History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 80

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 80

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).

Potter's Lake, on Sections 10 and 11, covers an area of 300 acres, being one mile in length and a half in width. The lake has no natural outlet, its surplus waters flowing over the low, marshy land on its southern side. It is a beautiful sheet of water, and was, in the olden time, a favorite fishing-ground of the Indians. This lake belongs to the United States Govern- ment. It is a meandered lake. Hon. John F. Potter, whose home, " Lake Side Farm," is on its northern shore. on Section 11, he was the first and for many years the only settler on its shores.

Army Lake, with its one tiny island, is on Section 6, and Mud Lake is on Section 18.

Spring Brook, which has its source in Spring Prairie, runs through the large marsh on Sections 33, 28 and 27, and, taking a northeasterly course through Section 26, empties into Honey Creek on Section 23.

There is a large swamp in the southern part of Sections 26 and 27, extending through the southeast corner of Section 28, and into the southwest corner of Section 33, and southeast of Section 32, also, quite an extensive marsh, extending from the southwest part of Potter's Lake into the northern part of Section 15; and on Section 13, a swamp covered with a growth of tamarack.

Honey Creek enters the town of East Troy on Section 30, and runs through the entire town from west to east, passing through Sections 30 and 29; the northwest corner of 28, and south- east corner of 21: across 22, 23, and to the eastern verge of 24, where it makes a sharp bend and runs south to about the center of Section 25, where it leaves the town.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Spring Brook takes its rise in springs in the town of Spring Prairie, runs northeast through the marshy lands of East Troy, and empties into Honey Creek on Section 23.

There is comparatively little prairie in East Troy, the land being rolling, with openings of oak similar to the neighboring towns. The leveler portions of the town are in the southern and western sections. The eastern and northern parts are rolling, with occasional hills about the lakes. The soil is a clay loam on the higher lands, and a dark marl on the leveler tracts. It is rich, and well adapted to the growth of cereals, and is excellent for pasture lands.

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF EAST TROY.

The first settlers of East Troy were not emigrants fleeing from the malarious districts of Indiana and Ohio, or leaving the rocky and sterile farms of New England to find a richer soil and more abundant harvest in the young and growing West. Neither were they men wearied with business cares and anxieties, seeking change and rest in a new life, away from the turmoil and noise of a great city. On the contrary, " the tide of immigration," which afterward peo- pled the town with all these classes, " set in " early in the spring of 1836, in the person of one lone young man, who, having just sold his claim a few sections further west, decided to " pitch his moving tent " and make another claim on Section 29. This pioneer, Mr. Roberts by name, was soon joined by Mr. Asa Blood, who settled on the same section, built a house, and boarded the younger man. The house was on the north bank of Honey Creek, near the present site of the mills, and was the first house in East Troy.

Messrs. Blood and Roberts lived on their claim about a year, during the time making prep- arations for the erection of a saw-mill. After getting out their lumber, etc., they sold the property to Mr. Jacob Burgit, who commenced building in the fall of 1837, and completed the work March, 1838 -the first saw mill in East Troy.

After selling his claim on Section 29, Mr. Blood moved to Sugar Creek and bought out William Davis, who had already a cabin on Section 14. near Silver Lake. He lived in this place several years, when he removed to Independence, Iowa. where he died a few years ago. During the year ( 1836), there arrived and settled at East Troy the following:

Austin McCracken built the second log cabin on the north side of Honey Creek, near where the East Troy Hotel now stands. His claim was located on Section 20.

Daniel P. Griffin. with his family and his son-in-law, Allen Harrington and family, arrived July 4, 1836, and made a claim on Section 20, just east of the present village. (More particu- lar notice of the circumstances attending his arrival are given in another part of this sketch.) Mr. Harrington claimed the northwest quarter of Section 21.

Cyrus Cass, from the State of New York, made his first claim on the bank of Honey Creek, and afterward bought on Section 21.

Lyman Hill located on Section 3.

Oliver Rathburn located on Section 2.

J. Haller, from Switzerland. located on Section 35, claiming the southwest quarter. Until within a few years. his farmhouse was still the only one on that section.

So far as can be learned. these are all that settled in East Troy with their families in 1836.

SETTLERS OF 1837.

Jacob Burgit came early in 1837, bought the claim of Blood and Roberts, and improved the water-power on Honey Creek. (See village of East Troy. )

Gorham Bunker, the first blacksmith in town, located a claim in 1836, and settled with his family in 1837.

Elias Jenning settled on Section 23. and in 1847 built a grist-mill there, now known as "Atkinson's Mills."

William Weed, an Eastern merchant, ruined in fortune in the commercial crisis of the time, came from Buffalo, N. Y., to East Troy. and remained a few years. Two of his children died during his residence here. and, the health of Mrs. Weed becoming impaired. she returned to her old home in Connecticut, and soon died also. Mr. Weed removed, after the death of his wife, to Waukesha, and thence to Beaver Dam. He was a most worthy and exemplary man. and a leader in all the reforms of his time.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Mr. James W. Vail and wife were also Eastern people seeking to retrieve their fortunes in the new and rapidly growing West. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vail were among the early and stanch supporters of the Presbyterian Church in East Troy, and active in temperanec and other re- forms. They soon removed to Geneva.

Dr. James Tripp entered land on Sections 5 and 6, and built a saw-mill at the outlet of Crooked Lake. The lake, in early times, was known as "Tripp's Lake," and the mill as " Tripp's Mill." Dr. Tripp was also one of the carly Whitewater pioneers, to which place he subsequently removed, founded the village, and died there in 1844.

Benjamin Jennings settled near the present village: resided there some years; moved away in 1854, but returned in 1865 or 1866. He died in East Troy some years sinee.

Benjamin Whitcomb lived near the outlet of Crooked Lake. He has been dead several years.

Dr. William M. Gorham located on Section 2 in 1837. He had previously located at Mil- waukee in the spring of 1836 (May 13), bringing in a large stock of merchandise, but, the goods not being well adapted to the market, the venture proved unprofitable, and Dr. Gorham returned to the duties of his profession. While yet a resident of Milwaukee, the Doctor was called on one day to attend a farmer at Spring Prairie, upon whom a tree had fallen, rendering it necessary that the patient should be trephined. The distance was formidable, with not even a trail to follow, but the Doctor came out to Spring Prairie, performed the operation, and, the following spring, the grateful farmer went to Milwaukee with men, teams, plow. and feed for all his force, plowed a thirty-acre lot. fenced one side of it, and, using seed that he had brought for the purpose, sowed as much wheat as gave to his medieal attendant 200 bushels of excellent grain. Dr. Gorham also was the regular attendant. during this time. of four families who had settled at Roek River. After residing some years in East Troy, the Doctor returned to Mil- waukee, where he now resides. probably the only physician now living who settled in the county at that early date.

'Henry Powers located on Section 3, and the first post office was kept in his house during 1838 and 1839.

Gaylord Graves, in the spring of 1837, eame with his family from Oswego, N. Y., and set- tled upon the northwest quarter of Section 21. The property is now owned by Cyrus Cass. Mr. Graves was popular among his neighbors, and, being a man of affairs, held several local offices, being County Commissioner, one of the first Justices of the Peace, etc. He was ap- pointed to the latter office by Gov. Dodge. January 3, 1838, his commission being for three years. In 1846, he represented the county in the Territorial Legislature. He removed to Whitewater nearly twenty-five years ago. In 18SO, Mr. Graves removed to Northwood, Iowa, where he lives in a contented retirement.

Henry Powers, of Plattsburg, N. Y., eame with a young daughter, made his elaim and built his cabin on Section 3. He remained there until 1840, when he sold to Stillman Dewey. His daughter, Antoinette, became the wife of A. F. Pratt, of Waukesha.

John Larkin, from Vermont, located no land. but was a sort of peripatetic shoemaker-the first shoemaker in town.

SETTLERS OF 1838.

The settlers of 1838, so far as can be ascertained, were the following:

John F. Potter came in the spring, a young man under twenty, made his claim, built his eabin and settled on Section 11, on the northern bank of the lake which bears his name. The place selected by Mr. Potter over forty years ago is still his home. (Further mention will be found in biography.)

Lucius Allen arrived October 28, 1838. and bought a farm on Section 31. He was a car- peuter, and, in 1841, built the first framed store in East Troy, oeenpied by Sewell Smith. He afterward bought on Section 6, in Spring Prairie, and resided there many years; is now a resi- dent of Elkhorn.

Stephen Field. in 1838, purchased the claim of Daniel Griffin, on Section 20, about a mile east of the village (now owned by Stephen F. Field, his son).

In 1837, Dr. James Tripp entered a claim on Sections 4 and 5, and, in the succeeding year, built a saw-mill at the outlet of Crooked or Tripp's Lake. This property was bought by A. W.

528

HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

and N. W. Cole, who erected what was called the " Troy Lake Mill." The mill was started, but the flume gave ont. and, unfortunately, the money also gave out at about the same time, so that the property passed into other hands. E. H. Ball & Co. bought the mill, had the neces- sary repairs made, and, in 1852. sold it to Seymour Brooks and Timothy Mower. E. H. Ball & Co. again bought the mill. and subsequently sold it to Timothy Mower, who sokl it to Mar- tin Medbury. of Milwaukee. In 1861, it was bought by Farrar & Williams, and from them passed successively into the hands of Messrs. B. B. Humphrey, W. H. Gorseline. Nathaniel Aiken. Little & Burnham, and finally to J. P. Thomson. It was burned in February. 1876, nothing now remaining but the wheel.

Samuel Chafin settled on the northeast quarter of Section 3. He died many years ago; his widow died March 15. 1882.

Christopher Chafin, brother of Samuel. came at the same time and settled on Section 4.

Martin Pollard, from Vermont, and Stillman P., his brother, located claims on the sontli- east quarter of Section 3. Martin afterward bought on Section 2.

Wilder M. Howard. a young shoemaker. settled in 1838, and still resides in the town. He did not work at his trade until later.

In 1839, there came, among others. the following:

Seth Beckwith. who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 12; afterward sold out to George Ray.

S. B. Edwards removed from Troy to the village during this year and opened a blacksmith shop. There he erected the third frame building in East Troy, occupying the lower floor for his shop and the upper part for family use. In 1842. Mr. Edwards built a regular frame house, and, the next year, commenced farming. He removed to Whitewater in 1878, where his wife died November 21, 1880.

In 1841. Sewell Smith, a merchant from Vermont, removed with his family to East Troy. George H. Smith, his son, was at that time quite a young boy. Mr. Smith lived over his store, having bought land on Section 19. George H. lived with his father until 1856 or 1857. Lu- cius Allen Imilt Mr. Smith's store, which was the first one in town.

Capt. George Fox, father-in-law of I. F. Potter, left Maine in 1830. and, after residing for a time in Michigan. came to Wisconsin and settled on Section 11. in East Troy.

William Burgit, from New York. located on Section 29, where he now resides. (See biog- raphy.

In 1840, there came. among others. Stillman Dewey, from Green Bay. and Amasa Hotch- kiss

EARLY TIMES AND EVENTS.

Of those two important events, the first birth and the first marriage, no authentic record can be obtained.

The first death that occurred in East Troy was that of Mrs. Lucius Allen, who was buried November 15. 1838, on the hill. then first used as a cemetery, a little west of the present vil- lage.

Miss Anger (now Mrs. Charles Taylor) taught the first school in the old Methodist Chapel, probably in the summer of 1940. The early winter schools were also taught in this building and it is stated that one of the most severe punishments the teacher could inflict was to cause the delinquents to stand in the corners of the room away from the stove in the center. This brought to terms the most refractory.

Hon. John F. Potter was the first lawyer in East Troy, having a monopoly of that business until A. O. Babcock opened his office in 1843.

Dr. William M. Gorham was the only physician until the arrival of Dr. Bowman in 1840. Mr. Lucius Allen built the first framed store in 1841.

The first blacksmith-shop was that of S. B. Edwards.

Mr. Austin MeCracken kept the first tavern, on strictly temperance principles. Strictly speaking, his house was not kept as a tavern, although he more frequently entertained the trav- eling public than any one else. His place became a full-fledged, licensed tavern in 1838 or 1839, at which time Austin Wright rented the place, and it was run by him not on strictly tem- perance principles.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

When the Presbyterian Church was organized. Rev. Lemuel Hall, the first Walworth County missionary, preached occasionally during the first year. The first settled pastor was Rev. A. D. Sherman. a descendant of the famous Roger Sherman, one of the committee of five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Rev. Mr. Sherman was a man of fine culture and highly educated. having been President of a college in one of the older States. He died at Ra- cine in the year 1843.

After the years of 1840 and 1841, immigration increased so rapidly that, in a few years, all the land in the town was taken up, and no separate mention of the settlers' names would be possible; but especial mention of many who came early; and have left their mark upon the town. will be found among the biographies.

Gaylord Graves was born at Richfield Springs. in the State of New York, May 22, 1804. being the son of James N. Graves, who emigrated from Springfield, Mass .. at an early day. Gaylord received a common-school education, and, at the age of eighteen, commenced the battle of life empty-handed. In 1824. January 18, after he had gathered a small capital by working on a farm, Mr. Graves married Miss Nancy Tuckerman, removed to Northern .New York, and took up some land for himself. This occupation proved so profitless that he was obliged to re- sort to teaching, during the winter months, to eke out a living. The demands of a growing family, joined to his own ambition as a man, pressed his steps Westward. Removing to Os- wego. he lived there until 1836. when his hopes induced him to make another change further west. Accordingly. in September of that year, he left Oswego, traveling to Buffalo by stage. Next, embarking on board the steamboat Michigan for Detroit. he reached that port, but not " haven of rest," after a stormy passage of five days. Mr. Graves traveled through the State from east to west, then through Indiana, and around the southern end of Lake Michigan to Chicago. From there he followed the trail made by the detachment of soldiers under Gen. Wil- kinson in pursuit of Black Hawk four years before. At this time, there was no settlement be- yond until Burlington was reached, where he heard of Daniel P. Griffin, of Honey Creek, with whom he had a slight acquaintance. Being highly pleased with the country, Mr. Graves made a claim adjoining his of a quarter-section, making arrangements with Mr. Griffin to break three acres of land that fall. Returning again on foot, his intention was to bring back his family during the winter. This he found inexpedient, but, being afraid that he would lose his claim if he remained away too long, he shouldered his pack again, March 18, 1837, and performed the entire journey on foot in thirty-two days. Floundering through snow, rain and mud, the conrageous pioneer at length set foot on his own claim. in Township 4 north. Range 18 east. The snminer was spent in improving his little log cabin for the reception of his family. In the fall he returned to Oswego on foot, this being his third journey by this mode of conveyance. Mr. Graves left Oswego with his wife and four children, February 9, 1838, and, on his return, found a commission from Gov. Dodge, dated Jannary 3, 1838, appointing him a Justice of the Peace for three years. By the persuasion of his friends. he was indneed to accept the office. and. at the expiration of his term, the commission was renewed. When the office became elect- ive, he was repeatedly returned. In 1845, he was elected to the Territorial Assembly, and again, to the first session of the State Legislature in 1848. Mr Graves also held the office of County Commissioner, and took the census of the northern part of Walworth County. At the sale of the Rock River District, he bid off the lands for Troy and East Troy. In fact, all through the early days of the county. he was one of the most prominent of the men of its northwestern por- tion.

In the year 1844-45. typhoid fever prevailed in Troy and adjoining towns, removing by death many valuable lives, among the number being Mr. Graves' wife, who died January 5, 1845, leaving five children- two sons and three daughters. The latter part of the same year, he was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Freeman, a daughter of Dr. Freeman, of Washington County, N. Y. In the spring following, she died with consumption. Again, in the year 1848, March 15, Mr. Graves was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Pike, the then widow of Col. Calvin Pike. and daughter of I. U. Wheeler, Esq., of Whitewater, who were among the very early settlers of Walworth County. Mr. Graves was connected with most of the early organized efforts for the advancement of the material. intellectual and moral advancement of the county, and had the satisfaction of being among the very last to leave the scene of the pioneer labors which made possible the present unparalleled prosperity of this section of the county.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

EARLY TRIALS AND EARLY PROGRESS.

The discomforts and hardships of the pioneers of East Troy were similar in character to those of their neighbors in the adjacent towns. While there was perhaps little actual suffer- ing, it was a continual struggle to make the supply of the actual necessities of life equal to the demand. For the women particularly it must have been in daily and hourly discipline in the weary task of "making bricks without straw." Meals to prepare that should sustain the strength of the toiling husband without and satisfy the keen. if not fastidious. appetites of the hungry brood within, and this with no convenienee of stove or cooking utensils, save a few kettles that could be hung on the " crane " if they were so fortunate as to possess even that. " Patent flour" and "self-raising meal" were unheard of ; baking-powder and compressed yeast did not gladden the eyes, or lighten the labors or the bread of the weary housewives of 1836. They " blessed God and took courage," if the barrel of flour brought from Milwaukee or Racine, and paid for with the savings of months, proved fit for the use of the family. Then the winters were long and cold, and clothing will wear out even in ever so new a country. The needle must have been busily applied every spare moment of the day to keep the big and little garments ready for use. and when the light waned. there was always the ever-ready and never- ending knitting. In those days, mothers could not send for their "old family physician." if the little ones were sick, or their own health failed; but through the long hours they must " watch and wait," only depending upon their own resources for the strength and skill which should, with the help of God, restore them to strength. It was days of weary waiting. not idle waiting, with hands full of care. hearts full of forebodings, and nerves tense with anxiety that made the lives of the pioneer wives and mothers peculiarly hard.

The actual perils and dangers attending the settlement of a new country are soon over, but the deprivations and hardships must remain until it is sufficiently advanced to contain within itself all the essentials of comfort, and it must always be true that these deprivations and hard- ships will fall most heavily upon the women. After 1836 and 1837, the sharp edges of pioneer life became smoothed down, and the settlers in the new towns began to feel that their homes were taking on a more comfortable aspect. It was not until 1838 or 1839. however, that the harvested grain could be made into flour, without a long and tiresome journey. When the grist-mill was built at Geneva, in 1838, by C. M. Goodsell, and the settlers of East Troy eould have wheaten bread made from flour that was fresh and sweet, it was a day of rejoicing. The ride of fourteen or fifteen miles that lay between the harvest-field and the mill seemed but a slight affair to men inured to the privations and sacrifices of a life in an unsettled country. The " Big Trail " that led Meacham and Spoor and Beardsley and Roberts into the country. had given place to roads that were passably good, and, in 1838, a mail route was established from Milwaukee to Janesville and a Government road laid out, which passed through what now is the village of East Troy. This road became the great thoroughfare from Lake Michigan to the western part of the Territory, and, as East Troy was a central point, and furnished the best accommodations that could be found far " the traveling public" of the day, it soon became a place of considerable business importance. It is related that nearly every house in the village turned itself. at times, into a hotel, in order to accommodate the wants of the rapidly increasing number of travelers and teamsters. In 1841, the Beloit & Milwaukee road was established, and loaded stage coaches soon became familiar objects to the eyes of the villagers.

In 1839, the first post office was established, and the first appointed Postmaster was John F. Potter. The office was at first located on Section 3, at the house of Henry Powers, and eon- tinned in that place two years. At the expiration of that time, at the request of Mr. Potter. the office was removed to the village, and. through his instrumentality, Mr. Sewell Smith was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Smith had recently removed from Vermont and opened a store at the village, and the office was kept at the store. After his appointment, Mr. Smith retained the office about two years, when it was discontinued, owing to disagreements in regard to the separ- ation of the two towns. After a year, it was re-established and Mr. Smith was again appointed Postmaster. He served in this capacity several terms, making an aggregate of fifteen years. Mr. Smith held the office first until 1848, when he was succeeded by E. H. Ball. In 1853, John D. Hawes was commissioned and remained in posession for a short time only, being followed by Thomas Russell, who hekl the office until Mr. Smith's second appointment in 1861. In 1866,

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

H. B. Clark was commissioned and remained in possession three years, being succeeded by J. W. Church. Mr. Church held the office for three months only, and was followed by the present incumbent, P. O. Griste. The office was made a money order office in Angust, 1870. The first order issued was to A. O. Babcock, and the first order drawn was by Peter Yoss, at Manistee, Mich.

The first assessment list for the town of East Troy was made in May, 1844 -- a year after its organization. This list shows 113 resident and 26 non-resident land holders.

In 1844, Mr. Jacob Burgit built a grist-mill on Honey Creek, just south of the village, which was run under his proprietorship until 1854. The old broast-wheel is still running in its oaken frame, and the solid walls of the present mill, made of the same substantial material, testify to the thoroughness of the work done nearly forty years ago. Mr. Burgit disposed of the mill to H. B. Evans. It has since been owned by the following persons in their respective order. Ball & Dennison, Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fox, C. F. Zastrow, and is now owned by Mr. Charles Smith. The mill in size is 30x40. two stories high, with a basement. It has two run of stone, and a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day. It represents a valua- tion of $5,000.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 80

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