USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 76
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 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142
At the conclusion of Dickerson's testimony, and the introduction of letters purporting to have passed between the witness and defendant, the State rested and the defense begun by the submission of testimony designed to impeach Dickerson's credibility.
Following this, came Etta Mack, the oldest of the murdered man's children and was the last witness examined before Mrs. Mack joined issue with a general denial. The child is stated to have been about twelve or thirteen years of age, of modest demeanor, with a sweet, sad face and a quiet, self-possessed, truthful manner, which won the hearts of the immense and interested audience during the recital of her evidence. She was called upon chiefly to testify, as stated. in regard to the wound on her father's head, which the physicians insisted was of a date more recent than claimed by the defense, and further that it could not have been inflicted in the man- ner described, that is, by a blow from a pitcher. Her testimony impressed all who heard it with its truth, and was in no way shaken by the cross-examination of the counsel for the State. Belinda Mack was called and at the close of her evidence the case was practically closed, and the arguments of the counsel began. Mrs. Mack denied, specifically and in order, the facts alleged by Dickerson, and the efforts of able counsel failed to entangle her story even in its minutest detail. At the conclusion of the Judge's charge, the jury retired, and, after an absence of forty-three hours, returned with a verdict of murder in the first degree. the penalty for which was imprisonment for life. The defendant sat unmoved when the verdict was ren- dered, receiving the announcement of her doom with scarcely a perceptible sign of emotion. Thus ended one of the most memorable trials ever had in the country, a trial based upon facts. as above observed, almost without a parallel in the history of crime.
501
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
A motion for new trial was argued by Mr. Winans, of counsel for the accused, but denied, and sentence passed upon the prisoner January 10, 1879, according to the verdict, by confine- mera t at hard labor in the State Prison of Wisconsin, for the term of her natural life, and that on & The 13th day of each July during such term her imprisonment should be solitary.
"Frank " Dickerson was placed on trial on the 15th day of May, 1879, as accessory, and after ten days of arduous defense by his attorney, the Hon. A. Hyatt Smith, the jury decreed that he should accompany Mrs. Mack to the State Prison at Waupun and there remain during the term of his natural life.
-
502
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
TOWNS OF ROCK COUNTY.
AVON-BELOIT-BRADFORD-CENTER-CLINTON-FULTON-HARMONY-JANESVILLE-JOHNSTOWN -LA PRAIRIE-LIMA-MAGNOLIA-MILTON-NEWARK-PLYMOUTH-PORTER-ROCK-SPR VALLEY-TURTLE-UNION. AVON.
This town-the southwest one of the county-comprises within its limits the original veyed Township 1 north, of Range 10 east, containing thirty-six sections of land, equivalen 12 to thirty-six square miles of territory. The south line of the town is the boundary line betw ceen the States of Illinois and Wisconsin-the base line, as it is termed, of the Government surveys in this section. The west line of the town is a part of the county line between the counties of Green and Rock. North of Avon is the town of Spring Valley ; east of it, the to>> wn of Newark. In its primitive state, about one quarter was prairie; the balance, burr oak zand white oak openings. As already mentioned, all that portion lying southwest of Sugar Ri ver was surveyed by the General Government during the first quarter of the year 1833 ; the resid ue. in the first quarter of 1834.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 11, 1847, Avon was set apart and named, and a "town meeting" directed to be held on the first Tuesday of April, 1848 _ at the house of Willian Crippen. Previous to the erection of Avon as a separate and disti. net town, its territory formed a portion of the town of Newark. Among the names of the ee _rly settlers may be mentioned Joseph Kinney, Jr., Joseph Huntley, William Crippen, H. Bea. Les. W. F. Thompson, William Grimes and Joseph Watson. Some of the pioneers of this town were Norwegians. In a beautiful valley in the northeast part of Avon, which they christe med Luther Valley, they built a church in 1847. and, a few years after, laid out a village, callingit Bornitz. Rev. Claud Lars Clauson was the first Pastor in this neighborhood. Among the
pioneers of that nationality in Avon may be mentioned Cleophus Holverson, Lars Simonsson, Inbred Ingerbretsen. Gunder Holver, Gens Knudson, Peter Holverson and Andrew Armude on. From the first, the Norwegians have, as a class, ranked high as honest, industrious, enterpris ing and moral citizens. They assume the habits, manners and customs of Americans with facil. ity. The population of Avon in 1850 was 579; in 1860, 908 ; in 1870, 886; in 1875, 878.
In the town of Avon there is one village, Avon Center. The town has no railroad. although one has been projected through its territory. About one-fourth of Avon lies south vest of Sugar River. The town has but one post office-Avon Center.
BELOIT.
This town was constituted by an act of the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin. Feh. ruary 17, 1842. At its organization, the town embraced an area equal to about four townships, including the territory of the present Avon, Newark, Beloit and Turtle; that is to say, Town. ship No. 1 north, of Ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13 cast, except the two eastern tiers of sections in Township 1 north, of Range 13 east, and also excepting the north section in the third tier of the same township. But, as a counterpoise to this loss, Sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 31, 32 and . 33, of Township 2 north, of Range 13 east. were added to it, giving it an irregular shape. It was afterward reduced to its present territory, consisting of Township 1 north. of Range 12
503
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
ast, and containing thirty-six sections of land ; that is, thirty-six square miles. It is the center ne of the five towns forming the southern tier of the county, and lies immediately upon the Ilinois line. Rock River runs through it from the north, crossing Sections 1, 2, 11, 14, 23, 6 and 35, giving an agreeable diversity to the landscape ; or, in the words of a local historian, cherishing the verdure on its margin, affording sites of beauty on its bluffs, and imparting ower to the busy mill-wheels in its course."
The first settlement in this town was made in the year 1835, the particulars of which will ereafter be given when the history of the city of Beloit is reached-the first settler locating ithin what are now its chartered limits. From that time, settlements rapidly multiplied, so at farming lands were pretty well taken up in claims as early as 1838. So rapidly. indeed, as the increase of the population that, notwithstanding the fertility of the virgin soil and the nremitting industry of the settlers, the demand for farm products was greatly in excess of the apply ; but some of the most thoughtful and far-sighted foresaw that this state of affairs could ot long continue, and some expressed their apprehensions that the time was not far distant then they would be called upon to face a serious difficulty in the lack of a market for their applies. And such proved to be the result; for, after the harvest of 1839, a bushel of wheat could not purchase a pound of saleratus, and a certain party found it impossible to purchase a ound of tobacco for any quantity of that staple.
The following is a copy of the proceedings of the first town meeting in the town of Beloit : At a meeting of the electors of the town of Beloit, held at the district schoolhouse pursuant to notice on the fifth ay of April, A. D. eighteen hundred and forty-two, Hazen Cheeney, Esq . was chosen Chairman, and Edwin Bicknel lerk.
On motion, voted to allow the Supervisors of this town 6 shillings per day for their services for doing business 'hile in town and one dollar per day when called out.
On motion, voted that all officers, except Treasurer and Collector, be allowed for their services 6 shillings per day. On motion, voted to allow the Treasurer of this town one per centum on all moneys put into his hands.
Voted to set the office of Collector up at auction, and the one that will give the most to the town out of the five er cent allowed by law shall have the office.
Bid off by Henry Mears at 4 per cent.
Voted that this meeting stand pledged to support the man for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors who will pay
ie most to the town out of the two dollars per day allowed him by law in said office. Bid off by Selvy Kidder at one dollar per day.
Voted to adjourn to this place at one o'clock.
One o'clock P. M .- Met according to adjournment.
On motion, voted to elect one Constable in this town for the ensuing year.
' Also voted to elect one Assessor in this town for the ensuing year.
On motion, voted that a substantial fence being four and a half feet high shall be considered as lawful in this own.
On motion. voted that all swine be restrained from running at large after the first day of May next, and that ny person finding a swine in the highway or running at large, may take the same into his possession and keep the ime for the space of fourteen days by posting up a description of said hogs in three public places in said town, nd if at any time during said six days the owner shall demand said swine and by paying fifty cents per head and Jeir keeping and all damages said swine may have done the person so restraining. he may be permitted to take the wine.
Voted that no stallion over two years old shall be permitted to run at large in this town.
Voted that no bull over one year old shall be permitted to run at large in this town, unless the owner shall have certificate permitting the same from the Board of Supervisors ; and any owner so offending shall forfeit the sum of ne dollar.
Voted that all fines and forfeitures imposed by this town shall be collected by action of debt before any Justice f the Peace competent to try the same.
On motion, voted that this meeting now proceed to ballot for seven officers. Whereupon David J. Bundy, (Chair- man) : Joseph Colley and John P. Houstin were declared to be duly elected the Board of Supervisors for the ensuing car.
Israel C. Cheeney, Town Clerk ; Asahel B. Howe, Assessor ; Edwin Bicknell, Treasurer ; Henry Mears, Collector; . G. Colley, Charles M. Messer, Alexander Douglass, Commissioners of Highways : Leonard Humphrey, Milo Good - ich, Jesse Moore, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Otis Bicknell, Constable; Ira Hearsey, Sealer of Weights nd Measures ; Thomas Crosby, John Read, Richard Dole, Fence Viewers.
'On motion voted to hold the next annual meeting at this place.
Voted to adjourn this meeting sine die.
HAZEN CHERNEY, Chairman.
EDWIN BICKNELL, Clerk.
A true copy. Attest, CHARLES M. MESSER, Town Clerk.
504
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
It appears from the foregoing that public pledges at that early day, as now, were not always held sacred, for Mr. Kidder had the pledge, but Bundy obtained the votes. When the newly elected officers came to be sworn in, the record indicates that the oath was strengthened to correspond to the weighty interests which were to be affected by the respective functionaries. Thus a Fence Viewer was sworn only to support the Constitution of the United States ; a Com- missioner of Highways, to support the Constitution and be a good officer; but, the Chairman of the supervisors, in addition to taking care of the Constitution and doing the duties of his office, was sworn to "do equal right and justice by all men ;" and it is believed that he did.
There are no villages in the town of Beloit; but the city is wholly within its limits. It has two railroads-the Madison Division of the Chicago & North-Western and the Western Union. The former enters the town from the south at Beloit and leaves it on Section 3, pass- ing into the town of Rock ; the latter, after passing in a southwest direction through the towns of Clinton and Turtle, enters the town of Beloit near the city, and, running a short distance in the place last mentioned, passes into Illinois. The town is well watered and timbered, and is one of the wealthiest agricultural towns in the county. Most of the farms are large and under a high state of cultivation. The improvements are excellent. The town has but one post office-Beloit.
BRADFORD.
This town is situated in the southeast part of the county on its eastern boundary line, and was organized by act of the Legislature, approved February 2, 1846. Prior to this date, the south half of the present town was included with Clinton. and the north half in the town of Janesville. It now includes Township 2 north, of Range 14 east.
The first settlement was made by Erastus Dean in the year 1836. The other early settlers were Andrew McCullagh, William C. Chase, James Winnegar, Joseph Maxon. William B. Aldrich, C. Dykeman, William Wyman, L. S. Blackman and Alva Blackman. At the present time, the farms of this town are nearly all under good cultivation, and the improvements gen- erally first-class. A very small portion of the southeast corner of Section 36 (which is. of course, the extreme southeast corner of the town), is traversed by the Western Union Railroad. It has no railway station. The village of Emerald Grove is situated in the northwest part of the town. Bradford has two post offices-Emerald Grove and Fairfield.
CENTER.
The town of Center is situated in the northwestern portion of the county, and was organ- ized by act of the Legislature, approved February 17, 1842. It included the present town of Center, and portions of Plymouth, Spring Valley, Magnolia and Janesville, west of Rock River. By an act approved February 2, 1846, the town of Magnolia was set off from it. Subsequently. other changes were made by the formation of new towns, and its present limits are included in the territory known as Township 3 north, of Range 11 east. The first settlement in the town was made by Andrew Stevens in October, 1843, at the grove, called Black-Oak Grove. At that time, he had no neighbors within ten miles west, or five miles north. The following per- sons settled in this town soon after : David Davis, Philander Davis, William Webb, William Warren, Elijah Wood. The first election was held at the house of James V. Knowlton. The town at that time embraced about three and a half townships, about nine miles wide from north to south, and running from Rock River on the east to the Green County line on the west nearly eighteen miles.
The land of this town is rich and productive, and under high cultivation. The building improvements are generally of an excellent character. The first church was organized in 1846, by the Methodists. The next church organization was the Baptists, and in 1854, a Congrega- tional denomination built a small chapel on Section 34.
" My visit to this town," are the words of a pioneer, " was in the spring of 1843. At this early day, political excitement ran high. In the spring of 1844, the whole territory within the
Jaap M. Brmet EVANSVILLE
507
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
town was thoroughly canvassed, and every voter brought on the ground except one (thirty-two in all). It being known how every man had voted, there was found to be a tie vote for every office in town. The last voter was then sent for-Anthony Partridge-who came and voted, selecting names from the two tickets. Every man for whom he voted was elected."
CLINTON.
The town of Clinton was organized by an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved Feb- ruary 17, 1842, and comprised the territory of the present town, the south half of Bradford and portions of Turtle and La Prairie. By an act approved March 23, 1843, five sections in the present town of Turtle were annexed and made a part of it. These boundaries were subsequently changed, and at present it comprises the whole of Township 1, north of Range 14 east, being the southeastern township in the county.
The first settlements were made in the month of April, 1837, on the west side of Jefferson Prairie. The first explorers were Dr. Dennis Mills, Milton S. Warner, Charles Tuttle and William S. Murray. The land had not then been in market. Selections of land were made and taken possession of in the name of the Jefferson Prairie Company. Soon after, Stephen E. Dow- ner and Daniel Tasker and their wives visited the location, and selected claims on the southeast side of the prairie. In July, Oscar H. Pratt and Franklin Mitchell, from Joliet, Ill., made claims. The settlers who came soon after, were Stacy L. Pratt, three sisters and father, Ai and Reuben P. Willard, Humphrey and Ezekiel Brownell, Stephen E. Downer, Daniel Tasker, Martin Moore, Henry Wheeler and their families. Settlements were also made in October by H. L. Warner, Henry Tuttle, Albert Tuttle, Griswold Weaver, Mrs. Milton S. Warner, Mrs. D. Mills an Miss Harriet Warner, who joined the settlement on the west side of the prairie.
The first town meeting held was on the 5th day of April, 1842, at the house of Charles Tuttle. The following persons were elected for the different offices for the ensuing year : Col. William Stewart, Chairman of Supervisors, and Jacob H. Randall, Herman Murray, Assistant Supervisors ; Lovell R. Gilbert, Assessor ; Henry Tuttle, Town Clerk ; Griswold Weaver, Treasurer ; Reuben P. Willard, Collector ; James Chamberlin, Henry Tuttle, Horatio J. Mur- ray, Commissioners of Highways ; David M. Pratt, Charles Tuttle, W. S. Murray, Commissioners of Common Schools.
FULTON.
In the month of June, 1836, Robert and Daniel Stone started from the State of Michigan and came to the Territory of Wisconsin. Continuing their course westward until they reached the valley of the Rock River, they saw at a glance that the stream, with its abundant water- power, and the clean, smooth prairies, with their rich soil, possessed advantages which needed only the stalwart arms and resolute hearts of hardy men to develop into excellent homes. They followed an Indian trail up the river, until they came to the mouth of the Yahara (Catfish), where they made their claim, and became the first settlers of the town of Fulton. In 1837, they plowed the first furrow, broke seven acres of land and planted it with corn and beans. The seed corn cost them $5 a bushel. In the spring of 1838, they built the first log house, and were now ready to offer their hospitalities to all who came. Robert and Daniel Stone came from Parishville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
In 1837, George R. Ramsay came from the State of Vermont to Chicago; remained there for a time and worked upon the harbor ; he then went to Milwaukee, and from there to Rock River and made a claim in the town of Fulton, where he is still living. William B. Foster came in 1837, and located upon the river in the south part of the town. His place became a prominent landmark in consequence of a ferry which he established and run for a time, known as Foster's Ferry. Elijah True and family came in 1838; bought a part of Foster's claim and settled upon it. Lyman Morse, George E. Cowan, Silas Hurd, Anson Goodrich and Will- iam Squires settled in 1838. Morse located upon the river at a point afterward known as Morse's Landing and Morse's Prairie. Hurd and Cowan settled upon the farm now owned and
L
508
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
occupied by Mr. Hurd. Afterward, they divided their property, and Cowan settled upon Morse's Prairie, where he became closely identified with the organization and political interesta of the town, and its first Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Goodrich located near the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where he established and run a ferry, known as Goodrich's Ferry. A bridge now occupies the site. William M. Squires settled in the eastern part of the town, where he still lives, a friend to everybody, especially to all old settlers. In 1841, Messrs. Gould and Young built the dam across the Yahara (Catfish), and began to build a saw-mill. He died, and the property was bought by Peck & Tripp. of Whitewater, who completed the mill. Emanuel Canker bought out the interest of Tripp. The new firm, Canker & Peck, commenced preparations to build a grist-mill, which they completed in 1846. The mill, after passing through various hands, is now owned by the White Brothers.
George E. Cowan and Mary Ward were married in 1840, at the house of Silas Hurd, it being the first marriage in town. In 1840, death claimed his first victim in the person of Mrs. Proctor, who died in the house of Cloudin Stoughton, and was buried on his farm. The first child was born in 1839. The first school was taught in a part of the house of William B. Fos- ter, in the winter of 1841. by Dr. Rollin Head, now of the town of Albion.
During the winter of 1843, the settlers met at the house of Lyman Morse, drew up and signed a petition, asking the Legislature to organize their town, to be called Franklin. There being another town by that name, they changed it to Fulton, and passed the act of organiza- tion. The first Tuesday in April, 1843, the voters of the town (some twenty in number) met at the house of William B. Foster and held their first town meeting, electing George E. Cowan, Chairman ; Elijah True and Cloudin Stoughton, Supervisors; R. T. Powell, Town Clerk; Lyman Morse, Treasurer ; William White, Assessor ; R. T. Powell, George R. Ramsay and Mr. Holman, School Commissioners, and David Kelly and Thomas Vaughn, Justices of the Peace.
Dr. Guy Stoughton, owning land on the river at the foot of Lake Koshkonong, believing that the fall was sufficient to make a good water-power, contracted with Mr. Hanchett, in the spring of 1845, to build a dam. The dam was completed during that year, and a saw-mill built, which was run for several years, and then converted into a grist-mill. The first bridge across the river was at Indian Ford; built in 1845, by private subscription ; Stephen Allen. builder. In 1848, the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad was built through the town.
The brothers Pomeroy came from the State of Ohio, settled in the town, and commenced the culture of tobacco, with which they were familiar. The soil being adapted to its growth, it spread until it became one of the leading interests.
Among the leading farmers of the town are Robert Stone, Silas Hurd, Orrin Pomeroy, L. H. Page, Orson Cox, James S. Hopkins and James Van Etta, each cultivating several hun- dred acres of land.
In order not to impoverish their lands, the farmers have gone largely into stock-raising, and the bulk of their coarse grains is fed out upon their farms. Beeves, horses, sheep and the products of the dairy are all heavy items in the marketable proceeds of the farm, and upon which a vast amount of money is realized. But tobacco is the crop for which Fulton is most distinguished. Portions of the counties of Rock, Dane, Jefferson, Walworth and Green com- prise pretty much all of the tobacco-raising territory. It can be readily seen that tobacco in this portion of the State is, and is to be a leading product. It is found to mix admirably with stock-raising. Tobacco requires a rich soil, and is considered as an exhaustive crop. but the stock-raising makes up for the heavy draft upon the soil. and the farms, instead of losing in fertility, are more than holding their own, and they have never been more productive than now. This year, there has been some apprehension as to the effect of the dry weather, but late rains have mostly removed all fear from that source. and the prospect for this year's crop is very encouraging. Nothing now but early frosts can endanger the yield, and though some pieces are late, most of the crop will be secured in reasonable season, and the outlook for this impor- tant crop and all others, is inspiring and hopeful.
509
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
HARMONY.
This town was first settled by Mr. Daniel A. Richardson in 1837, he building a shanty on Section 17, but soon after, in company with Charles and Alexander Hart, located permanently n Section 24. They were soon after followed by Arvah Cole, Jeremiah Warner and Ansel Dickinson, who settled in the same neighborhood. In the same year, William and Joseph Spaulding also began a settlement on Section 17, where they still remain. They were followed year or two later by Phineas Arms and John N. Dean, who located in that neighborhood. In 1840, Mr. John Turner became a resident and tells some funny stories about the pioneer set -. tlement. One of them is to the effect that Mrs. Dean, being on one occasion very sick, her husband, one of the early settlers, called upon a resident and asked him to go and bleed her. Mr. Turner, being surprised at finding a surgeon in the person of his neighbor, asked him how he was going to do it and was informed, "with a pen-knife." Mr. Turner placed his services and regular lancets at Mr. Dean's disposal, who, it is needless to say, accepted them in prefer- ence to the pen-knife.
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.