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 118

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 118

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man, J. Stickney, Knapp & McLaughlin and Knapp & Williamson. Water street was compactly built, the improve- ments, however, in the light of subsequent events, proving to be the sources of almost infinite ruin. Main street, too, from Water to Mason streets, was equally as pleasing to the eye of the visitor and resident, and Main street, too, paid tribute to the flames while yet the year was young. On the table land to the rear of the village center, private resi- dences, surrounded by yards in which Flora and good taste combined, began to appear at briefer intervals, while beyond were soberer realms, wherein, during the russet season of the year, the dull thunder of alternate fiails sent down the air a greeting to the mills as they ground their grists. All nature smiled upon the scene, and the cunning hand of man adapted itself to the building up and decorating what, in those days, promised to outstrip its youth and attain man- hood as a thriving, wealthy city. This was the condition of affairs on the morning of the 19th of March, 1860, when

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

the hand of the incendiary touched the business portion of the town with the torch of assassination, and in one night laid seven-eighths of the village in ashes. The fire began in a bowling alley, on Main street, near the present site of the Red Store, and driven in all directions by the hurricane of wind that was blowing, swept everything before it. No one can realize the horrors of that night, nor the scene of gloom which greeted the gaze of citizens with the dawn of day, when the sun, peeping through the daze and smoke and desolation that was heaped up full and running over, on places that but twelve hours previous rejoiced in the evidences of man's handiwork. Every house on Water street, and every house on Main street, except the Popham Hotel and the building opposite, now occupied by P. Roddy, was burned, and the territory thence to the river was devoted to vacancy.

The guilty party was never apprehended, though his identity was believed to have been established. It was asserted that the crime grew out of the troubles between Spaulding and the Woods, relative to title to the property burned over, and that the author of this destruction re- ceived $10,000 for the part he played in the action thus in- stituted to quiet title. He remained here but a short time after the event, and when last heard of was residing some- where in Minnesota.

Notwithstanding this fearful blow to the business inter- ests, nearly all the sufferers manifested a disposition to re- build. A new survey of the village plat was made, by which new streets were laid out, and those already appro- priated improved by widening and lengthening. The effects of the fire were contrary to what it was anticipated they would be. A new start was taken, and the village seemed, Antæus like, to gather strength with defeat. New comers, with brains and capital to consult their direction, came to the front, and the "burnt district " was speedily rebuilt with a new and better class of structures, while im- provements at a distance from the scene of the conflagra- tion were of a superior order. Business renewed its vitality and grew in strength with each succeeding day, and the population kept pace with the times, until, on January 1, 1861, 1,000 inhabitants were claimed for Black River Falls.

Then came the war, and an age intervened when the graces and amenities of civilized life were ignored for the signal sounds of strife and battle's magnificently stern array. A large delegation was taken from the village to serve in all branches of the army, the first year of the struggle, and each succeeding levy gradually drained the vicinity of very much of the enterprise and public spirit which had come in and manifested its presence by works in later years. As a consequence, improvements for the period between the fir- ing upon Fort Sumter and the surrender at Appomattox were neither numerous, costly nor architecturally elaborate. The same is to be remembered with reference to the advent of future citizens, neither were they numerous or valuable, save, of course, in exceptional instances. The village, as will be readily conceded, escaped remarkable growth or development. This continued for the ensuing ten years

almost without variation. In 1872, some limited building was undertaken, and during this "spurt " of progress a court-house and jail were built upon the first bench or table land on Main street, going west from the river; also, a school-house, with accommodations for seventy pupils. This was a creditable undertaking, but the county buildings, which cost $2,500, are represented as having been decidedly "off," particularly the jail. This was made of pine plank bolted together, and the price paid for it, $300, was, con- sidering its deficiencies, regarded as a piece of outrageous extravagance. Its accommodations were so ridiculously insufficient that the major portion of the prisoners refused to remain, leaving during the night through the side of the building, a window, or by lifting the door from its hinges. The grand juries used occasionally to inveigh against it, but the jail remained intact, so far as its substitution was concerned, until the erection of the present edifice, in 1878.

After the war, the accessions to the population were gradual. There was no rush to the village, as might have been anticipated with regard to Black River Falls, and was realized in other parts of the West. Occasionally a build- ing went up, but in every instance was of frame, and it was not until some years later that brick became a substitute, though it is now coming into more general use. The second plateau contained, it is estimated, about a dozen residences. Since then, that locality has been resolved into a village of tasteful, elegant homes. Indeed, what has been quoted in connection with the growth of the county applies equally to the village. Some came in, it is true; but few remained, and those few have led lives both devoid of enterprise and prominence. There was always in the Spring and Fall a floating population of lumbermen, raftsmen, etc., but none of them stayed beyond the period of service in the lumber regions, or sufficiently long in the village to acquire the rights of citizenship. In 1865, Drs. B. J. Baxter and H. B. Cole settled at the Falls, and began the practice of med- icine. They were followed during the succeeding year by J. W. and F. W. Cole, who established a drug house under the firm name of J. W. Cole & Co. They also engaged in the jewelry business, and take the lead in their line of specialties. In the latter year, the village was duly incor- porated by an act of the Legislature, the Town Supervis- ors being ex officio Village Trustees. Since its organization there would be no extravagance in the statement, that a better governed or more orderly community, or a locality where there is less crime committed by the same number of people on any lumbering stream in the State. The people decided some years ago to prohibit the sale of liquors in the village, and this prohibition has worked an infinite good. Crime is an unknown quantity and inebriates unknown factors in the make-up of life at the Falls. Poverty is no- where apparent, but in its stead the smiling face of thrift and prosperity is seen in the homes of citizens. To no one are the citizens more obligated for this condition of affairs than to Hon. William T. Price, who has labored with all the zeal of a nature enlisted forever in the cause of temper- ance.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

In 1868, the Universalist Church was completed, and in 1869, the precedent thus established was availed of by the Baptists to erect a house of worship. In the former year D. J. Spaulding erected a block of brick buildings on South Water street, adjoining Town Creek, comprising three stores below and a hotel above, known as the "Spaulding House." It was the first brick structure in the village, and cost $25,000; in 1870 it went up in smoke by the hands of an incendiary, but was rebuilt the same year on a larger and more extended scale after an outlay of $30,000. It still stands, one of the largest and most attractive blocks in the western tier of Wisconsin counties. The ground floor is used for commercial purposes and there are but few stores in the State more conveniently arranged or generously fur- nished.

Two years previous the foundry of J. C. Hussey was established, since when the manufacturing resources of the village have been liberally cultivated and largely developed. The most important and interesting event of this period, however, was the railroad celebration, consequent upon the completion to the Falls of the West Wisconsin Railroad. It occurred in December, 1868, and was appropriately re- cognized as an episode in the life of the town. To Judge Price belongs the credit of this enterprise, as much at least as any other man, who was instrumental in procuring the needed legislation, right of way and county aid neces- sary to secure the building of the road, and his active ex- ertions were in part recognized by the stockholders who elected him president of the corporation.

The next year Bump's, or the Masonic Block, was erected on Main street. It is of brick, quite commodious, and an ornament to the thoroughfare upon which it stands. The ground floor is occupied for commercial purposes, the second floor for halls and offices and the third story is the Masonic hall. Originally the second floor was devoted to hall uses, with a capacity for seating an audience of 400, but this was subsequently altered to supply other needs. The building cost $30,000.

In 1870 occurred the Spaulding block fire, as already cited, and in the Winter the village authorities organized a fire department, at the same time contracting for the Holly system of water works, since the completion of which, has been, twice, without doubt, saved from destruction by flames. To this improvement should be added the comple- tion and dedication of the Presbyterian Church, and as the the years advanced a spirit of progress in harmony with the times has seemed to possess the citizens utterly. A superior class of buildings, where buildings have gone up, has been the rule, and private residences, equal to those to be seen in more pretentious municipalities, with surround- ings of a character in which city and country have been happily blended, have taken the place of rude structures, the primitive times of the village gave birth to. The same year the high-school, unsurpassed by that of any other village in Wisconsin of equal wealth and population, was built, and the advantages in an educational sense here offered are nowhere superior. It is three stories high, of

imposing design, and being located on one of the most commanding sites in the village, is the first building at the Falls to attract the eye of the stranger.

These evidences of enterprise on the part of the village inspired citizens to renewed exertions, and as a consequence, the Albion Mills, Spaulding's carriage factory and planing mill, with other undertakings of a similar character, were conceived and brought forth. Business continued to grow in volume, logging and milling were carried on with in- creased vigor, capital was made to pay tribute by invest- ments and other features of excellence were visible at nearly every point within a radius of several miles of the Falls. The schools, manufactories, and residences were supplemented by the erection of the Catholic Church, and this by the advent of men of intellect and brain who " came to stay," adding their mite to the general fund of intelli- gence and enterprise, and soon taking rank with those ad- vanced in the professional, commercial, mechanical and other walks of daily life. The Banner after nearly twenty years of undivided possession of the journalistic field yielded that possession in its entirety to a new venture in the newspaper world of Black River Falls. That venture was the Independent, established about 1876, by F. C. An- keny, and now owned and controlled by Byron J. Castle. Latterly the twain welcomed the advent of the Democrat, introduced by J. F. Hollister, and since 1880, a trinity of political creeds have severally sought recognition and pat- ronage.

Among the principal arrivals for the past decade, were : A. C. Farnsworth and H. M. Thompson, attorneys ; W. R. O'Hearn, banker; F. C. Ankeny, B. J. Castle and T. F. Hollister, representatives of the Fourth Estate; E. F. Long, dentist ; J. R. Chapman, Samuel Freeman, Henry Lake and Jacob Popham, hotel proprietors; A. E. Sawyer, H. Nelson, N. A. Botcheller and W. J. Thompson, mer- chants ; J. A. Eckern, jeweler; A. Mohnsen and S. Nom- dahl, tailors, with others of various trades and occupations added. All have located at the Falls permanently, and all have made improvements of a substantial and in some cases expensive character. During the past ten years much has been accomplished in nearly every direction to indicate the mettle of men who have contributed to the promotion of the growth and development of the Falls. The village bears the impress of their labors and the country round about rejoices in the results of their handiwork. Public high- ways have been opened and rendered perfect so far as in- dustry and public demand required; elegant churches and school buildings, first finding expression in the village, are duplicated all over the county, and all the elements of prog- ress, comfort, convenience and the refinements of Chris- tian civilization are cultivated to the highest standard.

Within five years a handsomely arranged building of brick før banking purposes has been completed, also an opera house, or hall for the accommodation of dramatics. lecturers, fairs, fetes and the like, has been completed. It is located on Main street in the most central portion of the village, is one story high, easy of access, furnished with

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stage, scenery, etc., and will comfortably seat an audience of over 300.

In conclusion it can no less than be conceded that the Falls and Jackson County, the interests of which are in- separable, offer inducements to become part of their being. There is free scope for all energies, advantages which can not be monopolized by the few are open to all, and the opinion is ventured that when these facts are more gener- ously disseminated among those who are seeking eligible sites for homes in the West, the reapers who will rejoice at the bountiful harvest, will increase beyond reasonable an- ticipation.

Educational .- The first school taught in Jackson County was in a frame addition to Spaulding's boarding-house dur- ing the Summer of 1847. C. R. Johnson was the peda- gogue, and he prepared the way for the future instruction of fourteen pupils, the sons and daughters of settlers in the embryo village. Mr. Johnson remained one term, when he joined the army of invasion of Mexico, and scholastic ex- ercises were suspended until his return in 1850, when he resumed operations in a log house on the bottom. The next school was a frame one, near the corner of Mason and Brainard streets, still standing at the corner of Second and Brainard, occupied as a residence by Anton Cuber. This was used until 1858, when I. S. Mason erected a two-story school-house on Mason street, two blocks above Main street. This building cost $1,000, but is now occupied as a Nor- wegian boarding-house. In the meantime, the village was divided into two districts, and about 1860, additional ac- commodations being necessary, another school edifice was built at the corner of Jefferson and Eighth streets. In 1871, the districts were consolidated and the present brick structure commenced. The same was completed and ready for occupation in December of the year in which its foun- dations were laid. It is of brick, 60 x 80, three stories high, with a mansard roof. It was designed by W. H. J. Nich- olls, of La Crosse, and built under the supervision of Will- iam Van Hoosear, of Black River Falls. The cost of the site, building and furnishing was $30,000.

The building is divided into eight departments, viz .: kindergarten, first and second primary, first and second in- termediate, first and second grammar, and high, furnishing employment to nine teachers and enjoying an average an- nual attendance of 350 scholars.

The cost of conducting the school is estimated at $5,000 per annum, and the present Board is made up of C. F. Ainsworth, Director ; H. B. Cole, Treasurer; and R. C. Jones, Clerk.

Black River Falls Library Association was established late in the '60's, when it was known as the Young Men's Literary Association, with a library of 500 volumes. The society was re-organized October 14, 1872, with J. C. Hus- sey, president; W. S. Darrow, vice-president; and E. Le Claire, secretary. Since that date, books have been added to the library from time to time until now there are 1,600 volumes. Residents of the village enjoy access to the li- brary, which is supported by a tax of one mill per annum

on the taxable property of Black River Falls. The present officers are : C. R. Johnson, president ; B. J. Castle, secre- tary and librarian ; also a Board of nine directors, elected annually. The library property is valued at $3,500.

The Black River Falls Dramatic Society was organized August 1, 1881, with twelve members. The object is a Winter's entertainment, but at present writing no officers have been elected.

The Fire Department was organized May 20, 1872, when W. S. Darrow was elected foreman, J. W. Dewey, assist- ant foreman and Milo Merrill, secretary. The department originally embraced a hose company, to which, however, a hook and ladder organization was subsequently added, an engine house erected, and sufficient apparatus obtained to promise security against the ravages of what has proved to have been an implacable foe to the growth and progress of Black River Falls. The department now numbers thirty members, officered as follows: F. Bartlet, foreman ; A. Er- rickson and C. K. Schenk, assistants; W. J. Thompson, secretary ; and J. B. Elmore, treasurer. Department prop- erty is valued at $3,000. Water is supplied by the Holly system.

Religious .- Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1847, about fifteen citizens of Black River Falls united their ef- forts for the purpose of building a church and parsonage. The logs were cut and arrangements completed, by which an edifice, 16 x 20, was erected the same season. It was completed after considerable trouble, but not until Hon. W. T. Price took the matter in hand, and put on all the necessary finishing touches. The Rev. Mr. Wood was the first minister, and was followed by a Mr. Snow, the Rev. Jesse Pardner and others. In 1856, the society became strong enough to erect a new edifice, and the present church building, of frame, 30 x 40, with a capacity for seating a congregation of 400, was built on Terrace street. In 1863, this house of worship was re-modeled and improved, and is to-day one of the most convenient and accessible church edifices in the village. The present congregation numbers about 100, and the Rev. Elbridge Bradford is the pastor in charge.

Presbyterian Church was first organized as the Congre- gational Church by Rev. Warren Bigelow, in 1855. In 1858 the little church now occupied by the Episcopalians was completed and occupied. In 1862, Mr. Bigelow removed to Minnesota, and the history of the Presbyterian Church begins from this date. The latter was organized by a com- mittee of the Presbytery of Chippewa, and the Rev. Joseph G. Wells assumed charge. The present church edifice on Main street was commenced in 1867 and dedicated in No- vember, 1870, the Rev. J. H. McNally, of Winona, preach- ing the sermon. From March to August, 1873, the church pastorate was vacant, but in the latter year the Rev. D. B. Jackson was formally installed the first regular minister the society had employed. At present the church is without a pastor, though services are held at intervals by transients.

St. Albans Protestant Episcopal Church was first organ- ized in 1871, through the efforts of the Rev. Mr. Dorsett,

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

pastor of the diocese of La Crosse. The following year, the society purchased the Congregational Church edifice on Main street, and for some time after was in a prosperous condition. This continued until about 1873, when the or- ganization lapsed and so continued until 1877, when its re- organization was effected by the Rev. W. H. H. Ross, and has yearly grown in strength and importance. The present members number twenty, and services are held alternate Sundays, morning and evening.

First Baptist Church was organized August 15, 1858, at a meeting of the sect, convened at the residence of J. L. Loomis, when twelve members signed the roster, and P. Brown was elected deacon, with J. L. Loomis clerk of the society. Services were first held in the residences of mem- bers and so continued until 1868, when the present church on Main street, west of the Court-house, was completed at a cost of $1,500, and taken possession of. At present, the society has thirty-eight members and belongs to the La Crosse Valley Baptist Association, with the Rev. D. G. Catchpole, pastor.

Universalist Church .- The Universalist Society of Black River Falls was informally organized in the Fall of 1869, when the church edifice was built. In the Spring of 1870, the organization was perfected, with ten members, through the efforts of the Rev. Mr. Donley. Since that date until January 1, 1881, the church has been active, with a regular pastor and numerous congregation. At present, there is neither pastor nor regular services. The church property s valued at $1.600.

Norwegian Lutheran Church .- The society which be- came the nucleus of this Church organization was gathered together in 1867, under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Frick, of La Crosse, and consisted of six families. For years the members worshiped in unoccupied churches and the school- house, but, in 1876, erected the present church edifice at a cost of $3,000. Since then it has been occupied by the con- gregation, which now numbers eighteen families, on alternate Sabbaths. The present pastor is the Rev. H. Hokonson, and the value of church property is placed at $3,500.

The Auxiliary Bible Society of Black River Falls was first organized in 1854, but re-organized, and a constitution adopted December 8, 1865, with branches at Manchester, Irving, Melrose, Hueton, Alma, Green Valley, North Bend and Merrillan. The first officers were D. J. Spaulding, pres- ident ; F. O. Brainard, vice-president ; J. A. Watrous, sec- retary, and R. C. Bryant, treasurer ; W. T. Price, J. R. Hoffman and S. F. S. Wason, directors. Since that date, the society has to some extent lapsed, and at present is regarded as enduring a passive existence. The officers now are J. C. Hussey, president ; D. J. Spaulding, vice-president ; H. L. Cutts, secretary, and W. C. Jones, treasurer. H. C. Arnold, Joseph Winter and W. T. Murray, directors.

Black River Falls Roman Catholic Church was organ- ized, it is believed, during the year 1857, through the labors of the Rev. Father Kerrigan, a devout minister of the faith, formerly from Eau Claire. Services were held at occasional intervals in the private residences of members of the soci-

ety, until 1871, when the present church edifice was erected at a cost of $1,600. Since that day the mission has increased in numbers, and is now one of the largely attended places of worship in the village. Services are now conducted semi-monthly by the Rev. Father Morse, and the congrega- tion is composed of fifty families.

Societies .- Black River Lodge, No. 74, A. F. & A. M., was chartered June 12, 1856, with nine members, and offi- cers as follows : E. S. Crossett, W. M .; W. T. Price, S. W. and J. R. Crossett, J. W. Since that date the membership has increased to seventy, and the lodge is in a highly satis- factory condition. The present officers are J. J. McGillivray, W. M .; W. C. Arnold, S. W .; C. F. Ainsworth, J. W .; G. M. Perry, S. D .; W. C. Jones, J. D. ; T. B. Elmore, secre- tary, and John H. Mills, treasurer. Meetings are held on the first and third Friday evenings of each month.

Black River Falls Lodge, No. 41, R. A. M., was organ- ized January 18, 1871, by the election of C. C. Pope, H. P .; H. B. Cole, king, and W. S. Darrow, scribe. The present officers are A. LeClaire, H. P. ; H. B. Cole, king, and Sam- uel Freeman, scribe. The present members are stated at sixty, and meetings are convened semi-monthly, on the sec- ond and fourth Friday evenings.

Black River Falls Council, No. 40, was instituted Febru- ary 24, 1881, and has but few members at present, with the following officers : A. LeClaire, T. I. M .; H. B. Cole, D. M., and Samuel Freeman, P. C. W.

Albion Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F., was chartered Jan- uary 16, 1868, with full membership and the following offi- cers : H. J. Holmes, N. G .; George C. Perry, V. G. ; D.W. C. Osborn, R. S .; E. O. Jones, P. S., and A. Le Claire, treasurer. The lodge has prospered, both in numbers and influence, and is now the leading lodge of the order in Jackson County. The present members number fifty, and the officers are Charles Erdman. N. G. ; David Barclay, V. G .; J. H. Edmonds, secretary, and Charles C. Wason, treas- urer. Meetings are held weekly, on Wednesday night, and lodge property is valued at $500.

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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