USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 120
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" He remained in New York until 1846, when he removed to Wisconsin, and in 1847, he settled at Marcellon, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was identified with the organization of this town and was its second town Superintendent, which office he held for three terms. He was also Deputy Provost Marshal during the late war, and was Justice of the Peace for more than twelve years. He died as he had lived for many years, a member in good and regular standing of the Close Communion Baptist Church, and to this church, as well as to the community and his sovrowing family his death is a great loss. He leaves an aged wife and eight children : W. C. Albee, of Marcellon ; Emily A. Ross, wife of Henry Ross, Barron County ; Euretta McDonald, wife of Marion McDonald, Furnass County, Neb .; George W. Albee, of Ben- ton County, Iowa ; Morette Dean, wife of Charles Dean, Barron County, Wis .; D. J. Albee, Port- age, Wis .; Gurdetta Herreman, wife of Ivin Herreman, of Marcellon, and Fagette Albee, of Mar- cellon. The funeral was held at the late residence of deceased in Marcellon, and was conducted by Elder Thomas Yule of this city, and the singing was led by David G. Muir, in pursuance of a request of Mr. Albee previous to his death."
The following is a list of town officers from the organization of the town to the present time :
1849-Mathew W. Patton, Chairman ; John Meddaugh, Samuel Seavey, Supervisors ; Thomas D. Wallace, Clerk ; Gilman H. Hoyt, Assessor ; John Seavy, Treasurer ; James M. Hoyt, School Superintendent.
1850-John Seavy, Chairman ; Thomas D. Wallace, William H. Cahoon. Supervisors ; George Brinkerhoff, Clerk ; William Bonny, Treasurer; Lawrence Van Dueson, Assessor ; Hiram Albee, School Superintendent.
1851-Moses F. Case, Chairman ; Samuel Hovey, James M. Hoyt, Supervisors ; William H. Cahoon, Clerk ; Martin M. Williams, Treasurer ; James D. Cann, E. A. McDowell, Assessors ; O. D. Coleman, School Superintendent.
801
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1852-Jacob Rood, Chairman; Elmon Barker, Gilman H. Hoyt, Supervisors ; S. G. McDowell. Clerk ; James D. Carr, Treasurer ; Nathan Beach, Assessor ; O. D. Coleman, School Superintendent.
1853-Ebenezer Williams, Chairman : David Wyman, E. A. McDowell, Supervisors ; Morris S. Williams, Clerk ; E. A. McDowell, Jacob Rood, Assessors ; John Seavy, Treasurer ; P. C. Heath, School Superintendent.
1854-E. A. McDowell, Chairman ; Darius Pierce, Ovid French, Supervisors; S. A. Knapp, Clerk ; Ovid French, J. S. Blodgett, Elmon Barker, Assessors ; Elam McDowell, Treasurer ; O. D. Coleman, School Superintendent.
1855 -- John Seavy, Chairman ; Simon Hoyt, H. J. Prescott, Supervisors ; S. A. Knapp, Clerk ; William Meacher, Nathan Beach, Assessors ; E. McDowell, Treasurer ; J. M. Hoyt, School Superintendent.
1856-M. F. Cass, Chairman ; E. G. Chase, H. J. Prescott. Supervisors : S. A. Knapp, Clerk ; William Meacher, Nathan Beach, Assessors ; E. M. McDowell, Treasurer : O. D. Cole- man, School Superintendent.
1857-James H. Bonney, Chairman ; Martin M. Williams, Edward Leighton, Supervisors : Rufus Comstock, Clerk ; Elam McDowell, Treasurer ; Josiah Pierce, S. A. Knapp, Assessors ; J. C. Blodgett, School Superintendent.
1858-James H. Bonney, Chairman : James H. Blodgett, P. C. Heath, Supervisors : Rufus Comstock, Clerk : Martin M. Williams, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Merrell H. Smith, Assessors ; J. C. Blodgett, School Superintendent.
1859-M. M. Williams, Chairman ; Edward Leighton, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors ; C. C. Chapple, Clerk ; F. B. Langdon, Treasurer ; M. F. Cass, Assessor ; Hiram Allen, School Superintendent.
1860-S. A. Knapp, Chairman ; N. Beech, R. D. Tasker, Supervisors ; F. McGuire, Clerk; A. Smith, Treasurer ; William Meacher, School Superintendent.
1861-S. A. Knapp, Chairman ; R. D. Tasker, G. W. Allen, Supervisors ; E. G. Chase, Clerk ; S. Herreman, Treasurer ; M. H. Smith, Assessor; Hiram Albee, School Superintendent. 1862-Nathan Beach, Chairman ; William Meacher, G. C. Hopkins, Supervisors ; M. S. Williams, Clerk ; S. A. Knapp, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1863-James M. Hoyt, Chairman ; W. W. Comstock, H. H. Chapman, Supervisors ; E. G. Chase, Clerk ; Samuel Herriman, Treasurer : P. C. Heath, Assessor.
1864-Phillip Loomis, Chairman : O. S. Ensign, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors ; E. G. Chase, Clerk ; Jackson Kohler, Treasurer: Hiram Albee, Assessor.
1865-William Meacher, Chairman ; G. H. Hoyt, James C. Morrison, Supervisors ; H. Albee, Clerk ; William Woodford, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1866-L. A. Bliss, Chairman; L. H. Cass, G. W. Allen, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk ; Edward Leighton, Treasurer : Henry Preston, Assessor.
1867-L. A. Bliss, Chairman ; R. D. Tasker, G. W. Allen, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk : Rufus Comstock, Treasurer and Assessor.
1868-C. W. Beach, Chairman; G. S. Dunbar, W. W. Comstock, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk ; L. A. Bliss, Treasurer and Assessor.
1869-George S. Dunbar, Chairman: W. W. Comstock, R. D. Tasker, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk : H. H. Preston, Treasurer : M. H. Smith, Assessor.
1870-Hiram Albee, Chairman ; E. C. West, Frank Fuller, Supervisors : Henry Neef, Clerk ; William Herriman, Treasurer : William Meacher, Assessor.
1871-Hiram Albee, Chairman : John Moran, Frank Fuller, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk; William Herriman, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1872-Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk ; William Herriman, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1873-Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk ; Asa Smith, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1874-Hiram Albee, Chairman : John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk : William Herreman, Treasurer; William Meacher, Assessor.
1875-Hiram Albee, Chairman ; John Moran, D. B. Herreman, Supervisors ; Henry Neef, Clerk ; William Herreman, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1876-0. D. Coleman, Chairman ; Isaac Beach, Zadoc Waite, Supervisors; Henry Neef. Clerk ; Asa Smith, Treasurer ; William Mcacher, Assessor.
1877-0. D. Coleman, Chairman ; C. Cole. Z. Waite, Supervisors ; Amos Cannon, Clerk ; Asa Smith, Treasurer ; Stephen Woodard, Assessor.
1878 .- Asa Smith, Chairman ; Levi Reeves, John Moran, Supervisors ; A. A. Cannon, Clerk ; Christopher Cole, Treasurer ; Elon Woodard. Assessor.
1879-Asa Smith, Chairman ; William Barry, John Moran, Supervisors ; A. A. Cannon, Clerk ; H. M. Preston, Treasurer ; William Meacher, Assessor.
1880-Asa Smith, Chairman; William Carry, Henry Cuff, Supervisors; A. A. Cannon, Clerk ; Christopher Cole, Treasurer ; William Meacher. Assessor.
TOWN OF NEWPORT.
This town includes all of the west half of Township 13 north, of Range 7 east, lying north of the Wisconsin, and so much of the east half of Township 13 north, of Range 6 east, as lies north and east of that river.
The first settler was Alonzo B. Stearns, who came here in March, 1849, and located on Section 17. Mr. Stearns erected a small log cabin, and commenced to clear the land for a farm. The second person to settle in the town was Marvin Mason, followed by E. A. Toles, E. A. Toles, Jr., and Mr. Abbott. These all came in the spring of 1849.
The first child born in the town was Lena Oleson, daughter of Mary and Ole Arenson, December 26, 1849, at the house of J. Thompson.
The first marriage was that of "Big " Swain Tollison and Tony Gunder. The happy couple were poor in this world's goods, and there being no one in the neighborhood authorized to perform the marriage ceremony, they went on foot in search of a priest. Crossing the river, where the village of Newport was afterward located, the lady was left in the care of Mr. Gilson and family, and the gentleman proceeded to Delton and secured the services of Elder Topping to unite them in wedlock. Not having any money to satisfy the Elder, Mr. Tollison agreed to pay him in hay some time during the next season : but it required a gentle reminder from the good man before he secured his dues.
The town did not fill up very rapidly with settlers, and it was not until the winter of 1853-54 that a schoolhouse was built. In the spring of 1854, Miss Frances M. Howard taught the first school, at a salary of $2.25 per week. The schoolhouse was located on Section 7.
The first sermon preached in the town was at the house of A. B. Stearns, July 5, 1852, the occasion being the death of L. W. Stearns. Elder Dickens, a Wesleyan Methodist, was the officiating clergyman. The first sermon preached in the English language, where people assem- bled for religious purposes, was at the house of E. A. Toles, Jr., in March, 1853, and was deliv- cred by Elder Anderson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Hospitality was a distinguishing trait of almost every early settler. Marvin Mason, with his wife, two children, and a brother of Mrs. Mason, William Pixley, lived together in a cabin 14x16 feet. A. B. Stearns and Mr. Abbott boarded with them, and when E. A. Toles and wife, E. A. Toles, Jr., wife and two children, came out, they also stopped with Mr. Mason, and all lodged in that cabin until the Toles' could erect themselves a house.
There were several Norwegians who were early settlers of this town. Some of them located there in the fall of 1849, among whom were Peter Juleson and family, Swain Tollison, J. Thompson, Paul Anderson, Swain Thompson, Iver Inglebretson, Hans Peterson, George Peter- son, Kittle Kittleson and Osman Jensen. They are a thrifty class of people, and are generally held in high esteem by their American neighbors. The first religious services in the town were
803
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
held by them in 1852. At this time they organized a society, to which was given the name of Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. In April, 1857, a lot was selected on the northwest quarter of Section 20, and the erection of a church was begun, and soon after completed and opened for worship. The entire work was accomplished by volunteer labor. Rev. H. A. Preus was the first Pastor, and labored with the congregation for fifteen years. The Rev. E. J. Peter- son has served since December, 1879.
Newport was taken from the town of Fort Winnebago, and organized as a new town, on the 15th of November, 1852, by the County Board of Supervisors. At the time the town was set off, the Wisconsin River was quite high, and occasionally boats would run up and effect a land- ing on the site of the village that was then being surveyed, and the old settlers were asked to select a name. The name of Newport was suggested, as here a new port was being made by the boatmen. The name was accepted, and the village and town were called by it.
The first election was held at the house of James Christie, the first Monday in April, 1853. The following are the names of the officers elected since the organization of the town :
1853-James Christie, Chairman ; Andrew Washburn, Perry Woodworth, Supervisors ; Joseph Bailey, Town Clerk : E. W. Bradley.1 Treasurer ; Charles Bowen, Assessor.
1854-Edward A. Tolls, Jr., Chairman ; John Cone, Herman Bradway, Supervisors ; Thomas Laffan, Town Clerk ; Alonzo B. Stearns, Treasurer : II. H. Beardsley, Assessor.
1855-Samuel H. Baker,2 Chairman ; Peter Rafferty, David Cone, Supervisors ; Thomas Laffan, Town Clerk ; Isaac Andrews,3 Treasurer ; Elbridge Walker, Assessor.
1856-Edward Dawes, Chairman ; David Cone, Paul Anderson, Supervisors ; Thomas Laffan, Town Clerk ; Alonzo B. Stearns. Treasurer ; Thomas Laffan, Assessor.
1857-Edward Dawes, Chairman ; David Cone. Paul Anderson, Supervisors ; Thomas Laffan, Town Clerk ; Thomas Laffan, Treasurer ; Jacob Sterenberger, Assessor.
1858-Edward T. Hooker, Chairman ; Stewart Blood, John Stuvell, Supervisors ; J. H. Foote,4 Town Clerk ; H. H. Beardsley, Treasurer ; H. McDonald, Jacob Frey. Elbridge Walker, Assessors.
1859-Jonathan Bowman, Chairman ; William Porter, David Stillwell, Supervisors ; Clin- ton D. Woodruff, Town Clerk ; H. H. Beardsley, Treasurer : Daniel B. Kuney, Jacob Steren- berger, Stewart Blood, Assessors
1860-John W. King, Chairman ; John Tanner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; William A. Gardner,5 Town Clerk ; Halvor Severson, Treasurer ; Emory W. Wait, Assessor.
1861-John W. King, Chairman ; John Tanner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; J. Jackson Brown, Town Clerk ; Halvor Severson, Treasurer ; Jacob Sterenberger, Rockwell M. Thomp- son, Amplius Chamberlin, Assessors.
1862-Robert Herren, Chairman ; Nathaniel Van Alstine, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; Abram R. Dixon, Town Clerk ; Seth Knowles, Treasurer ; Perry G. Stroud, Irving W. York, Halvor Severson, Assessors.
1863-Robert Herren, Chairman ; Hans Petersen, Anfend Nelson, Supervisors ; G. A. Corning, Town Clerk ; A. L. Proescher, Treasurer; F. Heberlein, Alonzo B. Stearns, Osmond Jenson,6 Assessors.
1864-George H. Daniels, Chairman ; Hans Peterson, John Lynch, Supervisors ; Edwin R. Herren, Town Clerk ; A. L. Proescher, Treasurer; Henry M. Whitney, Martin Nelson, George F. Noble, Assessors.
1865-Irving W. York, Chairman ; Anfend Nelson, Charles Teshner, Supervisors ; Char- les A. Noyes,8 Town Clerk ; Charles Mceller, Treasurer; Amplias Chamberlin, Martin Nelson, Assessors.
1. E. W. Bradley failed to qualify and Charles K. Gile was duly appointed and qualified.
2. Mr. Baker qualified, and afterward, during his term, removed from the town, and Edward Pawes was duly elected to the office in his place.
3. Mr. Andrews failed to qualify and Thomas Laffan was appointed in his stead.
4. C. D. Woodruff, Deputy Town Clerk, appears to have performed the duties of Town Clerk, during the term.
5. Mr. Gardner acted as Clerk during part of the term ; J. Jackson Brown (appointee) during the remainder.
6. Mr. Jenson failed to qualify, and D. B. Kuney was appointed in his stead.
7. Mr. Whitney failed to qualify, and E. A. King was appointed in his stead.
8. Mr. Noyes resigned December 13, 1865, and Thomas B. Coon was appointed in his stead.
804
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1866-Irving W. York,1 Chairman ; Benjamin D. Dawes. Anfend Nelson, Supervisors : Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Charles Moller, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin. Alonzo B. Stearns, Assessors.
1867-Robert Herren, Chairman ; Charles Teshner, Osmond Jenson, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Charles Mueller, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Frank Hill, Halvor Severson, Assessors.
1868-Robert Herren, Chairman ; Charles Teshner, Hans Peterson, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Charles Muller, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Alonzo B. Stearns, Henry Howard, Assessors.
1869 -- George H. Daniels, Chairman : George Ribenack, Anfend Nelson.2 Supervisors ; Michael Griffin, Town Clerk ; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer ; Amplias Chamberlin, Assessor. 1870-George Smith, Chairman; George Ribenack, Anfend Nelson,3 Supervisors ; Michael Griffin, Town Clerk ; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer ; George H. Daniels, Assessor. 1871-George Smith, Chairman ; John N. Schmitz, John Mylrea, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Henry M. Whitney, Treasurer : William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1872-George Smith,5 Chairman : John Mylrea, John N. Schmitz, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Amplias Chamberlin. Treasurer ; William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1873-Irving W. York, Chairman ; John N. Schmitz, Anfend Nelson, Supervisors; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk : Amplias Chamberlin, Treasurer ; William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1874-Amplias Chamberlin, Chairman : Anfend Nelson, George Ribenack, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; John R. Snider, Treasurer; William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1875-Irving W. York, Chairman ; George Rikenack, Anfend Nelson, Supervisors : Michael Griffin, Town Clerk : John R. Snider, Treasurer ; William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1876-Irving W. York, Chairman : John N. Schmitz, Martin Nelson, Supervisors : Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk : Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer ; Frank Hill, Halvor Seversen,6 J. Henry Guyer, Assessors.
1877-Irving W. York, Chairman : John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer ; Frank Hill, Assessor.
1878-Irving W. York, Chairman: John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer : William A. Ramsey, Assessor.
1879-Irving W. York, Chairman: John N. Schmitz, Thomas Hanson, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk ; Marcius A. Rublee, Treasurer ; Frank Hill, Assessor.
1880-Irving W. York, Chairman : Thomas Hanson, R. B. Rose, Supervisors ; Thomas B. Coon, Town Clerk : George A. Boyd, Treasurer ; Frank Hill, Assessor.
From the organization of the town until 1858, it was Democratic in politics, since which time it has gone Republican at every annual election.
The town of Newport, like Fort Winnebago and Lewiston, presents the usual sandy soil. In Township 13, Range 6, and Township 13, Range 7, the ground raises rapidly towards the north and west, so that on the north side of the town it attains elevations considerably over 400 feet, being well upon the high ground which eneircles the plain of Adams and Juneau Counties. The eastern portion of the town, extending into the town of Lewiston, is occupied by a large tamarack marsh, four miles across, from north to south, and three from east to west. Along the west side of the town are the walls of the lower part of the "Dalles of the Wisconsin."
VILLAGE OF NEWPORT.
In 1850, Joseplı Bailey made elaim to a quarter-section of land on Section 15, Township 13 north, Range 6 cast, lying upon the east bank of the Wisconsin River, in the present
1, Mr. York falled to qualify, and Mr. Benjamin D. Dawes, Supervisor, performed the duties of Chairman during the term.
2. Mr. Nelson failed to qualify, and George Smith was appointed iu his place.
3. Mr. Nelson failed to qualify, and John Mylrea was appointed in his stead.
4. Mr. Daniels failed to qualify, and Daniel B. Kuvey was appointed in his stead
5. Mr. Smith removed from the town during the term, and Irving W. York was appointed In his stead March 25, 1873.
6. Mr. Seversen failed to qualify.
7. Mr. Guyer falled to qualify.
805
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
town of Newport. In 1851, Jonathan Bowman, then a young lawyer, just graduated from the law school at Balston Springs, in company with Dr. George W. Jenkins, who had just received his diploma from the medical college at the University of New York, came to the place. Mr. Bowman suggested that here would be a fine site for a village. The river would afford good water-power for all the mills that could be erected upon its bank, and should a railroad ever be run between Milwaukee and La Crosse, coming upon a direct line, it would cross the river at this point. Mr. Bailey, at this time, was a young man with considerable energy but little money, and he proposed to Mr. Bowman that if he would advance the cash to build a small warehouse, and pay for the land he had selected, when it came into market he should have con- veyed to him the undivided half and the two would have it surveyed and platted for a village. The proposition was accepted.
About the same time that Mr. Bailey located upon the east side of the river, Edward Norris, John Marshall, Joseph Kendrick and William Steele, secured the title of the land upon the west side, in Sauk County. The proposition of Mr. Bowman was also viewed favorably by these gentlemen, and all afterward joined in building up the village.
In 1852, a charter was obtained from the Legislature, authorizing the construction here, of a bridge across the river, which was to serve as a highway for commerce and travel. During that year, the La Crosse & Milwaukee (now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul) Railroad was chartered. Byron Kilbourn became its President. Steps were at once taken, by the proprie- tors of the prospective village, to secure the crossing of the road at this place, and to their propositions the President gave a satisfactory reply.
The Legislature of the State, in 1853, passed an act authorizing John Marshall, Joseph Bailey, Edward Norris, Jonathan Bowman, Joseph Kendrick, Charles Bowen and James Chris- tie to construct a dam across the river on the north half of Sections 15, Township 13, Range 6 east. The act further authorized them to erect and use mills and other machinery ; to cou- struct and use wharves and other buildings ; to make and use races and other water-courses on such lands as it might be necessary thus to use, or in any manner to make use of the water for hydraulic purposes.
By entry and private purchase, Bailey & Bowman had obtained 400 acres of land, and on the passage of this act, they proceeded to survey and plat a portion of it. They gave their village the name of Newport. Then the owners of the land on the west side of the river also laid out a village which they called Dell Creek. Lots in Newport were no sooner placed in mar- ket than purchasers were found at really exorbitant prices, and the summer of 1854 witnessed the erection of a number of dwellings and business houses. The population rapidly increased until the summer of 1855, when the village contained about 1,500 inhabitants, with thirteen large stores, three hotels and other business houses.
As a further inducement to secure the crossing of the railroad at this place, Bailey & Bowman agreed to make a transfer of the undivided half of the 400 acres owned by them to Byron Kilbourn, President of the company. The incorporators of the dam also agreed to assign to him their charter. Kilbourn sent Garret Vliet. to perfect this arrangement in the name of the latter, which was faithfully carried out on the part of Bailey & Bowman and the incorporators of the dam, the only consideration being that they required Mr. Vliet to give two bonds, in the sum of $100,000 each, providing that in case the road should not cross the river at this point, that amount should be forfeited by him to cover damages sustained by the parties executing the deed and transfer. Kilbourn, through his representative, Mr. Vliet, was also bound to build the dam as provided by the charter.
Bailey, Bowman and Vliet now proceeded to survey and plat the remainder of the 400 acres, extending the limits to the village from Section 15 to Section 1, in the present town of Newport, a distance of a mile and a half along the east bank of the river and one half-mile back, overlapping a portion of present village of Kilbourn City.
When it became known that additional territory was being platted, it gave a new impetus to every kind of business, especially in the sale of lots, which changed hands rapidly at advanced
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
rates. In some cases parties would double their money in twenty-four hours' time, and holders of lots did not know whether or not to dispose of them. The name of Newport was considered too tame, and it was changed to Wisconsin Citv. This it retained but a short time, when, by act of the Legislature, it was changed back to Newport.
Shortly after the transfers previously mentioned, Vliet, acting in behalf of the parties in whose interest it was made, began the construction of the dam, but accomplished very little in the mat- ter, as it was thought best, in order to avoid individual responsibility for any damage that might arise from overflow or other causes, that the work should be done by a company ; therefore, on petition, the Legislature passed an act authorizing Garret Vliet, Andrew Dunn, Anson Eldred, John Anderson and John B. Vliet, and all who should become associated with them, to become a body corporate under the name of the " Wisconsin River Hydraulic Company," and as such cor- poration to liave perpetual succession, to be capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, both in law and equity, in all courts, and of making and entering into contracts with all parties ; of purchasing, holding and conveying real, personal and mixed estates ; of having a common seal and making and changing the same at pleasure ; of appointing all such officers, agents and servants as to them might seem necessary and proper for ,conducting the business and protecting the interests of the corporation, and pre- scribe the compensation to be paid for all services rendered by the persons so appointed ; and generally to do all such acts and things as might be necessary for carrying out the objects of the corporation. The company was also authorized to erect a dam across the Wisconsin River on Sections 9, 10 and 15, or either of them, in Township 13 north, Range 6 east, in counties of Columbia and Sauk, but not so high as to interfere with the navigation of the river by rafts, logs or lumber, and to erect and use mills, manufactories and other machinery of whatever kind, to construct and use booms, wharves, storehouses and other buildings, to make and use races and other water-courses, and to make use of the water for hydraulic purposes, and to authorize the same to be done by other parties for a consideration to be agreed on by and between the corporation and such other parties as might desire to be interested therein. To this company, Mr. Vliet conveyed the real estate secured from Bailey & Bowman, as well as the charter for the building of the dam, and the company assumed in its name the bonds given to Bailey & Bowman and the originators of the dam.
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