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 81
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Juneau is situated in School District No. 7, and the organization of its first school dates back thirty-two years. The proceedings of the first meeting of the inhabitants to per- fect this organization are herewith given as they appear in the records now in the hands of Mr. William T. Rambusch, Clerk of the District Board.
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of School District No. 7, held on the 28th day of April, 1848, at the house of J. H. Hall, in Fairfield, Ephraim Perkins was called to the chair, and the meeting proceeded to elect the following trustees : Hiram Curtis, Lester Noble and Joel Rich. George J. Rice and J. H. Hall were elected Collector and Clerk, respectively.
"It was resolved that the Trustees be authorized to select a lot on the north side of the public square in the village of Victor, town of Fairfield, whereon to build a schoolhouse; that the inhabitants of District No. 7 shall build a frame schoolhouse, 28x24 feet, to be inclosed with basswood siding, well seasoncd, and the roof to be sheathed with one-inch oak boards and shingled with short basswood shingles ; that the house shall be underpinned with stone, laid in lime mortar, one foot below the ground and eighteen inches above; that the house be ceiled within, up to the windows, with basswood one inch thick, matched and planed, the rest of the room to be lathed and plastered with two coats; that the house be painted white, with three coats ; that the seats be finished after the style proposed by J. H. Hall, with desk and stools."
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Thus it will be seen that the inhabitants of District No. 7 enjoyed the possession of a very comfortable, not to say a commodious, building as their first schoolhouse. Daniel Huntly and Jane Marsh were the first to " teach the young idea how to shoot " in District No. 7. They received, for their services, the former $18 per month and the latter $5 per month. School was taught. the first year, nine months, and eighty-two children received instruction.
The cause of education has never failed to receive every consideration at the hands of the people of Juneau and vicinity. Their first schoolhouse soon became too small for the accommo- dation of their children, and. in 1856, we find them erecting a new and much larger structure (the one at present occupied for school purposes), at a cost of abont $1,300. Three teachers are now employed, their aggregate salaries amounting to $1,000 a year. The number of school children in the district at present is 248. The school offieers of the district are Hon. Eli Hawks, Director; Hiram A. Jones, Treasurer, and W. T. Rambusch, Clerk.
THE CHURCHIES.
The first religious services accessible to the good people of Juneau were held in 1847, at the farm house of Lester Nobles (now dead), situated about one mile north of the village. They were conducted by a Presbyterian preacher named Johnson. In 1848, a schoolhouse having been built within the limits of the village, it was agreed between the leading members of the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations (a society of the latter having been formed about that time), in order that both might be accommodated, the forencon of each Sabbath should belong to the Methodists for worship therein, and the afternoon to the Presbyterians. This apparently equitable arrangement worked harmoniously for awhile, until the Rev. M. Ordway, the Presby- terian minister, gave out one Sabbath afternoon that thereafter his flock would meet at 10:30 in the morning. Considerable feeling was aroused during the week among the good Christians of both denominations over this somewhat strange " new departure," and there was every indica- tion that on the following Sunday morning a lively contest would take place for precedence. A prominent eitizen, with the peace and welfare of the community at heart, determined to avert a scene which would not redound to the eredit of Christianity, repaired to the schoolhouse before the appointed hour for the dual meeting, and took up a position in the doorway. Ile had been there but a short time when the Rev. Mr. Ordway and a member of his Church approached him, but they were refused admittance. After some unsatisfactory parley, the two Presbyterians left the premises, repairing to the house of the member in company with the minister, where services were held. In the mean time, the Methodist minister, the Rev. Mr. Crawford, arrived, together with a large number of his followers. A great many Presbyterians, believing that they were to listen to the divine wisdom of Mr. Ordway, walked into the schoolroom and took seats, only to dis- cover Mr. Crawford in the pulpit. Most of them remained, however, probably in anticipation of " seeing some fun," but the sermon was listened to attentively, and future confliets were avoided.
The Presbyterians became permanently organized in 1852. and, in 1855, built a neat house of worship at a cost of $1,700. The first sale of pews realized $1,372, with eight remaining unsold. Among those who have served as Pastors, may be mentioned the Revs. Robertson, Thompson, Vance, Van Pelt, Burgster, Railsback, Street and Wykoff. The congregation, com- posed of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, numbers one hundred members, with a Sabbath- school attendance of forty pupils.
The remotest history accessible to the compiler concerning the Methodists in Juneau, is dated April, 1846, when " Brothers B. Blackburn and William and A. Harrison united by letter at Brother Ward's, three miles east of Juneau." Meetings were held thereafter, among other places, in the old Court House, and, in 1865, we find the society building a church edifiec at a cost of $3.500. Among the Pastors who have been called to the charge, may be mentioned the Revs. Hollis, Stone, Cobban, Stevens, Bolton, Hall, Greene, Brown, Requa and Spell. The present Trustees are as follows : J. C. Brown (Chairman), S. E. Veltum, John Harrison, Jabez Ormsby, M. Bassett, J. B. Spencer, Levi Butler, Timothy Yates and G. G. White (Secretary ).
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
The Catholics .- Father Peter De Berge was the first Catholic priest who visited Juneau for the purpose of organizing a parish. He lived in Horicon, and, at the solicitation of Mrs. Philip Rock, came to Juneau in the summer of 1860, and celebrated mass in the house of her husband, near the railroad depot. The next was Father Fusseder, now of Beaver Dam. Father Ward followed in 1872. He lives in Clyman, but officiates in Juneau twice a month. In 1874, under the management of the Rev. Mr. Ward, a frame church edifice was erected on North Main street, in which the society, consisting of about forty-five families, now worships. The expense was borne by individual members of the society, prominent among whom may be mentioned Henry Kellermann, John Walther and Jerry Murphy. Catholic burials are made in the churchyards of that denomination either at Horicon or Clyman.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- Society organized in 1874, by William Hil- gendorf, Carl Schrap, Chr. Linderman (the first Trustees), and others. For a short time prior to the organization, informal meetings were held in the Presbyterian Church. In the latter part of the year above mentioned, a schoolhouse was built by the Lutherans in the western limits of Junean, where a class of forty children is now instructed by Gotlieb Muche. The schoolhouse also answers the purposes of a church. Ph. Kohler is the only Pastor ever called to the charge. He lives in Hustisford, and preaches at Juneau twice a month. There are about thirty families in the congregation. The present Trustees are William Hilgendorf, Carl Schrap and John Hildemann.
SOCIETIES.
Solomon Lodge, No. 86, F. g. A. M .- Chartered in June, 1857, with seven charter mem- bers. The present membership is twenty-three. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month over Allard & Martin's store. Hon. Eli Hawks, W. M., and Dr. W. Hallock, Secretary.
Temple of Honor .- Instituted October 25, 1875, by Col. J. A. Watrous. Officers-J. C. Spencer, W. C. T .; J. C. Brown, W. V. T .; Frank Lowth, W. R .; C. D. Miller, W. A. R .; S. E. Veltum, W. F. R .; J. H. Dunham, W. T .; T. L. Smith, W. C .; I. Downing, W. U .; I. Brown, W. D. U .; A. Stowe, W. G .; G. M. Beard, W. S .; John Lowth, P. W. C. T. & T. D.
FIRE COMPANIES.
The frequency of destructive fires in Juneau warned the citizens of that place to take pre- ventive steps in the direction of establishing a fire department, and, in the fall of 1878, the Village Board voted the necessary funds for the purchase of paraphernalia-a hand engine, hose cart, etc. Some of the most prominent residents got together and organized a volunteer com pany to "run wid de machine," and elected J. G. Allard, Foreman ; Capt. Charles End, Assistant Foreman, and A. S. Vanaelstyn, Ilose Captain. The notable fires at which this company rendered excellent service were those of the cheese-factory and L. A. Wight's res- idence. The present officers are W. D. Warner, Foreman ; F. W. Lueck, Assistant Foreman ; A. S. Vanaelstyu, Hose Captain.
HOTELS.
The Juneau House was built in 1849, by Judge Hiram Barber, and opened under auspices of the most brilliant nature, Solomon Juneau, who then lived in Theresa, and many other old settlers. being present to congratulate the Judge, and witness the introduction and trial of some fancy oil lamps (presented by Mr. Juneau). It was a rare and luxurious sight ; tallow dips and candles had furnished light prior to that time, and the effect, though not exactly electrical, was very satisfactory. William Barber became the purchaser of the Juneau House in 1859. The property, originally costing about $3,000, has changed hands a number of times, and is now owned by John Walther.
The American House, the property of J. C. Brown, has been in existence as a hotel for about thirty-three years. Nelson Willie was the builder. Numerous additions and improve- ments have been made from time to time, and changes in the proprietorship and management
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
have been frequent. Givens & Haughton, Mortimer L. Sayles, Jones & Babcock, John & Franz Gebhardt, E. C. & P. H. Lewis, Gen. Ilenry Bertram and J. C. Brown completes the list of lessees and proprietors.
It is generally believed that the old Court House, now the property of Judge E. C. Lewis, will shortly be used as a hotel. It has been thoroughly overhauled, and improvements made of a character that will entitle it to rank among the first-class caravansaries of the Northwest.
MANUFACTORIES, ETC.
Weightman & Wengfield made the first wagons in Juneau. Alfred Harrington soon came upon the scene as competitor for public patronage in the same line of business. Andrew Olson is perhaps the oldest individual, in point of residence, engaged in manufacturing in Junean. Ten years ago, I. Downing established a manufactory of this character. He makes buggies, cutters and light wagons a specialty. John Brenseke and Charles Abel, established in the spring of 1878, and John P. Perkins and J. Ludwig Billack, established in May, 1879, are the latest firms of wagon-makers.
Cheese-Factory .- Established in 1872, by a joint-stock company, composed of Joel Rich, J. E. Spalding, William Ballough, J. F. Harrison, D. Barber. Joel Adams, I. J. Edwards, Amos Butler, Lewis Butler, Hiram Curtis, J. H. Dunham, P. A. Hiebler, H. A. Jones. L. L. Sprout, O. B. Wilcox. Josiah Smith, J. D. Austin, and others. In 1875, the institution passed into the hands of Giles S. Talbot, who carried it on for two years, when the building and contents were entirely consumed by fire, with an insurance upon them of $1,000, which Mr. Talbot failed to collect before leaving suddenly for New York, and the question of settlement is still in the courts.
Samuel Eastman & Co.'s Elevator .- Built in 1875. Has a capacity of about 12,000 bush- els : an average of 80,000 bushels of wheat and 18,000 or 20,000 bushels of barley are handled annually. Improved cleansing apparatus is attached.
The first grist-mill was built in Juneau, by Peter Quick. F. & M. Delme and J. Il. Dun- ham are the owners of the present steam flouring-mill, which stands near the depot.
The North-Western Railway was finished to Minnesota Junetion, two and a half miles north of Junean, in 1856; but, owing to the panic of 1857 and numerous other causes, it did not reach the latter place till about 1860.
The present officers of the town of Oak Grove are : Clerk, A. M. Grout ; Treasurer, S. V. R. Haughton ; Assessor, Henry Engelbracht. Supervisors-John Leslie (Chairman), Herman Albert and Horace Cole. Justices of the Peace-C. Fuermann, P. H. Lewis and Warren Mars- ton. Constables-George Hargraves, Fred Matwig and Peter Gannon. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Charles End.
HUSTISFORD.
As an introductory to what we shall have to say of this beautiful little village, in the language of an eminent Chicago divine. we have read and completely absorbed the following from the pen of Capt. Charles A. Pettibone, editor of the Telephone, Juneau, under the caption of " Wausharaca, the Land of the Foxes."
" More than twoscore years ago, in the earlier pioneer days of our county, when the Indian trail and the river's winding course were the only routes of travel, young Hustis came to Wan- sharaca. And here, like the heroic, hopeful heroes of classic days, he found a home and founded a new city. Beside the river's ford, at the intersection of the numerous trails from the Michigan to the portage between the upper Fox and the Wisconsin, and from the south country northward to the foot of the Winnebago, he rears his cabin, and with industry and persever- ance patiently awaits the time when others, advised of the favorable location, its fertile soil and wonderful natural advantages, should come and make a home beside him. Years have passed, and where once stood the lodges of the Indian, to-day we find the workshop and the mill ;
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
happy homes, resonant with the merry music of childish glee, abound ; and the young adven- turer of other days, his head silvered with the burden of years, walks the streets of the populous village which bears his name, and sees all about him the fruition of the daydreams of his early manhood. Where once the painted warrior sharpened his scalping-knife, maybe upon the glacier-creased surface of a projecting rock, the man of news sharpens his murderous Faber and indites the present records of the town, then heads his little piece ' Hustisford.'
"The village of Hustisford is situated in Sections 9 and 10, Town 11, Range 16 east, and distant nine miles from Woodland; nine miles from Horicon ; five miles from Neosho ; eight miles from Junean, and twelve miles from Watertown. The original plat of the village, with its subsequent additions, possesses a most generous provision for the possibilities of the future, but at present the main part of the town extends only along the right bank of Rock River, and upon an incline gradually rising to the west. To the east, across the river, the summits of two nearly parallel ridges, which were once forest-crowned, but now, shorn of their leafy burdens, need only the plowshare to become tillable farms, rise to a considerable height above the embryo city which nestles so cosily in their early morning shadows.
" The surface of the surrounding country is broken, being a regular succession of nearly parallel ridges and valleys, running in the general direction of northeast and southwest, and extending in an unbroken chain, except where crossed by Rock River or its tributaries, the Wildcat and the Rubicon, from the north to the southern boundary of the county. Laterally, the general plane of these valleys is remarkably level. A brief inspection of the topography of the country shows that by the most nearly level and accessible roads, the larger portion of the east half of Dodge County is naturally tributary to HIustisford; to the south and southeast, Ashippun, Rubicon, Lebanon, and some portion of Emmet; and to the northward, Hubbard, Her- man, and portions of Williamstown and Oak Grove find, by way of the level valley roads, adapted to hauling the heaviest loads, their most natural market center at Hustisford.
" With ample water-power-the best on Rock River between Rockford, Ill., and Mayville -it needs no prophetic vision to foretell the wonderful growth, and what a suitable connection with some main line of transportation to the metropolis will bring to this thrifty and industrious people.
" The residents here fully appreciate the situation, and on the resumption by the old man- agement of the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railroad, and its lately rumored extension, there is an eager interest felt by all in the probable course of the railroad.
"Speaking generally in regard to this subject, there is no doubt but Hustisford needs the railroad, and it is equally truc that the railroad company needs the large and remunerative car- rying trade which its location at this point would inevitably bring to it. How this mutually desired object can be best attained remains for the parties interested to determine."
Indians still inhabited the country, and, although said to be friendly, and they doubtless were as much so as it is possible for them to be, they were always regarded as treacherous. As illus- trating Indian nature, Mr. H. narrated to us the following story :
Wishing to go further north and explore the wonderful fine country of which so much had been said, in company with Mr. Griffith, they secured the services of three Indians to pilot them throughi, a portion of the distance having to be gone by water, in a common dug-out. As they were quietly moving over the water, Mr. H., having occasion to address his companion, turned around, and, as he did so, he observed one of the Indians with uplifted arm and in his hand a tomahawk, ready to send it crashing into his skull. Quickly throwing up his arm, he arrested the blow and the Indian quietly settled down and resumed his rowing. A short time elapsed, when one of the Indians dropped the ax with which the whites had provided themselves into the stream, with the intention, no doubt, of lessening the chances of resistance of their victims. The boat was stopped and the most friendly of the three Indians plunged in and brought it up and presented it to the owners.
While the two men were becoming somewhat alarmed, they dared not show it in their actions, but, as quickly and quietly as possible, they had the Indians effect a landing, and,
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
through the woods and in the darkness of the night, they made their escapc. They afterward learned the reason why an attempt was made upon their lives. A short time previous, one of their tribe was shot by a white man, and, in accordance with their lex talionis, they must take the life of the first white man.
It is related of Beardsley that the first fall in which he lived here he used to turn an hon- est penny by running a ferry. He had a single ox, which had lost its mate, and when one desired to cross the river, for the sum of 10 cents he was permitted to mount the back of the ox, who soon landed him upon the other side.
As illustrating how near a place can come to being made famous, and yet see its hopes disappear, it is said that the village of Hustisford came within one vote of being selected as the State capital by the Territorial Legislature. The Iowa members of that body, wishing and expecting their Territory to be separated from Wisconsin, voted as their pecuniary interest dic- tated.
In 1845, quite a number of people settled in or near the present village, and John Cameron built the first storc, which afterward became the property of Jacob Rapelye, who operated it as a branch of his store in Milwaukce. The price of farm produce about this time may be estimated from a mercantile transaction of one Beetle, a clerk for Rapelye, who sold a well-heaped half-bushel of fresh lien's eggs for 30 cents.
In 1846, William T. Ward opened a hotel, the first in the place. He came to this embryo village with hardly a penny, and, in five years, sold his interest in the hotel and carried out of the town $3,000 cash. In that day, there was a large amount of travel, emigrants coming and going, looking out new homes, returning again for their families, and a well-kept tavern was well patronized, and the proprietors grow rich. In this same year, a post office was established here, and Symmes Butler received the first appointment as agent of Uncle Sam to transact the postal business of the neighborhood. Since his time, four other gentlemen have occupied the position, viz., John McRae, John C. Daily, Hiram Hughes and the present popular incumbent, James Hall. The office has not yet been made a money-order one, but doubtless should be, as its registered letters will now amount to over five hundred per year.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1846, by Wales & Hustis, and a select school taught therein, which was continued until 1850, when a public school was organized, with Mr. James Hall as teacher. Mr. H. has long since abandoned the profession, and is now one of the lead- ing merchants in the place. At present, there are three schools, all apparently well patronized, and ably conducted by competent instructors. The common school is taught during the winter by a male teacher with a female assistant, but during the summer months the services of a female teacher are considered sufficient.
Some time since, an association of German citizens was formed, who support from their private funds a German free school. The attendance is about seventy.
The Lutherans also have a very large and flourishing school. The number in attendance we did not learn, but judge from all the information we gained that this is really the most generally patronized, and the attendance is much larger than at both the other schools.
CHURCHES.
The first to " proclaim Christ and Him crucified " was a Methodist preacher, followed soon after by a Congregational minister, who succeeded in organizing a congregation, but which has long since disbanded. The German Lutherans were next, and have in the village and sur- rounding neighborhood a large following. In 1865. they crected a substantial church edifice, in which they yet assemble for divine worship. Rev. Philip Koehler is the present Pastor. The German Methodists and Americans of the different denominations hold their religious services in the school building.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
MANUFACTURING.
Again we absorb the writings of Mr. Pettibone, and give the present status of the village : Leading among the manufactories are the two flouring-mills. One, owned and operated by Mr. J. F. Koch, contains three runs of stone, with an estimated capacity for converting about five hundred bushels of wheat into flour during twenty-four hours. The necessary power is given by a seven-foot head of water. Custom milling a specialty. Mr. Koch also mills for the general market.
The other, generally known as the lower mill, is owned by the Dehne Brothers, of Juneau, but is rented and run by Messrs. Neitzel & Braendmuehl. This mill contains four runs of stone, estimated capacity per diem of twenty-four hours, between five hundred and six hundred bush- els. The water-power is ample.
Near this mill is a saw-mill, owned by the Dehne Brothers. This is also rented and operated by the present milling firm. This mill is fitted up expressly for sawing hard wood.
Furniture manufacturing is ably conducted by Mr. Ferdinand Steinborn and also by Mr. Frederick Zilisch. These gentlemen find a ready demand for the numerous articles manufact- ured by them. This attests, in the best manner possible, the excellence and honesty of their work.
There are also in town two turning shops, where everything from a croquet set to an ox-yoke, or anything, though as crooked as a politician's record, can be turned out on demand.
A well-managed cooper-shop also adds its quota toward making up the aggregate business of the place.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Peace and quiet is the normal condition of the place, and hence there is no need for the paid services of a surplus lawyer. The good common-sense and sound legal advice of Squire Daily adjusts the little wrangles which usually form the germs of law-suits.
The school of allopathy is represented by Drs. J. A. Smith, an experienced and successful practitioner, long a resident of Hustisford, and J. Pennett, who has his numerous friends and admirers.
The homeopathists have not as numerous a representation as their opponents ; but if there ever was a true and skillful disciple of Hahnemann, that man is Dr. E. E. Atkins, who, though comparatively a new-comer, has already attained a remunerative practice.
Mr. George Newton officiates as notary public and conveyancer, and contributes in no small degree to the welfare and convenience of his fellow-townsmen.
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