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 180

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 180

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The surface of the county is drained by La Crosse, Little La Crosse, Lemonweir and the Baraboo rivers. The two latter, as already explained, having their source in the county, upon the east side. The Kicka- poo running toward the south, also rises in this county. The Baraboo heads in this county, at an elevation of about four hundred feet ; runs southeastward through Sauk County, where it breaks into the valley between the two east and west ranges, through a narrow gorge m the northern range. Turning then east, it runs along the middle of the valley, between the two ranges for about fifteen miles, and then breaking again north- ward, through the north range, follows its northern side east to the Wisconsin, into which it empties on SETTLEMENT. Section 28, of Township 12 north, Range 9 east, in the town of Caledonia, Columbia Co. The Baraboo is a stream of considerable size, and yields a number of very ty. The first settler was Esau Johnson, who located

excellent water-powers. The three different kinds of sur- face in Monroe County, as to vegetation are the prairies, marshes and timber lands. The prairies or treeless por- tions, are not the same in extent now, as when the county was first settled, for the reason that in some places, once prairie, there has been an invasion of tim- ber growth, this formerly being checked by the annual prairie fires. The prairie areas are not always flat, in- deed the flat prairies are the exception, and are seen oftener along the bottom lands of the Wisconsin River.

The prairie ordinarily is very rolling, commonly showing abrupt changes of level, even up to fifty or a hundred feet. These changes are generally caused by unequal denudation of the rocky strata. The marshes of Monroe County are usually small. With regard to forest trees, it may be said that the whole of the county outside the prairie region, is covered by a prevailing growth of small oaks of different varieties, frequently interspersed with other forest trees. There are a few groves of heavy oak in different parts of the county.

INDIANS.

In the middle of the 18th century, this region of country was occupied by the Fox tribe of Indians as their hunting ground. Toward the latter part of the century, however, they moved south ward from their homes on the Wisconsin River, and possessed territory on both sides of the Mississippi. As they withdrew, the Winnebagoes came in from the east, and have ever since been recognized and mentioned as the rightful owners of the lands in this part of the State of Wiscon- sin. The Winnebagoes occupied the lands until the year 1837, when they parted with all that portion east of the Mississippi, and were removed to Turkey River, Iowa, in 1840. Many of them, however, soon returned to their old hunting grounds, and lived in a half civilized condition, subsisting by hunting and fish- ing, some few of them by cultivating small portions of ground. They have never, since their return, com- bined against the settlers, although the early settlers claim that they have just cause to complain of the predatory bands. Franklin Petit, the first settler in the La Crosse Valley (afterward settling in Sparta), had to leave the valley on account of them. They fre- quently visited his house at night and upon one oc- casion turned the whole household from their comfort- able beds, which they occupied themselves until morn- ing. Mr. Petit feeling himself powerless to avoid their insolence, was compelled to leave. This was as late as 1849.

At the present time they cause no complaint, other than is induced by their lazy, indolent manner of life.

Monroe County is an offshoot from La Crosse Coun-

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

on the Kickapoo, near where Oil City now is, in the town of Sheldon. On the first day of October, 1842, he, with his family, stopped about two miles above Oil City, and built there a house. Mr. Johnson says : "In the year 1842, I came with my family down the Wis- consin River, on a log raft, to the mouth of the Kick- apoo, and went to what was then known as Haneys, in Richland County. We stayed there, I working on his land until the Fall of same year, when I took an ax and some provisions and started on a prospecting trip up the Kickapoo, until I came to the mouth of Moore's Creek, in what is now Monroe County. Was very fa- vorably impressed with the locality, and determined to return and bring my family up. Not wishing to walk back to the farm, I hollowed out a tree, made myself a couple of good paddles, and sailed down in my improvised boat. I reached the farm next day, and soon had the boat in good condition for moving my family and what few household goods I had up to our new home. I finally left the Haney Farm, Sept. 10, 1842, and hired two brothers named Clark to help me move, they agreeing for a consideration to stay with me until I had my house built. On the first day of October, we reached the location I had fixed upon, and we arranged a temporary shelter for my family until we could cut the logs necessary for the new house ; three of us getting to work at it, we soon had it under way, and on the sixth day of October, just five days after landing. myself and fam- ily moved in. This I positively assert was the first house, and me and my family the first white people to make a permanent settlement in Monroe County. The two Clarks stayed with me until the next day, when they took the boat and returned to Haney's Farm." Mr. Johnson also states that on the tenth day of October he started for the mouth of the Kickapoo to get four head of oxen that he had left there, from there to Prairie du Chien where he got a load of pro- visions and hired two men to return and work for him. In this trip Mr. Johnson claims to have been the first to make the present road between Oil City and Prairie du Chien. Mr. Johnson was "monarch of all he sur- veyed" until 1846. In the Spring of that year he was joined by Sylvester Bacon and William Clark, who worked for him until Spring of 1849. Shortly after this, in the same year, Thomas Lewis and Thompson Hazen came and built them a house in the pines about one mile and a half from Johnson, and went to lum- bering. They stayed until May, 1847, when they sold out to Mr. A. J. Martin. Lewis leaving this, and set- tling in Grant County. Hazen left the pines and set- tled about five miles south of Cashton, where he took up a farm and opened a tavern.

The first saw-mill was built by Mr. Johnson in 1849. The first marriage ceremony performed in the county was that of Mr. Johnson's two daughters. One was married to James Hoover, and the other to B. Rhodes. The double ceremony was performed by a traveling missionary, in the Winter of 1850. The first birth was a son of Esau and Mrs. Johnson, September, 1846. In 1849 a State road was opened between Hudson and Prairie du Chien, passing by the way of Eau Claire (then Clear Water P. O.), Black River Falls and the point where Sparta now is. Subsequently a road was

laid out between Portage and La Crosse. The latter road followed a well-worn Indian trail, which led to the Mississippi River. Previous to laying out the road be- tween Hudson and Prairie du Chien, there had been no means of ingress or egress to the settlements in West- ern Wisconsin, except by the rivers. No post-office nearer than Prairie du Chien, the lands unsurveyed, and consequently not in the market.

Upon the laying out of the road, post-offices were established at Eau Claire, Black River Falls, La Crosse and at one or two other points. During the years of 1849-50, the lands were surveyed and brought into market, which caused a tide of immigration to flow in- to this section, Monroe County taking its share. In 1850 Charles Clute came with his family, and went to work for Mr. Johnson, at his saw-mill on the Kicka- poo. He afterward took up land in the northern part of the county. In 1851 E. E. Shaw, Frank and Will- iam Petit, Nelson Currier, and a man by the name of Metzgar settled in the county. In July of the same year R. S. Kingman and his two brothers, twins named Rosalvo and Alvarado came to the county from Ash- tabula, Ohio, and settled with E. E. Shaw and Nelson Currier, in Leon Valley. R. S. Kingman is at present a very prominent citizen of Sparta, being one of the banking firm of Thayer & Kingman. The first regu- larly laid out highway or road Monroe County had was the State road, running from Prairie du Chien to Hud- son, through the present village of Sparta. This road was run through early in 1849. Two years subsequent to this the "Portage" road was laid out, following the Indian trail from Portage to La Crosse. Previous to the laying out of the former road, there had been no means of ingress or egress to the settlements in West- ern Wisconsin except by the rivers.

Records of the olden time are very interesting, and are not without their lessons of instruction. By the light of the past, we follow in the footprints of the enterprising pioneer. We see him amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilderness into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire, partaking of his homely, but cheerfully granted, fare, and listen to the accounts he gives of frontier life ; of the dangers, trials, hardships and sufferings of himself and others, in their struggles to make for themselves homes in re- gions still unexplored, save by wandering Indians and wild beasts. Through these old records, we make our way along to the present, showing the mighty achieve- ments of industry, the daring enterprise, the creative energy and untiring perseverance of the early pioneer. Following on in the path of progress and improvement, we see once waste places rejoicing under the kindly care of the husbandman; beautiful farms are spread out before us; villages and cities have arisen, as if by magic ; common schools, academies and colleges have sprung up ; young and ardent minds may press for- ward in the acquisition of science ; churches are built, and a Christian ministry sustained ; the press is estab- lished ; railroads are built, to bring the products of every clime, and the people from afar, to our doors.

Let the records of olden time be preserved ; in after years, our children's children will look over them with pleasure and profit. The first important business of a pioneer settler is to build him a house. Until this is

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

done, he has to camp on the ground, or live in his emi- grant wagon, perhaps the only shelter he has known for weeks. The style of house is of very small mo- ment - it is shelter he wants ; "a roof over his head ;" a something to protect himself and family from the stress of weather, and wearing exposure. The poor settler very rarely has either money, or the necessary mechani- cal appliances for building himself a house. The pros- pect of a house, however small-one to be erected by himself-a future home-gives courage to the rough toil, and zest to the heavy labors. He is content, in most cases, to have a mere cabin, or log hut. Some of the most primitive constructions of this kind were half faced, or, as they were sometimes called, "cat- faced" sheds, or "wike-ups," the Indian term for house or tent. The better class of houses were termed " claim cabins," and were a little more in the shape of a human habitation, made, as it was, of round logs, light enough for two men to " lay up," about fourteen feet square-sometimes larger, and sometimes smaller -roofed with bark or clapboards, and floored with puncheons (logs split in two, flat side being laid up). Sometimes the flooring was made of earth. The fire- place was usually composed of a wall of stones and earth. Sometimes they built these fire-places so large as to occupy the entire width of the house. Any con- trivance that would convey the smoke out of the building, answered as a chimney. Some were built of sod, plastered upon the inside with clay; and others were made of clay and sticks, or, as they were some- times called, "cat in clay." For doors and windows, the most simple contrivances that would serve the pur- poses were brought into requisition. The door most in use was composed of split boards put together, hung upon wooden hinges, and held shut by a wooden pin, inserted in an auger hole. Greased paper, pasted over sticks crossed in the shape of sash, sometimes was sub- stituted for window glass. This admitted the light, but, of course, lacked transparency.

The furniture of a cabin in those days varied in pro- portion to the ingenuity of the occupants, unless it was where settlers had brought with them their old household supply, which was very seldom done, owing to the great distance that most of them came. Tables and chairs were made of split logs. The bedstead was a very important article of furniture, necessary to the comfort of a family, and was made thus: a forked stick was driven into the ground diagonally from the corner of the room, and at a proper distance, upon which poles reaching from each were laid. The wall ends of the poles were either driven into auger holes, or rested in the cracks between the logs. After the house had reached this stage, it was left to the care and deft devices of the wife to complete its comforts, and the head of the house was free to superintend out- of-door affairs.

The first year's farming consists generally of a "truck patch," planted with corn, potatoes, turnips and other vegetables. Sometimes the crop fell far short of the supply needed, and the most rigid econ- omy would have to be observed. Such articles as flour, bacon, coffee and tea the settlers usually brought with them, in quantities sufficient to last for several months. The game, in the days of the early settlers,

was very plentiful, and helped to eke out their limited supplies. The mills for grinding the corn were usually at such long distances, that the people were compelled to resort to more primitive means for bringing it to a state fit for consumption. Some grated it, and others used a coffee-mill for grinding it.

Not the least of the early settler's tribulations was the going to mill. The almost total absence of bridges and roads, added to the fact that they had to use ox teams, made it very slow, the distance traveled often exceeding forty miles. In dry weather it was rendered comparatively easy, but during floods was proved very troublesome, as well as being dangerous.

To become stuck in a swamp or slough, and be de- layed for two or three hours, was by no means unusual. In regard to roads, they were very uncommon, and until 1849, were none worthy of the name in the county. The Indian trails were followed, but were unfit to travel on with vehicles. They were mere paths, about two or three feet in width, this being all that was required to accommodate the single file man- ner of Indian traveling. The innumerable trials and deprivations of the pioneer might fill a volume of no ordinary size. The struggle was not for ease or lux- ury, but a constant one for the means necessary for sustaining life.

ORGANIZATION.

On the twenty-first day of March, 1854, an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin was approved by the Governor to divide the county of La Crosse and organ- ize the county of Monroe. This comprised all the present county boundary except the northern tier of townships, which were added from Jackson County to Monroe by an act of Oct. 14, 1856.

By the organic act, it was provided that the county should be organized for all the purposes, both of coun- ty and judicial government, and that it should enjoy all the rights, privileges, immunities and powers of the other counties of the Territory. It was further provided that an election should be held in the several towns of the county, such as were then, or might thereafter be, established by law, on the first Tuesday in April of that year for the election of all such town or county officers as the county, by virtue of its organization and the provisions of the organic act, should be enti- tled to, who were severally to hold their offices until the next general election and until their successors were duly elected and qualified, provided that nothing in the act should be so construed as to render the Sher- iff of the county to be elected, ineligible to a re-elec- tion at the ensning annual election. It was further provided by the act just mentioned that the first elec- tion to be held in the county should be conducted in all respects in the manner then provided by law for holding general elections, and the votes cast were to be returned and canvassed as therein provided ; and the judges of the election were authorized to issue certificates of election to any person duly elected to office in the same manner as the Clerks of the Board of County Commissioners were authorized to do in other counties. The county seat was located at Sparta, and the first officers elected were : A. H. Blake, Coun- ty Judge ; E. Walrath, Sheriff; W. Fisk, Register of

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

Deeds; John Barker, Clerk of Court; Samuel Hoyt, County Treasurer, and A. B. Cornell, District Attor- ney.

There was a great deal of opposition to the division of La Crosse County and the establishment of the county of Monroe, many of the opposition party re- siding within the precincts of Sparta. There was also a great deal of feeling evinced, which culminated in a contest between Sparta and Leon in regard to the county seat. The latter, however, were defeated, and the seat established at Sparta.

Court-house .- The question regarding the county seat having been definitely settled by locating it at Sparta, the next thing in order was to supply suitable buildings for the public offices. The officials occupied the upper part of Mr. Allen's store, on the north side of Oak street, between what is now Water and Court streets. The old building is still in existence, and still occupied by Mr. Allen as a dwelling and store. In 1863, the subject of a county building was agitated, but the report was laid on the table.

In 1864, it was brought before the Board again and a resolution to make an appropriation for a court-house not to exceed $25,000 put and passed. In the follow- ing year, the present large and handsome brick build- ing, including the court-house, Sheriff's dwelling and jail, was erected at a cost of $22,000. The site was presented to the county by the citizens of Sparta. The building is a model of architectural neatness and sim- plicity. Its dimensions are about 80 x 60 feet, con- structed of cream-colored brick, with dark trimmings. It is two stories high, with a well-proportioned dome, and stands in beautifully laid out grounds. To the right of it, upon entering the square, is a beautiful fountain of mineral water. Entering at the front of the court-house, the visitor finds himself in the spa- cious hallway, leading through the building. The first door on the left and near the entrance, is the room of the County Judge, the next office on the same side is that of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Following this is one bearing the ominous inscription of " Sher- iff." Directly opposite the room of the Judge are the offices of County Treasurer and County Clerk ; back of this office is the vault and Register of Deeds' ot- fice. On the same floor are the court-room and jury- room, the former being very comfortably furnished, with seating capacity for 350.

County Jail .- Within the walls of this institution are placed individuals of a retiring disposition, who forego the pleasures of freedom and out-door exercise for definite periods, unless death or the Governor in- terferes. The County Jail, as before stated, is included in the court-house and is situated at the western end of the building. It is well ventilated, neat and com- fortable, has two departments, one for male and the other for female prisoners, each department containing eight cells. The jail is under the control of the Sher- iff and one Jailer.

The Political Divisions of the county are the town, city and village. The town government is intrusted to a town board of supervisors, consisting of three members, elected annually at a town meeting. The other town officers are: town clerk, town treas- urer, one or more assessors, four justices of the peace,

overseers of highways and constables, not more than three.

The justices of the peace hold office for two years, two being elected at each annual town meeting. The other officers are elected annually at the town meeting.

The form of city government depends upon the char- ter granted by the State Legislature. There are gen- erally a mayor, the chief executive officer; a common council, consisting of one or more representatives from each ward in the city, and the city officers-a city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney, chief of police, fire mar- shal and city surveyor.

A village is governed by a village board, consisting of a president and six trustees, elected at the annual charter election. At such election there are also chosen a village clerk, treasurer, supervisor (to represent the village in the county government), marshal and con- stable, and when necessary, a justice of the peace and police justice, each of whom holds office for two years.

The county government is in charge of a county board of supervisors, consisting of the chairman of each town board, a supervisor from each incorporated village, and one from each ward of every city in the county. The county officers are, clerk, treasurer, sheriff, coroner, clerk of circuit court, district attorney, register of deeds, surveyor and superintendent of schools, all elected biennially.

Where a county has more than 15,000 inhabitants, the County Board of Supervisors may, if they choose, divide the county into two superintendent districts for school purposes.

The following county officers have served from 1854 to 1881:

County Judges .- 1854. A. H. Blake; 1858, W. W. Jackson ; 1864, G. E. Pratt ; 1868, L. B. Noyes ; 1871, T. D. Steele ; 1879, C. M. Masters.

Sheriffs .- 1854, E. Walrath : 1857, John Foster; 1859, C. W. McMillan ; 1861, J. H. Allen ; 1863, J. A. Gilman ; 1865, C. W. McMillan ; 1867, G. A. Fisk ; 1869, D. B. Bon : 1871, L. Johnson ; 1873, G. B. Rob- inson ; 1875, C. W. McMillan ; 1877, N. P. Lee; 1879, C. W. McMillan ; 1881, E. Bartells.

District Attorneys .- 1854-9, A. B. Cornell ; 1859, L. W. Graves; 1861, C. E. Rice ; 1863-5, R. Bunn ; 1867, G. E. Pratt; 1869, G. A. Richardson ; 1871-5, J. M. Morrow; 1877, A. E. Bleekman; 1879-81, J. M. Morrow.

Clerks of Circuit Court .- 1854, John Barker; 1857, G. B. Holden ; 1859, Cyrus Curtis ; 1861, E. Nutting ; 1863, L. B. Noyes; 1865, S. H. Stearns; 1867-9, S. H. Stearns; 1871, Jacob Rood ; 1873-5, S. H. Stearns; 1877, Joel Brown; 1879, S. H. Stearns ; 1881, J. E. Perry.

County Clerks .- 1857, L. S. Fisher; 1859, A. F. Childs ; 1861, S. Aldrich ; 1863-5, T. D. Steele ; 1867, S. D. Hollister; 1869. James Lowry; 1871-3, S. D. Hollister; 1875, W. P. Palmer; 1877, J. E. Perry : 1879, H. H. Cremer ; 1881, O. C. Berg.

Treasurers .- 1855-7, Samuel Hoyt; 1859, A. A. Kendall; 1861, L. S. Fisher; 1863-5, G HI. Ledyard; 1867-9-71, Eli Waste ; 1873-5-7-9, Francis Avery ; 1881, W. F. Lee.

Registers of Deeds. - 1855, Wilber Fisk ; 1857, R. S. Kingman ; 1859, A. H. Condit ; 1861, P. Rawson :

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

1863-5-7, M. A. Thayer: 1869-71, J. M. Tarr; 1873-5, J. W. Curran ; 1877-9, W. G. Williams ; 1881, J. R. Lyons.

Surveyors .- 1854, Isaac Thompson ; 1857, F. A. Childs; 1859, A. S. Ingalls ; 1861, L. E. Amidon ; 1863, L. S. Ingalls ; 1865, W. Kenyon ; 1867, O. R. Dahl ; 1869, C. C. Miller ; 1871, G. Spurier ; 1873-5-7, A. S. Ingalls ; 1879-81. A. B. Holden.

Coroners .- 1859. O. P. McClure; 1861, C.W . McMil- lan : 1867, C. W. McMillan ; 1871, David Bon ; 1875, G. B. Robinson ; 1877, C. W. McMillan ; 1879, D. J. Enderby ; 1881, C. W. McMillan.

County Superintendents. - 1869, C. W. Kellogg ; 1871-3-5-7-9, N. H. Holden ; 1881, C. F. Brandt.

RAILROADS.

The present Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road Company has grown out of the former La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company.

It will only be necessary to give a brief outline of the lines belonging to this great corporation which af- fect Monroe County. The La Crosse & Milwaukee Company was incorporated by an act of the Legisla- ture approved on the second day of April, 1852.

The first president of the company was Byron Kil- bourn. In 1854, stock subscriptions were procured, surveys made, and the general line of the road estab- lished. Previous to this, in 1851, the Milwaukee & Fond du Lac Railroad Company was incorporated, and in 1853, a company chartered, called the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green Bay Railroad Company. By an act of Legislature, approved June 27, 1853, these two roads were authorized to consolidate with each other, which they did, and commenced the construction of a rail- road toward Fond du Lac.

In 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green Bay Company consolidated with the La Crosse & Milwaukee Company, assuming the name of the latter, proceeding with the construction of the road already commenced, but turning it in the direction of La Crosse. The first officers elected after this consolidation were as follows : President, S. Judd. Directors : H. Barber, Byron Kil- bourn, Chase A. Stephens, Edwin H. Goodrich, E. Lud- ington, E. D. Clinton, William Daws, M. M. Strong, S. L. Rose, Moses Kneeland and Russell S. Kneeland. Daws resigned and C. D. Cook was elected in his place.

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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