History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 138

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Wisconsin > Walworth County > History of Walworth County, Wisconsin > Part 138

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Eliphalet Cramer, of Milwaukee, bought large tracts in North Geneva, not pre empted, which he subsequently sold to the settlers coming in in 1840 to 1842. Many of the deeds of present owners trace their abstract to a warrantee deed from E. Cramer.

The farming portion of the town lies north of the lake, and is one of the finest farming sections of the county. On Section 4 is located the county poor farm, considered the model farm of the State. A full description of it appears in the county history.

CORPORATE TOWN HISTORY.

1842 .- The first town meeting of which the records have been preserved was held at the house of R. W. Warren, in the town of Geneva, April 5, 1842. At that time, the town or .ni- zation embraced the four present towns of Lyons, Bloomfield, Linn, Geneva, and a section of Elkhorn.

The largest number of votes recorded at the meeting was 162. This was nearly the whole voting strength of the southeast corner of the county at that time.

The officers elected, with the votes received, were as follows:

Supervisors-John M. Capron, Chairman, 85 votes; Jesse Hand, 85 votes; William K. May, 82 votes. Town Clerk-Lyman Redington, 84 votes. Assessor-John Stacy, 158 votes; Israel Williams, 155 votes; Hollis Latham, 86 votes. Treasurer-Charles M. Baker, 81 votes; Will- iam Potts, 81 votes. The further records do not show which of the above popular citizens served as Treasurer. Collector-Thomas W. Hill, 94 votes. Commissioners of Highways-Deodat Brewster, 86 votes; Langdon J. Filkins, 134 votes; John Farnham, 87 votes. School Commis- sioners-Leonard Rogers, 87 votes; John W. Capron, 105 votes; James B. Tower, 80 votes. Constables-Thomas W. Hill, 93 votes; Simeon Standish, 85 votes; Simeon Tupper, 78 votes. Overseers of the Highway-Harvey Hand, 157 votes; Allen McBride, 158 votes; Robert W. Warren, 84 votes; William D. Chapin, 133 votes.

The meeting voted to raise one-fourth of 1 per cent on the property valuation for the sup- port of schools, and a like amount for the building and repair of roads; $50 was voted to be raised for contingent expenses and for the support of the poor.

1843 .- The town meeting was held April 4, 1843, at the house of R. W. Warren; $50 was raised for the poor; $368 for schools. The officers elected were: Supervisors-Thomas Hovey, Chairman; John A. Farnham, Ebenezer Dayton. Clerk-Lewis Curtis. Treasurer- Charles M. Baker. The highest number of votes cast at this election was 241.

The first Geneva town meeting after the present limits were established by law was held at the house of Abiel Manning, April 2, 1844; Clerk, E. D. Richardson; Assistant Clerk, James Simmons. The officers elected were: Supervisors-John A. Farnum. Chairman; James Has- kins, Jacob Herrick. Clerk-James Simmons. Treasurer-Foster Y. Howe. Collector- James B. Tower. Highway Commissioners-Milo E. Bradley, James A. Flack, George W. Edwards. School Commissioners-Lemuel Hall, James B. Tower, Osborn Hand. Justices of the Peace-Hollis Latham, Robert Holley, John Dunlap.

At this, the first meeting of the town of Geneva as now established, the highest number of votes cast was 97.

The roster of town officers from 1844 to 1881, inclusive, is as follows:

1844-Supervisors, John A. Farnam, Chairman: James Haskins, Jacob Herrick; Clerk, James Simmons : Treasurer, Foster Y. Howe.

1845-Supervisors, John A. Farnam, Chairman; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, E. D. Richardson; Treasurer, Foster Y. Howe.

1846-Supervisors, John A. Farnam, Chairman; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, E. D. Richardson: Treasurer, Foster Y. Howe.

1847-Supervisor. John A. Farnham, Chairman; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, Simeon W. Spaford; Treasurer, Lewis Curtis.

٧ ٠

James Finmars

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

1848-Supervisors, Simeon W. Spaford, Chairman; Alvah Chandler, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, William R. Wild; Treasurer, Andrew Fergusen.

1849-Supervisors, Charles M. Goodsell, Chairman: Jacob Herrick. Edward Stevens; Clerk, Thomas McKaig; Treasurer, John Marsh.

1850-Supervisors, Simeon W. Spaford, Chairman; James G. Williams, James Haskins; Clerk, E. D. Richardson: Treasurer, John Marsh.

1851-Supervisors, David Williams, Chairman; Richard Flack, John Haskins; Clerk, C. Miller; Treasurer, Joseph Gates.

1852-Supervisors, David Williams, Chairman; James Gray, Ira Brown; Clerk, C. Miller; Treasurer, S. A. Spaford.

1853-Supervisors, John A. Farnam, Chairman; Sylvester E. Sanford, John Haskins; Clerk, Benjamin B. Humphrey: Treasurer, S. A. Spaford.

1854 -- Supervisors, Joseph Gates, Chairman; Levi Jackson, Amos Cahoon; Clerk, Benja- min B. Humphrey; Treasurer, Linus Emerick.

1855-Supervisors, Charles W. Smith, Chairman ; Charles Wales, Joseph Griffin; Clerk, Simeon Gardner; Treasurer, E. Andrews.

1856 -- Supervisors, Charles W. Smith, Chairman; Andrew Fergusen, Alonzo Potter; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1857-Supervisors, Alonzo Potter, Chairman; Andrew Fergusen, E. B. Farnam; Clerk, J.

T. Abell; Treasurer, E. Andrus.

1858-Supervisors, Charles W. Smith, Chairman; Charles Wales, Appollos Hastings; Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, William L. Valentine.

1859-Supervisors, Alex S. Palmer, Chairman; Charles Wales, Jared Hand; Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, W. L. Valentine.

1860-Supervisors, A. S. Palmer, Chairman; E. B. Farnham, Jared Hand ; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, W. L. Valentine.

1861-Supervisors, A. S. Palmer, Chairman: S. H. Stafford, G. E. S. Fellows: Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, George Barber.

1862-Supervisors, Osborn Hand, Chairman; A. D. Colton, O. P. Standish; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, G. M. Barber.

1863-Supervisors, S. H. Stafford, Chairman; Charles Dunlap, H. E. Allen; Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, G. M. Barber.

1864-Supervisors, S. O. Raymond, Chairman; Charles Dunlap, C. L. Oatman; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, R. T. Moody.

1865-Supervisors, C. L. Oatman, Chairman; Charles Dunlap, Edward Quigley: Clerk, J. T. Abell: Treasurer, William H. Lee.

1866 -- Supervisors, C. L. Oatman, Chairman; Charles Dunlap, J. J. Dewing; Clerk, J. T. Abell; Treasurer, S. S. Hanna.

1867-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman; W. W. Byington, A. E. Smith; Clerk, John A. Smith; Treasurer, S. C. Sanford.

1868-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman; J. Barber, A. E. Smith: Clerk, J. A. Smith; Treasurer, W. Alexander.

1869-Supervisors, C. Dunlap, Chairman; H. Rich, L. Jackson; Clerk, C. E. Buell; Treas- urer, W. H. Lee.

1870-Supervisors, C. L. Oatman, Chairman; C. M. Baker, Len Jackson ; Clerk, C. E. Buell: Treasurer, S. C. Sanford.

1871-Supervisors, James Simmons, Chairman; Levi Jackson, Charles Dunlap; Clerk, C. E. Buell; Treasurer, S. C. Sanford.

1872-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman; H. S. Stafford, W. W. Byington; Clerk, W. H. Hammersley: Treasurer, John Burton.

1873-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman; M. D. Cowdery, W. W. Byington; Clerk, W. W. Hammersley: Treasurer, John Burton.

1874-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman: W. W. Byington, M. D. Cowdery; Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

872

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

1875-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman: W. H. Hammersley, M. D. Cowdery: Clerk, John B. Simmons; Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1876-Supervisors, Charles Dunlap, Chairman; W. H. Hammersley, M. D. Cowdery; Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer. T. B. Gray.

1877-Supervisors, S. H. Statford, Chairman; Charles Dunlap, W. H. Hammersley: Clerk, John B. Simmons; Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1878- Supervisors. Charles Palmetier, Chairman: W. H. Hammersley, Charles Dunlap; Clerk. John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1879-Supervisors, William H. Hammersley, Chairman: Edward Pentland. Samuel H. Stafford; Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1880-Supervisors, William H. Hammersley, Chairman: Edward Pentland, Jason A. Her- rick: Clerk, John B. Simmons: Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

1881- Supervisors, W. H. Hammersley, Chairman; Daniel Fairchild, Michael Rouse; Clerk, John B. Simmons; Treasurer, T. B. Gray.

The town shows the following standing at the close of 1881 :

The population, as given by the Federal census of 1880, was: Town. 930; village, 1,969; total, 2,899.

The principal agricultural products of 1880 were: Wheat, 6,500 bushels; corn, 128,000 bushels: oats, 61,000 bushels: barley, 5,600 bushels: rye, 400 bushels; potatoes, 5,000 bushels; apples, 50,000 bushels; timothy seed, 642 bushels; hay. 1.500 tons; butter, 150,000 pounds.

In 1881, there were 3.560 acres sown to grain; 170 acres of orehard, with 4,360 fruit-bear- ing trees: 1,800 acres of mowing and pasturage: and 800 acres of growing timber; there were also 700 milch eows, valued at $17,500.

There were four whole and six union school districts. The number of scholars enumerated between the ages of four and twenty years was 1.023, of which number 625 attended school. There were eight schools, one of which (in the village) is graded. Twelve teachers were em- ployed, at average monthly wages of $37.25 for male and $21.36 for female teachers. There were eight schoolhouses, valued, with sites included, at $24,230. The annual amount expended for school purposes was $6,900.

THE VILLAGE OF GENEVA-GENEVA LAKE.

The early history of the village has already been related to the reader. It was first plattod by Thomas McKaig some time in 1837. The plat was filed, in accordance with the law, May 23, 1840. Under the survey, the village lots contained not far from a quarter-aere each. Two blocks were reserved for publie squares, and other lots for churches, schools and a cemetery. The first plat covered the whole of Section 36. The subsequent additions to the village plat, as given by Mr. Simmons in his history of the village, were as follows:

A certain portion of the land on the borders of the lake and extending from it to a point some distance below the mills, being mostly interval land, was reserved by the proprietors and marked on the plat as " Reservation." This is said to have originally contained some forty acres. In 1844, five aeres in a square form in the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 31, in the town of Lyons (then Hudson), were added to the village by the act of the Legislature incorporating it. In 1856, the village bounds were further extended by a new charter, but reduced by amending aets in 1858 and 1860, and again extended by an act of 1867. They now embrace all of Section 36, the south half of Section 25, the southeast quarter of Sec- tion 26, and the east half of Section 35, in the town of Geneva, the five acres above mentioned from the town of Lyons, and sixty-seven aeres of land from Section 1 in the town of Linn. None of these additions have been platted into small lots except a portion included in Marsh's Addition, and a part of Section 25, platted in 1855 and called Richt's and Ferguson's additions. In 1857, E. D. Phillips divided a part of Sublots 10, 11, 12 and 13, in Large Lot 3, and named it Phillips' Subdivision. Several streets have been discontinued and other changes made, which, so far as important, will be noticed hereafter. The proprietors of the village when first sur- veyed were R. W. and G. S. Warren, A. Ferguson, L. B. Goodsell, George L. Campbell, and Phillip and James Maxwell, each owning one-seventh part, but before the plat was recorded, Mr. Ferguson had conveyed his share to Goodsell & Campbell. Afterward, the proprietors

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

partitioned the lots and blocks among themselves by deeds, retaining undivided interests in the " Reservation."

The village grew quite rapidly from 1838 to 1844. Among the early settlers now well re- membered who came in during that period were the following:

Benjamin E. Gill, in 1837; C. L. Oatman, in 1838: W. D. Chapin, in 1837: S. W. Spaf- ford, in 1842; E. D. Richardson, in 1842; Dr. Oliver S. Tiffany, in 1838; Dr. McNish, a little later in 1838: Russell H. Mallary, in 1838: Joseph Griffin, in the summer of 1837; William Casporus, in 1837; Charles M. Baker, in 1838: Lewis Curtis, in 1839; William Alexander, in 1839; John M Capron, -- Wheeler and --- Whipple, in 1839; D. W. Cook, in 1837; John A. Farnham, in 1840: Joseph E. Howe, in 1843; Abiel Manning and A. A. Thompson, in 1843; James Simmons, in July, 1843; Experience Estabrook, in 1839; Dr. Stephen Ingham, in 1841 (theu of advanced age: he lived to be over ninety-five years old, and died in Elkhorn not many years since); E. S. and H. K. Elkins, 1843; L. D. Hale, 1843: John Beamsley, in 1843; B. T. Payne, 1843; Daniel Locke, 1843; Harvey Church, 1843; A. D. Colton, in 1840 or 1841.

The history of the village and its vicinity has been fully written by James Simmons, up to the date of its publication, in 1875. Nothing new can be found to add thereto except to bring the history down to date. Nearly all the historical matter concerning the village is compiled from that book, through the kind consent of its author, for which due acknowledgments are given here and elsewhere.

The village led an uneventful and unexcited existence for many years. Its growth was healthy, but not rapid It shared the trade and traffic of the newly settled country with the neighboring village of Delavan, and increased with about the same rapidity. There was more travet, and consequently more life, in Geneva in its early days, as the Southport (Kenosha) road ran through it to Beloit. The grist-mill also brought considerable trade, which would otherwise have gone to other points, till competing mills were built elsewhere. The first com- peting mill was built by the Phoenixes, at Delavan, in 1840.

The village is entitled to the credit of having organized the first temporance society in the county in 1839. It is also entitled to the distinction of having the first distillery, which was started a few months later in 1840, by Capron, Wheeler & Whipple. The two opposing ele- ments, represented in a temperance society and a distillery, were not naturally conducive to harmony in the village, although it kept alive an enthusiasm and vigor in the society that might not have been otherwise possible. The contest between the distillery proprietors and Goodsell, the miller, a stanch leader in the temperance movement. who refused to grind for distilling pur- poses, has been fully detailed in the county history. The final result was a victory for the tem- perance element, and gives to Geneva the credit of the law still in force exempting millers from grinding for distilling purposes. The distillery ran but a few years thereafter. The temper- ance society was one of the most efficient in the county till its work was superseded by the more modern work of the Sons of Temperance and Good Templars.

THE WAR RECORD.

The part taken by Geneva in the civil war was patriotic, energetic and creditable. Full accounts of the companies raised in Geneva will be found in the war history of the county at large. To avoid any omission, if possible, the accounts given by Mr. Simmons, an old resident, in his history of Geneva, are given entire, as supplemental to what appears elsewhere:

" On the 17th or 18th day of April, 1861, being the day after news was received of the fir- ing upon Fort Sumter by the rebels, from one-half to two-thirds of the Geneva Independents, with all their principal officers, volunteered for three months, under the first call of the Presi- dent. In three days, sixty had enlisted, and the number was filled up to 100 in less than a week. The greater share of this number, three-fourths of whom were from Geneva and Linn, enlisted for three years, under the second call, which came before they were fully organized, and drilled here until the middle of June, and then went into camp at Racine. There they re- mained until the 14th of July, when they started for Baltimore with their regiment, the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry, under the command of Col. Halbert E. Paine, of Racine. After some serv- ice in the vicinities of Baltimore and Washington and on the eastern shore of Virginia, they were sent to the Gulf, under Gen. Butler, and participated in the taking of New Orleans, and

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

in subsequent operations against Port Hudson and other places on the river. While there, the · regiment was mounted, and became the Fourth Cavalry. Many of our brave boys died from wounds received in their many battles, others perished by disease, and but few, comparatively, of those who went at first, or of subsequent recruits, returned to their homes among us.

" The citizens of our town took early action upon the subject of aiding the families of vol- unteers, $1,000 being raised upon notes of individuals, who trusted in the patriotism of their townsmen to reimburse them. On the 23d of August, a special town meeting was held, and the sum of $3,000 was voted to be raised by tax for the benefit of such families and to pay such notes. In the early part of the summer, another company of volunteers was raised in this and the three adjoining towns, which became Company C, of the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry. Of this company, Charles W. Smith was Captain; Darwin R. May, First Lieutenant; and C. E. Buell, Orderly Sergeant, all of whom received promotion in the service. Their regiment was in camp at Racine from August 25 to September 16, when they were ordered to Kentucky. At an en- gagement in the following February, near Thompson's Station, many of them were captured, and were held prisoners until May. These afterward rejoined their regiment and participated in Sherman's famous campaign and march to the sea.

" On the 13th of August, 1864, a special town meeting was held, and a tax voted of $10,000, or sufficient to pay a bounty of $200 to each volunteer needed to fill our quota on the President's call for 500,000 more.

" On the 9th of January, 1865, another special town meeting was held, and an additional tax voted for soldiers' bounties, and for aid to the families of those in the field: but, there be- ing some illegality about the proceedings, another meeting was held on the 13th of February, and the sum of $6,600 voted to be raised for bounties, and $500 for aid to soldiers' families. Thus Geneva proved her patriotism by furnishing men and money without stint to keep full the ranks of the army of freedom, and to cherish the families of their brave boys at home. We have particularly mentioned but two companies which were enlisted from this town and vicinity, but we had noble representatives in other companies and organizations in all branches of the serv- ice, many of whom gave their lives, and gave them cheerfully, for their country."

Geneva furnished, during the war, 138 men, from 215 liable to military duty, as by the enrollment of 1862. Not all were citizens who were credited, although it is believed that at least one hundred men of the town did personal service. Geneva raised for war purposes $20, - 100.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse was built, as has been stated. in 1840. In 1848, a larger and more ·commodious building was built, and the school divided into two departments. H. B. Coe and Charles B. Smith were the teachers first employed in the new house. In 1854, this house was enlarged by building a wing on the west side. In 1867. it again proved inadequate in its pro- portions, and gave place to the present school building, which was completed in December, 1867.

The present school district of which the village is a part is known as Union District, No. 1, and embraces nearly all of Geneva south of Lake Como, so much of Linn as lies north of Ge- neva Lake, and part of a section of Lyons. The total number of scholars by the last enumera- tion was 961, distributed as follows: Geneva, 395 males, 454 females-849; Linn, 52 males, 42 females-94; Lyons, 10 males, S females-18.

The principal school is in Geneva Village. It is graded into five departments, with a high school. The Principal is Edward O. Fiske, of Beloit, Wis.

There is, in addition to the village school, a school in Linn known as the " Wood School," for the accommodation of scholars in the remote parts of the district.

The annual tax for school purposes in the joint district is $3,000, and the whole number of teachers is eight.

The rooms are now crowded with scholars, and a new house within a year or two is inevi- table.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Geneva Gazette, a weekly, was started by David M. Keeler in 1848. It continued for something over a year, and went out of sight. It was the first attempt at journalism in the town.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

The Geneva Express, the second paper in Geneva, was startad in 1854, by Frank Leland and G. S. Utter. It was subsequently removed to Elkhorn and merged into the Elkhorn Inde- pendent.

The Generan, the third paper in the town, was started in 1858, by H. L. Devereux, after- ward of the Burlington Standard. It suspended in 1859, after a fitful life of about eighteen months.

The Lake Geneva Mirror was the fourth paper to start -- February 1, 1860. It was first issued by G. S. Utter as publisher, and J. T. Wentworth as editor. It continued till some time in 1861. It then went to the rear, while its patriotic publisher went to the front, in the Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry, to do battle for his country.

The Genera Lake Herald was the fifth paper started in the town, and the first established. George S. Utter was the enterprising publisher .. I. E. Burton was its first editor, assisted by Revs. J. D. Pulis and E. G. Miner. It was established in April, 1872. In August, 1873, Mr. Burton became the sole proprietor and editor. In January, 1876, he sold a half interest to A. D. Waterbury, of Polo, Ill., and on April 26 of the same year. the other half to J. E. Heg, of Beloit. The firm remained Heg & Waterbury from that date to November 3. 1877. when J. E. H eg purchased the interest of Mr. Waterbury, and since that date has been sole proprietor and editor. Mr. Heg is also proprietor and editor of the Lake Geneva Cisco, a weekly paper, pub- lished every Saturday evening from June 1 to the middle of September of each year. The paper, which is tastefully made up. is devoted wholly to the interests of the lake as a summer resort and watering-place. Mr. Heg is a ready writer and good manager, which accounts for the success which has followed him in both of his journalistic undertakings.

The Weekly News was established by the News Printing Company in July, 1879. A daily was started under the same management, one month earlier, and from its success the proprietors were induced to establish the weekly, which has been continued ever since, and is at present permanently established, and ranks as one of the leading Independent papers of the county. It was purchased, in September, 1879, by J. S. Badger, the present editor and proprietor. Under his careful management and able editorship, it has attained to its present grade of excellence.

The Daily News is issued daily through the summer months, when not only Geneva, but all the country round about, is thronged with tourists and pleasure-seekers. It gives the latest news, arrivals, and has a large and profitable circulation during the visiting season. It is the first daily newspaper ever published in the county. It is owned and edited by J. S. Badger, of the Weekly News, both papers being under the same proprietorship and management.

THE BANK OF GENEVA.

This bank is in reality the private banking house of E. D. Richardson, Esq., who estab- lished it in 1848, and has conducted it successfully ever since. He is now the oldest interior banker in the State. He has kept his account with the Wisconsin Fire and Marine Insurance Company Bank (Mitchell's), in Milwaukee, for thirty-four years continuously, and is, with one exception. the oldest depositor of that institution.

In November, 1871, during the week succeeding the great Chicago fire, Mr. Richardson's bank was robbed of its entire means by burglars. The funds abstracted amounted to $30,000, of which sum $17,000 was the private property of Mr. Richardson, the balance being distributed among special depositors. To add to the weight of the blow, what funds were in Chicago were inaccessible, as they were still in a safe beneath a smoldering heap of ruins in Chicago. The Chicago safe came out all right. The home plunder was never recovered, though the robbers were traced to penitentiaries where they were serving long terms for other crimes and confessed the robbery.

No better record or guarantee of the ability and probity of Mr. Richardson, or the unques- tioned standing of his bank, than is found in the fact that he has withstood the dangers and disasters of robbery, fire and panic for thirty-four years, and always met the calls of his deposi- tors on demand. His bank has the highest rank of credit, both at home and abroad.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1840. The first meeting was held at the house of C. M. Baker. Elder P. W. Lake was the organizing minister. The first house of worship was erected in 1846, at a cost of $1,500. It was remodeled at a cost of $1,700 in 1868, and re-ded- icated November 18 of that year.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 138

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 998

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 998