USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 58
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Fifth and Sixth Wards of Watertown (Dodge County)-S. Reed. W. Herbert, H. Hilder- mann, D. David, II. Bogel, W. Gamm. A. May, C. Folsom, F. Otto, F. Achtenbogen, C. Dip- pel, F. Zipfel, H. Zidert, D. Piper, R. Weig, J. Farncof, J. Brunner, Ph. Burns, H. Kroning, C. Plunger, W. Zohn. W. Berfenhagen, P. Binte, G. Currad, J. Janssen, F. Zifora, E. Williams and E. Jones.
In the draft of September 22, 1864, the following citizens of the Third and Seventh Wards of Watertown (the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Wards having filled their respective quotas by enlistment) were drawn :
Third Ward-Henry B. Gallup, James M. Morris, Amos Baum. John Cummings, Michael Sweency, Owen Connors, Frederick Butler, Jacob Zimmerman, Andrew MeKey, George Low. Edward Carley. Fritz Kanell. Hugh McMahon. Patrick O'Reily. Michael Kernel, John Loovey, Edward Johnson, Thomas Dervin, John O'Reily, Michael MeHugh, John Humbler, Michael Sullivan. Ferdinand Groff, John O'Neil and Edward Nixon.
Seventh Ward-Edward MeKey, Frederick Bichle, August Karn, Osborn Bradbury, War- ren Bradbury, H. Breckenridge, Fabius Colly, Philip Quentmeyer, Henry Prill. Michael Tracey. Charles Moch. Luther May, Frank Harteke, Michael Merrin, John Colmetz, Thomas Shellcox, John Dunnigan. William MeGraw, Maek Hadnell, John Browley. Thomas Duffy. Albert Hart,
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Thomas McCabe, Henry H. Coy, Henry Kronitz, Thomas Kelley, William Bushman, T. Fork- enbridge, John Driescent, William Riley, John Draymond and Thomas Merrin.
Town of Watertown-Henry Jasel, Alom Hoof. Mathias Dwosak, F. C. Curtis, Fred Larza, John Boethcher. August Gillis, Porter Lewellin, Cornelius Crowley, Justus Hawke, Thomas Gerety, Jr., Frederick Lehmann, Godfried Cashbury, Frederick Kirsch, Peter Sherrer, Ludwig Podewell, Ferdinand Siedow, John O'Connor, Frederick Buckholz, John Sloan, Christof Homan, August Hilkee, George Sutton, Chris. Homer, George Spingberg, John Hazteman, Charles Rush, Julius Knispee, John Mclaughlin, Christian Steans, John Bradley, John Hartwell, Daniel Friedee, Philip Platz, Richard Sutton and Charles H. Woolen- sack.
On October 15, 1864, a supplemental draft was made in the Seventh Ward. as follows : John McGoldrich, Peter J. Messic, Livingtone Stevens, Thomas Aplit, John McDonald, Christian Clarkin, Barney Cohoe. Luke Butler, Sylvester Coy, Amos P. Wood, Frank Coshern, August Nook, John Dwire, Philip Wright, Joseph Wood, Isaac Smith, John Sprague, John O'Connell, Samuel Rusten and John Frail.
It was announced that supplemental drafts would be made in every subdistrict until the full quota of each was full. " If those first drawn run away or are rejected, this process will go on indefinitely."
Accordingly, a supplemental draft was made of the town of Watertown, as follows : Charles Lamkee, John Owen, James Lavy, Francis Wegner, Frederick Ashereen, Hermann Schroeder, Frederick Trachte. Alanson H. McMillan, Ludowig Cordes. Ernest Barrand. Henry Krammy, Thomas Sloan, Frederick Deitzel, Gottlieb Halkney, Ferdinand Ulealt, John Buck, Joshua Newman, Timothy Daly. Frederick Rowe, Gotifield Riochley, John Hughes, August Neno, Richard Shinnick and Talbert Bailey.
Early in December, a supplemental draft took place in the Fifth and Sixth Wards, with the following result :
Fifth Ward-John Gutzloff, John Monreau, Carl Clinberg, Ferdinand Lodhammer, Alex J. Jarvis, Hezekiah Flinn, Frederick Brusch, Martin M. Barber, Michael MeCane, Christian F. Busch, Joseph Rohn, Wilhelm Dunitmeyer, Carl Rich, Fred Kehl, Ferdinand Ott, Carl Mek- lenberg, John Canradis, Carl Bullow, J. Marstet, Ludwig Lamp, Joseph Egard, Franz Sacham- mer. Fred Englebright and Emil Hans Jager.
Sixth Ward-John Burns, August Lambricht, Frederick Heute, William Graves, Fred Seple, William Ramieu, Elijah Williams, William Granits, John Schent, Jacob Coner, Philip Burns, Godfried Stillman, William Weidenhuft, IIenry Rahn, Ferdinand Bartel, John Schmidt, Henry Sally, Christof Gretsloff, Charles Rod, Carl Heute, Charles Morquart, Joseph Battiss, G. Sictander. Robert Spielman, Joseph Jaeger, Joseph Kopp, Charles Kruger, William Beeber- man. Hermann Otto, John Ecleberg, Carl Glamm and F. Hoeper.
Elections were held in the first four wards of Watertown February 13, for the purpose of voting bounties to aid in filling their quotas, at which Commissioners were also chosen to carry the object into effect. The result was :
First Ward (amount to be raised $5,000)-H. Barber, Jr., J. T. Moak and G. Werlich were chosen Commissioners. The vote for the tax was 92; against, 5.
Second Ward ($3,000)-Commissioners, F. Fischer, P. Smith and C. Amberg. For the tax, 104; against, 1.
Third Ward ($2,200)-Commissioners, M. Quigley, E. Johnson and J. Zimmerman. For tax. 58; against, 0.
Fourth Ward ($1.200)-Commissioners, August Kusel, John Spohn and Edward Davis. For tax, 48; against, 0.
April 30, 1865, the draft in the Seventh Ward took place, with the following result : Thomas Shelcox, William Spencer, Philip Wright, Osburn Bradberry, William McLaughlin, Ulrich Haushur, Jolin Crowley and Winthrop Greene.
The First, Second and Fourth Wards escaped the draft by filling their quotas.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Another draft took place the last of March in the town of Watertown, resulting as follows : Fer- dinand Ulm, William Estrach, Frederick Kanile, Henry Mclaughlin, August Marquart, Ferdinand Calhoff, Frederick Rose, Norbert Hoffman, Famin Emerson, William Loomis, Christ Keeger, August Kelm, James Gormerley, Hugh Managhan, Jr., Joseph Plasil, Stephen Penleny, Lemand Ber- dick, Jacob Urdermann, Frederick Trachte, William Betkee, Frederick Schullepfonney, Henry Merrill, John O'Connell, Richard Barrett, Charles Clanke, Rufus W. Crouch, Calvin Maroon, Henry Ryff, Lewis Moseth, Jacob Gillite, Gotlieb Ferk. Joseph S. Clark, Peter Palsher, Thomas Smith, Thomas Howler, August Chamm, Ludwig Rothe, Ludwig Cordes, August War- nike, Charles A. Pross, Henry Linneske, August Hennemann. Michael Sullivan, August Scholl- schnord, Michael Dreshark, Richard Hussey, Frederick Borkenhaden, Ferdinand Knutes, Edward M. Mulick, William Nerey, Jacob Christie and August Helker.
Happily the services of the foregoing "victims " of this last draft were not needed. The capitulation of Vicksburg, the fall of Richmond, and the subsequent capture of Jeff Davis spared them to their homes and the pursuit of wealth and happiness.
Scraps of War History .- Following are a few of the minor events connected with the war history of Watertown. They will recall many recollections of the " times that tried men's souls," during the great rebellion, and the whole must prove a valuable record in the annals of that bloody strife :
1861, April .- A company of Minnesota militia passed through the city, en route for the field of conflict. This seemingly insignificant incident gave a wonderful impetus to the patriotic feelings of the citizens. A public meeting held for the purpose of raising funds to provide for the families of those who enlisted in the service of their country ; Mayor Williams presided. Carl Schurz (now Secretary of the Interior), State Senator Gill and Hiram Barber were among the speakers. Unbounded enthusiasm. Brig. Gen. Luther A. Cole. Second Brigade Wisconsin Militia, organ- ized his staff as follows : Maj. Enos Salsich, Aid ; Maj. Hiram W. Blanchard, Brigade Inspec- tor ; Maj. Myron B. Williams, Judge Advocate ; Maj. William G. Wedemeyer, Engineer in Chief; Maj. Hiram Barber, Paymaster ; Maj. Charles Wood, Quartermaster ; Maj. Ira Leon- ard, Commissary ; Maj. W. C. Spalding, Surgeon ; Capt. and Rev. J. J. McIntyre, Chaplain. Master Willie Dennis frightened his parents almost to distraction by climbing to the top of his father's house and nailing the Stars and Stripes to the gable end.
May .- Employes of the Milwaukee & Western Railroad Company raised a flag-staff, 100 feet in length, near their machine shops, and unfurled from its top a beautiful banner, 30x18 feet in size. A committee of ladies-Mrs. J. T. Moak, Mrs. James Tremain and Miss Susan Hadley, drew the starry emblem to its lofty position, at the same time singing the " Star Spangled Banner," amid deafening cheers.
June .- Ladies of Watertown make 500 flannel shirts, at the request of Gov. Randall, to be distributed among the Wisconsin volunteers. The task was completed in five days, and the garments sent to the Governor ready for use. Bibles purchased by citizens and presented to Watertown's patriotic sons.
July .- Meeting and organization of a Home League. Officers elected : Samuel Brown, President; A. M. Thompson and C. C. Cotton, Secretaries ; C. Cleaveland, Treasurer.
August .- Ernest Off authorized to raise a cavalry company, and a recruiting office opened.
September .- W. G. Wedemeyer received a Lieutenant's commission to raise a company of infantry. Edwin D. Coe, James A. Morris, De Witte Moak, Herbert Lord, Eugene Bond, R. J. Forsyth and Harrison and Clifford McMellen joined Col. Daniel's cavalry regiment at Ripon.
October .- O. D. Pease received a Lieutenant's commission from Gov. Randall, authorizing him to raise a company of volunteers for three years. Thomas McMahon appointed Major of the Seventeenth Wisconsin. James McHugh received a Lieutenant's commission to raise a company of volunteers. Webster A. Bingham, of Watertown, joined the cavalry regiment then forming at Ripon. Capt. D. D. Scott and Lieut. James Bergin opened a recruiting office in Fischer's Block. Ernest Off commissioned Captain, with authority to raise a company of
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
volunteers. Sela P. Webb, a Watertown volunteer, of Company E, Sixth Wisconsin, died in the hospital at Arlington Heights, Va.
November .- Charles H. Lord appointed Assistant Surgeon First Wisconsin Cavalry. Capt. Off finished recruiting his cavalry company, known as the Barstow Guards, and went into camp at Janesville.
December .- Capt. Prescott left for Columbus, Ohio, with thirteen recruits for the regular service, among whom was William G. Wedemeyer.
1862, January .- Sergt. O. S. Howard, Company A, Third Wisconsin, commissioned Second Lieutenant.
February .- Irwin W. Potter, of Watertown, confirmed by the United States Senate as First Lieutenant in the Fifteenth U. S. Regiment for gallant conduct at the battle of Manassas. Corp. Henry C. Hadley, Company E, Sixteenth Wisconsin, appointed Assistant Quartermaster of the regiment, with the rank of Lieutenant. L. M. Rose, formerly one of the editors of the Watertown Chronicle, wounded in both hips and in the left shoulder and hand at Fort Donelson.
March. - Curtis B. Stone, foreman of the Watertown Republican office, joined the Water- town Guards. Capt. D. D. Scott presented with a sword by the citizens of Watertown. John Haines appointed blacksmith of Gov. Barstow's regiment. Sebra Howard, of the Third Regi- ment, died in the hospital at Elyria, Ohio, en route for the South.
April .- Battle of Pittsburg Landing, where the rebels drank whisky and gunpowder and fought like demons, and in which Capt. Pease was killed.
May .- Arrival and burial of the remains of Capt. Pease. Private N. R. Towsley, Com- pany D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, returned with a finger shot off, at the battle of Shiloh. Private Harrison Fuller, same company, returned with serious wounds received at Shiloh. He died soon after his arrival.
June .- Lieut. Royce, Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, promoted to Captain in place of Capt. Pease, killed. Private John Cawley, Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin, died from disease contracted in the South. Dr. Charles Lord appointed Post Surgeon at Cape Girardeau, Illinois.
July .- Gov. Solomon appointed Miles Joice Second Lieutenant Company H, Seventeenth Regiment.
August .- Enos Salsich, Hiram Barber, ex-Senator Gill, Frederick Kusel and Edward Johnson received authority to raise volunteer companies. Gill returned his commission and enlisted as a private. Meeting of taxpayers at which resolutions were adopted authorizing the levy of a tax for the support of the families of volunteers, and commanding the City Treasurer to pay $25 to the family of each volunteer who enlisted under the calls of June 2 and August 4. Ilenry C. Hadley, of Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, returned honorably discharged, on account of an affliction of the eyes incurred by forced marches in the "Sunny South." Sheriff Smith, of Jefferson County, in accordance with instructions, made arrange- ments for making an enrollment of those subject to draft. Following enrolling officers appointed : First Ward, Calvin Cheeney; Second, Eugene Winggenhorn; Third, John A. Chadwick ; Fourth, D. Kusel, Jr .; Fifth and Sixth, Charles Walthers; Seventh, A. P. Wood, town of Watertown, J. Q. Hull. L. A. Cole appointed Commissioner, and Dr. W. W. Reed, Surgeon, for the draft in Jefferson County. Joseph Giles and Calvin Cheeney appointed recruiting officers to fill the depleted ranks of old regiments. Charles R. Gill appointed by Gov. Solomon Colonel of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. Samuel Baird appointed Quartermaster ; William C. Spalding, Surgeon; William Tompkins, Sergeant Major, and William Summerfield, Hospital Steward, same regiment.
September .- Festival given in honor of the American Volunteers. Capt. Mott presented with a sword from the German citizens. Col. Gill presented with a horse by the Watertown Volunteers.
December .- De Witte C. Moak discharged on account of ill health. Lieut. Col. Henry Bertram appointed Colonel of the Twentieth Wisconsin. Maj. Thomas MeMahon appointed
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventeenth. Bernard O'Byrne received a seventy-pound bell from some Watertown boys then fighting in Mississippi, accompanied by the following inscription : " This bell was achieved by the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment on a deserted plantation in the State of Mississippi. Its former owner is in rebellion against his Government-founded on the virtue and intelligence of the people. It was wont to arouse slaves to unrequited toil ; let it now call freemen to duty." Noble sentiments! Private James Karr. Company E, Twenty- ninth Regiment, died in the hospital at Halena, Ark.
1863, January .- Private Wm. E. Dervin received four balls in his right leg at the battle of Murfreesboro. Cass Green, Sixteenth Wisconsin, returned home, discharged on account of sickness.
February .- Meeting Ladies' Aid Society. Officers elected: Mrs. Theodore Prentiss, President : Mrs. Samuel Baird, Vice President : Mrs. J. T. Moak. Secretary and Treasurer. Directors-Mrs. C. A. Sprague, Mrs. S. P. Day, Mrs. MeMahon, Mrs. Daniel Hall, Mrs. J. J. Enos, Mrs. Ernest Off, Mrs. O. B. Sanford, Mrs. Otis Hall. A resolution was passed that the members of the society turn their attention toward the preparation of pickles, preserves, ete., to be sent to the brave boys in the Sonth then engaged in crushing the rebellion.
March .- William H. Blanchard left Watertown with over ten tons of delicacies to be dis- tributed among the members of the Twenty ninth, then encamped at Helena, Ark. Daniel Griffith, of Company B, Twenty-ninth Regiment, died in the hospital at Helena.
April .- Lient. R. P. Bronson. Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, returned, having resigned on account of ill health. Lieut. Col. Jussen, of the Twenty-third Wisconsin, resigned ; ill health. Adjt. Sweeney, of the Twenty-ninth, returned to Watertown on a siek furlough and died a few days after his arrival. Ernest Schnasse. Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin. died in Missouri from the effect of wounds received at the battle of Prairie Grove. Bradley Richards, . Company B. Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, died in the hospital at Helena.
May .- Corp. William Dervin, Sixteenth United States Infantry, returned discharged in consequence of a dangerous wound received in the battle of Stone River. When the news was received that Gen. Grant had fought five successive battles and gained as many decisive victo- ries over the rebels in the vicinity of Vicksburg, there was great rejoicing in Watertown. The brass band came out and paraded the streets, salutes were fired, and a general feeling of delight could be read in almost every face.
June .- August Hintz, Company B, Seventeenth Wisconsin, shot through the head by a rebel sharpshooter, while working in the trenches before Vicksburg. Lieut. Charles Wood, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned his commission. Sergt. Norman Humphrey appointed to fill the place of Corp. Darius Gibbs, promoted to Second Lieutenant. Second Lieut. Calvin B. Scott, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned on account of injuries received at Champion Hill, Miss.
July .- Col. Gill resigned on account of sickness. The surrender of Vicksburg announced ; one hundred guns fired. A Ladies' Union League organized in Watertown, with Mrs. P. Nichols as President, and Mrs. A. Peterson as Secretary. William Phelps. Company B, Twen- ty-ninth Wisconsin. died of typhoid fever in the hospital at Vicksburg. Dr. W. C. Spalding, Surgeon in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. resigned his commission on account of ill health. Dr. D. Dubois was appointed in his stead, and William T. Summerfeldt appointed Assistant Sur- geon in place of Dubois, promoted.
August .- Capt. Donald D. Scott appointed Major of the Seventeenth Wisconsin, in place of Maj. Plunkett, resigned.
September .- Private Chauncey Cummings, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, died at Centralia, Ill., while on his way home.
October .- Darius Gibbs appointed First Lieutenant Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, in place of Norman Humphreys, resigned. Corp. Juhus HI. Keyes, wounded at Champion Hill, returned home on a furlough.
November .- John Little appointed First Lieutenant Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin. Lieut. Col. MeMahon, Seventeenth Wisconsin, assigned to the command of the Second Brigade,
.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
First Division, of the Seventeenth Corps, under Brig. Gen. Dennis, of the Army of the Cum- berland. Lieut. A. F. Baehr promoted Captain Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin, in place of Capt. F. Knsel, resigned, and Second Lieut. G. Bauman appointed First Licutenant, in place of Baehr, promoted.
December .- Sergt. H. D. Carlin, Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin, opened a recruit- ing office in the Watertown House, to fill the depleted ranks of the " Irish Brigade."
1864, January .- Sergt. Hinze, Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin, opened a recruiting office for the same purpose.
February .- Col. Henry Bertram opened a recruiting office, offering a bounty of $402 for veterans and $302 for fresh men, together with the $100 to be voted by the taxpayers of Water- town. Henry C. Hadley, formerly of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, re-enlisted in the Twenty-ninth. Watertown authorized by the Legislature to levy a tax to pay $100 bounty to volunteers. Capt. Off's company, of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, re-enlisted. Lieut. Col. W. A. Greene appointed Colonel of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, in place of Col. Gill, resigned. Sergt. Maj. Thompson appointed Second Lieutenant Company C. Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers re-en- listed. Henry C. Hadley appointed Adjutant of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin.
March .- Capt. Mott, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned on account of sickness; succeeded by Lieut. Gibbs ; Gibbs by Sergt. F. B. Northup. Dr. J. S. Potter appointed Assistant Sur- geon of the Twenty-ninth.
April .- James P. Nichols appointed Second Lieutenant of Company D, Thirty-eighth Wis- consin. Maj. Bradford Hancock appointed Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, in place of William T. Greene, promoted. Sergt. Henderson Colvin appointed Second Lientenant Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin.
June .- H. S. Ransom, formerly of Watertown, who went as Captain of a volunteer com- pany from Whitehall, N. Y., had his arm shattered by a shell, and a minie ball passed through his right lung, in a fight between Gens. Butler and Beauregard. Sergt. David L. Cole, Company H, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin, killed in Virginia. He went from Watertown as a substitute.
July .- John C. Dervin returned, having served three years. Watertown filled her quota under the call for 500,000 volunteers. Lieut. McMahon returned; resigned after having marched with Sherman " to the sea." Sergt. James A. Norris, First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, returned, having served three years. He was at the battle of Chickamauga, and helped to capture Atlanta.
November .- Sergt. W. A. Bingham, of the First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, returned, after three years of faithful service. Thanksgiving dinner given by the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society.
December .- Citizens of the First Ward raise a special fund to pay substitutes to serve in place of those to be drawn in the call and draft for . 300,000 more."
1865, January .- Adj. Crane, of the Seventeenth Wisconsin, returned from Savannah, having been with Sherman during his famous march through Georgia.
February .- The Legislature passed an act authorizing the wards of Watertown to raise a separate tax to pay for volunteers. Col. Bertram, of the Twentieth Wisconsin, returned from Mobile to follow his wife to the grave. Capt. E. Off and Lieut. J. P. McDonald, of the Third Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, returned; time expired. Col. W. A. Greene, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, returned from Kennersville, La. ; time expired.
April .- The fall of Richmond ! Great enthusiasm and the wildest excitement in Water-
town. Private residences illuminated, and the streets ablaze with bonfires ; and the excitement did not subside when the joyous news was received that Lee had surrendered. The prospects for peace and an undivided Union werc true sources of exultation. Main street presented a bewildering scene, on the 10th of April, when a grand procession paraded from one end to the other, and back again, with banners flying, music playing and the multitude shouting itself hoarse, the whole demonstration being a spontaneous and overflowing outburst of the patriotio emotions of the popular heart.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
But all this joy was turned into the deepest sorrow a few days later, when the news was flashed over the wires that President Lincoln had been assassinated. The 26th of April, the date of the obsequies of the martyred President, was appropriately observed. All places of business were closed, most of them being heavily draped in mourning, and services were held in all the churches.
May .- The killing of Booth, the assassin, and the capture of that arch-traitor, Jefferson Davis, in woman's clothes, seemed to partially relieve the people of their sorrowful looks and feelings.
June. - A minie ball taken from the right nasal cavity of Julius H. Keyes, where it had been imbedded for two years, reccived at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863.
Every day began to bring the familiar face of some battle-worn veteran, returning from the war. " The late rebellion " soon became a favorite term applied to the bloody conflict which had raged for over four years. Peace and quiet and prosperity had returned to the land, let us hope to remain forever.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
[BY A JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRAT.]
The Democratic party early gained the ascendency in the county, and has generally main- tained it, although, in the early conflicts, the Whig party, and later the Republican party, have won some victories over it, and obtained some temporary advantages.
The causes for such early and steady adhesion to the fortunes of that party, if sought for, will be found in the fact that the pioneers of the county-those who acted leading and important parts in organizing the county, opening its roads, bridging its streams, locating and founding its cities and numerous villages, and building its mills and bringing in settlers, and helping and encouraging them under the work and discouragements attending the settlement of a new county -were Democrats, and were men of good, strong sense and of resolute nature, and such results were among the most natural things ; for brains and force together seldom fail to impress them- selves upon milder and more gentle material, and hence the settlers of a new country are always found following, in a certain sense, the most forcible character which they find in their com- munitics. In this way, we can easily account for the establishment of any peculiar social or political ideas in a community.
The men elected from the county to the Constitutional Convention, which framed our present Constitution, were all Democrats, and were influential in that body of able men. Of those delegates, there remain Milo Jones, of the city of Fort Atkinson, and Theodore Prentiss, of the city of Watertown. Mr. Jones is a man of sturdy nature, and whether in business or politics, does nothing haltingly. Possessing great energy of character, and in the carly times, in shaping the social and political situation, he justly exercised a wide and permanent influence. Mr Prentiss carried into that convention one of its most sagacious heads, a thoughtful and trained mind and pleasant and courteous manners. Mr. Vanderpoel was an apt and adroit man, and could acquit himself well in all places. Mr. Folts (now dead), of the town of Hebron, was wise, conservative, safe in counsel and useful in suggestion. To this list of Democratie names should be added those of many cotemporaries, in all the towns of the county, such as E. G. Darling, William Sanborn, Alonzo Wing, Capt. Robert Masters, Capt. E. D. Masters, of Jeffer- son, the Rogan brothers, Hon. William M. Dennis, Peter V. Brown, and many others, of Water- town; Ilon. Austin Kellogg, and others, of Concord, and the Hon. W. W. Woodman, of Farmington-the very Achilles of the Jefferson County Democracy; active, alert, persevering ; coming always fearlessly to the front, and having a voice in all things affecting the honor or interests of the county, whether it be to watch the taxation, fill a quota or rout the Republicans at the polls. These, with hundreds of others in all parts of the county, of whom we have not space to make personal mention, constituted the leadership of the Democratic party, and to those who know them, their success in the respects mentioned is no subject of wonder or surprise ; it
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