USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 107
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Marshall, son of Nathan and Harriet Swain, was the first child born in the town of Court- land, his birth dating in the fall of 1846.
Death claimed its first victim in the person of Patrick Griffith, who died in the fall of 1846. He was buried a short distance east of Cambria.
The first school was taught by William S. Chestnut in an upper room of the dwelling of Jonathan Moulton in the spring of 1847. About twelve scholars were in attendance.
The first mill built in the town was by Daniel Langdon, an account of which is given in the sketch of the village of Cambria.
The first public dance was at the house of Daniel Langdon in 1846, the same house men- tioned in the history of Cambria as the first built in the village, and which in 1879 was used by the owners of the Cambria mill as a stable.
A family named Hagadorn, consisting of father and mother, three sons, Henry, Jacob and Adam and a daughter, moved there in 1845. If reports are true, this family did not contribute materially to the peace and welfare of that community, but on the contrary kept the neighbor- hood in a chronic uneasiness, but it was believed after all by many, that the reputation of the old man and his boys was often used to cover up the crookedness of others. Various and numer- ous were the irregularities that were charged to this family, and often were the officers of the law armed with the necessary papers to bring the old man to judgment, and vindicate the peace and dignity of the State of Wisconsin. William S. Chestnut, then a young man, conscientious in
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
the discharge of his duties generally, came in contact with Hagadorn frequently in an official way. At one time, Hagadorn made one of a party of several of the Courtlanders who started to Milwaukee with ox teams. They camped the first night a few miles east of Fox Lake, and the teamsters made free with a settler's corn-field close at hand to bait their oxen. The owner had the party arrested for stealing, and they swore the theft on to Hagadorn, who admitted that he appropriated a little corn, but insisted that the whole party was also guilty. But the old man's bad reputation let them off.
Later still, a warrant was issued by a Justice named Toby and placed in the hands of Chest- nut for service. Chestnut mounted his horse and pounced upon his victim, Hagadorn, while the old man was quietly partaking of his noontide meal. The lawless Hagadorn donned a swallow-tailed coat that, in the days of antiquity, had made its way in society, and meekly walked alongside the mounted officer of the law toward the residence and office of Squire Toby. While silently marching along a bridle path in a thicket of timber, Chestnut casually remarked to his prisoner that, " this would be a good place to run away." The prisoner looked up into the stern face of his captor, which seemed to relax a trifle. The next moment that swallow-tailed coat represented an angle of forty-five degrees as its proprietor was scudding through the woods only as a man can scud when he is in a great hurry. In vain did the constable jump from his horse and pursue the fugitive and yell after him to "come back." The pursuit was abandoned, but he picked up Hagadorn's hat that had parted company with its owner, and hung it on a twig near the path. Mr. Chestnut returned the warrant marked, " served and prisoner escaped," remarking that he " didn't think he was guilty anyway." That was the end of the case. Hagadorn was not entirely destitute of honor, evidently, for some time after that, while Chestnut was passing his house, he was called, when the former told him that he wanted to pay him for his trouble on that occasion. "All right," said Chestnut. "There," continued he, pointing to an overgrown, lank and dingy-looking pup that was dozing under the soporific in- fluence of a hot kitchen fire, "is a splendid pup ; I'll give you that pup to call it square." " A bargain," said Chestnut, and he proudly bore off the fee at the end of a string, meditating on the great future that the pup might develop. The pup was taken to his new home, for which he soon formed a warm attachment. He grew and waxed strong and soon proved an adept in hunt- ing eggs, which he sucked with pleasure. William says there is no telling what faculties that pup might have developed, had his early training not been neglected and had not one of the boys in a fit of anger " cut him down in the morning of life."
About the time Mr. Chestnut came to town, a number of young men from Illinois, Indiana and other States, inaugurated here a new enterprise. They would select some pretty good land, enter the same, build thereon a small house, and sell out the same the first opportunity, and then take up another claim. They would thus keep in advance of the actual settlers, and com- pel them to submit to their unjust claims. To resist one of the number would bring the whole body upon the offender.
The first election in the town was the occasion of a great deal of fun in the way of " big drunks." Whisky was free, and everybody partook, but, as in the days of the Apostles, the good wine was set out first, and after that the worse. As the barrel was being emptied of its first contents, it was replenished with water, the greater number of the men being so drunk they did not know the difference between water and whisky.
The town lies immediately south of Randolph. The prairie of the latter town extends into Courtland, occupying the northeastern section, and then, extending in a narrow belt southwest- ward across the town, widens out again on the west side. In the southeast sections, narrow and marshy belts with the same southwest trend are observed. The surface is generally quite level, running for the most part from 350 to 400 feet in altitude. In the northeast corner, however, the ravines about the head of Duck Creek cut down to an altitude of 260 feet. The highest points probably are on Sections 17, 18, 20 and 19. Most of the town lies on the divide between the systems of the Rock and Wisconsin, so that the streams heading on either side are but small, the main branch of Duck Creek, at Cambria, being the principal one.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBLA COUNTY.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway traverses the town from east to west, entering on Section 1, and passing through Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and into Springvale from Section 6.
The first entry of land was made June 5, 1844, by Peter Goulden, and patented Septem- tember 1, 1846, and comprised the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 10.
Of Horace Rust, one of the early settlers of this town, the Columbus Democrat of April 12, 1879, says:
" It was mentioned in the Democrat of last week that Mr. Horace Rust, of Courtland, had been upon his death-bed for several days, and that be had probably passed away before that writing, but he lingered in an unconscious condition for several days more, and breathed his last at 3:30 A. M., on Monday. The funeral occurred on Wednesday, and was largely attended. He was born in Rochester, Vt., in 1798, and his life, thus prolonged far beyond the exist- ence of an ordinary man, was full of incident. Several of his earlier years were passed in Maine, where he was a contractor for the construction of a canal. In 1823, he was married at Stockbridge, near the place of his birth, to Miss Roxana Mills. In 1843, he came to Walworth County, Wis., and for about two years resided with his brother-in-law, Dr. Mills, who was then Territorial Senator. In 1845, he moved to what is now Courtland, and selected the beautiful location which embraces the fine farm where he died. His son Henry has resided with him during most of these years, and during the greater part of the time has managed the farm. As he advanced in years, having acquired a competence, the elder Mr. Rust relinquished active life, and, relieved from all care and oppression of want, enjoyed a pleasant and comfortable home with his son. The estate, though not large, is valuable and forms one of the coziest and pleasantest homes anywhere in that region. The deceased was full of reminiscence con- cerning early life on this frontier, when he was in the mood ; and many interesting recol- lections of that character have died with him. In 1845, with his two sons, Henry and Mills, and a yoke of cattle, he entered Courtland, and built a log house into which he removed his family in the succeeding year. He related that after finishing this house, he and his sons started on the return to Walworth. At that time, the old road to Columbus and Watertown made an extensive detour to the west, and went to Otsego to avoid impassable swamps. The pilgrims took an early breakfast that morning, and the ox-line did not bring them to Otsego until late in the afternoon. Mr. Rust always spoke of his substantial dinner that day at W. B. Dyer's log tavern in Otsego, as the best meal he ever ate in his life. At an early day, he and Squire Topliff, still of this city, were engaged for some time in surveying, and they laid out the road between Columbus and Cambria. Under President Polk's administration, Mr. Rust was appointed Postmaster, the office being at his house, and being known as the Portage Prairie Post Office. It is said to have been on the route following the old military road from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien, and the mail probably arrived about once a week. Under President Taylor, however, the office was removed to Centerville, two miles north of Cambria, and the ‘High Court of Centerville' appointed the Postmaster. Mr. Rust was a member of the commission which laid out the road from Columbus to Princeton. During the first years of the county, he was elected Treasurer, but by some manipulation or other, S. C. Higbie obtained possession. He was twice Postmaster at Cambria, and held that office in Rochester, Vt., under Presi- dent Jackson. From the organization of the party to his death, he was an ardent Republican. A correspondent says of him and his class : 'The early settlers in this vicinity were fine speci- mens of manhood, and, perhaps, on the whole, the advancing step of civilization has not improved the character of our citizenship. We often sigh for the strong bonds of brotherhood which elevated the first settlers to a great extent above the petty jealousies and social and polit- ical strivings that now seem to permeate society. Then life was primitive; then the duties and details of existence, and its social relations, were truer and more genuine.
"' There was a general sympathy and all rejoiced sincerely in the success of a neighbor. We all feel deep and real sorrow at seeing one after another passing away, and to reflect that these golden links binding eras of life, will soon all be broken beyond restoration by any cun- ning hand.' The old age of Mr. Rust was genial and pleasant. Care sat lightly upon him
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
and he never sought the jagged edges of life. Up to within a week of his demise, he was appar- ently in full possession of his mental faculties, and his health was always remarkably good until within a short time of his death. However, it had been evident of late that his was the common lot of humanity. The correspondent above quoted remarks : ' It is many years since he gave up active labor and business, but he preserved in an eminent degree his remarkable social powers. It seemed as though by almost superhuman energy that, while the physical man was gradually wearing away, the mind would not surrender its scepter until its tabernacle crumbled entirely away. There is a moral sublimity in the close of a symmetrical life ; in the blending of earthly and spirit- ual life, where there seems no chasm to separate the present from the great future. Manhood suc- ceeds childhood, and old age follows close upon the footsteps of manhood ; and the hoary frost of many winters crown the head until he is gathered in like golden grain fully ripe and ready for the sickle.' Mr. Rust was married but once, but was a husband fifty-six years, thirty- three of which were passed in Courtland. His wife and five of his nine children survive him."
The following is a list of town officers from the organization of the town to the present time :
1849-Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; Horace Rust, Milan G. Toby, Supervisors ; Ed- ward E. Randall, Clerk ; Jackson G. Coil, Assessor ; John Jess, Treasurer ; Edward E. Randall, School Superintendent.
1850-Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; John B. Williams, Ransom H. Mead, Supervisors ; William L. Williams, Clerk ; Jackson G. Coil, Assessor ; Randall Illsley, Treasurer ; Francis G. Randall, School Superintendent.
1851-Ransom H. Mead, Chairman ; C. B. Williams, Wilson G. Toby, Supervisors ; Jeremiah Williams, Clerk ; William Bump, Treasurer; William B. Toby, Alonzo C. Knight, Evan Edwards, Assessors ; John M. Mead, School Superintendent.
1852-Ransom H. Mead, Chairman; Roger Rogers, Samuel G. Whiting, Supervisors ; Henry B. Galleys, Clerk ; William Bump, Treasurer ; Robertof Roberts, John M. Mead, Assessors ; John M. Mead, School Superintendent.
1853-Ransom M. Mead, Chairman ; Robertof Roberts, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Henry B. Galleys, Clerk ; William Bump, Treasurer; F. G. Randall, William O. Jones, Assessors ; Samuel G. Whiting, School Superintendent.
1854-R. H. Mead, Chairman ; Roger Rogers, Seth H. Higgins, Supervisors ; John M. Mead, Clerk ; Wolcott Watson, Treasurer ; William Bump, Assessor ; Samuel G. Whiting, School Superintendent.
1855-Nathan Griffin, Chairman ; John ap Jones, Lewis Brown, Supervisors ; Charles Rust, Clerk ; Jesse G. Southwell, Treasurer ; Edwin B. Griffin, Assessor ; S. D. Hambleton, School Superintendent.
1856-F. G. Randall, Chairman ; Randall Illsley, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Charles Rust, Clerk ; Franklin C. Toby, Treasurer ; Horace Rust, Assessor ; S. D. Hambleton, School Superintendent.
1857-Ransom H. Mead, Chairman ; Mills Rust, Roger Rogers, Supervisors; F. G. Randall, Clerk ; Edward L. Williams, Treasurer ; Horace Rust, Assessor ; J. H. Williams, School Superintendent.
1858-Jeremiah Williams, Chairman ; Walcott Watson, L. Richards, Supervisors ; J. D. Jones, Clerk ; Evan Owens, Treasurer ; E. L. Williams, Assessor; G. F. Hunt, School Superintendent.
1859-J. D. Jones, Chairman ; Richard McCumber, Roger Rogers, Supervisors ; Evan O. Jones, Clerk ; Mills Rust, Treasurer ; E. L. Williams, Assessor ; Charles Rust, School Superintendent.
1860-John D. Jones, Chairman ; Solomon Harvey, William Bump, Supervisors ; David R. Evans, Clerk ; R. H. Mead, Treasurer ; E. L. Williams, Assessor ; J. L. Williams, School Superintendent.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1861-Solomon Harvey, Chairman ; Evan O. Jones, William Bump, Supervisors ; D. R. Evans, Clerk ; Robert H. Hughes, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor ; Henry H. Rust, School Superintendent.
1862-E. O. Jones, Chairman ; William Bump, R. B. Thomas, Supervisors ; D. R. Evans, Clerk ; Roger Rogers, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1863-E. O. Jones, Chairman ; R. B. Thomas, W. Griffin, Supervisors ; D. R. Evans, Clerk ; J. G. Southwell, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1864-William Owen, Chairman ; R. B. Thomas, William Bump, Supervisors ; R. T. Williams, Clerk ; Jeremiah Williams, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1865-R. B. Thomas, Chairman ; D. R. Jones, George Bennett, Supervisors; G. O. Jones, Clerk ; Jeremiah Williams, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1866-Henry B. Rust, Chairman ; George M. Bennett, William O. Jones, Supervisors ; G. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1867 -- H. B. Rust, Chairman ; John L. Lloyd, Supervisor ; John B. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Edward L. Williams, Assessor.
1868-R. H. Mead, Chairman ; Roger Rogers, William R. Williams, Supervisors ; G. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Richard G. Owen, Evan Owens, Assessors. 1869-R. H. Mead, Chairman ; Evan Owens, David D. Morris, Supervisors ; G. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Assessor.
1870-H. B. Rust, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, Evan Owen, Supervisors ; G. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Mills Rust, Assessor.
1871-George M. Bennett, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, William O. Jones, Supervisors ; E. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. B. Thomas, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1872-George M. Bennett, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, William O. Jones, Supervisors ; E. O. Jones, Clerk ; Robert J. Rowland, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1873-George M. Bennett, Chairman ; William Hughes, G. W. Townsend, Supervisors ; E. O. Jones, Clerk ; R. J. Rowland, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1874-George M. Bennett, Chairman ; William Hughes, John W. Lee, Supervisors ; R. J. Rowlands, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1875-John W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. J. Row- lands, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1876-J. W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1877-John W. Lee, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, D. T. Williams, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, Clerk ; Hugh R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1878-John J. Lloyd, Chairman ; D. D. Morris, G. Richards, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, Clerk ; H. R. Hughes, Treasurer ; Jonas Conklin, Assessor.
1879-D. D. Morris, Chairman; Maurice Blodgett, Owen Corley, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, Clerk ; H. R. Hughes, Treasurer ; John Quinn, Assessor.
1880-D. D. Morris, Chairman ; M. R. Blodgett, Owen Cordy, Supervisors ; R. E. Jones, Clerk ; H. R. IIuglies, Treasurer ; John Quinn, Assessor.
VILLAGE OF CAMBRIA.
In 1844, two brothers, by the name of Langdon, settled on the site of the present village, one of them building a saw-mill on a branch of Duck Creek, the other opening a small stock of general inerchandise. Four blocks were surveyed and platted, and the prospective village named Florence. The name, however, was not readily accepted by the community surrounding it, and was better known as Langdon's Mill.
In 1848, the Langdons put up a frame for a grist-mill, but were unable to purchase the necessary machinery to operate it. In the spring of 1849, one Bell came out and advanced money for that purpose, taking a mortgage upon the whole of Langdon's property to secure the debt, and, in consequence of non-payment when due, it all passed into his hands. Mr. Bell now
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
took steps to enlarge the boundaries of the new village, having surveyed and platted quite a large addition to the original plat. In order to perpetuate his name, he called the village Bell- ville. The business of milling, as established by the Langdons, he continued until 1851, when lie disposed of his entire interest in mill and village to John ap Jones and Evan Edwards. Jones & Edwards not being practical millers, employed Gabriel Williams to superintend it, and the mill became more noted than ever before. Until age made it necessary to abandon the work, Mr. Williams continued to be identified with the mill as Superintendent or proprietor.
The new proprietors of the village, as well as the few who had settled here, were not pleased with the name of Bellville, and by them it was changed to Cambria. But little growth was attained until the completion of the railroad through the place in 1857. At that time, the pros- pect was good for a large and enterprising village, but for some cause its growth was checked. Unlike many villages, it cannot be said it ever was ahead of the country tributary to it.
As might be inferred, the first building in the village was erected by the Langdons, and was situated near the mill. This house was still standing in 1880, but no longer used as the abode of man. For a number of years previous, the owners of the mill into whose hands it fell used it for stabling purposes.
The first hotel in Cambria was built by Griffith & Evans in the summer of 1856. It remained in their possession but a short time, when it passed into the hands of Gibbs & Halsey, who in turn transferred it to John O. Jones, it afterward passing successively into the hands of H. Dunham, Murdoch & Smith and Chatwood & Son, and was burned in 1872.
In the fall of 1852, L. Richards came to the village and opened a small store. At this time, there was no post office here, and Mr. Richards, as well as others, was put to a great deal of inconvenience in receiving mail, being under the necessity of going some three miles to the nearest post office. Mr. Richards began to urge the department to establish an office here, and it was mainly through his instrumentality the work was accomplished. The country being thinly settled, and two post offices within three miles, the department felt unwilling to do anything unless one of the two should be suspended, and the mail contractor willing to change the route. But, in the spring of 1854, the necessary arrangements were made for an office, and William Post received the appointment of Postmaster, and served as such until the spring of 1856. At this time, James Kelley came to the village looking for a location, and, being favorably impressed, he purchased the stock of merchandise of Mr. Post, and the latter resigned in his favor. Mr. Kelley performed the duties of the office until 1868, whed he resigned and was suc- ceeded by Horace Rust. Going East, Mr. Kelley embarked in oil and other speculations, which not proving remunerative, he returned to Cambria, and receiving the appointment, he again dis- charged the duties of Postmaster, and continued until January, 1879, when he was succeeded by Peter Williams. The office was made a money-order office in 1869. The first order was issued July 14, 1869, to Griffith O. Jones, in favor of C. H. Mariner, New Lisbon, Ohio, for the sum of $35. The second order was also issued to Mr. Jones. During the year 1879, there were issued 1,045 orders, calling for the sum of $15,075.53.
In addition to the hotel of Chatwood & Sons, which, as has already been stated, was burned in 1872, two others have been erected in the village-the Peterman House and Cambria Hotel. The former was a large stone structure, erected in 1874, and burned April 26, 1879. The lat- ter was opened in 1872, after the first was destroyed, by Isaac Parry.
A fire visited the village in 1874, which is thus described by a local writer : "On Sunday afternoon, December 20, 1874, occurred the most destructive fire ever witnessed in our village, destroying the principal stores, and laying desolate the greater part of the north side of Water street. At about 3:30 P. M., the alarm of fire was raised, and smoke was seen issuing from the building of B. W. Roberts, the lower part of which was occupied by J. B. Smith, who had lately opened a branch of his Fox Lake store, under the care of David Williams. On forcing open the doors, the ceiling was discovered to be ablaze, and the fire under full headway. A large crowd soon gathered and many of the goods were saved. To the west was a large wooden build- ing, the main part of which was used as a warehouse by Isaac Parry, the rest of which was
1
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
occupied by Squire Patton as a dwelling. This was soon in flames. The next building was Adam Schlussmann's shoe-shop, which was soon torn down to prevent further spread of the fire to the west. If there had been any wind from the north, the whole town would have been burned. As it was, the greatest care was necessary to prevent the buildings on the opposite side of the street from taking fire; they were scorched and blistered, and every pane of glass in front of Peter- man's new hotel was cracked by the intense heat. East of Smith's store was D. D. Jones' dry-goods store, which was soon in flames. It was now evident that the whole street would go, and the greater part of the goods in the remaining buildings were speedily removed. The next building demolished was occupied by D. Roberts as a dwelling-house and tailor-shop ; next came E. R. Williams' harness-shop ; then as fast as the flames could devour them, George Buck's barber-shop, John Davies' shoe-shop, and finally Thomas Lewis' harness-shop. Here the fire stopped, there not being wind enough to carry the flames across Madison street to Purnell's hard- ware store. The entire loss is estimated at from $18,000 to $20,000; insurance about $2,000. The principal losers are J. B. Smith and D. D. Jones; Smith's goods were insured, and he will lose about $3,000; Mr. Jones had no insurance, and loses about $6,000. None of the build- ings were insured. Dr. M. A. Shaw, whose office was over Smith's store, lost his medical library, which was insured for $50. This is a hard blow for Cambria, but the burned district will probably be rebuilt, and the appearance of the village improved. It is not known how the fire originated.'
The school district of Cambria was organized in 1847, and a house was built the same year on land given by Samuel Langdon. In size it was 20x24, built of oak Inmber from Langdon's mill. The first winter term of school was taught by Betsy Griffin, in 1848-49. The first and second summer terms were taught by S. S. Torbet ; the third by Miss Butterfield; the fourth by Miss Carhart ; the fifth by Mr. Knight; the fourth winter term by William Hollinshead. Teachers then received $1.50 per week, boarding around, and for the winter term $20 to $25 per month. Mr. Edwards taught during the school year of 1855-56; John J. Williams, the sum- mer of 1856; Miss Mary Rust, the summer term of 1857; and Charles Rust, the winter of 1857-58. The honse then became inadequate to accommodate the pupils, there being seventy- five to crowd in a room 20x24. It was then abandoned and a room hired in a building thien owned by Evan Morris. The new schoolhouse was built in 1861-Hugh Roberts, builder-at a cost of $1,600. Number of scholars at that time, 313. The school was now graded, and the first teachers under the graded system were Harvey Rust, S. A. Van Middleworth and Amelia Kelly, and the wages received were $50, $32 and $20 per month. In 1868, the schoolhouse was moved to a more favorable location on Tower street, and an addition was built for the primary department, at a cost of $600. John J. Lloyd, S. A. Van Middleworth and Nellie Roberts were teaching that year at a salary of $66, $32 and $24, respectively. Number of scholars enrolled, 332. In 1879-80, Ladoc Merrill, Lizzie Williams and Lizzie Hughes were teachers, receiving, respectively, a salary of $56, $26 and $20. Number of pupils enrolled, 254. Miss S. A. Van Middleworth tanght the intermediate department eight years in suc- cession. The highest wages that have been paid a male teacher, were $66, and the lowest, $50, per month.
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