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 9

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 9

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mothers; none were kept in the institution after they had reached the age of fifteen. At length when the number had diminished to less than forty children, it was thought best to close the institution. This was in 1875. The whole number of orphans cared for during the contin- uance of the home was about 700. The Legisla- ture then transferred the building to the re- gents of the University of Wisconsin, who dis- posed of it; and a Norwegian seminary is now established therein.

During the tenth administration, Lucius Fairchild, governor, the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the northwest- ern branch of the National institution, was es- tablished in Wisconsin, three miles from Mil- waukee. It has a capacious briek building, con- taining accommodations for 1,000 inmates. In addition to this building which contains the main halls, eating apartment, offices, dormitory and engine room, are shops, granaries, stables and other out-buildings. The Home farm con- tains 410 acres, of which over one-half is culti- vated The remainder is a wooded park tra- versed by shaded walks and drives, beautifully undulating. The main line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad runs through the farm, and the track of the northern division passes beside it. Soldiers who were disabled in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, the Mexican War, or the War of 1812, and have been honorably discharged, are entit ed to admission to the Soldiers' Home.

A law was passed in 1867 creating the office of insurance commissioner, the secretary of State being assigned to its duties. But, in 1878, it was made a distinct office, to be filled by the governor's appointment. It was, however. made elective in 1881. Philip L. Spooner has served since April 1, 1878, and is still in office. The joint-stock fire insurance companies of Wis- consin are three in number, its mutual compa- nies also three. There is but one life insurance company in the State. A large number of are and life insurance companies located outside of

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Wisconsin transaet business under State law within its borders.

Early in 1870, during Gov. Fairchild's third term, was organized, and in March of that year incorporated, the "Wisconsin Acad- emy of Sciences, Arts and Letters," having among its specific objects researches and inves- tigations in the various departments of the ma- terial, metaphysical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science and by the encouragement of original invention; the en- couragement of the fine arts by means of hon- ors and prizes awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of seien- tific, economical and art museums; the encour- agement of philological and historical research; the collection and preservation of historie rec- ords and the formation of a general library, and the diffusion of knowledge by the public i- tion of original contributions to science, liter- ature and the arts. The academy has already published several volumes of transactions, un- der authority of the State. On the 3d day of July of that year A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of consumption, and on the 13th of January following occurred the death of associate justice, Byron Paine, of the supreme court. At the twenty-fourth regular session of the Legislature (January 11-March 25, 1871,) a commissioner of emigration, to be elected by the people, was provided for. The office was abolished Jan. 3, 1876. During this time but two persons held the office-Ole C. Johnson, from April 3, 1871, to Jan. 5, 1874; Martin J. Argard, from Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. 3, 1876. By an act of the Legislature, approved March 4, 1879, the board of immigration of the State of Wisconsin was created, to consist of five members, of which number two are ex-officio-the governor and secretary of State. The principal office is located in Milwaukee, |

with a branch office at Chicago. The object is to encourage imigration from Europe to Wis- consin. On the 23d of March, 1871, the State board of charities and reforms was created, to consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the mem- bers being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional in- stitutions supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury. This board have since reported annually to the governor their proceedings. The Wisconsin State horticultural Society, although previously organized, first un- der the name of the "Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of March, 1871-the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868 provision was made for the pub- lication of the society's transactions in connec- tion with the State Agricultural Society; but by the act of 1871 this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate form. The society holds annual meetings at Madison.

In October, 1871, occurred great fires in northeastern Wisconsin. The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano suffered more or less. More than 1,000 men, women and children per- ished. More than 3,000 were rendered destitute. The loss of property has been estimated at $4,- 000,000. No other calamity so awful in its results has ever visited Wisconsin. A compilation of the public statutes of the State was prepared during the year 1871 by David Taylor (now associate justice of the supreme court), and published in two volumes, known as the "Re- vised Statutes of 1871." It was wholly a pri- vate undertaking, but a very creditable one.

The Wisconsin Dairymen's Association origi- nated in a resolution offered in the Jefferson County Dairymen's Association, Jan. 26, 1872, to issue a call for a meeting of Wisconsin dairymen, to be held at Watertown, Feb. 15,

· HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1872. A few gentlemen met and organized the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association. The aim of the organization has been to secure improved methods of making butter and cheese and the best markets for shipment and sale. The asso- ciation holds its annual meeting in January of each year for the discussion of the dairy inter- ests. Dairy fairs are held at each meeting. There is printed annually by the State printer 2,000 copies of the transactions of the associa- tion. The Legislature receives 600 copies, the State Historical Society, Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, State Agricultural Society and Northern Wisconsin Agricultural Associa- tion receive forty copies each; the remainder are distributed to the members of the associa- tion and generally over the State to all who make application for them. The association receives its support from members who join each year, paying the sum of $1, and by appropriations from the State. Wisconsin won first premium on butter in competition with the world; the second premium on Cheddar cheese (the first going to Canada), and the second on fancy shaped cheese at the International Dairy Fair, held in New York city in December, 1877. To the Dairymen's Association belongs the credit of raising the reputation of Wisconsin cheese and butter from the lowest to the high- est rank.

On the 23d of March, 1873, Lieut .- Gov. Milton H. Pettitt died suddenly and unex- pectedly. The Legislature this year passed an act providing for a geological survey of the State, to be completed within four years, by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be ap- pointed by the governor, appropriating for the work an annual payment of $13,000. An act, approved March 25, 1853, authorized the gov- ernor to appoint a State geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Under this law Edward Daniels, on the 1st day of April, 1853, was appointed State geologist, superseded on the 12th day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d

of May, 1856. By an act approved March 3, 1857, James IIall, Ezra Carr and Edward Dan- iels were appointed by the Legislature geolog- ical commissioners. By an act approved April 2, 1860, Hall was made principal of the com- mission. The survey was interrupted by a re- peal March 21, 1862, of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the mat- ter was re-instated by the act of this Legisla- ture, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. On the 16th of February, 1875, O. W. Wight succeeded Lap- ham, but on the 2d of February, 1876, T. C. Chamberlain was appolnted Wight's successor, and still holds the office. He has published four volumes of reports in a very able manner, extending from 1873 to 1879, inclusive. Re- ports were also published by his predecessors.

And just here it may not be inappropriate to say a word concerning the physical history of Wisconsin. "This can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but. shallow sea, covering the whole of the present territory of the State, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing mud and sand, as at the present day, and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history under consideration. Back of that the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The thick- ness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied, of course, an essentially horizontal position, and were doubtless in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale and other sedi- mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, wax brought to bear upon them laterally, or edge- wise, by which they were folded and crumpled and forced up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

which produced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of the globe.' The foldings may be imagined as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contortion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which. re-arrangement and crystalization of the ingre- dients played a conspicuous part. By this met- amorphism granite, gneiss, mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed."* But to pur- sue further an inquiry into the geological struc- ture of the State would be foreign to this brief historical sketch of Wisconsin. The subject is ably treated of in the geological reports before referred to.

The actual mineral resources of Wisconsin remain very largely to he developed, Its useful mineral material comes under the head of me- talic ores and non-metalic substances. Of the first class are the ores of lead, zinc, iron and copper; of the second class are the principal substances found in brick-clay, kaolin, cement rock, limestone for burning into quick lime, limestone for flux, glass-sand, peat and build- ing stone. In Wisconsin lead and zinc are found together ; the former has been utilized since 1826, the latter since 1860. The coun- ties of La Fayette, Iowa and Grant-the southwestern counties of the State-are known as the " lead region." All the lead and zine obtained in Wisconsin are from these counties. The lead ore is of one kind only-that known as galena. A large amount is produced yearly from the various mining districts in the lead region. The number of pounds raised from single crevices has often been several hun-

* T. C. Chamberlain, State Geologist, in Illustrated Hist. Atlas of Wisconsin,

dred thousand. The zinc ores were_formerly rejected as useless, but their value is, beyond douht, very great, and they will be a source of wealth to the lead region for a long time to come, as they are now extensively utilized. Iron mining in the State is yet in its infancy. Numbers of blast furnaces have sprung up in the eastern portion, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. The several ores in Wis consin aro red hematites, brown hematites, magnetic ores and specular hematites ; the first are found in Dodge county ; the second in Portage, Wood and Juneau ; the two last in Bayfield, Ashland, Lincoln and Oconto counties.

The thirteenth administration (C. C. Wash- burn, governor) ended with the year 1873, the republican party in the State being de- feated for the first time since the commence- ment of Randall's administration. The session of the Legislature of 1874 was a noted on+ for the passage of the "Potter Law," limiting the compensation for the transportation of passen- gers, classifying freight, and regulating prices for its carriage on railroads within Wisconsin. Three railroad commissioners were to be ap- pointed by the governor ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, whose terms of office should commence on the 14th day of May, and the governor, thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three years. Un- der this law the governor appointed J. H. Os- born, for three years ; George 11. Paul, for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inaugura- ted its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. In 1876 this board was abolished and a railroad commissioner, to be appointed by the governor every two years, was to take its place. This latter office was made elective in 1881. The commissioners who have held office under these various laws are : John W. Hoyt, from

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

April 29, 1874, to March 10, 1876; George Il. Paul, from April 29, 1874, to Mareb 10, 1876 ; Joseph HI. Osborn, from April ' 9, 1874, to March 10, 1876; Dana C. Lamb, from March 10, 1876, to Feb. 1, 1878; A. J. Turner, from Feb. 1, 1878, to Feb. 15, 1882; N. P, Ilaugen, from Feb. 15, 1881, and now in office. The "Potter Law" was resisted by the railroad com. panies, but ultimately the complete and abso- lute power of the people, through the Legisla- ture, to modify or altogether repeal their ehar- ters was fully sustained by the courts both of the State and the United States. The necessity for railroads in Wisconsin began to be felt while yet it was an appendage of Michigan territory. Great advantages were anticipated from their construction. There was a reason for this. Explorers had published accounts of the wonderful fertility of Wisconsin's soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest onen- ings, and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. From 1836, with the hope of improving their condition, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for the territory. Ger- mans, Scandinavians, and other Nationali- ties, attracted by the glowing accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world ; steamers and sail-craft laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for Wisconsin. With the development of the agricultural resources of the territory, grain raising became the most prominent interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transportation of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of pro- duce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used were hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. To meet the great want, better facilities for transportation, railroads were an indispensable | being increased from four to seven. Appro

necessity. Between the years 1838 and 1841, the territorial Legislature of Wisconsin char tered several railroad companies, but with the exception of the Milwaukee & Waukesha Rail- road Company, incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any partien- lar shape. There are now in Wisconsin the following railroads, costing, in round numbers, $150,000,000: Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; Chicago & Northwestern; Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha; Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western; Wisconsin Central; Green Bay & Minnesota; Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul; Wisconsin & Minnesota; Chippewa Falls & Western; Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria; Prairie du Chien & McGregor; Milwaukee & Northern; Chippewa Falls & Northern, und Wisconsin & Michigan. Other lines are still needed, and present lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions, as we have seen, upon which great issues have been raised between railway corporations in Wisconsin and the people, are now happily settled by seeuring to the latter their rights, and the" former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, are assured of the safety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the rail- roads depend upon the people for sustenance and protection.

In 1874 the Wisconsin commission for the purpose of fish culture was organized. The Next year, by reason of State aid, the commis- sion was enabled to commence work. In 1876 was completed the purchase of grounds, the ereetion of the buildings, and the construction of the ponds ( seven in number) of the Madi- son hatchery, situated in the town of Fitch- burg, Dane county. A temporary hatehing house was continued for some time in Milwan- kee, for the hatehing of spawn of the white fish and lake trout. The commission was re- organized in 1878, the number of the members

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

priations by the Legislature have been con- tinned, and the work promises favorable results to the State.

Under an act of 1875 an Industrial School for girls was organized in Milwaukee, where buildings have been erected, capable of accom- modating 150 inmates. Its proper subjects are: (1.) Viciously inclined girls under sixteen, and boys under ten years of age; (2.) The stubborn and unruly, who refuse to obey their proper guardians; (3.) Truants, vagrants and beggars; (4.) Those found in circumstances of manifest danger of falling into habits of vice and im- morality; (5.) Those under the above ages who have committed any offense punishable by fine or imprisonment in adult offenders. Although the school was founded by private charity, and is under the control of a self-perpetuating board of managers, it is incorporated and employed by the State for the custody, guardianship, discipline and instruction of the aforenamed children. In default of responsible and efficient guardianship, they are treated as the minors and wards of the State, and by it are committed to the guardianship of this board of ladies. during minority.

The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was rejected by the supreme court at its January term, 1876; but as a law subsequently passed the Legisla- ture, making ladies eligib'e to practice in the several courts of the State, she was, upon a second application, admitted.

By an act approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was established, the appoint- ment of a superintendent of vital statistics pro- vided for, and certain duties assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organ- ized soon after, seven persons having been ap- pointed by the governor as its members. And here it is proper to say a word as to the health of Wisconsin. "When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other States of the Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the

healthiest of the New England States. The United States census of 1850, 1860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin ninety-four deaths to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The census of 1870 shows that the death-rate from consump- tion in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- consin are alike. These four States show the lowest death-rate among the States from con- sumption, the mortality being thirteen to fourteen per cent. of the whole death-rate. Climatologie- ally considered, then, there is not a more healthy State in the Union than the State of Wiscon- sin. But for health purposes something more ' is requisite than climate. Climate and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate is inimical to health, and rather choose the cli- mate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health, and alike good for agricultural purposes."*

There was in Wisconsin a general feeling of patriotism (if the acts of its citizens, both native and foreign born, are to be taken as an indica- tion of their attachment to their country), mani- fested throughout the centennial year, 1876. A board of State centennial managers was pro- vided for by the Legislature, to represent Wis- consin at the Philadelphia exhibition, and $20, 000 appropriated for their use, to make there a proper exhibition of the products, resources and advantages of the State. Under a law of this year, three revisors, afterward increased to five, were appointed to revise the statutes of the State. The result was a large volume, ably col- lated, known as the Revised Statutes of 1878, which was legalized by act of the June session of the Legislature of that year. On the 19th of October, 1880, Chief Justice Edward G. Ryan departed this life, in the seventieth year of his age. Ile was buried in Milwaukee, with honors becoming the position held by him at the time *Dr. Joseph Hobbins, in Illustrated Historical Atlas of Wisconsin.

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of his death. Ilis successor, as previously stated, is Chief Justice Orsamus Cole.

By an act of the Legislature of 1881, a board of supervision of Wisconsin charitable, re- formatory and penal institutions was founded. The boards of trustees by which these insti- tutions had been governed since their organi- zation were abolished by the same law. The board of supervision consists of five members, who hold their office for five years, and who are appointed by the governor, the Senate con- curring. The board acts as commissioners of lunacy, and has full power to investigate all complaints against any of the institutions un'er its control, to send for books and papers, sum- mon, compel the attendance of, and swear wit- nesses. The powers delegated to this board are so extraordinary, and its duties so manifokl, that a recital of them will be found of interest. They are as follows :

(1.) To maintain and govern the Wisconsin State llospital for the Insane, the Northern Hospital for the Insane, the Wisconsin State Prison, the Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys, the Wisconsin Institution for the Educa- tion of the Blind, and the Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb ; and such other charitable and penal institutions as may hereafter be established or maintained by the State. (2.) To carefully supervise and direct the management and affairs of said in- stitutions, and faithfully and diligently promote the objects for which the same have been established. (3) To preserve and care for the buildings, grounds and all property connected with the said institutions. (4.) To take and hold in trust for the said several institutions any land conveyed or devised, or money or property given or bequeathed, to be applied for any purpose connected therewith, and faithfully to apply the same as directed by the donor, and faithfully to apply all funds, effects and property which may be received for the use of such institutions. (5.) To make on or before Octo- ber 1 in each year, full and complete annual in-

ventories and appraisals of all the property of each of said institutions, which inventories and appraisals shall be recorded, and shall be so classified as to separately show the amount, kind and value of all real and personal property belonging to such institutions. (6.) To make such by-laws, rules and regulations, not incom- patible with law, as it shall deem convenient or necessary for the government of the said insti- tutions and for its own government, and cause the same to be printed. (7.) To visit and care- fully inspect each of said institutions as often as once in each month, either by the full board or by some member thereof, and ascertain whether all officers, teachers, servants and em- ployees in such institutions are competent and faithful in the discharge of their duties, and all inmates thereof properly cared for and governed, and all accounts, account books and vouchers properly kept, and all the business affairs thereof properly conducted. (8.) To fix the number of subordinate officers, teachers, ser- varts and employees in each of said institutions, and prescribe the duties and compensation of each, and to employ the same upon the nomi- nation of the respective superintendents and wardens. (9.) To promptly remove or discharge any officer, teacher or employe in any of said institutions, who shall be guilty of any malfeas- ance or misbehavior in office, or of neglect, or improper discharge of duty. (10.) To annually appoint for the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane and for the Northern Hospital for the Insane, for each, a superintendent, one assistant physician, a matron, a steward and a treasurer ; and for the Institution for the Edu- cation of the Blind, and the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the In- dustrial School for Boys, for each, a superin- tendent, a steward, a treasurer, and all necessary teachers ; and for the State prison, a warden, a steward and a treasurer, who shall be the officers of said institutions respectively and whose duties shall be fixed by said board, except as herein otherwise provided. (11.) To

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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 9

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

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