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 92
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The next hotel in Viroqua was the North Star House, which was erected in 1854 by llenry Nichols. It was 30x40 feet in size and an excellent building for those days. It was opened as a hotel by S. C. Lincoln. Succeed- ing him as landlord came Mr. Perham, J. M. Rusk, L. W. Nichols, Mr. Herrick, F. A. Den- ton, Isaac Pennell, J. A Somerby, Hiram Has- kell, J. II. Gordon, L. R. Decker, Nathan Coe, Loyd Coe, Mr. Hewitt and E. W. Hazen. The name of the hotel was changed from North Star to Haskell, and finally Tremont House, which name it still bears.
The present Park Hotel was erected as the Dunlap House in 1858, by Hillier Dunlap and his mother. Its size was 24x36 feet, two stories high. Warren Dunlap opened the building as a hotel and acted as landlord for several years, when he was succeeded by Charles Skippens. Skippens remained landlord until 1865, when Bannister Brothers became proprietors. Hiram Haskell succeeded the Bannisters as landlord. Then came Capt. Connor, who changed the name to the Viroqua House. Orange Lamb was the next landlord, and succeeding him came Capt. Connor again, who is the present landlord, the name of the house having been changed to the Park Hotel.
Henry Connor, son of Henry and Sarah Con- nor, was born in West Chester, Chester Co., Penn. His father died the same year of his birth, and after two years his mother married again. Henry lived with his step-father till he was fourteen years of age, receiving a liberal
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education. Then leaving home, he hired out to drive a team of mules on the canal. After working for himself for three years, he returned home, and learned the trade of paper stainer, of his step-father, who (in 1857) carried on the most extensive business in that line of trade in Philadelphia. Ile worked for his step-father for $4 per month. In 1857, he married Amanda M. Bransby of Philadelphia. Their union has been blessed with three children-Mary Loxly, John Henry and Henry John. His step-father was financially ruined in the panic of 1857, and in consequence of this failure, Henry Connor was thrown upon his own resources without one dollar, but by indomitable energy, he soon found employment on the Pennsylvania Central rail- road, where he remained for one year, at ninety cents per day. At this time he became a citizen of the United States, being twenty-one years old. He cast his first vote for Alexander Henry, for Mayor of Philadelphia, the republican nom- inee, in the spring of 1858. Mr. Connor was then appointed fireman in the city water de- partment, holding that position till 1861, then resigning and enlisting, April 18, as a private in company C, 17th regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and was discharged Ang. 2, 1861, at the expiration of his enlistment. He then returned to Philadelphia, and accepted his former posi- tion in the water department which he held two months. At this time the democratic party came into power, and he was notified that his services were no longer needed. He was imme- diately appointed by the republicans to a position as inspector of the gas department in the same city. After holding this position for nine months, he cheerfully gave it up, that he might further serve his country. On the 5th of Au- gust, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, 118th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers ; was promoted as sergeant, Aug. 7, 1862 ; served in that capacity until Dec. 13, 1862; was pro- moted to Ist sergeant on the battle field of Fredericksburg, Jan. 19 1864; was promoted as 2d lientenant company C, same regiment, Dec.
21, 1864 ; promoted again as Ist lieutenant of company H, same regiment, March 28, 1865, and subsequently promoted to the captaincy of company E, same regiment. Ile was with the army of the Potomac and Sept. 30, 1864, was wounded at Poplar Spring Church, through the face and neck. Ile was absent from duty only six weeks and returned to share the hardships of war life with the army until the battle of Gravely Run, March 31, 1865, when he was severely wounded, and suffered the loss of his right leg, which was amputated above the knee. He remained at the hospital until Oct 28, 1865, and was mustered out at his own request, in order to accept the position as chief weiglimas- ter of the Philadelphia gas department. While serving in this position he was nominated by the republican convention, Aug. 31, 1866, to the office of city commissioner, and was elected to said office Oct. 9, 1866, by 10,000 republican majority. Ile was sworn into office, Dec. 31, 1866, by his Honor, Morton McMichael, mayor of Philadelphia. He took his seat Jan. 1, 1867, held the position for three years, giving a bond in the sum of $80,000 for the faithful performance of his official duties. During his official ca- pacity, he disbursed $2,000,000 of the city's money. On his retiring from office, he was again employed by the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company for four years. In 1878 he came to Boscobel, Wis., to visit his daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Keen. He at once saw a future for this boundless west, and only regrets that he was so unfortunate as not to have cast his lot in with the people of the west twenty-five years ago. He has leased the Park Hotel, in Viroqua, and under his successful management, it has derived a goodly share of the public patronage and established a fame for bountiful hospitality far over the surrounding country.
The next hotel in Viroqua was the Buckeye House, which was erected for a hop house by J. 11. Layne & Sons. It was changed to a Jwell- ing by Lindsley Layne. It was converted into
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
a hotel and opened as such in May, 1882, by S. W. Clark, the present proprietor.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school in Viroqua was taught by Mrs. Margaret C. Terhune, in the old log court house building during the latter part of the summer and fall of 1851. The school started two or three weeks after the arrival of W. F. Ter- hune and his wife. There were about sixteen scholars in attendance. The term lasted about three months and was paid for by subscription at $2 for each scholar. During the succeed- ing winter of 1851-2 Judge Terhune taught the school at the same place and upon the same plan. Jennie Clark, now Mrs. Messersmith had charge during the following summer.
The old log building continued to be used for school purposes about two years, after which rooms were rented for public schools until 1856, when, the district having been organized, a school house was erected. It stood opposite the present residence of Warren Dunlap. It was, for those days, a commodious frame building, containing two rooms. School was then held in this building. Among the teachers who at different times had charge of the school while this building was in use were: R. C. Bierce, C. M. Butt, L. M. Perham, O. C. Smith, Mr. Moore, T. B. Brown and A. D. Chase. This school house was used for school purposes until 1868, when the present building was erected and the old one was sold to Charles Brown at auction. Ile moved it to a block east of his present place of business, where he used it for a shop for some time and finally sold it to J. H. Tate. It is now used as a dwelling house.
The present building, as stated, was erected in 1868. It is a large stone structure, occupy- ing an excellent site a few blocks east of the main part of town.
The Viroqua high school was organized in 1876. A large brick edifice was erected a little east of the center of town, in 1882, at a cost of
$2,400 for the high and grammar schools. The lower departments occupy the stone building formerly occupied by all the departments. In 1882-3 new furnaces were placed in both build- ings and now the schools are heated and venti- lated by the latest improved methods. The grounds surrounding the school are extensive and are beautified with different varieties of trees.
In 1883 the teachers were as follows: High school, C. J. Smith, principal; Lona Washburn, assistant; grammar department, Emma F. Ilowell, teacher; first intermediate department, Hattie E. Terrell; second intermediate depart- ment, Eliza Hanghton; first primary depart- ment, Ida B. Coe; second primary, Hattie Mc Rie.
Thus it will be seen that the educational facilities of Viroqua are excellent, and the public schools are justly a matter of pride to the citizens.
In 1883 the school board consisted of the fol- lowing gentleman: Director, R. S. McMichael; clerk, H. A. Chase; treasurer, Earl M. Rogers. The committee upon examination of graduating class was composed of O. B. Wyman, William Haughton and C. J. Smith.
VIROQUA POSTOFFICE.
The Viroqua postoffice was not established until several years after the village was platted. In 1851 the nearest postoffice was Springville. In the spring of 1852 IIon. W. F. Terhune drew up a petition and procured signatures of most of the early settlers, praying for the estab- lishment of a postoffice at this point. This petition, accompanied with a map of the coun- try, was sent to the postoffice department. After considerable delay the petition was granted, and the postoffice of Viroqua was es- tablished, S. C. Lincoln being commissioned as the first postmaster. Mr. Lincoln opened the postoffice in the little building that had been erected by Judge Terhune, upon the corner of
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Court and Main streets. He remained post- master for about ten years, part of the time having the office in a building where the Park Hotel now stands, and later moving it to the other end of town. In 1864 Dr. James Rusk was appointed postmaster, and he kept the office in t' e old Buckeye House. S. C. Lincoln succeeded Dr. Rusk as postmaster. He removed the office to where Mabie's grocery store is now located. He was succeeded by W. S. Purdy, who removed the office to the building now occupied by A. Bliss' grocery store. On the 1st of January, 1876, Capt. R. S. MeMichael was appointed postmaster, taking charge of the office on the 4th of January. He was reappointed in December, 1882, and is the present in- cumbent, making in this, as in all public posi- tions to which he has been chosen, a most effi- cient and satisfactory official. The office now occupies a' building two doors north of the Bank of Viroqua.
The Viroqna postoffice was made a money order office Aug. 8, 1866. The first order was drawn the same day, the remitter being L. W. Nichols, payee, H. C. Brown, New York; a nount $2.50. After Capt. McMichael took charge of the office, the first order was drawn Jan. 4, 1876; remitter, S. P'. Layne; payee, A. A. Abbott & Co., Chicago, III; amount $20. The total num- ber of orders drawn up to Dec. 5, 1883, was 25,080.
Robert S. McMichael, postmaster at Viroqua, is one of the pioneers of Vernon county, his residence in the county dating from April 10, 1850. lle was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1827. llis father, William McMichael, was born in Washington Co., Penn., but removed to Ohio when quite a young man. R. S., was brought up to the business of farming. On coming to Vernon county, he located at Spring- ville, in the town of Jefferson, and engaged in farming. In 1855 he went to Newton in the town of llarmony, and engaged in the lumber business. He enlisted Nov. 21, 1861, in com-
pany C, 18th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the company he was made 2d sergeant, and finally, in Feb- ruary, 1864, he was promoted to the captaincy of the company. He was actively engaged in the service during the whole progress of the war; participated in the siege of Corinth, in May, 1862-was at the battles of Inka and Corinth, Miss, Grant's campaign against Vicksburg; bat- tles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion llills, etc. After the war, he served one term as sheriff of the county, was under-sheriff for a number of years; in fact was engaged in sheriff's duty most of the time, from the close of the war, till his appointment as postmaster, Jan. 1, 1876. Capt. McMichael has been twice married. His first wife was Orla Ann Sperry, a native of Trum- bull Co, Ohio. She died at Newton in 1865. His present wife was Mrs. Frances J. (Gibbs) Swan. Ile has three children by his first mar- riage-William A., in Dakota, Eunice L., now Mrs. Westwick, of Dubuque, and Ella, wife of John Aikin. He has one daughter by his pres- ent wife-Nettie. Capt. McMichael was dep- uty ['nited States marshal of this county, from 1870 to 1873, and was in government employ at Washington, during the winter of 1873-4. Several other members of Capt. McMichael's family have been residents of Vernon county. His brother, William C., who is noticed else- where in this work, came to Springville in 1847. Another brother, Samuel, came with R. S., to Springville, and settled at Viroqua, in 1853. He was a member of company C, 18th Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and died a prisoner at Macon, Ga. Two sisters, also, came at the same time. Mrs. Mary A. Graham, who lost her hus- band and married Jesse Appleman. She died at Bloomingdale, town of Clinton, in March, 1883; Isabella, who married Harrison Sayre, now of Nebraska.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
Viroqua has lodges of the following orders: Masonic, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
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HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
Good Templars, Ancient Order of United Work- men, Grand Army of the Republic and Chosen Friends.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious services held in the village were at the old log school and court house, under the auspices of the Methodists.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was the pio- neer Church of Vernon county, and gave to Viroqua and vicinity the first religious services. The first class formned at Virogna was organized at a eamp meeting held in a grove near the residence of James A. Cooke, east of the vil- lage, conducted by Rev. Jesse Pardun in the autumn of 1848. James A. Cooke was appointed leader, and among the members were: James A. Cooke and wife, James Foster and wife, George A. Swain and wife, Daniel Crume and wife, William Crume and wife, George Crume and wife, l'eter Hay and wife and Mr. Gillett. To these were soon added Rev. John Whitworth and wife, Henry Nichols, long and reverentially known as "Father" Nichols; and others. At first the class met at private bouses, then in a log school house near what is now Brookville, and later in the log court house, school and church building in Viroqua. The first circuit of which Viroqua was a part comprised the en- tire county, the preacher in charge being aided in his arduous work by local preachers; nota- bly, Rev. John Whitworth, James A. Cooke and James Bishop. The preachers successively upon the work, with regular appointments at Viroqua, have been as follows: Jesse Pardun, 1849-50; Rev. Stevens, 1851; Nicholas Mayne, 1852-3; A. Cooley, 1854; Jesse Pardun and Rev. MeIndoe, 1855; George Hartshorn, 1856; James Fitch, 1857-8; A. Foster, 1859; J. E. Irish, 1860: George W. Nuzum, 1861-2; Sam- nel Dodge, 1863-4-5; W. F. De Lap, R. Fan- cher, 1867: Thomas Manuel, 1868; I. S. Leavitt, 1869; W. R. Irish, 1870; W. F. De Lap, 1871- 2-3; Jacob Miller, 1874; E. L. Semans, I>75-6-7; George Nuzum, 1878-9; Charles Irish, 1880; J.
different presiding elders have been Chauney Hobart, Alfred Brunson, R. R. Wood, A. H. Walters, W. B. Hazeltine, J. T. Pryor, R. Dud- geon, W. F. De Lap, J. D. Searles, E. E. Clough and J. B. Baleh. The first church building was erected in 1856 upon a lot deeded to the society by llenry Nichols. This was entirely destroyed by the tornado of 1865, and the present build- ing was erected upon the same site at a cost of about $2,000, in 1866, being dedicated Feb. 17, 1867, President Steele, of Lawrence Univer- sity, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The remarkable zeal and laborious efforts of Rev. Samuel Dodge in the rebuilding of the church at this time, when the entire community was depressed financially and otherwise, by the de- structive tornado, deserves special mention and grateful remembrance. Gen. J. M. Rusk presented the Church with a fine 500 pound bell from the Buckeye Foundry, at Cincinnati. A notable revival occurred under the pastorate of Rev. W. F De Lap, during the winter of 1867, and the society became distinctively strong in numbers and spirituality. The present officers of the Church are as follows: Pastor, Rev. I. B. Bickford; class leader, P. J. Layne; stewards, John W. Curry, J. B. Richards, Johu Everett, S. P. Layne; recording steward, P. J. Layne; district steward, J. W. Curry; trustees, William Stricker, S P. Layne, J. B. Richards, John Everett, D. A. Barnard and C. J. Cher- rington. During 1883 the audience room of the church was papered and ceiled, the pulpit and platform remodeled, and now presents a very tasteful appearance. Being the most com- modious and centrally located church in the village it is in frequent use for temperance meetings and publie school exercises.
The Sunday school was organized during the summer of 1867, upon a denominational basis, a union school having, up to this time, been con- dueted by this and other Churches. The Sun- day school in 1883 was officered as follows: Superintendent, P. J. Layne; secretary and T. Morgans, 1881; I. B. Bickford, 1882-3. The | treasurer, Dr. J. B. Richards. Jessie Richards
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is organist for both Church and school, The Church now has an effective membership of about fifty. The enrolled membership of the school is about fifty, with an average attend- ance of about forty.
Rev. I. B. Bickford, present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Viroqua, was born June 7, 1847. When five years of age he accompanied his parents to Illinois. He was educated in the public schools of that State, and at Hillsdale College, Mich. Previous to entering the ministry he was engaged as a newspaper publisher for some time. He pub- lished the Creton Times in Ogle Co., Ill., for a couple of years, and was editor of the Byron News, in the same county, for three years. He entered the ministry in 1879, and was admitted to the Western Wisconsin Conference, at La- Crosse, Sept. 24, 1879. Hle was stationed at Onalaska three years before coming to Viro- qua
The first services by the Christian Church were held in 1852, by Rev. Daniel Parkinson, who organized a society here in 1854. It had forty members. The first elders were David Ayers and Charles Wright. John Gardner was one of the first deacons. Some of the leading members of the Church then were : Thomas Cheatham and wife, John Dawson, Stephen > Powell, Elijah Powell, Elizabeth Goode and Mary Parkinson. The year following the or- ganization, the society nearly doubled in num- bers. It was at that time the leading Church in Viroqua. Rev. Parkinson died in Septem- ber, 1856. He was a man of fine ability. He was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Howe, who preached for the society for two years. He died several years ago. The next minister was their present one, Rev. John Hurd, who at that time remained with the Church about two years, until May, 1863. Since that time the following ministers have served the society : Revs. Henry Anderson, R. D. Cotton, George G. Hamilton and Florence Reece, who was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. John Hurd.
The present membership of the Church is seventy-five. The church building was erected in 1856. It is a frame building, 30x40 feet in size, neatly finished and will comfortably seat 250 persons. The society has had a Sunday school in operation most of the time since its organization, and both Church and Sunday school are now in a flourishing condition. The present officers are as following : Pastor, John Hurd ; elders, Philip Bidison, Edward Min- shall and Elijah Powell; deacons, Ellis Thomp- son and 'Squire Tony.
Rev. John Ilurd was born in England in 1823. He came to the United States with his parents when a child, settling in Ohio. In the fall of 1836 he removed to Michigan. He was educated at Hiram. College, Ohio ; during two years of his attendance at that institution, James A. Garfield was its president. Mr. Ilurd began preaching in 1860, and has been engaged in the work ever since. He is an earnest and faithful worker for the cause of Christianity.
The first Congregational society of Viroqua was organized on the 12th of May, 1855. There being present, Revs. L. L. Radcliff, of Viroqua, W. F. Avery, of Sparta, and Warren Bigelow, of Black River Falls. The following were the first members of the Church: Mrs. Jane S. Weeden, Mrs. Abbie S. Weeden, Mrs. Mary L. Radcliff, W. A. Herron, Mrs. Mary Herron and Mrs. N. B. Palmer. Rev. L. L. Radeliff was the first pastor, having been sent here by the American Home Missionary Society. He com- menced his labors on the 5th of October, 1854,and continued his labors with the Church until Oet. 1, 1855, when he removed to Prairie du Chien. The Church remained without a pastor, only enjoying occasional preaching, until May, 1859, when Rev. G. C. Judson became pastor, remain- ing with the Church until September, 1861. IIe was succeeded by Rev. B. S. Baxter in October, 1862, who remained with the Church for two years. In November, 1866, Rev. L. L. Rad- cliff again became pastor of the Church, but owing to difficulties arising in the Church and
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society, his labors terminated in May, 1869. May 1, 1870, Rev. John G. Taylor, a member of the Chicago Theological Seminary, became acting pastor and served as such until Oct. 1, 1870, when Rev. S. E. Lathrop was called to the pastorate. The present pastor is the Rev. Mr. Horn. The society has a very neat frame building located just east of the main part of town on the corner of Court and Yancy streets.
The first Sunday school organization in Viro- qua was effected by Rev. L. L. Radcliff, in May, 1855. James E. Newell was elected superintendent and R. C. Bierce assistant. Mrs. Mary L. Radcliff, H. Trowbridge, Mrs. Abbie S. Weeden and R. C. Bierce, were teachers. It was organized as a union school and kept as such nutil the Methodist society organized a school of their own in the winter af 1866. The following persons were at various times superin- tendents of the union school: Henry Nichols, R. C Bierce, II. Trowbridge, Alson Keeler, L. W. Nichols and J. D. Brothers.
The Congregational Sunday school was or- ganized in 1866. Among the carly superintend- ents were: E. C. Smith, A. K. Burrell, L. W. Nichols and R. C. Bierce. The school is now in a most flourishing condition.
Rev. O. P. Peterson, the present presiding elder, first introduced the Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church to his countrymen in Vernon county by preaching at the private residence of Ole Running in the year 1852. Coon and Round Prairies, with other territory extending into adjoining counties, was organized into a mission known then and now as the Coon Prairie mission, with Rev. O. B. Knudson as preacher in charge, and the first organization of a class was by him at the Asbury school house on section 23, town 13, range 4 west, in July, 1854. John C. Spellum was appointed class leader, and of the members were: Ole Running and wife, John C. Spellum and wife, Ole Han- son and wife, John Meyer and wife, Osten Kjelland and wife, Bernt Thompson and wife | been as follows:
and Lars Springer and wife. Ole Running was appointed steward.
From this beginning the work gradually ex- tended throughout the Norwegian settlements in the county, different points being from time to time opened up by the earnest, aggressive missionary spirit and labors of the ministers in charge. The Norwegian people, almost with- ont exception, came to the county trained and indoctrinated in the Lutheran Church, the State Church of Norway, and their conversion to Methodist doctrines and usages has been at- tended with peculiar difficulties; and especially so when later the Lutheran Church founded a society, with a resident priest on Coon Prairie, and interposed strenuous opposition to the in- troduction of Methodism.
Classes were formed at Bad Ax, Chaseburg, Enterprise and Esofea and are still maintained. The membership being scattered it is customary in addition to the regular services at the points named to hold grove and camp-meetings each summer and preaching in different school houses and private residences throughout the the year.
A church building was erected in 1866 on section 26, town 14, range + west, the site for the church and a burying ground having been donated to the society by Christian Songstad in 1863, at which time the burying ground was formally dedicated.
The building was 24x36 feet and cost $800 and was erected under the pastorate of Rey. J. HI. Johnson and presiding eldership of Rev. O. P. Peterson; the dedication occurred in 1866 and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Wright, of Sparta. The board of trustees consisted of John C. Spellum, Soren Paulson and Lars Pe- terson. This church is now being replaced by one in process of erection at the village of Westby, 28x40 feet in dimensions, to cost about $1,200 and of ornamental design.
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