USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 50
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mechanic shops. From here he started for Ceresco, the old Fourierite settlement, and here met a man who was acquainted with his brother, who had preceded him, and was now located on a claim. This party remarked to Mr. Betry that he seemed tired out, and that a lady who was there with a team, was bound for his destination, and that he would procure him a chance to drive. He did so, and Mr. Betry then drove the team as far as his brother's shanty, which was a small log build- ing with a bark roof. The inmates were all out at the time, and he peeped in at the win- dow and surveyed the interior, the furniture of which consisted of a small rough board table and a bunk; on the table was a dish of cold potatoes. The reception not being very invit- ing for a hungry man, he proceeded to search for the house-keeper, and hearing the sound of an axe in the distance, he started in the direction indicated by the sound, and soon came upon his brother and a companion who were engaged in splitting rails, which, at that time, with breaking, constituted the chief occu- pation of the settlers.
After a cordial greeting they all repaired to the shanty, where the new-comer was regaled on potatoes and cold-water short-cake.
Mr. Betry was soon initiated into the ways of pioneer life and the mysteries of bachelor cooking, and especially the science of pan- cakes, and soon learned to be very adroit in turning the same; which process was accom- plished by throwing the pancake off the griddle and reversing the side. In performing one of these feats, too much force having been given, the pancake was lodged against the roof of the shanty.
The early settlers depended largely on their guns for furnishing them a supply of meat. Wild game was plentiful and especially prairie- chickens. Grease was a scarce but needed arti- cle, a luxury highly prized but not readily obtainable, although pork was sold in the more settled parts of the State for one dollar and fifty cents per hundred; but many of the early settlers were in the condition of the man who said, after the city of St. Paul had become the metropolis of a great State, that he once was offered the claim to the land for a pair of cow- hide boots. "Why did you not take it?" was asked. "Because I did not have the boots," was the reply.
Many of the old settlers will remember how they valued an old pork rind for greasing griddles.
At one time when scarce of meat, the chick- ens having become very shy, a large flock alighted around a rail corn-crib; for fear of
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1846 79.]
frightening them, by opening the door, Mr. Betry took out a piece of the chinking, mak- ing an opening through the side of the house, through which he could fire his shot-gun, and much to the discomfiture and astonishment of the chickens, dropped them off one by one, and largely replenished his larder.
After much hard labor in working by the day and month, Mr. Betry earned enough money to enter a piece of land. He subse- quently borrowed a sum at twenty-five per cent interest, to pay for another piece, and, having carned enough to discharge the obliga- tion, proceeded with a joyful feeling, to pay the debt, and find relief from twenty-five per cent interest. After counting out the principal and accumulated interest on the same, to Mr. Isaac Corliss, that gentleman, much to the honor of his memory, and the astonishment and gratification of Mr. Betry, handed back a part of the interest, saying: "You are a hard- working boy, and have earned your money by hard labor, and I will charge you but twelve per cent interest." This act, Mr. Betry bears in grateful remembrance.
The first wheat he and his brother raised, was a five-acre piece of hedgerow, on the old claim, and which harvested forty-three bushels per acre. His brother went to Watertown, to mill, with a portion of this grain, consuming a week in making the trip. During this period Mr. Jerome Betry, who remained at home, had for his stock of provisions, a four-quart pan of flour.
In 1852, Mr. Betry purchased his present farm which is now in a high state of cultiva- tion. The elegant residence and substantial barns have supplanted the log-houses of his pioneer days, and a comfortable competency rewards him for his early years of hardship and industry.
ANDREW SUTHERLAND.
One of the handsomest places in the Town of Nepeuskun is the farm of Andrew Suther- land. The fine residence, capacious barn and pleasant surroundings, furnish a creditable illustration of the better class of farms in this county.
This place is most eligibly situated, being less than a mile from the Village of Waukau, a railroad station on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The surrounding country is a delightful one, and the Village of Waukau, with its schools, churches and stores, adds largely to the ordinary social advantages of country life.
Mr. Andrew Sutherland, a native of the State of New York, moved from Connecticut
to Waukau, in this county, in 1855, and settled on his present farm in 1862.
Although not one of the earliest settlers, a visit to his home will remind the guest of the generous and hearty hospitality of pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland being people of culture, and of good early associations, their home has an air of refinement and cultivation.
Andrew Sutherland is a man highly esteemed for his good qualities of heart and mind, and is one of those who conform their conduct to the requirements and convictions of duty.
As the result of industry and good manage- ment he is now in the enjoyment of a confort- able home, and a productive, well stocked farm, and is deserving of continued prosperity.
CHARLES WILLIAM KURZ.
One of the finest farm residences in Nepeus- kun is that of Charles William Kurz, of which a view is here given. The farm is, also, onc of the best, and in the highest state of cultiva- tion.
The face of the country here is lovely, and the place commands an extensive view of as delightful a country as the eye of man ever rested upon. The view embraces a tract stretch- ing away for ten or fifteen miles in every direc- tion - the spires of the City of Ripon, some seven miles distant, being plainly visible.
The soil of this farm is very rich, and being underlaid with limestone has the best of natu- ral drainage. Under the skillful and thorough culture of Mr. Kurz it produces abundant crops. . The stock embraces some of the best blooded animals, and are such as any farmer would feel proud of. The site of the dwelling is a beautiful elevation, and the house is elegant in its inside as well as outside construction.
A few feet below the surface is a limestone formation, into which an excavation of several feet was made for the cellar. The cellar is nine feet in the clear; its floor is the solid limestone rock, and it is as dry and airy as an upstairs room.
Mr. Kurz is a native of Bavaria, and came to this country with very limited means. Although he has raised a large family, he has, by well directed industry and thrifty manage- ment, secured a competency and become the possessor of one of the best farmns in the county, and as an honest man and good neigh- bor has earned the respect and good-will of the community where he resides.
Among the fine farms of this town are those of E. D. Corliss, one of the old Townsend places, and that of Henry Coffman.
There are two very neat church edifices in very sightly locations.
The roads are good and the farms generally
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[1846-79.
in a high state of cultivation, with good dwell- ings and spacious barns, presenting every appearance of a thrifty and prosperous com- munity.
TOWN OF RUSHFORD.
CHAPTER LXII.
Situation - Soil- Timber - Water - Face of the Country - Village of Waukau - Its Flouring and Woolen Mills - Stores, Railroad Depot, Etc. - Village of Eureka - A Steamboat Port - Mills, Stores, Etc .- First Settlement in the Town - First Religious Services - First Births, Mar- riages, Schools, Etc. - Grist-Mill Erected - Ferry Estab- lished - Bridge Constructed Across the Fox River -Town Organization-Organic Election-Change in Boundaries of Town - Early Settlers and Incidents in the Early Settle- ment - Illustration of Wauk au Mills, Bean & Palfrey.
USHFORD (Township 18, Range 14), one of the western tier of towns, is bounded north by Poygan, east by Omro, south by Nepeuskun, and west by Aurora, in Waushara County. This town is divided by Fox River, which, entering near the southwest corner, runs east by north through its entire length. The gen- eral surface on the south of theriver is low and level, except along the southern line, where the ground rises to a considerable height; while north of the river it is high and sufficiently rolling.
A deep alluvial soil is found along the mar- gin of the river, affording ample hay marshes, which often extend back from the river for some distance.
South of the river, sand is freely mixed with the soil, and often predominates. It is well adapted to grazing, stock-raising and dai- rying. The higher grounds were originally covered with "oak openings" consisting of burr, white and black oak, which have been suc- ceeded by thickets of black and white oak and poplar. Heavy timber, consisting of hard maple, butternut, hickory, basswood, etc., was a prominent characteristic north of the river, affording the usual vegetable mold with clay sub-soil - producing excellent crops of grain or grass, and fruit. Running water is supplied by Fox River and the outlet of Rush Lake; good wells are obtained at little expense, and flowing fountains are frequently met with. In the northwestern portion of the town are some very productive cranberry marshes. Good and comfortable residences and farm buildings are everywhere observable, with all evidences of thrift and prosperity.
WAUKAU.
Near the southeast corner of the town is situated the thriving village of Waukau, a station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on the outlet of Rush Lake which supplies a water-power that runs two flouring mills and a woolen mill. The place also con- tains several stores and mechanic shops. The site is a beautiful one, and is surrounded by a delightful country, with highly cultivated farms and handsome farm residences. It maintains a school, affording excellent educational facilities, and has two very neat church edi- fices, with a congregation composed in part of the adjoining farming population. The place wears an air of thrift and prosperity in its neat, well-painted dwellings and tasty sur- roundings. Its whole appearance is pleasing, cheerful and cosy. This place at an early day was one of the chief business points in the county, and made no mean pretentions for supremacy. As early as 1850, Parsons & Bocker erected a good grist-mill, which was in great favor, and a much needed con- venience.
EUREKA.
About three miles west by north of Waukaul, beautifully situated on the banks of the Fox River, is the Village of Eureka-a steamboat port, with a grist-mill, saw-mill, several stores, mechanic shops, a good school and church buildings. This is also a pleasant place, with many handsome residences, and adjoin- ing a fine country.
Some three miles down the river, is the site of ancient Delhi, one of the early French trad- ing posts, known as "Labordes," subsequently a rival of Eureka and Omro, for steamboat honors and general trade, but long since depopulated.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement in the town was made at Waukau, March 7, 1846, by L. M. Parsons, still a resident, who, on that day, erected the first house, ten by twelve feet in extent, one story high, the main posts driven in the ground; and here he accommodated the trav- eling public to the utmost of its capacity. During the same month, Mr. J. R. Hall located here, and, during the summer, was joined by a brother, Uriah Hall, and two cousins, E. D. and J. M. Hall. R. Stone, John Johnson and family, and Mr. Pinrow, came the same spring. James Deyoe and family, with Joseph Mallory, were also added to the number in October, living in a board shanty for a few days, while engaged in constructing a log house, which they roofed with "shakes," and, unable to obtain lumber, they lived on the ground dur-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1846-51.]
ing the winter. Richard, Thomas and John G. Palfrey, with their parents, settled here the same fall.
Upon Mr. Parson's arrival, he at once set about the erection of a saw-mill, which was in operation the same fall or early winter.
Religious exercises were first observed by Rev. Hiram McKee, in the summer or fall of 1846.
FIRST BIRTHS-MARRIAGES-SCHOOLS, ETC.
The first birth in the town occurred at Wau- kau, in June, 1846, a son in the family of John Johnson.
In the spring of 1847, the population increased rapidly, and, being fourteen miles from a post office (at Ceresco), the settlers began to devise means for obtaining a regular mail, and it was accordingly arranged that they should make a trip to Ceresco once a week, each in turn performing the service.
During the summer of 1847, Messrs. Elliott and White built the first store in the place, and James Deyoe erected the first frame house.
In October, of that year, occurred the first death among their number, that of Samuel R. Manning, a twin brother of Elder William R. Manning, and in November, following, that of Mr. Pinrow; funeral service by Elder Pills- bury.
In the winter of 1847 and 1848, the first marriage ceremony was performed by Elder William R. Manning, the candidates being Mr. Henry Bixby and Miss Mary Palfrey.
During the fall of 1847, a log school-house was built, and the first school taught by Elder Manning, the following winter.
In 1848, the Elder was elected school super- indendent, and held the position for several years.
In the fall of 1847, Mr. O. E. Loper made a claim on the north side of the river, then known as the "Indian Land." This was the first set- tlement on that side, if we except the trading post of Luke Laborde, a Frenchman, who had been here some time, engaged in trade with the Indians.
July 1, 1848, a postoffice was established at Waukau, and William H. Elliott appointed postmaster.
The same year, Lester Rounds opened a general store, and W. L. F. Talbot engaged in the business of blacksmithing, which he still continues.
A plat of the Village of Waukau was laid out and recorded December 30, 1848; S. W. White and G W. Woodworth, proprietors.
GRIST-MILL BUILT -FERRY AND OTHER EVENTS.
In 1849, Mr. Parsons commenced the con- struction of a grist-mill, which was completed in 1850. A settlement having been made at Delhi, a license to maintain a ferry across Fox River was obtained from the County Board of Supervisors, in November, 1849.
In 1850, Mr. Lester Rounds removed his stock of goods to the present site of the Village of Eureka, and was joined by Walton C. Dick- erson, from Nepeuskun, the first settlers and founders of that village, a plat of which was recorded July 24, 1850, Rounds, Dickerson and Starr, proprietors.
A ferry was also established across Fox River, at this point, during the season, and, July 16, the Eureka postoffice was located, Lester Rounds, first postmaster.
January 14, 1851, a plat of the village of Delhi "was recorded 'under the proprietorship of Luke Laborde.
A dock and warehouse were also constructed at Eureka, by Walton C. Dickerson, for the accommodation of a daily line of steamboats, established that season, between Oshkosh and Berlin.
A bridge across the river at Eureka, was substituted for the old ferry, in 1854, and Eureka, had become an important village.
Saw-mills at various points along Fox River (Omro, Delhi, Eureka and Berlin) were sup- plied with logs from Wolf River, and towed up the Fox, by the slow and tedious movements of horseboats.
TOWN ORGANIZATION-ORGANIC ELECTON.
The Town of Rushford was organized by an act of the Legislature, approved February II, 1847, comprising, in addition to the present town, Township 17, Range 14, (now Nepeus- kun), and Township 17, Range 15, (now Utica).
The first election was held at the house of L. M. Parsons, Waukau, April 5, 1847. Erasmus D. Hall was chosen chairman, L. K. Stone and Armine Pickett, inspectors, Silas M. White and George S. Barnum, clerks; resulting in the election of E. D. Hall, chairman; E. P. Foote and Nathan Ripley, supervisors; Ebenezer Martin, town clerk; J. M. Hall, treasurer; Geo S. Barnum, assessor; Lyman B. Johnson, Asahel B. Foster and Armine Pickett, justices.
March 11, 1848, Township 17, Range 15, (Utica, which see), was set off.
At the annual town election, held April 4, 1848, at the house of Elisha P. Foote, the suc- cessful candidates were, Lucius B. Townsend,
32
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1846-79.
chairman; George Hawley and Lyman B. Johnson, supervisors; Silas M. White, clerk; J. M. Hall, treasurer; George S. Barnum, assessor; Lyman B. Johnson, Asahel B. Foster, and Erasmus D. Hall, justices.
Mr. Uriah Hall has a tax certificate for taxes on southwest quarter of Section 35, Town 18, Range 14, dated December 22, 1846, signed, "J. H. Smalley, collector of Winnebago County."
Annual election, April, 1849, at the school- house, Section 8, Town 17, Range 14, elected Lucius B. Townsend, chairman; George Clark and J. P. Wakefield, supervisors, Lester Rounds, clerk, J. U. Mallory, James M. Garlic and R. B. Vanmeter, justices; Jonathan Foote, treasurer; J. M. Hall, constable.
In November, 1849, Nepeuskun (which see) was set off and Township 18, Range 14, con- stituted the Town of Rushford.
At the annual town election in April, 1850, the town officers met at the same school-house, Section 8, Nepeuskun, and adjourned to the school-house in the Vil- lage of Waukan, where the voting took place, which resulted in the election of E. D. Hall, chairman; L. K. Stone and Alexander McPherson, supervisors, Silas M. White, clerk; John M. Hall, treasurer; Lester Rounds, J. U. Mallory and Edward Manning, justices. Lots were drawn for the respective terms of the justices, when Rounds drew for one year, Manning. for two years and Mallory, for three years. Walton C. Dickerson was elected constable.
At the election in April, 1851, the following officers were elected: J. A. C. Steele, chair- man; Lester Rounds and Leonard J. Cassman, supervisors; A. S. Bolster, clerk; J. W. Becker, treasurer; E. D. Huntley, justice, (Mallory and Manning holding over).
The election of April 6, 1852: J. A. C. Steele, chairman; Lester Rounds and L. K. Stone, supervisors; A. S. Bolster, clerk; W. H. Hyatt, assessor; Justus Showers, treasurer; J. A. C. Steele and J. U. Mallory, justices.
The present officers are, Alson Wood, chair- man; G. F. Williams and Geo. Bradt, super- visors; J. D. Chamberlain, clerk; Chancey Bromley, assessor; R. M. Lincoln, treasurer.
CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES.
January 8, 1850, by action of the county board, the south half of Section 31, in Town of Bloomingdale (Omro), the north half of Section 6, in Utica, and the north half of Sec- tion I, in Nepeuskun, were all set off and attached to the Town of Rushford, and Novem- ber 13, 1856, the north half of Section 31, in Omro, was in like manner attached to Rush-
ford. Subsequently, Sections 1, 12. and the north half of 13, in Rushford, were attached to the Town of Omro.
SCHOOLS AND POPULATION.
In 1849, there were, in the town, two hun- dred and twenty-one scholars between the age of four and twenty years; in 1855, six hun- dred and twelve, and at the present time, seven hundred and ninety. There were 1207 inhabitants in 1855, and 2,083 in 1875. There are now nine school-houses, and twelve teach- ers are employed.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Lester Rounds was born May 11, 1805, resided in Berkshire, Franklin County, Ver- mont, Niles, Cayuga County, New York, and in 1839, emigrated to Southport (Kenosha), Racine County, Wisconsin. In 1844, having been enrolled in the "Wisconsin Phalanx of the Fourier Association," he removed to Cer- esco with the first company that encamped at that place. Warren Chase was their tempo- rary president, and Mr. Rounds temporary secretary. In the following winter a charter was obtained, and under it the association was fully incorporated, and Messrs. Chase and Rounds were re-elected as permanent officers. In 1844, a post-office was established at Cer- esco, and Mr. Rounds was appointed post- master. At the annual election, April, 1845, he was elected chairman of the Board of Sup- ervisors, which office he held for two years, and by virtue of which he was a member of the County Board of Fond du Lac County; and he was also elected chairman of that board. While acting in that capacity, he signed the contract for the erection of the present court- house in that county In 1848, Mr. Rounds settled in Waukau, as previously stated. Since that time, he has held the office of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor, several terms; notary for many years, and was the first postmaster at Eureka. Mr. Rounds is still engaged in mercantile pursuits at Eureka.
Mr. O. E. Loper was born in Schoharie County, New York, January 17, 1818, residing there until 1844, when he placed himself under the standard of the Fourier Association, and emigrated to Ceresco, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1847, he located a claim on the north side of Fox River, within the present Town of Rushford, then known as the "Indian Land," and his family were the first to settle on that side of the river, where he still resides.
Mr. Chester Gilmore was born in Williams- town, Orange County, Vermont, in 1807, removed to Lamoille County, thence to Wash-
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1846-79.]
ington County, and in 1849, emigrated to the Town of Rushford, where he selected his future honie, on the north side of Fox River; the title of the Menomonee Indians having been acquired by the Government at the Poy- gan treaty, the year previous. Mr. Gilmore was among the first settlers in this part of the town.
Mr. J. R. Hall, born in Rochester, Windsor County, Vermont, November 8, 1815, antici- pating the advice of Horace Greeley, "Go West, young man!" came to Illinois in 1844, and in the spring of 1846, settled at Waukau, about two weeks later than Mr. Parsons, who was the pioneer. For many of the incidents in the early history of the town we are indebted to Mr. Hall, who is still a resident of that place, and relates that upon his first arri- val he was entertained for the night at the house (shanty) of L. M. Parsons (the only one in the vicinity), where he found a large num- ber of strangers, who, like himself, required accommodations. At that time it would not do for a man to say, "my house is full; you can find accommodations at the 'next;" but every applicant must be fed and lodged, in some manner; the latter, as in this case, often proving the more difficult. In the absence of a sufficient supply of bed-clothes, they placed two beds side by side, which were occupied by eight persons, with ample covering for all.
Mr. L. M. Parsons, who is still a resident of Waukau, and was the first in the town, was born at Goshen, Massachusetts, in 1795; removed to Vermont while quite young, sub- sequently to Ohio, and in the fall of 1844, to Fox Lake, in Dodge County, Wisconsin; or, as he more forcibly expresses it, he passed childhood in Massachusetts, his boyhood in Vermont, his manhood in Ohio, and his dotage in Wisconsin. Remaining at Fox Lake about one year, he came to Ceresco in 1845, and in the spring of 1846, commenced improvements and made a permanent settlement at Waukau, which is more fully explained in its appropri- ate place, the Early History of the Town of Rushford. Mr. Parsons' ambition has never run in political channels; but, in building up a town, making improvements of public neces- sity, and for the general welfare of the com- munity, he has labored incessantly.
Mr. W. L. F. Talbot, born in Piersons County, Ohio, October 19, 1828, removed, with his parents, to Michigan Territory, in 1836, and settled at Waukau in July, 1848, where he has since resided, engaged in the business of blacksmithing.
Mr. Walton C. Dickerson was born on Prov- idence Island, Massachusetts, June 9, 1809,
where he resided until 1837, when he emi- grated to Salem, Racine County, Wisconsin. In September, 1846, he removed his family to the present Town of Nepeuskun, and in the spring of 1850, with Mr. Lester Rounds, he settled at Eureka. Mr. Dickerson was appointed Justice of the Peace at Salem, by Governor Dodge, the commission dated Min- eral Point, November 4, 1840. He also holds numerous commissions as Notary Public, dat- ing from 1851 to 1864; also authority from Governor Lewis to recruit volunteers for the Fifth, Forty-second and Forty-fourth Wiscon- sin Regiments; was appointed post-master at Eureka, June 15, 1853, and has been an active participant in the early events of the settle- ment of this portion of the county. A silver- leaf poplar tree, which he set out in 1852, measures nine feet and five inches in circum- ference, at the ground, and, six feet above the ground, seven feet and three inches. Verily, there is some virtue in sand.
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