of its numerous streams. In 1860 the population had increased to 775,881; in 1870 to 1,054,670, and in 1880 to 1,315,480. By an act of the fourth Legislature of the State, approved March 14, 1851, the loca- tion and erection of a State prison for Wiscon- sin was provided for, Waupim, Dodge county, being afterwards the point selected for it. The office of State prison commissioner was created in 1853, but was abolished in 1874. During that time the following persons held the office: John Taylor, from March 28, 1853 to April 2,

1853; Henry Brown, from April 2, 1853 to Jan. 2, 1854; Argalus W. Starks, from Jan. 2, 1854 to Jan. 7, 1856; Edward McGarry, from Jan 7, 1856 to Jan 4, 1858; Edward M. MacGraw, from Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan. 2, 1860; Hans C. Heg, from Jan. 2, 1860 to Jan. 6, 1862; Alexander P. Hod- ges, from Jan 6, 1862 to Jan. 4, 1864; Henry Cordier, from Jan 4, 1864 to Jan. 3, 1870; George F. Wheeler, from Jan. 3, 1870 to Jan. 4, 1874. The State (Law) Library had its origin in the generous appropriation of $5,000 out of the general treasury, by Congress, contained in the seventeenth section of the organic act creating the territory of Wisconsin. At the first session of the territorial Legislature, held at Belmont in 1836, a joint resolution was adopted appointing a committee to select and purchase a library for the use of the territory. The first appropriation by the State, to replenish the library, was made in 1851. Since that time, several appropriations have been made. The number of volumes in the library at the begin- ning of 1883 was 16,285.

The fifth Legislature - the Assembly, whig, the Senate, democratic-passed an act anthoriz- ing banking. This was approved by the gover- nor, L. J. Farwell, April 19, 1852. The ques- tion of "bank or no bank" having been sub- mitted to the people in November previous, and decided in favor of banks; the power was thereby given to the Legislature of 1852 to grant bank charters or to pass a general banking law. By the act just mentioned, the office of bank comp- troller was created, but was abolished by an act of Jan. 3, 1870. During the continuance of the law, the following persons filled the office, at the time given: James S. Baker, from Nov. 20, 1852 to Jan. 2, 1854; William M. Dennis, from Jan. 2, 1854 to Jan. 4, 1858; Joel C. Squires, from Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan 2, 1860; Gys- bert Van Steenwyk, from Jan 2, 1860 to Jan. 6, 1862; William H. Ramsey, from Jan 6, 1862 to Jan. 1, 1866; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from Jan. 1, 1866 to Jan. 3, 1870. The sixth Wisconsin Legislature commenced its session, as we have

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

seen, Jan. 12, 1853. On the 26th of that month charges were preferred in the Assembly against Levi Hubbell,judge of the second circuit court, for divers aets of corruption and malfeasance in office. A resolution directed a committee to go to the Senate and impeach Hubbell. On the trial he was acquitted. By an act of the same Legislature, the State Agricultural Society was incorporated. Since its organization the society has printed a number of volumes of transactions, and has held, except during the civil war, annual fairs. Its aid to the agricultural interests of the State are clearly manifest. Farming, in Wisconsin, is confined at the present time to the south half of the State, the northern half being still largely covered by forests. The surface of the agricultural portion is, for the most part, gently undulating, consisting largely of prairies alternating with "oak openings." The State is essentially a grain-growing one, though stock-raising and dairy farming are rapidly gaining in importance. Wheat, the staple product of Wisconsin, is gradually losing its prestige as the farmer's sole dependence, and mixed farming is coming to the front. About twenty bushels of wheat are raised annually to each inhabitant of the State. Much more attention is now paid to fertilizers than formerly, elover and plaster being looked upon with constantly increasing favor. While within the last ten years stock-raising has been a grow- ing interest, yet it has not been a rapid one; not so, however, with dairying-no other agricultural interest has kept pace with this. The principal markets for the farm products of Wisconsin are Milwaukee and Chicago.

By an act approved March 4, 1853, the State Historical Society was incorporated, it having been previously organized. The society is under the fostering care of the State, each Leg- islature voting a respectable sum for its benefit. It has published a number of volumes of "Col lections" and of catalogues. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, where are to be found its library of historical books and pamphlets,

the largest in the northwest. On the 21st of September, 1853, Timothy Burns, lieu- tenant-governor of the State, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased, the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of Gov. Farwell, were closed for one day, October 3. The year 1850, to the agriculturalist, was not one of much pros- perity in Wisconsin, owing to the partial failure of the wheat erop. The State was vis- ited during the year by cholera, not, however, to a very alarming extent. In 1851 the State was prosperous. In 1852 the citizens of Wis- consin enjoyed unusual prosperity. There were abundant harvests and high markets; an increase of money and a downward tendency of the rates of interest. The next year (1853) was also one in which every branch of industry prospered. There was an especial increase in commerce and manufactures. And here it might be said that next to agriculture the most important pursuit in Wisconsin is manufacturing; fore- most in this interest is lumber, of which the pineries furnish the raw material. The pine region extends through the northern counties of the State from Green Bay to the St. Croix river. The demand for lumber is constantly increas- ing, while the facilities for its manufacture are continually enlarging. Over one billion feet of logs are cut annually. The lumber mills have a capacity exceeding one and one-half billion feet. The products of these find their way to market, either by the Mississippi and its tribu- taries, by the various lines of railways, or through the great lakes. The other leading articles of manufacture are flour, agricultural implements and malt liquors.

The fourth administration-William A. Bar- stow, governor-was signalized by a fugitive slave case, which greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. Sherman M. Booth, for assisting in the rescue of Joshua Glover, a fugitive slave, was arrested, but discharged by the supreme court. He was again arrested under an indict- ment in the United States district court, and a

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

second time discharged by the supreme court; but the supreme court of the United States reversed the action of the State court in its second discharge of Booth, and he was re- arrested in 1860; the sentence of the district court was executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the President. The eighth Legis- lature. of the State (Jan. 10-April 2, 1855), passed an act very liberal in its provisions rela- tive to the rights of married women. On the 27th of June, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at Prairie du Chien. The State census, taken in this year (1855), showed a population of 552,- 109. In 1865, the number had increased to 868,325; in 1875, to 1,236,729. Industrial occu- pations in Wisconsin were prosperous during the years 1854 and 1855. The fifth administra- tion began with William A. Barstow in the executive chair, by virtue of a certificate from the board of canvassers, that he had been a second time elected governor by a majority (as previously shown) of 157. But this certificate was set aside by the supreme court, giving the office to Coles Bashford, not, however, until Barstow had resigned, and Arthur McArthur, acting, by virtue of his office of lieutenant-gov- ernor, as governor from March 21, to March 25, 1856. A dry season during this year dimin- ished the wheat crop. The tenth Legislature of Wisconsin-Jan. 14 to March 9, 1857-passed an act establishing at Waukesha a house of refuge for juvenile delinquents, afterwards called the State Reform School; now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for boys. It was opened in 1860. The buildings are located on the southern bank of Fox river, in view of the trains as they pass to and from Milwaukee and Madison, presenting an attractive front to the traveling public, and furnishing the best evidence of the parental care of the State authorities for the juvenile wards within its borders. The buildings include a main central building, three stories high, used for the resi- dence of the superintendent's family, office

chapel, school rooms, reading room and library, officers kitchen, dining room, and lodging, fur- nace room and cellar. On the east of the main central building are three family buildings, three stories high, each with dining hall, play room, bath room, dressing room, hospi- tal room, officers' rooms, dormitory and store room. On the west of the main central building are four family buildings like those on the east in all respects, with the exception of the building at the west end of this line, which is a modern building with stone base- ment. In the rear of this line of buildings is the shop building, 38x258 feet, three stories high, which embrace boot factory, sock and knitting factory, tailor shop, carpenter shop, engine room, laundry and steam dyeing room, bath rooms, store, store rooms, bakery and cel- lar. The correction house, 44x80 feet, (intended for the most refractory boys) and will accommo- date forty; a double family building 38x117 feet for the accommodation of two families of boys of fifty each. There is on the farm, which consists of 233 acres of land, a com- fortable house, a stone carriage and horse barn two stories high, built in the most substantial manner.

The constitution of the State, adopted in 1848, provides, "that the revenue of the school fund shall be exclusively applied to the following objects: "Ist. To the support and maintenance of common schools in each school district, and the purchase of suitable libraries and appurte- nances therefor. "2d. That the residue of the income of the school fund shall be appropriated to the support of academies and normal schools, and suitable libraries and appurtenances there. for." No effort was made to take advantage of this provision of the constitution for the endow- ment of normal schools until 1857, when an act was passed providing "that the income of twen- ty-five per cent. of the proceeds arising from the sale of swamp and overflowed lands should be appropriated to normal institutes and academies, under the supervision and direction of a " 'board

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of regents of normal schools,'" who were to be appointed in pursuance of the provisions of that act. Under this law, the income placed at the disposal of the regents was distributed for several years to such colleges, academies and high schools as maintained a normal class, and in proportion to the number of pupils in the class who passed satisfactory examinations, con- ducted by an agent of the board. In 1865, the Legislature divided the swamp lands and swamp land fund into two equal parts, one for drain- age purposes, the other to constitute a normal school fund. The income of the latter was to be applied to establishing, supporting and main- taining normal schools, under the direction and management of the board of regents of normal schools, with a proviso that one-fourth of such income should be transferred to the common school fund, until the annual income of that fund should reach $200,000. During the same year, proposals were invited for extending aid in the establishment of a normal school, and propositions were received from various places.

In 1866, the board of regents was incorpo- rated by the Legislature. In February, Platte- ville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as it had become apparent that a productive fund of about $600,000, with a net income of over $30,000, was already in hand, with a prospect of a steady increase as fast as lands were sold, the board, after a careful in- vestigation and consideration of the different methods, decided upon the policy of establish- ing several schools, and of locating them in different parts of the State. At a meeting held on the 2d day of May, in the same year, the board designated Whitewater as the site of a school for the southeastern section of the State, where a building was subsequently erected; and on the 16th permanently located a school at Platteville, the academy building having been donated for that purpose. The school at Platte- ville was opened Oct. 9, 1866. The school at Whitewater was opened on the 21st of April, 1868.

A building was completed during the year 1870 for a third normal school, at Oshkosh, but owing to a lack of funds, it was not opened for the admission of pupils during that year. The opening and the ceremony of dedicating the build- ing took place Sept. 19, 1871. A fourth normal school was opened in September, 1875, at River Falls, Pierce county. It is understood to be the policy of the board of regents to establish eventually, when the means at their disposal shall permit, not less than six normal schools, but several years must elapse before so many can go into operation. The law under which these schools are organized provides that "The exclusive purpose of each normal school shall be the instruction and training of persons, both male and female, in the theory and art of teach- ing, and in all the various branches that per- tain to a good common school education, and in all subjects needful to qualify for teaching in the public schools; also to give instruction in the fundamental laws of the United States and of this State, and in what regards the rights and duties of citizens."

Subsidiary to the State normal schools are teachers' institutes, held annually in nearly every settled county, and the State teachers' association, which has been organized for a quarter of a century. Besides the public schools of the State, there are a number of denomina- tional and other colleges, the principal of which are Racine College, Beloit College, Milton Col- lege, Ripon College, Carroll College, at Wau- kesha; Lawrence University, at Appleton; St. John's College, at Prairie du Chien; Galesville University; Northwestern University, at Water- town; and Pio Nono College, at St. Francis Station, south of Milwaukee. There is also quite a large number of incorporated academies and seminaries, the more prominent ones being the Milwaukee Academy and St. Mary's Insti- tute, at Milwaukee; Kemper IIall, at Kenosha; St. Catharine's Academy, at Racine; Rochester Seminary, Lake Geneva Seminary, Fox Lake Seminary, Albion Academy, Elroy Seminary,

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Wayland Institute, at Beaver Dam, and Santa Clara Academy, at Sinsinawa Mound. There are also about 700 private schools in Wisconsin. The whole mimber of children in Wisconsin between four and twenty vears of age is 483,071; the number of pupils in attendance in public schools, 299,019. The aggregate valuation of school property in the State is $5,297,678.24.

The sixth administration, Alexander W. Randall, governor, was noted for its "long par- liament," the eleventh Legislature of the State having been in session 125 days. A report of commissioners previously appointed to revise the statutes, was acted upon during the session, the result being the publication, in one volume, of the "Revised Statutes of 1858." The twelfth Legislature (Jan. 12, to March 21, 1859) was, like the two previous Legistatures, republi- can. At the commencement of the seventh ad- ministration, Randall's second term as gov- ernor, that party not only had control of the thirteenth Legislature, but of all the State offices. The governor, in his message to the fourteenth Legislature, on the 10th of January, 1861, de. clared that the right of a State to secede from the Union, could never be admitted. "The gor- ernment must be sustained, the laws shall be en- forced!" An extra session of the Legislature was convened on the 15th of May, at which, no acts were passed except such as appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Mean- while a demand made upon the governor by the President, for troops to sustain the federal arm, met with a quick response. During the year, 9,991 men, in ten regiments, for three years' service, and one regiment for three months service, of 810 men, were sent out of the State. The number of volunteers originally in the sev- eral military organizations, from Wisconsin during the war, were as follows:

First Infantry, three months 810

First Infantry, three years. 945

Seeond Infantry, three years 1051

Third Infantry, three years 979

Fifth Infantry, three years. 1058

Sixth Infantry, three years. 1108

Seventh Infantry. three years 1029

Eighth Infantry, three years 973

Ninth Infantry, * three years. 870

Tenth Infantry, three years. 916

Eleventh Infantry, three years 1029

Twelfth Infantry, three years. 1045

Thirteenth Infantry, * three years. 970

Fourteenth Infantry, three years. 970

Fifteenth Infantry. three years. 801

Sixteenth Infantry, three years. 1066

Seventeenth Infantry, three years 941

Eighteenth Infantry, three years 962

Nineteenth Infantry, three years. 973

Twentieth Infantry, three years. 990

Twenty-first Infantry, three years. 1002

Twenty-second Infantry, three years. 1009

Twenty-third Infantry, three years. 994

Twenty fourth Infantry, three years 1003

Twenty-fifth Infantry, three years. 1018

Twenty-sixth Infantry, three years. 1002

Twenty-seventh Infantry, three years. 865

Twenty-eighth Infantry, three years. 961

Twenty-ninth Infantry, three years. 961

Thirtieth Infantry, three years. 906

Thirty-first Infantry, three years. 878

Thirty-second Infantry, three years. 993

Thirty-third Infantry. three years. 892

Thirty-fourth Infantry, nine months 961

Thirty-fifth Infantry, * three years 1066

Thirty sixth Infantry, three years. 990

Thirty-seventh Infantry, one, two and three years 708

Thirty-eighth Infantry, one, two and three years. 913

Thirty-ninth Infantry, one hundred days 780 Fortieth Infantry, one hundred days. 776

Forty-first Infantry, one hundred days. 578

Forty-second Infantry, one year. 877

Forty-third Infantry, one year. 867

Forty-fourth Infantry, one year. 877

Forty fifth Infantry, one year. 859

Forty-sixth Infantry, one year. 914

Forty-seventh Infantry, one year. 927

Forty-eighth Infantry, one year. 828

Forty-ninth Infantry, one year. 986

Fiftieth Infantry, one year. 942

Fifty-first Infantry, one year. 841

Fifty-second Infantry, one year. 486

Fifty third Infantry, one year. 380

First Cavalry, three years 1124

Second Cavalry, three years 1127

Third Cavalry, three years. 1186

Fourth Cavalry, three years. 1047

Milwaukee. 83

*Nov. 1, 1865.

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

First Battery Light Artillery. 155

Second Battery Light Artillery. 153

Third Battery Light Artillery 170

Fourth Battery Light Artillery 151

Fifth Battery Light Artillery. 155

Sixth Battery Light Artillery 157

Seventh Battery Light Artillery 158

Eighth Battery Light Artillery 161

Ninth Battery Light Artillery

155

Tenth Battery Light Artillery

Eleventh Battery Light Artillery.

Twelfth Battery Light Artillery

Thirteenth Battery Light Artillery 156

Battery A, Heavy Artillery 129 Battery B, Heavy Artillery 149

Battery C, Heavy Artillery

146

Battery D, Heavy Artillery

146

Battery E, Heavy Artillery

151

Battery F, Heavy Artillery. 151 152

Battery G, Heavy Artillery

151

Battery I, Heavy Artillery.

150

Battery K, Heavy Artillery. 148

Battery 1,, Heavy Artillery

152

Battery M, Heavy Artillery. 152

Sharp Shooters 105

Gibbons' Brigade Band. 13

On the 10th of April, 1862, Gov. Lonis P. Harvey, the successor of Alexander W. Randall, started, along with others, from Wisconsin on a tour to relieve the wounded and suffering soldiers from this State, at Mound City, Padu- cah and Savannah. Having completed his mission, he made preparations to return. He went on board a boat, the Dunleith, at the landing in Savannah, and there awaited the ar- rival of the Minnehaha, which was to convey him and his party to Cairo, Ill. It was late in the evening of the 19th of April when the steamer arrived; and as she rounded to, her bow touched the Dunleith precipitating the governor into the river. Every effort was made to save his life, but in vain. His body was afterward re- covered and brought home for interment.

Edward Salomon, lieutenant-governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, succeeded to the office of governor. The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's adminis-

tration of thirteen regiments of infantry-the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the march- ing of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry and one company of sharpshooters constituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the Rebellion. But for the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organiza- tions, was more than doubled. At the end of the year 1863 thirty-three regiments left the State-the Thirteenth regiment being the only remaining one of the thirty-four in Wisconsin. The ninth administration, James T. Lewis, gov- ernor, saw the close of the Rebellion. On the 10th of April, . 1865, Lewis announced to the Legislature, then in session, the surrender of Gen. Lee and his army.

Fifty-three regiments during the war were raised in Wisconsin, all, sooner or later, mov- ing south and engaging in one way or other in suppressing the Rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which constituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to Savannah. These twelve regiments were:

The First (three months), Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth.

Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Georgia. These ten were:

The Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty- fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty- seventh. Added to these was the First (re-or- ganized).

Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. "These were:

Eighth, Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth,

Battery H, Heavy Artillery

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty- fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty- ninth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, For- tieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second and Fifty-third.

During the war several transfers were made from one (listriet to another. There were taken from the eastern division the Third and Twenty- sixth and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 'T'w enty- fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from the western to the cen- tral department. The other military organiza- tions from Wisconsin had various assignments Recruiting ceased in the State on the 13th of April, 1865. It was not many months before Wisconsin's last soldier was mustered out of service. The State furnished during the war over 75,000 men, of which number nearly 11,000 died in the service.

Among all the noble women who gave them- selves to the sanitary work of the civil war perhaps few were more peculiarly fitted for forming and carrying out plans than Mrs. C. A. P. Harvey, widow of the late lamented Gov. Louis P. Harvey. She was appointed by Gov. Salomon one of the sanitary agents of the State. She soon procured the establishment of a convalesent hospital at Madison, Wis. The building when no longer needed as a hospital, Mrs. Harvey conceived the idea of having it con- verted into a home for soldiers' orphans. On Jan. 1, 1866, the home was opened with eighty- four orphans, Mrs. Harvey at the head. The necessary funds had been raised by subscription; Inuit it soon became a State institution. The or- phans were not only maintained but brought up to habits of industry. But it was not long be- fore the number of the inmates began to de- crease, owing to the fact that homes were found or many, while some were returned to their,

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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 8

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

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