USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 53
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
INGRAHAM GOULD.
Born in Leeds, Kennebec Co., Me., in January, 1811; settled in Beaver Dam about 1849 or 1850, and, in 1854, established the famous Beaver Dam Nursery. As a man and citi- zen, Mr. Gould was highly esteemed. With exceptional fortitude, he bore up bravely under the adverse circumstances which he encountered in bringing to perfection the institution upon which centered his every thought and energy. In the mean time, he was called to fill important and responsible public positions. He was also the founder of Oakwood Cemetery, in which his earthly remains were laid in July, 1871. As an indication of his worth and the estimation in which he was held, it is related that his funeral procession was probably the largest ever known in the county.
ABRAM ACKERMAN,
son of John D. Ackerman ; born in the city of New York on the 22d day of June, 1804. In the summer of 1839, he made a tour of observation through the Territory of Wisconsin, extend- ing his observations as far as Lake Emily. Returning to New York, he, with his wife and eight children, and Henry Stultz, wife and three children, took passage on a Hudson River steamer for Albany, on the 1st of May, 1840. From Albany they went to Buffalo on the Erie Canal, and then embarked for Milwaukee on board the steamer Illinois, commanded by sturdy Capt. Blake, a name familiar to thousands of the pioneer emigrants to Wisconsin, and a famous man in the early history of lake navigation. From Milwaukee they went to Fox Lake in emigrant teams. After three days of fatiguing travel, they reached that point on the 24th of May. From Fox Lake they removed to Lake Emily, where they spent the first summer, under a clear Wisconsin sky, and surrounded by all the charms and enchantments of its beautiful scenery. In the fall, they returned to Fox Lake, and there spent the winter of 1841 and 1842. On the 22d of February, 1842, Mr. Ackerman moved his family to Beaver Dam, and took possession of his log cabin, which he had previously contracted with Mr. Mackie to build, and there resided till the date of his death, March 9, 1867.
WILLIAM M. LARRABEE.
Born in Whitehall, N. Y., in 1808; in 1846, he became identified with the early set- tlement of Horicon, inasmuch as he founded and named the place, and, in partnership with John B. Preston and Martin Rich, built the dam that confined the once famous Lake Horicon. Mr. Larrabee made his home in Chicago, where he resided at the date of his death, September 28, 1879.
CHARLES BURCHARD.
Born in Granby, Mass., January 1, 1810; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843, and set- tled at Waukesha. In 1846, was elected as a delegate to the first Constitutional Convention ; in 1853, removed to Mayville, and a year later to Deaver Dam; in 1856, was chosen to repre- sent his district in the Legislature, and has since held the office of Alderman for several terms in the city of Beaver Dam. On the 25th of February, 1829, Mr. Burchard was married to Miss Martha B. Pitcher. Seven children have been born to them, but three of whom survive
352
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
-Hon. Charles S. Burchard, Mrs. Z. C. Trask and Mrs. Edward Ellis. His death in April, 1879, lost to the citizens of Beaver Dam a man of indomitable nerve and decision, a friend of education and Christianity.
LEONARD MERTZ.
Born in Fulda, Prussia, January 6, 1826. Received his education in the Gymnasium of his native city, and afterward graduated as a law student at the University of Marling. Was married in Fulda, May 1, 1848, to Kathinka Hebgen, and came to Wisconsin in June of the same year, settling in the town of Shields, Dodge County. Mr. Mertz was elected County Treasurer in 1852, and re-elected in 1854. Resigned the office in June, 1855, to accept the County Judgeship, having been appointed by Gov. Barstow to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge S. L. Rose. Was elected County Judge in 1857, re-elected in 1861 and in 1865, and held the position when he died, June 8, 1868. Mrs. Merz died April 3, 1861. Four children survive-Albert, Emma (now Mrs. Landt, of Beaver Dam), Mortimer L. and Oscar R. adminat- U.S. Navy MOSES ORDWAY.
Born at Haverhill, Mass., December 27, 1788. Received a very meager common-school education ; was a natural mechanic, and was, in his youth, ever to be found at the bench, applying his tools and remarkable genius in carving out some new invention. At the age of nineteen, he met with an accident in which his shoulder was fractured, and while thus unable to pursue his trade, he turned his attention to the study of law. When about entering into the practice of his profession, he embraced religion, and thereafter devoted his attention and energies to the ministry. In the spring of 1816, he entered the Presbyterian College at Mid- dlebury, against the wishes of his father, who was a Baptist. During his studies, he also worked at mechanics, and, when he graduated, he had earned sufficient funds to pay for his tuition and was the possessor of $70 in cash. He was licensed to preach the Gospel in 1822, and, two years later, was ordained as an evangelist. He landed at Green Bay, Wis., in the fall of 1836, and there organized the first Presbyterian Church west of the Great Lakes. In 1837, he made a tour of observation to Milwaukee, then containing 280 inhabitants. While there, he founded the First Presbyterian Church Society. In 1838, he removed to Prairieville (now Waukesha), and during the following year assisted in the formation of the " Wisconsin Pres- bytery." This was the inauguration of the new departure which resulted in merging Presby- terianism and Congregationalism. Mr. Ordway removed to Beaver Dam in 1843, and at once became identified with the progressive movements which have resulted so satisfactorily. He organized the First Presbyterian Church with ten members, and was its Pastor for three years, when he resumed his missionary labors in adjoining counties. In the mean time, he proved a valuable aid to J. P. Brower and others in laying out the place. He died January 24, 1870.
WILLIAM H. LANDER.
Born in Brighton, Me., September 27, 1815, and came to Wisconsin in 1846, settling in Oak Grove, bringing with him Mrs. Harriet Lander, nee Miss Harriet Spalding, his newly made bride. Mr. Lander was a leading merchant of Oak Grove for several years, and held the office .of Clerk of the Court two terms, from January, 1847, to January, 1850. Afterward, removed to Fox Lake and practiced law until 1863, when, on the 16th of August of that year, he died at Columbus, Ky., while engaged in his capacity as a lawyer before a court martial inquiry then being held at that place. He left a widow and three daughters ; the latter-Mrs. C. J. Hambleton, Mrs. William Jones and Mrs. M. M. Dutton-are now living in Chicago.
JOHN LOWTH.
Born in the County Meath, Ireland, June 6, 1822; came to America with his parents at the age of five years and settled in Vermont, where he was married in 1842. Graduated at Castleton College, Vermont, and, coming to Wisconsin, adopted the profession of the law. Was elected Clerk of the Board of Supervisors several terms, sent to the Assembly in 1850, 1851
353
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
and 1859, and was afterward Clerk of the Circuit Court of Dodge County. He died at Juneau August 3, 1877. He was such a man as to justify his friends in placing a humble monument over his grave, bearing the following inscription :
" This modest stone, what few vain marbles can, May truly say, Here lies an honest man."
RELICS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
But few of them remain. Their locks, once so luxurious and ample, have wasted, hair by hair, until they seem lank and straggling; their brows, so smooth and fair till recently, grow rigid and furrowing. They are passing away. The oldest male inhabitant of Dodge County is Lewis Barto, of Beaver Dam, who celebrated his ninetieth birthday on the 4th of last July. Calvin Farmer, a resident of the town of Hubbard, was ninety years of age last August. Augustine Butler, who resides between Mayville and Iron Ridge, is the liveliest specimen of human antiquity to be found. He was eighty-nine last September, and is " as spry as a kitten." The oldest female living in Dodge County, so far as the historian is able to learn, is Mrs. Susana Bogert, of Beaver Dam. She was eighty-nine years of age on the 12th of July last. Mrs. Mary K. Lander, mother of W. H., H. W. and A. J. Lander, also of Beaver Dam, celebrated her eighty- seventh birthday on the 14th of last October.
FIRST LAND ENTRY-FIRST DEED-FIRST MORTGAGE.
According to the records of the abstract office of Mertz & Rambusch, the first land entry made in what is now Dodge County bears date of September, 1838, the claimant being Peter V. Brown, an exceedingly good-natured citizen of Watertown, residing in the Fifth Ward of that city. The land is described as Section 33, Town 9 north, Range 15 east.
The first deed recorded in the county was made by David Giddings to Albert G. Ellis, transferring the undivided one-third of Lots 1, 2, 5 and 6, in Section 7, Town 11 (Hubbard), Range 16, containing 184 acres ; also Lots 2, 3 and 6, Section 6, Town 11, Range 16, contain- ing 140 acres. "This indenture " is dated January 1, 1839, and was recorded on the 18th of the following month.
The first mortgage is dated October 8, 1847, and recorded November 1 of that year. Sam- uel B. Harkness was the mortgagor and James R. Maloney the mortgagee. The land thus encumbered is described as the west half of Section 26 and the west half of Section 28, Town 13 (Trenton), Range 14.
" BILL DENNIS AND HIS HOG-SKIN."
For several years after the organization of Dodge County, the records were written upon a few quires of foolscap paper (probably 100 pages) sewed together with needle and thread and bound with hog's leather, by William M. Dennis, the first Register of Deeds in the county. The contents of this quaint record book were copied in " Volume A " of Deeds, now the prop- erty of Messrs. Mertz & Rambusch. Mr. Dennis lived in the Fifth Ward of Watertown, and, in attending the sessions of the County Commissioners, went thither to their place of meeting on foot, carrying his book under his arm. The Board never transacted any business till " Bill Dennis and his hog-skin " arrived.
SOME STATISTICS.
In 1838, the population of Dodge County was 18; this included the families of Jacob P. Brower and Hamilton Stevens at Fox Lake, and John and Luther Cole and Amasa Hyland, who lived in what is now the Sixth Ward of Watertown. In 1840, the number of inhabitants was 67; in 1842, 149; in 1846, 7,787; in 1847, 14,905; in 1850, 19,140; in 1860, 44,499 ; in 1870, 47,035 ; in 1875, 48,394.
The census of 1880 will doubtless show a large increase over the latter figures.
In 1840, the grain productions of Dodge County were 2,100 bushels of oats, 2,000 bushels of corn, 2,425 bushels of potatoes, and 500 tons of hay. The number of horses in the county
354
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
at that date is given at 40 head; cattle, 150. In 1850, there were 2,338 farms, 3,561 dwell- ings, and 30 manufactories. In 1860, there were 16,660 children in the county between four and twenty years of age.
The report of the Committee on Equalization for 1879 is as follows :
TOWNS AND WARDS.
Number of acres.
Equalized value per
Total assessed value
Total equalized val'e
Total assessed value
of city and village
Total equalized val'e
lots.
erty.
erty.
erty.
Aggregate equalized
value of all prop- erty.
Ashippun ...
28,8083/4
4
354,439
424,300
2,335
2,300
71,824
85,000
428,598
511,600
Beaver Dam, town
22,344
1
591,689
548,000
56,529
69,100
648,218
617,100
Beaver Dam, city.
560
..
10,000
16,800
404,245
400,000
228,670
254,400
642,915
671,200
Burnett ..
19,6621/4
2
687,401
452,200
12,655
10,000
115,112
100,000
815,178
562,200
Calamus.
22,800
5
476,620
410,400
41,108
33,850
517,728
444,250
Clyman.
22,436
4
577,250
426,000
101,875
95,905
679,125
521,905
Chester.
22,09916
4
377,765
395,000
59,015
51,500
436,780
446,500
Elba ....
22,4203%
3
609,805
470,000
13,770
10,000
78,886
83,350
702,461
563,350
Emmet
20,756
216
727,864
456,000
80,712
77,650
808,576
533,650
Fox Lake
20,300
1
531,453
507,500
151,995
140,000
215,274
230,000
898,722
877,500
Herman ..
23,280
3
718,077
489,000
12,430
10,000
115,417
111,250
845,924
600,250
Hubbard
21,205 47-100
3
. 478,980
445,000
173,077
160,000
131,856
147,900
783,913
752,900
Hustisford.
21,821
3
412,989
438,000
55,897
50,000
109,281
124,450
548,167
612,450
Lebanon.
22,484
5
381,860
404,700
60,528
63,150
442,388
467,850
Lowell
32,443
2
960,775
728,000
121,400
100,000 145,595
146,100
1,227,770
975,000
Oak Grove.
22,331
1
864,415
530,000
111,285
100,000
193,476
184,330
1,169,176
814,330
Portland
22,597
4
382,084
420,000
7,143
5,000
64,044
76,300
453,271
501,300
Shields.
13,954
4
439,307
275,000 470,000
39,190
25,000
121,262
107,850
854,988
602,850
Trenton
34,50116
1
780,550
862,000
109,334
133,150
889,884
995,150
Westford.
18,627
4
273,052
364,000
39,889
50,300
312,941
414,300
Randolph, East Ward ..
254
10,625
7,600
56,980
50,000
40,557
43,100
108,162
100,700
Waupun City, South Ward.
405
33,625
12,000
224,175
200,000
135,600
142,100
393,400
354,100
Watertown, city, Sixth Ward.
1,157
47,415
31,200
131,336
125,000
15,880
27,750
194,625
183,950
Total
544,776
13,928,459
1,672,892
2,778,820
18,380,180
|15,837,885
APPORTIONMENT OF TAXES FOR 1879.
TOWNS AND WARDS.
State tax.
County tax.
County school tax.
Supt. tax.
Town in- debtedness.
Total tax.
Ashippun. .
$ 774,77
$1,263.83
$218.50
$ 57.20
$ 174.72
$2,489.02
Beaver Dam
934.54
1,524.45
232.94
68.99
6.34
2,767.26
Beaver Dam City
1,163.35 }
1,658 09
640.30
262 08
4,740.28
Burnett.
851.40
1,388.83
181.64
62.85
87.36
2,572.08
Calamus.
672.78
1,027.45
184.30
49.67
5.64
2,009.84
Clyman ..
790.38
1,289.28
185.06
58.35
87.36
2,410.43
Chester.
676.18
1,103,01
92.34
49.92
1,921.45
Elba.
853.14
1,391.67
229.14
62.98
53.28
2,590.21
Emmet.
808.16
1,318.30
177.08
59.66
128.43
2,494.63
Fox Lake.
1,328.89
2,167.73
250.80
98.11
13.37
3,858.90
Herman
909.02
1,482.82
241.68
67.11
136.08
2,836.71
Hubbard
1,140.20 )
1,859.92
432.06
84.17
284.58
3,828.93
Hustisford
927.50
1,512.96
238.64
68.47
87.36
2,834.93
Lebanon
708.52
1,155.75
239.40
52.26
2,155.92
Le Roy
781.44
1,274.70
253.08
57.60
2.61
2,369.52
Lomira.
959.82
1,598.31
308.18
72.33
2,958.64
Lowell
1,476.54
2,408.58
414.20
109.00
222.91
4,631.23
Oak Grove.
1,233.23
2,011.67
329.80
91.04
107.52
3,770.26
Portland
759.17
1,238.38
216.22
56.64
153.37
2,423.18
Rubicon.
861.70
1,405.63
278.16
63.61
215.90
2,825.00
Shields.
494.91
807.31
161.12
36.54
912.96
1,489.25
289.18
67.40
2,758.79
Trenton.
1,507.06
2,458.36
228.76
111.26
88.56
4,394.00
Westford.
627.42
1,023.46
180.88
46.32
49.48
1,927.56
Williamstown
3.50 }
1,617.33
332.50
73.19
87.36
3,451.86
Randolph.
152.50
248.76
45.98
11.26
458.50
Waupun
536.25
874.75
115.52
39.59
1,566.10
Watertown, Fifth and Sixth Wards.
278.58
454.42
406.98
104.43
1,247.82
Total
$25,526.35
$39,125.00
$7,101.44
$1,675.00
$2,362.15
$ 75.789.94
5
667,885
30,000
93,109
86,350
760,994
516,000
Lomira
23,466
11%
813,278
503,000
79,507
91,000
892,785
647,000
Rubicon.
22,888
3
420,804
459,550
15,735
12,000
90,259
97,450
526,438
569,000
Theresa
22,690
3
694,537
602,915
404,700
139,600
120,000
130,420
130,000
872,935
654,700
Williamstown.
21,293
4
Watertown, city, Fifth Ward.
53,810
51,800
493,117
326,800
Le Roy
23,203
acre.
of lands.
of lands.
. lots.
of villages and city
Total assessed value
of personal prop-
Total equalized val'e
of personal prop-
Aggregate assessed
value of all prop-
1,499.88
Theresa.
1,016.46 }
28.00
991.48 2
355
1
AN ABSTRACT OF THE ASSESSMENT ROLLS OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS, CITIES AND VILLAGES, AS RETURNED TO THE COUNTY CLERK FOR THE YEAR 1878, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW.
NAMES OF TOWNS, ETC.
Horses.
Neat Cattle.
Mules and Asses.
Sheep and Lambs.
Swine.
Wagons, Carriages
and Sleighs.
Watches.
Pianos and Melo-
Bank and Manufac-
Value of all other Per-
Total value of all Per-
No. of acres of Land.
Val. of aforesaid acres
of Land.
lage Lots.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No.
Val.
No. | Val.
No.[
Val.
30 $ 1355 $
9845 $ 29207 $ 99996
228083/
636395 $
3215
Ashippun ..
437 $
27005
981'$
16991
3
$ 115
3073 $ 4793
752 $ 2429
243 $
8256
...
594
34792
922
12666
2
175
2435
3112
930
1999
307
5565
11
190
180
11436
70116
22344
767257
Beaver Dam (town).
285
14355
158
2346
2
200
420
420
83
223
314
12570
61
1995
5015
97900
123418
258442
9872
415510
Beaver Dam (city).
505
41760
1065
19694
12
1240
1299
3870
629
2759
216
6330
26
415
19
810
29610
5562
112050
731021
13310
353
26626
922
21175
6
420
1033
2316
669
2657
162
3332
2
10
4
70
5141
61747
22821
505960
Calamus.
311
22125
987
17205
4
225
2214
4440
407
1475
5260
20
325
22
1259
19405
71710
22099
382405
22624
608580
Clyman.
675
31055
1854
19137
2029
2533
1188
2147
210
....
5759|
16
223
3
145
4300
24997
106527
2243134
697349
16707
Elba
618
33560
1931
24807
1
40
4714
9918
1321
2778
297
8605.
5
405
32431
112547
20780
881554
Emmet ..
613
37876
1729
27219
260
1240
3238
1084
2513
455
9753
70
940
65
3795
78640
120958 274223
20267
569666
149375
Fox Lake
541
27805
1409
23888
2
175
2721
5448
1261
2321
350
11771
19
170
11
705
36228
132939
23288
973374
173367
Hubbard.
525
31860
1611
17560
10
550
1496
2865
993
2040
11826
37
580
22
1230
49035
139896
2122978
375896
50845
Hustisford.
511
25334
1376
19835
6
425
4090
5648
934
1514
414
7141
17
225
27
990
37900
5861
104873
21821
796530
430
30705
934
15910
7
660
1796
3640
634
1735
306
7895
6
50
22
1090
2800
56705
121190
23313%
561900
487
23245
1507
21725
6
140
2108
2108
935
1872
286
4670
14
510
9747
15
8490
31
615
25
1450
22970
45506
159090
32584
977400
129775
Lowell
840
41600
2571
29685
15
750
2520
3496
1449
4528
356
979
3031
504
12989
43
850
45
2990
23850
76775
208260
2232512
951345
108475
818
51415
1825
28125
13
720
11
400
2515
4900
1441
2789
304
5510
4
65
10
235
1900
2480
68790
22597
426355
7952
529
26471
1573
24040
17355
10
330
4049
4159
1034
2500
364
6450
22
127
43
1696
5310
26049
85788
22104
661910
21115
Rubicon.
326
24060
980
17715
5
390
900
1780
863
1988
149
5370
3
70
13
88
22
990
9625
48772
136790
22690
881450
40115
Theresa.
636
38145
1860
22529
4
225
1080
2143
1093
2277
518
3795
563
9690
61
810
58
2660
48085
170220
34149.61
1606680
Trenton ..
992
55465
2534
39655
13
640
4177
390
1035
1970
889
1648
198
3532
196
16
805
9374
56633
18849
349055
Williamstown
398
32355
1178
15105
6
871
1725
615
1755
407
8085
970
40
2095
68255
54785
185555
22617
709015
184975
Randolph Village, East Ward
64
4380
51
1065
90
225
32
89
92
3415
40
933
25
2030
13370
23045
48552
11800
56940
'Waupun City, South Ward ...
101
6645
84
1555
2
100
170
330
21
110
100
5650
75
1875
55
3695
50410
85015
155385
416
29150
217755
Watertown, 5th and 6th W'ds
78
2035
265
3975
2
75
10
10
4
10
58
1705
6
35
18
625
4450
18735
31655
178970
Total ..
13753 $ 818202 35312 $ 522383 162 $ 9680) 55491 $99019| 24049 $59709 8479 $ 205857 675 $12355 674 $37689 $ 506879 $1069816 $3341589 5478311 47$ 17122933 $1768401
200
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
.
Val. of Merchants' and
turers' Stock
sonal Property.
sonal Property
aforesaid.
Value of City and Vil-
Chester ..
4495
6
253
47632
107252
Herman.
528
39840
1627
25300
8
560
1460
2648
1045
3167
420
385
Le Roy ..
Lebanon.
621
41850
1242
21429
1
50
2174
4348
1118
3060
317
82
27
1125
3053
36750
121500
23463
1036439
Portland ..
472
21812
1028
2650
18160
72183
13954
492818
Westford ..
465
24026
1108
14692
425
264
...
$ .. ..... .
3
..
13410
67680
22500
Lomira
Oak Grove ..
3772
7515
9420
1646
Shields.
11996
7
56
51
560 229303/
Burnett.
184
491811
22350
12550
deons.
as
356
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
PRODUCTIONS FOR 1879.
Following is a statement of the principal farm productions grown in Dodge County in the year 1879 :
TOWNS, ETC.
Wheat.
Corn.
Oats.
Barley.
Rye.
Potatoes.
Apple Or-
chard.
Grasses.
Growing
Timber.
Ashippun ..
4167
1082
938
337
32
95
185
1560
345
Beaver Dam, town.
7322
1137
974
608
13
105
146
1261
1535
Beaver Dam, city ..
182
16
23
5
2
27
36
64
2
Burnett
4830
1256
1068
785
27
100
140
1237
1272
Calamus
4319
813
865
291
17
87
10
928
1395
Clyman.
7540
1330
1450
885
65
142
50
345
820
Chester
3700
660
666
195
24
77
116
990
947
Elba
5670
1458
1249
298
2
140
109
1271
840
Emmet
5790
1208
1406
1127
98
127
127
964
785
Fox Lake
3839
1317
938
344
14
55
16
1497
169
Herman.
6747
1513
1096
410
55
87
177
2577
4400
Hubbard
5628
763
863
403
84
98
80
712
2398
Hustisford
3614
1067
1106
568
68
111
83
1081
2497
Lebanon
3767
778
903
524
228
112
68
992
2502
Le Roy
5977
882
857
229
42
89
168
1285
2451
Lomira.
6080
788
1180
510
37
158
127
1295
2550
Lowell.
7165
1316
1248
693
5
132
135
804
2058
Oak Grove.
5649
1335
1271
908
24
161
166
2371
1214
Portland
4965
1475
901
500
45
125
157
118
1821
Rubicon.
5415
1448
850
246
75
136
182
1415
2041
Shields
3235
539
638
456
33
140
63
446
1066
Theresa
6028
676
947
357
200
120
100
1574
3280
Trenton
10962
2695
1802
938
60
156
212
5908
2185
Westford
5441
1170
800
282
18
86
60
735
1455
Randolph, village
55
90
17
3
63
Waupun, city
170
47
36
5
28
25
85
30
Watertown, city
179
40
57
33
16
10
2
16
10
Williamstown
4726
785
694
398
140
102
169
1223
1881
Totals.
129962
27000
23385
12335
1430
2730
2796| 28876
41002
A FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
The Hon. H. W. Lander, in his address before the Old Settlers' Club, of Beaver Dam, June 17, 1875, said : " The first public gathering that was of any importance in this section of the country was in 1845, and I cannot better describe its object and the circumstances con- nected with it than copying from a love-letter, which a certain prominent gentleman of this city wrote to his sweetheart whom he left behind, under date of July 4, 1845, almost thirty years ago. He writes :
"' I have just returned from a 4th of July celebration. It was a County Temperance Celebration, held on Clason Prairie, some four miles from this place. Our procession from this place and the adjoining settlements consisted of some seven or eight double and single teams, filled with all who wished to go, without distinction, as we have no aristocracy here yet; everybody is estimated here according to character. The procession was led by a two- horse team carrying thirteen young men (or old bachelors, as we are called), about my own age, carrying a banner attached to a staff stained red, with a gilt ball and spear on the top. The banner was white, bearing the following inscription : "Temperance the Hope of Beaver Dam." The other teams followed, bearing the different banners, and two ox teams brought up the rear, one of them filled with little girls, with a banner bearing this inscription : " We look for better days." The other filled with small boys carrying a banner with this motto: "We leave the rum behind." And before we reached the place for the celebration, there was added to our procession a team of thirty-six yoke of oxen, drawing four wagons chained together, filled with men, women and children, carrying a streamer fifteen feet long, attached to a pole twenty-five feet high. I can assure you that we made an imposing appearance, stretching across the wild prairie. There were nearly six hundred people present ; we were addressed by two or three speakers, formed a County Temperance Society, and then sat down to a regular picnic dinner got up by the ladies, which would have done honor to any occasion. The head of the table was graced with a large pyramid cake, ornamented with a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers, which were gathered by one of our young men while crossing the prairie. The
357
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
prairies are covered with them in their wild state, at this season of the year. The day passed off very finely ; good order and good feeling were manifested by all present. The cause of temperance, I trust, received a new and fresh impetus, and temperance principles were thoroughly planted to grow and strengthen with the growth of this new country.'"
" This then future wife soon after came here, and is now entitled to be called an old settler ; but it is presumed she did not find all wild prairie flowers and pyramid cakes. At this time, and for several years after, there was no excuse for men being bachelors ; any one was, or ought to be, able to support a wife; a calico dress, cowhide shoes and a shaker, were the largest items of expense of dress. All went to church and elsewhere on foot, or rode in a lumber wagon drawn by oxen. When walking they would put their shoes under their arms, and only place them upon their feet when they arrived at the point of their destination. Wheat was 25 cents per bushel ; eggs, 4 to 5 cents per dozen ; butter, 6 to 8 cents per pound ; pork, 1} cents per pound ; oats, 10 cents per bushel. Hotel fare was not high ; supper, bed and breakfast could be obtained for five shillings in the best of hotels, with cigars and whisky thrown in."
THE GREAT INDIAN SCARE.
The residents of 1861 will remember the famous "Indian outbreak." The following par- ticulars concerning that historical event will be of fresh interest to those who witnessed the effects of the " butchery " upon the populace. The facts are taken from files of the newspa- pers, and are pronounced nearer correct than it would be possible to get them at this late date. The Beaver Dam Argus, of August 30, 1861, contained the following :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.