USA > Wisconsin > Columbia County > The history of Columbia county, Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement > Part 129
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1856-Nathan D. White, Chairman ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Lewis H. Lloyd, Supervis- ors ; Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk : Thomas J. Hughes, Treasurer ; Robert Closs, Assessor ; William Depuy, School Superintendent.
1857-John O. Jones, Chairman ; Luke Martin, Henry Delaney, Supervisors ; William Meredith, Treasurer ; Thomas Ingram, Assessor ; John B. Van Shaick, School Superintendent.
859
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1858-Evan Meredith, Chairman ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Robert B. Sanderson, Supervis- ors ; Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk ; William Meredith, Treasurer ; Thomas Ingram, Assessor ; John B. Van Shaick, School Superintendent.
1859-Evan Meredith, Chairman ; Robert B. Sanderson, Robert D. Owens, Supervisors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; Thomas Sanderson, Treasurer ; John P. Rowlands, Assessor ; Thomas Meredith, School Superintendent.
1860-Robert B. Sanderson, Chairman ; Griffith O. Jones, John Leatherman, Supervisors ; Robert J. Rowlands, Clerk : Evan Evans, Treasurer; John R. Rowlands, Assessor; Austin Cannon, School Superintendent.
1861-John O. Jones, Chairman ; John Leatherman, John Edwards, Supervisors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; Alfred A. Cole, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Assessor ; J. B. Van Shaick, School Superintendent.
1862-John O. Jones, Chairman ; John Leatherman, John Edwards, Supervisors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; Robert Closs, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1863-John Leatherman, Chairman ; William J. Rowlands, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors ; J. B. Van Shaick, Clerk ; Thomas J. Hughes, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1864-John O. Jones, Chairman ; Owen D. Owens, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors ; Evan T. Evans, Clerk ; William Aiton, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1865-John O. Jones, Chairman : Owen D. Owens, George Hall, Supervisors ; Morris J. Rowlands, Clerk ; Lewis Lloyd, Treasurer; John R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1866-Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; William W. Rowlands, J. B. Van Shaick, Supervis- ors ; M. J. Rowlands, Clerk ; Alfred Cowley, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Jr., Assessor.
1867-Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; William W. Rowlands, E. P. Upham, Supervisors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; Alfred Cowley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1868-Thomas Meredith, Chairman ; H. J. Rowlands, Alfred Cowley, Supervisors ; John Meredith, Clerk ; John D. Jones, Treasurer; Evan T. Evans, Assessor.
1869-John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; A. C. Jennings, George W. Williams, Super- visors ; John Meredith, Clerk : Owen D. Owens, Treasurer ; Evan T. Evans, Assessor.
1870 -- John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; William Stokes, E. P. Upham, Supervisors ; Kennedy Scott, Clerk ; William W. Rowlands, Treasurer ; Evan T. Evans, Assessor.
1871-John R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; E. P. Upham, William Stokes, Supervisors ; Kennedy Scott. Clerk ; William Meredith, Treasurer; Thomas Meredith, Assessor.
1872-J. R. Rowlands, Jr., Chairman ; John D. Jones, George Cowley, Supervisors ; A. C. Jannings, Clerk : Lewis Lloyd, Treasurer; Thomas Meredith, Assessor.
1873-J. R. Rowlands, Chairman ; James Adams, J. R. Jones, Supervisors ; M. J. Row- lands, Clerk ; Luke Martin, Treasurer ; Thomas Meredith, Assessor.
1874-John R. Rowlands, Chairman ; George Cowley, E. T. Evans, Supervisors ; Morris J. Rowlands, Clerk ; William W. Hughes, Treasurer ; Thomas Meredith, Assessor.
1875-John R. Jones, Chairman ; James N. Cowley, E. F. Palmer, Supervisors ; M. J. Rowlands, Clerk ; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer ; E. T. Evans, Assessor.
1876-J. R. Jones, Chairman ; E. F. Palmer, E. P. Upham, Supervisors ; M. J. Row- lands, Clerk ; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer ; John R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1877-John D. Jones, Chairman ; John H. Jones, H. D. Jennings, Supervisors ; A. C. Zennings, Clerk ; James Cowley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1878-John D. Jones, Chairman ; H. D. Jennings, John H. Jones, Supervisors ; A. C. Jennings, Clerk ; H. J. Rowlands, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1879-John Leatherman, Chairman ; Robert S. Rowlands, Edward Roberts, Supervisors ; David J. Edwards, Clerk ; W. W. Huntley, Treasurer ; J. R. Rowlands, Assessor.
1880-John Leatherman, Chairman; R. S. Rowlands, Edward Roberts, Supervisors ; David Edwards, Clerk ; Thomas Meredith, Treasurer.
860
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
TOWN OF WEST POINT.
This town lies in the extreme southwestern part of the county, and is bounded on the east by Lodi, on the north and west by Sauk County and on the south by Dane County. The first settlement in the town was made by Christian and David Dorsch, in 1845. Other early set- tlers of the town were Horace M. Ayer, Alonzo Waterbury, Simeon Ryder, Dr. Drew, James Thomas, Francis O. Sisson, Lewis Baldwin, Jeremiah D. Shumway, Ira Polly, Jesse Van Ness, Aaron and Philip Burlingame, Cyrus Hill, Mr. Arnold, Eldredge Northup, Simon Walker, John Chance, Orrin Hutchinson, Christian Ribblett, William D. Partridge, Enias Carncross, Isaac Richardson, Peter Van Ness, Joseph Lester, Otis A. Kilburn and Timothy Tirrill.
On the organization of the county, in 1846, West Point was made a part of the Pleasant Valley Precinct. In 1849, it was attached to Lodi, but, on the 8th day of January, 1850, the Board of Supervisors set off the town, fixing as its eastern boundary, commencing at the north- east corner of the quarter-line, and running through the center of Sections No. 5, 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32, in Town 10, Range 8, and including all of Town 10, Range 7, lying south and east of the Wisconsin River. The house of J. D. Shumway was designated as the place for holding the first election.
The first marriage was that of Horace M. Ayer and Sarah A. Ryder, October 4, 1848. They were married by Aaron Chalfant, Esq. The day before the event occurred, Mr. Ayer went to the town of Lodi, to engage the services of Rev. Henry Maynard ; but, finding him absent from home, he engaged the Squire to perform the ceremony. A few minutes before the time set, the Squire, in company with a friend, was proceeding to the residence of the bride- groom-elect, when they noticed Mr. Ayer hard at work upon a house which he was erecting. Stopping, Mr. Chalfant called out, " Hello, young man! ain't you the one that engaged me yes- terday to come this afternoon to marry you ?" "Yes," replied Ayer, "I'm the man. You go on down to the house and wait till I come. Like the man that was going to be hung, there can't be anything done till I get there." After finishing his task, the young man brushed his clothes a little, washed his face and proceeded to the house, was married, and at once took his bride to the home which he had prepared for the occasion.
Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Lester, was born in 1848, being the first white child born in the town.
In the fall of 1848, Miss Adula Jones taught a select school at the house of Otis A. Kil- burn, in the south part of the town, it being the first. The next was in the Van Ness neighborhood, and was taught by Miss Sarah B. Van Ness, in the fall of 1850, at which time the district was organized.
The first death was that of Thomas Pratt, in the fall of 1849.
In 1852, on Section 13, Christian Riblett erected a sign, bearing the inscription, “ Pub- lick Inn," and, for a few years, entertained man and beast, this being the only hotel ever kept in the town.
The town of West Point, which includes all of Township 10, Range 7, south of the Wis- consin River, is skirted on the east and south by the edge of the high limestone country, which, from this part of its course, borders the Wisconsin all the way to its mouth. North and west of this edge, which is ragged, sending out irregular projecting points, the general surface is 200 to 300 feet lower, but the lowland includes a number of limestone-capped outliers, some of which have an area of several square miles, and reach as great altitudes as attained by the lime- stone country to the south and east-that is, 500 to 600 feet. Considerable areas of prairie occur in the central part of the town, including both lowland and high outlying bluffs.
In 1857, a post office was established near the central part of the town, to which was given the name of West Point, after the town. Jesse Van Ness was the first Postmaster, and was succeeded in order by Corilus Stone, Cyrus Hill, S. C. Kingon. J. N. Fellows, William H. Worthley and Mrs. R. A. Moran. Another office was established in the south part of the
861
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
county in 1876, at a point known as Farr's Corners, which name was given to the office and J. L. Farr was made Postmaster.
The most noted point in West Point is Gibraltar Bluffs, on Section 13, Township 10, Range 7, and Section 18, Township 10, Range 8. One of the legends of this bluff, as related by the old settlers, is, that at an early day, a party of hunters, with their dogs, had started a deer, which ran directly for the highest point, and being unable to check itself, jumped off into the marsh below, a distance of over 600 feet. The dog which was closely following it also gave a jump, the result of which can easily be imagined.
A story is related of Christian Riblett, of whom mention has been made. One winter, a party came to his house, and wished to engage him to cut wood for them upon some Govern- ment land, which lay but a short distance from his place of residence. A bargain was struck and Mr. Riblett worked faithfully during the entire winter, and a large quantity of wood was taken off. His wife several times anxiously inquired of him, if he was certain where he was at work. O, yes, he knew what he was about. Time ran along, and, when the snow went off in the spring, his wife proposed, one day, they take a walk down where he had been cutting the timber. On arriving at the place the lady began to search for the corners, and soon found, as she feared, that her husband had all winter been stealing wood off his own land.
Wisconsin City .- While now there is neither city or village in the territory of West Point, there was a time when such was not the case. The State Historical Society, in 1872, published a report stating that : " Among the maps preserved by our Historical Society is an engraved plat of Wisconsin City ; without date, but made in 1836, 19 x 28 inches in size, and certified by John Mullett, United States Deputy Surveyor. It shows that this paper city was located on the south side of the Wisconsin River, on Sections 8, 9 and 17, Township 10, Range 7, situated in the bend of the river, on a beautiful eminence, commanding a splendid view of the stream, with two long public landings fronting the river ; a beautiful square for Territorial use, of two blocks ; Franklin, La Fayette and Washington Squares, each four blocks-each block 260 feet square ; three market places, three blocks in length, and 200 feet wide; streets from 60 to 100 feet wide. Isaac H. Palmer, of Lodi, confirms this description, adding that he visited the p.ace in 1837, with view of purchasing the city-it was then, he says, in all its glory, with the stakes all standing, or enough to show the public grounds. The locality of Wisconsin City is in the southwesthern part of the township of West Point, Columbia County, and must not be confounded with the paper place of the same name, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, located on Rock River, in Rock County ; nor yet Superior City, embracing the old Black Hawk battle-ground, in Dane County, a little below Sauk City."
The war record of West Point compares favorably with any town in the county. Her quotas were generally filled, and but one bounty tax was levied, and that near the close of the war, for $5,000.
The West Point Dairy Association was organized March, 1875, with a capital stock of $2,000. Enias Carncross was elected President ; Martin Van Ness, Secretary; William Mor- rissey, Treasurer. During the season of 1875, the association made 30,880 pounds of cheese, which brought an average price of 10 cents per pound. In 1876, 42,605 pounds were made, realizing 82 cents per pound. In 1877, 55,102 pounds brought 101 cents. In 1878, 57,904 pounds were made, which realized 72 cents per pound. In 1879, but little was made, the price during the season being so low, the association abandoned the work temporarily, with the inten- tion of at once resuming when the price would justify. In 1880, the officers were Enias Carn- cross, President ; Martin Van Ness, Secretary ; William E. Smith, Treasurer ; W. B. Chrisler and George W. Nott, with the officers, forming a Board of Directors.
The following are the names of the officers elected since the organization of the town :
1850-Ira Polly, Chairman ; Samuel Ring, David Dorsch, Supervisors ; Joseph Lester, Clerk ; Philip Burlingame, Treasurer ; Leander Drew, School Superintendent.
1851-Jesse Van Ness, Chairman ; Reuben Ring, James Thomas, Supervisors ; Philip Burlingame, Clerk; Enias 'Carncross, Treasurer ; O. A. Kilburn, Assessor ; Horace M. Dyer, School Superintendent.
862
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1852-Jesse Van Ness, Chairman ; Reuben Ring, David P. Green, Supervisors ; Samuel W. Walker, Clerk ; Samuel B. Farrington, Treasurer ; O. A. Kilburn, Cyrus Hill, Assessors; Timothy Tirrill, School Superintendent.
1853-Jesse Van Ness, Chairman ; Volney Moore, Samuel Martin, Supervisors; Timothy Tirrill, Clerk ; Peter Van Ness, Treasurer ; Daniel P. Grow, Orin Hutchinson, Assessors ; Timothy Tirrill, School Superintendent.
1854-Peter Van Ness, Chairman ; Orin Hutchinson, Enias Carneross, Supervisors ; Timo- thy Tirrill, Clerk ; Otis A. Kilburn, Treasurer ; Samuel B. Johnson, School Superintendent.
1855-Samuel B. Walker, Chairman; Albert Wheeler, James Thomas, Supervisors ; Samuel B. Johnson, Clerk ; Otis A. Kilburn, Treasurer ; Jesse Van Ness, Cyrus Hill, Assess- ors ; John F. Madison, School Superintendent.
1856-Timothy Tirrill, Chairman ; William S. Shears, Frederick Perry, Supervisors ; Albert Lovering, Clerk ; Samuel W. Walker, Treasurer ; Ira Polly, Charles E. Odell, Assessors ; Samuel B. Johnson, School Superintendent.
1857-Peter Van Ness, Chairman; Cyrus Hill, George Yule, Supervisors ; Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Treasurer ; Jesse Van Ness, William H. Worthly, Assessors ; Laroy J. Burlingame, School Superintendent.
1858-Joseph Pound, Chairman ; Eldridge Northup, Otis A. Kilburn, Supervisors ; Alonzo B. Avery, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Treasurer ; Ira Polly, Assessor ; Laroy J. Burlingame, School Superintendent.
1859-Ira Polly, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, Orin R. Ingram, Supervisors ; Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Francis O. Sisson, Assessors ; Timothy Colby, School Super- intendent.
1860-Ira Polly, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, William L. Austin, Supervisors ; Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; John W. Fisher, Treasurer ; Orin R. Ingram, Assessor ; William T. Shurtliff, School Superintendent.
1861-George Yule, Sr., Chairman ; William L. Austin, William H. Cook, Supervisors ; Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; Silas W. Gofrey, Treasurer; Cyrus Hill, Melatiah Willis, Assessors ; Isaac Van Ness, Seliool Superintendent.
1862-George Yule, Chairman ; William L. Austin, William H. Cook, Supervisors ; Amos F. Abbott, Clerk ; Silas W. Godfrey, Treasurer ; Cyrus Hill, Assessor.
1863-George Yule, Chairman ; Frederick Perry, J. L. Farr, Supervisors ; Laroy J. Burlingame, Clerk ; Silas W. Godfrey, Treasurer ; William L. Austin, William J. Robinson, Assessors.
1864-Frederick Perry, Chairman ; Otis A. Kilburn, Joseph Pound, Supervisors ; Laroy J. Burlingame, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Isaac Van Ness, Assessor. Isaac Van Ness appointed Clerk.
1865-George Yule, Chairman ; William B. Chrisler, David H. Fellows, Supervisors ; Joseph Lester, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; David Hesselgrove, Moses Smith, Assessors.
1866-Frederick Perry, Chairman ; F. O. Sisson, William B. Chrisler, Supervisors ; Joseph Lester, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; J. N. Fellows, Assessor.
1867-William H. Sherman, Chairman ; William II. Cook, William H. Dodge, Super- visors ; George Grow, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer : Joseph Lester, E. Maloney, Assessors. Ira Smith appointed Supervisor in place of Dodge.
1868-F. O. Sisson, Chairman ; William II. Cook, William B. Chrisler, Supervisors ; I. J. Bullis, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Cyrus Hill, William Madison, Assessors.
1869-F. O. Sisson, Chairman ; W. H. Cook, W. B. Chrisler, Supervisors ; L. J. Bur- lingame, Clerk : J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; A. F. Abbott, Assessor.
1870-F. O. Sisson, Chairman ; William B. Chrisler, William H. Cook, Supervisors ; L. J. Burlingame, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor.
1871-J. L. Farr, Chairman ; Isaac Van Ness, Merrill Johnson, Supervisors ; L. J. Bur- lingame, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor.
863
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
1872-J. L. Farr, Chairman ; William B. Chrisler, Merrill Johnson, Supervisors ; Jacob Chrisler, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer; J. N. Fellows, Assessor.
1873-J. L. Farr, Chairman ; Albert Vanderpoel, Cyrus Hill, Supervisors ; Jacob Chris- ler, Clerk ; Alonzo B. Avery, Treasurer ; J. N. Fellows, Assessor.
1874-Julius A. Parr, Chairman ; John Evans, George Yule, Supervisors ; William B. Smith, Clerk : D. H. Fellows, Treasurer ; William J. Robinson, Assessor.
1875-George Yule, Chairman : William E. Smith, John Evans, Supervisors ; William B. Smith. Clerk : L. W. Carncross, Treasurer : Amplius B. Avery, Assessor.
1876-John Evans, Chairman ; Amos F. Abbott : D. H. Fellows, Supervisors ; William B. Smith, Clerk ; L. W. Carncross, Treasurer : J. N. Fellows, Assessor.
1877-Alfred Vanderpoel, Chairman ; William J. Robinson, John I. Newcomb, Supervi- sors : William B. Smith, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor.
1878-A. Vanderpoel, Chairman; William J. Robinson, J. I. Newcomb, Supervisors ; William B. Smith, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer ; Amplius B. Avery, Assessor.
1879-Julius A. Parr, Chairman ; L. J. Burlingame, John R. Scott, Supervisors : William B. Smith, Clerk ; J. L. Farr, Treasurer; M. V. B. Van Ness, Assessor.
1880-William H. Cook, Chairman ; Francis O. Sisson, John R. Scott, Supervisors : William B. Smith, Clerk : J. N. Fellows, Treasurer : W. H. Hill, Assessor.
TOWN OF WYOCENA.
The land is generally what is called oak openings, mostly of a sandy soil ; but little of good land in town, but is well situated in regard to internal improvements.
The Fox River enters the town from Marcellon on Section 3, and runs southwest to the village of Pardeeville, where it forms a good mill site, thence northwest, emptying into Swan Lake. The north branch of Duck Creek enters the town from the east, on Section 13, thence west and southwest until near the east line of Section 21, where it forms a junction with the south branch, which enters the town from the east on Section 24, running in a nearly west course to the junction. From the junction the creek ruus nearly west through the town. There is a valuable mill site on the south branch on Section 23, and one on the creek'on Section 21, one-half mile below the village of Wyocena, both occupied by mills.
The first permanent settlement in the town was made by Maj. Elbert Dickason, who moved here in May, 1843, and located on Section 21, and built the first house in town. The Major raised the first wheat in town on Section 21, and gave name to the town and village. He died here August 9, 1848.
Benjamin Dey moved here in January, 1844, and spent the winter with Maj. Dickason, and the summer following made the first entry of land on Section 10, and raised the first corn in town.
Aaron Hodgson settled on Lot 4, of Section 3, in 1845, and was the first settler in the north part of the town. In 1846, many others came into the town and became permanent settlers, among whom were Charles and Chauncy Spear, Darius Bisbee, S. H. Salisbury, Harvey Bush, Dr. Rockwood, Philip Hipner, Willis W. Haskin, and others. Harvey Bush built the first frame house on the southwest quarter of Section 22, which was afterward removed to the north- west quarter of Section 27.
In the summer of 1851, John Hunter and A. B. Winchell commenced building a grist- mill on Duck Creek, one-half mile below the village of Wyocena. The mill was completed and commenced operations the next winter. It was burned down November, 1852, and rebuilt by Benjamin Dey in 1853.
The town is divided into eight school districts with a schoolhouse in each.
The religious denominations are Catholic, Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist, Presbyte- rian, Universalists and Episcopalians. The Catholics have a church on Section 32.
Wyocena was organized as a town April 3, 1849 ; previous to that time it had been unitedl with Marcellon and Springvale as Wyocena Precinct.
864
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
When the county adopted the county system of supporting the poor, the Commissioners purchased of Maj. Dickason's heirs the house and two acres of land with barn, at the village of Wyocena, for a county poor-house.
As an incident of the early settlement of the town, Benjamin Dey related to Henry Con - verse the following :
" After traveling around Wyocena for some time, I did not see any place that suited me any better than where the old log house stands on Section 10. I inquired of the Major if it was claimed by any one, and he told me it was claimed by Charles Temple, son-in-law of Capt. Low, so I went to Portage with the intention of buying it of him. He asked me if I wanted it for the purpose of selling it or to settle on and improve it. I told him I wanted to settle on it. He said I was welcome to the claim for that purpose. After I had built my house and moved into it, I received a letter from the claim society stating I was on C. Dinon's claim and I could accept of three offers : I could stay on the claim peaceably by paying $100, or I could give it up to them, or I must leave the country, as they would drive me out. I took the letter and went to the fort, as Portage was then called, to see my friend, H. Merrell. He sent for Capt. Jewett and Lieut. Mumford, and showed them the letter, which stated the time when they were coming to pay me a visit ; that they had paid Mr. Lewis, of Columbus, a visit, and Mrs. Die- fendorf, of Lowville, a visit. Capt. Jewett and Lieut. Mumford said they had six good wagons and teams, and they would be on the ground in one hour's notice with six wagon loads of regulars. I sent a letter back by the same man that brought it to me. to the reverend Claim Club Company, that I was not willing to capitulate on any of their terms : that the only proposal I had to make to them was an open-field fight, on said prairie, by their giving me two hours' notice, and the victors to hold the spoils; but I was never troubled with that party after that."
Samuel Wedge and Amanda White were the first couple, residents of the town, united in marriage-the event taking place in the fall of 1846. Another early marriage was that of Ben- jamin Yates and Eliza Ennis, in 1848. Miss Ennis, some time previous, had run away from home, and was working for Willis W. Haskin. One day, on looking out, she discovered her father coming toward the house with the evident intention of taking her home. Seizing some of her things, she started out of the back door, where she encountered Mr. Yates, and told him the trouble she was in. Mr. Yates proposed they should be married at once, the proposition was accepted, and together the couple started for a minister, and in less than thirty minutes the two were made one.
The first death was that of Mr. Sexton, who died in 1846, near the village of Wyocena.
Benjamin Cole taught the first school on Section 21, in 1846.
In 1847, Elder Wood. a Baptist preacher, delivered the first discourse in the town.
The first election, before the organization of the town, was held in 1846, at the house of Elbert Diekason. Harvey Bush, Benjamin Dey and Solomon Salisbury were the Judges. The first election, on the organization of the town, was at the house of Richard C. Rockwood. The town was organized by the Board of Supervisors January, 1849, and is composed of all of Township 12, Range 10. It is bounded on the east by Springvale, on the west by Pacific, on the north by Marcellon, and on the south by Lowville. The name Wyocena, Maj. Diekason claimed, came to him in a dream. In that dream it was determined that the village should be the county seat, the same being realized for a period of one year in which the county business was here transacted.
In 1857, the Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was com- pleted through the town, entering on Section 1, and passing west through Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and into Pacific from Section 6. Afterward the La Crosse Division of the same road was completed through the town, entering on Section 31, and passing in a northwesterly direction, into Pacific.
The town of Wyocena resembles Marcellon in lying wholly within the Potsdam area, in possessing generally a low sandy soil, and in being entirely without prairie. The Fox River crosses the northern row of sections in an easterly direction, being bounded for the most of the
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