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 84
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A schoolhouse was built here about 1846, and the privileges of the common school have ever been open to those who chose to accept. In 1869, the district built, at a cost of $1,200, a large and commodious building, in size 25x56, 12 feet high, divided into two apartments. An entry-way on the outside has also been added. In one of the rooms is taught the higher branches, and in the other the primary. Considerable pride is manifested in these schools by
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
the citizens, and the high grade is determined to be maintained. In the session of 1879-80, Robert Irving was teacher of the high school, and Miss Agnes Steinke of the primary. Wages paid. $50 and $25.
In March, 1876, a German Reformed Church was organized in this place. with a member- ship of twenty-eight. A good, substantial church building was immediately erected at a cost of $1,200, in which religious services are regularly held. The present membership is thirty-five. Rev. William Kuentzel is the Pastor.
The English-speaking people have no church, nor are religious services anywhere held in the neighborhood. This is accounted for from the fact that between Lowell and Waterloo, in Jefferson County, there are not one-half dozen American families. the rest being Germans.
To transact the business of the place, we find in January, 1880, the following : Two gen- eral stores, one hardware, two groceries. three shoe-shops, three wagon-shops, three blacksmith- shops, two elevators or grain warehouses, four carpenter-shops. A large amount of grain and stoek is handled here. Through the kindness of A. D. Coapman, station agent, we learn there were shipped in 1879 the following: Flour, 11,000 barrels; wheat, 40,000 bushels ; stock, 105 cars. Reducing wbeat and flour to pounds, we have 2,400,000 of the former and 2,156,- 000 of the latter, requiring for transportation 228 cars.
Christion Reinhart is the village Postmaster. The office issues no money orders, but reg- isters about 250 letters per year.
A. D. Coapman occupies the responsible positions indicated above, and has held them since 1867, we believe, to the satisfaction of the business and traveling public. As all the freight and express for the village of Lowell is received here, it makes considerable business for the office.
IRON RIDGE.
This village sprang into existence on the completion of the railroad. John Graves and Solomon Crandall built the first house on its present site in 1848, the one built by Mr. Graves yet standing on Block 8, a little north of the residence of Mr. Isaac S: Allen, to whom we are indebted for the information here given. Like all the first houses, it was of logs, though Mr. Graves has also the credit of erecting the first frame house, which also yet exists, having been moved to the south part of the village.
Jones Eaton opened the first general store, about 1850, several years before the railroad was completed.
In 1855. a schoolhouse was built about one-half mile west of the present village, which has served ever since for school purposes, the English-speaking element of the place not being suffi- ciently numerous to make necessary the erection of another building. The Germans of the place employ a teacher for the purpose of teaching that language.
In 1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church Society built a house of worship, at a cost of $2,000, and for some years divine service was held regularly therein by that denomination, but in consequence of the removal of nearly all the English-speaking people from the neighborhood, the society has disbanded. The German Methodists now have control of the house, under lease, and hold regular service in that language.
The first and only hotel in the village was erected in 1860 by Nathaniel McDuffy, who in time sold to S. Nehls, the present proprietor. It is known as the American House, and has a good reputation.
The first Postmaster was Madison Miller. The present one is H. Flemming, one of the largest dealers in general merchandise in the place.
Within one mile of the village is located the furnace of the Wisconsin Iron Company, which was formed July 1, 1869, by the Milwaukee Iron Company, the North Chicago Rolling Mill Company and the Wyandotte Rolling Mill Company, which companies at that time pur- chased the Swedes' Iron Company, consisting of 1,100 acres of land and a blast furnace at Old
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Iron Ridge, near the eastern boundary of Hubbard Township. It was long known that the ore existed in paying quantities. In 1868, a furnace was built, and the ore taken from the bank. In 1869, when the present company obtained possession of the land, mining was resorted to. In 1871, the Company mined 81,642 gross tons, the greater amount of which was shipped to their furnaces in Milwaukee and Chicago. It is estimated that it would require thirty-one cars per day for 300 days in the year to carry it away. After the panic of 1873, for a period of nearly six years, the Company did but little, in comparison with former years, but in the fall of 1879, when iron began to take an upward tendeney, active operations were resumed on a large scale, so that it is thought in the future their best year's work will be eclipsed. Their pay-roll for help, exclusive of expenses for wood or charcoal, amounts to over $3,000 per month. For wood they pay upward of $30,000 per year. The vein of ore ore is said to be from ten to thirty feet thick, and is almost inexhaustible. Every foot of land owned by the Company, aside from that on which their buildings stand, is used for farming pur- poses, being rented to their workmen, who tend from two to twenty acres each. From this it will be seen the works are of great public benefit, especially when the greater amount of their earnings are spent in Dodge County, and thus directly benefit her citizens. The general office of the Company is 37 Mitchell Building, Milwaukee.
BURNETT JUNCTION.
This village is located in the center of Burnett Township, one of the best towns in the county. It was not laid off until the completion of the C., M. & St. P. R. R. in 1860.
R. J. Andrews built the first house, as a public house for the benefit of the traveling fra- ternity. The same house yet stands, with additions made since, and is the well-known Burnett House, now owned and controlled by George R. Mayhew.
S. H. Childs erected the first store building and opened a stock of general merchandise about the same time. Ile has continued in the business ever since, and now carries a complete and well-selected stock of goods suitable for country trade. Ile is a man well qualified for business in every respect. In 1862, in addition to his mercantile business, he commenced the purchase of grain, and remained in that line of trade some years, doing a large and lucrative business. He has paid as high as $3 per bushel for wheat delivered at that station.
An elevator was erected here in 1864, by a Mr. Barrett, who afterward disposed of it to one of the Shermans. It is now controlled by George Lawrence & Co., who are doing a very heavy business in grain, lumber, etc.
This village is a strictly temperate one, no saloons being allowed in the place. One of the conditions of the deed made by the original owner is, that the ground sold shall not have upon it a saloon, and in case of a violation of the contract it reverts back.
The first Postmaster in the village was William Curtis, followed by R. J. Andrews, and then by S. H. Childs, who yet holds the position. At present, the office is not a money-order one, but it doubtless should be, judging from the number of registered letters there mailed, amounting to some 400 or 500 per year.
Two good hotels are in the place. The Burnett House we have already referred to. The other is kept by W. S. Cole, and is known as the Union House. Travelers will find it a good, home-like place to stop.
The Good Templars have a flourishing Lodge in the place, organized in 1872, with fourteen charter members. It has now a membership of fifty-six in good standing. It is known as Bur- nett Lodge, No. 133; meets every Tuesday evening. Edgar Merrill, W. C. T .; George Mer- rill, W. S.
The Odd Fellows also have a fine Lodge in the place, and are doing much good.
A good public school in the village-Miss Peabody, teacher. The Germans have a school near the village.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is the only religious denomination represented in the vil- lage, though others have churches within convenient distance. The Church is weak, numbering but eighteen members at present. It was organized in 1871, and a building erected in 1878 at a cost of $800.
There are in the village two general stores, one shoe-shop, one wagon-shop, two blacksmith- shops, two hotels, one meat-market, one lumber-yard.
Surrounded by a splendid farming country, and with an intelligent and moral community, it is certainly a good place for one seeking a home to locate.
RUBICON.
The village of Rubicon is situated on part of Sections 10, 11, 14 and 15, Town 10 north, Range 17 east, town of Rubicon. It was first platted in 1866, though previous to this and about the time of the completion of the present Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, the formation of a village was begun. The survey of the present plat was made by W. M. Morse.
The first house built in the place was of logs, and was built by John G. Anderson, but in what year, the memory of the oldest settler now in the neighborhood was at fault.
The first frame house was built by John Russell.
The village was originally laid off on land owned by Stoughton and Chester Rickard, John G. Anderson, and a man by the name of Beckwood, none of whom, at present writing, reside in the neighborhood.
The first store is said to have been one for the sale of " W. I. Goods," a product of which the present generation knows but little. John Russell was the proprietor.
The first general store was owned by C. O. Page, and was established in 1856.
A post office had long been held in the neighborhood, and on completion of the railroad, was moved to the village and its name changed from Upton to Rubicon.
The first hotel was built in 1857, by Stoughton Rickard, who sold the same to Edward Judd. Shortly after the close of the war, it passed into the hands of M. Trumer, its present owner. It stands directly opposite the depot and enjoys a good run of trade.
The village has a population of about one hundred, composed principally of Germans. The community immediately surrounding it is, likewise, German, and that language is used far more than the English in the transaction of business, and in general conversation. But one religious denomination is represented, that of the Catholics, who have a large church building, erected in 1871, at a cost of about $5,000. The membership of the church is represented by about sixty families. Father Schaaf is the officiating priest, and, we believe, enjoys the confi- dence of his members and the respect of the community. A parochial school is held under the auspices of the Church, with about forty-five scholars in attendance. William Moser is the Principal, and the German language is taught exclusively. In addition to this, there are three district schools within convenient distance from the village, where those inclined have the privi- lege of sending their children.
This village is the home of G. W. Morse, Esq., the gentlemanly and efficient County Sur- veyor. All communications addressed to him at this place will receive prompt attention.
There are here for the accommodation of the public, one general store, by John Labuwi, two blacksmith-shops, two wagon-shops, two shoe-shops, two hotels, three saloons (two of which are in connection with the hotels), one harness-shop, and one grain elevator.
The village and township are Democratic.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
PORTLAND.
In the extreme southwest part of the county lies the village of Portland, the first settle- ment of which was made in the fall of 1843, by Alex Campbell, who selected one quarter of Section 32, as the site for his future home, and for the purpose of laying it out in a "future great city." Mr. C. was soon afterward re-enforced by George Powers, Cyrus Perry, D. V. Knowlton, K. P. Clark, D. Clark, William Austin and others, who each selected their quarters in close proximity, and the work of clearing the timber began.
The selection of this site for a village by Mr. Campbell was on account of the excellent water-power afforded by Waterloo Creek, at this point, but at appears that it was two years before he erected the saw-mill, which, in this country, has always seemed the first thing to be done in the beginning of a new place. In 1844, he had a survey and plat of the village made, and settlers began to be attracted here, for in that year we learn that one Cone started a blacksmith shop, while Chalmers opened a store, and Williams a hotel. In the fall of that same year a log schoolhouse was erected, and " reading, 'riting and 'rithmetie" were taught therein.
The "great expectations" of Portland, up to the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and eighty, have failed to be realized, and her brightest hopes have been "nipped in the bud." In the early day, before railroads began to cut their way through timber and prairie, it seemed inevitable that it should be made one of the first villages or cities in the land. At one time, we find in the place six general stores, two hotels, and all the other trades that go to make up a thriving place well represented. A plank-road was built from Watertown, and travel could pro- ceed any season of the year. But alas ! the railroad never came. Two companies surveyed lines through the place, but other attractions drew them away. Whether they shall ever regain what they have lost time alone will tell. The situation of the village is good, and if a railroad should be built through the place, doubtless they will easily recover. At present they have no post-office.
NEOSHO.
The village of Neosho is situated on portions of Sections 29 and 30, of Rubicon Township, and is a quiet. healthy, and thriving every-day village. with a population ranging somewhere in the neighborhood of three hundred and fifty. It has a goodly number of humming mills, busy shops, business-like stores, and comfortable homes, to say nothing of honest men and fair women, in whose features are blended the rosy tints of health and beauty.
The first settler whose ax broke the stillness of the forest was Daniel E. Cotton. Accom- panied by an old gentleman by the name of Rathburn, Mr. Cotton "pitched his tent " there in the month of February, 1845. Soon after his arrival, he commeneed the erection of a saw-mill on the Rubicon River, which t o years later he sold to Mr. L. S. Van Orden. In the follow- ing spring, Mr. Dennison Baker, one of the most substantial citizens of the town, located here; and the second year of the settlement, others arrived in considerable number, and the country began rapidly to develop into fine farmns under the hardy strokes and energy of the new settlers.
Sylvester Taylor, the first Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was from this village. Mr. T. afterward moved to Watertown, in this State, and engaged in newspaper work, after which he went to Oregon, where he died.
The first store here was conducted by L. S. Van Orden. He was one of the most noble and charitable men who lived in the county, and died April 30, 1858.
The first school in the village was taught by Miss Melissa Darling.
There are two churches here, Methodist and (German) Catholic, each occupying good, sub- stantial buildings.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
LOWELL.
The first settlement of this place was about the year 1846, Henry Finney at that time erecting a grist-mill on the Beaver Dam River, the water-power here being excellent for that purpose. Mr. Finney soon after associated with him in the business Clark Lawton and Shel- don Fox, the property a little later being transferred to Lawton, Finney & Van Kirk. It was destroyed by fire in 1858.
J. J. Williams settled here in 1849. At that time, says Mr. Williams, from whom we obtained the facts here given, the town was very thickly settled, for a new country, and inhabited principally by Americans, though there was a sprinkling of German and Irish among the number. It was a rich agricultural town. At present, nearly all the original settlers are gone, some moving away, and others going to that "undiscovered country from which no traveler returns." There were two merchants in the place, one by the name of Patton ; one small hotel, kept by Charles Walker, who also carried on a tailor-shop, and which was known as the "Star and Garter." Finney & Lawton, in addition to their grist-mill, had a saw-mill on the opposite side of the river. Andrew Jones was Postmaster. Mr. Williams opened a stock of general merchandise, and continued in the business until 1865.
Mr. Jones, the first Postmaster, was succeeded by J. J. Williams, followed by David S. Bertie, J. W. Lumbgen and Philip Reinhart, who is the present incumbent.
The C., M. & St. P. Railroad, running within a short distance of the village, has hindered its progress, and it cannot be said to be as prosperous as in former years, though a good business is being done by its merchants.
There are four churches in the place-Catholic, Methodist; Lutheran and Dutch Reformed, and the Masons and Odd Fellows have Lodges.
DANVILLE.
The village of Danville was laid out by Daniel E. Bassett, on a part of Section 21, Mr. B. owning the land upon which it was located. It is the only village in the town, and the place in which the town business is transacted. Its growth has been limited and, after the lapse of thirty years, its population does not exceed what it was at that time. Daniel E. Bassett opened the first store, and one of the first physicians in the village was Dr. C. W. Bond. A young physician, with the ink hardly dry upon his diploma, Dr. Bond located in this place, and soon, by attention to the wants of his patients and skill in his profession, he obtained a large and lucrative practice, which, on account of the desire of his wife to return East, the climate not agreeing with her, he was compelled to abandon. Returning to the State of New York, he followed his profession until the breaking-out of the war, when he was appointed Surgeon of one of the New York regiments. and was sent to the Gulf, where, in a short time, he was made Medical Director, and continued in this responsible position to the close of the war, when he returned to New York, resumed his professional duties, and remained for about four years, when he removed to Lake County, Ill., where he has since continued to reside.
The school in Danville is one of the best in the county, and, in the winter of 1879-80, was under charge of Mr. Knowlton, Principal and Teacher in the High School, and Miss Alena Chamberlain, Assistant.
In the village is found one general store, one shoe-shop, two blacksmith-shops, and one wagon-shop.
MINNESOTA JUNCTION.
But little can be said of this village further than that it is the crossing of the Chicago & North-Western and Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and that considerable transfer business is here transacted.
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HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY.
Monroe Voorhees was the owner of the land upon which the village is located and had it platted in 1868. A station-house was erected here on the completion of the roads, which arrived in the place within a few hours of each other, the North-Western making the best time, thus giving the St. Paul road the privilege of keeping crossings in repair.
A large depot dining-house was erected here, and for a time trains stopped for meals, but this is not now done.
James M. Voorhees, Jacob W. Scholl, and E. D. Eldred, have dispensed the favors of Uncle Sam in the village post office. The latter is the present Postmaster.
There are here one feed-mill, one general store, one blacksmith and wheelwright, one cigar manufactory, one hotel and two saloons.
The village is located in Oak Grove Township, and its business is cut off by Juneau on the south, Burnett Junction on the north, Horicon on the east, and Rolling Prairie on the west.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ABBREVIATIONS.
.Company or county
W. V. I. Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry dir ... .. dealer
P.O .. Post Office W. V. A. Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery
S. or Sec. .Section
st .. .... street W. V. C. . Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry
BEAVER DAM TOWNSHIP.
MRS. ELIZABETH ANTONE, widow, See. 20; P. O. Beaver Dam ; her maiden name was Elizabeth P'ye ; born in Wisconsin. Married, in Oneida Co., N. Y., Mr. Thomas Antone, a cabinet- maker, who was born in Chenango Co., N. Y .; they came to Wisconsin in 1853; located at Menasha, where he worked at his trade until his death, Feb. I, 1854; they had five sons, four of whom entered the army during the rebellion ; Benjamin and Cornelius enlisted in Fond du Lac, in W. V. I .; Abraham and Joseph enlisted in Co. D, 26th N. Y. V. I .; Benjamin was lost in the army ; Charles H. died, and the others are still living; Mrs. Antone died in the fall of 1879.
WI LLIAM ASHTON, blacksmith ; born in England July 30, 1820, and came to Wiscon- sin July 17, 1849, locating at Beaver Dam ; he served an apprenticeship of seven years at his trade in England ; he then went to New York City, and worked as journeyman for three years; he then came to Beaver Dam, and bought out Shaw & Haskell's wagon and blacksmith shop, and carried on blacksmithing until the breaking-out of the war; in the fall of 1862, in connection with Wm. Keieger, under the firm name of Ashton & Keieger, bought ont John Thompson, and continued for three years ; he then sold out, and, in partnership with Mr. Hanson, firm of Hanson & Ashton, bought a bankrupt stock of dry goods and groceries, and continued in this business for three years ; he then bought a lot of Mr. Bower, on Front street, built a blacksmith-shop, and is now carrying on the business at this place. He enlisted May 10, 1861, in Co. D, 5th W. V. I., Col. Cobb, and was engaged in the battles of Lee's Mills and Will- iamsburg ; he was then detailed into the brigade blacksmith shop, in the shoeing department ; on account of rheumatic fever, he received his discharge June 21, 1862; in 1878 he was elected Alderman of the Third Ward, which office he now holds. He married, Aug. 12, 1847, Mary Feron, of New York City ; he has three children-William G., Mary E. and Isabella E. Mrs. Ashton is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
DR. J. H. BABCOCK was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., on Sept. 19, 1826, and came to Wiscousin June 5, 1848, locating at Noyes' Corners, where he engaged in the practice of medi- eine for one year ; he graduated at the Castleton Medical College, Castleton, Vt., and in 1850, came to Beaver Dam, where he engaged in the practice of his profession ; in 1855, he was elected Town Treasurer, and in 1856, he was City Treasurer of Beaver Dam; in 1856, he started a drug store, which was burned down in 1862; in 1862, he was appointed U. S. Collector for the Fourth Collection District of Wiscon- sin ; in 1865, he was elected a member of the SchoolBoard, which position he has held for twelve years. Dr. Babcock married, Sept. 23, 1849, Mary MI. Whitaker, of Massachusetts ; he has two children living-Mary Jeanette and Benj. F. Butler.
SYLVESTER H. BAILEY, railroad contractor; born in Townsend, Windham Co., Vt., May 20, 1829; resided in Vermont until, he was 21 years of age, then went to Ohio; was a resident of Cleveland about six years. Married, at Waynesburg, Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 8, 1856, to Sarah Jane Ross ; they have two children-James R. and Jemnie E. Mr. Bailey came to Beaver Dam in April, 1858; he has been engaged in railroad contracting, construction, etc., most of the time since he came to Wisconsin.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
J. H. BARRETT, book-keeper; born in Cavendish, Windsor Co., Vt., on Feb. 2, 1856, and eame to Wisconsin in May, 1856, locating at Beaver Dam ; he received his early education in Jefferson Co., and the Denmark Academy, in Lewis Co., N. Y .; in Denmark he ran a stationary engine in summer and taught school in winter, until 1856, when he came to Beaver Dam, where he at first engaged in buy- ing wheat ; this he continued twelve years; in 1870, he took the position of book-keeper in the First National Bank of Beaver Dam, which position he now holds ; was, for four or five terms, Alderman of Beaver Dam ; in 1866, was Treasurer of Beaver Dam; in 1878, was elected School Commissioner of the Third Ward, which office he now holds. He married, Sept. 20, 1851, Abby E. Clark, of Denmark, N. Y .; he has four children-Charles HI. C., Frankie L., Edward E. and John H.
MATHIAS BAER, deceased, was born in Germany April S, 1817 ; at the age of 14 he began the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed till 1853; in 1853, he came to America, and settled in Sonth Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., Wis., tor one year, then removed t , the town of Calamus for ten years and fol- lowed farming; in 1870, he bought a farm of seventy-seven acres in Sec. 35, town of Beaver Dam, where he made his home till his death, Sept. 21, 1879. April 11, 1847, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Mary Rabach, of Germany, whom he left a widow with eleven children-Joseph, Mathias, George, Katie (now Mrs. Frank Uher, of Beaver Dam, Wis. ), Mary (Mrs. Herman), Kressa, Peter, Paul, Francis, John, Annie and Jacob. They are members of the Catholic Church of Beaver Dam.
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