The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 117

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050

USA > Wisconsin > Waukesha County > The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc > Part 117

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"The first school that we had was taught by Miss Hannah Field, daughter of James Field, and now the wife of George McLaish, Esq., of Waterford, Racine County. This young lady, as a professor of the science of teaching the young idea how to shoot, was considered very suc- cessful indeed, notwithstanding the fact that many of her pupils thought it a matter of greater moment and importance to shoot a bear or a deer than an idea.

" We have no record of who preached the first sermon, but Elder Adams, a Unitarian, was among the earliest divines who ministered to the spiritual wants of the people.

" Dr. Otis was the first physician who located here. His career was short, and he was suc- ceeded by Dr. Squires, who fell a prey to the cholera in 1849.

"Since the year 1836, when you take into consideration its dense thickets, its heavy timber, its deepmarshes, Muskego has marched forward with a stride seldom equaled in any country. Its heavy timbered lands have been converted into smooth and pleasant fields, much of its marshes have been converted into beautiful and profitable meadows, its dense thickets have been cleared and now reward the patient, toiling husbandman with a generous compensation for his labor. Each succeeding year witnesses the clicking of the reaper and the mower over ground which a few years ago was considered almost inaccessible to man or beast. How changed ! How wonder- ful is the progress of civilization as it advances from the rising toward the setting sun !

" But where are those who were the pioneers in bringing those great changes about ? A few of them yet survive and look back with pride and gratitude on the part they have acted in the development of these events ; but the most of them have been called to receive their reward, and have become our precursors and pioneers in that undiscovered country beyond the tomb. May they rest in peace."

The first birth was that of an infant daughter in Luther Parker's family, at Muskego Center. The child lived but a few days.

A few years ago, John D. McDonald, of Summit, wrote as follows : " The first plow used to turn a furrow in Summit (which was on Baxter's farm) was made at the nearest shop- Wedge's mills, which I believe is in Muskego. * I obtained the irons from the blacksmith, and carried them to Summit on my back, and, as a recompense, I had the pleasure to travel between. the handles of that plow, to turn the first sod in our town." Thus the first plows made in Wan- kesha County, were made in Muskego.

The oldest person in the town is Patrick Crosby.

The first settler in the town of Muskego was Luther Parker. All claims to the contrary, there now seems to be no doubt of the correctness of this statement. Mr. Parker came from the. northern portion of New Hampshire, and made a claim where Muskego Center now is in the early part of June, 1836. He drove a two-horse team from the old "Granite State," and brought his wife and family. The latter consisted of three daughters and one son Charles D. Parker, who was afterward Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. The youngest child, Amanda,. died August 8, 1838, which was probably the first death in the town.

Before the close of June, 1836, Henry Houyck and his sister Rebecca, settled in section 5, and soon after T. G. French and Asa Parker made claims in the town, the former at what is now Tess Corners, and the latter at a point about a half-mile farther south. These were all who actually settled in Muskego during 1836, although Leonard Martin, made a claim of lands on Section 19, on November, 19, 1836, and Lavallette Ellarson located a claim on Section 6.

During 1837, Homer H. Hawkins, George Green, Hugh Wedge, George Guild, Rufus C. and Henry M. Peck, Patrick Conray and Leonard Martin were permanently added to the inhabit-

* As a matterof fact, the saw was running just a few feet over the line, in New Berlin; but so near, Mr. McDonald was easily mistaken The blacksmith shop was probably over the line in Muskego.

767

HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

ants of the town. Mr. Conray was the first Irishman to locate in Muskego ; and Mr. Martin, surveyed all the roads in the town, except one extending across the northwest corner.

During the year 1838, Anson H. Taylor, of New York, settled in Muskego, and purchased 800 acres of land about Muskego Center. He built the first saw mill in the town, as well as the first store and hotel. He was looked upon as a rich man in those days. Gordon C. Cone, Gerritt Doyle, Thomas Lannon, Hiram Claflin, George Law, R. Drought, D. Sweeney and William P. Hall were very early settlers in Muskego, and the demise of a daughter of the latter was undoubtedly the second death in the town.

The first schoolhouse, which no doubt is as plainly pictured in the minds of the early pioneers as the faces of their nearest friends, was built of logs. The expense of its building was not defrayed by general taxation, but by voluntary subscriptions. It stood about eighty rods south of what is now 'Tess Corners. The first person to teach school in this primitive temple of learning was Miss Hall, in the fall of 1838, and winter of 1838-39.

The old Wedge saw-mill, well known throughout the county, must be mentioned in the history of Muskego, although it was built a few feet over the north line of the town in New Berlin .* After it was demolished in 1855, the present saw-mill was erected a few yards south of the town line, in Muskego. H. E. Hale, the present owner of the property, purchased it in 1861, and erected the grist-mill, which is also south of the town line, in this town.

During 1870, Jacob Siegel, a native of Wurtemburg, built a large steam flouring-mill at Muskego, which was destroyed by fire in 1876.

During the latter part of 1839, a post office was established in Muskego. James Field was the first Postmaster, and kept the office-there was precious little else but the office to keep- at his house, on Section 12. He was succeeded by Luther Parker, who kept the office at his place during a number of years.

A post office was established at Muskego Center, with Anson H. Taylor as Postmaster, who was succeeded by J. D. Reymert, Thomas Taylor, David Henry, and John C. Schuet, the latter of whom now has the honor ot signing a " P. M." to his name. In politics, Mr. Schuet is called the "King of Muskego."

The first post office at Tess Corners was established in 1867 by the appointment of H. Rosenberg as Postmaster, which position he has since continuously held. This place was named in honor of Jacob Tess, a native of Mecklenburg, who was a prominent farmer in this vicinity.

Nearly or quite forty years ago, an office called Muskego Mills was kept near Wedge's Mill by a man who was best known throughout that part of the county as "Piper" Reynolds.

Thirty years ago, J. D. Reymert kept the postoffice at Denoon, which is now discontinued. During the war, Durham Hill postoffice was established in Muskego, by the appointment of S. A. Tenny, the noted stock-raiser, as Postmaster. The present Postmaster is A. Veennedaal.

What was called the "Norwegian Settlement" began in the south part of the town in 1839, and grew rapidly until some of the newly-arriving immigrants brought the cholera, in 1849. Terrible and indescribable scenes followed the breaking-out of this fearful scourge, as the poor and ignorant people did not know how to diet or abate its ravages in the least. A hospital was finally established on the shores of Big Muskego Lake, in a large barn, where scores of the poor people died. This plague broke out here again in 1851 and raged with frightful violence and fatality. A log house near the town line in "Norway" was then an improvised hospital, and graves were dug and kept open for expected corpses. The plague resulted in so many deaths, and carried such terror into the community, that all but a few of the surviving Nor- wegian families left the town.

The first German to settle in Muskego was George Zingsheim, and Peter Schmidt was the second.

*See history of New Berlin.

768

HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

TOWN OF NEW BERLIN.

Township 6, of Range 20 east, was included in the town of Muskego by the act of January 2, 1838. In 1839, it was called Mentor, the name being changed by the following enactment :

" SECTION 1. That the town now called Mentor, in Township 6, Range 20, in the county of Milwaukee, shall hereafter be called New Berlin.

" Approved January 13, 1840."

It has been generally supposed that the name, New Berlin, was suggested on account of the large number of German settlers who now began coming into the town, and who desired to per- petuate in some common manner the names of prominent cities in their Fatherland. But this is not the fact. The town was named by Waterman Field and Sidney Evans, in honor of the latter's native place.

New Berlin has no lakes and no large streams of water, though Poplar Creek and branches of Root River take their rise in this town, affording at least one good water-power.

The settlers in this town are largely Germans, or of direct German descent; and it is one of the most forehanded communities in the county. The farms are thoroughly tilled, debts promptly paid, and taxes hardly ever delinquent in New Berlin.

While the Old Settlers' Club was in existence, some effort was made to preserve the history of this town, which was very fortunate, from the fact that nearly all of its present residents are comparatively new comers, and cannot, consequently, know the early history of the locality. This effort resulted in the following, which is the report of the committee appointed to prepare a sketch of New Berlin for the records of the Old Settlers' Club :

In May, 1836, Sidney Evans and P. G. Harrington and wife left White Pigeon, in the State of Michigan, for Milwaukee, Mr. Evans on 'horseback by the way of Chicago, and Mr. Harrington and wife crossing the lake, meet- ing in Milwaukee on the 28th day of the month, and on the 31st, pushed cut into the wilderness in search of homes.

Mr. Harrington, having found a temporary home for his wife in the family of Dr. Chase -- now of the town of Lake, Milwaukee County, Evans and Harrington followed an old Indian trail leading in a south westerly direction from Milwaukee, reaching what was at first called Mentor, afterward changed to New Berlin, the same day, and made their claims ; Mr. Evans on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, and Mr. Harrington on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 13.

Mrs. Harrington being anxious and determined to accompany her husband into the woods, and share with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life, Mr. Harrington, the next morning, the 1st day of June, started for Milwaukee to bring her. Mr. Evans, in the mean time, went to work with a will, and in a very short time had a rude claim shanty constructed of logs ahout six feet in length, huilt up on three sides, and open to the fire in front, the roof and floor made of elm bark. Mr. Harrington returned with his wife the same day, June 1, 1836, she being the first white woman that ever stepped upon the soil of New Berlin. The three-Mr. Evans and Mr. Harrington and wife, occupied said shanty two weeks, and until Mr. Evans had built a log cabin about twelve feet square, which was the first house built and occupied in the town of New Berlin.

Mr. Evans, after occupying his farm several years, sold out to his brother John (who still occupies it), to engage in the hotel business, which he followed for several years with varied success, and which he ultimately quitted to re-engage in farming, purchasing for that purpose a farm in the town of Greenfield, Milwaukee County, only a half- mile from his previous farm, where he now resides in easy circumstances, hale and hearty, and good, apparently, for at least another quarter of a century. Mr. Harrington, also, after a year's residence in New Berlin, sold his claim, and removed to Sugar Creek Prairie, Walworth County, where he now resides, a wealthy and influential citizen.

In the month of June of the same year, John H. White, a young man from the State of Michigan, came to New Berlin, and located on the north west quarter of Section 32, where he has ever since resided, and is the earliest settler now living in the town.

Soon after Mr. White made his claim, Almon Osborn, accompanied by one Smith, made a claim of the water power on the southeast quarter of Section 32, for Hugh Wedge and Isaac Dewitt. Wedge and Dewitt came on soon after, and commenced building a saw-mill, which was completed the following spring. It was a poor. paying cou- cern in those days-little or no sale for lumber, and they disposed of it in 1840. Hiram E. Hale is the present owner.

Late in the season, Waterman Field, Iva Stewart, Curtis Davis and a Mr. Ellison settled in the town. The fol- lowing year [1837] Ransom Bruce, William Wedge, William S. Parsons, the late George Mcwhorter, with his sons, Ray and Andrew L., Hiram Hollister, Peter J. Smith, A. W. Morris, John and H. J. G. Palmer, S. R. Hunkins and John Lloyd came into the town and settled. In 1838, Benjamin Hunkins, Edwin and Edward Rogers, and a few others settled in the town. The year 1839, owing to the approaching land sale in the autumn of that year, witnessed a large influx of immigrants into the town, prominent among whom were P. V. Monroe, Daniel Gilbert, William A. Cone, Whipple Newell, Robert H. Hunkins with his sons, James and Hazen H., George Gambell, and the late Rev. R. Cheney, the pioneer clergyman of the Free-Will Baptist denomination in Wisconsin, and the organizer of the first

769

HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

religious society in the town [in 1840], and who died in August, 1869, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and some months.

Jacob Korn, Caleb Barber, Rufus Cheney, Mark Murray, Richard Hennesy, Peter Goff, Moses Cleveland and many others became residents of the town in 1840.

The first school taught in the town, was during the winter of 1840-41, by a Miss Elvira Hunkins, in the dwell-

ing house of Hiram Hollister. The first schoolhouse was built of logs in 1841, in School District No. 1, on a site generously donated for the purpose, by the late P. V. Monroe, one-quarter of a mile east of his residence. The first marriage was that of Alfred Orendorf to Miss Livonia Rathbun, in October, 1837, by a Rev. Mr. Turk, at the house of Waterman Field. The first Justice of the Peace was Waterman Field, in 1837. The first postoffice was established in the same year, Waterman Field being appointed P. M. The first blacksmith-shop was that built by Cur- tis Davis, in 1837, who employed a Mr. Kline as blacksmith and who died soon after, his being the first death in the town. He was buried on a rise of ground a little east of Prospect Hill, on a farm now owned by Andrew Snyder. The first tavern kept in the town was that of Curtis Davis, in 1837, one-half mile east of Prospect Hill, on the prem- ises now owned by John Superno. Mr. Davis remained in the town only a year or two, his "tavern " successively passing into the hands of a Mr. Childs from Milwaukee, William Hare, Colonel Andrews, F. M. Putney, the well known and popular proprietor of the Exchange of Waukesha, and W. W. Chaplin. Other " taverns" were soon after built. In 1839, Waterman Field, having sold his claim to P. V. Monroe, built a " tavern, " for the accommodation of travelers, on the site of the saloon now kept by George Klaberger. Mr. Field's health failing him, he, at the end of a year, in pursuance of the advice of physicians, left his wife (now Mrs. E. F. Bennett) in charge of the tavern, went to New York, and sailed for the West India Islands for the benefit of his health. He died within a year in Illinois, of consumption, on his way home. After a year or two, the above mentioned " tavern " passed into the hands of Mr. William S. Parsons, who named it the "Farmer's Inn," and who for so many years, made it the most popular tavern ever kept between Milwaukee and Rock River-travelers frequently driving till late in the night for the purpose of " putting up " with " Bill Parsons." The first team driven through the town was a yoke of oxen attached to a wagon, by Major Alfred Orendorf, in 1836, from Milwaukee to Mukwonago. Wheat was first raised in the town by Hiram Hollister, Peter J. Smith, William S. Parsons and George McWhorter, in 1838. The first election held in the town was that for town officers, on the 5th of April, 1842.

The town now contains four churches. The first built was that of the German Lutherans, in 1847. The sec- ond, that of the Catholics, in 1856. The third, that of the Free Will-Baptists, in 1858. The fourth that of the Methodists in 1861. The number of schoolhouses in the town is nine.

The industries of the town are almost wholly agricultural. The population about two thousand.

A. E. GILBERT, JOHN EVANS, ANDREW SNYDER.

NEW BERLIN, February 22, 1871.

This town has the honor of containing the first saw-mill in Waukesha County, as well as having the first regularly organized Free-Will Baptist Church in Wisconsin.

It will be noticed that in the history preceding this, the old Wedge (now called Hale's) Mill, is credited to Muskego. It was so recorded upon the written and oral testimony of many old settlers who were supposed to know the facts ; that they were mistaken, however, is not in the least a matter of wonder. In an early day, the town boundaries were not so well known as now; and as the present mill, which took the place of Wedge's mill, is in Muskego, and as the first mill was only a few feet north of the line between New Berlin and Muskego, the mistake was easily made. The dam was built in 1836, by Hugh Wedge, and the mill begun the same sea- son. It was ready to saw early in 1837, and was the first mill in the county. In 1868, Hiram E. Hale built a flouring-mill on or near the site. A saw-mill, built by A. W. Cole in 1855, preceded Hale's flouring mill.

In 1841, William P. Hale built a dam across Muskego Creek, first using the power to run a turning-lathe, building a saw-mill two years later, the whole being remodeled into a grist- mill in 1846, when Hiram E. Hale bought an interest in the property. An engine was put in, in 1848, and the mill operated until 1860 by steam. It fell into disuse in 1868, and now stands in a ruinous condition as one of the landmarks of the section.

New Berlin Mutual Fire Insurance Company .- This insurance company was organized June 20, 1874, with twenty-five members, who pledged from $1,000 to $2,000 each, in capital stock. The first officers were John Evans, President ; J. R. Wheeler, Secretary, and Andrew Snyder, Jr., Treasurer. At the next election, Mr. Evans was again made President ; A. Snyder, Jr., Secretary and Abraham Kern, Treasurer. These officers have been respectively re-elected since that time. The company numbers 250 members, with 300 policies in force. Nearly every farmer in the town is a member. The capital is now $275,000 ; loss paid to 1880, $1,200. The first Directors were J. R. Wheeler, J. Primrose, John Evans, Andrew Snyder, A. Kern. The three latter are still serving with George Small and George Calhoun.

770

HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

The old Muskego Mills postoffice was established about 1840 or 1841, and was kept by Cynthia Reynolds in a log house on Section 32, near the line between New Berlin and Mus- kego. It took its name from Wedge's mill, and received mail from Racine and Milwaukee once a week. It was discontinued in 1849.

The little cluster of houses on the highest point of land in the town, took its name from the name of the postoffice, which was established in 1850. This name was suggested by Elihu Enos, then Postmaster of Waukesha, or by Dr. J. L. Ingersoll, on account of the " beautiful prospect to be seen from its summit." The first Postmaster was Daniel Church; the next P. L. McLean ; the third, Daniel Church, and the fourth and present incumbent, T. S. Winton.

The first settlers at or near Prospect Hill were John H. White, Hugh Wedge, Daniel Gilbert and Rev. Rufus Cheney. The place contains one church, two stores, two blacksmith shops, schoolhouse, a public hall and a score of dwellings.

The Free Baptist Church was organized July 11, 1840, by Rev. Rufus Cheney (born at Antrim, N. H., in 1780), and in his house. The first members were Mr. Cheney, Aretas Whit- comb and wife, Daniel Gilbert and wife, and Mrs. Rufus Cheney. Mrs. Gilbert is the only one of these now living in New Berlin. The Elders who succeeded Mr. Cheney were P. W. Bel- knapp, Enoch Jenkins, E. J. Keevill, E. Berry, H. N. Plumb, .O. D. Augir, F. B. Moulton, Roswell Cheney and M. G. Pett, the present pastor. The church was built in 1858-59. Rufus Cheney died in New Berlin aged ninety.

St. Valerius Roman Catholic Church was organized and the edifice built in 1856-57. The first priest was Rev. Tahler. The other priests have been Revs. Mohle, Mellman, Geinsen, Bohnenkam, Seibold, Weining, Felker, Nutzger and Eidelman. The church, which cost $1,100, was built under the charge of A. Snyder and B. Casper. The parochial schoolhouse was built and school begun in 1864. The congregation now numbers sixty families. The first Catholic mass said in New Berlin was at the log house of Andrew Snyder, about 1844, by Father Kundig, of Milwaukee.

The Methodist organization at first comprised two congregations. One met in the Bennett Schoolhouse, and the other in the New Berlin Central Schoolhouse. In 1859, they united, and formed the organization now known as the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Berlin. W. A. Cone was the first local preacher.

The first services of the German Reformed Church were held in 1842, at the house of Christian Dann. The first preacher was Rev. Smith. The first, a frame church, was built in 1849, and used until the present brick edifice was erected in 1865, at a cost of $800, with the labor of members. The present pastor is August Becker. The first formal organization was in 1846, as a Lutheran Church ; but the majority soon organized the Reform Church.

Prospect Lodge, No. 402, I. O. G. T., was organized April 27, 1866, with forty-eight. charter members. The first officers were as follows : W. C. T., H. E. Hale ; W. V. T., Mrs. H. H. Hunkins ; W. I., J. W. Church ; W. T., Mrs. Kate Speirs ; W. F. S., J. L. Ingersoll ; W. M., O. H. Perry ; W. I. G., Rocalthe Peck ; W. O. G., D. A. Church ; W. Chap., Rev. E. Perry ; P. W. C. T., H. H. Hunkins. This lodge was discontinued in November, 1867.

Happy Home Lodge, No. 456, I. O. G. T., was organized June 21, 1878. The first Worthy Chief Templar was Emma Killips. The lodge now has forty-three members in good standing. Meetings are held every Saturday night at Killips' Hall. The present officers are as follows : George W. Stone, W. C. T .; Emma Killips, W. V. T .; Mrs. G. W. Stone, W. S. ; John Killips, P. W. C. T. ; Arthur Long, W. F. S. ; C. Emperor, W. T .; Mrs. C. Emperor, W. C .; George Fletcher, W. M .; Benton Woodcock, L. D.

The first election held in New Berlin was at the schoolhouse in District No. 1. April 5, 1842. The election resulted in choosing Benjamin Hunkins for Chairman ; George Guile and Ransom Bruce, Supervisors ; P. V. Monroe, Town Clerk ; Daniel Gilbert, Lucien Clark, Sidney Evans, Assessors ; S. R. Hunkins, Collector. Daniel Gilbert, Whipple Newell and George Mc- Whorter were the defeated candidates for Supervisors.

771

HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

Officers for 1880 are : Supervisors, A. E. Gilbert, Chairman ; George Calhoun, Abram Kern; Town Clerk, Will S. Parsons; Assessor, William Hanna ; Treasurer, William Graser ; Justices of the Peace, J. J. Punch, John Wright, J. L. Ingersoll, E. J. Loomis ; Constables, Dan D. Church, Chris. Emperor, Alex. Heaton, George Wolf.

The first team of horses was brought into New Berlin by Sidney Evans. The first hotel was built in 1837, by Alvah Hetherington, and was afterward managed by Waterman Field, who purchased it in 1839.

Among the settlers in New Berlin in 1836 were John H. White, Almon Osborn, Mr. Smith, John Potter, Mr. McIntosh, Hugh McIntyre, D. S. and L. Ellison, John Brown, Alvah Hetherington, James King, Sidney Evans, Alvah Plumb, Mr. Thompson, Hugh Wedge, Alanson Martin, Waterman Field, Mr. Nye, Ira Stewart, Thomas Copeley and William Wedge, a good list for that early day.

TOWN OF OCONOMOWOC.

The first settler, Charles B. Sheldon, who stuck his stake in the soil of this town, was induced to come here by a glowing description of the country which he read in the Milwaukee Advertiser, at that time printed and published by Daniel Richards. Mr. Sheldon was on the point of going to California with a party from Platteville, in this State, when he happened, for. tunately for him in all probability, to come across that paper. He had no sooner read it than he determined to come here. Very soon after Mr. Sheldon started, coming by way of Janes- ville, through to Prairieville, where he met a party of surveyors, who informed him that he would find good land in the Oconomowoc Lake district. In April, 1837, he located a tract of land on the east bank of Fowler's Lake. La Belle Cemetery is now located on a portion of this farm. The balance of it Mr. Sheldon lives upon as a homestead. His cabin was the first white man's habitation in the town. John D. McDonald, of Summit, then a young man also, helped him build it. After locating his claim, Mr. Sheldon went to Milwaukee and entered it at the land office on the 21st of April, 1837. While Mr. Sheldon was in Milwaukee, he met two gentlemen who had a plat of the town in the northwest part of what is now known as Wau- kesha County. Mr. Sheldon looked over it and pointed out on the map the land he had that day entered. They seemed surprised, and one of the gentlemen, H. W. Blanchard, asked him when he was going back to his land. Mr. Sheldon said he intended to return the next day. Mr. Blanchard at once made arrangements to accompany Mr. Sheldon, and the next day started with him for Oconomowoc, and in a few days H. W. Blanchard had made a claim to the west half of Section 33. On the 1st of May, 1837, Mr. Blanchard sold his claim to Philo Brewer.

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The History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive and minute sketch of its cities, towns and villages etc, Part 117

Author: Western Historical Co., pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1050

Author: Western Historical Co., pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1050