History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 82

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

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

and, in September, 1872, the church was dedicated. The following have been pastors of the church: Rev. Hall, during the first year; Rev. D. A. Sherman, two or three years: Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans, six years; Rev. Charles Morgan, twenty years, with an interval of two years, which was filled by Rev. A. Sedgwick and Rev. Miles Doolittle; Rev. H. Fowle, four years; Rev. A. W. Curtis, three years, who was succeeded by Rev. J. Beardsley, the present pastor. The old church. built in 1849, has recently passed into the possession of the Lutheran Church, and is again to be refitted and used as a place of worship.

The third church organized in East Troy was the Baptist. October 5, 1842, the organizing council met in the Methodist Episcopal Chapel, Rev. Burgess, Moderator; Rev. H. Topping, Clerk. The seven Baptist Churches of Geneva, Delavan, Rochester, Sugar Creek, Mnkwanago, Spring Prairie and Whitewater, were represented. The following are the names of its ten con . stituent members: William Duncan, Irena Duncan, Horace Smith, Eliza Sperry, Gaylord Graves, Nancy Graves, Elvira Duncan, Gilbert Waters, Polly Waters and Betsy Ann Edwards. Rev. Alvah Burgess was the first pastor, for the space of two years, succeeded by Rev. James Delany, four years; Rev. M. B. Tremain, two years; Rev. James Squier, two years; Rev. G. W. Gates, three years; Rev. P. Conrad, two years; Rev. O. Martin, about a year; Rev. A. Weaver, one year: Rev. D. Dye, three years; Rev. E. L. Schofield, two and a half years: Rev. C. J. B. Jack- son, nearly two years; Rev. James Delaney, nearly four years, succeeded by Rev. W. A. Rupert, the present pastor. Of the constituent members of this church only one is still living-Irene Duncan (now Mrs. Irene Cole). The present church edifice was commenced in the year 1846, and completed in the spring or early summer of 1847, its dedication taking place in June of that year. The original contract price for building was $1,350, and the house has since received various improvements and modifications, making it a convenient and commodious church build- ing.

The Catholic Church of East Troy was organized by Rev. Father Martin Kundig in 1848. After its organization, services were held at the residences of some of its members until, in 1854, they built their first house of worship. This was a frame building, in size, 30x40 feet, costing about $1,200. This building was used until 1870, when, on account of its being inade- quate to meet the wants of the congregation, their present elegant stone structure was erected in the northwestern part of the village. This building is in size 40x80 feet, and cost $16,000. The church numbers at present 165 families, or some over 500 communicants. The present pastor is Rev. Father Allan.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in the spring of 1874 by Rev. Morsk, of Waterford. It was organized with fifteen families. Their services were held in the Baptist Church until 1879, since which time they have been held in the Methodist Church. About a year ago, the Lutheran Church purchased the old Congregational Church building, which has been refitted and refurnished and is now ready for occupancy. The church has at present a membership of twenty-two families. The present pastor is Rev. D. Young.

FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.

In 1838, probably soon after the organization of the Methodist Church, the Christian men and women of East Troy made their first attempt to " gather in the children for religious instruction. The enterprise was not a sectarian one, but was engaged in by all who recognized the necessity and usefulness of this branch of the Christian Church. It culminated in the estab- lishment of a union school, which was continued until the various denominations had their own separate places of worship. According to general remembrance, the school was organized at the house of Mr. MeCracken in the spring of 1838. Mrs. McCracken and her sister, Miss Arte- mesia MeLeod, being among the most zealous Methodist working women of the town. Mr. John D. Spoor was made Superintendent at the organization. Its meetings were held at Mr. Griffin's, at Mr. Vail's, at the parsonage, after its erection in the fall, and after the building of the " Methodist Chapel," that became the usual place of assembly. There are no records by which the progress of the school, or the particulars of the work that was done, can be traced, but the names of those who so early started the good work should always be gratefully remem- bered.

In 1839, Mrs. J. W. Vail, a lady of culture and refinement, supplemented her labors in the

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

Sabbath school by opening a boarding-school for young ladies in her own house. The schoo combined secular and religious training, and soon became a success. A good school and good home united was somewhat of an anomaly in the new country, and it is said that Mrs. Vail had pupils from many of the surrounding towns, and even from the " metropolis " - Milwaukee. When Mr. Vail removed to Geneva, his wife again opened a school of similar character in that place.

THE PRESS.

The East Troy Gazette was established August 6. 1879. by F. D. Craig. Mr. Craig edited and published the paper until July, 1880, when it was purchased by C. A. Cook, then proprietor of the Chrisman Advance, at Chrisman, Ill. The paper was then edited by H. W. Metcalf until June, 1881, when F. D Craig purchased and became its possessor. The paper is a six-column folio: in polities, neutral. Its eirenlation is 750 copies. its day of issue being Wednesday. F. D. Craig is its editor and publisher.

The American Merino, a sheet published in the interest of the American Merino Sheep Breeders' Association, was established by F. D. Craig in November, 1881. This paper is also a six-column folio, published monthly. Its editor is A. H. Craig. with F. D. Craig as publisher.

SOCIETIES.

Trojan Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 19, 1850, by R. O'Connor, D. D. G. M. Their charter is dated January 18, 1850. The chartered members were Emery Thayer, Matthew Coleman, Elisha Stillman, Francis Winne, Daniel Eggleston, F. H. Harwood, James Palmer, Andrew E. Elmore. The first persons initiated into the mysteries of the order were Timothy Mower, Henry P. Taylor. William T. Walker, Sewall Smith, Hemy B. Clark, Russell H. Mallory, Simon B. Edwards, John D. Hawes. Garrett Wine, Alexander O. Babcock, Herman H. Winchell and Cyrus L. Oatman. The officers elected and appointed at its organiza- tion were: F. H. Harwood, N. G .; Andrew E. Elmore, V. G .; A. O. Babcock, Secretary; Emery Thayer, Treasurer; Matthew Coleman, Warden; Francis Winne, Conductor; Sewall Smith, I. G .; James Palmer, O. G .; Timothy Mower. R. S. N. G .; Russell H. Mallory, L. S. N. G .; John D. Hawes, R. S. V. G .; William T. Walker, L. S. V. G. The present officers are: T. H. Conklin. N. G .; C. M. Hillard, V. G .; W. S. Keats. R. S .; W. H. Meadows, P. S .; W. M. Howard, Treasurer: C. W. Smith. W .; Will Child. C .; C. Densmore. R. S. N. G .; George Brewster. L. S. N. G .; C. S. Blanchard, R. S. V. G .: J. H. Miller, L. S. V. G .; A. J. Bliss, R. S. S .: H. Montagne, L. S. S. The order has a membership at present of thirty-three. They have fitted up a hall over the drug store of P. O. Griste at au expense of abont $400. Their meetings are held on every Tuesday evening.

St. James Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M. This Masonic body was instituted at the lodge room of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, under a dispensation granted March 14, 1851. Their charter is dated June 16, 1853. The chartered members were: L. Mayo. Hiram Medbury, J. Califf, Stephen G. West, J. A. Larkin and H. Clemmons. The first officers were: Hiram Med. bury, W. M .; Stephen G. West, S. W .; A. M. Perry, J. W. The present officers are: W. S. Keats, W. M .: N. J. Randolph, S. W .; O. F. Winne, J. W .; E. R. Hicks, Treasurer; E. T. Cass, Secretary; C. A. Dingman, S. D .; H. B. Reeves, J. D .; J. E. Reynolds, E. S. Kellogg, Stew- ards; W. E. Du Puy, Tiler. The order at present has a membership of thirty-five. Their hall has been well furnished, at a considerable expense. It is in the second story of Rogers' Block, and has been occupied by the institution since August, 1881.

The Library Association was organized Jannary 10. 1863, by some, of the citizens of East Troy. The officers elected were as follows: T. Mower, President; William Anyan, Vice Presi- dent; J. G. Dorrance, Secretary; C. W. Smith, Treasurer; H. B. Clark. Librarian; S. B. Ed- wards, H. H. Austin, William Burgit, Trustees.

The first donation was made by John F. Potter, and consisted of a set of American State papers. Dramatical entertainments, ete., have from time to time been held to assist in the pro- curation of books. the volumes at present numbering 1,000. The membership amounts to $2, with the annual fees of $1. The present officers, elected at the nineteenth annual meeting, are as follows: William Burgit, President; W. M. Howard. Vice President; W. S. Keats, Secre.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

tary; William Burgit, Treasurer; T. H. Conklin, Librarian; P. O. Gristle, F. Dickerman, H. B. Gilbert, Trustees. The library room is in the boot and shoe store of W. M. Howard. Har- rison Conklin is the Librarian. There are now 950 volumes in the library. valued, with book- case, at $767.

HOTELS.

East Troy House. - The first hotel kept on the site of this house, as well as in the village. was in a small log building, erected by Austin McCracken in 1836. Mr. McCracken kept the hotel until 1842, when he sold out to Emery Thayer, who built the east half of the present hotel in 1845. It was in size 28x42, two stories high. In 1855, Timothy Mower purchased the hotel property and kept it until 1856, and disposed of it to L. J. Edwards, and he in turn to S. B. Edwards in 1862. In 1864, Orson B. Morse purchased the property and disposed of it to Henry B. Clark in 1868. In 1872, H. H. Rogers purchased a half-interest in the hotel of Mr. Clark, and, during that year. Clark & Rogers purchased the old Catholic Church and moved it to the west side of the main hotel, and it now forms a part of the whole building. It

is in size 30x40, and two stories high. Over this part of the hotel is a large hall, which is used mostly for dancing purposes. The annex, which formed the alcove of the church build- ing, was added to the north end of the main building, and now forms the sample room. This is in size 14x20. Mr. Rogers is a very obliging and accommodating landlord, and his house is one of the best in the county. In connection with the hotel is one of the finest barns in the State, erected by Mr. Rogers in 1879. The main building is 40x60, with two wings, one 24x36, and the other 16x30.

Buena Vista House, - This hotel, a three-story stone structure, in size 40x60, commenced building in 1846, by Samuel Bradley. Mr. Bradley was his own architect, carpenter and ma- son, constructing the building as far as the roof with no help. The stones he drew from the quarry with one horse and wagon, and the cobble-stones, with which it is faced on all four sides, he gathered on the shores of the lakes in the vicinity. The building was not completed until late in the fall of 1849, when it was opened as a hotel, with Bradley as landlord. On account of his failure to meet certain demands, the hotel has since passed into the hands of various par- ties, and is now owned under a tax title deed by Richard Hotton. He is also its present pro- prietor.

BANDS.

Ray & Goff's String Band was organized in 1874, with J. M. Ray, Chauncey Goff, H. A. Tullar and W. J. Ware as the members. There has been no change in the band since it was organized, and it is now one of the best in the county.

The East Troy Cornet Band was organized in August, 1881, with H. A. Tullar as leader. The members are, besides Mr. Tullar, F. Conrad, D. F. Tullar, J. Conrad, Warren Smith, Herbert Smith, Will Smith, S. Medbury, J. Monaghan, F. Howard, A. Dickerman and A. Smith. The band, since its organization, has been training under the supervision of Thomas Williams, of Milwaukee.

INSURANCE.

The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Troy and East Troy was organized in 1875, with Alexander Fraser, President; William Burgit, Secretary; S. B. Edwards, Treasurer. The first policy was given to C. S. Miller, and bears date September 4, 1875. According to their last annual report, in January, 1881, the amount of capital stock was $374,616, and the number of policies 263. The whole amount of loss thus far in 1881 is $2. The general office of the com- pany is in East Troy. The present officers are: Alexander Fraser, President; William Burgit; Secretary; and Homer Brooks, Treasurer.

East Troy, like many other localities in this section of the country, has its mineral spring. It is situated on the farm of William Burgit, and the water, analyzed by Gustavus Bode, of Milwaukee, was found to contain 22.377 grains of soluble matter to one gallon, as follows: Chloride of sodium, .371 grains: sulphate of soda, 1.074 grains; silica, 1.315 grains: carbonate of lime, 11.880 grains: carbonate of magnesia. 7.745 grains.

On account of this spring, and the beautiful location and surroundings of the village, East Troy is undoubtedly destined soon to become one of the attractive pleasure resorts of the coun-

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

ty. Added to this, also, is the summer resort owned by H. H. Rogers. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Rogers purchased 107 acres of land on the north and east shores of Booth's Lake, in the town of Troy. On Troy Island he erected a building 18x40 for the shelter and comfort of pleasure-seekers. In partnership with S. P. Keyes, he built a small steamer, the Lady Anna, at a cost of $1,500. This "resort" being insufficient, Mr. Rogers has now purchased what is known as " Brooks' Island, " located in Crooked Lake. This island contains about forty acres of land. and is one of the most delightful places in the vicinity. Mr. Rogers will erect on this island buildings sufficient to accommodate all summer tourists who may wish to spend a few days here in fishing, etc., and the Lady Anna will be transferred to this lake. When this is done, Crooked Lake will be as widely known as many of the other resorts, and much credit is due Mr. Rogers for his undertaking.

FIRE.

East Troy, like most country towns, has had its experience in this respect. About 3 o'clock in the morning of Thanksgiving Day. in 1876, the cry of " Fire!" was heard, and was found to be well under way, in the tailoring establishment of Fred Besch. A west wind was blowing at the time, and all efforts to extinguish it were useless. The four buildings on that street eastward were entirely consumed, as follows: Store building, owned by Joseph Doyle and oc- cupied by Fred Besch as a tailor-shop and clothing store: store building, owned by S. Baldwin and occupied by J. M. Killips as a general dry goods and grocery store, with living rooms in the second story; store building, owned and occupied by J. Bailey as a jewelry store; store building, owned by J. Bailey and occupied by Charles Hith as a grocery. These buildings have since been replaced with neat brick and frame stores. The total loss of this fire amounted to about $5.000. with no insurance.

TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINE.

In 1881, a telegraph and telephone line was erected by H. H. Rogers and John Matheson. from Rogers' hotel in East Troy to the store of John Matheson, at Mayhew Station, the distance being about four miles. This line is in successful operation at present, the rates being 15 cents for ten words, and one cent extra for each additional word.

OAK RIDGE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.

This burial ground was under the control of the town of East Troy until March 31, 1876, when, by a vote of the town. the Cemetery Association was formed, with S. B. Edwards, Pres- ident: W. S. Keats, Secretary: William Burgit, Treasurer. Since the association was formed, the cemetery has been re-surveyed, and various improvements have from time to time been made. The present officers of the association are: Stephen F. Fields, President; W. S. Keats, Secretary; William Burgit, Treasurer.

THE VILLAGE AS IT IS.

The village of East Troy is at present represented by the following business and profes- sional men:

Dry Goods and Groceries, etc .- C. W. Smith & Co., H. H. Austin, Wilmer Bros.

Grocery and Meat Market- O. B. Rogers.

Grocery and Jewelry- J. Bailey.

Drugs and Medicines-P. O. Griste.

Hardware -Meadows Bros., H. A. Tullar.

1 Harness and Saddlery -A. C. Deist, Wendt & Keiber.

Photographer- - S. K. Graves.

Hotels -East Troy House. H H. Rogers, proprietor: Buena Vista House, Richard Hotton. proprietor.

Newspapers-East Troy Gazette, F. D. Craig, editor and publisher; American Merino, F. D. Craig, publisher; A. H. Craig, editor.

Millinery and Dress-Making Julia Cowley & Co., Mrs. Trainer, and the Misses Dwyer. Physicians- D. W. Rector. T. F. Johnson. C. F. Blanchard. Dentist -- A. Stebbins.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTHI COUNTY.

Blacksmiths -- James Monaghan. O. F. Winne. D. S. Waters.

Wagon-Makers- S. Dartt, S. P. Keyes.

Machine Repairing-Shop- Harry Diekman.

Cooper-William C. Knapp.

EAST TROY IN 1881.

The population of the town, according to the Federal census of 1880, was 1,407.

The grain and other agrienltural products of 1880 were: Wheat, 35,000 bushels; corn, 70,- 000 bushels; oats, 48,630 bushels; barley, 1,100 bushels: rye, 3,000 bushels; potatoes, 10,000 bushels: apples, 10,500 bushels: hay. 2,500 tons; butter, 50,000 pounds.

In 1881, there were 5,388 acres sown to grain: 258 acres of apple orchard: 2. 138 aeres of mowing and pasturage; and 3, 188 aeres of growing timber. There were 526 milch cows. val- ued at $10,500.

There were seven whole and two joint school districts. The total enumeration of seholars between the ages of four and twenty years was 462, of which number 349 attended sehool. Nine teachers were employed, at monthly wages of $40.50 for male, and $23.50 for female, teachers. The town had seven schoolhouses, valued at $6,670, including the sites. The annual expenditure for school purposes was $3.100.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

H. H. AUSTIN, dealer in general merchandise, one of the prominent merchants of Wal- worth County, was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1832; received an academic education; helped his parents on the farm and continued to reside in his native State until the spring of 1854, when he came to Wisconsin with a view of teaching school. He stopped in the vicinity of Be- loit, but, as he was unsuccessful in obtaining a situation, he returned to New York: but, in the fall, he again returned to Wisconsin, this time to East Troy, where he engaged as clerk in the store of J. R. Stone & Co., a former schoolmate of his. Three years subsequently, in partnership with John G. Dorrance, he purchased an interest in the business, when the firm hecame Stone. Dorrance & Co., and so continued until 1861, when Mr. Stone withdrew and left the firm Dor- rance & Austin up to 1864. Mr. Austin then purchased his partner's interest and continued alone. In 1865, he purchased the stock of C. W. Smith, and for three years did business in the store now occupied by C. W. Smith & Co. In 1868, he purchased his present store, associated G. H. Willis as partner, and did business under firm name of Austin & Willis until 1873, at which time Mr. Austin purchased his partner's interest. since which he has been alone, doing a general mercantile business; also deals in wool, etc. He carries a stock of $7.000 to $8,000. Mr. Austin is a successful merchant and a good financier. He is a stanch Republican, but seeks no offices. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Helen M., daughter of Samnel and Ann Fowler, of Troy. They have three children Lucy F., Mary Belle and Charles H.

ALEXANDER O. BABCOCK, deceased. Among the early settlers of East Troy was A. O. Babcock. He was a native of Homer, N. Y., and came to East Troy in 1843. Here he estab- lished a law office and continued in the practice of his profession till his death, in 1875. He was a wise and safe counselor, rising above the standard of his profession, and always remained true to the cause which he believed right; and, while he was a man of decided convictions, and never temporized nor apologized for his views, he was charitable toward those who differed from him in opinion. Mr. Babcock was a leader in public sentiment, and did much toward molding the opinions of others. His plain, simple manner of statement carried conviction with its logic. The people of his town and county were not slow to perceive his ability and integrity of character, and employ it for the public good by bestowing on him offices of trust and honor. He served as Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, County Attorney and member of the Assembly, and the duties of all these positions he discharged with zeal and fidelity to his con- stituents. He was a real child of nature, in full harmony with her work. He loved to roam in solitude by the Jakes, and, equipped with fishing tackle, many a fine catch were trophies of his skill in that direction. He had quite a passion for hunting. Shooting was his delight, and he was very successful therein, and he was never so engrossed in business or pleasure as to forget

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his faithful dog. Mr. Babcock had not long been a resident of our village before he selected a site and built a mansion for his future home. With fine taste and great perseverance, he adorned his grounds, making his home one of the most delightful retreats to be found in the county. Here his widow still resides, and, in the sorrow of her widowhood, seems to find her sweetest comfort in continuing the work of beautifying her lonely home.

SEYMOUR BROOKS, son of David and Catharine (Simpson) Brooks, was born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., July 24, 1821. His father was one of the foremost farmers in that section of the State. and Seymour was bred to the same occupation, receiving a good practical education in the common schools and at the Ovid Academy. In 1838, he moved into Livingston Co., N. Y., where he remained till 1843. At that time, in company with his brother Homer, he came West and settled in the town of East Troy, which has ever since been his home. The two young men brought with them the first threshing machine, with separator, ever brought into the county, and ran it together the first season after their arrival, doing a very profitable business. Homer sold out the threshing business to Seymour at the end of the first year, and gave his attention to farming. Seymour ran the machine one or more seasons after, meantime purchasing 120 acres of land on Sec. 18, to which he added by subsequent purchases till his whole farm embraced some 500 acres. He did not, while the owner of this farm, give his entire attention to its man- agement. He lived on it but one year, it being occupied and worked, during the remaining time of his ownership by a tenant. He utilized, it, however, for his stock-raising purposes, it being there that his first importations were placed and his first herds and flocks bred. In 1845. David Brooks, their father, sent the boys, Homer and Seymour, a Durham bull and three heifers of the same breed. These were the first blooded cattle brought into the county, and perhaps the first into the State. Seymour. though constantly interested and engaged in stock-farming, also became engaged in mercantile business. In 1846, he entered the employ of Edward H. Ball. a young merchant from Monroe Co., N. Y., who opened a store in the village of East Troy at that time. He remained as his clerk for three years, and as his partner, under the firm name of E. H. Ball & Co., for eight years longer. In company with Timothy Moore. he, for a short time during this period, ran the store, Mr. Ball remaining a silent partner, with but a small in- terest in the firm, the style remaining unchanged. During this partnership, a fire made a clean sweep of their stock of goods, amounting to some $14,000, which nearly swept away the capital of the two active partners. Moore soon after left the firm, and E. H. Ball put in more capital and resumed his place as an active partner with Mr. Brooks. The fire occurred about the year 1855. Among other property which had come into the possession of the firm during this co. partnership was the large farm at the foot of Crooked Lake, on the eastern half of Sec. 5, and land adjacent, comprising some 400 acres of the best farming land in the town. In the disso- lution of the copartnership, Mr. Brooks took the farm, on which he has since lived. It has, under his skillful management, been brought to the highest state of excellence, and, with the commodious and substantial dwellings, barns, sheds, and all conveniences that experience could devise, constitutes a model farm and a model home. The farm, known as " Lake View," has been, from the time of its occupancy by Mr. Brooks, devoted to the raising of blooded stock- cattle, sheep, swine and horses. It is the largest and best-appointed stock farm in the county, with possibly one exception -that of Charles Clark, of Whitewater, being its only rival. Dur- ing Mr. Brooks' long residence in East Troy, he has served his fellow-citizens in nearly every position of trust or honor within their gift, having been Supervisor, Assessor, Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. He has held the latter office from time immemorial. Throughout the county he is best known as one of the originators and constant friends of the Walworth County Agricultural Society, and the leader in the importation and improvement of stock. As a citizen, his life has been without blemish, and name without reproach. Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Susan Bulmun, of Oneida, N. Y., June 19, 1847. Their living children are Hattie, James S., Martha, Alice, John Franklin and Edward Louis.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 82

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