The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 65

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc > Part 65

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ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS IN THE COUNTY.

"A few of the personal characteristics of those pioneers : And to commence, we take Amasa Hyland, the first settler of Dodge County. He was a character in his way-possessed an iron constitution, and a will that knew no such word as fail. Hyland was just the man for a pioneer. I might tell you of his conveying the mail from Green Bay to Fort. Winnebago, for one year, traveling the whole time on foot, with no settlement oftener than twenty to thirty miles. My recollections of him were as I knew him on his place on Hyland Prairie. He was a man of kind and generous nature, and no man applied to him for assistance if he was needy,

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

and was turned away. He would take work or any way to accommodate. But woe betide the wretch who tried to play off on Amasa Hyland. He would take him by the nape of the neck, and set him up in the boot and leather business and command him to leave, and he would go, too, for he had the power to enforce obedience. Another incident as characteristic of the man : After they had started the mill in Beaver Dam-among the proprietors were ministers, merchants, lawyers, but none of them remarkably good teamsters-it was necessary to have some heavy timber removed, so they got three yoke of oxen and hitched them on to draw the timber. Well, they squalled and squalled and whipped, trying to make the oxen pull ; one would pull and then another, and so for some time. Hyland happened to be there looking on, he stood it as long as he could, so going to the man trying to drive the team, he said, I can make them draw it. Well, they did not believe anybody could do it, but he might try. Well, he said he would go and cut him a whip, so going down a little toward where Rowell's shop stauds, he cut an iron- wood stalk, and putting on a lash he had in his pocket, he would crack the whip and it could be heard two miles. Coming up to the cattle, he indulged in some not very complimentary language toward them ; after swinging the whip a few times over the backs of the oxen, and giving them some earnest denunciations, and telling them of the wrath to come, he told them to go, and away they went as if their lives depended on the effort, and timber too; so after snak- ing the log all around the street and yard, he laid down the whip and said, You are too pious here in Grubville to drive.

" Here a matter personal to myself. I had made a claim on the land now occupied by the Gould Nursery, and where Mr. Noyes now lives, but turned it over to this company for a mere nominal consideration, as they were desirous of getting all the land within a certain distance. Afterward, I made a claim on the land owned by Mr. Reesman, better known as the Stewart farm ; and here may be mentioned the discouragements of the early settlers. There were four wells dug on the prairie, trying to find water, but, of course, coming to the rock in every instance. There was nothing known of a drilling-machine in those days, so we tried to blast, and we knew as little about that, almost, as a cow would know about loading a gun. Of course, our efforts were failures, and our ambition became very much demoralized, working upon land where we could get no water; so I sold my claim to Mr. Reuben Dexter, and went where I now live."

ORIGINAL FARMS.

In March, 1866, the following sketches from the pen of the Rev. J. J. Miter were pub- lished in the Citizen :

" It may be interesting to the citizens of Beaver Dam, who came here at a much later date, to know the location of the original farms which were owned by these first settlers. . I shall not attempt to draw the lines with the exact precision of the Government surveys. A general out- line will be sufficient to fix their location. in the mind of the intelligent reader. I shall make the southwest terminus of Railroad avenue our standpoint. It was near this point where the four original farms of Messrs. Ackerman, Brower, Mackie and Goetschius cornered. It should also be stated that it is at this point where the line passes which runs east and west, dividing Town 11 from Town 12. If we extend this town line west from the corner of Division street and Railroad avenue, it will pass through the house of Mr. Loomis, on Spring street. If, from the same point, we extend it east, it will pass along the rear of the lots which front on Third street. This is the line which forms the north boundary of the Ackerman and Brower farms, and the south boundary of the Mackie and Goetschius farms. If we now extend Division street north till it unites with De Clark street, it will form the west boundary of the Ackerman and Goetschius farms, and the east boundary of the Brower and Mackie farms. These are the lines which separated these four farms.

"Let us next look at the extent of territory which they covered. Mr. Ackerman's farm embraced all that part of the city which lies south of the town line, east of Division street, and north of South street, together with forty acres, which embrace all the ground on both sides of the river, which lies west of Division street, north of a line extended west from the corner of

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Division and South streets, east of Center street, and south of a line which would run through the middle of that tier of blocks which lie between Washington and Henry streets. From this, it will. be seen that this west forty of Mr. Ackerman's original purchase embraced all the valuable water-power owned by the proprietors of the Empire Mills and Beaver Dam Woolen Factory.

"The Brower farm covered all that part of the city which lies west of Division street, south of the town line, east of West street, and north of a line running west from Division street, through the tier of lots lying between Washington and Henry streets. This was the original Brower estate. But, in addition to it, Mr. Paul Brower, the father of Jacob P. Brower, owned a forty, lying west of West street, and extending to the pond. It is on a part of this land that Judge Rose located his tastefully arranged and ornamental grounds, and where his cottage still stands.

" The original farm of Mr. Mackie extended over that part of the city which lies north of the town line, west of a line running north from Division to De Clark street, south of Burnett street, and east of West street; and Mr. Goetschius' embraced that part of the city which lies north of the town line, west of College street, south of Burnett street, and east of a line running north from the foot of Railroad avenue.

"The Stultz farm joined Mr. Ackerman's on the south. The former residence of George H. Stewart, just south of St. Peter's Church, stands near its north line. This line extends west till it crosses the river south of the Empire Mills, and takes in a few acres on the west bank ; or, if Center street were extended south till it crossed the river, it would form the west line of Mr. Stultz's original purchase. His south line was the north line of Mr. Robert Johnson's farm. This farm originally embraced a few feet of the valuable water-power now belonging to the Empire Mill Company.

" In the spring of 1842, Mr. David Drake purchased the forty acres which embrace the present water-power of Messrs. Smith & Lander. This forty extended south a little beyond the present residence of Moses Ordway. The forty lying still west of this was taken up by Mr. James Conner. It is over these two forties that Madison street now passes diagonally to the southwest. Mr. Drake built the dam and put up a saw-mill in the summer of 1842. In the following November, he sold the forty acres, which took in the water-power, to Rev. M. Ordway. Mr. Conner also sold the other forty to a company of Germans, and thus Madison street has passed almost exclusively into their possession.

"The eighty acres which lie north of the town dine west of College street and south of Burnett street, embracing the cemetery, was originally entered by Mr. Tunis T. Blauvelt. He erected a cabin on the site now occupied by the homestead of the Widow Ide, and cleared ten acres. He soon after sold the whole eighty to Rev. M. Ordway. In turn, Mr. Ordway, not long after, sold the south forty to Henry W. Finch, and the north forty to Rufus Lounsbury. Mr. Finch took possession of the original Blauvelt cabin, and thus nicely domiciled, he lived for several years in true patriarchal style. Mr. Blauvelt also entered the three forties, embrac- ing the heavily timbered bottom lands, lying between Madison street and the river. This land he subsequently sold to Mr. Ordway.

"From the foregoing outline it will be seen that our beautiful city stands on portions of all the lands which were originally taken up by these seven first settlers, Messrs. Goetschius, Mackie, Brower, Ackerman, Stultz, Blauvelt, Drake and Conner. It does not appear that Mr. Morris Furmin did anything more than to build a cabin and make a claim which he never entered.

" The Brower estate, then, has given to us the business street and all the fine building lots which lie on Front, Middle and Third streets, between Division and West streets. The Ackerman estate has given to the city all that undulating and romantic part of it which lies east of Division street, and extending north to the west end of Railroad avenue, south to St. Peter's Church, and taking in Wayland University on the east. Out of the Mackie farm have been carved all those commanding sites which embrace that large group of beautiful residences

John WOO avis

FOX LAKE

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

on Observatory Hill. Railroad avenue, with its long line of tasty residences, is a part of the valuable contribution made by the Goetschius farm. Madison street, with its invaluable water- power, comes from the original entries of Messrs. Drake and Conner. While the southeast part of the city, together with a part of the Ackerman water-power, and that sightly building ground where the old residence of G. H. Stewart stands, south of St. Peter's, belonged to the farm of Mr. Stultz. And if this worthy and enterprising first settler has not the satisfaction of seeing the finest part of the city located on his old estate, to him belongs the honor of grappling with the tough old oaks, with an arm as strong and a will as resolute as the bravest of all his peers.

" The first quarter of a century closes this spring since David Drake, with his stout heart, commenced the improvement of the water-power which has made Beaver Dam the commercial center of Dodge County. That enterprise he finally transferred to Rev. Moses Ordway, in the fall of 1842. This sagacious and resolute pioneer finally set in motion the great water-wheel which for a quarter of a century has been contributing so largely to the growth, the wealth and the well-earned fame of the city. Let us hold in remembrance the names of the men whose early toils and privations have eventuated in results for which our citizens feel a just pride."

GROWTH OF BEAVER DAM.

The results of the praiseworthy efforts of the citizens of Beaver Dam to preserve the records of the early history of the place having been given, it devolves upon us to furnish the interesting sequel by sketching the varied phases of development belonging to its later and more mature existence. During the first fifteen years, or prior to the panic of 1857, the growth of Beaver Dam was very rapid; speculation was rife; in the language of a local writer, "Speculators abounded in troops. Property more than doubled in value as the railroad was fast approaching the place." In 1854, there were quite as many mercantile institutions as now. There were eight physicians and six lawyers, the other professions and trades being equally represented. At the November election of 1855, there were 540 votes cast in the city and town. The first train of cars reached the place April 24, 1856, and the Fourth of July following was the occa- sion of the grandest and largest celebration ever held in the county, the citizens combining the observation of an important local event with the national anniversary. It is said that specula- . tion, in those days, was apparent in politics, as well as business, "sweeping reverse following rapid success."

After the panic the "speculative growth " ceased, and then commenced what may be termed the permanent growth, which has steadily maintained the supremacy ever since. In 1860, the population was 2,770; in 1865, 2,930 ; in 1870, 3,265. By the census of the latter year, the population is thus distributed among the wards : First Ward, 537-native, 292; foreign, 245. Second Ward, 836-native, 570; foreign, 266. Third Ward, 993-native 831; foreign, 162. Fourth Ward, 899-native, 690; foreign, 209.

MANUFACTORIES.

The early history of the first mill and mill-dam appears in the proceedings of the Old Settlers' Club, given in the first part of this chapter. About 1846, another and larger mill was built upon or near the original site, and this continued in operation until, in 1870, it was destroyed by fire, at a loss to its owner, Dr. E. R. Hoyt, of $28,000. Mr. Hoyt at once set about the work of rebuilding, and soon a large and improved structure stood in its place, erected at a . cost of $30,000. Its six runs of stones have ever since been kept constantly in operation, turning out superior brands of flour.

Empire Flouring-Mill .- Built in 1853 at the west end of and in conjunction with the second dam, by S. P. K. Lewis and Abram Ackerman. This mill has been improved and enlarged until its capacity has reached 15,000 barrels per annum. There have been three changes in the management, as follows : Lewis & Bogert, Lewis & Bro., and Lewis & Son. The amount

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of business transacted the past season is given at $60,000. Shipments are made to all parts of the United States and Great Britain. The Messrs. Lewis are also interested in a flouring-mill two and a half miles south of the city. It was built by Marvin & Goodnow about 1855, and has four runs of stones.

Situated a short distance below is another grist-mill, built in 1853, by J. L. Grant. It is still the property of the Grant estate ; four runs of stones.

Harris & Christian are the owners of a mill still further south on the stream. It was built in 1856 by William How, and has four runs of stones.

The Beaver Dam Agricultural Works .- Established in 1855, by John S. Rowell, upon a capital of about $1,500, for the purpose of manufacturing seeders and other agricultural imple- ments. In 1861, Mr. Rowell built what he supposed to be a perfect seeder, but, upon testing its merits upon the farm of G. C. Gunn, it was discovered that, while every part of the imple- ment worked like a charm, there was lacking the pliable or flexible tooth. This deficiency was supplied by the invention of what is known as the "slip tooth," which was patented October 14, 1862, and has ever since been in successful use. The patentee receives a royalty upon the " slip tooth " from the Van Brunt Seeder Manufactory at Horicon; also from the establishments located at Winona, Minn., Fond du Lac, Appleton, and other places.

There have been many changes in the proprietorship of the factory since it was founded by Mr. J. S. Rowell, the original owner, however, remaining through them all. The firms have been Rowell & Gibson, Rowell & Lowth, J. S. & Ira Rowell, J. S. Rowell & Co., J. S. & Ira Rowell again, and J. S. Rowell, Sons & Co. The manufactory is one of the most extensive of the kind in the State. The capital stock of the concern is given at $218,000. About $100,000 worth of business was done during the past year. Besides the combined broadcast seeder and culti- vator, the company manufactures "Tiger " thrashing-machines, sulky rakes, stubble plows, fan- ning-mills, ordinary wheat and grain drills, and general mill machinery. Sales of these imple- ments are made throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, California and Dakota ; also in Canada and Germany.

The Messrs. Rowell (J. S. & Ira) are also the owners of the celebrated trotting mare, Badger Girl, who has a public record of 2:223, and a private record of 2:18 and 2:194. Badger Girl is now thirteen years of age, and was retired from the turf a year ago, for breeding purposes.

Chandler, Congdon & Co.'s Woolen-Mill .- Established in 1853, by S. P. K. Lewis, Abram Ackerman and G. H. Stewart, under the firm name of G. H. Stewart & Co., and was known as the Farmers' Woolen-Mill, until 1866, when a re-organization took place, the style and name of the firm becoming Chandler, Congdon & Co., the silent partnership being repre- sented by S. P. K. and C. E. Lewis. In 1867, a large four-story brick structure was erected, in which was placed a complete outfit of new machinery, possessing the requisite advantages for producing woolen goods by all the improved methods. The sales from this factory during 1879 amounted to about $110,000. The present capacity of the factory is something like 12,000 yards per month, from fifty to sixty operatives being employed. The articles manufactured are chiefly. fancy cassimeres, made almost exclusively of Wisconsin wools. Shipments are made throughout Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas and Nebraska.

Beaver Dam Woolen-Mills .- Established on the site of the old oil-mill, built at an early day by Dr. Hoyt, at the west end of the third dam in 1866, by E. C. McFetridge & Co., with a capital stock of $30,000, and a working force of twenty-eight operatives. In 1870, the firm became McFetridge, Burchard & Co., and at the same time the capacity of the factory was doubled. John Smith was soon afterward admitted as a partner, and on the 1st of January, 1879, Mr. Burchard's interest was purchased by Henry W. Hildebrandt, . the firm name now being McFetridge, Smith & Co. About 160,000 pounds of pure wool is used annually in the manufacture of fine doeskins, fancy cassimeres and superior flannels. Sales are made throughout the Northwest.

The productions of the Beaver Dam woolen factories are regarded everywhere with favor, and those who have tested them prefer them to foreign manufactured goods of the same character.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

PLANING-MILLS.

In 1858, Parish & De Clark, established a planing-mill near the depot. There were several changes in the proprietorship, and the building was torn down a few years since. In 1858, Mr. Griswold built a fanning-mill manufactory near the depot, which in 1860 was converted into a planing-mill by Hayden & Rood. In 1877, it was converted into a cheese factory by James Rood, and is now run as a planing-mill. by Martin & Sybrant.

Thomas & Egglesfield now carry on a planing-mill in Beaver Dam, built about 1874.

BREWERIES.

Where the thirsty citizens of Beaver Dam obtained their supply of that fermented potation called lager beer prior to 1853 is not exactly known. In the fall of that year, Mr. Biersack built a brewery, and commenced the manufacture of his native beverage, and two years later took into partnership with him Mr. Frank Liebenstein. In 1856, John Goeggerle and John and Joseph Patzlsberger purchased the property, and, upon the death of the latter, in 1859, Mr. Goeggerle became sole proprietor by purchase. The capacity of the Beaver Dam brewery, at that time, was 500 thirty-two-gallon barrels per annum. Eleven. hundred barrels is the present yearly production of the establishment, for which there is a ready home market.

In 1857, the Farmers' Brewery, the second institution of the kind in the city, was estab- lished by a Mr. Schutte, who soon afterward sold the property to Philip Binzel, the present pro- prietor. The production of this institution is about 1,000 barrels per annum.

In 1868, "The New Brewery " was founded by a Mr. Pfestel. It is now the property of Xavier Steil, and has a capacity of 200 barrels per year.

BRICKYARD.

The first brick for use in Beaver Dam was burned by O. C. Hart, about 1850. The next brickmaker was the Hon. A. Williard, who established a yard in 1855. John Malone also engaged in the business in 1863. In 1866, B. Thorp established a brick manufactory in Beaver Dam, and burns about 300,000 a year, sold principally in the city.

TANNERY.

William Rueping built a tannery in 1865, and commenced the manufacture of leather. William Gallum succeeded Mr. Rueping as proprietor of the tannery, and conducted it until his . death, September 1, 1879. His widow is now in charge of the business.

These are the principal manufacturing institutions in Beaver Dam. There are various minor establishments, such as are to be found in all prosperous cities and villages.

THE ABORIGINES.

For several years after the advent of the whites in Beaver Dam, Indians were very numer- ous in the neighborhood, but they rarely became troublesome. Located on the west side of the lake was an extensive Pottawatomie camping-ground, the peace and quiet of which were occa- sionally disturbed by some brawling Winnebago under the influence of whisky. One instance of this kind will suffice to illustrate a few of the peculiarities of the red race. In February, 1849, Wiscopawis, a prominent Winnebago Indian, and a bad man withal, had been on a pro- tracted spree, and found himself among the Pottawatomies on the occasion of the death of a squaw belonging to that tribe. "Scop" was sufficiently sober to realize the solemnity of the event, and apparently felt much disturbed. Besides being naturally " a bad Winnebago," even when on his good behavior, at this particular time, when every coarse black hair in his head seemed inclined to pull, he was extremely ugly ; in the language of the literary editor of the Chicago Times, he was "all broke up," and, during the funeral ceremony over the dead squaw, he capped the climax by stabbing to death a young Pottawatomie bov. Friends of the

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murdered lad, living near Watertown, brought old " Scop" to task for the deed, and made him promise, in a certain number of moons, to pay to them sixty silver dollars, by way of compen- sation for the loss of the boy, or forfeit his own life. When the time came for the payment of the money, " Scop" found himself, as usual, sadly embarrassed, and at once made preparations to sacrifice his life, which he did, soon afterward, at Portage, baring his breast to a Pottawato- mie, who stabbed him in the same manner " Scop" had killed the boy. In the mean time, the squaw and " Scop's" victim were buried in the Indian burying-ground, near the present site of the Polish Church, whence the bodies were soon afterward taken, in the night, by disciples of the Madison Medical College, and applied to the uses of science. The sight of an Indian on the streets of Beaver Dam at the present time is as rare as were the sober moments in the life of old "Scop."

THE BURSTING OF THE DAM.

On the 17th of May, 1849, owing to the accumulation of water in the pond, the upper dam gave way. Soon the greatest consternation prevailed among the citizens. They were face to face with circumstances which, if allowed to mature, would in all probability, prostrate the entire population with sickness. Should the pond become dry, and the fish and vegetation it con- tained be permitted to remain and decay, the result was easily foreseen. Men, women and chil- dren turned out, and every available team was pressed into service to aid in " bridging the chasm." In the mean time, the volume of water passing out of the pond was becoming greater every moment. Already considerable property had been washed away. A new bridge, which had just been completed across the river at Beaver street, was carried away, and when the massive structure reached the second dam, it scarcely paused, but passed on and took the dam with it; and so with the third dam. During the excitement, a strange incident was witnessed by an old settler. Forty large fat hogs belonging to one of the mill companies, were taken with the flood, but the current, striking a bend in the embankment on the north side of the river, landed them safely on terra firma. The swine, not seeming to realize that they had been "saved from watery graves," plunged back into the stream and were drowned. The original break was finally filled up, and the reign of terror ceased.

CONFLAGRATIONS.

It is the fate of all cities, at some time in their history, to be wrapped in devouring flames. Beaver Dam has not had the good fortune to be an exception in this regard. On the 17th of January, 1863, a fire broke out in John Malone's building, on the south side of Front street, and the flames spread east and west, burning J. T. McGlashen's grocery, E. S. Kellogg's art gallery, C. Henseler's furniture store, J. Imerhooff's gunsmith shop, Huth's meat-market and residence, Miller's meat-market and residence, F. Tillman's flour and feed store, R. Whittaker's building occupied by J. H. Babcock & Co's drug store, John Whittaker's residence and the United States Internal Revenue Collector's office; Fringe's Block, occupied on the first floor by Marvin & Goodnow, furniture dealers; G. Stolz, saloon ; A. D. Forbes,. dry goods and Fred- erick Krueger, dry goods. On the second and third floors were the chambers of the Common Council, Jacob's tailoring shop, G. S. Shepard's dentist's rooms, Dr. Hart's office, the Temper- ance Hall, etc. Henseler's meat-market and the Center street bridge also took fire but were extinguished. While Kreuger & Lehrkind's merchandise store was burning, it became evident that the flames would reach the cellar of the building, in which were stored a quantity of cam- phene, oil and gunpowder. A terrible explosion must certainly follow such an event, and, to prevent it, a few intrepid individuals descended to the cellar and commenced removing the dan- gerous combustibles. The powder was thrown into the river, but, while some of the oil was being removed, it caught fire, sending up a sheet of flame which communicated with Bloss' building on the north side of Front street, occupied by. A. P. Lawrence. Then followed the destruction of Burgess' boot and shoe store, Mrs. Lewis' building, Brechter's hardware store, J. Q. Ordway's restaurant, Seybold's confectionery store, Mrs. Brooks' dwelling, Bergman's clothing establishment, W. D. Babcock's artist's rooms, and the City Clerk's office and Bonner's

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The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin, containing a history of Dodge County, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc, Part 65

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 774