USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 114
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CORPORATE HISTORY.
The first town meeting and election of officers, according to the provisions of the act setting off and organizing the town of Darien, was held at the house of John Bruce, in the present vil- lage of Darien, on Tuesday, the 5th day of April, 1842. Salmon Thomas was chosen Chairman of this meeting, and J. W. Seaver, Clerk. Among other resolutions passed were the following: " That the town elect three Assessors; that the town elect two Constables; that a sun of money be raised equal to one-fourth of 1 per cent, for the support of the common schools; that the officers of the town be allowed at the rate of $1 per day for their services; that the town raise a sum of money equal to one-half of 1 mill on a dollar on the valuation of the taxable property, to defray the contingent expenses of the town; that all services of town officers rendered which cannot be computed by the day shall be referred to the Board of Supervisors, and by them au- dited as they shall deem just, and that such amounts. when so audited, shall be paid by drafts on the Town Treasurer."
Fifty-three votes were polled at this election, as follows: W. A. Waterhouse, John Bruce, William Older, Samuel Fowle, Edwin Taylor, T. D. Thomas, Asa Foster, Reuben Knapp, Eli- sha McAllister, William A. Older, Asher Johnson, J. B. Cook, Leander Dodge, Isaac Vail, J. W. Seaver, John Williams, Jabez B. Chesebro, Nicholas S. Comstock, John Lippett, Amos Older, Newton McGraw, William G. Mayhew, Ebenezer Chesebro, L. K. Jones, Benjamin Moore, Homer L. Greenman, Silas Haskins, Hiram A. Johnson, L. H. Seaver, C. D. Long, Wickham E. Chesebro, Richard Cook, Minthorn Woodhull, Elijah Belding. Cyrus Lippett, Jesse Older, Will- iam Hollister. William Carter, Jared Fox, David Linsley, Jacob S. Cook, Lorenzo Carter, Sal- mon Thomas, Valentine Aldrich, Hiram A. Stone, George Clapper, Henry King, Timothy Knapp. Barney Bedell, Orange Carter, Eli King, Orange W. Carter and Jacob A. Sea. The names of the officers elected at this meeting appear further on, in the roster of town officials.
The amount of money raised for the support of common schools for 1842 was $132.42; the amount raised to defray the contingent expenses of the town was $101.48; the proportion of county expenses, as per certificate of the Clerk of the Board, was $175.70; the Collector's fees were $20.48; total amount raised for 1842 was $430.08.
The school districts were set off as follows: Ridge Prairie District, No. 1, and Blooming Prairie District, No. 2, September 21, 1840; Darien District, No. 3, September 28, 1840; Turtle Creek District, No. 4; Turtle Prairie District, No. 5: and Spring Brook District, No. 6, Septem- ber 30, 1840. The number of scholars between the ages of four and sixteen in these districts in 1842 was 138, as follows: No. 2, 17 scholars; No. 3, 23 scholars; No. 4, 48 scholars: No. 5, 27 scholars; No. 6, 23 scholars. The $132.42 raised for the support of these schools was propor. tioned as follows: No. 2, $16.31: No. 3, 822.07; No. 4, $46.09; No. 5, $25.91; No. 6, $22.07. The following is a roster of town officials from the organization of the town to and including the year 1881:
1842-Supervisors, Salmon Thomas, Chairman; Lyman H. Seaver, Asher Johnson; Joseph
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
W. Seaver, Clerk; Loren K. Jones, Treasurer: Newton McGraw, Collector; Jared Fox, H. A. Stone, David Linsley, Assessors: John Lippett, T. D. Thomas, William Carter, Commissioners of Highways; J. W. Seaver, C. D. Long, Cyrus Lippett, Commissioners of Schools: Newton McGraw, Reuben Knapp, Constables: Timothy Knapp, Sealer; Lyman Jones, Jacob S. Cook, John Wilkins, Benjamin Moore, J. A. Sea, Silas Haskins. Amos Older, Fence Viewers; David Linsley, L. K. Jones, Overseers of Highways.
1843-Supervisors, John Bruce, Chairman; Jared Fox, John Lippett; Joseph W. Seaver, Clerk; Hiram A. Stone, Treasurer; Newton MeGraw, Collector; Loren K. Jones, Valentine Aldrich, Assessors; T. D. Thomas, Jacob S. Cook, Hugh Long, Commissioners of Highways; Chester D. Long, Joseph W. Seaver, Amos Older, Commissioners of Schools; Newton McGraw, David B. Linsley, Constables.
1844-Supervisors, Salmon Thomas, Chairman; Loren K. Jones, Hugh Long; Joseph W. Seaver, Clerk; Leander Dodge. Treasurer; Edson B. Older, Collector; T. D. Thomas, Valen- tine Aldrich. Joseph Maxson, Assessors: Hiram A. Stone, William G. Mayhew, Asher Johnson, Commissioners of Highways; C. D. Long, J. B. Hastings, N. S. Comstock, Commissioners of Schools: Newton McGraw. Zebulon T. Lee, Joseph Chamberlain, Justices of the Peace; Edson B. Older, William A. Older, Homer L. Greenman, Constables.
1845-Supervisors, John Bruce, Chairman; Asher Johnson, Orange W. Carter; Joseph W. Seaver, Clerk: Asa Foster, Treasurer; N. S. Comstock, Salmon Thomas, Assessors; Alexander Gallup, Collector: Jacob A. Sea, John Wilkins, William G. Mayhew. Commissioners of High- ways; John B. Hastings, Rial N. Weed, Charles P. Soper, Commissioners of Schools; Amos Older, Justice of the Peace; Alexander Gallup, Homer L. Greenman, David B. Linsley, Con- stables.
1846-Supervisors, Newton McGraw, Chairman; John Williams, George Cotton; Joseph W. Seaver, Clerk; Asa Foster, Treasurer; Levi Beadle, Collector; Jared Fox, Valentine Aldrich, William Hollister, Assessors; Hiram A. Stone, Randall Stone, William Hollister, Commsisioners of Highways; Chester D. Long. George Cotton, Salmon Thomas, Commissioners of Schools; Loren K. Jones, Amos Older, Hiram Babeock, Justices of the Peace; Cyrus Lippett, John Tay- lor, Levi Beadle, Constables.
1847-Supervisors. Newton McGraw, Chairman; John Williams, Rial N. Weed; Andrew J. Weatherwax, Clerk; Jonathan Hastings, Treasurer: Salmon Thomas, John B. Hastings, Ben- jamin Case, Assessors; Cyrus Lippett, Collector; Hiram A. Stone, Trumbull D. Thomas, Elisha McAllister, Commissioners of Highways; De Witt C. Seaver, Charles P. Soper, George Cotton, Commissioners of Schools: Cyrus Lippett, Alexander Gallup, Rial N. Weed. Constables.
1848-Supervisors, Gaylord Blair, Chairman: Charles P. Soper, Asher Johnson: Jonathan Hastings, Clerk: Henry Fry, Treasurer; Lyman H. Seaver, Assessor; W. A. Waterhouse, Col- lector; Josiah Dodge, Levi Blakeman, Joseph R. Wilkins, Commissioners of Highways; Charles P. Soper. Chester D. Long, George Cotton, Commissioners of Schools: William H. Moore, George Cotton. Asher Johnson, Justices of the Peace: W. A. Waterhouse, Homer L. Green- man, Franeis Wilkins, Constables.
1849-Supervisors, George Cotton, Chairman; Willard Blanchard, Josiah Dodge: Calvin Serl. Clerk; Henry Fry. Treasurer ; E. P. Conriek, Essessor; Chester D. Long. Sup rintendent of Schools; Amos Older, George Cotton, Asher Johnson, Willard A. Blanchard, Justices of the Peace; Francis Wilkins, Cyrus Lippett, Anson Perry, Constables.
1850 -- Supervisors. George Cotton, Chairman; Gaylord Blair, Rufus Conable; Charles P. Soper, Clerk; Hugh Long, Treasurer; William H. Moore. Assessor; Chester D. Long. Superin- tendent of Schools; Willard Blanehard. Archibald Woodward. Levi Blakeman, John W. Seaver, Justices of the Peace; Francis Wilkins, Treadwell Soper. Joseph Nelson, Constables.
1851-Supervisors, George Cotton, Chairman ; Ebenezer Latimer, Hiram Onderdonk; Charles P. Soper, Clerk: W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; William H. Moore, Assessor; Parker M. Cole, Superintendent of Schools; Archibald Woodward. Joshua Parish, John W. Seaver, Justices of the Peace: Jesse M. Scofield, Francis Wilkins, Joseph Nelson. Constables.
1852-Supervisors, George Cotton, Chairman; Asher Johnson, Hiram Onderdonk; Charles P. Soper. Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; William H. Moore, Assessor; John B. Hastings,
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
Superintendent of Schools; George Cotton, Calvin Serl, Rufus Conable, Justices of the Peace; Joseph Nelson, Francis Wilkins, W. A. Waterhouse, Constables.
1853-Supervisors, Salmon Thomas, Chairman: Hiram A. Johnson, Hiram Onderdonk: E. W. Grow, Clerk; Lyman H. Seaver, Assessor; William A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; Jonathan Hastings, N. S. Comstock, Justices of the Peace; John B. Hastings, Superintendent of Schools; William A. Waterhouse, Samuel F. Chesebro, Constables.
1854-Supervisors, Chester D. Long, Chairman; Hiram A. Johnson, Joshua Parish; Charles P. Soper, Clerk; James Gale, Treasurer; Cyrus Lippitt, Assessor; James W. Seaver, Superin- tendent of Schools; William A. Waterhouse, John Williams, Salmon Thomas, Justices of the Peace; James Gale, Alexander Gallup, P. S. Carver, Constables.
1855-Supervisors, Hiram A. Johnson, Chairman; Salmon Thomas, Lyman A. Seaver; William A. Waterhouse, Clerk; William Harper, Treasurer; Hiram Onderdonk, Assessor; Jo- seph W. Seaver, Superintendent of Schools; C. P. Soper, C. Serl, J. J. Johnson, Justices of the Peace.
1856-Supervisors, John B. Hastings, Chairman; John De Wolf, Charles P. Soper; Will- iam A. Waterhouse, Clerk; John D. Older. Treasurer; Henry Hodgkinson, Julius H. Seaver, Willard B. Babeoek, Assessors; E. L. Harris, Superintendent of Schools; John Williams, R. N. Weed, Justices of the Peace; John D. Older, Walter Hodgkinson, Constables.
1857-Supervisors, Josiah Dodge, Chairman: Lyman H. Seaver, Hiram A. Stone; Joseph W. Seaver, Clerk; William A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; William H. Williams, Willard B. Bab- cock, Henry Hodgkinson, Assessors; Thomas Williams, Henry M. Ray, Hiram A. Johnson, Jus- tices of the Peace; Chester D. Long, Superintendent of Schools; Ovid Reed, Charles P. Soper, Calvin Serl, Constables.
1858-Supervisors, Hiram A. Johnson, Chairman; Jolin De Wolf, G. W. Lamont; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; Gaylord Blair, Assessor; William A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; Calvin Serl, Henry Hodgkinson, Justices of the Peace; C. D. Long, Superintendent of Schools; William A. Water- house, J. F. Lyon, A. Jones, Constables.
1859-Supervisors, G. W. Lamont, Chairman; M. O. Grinnell, James Gale; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer: Hugh Long, Assessor; C. D. Long, Superintendent of Schools; William Harrison, M. B. Stone, Justices of the Peace; John F. Lyon, P. Roundy, L. K. Jones, Constables.
1860-Supervisors, P. M. Cole, Chairman: James Gale, L. K. Jones: N. W. Hoag, Clerk; William Harper, Treasurer; C. P. Soper, Assessor; J. L. Sutherland, Superintendent of Schools; O. H. Gilbert, R. W. Pardy, C. Serl, Justices of the Peace; P. W. Roundy, William Harper, Constables.
1861-Supervisors, P. M. Cole, Chairman; Edgar Topping, W. B. Rabcock; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; C. P. Soper. Assessor; U. S. Hollister, Superintendent. of Schools; Calvin Serl, Justice of the Peace; P. W. Roundy, A. Jones, Isaac Lyon, Con- stables.
1862-Supervisors, P. M. Cole, Chairman; P. M. Latimer, A. Jones; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; William A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; D. Rodman, Assessor; John S. Dodge, O. H. Gilbert, John Flaherty, Justices of the Peace; W. A. Waterhouse, M. Flaherty, Isaac Lyon, Constables.
1863-Supervisors, John De Wolf, Chairman; H. E. Seaver, J. J. Johnson; Orange Will- iams, Clerk; John S. Dodge, Treasurer ; W. A. Waterhouse, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, G. W. La- mont, Justices of the Peace; J. O. Fuller, H. A. Stone, James Stryker, Constables.
1864-Supervisors, H. E. Seaver, Chairman ; C. S. Teeple, C. M. Fuller; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; Calvin Serl, K. W. Maxson, Justices of the Peace; W. A. Waterhouse, Joseph Chilson, Alpheus Grant, Constables.
1865-Supervisors, J. J. Johnson, Chairman; T. P. Davis, C. P. Soper; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; J. F. Lyon, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, G. W. Lamont, Justices of the Peace; A. Jones, L. Borst, J. S. Dodge, Constables.
1866-Supervisors, J. J. Johnson, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, H. E. Seaver; N. W Hoag,. Clerk ; J. F. Lyon, Treasurer ; A. Jones, Assessor; C. B. Sperry, C. P. Soper, Justices of the Peace; L. S. Wilkins, D. Clough, A. Jones, Constables.
1867-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; I. W. Babcock, A. W. Maxson; N. W. Hoag,
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
Clerk: W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; J. F. Lyon, U. S. Hollister, Justices of the Peace; John Owens, J. Mckinney, G. W. Lamont, Jr., Constables.
1868-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; I. Stowell, C. P. Soper; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; W. A. Waterhouse, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; O. H. Gilbert, C. P. Soper, Justices of the Peace; John H. Owens, H. Waterhouse, William Hollister, Constables.
1869 -- Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; O. W. Carter, Daniel Rodman ; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; J. M. Vanderhoof, Treasurer; A. Jones,, Assessor: David Williams. A. W. Maxson, Jus- tices of the Peace; Richard Taylor, L. O. Robinson, D. E. Bennett, Constables.
1870-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, A, A. Mckay; N. W. Hoag, Clerk; Leroy Dodge, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; A. Woodard, W. R. Jones, Justices of the Peace; John Owens, John L. Ormsley, John McKinney, Constables.
1871-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, H. A. McKay: N. W. Hoag, Clerk; A. H. Stone, Treasurer ; A. Jones, Assessor; A. W. Maxson, David Williams, J. M. Vanderhoof, Justices of the Peace; John Mckinney, L. C. Waite, L. O. Robinson, Constables.
1872-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; U. S. Hollister, W. B. Johnson; T. R. Mor- gan, Clerk; A. H. Stone, Treasurer; A. Jones, Assessor; A. Woodard, O. H. Gilbert, Justices of the Peace; L. C. Waite. J. C. Mckinney, Constables.
1873-Supervisors, Daniel Rodman, Chairman : Israel Stowell, E. E. Hillman; H. E. Seaver. Clerk: L. C. Waite, Treasurer: A. Jones, Assessor; David Williams. J. M. Vanderhoof, Justices of the Peace; A. Jones, J. Mckinney, James Stryker, Constables.
1874-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman; W. H. Williams, U. S. Hollister; H. E. Seaver, Clerk; L. C. Waite, Treasurer: Darwin Clough, Assessor; A. Woodard, J. F. Lyon, Justices of the Peace: J. McCannon, James Stryker, James Mansfield, Constables.
1875-Supervisors, J. F. Lyon, Chairman: Charles Allen, W. H. Williams; H. E. Seaver, Clerk; James Stryker, Treasurer; D. P. Clough, Assessor; David Williams, C. P. Soper, Jus- tices of the Peace; John F. Mckinney, James Stryker, J. H. Owens, Constables.
1876-Supervisors, John De Wolf, Chairman; Charles Allen. A. J. Rodman; T. R. Mor- gan, Clerk; James Stryker, Treasurer: D. P. Clough, Assessor; J. M. Vanderhoof, A. Woodard, Justices of the Peace; J. Mckinney, Orange Starin, James Stryker, Constables.
1877-Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman; W. H. Williams, W. H. Griswold; T. R. Morgan, Clerk; D. P. Clough, Treasurer; J. M. Vanderhoof, Assessor; A. Maxson, A. Woodard, Justices of the Peace; James Stryker, John MeKinney, O. Starin, Constables.
1878- Supervisors, D. P. Clough, Chairman ; L. Downs, W. B. Babcock : T. R. Morgan, Clerk: Rodney Seaver, Treasurer: J. M. Vanderhoof, Assessor; C. D. Long, A. W. Maxson, Jus- tices of the Peace: J. F. Mckinney, O. Starin, S. Hare, Constables.
1879-Supervisors, John De Wolf, Chairman: I. W. Babcock, Charles Allen: T. R. Mor- gan, Clerk; Rodney Seaver, Treasurer: C. P. Soper, Assessor; W. H. Williams, David Will- iams, E. H. Smith, Justices of the Peace; James Stryker, John McKinney, Constables.
1880 -Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman; Arthur H. Stewart, I. W. Babcock: J. M. Vanderhoof, Clerk; Rodney Seaver, Treasurer; D. P. Clough, Assessor; W. H. Williams, C. D. Long, Justices of the Peace; J. H. Owens, John S. Ormsby, John F. Mckinney, Constables.
1881-Supervisors, J. B. Johnson, Chairman; J. G. Matteson, A. H. Stewart; J. M. Van- derhoof, Clerk; W. E. Clough, Treasurer; E. E. Hillman, Assessor; N. M. Harrington, H. E. Seaver, E. H. Smith, Justices of the Peace; Martin Dean, J. H. Owens, F. C. Folts, Constables.
VILLAGE OF DARIEN.
The village of Darien is located on Section 27 of the town of Darien, on the South- Western Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which enters the town on Section 24 and passes out on Section 31. The village was first settled by John Bruce, in 1837, who pm- chased all the land where the village now is, and erected a small house, which afterward became a hotel. James Dilley and John B. Cook were subsequent settlers of the village. In July. 1856, the village was platted by Henry Frey, Hiram A. Stone and Edgar Topping, proprietors, since which time additions have been made by these gentlemen and John Bruce.
In 1843, the first regular hotel was built by James R. Bruce. This is now standing, and
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
still kept as a hotel. Henry Frey built the first store and opened a $5,000 stoek of goods in May, 1844.
Previous to the coming of the railroad, which passes through the village, it did not improve to any great extent, there being but few other dwellings in the locality than the cabins of the first settlers; but time is the magie wand that changes all things it touches, and which often makes the realization far better than the most sanguine hopes. The growth of the village, how- ever, has at no time been rapid, but constant and gradual. The business done here has always been largely in excess of the apparent resources of the place, and in some respects it has been much greater than that done by towns of much greater size throughout the country. Socially and religiously, this village "holds its own " with the others in the county, having a number of different denominational and secular organizations. They have first-class schools here, which maintain a high educational standard.
The railroad reached this point early in 1856, and Parker M. Cole soon afterward erected a small warehouse. This has since been removed, and is now used as a cheese factory. This had a capacity of about 8,000 bushels. Hiram Onderdonk built a warehouse during that year also. It has a capacity of 10,000 bushels, and is now owned and used by J. J. Johnson. In 1857,* John Williams built a warehouse, in size 30x80, two stories high, and with a capacity of 15,000 bushels. It is now owned by William Blakely and H. A. Johnson, and used as a gen-
eral storehouse. John Bruce built a warehouse in 1858. This has a capacity of 5,000 bushels; is owned by D. P. Clough and J. B. Johnson, and used as a general storehouse. In 1861 or 1862, M. B. Stone built a warehouse, two stories high and with a capacity of 20,000 bushels. It is now used in the buying and shipping of grain.
The shipments of grain and stock from this point annually have been, during some years, simply enormous. In 1860, the shipments of wheat alone amounted to 206,000 bushels. This is the largest stock-shippers' point in the county, and said to be the largest on this line of road between Milwaukee and the Mississippi River.
Darien has now two general stores, two groceries, one drug store, one cabinet-shop and salesroom, two harness-shops an t salesrooms, one shoe-shop and salesrooms, two shoe-shops, one hotel, one barber-shop and three mechanies' shops.
RELIGIOUS.
The first church organized in the village was that of the Baptists. in 1850. Their church building is in size 30x60, and cost $2,000. It was built in 1858. At present, it has no resi- dent minister. Rev. D. Halteman, of Delavan, has it in charge.
The Methodist Church building was ereeted in 1870, at a cost of $2,500. It is in size 30x50. The dedieatory sermon was preached in November of that year, by Rev. Samuel Fel- lows. The church society was organized a short time previous to the building of the church, with between fifty and sixty members. Most of the original members have died or moved away, so that the present membership numbers about twelve. Three hundred persons ean easily be seated in their church building. The churches in Allen's Grove and Darien are a separate charge, and are presided over by the same minister.
POST OFFICE.
The first post office in the town of Darien was established in 1838, on Blooming Prairie, and C. C. Chesebro was appointed Postmaster. Delavan was at this time in his distriet, his appointment being obtained through the influence of Mr. Phoenix. In 1839, a petition was presented to the Post Office Department at Washington for the establishment of an office at this point, which petition was favorably received and acted upon. John Bruce was made Postmaster. Mr. Bruce held the office some time, and was succeeded by Henry Frey, and he in turn by Ed- ward Topping and Moses B. Stone. The latter held the office until 1861, when N. W. Hoag and Joseph Lyon held the office for a number of years. Then C. S. Teeple was commissioned, and he was succeeded, in 1875, by the present Postmaster, G. F. Lathrop.
*H. A. Johnson, Esq., makes a memorandum in correcting of proofs that Stone built the warehouse.
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
TOWN HALL.
For several years the question of building a town hall was agitated. but it was not until August 14, 1869. that a vote was reached authorizing the construction of a hall. The hall was built in the fall of that year, at a cost of $2.000. It is in size 28x60, with sixteen-feet posts. . I
SOCIETIES.
Darien Lodge, No. 126. A., F. & A. M., was organized March 29, 1860, and their charter is dated June 13, 1860. There were ten charter members, as follows: Alexander Smith, P. W. Wooley. John Dickson. H. A. Johnson, Calvin Serl, Samuel Bailey, Levi Blakeman, Alex- ander Reed, La Fayette Chesley and S. K. Clark. Calvin Serl, W. M .; S. K. Clark, S. W .; Samuel Bailey, J. W .. were the first officers, and so named in the charter. The present officers are: David Williams, W. M .: Harvey L. Saxton. S. W .; William Blakely, Jr., J. W .; Samuel Bailey, Treasurer: George F. Lathrop, Secretary; H. E. Seaver, S. D .; H. W. Seaver, J. D .; A. J. Redman, J. M. Vanderhoof, Stewards; James Stryker, Tiler. The lodge hold their meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The present number of members is forty-one. Of the charter members, but one, Samuel Bailey, is now a member of the lodge. John Dickson, Calvin Serl. Levi Blakeman and Alexander Reed have passed to the celestial lodge on high, while the others, with the exception of H. A. Johnson, who is still a resident but not a member, have moved away. The lodge occupies a rented hall on Lot 4, Block 26, which they have fitted up at an expense of about $300.
Abraham Lincoln Post. No. 3. G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin, was organized August 26. 1879. by Deputy Commander Griff J. Thomas, of Berlin, Wis .. and their charter is dated August 16 of the same year. The charter members were: J. B. Johnson. Rodney Seaver. J. P. Waite, Edwin E. Park, A. M. Cook. L. H. Stebbins, W. F Enos, John McCannon, J. M. Vanderhoof. H. M. Fitzgerald. E. E. Hillman and Rosell S. Miner. The first officers were: J. M. Vanderhoof. P. C .; H. M. Fitzgerald, S. V. C .; Rodney Seaver. J. V. C .: A. M. Cook. Sur- geon: L. H. Stebbins, Chaplain; A. M. Cook, Adjutant; J. B. Johnson, Quartermaster; John McCannon, O. D .: W. F. Enos, O. G .: J. F. Capen, S. M .; E. E. Hillman, Q. M. S. The pres- ent officers are: J. M. Vanderhoof, P. C .; E. E. Hillman, S. V. C .; Michael Flaherty, J. V. C .; H. M. McCannon, Surgeon; Benjamin Blass, Chaplain; Rodney Seaver, Adjutant; W. F. Enos, Quartermaster; J. H. Owens, O. D .: Stephen Hare, O. G .; E. E. Park, S. M .; Riley Wheeler, Q. M. S. The post has a relief fund for the benefit of their worthy comrades in need. The membership at present numbers fifty. and their meetings are held weekly, in Williams' Hall, which they have partially fitted up at an expense of $75. The post is one of the most flour- ishing of its kind in the county.
WAR HISTORY.
Darien's war record is good. She raised nearly $15,000 for all purposes, and furnished one man in excess of her quota, which was 102. The reader is referred to the general war history for the individuals who gave "a hearty pull and a pull altogether " to bring this about.
DARIEN IN 1881.
The population of Darien, including the villages, was, according to the Federal census of 1880, 1,394. The principal farm products for 1880 were: Wheat, 19,560 bushels; corn, 176,- 910 bushels; oats, 94,374; barley. 34,943 bushels: rye, 1,240 bushels; potatoes, 11,950 bushels; apples. 15,400 bushels; timothy seed, 1,649 bushels; flax, 79,331 pounds; tobacco, 1,300 pounds; hay, 3,110 pounds; butter, 58,500 pounds; cheese, 89,845.
In 1881, there were 8,326 acres of growing grain, 370 acres of orchard, 2,749 acres of mow- ing and pasturage, and 1,877 acres of growing timber; the number of milch cows was 907, val- ned at $22,675.
CHEESE FACTORIES.
In 1856, Parker M. Cole built a warehouse in the village of Darien, which was moved, and in 1870, coverted into a cheese factory. Mr. Cole operated it until his death, which occurred in 1877, and it is now owned by his widow, a resident of Milwaukee, and operated by Robert
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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.
Pearson, of the firm of Pearson Brothers, of Sharon. The factory consumes the milk of 300 cows, which makes nine cheeses per day, of an average weight of sixty-five pounds. Most of this cheese is sold at the factory to Eastern merchants. The building is 24x60, one story in height, and represents a valuation of $1,500.
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