The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 83

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

USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 83

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At that time, there were no surveys of the land by the United States Surveyors, and we all had to run the risk of the lines cutting us to advantage or disadvantage. Some time that fall, the lines were run-that is the town and range lines, and I ascertained that all my claim and improvements were on the Sixteenth or School Section. This caused me to look around for a new location. By this time, most of the choice claims were taken or supposed to be taken, and I concluded to make a trip to Rock River, and started late in October, in company with Levi Harness. young man that I took to the country with me. We had little or no knowledge of the country, and started on foot as adventurers.

We reached Prairie Village (now Waukesha), on Fox River, the first day, and there learned that a company had gone out from Milwaukee but a short time before, and were still not far ahead; so we pushed on in good spirits, and camped between Mukwanago and where Troy now stands. Having been misinformed about the distance to Rock River at Prairie Village, we supposed that we were not more than ten miles from the river. We started with light hearts, as soon as we conld see the Indian trail ( for there were no other roads in the country at that time), one carrying our bed. consisting of a buffalo-skin and a blanket, and the other the gun and knapsack with our grub. We ate no breakfast, expecting to be at the camp of our predecessors in two or three hours at the most. We had not got out of sight of our camp-fire when it commence'l raining, and, by the time we arrived at the place where Troy now stands, everything, including ourselves, was completely thatched over with sleet. In this condition we trudged on, expecting on seeing each hill that we would be sure to see the camp of our friends, but we were doomed to disappointment. At length, cold, wet and fatigued we reached the Rock Prairie, and seeing the trail, struck into it; we resolved to camp, having eaten nothing all day. We tried to strike fire and found that all our fire apparatus, like ourselves, was wet; even the powder in the horn would not ignite. In this dilemma, we concluded to make one more effort to find the camp or river. Accordingly we started on the trail, and took a kind of dog-trot, and kept it up until it got so dark that we lost the trail, and finally my man declared he could go no further. I got him to his feet, and told him we must get to the brush for shelter, or we would perish with cold or hunger. We then took the wind for our guide, and, after some time, reached the brush, where we sat down on the wet ground, and spread our buffalo-skin and blanket over us. In this way, I spent the first night I ever spent in Rock County. Our camp, if such it may be termed, was some eight or ten miles east of Janesville, and near where D. A. Richardson lived when I left the place. The next morning found us in a bad fix-cold and wet-the ground frozen hard enough to bear a horse, and snowing beautifully. After holding a council, we concluded to retrace our steps to Root River. We started, and in the after- noon reached Turtle Lake, where, after some three hours' hard work, we succeeded in getting a fire and dried our- selves, and camped for the night.

We reached home without accomplishing our object, and remained till some time in December of the same year. I started again, in company with a Mr. Glen, from Racine, and a man by the name of J. C. Knapp. This time I took a horse, and we got through without any accident worth noting, and found Samuel St. John and W. A. Holmes living in a log cabin on Rock River, one mile below what is now Janesville. The ground was covered with snow some inches deep, and we could get nothing for our horses to eat; we therefore left them here and explored the country on foot up to Fort Atkinson and around Lake Koshkonong, and concluded to purchase the land at the outlet of the lake on the west side of the river, and marked out claims on the east side with a view of settling there. We accordingly returned. and in a few days, I started, in company with Alfred Cary, of Racine, for Green Bay. At that time there was not ahouse between Call's Grove and Rock River, and but one between Milwaukee and Green Bay, and that was Farnsworth's Mill, on the Sheboygan River.

On the first day out from Milwaukee, we were overtaken by a young man of the name of Roark, who informel ns that Dr. B. B. Cary had been shot the night previous, and wanted his brother to return. He accordingly returned,

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

und Roark and myself went on. In four or five days, we reached our destination without any, accident worth relat- ng. We had plenty of snow to make a soft bed to sleep on, and wolves enough to howl us to sleep at all times of the light. We found the members of the first Legislature of Wisconsin, or the last Territorial Legislature of Michigan, at Green Bay, waiting for Gov. Horner to put them in motion ; but that dignitary was among the missing, and the whole natter ended in smoke. I found on examining the books at the town office, that all the land we had selected was sold, und I had my trip for my pay. So, after looking at the town of Navarino, Fort Howard and the sights we thought worth seeing, we laid in a stock of crackers, cheese, ham and tobacco, not forgetting some of the " critter," made our idieu to Green Bay, and in due time landed safe home. Having made two trips to Rock River, and one to Green Bay for nothing, and thinking, perhaps, the third one the charm-I star ed the third time for Rock River in company with John Janes, a cousin of mine, wuo now lives in Bad Axe County [now Vernon], Wis., and crossed Rock River 'somewhere near where Rochester now stands), and continued on and explored the country north of Janesville to hear the mouth of Whitewater; then turned down to St. John's and replenished our provisions; then explored the west side of Rock River up to the mouth of the Catfish, and up that to or near the First Lake ; we then directed our course for Camp & Collins' Diggings, on the Sugar Creek, and made Mitchell's Grove in our route. We were some lays traveling and exploring, and, having run out of provisions, we concluded to repair to Camp & Collins' Diggings for supplies. Just at night, we found the section and quarter-section that we were informed that they were on ; but they were not there.

It had become dark and very cold, and we were tired and hungry; so, we concluded to make to some timber and build up a fire and do the best we could. After we reached the timber, and commenced dragging some limbs out of the snow, we saw a spark of fire rise and, after some circles in the air, disappear. Soon after, we saw others ascend in the same manner, and concluded it was Indians, and that we would go and camp with them rather than build a fire and lie in the snow all night, hungry and tired as we were. But judge of our surprise, on reaching the place, to find it occupied by a white man, Michael Welch, who received us with all the hospitality with which a Wis- sonsin miner could receive a stranger, and any attempt on my part to describe that, would be but a failure to do justice to that noble-hearted class of the citizens of Wisconsin. We were now snugly ensconced in a warm cabin, by . roaring fire, and soon had a stool placed between us, on which was a pyramid of potatoes, and a dish of pork swimming in a miniature lake of gravy, and each a tin cup of coffee. Ye upper tens ! How does your nonsense dink into utter insignificance when contrasted with the pure, genuine hospitality of the frontier adventurer. Nearly twenty years have passed since the time of which I am now speaking; I do not know whether Mr. Welch is yet alive or not, but, whenever I think of his kindness, it makes my heart throb with grateful pleasure.

We then went over to where New Mexico was afterward laid out, explored there two or three days, and then to Hamilton's Diggings, and finally back again to Rock River. I then selected the claim that Janesville is built on, and marked it as my claim on the 15th of February, 1836. In my letter to the Janesville Gazette, I gave the time as the 15th of January through mistake, February is the correct time. By this time, I had become snow-blind, and had to lay by some ten days before I could see to travel ; my friend went to work for Mr. St. John, and as soon as I could see to travel I started for home. I took the line at the south end of Janesville, and followed clear through to Call's Grove without seeing the face of a human being, or any trace of one except the marks of the surveyors that had run the line that I was following.

Previous to leaving Rock River, I employed Mr. St. John to put me up a cabin, and on the 19th of May, 1886, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, I threaded my way to my cabin along an Indian trail that passed up the river, through the present city of Janesville. My family now made about the fourth family in the county. It may, and doubtless will, appear rather strange to some of the citizens of Janesville that, nineteen years and a half ago, the whole city consisted of one family, and one log cabin eighteen feet square, with the bark on the logs, and no floor in it or shutter to the door-way. I had, at this time, not the least idea of ever building up a town; but, on moving to Janesville, I opened a track, and all the travel followed that route to Rock River. At that time, Wisconsin City, Rockport, and I know not how many more paper towns, were in existence along Rock River.

Some time in the fall of 1836, I went to Camp & Collins' mines and purchased two wagon-loads of lead, and that completed a communication from Racine to the lead mines by my house, and there was a constant throng of travel on it, and no way to cross the river only to swim the horses alongside of a canoe, and cross wagons in the same way. The traveling community were constantly besetting me to build a ferry-boat, and I at length concluded to do so, and I built one, at no small expense. After I had got it done, I went to Belmont, while the Legislature was in session, to get a charter, and, not dreaming of any opposition, I took no pains to get a petition largely signed ; and the proprietors of Rockport, Wisconsin City and Humes' Ferry united in a remonstrance. This then began a war between the three points. I, by this time, concluded to lay out a town, and accordingly did so. The next sum. mer, two of the other places found it was " no go" with them, and they compromised as far as Janesville was con- cerned, and dropped their towns, and took up a place they called St. George's Rapids, about halfway between the other towns, and made common cause against me in general and Janesville in particular. I attended the Legislature at Burlington, Iowa, and at Madison, for some three or four years, got all the roads, mail routes and all the legisla- tion I asked for. But in getting the county seat located at Janesville, the county took a pre-emption on that and swept it from under me; and, having expended all my means in trying to build up the place, and all my improve. ments with it, to use a California phrase, I was completely "strapped," and on the 24th of August, 1839, I left the town to its fate. On the 15th day of May, 1838, my son Jasper was born, in Janesville, the first male child born in the place.

After leaving Janesville, I had been drifting around, until 1849 found me in this land of gold and big potatoes. The ladies of Janesville would probably think it strange to hear that, in July, 1836, my wife and four small children were the only inhabitants of Janesville for twenty-one days at one time. Such is the fact, for I, with all the men that were about me. went up to where .Jefferson is situated for a raft of rails, expecting to return in a few days ; but

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

the river had got too low, and we were detained in consequence, and were gone twenty-one days. Mrs. Janes - her children remaining alone, and the Indians were scarcely ever out of hearing.

This, dear sir, comprises, as nearly as my scanty means of collecting materials will allow, the incidents relat to the first settlement of Janesville. I had first given it the name of Black Hawk, it having been one of the warrior's camping-grounds, and sent up a petition to the Post Office Department for a post office of that name,a recommended myself as Postmaster. Amos Kendall, at that time Postmaster General, refused to establish an off by that name, as there was one already bearing that name in what is now Iowa, but then a part of Wisconsin Ter tory, and gave the name of Janesville to the post office. H. F. JANES.

HENRY F. JANES.

Mr. Janes is still within hearing distance of the Pacific surf. Who knows but that secretly prays that the great ocean may dry up and he be permitted to continue his westwa tramp? He left Janesville, as he says, in 1839, going to Missouri, and finally to Humbold County, Cal., where the iron horse had not yet penetrated. It was his boast that railroads could not be built fast enough to catch him. Many years ago, he commenced his march upon the out- skirts of civilization, treading closely on the heels of the revengeful savage. His western resi- dence is in the crags of a formidable mountain range-a congenial home for the bold and rest. less pioneer.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Janesville enjoys scholastic advantages equal to any city of proportionate size and wealth in the Northwest. The growth of her public schools has been marked by nothing, however, that is not a part of the history of similar institutions everywhere. Of course, there was a "first schoolhouse " built ; the population increased ; new and enlarged accommodations soon became a necessity ; they were also built, and in turn became too small, being replaced by still larger quarters. And so the public schools of Janesville progressed. The details we shall leave to he related by the City Superintendent of Schools, R. W. Burton, who. in November, 1877, wrote : paper on the subject, of which the following is a synopsis :

In her early settlers, Janesville was most fortunate. In their love for schools and educational advantages, they were truly American. Scarcely had they reared their own rude dwellings ere they sought places and persons fur the mental training of their children. P'rivate houses were invaded by the pedagogue and his disciples when the luxury of a log schoolhouse could not be indulged.

The first school building erected within the city limits was a log one, and stood opposite the present home of Mrs. Judge Bailey. The second was of brick, and of bowling-alley proportions, located on Division street, in the vicinity of the Harris Works. The fourth was of the same material, and was located near the railroad crossing, on Franklin street.

In 1843, a charter for the establishment of a free academy was obtained, and in 1844 a stone building of modest pretensions was erected for academic work upon the lots now occupied by the imposing Central Schoolhouse. Under the charter, the school became a most important factor in our municipal affairs.

About 1856, the present buildings of the Second and Fifth Wards were erected, and the public schools were more perfectly graded, the old Academy becoming the central and high school of the system. With its several departments, in each of which such studies were pursued as are usually taught in our best academies and higher seminaries-with its ability to graduate pupils with a thorough English and classical education, the old Academy constituted an educational magnet of superior force, lifting to a higher plane the schools about it.

An imperative demand for additional school room secured the erection of the present High School building in 1858, at a cost of about $33,000, and in 1859, with Mr. Cass at its head, the High School was transferred from the Academy building to its present sightly quarters. City extension and increase of population soon rendered the First and Fourth Ward buildings a necessity. The former was erected in 1866, and the latter in 1878. When the last. named was completed, it was thought that our city had school accommodations sufficient for many years; but a favor- able turn in the business affairs of the city created the necessity for additional school room. An application made for the requisite appropriation, and to-day the neat and commodious structure in the Central District stands, the embodiment of the hearty response of the City Fathers. This building was first occupied in September, 1876. Thus, year by year, our school property has increased, until now its value is estimated to be $175,000.

Mr. Burton then proceeded to give the increase in school population in fourteen years. In 1842 (date of first census), there were 75 school children in Janesville ; in 1845, 273; 1850, 1,000; 1853 (date of first charter), 1,600; 1856, 2,560. Of this last number, 858, or 33} per cent, are reported as enrolled in the public schools, while the census of 1877 shows a school

HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

551

population of 3,775 children, of whom 1,751, or about 46 per cent, have attended the public schools. The professor also submitted the following interesting table :

1855.

1877.

City tax.

$ 9,700 00

$15,500 00

County tax.

1,387 10

2.265 37

Average salaries lady teachers per year.

250 00

3,0 00

Value of schoolhouses.

18,700 00

85,000 00

Number of teachers employed.

Number of school buildings.

35 6

The present seating capacity of our buildings is 1,780, while our annual enrollment for the last two years has reached 1,750 pupils.

The first school meeting under the charter, of which we have no reliable record, was held May 31, 1855. and composed of the following gentlemen : Andrew Palmer,. President ; S. W. Smith, Secretary, and James Sutherland and Rev. G. W. Lawrence, Committee.

During the intervening period, the following gentlemen have at different times filled the office of President or Secretary of the Board of Education : H. W. Collins, Rev. H. Foote, Levi Alden, O. J. Dearborn, B. B. Eldredge, Hiram Bowen, James Armstrong. H. A. Patterson, W. B. Strong. E. F. Spaulding, H. N. Comstock. Charles R. Gibbs, F. Pendleton, A. S. Jones, S. Holdridge, Jr., W. A. Lawrence, L. F. Patten. G. R. Curtis, Dr. J. B. Whiting, Dr. L. J. Barrows, E. C. Smith, James Shearer, Lewis Hunt and S. C. Burnham. Isaac Woodle, A. Graham, Henry Palmer, E. G. Fifield, M. M. ('onant, Charles Skelley and J. G. Orcutt have also been members of the Board.

The records for 1861 show a remarkable struggle for educational preferment. Candidates for the Presidency were the Rev. G. W. Lawrence and II. A. Patterson. On the eighth ballot, the latter gentleman was declared elected. The candidates for the Secretaryship were E. F. Spaulding and James Armstrong. Three adjournments and twelve ballots were had before Mr. Armstrong was made Clerk.

Mr. James Sutherland was the first Superintendent of City Schools, under whose administration much was done toward gradation, the adoption of a course of study and list of text books. Rev. H. Foote succeeded him as Superintendent. Afterward, the Principal of the High School performed the duties of Superintendent. Mr. Hiram H. Brown was the first to teach school within our city limits. C. B Woodruff was probably the first teacher of our graded schools. J. Russell Webb succeeded him.

Following is a list of educators who, from 1857 to the present management, have acted in the double capacity of Principal of the High School and City Superintendent : O. F. Gorton, Prof. Cass, John James McKindley, Prof. Lockwood, Miss Byrnes, Prof. Hutchins, Prof. O. R. Smith (now dead ), Dr. E. A. P. Brewster, W. D. Parker, R. W. Burton. (Mr. Burton still continues in office).

In January of 1855. Mr. James Sutherland began the publication of the Educational Journal, and, after con- ducting it one year, transferred it to the State Teachers' Association. It now ranks among the ablest educational organs of the Northwest.

There is a commodious school building in each of the five wards of the city. besides the Central School, in addition to the regular school, in the Fifth Ward. The High School, in the Third Ward, is divided into three departments-the High School Department. the Grammar Department and the Third Ward Department. In the Grammar Department, there are four classes instructed in this branch of study. There are seven grammar schools in the city.

The present Board of Education is composed of the following gentlemen : Stanley B. Smith, Commissioner from the city at large : James Shearer, Commissioner from the First Ward; S. Clark Burnham, Second Ward; W. D. Hastings, Third Ward ; J. W. St. John, Fourth Ward ; B. J. Daly, Fifth Ward. J. W. St. John is President of the Board, and James Shearer, Clerk.

Prof. Burton's report for 1878, to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shows that, during that year, out of 3,610 children, between the ages of four and twenty years, 1,665 were enrolled in the public schools. The number attending church and private schools is estimated at 350, thus leaving about 45 per cent of the children of school age as non-attendants. The Professor attributes the "causes operating to reduce the attendance in our public schools" to the private schools and the local manufacturing interests. The wages offered by the factories " prove strong inducements for parents to deny their children even an ordinary amount of school training."

The percentage of attendance on the number enrolled is given at 76.9, while upon the number of members it is 94. The percentage of prompt attendance is 99.7. Thirty-five teachers are employed, fifteen of them being graduates of the High School. while most of the remaining twenty received their education in the city schools.

The course of study in the High School is as follows: First year-Algebra, word analysis, composition, physiology, higher arithmetic and Latin. Second year-Higher arithmetic,

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

philosophy, political economy, physical geography and Latin. Third year-Geometry, civil government, state constitution, universal history, chemistry, botany. and Latin. Fourth year- English literature, rhetoric, mental philosophy, geology, Latin and review of elementary branches.

COMMERCIAL COLLEGES AND SCHOOL OF TELEGRAPHY.

The Janesville Business College was established in 1866, by Edmund C. Atkinson and Albert L. Reed, in Bennett's Block. In 1872, Mr. Atkinson sold his interest to Frank E. Fellows. In 1876, Messrs. Fellows & Reed disposed of the school to Mr. Burkey who afterward disposed of it to W. C. King. The latter sold a half-interest to E. Inman which was subsequently bought by King and J. B. Silsbee. The school finally came into th possession of King and Fellows, the former disposing of his interest to Mr. Rice.

In April, 1877, the institution known as the Silsbee Commercial College was incorporated and organized under the management of J. B. Silsbee, and is now in successful operation. It is located in Smith & Jackman's Block. Directors for three years, James Sutherland, W. A. Lawrence, H. S. Hogoboom; Directors for two years, Dr. Henry Palmer, Rev. T. P. Sawin, J. B. Silsbee; Directors for one year, J. P. Haire, A. A. Jackson, Pliny Norcross. Officers for one year-Dr. Henry Palmer, President ; W. A. Lawrence, Vice President ; J. B. Silsbee, Secretary and Treasurer.

The Western School of Telegraphy is an institution peculiar to Janesville, and, it is claimed, the only one of the kind in the United States. It was first established in Eldred's Block, but was removed from there at the end of the first month of its existence to the Y. M. C. A. building, where it remained two months. Thence it was taken to its present location in Smith & Jackman's Block. Richard and A. M. Valentine, two experienced telegraphers, are the proprietors and teachers. W. B. Cushman is their assistant. The average attendance of pupils is about sixty. One hundred and ten telegraph offices in Chicago are supplied with operators from this establishment. The pupil is taken with the guaranty that a situation will be provided for him at the end of his term.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

Religion has progressed and prospered in Rock River Valley, keeping pace with the most rapid improvements. From the time of the earliest records there is evidence of its presence and influences. Its advance is plainly marked, requiring no deep research to trace it. An eminent divine has said that "eternity alone can reveal the spiritual results of religion." But, even to the casual observer, there can be no doubt about its temporality in Janesville. On every hand are its fruits ; in every path of life its footsteps. The towering church steeple has grown upon the spot where once the devout and devotional worshiped in the open air with nothing save the frail branches of a friendly oak to protect them from torrent and tempest. The melodious organ and cultured voice have taken the place of the untutored choir, and every phase of religious his- tory denotes remarkable enterprise on the part of those at the head of the various churches, and liberal support from the members.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 83

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