USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 49
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By act of Congress of June 15, 1836, the Milwaukee Land District was erected out of the southern portion of the Green Bay District, including all the land between Range 8 east and Lake Michigan, bounded on the south by the Illinois State line, and extending north so as to reach to and include the tier of townships numbered 10 north; also. Townships 11 and 12 north, of Ranges 21 and 22 east. The Land Office was located at Milwaukee, where the first public sale of Government lands within the new district was held in the spring of 1839. This brought into market all the land that had not previously been disposed of. The history of the surveys of the several townships now included in Jefferson County, will be found on the following page.
332
IIISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
DESIGNATED SURVEYS.
By Whom Made.
Under Authority of Surveyor General.
Date of Contract. When Surveyed.
Township 5 north, Range 13 east :
Township lines
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle ....
¿ Aug. 17, 1835 Fourth quarter 1835.
Subdivisions. H. Burnham ...
.. Robert T. Lytle. .. Dec. 26, 1835 ... Third quarter 1836.
Subdivisions ( Re-surveyed )
Levi P. Gilbert Warner Lewis Feb. 27, 1858 ...
§ Fourth qu'r 1858. First qu'r 1859.
Township 5 north, Range 14 e ist : Township lines. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Ang. 17, 1836 ... First quarter 1836.
Subdivisions
11. Burnham Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Third quarter 1836.
f Re-survey of Secs. )
Levi P'. Gilbert ... Warner Lewis. Feb. 27, 1858 ... Fourth quarter 1858.
Township 5 north, Range 15 e ist : Township lines ..
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
11. Burnham ....... Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Third quarter 1836. Subdivisions.
Township 5 north, Range 16 east : Township lines,
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... Fourth quarter 1835.
Subdivisions.
Rob't Clark, Jr .... Robert T. Lytle ... Jan. 19, 1836 ... Second quarter 1836.
Township 6 north, Range 13 east : Township lines.
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... July 29, 1833 ... First quarter 1834.
11. Burnham ..... Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Second quarter 1836. Subdivisions:
Township 6 north, Range 14 east : 'Township lines .. Subdivisions
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
11. Burnham ..... Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Second quarter 1836.
Township G north, Range 15 east : Township lines. Subdivisions.
Mullett & Brink. . Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
Township 6 north, Range 16 eust : Township lines ..
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
11. Burnham .... Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Fourth quarter 1836. Subdivisions
Township a north, Range 13 east : Township lines.
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle. ... July 29, 1833 ... First quarter 1831.
Subdivisions. Jas. Il. Mullett .... Robert T. Lytle .... April 13, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836.
Township 7 north, Range 14 cast :
Township lines. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle ....
( July 20, 1833 First quarter 1834.
Subdivisions. J. Il. Mullett
Robert T. Lytle .. . April 19, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836.
Township 7 north, Range 15 cost : Township lines .. Subdivisions.
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Ang. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 183 .
Township 7 worth, Range 16 east :
J. II. Mullett .... Robert T. Lytle. ... April 15, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836. Township lines. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Ang. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
J. II. Mulleit ... Robert T Lytle .... April 15, 1836 ... Third quarter 1836. Subdivisions.
Township S north, Range 13 east : Township lines. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... July 20, 1833 ... First quarter 1834.
J. II. Mullett Robert T. Lytle .... April 13, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836. Subdivisions
Township 8 north, Range 14 east : Township lioes Subdivisions.
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... July 29, 1833 ... First quarter 1834.
J. II. Mullett .... Robert T. Lytle .... April 13, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836.
Township 8 north, Range 15 eust : Township lines-North and West,
Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... July 20, 1833 ... First quarter 1834. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1836 ... First quarter 1836. South and East ...
J. H. Mullett Robert T. Lytle .... April 18, 1836 ... Fourth quarter 1836. Subdivisions.
Township & north, Range 16 east : Township lines. Mullett & Brink ... Robert T. Lytle .... Aug. 17, 1835 ... First quarter 1836.
Subdivisions J. Il. Mullett ..... Robert T. Lytle .... April 13, 1836 ... Third quarter 1836.
11. Burnham .... Robert T. Lytle .... Dec. 26, 1835 ... Fourth quarter 1836.
Aug. 17, 1835 First quarter 1836.
Subdivisions 7, 18 and 19 ... ;
( July 20, 1833 First quarter 1834.
333
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
GENERAL HISTORY.
The eventful history of Wisconsin has already been made the theme of the orator and pan- egyrist. The first settlement of the State is said to have been that established in 1639, by the Jesuit Fathers, at Green Bay. In 1783, Prairie du Chien was settled, and, as early as 1800, or a few years later, settlements were made in the southwestern part of the State, by adventurers, attracted by the lead mines in that section. It is generally conceded that the Black Hawk war was instrumental in directing the attention of emigrants to future Wisconsin, and from that date, settlers began to arrive in such numbers that, on the 26th of April, 1836, a Territorial Government was organized by an act of Congress.
These hardy pioneers, isolated from the world, so to speak, in an inhospitable climate, sub- jected to privations and dangers no limner's magic touch can more than imperfectly illustrate, came to this sterile waste of those days, determined to establish a new home; and the present high position Wisconsin occupies in the galaxy of States composing the Federal Union, testifies how perfectly they laid the foundations. Through moments of distress and darkness; through hours of solicitude and keen pain, when the heart was heavy with care and life seemed at best a burden too grievous to be borne, they continued in their work, for the future was gilded with a promise that hovered over the picture and the shadows stole away. Insensible and cold and unfeeling the soul that does not warm at the memory of these pioneers who prepared the way for coming generations. Dead the heart that would not throb at such memories. To-day, no shadows stalk across the path of enterprise and industry, as did then ; no sorrows intrude their melancholy presence, no ghastly specter mocks the onward march. There was naught of glitter and glare about the efforts of those men ; all was pure gold. Their lives were cast in heroic molds, and they were strengthened for the contest with uncertainty and fate. Their advance was impeded by every obstacle, their pathway obscured by clouds, which sometimes cleared away only to reveal the unseen sorrows beyond. But they persevered, and the prosperity of to-day is the fruit of their labors. Many of them live to rejoice in the peace and happiness to which they were instrumental in giving birth, and many of them are gone to reap the reward of lives well spent. Some of them died laboring for the welfare of their fellow-men, like a stanch soldier at his post ; some of them died in the quieter walks of life amid associations incompa- rably precious. But all of them went down to their graves, monumented by an honor rarely achieved in this life-the pure name of true and tender men. without reproach or fear. Their names and the influences of their lives are the heritages left for coming generations to emulate. The tomb cannot contain them, but they will mingle in the daily walks of life, like unseen spirits, guiding and controlling human action. They are not forgotten dead, nor wholly per- ished from the face of the earth. "Their bodies are buried in peace, but their names liveth evermore."
THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Under such auspices, and directed by such agencies, was the settlement of Jefferson County inaugurated upward of forty years ago. The present flourishing country embraced within its geo- graphical limits was at that date a trackless wilderness. No bridges spanned its streams, and the adventurous pilgrim into the wilds of Wisconsin traveled for miles in succession before his heart was gladdened by the sight of a habitation, or the songs of the woodman who had preceded him into the forest.
The county is bounded on the north by Dodge County, east by Waukesha, south by Wal- worth and Rock Counties, and West by Dane. It is four townships wide and four long, and comprehends an area five hundred and twenty-six square miles. The county seat is at Jefferson, on Rock River. at its junction with the Crawfish, and near the center of the county. It was
334
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
separated from Milwaukee County by an act of the Territorial Council, approved December 7, 1836, set off as a separate town for judicial purposes by an act, approved January 2, 1838, and polls established at the houses of Nathaniel Finch, David H. Sargent and Geo. J. Goodhue.
In the fall of 1837, a petition was presented to the legislature, praying for the location of the county seat on the point between the two rivers. Instead, it was located on its present site, the act of Congress of May 26, 1824, giving counties the pre-emption of a quarter-section for county seat purposes. On account of the manner of surveying the county-scat site in Jefferson County, nearly two hundred acres were obtained, and B. W. Finch, of Koshkonong, G. J. Goodhue, of Watertown, and Capt. Robt. Masters, residing in the bend of the river below Jefferson, were appointed Com- missioners to locate, lay off and sell enough to pay the purchase-price and expenses. The prayer of petitioners was granted by act adopted January 12, 1838. but it was some time after that the Commissioners obtained a certified copy of the same, which when received, was found to contain a blank for the name, which Capt. Masters filled up with "Jefferson," the remaining Commis- sioners consenting. A surveyor, named West, laid out the village into lots, part of which were sold to pay expenses, the remainder being disposed of to Mr. William Sanborn, since deceased.
The population of the county at this time, according to the statistics, was estimated at 468. The country lying east of Rock and north of Bark River, was heavily timbered ; and what were known as "openings " were distributed throughout other portions, except a few miles square near Whitewater, which were and now are prairie. Within the timbered district there is a remarkable series of ridges running north and south. In a distance of, say nine miles, extending through Range 15, and the west half of range 14, there are no less than sixteen of these parallel ridges at a distance of not more than half a mile apart. They extend from two to five miles in a northerly and southerly direction, and are gradually attenuated at each extremity. Immediately south of these ridges, and along Bark River, there were formerly extensive marshes, which, it is supposed, at one time formed the bottom of a large lake. These have since been drawn off by drainage and other improvements. Other portions of the country are more gently rolling or level, affording excellent facilities for farming and grazing, and are unusually fertile.
Rock River has its source in Fond du Lac County, and, entering Jefferson County at the extreme northeast corner of the town of Ixonia, courses tortuously through that town to the north line of the town of Concord, where it is joined by the Oconomowoc River. It then runs in a northwesterly direction through the town and city of Watertown, passing again into Dodge County, but turns abruptly and flows south back through the town of Watertown, becoming the boundary line between the towns of Milford and Farmington, passing through the towns of Aztalan, Jefferson and Koshkonong, and leaving the county through Lake Koshkonong, one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the Northwest.
The Crawfish or West Branch of Rock River rises in Columbia County, passes through the southwestern portion of Dodge County and enters Jefferson County in the northern portion of the town of Milford, passing through that and the towns of Aztalan and Jefferson, and entering Rock River in the limits of the city of Jefferson. About a mile above Aztalan, there is a rapid of two feet fall to the mile, and further north there are a series of rapids. This stream affords abundant water-power for all practical uses, as also does Bark River, which enters the county from the east and empties into Rock River near Fort Atkinson. Indeed, Jefferson County is peculiarly favored as regards its rivers. In addition to the above, there are Oconomo- woc, a considerable stream, the outlet of a series of small lakes in Milwaukee County, the Scup- pernong and Whitewater, two important branches of Bark River, Johnson's Creek, the Kosh- konong Creek and a number of other streams which dot the landscape, adding beauty to the scene and contributing to the wealth as also to the health and luxury of their vieinities.
There are two large and many small lakes in the county. Lake Koshkonong is the largest, an "inland sea " of exquisite beauty. where one may pass the sultry days of August in an atmosphere as pure as kissed the checks of Eve in Paradise. It is nine miles in length with an average width of about three miles, occupying an area of twenty-one square miles, with a periphery, measuring all the sinuosities of the shore, of about thirty miles. Its waters are clear, from
335
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
which the shores rise in many places from twenty to sixty feet in height, from the summit of which they slope back gracefully for miles on either side, with stretches of woodland between fields of grain, meadows, orchards and vineyards, presenting in summer a matchless panorama of ever-changing green and gold. Occasionally, these slopes extend to the water's edge, and points of land reach out into the lake, appearing to pleasure seekers on the steamers as they pass on their zigzag course from point to point, like emeralds set in a band of silver. Scarce a minute passes, from sunrise to sunset, that the landscape does not change, the shifting of the shadows revealing new beauties as the hours go by ; and when sunset comes, as seen from the eastern shores, the bright tinted clouds gradually blend with the crimson until the horizon is reached, when the deep, dark lines of the opposite shore shift and change with each breath of wind and each second of time, until darkness draws a veil over all, forming a scene of beauty equal to the poet's dream of heaven. The same scenery is equally beautiful by moonlight; the difference being that between the dark paintings of the old masters and the lighter works of the more modern school of art. It is easy of access ; three steamers ply its waters for the convenience of tourists, two com- modious hotels supply rest and comfort to the traveler, and the Black Hawk Club House furnishes accommodations for the hunters who are annually attracted to its confines in pursuit of game.
Rock Lake, in Lake Mills Township, is nearly three miles long by one mile wide, and covers an area of not quite 1,700 acres. Its name is derived from the unusual number of rocks which line its shore, in many places several feet in height. It discharges its waters in a north- easterly direction, through a small stream. into the Crawfish.
Ripley and Red Cedar Lakes are both in Oakland; Goose Lake, Hope Lake, and num- berless other expanses of water indent the surface of the county, adding to its beauties and the attraction of its surroundings.
"THE ANCIENT CITY."
The artificial earthworks (says Dr. I. A. Lapham) located at Aztalan, immediately above the "ancient city " from which it derives its name, have been sources of wonder and scientific inquiry since their alleged discovery by Timothy Johnson, in 1836. They at that time con- sisted of an oblong inclosure, about 550 yards in length by 275 yards in breadth, lying along the bank of the river. The walls were twenty-three feet wide at the base, and about five feet high, having an exterior semicircular enlargement, or buttress, and a corresponding interior recess every twenty-seven yards. In some parts of the wall, and especially in the buttresses, the earth of which it is composed appeared to have been mixed with straw and burned in such a manner as to resemble slightly burned brick, but there was no evidence that this substance had ever been molded into shape. Within this inclosure there are several mounds and excavations, in addition to an unusual number of mounds to be found in the immediate vicinity, indicating that this spot was once inhabited by a numerous population, which continued to reside there for a great length of time. The derivation of the name of the town has been stated, and a little fancy only is necessary to locate the home of the Aztecs, whence, according to Humboldt, they emigrated to Mexico. These works were explored by N. F. Hyer, Esq., soon after their discovery, who published an entertaining paper on their supposed origin, and other particulars therewith connected.
It is a well-known fact that Wisconsin is one of the healthiest States in the Union, and that Jefferson is among the healthiest counties in the State. The winters are usually long and severe, but the air is dry, the summers short and cool. These essentials, with the salubrity of the climate and purity of the atmosphere, conspire to render its residents free from discase, and the possession of the fullest complement of happiness which comes from perfect health.
HEBRON.
The permanent settlement of the county was begun in 1836, though what point can sustain a claim of precedence in that behalf is almost a mooted question, as it is asserted that occupation
336
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
of Ilebron, Watertown and Aztalan was effected either simultaneously or within so short a time of each as to preclude the other from a successful defense of its claim. The evidence, however, inclines to the conclusion that Ilebron enjoys the distinguished honor of having been selected as a point at which to establish a colony before the territory of its rivals had been fully explored and decided upon as available for the purposes mentioned. This settlement was made, as is alleged by those assuming to be conversant with the facts, under the auspices of the " Rock River Claim Company," which perfected claim to half a section of land on Section 2, embracing the water-power of Bark River, about the 25th of December, 1835. This Company consisted of sixteen persons, among whom were Solomon Juneau, Dwight Foster, Jonas Folts, Enoch G. Darling, David H. Sargent, Milo Jones, George Hlosmer, L. I. Barber, Daniel Wells, Will- iam Paine, William Brown, Thomas Holmes and John Gale. By the Company's direction. the first saw-mill erected in Jefferson County was commenced the following year, under the superin- tendence of Alvin Foster, and, notwithstanding the many inconveniences resulting from high prices, scarcity of provisions and the difficulty of procuring transportation, was urged as a necessity. Though the undertaking had not been commenced when Rufus C. Dodge, at present residing near Fort Atkinson, was employed on its construction, it was completed and ready for work in the winter of 1836-37. In the spring of the latter year, it began operations under the management of Enoch G. Darling, who erected a millhouse during the summer following. the first frame building "raised" in the county, and was known as the " Bark River Mills." Mr. Darling was at one time the wealthiest man in the city of Jefferson, owning almost the entire place. He served in the Black Hawk war and also in Company E, Fourth Wisconsin, in the war for the preservation of the Union, and died in Jefferson in 1864.
JOHNSON'S MIGRATIONS, ETC.
This small beginning formed the nucleus of the settlement of Hebron, and is believed to have been the foundation of the present prosperity of Jefferson County, though Timothy John- son, during his lifetime, claimed to have been the first man who explored the region now com- prised within the county limits, with a view to remaining. Tradition relates that a French trader, who employed his time and art in the exchange of needles and Yankee notions with the Indians for their furs, and held court at the junction of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers, antici- pated the coming of Johnson for a number of years, but as this is only tradition, it is not cited as fact. Johnson was born at Middletown, Conn., on the 28th of June, 1792, and, when ten years of age, removed with his father to Lewis County, N. Y. After running the gamut of the Southern States, as also the State of New York, he removed to Montville, Medina Co., Ohio, in 1828. He remained there seven years, and then continued his journey westward, reaching Racine, then a village, at that time composed of four shanties, in January, 1836. In February, after visiting Wisconsin City, sojourning a brief time at the house of Samuel St. John, whose wife is reputed to have been the first white woman to settle in that portion of the Rock River Valley, and meeting Solomon Juneau, who, with Milo Jones, Thomas Holmes and others, had been prospecting up the river as far as Jefferson, he purchased a stock of provisions, and began his pilgrimage into the woody fastness. During that month, he came up Rock River and built a shanty on the east side of the stream, about two miles below the present city of Jefferson, nearly opposite the first residence of the late Capt. Masters, which at that time had not been constructed ; using this as a base of operations, he made a number of excursions into the sur- rounding country, visiting Watertown, Aztalan and other points. In June of the same year, he, in company with Richard Miller, Reeve Griswold, Charles Seaton and Philander Baldwin, went up Rock River in a canoe in search of a location. Reaching and examining the rapids near where Watertown now is, and being attracted by the beauty of the location not more than by the advantages presented for settlement, he determined to remain, and made claims to about one thousand acres of land eligibly situated on both sides of the river. In July following. George J. Goodhue and Tyler Moore came into the country from Beloit, and settled upon Johnson's
337
IIISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
claims on the east side of the river. Johnson was absent at the time, but upon his return Good- buc & Co. refusing to vacate, a sale of the land was made to them for $224, Johnson and Gris- wold each receiving $112. About the same time, he sold his claim in Aztalan, including the "ancient city," to James Brayton and Judge Hyer. During that summer, Mr. Johnson, with he assistance of Philander Baldwin, Reeve Griswold and Charles Seaton, cut a road from Jeffer- son to Watertown, on the east side of the river, and a road from Jefferson to the town of Concord. He also built a cabin on the west side of the river, within the present eity of Watertown, and, In the fall, proceeded to Milwaukee to escort his family to their new home. He returned without delay, and after encountering hardships and privations innumerable, reached Watertown on the 10th of December, 1836, at night, Mrs. Johnson being the first white woman to settle in that vicinity, and the family the second in the county.
Sylvester Wolcott, an early settler in this portion of the county, furnishes some interesting facts and figures regarding his advent into the Territory, from which the following is appro- priated :
His father, Levi Wolcott, a person well known to the early settlers, was born in Weath- ersfield, Conn. Being of an adventurous disposition, he went to Ohio, and remained there until his mother died. After the death of Mr. Wolcott's mother, his father and himself came to Wisconsin to seek their fortunes. It was rather a risky undertaking for an old gentleman sixty years of age to try his luck in a trackless wilderness, without friends and destitute of property, there to suffer the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In the spring of 1836, they came as far as Chicago. At that time, this flourishing metropolis was only a small village of some twenty-five houses and shanties, which were built on a low, flat piece of prairie. They stayed there over night, and in the morning, started up Lake Michigan for Milwaukee. Arriving there, they found it to be a small place with not more than twelve shanties, which were built close to the lake. Solomon Juneau kept a small warehouse near the edge of the lake, where provisions and furs were stored, that he had obtained from the Indians. The site on which Milwaukee is now located was marshy and swampy, a good portion of it, also, being covered with tamarack trees. It was a good place to hunt muskrat and ducks, but the small colony that then lived there never imagined it would be a point of such commercial interest and value as it now is.
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