USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 125
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833
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
.
CHAPTER XV.
TOWN OF OTSEGO-VILLAGE OF OTSEGO-VILLAGE OF RIO-VILLAGE OF DOYLESTOWN-TOWN OF PACIFIC-TOWN OF RANDOLPHI -TOWN OF SCOTT-TOWN OF SPRINGVALE-TOWN OF WEST POINT -TOWN OF WYOCENA - VILLAGE OF WYOCENA -VILLAGE OF PARDEEVILLE.
TOWN OF OTSEGO.
At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held in January, 1849, all of Township 11, Range 11, was organized into a town, to which was given the name of Otsego, and the house of Edward Williams designated as the place for holding the first election. The name Otsego was chosen by the early settlers in honor of Otsego, N. Y., from which place a number had emi- grated.
Wayne B. Dyer was the first man to make a home in the town. He arrived here in May, 1844, and erected a log house upon Section 22. In this house he entertained the weary traveler for a number of years, and Dyer's Tavern became a famous institution. During the summer and fall several others came in, among whom were Ulac Wilson and "Old Hans," Cyrus Root, Stephen James, Samuel Gibson, E. Lynn, Horace Dodge and Mr. Pellet. In 1845 and 1846, a large number came in, among whom were Frank Folsom, Isaac W. Spaulding, J. W. Stewart, Abram Van Aerman and Henry Ager.
In the fall of 1844, Horace Dodge returned East, where he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Deck, being the first citizen of the town to be married. The first marriage occurring in the town was that of John Brown and Caroline Hughes, in the fall of 1847.
Mary Topliff, in the fall of 1848, taught the first school on Section 22. In the organiza- tion of the town into school districts, in the following year, this was made District No. 1.
Elder Wood, of Wyocena, in the spring of 1847, came into the town, and at the house of Stephen James on Section 23, preached the first discourse. With the exception of about four years spent in the East, Elder Wood, who is a Baptist minister, in the spring of 1880 had com- pleted thirty-four years of service in this section of country. In 1849, Rev. Hanson, a Method- ist Episcopal minister, organized a class in the schoolhouse on Section 23, which was continued in that neighborhood until 1853, when a church was built on Section 3, where religious services were afterward held.
In answer to a letter, Wayne B. Dyer writes : " In September, 1843, I settled on Fountain Prairie, on the farm known as the Baker farm (Section 34), and there built the first house in that town. Mr. Bushnell was then living in a small board shanty, where John Brown now lives. His house was built early in the winter, and John Brown built the next house on the Enos Grout farm. These three houses were all of Fountain Prairie until the next summer, except Smith Horton's, who built, during the winter, on the Hawkurst farm. Snow fell that year in October, and remained until about the 20th of February, when we had a thaw. . The snow all went off, and the 10th of April plenty of feed for cattle. I have never seen grass as early since. In May, 1844, I sold out to E. J. Smith, and moved to the present village of Otsego, there being no settler between my place and Fort Winnebago. There I built the first house in that town, and I was the first settler there also. During the latter part of the summer and fall came several more settlers: Cyrus Root, Stephen James, Samuel Gibson, E. Lynn and others. My house, during the summer, was the stopping-place for people looking for land ; also being visited by the Indians, who were sometimes troublesome. Once, during my absence, a drove of them came and undertook to make my wife and Mary Swift (now Mrs. John Swarthout) bring them water from the spring, which they refused to do. The women now became scared and left for the prairie where some men were at work, but before the men arrived the natives had left,
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
and were never troublesome afterward. Snow fell about the middle of October, 1844, to a depth of six or eight inches, but soon left, and no sleighing that winter. The next summer people came into the country by hundreds, and my old log cabin became known far and wide. We were full all the while, and at one time had twenty-seven living in my house besides tran- sient visitors. We then belonged to Portage County. In the winter of 1845-46, Columbia County was set off from Portage County, and the fall following elected county officers. T. C. Smith, Sheriff; Richard F. Veeder, Nathan Griffin and John D. McCall, County Commissioners ; Major Dickason, Register of Deeds; John Swarthont, Treasurer; Nelson Swarthout, Clerk of the Board. N. Swarthout not qualifying, I was appointed Clerk -- said meeting of the Board being held at my house. When I asked the Board where I should locate my office, the answer was, ' Carry it in your hat.' So you see I carried the county seat one year. The Board finally settled on Low's tavern for the county seat until the next Board was elected, and there was held the first court for Columbia County-Judge Irvin presiding. Being then under Territorial governinent, the jury were all paid in specie before leaving. Some of them coming without a cent, with their dinner and supper in their pockets, and leaving with several dollars, felt as if they had drawn a prize .. The whole expense of the county that year was less than one county official receives now. If that old Low tavern could speak, you could hear of some fine doings going on there of nights, when John Smith, with Capt. Low's old uniform on, with three or four pillows stuffed in for filling up, with sword buckled on, and the old Captain running up and down stairs to find out what was wanting; and he had a cough so long his well had got low. Before this year, there were but three precincts for voting in the county-Fort Winnebago, Dekorra and Columbus. Four more were added at the first meeting of the Board-one at Langdon's, near Cambria ; one at Wyocena ; one at Lodi; one at Dyer's, comprising Hampden and Otsego, known as Dyersburg ; and one at Lowville. The 9th day of June, 1847, there was a severe frost ; the ground was frozen and all early corn killed. I planted over the 17th of June, and by the 25th of August had as ripe sound corn as I ever raised, which was the most remarkable growth I ever saw. About the 15th of June came a hurricane across the prairie which blew down Thomas Swarthout's log house, and took John and his sisters about sixty rods into a thicket. It also blew over H. Swift's house, where George Robinson's house now stands. The next year we became a State, and the judicial organization of our county commenced with the first court at Columbus, under Judge Larrabee. The first Norwegian settlers were Enlor Wilson and little Hans; the first Welshman, Stephen James. Some of the first settlers in Otsego were so hard up that they had to live on roast corn and potatoes. Times were hard, as no one wanted to hire. The first winter they had to go into Illinois to get pork ; and no butter was to be had at nny price. My own family never suffered for provisions. Always being fond of a dog and gun, I soon became a successful hunter, and always had plenty of venison, for deer were very plenty. Could sometimes see a hundred and fifty in a day. But those times are gone, and my rifle hangs up rusting."
The day of the hurricane, leaving his wife at the house of a friend, Mr. Dyer and his friend went to Columbus. Observing the storm coming on, they hastened home, and as it increased in fierceness, and they were hurrying on, the friend shouted to Dyer, "For God's sake, Dyer, can't you drive faster ?" "No," was shouted back. "Then," said he, "I'll go afoot." Out he sprang from the wagon and was soon left far behind. Their families, however, escaped all injury.
The old log tavern, although a home for any that came that way, had not been properly roofed, and during the first summer often let in more than a little dampness. It is related that on one occasion a traveler drove up during a storm, intending to ask for dinner. He found the light-hearted mistress seated in a large rocking chair, with skirts tucked up and a baby on each knee, while she held an umbrella over them to keep dry, and was rocking and singing, while the rain washed off the dinner dishes and covered the floor.
Rattlesnakes were plenty in the early day, and, in the springtime it was considered dan- gerous to venture out withont means to destroy them.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
The habit of lost persons traveling in a circuit, was exemplified during the early years of Dyer's residence here. Mrs. Dyer had endured the toothache until she thought it impossible to longer stand it. Taking her horse and buggy, with her two little children, she drove over to Madison and had the tooth extracted. She reached there without trouble and in due time started for home; driving all day, at sunset she reached the same house she had stopped at the the night before. Somewhat surprised, she put up for the night. The next morning, she started again only to repeat the previous day's experience, returning to the same house for the second time. She was now thoroughly frightened and began to think she never would reach home, but started with renewed courage on the third day, and was fortunate to reach home at night.
When Wayne B. Dyer " entertained man and beast," his old log tavern and log barn at Otsego was a famous resort for the early settlers for miles around as well as for travelers. That was the good old time when there was no whisky tariff, no illicit stills, no Government gaugers, whisky but three cents a drink, and when common drinking tumblers were used in dispensing that commodity. Though Dyer kept a bar, he was strictly abstemious in regard to drink, although it was well known that he sometimes smoked. One day late in the fall, two well-known men went to Columbus from Springvale on foot. Returning, they had buffeted a driving storm all the way from Columbus to Otsego. Leg- weary and somewhat chilled, with several miles yet stretching between the latter place and their cabin, one of them proposed to the other that they should revive themselves at Dyer's bar. The jug and the big tumblers were produced, filled to the very brim and emptied without a grimace, while Dyer looked silently on, in astonishment or admiration : the closest study of his face did not reveal which. A dime was thrown down, which was slipped into the till. Waiting a moment for his change, but not seeing it, the Springvale man remarked, "I thought whisky was three cents a drink ?" Dyer replied " It is three cents a drink, but I just now was wholesaling."
The following are the names of the town officers elected since 1849 :
1849-Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Henry Ayer, John Boutwell, Supervisors ; Isaac N. Williams, Clerk ; Samuel Gibson, Assessor ; Stephen James, Treasurer ; Christopher Hughes, Superintendent of Schools.
1850-Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Frank Folsom, Samuel Gibson, Supervisors ; John A. Byrne, Clerk; Horace Dodge, Assessor ; Simpson Marsh, Treasurer; Henry Ager, Superin- tendent of Schools.
1851-Orin Kincaid, Chairman ; Isaac D. Gano. John Hughes, Supervisors ; John A. Byrne, Clerk ; George D. Mead, Treasurer ; Henry Thornton, Assessor ; E. R. Morris, Super- intendent of Schools.
1852-Frank Folsom, Chairman ; William Chamberlain, Asa Thornton, Supervisors ; John A. Byrne, Clerk ; G. D. Mead, Treasurer ; Horace Dodge, Assessor ; J. D. Gano, Superin- tendent of Schools.
1853-G. D. Mead, Chairman ; Henry Thornton, William Chamberlain, Supervisors ; Pat- rick Doherty, Clerk ; Cyrus Root, Treasurer ; Abram Van Aerman, Assessor ; Asa Thornton, Superintendent of Schools.
1854-N. S. Green, Chairman ; Asa Thornton, David Dwyer, Supervisors; Patrick Doherty, Clerk ; Cyrus Root, Treasurer ; Hans Oleson, Assessor ; Christopher Hughes, Super- intendent of Schools.
1855-Frank Folsom, Chairman ; William Allyn, Abram Van Aerman, Supervisors ; Pat- rick Doherty, Clerk ; Horace Dodge, Treasurer ; Levi Nelson, Assessor; E. W. McNitt, Super- intendent of Schools.
1856-Abram Van Aerman, Chairman ; Hans Oleson, C. S. Tompkins, Supervisors ; Patrick Doherty, Clerk; John Boutwell, Treasurer ; Isaac W. Spalding, Assessor ; George Put- nam, Superintendent of Schools.
1857-Frank Folsom, Chairman ; Hans Oleson, Joel L. Burke, Supervisors ; Patrick Doherty, Clerk ; Daniel Daly, Treasurer ; John Boutwell, Assessor ; Edwin W. McNitt, Super- intendent of Schools.
836
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1858-Frederick G. Smith, Chairman ; William F. Ide, John Anderson, Supervisors ; Patrick Doherty. Clerk ; Daniel Daly, Treasurer ; Hans Oleson, Assessor ; C. O. Pequin, Superintendent of Schools.
1859-J. L. Burke, Chairman : Cliff Wilson, William F. Ide, Supervisors ; Edwin W. McNitt, Clerk ; John Roche, Treasurer ; Frank Folsom, Assessor ; Thomas Doherty, Superin- tendent of Schools.
1860-C. S.Tompkins, Chairman ; Thomas Henton, Peter Halverson, Supervisors ; E. W. MeNitt, Clerk : Philemon Root, Treasurer: J. W. Spalding, Assessor ; John Sickles, Superin- tendent of Schools.
1861-J. L. Burke, Chairman ; Annun Hanson, Charles C. Holly, Supervisors : E. W. MeNitt, Clerk : Philemon Root, Treasurer : J. W. Spalding, Assessor ; John Sickles, Super- intendent of Schools.
1862-J. L. Burke, Chairman ; Roswell Palmer, Levi Nelson, Supervisors ; E. W. MeNitt, Clerk : Philemon Root, Treasurer ; C. S. Tompkins, Jabez Hunting, Assessors.
1863-Roswell Palmer, Chairman : William H. Robins, Halver Halverson, Supervisors : E. W. McNitt, Clerk : Henry Stevens, Treasurer: C. S. Tompkins, IIenry Blenis, Assessors. 1864-Roswell Palmer, Chairman : Thomas Henton, Cliff Oleson, Supervisors ; Patrick Doherty, Clerk : Halver Halverson Shelby, Treasurer ; William F. Ide, Assessor.
1865-E. M. Rosenkrans, Chairman ; L. G. Lloyd, William Bradley, Supervisors ; E. W. MeNitt, Clerk : IIalver Halverson Shelby, Treasurer ; Joseph W. Stewart, Assessor.
1866-L. G. Lloyd, Chairman ; Thornton Thompson, J. W. Stewart, Supervisors ; E. W. McNitt, Clerk ; W. A. Pulver, Treasurer : A. W. Dodge, Assessor.
1867-J. L. Burke, Chairman : John Bently, Samuel Sampson, Supervisors : Alexander Rogers, Clerk ; W. A. Pulver, Treasurer; F. A. Brewer, Assessor.
1868-Joel L. Burke, Chairman ; Lester Curtis, L. H. Doyle, Supervisors : D. M. Hall, Clerk : Hans Hanson Towgen, Treasurer ; James S. Scott, Assessor.
1869-Joel L. Burke, Chairman ; Lester Curtis, L. H. Doyle, Supervisors : D. M. Hall, Clerk ; Hans Hanson Towgen, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1870-J. L. Burke. Chairman ; James P. McMahon, Philamon Root, Supervisors ; S. B. Curtis, Clerk ; Gabriel Oleson, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1871-J. L. Burke, Chairman ; James P. MeMahon, John E. McMahon, Supervisors ; S. B. Curtis, Clerk : J. H. Ferguson, Treasurer ; Hans H. Tongen, Assessor.
1872-John Boutwell, Chairman: Oliver Noble, John E. McMahon, Supervisors ; S. B. Curtis, Clerk ; O. A. Rustad, Treasurer ; II. H. Tongen, Assessor.
1873-John Bontwell, Chairman ; Ilans H. Tongen, John E. MeMahon, Supervisors : II. L. Stevens, Clerk ; Philemon Root, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1874-John Boutwell, Chairman ; J. E. MeMahon, J. H. Jurgerson, Supervisors; H. L. Stevens, Clerk ; Philemon Root, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1875-D. M. Hall, Chairman : Robert W. Williams, D. D. Fox, Supervisors ; John Peter- son, Clerk : M. J. Leflingwell, Treasurer : D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1876-Thornton Thompson, Chairman ; Samuel Sampson, E. C. Palmer, Supervisors ; O. A. Rustad, Clerk : M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1877-Thornton Thompson, Chairman ; Samuel Sampson, E. C. Palmer, Supervisors ; O. A. Rustad, Clerk ; M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1878-Samuel Sampson, Chairman ; Theodore Henton, William H. Gaskill, Supervisors ; O. A. Rustad, Clerk ; M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1879-H. H. Tongen, Sr., Chairman ; Andrew Anderson, Jr., John Roche, Supervisors : H. II. Tongen, Jr., Clerk : M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. J. Haines, Assessor.
1880-H. Phillips, Chairman ; H. H. Shelby, Andrew Anderson, Jr., Supervisors ; J. B. Meredith, Clerk : M. J. Leffingwell, Treasurer ; O. H. Smith, Assessor.
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837
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
VILLAGE OF OTSEGO.
Around the settlement of Wayne B. Dyer. grew up quite a village between the years 1846 to 1849. Being on the direct route between Milwaukee and Stevens Point, quite a number in search of a home were prevailed upon to stop here. A post office was here established in December, 1847, Cyrus Root receiving the appointment of Postmaster. During the first year, the entire recepts of the office was only a trifle over $4. Mr. Root retained the office for eleven years, being succeeded by Norman Mead, who held it a little less than one year, resign- ing in favor of Mr. Pulver. The latter gentleman continued in charge until the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, when Edwin McNitt obtained the appointment. Mr. McNitt re- signed in 1863, in favor of John Sickles. From that time until 1872, Mr. Sickles and Lewis Stevens filled the position. In 1872, W. A. Pulver was appointed, serving until the fall of 1878, when Henry Root was commissioned.
Wayne B. Dyer built the first hotel in 1844. The building was of logs, but in time was displaced by a large frame house. Mr. Dyer disposed of the property in 1853, to Abijah Stevens, and the hotel was discontinued.
In 1848, John Boutwell built a large dwelling-house, and one year later converted the same into a tavern which he named the " Otsego House." His spelling of the word " house" was unique. His sign read "Otsego Hous." When informed he should add "e" to the word. he replied, " Pshaw, you can't fool me; that would make it read hous-y ?" The sign was put up as he spelled it, but travelers making so much sport of the spelling caused him to take it down and make the correction after a time. Mr. Boutwell only continued the house for one
year, when he sold to Norman Mead, who ran it until 1857, when Philemon Root purchased it. From that time to January, 1880, it has passed successively into the hands of W. A. Pulver, Sol- omon Mead, Lot Mead, Josiah Loomis, Archie McDongal, Mr. Willard, Mr. Robbins, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Bodie, Samuel Slifer and Fayette Ashley, the present owner.
In 1854, Dennison Dunning erected a hotel known as the "Gothic House," and continued in charge until his death, which occurred in 1864. The widow then continued the business for about three years, when she was married to John Boutwell, who, as landlord, served his guests until 1873, when the business was abandoned.
The village attained a fair degree of prosperity before the completion of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad, in 1864, which was located two miles north.
VILLAGE OF RIO.
The village of Rio is situated in the extreme northwestern part of the town of Otsego, and was laid out in 1864, by N. B. Dunlap, who owned the largest part of the land on which the village has been built. In the month of November, 1864, Mr. Dunlap engaged A. Topliff, County Sur- veyor, to lay out and plat a portion of his land. This survey was completed and acknowledged November 4. Previous to the 8th day of May, 1868, Mr. Dunlap made three small additions to the village plat, and Mosher, Buchanan, Van Aernam and Scott also added to the same.
N. B. Dunlap and Jacob Ulrich began the erection of business houses about the same time in November, 1864. There was quite a strife between them as to which should complete and first occupy his . building. Sixteen years after, each party was confident he was the first. The only building that had previously been erected was that of a small warehouse built by Mr. Welch, for the storage of grain. This warehouse was also used by the railroad company, until the completion of their depot, in the fall of 1865.
The first lot sold was purchased by Jacob Ulrich, on which he erected a hotel, to which was given the name of Rio House. The house was opened in December, 1864, and continued in successful operation until May, 1875, when it was destroyed by fire. In July, following, Mr. Ulrich began the erection of another house, which was completed and opened for the accom- modation of the traveling public, November 10, 1875. The new house was larger than the old,
838
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
and more convenient, with ample room for twenty guests. In 1866, another hotel was erected by Rowland Morris.
The first dwelling-house was built by John Baw, a German shoemaker, who came here early in the spring of 1865. A daughter was born to him in May, of that year, being the first born in the village.
The village post office was first established in the northeast corner of Lowville, in the year 1852. It was given the name of Rio. When the new village was located, one-half mile from this office, it was thought best it should take the same name, as the office would undoubtedly be moved there. Delos Bundy at that time was running a small country store, and was Postmaster at Rio .. In the spring of 1865, he moved his store and office into the village, and consequently was the first Postmaster. Mr. Bundy held the office for a few years, and was succeeded by Mr. Emerson, and he in turn, in 1872, by M. J. Leffingwell.
In the winter of 1864-65, Robert Williams and Kennedy Scott started here a lumber-yard, being the first to engage in the sale of lumber ; Delos Bundy opened the first stock of general merchandise ; Dr. Vincent was the first physician; John J. Brown the first legal adviser. In the fall of 1866, W. Davidson put in the first hardware store. In the spring of 1866, Warren Bundy, in company with Delos Bundy, put in the first drug store.
D. Buchanan, in July, 1865, commenced the erection of an elevator, with a storage capacity of 10,000 bushels of grain, which was completed and ready for use September following. Mr. Buchanan continued in the grain business for two years. when he sold the elevator, it passing through many hands, and in 1879, was purchased by F. R. Morris & Co. Mr. Welch, in the fall of 1865, also commenced to build an elevator, but before completion it was sold to Knowles & Binnie. It afterward passed into the hands of Samucl D. Curtis, and was destroyed by fire November 30, 1872.
The village ecmetery grounds was donated, in 1848, by Samuel Dowd, and a son of Charles Dowd was the first burial therein.
A joint school district was organized in 1849, composed of a portion of the towns of Low- ville and Otsego, the schoolhouse being erected in Lowville. Here the children of the village have been sent. They now have a graded school of two departments.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- A elass was organized in 1863, at the schoolhouse in the northeastern part of the town of Lowville. Here religious services were held until the fall of 1868, when services were held in the Congregational Church in the village. In 1869, together with the Baptists, a small building was fitted up for church purposes. The greatest era of prosperity atten ling this church was in 1872, when they had thirty-two members on the class- book. In 1879, the number had been reduced to about ten, caused by removals, death and withdrawal.
Congregational Church .- This church was organized in 1863, at the house of David Palmer, two miles east of the village, with O. C. Howe. Juliet Howe, William Scott, Jane Scott, David Palmer, Mehitable Palmer and Catherine McKenna. For several years, the congrega- tion worshiped in the schoolhouse. In the summer of 1867, they began the erection of a church building, which was completed and formally dedicated in October, 1868, Rev. S. B. Doe. Sec- retary of the Home Mission Society, preaching the sermon. Previous to this, a sermon was preached in the church on the occasion of the death of Abram Van Aernam, in the spring of 1868. This was the first sermon preached in the house. The church has had the services, as Pastor, of Revs. Donaldson, Thompson, Brown, Fairfield, Logan, Cheney, Powell, Demarest and Ball. In 1879, Kennedy Scott held the positions of Trustee, Deaeon and Treasurer ; Car- oline C. Scott, Clerk. A union Sunday school was organized in 1865. In 1879, Kennedy Scott was Superintendent ; Mrs. John Weyant, Assistant ; Arabella Tifft, Secretary.
Baptist Church .- This church was organized June 29, 1867, with D. Buchanan, Mrs. Buchanan, H. Blemis, M. E. Mosher, L. H. Palmer and wife, J. A. Eliot, Mrs. Wm. Gaskill, N. A. Pahner and wife, Mrs. Herring and Miss Buchanan. M. E. Mosher was elected Clerk. The organization was effected by Rev. Natlian Wood, of Wyocena, who, in 1880, had served thirteen
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
years, being the first and only Pastor. The first meetings of the church were held in the school- house, and were continued there until the house was refused them for religious services, when they met in various halls in the village, and for a short time in the Congregationalist Church. In 1873, a building was purchased and fitted up for their use. In 1879, the officers of the church were: C. C. Holly, Clerk ; Sylvester Noble, C. C. Holly, William Gaskill, J. B. Carter, Seth Allen, G. Palmer, Trustees ; Roswell Palmer, Seth Allen, Deacons. A Sunday school was organized in 1868, which has had a flourishing existence. In 1879, Roswell Palmer was Superintendent.
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