The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 76

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 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

This is one of the institutions which has contributed, in no small degree, to give Waupun a steady and solid prosperity when other places have stagnated after premature expan- sion.

M. K. Dahl's Plow-Factory .- One of the oldest manufacturing establishments in Wau- pun is Dahl's Plow-Factory, on the Dodge County side of Washington street, Upper Town. The first building, now occupied by Mr. Dahl, was erected in 1846 or 1847, by Bly & Ely, and had been occupied as a plow-factory since about 1850. Mr. Dahl manufactures plows, land rollers, sulky plows, harrows, cultivators and other farming utensils, in which he has built up a large business.

F. F. Zimmerman's Wagon Factory .- In 1865, Mr. Zimmerman began the business of wagon making and repairing, on the Fond du Lac County side of Washington Street, in Upper Town, in a building formerly occupied in the country as a schoolhouse. Hle manufactures wagons, carriages and cutters, giving employment to from ten to sixteen men. Ile now has three large buildings, and carries on an extensive and constantly increasing business.

Morse . Morris' Carriage Factory .- In 1876, O. A. Morse, Jr., erected, on the corner of Franklin and Drummond streets, three commodious buildings for a carriage factory. In 1877, Mr. Morris purchased an interest in the factory, which gives employment to nine men in the manufacture, exclusively, of carriages, phaetons, buggies and cutters.

Thomas Stoddart's Organ Manufactory .- Thomas Stoddart brought his knowledge of organ-building from Scotland, and about 1860, after retiring from the post office and other active business, began the manufacture, in a shop near his residence on Prison street, of pipe and reed organs. He has patent " coupbos " and resonance boxes, as well as a patent bellows or air pump, and makes all with his own hands the softest-toned instruments extant. Ile does not manufacture " for the trade," but for musical people only. He has built over fifty instruments, one of which is a " barrel organ," eight feet high. This is an organ which plays by machinery. Mr. Stoddart is one of the only three men in America, who can make a " music barrel," which will play the simplest or most difficult music. The one mentioned plays from Ilandel, John Sebastian Bach and other distinguished composers.

The Waupun Stone Mills .- The first flouring-mill built in the vicinity of Waupun, was erected in 1846, by Forest & Smith, at the foot of Mill street, on the Rock River, in the North Ward of Waupun. The lumber for it was sawed the year previous, by the same parties who had a saw-mill near by. In 1848, the mill burned, having caught fire from lumber spread over the engine to dry. In the fall of the same year, the present stone mill was begun and finished for business in the early spring of 1849. It is four stories in height, and equipped with both water and steam power, and is the oldest mill in the vicinity. It has three runs of stones, with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The mill is now owned by T. W. Markle and W. W. Harris, Mr. Markle having owned an interest in it since 1857.

Clisby's Steam' Mill .- In 1876, Lorenzo Clisby erected a large steam flouring-mill, near the track of the C., M. & St. Paul Railway, on the Fond du Lac County side of Waupun. It

510

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

is equipped in modern style, with all the latest improved machinery. It has five runs of stones, with a capacity of 125 barrels per day. It does both eustem and job work.

BANKS.

The Waupun Bank .- The first bank of issue, or real banking institution of any sort in Waupun, was the Waupun Bank, which opened for business in 1856, with L. B. Hills as Cash- ier. Owing to hard times, it suspended in September, 1857, and its business passed into the hands of its ereditors. John N. Ackerman was chosen President, and T. B. Hills, Cashier, and the bank resumed operations again in November of the same year. It continued in business until about January, 1859, when it suspended, never to be revived. On searching the safe after the second suspension a pack of cards and two dollars in counterfeit money were found. There were no losses to speak of occasioned by the failure of this bank.

The Corn Exchange Bank .- In 1857, William Hobkirk was the means of securing a char- ter, and starting the Corn Exchange Bank, in a stone building on the south side of Main street, ereeted by him for that purpose. It was organized under the State law as a bank of issue. Andrew Proudfit was President, and William Hobkirk, Cashier. When State Banks were compelled to withdraw their eirculation, by high taxes purposely imposed, the Corn Exchange eontinned on in the general banking business. On the 6th of August, 1875, the bank having been some time without any officer but a cashier, Mr. Hobkirk elosed its doors and made a trip to South America. The heaviest loser was Mrs. Margaret Drummond, who had about $60,000 intrusted to the bank. Several years after the failure Mr. Hobkirk returned and settled a portion of the bank's indebtedness, but never opened it for business.

The Citizens' Bank .- After the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank, in 1875, the village of Waupun had no bank until early in 1876 when Almon Atwood, of the town of Waupun, started the Citizens' Bank in the old Corn Exchange building. Almon Atwood was President, and A. Robinson, Cashier. The enterprise not proving satisfactory to its projector, business was discontinued, and the bank elosed in February, 1877.

George Jess & Company's Bank .- In the summer of 1876, George Jess and David Met- ealf began the erection of the handsome two-story briek and stone block on the corner of Main and Prison streets for a bank, and, in the fall, opened for business, under the name of George Jess & Company, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The firm has a commodious and well- appointed office, and does a general banking business, such as buying and selling inland and for- eign exchange, receiving demand deposits without interest, selling letters of credit and selling ocean steamship passages. It is a private bank, having no eharter.

WAUPUN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

In 1858, the following petition circulated in the village of Waupun: " We, the under- signed, agree to pay the sum of $3 yearly, until we withdraw from the society, for the purpose of establishing a Library Association in the village of Waupun, the same to be governed by laws adopted by its members. Books shall be received for the first year's subscription, if said books shall be approved by a committee to be chosen. Said subscriptions shall be paid as soon as the society is organized."

This was signed by eighty persons, and on petition the following order was issued : STATE OF WISCONSIN, $8 : VILLAGE OF WAUPUN, Whereas, an application has been made to me by five proprietors of the Waupun Library Association, requesting one of their number to be authorized to call a meeting of the proprietors thereof, for the purpose of making a permanent organization of said Association, as provided in Chapter 49 of the Revised . Statutes of said State. It is therefore ordered that Edwin Hillyer be and is hereby authorized to call said meeting, to be convened at Dodge's Hall, on the 16th of February, 1858, at 7 o'clock in the evening, and that he give due notice of said meeting.

Given under my hand this 8th day of February, 1858. JOHN WARE, Justice of the Peace.

At this called meeting, Edwin Hillyer was elected Chairman, and W. H. Taylor, Clerk. L. B. Hills, John Ware, William Euen and J. H. Brinkerhoff were appointed a committee to

511

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

draft a Constitution. They performed the task, and the Constitution was adopted the same night. The election for permanent officers resulted as follows :

President, H. L. Butterfield; Treasurer, George W. Bly; Collector, William Euen ; Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer. Directors-C. S. Kneeland, David Ferguson, A. II. Rouns- ville, George Wirt, Geo. Babcock, M. Leary and Charles Smith. Book Committee-L. B. Hills, Jesse Hooker, R. W. Wells, John Ware, George E. Jennings. The latter committee began at once to receive books from members and purchase others with the funds obtained for fees and dues. The library was opened in Edwin Hillyer's office ; and when he moved to Thomas Stoddart's stone block, corner of Prison and Washington streets. the library was also moved there, where it has since remained. During several years, Mr. Hillyer served as Librarian and gave the use of a large room in his office free of charge. Latterly, a nominal rent has been paid, and the Librarian is now paid $30 per annum for his services. The library contains nearly three thousand volumes of choice books, which may be used by any person not a member of the Association by com- plying with the rules and by-laws, and paying ten cents per volume. On every Saturday even- ing the library-room is open, and has always been well patronized. Its financial condition is sound, and new books are constantly added. Since the first year the officers have been as follows :

1859-President, A. H. Rounsville; Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, George W. Bly ; Collector. William Euen.

1860 and 1861-President. A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treas- urer, G. W. Bly ; Collector, George E. Jennings.

1862, 1863 and 1864-President, A. II. Rounsville ; Clerk, W. W. Iloughton ; Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. Bly ; Collector, George E. Jennings.

1865-President, A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. Bly : Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1866-President, D. Ferguson ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1867 and 1868-President, Charles Jones ; Vice President, W. II. Taylor; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1869-President, W. H. Taylor; Librarian and Clerk, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1870-President, Thomas Stoddart ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1871 and 1872-President, D. Ferguson ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer : Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1873-President, W. H. Taylor; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, E. W. Jones ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878-President, W. H. Taylor ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, E. W. Jones ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

1879 and 1880-President, L. D. Henpley ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, E. W. Jones.

To the late William Euen belongs the credit of taking the first steps to organize the Wau- pun Library Association.

OLD SETTLERS' CLUB.

On the 8th day of February, 1875, many citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had long been residents of the State, mnet together for the purpose of organizing an Old Settlers' Club. A Club was formed and a committee appointed to draft rules for its government. A resolution was also adopted, that all citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had been twenty-five years resi- dent of the State, should be entitled to membership. The meeting adjourned to February 15, 1875, for the purpose of perfecting a permanent organization.

On the last mentioned day, rules for the government of the Club were presented and adopted. The Club permanently organized by the election of James McElroy, President ; John

512

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was adopted that the Old Set- tlers' Club hold their first meeting March 2, 1875; that a picnic dinner be furnished, and that members of the Club only participate.

Before the meeting, appointed for March 2, 1875, convened, the following named residents of Wisconsin became members, giving the date of their entrance into the State :

Jedediah Amadon 1844 Simon lleatlı

1838 | R. L. Oliver 1846

Samuel Amadon. 1845 Eli llooker.

1846:J. C. Owen 1846

Henry Amadon

1846 E. Hillyer.

1847 C. T. Owen 1846

Almon Atwood. 1847

J. C. Hillibut 1849 Joseph N. Olin 1839

Dudley Andrews 1845 Daniel lliler

1845 Daniel Pierce. 1844

M. J. Althouse. 18449 S. C. 1Till.

1842 A. P. Phelps 1846

John Bryce. 1849

Ira Hill ..

1843

E. A. Padgham 1849

1840

B. B. Baldwin ..

1844 A. S. Johnson

1843 John Rap.

1848

W. T. Brooks

1846

John A. Baker

1842

B. Lemoness.

1847 A. J. Sheldon ..

1848

Lnther Butts

1846 John Landaal.

1846 B. C. Sawyer

1842

D. L. Bancroft 1843

John Kastine

1847

W. H. Smithers 1845

C. C. Bailey.

1847

Philip Kramer 1845 1847 J. L. Sargent ..

1837 August Spannagel

D. C. Brooks 1848

Elias Kennedy 1849 1845 T. C. Sanborn.

1848 L. C. Stewart.

1849

L. B. Baleom.

1841

John MeCune

1848 Edward Sikes.

1844

David Boynton 1845

Robert Mosher

1845 H. N. Smith

1847

Ira Clement. 1847

S. I. Mattoon

1844 W. E. Scott

1845

11. E. Collins

1836 John McElroy

W. H. Taylor

1846

Philander Cole 1837

Ira Merriam.

1844 Lyman Towne. 1844

Sylvester Dodge 1845

John Manz 1847

Cyrus Taylor. 1838

M. K. Dahl 1849

Silas Marsh

1840 William Thompson 1847

James Davison

1846 John Mosher

1845 Caroline S. Town 1844

E. M. Dedgson.

1842

D. S. Moon

1843

John Taylor

1842

1. H. Elkins ..

1843

A. F. Moon ..

1843 William N. Walker 1846

Joseph Fairbank

1844

Parley Merriam 1844 C. B. Whitton 1846

August Fisher

1844 Nelson Merriam. 1844

Rev. E. N. Wright. 1844

R. Franklin .

1846 Alexander McElroy 1848

Thurston Wileox 1836

Rev. E. D. Farnham

1844 E. T. Miller. 1844

C. ]]. Walker

1846

John S. Gee

1846 O. A. Moose

1843

Jane A. Walker 1846

Martin Grider.

1843 S. W. MeDonald 1844

II. B. Wilcox 1836

Charles Grant

1845 N. J. Newton ..

1839

Iloratio Weadge 1844

T. W. Gee

1846 Jehn Nickerson 1845

H T. Wood. 1844

S. H. Harris.

1845 W. G. Oliver 1846 Whitman Young .. 1848

C. W. Henning

1849

These only comprise those who settled in the State previous to the year 1850, yet all who came in that year, were admitted to participation, together with their families.

On the 2d of March, 1875, pursuant to notice and invitations, the old settlers met in Wau- pun. A large company was present. An old-fashioned dinner of pork, beans and brown bread was served in abundance. Men and women partook of it with a relish. Old times and old scenes were talked over. The evening was spent in social enjoyment. All were pleased with the first Old Settlers' Club meeting.

On the 25th of November, 1875, the Executive Committee of the Club appointed December 4, 1875, as the time for the election of officers. On the day last named, James McElroy was re-elected President ; John Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was then adopted, that the Club hold their annual meeting on December 21, 1875. Accordingly, on that day, the second annual meeting of the Club was held in Waupun. It was a success. The banquet was enjoyed by about 650 old settlers and their guests. The evening was spent in social intercourse, music and literary entertainments. This meeting, though held in 1875, was really the meeting for 1876.

Owing to the inclement season of 1877, and other reasons, no annual meeting was held. The Executive Committee having previously called a meeting, for the election of officers, on the

H. L. Butterfield.

1847 Frank Johnston

1844 C. W. Page

Benjamin Lyons

1847 C. F. C. Rank 1848

David Bruee. 1842

Isaac Keech 1846

John Burns. 1842

James Me Elroy

R. L Graham.

1849 D. V. Nickerson 1845

Newel Whiting. 1844

513

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

6th day of February, 1878, all of the past officers were re-elected. A resolution was adopted that the Club hold their annual meeting for 1878 on February 15, and that all who had been residents of Waupun or vieinity for twenty years, be entitled to membership. On the day last named, the Club held their third annual meeting. The gathering was large. Old men and women, with their families, met and exchanged congratulations. A banquet was served, and many partook of the repast. The afternoon and evening was spent, by those present, in pleas- ant intercourse. All were pleased and all voted the meeting a success.

At this time, it was determined that the Club should not hold its annual meetings in the winter ; that the next one should be held in the open air. Consequently, on the 15th of June, 1879, the fourth annual meeting of the Club was held in a grove one mile from the city, invi- tations to all old settlers having been extended. The novelty of an out-door meeting, the season of the year, and the pleasure of meeting old friends and faces, brought out a large assembly. A long table had been prepared and was spread, loaded with the good things of life, generously furnished by the old settlers. It was estimated that at least 1,200 partook of the ample bounty. This meeting was a success, and will be remembered by all present with pleasure. The day was beautiful, and was enlivened by music and addresses.

WISCONSIN STATE PRISON.

This institution was located in the village of Waupun during the year 1851, and opened for the reception of conviets in the spring of 1852. By a law enacted in 1851, Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth were appointed Commissioners to determine the best point in the State for the location of a State Prison. They examined different points, and, on July 4, 1851, a majority of the Commissioners (Bullen and Taylor) decided to locate at Wau- pun, Mr. Worth dissenting in favor of Madison.

On July 21, 1851, a contract was made with I. K. Smith for the construction of a main, upright part of a temporary prison for $4,600, the dimensions of which were 26x80 feet, three stories high, of wood, above a stone basement. The Commissioners estimated the sum necessary to continue the erection of the prison and pay indebtedness at $25,000, and also recommended, for the sum of $800, the purchase of an additional twenty acres of land, which recommendation, however, does not appear to have been aeted upon.

John Taylor, of Waupun, was, March 28, 1852, appointed Commissioner by the Legisla- ture, but removed by Gov. Farwell before taking possession of the office, and Henry Brown, of Fond du Lac, appointed in his place, who took charge of the prison April 2, 1852.

On July 12, 1853, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to let the contract for the mason work upon the south wing of the prison, and, in December following, Andrew Proudfit contracted to complete the work by December, 1854, for the sum of $12,624; it was ready for the accommodation of prisoners in January following.

In his report for the year 1853, the Commissioner put the value of personal property belonging to the State at $4,181.71.

By an act of the Legislature, the management of the State Prison was placed in the hands of a Commissioner, who was elected by the people at the general election in November, to hold his office for the term of two years, from January I next succeeding the election. He appointed one person to perform the duties of Deputy and Clerk, and also appointed all other officers. The prison building, at this time, only contained sixty-seven cells; number in confinement, sixty-one.

The Commissioner, from January 1, 1854, to December 31, 1855, was A. W. Starks, of Baraboo. In accordance with a law passed by the Legislature at the last session, the Commis- sioner, during the year 1855, let the convict labor as follows :

To Whiting & Danforth, for the labor of the convicts in the carpenter-shop, for two years, at 55 cents per day.

To Starkweather & Elmore, for the labor of convicts in tin-shop, for thirteen months, at an average rate of 48 cents per day.

514

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

To Mensink & Boland, for the labor of convicts in shoe-shop, for one year, at 60 cents per day, and 25 cents for apprentices for the first six months.

Total amount received from the State to December, 1855, $30,156.94. Prisoners confined, sixty-eight males.

E. McGarry, of Milwaukee, was the Commissioner from January 1, 1856, to December, 1857; John Lowth, Deputy. An appropriation of $10,000 had been made by the last Legis- lature for the construction of the main or center building, but there being no money in the treas- urv, the Commissioner had to negotiate the same to purchase material and keep the convicts employed. He also recommended the building of a stronger wall around the prison yard, as the board fence had become much decayed and afforded poor protection against escapes.

Gov. Bashford, in his message, recommended the leasing of the labor of convicts, provid- ing, that they should be fed, clothed and furnished with the usual necessaries of life by the con- tractors, who also should pay all expenses of guarding the prison, and allow the State a reason- able compensation for the services of the convicts.

Prisoners confined January 1, 1857, 108; received in all up to that time, 241.

E. M. McGraw, of Sheboygan, held the office of Commissioner from January, 1858, to December, 1859; James Giddings, Deputy.

Hans C. Heg. of Racine, held the office to December. 1861; L. W. Evans, Deputy.

On account of the meeting of the Legislature early in January, it became impossible to complete the annual report for the preceding year before the meeting of that body. The time for making the annual report was therefore changed to October 1 of each year.

The Legislature also passed a law giving the Commissioner the authority to diminish the term of any convict, sentenced for a specific term, against whom no infraction of the rules had been reported, not more than five days in each month.

The foundation for nearly all the front wall was laid during the year 1861, also iron-work for front wall received, each panel weighing about 800 pounds. The prison report states that the prison continued to turn out shoes for the soldiers.

In August, 1861, the office of Deputy and Clerk was divided, neither of which office to be held by the officer holding the other.

Hans C. Heg was re-nominated by the Republican State Convention, for the office of Commissioner, but afterward declined, and Alex. P. Hodges, of Oshkosh, nominated in his place, and elected ; he held the office for the next two years, with Martin Mitchell as Deputy and Henry Cordier, Clerk. Seven hundred and eighty prisoners received to September 30, 1862, of whom 116 remained in prison at that time.

The next Commissioner was Henry Cordier, of Waupun (formerly of Oshkosh), who held the office for three terms, from January, 1864 to December, 1869. John Wingender, Clerk; N. H. Palmer, Deputy.

The joint committee of the Legislature on State affairs, having recommended the construc- tion of a sewer from the prison yard to Rock River, a distance of 2,800 feet, the Legislature appropriated the sum of $2,500 for that purpose, and work was commenced during the spring of 1864, and finished next year.

A number of convicts were let to the Green Bay Stave Company, for making barrels for a term of one year. The contracts did not prove profitable, and was not renewed.

Number of prisoners confined September 30, 1865, 90, being a decrease of 23 since the year previous; total received up to that time, 1,011.

Four thousand dollars were appropriated by the Legislature in 1866, for steam-power, and contract made with Hiner & Co., of Fond du Lac, for an engine of sufficient capacity to be used in the cabinet shop.

The prison buildings at this time consisted of main building (used as Commissioner's resi- dence, office, officers' rooms, chapel and hospital), cell-room, female prison, workshops, wash- house. barn and stable and woodshed. The prison proper, or cellroom, is 200 feet long, 50 feet wide and 50 feet high; built of dressed limestone; ten windows on each side, each being

515

HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.

16x5 feet. In the middle part of this room is a stone block containing the cells, four tiers, 280 cells in all, which are 7 feet long, 43 feet wide and 8 feet high : the north cellroom to be a fac-simile of the south cellroom.

The manufacture of chairs was, during the year 1868, inaugurated at the prison ; a consider- able number of the prisoners were employed in quarrying and cutting stone. The prisoners' dress was changed from the striped dress heretofore worn, to one uniform color-light gray-the former being used only as a means of punishment, but has since been entirely abandoned.

On January 1, 1870, George F. Wheeler, of Fond du Lac, assumed the management of the prison, having been elected Commissioner; he appointed C. S. Kelsey. of Montello, Deputy; D. B. Parkhurst, of Berlin, Clerk; Dr. H. Butterfield, Prison Physician.

The workshops were. on the 2d day of May, 1870, destroyed by fire; also about 300,000 feet of lumber, considerable cord-wood and other property. The shops were immediately rebuilt, and ready abont January 1, 1871. They are now 375 feet long, 54 feet wide, two stories high, with engine-house attached, two dry-houses and brick smoke-stack, 110 feet high.

During the next year, Mr. Kelsey resigned his position as Deputy Warden, and was suc- ceeded by B. F. Bettis ; L. D. Hinkley was appointed Clerk, in place of D. B. Parkhurst, resigned. Mr. George F. Wheeler was re-elected Commissioner, and held the office until December, 1873.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches, Part 76

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