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 77

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 77

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The first steam-power butter-worker ever used in the State was introduced in the spring of 1880 into George Lawrence & Son's Creamery. There has been an immense increase in the production of butter in Waukesha County recently, the product of 1878 being nearly ten times greater than that of 1870. This demonstrates that the creameries have not only made a great

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HISTORY OF WAUKESHA COUNTY.

reputation for Waukesha County butter, but built up an exceedingly profitable business for its farmers.

The first cheese factory, for making cheese alone, was built in Summit by Mann & Dous- man in 1870. During the following year, 1871, Mann, Stone & Hinckley erected the second factory in the county, also in the town of Summit. There are now a dozen cheese factories in the county in successful operation, and their product will be greater this year than for several years past, cheese selling at more profitable figures. The town of Waukesha with four facto- ries and Genesee with three, lead the other towns in the manufacture of cheese. Although nature has done more for the butter and cheese maker in Waukesha than in any other county in the State in the way of grass, spring water and facilities for securing ice, the dairy business is comparatively young in this locality. It is growing, however, as the cheese product increased from the product of one factory in 1870 to that of twelve in 1879, which received the milk of between 3,000 and 4,000 cows. According to the last annual report of the State Dairymen's Association, the factories in this county were Olin & Clinton's, T. C. Donsman's, B. R. Hinckly's, Montrey Factory, Frank Shultis' (two), Rose Glen, D. Ostrander's, M. Rowell's and the Waterville Factory.

WOOL GROWING AND SHEEP RAISING.

It was early found in the settlement of Waukesha, that the farmer, to be successful, must diversify his products-that to depend on grain-raising wholly would not do; and the enter- prise that brought the first settlers to this country caused them to seek not only for stock, but for the best of stock. Perhaps this enterprise was not more manifest in any one thing than in the improvement of merino sheep. The prevailing opinion among farmers had been that a sheep was a sheep, and that was all there was of it ; and that so many sheep would produce just so much wool. But some of the Waukesha farmers did not entertain this idea. They believed in improvement in this as well as in other stock, and sought for and bought improved animals as soon as presented. About 1850, J. D. Patterson, of New York, introduced some merino sheep that sheared greater fleeces, and were really better sheep than any Waukesha farmers had. A. E. Perkins, of Mukwonago, purchased of these, and, finding they improved his flock, was naturally on the lookout for further improvements. In 1861, Mr. E. S. Lake, brought in here a lot of rams from Vermont, which were distributed in the county, Mr. Perkins purchasing most of them, about 40 in number, which he let and sold to various parties, and which proved of great value to the flocks in this and adjoining counties. This stimulated the farmers to greater efforts to improve their flocks, and Mr. Perkins, in particular, who visited Vermont the following year, together with Mr. Lake, of Saxton's River, Vt., made large importations from that State. About this time, John Paul, of Genesee, George Lawrence, of Waukesha, Perry Craig, of Vernon, and others, engaged earnestly in the business, and spared neither money nor pains in getting the best sheep to be found in the country. These may be said to be the pioneers in the fine-wool sheep improvement, and from these others have sprung up, until now Waukesha County probably takes the lead of any county in the State in improved merino sheep. The breeders regret that George Lawrence left the business for the creamery, for no one mani- fested greater enterprise in the business than did Mr. Lawrence, and no one was rewarded with greater success. There was no great interest or improvement in the long-wool, or Cotswolds, until about 1861, when E. Porter, of Waukesha, began and made large importations from Canada. These importations seem to have been made with great skill and wisdom, and Waukesha soon took the lead in this kind of sheep. Now, George Harding and others are offering as good animals of this kind as can be found in the State. It may be stated here that many farmers made a mistake in crossing these with the fine-wools by using the grade animals; that is, the lambs produced by the full-blood rams for stock animals. It is due to Mr. Porter to state that this was done against his protests. Only those who have persistently used full-blood male animals have made a complete success of the business, which has grown to unusual pro- portions in Waukesha County. Sheep-shearing festivals are held annually, and are largely

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attended. All the dealers in full-bloods have grade-books, which show the pedigree of their stock, and the business is a scientific as well as a very profitable one. It brings annually thousands of dollars into the county, and the managers of the woolen-mill at Waukesha say their finest grades of cloth are made from Wankesha County wool, than which there is no better. In 1839,only sixty-seven pounds of wool were produced in the territory now comprising the two coun- ties of Milwaukee and Waukesha, and there were only 790 sheep and lambs in the county, valued at about $1,000. In June, 1879, there were 89,969 sheep and lambs in Waukesha County, valued at $150,945 by the Assessors, but really worth $300,000 at the lowest. Thus, in forty years, the number of animals has increased a trifle over 10,000 per cent and the value of them 30,000 per cent-an astonishing growth. But sheep-raising and wool-growing have become a science, the chief growers combining to help each other in producing pure-blooded stock and the finest wool. To do this, an organization called the "Wool-Growers' Association" was formed. A record of the first meeting, held June 11, 1874, is as follows :

" The meeting for a more extensive association of the wool-growers of this part of the State, was held at Caldwell's Prairie last Thursday, agreeably to the resolutions adopted at the sheep- shearing festival on May 14, 1874. The meeting was quite generally attended by wool- growers, and speeches were made by Messrs. Perkins, Humbert and others, a good number of stanch, wide-awake men being present. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected for the ensuing year.

"The object of this society is for the promotion and encouragement of breeders and wool- growers, that they may attain the highest standard of perfection in quality of sheep, value of fleece, and management of flocks. Also, to establish some standards, by which they may be governed in principles of breeding, and awarding prizes at fairs.

" The officers for the coming year are : A. E. Perkins, President; E. Milroy and M. L. Ayers, Vice-President ; George Lawrence, Jr., Secretary ; J. W. Parks, Treasurer. The name of the society is ' The Southeastern Wisconsin Sheep-Breeders' and Wool-Growers' Association.'

" The relative merits of sheep were discussed in a lively manner. Those interested in sheep-husbandry are cordially invited to become members, or attend meetings, which are open to all. The meeting adjourned to the last Thursday in August, 1874, at Caldwell's Prairie.

"G. LAWRENCE, JR., Secretary."

This association strengthened and grew until it is now the Wisconsin Wool-Growers' Asso- ciation-a State institution. It was born in Waukesha County, and has been the means of adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the wealth of her citizens, besides establishing the reputa- tion of this locality as one of the very foremost counties in the Northwest in producing fine wool and blooded stock.

At the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, in 1876, John Paul, of Genesee, and George Lawrence, Jr., of Waukesha, were awarded each a medal and diploma for their exhibition of sheep.

In addition to bettering the financial condition of the county, the business of producing the best stock possible has a tendency to cultivate and educate those engaged in it.

WAR RECORD.

It were honor enough for any work of this kind, and for its compilers and publishers, if it had nothing more to preserve than the record made by the citizens of the county in the war of the Rebellion. Solferino, Ansterlitz, Waterloo, Marston Moor, Lodi, Mount Tabor and Grenada are making a gilded journey down through the ages in immortal song, resplendent with the richest decorations of genius ; but they were not greater than Shiloh, or the Wilderness, Gettys- burg, Lookout Mountain or a score of other battles that stand out boldly in the history of the Rebellion. The work of patriotism and genius in decorating the achievements of American soldiers has just begun ; and the least of the details of those mighty events should be sacredly preserved for the pen and the brush of future genins.

In the completed picture, in the almost limitless scroll of fame, there will be none to out- shine or out-honor the soldiers from Waukesha County. She is peculiarly rich in the record of

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men-officers and privates-as well as in the record of deeds. But it is unnecessary to burden the pages of history with word-pictures, for the deeds themselves far outshine their most glowing descriptions.

The news that Fort Sumter had been fired upon and had surrendered reached Waukesha, Oconomowoc and places along the railroads Saturday evening, April 13, 1861, but was not gen- erally disseminated until Sunday. Everything was dropped, and people rushed to the centers of population and information for the latest news. Newspapers were in demand and commanded almost any price, one man, who afterward became a Colonel, giving his hat for a copy of the Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin.

Impromptu meetings to enroll volunteers and organize to sustain the Government were held in almost every part of the county. The first of importance of which any record is left us was held at Robinson's Hall, in Waukesha, Saturday evening, April 20, 1861, though a large meet- ing was held at Oconomowoc at about the same time.

To adequately describe the intensity of the patriotism and excitement displayed at this first meeting would be wholly impossible. The crowd was as large as the hall would hold, and the streets were full besides. Winchel D. Bacon was made Chairman ; C. G. Heath and Malcom Sellers, Vice Presidents, and C. C. White, Secretary.

On motion, a committee consisting of H. N. Davis, P. H. Carney and V. Tichenor was appointed by the Chair to present resolutions expressive of the sense of the people of Waukesha on national affairs, who made the following report, which was adopted amidst the wildest hurrahs :

WHEREAS, A forcible dissolution of these United States is threatened, and ia being actually attempted by armed bands acting without authority, and in defiance of the Constitution and the laws of the country, we, the people of Waukesha, irrespective of party, being of the opinion that the time for words has passed, and that the hour for action has arrived, do

Resolve, That the preservation of the American Union in ita integrity is the paramount duty of every citizen of the United States.

That in view of the preservation of the Union and the enforcement of the laws, the political differences which have heretofore existed should be totally effaced.

That we hereby ratify the policy of the Administration, aa indicated in the proclamation of President Lincoln, and that we believe that the restoration of the National flag to the places from which it has been removed by trait- ors is necessary to secure tranquillity at hom eand reapect abroad.

That to the preservation of the Union and to the enforcement of the laws, we hereby pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

During the absence of the committee, speeches were made by C. K. Davis, William S. Hawkins, M. Sellers, C. C. White, H. K. Smith, D. Casey, Rev. Dr. Savage and Rev. J. M. Walker, all in favor of burying past differences and offering an united support to the Constitu- tion and the laws, and during the meeting stirring addresses were made by S. W. Warner, Alexander F. Pratt and others.

M. G. Townsend, C. G. Heath, A. S. Bennett, B. F. Cram and O. Z. Olin were appointed a committee to establish a recruiting station at Waukesha.

The following resolutions, offered by C. C. White, were unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That while recognizing in its fullest extent the right of free speech, we hold that this right author- izes no man to lift up hia voice in favor of his country's enemies, and that no such men or such sentiments will be tolerated in this community.

Resolved, That a Vigilance Committee of thirty-four men be appointed by the Chair.

The Chair offered the following, which was adopted :

Resolved, That the citizens of Waukesha agree to provide all needful assistance to the families of those who may enlist in their country's service, during their term of enlistment, and for the purpose of creating a fund for the pur- pose above named, we agree to pay the sums set opposite our names pro rata as shall be required.

The following subscriptions were made on the spot :

Isaac Lane, $200; M. G. Townsend, $100; O. M. Tyler, $50; T. D. Cook, $100; F. A. Maurer, $25; R. Mercer, $30; J. A. Williams, $50; V. Tichenor, $25; C. C. White, $50; E. Porter, $50; C. Jackson, $50; W. D. Bacon, $100; L. Purdy, $25; C. G. Heath, $25 ; D. Howie, $5; A. F. Root, $5; H. N. Davis, $25; W. D. Horton, $5; E. M. Randall, $20; Capt. G. Lawrence, $100; Phineas Clawson, $50; L. A. Mann, $25; C. A. Leuthstrom, $50; John

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Tyler, $25; John Collins, $10; S. W. Warner, $25; A. S. Putney, $25; L. B. Wright, $20; John Gaspar, $25; C. Blackwell, $25; G. A. Hine, $50; Charles Stein, $15; E. Chester, $10; W. Nickerson, $10; H. A. Kennedy, $20; K. Orvis, $5; J. A. Hibbard, $5; B. F. Chamberlain, $50; V. H. Porter, $10.

The Chair was authorized to appoint a Central Committee and a committee of one from each town to receive subscriptions and push on war measures. He appointed as follows :

Central Committee, Capt. George Lawrence, O. Z. Olin, Findlay McNaughton ; Menomonee, Jesse B. Nehs; Brookfield, Aaron V. Groot; Pewaukee, J. H. Waterman ; Lisbon, Henry Phillips ; Merton, G. W. Cottrell ; Oconomowoc, P. A. Woodruff ; Summit, E. M. Danforth ; Ottawa, T. C. Dousman ; Eagle, Marvin H. Bovee; Mukwonago, A. L. Perkins; Muskego, P. L. Bigelow ; New Berlin, Benjamin Hunkins ; Vernon, William Guthrie; Genesee, Thomas Sugden ; Delafield, Albert Alden; Waukesha, D. Casey.

Before adjourning, the enthusiastic crowd sang the " Star Spangled Banner" with wonder- ful effect, and an enlistment roll was opened. The first man to sign it was A. S. Bennett. He was, therefore, the first man to enlist in Waukesha County. He was killed as Captain in the reg- ular army in 1879, while fighting the Indians in the West. He was a bachelor. The Recruiting Committee opened an office on Monday, April 22, in C. G. Heath's office, and recruiting began in earnest. At about the same time, an enlistment roll was opened at Oconomowoc. During the week following this meeting similar ones were held in Pewaukee, Mukwonago, Delafield, Eagle and nearly every other town. On Monday evening, another mass meeting was held in Waukesha, at which enthusiasm ran high. More cash was raised to care for the families of soldiers, and pledges were offered on every hand to furnish wood, meat, flour and provisions to soldiers' wives and children. Men offered houses free of rent ; physicians offered medical attendance free of charge.

Patriotism and generosity ran riot. War meetings were appointed in almost every school- house in the county, and speakers were in great demand. The demand, however, was supplied, as men who had never made a speech before, and have not since, proved to be fountains of patriotic eloquence.

Party lines were nearly obliterated, old feuds were forgotten, and a new era in good-fellow- ship and patriotism inaugurated. Old enemies, both political and social, met at recruiting gatherings, and made speeches together. It was a remarkable sight.

Patriotism and a desire to do something for their country were not confined to the men. The ladies were busy preparing little things for the soldiers to take with them ; making flags, committing patriotic songs, making rosettes of red, white and blue, and lending their influence by being present at all war meetings. They met at Jackson's Hall in Waukesha, April 31, and formed a " Soldiers' Aid Society " which had almost weekly meetings and continued to work for the comfort and health of the boys in blue until the close of the Rebellion. They col- lected money, food and clothing ; made new clothing, forwarded jellies and medicines ; secured nurses and did everything that human hearts and hands could desire and carry out. The thanks they received from sick and wounded soldiers during that long struggle would be reward enough for a whole life devoted to works of philanthropy. Scores of letters were sent home telling how health and lives had been preserved by what the ladies had done.

Wisconsin's "noble war Governor, " Alexander W. Randall, was a Waukesha County man, and his proclamation, which went far to put the State at the front in raising volunteers, did much to create the unbounded enthusiasm that burst forth in this county. Its author having been for many years a resident of Waukesha County, that proclamation may rightfully claim a place in this work. It is as follows :

TO THE LOYAL CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN : For the first time in the history of the Federal Government, organized treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it.

The Proclamation of the President of the United States tells of unlawful combinations, too powerful to be sup- pressed in the ordinary manner, and calls for military forces to suppress such combinations, and to sustain him in executing the laws.

The treasury of the country must no longer be plundered-the public property must be protected from aggress- ive violence. That already seized must be retaken, and the laws must be executed in every State of the Union alike.

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A demand made upon Wisconsin by the President of the United States, for aid to sustain the Federal arm, must meet with a prompt response.

One regiment of the militia of this State will be required for immediate service, and further service will be required as the emergencies of the Government may demand.

It is a time when against the civil and religious liberties of the people, and against the integrity of the United States, parties, politicians and platforms must be as dust in the balance.

All good citizens, everywhere, must join in common cause against a common enemy.

Opportunities will be immediately offered to the existing military companies, under the direction of the proper authorities of the State, for enlistment to fill the military demand of the Federal Government, and I hereby invite the patriotic citizens of this State to enroll themselves into companies of seventy-eight (78) men each, and to advise the Executive of their readiness to be mustered into service immediately.

Detailed instruction will be furnished upon the acceptance of companies, and the commissioned officers of each regiment will nominate their own field officers.

In times of public danger, bad men grow bold and reckless. The property of the citizen becomes unsafe, and both public and private rights liable to be jeopardized. I enjoin upon all administrative and peace officers within this State renewed vigilance in the maintenance and execution of the laws, and in guarding against excesses leading to disorder among the people. (Signed) ALEX. W. RANDALL.

L. P. HARVEY, Secretary of State.

This proclamation, together with the fact that Walker L. Bean had been given a commis- sion to enroll a company, and the Prairie du Chien (Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul) Railway had offered to transport volunteers free, added fuel to the fire throughout the county. There being but one recruiting office at first, in the county, large numbers of soldiers enlisted in Mil- waukee and adjoining counties, no one being aware at that time that the county would need all the men she could spare to fill her own quota and to avoid a draft. The first soldiers from Eagle, Brookfield, Muskego, New Berlin and Menomonee enlisted at Milwaukee, and some of the first from Mukwonago, Ottawa aud Summit, at Whitewater and Janesville. These enlistments in other counties were to secure the local bounties.

Waukesha County, as a county, had no ninety-days men. The first company raised was the " Waukesha Union Guards," which unanimously agreed to tender services for " three years or the war." The company election was held on Thursday, May 2, 1861, and two days later the Governor issued commissions. The officers and privates of this pioneer company, were as follows : Captain, I. M. Bean ; First Lieutenant, Enoch Totten ; Ensign, Andrew S. Bennett; First Sergeant, Miles L. Butterfield ; Second Sergeant, Thomas Devereaux ; Third Sergeant, Arthur Holbrook ; Fourth Sergeant, H. H. Messenger ; First Corporal, Andrew J. Smith ; Second, F. A. Canright ; Third, Nathaniel Stein ; Fourth, George W. Rice; Fifth, F. L. Ladue ; Sixth, E. F. Davison ; Seventh, Orlando Culver ; Eighth, William Hall; Drummer, George B. Babcock ; Fifer, Robert Powrie; Wagoner, John Rattray ; Servant, Thomas McGee, Jr.

Privates : Henry Vreeland, Joseph Hesketh, George W. Rice, Artemas M. Culver, William Arlit, William B. Ward, Angus Cameron, William H. Smith, James Boyne, William Wright, Henry Becker, Henry Theade, George Klock, Ferdinand Keussner, Morris L. Corbett, Ezra O. Pelton, Isaac J. Wood, Albert J. West, Ansel Strong, James S. Bottsford, Joseph Gray, An- drew J. Bennett, George A. Smith, Alexander Johnson, Otis Darling, James C. Bagley, John Ross, Justus F. Heath, Thomas Larkin, Peter Gilcrest, James B. Jessup, Thomas Parkinson, James C. Foster, Thomas H. Webley, James Arnold, John David Jones, Edward Mills, T. N. Coleman, Joseph Bub, Sanford Blossom, J. P. Benedict, A. H. Gurney, Samuel Gower, Mel- ville Vanduker, Phillip Downey, Samuel E. Orvis, Hiram Hines, Barton S. Bullard, George W. Block, Lucius Hall, Henry Owen, Charles J. Cole, Henry B. Potter, Daniel C. Corbett, John F. Culver, Arthur H. Peck, Henry B. Lowe, William Stickles, Luke Shapeleau, William Hall, Henry H. Messenger, George Schwartz, John B. Doty, Warren H. Shaul, Eli J. March, William H. Bump, Dominick Federer, Nathaniel Stein, Harrison. Ward, Charles O. Brown, Valentine Imig, Warren Thompson, Henry C. Hyde, Richard M. Welsh, Selah B. Langworthy, Francis L. Larkin, Andrew J. Smith, Chester McFarland, W. W. Root, John W. Grimes, John Heath, John Ross, Peter J. Hurtgen.

The company was sworn in on Monday, June 10, 1861, by Maj. Larrabee, of the Fifth Regiment, to which the boys had been assigned, and on the following Thursday left for camp at

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Madison, amid a strange mingling of tears and hurrahs. Before leaving for the front, the com- pany presented Capt. Bean and Lieuts. Enoch Totten and A. S. Bennett with gold-headed canes.

When this company had left, war enthusiasm died out, temporarily, at Waukesha Village. The second company, called the " Oconomowoc Guards," was raised at Oconomowoc, and was organized and officered as follows, only a few days later than the first company :

Captain, A. S. Peck ; First Lieutenant, J. H. Mann ; Second Lieutenant, Warham Parks ; Orderly Sergeant, William Kelly ; Second Sergeant, John J. Adams; Third Sergeant, Decatur Thompson ; Fourth Sergeant, M. K. Leavitt; First Corporal, Asa Colby ; Second Corporal, David Stratton ; Third Corporal, John H. Meigs; Fourth Corporal, M. H. Brown. This company began regular drill under the instruction of Maj. Whittaker, of Summit, early in the second week of May. It was a good company, and composed of first-class men, many of whom could hardly be spared from the community.

The company did not go into service as a company, but scattered and most of them went into other organizations. A brief insight into camp life, to see " how the boys took it," may be interesting. An extract from a letter written by one of the pioneer company, reads like this :

" We have at last received our clothes, which they call uniforms, although one would think to see the company on parade, that the tailor had warranted each uniform to fit the largest man or the smallest boy. The cloth is gray, of various shades ; much of it is of poor quality and will not stand hard service. The pants have a cord down the sides, and the coats have brass buttons and stand-up collars. Each man has a metal plate, spoon, knife and fork, which he must take care of himself. About 6 o'clock, the Orderly Sergeant calls out, 'Company I, fall in for breakfast,' and, as the call is passed from tent to tent, you take your plate in one hand, knife, fork, cup and spoon in the other, and step into the ranks. But be careful as you go into the eating-house that you do not slip down in a pool of coffee. As the boys range them- selves along the rough table, the Orderly commands, 'Inward face-take seats.' At first, a teacup of mustard, a box of pepper, salt and vinegar, are the only articles in the line of victuals to be seen ; but, immediately, a pan filled with slices of bread an inch or more in thickness, another of boiled potatoes, followed by one filled with meat, come in rapid succession. The bread is ' baker's,' and good ; the potatoes are good enough, and the meat-well, as to meat and gravy, we won't take any this morning. The waiter fills your cup with coffee, which you sweeten and taste. It is cold, and appears inclined to coagulate. Another waiter appears, and while steam rises in large volumes from his pitcher, cries out, 'Hot coffee !' You want some; of course, but what is to be done ? Your cup is full, you cannot swallow its contents, and there is no dish into which to empty it. You look around and find everybody in the same fix. Finally, a sly one comes to an 'about face' and pours his coffee on the ground. In an instant you follow suit, and so do the others.

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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 77

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