The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 79

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

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" On one cold and frosty morning, I started for Freeport for a load of corn. On reaching the summit of the ridge of prairie above Bachelor's Grove, that divides the waters of Bass Creek and Sugar River, near what was then called the ' Lone Tree,' I discovered a team and sleigh, loaded with men, driving in a direction to cross my track some distance ahead. We soon met. They anxiously inquired for the nearest house. I directed them to the house of John Crall, a distance of some two miles. They had started from Monroe for Janesville two days before, had missed their way and wandered over the trackless prairie for two days and nights without food for man or beast, and had (as they said to me at the time) just concluded, should they not find some other relief, to kill one of their horses and roast the flesh or eat it raw. In such a dilemma, one would be led to suppose they were not very much displeased to discover a team ahead. There were four gentlemen, I think, in the sleigh. If I mistake not, three of them were brothers by the name of Hart, half-brothers of Daniel A. Richardson, who was then trading in Janesville. The name of the other gentleman I do not remember. Long will they remember their cruise on the prairie.

" As an evidence of the severity of that winter, I will here state a fact with which most of the settlers of that day were familiar, which was that coons were so emaciated that when, on a pleasant day, they ventured from their holes in the trees, in quest of food on the ground, they were unable to return for want of strength, and were frequently found by the hunters frozen to death at the foot of the tree in which they had lived, thereby betraying the whereabouts of those who had been more cautious, or unable to get out. In the fall of 1841, while looking for a piece of land that I might be supplied with fire-wood, and fencing timber, I accidentally ran upon a dilapidated set of bogus tools in a small grove near the head of the south branch of Bass Creek, southwest of my farm, some three miles. There was a cast-iron press, weighing some eighty pounds, an iron bar, used, perhaps, as a lever with which to turn the screw to make the impression in coining ; also a small hand-vise, a steel spring and steel punch with which to cut the pieces to be stamped; and German-silver plates cut into strips the width of half-dollars, a small box, containing a meal-bag and a buckskin mitten, in which was found, in an unfinished state, thirty-nine half-dollars. The effort was evidently a failure, owing either to inexperience in the operators or the imperfection of their tools. The press I still have in my possession. It serves as an anvil when I am disposed to do my own smithing. I have also the hand-vise, punch sand spring, which I intend to preserve as pioneer mementoes. The lynching of blacklegs at Rockford, Ill., and vicinity was going on while I was on the road through Indiana and Illinois from Michigan to this town. The Driscals were shot and the gang dispersed. Perhaps the Camp that I found was connected with the Rockford gang, and routed by the Lynching League. I gave the grove in which their tools were found the name of Bogus, by which cognomen it is Iknown to this day.

" In the spring of 1842, the system of town government was first adopted. That portion of Township 3 north, of Range 12 east, lying west of Rock River; Township 2 north, and the half of Township 3 north, in Range 11 east, and Township 2 north, and the half of Township 3 north, in Range 10 east, were embraced in one town by the name of Center. Two families in 'Township 3 in Range 12 east, on the west side of Rock River ; five in Township 2, north of Range 11 east, and six in Township 2 north, in Range 10. were all the inhabitants in this large town. Had all the electors gone to the first town meeting, we could have polled but a trifle more than half the number of votes that there were offices to be conferred.

"The first town meeting was held at the house of James H. Knowlton, where Judge Holmes first settled, just above Monterey. But nine votes were cast at that election. The names of those elected to serve as town officers were respectively as follows: Supervisors, William Holmes (Chairman), David Douglass, John Crall; Town Clerk, Samuel F. Chipman ; Treasurer, David Douglass ; Assessor, William Holmes, Jr. ; Commissioners of Common

522

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Schools, John B. Knowlton, Abram Fox, David P. Douglass; Commissioners of Highways, Walter Inman, Joshua Holmes, Alanson Clawson; Fence Viewers, Washington Adams, Stephen C. Douglass and William Holmes, Jr. ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, John D. Holmes; Overseers of Roads-District No. 1, Joshua Holmes; District No. 2, Samuel F. Chipman ; District No. 3, Wendel Fockler. Had there been a full turn-out, we could have polled sixteen votes, and eighteen offices were to be conferred upon those sixteen electors.

" During the session of the Legislature for 1846-47, Township 2 north, of Range 10 east, was set off and organized into a town by the name of Spring Valley ; also the south half of Township 3 north, of the same Range, taken from Center, and the north half of Township 3 taken from Union, were set off into a town called Magnolia. I was called upon by both of those towns to administer the oath of office at their organizing meetings. There were some ten or a dozen electors assembled at each place.

"In the same session of the Legislature, I believe, that portion of Township 3 north, Range 12 east, belonging to Center, was set off to Janesville, which left the former twelve miles in extent north and south by six miles east and west, the north half of Township 3, in Range 11, having been attached to Center in the division forming the town of Porter. In the session of 1847-48, the inhabitants of Township 2, Range 11, petitioned to be set off as a separate town. It devolving upon them as the petitioning party to find a name, they presented that of Plymouth, and their prayer was granted. It will be seen, therefore, that the pioneers of Plymouth are the first settlers of Center. The first town meeting of Plymouth was held on the 28th day of August, 1848. The names of the officers elected were as follows : Supervisors, Caleb Inman (Chairman), George Ayres, Samuel Smiley ; Town Clerk, Kiron W. Bemis; Treasurer, Daniel Bemis; Justices, Caleb Coryell, James Whitehead, Samuel F. Chipman; Assessors, Harrison C. Inman, Henry Waterhouse, David Douglass ; Collector, Luke Coryell; Commissioners of Highways, Charles F. Cook, Ole Gulekson, Jacob Fisher ; Commissioners of Common Schools, Kiron W. Bemis, Archibald Smiley, David P. Douglass ; Constables, Alfonzo C. Stewart, Luke Coryell, Elisha C. Taylor ; Overseers of Highways-David Douglass, District No. 1 ; Joseph Hohenshelt, District No. 2; Neals Auckson, District No. 3; Sealer of Weights and Measures, John Pence. The town at that meeting polled 71 votes.

Two railroads-the Monroe Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Madi- son Division of the Chicago & North-Western-pass through the town, crossing each other at a point on Bass Creek, at Hanover Junction, where there is an excellent water-power.

PORTER.

This town lies in the northwestern part of the county, its northern boundary separating it from the county of Dane. By an act of the Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, it was incorporated by the name of Oak. At the next session, an act was approved changing ite boundaries and name. It was made to include Township 4 north, of Range 11 east, its present limits. It received its name in honor of one of the principal land proprietors in the town-Dr. John Porter. The first settlers were Joshua Webb, William Webb, John Rhinehart, John Winston, Joseph Osborn, Robinson Bent, Charles Stokes, Solomon Griggs, John R. Boyce, John Cook and Daniel Cook. Porter is an excellent agricultural town, and the improvements are of a superior character. Some of the residences are very fine.

A list of early farmers shows, among the largest, Daniel Lovejoy, Horace Fessenden, Samuel Pound, Jerome Vaughan, John White, Earle Woodbury, Levi Sanires, C. Vaughan. Robert Mervin, J. P. Miller, William Webb, J. Pound, Roger Shepherd, Dennis McCarthy and Stephen Allen.

ROCK.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 8, 1839, all of "the country included within the boundary of Rock County " was " set off" into a separate town by the name of Rock. Its boundaries, therefore, were co-extensive with the present limits of the county ; but

1. allen

MILTON

525

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

no town organization followed this "setting off." Almost three years elapsed before it was organized. It was then reduced almost to its present proportions ; for the act of the Legislature, approved February 17, 1842, restricted it to "Township 2 north, of Range 12 east, excepting fractional Sections 1 and 2, lying north and west of Rock River," which was " organized into a separate town by the name of Rock." It was also declared that the first election should " be held at the house of Jasper Sears." As the city of Janesville afterward absorbed the whole of "Sections 1 and 2, in Township 2, north of Range 12 east," the town included, as now, the whole of the township just named, except these sections. In fact, therefore, the town of Rock, after the passage of the act providing for its organization, never contained quite thirty-six sec- tions of land, or six miles square.

The first town election was held April 5, 1842, when the following ticket was chosen : Supervisors -- George W. Brittain (Chairman), James Heath and J. P. Sears. Town Clerk, Ira Washburn ; Assessor, Rufus Washburn ; Treasurer, Richard S. Inman ; Collector, J. Wesley Inman. Commissioners of High ways-Clark Classon, Prosper A. Pierce, William Youngs. Commissioners of Common Schools-Ira F. Washburn, George W. Brittain and John Inman. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Richard S. Inman.

Mention has already been made of the settlement, in this town, of John Inman, the Holmes family and others, in 1835, and of Dr. James Heath in 1836. In the month of September, of the last-mentioned year, Hiram Brown and. family arrived. In the spring of 1837, Dr. Heath built a house, sixteen feet square, on Section 2, at " East Wisconsin City," where he opened a store and tavern, which were the first in the town. Here the "customer" was served, the " travelers and boarders " lodged, while the family found ample room besides. Travelers were laid upon tiers of shelves up the sides of the house, like dry goods, while " commoners " took the floor. Business increasing, and the Doctor thinking his house too small for the accommoda- tion of his store and tavern, entered into partnership with Mr. Sexton, and removed his goods into another house, which had been erected about eighty rods from the "tavern." Here more room was afforded for the replenished stock of the new firm. During this year, John Inman & Co. started the first stage. It made its regular trips from Racine to " East Wisconsin City," during the summer, Dr. Heath keeping the "Stage House." "Any person curious in such matters," says a writer in 1856, " can now be shown that identical ' tavern,' the auger holes into which the pins were put to sustain the 'travelers' shelves,' and also the remains of Heath & Sexton's store, by going to a point about one-half mile west from the Institute for the Blind. True, the landlord will not be there to greet him, nor will he see, probably, the stages from Racine unloading their passengers, nor the impatient customers inquiring for dry goods and groceries ; but he will see the house, empty though it be, and the oak trees which stand as faith- ful sentinels over the ruins of ' East Wisconsin City.'"

"Dr. Heath, although a tavern-keeper, merchant and farmer, was, by profession, a physi- cian-a man, too, skilled in his calling ; and, in addition to his varied and multiplied duties, he was often called upon to administer to the relief of the sick. Being called upon one very dark night in the spring of the year to visit a patient upon the west side of the river, he, supposing that he could ford the stream, mounted his horse and plunged into the surging waters. Soon his animal was swimming with the current, and, by some means, the Doctor lost his balance and found himself afloat upon the river. His cries for help soon brought his wife to the bank, who was unable to render any assistance, except by encouraging him to try and hold out till help could be procured. Thus matters stood, the Doctor floating down the river, his wife rushing through brushwood and water-holes along the bank to keep up with her husband for nearly two miles, when help was procured and the Doctor rescued, though very much exhausted and chilled. His saddle-bags with the medicine floated off, but were found near the mouth of Sears' Creek, some years after, rifled of their contents. Not a long time subsequent to the Doctor's accident, there was a man drowned at Holmes' Ferry of the name of Connad. This was probably the first death in the town of Rock.

" From this time," continues the writer, " settlements increased, until nearly the entire town was in the hands of an industrious and intelligent population. In November, 1836, Richard

526

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

Inman arrived with his family and entered the land upon which he now (1856) lives, in Section 27. Mr. Clauson settled on the Youngs' farm in 1837. The farm formerly known as the. Delano farm, afterward as the Ratheram farm, was settled by Jeremiah Roberts in 1837. TE_ farm upon which the village of Afton is situated was settled in 1837 by Hiram Brown. Int __ year 1838, the first settlements were made on the west side of the river by Rufus and L Washburn and J. P. Sears. The same year, the farm of Maj. Inman was settled by Mr. Fox G. W. Brittain settled in the town in 1838. Brestol made the first claim upon D. W. Inmare 's farm in 1838. In 1841. Israel Inman, John Daugherty and Mr. Burt arrived. In the year 1840, Ezekiel Clapp and Prosper A. Pierce, from the State of Vermont, settled on Section 2. A large part of their purchase is now within the limits of the city of Janesville. About this time, Elijah Nourse settled near 'that first log cabin.'

" In 1842, Mr. Van Antwerp arrived. In 1841, J. F. Willard purchased Mr. Warren's claim in Section 10. Antisdells, Comstocks and Newtons came about the year 1843-44. In 1850, a colony from Rensselaer County, N. Y., settled in the northwest part of the town, Among them were Z. P. Burdick and his brother, M. L. Burdick, A. P. Hayner, Israel Smith and, subsequently, Mr. J. P. J. Hayner. These arrivals added not a little to the agricultural reputation of the town, as they pursued the Eastern mode of farming, which contrasted very favorably with the loose Wisconsin method. The first 'breaking' done in Rock, or in the county, was on the northwest quarter of Section 11, upon the farm of J. F. Willard, by John Inman, in the spring of 1836. It was ' cropped' with buckwheat, and produced a fair yield. He was compelled to go to Rockford to get his plow sharpened, it taking two days to make the trip. The first house erected on the west side of the river was by Ira Washburn, in 1838. The first wedding in the town of Rock took place at the house of Richard Inman, March 30, 1840, the parties being George W. Brittain and Miss Sylvania Inman.

" If the opinion of speculators and large real-estate operators from the East is entitled to consideration and respect, the town of Rock stands number one, if not more, in regard to superior locations and natural advantages for building up cities and villages ; for surely no town in the county has figured so largely in that department as the town of Rock. Its corner and water lots have made no small figure in Wall street ; its lithographed city plats have been hon- ored with a conspicuous place in all the great land-agency offices of the country. At one time, this town could boast of four cities and villages-' Wisconsin City,' ' Koshkonong City.' ' Rock- port,' ' Monterey ' and ' Afton.' Rockport was laid out by Thomas Holmes in December, 1835, and was the first surveyed village (or city) in the county. 'Wisconsin City ' was surveyed by Inman, Breese and Shepherd, in 1836; 'City of Koshkonong,' in the summer of the same year, by Kenzie, Hunter and Booby ; 'Monterey,' by Ira Miltimore, in 1850. By an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin, approved March 19, 1853, the city of Janesville was incorporated, and, by its charter, Sections 1 and 2 of the town of Rock were brought within its limits. Con- sequently, 'Monterey ' and ' Rockport' are now a part of the territory belonging to the city of Janesville. With Sections 1 and 2, there also passed from the town many of the localities where the scenes before described transpired."

SPRING VALLEY.

The town of Spring Valley lies in the southwest portion of the county, its western boundary separating it from Green. It was organized by act of the Legislature, approved February 2, 1846. Its territory includes Township No. 2 north, of Range No. 10 east. The first town meeting was held at the house of Nicholas E. Phelps.

John Crall was the first settler. Among those who soon after made claims, were James Kirkpatrick, Erastus C. Smith, Robert Taylor, Roderick M. Smith, James Bradshaw, Almerin Sprague, Amos Remington, Allen Hurlbut, S. G. Mills and Solomon Rose.

The Monroe branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passes through the central part, entering on the east at Orfordville, and passing out on Section 19 across the western boundary of the county.

527

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY. -

TURTLE.

The town lies on the south boundary line of the county, in the southeast part, adjoining the town of Beloit on the east. It was organized by act of the Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, and included in its limits Township 1, and the south half of Township 2 north, of Range 13 east. Subsequently, the last half township was set off to La Prairie. Among the first settlers were D. B. Egery, D. Bennett, R. Dole, Chauncey Tuttle, John Lewis, A. Lewis, S. G. Colley and John Hopkins. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1846. Chairman, James Chamberlin ; Clerk, Horace Rice. The second Chairman was R. Dole, elected in 1847; then followed, in 1848, F. A. Humphrey; 1849, P. J. Erkenbrack ; 1850, P. M. Hinman. L. P. Harvey served until 1854, when B. F. Murray was elected. Alexander Bruce held the position during 1855 and 1856. In 1857, A. I. Bennett; 1858, F. A. IIumphrey ; 1859, Alexander Bruce ; 1860, A. I. Bennett ; during 1861 and 1862, H. J. Murray ; 1863, F. A. Humphrey ; 1864, John Hammond; 1865, H. J. Murray. From that time, until 1870, the Chair was occupied by Chauncey Ross; then Thomas Holmes held the position until 1874, when J. H. Cooper was elected. In 1875, Chauncey Ross; 1876, Thomas Holmes; and last, but not least, S. H. Slaymaker, D. B. Egery, Daniel Bennett, Chauncey Tuttle, John Lewis, Abel Lewis, Samuel G. Colley, Richard Dole and John Hopkins. The town has two lines of railroads passing through its territory : The Chicago & North-Western, which runs through Sections 1 and 2, in the northeast corner, passing into the town of La Prairie, and the Western Union, which enters the town on the east boundary on Section 13, and crosses it southwesterly, pass- ing out in Section 31.

The following is a list of a number of pioneer settlers of Turtle and vicinity, their former place of residence, in what town first located, and the date of settlement:

NAMES.

Former Residence.

Settled in

Date of Settlement.

R. M. Benson.

Pennsylvania

Clinton

November,

1846

Mrs. E. P. Benson.

New York

Clinton

1846

8. K. Blodgett

Ohio.

Beloit

June,

1838

Clinton Babbitt.

New Hampshire .. Beloit ..

April,

1854

Merritt Bostwic.

New York

Beloit ..

July,

1839

R. J. Burdette

Iowa ...

Turtle

March,

William Brand.

New York.

Bradford

1854

Adam Bell.

New York

Turtle

June,

1849

Thomas Crosby

New Hampshire .. . Turtle

1837

Mre. A. E. Coe.

New York

Turtle

March,

1840

J. A. Chamberlain

Connecticut

La Prairie.

.. March,

1838

E. J. Carpenter.

New York Turtle

November,

1857

C. T. Curtis

Ohio ..

Turtle

July,

1847

S. G. Colley.

New Hampshire .. Beloit

June,

1838

G. H. Crosby

New Hampshire .. Turtle

1887

R. P. Crane.

New Hampshire ..

Beloit

March,

1837

E. J. Dole

New Hampshire ..

Turtle

October,

1844

A. R. Dresser

Canada West

Beloit

June,

1854

J. M. Everett

New York

Turtle

.May,

1844

O. C. Gates.

New York

Turtle

1852

J. B. Gordon

New Hampshire ..

Turtle

¡June,

1845

William Gates.

New York

Turtle

May,

1848

Erastus Giles

Vermont

Turtle

October,

1836

Edward Giles.

Vermont

Turtle

June,

1842

Russell Harvey

Connecticut

Turtle

April,

1839

William Henderson

Pennsylvania

Beloit

. October,

1854

F. A. Humphrey.

New York Turtle

May.

1847

Thomas Holmes.

New Hampshire ..! Turtle

.May,

1853

A. Henderson.

New York ..

Beloit

September,

1842

Henry F. Hobart.

Native ....

Beloit

July,

1843

G. Johnson.

New York Whitewater ... May,

1848

G. H. Culver.

Native. Turtle

August,

1849

D. D. Egery

Vermont ..

Turtle

.! July,

1837

528

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

NAMES.

Former Residence.

Settled in

Date of Settlement. .

S. W. Hart.

New York

Turtle

March,

1851

William Jack.

Lower Canada

Beloit

October,

18-37

New York ......

Turtle

May,

1839

B. F. Murray. S. Murray.

New York.

Turtle

June,

18-41

G. M. Murray.

New York.

Turtle

June,

1841

H. H. McLenegan.

Pennsylvania

Turtle

March,

185 7

H. J. Murray

New York

Turtle

June,

1839

Joel Miner.

Obio ...

Turtle

October,

1815

C. P. Murray.

Native ...

Turtle

August,

1841

S. A. Murray

New York

Turtle

June,

184.

Otis Manchester.

New York

Beloit

July,

S. C. Marston, Jr.

Maine.

Manchester ...

April,

.N. Mclaughlin.

New York

Turtle

March,

1857

S. S. Northrop

New York

Clinton

October,

1845

Mrs. S. S. Northrop.

New York

Clinton

B. B. Olds.

Vermont

Clinton

October,

1848

Philo Porter

Obio

Turtle

April,

1858

Benjamin Park

Ohio.

Turtle

July,

1847

George W. Porter.

Ohio.

Turtle

July,

1853

D. M. Pelton.

New York

Turtle

New York

Turtle

March,

Ohio

Turtle

April,

1853

W. Pickett

New York

Turtle

September, 1843

New York.

Turtle

March,

1862

Chauncey Ross

Pennsylvania

Turtle

April,

1856

E. C. Reigart

New York

Turtle

September, 1854

F. L. Ross.

Pennsylvania

Turtle

June,

1855

S. D. Ross

New York

Turtle

September,

1846

William H. Stark

Vermont

Turtle

May,

September, 1838

S. H. Slaymaker

Pennsylvania

Turtle

March,

18593

Alexander Thom

Ohio ..

Turtle

June,

185

H. L. Shoemaker

New York

Turtle

April,

185 0

W. S. Thom

Ohio ....

Turtle

March,

183

Henry Tuttle.

New York

Clinton

October,

1830

Charles Tuttle ..

New York

Clinton

April.

William G. Wilson

Maine ..

Monroe

. September,

B. Wooster

New York

Clinton

June.

W. D. Webb.

Illinois

Brodhead

September,

William S. Yost.

New York

Beloit

August,

UNION.

This is the most northwestern town in Rock County, and sixteen miles northwest of Jane ville. It was incorporated by act of the Legislature, approved February 17, 1842, and at th time included what is now Union, Porter, and the north half each of Center and Magnolia. I present limits are included in what is known as Township 4, north of Range 10 east.

The town is nearly evenly divided between timber and prairie. The face of the country generally rolling, but not bluffy or broken, and the town is well watered by Allen's Creek an tributaries, and is under good cultivation. Considerable attention has been given of late yea to the culture of tobacco, with much success.

The earliest settlers of this town were: Ira Jones, Stephen Jones, Boyd Phelps, Charles McMillen, Hiram Griffith, John Sayles, Erastus Quivey, Washington Higday, Samuel Lewis. Jacob West, John T. Baker, Levi Leonard and Willis T. Bunton.

The Chicago & North-Western Railway passes through the town, entering on the south line, on Section 35, and running northerly, passes into Dane County, on Section 6.

New York

Turtle

September, 1854

New York.

Turtle

April,

L. E. Ross.

Native ....

Turtle

August,

1857

J. H. Reigart

185-4

- Swingle.

Pennsylvania

Turtle

1856

C. M. Treat ..

Ohio ....

Turtle

July,

18-13

C. Provost.

J. F. Ross.

1849

-J. H. Poole

Albert Porter.

184.5

1854

1849

18-3-4

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

529

CHAPTER VIII.

CITY OF JANESVILLE.

FIRST SETTLEMENT-EARLY GROWTH-JANESVILLE AS A CITY-THE JANES CORRESPONDENCE- HENRY F. JANES-PUBLIC SCHOOLS-COMMERCIAL COLLEGE AND SCHOOL OF TELEGRAPHY -RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS-MANUFACTORIES-THEATERS AND HALLS-CHINESE SETTLE- MENT-YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION-FIRE DEPARTMENT-MILITARY-POLICE MATTERS- JANESVILLE SOCIETIES-LADY LAWYERS-THE POST OFFICE-CORN EXCHANGE-JANESVILLE HOTELS-BANKS-AMUSING ERRORS-U. S. GRANT AND TEAM-INSURANCE COMPANIES-THE WATER SUPPLY-PIONEER SOCIETY-THE LEGAL PROFESSION-FORD, FERRIES AND BRIDGES -TELEGRAPHIC-BURR ROBBINS' MENAGERIE-THE CEMETERIES-THE THOUSAND AND ONE- JANESVILLE A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO-INVENTIONS.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

The energy with which the early settlers in Rock River Valley labored to promote the advance of civilization was really wonderful. Within eighteen months from the day John Inman and his companions stood beneath the noble cedars which then surmounted " Big Rock." and surveyed the grand perspective of the valley stretching away on every hand ; saw the cool, clear waters of Rock River rolling gently on to mingle with the muddy elements of the parent stream ; that glassy surface now and again broken by the nimble pickerel or the wiry pike fish leaping into the air in pursuit of an unsuspecting fly ; beheld to the right the far-reaching prai- rie, seeming to sink in a distant sea of blue, and, to the left, a vast domain, abounding in hills of graceful curve and flecked with purple groves-within eighteen months from that day, three distinct villages, complete in everything the word implies (save people and houses) were located, surveyed and staked out in lots, and blocks, and squares, and streets, within what have since become the limits of the city of Janesville.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 79

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899