The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 110

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1880-J. R. Hastie, Chairman ; Newton Davis, William Rcedal, Supervisors ; S. L. Scofield, Clerk ; M. B. Scofield, Treasurer; Joseph Wood, Assessor.

In the spring of 1837, Thompson, Trimble and Morton platted a village on Section 5, to which was given the high-sounding name of " Kentucky City," so named in honor of Mr.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Morton, who was from the State of Kentucky. LaFayette Hill was induced to settle here, and in August, 1837, he built the first and only house erected in the "city." In vain was the call made for other settlers ; neither the name, location, or inducements held out by the proprie- tors of the place, attracted those in search of a home. The plat was vacated in due time, and " Kentucky City " was a thing of the past.

VILLAGE OF DEKORRA.

In the fall of 1842, Thompson & Trimble, who became sole owners of the greater part of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, Township 11, Range 9 east, including the site of the former village of Kentucky City, sent out J. W. Rhoads and Thomas C. Nelson, with instructions to build a mill, lay out a village and establish a store at this point. The mill was built according to instruc- tions, a complete account of which is given in the history of the town of Dekorra, it being outside the limits of the village as platted. The village was laid out, the plat made and recorded Jann- ary 7, 1843. The site was that upon which the former village of Kentucky City was located, and was selected on account of the facilities as a landing on the river at that place, and for years it was a great distributing point for lumber, and a large area of country, extending as far north as Madison, was supplied thence. Quite a village gradually sprang up around the landing, and there is a tradition that Dekorra narrowly escaped being selected as the site for the State capital; but the building of railroads cut off its trade, and it languished and dwindled until it now consists of only a store, run by James McMillan, who is also Postmaster ; a blacksmith shop, and the best ferry on that part of the river.

In 1856, Peter Taylor and Mr. Ege built a saw-mill at Dekorra, which was subsequently transformed into a steam grist-mill. The enterprise proving a failure, the machinery was sold and transferred to Blue Mounds.

The first store was opened in 1843, by Rhoads & Nelson, agents of Thompson & Trimble ; the second, by J. B. Miller; third, by James McMillan ; fourth, by George Ege ; fifth, a grocery store, by Thomas McMillan.

John Springer started a blacksmith-shop in the village this same year.

A post office was established here in the spring of 1843, with Thomas C. Nelson as Post- master.

La Fayette Hill, whose house was built while the place was known as Kentucky City, kept the first hotel, and Hill's tavern was always well patronized.

Death claimed its first victim in a child of John Springer, in 1844.

No church building was ever erected in the village, but a congregation of Presbyterians was organized here October 24, 1854, under the name of "Presbyterian Church of Dekorra and Caledonia." The Presbytery of Winnebago at this time sent Revs. H. R. Robertson, W. W. McNair and Elder Reed to organize if the way was clear. After the usual services, Michael Cochrane, Robert Sample, William Sample, John Brown, Margaret Brown, John Marshall, James Stevenson and wife and Peter Shaw signed the articles of covenant and were consti- tuted a Presbyterian Church as above named. John Brown was elected and ordained as Elder, and John Marshall, Deacon. Rev. John McNulty was chosen as Pastor and served until his death in 1861. On the 3d day of September, 1862, the congregation was formally disbanded.

On the 9th day of April, 1863, a United Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. J. W. Collins. Peter McKenzie and Thomas Allan were chosen as Elders. Those composing the organization, in addition to the Elders named, were David Aitken, Margaret Aitken, Samuel Edwards, Elizabeth J. Hastie, Jane McCulloch, Jane McMillen, Christina Mckenzie, John Mckenzie, Isabella Robertson, Electa M. Smith, Mary Wilson, Sr., Elizabeth Wilson, James Burns. Those serving the church as Pastors were Revs. J. A. Morrow, G. W. Torrence, Thomas S. Parks, J. R. Harris, Mr. Brown, W. Wright, Mr. Smith, M. B. Williams and Hugh Brown. Mr. Brown served a longer time than any other Pastor, his labors ceasing only when called away by death, May 15, 1876. Since the death of Mr. Brown, the church has not

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

flourished, and it has now but seven or eight members, with Peter Mckenzie and John Brown as Elders. A good Sunday school is kept in operation.

In 1846, William McDonald laid out a village on the northwest quarter of Section 14. Township 11, Range ? east, and gave it the name of " Inch." The place has never belied its name, its rank among the villages of the county being such as to properly bring it within the meaning of that appellation. No lots were ever sold, stores opened or houses built, and in the year of our Lord 1880, people living in the neighborhood speak of it as " once being called Inch, but now it is not even half an 'Inch.'"

La Fayette Hill, in 1848, purchased the northeast quarter of Section 10, and laid out the village of Oshankuta. Like many other villages, it never attained a very remarkable growth. Mr. Hill himself erected a public house, known as Hill's tavern, which always maintained a good reputation, and was open to the public until his death, in 1853. Several lots were given away and a half-dozen houses erected, including a store and blacksmith-shop. A post office was also established here, but has long since been discontinued.

VILLAGE OF POYNETTE.

Upon the 8th day of February, 1837, J. D. Doty entered 120 acres of land of the south- east quarter of Section 34, Township 11, Range 9, and caused to be laid out the village of Pauquette, the plat of which was recorded on the 15th day of March of the same year. The plat, however, was subsequently vacated. About the year 1850, application was made by peti- tion to the Post Office Department, through Doty, to have a post office established at this point, and the petitioners desired the name given the office to be Pauquette, the same as that given by him to the village he had laid out. Through a clerical error, it was called Poynette. No effort was ever made to change the name, and when the village was again laid out it was called Poynette, after the name of the post office.

The first plat of the village was made in 1851, by Samuel B. Pinney, and comprised the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34. Mr. Pinney, shortly after platting, transferred it to John Thomas. Since this time, various additions have been made, one made by Brayton & Tomlinson, and recorded September 25, 1863; one by Mary A. Jackson, recorded November 16, 1865 : one by Tomlinson & Hudson, recorded July 14, 1871. The Poynette House and American House, and nearly all that part of the village west of Main street. on the north side, and part of that on the south side, of the creek, are on Jamieson's Addition. Other additions were made, but prior to 1879 had been vacated.

" There were about a dozen inhabitants in the village of Poynette twenty-five years ago. and four dwelling-houses, including the public house kept by Hugh Jamieson. S. B. Thomas. who kept the post office (John Thomas was the Postmaster), Hubbard Johnson and Hugh Jamieson-the latter just married and occupying one apartment of a double log house, while the other served as a schoolroom. It was Poynette's first school. The inhabitants contemplated building a schoolhouse, and in order to draw the public money they had to have a school ; so they taxed the inhabitants to raise money to pay a teacher, for which services they paid $6.00 per month. For something to eat the teacher walked home with her scholars, sometimes two or three miles out in the country ; for Poynette was a village (why not ?) with hotel, post office, and blacksmith shop. I used to hear people say Poynette would be as large as Portage City some day. The school numbered twenty-four scholars, but twelve or fifteen was the usual attendance. An old bachelor refused to pay his tax for the reason he had no children to send to school. Another (not an old bachelor) withheld a portion of his tax, claiming that a certain young man who was paying his addresses to the teacher owed him, and he was holding on to see how matters progressed, and if they married he was going to turn it, and if not he would pay the teacher some time. Of the scholars only two are now residents of Poynette-Courtland Brown and John Wilson. Of the rest, some have died, some are in Iowa, some in Minnesota, some in Missouri, and one in New York, now a Methodist minister. I remembera snow storm the 11th day of June. As I was on my way to school, I saw a man in the field near the roadside

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

planting corn over with overcoat and mittens on. The same was Hugh Jamieson. When I arrived at the schoolhouse, the scholars were there ; and as most of them were barefooted, and no fire in the schoolroom, they had to go home and wait for fair weather. The house was built by Wallace Rowan ; and, since vacated, has served for the purposes of a dry-goods store, post office, schoolhouse and meeting-house. A Mr. Cornell, a Baptist minister, used to come to Poynette. He usually sent an appointment to preach on the Sabbath. Of the dozen inhabitants, no two held the same faith and belonged to the same order. Mrs. Johnson was the only Methodist. Pierce Jamieson was the first white child born in the village of Poynette. Mr. Thomas was Postmaster, and the mail matter was kept in an old tool chest in one corner of the kitchen. It is a difficult matter for the youth of the present day to understand that at the time of which I write, the fleet-footed deer and wily prairie wolf might occasionally be seen where the iron horse now plunges along, heavily laden with the products of a country which then scarcely furnished more than the inhabitants required for imme- diate use, for scarcely a foot of land on the prairie south of our now prosperous and flourishing village was under cultivation, except a very few pieces adjoining the timber. If, however, they had a few bushels of grain to spare which they wished to convert into cash, they hauled it to Milwaukee, a distance of upward of a hundred miles. This journey was usually performed with oxen, taking from eight to twelve and sometimes fifteen days to make the round trip. They usually camped out and carried their provisions with them. Such journeys were frequently performed, and some of our most wealthy and respectable citizens still live to remem- ber the dreary, dusty and sometimes disagreeable time they had in making the trip. In those days, men had many disagreeable duties to perform, and, knowing this, they nerved them- selves to the task and went at it with a will and determination to succeed."

The growth of the village until the completion of the railroad was quite slow. At that time, there was not to exceed one hundred and fifty inhabitants, and its business was all upon the south side of Rowan Creek, with the exception of Jamieson's Hotel. The first house erected after platting the village was by S. B. Thomas, and the first store kept was by Thomas & Pinney. H. P. Jamieson, son of Hugh Jamieson, was the first white child born here.

Hotels .- Four years before the platting of the village of Poynette, by Gov. Doty, Wallace Rowan built a house on the south side of the creek, which, for several years, was a noted public house, entertaining many of the earlier and most prominent men of the State. Rowan sold the house in the course of time to Samuel Woodworth, who leased the same to Mrs. Ens- minger, who continued in possession until 1852, when Mr. Woodworth sold it to Hugh Jameison. About two years before it came into the possession of Mr. Jamieson, a new structure had been erected on the south side of Rowan Creek, which he occupied until February, 1858, save for a period of one year, when he leased it to Samnel Wilkins, and made an extended visit to his native country, Scotland.

Poynette House .- In 1856, Hugh Jamcison began the erection of this house, which was not completed until February, 1858. For ten years, Mr. Jamieson continued in possession. On one occasion, a traveler put up with him for the night, and a Norwegian man-of-all-work was instructed to show him to his room, wait till he retired, and then bring back the light. The man, being a devout Catholic, after disrobing knelt by the bedside to perform his evening devotions. In making the sign of the cross, and other motions peculiar to those professing that faith, he aroused the suspicions of the Norwegian. who, setting down the candle, took the man up in his arms and threw him on the bed, with the exclamation, " You been taking a little too much, to- night." In May, 1868, Mr. Jamieson disposed of the house to Tomlinson & Hudson, who have since served the weary traveler.

American House .- This house was erected by James Oleson in 1859, who sold it to H. Jamieson, who sold the same to C. Conger, he disposing of it to B. Van Vleet. He disposed of it to George T. Morrison, who, in turn, sold the same to E. F. Tillotson, April, 1877. Various changes and improvements were made from time to time, adding to the comfort and convenience of the traveling public.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

Poynette Upper Mill .- This mill was erected in 1860, by Mr. Fish. It has, from that time, to January, 1878, been the property of L. Stevens, Mr. Aiken, Robert Robertson and Kenry Kuntz.

Poynette Lower Mills were built in the summer of 1858, by A. P. Smith. J. Bridge, of Wyocena, was the superintending millwright. The carpenter work was done by H. J. Sill, the stone work by Melancthon Smith and James Hunt. The size of the main building was 36x40, three stories, containing two run of three fcet ten inch buhrs and necessary machinery, all driven by a 13x14-foot overshot wheel. The iron work and buhrs were furnished by Decker & Seville, of Milwaukee. The mill, at that time, was considered the best mill in the county. The first miller was James Ashley. It was run by various parties until the spring of 1867, when it was purchased by A. O. Dole. It was run without any material changes in the machinery until June, 1878, when it was entirely remodeled by its present proprietor, F. A. Dole. The overshot wheel, with its cumbrous gearing, was replaced by three Elmer wheels-two 17-inch, and one 12-inch, manufactured by Davis & Pugh, Berlin, Wis .; an entirely new flume and headrace replaced the old one. The old wheelhouse was torn down and replaced by a new one 16x38, requiring thirty cords of stone for the basement. The bolts were remodeled, a power corn sheller added, and a full line of new process machinery for making patent flour. The cost of the improvements amounted to $2,500. The mill is fitted up for both custon and merchant work. Its principal brands of flour are Dole's Straight and Dole's Pride. The mill has a large local flour trade, and is well patronized by the farming community.

The Madison & Portage Railroad was completed to this place in October, 1870. E. F. Russell was appointed its first agent. He only filled the position three months, having accepted the appointment with the understanding he was to be relieved as soon as another could be had to fill his place. S. F. Hill then came and remained one ycar. He was succeeded by W. Gleason, who attended to the duties of the office for eight years, when W. II. Whitcomb was appointed.

Surrounded by a good farming country, Poynette has been considered an excellent point for grain. On the completion of the railroad, R. B. Wentworth & Co., of Portage, built a small warehouse, and for two seasons purchased grain. Hugh Jamieson, in the summer of 1871, erected a large elevator, with a storage capacity of 12,000 bushels, and entered on the business of buying and shipping. For seven years, Mr. Jamieson continued in the trade, withdrawing in 1878, in favor of his son, H. P. Jameison and H. C. Gould. The annual shipments from 1870 to 1879 inclusive have ranged from 150 to 200 cars.

Poynette was early made a missionary field. The Methodists and Baptists were the first to move in the matter.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- Poynette was, in 1844, embraced in Madison Circuit, under the supervision of Elder Elihu Springer. R. J. Harvey, a reverend and a lawyer, was sent to travel this circuit, but never reached Poynette. The next year, Lodi and Poynette were set off from Madison Circuit, and Rev. Adams was appointed to the charge. Mr. Adams continued on the circuit three months, but never reached Poynette. He was then succeeded by Rev. H. Maynard. Before the close of the year, Father Maynard was called to attend the funeral serv- iccs, at the house of A. Johnson, of a deceased friend of Mr. Johnson. On this occasion was the first Gospel sermon ever heard in Poynette, at least by a Methodist Episcopal minister. Afterward Mr. Maynard had regular preaching at the house of Clark M. Young, a short distance from the village. Father Maynard was followed by Revs. Waldron, Holmes, Woodley and Bunce. In 1853, Revs. Butler and Kidder came, during whose stay of one year (1853-54) Poynette was separated from Lodi. Rev. Waterbury came in the fall of 1854, and remained one year. During the next two years, the parsonage at Dekorra was sold and one built in this village. Mr. Waterbury reported at the end of his labors 100 members and 5 probationers. In the fall of 1857, Rev. Levi M. Cochrane was appointed to the charge, but at the end of six months, finding the work was too hard for him, Rev. H. D. Jencks was employed to assist him. In 1858, Rev. Whiteman was sent to fill out the term of Mr. Cochrane, and at the end of the

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.

year he reported 113 members and 115 probationers. In 1859, Rev. Lester Perkins was appointed to the charge and continued until 1860, reporting, at the expiration of his term of labor, 180 members and 20 probationers. Rev. Ransom Gould was appointed in the fall of 1860. During Mr. Gould's stay, the church was forbidden the use of the schoolhouse, which resulted in the building of a neat and commodious house of worship, at a cost of $2,500. From the fall of 1862, till the summer of 1863, Rev. John M. Springer filled the pulpit. He was an eloquent, earnest, patriotic, Christian man. He was drafted and appointed Chaplain of his regiment, which position he filled till in battle at Resaca, the Captain, First and Second Lieutenants of his company fell, when he seized a musket and led on the charge, was struck in a mortal part and carried from the field. In his last moments, he said to Charles Early, a com- rade, " I have lived what I preached in our Northern home, and die in the favor of God." In the fall of 1863, Rev. H. Chadsayne was appointed to this church, and was succeeded, in the fall of 1864, by Rev. R. Fancher, who remained two years. At this time, there were 132 members and 12 probationers. In 1866, Rev. William Harvey was called and labored for a year and a half, when Rev. O. D. Teal was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. In 1868, Rev. H. D. Jencks took charge of the circuit and remained one year. An extensive revival occurred this year. In 1869, Rev. S. S. Benedict filled the pulpit and continued in charge until the fall of 1871, when Rev. James T. Pryor was sent to the work. He remained until the fall of 1874, when Rev. J. J. Clifton took his place and remained two years. During his administration, the church building was removed to a more central location, and fitted up at an additional expense of $1,500. In the fall of 1876, Rev. Edward McGinley was by the Confer- ence sent to this field and remained two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Matthew Dins- dale, who labored for twelve months. In the fall of 1879, Rev. Richard Pengilly became Pas- tor of the church, entering with spirit upon his work. For some weeks succeeding the week of prayer, in January, 1880, Mr. Pengilly continued in a protracted effort, in which the church was greatly strengthened, and twelve added to it. At that time, the membership was * eighty-four. Stewards-Adam Hall, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Christopher Wilson, Charles Early, A. D. Rose, F. E. Smith, Ella J. Cave. Trustees-Adam Hall, John Palmer, John S. Wolstone, John Lake, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Lewis Newton. ClassLeader-John Lake.

First Presbyterian Church .- On the 24th of April, a committee appointed by the Pres- bytery of Columbus, consisting of Revs. Warren Mays and James A. Lowrie and Elder John B. Dwinnell, visited this place in company with Rev. B. G. Riley, District Secretary of the Home Missions, and Rev. A. G. Dunning, for the purpose of organizing a church. After the usual services, Augustus P. Smith, Caroline A. Smith, Augustus O. Dole, Sarah E. Dole, Harvey J. Sill, Maranda M. Sill, Adeline Youmans, John Watson, Elizabeth Watson, John Forsythe, Margaret Forsythe, Mrs. Jeannet Campbell, Mrs. Agnes Campbell, after hearing the articles of covenant read and consenting thereto, were declared a body corporate to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Poynette. Augustus P. Smith, Augustus O. Dole and John Forsythe were elected Elders, and A. O. Dole, Clerk. In April, 1874, the church adopted the plan of electing their eldership for a stated period. A. O. Dole was elected for five years ; John Forsythe, four years ; Eli Norton, three years ; E. F. Russell, two years ; Thomas Mair, one year. In 1880, the eldership consisted of Thomas Mair, I. C. Sargent, Eli Norton and E. F. Russell. In 1874, a church edifice was erected 32x52 feet, at a cost of $4000. It was dedicated January 27, 1875, by Rev. L. Y. Hays, of Madison, Wis. Rev. J. A. Lowrie was the first Pastor, and was succeeded in order named by Revs. D. B. Gordon, George A. Hutch- ison, H. H. Bushnell, E. Smith Barns and Frederick Wall. The membership, January, 1880, was sixty-one. A flourishing Sunday school at that time had been in existence from the organ- ization of the church.

Masonic Lodge .- Poynette Lodge, No. 173, was instituted June 10, 1868. Its first offi- cers and charter members were : Louis Low, W. M. ; E. F. Russell, S. W. ; David Bullen, J. W .; L. A. Squire, Sec .; George W. Webb, Treas .; B. M. Low, S. D .; W. H. Young, J. D .;

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HISTORY OF COLUMBLA COUNTY.

John Campbell, Tiler. The second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month were chosen as the times of meeting. During twelve years of its existence, it was called upon to deposit within the tomb three of its members, all at the time of death occupying official positions-Louis Low, W. M. ; A. Powers, S. W .; S. M. Wallace, J. W. At their annual election for officers for 1880, L. A. Squire was elected W. M .; Eli Norton, S. W .; A. J. Brown, J. W .; B. S. Buck, Treas. ; Andrew Semple, Sec. ; G. W. Webb, S. D .; James R. Hastie, J. D. ; Hugh Bowie and Allen Bogue, Stewards ; John Campbell, Tiler. Membership, thirty-seven.

Odd Fellows' Lodge .- Poynette Lodge. No. 240, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 15, 1874, by W. G. Bunker, District Deputy. Its first officers and charter members were : Josepli Hartman, N. G .; A. L. Wood, V. G .; W. G. Robinson, R. Sec. ; John Binnie, Treas. ; S. M. Owens, Henry Sloggy. The officers during the first term in 1880 were: J. F. Bohling, N. G .; John Hogan, V. G .; W. C. Gault, Treas .; James Thompson, P. S .; W. G. Robinson, R. S. ; Frank Smith, P. N. G. Membership, thirty-four.

Good Templars .- In 1865, a lodge of Good Templars was instituted here, which continued to exist some two years. On the 4th day of October, a number of interested persons met at the house of Isaac C. Sargent and re-organized under the name of Poynette Lodge, No. 288, I. O. G. T., with D. C. Strong, Jane Strong, Debbie Brayton, A. L. Wood, Judson Packard, I. C. Sargent, Warren Turner, A. Fancher, A. O. Dole, E. J. Sargent, J. D. Thompson, A. J. Townsend, Stephen Brayton, Julia B. Sargent, John Watson and N. Miller as charter mem- bers. For about one month, the lodge held its meetings at the house of Mr. Sargent, when the Methodist Church was secured for that purpose. Another removal was made some six months after to the schoolhouse, and then to Wood's Hall. Here the lodge enjoyed a season of pros- perity, purchasing an organ and otherwise improving their hall. In 1876, in consequence of a change in their place of meeting, some of the members became disaffected, withdrew and insti- . tuted another lodge, which was given the name of Centennial Lodge. For a few months, both lodges seemed to prosper, but finally the Centennial surrendered its charter after a few months' existence. Poynette Lodge has had several seasons of prosperity and of adversity. In Feb- ruary, 1880, its membership was reported at forty-five, with C. J. Harris, W. C. T .; Mrs. C. J. Harris, W. V. T .; John Thomas, W. S .; Mrs. H. C. Butler. W. F. S .; H. C. Butler, W. T .; E. E. Hinkson, P. W. C. T .; Richard Pengilly, Chaplain ; John Jameison, W. M .; Charles Butler, W. O. G .; Harry Russell, W. I. G .; Jennie Powers, R. H. S .; Eliza Lake, L. HI. S .; William Hopkins, W. A. S .; Alida Luther, W. D. M .; E. F. Russell, L. D.

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The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, Part 110

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Butterfield, Consul Willshire, 1824-1899, [from old catalog] ed; Western historical company, chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1104