History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 106

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 106

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the first sermon in the Spring of 1848. Present pastor, Rev. E. A. Wanless. The old meeting-house is still stand- ing ; some improvements have been made by the congre- gation. The Church numbers about sixty members.

Congregational Church .- In 1847, this society num- bered seven members. Their names were Horton Beemer, Mary Beemer, Mary Curtis, Julius Curtis, Eli Hayes, Naomi Hayes and Jane Owen. Rev. C. Marsh preached the first sermon. The Church was regularly organized July 28, 1849. The church edifice was erected in 1857. The con- gregation is visited at present by the Rev. C. G. Baldwin, of Ripon.

Green Lake Lodge, No. 147, F. & A. M., meets second and fourth Saturdays of each month ; organized October 31, 1863. Charter members : William Vilet, W. M .; P. H. Prime, S. W .; P. L. Fursin, J. W .; D. Hyer, treasurer ; J. N. Brooks, secretary; H. L. Barnes, S. D) .; H. De Queen, J. D. The lodge now numbers about thirty mem- bers.

A flourishing Temperance organization, numbering some eighty members, meets regularly once a week.

The manufactories of Dartford consist of one large four- story stone grist-mill, with a capacity of 120 barrels of flour per day ; one cheese factory, established in the Spring of 1881 ; one creamery, and one large sorghum manufactory. The business portion of the village contains four good stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, two boot and shoe shops, one drug store, two hotels and the post-office, now in charge of J. N. Brooks. The county buildings, substan- tial stone structures, add largely to the general appearance of the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

J. H. GARBER, P. O. Dartford. Was born June 10, IS39, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. Son of H. T. and Susan (Brotherton) Garber. Settled at Marquette, in 1856, and followed boating on Fox River. Af- terward purchased an interest in the stern wheel steamer " Ella," and a half interest in the steamer " Rushford " In 1866, he received certifi- cate as pilot, and commission as captain, and in 1875, received a master's certificate. Runs from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien. June 14, 1860, he married Lavina, daughter of Benjamin F. and Sally (Tinker) Parker, of Marquette, Wis. Has two children, Emma R., born June 30, 1861, now teaching school, third term ; Florence E., born March 14, 1866, died Feb. 23, ISSI. Mr. Garber enlisted, Nov. 6, 1861, in 3d Bat. Wis. V. C., for three years, and served until June, I865. He was wounded at Baxter Springs, Oct. 6, 1863, the ball striking his left shoulder and lodging in right lung, where it still remains. Ile was otherwise slightly wounded three times, but survived to draw a pension. Was once taken prisoner. Liberal Republican and temperance man.

E. C. MILLER, proprietor of Miller's Hotel, Dartford. Born at Middletown, Conn., Sept. 22, 1835. Son of Samuel C. and Caroline (Blinn) Miller, of English descent. Came to Berlin in 1867, as agent for estate of John Woolsey, which he settled in September, ISSo. In 1877, he kept the Pleasant Point House, at Green Lake, and in 187S, was manager of the Sherwood Forest House, and was also Chairman of Board of Supervisors. In 1879-80, was Sheriff of Green Lake County. Is a member of I. O. O. F., and has filled most of the offices pertaining to that order. His father died in May, 1876, aged sixty-three years. His mother still lives at New Haven, Conn., aged sixty-seven years. His sis- ter is the wife of E. W. Wilmot, merchant of New Haven, Conn. Mar- ried, Dec. 18, 1861, at Bridgeport, Conn., by Rev. George Stillman ( Methodist), to Emma I., daughter of John W. and Mary ( Boughton) French. Has a daughter, Carrie May, born June 9. 1874. Mr -. Miller was born April 9, 1842. The Miller Ifouse was built by Mr. Root about IS48 ; Deacon G. C. Mills transferred it to Miller in April, ISSI. Mr. Miller was an efficient officer, and knows how to , keep a hotel, as his many friends can testify. He is a Democrat, and the town two-thirds Republican.

REV. EDWARD A. WANLESS, P. O. Dartford. Born April S, 1837, at St. Andrews, County of Argenteuil, Canada. Son of Thomas

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

and Elizabeth (Jones) Wanless, of Scotland. His mother died aged sixty-four years, and his father died in 1873, at Denver, Col , aged sev- enty-seven. Mr. W. came to the United States in 1857. and followed the milling business about nine years at Sandwich, Ill., and other localities. lle then prosecuted his stuches two years at Roscoe, Ill., and five years at Beloit College, for the church. Having in course of studies incurred a debt of about $900, he engaged in business in Chicago nine months, to start even with the world, and the Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society, under whose auspices he embarked for Turkey, in May. 1868. Was one and one-half years at Constantinople, and two years at Rust- chuk. Was then re-called, and supplied chuich at Hebron. Wis., in 1872, at Port Washington in 1873, then at Waterloo and Marshall until 1875, at Watertown in 1876, and in Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis., up to ISSO, and then to Dartford. While at Port Washington he was instru- mental in building up a church (and a fine church edifice) and at Utica a fine parsonage. Ilas been a very active Temperance worker all his life. Married, May 12. 1868, Sarah A. Kinsman, of Beloit, who died in Tur- kev, in 1871, leaving one daughter, Laura A. T., who was born Feb. 19, 1871. (For portrait and extended obituary notice, see Ladies' Repository for June, 1872 ) Mr. W. is an energetic and thorough worker, and has charge of the church at Democrat Prairie. He has repeatedly refused a salary of $1.200 per year, and is now receiving only $400 and house rent. In May, 1876, he married Sarah M., daughter of Hon. A. R. Earle, of Aztalan, Jefferson Co. In his surroundings may be seen abundant evidence that he still adheres to his principles, i. e., that it was not his intention to spoil a first-class miller to make a second-class minister. He reads and writes several languages, and speaks three with fluency. In viewing his large and well assorted hbrary, we find books of rare merit and great value, in English, German, Greek and Hebrew, etc., among which are the complete works of Isaac Watts, Cave's works on the "Apostles and Fathers," of which there are very few copies extant ; also "Sermons unon the Sundayes and Feastivall Days," published in London in 1549. He has also several fine paintings, portraits, etc., by his wife (Sarah Earle), and some very fine views of ancient buildings in the coun- tries through which he traveled, also a portrait of his little girl, painted by a German Countess, dolls dressed to represent Turkish ladies in vari- ous styles, coffee cups and holders, silks and fabrics of various kinds, reed pens, mentioned in Scripture, and now in use in oriental countries, national cap, wooden spoons and knives, etc., and spinning wheel which consists of one small stick of wood eight inches in length. He has also fine representations of the Mosque of St. Sophie, built by Constantine the Great, and rebuilt (in colored marble), by Justinian, about 306, and for 700 years used as a Greek church ; also picture of Robert College, where they teach in seventeen languages, and all graduate in English. He has fine pictures of the translators of the Bible, Briggs, Goodell and Schuffler. He has a book, printed hy M. Flef he, for Royfton, book- seller to his most Gracious Majesty, at the Angel in Amen Corner, MDCLXXXIV. Also a large collection of antique coins of the Roman Empire, Macedonian and Byzantian and Antonomo, United States, etc., some of which are dated 359 B. C., and so down to the seventh century, also one (the Istria), of which there are only two known to be in this country, on which evidence. Prof. Butler, of Madison, wrote an elaborate criticism, on the heretofore accepted theory as to the location of the ancient city of Istria.

GEORGE W. WHITNEY, Dartford, jeweler, barber, restaurant, ventriloquist and magician ; also lectures on spiritual manifestations (exposing the tricks of Davenport brothers, Slade and others). Was born April 2, 1835, in Springfield, Coos Co., N. II., son of Samuel B. and Deborah (Mansel) Whitney. Samuel B. was a Baptist minister, and preached from his eighteenth year up to time of his death, at forty-five years of age. Deborah is still living, in Iowa, aged eighty-seven years (ISSI). Mr. Whitney came to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled in Wau- shara County ; then, two years later, moved to Mayville, Dodge Co .; then to Marquette and Kingston, and engaged in lumbering. Sept. 22, 1855. married Josephine Halvenstot, of Kingston, who died at Mar- quette in t863. leaving two children. One of them died young, and Charles E., who was born April 22, 1857, is single and living at Mar- quette. Mr. Whitney transferred his business interests for a short time 10 Iowa, and in 1864, married Jane Parker, of Marquette, by whom he has two children : Ellah, born July 22, 1869; Clarence, born April 28, 1873. Mr. Whitney formerly traveled with Profs. Anderson and Sand, and is an expert in the various professions mentioned. Is a Liberal Republican and temperance man.

KINGSTON.

The town of Kingston is bounded on the north by Mar- quette, on the east by the town of Manchester ; on the south by Columbia County ; on the west by Waushara County; it is situated in the southwest corner of the county, in Town- ship 14, Range II east. The town, prior to 1850, form-

ed a part of Marquette Town, at which time it was set off and organized under the name of Kingston.

The surface of the town is generally level or rolling, with the exception of Mt. Moriah, which rises to a consid- erable height. Among the first actual settlers who came in 1846 were George Bently, Isaac Fuller, A. D. C. Knowlton, Anson Babcock, Harry Dart, Isaac Hewett, O. W. Row and Thomas Mozley. In 1828, a French half-breed named Poquette settled on what is known as the Bellefontain farm, in the western part of the town. Poquette was an Indian trader and a Government agent. He married a squaw and was afterward killed by the Indians in some quarrel. He is said to have been a man of massive proportions, being six feet three inches in height, and weighed nearly 300 pounds. After Poquette's death the post at Bellefontain was broken up. Rev. Sergeant, the pioneer Baptist minister, organized the first church, in 1846. The first Methodist Church was organized the year following, Elder Stone officiating. The first school was taught by N. W. Bow, in 1846. It is said that his neighbors turned out and made fence for him to pay their school tax. Among other incidents of interest which transpired was the murder of a little charity boy by a man named Norton and his wife. The boy had made a statement relating to some transaction of an uncommenda- ble sort which had transpired in the family which they un- dertook to make him retract and say he had lied. The boy refused to do so and was whipped to death. Norton and his wife were sent to State prison for ten years.

The village of Kingston has a population of 400 and is cozily situated on the west bank of the Grand River, which crosses the eastern corner of the town. The village contains several good stores; two wagon shops; one blacksmith shop ; one tin shop; one good hotel, and two church edi- fices. The town plat was laid out by E. R. Stevens and E. H. Dart. Good water power is obtained from Grand River. This power was first utilized by Drummond & Hewett, dur- ing the year of 1847, at which time they erected a large four- story grist mill, the first one in the town. In 1855, the mill was purchased by Judge Millard and W. D. Fox. The Judge still retains his interest in the mill, in partnership with his brother and Henry Pettit. They use constantly four run of stone, and have a capacity of 120 barrels of flour per day.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MORTIMER W. STEVENS, retired merchant, Kingston, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 30, 1817. Elis ancestors were from England, and emigrated to America in the early part of the sixteenth century, lo- cating at Taunton, Ma.s., where his parents, Henry B. and Sarah (Win- slow) Stevens, were born-they were farmers. The ancestors of Mr. Stevens participated in the Revolutionary War, and were loyal to their adopted country. Mr. Stevens commenced his business career as a drug clerk in the city of Buffalo, in which capacity he served for five consec- utive years, when he established a general merchandising business in Wales Center, Erie Co., N. Y. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Kingston and engaging in general merchandising. lle built the second building in the village, and now owns and occupies as a residence the first building erected in Kingston. Ile conducted his business very successfully until 1860. when he retired, and has since given his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. Ile was married, May 2, 1842, in Ontario Co., N. Y., to Miss Cordelia B. Vandermark, a native of New York. They have four children.

RUFUS F. BILLINGS, drugs, dry goods and groceries, Kingston, was born in Poultney, Vt., March 31, 1854. Ile is a son of Carlos and

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HISTORY OF GREEN LAKE COUNTY.

Irene (Eddy) Billings, who were both natives of Vermont, and whose ancestors participated in the wars of the Revolution and 1812. Mr. Billings came to Wisconsin with his parents and located at Kingston in 1858, where he has since resided. He commenced his business career as successor to the drug business of W. R. Wilkins ; commencing without capital, he has been very successful. He was married, June 6, 1875, to Miss Virginia Clark, a native of this State. They have three children.

FRANK GOSS, blacksmith, Kingston, was born in town of Concord, Erie Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1827. His paternal ancestors were from En- gland, and among the early settlers of Vermont. Ilis great grandfather participated in the Revolutionary War. His father, Foster T., was a native of Brandon, Vt. His mother, Susan (Marsh) Goss, was of Scotch descent. Mr. Goss learned his trade with his father. They came to Wisconsin in 1845, locating at Fox Lake, where they remained one year. Mr. Goss came to Kingston and built the first blacksmith shop erected in the village. He married at Kingston, in October, 1848, Miss Mary E. Burs, a native of Washington Co., N. Y. They have two children living.

ELMORE G. BOYNTON, general merchandising, Kingston, was born in Sudbury, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 26, 1856. He is a son of Na- poleon B. and Sarah H. (Sanders) Boynton, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Vermont. His father was a farmer, and a celebrated and successful breeder of fine wool sheep-registered stock-and owned the celebrated ram, Wisconsin, that took the prize medal at the Centen- nial Exhibition, Philadelphia. He came to Kingston in 1853, and en- gaged in same business, and also established mercantile business, which he conducted successfully until his death, which occurred in September, 1879. Elmore G. commenced his business career in 1869, as assistant in his father's store, and in company with R. F. Billings, succeeded to the business, April 1, 1873. The copartnership continued one and one half years ; Mr. Billings went out, and Parker A. Thayer took an inter- est, remaining till October, 1877. since which time Mr. Boynton has been sole proprietor. Ife has commenced in a small way breeding fine wool sheep. He was married, in October, 1874, to Miss Julia Woodward, of Vermont.

GREEN LAKE.

SEYMOUR M. KNOX, farmer, Green Lake, was born in the town of Russell St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, IS20. His father, James Knox, was a farmer, and a native of Massachusetts, and born Sept. 25, 1788. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. Miss Betsey (Gross) Knox, the mother of Seymour Knox, was a native of New York, and born at Cooperstown, Nov. 18, 1792. Mr. Knox lived upon his father's farm in St. Lawrence County, until he came to Wis- consin in Spring of 1845. He stopped during harvest in Walworth County, where he worked for one dollar a day. After harvest he came to Green Lake County (then Marquette), and pre-empted 160 acres of land in Section 32, which is now in the town of Dayton, and before his payment became due sold one-half of his claim which gave him money to pay for the other half ; he then bought the claim where he now lives. He experienced many hardships, privations and discouragements during his first years in Wisconsin, but his indomitable will and perseverance

carried him through and he now enjoys the fruits of his lahors. From the first he had the confidence and respect of the citizens of Marquette County, and was intrusted by them with their money and delegated to go to Green Bay, the nearest Land Office, and transact business for them. He made this trip afoot and alone, following an Indian trail. He was on the first and last Grand Juries of Marquette County, belore the county was divided, and was on the first Petit Jury, and foreman of last Grand Jury of Green Lake County. He was Supervisor when three men did the work of the county, also Supervisor during four years of the war, and took a prominent part in building the court-house. He was a member of the Legislature in 1874, and elected upon the Republican ticket, and received the unanimous vote of both parties. While a mem- ber he caused a committee, of which he was one, to be appointed to ex- amine the State Prison, and if possible adopt some plan whereby it would become self-sustaining, it being an expense to the State of some $40,000 annually. The committee was successful. They introduced the manufacturing of boots and shoes which made the institution en- tirely self-sustaining. Mr. Knox has always been a public-spirited man, contributing with a liberal hand to all public enterprises. Two of his sons were volunteers in the late war.

ALBERT STEERS, farmer, Green Lake, was born at Long Cross, County Surry, England, in March, 1835. He is a son of G. R. Steers, who was a native of Kent and carried on in London the business of gilder and manufacturer of picture frames, looking-glasses, etc. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Steers was from Ireland, and was in gov- ernment employ as Purser's Clerk on board the man of war, "Argo- naut." Ilis mother's maiden name was Anne Jolinston, a native of Sterlingshire, Scotland. Mr. Steers was educated in London and at the Victoria Pensionnat College, Paris, and came to America with his par- ents in June, 1849. They remained in Milwaukee during the Summer and in November bought and moved upon the land Mr. Steers now owns. It is now a beautiful farm of 250 acres, and located on the shores of Little Green Lake. The father died here in August, 1864. Mr. Steers returned to London in 1862, where he was employed as cash- ier in a merchant house, conducted by a Mr. Vallentine, until 1865, when he returned to the farm. He was married. in November, 1870, to Miss Rebecka Evans, a native of London, and who came to Wisconsin in 1850.

MANCHESTER.

CLARK S. WALKER, farmer and stock raiser, Manchester, was born in Charlestown, Sullivan Co , N. H., Nov. 22, 1828. He is a son of Steven and Kezia (Convers) Walker. They were both natives of Charles- town, N. H. Ilis paternal and maternal ancestors were early settlers of Connecticut. Ile emigrated with his parents to Wisconsin in IS51. They bought 120 acres of land and located where Mr. Walker now lives and where his mother died, Aug. 5, 1853, and father Feb. 26, 1865. But two members of the family survive the subject of this biography. Annie K. (now Mrs. T. G. Haskins), living in Iowa, Mary E., having died, May 2, 1851, and Alice, May 27, 1863. Mr. Walker was married Oct. 27, 1853. to Miss Susan A. Hart. They have five sons. Mrs. Walker is a native of Northampton, N. H. Mr. Walker's farm embraces nearly 1,000 acres.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN

JUNEAU COUNTY.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Juneau County is bounded on the north by Wood County, east by the Wisconsin River, south by Sauk, and west by Vernon, Monroe and Jackson counties. It lies in the heart of the State. It extends forty-two miles from north to south, and at its narrowest point east and west, fourteen and one-half miles, with a total area of eight hundred and fifty square miles. Throughout the whole area, except the quartzite bluff at Necedah and points of limestone in the southwest portion, the lower sandstone is the sur- face rock. The soil for the most part is a loose sand, derived directly from the disintegration of the lower sandstone, but showing many marshes (some of large size), and an occasional prairie. Except on the marshes, it is nearly everywhere covered with stunted oaks, and toward the extreme north with Jack pines. It presents the character of a level plain not worn into ravines, nor yet rising abruptly ; the entire surface is heavily drift- covered, with a gradual rise to the north and west, attaining an altitude of four hundred feet, on the southern edge, and along the Lemonweir about three hundred feet. Dotting the central plain and rising abruptly from the level portions are isolated mounds, or castellated peaks of rocks, "outliers," chiefly constructed of Potsdam sandstone, that constitute the most marked characteristic, except the quartzite mound of Necedah. None of these exceed a height of three hundred feet, and but few two hundred feet ; they register a denudation of fully five hun- dred feet. The large outliers show more or less vegetation, the smaller, which are thirty and one hundred feet in height, often are of bare rock. There are also archean ( Huronian) and Lower Magnesian limestone cappings in the south portion. The high ground that bounds the plain on the west, enters Juneau County on the west side of Township 16, Range 2 east (Fountain ), carrying on the county line a cap- ping of Lower Magnesian limestone. It trends it way southeastward across Plymouth, Lindana, Wonewoc and summit, then veering more to the east, crossing the townships of Seven Mile Creek and Lyndon, where it is eut through by the Dalles of the Wisconsin. The Lemonweir and the Yellow are the principal rivers, the former crossing diagonally, entering at the middle of the west side and reaching the Wisconsin at Section 24, Township 15, Range 5 east. The latter entering the extreme eastern border and joining the Wisconsin after running nearly parallel with it at Township 15, Range 4 east. These rivers have archean and sandstone sec- tions ; the former in the Yellow exceedingly rocky and much broken by rapids and falls. The sandstone see- tions are comparatively sluggish and without rock rapids. The upper portions extend into the pineries and much logging is done at times of high water. They are also very valuable for water-powers.

SETTLEMENT.

This history begins with the year 1832, at which ·date John T. De La Ronde, a native of France, and an attache of the Hudson Bay Company, came to the Lemonweir Valley-Ca-na-man-woi-Sipe, which means a child, or affluent. In the Summer of 1834, he estab- lished a trading-post, for the Winter, near the head of the river, and in 1837, built a trading-post at To-kon- nee village, where Mauston is now situated, a small village of five or six wigwams, named after its chief, a mixed-blood of Winnebago and Menomonee origin, though his people were called Winnebagoes.

In the Winter of 1840, De La Ronde made up a quan- tity of square timber near his trading-post, taking his mill-site just where Mauston now stands. He was the first one to take square timber from the Lemonweir Valley, and also the first who undertook to construct a wagon-road from Portage to the Lemonweir and thence to La Crosse. This labor was begun the year of his arrival, 1840.

Previous to the treaty of Fort Winnebago, in the Fall of 1836, by which the Winnebago tribe of Indians ceded all of their lands lying south of the Lemonweir River and east of the Wisconsin to the General Gov- ernment, the territory now embraced within the limits of Juneau and Adams counties was only known to trappers and Indian traders. After the treaty, Sauk and other counties west of the Wisconsin, began to be settled, but the country north remained a wilderness for some years ; and not until the lumbering interests began to call operators into the valleys of the Baraboo, Lemon weir and Wisconsin, were any permanent settle- ments made.

By the treaty of Lake Poygan, in 1848, the Me- nomonee Indians ceded their lands lying west of the Wolf River and south of the Waupaca. The political history of this section dates back to the organization of Adams County, which formerly included Juneau. Adams County was established in 1848, by act of the Territorial Legislature and attached to Sauk County. It then included the country lying between ranges 2 and 7, embracing the present counties of Juneau and Adams and covering an area of fifteen hundred and sixty-six square miles. At that date the settlements were confined to the towns of New Haven and Dell Prairie, east of the Wisconsin, and the Lemon- weir Valley on the west.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052