USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 69
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The different lines, under the combined management, were operated and extended in accord- ance with previous arrangements until February, 1858, when the Watertown Division was sold to a new company, under the presidency of Hon. S. L. Rose, to be known as the Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo Railroad.
In October, 1858, the Watertown & Madison Division was sold at publie auction by the United States Marshal. It was bid in by Russel Sage and others holding first mortgage bonds.
In April, 1861, the Milwaukee. Watertown & Baraboo became the Milwaukee & Western Railroad Company, in accordance with an act of the Legislature. At that date, the Company had seventy-six miles of road in operation.
In July, 1863, the various railroad companies in the State re-organized, "pooled their issues," and at the pesent time are virtually under one and the same management, so far as the regulation of rates is concerned.
Watertown is now one of the principal railway centers in the State. It is a sort of half- way house, as it were, for the different lines passing north and south, east and west. An important interest, in the shape of railway shops, freight and passenger depots, etc., has grown up in the suburbs of the city, affording employment to many citizens at fair compensation.
The Watertown agents of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul-Jonas H. Sleeper and John J. Moulding-furnish the following interesting figures concerning the road : The revenue accruing from the passenger and freight traffic to and from Watertown in 1867, amounted to $98,059.82. In 1877, it was $153,660.80. In 1857 (the first year of the road's existence), the gross earn- ings of the entire road are given at $882,817.89. In 1867 (with 820 miles of track), the gross earnings were $5,683,608; total expenses, $2,880,434. In 1877 (with 1,412 miles), the gross earnings were $8,114,894.27 ; expenses, $4,540,453.57.
Chained Lightning .- The thunder of the iron horse is invariably followed by the lightning of the telegraph. The first electric wire reached Watertown on the 26th of August, 1856. It was erected by the Wisconsin State Telegraph Company, and connected Watertown with Mil- waukee. The office was located in Cole's Block. John Hawkins was the first operator. The Western Union office is now located in the express office on West Main street, a perfect network of wires being required for the service.
Express Company .- The American Express Company established an office in Watertown in 1854, a Mr. Hayward being the first agent. The office was first located at the corner of West avenue and Water street, where Roper & Ferry's agricultural implement store is now
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
located. In 1856, Mr. Hayward was superseded by C. A. Sprague, who removed the office to the east side of the river, next to Wiggenhorn's cigar store. In 1867, Mr. Sprague was suc- ceeded by a Mr. Piper, and, in the following year, E. L. Patch became the agent. In 1872, Mr. Patch withdrew in favor of H. B. Dodd, the present agent, who removed the office to Dennis' Block.
WATER. .
Watertown is famous far and wide for its artesian wells, and the peculiar quality of the water that flows from them. Never-failing streams of water, containing a large percentage of iron and magnesia, are obtained at a depth of about fifty feet. There are two magnetie wells in Watertown, so-called from the fact that a knife-blade, or other steel utensil, held for a few seconds in the water that comes from them will attract a needle. The water is very wholesome, and its use has effected many cures of chronic diseases, and afforded wonderful relief to others.
LANDMARKS.
The first frame house built on the west side of the river now stands on the southeast corner of West avenue and Water street. It was built in 1845 by Patrick Rogan, one of the most enterprising of Watertown's early settlers.
The first brick building erected in Watertown is the one now occupied as a shoe store by Henry Meyers, on the north side of Main street, between First and Second.
The first brick structure on the west side of the river is now the property of ex-Mayor Mul- berger, at present occupied by W. C. Stone as a restaurant. It was built by Patrick Rogan.
HISTORICAL ITEMS.
Luther A. and John W. Cole established the first store in Watertown. It stood on the southwest corner of Second and Main streets.
Walter Besley was the second merchant. His store stood where Goeldner's jeweler store now stands.
M. J. Gallagher built and carried on the first store on the west side of the river.
Edward Johnson was the first druggist.
Fred Kusel, Sr., was the first tinsmith.
John Richards was the first lawyer who came to Watertown. He was duly admitted to the bar, but did not practice. He found other pursuits more profitable in those days. He was the first District Attorney in Jefferson County.
Jacob J. Enos was the first practicing lawyer, and Myron B. Williams, now of Indianap- olis, was the second.
Drs. Cokeley and Goodenough were the first practicing physicians; Drs. Cody and Spalding are the leading physicians in Watertown at the present time.
The Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot was burned in July, 1865 ; burned again December 8, 1874. The junction depot of the same road met a similar fate September 29, 1872; burned again November 12, 1875.
Theodore Prentiss was the first Mayor of Watertown ; L. Bruegger, the first Marshal.
J. A. Hadley was the first editor. D. Blumenfeldt is the oldest editor ; Thomas Jones the youngest.
Alcott Cheeney was the first President of the village of Watertown.
Judge Hyer and Winslow Blake were the first practicing lawyers in Jefferson County.
The distance from the Milwaukee depot to the Post Office is 3,985 feet.
Every intelligent and public-spirited citizen who can afford it has a copy of the JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORY in his library. A few wealthy individuals, however, believe that they can pass through the eye of a needle and take their riches and the record of their lives to a better world.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
THE CEMETERIES.
Let us draw the curtain upon this panorama of progress. We have witnessed the birth of Watertown, as near as such a thing is possible forty-three years after that important event occurred ; followed the course of its existence down to the present time, viewing the various stages of its growth. Among the groves that surround this beautiful city, in the bosom of the cold earth, lie in eternal rest, many of the pioneers whose names are recorded in these pages. Their graves are appropriately marked, but the most imperishable tablets to their memory are the tall spires of almost a score of churches, the enduring walls of schoolhouses and business blocks, and the grand structures of commerce, throbbing with the pulsations of prosperity, which beautify and give fame and fortune to the city of Watertown. Now let us visit the homes of the dead.
The first lonely habitation for the repose of the dear departed was laid out as early as 1840, located near the present site of the Lutheran College. It was a public burying-ground, where the earthly remains of the highest and the lowest, without distinction as to religious creed, might be laid in peace forevermore. Crumbling tombs still mark the solitary spot. In 1850, John Richards, L. A. Friebert, Andrew Peterson and Daniel Jones organized, under an act of the Legislature, the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, and procured suitable grounds for the purpose within the southwestern limits of the village. In 1864, thirty acres of land were purchased by the Association in the eastern suburbs of the city, about one-half of which was laid out in lots. Many of the bodies buried in the original plats on both the east and west sides of the city were taken up and re-interred in the new cemetery grounds. Under the superintendency of Mr. Chris. Schroeder, the place has been made to "blossom as the rose." The present officers of the Association are Daniel Jones, President; Theodore Prentiss, Treasurer ; Justus T. Moak, Secretary. Trustees-Daniel Hall, William H. Rohr, J. T. Moak, Theodore Prentiss and Daniel Jones.
Many of the various religious denominations in Watertown have their cemeteries, sup- ported from the church funds and managed by the church officials. The Lutheran cemetery is located on a beautiful elevation north of the city, on the Hustisford road. The United Brethren, or Moravians, bnry their dead in the same vicinity.
Upon the sloping surface of a gently rising knoll near the Milford road, in the western suburbs, may be seen a somber forest of crosses, marking the last resting-places of many dis- ciples of the Church of Rome. This spot is devoted exclusively to the interment of members of St. Bernard's Parish.
Ten years ago, the German Catholics established a burying-ground on the north road, where lie the remains of the departed members of St. Henry's Parish, awaiting the final summons.
" Requiescat in pace."
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
CITY OF JEFFERSON.
Jefferson, the county seat of Jefferson County, is a pleasant city of about three thousand inhabitants, delightfully located at the junction of Crawfish and Rock Rivers, in the central part of the county, surrounded by a rich farming country, thickly settled and contributing vast resources to swell the general prosperity of the county seat.
THIE ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement of the present city was made in 1836. December 18 of that year, Rodney J. Currier, Daniel Lansing, Robert Masters. with Imogene, his daughter, David Sar- geant, Peter Rogan, Rufus C. Dodge and Edward and Alvin Foster came from Bark Mills and Milwaukee and distributed themselves about Jefferson and the immediate vicinity.
On June 13, 1837, Silas R. Stevens, following in the wake of these pioneers, landed at the residence of Robert Masters, located on Rock River, about one mile below the present city. In 1837, E. G. Darling piloted a scow from Hebron on Bark River to Rock River, thence to Jefferson, where he took up his permanent abode. He was accompanied by Melissa and Marion Brown, half sisters, Alonzo Brown, half brother. Lavina Carpenter, Edward Sawyer and David Bartlett. The scow was also laden with their household goods and the frame of a house, which was fashioned at Bark Mills and brought to Jefferson ready to be completed and occupied. The emigrants took possession of a log shanty said to have been "put up " by James and Peter Rogan a year previous (which, if true, makes this unpretentious protection of logs rolled up together the first habitation constructed in this section of the county), and prepared to locate and finish a house, framed at Bark Mills. In October of the same year, arrangements were completed in that behalf, and the " frame " elevated on a piece of ground, the present site of the Jefferson House. The building was completed during the fall and used as a tavern, court house and salesroom for dry goods and groceries, the first goods ever sold in the town of Jefferson. A man named Buck officiated as salesman and no doubt realized a fair profit on his venture. In this month, also, came Hiram Z. Brittan, his wife, daughter (Jane), and one son. It should also be observed that the first session of the Circuit Court was held in the bar-room of this hostelry, Judge Irwin presiding. His Honor was a bachelor and a queer compound of ability and eccen- tricity. He occasionally adjourned court to go fishing, and was in the habit of improvising rules for the government of his subordinates, which, in those days, while not attracting particu- lar attention, were regarded as arbitrary ; to-day, they would be considered as extra-judicial. During this year, occurred the first death in the vicinity. It was that of E. Foster, Sr., which took place October 10, at the residence of his son in the south part of the town ; he was buried at Big Bend, four miles down the river. It is also said that Robert Kennedy and wife came to Jefferson from Janesville during that year and kept house for Rodney J. Currier and Andrew Lansing.
In 1838, the population of the settlement was increased by the arrival of William Sanborn, a man named Minor, who remained but a short time, Harvey Foster, with his father, Hopes- dale Foster, possibly Ebenezer M. Seaton, and others who have left no record of their advent to guide the historian.
GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENTS.
In the spring of 1839, William Sanborn built a two-story frame on Main street where the Sawyer House now stands, a part of which is the identical " frame " erected forty years ago. David Bartlett also built a house this year on the west side of the river, half a mile from the
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Jefferson House. He took a claim and put on a block house, part of which is said to be now standing, though in an improved and reconstructed form. The first white child born within what are now the city limits of Jefferson was a daughter to Hiram Z. Brittan, in a log house which stood near the site of the present residence of Orrin Henry, on the west side of Rock River. The first marriage celebrated in the village was that of Martha Fellows and Frank Roberts ; it took place in the fall of 1839.
In 1840, accessions were made to the population by the arrival of future residents, who speedily identified themselves with the public interests and aided in promoting the promising success which has since been realized unto the citizens of Jefferson. Among those who claim to have come hither during that year, was George Crist, who says that the residences of E. G. Darling (the Jefferson House). William Sanborn and Abram Vanderpool made up the sum total of houses erected up to that period. These were added to in the following year by the houses of Andrew Lansing and Rodney J. Currier on Main street. The premises are now located on Milwaukee street, west of Main street, and in the early days, with those above cited, were the only buildings Jefferson boasted of except a little house on the northwest corner of the present public square, used as a Register's office, and said to have been erected in 1838.
During the spring and summer of 1841, E. G. Darling planted a field of wheat on his " fraction," from which he harvested a generous crop, that was ground at the mills in White- water. In the fall of that year, George Crist and D. H. Miller built a double house on the present site of Frommader's saloon and residence, for their own occupation. These houses stood on their original foundations for many years, but were finally disposed of by removal, and what remains of them is to be now seen located on the lot east of the Presbyterian Church, one of them heing now occupied by Dr. John Fallchr. In the winter of 1841, Laban Hoyt put up a " shanty " on Racine street, on the same ground now occupied by the residence of Dr. W. W. Reed. During that and previous years, flour and other edibles, except game, etc., was procured from Whitewater, Milwaukee and other accessible points, and commanded exorbitant prices.
In the spring of 1842, the first Germans came to Jefferson, settled in the village, and included many whose names are to-day as household words to citizens and residents. Among these were John Rockdaeschel, who was the first cobbler to fashion goloshes and moccasins for the hardy pioneer. In this year also, or perhaps the year previous, Dr. Charles Rogers came hither with a German Count. The latter remained in Jefferson but a short time, when he removed to Sauk County ; but Dr. Rogers established himself here professionally, married Miss Mary Bra- man, and, on the 4th of March, 1857, died in the city of his adoption. In the spring of this year, the dam was built and saw-mill put up on the east side of the river by Darling & Kendall. In the fall, a building was erected on Milwaukee street, near the river on the east side. The same season. Andrew Lansing was married to Melissa Brown, and built a house, in which they afterward resided, on Dodge street, opposite the Court House, then, too, in progress.
The year 1843 witnessed rapid strides by the village in the pursuit of prosperity, and the success toward which its founders directed their efforts. A number of settlers joined their fortunes with those of the pioneers who had preceded their coming. New houses were built, and a variety of improvements completed, which added materially to the list of substantial attractions that always contribute to swell local wealth and population. Among the houses was a two-story frame, built on North Main street, by George Crist ; one, at present occupied by Joseph Mansfield, is supposed to have been built in that year by Dr. Barber ; also the black- smith shop on the corner of what is now known as Milwaukee and Third streets, owned at that time by a man named Sherman, who started to California in 1850, but died of cholera before he reached that distant territory. The City Hall occupies the corner to-day.
About this time, the Indians were numerous in the vicinity. They belonged to the Winne- bago, Menominee and Pottawatomie tribes. One of the chiefs of the Menominees was known as " Chief John," and as a representative of the aborigines, was much respected by the settlers. He camped with his tribe on the river, two or three miles from the village, and commanded
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
the confidence of his white neighbors. He supported himself by the sale of furs, venison, etc., and made his headquarters at Alonzo Wing's store. One evening, while visiting at the store, a wrestling match between him and Geo. Crist was engaged in, in which Crist was thrown ; this caused the latter to become excited, whereupon the Indian remarked, "white man got mad," and thereafter eschewed athletic sports with any but his own race. Chief John was murdered in 1844, and his body was found by his former antagonist in the swamp, about three miles northwest of Jefferson. Inquiries as to who the murderer was resulted in charging its commission upon a settler, who was arrested and tried, but acquitted. Some years afterward, a man, who had subsequently emigrated to Iowa, confessed the crime on his death-bed.
In 1845, the population was quoted at from seventy-five to eighty inhabitants. It contained a blacksmith-shop, Isaac Savage's gunsmith-shop. one or two carpenter shops, county buildings, two lawyers-George F. Markley and Winslow Blake ; two physicians-Barber and Rogers ; a schoolhouse near where Charles Stoppenbach's present residence is, which was also used con- jointly with the Court House for places of worship; a saw-mill and other resorts of trade. Dur- ing the summer of 1844, a steamer came hither from St. Louis, which was made the occasion of a dance at the Jefferson House. 1 In 1849, the first brick building in the village was put up at the corner of Milwaukee and Tbird streets, by Andrew Lansing, and yet remains. The grist-mill was commenced, and nearly completed during the winter. by James Wadsworth and others. That year. the California fever broke out in the settlement, and many therein resident were persuaded to cross the plains and search for gold. The disease, so to speak, became epidemic in 1850, and many followed in the wake of those who had gone before, a large proportion, however, returning to Jefferson, where they have since remained.
In 1850, James Barr, now connected with the Jefferson Manufacturing Company, erected the first brick store of which the records make mention. It was located at the corner of Racine and Main streets and is now a portion of Breunig's brewery. Alonzo Wing had put up a store on Main street, between Milwaukee and Dodge streets, several years previous, but Mr. Barr enjoys the distinction of having been the first to locate in a brick building, devoted to merchan- dising. From that date until 1854. the population and improvements in the town were steady and substantial, though by no means rapid. The last half of that decade, however, was more satisfactory. A brick block was erected on Second and Main streets ; the Jefferson House block, the Universalist Church, a brick bloek on Milwaukee street, near the City Hall, the Presbyterian Church and a number of private residences, were begun and completed during that period.
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT.
In 1856, the discussion as to the location of the county seat, which had been in progress for some time previous between Watertown and Jefferson, culminated. During the session of the Legislature of that year, a bill providing for submitting the question to the voters of the county was introduced by William Chappell and adopted. The bill, among other provisions, exempted "repeaters " from the penalty hitherto attaching to the " citizens " who were accustomed to vote often if not early, and. as is now believed, enabled the constituency at Jefferson to prevail over Watertown. The bill was approved October 11, and the election held in pursuance thereof on the third Tuesday in December. Upon that occasion. in addition to the polling-places ordinarily provided, a poll known as " Krummenauer's Poll " was improvised at a point on the Milwaukee road, about two and one-half miles east of the city. Here ballots were deposited containing the names of every known voter, as well as those of every schoolboy in the village, and also a large number of names copied from a Cincinnati directory. When the polls were closed, a delegation came down from Watertown, bearing the result of the vote in that city and demanded the records from the county officers. The vote had been canvassed in Jefferson, but not that at the polls above mentioned. These came in under the call for " the supplemental returns." They were displayed on the poll-list, which was of the " dimensions of a stove-pipe," and evidenced
ADAMS SMITH, Esq., JEFFERSON
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
the defeat of Watertown so pronouncedly that the delegation were convinced beyond dispute and retired with expressions of disgust and disappointment.
Since that date, no matter of particular import has occurred to affect the prosperity of Jefferson disadvantageously. From an obscure settlement it has become a city of prime impor- tance, and large interests, connected by rail with all the important points East and West, and containing a population who have, by their industry, enterprise and frugality, become the pos- sessors of wealth and factors of influence throughout the State.
OFFICIAL ROSTER UNDER TOWN ORGANIZATION.
Previous to 1857. the present city of Jefferson was under the same government as the township. In 1857. the village of Jefferson was incorporated and represented in the township Board of Supervisors. This continued until 1878. when an aet " to incorporate the city of Jefferson " was passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin and approved March 19 of that year. since which date the whilom town and village has been considered as a municipal corporation. entitled to certain privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining. in consideration of secur- ing to the citizens life. liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The city of Jefferson is still con- nected with the town or township government for town purposes.
The records of the town previous to April 5. 1845, are missing, and doubt is expressed by those assuming to be familiar with the facts, as to whether any existed prior to that date. From the records accessible to inquiry. it appears that a town meeting was convened on April 5. at which William Sanborn presided as Moderator, and C. W. Hayden discharged the duties of Clerk. The business disposed of included the raising of a fund for the support of schools for the year ; the sum of $100 to build a bridge across Rock River opposite the county seat : also across " Crawfish River where the road crosses near the fork." and the appropriation of $50 to establish a free ferry at the forks of Rock River. After the election of the following officers. the meeting adjourned, with an understanding that the next annual meeting should be held at the house of Enoch G. Darling :
Supervisors-Robert Masters. Chairman. Alvin Foster and Asa F. Snell ; Clerk. Lueius I. Barber ; Assessors-Alvin Foster. Elbridge G. Fifield and Hiram Z. Britain ; Treasurer. Erastus C. Montague ; Commissioners of Highways-Joel C. Jenks. Frederick A. Potter and Alvin Foster : Commissioners of Schools-Asa F. Snell. Hiram Z. Britain and Alvin Foster : Collector. George Crist ; Sealer of Weights and Measures. Lucius I. Barber: Constables. Abram Vanderpool and George Crist : Overseers of Roads-Enoch G. Darling. Cyrus Curtis. Eschillus Masters. William Burton. James M. Cole. Joel H. Jenks. Elbridge G. Fifield. Frank- lin Roberts and Zenas I. Roberts.
The following officers were elected at subsequent meetings held annually until 1857: Supervisors for 1843-Asa F. Snell. William Sanborn and John Crosby: 1844-Davenport Rood, John Crosby and E. Masters: 1845-John Crosby. Harvey Foster and Charles Hovt : 1846-William Sanborn, Asa F. Snell and Aikens Foster : 1847-William Sanborn, Alonzo H. Waldo and Sherburn Huse: 1848-H. Sanborn. William Crosby and Aikens Foster : 1849 -Alonzo Wing, William A. Whipple and H. V. D. Hellen ; 1850-William Sanborn. H. V. D. Hellen and Joseph Blodgett : 1851-Alonzo H. Waldo. John Haas and Emanuel Hake : 1852-James Barr. A. B. Curtis and Peter Oelberg ; 1:53-Thomas D. Barr. Peter Velbert and S. R. Stevens : 1854 and 1855-E. D. Masters. Peter Oelberg and Emanuel Hake: 1-56 -A. H. Waldo. Frederick Hake and John Haas.
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