The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 74

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 74


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494


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


Calvary, New Cassel, Newfane, North Taycheedah, Oak Center, Oakfield, Osceola, Peebles, Ripon, Rosendale, Saint Cloud, Saint Killian, South Eden, Summit Station, Taycheedalı, Van Dyne, Waucousta, Waupun, West Rosendale, Woodhull.


ABSTRACTS OF ASSESSMENTS.


Following are the abstracts of assessments of the several towns, cities and villages in the county of Fond du Lac, as returned to the County Clerk, for the year 1879, under the provis- ions of Chapter 106, of General Laws of 1869; also the average valuation of the items in detail of personal property, and average price per acre of farming lands, together with the aggregate valuation of all property for 1879 :


HORSES.


CATTI.E.


JULES AND ASSES.


SHEEP AND LAMBS.


BWINE.


TOWNS.


No.


Value.


Av. Value.,


No.


Value.


Av. Valve.


No.


Value.


Av. Valne.


No.


Value.


Av. Value.


No.


Value.


Av Value.


Ashford.


558 8


25255 $45 26


1662 $


17445 $10 50


88


320 $40 00


4278 8


5899 $ 1 3%


1098 $


3371 00 $ 3 07


Auburn


425


2284953 76


1099


16373


14 89


2


100


50 00


1787


2669


1 41


863


1888 00


2 19


Alto ..


706


31160


44 13


2133


22281


10 42


5


170


34 00


3070


5176


1 68


975


2236 00


2 29


Byrou ...


670


39993


59 69


2542


25516 16 55


6


295


49 17


7001


14627


2 09


723


2030 50


2 81


Calumet


541


37360


63 21


1534


1×493


12 05


4 300


75 00


490


1378


2 00


931


1970 00


2 12


Eden.


465


24152


51 94


1275


14218


11 15


225


45 00


4402


8801


2 00


485


1093 00


2 25


Eldorado ..


535


24960


46 65


1510


18957


12 55


140 70 00


3171


4839


2 00


734


1469 00


2 00


Fond du Lac ...


501


27300


54 49


1220


16408


13 45


310


38 75


1914


2886


1 51


411


1306 00


3 18


Fond du Lac City.


779


40640


52 17


353


6555


18 57


390


55 71


4


9


2 25


67


203 00


3 03


Forest.


472


24995


52 96


1579


14732


9 33


130


65 00


1881


2317


1 23


643


1015 00


1 58


Friendship.


395


18629


47 16


1083


13157


12 15


180


45 00


1154


1830


1 58


486


952 00


1 96


Lamartine


505


25600|


50 69


1450


2068ti


14 261


160


40 00


3437


6864


2 00


220


1286 00


5 85


Marshfield


519


31005'


59 91


1481


18030


12 17


1000


58 82


829


1620


1 96


987


1976 00


2 00


Metumen.


683


34960


51 19


1320


16070


12 17


250


62 50


G7:29


10995


1 63


1111


2370 00


2 13


Oak field.


483


23637


48 94


1701


21242


12 49


50


25 00


7212


11535


1 60'


618


1721 00


2 78


Osceola


443


18935


42 74


1352


11415


8 44


255


31 88


2017


3376


: 67


460


562 00


1 22


Ripon ...


650


34556


53 16


1171


16633


14 20


175


87 50


3965


7829


1 99


802


2806 60


3 50


Ripon City


340


19545


57 49


206


5495'


18 56


600


75 00


143


230


1 61


74


247 00


3 34


Rosendale.


594


30630, 51 57'


1761


23297!


13 23


19


550


2× 95


7739


14387


1 86


810:


2295 00


2 83


Springvale.


643


36983


57 52


1899


26825


14 13


66 66


6125


10716


1 75


801


2322 00


2 90


Tay cheedah


541


14543


26 88


1420


10170


7 16


310


44 28


1666


1347


1 27


673


896 00


1 33


Wanymn.


620


30)711


49 53


2096


27821


13 27


1


250


62 50


5293


9583


1 81


750


3255 00;


4 31


Waupun City, N. Ward.


112


5325


47 54


115


1645


14 30'


Total.


12672 $ 647969 $51 13 32186.$ 401098 $12 46 137 8 6760 849 34 81573 $ 140419 3 1 72 15490 $ 38868 50'$ 2 51


ABSTRACTS OF ASSESSMENTS-Continued.


WAGONS, CARRIAGES AND SLEIGHS.


WATCHES.


PIANOS AND MELODEONS.


Average Value.


No.


Value.


Value.


Ashford.


325 $


-4567 $


14 05


20,8


405 $


20 25


9985


Auburn ....


189


6124


32 40


14


780


55 71


5630


Alto.


299


5373


17 97


20 $


185 $


9 25


27


825


30 56


1700


Byron.


413


10631


25 74


38


509


13 39


51


2449


48 02


600


Calumet ..


376


8023


21 34


12


46


3 83


7


450


64 20


Eden.


317


4804


15 12


13


15G


12 00


Empire.


242


4146


17 13


22


220


10 00


26


768


20 54


Eldorado.


230


4521


19 66


8


125


15 62


22


930


42 271


Fond du Lac.


230


6875


28 77


37


684


18 49


52


2250


43 27


Fond du Lac City


1056


46921


44 43


407


10553


25 93


28475


97 52


1260 $ 86000


378275


Forest ..


199


3220


16 18


7


140


20 00


Friendship.


101


2860


28 31


2


115


57 50


4


190


47 50


620


Lamartine


220


6002


27 28


14


250


17 86


32


1265


39 53


2100


Marshfield


291


4851


16 67


130


16 25


6


279


46 50


5850


Metomen


190


4890


25 74


57


980


17 19


48


2155


44 90


Oakfield


282


5423


19 23


399


10 23


43


945


19 65


Osceola ...


153


2402


15 71


...


18 74


32


533 ***


16 62


32


1295


40 47


500


48000


90000


Rosendale.


199!


* 5271


26 49


25


3721


14 88


29


995


34 31


2300


Springvale ..


368.


9120


24 78


505


12 95


39


1255


32 18


1375


Taycheedah


174


9042


12 88


61


68.1


11 21


48


2585


53 85


2000


Wanpun City, N. Ward


153


5600


36 60


62


1117


18 01


38


2010


52 89


-


Total


7594


$189035!


$24 89


1093


$22922


$20 97 965


$60995


$63 21


1760


$134000


$584641


Empire.


442


24155


54 65


1134


17634


15 55


5 8 523721474932- 1 7


7670


11505


1 50


663


1296 00


1 50


TOWNS.


No.


Value.


Value.


No. Value.


Average Value.


No.


Value.


99


303 00


3 06


500


Ripon City.


387


17125


44 25


198


5360


27 07


111


10120


230


28 75


2855


Ripon ...


415


7779


Waupun ...


431


102651


23 82


9


199


22 11


3520


30850


SHARES OF BANK STOCK.


Merchants & Man'frs Stock.


4500


863


1078


4400


23660


12080


es.


91 17


Average


17


2


9 914


495


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


ABSTRACTS OF ASSESSMENTS-Continued.


TOWNS.


All other Personal Property.


Total Personal Property.


FARMING LANDS.


City and Village Lots


Total of Real Estate.


Total of Real and Personal Property


Value.


Value.


.


Number of Acres.


Total Value.


Average Value.


Value.


Value.


Value.


Ashford.


$ 26194


$ 93441


2286814


$549478


$24 03


$ 28635


$578113


$671554


Auburn .....


17402


73815


22330


272430


1% 20


28655


301085


374900


Alto .. .


50710


119816


227001


578495


25 48


578495


707311


Byron ..


32260


128911


23039


844571


3G 68


844571


973482


Calumet.


53468


125988


19092


521089


27 29


13815


534904


660892


Eden


15596


72590


23022


419000


18 20


419000


491590


Empire


20035


78155


19216


440480


22 92


440480


518635


Eldorado.


10933


66875


2302178


623695


27 09


623695


690570


Fond du LAC ...


47662


110082


1827114


903780


49 46


2597472


2597472


3386373


Forest


10493


57042


22735


527338


23 19


527338


584380


Friendship.


8400


46833


1146434


497781


43 42


5070


502×51


549684


Lamartine


40436


104649


2309012


722726


31 30


722726


827375


Marshfield


20029


84860


22579


128765


18 99


70535


4993300


584160


Metomen


204725


301055


224 21


673210


30 02


97815


771025


1072080


Oakfield


105080


182112


2321017


750000


32 31


25805


775805


957917


Osceola


5859


45×89


22398


264355


11 80


264355


310244


Ripon ...


36263


108358


2027654


627685


30 95


859635


859635


1218607


Rosendale


89671


169768


22746


641575


18 21


15150


656725


826493


Springvale.


49531


139232


23046


681630


29 55


681630


820562


Taycheedab


3568


36795


1953518


204285


10 45


6530


210765


247560


Waupun ...


72225


159379


22460


684575


30 48


684575


843954


Waupun City, North Ward.


56480


103330


264


13485|


51 08


169675


183160


286490


Total.


$13301401


$3556848


44978872


$11870378 $26 39


$3918792


815798170


$1935501K


In 1846, there were no returns made of personal property. In 1849, Auburn returned on personal property, and in. 1857, none was returned from Eden, Friendship, Marshfield and Osceola.


POPULATION OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.


The population of Fond du Lac County was in-1836, but 2; in 1840, 139; in 1842, 295; in 1846, it was 3,544; in 1847, it was 7,459. The following are the Federal census returns :


TOWNS.


1850.


1860.


1870.


TOWNS.


1850.


1860.


1870.


Alto ..


608


1,266


1,448


Marshfield


1,403


1,593


Ashford


628


1,721


1,799|


Metomen.


720


1,611


1,898


Auburn


248


1,180


1,62n Oakfield.


769


1,146


1,361


Byron ..


835


1,366


1,441


Osceola.


881


1,209


Calumet


1,764


1,451


1,460 Ripon.


3,080


4.119


Ceresco*


356


Ripon City


2,010


2,976


Eden


840


1,271


1,448| Rosendale.


714


1,176


1,298


Eldorado.


504


1,180'


1,674 Springvale.


588


1,296


1.246


Empire


805


1,055


Taycheedah


786


1,483


1,522


Fond du Lac.


2,011


1,221


1,266


Waupun.


880,


2,108


2,161


Fond du Lac City


1,256


1,231


1,417


Friendship.


412


637


1,108


Total


Lamartinet


588


1,151


1,367


14,510 34,154 46,273


The State census of 1855 showed a total of 24,784 ; a special count in 1856, 25,085; State census of 1865, 42,029; and of 1875, 50,241 inhabitants. It is to be regretted that the Federal census of 1880 (so soon to be taken) cannot be given in this connection.


* Changed to Ripon before the census of 1860.


+ Seven Mile Creek in 1847.


.


627G85


736043


Ripon City


162250


358972


903780


1013862


Fond du Lac City


190880


788901


-1


..


5,431 12,764 Waupun North Ward


860


924


Forest.


.


496


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


VALUATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWNS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.


1846.


1849.


1857.


1869.


1879.


TOWNS.


Real.


Real


Pers'l.


Total.


Real.


Personal


Total.


Real.


Personal


Total.


Personal


Real.


Total.


Ashford


$51396


$1650


$53046


$368940


$70000


$438940


$93441


$578113


$671554


Auburn


$23311


$23311


42412


3060


45472


295504


59000


354524


73815


301085


374900


Alto


44271


44271


83270


7425


00695


571801


125000


63680]


119816


578495


707311


Byron ..


$23135


67450'812672


80122


82240


13252


95492


512379


135000


647379


128911


844571


973482


Calumet


34121


95186 30755


125941


52974


29140


82114


393293


65000


458293


125988


534904


660892


Eden


55185


2283


57468


55201


55204


276348


45000


321348


72590


41900


491590


Empire.


31197


1683


32880


53005


1400


54465


414090


80000


494090


66875


623695


690570


Fond du Lac.


118321


177905


36200


214105


146185


20288


166473


621582


130000


751582


110082


903780


1013862


Forest


47008


47008


37812


175


37987


280840


42000


322840


57042


527338


584380


Friendship


4404


828


5232


20629


26629


251559


32000


283559


46833


502851


549684


Lamartine


40875


2999


43874


67873


2385


70258


472320


100000


572320


104649


722726


827375


Marshfield


13762


45211


5012


50223


130735


3430


134165


695884


200000


895884


301055


771025


1072080


Oakfield.


15073


48687


12514


61201


71417


12806


84223


569260


180000


749260


182112


775805


957917


Osceola


17243


46897


2810


49707


217993


28930


246923


609990


130000


739990


108358


627685


736043


Ripon City


11801


47455


2918


50373


81953


8320


90273


511045


135000


646045


169768


656725


826493


Springvale


45518


45518


83435


9806


93241


511067


125000


636067


139232


681630


820862


Taycheedalı


96879


4016


100895


61906


1500


63406


382466


50000


432406


36795


210765


2.17560


Wanpun


13172


67606


1350


68956


137988


8845


146833


497107


125000


622107


159379


684575


8-13954


Waupun, N. Ward.


Total


$244571


$1537910 $239607 $2393646 $12432029 $3321000 $15753029 93556848 815798170


$19355018


Following is the report of the Committee on Equalization for 1852 :


TOWNS.


Acres.


Value.


Tax.


TOWN.


Acres.


Value.


Tax


Fond du Lac.


19831


$1447661


$1237


Tayeheedalı


10643


$52290


$447


City, (South Ward


163193


1395


Oakfield


22966


54870


469


(North Ward.


187238


1173


Waupun


21221


90205


771


Friendship


8920


12976


110"


Alto ..


22208


38260


327


Byron.


22942


73289


626,


Metomen


22648


56255


480


Eden.


21093


38898


330


Springvale


22786


55570


473


Ashford


11514


32802


280


Lamartine


22505


35643


475


Auburn.


17110


25787


320/


Eldorado.


20609


28842


332


Osceola.


16712


23855


202


Rosendale.


21281


54558


466


Forest.


29589


42093


359


Ceresco.


21818


99230


848


Empire.


18689


54537


466


Calumet


34894


143556


1227


Totals


400098


$1488193


$12724


Total value of Real Estate.


$1,057,530


66


" Personal Property


132,491


808,172


Value of eity and village real estate. State, county, and school tax levied.


12,724


The total tax levied in Fond du Lac County for all purposes, in 1877, was $283,691, on an assessed valuation of $13,941,027. In that year, the assessed valuation of Milwaukee, Dane. Rock and Waukesha Counties exceeded that of Fond du Lac, but the Assessors did not make their returns on the same basis. The tax, however, in Fond du Lac County was exceeded only by Milwaukce, Winnebago and Dane Counties.


DISTANCES.


The distances to points within the county, from the city of Fond du Lac, are : To Brandon, 18 miles ; Calumet Harbor, 12; Calvary, 11; Dundee, 18; Eden, 8; Eldorado Mills, 10; Lam- artine, 7; New Cassel, 15; Oakfield, 9; Ripon, 20: Rosendale Station, 10; Saint Cloud, 15; Van Dyne, 8; Waupun, 20.


37856


208788


30000


238788


45889


264355


310244


Ripon


743143


450000


1193143


358972


859635


1218607


52461


2350


54811


301051


75000


469051


7×155


440480


518635


Eldorado


Fond du Lac City


498127|


73945


572072


2484075


820000


3304075


788901


2597472


3386373


39075


39075


298805


45000


343805


84860


499300


584160


Metomen


37856


42033'


10900


52933


127672


73000


200672


103330


183160


286490


Rosendale


497


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


The distances to points within the State, from the city of Fond du Lac, are : To Apple- ton, 37 miles ; Beaver Dam, 32 miles ; Beloit, 118; Berlin, 34; Burnett Junction, 25; Clin- ton Junction, 108 ; Fox Lake (by way of Minnesota Junction), 42; Fort Atkinson, 66; Green Bay, 67; Harvard Junction, 114; Janesville, 85; Jefferson, 60; Juneau, 31; Kenosha, 96; La Crosse (by way of Watertown Junction), 195; Madison (by way of Milton Junction, 109; Milton Junction, 77; Milwaukee, 63; Minnesota Junction, 28; Neenah and Menasha, 30 ; Omro (by way of Ripon), 40 ; Oshkosh, 17 ; Prairie du Chien (by way of Milton Junction), 207 ; Princeton, 39; Portage (by way of Minnesota Junction), 69; Racine, 88; Sheboygan, 42; Watertown, 46; West Bend, 29; Winneconne, 44; Green Lake, 26.


MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS FOR 1859.


-


NAMES OF TOWNS.


Population.


Number of Fam- |


Died in 1859.


Value of Real


and Personal


Estate.


No. of Schools.


No. Teachers.


No. Scholars.


No. Churches.


No. they will ac-


commodate.


Value of Church


Property.


made.


Value.


No. feet of Lum- ber sawed.


Value.


Ashford.


1760 309


25'


$173403 16


16


623 4


880


$1900


9400


37500


500000$


6320


Auburn


1200


242


12


140437 16


16


309


Byron


1400


243


17


343000 11


11


338


500


1275


400000


Eden.


1320


235


7


200000 13


13


493


290


1


300


350


Calumet.


1520


253


19


240000


5


5


250


2


800.


4000


5400


22000


500000


4900


Empire ..


800


134


10


232000


8


8


200


3800


17500


Forest ..


1200


240


10


154600


5


6 325


500


2700


5500


25000


Marshfield.


1400


240


14


138980


4


4 180


1 500


800


3300


12000


Taycheedah


1600


254


204670


8


9


280;


1 800


7000


5000


25000;


150000


1050


Fond du Lac (Town) ..


1210


233


604 123|


4


4


260


9


3400


33400


12700


70500 15000000


150250


Lamartine ..


1120


224


5


493517


9


9| 347


1 150


600


Waupun (Village).


880


180


6


244109


3


3


116


2 500


2800


13000


57000


Waupun (Town).


1280


236


472050


3


4


170


1 300


2500


Oakfield.


1180


225


12


592933


7


7


315


2


875


1350


10000


50000


Eldorado.


1200


224


7


358135


5


5


373


1


200


800


Springvale.


1317


212


17


652160


6


6


263


3 700


5800


1000


4320


Ripon (Town)


1040


187


9


865000


10


300


Ripon (City).


2040


144


10


608000


6


6


582


4 1100


9600


5000


30800


Metomen.


1619


318


12


657039:12


23


584


3


900


5400


Alto.


1228: 195


10


584429 12


16


444


3


800


4800


Rosendale


1160


211


6


612000


8


S


351


2


600


3000


Totals.


34529 6585318


$11181485|91|


217 8527 45 14205 $98125, 88100 8432820 16860000 $186590


ELECTION STATISTICS OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


Presidents-1848-Taylor, 446; Cass, 483; Van Buren, 497. 1852-Scott. 1,065: Pierce, 1.635 : Hale, 408. 1856-Fremont, 2,511; Buchanan, 3,292; Fillmore, 25. 1860- Lincoln, 4,106; Douglass, 3,001; Breckenridge, 3. 1864-Lincoln, 3,484 ; McClellan, 3,305. 1868-Grant, 4,734 ; Seymour, 4,466. 1872-Grant, 6,292 ; Greeley, 4,429; O'Connor, 19. 1876-Hayes, 4,845 ; Tilden, 5,660 ; Cooper, 67.


Governors-1847-Tweedy, Dewey. 1849-Collins, 389; Dewey, 640. 1851-Far- well, 877; Upham, 865. 1853-Holton, 1,217; Barstow, 1,489. 1855-Bashford, 1,989; Barstow, 1,722. 1857-Randall, 2.097; Cross. 1,826. 1859-Randall, 3,214; Hobart, 2,530. 1861-Harvey, 2,440; Ferguson, 2,295. 1863-Lewis, 3,579: Palmer. 2,676.


1865-Fairchild, 2,871; Hobart, 2,759. 1867-Fairchild, 3,789; Tallmadge, 3,698.


1869-Fairchild, 8,071; Robinson, 3,289. 1871-Washburn, 3,596; Doolittle, 3,875. 1873-Washburn, 2,932; Taylor, 3,926. 1875-Ludington. 3.392; Taylor, 3,973. 1877- Smith, 3,086 ; Mallory, 3,414: Allis, 1,249. 1879-Smith, 3,584; Jenkins, 3,834; May, 583.


71200


300000


18750


Fond du Lac (City)


650


121


10200


4


4 180,


5582 1022


78


2367600 13


18 1154


Friendship.


893


173


4


130000


8


8:


1 400


100


5320


Osceola.


ilies.


Barrels of Flour


14000|


5


498


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


Sheriffs-1850-McCarty, 1,367; Daugherty, 496. 1852-Jenkinson, 1,608; Hunt- ington, 961 ; Davis, 262. 1854-Brown, 1,369 ; Beaver, 1,447. 1856-Brundage, 2,387 ; Mitchell, 3,335. 1858-McCarty, 2,466 : Burnham, 2,774. 1860-Robbins, 3,106 ; Wheeler, 3,987. 1862-Eyclesheimer, 3,481; Henton, 3,142; 1864-Curran, 3,330 ; *Francis, 3,438. 1867-Walters, 3,492; Town, 3,044. 1869-Eyclesheimer, 3,145; Pierce, 3,155. 1871-Rupp, 3.972; Bullis, 3,457. 1873-Klotz, 3,766, Bryant, 3,067. 1875- Hill, 3,580; Lamb, 3,571. 1877 -- Ebner, 2,784; Colman, 4,078; Wiley, 943. 1879 -- Lusk, 3,379; Bell, 4,328; Morris, 281.


Congressmen -- 1850-Hobart, 696; Doty, 1,182. 1852-Macy, 1,825; Shafter, 964. 1854-Macy, 1,175; Billinghurst, 1,560. 1856-Hobart, 2,546; Billinghurst, 3,272. 1858-Larrabee, 2,414; Billinghurst, 2,972. 1,860-Sloan, 4.114 ; Larrabee, 2,995. 1862 --- Eldredge, 3,212; Bragg, 3,396. 1864-Eldredge, 3,313; Sloan, 3,479. 1866-Eldredge, 3,013: Hatch, 3,887. 1868-Eldredge, 4,486; Frisby, 4,712. 1870-Eldredge, 3,794 ; Watrous, 3,240. 1872-Eldredge, 4,303; Baetz, 4,376. 1874-Burchard, 4,327; Barber, 3,512. 1876-Bragg, 5,618; Carter, 4,829. 1878-Bragg, 3,395 ; Smith, 3,188; Giddings, 1,087.


PROSPERITY OF THE COUNTY.


The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have attended the various branches of enterprise and industry in the county of Fond du Lac, from its earliest settlement to the present day. the change from an almost unbroken wilderness to a rich and populous county in the brief space of time, naturally lead the mind to contemplations of deep interest and inquiry with regard to the condition which the progressive energies of its people will work out in the future. We have only to examine the resources of wealth which the county naturally presents for improvement-the strength, skill and aptitude of the people to lay hold of natural advantages and convert them to the most profitable form. In order justly to appreciate the energies which have been put forth by the early settlers in this county, the results of which are so attractive to the traveler, it should be borne in mind that the county of Fond du Lac was not settled by capitalists bringing large amounts of money to expend in subduing and cultivating new lands, but almost exclusively by men who were unable to purchase farms in the old States-whose physical and mental energies constituted their funded wealth. This was the capital invested in the settlement and improvement of the county-a currency not subject to fluctuations.


The pioneers were men of independent minds and efforts, whose activities were controlled by the dictates of their own judgments. The bosom of the earth, teeming with fertility, was spread out before them. It is to the labor of its people that we must look for nearly all of the wealth of the county.


It is universally admitted that the surest index of the progressive energies of an agricult- ural community is discovered in the condition of its roads and schoolhouses. The light of science to illuminate and invigorate the natural powers, and the facilities of communication which tend to develop the social nature of man and bring into visibility the various interests by which he is connected with society-as these are appreciated, cultivated and brought into con- stant use, the vital energies, the enduring strength, and substantial wealth of a community are advanced. If we adopt this general rule in the county of Fond du Lac, and take the condition of its public roads and schoolhonses as a criterion of its advancement in intelligence and wealth, we shall find that it has few rivals in Wisconsin.


Whatever road the traveler may select in the county, he will not progress far on his journey without having his attention attracted by a district schoolhouse, erected upon a pleasant spot. He will observe that it is neatly finished and painted. and that it is-such is the rule, though there are exceptions-surrounded by shade-trees, and has a nice playground for the children. If he enters this little seminary, he will find the interior judiciously and tastefully arranged, and furnished with blackboards, maps, charts and the most approved apparatus for aiding the pupils


* H. A. Francis died during his first year in office, and his deputy, John Peacock, ran in November. 1865, without opposition, receiving 2,025 votes. The court declared him elected for a term of two years, thus throwing the election of Sheriff into the odd years.


499


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


in their various studies. The laws of Wisconsin make liberal provisions for the support of its common schools ; and, in this county, they are generally well applied.


The roads on the prairies are always good in dry weather; but, from the looseness and depth of the soil, they become, in wet weather, muddy, and it is difficult to transport heavy loads over them. In the openings and timber-land, the soil lying more firm and compact, the roads are less liable to become bad. Considering the nature of the soil, Fond du Lac County can boast of as excellent roads as are to be found anywhere in the State.


POLITICAL PARTIES.


The Democratic Party .- Fond du Lac County, the city of Fond du Lac, and fully half the towns in the county, are Democratic. When the county was first laid out, and even before it was regularly organized for purposes of government, the Territory of Wisconsin, as well as the United States, was in the hands of the Democrats. Therefore the prominent men who settled within its limits at that time, as well as those who came with Federal appointments, were Demo- crats. This naturally and inevitably made the county Democratic, and the first newspaper, first Postmaster and first Sheriff were Democrats. The first member of Congress, after Wisconsin became a State, Dr. Mason C. Darling, was a Democrat, and the county has always since that time been represented in Congress by a Democrat, except in 1855, 1856, 1857 and 1858, when Charles Billinghurst had a seat in that body. Up to 1856, when the Republican party became active, the Democrats in the local campaigns generally elected their candidates, except in 1847, when the Whigs elected every county officer. Since the birth of the Republican party the local and county offices have been divided between the two parties, though the Democrats have gener- ally been most successful. On State and National questions, the county has never failed to give a Democratic majority, except for Zachary Taylor, Whig, and Lincoln and Grant, Republicans. In 1868, Grant's majority for President was 268; but no Republican candidate for President or Governor has received a majority in the county since. The Board of Supervisors, with one or two exceptions, before the death of the Whig party, has always been largely Democratic. The towns are about equally divided, but the cities of Fond du Lac, Ripon and Wanpun generally elect a majority of eight or nine Democratic Supervisors. Before the formation of the Republican" party, the Democrats generally elected their candidates for State Senator and their members of Assembly, though the Whigs were successful in two or three campaigns. But during the time when Fond du Lac County was a part of Brown, or when with Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Brown Counties, or with Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage. Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties, it constituted one district, the Democratic party was nearly always successful.


In 1872, however, the county was divided in such a manner as to become part of the Eighteenth Senatorial District on the east, and constitute the Twentieth District on the west, instead of constituting one complete district, as formerly. Since that time only the towns of Calumet, Taycheedah, Marshfield, Forest, Auburn, Osceola, Eden and Empire, in the Eigh- teenth District, have been represented by Democratic State Senators, while the balance of the county, or the Twentieth District, never fails to elect a Republican Senator.


Of the 133 members of Assembly elected by Fond du Lac County, 62 have been Demo- crats. These have nearly all been elected by the eastern portion of the county, the western por- tion only occasionally choosing a 'Democratic Assemblyman.


Since the election of Hazen R. Hill, of Ripon, for Sheriff in 1875, the Democratic party has been losing ground. The beginning of this decline of party strength was owing in part to the formation of the Greenback party. aided later by the dissensions and dissatisfactions in its own ranks. In 1878, E. S. Bragg carried the county for member of Congress by 207, only one- quarter the usual majority at such elections ; but the members of the county ticket were all elected at that time, except James Russell, candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court. Notwith- standing these partial defeats on local issues, the county is still Democratic, and the public pat- ronage has been secured by the Democratic papers much more than half of the time. Promi-


500


HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.


nent among the Democrats of Fond du Lac County? who have been honored with office, are. Mason C. Darling, a member of Congress in 1848 and 1849; John B. Macy in 1852, 1853, 1854 and 1855; Charles A. Eldredge, a member twelve years, from March, 1863, to March, 1875, and Edward S. Bragg, two terms, from 1876 to 1881. Samuel W. Beall was Lieutenant Governor from 1850 to 1851, and in earlier and later days many important federal appoint- ments have been given to Democrats. Among those were Maj. J. Thomas, United States Marshal ; S. M. Smead, United States Assessor ; Peter Rupp, member of Board of Directors for Northern Hospital for the Insane; Augustus D. Bonesteel, United States Indian Agent, and D. R. Curran, Register of the Land Office at Menasha for three years. Alexander W. Stow was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court : Maj. J. Thomas was a Delegate to the Bal- timore Convention ; Edward S. Bragg, to the Charleston Convention ; Warren Chase was a member of the first and second Constitutional Conventions, and S. W. Beall, a member of the second.




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