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 82
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HOTELS.
In the village limits there is but one hotel, that of the Hustisford House, by Louis Prenz- low, which has a central location and is well patronized. The Wisconsin House was burned to the ground during the fall of 1879, and has not been rebuilt.
Upon an island in Rock River, F. W. Lehman keeps the "Sportsmen's Home," a favorite resort for sportsmen from abroad during the hunting season.
Mr. Lehman keeps boats, fishing tackle, etc., for the accommodation of his guests, and his tables are always supplied with the best attainable. Liquid refreshments are among his medical supplies, in quality and variety suited to every phase of sportsmen's ailments.
MERCHANTS.
One of the foremost in strictly upright and honorable dealing is Mr. J. Hall, whose mercantile stock consists of the usual variety of dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., found in a first-class country store. Having studied for years the tastes and wants of his patrons, Mr. Hall is sure to have on hand almost anything they want. This gentleman is also the Postmas- ter, and is a sincere believer in the infallibility of Republican principles.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Miss Emily Hall has, at her father's store, a full and choice selection of millinery goods, all of the most fashionable and popular styles. Her patronage is large and well-merited.
II. Matthes, a very popular merchant, also keeps a general assortment of merchandise, and his patronage is large. His customers are old ones, who during years have found no cause to transfer their patronage to other towns. Matthes has already acquired a comfortable income by strict attention to the interests of the public.
Last, but by no means least, on the list of Hustisford merchants, is Mr. August Flemming, whose store is likewise. crowded with hosts of his especial patrons. If you cannot find what you want in Flemming's store it is because it is just out, or because it is on the way but has not arrived.
August Roessler presents his thanks for past favors, and attracts attention by his large stock of agricultural implements, stoves, shelf hardware, and the thousand and one articles of the trade. Roessler is also agent for thrashing machines with the popular Traction steam engines, the Triumph reapers, mowers, etc., etc. His business is steadily increasing.
In the same line of business, the Zilisch Brothers are formidable competitors for the local patronage. The stock consists of the usual assortment, and by their uniformly fair manner of treating their patrons, they have laid the foundation for a most lucrative and permanent business.
MISCELLANEOUS.
F. Voight, proprietor of the paint-shop, possesses the facilities for turning out in the best style the finer grades, of work. Sign and carriage painting executed in the most workmanlike and stylish manner.
Theodore Schmidt, A. Vogeler and William Seitz are the Vulcans of the town, and each seems to receive his due proportion of work.
Lauersdorf Bros., August Brensecke and Julins Briesemeister are respectively the manu- facturers of many of the favorite light-running but durable wagons and buggies so numerous throughout the county.
H. Rex presides behind the counter of a well-stocked drug store, and is deservedly popular with everybody.
H. Bramer manufactures and keeps in stock as fine a stock of harness, double and single, saddles, and everything else in that line, as any dealer in Dodge County.
While Otto C. Hannemann, August Zilisch, Martin Vollmer, Fred Bruncke and Adolph Walther supply the best of leather boots and shoes, in all styles and at reasonable prices. C. Haertl with his little gouge carves out the wooden ones.
William Rathloff divides the tailoring business of the village with Fred Zimmerling, the patrons of each claiming that his tailor is positively the best.
August Lehman keeps a good and well-patronized restaurant and saloon, also deals in fancy goods, confectionery and fruits. He has the only billiard-table in town, and his place of business is a popular resort for all who visit Hustisford.
Ferdinand Schuette, John Lange and Ferdinand Pagel deal in liquors, eigars, wines and the lighter beverages.
There are, in convenient distance from the village, seven factories making the celebrated Limburger cheese.
With the incoming of a railroad, and possessed of all her natural advantages, the village of Hustisford should take rank among the eities of the land, and we predict for her a bright future.
OAK GROVE.
With one exception, this is the oldest village in the county, and, like Hustisford, came near being a noted place, for in the early day, before Juncau was even thought of, it was the temporary seat of justice, and, had its proprietor exercised a little worldly wisdom and enterprise, it might have been made the permanent county seat.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
That he might accommodate the great traveling public which was steadily pushing its way north, and add as well to his worldly wealth, Maj. Pratt, in 1841, built a log cabin on the site of the present public house in the village, and boldly erected a sign informing the inter- ested parties that he would afford accommodations for man and beast. As may be inferred, his accommodations were rather limited, but the sight of a public house was an ever-welcome one to the travelers in those days, who usually made the journey in a lumber wagon drawn by oxen, and who were content to make their fifteen or twenty miles from the rising to the setting of the sun.
Oak Grove was on the direct line north from Watertown, and here the roads forked, one leading to the northeast and the other to the northwest; therefore, an inn here could be said to be a halfway-house, and travelers generally endeavored to make it convenient to reach this place to spend the night. As travel increased, the necessity for greater accommodations became apparent, and Ethan Owen erected another public house, known as Owen's Hotel, and still this did not satisfy the demand; therefore, in 1851, another was built, called the Green Moun- tain House. As many as three hundred teams of "movers" have been counted passing this point in one day, and they were constantly going and coming. Of course inn-keepers thrived.
GIVING IT A NAME.
The settlement being formed, it became necessary to give it a name, and that of Fairfield was selected, but when application was made for a post office it was learned that there was another Fairfield in the State, therefore it was thought best to select a different name. It was then given the name of Oak Grove, though for what reason is unknown, probably from the fact that there was no oak grove in the neighborhood. If an old settler is asked the reason why the place is called Oak Grove, he will reply as did the Dutchman, when speaking of the name of his son, " I call him Yaucob pecanse dat ish his name." We call it Oak Grove because that is its name.
POST OFFICE.
Application was made in due time for the establishment of a post office in the place, and the powers that be in Washington gave heed to the prayer of the petitioners, and Ethan Owen had the privilege of first entering the service of Uncle Sam as village Postmaster. The first mail route established was between Watertown and Fox Lake, running once a week. Other routes were soon added, and Oak Grove became quite a distributing center, the citizens of the whole country lying between Fox Lake and Watertown here receiving their mail. The follow- ing-named have also served as Postmasters of the village: E. C. Lewis, A. H. Atwater, Mr. Mccullough, William Ambright, John Currie, William Woodworth and John G. Lees, the latter of whom now occupies the position.
GROWTHI.
The place at first grew quite rapidly, and its prospect in 1842-43 was better than any other point within a large scope of country for the building-up of a splendid village, but its original owner was not possessed of enough foresight to enable him to take advantage of the oppor- tunities presented, and failing in securing the county seat, which was established within two and a half miles, its growth was checked. No plat was ever made, and all sales of lots have been made as fractions of an acre. Believing it would be made the permanent county seat, several attorneys located here, among the number being the Hon. Charles Billinghurst, who was after- ward elected a member of Congress, being the first representative from this district. Under head of " The Illustrious Dead," will be found a biographical sketch of this gentleman. Judge E. C. Lewis was also a resident of the place for a short time.
SCHOOLS.
For some cause-it may be for the reason that the early settlers of this place, being Americans and " Down-East Yankees," did not rear as many children as our German fellow-citizens, who
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
now principally inhabit this county-a school was not established here until 1844, when Mrs. Fuller taught a select one in a log house erected for that purpose. At the present writing, there are two good schoolhouses in the district, Oak Grove and Clyman, No. 1, with a graded school. Miss Theresa Griscoll is Principal of the grammar school, and Miss Lilian Atwater of the primary. The average wages paid are $32 and $20 for the respective grades. Besides the two mentioned, the Germans have also a school here with a fair attendance : therefore the educa- tional interests of the rising generation are well secured.
RELIGIOUS.
The Congregationalists were the first to enter this field, the Rev. Moses Ordway, the Presbyterian Patriarch of Beaver Dam, preaching the first sermon in 1842 or 1843. A congregation was soon 'afterward organized, composed of a very small band of zealous and God-fearing Christian men and women, who have, in spite of discouragements, held together and presented an unbroken front to the enemy. Their present membership is about seventy. In 1851, they organized a Sunday school which has at present writing an existence of twenty- nine years. It holds its regular weekly sessions, summer and winter. The German Lutherans have also a congregation, and, having no meeting-house of their own, assemble in the school- house, where thanksgiving and praise to God is offered. The Methodists, a few of whom live in the neighborhood, also assemble occasionally in the schoolhouse to sing and pray and listen to the proclamation of the Word.
SOCIETIES.
This is a temperance community. there being no saloons in the place, the majority of the citizens believing, with the Apostle Paul, " It is good neither to eat meat or to drink wine, or anything whereby thy brother is made to offend," and require but little "for their stomachs' sake."
But one benevolent organization is represented in the village-that of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F. This Lodge was one of the first instituted in the State, but has not been in continuous existence, taking for some years a Rip Van Winkle sleep, from which it has been awakened, and from this onward, in the name of "Friendship, Love and Truth," they propose to do valiant service. Meet every Friday evening at their hall, in Oak Grove.
FIRST THINGS.
The first settler was Maj. Pratt.
The first settlers were principally from New York and Vermont.
Maj. Pratt built the first house and hotel.
Ethan Owen was the first Postmaster.
Rev. Moses Ordway preached the first sermon.
Messrs. Lander & Spaulding opened the first store, in 1844.
Samuel P. Vinton and Caroline Owen were the first couple united in the "holy bonds of matrimony."
Mrs. Fuller taught the first school.
First public road was the old Indian trail from Watertown to Fox Lake.
First schoolhouse was built of logs, in 1844.
First death was that of Joseph Payne, who was the first to be buried in the cemetery, the ground of which was donated by himself.
The first funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Walter Lyon. a Universalist minister, on the occasion of the death of one of Mr. Grout's children.
The Congregationalists built the first church.
Oak Grove is a small but pleasant country village, with no railroad. It is a good place for a quiet home. There are at present here. one hotel, two general stores, one millinery store, one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop, one shoe shop, one tailor shop. Population, 150.
CHAPTER XII.
VILLAGES.
RANDOLPH : THE FIRST DEED-GOVERNMENT-FIRST THINGS-POST OFFICE-MANUFACTORIES- HOTELS-NEWSPAPERS-SCHOOLS-EXPORTS-CHURCHES-SOCIETIES. MAYVILLE : INDUCE- MENTS TO SETTLERS-POST OFFICE-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-HOTELS-SOCIETIES-MERCANTILE -VILLAGE GOVERNMENT. WOODLAND-REESEVILLE-IRON RIDGE-BURNETT JUNCTION- RUBICON-PORTLAND-NEOSHO-LOWELL-DANVILLE-MINNESOTA JUNCTION.
RANDOLPH.
Following the building of a railroad, will be found villages springing up here and there, some of which are of mushroom growth, while others are the work of years, and show to the most casual observer an air of stability. Among the latter is the beautiful little village of Randolph, situated in the western part of the county. On the completion of the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the citizens living near the pres- ent village, for their own convenience, desired that a station should be located here. The Com- pany proposed to erect a good depot building and the necessary side tracks, provided ground should be donated to them for that purpose. In the person of Abiel Stark was found one with sufficient public spirit to furnish the required land ; and on the 3d day of March, 1857, he executed to the Company the following decd :
THIS INDENTURE, Made this 3d day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty- seven, between Abiel Stark and Jane A., his wife, of Fox Lake, party of the first part, and the La Crosse & Milwau- kee Railroad Company, party of the second part, all of the State of Wisconsin, Ititnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, to them in hand paid, by the said parties of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, have given, granted, hargained, sold, remised, released, aliened, conveyed and confirmed. and by these presents does give, grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, their heirs and assigns forever, for a depot for said Com- pany, a certain piece or parcel of land, situate in the county of Dodge, and described as follows. to wit : Commenc- ing at the southeast corner of a strip of land, north of right of way, on southwest quarter of Section six (6), Town- ship thirteen (13) north, of Range thirteen (13) ; thence running north on the highway, from right of way, two hun- dred and sixteen feet; thence west nine hundred feet ; thence south one hundred and sixty-six feet ; thence west four hundred and fifty-three feet, to county line ; thence south fifty fect to the said right of way. containing five acres of land, more or less, together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in any wise appertaining ; and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim, or demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, either in possession or expectancy of, in and to the above bargained premises and their hereditaments and appurtenances, to have and to hold the said premises above described, with the heredita- ments and appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever.
And the said Abiel Stark, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, does covenant, grant, hargain and agree to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealing and delivery of these presents, were well seized of the premises, above described, as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute and indefeasible state of inheritance, in the law, in fee simple, and that the same are free and clear from all incum- brances whatever, and that the above bargained premises, in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part, their heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons, lawfully claiming the whole or any part thereof, he will forever warrant and defend.
In witness whereof, The said party of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. ADIEL STARK, L. S.7
Sealed and delivered in the presence of FRANCIS WANS, JOHN CONVERSE.
JANE A. STARK. ـالـــ
L. S. ]
STATE OF WISCONSIN, ?
COUNTY OF COLUMBIA.
Be it remembered, that on the 3d day of March, A. D. 1857, personally came before me the above named Abiel Stark, and Jane S., his wife, to me known to be the said persons who executed the said deed, and acknowledged the same to be their free act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.
JOHN CONVERSE, Notary Public.
555
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
The above decd was received for record at the office of the Register of Deeds, at 11:45 A. M., April 30, 1857.
A temporary depot was erected the same month in which the deed was made, and used until the completion of the present building, in August following.
The first plat of the village was made December 2, 1857, principally on the farm of Abiel Stark, together with five acres held jointly by Abiel Stark and John Converse. In May (1858) following, Dickinson's addition was surveyed, followed by an addition in June, 1859, by Abicl Stark, and one in October, the same year, by Mr. Hollinshead, this last being within Columbia County.
In April, 1857, John Converse finished the first building erected on the present site of the village, and used the same as a dwelling. Others were soon afterward in the course of erec- tion, and erelong a thriving little village sprung up, which has had a steady growth to the present, not increasing rapidly in numbers, but adding a few year by year, and also increasing steadily in materal wealth.
The first store building was erected in the same year by H. B. Converse ; the first ware- house by S. Merrill.
The growth of the village has been a gradual one, both in numbers and in the material wealth of the place ; and, at present writing (January, 1880), it presents as neat an appearance as any to be found in the State, with a large number of excellent dwelling-houses and stores, doing a first-class business, with a population of about five hundred. Few of the first settlers of the place now remain, some having moved away, while others have passed " over the river," It is hoped to a better land. Abiel Stark, the real founder of the place, departed this life in August, 1869, enjoying the respeet and confidence of all who knew him. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died in the faith. Mr. John Converse died in August, 1879, surviving Mr. Stark some ten years.
It is well to state here that the village was first given the name of Converseville, from Mr. John Converse; it was afterward changed to Westfield, and, finally, to Randolph-the name by which, doubtless, it will be known to the end of time. For the first thirteen years, it was attached to the town of Westford : but, in the winter of 1869-70, the Legislature of the State passed an act incorporating Randolph as a village, and, on the 8th day of March, 1870, the first charter election was held.
GOVERNMENT.
The charter contained a provision that the President of the Board should always be a resi- dent of the East Ward, or that part lying within the limits of Dodge County, for the reason that the larger portion of the village lies in that ward. The following village officers have been elected since the act of incorporation :
1870-President, Dr. William Meacher. Trustees, East Ward-R. C. Penney and A.
Jones ; West Ward-G. C. Foster and J. Binny. Assessor, R. D. Calkins ; Treasurer, R. Ilsey ; Constable, Morris Taylor. Justices, East Ward-D. Kenyon; West Ward-S. M. Smith. Clerk, S. M. Smith.
1871-President, Alvarado Jones. Trustees, East Ward-N. Rasmusson and G. C. Fos- ter ; West Ward-R. Arms and J. Binny. Assessor, M. Wilson ; Treasurer, R. C. Penney. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root; West Ward-S. M. Smith. Constable, Walter Hinch- liffe ; Clerk, S. M. Smith.
1872-President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward-Martin Allen and I. S. Butter- field ; West Ward-J. Stalker and G. C. Foster. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root ; West Ward-S. M. Smith. Treasurer, R. D. Evans. Justices, East Ward-H. B. Converse ; West Ward-J. Stalker. Constable, Walter Hinchliffe; Clerk. H. B. Converse.
1873-President, J. J. Stocks elected, but resigned, and James Knowles appointed by the Board to fill vacaney. Trustees, East Ward-James Knowles and J. G. Stark ; West Ward- R. S. Richmond and R. Arms. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root; West Ward-J.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Stalker. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Assessor, A. Jones. Justices, West Ward-R. S. Rich- mond ; East Ward-H. B. Converse. Constable, M. G. Toby ; Clerk, H. B. Converse.
1874-President, R. D. Calkins. Trustees, East Ward-M. Wilson and N. Rasmusson ; West Ward-G. C. Foster and J. Stalker. Treasurer, R. D. Calkins ; Assessor, A. Jones. Supervisors, East Ward-H. B. Converse ; West Ward-W. T. Whirry. Justices, East Ward -H. B. Converse ; West Ward-W. T. Whirry. Constable, J. A. Townsend; Clerk. H. B. Converse.
1875-President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward-J. G. Stark and C. O. Bige- low ; West Ward-R. S. Richmond and J. Stalker. Treasurer. R. D. Evans ; Assessor, C. J. Coleman. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root; West Ward-J. Stalker. Justices, East Ward-H. B. Converse ; West Ward-W. T. Whirry. Constable, J. A. Townsend ; Clerk, J. E. Root.
1876-President, R. D. Calkins. Trustees, East Ward-R. N. Rasmusson and C. O. Bigelow ; West Ward-R. S. Richmond and Richard Arms. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Asses- sor, C. J. Coleman. Justices, East Ward-R. D. Calkins; West Ward-Roger Williams. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root ; West Ward-J. Stalker. Constable, J. A. Townsend ; Clerk, R. G. Roberts.
1877-President, James Knowles. Trustees, East Ward-J. G. Stark and M. Wilson ; West Ward-J. Roberts and R. S. Richmond. Assessor, C. J. Coleman ; Treasurer, R. D. Evans. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root ; West Ward-J. Stalker. Justices, East Ward -R. D. Calkins ; West Ward-Roger Williams. Constable, J. A. Townsend; Clerk, J. E. Hughes.
1878-President, W. S. Johnson. Trustees, East Ward-H. W. Owen and N. Rasmus- son ; West Ward-G. C. Foster and R. V. Roberts. Assessor, C. J. Coleman; Treasurer, R. D. Evans. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root; West Ward-G. C. Foster. Justices, East Ward-R. D. Calkins ; West Ward-Roger Williams. Clerk, R. G. Roberts.
1879-President, C. J. Coleman. Trustees, East Ward-C. O. Bigelow and E. P. Jones ; West Ward-R. S. Richmond and Roger Williams. Assessor, M. Wilson ; Treasurer, R. D. Evans. Supervisors, East Ward-J. E. Root; West Ward-G. C. Foster. Constable, M. D. French ; Clerk, J. G. Stark.
FIRST THINGS.
The first settler where the village now stands was John Hopper, who owned forty acres of land on what is now known as Dickenson's Addition to the village.
The first child born in the village was Jessie R. Converse.
The first school was taught by Lura L. Stark, daughter of Abiel and Jane Stark, in 1858-59.
The first lawyer was M. M. Fowler, who located here in 1859.
The first load of wheat sold in the place was in August, 1857, by C. N. Ashley to G. W. Goldsmith.
The village, like the country surrounding, was first settled by emigrants from the East ; but, of late years, a large number of Welsh have made their homes here, and to-day this people comprise about 40 per cent of the population. They are an industrious and thrifty class, and make good citizens and neighbors. They have two flourishing churches.
POST OFFICE.
The first Postmaster in the village was John Converse, then James Knowles, and last, James E. Root, who received his appointment in 1873, the first year of Grant's second term. Mr. Root came to the village in 1861, and has resided here ever since, being held in high esteem by the entire community. The office was made a money-order office in 1872, the first order drawn being in favor of the Andes Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, by S. M. Smith, for the sum of $29.50. The amount of the business now being done yearly is about $20,000.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
MANUFACTORIES, ETC.
Two mills have been built, the first in 1859, by Converse & Stevely, which was burned in 1861. Another was erected some twelve years after, by Fred Zollner, assisted by the farmers of the neighborhood, who contributed some $2,000 for that purpose. This, too, was burned to the ground in May, 1879.
Three large elevators are here, cach handling a large amount of grain, and owned and con- trolled by James Knowles & Co.
The entire State of Wisconsin has obtained an enviable reputation for the quantity and quality of its cheese, and in no place is this article better made than in the village of Randolph. In the year 1872, R. D. Calkins commenced its manufacture, and, during the past scason, he used the milk of about two hundred cows, and manufactured about thirty thousand pounds of cheese, which, estimating the average price per pound as at 10 cents, will net the snug little sum of $3,000. Mr. Calkins buys his milk of the neighboring farmers, paying therefor about 90 cents per hundred pounds.
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