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 107

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 107

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Up to the year 1851, the lumbermen were the pioneer settlers west of the Wisconsin. In 1849, the boundaries of the county west of the Wisconsin were changed-Sauk County borrowing, by act of Legisla- ture, all of Township 14 and the south half of Town- ship 15, from Range I east to the Wisconsin. In 1853, Adams County was organized for judicial purposes and attached to the Third Judicial Circuit ; but later, dur- ing the same session, the Seventh Judicial Circuit was

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

established, which included Adams. The boundaries of 1848 were restored, and the county seat located at Quincy.

No important change in the political history oc- curred until 1855, when Mauston, desiring to become the county seat, secured the passage of a bill through the Legislature, submitting the question of a division of the county on the line of the Wisconsin River, and the creation of a new county under the name of Juneau. The proposition of division was carried by vote of the people, and New Lisbon, by a little judi- cious influence, secured the passage of an act formally organizing the county and locating the county seat at that place, the act to take effect January 1, 1857. Mauston suffered her defeat for two years only, and then secured the passage of a bill submitting the ques- tion of removal of the county seat. A vote was taken at the general election in November, 1859. The returns showed 1,022 votes for removal and 1,522 against, New Lisbon polling 570 votes more than at the State can- vass during the same year. The returns were protested by Hon. John Turner, of Mauston, one of the Board of Canvassers for that village, on the ground that over 500 votes had been cast fraudulently. From this time until 1864, the matter was in litigation, and was finally decided by the Supreme Court, Judge Pane delivering the opinion in favor of Mauston. Vide State ex rel., Field vs. Avery, 17 Wisconsin, 694-695.

New Lisbon, in 1867, succeeded in again submitting the question of removal to the people ; but this time the vote was declared to be a tie, when, failing to secure a majority, the rival town gave up the fight.

The first permanent settlement made in the county was in the month of October, or November, in the year 1838. At this date, Amasa Wilson, C. B. Smith and R. V. Allen made a location in company, and built a shanty at the Dells Eddy for the purpose of getting out square timber for the lower river market. The shanty stood upon the rise of ground at the foot of the Dells where the house of Mr. Allen now stands, and where he has continued to live since the date of his first settlement. Mr. Allen can justly claim the honor of being the first and oldest permanent resident in Juneau County. These parties continued to get ont timber until the end of the next Winter, when, by that time, the supply was about exhausted. The timber was rafted, run out of the river and sold at Galena. Mr. Allen continued to make his home at the Dells Eddy, and turned his attention to piloting rafts through the Dells in high stages of water. His house was for some years the only sign of civilization between Point Bausse and Fort Winnebago (Portage City), except Grignon's Trading Post-a distance of seventy- five miles by the river-and became a very convenient stopping place for the raftsmen.

One of the earliest settlers, for even a temporary purpose, was Provonsal, the father of Frank Provonsal, killed a few years since by Bill Dandy, an Indian. The elder Provonsal built and for sone years occupied a trading post near the bank of the Wisconsin, about two miles above the Pete-en-Well rock, in the present town of Armenia. About the year 1836, he built and occupied a trading post on the Lemonweir, near the present residence of Peter Arntz, in the town of Kil-

dare. During ten or twelve years previous to his death Frank Provonsal lived with his family at Pete-en Well Rock, at which place he owned and run the ferry across the Wisconsin River.

After the settlement of Allen, Smith and Wilson in Lyndon, at the foot of the Dells, in 1838, Charles Clemence was the next settler, locating in the town in 1850. Ephraim Kingsbury arrived in 1852, but re- mained only about one year, when he sold out to Lyman Dickens and located in the town of New Lisbon. In 1854, Charles Leach, Cornelius Collins and David Truell made locations, and from this time the town settled rapidly and became quite a successful farming region. Some of these early settlers became quite prominent in county politics. Mr. Leach served one term as Treasurer. He subsequently removed to New Lisbon and engaged in mercantile pursuits, remaining there until his death, Mr. Truell was elected Register of Deeds, holding the office for two years; in 1877, he served a term in the Legislature. He still resides on his farm at Lyndon.

Lyndon was organized at the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Juneau County, November 1857, and was formerly included in the town of Kil- dare. The lumbering facilities afforded by the Lemon- weir Valley called the first settlers to Kildare. Henry Carpenter, of Portage, and one Randall were engaged in logging on the river as early as 1848 and commenced the erection of a saw-mill on the river in 1849, in the present town of Kildare. They completed the mill and improvements in 1850, and, after running it one season, sold out their claim to Jacob Rodgers, who operated the mill until the scarcity of pine timber compelled him to abandon the lumber business some years after. Peter Arntz located in the town in the year 1852, building a steam saw-mill on the Lemonweir, about two miles from its mouth. He also abandoned the business for the same reason a few years after. Previous to the settlement of Mr. Arntz, Frank Webster and George Walker made claims and located on the Wisconsin, at the foot of the Big Dells.

Jacob Rodgers was at one time quite prominently identified with the political interests of the county, and was elected Treasurer for one term. He removed to New Lisbon, but some years since changed his resi- dence to Iowa, near Dubuque.

No permanent settlement was made in the town of Seven Mile Creek until 1851, although William Green made a temporary location in 1×49. The only settlers in the town, as now organized, were William Taylor, Chauncey B. Strong, David Henry, Adam Stultz and Alonzo Andrews.

When the boundaries of Adams County were changed, in 1849, Sauk County included all of Town- ship 14 and the south half of Township 15, extending from the west line of the present county of JJuneau to the Wisconsin River. This strip of country, nine miles in width, north and south, at that date contained nearly all the settlements of the Lemonweir Valley. It was attached to Sauk County until the session of 1853, when the original boundary line of Adams and Sank counties was restored. The first election of officers was held at Delton, Sauk County, in 1851. Chauncey B. Strong was chosen Justice of the Peace,

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

and was the first Justice serving in the valley, in what was afterward Juneau County. It was at that time that the town of Lemonweir included the whole of the southern part of the present county of Juneau. From 1851 to 1854 the valley of the Lemonweir was settled quite rapidly. Among the early comers after 1851 were L. E. Saxton, C. W. Fosbinder, James Heavey, a Mr. McEntee, Patrick Smith, Robert Doyle, Patrick Moylan, John Furgerson, David Hughes, M. Mulloney, Thomas Hyde, John and Michael Powers, James Welch, Nicholas Brown. The majority of these located in the present town of Seven Mill Creek, the remainder within the towns of Lyndon and Summit, since or- ganized.

The next election held in this district of the county was at the Stewart settlement. Fosbinder and Heavey were chosen members of the Town Board. Mr. Taylor was elected Assessor. His assessment district at this date included the present towns of Kildare, Summit, Lemonweir, Seven Mile Creek and a part of Lindina. The only main road leading to this section of the valley was the old road cut by the early logmen on the Lemonweir. This road crossed the Wisconsin at New- port and followed along the valleys, avoiding the swamps and other natural obstructions, but as the settlements increased good roads on the most direct routes were opened. A State road was laid out, lead- ing west through the county, through the village of Mauston and New Lisbon, thence to La Crosse and the Mississippi Valley. The old Troy coach soon made its appearance and continued its regular trips until super- seded by the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad, in 1857.

The town of Seven Mill Creek was organized by the Board of Supervisors of Adams County, November 16, 1655.

The town of Summit was organized November 15, 1855, and the first town meeting held at the house of Alexander Noble. Elias Kingsbury, C. Blish and Mr. Noble came in 1852 or 1>53 ; Philo Sterling, J. B. and H. F. Potter in 1854; Peter Sterling in 1855; II. D. and E. T. Boyington in 1856. At the first town meet- ing after the organization, L. E. Saxton was chosen Chairman of the Board, and J. B. Potter, Clerk.

The first school was established in 1855, in the "Potter District" -afterward known as " District No. 3." Miss Sterling, a daughter of Peter Sterling, now Mrs. Charles Huff, of Wonewoc, was the first teacher. The wages paid her were $1 per week, she boarding herself.

The writer here acknowledges obligations for assist- ance rendered in the compilation of this work to Hon. John T. Kingston, of Necedah, Mr. George Willard, of Wonewoc, and Mr. Amasa Wilson, of New Lisbon.

PRESS.

The first newspaper of Juneau County was estab- lished in 1856, under the name of the New Lisbon Republican. R. B. Rice was its editor and proprietor ; but its existence was only temporary, giving place to the Juneau County Argus in 1857, the leading Dem- ocratic journal of the county. The Argus was estab- lished in 1857, by James II. Wells, but the following year it passed into the hands of Edward Miller, who published it until 1862, when it was purchased by its

present proprietor, Mr. M. F. Carney. The Mauston Star was founded in 1857, by D. McBride. The fol- lowing year MeBride sold out to B. E. Stevens and Hon. John Turner. Mr. Turner subsequently became sole proprietor, and the Star continued under his man- agement until September 1, 1878, at which date the present proprietors, Messrs. J. F. Sprague & Son, bought him out. The Elroy Union appeared in 1873, butt lived only a short time, failing to be a financial success to its owners, Messrs. Richards and Powers. The Elroy Head Light was established in 1874, by Messrs. Stokey & Carn. It existed under different managements until May, 1876, at which time it was succeeded by the Elroy Plain Talker, E. C. Ribbey, editor and proprietor. The Wonewoe Reporter, the only independent journal of the county, was organized in 1876, and is now published by Hon. T. K. Dunu.

MAUSTON.

In the Winter of 1838-39, John T. De La Ronde and Judge Silas Walsworth established a trading post on the site of the present village of Mauston. This was the first settlement or improvement made by white men at this point. They had in their employ a Canadian by the name of Norbert St. Germaine, who was left in charge of the trading post until the following Winter. The next settle- ment made at this point was in 1842. During the Summer of this year, J. B. McNeil and two men, named Elmore and McAlleister, after exploring the river and finding sufficient timber upon the stream to justify it, entered into a copart- nership to carry on the lumber business. They com- menced the erection of a dam and mill, which they com- pleted the following season. After running the milling and lumber business for three years, McNeil and McAlleister sold out their interest in the claim and improvements to Joseph Hewlett; and Elmore having died subsequently without heir, Hewlett became sole proprietor, continuing the business until 1849.

During the time Hewlett was operating the mill, he be- came connected in business with Gen. M. M. Maughs, of Galena, Ill., and after Hewlett's death, Gen. Maughs came into possession of the mill and improvements, and event- ually became the original proprietor of its village of Maus- ton -the village taking the name of its proprietor. Gen. Maughs returned to Galena, leaving the property in charge of his brother, Nichols Moss, who conducted the business until 1850 or '51 ; at which time Gen. Maughs moved his family from Galena, made Mauston his future residence, and assumed personal charge of the business, which he maintained until his death, February 18, 1863. Gen. Maughs was widely known, and was universally respected for his worth and integrity.

Previous to the incorporation of Mauston as a village, it was included in the town of Lemonweir, which, at this date, embraced nearly all of the southern part of the county west of the Wisconsin. The first settler for other than lumbering purposes, was John Gregory, a native of England. He located upon Spring Creek, in the west part of the town, in August, 1849. The next year, he was fol-

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HISTORY OF JUNEAU COUNTY.

lowed by John McNown, John Smith, William McCallum, upon what is known as the Public Square, embracing an en- E. G. Shute, William Crane, Charles Minchian, John C. tire block, 320 feet by 200 feet, situated in the business part of the village. Its grass plots are crossed by serpen- tine walks, and the whole square is thickly planted with rapidly growing and ornamental shade trees. Webster. During the same year, William Stewart settled in the present town of Lindina, at what is now known as the Stewart settlement. The date of the organization of the towns of Lemonweir and Lindina, cannot now be de- The corner-stone of the court-house was laid July 4, 1875, with imposing ceremonies, by the various Masonic organizations of the State, the Grand Lodge, J. P. C. Cot- trell, Grand Master, having charge of the exercises; and the building was completed in 1876. The court-room, jury and consultation rooms are on the upper floor, and in each appointment furnish the most convenient facilities for the transaction of business. On the lower floor are the public offices, for the use of the County Judge, County Clerk, Treasurer, Clerk of the Courts and Register of Deeds. All, with the exception of the Treasurer's office, are furnished with large, commodious vaults, with double iron doors and combination locks, so that all deem the public records rea- sonably safe. termined. The former was represented at the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Adams County, April 12, 1853, and was one of two towns represented on the west side of the Wisconsin. At the annual meeting, Nov. 14, 1854, the town of Lindina was represented in the Board, and the boundaries are described in the journal of proceed- ings on the 16th of November, but no date of organiza- tion appears. Martin Gray, Dr. Linos Johnston, Dudley Little, were among the first who settled at Mauston. Mr. Gray was proprietor of every important addition to the village, and at the time of his death, was a prominent busi- ness man, and intimately connected with county politics. Dudley Little built the first tavern of the place. The old building, still standing upon its original site, on Union The county jail was erected in 1878, and completed in January, 1879, the total cost of the building and furniture reaching $11,938.24. The plan was made by Messrs. H. C. Koch & Co., of Milwaukee. Situated at the head of Hickory and Mansion streets, to the eye of a stranger it presents the appearance of a stately mansion, the jail proper being in the rear and entirely concealed by the Sheriff's residence. The building is constructed with stone basement, sur- mounted with three stories of cream colored brick, the architectural style being " Queen Anne." The entire build- street, near the river. Hon. John Turner and F. Winsor were the first lawyers to locate at Mauston, and for a num- ber of years did the business for the surrounding country, coming here in 1854. Mr. Turner was editor and proprie- tor of the Mauston Star, for many years, and has figured prominently in politics. Mr. Winsor was elected first District Attorney of Juneau County. From this time, the village began to grow rapidly, and in 1857, numbered fully 800 people.

After the organization of Lindina, Mauston, for a time, - ing is furnished with all modern improvements, including hot and cold water baths, and is warmed throughout by furnace. It also is arranged for the accommodation of the insane of the county. The prison-yard is surrounded by a high wall, and the grounds by an iron fence ; experts deem it the most safe and complete jail in the State. Hon. H. H. Giles, of the Wisconsin State Board of Charity and Re- form, recently made an official inspection, and in his report to the Legislature, says : " Arrangements for ventilation and sewerage seem quite perfect ; considered in all respects, we think it the most perfect and complete structure for jail purposes in the State." The old jail, built some fifteen years since, stands on the east side of the public square; it is a small one story brick building, and is to be torn down and removed.

was included in that town. Lindina was named in honor of Mrs. M. M. Maughs, wife of the General. General Maughs platted the village of Mauston, July 14, 1854, and it was incorporated as a village in April, 1860.

Mauston, situated on the line of the C., M. & St. P. R. R., 127 miles west of Milwaukee, surrounded with a rich and beautiful agricultural country, supplied with abundant timber and pure water, settled with intelligent, temperate, industrious people, making it a home for cultured thrift, of which its citizens are justly proud. It has a population of about 1,300. That public affairs are well managed, is proved by the fact that the tax rate for village purposes is less than 61/2 mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation. It gives every evidence of being most thriving and energetic in its business pursuits. The commercial trade report it as one of the finest of the many on this line of railway.

To exhibit its prosperity, we present the following syn- opsis in brief of the public institutions located here, show- ing its interests in schools, churches, societies, and general business.

County Offices. - It being the county seat, the public offices are located here. The county owns one of the finest ar- ranged court-houses in the State. It is built of cream-colored brick, is approached both rear and front by flights of stone steps, is finished in a pleasing style of architectural art, and presents a beautiful and substantial structure, that gives evi- dence of the taste and liberality of its citizens. It is located

Hon. John Turner, Windsor & Veeder, and H. W. Bar- ney the present District Attorney, represent the legal pro- fession in Mauston. Mr. Turner is the oldest practitioner, and stands at the head of the profession in this county. He located here in 1855. From 1859 to 1878, was editor and proprietor of the Mauston Star. He has held many important offices, among which are member of Assembly in 1859, District Attorney for the years 1871, 1872 and 1873, and was the first P'resident of the village, which position he held five years. The firm of Windsor & Veeder are recognized as able, honest lawyers, and stand high in the profession. Judge Windsor has received official recognition and was once elected to the County Judgeship. He has

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

also held the office of District Attorney, and his partner, Mr. F. S. Veeder, has filled the same office.

The pioneers of Lindina, which then comprised the vil- lage of Mauston, early turned their attention to educational interests and elected the first School Board in 1854. Dr. Linas Johnson (Director), Martin Gray (Treasurer), J. M. Maughs (Clerk), G. R. Burritt (Supt). The first school organized was held at the house of John Brewer, now the Costley Farm ; the principal object being to obtain the benefit of the public school fund. Mrs. Luther Atkins, nee Miss L. A. Heath, of Mauston, was the first teacher, the school numbering twenty pupils, all of whom are now scat- tered and living in other States. This Board divided the town into two districts, the west portion being called the Upper District, that of the east or Mauston proper, the Lower. In the Upper District the school house stood near the residence of Mr. L. C. La Tour; that of the Lower, near the office and store of Judge Windsor. A Winter session was held at the Lower District, taught by Miss A. T. Short. These buildings were cheaply constructed and little better than board shanties, yet they filled the demands of these early times. Fuel was provided for by parents furnishing one-half cord of wood for each scholar instructed. The teacher "boarded around " with each family pro rata as to number of children sent to school. The records of 1855 show that Isaac Fuller was (Director), Dudley Little (Treas), Ira A. Livetland (Clerk), Rev. Harrison B. Train (Supt). Mrs. Atkins taught the Summer term at the Lower District, M. D. Morrison the Winter term, but farther than this they are silent. In 1856, the two districts, after conferring together, united in one, appointed a committee, of which Hon. John Turner was chairman, to select a site and build a new structure for school purposes, and appropriated $700. This committee constructed the main portion of the present building, which they completed during the year, the total cost reaching $2,068. This fact caused much dissatisfac- tion, but it was accepted on the first vote and further pro- vision made for the balance of the cost over the appropria- tion. The building is situated at the corner of La Crosse and Oak streets; is a large two-story frame building, the main part sixty by forty feet, with a two-story addition forty by forty feet ; erected in 1861. It has a seating capacity sufficient for 300 pupils, and is supplied with a val- uable library, scientific and philosophical charts and appara- tus. There are 367 children of school age in the district- 267 enrolled at the present time. Number attending High School, sixty. Number of present graduating class, eight per cent of attendance, ninety-four. Prof. J. Anderson, the present principal, is a graduate of the State University, and fulfills his duties in a manner pleasing to all. Under his careful tuition the schools have made rapid progress and show the advantages of thorough instruction and good dis- cipline. The grammar department is in charge of Mr. M. S. Bunnell, a former graduate of the High School. Miss Mary Sherwood, of the intermediate ; Miss Aggie Burg, of the second primary, and Mrs. L. A. Cornish, of the first pri- mary, and assistant in High School, Mrs. A. E. Goetting,

have been employed for a number of terms, and have proved their ability as teachers.

Among the teachers worthy of especial mention are Prof. H. G. Wood, who was principal for many years, and Prof. Barnes. During the coming year the village expects to erect a new building that shall cost $10,000. County Superintendent W. G. Spence has his office at Mauston. He was formerly principal of the school. He reports the present number of children of school age in Juneau County, 5,930. Present number attending school, 4,348. Per cent. of attendance, about 90 percent. Number of teachers em- ployed, 116. Value of school property, $40,306.75. Amount paid teachers, $18,164.46. Connected with the school, though in part supported by the young people of the vil- lage, is the Lyceum. This society has grown to be one of the established institutions of Mauston, and the value of this kind of culture can not easily be over-estimated.

The present officers are : President, Judge F. Windsor ; Vice-President, Prof. J. Anderson ; Secretary, Miss Irma Grote ; Treasurer, Mr. M. S. Bunnell.

In this village are six churches, three of which have parsonages. The organizations are Roman Catholic, Meth- odist, Baptist, Congregational, German Presbyterian and German Evangelical.

The first Catholic mission founded in Juneau County was at Kildare, in 1854, the attending priest. Rev. Father Gardner, of Sauk, Sauk Co. The church of this mission was situated upon the present site of St. Bridget's Ceme- tery, in that town, and was called St. Bridget's Church. The first mission established at Mauston was in 1856, Rev. Father Steahle, attending priest, then located at Kildare. The first church was situated on State street, near the cor- ner of Spring, and was erected in 1858. This was a small two-story frame building, 40 x 25 feet, afterward removed to the present site of the church, and an addition built on, 30 x 25 feet, in 1874. In April, 1880, this structure acci- dentally took fire and was so badly damaged that it was torn down, and the present handsome brick edifice erected. The foundation was laid in July, 1880, and the church com- pleted the following December. Situated at the head of Pine street, on a sufficient elevation to be commanding, it presents a solid, stately appearance. Inside it is beauti- fully frescoed, and the sunlight, as it comes through the stained glass windows, sheds a soft, mellow light over the whole interior. The first resident priest was Father Mon- tague, who settled at Mauston in the Fall of 1858. He re- mained here about one year, removing to Lyndon. His successor was Father Roach, who had charge of the church for a period of two years. Father Roach was succeeded by Father Carrigan, who was followed by Father Casey in November, 1865. He remained here only two years, dur- ing which time he purchased the church property of Messrs. McCafferty & Adler, being in turn succeeded by Father Larin in 1867. His successor was Father White. in 1870, who remained until his death, which took place in 1877. His remains were interred in the church-yard, and the spot is marked by a pure white marble shaft, emblematic of the

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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