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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