The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 115

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082

USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin > Part 115

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).

The highest point of land in the town is on Section 34.

T. W. Purcell opened the first store in Osceola, at Waucousta, not earlier than the fall of 1859. J. H. Trentledge now has a large store at this place, and there are also blacksmith, shoe and wagon shops, cheese factories, and the store kept by Mr. Tompkins. in which is the post office.

At Dundee, which was platted, recorded and named by E. M. McIntosh, in February, 1864, is a good water-power. The first dam and saw-mill were built by Stephen Palmer and Mr. Mcln- tosh, in 1855. Soon after, the property fell into the hands of William and Leroy Palmer, who built the flouring-mill in 1858. It is now owned by F. IIollensteiner. The first Postmaster at Dundee was I. S. Sheldon. The office is now kept by Jacoib Arimond, though F. IJollen- steiner is Postmaster. Dundee Hotel is kept by Mr. Brokmeyer, who started the cattle fair

766

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

for Dundee in 1870. There are three churches at this village-a Catholic mission, supplied by Father Michels, of New Cassel; a Reformed church, built in 1876, of which F. Hollensteiner is Treasurer and Rev. F. Maurer, Pastor, and a Lutheran church, built in 1878.

RIPON.

Although a rich and important town, Ripon has little history of interest not to be found in the history of the Wisconsin Phalanx and the city of Ripon. The first settlement and all important events took place within the limits of the city of Ripon. As to who made the first settlement of that portion of the town outside of the city is not undisputed, though D. P. Mapes, Dr. Spalding and A. Loper were among the first. This is a magnificent town as to location and soil. Green Lake Prairie, on which it largely lies, being unsurpassed in Wisconsin. The original marsh land, what there was. is now productive meadow or pasture. and the oak openings have been turned into wheat fields. Rush Lake touches the north side of the town, but destroys the value of but little land.

By an act approved January 23, 1845, the present towns of Ripon and Rosendale were erected into the town of Ceresco, the first election being held in April of that year, at the house of Lester Rounds. The next year, the town was reduced, by the organization of Rosendale, to its present dimensions-Township 16 north, Range 14 east.

The Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway crosses the town from east to west ; the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul from north to south, and the Oshkosh & Mississippi crosses Sections 1, 11, 12, 14 and 15, extending northeast from Ripon City.

At Arcade, a mile west of Ripon City, is a fine water-power, which drives the Arcade Flouring-Mills, owned by J. N. Foster and W. F. and S. Crawford. The mill is equipped, also, with steam machinery, for use during low water, and is one of the most modern and prosperous custom mills in the county.

Ripon Farmers' Fire Insurance Company .- This comprises the towns of Ripon and Metomen, in Fond du Lac County, and Green Lake and Brooklyn, in Green Lake County. It was organized, under the State law, in 1874, and began issuing policies June 6, of that year, with a capital of $200,000. The charter members, or original incorporators, were Edwin Reynolds, C. W. Foster, P. Cole, E. Babcock, HI. Willard, H. S. Hollenbeck, W. O. Hargrave, James Henderson, William Palmiter, Mrs. Jane Frazier, N. Van Camp, S. T. Wilsie, Robert Sheldon, J. M. Bonnell, E. P. West, A. G. Kellogg, F. Bessett, M. Barnum, John Niver, A. Osborn, II. B. Reed, J. II. Hurlbut, A. R. Ilargrave, William Ralston, Josiah Batson. J. W. Allen and J. E. Mason. The first Directors were J. Niver, R. Sheldon, J. H. Hurlbut, H. B. Reed, A. Osborn, J. Batson, J. W. Allen, J. E. Mason and E. P. West. First officers : J. H. Hurlbut, President; R. Sheldon, Vice President ; John Niver, Treasurer; E. P. West, Secre- tary. Present officers are : R. Sheldon, President ; H. B. Reed, Vice President : J. M. Cuy- kendall, Treasurer, and E. P. West, Secretary. The number of policies now in force is about five hundred, insuring $725.000 of property. For five years, the total cost for losses and all expenses was 63 mills in the dollar.

The offices of Chairman and Town Clerk have been filled in Ripon by the following : 1845 (Ceresco), Morris Farmin and Uriel Farmin : 1846. Lester Rounds and William Starr; 1847, J. M. Clark and William Starr : 1848, D. P. Mapes and William Starr; 1849, William Starr and James Stewart: 1850, William Starr and Stephen Bates: 1851, Warren Chase and Stephen Bates ; 1852. E. A. Newton and Samnel Sumner ; 1853. T. B. Robbins and Samuel Sumner ; 1854, A. B. Beardsley and Samuel Sumner ; 1855, A. B. Beardsley and C. J. Allen ; 1856, D. P. Mapes and J. V. Fitch. 1857 (Ripon), II. H. Mead and H. S. Town, and also Abram Thomas and II. S. Town; 1858. Abram Thomas and S. M. Brown: 1859, Abram Thomas and Ferdinand Richter: 1860, Abram Thomas and Ferdinand Richter: 1861, T. B. Robbins and 1I. E. Stilwell ; 1862, T. B. Robbins and Il. E. Stilwell ; 1863, T. B. Robbins and H. E. Stilwell ; 1864, T. B. Robbins and HI. E. Stilwell ; 1865, William Light and II. E. Stilwell ; 1866, William Light and H. E. Stilwell ; 1867, HI. H. Dixon and H. E. Stilwell ;

767

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

1868, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1869, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1870, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1871, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1872, A. A. Loper and HI. E. Stilwell ; 1873, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1874, A. A. Loper and I. F. Stickle ; 1875, E. P. West and I. F. Stickle, W. M. Ralston ; 1876. E. P. West and W. M. Ralston ; 1877, W. M. Ralston and J. M. Bonnell ; 1878, W. M. Ralston, A. R. Hargrave and J. M. Bonnell ; 1879, E. Babeoek and J. M. Bonnell.

ROSENDALE.

In an early day the name Rosendale was the most appropriate that could have been given to the traet of land constituting the town of that name. It was suggested by Mrs. George D. Curtis, "because it was such a perfect dale of roses." The town, as erected by the act of Feb- ruary 2, 1846, was much larger than at present, consisting of Township 16, Range 15; the north half of Township 15, Range 15, and Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17 and 18 of Township 15, Range 16. It was finally reduced to its present dimensions when Springvale, Eldorado and Lamartine were organized.

The first settler was Samuel Sanborn, who located on the southeast quarter of Section 35, in June, 1844. He. plowed during the summer, keeping "old bach," and sowed wheat in the fall. He returned to Waukesha County for the winter, returning with his family in the spring of 1845. Dana Lamb, however, had located in the town with his family before Mr. Sanborn's returned in the spring ; so Mrs. Lamb was the first woman in the settlement. That year also came over twenty other families, and in 1846, nearly as many more, and Rosendale at once became one of the leading towns in the county, which position it still maintains.

The first election was April 7, 1846, at the house of Samuel Sanborn, electing Samuel Sanborn, W. H. H. Dodd and H. C. Ward, Supervisors ; F. Scofield, Clerk ; S. Sanborn and H. A. Bixby, Assessors ; J. D. Price, Collector ; H. W. Wolcott, W. H. II. Dodd and Dana Lamb, Justices ; Jerome Yates, B. Dodd and S. E. Smith, Constables ; Jerome Yates, II. W. Wolcott and O. Grant, School Commissioners; G. D. Curtis, Dana Lamb and A. Kenyon. Fence Viewers ; C. M. Balcom, A. Kenyon and L. A. Bemis, Road Commissioners ; Stephen R. San- born, Sealer of Weights and Measures.

The first birth was that of James, son of Alban Harroun, October, 1845. [This was in what is now Springvale.]

The first marriage [also in what is now Springvale], Eliphalet Smith to Sallie Warren. November. 1846.

The first death, Mrs. Jerod Patrick, daughter of Jonathan Dodd, May 22, 1846.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1845 and 1846, on Section 35, of logs, and Dwight Hall taught the first school in the winter of 1846.

Rev. Jeremiah Murphy, Baptist, preached the first sermon in Samuel Sanborn's house, in

January, 1846. The first church edifice was raised November 4, 1853, on Section 35, by the Congregationalists. The town now contains six churches-Methodist, German, Episcopal, Free- Will Baptists, Congregationalist, and Welsh Congregationalist.

The first post office was called Rosendale, and was near the present one of the same name ; established in May, 1846, Dana Lamb, Postmaster. J. R. Blackburn is now Postmaster.

In the fall of 1846, Jonathan Daugherty opened the first store in Rosendale, for Fay & Collins, where the present village is situated.

Cars passed through Rosendale on February, 1872, on the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Rail- road. Two stations are maintained in the town-Rosendale and West Rosendale.

At its organization the town voted " no license." and has never changed that decision.

At the first election, Captains William and N. P. Stevens offered to vote but were debarred. They entered into an argument and finally convinced the Judge that "seafaring inen could vote at any seaport in the United States," and were allowed to vote. So Rosendale has been a "seaport" since that time.

A. II. Bowe was the first physician in the town. Rosendale contains several large mounds, from some of which have been taken bones and various interesting evidences of a prehistorie

768

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

race. Rosendale is comparatively level and has a warm, rich, quick soil. It is one of the lead- ing farming towns of the county in nearly all branches, and fruits of various kinds are raised with fair success. Originally the town was moderately wooded, but the extent of heavy forests was very limited. The West Branch of Fond du Lac River has a portion of its source in a marsh in the center of the town, but the streamlets forming its head-waters are mostly from Springvale. The town contains no mills, water-power or manufactories, and not much stone of any kind. It has always been a forehanded section of the county, and its society is good, the people being nearly all natives of New York or New England. Some of its prominent men were Philetus Sawyer, C. F. Hammond, Henry C. Bottum, Dr. A. H. Bowe, Dr. Storrs Hall, James Saund- ers, Joseph Scribner and N. C. Hill, who were early settlers. A list of its first settlers com- prises the following : 1844 and 1845-Samuel Sanborn, Dana Lamb, Frederick Scofield, Job Humphries, Henry Wheeler, Almon Kenyon, George D). Curtis, Henry W. Wolcott, William H. Il. Dodd. C. M. Balcom, Alban Harroun, James Port, Noah H. Jewett, Henry C. Ward, H. A. Bixby, Jerome Yates. Bushnel Dodd, Othello Grant, J. D. Pierce, S. R. Sanborn. L. A. Bemis, Samuel E. Smith, Allen Perry, David Brinkerhoff, John H. Chapman, Frederick Jewett. 1846-James T. Elliott, Moses Ranger, S. D. Ranger, Samuel B. Parsons, Clinton Matte- son, C. R. Pease, James Scofield, D. C. Thompson, Eliphalet Smith. Myron Howe, C. Stow, John Ackerson, Thomas Fletcher.

ROSENDALE FARMERS' INSURANCE COMPANY.

In March, 1873, Joseph Scribner and H. C. Bottum, a committee appointed by the Farm- er's Club, circulated the articles necessary to form an insurance company under the State law. The required number of signatures were obtained, and the company organized March 7, 1874, thirty-four persons subscribing $34,300 of capital. The first officers were: W. J. Jen- nings, President ; C. H. Seymour, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors-W. J. Jennings, C. H. Seymour, Melvin Duel, A. C. Perry, Canfield Marsh, Il. C. Bottum and Joseph Scribner. The present officers are: Joseph Scribner, President; C. H. Seymour, Secretary and Treas- urer : Frank Bowe, Assistant Secretary. Directors-Joseph Scribner, C. H. Seymour, Frank Bowe. W. T. Innis, C. W. Frederick, C. H. Anderson and A. C. Perry. The amount insured, by towns. January, 1880, was as follows : Rosendale, $190,150; Springvale, $241,305; Eldo- rado, $240,792; Lamartine, $26,091. Total, 8698,163. The Company is for the four towns just enumerated.

ROSENDALE FARMERS' CLUB.

The formation of this Club was suggested by W. J. Jennings, on Thanksgiving Day, 1865, and was organized a week later. The first annual meeting was held in January, 1866, at which W. J. Jennings was chosen President, and W. B. Disbrow, Secretary. Rev. J. N. Powell then delivered the first annual address, and the custom has been kept up every year since. Mr. Jen- nings was President nine years. The present officers are : William J. Barnes, President; E. S. Jenkins, Secretary.

The most successful and influential farmers, stock and fruit growers are members of the Club, and its discussions are widely published. The first meeting in each month is a "social " one, at which essays, music, readings and a good repast are served, the ladies being always in attendance.

Two conventions have been held under the auspices of the Club ; one, a general convention for Northern Wisconsin, in 1872, which was largely attended, and the other a county conven- tion, held in honor of Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1876.

ROSENDALE VILLAGE.

This little hamlet is not wholly in the town of Rosendale, the South Side being in Spring- vale. The first hotel was built by Daugherty & Woodruff, on the Springvale side, in 1847. In 1850, Wheeler & Humphrey erected a larger hotel where Blackburn's hotel now stands, in Ros- endale. The builders were the first landlords. In 1878, J. R. Blackburn rebuilt and enlarged this hotel, making a large, comfortable and well-appointed hostelry of it.

769

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

C. Stowe opened the first blacksmith-shop in 1846.

The village has two stores, a drug store, blacksmith-shops, cheese factory and hotels.

The school has two departments, and was formerly called Rosendale Academy, the orig- inator being A. S. Crooker.

W. H. H. Dodd was, for twenty-five years, the leading merchant of Rosendale. He resides now in Dakota.

The first Episcopal services were held in 1847, by Bishop Kemper. In April, 1861, Rev. F. Durlin organized St. Mark's Church, with B. Pinkney, Senior Warden ; A. H. Bowe, Junior Warden. Vestrymen-George Walton, W. Danielson and Adam Seely. The corner- stone of the church edifice was laid in 1863, and the consecration was by Bishop Kemper April 12, 1864. The building cost $1,800. The church has been supplied mostly by the Rector of the church at Ripon.

The Congregational Church was given its first sermon by Rev. Dana Lamb, and was organ- ized in the schoolhouse May 21, 1848, by him, with twenty members. The first Deacons were David Brinkerhoff, Homer Barnes and W. G. Winnegar. The church edifice was built at a cost of $2,000, while Rev. Dana Lamb was Pastor, in 1854. The dedication took place in January, 1855. In 1870, the building was enlarged and repaired, and again dedicated Septem- ber 5. of that year. . The church property consists of the building, site and a parsonage, which cost $1.100, purchased in 1875. ,The first Pastor was Rev. L. Bridgeman ; the present Pastor is Rev. E. J. Montague ; the present Deacons, Storrs Hall, I. N. Woodruff, George C. Hill and C. L. Hoyt.

The first Methodist services and the organization of the first class took place in December, 1848, or January, 1849, in the schoolhouse, under Rev. Lathrop. The first class consisted of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. IIalsted, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Kibby, J. W. Innis, Miss E. Covell, Mr. and Mrs. E. Warring. Mr. W. Hyde and his mother, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Ballard and two daughters, and four others. The first Trustees were H. G. Halsted, John M. Cowhan, A. H. Bowe, H. W. Wolcott, George D. Curtis, J. Berto, Almon Burt, A. L. Kibby and William Stevens.

Services were held in a schoolhouse until 1854, when the church edifice was built, at a cost of $1,219. It was dedicated by Rev. N. E. Cobleighi, of Appleton, in January, 1855. The property is valued at $3,000-$2,500 for the church and site, and $500 for the parsonage. The first Pastor was Rev. Lathrop; the present Pastor is J. B. Trenery; present Trustees. A. Sisson, John O'Neil, E. S. Jenkins, A. H. Bowe, W. J. Barnes, Frank Bowe, T. Murray, C. Marsh and James Thomas.

The Chairmen and Clerks of Rosendale have been as follows: 1846 and 1847. Samuel Sanborn, Chairman, and F. Scofield, Clerk : 1848, Jonathan Daugherty and George D. Curtis ; 1849, Jerome Yates and George D. Curtis : 1850, Charles F. Hammond and Joseph Seribner : 1851 and 1852, Charles F. Hammond and William II. Strong : 1853, George D. Curtis and Charles F. Hammond ; 1854, Bertine Pinkney and S. M. Smead : 1855, Clinton Matteson, S. M. Smead ; 1856. Clinton Matteson and Charles Pinkney ; 1857, H. W. Wolcott and H. C. Bottum ; 1858 and 1859. J. W. Sanders and H. C. Bottum : 1860 and 1861, Stanton For- dice and H. C. Bottum ; 1862, Jerome Yates and H. C. Bottum ; 1863 and 1864, Wm. T. Innis and II. C. Bottum ; 1865 and 1866, George D. Curtis and H. C. Bottum ; 1867, Stanton For- dice and H. C. Bottum ; 1868, Wm. Scribner and II. C. Bottum ; 1869, M. D. Kenyon and J. W. Powell, William L. Vincent ; 1870, J. W. Sanders and H.C. Bottum ; 1871, E. C. Stew- art and II. C. Bottum ; 1872-73-74-75, H. C. Bottum and John Wilson; 1876 and 1877, H. C. Bottum and Charles Pinkney ; 1878, George D. Curtis and E. C. Stewart, and Charles Pinkney ; 1879, E. C. Stewart and Charles Pinkney.

SPRINGVALE.

This town-Township 15 north, of Range 15 east-is purely an agricultural district, being without railroads, villages, water-powers or manufacturing interests. By an act of the Legisla- ture approved March 11. 1848, it was made a separate town, and the first election was held at Abel Willard's house. The name was suggested either by Squire Dana Lamb or Warren

770

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

Whiting-probably by the former-on account of the numerous vales and springs within its limits. The first land was entered in 1844, on Section 35, by John A. Allen, but the first settler was William Cheeney, who located on Wedge's Prairie, Section 33, in April, 1845 ; very soon after, Chester Hazen located in the town, and was the second settler. Alban IFarroun, James Post, W. H. H. Dodd, E. B. Parsons, Rev. Dana Lamb, Squire Dana Lamb and several others are claimed as first settlers by both Rosendale and Springvale, because, doubtless, the latter for two years formed a part of the former.

The first religious services were held at William Cheeney's house, in November, 1845.

The first post' office was Rosendale, Squire Dana Lamb, Postmaster, established in May, 1846, in Rosendale. The first office in Springvale proper was Pulaski, established February 26, 1847, William Cheeney, Postmaster.

The first marriage was Mr. E. Smith to Miss Sallie Warren ; second, F. Scofield to Calista C. Bemis ; both in November, 1846.

The first birth was HI. Sydney, son of John and Melissa Ifazen, in September, 1847.

The first religious (M. E.) class was formed June 3, 1846, by Rev. W. G. Miller, at William Cheeney's house, consisting of William Cheeney, leader, Abigail Cheeney, D. S. Cowles, Ann Cowles and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moore.

The first death was Phoebe, wife of John Yates and daughter of Amos Prouty, died March 14, 1848.

The first school was taught by Mrs. H. N. Jewett in a shanty on Section 18.

The first cheese factory (see another part of this work) was built by Chester Hazen at Ladoga.

Rev. Dana Lamb was the first minister in Springvale. He desired to name the town Aynee, the Indian name for Rock River, a branch of which rises in this town, but failed to have his views indorsed.

The Methodists erected a church edifice in Section 2, in the town of Waupun, in 1868, which is used largely by members living in Springvale. It cost $1,800. The Trustees were J. M. Hawkins, William Cheeney. W. S. Randall. G. G. Randall, W. M. Stearns ; present Trustees, J. M. Hawkins, William Cheeney, W. S. Randall, G. G. Randall, William Stearns, William Galland, George Rogers and Thomas Walters.

The Baptist society never built a church in Springvale.

The Universalist society was organized in 1849, but has never erected a church edifice. It was organized by Rev. Joseph Ward, and has twenty members.

The Catholics held their first services in 1847 at J. O. Riley's house, Father Halev, of Watertown, officiating, and for three years thereafter services were continued by different priests at Mr. Riley's residence. In 1858, the church building, costing $1,500, was erected on Section 17, and has been supplied by priests from Fond du Lac, Ripon or Waupun, since that time. The church embraces fifty families.

The Chairmen and Clerks of Springvale have been as follows : 1848, Warren Whiting and Charles D. Beers ; 1849, Warren Whiting and A. C. Whiting; 1850, Warren Whiting and A. C. Whiting; 1851, H. I. Ackerman and Charles D. Beers; 1852, A. C. Whiting and James T. Elliott; 1853, A. C. Whiting and Joseph Seribner; 1854, A. C. Whiting and Edward Ensign : 1855, W. B. Disbrow and Edward Ensign ; 1856. W. B. Disbrow and Edward Ensign; 1857, Edward Ensign and F. M. Wheeler; 1858, W. B. Disbrow, J. B. Spencer; 1859. W. B. Disbrow and J. B. Spencer; 1860, G. F. Wheeler and Edward Ensign: 1861, Warren Whiting and Edward Ensign: 1862, A. C. Whiting and Edward Ensign: 1863, J. B. Spencer and Edward Ensign : 1864, J. B. Spencer and Edward Ensign: 1865, F. M. Wheeler and Edward Ensign : 1866, F. M. Wheeler and Edward Ensign; 1867, James H. Scofield and C. II. Seymour; 1868, James H. Scofield and C. II. Seymour; 1869, S. Wilkinson and C. II. Seymour; 1870, S. Wilkinson and C. H. Seymour; 1871, S. Wilkinson and G. W. Sizer; 1872, S. Wilkinson and C. H. Seymour: 1873, T. K. Gillett and Frank Bowe; 1874, T. K. Gillett and Frank Bowe: 1875, F. M. Wheeler and Frank Bowe; 1876, T. K. Gillett and Frank Bowe; 1877. A. C. Whiting and Frank Bowe; 1878, F. M. Wheeler and Frank Bowe; 1879. T. K. Gillett and D. E. Whiting.

771

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

ALTO.

Alto is the southwestern township in Fond du Lac County. It is bounded north by Meto- men, east by Waupun, south by Trenton, in Dodge County, and west by Mackford, in Green Lake County. It is Township 14 north, in Range 14 cast. It contains 23,153.31 acres, which is 93.31 acres more than thirty-six full sections. It was subdivided by John Brink in November, 1834, and in his field notes he wrote : " This township is second rate, and rolling. save its marshes. It is thinly timbered with burr oak, white oak, yellow and black oak, except its prairies and marshes, where trees are wholly wanting. The soil is of a yellow, ashy color, of clay loam and sand. The streams are sluggish and have a muddy channel." Fully one-fourth of its area is marsh, most of which yields valuable hay product. Nearly one-half was openings and timber land, which is highly prized by wheat-raisers. The remainder is prairie, rolling, warm and rich. The South Fork of the Rock River passes through the entire width of the town in its southern part, having two principal branches coming in from the north. These, with brooks and springs, give abundant supply of water. Notwithstanding the United States Surveyor marked the soil of the town " second rate," it is, in fact, rich and highly productive. Wheat and wood are the chief exports. Waupun and Brandon afford convenient markets.

Frances D. Bowman, formerly of Rochester, N. Y., was the first settler in Alto, having located on Section 36 late in 1841, and for more than two years, was the "monarch of all he surveyed" in the town. His daughter, born in 1842, was the first birth, and his son, born in 1844, was the second child in the town. After spending a season there, he went to Ohio and bought a flock of sheep and drove them to Alto, while he was still the " Robinson Crusoe" of the town. William Talcott was probably the second settler, and came early in 1844. Silas Miller. a lay preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came the same year ; he named " Alto." Marcus Thwing. Dr. Green, Mr. Ilillyer and perhaps a few others came with their families in 1844. Martin Grider is undoubtedly the earliest settler who still lives in the town ; he moved his family into Alto in May, 1845, but he had entered land and sowed wheat in the fall of 1844. Mr. Bowman sold his claim in 1845 to F. F. Davis. Mr. Davis was afterward Sheriff of the county. His daughter, Cornelia C., died of consumption on the 7th of December, 1845. In the summer of 1846, Miss Angeline Booth taught the first school in Alto in the house of Mr. Davis, and the first religious meeting in the town was also at his house-preaching by Silas Miller, the father of Rev. W. G. Miller. who is now so favorably known in Wisconsin .. Silas Miller built a saw-mill on a branch of Rock River, in the southeast part of the town, in 1845. [The first advent of a Hollander (said to have been a Mr. Meenk) into Alto was in 1845, and now three-fourths of the population are of that nationality. " Polit- ically, Alto is the banner Republican town of the county. In 1875 the inhabitants num- bered 1,430. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway passes through the northeast corner of this town, but the nearest station is, on the north, Brandon, and on the south, Waupun.

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 Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 115

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1082

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082