USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 114
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The town of Leeds is an agricultural town. No effort has ever been made to locate a village within its boundaries, but now its inhabitants are well supplied with mail facilities. there then being four post offices in the town-Leeds, North Leeds, Leeds Center, and Keyser.
Leeds Post Office was established on Section 32 in 1854, with William P. Bradley as the first Postmaster. Mr. Bradley was succeeded by George Durkee, and Mr. Durkee by Anson Engel.
Leeds Center was established in 1856, chiefly through the instrumentality of Dr. R. A. Squires, who was made its first Postmaster. He was succeeded by Norman Ives, who continned but a short time when G. E. Fox was appointed, after which it again passed under control of Dr. Squire, who was succeeded in 1857 by A. S. Packard.
Humphrey McKinney was the first Postmaster of North Leeds, the office being established in 1858. William Dieruf was Mr. Mckinney's successor.
In 1876, an office was established in the southeast part of the town, with Benjamin Brae- son as Postmaster.
The first school in the town was held at Leeds Center on the corner of the northwest quarter of the southwest corner of Section 14, in 1848. In 1850, a substantial log school- house was erected which burned down the first winter. In 1851, a stone house was erected which served the district (No. 1) until June, 1878, when a good frame house was erected and well furnished at a cost of $1,600.
It has been stated there had never been an effort to locate a village in the town, but not- withstanding this fact, around Leeds Center Post Office quite a little village sprang up in 1856- 57, there being there at that time two stores, a blacksmith-shop, post office and a tavern, the latter being erected by John T. Baker, and continued by him about four years. Leeds Center was then on the line of the stage route from Beaver Dam to Lodi and also from Madison to Portage.
From the organization of Leeds, town-meetings have been held at Leeds Center. Election days have generally been considered as holidays and the average voter expected to have some
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fun. There formerly lived here a genius who would occasionally imbibe too freely of the juice of the corn. He was an ardent Republican and never got so drunk but he knew the difference between a Republican and Democratic ticket. On one occasion on election day, he was so drunk a leading Democratic politician thought he would get him to vote the Democratic ticket, and to accomplish his aim was very affectionate toward the old man. Taking him by the arm and placing a Democratic ticket in his hand, he led him up to the polls. The Republicans were of course watching every movement. When the old man arrived at the voting-place, he turned to a leading Republican and said, "Give me a ticket, John." "Why," responded John, " I thought you were going to vote the Democratic ticket ?" "You think (hic) because I've got the (hic) symptoms, I've turned Democrat, (hic) do you ?" John furnished him with the ticket of his choice.
Horse-trading has been classed as a high art in Leeds, and the people of that town have become proverbial as horse-traders. Woe be to the man who considers himself the better judge of horseflesh, and the more experienced in a trade. Orin Powers was a good-hearted, honest citizen of Lowville, and was possessed of a horse valned by good judges at $125. One day, he made up his mind that he would take that horse over to Leeds, and make a little by trading him to some one. He was advised by a friend not to go, but the advice he considered an insult. The idea of his being taken in by those Leeds men ! He would show them he knew what he was about in a horse trade. So over to Leeds he went. Along about sunset, he was seen returning to the point from which he started, on foot, with a bridle in his hand. " Why, Orin, what's the matter ?" said the friend of the morning. "Oh, Doctor," he replied, "they've used me up." " Why, how is that ?" " Well, you see, I went over there. made two or three trades, and on the last one I got a horse and two cows. I thought I had done well. The horse was a fine-looking animal, and I got on him to ride him home, and coming along, the blasted thing had a fit, fell down and nearly killed me. I took off the bridle and left him to die, and here I am with two cows, worth not over $25. I wish I'd taken your advice."
The town of Leeds is situated in the south part of the county, on the county line, which separates it from the town of Windsor, in Dane County. It is about fifteen miles southeast of the city of Portage, and is in Township 10, Range 10 east. Nearly one-half of the township is prairie land ; the other half is oak openings, which are in the northern and southeastern parts. The town is scantily supplied with brooks or streams, there being only a small rivulet in the southeast portion, which has an outlet in a lake situated on parts of Sections 23, 24 and 26. A large number of the settlers in the southeastern part of the town are Norwegians, and that nationality, with the Germans, largely predominate. The town is well improved and under excellent cultivation.
Lutheran Church .- On the 27th day of March, 1847, the first Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Columbia County was organized, by Rev. I. W. C. Dietrickson, as " Spring Prairie Congregation." It consisted of settlers residing in the towns of Leeds. Hampden, Otsego, Lowville, and later Arlington and Dekorra, in Columbia County, and Bris- tol, Windsor and Vienna, Dane County. The first Norwegian services were held at the house of Sjur Reque, some time previous. Among the first members of the congregation were John O. Fosmark, Nels O. Fosmark, Lars Johannesen Moen, Aad Johnson Himle, John Langeteig. Peter Ilalvorsen, Augund Aamnes. Eivind Thorstensen. On the 15th day of October, 1849, Spring Prairie congregation was divided into three congregations-Spring Prairie and Bonnet Prairie, Columbia County, and Norway Grove, Dane County. These three congregations resolved to constitute one parish, where, somewhat later, was joined Lodi congregation, in the towns of Lodi, Arlington and Dekorra, in Columbia County. Rev. I. W. C. Dietrickson had charge of these congregations, and served as their minister up to the 10th of April, 1850; Rev. A. C. Preus from May, 1850, till August, 1851. Rev. Il. A. Preus took charge of them August 10, 1851, and has served as their minister till the present time. As the latter gentle- man has had to attend to a very extensive missionary work among Norwegians in the northern and middle part of Wisconsin, and has also, since 1862, acted as President of the Norwegian
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Evangelical Lutheran Synod in America, the following named have served as assistants : Rev. C. Magelssen, from September, 1866, to October, 1867; Rev. B. Hovde, from January, 1869, to April, 1872; Rev. A. Vinnor, from May, 1872, to May, 1873 ; Rev. A. Bredeson, from May, 1873, to August, 1876; Rev. Chr. K. Preus, from August 13, 1876, to the present time. The first Norwegian church edifice was a small log one, in the town of Otsego, built in the sum- mer of 1853. On the 25th day of June, 1853, the corner-stone of the church in the town of Leeds was laid. It is 50x35 feet, has a fine steeple, and, when erected, cost $2,500. The Bonnet Prairie congregation, Otsego, built a stone church in 1866, 54x35 feet, which cost $7,000. The Lodi congregation was the next to build, in 1871. " Their church edifice is of brick, 54x28 feet, with a steeple 70 feet high; is located in the town of Arlington, and cost $3,600. There are 280 families in the various congregations connected with this parish. Trustees of Spring Prairie congregation-John O. Fosmark, John Hermundsen, Hans Bjorn- sen ; of the Bonnet Prairie Congregation-Andves Loseln, Halvor Anderson, J. B. Berquam ; of Lodi-Ives Larsen, G. Pedersen and A. Ommundsen.
The town of Leeds was organized in 1850, and comprised all of Township 10, Range 10, and the east half of Township 10, Range 9. In 1855, the latter portion of the town was set off to Arlington, leaving the town of Leeds one full township.
The following are the names of the town officers since its organization to the present time : 1850-Thomas Dalziel, Chairman ; Charles B. Thompson, Nathan Hazen, Supervisors ; David M. Hatch, Clerk ; Oliver G. Chilson, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Superintendent of Schools ; Henry Waterhouse, Clark M. Young, Assessors.
1851-Thomas Dalziel, Chairman; Sylvester Dutton, William Young, Supervisors ; James MI. Robinson, Clerk ; Clark M. Young, Thomas Green, John Oleson, Assessors ; William T. Bradley, School Superintendent.
1852-Chester S. Chapin, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Lars Johnson, Supervisors ; David M. Hatch, Clerk ; Henry Waterhouse, Treasurer ; John Oleson, C. M. Young, Thomas Green, Charles Brown, Assessors; William T. Bradley, School Superintendent.
1853-William H. Young, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Amond Christophersen, Super- visors; J. W. Robinson, Clerk; Thomas Dalziel, Treasurer; C. M. Young, Neils Knudson, Assessors ; Isaac C. Sargent, School Superintendent.
1854-William H. Young, Chairman ; Sylvester Dutton, Nelse K. Garvinde, Supervisors ; J. W. Robinson, Clerk ; O. G. Chilson, Treasurer ; Stephen Brayton, Assessor ; D. C. Strong, Superintendent of Schools.
1855-Isaac C. Sargent, Chairman ; Charles Brown, Anton Nelson, Supervisors ; F. W. Cady, Clerk ; Thomas Dalziel, Treasurer ; J. W. Robinson, Assessor and School Superintendent. 1856-Sylvester Dutton, Chairman ; Thomas Dalziel, Amond Christophers. Supervisors : M. J. Waterhouse. Clerk ; William T. Bradley, Treasurer and Assessor ; L. A. Squire, School Superintendent.
1857-William T. Bradley, Chairman ; C. L. Brown, Ender Knudson, Supervisors ; H. P. Estabrook, Clerk ; Halver Halverson, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor; I. C. Sar- gent, School Superintendent.
1858-William T. Bradley, Chairman ; C. B. Thompson, Amond Christophers, Super- visors ; Abel Alden, Clerk ; Halver Halverson, Treasurer; William Young, Assessor ; L. A. Squire, School Superintendent.
1859-Charles L. Brown, Chairman ; B. F. Everett, A. Christophers, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk ; Halver Halverson, Treasurer; William T. Bradley, Assessor ; L. A. Squirc, School Superintendent.
1860-C. L. Brown, Chairman ; A. Christophers, R. Helfritz, Supervisors ; E. F. Russell, Clerk ; H. Lubins, Treasurer : B. F. Everett, Assessor ; L. A. Squire, School Superintendent.
1861-L. A. Squire, Chairman : Christian Munson, R. Helfritz, Supervisors ; C. L. Brown, Clerk ; Henry Lubins, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor ; Benjamin F. McKin- ney, School Superintendent.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1862-L. A. Squire, Chairman; C. Munson, William T. Kleinert, Supervisors : C. L. Brown, Clerk; Lars J. Lee, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor.
1863-L. A. Squire, Chairman ; C. Munson, William T. Kleinert, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk : Lars J. Lee, Treasurer ; William T. Bradley, Assessor.
1864-Thomas Sanderson, Chairman ; E. C. Lubins, Benjamin Johnson, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk ; J. B. Hagaboom, Treasurer ; C. M. Smith, Assessor.
1865-William T. Bradley, Chairman; D. C. Lubins, Peter Oleson, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk ; Robert Dalziel, Treasurer ; Smith J. Scott, Assessor.
1866-A. H. Quackenbush, Chairman ; Peter Oleson, Thomas Pashaw, Supervisors : Abel Allen, Clerk ; Robert Dalziel, Treasurer ; S. J. Scott, Assessor.
1867 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk : J. V. Mixer, Treasurer; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1868 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors ; Abel Allen, Clerk ; William Dieruf, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1869 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors ; J. E. Butler, Clerk ; William Dieruf, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1870 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; Lars J. Lee, Conrad Selle, Supervisors ; William Dieruf, Clerk : William T. Kleinert, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1871 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; G. A. Kleinert, Anson Nelson, Supervisors ; William Dieruf, Clerk ; William C. Kleinert, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1872 .- L. A. Squire, Chairman ; G. A. Kleinert, Anson Nelson, Supervisors; William Dieruf, Clerk ; William C. Kleinert, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1873 .- William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; Abram Page, John Peterson, Supervisors ; L. L. Phinney, Clerk ; Fred Reembohm, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1874 .- William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; Abram Page, John Peterson, Supervisors ; L. L. Phinney. Clerk ; Charles Steltner, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1875 .- William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; F. B. Scott, Andrew A. Erickson, Supervisors ; L. L. Phinney, Clerk ; Joseph L. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1876 .- William C. Kleinert, Chairman ; Andrew A. Erickson, Abram Page, Supervisors ;
L. L. Phinney, Clerk : Joseph L. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1877 .- William C. Kleinert, Chairman : Andrew A. Erickson, Abram Page, Supervisors : L. L. Phinney, Clerk ; L. N. Lee, Treasurer; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1878 .- L. L. Phinney, Chairman ; Conrad Selle, John Peterson, Supervisors : Joseph Faerber, Clerk : L. N. Lee. Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1879 .- L. L Phinney. Chairman : Conrad Selle, John Peterson, Supervisors ; Joseph Faerber, Clerk : L. N. Lee, Treasurer ; Norman M. Ives, Assessor.
1880-W. C. Kleinert, Chairman : L. M. Lee, George Wylie. Supervisors : Joseph Faerber, Clerk ; C. N. Ransom, Treasurer : N. M. Ives, Assessor.
TOWN OF LEWISTON.
The town of Lewiston includes the whole of Township 13 north, in Range 8 east, except the southeast quarter of Section 36, which lies within the city limits of Portage ; also all of the north tier of sections in Township 12 north, in the same range, lying north of the Wisconsin River, except the east half of Section 1. which is a part of the city of Portage ; also, so much of the east half of Township 13 north, in Range 7 east, as lies north of the Wisconsin. It con- tains, therefore, about one township and a half of land. It is bounded on the north by Adams and Marquette Counties ; on the east, by the town of Fort Winnebago and the city of Portage ; on the south, by the city of Portage and the Wisconsin River, and on the west by the Wisconsin River and the town of Newport.
On the 18th day of November, 1852, " Range (8) eight and the east half of Range (7) seven, in Town [ship] thirteen." were " formed into a new town, under the name of Lewiston.' Afterward, so much of Township 12, in Range 8, as lies north of the Wisconsin River was
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
added to Lewiston, this fraction and Township 13, in the same range, being diminished a little over three-fourths of a section when the city of Portage was incorporated. When the selection of a name became necessary, that of Beaver Creek was suggested, and was so incorporated in the petition for the organization of the town ; but the Board of Supervisors changed it to Lewiston, in honor of E. F. Lewis, one of the earliest settlers.
The southwest portion of the town, along the Wisconsin River, is quite level, and, in high water, it has overflowed and run through the town, thence to Fox River, by the way of a stream known as the Grand or Big Slough. There are several small streams of water in the town, mostly emptying into the Fox River. There are also three lakes, situated in the northwest corner of the town, known as Lake Whiting, Lake Loomis and Lake Corning. Lake Whiting has a small stream running into it on the northwest part, passing out on the south and running down the west side of this town and cast side of the town Newport, the Wisconsin River; thence to the Gulf of Mexico. From the same lake there has been a ditch dug, running in an easterly direction, a distance of about a mile and a quarter, with a fall of twenty-one feet, and thence through the Fox River to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Big Slough forms on Section 33, near the Wisconsin River; erosses Sections 34, 26, 23, 22, 21, 16, 9 and 4, entering Neenah Creek, or North Branch of Fox River, on Section 3. Though the name of " slough" is given it, it can hardly be said to be appropriate, as it is a stream of living water, and, though narrow and shallow in places, occasionally are to be found holes ranging in depth from twelve to twenty feet, and increasing in length and width as it approaches its mouth. From the bottom of these deep holes springs of cold water are forced upward. Bass and pickerel abound in the stream. Neenah Creek, where connecting with the Big Slough, crosses Sections 3, 2 and 1, passing into Marquette County on the northeast corner of Section 1, and returns into this county on Section 5, Town of Fort Winnebago.
The first white settlement in the town was made by Daniel Brown, in February, 1849, on the northwest quarter of Section 12, Township 13, Range 7. and Thomas Fletcher soon after settled on the northwest quarter of Section 17, Town 13, Range 8, which was all the settle- ment in the town until the 8th of June following, when E. F. Lewis settled on the northwest quarter of Section 21, Township 13, Range 8. On the same day, there was a load of lumber left on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 25, Township 13, Range 8, by Samuel and Jacob Reader, to secure a claim made there by them. Also, at the same time, Ira Young made a claim on the southeast quarter of Section 17, Township 13, Range 8. James Sloan and William Finnegan made claims on Section 20, Township 13, Range 8. About the 20th of June, Peter Thompson and Mons. Johnson made claims on the east half of Section 21, Town- ship 13, Range 8, which was the first settlement by the Scandinavians in the town. Amplias Chamberlain and John Huxley made a settlement on Section 6, Township 13, Range 8, in July, and Jonathan Butterfield and Aaron Toun made claims, in the spring of 1842, where Briggsville now stands, and gave the claim to A. E. Briggs, in 1851, on condition that he would improve the water-power thereon. Mr. Briggs built a saw-mill at once, which was the first start of the village of Briggsville. Solomon Clark and Daniel Burlison made a claim on Section 26, Township 13, Range 8, and Jacob Jacobia also settled on the same section in the fall of 1849. Several settlers came in during the months of July and August of that year, among whom were Robert Shortly and a man of the name of Parks, who settled on Section 1, and Robert Thompson, who settled on Section 4, Township 13, Range 8. About this time, the Germans began to settle in the south part of the town, along the Wisconsin River, among whom were Fred Bach, on Seetion 32; William and Harry Lintz, and Christian Pfieler, on Section 4, Township 12, Range 8. The first settlers in the east part of the town were the Devine brothers and Patrick Shea, who settled on Sections 18 and 14, Township 13, Range 8, and the Ryan brothers, on Scetion 24. William, James and Robert Clark settled in the north- east corner of the town, on Sections 3 and 10, and from that time on the settlement became general throughout the town.
When Mr. Lewis settled on his claim, he lived three weeks in his wagon box. He then erected a log house 22×52 feet, a story and a half high, for hotel purposes, christening his house
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
the " Pinery Exchange." Being on the old pinery road, on which there was considerable travel, the hotel flourished until the building of railroads diverted emigration. Other hotels along the line of the road through this county were erected, each receiving fair patronage. Jacob Jacobia built on Section 26, in the fall of 1849, and E. N. Storms in 1851. When the new pinery road was opened in 1852, E. B. Craig erected a hotel where it crosses the Big Slough, naming it the " Menominee Ilouse.'
In 1849, a claim society was organized, composed of settlers in the towns of Newport, and Lewiston, Columbia County, and the counties of Adams and Marquette. The object of the society was to protect the first settlers in their claims. The land, not then being in market, was not subject to entry, but many men locating and improving lands selected, with the intention of seeuring their claim as soon as thrown in the market. It was feared that there would be those who, observing improvements made, would hasten to file claims before the original settler could do so, thus defrauding them out of their just rights. A number of cases of disputed claims came before the society, which they attempted to settle in their own way. In the spring of 1852, James Litchfield located upon the northwest quarter of Section 1. Township 13, Range 7, erected a small frame dwelling and cleared about five acres of land. He received notice from the society to vacate, as another party had a prior claim. Consulting with neighbors, he was satisfied that Mr. Norris, the other claimant, had selected another quarter, and was, therefore, entitled to no more. For this reason he refused to go. One Saturday, in the month of May, 1852, near midnight, some ten or twelve masked men came here, and calling up Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, ordered them from the house, set it on fire, burning it to the ground. The unfortu- nate couple went to the house of John Brickwell, where they remained a few days, and from there to Mr. Briggs', where they stayed until a new house could be built for them by the sym- pathizing neighbors. Five of the masked men were recognized by Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield, warrants were sworn out, and they were arrested and bound over for trial in the Circuit Court for the crime of arson. The first term, after indictment, the defendants got a continuance of the case, and at the time of the second term Mrs. Litchfield was too ill to attend the trial. The matter was then compromised and the case stricken from the docket.
The first school in the town was taught by Mrs. Brickwell, in the summer of 1853, on Section 12, School District No. 1.
The first white child born in the town was a daughter of Frederick Back, on Section 32, Township 13, Range 8, in the summer of 1849. This child died the following winter from being scalded in a tub of hot water.
The first death was at the house of E. F. Lewis, in September, 1849. Elisha Parmenter, with his family, came from the State of New York, and stopped with Mr. Lewis. There he left his family, and with his team returned to Milwaukee for his goods. Returning with them. he was taken sick and lived but a few days. He was buried in the military burying ground at Fort Winnebago.
The whole number of acres assessed on the first assessment roll was 13,747.73, valued at $46,420. The value of personal property on the same roll was $1,150. Total, $47,870.
The first election was at the house of E. F. Lewis, on the 5th of April, 1853, at which Riley Woodford, Almon Hay and John Brickwell acted as Inspectors and L. C. Jacobs as Clerk. Those voting at this election were John Briekwell, Riley Woodford, E. F. Lewis, Almon Hay. Robert Thompson, M. B. Eastings. Charles S. Mason, George W. Bird, Moses Johnson, Peter Thompson, Elling Mahl, Hans O. Mensen, Jacob Jacobia, John Fiteh, Orrin Hay, Hans Han- son, Jr., Lewis Hanson, Hans Hanson, Sr., Thomas Robinson, Hans Thompson, M. H. Dahl, Warren Hay. T. E. Bendixon, John A. Gund, Joseph Wagner, Jacob Poagle, Robert Thomp- son, Allen Vincent. George Winders, Nels Paterson, Albert Oleson, Peter Hees, Hans Lolliger, Lewis Sader, Frederick C. Martin, Stephen Collenson, Solomon Clark, Henry Jertson, Hans Jertson, Lars Isaacson, Joseph Mathias, Isaac Andrews, Sven Johnson, Ole Johnson, Ole Ole- son, John O'Mare. William McDonald, Edmund Beaz, S. A. Reader, Riley A. Woodford, Fred Bach, Claus Hilderbrand, Frederick Guildner, Mortz Kuhl, Andrew Languard, Robert Clark,
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
James Clark, Andrew McFarlane, T. Fletcher, Holly Warden, John Isaacson, Joseph Blume, C. W. Gay. L. C. Jacobs, G. M. W. Carey, Sven Anderson, E. N. Storms, Ole Erickson, Dan- iel Oleson, George W. Green, Talbot Askinson, Clark Vincent, James Devine, John Ryan, Den- nis Callaghan, William Messer. Christian Tilder, John Hickitkere, Robert Dovle, Michael McCormick, Edmund Cushing, John Kline. Dennis Harrigan, Jeremiah Devine. Daniel Cush- ing. Nelson Van Wil, Michael R. Devine, Richard Bagnall, Andrew Baarnaman, George R. Kindness, Francis Dane, John Devine, Frederick Severt, William Clark, Jacob Reader. John Ewing, Jacob Mickelson, W. Finnegan, Peter McCormick, Charles Seavert, Lewis Vake, James Sloan and John Guilder-a total of 104, of which number, in 1880, about twenty-five were residents of the town.
The town was divided into school districts May 19, 1853, by John Brickwell, who was then Superintendent of Schools of the town. In 1879, there were ten districts in the town, all of which had good schoolhouses. A good deal of interest has generally been manifested in the schools.
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