The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 72

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches > Part 72

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In all this time, the Indians stayed among us. They were far too numerous to be agreeable. So, fourteen years ago last summer, they were gathered in Horicon by hundreds to be taken across the Mississippi, by Mr. Juneau and others. They had to be carried in wagons, as there were no railroads then as now. A few returned, however, not being pleased with their new home. But they did not trouble us until 1861, when they came by thousands (in imagination ), and every poor, harmless cow grazing among the bushes was taken for a dusky warrior, lurking for mischief. The men turned out en masse, some with old, rusty guns, that had lain by for years : others with piteli- forks, axes, hatchets, butcher-knives or anything that would kill an Indian. The farmers turned their scythes into swords, the cannon was mounted and sconts were sent out to reconnoiter. Dispatches for assistance were sent. All things were in readiness for a great battle : but it passed off victorionsly, without a man being hurt.

Before the advent of the iron horse, farmers were obliged to take their grain to Milwaukee in wagons, through the mud and over corduroy bridges. It needed a person of strong nerve to pass over the latter without grumbling. The settlers usually went in companies, so that, if one team got fast in the mud, the others would combine to pull it out. They generally took their provisions with them, for, after tugging and toiling until they reached Milwaukee, they received but a very small price for their grain, and by the time they returned home there would be but little left if they failed to exercise the most rigid economy. * *

* But the railroad gave a new impetus to all kinds of business. It could be seen in the marts of trade ; in the noisy, dusty workshop; in the busy, humming schoolhouse. 1 often think of the day when the first locomotive was expected in lloricon. At the sound of the whistle, the men and boys ran, pell mell, to the depot to see the great sight. Among the crowd stood a gray-haired old gentleman [James Anderson, then in his sixties], who had never before seen a locomotive. lle had emigrated Westward just ahead of railway improvements ; but they overtook him in Horicon. For a time, the value of prop- erty was increased ; the population swelled; churches and schools were reared, and Horicon was numbered among the most thriving villages of the State.

Our little frame schoolhouse was used for church purposes as well, until the present place of instruction was built, for the accommodation of our union school, where the children have passed from one department to another, under the fatherly care of Principal Pickett, who has the eloquence of the ancient Aaron. He does not approve of using the rod, but laid it aside years ago, not in the tabernacle, but in some grand old forest in Ohio, where, per- chance. one might find it hudded, blossomed and yielding hickory nuts instead of almonds.

PERMANENT GROWTHI-MANUFACTORIES.

One of the first institutions to attract the attention of the stranger when he alights from the train at Horicon is the monster motionless windmill which overhangs and overshadows the old

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

briek mill at the south end of the lower bridge. In 1857, William Johnson, Charles H. Larrabee and Alexander Harper associated themselves together for the purpose of erecting a first-class grist-mill on the dam. Their purpose was carried out, and the old brick mill was the result. Mr. Johnson soon sold his interest to James Conkey, and, in consequence of Mr. Larrabee's election to the office of Circuit Judge, Mr. Satterlee Clark became a nominal partner in the con- cern. The property was subsequently mortgaged to the Bank of Milwaukee, the interests of Messrs. Larrabee and Conkey passing to the hands of Albert Rice and Samuel C. Brown. H. E. Connit afterward became the sole proprietor, but being unsuccessful as a miller, the bank foreclosed its mortgage. H. B. Marsh then purchased the property of the bank, and is its present owner. Mr. Marsh has added a large amount of new machinery, making the old brick mill, after all the vicissitudes through which it has passed, one of the permanent institutions of Horicon. Ile says he intends to let the big windmill remain where it is, " as a $4,000 monu- ment to the wisdom of Ernest Stolbe, its designer, and the folly of Harry B. Marsh."

The Old Iron Foundry .- In 1853, Martin Rich and Morris Grout built a foundry a short distance below the old briek mill for the purpose of manufacturing bar iron from seraps gathered throughout the country by junk dealers, etc. The enterprise was carried on about one year, during which time the Horicon youth harvested their mothers' pothooks and shovels and con- verted them into cash at the foundry. The building was afterward occupied by William Jones as a foundry and machine shop until the dam was taken out, when he built and removed his busi- ness above the lower bridge, where he remained till 1873, and then closed out.

Bismarck Mill .- Built by Sehenmann. Rich & Rising, in the fall of 1868 and spring of 1869, as a stave factory, at a cost of about $8,000. The firm manufactured staves for two or three years, and then converted it into a flouring-mill, but closed down after a short period of unsuccessful effort. In the mean time, Messrs. Rich & Rising sold to Mr. Schonmann, who again commenced the manufacture of flour, but with the same degree of success. In 1878, F. Zoll- ner became the purchaser, and the mill has been in operation ever since.

The Seeder Factories .- The institutions, however, to which Horicon owes its present pros- perity and importance, are the manufacturing establishments of Van Brunt & Barber, and Van Brunt & Davis Company. In 1860, D. C. Van Brunt and George W. Van Brunt invented a broadcast seed-sower, the first entirely successful apparatus of the kind, it is claimed, ever invented. Six of these machines were manufactured the first year, and, as an evidence of the immediate popularity which they acquired, the following figures, showing the extent of their manufacture, are given : In 1861, the number made and sold was 60; in 1862, 500; in 1863, about 700; in 1864, 1.000; in 1865, 450; in 1866, 1,300; in 1868, 3,200; in 1869, 3,800; in 1870, 3,000. In 1863, Judge Iliram Barber joined the firm, and in August, 1870, he pur- chased the interests of the Van Brunts, and conducted the institution alone for three years, dur- ing which time he built 1,000 wagons and 3,000 seeders. Judge Barber then disposed of the manufactory to D. C. Van Brunt, William C. Wood and R. S. Barber. Mr. Wood subsequently retired, the firm becoming Van Brunt & Barber, its present style. In 1878, 1,500 seeders were manufactured, besides a large number of cultivators, hay-rakes, fanning-mills, ete. Various snits have been brought against this establishment, to recover damages for alleged infringements of patents obtained by other parties upon certain portions of similar machines ; but its tribula- tions have been so very trifling, in comparison with the profitable results aceruing from a good machine, that the gentlemen at the head of the enterprise have not been deterred from establish- ing one of the largest manufactories in the State. In the busy season. they give employment to from seventy-five to one hundred men. Their seeders are to be found in almost every part of the United States.

"The Now Van Brunt."-In 1871, Willard A. Van Brunt commenced the manufacture of a patent seeder known as the " New Van Brunt," possessing all the advantages and improvements- though of different pattern and design, and working under dissimilar methods-hitherto discovered and utilized. The result of Mr. Van Brunt's first year's work was 250 seeders. The woodwork and blacksmithing were done in the shop of John Bushnell, while the castings were made in the foundry

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

of William M. Jones. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Van Brunt was joined by S. E. Davis, with whom he had been associated for several years previous in the manufacture of double harpoon hay-forks. Together they purchased the old sash-factory building. and established themselves permanently, under the firm name of Van Brunt & Davis. During the same season they made 525 seeders, and in 1878, 750 " New Van Brunts " were completed ; in 1874, the name was changed to " The Monitor," and 963 were manufactured; in 1875, 1,373; in 1876, 1,500; in 1877, 1,833. In June, 1875, the firm purchased the adjoining stone building of A. B. Kellogg, and in August, 1878, D. D. French was taken into the partnership, the style of the firm then being changed to Van Brunt & Davis Company. During that year, 2,203 machines were man- ufactured. For two years past, the company has also been making the "Monitor Drill." Aside from building seeders and drills, "The People's Mower " and a patent revolving milk-safe have been manufactured by this firm. Seventy-five men are employed when the factory is in full operation. Shipments are made to all parts of the United States, and the more progressive sections of Germany.

The two stone buildings occupied by the Van Brunt & Davis Company were built in 1859 and 1861, respectively -- the first as a sash-factory, carried on by Beers & Gates, and the sec- ond as a grist-mill, by E. V. White and M. Hyde. Marshall White and a man named Couzzens purchased the machinery of the latter and removed it to Minnesota.

Horicon Elevator Company .- Elevator established by Jonas Schoenmann, in 1863, at the junction of the two Northwestern Divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1869, Hanf & Hood purchased of Schoenmann, and, in 1872, Hood sold to Charles Miller, who, two years later, disposed of his interest to Charles Herker, the style of the firm becoming and remaining to the present time, Hanf & Herker. In 1879. a " California Combined Smutter and Separator " was placed in the institution, and is operated by a twelve-horse power engine. The bins of the elevator have a capacity of 3,000 bushels. Shipments of grain are made to Milwaukee and Chicago, an average of 45,000 bushels being handled each year.

Breweries .- In 1858, P. Dierleins built the first brewery, and brewed the first beer in Horicon in April of the following year. In 1864, John Groskop appeared upon the scene as a competitor for the patronage of the Gambrinians. The combined capacity of the two breweries is about one thousand four-gallon kegs a year.

THE RAILROADS.

The La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company completed their line from the lake shore to Horicon in 1856. During the same year, the Milwaukee & Horicon Company (Jasper Valeet, J. B. Smith and I. N. Mason) commenced a branch from the La Crosse road to Berlin, in Green Lake County, but this line was afterward absorbed by the La Crosse company. A set of depot buildings was erected on the east side of the river, at Horicon, but when, in 1863, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul got control, the present depot on the west side was located. and the original passenger-depot building was purchased and removed to a site south of the public-school edifice. where it has ever since answered the purpose of a house of worship for the German Methodists. The railroad roundhouse was put up in 1856-55, and the car and repair shops were built in the fall of 1861, large numbers of passenger and freight cars being manu- factured within the succeeding two years.

THE CHURCHES.

The investigations of the compiler, wherever made, have not as yet failed to disclose eviden- ces of Christian effort dating back to the earliest period within the memory of the pioneer. According to the records of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Horicon, a class of that denom- ination was organized in the eastern portion of the town of Hubbard, as early as June, 1845, " near the residence of John Andrews," Mr. Andrews, and his wife and sister Elizabetli, uniting there by letter. The society formed on that occasion was within the Horicon Circuit, which

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

also included Kekoskee, Mayville and Iron Ridge. The Rev. Mr. Burton appears to have been the first minister to preach to the then small congregation. The Rev. Mr. Smith's name also appears in the record, soon after the date of organization. In 1850, the Rev. R. W. Barnes filled the appointment ; and he was followed in the charge by the Rev. N. S. Greene, who was the first to preach the Gospel from a Methodist standpoint in the village of Horicon. The society was founded in Horicon in 1853, by the Rev. R. Cobban. For awhile, services were held at the residences of members of the congregation, and in the public schoolhouse. The society continuing to prosper, in 1855 the present church edifice was erected. In that year, the IToricon Mission reported to the Conference fifty-nine members, one probationer and one church. The Pastors, since the time of Mr. Cobban, have been the Revs. O. E. Hall, D. O. Jones, R. M. Beach, S. L. Martin, W. J. Olmstead, A. C. Elliott and G. W. Delamatyr, under whose ministry the church debt was greatly decreased, while the membership grew largely in numbers ; the Rev. R. Blackburn, the Rev. Mr. Moore, the Rev. J. T. Boynton, the Rev. W. J. Olmstead and the Rev. A. J. Marsh, the latter being the present Pastor. The present Trustees of the church are John Wood, H. Gessner, S. II. Palmer, Vincent Roberts and Henry Visgar.

The German Methodists .- A society of German Methodists was organized in Horicon in 1861, with the Rev. Mr. Salzer as Pastor. Henry Gessner and wife, and August Roeder and wife, were among the original members. Services were held in the old Baptist Church for a few years, when the society purchased the old passenger depot building and removed it to a site near the public school building, and fitted it up for church purposes. The Pastors, since the time of the Rev. Mr. Salzer, have been the Rev. Henry Schentz, the Rev. Fred Gotschalk, the Rev Philip Walker, the Rev. Mr. Steibler, the Rev. Charles Iwert and the Rev. Chr. Wentz, the latter being the last regular Pastor. A diminished membership, among other things, caused a suspension of regular meetings, in 1872, and the society has not since been re-organized.

The Catholics .- In 1855, the Rev. Father Kundig, belonging to the Beaver Dam Mission, visited IIoricon and took steps toward the organization of a parish. During the following year, the framework of a church edifice was constructed by Samuel Wiseman upon a site donated for the purpose by Mrs. Larrabee. The building was completed in the summer of 1857, funds having been raised by means of a raffle held on St. Patrick's Day, a fine horse, donated by an enthusiastic member, being the tempting prize. The following Pastors have presided over the spiritual destinies of this parish : The Rev. Fathers Schrondenbach, De Berg, Vahey, Allen, Tierney and Buckley. Minnesota Junction and Burnett are included in the parish. The mem- bership is given at forty-three families. A cemetery, wherein are buried those who die firm in the belief of Catholicism, is situated in the rear of the church. Mrs. John Cottrell is believed to have been the first grown person buried there.

The Baptists .- An organization of this creed was effected in 1854 by the Rev. George W. Freeman, and a church edifice erected during the same year. Among the Pastors who have been called to the charge may be mentioned the Revs. Delaney, 'Knapp and Sweet. The society ceased to exist in 1871.

The Presbyterians .- From the records of this denomination now in the possession of Elder Enoch Hood, it appears that a preliminary meeting of the society was held at Burnett March 28, 1846. The Rev. Moses Ordway was chosen Moderator, and II. C. Glover, Clerk ; Ozias Woodford was chosen Stated Clerk. The original members were Alexander McConnell and his wife Jane, Tunis Voorhees, wife Sarah, and daughter Gertrude, James Anderson and wife Amanda, Henry Glover and Mrs. Sarah Brown. The Elders chosen were Messrs. Voorhees, Anderson and Woodford. The Rev. S. S. Peck was the first regular Pastor. Ile was suc- ceeded by the Rev. B. Phillips, and, in 1854, the place of meeting was transferred to Horicon, where services were held in the Baptist Church by the Rev. II. M. Robertson. A church edifice was erected in 1855-56, and dedicated September 28 of the latter year by Rev. J. M. Buchanan, of Milwaukee. In 1859, the name was changed from the Church of Horicon and Burnett to the Horicon Presbyterian Church. Mr. Robertson's successors have been the Revs. P. Camp, J. H. Carpenter, J. Lynn Milligan, G. W. Lloyd, David Street, James S. Westcott and Mr.

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Wykoff. The latter preaches in Horicon twice a month, alternating with a charge in Juneau. The present Trustees are Henry C. Glover, Enoch Hood and Amos Hart; Elders-James Anderson, O. Woodford, Henry Glover and Enoch Hood.

The Lutherans .- Society organized in 1867. Among the original pillars were A. IIvern- lein, Charles Hanf, Chr. Raasch, Charles Feuerhammer and William Wrucke. The Rev. Mr. Multonowsky was the first Pastor. Services were held in a small frame building which now stands in the rear of the Presbyterian Church, at present occupied as a parochial school. The next Pastor was the Rev. Chr. Berner, and his successor, the gentlemanly divine now in charge, the Rev. Chr. Holst. An imposing church edifice was built in 1875 at a cost of $4,000. The membership is given at sixty families. The present Trustees are Bernard Beck, Charles Dowe, Charles Hanf, Charles Feuerhammer and Chr. Raasch. The average attendance at the paro- chial school is about eighty scholars.

There are two branch organizations connected with the Horicon Society-one at Brown's Corners, founded in 1866, and at present composed of forty families ; and the other at Burnett, organized in 1869, with forty-two families as its present membership. Parochial schools are connected with each of the above, the number of pupils in attendance at the former being given at fifty, and the latter at forty-five.

Evangelical Association .- Formed in 1871; church edifice erected same year. Ministers: Revs. Guelich, Hilster, Clemens, Zimmerman and Liewert. Present Trustees-John Malcho, George and Carl Lindermann, and Aug. Koppitsch.

SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

Horicon Lodge, No. 40, F. § A. M .- Dispensation granted September 7, 1851 ; char- ter granted June 11, 1852. First officers-Peter Winter, W. M .; John B. Redsell, S. W., and S. N. Rice, J. W. Under the charter, Peter Winter continued as W. M .; S. N. Rice was elected S. W .; M. Winter, J. W .; Norman H. Winter, Tr .: Eli C. Lewis, See .; D. W. Hall, S. D .; C. Cleveland, J. D .; Thomas Hayes, T. Present officers-D. J. Clark, W. M .: S. C. Brown, S. W .; W. H. Thompson, J. W .; Sat. Clark, Tr .; C. L. Carr, Sec .; F. S. Moody, S. D .; A. G. Wood, J. D .; A. C. Discher, T. Forty-three members. Upon the recommenda- tions of this Lodge, the first Masonic organizations in Beaver Dam, Waupun, Mayville, Juneau and Neosho obtained their charters.

Horicon Chapter, No. 24, R. A. M .- Organized June 6, 1864. First officers-D. W. Hall, H. P .; Jarus Alcox, K .; James H. Conkey, S. Charter granted February 1, 1865. First officers-D. W. Hall, H. P .: J. P. Barber, K .; J. H. Conkey, S .; W. M. Jones, Capt. of Il .; E. V. White, P. S .; II. W. Croft. Roval Arch Capt .; C. S. Soule, M. of 3d V .; M. Winter, M. of 2d V .; S. G. Goss. M. of 1st V. Present officers-C. S. Brown, II. P .; G. T. Croft, K .; Rudolph Sauerhering, S .; W. A. Van Brunt, Tr .; C. A. Hart, See .; D. J. Clark, C. of H .; II. B. Marsh, R. A. C .; F. Smiley, P. S .; Sat. Clark, M. of 3d V .; N. C. Law- rence, M. of 2d V .; J. II. Andrea, M. of 1st V .; C. L. Carr, G. Forty-six members.

Horicon Council, No. 24. R. S. S. 31 .- Organized in October, 1877. First officers- F. Smiley, T. I. M .; G. T. Croft, R. I. D. M .; Rudolph Sauerhering, I. P. C. W .; Sat. Clark, M. of E .; C. A. Hart, R .; D. J. Clark, C. of G .; W. A. Van Brunt, C. of C .; H. B. Marsh, S .; C. L. Carr, Sentinel. Present officers-S. C. Brown, T. I. M .; G. T. Croft, R. I. D. M .; R. Sauerhering, I. P. C. W .; W. A. Van Brunt, M. of E .; C. A. Hart, R .; D. J. Clark, C. of G .; F. Smiley, C. of C .; II. B. Marsh, S .; C. L. Carr, Sentinel.

The Odd Fellows, Horicon Lodge, No. 87 .- Organized February 8, 1856. Charter members-J. B. Birge, N. B. Ward, Joel Rich. G. H. Beers, J. L. Albrandt, J. A. Roper. First officers-Joel Rich, N. G .; J. B. Birge, V. G .; J. L. Albrandt, Sec .: G. Il. Beers, Tr. Present officers-A. E. Chase, N. G .; Aug. Luibkey, V. G .; J. A. Roper, Sec .; W. Rice, P. S .; H. S. Jones, Tr. Fifty-three members.

Budyer Encampment, No. 6, I. O. O. F .- Re-organized in Horicon May 17, 1858, under a charter granted a few years previous to an Encampment at Fond du Lac. First

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

officers-E. T. King, C. P .; W. H. Butterfield, H. P .; S. T. Harshaw, S. W .; Martin Rich, J. W .; W. E. Croft. S .; J. B. Birge, Tr. Present officers-H. S. Jones, C. P .; S. Streeter. S. W .; J. Roper, H. P .; A. E. Chasc, J. W .; W. Rice, S. and Tr. Fifteen members. Odd Fellows' Hall was built in 1874 by the Odd Fellows' Benevolent Association, at a cost of 5,000. Officers of the Association-Dr. H. L. Bradley, President ; A. E. Chase, Secretary, and S. E. Davis, Treasurer.

Temple of Honor .- Organized December 1, 1875. First officers-F. W. Lund, W. C .; George Randall, W. V .; E. M. Griswold, W. R .; A. J. Inglis, W. A. R .; Otto Hagen, W. T .; Charles Butterfield, W. F. R .; J. T. Boynton, W. Chap .; O. E. Sherwood, W. U .; J. Brom- ley, W. D. U .; L. H. Streeter, W. S .; F. B. Griswold, P. W. C. Present officers-S. N. Rice, W. C .: John Yorgey, W. V .; Frank Marsh, W. R .; Albert Wood, W. A. R .; John Wood, W. T .; E. M. Griswold, W. F. R .; Rev. A. J. Marsh, W. C .; C. S. Converse, W. U .; William Hill, W. D. U .; B. F. Stetson, W. S .; George Williams, W. G .; Charles Butterfield, P. W. C.

THE POST OFFICE.

It is reasonable to suppose that the happiest period in the frontier life of the carly settlers of Horicon, was on the occasion of the establishment of a post office at that place. This important event occurred in 1847. Prior to that time, Oak Grove was the nearest postal point, and when the roads were bad (which was generally the case) or the weather was cold, nothing but the prospect of hearing from dear relatives and friends in their far-off Eastern homes would induce any of " the neighbors " to make so long a journey. But Uncle Sam's saddle-bags are ever to be seen amidst advancing civilization, and no amount of hardship has ever deterred his couriers in the performance of their duty. Horicon's first Postmaster was Sylvester Rice. He held the office six or seven years, and it is said the joy he so long experienced in making the hearts of his friends glad by giving them letters accounts for the amiability of his nature. The first post office was kept in Mr. Larrabee's store. Since then it has been located in many differ- ent places, as the convenience of the public and each new appointee to the. responsible federal position dictated. The list of Postmasters since Mr. Rice is as follows : Dr. Peter Winter, Jonas Schoenmann, John T. Randolph, Henry Bowers, W. H. Butterfield, E. M. Griswold and W. H. Butterfield again. the present encumbent, appointed June, 1875. The Horicon Post Office became a money-order office September 4, 1867, the first order issued being by Oliver E. Sherwood, of Horicon, to Milton H. Sherwood, of Kenosha, for $10. The total number of orders issued to September 27, 1879, is 10,504.

HOTELS.

As already stated, William Cady and George Gifford built the first hotel in Horicon, the Horicon House, erected in 1848. It was a two-story frame building, containing eight or ten sleeping apartments, and was never known to have been "crowded," for in those days "three in a bed and two in the middle," was a prevailing custom in all well regulated taverns, that is, where beds were in usc. The traveler was not particular about the amount of bed-room allotted to him ; it was enough if he got a place beneath the roof. If the weather was not too cold, he did not object to hanging his feet out of the window, or allowing them to be used as a pillow by a companion.

The American House was the next hotel built. It was crected in 1849, by William Graves.

In 1852, John Devlin "solicited a share of the public patronage," and presided as the host of the Eagle House, " containing all the modern improvements.'

The Winter House, however, was destined to be the leading hotel in Horicon. It was built by Dr. Peter Winter, in 1855-56; a three-story brick, containing forty or fifty rooms. In improvements and convenience, it was for a long time considered far in advance of the times, and at once became a popular resort for all classes. The managers of the Winter House, since

Men -Ferguson

FOX LAKE

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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

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The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 72

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 776

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 776