History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 85

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 85

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Among those that arrived in 1837 were Henry C. and Selah S. Porter, with their families. The Porter brothers were natives of Long Island. Henry C. was married in New York City. Removed, after his marriage, to New London, Conn .: back to the city of New York in 1822; to Holly. Orleans Co., N. Y .. in 1832, and, in 1837, to Wisconsin. He arrived, with his family, in Troy, October 9. Selah S. Porter, after leaving his home on Long Island, went to the city of New York and learned the printer's trade. He married, and, after some years, removed to Wis- consin, arriving at Troy, with his family, in company with his brother, Henry C. Samuel L., who came the preceding season, was living in his log house, and the newly-arrived brothers, with their families, moved in with him. The united families counted sixteen, and the little house served for a tavern at the same time. December 24, Henry C. moved into his own log house-at the time minus a roof.

Mr. Porter entered his land in the northwest quarter of Section 20, which claim is recorded March 1, 1839.

The Porter families, with their children, were the basis of what was known as the " Porter Settlement," near the western central portion of the town. Within the next few years after their arrival, settlers came in very rapidly, among others, there was James Stratton, father of W. J. Stratton, who located on Section 20, in the summer of 1843. His family consisted of his wife and only child. His brother-in-law, Moses Kelloway, had arrived the previous year, and both settled upon the same section. During the winter of 1843, the first district school established near the settlement was opened near S. B. Chatfield's house, and the then youthful W. J. Stratton confesses that he has good cause to remember who taught it- John Stewart, of La Grange. After the people of the district had used the little log building for educational and religious purposes for some seven years, a faction, which may be denominated the aristocratic element, clamored for a frame structure. Their opponents were sturdy, and the last meeting held in the building ended in open warfare. The meeting dis- persed, but those who believed that they had outgrown the log schoolhouse did not go to their homes. Before the next morning sun rose, the log building was leveled to the ground, and a frame building duly made its appearance.

The first religious services were held at about the time the log schoolhouse was built, by Rev. James Flanders and Rev. James Delaney. The latter, now a resident of Whitewater, was then living in East Troy.

Previous to this period, S. Fowler had settled upon Section 22 and Loren Ferry upon Sec- tion 21. In 1844, M. Watson and his brother-in-law, H. Drake, settled on Section 21; also S. Richmond and his family.

It was at about this time that the famous controversy over the location of the " quarter line road" occurred. The Porters opposed it. as it would leave them out in the .. cold." The dis- pute lasted for a couple of years, more than one fence being scattered to the winds and as pluckily erected, while the road was being "fixed," as it runs at present. It is now a fine thoroughfare, bnt the memories of the former heat of battle still cling to objects adjacent. The cemetery is known as the "Quarter Line Cemetery." and the first stone erected in it marks the burial-place of James Stratton, who died January 1. 1849. There was the " Quarter Line Schoolhouse." and the boys of those men who were " Quarter Liners " were known all over the town as "Quarter Line Boys."

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

FIRST THINGS AND EVENTS.

William Pitt Meacham, a grandson of Mrs. Patience Meacham, and son of Urban D. Meacham, was born in Troy. September 27, 1836-the first birth in the town, and also in the county.

The earliest marriage of which there is record was that of Sylvanus Spoor and Caroline Goodrich, November 16. 1837.

Another early marriage was that of Rev. James Flanders, a Methodist minister, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Porter, daughter of H. C. Porter.

Rev. Jesse Halstead (Methodist) was the first minister, being attached to the old Aztalan Circuit. In 1837, one of his appointments was at " Meacham's Prairie," and the quarterly meeting of that year was held at the same place.

In the winter of 1839-40, a school was taught in the log house of Samuel L. Porter, by Mrs. Ladd, of Mukwanago. The entire number of pupils, taking in all the " grades," was seven. One of the old residents of the town, then a youth, says they occasionally had a spell- ing school, and one of his early triumphs was achieved on such an occasion; he " spelled the school down." The scholars consisted almost, if not entirely, of the Porter children.

The earliest district school was in the northern part of the township, taking in a portion of the northwest part of East Troy. The school was taught by Edmund Butts, at a salary of $10 per month, raised by assessment on the parents, according to the number of children sent. Mr. Butts and his wife lived in the house in which the school was taught. It was District No. 1, and existed as early as 1839.

The first post office established was in 1837-38; Jesse Meacham, postmaster, at the old village of Troy.

Albert Hibbard carried the first mail, from Troy to Elkhorn, in 1838.

The first Postmaster at Troy Center was John A. Perry. There are now post offices at Adams, Little Prairie, Mayhew, Troy and Troy Center.

S. B. Edwards, who opened the first blacksmith-shop in the town in 1839, now resides in Whitewater. He came from Chenango County, N. Y., and landed in Milwaukee May 10 of that year. S. G. West, then a young boy, was his companion, and the two footed it through to Wal- worth County together. There he at once went to work at his trade, and, as he was the only general blacksmith on the direct road between Milwaukee and Janesville, he had more business than he could attend to. Mukwanago, Troy, East Troy, Eagle, La Grange, Sugar Creek, Rock Prairie, Elkhorn, and that region round, patronized him. So great was the demand upon his skill that his customers would be obliged to wait two or three days for their turn to come. They would turn out their teams to pasture, and patiently suffer the inevitable without a frown or a grumble. But the bulk of Mr. Edwards' work was the repairing of plows. In the mean- time, he had returned East and brought back his wife. After residing two years in Troy, he removed to East Troy, where he continued to follow his profitable trade for a number of years.

One of the first blacksmiths was A. Hutchinson. who, in 1840, opened a shop in the ex- treme western part of the town. After residing here a few years, he removed to Dodge County. Mr. Hutchinson, the last heard from, was following his old trade, at Neosho, in that county.

EARLY FESTIVITIES.

The atmosphere of a home, while yet the children are young, is very nearly what the par- ents make it. If they are joyous, youthful in their feelings, and ready to start the merry game, or tell the wonderful tale in the evening -if the noise, and bustle, and laughter, and song, are pleasant to them-then their home very soon becomes the favorite resort of all the fun-loving children in the neighborhood. It is the place where they can "have a real good time." So with the new town. In the earlier years of its growth, some leading spirit, or spirits, instinctively and with no special volition of their own, determine its general atmos- phere.

It would seem that in the early days Troy was one of the homes where the " boys and girls " of Walworth County loved to gather when they felt the need of a good, genuine, hearty frolic -- something to relieve the monotony and loneliness of a pioneer life. There are many tales

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

told of merry doings at " Meacham's Prairie," and many pleasant memories connected with the hospitable founders of the place. "The Major " and " Mother Meacham. " or "Annt Patience " -- the names by which she is remembered now- still hold a large and very warm place in the hearts of all who knew them. In speaking of the latter. an old friend. who knew her long and well. recently said: " There was never a better woman lived: kind, generous, hospitable, never turning the needy from her door-from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan there was not a woman better known or better loved than . Mother Meacham.""

When she passed away, March 11, 1875. at the advanced age of eighty-one years, with her mental faculties unimpaired and her kindly spirit unchanged, the whole county monrned her loss.

During the early winters, the log houses of Troy were the scenes of many a merry dance; and, although the music might sound a little thin to ears acenstomed to the stringed bands of to-day, it served its purpose well, and what the music lacked, the enthusiasm and exuberant spirits of the dancers supplied. When the festivities of the winter were over. and the seed was sown, and the garden planted, and the prairie was bright with verdure and flowers, there was a chance to rest a little and " kindle the fires of patriotism." The Fourth of July was cele- brated in Troy just as soon as there were enough people to be got together to make a celebration - in 1837 -- and celebrated in style, too, with a banquet and toasts, and a dance in the evening. One of the toasts has been preserved. It was given by Dr. James Tripp, of East Troy, and was as follows: " To that important personage, the Devil- - may he never be permitted to make vis- its abroad, nor to receive company at home." This celebration was at the house of Othni Beardsley.

Another notable celebration was that of July 4, 1840. The service comprised reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Lucius Allen; an oration by Hon. Edward Elderkin; a short speech by Urban D. Meacham; ninsic, etc .. ending with a bangnet. Dr. Tripp was Pres- ident of the Day. The literary part of the programme was to be carried out in Jesse Meacham's new barn, and, for the convenience of the orator, ladies, band. and some of the distinguished guests, a platform was constructed at one extremity of the building. The Declaration was read, and Mr. Elderkin commenced his speech. He grew warm and waxed eloquent, when, just as the American eagle was taking one of his loftiest flights. the unstable platform gave way, and orator, ladies, bass drums and fifes, " distinguished guests " and " prominent citizens " came down in a promiscuous heap.

The orator of the day was among the first of the disarranged celebrators to make his ap- pearance " right side up," and is said to have been entirely oblivious to possible bodily injuries until his wild question, "Where's my speech ?" had been satisfactorily answered.

As no one was seriously injured, it was very funny, and, after shaking off the dust and smoothing ont their disheveled clothing, the patriotie crowd went on with the ceremonies. The glorious bird resumed his flight as cheerfully as if nothing had interrupted it. and the fes- tivities of the occasion were in no measure marred by the sudden downfall. At the dinner which succeeded the oration. toasts were given, and Dr. Tripp gave one which, in the ears of Maj. Meacham, savored too strongly of Whigism, wherenpon the stanch old Democrat respond- ed with:

" The Whigs -- - they should wear a longer jacket, or steal a shorter fish." The dinner was furnished by Clark & Brewer, landlords of the old hotel, and served to the guests in the open air on the green in front of the tavern.

An old settler of Troy relates, among his early experiences, one, of attending a wedding, at which the groom was summarily called from his bride just as the knot was being tied. The pigs had escaped from the pen and made themselves heard at the door. There was no time to be wasted, and the minister, bride and company had to wait until the pigs were caught and securely imprisoned before the ceremony could proceed. The narrator of the story mentioned. also, the fact that he " snug at the wedding."

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

When the first settlers of Troy entered the town, they had with them only such articles as were essential for their immediate wants. They brought no cattle nor stock of any kind, and the

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

first thing to be done, after the houses were built and the families under cover, was to provide themselves with the requisites for profitable farming. Accordingly, Messrs. Meacham and Spoor made a journey to Illinois in the fall of 1836, to buy cattle: another, the following spring, for hogs; and again, to Indiana. for seed grain for the erop of 1837. There was at this time no grist-mill in the county, and it required long and laborious journeys to procure even the most common comforts of life. The season was too far advanced when Messrs. Meach- am, Spoor and Beardsley reached Troy to raise much except vegetables that season. In 1837. various kinds of grain were raised, but it was not until 1838 that any large quantity of wheat was raised. Had it not been for the fishing rod and the gun. the larders of those days would have been even more scantily supplied than they were.

After the Milwaukee & Janesville mail route was laid out, in 1838, and an office established at Troy (Meacham's, or Honey Prairie), the village grew quite rapidly, and bid fair to become a place of considersble importance. Maj. Meacham was appointed Postmaster of the new office. and continued to hold the position for many years. Mr. Soldan Powers states that he must have performed the duties of Postmaster before the mail route was established, as he met the Major in May, 1837, on his way to Milwaukee for the mail, Mr. Powers being at the time on his way to Troy to select his elaim. At this time, Maj. Meacham was probably the most influ- ential man in the county. His prompt decision and equally prompt aetion, combined with his cheerful, hearty spirit. seemed to infuse life into the town where he lived. About 1838 or 1839. he opened a public house on the Milwaukee & Janesville road, which he kept for a long time. About 1843, he erected a barn, which served as a sort of public hall for a time. It was 40x100 feet. the largest in the county, and, perhaps, in the Territory. The Troy Flouring- Mill was built by him in 1844, on Honey Creek, near his residence. It was a three-story building, very fine for the time in which it was built.

A public or district school was started at Troy as early as 1839. It was District No. 1. and the school tax was levied upon the parents of the scholars in proportion to the number of children they sent. A log schoolhouse was erected, and a teacher, Miss Lueinda Allen -- now Mrs. Young; she taught the next summer in Distriet No. 3. Edmund Butts afterward taught, at $10 per month, the first winter school in a private house. Mr. Butts and his wife lived in the house. The number of scholars was ten. The school was in the northern part of the town. Miss Allen taught in Distriet No. 3. Butts taught the first school in town (in District No. 1). The first assessment list of Troy (1842) shows 130 resident landholders and 35 non-resident owners. The land came into market three years previous.

SEPARATION OF THE TOWNS.

The old town of Troy was divided, by aet of Legislature, March 21, 1843. The question of division had been agitated for some time, as the size of the town proved a source of incon- venience in arranging for publie meetings which embraced the citizens froin its extreme limits. The western part of the town was gradually becoming known as West Troy, and letters to the residents were so addressed. As that portion had the elaim of priority of settlement, the set- tlers wished to retain the old name, and accordingly, a petition was presented to the Legislature signed by leading citizens of the west part of the town, praying that their portion might be set off from the township as it then existed, and that it might still retain the name of Troy. The petition was partially granted-the town was set off, but, to the utter disgust and indignation of Maj. Meacham, it was given the name of " Meacham." The Major was not a man easily thwarted when he had set his mind on carrying a measure, and, believing that it was through the influence of citizens of the eastern portion of the town that the old name was denied, he lost no time, but immediately started for Madison to fix things more in accordance with his sense of justice and propriety. He arranged matters to his entire satisfaction; as he expressed it. "I let them know there was a God in Israel." The petition was granted according to the original request, and the citizens and the Major rejoiced at the name of simple, unprefixed " Troy." So the older town (by a few weeks) received no more letters bearing the offensive ad- dress of " West Troy." and the younger, to its sorrow, had no office for " East Troy " letters to be addressed to for the space of a year.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

TOWN MEETINGS AND ROSTER.

The first town meeting of Troy (before its separation from East Troy) was held, according to notice, " at the house occupied by Austin MeCraeken in said town. on the 5th day of April, 1842, between the hours of 9 and 11 o'clock A. M." (See East Troy.)

The first town meeting held by the voters of the present town of Troy was at the house of Augustus Smith, on the first Monday in May, 1843. The meeting was organized by appointing Augustus Smith, Moderator, and Soldan Powers, Clerk. The meeting then adjourned to the schoolhouse near Jesse Meacham's residence. Upon again calling the meeting to order, Au- gustus Smith was again chosen Moderator, and Henry C. Porter. Clerk. The officers elected at this meeting were as follows:

Supervisors, Jesse Meacham. Chairman; Franklin Bigelow, A. M. Perry: Town Clerk, Alonzo Dougherty; Treasurer, Elias Hibbard; Assessors, Selah S. Porter. Timothy Mower; Collector, William B. Hibbard: Commissioners of Highways, Hiram Perry, Cryton Bigelow, Edwin Meacham; Commissioners of Schools, Timothy Mower, Alonzo Daugherty, William H. Gilbert; Constables, William B. Hibbard. A. M. Perry.

Among other resolutions, the following were passed at this meeting: "That the town raise $50 for the support of the public schools for the ensuing year; that the town officers should re- ceive 50 cents per day for services rendered: and that the town raise $75 for its contingent ex- penses for the ensuing year."

The following is a list of the town officials from the organization of the town, in 1843, to and including the year 1881 :

1844 Supervisors, Jesse Meacham, Chairman; A. M. Perry. Selah S. Porter: Town Clerk, A. Daugherty; Treasurer, Elias Hibbard.

1845 -- Supervisors, Elias Hibbard, Chairman; Selah S. Porter. Alexander F. Bunker; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer, Augustus Smith.

1846 - - Supervisors, Elias Hibbard. Chairman; Selah S. Porter, Timothy Mower, Jr .; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer. Augustus Smith.

1847- Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; Timothy Mower. Jr., Mark Watson; Town Clerk, John A. Perry; Treasurer, Augustus Smith.

1848 -- Supervisors, R. J. Northrop. Chairman; Mark Watson. Elias Hibbard; Town Clerk, John A. Perry; Treasurer, I. W. Hibbard.

1849 -- Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; Henry C. Porter, Chapman Crafts; Town Clerk, I. S. Dean: Treasurer. Augustus Smith.

1850 - Supervisors, Timothy Mower, Chairman: Sylvanus Spoor. Salmon C. Harmon; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer, Adam E. Ray.

1851-Supervisors, Soldan Powers, Chairman: Elias Hibbard, Chester C. Beach; Town Clerk, H. C. Porter: Treasurer, A. M. Perry.

1852- - Supervisors, Garrett Winne, Chairman; C. C. Beach, James G. Briggs; Town Clerk, John A. Perry; Treasurer, A. M. Perry.

1853 Supervisors, Garrett Winne, Chairman; John Swift, Hiram Brewster: Town Clerk, Daniel Hooper: Treasurer, Jacob R. Kling.

1854-Supervisors, S. S. Porter, Chairman: George Hibbard, C. C. Beach; Town Clerk, Sol- dan Powers: Treasurer, A. M. Perry.

1855 Supervisors, A. M. Perry, Chairman; Thomas Emerson, H. B. Thayer; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer. Donald Stewart.

1856 -Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; John Swift, H. B. Thayer; Town Clerk, Sol- dan Powers; Treasurer, Selah S. Porter.

1857 Supervisors, Adam E. Ray, Chairman; S. G. Smith. H. B. Thayer; Town Clerk, Sol- dan Powers; Treasurer, A. B. Dibble.

1858-Supervisors, Daniel Hooper, Chairman; H. A. Taylor, S. C. Harmon; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers; Treasurer, R. M. Hibbard.

1859 -Supervisors, Morris Taylor, Chairman; E. A. Hubbard, C. C. Beach: Town Clerk, James G. Briggs; Treasurer, R. M. Hibbard.

1860 Supervisors. S. S. Porter, Chairman; S. G Smith. George H. Willis; Town Clerk, James G. Briggs; Treasurer, R. M. Hibbard.

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

1862- Supervisors. E. L. Dean, Chairman; W. P. Johnston, Lyman Clemons; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers; Treasurer. S. S. Porter.

1863-Supervisors, N. M. Bunker, Chairman; S. G. Smith, M. P. Bishop; Town Clerk. Soldan Powers; Treasurer, Charles D. Baldwin.

1864-Supervisors, N. M. Bunker, Chairman; William Vandenburgh, George Hibbard: Town Clerk, Soldan Powers; Treasurer, A. M. Perry.

1865 -- Supervisors, S. S. Porter, Chairman; Samuel Murdock, James G. Briggs; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer, A. M. Perry.

1866 -- Supervisors, E. A. Hubbard, Chairman; Daniel Vandenburgh, S. C. Harmon; Town Clerk. L. J. Smith; Treasurer. W. A. Dean.

1867 -- Supervisors, E. A. Hubbard, Chairman; H. E. Nourse, C. B. Ackley; Town Clerk. L. J. Smith; Treasurer. A. J. Bliss.

1868-Supervisors. E. A. Hubbard, Chairman; William Vandenburgh, C. B. Ackley; Town Clerk, L. J. Smith; Treasurer, J. W. Medbury.

1869-Supervisors. L. J. Smith, Chairman; J. B. Lagrange, W. H. Mayhew: Town Clerk, F. L. Andrus: Treasurer. N. M. Bunker.

1870 Supervisors, W. H. Mayhew, Chairman; William Vandenburgh. Anstin Randall; Town Clerk. B. Reynolds (elected but did not serve), Soldan Powers (appointed); Treasurer, W. A. Dean.

1871- Supervisors, L. J. Smith, Chairman; D. Hooper, Austin Randall: Town Clerk, Paul Schwartz. Jr .: Treasurer. O. F. Winne.

1872-Supervisors, L. J. Smith, Chairman; J. A. Schwartz, J. B. Lagrange; Town Clerk. Paul Schwartz, Jr .: Treasurer. W. H. Morrison.

1873 -- Supervisors, J. E. Reynolds, Chairman; Fred Owen, O. L. Winne; Town Clerk. Panl Schwartz, Jr .; Treasurer, Charles Dingman.

1874-Supervisors. J. E. Reynolds, Chairman; John Baker, R. M. Hibbard; Town Clerk, L. J. Smith; Treasurer, H. L. Randolph.

1875 -Supervisors. J. E. Reynolds, Chairman; John Matheson, John Chapman; Town Clerk, H. L. Randolph (did not serve). L. J. Smith (appointed); Treasurer. C. B. Babeoek.

1876-Supervisors, John Matheson, Chairman: Fred Owen, Frank Minett; Town Clerk, Soldan Powers: Treasurer, C. B. Babcock.

1877 -- Supervisors. John Matheson, Chairman; O. L. Dingman, Fred Owen; Town Clerk, F. L. Andrus; Treasurer. C. D. Baldwin.

1878-Supervisors, John Matheson, Chairman; George Terwilleger, John Bluett; Town Clerk. F. L. Andrus; Treasurer, C. D. Baldwin.

1879 Supervisors. W. H. Mayhew, Chairman; William Vandenburgh, -H. L. Rice; Town Clerk, P. B. Stratton: Treasurer, Jolm Hooper. 1880 -- Supervisors. J. G. Briggs, Chairman; William Vandenburgh, E. T. Atkins; Town Clerk. P. B. Stratton: Treasurer, Fred Owen.

1881 -Supervisors, J. E. Reynolds, Chairman: William Vandenburgh, E. T. Atkins; Town Clerk, P. B. Stratton; Treasurer, Thomas Donahue.

TROY CENTER.

The village of Troy Center is located on Sections 14 and 15 in the town of Troy. Pre- vious to the coming of the railroad, a " neighborhood " had sprung up about half a mile north of the present village on Sections 10 and 11. The first settlers there were Soldan Powers, A. M. Perry and George W. Blanchard. in May. 1837. They, with the exception of Mr. Blanch- ard-who came from Milwaukee- came from Chicago. The first house built was of logs, in size 10x12 feet. and covered with oak bark. This they lived in until a larger one, 16x22, one and a half stories high, was built, in which they lived during the following winter. A few dwellings were subsequently ereeted here, but the place assumed no importance until the com- ing of the railroad, in 1871, when the village was moved to its present location. The land on which the village is built was purchased from J. G. Briggs by some of the railroad officials in 1871, and platted into village lots. Charles Wyman erected the first house on the village plat. during the same year. J. A. Schwartz also built and opened a store at that time. Will-

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HISTORY OF WALWORTH COUNTY.

iam H. Dewitt built a warehouse in 1871. In November, 1870, N. M. Bunker and L. J. Smith associated themselves under the firm name of Bunker & Smith, and purchased this ware- house. which they are still operating, dealing in grain, wool. live stock, etc.

The Troy Center Hotel was built by George Dewitt, in 1871, and purchased by Bingham Sprague. Mr. Sprague kept it until he disposed of it, in 1876, to its present proprietor, Abram. Beachtel.

The flouring-mill at Troy was built by Jesse Meacham in 1844. It has since been burned down twice, and rebuilt each time. It is now owned by J. A. Pierce, of Sugar Creek, and ope- rated by George McCarty. It is known as the Empire Mills. It is two stories high and has three run of stone.

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History of Walworth County, Wisconsin, Part 85

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