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 81
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. R. F. Carey was from the Nutmeg State. He came to Vernon county, in 1854, and entered a portion of section 10, town 1t, range 3 west. Ile settled on this land the following year, and there made his home until 1883, when he sold out and left the town.
Samuel Baldwin was a settler of 1854. He was from New York. On his arrival in Ver- non county, he made choice of land on section 2, town 11, range 3 west, where he located and lived some years and then removed to Richland county. In 1883 he went to Kansas.
Daniel Hill, a native of Illinois, by profession a physician, came in 1853, and located on the northeast quarter of section 26. He was after- wards convicted of horse stealing, served a term in the penitentiary, and then returned to the town, but finally removed to Kansas.
The Keystone State furnished a settler in 1853 in the person of Peter Neeley, Ile settled on section 1, town 11, range 3, lived there eight or nine years, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he died a few years later. His widow now lives in Washington territory.
Francis Lawton, a native of New York, also came in 1853, from Jefferson Co., Wis., and, in com; any with A.C.Cushman, built a saw-mill. In 1858 he sold out and went to Rockton, where lie built a grist mill. He now lives in Wash- ington territory.
John Grubbs was another of the pioneers of 1853. He located on the northeast quarter of
section 36. He is now dead and his widow lives in Richland county.
Abraham Benn, from England, came in 1856 and located on section 1. lle enlisted in the Union army during the war and died in the service. Some of the family yet reside in the town.
John Harrison and Henry Glasburn, originally from Illinois, came from Viroqua in 1849. The year following they built a saw-mill on the west fork of the Kickapoo. About the time of the war they sold out and left the town.
William Austin settled in Readstown in 1853. He was something of a pettifogger and quite a musician. Two of his daughters were good musicians and occasionally gave public concerts. Mr. Austin left the county durng war times and now resides in California.
George Miller came in 1853, lived in Reads- town a few years, then left his family and re- turned to Illinois, from whence lie came.
Gilbert Herrick, a native of New York State, came from Viroqua in 1853. He was a carpen- ter by trade and worked at the business together with farming. He made his home in Reads- town until his death, which occurred in 1879. Ilis widow survived him but a few months. Three daughters are yet living, two of whom reside in Iowa, the other still living at Reads- town.
In 1854 Daniel B. Hale came to Readstown. He is a nephew of Mr. Read and is yet a resident of the village.
James McSharry, a native of Ireland, came from Galena, Ill., in 1853. He entered land on section 36, town 12, range 4, where he located and remained three years, then went to section 7, town 11, range 3, where he lived until 1882 when he removed to Rising Sun, where he died on Easter Sunday, 1883. His widow and two daughters now reside in Rising Sun.
Robert Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1852 from Richland county and entered land on sections 35 and 36, town 12, range 3
35
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
west. He built a house on section 35 and still resides there.
Lorenzo Hill was from New York. He came in 1853 and located on section 25, town 12, range 3. He was a single man at the time, but soon afterwards married a daughter of Robert Wilson. His wife died in 1857 and he subse- quently sold out and left the county. He is now a resident of Washington territory.
Albert Bliss, a native of Vermont, came to Readstown in 1854 from Grant Co., Wis., where he had lived several years. He opened a store that fall, and the next year embarked in the hotel business. He was a resident of the town until 1883, when he removed to Viroqua.
William Powell located on section 12, town 11, range 3, in 1854. He was a minister of the Christian or Disciple Church, but engaged in teaching the greater part of his residence in the county. He remained here ten or twelve years, but now resides in Viroqua.
Charles Allen, a native of Virginia, came from Ohio in 1854 and settled on section 3, where he remained until his death in 1874. His widow subsequently married H, B. Hopkins.
James Medlicut, a native of England, came in 1854 and settled on section 1, town 11, range 4 west. He lived there abont twelve years, when he moved to Iowa, where he has since died. Two of his sons now live in Iowa.
William Geddes settled in the Kickapoo val- ley in 1855, buying land on section 33, town 12, range 3 west, where he still lives. He is a na- tive of Ohio.
James Fox, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1854, first locating on section 4, town 11, range 4, where he lived two years, then moved to section 8, town 11, range 3 west. He died there in August, 1883. He was a wagon maker by trade, and worked at his trade the greater part of the time, while a resident of the town. lle was. an active and influential mem- ber of the Christian Church.
came here from Green Lake Co., Wis., locating on section 14. In 1858 he removed to Marion Co., Mo., and died there in 1879. His widow still lives there. His daughter, the widow of A. P. Bliss, lives at Readstown.
James Foreman, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1855. He bought village lots in Kicka- poo and built a log house. Ile died there in 1857. His widow now lives with her daughter, who is the wife of Ransom Kellogg. His son, James, a successful farmer, lives on section 2, town 11, range 3 west.
O. C. Fortney is a native of Norway. IIe came here from Madison Co., Wis., in 1855, and first located on section 13, town 11, range 4 west. He lived there about one year, then moved to seetion 11, of the same town. In 1882 he moved to section 2, where he died in 1883. His widow yet resides on the latter homestead.
James Maiben, by birt'., was a Scotchman. Ile came here from Grant Co., Wis., in 1854, bought land on section 8, town 11, range 3. He died Jan. 8, 1857. Ilis family still reside here.
Francis Dupee came from Grant Co., Wis., in 1856. lle enlisted in the army and died in the service. His son Henry also died in the service. The family now occupy the old home- stead.
Henry Cumrine located on section 10, town 11, range 3 west, in 1855. Ile was a native of Maryland, but came here from Ohio. He built a two story hewed log house on his arrival, which he still makes his home.
George Spurrier was from Jefferson Co., Ohio. Ile came here in 1855, and entered eighty acres of land on section 14, town 11. range 3, where he still resides.
John Crook, a native of England, was a settler of 1857. Ile located on section 26, town 12, range 4. In 1870 he moved to the town of Franklin, where he now lives. His
Rodman Baker was among the settlers of 1855. He was a native of New York, but | son William now lives on the old homestead.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Reuben Alexander was from Indiana. He located on section 11, town 11, range 3, in 1857 where he yet resides.
Among the settlers of 1855 was Zachariah Smith, a native of Ohio, but who came from Indiana, and located on section 13, town 11, range 5, where he still lives.
His brother, William A. Smith, came the same year, and settled on the same section. He died in 1880. His family still occupy the home- stead.
Reuben Drake, a native of New Jersey, came in 1855, from Indiana, and settled on section 12, town 11, range 3, where he yet remains.
John Gribble, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Indiana in 1854, and 'located on section 36, town 11, range 3. In 1871 he moved to Viola, where he died in 1875. His widow now lives in Richland county.
One of the pioneers of 1856, worthy of special mention in this connection, is William Pugh ( deceased ), who was born in North Caro- lina, in 1781, and died at Readstown, in 1869 When young, he moved to Virginia, where he married in 1810, and a few years later, remover to Kentucky, where he remained until 1845, a. which time he came to Wisconsin and spent : year in Grant county. He then returned to Kentucky, and remained until 1856, when he moved baek to Wisconsin, and settled near Readstown, Vernon county, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Pugh was born in the State of Virginia, June 26, 1794. She married Mr. Pugh the January before she was sixteen years of age, and by him had twenty- one children, thirteen of whom lived to man- hood and womanhood. The mother, when ninety years of age, ( 1883 ) was well preserved and enjoyed good health. The year she was ninety, she was out walking, when a rattle snake came across her pathway, which had seven rattles. Mrs. Pugh found a stick, hunted the venomons reptile ont from his hiding place and killed it; this took more courage than most of her children or grand-children
would have possessed. In 1884 she was mak- ing her home with her son, Andrew J., near Readstown.
ORGANIC.
Kickapoo town was organized in 1>53. The first election was held at Orin Wisel's house, May 29 of that year. The territory embraced forty six sections, and has never been changed. Several attempts have been made to sub-divide it, but such attempts have always failed No record of the first town officers can be given, ex- cept that Robert Wilson was the first justice of the peace.
Officers of 1883: P. L. Rush, Lewis Ander- son and John Claney, supervisors; William Hutchinson, assessor; J. J. MeCarty, clerk; George Spurrier, A. M. McClarin and Henry Sutherland, justices of the peace; A. S. Cary, constable.
VILLAGE OF READSTOWN.
In 1855 Daniel Read had platted a village to which he gave the name of Readstown. It is situated on a portion of sections 7 and 8, town 11, range 3, and lies npon both sides of the Kickapoo river. Mr. Read built the first house upon the site of the prospective village, in 1848. It was of round logs and located upon the cast side of the river.
Before the village was platted quite a settle- ment had been made, and the first store opened by William II. Austin, early in the year 1854 Mr Austin continued in the business about one year, when he closed out. Albert Bliss opened the next store, in the fall of 1854. He contin- ued in the business for several years, finally dis- posing of his interest to his son, Parker, who continued it until his death. His widow still carries on the business.
The citizens of Readstown, and those who did business at this point, were without mail facili- ties until 1857, when an office was established with Hiram Austin as the first postmaster, with the office at his residence. Mr. Austin was sue- ceeded by Hugh MeClarrien, who gave way, in 1861, to A. P. Bliss, who continued to discharge
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
the duties of the office until his death, when his widow was appointed. In February, 1881, Al- bert Bliss was commissioned and held the office until March, 1883, when he resigned and Mrs. A. P. Bliss was again appointed. Mail is now received three times a week.
The "village smith" is celebrated in poetry and illustrated by the artist, and no well reg- ulated village is considered complete without a representative of this branch of industry. In 1850, five years before the village was platted, Orin Wisel opened a blacksmith shop in the place. He continued to work at his trade until 1860, when he closed the shop. It was re- opened shortly after, by William Dailey, who continued until sometime during the war.
Albert Bliss, who was the second merchant in the place, opened the first hotel in 1855. It was a commodions frame building and considered an honor to the village. The hotel is now run by the widow of his son, Albert P. Bliss.
In the fall of 1854, a distillery was ereeted on the west bank of the river, by William H. Austin. The building was washed away in the spring of 1857, and never replaced, though Mr. Austin erected and run a brewery for about four years, upon its site. The brewery build- ing was destroyed by fire.
In a new country, and cut off from general markets, and where the inhabitants are gener- ally of the poorer class,a mill for sawing the na- tive lumber, is greatly appreciated. In 1849 Daniel Read built a saw mill on what has sinee been known as Read's creek. It was supplied with a perpendicular saw. The mill stood abont ten years, when it was replaced by another and better one, erected near the site of the old one. The new mill stood until 1881, when it was torn down.
A greater blessing, even than the old saw mill, was the grist mill, erected in a new settlement. As often narrated, the pioneers of this western country often suffered great inconvenience from the lack of milling facilities, and the man who erected a mill for the purpose of grinding the
corn and wheat of the few settlers, was consid- ered a public benefactor. In 1851 Daniel Read built a small mill, securing power from Read's creek, through a race one-third of a mile in length, and which afforded a seventeen foot fall. For two years the mill was supplied with but one run of buhrs, which was sufficient to meet the requirements of its patrons. A second run of buhrs was added in 1856. B. D. Hale was the first practical miller employed by Mr. Read. In 1859 the mill was rented to Thomas Hardin, who run it two years and was succeeded by Henry Lockwood, who also rented and run it two years. In the meantime Mr. Read died and his sister, Anna Hale, inherited one-third inter- est in the mill, which went. to her son, B. D. Hale. Thomas Cade purchased the two-thirds interest. As soon as Lockwood's lease expired, Mr. Hale took charge of the mill, purchasing from Mr. Cade an amount sufficient to give him a half interest. With the exception of about two and a half years, when it was rented, the mill has been run by Mr. Hale, to the present time. It has now three run of buhrs-one for flour, one for middlings and the other for coarse grinding. It has all the machinery for making first-class flour. The building is 24x30 feet, one and a half stories high, with an addition 12x30 feet. In 1883 Francis HI. Rogers bought Mr. Cade's interest, and is now associated with Mr. HIale in the management of the mill.
The west side of the river had the mon poly of the trade until 1876, when W. Il. Aikins opened a store on the east side. The second store was opened in 1882 by J J. MeCarty.
A blacksmith shop was erected and the trade followed, by George Read, before the war. In 1868 Mr. Read disposed of the shop to George Kemmel, who yet continues in the business.
The business of Readstown in the fall of 1883 was represented by the following named :
William Aiken, Mrs. A. P. Bliss & Son and John McCarthy, general stock.
James Treseder, hardware dealer.
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Mrs. A. P. Bliss, hotel.
George Kembe'l, Henry Wamburg and Lew Kellogg, blacksmiths.
Hale & Rogers, proprietors of the mill. THE VILLAGE OF KICKAPOO.
The little collection of houses known as Kick- apoo was laid out by Joseph Wood, on land owned by Robert Wilson, in 1857. It is situ- ated on the west bank of the Kickapoo river, on section 35, town 12, range 3 west.
Knox & St. John opened the first store in 1857; they kept a general stock, including gro- ceries. They continued about a year and closed ont. Then came Samuel Green, who moved a stock into the same building-a log house long since torn down. Several persons have traded here from time to time. The trade in 1884 was left in the hands of Ambrose Osborne.
Robert Wilson kept the first hotel. Ile began to keep travelers when he first came to the county. In 1857 he built a frame hotel, called the "Jackson House," named in honor of "Old Hickory." They kept this as a public house till 1873.
A postoffice was established at this point in 1853. Robert Wilson was the first postmaster; he served over eighteen years and was sue- ceeded by Lorenzo Hill, and he, by Samuel Green. Next came Thomas Dunning, who was followed by Mr. Wilson, who was in charge a year and followed by L. S. Kellogg.
In 1883 A. C. Cushman and Frank Lawton erected a saw mill on the cast bank of the Kickapoo river, its power, however, being de- rived from Elk creek. This mill . was still in use in 1884, when it was being run by his son, James M.
The first religious services in this vicinity were held at the school house in 1857. Preachers of various denominations conducted services in the place. A Methodist Episcopal class was organized, but prior to 1880 had been discon- tinned.
A Free Will Baptist society was organized in 1879, by Rev. F. B. Moulton, which had
abont thirty members. Robert Wilson and E. II. Bragg were chosen deacons. In the spring of 1880, a small church was built which cost about $600. In 1883, owing to most of the membership having moved away, the society was disbanded.
EDUCATIONAL.
The town of Kickapoo is well supplied with school houses, and in educational matters ranks among the best in the county.
The first school at Readstown was taught by Mrs. Bound in a small building erected for other purposes in 1854, but during that year a frame building was erected for school purposes, and the first school taught therein was by Je- mima Wilson. This building was in use until 1867, when it was replaced by a larger and bet- ter one, which was still in use in the fall of 1883. Gardner Bliss was the first teacher in the new building. Each district in the town is supplied with a school house.
Joint district No. 1 secured its first school house in 1860. It was of logs and erected by the volunteer contributions (in labor) of the men in the district. The building was cov- ered with slabs and had slab seats provided for the scholars. This building was replaced by the present one in 1871. Helen Hutchinson has the honor of being the first teacher in the new sel ool house.
The first school in district No. 2 was held in Samuel Green's house in the winter of 1854-5. It was taught by Caroline MeKasha. In 1857 a log house was erected, in which Isaac Osen- baugh taught the first school. It stood upon section 35, on the line of section 36. This house was used but a short time when a frame house was built on the same section line. Nettie Cliff was the first teacher in this house. In 1869 the present school building was erected and school was first taught therein by Annie Turner.
Elizabeth Williams taught the first school in district No. 3, in 1857. A rnde log house had been erected that year for school purposes, lo-
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
cated on section 17, town 11, range 3 west. In two or three years it was replaced by a hewed log house, erected on the same lot. William Powell tanght the first school in this house. In 1882 a neat frame school house was erected on section 11, in which Lanra E. Smith taught the first school.
The first school in district No. 4 was in a building belonging to William Geddes, located on section 33. This was in 1856. Sarah Clark has the honor of being the first teacher. A school house was erected the same year on the northwest quarter of section 33, town 12, range 3 west.
In district No. 5 the first school house was built in 1857. It was of logs and located on the northwest quarter of section 9. It was built on the subscription plan. Mrs. R. F. Cory was the first teacher. The old log school house was used until 1876, when the present frame build- ing was erected. William S Andrews was the first teacher in the new house, which is located on section 10.
District No. 6 is not provided with a school house.
The first school in district No. 7 was taught by Margaret McSharry in 1860. The school was held in a log house owned by Mr. Banta, located on section 11. A log house was bought of Mr. Brown and is still used as a school house. It is located on section 11. Almira Fox taught the first school in this house.
The first marriage in the town is not posi- tively known. In 1855 Abner Hancock was united in marriage with Irena, daughter of John Ilarrison. Orin Wisel, justice of the peace, officiated on the occasion, the ceremony being performed at the house of Thomas Gillingham, at Readstown.
George Baker was united with Ulialah Shoults about the same time, at the residence of the bride's parents. Henry B. Hopkins, justice of the peace, officiated.
The first birth is also unknown, or at least has not come to the knowledge of the historian.
An early birth was that of Elsie, daughter of H. B. and Emeline (Dean) Hopkins, born July 28, 1855. She is now married and living in Grant Co., Wis.
The first meetings of the Sugar Grove Chris- tian Church were held at the residence of Zae'- ariah Smith, in 1857. Rev. Daniel Parkerson was the first minister. This society was organ- ized at the school house on section 13 in 1857 by George H. Babb. Abram Williams and Zachariah Smith were chosen elders and Wil- liam Shore and Henry Davis, deacons. The original membership was composed of about fourteen persons, among whom were Zachariah Smith and wife, George Spurrier and wife, Reuben Drake and wife, Henry Davis and wife, William Shore and wife and Elmira Newman. Rev George H. Babb was the first regular preacher after the organization of the society. HIe was succeeded hy Rev. Hurd, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Henry Howe. The soci- ety has never had a regular settled pastor, but has been supplied by preachers from other points. Worship was continued in the school honse some four or five years, when services were held in Richland county until 1875, when a neat frame building was erected on section 13, town 11, range 3, town of Kickapoo. A Sab- bath school was organized at the school house soon after the organization of the society. William Powell was the first superintendent. The present superintendent is Rutson Drake.
The Methodist Episcopal Conference has sent ministers to Readstown since the time the village was laid out. The first meetings were held in the school house, Rev. Schooley being among the first preachers. No class was organ- ized here until 1876, when Rev. McMillan or- ganized one with about eight members, among whom were James Treseder and wife, Martha MeKittrick and Mrs. Sylvia Bliss. James Treseder was appointed class-leader. In the winter of 1881-82 a revival was held, when sev- eral persons were added to the membership. In the spring of 1882 a house of worship was
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
erected on a lot donated by Daniel Read in 1860. Rev. R. S. Mockett is the present pastor of the Church.
A union Sabbath school was organized in 1882 with James Treseder as superintendent. It is held in the Methodist Church.
PERSONAL.
Josiah Adams, one of the settlers of Ver- non county, was born in the town of Somerset, Somerset Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1822. When he was quite young his parents moved to Ohio and became early settlers of Stark county, where he grew to manhood. In 1845 he went to the Maumee valley and bought timber land in Henry county. In 1849 he came to Wisconsin and spent the summer in Lafayette county. In the fall of that year he came to Bad Ax coun- ty and halted at Liberty Pole, which was at that time called Bad Ax. Ile made a claim on section 32, of town 12 north, of range 5 west. In the fall of 1850 he returned to Ohio and spent the winter and sold his land there, return- ing to this county in 1852. On the 3d of April, 1853, he started for California, going across the plains with ox teams. He arrived at Spanish Ranch the 8th day of September, having been over five months on the way. He engaged in mining and remained in Califor- nia until 1855, when he returned to Liberty Pole, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York. He then settled down and en- gaged farming, remaining in Franklin town un- til 1881, when he sold out and came to Kick- apoo and bought land on section 33, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, where he now lives. Ile was married in 1860 to Mary Wright, of Ohio. They have one child, named Cyrus. His second and present wife was Ro- setta Hooks, who was born in Mercer Co., Ohio, Feb. 5, 1833. Her father, Thomas Hooks, set- tled in Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1847.
Philip Schneider, one of the pioneers of Ver- non county and the oldest living settler in the town of Kickapoo, was born in Bavaria, Sept. 15, 1815. His younger days were spent
in school and on the farm. In 1837 he left his native land and emigrated to America. Ile landed at New York and went to New Jersey, where he was employed at farming for ten years. In 1847 he came to Wisconsin, and lo- cated in what was then called Crawford county. He stopped near Viroqua and helped Mr. Deck- er put up the first house ever erected in Viroqua. Ile remained there two years; then in 1849 came to town 11 north, of range 3 west, and en- tered land on section 5. He first built a small log cabin in which he lived until 1862, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. Schneider's farm is in the Kickapoo valley and contains 200 acres. It was the first farm opened up in the town. He was married in 1852 to Elizabeth Gnist, born in Ohio. Four children have blessed this union-Jacob, Mary, George and Philip. Mrs. Schneider died in 1856. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1857, was a sister of his first wife and named Mary. She was the widow of Paul Sisler.
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